A Day at a Time

Finished Mourning...

2008-04-17T16:21:00.003-04:00

My dearest is gone, so far o' so far
more distant than I would ever wish,
but my dependency on a metal thing
has all waned away to nothing
more
than a simple
transference
of insecurity.

I am fine.

This is my ode to it.

___

Yes, I have officially made my final good-byes to my PDA. I have even gone so far to replace it and my old cell phone with new one. The functions aren't nearly the same, but I figure that it can't hurt me to revert back to the ways of old - the tried and true - and used the old noggin.

Heaven forbid I use the brain that God gave me!

Seriously, I took technology for granted, and I am happy to be back in the arms of the old school ways...

Crazy, Busy Life

2008-03-17T13:02:00.002-04:00

Life seems crazy right now. There's so much to do to finish up this year: paper after paper, projects and exams. Plus, afterward, I'm starting up full-time work at Starbucks (it'll do right now) and there's the issue of moving out or bussing...even the insane idea of getting a car!

Then, the wedding. Sure, it's a year away, but there's so much leg work to do right now! A venue, a venue... we need to choose soon.

Plus, my PDA just died, so I now have no day timer or device to use as my "laptop." I have to go out and buy one.

But, life is still awesome. I've family and friends, love and laughter, and God.

I just wish that there were more hours in the day...

The Frustration of a Dress

2008-02-20T16:45:00.012-05:00

How can something so serene, so pure and so beautiful cause me so much despair?

It seems like every dress picture in every magazine and on every website are meant for people who are so insecure of themselves that they need a million Swarski crystals to make up for it.

What ever happened to simple elegance? Grace Kelly (the late Princess of Monaco) rarely wore any jewelry except the occasional appearance of pearls and she remained renowned for her inner and outer beauty...and sheer sophistication.

I really don't want to have to get a dress made, but if I have to, I must. I will try shopping around first. The good news is that I found one place in North York that will rent the same dresses that one can buy. Sigh, to only find one within budget... I refuse to pay more than $350 for a dress that I will only wear once, but I still do not want to look cheap as I walk down the aisle. To only find a happy medium.

It's not that I am stressed, but only wondering how long it will take me to find a dress...

Anyway, these are all some of my favorite dresses, but I would love to find one with vintage flare.

I do believe that the right one will come along as since God had His hand in getting Adam and I together, I'm completely sure that His hand will be in all the details of the wedding, too.

We're Engaged!!!

2008-01-03T17:04:00.000-05:00

I promise to write more about this later, but Adam, right before Christmas, asked me to marry him!

We're both so excited...We've already started planning even though we have over a year to plan.

Anyway, I have to go finish packing for this year's youth retreat called Powder Blast. I'll post pictures once I get back.

I'll also post the pictures of that afternoon soon...

Academic Debt is Envitable

2007-10-17T15:29:00.000-04:00

I am wallowing in disappointment.

The unimaginable has occured to me: I am in debt.

Those of you who don't know me are most likely looking at the screen thinking, "So, what? Everyone is."

But I, who has worked my tail off for over three years straight, was doing so well until the follies of this past summer. I've even worked both a full-time and a part-time job one summer, but now, I have the dreaded...

...the horrific...

...the awful student loan!

(Dramatic organ music plays in the background.)

And, it seems like no matter what I do, I cannot work enough hours and go to school and be invoved ministry-wise at my church. Although it may seem like my following priorities are out of order, I still will always put God and church involvement equal to school, then secondly, work. If I put work and school first, I feel like I am ignoring a calling of God. I'm not crazy, just stubborn.

This is what I figure: As long as I can keep up with my classes and papers and remain strong in whatever path God wants me to take, then I do not fear the worries of debt. I know that He will enable me (through employment or whatnot) to pay it all off in good time.

I guess that this is what happens when I pray for help with credit management. I'll just consider it all a learning experience.

Endnote: Considering that I'll only have one year's tutition to pay back, I could have faired far worse. Besides, after this final year of university, I can finally go and have a full-time job. Yay!

Not Forgotten

2007-10-11T11:12:00.000-04:00

Life has suddenly gotten so busy that I have been unable to write for quite awhile now.

But all is well.

I promise to give a full update soon.

Until then, enjoy all that life and live it for God!

God's (Perfect) Idea of Summer

2007-08-21T23:31:00.000-04:00

As you all have been reading, my summer hasn't exactly been the easiest or the most simple. It's been full of hectic moments, frustrations, surprises and happy times, too. But, let me say this:

God is, and still and always remain, awesome and totally perfect.

I've been taking everything day by day because I've realized that:

He has never left my side.

I've never been without all that I need, and He's even blessed me with a few that I had really wanted.

He's kept me strong even when I felt down and out.

He's shown Himself so many times - in people and through events - to show me that hardship doesn't mean that I've been left alone...it just means that He wants me to experience His path for me.

I've taken so much for granted: family, friends, money, food, clothes, and a roof over my head. Since all that has gone on, I've rediscovered true love, real friendships and faith of a real kind.

How true Proverbs 31:30 is...ladies, look it up.

So, thank you to everyone who has been praying for me and who has helped me out this summer. It's so appreciated and I feel so blessed because of everything.

And Adam, thank you. Without all your encouragement, I'm sure I would have been a mess this summer, as well as quite frustrated. You always brought me back to the fact that God had something greater than I could understand planned for me, and I was only frustrated because I didn't know what it was. You told me to have faith and follow and go with His flow. You were so right...

This has definately been the best test of faith.

And I wouldn't change a thing about God's idea of my summer!

I'm Going to be a Barista

2007-07-20T00:00:00.000-04:00

I finally found myself a job!

I'll be the girl in the cute green apron asking you if you want whip on that frappiccino.

That's right, I've just been hired by my all time favorite coffee house: Starbucks!

I'll be working at the Mel Lastman location at Yonge and Parkholm, starting Monday at noon. I'm only to be part-time during the summer months, but come September, they want me on full-time.

I'm so happy!

If you or anyone you know is looking for a roommate (who is also über-clean and organized), let me know by commenting under this post.

Good night (as I go to bed gayly giggling to myself)...

Ants were walking three-by-three, horrah, horrah!

2007-07-15T23:32:00.000-04:00

So, I'm living out of a knapsack and enjoying the nomadic life.

Why, you ask?

Ants - little, tiny red ants - overtook my room. They were enticed by the filth of my roommate, then decided that the grass must be greener on the other side (which, I might add, was spotless) and made their vacation home in my room.

So, Friday afternoon I had an emergency move to get my stuff out before it all was infested.

The only issue: Thursday passed, I had a great interview with Starbucks at Mel Lastman Square and they want to schedule a second interview. Plus, I work three mornings a week in North York as a baby-sitter. So, that means that I'll be truly nomadic as I'll sleep on different people's sofas at night.

This is what happens when you pray for adventure!

But, all that happens will never make me doubt the awesomeness of God. It just makes me realize that God, You truly have a sense of humor. But, if You don't mind, I'd like to know what you've got up Your sleeve for me for the next little while. Afterall, I'll need to know what to pack...

Blank Slate (Half-Full)

2007-07-04T00:12:00.000-04:00

I'm sitting here with a total desire to begin, but for some reason or another, I cannot seem to organize my thoughts to paper. It's ever so frustrating - not being able to do the one thing that I can normally do so easily - and yet, there is nothing to do but write and write some more until everything aligns itself. Only then, will I be able to go to sleep.

One of the things bothering me right now is my inability to let things go. The problem is that with not much to do during the day, I tend to do anything that I do with a certain concentration and focus. It's the only thing that keeps me from pining at Adam's return like a Stepford wife eagerly awaiting the, "Honey, I'm home!" For instance, when I clean the apartment, I do it über-thoroughly. (Well, somebody has to.) I've taken up cooking for Adam and I almost as one would hobby one's stamps in order to keep my mind from numbing this summer. However much I enjoy only working part-time as a nanny-of-sorts, I am dying for a real challenge.

Today though, I had the opportunity for an "adventure." I was out riding my bicycle around the area when I passed by an older gentleman with a stalled car. By the end of the time I spent with him calling CAA on my phone, directing traffic at the intersecting around his car like a cop, and waiting with him for CAA, it had been a good two hours or so. I haven't that much fun in awhile!

At times, I think that my time spent here is boring and ridiculous when I could be living at home for free, but then I realize: Not only is all of this an excellent experience for me, but I have had such wonderful chances to brighten people's days. I've had charming conversations with elderly ladies in my building's laundry room as I help them with their laundry. I occasionally chat with people at the local coffee shop. And, even today, I felt led to turn around on Burbank Ave. instead of going straight home and because of that, I had fun lending a hand to Mr. P., who was just like talking to my own Grandpa.

So, I guess when those times arise that I feel like I've been placed here from moments like those. This summer has been a time of reflection for me, for even as I sat in Eaton Centre one morning last week, I could help but write down a few realizations:

Why is it that we can pat ourselves on the back for nothing at all, but to walk up to a stranger, and compliment them, is completely and utterly unheard of or, if done so, mocked entirely as being "weird?"

Why do we watch in silence, then comment later when there is no relevence to our complaints? To speak up, at the time of action, would cause far more societal improvements than passive whining in all its anti-glory.

Why can we not smile a greeting to those whom we pass, and yet wonder why no one smiles at us? Forgetting our pride and taking the first step would fair us far better.

I guess that as long as I keep my sunny outlook on life, my glass will always be half-full and my skies mostly sunny.

In any case, good night and sweet dreams...

My Time to Write

2007-06-14T10:53:00.000-04:00

Ecclesiastes 3:1
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven...

After all the struggles of jobs fallen through and plans not going as expected, that what I'm thinking: that God's got an amazing plan up His sleeve and He's just not ready to reveal it yet. That or He is revealing it to me and I'm simply to human (ie: impatient, stupid, etc.) to notice.

So, I've decided that I need to start paying more attention, and that includes spending a little more time with God and a little less time creating my own plans and then getting depressed when they don't "work." However, that does not mean that I'm just sitting on my balcony, with Bible in hand, thinking, "Okay, God. Do something. Show me what I'm to do."

It's like that analogy I heard once at church a long time ago:

Think of yourself as a car. You can sit there, all out of fuel, thinking and hoping that God's going to pick you up and move you, but that won't happen because you haven't used free choice to fill yourself up...You are just expecting God to do all the work. But, this is a two-way relationship between you and God. So, you have to fill yourself up with fuel (faith) and start driving. God will "direct you path."

So, I've focused on God more and I'm doing my part. And, when the right thing comes along, it'll be from God. But in the meantime, I'm not moping around in my apartment. I'm keeping as busy as a can. I've been spending my free time writing (which is something I've been dying to have the time for), going on long nature walks (If that doesn't turn your thoughts to God, not much else can. Nature's a miracle of creation to me!), keeping my eye and ear out for a job, and enjoying my time spent with Adam and all the guys upstairs and the girls downstairs. Last night, for instance, we played a killer game of Clue and I made a batch of devil's food cupcakes...and we all got adventurous and used the mysterious canned icing in the fridge. We didn't die from it, so I guess it was still good!? Then, we all sat out on the guys balcony and just chatted, and well, watched people in the building across from us. It was a great night!

Well, I couldn't tell you if I'll be able to stay here for the rest of the summer, or, if because of my lack of funds, I'll have to move back home and not go to school in the fall (I can't afford the $450 resistration fee due in four days). But, since God is Lord and He's the one holding my life in His hands, then I've nothing to worry about...

...So, I just go with His flow.

His "flow" is good.

Fresh Summer

2007-05-07T11:25:00.000-04:00

Well, I didn't get the job at the church. Perhaps, it's God's way of leading me into a completely new work experience to accompany my new apartment. An opportunity has presented itself, but I want to wait to hear back before I write about it. Also, I still have to unpack all my stuff, but I can do that later this week.

And, Fresh Festival went incredibly well. Starfield led us in worship and Tony Campolo ended off the night with a talk about missions. This coming weekend, we've 30HFamine. It's never ending, but fun as ever. It's an honor to be a leader with all that's going on at out church right now. It's so neat to see teens and tweens being led to follow a life with God and with His mission: to be a disciple for Christ.

So, it's a fresh summer...

I call it adventure!

"Spring"ing into Change

2007-04-24T23:26:00.000-04:00

I'm totally stressing out even though I've realized that everything is out of my hands and in God's control...

Why can't He send me daily updates?

Sigh. I know. I do trust him fully. It's just that it is the waiting that's killing me inside.

But, I guess that maybe, just maybe, God's trying to teach me a lesson in patience.

Huh.

I can't believe that I just thought of that now!

Just in case there are some of you who are completely confused, all this is about this spring and all that's about to change. You see, I'm moving - only May to August - into North York. It means that I'm nice and close to the church and my friends. I'm happy that I won't have to transit back and forth everyday between Toronto and Mississauga. I've also just started a new part-time job at Montana's Cookhouse. Everyone is really nice there, but there are a few who drive me mad! (Plus having a newbie waitress train me is truly frustrating.) Then, I'm waiting to hear back from the church about a summer missions position that I applied for. I have such a passion for Cuban missions and that's why I want this job so badly. I'm just waiting for the phone call...

Anyway, that is my life for right now. It's full of cleaning and packing and exercising (being sick all winter kept me out of shape) and planning (for my friend's wedding) and learning (the restaurant job) and, most of all, waiting.

Lord, please give me the patience I need to get through the next couple weeks.

By the way, did I mention that I'm helping out with both the Fresh Festival and 30HFamine during the next few weekends? I wonder what He has in store for us on these two Saturdays?

This is going to be a very busy summer...

...but boy, am I looking forward to what God has in store!

A Snowy Cleveland Easter

2007-04-16T11:08:00.000-04:00

This year's Easter was a bit odd for us. Don't get me wrong...It was so much fun. But who knew that a weatherman's call for a chance of flurries would turn into over a foot of snow!

That's right. Snow!

The weekend started with Good Friday. Just like always, we were at church for most of the day because of the services. I didn't sing as my voice was (and is) quite low and still off-key after my long bout with larangitis. Adam came back with us that night to cut down on his driving time, and the next morning, his parents came to pick him up. But, for my Easter gift, Adam gave me Hopper, the cutest little green frog. So, he came along for the car ride...

Then we were off. Just after we crossed the border, the snow squalls came. Then, the farther and farther we drove, the colder and more snowy it got. Then came Cleveland. It was hilarious! I know April can be strange and stormy, but an actual snow storm?

Our time spent at Connie and Mike's home was really nice. They had everyone over for an Easter dinner and, just like always, Connie's food was more than fantastic. Personally, she could completely be a chef (or sous chef) in one of the swankier restaurants in downtown Toronto. With her ablility to cook and plate what she has made, she'd be wonderful. But it was not just the food that was amazing...it was the people, too! It was so nice to have had the chance to visit with everyone. Plus, the family was so happy to have both Grandma and Dennis in Cleveland. Hopefully, they'll both come down again for the next Cleveland Bukvic family gathering!

After that night's fun, we all left to find almost a foot of snow outside with more coming down and no sign of the clouds letting up. It was really funny. Who knew that we'd have a green Christmas and then a white Easter?

(The picture at the beginning is what Connie and Mike's street looked like. Those were some huge snowflakes!)

Anyway, the next day we went to Marilyn and Mark's church for Easter mass. Dana did such a great job in the children's choir, and it was so nice to see the entire family involved in the mass. I love going to Catholic mass, but that had to have been the most contemporary mass I've ever been to. It was an interesting mix of traditions and today's Christian music. I loved it!

Then afterward, we all meant back to their house where everyone spent the rest of the day. The family came over and it was really nice. The party was great as it gave everyone a chance to visit with each other.

We left the Monday morning...It was so sad!

I didn't want to go, but we had to. When we got back home, I took the car out to drop off the bagels and Trix that I had bought for Adam (and the latte, too), but also to see how he was doing. Poor guy was writing a paper, but it was nice to stop by. He enjoyed the break, too! He just wished that he could have come down with us...

...but as I told him, there will be many more chances for that. I was just glad to see that he was feeling better.

When Did You Fall

2007-03-17T19:18:00.000-04:00

Ever since I heard this song by Chris Rice on the radio, it has become my favorite song. I'm not normally one to favor one song over another, but there's something about this particular one that always makes me smile. I think that it's just the heart of it. Don't forget to keep an ear out for it on your fave radio station. But until then, here's the lyrics and a link for the audio:

Chris Rice - When Did You Fall
From the album Amusing

You’re all smiles and silly conversation
As if this sunny day came just for you
You twist your hair, you smile and you turn your eyes away
C’mon, tell me what’s right with you
Now it dawns on me probably everybody’s talkin’
And there’s something here I’m supposed to realize
‘Cause your secret’s out,
and the universe laughs at it’s joke on me
I just caught it in your eyes, it’s a beautiful surprise

When did you fall in love with me?
Was it out of the blue‘
Cause I swear I never knew it
When did you let your heart run free?
Have you been waiting long?
When did you fall in love with me?
When did you fall in love?

Make your way over here, sit down by this fool, and let’s rewind
C’mon, let’s go back and replay all our scenes
You can point out the hints, the clues, the twists
and the smiles this time
All the ones that slipped by me
I bet my face is red, and you can hear my heart poundin
’Well I guess it don’t matter now that I realize
‘Cause baby I missed it then, but I can surely see you now
Right there before my eyes
You’re my beautiful surprise

Chorus: Repeat

Was it at the coffee shop
Or that morning at the bus stop
When you almost slipped, and I caught your hand
Or the time we built the snowman
The day at the beach, sandy and warm
Or the night with the scary thunderstorm
I never saw the signs
Now we’ve got to make up for lost time
And I can tell now by the way that you’re looking at me
I’d better finish this song so my lips will be free

Have you been waiting long, when did you fall in love
I kept you waiting so long, when did you fall
Have you been waiting long
When did you fall in love with me
When did you fall in love?

It's Been Awhile

2007-02-26T22:37:00.000-05:00

I promise that I have not forgotten about my blog or its wonderful readers. I will up date this soon, but as for right now, school is keeping me busy. But hold tight: I'll post again...I pinky-swear!

Hope that this child keeps you occupied until then. (He's a cutie, isn't he?) Anyway, keep smiling and remember to live each day with a smile, or at least try to look at life like this kid. Afterall, he looks happy.

Fantastically Fun January...and February

2007-02-05T11:35:00.000-05:00

I know that my last post was a little on the serious side. I couldn't help it. My winter blahs came early. But, ever since I wrote it, life has been grand! All of January and this first week of February has been full of exciting, new adventures with friends and family. We had our junior high retreat, my birthday was the best one yet and this past weekend was a total blast as I helped out with my church's "Go" missions day and I took Adam out for a lacrosse game and dinner. It's been awhile since I last wrote, so let me explain in more detail:

The Junior High Retreat

The junior high retreat was a blast! Adam, Seth, Steve B., Antoinette, Steve M. and myself took about 20 kids and two CPR band members up to Medeba for the weekend of the 19th-21st of January. There was lots of indoor rock climbing, candy from the camp store, snow, ziplines, high ropes, seminars and dancing to our theme song "Undignified." It was great. Our goal as leaders for the weekend was to show the kids that you can find God even when media is telling you otherwise, and not to give into the pressures of the secular world of false perfection. The two stories of the weekend: Seth got hit with a muffler that came flying through the bus window and bounced of his head (he got stitches) and Nick and Adam had their Epic Battle...they fight and love each other like brothers...hahaha. Check out our video summary by clicking on "Epic Battle" above. It was a truly special few days as we saw kids being inspired by God and His love for them!

My 21st Birthday

For my birthday, Adam took me out to do what we love the most: Exploring the downtown core and Queen St. West as there's always so much to do and see! After making smoothies for breakfast, we headed downtown on the subway. We got off at Eaton Center and when we finally made it outside, we realized that it was the weekend of "Winter City," Toronto's free winter festival. So we walked through the painted ice exhibit and took our picture there, then headed back out into the cold to listen to the rock group on the stage. We then saw a tent for Buckley's Cough and Cold medicine, where we agreed to try their syrup on camera for a chance to make it on their Cross-Canada Buckley's commercial. Adam's used to the stuff, but I felt like hurling. It was gross stuff, but apparently, my face was hilarious! Then, the Amex tent was offering a chance to make your own ad, just like the ones you see in print or on television, so we both figured, "Hey...Why not?"

We then headed down Queen St. to just take in that crazy shopping district. We stopped into Starbucks to warm up. Let me just say, the restretto venti, light whip, two percent Cinnamon Dolce Latte on a brisk day truly hits the spot. It was nice. We just sat there chatting about everything under the sun for about an hour. We had the corner table by the window, so we got to people watch, too, as we all know how creative and individualistic Queen can be on any given day. We even got a chuckle from the table beside us as I took this picture of Adam and his new Buckley's spoon.

After, Adam had made reservations down at Joe Badali's for an early dinner so me could bus back home for birthday pie with the family, so we strolled down to the restaurant. We arrived a little early, so we stopped into this native art gallery to look around before going into the restaurant. They had some really nice pieces in there. I still would love to own a small inuksuk someday...They are so simple, yet beautiful. Anyway, our dinner was great, by the way. The service was awesome and so was their food. If you ever go, I completely recommend their bruscetta with the roasted vegetables and the bellinis were fabulous! Not to mention their pasta...yum!

We finally made it home after a long and sleepy subway/bus ride, but when we got there, there was birthday apple pie and gifts. Mom, you make one mean pie! It was such a great birthday, and I believe that it was the best one yet!

Go Missions at The Peoples Church and Lacrosse

From Thursday through Saturday, the day of the event, Adam, Sandra, Steve B., and I worked to paint and create the model of urban living. We drew and painted three murals, then set up a couple classrooms to show an urban apartment, what it's like to show with very little money and what could happen if you can't make it on the money you earn (homelessness and street performers). It was all interactive and the people got fake Canadian money before entering the exhibit. It worked out really well as it gave an inside look at what happens in our city every day:

Then, in the big gym, the Base band CPR played as people took apart in making personalized cards and shirts for certain individuals who were shut-ins or wo lived in a shelter. There where booths set up so that people could find out more info on the missions and shelters within our city. It was such a successful day and so many people really enjoyed it.

After we cleaned up, Adam and I headed down to the Air Canada Centre for his Christmas gift from me: a lacrosse game between the Toronto Rock and the Buffalo Bandits, and dinner out afterward. The game was so fastpaced and exciting. Adam loved it because he is a fan of the Rock, plus he plays lacrosse during the summer. After, we went out to Jack Astor's for dinner. By the end of the night, we were pooped! It was a long weekend, but so much fun. Life really is so wonderful and fantastic. I just can't wait to see what this coming month has in store!

Prose and Poem

2007-01-10T15:59:00.000-05:00

I hope everyone had a fantastic holiday this past Christmas season and that getting into the swing of things hasn't been too hard. That's what I hate the most about New Year's: I dislike the need to return to daily life after joyously partying with the world through the entire month of December. January would be depressing, but lucky for me, it includes my birthday.

This year is my twenty-first and I get to spend it at work. Yay! My hope is that I'll be able to switch it with someone for another day during the week as I can't afford to take anymore days off from Casey's. But, friends have been asking if I am going to have another party like last year, and my original plan was to do so, but ever since Sassafraz caught fire and burned to a rubble, I suppose that won't be happening. Besides, I hate planning my own party. It's too weird. I do love it when other people plan them though. (That last statement was not a hint, but simply an observation. I feel weird bringing attention to myself for my own party. It's just a thing I find difficult.)

Anyway, I could keep complaining how "my day" won't be quite as I had hoped due to some scheduling issues, but then I realized how self-centered that would seem...and how much it truly is. After all, I have a wonderful family (however strange at times) who loves each other, I have a truly fantastic boyfriend whom I wouldn't trade for anything in the world and who makes me appreciate life so dearly, and I have a Heavenly Father who could have given up on me, on us, some two thousand years ago, but instead used His own life to save ours.

Then I thought: My birthday is going to be special no matter what...I have health, friends and family. What's not to be joyous about?

So, I'm going to turn my dreary month of January and not only get back into the swing of things, but love every minute of every day. So, take that self-pity!

Heart of Worth

For it is
but not of worth
but of heart,
for worth not come by well
is not well at all
if it is not accomplished with
heart
and with life of
heart,
for heart with poor motive
isn't heart at all
if it is not accompanied with
purity,
and with lofty
aspirations.
For all it is
is simply simple
and simply complex:

As all is judged of worth
but derived of heart.

Christmas at Home

2006-12-19T21:00:00.000-05:00

Every year since my brother and I were little, our family has travelled down to Cincinnati to visit my mom's family. I really miss waking up in my own bed on Christmas morning, but I love seeing my Grandma and all my aunts, uncles and cousins. We have formed our own traditions down there like Christmas Eve mass with Grandma, morning walks with Dad before anyone wakes up (and it usually includes Panara Bread or Starbucks) and the annual unwrapping of gifts in the "Bukvic Rip-o-rama." It's great fun!

(You can see last year's shots at An American Christmas on my photo blog.)

So, we celebrate our own family Christmas before the calendar one. It just means that we have to open gifts early...too bad!

I started my "Christmas weekend" with Adam as I snuck into his apartment to decorate. The funny thing was that his exam (my cover) ended really early, so he came home and kind of ruined my plan. But we had a good giggle over it nonetheless! It all worked well though as we placed our gifts for each other under this little tiny pine bush I had bought from IKEA and lit with lights (along with the rest of his room). He loved his Toronto Rock lacrosse tickets and guess what he get me? This zipper sweatshirt from Jedidiah and PHANTOM OF THE OPERA TICKETS!!! How cool is that? I've always wanted to go and he's taking me in February! After gift swapping, we had Christmas tacos...yum!

We then had our Christmas night with the junior high kids, then on Saturday, we helped to lead the "Fun Skatin' and Good Eatin' " also known as the youth Christmas party. Sunday and Monday we spent out here in Mississauga with my family. I love how he just fits in so well into our family...it's really nice. He's an amazing guy and I keep thanking God for putting him in my life. Adam, I know you read my blog and you are phenominal in every way. Thank you so much for our "Christmas" (since we can't spend the real one together) weekend and for everything else. You're the best and I love you, too!

Mom and Dad had to work all day, so I agreed to get everything ready. I spent my morning wrapping gifts that I had bought for the family, as well as for Dad seeing as he didn't have enough time to wrap his gift for Mom. The nice thing is that I turned on Sound of Music and Julie Andrews kept me company while I was knee-deep in ribbon, tissue paper and boxes.

By lunch, I had wrapped everything and then began the Christmas lasagna. I pre-cooked the ground beef with onions, EVOO and garlic. I figured that I may as well make the cheese mixture, too. It was fantastic. I finished in an hour and had enough time to lift weights, then shower.

Anyway, I made dinner and had it ready for 6pm. My spicy meat lasagna, pesto garlic bagette and salad went over really well. Everyone was famished!

Then came the fun part...

...I unwrapped my gift to find a DIGITAL CAMERA!!!

I couldn't believe it! I've really wanted one for awhile now, so I asked for one (among many other requests of a more affordable manner), but go figure...Who knew that I'd actually get a 6MP one with a 1GB card with panoramic shot?

I also got some totally cool socks from Tim from Banana Republic...

I got Mom a neat hot water bottle and cosy from Chapters, and Tim and I got Dad a stir fry pan from Williams & Sonoma...

So, after we had unwrapped all the gifts and cleaned up the mess, as you can see...

...We made some coffee and finished off the last few ounces of Bailey's.

Now, as I type we are finishing our night with our own little Christmastime tradition: We are all gathered in the living room watching the classic White Christmas with only the tree lit up.

I couldn't have asked for a better night with my family.

Hope you all have a very merry Christmas and don't forget, even amidst the gifts and good eats, Jesus is the only real reason for the season...So don't forget to wish Him a happy birthday!

Life, Flour and Christmas Cookies

2006-12-11T14:55:00.000-05:00

Hello, again!

I know...It's been a very long time since I've last blogged. But what can I say? Life's been keeping me on my toes. School, church, the Christmas play, family, the amazing Adam, and friends all have made the past month and a half very busy, but I'm grateful for all of it. After all, I'd rather be busy with the ones I love (and the with the things I like to do) than be bored! By the way, you can check out the Christmas play pictures at In My Shoes, or by clicking on the first link in the sidebar entitled the same.

Dave, Stu and Mark as the Three Kings, with us girls in the back and Terry holding the umbrella.

Well, today I was going to spend the day baking cookies. So, I wondered downstairs in my pjs, put my apron on and began to set up. I'm one of those ultra-organized types, so I scrubbed down the already clean counters first, set up my bowls for mixing and my sifting area for dry ingredients and then went for the flour...

...but it was empty. Someone had put the flour tin back with only a few spoonfuls of the powdery stuff left in the bottom. I ran to the window to see if the car was in the driveway, but it was gone. Sometimes I really hate being a one car family in suburbia! There was no way to get to the store even in desperation. Ten cups of all-purpose flour wasn't worth a thirty dollar taxi ride!

So, it looks like chocolate dipped chocolate chip cookies and gingerbread stars are going to have to be baked tomorrow! But, if you are needing a couple of good-old Christmas cookie recipes this season, try these as they've been tried, tested and are a total succcess among my friends:

Chocolate Dipped Chocolate Chip Cookies

Makes about 3 dozen

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed light-brown sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 large eggs
4 cups semisweet and/or milk chocolate chips (about 12 ounces)
1/2 teaspoon shortening

1. Preheat oven to 350°. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour and baking soda; set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the butter with both sugars; beat on medium speed until light and fluffy. Reduce speed to low; add the salt, vanilla, and eggs. Beat until well mixed, about 1 minute. Add flour mixture; mix until just combined. Stir in half the chocolate chips.

2. Drop heaping tablespoon-size balls of dough about 2 inches apart on baking sheets lined with parchment paper.

3. Bake until cookies are golden around the edges, but still soft in the center, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from oven, and let cool on baking sheet 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack, and let cool.

4. Melt chocolate over stove. (Place a small pot with water over low-medium heat with a heat safe bowl over top to melt chocolate.) Melt in shortening to temper chocolate. DO NOT LET MIXTURE BUBBLE! Dip half of each cookie in the chocolate and let cool on wax or parchment paper.

Store cookies in an airtight container with wax paper in between layers. Keep cool and dry.

Gingerbread Stars

Makes about 2-3 dozen, depending on the size of cookie cutter

6 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
1 cup dark-brown sugar, packed
4 teaspoons ground ginger
4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cloves
1/2 teaspoons salt
2 large eggs
1 cup unsulfured molasses

1. In a large bowl, sift together flour, baking soda, and baking powder. Set aside.

2. In an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Mix in spices and salt, then eggs and molasses. Add flour mixture; combine on low speed. Divide dough in thirds; wrap in plastic. Chill for at least 1 hour.

3. Heat oven to 350°. On a floured work surface, roll dough 1/8 inch thick. Cut into desired shapes. Transfer to ungreased baking sheets; refrigerate until firm, 15 minutes but preferably one and a half hour. Bake until crisp but not darkened, 8 to 10 minutes. Let cookies cool on wire racks, then decorate as desired.

Still

2006-10-25T23:10:00.000-04:00

I sat there tonight in choir, not needing to watch the notes or lyrics like I normally do, and I realized why: The song that we were practicing was above singing words or watching out for sharps and flats or flipping to the coda...It was about the power of just being "Still." So, as I sang with the rest of the choir members, I found myself in deep contemplation. Why do I fret about and worry when, in the stillness of God, all of our problems and burdens are taken care of? Especially at this time of year, the season leading up to Christmas, I tend to get sideswiped by the craziness of essays and exams, and sidetracked by the glittery ornaments and all things Christmas. (Afterall, Grey Cup weekend is fast approaching and that means outdoor lights time!)

But I guess that, sometimes, I forget in all of this that God is there and simply waiting for me to slow down, stop and take that moment to share in the awesomeness and wonder of His unfailing, "never-too-busy-for-His-children" kind of love.

Still
Find rest, my soul
In Christ alone
Know His power
In quietness and trust

When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with You above the storm
Father, You are King over the flood
I will be still and know You are God
I will be still and know You...
...are God.

Saying Farewell to Stanley

2006-10-04T09:42:00.000-04:00

I was reading the paper this morning when I came across an article about a man named Stanley AvRuskin, a lawyer who cared enough about the youth in this city to do anything to represent them when they could not do so themselves. I found his obituary/article so interesting, I could not help myself...I had to write about his passing. I'm sure that Toronto youth, at least those lost in their ways, will miss this man dearly.

- Amy

As reported in this Wednesday's edition of The Toronto Star, it seems as though the courts have lost a dear friend and pioneer of youth law in the city. On October 1, 2006, the "cowboy of the courts" passed away. He was seventy years of age and only days away from his fortieth wedding anniversary to his wife, a dermatologist at Sick Kids Hospital.

A native of Ontario, he grew up on a farm outside of the town in Elora. His understanding of the land and simpler way of life is perhaps what led him to his love of all things Western...namely Jonny Cash and Willie Nelson. The high value of a true cowboy's word, as seen and read about in so many Western movies and novels, was carried through into his daily life and actions in the courtroom. He passionately pursued a career in defending youth offenders. After graduating from Toronto's Osgood Hall Law School, he set up his own practice which, even after his death, is still called at all hours of the day and night. People trusted him because they always knew where he stood. Right was right, wrong was wrong, and the innocent were innocent until proven guilty.

His daughter, Hayley, stated to The Toronto Star: "He loved defending young offenders. He did tons of legal aid work and we would get collect calls at all hours of the night from jails everywhere."

This ongoing desire for justice combined with his pleasure and humor of life was even conveyed by his office answering machine: "I'm back in the saddle and riding the trail of tears for justice. This is S. J. AvRuskin, criminal defence lawyer, the old desperado in the big, black cowboy hat, the Willie Nelson of the defence bar."

AvRuskin's impact in the justice community was felt so strongly that the Jarvis St. provincial youth court is closed today until 2pm so that all can wish Stanley a final farewell.

As per the family's wishes, do what Stanley J. AvRuskin would do: Say "Howdy" and give some food, coffee or money to someone less fortunate on the streets of Toronto...

...but please, mention that it's from the "man in the big, black hat."

A Verbal Explosion

2006-09-27T15:28:00.000-04:00

It seems as though I find myself, everyday, becoming more and more disgusted with the way my generation is not only behaving, but eating, smoking, chatting and interacting. Before I continue, I mean none of this in any bad or hurtful way, but I do want this to be considered as a reflection on us as a self-centered society. So, pardon this rant; however, if I do not express it here, harmlessly, then I might just verbally explode on the next unfortunate idiot who decides that holding in that last drag on his cigarette (and releasing it upon sitting next to me on the bus) is acceptable behavior. Which, please note, IT IS NOT...

Smoking

Let's get one thing straight: Not only is this a gross and deadly habit to the smoker, but it is also just as nasty to the people around who prefer to not have their life shortened by you and your wands of death. Do you know how annoying you are, especially when you smoke in line-ups or at public events? The exact equal of your puffing away would be the same as if I, hypothetically, took an aerisol can full of toxic fumes and released it in your face. Would you enjoy it? My guess is that you wouldn't. However, you would be going to the police and your lawyer to press charges of attempted murder. Let's change this back, shall we? Now, think of how we feel when us non-smokers complain about having to breathe in your smoke and all you do is play a very unsuitable I-have-my-rights card. Besides, with all that rat poison you're inhaling, you may as well go and wrap those lips of yours around a tailpipe. Yum! Pardon all that sarcasm, but do you not see? You are committing a slow and cancerous suicide. Life is valuable...don't ruin it because you think smoking makes you look "cool."

Eating

I was forced to witness the most horrible stomach offence known to man's digestive tract: Pop-Eye's Chicken and Biscuts. This young twenty-something, who was already far over his BMI, was rudely devouring his fried drumsticks and fries. If you could have only seen the grease that had not only made the bag clear, but that was dripping over everything! I felt like I was watching "Fear Factor." Yes, it was that bad. I sat there, unable to eat my own veggie pasta, but also feeling very sad for him. Here was a guy who should be enjoying the prime of his life, but instead, he sat on the edge of a very generous cafe chair, unable to fit himself between the armrests. Simply put: Why? As he sat there sucking every last bit of grease and batter from the chicken, cardboard container, and even his fingers, I began to question the reasons for this. Does he not know about healthy eating? Is this a way of taking his mind off really bothers him? Does he just not care? I don't believe in being size obsessed, but rather health focused. It really doesn't matter what size a person is, however what does matter is how heathy their heart and lungs are. Besides, that extra weight around the mid-section is what leads to heart disease.

The Evil iPod

I know that y'all love your music, and that even more of you love the status symbol of the white earbuds. I totally get it because this need for status that was the reason I began drinking Starbucks (before I apprecieated the taste of fantastic coffee and espresso). It's the joys of being a consumer. But let's all understand something:

Not ALL of us want to hear what's on YOUR playlist!

I personally am against the daily use of earbuds/ headphones as they can damage your hearing, but this goes way beyond that. I pay, along with many other fellow students, a good amount of cash to have the ability to ride the GO bus to and from the campus in comfy quietness. We gladly share our row, and we'll even offer an armrest as a sign of kindness and comradery, but we really don't want to overhear your favorite rendition of "Stairway to Heaven" for the entire ride to school. It's bad enough that the valley girl behind is telling her girlfriend about her awesome "night" last night (and no, there was no sleep involved), therefore, your mix of music added to the already present racket isn't quite what we all paid for. Why can't we all just turn off the cell phones and music players and just enjoy the noiseless drive down the 407? Would it really kill you to just sit there for 25 minutes?

I really could go on, but now that I feel so much better as to have had the opportunity to get all this off my chest, I really should get to class as it starts in ten. I'm not perfect and I know that there are lots of things about me that most likely drive people into insanity, but at least I try to be mindful of others...That's all I really ask.

Nuit Blanche Toronto

2006-09-25T16:35:00.000-04:00

I'm so excitied! The Parisian night owl art exhibit has finally reached our city! What I love about this is that it is a full night of experimental and contemporary art meant to expand the public's horizons of what art "is" as a whole. The plan is to go down and experience this fun which I hope returns again next year as an annual event.

So, I have included the major bits of information, as well as maps, from their official website at:

http://nuitblanche.livewithculture.ca/nuit_blanche

About "scotiabank nuit blanche"
a free, all-night contemporary art thing

The literal English translation of Nuit Blanche is "White Night," a term used to describe a natural phenomenon that occurs at high latitudes where the dusk meets the dawn. It refers to a night without darkness; a night for new discoveries; a sleepless night.

From sunset at 7:01 pm on September 30 to sunrise at 7:15 am on October 1, 2006, Toronto will be buzzing with activity as we break down the barriers between art and public space. For one sleepless night the familiar will be discarded and Toronto will become an artistic playground for a series of exhilarating contemporary art experiences. Scotiabank Nuit Blanche is a free city-wide event featuring more than 130 contemporary art projects for you to discover.

The Zones

For Nuit Blanche, Toronto has been divided into three zones encompassing more than 130 destinations. Within each zone you'll find a mix of Nuit Blanche exhibitions, My Secret City exhibitions and Independent Projects. The challenge -- explore them all in one night!

Note that the use of TTC would be the best, however, I would suggest using a taxi for more of the shadier areas of Toronto. (Let's face it people: It's a great city, but there are at least a few areas that I'd not want to be at in the wee morning hours!)

Here are some interesting exhibits in Zone A:

HOLD THAT THOUGHT, 2006
Kelly Mark

Installed at a street intersection, where people are forced to pause, this sign asks one to also pause one's mind . . . to "hold that thought" . . . if for only a moment.

ROM: NOCHE EN HAVANA
Carlos Garaicoa, Henry Erick, Jose Toirac, Lazaro Saavedra and Cimarron

A special night of Cuban contemporary art, video and music.

Cuban curator Magda Gonzales Mora presents a programme of provocative, uncensored video works titled "Plus ça Change: New video from Cuba." The popular Afro-Cuban salsa band Cimarron performs an upbeat concert of danceable rhythms. Delicious Cuban food and beverages are available for purchase in The Rotunda Café. And be sure to visit "Carlos Garaicoa," the new exhibition presented by the ROM's Institute for Contemporary Culture. One of Cuba's leading contemporary artists, Garaicoa creates beautiful, thought-provoking artworks reflecting a culture where political idealism is disconnected from day-today reality.

And at Zone B...

(LET ME BE YOUR) TEDDY BEAR, 2006
Chris Curreri

Viewed only from the street, as one walks along Baldwin, passers-by will be treated to a neon love poem glowing from above. All Elvis Presley song titles, the glowing text anonymously announces itself from the second floor windows of Baldwin Street residences.

POSITION YOURSELF IN A NETWORK OF POSSIBILITIES, 2006
Samuel Roy-Bois

Creating an impromptu gathering place, a dance floor welcomes passers-by to spend time dancing or simply watching others move to a lively soundtrack.

BALLROOM DANCING, (Performance)
Darren O'Donnell

Ballroom Dancing, an all-ages dance party, is a public forum for children and adults to play together all night long in a room filled with thousands of rubber balls.
Dare to dance with Darren O'Donnell to the tunes of his team of 10-year-old DJs. Children and adults alike are invited to play in a gymnasium transformed, disco lights and all, into a kid's ball-room-meets-nightclub DJ-ed by children. Reclaim the perception of the public sphere as a place of safety and communication, rather than danger and atomization. Participate in an exciting and unusual opportunity for 10-year olds to assert their identities. Give children control of the playlist and relinquish your own inhibitions.

How often do you give yourself over and dance with abandon to Sean Paul? Rest assured if 10-year-old kids are DJ-ing, you'll likely hear him more than once.
A nap area is provided for adults who need to crash.

Darren O'Donnell's barber is 10 years old. O'Donnell is a Toronto-based writer, director, actor, and the artistic director of Mammalian Diving Reflex (Haircuts by Children). The Globe and Mail says, "He writes like a sugar-addled genius at 300 km/hr."

...Lastly Zone C...

NIGHT SWIM
Christie Pearson with FM3, Keith Fullerton Whitman, Tim Hecker, Luis Jacob, Raz Mesinai, Orixasound, Sarah Peebles, Sandro Perri/Polmo Polpo, Ghislain Poirier, Marina Rosenfeld, Sickness Crew, and Windy & CarlInstallation

Artist/Architect Christie Pearson is obsessed with swimming pools. The existing environment of a Community Centre pool is transformed to recall an ancient forum from a city of the past - a Roman Bath - suggesting alternative ways of occupying public space.

Bring your bathing suit to Night Swim, a 12-hour swimming party with DJs. Explore the typical bathing sequence of the Roman Bath. Move in stages through leisure spaces with distinct temperatures, acoustic experiences, and potential activities. Linger in the Tot's Pool hot-tub turned caldarium. Soak up hourly sets by local and international sound artists. While floating on your back in the main pool get lost in reflection in the giant overhead mirror. Some spaces are about socializing, some about observing, some about listening, and some about your own experience. All connect you in slightly unusual ways to your senses, and - most importantly - to a new community.

Christie Pearson, the co-curator of the WADE festival of art in wading pools, helps design Community Centres in Toronto, including Trinity Bellwoods.

Bathing suits are not required to participate but are required to swim. Towels provided.

Official Survival Guide

Where will you be at 3 am? Whether you sleep in Saturday morning or take an afternoon nap, arrive at Nuit Blanche well rested and ready for a sleepless night.

There are a few items you should consider bringing with you on this adventure: Comfortable shoes are essential for an all-night trek! Check the weather forecast and dress appropriately -- you may need an umbrella or clothing layers for cool weather. Other ideas include a blanket for spontaneous picnics and catnaps, plus coffee, tea, water and snacks for quick rejuvenation at 4:30 am. Bring a camera, a flashlight, your swimsuit and lots of friends, but most importantly bring an open mind and an all-nighter attitude!

You'll find everything you need to start your explorations in each zone at a Scotiabank Information Hub. Look for these three unique destinations:

Zone A Hub: Village of Yorkville Park

Zone B Hub: Butterfield Park

Zone C Hub: Trinity Bellwoods Park

Food & Drink
You'll find a selection of restaurants, bars and convenience stores open throughout the night near the three exhibition sites. Plus, look for the Food & Drink symbol throughout this website. A number of the Independent Project venues are offering late night refreshments in their restaurants and bars. Call ahead to confirm hours and menus.

Interpretation
Contemporary art refers to the work being created by artists today in the present era. This is art that reflects and addresses the challenging themes and dilemmas of our times. Utilizing current practices, styles and mediums, artists push the boundaries with provocative ideas and strive to evoke lively debate within our urban centres. Through Scotiabank Nuit Blanche you can participate in these discussions and become a part of the contemporary understanding of visual art, culture and the social consciousness of our communities.

Docents
Trained guides and educators, called docents, are on site at most of the commissions to offer information and facilitate your understanding and enjoyment of the exhibitions. The docents worked with the artists and curators to develop an understanding of their work, the creative process and how to interpret the work so that they are able to share this information with you.

Maps & Signs
Scotiabank Nuit Blanche sites are spread across three zones. On this website you will find a map for each zone showing the location of each event site. Each site has been assigned a number that will appear on the map and it will also appear on the identifying sign when you arrive at the site location. Curated Exhibition projects have been assigned square symbols, My Secret City has triangle symbols and all Independent Projects are indicated by circles.

Hope you can make it as it might never return to the city again if we don't patron it!

A Passion to Publish

2006-09-19T10:10:00.000-04:00

I find myself, more and more every day, wishing that I could publish a book. The only thing that is holding me back, I believe, is my fear of it ending up on the clearance table at Chapters and the lack of focus with regards to a specific topic.

On what would I write? Fiction, perhaps, but the genre is so broad and there are so many ideas that I have that it would be hard to decide where to take it. Then, there is my love of opinionated pieces, vaguely reminisant of Rosie DiManno of The Toronto Star,* but I hate the aspects of journalism where you have to pump out a piece a day. For me, the creation would be perfectly do-able, however, the quickly paced environment and the "do-anything-for-a-story" attitude of a reporter simply isn't my style. There are certain lines which encompass me. I have not boxed myself in with will not's and cannot's, but my morals and standards, to which I set my daily life, I care not to change as they shape my person. Therefore, hunting down people and harrassing them just for a column in the paper is not what I consider ethical. And I can only assume that DiManno had to work her way up in the world of yellow news to having the coveted spot that she has, as that seems to be the only way nowadays.

On that note, I had considered to take on the enormous attempt to compile and publish a journal of sorts. I mean not of medical or academic, but of opinionated pieces that I have written as a collective reflection of us as a socialital whole. It would be of an informal nature, with both humor and madness, where I could just let the ranting wind carry me wherever it desires. You know, a simple and entertaining narrative of daily life and all that I've encountered.

Hmmm, perhaps that is possibility...

Mainly, my problem is that I can write for hours about life and my obervations of it. As my profile for this blog explains, I love life and I cannot help myself as my imagination runs wild. Most days, I find myself scrambling for a pen just so I can write down whatever I have developing in my head. Also, the way in which I write is so different than my peers in university. For example, I was sitting in my Professional Writing lecture at York University when a young woman interrupted our lecture by running in, grabbing some man's aviator glasses, proceeded to jump up onto the lecturn, tossed a banana into the audience and exited. The professor admitted soon after that it was a staged disruption and then asked of us one thing: to write a paragraph, however we care to, about what just happened. After about three minutes, she began to randomly choose students to read their pieces which, in nature, seemed all the same: "I saw a girl run...screaming...tossed a banana..." and et cetera. Then I heard her command, "You there, in the red hoodie. Read yours!"

She was looking right at me. So, I hesitantly began:

The Banana and Aviator Girl: Chaos finally conquered class. Who knew that a twenty-something, stark raving mad woman could disrupt and decidedly amuse a full lecture hall of students? Apparantly, redheads are that fiery!

The professor looked blankly at me. Before I could sink any lower into my chair, she announced, "Now that was a paragraph! You're cartainly taking the right class!" (Whew!)

I just hope that this ability to write is a gift that will stay with me until the grave. Now, I'm in no way claiming in any of this to be a good writer, however, I am saying that I am a writer who needs to write as this is all I know. Maybe one day, I'll be able to write enough to just compile an anthology of short stories, opinion pieces, human interest stories and so on.

My dream is to one day see my book on the new arrivals table of Chapters and, who knows? It might even reach the New York Times bestseller list...of course, with a nod of thanks to the book club queen herself!

*You can read some of Rosie DiManno's pieces at www.thestar.com by clicking on "Star Columnists," then "Rosie DiManno."

A Few of My Favorite Things

2006-09-13T14:37:00.000-04:00

This was sent to me and I couldn't help but share it:

To Commemorate her 69th birthday last October 1, actress and vocalist Julie Andrews made a special appearance at Manhattan's Radio City Music Hall for the benefit of the AARP. One of the musical numbers she performed was from the legendary movie Sound of Music. However, the lyrics of the song were deliberately changed for the entertainment of the "blue haired" audience.

In usual comedic style, she entertained the crowd with one of her most famously sung songs My Favorite Things.

Here are the lyrics she recited:

Maalox and nose drops and needles for knitting,
Walkers and handrails and new dental fittings,
Bundles of magazines tied up in string,
These are a few of my favorite things.
Cadillac's and cataracts, hearing aids and glasses,
Polident and fixodent and false teeth in glasses,
Pacemakers, golf carts and porches with swings,
These are a few of my favorite things.
When the pipes leak,
When the bones creak,
When the knees go bad,
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I don't feel so bad.
Hot tea and crumpets, and corn pads for bunions,
No spicy hot food or food cooked with onions,
Bathrobes and heat pads and hot meals they bring,
These are a few of my favorite things.
Back pains, confused brains, and no fear of sinnin',
Thin bones and fractures and hair that is thinnin',
And we won't mention our short shrunken frames,
When we remember our favorite things.
When the joints ache,
When the hips break,
When the eyes go dim,
Then I remember the great life I've had,
And then I don't feel so bad!

Ms. Andrews received a standing ovation from the crowd that lasted over four minutes and repeated encores...And rightfully so!

One Busy Summer

2006-09-04T21:01:00.000-04:00

Wow! Life's been so very busy. There has been a lot going on this summer, so let me fill you in:

(1) Soulhouse Community Youth Drop-in

I haven't had this much fun at work in ages. Everyday, I spent over five hours on public transit, but I'd do it again in a heartbeat because I wouldn't trade this summer's experiences for the world! I had the chance to go to work each day, spend it with my friend, Steve, and have fun with the kids. It was awesome. Plus, it gave me the opportunity to get closer with Tabitha and her parents (friends of the family) as well as meet some new people like Adam and Seth and all their councillors. Because of this job, I was able to pay off my tuition and then come out ahead by $1,300! I can't thank God enough!

(2) Casey's Bar and Grill

Yep, I'm still there. Sometimes, I really hate my job, but all the servers and I are so close, especially Michelle, that I can't leave. Besides, even amidst the stupidity that arises there, it is such a great opportunity to talk about God.

(3) "The Super Summer Series: City Adventures"

Every Thursday, Steve and I would take the kids somewhere downtown. We've been to the Islands, Ontario Place, bowling, Kensington Market, Chinatown, a Blue Jays game, Buskerfest, the CNE and even a scavenger hunt on the TTC! It was great! The kids got to see some stuff that they've never experienced before and Steve and I got to forge some great relationships with the kids. My favorite day was Buskerfest because it was cheap on the wallet, but full of amazing and wacky fun!

Watching the break-dancing outside of St. Lawrence Market...It was really cool!

The mime girl promoting street theatre. She was excellent and I loved her quiet interaction.

Last, but not least...

(4) My Social Life

I've had some nice chats with old and new friends alike. Every Tuesday night, Tabitha would let me bunk at her house. We've had some fun times this summer planning her wedding, laughing at the foolies of men and discussing the silly politics of The Peoples Church. Then, I'd also have dinners at A&W or at Chapters with Adam, Seth and Antonette from Camp Highlife, or with Marielle or Steve. Oh, and I can't forget the fantastic chats over lattes with Adam...such a great conversationalist and what a sense of humor!

As for my dating life, it's pretty much non-existant. But that's okay as I know that God has something in store for me...I just have to be patient. That one guy from the choir hasn't gotten the hints (note the plural) that I'm not interested. I had and still have a crush on this one guy from Peoples due to his phenominal personality, but I've learned very quickly that if there is ever a chance in heck for me to go out with him, it's going to have to be a God-thing. (I do have to say that not only does he have a spectacular personality, but the icing on this cake is that he is very good-looking, too!) I figure I can pray about it!

Anyway, I do have to go. The three beers I had tonight at our Labor Day family BBQ are wearing off and I'm getting sleepy. God bless and take care.

Oh...

...and the Pumkin Spice lattes from Starbucks came out this past Tuesday. Yay! Fall is here!

Try this next time you ask for your latte:

"A triple restretto, two percent, venti Pumpkin Spice latte."

It's breakfast in a cup...Yum!

Enrollment Time

2006-06-20T09:15:00.000-04:00

I hate enrollment time for York University. I hate that it is all computerized and that sometimes the system gets so overloaded that you can't actually access the system...or you get kicked out of it. Yuck! Well, on the bright side of things, Jeff (the youth pastor at The Peoples Church) is letting me use his computer to enrol. So, that should mean an easier time for me as his Mac is superfast.

Hopefully, I'll get into the courses that I want, but I guess that I'll see. Meanwhile, while I wait for my access time to begin, I just keep praying that this next school year will be more want I wanted than the last two!

Adios!

Worship, Men and Hiking Boots

2006-06-11T21:37:00.000-04:00

We just had the best concert of worship tonight at church. It was really an emotional time for all of us...we sang, lifted our hands and closed our eyes so the we could feel His awesome power. Plus, it was quite the blessing to have Hiram Joseph, Pat Russel and Marlene O'Neill up there with us. I find those three proof of what God can do with the gifts that He gives us. It was just a fantastic night!

However, I've had sort of a bizarre last few weeks with men. I've gone out a few times with this one guy that asked me out when I was still working at Booster Juice. It's funny...Mr. Gorgeous (who even has his own car unlike you-know-who) walks into my life and go figure: I'm not one bit attracted to him! Sigh, life. But, I guess that's good, though. He's not a Christian and he's not quite my type. You see, I find men in hiking boots totally sexy. For me, if he looks like a posterboy for North Face, I'm drooling...of course, in a lady-like manner! Hahaha. Anyway, getting to the point, he made a crack about how gross my hiking shoes are when he asked me out. Mr. Right just became Mr. Wrong, or shall I say Mr. Idiot!

Then, yesterday (Saturday), I had choir rehersal in the morning, so I was out at Peoples. After practice, a lot of us went out to support the kids running the donation car wash for the DCLA missions trip. Choir Guy and I wound up talking and then spent the afternoon hanging out. We went skating and then hit Starbucks for frappaccinos. I haven't been more comfortable or had more fun with someone of the opposite sex in a long time. I think that it was the fun of having something social to do with my time. Then, today, we spent the day around each other because of the concert...but after, he came up behind me, put his hand on my shoulder and asked to talk to me. I told him, "of course," and he started to apologize for his behavior. I hadn't noticed it. Anyway, he said that he might not return to the choir in the fall and I replied with a, "Well, you'll be missed."

Now I am worried. What if he likes me as more than a friend. Great...this should a blast...(note the sarcasm).

Anyway, I'm going to finish watching the 60th Tony Awards then head to bed. I have to be at work tomorrow for 9am. I still have to prepare as doing it in the morning tends to lend to forgetfulness!

This picture is last year's feature on Spam-a-Lot.

Lawns, Life and a Misunderstanding

2006-05-25T10:46:00.000-04:00

I know that it's been awhile since I've written, but life's been kind of crazy around here. Dad and I have been outside working on the garden and lugging more dirt than I'd ever wish to carry. Don't get me wrong...I absolutely LOVE working on the garden and landscaping. It's great exercise! Anyway, it's looking really good. Dad and I finished all the wiring for the lights on Monday. Some stupid rabbit chewed through the original wiring, so we had to remove all the lights and start all over again. It took us a few hours, but now the rock borders of the gardens are all lit. As soon as I can post some pictures, I will.

The only thing about all this work was that, well, I was a little tired Sunday morning. As normal, I didn't eat breakfast because it's way too early in the morning to eat anything. By the end of the worship part of the service, I blacked out. Yep, I blacked out right there in the choir, in front of the whole congregation...and as soon as my vision came back, I ran out. All I know is that when I got out into the back hallway, some cute doctor was waiting for me. He had me sit down so he could take my blood pressure and ask me if I was pregnant. I started laughing. I couldn't help it...Me? Pregnant? Besides, I was so out of it that I was shaking to begin with, so when he asked me that I lost it. Hahaha...But he was really sweet. He even came to find me later that morning so he could check on me. Now all the ladies that sit with me joke around about him. Ruth, the lady that sits beside me didn't say "Hi!" but "Did you see a wedding ring?" They're a funny bunch!

Work is a little crazy right now. Why, you ask? Well, there was this misunderstanding at Booster Juice between the owner's wife and myself. Simply, they didn't schedule me for two weeks straight because of something she "thinks" she heard. In a nutshell, I made a joke about the store being so busy early in the mornings that you would almost need to close for 5mins just to clean the blenders. (I would open the store and work by myself until noon and during most of that time, the line-up would be out to the door. We have to clean our own blenders while making smoothies, sandwiches and doing cash.) Anyway, I had joked around with one of the guys there, who is dating another girl there, who happens to be the step-daughter of the owner! It's like some soap episode! So after what I said travelled through a game of broken telephone, I got in trouble for "closing the store to clean." Yikes! So, I think it's all settled now, but instead of my four 6hr shifts a week, I'm down to two. I think I might have to find another job...

Well, it's now noon and JAG will be coming on and I have a quiche that I have to get into the oven. Thanks for the visit and for being patient as I took a break from blogging! God bless!

Photos from Cuba 2005

2006-04-19T20:17:00.000-04:00

I know that's it's been about eight months since I've come back from la pais bella de Cuba (the beautiful country of Cuba), but I really wanted to post some of these so my family and friends could see them. I've got tons of pictures, thanks to Sam who was one of the leaders, on CD, so here are some of them:

Linda, on the bike, and I testing the bike out after putting it together. The bike was a little big for her, so I had to get her going and run beside her just in case. (I'd hate to see her get hurt!)

Jen, Linda, Dave and I putting together the 12 bikes we brought down with us. They each went to a pastor who was in need of it. Behind us is Alex's house, then the ocean.

From front left going clockwise: Linda, Jen, Kaitlyn, me, Dan-Rosario, Hannah and Amy K. We had brought in acetominophin (Tylinol), ibuprofin and kid's vitamins as they can't really get them there due to the goverment ration program and their cost. We divided them into bags and delivered them to families that really needed them.

From left back: Dan-Rosario, Jen, Linda and I at "un templo al campamento de jovenes" (the church at the youth camp) worshipping with the Cubans. This was our first evening with the church congregation.

Hannah (right) and I (left) sitting with the group during lunch. The guy with the pink baseball hat is Alex, the camp director. He was a great man to talk to, for he tried his very best to use his English all the meanwhile trying to understand our slang. (smile) It was really obvious that God was using him and his family for great things. I miss having conversations with him!

From left back: Amy K., Jen, me (I look horrible...hahaha!) and the back of Linda's head. This is where we would eat our meals, share devotions and, at night, the gate would close and lock like a front door to the house.

Dan-Rosario (right) and Eric, our translator/missionary connection (left), giving Dan's testimony at one of the local house churches. Even though the house was small and roughly built, you could tell that it was so delicately taken care of by its congregation. They even decorated it with paper chains. But, most of all, you could feel the spirit of God working in that place! It was like we never left home...

Linda and I using a homemade sifter to separate the rocks and the fine sand needed to level off the floor. Jen, in the Canada hat, was working hard with the shovelling. Go Jen!

That's me...painting the roof of our house. The day before, a huge rain storm ripped through and the roof, well, wasn't quite up to the challenge. Water started to trickle down onto Jen's lower bunk (I had the top and lucked out!), so the next day, Linda, Kaitlyn and I went up to paint the roof with a plastic paint to prevent leaking. We had a total blast and got a good tan, too! Not to mention, what a great view!

From left: Kaitlyn, me, Linda and Dan (who visited us for awhile up on the roof). By the end, the roof and trim looked wonderful and we were covered in paint. (Weeks later, Linda was still trying to get the paint off her toes...which is why you should never paint in flip-flops!)

This was at a church about an hour and a half away from the camp. They hadn't been able to receive many visitors due to the distance from Las Palmas. They were so happy to see us! It was such a nice welcome, and such a great service. They praised God with everything they had inside and it was beautiful to be there to exerience it. That night, God used me like I have never been used by Him before. He led me to read a certain verse and from there, I began to share...so openly. I could feel it...God took over my lips and my heart. By the time I (or shall I say God) was done, the Cubans were clapping and shouting, "Amen!" and, "Cristo para Cuba!" I've never quite felt joy like that before.

From left: Sam (our leader), me, one of our Cuban friends (forgive me for forgetting his name) and Hannah, the girl's leader. It was Kaitlyn's 18th birthday and we wound up having a water fight. What fun!

This was taken in Matt's hospital room is Las Habanas, a small town near the camp. Matt needed an IV, so we all kept him company for awhile. He's a very hard worker! The hospital we a little rustic, but the care was excellent. Standing at the door on the right was a Cuban friend who had also come to the amusement park with us. Great guy!

"Havana's Angels" Well, not quite, but it is a funny photo, isn't it? That's Linda on the left and Jen on the right. We are at this amusement park that looks like a blast from the past, from the '50's. I can't remember the name, but it's named after that famous Cuban whose carved bust is everywhere! We had so much fun there. One of the boys bought us the balloon hats. Sexy, eh? (Hahaha!)

Jen and I at "un restaurante en Las Habanas" (in a restaurant in Havana). We had a great meal, but boy! Was it hot...

This is us on our final day in Cuba. The next day, we were to fly back to Toronto. But here we are, standing in front of one of the most popular landmarks in Havana. From the left: Charis, Kaitlyn, Dan, Amy K., Dan-Rosario, me, Linda and Jen. From there, we went to the fort on the bay, the Hotel Nacional, then to that restaurant, and lastly to the markets. It was such a great day. It was so nice to see Cuba again, to be in Havana once more.

A Little Bit About Me

2006-04-12T01:11:00.000-04:00

Howdy, everyone!

I know that it has been a long time since I've written last, but with the last few weeks of school commanding most of my time, I didn't have much time to work on this blog. I had to prepare a project on ice dance for my Dance and Pop Culture class, which you can view the website if you just click the link for it on the left...

Hmmm, as for any new news, I now am working two jobs. I am still at Casey's Bar and Grill, but I work about four shifts a week at Booster Juice! My goal is to get in shape this summer, so I walk to and from work, PLUS I get a free smoothie each shift. They are very healthy for you, you know. To top offthis already fantastic job, the family that owns it are born-again Christians, which is a far cry from Casey's...which at times feels more like Hooters.

Anyway, I had written this bio for my poetry analysis site, link also on the left, and I thought that it might be interesting to publish here:

I love to live. As funny as that sentence sounds, it's true. I want to live life to the fullest. We really only have one crack at it and I'm not interested in wasting time. Now, that doesn't mean that I'm a parachuting, bungee-jumping, tree-hugger as far as the stereotype might go. (Well, the last description is correct...The trees and I are good friends.) I love to enjoy all things even if it's something as simple as baking cookies with my little cousin or singing in my church choir. I want to learn so that one day, I can teach my kids the way my mom taught me...by allowing me to learn by experience and by all those mistakes along the way. And it doesn't really matter to me where I end up career-wise as long as I know that I'm following the path that God had planned for me. All I want to do is love life and love Him and live each day like it's my last.

I'm one of those "hand-me-a-challenge-and-I'm-happy" kind of people. I'll admit, I love school, but my marks aren't the greatest. All my life I have wanted to teach, but whether it is in a classroom or in some third-world country where I'm a missionary, it's all good! As for my personal goals, I really want to just finish school, settle down and do some volunteer work before I have kids. After that, though, I really want to open a foster home. Every child has a world of potential, but it seems like as our lives get busier, the little ones get jipped out of a steady home, love and time with their parents. And no matter how many action figures and dolls you can buy for them, nothing will ever replace the memories that they should have of spending quality time with their parents. I didn't have a lot growing up compared to many, but we always had just enough. And what I remember the most wasn't my Barbie RV or hot wheels (I was tomboyish growing up), but times like when my Dad, brother and I would sit at Buttonville Airport in Richmond Hill with a box of chocolate timbits and milk and watch the Goodyear blimp...or when mom and I would have our girls only movie nights featuring Bing Crosby or Alfred Hitchcock and spend the whole night color-commenting the movie.

That's me, or at least a small part of me anyway. Keep smiling and do our forests a favor and recycle! :)

Nice, Smooth Legs

2006-03-25T13:51:00.000-05:00

*Please note:
This is a topic of feminine lifestyle. All macho men that get goose-bumpy and sick with words such as "bikini line" used in the context of hair removal, beware. (Hey, remember, we do this stuff partially for you guys!)

I made an appointment yesterday. What for, you ask? Well, I was sitting in my yoga pants and a tank watching television when I placed my hand on my ankle. I shiver went down my spine when I looked at the dense forest that had overtaken my legs. Hmmm, I though. Maybe I should shave... But, you see, I hate shaving with a passion. I am already klutzy, so me attempting to shave my legs with a sharp blade normally results in blood. I have little scars to prove it, too!

So, a couple years ago, I thought, Why not wax? I figured that all the whining about how much it hurt was simply wussy female-talk. So, I bought a home-waxing kit and set myself up in my tankini and a dry bathroom tub. What a mess! Sure, it worked, but there was wax everywhere. Thank goodness I did my legs in the tub, otherwise, washing away all the wax stuck all over the place would not have been an easy task.

The next time, I decided, I would go to a salon. However, being the rather conservative person that I am (Remember that I am shy about my legs...so having someone that close to them freaks me out), I had to bring myself to do it. While debating, I sliced my leg (again) shaving and had enough...

...So I went to an Indian salon (I don't mean to sound crass, but I've got Indian friends who will self-admit that their as hairy as Robin Williams without the waxing) figuring that I'd feel like the lesser of us hairy ones.

The lady, who was the same one that I went to today, is the same on that I have been going to. She makes you feel really comfortable even when you're sitting there in your panties and a tanktop!

The good news is that spring is now offically here. I can finally see the skin on my legs again, my arms are nice and smooth and now I can wear a skirt again! (Yay!) I still have to go back again next week for a bikini waxing, but I don't know...I might just do that myself. It's a little less intrusive.

Sigh, what women do for beauty. We're a funny bunch.

Am I Too Trusting?

2006-03-22T23:09:00.000-05:00

I honestly dislike mankind right now.

I keep getting myself into situations not quite to my liking due to my trust in people. Hmmm, for example...

This whole problem with my mission trip photographs from this past summer in Cuba is still outstanding. Sigh, I do someone a favor, lend them my camera and all that is agreed to in return is that we swap doubles. But I guess that's just too easy because I still don't have my photographs. The thing that bothers me the most is that this person kept saying that they'd meet me to trade and then, "Oops, sorry...Something came up."

Disgusting. Simply disgusting. What ever happened to the validity of giving one's word? Society and all things moral and good are quickly going to hell in a handbag.

Then there's this entire group work issue right now. I am taking a course at YorkU called Dance in Popular Culture in the 20th Century and as part of the final grade, a group project is to be presented. I was going to do it by myself...I should have listened to my gut feeling. I now have a slacker group who didn't even show up this past Tuesday, when a rough draft (worth 15% of final grade) of the essay was due. I have no problem with group projects, but I am a perfectionist and need to work with people of the same type. This is not me being upity, just picky...And rightfully so. It is my grade, my butt on the line and my academic standing that I need to get off academic warning.

The question is: Am I too cynical?

Perhaps, and that's not good. By the way, to all of you out there, which are numerous and fantastic friends, I hope you realize that I'm not talking about you. I know that you are good at heart and love God and always try to do the right thing.

I guess that I'm just mad at those few in my life, the ones that make me wonder if I'm simply too trusting. But then I realize, I think I'd rather be trusting and always give people the benefit of the doubt. It answers that question of, "What would Jesus do?"

It's just so hard...

Sometimes

2006-03-20T13:30:00.000-05:00

Sometimes, I wish that I could write the great American novel.

(For those of you, like I, who are born Canadian, will understand the partial embarrassment of the phrase "great Canadian novel" because two words explain it perfectly: Margaret Atwood. I rest my case.)

The closest thing that I have, currently, are my opinionated, personal pieces that I write from week to week on this online journal, a journal of which I like to flatter myself by thinking that I actually have an audience of more than one. Now, whether or not I do in reality, I guess that I'll never know, but I'll admit that I like to humor myself by believing I have a following!

Then, there are sometimes when I wish that I could spend my days surrounded by nature, writing and arranging the English language to my fancy into something so fantastically sublime or adventurously grand with romance and intrigue as its subtextual sustenance.

There are even times that I imagine myself sitting alone on a rocky outlook in Northern Canada, with all beauty below, only the cloudless heavens above and only a peaceful autumn breeze to keep my company...

...Oh my! Perhaps, I just want to be the femme figure of the late L.M. Montgomery's literary success. How strange.

But I have come to the conclusion that, in life, anything is possible, therefore as long as I never put my pen down or let my words fail the page, I might just turn out my own great work of literary art. Then again, beauty is in the eye of its beholder, so it might be considered to be not very good, but at least I will have authored something, complete with my name printed across the front cover.

Who knows? Maybe all in some time.

New Focus and Possibly Fencing

2006-03-14T22:43:00.000-05:00

I was riding the GO bus today to York University and was reading a book, about the achetypes that link all classic literature, called The Golden Thread. What a fantastic read and completely voluntary, but I soon got distracted as my imagination wandered onto the topic of life. You know, I feel pretty lucky right now. Well, like I have written in my Blogger profile, it's not really luck when you're a Christian...it's more a blessing deliberately given to you by God.

Anyway, I was staring out the window and reflecting on everything going on nowadays. There's so much that is keeping me busy, but yet, it's all good. I'll admit, for awhile I was depressed due to some life changes, but all has returned to normal again. Of course, not too normal, because that would be just plain boring, but I finally feel like myself again.

It's amazing how life and a bad relationship with God can change a person. I've been on a decline before, but certainly not as long as this. My nineteenth year was joyous in many many ways, but my heart was craving God and I just couldn't pull myself together. However, I finally got the guts to give up my unproductive ways to focus once more on God. As far as I'm concerned, I needed to strengthen my relationship with my Heavenly Dad before I could focus on a relationship with someone else. My love needed to be passed over into His hands before it could be shared with whoever my future soulmate might be. It's nice to be good with the Big Guy again!

So, I've made my decision. Everyday, I'm trying to focus first on Him. Even on those mornings when my evil IKEA alarmclock lets loose at 5:30am, I try to say good morning to Him before I repeat it to my parents or my nice, hot shower. You know, it felt good. It felt really, really good to wake up to God. I think I can get use to this!

Hmmm...as for the rest of my life...

I was thinking about this spring and what I could do with my single self when school concludes for the season. I plan to work, obviously as moolah doesn't grow on trees and York likes to suck their students dry, but I was thinking more along the lines of extra cirricular activities. So, I opened the city's Inside and Out Guide for classes of all kinds and I believe I found a couple. There's a western line dancing which I love to do and also a fencing class. How cool is that? I've always liked fencing, so I figured that this would be a fun class to take...I mean, after all, you never know when I might be challenged to a dual; they're so common these days! Hahaha!

Well, I have Mom's birthday gift to start. She does a lot of baking (well, we both do) and her apron is looking really sad, so I went to get some fabric for a new apron and oven mitts. I found the nicest fabric (different width strips of soft greens, beiges, browns and salmony-pinks) and, with my new desk, I can now use my sewing machine in my room instead of the kitchen table.

So, I hope everyone has a great week and remember that Friday is St. Patty's Day...so let the green ale flow and don't forget: "Kiss me, I'm Irish!" (Well, Scottish, anyway...close enough, but I also except hugs!)

God bless and never forget to smile!

My Cave Survival Guide

2006-03-06T01:42:00.000-05:00

This will forever remain a running joke...

I love my readers, but nonetheless, you guys are crazy. You seem to think that I am some Wonder Woman meets a feminized Crocodile Dundee. But, here is what you have all been joking about: My long - awaited reference, written down, on how to survive if trapped or lost in a cave. I cannot vouch for the authenticity of my advice, as I have never actually been stuck in a cave... although, I've been spulunking in quite a few. So, if you dare to try it, be my guest, but no comments from the peanut gallery if something in this guide backfired on you while attempting to prove this guide useful.

How to Survive in a Cave

If you should ever find your unprepared self in a dark and rocky predicament, please follow to emerge unscathed...
just like these very happy and hippy people.

Stage #1: "Where the heck am I?":

Stop blaming each other, shut up and sit down. The worst thing that you could do is start jumping up and down while screaming bloody murder at one another. Why, you ask? Well, simply because of the sharp overhead rocks and nasty clusters of bats, as well as (depending what type of cave you're in) other not-so-welcoming creatures. Jumping up and down will only give you all a concussion, but screaming could put you in a swarm of bats or in the path of an awakened and grumpy slumbering bear. But before you sit, feel the ground so you don't sit in anything.
Determine which direction you came from and face that way. This will not only make you calm down and focus, but also help you get your bearings. Suggestion: Place your knapsack, top first (or north end), toward the direction from which you came, so that if nature calls and you have to get up, you will remember your original position. If you have 100% figured out where you came from (perhaps by looking at your footsteps on the ground...there's normally a slight amount of dust on the cave floor which will visably allow you to leave an imprint), then start heading that way. Just try to mark your trail, à la Hansel and Gretel, in case you get turned around. If you're actually stuck due to utter confusion or a blocked cave trail, then keep reading.
Take an inventory of all you have with you, including what you are wearing. It's much easier to know what you can do once you know what you have! Don't use up your water too quickly. Only drink it when you have to.
Make sure your flashlight works. Okay, here's where stuff could go downhill. I'm hoping that you were exploring this cave with a flashlight (although, preferably a headlamp). If you weren't prepared and don't have a flashlight...or the reason that you're stuck is because you lost/broke/forgot to put in new batteries, well, we'll get to the issue of light a little later.

Stage #2: "Guys, I think we'll be here awhile!":

Turn off all lights while chatting to one another. Everyone sit around the knapsack, knee to knee as though you were going to play a game of "Telephone." This way, you won't need to see each other because the physical contact is much more reassuring. If you are by yourself, sit at the bottom of the knapsack (or south end) with your body facing the north end. One more thing: Only ONE person speaks at a time.
By goodness, DO NOT DRINK THE WATER FOUND IN THE CAVE!!! Ever heard of E.coli? Well, bat feces are just as toxic as human feces, and there is an extremely good possiblity that the water, if there is any to be found, is contaminated. You'll be sick before you even get out of the cave. The symptoms: naseaua and bloody diarrea (severe blood problems and kidney failure are only occational). Nothing could be grosser than a "cookie-tossing" friend, especially if you're in an semi-ventilated space like a cave and you've got sypathy pukers on your hands. Please remember: FOOD AND WATER CONTAMINATED WITH E.coli BACTERIA LOOK AND SMELL NORMAL.
Determine how long you are going to be there and how to proceed.
This is the last of the step by step advice. By calmly looking at your situation and figuring out whether getting back to day light is going to require some simple sleuthing or digging your way out, well, you can proceed from there using the tips below.

Stage #3: "Some Handy-Dandy Tips":

Got food? Ration it using the math of days and the number of people you have to feed.
Chewing Gum? Well, stop chewing it. Whatever you've got in your mouth you can keep on chomping on, but save the rest for an emergency adhesive.
H2O? No more guzzling. Who knows how long you're going to be there.
Caves are a perfect grow-op for bacteria because it's so nicely damp and cold. So, try not to touch the ground and then your eyes, food, etc.
Straps, belts, hair elastics and other such things can be used for hanging food off the ground. (There are still little critters and bugs that would love to eat that granola bar you brought!)
Need light? Think before you light. If you are in a small and enclosed space, you might want to rethink the fire idea. The problem with fire is the amount of oxygen it can use up. If you are blocked by a cave-in, perhaps darkness is a fair compromise for having enough O2 to breathe. If you are simply lost deep underground in a large cavern room, well, go ahead. Just be careful of what you burn. Wet and moldy tinder will not burn clean, creating a ton of smoke. So...
Need firewood? Empty all pockets for fuzz, pencils, bus tickets, bus transfers, business cards that might be in your wallet (although save your donor card), gum wrappers, facial tissue, paper (although save your notebook in case you need to leave a note and stick it with the gum..hint, hint)...even cutting off a little hair will work extremely well, too. All of this will work wonderfully to help light your fire, but it won't last more than a few minutes, depending on how much you were able to scrounge up. If you are in a big cave, it means that there have most likely been other before you. Still not catching on? Well, most people, unfortunately, leave a trail behind them of stuff like walking sticks and other things that you can search for and use. So start praying and look around you for wood.
No matches? Well, try sparking a battery over some kindling, or taking a shoe lace and wrapping it around a stick so you can turn it back and forth, or rubbing two sticks together (yes, it does work), or take a pen and rub it fast for a while against some paper until the tip is really hot...I've tried it. It will ignite the paper if it's completely dry. Thin bus transfers and fuzz, especially, will light immediately, so be ready! Also, nail polish will ignite, but be careful as it will smell like hell if you're in a small area. (You'll also get a high, so this is an emergency measure ONLY! You will need to stay alert to stay alive.)
Your butt getting a little wet? Quiet down and listen...do you hear water? Is it dropping down from the ceiling or is it just running past? There are a lot of underground streams, so it's not like you can just follow it out of the cave, but by monitoring its speed, you can determine if there is a chance of flooding. If you can, try to move to the sides of the cave or up on a rock. It's less moist, has a better view and will keep you dry.
Feeling Cold? Did you know that most of your body heat escapes via your head? If you have a hat, keep it on. If you don't, wrap a tanktop or tee around your head to keep warm. Hypothermia is a very real possibility, so keep warm. Hug each other and show some love!

Now, it's all written down. I could think of more, but I'm sure you are already shaking your head at all of this. If you have any question, comments or challenges, please feel free to make them.

So, until next time, enjoy life and always be prepared!

Just a Thought

2006-03-05T22:51:00.000-05:00

I just realized today...

...I can sit in our empty church and feel like I'm finally home.

It's not because of the building, but it is because, in the simple quietness, God can finally whisper His sweet and merciful love.

Toll House Cookie Squares

2006-02-22T00:06:00.000-05:00

This is the ultimate party cookie! For some strange reason, it seems to be welcomed at every party that I've ever held or hosted. Then, the times when I get a little more creative and bake something cute and festive, I'm always asked, "What? No Toll House?" It's a cookie phenomenon that, if you wish to try, the recipe is below. Feel free, however, to add or omit the nuts, or change up the extract from vanilla to maple or almond (but then be careful what type of nuts you use, if any). In any case, enjoy and try not to eat the batter, eh?

Toll House Cookie Squares
375°F
10 - 12 minutes (metal pan)
12 - 14 minutes (glass pan)

Cream together:
- ½ cup margarine
- 6 tablespoons granulated sugar (or turbinado)
- 6 tablespoons packed brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt

Add:
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (real or artificial)
- ¼ teaspoon water

Beat in:
- 1 egg

Add:
- 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda

(Optional) Mix well and add:
- ½ cup chopped (and slightly toasted) walnuts

Directions:
- Spread in a greased pan. Metal (13x9in) pan is preferable, but supposedly you can bake it in a glass one, too.
- Sprinkle the top with 1½ to 2 cups of PC Decadent chocolate chips.
- Bake for 1 minute at specified baking temperature to melt chips.
- Remove pan from oven and, with a knife, marble the top. Don't be afraid of scraping the bottom...It just means that you'll have a thoroughly chocolate cookie!
- Bake for 10 - 12 minutes for a metal pan, or 12 - 14 minutes for a glass pan.
- Cool completely, then cut away from pan and then into desired size squares.

Makes about 24 squares, more or less, depending on pan size and square size.

Eat up and enjoy!

"The Boy Friend" Can Make a Girl Think

2006-02-14T23:43:00.000-05:00

Well, I just got back home after seeing the Broadway show, directed by Julie Andrews, called "The Boy Friend." What a spectacular production! I was sitting there watching all the singing and dancing and I began to think back to my figure skating days and how much I miss them. Nothing beats gliding and spinning and jumping and expressing yourself through the music. I miss the grace and jazzy creativity of the short and long programs I used to choreograph. Sigh, if only... Then my thoughts went to how much I have been blessed to have had the opportunity to dance and sing at church in our own Broadway-style productions.

The girls (and you know who you are) know what I mean. We are all so busy with school and work that it was nice to focus our creativity that God gave us on an activity that was used to reach out to others.

But even beyond all that, I was thinking about the idea of having a boyfriend in one's life. I was sitting there realizing that, although I missed the companionship and having a person that I could give my love to, I realized that it had to be a God-thing for it to work out. Sure, I could dress skimpy and head to a bar, but what would I find there besides some drunken one-night stand with a man whose name I won't be able to remember in the morning. Sigh, and to think that people actually do that is sad. What fun is it to give yourself away like that? Looking back on my previous relationship experiences, it's totally, 100% worth it to wait and keep as much of myself as possible for the one God has for me. I don't know who he is, but he had better not be perfect.

(You might be thinking, "Huh?")

I hope and pray that he'll love me for who I am (including the weirdness and quirks...and the applesauce 'peeve), and that he isn't looking for the perfect wife. All I want is someone who I can wake up every morning beside and, despite his drooling on the pillow, I can still lay there and know that I am married to the best guy alive. I hope that he'll want to use our marriage for God and for spreading the Good News. I know that some of you think I'm crazy (*ahem... Marielle... lol) for wanting to get married before I turn 24, but I not only want to share my life with someone, but I want to team with my husband for God and His plans for us. I want to go on mission trips with him and grow in God together, as well as (God-willing) run that foster home I hope to have (because every child deserves to be loved for just being themselves and to be hugged good-night).

Oh, and another thing: That future guy had better not be well-off in the financial sense. I never want to have anymore than what I need. I grew up always having what I needed, but many times, going without the extras. Life isn't any fun when you have too much. Sure, it's great to have a shoe collection (like mine) and dress to the nines, but to be perfectly honest, I was perfectly happy in Cuba when all I had was what I packed...and what I packed were the necessities. I have been so grateful for never having too much. It made those times, when our family would head over to Wendy's for dinner, a special thing.

But getting back to what I was saying though, I hope for my future children's sake that God keeps us in check financially so that we only have what we need and so that we can continue to learn how to be good stewards of God's things.

So, even on this Valentine's Day, no matter how incredibly lonely I might feel, I keep praying that God will keep me in check and on the right track so I can meet the "boy friend" that God has waiting for me...I am waiting for him because true love waits...and I promise to wait.

God bless everyone and happy Valentine's Day!

The Questionable Coffee Cup

2006-01-18T23:42:00.000-05:00

I was sitting and enjoying a cup of tea this morning and I was thinking about cups. No, not glass ones or plastic ones, and certainly not protective ones, but those take-out generic cups used by restaurants and coffee houses everywhere. The one I was drinking from was blank...no markings of any kind. It was actually quite boring and, if I had had more time or if my lecture had been lagging enough, I would have defaced it, but instead I sat there in epiphanic wonder:

How bad are these things for the environment?

When you start to think about it, there are a lot of different kinds. You've got your typical ones used by Tim Hortons and other average joe coffee shops, paper-made with a coating to seal the paper from the liquid because, otherwise, you'd have a very messy coffee!

Then, you have the Timothy's World Coffee cups. I love them. There's no need to double cup their drinks. But then, when compared to paper, what's better for the environment? I mean, how great is polystyrene...really? Hmmm, perhaps I'm digging too deep and much too quickly. Allow me to lay out the facts first, then I'll continue:

Paper: from our beloved, and quickly disappearing, forests. Sigh, caffine empires such as Starbucks claim to be so environmentally-friendly, then we're losing trees to stop the shakes and twinges of their coffee-drinking, half-caf and low foam customers!

Polystyrene: is "a rigid, clear, thermoplastic polymer that can be molded into objects or made into a foam that is used to insulate refrigerators." In other words, this foam is made into a material that has been trademarked and is commonly known as Styrofoam. Moms everywhere are happy it was created because now they can have a party and NOT spend the rest of the night elbow deep in dirty dishwater! But this material, also used for insulated disposible cups, is normally thrown not into a recycling bin, but into a trash recepticle. If it is incinerated, like some garbage is, it burns to release a soot.

This is not good.

I found a site calling for "No Foam!" and here's a little of what they said:

Toxic chemicals leach out of these products into the food that they contain. These chemicals threaten human health and reproductive systems.
These products are made with petroleum, a non-sustainable, heavily polluting and disappearing commodity.
The product does not biodegrade. It crumbles into fragments that have no expiration date.

And all I can say is, "Yikes!" and that I believe I need to rethink my views on Timothy's Word Coffee cups...

There's also "heavy board" cups, but those you don't see too often. All in all, I only needed a chance to rant a little. Well, that and I wanted to make you think about what you're drinking out of. I guess that the most important thing that you do is think twice and recycle whatever you drink from!

So, enjoy your coffee today, but with an added sense of environmental awareness to mix in with your milk and sugar.

Cheers!

Happy New Year...Now What?

2006-01-10T09:31:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year, everyone!

So, 2006 is finally here. You know, I was thinking the other day about Y2K. Wasn't that hilarious? Everyone under the age of forty was laughing, meanwhile, almost everyone over that was completely convinced that somehow the world's computer systems were going to short-out, or shut down. I understand the concern surrounding the bank systems and stock markets, but our generation was so busy that Christmas season trying to convince all the baby-boomers that their home PC was NOT going to explode. The only thing I remember exploding was the excellent fireworks display on the waterfront. See? Mel Lastman was great for the city because, even with his media follies as mayor, he certainly knew how to raise Toronto moral and start the city a-partyin'!

All that was six years ago...Wow, feeling older? Now that I look back, the year 2000 was my grade eight year. That was our family's first year in Mississauga after moving from Richmond Hill. Huh...Funny how time flies. Now, I'm in second year at York University and debating about my next step. I've realized that now matter how much you dream, there are no concrete plans in life. Dreams are just a way to give you direction. They are so important to have, but never forget that sometimes dreams change and mature with the dreamer.

So, this New Year's, don't be afraid to do more than just resolute. Re-evaluate your dreams and make some goals instead. Go past the usual "I need to lose weight." Look at the long term. Set some goals, one each month and aim to achieve them. But as you achieve, make sure you assess, too. Don't be afraid to change the next goal to fit your life...it is your life, after all.

Well, on the topic of life, I have to get back to it. My room looks like a bomb exploded in it, so I should probably get cleaning before I go crazy (or before my mom or dad get mad!). Here's one of my goals: I want to be more organized, but I think I'll need a little help from the local IKEA.

As she reads over my shoulder, my mother is so happy.

All the best in the New Year!

Amy

Feeling Forgotten Yet?

2005-11-02T17:05:00.000-05:00

Sorry everyone. I haven't had much time to write anything lately because my free days have been consumed with reading and work. But I'll update the site soon. Just hang tight and I'll be back in a bit...

...And no, I haven't forgotten about you!

Timmy's Gone...Sniff.

2005-10-07T09:18:00.000-04:00

I miss Timmy.

For those of you who don't know, my brother, Tim, has left for the Katimavik program until July 5, 2006. This past Wednesday, we dropped him off at the Metro Bus Terminal in downtown Toronto (I didn't even know that we had a Metro Bus Terminal...hahaha.) so that he could join his group. So, in the next nine months, he's going to be travelling across Canada and staying three months in three prechosen locations:

Collingwood, Ontario

Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec

Regina, Saskatchewan

(Tim, if you are reading this, I love you and even though I miss you already, I'm so happy for you because I truly believe that this is an opportunity of a lifetime for you. So, have fun, but come here to check up on what's happening at home. I'll post as many pictures and updates as I can without being annoying... hahaha. By the way, start checking the comments as the family will be leaving messages from time to time.)

And if there is anyone who wants to know more about the Katimavik program, feel free to click on the link below to check out their homepage at:

http://www.katimavik.org

Returned Again and Once More

2005-09-20T00:55:00.000-04:00

It's been a very long while, hasn't it? I'm terribly sorry. I said that I sould write, but life got the better of me and swept me up into its chaotic billows this past summer. I began and finished a part time job with my church's television website, I went to Cuba (which is a story all unto itself) and our family also visited NYC over the week of Independence Day (in celebration of Mom and Dad's 25th wedding anniversary).

And by the time life let go of my schedule, school happened. There was really no chance to breathe, but I had such a wonderful summer doing things that I normally wouldn't get a chance to do.

For now, I say adieu, however I will return again and once more with stories, pictures and much more.

Take care and until next time, ponder this:

"There's more to life than just tying your shoes. Just don't forget to look back up..." Anonymous

Lack of Entries

2005-04-18T23:58:00.000-04:00

To all of my readers:

I'm sorry that this site has not been updated in awhile. I've had to study for exams and, with my new job as the writer for the Living Truth website, I have yet been able to come here and write. Please, bear with me a little while longer and, come the end of April, there will be new material. If you have anything you would like posted, please leave a comment and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.

Thanks for your understanding!

Take care and God bless!

Westerns and a Thriller: Old Hollywood Films

2005-04-06T12:02:00.000-04:00

I don't know about anyone else, but I'm a huge classic film buff. So, here's a few more favorites of mine that will help you on your way to becoming more of an avid old film watcher:

The Quiet Man (1952) with John Wayne, the epitimy of the West, and Maureen O'Hara, the gorgeous redhead. I had never seen or heard of this Irish-set movie until my grandma (Thank you, by the way!) gave my brother a VHS tape of it. We were on the floor laughing non-stop! Never before had we seen such a ridiculous, yet intelligent movie. Although, nowadays, Wayne's character comes across a little strong with the violence against his wife, but in any case, the last 20 minutes of it are a riot...literally. You'll just have to watch it to see what I mean.

The Big Clock (1948) with Ray Milland and Maureen O'Sullivan. It was a great psychological thriller that played with your mind as just as good as any Hitchcock mystery. It's a doozie to watch at the beginning, but soon enough you'll get pulled in and you'll even start to strategize Milland's escape from his evil boss. And if you love clocks, you're sure to love this movie!

Jesse James (1939) with Henry Fonda and Tyrone Power as the James brothers. If there's anyone who enjoys a movie in the old television's style of Wells Fargo, this is your movie...with the exception that it's not nearly as cheesy. You'll fall for Jesse James, then you'll hate him and still love him to his death. I'll admit, it's a bizarre ride for the audience!

Have fun watching and don't forget about the movies of yesteryear. There's so many of them and most of them are more enjoyable than the one's we have now that are in theatres. Old Hollywood didn't have the advantage of computers, green screens and the technology we have now. But, take a seat and a handful of popcorn...and enjoy!

4Soon to Come:

The summer viewing of "White Christmas." Who doesn't enjoy Christmas in July? If you're wondering what this is about, you're going to have to wait and see for further information...

Note: If you're looking for a good review or critique site (or you just need to settle a bet about an actor in an old flick), check out the homepage of The Online Film Critics Society at http://ofcs.rottentomatoes.com/ .

Christ and the Easter Bunny: How Did the Furry Thing Hop into the Picture?

2005-03-23T09:02:00.000-05:00

Ever wondered about Easter? I'm not really referring to the Bible story because, even if you're not a Christian, you'd still know something about the amazing thing that Jesus did for all of us. I'm talking about the holiday of Easter...how it changed and grew into an annual four days of purple bunnies, tie-dye eggs and more chocolate that should ever be consumed by a group of wired five-year-olds. Other than all the wacky commercial hype, it's a great holiday. It's a time for family, friends and the celebration of Christ's resurrection. Question is, was it always like it is now...?

The Easter Bunny: We think of it as a cute little fuzzy thing that lays foiled chocolate Easter eggs...but did you know that it is the animal of fertility? Well, it is. And when you make it pink, yellow or purple, it's the epitimy of spring itself. But it is in Germany where the Easter bunny is mentioned in Germanic script dated to the 16th Century. And as for the first known edible Easter bunnies...those date back to the 19th Century where the Germans were making them from not chocolate, but sugar and pastry.

The Pastel Colors: The reason for the colors are the most obvious. They are bright, cheerful and happy, and because Easter represents new birth and fertility, the colors of light, flowers and new growth in nature seems fairly appropriate.

The Easter Egg: The egg also goes back to the idea of new birth, but in different countries, there are different customs associaed with it. Did you know that before the Medival time of knights and fair ladies, the Easter Egg was colored and carved with many designs and then given as a token of love by a romantic admirer? In Germany, the tradition of giving the eggs to children had begun. In Greece, for example, the sacrifice of the blood Christ shed is represented by the exchange of crimson eggs. Even going back to the time of the Romans, the Easter egg was given as a prize after a race on an oval track.

The Time of Year: Here's something to think about: During the first Easter, the night of the last supper and Christ's arrest (now known as Good Friday) was at the end of passover. That's why Jesus and his 12 disciples ate unleven bread and herbs and wine. The food had dual significance: one - it signified the freedom of the Jews from Pharoh's rule, and two - it signified the freedom of the followers of Christ...without this liberation, the gates of Heaven would not been open to all those who believe upon death. So this is something to ponder: Why is it that passover stays the same every year, but the Easter long weekend jumps around faster than the Easter Bunny himself? And this is the best answer that I could find: Easter is observed by the Western churches on the first Sunday after the new moon on or following the Spring Equinox (March 21). "So Easter became a "movable" feast which can occur as early as March 22 or as late as April 25." The Eastern Christian churches that are closer to the birthplace of the new religion (and in which old traditions were strong) observe the holiday by the date of the Passover festival.

"Hop"-fully, that all clears up the mystery of the symbols of Easter. Have a good one!

Thanks to: http://www.holidays.net/easter/story.htm for the facts.

Remember Saturday: Part I

2005-03-09T08:46:00.000-05:00

Summary:

In Remember Saturday, a fictional and female narrator recalls the day a small farming town in the early 1900's changed forever and her family's struggle to continue with hope in the midst of grief and tragedy.

Remember Saturday: Part I

“Blessed night and even better dreams, for through the day’s clouds, tomorrow’s light breaks way unto heaven.”
- M.M.

It was Saturday at sunrise. Our rooster crowed his daily good morning from his roost in the barn. For some strange and unusual reason – for which I had always assumed was due to the sense of power he felt when the sun summoned him – he created his home by the hay door just as a king claims his castle to sit on the highest peak of his kingdom. Every so often, I would arise far before the necessary time just to catch a glimpse of that proud and majestic creature, facing the east with his head held high. Now, looking back, to think of a rooster, which is only the feathered and winged equivalent of a ladies’ gentleman, occupying my mind in such an entirety is so verily amusing. But I can only presume that the poetics of it all was my way of allowing my imagination to soar for only a few moments in a place where dreams never came true.

For in that old, sleepy town of MacNeillton, young ladies, as well as young men, had little expectations to meet. The gentlemen were to become farmers – or business owners to supply the farmers – and the ladies were to become their wives. Not that any of it bothered me. I had, even as a young child, wanted a large family and a caring husband. I remember that as the rest of the girls were dreaming of wealthy and fashionable men to sweep them away into a life of romanticism, operas and gay parties and balls as though to wish away all realities, I preferred the austere ones. This is not to say that I never wished upon my heart that I could do all these activities in such company, but there was something in the simplicities of a homely life that I could never take for granted.

But as my heart endeared the thought of the silly, blustering mass of rusty feathers, I would hurriedly sneak out through our summer kitchen and sit on the pasture fence, shivering in my gown, housecoat and Papa’s mucking boots. Amid the frosty air, was that scent of clean, crisp life…that smell of perfection as though you are the only solitary soul to experience Providence’s heaven, but on earth. It was each tiny droplet that, in its iciness, had wiped away all the transgressions that wafted past and made me treasure these early October dawns. And as I sat there, the sun would peak its shining celestial face above the golden fields to signal the handsome creature to call out its announcing.

But above all of the pleasures of the early mornings, I best preferred Papa’s weekly carriage ride into the main of town. At half-past seven, he would depart with the eggs, honey (depending on the season), pies of all sorts and preserves that Mama had prepared in the utmost care the night and days before. For every Friday evening, after dinner had been eaten and cleaned up, the whole house – or the summer kitchen if it was too warm to bake in the main – would smell absolutely grand! The memories of picking harvest fruits in the orchards or wandering through the berry prickles to find the blackberries that Mama wanted would make their way past the doorframes of the kitchen. Mama was such a wonderful baker. Everyone in town and around in the surrounding fields and farms would wait for her pies to arrive with Papa. The queer thing was that Mama never actually accompanied her works of culinary art to the mercantile. She was never, by any of the townsfolk, to be considered timid or inwardly in the least bit. But I can only assume that it was for the same reason that she only replied a quiet, “Thank you,” to the praises of her baked goods. That was who she was. She seemed more intent on the type of apples than the type of gratitudinal raptures sung by those who favored her baking.

Every Saturday morning, Mama would dress early, forego the handmade bread and spend a good hour packing and listing all that was to be ridden into town. She placed each pie in a wooden crate that Papa had made specifically to fit her tin pie plates. He had one day surprised her with a dozen of the caramel wooden structures all decorated with brand new silk ribbons. Papa was so very proud of his idea to have crates that opened on the side by way of hinges and a wire latch and that had a shelf that could slide with ease into the center. He said that this way, his beautiful wife could have her beautiful pies ride into town with grace and security. Mama started to laugh, not at him, but at the fact that he took her baking with such an air of respect and pride. And when he revealed the wooden boxes for her jars of jams and jellies, she could not contain herself.

He would pack everything on the back flat of the carriage, fasten the horses to the front and make a final call for passengers. Even though there were days when our entire family – Mama, who would get off at the post office; my elder sister, Edina; my juvenile brother, Wesley; and Papa and I – would ride into town together, it was mostly just the two of us. These journeys, however short and rather uneventful, were our special time. Everyone else knew it, too. There were times when Wesley wanted to join us, but Papa plainly explained to him that he had to act as the man of the household while Papa and I were gone. Wesley seemed to always take to Papa’s excuse and assumed that he was being given a tremendous responsibility. Therefore every week, when the duty was passed down a generation, my brother would puff out his chest in the most comical of fashions, deepen his seven-year-old voice for the reply and strut up the walk from the barn to the side door. Even within the humor of it all, it gave Wesley a sense of maturity, so Papa and I did not feel quite as terrible leading him on so. Of course, neither of us would ever admit that we looked forward to the Saturday ride.

Papa was a proper and gentlemanly farmer who had a rigid disposition to read. I was never very sure of his current mood, except for when he smiled. Oh, what a fine-looking smile my papa had! It only appeared from time to time, but when it did, it created a world of security for me. I felt as if all was well and for a brief moment, God had given us perfection. His smile reflected all that I cherished as his daughter…

And today I did. Papa helped me onto the front bench so that my long skirts and petticoats would not catch on the iron fitting around the wooden axel. He then stepped forward to kiss his wife on the tip of her nose. For such a reserved man, it seemed odd and so very out of character to me. I assume, perhaps, because it seemed like such a childish notion. Thinking of the ladies who made their nesting within the calicos at the mercantile, most did not have the same open relationship that I associated with Mother and Father. Many of the married couples I caught glimpses of from day to day were just as my father was naturally: reserved. But it was, in a sort, romantic, the way they would carry on with their affection for one another.

Papa took up the reins and pleaded for our two aging horses to move along. They were getting on in years and no longer did the usual rider’s cry work. They were too stubborn and perhaps losing their hearing, so only did some whipping of the leather reins get them to lift their hooves. Finally, he started the horses on and as we exited the side cattle gate leading away from the grey stone barn, Papa raised his left hand over his shoulder and motioned his final good-bye. Mama would always wave back until we passed the hill and she could no longer see us among the fields and fences. Whether she stood there or simply went inside, I suppose I will never know. But I know what Papa did. He would, just before we would round the bend near the old maple tree, pull on the reins. Our horses would reluctantly slow up and he would take one longing look behind him. There was nothing to see. Most of the house had passed behind the orchard hills and, even though the barn could be seen, its rafters and the chicken coops were only visible…

And he still gazed back. He always did no matter the weather or the rush. I could never understand why, but he always glanced back.

That ride into town took no less than three-quarters of an hour on an average day. But there were sometimes when the road would wash out in spots along the river and a makeshift detour was made. At a moment like that, there were two detours to choose from. The first being a longer and more out of the way route to town did seem to be the only choice when the main road degraded to such an unrideable state. The second, especially for the more adventurous folk, consisted of the younger men allowing their inner schoolboys locked within them to appear. They made themselves a full new set of wheel tracks. Of course, this usually meant that they were driving through a few wheat fields or two. Imagine a hard-working planter looking out at his field one morning to see his new neighbor innocently riding about his crops. The pleasantness for us was that the road near our farm never became washed out, so Papa never had to worry about anything of that sort happening.

However, for the most part, none of this would ever happen because the dirt road wasn’t really that bad. Although it was quite smooth, we still drove over every bump and dip with absolute caution. There were a few times when one of the wheels bobbed into a ditch and the eggs did not make it to McLuhan’s General Mercantile in their heavenly-given shape. Papa had once opened the straw baskets to show the storeowner the seven dozen eggs that Wesley had awoken far before dawn to collect. Nonetheless, to his dismay, he revealed a mess of scrambled yolks, whites and shells. Mr. McLuhan though it to be humorous as his laugh filled the store with a booming echo, but Papa found it to be quite the opposite. Despite the damaged condition of the eggs, he gave Papa half the money for it and he and Mrs. McLuhan had quite the breakfast that morning.

It was memories such as this that peppered my childhood. We had so many jovial moments and so many times that I wish never to forget. There was always something, yet nothing would match my memories of that day:

I could see the hitching post outside the post office. Mrs. Hanson and her daughter, who was only one year my junior, took charge of the service after Mr. Hanson passed away the winter before of pneumonia. It must have been unimaginably difficult for the two women to continue on after his death. Mr. Hanson had developed the deadly illness as a complication of a cold. The doctor tried everything to save him, but it was his time. His funeral was very sorrowful. To see a man whom I knew well and who aged accordingly to my parents being lowered into such a black grave, really verily hurt. It pained me to watch a woman who could be my mother dusting a single handful of earth on her husband’s pine coffin. It just seemed so wrong…it seemed so very wrong.

My father steered the horses past the post office and around the side of the store. Mr. McLuhan did not care for his customers to be tying up their wagons and horses in the front of the mercantile. His exact words were “…your wagons are interfering with my displays which, in turn, will soon discourage my customers from coming in.” I, however, thought it was such a droll proposition partly due to the common knowledge that Mr. McLuhan owned the only general store within a four hour trot of the town. Nevertheless, if any of the McLuhans made a suggestion, it became a convention which the rest of the town was encouraged to abide by, except of course, for the McLuhans themselves.

Papa and I removed the goods from the back and entered the store with the pies, preserves and eggs as the bell atop the door alerted Mr. McLuhan of our presence. I always found the store so inviting and warm, even on the coldest of days. I liked entering and smelling the burning on shivering mornings such as this. I liked the rich, dark wood that covered the walls, floors and created the shelves. I liked being surrounded by such interesting things; browsing the catalogues for contemporary items was intriguing. I liked it all because it let my mind drift into places that it never could imagine. I, for some reason, found McLuhan’s General Mercantile as a place of refuge and inspiration. For every time someone would walk through that paned glass door, you would be greeted with a smile (unless Old Man Peterson was there – he would snarl) and a proper, “Good day,” was offered.

The women of the town, not all, but some, would gather in the back near the calico and cotton spools to have their weekly gossip session. If anyone needed to acquire any sort of knowledge about anything in town, those were the women with whom to speak. Every now and then, a cackling sound would arise from behind the domestics, and it could always be assumed that they were using some poor soul as the object of one of their cruel and teasing jokes. There were days when I would browse my way to the back just so I could overhear any snippet of information that could come in handy for my quilting circle.

Mama would have been so verily ashamed of my eavesdropping. Since I was a child, I was always instructed that “taking part in the downtrodding of others” was a sin. She was right, but there were those moments when my curiosity won me over. Mama never had that problem though. On those occasional Saturdays when she accompanied us into town, she would always speak cordially with the women, then continue on with her shopping. The others would give her this unusual and indescribable look, but Papa glowed with pride. This was his reason for marrying her, he had once said. He loved to revel about his wife. I believed that he admired her for her spirit. Mama could stand up for what she held for and never budge an inch. Like the time when Mama, in front of the entire town council, protested the rights of the women in the town. She had heard about the suffragettes fighting for their rights in an article printed in the Montreal paper and it motivated her. Papa supported her, but the rest of the town did not. She did not seem to mind though. She said that she did the best she could and that, maybe one day, I might have a voice just like all the other men. I had never asked her to do that for me, and yet, she was willing to stand up for me. Perhaps I never expressed my gratitude enough. I assume that only God knows if I will ever have that voice that Mama wanted so dearly to have. But I loved and admired my mama. She proved to me that if I could work on today, then change could come tomorrow.

Papa was leaning on the counter and discussing the usual with Mr. McLuhan: weather, politics and what the Reverend would preach on tomorrow morning in church. While the two men carried on just like the women in the back, I found myself staring at the new dress ordered straight from Toronto. It was amongst a few other new arrivals, however, the one hanging on the black iron dress form drew my attention. It looked so elegant in the mid-morning light. It was incredibly grand. The stitches were perfect and its ruffled hem invited my hand to reach over the inner railing to touch the display. With its eyelets of lace for a chest, sapphire waistshirt and billowy skirt, I could imagine myself dancing in it. The Harvest Dance was soon approaching and all I could hope for was that Alistair MacNeill would ask to escort me.

He was quite the gentleman. He lived only three farms away on the western side of the river, but his father leased out their land to the locals. Mr. MacNeill was the sole guardian of Alistair. He was also the superintendent of all the schools in the county. This meant that he had to travel more than he preferred, and his absence affected his son to a slight degree, but Alistair was ever so kind to me. Whenever I passed him on the roadside or in town, he would never cease to tip his head in refined acknowledgement and greet me with the time of day. He and I would then walk along together and he would further inquire about my family, my plans and my general existence. I found him to be romantic in a removed sort of way. He was the quiet prince of the fields and barns and orchards that surrounded him, and yet, he never acted it. I don’t believe that he ever even knew.

But there had to be some way for me to purchase that elaborate piece of work. If I hinted enough, I might receive it for my eighteenth birthday. It was certainly worth a try. I had to think about this: How could I mention the dress without being too forward? I could always point it out to Papa when he finished his business with Mr. McLuhan. Or, perhaps on the way back to the house, I could remark about its beauty, yet practicality. It is not as though I plan to become any taller…

My thoughts were quickly interrupted by a boy’s cry outside the store. I placed the dress that I had removed off the form over my arm and stepped up onto the display window shelf to see who it was. Yet, before I could approach the glass, I heard the thumping of footsteps up the old knotted stairs. I peeked my head around the corner as the door violently swung open to reveal Arthur, better known as Arty. He was a small boy for his age who would come over to the farm to fish in our portion of the river with my younger brother, Wesley. The two of them were good friends and wherever one was, the other was usually not too far behind.

As the little golden bell slowly ceased its ringing, the boy asked for the doctor and my father between great breathes of air. The women from the back came rushing up to the front counter and formed a throng-like circle around the distraught child. They were not concerned with the problem itself, but with the potential new material they could use for their next gathering. One of the other children who had been begging his mother for the mercantile's licorice drops ran across the road – by orders of Papa – to the doctor’s house. He was a single man who practiced out of his living room and refurbished the dining room into his operating room and the parlor into a waiting area. I watched out of the corner of my eye through the window as the heavy door opened and the doctor answered. The child spoke to him and the doctor immediately turned on his heel to retrieve his things. He came out, put his medicines and instrument case into his saddle bags and quickly darted with his horse over to the store.

Arty had finally caught his breath and, with my father, went outside to bring the wagon around to the front. Papa was no longer apprehensive about the demands of Mr. McLuhan, for he knew that something was terribly and horribly wrong back at the farm. I highly doubted that the store keeper would mind the commotion. Emergencies such as this tended to escape his family’s reign on the rest of us, thankfully. Mr. McLuhan was a hard and sometimes spiteful man, but even with his stiff character, he would open up to the rest of reveal a softer and more caring self when the moment arose.

I moved toward the door, yet I realized that everyone was staring at me. I soon understood why I was attracting the many sympathetic and distraught glances all pointed in my direction. Before I made my exit, I handed the dress to one of the women who happened to be wearing the most atrociously millinered hat I had ever seen. It took my mind off the situation at hand for a moment, but my imagination quickly returned to the present and to Papa and the doctor waiting outside the mercantile for me. Papa had already turned the rickety wagon toward our farm as if he was ready to leave me behind.

As I dashed out slamming the door behind me and stumbled down the front stairs, I heard the doctor say that he would meet the two of us at the house. He galloped down the road and I could still hear him calling for his chestnut brown stallion to travel faster. I approached the wagon and carefully climbed onto the left side of the bench. The crude contraption lurched forward before I was fully seated. It was as if our horses desired to return home as much as Papa and I did. My father hurried our horses as if there would be no tomorrow. And in his mind, that was a very true possibility. He did not know what to expect on our arrival back at the farm. My brother sent Arty and he had little information to give the doctor or my papa. All he could ask for was assistance and Godspeed for Mama’s coming help.

Papa’s world revolved around his wife. He loved her with a love I had never seen before, yet my only wish was to someday experience it. I looked over at him while we were riding back. There was something in his eyes that was so incredibly fearful of what he might find. His hands were shaking and his knuckles were a ghostly white from gripping the reigns so tightly. I had never seen Papa like that before that day. I could plainly read him; his thoughts and reflections of his past with Mama were clear in his expression. I could only assume that he was thinking back to all the wonderful and loving times that he and Mama had had together…The times that they had given it all to create the life that they lived now. They were proud, and yet, still so humble. I hoped, for Mama’s sake, and Papa’s as well, that she was alright. Perhaps it was just a sprained ankle and Wesley had taken it too seriously. I started to pray as I had never prayed before.

This could not be happening. Not on Saturday…

End of Part I

The Underdog Finds Democracy: Hollywood Films

2005-03-03T15:15:00.000-05:00

Looking for a good film to watch this weekend? Here's two movies that are classics and prove that the underdog can come out on top...all it takes is perseverance!

On the Waterfront (1954) starring Brando at his best in a battle of love, fear and the conquering of the evils in life.

Norma Rae (1979) starring Sally Fields...also known as our favorite and "The Flying Nun," in a unionized war between the cotton mills of the South and the people that work in them.

Enjoy and watch...there are many similarities in the films. These are classics of popular culture that you won't want to miss!

Featured Hikes: Hilton Falls, Milton

2005-02-15T13:20:00.000-05:00

Ever wish you could find a great place to hike that's close, but not too "touristy"? Well, a group of us went to Hilton Falls on the 13 of February only to find out how fun it is! We did approximately 10-12km and even had a campfire (yes, they actually provide the fire...wood and all) to cook our hot dogs and s'mores.

Here's the information and directions, and don't forget to check out the provided link to see more pictures and to find out more:

Out in Milton, Ontario, there are a wide range of conservation parks that are along the Niagara escarpment. Each park has different activities to do as well as hiking. There is Nordic skiing, downhill skiing, snowshoeing and snowboarding. In the summer, there is (depending on the park) swimming, climbing, mountain biking, canoeing, kayaking, wind surfing and other things. If you visit http://www.conservationhalton.on.ca/ and check out each of the parks, you are bound to find something for everyone!

Anyone looking for where it is? It's here. But don't do what we did and follow the old green arrow pointing to Campbellville...follow the map. Turn north onto Guelph Line and the be ready for a quick right (east turn) just after the conservation sign.

...And the bonus is that the Bruce Trail (white rectangular blazes on the trees) and their side trails (the same as the white ones, but in sky blue) run through the parks which means that you can go beyond the park boundaries! There are even campsites along the way in case there are any adventurous people that want an inexpensive and exciting trip that's relatively close to home. The Bruce Trail begins up in Tobermory and finishes in Niagara. That's approximately 800km!

Hope everyone gets out this season! And if you want to get the most "bang for your buck," buy the yearly pass. Our family did it, and because it allows the entrance by surname and not by license plate or size of vehicle, you can drive in your two-door Miata or your VW party van and they won't question it as long as everyone's buckled up!

Just a side note:

Hiking is a great way to get outdoors and exercise. You can go for a half an hour or a whole day. Remember that the more that we can support these conservation parks(like Hilton Falls) and serviced trails (like the Bruce Trail which is kept up by volunteers), the more of a chance there is that these beautiful escapes are kept up. Without our help and participation, more of this precious land will disappear. Just a little something to think about!

Welcome and a Side Note

2005-02-03T08:38:00.000-05:00

Welcome everyone!

I started this site a little while back so that I could have a place to share photos and stories with friends and family. However, it's become a little more than that. I enjoy the art of writing (as most of you know) and this is a great outlet for me to write about whatever I want...no boundries! So, you'll find everything from photos (as soon as I can figure out how to publish more than one at a time...anyone have any suggestions?) to stories to articles and movie reviews.

There's everything from A to Z...well, except instructions on how to train a wild llama. That one's up to you! But hey, if you ever need some advice on chasing one down, I can help you with that. (I bet the real Three Wisemen never had to chase down their exessively-salivating llamas...Anyone remember the old CNIB annual "Bethlehem Live" out in Woodbridge? Then again, I would bet that the real Mother Mary never kept a cookie plate and thermos of hot chocolate under the sleeping baby Jesus either!)

Anyway, take care, God bless and happy reading!

Amy

PS: Feel free to leave a comment or email the link or post to friends and family. You know the old saying: The more, the merrier!