I was a paper boy. First I helped my brother when it was his route, then when he didn't want the major part of the responsibliity,I took it over and he helped me. Anyone care to guess what kind of paper carrier I was? If you guessed slow and of questionable reliability, you were right. People generally liked me, though, even though I'd go collecting at odd hours.
I delivered bread Saturday mornings for Durston's bakery. In this job, I was given WAY more responsibility than I could handle. Or maybe they didn't take the time to train me properly. For example, they'd say "Take this delivery to Wascana Rehab." Sounds simple enough. So I get to Wascana rehab, which, of course, has several entrances, none of them labeled, "Bread guy enter here." I never went fast enough for them.
I worked the graveyard shift at Mac's in WHitmore park.
I was a tour guide and car operator at the Jasper Tramway.
I was a telemarketer of a $50 coupon book that was (sort of) for charity.
I was a day camp councillor, as every good young christian should be. I never saved a single soul.
One summer I spent a couple of days binding books at Campbell.
I was a maintenance guy on staff at the Bible school I went to in Austria. No, I'm not joking. Maintenance. Maybe that wasn't my official title. I just "helped out". Pulled hair out of drains, etc.
As a side note, when I registered to go to school in Austria, my dad sent the tuition fee for me by cheque. Personal cheque. He just wrote the amount due, crossed out "dollars" and wrote "Schillings" in its place. Apparantly, that doesn't work. They sent the cheque back.
It's time for bed, I guess.
Monday, January 30, 2006
A Slice of My Life
My Vote
Since everyone else is playing show and tell, I think I'll show my voting colours as well. I wrecked my vote in protest. I wrote a little note on my ballot why I thought this whole election was out to lunch and handed it in. It was nothing crazy like " the jews are controlling our minds" or anything, but all the same, the system stinks, so I choose to participate/not participate. I really could'nt think of any party in particular I really want running the country, and now we have another minority party in deadlock for another 2 years. bah!
Since everyone else is playing show and tell, I think I'll show my voting colours as well. I wrecked my vote in protest. I wrote a little note on my ballot why I thought this whole election was out to lunch and handed it in. It was nothing crazy like " the jews are controlling our minds" or anything, but all the same, the system stinks, so I choose to participate/not participate. I really could'nt think of any party in particular I really want running the country, and now we have another minority party in deadlock for another 2 years. bah!
Saturday, January 28, 2006
RE Dog heading below
So I was just finishing up and entry when my boss came in. I felt like I was caught with my paints around my ankles. I don't know what happened to the post. I was frantically clicking buttons trying to get the screen to change and it wasn't working. It's even more bad cause I was quoting her reaction to the election, and it wasn't so nice.
Oh well. Guess that taught me to be more careful and only blog when I know she's out of the office!!
I was actual changing the heading from just dogs to dogs, devils and work and was talking about all three. Here is the short version:
there was a dog at work all day yesterday. A puppy. A 6 week old golden retriever. Very cute. Followed me every where. She also popped and peed on the carpet.
My boss called Steven Harper a 'fucking devil' and referred to Martin as 'one of the greatest fucking leaders the country has ever had'
I wasn't having a good day at work, again. Too busy not enough time to do what I needed to,let alone what I wanted to.
So that about sums it up.
Kevins Girl
Oh well. Guess that taught me to be more careful and only blog when I know she's out of the office!!
I was actual changing the heading from just dogs to dogs, devils and work and was talking about all three. Here is the short version:
there was a dog at work all day yesterday. A puppy. A 6 week old golden retriever. Very cute. Followed me every where. She also popped and peed on the carpet.
My boss called Steven Harper a 'fucking devil' and referred to Martin as 'one of the greatest fucking leaders the country has ever had'
I wasn't having a good day at work, again. Too busy not enough time to do what I needed to,let alone what I wanted to.
So that about sums it up.
Kevins Girl
Friday, January 27, 2006
And now, for something completely different...
This was sent to me at work today, and I thought I'd share the guffaw.
Re: the Green Party
My school was mysteriously ommitted from the results of the nation-wide Student Vote, but here are some interesting results from Campbell Collegiate in the Wascana riding (same as Schellenbergs).
Conservative: 265
Green: 251
Liberal: 362
NDP: 196
OK, OK, so the Liberals still win, but look at those Greens!
Students in the Palliser riding (mine and bunruhs) who voted in Student Vote more or less mirrored the real election results.
Conservative: 265
Green: 251
Liberal: 362
NDP: 196
OK, OK, so the Liberals still win, but look at those Greens!
Students in the Palliser riding (mine and bunruhs) who voted in Student Vote more or less mirrored the real election results.
Pain & Suffering
I watched The United States of Leland last night. Excellent movie, but I felt it was fundamentally flawed. It was written and directed by Kevin Spacey (whom I really, really enjoy - my favourite role of his is in The Usual Suspects, and I also thought he was great in K-PAX). So far, I have enjoyed all of Kevin Spacey's forays into the world of direction and production. This was no exception - very well done. The entire movie was incredibly believable. It also featured excellenting casting - particularly the role that Ryan Gosling plays as Leland P. Fitzgerald.
The movie is essentially about pain, suffering, and sadness. These things are an integral part of our lives, in fact the movie my even be saying that these things are the basis of life for us as humans. How do we react and interact with pain and suffering?
Pain and suffering is an issue so close to all of our hearts, and it demands an answer. But the answer that this movie gave left me cold and empty. As Leland says, there are 2 ways to see the world. One is to realize that the world around you is full of pain and sadness, and to ignore it. The other is to see and feel the pain and suffering of the world so deeply that it cripples you, and the only way to relieve that suffering is to take those that are suffering out of the world.
I believe this is flawed. Pain and suffering are not useless, and it is not meant to be avoided. It is a fundamental part of what makes us human, and I believe that feeling pain and suffering is part of God's divine imprint on each of us. God experiences great sadness and pain as he seeks to relate with us. Christ experienced the greatest anguish known to any being - death, and ultimately separation from the Father due to the sin of the world. My personal experiences with sadness and suffering have shaped me and in part have made me who I am. I would not be me without them.
There are two ways to approach suffering and sadness. One is to reject it, fight it and become bitter as you lose the struggle to it. The other is to accept it, suffer through it with friends and family, and allow it to clean you, shape you, and give you hope that you are in God's loving embrace and with people who care about you deeply, and come out the other side of those dark times a new person.
There is so much more that I could add within the details of this, but I don't really know how to put it in words. I know what I've experienced - suffering is not stranger to me. And I know that at times I have dealt with it in the first way, and others the second way. Only one way has enabled me to continue in living with joy, hope and happiness.
J
The movie is essentially about pain, suffering, and sadness. These things are an integral part of our lives, in fact the movie my even be saying that these things are the basis of life for us as humans. How do we react and interact with pain and suffering?
Pain and suffering is an issue so close to all of our hearts, and it demands an answer. But the answer that this movie gave left me cold and empty. As Leland says, there are 2 ways to see the world. One is to realize that the world around you is full of pain and sadness, and to ignore it. The other is to see and feel the pain and suffering of the world so deeply that it cripples you, and the only way to relieve that suffering is to take those that are suffering out of the world.
I believe this is flawed. Pain and suffering are not useless, and it is not meant to be avoided. It is a fundamental part of what makes us human, and I believe that feeling pain and suffering is part of God's divine imprint on each of us. God experiences great sadness and pain as he seeks to relate with us. Christ experienced the greatest anguish known to any being - death, and ultimately separation from the Father due to the sin of the world. My personal experiences with sadness and suffering have shaped me and in part have made me who I am. I would not be me without them.
There are two ways to approach suffering and sadness. One is to reject it, fight it and become bitter as you lose the struggle to it. The other is to accept it, suffer through it with friends and family, and allow it to clean you, shape you, and give you hope that you are in God's loving embrace and with people who care about you deeply, and come out the other side of those dark times a new person.
There is so much more that I could add within the details of this, but I don't really know how to put it in words. I know what I've experienced - suffering is not stranger to me. And I know that at times I have dealt with it in the first way, and others the second way. Only one way has enabled me to continue in living with joy, hope and happiness.
J
Voting Green
Well, since Mr. Schellenberg is willing to come out of the closet, I will too. If you're wondering who I voted for: I voted Green. Why? These were the issues that were closest to my heart this time around:
International and National Justice
International Debt Relief
The State of the Environment
National Health Care
I wavered between the NDP and Green Party for a while, and so I did as much research as I could. I read both platforms, and used websites such as "Make Poverty History" and some info that MCC put out to also compare the party platforms on certain issues. I meant to read all the major parties' platforms, but ran out of time (in the end I knew I wouldn't consider the Liberals, and the Conservatives just aren't cool enough for a twenty-something like me.)
The NDP had much of what I was looking for (as usual), but what attracted me to the Green Party was the fact that they are not just concerned about Health Care - they are concerned about the wholistic health of Canadians and Canada. They recognize that our health and well-being issues go much deeper than wait times, money, and more doctors and nurses. Health is a lifestyle that is connected to the environment, healthy choices, food, mental stability and other factors. Their ideas address all of these issues in a wholistic approach.
I enjoyed hearing about the "fair bit" of debate that Gnomer had with you when you "told her what you'd done". I can picture it now. L and I also had a debate about the struggle with "wasting your vote" when it came to the Green Party. But, I believe that the reason we are given a choice to vote is so that we can have a voice in the issues that are important to us and that we believe are important to and healthy for our great country. Any other reason for voting, in my mind, is throwing away that choice. (As roscoe said, what is good for our country never comes down to one single issue, especially a moral issue.) Why vote just to "punish" another party? It seems petty to me. The fact also remains that every vote counts for $1.75 for that party in funding, so each vote does count. Also, I believe that as you vote for what you believe is important, the gov't will take notice because your voice is being heard. I guess I have to believe in that if I vote Green, and hope that our country's leaders aren't solely focused on themselves.
It's funny - as I was watching the election results come in, the Green party managed to hold a riding for about 5 minutes before they eventually lost it to another party. What a party they would have had if they had won a seat! But it made me think that if, by some freakish cosmic allignment, that the Green Party all of sudden had won the largest amount of seats in Parliament, they wouldn't have known what to do. They are a party that is still in its infancy I think. I believe as they grow over time and are given more responsibility bit by bit (don't be surprised to see them win a seat in the next election), they will mature as a party until they are eventually in a place if, or when, the time comes they will be ready to govern.
So, there's my two cents. More twigs and branches for the fire.
J
International and National Justice
International Debt Relief
The State of the Environment
National Health Care
I wavered between the NDP and Green Party for a while, and so I did as much research as I could. I read both platforms, and used websites such as "Make Poverty History" and some info that MCC put out to also compare the party platforms on certain issues. I meant to read all the major parties' platforms, but ran out of time (in the end I knew I wouldn't consider the Liberals, and the Conservatives just aren't cool enough for a twenty-something like me.)
The NDP had much of what I was looking for (as usual), but what attracted me to the Green Party was the fact that they are not just concerned about Health Care - they are concerned about the wholistic health of Canadians and Canada. They recognize that our health and well-being issues go much deeper than wait times, money, and more doctors and nurses. Health is a lifestyle that is connected to the environment, healthy choices, food, mental stability and other factors. Their ideas address all of these issues in a wholistic approach.
I enjoyed hearing about the "fair bit" of debate that Gnomer had with you when you "told her what you'd done". I can picture it now. L and I also had a debate about the struggle with "wasting your vote" when it came to the Green Party. But, I believe that the reason we are given a choice to vote is so that we can have a voice in the issues that are important to us and that we believe are important to and healthy for our great country. Any other reason for voting, in my mind, is throwing away that choice. (As roscoe said, what is good for our country never comes down to one single issue, especially a moral issue.) Why vote just to "punish" another party? It seems petty to me. The fact also remains that every vote counts for $1.75 for that party in funding, so each vote does count. Also, I believe that as you vote for what you believe is important, the gov't will take notice because your voice is being heard. I guess I have to believe in that if I vote Green, and hope that our country's leaders aren't solely focused on themselves.
It's funny - as I was watching the election results come in, the Green party managed to hold a riding for about 5 minutes before they eventually lost it to another party. What a party they would have had if they had won a seat! But it made me think that if, by some freakish cosmic allignment, that the Green Party all of sudden had won the largest amount of seats in Parliament, they wouldn't have known what to do. They are a party that is still in its infancy I think. I believe as they grow over time and are given more responsibility bit by bit (don't be surprised to see them win a seat in the next election), they will mature as a party until they are eventually in a place if, or when, the time comes they will be ready to govern.
So, there's my two cents. More twigs and branches for the fire.
J
Conservative Wham-O!
Harper's not even sworn in and Ralph Klein's already got his pants off.
"Alberta Premier Ralph Klein says his government is ready to move forward with health-care changes that may violate the Canada Health Act." CBC news.
In other discouraging news, The Hudson's Bay Company has "agreed to be acquired" by "South Carolina Billionaire businessman" Jerry Zucker. $1 000 000 000 +.
The HBC has been a Canadian company since 1670. There's really nothing like it left. I don't suppose I can blame that on Conservatives.
Josh
"Alberta Premier Ralph Klein says his government is ready to move forward with health-care changes that may violate the Canada Health Act." CBC news.
In other discouraging news, The Hudson's Bay Company has "agreed to be acquired" by "South Carolina Billionaire businessman" Jerry Zucker. $1 000 000 000 +.
The HBC has been a Canadian company since 1670. There's really nothing like it left. I don't suppose I can blame that on Conservatives.
Josh
Thursday, January 26, 2006
First foray into the online community
There's very little for me to say. I really enjoyed reading through everyone's posts, though I admit I lost the address of the blog and checked it today for the first time since being signed up. Oops. Anywho, you know what? I voted Conservative. Outrageous, I know. Especially coming from me, the most vocal of foes. However, I'd been contemplating the whole thing prior to the 23rd, and spent some time researching the various platforms (mainly on the CBC site). Taking an unbiased (as much as I was able) look at the platforms, I wasn't able to choose between NDP, Conservative or Green. All had pros and cons, none of which made or broke it for me. In the end, my vote was primarily a protest against the Liberal party and their scandals.
One other thing I discovered in my research into the platforms was that a lot of my hesitations regarding voting conservative (gay rights, etc.) did not appear at all in the platform, but were instead just rooted in the "fear and smear" campaining of the other parties. When it came down to it, I decided to not take into account the fears of hidden agendas, but simply go with what was explicit. I'm okay with the explicit policies of the conservatives, as stated:
Clean up government with a federal accountability act.
Reduce taxes, starting with a GST cut.
Crack down on crime.
Establish guaranteed wait times.
Provide child care money directly to parents.
The one I have the most difficulty with is the GST cut, mainly because I'm not at all sure how they are going to manage to keep a balanced budget after reducing taxes. The rest seem benign. I dunno. Just a bunch of thoughts. There's my little fodder for debate (Gnomer and I had a fair bit when she found out what I'd done).
One other thing I discovered in my research into the platforms was that a lot of my hesitations regarding voting conservative (gay rights, etc.) did not appear at all in the platform, but were instead just rooted in the "fear and smear" campaining of the other parties. When it came down to it, I decided to not take into account the fears of hidden agendas, but simply go with what was explicit. I'm okay with the explicit policies of the conservatives, as stated:
Clean up government with a federal accountability act.
Reduce taxes, starting with a GST cut.
Crack down on crime.
Establish guaranteed wait times.
Provide child care money directly to parents.
The one I have the most difficulty with is the GST cut, mainly because I'm not at all sure how they are going to manage to keep a balanced budget after reducing taxes. The rest seem benign. I dunno. Just a bunch of thoughts. There's my little fodder for debate (Gnomer and I had a fair bit when she found out what I'd done).
Crazy stuff kids write; volume 2
I swear, this stuff is real.
---
Describe the worldview of the typical medieval serf.
- The surfs worldview was basically “what ever happens, happens to us.” They had that attitude towards life for like ever. They were never at the top, they were like, o’well that’s life.
Imagine you found a bag containing a book of matches, $200 US, and 3 rolls of used Fuji film. If you infer that the owner of the bag is probably a male, what generalization might you have used?
- The generalization I would use it would be, that he has …a book of matches and 3 rolls of Fuji film because a female wouldn’t usually have used roles of stuff.
What years would be included in the 3rd century?
- 401 & 501 would be included in the 3rd century.
- 1600’s, 1800’s.
- 175 – 300.
- 300, 401, 500, 601, etc.
TRUE or FALSE: The Black Plague helped bring about the Fall of Rome.
- False; the fall of Rome was with some other disease spread through the pipes.
What is meant by the terms B.C. and A.D.?
- B.C. means Before Crist, and A.D. means ananadi.
According to Saskatchewan law, what is a crime?
- A crime is when someone … does a criminal act of justice.
In this question, the students read a short “story” about a man going on a business trip. During the trip, the man’s car is broken into, and the student is asked to …“List 4 itmes the thief might find in the car, and explain your inference.”
- The car.
Discuss, with examples, two different categories of technology.
Know-how is that you know how to do it.Organization is a thing only an organization can do.
---
Describe the worldview of the typical medieval serf.
- The surfs worldview was basically “what ever happens, happens to us.” They had that attitude towards life for like ever. They were never at the top, they were like, o’well that’s life.
Imagine you found a bag containing a book of matches, $200 US, and 3 rolls of used Fuji film. If you infer that the owner of the bag is probably a male, what generalization might you have used?
- The generalization I would use it would be, that he has …a book of matches and 3 rolls of Fuji film because a female wouldn’t usually have used roles of stuff.
What years would be included in the 3rd century?
- 401 & 501 would be included in the 3rd century.
- 1600’s, 1800’s.
- 175 – 300.
- 300, 401, 500, 601, etc.
TRUE or FALSE: The Black Plague helped bring about the Fall of Rome.
- False; the fall of Rome was with some other disease spread through the pipes.
What is meant by the terms B.C. and A.D.?
- B.C. means Before Crist, and A.D. means ananadi.
According to Saskatchewan law, what is a crime?
- A crime is when someone … does a criminal act of justice.
In this question, the students read a short “story” about a man going on a business trip. During the trip, the man’s car is broken into, and the student is asked to …“List 4 itmes the thief might find in the car, and explain your inference.”
- The car.
Discuss, with examples, two different categories of technology.
Know-how is that you know how to do it.Organization is a thing only an organization can do.
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Cheers To The Minister of Internal Affairs
Chicken Little, I appreciate your thoughts on creativity and how hard that is to express while maintaining an acceptable level of clutter and contact with others and self . I recently changed my livingroom around and have plans to upgrade some other rooms as well. Perhaps this (and things like making a birthday cake)is a small way that the 'Minister of Internal Affairs' in there respective democracies, can live out some means of creativity. I think of my husband too, the Minister in charge of environment, who can use his creativity to plant tress and flowers and all that other stuff.
If we don't stop to enjoy what we are doing, on a micro level, how can we be happy with our lives on a macro level?. This is something that I have been thinking about for the past few months. Daily it seams, I struggled with doing the mundane and repetitive. It is like hitting my head against the wall over and over and over and over again. Laundry never ends, I keep cleaning the bathroom, the kitchen, the livingroom and every day it keeps getting dirtier and messier. The cat litter needs changing, garbage need taking out, Micah needs a bath. Its as if the world is against me, as if the sole purpose of the world is to make my life hell, and it was winning.
Then I had a thought, Why am I struggling against my life. If my life is THIS, than why am I wanting or fighting for THAT? And is THIS all that bad really? After all when I had THAT all I wanted was THIS and now I have it. I have a great house that I love, I have a great family that I love, I have great friends that I love. So in the process of loving them, if other things get a little out of wack, who gives a shit(other than my mom)? (I also think it has A LOT to do with the ideals and expectations from others that have burrowed there way into my brain, but that's for another day.) Just let it go, enjoy what I do or what I don't do, cause THIS is my life and I don't want to miss it!
Kevins Girl
If we don't stop to enjoy what we are doing, on a micro level, how can we be happy with our lives on a macro level?. This is something that I have been thinking about for the past few months. Daily it seams, I struggled with doing the mundane and repetitive. It is like hitting my head against the wall over and over and over and over again. Laundry never ends, I keep cleaning the bathroom, the kitchen, the livingroom and every day it keeps getting dirtier and messier. The cat litter needs changing, garbage need taking out, Micah needs a bath. Its as if the world is against me, as if the sole purpose of the world is to make my life hell, and it was winning.
Then I had a thought, Why am I struggling against my life. If my life is THIS, than why am I wanting or fighting for THAT? And is THIS all that bad really? After all when I had THAT all I wanted was THIS and now I have it. I have a great house that I love, I have a great family that I love, I have great friends that I love. So in the process of loving them, if other things get a little out of wack, who gives a shit(other than my mom)? (I also think it has A LOT to do with the ideals and expectations from others that have burrowed there way into my brain, but that's for another day.) Just let it go, enjoy what I do or what I don't do, cause THIS is my life and I don't want to miss it!
Kevins Girl
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
A Slice of My Life
A Slice of My Life
Well, thought it's about time I added a few thoughts to the blog. I have been really enjoying reading everyone elses postings, so keep it up. Right now I'm a few hours from going in to work, so my stomach is worked itself up pretty tight, and I'm fighting off negative visualizations of what is going to happen at work. I feel a little bit like Jeckle (?) and Hyde. On my last day of work the cloud lifts and I feel "normal" again, but perhaps a little blunted outwardly. I am trusting this is one of those charachter building times that God has pushed/carried me through. It seems he likes to do that every few years or so. Maybe charachter building is the incorrect term seeing as few people have regarded me to be without sufficient charachter. Let's say charachter shaping.
So here is an interesting thing. I'm supposed to sing on Sunday, and I'm developing a cold again. Everytime I have sung at church be it special music or worship, I have gotten a cold (about 8 times or so). Roscoe can personally testify to several of these. I am really not a person who get sick very often and it seems like too much of a coincidence. What do you guys think?
Well, thought it's about time I added a few thoughts to the blog. I have been really enjoying reading everyone elses postings, so keep it up. Right now I'm a few hours from going in to work, so my stomach is worked itself up pretty tight, and I'm fighting off negative visualizations of what is going to happen at work. I feel a little bit like Jeckle (?) and Hyde. On my last day of work the cloud lifts and I feel "normal" again, but perhaps a little blunted outwardly. I am trusting this is one of those charachter building times that God has pushed/carried me through. It seems he likes to do that every few years or so. Maybe charachter building is the incorrect term seeing as few people have regarded me to be without sufficient charachter. Let's say charachter shaping.
So here is an interesting thing. I'm supposed to sing on Sunday, and I'm developing a cold again. Everytime I have sung at church be it special music or worship, I have gotten a cold (about 8 times or so). Roscoe can personally testify to several of these. I am really not a person who get sick very often and it seems like too much of a coincidence. What do you guys think?
Quoting ...
Quoting my colleague
"There are two people I didn't want to win this election. Belinda and Svend.
Quoting the fellow on the CBC callin show this afternoon:
"hopefully this [election result] will move our [provincial] NDP friends a little to the right ... let's get going on oil sands, let's get going on uranium..."
"There are two people I didn't want to win this election. Belinda and Svend.
Quoting the fellow on the CBC callin show this afternoon:
"hopefully this [election result] will move our [provincial] NDP friends a little to the right ... let's get going on oil sands, let's get going on uranium..."
Monday, January 23, 2006
Crazy things high school students write
Name some specific ways that Canadian culture has been impacted by ancient civilizations?
- Canadian culture has been impacted by ancient civilizations. Time is used different, and cultures change when they come into contact to live in harmony with each other.
- It has been impacted in many ways. Ancient civilizations gave us a lot of sports like hockey, which was played by the Egyptians.
- One way Canadian culture has been impacted by the ancient civilization is how people are influenced by books and also carvings. A second way Canadians are influenced are by hieroglyphics.
Excerpts from an essay. Thesis: Canadians place a high value on time.
- ... When you are late for class you go, and get a late slip, instead of just going up there and interrupting. Cause in the end you will have to go, and get one, so I should jest get one on your way upstairs.
- People are the new generation of time and will accomplish things unimaginable.
- Canadians are very time conscious about time because time is very important.
Describe the process of Rome becoming a Christian empire.
- Romans … have to do different things and a bunch of other stuff.
Name the two types of change studied in this unit.
- … and Revolutionary change: something to resolve something.
- Quintium
Describe Markets and Fairs in Medieval Europe.
- Markets are like stores outside but fairs are rare things that happen.
Name some specific ways that Canadian culture has been impacted by ancient civilizations?
- Canadian culture has been impacted by ancient civilizations. Time is used different, and cultures change when they come into contact to live in harmony with each other.
- It has been impacted in many ways. Ancient civilizations gave us a lot of sports like hockey, which was played by the Egyptians.
- One way Canadian culture has been impacted by the ancient civilization is how people are influenced by books and also carvings. A second way Canadians are influenced are by hieroglyphics.
Excerpts from an essay. Thesis: Canadians place a high value on time.
- ... When you are late for class you go, and get a late slip, instead of just going up there and interrupting. Cause in the end you will have to go, and get one, so I should jest get one on your way upstairs.
- People are the new generation of time and will accomplish things unimaginable.
- Canadians are very time conscious about time because time is very important.
Describe the process of Rome becoming a Christian empire.
- Romans … have to do different things and a bunch of other stuff.
Name the two types of change studied in this unit.
- … and Revolutionary change: something to resolve something.
- Quintium
Describe Markets and Fairs in Medieval Europe.
- Markets are like stores outside but fairs are rare things that happen.
Why I'm voting NDP. Even though I'm a christian.
When I arrived at school today (23rd - election day) the climate was very ... conservative. There were some loud and one-sided discussions going on. I have avoided any direct discussion about these things so far (though I've just been informed that at least one other teacher has seen the sign on my lawn) but I thought I'd better make time to process some of my own thoughts on why I'm voting NDP, just in case. Here is the first part - possibly of interest.
Why I am voting NDP. Even though I'm a christian.
First - Because Gay Marriage is not the issue.
1 - Legislating “correct Christian morals” regarding homosexuality does not trump issues like national and international poverty, globalization, environmental degradation (if I hear one more Canadian say that he’s “…all for global warming. Ha! Ha!”…), corporate and government irresponsibility, etc.
2 - It is pompous for anyone to think they know just exactly what “correct Christian morals” apply in this scenario. Did Christ change any of the immoral laws he lived under in Rome? Did he try to?
3 - Enough! We’ve stoned enough of the gays! They get the picture, we hate them, so enough already! (For posterity's sake, please note my facetious tone here).
PS I know what you’re thinking … “Love the sinner, hate the sin”, right? Well-intentioned though it may be, doesn’t it reflect something naïve about our attitude toward a whole bunch of people? Doesn’t it get in the way of a genuine relationship between me and the sinner I’m trying to love? Wouldn’t it be better to “love the sinner, in spite of the sin?” By turning homosexual sin into a law, we practice hating the sin without the corresponding opportunity to love the sinner.I am also suspicious that gay marriage, at its root, is really just an “us versus them” issue. We’re scared that “they” will take over, so we’d better band together and keep them down while we still have the upper hand.
---
There's more, but I don't think anyone at my school will want to hear it. So back to my real job.
Why I am voting NDP. Even though I'm a christian.
First - Because Gay Marriage is not the issue.
1 - Legislating “correct Christian morals” regarding homosexuality does not trump issues like national and international poverty, globalization, environmental degradation (if I hear one more Canadian say that he’s “…all for global warming. Ha! Ha!”…), corporate and government irresponsibility, etc.
2 - It is pompous for anyone to think they know just exactly what “correct Christian morals” apply in this scenario. Did Christ change any of the immoral laws he lived under in Rome? Did he try to?
3 - Enough! We’ve stoned enough of the gays! They get the picture, we hate them, so enough already! (For posterity's sake, please note my facetious tone here).
PS I know what you’re thinking … “Love the sinner, hate the sin”, right? Well-intentioned though it may be, doesn’t it reflect something naïve about our attitude toward a whole bunch of people? Doesn’t it get in the way of a genuine relationship between me and the sinner I’m trying to love? Wouldn’t it be better to “love the sinner, in spite of the sin?” By turning homosexual sin into a law, we practice hating the sin without the corresponding opportunity to love the sinner.I am also suspicious that gay marriage, at its root, is really just an “us versus them” issue. We’re scared that “they” will take over, so we’d better band together and keep them down while we still have the upper hand.
---
There's more, but I don't think anyone at my school will want to hear it. So back to my real job.
Friday, January 20, 2006
Ahhh Friday
Seams like it was so long ago that friday was here, but am I ever glad to see her today!!!.Work has been busy all day and i realy hate that on Friday. Just cause everyone elese has the day off doesn't mean they have to come to MY work and bug me (unless of coures it cause you wanted to give me a share of the lottery you just won and want to free me from my hell). So what do I have planed for the weekend? Not much, just laundry, cleaning the bathrooms, washing floors, vaccuming (or is it vacuuming? - oh well no matter, paiting Micahs room, going to church, a birthday party and our friends the Redekopps, you know the usual. Oh yeah I wanted to sleep in, mabey have a nice long hot bath, actualy shave my legs. I think Kev and Mic are going off to Smittys for Breakfast so will be nice to have the house to my self. oh just notified that smitties is out, so no house to my self. Just as well, likly would have drifted off to sleep in the bath and drowned.
Beunas nochas amegos,
Kevins Girl
oh chicken little, love the copmunity!!!, justlet it go, type and forget about it!! come on were using somthing called a 'blog' to communicate, not like gramer and spelling and following all those silly rules realy applies to this - does it?
Beunas nochas amegos,
Kevins Girl
oh chicken little, love the copmunity!!!, justlet it go, type and forget about it!! come on were using somthing called a 'blog' to communicate, not like gramer and spelling and following all those silly rules realy applies to this - does it?
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Spelling and other things
It has come to my attention that my spelliung is less than good. In addition tow that, i seam to have some gramatical ewrrors that have caused some memenbers to be embarised my bloggin here. Well iwould just like to reiderate that I know ehere you live Jason and you stink(sarahs woerd). So I have removed your administrative powers so there!!!!!! nananana bubububo. time to go now.buy
M.
M.
Piano Man
So this is my first post. I am sitting at work on hold with our very frustrating debit machine help desk. This morning has been really gloomy for some unknown reason, and sitting on hold for ten minutes was not helping. Then all of the sudden the waiting music changed to the "Piano Man" and I could not help but smile. I thought about all of the fun that we had at New Years. I thought about us all singing this song and it really brightened my day. I hope that reading this message and thinking about that weekend can do the same for you!
Laura
Laura
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
The Significance of Music
Here are some songs that have been very significant in my life:
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - U2 (from the album Joshua Tree) This song speaks to the struggle in my own life between the "here and not yet" tension of my salvation, and the whole world's. I love the lines:
Powerful and so true. I believe this is exactly what Paul was talking about in Romans 7 - "I don't do what I want to do".
Big Eyed Fish - Dave Matthews Band (from the album Busted Stuff) Life is full of pain and struggle, but it is so much better lived to the full.
Gravedigger - Dave Matthews Band (from the the album Some Devil) Death is a part of this life, and we all need to reflect on it. For me, the song has a hint of expectation in death.
Raven - Dave Matthews Band (from the album Busted Stuff) Creation, this world, is precious and fragile. Humanity has pillaged and ravaged it, with little thought to the fact that we are deeply connected to it.
The world is in our hands - what will we do with it?
The Man Comes Around - Johnny Cash (from the album American Recordings IV) Who will I be when the Man comes around?
Swallowed In the Sea - Coldplay (from the album X & Y) We were meant to exist in relationship - that is where we find meaning and belonging. We crave relationship. "You belong with me, not swallowed in the sea."
Original Of The Species - U2 (from the album How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb) This is a song that is special to L. and I. She is so much more than I deserve and give to her. "I'll give you everything you want, Except the thing that you want."
Chicago - Sufjan Stevens (from the album Illinois) Our past is who we are. Mistakes, pain and struggles have made me who I am, as much as the highs - they are all a part of who I am, and I am a whole person because of it all.
That's just a sampling - there are many others. Just a little selection to get you started. Music plays a significant role in my life. I find it amazing how God uses such diverse people and media to speak to me. Amazing.
Jason
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - U2 (from the album Joshua Tree) This song speaks to the struggle in my own life between the "here and not yet" tension of my salvation, and the whole world's. I love the lines:
I believe in the kingdom come
Then all the colors will bleed into one
Bleed into one
Well yes I'm still running
You broke the bonds and you
Loosed the chains
Carried the cross
Of my shame
Of my shame
You know I believed it
But I still haven't found what I'm looking for
Powerful and so true. I believe this is exactly what Paul was talking about in Romans 7 - "I don't do what I want to do".
Big Eyed Fish - Dave Matthews Band (from the album Busted Stuff) Life is full of pain and struggle, but it is so much better lived to the full.
Gravedigger - Dave Matthews Band (from the the album Some Devil) Death is a part of this life, and we all need to reflect on it. For me, the song has a hint of expectation in death.
Raven - Dave Matthews Band (from the album Busted Stuff) Creation, this world, is precious and fragile. Humanity has pillaged and ravaged it, with little thought to the fact that we are deeply connected to it.
What you got what you got in your hand?
a father said to son
I got the whole world here Daddy
between my fingers and my thumb
Well you take care of it please-- its the only one
Well it would take me a life time old man
to undo what you've done
Oh come on now boy think-- what would Jesus do?
He shake his head like an angry mother
Spoke the boy and say I did what I could do
But you take care of it please
It's the only one you got
And it'd take ten lifetimes boy to undo what I've done
The world is in our hands - what will we do with it?
The Man Comes Around - Johnny Cash (from the album American Recordings IV) Who will I be when the Man comes around?
Swallowed In the Sea - Coldplay (from the album X & Y) We were meant to exist in relationship - that is where we find meaning and belonging. We crave relationship. "You belong with me, not swallowed in the sea."
Original Of The Species - U2 (from the album How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb) This is a song that is special to L. and I. She is so much more than I deserve and give to her. "I'll give you everything you want, Except the thing that you want."
Chicago - Sufjan Stevens (from the album Illinois) Our past is who we are. Mistakes, pain and struggles have made me who I am, as much as the highs - they are all a part of who I am, and I am a whole person because of it all.
That's just a sampling - there are many others. Just a little selection to get you started. Music plays a significant role in my life. I find it amazing how God uses such diverse people and media to speak to me. Amazing.
Jason
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Mean Creek
Just watched Mean Creak last night. Excellent and moving film! The young actors are absolutely amazing - spot-on performances. The film is about a group of kids who plan to pull a prank on a school bully to make sure he "gets what's coming to him". The prank goes horribly wrong, and the kids must decide how to deal with what they've done. One of the stars of the film is the youngest Culkin kid - Rory. Those Culkins have quite the franchise going. Highly recommend the movie.
Jason
Jason
Radical Fred
Those of you who were into the ski seen aounrd late 80's, early 90's will appreciate this. I was in the gym yesterday when this little old lady came in to work out. She must have been about 70 years old and what caught my attention was that she was wearing a Radical Fred t-shirt. Who is readical Fred? you may ask, Fred is a stick man with a square head and he did all sorts of things sporty, mainly skiing. Radical Fred was the cool thing. I hadn't seen Fred for many many years and I couldn't help but smiling and staring at him while I was working out. I was reminded of my love affair with Fred and all the good times we had. Ah Fred, I've missed you!
M.
M.
Monday, January 16, 2006
Startling recovered memories
marnie, I was thinking about your unbelievable Fred or whatever his name was. It made me think of a brief discussion with a neighbor who mentioned Super Gran. Does anyone remember Super Gran? I don't really remember anything about the show (it was a show) but the memory of her is indelibly there.
Josh
Josh
Monday Morning Blues
Well Monday again. Micah is sick, i think any ways. She had been going to the bathroom about every hour yesterday 'peepin' as she calls it. Also a low grade fever for the past few days. so I sent her to the Dr with Kev this AM. Her mood has been fine though and it hasn't effected her moter skills. By motor skills i mean talking. She just goes non stop. Last night I walk up to her playing her 'special dora book' and 4 in the morning. It plays songs and lights falsh and such. I come in to her room and she says - Hi mom I'm wakin'!. She said her very first pray last night. she flodered her hands in front of her and said " dear jesus, hummhummmhumm daddy's birday cake thanks, amen". Very cute. she then went on to pray for 'Dampa and Dramas' birday cakes' as well.
I have lots of thoughts around Brians sharing yesterday, will try to formulate it into coherent sentances for you.
M
I have lots of thoughts around Brians sharing yesterday, will try to formulate it into coherent sentances for you.
M
Mocumentary
Gotta love a good mocumentary. Laura and I watched "The Delicate Art of Parking" tonight. A great Canadian-made film about the dangers that parking enforcers face, and the secret undermining of their jobs due to technological advancements. One of the stars of the film is Hank from "Corner Gas", as well as Wanda. He's hilarious. It's a very straigth-faced type of humour. I recommend it.
Jason
Jason
Saturday, January 14, 2006
My Playlist
Here's what's been in my playlist lately:
Ben Folds (excellent piano)
Aimee Mann (she has a nice edge to her voice)
James Blunt (a little reminiscent of David Gray - but that's just my opinion)
Winterpill (hard to find, use Pandora)
and a little Electric Amish just for fun
Jason
Ben Folds (excellent piano)
Aimee Mann (she has a nice edge to her voice)
James Blunt (a little reminiscent of David Gray - but that's just my opinion)
Winterpill (hard to find, use Pandora)
and a little Electric Amish just for fun
Jason
Friday, January 13, 2006
Spaaaaaaaaahhhh
Well, off to the spa in MJ tonight with the youth. Dan & Naomi, this is why you should still be sponsors. Well, sucks to be you.
Breakfast Money
Well I have added the money making connection to the blog, so we can sit back and watch the funds roll in ( yeah right!!!) I thought it would be a nice thing to use the funds to pay for the breakfast club.
I'm glad this work week is nearly over for me. Its my friends last day as well. We are going out for supper with a couple other gals from the office.
I thik I will have to try this later. I've started a few sentances and then erased them. I have nothing to say that seams to be making sence. Perhaps its because i haven't had my usual three cups of coffee yet and now its time for lunch so I should get something to eat. Thought about going to the gym today but I haven't been all week so why mess with a perfect record? and I have to do my banking. Funny thing that banking, it never goes away no matter how much time I spend onit, it always calls me back. i also have a few phone calls to make. I'm on the Ladies Ministry committee at work and we are searching for a study that we could do and would like to borrow from another churchif possible. Keep the cost down. What can I say we are Mennonite after all.
TTFN (as my dad always says and has for the past 15 years!)
M.
I'm glad this work week is nearly over for me. Its my friends last day as well. We are going out for supper with a couple other gals from the office.
I thik I will have to try this later. I've started a few sentances and then erased them. I have nothing to say that seams to be making sence. Perhaps its because i haven't had my usual three cups of coffee yet and now its time for lunch so I should get something to eat. Thought about going to the gym today but I haven't been all week so why mess with a perfect record? and I have to do my banking. Funny thing that banking, it never goes away no matter how much time I spend onit, it always calls me back. i also have a few phone calls to make. I'm on the Ladies Ministry committee at work and we are searching for a study that we could do and would like to borrow from another churchif possible. Keep the cost down. What can I say we are Mennonite after all.
TTFN (as my dad always says and has for the past 15 years!)
M.
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Marnie wears the pants around here
Marnie:
I tried to sign up to make money off this blog, but an "internal error" occurred. I suspect that you have to be the one to sign up for that, since you started up the account.
Group:
How much of the book do I need to have read for Monday? We missed (I think) one study...
General Interest:
Saffron slept in her "big girl" bed for the first time last night. She was fine until about 11:00. Then she stopped sleeping until about 3:00.
Here is a picture of my beard, and a picture of my moustache.
I tried to sign up to make money off this blog, but an "internal error" occurred. I suspect that you have to be the one to sign up for that, since you started up the account.
Group:
How much of the book do I need to have read for Monday? We missed (I think) one study...
General Interest:
Saffron slept in her "big girl" bed for the first time last night. She was fine until about 11:00. Then she stopped sleeping until about 3:00.
Here is a picture of my beard, and a picture of my moustache.
Who is God?
Just finished reading the book "Out of the Question...Into the Mystery" by Leonard Sweet. Excellent book - at least the first few chapters are fantastic, as are the final 4 or 5 chapters. The middle of the book was nothing new to me. However, at the end of the book Sweet asks several questions for reflection. One of these questions is: "In the modern era, people wanted to know more about God. It was as if God could be fully comprehended if only we could analyze God enough. But in the postmodern era, people suspect that God is much harder to pin down, more "out there" than we can imagine. How would you describe your sense of God right now?"
My thougths:
For me, God is definitely "out there". A bit of a mystery to me - somewhat elusive. Just beyond my grasp. But he loves me. He wants me to seek to know him as much as I can. He wants to have fun with me and show me how to enjoy life. He seems to be very different to each individual. He seems to really want me to get involved with Him in this world - in the lives of those around me. Often, I feel that I see more of God in people than anything else. It is people that give me the greatest glimpses of who God is, what he is like, and what he is passionate about. I sense that he is more a part of this world, the people, and me than I ever realize.
Jason
My thougths:
For me, God is definitely "out there". A bit of a mystery to me - somewhat elusive. Just beyond my grasp. But he loves me. He wants me to seek to know him as much as I can. He wants to have fun with me and show me how to enjoy life. He seems to be very different to each individual. He seems to really want me to get involved with Him in this world - in the lives of those around me. Often, I feel that I see more of God in people than anything else. It is people that give me the greatest glimpses of who God is, what he is like, and what he is passionate about. I sense that he is more a part of this world, the people, and me than I ever realize.
Jason
Monday, January 09, 2006
Sunday, January 08, 2006
My Treasure
My girl. Spent the day just being with her. Watched Dora four times and then read some books. I love days like this. I also like that I get to play again. And I get to play girl things, which I realy like. I have two younger brothers so didn't get to play with other girls too often. It was a realy good day. It comes on the heels of a real crappy day. I hate that I really only have two days to be with her (the down side of a working outside the home) and I have to be a big meanny, sending her to her room for time outs and just being miserable. Not how I like to spend our precious time together.
Friday, January 06, 2006
We could be making money at this ...
Hey, group, what do you think about the option of making money for doing this blog? I like money, I like blog.
My First Post
Wow, I've always wanted to have a blog to post on - so here's my very first entry.
Let me get this out of the way right off the start - I work with highschool kids at a church. In other words, I am a youth pastor. Most of the time I really wish I didn't have to tell people that. As soon as you use the word "pastor" things change. People put up walls. "Oh, he's one of those". And they change their behaviour to be in line with what they feel I as a pastor think they should be like. They are not real, they are not honest, and they certainly don't open up. They become very guarded, and don't show me who they really are. It means they can't swear, drink, smoke, make fun of religion and the church, make any sort of questionable comment; in short, relax and let it all hang out. That's shitty, because those are all things that I enjoy!
It's not that these are all there is to life. It's that when you are a pastor, people feel they have to hide things - either things that they believe I'll shame them for, or things that they are ashamed for. And when people feel they have to hide things, it means they're scared. And when people are scared, they are not honest and cannot be themselves. Ultimately, it means there is little chance of true friendship.
I have experienced this over and over with youth, with people my age, with family members (particularly on my wife's side), with people at the Photo Club I belong to, and many others. We just bought a house and moved to a new neighbourhood a couple of months ago. We would really like to become friends with our neighbours - they are a young couple our age, and appear to be very friendly. And they have a hot tub! During Christmas we took them over a plate of baking just to say hi, and they loved it. In fact, they mentioned that they would like to have us over. So in my head I imagine this scenario: we go over for the evening, walk in the door and sit down. What is the first question they ask? "So, what do you do?" And I have to tell them I'm a pastor. "Oh, that's nice" they say, but they don't mean it. The light goes out in their eyes, their faces close up, and it is an awkward evening. And we're never invited over there again. Truthfully, I do imagine the worst case scenarios.
At least I have some friends who still want to hang with me (and practice all those great vices with me) even though I'm a pastor.
Anyway, I guess that's my first post.
Jason
P.S. - To my friends in on this blog with me: I put some of my own interests into the profile, but I think anyone should feel free to add whatever they like/want.
Let me get this out of the way right off the start - I work with highschool kids at a church. In other words, I am a youth pastor. Most of the time I really wish I didn't have to tell people that. As soon as you use the word "pastor" things change. People put up walls. "Oh, he's one of those". And they change their behaviour to be in line with what they feel I as a pastor think they should be like. They are not real, they are not honest, and they certainly don't open up. They become very guarded, and don't show me who they really are. It means they can't swear, drink, smoke, make fun of religion and the church, make any sort of questionable comment; in short, relax and let it all hang out. That's shitty, because those are all things that I enjoy!
It's not that these are all there is to life. It's that when you are a pastor, people feel they have to hide things - either things that they believe I'll shame them for, or things that they are ashamed for. And when people feel they have to hide things, it means they're scared. And when people are scared, they are not honest and cannot be themselves. Ultimately, it means there is little chance of true friendship.
I have experienced this over and over with youth, with people my age, with family members (particularly on my wife's side), with people at the Photo Club I belong to, and many others. We just bought a house and moved to a new neighbourhood a couple of months ago. We would really like to become friends with our neighbours - they are a young couple our age, and appear to be very friendly. And they have a hot tub! During Christmas we took them over a plate of baking just to say hi, and they loved it. In fact, they mentioned that they would like to have us over. So in my head I imagine this scenario: we go over for the evening, walk in the door and sit down. What is the first question they ask? "So, what do you do?" And I have to tell them I'm a pastor. "Oh, that's nice" they say, but they don't mean it. The light goes out in their eyes, their faces close up, and it is an awkward evening. And we're never invited over there again. Truthfully, I do imagine the worst case scenarios.
At least I have some friends who still want to hang with me (and practice all those great vices with me) even though I'm a pastor.
Anyway, I guess that's my first post.
Jason
P.S. - To my friends in on this blog with me: I put some of my own interests into the profile, but I think anyone should feel free to add whatever they like/want.
Josh here - I'm Marnie's friend!
Christmas holidays about to end so this may be my last opportunity to write in some time.
Here are the things I've been thinking about lately:
One:
I've decided not to worry about the possiblity of the "mega volcano" under Yellowstone Park blowing North America off the planet. Scientists aren't worried about it.
Two:
Speaking of scientists, I finally got around to reading up on this "physics" thing that seems to be sweeping the nation. They used to call it Natural Philosophy. Then the Age of Reason swept the philosophy out of it, so all that was left was people who study the natural world. Scientists.
ANyway, the point is that after reading some of what's been going on in Physics in the last 50 or 80 years or so, I find it very interesting that the Philosophy has been put back into the study. They're finding that atoms and other very small objects don't behave in away way that would seem normal to me. Particles that exist in two different places at the same time. That influence each other over long distances.
What does this mean? For scientists, nothing. Keep working at it. But a philospher might like to infer that physical matter is not only governed by physical laws, but at least to some extent by SOMETHING ELSE.
Three:
Brian McLaren shares some advice for Christian "worship-song" writers in his book Adventures in Missing the Point, written with Tony Campolo.
Among the advice is the caution that if worship is all about the joy Christians experience in knowing Christ, then worship will begin to sour because it doesn't accurately reflect the experience of BEING a Christian. What about the mourning, and suffering? Does that have a place in worship? Is "Now" the time to worship when you're on the verge of discarding your faith?
Four:
I think Amaretto is my new favorite drink.
Five:
Dan, this Pandora thing - I think it's going to be the next big thing.
Six:
Our Korean Student (Sung Hwan - aka Elliott) will not be coming to live with us, it turns out. And we went and bought a smoke alarm. The homestay co-ordinator suspects that Elliott's family discovered that public schools are free.
The main thing, though, is that everyone is free to come to our house and smoke pipes and drink amaretto without worry.
Josh
Here are the things I've been thinking about lately:
One:
I've decided not to worry about the possiblity of the "mega volcano" under Yellowstone Park blowing North America off the planet. Scientists aren't worried about it.
Two:
Speaking of scientists, I finally got around to reading up on this "physics" thing that seems to be sweeping the nation. They used to call it Natural Philosophy. Then the Age of Reason swept the philosophy out of it, so all that was left was people who study the natural world. Scientists.
ANyway, the point is that after reading some of what's been going on in Physics in the last 50 or 80 years or so, I find it very interesting that the Philosophy has been put back into the study. They're finding that atoms and other very small objects don't behave in away way that would seem normal to me. Particles that exist in two different places at the same time. That influence each other over long distances.
What does this mean? For scientists, nothing. Keep working at it. But a philospher might like to infer that physical matter is not only governed by physical laws, but at least to some extent by SOMETHING ELSE.
Three:
Brian McLaren shares some advice for Christian "worship-song" writers in his book Adventures in Missing the Point, written with Tony Campolo.
Among the advice is the caution that if worship is all about the joy Christians experience in knowing Christ, then worship will begin to sour because it doesn't accurately reflect the experience of BEING a Christian. What about the mourning, and suffering? Does that have a place in worship? Is "Now" the time to worship when you're on the verge of discarding your faith?
Four:
I think Amaretto is my new favorite drink.
Five:
Dan, this Pandora thing - I think it's going to be the next big thing.
Six:
Our Korean Student (Sung Hwan - aka Elliott) will not be coming to live with us, it turns out. And we went and bought a smoke alarm. The homestay co-ordinator suspects that Elliott's family discovered that public schools are free.
The main thing, though, is that everyone is free to come to our house and smoke pipes and drink amaretto without worry.
Josh
Bah
Friday, thankgoodness.
Micah comes home today. she has been in Winnipeg for the past week with her grandma and I miss her lots. I know I will face the rath of my momther. After all I have had a week to myself and the house is still a mess. Oh well.
My boss just poped in, I'm behind in my calls to clients. Well la-te-da. better go make some i guess.
Did I say that I am glad its Friday?
M.
Micah comes home today. she has been in Winnipeg for the past week with her grandma and I miss her lots. I know I will face the rath of my momther. After all I have had a week to myself and the house is still a mess. Oh well.
My boss just poped in, I'm behind in my calls to clients. Well la-te-da. better go make some i guess.
Did I say that I am glad its Friday?
M.
Thursday, January 05, 2006
Us
Thought it would be nice to open this blog up to all my friends, as sort of a group communal blog. That thread runs through so much of our life and I'm sure it will finds its way here to so why not invite it off the bat.
The great thing about 'slices' is if you add them all up you get a nice loaf.
M.
The great thing about 'slices' is if you add them all up you get a nice loaf.
M.
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
New Years Retreat
Here I am. Is January 4th, I'm at my desk and wishing that I was still snug in bed. I'm just back from holidays and contrary to the idea that vacations are a time of relaxation, I'm just exhausted from mine. At New Years we gather our close friends and head out to the country for a 'retreat'. We stay up way to late, get up early and fill the days with activities. We leave our kids with grandparents and so we want to make the most of the time we have. It was a rejuvenation of my spirit but my body is suffering for it now. At 31, I'm very rarely up past 10:00pm so staying up three night in excess of midnight is taking its toll today.
Day one: Arrive and unpack. We hit the weekend with a running start. We all dive in to the books we got, but for my husband, Kevin, who hit the TV. There is satellite and we only have 'farmer vision' at home. We eventual do get hungry and start supper. We are staying at my In-Laws (the greatest there is) and they have just left for a 3 month mission trip to Mexico ( I think its interesting that they were 'called' to Mexico during the dead of winter but...). As a result they have emptied the fridge and freezer. In the past we have been in the fortunate place to pillage both and have quite enjoyed that. This year we are faced with a new problem, feeding ourselves. So we do find some deer sausage and bison steaks and are able to make a feast. After supper we dug out the drink. Through out the year you may find us indulging ocasionaly and in a dignified manner (there may be a few exceptions to this rule, but isn't that what rules are made for...). On our Retreat we let our selves go. Rather than buying gifts for each other at christmas we spend our money on booze and make new drinks for each other. We then play games and follow that up with a sing-a-long. Yeah, I know sounds bizarre but you just have to be there to get it. Finaly we stumble to our beds and sleep.
Day Two: A relatively mild day in comparison. We have breakfast and then we decide to head out to see a near by wind turbine farm. Relay fascinating. We are able to get up close and its so amazing. I find them just beautiful. We move on and take a hike through a valley. A Farley good hike which I think we all appreciated as it worked off lots of the night befores caloric intake. We head home for lunch and naps. That night we do it all again, the drinks and games and laughing.
Day three: Again we are slightly more lethargic that the day before. We take it easy in the morning, doing some cleaning and packing as we will leave in the afternoon. We read our books, watch a bit of TV and eventual head out for another hike. This time our destination is an abandoned farm about 15 minute drive from the house. Its just a beautifully romantic place that has a air of tradgidy about it. Not sure how else to put it. We spend a few hours wandering the farm, looking in old building, climbing trees and taking pictures. The weather has been mild so we are able to enjoy a good portion of the day there. We finaly pile back into the van and head home. We stop back at the farm to gather our belongings and head back to Regina. A quite trip indeed. We are all bushed and our seemingly unsachable excitement and energy for the weekend has been quenched.
I'm always blessed by this time with my friends (they are more like family than anything) and find it such a wonderful way to start the year. I am thankful for each of them and the unique way they brighten my life.
Work.....right, that is where I am now. Just got some sad news, my colleague is leaving my company for 'greener pastures'. Actually I'm jealouse of her. She was offered a terrific position that she would be a fool to pass up. I do wish her all the best and will miss her lots.
M.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)