Girls' Weekend

This past weekend, Rach and Leann came to visit me for a long weekend. I am so thankful that I have a flexible work schedule that allows me to take off ever other Friday. 

Friday: After arriving at 2:30 AM (yes, AM....my friends are very dedicated!) we got some shut-eye so that we could be fired up and ready to go for a busy and  fun weekend. We tried to go to Carrie Underwood at the Washington State Fair in Puyallup, but she was sold out. We ended up going anyway and wandered the fair and took a gondola ride over the fairgrounds.

 Saturday: We decided to get up and get going to Seattle. First stop---Sluy's Bakery in Poulsbo. For those of you who know or those I have taken, you know what I'm talking about. Those who don't, you are missing out. Come for a visit--I WILL take you. After missing the ferry (whoops, I read the time wrong), we got over to a cloudy and cool Seattle. We did a bit of shopping, a little eating, and a tons of laughing!

 And on the way home, we saw the WEIRDEST thing, and I think I'll just let the picture speak for itself:

Sunday: After church, we went BACK to Sluy's (yes it IS in fact that good), wandered through Poulsbo, then came back to watch the games, and just relaxed.

What a wonderful weekend. What wonderful memories. What wonderful friends!!

How precious life is

Yes, I know I said I would start up the blog again...and then it fell by the wayside. But recently, I have found that I just want to vent/share and since I live by myself, I thought this was the best place. I have also been following other blogs and love to have a window into what's going on in others lives. So....

Life. So precious. So fleeting. I have been amazed over the past month with how much God has been working in my life. And just this week I was again reminded of my place in life. I have been struggling since I moved to Washington to find my place, where it is God wants me. Now, I'm not just talking location-wise, I'm talking people, groups, volunteering, the reason for moving here, etc... And I got caught up in myself, in life, and feeling sorry for myself when things were different than I imagined. 

And then this weekend, I came across a post on Facebook that almost dropped me to the floor: a family friend's son (4-yr old precious son who looks just like his father) has cancer. CANCER. And what's more is that as I read his story, I realized that while this past month for me has really been a struggle, it is NOTHING in comparison to what this family has gone through over the same month. My trials and tribulations that made me weak, that made we question, that made me doubt....and here is a family that is pulling together, and finding strength from God. It amazes me how God is glorified through the witness of this family who's life has been torn apart. Four. Years. Old. My heart breaks.

And so, I now reflect on all that God has given me and am thankful that no matter what our trials He is there. I also am so thankful that he reminds us through out-of-the-blue ways that we are all together, no one is alone. This body of Christ is there for each other. And HE is guiding us, no matter how far we feel away--He is always there. 

http://www.gofundme.com/3hndxc

A week from Hell yet so full of reminders from Heaven

SATURDAY:  

Auto shop:  I found out that my car has MAJOR issues.  I kept hearing this dull clicking sound (yes, I'm the typical girl that doesn't know ALL about cars, sorry.) and decided I needed to get it looked out.  Well the auto shop dropped me off at the mall at 9 am because I needed to run errands.  I figured I would know something my about 12/12:30. WRONG!!! But I'm jumping ahead.

AT&T: Took the SECOND defect iPhone in to get replaced. I was told I couldn't in the store, that I had to go to the Apple store...in Tacoma (about 40 miles away) or Seattle (about the same mileage BUT including a ferry). HMMMM.....Stuck with that for now, I guess.

Auto shop: Called at 12 when I hadn't heard anything. I was told they still weren't quite sure and would know something by 1 ish. 1 ish turned to almost 2 ish. "Jennifer? The issue with your car is the timing belt. And that, including the water pump, pulleys, and seal, will cost you $1034."  "Um...wait, excuse me? How much did you just say??!"  Yep, wasn't expecting that.  So they told me that they were putting the car back together and would be done around 3.  Yep....3:45 I FINALLY leave the mall!!! AHHHH...

God Moment: I needed time to decompress and forget about the LARGE bill coming down the road. Hung out with Amy and Derin. Making/increasing new friendships is something that I have been praying for (and, for those of you who know what I'm talking about, FINALLY MAKING GIRLFRIENDS!!! :)  Guys are great but I need some girlfriends for quality time.)

SUNDAY:

BACK TO CHURCH AT NEW LIFE!!!!!! :) 'Nuff said in that!! 

MONDAY:

Other estimates: After discussing the distress of paying 1G for my car to get fixed, a coworker told me about a Costco membership deal at dealerships, I called a local dealership and found out that I could get the work done at a cheaper price! Praise God for my coworker and the deal!! Good mood...then...

Electric bill:  I was gone for half of December to MT (wishing I was still there) and left the heat at 55 degrees when I left. I got the bill and it was $80!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The month before (of which I was here the whole time and using more lights, heat, etc....) was only $57! I about croaked. Broken thermostat is my thought...so I have the work order in for that.

God Moment:  I started going to a new Bible study with Amy, Katie, and Derin. Bless my soul!! Time with the Lord and fellowship with others. Take that, Satan!!!

TUESDAY:

Stress at work: There are some issues I am working on at work, and just (I know this sounds pathetic) getting back in the groove of work after so much time off....not the best.

iPhone:  Called Apple. I was given three options to return my phone 1) Drive to Tacoma or Seattle [or about 5 other places the guy listed which are all out of the way] 2) Be without a phone for a week while I send mine in and they will send a new one or 3) Be fined $30 (plus a refundable retail price of the phone) and still be without a phone for 2 to 3 days. Guess I'm gonna keep the phone until I am closer to a store. So, if that wasn't fun enough, I figured I would look at the AT&T bill....

AT&T:  $90 in one-time fees!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just for changing the account to my name!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 'Nuff said with that!!

God Moment:  1 Thess 5:21b "Hold on to the good." (This comes after "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.")  Had to forget about all the bad and look at the good:

1) If I wouldn't have been in WA, I wouldn't have had this job.

2) If I wouldn't have had this job, I wouldn't have had the $ for the car problems (which would still be there).

3) I also wouldn't have had the Costco discount (Kalispell Toyota isn't a part of it).

God has me right where I'm supposed to be!!

WEDNESDAY:

God Moment: Work--a coworker brought in her 1-month old son and it made me realize (once again) how precious life is and how it's possible to find joy in the little things (or ones!!).

AT&T--called and found out they are getting rid of all the fees today or tomorrow!

He has been looking out for me. Sure, I am still paying out the nose for the work on my car and the electric bill, but that means that I have a car and an apartment and heat and enough money in savings to not have to go in debt for it (which means I have a job)!! Hold on to the good and praise HIM who is in control CONTINUALLY!!!

Life in the 'Dale

Well, looking back over the blog, I figured it may be time to pick this up again...and not for Consumer Behavior, but just to keep people up-to-date with life for me over here in Washington.  So since I last posted:

I graduated from Montana State University--Bozeman on May 5, 2012 with highest honors.

   I moved to Silverdale, Washington to start working for the Department of Defense.

I got my own apartment, first one by myself OUTSIDE of college.

 

I went to my first NFL game (Seahawks v. Jets) with Sis, Karda, and Sticky Buns. (And yes, if you look at previous posts from class, I did predict I would go. Good thing I didn't predict the winner. :( )

So right now, I am learning to adjust to life away from family (Dad, Mom, and Sis) and friends and to adjust to the life of a single gal (no roommate, just starting to make friends).  I have found an AMAZING church and love going every week--refreshes my soul!! I am trying to learn to be patient and listen to what God has to say to me and trust in Him 100%.

Until next time!

Good Morning America versus The Today Show

For the week April 9-13, Good Morning America had 31,000 more viewers than The Today Show.  This week's viewership broke The Today Show's record of being the number one viewed morning news program for the first time in 16 years!!! There are many speculations as to what was the reason (from that Matt Lauer was on vacation to the view that the Good Morning America viewership has been growing over the past years and it was time).  The real reason (and really, I actually believe this to be true):  Tim Tebow.  His interview with Robin Roberts aired on April 13th.  The Tebowmania continues!! I myself (as well as my sister and our 3 friends) got up early just to watch his interview; I usually watch The Today Show every morning.  This is consumer behavior to the core: the product (Tebow) has created consumption choices in previously unseen areas (Good Morning America) and a loyal fan base that will continue to consume products that are associated with the product, even if it is uncharacteristic of the consumer.

Image credit:  http://abcnews.go.com/meta/search/imageDetail?format=plain&source=http://abcnews.go.com/images/News/abc_tim_tebow_roberts_jp_120413

Let the games begin!!

Well, today was the release of the 2012 NFL regular game schedule.  And now is the time where fans everywhere are beginning to plan trips and purchases.  I myself am planning ahead to November 11.  Funny thing is that up until this past week, the only dates I have been looking at is May 5th (graduation) and July 2nd (the start of my new job and life).  Who knows what my friends have planned or where they will be or if they can go; but yet, we have already set aside a date that is 7 months from now.  But then again, it is consumer behavior in a nut shell (brand loyalty, fanatic, culture, filling different needs, etc...).

 

 

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 Image credits: http://www.questfor31.com/images/New-York-Jets-Logo.gif

http://www.crwflags.com/art/sports/football/teams/seahawkswc.jpg

Seattle is....

While in Seattle, I happened to be at a Starbucks right across from Pike Place Market while it was raining. Does it get more Seattle than that?  And as I said that to myself, I thought how that is totally consumer behavior.  People have to go to a Starbucks in Seattle (maybe even more since they will want to go to the original Starbucks).  And it is then that the brand takes on a personality.  Although it was down-pouring, there were so many people about shopping, etc...  Seattle can play on that.  (There was also a shirt store with Seattle Grace written on it...and from Grey's Anatomy, Seattle began to have a change of its brand personality).

Image credit: http://static.tumblr.com/voczflv/RkQm1j179/greys.jpg