So I get these stupid pop-ups telling me that my computer is leaking my IP address and that I should go to their site to get a program to block these pop-ups. The funny thing is, the only pop-ups I get are ones advertising for anti-pop-up programs. Ech. Anybody know how to keep my IP from "leaking"?

I went to my church's graduation banquet tonight. Reminds me of the one I went to with them when I graduated from high school. Waaaay back in 1997. It's funny going back to the church I used to attend as a high schooler. And wow, it's already been seven months since I've been there. Wow. But I do really like it. Maybe it's cuz the church is small yet of mostly my age set, but I feel really at home there. Now if only I could not be late to those 9:15 am services. Sooooooo early!!!

Job sitch still sucks, though I do need to do more on my part. I can ask God all I want for a job, but if I don't go looking for one, then He's not just going to drop one in my lap. If only, eh? 4th of July camping trip next weekend! Fun! I just hope I won't get too dark and end up looking like a brown log with a bridesmaid dress on.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix... done!!! Well, that's one benefit to being jobless. Pleeeenty of time to read. Dang, 870 pages!

The book is so much more dark and gloomy than the previous books. In fact, it seems that the books just got progressively darker. If the next two books are darker than this book... well, 'tain't no guessing how kids will react. But they are so much more intelligent than other children's books. I mean, it's not like kids aren't used to death and violence. A lot of other children's books out there are just too hunky-dory. Yet... these books are scarier than the R. L. Stein "Goosebumps" series. Well, alright, those books were rather wimpy scary to begin with (and yes, I have read them, due to my then 12-yr-old cousin) but I do wonder if perhaps kids do need something more cotton candy to escape to. But then, Harry Potter's certainly less scary than fairy tales. :)

Comments!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Cool, thanks guys!!! Oh, and thanks for your congrats! I mean, I don't think it's too difficult to get into the Academy, but hey, I did put a lot of work into that stupid portfolio, so why don't I just make myself feel better and say that it's tough to get in. :) (I think, from what I've gathered, as long as you've done a lot of figure drawing, you're in.)

Now, on to more important matters: I am not in a love crisis.

Okay, y'know how among friends (or at least among girl friends) we talk about who's cute and would you go out with him and other such nonsense? Well, I was doing that with you, my readership! I just mentioned a guy that I had met who I thought was cute. (And the more I type "cute" the more I sound like some junior high schoolgirl.) That whole thing about him wanting to be a missionary just made me think-- in general -- of how I would feel about marrying a missionary. Because if I do (and I'm not talking about this particular guy, just about missionary guys in general), then basically it would mean that I too would have to be a missionary and move out to the mission field and raise my kids out there, etc. And... then I was wondering about whether or not I would be willing to be a missionary if God led me to be one. Marrying one is definitely leading me to be one.

Anyway, I'm not sure how much choice I have in the matter of choosing a future mate. But if I did have some choice in it, because of my lack of willingness at the moment to be a missionary, I think I would choose not to hook up with one. But I believe that God does have a plan (at least for the major stuff like career and family) so if He chose a missionary husband for me... well, I can only wonder if I would submit to that decision. Comments?

BTW, did anybody read that bunny story that I put the link onto for June 21? I just found it to be really sad yet heartwarming. And it made me feel guilty for not taking care of my aunt's dog better (we're dog-sitting). And though I've never had a consistent pet (none lived longer than a few months with us) I've seen people that get really devoted to their pets. Anyway, it kinda made me wish I too had a pet that I could love like a kid. Though... maybe the others dying like that is telling me that I'm cursed. Or at least not a good pet-owner.

It sucks that in this world, beauty comes in expensive bottles, and so many people are buying it. I mean, unfortunately, in this world, for a woman to succeed, she needs to have certain standards of appearance. It's almost funny being looked at upon with pity by the girls at the make-up counter. At least I got a free eyebrow-shaping. I mean, I do wish that my skin would clear up (or at least stop itching), but it's been such a struggle most of my adolescent and post-adolescent life, that I almost think of it as my thorn in the side that God has put. Either that, or else He's telling me to take care of myself better. J

So there's this guy that I met, and I'm thinking, he's cute, he's Christian, I wonder.... But then I learn that he wants to be a missionary, and then I'm thinking, oh, that's bad. He loves the Lord too much. And then I stop myself. What? Love the Lord too much?!? Can that ever be possible? If anything, we don't love the Lord enough. And I'm automatically crossing him off my list cuz he wouldn't make a "proper" husband with the 9-to-5 job and 2.5 kids out in the suburbs with a white picket fence?

Okay, stop right there, there's nothing going on here. We're not dating, it's not even considered, we've only talked briefly, I don't want any gossip or speculation here. It's one of those things you think about when you're single, when you meet someone of the opposite gender, you size him/her up and wonder if this person might be The One. The One Who Will Stop the Machines and Win the War for Zion. Um... no.

Anyway, it was something that I hadn't thought too much about. Would I be willing to lead a "difficult" life if the Lord leads me to it? I mean, I'm somewhat of a coward, so I don't see myself going out in the world doing missions, but what if the husband God leads me to wants to do it? I really admire missionaries and those who forsake a comfortable life so that they can be in the trenches for God. This is too mind-boggling. Perhaps it's good that I'm single.

BTW, I am in the Academy! Woo-hoo! There are some conditions attached to it, but I hope that doesn't mean that I'm limited in the classes I can take. After all, I'm not there for a certificate. I'm there to gain job skills and improve my portfolio. I don't want to take some of those classes that they want me to take.

For those of you that are willing, could you pray for my job situation? Bills are mounting and I am desperate.

A bittersweet bunny story.

This is for you Christine, and any other bunny-lovers.