time

I had so much to do today.
I didn't get nearly as much done as I wanted.
It seemed that sending 156 letters takes a lot more work than I had originally anticipated! Printing, folding, stamping, labelling, more printing and stuffing. Then I ran out of envelopes right after I had journeyed to Staples.
That always happens to me.

Things I didn't get done today:
-a trip to the gym
-a trip to Zehrs to buy brownie mix
-hence, no brownies were made (we'll just have to buy them!)
-all of the letters did not get sent out
-I didn't get a chance to call Head Office

But I did spend at least 5 hours on the letter (and all that goes along with sending it out).

That doesn't look very productive.

But I didn't really dilly. Or dally. Except for right now.

thanks

Thanks to the following people for writing a blog of which I check on a (usually) daily basis:
In alphabetical order:
Andre
Ben
Carmen
Daver
Deb
Diva (ok, I know you should be at the top, but I can't help but refer to you as Diva!)
Jamie (time to update I think!)
Janette
Jen (Hannah and Elijah's blogs too!)
Jenna
Kelley
Kirsten
Mel
Mindy
Priyanka
Sab
Shelly
Travis

Who knew reading about other people's lives (a la horse's mouth) could be so enjoyable?

reflections

Reflections from a funeral

It was the first death in my family. My Grandma; or as I and all my cousins and siblings called her, Baba. While I wasn't extremely close to her, it was still hard. More so at certain times than at others.

I think the viewing was the hardest. We, as her immediate family, had our own private viewing of the open casket for about 20 - 30 minutes before friends and other relatives were allowed to come in.

I cried. I didn't expect to cry.

As I approached the casket and saw the beautiful flowers adorning her casket and all around it, I was struck with the beauty of it all.

They did a good job with her makeup. She looked very natural and above all, peaceful.

I think that's what gave me the most comfort. Knowing that she is truly at peace. I was actually able to rejoice in my spirit.

I was reminded of 1 Thessalonians 4:13 which says that we don't grieve like those who have no hope. We have hope. Because of Christ. I smiled when I thought of my Baba in heaven with Jesus. Completely happy, free of pain and sadness.

She had a lot of sadness I think.

It was hard to see my mom and aunt's grieve over the loss of their mother.

Overall, I would say that there were too many pictures taken of the dead body, of people with the dead body and of people looking at the dead body.

Just kinda weirded me out.

Jocelyn asked me to promise her not to let them do that when she died. I said I would. If I outlived her.

I also found it hard to "say my goodbyes" to a body that no longer housed the spirit of my Baba. What do you say to a lifeless body? What do you say to the clay vessel that once held life?

I spoke instead to God. I thanked Him that life doesn't simply end when we die. It is merely the transition into the REAL life.

sucks

It sucks when you get the brunt of someone's frustration.
It sucks when you don't know how to help someone who's grieving.
It sucks when you feel like a horrible daughter.
It sucks.

death

I think I've gained a sense of appreciation for the song "Who am I?".
I actually used to really dislike it because I felt it focussed too much on who we are as humans and not enough on who God is. But tonight as I sang the lyrics,

"I am a flower quickly fading. Here today and gone tomorrow."

I was struck with the truth that death seems so sudden. How BIG God is and how small and insignificant I am. And how quickly life is snuffed out. And how many opportunities or moments (even divine ones) let pass me by. I guess I just find myself pondering how short life is and how I truly do need to make the most of every second, minute, hour, day because it really could be my last.

iPod

It came! It finally came! My iPod came!

I've named it "The Black Mamba".

Now I'm uploading like a fiend.

Off to the gym!

running

Today was the day I began my 1/2 marathon training.
I stepped up to the challenge and did my speed training today. I was actually quite apprehensive about the speed training as I had heard things from a couple people about how difficult it is and how exhausted they were after.
So as I stood there on the treadmill, poking at the buttons and inputting data requested (ie. weight, incline, time, speed) I didn't know what to expect.
I started with a warm up jog for about 15 minutes. Nothing too out of control. It was then that I realized that I have improved.
Before I joined the gym I was probably in the worst shape of my life. Not that I'm 40 lbs over weight or anything, but I recognize my lack of energy and lack of clothes that fit as a result of bad eating habits and not exercising.
So after I jogged and felt adequately warmed up...I realized something. I was warmed up! Not exhausted, not too tired to actually start RUNNING...but really, honestly warmed up!
Then was the run.
I began the sprint. Faster, faster, faster...and then I felt like I was flying!
Now I'm not a HUGE fan of running. I'd rather go swimming or biking or hiking.
This was the first time I'd enjoyed running.
And I felt really, really good!
In fact, as I've been learning about endurance in my life as it relates to tasks and trials and spiritual things going on in my life, I wanted to push myself and go an extra 20, 30 or 40 seconds at the sprinting speed. And I did it!
It was a good run and I know that not all of my runs will be exhilerating, but it's encouraging to experience improvement, enjoyment and to break past those "walls" by pushing myself to go just a bit further.
Let the training begin!

moment

I had a "booyahshakalaka" moment today while watching 24. What a fantastic show.
It was when Jack was on the phone with the snooty Janice or whatever her name is from homeland security and he just told her that he didn't REALLY give up the "wet list" or whatever it's called as he had reprogrammed the memory chip to self destruct.
The look on her face was priceless.
I actually did let out a triumphant "BOOYAHSHAKALAKA!".
It felt fantastic.
I love 24.

words

10 great words to use on a regular basis (in no particular order of greatness):

1. booyahshakalaka (boo-ya-sha-ka-la-ka - exactly as it looks)
This is a great word to pull out in so many situations ie. You have the winning hand in poker. You lay it down and look around at everyone...This is a perfect time to whip out the "booyashakalaka".

2. intriguing
This is a perfect word for when you are perplexed by something or when someone suggests an idea that you aren't entirely keen on but want to make them feel good. It's also great when accompanied with a raised eyebrow.

3. discombobulate (feel free to add an "ing" or an "ed" to this word. It's great in any form.)
"To throw into a state of confusion" - it's fun to say and it's a word devoted to chaos and randomness. It really doesn't get any better.

4. hadabada
Wow. This word is fantastic and you can use it instead of saying "boo". I think it stirs up more fear than boring old "boo".

5. huzzah
A word that may be recognized from "Pirates of the Caribbean". A fantastic hurrah-type cheer that's got a little extra "zip". I like it.

6. dude
This may not be everyone's "style", but it's free and easy going and who doesn't like to be called "dude"? Well, actually there may be quite a few people who don't like to be called "dude"...so be careful on who you use this beauty.

7. bustacate
This is a fantastic word that you use when someone has wrecked or destroyed something beyond repair. Like, "If you poke me one more time, I'm going to bustacate your face!" Or "Dude! You bustacated my car!" It's a lot more fun than saying bust, or wreck, or destroy.

8. crapload
Again, a lot more fun to say than...well..."a lot". In other words, it's a crapload more fun than saying "a lot".

9. whatevs
Always a good response when you are indifferent. It's good if you can get a shrug in there at the same time.

10. poop
Oh my word, such a great word. Plus it's a palindrome!

And thus (also a great word) concludes my word list. I'm sure there are plenty more great and wonderful (and fun!) words that could be added, but that's all I've got for now.

overcast

I hate it when the sun doesn't come out. Especially in the mornings. It makes me want to lounge around all day, never getting out of my pj's.
I was saying to a couple of girls the other day that I'd rather it be cold and sunny than warm and overcast. Seriously! I love the sun.

curling

Yesterday my husband, my family (as well as my sister's boyfriend) and I all went curling.
I hadn't actually played since highschool and even then, I only went once. My dad curls every Saturday morning and so he decided to rent some ice for a couple hours for us all to get out there and SWEEEEEEEP!
It was honestly so much fun and we had some good bonding times too. It helped that my team won and we would have kicked butt had we not done so poorly in the last end and my dad came in and got 2 points.
Needless to say, I have a new found appreciation for curling and I am officially adding movie number 16 onto my list of movies to see:
16. Men with brooms
It's a must see now that I've curled and understand it.

The winning team! (from L to R: Mom, Jamie, Steve, Me)

Treat pic 'o the month

Thanks to my husband for the inspiration for this month's treat pick....(he offered me some orange flavoured PEZ from the "death star" pez dispenser)
PEZ! Wonderful, wonderful pez.
Created in 1927 as a peppermint for smokers in Australia, it was soon marketed in the US with "heads" on the top and geared towards children.
My favourite PEZ fact is that in 1983, Scott McWhinnie became PEZident of PEZ in the US. Hehe...get it? PEZident? Who doesn't love a good pun?
Anyway, go out and eat some PEZ for a pick me up in this dreary month of March.

David

As I've just finished reading 1 Samuel, I'm astounded and perplexed by David. I shake my head at so many things that he did.

One thing that has stood out to me is his constant respect and honour that he maintained toward Saul, simply because he was the "Lord's annointed". And yet Saul repeatedly tried to kill him! He chased after him through caves and deserts and tried to spear him to the wall! He was relentless in his pursuit of David and yet David never retaliated, even when he had at least 2 opportunities. And then in the end, when David hears of Saul's death he mourns and grieves at this news. He even kills the guy who killed Saul (at Saul's request).
Amazing.

The second thing is David's relationship with Jonathan. These two guys were kindred spirits, in the words of Anne of Green Gables. I mean, they were tighter than brothers. It made me think about the men I know and their relationships with other men. I don't think I've seen two men as close to each other as David was to Jonathan. I wonder if that is because they think they may be perceived as gay?
Anyway, I think that in today's culture, some may wonder if Jonathan and David were involved in a homosexual relationship. This is something that I know is not true as David was truly a man after God's own heart and I know that God detests homosexuality. He also hates murder and affairs/infidelity and David did those things as well. But I digress...
Anyway, I just read in the beginning of 2 Samuel after David finds out about Jonathan's death, he writes a lamentation (or poem or song) in honour of Saul and Jonathan and in the end says that the love that Jonathan gave him far surpassed the love from a woman.
Interesting.

So as I said before, David has perplexed me and yet he gives me hope.
He was by no means perfect and yet his devotion to God and his passion really made him stand out and in the end we find that God does indeed call him a man after His own heart.
So that's what I'm learning/pondering/thinking about.

movies

Movies I'd like to see (either on DVD or in theatre):
1. Pride & Prejudice
2. Memoirs of a Geisha
3. Walk the Line
4. Pink Panther
5. Water (it's finally out on DVD!)
6. The Constant Gardener
7. Proof
8. Everything is Illuminated (coming soon!)
9. Freedomland
10. Curious George
11. Munich
12. The Matador
13. Casanova
14. Tristan & Isolde
15. V for Vendetta

There's also a whole bunch of movies that are "old" that I have never seen - and I would love to!
Now...how to fit these 15 movies into my schedule...?

crash

I'm sooooo glad that Crash won the Oscar for best film (instead of Brokeback Mountain).
It was such a phenomenal movie that highlighted both redemption and racism.
Go.And.See.It.

proactive

Yesterday was a prime example of how Jamie and I are.
We left our meeting with Graham at about 2:30 so we could make it to Burlington by 3:15 to meet Jamie's family to drive down to Buffalo to see the Leafs game. I was pretty pumped! However, just as we were turning onto the street in Burlington, I had an epiphany. We had forgotten our passports at home.
It was like we were balloons and someone just came right up to us and pricked us with a needle. *woosh* the air went right out of us.
SO...we turned around and his family went on without us. As we were discussing our situation in the car, all I wanted to do was sulk and put on Dashboard so I could listen to whiney music. But after talking about it with Jamie and choosing to react in a positive way, despite the crapiness of our situation, we realized that there were so many upsides to this.
1. We had more time together as a couple.
2. We could read the 7 Habits of highly effective people out loud and discuss as a couple (Incidentally, the chapter I read was about being proactive as opposed to being reactive and not letting your circumstances dictate your response/mood/reaction.).
3. We could listen to at least a whole book of the bible on CD
4. We could finish listening to The Last Battle on cd.
5. We could have quality conversations and spend some time discussing our future.
All in all, we had a great ride there and back and I learned a valueable lesson in being proactive in the very situation that it could apply to.

And then the Leafs lost and I totally let that dictate my mood.
Haha, just kidding. It stinks that they lost, but it was still fun to make the trip down and meet some fellow Leaf fans and the experience is always fun.

being flexible

I used to think that I was a flexible person. And I guess I am in some sense, but I've realized something about myself.
When I know of an event or something that will be happening in my life (I guess that is what an event is...duh) and I am planning on it happening, I'm pretty set on it happening and am disappointed if it doesn't, or I am flustered and frustrated when something else happens instead of what I had wanted.
For instance, a lot of my summer may now change. And I wasn't ok with that when I first thought about it. But I now know that I just need some time to mull on it a bit and more importantly, I need to be willing to go wherever God calls me. Even if it "messes" up my plans. And I need to be ok with that.
I am reminded of several verses:

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Matt. 10:29-31

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,[j] who[k] have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28

bauer. jack bauer.

I'm joining the Jack Bauer/Chuck Norris joke trend.
I can't help it! A lot of them are hilarious although I know Jack Bauer a lot better than Chuck Norris so I haven't posted any Chuck Norris jokes.
Enjoy!

Jack Bauer played Russian Roulette with a fully loaded gun and won.

Jack Bauer was never addicted to heroin. Heroin was addicted to Jack Bauer.


When you open a can of whoop-ass, Jack Bauer jumps out.

If Jack Bauer was gay, his name would be Chuck Norris.

And my FAVOURITE joke (so far) is:

Upon hearing that he was played by Kiefer Sutherland, Jack Bauer killed Sutherland. Jack Bauer gets played by no man.

Freakin' hilarious!

And just a little something I found on a forum about Jack Bauer:

Jack Bauer jokes are a hell of a lot funnier than Chuck Norris jokes. If you don’t agree, you’re in for a broken arm at the very least.

Hee hee.