a christmas confession

I believe in Santa Claus. I am not thwarted by my fellow classmates who told me otherwise, by my own Mother's handwriting on the tags, by the fact that the milk and cookies I leave out every year somehow end up by Dad's cup of breakfast coffee, or even by the time where my Grandpa came out dressed up as Santa Claus with the suit on backwards.

Okay, let me clarify my confession. When I say I believe in Santa Claus I don't mean I support what he has become - a pawn of our consumerist culture, but instead what he repersents for our culture. I love the part of Christmas where we as a family gather around the tree, some more controlled than others, and open the gifts that we gave one another. I delight in seeing the face of a loved one tearing off the wrapping paper in anticipation for what is inside and lets be honest I also really enjoy opening a pleasent looking box that says "Dear Katrina/Merry Christmas/Love: Santa Claus. Sure we may grumble about the busy stores, the tacky music, the awful lawn decorations, the consummerism, self focus, and the warrented concern resulting from the faulty focus. However, what we must keep in mind is that the reasons why, excpet for those blow up lawn ornaments... I admit there is no redemption for them.
Even now, I am having a hard time concentrating on writing this post because of the presents that are looming from under the tree - inviting me to peek. Is this bad? Maybe... I apologize for not wanting my gift to be a donation to CRWRC to send a lamb to Africa, I apologize for getting excited about gifts, and I apologize for believing in Santa Claus.

Can there be something sacred about the idea of Santa Claus? Can there be something secular about the birth of Jesus Christ. I sure hope so.

Don't get me wrong, the true reason for Christmas is not lost upon people like me. The story of Jesus' birth fills me with a joy, a peace, and a hope is incomparable. This story renews my excitment and wonder for my Saviour time and time again. Maybe, just maybe the whole idea of Santa, of gift giving, is a tiny glimpse or result of the joy, peace, hope, excitment, and wonder that we recieve at Christmas.

snowmagedon

News Flash: apparently the world is going to end in a snow storm and they are naming it Snowmagedon. So I thought I would say my last goodbyes via my blog.
I know, I know, I am sentimental that way.

May you all dress warmly, wear snow shoes, bust out the GT racers, dig snow tunnels, and maybe even have a snowball fight.

If we survive this dump of snow I will make tshirts.

glimpses of glory

There isn't much I that enjoy. Infact, I could fit it all onto one page and I have big writing.
False.

In an attempt to redeem my taste and interests after my last post, I will give you a little peek into what really gets me.

On Saturday we went to hear Handle's Messiah performed by the Redeemer choir. What an incredible experience. I could probably rave about it for a long time, and if you are reading this blog you most likely have already heard it all. So I will spare you the details, well most of them anyways.
As I sat in the hard wooden pew benches, a tad bit chilly from the drafty doors, I experienced the unique story of my Messiah in a way that I never have had before.
In a world that is overwhelmed in darkness, I am so thankful for the times when God allows us a glimpse of His glory; for when there is such a light you cannot see the darkness. On Saturday night, while the chorus rang true, I was unable to notice darkness, I could only hear the angels and see my Lord.

It is these glimpses that make me long for heaven and spur me on in hope for Home.

sometimes you just gotta.

Call my humour sick, but these three videos had me hollering/coughing up a lung/peeing my pants/tears streaming down my face.
So I am sharing them with you.
Enjoy!

Garage Door Guillotine:

http://www.blinkx.com/video/garage-door-guillotine/kSUNk7dR2Ye_Qr4_-EgpqQ

Falling Mirror



Water Bloopers

pearl necklace

Once there was a little girl who adored jewellery. She spent her childhood playing dress-up with her fake gems. When her parents would go to the local mall, this little girl would always beg to go with just so that she could gaze at the real stones glittering in the shop windows. During one such trip, they passed by a discount store. It was then that the little girl spotted a pearl necklace hanging in the window; the white beads seemed to glow alluringly. Next to the necklace dangled the price tag, which read $4.99. She would only receive a quarter for her weekly allowance, which meant that it would take her over five months to save enough money to buy the treasured necklace. Determined, she waited patiently and carefully put each of her quarters in her piggy bank. When she finally saved enough to pay for the necklace, her father took her back to the discount store. To her delight, the pearls were still waiting. She proudly walked into the store, emerging minuets later with a small velvet pouch. “I did it, Daddy!” she exclaimed.
That night, as her father tucked her into bed, he asked, “Honey, do you love me?”
“Of course I love you,” his daughter replied.
“Do you love me enough to give me your pearl necklace?” her father questioned.
Horrified, she burst into tears. “Daddy, I love you, but I can’t give you my pearl necklace.”
Her father leaned down, kissed her and told her that it was okay. Each night for a week, the father and daughter had the same conversation. Each night, after the tearful reaction, her father kissed her just the same. Finally on Sunday night, the father heard her crying sometime after he had tucked her in. He opened the door to her bedroom and sat down on the bed. “Daddy,” she sighed through tears, “I love you. You can have my pearl necklace.”
She pulled the small velvet pouch from under her pillow, placing it in her father’s hands. Now it was his eyes that filled with tears as he hugged her tightly. He thanked her and walked out of the room. The next morning, when the little girl awoke, she felt something under her pillow. Almost forgetting that she’d given away her precious necklace, she reached for the velvet pouch. But in her hand grasped something sturdier. She pulled out a small blue box and placed it in her lap. Slowly she opened it and gasped with surprise. Inside was a genuine pearl necklace. On the clasp, an inscription read, “Daddy Loves You.”

reflections on Listerine

Did you know that a good dose of Listerine will keep mosquitoes away? Neither did I, until I saw my Mom spraying our whole campsite with it. Another remedy for mosquitoes is Bounce sheets. The things you learn when you go family camping...

I find that being with family makes you feel normal. Family is composed of people who will generally be just like you or at least have some of the same characteristics. Sitting around the campfire last Sunday and Monday night with the Vedder side made me realise that there are reasons why I am the way I am. It only takes about 10 minutes before we have all broken out in song trying to find a rhyme to everyone's name. ie. Mike - trike, Jackie - wacky, Ian - peeing, Jill - pill, Treeny - weanie. My Dad loves these campfires because everyone is giddy enough that he can break out a lame joke and eveyone will laugh. And then there's my Uncle Aalt who brings out the fire works with his tractor and lights them off 4 feet from our circle, while some encourage Jeremy to jump through them. As I look at each one of my family members through the light from the fire I can see Mike with two Bounce sheets hanging out of his cap, my Dad with his socks pulled up to his knees, my Mom with a net over her face to keep away the bugs, Aunt Jackie with her pink rubber boots, and all the while the grass smelling like Listerine. This is my family, this is my home, and I am a reflection of them both.

enjoi

I find that the word love gets tossed around too easily. As a result instead of making a list of 50 things I love, I am giving you a sneak peak at what makes me tick - what I enjoy. I got this idea from Gideon Strauss who pointed out that in consideration of what we love that we come to know, most deeply, who we are and who we can become.


(they are in no particular order)


1. the stars.
2. spending time with my family.
3. hilarious situations that make me laugh until I can't breathe.
4. the smell of fresh cut hay.
5. laying in bed in the morning.
6. getting lost in a good book.
7. lasting friendships.
8. smiles.
9. conversation.
10. the combination of chocolate chip cookies and milk.
11. baseball.
12. listening to choirs.
13. letters.
14. accomplishing a goal.
15. taking walks down a gravel road.
16. watching the sun set.
17. the smell of rain.
18. dogs.
19. teddy bears.
20. naps in a hammock.
21. summer.
22. friends sitting around a campfire.
23. potatoes.
24. playing my guitar.
25. competition.
26. gardening.
27. suppertime with my family.
28. lame jokes.
29. comedy.
30. learning something new everyday.

its like rain

I found this post half finished from the summer, but I decided to post it anyways because it is neat.

Good afternoon ladies and gentleman, Katrina here reporting from 333 Springbrook Ancaster Ontario. The current weather is humid and may cause you arms to stick to the kitchen table or make the pages of your book curl (wait... I think the reason that the pages are curled may be the cause of being left out in the rain).


Kudos to you if you are reading this blog because it means that you haven't given up on me. If you did give up and are reading this weeks after I post its understandable, because in all honesty I had given up on myself. I even thought about deleting my blog all together.

Where to start? How about the fact that this is the first summer that I am living away from home? I am not completely convinced that it has been wonderful, for I do get homesick spells and would love nothing more than just to sit at home in the playroom with my family, go outside to play catch with Chester, play a game of Wizard on a Sunday night, play a game of baseball with the church league, or to unload a wagon of hay. Dad in case you missed it, I just offered to unload a wagon of hay. But other than being homesick, this whole independance thing has been pretty great. Working at Maple Leaf has been splendid. This might sound lame, but put me in a place outside, where I can work with great people, there are tractors humming in the background, and some fields growing around me, I will be content. I guess the saying that farming is in your blood is proven. So I have decided that even though I don't want to farm, it is a must that I live near by one so that I can at least ask for the occasional opportunity to drive their tractors.



I have found that independance means that the potential for getting into scrapes is significantly higher. So far I almost signed our house away to a energy 'savings' plan, broke the key to my car at a gas station, lost the mail key many times, trying to pay bills on time, having baby raccoons fall out of your garage roof, and having to be the one to make sure there is air in the tires of the car. I am just thankful that my parents are only a phone call away and no matter how independant I think I am, they still take care of me. Okay this is getting a little too mushy. In fact if my parents actually read this blog (which I know they doesn't) they would probably be getting really awkward and embarassed right about now.

This is where the original post ended, but I am adding on to it.

So the summer past and two of my great friends tied the knot, we went up North, saw Jack Johnson, watched Ultimate Frisbee, became more knowledgable about plants than I ever really wanted to be, got a great burn, bashed my eye on a shelve and got three stiches, and developed a love for Talize.

All in all it was a solid summer. I liked remembering it.

match mate (scotish for friend)

Sometimes I wonder if my life could get anymore interesting. Most of the time I answer myself with a resounding "no." This blog is proof, at least once every three weeks I have a substancial amount of events to fill its pages with. I think the only way my life could get any more thrilling would be if I step outside right now and got attacked by nightcrawlers. sick.

Ok, so I have never been and hopefully never be attacked by worms, but I did get hit in the head with a hockey puck. It hurt and I still have a small goosebump on the side of my head. I did not cry though, I was tough...

Speaking of hockey, baseball is well on its way. Just like all past 4 years I started with high hopes that they would do it this year, but Alas they are as consistant as a teeter totter. What is consistant is my love for playing catch. So far Ry and I have only broke one window, parts of a fence, and dented the side of the garage. Shhhh don't tell Tom.

Tomorrow I write my last exam as first year. Can yo belienve it? I can't, I can't believe I have an exam, because I am in summer mode. It will be so great to be done I think I will sing Handels Messiah the whole way home.

I started work for Maple Leaf Nursery, Ree's dad's nursery. Its a lot of work but I am loving it. I love the change betweem school and work. I really like working hard, it makes the days fly by. I helps that Robyn words there too, we make songs, riddles and names - great fun.

Well I really should either og to bed or study.... It will most likely be the later.

Just like D, I will inform you about a tidbit of info: Matching theory, people create realtionships with people of equal attractivess. All I have to day that if you are my friend cout yourself as lucky because that means that you are just a s attractive as me. ;)

On man I should get some shut eye, I am seeing visions of plants...

when it rains it pours

I think I live in extremes. Maybe this explains the reason why I leave everything to the very last minute, handing papers in at midnight on the day its due, finishing three assignments on the same day, studying for exams the night before, deciding things at the last minute, or why I hate it when it drizzles but love it when its a thuderstorm.


If I was my own doctor I would perscribe myself a dose of mellow yellow. Because even though katrina's krunch time is thrilling, I also find it ussually results in a break down or two. On Friday night I thought the world was going to end (literally). I was writing my Social Psychology paper that was due at midnight, plus trying to figure out my finances for the next month (I got my VISA bill), realised that I owed the government my lifesavings because I hadn't done taxes in three years, and all the while reading articles on how the world was going to end in about 10 years because humans are goint to starve to death. Eeek. When it rains it pours. So I had to have a little prayer session with God for about 15 minutes so that I would not go crazy and be put in an asylum.


Like James pointed out on his blog, the countdown has come. My countdown looks a little like this: one paper and five exams till freedom. Freedom to work and make money, freedom to read Kite Runner, Atonment Child, and Into the West (along with many more books), freedom to use my computer for the sole sake of entertaiment, freedom to commit to other things that don't involve Redeemer, and freedom to sit back on a summers night knowing that my work is done until the next morning. Hmmm, reading this you would think I was trapped in school. Maybe I am just being extreme.


I enjoy learning, I actually enjoy it a lot. On Thursday I had my last Lewis and Tolkien class and I actually felt sorrow as I walked out of that classroom. I think I am going to start referring to CS Lewis as Saint Lewis. If I were to recommend one book to anyone, it would be Till We Have Faces. I am writing my last paper and I can't wait to get started on it tomorrow morning (as I push my thick rimmed glass up my nose and pat my pocket protector).

(Kinda wish I actually had a pocket protector because then I would actually have a safe place to keep my pens. At this time of year I have no pens left, I think they disappear to the same place my keys and bobbypins are. I think one of my goals this week will be to try and find that magical place and if anyone cares to join me on this adventure you are more than welcome).

This week is going to be busy, busy, dreadfully busy, more than a bumblee more than an ant. Busy, busy, dreadfully busy, much much to busy for you. Kidding, Ill never be THAT busy.

on a scale

I hereby dedicate this blog to my dear friend Rebecca Joy Sikkema, whom I have been letting down in the blogging department.

A lot has happened since I last wrote to you on this page. I have turned 21, tackled a squirrel, went to Toronto, wrote a billgillion papers, learned how to play the bagpipes, and learned how to dance the waltz.

(Robyn just spoke in her sleep. She said something about a rose. Funny thing is that she will find out about it by reading this, ha ha).

If I was going to rate life on a scale of 1-10, I would give it a 9. Spring is in the air, the grass is slowly turning green after being buried by snow, Blue Jays have had a solid start, I have a job for this summer, and school is almost out. Hallelu. This past week has been a little nuts because I had four papers due and I still have one more paper and two presentations. It is going well though, I have yet to become stressed, although I have been feeling rather exhausted lately. As long as I don't get the illness that Ryan had inflicted on many, I will be okay.

In the past month I have watched two movies that I think everyone should watch at one time in their life. Once and Into the Wild. Into the Wild made me very upset, not just a sad upset but an angry one too. It is really thought proviking. Once has a BEAUTIFUL soundtrack and it is a simple story and is wonderful.

My eyes are shutting involuntarily on me, so I think I should answer them and fall asleep. Je suis fache. Hopefully I will keep it up this time, so that I can sleeep,

seperation is a good thing

Call me a baby, but I think that the 'section plate' is the best invention for the kitchen since the sink. See the way that each section holds its food and stops it from running into eachother? It's a beautiful thing. It is a personal pet peeve, actually, labelling it a pet peeve is being to kind... I hate it when the my food touches and nothing repulses me more than potatoey peas. Years of watching my dad and brothers pile all their supper items together and topping it off with apple sauce has forever scared me.

So you think of all people, Robyn would be sympathetic to my cause. But apparently she has a very twisted sense of humour. The other day when Angie made us a wonderful supper I kindly asked Robyn to scoop me up some potatoes. This ended up being a big mistake because she plopped them right on top of my all my vegetables!!! So I had to quickly do damage control and save my potatoes from being infected by lima beans But alas! I did not save them all. One of my last bites of potates included a lima bean *shudder*. Robyn thought it was quite a hilarious situation, I did not.

Other than this unfortunate episode life has been treating me well. I can't believe that there is only 15 more days of classes, eeeek. I have quite a bit to get done before April is allowed to come. So if all of the sudden I seem to have dropped off the face of the earth, it is probably because I have in order to escape my work load and responsibilities. Speaking of being responsible, I should probably head to to bed so that I can function tomorrow.

nothing rhymes with orange

Fact: In the English language there is no word that rhymes with orange.
False: Three oranges a day will keep the doctor away.

I bet you are asking yourself, "What's with the oranges?" Well, last week in my grocery shopping endeavor I bought a whole box of oranges because they were on sale. The bright sign below the stand distracted my thought process and I did not consider the fact that oranges go bad at a rapid rate. So now I am eating an abundance of oranges and if you come over to my house I will most likely share them with you or throw them at you. However, here is the catch. You would think that because I am overdosing on Vitamin C I would have an immune system stronger than the Wall of China. Nope, I am currently on the verge of a nasty cold, my throat is scratchy and my head feel like a balloon. I want a refund.

Speaking of refunds, I want a refund on the weather. There is a myth that is going around called Global Warming. Don't believe it. It is March 8th and I can barley see out of my window due to snow. Last time I checked snow doesn't fall in warm weather. Last night Robyn and I got stuck in our driveway 3 times, all at one time (yes, this is possible). In between the 2nd and 3rd time I just collapsed and shook my fists at the heavens, it was quite dramatic. I used to like snow. I liked it when it meant sledding, making snowman, and getting snow days, not shovelling out the driveway. Although, I shouldn't really complain because today a very, very, very, very, very, very, nice man came and ploughed it for us. And when I am really honest with myself, I do still have a soft spot for snow. Infact I am going to make a snowman family tomorrow. Maybe I'll use orange peels for the eyes.

consider the ravens

There is nothing like a steaming cup of tea in your favourite mug after a long day of HALO. Yes, I just said long day of HALO, eew. For my Intramurals class one of the requirements is organizing a tourney. We decided on a HALO tournament because we knew that if all else failed at least people would still come out, and by people I mean guys.

Have you ever sat on a couch watching your friends play video games as wondered “What’s the big deal?” Today, I got a little taste of the big deal, although I cannot and will never claim to understand it. According to a new study, I never will and it’s not my fault. They took 22 young volunteers — half men, half women — and had them play a game as an M.R.I. machine looked at what was happening in their brains. The study found that in the men, there was much more activity in the mesocorticolimbic system (James and Jordan that was for you). When guys play the games, a part of the brain involved in feelings of reward and addiction becomes much more activated than it does in us girls. So there you go, that’s the big deal.

For the last couple of days our house hasn’t has internet. I would love to able to blame it on Bell or even a faulty internet signal because of snow squalls. But the truth is it was a result of a chair race. One pleasant Wednesday afternoon, Robyn and I decided to race our two wheely chairs around the kitchen table. Robyn wanted a best out of 3, because I ended up winning the first one. On the third race, I was clearly in lead when in desperation Robyn threw the internet chords in my pathway. My race chair’s wheels got tangled in them and I screeched to a sudden stop. Let’s just say I am thankful that it was only our internet that suffered damage and that the modem comes with a warrantee that covers domestic acts of violence.

I usually don’t get caught up in the whole ‘RRRRole Up the Rim to Win’ craze, but this year I decided to at least give it a try. As we speak I am 2 for 3, once upon a time I was 2 for 2 and those were the glory days. The next cup I get will probably win me the boat. I can’t wait.

School work wise, this has been a pretty hectic week. Oh how I love the academic world. There is nothing like sitting in class and having a revelation or a remembrance that you have an assignment due the next class. Oh man, I think I really should start using my agenda.

Student Senate elections are going on as I speak (or write) and it is my job to run them. For the first time here at Redeemer Katrina VandenBerg is not running for Senate. It kinda feels weird, but also good, so good.

I just realized how random this was. Oops. Hopefully you could follow my trains of thought. I swear when I was writing they all connected somehow. I guess the title of this post will be random too, the title of the song I am listening too. "I love it its random like freestyling its random."

a broken record

I have never broken a bone in my body, even though there have been plenty of times where I should have. Like the time when Mike dared me to jump off the top step of our stair case, or the time I willfully jumped from the highest stack in the haymow to the floor (about 20 feet) just to prove that I was as cool as Mike and his friend Josh. There have been other opportunities for broken bones due to sacrificing my body for the sake of the game and just being plain clumsy.

Last night I 'broke' my record. As I type this my head is throbbing and my upper lip is cut and slightly swollen. Last night I am pretty sure I broke my nose... I say pretty sure because I am not sure what a broken nose is suppose to feel like and I don't feel like getting checked out. For one, I have a phobia of hospitals, two, I don't think you can really do anything for a broken nose anyways, and three if they can do anything it will be a cast and no thank-you on the cast for the nose.

The story for the broken nose is up there with spraining my foot by getting out of bed. I was on my way down the stairs and my dad was on the way up. We both did not feel the need to turn on the lights so the decent and accent was done in the dark. My dad climbs the stairs like he is a soldier on a mission, full speed, two at a time, and head down. I come down the stairs daydreaming about something and then WHAM. My dad head slams me in the face. I was stunned, then there was a lot of blood. I thought I was dying...

I did not die, but my nose did.

my dream house

I think every girl dreams up what kind of house she wants to one day live in. I am not an exception to this rule, however I think there have been times when I was a little off track...

Over the vastness of my life, I have had many bright ideas of what kind of house I was going to live in.

At the age of 9 I had a grand vision of one day living in a little log cabin in the back woods of my dad's farm, living off the produce of the forest.

At the age of 13 I was convinced that it was possible to live in a box. You could easily turn one of those huge refrigerator boxes into a suitable living environment. Of course it would be in need of a little insulation and a extension chord that would plug into my parents house.

In first year of Univeristy I came up with the idea of bringing a tent trailor on campus and parking it in Siberia. I haven't followed through on this one. I am a little intimidated by Redeemer's security.

Tonight, I realized that my ideas of the past haven't been that far off what we might be seeing in the near future. I was watching the National and Vancouver will be turning huge shipping crates into housing units for the upcoming Olympics. I think I might just have to check them out come Olympic time. I tried to find you all a picture, but it was with little avail. I think it was breaking news and it hasn't leaked out the the world wide web yet. I attempted to sketch you one on paint but it just turned out looking like a 2D box with windows... although that isn't too far off what they actually are.

I think tomorrow I am going to make an Igloo. Apparently they are very warm. I don't believe it for a second.

a pocket sock

Does anyone have a clean extra sock that has losts its pair? Because if you do, I am looking to borrow one. I am in need of one to carry in my back pocket for days like today when I can stuff it in my mouth to prevent myself from talking. I will spare you the details (ie. spare myself from documenting them so that I can forget that they happened). Days like today make me think that mute people got it good. They never have to experience that awful moment when what you just said finally registers in your brain making completely no sense at all. I admire people who have mastered the art of thinking before opening their mouth to share their thoughts with the world. That is a gift, so if you are one of those people, treasure it.

I think this why I enjoy writing so much, because you can erase what you have written very easily and no one will ever know the better. Also with writing you can choose whether or not you want others to read it. There have been many a blog that I have written and have wisely chosen not to push the big orange "Publish Post" button and my diary contains content that no one should ever read (I write with pen in my diary and you can't erase pen). On the other hand, there have been posts, stories, poetry, and essays that I have written and shared that have been simply brilliant. Yes, I am bragging, but I can do that because this is my blog and I can brag if I want to.

I will now leave you with a great quote,

Calvin: Sometimes when I'm talking, my words can't keep up with my thoughts. I wonder why we think faster than we speak.
Hobbes: Probably so we can think twice.

Oh Calvin and Hobbes how I relate to thee, except that I have been diagnosed with the completely opposite problem...

it's the end of the world as we know it

So I have decided that I should never drink coffee within the 5 hour braket before I want to sleep. Presently, I am completely wired due to a Timmy's Cafe Mocha that I drank at 10pm... shoot.

Today I almost died. I know what you are thinking right now, "This is just one of Katrina's over exagerated tales" but I assure you that it is not. At about 5:30pm I got into my car to begin my drive up the escarpment. Usually I don't mind driving; I put in a sweet CD, crank it, sing along (occasionally dance), and cruise. Not today, as I got into my car, I noticed that I was being pelted by ice bullets and then quickly covered by huge snowflakes. Ice + snow + driving = near death. I don't think I have to go into detail about the drive, I am sure you have all had some kind of a similar experience.

I know that the weather is not a very interesting topic to talk/write about, usually only used to fill a moment of awkward silence. But what if I told you that the weather might be predicting the end of times? I saw and heard something today that I have never seen before, lightning and thunder during a snow storm. It was increadible; the snow muffled the thunder noise while the the lightning reflected of it. Robyn and I came to the conclusion that it was a sign that the world was ending. After this conclusion was made I Googled it and I came up with a letter from Ralph who assured us that "that thunder snow as some call it does happen. It is certainly uncomon, but not rare." Ralph seemed like a credible source, as he is a Newton Scientist.

Maybe our conclusion about the end times was a little rash, but it is understandable. This topic has been on the brain, because next Tuesday Jordan and I are doing a presentation on the topic Consummation in the 'Return of the King." I am pretty pumped about this topic. I can't wait to get started on it. I read the end of the LOTR while I was getting my hair done at the hairdressers and it was a little awkard because I got emotional... but I could not help it, Sam just does that to me. Okay.... I am going to stop now before I sound like a complete nerd.

To balance off that last topic I am going to talk about music. This week I discoverd a band called "As Tall As Lions" and I think that they are fantastic. I am torn whether to tell people about them, because I like it that they are not well known, but then again music is all about sharing. Oh, and also you should check out Great Aunt Ida. I babysit for the Bowens and Ben Bowen introduced me to her because he plays in her gigs. I really like her sound, it's the kind of music that you would sit in a comfy chair sipping tea to on a rainy day.

Speaking of sipping tea, today I was culturized. Tonight Robyn prepared a wonderful meal and right before I was about to pick up a fork to eat I looked over and Robyn was eating with her hands! She told me that it was the Ugandian way. I have to admit, at first I was a little apalled, but then embraced it and followed suit. If you have never had the sensation of eating rice and stirfry with your hands I highly recommend it. It brings a whole new meaning to 'finger licking' good.

That said, I am glad it's not the end because I feel like I am just beginning.

let's pretend

For the sake of making my blog interesting compared to the exciting blogs from France and England, let's pretend that I am writing you all from an exotic island. And also for the sake of myself, because of the time difference on this island, I am not writing this at 2:30am but 2:30pm.

As I am writing I am fending off a crazy monkey that is trying to bite my toes, this monkey looks an awful lot like a kitten named Charlley. (Yes, I finally decided on a name for my kitten with the help of Robyn. It's pronounced Charlie, but spelt in a female way).

Life on this island is pretty exciting. It is not everyday that you wake up to cloudy skies and unpredictible climate change. One day it could be 5 degrees and mud is sticking to your pants, while the next day it could be -11 (with the windchill feel more like -40). I bet you tomorrow will bring some snow squalls. For all you back in Canada, England, and France, snow squalls are heavy periods of snow fall throughout the day. These really only happen on this island, so I am the only priviledged one who will get to live through them.

I am having a lot of down time lately, relaxing in the jungle... This means I can read as much as I want to. Right now I am reading through the LOTR with the occasional 19th piece on the side to keep my mind sharp. This reading is really helping me out with the classes that I am taking through Redeemer's new online classes. My Lewis and Tolkien class is by far my favourite class. I came into this class as a casual interest and I am quickly turning into a nerd... I fully embrace this.

I have met this really precious baby named Abigail Bowen in my explorations. She is simply adorable and I love spending time with her. We love to dance to Dixie Chicks together. I also just love it when it is her nap time and she just snuggles with me as she sleeps. Probably one of the highlights of my weeks here.

The other day the community center held a Soup Fest. This is where all the local restaraunts made their famous soups for us to try. My favourite one was Asparagus with White Mushroom. Mmmmm, it was delectible. Robyn tried one that was a definate FLOP - coconut chicken (by the way, Robyn came along with me to the Island).

I wish I could post pictures of this Island, but blogger isn't letting me dowload them right now. Oh, well some other time then eh?

Okay... I admit, I am not actually on a sweet Island somewhere and it is definitley 3am in the morning. Shoot... I wish I was travelling right now. I don't know what has gotten into me, but I am feeling pretty restless and I just want to go or do something different with my life. So just for now I will keep on pretending. Heck, daydreaming is one of my favourite past times, so why not?

lights will guide you home

One of my greatest pet peeves is when people do not update their blogs. As of now I am officially my own pet peeve. I swear it’s a great to feel that way about yourself.

You want to know another pet peeve of mine? Well whether you do or you don't you are going to find out, that is the beauty of rhetorical questions. Knots. I can't stand the knots that are impossible to untie, the ones that you could spend hours trying to undo but then they just become bigger, more tangled, and messier. In grade school I was the kid that all the other kids, and the occasional teacher, would approach to undo the knots in their shoelaces, I was/am pretty proud of that fact. And sometimes if was bored, I would purposely tie a string into multiple knots just so that I could practice untying them. I am not really sure where I am going with this... I wanted to turn it into an analogy of some sort for this past week, but I am failing miserably. Instead I am going to use it as a metaphor. This past week was like a tangled knot. If this metaphor does not work for you just take this past paragraph as you learning one more interesting fact about me and if I ever become famous and there is a Jeopardy category about me you will be one step ahead of the game.

Alrighty, enough about pet peeves and more about just pets. If you don't already know I have a kitten. You may have heard rumours that it is mutated and sickly and I want to take this time to assure you that these rumours are true. Yes, my kitten has 8 toes on its front paws and it repeatedly sneezes, but as weird as it sounds I love her dearly. She doesn't have a name, unless you count Kitty as a name. Not only do I have a cat in my life, I have a dog. Her name is Ayla and she is wonderful. Ok, technically she is not mine, she is the guys, but I like to think that she is. And just between you and me, with Ryan as an exception, I think I am her favourite. In my opinion everyone should have pet and here's why. Pets don't care whether you've had a good or bad day, they don't care what you have done or what is going to happen, they are great listeners and they don't give any advice. All they do is love you no matter what. We all need to be loved like this, even if it means that they slobber all over our faces or sneeze on our pillows.

This week I said goodbye to three pretty stellar friends. They have all set off into adventures in far distant lands that only Skype and MSN can bridge. I might sound like a sap, but I miss you guys already, especially my roomies. Just make sure you have the best time of your life while you are out there to make all this missing worthwhile. However, with every hole there is usually a trampoline close by to help you jump out and have fun while doing it. Since I am on a role with the metaphors I won't stop, Robyn is my trampoline. I can't even start to tell you how AWESOME it is to have her here with me again. She is definitely one of my most favourite people in the whole wide world. I was going to take this time to write you a whole list of things that make her wonderful, but chances are if you read my blog you probably already know Robyn and know why she is so great.

Tonight was Church In The Box. It was pretty great, except I was struck by something. During worship I found myself unable to sing some of the songs. Not because I didn't like them or disagreed with them, but solely because I knew if I sang some of those songs lyrics it would be hypocritical. For me, this is the main reason why I 'prefer' to worship with hymns. I find hymns meet me more at where I am at and allow me realise the state I'm in. While, I find that some of the contemporary worship songs make me say things that my heart does not. This is solely based on my opinion and is not necessarily true for you. It was just something that struck me as I was singing tonight and I am not really sure how I feel about this response.

Well friends this will be all for tonight, except that I am going to leave you with one more metaphor. Friends are like lights.

Lights will guide you home...