I'm reading called "How to save money on just about everything". It's great.
There's a site that gives you discounted tickets and regular priced tickets to shows all across Toronto.
So if you're into going out to shows or whatnot, check out this site for discounts - the discounted tickets you have to buy on the day you want to go. You could go to a Dinner Theatre for $15! Too bad I have plans tonight.
Friday, May 12, 2006
learning
I have been learning so much lately! It has caused me to really think hard and critically about my life, my goals, my values, and what I want to do with my life and how I want to do it.
I've also been learning a lot about finances and trying to make right decisions with my money in a way that glorifies God and helps me to be the best steward of my money.
I'm reading a book called The Wealthy Barber by David Chilton. It's a bit drawn-out at some points as it is written in the form of a story, but I'm trying to get a handle on the key principles and put them into practice.
All this learning has caused me to have a forward momentum in all areas of my life - though some may be rolling forward faster than others, it has been a good (albeit repeated) lesson of "just doing it". Just go out and do things! As you do them, you'll gain momentum and it will be easier to continue in those things. I've already learned this lesson but as I practice it more and more it becomes more solid.
It's also pleasing to God, I think.
When I look back on my life, I want to be able to say as Paul did, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." (2 Tim. 4:7).
I want to go hard!
I don't want to waste my life.
The day I stop learning is a sad day indeed.
I've also been learning a lot about finances and trying to make right decisions with my money in a way that glorifies God and helps me to be the best steward of my money.
I'm reading a book called The Wealthy Barber by David Chilton. It's a bit drawn-out at some points as it is written in the form of a story, but I'm trying to get a handle on the key principles and put them into practice.
All this learning has caused me to have a forward momentum in all areas of my life - though some may be rolling forward faster than others, it has been a good (albeit repeated) lesson of "just doing it". Just go out and do things! As you do them, you'll gain momentum and it will be easier to continue in those things. I've already learned this lesson but as I practice it more and more it becomes more solid.
It's also pleasing to God, I think.
When I look back on my life, I want to be able to say as Paul did, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." (2 Tim. 4:7).
I want to go hard!
I don't want to waste my life.
The day I stop learning is a sad day indeed.
Saturday, May 6, 2006
Elora
Today was a little bit cooler, but the sun was out and I was determined to make the most of it!
My husband and I enjoyed a little sleep in, a delicious brekkie (made by yours truly) and then we journeyed to the outer rims of the Guelph area. Or I could just be normal and say that we drove to Elora which turned out to be about a 20 minute drive from our place.
After I doubted my husband's directions we (of course) ended up in the right place - Elora Gorge Conservation park!
It was great. Great to be out in nature. To be enjoying the sun. Enjoying God's goregeous beauty through nature and just to enjoy each other in a different setting.
And we made a memory!
Friday, May 5, 2006
Treat pic of the month
Oh yes, my favourite. Ice cream. Does it get any better? As the weather is getting warmer, I say it's the perfect time for a delicious scoop (or scoops!) of ice cream.
And yes, I do believe that ice cream is a treat. It can also be a dessert, but more likely for ME, it's a treat. Oh yes....speaking of which...I've got some 60% less fat blueberry and pomegranate ice cream.
WHOA. Now that's something exciting!
Here's what I found on the wonderful world wide web about our beloved ice cream:
The history of ice cream goes back a long way - possibly to around 200BC in China - but certainly to the point where much of its early history is no more than folklore. Many stories abound of famous people enjoying early forms of ice cream - from the Roman Emperor Nero who is said to have had snow brought down from the mountains to freeze his favourite drinks, to Marco Polo who returned from the Far East with a type of ice cream sorbet recipe, to King Charles I of England whose cook developed a frozen cream recipe.
The first step towards giving us the kind of ice cream we enjoy today was made by Nancy Johnson (USA) who invented the hand-crank freezer (1846). In the 1920s Clarence Vogt produced the first continuous process freezer which opened up the possibility for commercial ice cream manufacture.
Now go out and get some ice cream!
challenge
I have recently been challenged from numerous sources to write things down.
Not just any old "things", but my values, my goals, my mission statement, my budget.
Over the next month, I want to focus on my mission statement, my budget and my values - oh and my goals. I guess that means I'm working on all of them!
I was at a leadership conference today and one of the speakers said that a life without goals and a vision is not worth living. One of the other speakers said that 60% of Americans (they were American speakers) do not have any written goal system. 27% didn't even know anything about writing personal goals down.
I think it's a good challenge to put out there. Think about your values. Your goals. What is your mission statement? Are you aimlessly wandering through life just "coasting"?
I think the tendancy to "coast" is a very easy, but costly one.
This is my only chance to live life to the fullest. I do not have another chance to live my life.
One shot.
Not just any old "things", but my values, my goals, my mission statement, my budget.
Over the next month, I want to focus on my mission statement, my budget and my values - oh and my goals. I guess that means I'm working on all of them!
I was at a leadership conference today and one of the speakers said that a life without goals and a vision is not worth living. One of the other speakers said that 60% of Americans (they were American speakers) do not have any written goal system. 27% didn't even know anything about writing personal goals down.
I think it's a good challenge to put out there. Think about your values. Your goals. What is your mission statement? Are you aimlessly wandering through life just "coasting"?
I think the tendancy to "coast" is a very easy, but costly one.
This is my only chance to live life to the fullest. I do not have another chance to live my life.
One shot.
Thursday, May 4, 2006
good
“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you can.”
-John Wesley
Now that's a challenging statement for my life. Looking at it, it seems to me to say that life is essentially all about doing good to your maximum potential - which, if you are living a spirit-filled life, is truly limitless!
What a truly freeing life we lead as Christians. Full of challenges and growth, but oh-so-freeing!
-John Wesley
Now that's a challenging statement for my life. Looking at it, it seems to me to say that life is essentially all about doing good to your maximum potential - which, if you are living a spirit-filled life, is truly limitless!
What a truly freeing life we lead as Christians. Full of challenges and growth, but oh-so-freeing!
Wednesday, May 3, 2006
blog
I just want to recommend this fantastic blog.
It's written by a mother and her 3 daughters.
They recommend tons of great books and give insight for Christian women on everything from cooking to purity, vacations to motherhood. It's a great blog and I thoroughly recommend it.
So if you're a girl, check out Girl Talk!
It's written by a mother and her 3 daughters.
They recommend tons of great books and give insight for Christian women on everything from cooking to purity, vacations to motherhood. It's a great blog and I thoroughly recommend it.
So if you're a girl, check out Girl Talk!
baseball
I have a renewed sense of appreciation for baseball.
Tonight I watched the Jays/Sox game with my husband.
It totally brought back the days of playing baseball (and when I say baseball, I really mean softball or slo-pitch). Those were great days.
I really love baseball. I think it's because I understand it. And also because I like playing it.
Apparently this is supposed to be a good year for the Jays too! Perfect timing, if you ask me!
So with my renewed sense of appreciation for watching baseball, I now have a renewed desire to play baseball. At my church they have a women`s team starting up so perhaps I will join it.
We`ll see.
Tonight I watched the Jays/Sox game with my husband.
It totally brought back the days of playing baseball (and when I say baseball, I really mean softball or slo-pitch). Those were great days.
I really love baseball. I think it's because I understand it. And also because I like playing it.
Apparently this is supposed to be a good year for the Jays too! Perfect timing, if you ask me!
So with my renewed sense of appreciation for watching baseball, I now have a renewed desire to play baseball. At my church they have a women`s team starting up so perhaps I will join it.
We`ll see.
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.
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
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?
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!
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.
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
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.
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.
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