24

Really?

...wow.

I definitely don't feel like it.

Already?

Even though there's only one year's difference between 23 and 24, I feel like there's a significant change between 23 and 24.

I feel the need to stop dinking around, and actually grow up now.

No profound thoughts.

Just, let's get it together now and go hard.

Fall Feast

Being born one day and one year after someone on the staff team means that I have to share my birthday glory. Sigh. :P
S.A. and I are having a fall birthday bash with our team. I'm so excited.

Potential Menu

Main Dish
Shepherd's Pie
or
Stew, Dumplings with Fresh Bread

Side Dishes
Roast Squash
and/or
Stuffed Squash
and/or
Root Bake

Dessert
Hand Made Scones
Fresh Apple Crisp- made with handpick apples.

Drink
Apple Cider

The Summer of the Bucket List

One of the (minor) reasons that I love my job is that every summer I get to check things off my bucket list.

Things I checked off this summer:
1. Whitewater rafting in Colorado
2. Learn to drive standard
3. Road trip the western part of the U.S.A.
4. Visit Yellowstone and see Old Faithful

Driving Standard

So C. been teaching me to drive standard for our road trip back to the great white north.

I now know the fear of "stalling".

Yesterday was my first time on the streets, and of course I stalled at an intersection. Not an incredibly busy one, but an intersection nevertheless. I stalled at the very least... SEVEN times. I got so flustered, especially after the first few times some idiot started wailing on his horn at me. Like wailed without a break. I mean can't you see that I'm having trouble already without you making me even more panicky?

I checked my rearview mirror for him, but he wasn't behind me so I didn't understand what the rush was. In any case he could always go around me. The only other vehicle at the intersection was a moped, but it didn't seem capable of such a loud and continuous honk so I was like "What the heck?! Where is this guy, and why is he honking so hard at me?"

It was then that C. told me:

"Shelly, you need to stop leaning on the horn."

On Balance

This weekend was a hiking, photo-shooting, elk-eating, fireworks watching, white-water rafting, and a bit of studying sort of weekend.

[As I type this J.S., is annoyingly reading over my shoulder correcting every word, in other words, backseat blogging. Good thing he doesn't read my blog otherwise I'll always get comments on my grammar. Well now I think he's going to go try to find this sucker, and make said comments.]

Anyways I digress.

This is all to say that this weekend has been a "good for my soul" type of weekend. It was busy, yes, but it was the type of weekend that prepares you to face the new week rested, refreshed, and rejuvenated, ready to chomp at whatever life throws at you. RAWR. It was just the type of weekend that I needed.

Being thrown back into a busy, scholarly lifestyle, made it easy to go right back to living a very imbalanced lifestyle. I was once again caught up and swept along by the currents and demands of the circumstances of life. Go to class, study, eat, sleep, play. Before I knew it I was getting overwhelmed, and stressed again, feeling swept along by the waves of life. I didn't even notice that something was up until my mood dipped and I got the feeling of clinging on for dear life again. So I decided to slow 'er down for the sake of my long term sanity. I'll thank myself later.

October 7th 2008 Highlights

Exuberant would be the word of choice to describe how I feel right now. And I have not been exuberant for a while. Every little birthday thing that people did for me whether it was a card, washing dishes, buying napkins, planning a swing dance, presents meant SO much to me.

Highlights From the Day
1. Birthday Swing Dance
This was the cherry that topped the sundae. Birthday girl (me) was in the middle of the dance floor and EVERYONE danced with me.

2. Providential Napkins and Flowers
I saw both napkins (Sleeping Beauty) and flowers (sunflowers) at Sobey's when I went to get plates. Was tempted to buy BOTH, but decided against it, but I REALLY WANTED THEM. Hours later Becky shows up with the Sleeping Beauty napkins because she couldn't find blue and green ones, and the boys show up with the sunflowers.

3. Urban Decay Graffiti Eyeshadow
I've wanted Urban Decay shadow for SO long and SO much, and my roommates got me it. WA-HOOOOO. Along with some funkdadelic electric blue eyeliner. HELLO!

4. Lydia sent me a TON of hilarious e-cards that gave me deep belly laughs.

5. Things in a Box:
Things You Would Not Write in Shelly's Birthday Card
- "The only Asian woman I like is my mother.~ 'Joe Choi" (Submitted by C. Kenyon)
Things Shelly Does Not Want People to Say to Her at Swing Dancing.
- "I know I'm unattractive, but I'm the only guy talking to you." (Submitted by K. Macher)

6. G-chat Convo pasted in a Card

7. People coming from Hamilton and Guelph!!!

Mugged

Speaking of firsts...

Tonight Lydia and I were walking home from the subway station from the Brooke Fraser concert, and we got mugged.

I am still in shock.

I lost my purse, my wallet, my keys, my makeup, a friend's book aptly entitled Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God, my camera with 2 months worth of pictures from Tanzania, and my ipod.

The thing that I am MOST upset about losing is my two months worth of pictures and the picture of my DG that we took as a family at Sears three years ago that I had in my wallet. Those can never be recovered.

Nothing happened to us physically for which I am really thankful to God for.

First Day

Good.

That's how I would describe my first day. A solid, deep 'good'. Not just a chipper, light 'good'. But good.

God is good. Very good.

More tomorrow. I am tired.

BIG Day

Tomorrow is my first day on campus!!!

Finally after all this time! I have no idea what to expect. It's almost as if I'm blindfolded and just walking into the midst of it all, taking it as it comes. I'm a bit nervous, a bit apprehensive, a bit excited, and a bit curious.

HERE WE GO!

Royalty

This morning I had a chance to hear Queen Noor of Jordan speak at a health conference courtesy of my friend, Dan R at the Metro Toronto Convention Center. While she was speaking to an audience of health professionals and the like, the talk was very much development oriented or so it seemed to me. There was a lot of development ideology and jargon thrown around like micro-finance, empowerment, and etc. I was really thankful for my degree at this time. It definitely helped me to understand and analyze her talk to a deeper level than if I hadn't come from an International Development background. While I didn't agree with everything that she said, I do agree with this one line:

"Inequity, not scarcity is the problem."

According to Her Majesty about 1 Trillion is spent on arms a year where the expenditure for health and development is significantly less. I can't remember the exact numbers for those two, but no surprise there.

Her talk got me to rethink my cynicism in regards to development. The Queen was definitely inspiring in that she continues to persevere despite all the challenges she has faced in her humanitarian efforts. One could only imagine all the nasty red tape.

The Symphony

Life is good.

Last night I went to the Toronto Symphony Orchestra with a girl friend to hear Dvorak's Symphony #8. It was beautiful. Not just the music, but the musicians. It was mesmerizing watching their body move to the music as they were playing, and the way the bows of the stringed instruments moved in unison. I don't have enough words to describe it. There were so many cool things. Like how all these different instruments came together to create such a cool...melody instead of some raucous noise. It just blows my mind to try to fathom it because they could very well just be making noise.

I felt so sophisticated and grown up, traipsing downtown in heels for a cool Thai meal and then going out to the Symphony afterwards. It was only something that I imagined myself doing when I was "younger". Sometimes I still feel like I'm 16 inside. Last night was definitely one of those..."Pinch me, and tell me I'm awake," nights. I can't believe I'm living this life!

22

22. It doesn't feel all that different than 21, but I feel like I've stepped over the threshold into the prime of life. Never have I felt so comfortable in my own skin because of my relationship with Christ. Never have I felt so content because of Christ.

Life has arrived.
Not because I turned 22, but because my mental paradigm has finally adjusted to the fact that this is life. Life is what's happening right now, not when such and such happens. This is life and I absolutely love it. Absolutely content.

A myriad of adventures awaits me. What will happen next around the bend on this road of life? I am so excited for what the Lord has planned for the year ahead. Whatever it is I am ready to rock this casbah. Carpe diem! Seize the day.

Summit, The Fourth and First Edition

This past weekend was my fourth and first Summit. My fourth in general and my first as staff. It was fun as just as I expected, no matter how much I tried to deny it before I went. I was sad that I was missing out on the Mac-Guelph spirit, but one day UT, Ryerson, and York will give Guelph and McMaster a run for their money.

It was a great weekend working alongside the other staff, not that I had much to do, getting to know the students, and connecting with Jesus. God hit home some very important points that I need to digest before going on campus. I can't wait to go on campus. This weekend definitely confirmed that THIS is where I am suppose to be. Not at law school, not in the states, not in church ministry, not in Guelph doing a victory lap, not even in East Asia. Toronto is it.

The Very First Campus Ministry Days and Staff Conference

I.
LOVED.
IT.

It was pretty much awesome chilling with THE coolest people alive, fellowshiping, learning from Jesus, having fun, worshipping, and of course eating lunch with Mark Driscoll. I had a BLAST.

Campus Ministry Days Highlights
~Laughing at all the MET jokes during Module 1. Then as I was looking around I noticed it was only us young 'uns laughing. I felt immature. :P 'Tis good to be at the bottom of the food chain again.
~Being back in high school in the Module 1 classroom.
~Daily walks with B. Mitts with synched iPods.
~The CUTE babies
~The older staff that just ooze coolness, wisdom, and godliness. "You're so cool! I want to be just like you."
~Ticket to Ride. My new favourite game.
~The food! It was sooo good. I was so sad I couldn't eat more because of my silly stomach.
~The P and W. 'Twas so refreshing.
~Hanging with THE funnest staff team ever. YEAH Toronto. I love my team.
~The list goes on...

Staff Conference
I just have to say that having Mark Driscoll as the speaker for my first staff conference pretty much made my entire year. Yeah that's right, year. It also helped that two friends and I got to go eat lunch with Mark and his personal assistant on the last day. Jesus really spoke to me through Mark's sermons, and I took away a lot from those talks.
I'm still munching on them in my head. That man just loves Jesus, his family, and knows his Bible. I pretty much want to be like him. So in summary, I really admire and respect Mark Driscoll. Listening to him speak in person was the best way to kickoff my staff career.

Other comments.
~I am in dire need of exercise because I had to walk up all the hills when Lyds and I went biking.
~I love having my own bed at staff conference. Woooo-hoooooooo. No sleeping stiffly because I'm scared I'm going hurt someone with my violent tossing and turning. No profuse apologies the next morning for tearing the blankets away. That said no need to give disclaimers to potential roommates. Just me and the pillows. Yay.

These Things Happen, Stories of MPD Bloopers

Bust Out the Awkward Turtle
Friend A was an acquaintance who I haven't seen or talked to since high school. When I called her up I caught her at a bad time. As I was trying to build rapport I found it to be hard. From my POV there were long awkward pauses.

"Awkward, awkward, awwwwwwwwkwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaard," I chanted to myself in my mind until my real voice followed suit and blurted out,

"Awkward!"

Needless to say I immediately tried to finish the conversation as fast as I could then and there.

Chinese Time
This past Saturday I had three appointments scheduled back to back. Despite being stuck in traffic for a tiny bit I had made it to my first appointment on time. As I waited for my friend I begin to remember the concept of "chinese time" meaning that chinese people usually showed up 15-25 minutes after the appointed time.

I kept this in the back of my head as I parted ways with my first friend to meet my second. Standing in front of Second Cup I was sure that he was going to show up. After all we confirmed over Facebook. But as the 15 minute mark passed and then the 25 minute mark passed, my confidence wavered. Worst of all I had forgotten to ask him for his cell phone number and I didn't give him mine. At the 40 minute mark my stomach was aching for food, and I was pretty sure he wasn't going to show up. In any case I just couldn't wait any longer. I hadn't eaten a thing all morning except for a few bites of stale croissant from Second Cup. So I left. Moral of the story? Confirm by phone and get the cell number!

5k in 1.5 Hours
The same day that Divine Appointment #2 happened, Blooper #3 occurred. In between the two Doris called for our weekly phone appointment and I had asked her to pray that the appointment later that night in St. Kitts was going to happen because so many things could go wrong on the way.

Well to start off with I left a bit later than originally planned because my alarm clock didn't go off for my nap. I was still going to make it on time though if I drove at a decent speed. I hurtled down highway 6 towards Hamilton all the while torn between a desire for more speed and the fear of the sign that said: 100km Fine: $95. If I got a ticket would that be reimbursable under MPD? I consoled myself with the fact that once I got on to the 403 I would be able to go much faster. Little did I know...

Two lanes on the QEW were closed due to an accident. This meant that the 403 was backed up from the QEW all the way to highway 6 where I had turned off. As my car inched along the 403 at a whopping 0km per hour the road signs again taunted me with: QEW 5km. Finally after 1.5 hours I got to the turnoff for the QEW. Straining to see ahead I could tell that the traffic wasn't moving much faster there. By this time even if the QEW was moving along smoothly I would have arrived 2 hours late. At the very next turnoff I left the 403 and doubled back to Guelph.

But it wasn't all for naught. When I got tired of the music that I had in my car I tuned into 680 news where I heard all the juicy gossip I mean news from this past week. Apparently the Governator and some dude in Ottawa have a bet going on who's going to win the Stanley Cup, and Toronto wants to put microchips in its garbage bins.

Moral of the story? Listen to 680 before leaving.

Divine Appointments

I love MPD because a person can witness God do crazy things and see prayers answered.

Last week I was praying for more contacts. That same week I had my newsletters printed up.

"That's good work you're doing there Shelly," the printer guy said to me when I went to pick it up. We spent a few more minutes chatting, and then I leave. As I drive away in my car I realize...
"Hey! That guy was a Christian. He seemed interested in campus ministry. Have I not been praying for contacts?"

"Go back and ask Him!!!" One voice in my head screamed at me.

"No that'll be so WEIRD," another one protested.

(Please note, I am NOT a schizo)

I pulled into the parking lot of my next appointment debating with myself whether to go back or not. Finally gathering all my courage and blanking my mind to block out all my fears I drove back to the printers and asked for an appointment. He gave me a business card and asked me to contact his dad. End of Divine Appointment Story #1

This past Monday I was anxiously online doing some administration because well, I didn't have much else to do. My contact list was starting to dry up like a creek bed at the beginning of a drought. One of my friends who I've been trying to meet up with came online, and we tried setting up a time. It just so happened that he was very free at that very minute for the whole day. Well so was I! I quickly jumped into the car and drove to the Loo area. When I walked into his apartment to meet him who should be there but another one of my friends who I haven't seen since high school. We set up a time to meet up on Tuesday, but in the end he tagged along too.

But that's not where God's hand on the whole thing ends. Two weeks back I had been referred to a pastor in T.O. I was just told to call the pastor up. To be honest...I was a bit apprehensive about calling up a pastor point blank, but I was going to do it. It just so happens that friend #2 goes to said pastor's church and was close to him. Who do I ask for a favour? Friend# 2.

Mmmmhmm...God is gooooooooooooood!

Shifting Into "FAITH" Gear

Faith gear.

Get it? Faith, sounds like fifth? I know cheesy.
I don't even know anything about driving a standard transmission although I would like to learn.

The first 1.5 week of MPD was "easy" in terms that I could live more by sight than by faith. I had all these appointments lined up so spiritually it was somewhat easy to just coast. But now as second week draws to an end along with my contact list, it's time to start really living by faith,

Check!

Things I've Always Wanted To Do That I've Done:

~See Port Angeles
~See Mt. St. Helens'/Volcano
~Go digging for oysters

Today we went to the cove for FREE fresh oysters. There were piles and piles of oysters just laying there for the taking. The sad thing was I couldn't take the saltiness and the fishiness of it without any cocktail sauce. The thing stayed in my mouth for a few minutes while I debated whether to swallow or spit. In the end I had to spit it out. It was making me sick. Sad, as I love oysters, and they're usually $20 a dozen. Snifff........
















I got greedy just seeing all of these oysters. I wanted to take them all home, but now I'm feeling somewhat sick from eating a dozen of them at the Buffet. God-willing, I'm not getting food poisoning. That would...SUCK.














Here's the picture of me trying to decide whether to swallow or spit. Notice the look of utter disgust.














My dad and I took off our shoes to get close to the oysters. Later he scraped off the mud with a clam shell to put his shoes back on. He found me a shell too, but I made him carry me over the rocky beach back to shore to wash my feet off at the faucet because I didn't want to get the new shoes that my mom got me dirty. I heart my dad. Yes, spoiled indeed.

Officially Done

Macro in an Open Economy
11:30-1:30
MacKinnon 117

That was my final final of my B.A.

I am officially done my undergraduate.

Weird...

One of the Best Things in the World...

One of the best things in the world has got to be the relief felt upon finishing a paper. There's nothing like the joy in your heart as the last page eases out of the printer, the bounce in your step as you go to hand it in, the weight off of your shoulders. Definitely one of the best feelings in the world, but of course you have to go through at least a week of agonizing stress to reach that point.

Friday was the day that I finished my very last paper of my undergrad. Hip hip hurray, and an extra huzzah! The sun was streaming down on me, as I thoroughly savoured that moment. It seemed like everything in the world was ok.