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altarnarock
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Name: Jenn
Birthday: 12/23/1981
Gender: Female
Interests: listenin to hard rock music, chattin on AIM, cooking and baking, going to concerts, playin bass for worship team, eating out at new places, biking around town, and trying to make the most out of this God-given life I have
Expertise: you can ask me about hair--bleaching, dying and SPIKING...I can tell you what gel works and what is not worth your dime ;)
Occupation: Nugget Working Music Student
Industry: Grocery/Music
Message: message meEmail: email me
Website: visit my website
Member Since:
7/13/2003
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| Hi it's been a while!
Life has been interesting. I can feel it headed somewhere, but not sure how all the pieces fit together. Of course, the biggest thing that some of you are noticing is the interest in baking. With Luke's encouragement, I've been trying to pull my passion for baking into a side business, starting with a business card (thanks, LWTECH), and hopefully a cool website (hosted by renegadesv's :). Mind you, that I suck at math and have no idea of how to run a business at all, but we'll see where God leads this passion he's given me. Maybe one of these days it will turn into a cafe, but as of now, I am content with baking things on my free time.
Speaking of baking, I've been doing more of it at Nugget lately. It's so much better than closing the deli every night. There's something about baking a product off and packaging and just that pride that goes into it..and having it be put on sale and bought! It's a cool feeling. I guess the side business will help me personalize that more.
And for the other interests: Music. Specifically, bass...and maybe drums?? A part of me is still wanting to join a band and rock a few shows every now and then. I'm considering learning drums on the side (haha a re-occurring theme!) to be a fill-in drummer if needed. I've always wanted to be a decent drummer, but I've never played live before an audience before (and honestly that idea still scares me a bit). I guess I will practice every night with some worship songs and see how if I still want to commit to learning the craft.
Honestly, that's more than enough to occupy my time. I've decided to participate in a special 11-week Bible study this summer and it's truly been a blessing. Just getting me BACK into reading and spending more time in God's word really has brought me into a closer relationship with God. Working out and exercising has taken a back-seat, but it's okay as long as I don't go too long without some cardio. I have decided to be a sister's group coordinator, that meets every other week. I still have to manage/landlord my parents' house in Davis. And I still help out on the worship team and leading Sunday school. Oh yeah, and did I mention baking any chance I get? 
Thanks for letting me share. When life gets too busy, I gotta remember Matthew 6:33. It's all about seeking God. Everything else is distractions.
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| "Zhu" Cakeso got a special request to make a b-day cake for Mr. Zhu...or pronouned "zoo". Hence, his Clare-crowned nickname. This cake was pretty last-minute and I really scrambled to figure out how I could make this. First of all, this was my first ICE CREAM cake. I didn't think it would be that hard, but it's quite tricky...especially when it started leaking everywhere!! Also, I overmixed the cake batter , so it caused a lot of tunneling..(TONS of holes in the cake!) EEK! Stuff like this always happens when I'm trying to make a cake to impress ppl. When I'm not trying, it's not so stressful. haha. Anyways, here's the end result. Not tooooo bad...but definitely have a long way before I reach a professional level. Gotta keep practicing and learning!
 
I must've bought over $10 in cookies! haha and I only used a few of them. It's a chocolate cake w/ mint chocolate chip ice cream inside, covered with REAL swiss meringue buttercream. Oreo panda face in front, animal crackers/cookies, one Hello Panda in the grass, and Oreo Funstix to make up the "cage". If I had more time to mess with it, I would've tried to incorporate more detail, but for just "coming up with it," and I think it was a decent first effort. Hope the birthday boy and guests liked it!
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| So my black Sony Ericson phone decided to die on me. I just looked at it and the screen was black. I tried charging it, taking out the battery, etc. Nada.
I went to the AT&T store today and they said I wasn't up for an upgrade and didn't have insurance (DO'H), so I could buy a phone at full retail price or pay $80 on top of 2-year commitment fee. Ouch. That meant I would be overpaying either way. As I was wondering aimlessly around the store, staring at the phones and wondering what to do, the sales lady was nice enough to tell me that I could also get a toGo phone, or ANY phone, and just put my SIM card in it, and it wouldn't affect my contract, and I could upgrade once my 2-year was up. WOW. That's great.
So Luke digs out his old phone, the PEBL ("pebble"), and puts my SIM card in it. I'm glad I have a phone now. Just wish it wasn't..PINK.ugh.
If anyone wants to know, THIS WAS LUKE'S PHONE. I am just borrowing it!
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| The heart is so deceitful. Right now, I wanna do so many things right now, but my focus is all over the map. I am so easily distracted, frustrated, and depressed, it's not even funny.
1.) BAND. oooh man I wanna get back into practicing with a band who wants to gig so bad. But it's so hard to find the right group of people and my schedule is also not set, so it's hard to make a solid commitment. I'm tempted to post a craigslist ad:
"Bass guitar player looking for the right band...ideally rock/pop/alternative.... Have pro gear. Ready to commit and work hard for the right mix. Did quite a few gigs last year, before both bands dissolved. Can't do anything super complicated yet (I play a 4-string, standard tuning), but willing to learn and try. Looking for original songs and good attitudes, gigs 1-2 times a month (if possible) Age range from 20-35 (I'm 27). I have stage presence and image. Please e-mail me with information about your band and/or if you want more information."
That was kinda boring but I think I got across what was necessary.
2.) BAKING and BUSINESS!! The big thing right now. My goal is to start my own hard rock Christian cafe. To get there, I'm breaking it down to several smaller goals:
-find money for capital
-but before that, you need to start your business small
-like sell stuff at the FARMER'S MARKET!
-but you need to figure out what you're going to sell
-and how you are going to market yourself
-and find good recipes!
So I am at the bottom rung. I think woodshedding recipes is going to take the most time...well at least a good half year. I mean...how many muffins do I need to make before I find the right kind of consistency/texture/taste? and that's just for ONE muffin recipe. If I gotta do that for say..TEN muffin recipes, then who knows how long that will take. and that's just for the muffins. How about scones and cinnamon rolls? Cupcakes? Cookies and brownies should be easier, since I've found some pretty good ones of those. What I've noticed for muffins is that lots of ppl want them to be healthy. So I think I'll have a good mix of fun, dessert muffins and healthy, low fat, high fiber muffins. I'm not going to focus on the gluten-free/sugar-free peeps yet (gluten-free bakery is such an oxymoron to me! And the ones I"ve tried have been...well not that good). Experimenting is also getting expensive, as I have to keep buying ingredients. I think I am going to make smaller batches. On the other hand, I'm sure Luke's and my coworkers are enjoying the free goodies! :)
3.) BIBLE--oh man..I haven't been going to a Bible study in a long time. I am going to make more of an effort to get out on time on Friday nights so I can attend Acacia fellowship. I went to an intro BSF meeting tonight and realized that I've forgotten how good it is, and how much God has to say to me through it. Liz has been nice enough to constantly remind and invite me to bible studies...she said they are starting one in June over the summer, but it's Beth Moore...I liked what she had to say, but the last study didn't really get into it like I wanted to. BSF is so much better, but I don't want to wait until September! ack. Better than nothing I guess.
Heh, not bad huh? Three B's...
There's also the other disciplines of working out consistently, staying connected to family, and being a good wife. Hm. God first. And his kingdom...then all these things shall be added...
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| I finally went to Acacia Fellowship today.
Seems like ages since I've been to one, due to my work schedule. It felt good, seeing brothers and sisters in Christ, being welcomed and talked to. I really do wish I could attend more meetings and activities with them. It was also so nice to get into the Word. By myself, I don't dig in deep enough. I sort of poke a shovel at it and make some comment that I need to do more, and then continue with my day, completely forgetting what I just read (i.e. the foolish man mentioned in proverbs..or was it in the NT? haha I suck). But with an in-depth group bible study, I get so much more out of it, and I ponder over it more throughout the day...and maybe the next few days! We talked about 2 Timothy 2...and the analogy of a soldier, athlete, and farmer that Paul used to encourage Timothy in the faith. Really got me thinking about the self-discipline it takes to be either one of those professions/roles.
Self-discipline is something I lack the most of, I think. I stay up too late (*cough* like now *cough) doing semi-useless things, I don't manage and organize my free time very well, my workout routine is erratic, and I'm sure I could be a lot better at the bass guitar if I practiced more...oh geez..I just got distracted by my toe nails and spent like 5-6 minutes clip!!! aiyahh.
My biggest hobby by far is baking cakes. I've baked 4 cakes since I've finished baking classes...all from the home kitchen. All of the cakes have been different but 3 of the 4 had strawberries and strawberry whipped cream inside! I guess I am a strawberry shortcake kind of girl. It's been quite a bit of work...buying all the ingredients, scouring google images for cake decor ideas, assembling, and delivery, etc. But each time I'm a little surprised how well it turns out. I mean seriously, before baking school, I would've never dreamed of being able to decorate cakes like the ones I am able to make now. I still have a long way to go before I am comfortable with it (i.e. ROSES), but it's been pretty cool to apply the techniques I've learned in school to building my own cakes.
  
The biggest test will be the 4-tiered wedding cake SOMEONE wants me to make this summer! ahhh!!
Well I better call it a night. Or morning :P
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