shards of something else.

2011-11-19T17:43:00.004-05:00

Beautiful and creative!

This post is admittedly more for me than anyone else. Pinterest/visualize.us aside, I can't think of a better way to remember this gorgeous wedding, shot by This Modern Romance. The location and photography is just stunning. The hand-made details are to die for! So many wonderful ideas. :)

To see the whole wedding, click here: Jodi & Kurt's wedding

2011-11-16T13:33:00.004-05:00

Peeks from the phone || A twist on the usual.

Things happen every day and we often use our phones to document them! 'Peeks from the phone' is meant to be a low-key way to capture life as it happens. It could be one photo or more; it could come with a blurb or let the title say it all! Join in the fun if you choose, and please leave a link in the comments if you do!

-----

I am fully aware of the fact that my little web space here is quickly getting taken over by Princess Booger (Yes. After a weekend-long hiatus to whoknowswhere when I was supposed to be watching her, and sauntering back home Monday morning like it was no big deal, she fully deserves it.). Can't really help myself.... she is so full of personality!

A couple of afternoons ago:

Instead of, "My dog ate my homework"...... "My cat sat on my thesis"?

2011-11-10T12:27:00.002-05:00

Silly but true...

I got home last night and all was quiet. Lauren was out doing laundry, and Laura was in her room on the phone. Charlie was sleeping like a log and Sammie was in Laura's room. So I unpacked things and went straight into the bathroom for a shower. By the time I turned the water off, I could hear that Lauren was home, and Laura and Sammie were over by her room saying hello.

So I get dressed and open the bathroom door... and right away I hear the sound of little jingle bells. Sammie racing through the house, like she couldn't wait to see me! It kinda made my evening. :) I scooped her up and gave her kisses for the 5 seconds she would let me hold her without squirming.

I don't know what it is..... but affection from her is SO sweet. Probably because it is hard-won. Probably because Sammie was originally from the streets and hasn't grown up around loving humans..... It's like she deigns us worthy to grace us with her purrs and cuddles. Lol.

When did I become such a kitty person??

2011-10-25T11:57:00.004-04:00

Good thought for Tuesday.

LOVE this blog by Starfield today, about being led by the spirit. Deciphering God's will for my life has been such a big thing, and continues to be... especially at this point in my life. In the past few years, I've learned a little and seen the fruits of what Jon blogs about: stepping out in faith and confidence, trusting that I have done due diligence through prayer and trying my best to listen to that Still Small Voice. But I feel like it's something I am continually learning, and will never really quite get adept at. Agreed?

"The most, productive, free, and respectable people I know seem to have one thing in common, they don't obsess over the will of God in their lives. Instead, they live with confidence and freedom, trusting that God is leading them."

2011-10-23T15:31:00.002-04:00

Black-eyed pea soup

I've had these packages of dried beans and black-eyed peas in my pantry since forever.... my mum brought them for me when she came to visit but I've never known what to do with them. Lucky for me, Laura knew exactly what to do! We have grand plans for my dried green mung beans when the weather gets really cold, but this weekend she taught me to make a soup/stew with black-eyed peas. I'm eating my first bowl right now and it is delicious!! Of course, I left my camera in my office at school so there is no photographic evidence. Next time! :)

This recipe is so flexible. You can incorporate just about anything into it, so it's a very good way to clear the fridge. Try it soon! It's the perfect autumn food. Here's (roughly) what we did:

1. We rinsed about 1 cup of black-eyed peas, and soaked them overnight.

2. Next day, I sauteed red and green peppers, onions, garlic (lots!!), and jalepenos with Italian sausage. I added black pepper and some salt to the veggies.

3. When the sausage was fairly cooked through, I deglazed the pot with chicken stock. Then I dumped in the black-eyed peas (and the soaking water too), added ginger and more garlic, then added more chicken stock until the peas, veggies and meat were just covered.

4. Turn the burner on max. When the soup comes to a good rolling boil, turn it down to med-high and simmer. At this point I was snacking on celery and decided to throw some celery leaves in too!

5. Put the lid on and let it simmer until the beans are as soft as you want it. I kept checking the pot every 15 min or so (I couldn't wait to eat!) and at one point decided to add some Belizean spices in there too.

And that's it! Hopefully you can tell from my sort-of directions.... this is an anything-goes recipe. Have fun and enjoy!

2011-10-07T04:14:00.002-04:00

Peeks from the phone || Hello, 3am

Things happen every day and we often use our phones to document them! 'Peeks from the phone' is meant to be a low-key way to capture life as it happens. It could be one photo or more; it could come with a blurb or let the title say it all! Join in the fun if you choose, and please leave a link in the comments if you do!

-----

My wild and crazy (ok, perhaps just crazy) Thursday night.

2011-10-05T12:40:00.005-04:00

Peeks from the phone || Princess Sammie-Whammie

-----

Sammie (aka "Sammie-Whammie"/ "Princess Sammie"/ "Sweet Girl"/ "Girly-girl"/ any combination thereof) is the other four-legged member of our little family and belongs to Laura. She likely gets the credit for building my immunity to cats. She is a total sweetheart that purrs at the drop of a pin! A couple of days ago, Miss Sammie came home from a week-long vacation in Dallas. She was glad to be home, and I was glad too! We had an "I've missed you!" snuggle after I got home from school.

So happily rolling around that she nearly falls off the bed..... silly.

Hello. :)

Excuuuuse me, that's my toe you're sinking your claw into!

2011-10-04T12:10:00.002-04:00

The worst time to be inspired......

Oooh I hate it when that happens, don't you? When you have a big school/work/other deadline, and all you can think about are other side projects you would much rather get out of your system?

Right now, I would much rather be doing some of this:

(source)

Or making one of these:

(source)

Or baking. It has occurred to me in the past few days that it has been AGES since I've baked anything sweet. We generally say that Lauren is the baker at our house, but I've been missing putting on the baker's hat myself! I would love to try making these:

(source)

Or getting out with my camera. I haven't picked up my baby in earnest for awhile, and I saw some beautiful possibilities driving home last night. The countryside at sun-down.... have I mentioned lately how golden and lovely it is?

Sigh. Now if only the promise of getting to do these projects once my draft is done were enough motivation........ ;)

2011-09-21T13:46:00.004-04:00

Peeks from the phone || Look what I scored!

-----

Working in the same building as the McLennan County Master Gardeners organization sure has its benefits. I got to work today and saw an abundance of seeds and starter trays that were all free for the taking! Since I live with two other ladies who love gardening (I'm not much of a gardener but I seem to be able to start seeds!) and eating vegetables, I was reeeally excited to bring some loot home with me. I didn't pick that many seed types (although it was tempting!), but chose the vegetables that we eat most often or like the most: carrots, tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, radishes.

2011-09-11T23:27:00.004-04:00

Dustin' off the ol' blog

Weeeeell it's been awhile, hasn't it? Long enough that the season of bluebonnets has looong passed. Long enough that a new banner was called for, so here it is. A clear giveaway of what I do for a living. :p

It's been an eventful summer.... very full (although blissfully slower-paced) and gone all too soon. Some highlights in list-form:

We moved into a new house, and welcomed a new roomate and kitty into our little family. We are still very much in love! (with the house and the housemate... and the kitty. ^^)
Mum came to visit for two weeks
I sat in on a photography class... my very first! It was great to put some technical terms to things and LEARN
I went to COSTA RICA (another post in itself.... but that's where the photo for the banner came from!)
I went home to Canada for a visit. It was so needed and so much-enjoyed.

And that was it! All that sweet summer, gone in a blink. And we hit the ground running in the new fall semester.... everyone with new classes and projects. I started a new internship (here), and am busy writing up The Monster (ie, my thesis).

Fall semester also signaled a big change in my Sunday schedule.... God has been doing mighty things in church! A tangible result of that has been the amazing amount of people that come out to worship and get connected every Sunday..... which has resulted in our church leadership deciding to go from one service to three. Yeeeeah. My Sundays now usually start at 7am and end at 7:30pm...... not that I would change any of it. I may not get to stay up late on Saturdays or sleep in on Sundays, but I love doing it and being part of whatever incredible thing God is doing at Harris Creek right now. Playing with the band and hearing all those people sing out at the top of their lungs.... it is like nothing else.

Harris Creek @ the Palladium, ~~19:30~~ 17:30 Sundays
photo (c) Harris Creek Baptist Church 2011

2011-05-05T15:19:00.003-04:00

An adorable discovery

I've been in Baltimore this week for the National Ground Water Summit (my second time! Last year's was in Denver. Oh beautiful Colorado....). I personally had such a great time with Dr. Joe and my lab mates, Ryan and Michelle. We each presented research, attended alot of talks that interested and inspired us, ate our fair share of sea food, and did some sight-seeing as well (stay tuned for photos!). Overall, a great trip!

On our third day there, I was lining up in Barnes & Nobles to pay for some books (they had Calvin and Hobbes treasuries for $8.... no way were Ben and I going to pass those up!) and this adorableness caught my attention:

Fortunately for my student-sized piggy bank, I didn't need to buy the book to discover the wonderful world of My Milk Toof. Go check out My Milk Toof's blogspot and see for yourself!

2011-04-19T01:44:00.004-04:00

Too many photos......

..... aerial photos, that is. I've been staring at aerial photography of the Waco region from 1972 for hours. Days, actually. My eyes are getting crossed from matching up road intersections (imaginary? perhaps.) between 1972 and 2010. And I still have the 1941 set to do! Yaaaay.....

Does this look like that?? Does it fit on the overall map??? Oh the questions........

Is it sad (or maybe just very indicative that I am in the right field) that I am not even truly sick of the snail-paced process itself.... just frusterated with the slowness only because I am on a deadline? (I daresay that if I didn't have a deadline, and if I got paid, I wouldn't mind this work so so much.......... brave words? Ha.)

Nevertheless, I need a break every once in awhile. And what better way than to.... enjoy the photography of others!! :) New photographer-love:

this modern romance || color and dust

I could spent soooo much time looking at, teasing apart and being inspired by these images! Alas.... my own images call me.

2011-04-17T02:27:00.001-04:00

Spring banner!

The new banner has arrived! There's nothing quite like Texas spring flowers. Enjoy the bluebonnets!

2011-04-16T22:13:00.006-04:00

Pretentiously drinking coffee...... for a cause.

I attended my first ever coffee cupping last night..... I never thought I'd ever drink coffee in such a frou-frou manner but there you have it. :p I actually learned alot - about coffee tasting, the coffee itself, and where the coffee comes from! The event was hosted by Common Grounds, our favorite artsy-fartsy coffee house in Waco (arguably my favorite anywhere). Located on the edge of campus in a little house, CG brims over with good coffee and creativity, and plays host to many concerts and shows.

What made this particular evening extra special was the fact that we weren't just there to enjoy a good cuppa joe. The coffee cupping was held in concert with a photo show to raise support for a little orphanage in Guatemala (Los fundaniños Orphanage). It is filled with the most precious little kids, and we spent the evening learning their stories. Being reminded that these aren't just nameless faces in a photograph - that behind each set of brown eyes was a life. Being part of the voice to tell these kids that people a world away are thinking about them.

Some peeks from the night (sorry about the poor photo quality.... all I had was my phone camera!):

Photos from the orphange taken by Jamie Montgomery were strung all around CG's backyard using wooden clothes pins and twine.

Photo gallery of some of the kids. I love this method of presenting photos! (Photos screwed onto wooden planks and randomly framed by wire)

We were encouraged to take our time looking at the photos, and to take one home so that we would be reminded of the children. For some reason, the boy on the right makes me smile when I see his photograph. We also had our pictures taken so that when our cheque made it to the Orphanage, the kids would know that there were real people supporting them and thinking about them.

This little one made it home with me. His name is Alejandro and I could. not. resist him. Seriously, how could you resist that face?? He's about a year old and they don't know much about his story.... only that he - like lots of other babies there - never cries because he's learned that even if he did, no one will come to comfort him. It makes me so sad. Children so little shouldn't have to become so jaded, y'know? I pray through his being at Los fundaninos, he will get loved on and cared for, and that one day he will be able to trust again..........

2011-04-09T08:23:00.003-04:00

Today's schedule

~~4h30 :: wake-up~~ 5h45 :: actually wake-up

6h50 :: arrive at school

7h00-9h00 :: do some major creative writing for a grant due Monday (that I found out about yesterday late afternoon). Pray. Alot.

7h10 :: Mum calls to offer encouragement and a prayer (hurray for mommies!)

9h30 :: Meet with Dr. Joe regarding said grant (this will be interesting....)

11h00 :: Meet Bestie et al. at home

11h30ish :: Embark on major birthday festivities in Austin.

Goal :: make it to 11hoo with sanity intact.

2011-04-05T16:57:00.004-04:00

Self-professed dork.

I read alot of blogs. They are the perfect length of reading (or looking, in the case of photo blogs) in between interpreting thermal-band satellite imagery and grading papers - and let's be honest - while procrastinating. I love getting a peek into other people's lives and see how they put their lives together, and how/what they create. Oftentimes their creativity sparks my own.

A little while back I stumbled upon Oh, Mishka..... what I love about her is that she is both a stylish and creative soul while studying and loving geology! She posted a very fun list of nerdy tidbits about herself today, which has inspired me to make my own list (yes, laugh. I know you are.).

My list, however, will be a list of dorky tidbits because as my advisor and I have established, a nerd, a dork, and a geek are not the same thing. You have to be really brilliant (think Sheldon Cooper) to qualify for nerd-dom. A geek is slightly less brilliant, but still very very smart. A dork is probably the lowest on the smart cookies spectrum, and is also somewhat goofy/quirky. In otherwords: me. Without further ado:

* I openly claim to be a dork and am fairly proud to be one. I'm not sure that there is anything dorkier.

* When my little sister was in first grade, she was looking for something to bring to school for show-and-tell. I gave her rocks, and proceeded to teach her the three rock types. I successfully convinced her that rocks are cool!

* Every time I watch Kingdom of Heaven and it's the scene where the men are digging a well, when they hit water the thought, "They hit the water table!" rings in my head. Without fail.

* In high school, while the rest of my class moaned and groaned their way through Shakespeare, I read ahead while my teacher explained each scene and puzzled as to why they found it so hard to understand.

* I love Star Wars. I wish I had a light sabre.

* When I see a bird, I think about their flight pattern (bounding? soaring?). When see a kitchen countertop, I think about the minerals that comprise the granite. 'Nuf said.

Lol. There are SO many other things, but this is incriminating enough! What are some quirky/dorky things about YOU?

ps: My brother is now a married man! I can hardly believe that the boy who used to build Lego towns and read Calvin and Hobbes with me is starting his own family. Photos will be posted.... soon....

pps: Spring has arrived in Texas! New banner and photos are coming!!

2011-03-08T15:16:00.003-05:00

Staying out late in the field has its benefits....

That was from yesterday, day 1 of spring break. I'm looking forward to getting lots done this week, with some fun and relaxation thrown in. :)

In other news: My brother is getting married in less than two weeks!!

2011-02-09T18:32:00.005-05:00

Dust bunnie gets a bath

Once upon a time, there was a dog named Charlie. Charlie is sweet, loyal, curious, and loves to follow his nose.

One day, he spotted his Auntie Steph's purse on the floor..... lo and behold! What is that black pouff attached to her bag? He couldn't help but go over for a closer look. It was Dust Bunnie! Charlie decided that Dust Bunnie would make the perfect playmate and tried to separate him from the purse..... but not before Auntie Steph spotted him and plucked Dust Bunnie away.

You foiled my perfect plan! Charlie thought.

Dust Bunnie, you're stinky! Auntie Steph thought.

And so, Dust Bunnie got a bath.

Eeeek! Water! Dust Bunnie thought.

But Auntie Steph didn't listen. Rub-a-dub-dub......

Dust Bunnie even tried a new hair style.

Aw nuts I can't keep my mohawk?

Before long, Dust Bunnie was squeaky clean and smelling nicely again. And he was none the worse for wear.

The end. :)

2011-02-01T01:51:00.003-05:00

Today I am thankful for......

* pay-day.....

* a full weekend-long preview to the spring.....

* pay-day.....

* sweet people for whom I am infintely glad to have in my life, and who are genuinely glad that I am a part of theirs.....

* pay-day.....

* groceries.

2011-01-19T01:39:00.003-05:00

Dear Columbia,

I needed new hiking boots. I must confess, I didn't want to seem a shallow brand-loyalist, so I tried hard not to pick your boots. I briefly entertained a commitment to Wind River boots.... but in the end your fantastic track record (through snow, sleet, mountain, mud, and river.....), waterproof-ness, and Omnigrip won me over.

I tried so hard to resist.

Honest.

Even in defeat, I must say that I do not regret choosing you You have rightly earned my loyalty, and I will never stray again.

Amen.

2011-01-12T19:45:00.002-05:00

Subversive God

"Subversive Jesus and His Trojan Horse".

At first glance, the title intrigued me. Where is the link between Jesus and the famed Trojan horse that led to the downfall of Troy? But read this article.... it makes you think. And it's a good thing to think on, especially at the start of the year, the time of fresh starts and new beginnings. Especially during this time in my life, when the question of "What is Jesus' goal for my life" - in the career/life's work sense as well as in the "general progress" sense that Packiam is talking about - is part of my daily thought life. Read this. It's good stuff to think on.

"This faith that we've embraced, this Life that we have taken into our hearts, will be our undoing. And it means to be that. It's designed to be the end of us...... He is the Trojan Horse of blessing that we readily welcome into our hearts without knowing His mission to destroy us." (Glenn Packiam)

Full article here.

2010-12-13T02:01:00.004-05:00

What I've Been Up To.......

My third semester of grad school is winding down..... it's hard to believe that by this time next week I will be back in my parents' house, hanging out with my family and squishing my sister! I've been spending alot of time up at school working on various projects, but I've been up to other things too! Namely,

.... making things.....

.... and trying my hand at fashion photography.

I'm so thankful that eventhough I'm a scientist by training, I have so many opportunities to dabble in the arts. I love my life! :)

2010-11-18T02:56:00.000-05:00

Dusty......

I realize that it's been an age and a half since I last posted! Every time this page comes up I think, Hmm. It's been a loooong time since April. I really should post something. And it's not the summer anymore.... the banner needs changing.

But alas........ my days were absolutely full, neglect has piled on top of neglect, and before I had time to take it all in, Thanksgiving is nearly here (NEXT WEEK). And then final projects are due. In a few short weeks I will be back in Canada! Where does the time go?!

At least I'm being a bit better about processing the photos that I take, so at least if you go here or here, there is a visual record of what I've been up to. Maybe now that I've bit the bullet and posted again (7 months later?! Oi), Shards will see more activity? We'll see. ;)

For now, I wanted to post a photo of the beautiful aspens in Colorado that I took while on a field trip this fall...... yes it's been so long between posts that I've gone BACK to CO since April:

Bracketing this long hiatus with the gorgeous Rockies...... it gives the blog a sense of symmetry, don't you think? If Shards doesn't have content, at least it's got symmetry!!

Right?

2010-04-11T23:29:00.003-04:00

Return to the Mountains

I'm in Colorado. About to make my debut presenting my research at a national meeting.

EEPS.

For today though, it was all about savouring being in the Rockies. And it was sweet. :) Look, isn't it beautiful?

We arrived in Denver early this afternoon and took our time settling in. Our day was perfectly ended with dinner on the patio at this little gem. The food was local, organic, and seasonal.... the servers were friendly.... the restaurant itself had a great indie flair and the atmostphere was comfortable and groovy. It was such a fabulous meal... we might be back for seconds before it's time to go home!

2010-03-20T19:28:00.004-04:00

Just a quick note

Spring break has come and gone.... hardly a blip amongst my days. Let me make this statement:

SCHOOL IS EATING ME ALIIIIIIVEEEE.
I so should not be here right now.... considering that I should be reading, or writing, or grading, or mapping, or maybe doing dishes/showering/sleeping (optional these days!)......

And yet I still don't hate it (watch me eat my words shortly!). Ha. This only from a dorky career-student! But y'know.... it's been nearly a month since my last post so I figure it's time to drop in here!

Really, spring break FEELS like it never happened, but it did. And it was important. And good. It was an adventure involving many airports and flight itineraries, and I got to see my family. My immediate family. I got to squish and poke my siblings, and got loved on by my mum and dad.

And - most importantly - I got to see my grandma:

It was very good to see her and spend some time with her. Honestly we don't know how much more time she has.... as she says, she is certain that Jesus keeps her alive every single day. Oh that we would be so aware of this reality!

Amongst the photos taken with Grandma that I so treasure, I think this last photo is one of my favorites. A part of my larger family that I don't get to see nearly enough:

It was really sweet to get time with the family. I enjoyed getting loved on by extra people, and hearing stories from my dad's youth (like how my aunt's convinced Dad to take the hit when they were all responsible for breaking Grandma's plate... and how she didn't buy the story and grounded them ALL) as well as more recent stories (like how my 80-plus grandma correctly diagnosed my uncle's heart condition when all the other specialists that he'd gone to said he had asthma.... the woman is still one kickass radiologist!).

2010-02-24T10:09:00.002-05:00

Waking up.

I woke up this morning on the couch.

Still in street clothes.

With the lights still on.

With last night's leftovers still waiting to be ~~put away~~ thrown out now.

With the laptop still staring blankly at me.

With my grant proposal still unfinished.

Question du jour: Why can't grant proposals write themselves?

2010-02-23T16:21:00.010-05:00

Uncharacteristic

It's been snowing in Waco. Not that it never snows here, but it's certainly not a usual occurrence. I hear that this winter has been uncharacteristically cold and snowy. It's hardly anything by standards at home, but since I've never been an enthusiastic fan of snow, this is just right for me. And it seems like Baylor students like it too! I think everyone and their dog is outside making snowmen or playing with the white stuff:

It got us half a snowday.... which really just means a couple extra hours of p~~rocrastination~~ work time for us in-over-our-heads-busy grad students, but it's still pretty sweet if you ask me. :)

2010-02-20T20:06:00.004-05:00

Woman without a country

I've loved experiencing the south side of the border as more than a tourist.... the transition has overall been easy and very blessed. Gotta say though.... being a foreign national has its interesting parts. I have become the reference for all jokes and questions related to the north (I have been asked multiple times about curling since the Winter Olympics started!), and being teased about my Canadian-ness has become an established part of the relationship between my advisor and me. It's pretty entertaining, although one really has to be able to laugh at herself and be secure about who she is! I found this a few weeks ago and thought it was clever:
I couldn't resist showing this to Dr. Joe (my advisor), even knowing that this would be giving him more ammunition for his teasing! He uses this every chance he gets. :p

All this teasing about my "foreignness" has all been well and good.... until this past week. During a phone call home with my parents, my dear dear sister, who was watching the Olympics men's halfpipe event, yelled out, "Your country is killing us!!!"

Ex-CUSE me?!

All the Canadian jokes I have endured since moving here could not have prepared me for this heated accusation. I was shocked! Offended! What a thing to come out of such a darling mouth!! Since when was my Canadianship revoked without my notice??

Somehow, I have become a woman without a country.... because as Dr. Joe put it when I told him about this incident, "your country has disowned you, and we have not yet accepted you."

Reeling from the loss,
Steph.

2010-02-01T01:29:00.002-05:00

Divine Romance.

I can't get enough of this beautiful song right now..... (and I sure wish I could play like that! :p)

The fullness of Your grace is here with me
The richness of Your beauty’s all I see
The brightness of Your glory has arrived
In Your presence God, I’m completely satisfied

For You I sing I dance
Rejoice in this divine romance
Lift my heart and my hands
To show my love, to show my love

A deep deep flood, an Ocean flows from You
Of deep deep love, yeah it’s filling up the room
Your innocent blood, has washed my guilty life
In Your presence God I’m completely satisfied

- Phil Whickam (c) 2006

2010-01-23T20:11:00.004-05:00

Christmas photos!

Yea they're sorta late, but here is the start of them! Lots will be added, but here are the first few. It's actually nice to be going through these awhile after the holidays have ended.... it brings back so many sweet moments. :)

Act I: Bubblicity date with Karen and Sonja.

2010-01-22T14:06:00.002-05:00

hit the ground running

Geesh I've been gone from here a long time..... Helloooo 2010 (and half of January)! The second half of last semester really got consumed by school (merely "consumed" is an understatement). Before I knew what to do with myself, my first semester in grad school was over, and I was on the way home to CanEHdia! I used to think the geezers were nuts when they said this, but truly: time flies by soooo fast. I got to spend three wonderful weeks in Ottawa with friends and family, and all-too-soon it was time to come back. We've all dived right back into the thick of school and two days in, I had to remind myself that it was only the second day of school. You know it's crazy-insane when you can't even keep that in perspective!! But you know.... at some point a gal's gotta get the rest of her life somewhat back in order (right?) so I'm back, with a new layout and banner, hopefully holiday photos soonish, and hopefully with regular-ish updates. :)

For now, I leave you with a passage that turned up several times for me at the start of the new year:

Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old.
Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
The wild beasts will honor me, the jackals and the ostriches,
for I give water in the wilderness, rivers in the desert,
to give drink to my chosen people,
the people whom I formed for myself that they might declare my praise.
(Isaiah 43: 18-21, esv)

This is so good.... it's something to carry into the new year with you. It bathes the new year in such hope, don't you think? :)

2009-10-19T03:50:00.005-04:00

Miracles by Kenny G.... AKA Because-It's-Late-and-I-Couldn't- Resist-Wasting-My-Time

RULES:
1. Put your mp3 player, iTunes, Windows Media Player, etc. on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS.
4. Tag 10 friends (make me #11 so I can see your results). --> I always ignore instructions like this....
5. Everyone tagged has to do the same thing.
6. Have Fun!

IF SOMEONE SAYS 'ARE YOU OKAY' YOU SAY?
The Look of Love - Diana Krall

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF
Tu Bondad - Kari Jobe

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
Indelible - Brooke Fraser

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
Hesitation - Stacie Orrico

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
Looking Up - Paramore

WHAT'S YOUR MOTTO?
Disappear - Jars of Clay

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
The Way I See You - Bethany Dillon

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Returning the Smile You Have Had from the Start - Emery

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT VERY OFTEN?
Grace - William Joseph (oh good one....)

WHAT IS 2 + 2?
Defiance - Joshua Bell and James Newton Howard

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR BEST FRIEND?
Love Letters - Diana Krall

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
Should've When You Could've - Skillet (oh nos.)

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Learn You Inside Out - Lifehouse

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Vapor - Skillet (hahahahaha..... sometimes. Definitely wish it sometimes.)

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
I Climb - Thousand Foot Krutch (so romantic!!)

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Tennis Court Soundtrack - Daphne Loves Derby

WHAT IS YOUR HOBBY/INTEREST?
Catch a Falling Star - Perry Como

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?
The Blues - Switchfoot

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
I'm Not Ashamed - Hillsong (that's RIGHT!)

WHAT DO YOU WANT RIGHT NOW?
Les Aventuries - Joe Hisaishi

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
Tonight (I Want to Live in Your World) - Glassbyrd

WHAT WILL YOU POST THIS AS?
Miracles - Kenny G

--

In other, not-so-pointless news, I got to go to my first live hockey game eeeever last week! I had been missing (and whining about it!) hockey for the past two weeks, and it just so happened that a friend of a friend offered her two free tickets to a game in Dallas. So after class last Wednesday we booked it to Dallas to watch the Stars school the Predators. Live games are so much fun! And eventhough I first hesitated at the thought of cheering for the Stars (um, archenemy!), I couldn't help it..... it was a home game and we were destroying the other team!

Click through for more photos....

Oh man. Did I just say "we"?? As I was told earlier this weekend,

"Good golly you've already been corrupted."

Texas is subversive, I tell you. Sneaky.

2009-10-16T12:32:00.003-04:00

"All by myself..... don't wanna be all by myself......"

This is the sight I woke up to this morning (minus the white car):

Tornado looked so lonely out there all alone. It's fall break today, and everyone seems to have gone home! :( Oh the life of an international student.

2009-10-13T03:40:00.005-04:00

First time for everything.....

You know that a certain week is less stressful than the last when you find time to do this:

I dunno why..... but all of a sudden I just felt like painting my toe nails purple. My toes have never worn such a bold colour before!! (That time when my sister painted every nail a different colour not withstanding.....) It's kinda growing on me though, what do you think? :p And lookit those pasty tan lines.... attractive, no? Haha.....

2009-10-10T02:37:00.005-04:00

Favorite time of year

I love autumn weather..... I love the refreshing change from the oppressive summer heat. I love crisp, bright, autumn days. I love that the invigorating air makes it perfect for hiking and soccer. I love the colour change in the trees.

And I really miss that about home right now.

Autumn in the Gatineau Hills

But lately we've been having our own version of autumn down here..... no crisp bright days, and no Fall Rhapsody, but it's definitely cooled off a bit. Today it was actually cold enough for fleeces and close-toed shoes, and I realized with a sinking heart that 1) I did NOT bring enough warm clothes down with me, and 2) if 15C weather has me running for a jacket, I must have acclimatized to Texan conditions far faster than I thought possible (and it's aaaaall downhill from there, I know it!). Plus it has been raining like nobody's business. But hey - no more oppressive summer heat. I'll take it.

Here are a few shots I took right outside my house on a rainy Sunday.... I love how "enchanted forest" the shots feel, and the fact that all the shooting I did was basically within a square foot (mebbe two?) area. Sure doesn't take much to entertain me, does it? *laughs*

2009-09-09T03:38:00.003-04:00

When grad students get bored.......

..... they might do impulsive things.

..... and......

..... they can't be held liable for their actions.

*snip*

*snip snip snip*

How does it look? I had to stop myself before they got way to short. :p

2009-09-05T21:46:00.004-04:00

A first

Today, for the first time ever, I sat through a college football game. I'm hoping to go to a game one of these days while I'm here..... and it's free! But this was a good start. And considering that I never saw ANY Raven games when I was at CU (besides parts of basketball games on TV), and that I'm not much of a sports fan in general, that's saying something. It was fun to spend the afternoon with a bunch of geo friends.... and to top it off, the Bears won! First road win in years, I read somewhere. Sic 'em bears!!

ps: I've seen our mascots (we have real bears for mascots!).... they don't look anywhere as fierce as that! Cute brown fluff balls, more like. :p

2009-08-30T19:23:00.002-04:00

And so it continues.....

I've already gotten rid of 4 of our little insect friends this afternoon.... and I am perfectly aware that there is another one in the living room at the moment, but I am choosing to ignore him.

Hannah's gone out to get Raid.

2009-08-29T22:21:00.003-04:00

Chirp, chirp.......

I have caught and thrown out no less than 4 crickets tonight. And counting. Black, hopping, big, crickets. Hannah (my housemate) HATES the buggers, and I don't want to deal with messy bug guts, so it's up to me to catch them when I see them.

Our theory is that they've been crawling into our flat through the gap between our balcony door and the sill. We had put in a request to get that weather-stripped because we didn't want to be spending extra $$ on AC, but let me tell you: we are high-tailing it to the manager's office on Monday and making this an urgent priority! In the meantime I thought a strip of strategically-placed tape over the gap might help a little.

Ok, gotta go.... I left Crickey IV in the container where I caught him and he's chirping miserably. Guess I better go deal with him.

- 5 minutes later -

Make that 6. *SIGH*.

2009-08-27T01:56:00.002-04:00

Losing my mind.....

Today was the day.... The day I've been waiting for all week! The day I was scheduled to apply for my social security number! That will never expire! With which I could get paid! And FINALLY get a cell phone with a plan that can call long distance! And make all my dreams come true! (Ok maybe not that last one.) The social security rep even came to campus, so that we poor souls wouldn't soujourn to their office way out in the middle of nowhere (ie, I have no idea where it is). Problem was, where she was holding application sessions on campus required a long walk from my building.... which isn't so bad (exercise, anyone?), except that being outside meant being out under the sweltering sun during the hottest part of the day.

Oh wells.

What must be done, must be done, right? Just think of the walk as exercise AND being in the sauna, all at once. Suck it up and all that. So I grabbed the reference letter I was supposed to bring (Paulette our office administrator MADE me promise I wouldn't lose it or forget to bring it), made sure I had my sunglasses, and set out. I hugged every shred of shade I could find along the way, squinting and wincing at the sun when none was to be had. Finally, sweaty and fed up with Texan weather, I made it to the teeny tiny International Studies office a few minutes before my scheduled appointment, cooled down a bit................... then realized that I had forgotten my passport in my office, AND my student visa documents at home. Plus I had a meeting to get to! So I checked with the lady to make sure she was going to be around for the entire afternoon, planned to return after my meeting, and booked it as fast as I could back to my end of my campus..... got in my car (praying the whole way that God would let me find another parking spot when I got back), sped home, grabbed my visa, and got back to school just a few minutes late for my meeting.

After our meeting, I steeled myself for yet another trip through the oven to the International Studies office. I even brought a sweater this time to shade myself a little during the walk. I got there, disgustingly sweaty but glad I was one walk closer to finishing this application (and never having to make the trip again! I was so naive....). I waited until the applicants before me finished, got in the room, sat down, got out my passport and visa forms......................................... and realized that in my haste to finish my application and return in time for my lab, I had forgotten the reference letter on my desk (that I wasn't supposed to lose or forget, remember?).

UUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGH.

So I heaved a sigh, collected my things, apologized to the lady, and made my way back to my office - thinking the whole way:
1. what had happened to my BRAIN,
2. telling myself that one's response to adversity says much about their character (I have good character! I do I do!! Just not when things don't go the way I plan. Errrrrmmmm.... yes.),
3. wondering what lesson God could possibly want me to learn through this, and
4. why did it have to be so dang HOT out?!

Back at my office, I stuffed EVERYTHING besides my textbook and lunch containers into my backpack (Lord help me if I had to go back a FOURTH time), let my TA know that I might be late for my lab, and once more made the trek to the International Studies office. On my third try (sigh), I finally got it right. The application form was straight forward, and before long I was back in my lab, only having missed a few minutes'-worth of introduction.

--

Later on in the day, I ran into Dr. Joe (my supervisor) and told him my sorry tale.

"You need to be more organized," he commented.

"Yeah, maybe I need an iphone too," I joked. His iphone is his newest toy.

Meanwhile I was thinking, But you don't understand. I AM organized. Freakishly so. Just ask anyone. I remember obscure details and I have a planner that I actually use. You don't understand. This type of thing just doesn't. Happen. To. Me.

I still don't get it. Texas brainwashed me and tossed out the memory part of my brain with the wash water.

Or something.

2009-08-25T18:01:00.003-04:00

Poll of the day

I'm trying to decide which Baylor decal to get for my car. I can't decide, so I thought I would ask all of you! Comment and let me know what you think.... pro's, con's, all of it. For you car purists (yes, you know who you are!), NOT having a decal isn't an option here. I may decide not to declare school loyalty via my car afterall, but that's a poll for another day.

Without further ado, your choices are the following:

A. A raised chrome (like your standard Jesus fish decals) "BU", on the bottom right under the fish:

B. A standard plastic, white "Baylor" decal, to go on the bottom of the rear windshield:

What do Y'ALL think? (NO I do not actually talk like that.... yet.................)

2009-08-24T00:50:00.003-04:00

There's that word again.....

From this morning's message:

providence [prov-i-duhns] - God's intentional, hands-on acts to constantly manage people and the systems of the universe.

Huh.

2009-08-22T04:09:00.005-04:00

Just so happens....

It just so happened that on day 2....
.... it rained and poured like I haven't experienced since Leon.... and then some.
.... the wipers on the van were not working.
.... the mechanic we ended up at to fix said wipers loves Jesus (small ray of sunshine during an afternoon of hurdles!).
.... that said mechanic worked his magic so that - even without a replacement part - we were soon on the road again.
.... because of said rain, we ended up at a super nice hotel for the night, and everyone got a good night's rest.

It just so happened that when we arrived in Waco....
.... we made it just in time before the office closed to pick up apartment keys.
.... that upon entering said apartment, we discovered that it wasn't such a steal afterall. BUT it also just so happened that,
.... I hadn't yet been asked to sign a lease or put in a deposit, so we were free to look for another flat for me.
.... we chose to stay at a certain hotel that night.... the only one I was familiar with in town.

And the next day, it just so happened that....
.... we spotted an apartment/residence community across the street.
.... the community was beautiful and safe.
.... they were renting out two bedroom units by the room, and I got to choose!
.... the flat I ended up with is nicer and bigger than I ever expected I could get (it has a washer and dryer in the unit!!), and certainly nothing I would have found if I hadn't been here looking.
.... (we were admittedly a bit dissappointed at the time) the flat wasn't ready until the next week.
.... Dad was able to get ahold of Cal's friend (whom we had never met).
.... he graciously invited us to stay with him for the weekend.
.... he was scheduled to leave town the day after I could move in.
.... we made a new friend and had some great times of fellowship.
.... because we got to stay with him, we had a guide for our first few days in this new town.

Also, it just so happened that....
.... because I moved in after Ben arrived, we had his strength to move the heavy stuff. :p
.... since we had to get/bring Ben to the Houston airport, I got to tack on two trips to IKEA to get furniture.
.... because my family was here, I didn't have to find my way around and figure everything out on my own.
.... the apartment managers found me a housemate (as much as I wanted to at first, I realized that living on my own wasn't really what I wanted afterall).
.... she didn't move in (bringing her U-Haul and her family) until my family (and all their things) had left.
.... she is in Fine Arts, which will keep me sane and from drowning in science. ;)

.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

It just so happened that on the drive down, Mum and I had been reminded of a thing called providence.

Just so happens.

2009-08-06T00:45:00.003-04:00

From the road - day 3:

The sun shined on us all day today. :) One more day to go!

2009-08-04T23:56:00.005-04:00

From the road - day 2:

Today it rained. And poured. And stormed. And rained some more.

We will be adding a day 4 to the drive, but it's ok.... everyone is safe and dry (albeit a few frayed nerves for some), and we are getting to see His provision and providence at work. All good things. I only wish I had gotten a couple shots of the show. ;)

2009-08-03T23:34:00.003-04:00

From the road - day 1:

2009-08-03T02:02:00.005-04:00

Well loved.....

..... all week. Wow, how a girl gets loved on when she's about to go away for awhile! I have been sooo spoiled. I may have eaten enough in this week alone to compensate for the starving student lifestyle that I am about to embark on (African, Mexican, Japanese, Spanish, Nicaraguan, Indian, plus home-cooked deliciousness!!), but I have loved every moment of this week spent with so many dear friends. Thank you thank you, to each one of you who took the time to hang out, chat, watch a movie, share a meal, write a note, put a present together, share a laugh..... thank you for loving me so well.

I didn't take nearly enough photos, but here is a small taste of my last week:

2009-08-01T23:47:00.000-04:00

Farewell.... just for awhile.

I'm on my last leg here in Ottawa. We've all known that I'd be leaving for a long while now, but as always, reality takes some time to set in. Even as I type this, I don't think that I am totally convinced myself that life will not continue tomorrow (and the day after that, and the weeks and months to follow) the way that it always has.

But I suppose that my impending move has crept into our consciousness in small ways..... in the way we speak what we feel about each other a little more, in the way we plan and purchase things, and in the way we hold onto each other a little longer and tighter. Small changes that mean so much.

Tomorrow at church I will say my good-byes to all my beloved friends, aunties, and uncles; and the morning after that I will get into my car with my family and drive south, south, and more south.... until I reach a new place. A new place to put down roots. A new town to get to know, new friends, a new school, a new church. A new place to learn and many new chances to grow. "New" is going to be an important word around here for the next while!

But before all that New, first there are lots of farewells. Not Farewell For Good, of course.... but Just For Awhile, until we meet again. As part of that process there has been lots of time spent the last couple of weeks with dear ones.... lots of conversation, laughter, and (of course!) lots of good food. Many precious moments and lots of love to bring with me as I leave.

One of the things I got to do as a Farewell Get-together was spend some time with Miss Karen.... she came over after work and we cooked together - a favorite past time! It was a hot day - not the type of day you would think to cook a stew! - but it still hit the spot. As Karen said with a grin, "I am soooo happy right now!" Ah yes. This stew makes me happy too! ^-^

African Nut Stew

3 Tbsp (30 mL) soy sauce
1 onion, sliced
2 cups (500 mL) yams, diced in 1-in (2.5-cm) cubes
1 carrot, sliced
1 celery stalk, sliced
1 red bell pepper, diced
4 cups (1 L) vegetable stock (we used chicken broth and that works great too!)
1 15-oz (465-g) can garbanzo beans
1 15-oz (465-g) can crushed tomatoes
1/2 cup (125 mL) fresh cilantro, chopped
1/3 cup (80 mL) natural peanut butter
2 tsp (10 mL) curry powder

Heat 1/2 cup (125 mL) of water and the soy sauce in a large pot. Add onion and yams. Cook over high heat, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes.

Add carrot, celery, and pepper. Cover and cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. (At this point, we forgot to watch the clock and the veggies started to scorch, which ended up imparting a pleasant smokiness to the finished stew! But if you're more time-conscious than we are.....) Add tomatoes, stock, garbanzo beans, and cilantro after 5 minutes.

Blend peanut butter with 1/3 cup (80 mL) of water, then add it to the soup along with the curry powder. Stir, then cover and simmer 10 minutes. (Add more if needed....)

This soup freezes well. Serve with cooked grains or whole grain toast and a green salad. (We had it with garlic naan bread and it was DELICIOUS!)

**We like our meat, so we added some chicken breast to this stew. We did it by throwing some spices into a pot of water, bringing it to a boil, then cooking the chicken until it was cooked but still juicy. Then we shredded it and added it to the stew. Yummy!

Serves 8-10....... or 2-4 because everyone will DEFINITELY want seconds!

2009-07-22T23:21:00.020-04:00

Of dragons, hearts on clearance, and noble steeds......

Hello friends (ha.... is it time that favorite phrase made a come back, D-dear?)! It's been a little while since we last rendez-vous'd. While I've been idle here, I've been busy in the *real* world.... battling dragons, sizing up options for a noble steed, and packing. Yes, packing up again.... remember this? It's crazy that in another short week, what was a mere possibility will become reality!

Of the dragon (of the Drakos calculusius type), I'm pretty sure he won the battle as well as the war, and I'd be ever so grateful if he and I never had to cross paths again. But anyway. In the spirit of dwelling on good, I'd like to leave Mr. Nasty-Beastie behind and instead tell you a little more about our trip.... something that still makes me smile when I think on it.

--

When we're in a community on a drill, there are two main parts of our week - drilling the well, and conducting hygiene courses for anyone that's interested. We specifically try to invite the mothers since they are the ones with direct influence on the cleanliness of their homes and little ones.

Of course, us gringos can't speak a lick of Spanish and aren't of much use when you're trying to explain what germs are and why it is so important to wash your hands, so we keep the children occupied while Yami (LWI Nic's hygiene specialist) talks to the moms.

We bring along toys like balls, skipping ropes, stickers, balloons and have a great time playing with the littles. At the end of the week, these are given to the community so that all the littles can share them. Honestly, spending time with the children makes the week so much more than it would've been if we had just come in, put in the well, and left like a strike team. Running, tickling, screaming, laughing, hugging, and kissing energetic little kids with abandon..... it does something subtle yet profound to a person, don't you think? Worries and reservations slip away, and you realize that life in its essence is just all about loving and enjoying the community around you. It's refreshing! And so, so fun. :)

Karen & Rick teaching the kids a game (photo by Marie).

Adding some sparkle.... (photo by Rick).

Jean facing off with our little lion.... I mean Emily.

Long before we left for Nicaragua, Karen and Marie went shopping for things we could take down for the children. They picked up an assortment of plastic beads, frisbees, and stickers, as well as foam hearts that were on clearance from Valentine's day. They couldn't imagine what the kids would do with a pile of pink and red foam hearts, but who could resist 75% off? So one afternoon during Yami's hygiene lesson, we decided to get out the crafts for the littles to do. First came the beads....

All the kids really got into it... from preschoolers to teens, the boys as well as the girls! They loved all the different shapes and colours, and I found it so interesting to see the different combinations each child came up with. The sweetest thing was knowing how special this simple (to us) craft was for them.... for days afterward we saw little girls proudly wearing their creations.

It didn't take long for the supply of beads to be depleted, so we brought out the foam hearts and shapes next. We showed them that the small hearts had an adhesive on the back and could be used like stickers; it wasn't long before these clearance craft supplies were being turned into the sweetest cards/hangings. We soon found out who they were for.... Mother's Day was in a few days, and normally the littles would not have the materials to make anything for their mums.

We couldn't have imagined a better use for those foam stickies! I was floored by this incident (and others.... there were so many on this trip!) just how perfectly our Heavenly Father plans everything, down to the most seemingly insignificant detail. He always puts the right thing, in the right place, at the right time.... and our part is to be open to Him tugging at our hearts.

The sweeties were so very proud of their creations. :) As for me, I won't be taking construction paper and crayons for granted again any time soon.

To end, I wanted to introduce you to my very noble and trusty steed. My own black beauty! I hadn't planned on acquiring one for a long time yet.... but the move pretty much made it necessary! The process of getting him was pretty swift and fairly painless.... again: right thing, right place, right time. ;) There is still a minor thing that is taking awhile to get sorted out, but we're trying to take things in stride. He and I are still getting comfortable with each other, but I think that we will be very happy together. ^^

2009-07-04T22:33:00.004-04:00

All up now

Save for a few more that will make their appearance along with stories here, photos from the drill trip to Nicaragua are all up! Go here to see the whole set.

Belize photos are coming soon. :) Hope everyone had a lovely Canada day!

2009-06-25T16:31:00.010-04:00

27 years.

(One last intermission before getting back to Central America.)

Last week my parents celebrated their wedding anniversary, and since I wasn't working or in school during the day, I got to put together a simple brunch for them. I don't often put much effort into cooking breakfast/brunch (breakfast/brunch is Mum's specialty.... I am a leftovers-in-the-morning kinda girl! That, or a I'm-way-too-late-to-have-breakfast sorta girl), so this was really fun to plan and put together, and very simple to do too.

Growing up, I was taught that wedding anniversaries were days to celebrate. I thought of them like birthdays.... each year you remember the day that something special officially began. They are special enough days I guess. At any rate, I make sure to remember my parents' anniversary, if for nothing other than it was what I grew up always doing. In the past few years though, I find that this annual celebration has taken on new weight for me.

I am understanding a little more what being in this relationship actually means. What each person must pour into it to make it work. How it is more than rose-coloured glasses and happy endings. How ugly it can get when two imperfect people are to live as one unit. How the sole purpose of this relationship - as is everything else - is supposed to be a reflection of His glory (and not for my self-gratification or happiness). How it can be the greatest shaping tool that God will use to knock off the stubborn sin in our hearts, and how painful a process that is. How difficult it can be to stay together - to win together. But - oh - how sweet this hard-won victory is. Staying married is hard, but I am still convinced that there is nothing sweeter.

So yes - a wedding anniversary marks the passing of another year in a marriage. But it's so much more than that too...... it means a year of growth. It means that through the tears and the smiles, two people are still holding on to each other. It means that they have not given up - on each other, nor - more importantly - on a God that is faithful to complete the work that He starts. It is a testament to an entire year of His goodness.

27. That's alot of years. I can't wait for 50, Mum and Daddy!

2009-06-17T04:29:00.003-04:00

Tuesday's finish.

Remember Monday's little project? Here they are today, all finished! I printed out some shots from our big trip and framed them up. I sure hope the recipients enjoy these little souvenirs from our travels. :) These are so simple and affordable to do..... and (to me) they mean alot more than cheap trinkets! I'll report back on whether the giftee's think so too.

ps: If you're wondering why all the frames are hidden behind each other and blurred out, that's completely my intent. The full shots will (eventually) make their way to flickr.... after these get gifted. ;)

2009-06-15T18:36:00.007-04:00

Monday at home.....

Something different today - an intermission of sorts. :)

Today's project....

Today's colour....

Today's lunch.

It's nice to see and shoot something different, isn't it? I've been looking at trip photos non-stop lately, so today was definitely a good break for me! Hopefully you too. We'll get back to Nicaragua (and Belize! It's coming too!) shortly. ^^

2009-06-10T03:26:00.004-04:00

More glimpses.

More like faces this time. ;) The most recent batch of uploads are portraits of some of the people we met in Telica (see the set in-progress here). More to come, naturally!

4 days of photos down.... 3 more to go........

2009-05-28T02:36:00.003-04:00

Glimpses of Nicaragua.....

Trying my hardest these days to get through all the photos from our drill trip. I've been posting some here, and attempting to be less cryptic about what's going on in the photos too - compared to the first trip to Guatemala. Check back often! Sooner or later the whole set will make it up. And then hopefully, the stories will follow too. :)

2009-05-22T03:33:00.003-04:00

aaaand we're back.

We made it home! After almost-three wonderful, adventure-filled weeks, Miss Jean and I are home again. We're getting re-situated into Ottawa-life, and I'm getting into the herculean task of processing a mountain load of photos. Fortunately (for Franki), there are some imposed-by-others deadlines for getting the photos done as soon as possible, so it won't be forever and a half before they see the light of day. ;) I'm hoping to post some photos along with little stories here too.... I have lots of half-formed ideas about that, but more to come.

For now, I'm wishing that a loud alarm would go off whenever your skin was in the process of getting sun-burned. Or that there would at least be a loud sizzling noise. It sure would help..... especially when the burning involves one's scalp.

2009-05-01T06:38:00.005-04:00

Leaving on a jet plane.....

In a few hours, I'll be on my way. Heading south. First to Nicaragua: Unknown. Promising. Exciting. Then to Belize.... it almost feels like I'm going home; there are so many memories there.

I forfeited sleep tonight.... yes because there were many many last-minute things to do, but also.... I find it so hard to sleep before a big trip! The thought that WOW, this time tomorrow I will be in a completely other world! keeps my mind running around in endless circles. Also, plane travel thrills me... I don't know what it is. But to get on a plane, spend a few hours above the clouds, then descend to find yourself a thousand miles away from home..... wheee. I don't even really mind airports. :p

And even sweeter still? This time, Miss Jean will be with me! To share the next few weeks of experiences with her makes me so happy. There's nothing quite like shared nostalgia on those days a couple months down the road when you're missing it all.

So yep.... things'll be quiet around here for a few weeks. Until then, I leave you with this:Um. Don't ask. I don't think I would have an answer for you.

2009-04-24T02:47:00.000-04:00

A month of sweet.

April's a pretty busy month around the Wong house. It's Easter and since we're a minister's family, that means my parents are usually up to their ears with ministry tasks. While we were still in university, April is exam month.... which just about puts everything else on a back-burner until they are all done! This year in particular, I was rushing around to finish up at Parks, while doing fundraising for our missions trip (Leaving next week! How did that creep up so fast?!), while getting things in order for school (school!!), etc. etc....... You know how life goes.

And then, there are birthdays. Two birthdays in April for us - mine and Dad's - and while sometimes there is more time to celebrate, and in other years the busyness catches us up in the current leaving no time to plan a fiesta; there are always some pretty sweet memories made.

Since we were anticipating a packed weekend of Easter activities, my sweet parents decided to treat me to a birthday dinner at Red Lobsters' a few days early. There we are.... can you tell who the birthday girl is? *lol* Excuse how odd my hair looks in the picture.... I had just gotten it trimmed and Maria decided to do something special and curl my hair. Not that I don't usually like curly hair, but it looked really weird and unflattering that day. :p We had lots of delicious seafood.... so much so that we were too full for dessert!! So the waitress got creative:

That's right! A pat of whipped cream, drizzled with raspberry and chocolate syrup..... bedecked with the all-important birthday candle. You'd THINK that it was unappealing, but it was the perfect amount of sweet. Unhealthy? Maybe. Sweet? Definitely!

On the day of my birthday, my sweet friends *surprised* Andrea and me with a delicious mango-raspberry mousse cake. Didn't get a photo of it though.......

After Easter, our family celebrated in earnest: we spent the afternoon and evening with some good friends, and shared a delicious dinner. Of course there was cake....

Not one, but TWO sweet ice cream cakes! Happy accidents! OR it's because I am soooo loved.....? Yes I'll go with the latter. ;)

And I got to run after these sweet boys, which is really all I wanted for my birthday.

About a week later, it was Dad's turn! Again there was a wonderful dinner shared with friends. Um.... ok they were my friends and not Dad's, but nonetheless! Shared joy is always so much greater, no matter whose friends it is.

(excuse the dumpy sweater I had on in the photo... and the bad photo quality..... and doesn't my sister look like an angst-y teenager in this photo? And NO I'M NOT REALLY THAT SHORT.)

And of course a sweet cake made an appearance too..... black forest this time. Dad's favorite!

I think there are still slices of this cake left in our fridge. Maybe I'll have some.... after I recover from the sugar coma that looking at all these photos gave me! Much more sweetness to come.... sweetness from Central America. I can hardly wait. :)

I'm trying to be better about posting.... in preparation for when I move away and have to try to keep in touch with as many of you sweet people as possible. How am I doing? Heehee....

ps: More photos on flickr.

2009-04-22T19:34:00.003-04:00

I believe I can fly......

Ok, this time the video I'm sharing with you all is not just for the sake of sharing. Dear Anna, a super talented animator and artiste, has entered her animated short in a contest. To make it to the final round of judging, she needs lots of people giving her high ratings!! Watch and enjoy this whimsical delight, and if you want to vote, you need to sign in/register with SuperU. Once you've signed in, you should be able to click the stars beneath the video to rate it. Should being the operative word. I can't seem to do it, but we all know me and computers (code 20 code 20!!). So to make up for my lost vote, I'm asking all of you to!! :)

2009-04-09T01:25:00.003-04:00

Moving.

This is so beautiful..... the creativity and honesty that it must have taken to do this just astounds and touches me. What a sweet picture of how amazing Jesus is. :)

2009-04-06T16:07:00.003-04:00

It's spring.... not!

It snowed today. Big. Fluffy. White. SNOW. As if it were November, and not April. What is UP with that????? I was so sad.

But as a friend said so well the other night in a prayer, "Thank you God for the rain [or snow], because we know that it means that the grass will grow green soon [and the flowers will come!]"

Geesh. How easily I turn to complaining....... I have ALOT to learn about being grateful and seeing the good side in things (and people).

ps: Added Anna's blog over there on the right. She is one talented girl! Definitely go check out her animations and sketches.... and if you need something designed/animated, Anna's your girl! :)

2009-04-02T10:35:00.003-04:00

And then.... a beginning.

Green. Gold.

2009-04-01T12:51:00.004-04:00

An end.

For the past two years I've occupied office 359a at 25 Eddy St.... filled it with pictures, paper, mosses, music, the sounds of mad typing, and all manner of other things. I managed data, organized thoughts and functions, and made lots of really really great friends - all with cubicle 359a as home base.

Yesterday was my official last day.

I'm still here.... slowly tying up loose ends and getting ready to go. I just began the long process of cleaning up.... returning things to their proper homes (whether it be others' or mine), finding new homes for other things, and taking down markers of the last two years of my life. As I unpinned photos of cute kids and landscapes from my wall, stowing away the pins and magnets for another time, the fact that this signified an ending finally started to sink in. The thought of leaving, and the now-barren space, suddenly made me sad.

As someone said yesterday, "this is the end of an era."

2009-04-01T01:19:00.004-04:00

Too good not to share..... part II.

Oh MAN........

Watch Cute Girl Flushes Fish on CollegeHumor

This reminds me of when I had to flush my last beta fish.... I was not nearly so willing to spend time looking at him. Him just lying there with his eyes open (like he's staring at me.... as if it's MY fault he died?!??) was just too creepy. There was no eulogy, no "Fishie was a good fish".... just.... FLUSH.

Thanks to Son-shine for sending that one over! :)

2009-03-20T11:25:00.007-04:00

Morning distractions

I was so close to making the express bus this morning.... but then I saw this in the morning light:

It looked so perfectly delicate, hanging at the end of the stem just so. Utterly soft and beautiful in the morning light. I couldn't resist. Tell me, how was I supposed to walk out without trying to capture it?

So I stopped. One shot turned into 10. I missed the bus.

Sigh.

So I checked the bus schedule to see when the next bus was coming...... 10 minutes 'til go-time. BUT THEN I saw the tulips. I couldn't resist:

Good thing I still made my bus. ;)

Pretty flowers, perfect morning light, a relatively good commute, and still getting to work relatively early...... a good start to the day!

Mmmm.... Did I promise Valentine's Day pictures? Really.... I should know better than to make promises I can't keep..... Soonsoonsoon. I promise. Whoops there I go again.......

2009-02-19T01:11:00.002-05:00

Another perspective

I really like this. It neatly (and witfully!) sums up why I love photography so much. :)

Valentine's Day photos coming soon!

2009-02-10T11:34:00.000-05:00

Please knock before entering....

Chinese new years was celebrated a couple of weeks ago, and this year found our family on a weekend jaunt down to Toronto to help dd move house. There was lots of driving (for Dad), lots of moving, painting, and sharpie action...

The finished space looks fab! It was great fun to paint the walls grey and red... and draw all over them. d created the mural design on the computer, which he copied onto a transparency. Then, using an old overhead projector, we projected the design onto the wall, and got busy tracing it all out/filling it in with sharpies. It was fun, and a quick job too with 4 people working on it together! It looks great, don't you think? The finished mural has this neat coppery sheen to it when light reflects off it.... but it really is just black. I love that d is all creative like that. I do think that he has the coolest, most "put-together" room out of us all now! (more photos of the room in process on my flickr) Not that I would trade my room for his. :p

And of course, a trip to T-dot just wouldn't be complete without lots of delicious food!!!

We had two great reasons to celebrate (not that you need any sort of great reason to eat.... seriously.) - Chinese New Year and b's birthday, which fell on the Saturday. We were also blessed to have some friends join us for dinner on Saturday. I hadn't seen them in a long time and it just so happened that they were in Toronto that weekend too!

It was a whirl-wind trip, but a sweet time with friends and family nevertheless. Happy year of the ox!

ps: More photos here.

2009-02-08T00:10:00.003-05:00

Finally!

After who-knows-how-long, my photos from Guatemala (a small selection of my "best" shots) are all posted! See the whole set here.

Also finally, I got around to making some changes around here. New banner (SO much better than the other one), and updated lists over to the right. Aaah.... it's nice to get stuff done!

2009-01-13T21:45:00.002-05:00

Too good not to share.....

Well. More than a month later and we Ottawans are still without public transportation. Thankfully, I feel like I've fared pretty well despite the situation. There has been alot less jaunts downtown or to Chapters to unwind, but I think my piggybank thanks me for that. ;) Nevertheless, I really hope this gets sorted out soon!

But WAIT.... think we've had enough winter fun in the Great White North? Wait til you hear what fun is heading for us next! Snow squalls, extreme windchill (-35°C anyone?), 15 cm of snow... take your pick. Hey, why not take all three?

So be sure to bundle up warm tomorrow... stay inside if you can! And while you're snuggled up (ideally with a cozy sweater, thick blanket, and hot chocolate!), enjoy this great story by an immensely creative little girl:

See more funny videos and funny pictures at CollegeHumor.

2008-12-10T10:06:00.005-05:00

Dear Ottawa,

You are a beautiful city. Since moving here 8 years ago, I have enjoyed living here and discovering all there is to find out about you. I love the mix of city and country, the history of downtown, and the treasure trove of local shops and restaurants to explore. Some things I'm loving about you right now:

1. How the bridge to get to work is closed, making an already long commute even longer.
2. How the public transit drivers are striking.
3. The wack-load of snow that got dropped on us.... such that we wouldn't be able to reach the bus stops, even if the busses were running.
4. How my arms are now super buff (ha!) after 3 hours of shovelling your snowy gift and pushing cars out of snow banks.

I really do love you, Ottawa. I love you all year-round. Now if you would graciously skip winter and fast-forward to spring and the tulip festival, I would be ever so appreciative. Thanks!

Yours,
Steph

2008-11-20T09:58:00.002-05:00

Made my day

It all started when I put my hand in my pocket.

Uh-oh, I thought with a start, where's my bus pass??

It wasn't in my right hand jacket pocket like it usually was. I remember taking it out the night before. Apparently I hadn't put it back where it's supposed to go, which is silly because the only reason the buss pass had a designated pocket at all was to prevent situations exactly like this. After a few moments of frantic searching through my backpack, I sighed and got out some change to pay the bus fare. That'll teach me.

As I reached over to put the coins in the acceptor, the bus driver blocked it with his hand. "Wait a minute, don't you have a bus pass?" he inquired. I had gotten on the same bus the morning before, and apparently he remembered me! I smiled, impressed that he remembered. "Yeah, but I forgot it today."

He told me to wait and punched some keys on his keyboard. Then he grabbed the transfer that came out of the dispenser and handed it to me. "Here's a day pass. It'll get you home tonight. And I'll see you tomorrow with your pass!"

I couldn't have been more touched and thankful that Father had placed this man in my path today. What grace He gifts to us, every single day in big and small ways! In the end, I did end up finding my bus pass (it was in my backpack, hidden between some folders and books). I'll see who I can give my day pass to, so that this man's kindness can be paid forward. If any of you need to get home via OC Transpo tonight and don't have a pass, let me know. ;)

Thanks for making my day!

2008-09-01T02:15:00.005-04:00

Arms high & heart abandoned.

Spent alot of the last 24hrs or so in this position at this event. To be in the midst of thousands who are of the same heart and abandon to worship.......... it's a rush of joy and community like nothing else; a sweet teeny taste of what is to come. What an absolutely beautiful time.

EDIT: My photos from the conference are now up! Go here to see them. :)

2008-08-21T16:57:00.002-04:00

Mindless (Metadata) Entry & Persistence

I've been working on entering metadata (data ABOUT data.... now that's interesting - NOT) for ONE protocol file today. It takes so dreadfully long to do one..... (and how many more do I have to go?!). The afternoon was mainly spent defining all the columns on one data sheet. More yawning. More trying to keep myself on task and at my desk by listening to Mark Driscoll preach on prayer (definitely go listen! It's fantastic. That man definitely has a gift for getting basic concepts across in a fresh, cut-to-the-heart, I-never-thought-of-it-that-way-before way. And there's plenty new things to digest too). Constant self-reminders about being a diligent worker and how that flows into adorning the gospel running through my head. And then FINALLY (Thank the Lord.... really.) I finish.

Only to discover that there are 4 more data sheets, all with the same columns, BUT (the cherry on top of the sundae of metadata PAIN) there is no way to paste over what I've done - meaning I have to repeat and repeat and repeat...... O_o

Oh the despair. You know that expression they use in literature, "and his face fell at the bad news"? Yeah. That. Me.

It's 5pm. I think I will go home and try this again tomorrow. Maybe I will get faster. Or maybe I will discover some brilliant way to copy and paste everything. Or maybe not, and my task is to persist. *sigh*

Father, even in this may You be glorified.....

2008-08-11T16:18:00.005-04:00

Back.

After a week of plunging into the chaos that is NYC, meeting people and seeing old friends, lots and LOTS of shopping, unwinding in Amish country, lots of driving, lots of food, and plenty of quality family time - we are fiiiiinally home. Pulled into the driveway at 8:30am this morning in fact. Oi. o_O Now comes unpacking, cleaning, and getting back into the rhythm of things.

I’m leery of promising timely post-vacation blog entries and lots of flickr updating…. It would be quite the ambitious commitment for me.. *laughs* But here’s to making an honest effort.

On a slightly different note, I was playing around with one of those quiz thingies earlier (Yes, at work. It was a quiet day! Read: booooooored.....), and apparently something that makes me abnormal is that I would prefer having more time to having more money. Huh. What does that say about our generation?

So here are two questions for you today, my dear reader:
1. What are you making an honest effort to do today?
2. Would you rather have more time or more money?

2008-07-31T02:32:00.004-04:00

Dress-up madness....

1 saturday afternoon + 5 girls + more clothes/shoes/purses/accessories than you can count - dirty looks from the dressing room attendant = the makings of a rad time out with the girls!

More photos here.

2008-07-17T00:47:00.002-04:00

Chatting.

Friends.
Food.
Sharing.
Sunset.
Waves.
Seagulls.
Breeze.
Sand between toes.
Wise words.
Conversation.
Laughter.
Feeling small under a big sky.

The makings of a beautiful evening.

2008-07-09T01:37:00.004-04:00

Last minute-ness

I think I have this thing for pushing the limit. 2 hours before our guests were to arrive, and this was what I was starting. Me and my bright ideas......! Simple to do in theory, but let's not forget..... me? Not the most seasoned with the sewing machine. But the idea was planted. No turning back now! 2.5 hours later, with scraps and sewing things strewn all over my floor and running the risk of being labelled "anti-social", I ended up with this (don't laugh. I realize that someone with more experience could've whipped up something better and faster!):

It was worth it. I thought they turned out so well.... not exactly what I had first imagined, but perfect as they are nonetheless. And the best thing? The little guys these were gifted to knew exactly what they were supposed to be.

2008-07-04T02:46:00.003-04:00

Oo la la!

Surprise! So here I am, nearly 3am, messing around with blogger (pulling the 5-minute-thing again!). I'm sooooo pleased with the layout tools (new to me), which are super simple to master. Shards is looking so spiffy now, with layout, menus, and esthetics much more like I wanted all along. ^^ I also took advantage of this renovation to do a little cleaning up of the menu.... many of your guys' blogs that haven't been updated in ages have been assumed dormant and links deleted.... but I'd looove to add people back on (hint hint).

Oooh.... so much bloggy love going on right now. It's like a new toy. Or an old favorite, re-discovered (which is better than a new one sometimes!). Perhaps this will inspire more *ahem* consistency around here?

What do you guys think?

2008-07-03T10:16:00.003-04:00

One of those mornings

You know what I'm talking about. Those mornings when you crack open your eyes (groan!) - hopefully not late - and the sky is so so grey. And it's raining. You peel back the covers and haul yourself out of bed, while your eyeballs insist that just 5 more minutes of shut-eye wouldn't hurt one bit. Those mornings after those nights when you know FULL WELL what would happen if you stayed up to watch one more........ but you know. Just 5 more minutes. Let tomorrow worry about itself and all that. Those mornings when you genuinely thank the Lord for such things as caffeine and coffee beans, and the person who brews the morning regular, and the office coffee club. Small gratitudes, I tell ya.

Why, what a brilliant suggestion. Of course I'll have another!

2008-06-11T12:55:00.003-04:00

A Different Way of Seeing.....

I read this today. I think for me, I need to replace "laundry" with "washing dishes". Those who know me well will know that this is THE chore that I dread..... the chore that I will "forget" to do some nights.... the chore I will purposely ignore other nights. If you live with me, you will know that I try to get out of doing this chore as much as I can, most nights. :p Why do I hate it so? Like Andrea, I feel like doing dishes is "a time-consuming job that never ends". You're stuck in the kitchen by yourself, cleaning up everyone else's mess, while they're off doing whatever they'd like. AND as soon as you finish, the late eater or the snacker will deposit another dirty dish in the sink. Arrrrrrrgh. >.<

BUT. This post gave me such perspective, letting me realize that even dirty dishes are something to be thankful for. They are evidence of God's blessings to us.... His gifts of abundant food to nourish our bodies with, a home to cook and eat and wash in, and loved ones to share it with. You can't really hold a grudge when you realize all that you've been given, can you? :)

Head on over to the FlourishingMother blog if you've got time. Andrea writes really thoughtfully, and it's refreshing to read about her life. Also, she's a voracious reader (yay!) and often cites the most interesting and insightful passages. I've been so inspired to pick up books I never would have considered before because of her!

2008-05-08T01:12:00.006-04:00

May Showers....

...isn't it supposed to be "April showers, May flowers"??

It's a busy week.... full of individually good things that have added up and multiplied into one heck of a work/thought load. I'm glad to be doing all that I'm doing, but seriously, I can't wait for this to be aaaaaaall over.

Of course, the depressing rain doesn't help. When the weather turns like this, I either get nostalgic and a little melancholy (on a good day), or else I can easily get sulky and grumpy (on a bad/stressful day - like today). And then when it's beautiful out, my spirits are equally light. You know what I mean? I know I'm not the only one whose mood follows the weather! You know, I heard on the news that during the horribly cold and long winter we just had, people's tempers had become increasingly frayed. Even kids. Isn't it amazing how intricately entertwined everything is? But I digress. What I really wanted to do was remedy these rainy-day-blues by posting a reminder of sunnier times:

Taken back in April. The first day that was over 20-degrees this year found me at my favorite place, savouring the sun and just generally happy that spring is back, so that I can enjoy my sweet spot again. It was soooo relaxing to chill there for awhile and read the Word. Couldn't have asked for a better afternoon. Now isn't that so much better than cold and rain?

ps: more photos from the day will be posted here soon!

2008-05-04T03:39:00.005-04:00

Don't Congratulate Me Yet......

Today, I picked up a pair of fabulous peep-toe sling-backs for $20 (awesome deal!), just in time for a wedding reception tomorrow. I picked them out and bought them in 10 minutes. Now, those of you who know me, know that this is reason to be proud (and proud we were)! BUT..... look at what happens when I try to be a super-shopper:

'Nuf said.

2008-04-30T15:07:00.005-04:00

15 Minutes This Morning

9h42 - En route to the office. I arrive at the MacKenzie King Bridge bus stop for my transfer, get off the bus and am greeted with the sounds of someone bellowing in French. Huh? Turns out to be a woman, marching down the length of the bridge in heels, impassionately (and seemingly very angrily) shouting her cause, glaring at passersby, waving her arm for emphasis. And she wasn't wearing her pants. What?? That's right boys and girls, Ms. Protester's pants were unbuckled and held up with one hand, but otherwise very much swinging free around her knees. Granted she was wearing a black leotard and not some disturbing sous-vêtement, but seeing as she had alot of skin to cover, that really didn't mean much.

Compleeetely mortified and fighting the absolutely unappropriate urge to giggle, I rush into the mall. 11 minutes til my bus. Other commuters, quickly glancing at the kerfuffle, hurry to get out of her warpath. A mom tries to explain what is happening to her young daughter, "She's not happy is she? We don't want to be near unhappy people." Not the most satisfactory explanation, but goodness, how are you supposed to explain that to a 5-year-old??? Poor kid.

9h48 - Pants come off completely (?!??!??!!!) and are used as a flag to punctuate her raving. The shock has somewhat worn off and I'm wondering what has got her so riled up that she needs to make a statement like this? Someone else waiting for a bus (or deliverance?) mentioned that it was something about an election...... huh. Politics. Naturally.

9h51 - Police (municipal and OC Transpo security) arrive. Woman stops shouting and puts her pants on, as well as a bright blue jacket.

9h57 (because busses are almost NEVER on time....) - My bus arrives. As I am whisked away from the scene, I see the woman sitting down and smoking a cigarette. Officers surround her, some with amused looks on their faces. I wonder what they're talking about?

--

Thus marks the end of my *interesting* morning. In somewhat less exciting news (but it's exciting for me!!), I finished filing my tax return!! Yaaaaaaay! ^^ Now I can move on to other, more important things. Like editing and posting pictures, right??

2008-04-23T14:48:00.004-04:00

Thinking........

I don't know how anyone could be expected to focus on work when there are far more exciting and important-in-the-long-run things to think about. For the 12365441434357th time..... how do people work in an office position for 20-odd years???

2008-04-16T15:41:00.009-04:00

One of Those Days.....

Spring has FINALLY COME TO OTTAWA. Can't describe the feeling of walking out the door into blue skies and sunshine every day this week so far..... the birds singing for all they're worth, tempting me to forget work and grab my camera instead. *sigh* I love spring!

But.... *ugh*

With spring and beautiful days comes more creative ideas for personal/ministry projects, and yearning to be anywhere but in this cubicle. I've been getting more and more of those lately (ideas)..... was hit with a particularly potent idea this morning. Sitting here all day, not satisfying the urge to form ideas into something tangible, has been utter creative agony. And the guilt of not being very productive at work sure doesn't help, or lessen the distraction...... Heh.

Anyway. I really can't (and shouldn't) complain. I'm happy about spring, and thankful for the sun, birds, colours, songs, ideas and creativity -- and most of all for He who created all of it.

--

ps: I haven't made very much of a fuss over my new baby, but suffice it to say I am very very happy with her. I'm hoping she'll have some good friends to play with this summer (aHEM! Chung). I also intend to be more diligent about posting images, dusting off my corner of flickr, and all that other lovely fun stuff.............. as soon as I file my income tax return. :p

2008-03-10T13:54:00.004-04:00

Mrs. X

Today at lunch, a bunch of us got to discussing how one properly addresses a woman these days. John - whom I also have the great privilege of calling brother in Jesus - once got in trouble for referring to his host as "madam" multiple times in a presentation where he was an international guest speaker. "Who told you I was married??" she demanded of him afterwards. Apparently you only use "madam" if one is married. We discussed lots of possibilities..... "Ma'am", "Madam", "Miss", "Mrs.", woman, lady..... what is appropriate and the implications of addressing a female a certain way is so complex and is constantly changing with the times.

Who knew?

We finally settled on "Ms." as a safe bet.

Later, I stopped by John's office to discuss work. At the end of the conversation, John put his new knowledge to good use, "Thank you MS. Wong."

I replied, "You're very welcome," and turned to go.

"I'm looking forward to the day when we can call you Mrs. X."

Laughing, I said, "There is no 'X'."

"Not yet, but that's alright. We just need to wait and be patient."

"Yeah."

It feels so good to know that there is someone else dreaming and hoping on my behalf.

2008-02-14T00:39:00.002-05:00

Someday....

If it was up to me my life would be a blue print on the table
And every year would have a label
I would know precisely the day that you would come and find me
I'd see your face (the one that I dream of)
I just can't wait ('cause I know)

Someday, someone's gonna change my life
Somehow, someone's gonna make me smile like I never have before
Someday, someday
Somewhere, someone's gonna steal my heart
Somehow, we'll never ever be apart
And I can't wait for that someday
Someday isn't so far away

I've laid awake at night wondering if I had wasted chances
Giving up too soon on small romances
Then I look outside you're under the same midnight sky and
You're waiting too (am I the one that you dream of?)
These dreams come true (and I know)

I guess I'll never know if I passed you on the street the other day
Or maybe you are far across the ocean
Oh but every night I pray to God that somehow
He would send him my way

Someday, someday, someday......

Someday isn't so far away

~PureNRG (C) 2007

2008-02-07T13:47:00.000-05:00

Not a good day.

I rarely have bad days.

Most people would say that I am generally a cheery person. Just yesterday a colleague teased me for smiling even as I rant about how much something sucks.

I rarely have bad days.

But somehow, this week is shaping up to be on the dreary side of not-so-great. What a nice way to come home.

2007-11-19T15:31:00.000-05:00

Fluffy Scarves & Hot Chocolate......

.....along with music that brings back memories of warm summery days are perfect for chasing away the office chills. :) There's so much more of You that I want to know.

How Your love, it calls to me when I lose my way...
...Got to trust that I'm safe and sound,
Got to trust that it all comes down to You.....
... It's obvious no one could love me more
I'm Yours,
And I'm coming, coming back
(Britt Nicole, 2007)

2007-09-30T23:34:00.000-04:00

Exploring....

Oftentimes, I'll admire the works of more advanced photographers. I'll wonder where they come up with their creative concepts, and how they find such interesting locations. It's definitely caused me to look at the world around me through a different lens..... could that garden provide good photo ops? Could that abandoned building? How about that field?

For those of you who've visited my home in Ottawa, you'll know that they're developing the suburban sprawl like CRAZY.... right behind my neighbouhood. It makes shopping really convenient of course, but it makes me sad too, to see all those beautiful fields (that I never particularly appreciated before, btw...) built over. They've built plaza's to the east and west, and now the only patch left is an abandoned property directly behind my house.

All this to say that for the past couple of months I've been inspired to go exploring on that property, and see what there is to see. Seize the day and all that! After an initial 15-minute walk-about several weeks ago (after which my camera batteries died on me.....), I finally went back recently. Here's what there is to see:

I thought the markings on this bug looked neat...

Found this one hiding amongst the grass......

Is this what an ant sees?

Love this......

Last shot of the day..... another favorite. This one's for you, Chungi & txp!!

2007-09-26T13:59:00.000-04:00

Productive Delay

"Waiting on God isn't about the suspension of meaning and purpose. It's part of the meaning and purpose that God has brought into my life. Waiting on God isn't to be viewed as an obstruction in the way of the plan. Waiting is an essential part of the plan. For the child of God, waiting isn't simply about what I'll receive at the end of my wait. No, waiting is much more purposeful, efficient, and practical than that. Waiting is fundamentally about what I'll become as I wait. God is using the wait to do in and through me exactly what He's promised. Through the wait He's changing me. By means of the wait He's altering the fabric of my thoughts and desires. Through the wait He's causing me to see and experience new things about Him and His kingdom. And all of this sharpens me, enabling me to be a more useful tool in His redemptive hands." (Paul Tripp - Meditation on Psalm 27) - as seen here.

I love this reflection. So often in life we are waiting for something.... waiting in line at the store, waiting to see if we've been accepted into school, waiting for water to boil, waiting to meet that Special Person to share your life with, waiting for God to lead you towards that next step in life.... In our age of instant-everythings, this is one of the worst things that can be imposed on us, but whether the situation be serious or less so, the bottom line is that we spend lots of time waiting. I would even argue that we 20-somethings are in the life-stage of waiting as we stand at a great cross-road, trying to discern God's direction, purpose, and passion for our lives.

So how do you deal?

I like this seemingly revolutionary perspective.... that waiting is not purposeless. For me, I am finding that letting God shape my impatience has turned lonely, directionless, or frustrating times into days where I can hope and smile and serve genuinely. I have come to realize that it's ok to be waiting.... to not be there yet, even when it seems like everyone else is miles ahead of me. I know the end-goal will be worth it, and I have such hope in the promise that my Lord has only good in store for me. But more than that, I look forward to who I'll be when I get there..... someone who started by saying "yes" to God in faith, and is hopefully just a little bit more like Him by the end of the process.

What are you waiting for in your life? May the reflection above encourage your heart and motivate you to seek His.

Sola gratia.

2007-09-14T10:15:00.000-04:00

Quiet Friday.....

It's Friday. After a huge rush of a week (meetings, seminars, hotels, hearts, and throw in a couple of foreign countries!), the weekend is finally here! Delicious.... I can hardly wait to sleep in tomorrow. Mebbe I'll actually get around to baking my cookies this weekend. ;) It's pretty quiet around the office this morning..... the quiet murmur of meetings in other cubicles can be heard, and I'm sitting here eating oatmeal for breakfast (Sonja!) and looking over a translation request.

In other words, I will be bored quite soon. :p

2007-09-12T22:13:00.000-04:00

Exhilaration.

I haven't felt this way in so long. Maybe never. Have you felt anything like this before? A feeling that comes out of no-where and knocks you off your feet..... something so intense that it can pick you up from the deepest melancholy and make you soar up to the heights.......... It's pure excitement and headiness and giddiness..... It's a buzz in your head. I can hardly sit still. I'm eating but I have no real appetite -- my heart pounds and my tummy tingles. I'm feeling more alive than I have in days, and I'm sure I have a stupid grin on my face.

I don't know why, I don't know how. I don't know what this means. This just is.

Why do I feel this way? Why does this keep resounding in my head, my heart?

2007-08-29T17:36:00.000-04:00

Stranded.

POP 40%...... pfft. I should know better than to trust the weather report! Presently I am stuck at the office, because it is thundering and raining in sheets outside. SHEETS. It hasn't rained this hard in awhile. Who would've thought that just a few hours ago I was sitting out in the stuffy sunny hotness, shoes off and eating my lunch? I don't think an umbrella would've done me much good since it's so fierce out..... but I'm regretting forgetting it anyways. How will I make it to the store before prayer meeting in time to get ingredients to make this for tomorrow? Pooey. >.<

2007-07-26T15:00:00.000-04:00

It's Been Awhile.........

Wow. End of July already! Isn't it depressing how fast the summer flies..... it's been a packed summer! Flying off to serve again in a foreign country...... building new and old relationships....... getting highly involved at church..... exploring all sorts of new places and events in Ottawa....... so much has been happening in everyone's lives! Not to say that this is summer's end..... there is one month left before things settle down into the regular rhthym of school, and until then I'm sure every moment will be full. :)

Not much time to post anything really worth reading (I'm @ work right now.... it's a slow day but still! Can't spend too much time blogging..... :p), but I intend to soon! I've come across some great articles that I would love to share with you all, and I realize it's been almost exactly a year since I've had this blog lay-out.... might be time for a change. ^^ In the meantime, I've updated a bunch of links (on the right -->); of most note are the new links to photographers that I've become addicted to lately (esp. Pretty In Pink and NicoleVan). Check them out! They do a beautiful job of capturing and immortalizing every moment of the day! *sigh* Oh to take photos like that of the people around me some day........ ^-^

More soon!

2007-05-22T15:38:00.000-04:00

Shall I Indeed?

Sometimes yes, sometimes no

Sometimes that's the way it goes

You're not giving any secrets away

Who's to know, who's to say

Sometimes it's hard to live this way

Holding on, letting go

When it's sometimes yes

And sometimes no

Jill Paquette, "Sometimes Yes, Sometimes No" (2003)

Several of you who are wonderfully caring and concerned for me have asked me about that last cryptic blog entry....... *laughs* I never thought I was one who could be cryptic about anything but I guess necessity is the best teacher! Just a word of assurance that I am still alive and I am ok. I think I still have a bit of mulling and thinking to do, and it was a bit of a trip last week emotionally, but even today I think I'm seeing the light. :)

Letting go and letting God..... I don't know why this is a lesson that must be learned the hard way though countless repetitions over our lifetimes. Why doesn't it ever stick? "Doesn't God ever get frusterated at what slow slow learners we are?" I wonder sometimes. But no.... in His infinite grace, He's always there, ready to show us the way back to Him when we are ready. I think I'm finally ready. Already today He assured me of His faithfulness through this blog..... what a chord it strikes with me! How encouraging it is to realize that even the strongest of us has to WORK at trusting our Father, that it isn't some ability that comes naturally with maturity. Have a peek! I hope that you too are encouraged and strengthened by the testimony of Sarah's life -- that you too will be convicted to let go of whatever it is that you've been clinging to, and by doing so, also be a testiment to God's wondeful faithfulness!!

2007-05-10T19:45:00.000-04:00

Conversations

"Can I ask you a stupid question?"

".........."

"That wasn't a stupid question."

"Are you busy tonight? Can we go driving and chat?"

"............"

"I'm surprised."

Me too.

2007-04-07T22:50:00.000-04:00

The Art of Being a Statue....
(Good Friday, April 6, 2007)

It's FRIGID out. Ouuuuuuuuch -- my fingers are frozen!! What are we doing here, you ask?

Here we are at Dewberry Trail near Mer Bleue birdwatching..... chickadee-feeding to be precise! We brought birdseed, and Mum and Mui are braving the blistering cold and standing as still as they can to try to attract the birds to their hand. I think Mum's better at it than Mui; she's too fidgety. *laughs* Me on the other hand..... I've retreated to the car to try to regain feeling in my poor frozen digits.

Boy, there are so many chickadees! And they are all so cute, especially when they puff up their feathers to keep warm -- they look like little cotton balls!! ^-^ We brought peanuts too, to try and draw out Mum's favorite cardinals and bluejays, but it would seem that the larger passerines are too clever to fall for such ploys. *lol* We did see several bluejays, a cardinal, as well as some blackbirds and mourning doves, but they stayed aloof.

And me being me of course, was more concerned about getting some good shots as opposed to getting them to feed in my hand (although one did perch on my hand for a little while!). Geeez.... birds in the wild sure are hard to capture! They don't stay put for very long. And lets not get me started on the shortfalls of my camera...... darn lagtime to focus, darn lagtime to shoot, darn lens that can't zoom in close enough....!!! *sigh* At least the lighting was good enough to get sharp images. Despite the camera, I managed to get a few good shots. :)

My dear Finepix, you have been a faithful friend, but I really do think it's time you were retired.....

Living statues...... (click here for more pictures!)

2007-03-28T14:54:00.000-04:00

Another Spring.....

.....another new beginning. Another post. Wow, I haven't posted in a looooong time. It hasn't been for a lack of desire, I'll say that much in my defence......... I just never seem to be able to sit down and WRITE. :P Even now.... I'm not promising this is well thought-out! I'm just taking a break from the salamanders. *hee*

It's another spring..... I don't think I love any other season more. Spring embodies glorious hope in new life and new beginnings..... I can't help but be lifted as I marvel at the blue skies peeping through between buildings and spectacular sunsets (pretty much all I get to see of the outside nowadays! It's so sad really.....) after missing them all winter; I can't help but hope in the fresh beginning, and hoping that this time I'll reach the High Places that I've had my eye on for so long. Nevermind what people say about muddy sidewalks and spring rains. It's still a beautiful season!

Carrying on my thought about spring and muddiness and new beginnings and reaching your dreams..... you really can't achieve your goals, your dreams, your High Places without a certain amount of messiness and difficulty in between, can you? I would like to think that I might be able to reach those crags without doing the hard work to reach them, but that isn't reality. Reality is daunting, and maybe that's why I've been standing at the foothills for so long, wringing my hands and casting sidelong glances at those majestic peaks.

Maybe this time I'll stop worrying and take that first step. The Good Shepherd has always promised to be there when I need him.... I think it's time to take him at his word. I don't know how to get to those peaks.... what paths to take, what equipment I need, what dangers I need to be aware of..... but perhaps I just don't need to know.

I still miss you..... but there is someone who misses me more right now, and I can't fairly spend any more time wishing for you while he's waiting for me.

2007-01-05T00:56:00.000-05:00

Encore......

Yeeeeah.... back after a loooong absence. I dunno what has kept me from posting........ maybe because my thoughts haven't been as turbulent as they were in the fall and I didn't need an outlet as badly.....??? I COULD blame it on a packed schedule I guess, although that's not a good excuse. *grin*

There has been lots happening on the Steph-stage! Since the last time I posted, h2o participated in CCCO's 2nd Iron Chef event (see h2o's picasa site for pictures!); we've had to deal with some fall-out from that. Since November I also went on some interviews (with Starbucks and Parks Canada) and then was offered a job with Parks! *yaaaaaay*...... I've been there for three weeks now and I'm enjoying myself quite a bit.

I work with mostly older ppl, but they are such a good-natured and amicable bunch. I'm working as the assistant for the National EI (ecological integrity) Monitoring program.... basically assisting with whatever projects my boss (and, by extension, his "first-in-command" guy) needs help with. Right now I'm helping prep and coordinate the switch-over to a new database, and also organizing a big meeting in the states..... all new and all super exciting! Gotta admit.... was a little intimidated at first, but God has been so faithful in bringing good ppl alongside me to teach me the ropes and to encourage me. ^^ In fact, the whole process of when and how I found, applied for, then got the job -- and even what skills have been required on the job -- was undeniably a God-thing. I love it when I can see His hand just guiding each step I take! It's been amazing to see how He works and times everything to perfection...... isn't He just the best?? (*haha* I know.... understatement of the year, right??) Eventhough other ppl keep telling me, I'm still not convinced that I'm gonna be a federal lifer. *lol* This is a term position and I do want to return to school in the sorta-near future..... but we shall see!! OH. Other classic advice offered by a fellow federal employee from church, "In the gov't, you've gotta work SLOW. If you think a task will take you a week to complete, take a month to do it." *hahahaha.....* Whaaaaatevs...... I'm not convinced of that either! Perhaps I'm young and innocent. ;) And another thing..... *sigh* I wish my French was better!!! It was pretty pathetic the other day, using the French-English dictionary and trying to decipher an e-mail that must've been three sentences long. :S

The other major thing filling my days this fall term (haha... still thinking in university terms!) has just been church..... have so many different ministries this term! Jean and I started teaching the SK/gr.1 kindergarten Sunday school class in September....... it gets tiresome to have to do prep for it every week sometimes, but it DEFINITELY helps to have someone wonderful like Jean to work with (*yaaaaaay Jean!!* Go team work!!), and those munchkins have completely endeared themselves to me (am I using "endear" correctly? you proficient writers out there -- ahem! Lyds/Carmie -- can correct me. :P). No matter how tired I am, once I'm in that class telling them a story or seeing their enthusiasm during a game or watching them create their crafts, I know it's all worth it. I really just pray that God is/will use Jean and me to drive some truths into the hearts of these little ones! I've also been leading worship and helping out on the worship team alot more this term..... those that lead do it almost once every month..... and then the other weeks we are usually helping each other out. We have a running joke about who's done it the most weeks in a row. *laughs* Must admit.... It's great fun to play with this team of friends!! I enjoy it alot. ^^ Last but certainly NOT least, h2o's been HUGE for me this term. In many ways, I am glad that I didn't get a job until December, because honestly there have been so many logistical and other background details for big events such as the Iron Chef and Winter Gala to take care of. Seeing as other people have been busy, I'm glad that I was able to have some time to take care of things a bit. The flipside of the coin is that sometimes I've felt like I'm doing it all alone...... but it's really a matter of perspective. Everyone has seasons in their lives; mine's for most of this semester has been to help with h2o. I've been blessed to have the "time-off" to focus on ministry (not just h2o, but all those other things I mentioned). Praise God for that too! :)

And speaking of the Winter Gala!!!! After much humming-and-hawing and haggling over dates and responsibilties and all the rest of it, we held h2o's 2nd annual winter gala on boxing day last Tuesday. What a night!! Always tempted to say, "we pulled it off" but somehow it doesn't seem like the right thing to say because it was definitely by Father's wonderfulness that it all happened. We had a FANTASTIC team this year taking care of decorations and another for food..... the church basement was completely transformed into an elegant dining room! And the food was preeetty good too, if I do say so myself. *grin* (food crew: Hats off to you all!!! It was such a pleasure to have you along for the chaotic ride.) Andrew and Jon stepped in pretty much at the last-minute to be MC's, and I thought that they were wonderful at it!! I'm SO glad that they agreed to do it. :) And oh, we had SUCH a huge turn-out.... more than we expected! And definitely more than last year. People that had just gotten back to town and such kept phoning us and telling us that they could come, and asking if they could bring friends..... with the food and the fun games and the wonderful atmosphere, I think everyone had a really good time. I definitely did! Took TONS of pictures of course.... they're on my Picasa gallery (click on collage) for your viewing pleasure. :)

Yeah..... new photo gallery! Picasa web albums just works so much better with the programs I already have..... if you already use gmail and/or hello, I encourage you to look into it! Feel free to peruse my gallery and add comments (I'm not sure if you can add comments if you're not a member..... find out and tell me. :P).

AAAAlright..... that's quite enough from me, wouldn't you say? *hee* Until next time........