You Is Important

Broad Street Coffeeshop is a Haven for a Once Homeless Man

http://articles.philly.com/2011-10-09/news/30260440_1_homeless-man-coffee-shop-homeless-veteran

                                                                                                                                 
I really enjoyed this article.  It was a great reminder to me to be kind to everyone.  Give sincere thank-yous and hellos.   Don't be afraid to ask a question or give a compliment.  And I need to reprogram my judgmental mind and give people the benefit of the doubt. 

It reminds me of Jane Bennet in Pride and Prejudice.  She was so kind to everyone, and always believed the best.  I want to be more like that.

To speak words of truth to others, like Aibileene, http://youtu.be/UZimx1wHYcs 

And C.S. Lewis' famous line, "There are no 'ordinary' people. You have never talked to a mere mortal."

Makes me want to run down to Starbucks and sit down with everyone and hear their life story.  People are incredibly important. 

God does know each person.  He knows our stories, struggles, wounds, gifts, abilities, needs, bank account balance, where we sleep at night, ... He knows it all.  And his response to this is the Ultimate in letting us know we're important-

This is how much God loved the world:
He gave his Son, his one and only Son.
And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed;
by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life.
-John 3:16 (MSG)

False Advertising

Last night I stopped by my neighborhood Target to pick up some index cards (and check to see if the Missoni stuff was gone- it was.)  As I was leaving the store I noticed a sign on one of the light posts.  It was advertising "Local Calls $.25".  I kept on walking, and then it hit me, why is there a sign for a pay phone in the middle of a parking lot?  And didn't calls go up to $.35 about 15 years ago?  And we're in Scottsdale, the land of boob jobs, fake tans, Range Rovers, and bedazzled millionaire cowboys.  There aren't random pay phones in this neighborhood!  So I walked over to the sign and couldn't find the phone.  What the heck?!  How long has that sign been there with no phone?  I found the set up hilarious and laughed my head off for 5 minutes. 

Football & Free Cupcakes

Guess what I found this morning???  Thank me later. ;)

Show your support for our Arizona Cardinals by heading over to Sprinkles Cupcakes for a free Cardinals red velvet cupcake. You can score this freebie on Wednesday, September 7 from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m. But you do have to prove you are a Cardinals fan in order to get that cupcake. Show up during that time wearing a Cardinals jersey, shirt or hat. It is one free cupcake per fan.


Read more: http://www.abc15.com/dpp/money/consumer/smart_shopper/Freebie-Friday%3A-Have-fun-and-save-your-cash#ixzz1Wo7E4Cnd

Heaven

Several months ago I read the highly debated book, Love Wins by Rob Bell.  It really made me question what I believe about salvation, hell, eternity, etc.  My Sunday school class has also been going through an intense study of the book of Revelation which covers many of the same topics.  I was getting pretty sick of the topic of "hell" and was really happy when we got to the topic of heaven.  

So here's what I've come up with:  What will we do in heaven?  Will we just sit around and sing "Holy Holy Holy" for the rest of eternity?  I hope there is more to it than that.  Isaiah 65:17-25 gives a bit more detail.  I especially like verse 21, "They will build houses and dwell in them, they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit."  I take this to mean we will have jobs or responsibilities of some sort.  In my imagination it goes something like this:  God knows us.  He created us with specific personalities, abilities, etc.  In heaven we'll have jobs that match us, jobs that were made for us.  In heaven we will be the best versions of ourselves, so we'll be working with other people who are the best versions of themselves.  And our boss will be God.  He'll know what projects we're working on, and how our work influences others and how it all works together in His big picture.  And guess what?  This part is my favorite, We can say, "Hey God, I've been trying to do this project this way, but it could probably be done better.  Would you please help?"  And He knows us and knows how we think and He can show us the RIGHT way to do something.  And He won't be demeaning or confusing when He explains.  And since it is heaven, there won't be those rotten Monday mornings where you wake up and think, "Ugh.  Do I really have to start another week of this?  I wonder how much vacation time I have."  My image of heaven isn't a Biblical Truth, it is just my imagination.  But I do know that God really does know the inner workings of me, and when I get to heaven it will be intense to be with the One who knows me like that.

I think this quote says it quite nicely, "I have come home at last! This is my real country! I belong here. This is the land I have been looking for all my life, though I never knew it till now." -Jewel the Unicorn in  C.S. Lewis' The Last Battle

Hats

First off, I'm writing this at the library and there's an old dude at a computer across from me talking on his cell phone.  He's yelling at someone, "You want to go to Flo's for dinner?  You have to show me you have cash first...  WHAT?  Don't show her that!  It's sadistic!  It's witchcraft!...  I can't do that at my house, my ex could show up."  It's gettin' crazy up at the local library!  Wow.  Oh,  he just got up.  He's wearing a baseball cap and has his gray hair in a ponytail. 

Speaking of crazy looks, one of my good friends sent me a link to some extremely entertaining hats seen at this year's Royal Ascot (England's biggest horse race of the year, dating back to 1711).  I highly recommend going through this quick slideshow.  And here is one of my favorites:

Kind of makes me want to get a little more adventerous with my wardrobe.  Hmm...



http://www.amazon.com/Hat-Book-Creating-Every-Occasion/dp/0937274739 

Problem with Hello

This week I have noticed something.  I have a really hard time introducing myself to new people.  I get really nervous and my mind goes blank.  And I get frantic, so then my mind goes really blank, or focuses on something absolutely ridiculous.  Thought process: I could say 'Hi I'm Amanda' and they'd respond with their name, but what do I say after that?  I hate comments on the weather, so I won't comment on that.  I could comment on their clothes, but then I'll seem shallow.  I could comment on last night's baseball game, but they might hate sports and then there will be awkward silence.  The thought process usually ends with me giving up, or the opportunity passes me by. 

I've even asked for advice from some of my charming outgoing friends, who are very encouraging.  Their wisdom really gets me motivated, and I tell myself, "This is so easy!  I can do this.  Just don't get nervous and be your yourself."  Easier said than done.  This morning I had a perfect chance to practice, and I dropped the ball again.  After 5 minutes of sitting next to a person I'd never met and going through my traditional thought process and giving up, someone else introduced us and then we chatted a bit.  So, that one worked out okay in the end.  But still, I needed to be a big girl and introduce myself.  I don't have a problem with conversation post-introduction, it's just that initial "hello".  Maybe tomorrow I'll get the chance to try again. 

Speaking of tomorrow, it is Father's Day tomorrow.  Happy Father's Day to my super terrific wonderful awesome dad who has no problem meeting new people! :) 

Time Management

You might ask why I get to the airport so early? Well, let me tell you a story. One sunny afternoon a wonderful friend dropped me off at Sky Harbor Terminal 4. I checked my bag and the kiosk told me to go to Gate C-something. I glanced at the guy next to me and noticed his kiosk said C11. Cool. Both of us are over at C! So I proceeded upstairs and got a snack, went through security, and made my way to the C gates... To C11. Umm, C11 is really far. 2 moving walkways! And when I got there people were already boarding! Ah! I was late! How could this be?! Wait, the sign says "Chicago" um, was this my gate? In a panic I looked for a bank of tv displays to tell me my gate. I couldn't find a single tv in whole neighborhood! C11 was so far out they didn't have tvs! Nooo! So I got out my trusty iPhone and figured out I was actually C4... 2 moving walkways back. Arg. So I readjusted my bag and purse and voyaged to the correct gate.

I don't know why this happened. I just flew 2,weeks ago and was quite successful. Good thing I got to the airport early :). Appears it is time to get ready to board. Wait, why does the sign say San Jose? I'm going to San Diego!

Starbucks Happy Hour

Starbucks Happy Hour

Friday, May 6 - Sunday, May 15

3:00 - 5:00 PM Everyday

Half-Price Frappuccino (both coffee flavors and non-coffee flavors)

And the summer coconut frap is back

Plus frappuccinos are totally customizable now:

• Milk: 2%, nonfat, or soy
• Coffee: get an extra pump of coffee, shot of espresso, or decaf
• Toppings: whipped cream, chocolate and caramel drizzle, sprinkles, toasted coconut

http://www.starbucks.com/blog/happy-hour-returns/1005

Old Reckless Library Lady

Today I went to the library during my lunch break to pick up the 2nd book in a series I'm reading. The online library catalog said they had it in the "new fiction" section. But when I got in there I couldn't find it in that section. Frustrating. I needed that book real bad so I had no choice- I had to ask a librarian for help. I hate asking for help. The librarian was nice enough (and complimented my shoes so of course I liked her)she went off on a book hunt and I waited at the front desk. While I was standing there an old lady got in line behind me. She was wearing an elastic waist cotton dress and ked tennis shoes. We were just standing there waiting and then I heard... Gas being passed. Quite loudly. It was just the old lady and I, and I know it wasn't me, so it had to be her! I giggled to myself. The librarian arrived with my book and on my way out I heard what the gassy old lady was waiting in line for- her books were overdue and she wanted to pay her fine. WHAT? Careless, reckless gas passer was waiting in line to responsibly pay her library fine? Talk about extreme opposites! What a lady.

Squinting

I wear contacts. Typically I go to the eye doctor, load up on contacts and don't return to the dr till my last pair of lenses gets funky. Well ... The time has arrived. My right lense is blurry. Today I made my pilgramage to the optometrist, got a new prescription, ordered more contacts, and had my eyes dilated.

At work I've been working on a few special projects, all on quick deadlines. That didn't cross my mind when the eye dr asked if it'd be okay if she dilated my eyes. When I returned to work with my enlarged pupils I couldn't read anything on my computer screen, and I needed to make several board-worthy spreadsheets due today! I squinted and guessed my way around to figure out how to make my monitor suitable for a 90 year old blind woman. The big boss picked that moment to drop by and ask how his spreadsheets were coming. I smiled and told him I'd be finished soon (didn't mention it was dependent on me regaining my sight). After a few painful hours I could see and I finished his project. I think I learned my dilation lesson.

Time Waster or Life Improver?

I came to the library after work to use their free wifi (and return some stuff, it was overdue and my fine will probably go from $6 to $9...  they might put me in jail).  I don't have internet at my apartment, so we'll see how this works.  I've come across some fun links in the past couple months and wanted to share them.  They might just waste your time, or they might change your life forever.  :)

Create starbucks drinks!  Who knew there was a sweet espresso called ristretto?  I love the creativity.

Color palette generator.  You give the website a picture, and it gives you an exact match of a color scheme, both a bold and muted.  Nice.  In one of my last posts I mentioned this picture I got from ikea.  So I went to the website, right clicked on the image of the picture, viewed info, copied the url listed, then pasted it in the color palette generator.  Viola!  There are the colors to use to decorate! 

Free junk.  I've always known craigslist had a free section, but for some reason it has become more appealing to me.  If you check it regularly you can find some great stuff.  Well, maybe not "great", but certainly entertaining.  Free pony rides, goat manure, 5 lb handheld barbell, and a giant mirror are all listed right now.  If that giant mirror wasn't so far away I'd probably go get it.

Note to self:  library internet is awful.  I think it times out every 3 minutes.  Get an iPhone and all life's problems will be solved.

Pick Up Lines

Yesterday I had to pick up some medication at the pharmacy.  I got in line and tried to wait patiently.  A lady pulled up her cart behind me and said, "Is this the line to pick up?"  "Yes."  "Oh good."   Then the oooold man in front of me turned to me and said, "This is the pick up line?"  "Yes."  (that's what I just said to the lady behind me!) He gave a little smile and said, "You come here often?"  WHAAAAAT?!  I tried to look as if something else a couple aisles over really had my attention and he said, "That's a pick up line."  Excellent.  Good thing I took an extra 30 seconds to put on lip gloss before entering the store... so a 90-year-old man with severe dandruff could hit on me, and then clarify that he was hitting on me.  I guess it was a funny joke, but still awkward.  I got my stuff and left the store thinking, "Why is it only weirdos who talk to me?  Why couldn't it have been a dashing young man?"

Then I went to Ross to get curtains for my new apartment.  The store was a zoo and the line was looong.  I thought I was getting at the end of the line, but I realized a guy had been standing at the back of the line from a different angle (between the clothes racks instead of off to the side).  When I finally got to the front of the line he was beside me and it wasn't clear who was next.  Was he first, or was I first?  I said, "Go ahead."  He said, "Oh no, you can go."  I said, "I think you were waiting first."  And he said, "Yes, I think I was, but I'm trying to be a gentleman."  My jaw hit the floor.  A guy between the ages of 20-40 who was going out of his way to be a gentleman?  Yeeeaaaaah!!!  God, bless that man!

Lesson learned?  Pickup lines are awkward...  BOTH types of pickup lines.  Chivalry goes much further in impressing a lady.

 http://www.badges-r-us.com/Engraved-Signs.html

Potty Training at Ikea

Tonight my wonderful parents took me to Ikea.  It is waaaaay across town, so before we started the journey we stopped at Quik Trip and I got my new favorite drink- Sprite with a splash of cherry (it is almost as good as a cherry limeade).  I decided to use one of the new styrofoam cups instead of the normal plastic cup.  I paid my dollar, got in the car, and we were on our way.

I love Ikea.  I love the perfect, stylish rooms they set up.  A living room with a gray wall, a bed room with a bed canopy featuring a chandelier in the center, a kitchen with shiny red cabinets...  love it!  And what is it about their display of couches that makes it impossible to pass by without sitting in every single model?  So, after an hour or so of meandering through the store, random stuff in hand, we made our way to the cash registers.  While waiting for the next available self-serve station, someone cut in front of us!  They snuck in from the food side!  Jerks.  When I walked by them I said quite loudly, "WOW, THAT LINE WASN'T TOO BAD AT ALL!"  (I'm out of control, I know)  My family was going to get cinnamon rolls on our way out, but they were out.  Quite disappointing.  We got to the car and successfully finagled the random stuff in the trunk and back seat (what's a trip to Ikea without some random stuff finagling?)  

I took my place in the backseat, picked up my Quik Trip cherry Sprite, took a drink, then I put the styrofoam cup between my legs (no cupholder).  I guess I kinda squashed the styrofoam cup, because I suddenly had a tidal wave of cold liquid in my crotch.  Thank goodness my dad hadn't started the car yet.  I screamed and jumped out of my seat... then realized I was standing in the middle of the crowded Ikea parking lot with a dripping crotch.  My mom started handing me napkins and I tried to dry myself as discreetly as possible, but I'm sure the two guys walking by noticed me laughing my head off, dabbing a napkin on my dripping rear end.  And then I got to sit in my cold wet pants all the way back across town. 

Grocery Store Chivalry

This afternoon I ran to the grocery store to get more cookie dough for a fruit pizza (1 tube of dough is enough for a mini-pizza, a BIG pizza takes 3 tubes).  As I was walking up to the front door I noticed a man several steps behind me.  He shouted, "Let me get the door for you, Miss!"  I thought, "Wow!  A guy (other than my dad) making an extra effort to get the door for me?  Nice!"  And then I realized that it was an automatic door.  He was being funny.  Ha. 

 

Gum Contribution

I just got home from a trip to Seattle.  Naturally I visited Pike Place Market.  Loved it.  Stopped at the original Starbucks, Pike Place Chowder, Beecher's Cheese, sampled chocolate linguine, and some new variety of apple.  (Whoa, I guess I ate a lot!)  Aaaand...  I found the gum wall!  Half of an alley covered in multiple layers of brilliantly colored candy!  Now that I'm home I realized something awful about it.  I didn't make a contribution!  There was a candy store right around the corner and I didn't take two minutes to buy a piece of gum and stick it on the wall.  Argh!  Why didn't I do it?!  (Possibly because it was 2 degrees, snowing, and my nose was starting to drip)  So... if anyone happens to be at the gum wall anytime soon, would you please stick a piece of blue gum on the wall for me and take a picture of it?  I'd be extremely grateful.