Hello Again

Hello friends. It’s been a while since I’ve sent salutations via the blogosphere, and for that I apologize (but only slightly, because some things in life are more important than blogging). Life is, as usual, mostly good. Some of the thoughts running through my head at the moment aren’t suited very well for Internet discussion, but I’d love to chit-chat about them over a mug of tea or a swing ride or a walk through the river valley. I did lots of working, learning, biking, listening, dating, reading, and praying over the summer, and while I kind of miss the carefree nights and lovely moments spent outdoors, it seems fitting to move into a new season. I’m excited for this fresh term of school, another semester spent with C&Cers, new music and movies and TV, learning more about God, and a job that I love. The summer brought about some changes, which have made life a bit more full and interesting. Donald Miller writes about how change is vital because a shift from our “normal” lives gives us perspective to see how “un-normal” our lives are. It’s easy to take the little (and big) blessings for granted when they look the same everyday, so I’ve found that changing up my routines and priorities is healthy (although as Crystal will tell you, I like little changes, but big changes are often dreadfully unappealing to me). Life has seemed kind of hectic over the past few weeks with school and work and church things, but c’est la vie when you’re a working student, I suppose. Plus, there’s always time to indulge in some of my favourite things once in a while, whether a bike ride with Hessica, a phone conversation with Matt, or a good read.


It’s rather predictable of me to articulate my love of the impending autumn in a mid-October blog entry, but it’s really too exciting not to. I think that pretty much every season is my favourite season, but fall is undeniably the most beautiful of all the seasons. The sun still provides a warm glow in the afternoon at this time of year, and now that the trees are becoming shot through with warm colours, the world feels cozy and friendly. Walking through the crunchy leaves is so very satisfying and evocative of other autumns in my life. When I think back to autumns of previous years though, it’s easy to see that I’ve come a fair distance in my perspective on myself and the world, and I see steps forward in my walk with God, which is tremendously encouraging. I can be quite egocentric from time to time, and find myself wondering what else I might have to learn about life, but God never fails to humble me and show me that I have a great deal to learn about life. As I get older, it becomes increasingly apparent that the breadth of human knowledge barely scratches the surface of all there is to know. I find that amazing. It’s also reassuring, because I can find great joy and pleasure in learning about and pondering Creation and God for the whole rest of my life, but I can still trust that God knows infinitely more (and better) than me. I read some great books over the summer that were challenging and gave me a lot of food for thought, and am presently reading one by Shane Claiborne that makes me cry it’s so good. If I suddenly become illiterate at some point in my life, it would be enormously tragic. Books never fail to inspire, convict, encourage, and teach me, and I’m grateful for the leisure to read them in.

On the topic of things I’m grateful for, it was Thanksgiving this past weekend, one of those annual holidays that affords one the opportunity to think back on the past year and recognize all the things I have to be thankful for. I spent most of the weekend with both sides of my family, which was lovely. If I grow up to be half as cool as my aunties, uncles, parents, and grandparents, I’ll be pretty insanely cool. Over the years, they’ve learned how to really appreciate the fullness of life, how to love others to the best of their abilities, and how to gain insight and perspective. We had lots of laughs together, along with mountains of food, and I was blessed by our time spent together. Of course, at each of these family get-togethers, Jess was my lovely seating companion, which brings along with it a number of things to be thankful for. For example, did you know that by simply aiming a camera lens in Jess’ general vicinity, she will perform a highly entertaining fit of rage for you? Or that she is always available for discussion of the evolutionary value of berries and orange leaves? Or that she will bake cookies for you on a whim? She does all that, and much more. She’s a wonderful friend, and I’m mucho-grateful for her. Another person who it’s possible that I might potentially want to mention on the topic of my thankfulness is Mr. Matthew Barker. After a while of dating this charming fellow, I’ve conclusively determined that he’s truly lovely, and that I’m awfully lucky to be able to share good talks, pretty music, sporting events, and general shenanigans with him. It’s odd that being with someone could make me so ridiculously happy, but this is certainly the case. I hadn’t really imagined that I’d click with someone like we do, so I feel fortunate to have found that. I could go on and on about Matt, but I’ll leave it at that. I want to keep blogging, but I've decided that it's not quite worth it to go into lengthy thoughts, so blogging might become more of an update on my life. I do enjoy getting my thoughts out in written form, but I think it's good for blogging to be a bit lower on my list of priorities. Keep checking in though, I'm still here! I pray that all of you had restful long weekends, and have cause to be thankful for life’s blessings, both large and trivial.

Now playing: Great Lake Swimmers - I Will Never See The Sun

P.S. I’m thankful for you too.
P.P.S. Making puns about being thankful, and being full from Thanksgiving is quite enjoyable, but no one else seems to find them as amusing as I do, so I’ll spare you.
P.P.P.S. I started listening to Christmas music this week. It’s rather early, but it’s sooo good.


Some Things that I'm Thankful For
- my beautiful work girls and silly boss Dion
- bike rides on the leaves lining the streets
- graham crackers
- exciting municipal elections
- green tea with honey (hot or iced)
- Matthew 5 (especially in the Message)
- pink fridge lights at the café
- my admirable shopping restraint
- friends who make me laugh and think
- the History of Psychology with Leo Mos
- warming my blankets with my hairdryer
- a chance (albeit slim) of the Eskies making it into the playoffs
- live music
- new seasons of The Office, Survivor, and Grey's Anatomy
- used movies from Rogers
- bagel sandwiches with havarti
- card games
- "Samson" by Regina Spektor
- "Fashionable People" by Joel Plaskett
- Saturday mornings without work
- "Io" by Helen Stellar
- "Deportation/Iguazu" by Gustavo Santaolalla
- "Be Good or Be Gone" by Fionn Regan
- "Love Keep Us Together" by Martin Sexton
- "After the Afterlife" by Chad van Gaalen
- Botolf the iPod
- a new Wes Anderson movie
- songs composed and performed by Matt
- bunny rabbit mittens
- Jess' baking
- my blue plaid housecoat
- new neighbours
- my smart, joyful, and loving family
- turkey and pumpkin pie
- Steeps being open again
- upcoming board game parties
- a church that I feel proud to be a part of
- watching "Ali G" with Jess and Dad
- the death of flies and moths with the autumn cold
- Polaroid pictures
- my wind-up robot Reginald
- CBC Radio