Please Note: This one is PURELY self-centered.
You know how the saying goes "Always a bridesmaid, NEVER a bride"?
No, this is not a rant about never getting married, it's about my birthday.
It's about how it's NEVER my birthday. It's ALWAYS Thanksgiving. October 7 is always inevitably THANKSGIVING weekend. No ifs, no ands, and no buts. ALWAYS Thanksgiving. I'm always second fiddle to Thanksgiving.
I never had an issue with this until university. You see in high school the majority was the minority. We were all Asian. Thanksgiving to us was a foreign holiday. It'd just be one meal with the parents and that's it. The rest of the weekend was ours. It also helped that none of us were living AWAY from home. So at that time all of us were trying to get OUT of the house, which meant I got my fete.
At university my friendships "diversified". Most of my friends were Caucasian and Thanksgiving was a BIG thing. Even the Asians left because once you leave home, you miss home. EVERYONE went home at Thanksgiving to celebrate....you know it, Thanksgiving. Which left me pretty much alone with no real celebration on the day of. {insert "All By Myself" by Celine Dion here}
I know we'd celebrate a week later. Or some friends would do things with me to make up for the day either before or after October 7th or some friends would call or would call AND serenade on the day of, and I appreciated all of that, but I longed for a party with all my closest friends on the day OF. Which at this point is pretty much impossible anyways since two members of my SWAT team are now out of the beautiful country of Ontario. It just doesn't feel like my birthday anymore a week later or a week before.
This is all to say I wish Thanksgiving was in November like the USA so the poor souls who are born the weekend of November 24-26 would have to deal with this, not me. Because I actually do enjoy Thanksgiving. I love stuffing, but it's ALWAYS on my birthday! But since this won't change unless I move out of the country (i.e. STINT...kidding) I will suck it up...now.
Another Disclaimer: I know I'm not the only one whose birthday lands on another major event. I feel the pain of my friends whose birthdays are ALWAYS Summit, Day of Evangelism, Christmas, project, and etc...
What prompted this? Trying to figure out when to host a shindig for said birthday and realizing that good dates are few and far between. 22 may have to pass quietly.
And puh-lease don't pity me. This is not me wanting attention or extra special stuff or sympathy or whatever. This is me wanting to get it out of my system once and for all.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
The Reality of Yellow Fever
Y'all have probably seen WongFu Production's "Yellow Fever" making fun of the "phenomenon" of white guys dating asian girls in North America.
Well here's the reality of it called "The Hunt for Foreign Husbands" on CBC's website on why white guys who are social pariahs in their native country automatically achieve stud status the minute they set foot in Asia. For example one lanky acne ridden dude dated 30 women within a month. Think Screech with the magnetism of Brad Pitt.
I haven't fully fleshed out my thoughts on this one yet. My first reaction is that of disgust and repulsion because I automatically assume that these men are just sexual predators preying on the unsuspecting and the innocent. But wait! What kind of girl dreams of having a forty year old balding white man with a beer belly as her Prince Charming? A gold digger!
The CBC shines a light on the motives of the women as well, and these motives aren't snow white either. The Asian women want to marry foreigners because they think they're richer and that the white guys can get them legal access to G8 countries. Read: permanent residency or citizenship. Apparently the trend nowadays is not even to marry for love, just the wallet. A person's character isn't even on the top ten.
In the end I guess it's all even in a warped sort of way. An eye for an eye. A tooth for a tooth. Everyone's using everyone else. Tis' a sad state of affairs.
For the record I am NOT against interracial marriages just in case someone random stumbled onto this page. My mom married a white guy. I know some beautiful interracial marriages where the couples married for the RIGHT reasons. It's just the warped reasons that irk me greatly.
I also know that I went to the polarized extremes. There are probably tons of motives in between.
Well here's the reality of it called "The Hunt for Foreign Husbands" on CBC's website on why white guys who are social pariahs in their native country automatically achieve stud status the minute they set foot in Asia. For example one lanky acne ridden dude dated 30 women within a month. Think Screech with the magnetism of Brad Pitt.
I haven't fully fleshed out my thoughts on this one yet. My first reaction is that of disgust and repulsion because I automatically assume that these men are just sexual predators preying on the unsuspecting and the innocent. But wait! What kind of girl dreams of having a forty year old balding white man with a beer belly as her Prince Charming? A gold digger!
The CBC shines a light on the motives of the women as well, and these motives aren't snow white either. The Asian women want to marry foreigners because they think they're richer and that the white guys can get them legal access to G8 countries. Read: permanent residency or citizenship. Apparently the trend nowadays is not even to marry for love, just the wallet. A person's character isn't even on the top ten.
In the end I guess it's all even in a warped sort of way. An eye for an eye. A tooth for a tooth. Everyone's using everyone else. Tis' a sad state of affairs.
For the record I am NOT against interracial marriages just in case someone random stumbled onto this page. My mom married a white guy. I know some beautiful interracial marriages where the couples married for the RIGHT reasons. It's just the warped reasons that irk me greatly.
I also know that I went to the polarized extremes. There are probably tons of motives in between.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Cooking Conundrum
This entire summer I cooked an astounding TWO times excluding the times I boiled water for cup noodles, dumplings, and wontons. What a feat. Once was scrambled eggs. The other was your typical tomatoes and egg, red-roasted chicken, and stir fry. Thus far it doesn't look like my goal to become a great cook is off to a good start. Sadly enough I think my cooking skills have actually regressed.
To break out of the poor eating habits of a bachelorette I hit up T and T again today. (INSERT HALLELUJAH CHORUS FROM HANDEL'S MESSIAH) I needed inspiration to start cooking. The items on on the shelves were just screaming, "Cook me!" I bought some much needed ingredients that were hard to find in Guelph, but there are others that are still missing. I was so tempted to buy those prepackaged jars of sauces to cook with, but I am resolved not to cop out. Seriously how much authentic Szechuanese food can you get in Toronto? All those signs and labels claiming to be from Szechuan? LIES!
Aye, there's the rub. I long for the delicious food from my childhood, and long to make them, but I lack ingredients and an authentic teacher. Even the best cook in our family can't make REAL food from our province because of the lack of ingredients. No matter how much those labels claim to be from Szechuan, they're not. There are some ingredients that just can't be imported. Like Panda liver. Just kidding. So until the day China really takes over the world I'll have to make due with pseudo Chinese food whilst outside the Motherland.
Read: If my cooking sucks it's because I lack ingredients.
To break out of the poor eating habits of a bachelorette I hit up T and T again today. (INSERT HALLELUJAH CHORUS FROM HANDEL'S MESSIAH) I needed inspiration to start cooking. The items on on the shelves were just screaming, "Cook me!" I bought some much needed ingredients that were hard to find in Guelph, but there are others that are still missing. I was so tempted to buy those prepackaged jars of sauces to cook with, but I am resolved not to cop out. Seriously how much authentic Szechuanese food can you get in Toronto? All those signs and labels claiming to be from Szechuan? LIES!
Aye, there's the rub. I long for the delicious food from my childhood, and long to make them, but I lack ingredients and an authentic teacher. Even the best cook in our family can't make REAL food from our province because of the lack of ingredients. No matter how much those labels claim to be from Szechuan, they're not. There are some ingredients that just can't be imported. Like Panda liver. Just kidding. So until the day China really takes over the world I'll have to make due with pseudo Chinese food whilst outside the Motherland.
Read: If my cooking sucks it's because I lack ingredients.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
The Warmth of Family
Sometimes I get so caught up being Miss Independent that I forget about how much warmth family brings, and how much I need family and community. Today during a bout of loneliness I got a call from my aunt in T.O. inviting me over for dinner. That was great in itself, but I think the best part was when she used a chinese term of endearment that mums use for their kids. It felt like a hug. I love family.
Homesick
I miss Guelph.
A lot.
Not just the people, but the city and the school itself.
The beauty, the memories, the dreams and the aspirations the university embodied.
Not that Toronto is worse. Not that Toronto is better.
Toronto is just different.
Not that I don't like Toronto. I do. Immensely so.
It's just that Guelph holds a special place in my heart.
It was the place where dreams came true.
Where I came into my own. Where I grew up.
My home.
A lot.
Not just the people, but the city and the school itself.
The beauty, the memories, the dreams and the aspirations the university embodied.
Not that Toronto is worse. Not that Toronto is better.
Toronto is just different.
Not that I don't like Toronto. I do. Immensely so.
It's just that Guelph holds a special place in my heart.
It was the place where dreams came true.
Where I came into my own. Where I grew up.
My home.
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Final Stretch
I've got around $1,300 in monthly support left to raise. Jesus totally brought in lots of monthly supporters this past week from previous support appointments, and I didn't do anything at all because of the busyness of moving. Praise God. I could totally be on campus by early September.
Goodbye. Hello.
Goodbye Guelph. Hello Toronto.
Goodbye 519. Hello 647.
Goodbye small town. Hello big city.
Goodbye uni-cultural. Hello diversity.
Goodbye blue sky. Hello smog.
Goodbye open streets. Hello congestion.
Goodbye Zehrs. Hello T&T.
Goodbye instant foods. Hello planned meals.
Goodbye house. Hello high rise apartment.
Goodbye mismatched furniture. Hello IKEA.
Goodbye sweats. Hello fashion.
Goodbye student life. Hello staff life.
Goodbye stressful studying. Hello fun learning.
Goodbye carefree (relatively) life. Hello life of responsibility (yet still fun).
Goodbye Guelph. Hello T.O.
I'm officially back in Toronto.
Goodbye 519. Hello 647.
Goodbye small town. Hello big city.
Goodbye uni-cultural. Hello diversity.
Goodbye blue sky. Hello smog.
Goodbye open streets. Hello congestion.
Goodbye Zehrs. Hello T&T.
Goodbye instant foods. Hello planned meals.
Goodbye house. Hello high rise apartment.
Goodbye mismatched furniture. Hello IKEA.
Goodbye sweats. Hello fashion.
Goodbye student life. Hello staff life.
Goodbye stressful studying. Hello fun learning.
Goodbye carefree (relatively) life. Hello life of responsibility (yet still fun).
Goodbye Guelph. Hello T.O.
I'm officially back in Toronto.
Friday, August 24, 2007
Thwarted
I came home "early" from the staff BBQ to do some MPD tonight to pad my weekly update when I promptly fell asleep on the couch after a shower and a yummy dinner at 8 something at night. Doh. I'm going to go to bed, bed now.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Eat Those Words
For every major decision that I had to make I've had to eat my words.
When I was in high school and my friend Dave was heading off to university I scoffed at the fact that he was going to go to the University of Guelph. I thought to myself, "Who the heck would go to Guelph?!"
Then I actually CHOSE to go to Guelph.
My last year of high school I spent most of my economics class making fun of BAs. We mocked BAs because we thought it was such a useless degree. They'd end up filling up all the Mickey D's.
Then I CHOSE to switch to a BA program from a BCOMM.
When the Lord first called me to missions I adamantly said no. Missionaries don't make any money.
Now I'm on staff.
Tonight looking back at the archives of my old blog I found this:
meanwhile.....i have got to stop saying that i dislike canadian ministry. that might as well be saying "hey sign me up for canadian staff!!!" i've got to be open to anything and everything at any cost. my mouth goes shut now. i wonder if i already sealed my fate. oh geez more words to eat.
Yeah for Canadian staff!
Now I've learned to seal my lips regarding any major life decisions especially since the next major one would be marriage. Unfortunately I've already sworn that I wouldn't marry several guys. The good news is that I can't marry them all unless they all died one by one. So...here we go. We'll see how this all turns out in a few years.
When I was in high school and my friend Dave was heading off to university I scoffed at the fact that he was going to go to the University of Guelph. I thought to myself, "Who the heck would go to Guelph?!"
Then I actually CHOSE to go to Guelph.
My last year of high school I spent most of my economics class making fun of BAs. We mocked BAs because we thought it was such a useless degree. They'd end up filling up all the Mickey D's.
Then I CHOSE to switch to a BA program from a BCOMM.
When the Lord first called me to missions I adamantly said no. Missionaries don't make any money.
Now I'm on staff.
Tonight looking back at the archives of my old blog I found this:
meanwhile.....i have got to stop saying that i dislike canadian ministry. that might as well be saying "hey sign me up for canadian staff!!!" i've got to be open to anything and everything at any cost. my mouth goes shut now. i wonder if i already sealed my fate. oh geez more words to eat.
Yeah for Canadian staff!
Now I've learned to seal my lips regarding any major life decisions especially since the next major one would be marriage. Unfortunately I've already sworn that I wouldn't marry several guys. The good news is that I can't marry them all unless they all died one by one. So...here we go. We'll see how this all turns out in a few years.
Monday, August 06, 2007
AMEN SISTAH!
"Allow a man to win your heart, she would say. And if he doesn’t want to, then why would you want him?"
Wow. How refreshing. That quotation was from a recent post from girltalk.blogs.com. (In case you're wondering it's the Week 6 Book Club Discussion) It wasn't anything new, but it was so good to read it and be reaffirmed in my convictions. It's tempting to want to flirt, to want attention, to feel validated, and to feel in control of one's marital status instead of waiting on the Lord. But I firmly believe in that men are called to initiate.
Call me prudish. Call me uber conservative. Old-fashioned. I'd actually delight in that.
A woman's heart is precious, valuable, and worth being sought after. I'm not going to throw mine at someone who barely cares, or even someone who cares, but not enough. Been there done that. Not doing it again. It's such a lie when guys say they need a sign that the girl is interested before they ask. In Aban's words, "MAN UP." Who wants a coward for a husband?
End Rant.
Footnote: I know John Ensor suggested "crackling leaves" so to speak. Fine, but I'm not talking about that. There are times when girls take crackling leaves to mean chopping down the tree and watching it whack the guy on top of the head.
Wow. How refreshing. That quotation was from a recent post from girltalk.blogs.com. (In case you're wondering it's the Week 6 Book Club Discussion) It wasn't anything new, but it was so good to read it and be reaffirmed in my convictions. It's tempting to want to flirt, to want attention, to feel validated, and to feel in control of one's marital status instead of waiting on the Lord. But I firmly believe in that men are called to initiate.
Call me prudish. Call me uber conservative. Old-fashioned. I'd actually delight in that.
A woman's heart is precious, valuable, and worth being sought after. I'm not going to throw mine at someone who barely cares, or even someone who cares, but not enough. Been there done that. Not doing it again. It's such a lie when guys say they need a sign that the girl is interested before they ask. In Aban's words, "MAN UP." Who wants a coward for a husband?
End Rant.
Footnote: I know John Ensor suggested "crackling leaves" so to speak. Fine, but I'm not talking about that. There are times when girls take crackling leaves to mean chopping down the tree and watching it whack the guy on top of the head.
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
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.
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.
50%!!!
Halfway there!
Well actually a wee bit more than halfway there, but I always promised myself I'd celebrate by blogging about it when I did hit 50%. I was at campus ministry days when I hit 50% so I didn't really have enough concentration/energy/time to sit down and write a decent blog post. But praise the Lord! It came in such a wonderful way. One of my project supporters just sent me an email after getting my last newsletter telling me they were encouraged by my passion and that they were coming on for a significant amount monthly starting immediately. I was blown away. It was so totally cool.
Now for the next 50%. It's so close I can taste it.
Well actually a wee bit more than halfway there, but I always promised myself I'd celebrate by blogging about it when I did hit 50%. I was at campus ministry days when I hit 50% so I didn't really have enough concentration/energy/time to sit down and write a decent blog post. But praise the Lord! It came in such a wonderful way. One of my project supporters just sent me an email after getting my last newsletter telling me they were encouraged by my passion and that they were coming on for a significant amount monthly starting immediately. I was blown away. It was so totally cool.
Now for the next 50%. It's so close I can taste it.
Monday, July 16, 2007
I'm CANADIAN.... chinese...
There are times where I emphasis the Canadian part of my identity more so than the chinese part for very good reasons. For example in such times as these. Courtesy of Miss Mitts.
They built a four story restroom in my hometown complete with open air Virgin Mary themed urinals among other specialty toilets. How did we go from tea, silk, and porcelain to...glorified urinals? Sometimes I really wonder...
It's just so ridiculous, but when I visit my hometown I will definitely be going there for photo ops. Oh Chines.
They built a four story restroom in my hometown complete with open air Virgin Mary themed urinals among other specialty toilets. How did we go from tea, silk, and porcelain to...glorified urinals? Sometimes I really wonder...
It's just so ridiculous, but when I visit my hometown I will definitely be going there for photo ops. Oh Chines.
Friday, July 13, 2007
New York
This most recent visit to New York has been the best visit by far due to two factors. One is that I've gotten to know the people here better so I have friends! Two I got to drive around the new CRV so I'm not cooped up in the house all day.
Highlights
~The semi-surprise grad party
Mum told me a few people were coming to dinner on Sunday. By a few she meant 30-50. Her and dad got a tent.
~The art lesson
After a hiatus of four years from official art lessons, paints were dug up, canvases were found, and off I went for a relaxing and therapeutic afternoon of learning the "sfumato" style of oil painting used by Leo Da Vinci. This has inspired me to lug my easel and my hoard of art supplies back to Canada. AND...oil paint is much MUCH better than acrylic. I am now an oil paint fan.
~The mini LAN party
Spent a few hours on the computer with family friends playing Age of Empires. Another thing I haven't done since high school. Technology's gotten much better I have to say. :P Gee really? Been trying to figure out which hobbies will resurrect now that I have more free time. I don't think gaming's going to be one of them. I just can't get into them that much as I once did, but I am bringing my classic playstation one back with me. Just a few more RPGs to finish up...maybe. There are just some days where you're so brain dead that you can only play games.
~The massive balloon fight
Was not at all good for my right shoulder, but I think I have more confidence in my abilities for the softball tournament at staff conference. Hopefully the soreness won't persist.
~The food
My maternal grandma's visiting so the food is 100% authentic. I can't emphasize how good it is. I might as well be in China. Ohhh homecooking. YUM!
To Canada I return on Sunday.
Highlights
~The semi-surprise grad party
Mum told me a few people were coming to dinner on Sunday. By a few she meant 30-50. Her and dad got a tent.
~The art lesson
After a hiatus of four years from official art lessons, paints were dug up, canvases were found, and off I went for a relaxing and therapeutic afternoon of learning the "sfumato" style of oil painting used by Leo Da Vinci. This has inspired me to lug my easel and my hoard of art supplies back to Canada. AND...oil paint is much MUCH better than acrylic. I am now an oil paint fan.
~The mini LAN party
Spent a few hours on the computer with family friends playing Age of Empires. Another thing I haven't done since high school. Technology's gotten much better I have to say. :P Gee really? Been trying to figure out which hobbies will resurrect now that I have more free time. I don't think gaming's going to be one of them. I just can't get into them that much as I once did, but I am bringing my classic playstation one back with me. Just a few more RPGs to finish up...maybe. There are just some days where you're so brain dead that you can only play games.
~The massive balloon fight
Was not at all good for my right shoulder, but I think I have more confidence in my abilities for the softball tournament at staff conference. Hopefully the soreness won't persist.
~The food
My maternal grandma's visiting so the food is 100% authentic. I can't emphasize how good it is. I might as well be in China. Ohhh homecooking. YUM!
To Canada I return on Sunday.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Sunday, July 01, 2007
Wall
The rubber has hit the road. I've hit a wall in terms of support-raising. I am pretty much out of contacts in Ontario. I've a handful of contacts left to contact, whom I just can't seem to reach. Referrals are in short supply. I didn't expect it to happen this early on in game, and I was definitely hoping that it wouldn't. This new development brought with it a plethora of feelings.
It's a mix of relief, helplessness, fear, and excitement.
Relief, because Ministry Partner Development is proving to be stretching. A challenge has come up. Not everything is honky dory. I was starting to think I was a bit abnormal for not really been challenged. My situation is not weird after all. Now I have a chance to put my faith into practice. To have the opportunity to stay true to my commitment to the Lord to be joyful, grateful, and faithful when the hard times come. To bless His name when the sun's not shining.
Helplessness, because well really what can I do to change situations and move hearts to prompt people to gather courage to give and to refer me to others? That is only something God can do.
Fear, because the unbelief in me whispers, "What if He doesn't come through?"
Excitement, because I know He will faithfully provide for all my needs, in wondrous ways. The unknown makes it even more exciting. I can't wait to see what twists and turns God will take me through to bring me to full support.
Pray with me for more contacts, and to God be all the glory.
It's a mix of relief, helplessness, fear, and excitement.
Relief, because Ministry Partner Development is proving to be stretching. A challenge has come up. Not everything is honky dory. I was starting to think I was a bit abnormal for not really been challenged. My situation is not weird after all. Now I have a chance to put my faith into practice. To have the opportunity to stay true to my commitment to the Lord to be joyful, grateful, and faithful when the hard times come. To bless His name when the sun's not shining.
Helplessness, because well really what can I do to change situations and move hearts to prompt people to gather courage to give and to refer me to others? That is only something God can do.
Fear, because the unbelief in me whispers, "What if He doesn't come through?"
Excitement, because I know He will faithfully provide for all my needs, in wondrous ways. The unknown makes it even more exciting. I can't wait to see what twists and turns God will take me through to bring me to full support.
Pray with me for more contacts, and to God be all the glory.
Friday, June 15, 2007
Running on Empty...Literally
I had a support appointment in Newmarket. As I pulled out of the parking lot at the end of the appointment I noticed that I was a few notches away from empty on the fuel gauge. Sitting there at the red light I was flanked on both sides of the road by a gas station. Going against my better judgement I decided to wait until I hit the 400 to find an Esso just so I could rack up more aeroplan points. Little did I know...
As I drove further away from Newmarket and closer to the highway the roads became darker and darker as there were less street lights and less buildings. There were no gas stations. By the time I hit the 400 the fuel gauge was nearly empty, but I calmed myself with the fact that the fuel light didn't go on yet. I still had time. As I was gunning it down the highway I was trying to decide whether I should go slower to save more gas or go faster to try to get to the next gas station on time. I turned off at nearly every exit to try to find a gas station, but each exit was as dark as the night with no blinding white lights nearby to signal that there was gas nearby.
I was starting to get nervous. I drove around a bit at one exit only to use what little I had left to find a closed gas station. The fuel light went on, I started praying like mad, and at the same time started scolding myself for, one: stubbornly wanting those aeroplan points and two: never calling CAA to get a membership for the past four years. As if that would help matters.
I went back on the highway praying that the next exit would bring a gas station, but the darkness just seemed to loom on forever. Who knew that such a major highway would be so deserted?
Finally a sign announcing the existence of a service station relieved my fears and answered my prayers. It was an Esso to boot as well. In the end I didn't get stranded, got my gas, AND my aeroplan points. Oh God is good.
I should get on that CAA membership.
As I drove further away from Newmarket and closer to the highway the roads became darker and darker as there were less street lights and less buildings. There were no gas stations. By the time I hit the 400 the fuel gauge was nearly empty, but I calmed myself with the fact that the fuel light didn't go on yet. I still had time. As I was gunning it down the highway I was trying to decide whether I should go slower to save more gas or go faster to try to get to the next gas station on time. I turned off at nearly every exit to try to find a gas station, but each exit was as dark as the night with no blinding white lights nearby to signal that there was gas nearby.
I was starting to get nervous. I drove around a bit at one exit only to use what little I had left to find a closed gas station. The fuel light went on, I started praying like mad, and at the same time started scolding myself for, one: stubbornly wanting those aeroplan points and two: never calling CAA to get a membership for the past four years. As if that would help matters.
I went back on the highway praying that the next exit would bring a gas station, but the darkness just seemed to loom on forever. Who knew that such a major highway would be so deserted?
Finally a sign announcing the existence of a service station relieved my fears and answered my prayers. It was an Esso to boot as well. In the end I didn't get stranded, got my gas, AND my aeroplan points. Oh God is good.
I should get on that CAA membership.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Family
My whole extended family on my step dad's side came up to Canada to celebrate my convocation and my grandparent's 50th anniversary along with my maternal grandma and some of my mom's cousins. To make things easier I always referred to them as either the "white" side of the family or the "yellow" side. It was a good system.
It was a great time of family bonding; the joking and teasing from the uncles, the bantering, being spoiled by the aunts, the antics with the cousins, and just the unconditional warm family love that you could feel emanating from everyone. It was beautiful. It made me treasure my family more. I absolutely looooved it.
With the family I finally got to hit up Niagara Falls as a bona fide tourist. Did the whole boat tour thing and we took THE funniest group photo. Everyone has just got the wonkiest expressions on their faces.
We also went to this sleepy town east of Kingston and chilled at a B& B there called Sleepy Hollow. That was a first as well. I loved it. It was so quaint and cozy with a delightful country feel. It reminded me of my Stillwater, Oklahoma days. My oldest cousin, who's my age and I got to share a room with a massive king size bed. We could've fit another one of our itty bitty cousins in between us or two.
One of the funniest memories from that trip was when we went across the border to New York state to see this old castle a la Casa Loma. I was a bit nervous since the last time I tried crossing the border without my passport we hit some troubled waters. This time I was driving with my cousin and we were blasting the music. The customs officer asked us a bunch of questions, but the best one was "how do you know each other?" We gave each other a look thinking...would this guy actually buy the fact that we are indeed related? It was plain from appearances that there's no way we can be biologically related. She's blonde and blue eyed with a pale complexion, and I've got black hair and brown eyes. So we threw it out there tacking on "BY MARRIAGE," at the very end hoping for the very best. In the end he believed us to our great relief, and we went on our merry way.
The castle on Heart Island was beautiful, but a bit disappointing on the inside since it was never finished. As we toured the islands we found out that some people bought some of the islands for as low as $24 way back in the day. Now they go for about oh... a few million. Dang! What an investment. I should be buying myself real estate like that. What with global warming and everything I should buy some dinky little island in the Arctic Circle or something. Maybe that'll pay off.
On the way back to the Great White North we stopped by a go-kart track and roared around the track. It was great fun although I will never will wear a skirt to go go-karting in the future. We also hit up the batting cages where I got whacked by a 70mph fast ball. That put me out of commission, and I didn't even get a war bruise to show for it.
Oh fun times with the family.
It was a great time of family bonding; the joking and teasing from the uncles, the bantering, being spoiled by the aunts, the antics with the cousins, and just the unconditional warm family love that you could feel emanating from everyone. It was beautiful. It made me treasure my family more. I absolutely looooved it.
With the family I finally got to hit up Niagara Falls as a bona fide tourist. Did the whole boat tour thing and we took THE funniest group photo. Everyone has just got the wonkiest expressions on their faces.
We also went to this sleepy town east of Kingston and chilled at a B& B there called Sleepy Hollow. That was a first as well. I loved it. It was so quaint and cozy with a delightful country feel. It reminded me of my Stillwater, Oklahoma days. My oldest cousin, who's my age and I got to share a room with a massive king size bed. We could've fit another one of our itty bitty cousins in between us or two.
One of the funniest memories from that trip was when we went across the border to New York state to see this old castle a la Casa Loma. I was a bit nervous since the last time I tried crossing the border without my passport we hit some troubled waters. This time I was driving with my cousin and we were blasting the music. The customs officer asked us a bunch of questions, but the best one was "how do you know each other?" We gave each other a look thinking...would this guy actually buy the fact that we are indeed related? It was plain from appearances that there's no way we can be biologically related. She's blonde and blue eyed with a pale complexion, and I've got black hair and brown eyes. So we threw it out there tacking on "BY MARRIAGE," at the very end hoping for the very best. In the end he believed us to our great relief, and we went on our merry way.
The castle on Heart Island was beautiful, but a bit disappointing on the inside since it was never finished. As we toured the islands we found out that some people bought some of the islands for as low as $24 way back in the day. Now they go for about oh... a few million. Dang! What an investment. I should be buying myself real estate like that. What with global warming and everything I should buy some dinky little island in the Arctic Circle or something. Maybe that'll pay off.
On the way back to the Great White North we stopped by a go-kart track and roared around the track. It was great fun although I will never will wear a skirt to go go-karting in the future. We also hit up the batting cages where I got whacked by a 70mph fast ball. That put me out of commission, and I didn't even get a war bruise to show for it.
Oh fun times with the family.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
My Very First Wedding Present
I know a few years ago I posted an entry about how my mom bought me a gift during Christmas vacation, but she wouldn't give it to me because she meant it for my wedding. I can't find the post anymore, but...
This weekend she brought it with her in honour of my convocation and so that I can wear it to Ashley and Ryan's wedding. It was a Swarvoski necklace and earring set. It was beautiful, and I can see why she initially bought it for my possible future wedding. I joked that she gave up on the hope that I would ever get married, but who knows? :P Only the Lord. :D
This weekend she brought it with her in honour of my convocation and so that I can wear it to Ashley and Ryan's wedding. It was a Swarvoski necklace and earring set. It was beautiful, and I can see why she initially bought it for my possible future wedding. I joked that she gave up on the hope that I would ever get married, but who knows? :P Only the Lord. :D
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