1. Living in the same apartment as my BFF even though I still message her on gchat, to which her reply is "DORKFACE".
2. Learning about God despite the massive amounts of homework.
3. All the fast food joints that we don't have in Canada.
4. Southern drawls.
5. Seeing and hanging out with Canadian staff for an extended period of time.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009
A Pleasant Surprise
I've had quite a few number of unpleasant surprises from life this summer, so it was nice to have a nice, unplanned, pleasant surprise for once. I hadn't booked my flight to Vancouver due to laziness, but when I found out in Colorado that my friend, C.C. needed a roadtrip buddy to staff conference, I jumped at the chance. So after IBS, I'll be road-tripping it up to Vancouver for staff training and staff conference with C.C.
It's tickling me pink. I've always wanted to road-trip across the U.S., but more specifically the western half because it's different than what I'm usually used to. So another childhood dream is going to be checked off. And as a result of C.C. having a standard car, I am now learning to drive standard. SCORE!
It's tickling me pink. I've always wanted to road-trip across the U.S., but more specifically the western half because it's different than what I'm usually used to. So another childhood dream is going to be checked off. And as a result of C.C. having a standard car, I am now learning to drive standard. SCORE!
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Fa-Fa-Fa-Family
For family, I would export myself to the states.
Visiting my family is like stepping into a pool of warm sunshine from the coolness of solitude.
The Fives (Family Edition)
I love...
1a. Hearing the "baby, sugar, honey, sweetie," and all those terms of endearments that my dear aunties use.
1b. Trying to learn grace, gentleness, and sweetness from observing my beautiful aunties.
1c. Basking in the unconditional, selfless love of my mummy dearest.
2. Teasing and joking with my uncles; saying that I need to get my assisting the elderly badge by helping them; trash talking over Ticket to Ride games; asking them questions about boys.
3. Giggling over a yearbook behind closed doors with my little cousin D. as he shows me the girls he has crushes on.
4. Having Starbucks and Bookstore dates with my cousin J. We're two peas in a pod.
5. The feel of N.'s head on my shoulder when I carry her around when she's pooped out.
All this in the desert beauty of Arizona. Ahh...
For family, I would export myself to the states...were it not for the conviction of my calling specifically to Toronto with Campus for Christ, and the inspiring vision of Grace Toronto. Were it not for that, I would be giving my one year's notice, and requesting a transfer to the South.
Visiting my family is like stepping into a pool of warm sunshine from the coolness of solitude.
The Fives (Family Edition)
I love...
1a. Hearing the "baby, sugar, honey, sweetie," and all those terms of endearments that my dear aunties use.
1b. Trying to learn grace, gentleness, and sweetness from observing my beautiful aunties.
1c. Basking in the unconditional, selfless love of my mummy dearest.
2. Teasing and joking with my uncles; saying that I need to get my assisting the elderly badge by helping them; trash talking over Ticket to Ride games; asking them questions about boys.
3. Giggling over a yearbook behind closed doors with my little cousin D. as he shows me the girls he has crushes on.
4. Having Starbucks and Bookstore dates with my cousin J. We're two peas in a pod.
5. The feel of N.'s head on my shoulder when I carry her around when she's pooped out.
All this in the desert beauty of Arizona. Ahh...
For family, I would export myself to the states...were it not for the conviction of my calling specifically to Toronto with Campus for Christ, and the inspiring vision of Grace Toronto. Were it not for that, I would be giving my one year's notice, and requesting a transfer to the South.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Not "Either, Or", but "AND"
Single and content, yet desirous for marriage.
Seems like an oxymoron doesn't it? It used to seem to me like you have to hate one status in order to like the other. I use to villainize 'marriage' in my mind to hang on to what shred of contentment I had with being single, which is, in all honesty; no contentment at all. Or I'd swing the pendulum the other way and scorn singleness. Oh the folly of youth.
But it wasn't just me. It seems like a lot of people think like that too. It's not blatant. No one goes around with a bullhorn announcing: "You gotta hate being single if you want to get married or you have to hate marriage in order to enjoy being single." It's very subtle.
Like the question, "You have the gift of celibacy?" after I stated with conviction that I very much enjoy my single status. Seriously?
For the record, I don't think I have the gift of celibacy. I very much agree with my friend, M who says "You know you have 'the gift' when you're on your death bed and you've never been married."
But I digress. It's gotten to the point that I'm a bit hesitant to voice my desires for marriage or my desire for companionship for fear that I'm going to be misconstrued as being desperate and hating singleness, which in case you haven't figured out yet, I'm NOT. Recently at the hint of some of my desire for companionship, the outpouring of pity begins for the supposed plight that is 'singleness'. I might be oversensitive, but...
It is so very much possible to thoroughly enjoy and savour the season of singleness while desiring marriage at the same time. So this is my public service announcement stating thus:
I. ENJOY. BEING. SINGLE.
I like being able to do things at the drop of a time like going off to a swing dancing weekend with two days' notice.
I like staying out late without having to worry about someone needing me to come back home.
I like all the time that I have to devote to my hobbies.
I like being able to spend all that time with friends and family.
I like setting my own budget, my own timeline, my own goals.
I like eating whatever, whenever.
I like that I can work stupid, crazy, hours in ministry without anyone minding because campus ministry is definitely not a 9 to 5 job.
I like sprawling all over queen size beds when I get to hotels.
I like being in the driver seat every time I get into my car.
I like that I can buy stuff without consulting someone.
I like that I don't really need to think about anybody else except for me. I'm selfish.
I like ALL that FREEDOM.
At the same time...
I. WANT. TO. GET. MARRIED. SOMEDAY.
I want to be able to serve my husband, and cook yummy, delicious meals for him, do his laundry, help him find the right clothes, among other things.
I want to be able to come home at night to someone, to belong to someone.
I want to be able to bounce ideas off someone and have someone to go through life with.
I want someone to share my dreams and goals with.
I want someone to pick me up at the airport.
I want someone to freak out with like when I had chest pains and had to go to the ER.
I want someone to hold my hand at the ER.
I want to be that support for that someone, encouraging him to be all that God has created him to be and praying for him.
I want to keep a nice house so that he can return to a nice, homey, relaxed environment.
I want to start a family with someone and start a legacy with him, like Johnny Edwards.
And so much more...
So it's not either be happy with being single or desire to get married, but be happy being single and desire to get married.
Seems like an oxymoron doesn't it? It used to seem to me like you have to hate one status in order to like the other. I use to villainize 'marriage' in my mind to hang on to what shred of contentment I had with being single, which is, in all honesty; no contentment at all. Or I'd swing the pendulum the other way and scorn singleness. Oh the folly of youth.
But it wasn't just me. It seems like a lot of people think like that too. It's not blatant. No one goes around with a bullhorn announcing: "You gotta hate being single if you want to get married or you have to hate marriage in order to enjoy being single." It's very subtle.
Like the question, "You have the gift of celibacy?" after I stated with conviction that I very much enjoy my single status. Seriously?
For the record, I don't think I have the gift of celibacy. I very much agree with my friend, M who says "You know you have 'the gift' when you're on your death bed and you've never been married."
But I digress. It's gotten to the point that I'm a bit hesitant to voice my desires for marriage or my desire for companionship for fear that I'm going to be misconstrued as being desperate and hating singleness, which in case you haven't figured out yet, I'm NOT. Recently at the hint of some of my desire for companionship, the outpouring of pity begins for the supposed plight that is 'singleness'. I might be oversensitive, but...
It is so very much possible to thoroughly enjoy and savour the season of singleness while desiring marriage at the same time. So this is my public service announcement stating thus:
I. ENJOY. BEING. SINGLE.
I like being able to do things at the drop of a time like going off to a swing dancing weekend with two days' notice.
I like staying out late without having to worry about someone needing me to come back home.
I like all the time that I have to devote to my hobbies.
I like being able to spend all that time with friends and family.
I like setting my own budget, my own timeline, my own goals.
I like eating whatever, whenever.
I like that I can work stupid, crazy, hours in ministry without anyone minding because campus ministry is definitely not a 9 to 5 job.
I like sprawling all over queen size beds when I get to hotels.
I like being in the driver seat every time I get into my car.
I like that I can buy stuff without consulting someone.
I like that I don't really need to think about anybody else except for me. I'm selfish.
I like ALL that FREEDOM.
At the same time...
I. WANT. TO. GET. MARRIED. SOMEDAY.
I want to be able to serve my husband, and cook yummy, delicious meals for him, do his laundry, help him find the right clothes, among other things.
I want to be able to come home at night to someone, to belong to someone.
I want to be able to bounce ideas off someone and have someone to go through life with.
I want someone to share my dreams and goals with.
I want someone to pick me up at the airport.
I want someone to freak out with like when I had chest pains and had to go to the ER.
I want someone to hold my hand at the ER.
I want to be that support for that someone, encouraging him to be all that God has created him to be and praying for him.
I want to keep a nice house so that he can return to a nice, homey, relaxed environment.
I want to start a family with someone and start a legacy with him, like Johnny Edwards.
And so much more...
So it's not either be happy with being single or desire to get married, but be happy being single and desire to get married.
Housewifely Ambitions
Things That I Think a Good Housewife Ought to Know How to Make:
(So therefore I ought to learn how to cook.)
1. Cookies from scratch.
2. Full Thanksgiving Dinner from scratch.
*Turkey
*Gravy
*Stuffing
*Sides
3. Lasagna from scratch even the noodles.
4. Spaghetti from scratch meaning...handmade meatballs.
5. Hamburger patties from scratch.
6. Cake from scratch.
7. Steak.
Anyone wanna be a guinea pig?
(So therefore I ought to learn how to cook.)
1. Cookies from scratch.
2. Full Thanksgiving Dinner from scratch.
*Turkey
*Gravy
*Stuffing
*Sides
3. Lasagna from scratch even the noodles.
4. Spaghetti from scratch meaning...handmade meatballs.
5. Hamburger patties from scratch.
6. Cake from scratch.
7. Steak.
Anyone wanna be a guinea pig?
Thursday, June 11, 2009
The Privilege of Packing
It's one thing when you're packing for a 6 week mission trip to a developing country, but it's another when you're packing for an extensive trip to a developed country. The former I could care less how I look, the latter I want to bring my entire closet and shoe collection.
It pains me that I cannot bring that sweet pair of teal kitten heels that will match that one top because....it only matches that one and only that one top. Woe is me.
What a privilege it is to have such a silly dilemma when there are millions around the world languishing for the want of food and water, the basic necessities of life when I can fret about how many pairs of shoes to bring along to a trip.
Then there's the fact that I am even going somewhere on a jet plane. And also the fact that I even have things to pack.
Privileged and blessed by God indeed for I did not do anything to deserve living in this country. I could have easily been one of the underprivileged.
It pains me that I cannot bring that sweet pair of teal kitten heels that will match that one top because....it only matches that one and only that one top. Woe is me.
What a privilege it is to have such a silly dilemma when there are millions around the world languishing for the want of food and water, the basic necessities of life when I can fret about how many pairs of shoes to bring along to a trip.
Then there's the fact that I am even going somewhere on a jet plane. And also the fact that I even have things to pack.
Privileged and blessed by God indeed for I did not do anything to deserve living in this country. I could have easily been one of the underprivileged.
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