Well, I'm almost certain that people have given up even looking on my blog since I have been non existent on this thing for awhile...I would hope that you all understand though. You know, it being Christmas and all. I kind of think that hanging out is more important than blogging. Sorry to all those hardcores out there.
Even though I have been busy, I have been the kind of busy that I like. I haven't been this kind of busy in a while. I actually get to spend time with people just to spend time with them. Not that I always have an agenda, because I don't, but it often seems as if there is something that I need to be running off to and so I don't get the time that I like. I spent over 5 hours with my dear friend Lynnette. We never get to spend that kind of time together!!! So it's been awesome. I've also been staying at my parents, which has been quality seeing as how I will be gone for a month and a half and will not be able to see them. I don't think I realised how much my sister and brother hang out with the family...i live in Linden and don't really get to see them much. So, needless to say it's been awesome!
I can't believe I leave for Thailand in 8 days!!! Things are kind of coming together, and kind of not coming together. So I guess you could say that things really aren't all that together. Although this is all too entirely not real, I'm still kind of nervous/excited...really anticipating some amazing "God moments". So for those, I can't wait. More than anything it's the 'waiting until I go' stage that makes me the most nervous. Once I am on the plane and one my way, the nerves should dispel and plain, raw excitement should replace all anxiety.
So, many more emails to be sent, people to see, and food to eat. Peace.
Friday, December 30, 2005
Tuesday, December 06, 2005
The Good Days
So yesterday I forded my way through a snow storm, my shoulders more tense than a stretched rubber band, and made my way to the airport. It was there that I connected with two of the most brilliant people!! This couple is moving to Thailand in January to start learning the language, and will eventually move south to live on a small island. I am hoping to join them. We had the greatest/shortest visit, and yet I feel unbelievealbly connected to them. So, basically we will see where this all leads...if I am able to be a part of their team or not, and if I will be moving to Thailand in the near future.
THEN, I paid unspeakable amounts for airport parking and journeyed to one of my favorite stores...Best Buy (I know there are some of you out there that share this same love with me). I bought myself an Ipod!!!! Yup. I've joined the ranks of millions of others, and merely become a serial number on the back of that tiny machine, but I don't care. Have you seen what these things can do?!! I got the 30G video one, and I downloaded my music and photos to it last night. Man, is it hot!!!! Seriously! So, I apologize to all of you beforehand if I have my thumb spinning on a tiny click wheel, with white ear buds in my ears, and my eyes fixated on a tiny white screen. It's not that I don't love you...it's just that...well, you know...technology.
THEN, I paid unspeakable amounts for airport parking and journeyed to one of my favorite stores...Best Buy (I know there are some of you out there that share this same love with me). I bought myself an Ipod!!!! Yup. I've joined the ranks of millions of others, and merely become a serial number on the back of that tiny machine, but I don't care. Have you seen what these things can do?!! I got the 30G video one, and I downloaded my music and photos to it last night. Man, is it hot!!!! Seriously! So, I apologize to all of you beforehand if I have my thumb spinning on a tiny click wheel, with white ear buds in my ears, and my eyes fixated on a tiny white screen. It's not that I don't love you...it's just that...well, you know...technology.
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Total Delirium
Saturday was one of the greatest days that I’ve experienced in a long time!!! One of the high moments of my life. It started early…at 6:00am, after a late night of preparing ourselves for what lay ahead. We listened to music and prepped Vincent for what he was about to encounter.
We left the house at 6:30am and proceeded to the Bell Centre, arriving at 8:00am. We were one of many lining up to get prime spots in the general admission. For the first 40minutes we were lined up in the wrong line. We had forgotten that there were two different lines…one for the general public, and one for the U2 fan club members, us being in the latter category. The line was much smaller, much warmer and much more active. Everyone in line quickly became friends, and began referring to each other as “family”…we would stick together through it all. Through the blistering cold winds, through the 10-hour wait, through the loss of feeling in all our limbs, through the piercing hunger, and through the line jumpers that always seemed to be milling about. We were united! One guy even brought a guitar to boost morale, and for hours we bounced around him, huddled in a circle belting out U2 songs.
“Oh-oh-oh-oh! Oh-oh-oh-oh! Oh-oh-oh-oh! Oh-oh-oh-oh! The final bars of U2’s Pride (In the Name of Love) could be heard blaring half a block away from the downtown Bell Centre yesterday afternoon as a light snow fell. But it wasn’t Bono warming up for the last night’s concert. Rather it was a bunch of diehard fans trying to stay warm as they lined up hours in advance to score the best floor seats-…they bundled against the cold yesterday, many belting out the group’s hits and dancing as a lone guitarist strummed away.” –the Montreal Gazette
About 15minutes before we were to go in, we handed off our coats to Vincent (so that we didn’t have a load to hold on to during the show) and we bared the cold while “the family” gathered around us trying to block the wind. Only a few from our group got into the Ellipse (the inner circle), one directly before us, and one directly after us, but we got amazing spots nonetheless. We were front row on the left side of the outer circle, surrounded by our friends from the line, and it turns out that’s where Bono sang his opening song, and where they performed many others!!!! At one point the Edge was literally within reach, and he looked down and gave me a quick little wink!!!!
Needless to say, it was THE most amazing show I have ever been to, and just an overall fantastic experience. I may have lowered my immunity to the cold but I loved every minute of that day.
We left the house at 6:30am and proceeded to the Bell Centre, arriving at 8:00am. We were one of many lining up to get prime spots in the general admission. For the first 40minutes we were lined up in the wrong line. We had forgotten that there were two different lines…one for the general public, and one for the U2 fan club members, us being in the latter category. The line was much smaller, much warmer and much more active. Everyone in line quickly became friends, and began referring to each other as “family”…we would stick together through it all. Through the blistering cold winds, through the 10-hour wait, through the loss of feeling in all our limbs, through the piercing hunger, and through the line jumpers that always seemed to be milling about. We were united! One guy even brought a guitar to boost morale, and for hours we bounced around him, huddled in a circle belting out U2 songs.
“Oh-oh-oh-oh! Oh-oh-oh-oh! Oh-oh-oh-oh! Oh-oh-oh-oh! The final bars of U2’s Pride (In the Name of Love) could be heard blaring half a block away from the downtown Bell Centre yesterday afternoon as a light snow fell. But it wasn’t Bono warming up for the last night’s concert. Rather it was a bunch of diehard fans trying to stay warm as they lined up hours in advance to score the best floor seats-…they bundled against the cold yesterday, many belting out the group’s hits and dancing as a lone guitarist strummed away.” –the Montreal Gazette
About 15minutes before we were to go in, we handed off our coats to Vincent (so that we didn’t have a load to hold on to during the show) and we bared the cold while “the family” gathered around us trying to block the wind. Only a few from our group got into the Ellipse (the inner circle), one directly before us, and one directly after us, but we got amazing spots nonetheless. We were front row on the left side of the outer circle, surrounded by our friends from the line, and it turns out that’s where Bono sang his opening song, and where they performed many others!!!! At one point the Edge was literally within reach, and he looked down and gave me a quick little wink!!!!
Needless to say, it was THE most amazing show I have ever been to, and just an overall fantastic experience. I may have lowered my immunity to the cold but I loved every minute of that day.
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
How do you say...?
We are in Montreal…we arrived yesterday afternoon, with our stomachs incredibly empty and growling to be filled (thanks Air Canada for removing the complimentary meal from the flights), and not really knowing if our friend was going to be there to pick us up. Now, I have to admit, I was pretty nervous upon arrival. It wasn’t just that I don’t speak the language, but it’s that I’ve heard stories about a general animosity towards Anglophones. Our friend did happen to be there to get us (thank God, because we didn’t bring his number), and our first adventure took place in the A&W. Vincent walked up to the counter and announced in French that we weren’t from here and didn’t speak the language and that we were now going to order. At that moment, every single person in the kitchen (roughly about 10-12 people) came out and stared at us while I feebly attempted to ask for a teen burger combo. I had never been so uncomfortable! Then, as we were leaving some of the people inside came to the window to watch us go. I couldn’t believe it!!!
Then last night I thought I would be a bit braver and order completely in French. I confidently asked for “Chocolate Chaud” in my best French accent (that I had asked Vince how to say beforehand). The girl surprisingly knew what I was asking for and proceeded to ask me if it was to stay. I replied, “Oui” (that’s yes for all you non-French speaking people). Then, to my dismay, she rattled off a long string of what I believe to be words, and then expected some kind of response from me. Shoot! I stared blankly at her. My cover was blown! Next thing I know, she asks “English?”…after the nod of my head, she then begins to speak fluently to me in my mother tongue. I couldn’t believe it!!! We all had a good laugh, and I think at the end of the day she appreciated my lame attempt, and my butchering of her beautiful language.
Anyway, we have seen some of the sights…we went to Old Montreal last night, which was incredibly beautiful, and then went to the underground mall today. It’s bleeding cold here, and it snowed about a foot this morning. Only one more day until U2, and I really think that’s all that Carmen can think about.
Then last night I thought I would be a bit braver and order completely in French. I confidently asked for “Chocolate Chaud” in my best French accent (that I had asked Vince how to say beforehand). The girl surprisingly knew what I was asking for and proceeded to ask me if it was to stay. I replied, “Oui” (that’s yes for all you non-French speaking people). Then, to my dismay, she rattled off a long string of what I believe to be words, and then expected some kind of response from me. Shoot! I stared blankly at her. My cover was blown! Next thing I know, she asks “English?”…after the nod of my head, she then begins to speak fluently to me in my mother tongue. I couldn’t believe it!!! We all had a good laugh, and I think at the end of the day she appreciated my lame attempt, and my butchering of her beautiful language.
Anyway, we have seen some of the sights…we went to Old Montreal last night, which was incredibly beautiful, and then went to the underground mall today. It’s bleeding cold here, and it snowed about a foot this morning. Only one more day until U2, and I really think that’s all that Carmen can think about.
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
The Boost
The day has finally come...tomorrow Carmen and I will be leaving for the land of Poutine and where they don't pronounce the last few letters of every word. MONTREAL!!!! I can't wait! In just a few days time we will be Asian shuffling through a crowd of sweaty people, to get closer to an even sweatier person (Bono), to see if I can boost my little friend on to the stage so she can get her long awaited 'kiss' by the big B himself. And in the meantime, I'll moonwalk my way over to where The Edge is to see if I can draw his attention my way, and maybe sneak a little peck as well. Not likely, but here's to dreaming.
In other news, we have procured a little bundle of joy that likes to sleep on my face, steal my breath (as Lynnette would say), and bite on a regular basis. Yup, we have a kitten!!! A little fur ball of energy. His name is Jersey...not because he looks like a cow, because I don't think he does, but I do live with a bunch of farm girls and I suppose it just seemed fitting. Are Jersey cows the ones that give milk? Because our cat doesn't. I just keep thinking of chocolate...you know, Jersey Milk...anyway, here's a picture...
In other news, we have procured a little bundle of joy that likes to sleep on my face, steal my breath (as Lynnette would say), and bite on a regular basis. Yup, we have a kitten!!! A little fur ball of energy. His name is Jersey...not because he looks like a cow, because I don't think he does, but I do live with a bunch of farm girls and I suppose it just seemed fitting. Are Jersey cows the ones that give milk? Because our cat doesn't. I just keep thinking of chocolate...you know, Jersey Milk...anyway, here's a picture...
Anyway, watch this space. I'll try to update while I'm over in Montreal...fotos, fun and the like...
Tuesday, November 08, 2005
Here Comes the Sun
Thanks to all who left me encouragement and those who let me know they identify with me. I really appreciate it. It's strange how you can feel so alone in your lonliness. It seems that we all, in one way or another, put on a front that everything is alright when it really isn't, because that's how we were trained to be.
*Don't let anyone know that there's something wrong...it's a sign of weakness*
I'm sorry, but that seems like a load of crap to me. If we actually let people know how we were feeling and let them in on some of our uglier selves, what we might experience is true friendship. Granted, that comes with pain. But it also comes with beauty.
Anyway, I'm doing a whole lot better. As the Beatles said, "Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright". The sun has finally broke through the clouds and the fog (literally and figuratively) and I'm doing a whole lot better. Seriously guys, the whole kickin the caffiene thing is AWESOME! I feel so much more awake and a whole lot less dependant. I think my glands are still seriously swollen (like little goiters coming out of my neck), but they're longer as sore as they used to be.
Also I have a little journey ahead of me to look forward to. I know you are all thinking I'm likely speaking of Thailand (which I am equally, if not more excited about), but I'm not. In roughly 2 weeks time I will be boarding the plane with Patty (of Patty and Selma...see my first entry), to head to Montreal to see..........U2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
*Don't let anyone know that there's something wrong...it's a sign of weakness*
I'm sorry, but that seems like a load of crap to me. If we actually let people know how we were feeling and let them in on some of our uglier selves, what we might experience is true friendship. Granted, that comes with pain. But it also comes with beauty.
Anyway, I'm doing a whole lot better. As the Beatles said, "Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright". The sun has finally broke through the clouds and the fog (literally and figuratively) and I'm doing a whole lot better. Seriously guys, the whole kickin the caffiene thing is AWESOME! I feel so much more awake and a whole lot less dependant. I think my glands are still seriously swollen (like little goiters coming out of my neck), but they're longer as sore as they used to be.
Also I have a little journey ahead of me to look forward to. I know you are all thinking I'm likely speaking of Thailand (which I am equally, if not more excited about), but I'm not. In roughly 2 weeks time I will be boarding the plane with Patty (of Patty and Selma...see my first entry), to head to Montreal to see..........U2!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If that's not something to look forward to then what is?
Friday, November 04, 2005
Overcast
I've been feeling a little 'overcast' as of late. Finding coping with life a little difficult. Sure, it's nothing that I won't get through, but at the moment I feel as if I'm trudging. Kind of like Atrayu (sp?) in The Neverending Story, when he's going through the bogs of sadness and everything feels grim. All you can see is the bog, and all you can feel is the sadness.
I guess there are number of different things contributing to these emotions...business, lack of alone time, or down time, the weather (cursed cold and snow!!!), too much caffiene (which I have recently cut out of my diet), problems in relationships (resulting in lonliness), and just the normal trials of day to day life. I know that at the end of the day Jesus can be to me all that I need, but at the moment I am trudging through the bogs. This may be also why I have neglected to write in my blog. I feel that there is nothing all too valuable to write about, and I struggled with the idea of being vulnerable on the world wide web...no faces, no emotions, no contact...just words.
And yet here I am.
I guess there are number of different things contributing to these emotions...business, lack of alone time, or down time, the weather (cursed cold and snow!!!), too much caffiene (which I have recently cut out of my diet), problems in relationships (resulting in lonliness), and just the normal trials of day to day life. I know that at the end of the day Jesus can be to me all that I need, but at the moment I am trudging through the bogs. This may be also why I have neglected to write in my blog. I feel that there is nothing all too valuable to write about, and I struggled with the idea of being vulnerable on the world wide web...no faces, no emotions, no contact...just words.
And yet here I am.
Monday, October 31, 2005
Lord of the Rings
Thanks Paula for this quiz...
I have a feeling many of you will be Galadriel. Let me know!
Oh yeah!!! I bought my ticket this morning! I'm going to Thailand from January 7th until February 13th!
I have a feeling many of you will be Galadriel. Let me know!
Oh yeah!!! I bought my ticket this morning! I'm going to Thailand from January 7th until February 13th!
Sunday, October 30, 2005
What?
I shall no longer apologize for my lack of the blog. I'm not sorry. Not at all.
.....waaaaaaaaa!!!!! I AM SORRY!!! I'M SO ASHAMED! I'M THE WORST OF THE WORST AND SHOULD BE TARRED AND FEATHERED!
...ahem...yes. Ok. Anyway, things have been...busy. I have been teaching 4 nights a week and that's about all I have had time for. BUT, I have some great news! I'M GOING TO THAILAND IN JANUARY! It's all been oked and I'm buying my ticket tomorrow! I'm so excited! So, that's about it.
.....waaaaaaaaa!!!!! I AM SORRY!!! I'M SO ASHAMED! I'M THE WORST OF THE WORST AND SHOULD BE TARRED AND FEATHERED!
...ahem...yes. Ok. Anyway, things have been...busy. I have been teaching 4 nights a week and that's about all I have had time for. BUT, I have some great news! I'M GOING TO THAILAND IN JANUARY! It's all been oked and I'm buying my ticket tomorrow! I'm so excited! So, that's about it.
Friday, October 14, 2005
Christmas Oranges
So I've been prodded...Clarence, thanks for caring enough about my blog to see me update it.
I'm currently eating the first Christmas orange of the season. It's a little early if you ask me, but I won't complain because I love them so much!
Anyway, I have been running off my feet recently. I have worked 3 days up at the coffee shop, and have been meeting all sorts of new people. One guy came in named Tom Morrow (tomorrow). This was slightly reminiscent of my days in Maui where people would make up their own names.
Sean-changed to Love
Dave-changed to Paia Dave
name unknown-changed to Dr.Love (there was a strange obsession with the word 'love' there)
Lindsay-changed to Mugwai
Hmmm....so what is mister Tom Morrow doing in small town Linden, where people are on guard for those who make up strange names, and do not live according to status quo? I don't know, but I certainly had a good chuckle, and everyone in town had something new to talk about.
I've also taught 2 nights this week, which has been pretty awesome. Each time I've been invited over for supper beforehand, so I have the joyous responsibility to eat that which someone else has prepared. It's so nice to not have to cook!!! It has been really neat going into the different care groups...I get to see all the different dynamics, and get to know people that I havn't really had the opportunity to get to know otherwise.
The insanity of my life does not end with this week...rather, I think it only gets more hectic. I have a friend visiting from Thailand from Sunday to Thursday. I'm really excited about it, but still unsure of how I'm going to juggle all that I have to in this next week. I'm getting the 'slightly-overwhelmed-sweats'.
I'm currently eating the first Christmas orange of the season. It's a little early if you ask me, but I won't complain because I love them so much!
Anyway, I have been running off my feet recently. I have worked 3 days up at the coffee shop, and have been meeting all sorts of new people. One guy came in named Tom Morrow (tomorrow). This was slightly reminiscent of my days in Maui where people would make up their own names.
Sean-changed to Love
Dave-changed to Paia Dave
name unknown-changed to Dr.Love (there was a strange obsession with the word 'love' there)
Lindsay-changed to Mugwai
Hmmm....so what is mister Tom Morrow doing in small town Linden, where people are on guard for those who make up strange names, and do not live according to status quo? I don't know, but I certainly had a good chuckle, and everyone in town had something new to talk about.
I've also taught 2 nights this week, which has been pretty awesome. Each time I've been invited over for supper beforehand, so I have the joyous responsibility to eat that which someone else has prepared. It's so nice to not have to cook!!! It has been really neat going into the different care groups...I get to see all the different dynamics, and get to know people that I havn't really had the opportunity to get to know otherwise.
The insanity of my life does not end with this week...rather, I think it only gets more hectic. I have a friend visiting from Thailand from Sunday to Thursday. I'm really excited about it, but still unsure of how I'm going to juggle all that I have to in this next week. I'm getting the 'slightly-overwhelmed-sweats'.
Thursday, October 06, 2005
Getting to Know ME!!!
So, basically Daryl emailed this to me and dubbed me the first of our community to fill in this survey. (don't worry, you can't escape...you WILL fill this out!). Bear with me friends.
Getting to Know You...
Things I want to do before I die
1. Get married and have children (at the rate I'm going, this is a pretty hefty wish)
2. Get a 'round the world' ticket and travel for a year
3. Learn some other languages (but not fake languages like Elvish or anything)
4. Reside in the jungle and live off the land
5. Run a marathon (this one is kind of one of those things that I'll never do because I actually hate running, but it's nice to think about)
Things I can do
1. How specific do you want me to be?
2. Walk
3. Make a mean coffee
4. I have an overactive imagination, so I can think things are there that really aren't (and no, this isn't a form of mental illness or anything...)
5. Sing on tune
Things I cannot do
1. Pack chickens
2. Live alone
3. Night shifts (although I've never done one in my life...and I never want to!)
4. Breathe underwater
5. Speak Thai (seriously, how was I supposed to know that with a different influction I was asking for a husband rather than a shovel?)
Things that attract me to the opposite sex
1. Hair...I like beards and chest hair and such...I guess it makes me feel more like a lady (and I like brown or black haired men)
2. Height...HAVE to be taller than me
3. Style (I'm not going to dress him...he should have that figured out)
4. Musical
5. Artistic
Celebrity crushes
1. Apart from what all you might think, NOT Orlando Bloom
2. Johnny Depp
3. Chris Martin
4. David Bowie
5. So You Think You Can Dance's Artem
People I want to do this next
1. Daryl
2. Paula
3. Amber
4. Clarence
5. Joel
Alright...so I hope this has been fun for you. Please drop me a line and let me know what you think...I know, I know, I like some strange celebrities but that casts no reflection on me...right?
Getting to Know You...
Things I want to do before I die
1. Get married and have children (at the rate I'm going, this is a pretty hefty wish)
2. Get a 'round the world' ticket and travel for a year
3. Learn some other languages (but not fake languages like Elvish or anything)
4. Reside in the jungle and live off the land
5. Run a marathon (this one is kind of one of those things that I'll never do because I actually hate running, but it's nice to think about)
Things I can do
1. How specific do you want me to be?
2. Walk
3. Make a mean coffee
4. I have an overactive imagination, so I can think things are there that really aren't (and no, this isn't a form of mental illness or anything...)
5. Sing on tune
Things I cannot do
1. Pack chickens
2. Live alone
3. Night shifts (although I've never done one in my life...and I never want to!)
4. Breathe underwater
5. Speak Thai (seriously, how was I supposed to know that with a different influction I was asking for a husband rather than a shovel?)
Things that attract me to the opposite sex
1. Hair...I like beards and chest hair and such...I guess it makes me feel more like a lady (and I like brown or black haired men)
2. Height...HAVE to be taller than me
3. Style (I'm not going to dress him...he should have that figured out)
4. Musical
5. Artistic
Celebrity crushes
1. Apart from what all you might think, NOT Orlando Bloom
2. Johnny Depp
3. Chris Martin
4. David Bowie
5. So You Think You Can Dance's Artem
People I want to do this next
1. Daryl
2. Paula
3. Amber
4. Clarence
5. Joel
Alright...so I hope this has been fun for you. Please drop me a line and let me know what you think...I know, I know, I like some strange celebrities but that casts no reflection on me...right?
Tuesday, October 04, 2005
The Job Non-Hunt
So, I have another job! I didn't even really try to get it! I have moved into part time at the church, and so I thought in passing that maybe I could work at the local coffee shop. I might have mentioned this to a few people, but I didn't think anything would come of it. Well, this morning I went to get myself a coffee, and thought that maybe I would bring it up with the owner to see if it would even be a possibility. It was. In fact, before I even got to completely explain what I was about she already said yes, and told me that she had talked to someone about hiring me last night, and was going to approach me on it today. I start my training tomorrow, and I'm on my own on Friday. Talk about not even trying! This was just handed to me!
I am feeling slightly overwhelmed for all that is on my plate at this moment, but I can see this coffee shop job as being a real blessing, and a real advantage to being this in community. I'm going to get to know everyone (as everyone drinks and likes coffee), and everyone is going to get to know me outside of the church setting. And it will be really nice to get out of the office a few times a week.
It's this quote I wish to be my motivation:
"The more I think it over, the more I feel that there nothing more truly artistic than to love people...Christ is more of an artist than the artists. He works in the living spirit and the living flesh, he makes men instead of statues."
-Vincent vanGogh
I am feeling slightly overwhelmed for all that is on my plate at this moment, but I can see this coffee shop job as being a real blessing, and a real advantage to being this in community. I'm going to get to know everyone (as everyone drinks and likes coffee), and everyone is going to get to know me outside of the church setting. And it will be really nice to get out of the office a few times a week.
It's this quote I wish to be my motivation:
"The more I think it over, the more I feel that there nothing more truly artistic than to love people...Christ is more of an artist than the artists. He works in the living spirit and the living flesh, he makes men instead of statues."
-Vincent vanGogh
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Houseboating
So, I finally got photos back from our houseboating trip...I wanted to hold off telling any stories about that until I had some photos.
Basically there are a few events that really stick out in my mind. The most obvious of these memories was my attempt at jumping off the top of the boat. I was perched on the highest point, which must have been about 15 feet up, and as I pushed myself off my feet slipped on the wet deck and I plunged ungracefully, stomach first, into the water. Unfortunately, people were watching...and unfortunately, the fall resulted in many little bruises all across my rib cage.
As stated in a previous post, I have a slight allergy to bee stings...we decided to go for a hike one day, and all of us younger folk thought it would be much more fun to hack our way through the bushes rather than stay on the path. We were right...it was more fun, until Jake and I got stung at the exact same time, both on the leg. We both came screaming and running out of the foliage! Josh laughed heartily at this. He eventually got his own though...he sat down on a bee and got stung on his butt! Of all the people that got stung, I was the only one who swelled up...it looked as though I was sprouting another leg. There are still remnants of that sting even today...
Basically there are a few events that really stick out in my mind. The most obvious of these memories was my attempt at jumping off the top of the boat. I was perched on the highest point, which must have been about 15 feet up, and as I pushed myself off my feet slipped on the wet deck and I plunged ungracefully, stomach first, into the water. Unfortunately, people were watching...and unfortunately, the fall resulted in many little bruises all across my rib cage.
As stated in a previous post, I have a slight allergy to bee stings...we decided to go for a hike one day, and all of us younger folk thought it would be much more fun to hack our way through the bushes rather than stay on the path. We were right...it was more fun, until Jake and I got stung at the exact same time, both on the leg. We both came screaming and running out of the foliage! Josh laughed heartily at this. He eventually got his own though...he sat down on a bee and got stung on his butt! Of all the people that got stung, I was the only one who swelled up...it looked as though I was sprouting another leg. There are still remnants of that sting even today...
This photo was taken "post sting"...maybe that's why Jake and I look miserable.
Saturday, September 24, 2005
Glacier Cold
I just arrived home from Turner Valley late last night. I feel as if I have been gone for months! Well, I guess you could say that I have been. I've really only come home for a few days at a time between all my journeys around this vast country (or province).
I went to 'the valley' to do some studying and get some work done. Mission accomplished. And I received an unbelievable amount of encouragement in the meantime. I think in some ways I have forgotten how much I love the Bible and desire to be a woman who is founded in the Word. But there, in that school, being surrounded by people who delve deeply into Scripture everyday and who's lives have been transformed by it seemed to make me remember. I sat in on some classes and we went through the book of Titus. If you haven't read it recently take a look...it's only 3 chapters. Seriously...WOW...there is so much truth and revelation packed into those tiny chapters. I was so blessed by reading them and by learning again!!!
There seems to be something of 'relativism' creeping even into Christianity these days. We can't be dogmatic about truth because it might offend someone. We can't confront someone about issues in their lives because it's what they have decided to do and that's up to them. Well, I see Paul confronting issues all throughout the New Testament, and raging on people who were messing with the gospel truth! Amazing! And he sums it all up in 3 little chapters in Titus.
Why is it that we neglect to read the Word or don't take the time to know it or understand it? I feel like life has been breathed back into me and I'm excited about reading and studying and having Jesus lead me and guide me through it all.
Anyway, there is a whole new school on now and they will be spending the next 9 months just studying and immersing themselves in the Bible...I got to spend some time talking to these folks, and at one point, convinced them that it would be a good idea to go swimming in the river. Now, you have to understand that this river is all glacier fed. And it's the middle of September. And the summer there was not very warm. So, I'm sure you can imagine what it might have felt like. Our number one rule was that your head had to go under...you had to be completely submerged in the water. There was a girl from Taiwan, a guy from Louisiana, another guy from Winnipeg, and then two of us hearty Albertan girls. I nearly threw up it was so cold! We had an audience of people down by the river taking photos and shivering for us when all of our extremities had gone numb. I felt like I was running on stumps...like my feet had fallen off somewhere in the river and I was now left to run on the stumps of my legs.
Although I might be nursing a bit of a cold now I'm incredibly glad that I did it.
I went to 'the valley' to do some studying and get some work done. Mission accomplished. And I received an unbelievable amount of encouragement in the meantime. I think in some ways I have forgotten how much I love the Bible and desire to be a woman who is founded in the Word. But there, in that school, being surrounded by people who delve deeply into Scripture everyday and who's lives have been transformed by it seemed to make me remember. I sat in on some classes and we went through the book of Titus. If you haven't read it recently take a look...it's only 3 chapters. Seriously...WOW...there is so much truth and revelation packed into those tiny chapters. I was so blessed by reading them and by learning again!!!
There seems to be something of 'relativism' creeping even into Christianity these days. We can't be dogmatic about truth because it might offend someone. We can't confront someone about issues in their lives because it's what they have decided to do and that's up to them. Well, I see Paul confronting issues all throughout the New Testament, and raging on people who were messing with the gospel truth! Amazing! And he sums it all up in 3 little chapters in Titus.
Why is it that we neglect to read the Word or don't take the time to know it or understand it? I feel like life has been breathed back into me and I'm excited about reading and studying and having Jesus lead me and guide me through it all.
Anyway, there is a whole new school on now and they will be spending the next 9 months just studying and immersing themselves in the Bible...I got to spend some time talking to these folks, and at one point, convinced them that it would be a good idea to go swimming in the river. Now, you have to understand that this river is all glacier fed. And it's the middle of September. And the summer there was not very warm. So, I'm sure you can imagine what it might have felt like. Our number one rule was that your head had to go under...you had to be completely submerged in the water. There was a girl from Taiwan, a guy from Louisiana, another guy from Winnipeg, and then two of us hearty Albertan girls. I nearly threw up it was so cold! We had an audience of people down by the river taking photos and shivering for us when all of our extremities had gone numb. I felt like I was running on stumps...like my feet had fallen off somewhere in the river and I was now left to run on the stumps of my legs.
Although I might be nursing a bit of a cold now I'm incredibly glad that I did it.
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Worst Ever!
I currently am the worst blogger in existence...well, maybe not the worst (see Daryl's blog about teenage girls), but I am in pretty bad shape when put next to my blogging guru friends. Seriously, they always have something interesting and chuckle-worthy to say. I do all this stuff and strange things seem to always happen to me, but then I lack the time, or the ability to make the time, to write about it. I don't deserve the faithful readers that I have.
I have had some pretty awesome things happen to me recently, of which I will write about later (the #1 reason I am the worst blogger in existence-it's always later). Nothing like, I've met the man of my dreams and I'm getting married in 2 months, or someone gave me a plane ticket to Egypt and gave me money to spend while I'm there...but more like stupid awesome...the kind of awesome that people shake their heads in embarassment for another and laugh.
I am in Turner Valley right now being a study nerd, so my brain won't function in the "be-funny-in-your-blog" zone. Sorry folks...more to come.
I have had some pretty awesome things happen to me recently, of which I will write about later (the #1 reason I am the worst blogger in existence-it's always later). Nothing like, I've met the man of my dreams and I'm getting married in 2 months, or someone gave me a plane ticket to Egypt and gave me money to spend while I'm there...but more like stupid awesome...the kind of awesome that people shake their heads in embarassment for another and laugh.
I am in Turner Valley right now being a study nerd, so my brain won't function in the "be-funny-in-your-blog" zone. Sorry folks...more to come.
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
Can't Sit Still
So, I know that I just recently got back but duty calls. I'm off the Shuswap to enjoy a week of houseboating...my first houseboating experience ever! I've become the honorary member of a certain family here and it's "grandma and grandpa's" 50th wedding anniversary. To celebrate, we are locking ourselves on a boat together for 8 glorious days. It will have been a success if none of us are dead or have killed each other over the duration of the holiday.
Also, check out some photos of when Kyle and Dan were here. We were seriously only 4 feet from a feeding, angry lion.
Also, check out some photos of when Kyle and Dan were here. We were seriously only 4 feet from a feeding, angry lion.
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
The Creeps
Now I’ve lived in Alberta all my life, and I have lived in this particular part of Alberta for over half of it. I know the area pretty well. I know of all the towns in our district and how to get around without ever needing a map…or at least I thought I did.
The other day me and some friends went to look for this random door in a field. Seriously, it's as random as it sounds. Just a door in a field. To my dismay, we couldn’t find it…the directions we were given led us down this creepy road that freaked me out the most of anyone in the car, and sure enough, into a town that I didn’t even know existed. The problem is, this wasn’t just a normal town...it was a town that seemed to all of sudden "appear" out of nowhere, sort of like Narnia. We entered some secret portal that rocketed us into the world of the creepy and the strange, leaving all sense of logic and normalacy behind. This was a scary town. It was called Allington and consisted of about 2 houses and about 3 trailers. It was like leaving what I knew to be Alberta and entering this other dimension. Also, as we were trying to wrap our minds around this new and weird place Kyle thought he might have seen a woman standing in a field. Had it been the middle of the day that would have been one thing, but this was late into the night. No woman in her right mind would stand in the middle of a field! I was so creeped out so I sped out of Allington and back into Alberta as I knew it.
We never came across the door in the field, but we did stop and take some photos on the road. This was long after the creep session, so I had pretty much calmed my over active imagination down.
The other day me and some friends went to look for this random door in a field. Seriously, it's as random as it sounds. Just a door in a field. To my dismay, we couldn’t find it…the directions we were given led us down this creepy road that freaked me out the most of anyone in the car, and sure enough, into a town that I didn’t even know existed. The problem is, this wasn’t just a normal town...it was a town that seemed to all of sudden "appear" out of nowhere, sort of like Narnia. We entered some secret portal that rocketed us into the world of the creepy and the strange, leaving all sense of logic and normalacy behind. This was a scary town. It was called Allington and consisted of about 2 houses and about 3 trailers. It was like leaving what I knew to be Alberta and entering this other dimension. Also, as we were trying to wrap our minds around this new and weird place Kyle thought he might have seen a woman standing in a field. Had it been the middle of the day that would have been one thing, but this was late into the night. No woman in her right mind would stand in the middle of a field! I was so creeped out so I sped out of Allington and back into Alberta as I knew it.
We never came across the door in the field, but we did stop and take some photos on the road. This was long after the creep session, so I had pretty much calmed my over active imagination down.
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Two-Tone Terrified
So, I've decided that blind dates are of the devil. Or maybe they are only of the devil when you are set up by someone who doesn’t know you at all. At least that's my experience.
I'm not the kind of girl who goes on blind dates. In fact, I'm not the kind of girl who goes on dates at all. It seems as if I am unlucky in love, and end up getting stalked by the weird and the strange. And yet I decided that a blind date would be a good idea.
Now here, I give my account as accurately as possible...the Blind-Date-Gone-Bad play by play (as requested by Ryan). And in my defense, the nine hours of hell was something I did not know how to get out of. I have learned my lesson...use the safe word. And to protect said blind date, I will refer to him as Satan...the father of nine hour blind dates and freakish theology.
12:00pm - I receive a call on my phone from him, asking where he could pick me up and stating that he will call back to let me know when he's coming...I decide to shower.
12:30pm - Satan's voice comes over the intercom...he didn't call back, and now he's in the building and I'm still sopping wet!!!! I start yelling obsenities from the bathroom, and Kyle starts laughing hysterically from the living room.
12:35pm - Lucifer enters the apartment, while I frantically try to make myself somewhat presentable...attempt failing. But as I come out to meet my 'date' I realise that there is no need to stress, for he is wearing two slightly different shades of blue and a pair of Birkenstocks. He hasn't really tried.
12:40pm - We leave the safety and comfort of Kyle's apartment and enter his basement hovel to pick up a blanket and the latest edition of Bible Trivia (really?), then head to the park. On the way he makes sure to get a GIANT Big Gulp with two straws so we can share (how romantic).
1:00pm - I chide him for arguing with everything I say. He promptly ignores that I've said anything at all.
1:30pm - He starts talking about salvation and eternal judgment...I quit speaking.
2:00pm - He' still talking...I'm contemplating cutting off my fingers and poking my own eyes out.
3:00pm - Still talking...I see two men playing frisbee, and I'm shocked at how short one of the men's shorts really are. They are really short! I also wonder if they are gay because they are kind of skipping around the park as they throw the frisbee back and forth. Do they see us? Do I look as bored as I feel? I kind of want to get up and play with them. They are having way more fun than I am. I'm no good at frisbee though...so I wonder if they would be annoyed at me if I played with them.
4:00pm - I think he's still talking...I've lost my soul at this point so I'm numb to the world and to my surroundings. I might have even begun drooling. Does he not see that I HATE this one sided conversation and that he's not convincing me of anything?
4:30pm - We play frisbee...maybe he did get that I wasn't into what he was talking about. This is the happiest I've been all day (other than when I woke up and Kyle had made me coffee and muffins...rhubarb and white chocolate). Satan is far, far away from me and he's not talking about things that I can't agree with at all. I don't even care that I'm throwing the dumb disc all over the park and that I've begun sweating like a man...my soul is slowly returning through the repetitive motion of catching and throwing...just so long as he doesn't speak...
6:00pm - I get stung by a wasp...I fall to the ground and roll around feeling sorry for myself not only for getting stung, but for being on this dumb date at all. He stands there watching...I don't think he has any Scriptures for this situation. We head for a restaurant.
6:10pm - Satan complains about how expensive everything is and makes me feel like crap for getting anything at all. My hand is starting to get swollen and red. It still really hurts.
6:30pm - He starts talking again. I've had it and so I argue with him. He doesn't listen and makes it seem like I don't know what I'm talking about at all.
7:00pm - He states that he thinks it's a sin that a younger man marries an older woman because Adam was created before Eve. My hand continues to swell from the wasp sting.
7:30pm - I get extremely mad and tell him that he doesn't listen to me, and that I think he thinks that I'm unintelligent, and have nothing valuable to add to the conversation, and that he totally and completely invalidates me. I continue to tell him that I have also studied the Bible and have taken a lot of time and care to know and understand the things within it, and that he makes it seem like I know absolutely nothing at all. He apologizes.
9:00pm - He drives me back to Kyle's and tells me that he had a great time and that it was really fun hanging out with me. I absent-mindedly nod, then run upstairs.
That was about it. I understand that I have left out a number of the details and have condensed 9 of the worst hours of my life into a few vague sentences, but to be honest, I don't really remember much. I have blanked them from my memory. All I really remember are his two-tone blue clothes and his constantly moving mouth. Thank the Lord for normal men.
And about the wasp sting...my hand swelled to unnatural sizes and I lost my knuckles and finger tendons in the fat of my allergy. I blame the blind date.
I'm not the kind of girl who goes on blind dates. In fact, I'm not the kind of girl who goes on dates at all. It seems as if I am unlucky in love, and end up getting stalked by the weird and the strange. And yet I decided that a blind date would be a good idea.
Now here, I give my account as accurately as possible...the Blind-Date-Gone-Bad play by play (as requested by Ryan). And in my defense, the nine hours of hell was something I did not know how to get out of. I have learned my lesson...use the safe word. And to protect said blind date, I will refer to him as Satan...the father of nine hour blind dates and freakish theology.
12:00pm - I receive a call on my phone from him, asking where he could pick me up and stating that he will call back to let me know when he's coming...I decide to shower.
12:30pm - Satan's voice comes over the intercom...he didn't call back, and now he's in the building and I'm still sopping wet!!!! I start yelling obsenities from the bathroom, and Kyle starts laughing hysterically from the living room.
12:35pm - Lucifer enters the apartment, while I frantically try to make myself somewhat presentable...attempt failing. But as I come out to meet my 'date' I realise that there is no need to stress, for he is wearing two slightly different shades of blue and a pair of Birkenstocks. He hasn't really tried.
12:40pm - We leave the safety and comfort of Kyle's apartment and enter his basement hovel to pick up a blanket and the latest edition of Bible Trivia (really?), then head to the park. On the way he makes sure to get a GIANT Big Gulp with two straws so we can share (how romantic).
1:00pm - I chide him for arguing with everything I say. He promptly ignores that I've said anything at all.
1:30pm - He starts talking about salvation and eternal judgment...I quit speaking.
2:00pm - He' still talking...I'm contemplating cutting off my fingers and poking my own eyes out.
3:00pm - Still talking...I see two men playing frisbee, and I'm shocked at how short one of the men's shorts really are. They are really short! I also wonder if they are gay because they are kind of skipping around the park as they throw the frisbee back and forth. Do they see us? Do I look as bored as I feel? I kind of want to get up and play with them. They are having way more fun than I am. I'm no good at frisbee though...so I wonder if they would be annoyed at me if I played with them.
4:00pm - I think he's still talking...I've lost my soul at this point so I'm numb to the world and to my surroundings. I might have even begun drooling. Does he not see that I HATE this one sided conversation and that he's not convincing me of anything?
4:30pm - We play frisbee...maybe he did get that I wasn't into what he was talking about. This is the happiest I've been all day (other than when I woke up and Kyle had made me coffee and muffins...rhubarb and white chocolate). Satan is far, far away from me and he's not talking about things that I can't agree with at all. I don't even care that I'm throwing the dumb disc all over the park and that I've begun sweating like a man...my soul is slowly returning through the repetitive motion of catching and throwing...just so long as he doesn't speak...
6:00pm - I get stung by a wasp...I fall to the ground and roll around feeling sorry for myself not only for getting stung, but for being on this dumb date at all. He stands there watching...I don't think he has any Scriptures for this situation. We head for a restaurant.
6:10pm - Satan complains about how expensive everything is and makes me feel like crap for getting anything at all. My hand is starting to get swollen and red. It still really hurts.
6:30pm - He starts talking again. I've had it and so I argue with him. He doesn't listen and makes it seem like I don't know what I'm talking about at all.
7:00pm - He states that he thinks it's a sin that a younger man marries an older woman because Adam was created before Eve. My hand continues to swell from the wasp sting.
7:30pm - I get extremely mad and tell him that he doesn't listen to me, and that I think he thinks that I'm unintelligent, and have nothing valuable to add to the conversation, and that he totally and completely invalidates me. I continue to tell him that I have also studied the Bible and have taken a lot of time and care to know and understand the things within it, and that he makes it seem like I know absolutely nothing at all. He apologizes.
9:00pm - He drives me back to Kyle's and tells me that he had a great time and that it was really fun hanging out with me. I absent-mindedly nod, then run upstairs.
That was about it. I understand that I have left out a number of the details and have condensed 9 of the worst hours of my life into a few vague sentences, but to be honest, I don't really remember much. I have blanked them from my memory. All I really remember are his two-tone blue clothes and his constantly moving mouth. Thank the Lord for normal men.
And about the wasp sting...my hand swelled to unnatural sizes and I lost my knuckles and finger tendons in the fat of my allergy. I blame the blind date.
Friday, August 19, 2005
Alberta...notoriously cold
I saw that a number of people had written about the weather on their blogs, and so I feel obliged to say something about it as well. First of all, I had the most wonderful time on holiday with some of the absolutely best weather. We left Christina Lake where we had met up with some friends and spent some time on a boat (or behind a boat), and then shortly after our arrival began our long journey home. It was as if as soon as we crossed the BC border into Alberta we also crossed into cold and desparaging country. I wish I had a photo. We entered the world of fog. We thought that it was smoke, but as we stuck our heads out the window to do the "scent test" we quickly found out that there was no scent to this alleged smoke. Rather it was cold and wet. FOG!
The further and further we went into Alberta, the colder and wetter it got. There was a highlight to coming home though...we are darker than every person here. Seriously, it was as if we went somewhere tropical in the middle of winter and we came back with the beautiful tans while everyone who stayed behind only got burned from the light reflecting off the snow. By the sounds of it though, that's not too far off from the truth of this summer.
Now, on a totally unrelated topic...what the heck is up with all the spam I'm getting on my comments? I got a really long one today about logging or something. I hate it! If it doesn't stop I might just have to remove the priviledge of commenting altogether!!!
The further and further we went into Alberta, the colder and wetter it got. There was a highlight to coming home though...we are darker than every person here. Seriously, it was as if we went somewhere tropical in the middle of winter and we came back with the beautiful tans while everyone who stayed behind only got burned from the light reflecting off the snow. By the sounds of it though, that's not too far off from the truth of this summer.
Now, on a totally unrelated topic...what the heck is up with all the spam I'm getting on my comments? I got a really long one today about logging or something. I hate it! If it doesn't stop I might just have to remove the priviledge of commenting altogether!!!
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
On Holiday
So Carmen and I are on holiday in Vernon, BC right now. Why are we in Vernon right now? I don't really know. We just drove west and ended up here. We got judged harshly by some "richies", and then made our way to a campground where we found ourselves surrounded by pot smoking, f-bomb dropping boys. Boys who like to talk to girls. We don't like talking to boys. It's quite funny. I don't think I've ever been asked out for a beer more than I have this weekend. Carmen and I just look at each other and give this uncomfortable, knowing look and then answer, "No, we're alright".
I think we are going to go to the beach right now. Can't wait...
I think we are going to go to the beach right now. Can't wait...
Saturday, August 06, 2005
My Mexican Friends
I love travelling and meeting new people. It's amazing to me how one is able to connect with someone of another culture, who speaks an entirely different language, and still be able to feel like they know them and love them dearly. I would call the Mexicans that were on my team my good friends. They really are. They honestly felt like family...like home. So, this is in tribute to them...mi armanas/armanos. 
Thursday, August 04, 2005
Fumbling in a Cloud
Man, it's been a long time since I've blogged. Thank the good Lord you don't forget how to type in two weeks, although my fingers aren't finding the keys as rapidly as they once used to. Or should I say as "rapido" as they used to. That was a little Espanol for all you folks out there.
It's always strange coming back from these trips. I go away and am surrounded by incredible people for a period of time, and I have to work to find time for myself...but whenever I really want to connect with someone and have a great conversation I just have to walk into a room or down a dirt path, or sit by the bathrooms and conversation will be had. If I'm down people notice and they care, and if I'm up people are there to share in my happiness. But coming home...hmmm...it's lonely. I've been sitting my parent's house completely alone all day, and instead of feeling relieved/content all I feel is lonliness.
Anyway, the trip was amazing!!! God really did some awesome things not only in the kids' lives, or my life, but in the lives of the Mexicans we connected with. Our Linden team split into two groups and in my group we had 5 Mexicans join our team. 5 of the most hilarious and brilliant people. I miss them dearly. They didn't speak English and we didn't speak Spanish, but within 5 minutes of us being together the mockery of me began. I really think that was what brought unity on the team...my name changed to Jessico (please notice the Masculine ending on my name), and they proceeded to give many adjectives that would describe the new being I had become while in their nation. Gordo (fat), fallo (ugly), peluca (wears a wig), peluda (is hairy), hombre (am a man), I have a moustache, drive an ice cream truck, and own the ugliest car in the world. I think cannibal was in there somewhere as well.
I can't believe the amount of things that we did for the short span of time that we were there...we helped build a room for a drug rehab center...a room that's sole purpose is to teach the rehabilitated a trade so that they have jobs. That's awesome! We also had a Mexico vs. Canada football match. I don't know that I really want to call it a match as much as a masacre. We got slaughtered, and they were generous by allowing a bunch of Mexicans to play on our team. Any of the goals that were scored by team Canada were not scored by any of us. Every evening we did a huge service where we would play music, the kids would share their testimonies and do dramas, and someone might even preach. My team did incredibly well! I know how uncomfortable it is for most people to get up in front of a crowd and speak, and these guys did it everyday!
I made a brilliant language mistake while talking to the pastor one day. I had heard that their winters could be cold and could get snow, so I asked him, "In Mexico, infuerno mucho frillo?" He gives me a blank look, and responds, "No...mucho mucho caliente".
I then go on to say, "Well, in Canada infuerno mucho frillo". All of a sudden a light came on in his head and he began to laugh loudly and heartily. It turns out that the word for winter is "inbuerno", and the word that I was saying actually means "hell". So I was asking him if hell was really cold in Mexico, and then proceeded to tell him that hell is really cold in Canada. Well done Jessico, well done.
Perhaps it's a good thing that I'm alone today so that I have time to process everything, and think through all the stuff that happened while in Mexico. I don't really know what I need right now...maybe just someone to sit in a room with me and not say a word. I do know that I've been sleep deprived in the last few weeks, so perhaps a good, long nap won't hurt...
It's always strange coming back from these trips. I go away and am surrounded by incredible people for a period of time, and I have to work to find time for myself...but whenever I really want to connect with someone and have a great conversation I just have to walk into a room or down a dirt path, or sit by the bathrooms and conversation will be had. If I'm down people notice and they care, and if I'm up people are there to share in my happiness. But coming home...hmmm...it's lonely. I've been sitting my parent's house completely alone all day, and instead of feeling relieved/content all I feel is lonliness.
Anyway, the trip was amazing!!! God really did some awesome things not only in the kids' lives, or my life, but in the lives of the Mexicans we connected with. Our Linden team split into two groups and in my group we had 5 Mexicans join our team. 5 of the most hilarious and brilliant people. I miss them dearly. They didn't speak English and we didn't speak Spanish, but within 5 minutes of us being together the mockery of me began. I really think that was what brought unity on the team...my name changed to Jessico (please notice the Masculine ending on my name), and they proceeded to give many adjectives that would describe the new being I had become while in their nation. Gordo (fat), fallo (ugly), peluca (wears a wig), peluda (is hairy), hombre (am a man), I have a moustache, drive an ice cream truck, and own the ugliest car in the world. I think cannibal was in there somewhere as well.
I can't believe the amount of things that we did for the short span of time that we were there...we helped build a room for a drug rehab center...a room that's sole purpose is to teach the rehabilitated a trade so that they have jobs. That's awesome! We also had a Mexico vs. Canada football match. I don't know that I really want to call it a match as much as a masacre. We got slaughtered, and they were generous by allowing a bunch of Mexicans to play on our team. Any of the goals that were scored by team Canada were not scored by any of us. Every evening we did a huge service where we would play music, the kids would share their testimonies and do dramas, and someone might even preach. My team did incredibly well! I know how uncomfortable it is for most people to get up in front of a crowd and speak, and these guys did it everyday!
I made a brilliant language mistake while talking to the pastor one day. I had heard that their winters could be cold and could get snow, so I asked him, "In Mexico, infuerno mucho frillo?" He gives me a blank look, and responds, "No...mucho mucho caliente".
I then go on to say, "Well, in Canada infuerno mucho frillo". All of a sudden a light came on in his head and he began to laugh loudly and heartily. It turns out that the word for winter is "inbuerno", and the word that I was saying actually means "hell". So I was asking him if hell was really cold in Mexico, and then proceeded to tell him that hell is really cold in Canada. Well done Jessico, well done.
Perhaps it's a good thing that I'm alone today so that I have time to process everything, and think through all the stuff that happened while in Mexico. I don't really know what I need right now...maybe just someone to sit in a room with me and not say a word. I do know that I've been sleep deprived in the last few weeks, so perhaps a good, long nap won't hurt...
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
And She's Off!!!
I'm going to Mexico today, so there own't be much activity on this thing for a few weeks. Not only am I going to Mexico today, but it's my 25th birthday today! AHHHHH!!! I'm a quarter of a century old. Old. Boo hoo. Anyway, I'm still leaving this country, which is a beautiful thing and although I'm travelling with 18 15-18 year olds this is still the best gift ever.
Well, cheers folks! See you on the flip side!
Well, cheers folks! See you on the flip side!
Sunday, July 17, 2005
Alien-esque
I was in my friend's wedding this last weekend. Despite my incredible dislike of weddings I really enjoyed this one. I don't know what it was that made this different, but it was really nice and I had a great time. All of the bridesmaids had their hair done and all our hair seemed very characteristic of each of us. The bride had this brilliant nest of hair flowing up the side of her head, Melanie looked like the bride of frankenstein, Kendra had a cute little bob, and I had alien hair. It was puffed up and swooping, much like that of an alien's head.
Almost every conversation I had with people turned to God...I can't even explain how. But every person that I spoke to had either been hurt by the church, or had become really jaded to God. It was so interesting. I spent the greater part of yesterday just listening to people. The last thing that they needed me to do was speak at them and try to convince them that God is actually brilliant and wonderful and that he lives in us and works through us. My silence said enough.
It's amazing to me the amount of damage that we as believers can bring about. We are entering an era of Christians who don't agree with church anymore. A time where people are trying to figure out exactly what church and community looks like, and are allowing their hearts and souls heal from all the abuse they encountered where they were at. It made me so sad to see so many people who didn't know who God was anymore as a result of their interaction with people who claim to know who God is.
Jesus, please be in us the grace and love and hope that this world needs in order to see you and know you for who you really are...
Almost every conversation I had with people turned to God...I can't even explain how. But every person that I spoke to had either been hurt by the church, or had become really jaded to God. It was so interesting. I spent the greater part of yesterday just listening to people. The last thing that they needed me to do was speak at them and try to convince them that God is actually brilliant and wonderful and that he lives in us and works through us. My silence said enough.
It's amazing to me the amount of damage that we as believers can bring about. We are entering an era of Christians who don't agree with church anymore. A time where people are trying to figure out exactly what church and community looks like, and are allowing their hearts and souls heal from all the abuse they encountered where they were at. It made me so sad to see so many people who didn't know who God was anymore as a result of their interaction with people who claim to know who God is.
Jesus, please be in us the grace and love and hope that this world needs in order to see you and know you for who you really are...
Thursday, July 07, 2005
Eat Great, Even Late
I went to my friend's bridal shower yesterday and on my way home I stopped for gas. I happened to stop at a gas station that is directly beside a Wendy's. As I was pumping my car full of delicious petrol these three tough, and large guys started coming towards me. I wasn't sure what to make of it, but I decided not to start screaming and frantically kicking until they did something that warranted it. The big one came up and said, "Excuse me," (that seemed polite enough), "can you do us a huge favor?".
Now, I wasn't sure what a 'huge favor' meant to these guys...perhaps they wanted me to solicit some illegal drugs for them, or perhaps it was getting into their truck without screaming and frantically kicking. Anyway, I said, "What kind of favor?" (clever Jess).
They proceeded to ask me to go through the drive-through of Wendy's for them and buy their food, for which they would give me the money. Wendy's was now closed and wouldn't let them in, nor would it let them walk through the drive-through, and they couldn't possibly drive their giant truck, so I complied.
I finished filling my car and pulled around the corner to where the drive-through speaker box, and the trucker guys were situated. As I sat there in my car, they crouched over the box and shouted into the little speaker ordering heaps of food (as I said, they were big guys...hefty appetites). It didn't stop there though...they also made me order.
"Would you like something?" he asked.
"No thank you"
"Aw...come on. It would make us feel better" he insisted.
"No, that's alright"
"Seriously, what would you like?"
"Alright, I'll have a small frostie" I said, giving into his pleas.
"She'll have a small fry" he said into the speaker box. "Would you like something to drink as well?"
"A small frostie", I repeated.
"She'll have a frostie", he said into the speaker box. "What size?" he asked.
"Small", I stated for what I hoped to be the last time.
I pulled the car around to the little window where you pay, while my new friends walked alongside. They handed me the money, and I handed the money through the window. I drove up to the next window and the guys walked beside me. The Wendy's employee handed me the food through the window, I handed the food to the truckers, then they handed me my small fry and small frostie and I went on my way, but of course not without getting some photos. Ask to see the video sometime.
Now, I wasn't sure what a 'huge favor' meant to these guys...perhaps they wanted me to solicit some illegal drugs for them, or perhaps it was getting into their truck without screaming and frantically kicking. Anyway, I said, "What kind of favor?" (clever Jess).
They proceeded to ask me to go through the drive-through of Wendy's for them and buy their food, for which they would give me the money. Wendy's was now closed and wouldn't let them in, nor would it let them walk through the drive-through, and they couldn't possibly drive their giant truck, so I complied.
I finished filling my car and pulled around the corner to where the drive-through speaker box, and the trucker guys were situated. As I sat there in my car, they crouched over the box and shouted into the little speaker ordering heaps of food (as I said, they were big guys...hefty appetites). It didn't stop there though...they also made me order.
"Would you like something?" he asked.
"No thank you"
"Aw...come on. It would make us feel better" he insisted.
"No, that's alright"
"Seriously, what would you like?"
"Alright, I'll have a small frostie" I said, giving into his pleas.
"She'll have a small fry" he said into the speaker box. "Would you like something to drink as well?"
"A small frostie", I repeated.
"She'll have a frostie", he said into the speaker box. "What size?" he asked.
"Small", I stated for what I hoped to be the last time.
I pulled the car around to the little window where you pay, while my new friends walked alongside. They handed me the money, and I handed the money through the window. I drove up to the next window and the guys walked beside me. The Wendy's employee handed me the food through the window, I handed the food to the truckers, then they handed me my small fry and small frostie and I went on my way, but of course not without getting some photos. Ask to see the video sometime.
Wednesday, July 06, 2005
I'm the lamest blogger
I've come to realize that I truly am the lamest blogger. All my friends put me to shame. I'm one of those people that comes online and looks at everything and then, at the end of the day, I do and write absolutely nothing. I swear I read all the emails I receive, I just never respond to them. So if you are one of those people in which I have not recently responded to, or have never responded to, I apologize. Please forgive me. I know I am lame. I can't even promise to do better because then I'll just come on and read my promise online, and then feel really bad that I haven't yet written anybody. So, I reckon in my case it is just better to publically announce how terrible of a communicator I really am, and then do nothing about it.
Anyway, my dear Korean friends moved away on Sunday. It was a really sad time...the kids had really warmed up to me, and had been affectionately calling me "emo" which means "auntie", and letting me hold them and play with them. I had also developed a great relationship with Song Eun, their mom...she was my "onnee", my sister. My heart broke for her when she told me that I was her only friend here in Linden. They are absolutely beautiful. I had a wonderful last day with them, said my goodbyes and the kids bowed to me as I walked away.
Anyway, my dear Korean friends moved away on Sunday. It was a really sad time...the kids had really warmed up to me, and had been affectionately calling me "emo" which means "auntie", and letting me hold them and play with them. I had also developed a great relationship with Song Eun, their mom...she was my "onnee", my sister. My heart broke for her when she told me that I was her only friend here in Linden. They are absolutely beautiful. I had a wonderful last day with them, said my goodbyes and the kids bowed to me as I walked away.
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
Sunday, July 03, 2005
Always the Bridesmaid...
I went to a wedding this weekend. Just one of a million that I've been to in the last 7 years. Will it ever stop? I'm told that it doesn't. After I'm done going to my friends' weddings, I'll have to then go to my friends' kids' weddings, and so on and so forth. The truth is I don't forsee my own anywhere in the future, but if there is going to be one, it's going to have to be in the future. You know, those time restraints and such.
Anyway, during the incredibly long and arduous reception there was a brief and beautiful reprieve...the groom's grandparents got up to speak. Suddenly, I had this hilarious thought of them singing a duet together, and I turned to my reception neighbour and said, "Are they going to sing?".
"No.....that's impossible", he replied.
Before anyone had anytime to think further on the subject, grandma started humming to find her note. They sang a long and shaky duet, to which everyone gave a standing ovation, and for reasons unknown to me, someone yelled, "Sing it again!!".
They did.
I wish that I was able to put a sound bite of their brilliant voices mingling together in an off-key cacophony of song. Alas, I do not know how to do that, so the old people music will have to wait.
Anyway
, I reckon that I'm on my way to becoming quite a bitter and skeptical person when it comes to weddings. I mean, I've been to so many. At the end of the day I am genuinely happy for my friends because it's awesome that they have found someone and it's so great to see them so elated. It really is...it's just that sometimes, as my friend mentioned to me, "the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence". In my case that would be true. It doesn't help that all the movies in our society equate happiness with 'love', or what they depict of love. And it definetly doesn't help that the Christian community, though would never say so, thinks that if you aren't married by the time you are 23 that you are doomed to eternal lonliness. Ok, that's not totally true, but there are hints of that in places and from certain people.
It's so strange how much things change in just a matter of years. But I suppose that we are at a time in our lives where we will make some of the most important and life changing decisions. My question is, why are a bunch of twenty-somethings left to make those decisions? You'd think that really, those who had a bit more life experience under their belts, experienced true sorrow, knew happiness, and actually knew who they were would be able to come to a better decision than someone who's still trying to figure everything out. Maybe that's the point. Maybe all this comes with maturing and becoming an adult. Maybe this is just one more thing that God places in our lives to draw us to him and make us realize that we need him. Being completely incapable and knowing it. I haven't one friend who is now a parent who thought that they could do it when they found out that they were pregnant.
Now let's be serious...I have it pretty good. I live in an awesome place (although it is dubbed "the convent"), and I have two fabulous roomates (who I've dubbed "Patty and Selma"). I love my job, and I do, at the end of the day, love the town that I live in. I guess it comes down to the fact that sometimes events come along that make you look at things a little differently, like weddings.
A dear Thai friend of mine, maybe because she felt sorry for me and reckons that I need a Thai man, gave me a great book called "Thai For Lovers". It teaches you useful phrases like, "I'm single", "I don't have anyone in my heart", "I like your outfit", "I will pay for your plane ticket to Canada"...you know, just the common phrases that you'll need to know when you go to Thailand. It's a nice light read before you go to bed. So, I'm off. Laa-goon, yindii tii-daai ruu-jak.
Anyway, during the incredibly long and arduous reception there was a brief and beautiful reprieve...the groom's grandparents got up to speak. Suddenly, I had this hilarious thought of them singing a duet together, and I turned to my reception neighbour and said, "Are they going to sing?".
"No.....that's impossible", he replied.
Before anyone had anytime to think further on the subject, grandma started humming to find her note. They sang a long and shaky duet, to which everyone gave a standing ovation, and for reasons unknown to me, someone yelled, "Sing it again!!".
They did.
I wish that I was able to put a sound bite of their brilliant voices mingling together in an off-key cacophony of song. Alas, I do not know how to do that, so the old people music will have to wait.
Anyway
, I reckon that I'm on my way to becoming quite a bitter and skeptical person when it comes to weddings. I mean, I've been to so many. At the end of the day I am genuinely happy for my friends because it's awesome that they have found someone and it's so great to see them so elated. It really is...it's just that sometimes, as my friend mentioned to me, "the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence". In my case that would be true. It doesn't help that all the movies in our society equate happiness with 'love', or what they depict of love. And it definetly doesn't help that the Christian community, though would never say so, thinks that if you aren't married by the time you are 23 that you are doomed to eternal lonliness. Ok, that's not totally true, but there are hints of that in places and from certain people.It's so strange how much things change in just a matter of years. But I suppose that we are at a time in our lives where we will make some of the most important and life changing decisions. My question is, why are a bunch of twenty-somethings left to make those decisions? You'd think that really, those who had a bit more life experience under their belts, experienced true sorrow, knew happiness, and actually knew who they were would be able to come to a better decision than someone who's still trying to figure everything out. Maybe that's the point. Maybe all this comes with maturing and becoming an adult. Maybe this is just one more thing that God places in our lives to draw us to him and make us realize that we need him. Being completely incapable and knowing it. I haven't one friend who is now a parent who thought that they could do it when they found out that they were pregnant.
Now let's be serious...I have it pretty good. I live in an awesome place (although it is dubbed "the convent"), and I have two fabulous roomates (who I've dubbed "Patty and Selma"). I love my job, and I do, at the end of the day, love the town that I live in. I guess it comes down to the fact that sometimes events come along that make you look at things a little differently, like weddings.
A dear Thai friend of mine, maybe because she felt sorry for me and reckons that I need a Thai man, gave me a great book called "Thai For Lovers". It teaches you useful phrases like, "I'm single", "I don't have anyone in my heart", "I like your outfit", "I will pay for your plane ticket to Canada"...you know, just the common phrases that you'll need to know when you go to Thailand. It's a nice light read before you go to bed. So, I'm off. Laa-goon, yindii tii-daai ruu-jak.
Monday, June 27, 2005
Jessica's Journey to Kelowna
As my title states, I did take a journey to Kelowna this last weekend. A solo journey. A solo journey with absolutely no cd player. Going through the mountains proved to be a very quiet time for me. Quiet when I wasn't making a lot of noise myself.
It started out with me leaving Linden without knowing how to get to highway 1. So I had to phone my mom. Thankfully she's detailed, so I could easily find my way. I guess I should also explain that I didn't bother to ask any questions about how to get to Kelowna, I had never been there before, and I didn't bring a map. Basically I was the least prepared I possibly could be...although I did have an axe and a first aid kit in my trunk. Never know when you're going to have to chop something down, or sling something up.
By the time I got to Salmon Arm, I figured something was wrong...I don't know why, because I had no idea where I was going, but I just had this sense that I had gone too far. Indeed I had...I had missed my turn ages before, so I backtracked a bit and found myself travelling through a very small town filled with people in motorized carts. It was amazing! They were trailing each other through the streets of Enderby. I locked all my doors and drove a bit faster. I figured that any town that had that many people in motorized carts, also had something creepily wrong with it.
Kelowna was a very intersting city...it is full of men who will shamelessly check out any female, and who hit on any woman that moves. Here is my story: Crystal and I were sitting on a beach enjoying the beautiful weather when two guys went by in a boat, craning their necks the entire time. They had an entire lake in which to boat, but they chose to go back and forth in front of us for about an hour. It didn't end there though. I decided to go swimming, and Crystal was on the beach trying to convince herself to get into the water, when all of a sudden the boat came up behind me and started coming into shore. I lost control and "awkward Jess" took over...she started scampering out of the water, to where Crystal lay laughing hysterically. Crystal then looked at me and asked, "Are you going to be sassy?"
"I don't know..." I replied.
The guys came up as close as they could get and then asked us if we knew of any pub on the lake...Crystal told them that there was on on the other side. Then they asked what we were up to, to which I replied very robotically, "Catching-some-sun".
"Really? Catching some sun?" Crystal asked.
"It was the best thing I could come up with"
All this was happening while the guys were watching us from the boat.
Shockingly, my super lame comment didn't ward them off...rather they asked us, "Want to go for a boot?".
Neither of us truly understood the meaning of the word "boot". I reckon that was just as awkward as my "catching some sun" comment. We very awkwardly declined. Well, I very awkwardly declined. Crystal did so with much grace and poise.
We did meet one guy that wasn't very good with the ladies...we went to a copy shop so that Crystal could get some stuff copied for a book she made. The guy asked her what her name was so she said, "Crystal...C-R-Y-S-T-A-L".
"Yup...C-R-Y-S...", he said, while proceeding to write her name with a "K".
Crystal repeated herself, and so did he, but he didn't change a thing. So then I said, "You're saying 'C', but you're writing 'K'".
Then he says, "Oh, I was thinking of my dog".
Seriously? His dog? Wow...
I pulled out one more incredibly awkward thing while I was there...Crystal was parking and Kyle was directing her from outside the car. I had my window down and I was watching how close she was to the big cement block to my right. They were just about done, so I rolled it up. Just then, Kyle made some loud noise outside so I responded with a very quick motion and turned to take a look and I proceeded to ram my face into the now rolled up window. That became the joke for the rest of the weekend. Whenever someone did something stupid they would say, "Well, it's not as bad as Jess hitting the window". Anything to make people feel better about their blunders.
So, my four days in the balmy tropics of Canada came to an end and I made the long journey home in the silence of my car. Holiday is over. Awkward Jess can now take a break, until something new and exciting comes along.
It started out with me leaving Linden without knowing how to get to highway 1. So I had to phone my mom. Thankfully she's detailed, so I could easily find my way. I guess I should also explain that I didn't bother to ask any questions about how to get to Kelowna, I had never been there before, and I didn't bring a map. Basically I was the least prepared I possibly could be...although I did have an axe and a first aid kit in my trunk. Never know when you're going to have to chop something down, or sling something up.
By the time I got to Salmon Arm, I figured something was wrong...I don't know why, because I had no idea where I was going, but I just had this sense that I had gone too far. Indeed I had...I had missed my turn ages before, so I backtracked a bit and found myself travelling through a very small town filled with people in motorized carts. It was amazing! They were trailing each other through the streets of Enderby. I locked all my doors and drove a bit faster. I figured that any town that had that many people in motorized carts, also had something creepily wrong with it.
Kelowna was a very intersting city...it is full of men who will shamelessly check out any female, and who hit on any woman that moves. Here is my story: Crystal and I were sitting on a beach enjoying the beautiful weather when two guys went by in a boat, craning their necks the entire time. They had an entire lake in which to boat, but they chose to go back and forth in front of us for about an hour. It didn't end there though. I decided to go swimming, and Crystal was on the beach trying to convince herself to get into the water, when all of a sudden the boat came up behind me and started coming into shore. I lost control and "awkward Jess" took over...she started scampering out of the water, to where Crystal lay laughing hysterically. Crystal then looked at me and asked, "Are you going to be sassy?"
"I don't know..." I replied.
The guys came up as close as they could get and then asked us if we knew of any pub on the lake...Crystal told them that there was on on the other side. Then they asked what we were up to, to which I replied very robotically, "Catching-some-sun".
"Really? Catching some sun?" Crystal asked.
"It was the best thing I could come up with"
All this was happening while the guys were watching us from the boat.
Shockingly, my super lame comment didn't ward them off...rather they asked us, "Want to go for a boot?".
Neither of us truly understood the meaning of the word "boot". I reckon that was just as awkward as my "catching some sun" comment. We very awkwardly declined. Well, I very awkwardly declined. Crystal did so with much grace and poise.
We did meet one guy that wasn't very good with the ladies...we went to a copy shop so that Crystal could get some stuff copied for a book she made. The guy asked her what her name was so she said, "Crystal...C-R-Y-S-T-A-L".
"Yup...C-R-Y-S...", he said, while proceeding to write her name with a "K".
Crystal repeated herself, and so did he, but he didn't change a thing. So then I said, "You're saying 'C', but you're writing 'K'".
Then he says, "Oh, I was thinking of my dog".
Seriously? His dog? Wow...
I pulled out one more incredibly awkward thing while I was there...Crystal was parking and Kyle was directing her from outside the car. I had my window down and I was watching how close she was to the big cement block to my right. They were just about done, so I rolled it up. Just then, Kyle made some loud noise outside so I responded with a very quick motion and turned to take a look and I proceeded to ram my face into the now rolled up window. That became the joke for the rest of the weekend. Whenever someone did something stupid they would say, "Well, it's not as bad as Jess hitting the window". Anything to make people feel better about their blunders.
So, my four days in the balmy tropics of Canada came to an end and I made the long journey home in the silence of my car. Holiday is over. Awkward Jess can now take a break, until something new and exciting comes along.
Sunday, June 19, 2005
Lobster...Delicious or Wrong?
I went to this random lobster dinner thing tonight with my family in Trochu. It really was quite a strange event. There we were, in a hall with roughly 400 strangers and we were all wearing plastic lobster bibs and squirting lobster juice on our faces and clothes, and consequently splashing others with said lobster juice. Sucking, squirting, cracking, squishing...not really what you want to be eating in a room full of strangers. I'm sure that in one of those "dating books" or "guides to great etiquette" they would advise against eating lobster. It makes everyone who partakes look savage, me possibly being the most savage of all.
It was a bit disconcerting when the lady placed an entire lobster on my plate. My imagination began conjuring up images of this creature from the sea moving and scampering off my plate. I think this comes from being raised in a society of detachment. We eat nothing that actually looks like it does when it's alive. Could you imagine eating a burger that looks like a cow? Its little legs and little ears coming out of your bun...there was just something that felt wrong about tearing apart a lobster and sucking out stuff from its legs and body. Maybe that's the hippy in me. I blame my mother (although, she happily devoured the lobster that sat before her). At the end of the day, I ate it, and I do have to say I enjoyed it, but it still seemed a bit weird altogether.
There seemed to be a bit of a maritime theme for the evening, and they had a fantastic band from out east come and play. I just couldn't wrap my mind around the fact that people were two stepping to this music. Is that how you dance to maritime folk? Two stepping? I always thought that it just consisted of a lot of arm pumping, and knee bending, but apparently I was wrong.
Anyway, there is something really freeing about people getting up and dancing, even though most of them have to be inebriated in order to do so. After much pleading I convinced David to jig to the back of the room with me. I don't think he really likes dancing at all. Perhaps it embarrasses him. Considering all the moves that people were pulling out tonight, I don't think he could have done much to embarrass himself. Before I knew it, a dance circle had formed, and for no reason at all I found myself in the middle of it being cheered on by intoxicated middle aged women and David. I don't think he really knew what happened, but I proceeded to push him into the middle of this circle where a young lady decided to join him and she jumped and jigged around him, while he awkwardly pumped his arms and stomped his feet. He made an attempt to escape, but this girl wouldn't let him leave! It was one of the funniest things I'd seen in awhile. He was in there until the end of the song with that girl and the circle had closed in tight, so there was no getting away! It was clearly awesome! The one guy that didn't want to be dancing in the first place was now in the middle of a dance circle with a strange girl that he can't escape from. How beautiful.
It was a bit disconcerting when the lady placed an entire lobster on my plate. My imagination began conjuring up images of this creature from the sea moving and scampering off my plate. I think this comes from being raised in a society of detachment. We eat nothing that actually looks like it does when it's alive. Could you imagine eating a burger that looks like a cow? Its little legs and little ears coming out of your bun...there was just something that felt wrong about tearing apart a lobster and sucking out stuff from its legs and body. Maybe that's the hippy in me. I blame my mother (although, she happily devoured the lobster that sat before her). At the end of the day, I ate it, and I do have to say I enjoyed it, but it still seemed a bit weird altogether.
There seemed to be a bit of a maritime theme for the evening, and they had a fantastic band from out east come and play. I just couldn't wrap my mind around the fact that people were two stepping to this music. Is that how you dance to maritime folk? Two stepping? I always thought that it just consisted of a lot of arm pumping, and knee bending, but apparently I was wrong.
Anyway, there is something really freeing about people getting up and dancing, even though most of them have to be inebriated in order to do so. After much pleading I convinced David to jig to the back of the room with me. I don't think he really likes dancing at all. Perhaps it embarrasses him. Considering all the moves that people were pulling out tonight, I don't think he could have done much to embarrass himself. Before I knew it, a dance circle had formed, and for no reason at all I found myself in the middle of it being cheered on by intoxicated middle aged women and David. I don't think he really knew what happened, but I proceeded to push him into the middle of this circle where a young lady decided to join him and she jumped and jigged around him, while he awkwardly pumped his arms and stomped his feet. He made an attempt to escape, but this girl wouldn't let him leave! It was one of the funniest things I'd seen in awhile. He was in there until the end of the song with that girl and the circle had closed in tight, so there was no getting away! It was clearly awesome! The one guy that didn't want to be dancing in the first place was now in the middle of a dance circle with a strange girl that he can't escape from. How beautiful.
Thursday, June 16, 2005
Uncomfortable
There is an altar ego of mine who I tenderly refer to as "awkward Jess". She likes to show up at the most inopportune times...really. Like say, when I'm grocery shopping and some guy catches me dancing to the music at the produce aisle. Or perhaps when someone walks up behind me and I get really irrationally scared. Not good...
Well, she decided to show her awkward face on Sunday, at a very awkward time. This Thai friend of mine came to church for the first time, which was nice, and I introduced him to a bunch of people and he really enjoyed himself. I'm still me at this point. Just to set the stage a little more, there was also a really cute guy who was there for the first time, and that always opens the door for "awkward Jess" to come on in. So, after the service was over I was wandering around with my Thai friend and he insisted that I come to his car because his mom had sent some delicious food along with him to give to me (God bless the Thai people and their love for food!). I complied and he proceeded to hand me giant bags of food...and then my eye spotted it, resting on the floor of the car...flowers! Crap! I didn't know what to do. I didn't even know if they were for me. But I started sweating, and then she came. It did turn out that he had brought the flowers for me, but I wasn't there to receive them...no...the shifty eyed, uncomfortable laugher had made her presence known and was going to make the situation worse than it already was. She took the flowers, tittered nervously, sweat some more and then walked away. But she didn't leave...she stuck around for a bit to ruin my life and give me something to write about.
"Awkward Jess" went back inside the church, at which point she ran into "cute guy". He remembered my name, but again, I wasn't there, and that only encouraged her to be even more awkward. While attempting at normal, or semi-normal conversation, someone walked up and noticed, not only that I was wearing a skirt, but that I had been given flowers. My awkward friend responded in sweats and giggles, and I receded into the darkness while grappling for any kind of control in this situation. This all being in front of "cute guy". Why in front of "cute guy"?! Why not in front of my mom?
Basically, everything ended on an uncomfortable note, which is very characteristic of me...I possibly dehydrated myself from all the sweating (I blame her), and I've discovered why I'm still single. It seems as if I'll be living in the convent with my dear Patty and Selma for quite some time...
Well, she decided to show her awkward face on Sunday, at a very awkward time. This Thai friend of mine came to church for the first time, which was nice, and I introduced him to a bunch of people and he really enjoyed himself. I'm still me at this point. Just to set the stage a little more, there was also a really cute guy who was there for the first time, and that always opens the door for "awkward Jess" to come on in. So, after the service was over I was wandering around with my Thai friend and he insisted that I come to his car because his mom had sent some delicious food along with him to give to me (God bless the Thai people and their love for food!). I complied and he proceeded to hand me giant bags of food...and then my eye spotted it, resting on the floor of the car...flowers! Crap! I didn't know what to do. I didn't even know if they were for me. But I started sweating, and then she came. It did turn out that he had brought the flowers for me, but I wasn't there to receive them...no...the shifty eyed, uncomfortable laugher had made her presence known and was going to make the situation worse than it already was. She took the flowers, tittered nervously, sweat some more and then walked away. But she didn't leave...she stuck around for a bit to ruin my life and give me something to write about.
"Awkward Jess" went back inside the church, at which point she ran into "cute guy". He remembered my name, but again, I wasn't there, and that only encouraged her to be even more awkward. While attempting at normal, or semi-normal conversation, someone walked up and noticed, not only that I was wearing a skirt, but that I had been given flowers. My awkward friend responded in sweats and giggles, and I receded into the darkness while grappling for any kind of control in this situation. This all being in front of "cute guy". Why in front of "cute guy"?! Why not in front of my mom?
Basically, everything ended on an uncomfortable note, which is very characteristic of me...I possibly dehydrated myself from all the sweating (I blame her), and I've discovered why I'm still single. It seems as if I'll be living in the convent with my dear Patty and Selma for quite some time...
Saturday, June 11, 2005
Ladies Luncheon
I'm not really a ladies luncheon kind of girl.
I'm not really a lady.
But for some reason I was drawn to this particular event and decided to make an appearance. I'm extremely glad that I did. Although I can't say that I behaved any better than I normally do in those situations, because I didn't. I took the center pieces and started putting them on...they were broaches, watches and necklaces. Why would they put them on the table if they never intended for someone to put them on? Also, I took more food than is really polite. I was surrounded by women who were gracing their plates with bite sized morsels, while I in turn was piling stuff onto mine. I forgot that I was with a bunch quality people who all have children and always eat last. I, on the other hand, eat alone and eat as much as I want.
Anyway, it was really nice to be able to connect with people that I don't normally get to talk to, and to be in such a relaxed environment. There's something to be said for an all-woman gathering...I don't know what it is...perhaps all the estrogen, but there seems to be a heightened sensitivity. I just can't explain it. And another thing that I really enjoyed was the average age of the people there...it must have been somewhere in the mid 40s. I like that. These women have all gone through life, have raised their children, and have experienced things that I can't possibly imagine. They were talking about being pregnant, and what a miracle it is to have life inside of you. It's cool to be female just for that (except at the end of the term when that thing has to come out of you!). They talked about time and making the most of it...enjoying every breath that we take, enjoying every sunrise and sunset, really truly enjoying life as it is everyday. When you think about it, we don't have an incredibly long time here...so, the best that we can do is live well, love deeply, and experience all range of emotion. The joy, the elation, the pain, and the hurt. If we don't experience it all, are we really living? Why is it that we try so desperately keep ourselves from pain? When we do that, we keep ourselves from experiencing true happiness. You can't have one without the other.
I have been feeling recently like I have been undergoing surgery...it's been tough. Things that never should have been there are being removed, and that is never fun, but at the end of the day I'll be more alive for having gone through it. It's easy to become blind to yourself sometimes...not wanting to see the things that really make up who you are.
Someone read something to me the other day that really spoke to me. Something to increase the quality of life, really...I'll write parts of it:
Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on to dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.
Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down. Get along with each other; don't be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don't be the great somebody.
Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone.
It seems to me to love to the point of hurt, to be affectionate with one another, to be open and transparent with those around us is really, though difficult, a great way to live. I love touch. I think it's healthy. How many people actually go weeks without ever being hugged or touched by another human? We aren't meant to live like that.
One of the ladies at the luncheon said, "So, are we human doings, or human beings?". I hope I am the latter. If we are beings, then all that stuff will be coming out of us...just because we aren't doing doesn't mean that we are bored or lazy. If we be then we'll have a whole lot more time to truly love.
This is stuff that I really want to live... and want to be...perhaps in time I will.
I'm not really a lady.
But for some reason I was drawn to this particular event and decided to make an appearance. I'm extremely glad that I did. Although I can't say that I behaved any better than I normally do in those situations, because I didn't. I took the center pieces and started putting them on...they were broaches, watches and necklaces. Why would they put them on the table if they never intended for someone to put them on? Also, I took more food than is really polite. I was surrounded by women who were gracing their plates with bite sized morsels, while I in turn was piling stuff onto mine. I forgot that I was with a bunch quality people who all have children and always eat last. I, on the other hand, eat alone and eat as much as I want.
Anyway, it was really nice to be able to connect with people that I don't normally get to talk to, and to be in such a relaxed environment. There's something to be said for an all-woman gathering...I don't know what it is...perhaps all the estrogen, but there seems to be a heightened sensitivity. I just can't explain it. And another thing that I really enjoyed was the average age of the people there...it must have been somewhere in the mid 40s. I like that. These women have all gone through life, have raised their children, and have experienced things that I can't possibly imagine. They were talking about being pregnant, and what a miracle it is to have life inside of you. It's cool to be female just for that (except at the end of the term when that thing has to come out of you!). They talked about time and making the most of it...enjoying every breath that we take, enjoying every sunrise and sunset, really truly enjoying life as it is everyday. When you think about it, we don't have an incredibly long time here...so, the best that we can do is live well, love deeply, and experience all range of emotion. The joy, the elation, the pain, and the hurt. If we don't experience it all, are we really living? Why is it that we try so desperately keep ourselves from pain? When we do that, we keep ourselves from experiencing true happiness. You can't have one without the other.
I have been feeling recently like I have been undergoing surgery...it's been tough. Things that never should have been there are being removed, and that is never fun, but at the end of the day I'll be more alive for having gone through it. It's easy to become blind to yourself sometimes...not wanting to see the things that really make up who you are.
Someone read something to me the other day that really spoke to me. Something to increase the quality of life, really...I'll write parts of it:
Love from the center of who you are; don't fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on to dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.
Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they're happy; share tears when they're down. Get along with each other; don't be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don't be the great somebody.
Don't hit back; discover beauty in everyone.
It seems to me to love to the point of hurt, to be affectionate with one another, to be open and transparent with those around us is really, though difficult, a great way to live. I love touch. I think it's healthy. How many people actually go weeks without ever being hugged or touched by another human? We aren't meant to live like that.
One of the ladies at the luncheon said, "So, are we human doings, or human beings?". I hope I am the latter. If we are beings, then all that stuff will be coming out of us...just because we aren't doing doesn't mean that we are bored or lazy. If we be then we'll have a whole lot more time to truly love.
This is stuff that I really want to live... and want to be...perhaps in time I will.
I've Been Marked!
I had one of the best evenings that I've had in a long time...I hung out with this girl that I have an incredible amount in common with, and found it so refreshing. I was encouraged to know that there are other people out there that think the same way as I do. That's not always a good thing, as too many "Jessica Thinkers" would likely cause the world to self destruct, or at least implode, but a few here and there just might bring an equilibrium that this world needs. Or perhaps not.
Anyway, me and this new found friend of mine had supper and then proceeded to join the artistic community of Three Hills to watch a production on the gospel according to Mark. It's amazing to me how something so simple could be so powerful! It was one guy that had memorized the entire book and theatrically recited it. That was it. He had a chair, a small table, a candle and a blanket as his props, but the power came from the kindness in his eyes, the way he engaged the audience, and the conviction with which he spoke. I was lost in time. There was such a clear picture presented of the Jesus that reached out to the broken, the lonely, and hurting, and how he affected their lives. It was as if that Jesus was reaching out to me and was showing me that very same compassion. It was beautiful. We were mesmerized. Anyway, the sheer simplicity of it was brilliant and brought something more than if there were many people on stage with many props. Isn't Scripture itself to be enough to rivit people and grab hold of them anyway? I believe that it is, and tonight was testament to that.
Anyway, me and this new found friend of mine had supper and then proceeded to join the artistic community of Three Hills to watch a production on the gospel according to Mark. It's amazing to me how something so simple could be so powerful! It was one guy that had memorized the entire book and theatrically recited it. That was it. He had a chair, a small table, a candle and a blanket as his props, but the power came from the kindness in his eyes, the way he engaged the audience, and the conviction with which he spoke. I was lost in time. There was such a clear picture presented of the Jesus that reached out to the broken, the lonely, and hurting, and how he affected their lives. It was as if that Jesus was reaching out to me and was showing me that very same compassion. It was beautiful. We were mesmerized. Anyway, the sheer simplicity of it was brilliant and brought something more than if there were many people on stage with many props. Isn't Scripture itself to be enough to rivit people and grab hold of them anyway? I believe that it is, and tonight was testament to that.
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
Muscle Bound
I have had so much on my mind lately, and yet so little time to write any of it down. Things have been out of control...
Take for instance this weekend. It was "Linden Sports Day"...apparently Linden's annual high point. This was my first year in attendance, and I have to say that I wasn't entirely impressed. There was the weather to blame, in Linden's defense, but still...it left much to be desired. I also spent the majority of the day in the Dunk Tank. You know, that gigantic barrel of water that allows people an avenue to vent their frustration, or exersize revenge...I, bearing the brunt of both. It was exceptionally cold water, and was an exceptionally cold day. If you know me at all, you'll know that I don't like either (cold water, or cold days....I guess you could say that I don't like cold in general). My day's highlight was spending the morning with the "bottle depot Koreans". They haven't been in Canada long, and speak very limited English, and have not experienced much by way of rural Canadian festivities. They have 3 beautiful children, who can't understand me but for my charades, who I lined up along the street to view this year's parade. They were so excited, which in turn, excited me. I forced the ones in the parade that I knew to give lots of candy to these, my little foreign friends. It was fun, and it made my day to see the Koreans enjoying themselves.
I can't imagine what it might be like to move to another culture where you don't speak the language, and where you know nobody. And not only another culture, but an area with limited people and limited things to be involved in. It's not as if we in Canada are very "hospitable" either. We in the west are uncomfortable with anything we don't understand...relationships that take effort, attempting communication with those who may not comprehend what we are saying. I wish that for one week, we could all experience what these people may feel.
Oops...tangent.
Anyway, after the beloved Sports Day I ventured back to my hometown of Three Hills to take in this year's annual Cruise Nite. The one evening a year that gives license to people to act much younger than they are, and to openly hit on anyone that they please. This all under the guise of a "car show". There are some that may be there under the right pretense, but the ones showing off their protien shake muscles in tank tops much too tight for any man, I believe are not. But what do I know really? Who am I to say why they may be there? Perhaps they did come soley to check out cars, sound systems and big engines. I know I didn't. This is the one time a year that I have to get many of my scattered friends together, and spend a day with them....or even to see people that I haven't seen much of. It creates just the excuse that we need to take a day off and see one another.
Despite my rants, I really enjoyed my weekend and the people that I spent it with. Jesus is teaching me much about loving people regardless of what they do, and how they act...how often are my judgments of people incorrect, or a result of disliking things in my own life anyway? So, I'm learning, although it may be slowly.
Take for instance this weekend. It was "Linden Sports Day"...apparently Linden's annual high point. This was my first year in attendance, and I have to say that I wasn't entirely impressed. There was the weather to blame, in Linden's defense, but still...it left much to be desired. I also spent the majority of the day in the Dunk Tank. You know, that gigantic barrel of water that allows people an avenue to vent their frustration, or exersize revenge...I, bearing the brunt of both. It was exceptionally cold water, and was an exceptionally cold day. If you know me at all, you'll know that I don't like either (cold water, or cold days....I guess you could say that I don't like cold in general). My day's highlight was spending the morning with the "bottle depot Koreans". They haven't been in Canada long, and speak very limited English, and have not experienced much by way of rural Canadian festivities. They have 3 beautiful children, who can't understand me but for my charades, who I lined up along the street to view this year's parade. They were so excited, which in turn, excited me. I forced the ones in the parade that I knew to give lots of candy to these, my little foreign friends. It was fun, and it made my day to see the Koreans enjoying themselves.
I can't imagine what it might be like to move to another culture where you don't speak the language, and where you know nobody. And not only another culture, but an area with limited people and limited things to be involved in. It's not as if we in Canada are very "hospitable" either. We in the west are uncomfortable with anything we don't understand...relationships that take effort, attempting communication with those who may not comprehend what we are saying. I wish that for one week, we could all experience what these people may feel.
Oops...tangent.
Anyway, after the beloved Sports Day I ventured back to my hometown of Three Hills to take in this year's annual Cruise Nite. The one evening a year that gives license to people to act much younger than they are, and to openly hit on anyone that they please. This all under the guise of a "car show". There are some that may be there under the right pretense, but the ones showing off their protien shake muscles in tank tops much too tight for any man, I believe are not. But what do I know really? Who am I to say why they may be there? Perhaps they did come soley to check out cars, sound systems and big engines. I know I didn't. This is the one time a year that I have to get many of my scattered friends together, and spend a day with them....or even to see people that I haven't seen much of. It creates just the excuse that we need to take a day off and see one another.
Despite my rants, I really enjoyed my weekend and the people that I spent it with. Jesus is teaching me much about loving people regardless of what they do, and how they act...how often are my judgments of people incorrect, or a result of disliking things in my own life anyway? So, I'm learning, although it may be slowly.
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
From Bleeding Ears...
I went to a massive conference this weekend. There were roughly 16,000 people present, and I swear, every single one of them was screaming at the top of their lungs (minus me...I was trying desperately to keep my sanity and my hearing). I think for the entire 3 day conference, I had about 3 seconds of silence. We all came out of there with bruised ear drums and a bit of vertigo, and I came to realize that I am aging, and maybe not as a gracefully as I would like.
Other than the constant high-volumed level of noise, it turned out to be a very good weekend. We caught some great bands, ate lots of junk food, and I saw lots of people I haven't seen in a very long time. I believe I was also hit on by some very young boys. That didn't make my weekend, but it did make me laugh. I was beginning to wonder if I should, in fact, introduce myself by my age rather than my name.
One of the highlights for me was watching people. I sat there and indulged in this past time, as there were 16,000 people for me to watch. I saw some of the most interesting interactions, flamboyant outfits, and attention seeking people that I have in a long time. I also saw a lot of people who have lost their ability to think for themselves. I was intrigued. The "rock and roll" band, dubbed Audio Adrenaline, came out with one of the lamest openings, and their lead singer wasn't wearing leather, as maybe he should have been, but rather he was wearing loose, white, linen pants. Linen!! I couldn't believe it! He became, at that moment, so much less rock and roll.
Anyway...a few pictures to say what I can't.
Other than the constant high-volumed level of noise, it turned out to be a very good weekend. We caught some great bands, ate lots of junk food, and I saw lots of people I haven't seen in a very long time. I believe I was also hit on by some very young boys. That didn't make my weekend, but it did make me laugh. I was beginning to wonder if I should, in fact, introduce myself by my age rather than my name.
One of the highlights for me was watching people. I sat there and indulged in this past time, as there were 16,000 people for me to watch. I saw some of the most interesting interactions, flamboyant outfits, and attention seeking people that I have in a long time. I also saw a lot of people who have lost their ability to think for themselves. I was intrigued. The "rock and roll" band, dubbed Audio Adrenaline, came out with one of the lamest openings, and their lead singer wasn't wearing leather, as maybe he should have been, but rather he was wearing loose, white, linen pants. Linen!! I couldn't believe it! He became, at that moment, so much less rock and roll.
Anyway...a few pictures to say what I can't.
Thursday, May 26, 2005
Fructose...the sugar of the gods
I had the pleasure of ingesting a most fabulous mango today. It's one of those fruits that you just can't be lady-like while eating. I sat there hunched over, trying not to drip on my dress or feet and all the while smearing juices on my face. Also, I had strings of said fruit hanging from my teeth. It's just not one of those kinds of foods that you want to be eating around certain company.
While in Thailand we had the joy of being introduced to some of the most interesting fruits in existence. By interesting, I mean gross. Now durian must have been created as a joke because it smells like feet that had been wrapped in a plastic bag for a month, and then placed in a hot climate. It tastes like feet might after they had been wrapped in a hot plastic bag for a month, and it's consistency is like porridge. Now, that's just not the way that fruit is supposed to be! There was another fruit that I only know the Thai name for. Mamaung. Hanging off the bottom of this juicy mess was a pleasant surprise. The highly enjoyable cashew nut. Now, the fruit itself wasn't that good...they made us eat it all the time though, so I would pretend to love it while inwardly despising every bite. But the real joy came when we got to roast and crush the cashew nut and eat to our heart's content!
Anyway, I don't think I knew it was possible to write so much about fruit. Now I do. There may be many more entries to come concerning what I eat and how much I like it. But then again, there might not be...
While in Thailand we had the joy of being introduced to some of the most interesting fruits in existence. By interesting, I mean gross. Now durian must have been created as a joke because it smells like feet that had been wrapped in a plastic bag for a month, and then placed in a hot climate. It tastes like feet might after they had been wrapped in a hot plastic bag for a month, and it's consistency is like porridge. Now, that's just not the way that fruit is supposed to be! There was another fruit that I only know the Thai name for. Mamaung. Hanging off the bottom of this juicy mess was a pleasant surprise. The highly enjoyable cashew nut. Now, the fruit itself wasn't that good...they made us eat it all the time though, so I would pretend to love it while inwardly despising every bite. But the real joy came when we got to roast and crush the cashew nut and eat to our heart's content!
Anyway, I don't think I knew it was possible to write so much about fruit. Now I do. There may be many more entries to come concerning what I eat and how much I like it. But then again, there might not be...
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
Choir of Voices
I don't know how much of a choir I can really call it...rather it is a myriad of loud junior high voices all tittering at the exact same time. How do they do it? Do they hear anything other than their own voice? And are they actually saying anything intelligible? I know that if I speak at the same time as others I get confused and start saying gibberish. Does logic come with age? These masses of open-mouthed kids are all exercising their vocal chords outside my office and I can't think. I can't do anything at all...anything but blog.
There is a brief reprieve...one which I will embrace wholeheartedly. Thank the good Lord for silence.
There is a brief reprieve...one which I will embrace wholeheartedly. Thank the good Lord for silence.
Sunday, May 22, 2005
With Much Deliberation...
I have finally entered the ranks of the "bloggers". My friend told me the other day that I am now officially a computer nerd. Ah well, we all need something to fill our time. Does this mean that I'm only a level below a gamer though? I've never wanted to be one of those. They scare me. Pale, white skin, deep, sunken-in eyes, strong, and well-toned thumbs. Gives me the shivers just thinking about it. I called my brother a gamer today, and his eyes took on a wrathful, fire filled look, and he choked on his tea. Do gamers drink tea?
Selma, Patty and I moved into "the convent" yesterday. I woke up in a daze and in utter confusion. I wasn't sure what to do with myself. There was no constricting, horizontal striped wallpaper to soothe my senses, nor the usual early morning hub bub of the trailer court. Rather, we have quiet, self respecting neighbours who understand the idea of common courtesy. Do we really belong here?
Selma, Patty and I moved into "the convent" yesterday. I woke up in a daze and in utter confusion. I wasn't sure what to do with myself. There was no constricting, horizontal striped wallpaper to soothe my senses, nor the usual early morning hub bub of the trailer court. Rather, we have quiet, self respecting neighbours who understand the idea of common courtesy. Do we really belong here?
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