Spencer Press

Are you writing a paper and feeling a bit lost? Need someone to run over it with a fine tooth comb? Do you struggle with differentiating between your and you’re? The worries stop here! At Spencer Press we are offering our services as a grad school/ undergrad/ high school paper editor. We will edit your paper and provide ample feedback to give you a jumpstart on making the paper all it can be. The cost of our services are minimal if you take in consideration the confidence and knowledge you will gain. Up against a deadline? No problem! Just make it a rush order and pay a small additional fee.

Cost of services:
- First timers: $10.00 flat fee and one double tall americano to really get your paper on the right track. Each page is $5.00. Tell them Jessica sent you and I will knock fifty cents off the price of your first page.

-Return Customers: $10.00 fee is waived, so you just pay $5.00 a page. I swear folks, I’m not even making money on a deal this good!

- Rush Order: Less than 24 hours until due date will be $10/page. It’s your education we’re talking about here, I wouldn’t take it lightly… would you?

This is Jessica here, founder of Spencer Press, and I promise if your grade doesn’t go up at least 5%, I’ll give you your money back no quetsions asked! (Policy subject to change)

Please utilize the friend reference form and recieve one page FREE on your next paper! (Form will be available 01/01/2013)

O Brother, where art thou?

Not too long ago, I was talking with a friend and casually mentioned my brother Hank for a reason I cannot recall. A look of confusion came over him and he said, “I didn’t know you had a brother. I’ve never heard you talk about them” Well, actually, I have two. I thought perhaps it was just with him that I hadn’t mentioned that I had two brothers, but as I would casually yet very intentionally throw in something about Chris or Hank, that same look of confusion would run across their face and with more or less the same response of “I didn’t know you had a brother” (actually, I have two) would come out. So today, I am here to set the record straight. I have not one, but two, that’s right, two older brothers Chris and Hank.

Hank (also known as: Bruce, Brucey, Hankers, Hankaroo, Mr Hank Pants… he loves it when I call him any of these… right.): Hank is the younger of my two older brothers. Without Hank, I would not be here. No joke. My parents had originally intended to just adopt Hank from Seoul, South Korea but I wouldn’t have any of it. My parents got a call from the adoption agency WACAP saying they have this little girl and she’s the only one who can make him laugh. And I suppose you could say the rest is history. We went through school together and for kindergarten and first grade were even in the same classroom. People always say “Oh, you guys must be super close then.” I wish we were closer. We have the very typical hair yanking, poking to death sort of sibling relationship. When my mother would tell him to hug me to apologize at times I thought my ribs would crack from his “embrace.” He works at Costco in Puyallup and bakes chocolate chip cookies that will blow your mind. I don’t think you will ever meet a harder worker or someone more genuine than Hankers. We have mellowed out to be good friends, and to this day I can still make him laugh to the point of tears… this makes me very happy.

Chris (no nickname): Chris was my first friend when I came home. He was the first one to make me laugh and a true big brother. He always looked out for me and affectionately called me amigo. The name stuck for years until the movie City Slickers came out and I was more appropriately renamed Norman after the slow calf that seemed to always lag behind the rest of the group. In writing this sounds a bit mean, but if you knew Chris and if you’ve seen the movie, you would understand. Chris is by far one of the most intelligent people I have ever known. His musical talent alone separates him from the norm. Name the instrument and he has either played it or at the very least studied it extensively. He is now married to Holly and I don’t think on my very best day, I could have picked a better fit for him.  Together, they have really stepped up in taking care of our family, especially my parents so for that I am especially grateful.

I love both of my brothers very much and honestly would be a very different blogger if it weren’t for them. So there you have it. proof that my brothers exist. And just in case my gushy post isn’t enough for you, I even have photographic evidence to back up my story.

Chris, Hank, Me

Clogged thoughts…

So it has now been 2010 for 11 days and I feel like so much has already happened- some incredible and some no so incredible. Let me share a not so incredible moment but one that I will never forget… as hard as I may try. On Sunday, we were celebrating my dear friend Yuna’s birthday at a Malaysian restaurant in Bellevue and there were oh I don’t know, about 15 of us there. I was sitting next to Jess and Julie showing them my new jeans that I hemmed and was pretty ecstatic about it. Marshall overheard me talking about how I hemmed them using a sewing machine and said he needed some things sewn. I told him he could learn how to use a sewing machine, and he sarcastically expressed that it was a woman’s job. (sidenote: if you want to get me fired up, tell me it’s a woman’s job) Marshall, sensing my hostility, went on to explain that women are born with innate traits like sewing and cooking, while men have skills like fixing things and plumbing. I meant to say that I could un-clog a toilet like it’s nobody’s business. Instead, I shouted, I CAN CLOG A TOILET LIKE IT’S NOBODY’S BUSINESS! I internally shrieked with mortification. The look on Marshall’s face was a mixture of confusion and horror. Julie instantly burst into laughter, and then I started to laugh uncontrollably with tears rolling down my red face. By the time I was able to regain composure it was too late to attempt any sort of recovery. Some people thought I had said I could fog a toilet like it’s nobody’s business. I don’t even know what it means to fog a toilet, but it sounds neither pleasant nor attractive. This is by far the most embarrassing thing that has happened to me in 2010 and quite possibly one of the most embarrassing things I have said ever. As embarrassing as this was, it has provided me with random bursts of laughter throughout the day, so for that I am thankful.

So there you have it. My most embarrassing moment of 2010 and the year has just begun. Great.

Resolution

It’s my new goal to post something at least once a week. So here we go! 2010 so far:
New Year’s Eve: Kick booty party at the Seymour’s house complete with dance party! Embarassing pictures of myself have been posted on facebook.

New Year’s Day: Teen Feed at U-Pres. Church in the U-District. Heather, Em and I manned the black bean soup pots and might I say did a fantastic job. You will definitely be hearing more about this in the future

Saturday: Crocheted, read, and watched Avatar. Pleasantly surprised by the movie and my harsh exterior towards fantasy movie softened just a little that day.

Sunday: Ate at this amazing place called taquiera (I believe that is what it’s called). Cheap Mexican food, but amazing! I would recommend the shredded beef torta. Team Blue Sky Sunday night and once again, amazing. God is doing a lot in me, too much for my little fingers to try and type so you can just trust me on this one.

Monday: Back to work at Children’s and assuming my role as facebook stalkerrrr of the usual suspects.

Today: Nothing extraordinary, but as Curly once said from City Slickers… “The day aint over yet…”

A look back on 2009

1.)    In 2009, I started to do the kid’s program at Blue Sky and without doubt, this has been one of the highlights of the year. I love those kids and have learned so much about God and myself. When Catherine grabs my hand to hold, I am immediately reminded of how much God loves his children.

2.)    This year our small group multiplied out of Sam’s group and I was very nervous about the outcome. Would people come? Would it be as fun? Will it be all girls and Mark? Yes, people have come, yes, it’s been fun, and it is indeed all girls with the exception of Mark and Brian. It’s funny how I always worry that God is going to forget the details. An elephant never forgets, and God created elephants.  

3.)     I can now say that I have been a vegetarian and survived! At the end of the day, I love meat and will never do it again, health willing. Poultry aside, I was a bit shocked with the lovin’ I received from so many friends including one friend in particular who made a facebook support group on my behalf. I’ve never loved my friends or bacon more than in the month of September.

4.)     It was a very exciting year in sports for me. I went to my very first Sounders game (epic, see previous blog) and witnessed Ken Griffey hit his 300^th homerun with the Mariners. I went to six Mariners games this year which is more than all previous years combined. There is something about booing or cheering with thousands of people who all have garlic fry breath that make you feel like you are part of something bigger… especially if that something bigger is a grand slam hit by Ichiro with a full count and bases loaded(I witnessed this too).

5.)    I went to my very first church conference at Vine Church in Carbondale, IL. It was there where God told me to let go of grad school and just follow Him. It’s been harder than I imagined, but at the end of the day, God is good.

6.)     When I first started going to Blue Sky, I always told myself I would never move in with the church folk… well, here I am living with Blue Sky people and I absolutely love it.

7.)    In late January, my dad was admitted to the hospital for having multiple minor strokes. It’s been very hard on my family’s heart to watch him change throughout the year. However, my mother always said in times of trouble, that’s when you need to look around and see who is still there. There certainly aren’t as many that were at his 60^th birthday party, but the few that are there are invaluable to our family.  A special shout out to Char Price. Char, I don’t think you will ever know how valuable your friendship is to my mom. I am so thankful for you and the kindred friendship you offer her.

8.)    This is a recent memory… well, it’s more of a happening I suppose you could say. I am currently reading “Passion and Purity” by Elisabeth Elliot and this book has changed my life. It’s changed the way I see love, discipline, following and of course God. Who knew a white elephant gift would change my life?

All in all, a very hard but good year. I feel I need to constantly thank God for everything He has done in my life and for what He’s doing everywhere.

My whole life is yours, I give it all, surrendered to your name and forever I will pray, Lord have your way, have your way.

Merry Christmas!

My top eight slightly random thoughts about Christmas-

8.) I have been to more Chirstmas parties this year than I think I have total for the past five years.  When I clean things out or throw them away,  I now think wait… should I save this for a white elephant gift exchange I might go to? Sad.

7.) I did all of my Christmas shopping on-line and will do it every Christmas from here on out. People told me it takes away from the holiday spirit, but on the contrary, I wasn’t bogged down with the stress of holiday shopping and having to fight tooth and nail with the old ladies in U Village for the last disabled parking spot. This year I was able to just relax.  

6.) When I was about 8, all I wanted for Christmas was a bean bag chair. My parents told me this would not be happening because of their futility and they were a waste of space.  * Christmas morning* On my way to the bathroom I was about to open the door when in the corner of my eye, I saw something rather large… Frozen in sheer delight I saw a bright blue bean bag chair with a perfect big red bow. To this day, that is still one of the highlights of my life. There is something special about really wanting something, thinking you will never have it, and then getting it.  

5.) Isn’t it amazing how much can change in a year? Thinking about the things God has done in me this past year blows me away.  I am very thankful for Blue Sky, especially for the friendships that have developed there.  Melanie, Emily, Christina, Anna, Lonna, Julie, Yuna, April, Jess, Fred, Gong… the list goes on and on. I am blessed by each of them. And of course I’m thankful for my bosom buddy Heather and her hubby Mark. She has seen me through my bizarre days and has loved me anyways.

4.) Snow would be okay…

3.) I am a very meticulous present wrapper. I get abnormally excited when I buy presents that come in a box so I can make the perfect fold. I spend a lot of time making sure the bow is just right and all of the angles are all at the same degree. It doesn’t bother me one bit that my handy work is admired for about 5 seconds and then clawed to shreds by Hank. Not one bit.

2.) I am at work on Christmas eve and normally I would be bah humbugging and boo hoo’ing, but it’s different this year. I work in the hematology/oncology clinic and have come to realize working on Christmas eve is something I should be thankful for, not something to gripe and moan about. Henry is one of the patients I coordinate for and he’s 20 months and has Histiocytosis (a tumor form of cancer). He is from Alaska and has been at our hospital since he was four months. Four months. In the past 16 months, his transplant has failed and he has already relapsed. Henry’s father is still in Alaska and mom and Henry will be spending Christmas at the Ronald McDonald House. Leticia is another one of our patients who has relapsed twice from leukemia and is not expected to make it through the new year. She is 18. Her story breaks my heart the most. It’s not fair that her prognosis is fatal and that her last Christmas will be the first of her adult life. The stories go on and on.  After talking with these moms and dads and blowing kisses to these kiddos, it’s impossible to be upset about working here on Christmas eve.  I can’t help but feel immensley grateful that I get to go home and embrace my my mom, my dad, Hank and Andrea (Chris and Holly are in Connecticut). I get to go to the candle light service and worship God and thank Him for everything. I get to live.

1.) For the first time ever, the number one reason I am excited about Christmas is knowing that we are celebrating Christ’s birth. It’s because of Him, I am free.

A Lotty Love

A while back Anna purchased an axolotl for her classroom. When she told me she was buying one, I instantly  googled it and was terrified to find this straight out of Monster’s Inc little creature. I was nervous to meet the little one, but soon grew quite an attachment. Her classroom named her Mudkip, but around the house we lovingly call her Lotty. She is no longer the monstrous prehistoric lizard I once saw… but she has grown into my adorable clumsy friend. For the past couple of days, Lotty and I have had meals together and we are able to just sit in comfortable silence while she floats around the tank and I eat my grilled cheese. She has been a wonderful dining companion and I will dearly miss her when she goes back to the classroom.

Isn't she cute?

Sing-Off

Be sure to tune in on Monday 12/21 for the finale of Sing-Off. I am routing for Nota in case you were curious! I have a new respect for acapella after watching this show.

Announcement

Hello friends- I wanted to let you know that effective immediately, this blog will look much different. As you have probably noticed, I don’t blog too frequently… That’s because I feel that every one of my blogs has to be epic. No more. I will post whatever comes to me… That is all… I am ending this post. That’s right. It’s over. No moral of the story, no catchy and witty tagline… I am just ending it.

That just happened.

The Halfway Point

August 22^nd started out as any other day for me. A certain excitement floated around me throughout the day because I had made plans to see the Bobs (an acapella group) with some friends at the Triple Door. I borrowed Melanie’s green dress, not knowing the significance that color would have for the month of September. Before the show started, we all ordered some food and I almost lost my appetite looking at some the prices. Nearly reaching what my mother has so lovingly called the “hungry grumpy Jess” phase I decided I would go for quantity rather than quality. The phad thai seemed to be the most bang for my buck and the difference between the chicken and vegetarian was an outrageous three whole dollars. Had I known what I know now, I would have swallowed the three bucks in exchange for swallowing some delicious chicken, but enough of the shoulda, woulda, coulda’s. The food came, and it was fine. My friend Sangwa asked me if I was a vegetarian and feeling a little cheeky, I responded yes, thinking, do I look stupid? (Vegetarians, please read on… my ignorance is temporary, I promise) I then quickly amended my statement saying I was just kidding, and then expressed my love for meat. He explained how he was a vegetarian for a couple of years and once again my tongue spoke before my mind had a chance to stop it. Smugly, I replied “that doesn’t seem that hard.” I guess you could say I had to eat my words. Well after I had regrettably dismissed Sangwa’s vegetarian lifestyle, he said he didn’t think I could do it. For those of you who know me (which I am assuming all of you do, if not, hi) the quickest way to get me to do something is to tell me that I can’t. So from that point it was game on. I was challenged to be a vegetarian for the month of September. The rules were simple and the game plan was green.  So on September 1^st, I embarked on my vegetarian endeavor, with the support of wonderful friends like Julie Fujita who created a support group on fb (to join, simply go to my profile under “my info” and look under my groups). I must say the first week was definitely the hardest. I would wake up with bacon withdrawal headaches and sleep dreaming of chicken enchiladas. My first vegetarian lunch were three mini Hershey chocolate bars and a bite of a cookie. As you can see, my knowledge of vegetarian meals was non-existent. I then did what I am sure most vegetarians in Seattle do. I went to Trader Joes. To my delight, I discovered it is a vegetarian’s paradise! Spicy spinach pizzas, hummus, stir fry, guacamole and the thing that has kept me living for the past 18 days…. Sour cream. I would have never thought that something so condiment’ish would become such a life saver. I really have no idea why I love it so much. When I eat meals and it’s not on the table, there is hole in my heart approximately the size 16 oz plastic container. Reaching the halfway point a few days back compelled me to write a blog about the experience.  For the past two weeks with the exception of an accidental toquito mishap and crab cakes at the space needle (approved), my life has been meatless. I have become accustomed to this new lifestyle, but don’t think for a second I’m not counting down to October 1^st. There is a big bowl of bulgolgi waiting out there somewhere with my name on it.