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.