Obituaries

Maybe I'm wierd, but I like reading Obituaries. I think it's because I like stories, especially stories about real people. That's really what an Obituary is...a synopsis of a person's life story. I find it interesting what families choose to include in an obituary. Some of the stories are funny, some inspiring, and some are touching, and some are just plain old facts.

I read one the other day about a woman who met her husband at a hospital. He had been injured while fighting in WWII, and the woman worked at the hospital. Another one I read was about a man who started Holiday Mountain at the age of 23 and was the first to introduce snowmaking to Canada. One man I read about had lived a life of service for those less fortunate; volunteering with many organizations (I don't remember all of them) but he helped with orphans overseas, and with building projects, and many other things. One obituary started off with a line something like this: "Our beloved mother has been promoted to LIFE with our Saviour, Jesus Christ."

Reading obituaries really puts life into perspective. What is important in life? What will I be remembered for when I am gone? Am I really making the world a better place while I'm here? Or am I just letting life fly by; enjoying it for myself, but not really investing in the future? I hope I can live up to my calling, and not just "take up space", as the speaker at my convocation put it (yes, I did listen at my convocation in between doing my Suduko and crossword).

A Blessing

Here is a Blessing that my pastor at Soul Sanctuary used a while back...and I still love it!

"May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half truths and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart.

May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so you may work for justice, freedom and peace.

May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy.

May God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done.

And may the blessing of God who creates, redeems, and sanctifies, be upon you for this day and forever more. Amen."

Chinese Jesus

I was reading about different Christmas traditions around the world...and I found this picture of Mary and Jesus. I like it.

I was reading about Christmas in China. One article said,

"If you want to experience Christmas in all its commercial splendor, undiluted by any religious sentiment or spiritual meaning, come to China."

It went on to talk about how the Chinese businesses are promoting Christmas deals because of the economic crisis and they want to make money. It seemed that that what Christmas was all about. It made me sad...and then I thought:

Is that really any different than here?

thinking out loud

I'm excited...
-for the future
-to learn new things
-that I am done school!

I dream of...
-traveling around the world
-adventure
-making a difference

I'm scared...
-that I don't care enough
-that I ask too many questions
-that I will fail

This one's for Holly!

...cuz she's probably the only one that will read this...unless she's given up on my blog writing.
I had the best weekend ever! It was a much needed break, and I loved it! I wish I could camp for a living ;) ha ha! maybe not. But it sure was fun! That's all...not too exciting...but at least I wrote something!

gotta love technology...

I was recently on a website that stated:

"Until further notice all search results will be inaccurate and/or incomplete. We apologize for the inconvenience"

How ridiculous is that?

"Lord, forgive us when we get consumed by the things of this world that fight for our love and our passion. As our eyes are opened wide and on You, grant us the privilege of Your worldview and may Your Kingdom be what wakes us up and lays us down."

-TobyMac

[insert exclamation here]

here's another entry of happiness because I am done school for the year! It's been quite the week: from getting 'threatening' phone calls, to feeling like my brain was fried from studying. But I learned a lot...like that when doors are locked it doesn't help to wave at them and say hi...They still won't open ;) (I told you my brain was fried)

i've been blessed...

and I didn't even realize it. This semester has been SOOOO good! I have loved *almost* every minute of it. This semester and last semester were like night and day. I've almost felt emotionally bipolar...last semester was the worst time of my life, and now I just LOVE it!! Last semester I prayed so hard that things would get better...that I'd start to like what I'm doing...It was discouraging because last semester never seemed to get much better. Today it hit me as I was walking to the bus stop listening to TobyMac that God answered my prayer. It took me till the end of this semester to realize that "hey, maybe God had something to do with this!" So I say Thank-You God for answering my prayers even though I don't always give you credit for the things that you do!

"I can feel the Most High shining on me, so...

Let's get this party started"

(TobyMac)

3593

That's the number of words in the longest-most-boring paper I've ever written. BUT IT IS DONE!! That's all I have to say.

starting to dream

well, it's been a while since I have actually posted. School is going wonderfully. I've enjoyed this semester more than any other since I have entered the Faculty of Nursing. I've actually started to get excited about doing this for a living...something that I haven't felt in a while. I've been able see some fun things...a craniotomy, eye surgery, a colonscopy, a burr hole procedure (basically drilling a hole in the skull to relieve the pressure and allow the blood/fluid to escape). I've been able to insert 3 straight catheters during this rotation so far! There have been many hi-lights! Even though it's fun...I can hardly wait until summer!! The things I am looking forward to are: no homework, no papers, no snow/slush, warm weather, being home, going for walks, playing slow-pitch, seeing my niece's and nephew (and the rest of my family), going to the beach, suntanning, mowing the lawn, having fire's, rollarblading, going barefoot outside, buying new flipflops...and the list could go on and on. But i should stop dreaming and finish the things I need to do before summer will come.

my reading week...

here she is!

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!