kingdom bound 2006

A week ago, my family and I embarked on our first family vacation in 5 years. Having a farm makes it difficult to get away. Our destination: Kingdom Bound 2006. Here are my highlights.

- Having a 5 hour trip become 8 hours due to the border, travelling in a non-airconditioned van with six people.
- Going back 10 years and playing the game MASH with my sister and her best friend. I ended up marrying Owen Wilson, but only making 14,000 a year.
- Hearing Mercy Me sing "I Can Only Imagine" live. Wow, definately brought tears to my eyes.
- Randomly seeing Steve Pyker in the Great Big Wheel line and hanging out with him and his friends for the day.
- Almost having the chance to over come my fear of rollercoasters, but then just when I was about to go on it broke down. Very comforting.
- Coming to the Thousand Foot Krutch concert with an open mind and leaving with a closed one. Screaming music and I do not get along.
- Seeing Ryan Geleynse reading his U2 book on the grass and therefore meeting Jesse Dostal too! I was pretty stoked and we ended up spending the rest of KB together.
- Having the priviledge of hearing Casting Crowns live!! I got to hear the "God doesn't need you, He wants you" speech live.
- Playing miniput with Ryan and Jesse, I got the award for most improved, Ryan for biggest choke, and Jesse for champ.
- Spending countless times and money at the batting cages
- Ryan's endless attempts of convincing me to go on the biggest steel roller coaster made, with a straight drop of 200 feet, and me finally agreeing. IT WAS AWESOME. So props go out to Ryan for being able to get me on it and face my fear of plunging to an early death. We went on it again and ended up waiting 2 hours just so that we could get the very front of the rollercoaster. It was worth the wait.
- Hearing Third Day in concert, the lead singer has the most awesome voice I have ever heard.
- Jesse convincing Ryan and I to go on a water ride at 8 o'clock at night. We went on it and got soaked. We didn't dry all night. Though it was stupid, it gave us a really good laugh at ourselves.
- The guys trying to convince me that this one water ride wasn't going to get me wet... they were wrong, I was right.
- Ryan and Jesse's terrifying dance parties at 180 feet in the air on the Fairis Wheel, while I was freaking out praying for our safety.
- Busting out the dance moves with Ryan and Jesse to Newsboys - they sang the Breakfast song and Take Me To Your Leader. whoohoo!

It was such an AMAZING time.

you give me joy that's unspeakable

I would just like to take a moment to thank God for the gift of loving life, the ability to find joy in life. I thank Him that even though there are always going to be seasons of sorrow, the joy that found in the daily walk with Him far outweighs them all.
These past couple of weeks God has been reminding me of His love and the happiness of dwelling in it.
He gives me joy that's unspeakable through the small blessings - and I like it.

Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy - 1 Peter 1:8

apparently diamonds are no longer a girl's best friend

The other day, while happily cutting hay and listening to my favourite country radio station, I heard something interesting - to say the least...
Recently there was a study done by Oxygen Network, which asked 1400 women whether they would prefer a new plasma television or a diamond necklace. Get this, the study found 77 percent of women surveyed chose the plasma television - more than 3 out of every 4 women!

My reaction, "Gasp! tisk, tisk, tisk."
What's yours?


Priceless Diamond Necklace







OR

New Plasma TV

my poor healthy heart.

Today was probably the grossest day ever. Has anyone else noticed that it feels like 50 degrees outside? Well, like everyone else I'm detesting this muggy, swampy, sticky, sauna weather. Although, unlike most of you I have a bone to pick with air conditioners.
So, today I was working in the soy bean plant office where they had the air conditioner cranked and I was freezing cold; I had goosbumps all over my arms and was constantly shivering. And then BAM! I stepped outside and I seriously had a heart murmer. My body had to go from trying to produce enough heat to keep my oragans pumping to extreme overload of heat. And then I realised I left my truck keys in the office so I had to go back into the freezer. BAM! - once again. Needless to say, those temperature changes made me feel ill for the rest of the day. BLAHG.
This is my opinion: I think air conditioners are ridiculous. They just make the heat seem even more unbearable, plus I can't imagine them being good for you. I heard stories from the girls on my baseball team of how they had to wear sweaters to work today - that is the true defination of ridiculous. I much rather a power fan, driving with the windows down, drinking lots of lemonade, or better yet, going for a swim after a hot day (if your like me and don't have a pool, the garden hose is a very good option). It's summer and its going to be hot, so if you can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen!
(ps. Im still hoping that this heat doesn't "stick" around for long, Im human)

Ill make an exception for the elderly who require air conditioning to stay healthy, oh and those who have asthma, and i guess for those who work in green houses *cough liz*

mr. darcy

All I have to say is that Pride and Prejudice is my favourite love story of all time! I watched the movie again... *sigh Mr. Darcy.With lines like these, any guy could melt any girls heart.
The first try:
Miss Elizabeth. I have struggled in vain and can bear it no longer. These past months have been a torment. I came to Rosings only to see you. I have fought against my better judgement, my family's expectation, the inferiority of your birth, my rank. I will put them aside and ask you to end my agony. I love you. Most ardently. Please do me the honour of accepting my hand.

The second try: (this one is the winner!)
Surely you must know it was all for you. You are too generous to trifle with me. If your feelings are still what they were last April, tell me so at once. My affections and wishes have not changed. But one word from you will silence me for ever. lf, however, your feelings have changed... ...I would have to tell you, you have bewitched me, body and soul, and I love... I love... I love you. I never wish to be parted from you from this day on.

So, if you have never seen the movie Pride and Prejudice (the 1995 version) I highly recommend that you do. Better yet, read the book!

one red paperclip

Has anyone ever told you that blogging is useless and a waste of time? Well, they are wrong and I have evidence to prove it. One red paperclip.
I was reading the paper the other day when I came across this story.

A 26-year-old Montreal man appears to have succeeded in his quest to barter a single, red paper-clip all the way up to a house.
It took almost a year and 14 trades, but Kyle MacDonald has been offered a two-storey farmhouse in Kipling, Sask.
MacDonald began his quest last summer when he decided he wanted to live in a house. He didn't have a job, so instead of posting a resumé, he looked at a red paper-clip on his desk and decided to trade it on an BLOG.
He got a response almost immediately — from a pair of young women in Vancouver who offered to trade him a pen that looks like a fish. With every trade he looked for something bigger and better than the previous trade. He eventually scored a house! You can check out his blog at http://oneredpaperclip.blogspot.com

I thought this was a pretty neat idea. Hmmm.... I want to own a cottage one day and I am looking at a half eaten chocolate chip cookie on my desk. Anyone interested? Hey, why not, if it worked for him it can work for me.

falling through darkness

I don't ussually write poetry and I don't even know if you would even classify it as poetry.
I wrote this when I was writing a story for one of my high school classes over a year ago.

A glass bottle holds the emotions you are unable to see,
Transparent to my soul,
Yet invisible to the naked eye.
The fragile container hides within me,
Filled to capacity,
Unable to retain the heaviest of weights.
They are protected here,
Unable to burden the ones I love,
All the while destroying my heart.

This secret bottle is lacking room for this one last concern,
It slowly cracks,
Destined to burst,
Shattering within and tearing down the capacity to contain.
Ripping relationships with sharp edges,
Cutting so that it painfully bleeds.
My true emotions are finally able to show,
Devastating everything in its path.
Here I am falling through darkness
With nothing to break my fall,
Except for the shreds of glass remaining.

A bottle holding the hidden pain no longer exists,
My falling has ceased to continue since landing.
Healing has started to begin,
The scars will remain,
Although no longer hurting.
They remain to remind me of what pictures cannot.
I have lost,
I have failed;
No longer into the darkness will I fall.

it gives me the shivers...

I first heard this song in April when my older brother Mike took me to see Delirious? live in concert. It is called Miracle Maker and there is only one word to describe it: powerful

Just close your eyes and let this song sink in...

You can listen to it here: http://www.rhapsody.com/delirious/themissionbell

katrina's kurrent krunch

So... I never usually do this, but I am going to give you all a nice little update on my life - cause I'm pretty sure you are all dying to know what I have been up to these past summer months. It has been good and the months are flying by. I have many different experiences and have learnt much through them.
Without further ado, here is an outline of what my life has entailed over the past couple of months:

- I have almost spent more time on a tractor than in a car this summer. It hasn't been so bad, I now have every country song on the radio memorized, I can back up wagons, I am and expert with the clutch, and harvesting and baling is pretty fun... except for the kink that you get in your neck from having to watch behind as you drive.
- I hate painting. It was ok at first but now that I am currently in the process of painting the fence that outlines our barnyard... death! I have worked on it for three days and I maybe have 1/6 of it done.
- I am bringing back the walkman - oh yes. Because of this painting I have to do I decided I need tunes to listen to. So I dusted off my walkman and I definately feel like the coolest kat.
- I will always get a sunburn... you would think that since I am constantly outside I would develop a nice tan to protect me from the sun. nope. during these summer months I have a perma red nose.
- I can't build muscle. You may say that this impossible, but Im pretty sure even though I have unloaded approximately 4000 hay bales and I am doing laboursome farm work, my arms are still the width of sticks.
- I soon learnt to stop caring about my appearence, because if I didn't I would give myself an early death. Yes, you will always smell like cow, hay, or dirt, your clothing consists of your dad's old tshirts from college, grubby shorts, and workboots, and you don't have to worry about doing your hair cause you just wear a cap anyways.
- As much as my dad has this philosophy of facing your fears and is putting me to the test, I will always be scared of heights. No, I refuse to climb the silo, hang the flag on the pole being ten feet in the air, drive the tractor over the overpass, and paint the roof.
- I am addicted to Word Jumble. See, I took this little daily puzzler up because everyone else I knew was getting addicted to Sudoku and I can't jump on that bandwagon because I definately do not have the patience and numbers just tend to frustrate me.
- Unloading hay bales is a great way to find out that you are not in shape an even better way to get back into shape. Side effects: sore muscles, sun headaches, ichy scratches on your arms, inhaling of millions of dust particles, and blisters on your hands.
- I love babysitting. During university I missed being around kids and now I can spend a whole day with them. Im enjoying having a little baby to hold and little girls to play princess and do crafts with. Also my new found cooking skills come in handy; I no longer I have to cook KD for breakfast, lunch, and supper.
- I am right back at my job at my mechanic shop and becoming a grease monkey. I actually really enjoy it. The guys I work with are great and I can get back into my routine of listening to Dr. Dobsin at 6pm - what a great man.
- Did you know that soybean oil is the next big thing? You better believe it and Im right in the middle of it - literally. I am working some afternoons at my dad's soybean plant coming home smelling enough like a bean that the cows want to eat me for supper.
- New favourite show is "So You Think You Can Dance." I love watching them dance and it inspires me to one day learn how... too bad I don't have a sense of rythm. Anyone know where I can pick one of those up?
- Knees are very useful. I discovered this as I twisted my knee over a week ago sliding into second base. You don't know how much you use your knees during the day until every time you do use it there is a shooting pain sent to your brain.
- I could never get sick of baseball. Good thing too, because I sometimes play four times a week. I am in my town league, a church league, and on most weekends I am in some kind of ball tournament. I love it.

There you have it, it turned out a little longer than I expected. What can I say, when I talk about myself I can't help but get carried away. ;) Hopefully you weren't bored to tears, cause then my life would be pretty pitiful eh? So, I am doing just fine and before you know it, I'll be back in good old Ancaster and you might just get sick of me... (impossible)

May God continue to bless you all in whatever you are doing and wherever you are.

in all deep places

This summer I have been catching up with reading for relaxation - I'm loving it. I just finished this book call "In All Deep Places" by Susan Meissner. It was definately a book that pulled my heart strings and I strongly recommend it. (In a way it reminded me of my favourite book, "Who Has Seen the Wind" by WO Mitchell.)
I found the following excerpt especially touching. Have you ever wondered why there are some people who constantly get the short stick in life? I know it has been something that I have always questioned and struggled with. This passage from the book shows Luke (the little boy in the story) dealing with this topic. I found it very enlightening as I have never seen it from this angle before.

“So why doesn’t God ease up on her, then?” Luke said. “He hasn’t let even half as much bad stuff happen to us as He has to Nell. Or Norah.”
“Well I don’t know all that God knows about individual people, Luke. I believe He works in each life in whatever way that will draw that person to Him.”
“Yeah, but Dad – this will just drive them all away from Him!”
Jack nodded. “Tough times will bring that out in people, Luke. It’s the worst of times that a person will either run to God or turn his back on Him. I think it’s always been that way.”
Luke was silent for a moment.
“Don’t you ever wonder why, Dad?” Don’t you ever wonder why it’s that way? Why he made us like that? I mean, why are we even here if life is going to be so hard that it turns some people away from God?”
“I’ve wondered those things too, Luke,” Jack said. “Sometimes I still do. I’m not sure why God has made us the way He did. I know we were made in His image, so there’s something about is that is uniquely like Him, but there’s probably much more to it than that. As to why we’re here, well I think maybe we’re here to learn to love Him. To learn to love God and want to be with Him. I think we’re here to cultivate our longing for heaven.”
Luke sighed. “Heaven,” he said. “Seems like a long, long way off, Dad.”
Jack nodded. “It does. But I think God gives us glimpses of heaven from time to time to help us nurture the desire to want to be there at the end of our lives.”
“What do you mean?” Luke asked, feeling at that moment that he greatly needed a glimpse of heaven.
“Well, I see glimpses every spring when the earth renews itself. And sometimes I see glimpses in a worship service when I’m singing about Jesus and all of the sudden I feel like I’m right there in His arms. And sometimes I see glimpses at dawn after a snowfall, before the ploughs come through, before the sunlight touches the new snow and only the dying moonlight is falling on it. I see it all the time.”
Luke leaned back against the wall of the tree house, considering his father’s words. He could understand that God would purposely place humans on a planet with limitations, that He would give those same humans the ability to make choices, and that He would also instil in every person a tiny longing for heaven, a longing designed to blossom. He even began to feel that tiny longing stir within his own heart and soul. It all made sense except for one thing. It did not explain why God had allowed such an abundance of tragedy into Norah’s life. She never saw glimpses of heaven. Never. How could she? He wouldn’t be surprised if all she saw were glimpses of hell.
“But Dad,” he said. “What about Norah? When does she ever get to see a glimpse of heaven? Dad, their life is a nightmare.”
Jack leaned forward and placed his hands on Luke’s shoulders.“Luke, listen to me. Every time you’ve showed kindness to Norah, they’ve seen the love of God in you. I know their lives are harder than yours, but Luke, God hasn’t forgotten about them. They have seen a glimpse of heaven every time you cared for them.”

you're everything to me

I grew up in sunday school
I memorized the Golden rule
And how Jesus came to set the sinner free
I know the story inside out
I can tell you all about
The path that led Him up to Calvary
But ask me why He loves me
And I don't know what to say
But I'll never be the same
Because He changed my life when He became...

Everything to me
He's more than a story
More than words on a page of history
He's the air that I breath
The water I thirst for
And the ground beneath my feet
He's everything, everything to me

We're living in uncertain times
And more and more I find that I'm aware
Of just how fragile life can be
I want to tell the world I found
A love that turned my life around
They need to know that they can taste and see
Now everyday I'm praying
Just to give my heart away
I want live for Jesus
So that someone else might see that he is...

Everything to me.

You're everything to me
You're more than a story
More than words on a page of history
You're everything to me
You're more than a story
More than words on a page of history
You're the air that I breath
The water I thirst for
And the ground beneath my feet
Lord, you're everything to me

-- Avalon.

summertime

Today is the official start of summer, so here's why I love summer:

driving (fast) with the windows down
being barefoot
camping
being at the ballpark
Sundays
gardening
the many bonfires which equals s'mores (mmmmm)
bbq's
lemonade
picking wildflowers
star gazing
sleeping in a hammock (well if we had one, i almost got one for my dad for father's day, but i would have bought it for selfish reasons)
reading on the beach
pool parties
smell of freshly cut grass
fireflies and crickets

my dad

In my life my dad has been my main infulence. He has been one of my greatest supports and has encouraged me to chase after my dreams - however unrealistic they are - and has always been there standing at the end no matter what the result. Throughout my life I have strove to make my dad proud and it has been worth every effort; it has made me into the person I am today. Though we don't say the words often enough, I love my him with all my heart and I am proud to call him my dad.

My dad has taught me the importance of:

• a strong faith
• dedication
• ambition
• hard work
• stubborness
• strength in character
• a passion for life
• determination
• never settling
• accomplishment
• risk
• having fun
• believing in yourself
• opinions
• trying new things
• never giving up
• intelligence
• learning
  

what is that scent?

Correct me if im wrong... but i smell a comeback. It smells like oil mixed with BO

Is the cup going to return to Canada where it belongs? According to me, yes. Oilers are a Cinderella team, and Cinderella hasn't disappointed me yet.

Scamp

Today my childhood friend and companion, Scamp, died of old age. I still remember the first day we got him...
Our previous dog had gotten killed on the road a month before, so my dad went searching for a new dog to call our own. I remember coming home from school and my mom telling my older brother Mike and I that my dad had a surprise waiting for us in the barn. Both of us raced to the barn where my dad and my little sister Erika were waiting with the biggest dog I had ever seen in my life. Seriously, he was the biggest dog in the county of North Dundas and was well known to all the milk truck drivers, vets, milk testers, and breeders who would come to our farm. My dad wanted to name our new dog King, but all of us refused and my dad gave into the name Scamp. At first he had to stay in the barn so that he would get used to the surroundings and not try to run back to his old home. So this meant that it was our job to walk him... though because of his size it took all three of us to hold onto the rope and yet he was still the one that ended up walking us, instead of the other way around.
The moment I laid my eyes on Scamp he won a place in my heart. Throughout my childhood he was my faithful friend: If I had a bad day at school he would be there with me when I would hide behind the machine shed and lick my tears, when we played house he was always willing to be the horse and let us ride on his back, when my brother would chase me he would take ahold of my sleeve and pull me faster than I could run (sometimes I would end up being dragged, but he meant well), when a groundhog was making holes in our fields he would kill them, and when my kittens would die I was comforted by thought that Scamp would not.
I am going to miss my Scampy, but I am thankful for the role that he played in my life. He was a dog full of loyalty and love. We were blessed to have a dog like him.
"Blessed is the person who has earned the love of an old dog."--Sydney Jeanne Seward

diet confidential

Question: I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life; is this true?
Answer: Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that's it... don't waste them on exercise. Everything wears out eventually. Speeding up your heart will not make you live longer; that's like saying you can extend the life of your car by driving it faster. Want to live longer? Take a nap.

Question: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?
Answer: You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a cow eat? Hay and corn. And what are these? Vegetables. So a steak is nothing more than an efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system. Need grain? Eat chicken. Beef is also a good source of field grass (green leafy vegetable). And a pork chop can give you 100% of your recommended daily allowance of vegetable products.

Question: Should I reduce my alcohol intake?
Answer: No, not at all. Wine is made from fruit. Brandy is distilled wine, that means they take the water out of the fruity bit so you get even more of the goodness that way. Beer is also made out of grain.

Question: Aren't fried foods bad for you?
Answer: Foods are fried these days in vegetable oil. In fact, they're permeated in it. How could getting more vegetables be bad for you?

Question: Is chocolate bad for me?
Answer: Are you crazy? Cocoa beans another vegetable. It's the best feel-good food around.

Question: Is swimming good for your figure?
Answer: If swimming is good for your figure, explain whales to me.

Well, I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had about food and diets. Although I think that it is important to note that I do not suggest that you make this the new Jenny Craig and apply them to your daily lifestyle. I just use these points for an excuse in situations where they are needed...

If you do exercise and eat healthy I salute you!

the Scripps National Spelling Bee

Now, I don't know how many of you have ever watched a Spelling Bee on prime time television, but if you haven't you are missing out! For the past three years I have watched the "Scripps National Spelling Bee." The first time I saw it, it was shown on TSN when there was supposed to be a Blue Jays game on. I was not impressed and even laughed at the idea of showing a spelling bee on tv, who in their right mind would watch that?! But then they started to spell... the sweat dripping of their forheads, asking for the orgins of words, the monotone voice of the officials, the look in their eyes, the invisible strokes that they make on their number cards struggling to spell a ridicously hard word. Before I knew it an hour had passed; I was hooked. I'm not going to lie the Scripps National Spelling Bee is intense. Last year I witnessed one boy faint on stage because he was under so much pressure and had to spell from a chair for the rest of the time. This year it was a battle until the end but in the end Katherine won with the word URSPRACHE and out very own Canadian, Finola Hackette, got second.
Believe it or not, I am not the only one who watches Spelling Bees. ABC reported that an average of 8 million viewers watched it unfold, and as many as 14 million tuned in for the final 11 minuets.
So if you missed it this year, be sure not to next year!

*interesting fact: there is no origin for the word Spelling Bee; it is one of those language puzzles that has never been satisfactorily accounted for.

the toothbrush

Here I was watching television, being subjected to a barrage of commercials during my show, when it hit me how ridiculous toothbrush commercials are. Ussually I don't pay any attention to commercials, (except the beer ones, at times are amusing) but this one particular toothbrush commercial was turning a simple product that I use to scrub my teeth clean into a specialized destroyer and a masterpiece of molded plastic ready to change my life. If I use this one particular toothbrush I will have pearly whites, no trace of plaque, never suffer from bad breath, have healthy gums, be confident with my smile, and therefore meet the man of dreams and live happily ever after. Who knew the answer to life problems lie in the toothbrush?
As much as I love brushing my teeth, I personnally don't care if I have the latest designed toothbrush with the specialy placed bristles and the extended handle to get to the hard to reach places. Give me a stick with bristles and I am a happy camper. The only thing that I care about when it comes to my toothbrush is that I am they only one using it. There is nothing worse to waking up in the morning to find your toothbrush out of the holder where you put it the night before and is now lying in a puddle beside the sink with someone else's mouth germs all over it. *shudder* This has happened to me a number of times since I have been home. Its one of the many advantages of having a little brother and dad who don't know the concept of having your own toothbrush and not using the first one you see in the morning. I even went as far as to lable mine in big lettering "KATRINA" and yet it still get used. So now I hide it in my room; this seems to be working.
And now that I have shared my toothbrush rant I feel ready to face the new day!

faith like a child

Yesterday, I once again got to teach my Sunday School class of 4 year olds; I have missed it.
It always seems that although I am supposed to be the one teaching the lesson, I am the one who ends up learning more through them. The lesson was on Jesus and the Children, when He calls all the little children to come to Him. When it was question time I asked the kids in my class what they would say to Jesus if He were in the room. One of the little girls shot up her hand and answered pointing to her heart, "Jesus is here right now, He is always with me, I can't see Him, but I know He lives in my heart. I play with Him everyday."

Wow.
The faith of children is mind baffeling; they do not question, they just accept and believe. And I think that because of that kind of faith they are able to feel Jesus' presence in their lives in a way that we are unable to. It is so precious to see. Jesus said the kingdom of God belongs to little children (Luke 18:16). I think I understand this truth a little better.
Sometimes I think that we are too easily prone to complicate our faith. Not that I think that questioning and studying deeper is wrong, because it through our seeking that we are able to grasp a deeper understanding of God. Although, it is so easy to forget that the root of our faith is so simple. We cannot let our doubts, fears, and struggles overshadow the truth. Jesus is here, God is present. He lives in our hearts and when we can't see Him it is not because He is not there, it is because we are the ones who have closed our hearts. Just ask a child.

God help us in our unbelief.

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.