Ever since I moved out of the nest 7-8ish years ago I've gotten to celebrate my mum's birthday with her twice. I'm SO excited for her upcoming visit. Lots of things planned, but am most excited about her birthday.
1. Brunch in bed with fresh flowers.
2. Taking her shopping and buying her a dressy outfit for a dinner out.
3. Matinee movie before dinner.
4. Dinner and drinks at Panorama.
5. A big hug and a big kiss.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Sunday, March 28, 2010
You Don't Get This Anymore
My love has made me selfish. I cannot exist without you — I am forgetful of every thing but seeing you again — my Life seems to stop there — I see no further. You have absorb'd me. I have a sensation at the present moment as though I was dissolving — I should be exquisitely miserable without the hope of soon seeing you. [...] I have been astonished that Men could die Martyrs for religion — I have shudder'd at it — I shudder no more — I could be martyr'd for my Religion — Love is my religion — I could die for that — I could die for you. (Letter, 13 October 1819).
John Keats to Fanny Brawne
John Keats to Fanny Brawne
Four Great Classics
The Four Great Classics of Chinese Literature
1. Romance of the Three Kingdoms (sān guó yǎn yì)
2. Water Margin (shuǐ hǔ zhuàn)
3. Journey to the West (xī yóu jì)
4. Dream of the Red Chamber (hóng lóu mèng)
1. Romance of the Three Kingdoms (sān guó yǎn yì)
2. Water Margin (shuǐ hǔ zhuàn)
3. Journey to the West (xī yóu jì)
4. Dream of the Red Chamber (hóng lóu mèng)
Five BAD Reasons to Serve Somewhere Overseas Long Term
1. You drool over the clothing.
2. You also drool over the food.
3. And the actors...
4. And the music and the dancing.
5. You want to knock off some tourist sites off your bucket list.
2. You also drool over the food.
3. And the actors...
4. And the music and the dancing.
5. You want to knock off some tourist sites off your bucket list.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
I daresay many people have a warped understanding of love, at worst, and a shallow understanding at best, myself included. Perhaps this is why people feel as if they don't experience God's love because they're looking for what they constitute as "love", which is a sad mockery of the real deal.
Love is not convenient by any means.
Love is not easy by any means.
Love is not painless by any means.
No one understands this better than Christ.
Love is not convenient by any means.
Love is not easy by any means.
Love is not painless by any means.
No one understands this better than Christ.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
This Is What a Good Day Looks Like
1. Sharing the gospel.
2. Training younger women to share the gospel.
3. Studying the Bible.
4. Training younger women to study the Bible.
5. Buying beads and buttons.
6. Chilling with my small group:
*eating good food
*drinking good beer
*playing euchre
*telling poop stories
*making fun of each other
7. Dancing
2. Training younger women to share the gospel.
3. Studying the Bible.
4. Training younger women to study the Bible.
5. Buying beads and buttons.
6. Chilling with my small group:
*eating good food
*drinking good beer
*playing euchre
*telling poop stories
*making fun of each other
7. Dancing
I love...
I love my life...
I love my relationship with Christ.
I love my church family.
I love my small group.
I love my friends.
I love my work.
I love my family.
I love my city.
I love my life.
I love my relationship with Christ.
I love my church family.
I love my small group.
I love my friends.
I love my work.
I love my family.
I love my city.
I love my life.
Monday, March 22, 2010
My New Comebacks and Excuses
Comebacks
1) "You're so lucky I found Jesus."
Note: I will be ignoring the theological implications.
2) "Thanks for nothing you useless reptile."
Excuses
1) "It's the heroin."
1) "You're so lucky I found Jesus."
Note: I will be ignoring the theological implications.
2) "Thanks for nothing you useless reptile."
Excuses
1) "It's the heroin."
Behind Closed Doors
Scene: Breakfast
Schnurgh Schnurgh: Awww...my roommate made me breakfast.
Me: For all the times you brought me the tissue box.
Scene: I just broke my favourite mug.
Scene: I am relating this conversation to Schnurgh Schnurgh who is sitting across from me.
Scene: Watching a Bollywood dance scene on Youtube.
Schnurgh Schnurgh: Awww...my roommate made me breakfast.
Me: For all the times you brought me the tissue box.
Scene: I just broke my favourite mug.
Me: i just broke my favourite mug!!!!! T___________T
BFF: oh noooo
which one? how?
Me: starbucks
coffee beans
i'm actually upset
tear
BFF: oh dear
Me: well actually
BFF: maybe you could find another one?
Me: the handle broke off
so it can still be used
BFF: oooh you can get superglue
and glue the handle on!
Me: umm..the handle shattered into many pieces much like my heart a month ago
drama queen? yes, i am
Scene: I am relating this conversation to Schnurgh Schnurgh who is sitting across from me.
Me: So I just told my BFF that my heart shattered into many pieces much like my mug.
Schnurgh Schnurgh: Did you clean it up?
Me: Of course I did!
Schnurgh Schnurgh: Ok, cause I don't want someone to come over and slit their leg open...
Me: Like my heart!
Schnurgh Schnurgh: NO! Oh dear, you're going to relate this to every person's tragic experience.
Schnurgh Schnurgh mimicking potential conversation:
"I'm dying."
"Just like I did!"
Scene: Watching a Bollywood dance scene on Youtube.
Me: Oh we can take dance lessons when we move to India!
Time passes...
Me: I want to go to the Taj Mahal
Schnurgh Schnurgh: I want to go to Kerala.
Time passes...
Schnurgh Schnurgh: Did you know that the Taj Mahal is sinking?
Silence
Schnurgh Schnurgh: Oh you didn't say it!
Me: LIKE MY HEART!!!
Schnurgh Schnurgh: NOO
Scene: Puttering Around the Apartment
Me: Sigh. I need to install Parallels. I get so distracted.
Schnurgh Schnurgh: Did you just say "heroin"?
Me: NO! I said 'Parallels'.
Schnurgh Schnurgh: THEY DON'T EVEN RHYME. In my head I was thinking 'My roommate is a heroin addict. Is this what she does on her day off? I don't want to be here on Mondays.'
Scene: Puttering Around the Apartment
Me: Sigh. I need to install Parallels. I get so distracted.
Schnurgh Schnurgh: Did you just say "heroin"?
Me: NO! I said 'Parallels'.
Schnurgh Schnurgh: THEY DON'T EVEN RHYME. In my head I was thinking 'My roommate is a heroin addict. Is this what she does on her day off? I don't want to be here on Mondays.'
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Tourist in My Own City
Toronto is so interesting because even after living here for three years there's still so much to explore. I adore kitschy neighborhoods, and I haven't even gotten to them all yet. And of course after exploring, I have to go back and frequent the gems that I've discovered.
Spring is exploration season. Blog T.O. has all these "Best of Toronto Lists".
*Best New Cafes
*Best Croissants
(I am still determined to find a decent croissant this side of the Atlantic)
*Best Cheap Eats
*Best Huevo Rancheros
Let the exploration begin!
How are you exploring your city?
Spring is exploration season. Blog T.O. has all these "Best of Toronto Lists".
*Best New Cafes
*Best Croissants
(I am still determined to find a decent croissant this side of the Atlantic)
*Best Cheap Eats
*Best Huevo Rancheros
Let the exploration begin!
How are you exploring your city?
Ingredients to a Fab Night
1. Good company
2. Two burritos
3. A walk through Chinatown and Kensington
4. A musical performed by another friend
5. Tim Horton's coffee
6. Live jazz at the Reservoir Lounge
7. McDonald's
2. Two burritos
3. A walk through Chinatown and Kensington
4. A musical performed by another friend
5. Tim Horton's coffee
6. Live jazz at the Reservoir Lounge
7. McDonald's
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Five Things to Work On
1. Integrity
Honesty is conforming my words to reality.
Integrity is conforming reality to my words.
~Michael Hyatt
i.e. being punctual, not double booking, not procrastinating, not exaggerating for story-telling effect.
"...let your "yes" be yes and your "no" be no..." James 5:20
2. Humility
Humility is honestly assessing ourselves in light of God's holiness and our sinfulness.
~C.J. Mahaney
i.e. listening with discernment to everyone's input regardless of age and position, and so much more application points...
"...but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." Philippians 2:3
3. Discipline/Self-Control
A man without self-control i slike a city broken into and left without walls.
~Solomon
i.e. focus, the way I spend my time, finances, eating habits, sleeping habits, habits in general.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control..." Galatians 5:22
4. Emotional Maturity
Youth fades-immaturity lingers.
~Unknown
i.e. the way I handle difficult situations, watching that temper, increasing accurate self-awareness.
"...we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ..." Ephesians 4:15
5. Words
Every day, your words give your relationships their tone. Every day you tell people what you think of them, what you want from them, and what you would like to enjoy with them.
~ Tim Lane and Paul Tripp
i.e. thinking before speaking, watching my tone, building up and not tearing down, not being defensive and or abrasive.
"Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." Ephesians 4:29
Honesty is conforming my words to reality.
Integrity is conforming reality to my words.
~Michael Hyatt
i.e. being punctual, not double booking, not procrastinating, not exaggerating for story-telling effect.
"...let your "yes" be yes and your "no" be no..." James 5:20
2. Humility
Humility is honestly assessing ourselves in light of God's holiness and our sinfulness.
~C.J. Mahaney
i.e. listening with discernment to everyone's input regardless of age and position, and so much more application points...
"...but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." Philippians 2:3
3. Discipline/Self-Control
A man without self-control i slike a city broken into and left without walls.
~Solomon
i.e. focus, the way I spend my time, finances, eating habits, sleeping habits, habits in general.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control..." Galatians 5:22
4. Emotional Maturity
Youth fades-immaturity lingers.
~Unknown
i.e. the way I handle difficult situations, watching that temper, increasing accurate self-awareness.
"...we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ..." Ephesians 4:15
5. Words
Every day, your words give your relationships their tone. Every day you tell people what you think of them, what you want from them, and what you would like to enjoy with them.
~ Tim Lane and Paul Tripp
i.e. thinking before speaking, watching my tone, building up and not tearing down, not being defensive and or abrasive.
"Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." Ephesians 4:29
Eagerly looking forward to reading:
1. Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die
2. Switch: How to Change Things When Change is Hard
3. Axiom
4. Death by Meeting: A Leadership Fable...About Solving the Most Painful Thing In Business
5. The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable
6. The Prodigal God
7. Counterfeit Gods
1. Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die
2. Switch: How to Change Things When Change is Hard
3. Axiom
4. Death by Meeting: A Leadership Fable...About Solving the Most Painful Thing In Business
5. The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable
6. The Prodigal God
7. Counterfeit Gods
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
On Character
We choose who we are in five years, today.
~ Graham Watt, paraphrased from memory
The word character or its equivalent, i.e. solid, is something that we throw around too easily nowadays because the very essence of character is that it's built up little by little over time.
Aristotle said, "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."
The well known maxim goes:
"Sow a thought, reap an action; sow an action; reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny."
Character is therefore not characterized by how much theology I know or can spout [intelligence], nor is it characterized by the title of my job [status/station], nor is it characterized by how witty or charming I am [personality]. It is characterized by the accumulation of each minute and even [seemingly] mundane decision and action.
That said, I have sorely and slovenly neglected the development of my character in this past year. I dare say I have regressed in some ways.
~ Graham Watt, paraphrased from memory
The word character or its equivalent, i.e. solid, is something that we throw around too easily nowadays because the very essence of character is that it's built up little by little over time.
Aristotle said, "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit."
The well known maxim goes:
"Sow a thought, reap an action; sow an action; reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny."
Character is therefore not characterized by how much theology I know or can spout [intelligence], nor is it characterized by the title of my job [status/station], nor is it characterized by how witty or charming I am [personality]. It is characterized by the accumulation of each minute and even [seemingly] mundane decision and action.
That said, I have sorely and slovenly neglected the development of my character in this past year. I dare say I have regressed in some ways.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Ever get so fed up with people that you just either:
a) Want to go live in a cave somewhere ALONE.
b) Nuke the entire world.
c) [b] first and then [a]
No? Just me? Ok...then this book's not for you.
[By the by, aren't you glad that I don't have access to weapons of mass destruction?]
Relationships: A Mess Worth Making by Tim Lane and Paul Tripp is the best book I've read on relationships thus far. Not just romantic ones. They are talking about relationships in general; friendships, partnerships, familial ties, etc...
So from here on in when I say the word: relationship it's not just talking about romantic ones.
*Definition of relationship
What is a relationship? The intersection of the stories of two people. The problem is that an awful lot of carnage takes place at this intersection.
*Biblical basis for being a relational being and being in relationships.
Since relationships are about being other-centred, the self-centredness of sin will inevitably subvert God's design.
*Proper basis for one's identity in Christ within a relationship.
When love for God is replaced by love for self, people become either obstacles that hinder goals or vehicles that promote them.
*Good, practical, thorough, Biblical conflict resolution.
Conflict with others is one of God's mysterious, counterintuitive ways of rescuing us from ourselves...All kinds of suffering, including conflict with others, can be redemptive because of the grace of God. By redemptive, we mean that God can use conflict (as well as everything else in our lives) to defeat sin in us and make us more like Christ, with a love for him and others that reflects his nature.
*Forgiveness: What is it? How does it work?
When we choose to practice true forgiveness, the relationship is not just brought back to where it was before the offense; it actually moves further down the road to maturity.
When you forgive someone, you also cancel a debt. But, more specifically, you make a conscious choice to absorb the cost yourself. You choose not to make the offender pay for the offense.
My two favourite chapters were on conflict and forgiveness, but SO tough to read because I know I have to eventually put it into practice...I have to pause, ponder, and pray through every paragraph. Did you read the quotations regarding conflict and forgiveness? I almost wished I didn't read them.
Highly recommend the book! I think everyone should read it.
a) Want to go live in a cave somewhere ALONE.
b) Nuke the entire world.
c) [b] first and then [a]
No? Just me? Ok...then this book's not for you.
[By the by, aren't you glad that I don't have access to weapons of mass destruction?]
Relationships: A Mess Worth Making by Tim Lane and Paul Tripp is the best book I've read on relationships thus far. Not just romantic ones. They are talking about relationships in general; friendships, partnerships, familial ties, etc...
So from here on in when I say the word: relationship it's not just talking about romantic ones.
*Definition of relationship
What is a relationship? The intersection of the stories of two people. The problem is that an awful lot of carnage takes place at this intersection.
*Biblical basis for being a relational being and being in relationships.
Since relationships are about being other-centred, the self-centredness of sin will inevitably subvert God's design.
*Proper basis for one's identity in Christ within a relationship.
When love for God is replaced by love for self, people become either obstacles that hinder goals or vehicles that promote them.
*Good, practical, thorough, Biblical conflict resolution.
Conflict with others is one of God's mysterious, counterintuitive ways of rescuing us from ourselves...All kinds of suffering, including conflict with others, can be redemptive because of the grace of God. By redemptive, we mean that God can use conflict (as well as everything else in our lives) to defeat sin in us and make us more like Christ, with a love for him and others that reflects his nature.
*Forgiveness: What is it? How does it work?
When we choose to practice true forgiveness, the relationship is not just brought back to where it was before the offense; it actually moves further down the road to maturity.
When you forgive someone, you also cancel a debt. But, more specifically, you make a conscious choice to absorb the cost yourself. You choose not to make the offender pay for the offense.
My two favourite chapters were on conflict and forgiveness, but SO tough to read because I know I have to eventually put it into practice...I have to pause, ponder, and pray through every paragraph. Did you read the quotations regarding conflict and forgiveness? I almost wished I didn't read them.
Highly recommend the book! I think everyone should read it.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Happy
This one's for you, Yummy Mummy.
A list of things that make me happy, and what I did to incorporate them into my life yesterday and today.
[Please note: this is far from being exhaustive.]
1. Chilling with my family.
Since they're all the way across the country, I settled for a phone call with mummy yesterday.
2. Hanging with friends talking about both serious things and random things.
Like today, C'money and I chatted about our lives in general, and she informed me about how beta blockers can affect old[er] people's sex lives. [She's a nurse, and she just wrote this paper.] Apparently death by sex can happen. Now there's a way to go. TMI? Must be traumatizing for the person's partner though.
3. Going at my Bible with a ruler and a turquoise pen underlining verses.
It's so GOOD. I am LOVING Ephesians 1 right now.
4. Staring at beautiful things and pretty colours.
Schnurgh Schnurgh, my brown roommate, and I spent a good part of the hour today drooling [not on those teal pillows mind you] over sarees on the net. After which, I decided we should both move to India.
5. Being crafty.
I sewed two felt flowers, and did a few sketches today with plans for more sketches, and paintings. The creativity is going off the charts!
6. Being spontaneous.
Like getting my tongue pierced.
7. Strolling down Queen St. W.
That neighborhood just embodies everything I adore. Love it. Went down it today, but sadly everything was closed.
8. Meat.
Ate a 6 oz hero burger. Mhmmmm...
9. Melted cheese.
Had poutine with said burger.
10. Cleaning.
There's just something therapeutic about it. Will clean my room later tonight.
11. Sleeping in.
After FOP I slept from 9:30pm-1:00pm with a wake up at 10am in the morning for a little bit. So delicious!
12. That morning cup of tea.
I like a little tea with my sugar and milk.
13. Helping people grow in their relationship with the Lord.
Led DG today, and it was fantastic. LOVE my girls.
14. My staff team.
I dearly love and thoroughly enjoy every single person on my team. Each of them just brings their own spice to the mix, and I can't imagine missing even one of them. I hate turnover.
15. Dancing.
Nothing like doing a little boogie to wake yourself up.
16. Bollywood music.
Seriously nothing picks me up like a good catchy Bollywood tune. It always works.
17. Spring.
Can't you just smell the nice warm weather?
18. Putting together an outfit.
I love mixing and matching from my closet.
19. Putting on make-up.
It's like injecting a little artistry into the morning routine.
20. Ethnic food.
Schnurgh Schnurgh brought home, home made biryani yesterday. YUM!
And no, I did not get my tongue pierced. My teeth would hate me.
A list of things that make me happy, and what I did to incorporate them into my life yesterday and today.
[Please note: this is far from being exhaustive.]
1. Chilling with my family.
Since they're all the way across the country, I settled for a phone call with mummy yesterday.
2. Hanging with friends talking about both serious things and random things.
Like today, C'money and I chatted about our lives in general, and she informed me about how beta blockers can affect old[er] people's sex lives. [She's a nurse, and she just wrote this paper.] Apparently death by sex can happen. Now there's a way to go. TMI? Must be traumatizing for the person's partner though.
3. Going at my Bible with a ruler and a turquoise pen underlining verses.
It's so GOOD. I am LOVING Ephesians 1 right now.
4. Staring at beautiful things and pretty colours.
Schnurgh Schnurgh, my brown roommate, and I spent a good part of the hour today drooling [not on those teal pillows mind you] over sarees on the net. After which, I decided we should both move to India.
5. Being crafty.
I sewed two felt flowers, and did a few sketches today with plans for more sketches, and paintings. The creativity is going off the charts!
6. Being spontaneous.
Like getting my tongue pierced.
7. Strolling down Queen St. W.
That neighborhood just embodies everything I adore. Love it. Went down it today, but sadly everything was closed.
8. Meat.
Ate a 6 oz hero burger. Mhmmmm...
9. Melted cheese.
Had poutine with said burger.
10. Cleaning.
There's just something therapeutic about it. Will clean my room later tonight.
11. Sleeping in.
After FOP I slept from 9:30pm-1:00pm with a wake up at 10am in the morning for a little bit. So delicious!
12. That morning cup of tea.
I like a little tea with my sugar and milk.
13. Helping people grow in their relationship with the Lord.
Led DG today, and it was fantastic. LOVE my girls.
14. My staff team.
I dearly love and thoroughly enjoy every single person on my team. Each of them just brings their own spice to the mix, and I can't imagine missing even one of them. I hate turnover.
15. Dancing.
Nothing like doing a little boogie to wake yourself up.
16. Bollywood music.
Seriously nothing picks me up like a good catchy Bollywood tune. It always works.
17. Spring.
Can't you just smell the nice warm weather?
18. Putting together an outfit.
I love mixing and matching from my closet.
19. Putting on make-up.
It's like injecting a little artistry into the morning routine.
20. Ethnic food.
Schnurgh Schnurgh brought home, home made biryani yesterday. YUM!
And no, I did not get my tongue pierced. My teeth would hate me.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)