It's been a long month! Yesterday was my last day teaching for my practicum. I will be going back this coming Thursday and Friday to make up my sick days, but I do have a nice little break in between.
Last night Jon, myself, my parents, and Jon's parents went out to see Steve Bell's "Holiday Express" with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. It was outstanding. I had the best time there, absorbing the beautiful music, allowing all my stresses to lift off. I enjoyed it so much that I cried a couple times! It was part of Jon and my Christmas gift to one another. I was/am so thrilled that we were able to go--it was such a great time! The music was fabulous and the stories entertaining.
This morning (why do I do this to myself) I had a hair appointment for 9 am. It is a lot shorter now! After longs weeks of hard work, 9 doesn't seem like the ideal time for an appointment on a Saturday...but I made up for that by napping from 1:30 to 4 this afternoon. Clearly, I am wiped! It's crazy how much a person can do, just because they have to. As soon as I realized I was able to rest, my body just crashed.
Tomorrow Jon and I are going to a friend's wedding (Matt & Karen)...and then off I go to Fargo with Janessa and my mom! I'm really looking forward to spending time with them, and also to start (yes, start) my Christmas shopping.
This year I really don't have much I want for Christmas...and I feel comfortable with that. I didn't even give either side of the family a list. It seems trivial to me this year...not that I disagree with gifts--I think it's a fun tradition!
In some of the books I've been reading, and from different Advent readings, I am finding a lot more meaning this Christmas. I am enjoying just being in the presence of God, and focusing on the gift of Jesus. It's cool, too, because whether a person comes from a faith perspective or not, (this is coming from the mouth of Steve Bell and I think it is great) the concepts of what Jesus is and represents and is brought to us through Christmas; peace, love, joy, hope... These are all things that everyone can long for.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Monday, December 3, 2007
December already
It is now December--wow. And with this new month, comes a fresh start for me. I have been feeling overwhelmed and as though a dark cloud was hanging over me the last couple weeks, but this week has been wonderful! Advent started this week, and this week is the week of hope. The last couple weeks were weeks of (not exaggerating) despair, but not anymore. I have found and am experiencing hope and grace. I am so thankful! Wow I love Jesus.
Not much time to write, but here are some happy updates (some overdue!)
On another important note... my dear friend Alicia is engaged to Rob! They'll be married two days after Jon and my anniversary-- on July 26th! I'm super excited for them, and I'm also a first time bridesmaid! Here they are...in all their cuteness.
So that's that for now. I'm going to prepare for tomorrow and get to bed!
Not much time to write, but here are some happy updates (some overdue!)
On another important note... my dear friend Alicia is engaged to Rob! They'll be married two days after Jon and my anniversary-- on July 26th! I'm super excited for them, and I'm also a first time bridesmaid! Here they are...in all their cuteness.
So that's that for now. I'm going to prepare for tomorrow and get to bed!
Saturday, November 24, 2007
.sigh.
The past few weeks have been pretty crazy for me. And now I'm sick. This past week probably won as far as the worst in the last while. I'm not sure how often I'll be posting. It's busy time for me!
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Mini Update
The past couple weeks have been pretty crazy with school wrapping up. I had my last exam this morning, and all I have left to do is this crazy (HUGE--you have no idea) math assignment, which I have been working on for a while and aim to have done by Friday (it's worth 75%!) After I hand that in, I will be totally done my last first term in the BEd Program--yippee! No more Math, ELA, School Systems, Gym, or Drama until I teach them! This weekend I will be focusing my time on planning for my teaching bloc, which starts on the 20th. I'm teaching 2 units; Healthy Bodies (Science) and Statistics & Probability (Math). I'm really excited to get back into the classroom and teach!
On another exciting note, one of Jon's brothers, Denver is engaged! He and Janet will be married on January 19th. It's only been a few days, and their planning is unbelievably quick--I have to say, I'm quite impressed. So that means, along with the excitement for them, that I get to be an official auntie now! Janet has the most beautiful little girl and I am excited to have Halle a a niece!
So that's a little mini update for me. Back to the math now...oh, it will be nice to be done.
On another exciting note, one of Jon's brothers, Denver is engaged! He and Janet will be married on January 19th. It's only been a few days, and their planning is unbelievably quick--I have to say, I'm quite impressed. So that means, along with the excitement for them, that I get to be an official auntie now! Janet has the most beautiful little girl and I am excited to have Halle a a niece!
So that's a little mini update for me. Back to the math now...oh, it will be nice to be done.
Friday, November 9, 2007
Monday, November 5, 2007
Frank
The other day I met a man while waiting for the bus. I was on my way to meet Jon at the University after picking up a couple movies, and I had cinnamon buns in my bag.
There are a lot of people who ask for money around Osborne village, and I wondered before leaving the house if someone would approach me. I felt that I really could not tell a person I couldn't give them anything when I had 6 huge cinnamon buns on me. It was really on my mind, so before I left the house, I told God that I was open to giving, or open to whatever.
As I was waiting at the bus stop, a wasp started coming at me. Every time I moved my bag, it would follow, so I ended up moving beside this man. He took off his hat and tried killing it for me, and we began talking about wasps; how I'd never been stung and how he had.
I finally killed the wasp by whacking it with a dvd case/stomping on it, and we continued talking. There was a pause in our conversation, and he said, "You know, I wish I had done things differently in my life." It was obvious he wanted to talk, so I asked him why he felt that way.
We proceeded to talk while we waited, and ended up going on the same bus. I listened to this man and we got off the same stop. When it was time to go our separate ways, I he thanked me for the chat, and I told him that maybe we'd see each other again someday on Osborne. He said he hoped so.
As I walked away, I realized I had not gotten his name. I have met people in the past that have made an impact on me and I (I think) on them, and not gotten their names. It's nice to have a name to a face or memory. I turned around and asked him his name and introduced myself. We shook hands, his face lit up, and he kept repeating my name. It was really special. His name is Frank.
God did end up using those cinnamon buns...and me.
There are a lot of people who ask for money around Osborne village, and I wondered before leaving the house if someone would approach me. I felt that I really could not tell a person I couldn't give them anything when I had 6 huge cinnamon buns on me. It was really on my mind, so before I left the house, I told God that I was open to giving, or open to whatever.
As I was waiting at the bus stop, a wasp started coming at me. Every time I moved my bag, it would follow, so I ended up moving beside this man. He took off his hat and tried killing it for me, and we began talking about wasps; how I'd never been stung and how he had.
I finally killed the wasp by whacking it with a dvd case/stomping on it, and we continued talking. There was a pause in our conversation, and he said, "You know, I wish I had done things differently in my life." It was obvious he wanted to talk, so I asked him why he felt that way.
We proceeded to talk while we waited, and ended up going on the same bus. I listened to this man and we got off the same stop. When it was time to go our separate ways, I he thanked me for the chat, and I told him that maybe we'd see each other again someday on Osborne. He said he hoped so.
As I walked away, I realized I had not gotten his name. I have met people in the past that have made an impact on me and I (I think) on them, and not gotten their names. It's nice to have a name to a face or memory. I turned around and asked him his name and introduced myself. We shook hands, his face lit up, and he kept repeating my name. It was really special. His name is Frank.
God did end up using those cinnamon buns...and me.
Friday, November 2, 2007
24 and a Day
Yesterday I turned 24...I like this age! I don't really feel all that different (I usually don't) but I think I will remember how old I am better this year. Do you ever forget how old you are? Sometimes, I have had to think, "Ok, Jon is 24, and my birthday hasn't happened yet, so I'm 23..yeah, I'm 23!" Maybe I'm weird, but that's how it works for me! Anyways, I have a feeling I will not have to resort to that this year.
I had a great birthday, with lots of wishes from family and friends! My day started with a phone call from my dad at 7:50 am. He forgot that I don't have class on Thursdays, so he thought I'd be awake at that time. It turned out to be a good thing, as I fell right back asleep, but also because Jon's alarm didn't wake him (or I) and he had to leave for class 10-15 minutes from then! My mom, remembering that I would be sleeping, waited to call at a "safer" time. When we talked, she told me of her plans to take Janessa and I to the States for some shopping after our school is done! It will be SO fun to go just the three of us--I am really excited!
I met Mary for breakfast at 11 at Stella's and I had the Norweigan waffle, which was so good. I was also treated to a Pecan Square (my favourite)! It is always so wonderful meeting with Mary; she is such an insightful, loving, and godly woman who I really value.
In the afternoon, I did some cleaning (I know, kind of lame, but I didn't do more than I wanted to!) Jon and I also walked down Osborne St. and peeked in to some of the shops. Desart is one of my favourites nearing Christmas time as it has the most beautiful decorations! Jon's gift was a book by Brennan Manning. After raving about the last book I read of his, he got me another! I'm pumped to read it!
For dinner, Jon took me to Colosseo on Corydon, which was really fun. I love Italian food, and being in Jon's company is always great! We then went home, after getting some Skittles along the way, and watched Singin' in the Rain together. I had never seen that movie, and I LOVE it! I really enjoy old movies, and Jon's pick for my birthday was perfect. He had been thinking of places to take me, but chose the movie at home which was just what I needed. Jon then spoiled me with a candle-lit bubble bath. After all the hectic days preceding, I had the most relaxing birthday.
I ignored the fact that I am a student with loads of school work yesterday..and now it's back to work for me!
I had a great birthday, with lots of wishes from family and friends! My day started with a phone call from my dad at 7:50 am. He forgot that I don't have class on Thursdays, so he thought I'd be awake at that time. It turned out to be a good thing, as I fell right back asleep, but also because Jon's alarm didn't wake him (or I) and he had to leave for class 10-15 minutes from then! My mom, remembering that I would be sleeping, waited to call at a "safer" time. When we talked, she told me of her plans to take Janessa and I to the States for some shopping after our school is done! It will be SO fun to go just the three of us--I am really excited!
I met Mary for breakfast at 11 at Stella's and I had the Norweigan waffle, which was so good. I was also treated to a Pecan Square (my favourite)! It is always so wonderful meeting with Mary; she is such an insightful, loving, and godly woman who I really value.
In the afternoon, I did some cleaning (I know, kind of lame, but I didn't do more than I wanted to!) Jon and I also walked down Osborne St. and peeked in to some of the shops. Desart is one of my favourites nearing Christmas time as it has the most beautiful decorations! Jon's gift was a book by Brennan Manning. After raving about the last book I read of his, he got me another! I'm pumped to read it!
For dinner, Jon took me to Colosseo on Corydon, which was really fun. I love Italian food, and being in Jon's company is always great! We then went home, after getting some Skittles along the way, and watched Singin' in the Rain together. I had never seen that movie, and I LOVE it! I really enjoy old movies, and Jon's pick for my birthday was perfect. He had been thinking of places to take me, but chose the movie at home which was just what I needed. Jon then spoiled me with a candle-lit bubble bath. After all the hectic days preceding, I had the most relaxing birthday.
I ignored the fact that I am a student with loads of school work yesterday..and now it's back to work for me!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
