It's a Girlia!

I have another niece! Her name is Karli Brielle and she is one of the cutest babies I've ever seen! I would share her cuteness in the form of a picture, but my computer is being uncooperative.
In other (not so exciting) news...we have mice again...and this time not only are they in our cupboards and pantry...they are in the basement as well. I had been hearing them and seeing their remnants, but this morning while I was sitting on the can I had visual confirmation as one scurried across the floor. Let's hope they don't crawl into my bed at night...Eeeks! Well, I think we have about 10 traps up now and our dead mice tally is up to 5 since sunday evening.
Well, I feel that I can't leave on that note, so for something more exciting (in my opinion)...I inserted a catheter today. I was pretty pumped. I hadn't done one since last year, so it was kinda fun! That's about it.

Come & Go

"Come! Jesus says. Come to Me. And just as we do, He says, Go! As the Father has sent Me, I'm sending you. Go into the marketplace, the public schools, the prisons, and the hospital ward--go into the world. And don't leave it as you found it." (from Your God Is Too Safe by Mark Buchanan)

I got a camera for Christmas...

GOh Canada!

Way to go World Junior Hockey team!! 4-2; way to dominate!
we just got our internet/cable connected today...what a funny time. And the cable guy laughed at me on the phone...not with me....AT me! but it's okay....I laughed after I hung up. Thanks to the cable guy for getting us connected to the "people down at the internet"!
School is okay...I feel like I have a mountain of things to do already, but it should be fun! only 3 more semesters! That's what gets me through this!
Yesterday in one of my classes, we were supposed to introduce ourselves to someone we didn't know and tell them why we decided to become a nurse. This caught me offguard. I realized that I've spent most of the last year and a half dwelling on why I think I should (or want to) quit, and I forgot why I wanted to do this in the first place. I've had a few moments during clinical that reminded me of why I want to do this, but I forget them very easily. Why do I want to be a nurse? My childhood answer: "to help people". My last years answer: "because I'm already in the program and I don't know of anything else I want to do". My answer for today: "to make a difference in people's lives." The idea of being a nurse still scares me. It'll be a challenge, and I like a good challenge. I think I need to sleep now...Happy New Year, ya'll!

I think this says it all...

"Can't believe it's Christmas,

Oh, boy! It's finally here!

Ho, ho! Away we go!

With rosey cheeks and hearts aglowin'

Hey, hey! Our favorite day!

It makes us want to cheer!

Yo, ho! We love the snow!

At least we know we won't be mowing!

Ya, hey! We're glad to say

That Christmas time is here!

We can't believe it's Christmas!

Been waiting for a million hours

Can't believe it's Christmas,

Oh what a nifty day!"

(from VeggieTales Can't Believe It's Christmas)

we have a christmas tree!!

And it's definately a step up from last year! we even have a tree-skirt! I was impressed! It is a beauty! I am so excited for Christmas...I'm very distracted by the thought of it! I just love everything about it: the music, the lights, the decorations, the baking, Christmas programs, being with family, playing football in the snow with my sister, relaxing, watching 'White Christmas', reading the Christmas story, reading/crotcheting by the fireplace, playing hockey...okay so some of this is getting into general winter things, not just Christmas things...But it kinda goes hand in hand I think. I'm excited to be an angel this year for the Christmas in the Park thingy! Of course I'll have to wear my parka underneath my angel costume...I wonder if angels wear toques?...I wonder if angels wear Viking's toques? This one just might! I just had to add this visual memory of Christmas in August...many moons ago. Joanna and Pershy, I miss you both!

go lions!

It was a great weekend. It was actually a long weekend for me because my professor decided to cancel my class on friday. What a great idea! This allowed me to go along with my mom (who had a sleepover at my house that night) and sister for breakfast on friday. It was a delicious breakfast! I love mountains of fruit especially when they are on top of yummy waffles!! It was a good time! Holly and Phil came over on saturday for the grey cup festivities...and some comedy night at church. The parade was a good time!! I almost got a pom-pom! The lady tried 3 times to throw one at me, but she missed everytime. I'll get over it...one day! It's like the fish that got away (maybe, I don't know...I'm not an avid fisherwoman, I just like saying that!) Holly got a t-shirt...fair and square...but I'll let her tell that story. Then my bundled up friends with their beautiful orange BC shirts went to the game. Kendra and I watched some interactive television! (When we saw the planes fly over the stadium on TV, we ran outside and saw them flying in the sky...it was quite thrilling!) This weekend I also figured out some new goals for my life: 1) I want to have my appendix removed, and 2) I want to learn how to solve a rubik's cube. Both would be very thrilling for me. All in all it was a very exciting and eventful weekend!

one day at a time

"Every single moment whether sleeping or awake

Is your creation

And what you’ve made is good

I don’t always thank you for the rough days and

The hard times in my life

Even though I should"

(Jury Duty by the OC Supertones)

"Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God..." (Psalm 51:14a). This morning when I read this passage I thought, how difficult can the attitude of thankfulness be? I won't be much of a sacrifice...well, I changed my mind. somedays (like today) it's very hard for me to be thankful. I did get through it though, so I'm thankful for that!! Hopefully tomorrow is better. Only one month and one day until this semester is completely over...I can hardly wait!

my day

Today I felt like a nurse. I gave 3 injections, (what felt like) a million NG meds, and an enema! All in all I'd say it was an eventful day! And it begins again tomorrow, bright and early.
Well, the paper that I thought I finished on the weekend is now considered unfinished, so I'd better get on that.

I'm feeling antsy

so I've been studying for this exam for the past...oh I don't know how many hours...granted, I have taken a few study breaks to rummage for snacks or whatever else I could find to take my mind off of endocrine disorders, cancer, HIV, Coronary Artery Disease, and all that other fun stuff I'm supposed to know about by tomorrow morning. I closed my eyes for a minute and it seriously felt like Christmas. Maybe that's because the candle that's burning in my room smells sort of like cinnamon, and Josh Grobin is singing "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" to me. Is that even a Christmas song? I have no idea. It makes me think of Christmas...so does the song "oh come let us adore Him." but the last two concerts I've been to, they've sang as a regular worship song. not that I have a problem with that...cuz I like the song...I just think of Christmas. I would love to curl up by a fireplace and watch a football game on TV right now. That would make me happy... Or maybe a baseball game. So who will it be this year; the Cardinals or the Tigers? I'm going for the Cardinals...anyways...i think this is enough procrastination...I need to start reading about hemodynamics...

(not so) fun times!

so I went to the dentist on friday...and almost left my teeth there. It was not a very fun experience, but it's over and I still have all of my teeth! That's always a bonus. I was hoping to make it to at least 35 before I got my first set of dentures. That's my story. not very exciting...but that's okay...now I must start unpacking and doing some homework and such things as that...we'll see how that goes! Only 7 weeks left of school till christmas break...I think.

so i was told i needed to update...

I wonder why. not much to report, except that SNOW HAS COME!! I usually like the first snow fall, cuz it's pretty. But this is too early. I know that it's not really staying, so it pretty much doesn't count...but it's still too early. oh well, whatcha going to do?
so tomorrow I get to watch an angiogram! I'm excited. My instructor asked me if I got squeamish. I said: I haven't been squeamish so far. I don't think of myself as a squeamish person, but I don't think I've seen overly gross things either. We'll see how that goes. and that is all for my report, have a great evening.
PS I love you Jen, even if you make fun of my ability to speak...or lack of speaking ability

Enough

by Chris Tomlin

All of You is more than enough for all of me

For every thirst and every need

You satisfy me with Your love

And all I have in You is more than enough

You are my supply

My breath of life

And still more awesome than I know

You are my reward

worth living for

And still more awesome than I know

All of You is more than enough for all of me

For every thirst and every need

You satisfy me with Your love

And all I have in You is more than enough

You’re my sacrifice

Of greatest price

And still more awesome than I know

You’re the coming King

You are everything

And still more awesome than I know

my little mouse rant

You'd think 7 mice would be enough...I hope it is! I hope that is all we'll ever have in this house! I used to think mice were cute...and they have potential, when they are in a cage or something...not running loose in your house. I'm sick of the smell of mouse. I'm sick of cautiously opening cupboard doors, just in case one comes running out. I'm sick of how checking the mouse traps has become as routine as brushing my teeth. One day I'll laugh about it...I'm sure. It better be REALLY funny!

BTS

That's right, it's Back-to-School time....which means packing, moving, unpacking, shopping, rearranging furniture...oh yeah and going to classes and that kind of thing. It's been an eventful week...bleaching our used-to-be-white tub; helping our neighbors move stuff out of their house, adding to the ginormous (is that a word?) pile of garbage outside their house; having our first BBQ here; catching a MOUSE in our house (that's an entire story in itself involving much screaming, barricades, icecream pails and friendly neighbors)! All in a week's work I guess! It should be a great year! Oh yeah, and I get to see Robert Munsch next week!!! I'm super pumped!

and that's the kind of day it's been...

well, I guess it's only 3 weeks until school starts again. I don't really want to think about it, yet I'm starting to get a little excited to move back to the city. I think a wasp bit me today...I have this bump on my wrist now. It stopped hurting though, so that's good. Yesterday my dad took me out driving with Li'l Gurk. (my first standard driving lesson). It was quite exciting! I felt like I was 15 1/2 all over again, trying to figure out how to drive. I stalled many times, got a few stares and some people laughed at me, but we all came back in one piece. Well, there's ball tonight...hopefully it doesn't rain, and it will all be good!

My trip

 

 

 

today is a sad day...

that's right...the Oiler's lost. *melancholy sigh*

not much else is new...except that I love my jobs...yes, both of them. Last summer I hated them and wanted to quit both of them. But this summer I really enjoy both of them. We'll see what I think by the end of summer. I think I'll sleep outside tonight. It's soooo beautiful....hopefully the bugs are sleeping, or not very hungry tonight ;)

the loooong weekend

I decided that I love summer. I love summer holidays. I love warm weather. I love playing football. I love playing baseball. I love having campfires. I love sleeping outside (even if you have to wear 10 million layers of clothes to stay warm!!). I love my friends. I love being with my friends. I love catching up with people that you haven't seen in a loooong time, and just start where you left off. I love jumping on trampolines. I love having inside jokes with people. I love making memories with people. I love God. I love being with God. I love being real with people. I love learning new things. I love my family. I love being with my family. I love thunder storms. I love watching the stars. I love singing at the top of my lungs. aaaaand I could go on and on...

I had a great weekend! actually, this past week all felt like a extra long weekend, cuz I never work anymore. But I won't complain...because I have alot of shifts coming up. Besides, these are my summer HOLIDAYS!! So I should enjoy them while I can!! so many stories I could write....like about leaky air mattresses, friendly strangers that speak Low German, and being in a "bird cage"/"confessional" but that would take too much time.

I read a cool verse today: "My heart has heard you say, 'Come and talk with me.' And my heart responds, 'LORD, I am coming.'" (Psalm 27:8)

Today I saw Charley Pride...

for those of you who don't know who Charley Pride is...don't worry, I didn't either. I was in Walmart and there was a big commotion and a long line up by the entertainment department. Well, of course I'm going to go nearby to see what the fuss is all about. So I see this man signing autographs and smiling for pictures. The Sherlock in me figures he must be a famous person...musician maybe? so I ask a fellow shopper...and she laughed and also admitted to not having a hot clue of who the guy was. Then I asked the worker at the fitting rooms as I waited to try some clothes on...she said, "I think his name is Charley...something or other....he's a singer that people your parents or grandparents age would know." So I left it at that. Then came the message over the intercom announcing Charley Pride's presence in the store.....like anyone in the store hadn't noticed that someone famous was there....Then I went home, and of course my mom knew who Charley Pride was, and that's my story. Oh I forgot the best part: I bought a cute shirt and I can hardly wait to wear it!!

a few memorable Mexican moments

Here are a few of my second cousins that I got to 'spazier' with. (one of them told my mom that she wanted to take me home with her!) My Low German was rusty, but I actually managed to hold a conversation with them for a while.

We went to a church in Santa Rita where my uncle was preaching.

It's everywhere you go...you just can't get away from it. I'm a Pepsi fan most of the time, but I have to admit, Coke definately tastes better from a glass bottle than from a can or plastic bottle!

While driving home from church on Sunday, we hit a rock on the road and our front tire blew. (That's when I got my first lesson on how to change a tire) The next day we got new tires put on the van, and on the yard of the tire shop was the cutest puppy that I've ever seen!! I wanted to take it home, but I don't think it had a passport ;)

I love cactuses...even if they don't have "arms"

My grandpa at one of the stands we stopped at for lunch. We had barbecued beef in a tortilla! It was 'Excellente!'

a windmill my sister and I saw on a walk through one of the villages. The walk was cut short when 2 big dogs started barking and running full force towards us. I was scared, but my sister just laughed at me! (Don't worry, the dogs were well trained and stopped as soon as they reached the road and headed back to their house.)

The delivery vehicles we saw in Cuauhtemoc..it looked like a fun job!

I'm pretending to be a cactus "with arms" because I never got to see any that looked like that :(

I love the mountains! We took a narrow, windy highway through the mountains that had 101 turns!

here it is...

10 simple pleasures...as requested by Julia:
(and of course these are in no particular order)

1 Lying on the beach on a hot summer day, getting warm all the way through
2 Reading a book or crochetting by the fireplace
3 Sitting around a campfire with friends!
4 Baking cookies
5 Playing with my niece and nephew
6 The smell of playing baseball (the combination of sweat, leather and dirt!)
7 Losing track of time when with friends
8 Laughing until your sides hurt
9 Watching the sunset
10 Walking in the rain

as far as tagging people: if you're reading this, consider yourself tagged!

I'm back!

Well, I'm home now! I have many stories to tell, and pictures to show, but right now I don't have much time for that. Instead, I'll be lazy and just copy and paste a part of an email that I just wrote to a friend...

My family and I got back last night, we had a lot of fun! my grandpa taught us some spanish...enough to pick up boys and read a menu. That's all you need to survive! lol! My mom asked my grandpa what me and my sister should say to chase away the boys and he said with a tinkle in his eye, "te caro mucho" (not sure on the spelling). We asked him what that phrase meant and he said, "I care alot for you". That's my grandpa's humor alright. I never trusted him when he told me to say something to the spanish people out there. He kept us on our toes!

We went driving around the Campo's (villiages) where my grandparents had lived, and visited my second cousins and great aunt. It was interesting. They didn't know any English, so I had to speak Low-German the whole time. I was surprised how much I actually knew! It was facinating to learn about their culture. We also went into the spanish cities of Cuauhtemoc and Chihuahua. It was very interesting! The food was AMAZING!! Taco Bell will never taste as good anymore.

Well, I should do some unpacking now. I moved all my stuff home at 1:00am the night before we left for Mexico, so all that stuff is jammed in my room and I need to sort it all out.

watch out Mexico, here I come!!

I am now officially finished my second year of nursing!! I guess that means that I'm half a nurse. or something like that. aaaaand I'm going to Mexico!! (well, tomorrow I will be) I'm stoked! But there are so many things I have to do first...take my CPR course, clean and move out of my place in the city, go home, pack for the trip....my plan is to crochet all the way there, maybe I'll finally finish that afghan that I started a year ago.
on to something a little more random...have you ever had a man's head in your microwave? I have! Now before you think I'm hallucinating or just plain morbid, I'll explain. Yesterday I was in the basement talking on the phone when I heard a bloodcurdling scream, so I ran up to the living room to see what was wrong. Kendra was screaming and Shawna was doubled over laughing extremely hard. I didn't know what the matter was until I went into the kitchen and saw Rodney in the microwave. (Rodney is Shawna's male mannequin head). I started screaming, and Shawna laughed even more. And that is my funny story for the day....poor neighbors, that's all I have to say!

i did it!!

i finally conquered the expert level of minesweeper...okay, so that's not very exciting for some of you...but you don't understand. I used to hate that game because, well let's face it, it's kinda a game of chance (well the first part is, until you get a big space open). Anyways, I started playing it on sunday, cuz I thought maybe I could learn to like it...that and the fact that playing minesweeper sounded way better than studying ;) So, today, I finally won! I was soooo excited. Oh yeah, and I'm excited that I only have ONE EXAM LEFT!!!!!

stimulating vitamin D production

The weather is sooooooo beautiful! I was studying outside in my backyard all afternoon. I felt like I was sun-tanning, until Kendra informed me that it wasn't likely that I would get a tan while wearing and hoodie and wrapping myself in a blanket. well, that makes it sound like it was cold outside...it really wasn't...the wind was just a little cool. but once the sun came out, I no longer had the need for the blanket!!

I decided that I'm in an anticipatory (is that a word?) stage of life. I guess every stage of life has a certain element of anticipation to it, but just a different reason to look forward to. Right now (besides looking forward to being done exams), I am looking forward to graduating, getting a job as a nurse, independently supporting myself, travelling, and yes...one day getting married. This topic of anticipation reminds me of somethings I read the other day:

"But we who live by the Spirit eagerly wait to receive by faith the righteousness God has promised to us." (Gal. 5:5)

"How easy it is to slip back into thinking that it's now or never; that if it's not here, it's not at all. The life I prize is coming. The very thing that I am aching for now, missing now, seeking now in other things is exactly what's coming to me. This is how I interpret the promises that seem to be coming through the good and beautiful gifts we have now." (Journey of Desire by John Eldredge)

I was thinking about something Kendra wrote a while back about feeling like God is holding out on us and I realized that I feel that way about my dreams. I felt like God wasn't going to allow me to do all the things that I want to accomplish in my life. But I realized that just because I'm not doing these things right NOW, doesn't mean that it's not coming in my future. I also realized that no matter how many dreams I accomplish on earth, all my dreams and longings will be satisfied when I see Jesus.

little hidden surprises

"I would like a triple skinny, 2/3 decaf, half chocolate, no whip, grande mocha. Oh, yeah. Extra foam. To go."

So today as I was working on an assignment, I had the sudden urge to move my bed to see what was underneath it. (Don't ask...I get wierd urges when I'm trying to procrastinate). So I moved my bed, and I found a CD that had been there since last year, two stuffed animals, my long lost mitten (well, one of them...at least I have a pair now)...a t-shirt, a LOT of dust...and some gross dead bugs (there was even a wasp). These bugs were dried up and made a little crunching noise when I crushed them into a Kleenex. One even turned into dust-like particles. So that's really gross, and I should probably do some Spring cleaning...don't tempt me; I have exams to study for and papers to write. This is generally the time of year when I go on my cleaning binges...but I'm trying to refrain. I can clean once I'm done exams...unfortunately, then I won't want to. Why is cleaning only fun when it's done as a method of procrastination?

Wo ist der Bahnhof?

This is my favourite song right now...you should listen to it...it's a gooder!

Glory Hallelujiah
(OC supertones)

Well the whole world is singin'
And the night sky testifies
But man doesn't understand
His purpose is to glorify...

The stones will by cryin' out
if I shut my mouth
Before they can do it
I wanna beat 'em to it

Jesus here I am,
Coming to you a broken man
We're gonna sing sweet Glory Hallelujiah
I just wanna stand
Get up and shout and raise my hands
we're gonna sing sweet Glory Hallelujiah...

"Sadie Hawkins Dance

...in my khaki pants, there's nothing better. (oh oh oh)
Girls ask the guys, it's always a surprise.
There's nothing better, baby do you like my sweater?"

As Relient K serenades me, I'm getting ready for my final demonstration...it's a scary thing...I'm already preparing myself for the fact that I'll probably have to go back a second time...but that's not a good attitude. I just want to get it over with...Now!!...I realized that I'm impatient. I just hope I don't get any bandaging or wound care...that stuff makes me nervous. But I'll probably get that...Cuz I think they're out to get us ;) okay, maybe not...but they did say they would test us on our weakest areas. So pretty much they ARE out to get us...but for our own good...and for the good of our future patients.

just four you

Well, I've been tagged, so now I'm it...here's my life in a nutshell:

FOUR JOBS I'VE HAD:
1. Paper Girl...that's right, the plan was to take over the town...but it never got further than delivering papers ;)
2. Farrowing Assistant (aka working in a pig barn with beautiful piglets being born every day!!!)
3. cashier at IGA...twice (i quit, and then went back)
4. Health Care Aid at a nursing home

FOUR MOVIES/SHOWS I'VE BEEN ADDICTED TO:
1. Amazing Race: the best show in the world...one day I'll be on it!
2. CSI...(Las Vegas version)
3. Jeopardy...when Ken Jennings was on
4. and yes, I admit....the Bachelor

FOUR PLACES I'VE LIVED:
1. well, I don't think I've lived in that many places, but I've lived here
2. with my parents
3. and prov
4. and since I don't have a fourth one, I'll make this one up: on a cruise ship in the caribbean

FOUR COUNTRIES I WOULD LIKE TO VISIT:
1. I don't know if I can narrow it down to four...Italy
2. Ukraine
3. Poland
4. Australia

FOUR POPULAR FALSE ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT ME:
1. that I'm always happy
2. that I'm always innocent...but some people know the truth ;)
3. that i'm shy and reserved....HA!
4. that I never get angry

FOUR PEOPLE I LOOK LIKE
1. my mother
2. the girl from princess diaries (so I've been told)
3. myself...I hope
4. I don't know...I could imagine that I look like Jennifer Aniston...but that might be stretching the truth

FOUR THINGS (I HOPE) TO DO BEFORE I DIE:
1. sooooo many things: travel all around the world
2. Learn Polish
3. learn how to dance
4. go to a vikings game

PEOPLE I TAG NEXT:
1. Kendra
2. Holly...cuz you never post anything anymore...jk
3. Cherise
4. Phil

what I want to do right NOW!

no words could sum this up into a short, catchy, yet suitable title...

"Oh, I feel that my heart is broken. This is such an unromantic affliction. The girls in books lose their hair in fevers or sell it to get money for some good deed, and I'm sure I wouldn't mind losing my hair in some such fashion half so much. But there is nothing comforting in having your hair cut off because you've dyed it a dreadful color, is there? I'm going to weep all the time you're cutting it off, if it won't interfere. It seems such a tragic thing." -Anne of Green Gables

I think that I can almost empathize with Anne now. And before you jump to conclusions: No, I did not dye my hair a "dreadful color"...and no, I have not chopped my hair off. But I sure thought I would have to today. It's kind of funny to me now...but not funny enough to write it out for all to read yet.

This weekend was very eventful...On friday I went to see a movie with Kendra and a friend from Prov. On saturday a bunch of us went out for brunch and to the planetarium where we learned about Mars and some guy who studied the Grand Canyon....and I'm still wondering how that all ties in together. Then we went to the mall and shopped....it was a looooong day. But oh so fun! Then today...well I got myself in a 'hairy' situation...and then I went to church which was super amazing!! And I decided that once I'm sick of nursing I want to be a kindergarten teacher.

interesting...

"Contentment is not freedom from desire, but freedom of desire. Being content is not pretending that everything is the way you wish it would be; it is not acting as though you have no wishes. Rather, it is no longer being ruled by your desires. The fact is, at this point in our journey, we have only three options: (1) to be alive and thirsty, (2) to be dead, or (3) to be addicted. There are no other choices. Most of the world lives in addiction; most of the church has chosen deadness. The Christian is called to the life of holy longing." (John Eldredge The Journey of Desire).

The Answer to The Ultimate Question Of Life, the Universe and Everything

= 42!!
If only it were that simple. Today, me and my roomies had a good chat the meaning of life...There are so many different factors and angles and perspectives...
One thing we talked about was heaven, and the misconception that many non-believers (as well as believers) have about what it's really like. People often think it'll be a place where we'll play harps and eat bagels with cream-cheese. To be honest, that sounds kind of boring to me...for one, I'd rather learn to play the drumset, and I don't even like cream-cheese. This reminded me of the book I'm reading now 'the Journey of Desire' by John Eldredge. He writes:

"Nearly every Christian I have spoken with has some idea that eternity is an unending church service. After all, the Bible says that the saints 'worship God in heaven,' and without giving it much more thought we have settled on an image of the never-ending sing-along in the sky, one great hymn after another, forever and ever, amen. And our heart sinks. Forever and ever? That's it? That's the good news? And then we sigh and feel guilty that we are not more 'spiritual'."

He goes on to describe what the Kingdom of God is really like:

"Look at the evidence; watch what happens to people as they are touched by the Kingdom of God through Jesus...The disabled jump to their feet and start doing a jig. The deaf go out and buy themselves stereo equipment. The blind are headed to the movies. The dead are not at all dead anymore, but very much alive. They show up for dinner. In other words, human brokenness in all its forms is healed. The kingdom of God brings restoration. Life is restored to what it was meant to be."

And this is just a taste of the beauty and greatness of heaven...a place where we will be immersed in the glory of the Lord. We will finally see Him. And we will be in a place where every good thing will no longer be perverted, as they are here on earth. Instead it will be as God created it to be, like it was in the beginning in Paradise...before the Fall....who knows, maybe there will be bagels with cream-cheese for those who like that kind of thing ;)

TL + GA + OR + JT = a great time!

Okay, so JT isn't an accepted nursing abbreviation...(it actually stands for Josh Turner)....but I had to throw that in there. So I was in the OR today, and got to watch a Tubal Ligation (a woman getting her tubes tied)...and they had the radio going and what was playing? Good old country music!! I tell ya, I felt right at home! It was a fun time...It's amazing what they can all do! I'm still amazed!
But enough of that...I need to work now...I'll tell you the details another time...if you really want to know ;)

keefurb

first day back at school: catching up with people with dark tans....*jealous face*....and the realization starts to kick in that yes, deadlines are a big deal....and I have more than a few looming this week. well, I have a day off tomorrow...it'll all get done...
in words of good old Keith Urban (who's singing to me right now) "life's for living child, can't you see. these are the days we will remember, and these are the times that won't come again. the highest of flames becomes an ember. you gotta live them while you can."
and sometimes i guess we have to do things the hard way...

Falsch-hawk Fritz

Well, Valentines Day was fun...picking out flowers for the male customers who were doing their last minute shopping and didn't know what to get their girlfriends....I have to laugh every time! Then there was the making of sturdy men (like Falsch-hawk Fritz, and Suspender Stefan)! Great times! The week is half over, and I'm left to wonder when I'm ever going to get my homework done? Well, I suppose I could do some now instead of fooling around on the computer of mine...okay, off I go...hope you had a great v-day! 

"The greatest discovery in the universe...

...is the greatest love in the universe - God's Love" (-Max Lucado)
With Valentine's day around the corner, I've been thinking about love and not just romantic love. I think Valentine's day should be more than celebrating romantic love...it should be a celebration of every kind of love whether it be between an acqaintance, a bosom friend, your family, your significant other, and of course, you and God (it's like "Rye-ah", "Ah-havah", and "Doad" love)...Sorry I don't know how to spell those words.

So it's home time now... it should be exciting...I get to work, see my family, have a blood test, do homework, go skiing, and hopefully go to Prov sometime in between. It'll be nice to have some "time off".

3 times a bridesmaid, never a bride...

...unless you're a bridesmaid 7 times...so the legend goes. But they also say 'all good things three times'...except in German (and I don't know how that goes exactly).
On the wedding topic: It was super fun, beautiful and very Holly-and-Phil-ish. I decided that I want my wedding to be very me-and-whoever-ish. Since I don't know who 'whoever' is...I guess I can't plan yet....like I have time for that!
Right now I'm listening to a song that Marce sent me, called "I can't wait"...wow, what a great song! It talks about how we are the Bride of Christ and Jesus is the Groom. It talks about how we are engaged to him. The chorus says: "I can't wait for our wedding day to come. Let me see your face, let me feel your arms of love." Having had the opportunity this past year, to be with 3 very special brides as they prepared for their wedding day, I've seen the excitment and the glow of a bride when the day FINALLY arrives...and that's how we should be with Jesus. Longing, like a bride for her groom, for him to come. Wow, what a beautiful picture of love and commitment.

refocusing

As I sit here...doing everything in the world besides my assignment that is due tomorrow, this song comes on the radio, and I'm taken to this place where homework doesn't matter, and only ONE thing does...but then as quickly as I have left this earth I come back to reality with a renewed sense of purpose (which involves me finishing my homework...or perhaps this is just my second wind). And these are the lyrics that are a challenge to me everytime I hear them:

Magnificent Obsession

Steven Curtis Chapman

Lord, You know how much
I want to know so much
In the way of answers and explanations
I have cried and prayed
And still I seem to stay
In the middle of life’s complications
All this pursuing leaves me feeling like I’m chasing down the wind
But now it’s brought me back to You
And I can see again.

This is everything I want
This is everything I need
I want this to be my one consuming passion
Everything my heart desires
Lord, I want it all to be for You, Jesus
Be my magnificent obsession.

So capture my heart again
Take me to depths I’ve never been
Into the riches of Your grace and Your mercy
Return me to the cross
And let me be completely lost
In the wonder of the love
That You’ve shown me
Cut through these chains that tie me down to so many lesser things
Let all my dreams fall to the ground
Until this one remains.

You are everything I want
And You are everything I need
Lord, You are all my heart desires
You are everything to me.

You are everything I want
You are everything I need
I want You to be my one consuming passion
Everything my heart desires
Lord, I want it all to be for You
I want it all to be for You.

"Give thanks to the LORD and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds. Exult in his holy name; rejoice, you who worship the LORD. Search for the LORD and for his strength; continually seek him. Remember the wonders he has performed, his miracles, and the rulings he has given."
-Psalm 105:1-5

"iiiicecream, is anything more delectable..."

...than ice cream, why even the most respectable eat ice cream. It's wonderful on a summer's afternoon, in June. Ice cream, the recipe's something serious, but ice cream, makes everyone so delirious, that ice cream is certainly worth the trouble that it takes!" (-Anne of Green Gables the musical)

okay, so that probably didn't fit into the metaphor...or maybe it did. We'll leave that for you to decide. I just had that song in my head right now ;)

so between thoughts of ice cream, life, passions (not the show), purpose, love, responsibility, sacrifice, worship, and dreams...I find myself at a place where I realize that I'm far from where I'd like to be...with no idea of where to even begin to point myself in the direction that I want to end up in. Well, I do have ideas...it's just knowing where to start...and actually doing something about it...that's my problem.

I just want to say that I LOVE all my friends!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! you guys are the best! Don't ever forget that!

over and out

I inserted a catheter today!

only on Jake the manequin....but I still did it! It was pretty exciting! I'm learning a whole lot this semester, and my brain hurts already! I have one less class and one less lab this semester, but it feels like more work than last semester for some reason! Maybe because I've actually been doing my readings so far...okay, only for the first 2 days...and I'm already behind, but intending to do something is alot of work...
I was in the hospital on Wednesday and I got to care for 'my' baby...I got to hold her, change diapers, feed her, burp her, check her vitals...she was soooo precious! I wanted to take her home with me!! (But I think that is against hospital policy!)
well, since I've slacked off all evening...it's now time for the books to come out and play...or maybe just come out ;)

why did I come and what did I bring?

You know when you've heard a story over and over again and don't really know how it applies to you, so you start to tune it out anytime it comes up...until one day, someone tells the story in a way you've never heard before, and suddenly it is COMPLETELY relevant! Yeah, that happened to me in church today. You could say I got a little kick in the pants. We're going through the book of John...and today we talked about the temple merchants story (ch2). Well, I grew up hearing that story in Sunday School and always thought, 'those naughty people trying to rip everyone off!' Today I heard a different perspective. This is the point the stuck out in my mind: What if Jesus was not only mad at the merchants, but also the people buying the stuff. See, when God commanded the people to bring sacrifices to the temple, it meant that the people had to raise their own animals and then take their BEST one to the temple by foot (which would've been quite inconvenient with an animal). This was actually a sacrifice to them, it would've cost them time, money, and it would've been quite a hassle. Having merchants at the temple meant that all the people needed to do was show up, bring a little cash (well, probably a lot, cuz they got ripped off), pick out an animal, they bring it over to be sacrificed, and it's all done. Perhaps, Jesus was angry at how lazy the worshippers had become...worship isn't meant to be convenient or easy...it's SUPPOSED to be a sacrifice. It's not about me...It's completely about God. So, why did I go to church today? And what did I bring? Well, honestly, I went cuz it's something I do, and I like to sing and hear Gerry speak. And I brought myself. That sounds like a lazy, self-centered worshipper to me...Time for a change!

2005...or is it 2006?

Well, I already went to a New Years Eve party yesterday...so for me it's already 2006! I'm serious. I went to this party I didn't really know many people...but I got to hold their babies! It was fun!
I guess I have accomplished my top 10 things...except the wedding hasn't happened yet...but we've decorated and had the rehearsal already...so it's half done...we just need to do the real thing!
This Christmas has been wonderful...some Christmas's are okay, some are good...but this one was wonderful (in my opinion). I can't put my finger on exactly what made this one so good...but it was.
but now, I need to get ready for my day full of skating, watching hockey, and of course the 'real' New Years Eve celebrations!
Happy New Years!

Praise the Lord!

I made it through this stretch of exams! Now, bring on Christmas! I'm super excited to go home! here's my top ten things I'm looking forward to (in no particular order):
1) Seeing my family (especially 'my' babies)
2) Play hockey with my friends (hopefully!)
3) Singing in church (especially 'der Friedensfurst'...no Christmas is complete without that beautiful song!
4) Playing football in the snow with my sister! (one of my favorite christmas traditions!)
5) Did I mention that I'll get to see my kids?...I can just hear Adria shouting "Doe-ie" and making me chase her...what I won't do to ensure my place as favorite auntie...jk JB ;)
6) Being in a wedding...wow, time flies...I can still remember when Missy and James first met!
7) NO HOMEWORK!!
8) Baking some Christmas goodies!
9) Since I'm on the food topic...I can hardly wait till I can eat some delicious enchilada's (another one of my favorite family Christmas Eve traditions)
10) well, since I promised 10 things, I better come up with a 10th thing, otherwise my dear readers will be disappointed...mind you, I could always go back and change this to a list of my 9 favorite things...but that would be cheating...so I will think of one last thing...and it is: being able to sleep in.
okay, that was a lame one, but that's all I could think of right now...sorry.
Gotta go pack and clean now, so I can actually go home (instead of just dreaming about it!)
Merry Christmas, y'all!

just your average Joe

First of all I want to say: THE LINZ'S WON! Way to go boys and girl! Okay, so I was excited! I'm over it now...What am I going to do now every tuesday at 8?....Maybe I'll actually study...(good one, Lori!)
So there are a few things I've been pondering about this last week. First of all, I've always thought of Joseph (as in, Mary and Joseph) as a distant father that had nothing to do with Jesus...maybe he was embarrased with him and cast him out of the family or something...I don't know. But this week, I started reading in Matthew, and I got a totally different perspective. Here it tells how Gabriel appears to Joseph, not once, or twice, but 3 times in the middle of the night. And how did Joe respond? He obeyed God immediately! First it was to marry Mary and call 'their' son Jesus. Then to leave his family, home, and carpentry shop to move off to Egypt suddenly...no questions asked. Then, when they just start to settle in...oh look, we're supposed to move back to Israel where the former ruler has been murdering innocent babies because he wanted to make sure my son was dead. Crazy! Joe was very concerned about Mary's baby, and took care of him like a true father would, even if it meant sacrificing his reputation and the comforts of home. He obeyed God, and did the best he could to protect his child (even though it wasn't even his). Amazing! I don't know why he wasn't mentioned later on in the gospels...maybe he died, I don't know. I often think about the sacrifice that Mary had to make, but I realized that Joseph also made huge sacrifices in his life for Jesus. What a crazy and miraculous story of regular people saying 'yes' to God when it made no sense at all, knowing that most people would probably not believe the truth. That was my new insight to the Christmas story this week.

"a diversion"...from reality

For those of you who like Amazing Race (family edition), here is just one of the numerous funny quotes from my favorite team...The Linz's:

Nick Linz: There needs to be a leader involved and...
Tommy Linz: Nick thinks he's the only one that can do it.
Nick Linz: I didn't say that.
Alex Linz: Real life situations have been experienced more by Nick and I. Tommy and Megan are still in that educational stage of maturing and learning how to deal with an electric company and paying their electric on time, or their landlord...
Tommy Linz: Shut up, Alex, you're living at home!

I laughed...so hard! So I finished my demonstration exam today...I would've failed if my partner hadn't helped me out...hopefully that still counts for something! Otherwise I'll have to do it again! I don't even want to think about that...so my next exam is on saturday. I wasn't going to study today (cuz I'm sick of it)...but maybe I will. Good Luck to everyone who is knee deep in books, preparing for exams! (and more luck to those of you who are writing exams that you haven't been studying for!)

trivia tidbits

Did you know that each month has a flower? Kind of like a birthstone...there's a birth-flower. I didn't know that. check it out! So I read that and thought of Jen...cuz she used to call me morning glory!
Another random, useless fact: Apparently, the US has never lost a war where mules were used. (read this for more useless, but kind of interesting facts) Can you tell I've been procrastinating? I'm bad at this studying thing...I get worse at it every time I have to do it. well, my study break is now over...time to read some more about justice, truthfullness, integrity, and other very important moral issues.

what a crazy weekend...and it's not over yet...

Well, Friday was quite the eventful day for me. I was going to skip class that day and sleep in...but I was supposed to meet one of my friends to give her some pamphlets for a project we were working on. So I got out of bed...turns out, she decides not to show up...so I felt that it had been a waste of waking up....but after the crazy events that followed, I soon decided that I was glad that I had gotten up in the morning! I could go on forever, but I'll tell the short story. As I was walking home from school, I walked past a hairdresser shop and thought to myself: "I should get a haircut". so I turned around and started walking towards the building. meanwhile, there was this older lady and her daughter walking in front of me. As they started up the front step, they lost their balance and toppled over. Meanwhile I'm freaking out...not quite sure what to do! the one lady got up and said she was okay, but the other lady couldn't get up and she thought she broke her arm. so, anyways I went into the building and called 911 for the poor lady. and waited with them till the ambulance arrived. It was a super crazy experience...it made me feel so inadequately trained to be a nurse. I totally didn't know what to do...I freaked out (well, inside...on the outside I stayed calm, I think.) In case you were wondering about my haircut...after all the hoopla, I went inside and made a haircut appointment for later on that day (which was quite the experience in itself....) I won't go into it now, let's just say I walked out of there feeling like I walked off the set of Anne of Green Gables. It was very funny!
Today I went shopping and restrung my guitar and went to our College and Career's 'Christmas in Tinseltown' party thing. I met a girl I had a class with last year, and a girl that I went to camp with in grade 5 or6...quite random! It was really neat, I just wish we could've gone to play poker...oh well, it was fun anyways...now I really should sleep...get ready for another day!

less than a month till Christmas!

I'm having a lot of fun with a few of my assignments...I used to think I hated doing 'creative' assignments...but now I realize that I find it quite fun (I think it's because I know the alternative is writing papers, and ANYTHING is better than writing a paper!) Right now I'm working on my second pamphlet thingy. I like making pamphlets....Planning the layouts and fooling around with differents designs reminds me of good old Desktop Publishing! Great class! We had the best group, eh Jen...oh Diamond Dan...he was a diamond in the rough!

On a serious note...I got an email today from my mom about my grandpa. He had surgery this last spring to remove some cancerous skin cells. At the time the doctors said that they were confident that they had removed it all. However, now they are doing more tests and don't think they got everything. So if you could pray for my grandpa, that would be great! Thanks guys!

Climb every mountain

I always fast forward this part of the movie...but I still like the song (except the fact that it's written for an opera singer...jk)

Climb every mountain, search high and low

Follow every byway, every path you know.

Climb every mountain, ford every stream,

Follow every rainbow, till you find your dream!

A dream that will need

all the love you can give,

Every day of your life

for as long as you live.

Climb every mountain, ford every stream,

Follow every rainbow, till you find your dream!

i'd forgotten...

...how much I LOVE volleyball! Yesterday I went to gym night! It was super fun! It made me realize that I haven't done something that I REALLY love in such a long time! (well, beside being with friends...I do really enjoy that!) Honestly, I feel like I'm in this rut of doing things because I've always done them...or because I don't know what else I'd do...so I live my life by default. I can't do that anymore. I know that...It's just hard to get out of that. So many things that I am pondering that I can't put into words...or I'm scared to put into words. Either way, I don't feel like dealing with these things right now, but I know I have to.

ultimate test

today in my assessment class we were learning about doing neurological assessments. You have to test a whole lot of things like reflexes and what not, and for one of the tests you're supposed to hold a cotton ball in the peripheral vision of a person and bring it towards a persons eye (until it actually touches their eye) to see if they blink. And I was reminded of eating popcorn in chemistry...oh wait, wrong one...I was reminded of chemistry class and bonnie and marcia's ultimate tests. fun times.

boulevard of broken dreams

so they played that song in church today for a 'special number/intermission song' I imagined us singing that in church next time we lead singing...and I laughed! After church a few of us went out for lunch. One the way back (Julia was driving us back), this lady in the lane beside us, just drove right into our lane...she pretty much just drove us off the road...well, not really, just into the next lane. It was kind of slow motion, and just wierd. Kim started screaming...and I probably did too...I don't remember. It was kind of funny, but not really! Crazy city drivers! It's been kind of a weird day in general...I had the craziest dream and it felt so real. I was learning how to perform abdominal surgery (on these life sized models of the "operation" game). It even buzzed when you made a mistake. All of a sudden I had just had abdominal surgery and I needed to cough, but didn't want to because I was afraid that my stitches would tear and my intestines would fall out (apparently that happens to people sometimes. I learned that in school!). So I was clutching my stomach so that my insides would stay inside. Then all of a sudden I was in class, and this guy walks in the class and says, "Hi Lori" and I said, "should I know you? What's your name?" and he said, "I won't tell you my name, but I will say that I'm from UCLA" and he walked off. Then I woke up clutching my stomach. It felt so real...but I checked, and I don't have any stitches on my tummy, so i guess it wasn't real ;)
So now I'm going to work really hard so that maybe I can take a study break later and have some waffle cookies!

It's not Kilikina, but it'll do!

Your Hawaiian Name is:

Keilana Kai

What's" your Hawaiian Name?

no more midterms!!!

Well, I just finished my last midterm....now to get through today without falling asleep...I was studying last night until 2:30, and thought, maybe I should go to bed...Then I remembered that I had an assignment due today...so I had to do that yet...talk about procrastination...and I still haven't started preping for my 2 labs today. Oh the life of a student.

Well, this weekend is my Grandparents 60th wedding anniversary celebration! I think that's pretty cool that they've been married for 60 years! One time during the summer when I was visiting them, we went through some old photo albums. My grandma was showing me pictures of the houses that they used to live in, and my great-grandparents, and all kinds. Then she said something about wishing that they hadn't moved away from their first house. My grandpa perks up and said, "What? You didn't want to move? Why didn't you say anything...we wouldn't of had to move." It was super cute the way they were so concerned about each other and still learning things about each other, even though they've been married for 60 years! I want to have a marriage like that...eventually.

well, I should head back to class now...i guess.

'Yaunt Zied'

"No matter where you are today, God will call you to go to the "other side.". . . Jesus will bring you into the lives of needy, wounded people. No matter how different they are from you . . . they are part of the reason Jesus put you in this world." (Jim Laffoon)

This week I conversations with 2 different people who are very openly searching spiritually. It's amazing how quickly people (who were complete strangers a month and half ago) open up. I was thinking about this...and I realized how hard it is to keep searching. I mean, just because I've discovered my 'general purpose' for life (To worship God and to bring Him glory in everything that I do)....I'm still searching like anyone else for guidance, inspiration, and for my specific purposes on this earth. I often forget that, and tend to get this unintentional 'I've-got-it-all-together' attitude. I forget that Christianity is more about the journey or the search, than it is about a one time decision. I guess my realization came to me because I realized that if I've stopped searching/seeking after God, I can't even relate or be an encouragement to my friends who are soul searching.

it's been awhile

On Thursday, Melissa, Marce and Keny and I went to see Crowns! It was amazing! Wow! I wish I could sing and dance like that...and play drums and piano! Some people have ability and with others it just is a part of their soul! I'm very convinced of that!

Yesterday I had the urge to be creative/artistic...Last Christmas I got a ceramic pig from my parents for Christmas that comes with a kit to paint it. My mom said "I saw it and I thought of you so I had to buy it...you don't have to paint it if you don't want to." Well, you know me and my artistic ability... So yesterday I finally mixed some paint together and painted it...It was fun. It doesn't look very amazing, but I finally used my christmas present! That's all that matters.

Have any of you ever listened to Paul Overstreet? I had the sudden urge to listen to Paul Overstreet...I grew up listening to him! Oh the memories...Julia and I used to make up choreography to those tapes...sadly, we don't have those tapes anymore :( well, I should really do some studying, now that I have the house to myself and nobody to distract me except myself...which is really the person who distracts me the most....I'll try to stay focussed this time...

Say Won't You Say

"Every morning I have the chance to rise

and give my all

Every afternoon I find

I have only wasted time

in light of Your awe"

-Jennifer Knapp

i don't know if you're near or far away

It's so bizarre how one minute you can be so completely convinced of something and the next minute, you're more unsure than ever before. I guess that's what happens when you look at life through the lenses of your feelings...I suppose that's why true Christianity is based on faith and trust...and not on feelings...
so today I got some x-rays of my lungs...gotta love things like that. The lady asked me if there was a chance I could be pregnant...I know they're supposed to ask everyone that...(well, I guess only the females)...but it was weird for her to ask me. The fact that I could potentially be pregnant really scares me. Okay, so I worded that wrong...now before you all think that I'm pregnant I'll rephrase....on the other hand...I don't think I can rephrase that, I'll just trust that you know what I'm trying to say.
well, i should finish my paper now...enough distractions...I hope I have enough ink in my printer, it's telling me it's running low...

wake me up when september ends

I can't believe tomorrow is October already...time has gone so fast...and yet I feel like I've been here forever....
I'm so excited to be done school for the week! I'm also excited about the possibility of doing absolutely NOTHING tomorrow....oh wait...I need to do homework...the thought was good while it lasted.
So yesterday I had to do an assignment for one of my labs. the assignment was to interview your partner (who was supposed to be a patient). The 'patient' was given a scenerio (eg/ My boyfriend just broke up with me and I'm feeling depressed), and we were supposed to use proper communication techniques to ask them questions and assess them. Meanwhile, this whole thing is supposed to be video taped so that we can watch it and evaluate ourselves. So when we were done, we went into the room to watch our video....and guess what???? Our lens cap had been on he entire time so we had NO video!!!! sure, you can laugh at us...but it wasn't our fault. (the video camera's are mounted on the wall like security camera's and we were told that the camera's were ready to go, we didn't have to do anything with them). so we didn't have to watch ourselves!!! I think it would've been embarrassing to watch myself. I had no idea what kind of questions to ask...I'm such a bad conversationalist....I guess I'll need to work on that! It's scary to think I'll have to interview real patients eventually. Eeeeks! I'm not ready for that.

just monkeying around...

It's been a great weekend! It was good to hang out with people again! I love it! Thanks for coming out guys! Some quick hilights: our road-raged 'friend' who doesn't have very much aim when he spits at people, the monkeys at the zoo ;)...(enough said), 'hatching' out of eggs, watching 'fancy pants'...I mean 'funny face'....And just plain seeing people I haven't really seen in a while! Great times! Now I need to refocus and actually think about doing homework again...I decided not to feel guilty for not doing a whole lot of homework this weekend...but now I have to work my butt off this week! oh well...that's the life I have chosen...might as well get used to it!

chance encounters

what do you do when you see someone you haven't seen in 3 years...and you're not quite sure you ever wanted to see them again. You're relieved when they don't see you...or worried/hurt that they might have seen you, but chose to ignore you...it's an odd cycle of emotion.
But onto other things....I get to poke people's fingers today and check their blood sugar level. It should be un...I mean fun...the 'f' just didn't work the first time, and I'm too lazy to press backspace. It's almost the weekend, which means it's almost time to give up my title as a teenager....(does that mean I can officially be scared of teenagers now? jk, I don't want to be scared of teenagers). well, i should to some prep for my lab that's coming up soon!

just when i thought my day was getting weird...

it got weirder.
So I got up at 5:15 this morning (after only 2.5 hours of sleep) so that I could go to my first real clinical! woot for early mornings....NOT! Anyways, so I got through it...it wasn't that bad...actually it was fun (excluding the times where I felt like I was standing around doing nothing...because I had no idea what to do). But I got to take Blood Pressures (for real!), and other vital signs. Other than that, it was pretty uneventful.

So, afterwards, I was waiting for my bus when some guy starts talking to me....and he literally tells me his life story...right down to his medical history..yup, pretty much!! At first he seemed friendly, but then after a while I wasn't so sure. Then we got on the bus, and this little girl and her mom get on a few stops later...the girl marches right to the seat beside me and plops herself down (even though half of the bus is empty)...and she says in a really LOUD voice, "Hi!" so i chatted to her about Dora the Explorer (the topic was inspired by her Dora backpack) until she decided to spend the rest of her ride running back and forth down the isle of the bus. Crazy Kid...but cute! Then I got home...well, almost, I had to stop in at Safeway for a few things, and my cashier (Kendra will know which one) starts asking me about my cold (I had coughed a little bit while in line). He asked me how long I'd had my cold and then asks me how my sleeping habits were. Then encouraged me to get more sleep. Thanks for the advice, sir! So then I was walking home from the store and a construction man starts talking to me as I past him. He said, "Are you sure you want to walk down there? You know, there are a lot of single men working down that street. You wouldn't want to get abducted or anything...I'm just warning you." OK, so I was creeped out. But I made it home, eventually. Now I will follow the advice of my 'favorite' cashier and get some sleep! I hope my weird day entertained at least one of you.

You Are My Hope

Times are hard

Times have changed

Don't you say

But I keep holding on to you

It's hard to keep the faith alive day to day

Leaning on the strength I've found in you

You're the hope of all the Earth

You are my hope

You are my strength

You're everything

Everything I need

You are my hope

You are my life

You are my hope

-Skillet

That's the song running through my head right now....sometimes I lose hope, sometimes I lose vision, sometimes I get so self-absorbed that I forget that this life isn't all about me...time for a reality check.

I hear my neighbors running down their stairs...what are they still doing awake? Wait, I'm still awake...but I was doing homework...so I have an excuse. but since it's done...I think...I should go to sleep!

gotta love city life

So I'm starting to feel like I'm at home again. It's amazing how many people you meet randomly at different places throughout the day. It truly is a small world. So yesterday was my first day of classes so I showed up at 8:30 in the morning and it turns out that the professor wasn't there so the assistant talked for 5 minutes and then we left...what a waste of getting up early. But we did have a good Powerpuff Girls Party in the evening! And right now my whole room is shaking violently. I wonder if this is what a mild earthquake feels like? It feels like my keyboard and my chair have built in vibrators.....I feel like I'm lawn mowing (that one was for you Kenj). Why, you might ask? well, there's some construction going on beside our house...that should explain it I think. Got to get it all done before our second season comes around...WINTER! Oh, now they're honking out there. What a racket! And I was going to take a nap now...I doubt that'll happen. have a great weekend!

sleeping on the job

that's right...I did that and I got paid for it! Yesterday at 9pm Salem called me to see if I wanted to work a night shift on Maple. First of all, I've never been orientated for nights, secondly...I haven't worked on Maple since December. Obviously they were desperate, because they wanted me to come anyways. So I tried to sleep before I went, so that I could stay up until 7 in the morning....but I slept for maybe 15 minutes. It was a really slow night on my end...so I read and yes, fell asleep, until buzzers went off...amazingly I woke up from them! I was impressed! So now my system is all screwed up...I haven't really eaten anything (except for a cinamon roll and a muffin) since yesterday supper...and now it's almost supper time again. It's wierd...
So I went golfing yesterday with my dad. It was fun. The men there were funny. Their big advice to me was, "have fun...once the game isn't fun anymore...stop playing." I thought that was cute. but maybe I should get out of my pj's and start my day now.

it's a fine line

Where's the middle ground between being too desperate and hardening your heart, while managing to not to suppress your heart or throw it away? Perhaps it all comes down to being inviting and discerning....but how do learn to be discerning?....so many thoughts that are running through my head inspired by a few conversations I've had this past week.
Another thought running through my head is actually a picture of God. I've sang the song "God our protector" ever since I can remember, but I never really understood what that meant. I haven't been in many situations in life where I felt that I needed a protector. (I may have needed one, but I've usually felt like I was safe or could protect myself if I needed to). I went to a baseball game the other day (for a 'family' father-son outing) and a foul ball came right at us and actually landed about 5 seats over from us only 2 rows behind us. Immediately the guy beside me (my brother-in-law's brother) was yelling "heads up!" and he put his hands up over to protect me from if the ball would land on my head...or maybe he just wanted to catch the ball ;)....either way I felt very protected. It may sound like something very insignificant, but I had never had that feeling of knowing that someone would protect me if I was threatened before. I mean, had the ball come straight at me, I'm sure I could've got out of the way or caught it or something...but that's not the point. Then yesterday I was talking to a guy that I work with about some customers that make me nervous and he said, "next time they come through, call me to your checkout and I'll take care of them." Though, I probably would never take him up on that offer...it's still nice to know someone cares enough to want to protect me. Maybe I sound like a "I-can't-do-anything-for-myself" girly girl...But I was thinking about the feeling of being protected, and how much more God loves and protects us. I shouldn't be afraid because God cares for me far more than any human ever could, and doesn't want to see me hurt. I'm not saying I'm exempt from hurt, because I'm not. I'm not perfect and I live in a fallen world with other imperfect people and I've been hurt and I've hurt other people....but God's love and desire to protect us and carry us through these times is still the same. I don't know if that made sense...it's just a bunch of unsorted thoughts in my brain.
I need to get ready for my last shift of work!!

it's coming to an end

To quote a friend of mine..."Oh wow!" What a week it's been! Only 2 days of work left. One shift left at each place. I'm having conflicting emotions...on one hand I'm super excited to go back to school...on the other hand, I'm just starting to get comfortable with the conveniences of home life. But once again, we must move on. There are certain things I've been especially thankful for in the week or so: being able to use a car (sometimes truck!), having food stocked in the fridge, having long hair....there were more, I just got distracted...But since I'm being random anyway...have you ever met a complete stranger, but they feel incredibly familiar to you, but there is no reason that they should be familiar? I had that experience...it was weird.

Put on your old gray bonnet...

...with the blue ribbons on it, and we'll hitch up Tiger to the sleigh
And thru the fields of clover, we'll ride on to Dover
On our golden wedding day.

What a fun and crazy day I had yesterday! First of all we led singing in our church. It was alot of fun! Although most of the songs weren't familiar to most of the people...there were a few people who I saw singing along to all of them! After church I took a nap....intending to wake up at 2pm so that I could get ready for work. Well, I slept through my alarm and at 3:15 my dad stormed into my room and said, "Wake up! You're supposed to be at work!" (I was supposed to be there at 3pm) They had already called my house to see where I was. eeks! So I hurried like mad woman. And I got to work and they all made fun of me. Then some of the residents were really chipper and one of them was teaching us songs (like the one at the top). One of the songs was a little sketchy...but funny! It was the cutest thing to watch her sing...and then she'd chuckle in between. It was terribly cute! I had so much fun at work...sometimes it feels like it just drags on...I think it depends on who I work with...Don't get me wrong, they're all very nice people...Just some I have more in common with than others...and we can joke around and have more fun together!

Anger

It's so weird how certain (seemingly little) things, can trigger such an outpouring of emotion. Sometimes it's tears, sometimes it's a laugh or a giggle, and other times it's frustration and anger. I've given up analyzing myself to understand why I smile or laugh when I do...because, frankly, I laugh at the most inappropriate times for no reason...honestly. My funny bone is just very ticklish I guess. But when I have outbursts of anger...I usually want to know why. I know certain things that set me off...but I'd like to know why. How can I deal with it if I don't know why? Am I mad at God for allowing these things to happen as opposed to other things that I would rather have happen? Or am I mad at the people that initiated the situation to occur...because I think that I know their motives...and it's their alleged motives that make me angry? Or am I angry at myself for allowing myself to be in these circumstances? Or maybe I over-analyze things....which gets me even more frustrated because I don't have any answers....and no answers means no solution to fix my problem. Now that I've ranted...I think I'll sleep better at night!

Attitude

by the Supertones

I woke up in the morning,
And I realized what I jerk I've been,
Feel like I need to call up,
And say I'm sorry to all my friends,

Now I see how God's working,
Sensitizing that part of me,
I've been learning the difference,
Between attitude and identity.

(chorus)
I'm sorry about who I am,
I'm not who I'm trying to be.
For some reason my bad attitude comes so easily.

Love is like an addiction,
And I hope that I'm gettin' hooked.
Spread it like an infection,
Seein' Christ everywhere I look

I dont want to be know as
"The handsome guy with the attitude"
I'm sick of makin' excuses,
It's not ok for me to be rude.

(chorus)

Your breaking down my defenses,
And I'm findin' I'm not so hard,
Love is knockin' me senseless,
Love is catchin' me off my guard.

And now this chip on my shoulder,
Is losing some of it's jaggedness.
Lord I want to draw closer,
Leave behind all my bitterness.



****Sorry, I know it's another 'cop out' entry...but it's what was on my mind. I'll write a "REAL" entry one of these days...don't worry!

Presence

By Peter Furler, Steve Taylor, Tim Hughes

I lift up my voice
To The King, The King of glory
I hold out my hands
To The One who is worthy
I long for Your presence
I long, Lord, I need Your touch

Come, oh Lord, and fill up my life
With the light of Your presence
This is my heart's desire
Oh Father, come and let Your spirit abide
I long for Your presence
This is my heart's desire

I long to be washed
In the well of Your mercy
I long to be warmed
by the fire of Your glory
I long for Your presence
I long for Your healing touch

Come, oh Lord, and fill up my life
With the light of Your presence
This is my heart's desire
Oh Father, come and let Your spirit abide
I long for Your presence
This is my heart's desire

It's my desire
(I wanna feel Your presence)...

Beauty

This is a picture of the throne room in the Neuschwanstein castle in Germany. It was one of the most beautiful castles that I visited. This room...actually most of the rooms have their own unique story behind them. This castle, built by King Ludwig II (I think), was never finished because the King died before it was completed. (He drowned mysteriously, only a couple of days after he was diagnosed as being insane). The major piece missing in this elaborately decorated room is the actual throne. It never got delivered. The mural, I believe has saints, angels and Jesus pictured. It took my breath away to stand in this room! It was beautiful!

Well, I was reading 'Captivating' today during my lunch break, and I was again reminded about the beauty of God and how much he longs for us to enjoy His beauty. He created beautiful things like sunsets, waterfalls, oceans, and stars for us to enjoy and to remind us of His beauty. He has also created us with the ability and the desire to also create beautiful things, like music, paintings, food, stained-glass windows, afgans, clothes, and so many other things. I don't remember if I had a point to this...these are just my current thoughts.

here and there and everywhere

My life is work....I had an amazing day off, but in the back of my head I knew that this day was soon coming to an end and would usher in another crazy work week.....Ahh yes, one must make a living. I got a letter from Joanna today!!! I was so excited! All in all it was a super fantastic day!!
Today it was a week since we came back from Iowa. It's amazing how quickly you can revert back into your old habits and way of thinking. I have such a different attitude when I'm here, at home....That's something I need to work on. But I am thankful for the amazing friends and memories I made! I need to do some thinking now...

I guess I've been tagged

10 years ago today-> I don't think that I remember. Actually I think that was the summer, my family went to BC on vacation. We probably would've been on our way back today.
1 year ago-> same place as now...working the same jobs as now, probably feeling as sleep-deprived as now.
Yesterday -> I worked a double shift and yeah...that's pretty much all I did.
Tomorrow -> Church!!!! Then out for lunch with Keny, Morden and my sister!!!!!....and then work in the evening.
5 snacks I enjoy -> Nachos and salsa, popcorn, chocolate, chips, cookies
5 adult beverages I enjoy -> If you know me, you know my answer.
5 bands I know the lyrics to-> delirious, switchfoot, larue, shania twain...and (do I admit this one?) the backstreet boys ;)
5 things I would do with $100 000 000 -> go on a long trip around the world, pay off my loans, donate money to Prov to develop a Nursing program, give money to missionaries, and save some for my children's college fund....if I ever have children
5 locations I would like to run away to -> Churchill, PEI, Hawaii, Poland, Paris
5 bad habits I have -> apathy, assuming, chewing gum (all the time!), backing off too quickly, and not saying what I really want to say
5 things I love doing -> being with friends and family, making music (singing/piano/guitar), playing sports (volleyball, fastball, hockey!), rollarblading, and being in the presence of God.
5 things I would never wear -> I don't know...I'd probably wear anything...just maybe not in public.
5 tv shows I like -> CSI, Jeapardy, Corner Gas, Train 48, The Bachelor/ette
5 movies I like-> Anne of Green Gables, That thing you do, Napolean Dynamyte, Oceans 11 and 12, Spiderman 1 and 2
5 famous people I would love to meet-> Mac Powell, Paul Harvey, Martin Smith, Oprah, and Philip Larue
5 biggest joys at the moment -> Finding my inner Lindy, eating food, listening to Shania, being with my favorite middle sister, practicing my dance moves that I learned from a resident this evening!
5 favorite toys-> toss and tickle me elmo, all my stuffed animals (50+)....well, I guess I exceeded the limit....
5 people to tag -> I don't have 5 friends!

Golden Grahams are the man!

It's been quite the last 10 days! I wouldn't have traded this experience for anything in the world! I just got back from Iowa tonight. Marce and I were chaperone's (if you can believe it) for the youth mission trip! It was an incredible time of worship....whether it was by meeting new people, tearing apart walls, cleaning a filthy basement, dry walling, making food, making music, playing sports, praying, wrestling, having church services....It was all a type of worship! I learned so many things about myself and how I react in different circumstances, about the Body of Christ, about generousity, about playing guitar, about cooking, about construction, and about making assumptions about people before you get to know them.

We had some crazy adventures, starting with crossing the border. They made us take EVERYTHING (music equpiment and all) out of the bus. Then they searched it and our bags and then took Aaron's bag and searched it in the back room, because the search dog liked it a little too much! On the way back we stopped at a gas station, and when we wanted to get going, the bus wouldn't start...so we had to pile out of the bus and push it and it came to life. There are so many other stories...but right now I'd love to go to bed! It's going to be so wierd to be home. I'm going from sharing a bathroom with 19 other people to having my entire house (with 3 bathrooms) entirely to myself. I think I'll be a little lonely.
Goodnight and Kakapaypay!

Du bist mein Feuer

enough said....except for some giggles...It came from deep within my heart-shaped heart....okay I'll quit...
I have loved today so far. We sang in church and it was amazing! I love seeing and hearing people sing to God! Is there anything more beautiful in this world than to witness the Church worship God? I don't think so. Worship is what we are created for, and when we fulfill that purpose, nothing else can compare.
Then Marce and Keny came over for lunch, and we had a wild time. I love taco salad. But today it had a similar effect on me as when I have just chips and salsa. Not that I mind...I just always thought that Lindy was nocturnal. Maybe it wasn't Lindy, maybe it was Brianna. Well, I think I'll quit while I'm somewhat ahead.

I love Tintin!

Lately I've had a craving...if you can call it that...to read Tintin books! I remember countless hours as a kid reading those! Great times! Those books remind me of Holly...I think she introduced me to Tintin.

I've been learning so much about myself lately (while reading 'Captivating'...great book!). I like to analyze myself...why I am the way I am. I never thought about the bigger picture and the fact that I could be a certain way because of what happened even before I was a thought. It's all about going back to Adam and Eve in the Garden. They set the stage for all of human kind. Our core desires as men and women are the same and they drive who we are. Okay...so when it's spelled out like that it seems so basic and obvious...but it's quite crazy to think about...and another thing....As a woman, I have been created in the image of God's beauty! That's so overwhlemingly amazing to think about.

I was just listening to the Newsboys song 'He Reigns'...I love that song! Anyways...I love this part:
"All God's people singing 'Glory, glory, Halleluiah, He Reigns!' And all the powers of darkness tremble at what they've just heard. Because all the powers of darkness can't drown out a single word!"
There is so much power in getting together as the Body and worshipping our Saviour!

Ack gleich technologie

I was looking through some of my Germany pictures today and I got a sudden pang of "I-want-to-go-back"-ness. Someday....

It was really neat yesterday how the sermon that was preached was exactly about what I've been learning in the last week or so. It was about Returning to God. And how God often uses troubles in the economy and the things that we depend on to give us a wake up call to come back to Him. I often struggle with going back to God after I've strayed away, because I always feel like I have to get it all together before I go to Him, and this last week, God reminded me again that if I could do it on my own, I wouldn't need Him. It's so basic, but it's one thing I have to be constantly reminded of.

Today is Rylan's 1st birthday party! Which reminds me that I must go shopping for a present for him. What does a one year old boy want for his birthday? 'Like anyone could ever know that!'...Ahhh yes........"Meine mule date sehe vie".."Tina, du groute, fatte! Kom hole deine uncast"...I'll stop now...until I can get my 'translator' to help me out.

T.G.I.S.!!

8 more hours left of my crazy 61.5 hour week! Then I have 3 days off. It'll be worth it...anyone up for going to the beach? So I had an interesting conversation with a coworker of mine. It was prematurely interupted so I have all these assumptions about him in my head now....and they're not pretty...I just want to get them out. I doubt he'll ever bring it up again...but I'd really like to talk to him about it...not that I would know what to say...oh well, we'll see if the time comes. Right now the icecream truck is driving past my house and I had the urge to run outside and buy something....alas, I am not suitably dressed to make such a business transaction. Well, I should get ready for work. To all the campers out there (the people not the actual structure), I hope you're enjoying this beautiful weather that God has sent our way!

Mennonite kids fitter than other kids

So the studies say! Gotta love Mennonites!....And the media's portrayal of them! I found it funny!

Today, I had a resident tell me that she wanted to put my chin in her pocket so that she could take it wherever she went. Then she said that she'd actually like all of me in her pocket, along with her bicycle. Then she told me that we should run away together. I asked her where we should go, and she said that was for me to decide, she was just going along for the ride! She is one of my favorite ladies! I'd like to run away to Greece...or maybe Australia. Right now. Who's coming with me?

so much for that...

well, I'm in between shifts now...What a busy day it was at the mall! Yikes! I kept mixing up my words over the intercom..."Abe to customer service for parcel pickup; Abe to parcel pickup for customer service...giggle giggle!" Yes...I did say that and I did get laughed at! I also put my foot in my mouth when talking to someone...I referred to something that I thought they knew...and they didn't know...and I knew I wasn't supposed to be the first person to tell them.......so I tried to back track....but you know me...I'm not very good at that. I feel bad now.

So, now I will put that all behind and go to the other place I call work. Ack mot schofen. Or something like that.