2009 ECO Mud Run Pics

Check out the dirty fun here.  We had a blast and I was only sore for a couple days. 

Pics and Other Boring Items

So I’ve gone back to uploading my pics to my Mac Site – it’s just so much easier than uploading here or trying to make Facebook work!  So my decision gives you the opportunity to laugh at my face more often!

To check out ALL of the pics from day 1 of my kidnap weekend spent at Bolsa Chica Beach, click here.

To check out all the pics from day 2 of my kidnap weekend spent and Disneyland, click here.

So yeah, got a little sunburnt on Saturday due, in large part, to my apparent inability to apply sunscreen in an even and appropriate manner!  I have GREAT coverage in some areas of my body, and I suck in the other areas!  Primarily are my arms and the part of my legs that bend.  OUCH!  It doesn’t help that there is a HUGE heat wave going on here, I work in the Valley, and the air doesn’t work in my office!  Today I might even wear flip flops and shorts to work!  (It was over 100 degrees in my office yesterday!)  (Oh, poor poor Gina!)

So, if you look at the Disneyland pics, I need to share a story.  Last time I went, Jenny Jen Jen KICKED MY BUTT on the Toy Story Ride.  It was embarrassing!  So this time, I made a wager with her and D, with the winner getting two home cooked meals (one from each of the losers).  It was a risk for me to do that, of course, because of my horrible loss last time.  But, if you know me, you know a good challenge brings out the best in me.  I was INTENSE in there (as a couple of the pics show) and after each session of shooting would call out my score and D and Jen would yell theirs back.  It was like a sea saw – I was up, Jen was up, etc.  BRING IT!  So I was so freaking focused and ended up winning the challenge!  NOT by as much as Jen killed me last time, but that is not important when food is in the mix!  LOL

Disclaimer – D would add that she was taking pics so of course she didn’t win.  But I would like to add, she knew the wager was on so that was her choice!

Okay, I must go get ready for work.  I could add lots of negative comments here, but found that doing so does not change that things suck.  So I will not…..

Have a great day peeps!

Gina OUT!

Yada Yada Yada and Real Pics of Easter

The subject line is in response to Martin, who used that phrase in an email to me (which, he pointed out, was NOT blank! I am not as lame as I thought!) Yes Martin, I am writing more now on the blog……it’s amazing what I can accomplish when I don’t have never-ending homework!

So, I am realizing that I am losing my Orange County “style”. Well, not that I HAVE much style, but when I lived in the valley, I still considered myself an OC Girl. But now that I am in the Santa Clarity Valley, I am allowing myself to feel like a valley girl…….and I recall my years in the OC (OMG, I said “the OC”…..more proof that what I am sharing is true!) are becoming a fond memory. Other than my daughter, who attends Cal State Fullerton, and Disneyland (where my love Goofy lives), I am not sure I would GO to the OC! Okay wait, there are myriad other reasons why I would go there……Mission Presbyterian Church, my other friends there, etc. So chill people! I am MAKING A POINT! lol

So anyway, I like my new digs. I stopped by Borders on the way home, which is close to my house, and it was SO NICE! My neighborhood is quiet and clean. I don’t have to drive that far to work. It feels so nice here. And that rocks.

I have heard from a couple peeps the link to the pics don’t work. Sorry about that. So I am uploading here until I remember my password to snapfish!

The better side for Kenny, Me, and Josh

Kenny about to take a shot……

Josh and Gracie being dramatic after receiving a shot

Me and My Boys – Yes, I got dolled up!

Oh, and not to be missing out on the cool hype associated with this clip, check out this amazing performance by Brit Susan Boyle:

Semi-Deep Thoughts for a Sunday

So, I have posted pretty blah stuff lately. As such, I am feeling a bit pressured internally to take it a bit deeper. Not sure I will succeed, but I will try!

First of all, I’d like to talk about anger. As a Christian, and specifically a Christian Woman, I have been tacitly taught that anger is not a Christian trait. Anger is sin. Anger is BAD. And admittedly, I have done some of the dumbest things in my life when I was angry! Reacting in anger is uncool, attacking in anger is bad, and well…..anger sucks. So this generally validated the tacit encouragements of the Christian culture around me.

However, I find it interesting that the Bible does not call out ANGER, but calls out BEHAVIORS of us when we are angry! Here is what I am talking about:

Ephesians 4:26-27 (NIV): “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.” Notice that Paul does not write “you best not get angry – anger is sin” but rather, “hey, I know you’re bound to get angry. Fine. But don’t sin when you are there.”

Even more powerful in this enlightenment I am experiencing is Ephesians 4:29, which reads “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” I can give you sob stories of how relatives tore me up when they were mad at me, or people who used to be close to me used their hurt and anger to justify ripping me apart. But more importantly, I have used “unwholesome talk” in my anger and pain to get some sort of “healing” or – more likely – revenge towards those that hurt me. And I am not even suggesting that the pain I went through was right, but two wrongs never make a right.

But the real kicker is at the end of this chapter in the Bible, verses 4:31-32, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

I believe, again, that it is not WRONG to be angry (hurt, resentful, crying out in pain, and acknowledging that another person has hurt you, etc.) What is WRONG is what we do with it. I, for one, have exploded with anger and regret it today. I, for one, have held onto bitterness against those who have hurt me, only to hurt myself in the process. I, for one, have asked for and expected forgiveness for my shortcomings, while denying the same to those who have wronged against me. I even felt justified in ripping apart these people, but have found it didn’t diminish the pain and/or bitterness I held. And I realize now that it didn’t bring me anywhere close to forgiving them…..in fact, it heightened my anger. So, maybe what Paul is saying here is that, to “get rid of bitterness and anger”, you truly have to put on the garment of Christ…..forgive where it seems impossible to forgive. For, let’s face it, do YOU and I DESERVE Christ’s forgiveness? Nope, we do not. So, maybe the way of getting rid of the anger and replacing it with kindness and compassion is to forgive…..even if it doesn’t make sense. Even if there is not retribution involved. Even if it doesn’t seem fair.

I must admit, there are big parts of me that is fighting against this premise! I want fairness! I want revenge…..

But again, if I did something wrong (and, believe me, I have) I would be more bent on wanting to be forgiven then wanting what I deserve……

Anyway, not sure if this makes sense. I feel better now that I am not such a failure because I get angry. I will now focus on what I DO with that anger, which is where the problem arises.

BUT, before I go, I wanted to share a few pics:

This pic cracks me up. It was taken in the Du-par’s Women’s employee bathroom. My, how times have changed!

And this pic was taken yesterday and Zack’s baseball game. I don’t know what has happened to me…..I used to find these sort of rules important, but have loosened up a little I guess! (And, btw, I was told the sign didn’t apply on weekends!)

Okay, well even though it’s Sunday, I am off for work! We sold one of our locations and I need to cut the employee’s final checks! Have a great day!

Gina OUT!

A Wild Weekend…..NOW WITH PIC…..

And I am so late in posting this!

Started Monday…….So, I am very, very tired right now……VERY tired! But I will try to do a recap of my weekend, beginning Thursday night, for my poor readers who haven’t had a post to read in forever!

Continued Thursday……

Thursday I was able to go to a Disturbed concert with my brothers, Eddie and David. This was actually a present David got for Christmas from his wife, and he was nice enough to turn it into a fun trip for the three of us. We went to the Palladium in Hollywood, which is a smaller venue and it was pretty cool. And even though the mosh pit – which was the first I have REALLY seen as others pale in comparison – really, REALLY freaked me out! OMG these guys looked as if they could seriously KILL each other! And I am getting old, because I was like, “How can that even be FUN?!?!!?!”

Here are my brothers before the show – Eddie on left, Dave on right

(Eddie is on the left, David on the right)

So then on Friday I worked and then Rita and I went to a lovely dinner at a beautiful neighborhood restaurant. I had Filet Mignon that was to die for! And a scrumptious chocolate mouse cake.

Okay, I know this is lame, but I have to put “to be continued”. Instead of saving this as a draft for later, I am going to post it now and either update it or create a new post. So yeah, I am lame!