tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-112788172024-03-07T02:16:38.982-07:00CogitationsCaithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15665726525573758241noreply@blogger.comBlogger73125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11278817.post-81787965082945363122008-03-12T22:29:00.008-06:002008-03-13T00:47:07.847-06:00Times Past, Present, and Future<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlF5cwdLq-tGFKGAARW5fXW6YMRTZmyoBtCcHK3ExkXbqRUGyA1TbcInH0t984vvUY6Ma-lgS_YEUYea5WEi0iAyKD1ZYV40-gN-iolV06NUM7GUvBDkCGeZ9yeXqdr8L9Pztn/s1600-h/IMG_4407.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlF5cwdLq-tGFKGAARW5fXW6YMRTZmyoBtCcHK3ExkXbqRUGyA1TbcInH0t984vvUY6Ma-lgS_YEUYea5WEi0iAyKD1ZYV40-gN-iolV06NUM7GUvBDkCGeZ9yeXqdr8L9Pztn/s320/IMG_4407.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177079887634816594" border="0" /></a>I do realize that I’ve been anything but an assiduous blogger as of late, but feeling guilt over something as trivial as a blog seems unwarranted. I make only a small apology to any individuals out there who might actually pop into this corner of the Internet from time to time, and whose annoyance grows stronger every time they are greeted by my October entry when the page finishes loading. Since my marked blogging decline, my main hits on this site seem to be directed from my Flickr profile or random searches on Google. (Last week, I was the #1 result on Google for search terms including “great unity nipple,” “nonsomnia,” “nude acrobats on a beach,” and “Belgian marshmallows.”) Life, as usual, is very good, but often busy. There never seems to be enough time to spend with people, or to enjoy the things that I delight in the most. Every night I like to make a list of things that brightened my day, and while there’s never a lack of fodder for my Happy List, sometimes I wish that there were a few extra days in each week to add to that fodder. Not that lengthening the weeks would help very much unless it subsequently lengthened our life spans, but I’d like to imagine that it would.<br /><br />Fortunately, this leap year February graced us with an extra day, and I mostly managed to take advantage of the 29-day-month. Matt and I visited the art gallery, Upper Crust, and waterpark, three of my very favourite places. It’s always a joy to be able to share my favourite things with my favourite person. I packed in as many movies as I could before the Oscars, with the assistance of this strange Chinese web site that offers a wide selection of poor quality streaming movies (there probably is a more technical way of saying this that Dad and Matt would correct me on, but Google is not providing any better description). Heretofore, I hadn’t watched a movie without paying for it, except for once by accident, and I’m still not sure how I feel about the ethics of it all, but I <i>really</i> wanted to see all the Best Picture nominees beforehand and had no time besides late at night during reading week. Plus, Jess’ preferred Chinese web site even provides me with Mandarin subtitles with every movie so I can follow along. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZiq38ieTymZ_b9IM681IonNJ_31XvBnOpw_jiEfXfRsQDhw5tg3Y4mr7Fo9sQirVTkityXwXrD4nAoPp8G-z8rNxjg6g6UDwxOKxJEA_lMt0_0SWFJ3BeLvlW9EhfmPbcHZDl/s1600-h/IMG_4061.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZiq38ieTymZ_b9IM681IonNJ_31XvBnOpw_jiEfXfRsQDhw5tg3Y4mr7Fo9sQirVTkityXwXrD4nAoPp8G-z8rNxjg6g6UDwxOKxJEA_lMt0_0SWFJ3BeLvlW9EhfmPbcHZDl/s400/IMG_4061.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177082434550423138" /></a>I didn’t have any strong favourites of the 5 films, although Atonement was probably my top pick of the bunch, given that I wept profusely during its final scenes. I thought that There Will be Blood was very well done, but I wasn’t really moved by it. At all. My family insists that I must watch it on a regular TV to actually get the point of the film, but I’m skeptical. I was sad to read today that the Oscar ratings dropped to a record low this year, because I derive so much enjoyment from both the anticipation and actual evening itself. Jon Stuart was great as usual, and there were several dresses that Jess and I ogled over (Cameron Diaz, Keri Russel, and Jennifer Garner earned particularly loud shrieks from our side of the room). Crystal even dressed up in suspenders <i>and</i> a blazer for the occasion. Highlights of the night included Marketa Irglova’s belated acceptance speech, the absurdity of the Rock presenting an Oscar, and As per usual, I won the Oscar pool, and there were no real shockers besides the actress categories, but the speeches and Binocular/Periscope montage added sufficient excitement to keep me on the edge of my seat.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSeuo1A9qTxWHEDwZranlRFPhFrT3A0iLN6hb6jBVBZ4t12y6a0Qw6LnDssXE-0mkoxZz8hWOEnE1NpaS453B1UtqJ1CF3zOq2zbYf7AnYKbG3Z4G5nlc6HHaJvsLXQec97qVL/s1600-h/DSC_0017.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSeuo1A9qTxWHEDwZranlRFPhFrT3A0iLN6hb6jBVBZ4t12y6a0Qw6LnDssXE-0mkoxZz8hWOEnE1NpaS453B1UtqJ1CF3zOq2zbYf7AnYKbG3Z4G5nlc6HHaJvsLXQec97qVL/s320/DSC_0017.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177082971421335154" /></a>In other inconsequential news, the crotchetiness of my stomach is now rivaled only by Scrooge and the Grinch. I cannot eat most raw fruits and vegetables without having painful contractions by my cardia sphincter (fancy word!), which my doctor has told me nothing can be done about. Thus, I am limited to a potentially scurvy-inducing diet at times. Additionally, I now develop heartburn alarmingly easily, and take Tums most days. This isn’t really that unpleasant, and there are far worse plights that people face health-wise, but I do sometimes feel as though my body is falling apart at the young age of 22. I’m popping Tums like elderly men do, and feel sort of ridiculous when I have to explain to people why exactly I don’t want a piece of the apple that they’re offering me. On the digression of food and drink, I’m still toiling away at your local neighbourhood Second Cup, and loving it a great deal. I am now officially <i>the</i> veteran at the café, with my three years there being longer than anyone else’s residence at my dear place of employment (even longer than my boss’ 2 years). I feel blessed to be able to talk to my customers and fellow baristas about everything from God to boyfriends to the average cost of a marijuana joint, and never have a dull day when I work.<br /><br />I’ll continue to work at the café over the summer while I take courses to finish up my degree (and graduate!!), and then plan on finding an actually decent-paying job and MOVING OUT. I’ve been quite lucky to avoid racking up student debt and live with my splendid family up until now, but it seems that there is a point in one’s adult life when it comes time to be independent and pay one’s own water, gas, and phone bills. It has always been agreed upon in my family that I would find a place of my own when I finished my undergrad degree, but I must admit that it’s a bit strange (and exciting and scary) that that time is nigh. I’ll be taking this next year off to work and figure things out before likely heading back to school next fall for a couple more years. I have a fabulous and kind-hearted roommate to potentially shack up with, and we did some thrilling house-hunting last night (or apartment-hunting as Matt would like me to qualify). I’m getting pretty keyed up. I have crafted the most beautiful monthly budget for the next year, with lots of Excel bells and whistles, and have made Jess come and admire its majesty too many times to count. I open my budget every single day at least once in anticipation of how organized and frugal I’m going to be. Matt is also going to be finding a decent-paying job and MOVING OUT (although it’s less scary for him because he’s already lived without parental supervision), and he too has arranged to live with a fabulous and kind-hearted roommate (in an area that I can actually bike/walk to with relative ease!). Planning ahead for things as grown up as living sans-parents for the first time can be quite uncertain and tricky, but God has come through big time in working so many things out. I feel lucky.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5arL45wA-2i1sQYP7I1wJGlqrMbmdV_M4XG_rMAdW5u-LrOqXMiezFs47J2zVGUFYtUshEfoqr_FjJnhUvmzv30pTGVfTa9FGgTzbrW07lUhIw93d4Oe0sgv_Y6h1tjDgYIzx/s1600-h/IMG_4114.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5arL45wA-2i1sQYP7I1wJGlqrMbmdV_M4XG_rMAdW5u-LrOqXMiezFs47J2zVGUFYtUshEfoqr_FjJnhUvmzv30pTGVfTa9FGgTzbrW07lUhIw93d4Oe0sgv_Y6h1tjDgYIzx/s400/IMG_4114.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177084766717664898" /></a>I’m blogging in part because I’m using this blog towards my ePortfolio for a course I’m taking on Children and the Web (as in the World Wide Web), one of the 5 great classes I’m taking this term. Being in my last year of my Bachelor’s degree has been bittersweet at times, because I really am going to miss <i>some</i> of my courses and university life so very, very much. This time of life is quite unique, and being entrenched in an academic environment like the UofA has profoundly changed the way I see the world and think about it. Not that I was an uninformed and close-minded teenager coming into university (egotistically, I think I was anything but that), but I’ve learned so much, both life lessons and scholastic lessons, over the past 4 years that I feel a sense of ignorance that I’ve never felt before. There’s so much that I now see I have left to learn, and I see a world full of questions and challenges that I’ve yet to figure out. I feel less comfortable leaving science and logic alone to answer these questions, and am not quite so assured about the things that I once felt so certain of. I’ve come to recognize that I don’t understand everything, and a lot of my questions will remain unanswered in my lifetime. I’ve made a boatload of mistakes, which I hope I’ve learned from, and I’ve grown into a Christian whose a bit more mature than the self-possessed 17-year-old I was coming out of high school. Over the course of this thing that we call a post-secondary education, I’ve made some lifelong friends, become an expert on psychology, found a home in a new church, hopefully become a bit of a better person, and fallen quite deeply in love. There are things I regret, and things I’m proud of, but most of all, I’m excited to find out what God has in store.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXoPBmZb5PbbYs3q5GFhrUu3ZYnhs0LZWABYRvwgdYpNgn6xVyQCPF-Zj730VOEjwY8Vwdw3bGI8zy-Ben7pHS_EB18XgF0QWpa8ZrfmX6cFz2TlrzhEjfAdaNtbt1DfEj1Cmz/s1600-h/IMG_4227.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXoPBmZb5PbbYs3q5GFhrUu3ZYnhs0LZWABYRvwgdYpNgn6xVyQCPF-Zj730VOEjwY8Vwdw3bGI8zy-Ben7pHS_EB18XgF0QWpa8ZrfmX6cFz2TlrzhEjfAdaNtbt1DfEj1Cmz/s320/IMG_4227.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177085561286614674" /></a>There never really comes a point where I’ve exhausted my ammo to ramble aimlessly with, but there is a point at which (if there are any of you still reading this), readers must inevitably tire of my thoughts. Thus, I’ll leave this entry at that, and try to update you soon on all things Cait-related. Hopefully I’ll get to see some of you in person in the near(ish) future, or I will fire an email your way soon (especially if your name also happens to include the initials CJ). I trust that you’re all relishing the first signs of spring, and are eagerly awaiting the arrival of Easter!<br /><br />P.S. My blog is so much more meaningful than Matt’s occasional <a href="http://mattneedsyou.blogspot.com/2008/03/humans-are-dead.html">music</a> <a href="http://mattneedsyou.blogspot.com/2007/12/just-really-good-video-to-tide-you-over.html">posts</a>. I still like him (and his blog) though.<br />P.P.S. Sigur Rós' <i>Heima</i> can now be seen on YouTube. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lr4s7KeCbV8">Watch it</a>.<br />P.P.P.S. The horrid bunny that resides under my family’s balcony and spies on me at all times of the day, and is very dissimilar from the Eater bunny, has returned. I <i>loathe</i> the balcony bunny.<br />P.P.P.P.S. Puddle-splashing season has arrived. Hoo-ray!!Caithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15665726525573758241noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11278817.post-13273610668316084052007-10-10T13:44:00.000-06:002007-10-11T10:10:14.684-06:00Hello Again<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7NNDKegybYBd4zPajx2hf3bs7g1vlWJgP3FWJ-uW4Uv3_1RSFPsSL55vug4WRD1lBq6W6yXhbR7dmuKr4mV5d8Apo-PWEi2tm8j4Fn-cSY7luGfzgouHP6uIX7oj1n-2OamFs/s1600-h/IMG_3354.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7NNDKegybYBd4zPajx2hf3bs7g1vlWJgP3FWJ-uW4Uv3_1RSFPsSL55vug4WRD1lBq6W6yXhbR7dmuKr4mV5d8Apo-PWEi2tm8j4Fn-cSY7luGfzgouHP6uIX7oj1n-2OamFs/s320/IMG_3354.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5119806366476324210" border="0" /></a>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.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg31xncyHKQwq0HnCfyf53g7RmZhydrVSvHfDsVuM1oZBuuxiMKAutPsrkdAGFjqvq-1OQRXcHRwfSWwVDc7CAYlWG9N23tI-IoIkECE36EKquMvn2AV50ur8rMhKseoYx4z7Yy/s1600-h/IMG_7210.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg31xncyHKQwq0HnCfyf53g7RmZhydrVSvHfDsVuM1oZBuuxiMKAutPsrkdAGFjqvq-1OQRXcHRwfSWwVDc7CAYlWG9N23tI-IoIkECE36EKquMvn2AV50ur8rMhKseoYx4z7Yy/s400/IMG_7210.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5119805812425542978" border="0" /></a><br />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 <i>great deal</i> 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.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhREX5PTBK22-g2TwU0GX00K9we3OGD6ygIE7XLf5Rc1HIzXRDve_xGyZuLkyWhmDnilJJTNvWvQA5CS-F_FsBBs3qO_4BKFjX6CJt_7-QenpQp_k0b0V8Btzq-KK2KzROWE2Yf/s1600-h/IMG_3379.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhREX5PTBK22-g2TwU0GX00K9we3OGD6ygIE7XLf5Rc1HIzXRDve_xGyZuLkyWhmDnilJJTNvWvQA5CS-F_FsBBs3qO_4BKFjX6CJt_7-QenpQp_k0b0V8Btzq-KK2KzROWE2Yf/s320/IMG_3379.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5119806357886389602" border="0" /></a>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 <i>click</i> 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.<br /><br />Now playing: <a href="http://www.foxytunes.com/artist/great+lake+swimmers/track/i+will+never+see+the+sun">Great Lake Swimmers - I Will Never See The Sun</a><br /><br />P.S. I’m thankful for <i>you</i> too.<br />P.P.S. Making puns about being thank<i>ful</i>, and being <i>full</i> from Thanksgiving is quite enjoyable, but no one else seems to find them as amusing as I do, so I’ll spare you.<br />P.P.P.S. I started listening to Christmas music this week. It’s rather early, but it’s sooo good.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_YCL7ln1MAwIpP8V5Agj8RNB-JjVA-6Kid1g92MD36RLs3A0ERq3WyVsl8oTeliRiDEVqhU30x92hyphenhyphenUlgZTXU9zyFu-Aos2gqrVibX48KQ1dU5KAZpQ2DPmxCm8M1y2xS4cPN/s1600-h/n512087813_509444_1114.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_YCL7ln1MAwIpP8V5Agj8RNB-JjVA-6Kid1g92MD36RLs3A0ERq3WyVsl8oTeliRiDEVqhU30x92hyphenhyphenUlgZTXU9zyFu-Aos2gqrVibX48KQ1dU5KAZpQ2DPmxCm8M1y2xS4cPN/s400/n512087813_509444_1114.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5119805816720510290" border="0" /></a><br />Some Things that I'm Thankful For<br />- my beautiful work girls and silly boss Dion<br />- bike rides on the leaves lining the streets<br />- graham crackers<br />- exciting municipal elections<br />- green tea with honey (hot or iced)<br />- Matthew 5 (especially in the Message)<br />- pink fridge lights at the café<br />- my admirable shopping restraint<br />- friends who make me laugh and think<br />- the History of Psychology with Leo Mos<br />- warming my blankets with my hairdryer<br />- a chance (albeit slim) of the Eskies making it into the playoffs<br />- live music<br />- new seasons of The Office, Survivor, and Grey's Anatomy<br />- used movies from Rogers<br />- bagel sandwiches with havarti<br />- card games<br />- "Samson" by Regina Spektor<br />- "Fashionable People" by Joel Plaskett<br />- Saturday mornings without work<br />- "Io" by Helen Stellar<br />- "Deportation/Iguazu" by Gustavo Santaolalla<br />- "Be Good or Be Gone" by Fionn Regan<br />- "Love Keep Us Together" by Martin Sexton<br />- "After the Afterlife" by Chad van Gaalen<br />- Botolf the iPod<br />- a new Wes Anderson movie<br />- songs composed and performed by Matt<br />- bunny rabbit mittens<br />- Jess' baking<br />- my blue plaid housecoat<br />- new neighbours<br />- my smart, joyful, and loving family<br />- turkey and pumpkin pie<br />- Steeps being open again<br />- upcoming board game parties<br />- a church that I feel proud to be a part of<br />- watching "Ali G" with Jess and Dad<br />- the <i>death</i> of flies and moths with the autumn cold<br />- Polaroid pictures<br />- my wind-up robot Reginald<br />- CBC Radio<br /><br /><object height="350" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/pj66XgK3NvE"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/pj66XgK3NvE" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="350" width="425"></embed></object>Caithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15665726525573758241noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11278817.post-76039128214617430542007-06-11T11:07:00.000-06:002007-06-11T13:48:46.357-06:00On Being Vulnerable and Enjoying Summer<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS4FNcPplrp9D12qzUEVV_zl3y74BHQRHh1HBqPMX9k2XTmyR1_Yk-G59LS1ImBDfkFbvHMAIEO9pcOvfhWUewhHsWUxYJJseinZLux2ykGPUoEY3dgDZFSANRSI0Iw9gjk6Gv/s1600-h/538310468_cd8b9363c7_b.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS4FNcPplrp9D12qzUEVV_zl3y74BHQRHh1HBqPMX9k2XTmyR1_Yk-G59LS1ImBDfkFbvHMAIEO9pcOvfhWUewhHsWUxYJJseinZLux2ykGPUoEY3dgDZFSANRSI0Iw9gjk6Gv/s320/538310468_cd8b9363c7_b.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5074860226531945202" /></a>I’ve been a rather negligent blogger since I last informed you all on my thoughts of the ripeness of summer, but I suppose that’s because I’ve been savouring the loveliness of summer (which, I suppose, is the proverbial fruit in my analogy about ripeness). I feel kind of absurd when I blog about things that I’m happy about, because it seems as though I’m just rubbing in how great life is, but I do indulge in grievances here from time to time as well I guess (see: <i>Living in the Tension</i> parts 1 and 2). Thus, I won’t shy away from burbling on about the joys of summer. About 23.81% of my summer has been taken up by work, which is turning out to be better than ever; I have so many coworkers who are deep-down good, in addition to being silly and chatty, and they make me think and laugh and blush every single day. People often underestimate how much mental energy goes into working in a café, and generally assume that we don’t work very hard, but it’s true that my job is pretty peachy keen. I can talk about God and politics and life with them, and we really do love and care about each other oodles and oodles. This makes working for dimes and nickels more than worth it; as aforementioned, I kind of like that I have more reasons to work than just the moolah. <br /><br />I’ve slowly been chipping away at my list of things to do this summer, although there are still quite a few to be checked off in the next three months. I’ve been doing a fair amount of reading, which is truly one of the best parts of these lazy days, and I’m loving the ability to keep my window open at night so that I can get even more fresh air and wake up to the chirping of the birds that reside in our yard. I am now the proud owner of a blue fighting fish (who isn’t quite as cool as a lizard, so clearly you should let me get a lizard Mom!). My fish seems to enjoy pretending to be dead at random points during the day, and likes to smash his head into rocks at the bottom of his aquarium in a seemingly futile attempt at suicide. I have decided that he is quite similar in personality to a crack cocaine addict going through symptoms of withdrawal, but perhaps as I nurse him back to health, he’ll start to behave in a more sane manner. My fish was formerly known as Ted when he lived at the café, but shall henceforth be known as Ghandi (Matt said that I had to name it a fighting name, so I christened him Ghandi instead; Matt noted that this is also an appropriate name because I didn’t feed Ghandi for an extended period of time when I first got him, which is akin to a hunger strike).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2rbr75ajESKPoqD39C0dGc-07JVrqQWCUipfspMrINwOjp_I4FeAbZ3N5S2K2vJpKE_b9yS_OmGwJj6rawaiFKOBwws5FuwegMgeQHYNfVfRavoc0SNYcO52sUwZgPsqm40OT/s1600-h/531871083_929bc349c5_b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2rbr75ajESKPoqD39C0dGc-07JVrqQWCUipfspMrINwOjp_I4FeAbZ3N5S2K2vJpKE_b9yS_OmGwJj6rawaiFKOBwws5FuwegMgeQHYNfVfRavoc0SNYcO52sUwZgPsqm40OT/s400/531871083_929bc349c5_b.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5074861450597624626" /></a> <br />Speaking of <A HREF="http://flickr.com/photos/caitjane/513122121/">this Matt fellow</A>, I have been, as people would colloquially put it, dating him for the past little while. I really think that someone should invent a word that has more meaning and sounds cooler than “dating” because the word seems to suggest that the relationship is based on dates, when really I think it’s best when a relationship is more than just a bunch of dates. However, dating <i>does</i> rhyme whith skating and baiting, so perhaps it’s not so bad after all. Regardless of nomenclature, I’ve officially decided that this whole relationship business is pretty splendid, although it’s mainly Matt that makes it so great. It’s quite absurd how long I can talk to a single person, how wistful I get when we say goodbye (which we’re kind of awful at), how hard someone can make me laugh, and how well I can understand and get along with someone (i.e. Matt). A lot of you blog readers know Matt already, and it feels quite self-indulgent to go into great detail about this in a blog entry, so I’ll limit my effusive depiction of him. He really is a first-rate individual with a good heart, and he cares about people and his faith a great deal. He is also quite silly from time to time, and is excellently funny and smart (although perhaps excessively intelligent when it comes to the freezing points of mud, the accumulation of rain in buckets, and the provincial trees of Alberta). <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjZM1eHRNyWLh45UnTD549QvvI1LgFdnSbrBcCNkAEU9CIGJZ1G13W3-3o3btgNAbPEYcqa6Wg4lCBHsyIQ6DCS-JmrvpEl2WE7i9xyB8XXVRqkxe7b4I8sP41PphV_O3W05sW/s1600-h/518175261_06d2e01504_b.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjZM1eHRNyWLh45UnTD549QvvI1LgFdnSbrBcCNkAEU9CIGJZ1G13W3-3o3btgNAbPEYcqa6Wg4lCBHsyIQ6DCS-JmrvpEl2WE7i9xyB8XXVRqkxe7b4I8sP41PphV_O3W05sW/s320/518175261_06d2e01504_b.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5074860217942010578" /></a>One of the oddest things I’ve found in my extremely limited experience with being coupled is the beauty of vulnerability. I’m making myself somewhat vulnerable by typing these things about Matt. Maybe I’ll sound ridiculous or naïve or creepy, or maybe I’ll regret writing these thoughts down if things don’t work out (which would be rather sad), or maybe I’m being too candid. But that’s kind of the beauty of it. One of my favourite chapters in <i>Sex God</i> speaks about the vulnerability that’s at the heart of God’s relationship with us. God came here as a vulnerable man because, in part, all the other ways he might have come would have scared us speechless. The Israelites told Moses that they couldn’t listen to the voice of God when he was giving the Ten Commandments because it was so overwhelming that they felt they would die if God spoke to them. So Jesus is born in a feeding trough in a stable. It doesn’t get much more vulnerable than that. I think the paradox of the Son of God’s vulnerability speaks a great deal about how deep God’s love for us is, how we’re meant to love others, and how upside-down His Kingdom really is. <br /><br />There are a lot of places in life where I think the vulnerability that Jesus modeled is healthy, and I’ve found my own vulnerability to be particularly evident in this guy-girl dynamic that God set up. Even the simple act of liking someone a lot is kind of risky. They might not reciprocate, or your feelings might get out of hand, or you might end up looking rather silly by acting on your feelings. I think this is an illustration of the vulnerability that characterizes God’s relationship with us, and His ultimate act of weakness that paid the price of our redemption. I was reading Hosea last week, and I find it so interesting that God would use a marriage to represent His love for His unfaithful people. Hosea marries a prostitute, and continues to love her earnestly despite her disloyalty. Hosea marries a woman who repeatedly cheats on him just as God loves a group of people who continually reject Him. Chapter 5 of Song of Songs speaks about the interplay between two people. The man asks the woman to let him into her house, but she waits too long, and he gives up, leaving her alone and regretful. It’s very risky, but very worth the risk. I can get frustrated with Christians when I self-righteously think that they aren’t willing enough to just love people without being judgmental and selfish about who and how they love, but people’s hesitation to be vulnerable is understandable, I think (although still not justifiable). <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZFzAiG9zZe47ge4wowYFhzgw54jqRg5qnQBU1pnvq3W1DGucPQqtzP810zfZyJPA06H6Bfb4U6GbelQbXeALPcrEbsA5xfwj6eVZMpv8HZAmLd7AYa_bqmryWEckS-4tJt5S_/s1600-h/531876877_6c57dfe5db_b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZFzAiG9zZe47ge4wowYFhzgw54jqRg5qnQBU1pnvq3W1DGucPQqtzP810zfZyJPA06H6Bfb4U6GbelQbXeALPcrEbsA5xfwj6eVZMpv8HZAmLd7AYa_bqmryWEckS-4tJt5S_/s400/531876877_6c57dfe5db_b.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5074861446302657314" /></a><br />C.S. Lewis puts it this way: “Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable.” And so, maybe by doing things that are sometimes unappealing to the sometimes-shy Cait like initiating phone conversations, deciding how to fritter away an evening, or hanging out with Matt’s parents, I’m learning more about God and His Kingdom and how radical His vulnerability was. (In fairness though, I don’t think that God is as shy as I am. However, I have written two entire honest paragraphs on my blog about my thoughts on dating, so obviously I am getting good at being vulnerable.)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSAHpQvyWciq1EEGsgKh23BMAJ1ngYaTpXuJBakJgRSNOxiK1WMDcjX0wVArqw9sOEJK1U207mcNLIlgT5w-BEAz32nl5nADIrrMChdtxoOsyYdZG_FYfcNBlbXlJnGzdOYvDn/s1600-h/531767618_c79aaa9b43_b.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSAHpQvyWciq1EEGsgKh23BMAJ1ngYaTpXuJBakJgRSNOxiK1WMDcjX0wVArqw9sOEJK1U207mcNLIlgT5w-BEAz32nl5nADIrrMChdtxoOsyYdZG_FYfcNBlbXlJnGzdOYvDn/s320/531767618_c79aaa9b43_b.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5074860222236977890" /></a>I’ve been thinking about milestones recently, not only because of the aforementioned dating, but also because my family just celebrated a boatload of birthdays, Jess just graduated and is five days away from becoming a full-fledged adult, my family just got a new yet-to-be-named car, dear friends are convocating, and I am now a proud (albeit slightly incompetent) pet-owner. I like that we define little moments in life as especially significant, even though sometimes they’re just arbitrary points at which we recognize someone’s achievements, the life of someone we love, or the beginning of something splendid. Life really is more of a progression rather than a series of steps, I think, but having a graduation bash or making a big deal out of the first drive in a new car helps us to gain perspective I think. Jess’ impending bday has made me think a lot about how far we’ve come since she was born nearly 18 years ago, and what our years as adults might look like. Not that she will miraculously grow an inch overnight on June 16, nor will she suddenly be imparted with special grownup wisdom, but she has slowly been growing into an adult and increasingly becoming intimidating in her knowledge of baking, black holes, biology, and various other topics starting with the letter “B.” Jess really is growing up. She’s taking a year off of school, which I know from experience will be a great break, will teach her a lot about people, and will allow her to define herself outside of academics and extracurricular activities. She’s nabbed a big-deal job at an ophthalmology clinic run by her friend Jessie’s dad (she visited the clinic last week, and it sounds awesome, although rather intimidating). She’s doing a job that is usually done by people who have gone to school for two years, but she’s more than smart enough to handle it, and she’s enjoying reading through ophthalmology textbooks and showing me <i>highly disturbing</i> pictures of eye infections and bulbous eyelids. <br /><br />I can still distinctly remember the day that Jess was born; to say she’s come a long way since then would be an understatement. One of my favourite things to do in the entire world is to watch home videos and browse through old photo albums. I’m an overly sentimental person at times, and so I derive pleasure from making a big deal out of past landmark occasions, whether it’s be Jess’ first birthday, our move into Evergreen the House, or my grandparents’ retirement party. Thinking back on these times reminds me of how little I’ve changed, how much I’ve changed, and the numerous plans we had all those years ago (and how the carrying out of these plans has been met by mixed results). Caitlin’s been gone on her world travels for more than a month now, and I’m missing her a great deal already (I’ll send the review to you soon other CJ!). I can only imagine what it will be like when I’m faced with milestone of friends leaving Edmonton (perhaps even my baby sister leaving, or maybe even <i>me</i> leaving). Needless to say, I will require a lot of Kleenex if and when that time comes. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0KA1THEhgOKCyTytqI2ty8Lr2tefLmYKGiy75sq-bvMK9OActEZgSoXMJWOoaV8ohdZt8tcUQ9h9mfFwHrGgUn415F0bN7Mcycd1rukFegJ7eHEfDefJKNYvb8rwhNMR5GT3Q/s1600-h/518166975_dc70ece5bd_b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0KA1THEhgOKCyTytqI2ty8Lr2tefLmYKGiy75sq-bvMK9OActEZgSoXMJWOoaV8ohdZt8tcUQ9h9mfFwHrGgUn415F0bN7Mcycd1rukFegJ7eHEfDefJKNYvb8rwhNMR5GT3Q/s400/518166975_dc70ece5bd_b.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5074861442007690002" /></a><br />I should head off to watch Barefoot Contessa with Hessica before this blog becomes incessant. In a couple of weeks, she’ll have no school to use to excuse herself from watching non-Food Network TV with me and enduring horrible movies called <i>The Fountain</i>. I can’t wait! My parents are nearly on vacation (to NEW YORK!) as well, and Jess and I will have the house to ourselves in a short while. I plan on baking a great deal with Jess, watching movies late with friends, and festooning the door to our house with absurd decorations. I’m additionally looking forward to upcoming festivals, concerts, reenactments of scenes from Rocky Balboa, potential learning how to drive, and more of the already-enjoyed camping/reading/working/walks outside. I’m nearly finished reading Anne Lamott and Pascal now (both of which I’d recommend, although I’d recommend the former less heartily as she might offend readers quite easily), and am hoping to start reading through some stuff by Shane Claiborne and Tony Campolo and Eugene Peterson soon. I have also promised to give Harry Potter a chance this summer, so perhaps I’ll become an obsessed Harry Potter reader before school returns in the fall. If you’re not reading, I really suggest that you crack open a book; you can learn things <i>and</i> be entertained all at the same time. Besides the previously mentioned activities, I’m also nursing my poor summer-battered body back to health. The assaults that allergens, UV-laden sunrays, and blood-sucking mosquitoes have subjected me to have rendered me somewhat sore, but still alive and able to type at length, which you may have noticed. Anyhow, I’m off for TV fun with Jess and another agonizing application of aloe vera onto my back! I hope you’re all wearing SPF 30 and making yourselves vulnerable some of the time and enjoying all that summer has to offer!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhozizmKoQEUXLcoOrC0TJmaPDMYYGq_bnRWmAjIlW4lZ3sXhFfz12sQgk9SB2qG5ZRHqnZPNSx75fmFbeZaqYcJezlgpCmMC9ML69vEG-n_U3APgZ7CbBpXxunepIx7MEZPrdj/s1600-h/531764386_373b1371ba_b.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhozizmKoQEUXLcoOrC0TJmaPDMYYGq_bnRWmAjIlW4lZ3sXhFfz12sQgk9SB2qG5ZRHqnZPNSx75fmFbeZaqYcJezlgpCmMC9ML69vEG-n_U3APgZ7CbBpXxunepIx7MEZPrdj/s400/531764386_373b1371ba_b.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5074895982134684482" /></a><br /><br />Cait and Matt’s Incomplete List of Camping Adventures<br />- Cait stubbed her toe<br />- a thrilling ugly shoe comparison<br />- cracker snacks<br />- invented a game<br />- Cait NEARLY won Crazy 8 countdown<br />- we ate good Subway sandwiches, Matt ate 12.5 inches of sandwich, Cait was stared at for not wearing shoes due to aforementioned stubbed toe<br />- we saw the mountains<br />- Jordan was an expert animal-spotter<br />- Matt watched for deer and followed a semi<br />- Cait thought about #72 and watched mountains<br />- named and set up and admired Merman the space station<br />- a few select people “basked” in the “glow” of the candlelight<br />- Matt named Frederick the Fire Site who was reincarnated part way through the weekend<br />- Matt and Rob and Allan talked for a short period of time<br />- Matt and Allan felt each other’s sleeping bags<br />- the boys -Rob pretended they were macho and pushed cars for no good reason<br />- slept in waaay too late<br />- ate cereal from small boxes and Matt spilled milk all over<br />- Cait failed at President until the very end when we stopped (WHICH WAS A TRAGEDY OF EPIC PROPORTIONS)<br />- ate lunch at the Bear’s Paw and observed that turkey was better than roast beef<br />- Crystal was afraid of feces<br />- threw snowballs at each other<br />- Matt broke his backpack<br />- sang songs on the way such as Fly Me to the Moon, Down by the Bay, Row the Boat, Amazing Grace (to the tune of In the Jungle), Matt’s Christmas song (that included lyrics like: “please put a penny in the old man’s hat” and “the geese are getting fat” and had stomping actions)<br />- climbed a mountain and especially scary, unstable rocks and did not die<br />- saw many chipmunks at the top of the mountain<br />- drank snow<br />- attempted to ski down the mountain and ended up falling, charging, sliding, getting stuck and rolling<br />- skipped as high as possible<br />- made our own path down the mountain<br />- sat in a hot spring pool and had a snack in the café where they were playing Joni Mitchell and jumped in the cold pool and the lifeguard saved Matt from freezing<br />- a nurse corroborated “everything” that Cait said regarding vegetables and body temperature (but Cait is deluded)<br />- Cait did not blow dry her hair (what a wonderful and low maintenance person she is!)<br />- admired the ample-sized blue bruise on Cait’s toe<br />- made hotdogs that reflected our respective cooking abilities and Cait thought her hotdog stick was amazing, which it was, but it looked weird<br />- Cait was the only one who enjoyed smores<br />- Rob and Crystal ruled for a time at President together then Rob became the worst Janitor in the history of the game<br />- chatted about topics both silly and serious in Merman the Space Station for a long period of time<br />- were sadistic towards the sleepy Crystal and Rob when we got up in the morning (flashlights, Cait’s fighting skills, and Matt’s preaching were utilized quite effectively)<br />- ate poutine and delicious pizza for breakfast<br />- Cait spilled poutine on her jeans not once, but twice<br />- Matt ate ketchup with his poutine, and somehow did not vomit<br />- lazed around at Pyramid Lake while making miniature forests and throwing rock ammunition into the lake and splashing water on the faces of lazy nappers<br />- Sufjan serenaded us while we admired the pretty mountains and listened to Brit rock that Rob totally loved<br />- ate leftover marshmallows and watched <i>Venus</i> and chit-chatted<br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/4PsWTxvOArs"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/4PsWTxvOArs" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br />P.S. I am clearly a more expert blogger than you, Matt. I'm not sure why you would even attempt to keep up with my consistency in posting, but if you want to try, you should blog <i>soon</i>.<br />P.P.S. Football season is nigh. I am reeeeeally excited. We touched <i>actual</i> Commonwealth grass last weekend at the Police concert, which I'm sure means good luck and guarantees that the Eskies will make it into the playoffs this season. If they fail to make it into the playoffs again, I simply won't know what to do with myself.<br />P.P.P.S. I have decided that I should visit Albertan lakes more frequently. They make me happy.Caithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15665726525573758241noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11278817.post-2593867584915286922007-05-07T14:43:00.000-06:002007-05-07T15:18:07.936-06:00A Season of Ripeness<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGuXlH6x48MjvXPQl6RTfrWAT3pv9xVSLweAJPnJg7NHgJ__T6NRSxLiyH1pea4yPwo9u1L77LYs5bU3tm4pOebKH0H2-xHGjeOgWuqJXP9WdqgbzYRYv99lnRaEP-sj8oheop/s1600-h/481590802_b2a90ca1b8_b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGuXlH6x48MjvXPQl6RTfrWAT3pv9xVSLweAJPnJg7NHgJ__T6NRSxLiyH1pea4yPwo9u1L77LYs5bU3tm4pOebKH0H2-xHGjeOgWuqJXP9WdqgbzYRYv99lnRaEP-sj8oheop/s320/481590802_b2a90ca1b8_b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061926227441177554" border="0" /></a>Sometimes life just feels ripe. Ripe with possibility, with beauty, and with truth. Summer is one of those seasons of life that is rich with all the best things in life, and the lack of school and related responsibilities make savouring life all the more trouble-free. School’s been “out for the summer” for a couple of weeks now, and it’s been a welcome change from four months of school, limited sunshine, and reading mainly textbooks and lecture notes. I got a stack of summer reading out from Rutherford last week, finished with taxes for another year, and enjoyed lots of lovely moments with friends and family. Even with the gruesomeness of allergies in this month of pollen and birch tree flowering, I’m kind of wishing that it were always summer. I’ve been reading through Joshua for the past couple of weeks, and was really challenged to trust God despite crummy things that friends were going through and my own ambivalence about where I wanted to work this summer. God asked Joshua and the Israelites to do some pretty crazy things (not just difficult, but seemingly insane things), and they trusted Him big time in spite of all the reasons they had to be skeptical and glum. Even when life is messy, I’ve learned that it really is best to give my worries and hopelessness up to God. It was hard to see how God would work through all the mess that I was struck by last month, but He totally did. My uncle’s recovering from successful surgery on his legs, dear old Brian has been in especially high spirits this month, and school and work have been treating Jen well this month. God’s worked through struggles that friends were facing last month, despite my finding it difficult to be hopeful about them, and although I don’t want my faith in God to depend on Him being overtly good and generous, it’s a blessing to see that He really is sooo good in ways that I can’t foresee.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw7NrJCxU-GMYlXiWJX78TB1PY7GLDrXJdFvDvJJpLyaqQjoDMHnmSFL0Mn3fNwsdKycgxffc3VxU7hd2PkqK42s2ldZ6YKXkikcY4rZm-CkeqGnc8HI8Br4vHsG4s8B7_QLcu/s1600-h/487732526_79baa365b9_b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw7NrJCxU-GMYlXiWJX78TB1PY7GLDrXJdFvDvJJpLyaqQjoDMHnmSFL0Mn3fNwsdKycgxffc3VxU7hd2PkqK42s2ldZ6YKXkikcY4rZm-CkeqGnc8HI8Br4vHsG4s8B7_QLcu/s400/487732526_79baa365b9_b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061928001262670898" border="0" /></a><br />Even shifts at the café, which I’d been fretting over, have worked out rather nicely; I’ll be working just Monday nights this summer, and will get about 40 hours a week (48 this week). I really wasn’t sure what I’d do this summer, and had scouted out some other jobs last month, but none of them were people jobs in the way that being a barista is, and I’m relieved that I can continue to nurture relationships that have grown over my time at the café. I love the friends that I work with so much; we bake for each other, go out for meals and shopping excursions together, and have some of my favourite conversations ever. I make relatively piddly money working at the café, but I’m kind of love that I can work somewhere for reasons besides earning money. I was talking with a friend a few weeks ago about prayer, and she was explaining me how she finds it strange to ask God for things when He might not even answer those prayers, and praying about God’s splendour and her own sin is much more appealing much of the time. Sometimes it’s easy for prayer to turn into a request bonanza rather than a dialogue with God, but it’s so freeing to give worries and concerns up to Him. Even if a prayer isn’t “answered,” it’s such a weight off my shoulders to leave something up to God, and realize that ultimately, He’s got the whole world in His hands, what I need to worry about mainly involves me living in a Kingdom-way, loving others, and loving God. I like to collect quotes in my journal, and my favourite find from last week was one that goes, “Everything is okay in the end. If it's not okay, then it's not the end.” How true that is. Life is hard, and messy, and confusing much of the time, but if I trust in Him, God’s will ultimately take care of me, and as Morrie would say, His love and justice and grace really will win in the end.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5KR02Ulhi_vLsQO1O3KaIBBxUO8CygN02wedsBB8G3FC8m0Mho9cK7E9aZwGUo_AGg6v7ROq_F5nTCi1x41QgbzXx8V4KrchRrs-3T8cqepgxtUKj7jxFXx4YW4RXXjYciUVJ/s1600-h/486667975_15ecba02f6_b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5KR02Ulhi_vLsQO1O3KaIBBxUO8CygN02wedsBB8G3FC8m0Mho9cK7E9aZwGUo_AGg6v7ROq_F5nTCi1x41QgbzXx8V4KrchRrs-3T8cqepgxtUKj7jxFXx4YW4RXXjYciUVJ/s320/486667975_15ecba02f6_b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061926231736144866" border="0" /></a>Although I’ve certainly found this post-school time of year to be lovely and amazing, it has definitely been detrimental to my vanity (which is likely a good thing). With the advent of allergies, my eyes have become puffy and resemble slices of Mandarin orange, while my legs are still rather bruised from a game of Grounders last weekend and I’ve avoided wearing skirts and shorts over the last while. Plus, I got my first black eye ever on Saturday, which was both exciting and strange. My grandparents are slightly concerned about the nature of the fun that I have with friends from our new church, I think, and customers are undoubtedly going to make fun of my shiner today and insinuate that I had a drunken fight over the weekend. Plus, the runniness of my nose and frequency of my sneezing can’t come to an end soon enough. I had a detailed dream last night in which I was doing research on sneezing. When I have dreams centred entirely around sneezing, my nose has clearly had enough of stifled achoo-ing. I like flowers and birch trees a great deal, but I kind of despise the pollen that accompanies them. Fortunately, I think that allergies will cease and desist in the next couple of weeks, and my face will return to relative normalcy. Besides the impending end of allergies, I’m also looking forward to football in one month, my parents’ trip to New York in two months, and a smattering of concerts over the next little while. Folk Fest tickets go on sale in three weeks, and Crystal’s promised to come on for one day, and hopefully I’ll lure in a few others to join in the fun. While it’s hard to beat the excitement of concerts, I’m even more elated by my grandparents’ return to their home and native land, and the upcoming 6 birthday bash and simultaneous Mother’s Day celebration Sunday night. I hadn’t seen Grandma and Grandpa for more than a month, and I was happy to see them at a lunch that I thought I’d missed the boat on yesterday. I’m fairly certain that my grandma and I are kindred spirits; we share a fondness for matters of correctness, both dislike cats, and laugh together for extended periods of time when we’re together. I’d missed them a lot, and my grandpa more than made up for his absence by telling dozens of bad jokes yesterday. I love them and Jess/Mom/Dad more than anything else, and I’m glad that they’re back just in time for summer fun.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGnVkVvrsMvbKY6Ehlev5hPcHTJ-i8cT6LP_xv5gwGzmiH_DK7kPQ4HTULU5EOZbWnBoZrMhulciDWwqSJmX9Vq0wpXQeZc-Pp7SW-wKO2iJ2V0X_LCPJbD2a_ity9xlbsAcV2/s1600-h/486635384_39ed3f1a42_b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGnVkVvrsMvbKY6Ehlev5hPcHTJ-i8cT6LP_xv5gwGzmiH_DK7kPQ4HTULU5EOZbWnBoZrMhulciDWwqSJmX9Vq0wpXQeZc-Pp7SW-wKO2iJ2V0X_LCPJbD2a_ity9xlbsAcV2/s400/486635384_39ed3f1a42_b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061927996967703586" border="0" /></a><br />I should likely be off now to pack a supper for tonight’s closing shift and to finish some laundry and reading, but I’ll write something worthwhile in the next week perhaps. Small group has agreed to read the splendid <i>Velvet Elvis</i>, as has Matt, and potentially Rob (what powers of persuasion I have!), so I’m sure that will generate some cogitation-worthy lines of thought. I started Annie Lamott’s latest book yesterday, and I’m enjoying it more than I thought I would; she’s rough around the edges, but writes with wisdom and honesty. I’m sure that her writing will send me off on some tangential ruminations as well. I’ve mostly finished the <i>Oliver!</i> review, Caitlin (it was a gooder; John Ulyatt made an appearance, and PJ Perry was in the pit), so I’ll finish it up after work tomorrow and send it off via email. I’m still sad that you missed it, but if anything could top <i>Oliver!</i> for you, it would, of course, be traveling to another country. Liz Nichols aptly noted that, “John Ullyatt, the Citadel’s favourite leading man, ... stops all stage traffic by his mere presence.” Fingers crossed that he stars as the beast in <i>Beauty and the Beast</i> next season. I’m off to finish some laundry and reading and vacuuming before work tonight, but I hope that you’re all finding this almost-summer season to be ripe, whether you’re in Deadmonton or some lovely other place!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiri-SgPGddXXEOTD4phJIsfkXdZ3Shh3O72AN0Pk3m9WzpBU0olfKhAmMVMuKJWqpYKSfzwFDWNJDhE4iPQmIVrqPJf5EIAhkPpzn2-A8m7PwXb-Z5AfqK3lgnICO-nKsdUbz/s1600-h/487771101_dd63c98596_o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiri-SgPGddXXEOTD4phJIsfkXdZ3Shh3O72AN0Pk3m9WzpBU0olfKhAmMVMuKJWqpYKSfzwFDWNJDhE4iPQmIVrqPJf5EIAhkPpzn2-A8m7PwXb-Z5AfqK3lgnICO-nKsdUbz/s400/487771101_dd63c98596_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061929276867957842" border="0" /></a><br />Soundtrack for Cait's Summer<br />- Mika<br />- Peter Bjorn & John<br />- Feist<br />- Patrick Watson<br />- Beirut<br />- Alexi Murdoch<br />- Corinne Bailey Rae<br />- Modest Mouse<br />- Nouvelle Vague<br />- Rogue Wave<br />- Beck<br />- Of Montreal<br />- Jack Johnson<br />- <i>Can You Say Indie?</i> Vol 1-3<br />- Queen<br />- Rosie Thomas<br />- Thomas Newman<br />- Super Furry Animals<br />- Sufjan Stevens<br />- Broken Social Scene<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIAKQsm_2lQ-wacxvgVDew_J3YUdFF4SiX5C3yKYD31tkJc6GDde9N3rhQz4mWIYojA-5So2c5S5K_oE3mLZEGjkR_aRENutlf8HRvSviOXR2v70wmQGhIwL_jN9OpNPP0sGeo/s1600-h/487733372_6a1a593f73_b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIAKQsm_2lQ-wacxvgVDew_J3YUdFF4SiX5C3yKYD31tkJc6GDde9N3rhQz4mWIYojA-5So2c5S5K_oE3mLZEGjkR_aRENutlf8HRvSviOXR2v70wmQGhIwL_jN9OpNPP0sGeo/s400/487733372_6a1a593f73_b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061928001262670914" border="0" /></a><br />Summer Preoccupations<br />- lots and lots and lots of festival fun<br />- laze around at the leg (pronounced lej)<br />- nighttime adventures in the country<br />- go camping<br />- walks in the river valley at sun rise<br />- cloud watch and star gaze<br />- Eskies football (I picked up my tickets last month; I am planning on forcing some of you to come to several games with me and Jess)<br />- cry and dance at concerts<br />- take up jogging (perhaps)<br />- use the paddle boats in Hawrelak<br />- take pictures<br />- <i>Velvet Elvis</i> with small group<br />- late-night walks<br />- road trip with dear friends<br />- BBQs with the familia<br />- improve upon my crocheting skills<br />- watch movies in Crystal's backyard (it has always rained when we've attempted to do this in the past)<br />- bake and cook dee-licious creations<br />- Arrested Development marathon<br />- swinging with friends<br />- people watch on the patio at work<br />- airport and spandex escapade<br />- devise a way to vacuum pollen out of the air<br />- river valley escapades<br />- caaamping<br />- convince Mom to let me get a lizard<br />- Rocky Balboa meets the Albertan Legislature<br />- practice guitar<br />- coffee/tea/lunch with amigos<br />- read a decent chunk of the books in Rutherford<br />- have plenty of picnics<br />- journal<br />- play Bruce Cockburn the Guitar<br />- go golfing in plaid and argyle outfits<br />- Star Wars night with Crystal and Ben (et al.)<br />- Grounders and other playground shenanigans<br />- dance in the rain<br /><br /><object height="350" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/51V1VMkuyx0"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/51V1VMkuyx0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="350" width="425"></embed></object>Caithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15665726525573758241noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11278817.post-60443852953395562562007-04-16T22:34:00.000-06:002007-04-16T23:38:36.676-06:00Still Living in the Tension<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3lrkvUll_D_Z477dLV8L-D2vYwLupCmw0thVswFrMijy-XYiAnLi-f2RkXJwJUx6AApE6EXnOL8B6Arx8wLJBqHhHYviX87AAZGsKpDQpdwu5vAxH1VX77ybfHz3Z9T1EjDei/s1600-h/280228244_254fcb0b93.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3lrkvUll_D_Z477dLV8L-D2vYwLupCmw0thVswFrMijy-XYiAnLi-f2RkXJwJUx6AApE6EXnOL8B6Arx8wLJBqHhHYviX87AAZGsKpDQpdwu5vAxH1VX77ybfHz3Z9T1EjDei/s320/280228244_254fcb0b93.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5054256719717512930" border="0" /></a>Sometimes I write things, and they look horribly trite or snobbish upon a second glance, but over the past week I really have been struck by the messy and tension-filled nature of life that I was talking about in my last entry. A few days ago, we learned that a dear uncle of mine (I think he’s technically my second cousin, once removed) has flesh-eating disease, and while they’ve caught it early, it’s going to be a hard a hard next while for him and my auntie. They love God and those around them intensely, and I’ve learned so much about self-sacrificing love and God’s desire for justice through their wise words and work with marginalized groups in Africa and Asia. Knowing that they’re going through tough times is painful; a few years ago, Uncle Doug had a scary case of hepatitis, and when he made it through that, we were so relieved and thankful, so for him to be facing another worrisome health concern seems especially messed up. A member of our extended family committed suicide this month, and when my mom flew out to the funeral, knowing how to deal with the hardship of that loss and how to comfort everyone there was difficult. Grieving the loss of a loved one is tough as it is, but when a death is complicated in this tragic way, the difficulty of life and death are all the more evident. The thought that life would be hard enough that it wasn’t worth it anymore is a hard one to swallow, but some people really do face such hardship in their lives. Life is messy.<br /><br />My favourite customer of all time (<i>ever</i>) is a beautiful man named Brian who has schizophrenia. Although Brian is one of the most gentle and lovely people I’ve ever met in my life, people treat him with suspicion and cruelty because of the symptoms of his disorder. Last week, the police wanted Brian to be kicked out of our café because of his appearance and unusual behaviour. When we didn’t force Brian to leave, they became even more insistent that he was a disturbance; I was so troubled by the fact that the police would want to kick out someone whose life is already so smattered with derision as it is. Brian used to come for his regular mug of House Blend every day when I worked at Bear Mountain, and now he comes to Second Cup for a medium mug of blueberry tea steeped beforehand, and in the four years that I’ve been friends with Brian, he’s never been anything but kind. My day is always brightened by talks with him about physics and his experience with war and various other things that we stumble upon in conversation. But because Brian dresses differently and talks to himself, he lost his job as a janitor two years ago, and is told by the police to leave Whyte Ave because he doesn’t act normally. I find this to be terribly backwards.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirEm2tcNT_TGnMCu1d1ZVNnj6RYA-mhFiBPSVkuI1Vf_lhzyuPeDj1fDEMz58OUgxoIFfW47V7H86zsrOwo8za208vQPu-GrhAhkBJn7nLs7j5VSxdMPFfEI4ixgTM-AEXxOTP/s1600-h/056_56.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirEm2tcNT_TGnMCu1d1ZVNnj6RYA-mhFiBPSVkuI1Vf_lhzyuPeDj1fDEMz58OUgxoIFfW47V7H86zsrOwo8za208vQPu-GrhAhkBJn7nLs7j5VSxdMPFfEI4ixgTM-AEXxOTP/s320/056_56.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5054257806344238834" border="0" /></a>I opened Firefox this morning to find that there had been a horrific shooting at Virginia Tech this morning, and it’s impossible to read about events like this without being sickened by the sadness of it all. Not only did dozens of lives come to an abrupt and untimely halt, but whoever was driven to do this can’t have had a very easy life. While it might be simpler to condemn and rebuke the shooter who ended the lives of so many, God loves him deeply. Like Dale Lang did after the shooting in Taber, we have to recognize that people don’t fit into black and white categories of good and evil. CBC showed a clip of the shooting captured from outside the building from a cell phone, and hearing the shots being fired and knowing that a life ended with each of those shots was heartrending. I cried not just because 33 people had died, but also because it was such an illustration of life’s fragility. The students were gone, just like that. Seeing that gunman had a frightening capacity to kill all those people and devastate an entire community made me think about the human ability, and tendency, to mess up all the good that God created.<br /><br />I went for a walk this afternoon with Matt and took advantage of the midday sunshine and lovely cloud-smattered sky today, and despite being a pleasant spring day, there’s still a lot of mud and plant debris remaining on the ground that was previously covered up by snow. Spring muck isn’t very pretty, but I think it’s good to be reminded of the muck on a regular basis. Although it’s tempting in a week of happifying music, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/caitjane/459673015/">unitard-shopping</a>, Anne of Green Gables, and finishing classes to glaze over life’s not-so-pleasant parts, I don’t want to dismiss the hardship that is pervasive in the world. At our last small group, we were talking about how Christians often present life as simple, especially in places like Sunday school, or when dealing with arguments that run counter to our beliefs. When we fail to acknowledge the complexity of things, we’re not seeing the whole story. If someone has been taught about life and God in a shallow way that dismisses the messiness of life, whether it be in regards to sex, politics, good and evil, or justice, they’re going to have a hard time meshing their beliefs with the complications of real life. I think this is partly why so many people struggle with their faith when they get to university; they see a more complicated world, and learn things that aren’t always acknowledged in the church, and don’t know how to fit what they see and hear with what they’d come to believe in their past. Scientific theories that were denounced in a church seem to make sense, and new Muslim, Buddhist, or atheist friends are actually pretty cool, and aren’t entirely deluded in their notions about the world. When life gets messy, people who have been taught that life is always sunshiney when you’re on God’s side can find themselves lost.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg1r6b5gCLxvJ1k401GwOxYhiwbeOx3ZmlSKLzWJWRv5j2__Qwii5G_w_AKK_w3gcnLm6ZIsgHhBx_ISGck8YHC8_q2Hih8XmD_0j45_NDde-lwAWJNu4y8oJiBubI09XMwnXv/s1600-h/115_115.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg1r6b5gCLxvJ1k401GwOxYhiwbeOx3ZmlSKLzWJWRv5j2__Qwii5G_w_AKK_w3gcnLm6ZIsgHhBx_ISGck8YHC8_q2Hih8XmD_0j45_NDde-lwAWJNu4y8oJiBubI09XMwnXv/s400/115_115.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5054258214366131970" border="0" /></a>I feel blessed to know people who deal with life’s messiness with grace and joy. I had a picnic with Jen yesterday, with soda and chips and carrots (the carrots made it healthy), and we had a good talk about life. Jen has faced adversity in her life in so many ways that I can’t list them all; I feel silly complaining about various things when I think about her and how she approaches life with such trust in God and lack of selfishness. She knows deep-down that God loves her, and that one day she’ll be done with the struggles that she faces now. Her joy really is contagious, too; her laughter and capacity for silliness make me very happy. As I’ve spent time with Jen, and have grown to love her so much, I’ve learned that life’s messiness is best handled with knowledge of God’s love and a love for Him and others that makes everything else that gets complicated become less important. In a very apropos manner, I was reading a chapter in <i>Tuesdays with Morrie</i> the other day that I wish I’d read before so I could have included it in my entry from last week. It’s a conversation that I enjoyed imagining in my head:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwbQ1jWuuVOURI3tTk5vE_m4vsg6R75UQyJfHamek94ms8gg64noN_LvDj3V8vGH0NxcIZpW1Dj2JMXthIJVfe1BA87QKAm7zOpaZpKNCZHZB32IHfTs9U592dnT8K-eZOaatJ/s1600-h/IMG_156.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwbQ1jWuuVOURI3tTk5vE_m4vsg6R75UQyJfHamek94ms8gg64noN_LvDj3V8vGH0NxcIZpW1Dj2JMXthIJVfe1BA87QKAm7zOpaZpKNCZHZB32IHfTs9U592dnT8K-eZOaatJ/s320/IMG_156.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5054254009593149138" border="0" /></a>“Have I told you about the tension of opposites?” he says.<br />The tension of opposites?<br />“Life is a series of pulls back and forth. You want to do one thing, but you are bound to do something else. Something hurts you, yet you know it shouldn’t. You take certain things for granted, even when you know you should never take anything for granted.<br />“A tension of opposites, like a pull on a rubber band. And most of us live somewhere in the middle.”<br />Sounds like a wrestling match, I say.<br />“A wrestling match.” He laughs. “Yes, you could describe life that way.”<br />So which side wins, I ask?<br />“Which side wins?”<br />He smiles at me, the crinkled eyes, the crooked teeth.<br />“<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/thelongbrake/sets/72157594523991439/">Love wins.</a> Love always wins.”<br /><br />P.S. Clearly you should read <i>Tuesdays with Morrie</i>. It's rather lovely.<br />P.P.S. My mom got me a new Message yesterday, with a padded cover, numbered verses, and a satin ribbon. It's my new favourite thing.<br />P.P.P.S. Caitlin is leaving on Friday for three months to work at the Smithsonian. Then she's leaving for <b>an entire year</b> for adventures in Japan. I'm excited for her, but also sooo sad about her imminent absence. I'll have no play buddy, no one to discuss silly Christians with, no one to argue with over iced chai, and no one to keep me up to date on race relations in the country fairs of nineteenth century Europe. Adventurous and intrepid favourite friends are irksome, but I love her bunches nonetheless.<br />P.P.P.P.S. Music videos by <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZw-8RSyvh8">Alanis Morissette</a>, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8Z-DIAthbM">Feist</a>, and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YA2h9PrIUxs">Patrick Watson</a> have made me smile. Canadian musicians are clearly expert music video-makers.<span style="font-style: italic;"></span><i><i><br /><br /><object height="350" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1jYr2fDgn64"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1jYr2fDgn64" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="350" width="425"></embed></object></i></i>Caithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15665726525573758241noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11278817.post-64184416121846267062007-04-10T11:46:00.000-06:002007-04-10T17:09:21.853-06:00Living in the Tension<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC98OY2eZc7s7LIVUs5s7rClAUYG31rSCEFyu4AULGJATItXx3lzR8MqlZkgK4CZYvL1ou9i9ud7aUW3tD1mSr6DfYTqw7HUYEiKcUT3IHHe-8ILGcAUpuXTOnHat2gV7nlyGV/s1600-h/453171905_ba5765296d_b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC98OY2eZc7s7LIVUs5s7rClAUYG31rSCEFyu4AULGJATItXx3lzR8MqlZkgK4CZYvL1ou9i9ud7aUW3tD1mSr6DfYTqw7HUYEiKcUT3IHHe-8ILGcAUpuXTOnHat2gV7nlyGV/s320/453171905_ba5765296d_b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5051863301947176562" border="0" /></a>I’m often struck by the dialectics that define our lives. So often, we are required to balance the various aspects of our lives and find where we fit amongst the extremes of this world. Rarely is spending all of my energy on one activity, dwelling excessively on one line of thought, or identifying with a fundamentalist belief a very wise course of action. Instead, I think that life is lived most fully when we embrace the tension that defines it. Life is messy, and imagining it to be black and white is rather ignorant in my estimation. Fleshing through life’s muddledness can be tricky, and it’s often easier to deny the mess that we find ourselves in. In my experience, Christians especially get caught in this trap of pretending that life is uncomplicated. While the truth of life is remarkably simple (God loves you, Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life; end of story), I’ve found that living this truth out is anything but clear-cut. Without God’s guidance and dialogue with others in my life, life can get awfully confusing awfully fast. How do I live in the world, but not be <i>of</i> it? Am I dismissing the command to love God sometimes when I concentrate so heavily on the command to love others? When do I need to go beyond saying the “nice” thing, and be candid? Questions like these are tricky to flesh out on my own. But I think failing to recognize that life is complicated means that we miss out on the full potential of life; working through the complications is ultimately so gratifying, and always takes me closer to the truth.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhub9VimH2i5jeUHWWFdCLAhSLua0fyevH4JJ69dU6evWv2_cpbaNTrFNOFQqT-N5Bc-9Mnio1OohQFujAzxFTkyrZYjXPfXIIhHCZ4Ki9RN7SrKEew8SarBu0UzK4xnH56w5HC/s1600-h/453166032_26f4b46505_b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhub9VimH2i5jeUHWWFdCLAhSLua0fyevH4JJ69dU6evWv2_cpbaNTrFNOFQqT-N5Bc-9Mnio1OohQFujAzxFTkyrZYjXPfXIIhHCZ4Ki9RN7SrKEew8SarBu0UzK4xnH56w5HC/s400/453166032_26f4b46505_b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5051864929739781778" border="0" /></a><br />So often, North American Christians have supported black and white ideas like the “if you’re not with us, you’re against us” notion, despite Jesus’ converse words in Mark 9: “whoever is not against us is for us.” Jesus teaches that the weak are strong, and says, “blessed are the meek;” straightforward logic would contradict these statements. Life is not always straightforward, though. My favourite chapter in Rob Bell’s <i>Sex God</i> is the one titled “Angels and Animals” which pursues Blaise Pascal’s (AKA Bono in the Lobe household) idea that “man is neither angel nor beast.” In the context of Rob Bell’s book, this means that the church’s tendency to view ourselves as angels without flesh and a sexual side misses the point, while living as if we’re untamable animals isn’t any better, of course. Instead, recognizing the tension that exists between these two extremes, and working through this tension, is where we find the truth. I feel the struggle to flesh out life’s messiness most strongly at Easter. The days between Good Friday and Easter Sunday can be so strange because I want to remember Jesus’ sacrifice and the fact that my sin put Him on that cross, but at the same time I know that He lives again, and lives in me. (If you’re reading this, Caitlin, you’re not allowed to make fun! I know this sounds absurd. It’s true though. Too bad. Sometimes the most absurd things are the most true.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVJVTaFoCzR-KmRuhZA231IA5LgkhOi0bDESYo9kAF4ZL9BmhWox04ZXCIiIqXYpSYT82vsVk9-jqytw9mXrs1jaYtt94v7_x1QMEroTW3I9gGSIkEKwzx2xtUple5oOn7SE4z/s1600-h/453198264_279a93a683_b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVJVTaFoCzR-KmRuhZA231IA5LgkhOi0bDESYo9kAF4ZL9BmhWox04ZXCIiIqXYpSYT82vsVk9-jqytw9mXrs1jaYtt94v7_x1QMEroTW3I9gGSIkEKwzx2xtUple5oOn7SE4z/s320/453198264_279a93a683_b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5051865191732786850" border="0" /></a>I miss Zion <i>a lot</i> at Easter and Christmas, but McKernan really does have a beautiful Good Friday service that makes up for its lack of Zion-ness. Everyone takes Communion receives prayer at some point, and it’s a time of vulnerability, the kind of vulnerability that I miss from Zion. It’s a time of Communion, not just in the sense of the Eucharistic rite, but also in the sense of fellowship. I’m always struck in moments like these by the ache that people normally hide when they’re being invulnerable. Seeing people’s hurt on Friday, and thinking of Christ’s pain from the physical anguish and our heart-breaking betrayal, I feel especially aware of life’s ugliness and injustice and difficulty. Of course, I was also struck in this moment by the fact that we’re able to be in communion and receive salvation through Jesus’ blood. There was a tension in my mind between contrasting sentiments, but it was a tension that led me to a fuller understanding of that day’s significance. I want to live in the reality of life’s pain, whether it’s friends who are struggling, the suffering that so many people face on a daily basis, friends at work and school not knowing that Good Friday was <i>for them</i>, missing my old church, recognizing that it was my sin that held Him there, or simply wishing my grandparents were in town for Easter.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-YokE70WAtuHHXcExCouGiKkNWPRLPeVPbJKhnrpNw8bQToC5LFmyOnc_I5Wo13yUDIVxV8pxi3YfA3ico5AfNnlANNOr5fq9MjNxmlLXG5Ja8Qgja8EORZyw5i3DGqk2oKpj/s1600-h/453187762_d321ade4f7_b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-YokE70WAtuHHXcExCouGiKkNWPRLPeVPbJKhnrpNw8bQToC5LFmyOnc_I5Wo13yUDIVxV8pxi3YfA3ico5AfNnlANNOr5fq9MjNxmlLXG5Ja8Qgja8EORZyw5i3DGqk2oKpj/s400/453187762_d321ade4f7_b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5051861914672739906" border="0" /></a><br />Of course, I want to rejoice always, and live in the reality of life’s beauty as well. I spent the morning with my oh-so-lovable family, remembered Jesus’ self-sacrificing love with a church that I care about very much, cooked a turkey dinner with some beautiful friends, walked around in the chilly-but-sunny Albertan spring, and spent the evening with some of my favourite people enjoying fellowship, silliness, and food (even under-appreciated hot cross buns and red Ecuadorian bananas). <a href="http://mattneedsyou.blogspot.com/">Matt</a>, my corn-loathing friend behind such hit albums as <i>Can You Say Indie? Volume 3: A Collection of Kintrasts</i>, sent me Vega 4’s “Life Is Beautiful” a while ago, the chorus of which goes “life is beautiful, but it’s complicated.” It’s incredibly cliché, but true nonetheless. No matter how tough the going gets, I’ll always know God’s love and grace, which matter infinitely more than anything else. Even when life is easy peas, though, I don’t want to stop praying for friends who don’t know God’s love, I don’t want to become complacent, and I want to be able to share the burdens of others and hurt when they hurt. Life is messy, and I want to be willing to get dirty in the muddled disorder. There’s a tension in living between Jesus’ salvation-giving sacrifice and the time when God will restore everything, and there’s a tension in being part of an upside down Kingdom, and I embrace that tension.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2PdNEVU1cSQAJZVUIXwlaIBKWxd_kD7oNbyGNP4n9hgoSAAtLeVwUyXxMOkIceWth4odzYdtp5FQVuHLKk6GoZ9CgYCQwhr4W4sk6eocjw1-ho7I4z9HbBUu5lpRjaHlA3mSW/s1600-h/453218399_73f6506be3_b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2PdNEVU1cSQAJZVUIXwlaIBKWxd_kD7oNbyGNP4n9hgoSAAtLeVwUyXxMOkIceWth4odzYdtp5FQVuHLKk6GoZ9CgYCQwhr4W4sk6eocjw1-ho7I4z9HbBUu5lpRjaHlA3mSW/s320/453218399_73f6506be3_b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5051863306242143874" border="0" /></a>On another tangent, I’ve become increasingly aware of the fact that, as <a href="http://www.thelongbrake.com/blog/">Mr. Longbrake</a> puts it, the less you have, the better off you are. I was bothered by my love of clothes and pretty furniture last fall, and have been praying about it since then. I don’t really want to want possessions, but it’s hard for me to shut off that desire. God’s somehow managed to convince me of this truth (in the way that my heart knows it, not just my head), and I’m caring decreasingly about these things. There’s nothing very profound about my diminished desire to consume, but I’ve found it to be quite encouraging and freeing to know deep-down that I don’t need things, and that God can work in me in ways that don’t seem at all plausible. I finished <i>Sex God</i> the other week, and Rob Bell speaks on lust for a portion of the book. Lust, as Bell paints it, is about buying into the promise that something will gratify and fulfill us in a way that nothing but God really can. Whether it’s sex, the admiration of others, pretty turquoise Lux ballet flats from Urban Outfitters that cost $39, or a trip to NYC, the good in these things is ultimately meant to point to God and live in the joy that He intended for us; these things were not meant to replace God. I’m not a very big fan of capitalism, and our small group was pondering the inescapability of “the system” in our society last week. We can’t really not go to school and subvert the get-a-job and make-a-living way of life in North America, because each of us is best equipped to love others by following this system to some extent in a capitalistic society. But as Shane Claiborne writes, we’re called to do “small things with great love,” whether in Calcutta, the grocery store, or our workplaces. It kind of stinks that I have to be a part of this system, but God can work even in this greed-based society that we’ve created (amazingly enough).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu7MQeXGOcrvzqtDLyCCbIF-27U7mWlJz5I-TT2IutIVPZkPEVuYiHgYyBVX7RV613MedAe8CyrHGW1iJo7nlH_Oi0NCgOCtv9-S5Z4iEEn02RMrBEtxu0iigDT3N2MnykPV6a/s1600-h/453211640_bd537d605f_b.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu7MQeXGOcrvzqtDLyCCbIF-27U7mWlJz5I-TT2IutIVPZkPEVuYiHgYyBVX7RV613MedAe8CyrHGW1iJo7nlH_Oi0NCgOCtv9-S5Z4iEEn02RMrBEtxu0iigDT3N2MnykPV6a/s400/453211640_bd537d605f_b.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5051861918967707218" border="0" /></a><br />I would just like to reiterate how beautiful life is as I wrap up today’s blog entry. This morning, I woke up at 5:30 for some reason or other, and the sky was too beautiful to not get up and enjoy. I love orange skies, no matter what C&C non-city friends say about the city sky. The orange just looks so warm, and reminds me that there are people all around me contributing to the orangeness of the sky in some indirect way. Especially at 5:30 in the morning, God’s presence is so very apparent, even in the sky and falling snow and frosty wind. I was pondering God and life and people (the best things to ponder, of course), and the sky became the most remarkable shade of indigo purple. It was a beautiful moment, and it was so clear that God is so much bigger than anything else I’m facing. He’s bigger than the hardships of my friends, the things that money can buy, the poverty and injustice that exist in this world, and my exams and assignments and readings. He’s much bigger than even the sky, which is, of course, the biggest thing I’ve ever seen in my entire life. There’s not really anything more comforting than that. Not that His bigness or the backwardness of capitalism and competition give me an excuse to not care about any of the aforementioned things, but the fact that He loves me unconditionally and matters more than any of these things gives me a great deal of peace. And with that, I’m off to study! I trust that you’re all <i>enjoying</i> the snow rather than bemoaning it ceaselessly, as has become a trend at work. It’s cold and a nuisance, and really not suitable for springtime, but if you resolve to enjoy its delicate prettiness, it’s much more bearable.<br /><br />P.S. Any of you who voted for peas on Saturday night have pained me deeply. Your betrayal was very harsh, and I don’t think I will ever cook corn for you again. Except that I will cook it again because you must all learn that corn is FAR superior to putrescent peas.<br />P.P.S. I am currently in love with Patrick Watson’s “The Great Escape.” Find a copy of it for yourself; he’s my latest favourite Canadian artist.<br />P.P.P.S. John Mayer is here in 18 days! And then Feist! And the Police! Plus, with K-Days, the Folk Fest, jazz concerts, and various other music fun, I’m exceedingly thrilled about the music that this summer has in store for Cait et al.<br />P.P.P.P.S. Jesus died for <i>you</i>. I pray that you know that deep-down.<br /><br /><object height="350" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/InNdEWXWtsA"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/InNdEWXWtsA" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="350" width="425"></embed></object>Caithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15665726525573758241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11278817.post-11490449263439116422007-03-16T02:41:00.000-06:002007-03-22T08:59:20.409-06:00Rules Schmules (Or Perhaps Not)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbpN7hr3I0AA7zqNoJ1S8bOpoMDrYQuhh8S5Ks_xH4iOZF0x7-VSVz9d5l2Ptdjc2Gti_Ijl6nAHkNTF9VsG6Rtlng-sWwetGvAbn0S35SJJsbPZF8ftab9-ftgmgtPb-7vCo3/s1600-h/IMG_9880.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbpN7hr3I0AA7zqNoJ1S8bOpoMDrYQuhh8S5Ks_xH4iOZF0x7-VSVz9d5l2Ptdjc2Gti_Ijl6nAHkNTF9VsG6Rtlng-sWwetGvAbn0S35SJJsbPZF8ftab9-ftgmgtPb-7vCo3/s320/IMG_9880.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5042816841828302450" border="0" /></a>Quite often, I find rules to be ridiculous. The fact that brown belts can’t be paired with black shoes, that the commencement of a play must be greeted with applause, and the way in which guys often feel obligated to open doors exclusively for girls strikes me as kind of laughable. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/caitjane/317154189/in/photostream/">Ben</a> (who is back!! <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/caitjane/317154188/in/photostream/">I missed him</a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/caitjane/317154189/in/photostream/"></a>!!) was arguing the merits of the latter item in that list this week, not surprisingly. His only explanation for why he feels compelled to open doors and pay for girls was based on the historical practice of such acts of chivalry. In truth, I’m not deeply troubled by boys opening doors for me, though sometimes I can’t help but giggle, nor am I going to refrain from clapping for a few moments when the curtains open at the Citadel just because I find it silly, but many implicit rules that our society has adopted are more significant and bothersome. Some rules have a profound impact on how we live day-to-day, and can be both unhelpful and unhealthy, whether it’s certain discussion-worthy topics becoming taboo, our unquestioning acceptance of some forms of authority, or the increasing unacceptability of greeting an unfamiliar passerby on walks down Whyte. Often, it’s Christian-created rules that bother me the most; I think it’s limiting to when we create set ways that we worship and pray in, make sometimes excessively-defined gender roles, and avoid acknowledging that we drink/dance/play poker (etcetera!) outside of church. I think it’s simplistic to think that there are set formulas that we can teach people to facilitate their courtship practices, “save” their non-Christian friends, maintain their sexual purity, be happy, and so on. People are individuals, and few formulas in life apply to everyone. If we want a formula, the combination of prayer, Bible-reading, and community generally diminish the need for silly “Ingredients to Success” lists. God created us to be individuals, and synthetic rules might be helpful to one person, but could easily be detrimental to another.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1pQumalUjG7el3WMYRLXwhULRPkERvrj4pkAHq5_QLE9y4HrJSWc18pJA_ZnnGaFu_iivOwu7UmVUhSXsfKvogTkwOlrrcXdK4JsUxCHEyNvOCIfs2POWB4PaZ2bV75XiD_v1/s1600-h/IMG_9823.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1pQumalUjG7el3WMYRLXwhULRPkERvrj4pkAHq5_QLE9y4HrJSWc18pJA_ZnnGaFu_iivOwu7UmVUhSXsfKvogTkwOlrrcXdK4JsUxCHEyNvOCIfs2POWB4PaZ2bV75XiD_v1/s400/IMG_9823.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5042812147429047794" border="0" /></a><br />All this is to say that I’m not fond of certain manmade rules. But more than I’d like to think, my distaste for some expectations keeps me from recognizing the importance of truly important rules. I believe that God commanded us to do things for our own good; a command to be joyful has obvious merits, and even the not-so-obviously-valuable commandment not to covet is hard to argue with. God loves us, and wants us to live the rich lives, living this life can sometimes feel like a narrow path I think. This week, in various ways, I’ve seen how important some of these guidelines are, in situations that went south because of a lack of listening to God, or blessings that comes out of abiding by His rules even when it’s annoying and inconvenient (sometimes God asks me to do things that I find bothersome; I’ve found that it’s pretty much always a good idea to listen to Him though). The idea that as Christians, we should go to church on Sundays seems so rigid and arbitrary to me, but without consistent community and learning that a church body provides, it’s so hard to live “well” in that Christian sense, I think. God’s idea of marriage, too, is an idea that I am rather keen on, but a lot of people I talk about it with struggle with the restriction of it. When people do things their own way, it’ doesn’t always go so well. He’s shown me this week that He really does know best, and that when He’s not our Lord, things can get awfully messed up awfully fast. He never created these rules out of power-thirst; He created them out of love. I know this is vague, but I’ve found it to be a comfort this week to know that even when rules seem limiting and “fun-sucking,” as Crystal would say, they’re there for a reason. Despite my tendency to frown upon strange and arbitrary synthesized rules, there are rules that were made by Someone who knows better, and while my following them might sometimes seem futile, I’d like to think that it never really is.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSFGROcimshvJnX5WRNX0SSwQvhu1-8wwtNvT4VN8UxidDU7lUnGkiCbel1UZwxILx8V61A2L30-EXjoSCWDXMRjxnEuIr6fNwYLEK07fKun8DE3dxwYySlmkAzbWi0evkUqW_/s1600-h/IMG_9688.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSFGROcimshvJnX5WRNX0SSwQvhu1-8wwtNvT4VN8UxidDU7lUnGkiCbel1UZwxILx8V61A2L30-EXjoSCWDXMRjxnEuIr6fNwYLEK07fKun8DE3dxwYySlmkAzbWi0evkUqW_/s400/IMG_9688.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5042812143134080482" border="0" /></a><br />I’ve been journaling about apathy and pride this week, neither of which are necessarily pleasant topics, but I’ve enjoyed the catharsis that comes along with writing about things. However, as I have decided from typing the past two paragraphs, some things aren’t blogged about so easily, so I shall refrain continuing my discussion of things learned this week! It’s been one of those weeks that is hectic and stressful, but somehow pleasant nonetheless. I’d be praying about something particular that was on my mind, and would open my devotionals, or turn to a page in my Bible, only to find that what I was reading something that addressed precisely what I’d been pondering. (At one point I was wondering to God what exactly a radical life looks like, as this is something I’ve been trying to define recently, and I opened my devotionals to find that that days’ readings were titled “A Radical Life.”) Sometimes there are just too many coincidences at once for all of them to be actual coincidences; I love when God’s presence is so very tangible. Friends, too, have brightened a taxing week. As aforementioned, Ben is back, and it was so good to catch up with him (I even enjoyed a violent, gender-stereotyping, intellectually limited film, which was quite momentous).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1BT6FSTHA3k-hErGUw4CCYGaOThyphenhyphenNcZywZQ4t0bVL7jp0gBK640-8JWiUA3oyQdNUd0HDq3qZGv6p1mzZ6J_NjOcAUGBhBz3IQq-ZPOj93IMXJRKqrlhN6XTG-t4nNH_b3nkN/s1600-h/IMG_9749.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1BT6FSTHA3k-hErGUw4CCYGaOThyphenhyphenNcZywZQ4t0bVL7jp0gBK640-8JWiUA3oyQdNUd0HDq3qZGv6p1mzZ6J_NjOcAUGBhBz3IQq-ZPOj93IMXJRKqrlhN6XTG-t4nNH_b3nkN/s320/IMG_9749.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5042816837533335138" border="0" /></a>On the other end of the friend spectrum, my wonderful co-CJ friend, who likes to remain “Anonymous” in the blogosphere, met up with me for some iced Vietnamese coffee and chai today, and just chatting with her while sitting on strange tin chairs was so delightful. It’s nice to know that she’s remained as droll, clever, and lovely as she was in the days of mocking rat-loving LA teachers and lying about her father’s career (for more than two years!). She hooked me up with a cute little book on feminism, and made a brilliant sales pitch for the anti-racism concert she’s involved in next week; the fact that I hung out with both Ben and her this week makes me laugh. Jess was THE BEST study buddy over the past few days, the kind that says nice, supportive things and eats taco chips in bed with you, but also tell you to stop looking up “pecuniary” in the thesaurus when studying is necessary. (But really, isn't pecuniary a great word? I'm endeavouring to use it more regularly.) Jess and I have a new favourite song by Of Montreal titled “Wraith Pinned to the Mist and Other Games,” and it’s definitely one of our best romantic theme songs of all time (it’s wise to have romantic theme songs with friends; Korp and I recently selected one from our choir repertoire, and we make kissing/eyelash-batting signals whenever we sing it at practice). Plus, dinner with some of my favourite sadistic people tonight was full of laughter, blushing, and general contentment. Crystal even confirmed that she’s going to watch Star Wars, something that she’s been avoiding for nearly a year.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-nQvxig37MeNAdB6s80d2hj8xMq2AXTP9_JUBlx1qwDeZuej9L987uj7hKopTi43nbgTVLFjI6szzLKIs4Yh_LnX8_SJnP2UdZ1DnMlOuK8XJNphM54ZsohVmDpaHZzwXHZ00/s1600-h/IMG_9875.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-nQvxig37MeNAdB6s80d2hj8xMq2AXTP9_JUBlx1qwDeZuej9L987uj7hKopTi43nbgTVLFjI6szzLKIs4Yh_LnX8_SJnP2UdZ1DnMlOuK8XJNphM54ZsohVmDpaHZzwXHZ00/s400/IMG_9875.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5042812151724015106" border="0" /></a><br />Basically, people make life lovely even when school attempts to make it torturously painful. I had a midterm yesterday and today, and am currently writing an essay on the evolutionary theories related rape, which is rather depressing to research as you might imagine. Fortunately, writing and researching papers is far more stimulating than reading textbooks for hours on end, and I no longer have to write about <i>A Knight’s Tale</i>, which turned out to be a very unwise essay topic indeed. Besides textbooks and articles about the trauma of domestic abuse, I’ve been reading <i>Sex God</i> and <i>Tuesdays with Morrie</i> this week; these are both highly recommendable books, and thus, I am recommending them to you. As an aside, I will inform you that I struggled to find a copy of <i>Sex God</i> in Edmonton at first, and resultingly had to phone various book stores asking “Do you have a copy of <i>Sex God</i> in?” I found this to be slightly mortifying. Even worse was when I went to Chapters to get the copy that I’d finally got on hold, and the clerk very clearly thought that it was some Kama Sutra-esque book, and mouthed the title (refusing to say it aloud) when confirming that this was, indeed, the book that I wanted to read. He showed me the cover, and proceeded to ring it through without making eye contact or speaking again. In fact, <i>Sex God</i> is a Christian book about humanity, intimacy, desires, and so on; the clerk was evidently not aware of this. I really should be off to bed before the St. Patty’s bonanza that awaits me at work tomorrow morning, so I shall bid you all goodnight! I feel I should apologize for the excessive futility of this entry. This has been my break from reading articles, and I’m clearly not in a writing groove right now (hopefully this serves as a warm up for paper-writing tomorrow). Happy St. Patty’s Day my dear Irish and not-so-Irish friends!<br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/gO_0Mcf9TiQ"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/gO_0Mcf9TiQ" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br />P.S. <a href="http://virb.com/caitjane">Virb.com</a> is going to replace Facebook and MySpace in 5 years. For now, I have made friends with Bloc Party while the rest of you remain satisfied with Facebook. 5 years, though, and you'll all be my Virb-buddies. Mark my words.<br />P.P.S. Puddles and sunshine and pleasant breezes make spring one of my favourite seasons. When wearing rainboots, the vast amount of mud is exceedingly enjoyable. My puffer jacket is officially stored away until next winter. I hope you're making the most of this pleasant time of year!<br />P.P.P.S. Conrad Black is difficult to love. His last name describes his heart quite suitably, I think. I am glad that Jean Chrétien was mean to him.Caithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15665726525573758241noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11278817.post-68263796985459722332007-02-26T21:15:00.000-07:002007-02-26T23:58:02.226-07:00Thank Goodness for "Good Days"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQHLXFlMSsIzicp0p6Go95zeJuqRWEiCZpClJByd3sJPGSSPPaR0sHPoV-dwqqoVmnhu_brEvBny1-XTyyb9qz6sj6wCssH2m9QWh8tcXJduVgxDn2YLhtn0fH3O5C2Xqi4nY/s1600-h/IMG_9478.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZQHLXFlMSsIzicp0p6Go95zeJuqRWEiCZpClJByd3sJPGSSPPaR0sHPoV-dwqqoVmnhu_brEvBny1-XTyyb9qz6sj6wCssH2m9QWh8tcXJduVgxDn2YLhtn0fH3O5C2Xqi4nY/s320/IMG_9478.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5036083513232643762" border="0" /></a>Today is a good day. Not that every day isn’t or can’t be a good day (hurrah for double negatives!), but usually there are two or three days in a week that are especially pleasant. On those particular days, the sun shines a little bit brighter, people are slightly more sympathetic, and all the little things that a day is made up of are somehow more delightful. Today, I saw a row of trees with matching lichen, watched as neighbours helped each other shovel their walks, and walked down my old block, among other things. There’s nothing exceptionally remarkable about those things, but the small things in life are my favourite ones I think. It’s so cool to see how detailed God’s creation is, whether in the way that water sticks to itself when my spoon slithers in and out of it, or the amusement of moving my static-y hair from side to side. On good days, these little things are magnified. When Jess and I were younger, we had designated “good days.” Friday was <i>always</i> a good day, and then usually another day, made special by a new episode of Star Trek or a visit from Auntie Anne and Uncle Tim with Frosty Dairy Desserts (it was necessary to call them “Frosty Dairy Desserts” rather than Frosties; I was a highly snobby child). On these good days, we would save our best underwear, favourite <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/caitjane/253317863/">brightly-coloured tights</a>, and save one of Grandma’s famous buns to eat on that day. I like that we were able to appreciate how wonderful it was that even underwear could be cool, and that a fist-sized homemade bun could make one’s day. I hope I never grow out of getting excited over trivial things; I’m quite sure that my parents haven’t grown out of the fascination with small details (my mom shouts exclamations of joy when she sees anything in a shade of robin egg blue), but I think it’s very easy for life to become slots of time rather than an experience of God’s creation. Life’s a feast for the senses; we have five of them for a reason.<br /><br />Onto an equally self-indulgent topic, last night was Oscars night, and as aforementioned, they were rather fantastic as usual. I read quite a few articles by disappointed journalists this morning, and it’s true that the 79th Academy Awards were deficient in politics and ridiculousness, but the awards themselves were decently allocated (especially because I won the prediction competition, a fact which I will savour rubbing in for at least a few weeks). I was slightly appalled by the fact that <i>The Departed</i> earned Best Picture Oscar, just as Brokeback’s loss last year was so inexcusable, but at least Martin Scorsese finally earned his little statuette, albeit entirely out of sympathy. <a href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=K1lDBx1gBww">Ellen</a> was overall disappointingly unfunny, and although John C. Reilly, Will Ferrell, and Jack Black partially made up for this fact, Jon Stewart certainly outshone her last year. Pan’s Labyrinth deservedly won a number of Oscars, and the Mexican award-acceptors for the movie were excellently cute and Mexican. Not so cute at the awards last night was Jack Nicholson; he is a mainstay at the Oscars, with his trademark glasses and incredible amusement at everything, but it really is disarming to see him sans-hair. Jess and I used to listen to this tape of the story of the Elephant's Child when we <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/caitjane/253322924/in/set-72157594300708072/">drove to and from Vancouver</a>, and Jack Nicholson voiced the story; I will forever think of him as the horrifying and murderous crocodile , and seeing him with a chrome dome makes him seem all the more creepy and crocodilish.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7LwJkdcK3dVEU1LJEaRnEDCnuXiRihEIS7LRJ0OIjRh6rfWOg_G0CG2VqAKWCkeYSZTO90F6RDa_UZweIFRblHaiFXVMKevJmsAEyprKAJqoBL2-4G_mcCnaZJ8ZLxzUYxM_X/s1600-h/IMG_9694.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7LwJkdcK3dVEU1LJEaRnEDCnuXiRihEIS7LRJ0OIjRh6rfWOg_G0CG2VqAKWCkeYSZTO90F6RDa_UZweIFRblHaiFXVMKevJmsAEyprKAJqoBL2-4G_mcCnaZJ8ZLxzUYxM_X/s400/IMG_9694.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5036084020038784706" border="0" /></a><br />Also bizarre in the hair department was my beloved Philip Seymour Hoffman, who looked strikingly similar to me when I was 2 and combed Zincofax (diaper cream) all through my hair. I realize that actors are forced to tolerate strange hairstyles for film roles, but couldn’t he have washed his hair prior to walking the red carpet? As for all the acting awards, I think the Academy chose well. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BK9Bhdemtuc">Alan Arkin</a> was wonderful in <i>Little Miss Sunshine</i>, and my family said that Forest Whitaker was brilliant in <i>Last King of Scotland</i>. Jennifer Hudson is so very adorable and ingenuous, and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cosG57WdmnY">Helen Mirren</a> embodies the sort of older person I’d like to be: dignified and intelligent, yet still silly enough to <a href="http://popsugar.com/gallery/35507?page=25?sidcheck=1&idcheck=1">ham it up</a> with Jamie Foxx and Vince Vaughn. Peter Sarsgaard and Maggie Gyllenhaal made an appearance at the awards, and not only was she wearing Proenza & Schouler (my favouritest designers of all), but they remain the cutest, smartest, and most likable celebrity couple of all. They're daughter Ramona Sarsgaard-Gyllenhaal is in very good hands. Perhaps my favourite moment of the night, next to the comedy musical, was Beyoncé's admirable attempt to appear not at all jealous of Jennifer Hudson; at one point, she had to sing the line "You're the best!" to J-Hud (as she is apparently now called), and her fake smile was so massive that I thought her lips might split in two. All in all, it was a first-rate night despite the group of us being tired for various reasons, namely returning from foreign countries, writing essays all weekend, and facing the grim prospect of school the next day.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyrrEMesMjThZ_LERX60L2VWShN-1Airi0ji7IUpur8XJWPpJEbgL0eY7iensG-8P4cIGoJHhLPEtIMB2x1BQqqkDl8VVhrRIAl8OeHKiXk76psEqau0XY0bjvQo98jaGpu21s/s1600-h/IMG_9626.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyrrEMesMjThZ_LERX60L2VWShN-1Airi0ji7IUpur8XJWPpJEbgL0eY7iensG-8P4cIGoJHhLPEtIMB2x1BQqqkDl8VVhrRIAl8OeHKiXk76psEqau0XY0bjvQo98jaGpu21s/s400/IMG_9626.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5036084024333752018" border="0" /></a><br />Among the extraneous tidbits of my life, I miss reading week a wee bit. I slept 2 hours (a truly awful amount of time to sleep!) last night after editing my essay on the awfulness of racial profiling, and missed my first class due to issues with our upstairs printer, heretofore known as The Printer of Death. It was an interesting essay to research, and the issue has more complexity than I initially thought, but I’m glad to be done with reading about the horridness of American law enforcement and inherent Canadian racism. On a happy note, my gashed lip and toe from dancing are pretty much entirely healed, and I’ve missed not a single call on Owen since the weekend! Plus, I’m enjoying the spring cleaning that I did over reading week, despite the family room being taken over by Jess’ <a href="http://youtube.com/watch?v=MlVpCcJ-89s">Rube Goldberg machine</a> for Science Olympics. Her all-girl team is always really intense, and like to make all of their contraptions pink for some absurd reason; last year, they won the silver medal out of dozens of teams (they’re little mad scientists except with prettier hair). Jess recently got seriously gorgeous new glasses after Mitchell Buyer playfully threw his school bag <b>at her face</b> and broke her previous pair. They’re almost as cool as Jude Law’s specs in <i>The Holiday</i>.<br /><br />Jess has also joined Facebook, which is really rather fun, except that she doesn’t quite understand how it works yet. I sent her a message days ago, she replied <span style="font-style: italic;">on her own wall</span> (gasp!), and proceeded to simply delete her message. But basically this provides another opportunity for me to barrage Jess with my thoughts on various topics. The ability to tag her in pictures by which she is embarrassed is quite happifying as well. I’ve got a fun week of midterms ahead of me, so I should likely get to some reading and reviewing! Although I suspect that no amount of studying will help me with one Michael Snyder’s entirely capricious marking schemes (Betty and Nicole and I concur that he is certainly the worst professor we have ever encountered in our years at the University of Alberta; he derides refugees for pity’s sake). But studying does have its benefits, including the learning of strange terms, reason to create memory-aiding rhymes, and an excuse to do my laundry later on. I hope you're all having excellent Seasons of Lent; flowers and sunshine and Easter are just around the bend!<br /><br /><object height="350" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/qB6mh3ISsmM"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qB6mh3ISsmM" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="350" width="425"></object></today>Caithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15665726525573758241noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11278817.post-84103433049743261582007-02-25T23:57:00.000-07:002007-02-26T00:01:55.339-07:00An Entry Written Whilst Essay Writing<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnMLz46Rl6uD6uPJca6qanNWsfMdEzdPktOgxrqkWggT_C7C3Hcs3x6CfVTzn41WGPr5ppoEQdoSaIikXpqk9iWD8HteRW4cYSD6Wd1cqBYOqUkAKsLU4r2w6IGomLlKy2ZFN6/s1600-h/Picture+4.png"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnMLz46Rl6uD6uPJca6qanNWsfMdEzdPktOgxrqkWggT_C7C3Hcs3x6CfVTzn41WGPr5ppoEQdoSaIikXpqk9iWD8HteRW4cYSD6Wd1cqBYOqUkAKsLU4r2w6IGomLlKy2ZFN6/s400/Picture+4.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5035734487010301554" /></a>The Oscars were smashingly excellent, although they lacked the shock value and hilarity of last year, I must admit (there was nothing on par with the absurdity of Three 6 Mafia, and no speeches given in complete hysterics). I did, just for the record, win the award-winner-prediction contest, although Matt was only one behind (one of my correct guesses was disqualified by a highly biased jury), and I ate enough potato chips to feed a small country. There’s much to discuss about the Oscars, but I must keep this concise, as this is only my break from finishing a paper on racial profiling. I’ll have to write an Oscar entry later this week when school and work settle down a bit, and after I’ve heard the podcast’s feelings on the whole shebang. On another note, I’m quite sad to see reading week come to an end; it was a week full of silliness, partying with dear friends, much movie-watching, reading, and generally being languorous. I’m rather exhausted tonight after writing an essay for much of the day (that rhymed!), but I certainly had enough rest this past week to last a while. This is likely <i>the</i> most pointless blog entry of all time, but it made for a good break from reading about charter sections and examiner bias. Anyhow, discussion of racial profiling awaits!<br /><br />P.S. It is true. I <i>do</i> bear a striking resemblance to the Oscar statuette. It’s simply uncanny.Caithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15665726525573758241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11278817.post-84288689597322255482007-02-15T21:47:00.000-07:002007-02-23T20:28:43.126-07:00Love, Angel, Music, Baby (- Babies and Angels)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://compassion.ca/"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibFpnfwXs7xfKWNEiR2AbBBCgmPmJUimTW9HpUON59WrB0yThwXjPS9gP-cnBCU38J5sNNpgw5xdV2__glRqm1OH2jRUCGels585I69guztJQ363zU1ZBPnzKg9LuT1Q0iVz3u/s320/CO1290928.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5031991844133802786" border="0" /></a>I’ve been waiting for this day for a while now; not only am I done midterms until after reading week, but the Oscars are a mere <span style="font-style: italic;">ten</span> days away (!!!), and tonight is TV bonanza night wherein Jess and I discover whether or not Meredith Grey survived her <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4D_HkXdNZwM">encounter with the choppy Seattle waters</a>. Contrary to what <i>certain</i> people say, Grey’s Anatomy is rather suspenseful in many respects, and it is extremely possible that Meredith will kick the bucket tonight; a very small part of me hopes that she does die to prove my correctness. February is officially one of my favourite months; the days are getting exponentially longer (the sunrise this morning could actually be enjoyed while I munched on some breakfast!), and it’s jam-packed with my two favourite things to top all my thousands and thousands of favourite things: love and music. In my life, there always seem to be a couple of recurrent themes that I ponder at any given moment, varying from how colours mix together, to the merits conventional evangelism. Delightfully enough, music and love have been intermittent throughout this month, making for a good month indeed. Sunday night was Grammy night in Hollywood, and I was quite thrilled by the musical gong show, despite missing much of the ceremony while out at a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Constant_Wife">feminist play</a> with Caitlin (it was a seriously strange play, but written by a tormented soul, so I was correspondingly informed that I should appreciate it more).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEpABZkzwYps8A3zmCrJrCCrP99OHMf2CuPHpND2CsiPon3yZ8WNWCtgmHYqV7OMCdQOQ3hj0ReJ_CYMcZIgm7bOnuVm84VldD9X0raimq3ZOlvNpHSoxflCafOXbGR5FwX3R4/s1600-h/Picture+6.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEpABZkzwYps8A3zmCrJrCCrP99OHMf2CuPHpND2CsiPon3yZ8WNWCtgmHYqV7OMCdQOQ3hj0ReJ_CYMcZIgm7bOnuVm84VldD9X0raimq3ZOlvNpHSoxflCafOXbGR5FwX3R4/s400/Picture+6.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5032162504659309506" border="0" /></a><br />I love that my whole family gets into the Grammys; my parents watched it upstairs in their room because they’re sleepyheads, while Jess and I watched downstairs in the family room, and throughout the show we yelled our excitement and thoughts on the performances and award recipients across the house. Quentin Tarantino announcing a nominee list in an at least slightly wasted state was almost a musical feat in itself; I’m pretty sure that he got up to 100 dB. Additionally, performances by Gnarls Barkley, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TevTN5a6nr0">Corrinne Bailie Rae</a>, Mary J. Blige, and The Police made the night particularly memorable. We saw Sting and Annie Lennox in concert a couple of years ago, and he’s decidedly better with his old band than without them. Other mentionable musical events this month include new music from Acrade Fire, Bloc Party, Jann Arden, Sondre Lerche, The Shins, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, and Nickelback (haha)! (Arcade Fire is playing SNL next weekend, too; I’m definitely taping that episode.) The release of CYSI Vol 2, which you really must have the CYSI Mail Service deliver, has also added to the month of February, and facilitates much dancing fun with Jess. There are a ton of new favourite songs contained on this release, including one about children of December. People <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/December_18">born in December</a> are the coolest people of all. FYI, I have come up with a new dance move which is actually the best thing <i>ever</i>. It’s really embarrassing to perform for other people, and thus I can’t show anyone but Jess, but you can trust me on this one.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8CjbpSLsz7DS9lITSOb_Xpqv-qMg2pgWxc9-gkGMxdJa_vIuFCuIOnmHhrrKlt_rZ7mSh4fCn7q6WllIE5BQ7bIc8bl1kIPBcYLAQf2IuGOI0mmIEYGQhkTli_CuRI99ZOKKr/s1600-h/IMG_9073.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8CjbpSLsz7DS9lITSOb_Xpqv-qMg2pgWxc9-gkGMxdJa_vIuFCuIOnmHhrrKlt_rZ7mSh4fCn7q6WllIE5BQ7bIc8bl1kIPBcYLAQf2IuGOI0mmIEYGQhkTli_CuRI99ZOKKr/s400/IMG_9073.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5032003745488180050" border="0" /></a><br />My parents have been to a gazillion concerts as of late, and although I’ve been pretty jealous of their enjoyment of Alexander Escavado, and Emmylou Harris, Van Morrison, they give me hope that I can be just as much of an audiophile in 30 odd years (my mom turns 50 in a month; this is exceedingly exciting). For my entire life, I’ve been anomalous in terms of my maturity levels. Since I can remember, I’ve always liked pondering, discussing, writing, and getting involved in rather serious issues, be they political, spiritual, or intellectual. However, at the same time, I’m one of the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/caitjane/253323646/in/set-72157594300708072/">nuttiest and most eccentric</a> people I know (around really close friends and family; only Jess has seen the extent of my hardcore ridiculousness). Thus, growing up has been strange for me. I don’t really want to lose the harebrained side of me, and I feel as though I’ve known who I am in terms of my tastes, passions, concerns, callings, and beliefs since grade 8 (that was such a good year). Not to say that I haven’t had loads of growing up to do in the past decade or so, but it’s been an odd manner of maturing. I’m quite certain that I’m forever going to be an oddly intense, serious, and silly individual who has no interest in “traffic,” and I kind of like knowing that. I really, really love children and elderly people, above any other group of people, and this is in part because I relate to them most, I think. Children appreciate the small things in life, whether the colour of their favourite milk glass, or the insanity of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NjrdkJYU-k&mode=related&search=">Mary Poppin’s</a> carpet bag. They know how to be spontaneous and creative, and aren’t afraid to be emotional. Most elderly people seem to have learned that life can be tragic and harsh much of the time, but know from experience that people and situations can be redeemed. They’ve realized what the important things in life are, and have a strong sense of who they are. I aspire to be a child at heart with an old soul.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIGBKrffz0VfkuHXFPp1B6ACmloiQy1D2ws4enc3qky4aeVVV0tz2E9EkBzp-foHpOOG5hQVBI1psSHfCqIg3oMebqQC0Rw7X_NYVUgGb2d1hJnIU8MLwmAX29ATPxzwWVo058/s1600-h/V-Day.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIGBKrffz0VfkuHXFPp1B6ACmloiQy1D2ws4enc3qky4aeVVV0tz2E9EkBzp-foHpOOG5hQVBI1psSHfCqIg3oMebqQC0Rw7X_NYVUgGb2d1hJnIU8MLwmAX29ATPxzwWVo058/s400/V-Day.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5032008680405603234" border="0" /></a>As for the love theme in February, yesterday was obviously Love Day. At my house, this involves Jess and I making up horrifying love stories for each other (Jess is in love with Elvis Stojko, and enjoys hooking up with playas) while my parents are adorably cheesy and even more vomit inducingly affectionate, though this year Valentine’s festivities took place a day early as my dad is in Calgary playing various “unChristian" card games with his friends, among other things, for teacher’s convention. My grandma made us her world famous Valentine’s Day cookies, and I wore clothing in various shades of pink and red. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/caitjane/sets/72157594536759864/">“Rob” got Crystal flowers</a>, which was so very sweet of him; only <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/caitjane/390811855/in/set-72157594536759864/">a truly magnificent person</a> would get Crystal flowers for Valentine’s Day. Plus, I bought $18 worth of heart-shaped Belgian marshmallows on Tuesday (that’s a lot of Belgian marshmallows: mmmm…) and have been slowly munching on my considerable stockpile. There’s an awful lot of <a href="http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/valentines/valentine-loathing.html">anti-Valentine’s rhetoric</a>, but I really think it’s kind of silly. Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be commercialized if you don’t want it to be; it’s only a superficial day if you let it be. It is silly only to tell the people you love loads and loads that you love them loads and loads once a year, but one day to do this especially, and to have fun with it, strikes me as kind of wonderful. Also, I think that St. Valentine was incredibly cool, and certainly deserves a day in semi-commemoration of his love of God, and love deserves at least one day where we think of it especially. After all, life at its very best is all about loving God, loving others, and loving life.<br /><br />Providentially, I’ve been reading 1 John for the past two weeks. Yes reading four chapters in two weeks is kind of silly, but my devotions have been taking it slow recently; we’ve been reading 10 verses a day, but they’re such good verses with so much to unpack! 1 John is definitely a good book in <i>the</i> Good Book. John, or who we think was John at least, talks about love in such a great way, and his writing rings so true, and gives me much cause to think. I could talk about love for ages and ages, and would likely bore everyone, so I’ll restrain myself, but suffice it to say that reading John’s thoughts on a temporally appropriate subject makes me smile. Onto an unrelated topic, my family’s going to see <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSM3FL7zUdw&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fjohnmayer%2Ecom%2Fblog">John Mayer</a> in April. We love John Mayer sooo much, and have been huge fans ever since <i>Heavier Things</i>. My mom recently signed us up for his fan club, so that we could reap the benefits of being official Mr. Jessica Simpson aficionados, and resultingly we had first dibs on tickets to the concert. WE’RE SITTING IN THE SEVENTEENTH ROW. ON THE FLOOR. Words cannot express my excitement! John Mayer is supposed to be simply awesome live, and I’ll be done exams by April 28, so it should be a perfectly lovely night out. I can’t wait until the end of April!! I’m hoping to find a job working with children, and plan to do a great deal of camping, longboarding, and adventure-making this summer. My parents are going to NYC too (<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/caitjane/sets/72157594325514974/">they’re <i>such</i> copycats</a>), so I’m so stoked for them!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsds0izw58VGSBqVL1wDHLCRRgkmoEAjWO0u5kpBVgd8Evp1tV7lS5lVNhWnJafoNehywihrn5dYmGetuyidGqZdFbeqRotpSNpy851s1n9UA8GUtxpmvrrt6N_7V8arkwBUfe/s1600-h/n120400114_30132927_4731.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsds0izw58VGSBqVL1wDHLCRRgkmoEAjWO0u5kpBVgd8Evp1tV7lS5lVNhWnJafoNehywihrn5dYmGetuyidGqZdFbeqRotpSNpy851s1n9UA8GUtxpmvrrt6N_7V8arkwBUfe/s320/n120400114_30132927_4731.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5031991844133802802" border="0" /></a>Another exciting upcoming event is reading week! Crocheting, catching some films, a party or two, lunching with friends, sunrise walks in the river valley, baking, making movies with Andrew, and reading await. Plus, my family has the long weekend for family day, so we can have extra fun; we’re watching <a href="http://www.apple.com/trailers/thinkfilm/halfnelson/"><i>Half Nelson</i></a> tomorrow when my dad returns home from his Cow Town bonanza, and a weekend spent with Jess promises to be great fun. We’ve now compiled Jess’ grad outfit, and it’s <i>so</i> deliciously pretty! Jess caved, and chose the shoes that I liked and she didn’t, and her dress is BCBG Max Azaria (the best dresses of all time!). My smarty-pants sister is going to be über-gorgeous at Grad 2007. Also over reading week is the C&C missions trip to Jamaica, which I’m so excited about for all of my friends heading over to the Land of Rasta. Crystal is taking my horrifically disgusting money belt (pictured coming through my belt loops in NYC on the left), and has promised to search high (haha… high… Rasta…) and low for a crochet <a href="http://www.gryphonart.com/images/rasta_hat2.jpg">Rasta hat</a> for me. I’ll be praying for you guys and can’t to wait to hear all of your stories! I’ll miss hearing from you all for an entire week. As an aside to my small group members, the C&C Courier comes out very soon, and you know what that means; we must chat after you return from Jamaica-ness! In other news, my dad is officially the best dressed teacher of the dozens of staff members at his school, according to his students. The girls of our family are rather proud of this. We’re kind of intense about how my dad dresses, and frequently purchase <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/caitjane/253318193/in/set-72157594300708072/">random articles of clothing for him</a> that are lovely and fun while on shopping escapades. At last, all of our attention to his wardrobe had paid off! I’m about to head off for a walk outside to make the most of this wonderful weather (clearly the groundhogs were correct!), but I hope that all of you are having splendid weeks full of love, music, and all other good things! I <i>love</i> you!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi88uGPPm5eDgBYf5_N5Ov-BbiT2ZkloU02ktltNipsyIvyuGA02NHT-0RSAoDLxL7Q2LIIijCAbtfMhvhO9hico5mJRGYU1yQJaTe46PwdciVJBRv_hitPLlRkrfIkXocWeV-b/s1600-h/IMG_9359.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi88uGPPm5eDgBYf5_N5Ov-BbiT2ZkloU02ktltNipsyIvyuGA02NHT-0RSAoDLxL7Q2LIIijCAbtfMhvhO9hico5mJRGYU1yQJaTe46PwdciVJBRv_hitPLlRkrfIkXocWeV-b/s400/IMG_9359.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5032003754078114690" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);">Joyful Things Recently</span><br />- journaling<br />- the fresh layer of snow<br />- 1 John<br />- CBC Radio<br />- cookies, cottage cheese, and chocolate rainbow ice cream<br />- the way my halogen lamp lights up my eyelashes like bulbous Christmas lights (you too should notice this)<br />- being an <i>expert</i> money-saver<br />- heart-shaped marshmallows<br />- blankets<br />- my new Weimeraner calendar<br />- new music videos<br />- eating out with friends<br />- my $3.99 daffodils<br />- walks down Saskatchewan Drive<br />- feminist plays<br />- cooking (I’m getting kind of good at it!)<br />- watching sunrises and sunsets from the gigantic windows at work<br />- green tea with honey<br />- having a clean room<br />- discussion of Aboriginal issues in Poli Sci<br />- CYSI Vol 2<br />- incredibly wonderful professors<br />- Jess’ grad dress!!!<br />- my new dance move that involves jumping whilst letting my arms flail about (simply awesome)<br />- Grey's Anatomy, The Office, and The OC<br />- pranking Crystal/Rob<br />- my teddy bear being washed<br />- Pokey and Gumby figurines<br />- making people blush by bringing up romantic things<br />- Charles Bukowski<br />- articles about music and the emergent church<br />- playing Slaps with Jess<br />- Motorcycle Diaries on DVD<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);">Bands to Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Check Out</span><br />- not the Beastie Boys<br />- Architecture in Helsinki<br />- Julian Nation<br />- Rosie Thomas (BFF of Sufjan and Denison!!!)<br />- Jens Lekman<br />- Sondre Leche<br />- Damon Naomi<br />- Purnice Brothers<br />- M. Ward<br />- Philip Glass<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKYcvahXcP2g5js0c_yAOyWSN_5S0skAuDEtl6AUoxNLr12ts1eP5ptgxhXr4u6YkP5VdVH_zJ-vzsatHjNDPOYxeyrNjbtyfG1vQObWSNQQt8J_vBTfzoitRZa2Ngw2eC65ln/s1600-h/mosaic514283.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKYcvahXcP2g5js0c_yAOyWSN_5S0skAuDEtl6AUoxNLr12ts1eP5ptgxhXr4u6YkP5VdVH_zJ-vzsatHjNDPOYxeyrNjbtyfG1vQObWSNQQt8J_vBTfzoitRZa2Ngw2eC65ln/s400/mosaic514283.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5032003749783147378" border="0" /></a><br />P.S. Charles Bukowski’s poetry is simply incredible. He writes things in a way that no one else can, or at least no one else dares to.<br />P.P.S. Journaling is totally my new favourite activity. Like blogging, except even more self-indulgent and wordy (hard to imagine, I know!). I write at least a few times a day now, and it’s so freeing and delightful.<br />P.P.P.S. I put up a massive <a href="http://www.cinema.com/image_lib/9523_poster.jpg">Nacho Libre</a> poster on my wall today that my uncle bestowed upon Jess and I. While it sounds corny, the poster is actually beautiful; I love Mexican wrestler masks. And Jack Black.<br />P.P.P.P.S. An election is coming soonish! I can feel it in my bones! Yaaay!<br />P.P.P.P.P.S. I have a new Compassion child, named Daniel José Jaminez Romèro. He likes soccer, his grandpa, and playing group games! He's pretty much my Colombian twin except that he's 5 years old (pictured above; sooo cute!!!!!!!).<br />P.P.P.P.P.P.S. Most <a href="http://myword.info/images/post_1b.gif">postscripts</a> <i>ever</i>! I love <a href="http://www.followthatdreamproductions.com/Don%20&%20Richard%20Simmons%201.jpg">hyperlinks</a>.<br /><br /><object height="350" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/lqVKOilZO2A"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/lqVKOilZO2A" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="350" width="425"></object>Caithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15665726525573758241noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11278817.post-11852349942440085502007-02-01T03:35:00.000-07:002007-02-01T04:58:36.118-07:00Learning Wisdom<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFKW4aqfAj_7YhRv-09nU0Si-zSJ9m37Fi2Trm8mK4V2ZsPIAQw43yYEKY_kbkNkDKgfFEI2lB3x-Re_eyc9VUoRTpI7txoWVNaCT0ST4QuKH5mUm6PstXe6LAJIQBCzMfBqIN/s1600-h/IMG_9216.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFKW4aqfAj_7YhRv-09nU0Si-zSJ9m37Fi2Trm8mK4V2ZsPIAQw43yYEKY_kbkNkDKgfFEI2lB3x-Re_eyc9VUoRTpI7txoWVNaCT0ST4QuKH5mUm6PstXe6LAJIQBCzMfBqIN/s320/IMG_9216.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026517054811190594" border="0" /></a>Growing up as a Christian, I’ve heard more than a thousand sermons in my life, and have come across an awful lot of theological concepts and contentions. I love learning about God, but I think some things have to be felt and experienced to become part of one’s reality. I can hear something, and believe it to be true, but sometimes it’s not totally internalized until I recognize on my own. Being told something I acknowledge as true is not equivalent to knowing it in my heart (however cheesy that sounds). I’ve been reading through Job this week, and my devotions have emphasized the wisdom that Job gained through his extreme misfortune. Job’s life is such a great illustration of gaining wisdom experientially. In the midst of a brutally harsh time, friends brought him the advanced knowledge of their time in an effort to help him through his pain. This knowledge, however, was insufficient to alleviate his heartache. As one writer puts it, “Having hit the bottom of depression, Job begins to limp towards the light as he realizes that there are some questions we can never fully answer on a human level. What saves Job is not a philosophical breakthrough, but a fresh and life-changing encounter with the God he thought had abandoned him.”<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYlYMj76LyEVhkHbJKRTELNZYe8Z9-u5pZa_6nMZqLTcPC7XA7w1jMPty2mDxle7xuTyVl6_HQEAqkVgIAO9MjPIac8wEXLfHAk5ZJQ7u7K2rRgeqG9lDp7JZoZmNGmDof7-nI/s1600-h/IMG_9242.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYlYMj76LyEVhkHbJKRTELNZYe8Z9-u5pZa_6nMZqLTcPC7XA7w1jMPty2mDxle7xuTyVl6_HQEAqkVgIAO9MjPIac8wEXLfHAk5ZJQ7u7K2rRgeqG9lDp7JZoZmNGmDof7-nI/s400/IMG_9242.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026517656106612050" border="0" /></a>This has been true for me over the past few months as well, not that I was anywhere near depression. A few years ago, a study was conducted on the group of people that psychologists refer to appropriately as “very happy people.” There’s definitely a genetic predisposition to acute happiness (it has to do with dopamine and other fun neurotransmitters), and I’m pretty sure that Jess and I have at least some of these genes. Thus, I’m not used to being less than pretty cheerful most of the time, like I was for some of last term. My job was getting increasingly ludicrous while I simultaneously felt so weighed down trying to keep up with school, family, volunteering, church, friends, my relationship with God, and improving my mind and character. I would read something in my Bible or a favourite book that I normally would have found delightful, but didn’t get that much out of it. I was generally content, but it took energy for me to be truly joyful, and I felt stagnant and stunted spiritually. Like most rough patches, though, this time passed, and I learned so many things deep down as God brought me back to my normal self. As much as I read, discuss, and brood over things, it’s only through God that the truth is really instilled in me, just as it was for Job around 4,000 years ago. I love that our God is so steadfast and unchanging as the source (and embodiment) of truth.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-115wXTLBAOWT6ULnhLcjNhC1x3KGd-plsahNOnqfMaIUFrBqSl_0U-MbzSEQeXx4Gx9lDkJWuQQMcNoDm_DjCiLt5qmKrKIjyg58S46mq8EyykGREzOW17nSl2L9aH4SQh2-/s1600-h/IMG_9253.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-115wXTLBAOWT6ULnhLcjNhC1x3KGd-plsahNOnqfMaIUFrBqSl_0U-MbzSEQeXx4Gx9lDkJWuQQMcNoDm_DjCiLt5qmKrKIjyg58S46mq8EyykGREzOW17nSl2L9aH4SQh2-/s320/IMG_9253.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026517041926288674" border="0" /></a>Over the weekend, I was at a session on preaching to the postmodern mind, and the speaker emphasized the value of walking alongside the church as opposed to preaching at them. Rather than simply telling this “postmodernal” generation what it means to walk a Christian journey, actually journeying beside them and wrestling with questions and struggles allows the church to be a relevant and authentic community. This community, Dr. Bob suggests, needs to be willing to acknowledge Sometimes it seems as if Christians shy away from asking questions, and being OK with not knowing the answers to some of those questions. Rob Bell writes, “A Christian doesn’t avoid the questions; a Christian embraces them. In fact, to truly pursue the living God, we have to see the need for questions. Questions are not scary. What is scary is when people don’t have any. What is tragic is faith that has no room for them… A question by its very nature acknowledges that the person asking the question does not have all of the answers. And because the person does not have all of the answers, they are looking outside of themselves for guidance. Questions, no matter how shocking or blasphemous or arrogant or ignorant or raw, are rooted in humility. A humility that understands that I am not God. And there is more to know.” Bell goes on to describe Abraham’s questioning of God, and points out that instead of getting angry, God seems to engage with Abraham all the more. Perhaps God desires us to be people who don’t just sit there and mindlessly accept whatever comes their way.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7pTqSN3mXqKF3WJaM8q2M9TNc5h1YauTNrdHq4SsKJ5waMBFzgjYwBg9zNULADDkR6w7s-xzKOl6LQH1rPL2IJ6Ffh1ntqjpTjpFkPbBy72G5IKxsH1rDQc5Lx1b1BCFOuVXK/s1600-h/IMG_9249.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7pTqSN3mXqKF3WJaM8q2M9TNc5h1YauTNrdHq4SsKJ5waMBFzgjYwBg9zNULADDkR6w7s-xzKOl6LQH1rPL2IJ6Ffh1ntqjpTjpFkPbBy72G5IKxsH1rDQc5Lx1b1BCFOuVXK/s400/IMG_9249.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026517664696546658" border="0" /></a>It was once said, “People need to be reminded more often than they need to be instructed.” How true that is sometimes. A lot of my growth as a Christian has simply been applying already-gained knowledge. At times, I begin to feel like the rest of my walk with God is looking at the same facts in a different light, and living out what I already know to be true more fervently. This makes me sad because one of my super-duper favourite things to do is to learn. Thankfully, God consistently shows me that I’m a piddly-brained squat, and there are many more lovely and beguiling things to stuff into my little mind. I have dozens of pages of notes in my journal from Break Forth filled with ideas and stories that are fresh to me, and remind me that there’s no limit to how much I can grow (spiritually at least; I stopped growing physically at the age of 19). I find it so encouraging to think of the rest of my life as an opportunity to constantly be learning and applying what I learn. I love words with “en” prefixes: <span style="font-style: italic;">encourage</span>, enchant, enamour, engender, enliven, encompass, endure, enwrap, enjoy, enable, encapsulate…). These words depict actions of actively creating some sort of state, whether it is one of liveliness, love, joy, etcetera. I strive to engage in some of these en- words, but also to experience them.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpwADRgfUqzz8PiI0NyYYbUKu2SsWk8WaRhUAa5xpdGGYd2naPOGDoF9UmRzyzlz1PVUklXG7YFN2NgwOITOgSqW8BJAhWsrjyaq9mW4AII3qC_yVGSLV-N7UsQNl68mKrZ7-A/s1600-h/IMG_9230.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpwADRgfUqzz8PiI0NyYYbUKu2SsWk8WaRhUAa5xpdGGYd2naPOGDoF9UmRzyzlz1PVUklXG7YFN2NgwOITOgSqW8BJAhWsrjyaq9mW4AII3qC_yVGSLV-N7UsQNl68mKrZ7-A/s320/IMG_9230.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026517046221255986" border="0" /></a>My devotions last weekend took me to 2 Kings and the story of Elisha en-<span style="font-style: italic;">couraging</span> his servant with truth and prayer. It’s not so much that encouragement is just making someone feel better and rosy about a difficult situation, but rather it’s giving them <span style="font-style: italic;">courage</span> to face that situation. I don’t know that my life is going to be all smooth sailing, and I’m almost certain that it won’t be, but I do know that God will encourage me through anything and everything. He’ll give me the courage to trust in Him, to do something bold, to put my fears and concerns into His hands, to be honest and vulnerable about where I’m at, and to have joy despite my circumstances. With this courage, I can step past my fears and have faith that God will be there through it all, and that most of the things that I am fearful about have only ephemeral significance. There’s something so powerful about the power of the Bible and prayer to encourage. I don’t buy into the idea that our painful moments are a result of God shaping our character and teaching us a lesson; maybe some of these times are directly from God, I can’t be sure. But Genesis 3 tells us that it’s because of our sin that we experience anguish and discouragement. I do know, however, that God can use our hardships to build our character and teach us lessons, and I know with certainty that He wants us to know His encouragement and love in these times.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg24Bl9tR0U3WwvjTt5rNFRbxHd74Hb9qFnr3asEuQYnhML-Tkf96lWodaoQ6U4MPmFnyQ78GIhIzErFY6M-5MXBb9oQtoMVVKtD1_3CWCOi38OkQZTi_4T7OhqENhF3VUUZplI/s1600-h/IMG_9232.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg24Bl9tR0U3WwvjTt5rNFRbxHd74Hb9qFnr3asEuQYnhML-Tkf96lWodaoQ6U4MPmFnyQ78GIhIzErFY6M-5MXBb9oQtoMVVKtD1_3CWCOi38OkQZTi_4T7OhqENhF3VUUZplI/s400/IMG_9232.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026524875946636690" border="0" /></a>Despite not feeling tired at the current moment, it’s time that I make the short journey over to my pillows. My body has realized that it’s a 20-something in the past few months, and correspondingly has decreased my propensity for nonsomnia. I’ve adapted surprisingly well to needing more sleep, I must say, but it still feels absurd to go to bed when I feel like reading or dancing or writing. I was exhausted for most of today, but got a pretty decent second wind after watching the incredibly entertaining American Idol auditions in Los Angeles. There’s nothing like the mortification of deluded American singers to revive one’s spirit (in truth, it’s kind of pathetic that I enjoy watching people embarrass themselves, but it’s absolutely hilarious). My parent’s small group isn’t meeting at our house for once, so our usual Wednesday night cleaning was deemed unnecessary. As a consequence, our basement remains in a state of sorry disarray; I’ll have to tend to it before heading off to school tomorrow. On the tangent of walks to school, the snow was just beautiful today. The snowflakes were the size of Cheerios at one point, and it’s refreshing to have a fresh coat of snow on the ground, although poor Jess had to scrape off all the University-student-trampled snow on our front walk. As a final unelegant segue, I shall mention that my courses right now are pretty much awesome with the exception of my evolutionary psych class with the disdainful Dr. Snyder. Who yells at people for reading at the beginning of class? Who states outrightly that Christianity is wrong? Who believes that any “good” human act is in some way a selfish act? Dr. Snyder, that’s who. I’m grateful that most profs are infinitely more kind and open-minded and sanguine.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3jBLUvw_XDc6Jt-Drb5ftYXIQmOcKngvZ8l83byem-ua_sX1aiPSUpKrtbCOeJj4V7Sli6J1YBXrwJr_8DnAfq2P78slCMZh3nKmPhkUrBCKfLy7hqtudEh8I2q3Hmt2O3_st/s1600-h/IMG_9267.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3jBLUvw_XDc6Jt-Drb5ftYXIQmOcKngvZ8l83byem-ua_sX1aiPSUpKrtbCOeJj4V7Sli6J1YBXrwJr_8DnAfq2P78slCMZh3nKmPhkUrBCKfLy7hqtudEh8I2q3Hmt2O3_st/s400/IMG_9267.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026517668991513970" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);">Some Break Forth ’07 Thoughts (Lots! Rhymes with Thoughts!)</span><br />- God’s justice for all people is not retribution; it’s mercy and grace (resultingly, He wants us to care well for the people who God says are precious)<br />- the more I read about God, the less I know for sure, but the more I know God<br />- Jesus is quite literally <span style="font-style: italic;">the way</span>; He is the journey, the road we walk on, the path that we follow (not just <span style="font-style: italic;">the destination</span>)<br />- Christians don’t save anyone; He sends us out to the world because that’s where He will meet us<br />- He sends us out into the world because that’s where the Kingdom is; when Jesus said “the Kindgdom is near” He didn’t only mean that in a temporal sense, but in the sense that it’s right here, close enough to touch, and He’ll meet us there<br />- just as Christ was Jesus in human form, so too is Christ in us; thus, He says to us just as He said to Jesus, “you are my child, I love you, and am pleased with you”<br />- “you are my child” we love when we see parts of ourselves in our children, and it is the same with us<br />- as children of God, God delights in seeing His truth, His beauty, His love, His justice, His mercy… in our lives<br />- “I love you” God IS love, and just as He loves an alcoholic homeless person, so too does He love us, and we learn this “out there”<br />- “I am pleased with you” we bring God immense pleasure, He gives us stuff knowing full well that we’ll abuse it because of His grace (Derek with the $1000 that he frittered away in Vancouver)<br />- St. Ignatius and Paul teach to end the day with a “prayer of examination” where we end the day seeing what we did <span style="font-style: italic;">well</span> (Christians rarely do this; we’re encouraged to feel guilty and not reinforce ourselves)<br />- we are <span style="font-style: italic;">free</span> from condemnation in Christ – when we’re full of the Holy Spirit<br />- the tension of seeing our faults leads us to two possible conclusions (a) get rid of God in our reality (b) repent and live corresponding to God’s ways<br />- there is a cognitive dissonance (between what we do and what we want to do)<br />- in prayer, we should indeed make our requests known to God, but first and foremost we need to “centre down on Jesus”<br />- the difference between quietness and stillness is subtle but considerable<br />- Phil 3:13-14 with the presence of Christ in you, you can press onwards<br />- we are not what we were (thankfully), we are not we’re going to be, but we’re pressing onwards<br />- let in the affirming, cleansing, purifying Christ<br />- the feeling of guilt is at the heart of religion (not Christianity)<br />- Tony as a runner lacked <span style="font-style: italic;">will</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">strength</span>, but when the Spirit is in you, the Spirit works in you<br />- don’t condemn yourself, don’t focus on the dark sides of humanity, but instead let the Spirit come into you and empower you<br />- like Cait, he doesn’t like praying publicly; it’s hard to be aware of what you’re saying to Jesus while you’re talking to others<br />- “if you wait on the Lord, He will renew you” (strength) and “in quietude and stillness He will come to you” (let Him invade, penetrate, saturate; it is then that He will empower you “to will and to do His good pleasure”)<br />- when we know we’re a child of God, we know His importance, His significance, His value<br />- He is our Abba, we have that intimacy with Him; we become an heir of God when Christ is in us, and <span style="font-style: italic;">we feel the things that Jesus feels</span><br />- we feel heartbroken for those who are broken, we see others as God does; we inherit His feelings for others, His compassion, sense of justice, love, understanding<br />- when we were born, we were predestined to do great and wonderful things, the destiny prescribed for us is carved out: the question is, are we going to live it out?<br />- when you get involved in ministry, you change, you sense God’s presence<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIcQnqKqJOQrrJesO6zJ3X0pVgKKb2u5VfPpZDjMGSq6vtdLeE_8llXnV9B9_wAAlCL2izCQBYcEnh_6mwdRoE_HlArOilPn_8cXKn8jahoYmQ5768XvHfWOmkh2FZf05h0M-k/s1600-h/IMG_9243.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIcQnqKqJOQrrJesO6zJ3X0pVgKKb2u5VfPpZDjMGSq6vtdLeE_8llXnV9B9_wAAlCL2izCQBYcEnh_6mwdRoE_HlArOilPn_8cXKn8jahoYmQ5768XvHfWOmkh2FZf05h0M-k/s400/IMG_9243.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026521268174108034" border="0" /></a>- “praxis” is the dialectic of how what we do conditions what we believe, but similarly, what we think and believe influences what we do (the zealous Christian fakers who became actual zealous Christians)<br />- the friend who did loving things for the disgusting Arthur Forbes was seduced into loving Arthur Forbes<br />- “I don’t mind being a Christian up to a point…” do we want our lives to mean something? we might be believers, but are we disciples?<br />- Satan believes in Jesus; we have to let Christ come in and surrender, allow ourselves to call him Abba<br />- the Bible is full of calls for social justice; it’s our duty as Christians to work towards the end of racism, poverty, sexism…<br />- in a certain sense, the Beatitudes say blessed are those who strive for justice<br />- a Christian must be committed to love <span style="font-style: italic;">and</span> justice (there are 2,000 verses about doing good for the poor)<br />- evangelical means: we adhere to the doctrines of the Apostle’s Creed and have a very high view of Scripture (we see it as an error-free book), and believe in the inner transformation of mind and heart and soul by letting Christ into your life<br />- Charles Finney invited “the invitation” to the front of the sanctuary, but less known is the fact that he got the anti-slavery movement and the <span style="font-style: italic;">feminist</span> movement started (the first feminist meetings were held in churches in Niagra, NY)<br />- Finney would say that if someone didn’t sign up for either the anti-slavery movement or the feminist movement, that they weren’t being very serious about Jesus (<span style="font-style: italic;">how true!</span>)<br />- churches are often set up to prepare us to die, but Jesus wasn’t about that; He prayed “let Your will be done <span style="font-style: italic;">on Earth</span> as it is in Heaven”<br />- we must define the Kingdom of God<br />- sometimes we do one or the other: transform people or transform society<br />- prayer is not informing God, but making requests know to God (but as Romans 8 reminds us, the Holy Spirit repackages what we say – don’t be afraid to make a stupid prayer)<br />- Kierkegaard warned to beware of what you pray for; God isn’t a transcendental Santa<br />- the Reformation established that we’re saved by <span style="font-style: italic;">grace</span>, not by good works, but we left a lot of good things behind, some of which are ideas about prayer such as the prayer of examination<br />- Protestantism is really into beating people up, there’s often a sado-masochistic relationship between a speaker and their audience<br />- however, only when we’re affirmed are we able to handle the wrong we’ve done, and then (and only then) go through the day confessing, and He will forgive you and <span style="font-style: italic;">cleanse you</span><br />- my sins are forgiven (done in the past on a cross) but cleansing is what Jesus does to you in the <span style="font-style: italic;">present tense</span> in your life<br />- “I Am” He always <span style="font-style: italic;">is</span>, all of time is present tense for Him, all time is compressed into His eternal now<br />- when Jesus was on the cross, He was comprehending now; He was contemporaneous with now; He can empathize with us right here and now<br />- He who knew no sin became sin on the cross; that’s why it was so painful for Him: He who loathes sin had all sin transferred to Him and conversely His righteousness to us<br />- we must keep in mind that sin isn’t covered by “cheap” grace; it pains Jesus for us to sin (it’s free, but very much the opposite of cheap)<br />- John 14-15 He will be in us<br />- Christ has always been, He was incarnated in Jesus; the same way that the Spirit was in Jesus, so too will Jesus be in us<br />- our bodies are the temple of the Lord, it’s a dirty temple; we don’t choose Him, He chose us; the Holy Spirit fills us when we are cleansed (Romans 1: anyone who says it’s a choice is stupid, though not bad)<br />- when a person becomes spiritually actualized, the thoughts and feelings of Jesus become real in you<br />- the fact that we’re all so safe in church and our faiths today indicates that something is wrong (Romans 8 again – faith is not just a ticket to Heaven!)<br />- two sets of values in our society are in diametrical opposition, but far too often the church has tried to synthesize them: the worldly quest for status and reputation, and the Christ-like rejection of status and worldly ambitions<br />- Mark 10, 1 John 3:17-18, Phillippians 2 (Jesus made Himself of <span style="font-style: italic;">no reputation</span>, there is no question that Jesus would never own a BMW, we need to stop justifying lifestyle choices such as these<br />- the lifestyle of affluence is so counter to what Jesus taught; we need to embrace a simple lifestyle instead<br />- as the Quakers say, “Live simply so that others can simply live”<br />- there’s absolutely nothing wrong with making a lot of money (excepting ethics, etcetera), but there is something wrong with keeping it<br />- piety isn’t what Jesus wanted for us – Romans tells us to clothe our enemies, overcome evil with good: it’s not that Christianity has been tried and failed, but it’s been tried and been found to be difficult<br />- the Mark and Luke Beatitudes differ on the way “poor” is described; in one, it’s “poor in spirit” (those without Jesus, those with weak spirits), while in another, it’s “poor” as in without wealth (those with physically very little)<br />- Jesus desires for us to pursue both of these aims<br />- “blessed are those that mourn” for the poor, for the boys watching you eat your meal, for those who have gotten the short end of the stick<br />- “blessed are the meek” we cannot change the world by coercion, otherwise Jesus would have come as a Caesar; He wasn’t about gaining power (this can’t be done through political action, unlike what many Christians in North America believe)<br />- when we vote, we don’t represent Jesus, we try to be spirit-led; saying otherwise is untrue, and self-centred<br />- Jihadists aren’t acting out in the name of politics, but rather they’re doing these things in the name of religion<br />- it comes down to living out the Sermon on the Mount<br />- George Bernard Shaw once said “God created man in His image, but so often Americans have done the reverse” (how true)<br />- the idea of hating the sin, and loving the sinner gets it wrong; hate your own sin (deal with the beam in your own eye)<br />- I'm sick of typing now, and this list has reached a ridiculous length; will perhaps finish in the next entry<br /><br /><object height="350" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/24W4J1FjmUQ"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/24W4J1FjmUQ" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="350" width="425"></object><br />P.S. I’m having paranoid imaginings of serial killers in my basement right now. Jess is asleep and I’m too afraid to go scope out the serial killer situation in the family room. However, typing this out and seeing how silly it looks is reassuring in some way. Hopefully I will be alive tomorrow morning.<br />P.P.S. Tony Campolo is a beautiful, beautiful man.<br />P.P.P.S. Someone just walked past my window (like right in front of it), and it wasn't anyone who lives in my house. They definitely fit the profile of a serial killer. Aaaaah!Caithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15665726525573758241noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11278817.post-14985332081891289452007-01-22T22:29:00.001-07:002007-01-22T23:42:12.454-07:00We're All in This Together<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnjatuPSJ7aRw23pagpzed95Z4XO8ZD4MBoBp9eaKgB-L_s5uXNrsBf92UombIsIv-1dSWYNJX9qkiOqdZb-23qtLl4voeLkHQaVM-SjlVEYY-9aiyBh_5sJXpl14cdTx_7hVn/s1600-h/IMG_9138.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnjatuPSJ7aRw23pagpzed95Z4XO8ZD4MBoBp9eaKgB-L_s5uXNrsBf92UombIsIv-1dSWYNJX9qkiOqdZb-23qtLl4voeLkHQaVM-SjlVEYY-9aiyBh_5sJXpl14cdTx_7hVn/s320/IMG_9138.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5023095688158164114" border="0" /></a>I think that some of the most beautiful things I’ve ever witnessed were things in unison, be they people, nature, or events in my life. In keeping with my semi-custom of citing psychological phenomena in blog entries, I’ll allude to the fact that the human mind is set up to find similarities between things rather than differences. This may seem obvious and insignificant, but our brains could have easily been set up to attend to differences, and according to evolutionary models, we would have been just as reproductively fit. In the millions of times I’ve learned about the Scientific Method as a Sciences student, we’ve discussed how we arbitrarily look for similarities among the things we study; we could easily examine differences between organisms and occurrences to learn more about them. The fact that we use Occam’s razor to uncover the laws and principles that govern our universe rather than something that explores how different things behave differently points to our similarity-seeking-minds. I love that God set up our minds to look for harmony and accord in His creation. He made everything so brilliantly unique and special, but there are commonalities in how He made them. I find that all of these God-created things can point me towards Him and the fact that He formed them (although how exactly He created them remains a mystery to me). I love seeing people in unison, and being in unison with others. Not that this justifies agreeing with someone simply because they believe a certain thing, or mimicking someone else’s behaviour just to be the same as them. But part of the joy of cheering obnoxiously with others at football games, doing the <a href="http://mattchute.ca/Pics/Mckernan/2007/retreat/MVI_1926.avi">Funky Chicken</a>, or singing songs together comes from being unified in thought and action. Whether I share a desire to see my team win a game, and cheer loudly when we score a touchdown, or share a moment of heartfelt praise to God, there’s something exquisite about joining with others in a cause or feeling.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNeR5XdNE0Onv6U37r_HsIPRp-nzLIQfybLKUX6MO18meVR6ZGApqT3_ehJIRggDyDds8RLzFq7IjPUu85HnXT63OzqdqLKYeQQ6uFgqKJeI3QSNU8cz6EbXrRBK9Wb-wySfln/s1600-h/IMG_9154.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNeR5XdNE0Onv6U37r_HsIPRp-nzLIQfybLKUX6MO18meVR6ZGApqT3_ehJIRggDyDds8RLzFq7IjPUu85HnXT63OzqdqLKYeQQ6uFgqKJeI3QSNU8cz6EbXrRBK9Wb-wySfln/s400/IMG_9154.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5023096194964305074" border="0" /></a>There’s this Ben Lee song “We’re All in This Together” that I really love (he played the Sidetrack the night before I came home from New York; I was sad). The song basically explores what’s stated in its title: the idea that all of us are journeying through life jointly. I’m so sick of the capitalistic idea that we’re competing against each other for resources and happiness. There are more than enough resources for everyone, and it’s so much easier when we root for each other. Whether done explicitly or implicitly, competing to see who has the trendiest clothes, best relationship with their significant other, coolest car, prettiest face, happiest life, or greatest knowledge of Biblical trivia strikes me as such a waste of time and energy. This is not to say that enjoying fun t-shirts and delightful shoes is wrong, or that playing a game of soccer against another team means that you don’t care about the people on that other team, but at times we take our competitive natures to an unhealthy level. As Ben Lee puts it, “on the subway we feel like strangers, but we're all in this together. Yeah I love you, and you love her, and she loves him, and we are all in this together.” We really are “all made of atoms,” and 99.9999% of our genes are identical; why not work together to figure out this thing called life? I just returned home from a weekend spent with C&Cers at Winter Retreat, and while I was miserably sick for most of it, it was such a rich time. Time spent at camp or retreats reliably reminds me that we truly are all in this together. We use each other’s blow-dryers and sleeping bags, eat together, share thoughts about God and life, and are comfortable enough to embarrass ourselves in front of others. On Saturday night, a bunch of us played Skittles, and while reciting tales of past crushes and carrying Stu up a flight of stairs isn’t the most spiritual activity ever, I love that that group of people was able to be (almost) entirely vulnerable and honest with each other.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCo4GevHTWgsHNSMUC976sbt-BMhFVE_9uDxL1p79ErfYqj_p0hCAk8Rl6yMs7-HonRWBZpbrNfnA6aS43ff_P__DFs-kzmbBt6eX645mKK7s6BOrJO0eQVMbx4jpE6-Ri6AnV/s1600-h/IMG_9143.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCo4GevHTWgsHNSMUC976sbt-BMhFVE_9uDxL1p79ErfYqj_p0hCAk8Rl6yMs7-HonRWBZpbrNfnA6aS43ff_P__DFs-kzmbBt6eX645mKK7s6BOrJO0eQVMbx4jpE6-Ri6AnV/s320/IMG_9143.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5023098076159980754" border="0" /></a>Sometimes I can be cynical about Christians, and become frustrated over how hypocritical we can be, but there really is something special about Christian community when it’s done well. There might be moments of boys using your camera to have a nipple (ewwww) photo shoot, and Mike might put a giant wasp in your sleeping bag, but it is good. One chapter of Velvet Elvis, which I clearly liked a great deal, spoke about the idea of heaven starting now, and Rob Bell writes about how God saw the world He was creating as good. It was still developing, and was perhaps not perfect, but He knew it was good. The world is still the same; it’s far from perfect, but it is good, and God’s kingdom is being built up right now as I type this. God’s people mess up a great deal of the time, but God is working in them, and He sees them as He sees Christ; I need to see others as He sees them more of the time. Sometimes I wish the church reached out to people on the margins of society more often, and I often think that we miss great opportunities to kingdom-build out of close-mindedness or selfishness. But spending time with people nearly 24 hours a day gives me a perspective that I don’t often have, and it makes me hopeful about the church. People really are intentional about their faith, and do care deeply about others, perhaps it’s just not obvious all of the time. I loved talking about common struggles and doubts with people in my small group, and was encouraged to remind myself that I know a group of people my age who genuinely want to live Christ-centred lives. I may disagree with a few of them on about a zillion things, and may find some of their dating practices to be amusing, but they’re really quite lovely.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipsegUVtPs2_LEa1jhaIHtQu7Ig1vBw80AOBmY__DLmaSHAJtnvYASUM3UTyG2AOrdIDRq4RJHTcjIy-iGnKLTJNm_AeuI0dJqFHnX-dAsRsZiqs6mTYNWo7t8dZu-j-6UXuG_/s1600-h/IMG_9168.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipsegUVtPs2_LEa1jhaIHtQu7Ig1vBw80AOBmY__DLmaSHAJtnvYASUM3UTyG2AOrdIDRq4RJHTcjIy-iGnKLTJNm_AeuI0dJqFHnX-dAsRsZiqs6mTYNWo7t8dZu-j-6UXuG_/s400/IMG_9168.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5023096203554239682" border="0" /></a>As aforementioned, I’ve been unfortunately sick as of late, and have found that this particular virus leads to the strangest dreams. Last night, I had a vivid dream that I was going to San Francisco over the summer, and awoke to be bitterly disappointed that it had merely been a sleeping reality. The night prior, I dreamt that I was a teacher, and all of the children adored me. Viruses certainly have their upsides. In other extraneous news, the lineup for Coachella was recently announced, and I’m so very giddy about it. Loads of my favourite artists will be there, and it’s going to be an awesome festival this year. If I had one wish to be granted by a fairy godmother, and it couldn’t be anything like world peace etcetera, it might be that I could go to Coachella in April; it could potentially be the best road trip ever. I was a bit disappointed that Gnarls Barkley won’t be there this year, but others make up for their absence. Another über-exciting event that’s just around the bend is Break Forth this weekend. I’m in four workshops on marginalized people, and I’m super stoked to be able to work through issues surrounding this group of God’s children with like-minded people. Plus, Tony Campolo is speaking over the weekend, and The Newsboys will be in town on Sunday night. I loooove Tony Campolo, and while The Newsboys’ lead singer has worn mascara to every concert Jess and I have ever been to of theirs, they’re fun to hear live, and always sing the “Breakfast Song” at the end. I have to work Saturday morning, but will have the rest of the weekend to think and talk about God, sing and dance my heart out, and hang out with Jess, Crystal, and my parentiotas. God always challenges me so much through this conference, and it rivals retreats in levels of fun. Also, my dad just came back from Superstore with chocolate ice cream. January is a decidedly good month.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiag7WvVo1J5j1sx5JL4orqvR20ONHG7KoQ53cGPgnlrDPdRIDq2PYVKR4byIfDXo6xnBoors1KNuLWbTqwohrSffrcMHAnpW6aXw4ODp7yaOd170H9Emf20qgyP-RthS6cR7c1/s1600-h/Picture+4.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiag7WvVo1J5j1sx5JL4orqvR20ONHG7KoQ53cGPgnlrDPdRIDq2PYVKR4byIfDXo6xnBoors1KNuLWbTqwohrSffrcMHAnpW6aXw4ODp7yaOd170H9Emf20qgyP-RthS6cR7c1/s400/Picture+4.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5023101602328130818" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);">Cait’s Top 30 Moments from the Retreat</span><br />- camp songs and dances on Saturday morning<br />- only having to listen to one Dashboard Confessional song in the car<br />- communion on Saturday night<br />- discovering a giant wasp in my sleeping bag<br />- water polo (I almost got the ball from Matt C. one time)<br />- Melissa nearly being thrown into a snowbank<br />- a shoulder piggyback from Dusty<br />- playing Would You Rather with Crystal and Rob<br />- the stars in the absence of city light<br />- our “7-11” run to Westlock<br />- Rob not actually mooning us while driving in Brock<br />- the croissant I ate on Sunday morning<br />- synchronized swimming with Allan and Crystal<br />- Matt’s proposal to Dusty<br />- trying to figure out why there was a cellophane snowman on our porch<br />- unwrapping our cellophaned belongings (underwear and all)<br />- flutter-board tag in the pool<br />- waking Crystal up both mornings<br />- explaining our alarm clock prank to Rachel<br />- the sunrise on Saturday morning<br />- being stern with Jeremy and getting my slippers back<br />- defending the beleaguered newsletter with Andrew<br />- prank-plotting with Crystal and Melissa<br />- very nearly winning Apples to Apples (my winning card was so close to being picked)<br />- thinking we had to eat our meals with clothespins<br />- Crystal’s attempts to do flutter-board summersaults<br />- Mike’s Muslim Crusade Victim costume<br />- getting the silver medal twice in Cheat<br />- Matt’s “haircut”<br />- all of Saturday night’s Skittles game<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);">Cait’s Top 30 Bands Coming to Coachella</span><br />- Arctic Monkeys<br />- The Decemberists<br />- The Kooks<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_PgSy-wPzvOfxW_U3ebkaAwKJGft5FL-gsnHgn0vLnAMQv6BTMt5OeNcBZ4rPprZNvg2h8viW89oHTUPHzEm1E9dMGZRU_KsDl8vTyR-80LmCSAMeG-s8a3tHyLNGLwgmasF-/s1600-h/IMG_9176.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_PgSy-wPzvOfxW_U3ebkaAwKJGft5FL-gsnHgn0vLnAMQv6BTMt5OeNcBZ4rPprZNvg2h8viW89oHTUPHzEm1E9dMGZRU_KsDl8vTyR-80LmCSAMeG-s8a3tHyLNGLwgmasF-/s320/IMG_9176.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5023104763424060690" border="0" /></a><br />- Klaxons<br />- Amos Lee<br />- Ratatat<br />- Damien Rice<br />- We Are Scientists<br />- Red Hot Chili Peppers<br />- Regina Spektor<br />- New Pornographers<br />- Gotan Project<br />- CocoRosie<br />- Andrew Bird<br />- The Fratellis<br />- The Frames<br />- Peter Bjorn<br />- Fountains of Wayne<br />- Kings of Leon<br />- The Cribs<br />- Mando Diao<br />- Tapes ‘n Tapes<br />- Kaiser Chiefs<br />- Explosions in the Sky<br />- Lily Allen<br />- Hot Chip<br />- Interpol<br />- Happy Mondays<br />- José González<br />- Tilly and the Wall<br /><br /><object height="350" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/a06pdwksxm8"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/a06pdwksxm8" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="350" width="425"></object><br /><br />P.S. There are new pictures up on<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/caitjane/"> Flickr</a> and a video on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/caitjane">YouTube</a> (shown above). Although the video was done haphazardly, it was too funny not to post. The hair will grow back, but the memories will last.<br />P.P.S. MSN is behaving cruel and unusually at the moment, so if I don't respond to your messages online, it's the fault of Microsoft. Approximately one third of my messages are being sent, and my relationship with MSN is certainly at a dysfunctional point. Hopefully after a brief cooling off period, we'll be able to restore our friendship.<br />P.P.P.S. TOMORROW THE ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATIONS ARE ANNOUNCED. THERE ARE VERY FEW THINGS MORE EXCITING IN LIFE THAN OSCAR NOMINATIONS. I'M GETTING UP EXTRA EARLY TO HEAR SALMA HAYEK DECLARE ALL THE NOMINEES.Caithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15665726525573758241noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11278817.post-19947018888170707802007-01-19T16:45:00.000-07:002007-01-19T16:53:58.046-07:00The Thrill of Anticipation<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7k8k7TH7OChJZCfocG3YX-mRd-wqZkDkIpAus06sOW-NpY_ZFeY2j8Yg_kkjCPuCwPNx6dWIlvkSbbmwhKnlvd5nNSnya44dNCsJTZ2bB_dXBbdHNINoI7Z0NMkKpHq71WzGz/s1600-h/IMG_9041.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7k8k7TH7OChJZCfocG3YX-mRd-wqZkDkIpAus06sOW-NpY_ZFeY2j8Yg_kkjCPuCwPNx6dWIlvkSbbmwhKnlvd5nNSnya44dNCsJTZ2bB_dXBbdHNINoI7Z0NMkKpHq71WzGz/s320/IMG_9041.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5021893544082421586" border="0" /></a>As psychologists suggest, 40% of the joy derived in most things comes from pure anticipation of it. I can’t wait for the other 60% of fun from the approaching C*C Winter Retreat. Last year, I slept a combined four hours on Friday and Saturday night, and had loads of fun being silly in the pool and sharing good conversation with a lovely group of people. Crystal and I have tried fruitlessly to come up with a decent prank for the retreat, and I suspect that our efforts may be trumped by the guys’ shenanigans. My parents are going away as well this weekend for a skiing trip with their small group; when I grow up, I want to go skiing with my small group and stay in a Bed and Breakfast. Consequently, my poor little baby sister will be left at home all by her lonesome self. Jess is in the middle of exams at the moment, so perhaps it’s good that my silly family won’t be here to distract her, though I do kind of wish that I could bring her along to the retreat with me; she will certainly be dragged along next year. Although I will miss Jess very much over the weekend, I will miss Jack Layton perhaps even more. Jacky Jack is coming to Edmonton tonight for the federal nomination of my riding of Edmonton-Strathcona, but I’ll be en route to Camp Nakamun by the time he rolls in. This is truly tragic; I missed his last visit as well, although my uncle was there to greet him. My uncle bears an incredible resemblance to Jack Layton, and so whenever he attends these sort of rallies, people ask him if he’s Mr. Layton’s brother. This pleases me immensely. I’m pretty much the niece of Jack Layton’s pseudo-brother; very few things in life are cooler than being the niece of Jack Layton’s pseudo-brother. While I’m not sure if I’ll vote Grits or NDP in the likely election this spring, no leader has the integrity and hopefulness of the white-moustachioed Jack and his fabulous wife Olivia Chow (who Rob, tragically, has never heard of in his life). It’s alright though, because Andrew has promised to imitate the esteemed NDP leader and discuss socialism with me tonight. Andrew is a good friend to be sure.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3NEQ4DQSCZxrCEKxA1lk3cFsepm4wlbwwgfvK_W38GGr4bHEuYVZzjWHFHYd_zAk8XvvkTrInHiH96f-byLpADU2uQODH__ytePz1M9EDeIrTxG7J0ocClc6eK3p68eZGMTfK/s1600-h/IMG_8829.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3NEQ4DQSCZxrCEKxA1lk3cFsepm4wlbwwgfvK_W38GGr4bHEuYVZzjWHFHYd_zAk8XvvkTrInHiH96f-byLpADU2uQODH__ytePz1M9EDeIrTxG7J0ocClc6eK3p68eZGMTfK/s320/IMG_8829.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5021893535492486978" border="0" /></a>On the topic of Andrew, I would like to plead for all you C*Cers to be kind to the C*C Courier today when it’s released. This publication has been mired in an insanely unfortunate series of events, and it’s a miracle that it’s being printed off today looking decently pretty. The articles, however, are quite splendid, and I’m impressed by the quality of the writing and thought in the group. I promise that future editions will be attractive and more time-appropriate. Also, please refrain from mocking the cutesiness and predictability of the newsletter’s name. My small group found The C*C Courier to be a perfect target for slurs and abuse, and while I wish the name had a bit more panache and wittiness to it, it was the result of much deliberation and compromise to ensure that the title actually described what the publication was about, and that it wasn’t an entirely abstract name. The sad thing is that it’s difficult to change the name after one copy has gone to press, so we’ll have to make do with the Courier for a while. Also unfortunate is the cold that I have acquired. I slept quite poorly last night due to the combination of shopping with Crystal, Grey’s Anatomy, The Office, The OC, an assignment due today, and newsletter madness to figure out, and this has apparently resulted in the sniffles. Of course, a cold is nothing to be upset about, as they usually fade away soon enough and don’t cause too much pain, but I fear that I’ll have to sleep a substantial amount this weekend in order to combat the little viruses that have found their way into my system. I quite thoroughly despise sleeping when fun things are going on, but c’est la vie I suppose. My green tea consumption and abstention from sweets has apparently not held sickness at bay, although I did last for at least a few weeks with good health. Hopefully the absence of work this week will allow me to recuperate sufficiently before Break Forth. In a very awkward segue, my break has now come to an end, so I’m off to class! Please note how short this entry is, Caitlin. I hope you’re proud.Caithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15665726525573758241noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11278817.post-32842676972681560822007-01-15T00:15:00.000-07:002007-01-16T19:11:59.757-07:00Some Vague Thoughts on My Thoughts<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtFhnmFD7QnOnS8Zavq7Oxaa1OGVImLgLvZ-IVj-Hi0FS6WKgwL1wQiePO1umAu2somJWg0bUoTno-BWyKOerezJdCeKYMwbT8-l5abQBEtExhlWYjbdv1vvb-ECni7EfRmWms/s1600-h/Silly+Family.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtFhnmFD7QnOnS8Zavq7Oxaa1OGVImLgLvZ-IVj-Hi0FS6WKgwL1wQiePO1umAu2somJWg0bUoTno-BWyKOerezJdCeKYMwbT8-l5abQBEtExhlWYjbdv1vvb-ECni7EfRmWms/s320/Silly+Family.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5020531081671882530" border="0" /></a>A lot of the things I’ve been mulling over recently aren’t very easily blogged about. Thus, my absence in the world of blogging has been protracted, perhaps to the chagrin of very few. However, yesterday Blogger <span style="font-style: italic;">finally</span> allowed me to update my blog to the “new” Blogger, and I found this kind of exciting. I can now include news feeds, photos, and text in the left margin of my blog; this allows for a great deal of fun to be had. Admittedly, I’m slightly disappointed that the few things I’ve learned about HTML will no longer be of use, but I suppose I can still italicize words in comments. I suspect that this entry will be relatively condensed, as I’m currently in the middle of watching the Golden Globes and have some homework to slog through later tonight. In short, 2007 has been kind to me in the two weeks that we’ve known each other, and I have a good feeling about where it’s taking me. My family returned from our skiing bonanza (which was stupendously relaxing and enjoyable) shortly before school started, and since then, I’ve loved my courses and profs this term. I’m taking two bio classes and two psych courses, with one of each being evolutionary in their survey of life. I find the idea of evolution fascinating and complex, and relish the opportunity to reconcile science with my faith. Besides my science courses, I’m taking my beloved poli sci again, and I’m happy to be reunited with the world of politics once again. In truth, part of my gratification from taking poli sci is due to the pure entertainment value offered by my right-wing classmates. About 85% of any given poli sci class is bound to be quite “liberal,” but those who aren’t so leftwardly-inclined never shy away from saying absurd things that consistently amuse and amaze. I realize that I’m biased in my comparison of right-wing and left-wing students, but the arguments of the former group are objectively ludicrous and patently self-motivated. Research has proven that people who favour limited social programs and conservative governments are significantly less intelligent than others, and typically have authoritarian personalities; this is all too clear in Poli Sci 220. It’s kind of terrible for me to find people’s political views so funny, but it’s basically like watching Michael Scott, Lucille Bluth, and Stephen Colbert all at once.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIDiopFKPV6oKkql8GuTmiXSi_5fg-ktVPCqkpo0bnZpcNwGhiOcjx48tP9Nolx1orrulz1VVYEBx9olUJUGPHSwOEA3dykTmVIorvm6e4qOyGt54HXsmH3wjKXooggzRrRRnK/s1600-h/IMG_8954.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIDiopFKPV6oKkql8GuTmiXSi_5fg-ktVPCqkpo0bnZpcNwGhiOcjx48tP9Nolx1orrulz1VVYEBx9olUJUGPHSwOEA3dykTmVIorvm6e4qOyGt54HXsmH3wjKXooggzRrRRnK/s400/IMG_8954.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5020525876171519746" border="0" /></a><br /><br />As alluded to earlier, I’ve been going through a “thinking phase” as of late; I typically think a great deal, and often prefer thinking to talking, but sometimes I have cause to think especially intensely. It is nearly impossible to describe how I think, but I’ll endeavour to explain myself. Jess and I were at a Breakforth workshop last year that outlined the circular process of actively seeking the Kingdom of Heaven and having a time of rest. The speakers (who were charmingly British) described the necessity of occasionally gaining some distance, reassessing where you’re at, and indulging in a true time of Sabbath. This is basically the place I feel I’ve been at for the past while, and I like it, despite how uncertain thinking so much makes me feel. There are probably about 50 different things I’ve been pondering recently, and it’s hard to incorporate them all into my brain at once. From a developmental psych perspective, one learns new information by either assimilating it into what they already believe, or by accommodating what they believe so that the new information can fit. It takes me some time to decide which of my beliefs need to be changed in order to accommodate newly-learned tidbits, and what fits with what I’m coming to understand. This is a terrible explanation of my “thinking phases,” but I suppose that it’s pretty much impossible to be au fait with someone else’s consciousness. At any rate, God’s had lots to share with me lately, and I’ve had lots to share with Him, and it’s tiring, and encouraging, and tricky.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1LqofmcaEQVFSc9jWwXw2zl8rKpvBwSdnseOb2xXEnbauBKzUR9FrZLN54sOAadISgL4T4GnM4l1Ye96ahWuyKFAt6WiR9FloV3wivep8dLlEraKC4bRqNg2T5fhZaALfpOoG/s1600-h/velvis.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1LqofmcaEQVFSc9jWwXw2zl8rKpvBwSdnseOb2xXEnbauBKzUR9FrZLN54sOAadISgL4T4GnM4l1Ye96ahWuyKFAt6WiR9FloV3wivep8dLlEraKC4bRqNg2T5fhZaALfpOoG/s320/velvis.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5020523891896628978" border="0" /></a>After some going through Matthew and Luke recently, and reading Rob Bell’s <span style="font-style: italic;">Velvet Elvis</span>, I've felt encouraged to pursue those things that I feel most passionate about, but to pursue them differently in some regards. I often see things differently than a lot of Christians, so to stumble upon someone else who understands where I’m coming from, and explains my deeply felt desires for the church so eloquently gives me a sense of peace and affinity. I know it’s funny to mock the fact that I believe in what many would term a “liberal” view of equality and compassion, but these are things that my heart aches to see. I long for God’s people to love each other wholeheartedly, and for His creation to be appreciated and enjoyed. I wish that the church could share the Good News rather than so often preaching the “Bad News.” I yearn for a time when we’ll see each other as God sees us, and will renege our competitive natures. I wish for everyone to know God’s truth, and want Him to be exalted. Rob Bell gets this, and puts it in a way that rings so-very true. The book covers so much territory that I’m not sure that I can properly encapsulate it in a few words, but it makes me newly excited to do “Kingdom things” as Joyce Heron would put it. I won’t say much more about the book, because I’ve been confusing enough in the past few sentences, but will thoroughly recommend that you read it. I cried profusely over the last 5 pages because I felt such a strong sense of hope for the church. When a book makes me cry, it's clearly compelling. Don't worry, you probably won't cry as well; I like crying a bit more than most people. As I sense that this entry is becoming increasingly nonspecific and unclear, I think it’s time to return to admiring dresses and cheering for Grey’s Anatomy and Helen Mirren. It takes much less lucidity to admire the grace and modesty of Renée Zellweger whilst eating cottage cheese and scones.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 0);">The Highlights of Ringing in the New Year</span><br />- Crystal kicking Rob's Vans directly into Matt's face (this was THE MOST INCREDIBLE MOMENT EVER)<br />- hearing a very muffled radio countdown to 2007 in Jordan's van<br />- Matt C. acting out "jaywalking" in Cranium<br />- attempts by the guys to semi-snowboard down Connor's on crazy carpets<br />- cheating successfully to win Cranium<br />- Ashlee's party hats and noise-makers<br />- Jill's pink snowpants<br />- ringing in the new year with 007 (Jeremy's splendid idea)<br />- Matt singing "Auld Sang Lyne" for several measures of the song<br />- realizing that Gold Finger wasn't quite as frightening as I remembered it<br />- Zoe Deschanel in Winter's Passing<br />- having my -40°C MEC coat to endure the the temperature of the guys' house (Mike aptly describes the basement as a dungeon)<br />- the fact that there actually were fireworks despite us not seeing them (see! I’m not entirely insane!)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm7-a2RQhwYK7m8s1JnIQFyhjyLKupwdkE4rM_HrRBJ0y0Rv0Xeoo4GSgYzZaaziXDfI-YMrdpP7QmU7qF-PjkotPfBxECgrfx7x7DF2pWnmsoYLqfmmb4vy913bDe_86U4kOk/s1600-h/IMG_9079.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm7-a2RQhwYK7m8s1JnIQFyhjyLKupwdkE4rM_HrRBJ0y0Rv0Xeoo4GSgYzZaaziXDfI-YMrdpP7QmU7qF-PjkotPfBxECgrfx7x7DF2pWnmsoYLqfmmb4vy913bDe_86U4kOk/s400/IMG_9079.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5020531597067958066" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 153, 0);">Words from a Right-Wing President</span><br />- “Families is where our nation finds hope, where our wings take dream.”<br />- “I think we all agree, the past is over.”<br />- “This is still a dangerous world. It’s a world of madmen and uncertainty and potential mental losses.”<br />- “Put food on your family!”<br />- “Rarely is the question asked, ‘Is our children learning?’”<br />- “Will the highways of the Internet become more few?”<br />- “How many hands have I shaked?”<br />- “Vulcanize society!”<br />- “They misunderestimate me.”<br />- “I am a pitbull on the pantleg of opportunity.”<br />- “Knock down the tollbooth!”<br />- “Make the pie higher! Make the pie higher!”<br />- “I know that the human being and the fish can coexist.”Caithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15665726525573758241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11278817.post-1167386104165854232006-12-28T02:53:00.000-07:002006-12-29T03:45:42.296-07:00Arrividercci, 2006<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3847/908/1600/423796/IMG_8702.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3847/908/320/195487/IMG_8702.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>I am so very content right now. Christmas vacation is, I have decided, a combination of all of my most treasured things and people. Not only do I get to hang out with my family and relatives nearly 24/7, but there is much opportunity for enjoyment of movies, art-goodness, theological and philosophical conversations with Jess, Bluth family hilarity, traipsing around outside, and so on. To add to the fun of this Christmas, I am recuperating from my fortnight-long illness in my favourite convalescence modus operandi: with a raspy voice. On Christmas Day, I sounded strikingly like Barry White, while my voice transformed to that of Adam Sandler’s by Boxing Day, and for the past two days I’ve borne a strong vocal resemblance to a witch. While my throat is not very happy, and turns red periodically, having a croaky voice makes for great fun. I sang along to “I Wanna Grow Old With You” about 25 times on Boxing Day (Jess will attest to this; it was on repeat for the whole present-wrapping and outfit-deciding ordeal that morning). If my voice ever becomes permanently damaged, as my dad’s was many years ago, I would make a great Adam Sandler fill-in. Sounding like a witch has its benefits too, as I have discovered. I get loads of sympathy from customers at the café, and find a great deal of amusement in calling drinks out. Because my throat is so clogged, the air being forced out by my diaphragm often doesn’t make it out until I’m part way through annunciating a word. For example, when I called out mochachinos today, instead of exclaiming “Mocha!” into the seating area, I ended up declaring “Caaa!” several times. It was awesome, I assure you. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3847/908/1600/335483/4.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3847/908/400/841413/4.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Perhaps the loveliest thing bout the additional leisure time I find myself with in these weeks off of school is the amount of time that I have to simply laze around and think at night. I’m going to sleep in until at least 9:00 tomorrow morning, and can stay up late reading books, doing devotionals, and pondering nihilism and love. My journal is full of page of Christmas-thinking, and I’ve found lots of issues to consider over the last while. I’m currently reading Hotel New Hampshire, What’s So Amazing About Grace, Velvet Elvis, The Conqueror’s Wife (thanks Jess!), and am going through Romans in my devos; it’s all terribly good stuff. However, I don’t quite feel like transcribing notes from my journal right now, so I’ll keep this entry as a meandering and topic-less one, and leave thoughtful writing for next week. If my grandpa were watching me write this, he would inevitably mention that I won’t write another blog entry until next year. I love my grandpa especially for his reliable excitement over his ability to remark that he won’t see us until next year, or that we wont go to church again until next month. His joy in saying these sorts of statements nearly rivals the thrill he gets from puns, and following up every pun he ever makes with the sentence, “English is a funny language.” I’m glad that God made grandpas.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3847/908/1600/906549/3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3847/908/400/53453/3.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>My family and some friends watched The Good Shepherd this afternoon, and it was stunning. It’s currently at the top of my list for Best Film at the Oscars. Not only was it extremely well-written and excellently acted, but the cinematography was beautiful, particularly for what I assumed would be a basic spy movie. There was great depth in the script and plot, and the characters were complex and relevant. I have a penchant for movies that make use of symbolism and subtlety, and this one had especially metaphoric and nuanced moments. On the topic of film, my dad got the Babel soundtrack a couple of weeks ago, and it’s wonderful. Gustavo Santaolalla wrote the soundtrack for Brokeback Mountain, 21 Grams, and Motorcycle Diaries among others, and the music for Babel does not disappoint. Other recent music excitement has been derived from listening to a streamed version of the forthcoming The Band tribute compilation, Endless Highway. Of note is Jack Johnson’s cover of “I Shall Be Released.” It is, I daresay, my favourite Jack J song of all, and is almost as great as My Morning Jacket doing The Band songs. If I’d been born in another decade, I suspect that I might have been quite enamoured with Robbie Robertson, partially because of the fantastic-ness of his name.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3847/908/1600/302351/1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3847/908/400/35345/1.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Alluding to my previous mention of my grandpa’s keen observation of the upcoming transition into 2007, I am rather thrilled about New Year’s being nigh. I think I’ve blogged previously about my love of fresh starts, and how this is mirrored by the human desire for redemption, and God’s gift of grace. I really do enjoy beginning something anew, and of course January 1 is synonymous with having a clean slate. This past year has been full of twists and turns, and I’ve enjoyed it immensely. While school isn’t quite as fun as it has been in past terms, I can’t complain too much. I’ve been blessed by the community at McKernan over the past 12 months, and am happy to feel more at home in our new church. It feels like my family has found its groove again, and while we are a busy family, we mostly like the busyness (though my dad really wishes he had more time for baths, being outside, and reading). It’s been a year of kind of re-evaluating what I think about God and life, and while most of what I’ve felt for years now remains in my set of beliefs, it’s good to know that I’m not stubbornly believing what I do out of close-mindedness. I’ve felt comforted to get to know people who have similar perspectives to mine, and have loved being challenged by people who see things differently, or perhaps just think that I’m crazy (I don’t think I’ll ever forget the night of the Cait-smoking-marijuana discussion; there were even waffles and hot chocolate at Denny’s).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3847/908/1600/787158/2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3847/908/400/329415/2.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I read an article recently wherein the author wrote about how she was exactly where she wanted to be in life. She had a great boyfriend, loved her job, felt secure in her values, and had many passions that brought joy into her life. I think it’s wonderful that she had achieved what she wanted to in life, but I’m not sure that I’ll ever be in that same position. While I’m perfectly content with where I am, if I wanted to remain where I was, I think that would be allowing complacency to breed stagnancy in my life. I feel blessed with my life right now, but I know that I still have much maturing, learning, and journeying to do with God. It’s tempting for me to be happy with how far I’ve come in my faith, and settle with where I am in my life. But, at least in the light of my walk with God, life is a journey that isn’t completed until the fat lady sings and my heart stops beating. I’ll always have more to learn, faults to improve, people to love more, intimacy and dependency to build with God, and ungodly things to let go of. At times, that can seem overwhelming, but it’s a huge relief for me to know that God loves me so patiently that he’ll wait and walk alongside me while I stumble along this journey. I hope that for you, dear friends, the year 2007 is one of growth, adventure, laughter, health, learning, and joy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3847/908/1600/103382/5.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3847/908/400/418422/5.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Favourite Moments of 2006 that I Can Recall<br /><ul><li>celebration of Grandma and Grandpa’s 50 years together</li><li>beating Mr. Schindel in the City Hall Fountain race, and then forcing C&C friends to endure Brokeback Mountain</li><li>skiing without crashing once</li><li>football at McKernan Park</li><li>commemorating Rob’s leaving Edmonton with ice cream and chicken ball flinging, abandonment of me in the river valley, and Dusty’s “some clippers” statement (I had gone ~50 hours without sleep)</li><li>agonizing over Citadel tickets with Caitlin in Steeps</li><li>Break Forth with Donald Miller, Joyce Heron, and K.P.</li><li>Canada’s Olympic d-domination in Torino</li><li>seeing Death Cab and Franzy Panzy live</li><li>Steeps “study” sessions</li><li>improving my cooking skills significantly</li><li>mattress struggles and “good competence” with Crystal</li><li>the Oscars, despite losing the winner-prediction game</li><li>the C&C Retreat in January</li><li>gnoming with the guys for Larry and Konrad</li><li>watching the Oilers’ playoff excellence with friends and family, and braving the crowds on Whyte</li><li>riding on top of Brock while he moved slowly</li><li>exploding lighters in Three Hills</li><li>totally filling the hot tub at Allan’s acreage</li><li>making the ghoulish Quinzhee with Jenn</li><li>“The Cube” and the Hoff at Ashlee’s Christmas party</li><li>observing the evolution of our family’s robot</li><li>small group nights (especially ones with hair-free cookies)</li><li>the C&C photo rally</li><li>Google and YouTube fun and family functions</li><li>building the snow fort with Jay Jay</li><li>throwing a bowling ball backwards</li><li>escaping Sherry</li><li>my three-legged chair at the BBQ at Dusty’s</li><li>the Mother’s Day brunch (mmm…. Egg’s Benedict…)</li><li>Andrew’s always silly-fun dinner parties</li><li>watching Talladega Nights while completely sleep-deprived</li><li>the kitty-cats at Allan’s acreage</li><li>volunteering at Head Start</li><li>one-skate skating at the retreat</li><li>being a gangsta and visiting horses with Crystal Whistle</li><li>successfully living without La Familia for a month</li><li>throwing cucumbers at Ben at the Kinsmen picnic</li><li>making Jill’s birthday cake</li><li>collecting pinecones with Bethany of Gesthemane</li><li>the great workshops and concerts at the Folk Fest</li><li>megaphone adventures with Mike et al.</li><li>finding Darwin the Camera photo fun with Amy-Lynn</li><li>back to school adventure day with Mom and Jess</li><li>“turban time” with Nicole</li><li>last day of classes mania with Crystal Whistle and Raw-Buh</li><li>The 88 and Matty Costa at The Powerplant</li><li>Mike’s amusing pilfering at Red Robin’s</li><li>football games with Jess, Mom, and Dad</li><li>Canada Day fireworks with the C&C crew and discussion of evangelism tactics</li><li>meeting Fred and Sally the beavers</li><li>the Government Park picnic with the Rinases, Anne, Tim, and my grandparents</li><li>pouring a pitcher of water on Rob in my basement and then spraying him and Crystal with my garden-hose (sooo fun, until my board game was water damaged)</li><li>ice battles and fun with Ross at work</li><li>the Anne of Green Gables marathon with Jess</li><li>pretty much every second of the Whistler trip</li><li>hearing about Sarah Jane’s love life</li><li>making smores and melting my shoes at Hawrelak Park</li><li>Luke’s polo shirts and his song about “aplomb”</li><li>late night chats and giddiness with Crystal</li><li>gleaning music knowledge from Barista Chase</li><li>Roman Candle war in Three Hills (in which I did not participate, of course)</li><li>C&C Pizzazz Contingency with Andrew “Protestant” Browne </li><li>drives through the country at night</li><li>law and culture conversations with Corrinne</li><li>the laziest pillow fight ever in Three Hills, and the subsequent water fight</li><li>NEW YORK CITY</li></ul><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3847/908/1600/238973/mosaic9851150.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3847/908/400/585125/mosaic9851150.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Things Learned in 2006<br /><ul><li>sometimes the Eskies don’t make the playoffs</li><li>it’s OK to not always be right</li><li>periodic time alone is vital to my sanity</li><li>Song of Songs isn’t actually so silly (alliteration!)</li><li>loving God comes before loving others</li><li>jealousy is a truly vile and insalubrious sentiment</li><li>Conservative Christians are more like me than I once thought</li><li>being ideological in my beliefs is imprudent</li><li>I can no longer take my health for granted</li><li>I think I could live in Edmonton for the rest of my life</li><li>being loving doesn’t necessarily mean being a patsy</li><li>cultural enjoyment isn’t ever worth being snobbish</li><li>family is inestimably great and important</li><li>Jack Layton has wonky ideas sometimes</li><li>I still miss my old church</li><li>I love my new church</li><li>feeling guilty about awkwardness is silly</li><li>time is precious; it passes by insanely quickly nowadays</li><li>happiness is not my purpose in life</li></ul><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3847/908/1600/71264/mosaic4101383.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3847/908/400/317080/mosaic4101383.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Potential Resolutions for 2007<br /><ul><li>drink lots of water and eat more apples</li><li>sleep slightly more regularly (Mom, this does not mean you should nag me!)</li><li>Bible in a year</li><li>bring amigos to church/C&C</li><li>walk in the river valley twice a week</li><li>sponsor a Compassion Child by myself</li><li>obtain a driver’s license (for real this time)</li><li>initiate a daily internet usage limit</li><li>either use the treadmills at school regularly or take Yoga this term (with Caitlin?)</li><li>make more miniature films</li><li>have green tea or rooibos instead of Earl Grey</li><li>love more</li><li>carpe diem</li></ul><br />P.S. In case it is unclear, the picture mosaics are of my favourite memories of this year. They kind of make this blog entry hideous because they're so overwhelming visually, but I quite like them, so I'm sacrificing this entry's prettiness for the sake of my happiness. Also pictured (inset with the first blurb) are my new shoes. They are gold and shiny. They cost $45 on sale at Gravity Pope. I am a super-shopper.<br /><br />P.P.S. I don't have to work tomorrow! I have all tomorrow to see family, shop, walk, and read! Hurrah!!!Caithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15665726525573758241noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11278817.post-1166692510802203832006-12-20T02:13:00.000-07:002006-12-21T03:10:41.913-07:00Things Superficial and (At Least Slightly) Meaningful<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3847/908/1600/905370/IMG_8638.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3847/908/320/895377/IMG_8638.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>I do not purport to make any sense at this point in time. I haven’t eaten very much, and tiny little beasts called viruses are currently attacking my body, but in the absence of school, I have a craving to write at the moment. Tonight my annual birthday bash took place, and it was a grand occasion consisting of much laughter, conversation about insect-murdering fungi, and celebration of Leonard Cohen’s singing. I’m really terrible at not gushing about my family, but I’ll refrain from too much discussion of how they’re my favourite people in the world. (But, just for the record, they <i>are</i> my favourite people in the world. I have so much respect, gratitude, joy, appreciation, and love for them. I’m pretty lucky that the coolest people in the world are my family members. OK, blathering flattery done.) While my family doesn’t have to buy me great presents in order to win my affection, they certainly do get bonus points for picking out some rather awesome gifts. On Monday, prior to my infection of the Virus of Unpleasantness, I was the recipient of a beautiful 30 GB iPod named Botolf and an accompanying case depicting two turntables. Pretty stellar. Subsequently, at this evening’s fête, I was made the owner of some fine poetry, an amber necklace, some incredibly amazing vintage vinyl (Leonard Cohen! Beach Boys! Simon and Garfunkel!), and a <i>Polaroid camera</i>. I have wanted a Polaroid for quite some time now, and can’t wait to get started on photo-taking adventures with Galileo the Polaroid; the colours that turn out on Polaroid film are incomparable. I do realize that it’s kind of ridiculous that I enjoy these material things so much, and I’m pretty sure that Jesus wouldn’t focus nearly as much attention on gifts as I do. Hopefully I’ll use these gifts to appreciate human creativity, God’s creation, and the beauty of art, music, and poetry. I think I’ve mentioned in the past a Bible study that my small group last year did on joy, and I do think that a certain enjoyment of the “stuff” of life helps me to acknowledge all the cool stuff that God’s created and hopefully allows me to focus on the awesomeness of all that He has made. Still though, it’s important for me to ensure that my love of iPods, books, and cameras never rivals my love of others and of God, which is something that is often tempting to do in our capitalistic society. As Richard Wagner said, “joy is not in things, it is in us.”<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3847/908/1600/694762/IMG_8699.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3847/908/400/959491/IMG_8699.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>As aforementioned, I’ve been strangely sick since the evening of my birthday, and was especially ill yesterday after my exam and while shopping with Crystal. Luckily, Crystal took me home early from our Christmas mall excursion, and I managed to make it to the bathroom before I lost my breakfast (and lunch and dinner). I know that it’s kind of awful to ponder the subject of vomit, but I think there’s something kind of wonderful about vomit. Although Jess is horrified when I mention to this to her, the feeling experienced after some cathartic upchucking is quite lovely. After a few hours of nausea and anxiety about being sick, literally purging oneself of whatever was inducing the upset stomach is such a relief. While the catharsis itself is extremely disagreeable and humiliating, it’s definitely worth the reward of liberation from the experience of sickness. I think this is much like some more serious matters. Owning up to my sin’s isn’t always the most fun thing in the world, and yet I always feel so free and contented after I go through that sometimes painful ordeal of recognizing my inadequacies and failures. Being vulnerable with others is similar; saying something totally honest to another person can be scary and unpleasant, but it’s so worth it in the end, and can lead to really great things in the end. In my class on conditioning and behaviour, there was much discussion of self-control, and individual’s tendencies to sometimes pursue a very small reward if it took less work than a greater reward. Ultimately, it’s unwise for individuals to work for such a limited gain, but they do this over and over. I’m certainly prone to the same behaviour. It’s all too tempting to avoid building relationships with people who aren’t necessarily the “coolest” or most fun, but I’ve found that these friendships can be so very worthwhile. I can be annoyed when the recipe I’m making is excessively complicated and disastrous, but the tastiness of the food is usually proportional to the (figurative) blood and sweat put into it. It can be easy to rush through my devotions on a hectic day, but those days can be the ones that I get the most out of my devos, Shortsightedness and a lack of self-control often rob me of truly gratifying experiences, whether the reward of a deepened friendship or the righting of my relationship with God.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3847/908/1600/971364/IMG_8667.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3847/908/320/102380/IMG_8667.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>In addition to being the month of Christmas, the anniversary of my birth, New Year’s Eve, family get-togethers, snow fun, and days without school, December brings with it celebration of music from the past year, and anticipation of music coming up. The Arcade Fire has named its upcoming album, and has made its first single available via phone, and The Shins already have their video out for “Phantom Limb.” Intelligent music and intelligent dialogue about music are truly splendid, and these things abound in this last month of the year. Pitchforks “Best of 2006” lists served as incentives to me while I studied this past week. Jess finishes classes as of Friday, and I can’t wait to monopolize her time with amusing activities and enjoyment of her silliness. Two weeks of movies, walks, talks, and dancing with Jay Jay is sure to be fun. Plus, I got her two presents yesterday that I’m certain both of us will enjoy over the holidays. Christmas with my family is always special, and in the past we’ve made efforts to help those around us in addition to giving each other gifts, whether by giving gift money to charities, sharing our festivities to people who were alone over Christmas, or simply giving some time to those in need. This year, my mom’s side of the family are having Christmas with four refugees from Afghanistan and Pakistan, for whom this will be their very first winter in Canada. My Auntie Laura and Uncle Doug have been very involved in them making it to Canada, and it should be neat to learn more about their lives and their background and share with them our Christmas traditions. Last year, Laura and Doug brought a group of Asian students to Christmas festivities, and that brought with it many amusements (never try any dessert containing black rice; you will sorely regret it). On my dad’s side, we’ll be celebrating the 25th with a woman who has terminal cancer and would otherwise be quite alone over Christmas. We met her at Thanksgiving this year, and my auntie, grandma, and grandpa have been a real blessing to her over the past few months. I feel privileged to spend time with her over the holidays; she’s a beautiful woman who’s gone through so much hardship in her life, and I have loads of respect for her. She even got me presents for my birthday, which was ridiculously sweet of her. I feel blessed that my family demonstrates the true meaning of Christmas each and every year; it’s easy to focus less on presents and Boxing Day sales when I see human compassion and kinship so clearly in my family. I hope one day to be a bit like them.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/FGaxp0iHtlg"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/FGaxp0iHtlg" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br />Symptoms of the Virus of Unpleasantness that I Will Self-Indulgently List<br /><ul><li>dry skin</li><li>runny nose</li><li>sore throat</li><li>coughing up of blood</li><li>headache</li><li>general fatigue</li><li>strange delusions (as if there were normal delusions…)</li><li>muscle pains</li><li>sore lips</li><li>vomiting</li><li>no desire whatsoever to study for an EAS exam</li></ul>P.S. Thank you to everyone who wished me happy birthday via e-mail, cards, phone calls, or simple person-to-person dialogue! You're all quite sweet, and definitely brightened my day. Also, if I've come off as cold, zoned out, or unlike myself in the past while, it was likely due to my crotchety reaction to being sick rather than any actual desire to be cold, zoned out, or unlike myself. (The flu makes a very excellent scapegoat, I have learned.)Caithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15665726525573758241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11278817.post-1166233267659092742006-12-15T18:40:00.000-07:002006-12-15T19:36:53.216-07:00Less than 100 Hours Until Freedom<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3847/908/1600/300395/IMG_6081.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3847/908/320/750503/IMG_6081.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>This morning was one of those super foggy moments that are all too rare in Alberta. I love misty days. While mist does very strange things to my hair, and my sensitive eyes are somewhat irritated by the moist air, there’s something quite magnificent about everything around you being out of focus. It encourages introspection, and reminds me that God is all around me, just like the hazy vapour is. Good conversations with Him are almost certain on foggy days. One of my favourite composers is the film composer Thomas Newman, who’s done loads of beautifully soundtracked movies, and his music is the best supplement to the delicate cloud that hangs in the air on a day like today. His songs have these daintily fragile flourishes that make hair blowing in the wind and blurred figures in the distance appear as if they’re dancing to the music on my iPod. Songs like “Plastic Bag Theme” and “Possibility” make me want to dance, cry, and shout at the same time; only profoundly good music can do that. Jess and I sometimes sit in the living room in dim lighting and listen to some of his soundtracks, intermittently exclaiming how much we love dear Thomas, and feeling true contentment. Music is, at times, zealously enjoyed in my family. Back to my love of mistiness, I suspect that I also have a particular penchant for fog because it hearkens back to annual family vacations spent in the ever-so humid Vancouver and Vancouver Island. We used to hike to the lighthouse in Lighthouse Park every year, and the best walks were always the ones when the air was permeated in water vapour, and Jess and I could imagine how important we would be as lighthouse keepers, keeping the boats safe on even the murkiest of days. It’s partly in the mystery of everything being behind a permeable veil, too. You never know what exactly is behind that cloud in front of you, and it’s easy to ignore the ugliness of city surroundings when everything is shrouded by mist. One of the loveliest scene’s in Joe Wright’s version of Pride and Prejudice takes place in amidst billows of fog, and it not only makes for a dreamlike quality, but also represents how Lizzie and Mr. Darcy never quite recognized the potential loveliness that lay beneath the hazy ambiguity that characterized their relationship. Basically, fog is just really cool.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3847/908/1600/645086/Ocean%20Jaunt.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3847/908/400/3521/Ocean%20Jaunt.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I have decided that perhaps sociology isn’t quite so bad as I perceive it to be at times, although it remains in my mind as the least scientific academic field that masquerades as a science; I’m pretty sure that sociology is as scientific in its approach to learning about the social world as astrology is. It may sound nice to write about how society is purely two divided groups clashing with each other, or that society is a collection of groups that each serve their own complementary roles, but human behaviour is complex, messy, and at times seemingly inexplicable. There are very few overarching human tendencies, and to sit in an armchair and theorize about the workings of social interactions strikes me as slightly ludicrous. But sociology does serve a very important role in our society. Measuring cultural norms and trends within society is vital to our understanding of it, and while sociologists seem to exaggerate the significance of their seemingly obvious impressions of society, it is valuable to catalogue their findings. No matter how evident it is that children of divorced parents see their parents relatively less, or that more immigrants speak French in Québec than in Alberta, someone has to ensure that blatantly obvious social assumptions are, in fact, true. Still, the reasoning behind some of the theories to explain societal phenomena make me want to laugh and shake my head at the same time. However, as aforementioned, sociology redeemed itself slightly today. While I find psychology (in my completely unbiased opinion) to be far more scientific, precise, and pioneering, it is true that far more feminist rants can be indulged in when taking sociology courses. Today, I wrote 17 pages of what basically amounts to feminist vitriol, but because sociology profs have an innate appreciation of feminism, my exam actually made for some good Friday morning fun . Only English profs reward discussion of feminist thought just as much as my Dr. Kwame will.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/NgvUALlH4z4"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NgvUALlH4z4" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br />Fortunately, the days of exam writing are very nearly finished with, and soon I will be inundated with birthday and Christmas presents. The highlights of my wish-list this year consist of a 30 GB iPod (I wanted the 60 GB, but it’s been deemed unnecessary by my parents), a tripod for my cameras, a functional Polaroid camera (mine seems to be pretty much useless at this point), records to spin on my oh-so-cool turntable, and a longboard for summer purposes. I’m pretty sure I’ll be getting at least one of the items on that list, and I’m rather certain that it’s the most exciting one featured in said list. I can’t wait to be free of studying. Although tonight is Friday, the day of freedom for watching movies, going out for dinner, and being wholly silly, I must confine myself to Starbucks armed with my Psych 381 textbook and a notebook. Really, studying on Friday is practically a criminal act, but school deems such a great sacrifice to be compulsory at times. Tomorrow will consist of a morning at the café, birthday celebration #1, studying, singing at the Christmas pageant, a Christmas fete at the girls’ house, and some more quality time spent with the writings of egotistical behavioural psychologists. Not bad, but I wish that I had time to waste this week. Tuesday really can’t come soon enough; I can make dopey videos with Jess, do Christmas shopping, bake, go tobogganing and skating, walk around in the snowy river valley, gear up for skiing trip 2007, write my Christmas cards, read for long periods of time, have movie marathons at home, and spend time with dear friends and family. I’m especially looking forward to Cranium; people outside of my family seem to have a limited appreciation of this game, so having relatives at hand to recount useless trivia and mimic Marlon Brando with is quite splendid.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3847/908/1600/44174/n120400114_30165791_59.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3847/908/320/286836/n120400114_30165791_59.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>On an extremely exciting note, awards season is just around the bend, and I’m pretty thrilled. I really will have to write the Brokeback/Crash blog over Christmas before the Oscar nominations come out, and I hope to see most of the likely nominees over the holidays. I’m especially excited to see Fast Food Nation; Filmspotting had nothing but praise for it, although the New Yorker review didn’t have quite the same reaction to it. Also, I had been completely unaware until now that Richard Simmons had vinyl records. I am so going to find a copy of one in a thrift store before winter term begins; I’m not sure how I’ve gone all my life without Richard Simmons vinyl. Plus, I need to do some back to school shopping at Goodwill and Value Village before a new set of classes are upon me. Next term, Andrew and I are also looking forward to starting up a newsletter (we’re negotiating templates for it when I’m back from skiing), and it should be a good outlet for the many fine writers and thinkers we have in the group. If any of you guys would like to write something up, feel free to tell me so, and we’d be happy to put your piece in the January issue. We’re currently brainstorming for titles, and we should have the first issue published before the winter retreat. There are plenty more things to update, but I’m a particularly lovely point in my book right now, and have spent far too much time in front of the computer screen. I’ll have to write something of actual significance in the next little while! Studying seems to make all other thoughts relatively shallow and lackluster, although I suppose I could blog about peak shift and fault lines if I were desperate for material. I hope your Christmas seasons thus far have been merry, despite involving far more studying and lack of sleep than is likely healthy!<br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/kzqHT4_jgCA"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/kzqHT4_jgCA" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>Caithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15665726525573758241noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11278817.post-1165600199841766282006-12-08T10:48:00.000-07:002006-12-08T10:49:59.866-07:00All 25 Minutes of Grinchiness<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/BW2kBArx07c"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/BW2kBArx07c" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>Caithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15665726525573758241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11278817.post-1165263227101742022006-12-04T13:05:00.000-07:002006-12-04T14:33:18.116-07:00The Christmas Spirit (Not the Charles Dickens Kind)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3847/908/1600/92712/313180554_7ce0e2d8a2_o.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3847/908/320/611529/313180554_7ce0e2d8a2_o.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>I believe that there is such a thing as the Christmas spirit. As the song goes, I do "hope that we could always see such spirit through the year," but there's something undeniably special about this, my favourite month in the calendar year. People do seem to count their blessings more than usual as we draw near to December 25, and the giving spirit that characterizes Christmas isn't limited to buying things for loved ones. On Saturday, I saw shoppers on Whyte Ave actually interacting with the homeless individuals who lined the shops, a sight which is all too rare. Customers at my café were patient and warm, and appreciative of some refuge from the bitter cold outside. People staffing the mall had hectic days, and yet gave us sincere wishes of a merry Christmas and danced along to some festive music. Yesterday, my dad attempted to replace a frozen flat tire of a girl's car near our house, and upon realizing that she'd need a tow truck, invited her to stay in our house and use the iMac and kitchen while she waited for help and we went off to my grandma and grandpa's for Sunday dinner. My auntie and uncle were shoveling my grandparents' walks when we arrived, and my grandma relayed warm wishes from a bunch of people from our old church from their service that day. <br /><br />This season truly is beautiful, in some way that is distinguishable from the others. Whether it's the fact that we get some time off of work, the necessity for cooperation in this period of frigid cold and vehicle problems, or leftover giving from buying Christmas presents, it makes me smile to think that people do have it within them to love others wholeheartedly. The <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rULq2GHd8EI">final scene in Monty Python's The Meaning of Life</a> is the song "Christmas in Heaven," a song totally mocking televangelism and cliché notions of heaven (only watch it if you're certain you won't be offended!). Although I'm sure they didn't intend this, this song is one that also makes me wonder if this Christmas spirit that I witness around me foreshadows what it might be like when Jesus comes again. We give to charities the most at Christmastime, and seem to better understand the importance of showing love to others, especially friends and family. It's true that there is an increasingly materialistic aspect of Christmas. But the heart of Christmas, the celebration of Jesus' birth and its meaning in our lives, really does give me hope, peace, love, and joy. It's wonderful and hope-giving to witness at least a bit of these four elements of Advent in the people around me as well.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/DKk9rv2hUfA"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/DKk9rv2hUfA" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>Caithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15665726525573758241noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11278817.post-1165135652375915212006-12-02T01:35:00.000-07:002006-12-03T10:14:03.760-07:00Fall Semester Wrap Up (Sans Technical Difficulties)<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/S7oZ_4-d2I8"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/S7oZ_4-d2I8" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object> <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3847/908/1600/783753/trudeau.gif"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3847/908/320/197140/trudeau.gif" border="0" alt="" /></a>I must admit that I'm still quite tuckered out today. But it's a happy tired; the sort of fatigue that comes from fulfilling work and a day of adventures and memory-making. It was a non-stop day of work, shopping, brochure and DVD delivering, and watching the Liberal convention. The latter item on that list made the day rather splendid though, in addition to laughing and singing with friends at the banquet tonight, and getting the beach house in the Game of Life. While I may have earned very little money, ended up with a salary of $20,000, and had no children whatsoever, my love for Life remains unabated. On a real-life note, Dion is, I am certain, going to make a wonderful prime minister, and he's the sort of politician who strives to unify rather than divide. As he iterated today, the Conservatives aren't bad people; Conservative ways of bettering the country simply aren't ideal. I'm pretty excited for the likely upcoming election, and for our discussion in Poli Sci class on Monday. Seriously, anyone who names their dog Kyoto should automatically receive some sort of power. I'll have to write about the Liberal's future at another time though, because I still have to do my devotions and it's currently 1:40, and I need to get some zzzs before choir tomorrow. But remember, "tous ensemble!" (If you find this reference confusing, you really are missing out on political convention fun! I'll fill you in if you'd like.) Also, please admire how beautiful and lovely the drawing of Joseph Philippe Pierre Yves Elliott <span style="font-style:italic;">Trudeau</span> is. It reminds me of a Wes Anderson movie, and is obviously a portrait of an excessively pretty person. If anyone could rock a comb-over, it was Trudeau.Caithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15665726525573758241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11278817.post-1165045283705557212006-12-01T00:40:00.000-07:002006-12-02T05:01:11.513-07:00I've Had Enough of Fatigue<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3847/908/1600/124625/IMG_8289.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3847/908/400/427875/IMG_8289.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I’m kind of exhausted today. It’s been a long week, and while there have been some really lovely moments in the midst of the hecticness, I’m relieved that I can start this next week afresh. My parents have been upset that I’ve been doing so much non-school stuff this week, especially with work, volunteering at Head Start, and C&C publicity stuff over the past while; it’s probably a valid concern. But it’s so terribly stressful when one’s parents are upset with one! There was a massive batch of items on a to-do list that I can officially check off as of this evening, and I feel like I can sigh a big breath of relief. It’s an awfully wonderful feeling, although I think I may need some decent sleep to overcome this fatigue. One of my favourite songs to listen to when I’m feeling pathetically sorry for myself is Michael Franti’s “Never Too Late,” which simply describes how you can always start fresh, and I’m quite thankful for that fact, in times as simple as the end of a long week, or as weighty as my sinfulness. There are a few things that I always do when I could use some cheering up, consisting of listening to music (today Zero 7), watching a good movie (tonight Love Actually with Jess), enjoying a warm drink (cocoa for this evening) and spending time with God (reading 1 Peter and The Jesus I Never Knew tonight). It’s pretty much a fail-safe recipe to snap out of my lethargy and notice all the little blessings. I shall make a list of these little blessings from tonight.<br /><br /><object height="350" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/jsfdu6fvdP8"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/jsfdu6fvdP8" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="350" width="425"></object><br /><br />Little Blessings from Tonight<br /><ul><li>channel 18 has the yule logs (!!!!)</li><li>this year the yule logs come with crackling sound effects</li><li>I am going to purchase the yule log DVD so I can watch it in bed at night (!!!!)</li><li>snow has such a lovely crystalline glow</li><li>the snow a warm tone of orange under the street lamps tonight</li><li>Relevant Magazine is kind of my favourite magazine in the world</li><li>the smoke stacks on campus are now lit up (so beautiful)</li><li>tonight’s Filmspotting episode was simultaneously mentally stimulating and hilarious</li><li>my computer is dreadfully pretty</li><li>photos I took yesterday turned out decently</li><li>my sunglasses are pretty much the coolest things ever</li><li>tunnels and pedways are absolute lifesavers in cold weather</li><li>I do not have frostbite like I thought I might (!!!!)</li><li>there are an alarming number of doors that lead to absolutely nowhere on campus</li><li>politics are increasingly exciting as we near Christmas</li><li>Bob Rae’s chances of winning are steadily improving</li><li>my chai latté today was the perfect temperature</li><li>old beater cars are quite wonderful</li><li>vats of pickles and ranch dressing at the guys’ house are amusing</li><li>tomorrow I get to dress up (!!!!)</li><li>I get to see Grandma and Grandpa and Anne and Tim on Sunday</li><li>Pastor Lyle’s sermons top any Poli Sci lecture hands down (which is saying a lot!)</li><li>Jess is pretending to be an electron tomorrow</li><li>we saw Jess’ grad photos today; she’s a beautiful bumpkin</li><li>I am done with the poor, abused Sniffy forever and ever</li><li>Richard Simmons was on Letterman last night; it was amazing<br /></li><li>honeycombs are decidedly scrumptious</li><li>the snow fort is coming along nicely</li><li>there is now an acronym for the “super” in S.U.P.E.R. taster</li><li>I’m reading Generation X right now, and I love Douglas Coupland</li></ul><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3847/908/1600/779715/IMG_8332.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3847/908/320/473250/IMG_8332.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I was going to write about the shallowness of money, the nature of encouragement, and how splendid friends are, but the movie’s gotten to a particularly excellent scene, so I suspect that it’s best if I leave it at that. (I get emotional at very irrational points in Love Actually; I just got teary over seeing a speech about how terrible the States are. I must sleep tonight.) I’ll post a couple of movies that I edited tonight in lulls in the movie from leftover footage of New York, which I miss immensely. Two nights ago they lit up the tree at Rockefeller, the official beginning of the Christmas Season, and it was pretty fantastic. They even played “Jingle Bell Rock” to conclude, which is an exceedingly great song. Thus, I really am sorry that I’m not in NYC with pretty snow, wonderful Ella Fitzgerald music, bustling streets, and beautiful sights all around. But Edmonton does have all my loved ones, my Whyte Avenue, my river valley, and my Eskimos. I’ll stay here for now, I suppose. Also something I’m hoping to do soon is make the most of the snow. The moment that I’m free of exams, I’m having as many snowball fights, skating escapades, tobogganing adventures, and skiing trollops as possible. Tonight, though, is a night for some thinking, relaxing, and savouring the sensation of relief. I hope you’re all able to find some time for rest and renewal in the next while.<br /><br /><object height="350" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/2kYbgftiRe0"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2kYbgftiRe0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="350" width="425"></object><br /><br />Things Completed this Week<br /><ul><li>semester wrap-up video</li><li>applied research proposal</li><li>poster presentation</li><li>Q&A outline for ABC Head Start</li><li>Sniffy experiments</li><li>research paper on peak shift</li><li>earthquake location assignment</li><li>finding a banquet skit</li><li>my recent copy of The New Yorker</li><li>Sociology readings</li><li>organizing games closet</li><li>learning choir songs</li><li>cleaning the back room at work</li><li>evaluation of volunteering</li><li>composing my birthday/Christmas list</li><li>the winter retreat brochure</li><li>any traces of self-pity<br /></li></ul><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3847/908/1600/391829/IMG_8303.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3847/908/400/501786/IMG_8303.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />P.S. I miss the summer and New York a bit.Caithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15665726525573758241noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11278817.post-1164439503903413902006-11-24T00:23:00.000-07:002006-11-25T00:34:52.856-07:00Snow Certainly has Advantages<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3847/908/1600/189991/mosaic1690550.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3847/908/400/6584/mosaic1690550.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Tonight the foundations of this year's Lobe Snow Fort were laid, despite the snow's complete un-stickiness and our excessive hysteria over pouring water on our shoes and wearing silly clothes. Thus far, the major features of our lair include a table made out of a tree stump, short walls, an entrance, and a pretty radtacular floor. Previous forts have included windows, bench seats, and storage holes in the walls à la Fred Penner, so hopefully we'll get to incorporate some other architectural delights into the space as winter progresses. One of the very best things about having a fort in your lawn is that the floor makes a great spot to lie down on and observe the stars from, and it was fun to reminisce with Jess about star-gazing nights of the past. We've got our fingers crossed for more snow, since our main priority at this point in building is increasing the height and width of the walls. Snow adventures were followed by hot chocolate and a French movie with Mamushka and Diddy about a tax lawyer who poses as a psychiatrist (I napped through the latter moments of the film; building a fort is good hard work). That's really all I've got to say; I'm just excited by the prospect of improving our fort and spying on passersby.<br /><br />P.S. Jess is seriously all I could ask for in a friend and sister. I love her oh-so very much.<br /><br />P.P.S. I've found <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3847/908/1600/989590/IMG_8066.jpg">a new studying spot on campus</a>, and it's superly duperly awesome. My dad used to take Jess and I there when we were really young, but I hadn't been there in ages, and I"m thrilled to have rediscovered it. It has all the essentials of a studying nook: <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3847/908/1600/154793/IMG_8064.jpg">a large window with a good view of campus</a>, plenty of incoming sunlight, a comfortable seat, <a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3847/908/1600/217726/IMG_8069.jpg">enough table space to study on</a>, a healthy amount of peace and quiet, and enough room to bring friends along when desired. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3847/908/1600/884172/mosaic9560287.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3847/908/400/613981/mosaic9560287.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Caithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15665726525573758241noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11278817.post-1164334641112081842006-11-23T19:13:00.000-07:002006-11-23T19:21:19.813-07:00Calling All Cameraphiles<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3847/908/1600/938618/IMG_7994.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3847/908/320/350700/IMG_7994.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>I know for a fact that the people who check this blog once in a blue moon have awfully pretty faces, and I'm writing to offer you an opportunity to give that pretty face of yours some more exposure! I'm supposed to make a follow-up video to the awesome Mustard Seed event last weekend, and I'd love to interview you about your experience and what you got out of it. Optimistically, I'd like to get the footage mostly this weekend, so if there was a bit of time that you could set aside to give me a blurb about your time at the Mustard Seed, I'd appreciate it very much. I promise that appearing before Einstein the video camera will not take your soul away, and as the saying goes, any publicity is good publicity. Please give me a shout if you'd like to say a few words; otherwise I'll have to pester all you C&Cers into appearing on camera! In other church-related news, our Christmas choir is singing our first song this weekend in the first two services on Sunday. I'm immensely excited, especially because we're singing our favourite piece this Sunday, and my mom will be joining us on the piano with her accompanying "orchestra." Plus, I'm wearing a skirt to church to dress up for the occasion, and skirts are kind of fantastic. My final revelation to impart to you is that my feet are seemingly frostbitten after walking to ABC Head Start today. The kids still made the frostbite worth it, though. Children are the greatest.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3847/908/1600/651419/IMG_8021.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3847/908/400/534527/IMG_8021.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Caithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15665726525573758241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11278817.post-1164269833479530022006-11-22T01:15:00.000-07:002006-11-23T09:26:26.810-07:00Macs are Wonderful (from the C&C forum)<object height="350" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/jULUGHJCCj4"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/jULUGHJCCj4" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="350" width="425"></object><br />I love this ad. It makes me want to be the person who speaks up when it's akward, or does something that seems a bit strange and against the norm, just because it's the right or important thing to do. Computers really are superficial things, and approaching computers in an unconventional way isn't super revolutionary, but my love of Apples is often frowned upon by PC users. Especially people from church seem to strongly dislike Macs, as was indicated on our C&C forum today. Here was my feeble defence of my favourite computers of all... Anyone who is anti-Apple deserves their prosaic PCs with their hideousness, tendency to crash, and useless software. I am blessed to have grown up in an Apple family with Frank the Mac, Gandalf the iMac, Gimli the iBook, Arwen the MacBook, and Gazelda the eMac. Because of my wonderful heritage with Mac computers, I have evaded struggles with technology througout my lifetime, and have an unbreakable bond with my computers; my very first computer could not be parted with, so he sits in my closet. Macs are so wonderful and animated that they become a friend in a certain sense, and most users have a strong love for their computer. I know dozens of PC users who long to get a Mac, and more than a dozen converts from the awful PCs. Conversely, I have never in my life met a Mac user who wanted a PC, and have never heard of an Apple user who switched over to the PC world. In fact, Microsoft's rebuttal to Apple's "Switch to Mac" ad campaign was to have actors pretend that they had converted to PCs using the names of dead people. This is no joke. Is it a coincidence that Macs are so loved, even by people who don't use them? I think not.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3847/908/1600/614804/silhouettes.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3847/908/320/977865/silhouettes.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Although my dad is really the Apple expert in our household, I can try to impart to all you Apple-ignorant folk the wonders of using a Mac. First off, Macs are simply easier to use. Everything is laid out in a highly logical manner, and the graphics and software are not only beautiful, but exceptionally lifelike. Because Apples are so well-designed, they are incredibly user friendly. My grandma learned how to use a computer in a single day at the tender age of 75 using my grandpa's new iMac; hitherto she had been unable learn how to use a PC. My dad convinced his school to get all Apple computers a few years ago, and the kids love how fun and accessible they are. Additionally, Macs do not crash. They never get viruses. Once they're plugged into an outlet, they're ready to go. They are faster than PCs. How can you beat that? Quite simply, you can't beat that, and Apple fans suffer far much stress due to computer issues and annoyances. My family has converted more than 15 families to Apples since I was born, and these switchers invariably notice the absence of hassles and struggles on their new computers. No longer must ctr+alt+del be used, and gone are the days of hesitating to trust e-mails due to the fear of viruses. Once a Mac is taken out of the box, given a power source, and turned on, life is markedly improved.<br /><br />It's undeniable that Macs are gorgeous. When Bono described iPods as the sexiest thing since the electric guitar, he meant it. Apple products are carefully designed with both form and function in mind, which explains why Microsoft reliably copies Mac ideas. Mircosoft just now joined the Aqua bandwagon, while Apple has already moved onto a more progressive aesthetic. Why do almost all professional artists, filmmakers, musicians, photographers, and creative people in general use Macs? Because they appreciate beauty and are looking for a creativity-friendly computer. Apple employs zillions of design-savvy people to ensure the sleekness and prettiness of its hardware, and its operating systems are equally lovely. Macs really are adorable, and come in a variety of shapes and sizes, one of which would suit you, I'm certain. And if you really want a right-click mouse, you can totally buy them; Macs can easily be used with right-click mice, it's just that most Apple people don't like right-clicking, and prefer to use the "option" button when necessary. It's a matter of preference, but if for some reason you enjoy having another thing to click, you could have that. Yes it's true that Apple's PR team is awesome, but the attitude of wanting hiring creative and innovative people in PR is also applied to the engineers and designers who make the hardware.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3847/908/1600/558559/33807117_8f68af0f7d_o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3847/908/320/618920/33807117_8f68af0f7d_o.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I trust Steve Jobs far more than Bill Gates with my computer and various computer accessories. If any of my friends ever use a Mac as an anchor, I will cry. I really will. I must mention again that I'm unaware of a lot of computer things, and I know that Apples have several mother benefits that I have neglected to bring to your attention. If you still disagree with me, I would direct you to my dad, Apple indoctrinator extraordinaire. He has a much firmer grasp on alpha lock chips and RF modulators than I. (A friend responds with a reaction to my pro-Apple propoganda... Imagine arguments based on efficiency, children's opinions being insignificant, and a devaluation of objects' beauty. Typical PC.) I'm pretty sure that the naming of computers isn't unique to Mac users (a lot of people enjoy christening their PCs too), and I kind of enjoy naming things in general. It's rather fun! Apple users aren't quite members of a cult... A cult is defined by religious beliefs and a high degree of tension with the surrounding society combined with novel religious ideas. You could certainly say that Apple has a cult-like following, but many good things have so-called "cult-like followings," and Mac users are not pressured, manipulated with fear tactics, or brainwashed.<br /><br />I know the comment about my grandma was a joke, and I suppose it is true that you could teach a chimp to use a computer, though it couldn't quite use spell-check or create computer programs. My grandma truly is exceptionally talented! She had the highest marks in the Faculty of Arts in university, and is a highly resourceful and intelligent person. She just doesn't find using a PC to be worthwhile because saving files into strange things called "My Computer" and having to avoid viruses is taxing at times. There really isn't anything infuriating about Macs! I'm not how using them would cause anger since they're much less counter-intuitive than PCs usually are. But maybe I'm so habituated to Apples that I just don't notice irritating things. Also, Macs really never crash; certain programs might freeze, but that program can be quit, and the computer doesn't have to be restarted. Maybe on extremely rare occasions the computer might fail somehow, but a computer honestly hasn't crashed in my house since Tiger came out. Not even once. My uncle got an iMac a year ago, and has completely avoided all crashes, viruses, and disappearing files since then. Prior to that, he got viruses on a regular basis, struggled with files being deleted, and was frequently aggravated by his computer crashing. I don't really think that these things were happening because he was too inept to use his computer.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3847/908/1600/598479/Picture%201.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3847/908/320/937551/Picture%201.png" alt="" border="0" /></a>As for viruses, it's true that part of the reason that Macs aren't targeted is because there are simply less Mac users to victimize. But another limiting factor is that Macs have a secure Unix base. This means that whenever the computer wants to do something suspicious, the user is warned in advance, and they can stop any damage from happening. So I suppose a virus could work if people agreed to let the virus do damage, but most would likely stop something strange happening to their Mac. My dad explains this much better. I really kind of like children, and tend to enjoy a great deal of the things that they like! Thus, I think it's neat that they too appreciate all that is fun, cool, and pretty in Macs, even though they might, like me, not quite understand everything about the computer that they're using. I think that they're opinion is pretty much as valid as anyone else's. although admittedly most Apple fans are adults. But we are all, I see, wayward children in error. As for this right-click business, as aforementioned, you can get a right-click mouse if you'd like! I find them to be a nuisance, but I know several Mac users who use them, and they work exactly as they do on a PC. So if you're aiming for efficiency, that can certainly be achieved with a Mac as well.<br /><br />Just like children, Macs are really cute! They're rotund, shiny, and interesting. I don't want to say that someone's visual taste is superior to someone else's, because that would amount to complete snobbery. But it is true that people who make a living in the visual arts prefer Apple computers. I personally find Macs really beautiful, and I tend to appreciate a certain aesthetic a lot, and it's one reason why I enjoy these computers so much. I am kind of picky about things that furnish my bedroom, so I'll admit that whether my computer fits in with the rest of my furnishings or not is important to me. I've never in 20 years of life on this planet seen a PC that looked better than a Mac. Plus, Apple computers take up way less space than most PCs do. My dad truly isn't a cult enforcer! I was using hyperbole when characterizing him as an indoctrinator; he's only used violence and deceit a few times when discussing Apples with PC users (that too was sarcasm...). He's quite soft spoken and mild-mannered, but he enjoys using Macs for computer programming, video editing, word processing, and other day to day tasks involved in the to-do list of a computer teacher. Maybe it seems like Mac users are condescending when we defend our Apples so vehemently, but it's just that PC users really do miss out on a lot just because Macs aren't totally mainstream and widely accepted.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3847/908/1600/725834/gallery-big-05.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3847/908/400/2128/gallery-big-05.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I also don't know of any non-game programs that can't be run on a Mac. Like, at all. Most everything comes in a Mac version! As for games, if you really enjoy them, it's extremely simple to partition the computer with a gross Windows side for games etcetera. My cousins have done this, and it works very well, and they've yet to run out of space on either of the partitioned sides. So to reduce stress levels and improve performance in brain surgery, a Mac could certainly be used for games. The only thing I will categorically, without a doubt, totally disagree with you on is the thought that PCs are better for home-editing of photos, videos, and music. This is so insanely untrue! My family has recorded entire songs using a simple program on Garage Band, which any amateur music editor will admit is far superior to any such software available for PCs as well. As well, iPhoto and other Apple home-editing programs are noted as much easier to use, and more useful, in photo editing, just as Final Cut Pro and iMovie are regarded as superior to any PC software for video editing. I believe a few members of the AV Club at church would argue this better than I.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3847/908/1600/669677/adams.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3847/908/320/901167/adams.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>It's really quite easy to communicate between Macs and PCs, though I'm probably not the best person to explain how to integrate the two breeds of computer. But many businesses do this quite seamlessly! As for fiddling around with the inside of the computer, I know that various family members have done this, it's just less people would want to modify their Macs. Not sure precisely how this is done, and I'm sure you know more about that Matt (that rhymed!). But you definitely could change your Mac, especially with the tower Apples where the computer's designed to be change-friendly. Finally, kids are so not stupid! Their propensity for creativity, inadvertent humour, and clever insight repeatedly amazes me. They might think differently from those more advanced in years, and may be at a different place cognitively, but they certainly have valuable and interesting thoughts. Children are some of my favourite people in the world, if not my very favourite. Any further qualms with my love of Apple and Steve Jobs can be directed towards my comments section. I'm rather passionate about computers, and will likely respond with some attempt at a reasonable response. After all, once an Apple user, always an Apple user! (In an un-cult-like way, of course.)<br /><br />Apple's Reasons to Switch to a Mac<br /><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">It just works.</span> How much time have you spent troubleshooting your PC? Imagine a computer designed by people who hate to waste time as much as you do. Where all the hardware and software just works, and works well together. Get a Mac and get your life back.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">You can make amazing stuff. </span>Every Mac comes with iLife ’06, a suite of software that transforms your photos, music, and video into all kinds of projects. Make high-quality websites, photo books, DVDs, songs, slideshows, music CDs, calendars, cards, prints, podcasts, music videos, documentaries, and more. </li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Design that turns heads. </span>You won’t want to hide your Mac in a corner of the den. You’ll want it front and center in your life. The Apple style shows in every detail, from its sculpted surfaces to its gorgeous Mac OS X graphics. </li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">114,000 Viruses? Not on a Mac. </span>Mac OS X was designed with security in mind. Windows just wasn’t built to bear the onslaught of attacks it suffers every day. A Mac offers a built-in firewall, doesn’t advertise its existence on the Net, and isn’t compromised within an hour of being turned on. </li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Next year’s OS today. </span>Since Mac OS X engineers aren’t busy damming a flood of viruses, they have the time to think up amazing new technology. Like Dashboard widgets, mini-applications offering a world of capabilities just a keystroke away. Or a built-in RSS news reader. </li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">The latest Intel chips. </span>Intel Core Duo processors put you on the cutting edge. In fact, a Mac with an Intel chip is so fast it surprises even longtime Windows pundits, who keep running benchmarks again and again. Results? Fast. Fast. Yup, still fast. </li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Instant video chats. </span>Setting up a video chat with the people next door — or across the globe — should be as simple as picking up the phone. On a Mac, you just click an icon to have a four-way video chat in a full-screen window with amazing clarity and special effects.</li></ul><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3847/908/1600/907806/IMG_7072.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3847/908/400/142336/IMG_7072.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><ul><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">More fun with photos. </span>On a Mac, you don’t need any extra software to make a photo book. You don’t have to leave your photo software to visit a separate website and wait for forms to load. All you need is a camera and a Mac. </li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">One-click websites. </span>How long does it take to post a photo or video to your blog on a PC? On a Mac, you can shoot a picture or a movie with the built-in camera, then post it on the web in a few clicks. Pontificate, preachify, and publish. The hardest part is coming up with something to say. </li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Amazing podcasts. </span>Want to get your message out to the world? Podcast it. A Mac makes it simple to create professional podcasts, complete with artwork. Add sound effects and jingles, even use the built-in radio engineer to make it perfect. So you can be a talk star in seconds. </li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Rock star tunemaking. </span>Musicians get all the girls (or guys). And a Mac has the software to turn you into the musician of your dreams. Choose from hundreds of cool riffs and instruments to create your own songs. Get good enough and you could be on iTunes. </li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Hollywood-style movies. </span>Connect your DV camera and turn your movies into spectaculars. Add graphics, titles, and sound effects in minutes. Then use your Mac to burn a DVD or post to your website.</li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">No hunting for drivers. </span>Just plug in your stuff. A Mac includes USB drivers for mass storage, digital cameras, input devices, iPod, and more. It can see Bluetooth cell phones and headsets, as well as FireWire cameras. No rebooting. </li><li><span style="font-weight: bold;">Awesome out of the box. </span>Other computers include software, it’s true. But once you start using that software, you find that you’re hobbled in some way or another. Software included with the Mac, on the other hand, is critically acclaimed as best in class.</li></ul><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3847/908/1600/773009/047_47.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/3847/908/400/772808/047_47.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />This photo was taken in the Museum of Modern Art in New York, one of my very favourite places in the city. It is largely regarded by artists as the premiere display of modern art on the face of the planet, and features the greatest artists in the world. Here are three Apple products in a one-room exhibit on modern design. There were no PCs in the exhibit at all. I know this is art snobbery, but you can't deny that Macs are not just cute, they're gorgeous. They're art.<br /><br /><object height="350" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Rk5Ei8hFRdc"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Rk5Ei8hFRdc" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="350" width="425"></object>Caithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15665726525573758241noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11278817.post-1164058433951285452006-11-20T14:24:00.000-07:002006-11-21T12:52:34.293-07:00I am Stricken with Jambalaya Food Poisoning<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3847/908/1600/Birthday%20Card.0.1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3847/908/400/Birthday%20Card.0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I fell prey to a mild bout of food poisoning tonight, and while Crystal is skeptical of my ailment, I really do feel slightly delirious at the moment. And yes, I've been sick tonight. Jess is now in bed, and I've read enough today, so I'm passing the time by typing. I was chatting with a customer recently who was formerly a court typer, and I discovered that she typed at a speed of 125 wpm, which strikes me as entirely insane. So I'll type my thoughts out as they come, provided that they don't come out at more than 70 wpm. Yesterday I made two very significant discoveries, both of which I shall relate here. First off, while ordering a soup combo from the lovely manager of my favourite Timmy Ho's, it came to my attention that instead of a single donut in a combo, one could receive two cookies instead. Two cookies! A soup, roll, non-Coke beverage, and two whole triple chocolate cookies make for a pretty great meal, all for the very low price of $4.48. While the lineups at Tim Horton's are at times laughably horrid, it's hard to beat such a steal of a deal (especially when there are macadamia nut and triple chocolate cookies to be consumed). I suspect that Crystal was really not a fan of me taking about 15 minutes to get my food yesterday, but it was almost worth her semi-masked grumpiness.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3847/908/1600/Sunday%20Dresses.1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3847/908/320/Sunday%20Dresses.0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>In addition to this marvelous food revelation yesterday, I was introduced to creamy dill ripple chips at my family's Grey Cup party last night. Dill chips are on my top five list of best chip flavours of all, but it would seem that creamy dill may have moved into first place. I took the leftovers home, and promptly finished them last night. I even found out via my super-fab uncle that there are Izzle Pops in this very city! Prior to last night, I believe that I had finished my very last Izzle Pop ever in NYC (you really must all try the many varieties of Izzle Pops). I am so thankful that God created our hundreds of taste buds, and that I am among the 600,000 super-tasters on this planet. Goodness I'm being self-indulgent tonight; I've drawn attention to the fact that I'm feeling under the weather, and have mentioned my superior tasting abilities. I am a pretty super taster though, it's undeniable. (Not a <span style="font-style: italic;">pretty</span> super taster, a <span style="font-style: italic;">pretty-super</span> taster.) I hope you all had a great deal of fun at your Grey Cup parties (I'm assuming you all watched the game, because otherwise it would be a tragedy of epic proportions). I missed the first half due to choir practice, and ended up cheering for the Als with my family in the second half because they were down by so much; our cheering almost allowed them to make a full comeback. It was, as one would predict, an awesome night of sports and giggling with family over a lovely meal. My only qualm is that Cahoon should have been outstanding Canadian player, since McCallum only really stood out because the B.C. offence was unable to finish a lot of their drives. Plus, Ben Cahoon has a pretty excellent smile. Perhaps this will make up for the manure incident in Saskatchewan, though.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3847/908/1600/Blowin%27%20in%20the%20Wind.0.1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3847/908/400/Blowin%27%20in%20the%20Wind.0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Anyways, now that we have my rather meaningless thoughts out of the way, onto things of substance that have been circulating through my mind recently. I'm currently in the middle of deciding whether or not to head off to the Dominican Republic this spring with some fellow C&Cers over reading week for a missions trip. I am terribly conflicted over this decision, since my parents are wary of me spending a pretty large sum of money in the middle of a term where I'm working only twice a week. It is a sizable amount of cash, yes, but I know that it would be such a great experience, and that it would mean a deepening of my relationships with both God and the others in the group. The opportunity to lend a hand in a poverty-stricken country is hard to pass up, and it's likely one of the most convenient times in my life to do something like this. This term I've been toying with sponsoring my own Compassion child, since my family's really loved having our little Juan, but I don't know how feasible it would be for me to sponsor a child now if I need money go away. Not that I couldn't cut back on silly expenses and eating out, but I imagine it would be tricky. I've been back and forth for a week, and I'm still not sure what to do. I suppose that means more prayer then! Also on the topic of getting away from Edmonton is my family's annual Christmas skiing trip. We usually ski only one day downhill and one day cross-country, but it's nearly always one of the highlights of my year. I must inform you that I am one of the worst skiers in the world. I'm exceptionally afraid of crashing into another skier, and as a result, if I feel as though I might hit anyone, I stop and sit on the ground for a moment. Additionally, I dislike feeling out of control, and am usually the last one in the family lineup of skiers. There's something so peaceful and invigorating about the snowy mountains though, and I'm incredibly excited for the trip down to Banff in about a month. This will inevitably mean dinner at Coyote's, walks around town with Starbucks hot chocolates, and plenty of giddy fun. Yay for family skiing trips!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3847/908/1600/Cheers%21.1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3847/908/400/Cheers%21.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />It's always so cool to find good where you didn't expect to find it. Pastor Lyle spoke about Paul yesterday, one of my top 10 Bible characters (it's kind of strange that we call them Bible characters; we don't call people in history books characters). Anyways, I digress; Paul's one of my favourite people in the Bible partly because his journey to Christ is the story of someone who was seemingly helpless to change made such a dramatic transformation. I find hope in the thought that anyone I know could experience this kind of change, no matter how far gone or out of reach they might seem. Paul was acting horrifically towards Christians prior to his conversion, and yet God used him for so many great things after he literally saw the light. Indeed, Lyle mentioned how Saul likely had experienced a feeling of "kicking at the goads," and there seemed to be something in him telling him that there was something more. Sometimes I find it difficult to imagine some people even considering God in their lives, but from Scripture like this I suspect that everyone does have moments where there's a sense that there is this God who they rely on. To some extent, this is why I think the death penalty isn't ours to enforce; who knows if Saddam Hussein could have changed his life around, or if he's contemplated whether Christians were onto something. If Paul made such a massive change, I believe that anyone can, and to basically condemn people when they commit heinous crimes strikes me as tragic.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3847/908/1600/Spring%20Outfits.0.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3847/908/320/Spring%20Outfits.0.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>My devotions led me to 1 Peter today, a letter written by someone who also was used by God despite some bumps along his journey. It would be no small thing to deny Christ three times, but Peter eventually matured into someone who led the church in its early years and was such an encouragement to downtrodden Christians. I find that so hopeful. I think I have to fight any cynicism developing in me as a get older, because there's no reason to be a cynic, and I want to always know the hope of Christ. I was reading through Song of Songs last week, and I was skeptical enough to believe that I wouldn't get as much out of that book as I do out of others. But reading what C.H. Spurgeon, William Reese, and T.S. Eliot wrote about the romance between Christ and the church really brought a new light to the text, and I got so much out of reading that sometimes-amusing love poetry. Yet again, my skepticism was nulled, and it became clearer than I ever that I need to steer clear of cynicism in my life. Yes, I believe that thinking critically is vital to a healthy faith, and that there's so much that I want to change in the world, but without hope I don't have much to strive for.<br /><br />Reasons this Blog May be Nonsensical<br /><ul><li>my coherence has been limited this evening</li><li>I am sick</li><li>it is late</li><li>Crystal made me stare at ugly hair tonight</li></ul><br /><object height="350" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/a2yJSFHTrgM"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/a2yJSFHTrgM" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="350" width="425"></object>Caithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15665726525573758241noreply@blogger.com6