stilton perfume? you must be crackers...

Last week my perfume, Mini Blue, ran out. This is very unfortunate becuase they stopped selling it in my local IDA, which is the only place where I can find it. *sigh* It was my favourite and I'll never find another like it.
In light of this I have been on the hunt for a new scent and I think I have found a winner!

The makers of Stilton cheese have launched their own perfume.
Eau de Stilton claims to "recreate the earthy and fruity aroma" of the pungent blue cheese "in an eminently wearable perfume".
It was commissioned by the Stilton Cheesemakers' Association as part of a campaign to persuade more people to eat their product. Nigel White, of the SCA, brushed off suggestions that it might not be the most alluring of scents.
"Blue Stilton cheese has a very distinctive, mellow aroma and our perfumier was able to capture the key essence of that scent and recreate it in what is an unusual but highly wearable perfume," he said.
Shazia Awan, 24, of Manchester, who spent the day wearing Eau de Stilton, reported no ill effects. "I'm in an office with lots of men and nobody's complained."

What do you think? You think I could pull off the cheese smell? I am pretty cheesy, hence the title. Get it? cheese and crackers... I CRACK myself up... lol, I'll stop while Im still ahead. :)

my mom

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
- Proverbs 31.

My mom has been my example and inspiration through out my life.

I love you. I love you. I love you.

food safety

I am all for the general purpose of safetly, cause it most often serves the purpose of keeping the human race alive. However, I think that the Health Units in Ontario have crossed (maybe catapulted is a better word) over the line with their food safety procedures. Health Units are imposing thier rules on church suppers/potlucks or anything of the like, outlawing those not following the regulations of having a caterer and all food prepared in a government approved kitchen.
The other week a church in my area held a funeral for one of its members and afterwards they served little sandwiches for the friends and family. While this was going on the Health Inspectors barged in and demanded that they see the reciepts for the eggs and meat that the church ladies used to make the sandwiches. When they were unable to produce them, the Health Inspectors had the gall to throw out all the sandwiches in the garbage and close down the kitchen. I think that this is ridiculous and shameful. Who in their right mind would have the audacity to disrupt a funeral in this way?!
Another case also happened to a church around here, where the Health Inspectors came to their potluck and told everyone that it was illegal and threw out the food. I don't know about you but I have never heard of anyone getting deathly ill from a church potluck for pete's sake.
I was reading an article in the Ontario Farmer where Helen Dean, a no-nonsense granny from a dairy farm told the Health Unit that she would abide to any church supper inspections. But to ensure food safety she wished to make things even stricter. The inspector male of female will have to strip naked when they enter the door and be disinfected all over. Sounds reasonable to me! :)
Who needs food saftely at a church potluck, have they never heard of the 5 minute rule?

you're so vain...

Ever since Sarah Freeman posted about a guy named Josh Vyn, he thinks that all his friends with blogs should dedicate one blog to him. So, since I am a people pleaser kind of person here it is.

You're so vain
You probably think this blog is about you
You're so vain
I'll bet you think this blog is about you
Don't you? Don't you?

Nope its about your car. All I have to say about Josh Vyn is that he does have a pretty stellar car, which he owes me a spin around the block in.

temporary edmonton oilers fan

Since my beloved Toronto Maple Leafs did not make it to the playoffs this year I became a temporary Oilers fan. Apparently I have very good taste in hockey teams since tonight they just beat out the top team the Detroit Red Wings. I am sure the Leafs will forgive me. It was just a measure that I needed to take to keep playoff sanity, since I am currently surrounded by extremely annoying Senator fans.

closing time

Time flies. It seems like yesterday when I was packing up all my treasured posessions in boxes and carting them off to Redeemer. And now here I am back at home, unpacking, placing everything back where it belongs. (as fun as it sounds, unpacking is death) Although it seems like this school year went by fast, I look back at September and so much has happened since then. First year was full of fun times (alliteration - yes); we have made memories that I wouldn't trade for gold and I have learnt and grown in every aspect of my life. Saying goodbye was hard, though when I look at it now I am glad that it was this way. For that means that I made relationships that matter to me - call it a mixed blessing. I will miss being at Redeemer, but I am loving being back at home and I am going to treasure these next four months.
It's been great and thanks for the year! I wish you all of God's blessings wherever you are, whomever you are with. Enjoy it.

Closing time - every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end...

sarah freeman

Sarah you are a gift to me in which I will treasure for always. I admire your strength as an individual and your willingness to be blunt with me when I needed it. :) I am so thankful for the times that we have shared together. The times where I have just plopped on your bed to talk for hours on end, the many moments in Senate, Mystery Madness - making fun of the cheerleaders, watching and appreciating the same stellar movies, the attempts at teaching me how to dance to Shania Twain, ice cream on a stick, your drama queen moments, and so much more. I will definately be by your side for your "holleywood moment" of the finger twitching, coming back to life, after being shot down in a bank. I will treasure our friendship in my heart where it belongs. I love you and I'll miss you increadibly.

When people come into your life for a SEASON, it is because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn. They may bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.

dealing with stress

I hardly ever get stressed, it ussually takes quite a bit to push me over the edge, but when I do... TIMBER! The cause of today's stress is having three of my hardest exams all in 24 hours. My brain is pretty much at the fried state and it still needs to retain the beautiful facts about the enviroment.
So I have decided that I don't know how to deal with myself when Im stressed, I am pretty much a basket case... yes it does get worse :)
I am slowly discovering some techniques that relieve my stress, they just might work for you too!
- Put the song “Turn It Up” by Aaron Lines on repeat and listen to it over and over
- Turn on your lava lamp (though it does get distracting if you are trying to study)
- Get someone to play with your hair or give you a massage
- Eat chocolate
- Go for a Timmys run
- Rub your earlobes (I know this sounds weird but it actually works)
- Sing out loud to Rex Goudie and Rascal Flatts with your dormies
- Play guitar

helpful hints for your exams

Fun things to do in a final exam that you have not studied for.

1. Bring a black marker. Return the exam with all questions and answers completely blacked out.
2. Bring cheerleaders.
3. Do the entire exam as if it was multiple choice and true/false. If it is a multiple choice exam, spell out interesting things (DCCAB. BABE. etc..).
4. Turn in the exam approximately 30 minutes into it. As you walk out, start commenting on how easy it was.
5. Every five minutes, stand up, collect all your things, move to another seat, continue with the exam.
6. Walk into the exam with an entourage. Claim you are going to be taping your next video during the exam. Try to get the instructor to let them stay, be persuasive. Tell the instructor to expect a percentage of the profits if they are allowed to stay. As soon as the instructor hands you the exam, eat it.
7. Bring things to throw at the instructor when s/he's not looking. Blame it on the person nearest to you.
8. Bring a pillow. Fall asleep (or pretend to) until the last 15 minutes. Wake up, say "oh geez, better get cracking" and do some gibberish work. Turn it in a few minutes early.
9. Do the entire exam in another language. If you don't know one, make one up! For math/science exams, try using Roman numerals.
10. Come into the exam wearing slippers, a bathrobe, a towel on your head, and nothing else.
11. Fifteen minutes into the exam, stand up, rip up all the papers into very small pieces, throw them into the air and yell out "Merry Christmas." If you're really daring, ask for another copy of the exam. Say you lost the first one. Repeat this process every fifteen minutes.
12. Do the exam with crayons, paint, or fluorescent markers.
13. Run into the exam room looking about frantically. Breathe a sigh of relief. Go to the instructor, say "They've found me, I have to leave the country" and run off.
14. Bring pets.
15. On the answer sheet (book, whatever) find a new, interesting way to refuse to answer every question. For example: I refuse to answer this question on the grounds that it conflicts with my religious beliefs. Be creative.
16. Get a copy of the exam, run out screaming "Andre, Andre, I've got the secret documents!!"
17. Bring a Game Boy. Play with the volume at max level.
18. Walk in, get the exam, sit down. About five minutes into it, loudly say to the instructor, "I don't understand ANY of this. I've been to every lecture all semester long! What's the deal? And who the hell are you? Where's the regular guy?"
19. Make paper airplanes out of the exam. Aim them at the instructor's left nostril. If it is a math/science exam, answer in essay form. If it is long answer/essay form, answer with numbers and symbols. Be creative. Use the integral symbol.
20. Talk the entire way through the exam. Read questions aloud, debate your answers with yourself out loud. If asked to stop, yell out, "I'm SOOO sure you can hear me thinking." Then start talking about what a jerk the instructor is.

complete joy

Over the past days I have been reminded several times of the joy that we can experience through Christ. For example today during our Easter service while we were singing as a congregation, I could feel Jesus just smiling down on us showering His people with hope and peace and saying "this is why i died for them." I think Easter Sunday is my most treasured Sunday, the feeling of happiness and hope overflow to everyone and you can't help but be touched by God's presence. And even though I wasn't with my family, this morning I felt the bond of the church family, united as one, with the purpose of serving and worshiping one God. If only everyone in this world could experience the complete joy that is given through believing in a living Saviour. That is my greatest wish for mankind.

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-3

at the foot of the cross

At the foot of the cross where grace and suffering meet. You have shown me your love through the judgement You received. And You have won my heart; so now I can trade these ashes in for beauty and wear forgiveness like a crown. I will come to kiss the feet of mercy, and I lay every burden down at the foot of the cross.
At the foot of the cross where I am made complete. You have given me life through the death You bore for me
And you have won my heart.

Oh, I love You from the depths of my heart,
And nothing here will tear us apart.
Everything's beautiful, when You invade my life.
And I'm living just to say that 'I love You'.

why I want to be Laura Ingalls Wilder

- I could accomplish my dream of being a teacher with only one year of schooling
- I wouldn't have my computer to distract me from life
- I could make my millions by just telling my life story
- I would not have to write a paper on poetry
- I would get to marry my childhood love of Willy Wilder
- I wouldn't have to wear shoes in the summer
- I wouldn't have to be employed duing the summer and just be at home working with my mom
- I could play with my button on a string game without people thinking I am going crazy
- There would be woods in my back yard
- The stars would not be out-shone by street lights
- I could live in a house that was dug in a hill for free and not have to pay for housing
- I could wear gingham
- I would go to bed with the sun

Although at the current moment my number one reason why I want to be Laura Ingalls Wilder is because...
I wouldn't have to figure out my course schedule for next year!

inspiration

So today in English 104 we were analysing wonderful poetry - woot woot! Now don't get me wrong, I do appreciate poetry, but analysing it in class can get brutal!
Well today we stumbled across the following poem...

Landscape: I - Nichol


alongthehorizongrewanunbrokenlineoftrees

yes... this is a poem and I was so inspired by it that I decided to write the sequel

Landscape: II - Katrina VandenBerg


thestreamwasveryshallow

gosh! I am a poet and I didn't even know it.

*this post is to be read in a sarcastic manner. thank-you.

happy birthday robyn!

On April 4th, 1987 Robyn Tamera Euverman was born and for this I am so thankful. Even though this post is a couple hours late, I would just like to have this little space dedicate to my dear Robyner:

Robyn is the artist of my life. She not only pours herself into her art, but also fills the lives of those around her with her unique personality. Her sarcastic humour is always there to lighten the mood and she taught me the real meaning of Dutch shopping with her classic line, “My Dutch blood is raging!” She can never be faulted for living a lie, as she stays true to herself in every situation. These are only a few of the many aspects, which make her a wonderful friend and person. Robyn my wish to you is that you continue to “Paint with all the colours of the wind.”

- until we are old and gray and spy on our neighbours with binoculars -

what every friday should consist of

1. buying duble zout dropjes and eating 20 of them on an empty stomach
2. knowing that your mom and sister are landing in BC without you
3. counting change and then attempting to roll dimes... the vain of my existance
4. witnessing Craig reach a high score of 45,000 on Bejeweled - "incredible"
5. having my extremely crystal clear glass being smeared and streaked... grr
6. being blown away by my future buddy Peter's majic tricks
7. partcipating in a panal discussion for the Redeemer Scholarship night
8. eating grapefruit
9. getting an email from my hopeless romantic Dad asking me if it would be a good idea to get our house fumigated by the Pest control dept. for his anniversity present to Mom.
10. making hemp bracelets
11. talking on MSN with Liz while we are still in the same room
12. being serenaded by Peter and Josh on the phone
13. a thunderstorm

the walk

Tonight, as I headed back to the dorm after the Senate meeting and school work, I encountered three different groups of students doing a prayer walk around campus. Witnessing this touched my heart and filled me with peace. I know God heard your prayers. Thank-you.

will you come and follow me?

we sang this song in Church In the Box last night, the words really struck me.

Will you come and follow me,
If I but call your name?
Will you go where you don't know
And never be the same?
Will you let my love be shown,
will you let my name be known,
will you let my life be grownin you and you in me?

Will you leave your self behind
if I but call your name?
Will you care for cruel and kind
and never be the same?
Will you risk the hostile stare
should your life attract or scare,
will you let me answer prayer
in you and you in me?

Will you love the ‘you' you hide
if I but call your name?
Will you quell the fear inside
and never be the same?
Will you use the faith you've found
to reshape the world around
through my sight and touch and sound
in you and you in me?

Lord, your summons echoes true
when you but call my name.
Let me turn and follow you
and never be the same.
In your company I'll go
where your love and footsteps show.
Thus I'll move and live and grow
in you and you in me.

treasured moments of my 19th birthday

- surprise trip to Niagra Falls
- Steph and Mat coming down to visit
- hearing my family sing happy birthday over the phone
- getting a hug, kisses, and wise words through mail from my family and Opa and Oma
- realising how much my family means to me and how much i will miss sharing my birthday with them
- the phone call from Robyner
- Jessicer hiring the three "tenors" to serenade me
- french toast breakfast
- not doing my paper, but not feeling guilty
- eating deer meat
- 10 bin bowling, even though i think it is the one thing that i am the worst at in life
- being surrounded by people whom i love
- becoming a legal drinker
- markers that i can draw on windows with
- all the wonderful cards that people made me - beautiful
- singing with Rex in the car

thank-you to all who made my 19th birthday one to remember. it was so special and i am so grateful that i am surrounded by such great people that i can share my life's journey with.

night

A couple of summers ago a girl on my baseball team confronted me with this question, "You are religious right? Why do you need to have a God? I don't and my life is fine." Unfortunately, at that time in my life I did not have an answer to her question, but this has stuck with me and has forced me to reavaluate why I believe what I believe and realise why this world needs a Saviour.
Tonight I read a book called "Night" by Elie Wiesel. This is a powerful account of a Jewish boy who lived through the German concentration camps. Once again, through this book I was reminded of how devesatingly sick and evil human nature is. When we pushed to the limits we are capable of much evil and destruction. I don't know what could possess a man to torture another human being, burn little children, laugh at the pitifulness of a dying man, kill for a scrap of bread, or even turn against one's own father. When we fell as a race, we did not trip into sin, we plummeted. God's heart must break when He watches us, we have fallen so far away from what He intended us to be. This is why we need a God - this is why we need a Saviour, because truthfully we are not fine without Him. I will never understand God's unconditional love for His people and His commitment to us. It baffels my mind. This is one of the reasons why I believe what I believe. If God is able to love despite how much we hurt and abuse Him, I believe in that love. Also I couldn't imagine a life without His redemptive hope.

merci beaucoup mes amis, je vous adore

Tonight my weak heart was put to the test. All week Angie, Liz, and I have been planning on having a girls night tonight... going out to Websters Falls, coming back, watching chick flicks, doing eachother's hair, nails, facials ect... Little did I know that I was being tricked, but I definately don't care.
So after class Ang, Liz and I got in her car, and started to drive to Websters Falls... except that I kinda got a little suspicious when we kept driving and driving and I saw signs to Niagra Falls. So as you probably already guessed, they surprised me with at trip to Niagra for my birthday, and I was totally in the blue... especially considering its not my birhtday till March 25th. And that is not the end, it just so happens the guys (Steve, Willem, and Matty) were following us the whole way there and appeared randomly out of nowhere. It was increadible guys, no one has ever surprised me with such a nice gift. I am so blessed to have friends like you.

march madness is officially here.

Every year around this time, there comes an epedemic that sweeps every basketball fan... March Madness. I am a March Madness junkie, if I were at home and had the March break, you would find me parked infront of the tv watching the games, with the occassional trip to the internet to see how my pools are doing. So right now I am missing satelite tv... or infact any tv at all. This year I entered three different pools, all with the same bracket. Yesterday, it wasn't looking too good, but as of this morning I am pretty pleased with where I am sitting. This year I am bringing Duke, Gonzaga, Connecticut, and Villanova to the final four, with Duke and UConn in the finals. All I can say is that UConn is going to destroy Duke. I have one rule, and it is this: Never will I predict that Duke will win, due to my deep seeded hatred for them.
Ultimately, my favourite team is North Carolina. If they are able to pull it off this year, I won't even care about my brackets.

pride and prejudice

As most of you probably know, well maybe not, Pride and Prejudice (the 1995, 6h version) is one of my all time favourite movies. So, tonight when I was offered to watch the lastest version of this movie I did not hestitate. Although, I was to be bitterly disappointed; the new version of Pride and Prejudice doesn't even come close to holding a candle to the real one. It might have been the fact that Darcy, whom I love for his dashing intense looks and character, was played by an actor who was a pansy - nothing like Colin Firth. Actually, in general, the cast was weak. Maybe I am being unfair, because of my huge bias towards the first version... but no. I even stopped watching it to study for my Enviro midterm - enough said.

we live in a broken beautiful world

As Coldplay says, we live in a beautiful world; I think that this is why it hurts so much to realise the corruption that overshadows the beauty. The other night I watched the movie Constant Gardener - definately recommend it. It is a thought provoking movie to say the least. Without giving the plot away, the movie is full of grief and horror. It portrays a very cynical view of international politics and commerce. I would love to be able to say that this portrayal is an over exageration, but I am afraid that it isn't. After watching the movie I was overwhelmed with the capacity of humans. I was digusted with our greed and and ashamed of how we take advantage of the weak. It is accounts such as this that leave me with a broken heart for mankind. I don't understand how we can be able to face others all the while knowing that we will allow and cause them to die. The part in the movie that struck me the most was when a little girl was escaping from a raid along with two UN workers towards a rescue plane. Once they were on the one man told them that the little girl could not come along with them. The girl seemed to understand that she was not wanted and jumped off the plane and just ran beside it. The reason why this struck me so hard was that it emphasised the reason why most of us do not react against the injustices of this world. I know for myself it is increadibly overwhelming to dwell on the social injustices of this world and I feel that it is impossible to fix it so I am tempted just to give up. We use the excuse that there are millions of people who all need our help and we can't involve ourselves in all their lives. What we forget is that we there are individuals that we can help, even though we can't save them all, we can save a few. And by doing so bring back hope to this broken world, proving that we are still "human."

why?

Over the last day this one word question has been all I can think of.
- Why?
It is increadibly frustrating to not know the answer...

I wasn't there the day you filled up the oceans.

I didn't get to see you hang the stars in the sky.

So I don't mean to second guess you,

Or criticise what I don't understand.

- Clay Walker

katrina for secretary

March 8th and 9th - Redeemer Senate Elections - cast your vote!

too much work... it brings out the best in everyone

often overlooked

Tonight I was rereading the well known verse of Jeremiah 29:11, though what struck me the most were the following verses: (12-14)
"Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD"
I know when I am unsure about my future I always turn to verse 11 to find comfort in the fact that God does have a plan laid out for me, plans to prosper me and not to harm me. Though I am often still left with... ok that is great that God knows, but I want to know too. The answer lies in the verses afterwards that so often get overlooked. God will give us answers our questions.
- The way you know you've been given life, hope, and a future is when you begin giving those away to everyone else.

slow and steady doesn't win the race

The well known fable that we were told as kids, of the turtle passing and winning the race against the hare because he was slow and steady has been proven to be false. The computer in which I am typing on belongs to my parents. I remember when we first got it, I think I was in grade 6, meaning that it is 7 years old. This is ancient in computer years. It does not handle the "new" technology of internet very well, let alone dial-up. S-L-O-W. So needless to say it has been a pretty painful experience trying to research two papers this week. Normally I would be using my laptop, but when I got home and tried to turn it on the monitor wasn't working, so my good ol' Euro is in the shop getting a tuning. It's sad. So here's to high-speed internet and my own computer, oh how I miss you. Redeemer's internet is even sounding pretty good at this moment... GASP, I can't believe I just said that.

lights of my home town

When I see the lights of my hometown
I feel like the world stops spinning 'round
Everything makes sense
Maybe it's the innocence
I know it's just a few miles down the road
I'm getting there as fast as I can go
I can always find peace of mind
In the lights of my hometown

The static is almost gone
From the station I grew up on
I'm getting closer now
So I turn it up real loud

Funny how a little thing like that
Can make it all come rushing back
They say it's not the same
But to me it will never change
- Aaron Lines

It's officially reading break and I am coming home!! *sigh, enough said.

I got this from my little brother this morning -
HI Katrina It's Jeremy here we have a Ice rain day today to be ready for fun fun fun!
Well I cna't wait to see you. I've will be looking forward to teasing you and surprizing you. It will be fun.

a public facility?

* This was sent to me by my dear Jessicer...

This is a picture of a public toilet in Housten:

Now that you have seen the outside view, take a look at the iniside view...

It's made entirely of one-way glass! No one can see you from the outside, but when you are inside it's like sitting in a clear glass box!

Now would you... COULD YOU... use it?!

ode to valentines day

Valentines day is such a wonderful holiday, I think it is important (and fun!) to set apart a day to celebrate the love and relationships within our lives.
This is my little ode to Valentines day... my favourite passages of life dedicated to love
Love Songs - "Feels Like Home" Chantal Kreviazuk and "Forever" Jesse (Full House)
Romantic Movie - Gone With The Wind
Bible Passage on Love - "And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." - Ephesians 3: 17-19
Love Poem - Sonnet CXVI by William Shakespeare
Let me not to the marriage of true minds
Admit impediments. Love is not love,
Which alters when it alteration finds,
Or bends with the remover to remove.
Oh, no! it is an ever-fixed mark
That looks on tempests.. and is never shaken.
It is the star to every wandering bark
Whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken.
Love is not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks
Within his bending sickle's compass come.
Love alters not with his brief hours and weeks,
But bears it out.. even to the edge of doom.
If this be error and upon me proved,
I never writ, nor no man ever loved.

zoolander

Today we watched one of my favourite movies of all time - Zoolander, it's been too long...
Although this is probably the tenth time I have seen it, it still cracks me up everytime. Here are some of the most memorable lines.

Maury: What do we do when we fall off the horse?
Derek: [thoughtfully looking up and mouthing the words silently] ... fall off the horse...
Maury: [looking to supply finish] ... we... get back on the horse!
Derek: Sorry, Maury. I'm not a gymnast.

Derek: Now if you'll excuse me, I have an after-funeral party to attend.

Derek: You think that you're too cool for school, but I have a newsflash for you Walter Cronkite... you aren't.

Derek: [high-pitched cough] ... I think I'm getting the Black Lung, Pop.

Derek: Uhh Earth to Matilda, I was at a day spa. Day, D-A-I-Y-E. Okay?

Derek: What is this? A center for ants? How are we expected to teach the kids to read good... if they can't even fit inside the building?

Mugatu: Hansel, he's so hot right now, Hansel.

Hansel: I wasn't like every other kid, you know, who dreams about being an astronaut, I was always more interested in what bark was made out of on a tree.

Matilda: When I was in 7th grade, I was... the fat kid in my class.
Derek: Ew!

(my favourite one)
Derek: If there is anything that this horrible tragedy can teach us, it's that a male model's life is a precious, precious commodity. Just because we have chiseled abs and stunning features, it doesn't mean that we too can't not die in a freak gasoline fight accident.

katrina's kreeds

- never regret. if it's good, it's wonderful. if it's bad, it's experience.
- drink melk to have strong bones and potatoes can be a staple
- support the farmers for farmers feed cities
- my dutch blood is raging!
- consult Robyn before going infront of large groups of people to say something (one thing I am missing out here in Univeristy)

- if you want something done right, do it yourself

- if you have a hot tub, you can be my friend

- playing baseball benefits the body and mind - what can be better?

- if life gives you a lemon, make lemonade - excpet don't make the lemonade that we get at Redeemer cause it tastes like Neo Citrin... shudder

- if you go shopping with the dutch, bring heart pills along

- don't take tylenol for headaches, just massage your big toe... it works

- there is nothing geeky about being a nerd, totally cool

- never go out with a guy for lolipops, it ends up all bad

- listen to country music

- rapping is not for the white (at least from personal experience)

- blessed is he who has learned to laugh at himself, for he shall never cease to be entertained.

- wit is a gift that not everyone recieves - fortunately I have...

- for all that has been, thanks. for all that will be, yes.

cards

After much contiplation I have decided that playing card games bring out the worst in me. You see winning is one of my favourite things to do and I hate losing - let's just say I'm extremely competitive. When it comes to playing cards no matter how hard I try or strategize I can NEVER win. I am probably the worst card player on the planet earth. Unfortuately for me playing cards is the one of the main past times of my Unviersity socializing - Dutch Blitz, Mow, Phase 10, Wizard, Poker, Crazy Eights etc. And the fact that I live with the card queen Elizabeth Kikkert doesn't help much either, rubbing it in my face every day of my life. So I am taking this chance to apoligize ahead of time to everyone I will ever play cards with. Im not actually like this in real life...
All I can say is thank goodness for Solitaire - yes.

a jones soda

This post is dedicated to my dear friend Sarah Freeman - for the sole reason of being the one to introduce me to my first Jones Soda. It was all I expected it to be... the refreshing strawberry lime taste along with the fizz of fun. I will keep the bottle forever, well I will attempt to. That's right Sarah you heard it right, you are stuck with me as your friend whether you like it or not. It was pretty much inevitable - even though we started off rocky - with both of us being on Senate and spending so much bloody time together. Oh, and I guess I will now take this time to apologize for throwing a bowling pin at your head... maybe that was a little too extreme on my part.

laughter

Ever have those moments where you laugh until it hurts, and it feels like if you laugh any harder you might die from lack of breath? These are some of the moments in my life that I treasure the most. Laughing is one of my most favourite things to do. The whole purpose of this write up was to remember all the times I have laughed until I cried, but I as I try, I realise that I don't remember why I laughed, but only whom I was with at the time. "Among those whom I like or admire, I can find no common denominator, but among those whom I love, I can: all of them make me laugh." - W. H. Auden. Thank-you to those who have made me laugh and thus making my life so much more brighter.

the liberty of opinions

I would like to start this post off by warning you that I might be taking the following statement out of context - but bare with me for this is how my mind works.
In Poltical Science we are studying John Stuart Mill's defence on liberty - how the liberty of opinions can be useful. The third statement reads: Even if recieved opinion is whole truth, it will degenerate into mere prejudice or dogma if not exposed to conflict with other opinions.
When I read this statement all I could think of was how it relates with the different denominations within the church of Christ. Do you think that it is necessary to have a conflict of opinions so that the truth, which we as Christians hold, does not simply become a dogma or mere prejudice? Must we challenge eachother in the controversial aspects of our faith so that we are constantly challenged to continously search for the answers and not be satisfied to settle for less? Does the liberty of opinions within our faith help keep the truth alive?
If the answer to these questions is yes, then the negative connotation that is often connected with denominations is wrongly felt. We have the option to use it as a tool instead of a hinderance.
"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." - Proverbs 27:17

questions worth pondering

• Do stairs go up or down?
• Aren't the 'good things that come to those who wait' just the leftovers from the people that got there first?
• Who was the first person to say, "See that chicken over there ... I'm gonna eat the first thing that comes out if its butt"?
• Can you get cornered in a round room?
• If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?
• Why is it that if something says, "do not eat" on the packaging it becomes extra tempting to eat?
• Wouldn't it be smart to make the sticky stuff on envelopes taste like chocolate?
• Why is it that when things get wet they get darker, even though water is clear??
• Can mute people burp?
• Why do people say, "You can't have your cake and eat it too"? Why would someone get cake if they can't eat it?
• How come you pay an extra 25 cents to get something put on your hamburger but they don't take off the price if you get something taken off?
• Why do they call the small candy bars the "fun sizes"? Wouldn't be more fun toeat a big one?
• Can you cry under water?
• Can a person choke and die on a life savor?
• If the energizer bunny attacks someone, is he charged with battery?
• Why is the name of the phobia for the fear of long words Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia?

Winter Retreat 2006

Even though this was my first one I have ever been to, it has been the most fun Winter Retreat I have ever experienced! So many good memories, laughs, and the speaker laid out a challenging message. I think I take for granted the wonderful Christian fellowship that surrounds me everyday, and this weekend was a reminder of how refreshing this fellowship can be.
Here are just some of the pics from the weekend.

a fulfilling day...

Today Sarah and I were sitting in the Senate office trying to admire the beauty of nature through the window, but the view was blocked by the snotty and smeary marks all over the window. And since we are responsible citizens and the favoured senate memebers we decided to do something about this window - clean it.
(Now you might consider me wierd when you read the following statement, but that is ok, cause the chances are you probably already hold that opinion.)
I think I have a fetish for cleaning windows - actually I know I do. There can be such a feeling of accomplishment in such a simple act, just gazing through a crystal clear window that used to be smeary. *sigh.
Just one little request - if you are from Redeemer, please refrain yourselves from placing your oily fingers on the glass of the Senate office, Sarah and I will thank you, and if you do put a finger mark on it there is such a thing as finger printing and I'm pretty sure Sarah will hunt you down.
Another sense of accomplishment today was that I got to vote today, what an awesome responsiblity.

when the tears fall

Today has been long and completely draining day, just one of those days that has had disappointment, frustration, and hurt around every corner. This song started to play and it was just like God was standing right there whispering the words right into my heart.

I've had questions, without answers
I've known sorrow, I have known pain
But there's one thing, that I'll cling to
You are faithful, Jesus You're true

When hope is lost, I'll call You Saviour
When pain surrounds, I'll call You healer
When silence falls, You'll be the song within my heart

In the lone hour of my sorrow
Through the darkest night of my soul
You surround me and sustain me
My defender, forevermore

And I will praise You, I will praise You
When the tears fall, still I will sing to You
And I will praise You, Jesus praise You
Through the suffering still I will sing

Oh yes, You are good to me
You've always been good to me
So trustworthy

How faithful and true
Sustain me through and through
You are hope and truth
You’re my spring of living water
You’re my spring of living water

In the lone hour You are there

Whose springs never fail
Be faithful and true
Like a spring it never fails
You're my spring it never fails

remember the mercy...

How could I say there is no God when all around creation calls.
Snowflakes, gently falling, falling, each unique, whispering “Remember the mercy of God ... remember the mercy ... ” Covering the world in white and then the quiet, quiet, quiet of creation at rest. (Brian Doerksen)

Everyday, whether we notice it or not, God is reaching out to us through the beauty of His creation, yearning to remind us of His love and faithfulness. It is so easy to get caught up in the busyness and the problems of our own lives so that we become completely blind to this simple and obvious message.
Today He has given me snow, thank-you.

it's a girl!

My cousins Josh and Sarah had a little baby girl today. Cadence Mary Grace, 8lbs. 5oz. Every thing went well. Yay a little girl!:)

mow - pronunced mau

Maria introduced me to my new favourite card game, Mow. Great way to get stressed about cards, think of new creative ways to rephrase questions into statements, and faorced others to thank you after giving them a pentalty. It's crazy what this game can produce. Just some advice, before you play this game make sure you are friends before the game starts, because the chances are that your level of appreciation for those individuals is going to diminish.

here is the link for the instructions to play bc frankly I couldn't tell you... but it is a basket full of fun.
http://www.stevenharris.com/mauii/

and he will make your paths straight

"However, the greatest faith of all, and the most effective, is to live day by day trusting Him. It is trusting Him so much that we look at every problem as an opportunity to see His work in our life."
- Rick Joyner

Once again this week, I was reminded of the uselessness of worrying... It is so easy to worry, and yet so hard. I don't know why I always forget that I am not the one in control of my life. God must shake His head and chuckle at me sometimes. I can just see him watching me from heaven as I am desperately trying to figure out the details of my life, worrying about what tomorrow may bring, and my futile attempts of holding on to the little control that I possess. All the while He waits patiently for me to realise that I cannot do it on my own and is there when I, finally at my last string, turn to Him for help. The moment I surrender the situation to Him, everything that I have been worrying about tends to fall into to place, better than I ever could have imagined. I wish I wasn't so stubborn, I wish this was a lesson that I wouldn't have to be reminded the hard way time and time again.

In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight - Proverbs 3:6

spring in january

My weather eye is reading 8'C and predicting showers for the afternoon, the sun is shining, the birds are chirping, the flowers are blooming...
In normal situations I would be writing this with a feeling of joy, but not today, for today is January 11th! I know I don't have that great of a memory, but I'm pretty sure last year at this time I was probably frolicking through the snow, wearing my winter coat and mittens, skating on ice, and experiencing the fridgid temperatures that ussually accompany the snow. Last night Craig told me that the cold air current is stuck in the North, which means that we are going to experience spring conditions. This is going to trick nature out of hibernation, and then BAM the cold will eventually come killing everything green. Yup, sounds pretty accurate to me, especially considering while walking to school today I passed by a tree that was budding! Oh dear... our poor world, what have we done to it?
My only consolation at this time is that I know my home is still normal. Winchester is experiencing normal winter conditions - snow storms, children tobogganing, drinking hot chocolate, getting rosy cheeks.
All I want for Christmas is winter... a real one.

"The Magician's Nephew" - In the Beginning

In The Beginning
C.S. Lewis starts off the series of "The Chronicles of Narnia" with a magically touching story of a young boy, Digory, who experiences the unknown worlds with his friend Polly by his side, all the while grieving for his ill mother. "It is a very important story because it shows how all the comings and goings between our own world and the land of Narnia first began." (Lewis) The story ultimately portrays the sovereign workings of the Creator through the the battle of good and evil, the characters' struggles with grief, and the consequences of sin on the earth. C.S. Lewis, using Aslan, creates a clear picture of a God who loves his creation, takes pride in what he has accomplished, and above all possess an unconditional love.
In the beginning, God spoke the world into existence, and he continues to speak to us today. Embedded deep within each person is the desire to know where we came from, the yearning to know why we exist, and what our purpose is. With these desires comes the realization that we have the opportunity to choose the way in which we will respond to our Creator's voice. The characters' first encounter with Aslan metaphors this decision. When Digory and Polly hear Aslan's voice they are filled with joy, peace, and the desire to know more. Uncle Andrew and Jardis' response was quite different, they felt disgusted, are horrified, and all the want is for Aslan to stop singing. Everyone, at one time in their lives, will encounter the voice of our creator through many different experiences. Just like the characters in the book we each will have the opportunity tp choose the way in which we will respond and whether not we want to have a relationship with the Creator. With this enounter begins the journey.
Another theme that runs throughout the book is the existence of good and evil with the world and the conflict that this creates. Near the end of the story, Aslan turns to confront Digory, who is responsible for bringing the evil and powerful Queen Jadis into the beautiful, new, and perfect Narnia. Aslan challenges Digory to realize that he is responsible for his own actions and tells him that he must make right the wrong that he has done. Despite the best of intentions, Digory's own agenda, his own will and desire, has caused him to act impulsively without considering how this might affect others - he just had to ring that bell. As Digory, we must become conscious that our wrongdoings and poor choices may have far-reaching consequences for those around us and the world in which we live. It is a typical human pattern to allow our sinful nature govern out desires and perceived needs, which in turn drive us to make selfish and foolish choices. Evil is ever present in our world due to the abuse of the gift that God has given mankind - free choice. As long as there is sin in the world there will constantly be a struggle between good and evil. There is hope, for just like Asland promised in the end of the book, God also promises us that good will eventually triumph in the end. "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him." (Romans 8:28a)
Aslan is a true depiction of love; this is shown through his first command to the newly created world and inhabitants of Narnia, which is to love. This command grows out of a foundation's attribute deeply ingrained in the Creator. We are able to witness the love that he has for all that he has made and knows through the children's interactions with him. This is most evident when Digory looks into Aslan's eyes after asking that his mother be cured, he sees that Asland's tears for his pain is even deeper than his own. Through his love he heals; Digory is rewarded for his belief and trust in Aslan, and also for conquering his own selfish desires. Alsan is a true depiction of our own Creator - God. God gives us more than our hearts desires, if only we trust Him, do His will for our lives, and follow in his way.
How will you respond to our Creator?

The Chronicles of Narina - C.S Lewis

During the Christmas break I started to reread "The Chronicles of Narnia" and have decided to do a mini analytical piece on each one. (right now you are probably thinking I am a nerd... and yes, yes, you are right) I will be posting them as I finish each book (and right now you are silently rejoicing because you know that it will be the next best thing since the toaster oven.) So I hope you enjoy them.

-- excerpt from the dedication of "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe"

My Dear Lucy
I wrote this story for you, but when I began it I had not realised that girls grow quicker than books. As a result you are already too old for fairy tales, and by the time it is printed and bound you will be older still. But some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again. You can then take it down from the upper shelf, dust it, and tell me what you think of it. I shall probably be too deaf to hear, and too old to understand, a word you say, but I will still be you affectionate Godfather.
C.S. Lewis

the usefulness of national geographics - brought to us by pickles

I thought this week Pickles was classic, because this is so true. My family owns a whole whack load of National Geographics and yet I don't think we ever read them; we just used the colourful pictures for projects and crafts. Grandpa kills me everytime

welcome back to Redeemer

Christmas break was wonderful... although I realise that it was way to short as I am sitting at my desk at school. Definately could have gone for a month off, like Jenn, good ol States univeristies. It was so great just to go home spending time with my family and friends, eating my moms cooking, breathing good clean ol' eastern Ontario air ect, ect. So it was definately with mixed feelings that I came back to school.
What greeted me when I came back to Redeemer was a sorry sight, for in Ottawa we have this stuff called snow that ussually accompanies the season of winter. As we drove closer and closer to Ancaster, the less snow I saw. Actually instead of snow flakes falling from the sky, there was rain. Hmm, never have had to use an umbrella during January before. Yes, I am bitter. There is one good thing about the rain though, because it meant that it wasn't below freezing out, which is very fortunate for us, for our furnance was not working when we got back. So needless to say we had a pretty cold sleep the first night (thank goodness for coats.)
Ok, this is probably sounding like I am not at all glad to be back, but in reality I am. It is great to be back and catch up and talk, talk, talk - a lot happens in two weeks adn we have to make up for lost time (I don't know how I survived not being able to have the long chats with Liz and Angie.) I am also looking forward to my classes this semester, because they all seem interesting, and if today is any indication they just might turn out to be. :) And big news for our dorm, we now have TV!! YAY! Thanks Angie's aunt for the gift. We have 125 channels.... well you can flip throught that many, but a lot of channels show snowstorms 24/7. So now we can watch Price Is Right - and it comes in very clearly, BONUS. It is good to be back.

- Canada's pride and joy, hockey, did not disappoint. CONGRATS US!

the moments

We do not remember days; we remember moments. - Cesare Pavese, The Burning Brand

Top 11 moments of 2005.
(in no particular order)

- recieving my high school diploma
- being a counsellor at Camp Adonai (the many moments)
- coming to Redeemer University
- winning the championship game of our softball season
- playing "fetch" with Chester
- coming home
- hot tub talks with Robyn
- learning how to waterski
- late night talks with Liz and Angie (and by late night I mean early morning)
- Quebec trip with Jess
- hmm... and of course Senate, how could I ever have forgotten? (added with no feelings of obligation at all - lol)

love song

I've heard it said that a man would climb a mountain
Just to be with the one he loves
How many times has he broken that promise
It has never been done.
I've never climbed the highest mountain
But I walked the hill of calvary

Chorus:
Just to be with you, I'd do anything
There's no price I would not pay
Just to be with you, I'd give anything
I would give my life away.

I've heard it said that a man would swim the ocean
Just to be with the one he loves
How may times has he broken that promise
It can never be done
I've never swam the deepest ocean
But I walked upon the raging sea

Repeat chorus

(Bridge)
I know that you don't understand
the fullness of My love
How I died upon the cross for your sins
And I know that you don't realize
how much that I gave you
But I promise, I would do it all again.
Just to be with you,
I've done everything
There's no price I did not pay
Just to be with you,
I gave everything
Yes, I gave my life away.

-- Third Day

* And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:18-21

the price is right

I have been watching "The Price Is Right" since I can remember; Bob Barker and I would always have our daily date at 11:00am on CHTV (that is until school and a summer job would get in the way.) I would just like to say that one day you will be able to see me on that show, running down the alley, leaping on the stage to kiss Bob Barker's weathered cheek, choosing the right price to my new car, and then I will have the closest score to my showcase so Im the ultimate winner of the show. Then the experince will be complete when Bob says his classic line of "Remember to get your pet spade or neutered to control the pet population!" *sigh... how I love this show.

I celebrate the day

The first time that You opened Your eyes did You realize that You would be my Savior? And the first breath that left Your lips did You know that it would change this world forever?
I celebrate the day that You were born to die so I could one day pray for You to save my life.
- Relient K

What is the true defintion of glory? The answer to this question, in my opinion, is revealed through Christ's birth. God sending His only Son, Jesus, who would one day die to save our lives, was not a minor event. God had every right to make it a huge deal. He could have chosen Jesus to be born to a King and Queen in the midst of wealth and celebrations, with crowds of people around him acknowledging the birth of a Saviour. Yet, Jesus' mother was Mary, he was born in the little town of Bethlehem - in a manger, and the only audience was the shepherds. This night was God's ultimate showing of His glory - He humbled Himself and send us the greatest gift we could ever recieve, a Saviour. Through this He is able to obtain the highest glory. For this I give thanks and give God the glory... I celebrate the day.

here I go again....

well - if you did not notice, I haven't used my blog space in forever - due to the fact that I was using the good ol' MSN space... but then I decided that I prefered Blogger. So here I go again. - I posted a couple of my favourites from my MSN space

will you walk away? - december 19

I was studying English, and I came back to the story of "The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas" by Ursala Le Guin, and once again realized what an incredible story it is. It is the story of a Utopian society whose survival depends on the existence of a child who is locked in a small room and mistreated. Although all of the citizens of Omelas are aware of the child's situation, most of them accept that their happiness is dependent on the child's "abominable misery." Sometimes, however, a few people, after visiting the child and seeing the deplorable conditions under which it lives, leave Omelas forever.
This story can be seen as a parallel to the current society in which we live, although an extreme one. We do not live in a total Utopian society, and yet a large amount of the luxuries that we enjoy are at the expense of others who are less fortunate than us. One example of this would be capitalism. Just like the story when we first encounter the reality of these injustices we are shocked and bothered, but we ussually rationalize it and then accept it as the way society works.
There are the few that can never accept this "false" happiness, and decide to walk away from Omelas. They cannot accept that their happiness is dependant on those who suffer. It is not an easy journey, for they are going against the grain, ussually traveling alone. In our current situation, it is hard to stand up for the injustices that are happening, to leave this city and take a stand. We feel so helpless because we are only one person and feel so inadequate to change the many injustices in our world. It is possible to obtain a better world? Is it possible to walk away? Will you walk away?

Colossians 3:15 - december 14

"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which you were called in one body; and be thankful." Colossians 3:15 NKJV

Keep your head up and hold fast to Christ's hand.

what I love about winter - december 13

during this stressful time, i am more prone to think about all the negative sides to winter, so i decided to make a top 11 list of what I love about winter...

11. the puffs of breath
10. sliding on patches of ice
9. lighting candels
8. snowflakes
7. christmas lights
6. having snowball fights
5. taking walks when it is snowing
4. i can wear my Oma slippers
3. the crinkle of my winter coat when it's really cold
2. singing Christmas hymns
1. the smell of wood stove smoke

hearts are like rollerblades - december 10

Yesterday was a blast and a half. To celebrate being done classes, Angie, Liz, Willem, Steve, Matty, and I all went to Liz house. We had an intense game of scrabble, that's right scrabble, one of the best games out there. Steve and Liz won -- though no thanks to Liz :). Willem and I got in a close second and opened the playing board many a time. Angie and Matty get an honourable mention, I guess.
For supper we had coke and pizza, two foods that I haven't had in FOREVER, which is really wierd considering Im in univeristy and those are ussually the staple foods.
After supper we went into the hot tub, I think I am going to Liz's house more often... for the hot tub. Soooo relaxing. And our hearts are stronger today due to the famous Swiss tradition of going in the snow before the hot tub, except Im not sure if they make snow angels...
We then went inside to go back into our childhoods and watch Home Alone 2 - Lost In New York. It was still good, but Angie and I had a hard time getting past analyzing Kevin's family - lacking. Though when watching the movie when older you catch things that you over looked as a child. Such as deeper meanings. There is a lesson in the movie from the Special Hide Out when Kevin was with the Bird Lady --- ahh heart touching.
I had a nice pair of Rollerblades. I was afraid to wreck them... ...so I kept them in a box. Do you know what happened? I outgrew them. I never wore them outside. Only in my room a few times. A person's heart and feelings aren't very different than skates. They're kind of the same thing. If you won't use your heart, who cares if it gets broken? If you just keep it to yourself, maybe it'll be like my Rollerblades. When you do decide to try it, it won't be any good. You should take a chance. Got nothing to lose.
It was a great night - thanks Liz. Now I should be all refreshed and ready to study - hahaha, studying will be the death of me. (especially cause it means that I am in my bloody cold room and i am going to catch pneumonia.)

hallejuah, the beans are coming off - october 31

You know you're a hick when... your parents send you an email with the subject title "hallejuah, the beans are coming off." Oh how I love it. I am actually happy that we are able to get the beans off, cause my dad was pretty worried about not being able to get a crop off. I can't wait to be home again :) Im leaving Wednesday night so I am going to be home for four days, quite happy about that. My mom's cooking mmm. Being able to do laundry for free.
I went to the Fall Entreat this weekend, and it was amazing, really worth it. It hepled me refocus on God and keep everything in perspective. The topic was about finding your vision and a passion through Christ.
Tonight was halloween, I didn't go trick-or-treating though, but in the festivities of it we watched Silence of the Lambs - a sick, sick, sick, creepy movie. Hence the reason I am still up right now. I can't sleep - blah. I've made a new decision, I am never going anywhere alone, no drivng alone, no walking alone, no living alone... too freaky.
But hey, good news a little, I think I am the new computer nerd. My labtop was sounding like a refrigerator so I did sergery on it and took off the fans part and vaccumed it and now it is A LOT quiter. Im pretty much a genius.
Well I think Im going to try to get some sleep, but for some reason I think I might have insomnia for life. eek.

update - october 16

Here I am at Redeemer University - totally loving it! I am meeting so many new people and making really good friends, and of course the school work comes with it - blah. I made it on the student senate and now am officially a nerd. I have a great dorm and am having a blast living with 8 other girls, it has it ups and downs obviously though. Anyways this entry is gonna be very general cause i could go on and on with stories of what has happened. Though I must say I LOVED coming home for thanksgiving. Once i was there I didn't want to leave again. Too bad though I couldn't hang out with friends while I was there - stricly family time. Though I am coming home again soon and we will get together then.
Cheers!