Green Lake Freezing? Impossible!

But it has happened...check it out here. I'm jealous & only wish this would happen in my lifetime.

Image of ice skaters on Green Lake in 1930.
Can you imagine? It was 13 inches thick!!

Driving Distraction

While driving home from work yesterday, I had one of those random "I wonder..." thoughts.

I was driving along I-5 across the ship canal bridge and it struck me, "I wonder if anyone has ever flipped over the guard rail and plummeted to the ground/water below." Morbid, I know. But I was driving in the outer lane, the one that exits to UW and I was eyeing the view, then the water, and then the dangerously low height of the rail. I thought about getting into an accident, which led me to dangling precariously off the edge, and then to falling.

Crazy how the mind jumps from one scenario to the next, all the while remaining delicately linked to the original thought.

More Creations

I know all of you (the 3 people that read my blog) have been waiting for another stunning (sarcasm) Photoshop design. So, without further ado, I present my two latest and greatest (or not). ;)

One I had help with from a tutorial. The other I created on my own.

Contemplating & Just a Smidge of Wallowing

Most of the time I'm happy being alone. It's time I use to reacquaint myself with...myself. To spend time talking to God or just doing absolutely nothing. I'm content just curling up with a good book, going for a solitary run, or just enjoying a homemade dinner while watching a sappy chick flick. I'll covet my quiet time and often become stressed when I'm not getting any. But sometimes, just sometimes, I get frustrated with it all. And I become slightly depressed as I examine my life...or lack of one depending on my frame of mind at the time. Right now is one of those times.

Lately, I've been feeling what has been the story of my life. The fact that I don't have any close girl friends. Sure, everyone claims they like me or whatever, but when it actually comes down to hanging out...well I've just never been one of those girls that other girls want to invite out. I'm the one they talk to in class, at church, in bible study, or at soccer games. But the relationships never extend beyond that. And I don't know why. Sure, people will claim they want to hang out, but more often then not it's just empty words. With no follow-through. And it's starting to wear on me. I begin to tear myself down and assume untruths about myself and my personality. Or maybe they are truths and I'm just in denial. I just want to know what it is about me that keeps other people from wanting to get to know me...to be my friend. Do I keep people at a distance? Possibly. But for the most part it's because rejection always ensues when I put myself out there. And I know, I know, I shouldn't care what others think. I should only care about God's opinion. But it is so hard sometimes. And my old insecurities always resurface and I battle them and try to overcome them. But sometimes, when I'm all alone, they win the fight.

I know I have a lot of things going for me and have no reason to be envious of the relationships I see other girls having. But I am. Even if I try to tell myself I don't need it. But the company of guys just isn't the same as a close female confidant.

I'm happy. I truly am. And incredibly blessed with a small core group of people who really care about me. But sometimes this is how I feel.

Accidental Collision?

Wednesday morning started out calm and full of promise. I was out the door at 6:48 and there wasn't a spot of traffic on the road. I turned onto the road in front of my work and still had 3 minutes until 7. What would I do with this rare free time? Go to Starbucks and get a warm drink? The thought crossed my mind and if only I had heeded that fleeting thought. Instead, I decided to go straight to work. I put my blinker on, slowed down to a stop, and waited for the bicyclist and lone motorist to pass me by so I could make my left hand turn. Right as I was about to begin my turn I was jolted out of my seat. I let out a cry of rage and an "Oh no you didn't!"

Yes, he did. A taxicab had run into my rear passenger side bumper & tire. Obviously not looking at the road, he had made an extremely wide right-hand turn out of the parking lot to my right. Instead of turning into the near lane, he turned right into me - in the inside lane! So, I spent my free minutes pulling over, exchanging my information and gathering his, all the while trying to understand what he was saying. He didn't want to involve the police or insurance companies. Yeah right! Like I'm just going to hope he pays me back...sure. He seemed nice enough. And gave me his insurance and contact information willingly. But I contacted my insurance company and filed my claim. I told them he wanted to pay out of pocket & that I was going to give him the opportunity to do so (with a cashier's check or something equally legit). I took my car in, got the estimate, and began the repairs - all on Wednesday. The estimate currently stands at $1200. I called him & informed him of the price - on his answering machine. I waited. And waited. He called late Wednesday night & said he wanted to meet to discuss things. Okay...fine. But I'm bringing my dad along.

So, at noon yesterday I went to the Starbucks to meet him. My dad and I waited for over half an hour & decided that was ample time for him to show up. So I called my insurance company and told them to proceed with handling the situation. Later in the day, I saw I had a missed call & a new text message. Both from this guy. He called almost 2 hours after our scheduled meet & greet and left a voice mail that I am certain is in a different language...possibly cussing me out. That part I couldn't tell. The text said to "Call ****". But I feel like I have accommodated him enough and now it just comes down to the fact that I want my car repaired. I gave him 2 days and feel that that was more than generous. I could have simply said no and gone straight to his insurance company, but I didn't. I gave him a little time. But the fact is, I can't wait forever because I need my car fixed & I need to make sure I'm not footing the bill. Especially since I wasn't at fault in the situation.

I have always had a certain phobia towards Seattle taxicabs. They always appear to drive erratically and I fear I'll get hit every time I'm stuck next to one.

Now I know that it was a healthy fear.

I feel bad that I'm hurting this guys driving record, but insurance is there for a reason...right?

Please let me hear some feedback...if only for my peace of mind! :)

YouTube, Work, and Google mistakes

Two days ago, I was busy at work as usual. Okay, maybe not busy per say, but I was working. And had been for a couple of hours and took the liberty of offering myself a break. An internet break. I chose to use this glorious free time by searching a few things on Google. I went to the Google homepage and carefully entered in my search keyword, hopeful for a positive find. Score! Lots of links came up. I read the various descriptions before selecting the one that appeared most promising. It said it was "race for the cure". Perfect. Just what I wanted. Or was it?

Remember, I'm at work!

The link opened in a new tab. Immediately, I knew this was exactly where I didn't want to be. It looked like a YouTube page...but instead of having age-friendly videos it was filled with the exact opposite. Somehow, my Race for the Cure sight had turned into "Racy for the Cure" (not the actual site name). Needless to say, I rushed to close the window down. However, that wouldn't work. In desperation, I hurriedly pushed the power button on my computer tower and anxiously waited for it to power off. All the while hoping none of my co-workers walked into my office.

Talk about a stress-filled 3.5 seconds!

Thoughts of This and That

A collection of random thoughts...

***

Each month I think "I'm going to be better at posting on here. I'm going to increase my blog posts with each passing month. So...last month I posted 4, which means my goal this month is 5!" And so my mind spins round and round. And each month I find myself dejected as I approach the last week of the month and only have 3 or 4 blog posts. Why does it matter if I post 2 or 25? It shouldn't. But I'm competitive to a fault and can't help but turn everything into a competition. Even if it's just between me, myself, and I.

***

Today is my little sister's birthday and I can't believe she's 23 already! Honestly it seems like just yesterday we were 8 and 10. Riding our bikes around the neighborhood, making up rollerblade routines in our neighbor's carport with our boom box blasting the Lion King CD. I mean, we had to have music to plan our routines to and who wouldn't choose the Lion King? Other memories of those days include spying on our big sis from our not-so-secret secret hide-out, playing paper dolls in my room - forever fearful that Darcie or my mom would catch us in the act, and who could forget our drawn-out Christmas Eve ping pong matches?

Sadly, those youthful days have passed and we are now in our twenties. All three of us "King girls". (It's okay for me to use the "girls" phrase) Sometimes I wish for what used to be. The carefree days and lazy summer afternoons. But it's also fun to watch how we have each transformed from child to adult. The child in us still rears its' head on occasion, but a little more subtly than before.

So I will send a shout out to my sister...not that she reads my blog, but still. Happy 23! ;)

***

I'm getting back in the groove. Slowly, but surely. I'm working at being more consistent in reading the bible and spending time journaling in my prayer journal. I used to be really good about writing in it, but then something happened. I started dating this guy and he began stealing away my moments alone and I let it slip. My entries became fewer and fewer, until one day I opened it back up and saw that my last entry was from 3 months ago and the one preceding that was several months back too. Of course, I knew this was unacceptable, so I am trying to be better about taking 15-30 minutes a day to sit with God. To listen. To hear. To reflect. To talk. It is so important and necessary to my life. And I know that when I take this quiet time, I'm so much more prepared to face the day.

***

Side note: I'm going to Disneyland in May! I'm super excited because I'm going with my family and my dad hasn't been back since I was in first grade. The park has changed so much & I'm excited to experience all the "new" rides with him. :)

Fact of Life

Sometimes sweatpants, a heating pad, sappy chick flick, and a pint of chocolate ice cream are just necessary for a girl to indulge in.

Not to mention a good cry for no reason at all. That is simply imperative.