Monday, April 24, 2006

drive

It seems like all I ever do is drive places.
Driving is ok, though. But it's incredible how sitting in one spot for a prolongued period of time is actually quite tiring. It's inevitable on a warm afternoon's long drive - I fall asleep. It happens every time. Thankfully I am not the one driving.
Friday night I drove to Whitby for a real live sleepover. Solid girl time, if you ask me. Also another chance to rave about how incredible Pride & Prejudice is. This was my second time watching it and I think I will purchase this gem of a film. I love absolutely EVERYTHING about that movie. But for more rants about my love of Pride & Prejudice check out April 3rd's entry.
But for the rest of the evening there were lots of laughs and a few good heart to hearts about grown up things like marriage and babies and all that good stuff...whew. Growing up indeed.
Saturday I drove back from Whitby at a very late hour indeed.
Sunday morning, bright and early my husband and I were off to Scarborough to speak at a Chinese church. Then in the evening after returning from Scarborough we went to Kitchener for small group.
Today at the resplendent hour of 6:30am I awoke to get ready for our drive to Newmarket to learn how to make websites!
What is it with us and driving to the EAST side of Toronto (and beyond!)?
Anyhoo...I will be lacking a husband for the next few days as he will be driving to Kentucky!
Drive indeed!
I could go on about other random happenings but I don't think I have the mental concentration to do so at this point in time.

Saturday, April 22, 2006

google

For the longest time I didn't quite understand the whole "google-your-name-and-"needs"-and-this-is-what-you-get" THING. But I think I got it. And this is what came up when I tried it with my name:
Vanessa needs to know about Italy, most specifically reasonable, clean hotels in Venice, Florence and Rome.
Vanessa needs to be empowered to provide for herself and her children.
Vanessa needs to achieve independance.
Vanessa needs to study for the SAT but keeps blowing it off to make extra money working at a coffee house.
Vanessa needs validation from her friends to feel that life is worth living.
Vanessa needs the senator’s spring schedules.
Vanessa needs guidance.
Vanessa needs our prayers.
Vanessa needs no introduction.
Vanessa needs a sense of humour. (Ouch!)
And my favourite because of how absurdly bizarre it is:
Vanessa needs to get her alcoholic mother into detox, or to chase down another Krispy Kreme with another licorice Twizzler.
What does that even mean?

Thursday, April 20, 2006

42%

Today was spent enjoying the city of Guelph and all it has to offer. Well, possibly not all it has to offer, but I would say 42% of what it has to offer. That 42% consists of meeting up with Andrea, Emily and then sorta getting lost on our way to pick up Erika. Followed by a most delightful trip to THE CONE SHOPPE and more: The Ultimate Ice Cream Experience.
And let me tell you, it most definitely was the ultimate ice cream experience. I am currently kicking myself for not bringing my camera along for the ride, but hopefully my words can recreate the joy I experienced at THE CONE SHOPPE. I walked into this tiny store to find so many different flavours of delectable ice cream including the ones I picked; Cappucino Biscotti and Rolo Peanut Butter. Oh baby...pure heaven right there in that goregeous hand-rolled waffle cone. And for $2.50 I was laughin'.
Then we went for a stroll beside the river and had a few photo opp's as well as standing on the "historical" wooden bridge (which we found out was only built in 1992 - so much for being historical!).
Then we proceded to a used book store which is closing down and although I didn't actually buy any books, I think I may return to browse for another hour or so and perhaps buy a cooking book or something else even!
All in all, a wonderful Guelph-filled afternoon with some wonderful women!

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

Monday, April 17, 2006

changed

On Sunday I was watching The Passion of the Christ with my family. It was actually quite difficult for me to sit through it this time, I'm not sure why.
But one thing I was struck with was how whenever people "encountered" Jesus, they were forever changed.
I really liked the first scene where Peter cuts off the guard's (Malchus was his name in the movie) ear. Jesus heals him and Malchus is on his knees for the rest of his scene. He cannot keep his eyes from Jesus and in his eyes I could see humility, awe, fear and wonder.
I'm not sure if that's what really happened, but if my ear was chopped off and all I could feel was unbearable pain and then the man I was capturing turned around and put my ear back on ( ! ) I can imagine my life would be forever changed.
That's how it should be when we encounter Christ. For the first time, and for the hundreds of times after that we encounter Him...we should be forever changed.

Saturday, April 15, 2006

peeps


Thanks Shelly for the peeps!

moment

Today I had a moment of grace and love and it was just right there in the car as my husband turned up a verse of a Supertones song. I had a moment with God. It was beautiful and I felt as though my heart would burst with an intense burning love for God. My heart melted and my eyes filled with tears and my husband said, "I love this verse." and turned up the song.

Who is the champion?
The friend of the suffering?
Of those who were never born?
The King with the crown of thorns

The Shepherd is the Lamb
Do you understand
That God became a man?
The Shepherd is the Lamb

Wow. So many things there...and for some reason those lyrics just went down deep into the depths of my heart and soul and I just had a moment. I can't describe it any other way.

Wednesday, April 12, 2006

home



It's nice to be settled. It's also nice to have a clean house.
I'm pretty messy. But it sure does feel good to go to sleep in a clean house.
It's funny how we always clean before people come over. Just so that it can get all messy again.
That's ok. I'm actually partial to a full, messy house than an empty, clean one.
Bring on the peeps! (and I don't mean those delightful marshmallow birds, although I welcome any gifts of them :D)

Tuesday, April 11, 2006

Saturday

I know it's Tuesday but I really wanted to at least write a quick blurb on Saturday evening's Fellowship Dinner.
In the words of Ben Joliffe, "If I wasn't already involved, I'd sign up!". It was such an inspiring evening and so incredibly encouraging. The stories, the testimonies, the report and stats of what went on over this past year...what an amazing organization I am called to. What a priviledge that God is using CCC the way He is to impact the world and help fulfill the Great Commission!
I was mostly encouraged by my parent's reaction and excitement to the whole evening. I think they finally get it! Not that they were ever against me working with CCC, but I think they have caught the vision and really see that God is moving. And not just moving, but moving MIGHTILY across Canada through the universities.
Man! It's exciting!
And I was on powerpoint and I was so nervous while I was doing it, that I was shaking. I had to make sure the mouse wasn't on the button or else I might have accidently clicked it because of my nervousness.
But...*sigh* it all went well, except for a few minor panic attacks that I had that apparently no one else seemed to notice. *Thanks God!*
And now I'm so incredibly full from a delicious and fun dinner out at Montana's with Kirsten, Jen , Andrea and Jamie. Good times! :D
And I think I'll read now.

Monday, April 10, 2006

friday

Friday night was the CCC Guelph semi-formal.
It was a fantastic night. I got to sit beside Kirsten & Jamie at the special "MC" table.

It was a really good night!
Of course, it all started out with our table being named "Inconceivable" but just like that picture with the old lady and the young lady, all we could see was "Inconcernable" which is clearly not a word! As hard as we tried, we just couldn't see "Inconceivable", even after I dotted the "i".

And of course it was so great to see the DG gals all gussied (a fantastic word that should have been on my words list) up and looking just b-e-a-UTIFUL!

But my favourite (and least expected) part was square dancing! What a workout that was! It was also hilarious, fun, exciting, sweaty, silly, fast, and hilarious (I know I already wrote it, but it was sooooo much fun!). Here are some pics of the evening to enjoy!

Thursday, April 6, 2006

50

I recently googled lists of things to do before you die but I found this intriguing site: http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/tv_and_radio/50eats_index.shtml

The top 50 foods to eat before you die
1. Fresh fish - done
2. Lobster - done
3. Steak - done
4. Thai food - done
5. Chinese food - done
6. Ice cream - done
7. Pizza - done
8. Crab
9. Curry - done
10. Prawns - done
11. Moreton Bay Bugs (ew, what the heck is that?)
12. Clam chowder - done
13. Barbecues - done
14. Pancakes - done
15. Pasta - done
16. Mussels - done (gross!)
17. Cheesecake - done
18. Lamb - done
19. Cream tea (never heard of it)
20. Alligator
21. Oysters
22. Kangaroo
23. Chocolate - done
24. Sandwiches - done
25. Greek food - done
26. Burgers - done
27. Mexican food - done
28. Squid - sick
29. American diner breakfast - you can tell this is from the BBC
30. Salmon - done
31. Venison
32. Guinea pig
33. Shark
34. Sushi - done
35. Paella
36. Barramundi
37. Reindeer
38. Kebab - done
39. Scallops - done
40. Australian meat pie
41. Mango - done
42. Durian fruit
43. Octopus
44. Ribs - done
45. Roast beef - done
46. Tapas
47. Jerk chicken/pork - done
48. Haggis
49. Caviar
50. Cornish pasty

Hmm...31 out of 50. Not too shabby.

snippet

So yesterday I was finishing a chapter in the book, Captivating (see February 6th's blog) and the last 3 pages were just gold! I wanted to copy each page out - but my hand was already getting a cramp so I decided against it.
The general gist was talking about women in relationships with other women and the different things that we go through in our friendships with women and how valueable and essential these deep friendships are.
Here are some mind-blowing passages to mull over:

Little girls have best friends. Grown women long for them. To have a woman friend is to relax into another soul and be welcomed in all that you are and all that you are not. To know that as a woman, you are not alone.
When God gives a friend, he is entrusting us with the care of another's heart. It is a chance to mother and to sister, to be a Life giver, to help someone else become the woman she was created to be, to walk alongside her and call her deep heart forth.
Friendships need to be nurtured and guarded and fought for. We need to call one another without waiting to be called first. We need to ask how our friends are are doing and really listen to their answers. Listen between the lines. We love our friends by pursuing them - calls, little presents, cards, invitations to play, to go fora walk, to go to a movie. We offer our hearts.
And let me say clearly, true friendship is opposed.
One woman often feels less important to the other, or accused or needy or misunderstood. Honest communication in love is the only way to live and grow in friendships. There are ebbs and flows. There may be too much dependance. There may be real hurt and disappointment. In fact, it's inevitable in our broken world. But with the grace of God firmly holding us, reminding us that he is the source of our true happiness, it is possible to nurture and sustain deep friendships throughout our lives. We are not made to live our lives alone. We are designed to live in relationship and share in the lives of other women. We need each other. God knows that. He will help us. We have only to ask and surrender, to wait, to hope, and in faith to love. We must also repent.
For a woman to enjoy relationship, she must repent of her need to control and her insistence that people fill her. Fallen Eve demands that people "come through" for her. Redeemed Eve is being met in the depths of her soul by Christ and is free to offer to others, free to desire, and willing to be disappointed. Fallen Eve has been wounded by others and withdraws in order to protect herself from further harm. Redeemed Eve knows that she has something of value to offer; that she is made for relationship. Therefore, being safe and secure in her relationship with her Lord, she can risk being vulnerable with others and offer her true self.

Wow. I love that last passage.
Lord continue your redeeming work in my life that I may be able to offer to others and be willing to be disappointed.
What a glorious God we serve!

Oops. I found this awesome passage that I just have to post. I don't know how many of you have made it this far, but continue - it's awesome!

God invites us to risk trusting him and enter into redemptive friendships with others - to open ourselves up to the possibility of being hurt as well as the possibility of tasting the sweet fruit of companionship. Yet, no matter how wonderful a taste of relational fullness you have, you will want more. If you had an amazing connection yesterday with someone, when you wake this morning, you will want it again. Eve possesses a bottomless well of longing. Jesus alone is the never-ending fount, which can *slake her thirst. No other source, no other relationship will fully satisfy. God made us that way. On purpose.

WOW! Now, isn't God amazing?!?! Isn't he soooo good to us?!? *SIGH of awe*


*slake:
To satisfy (a craving); quench

Tuesday, April 4, 2006

tulip

Thanks Kirsten! Even though I'm not part of your DG you bought me a flower.
It's beautiful.
A rich, purple tulip that reminds me of spring.
And Calvinism.

Treat pic of the month


Dudes! I just realized that I can do another treat pic! I'm pumped.
Of course, without a doubt it's got to be Cadbury's mini eggs.
I loved mini eggs. The chocolate is so creamy and tastes absolutely delicious! The hard candy coating is just the right thickness and is also fun to crunch and take off the chocolate so you can suck that little delectable morsel of chocolatey goodness down 'til it's miniscule! (I love my mini eggs!).
Some facts about the mini egg.
Apparently Cadbury has been owned and operated by Hershey's since 1988! What the? I certainly didn't know that!
Also, you can get them (in Canada only as far as I know) in Christmas colours as well! Twice a year to enjoy this glorious treat!
Check out this dude's site for more ravings on the amazingness of Cadbury Mini Eggs!
http://www.typetive.com/candyblog/item/cadbury_mini_eggs/
That's all for me! Go out and get your package today!

today

It all started off in a somewhat discouraging manner.
I had set my alarm to go off at a somewhat early/reasonable time for me to go for a run and then have a good quiet time and get into the habit of doing both of those things.
I felt good about that decision.
And then I woke up at 10am. My alarm didn't go off. I had set the time but failed to actually turn it on.
That was a bummer.
As I raced around the house like a mad woman I seriously hoped that this was not a sign of things to come during this day.
And thankfully it wasn't.
I met with Andrea. Planned our last DG. Had a coffee. Went to Ashley and Rebecca's DG. Took crazy pictures of their group and laughed when they all collapsed in some messed-up tangle of a pose. Met up with Andrea again and went to Starbucks to write notes of encouragement in the journals we got for the girls. Ran into Jen (not literally) at Starbucks and had brief moments of openness that I think really touched us all. Me at least.
It sure is nice to be open with others and have a realization that you are not alone in your struggles.
Then almost died several times following Kirsten with 3 of the ladies in her DG and then went for curry-in-a-hurry. It was delish. I had the lamb vindaloo that was hot +. Not hot ++, but I definitely could have done that. I will next time. Good times. Lots of laughter and they actually voted me "most normal". Because they don't know me (as Kirsten stated so aptly). Which is true.
Oh they'll recant (not recantER) their statement of normalness...one day.
All in all, a good day, though I'm disappointed in my lack of run and lack of gymness. The gym SHOULD be open until like...11 or 12. That would be ideal.

Monday, April 3, 2006

dumps

Ever feel down in the dumps for no reason?

review


Well, I can check off at least one movie from my list of movies to see.
Pride and Prejudice.
It was a goodie.
I quite enjoyed it. So many different things about it appealed to me.
First of all, I appreciated the costumes and sets. Certain scenes were so breathtaking I felt so drawn into the movie.
For example, the scene where Kiera Knightly's character (Elizabeth) is standing in a long, flowing dress at the edge of a cliff surrounded by rolling, rich, green hills. It's a beautiful scene.
Oh and I loved the scene where she is walking to Mr. Bingly's house to meet her sister. There is a large sillouette of a tree and she is walking along the ridge of a hill with an incredible purple and blue sky in the back ground.
I also loved the colours and the way they dressed the character and their surroundings to help convey a certain mood or atmosphere; like when Elizabeth is in Mr. Darcy's home looking at all the statues and she is wearing a white dress, her face plain and her hair dark. The walls are either white or beige and everything is so neutral except her dark hair and eyes.
And then the love story of it all.
I resisted "liking" Mr. Darcy for so long but eventually I caved.
It was a good story with some really profound (as Andrea said) scenes/statements.
The whole enjoyment of the movie, however was brought down a bit due to the fact that I was watching with a) boys and b) other people who kept talking. So I think I will watch it again. Soon.
Overall, I'd recommend this movie.
OH! And the part that I liked THE MOST was the fact that there was no sexually explicit scenes. This, however doesn't mean that there were scenes filled with sexual tension. It's incredible how Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth did nothing more than talk (until the very end) and yet there was an incredible amount of passion and physical attraction. It was very emotionally charged.
Anyway...that's my take. I recognize that others may not like it which is the great thing about movies. They're subjective. And everyone's free to like or dislike any type of genre or even actor/actress.
But that's enough for one post.

Sunday, April 2, 2006

FOP


The Festival of Planning.
It all began with an early morning trip to buy $1000 worth of groceries.
Andrea and I had quite the adventure! Especially when $700 of food had been rung through and we found out they didn't take credit card!
Shocking.
We figured it out. Andrea saved the day. Really.
We had no idea what we were in for when we agreed to do the food.
I feel like I worked non-stop. When I wasn't working I was in bed at night hoping that I wouldn't miss my alarm in the morning so that I'd be on time to prep for breakfast!
I make it sound really hard, but actually it was so much fun! Tiring, but a lot of fun.
By the end we had entered the downward-spiral of overtired jokes and sarcasm.
Good times indeed!





















This is Jen dancing among the throngs of shoes.
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