What's a girl to do without Girlfriends?

My friend Todd invited me to his house party last night. Of course I jump at anything that involves meeting more people in this place where I still feel like a stranger, so I gladly told him I'd stop by. 

Now, stopping by in Texas, when I had friends, would mean grabbing a couple girls and going as a group of 2 or 3 to this party as to avoid the intimidation of walking into a room full of strangers alone. But, not here. Here I don't have those girls yet. So in an effort to not pass up the chance to meet more philadelphians, I went. Alone. Sans my 'wing-woman.'

This sounds so dramatic. It wasn't really.

I'm so glad I went. I ended up meeting some girls there and had a really fun time, but the whole situation just made me wonder if I'll ever have girlfriends here like I have in Texas. Will I even be here long enough to establish those relationships? Why is it so easy to make and have guy friends, but not girls? Is it me?

Most people around here I find are born and raised in Philly so their circles of life-long friends are very established where as Texas (Austin and Houston at least) had a larger population of 'transplants' so their circles of friends are always open for comers and goers. It's hard to enter the circle here.

It'll happen though, soon enough. I'll find those friends. All in the Lord's timing. 

Meanwhile, I will soak in everything this friendless time is teaching me; about myself, about my relationship with Jesus, and about life. 

Statistics Schmatistics

Welp, my statistics didn't hold true. 

No 1st place in poker this week. 

Maybe next week.

Sweet Scripture from Aunt D

"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!

And now dear children, continue in him so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming."

1 John 3:1, 2:28

Babies, Babies, Babies!

I feel like I talk about Kyle and Stephanie having a baby as much as, if not more than, I talk about my own life. And maybe it's true--I'm just SO EXCITED!!

Well, bear with me, for yet another post about them because today was Steph's baby shower :)






Aside from the fact this was my first baby shower, it was the cutest one I've been to. Just a small group of girls in one room to celebrate this gift in Stephanie's belly. The room was filled with love, love for Stephanie, love for this unborn little boy or girl that God has given this couple. It was great.

Good conversation followed by delicious food and thoughtful presents for the baby; I'm quite the fan of baby showers.








The picture above is Steph opening the baby blanket my mom (Grammy Eileen) knitted for the baby...she's so cute! She's going to be quite the Grandma and is definitely ready to spoil her grandchildren!

Oh man, and maybe the second best thing of the day; we passed this on our drive to Richmond:

My sister insists that this band plays at my wedding; I don't hate the idea.

Much Needed Update

Lauren got on me for being a blog slacker. I don't mean to, it just happened; I won't make a habit of it though, don't worry.

SO, first of all, poker update...

I played on Wednesday, per usual. Now, two wednesdays ago I got 4th place. This wednesday I managed to pull out in 2nd place. Statistically, by next wednesday I should have 1st, right?? I'll keep you posted.

Last Monday I received these sweet flowers (next to my empty candy jar--i had also slacked on refilling this, so it wasn't just the blog that took the beating of me being busy--and our Squish mascot) from my wonderful co-worker, Donna. She was celebrating 'Just Because' Day :) She's so thoughtful. 

Everyone I work with is wonderful. I think that's one of the main reasons I've been in Philadelphia for so much longer than I ever expected or thought I wanted to be. I never thought I'd enjoy my job as much as I do, but I truly look forward to going to the office every day and am so grateful for that.

Later in the week we celebrated February birthdays in my office. We used to have a cake for everyone's individual birthdays, but as we've been growing to now almost 30 people, that can mean ALOT of cake in one month, so we all decided on behalf of our waistlines to cut it to monthly celebrations. I think they're much more enjoyable this way, too.

Tonight I miss Austin

So many things are happening; big things in the lives of people that mean so much to me and I can't be there. 

Instead, I sit in my bed and pray for them.

"Never will I leave you and never will I forsake you." Hebrews 13:5

Finding comfort in the Lord is getting me through this night as I try to fall asleep. He is so good. 

Knowing that the same Jesus that lays here with me is also with lauren as she moves to Dallas and with Kelli and David as they celebrate the beginning of their life together and with James as he celebrates Friday the 13th makes me feel so close.

Pocket Rockets

I think only Lauren will understand the title of this blog. But that's ok.

I played poker last night. Texas Hold'em. It was amaaaazing. I don't think I've played since sophomore year of college when Lauren and I placed 2nd and 3rd in the UNIVERSITY-WIDE tournament (not to brag or anything).

I had heard about these poker tournaments that The World Poker Tour sponsors all around Philly; Two of them happen to be in Manayunk, about 3 minutes from my house. This could either be glorious or extremely dangerous, as this tournament tonight was already my second one this week...and it's only wednesday :|

Good thing it's free to play. My wallet is happy. And first place every week gets a free 3-night trip to Vegas! Um, yes please. Vegas would eat me alive, but it would be fun to experience.

Anyway, I went on monday night with my roommate Joe, I lasted about 5 hands. Sad story. I don't need to win or anything, I just like playing, but my night was cut short. Then I heard about Wednesday nights at this other pub down the street from my house. So I walked myself over there and entered. By myself.

My plan of being there about an hour or so was squashed when I realized it was 11:00pm and they were putting together the final table. 'How am I still here??' By this time, my choice to drink water instead of a diet coke was back firing--I could barely keep my eyes open. But alas, I was at the final table, there was no quitting now.

About 5 hands later 3 of us go all-in on the same hand; I had a QJ suited and felt pretty confident. The cards, however, knew how much I really needed to go to sleep; I lost the hand and walked out 4th (or maybe 5th; I was delirious by now) out of 34ish. Not too bad! I was just glad I got to play longer than 10 minutes :)

We shall see what next wednesday bring; by this rate, I'll have first place in no time, right? I'll keep you posted if I ever win that trip to vegas. 

Love on the wall

My walls are no longer naked.

I have a picture. It's beautiful. I received it in the mail last week.

Thanks to my wonderful friend James in Austin.

It hangs by my door; I see it every time I leave. It's amazing what a picture can bring to a room.

It's like love on my wall all the way from across the country.

Brothers Weekend

In celebration of Kyle being a dad in 8 weeks, the boys of the family decided they needed one last 'Man Weekend' before Kyle 'loses all freedom.' (Who knows, I guess it's a guy thing.) 

Girls have cute baby showers with pretty dresses, party favors and presents, and boys go gambling.

Kevin (brother) and Scott (brother-in-law) came in to town Friday night. Luckily, since they weren't leaving for Atlantic City, which if you're unfamiliar, is the Vegas of the Northeast, until Saturday morning, I was invited to hang out with them on friday night. Basically Stephanie and I talked about the baby and blogging while the boys practiced Craps for Saturday :). With my recent obsession for blogging and my over-excitement about a baby in the family, I must say I had no complaints about the night.

On the baby note, that little one is going to be a genious when it's born. Kyle and Steph read to it and play baby Einstein on her belly. She says the baby gets so much more active in the belly when it hears the music. I think babies are so much more receptive to things than we know.

And I felt it kick again. That baby is strong, It's the most bizarre but awesome thing ever.

Just chattin' with God

"Prayer brings incredible results. It is God's way of linking His boundless power with our human weakness to accomplish His will in the world. He invites us to be involved with Him, tell Him our needs, and see Him do remarkable things, often beyond what we have asked or thought.

If we live cleansed, abiding lives, and if we pray in Jesus' name, according to God's will, with faith, God will hear us. Our feelings, the length of our prayers, or their eloquence are not the basis for confident praying. We must rely upon God and His Word."

An excerpt from an article about prayer and our emotions from my sweet friend Kelli. I love her.

Blue Blueberry Muffins?

I love to bake. Everyone knows that about me. I used to bake all the time when I was living with my parents; it was so easy as my mom has every baking dish and utensil you could imagine. I could whip up cookies like it was nothing.

Since I've moved, however, it's been a bit tougher to fulfill my craving to bake. Let's just say my kitchen isn't exactly user-friendly. I mean, we have a few pots for the stove, and the appliances work (for the most part), but as far as mixing bowls, measuring cups and spoons, spatulas, and pans go, not so much.

So today I was on a mission. A mission to bake. And that I did.

It all started at work, around lunch time, when I was hungry of course. I started perusing recipezaar.com, my usual recipe hotspot, and it was just recipe after recipe of delicious cakes and breads that I wanted to make. But keeping in mind my kitchen situation I decided to start with a simple recipe.

Blueberry Buttermilk Muffins. One mixing bowl, one baking pan, one spoon. Simple yet delicious.

A short trip to the grocery store to pick up the necessary ingredients and a muffin pan and I was ready to go. My night consisted of The Bachelor and muffin-making. GLORIOUS. Aside from the fact that they turned blue, the muffins were AWESOME. So good. For money-saving purposes I used frozen blueberries and let them thaw before adding to the muffins (hence the blue color); apparently you're supposed to leave them frozen. Note to self.

I've probably got you all craving blueberry muffins now so I will post this oh-so-wonderful recipe with my substitutions for your enjoyment:

Blueberry Buttermilk Muffins
Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 eggs, beaten (I used egg beaters)
1 cup buttermilk (I used light buttermilk)
4 ounces butter or 1/2 cup canola oil (I used light butter)
1 1/2 cups blueberries
1 teaspoon vanilla (optional)

Directions:
Sift dry ingredients together in a large bowl. In another bowl, whisk eggs, buttermilk and butter that has been melted and browned slightly. Make a well in dry ingredients and pour in liquid ingredients, mixing quickly. Fold in blueberries. Spoon batter into greased muffin cups and bake till golden brown. Bake at 400 F for 20 -30 minutes.

Personal pillow warmer

Sometimes I come home to this on my bed:



She makes my bed all snuggly.

The STUPERBOWL!

A wonderful Sunday of FAMILY, FOOD and football. Kyle and Dad threw the football while Mom and I cooked in the kitchen; our favorite place to be and thing to do :)

Before kickoff, Dad took down the bets. Everyone strategically picked their winning boxes in his Nothing-But-Luck Super Bowl Game.

  

My excitement over queso and 7-layer dip (we make tex-mex whenever possible because you won't find it anywhere else in this state) caused me to miss a before picture of the food. However, I think the after picture gives you a good enough idea of how much we miss enjoying mexican food.

 

On a side note: People here don't understand why we call it queso. They always ask me "Oh, you mean cheese? Why do you say it in Spanish?" I don't get it, it's queso people.

After a 4-month deprivation from this wonderful substance (I don't know if Velveeta, wonderfully referred to in wikipedia as 'cheese product,' can actually be considered a food?), my belly is satisfied. And the 7-layer dip, that was just the icing on the cake. DE-LICIOUS. 

Oh, and about the Super Bowl, it was a good game, I suppose; the commercials were a bit of a disappointment this year. Sadly, I think you can tell my focus was not so much on the football game this year.

October 11, 2009

The Chicago Marathon.

My Aunt D and I Registered today. 

Lord, help me...