The past 4 days were extremely difficult for me, for one reason or another…but one reason is this: Reminders of the East Coast were everywhere…Pennsylvania license plates appearing on more cars than usual…our “University Choir and Orchestra” (UCO) touring on the East Coast and spending 3 days in D.C. (and my friends calling me for advice on where they should go, where they should eat, etc.)…a family from church who left today for a week in D.C…a friend from church who is in New York City for a week…ETC…the list continues!

Yesterday I realized that I have to go back…I don’t know how I will be able to afford it, but I want to do whatever I can to fly to D.C. and Pennsylvania this summer, even if just for a weekend. I miss my “family” in Pennsylvania, and I wish that I could be there again this summer, ministering full-time, spending time with the youth, etc. But God has me in Los Angeles for some reason, and I will persevere–with a side trip hopefully, to where I really long to be.

But anyway…enough about that…

I had Mark and Jenn (our youth ministers) over for dinner on Friday night, and we had a wonderful time…I made my “creation”–yet to be named–and it was a hit! They were my first taste-testers other than myself!

I spent most of Saturday at Biola University–which is my school’s “arch-rival”. I woke up Saturday morning realizing that (1) I wanted out of my apartment and (2) I really wanted to see my dear ASP friends. So I spent the day with Lindsey and Alli, and got to be a part of Alli’s surprise graduation party–which I didn’t know about until she did! It was so awesome to spend time with these girls, one of whom was one of my roommates in D.C…these girls and I have shared so many experiences and memories…so many great conversations…and I will never forget them. Another ASP friend is in town for the week, and I hope to meet up with her on Thursday.

Things in my life continue to change and to go in directions that I never expected…life is hard right now, but I know that I’m not alone…God reminds me of His presence everyday, and also reminds me that He alone can see the “big picture” of why these things are happening. I know that I am growing and changing, and that process often is hard and painful.

Life is about risks…it is about loving your “neighbor” even when it hurts…but more importantly it is about following God wherever He may lead…and I’m willing to walk down that path with Him, no matter where it leads.

It is Friday…the sky is gray and foreboding–though after being in the Midwest I appreciate our “storms” much more!

I actually have company this weekend–though no roommates yet. I am having our youth pastors (a married couple who lives by me) over for dinner (I am making my culinary creation!!), which will be fun. Before that, I am hanging out with a dear friend who is leaving on Sunday for Spain, where she will be for 7 months. Monday evening my former roommate and friend Jessica will be stopping by for a visit, maybe even staying the night. Good times–finally! 🙂 This being by myself thing is getting kinda old–though I am loving having a spotless apartment!

I haven’t decided what I am going to do on Saturday…I have no money, so that rules out shopping and stuff. Maybe I’ll hook up with some ASP friends.

After work I am going to venture over to IMT to see what they have done (or haven’t done) to my computer this time…hopefully I’ll have internet this weekend, but I’m not holding my breath.

Still no idea what I am going to sing on Sunday at church…been working on a Caedmon’s Call song–playing guitar for myself–but my arm has been having “spells” lately, so I don’t want to count on my ability to play guitar.

Sorry for the boring post! My life has consisted of work, cleaning, Seinfeld, talking to Michael and my parents, reading…that’s it. Nothing exciting yet!

Have a great weekend!!

Check out this poem, written by a friend of Cameron…absolutely beautiful, poignant, touching, etc.

When I decided to be “on my own” this summer, I was so excited about the prospect of working, paying the bills, being completely “independent”, etc. Well, I have now officially been “in the real world” for one week, and I’m not so sure about this! I sat down last night to make a budget…realized that for the first month of being on my own things are going to be incredibly tight…at least my income is more than my expenses, so I will be able to save money, after the first month.

I feel like an adult now…living in my own apartment…paying my own rent/utilities, etc…but I also am realizing the burdens and stresses that adults face…Don’t get me wrong–I am loving this more than I thought I would, but I am just gaining a greater appreciation for my parents and all they have done for my brother and I.

The real world can be a rather cold and uninviting place, but thankfully the Lord has blessed me with a wonderful family, great friends, and a loving church to help me adjust to the changes that are coming my way. I don’t feel alone by any means…except when I’m in my apartment with NO INTERNET!! (IMT STILL HAS MY COMPUTER!) But anyway, yeah.

Life is good…

So yesterday was an interesting day…I had to deal with IMT and my computer issues–which are not solved yet…I got off work at 5pm, and was totally looking forward to going grocery shopping and then just chilling until my Bible study. Well, things didn’t happen that way.

I started driving, and I realized that it didn’t feel right. I pulled the car over (still in the school parking lot) and saw that my front right tire was flat…not low, but completely flat. Great! (sarcasm)

I called my Mom and she said that I should call AAA (Automobile Club of Southern California–insurance/roadside assistance), since I had my own membership card now. I could have changed the tire on my own had I had tools, etc., as that is the reason I took auto shop and earned my “Certificate of Profiency in Auto Repair”…but I did not have any tools. So I called, and they sent someone out to put on my spare. The guy was fast–it only took him about 10 minutes to get there–and he was really kind.

I went to see if the tire could be fixed or if it would have to be replaced, and sure enough, it had to be replaced…there was a hole in the sidewall–NO idea how or when that happened!

As the older gentleman was bringing up my total, he noticed that my debit card was from Tehama Bank, which is in Northern California. I told him where it was, and he said “I know! I used to live in Red Bluff!”

What?!

Red Bluff, my hometown, is a small town two hours north of Sacramento…two hours south of the Oregon border…very few people have ever heard of it–so when this guy told me about how he lived there in the 1970’s, I was astounded.

And it made me smile.

We talked about Red Bluff (and how it is hotter than Hades there in the summer) for about 10 minutes, and it was such a blessing! He was a very kind man, and he said it was fun to recall his time in “the town he loved”…that’s debatable! 🙂

Anyway, if I had not had a flat tire, I would not have had such a pleasant conversation that made me smile and that brightened this man’s disposition. God works in mysterious ways!

Bible study was great as usual…a new guy came last night who just graduated from my school, and ironically we have the same major…never met him before. Interesting. He came with a friend and his girlfriend, making 4 college students now in the group. We are reading through Ecclesiastes, and learning a great deal about life and about how we should live it…

Just some of the wisdom Solomon left for us to use and to learn…

“When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other.” –Ecclesiastes 7:14

Alright…I have had my qualms with IMT in the past…on more than one occasion now, they have had a simple task to perform on my computer–something I could have done myself with a little instruction–and they have messed up my computer. The first time was my sophomore year, when they were simply supposed to install the wireless internet card onto my computer–something theyhave to do…well, after that my computer was never the same.

Friday has again brought consequences from letting IMT touch my laptop. I took in in there to put my documents/programs onto a CD, using an external harddrive, so that I could upgrade to XP. Simple, right? Well, now the screen on my laptop is black…if you squint, you can VERY faintly see the items on the screen…but it is black. And I don’t know what on earth they did to it, but I am pretty upset. I had expected to upgrade Friday afternoon, and have internet by that evening–since I am paying for the internet already I’d like to use it! Well, I took the computer home…and the screen is black…GRRR! I am frustrated. I need to just stop thinking I can let them do things, and do things myself, since I know basically as much about computers than most of them (thanks to my friends in high school and thanks to LAN parties)!

Anyway…yeah. IMT does not have a great reputation…I wonder why!

Sigh…here I am, at the library on my day off…why? Because I have realized that I have an addiction. I always suspected it, but now it has become clear: I am addicted to the internet. Not having the internet at my apartment yet has been so frustrating. I have felt so isolated, so lonely–because I have no roommates until June 1st and most of my friends are not here for the summer…I have realized just how much the internet can make you feel connected with the outside world!

I should have my laptop back today, then i can upgrade to XP and the world will be better. I will have wireless internet again. Then I won’t feel so alone…

But it has been great to have this huge apartment to myself…cable television with about 700 channels (though I don’t watch TV much.)…I was able to watch the Frasier finale last night, with no loud roommates. It was beautiful. Sad though, because Frasier is done!

Alright, anyway, yeah. Just wanted to post about my newfound addiction to the internet world. 🙂

After some contemplation, I decided to re-post my list…it was really interesting to go back through my life and find things that people might find interesting, as well as to remember for myself all that I have been through in these 21.5 years.

So, here it is, completed now!

One hundred things about Lesa Close

1. I was born December 31, 1982 in Hayward, California.

2. I have lived in California for my entire life exception: 2 summers in Pennsylvania and one semester in D.C., totaling one year.)

3. I have one brother, who is graduating from high school this year.

4. My parents, Ken and DeAnne, are amazing, and have been a constant support in my life.

5. I love the color orange.

6. My relationship with God is the most important aspect of my life.

7. I have experienced 2 earthquakes over 5.0 on the Richter Scale, and countless others, throughout my lifetime.

8. Ketchup is my favorite food.

9. I play 6 musical instruments (piano, guitar, flute, French horn, clarinet, and mandolin).

10. Singing is my favorite thing to do, and I do it often.

11. I was a vocal performance major when I entered college.

12. I am a senior (second-semester) Political Science major/History minor at Azusa Pacific University.

13. I will graduate (hopefully cum laude) May 7th, 2005 with my B.A.

14. I have an eight inch scar in the shape of a Nike sign on my right forearm.

15. The scar is the result of two surgeries on my radial nerve.

16. After the second surgery, I had “Radial Nerve Palsy” (or paralysis) for 5 months.

17. In third grade, our water heater exploded and our garage caught on fire.

18. I was in the shower when it happened, so I had to run across the street in a towel, to my Great-Aunt and Uncle’s house.

19. One of my “Life Goals” is to travel to all 50 states…

20. I have been to 23 thus far.

21. I have a passion for youth, junior-high age especially, and work with them on a weekly basis.

22. I love sunsets.

23. My favorite animal is the moose.

24. I wanted to be an astronaut from age 5 to age 16, and seriously considered attending the Air Force Academy and majoring in Astrophysics.

25. In high school, I graduated with a GPA of 3.998, missing “Graduation with Distinction and Honor” by .02. (Note: My school does not have a single valedictorian, rather, everyone with a GPA of 4.0 or above graduates with the above mentioned honors). I was bitter for a long time.

26. Caedmon’s Call is my favorite band.

27. I am lactose intolerant…

28. Ice cream used to be my favorite food.

29. Fireflies bring me immense joy.

30. I am planning on moving to Williamsport, Pennsylvania in one year.

31. My ultimate dream is to live and work in the District of Columbia.

32. I have not dated in six years.

33. Jeffery Dommer gave me nightmares when I was in second grade (the cannibal).

34. I used to speak Spanish fluently.

35. I plan on learning Greek and Italian in the next year.

36. I have been a lead in three musicals.

37. In one of those, my character got married…

38. The groom (in real-life) was gay.

39. I was a nun in the next musical (not because of kissing the guy).

40. The Concert Choir director at my high school returned my sophomore year as a woman.

41. I did not sing in Concert Choir in high school.

42. I have written at least 5 papers on books I did not read.

43. I am the running mate for Zachary Ritter (R-PA) in 2028 for the White House.

44. If I decided to sing professionally, I would be in a group that was a mix between Avalon and Manhattan Transfer.

45. I play Counter-Strike.

46. I have attended several all-night “LAN Parties” (usually the only girl there).

47. One of my “stress-relievers” is http://www.homestarrunner.com

48. Another one is mowing lawns, though I am increasingly allergic to the grass.

49. I love to garden…to feel the cool earth between my fingers…to help things grow…

50. Frank Sinatra is amazing.

51. I love NASCAR and many other forms of racing.

52. I have been attending races (especially IHBA—boat—races) my entire life.

53. This does NOT make me a redneck.

54. I have my “Certificate of Proficiency” in Automotive Repair.

55. My father is an incredible painter.

56. He had an offer to paint for NASCAR at one time.

57. He paints cars, boats, go-karts, etc. He is amazing.

58. I inherited nearly none of his artistic ability.

59. My mom has been a travel agent for most of my life.

60. She has gone on several free vacations—what a job!

61. My immediate and extended family on my mom’s side is incredibly tight.

62. We have family reunions every year, and have had them for more than 40 years.

63. I love to surprise people and have done some detailed surprises in the past.

64. I love pranks.

65. Capture the Flag is a favorite pastime.

66. I am an aunt, though my only sibling has no children.

67. “The Picture of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde is my favorite piece of literature.

68. While in D.C., I met a number of “important people”: Colin Powell, Newt Gingrich, John Ashcroft (twice), and others.

69. I saw the President four times and the First Lady twice.

70. In seventh grade, I almost smoked marijuana after being told I was too “goody-goody” and would never do something like that.

71. I realized how stupid it was, and never did it.

72. Funny thing, I earned more respect from those guys by changing my mind than I would have by smoking it.

73. The longest I have stayed awake is 29 hours.

74. I sang a solo in front of 8,000 people when I was 15 years old at a State Youth Conference.

75. That was the day I realized that I loved being in front of people, for the thrill and the energy I felt in those five minutes were absolutely indescribable.

76. I have nearly perfect pitch.

77. I collect forks.

78. Why do I collect forks? Because everyone collects spoons, so I decided to be different.

79. I used to be “obsessed” with Jim Carrey, a long time ago.

80. My dad grew up with former pro-baseball player Dan Gladden (Giants, Twins, Tigers).

81. Because of this connection, we met (and have autographs from) several famous players, such as Cecil Fielder and Mickey Tettleton.

82. I am trying to be a contestant on Wheel of Fortune, because I know I can win on TV as much as I win at home and online.

83. I have some obsessive/compulsive tendencies that appear every once in a while.

84. Example: my clothes in my closet are in order—from long-sleeved to short sleeved—and by color, from light to dark…if they are out of order, I fix it.

85. I had my first crush when I was 3 years old (on an 8 year old).

86. In junior high school I was on the track team, and ran primarily the 200 and the 400.

87. I was spelling bee champion in 5th grade.

88. In 4th grade I lost to my eternal rival, Casey Coffman.

89. Casey was my first “boyfriend.”

90. He said that in order to be really dating we had to kiss.

91. He told me to meet him in the sandbox at lunch that day.

92. I did, but with friends along. No kiss.

93. I broke up with him the next day.

94. I am a published poet.

95. I went to the California state finals for “History Day” in 8th grade, with my video presentation on the Beatles.

96. Though I am a “California girl,” I am not exactly tan; my legs are eternally white.

97. My idea of a romantic date (one of them, anyway): Barnes and Nobles, sipping coffee while relaxing in the comfy chairs, discussing poetry or other related subjects…just enjoying each other’s company with no pressure to entertain.

98. When I was young, I used to tell my best-friends parents that I was allergic to certain foods, that I might avoid eating them.

99. In-N-Out Burger is the best—not only because of the food…best place to work, best pay, best atmosphere, etc. out of this type of establishment.

100. If I could have any animals as pets, I would have an egret, a moose, a duck and a squirrel.