Thanksgiving

I have so much to be thankful for, and I think that so do you. Some days it doesn't seem like it. Some days it just seems like there is nothing to be thankful for. Our grandparents are getting older and, oftentimes, sicker. Our loans aren't coming through for us in the way we might hope. Our brothers and sisters argue and fight. Where's the love that you were sure used to be there. Don't they love each other anymore? Classes are busy, and your always behind. Work isn't always so pleasant. Your supervisor's a jerk, and you don't know how to deal with them. The house is dirty and messy, and you have no time to clean it. Your bored on Saturday, and you wish that you had plans for the weekend. The weather is misty and rainy. How are you supposed to go for a bike ride down to the corner store in such gross weather. And what about your great friend who is suddenly to busy for you.
I'm pretty sure though that our lives aren't really that bad.
Our grandparents are still traveling and when they come to visit, they have big smiles on their faces just to see you. We are able to attend amazing Schools where we learn so much, and we always make it through with enough money. Somebody is still providing for us. Our siblings love us, even if they don't always love each other. They show it in little ways, that are sometimes hard to notice through the fog of discontent. Our family is growing up and a brother or sister is getting married. Classes are fascinating, and we are learning so much and enjoying it so much. Even when we stay up until 1:30 working on those papers last minute. We have jobs, and we are making a bit of extra needed money. Just smile and keep working when that supervisor's being so dumb. You'll get through it. You can clean your house, watch a movie, get caught up in school, sleep in, read a book, and still have time to spare on Saturday. The weather was fantastic all through September. Summer in September almost makes up for mist and rain in October. We were able to get lots of bike rides in in September. We can spend the indoor time working on that scrapbooking and craft that we've been putting off for the last 5 months. Our friend who doesn't always see us is a learning experience wherein we are forced to make an effort from the other side, rather than always leave that specific job to them.
We got to visit with friends and family over the holiday long weekend. We keep on meeting new people and making new friends all the time. We develop new relationships which are fun and awesome. Bible study rocks and is an amazing learning experience. We are getting closer to God and to our family and to our closest of friends. We are learning more about ourselves, about our strengths and weaknesses, about what we can handle, about when to be bold and when to back off, about our capacity to love, about our understanding of God, about how we no longer need to work to feel special because there is someone else who is working to make us feel special without our ever needing to try.
Yes. I am thankful.

Interview Questions!

Interview Questions

1. If you could get rid of one thing about yourself, what would it be?
If I had could get rid of one thing about myself, I would get rid of... well... it would depend if I got to have something back or not. For example, I hate my teeth because they aren't in very good condition, but I certainly wouldn't want to be toothless. Maybe I'd just get rid of my hyper side... jk... that would be way too boring, and I happen to have a friend who likes my hyper side. Do you know what?.. I don't think I would have to get rid of anything... I'm pretty much quite amazing just the way I am... jk. Seriously... probably my ability to get downright mean and b---
itchy when I am in a bad sorta mood.

2. How do you know you are a Christian?
I know that I am a Christian because I have trusted in Christ and asked Him to forgive me for the sins that I have committed and continue to commit each day. The Bible promises forgiveness to all those who turn to Jesus Christ and repent of their sins, begging for forgiveness, and turning their lives over to Him.

3. Are skittles or smarties better?
Skittles are definitly better. I love chocolate and smarties are great when you smush them first, but skittles have to sit in first place. They are soooooo good, especially because they are fruity.

4. Who do you count as inspirations in your life?
Paul... from the Bible... he was very bold, and I tend to be quite bold as well.

Jesus... He is the only one worth looking up to in every single way.

My parents... they love me even when I act like I don't love them.

A friend of mine... who doesn't give up and will listen to your opinion though he's opinionated.

Christine (another friend of mine)... who has been praying for me for years now.

Sarah (my best friend and sister)... who has put up with a lot of stuff from me considering it has taken me a long time to understand the reasoning behind some of the things that she insisted were true.

Kev (my twin brother)... who has challenged me to think about the way I am and to make my own decisions about the person that I am and will be.

Dan (my older bro)... who is honest and open with me even when it is a sensitive issue, simply because it needs to be addressed.

Stef (bro #3)... because he is so soft-hearted towards me.

Dyl (#4)... because he has taught me that it is okay to be crazy.

and so many more people that I don't have time or space to name and explain.

5. What is a snurp? ;)
I don't know... I know what a snerp is, but I have never heard of a snurp, and I refuse to divulge what a snerp is.

And don’t forget to post the rules below:

Anyone else interested? Email or leave a "Yes, please!" comment. Here's the rules.

1. Leave me a comment saying "interview me." The first five are the lucky winners. 2. I will email you with five questions. 3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions. 4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post. 5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions. (Write your own questions or borrow some.)

Uh... yeah... I got nothing.
Today was busy and somewhat tiring, but mostly extremely and annoyingly hot and itchy. Yup, that's right. Itchy. There are about 3 billion, 1 million, 390 thousand, 5 hundred and 62 mosquito's, and many other types of bugs as well. They all like to eat me alive, and I am not impressed. And what's with this weather today, eh? Hot, hot, hot, a few drops of rain, hot hot, hot. Oh... and of course it also is extremely humid. And did I mention the bugs? Yeah... they're everywhere. Fortunately, these awful conditions are greatly offset by the fact that I do, quite nicely, get the pleasure of viewing... (is this wrong???)... a few different members of the opposite gender who prefer to work in the cooler state of being shirtless. Quite enjoyable to be true. Uh... that's all for now. :)

Tropical Paradise

Yup... that's right. I work in a tropical paradise with Banana plants, Citrus trees, Fig trees, Bouganvillea's, Hibiscus bushes and trees, Lantana bushes and trees, Mandevilla's, Pandora Vines, Ferns, Alamanda's, Mexican Heather, Oleander's, Cana's, and more...
Though many of these names may not sound familiar, I have learned so much about each one while working with them. I have learned how much water they like and the manner in which they prefer to be watered. I have discovered which plants are quicker to contract diseases and bugs and, consequently, which plants need to be 'cleaned' more regularly. And by 'cleaned', I do not mean that I have to dust the leaves off. 'Cleaning' plants refers to carefully removing the dead flowers and the yellow leaves from off of the plant as well as from out of the pot.
I have learned that even when a plant appears to be completely dead, it can still be revived if you strip off the dead leaves, trim the branches back until they reach the 'alive' (green) section and give it some more water if it is dry. (This knowledge comes from spending more time reviving plants then maintaining their health.)
Hmmm...
I have enjoyed the first bit of time spent at this job as I grow beautiful plants and then send them off to the store once they have grown beautiful, so that they can be placed in a good home.

Out For Coffee!

May 28th, 2005... I recently turned 20 years old...
and I have gone on my first official date.

Wow... sounds corny, eh?
ah well... I had a good time. we're just friends right now and we just went out for coffee.
... I gave him the wrong directions to the Tim Hortons... how embarrassing.
But I had a good time. And he was quite the gentleman as he opened the door for me... when I let him... and helped me with my jacket.

So yeah. It was fun.
And now I'm going so that I don't bore you with endless sappy details about my life that isn't really sappy at all.

The Best (though extremely boring) Day EVER!!!

Yup... that's right
It was the best day... because it was my birthday; however, it was also a boring... extremely boring day,
because work sucked.
er.... sorry for that
normally I love work.
Today I got to boss around 3 guys as they trailed behind me doing as I demanded. I was pleased. I don't often get to have guys following me around. And getting to be in charge was definitely an added bonus. The only downfall was that I did not get to drive the tractor or even the van today... how sad.
so yeah...
I got good presents, wonderful family time... (Jess... you rock for staying to see me, O and O... you rock for picking me up and pretending that I didn't smell bad, Sarah... you rock for coming to see me along with K-dawg, the rest of you peeps just plain rock)
Thanks for a great evening family.
Anywho... that's all for now

Gladiator Soundtrack!

Wow... have you ever heard the soundtrack for the movie Gladiator. I won't judge the movie for those of you who may not paricularly appreciate it. However, the soundtrack rocks. There is quiet music for sleeping or studying; there is haunting music for when you girls just need to cry, and there is loud and exciting music to get you pumped. All in all, it is a good soundtrack and well-rounded.
So yeah... that's all I have to say today... or at least for now.

I Hunger

I hunger...
actually I don't... I don't know what true hunger is. I have never experienced the pain of true hunger. I have a feeling that it is similar to the sharp pain in my stomach when I have not eaten for a while. Except much, much worse.
I want to go to Williams to get something to eat.

I have no money...
actually that is not true... I don't know what it means to have no money. It only feels like it because I have to watch where I put my money. But at least I have money to watch where I put it.

this banana is good...

Puddles

Have you ever noticed that when you are going for a walk after a rainy day, and you look into the puddles that you walk around, it is fascinating to look into them. For when you look at a puddle, all you can see is the rippling of the surface of the sparkling liquid as it sits there, alone. But is it alone?
When you take the time to stop by a puddle and look into the puddle, you can very quickly find out that the puddle is not alone after all. First, you see yourself. All bundled up to keep warm. Your eyes focused in order to see into the puddle, rather than just... the puddle.
Next you notice that you are not alone. There is another world in there. It's similar to the world you live in and yet... it somehow has a rippling quality that makes it seem magical and exciting.
At this point in time, beware and be warned. Step back from the puddle. Look away. If you look for too long, you may fall in. I cannot be certain whether you will fall into that world or whether you will just come up sopping wet.
The next time you go for a walk on a beautiful puddle-filled day, Remember, stop and look into the puddles. But only for a moment, mind you. Lest you be sucked in or splashed.