What I learned from the office tonight...

- Watch where you're driving in the parking lot
- Creed is the token creeper of the show
- Angela actually does have emotions
- When you park on top of old Indian burial ground you will be cursed
- If you trap a bat in a bag and put it over your head... you may get rabies
- Dundler Mifflin supports the rabid
- Squirrels are happy because they’re “insane”
- The key to running a successful marathon is drafting.
- You can ditch a 5K as long as your boss doesn’t see you
- Carbo-loading by eating Fettuccini Alfredo before you go for a run is not a good idea
- An $8 turquoise lamp makes a great trophy
- Sharing your sucker is a good way to make friends/ get rabies

Dear Jason Wahler,

You are not a baller.
You can't rap, you don't have flow...
You don't have rythm, so you need to go.
You are embarrassing to watch, it's painful for my eyes...
It's like watching a trainwreck, it makes me want to die.
You're not even trying, you look like a fool,
Please, go back to rap school.

Just tryin' to keep it real,
Annie

p.s. I give lessons, but don't call me.

I can't teach rythym
I can't teach flow
It's something you're born with...
so get over it yo.

Guilty Pleasure #8256

Guitar Hero.

I just played for the first time, and I was horrible. But, it's the coolest game ever... and I'm getting better every time I play! My highest score was 89%, and that was to the tune of Message in a bottle by the one and only Police.

Thank you Police for providing such an amazing song on guitar hero for me to stum my heart out too. I love you.

What I should be doing right now...

... is getting ready for bed. But, I just don't want to. I have an early morning tomorrow, but right now I'd rather be up watching TV with my roommate Becky. We're watching Ace of Cakes, and the guys on that show are seriously amazing with what they are capable of doing with some cake mix and frosting. Some of the cakes don't even look like cakes... like this guitar.

I think that would be a fun job...

Making cakes like this is totally on my list of awesome things I would love to do... but never will. I do not have the patience, nor the steady hands.

Cheers to you though, Duff... you're the man.

I'm definitely an Autumn Girl

I was talking to my friends Randy and Kim today about how I have really liked the weather lately because it's been cooler than the weeks before. It's not cold, but definitely cooler.

For some reason, every year, I get surprised that it's never cold enough in September to be wearing sweatshirts, jackets and fun scarves. Every year I trick myself into thinking that once September rolls around it's going to be cold enough for that... but nope.

I can't wait for it to get colder and be able to wear scarves... they are one of my favorite things about autumn and winter!

I got tagged... twice.

Brent and John tagged me... at the same time. So instead of doing two (since that would be ridiculous and repetitive) this is my response to both tags. I thought that maybe I would cheat the system and respond with 6 words instead of just 3, but when I tried that it was a lot harder to come up with 6 words, rather than only 3. I also figured that would be inconsiderate considering not everyone is as popular as me and gets tagged by two people at the same time like I do... I'm totally kidding.

Thanks for tagging me Brent and John! Here are my responses!

I have to use 3 words to answer each question. No more, no less. It's harder than you think!

Christine and Alyssa tag you're it!

1. Where is your cell phone? on my lap
2. Who is your boyfriend/girlfriend (or husband/wife)? Don't have one
3. Where is one of your parents? Probably teaching math
4. Cheesecake? Oh, Yes Please!
5. Your favorite thing to do? See my friends
6. Your dream last night? I can't remember
7. Your favorite drink? Lemon Ice Water
8. The room you're in? My living room
9. George Bush? This is funny
10. What you're good at? All things shopping
11. One of your wish list items? Some new Sevens
12. Where did you grow up? South Orange County
13. The last thing you did? Talked to Becky
14. What are you wearing? Jeans and T-shirt
15. Who stole your sunglasses? They're not stollen
16. Ketchup? Not for fries
17. Your computer? a MAC laptop
18. Your life? full of fun
19. Your mood? getting kinda sleepy
20. Your next blog? coming very soon!
21. Your car is? getting kinda old
22. Your summer? Always a blast
23. Your relationship status? Not in one
24. Your favorite color(s)? i LOVE pink!
25. When is the last time you laughed? 2 seconds ago

I got to be a princess for 5 minutes today...

This afternoon while I was getting ready for my very first church service at San Clemente (which, was awesome by the way) I had to go out to my car and grab my make-up. I was in my pajamas and I was jogging out to my car. For some reason I don't feel awkward at all going to the store in my pajamas, but if my neighbors see me in them... it always makes me feel uncomfortable.

Anyways...

I was jogging out to my car to grab my make up, and out of the corner of my eye I saw a little huddle of little boys dressed up. Their ages ranged probably from about 3 to 6, and they were easily the cutest little guys I have ever seen. One little guy was wearing a batman mask, one a super man cape, and the other a little denim hat. All of the boys were wearing rain boots (my favorite part of their ensemble). And, there were also some wooden swards, a pool noodle, and a big water gun involved. They were standing huddled around a tree and the littlest boy in the denim hat was standing up against it pretending like his arms were tied around it. He looked reluctant like he didn't want to be the bad guy. I think that he was probably just playing along so that the other boys would let him play with them.

I couldn't help myself, I had to go play with them for five minutes. So I walked up and we had this conversation:

Me: Hi... you guys aren't looking for bad guys... are you?
Batman with sword: Yes... have you seen some?
Superman with pool noodle: No no, we found him, he's there! (pointing to the boy "tied" to the tree)
Me: Well are you sure that he's the bad guy? You wouldn't want to kill the wrong person...
Batman: Oh, yeah... you're right...
Me: Well... I just saw some pirates run around the corner.
Little Guy against tree with a water gun bigger than he was: YOU DID!?
Me: Yeah, and I know they are bad guys. You should probably go get them...
Superman: OK! Guys, lets go! Come with us! Show us where the pirates are...
Me: OK, but you have to walk really quiet and be sneaky. Pirates have really good ears and they can hear people trying to sneak up on them.
Batman: OK. we'll whisper. We're just going to follow you
Me: Alright... see that car? The blue one? (I pointed to a truck that was parked close to us). The pirates are hiding behind that truck, I think they heard us coming...
Superman: Oh no... I need my sword!
Me: Now, I'm the princess because I'm the only girl. So you have to protect me from the bad guys.

The littlest guy of the bunch, walking right in front of me was ADORABLE. He turned around, gave me the biggest smile ever, and says "YEAH OK! I'll protect you!"

My heart melted a little.

After they fought off the bad guys (which was only about 2 seconds later after yelling "ATTACK!", and then sword fighting with each other) I told them that the princess had to go back to her castle. They said OK, so I went back to my house and finished getting ready.

Dang they were cute.

One more thing before I head off to bed...

Tonight while Becky and I were on our way to Wahoo's for dinner, we saw something that made me want my camera more badly than the day that I caught the 100 pound fish at the harbor.

Picture this: An old man (probably in his late 70's) with a big white beard. He really looked like Santa Clause... driving a teeny-tiny red vespa. For all I know it could have really been Santa Clause... who knows what he does on his off season? The best part of this blessed scene playing out in front of my eyes, was not that I think I saw Santa Clause on a red vespa... but the fact that he was wearing ridiculous goggles and had a HUGE American flag waving from the tail of his "bike". Not the kind of flag that some people put on their car windows... it was a flag that people would hang up in front of their house, or put on a flag pole. It was that big.

Amazing.

My first day!

So today was my first day down at the Saddleback San Clemente campus... and I loved it! I can't wait for this weekend to meet all the students, volunteers and see what the next year of my life is going to look like.

Highlights of my day were...
- Walking into the office and seeing that my desk had been decorated (Thank you Jake!)
- Getting Pizza with the whole team and getting to see Luke and Erin too!
- Watching Pastor Rick talk about Purpose Driven Churches on a DVD... from the 90's. The whole San Clemente team and I watched it together, not only was it super entertaining to see everyone in the audience with big hair, crazy make-up, funny mustaches, and big floral patterns on their clothes... it was also super helpful to be reminded of certain things that I so easily forget.

I love the team and working with Jake is going to be so awesome.

There's really not a whole lot else to say, other than I am so excited for this new chapter in my life!

Thank you to all my friends who texted me, called me, and e-mailed me letting me know that you were thinking of me and praying for me! I love you!

Dear Wildside,

I have SO loved being a part of everything that you have done. From the Wildside bowl to Mobile Missions, from weekend services to Strive. It was all a blast, and I will miss you very much.

To all the students still in Wildside... I LOVE YOU! I'm so glad that I got to know you! This is not a goodbye, but an "I'll see you later", there is no way that I could just walk away from all of you. I love you way too much to just pack up, leave, and never come back. You are all the reason I do what I do. Seeing your faces on the weekend made my week... every time. You are so great, and I can't wait to see where you will be in a couple years. Let's keep in touch! And, I'm sure I will see you around.

To all the students that graduated and are not in Wildside anymore... I LOVE YOU! I am also so glad that I got to know you! I am so excited for you to have your first year of High School! I hope you love it, and if you go through a rough patch, I am just a phone call or e-mail away. I cannot wait to see where you will be in a couple years.

You all mean that world to me and have touched my life immensely! I love you SO much! Don't ever forget that. I'm here for you always, and I can't wait to see you the next time that we meet!

Love,
Annie

p.s. If you come visit me down at the San Clemente campus... I would be beyond excited!

Pulled Pork Sandwiches, Will Ferrell, and a Mac...

Saturday night was very fun. After a delicious dinner at Lucille's with Justin, John and Elizabeth, we all came back to my house and watched the best of Will Ferrell SLN. I must admit, SNL has totally never been the same since Will Ferrell Left. Not even close. And, I am so thankful that my friend Josh got me the Will Ferrell DVD so that I can enjoy Will Ferrell whenever I need a good dose of laughter. I would have to say that my top four (because I couldn't pick just three) Will Ferrell Moments are:

1. The Robert Goulet One
2. The Cow Bell One
3. The Harry Carey One
4. The Drugs Stop Here One

So dang funny.

After all that fun... John and I stayed up and took pictures like this until about 2:30 am...







Such a fun night. I have the coolest friends ever.

God is bigger...

Last night I was driving home after picking up my car from my mechanics and the new Carrie Underwood came on, I'll stand by you. I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure that the song is not written in a spiritual context at all. But, last night as I was listening to it, tears started welling up in my eyes thinking about how that is how much God loves me and how God views me. And, to think that the song does not do God's love for me justice what-so-ever. For those 3 minutes I felt so overwhelmed by God's love for me and just pictured him holding me in his hands singing this song to me. I am so undeserving, and yet He loves me SO much anyways. I want to love people the way that Jesus loves me. I want to reflect Jesus in my life and especially in the way that I love other people. Regardless of what kind of day I am having, or what is going on in my life.

Here are the song lyrics.

Why, why you look so sad?
The tears are in your eyes
Come on and come to me now
Don't, don't be ashamed to cry
Let me see you through
I've seen the dark side too
When the night falls on you
You don't know what to do
Nothing you confess
Could make me love you less

I'll stand by you
I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you

So, if you're mad get mad
Don't hold it all inside
Come on and talk to me now
Hey, what you got to hide?
I get angry too
But I'm alone like you
When you're standing at the crossroads
And don't know whichpath to choose
Let me come along
'Cause even if you're wrong...
I'll stand by you

I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you

Even in your darkest hour
And I'll never desert you
I'll stand by you
And when, when the nightfalls on you baby
You're feeling all alone
You're wondring on your own

I'll stand by you
I'll stand by you
Won't let nobody hurt you
I'll stand by you

I am so thankful to be loved by such a BIG God that loves me so much, and know's what's best for me when I don't have a clue. I am so thankful that God will stand by me no matter what happens. Thank you Matthew 11:30 for this reminder, "For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light." Thank you Lord for telling me that the only burden you give me is to
try my hardest to please you (and that it's OK when I don't please everyone esle around me). Thank you also for telling me that my burden is easy becasue you will bear it with me by standing by me. Thank you for giving me the freedom to mess up; and for your patience and grace when you hold out your hand to me and help me to get back up on my feet even when I fall.

Intern Mystery Road Trip #2

Yesterday was SO much fun! All of the interns plus Josh, Allison, and Jana went deep sea fishing. I wasn't sure what to expect at first... but it was so great. And, one of the best things about it was that it was something that I never would have done on my own. But, now that I know it's awesome... i would totally do it again!

Highlights from the trip include:
- going fishing for my first time EVER
- spending time with the other interns
- being out on the ocean and rocking back and forth on the boat
- perfect weather
- helping captain bob make cheeseburgers
- getting away from e-mail and my cell phone for 8 hours
- trying to walk strait while the boat was rocking out of control
- never having to bait my own hook
- catching a 100 pound black sea bass... that's right.
Things I learned on the trip include:
- black sea bass are protected. Therefore I was not allowed to keep my fish and take him home with me. If I could have taken my fish home, I would have built him and tank and named him. I would not have eaten him. For two reasons:
1) I don't like seafood
2) I felt like since I caught him, he came to me and therefore belongs to me... to love him. He would have been my favorite fish that I ever had and I would never have tried to flush him down my toilet (poor Henry the purple fish...)
- Sea lions are just like a pack of wolves, but they live in water
- cheeseburgers are so much more delicious when you are out in the middle of the ocean
- Brian is an excellent fisherman
- Elizabeth, Dominik, and Jeff get sea sick very easily
- Barracudas are not only really slimy and gross, but they also have super strong teeth and can bite through your fishing line and swallow the bait and hook like it's nothing.
- Deep Sea fishing, although a little smelly and can make some people sea sick, is AWESOME. Everyone should go!

Breaking News...

A rat just ran across the cieling tiles in our office.

I screamed, stood on my desk, and grabbed my camera. I'm a lot of help I am in this kind of crisis situation.

Details later... and pictures...

Weekend Re-cap...

Friday night: Dominik's 21 birthday! WOO HOO DOMINIK!! A bunch of us went to BJ's and I got to watch Dominik open this awesome present:
Saturday: Saturday morning I had breakfast with one of my old C-group girls. I can't believe that she will be going into High School. We had a whole conversation about how High School is awesome, but it won't be anything like High School Musical. This was a little hard for her to grasp, considering that every single one of her notebooks were High School Musical and her walls are plastered in posters.

After breakfast with Abby and saying a sad goodbye because we won't see each other for a while... Becky, Elizabeth and I took of to the McTaggerts beach house up in Huntington Beach. It was awesome, and probably the most vacation-y/beach-y thing that I have done all summer.

Highlights from the trip include:
- making a ton of new friends
- jumping off a bridge into the ocean
- learning how to drive a dinghy and taking it out onto the harbor with friends
- playing cards until 2:30 in the morning
- floating around in inner tubes in the harbor
- a trip to target with Holly and Brian.
- water balloon fights from the dock
- delicious food... Thank you Heather, you're amazing!
- spending time with awesome people
- doing a Noah's Ark puzzle with Kelly

It was easily the most fun thing I have done all summer. It was so great to have no agenda what-so-ever and just be able to relax, have fun and laugh with all my friends. The best medicine to get me back on my feet and get me excited for what is coming up next in Wildside.


Sunday: Becky, Elizabeth and I said a sad goodbye to everyone at the beach house around 5:30 and took off to go home and get ready for church. We met up with my friend John at church, sat through an incredible message by Lee Strobel and then all went to Wahoo's afterward.

... what a great weekend.