November 2011
1 post
retreat
Jason and the core left for a leadership retreat to Palm Springs earlier this evening. I don’t remember the last time Jason was gone where I ended up being home alone. I guess the difference this time is that I’m home with Aubrey. After I got all the chores I wanted to accomplish for today and putting Aubs to sleep, the house is so quiet. I do miss my hubbs, but at the same I am...
October 2011
3 posts
c.s. lewis
“We are not living in a world where all roads are radii of a circle and where all, if followed long enough, will therefore draw gradually nearer and finally meet at the centre; rather in a world where every road, after a few miles, forks into two, and each of those into two again, and at each fork you must make a decision. Even on the biological level life is not like a river but like a...
bah!
There is always that one person that can get under your skin when you think it’s impossible for them to do so. I need to give a background with this person…Let’s call her evil girl…EG for short? Is that too harsh? Ok, I change my mind. I’ll call her difficult former student (DFS). My first interaction with her on the phone was this:
Me: Biola Accounting, this is...
why bother coming in?
I think I have to change my blog title from, “confessions of a youth pastor’s wife” to “confessions of a receptionist!”
Why?
Because I have stories like these….
Student comes in the office.
Me: Hi, how may I help you?
Student: Hi, is a counselor available to sign this form?
Me: Yes they are. I paged one of them out for you and they will be out shortly.
...
September 2011
7 posts
honored
My boss told me that she saw someone re-posting a blog I put up.
Instead of feeling creeped out, I yelled enthusiastically, “WOW I FEEL SO POPULAR and HONORED.”
I need something else to feed the need of acceptance. har har har.
what a friday!
Best call of the day:
Caller: Hi, I forgot who I needed to speak with, but is there a Jennifer?
Annie: I’m sorry, we don’t have a Jennifer in this department?
Caller: I usually speak with her, can you give me a name?
Annie: Well, what was it regarding so I can figure out who you would need to speak with?
Caller: Could you just answer my question?
Annie: We have about 50 staff...
thoughts
I am so blessed to have my family…and expanding it as we speak!
I don’t know the outcome of how our kids will turn out, or even expect all the changes and trials that I will face with Jason, but to know that our lives are in the hallow of God’s hand brings me great comfort.
I am just very lucky to have a wonderful husband who values and loves me greatly. I know that his love...
The News
Jason and I decided to cut off our cable 2 weeks ago to save some CA-CHING. So far, I haven’t read the news! Jason was reading a newspaper on his IPad and shared that the World Trade Center has a train underneath it. He also went on about landfills in New York and the structures of a landfill.
I figured, since I haven’t read or watched the news recently, I went ahead to Fox11 News...
College Kids Say the Darnest Things
I had a student come in today asking about a refund from his account.
Student: Hi, I requested a refund so that I can reimburse myself from buying a laptop
Annie: Ok.
Student: What would I need to do?
Annie: Did you turn in the form?
Student: Yes, but the funds aren’t in yet
Annie: Well, it usually takes a week and a half or up to two weeks for it to be processed.
Student: So when I...
10 Goals When I Get Home
1. Laundry - My once small pile has now grown into a monster size. I feel like laundry is the consistant thing in my life where I see no end in sight. No matter how much I do, there will always be a pile to clean every week. I can’t imagine what it will be like when my two kids are bigger…I only have one and she has so many clothes….AND they’re tiny. :)
2. Kitchen floor -...
August 2011
8 posts
taking it easy
Every year, my job requires me to work on a Saturday for Welcoming Weekend for the new incoming students along with their parents. For the past three years, it has been the same-smile, give great customer service, eat a subway sandwich, finish up last minute payments, and head off to home.
This year was quite different. Yesterday after 4 - 5 hours of work, I was starting to feel my back aching...
made me laugh SO hard :) har har →
best wedding pictures EVER!
dear nathan
Dear Nathan Hudson (Jae-Suk) Ricafranca,
You have not entered the world yet, but I’m excited to be seeing you in the next four months. I know your sister Aubrey has been playing with mommy’s belly a lot and I hope you’re not bothered by all of her ruckus :) Just know that you will have a buddy to play with and that she will pour tons of love on you! Your family is waiting for...
look for the silver lining
This week has been tough in terms of my sleeping schedule. My day usually works like this.
I wake up…or try to wake up at 7:30 in the morning, leave the house by 7:45 or 7:50.
Start work at 8, have lunch at noon. Either I will go home to eat lunch, and return back to work at 1.
Finish work at 4:30, and arrive back at home around 4:45 or 5
On a non-busy day, I’ll be home, say hello...
Registration (Pt.2)
ESL
A: Biola Accounting, this is Annie.
Asian-Possibly-ESL-Student: Hi, I have a question.
A: Ok what is your question?
ESL: It’s regarding enrollment.
A: Ok, what is your question regarding enrollment?
ESL: Well I’m not enrolled.
A: Would you like me to check why you’re not enrolled?
ESL: Yes I’m not enrolled.
A: Ok….(checks status) It looks like...
Registration (Pt.1)
It’s that time again where the good, bad and the ugly comes out in parents, students, staff, and even myself regarding enrollment for the coming fall semester.
“This is Ridiculous”
Student 1: So I originally had a bill owing around $900, but now it’s saying that I owe $1200.
A: Well it’s because it’s from a prior balance and there were finance charges...
July 2011
1 post
odd, strange, but definitely most fun kind of day
This morning, Aubrey decided to wake Jason and I up with her loud screaming at 4:30 in the morning. As I went over to her crib, I gave her a kiss and rocked her side by side and led her to our room. Usually a good rocking and her binky does the trick to soothe her back to sleep, but this wasn’t the case. The half hour turned to an hour and a half of non-stop crying. Finally, a good warm...
May 2011
1 post
happy wednesday
Setting: At work, organizing papers, and occasionally looking at the computer screen. Pretty Blond Girl walks in
A: Hi, how may I help you?
PBG: I need to make a payment on my account.
A: You would need to pay at the cashier window when they’re open or you can make a payment online for an instant confirmation.
PBG: I want to make my payment with you.
A: I can’t take you’re...
April 2011
2 posts
God rested on the seventh day...
I never realized this before, but if God rested on the seventh day of creation, how much are we to rest? And I think to clarify, God didn’t just rest because it was convenient, but he rested because he finished the work he had been doing (Gen2:2)
I think it’s easy to fall into a pattern where people may “rest” out of convenience or from burning out. But what I think is...
stamps galore!
this past saturday i got myself rubber stamps and ink to start building my future card making hobby. i didn’t realize how much i missed being creative!
i guess my goal for this month is to build a portfolio.
my next goal will have to wait after i accomplish my folio..
March 2011
1 post
I am not Japanese
A co-worker from a different department who predominantly speaks Spanish came up to me and asked if I was Japanese. I said no politely, but he continued to explain the devastation I must be going through to see my country be hit by a huge tsunami.
I simply just nodded my head. I think it would’ve been too difficult to explain to him that I wasn’t Japanese and that it wasn’t my...
November 2010
2 posts
2 weeks and four days
Aubrey should be out in 2 weeks and four days if she is right on target. She could be coming any time now, but she can also come out a week after the due date as well. I hope it’s earlier rather than later. I know it’s only 18 days away, but I am getting so antsy.
I want to see her, hold her, and just to know her personality. I don’t know what parenting will look like, but in...
building up
Bitterness is like a poison. We must learn to forgive and let go, even if that means the person you disagree, or have been hurt by never knows about the pain they had inflicted in your heart. Forgiveness is utterly everything I do NOT want to do, but God calls me to do it. So how does one do what they do not WANT to do?
Whether or not if this is from experience, or from wise words I...
July 2010
2 posts
grace, grace, and more grace
i seriously need to remind myself of this every time i start to judge or even get angry at others who maybe struggling with sin. i guess its ok to be hurt to see people who are struggling, but it is not a good thing when i assume they are doing things intentionally. and even if they were sinning intentionally, is it a right for me to bad mouth them? i think not. if anything, this is just teaching...
June 2010
4 posts
jason's love letters to me
yesterday night before jason and i decided to call it a night, jason read a little excerpt of his journal to me. i didn’t realize it, but it was an actual letter to me, as if he was talking to me. it caught me off guard and i had to ask, “did you write to me before we were officially dating together?” and of course, jason being the romantic, he answered yes.
so as i started to...
“only 2.5 hours until I’m outta here!”
– annie ricafranca (desperately waiting for work to end!)
blahs
I am tired. When I get home from work, I’m going to take a nap to just clear my head. I actually have a lot to do, but i’m only going to be focusing on one thing today: Jason and Clarissa’s Wedding Slide Show. I started during lunch and was getting really excited to see all my thoughts go in. I just know I have a lot to do. If I have time after, which I probably won’t but...
poopy migraine leads to cleaning house!
So I had a poopy migraine that lasted from the night before to this morning. It was horrendous, and most likely due to lack of water. Today I drank more than my normal intake and have been feeling very hydrated.
Since this headache was hurting me, i decided to stay home and do some chores! I got plenty done with laundry, dishes, and tidying things up. i even snuck in time to watch a movie in...
February 2010
2 posts
plans
so my plans to do the retreat video, or at least organize the clips is a fail. i guess everything was saved in the external hard drive so I can not obviously do it during my break. I guess that’s not so bad. I’m actually enjoying the fact that I would have to do it in the comfort of home.
I’m not one to enjoy changes in schedule, but this is really nice.
Tomorrow I have a lot...
starting over
man, i have to say, keeping up with a blog is diffiicult. let alone announcing that i’m doing my devos here…yikes
so yesterday, i wanted to do my devos during lunch. i was planning to eat for about 30 minutes then head off to a quiet place. about 10 bites before i was going to leave, a tall lengthy skinny guy comes facing towards me. chewing and trying to avoid the situation, i put my...
January 2010
10 posts
day four
1 Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.
2 I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching.
3 When I was a boy in my father’s house, still tender, and an only child of my mother,
4 he taught me and said, “Lay hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands and you will live.
5 Get wisdom, get understanding; do...
day three - learning to be wise
Proverbs 3 1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart,
2 for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.
3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
4Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the...
post vegas trip
So after a long weekend vacay with the fam bam, I’m pretty content with my birthday celebration. I think after my 20th birthday at chuck e. cheese, I was pretty content in skipping the birthday celebration stuff.
Of course this trip had its up and downs and learning how to please everyone in the group, but overall a success. I think the reason why I do not like celebrating my own birthday,...
day 2 - little things
Proverb 2
1 My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you,
2 turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding,
3 and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding,
4 and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure,
5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.
6 For...
day 2 theme for 2010
So today, I’ve decided to wear pantyhose because it was colder than the usual sunny California morning. It feels different. I feel like I’m in another set of skin.
Anyways, yesterday I took a zumba class and did significantly better than Tuesday night. Well, the teacher from Tuesday was intense; constantly yelling us to get lower, to do better, etc. He was also very fast and very very...
“You’re a fizzler”
– Jen Chey (Mentor & Friend)
day one - proverbs 1
Proverbs 1
1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
2 for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight;
3 for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair;
4 for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young-
5let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance-
...
pacing to goals
“You’re a fizzler” - Jen Chey (Mentor and friend)
I am what my mentor calls a fizzler. I get so excited for one thing and die it out at the end. I mean look at my journal entries about finding a different job and looking into real estate. Like seriously, I haven’t touched that subject for a long time. This is unfortunately the pattern of my spiritual walk with God. The...
free for all thoughts
I need to buck up and tie my shoes tight and get over my bored, loneliness feeling. I think what I really need is a time of solitude to spend with God and loved ones.
I do miss people, like the one I posted below, but I guess what I really mean is, I miss being a busy body meeting 20 different people. If I was to ever go back to that life, then I would probably get bored and ask for more resting...
Devotion
“In my anguish I cried to the LORD, and he answered by setting me free. The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”- Psalm 118:5-6
I have a lot of bitterness I need to resolve and give up. I’m having an off day and I don’t know how to get things back to my jolly self.
I miss people.
December 2009
1 post
prayer
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. (Ps. 73:26)
Dear God,
Thank you for being my God. I have been doing so much, except for spending time with you and I ask for your forgiveness. Lord, I am weak and very shorthanded, but Lord with you at my side I know I can do all things. Help me to find my rest in you and to delight in your presence....
November 2009
3 posts
“Being broken means I continually need a Savior”
– Annie Ricafranca
an overdue awakening
So, I haven’t been keeping up with my tumblr, or my devotions. The result of it all, I am feeling more and more empty and lost. I mean if the Christian walk is like driving a car, and gas is the Word and Prayer, I have been empty and pushing my car with worn out tires.
It always takes moments like these where I realize how fragile and incompetent without God. A co-worker told me once,...
devotion
1 John 3:21-24
21Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God 22and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him. 23And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. 24Those who obey his commands live in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he...
October 2009
15 posts
realtor thoughts
Q: Who can I talk with about the real estate program?
A: The most accessible person is Glenn Vice, the only full-time faculty member in real estate. Glenn Vice can be reached at 909 594-5611 x3139, via e-mail at gvice@mtsac.edu, or in person in building 20B, room 5. In addition, any of the real estate faculty will be happy to answer your questions or will be able to refer you to the...
devotions...(continued)
I’ve been slacking off on this, but I need to stay committed in reading the sweet Word of God.
Today, it will be: 1 John 3:16-20 16This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 17If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 18Dear...