Half a Nugget

So I have to tell you this cause I am still shaking my head over it.
I went dancing with some friends last night, had planned to leave early, but you know how that always ends up. It was awesome- line dancing at Cook, DJ Suco at Suite, out with a couple girl friends and none of us are drinking, doesn't get much better if you ask me. So End of the night comes around, DJ is just playing the last song, I'm leaving, and a friend asks for a ride home. No biggie, in the car(which took forever to warm up) he asks if I mind stopping for food.
First Macdonalds is closed, but when we get to Sherwood Park the one on Wye is open, so we go to the drive through. At this point Its like 245, I had wanted to be home on time, but whatever. We sit there waiting for the car in front of us to order. And it is taking forever! At first I figured, midnight shift, short staffed, maybe they only put through so many people, but 5 mins? Are you serious? So finally I roll down my window to listen and see if they are ordering or not.
They were trying to order, are you ready for this? The tone of their voices tells me this has been going on for a while, and I am in disbelief. Cause I'm not even kidding, this is what I heard
Drive Thru lady-"So you want pack of chicken nuggest" (and she had some accent, Oriental I think")
Chick in the Car-"No. I just want to know how much is costs for HALF OF ONE NUGGET"
DTL- "So Nuggets, anything else for you"
CiC- "No, why aren't you listening, I don't want a pack of nuggets, I want to know how much it costs to get HALF OF ONE NUGGET"
What am I supposed to do? I'm hungry, and tired, and I have still got to drive home, so I tap my horn, meaning, come on already, lets go. The driver? Sticks her head out the window, looks back at me and flips me the bird. She sat there for more than 5 mins trying to order HALF OF ONE CHICKEN NUGGET while there were people behind her waiting, while the lady on the other end had work to, and lets be honest, those things don't pick up voices at the best of times(the drive through order thingys) and she gets annoyed at ME for getting impatient! Are you kidding me?


So... How much do you think half of one chicken nugget would cost?

Funny How It Is

I kinda think its funny.
Huh? Say what?
Ok, you're right. That doesn't make sense. I kinda think life is funny.
A little clearer, but still not crystal?
I kinda think life is funny how it never actully gets figured out.
Explain?
I'll try...

I have sweet news. I think I know what I want to do with my life! Yay! I have seriously been waiting for this moment for like- I don't know, has to be almost a decade. But yep, I have figured it out and shall now be set for life.
Cept not. Does it ever work that way? It can never be so simple.
Not making sense.
Let me explain better...
I am going to go into Social Work. There. I said it. Now I can't change my mind- or if I do I have to explain it better. I finally realized that social work is the perfect fit for me. No I am not sure what area I want to get into, and to be honest, am not sure when I want to start, but I am going to do it, and sooner rather than later(I used to figure that I'd go into it after I had kids that were in school and all of that).
Why Social work?
Well. I love people. I love kids. I love to help people. I love being able to see someone smile, especially if it is a smile I had a part in creating. I love trying to set things right. I love listening and trying to help people with their problems. Some of the most amazing experiences in my life have included Haiti, The Dream Center, the kids in Mexico, and knowing that things I said or did have made a positive impact on someones life. So I suddenly realized it made sense and there really isn't a reason to put it off another 20 years. I want to do it, so I am going into social work.
Thats it. That is the realization I have been waiting for.

But its not it.
Why not?
Cause now there are other questions.
Like???
Like right now. I am just finishing a semester of three courses aimed at a Sociology Degree. Am planning (but not certain) that next semester will be two courses (while working for sure one, maybe 2 PT jobs) and so by the end of April, I will be complete a year and a half of a 3 year BA in Sociology. Now I am sure at that some people might be sitting there and thinking- when did she start again? Yes. I started in Sept of 05, so in theory I could be finished a 4 year degree at the end of April, or if I had gone right after high school, I'd of been in the work force for 8 months already... But that isn't me, and I'm not sorry. I've loved my chance at Missions and travelling, I've enjoyed my work with the J and learnt alot with all of it.
So why is 1 1/2 years of a degree a problem?
Cause its half way. I feel like if I am going to get it done that far, I might as well finish it. I sorta want to if I really think about it. Have an actual degree with my name on it. So the question becomes when? Do I keep going with the Soci degree, probably taking another 2- 2 1/2 years to finish it, or do I leave it be at the end of April, go into Social Work for two years, and then pick it up again after? Now the question isn't what do I want to do, it is, the sociology degree- before or after the Social Work Diploma? Ahh, conundrums in life...
So is that it?
No. Is it ever?
What else?
Its dumb, its that other part of me. The part of me that looks at what I just wrote and thinks- if you are going to do another 3 1/2 years worth of schooling (and probably take more than that to do it), when the heck are you going to travel some more? How are you going to afford it? When are you going to do something with your life other than being a student? Nothing against being a student, but it drives me nuts, there is no freedom, no choice, its so structured, there are so many rules, everything has to fit into someone else's schedule and it just gets in the way of having a life. There is always reading, or studying, or a paper to write, or research to do, or well you get the picture. So when am I going to travel, or make money to live, or move out, or save up, or eventually even grow up. Being a student makes me feel like a kid. Sure it is university, but people assume you don't know about the world when you are a student and truth is, I don't really know about the world right now so its legit.
And thats just the tip of it. What about the rest of life? Sure, I feel like I have figured out what I want to do, but where? And when? What about other parts of my life that just don't feel complete either? Can't I just figure those things out? How do I do it? God and love and faith and friends and family and the man out there somewhere that God intends me to find... there are so many other questions that I can't believe when I finally answer one I've been asking for years, its like my mind doesn't even take the time to celebrate, nope, its already moved on to stressing about other things (besides the 2 finals and the paper that I have barely started all happening later this week).

Not going to lie to you. Being 22 is nothing like I ever thought it would be like. Best times of my life? When I find them, I'll let you know. Cause it sure doesn't seem to be now.

The Voice

First, I want to warn you, this is a rant of sorts.

I am a student, most of you know that by now I believe, and am attending a liberal arts college. I am enrolled in three classes, for each class there is 3 hours of class time a week, split one of two ways. It is either held Monday, Wednesday, Friday(MWF) using 50 minute sessions, or it is held Tuesday, Thursday(TR) in 80 minute sessions. I've one class on MWF at nine, then Wednesdays I've a 2 hour lab for that class at 3. TR I have two classes, at 8am and at 1230pm. Two Tuesdays a month I also have a seminar for about 50 mins. So, lets go with weeks that I don't have seminar, using just the middle three days of the week, I have 11 hours between classes (3 on each T and R and 5 on W).

Not really a big deal, there is always homework to be done or errands to run, or texts to read or exams to study for or ppl to visit with. Well alot of these 11 hours, and often on M and F after class as well, I spend time in the Student Association Center(SAC)- the library is too quiet, the cafeteria too much commotion, and the SAC has come rather comfortable leather chairs and couches. There is a fair trade, student run coffee shop, soft music playing, and most of the time a dull murmmur of voices. It is where students meet for a coffee; SR level courses meet, white hot chocolate in hand, sitting on the comfortable leather couches; students nap, study, do homework, check their facebook, whatever; it is, essentially, a coffee shop.

So I spend alot of time here. I enjoy if for the most part, although it does seem to be kept rather cold these last few days- I wonder if if is their way of boosting the sales of the coffee shop... hmm...

But there is a problem. My problem, yes, but I know other people who also struggle with this. There is a group of students that come in with absolutely no care for those around them. They walk into the SAC, full of noise and chatter- which is fine in undertones, but they talk in exceptionally loud voices. The couches are not far apart, and if they are, you can move them, but this group of people, every part of their conversation can be heard in every part of the SAC. And it isn't like it is conversation that makes you smarter for hearing it. Last time I was here, they discussed how if one guy was the prime minister of the united states he would have all female party members who actually have no power but are just there for looks, how Texas would become part of Saskatchewan. Just now they are talking about how awesome it would be to have President Swartchenager.(You know,"I'll Be Back") , about the mess pizza pockets make in the microwave, and how fat guys want a whiskey. Not an issue if it is private, quiet conversations wiith your friends, but when you talk loudly enough for everyone in this high-roofed, rather large room can hear every part of it, it is frustrating.

It gets worse. Sure they are loud, that alone frustrates me as I just assumed coffee shop etiquite and undertones and 'indoor voices' are called for. But there is one in particular. I call him the Voice. He talks louder than the rest, more than the rest, about worse topics than the rest, he seems to believe his opinion is required, in detail, on every subject and topic under the sun, and his voice is, literally, the most annoying voice I have ever heard. I don't mean to complain but after two full months of the Voice, I am nearing the point where I am tempted to avoid my 'home away from home'- the SAC. I'll take insanity due to silence or being driven to distraction in the caf if it would save me from, the Voice.

Ok. I'm done. Sorry. I know I should love all Gods people, and I'm not saying I don't, just suffering in silence from the Voice.

Kids Prayers

So I am not usually a big fan of forwards, I'll read them and delete them without thinking twice. However, when I got this one, I couldn't help but smile at alot of the things these kids are praying about. It is pretty cute. So I figured I'd share it with you, I really like 6,7,9,10, 11, 18, and 21. Which ones do you think are best?

Kids’ Prayers

1. Dear God,
Please put another holiday between Christmas and Easter.
There is nothing good in there now.
Amanda

2. Dear God,
Thank you for the baby brother, but what I asked for was a puppy.
I never asked for anything before.
You can look it up.
Joyce

3. Dear Mr. God,
I wish you would not make it so easy for people to come apart.
I had to have 3 stitches and a shot.
Janet

4. God,
I read the bible.
What does beget mean?
Nobody will tell me.
Love, Alison

5. Dear God,
How did you know you were God?
Who told you?
Charlene

6. Dear God,
Is it true my father won't get in Heaven if he uses his golfwords in the house?
Anita

7. Dear God,
I bet it's very hard for you to love all of everybody in the whole world.
There are only 4 people in our family and I can never do it.
Nancy

8. Dear God,
I like the story about Noah the best of all of them.
You really made up some good ones.
I like walking on water, too.
Glenn

9. Dear God,
My Grandpa says you were around when he was a little boy.
How far back do you go?
Love, Dennis

10. Dear God,
Do you draw the lines around the countries?
If you don't, who does?
Nathan

11. Dear God,
Did you mean for giraffes to look like that
Or was it an accident?
Norma

12. Dear God,
In Bible times, did they really talk that fancy?
Jennifer

13. Dear God,
How come you did all those miracles in the old days and don't doany now?
Billy

14. Dear God,
Please send Dennis Clark to a different summer camp this year.
Peter

15. Dear God,
Maybe Cain and Abel would not kill each other so much if they each had their own rooms.
It works out OK with me and my brother.
Larry

16. Dear God,
I keep waiting for spring, but it never did come yet.
What's up? Don't forget.
Mark

17. Dear God,
My brother told me about how you were born,
but it just doesn't sound right.
What do you say?
Marsha

18. Dear God,
If you watch in church on Sunday,
I will show you my new shoes.
Barbara

19. Dear God,
Is Reverend Coe a friend of yours,
Or do you just know him through the business?
Donny

20. Dear God,
I do not think anybody could be a better God than you.
Well, I just want you to know that.
I am not just saying that because you are already God.
Charles

21. Dear God,
It is great the way you always get the stars in the right place.
Why can't you do that with the moon?
Jeff

22. Dear God,
I am doing the best I can.
Really !!!!
Frank

23. Dear God,I didn't think orange went with purple
Until I saw the sunset you made on Tuesday night.
That was really cool.
Thomas

Mind Boggling

It boggles my mind sometimes, how the smallest of things can mean the biggest results.
Huh?
It makes sense. I swear it does. Only problem is how do you explain it. Not sure I can completely
So its Sunday evening( not right now, but my story happened on Sunday), and I am off to Millwoods as usual. I love that church, really honestly love it. The worship is so personal and the message applicable. Great place to be and if for whatever reason I miss the service there, I notice it during my week. Anyways, back on track... So Mike came too this week and pretty quick we run into my friend Laura and her bf Steve. We go sit, and then it happened.
Turns out it wasn't a regular service. They were looking for volunteers. Two groups of people- one 6 women, and one a mix of 8-10 people- to go out and do a project. When? RIGHT THEN AND THERE!
The challenge was simple. We are here, we do church. But, do we actually do things that show we are church? Ok, so we go to church on Sundays. Pray, maybe read our bibles and do devotions. Sing along to a worship CD and drive around with our fish on the back of our car, a cross around our necks. But when the oppertunity presented itself, would we step up.
The second group was headed to the PCC to do some general cleaning stuff. But the first group, wow, did that get my attention.
They were looking for 6 women to go to a Rehab center for women. Laura and I jumped at the chance and away we went. (For the record, while the two groups left the property for service projects, the rest of everyone helped make sandwhiches and organize clothes for the Bissel Center and some 2nd hand clothing place- so it was definitely a huge night for volunteers!)
I wont say alot about it. I really am not sure if I have the words to explain it all. Ihad expected to do church, that is what they told us was going to happen. And while we definitely did church, it wasn't in the conventional- sing some songs, listen to someone talk, pray, and leave. No. It wasn't that at all. We just hung out with the women. Sat down and talked with them, listened to their stories, if they were willing to share, and then before we left sat down in small groups of 2-3 and prayed.
It was unbelievable! Ok, to be honest, I don't know many people who have suffered from addictions, in that sense I have led a rather sheltered life, but I have always assumed it was something that wasn't really talked about, that even when people were recovering, it wasn't something to discuss with people- especially perfect strangers!
Was I ever wrong.
My friend and I ended up talking to this woman. She shared her story with us. And the best part of it all? She is beating it. She is winning the battle against her addiction and the devil. She became a Christian after moving into this Rehab(it is a Christian run organization) and was baptized along with 5 other women in June. As we sat listening to her, and later praying for her, I couldn't help but realize that we had done church after all.
It wasn't just her, but with all of the women. It absolutely shook my world the way that they opened up and loved us right from the get go. They weren't just being friendly, they truly loved that we were there and truly loved having the chance to spend time with us. To share their stories, their conquests, because lets be real here- every minute of every day that they stay clean- from drugs, alcohol, or sex- is a minute more that they are conquering their 'diesease'.
By the time we left, it had been not even 90 mins. And already I knew that I was never going to forget that night. We did church that night. Not in the conventional sense. But we sat, we fellowshiped, we loved and were loved by God's creation, we appreciate His might in how He can overpower these dibilletating problems. And we prayed- for women that we didn't really know. Lifting them up, exposing them and their needs to our Father above with full confidence that He loves them with all that He has.
Because He does. He loves all of us that way. It got me thinking on the way home. You know when you drive by a field, or a park, or a forest, or a beach. Do you ever think to yourself- wow thats alot of grain/grass/trees/sand/water. Whatever of the choices. It registered for me then, really really hit home, that if God knows and loves every single blade/leaf/grain/drop of His creation, then you can bet everything you have on the fact that He knows and loves you. Mind Boggling.
Anyways, it was pretty awesome to say the least. Definitely glad I felt a need to join in on that one. And really want to encourage people, if you have the chance to do something, help out in some way- DO IT! I knows its cliche to make it seem so simple, but you probably aren't as underqualified as you think. What could I offer women who suffered addictions to things that I can't even imagine? Time. Love. An ear. A prayer. A friend.

I've been thinking about this all week. And then tonight I found a verse that really suited so I figured that was the last straw- time to type! Here is the verse
James 1:12
Blessed is the man who perservers under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.

Mind Boggling...

Tis the Season..

Not that season. Although if you think about it, that one is just around the corner. It is the season of school. The time of year when students throughout the Northern Hemisphere( and actually for the next few months the Southern Hemisphere as well) settle back into their desks and once again suffer daily from writers cramps. The time of year when the alarm clock doesn't mean, time to go make a dollar, but instead means, time to switch where you are sleeping to a classroom... Ok perhaps its not that bad.
But yes. I have gone back to school. Whoop de do right? And you are right to a point if that is what you are thinking. But I have returned to Kings, returned to sitting in classes, following along, reading the texts, writing papers. And I really don't know how I feel about it.
This time around I am a sociology major. Which really doesn't mean much. Did you know that technically speaking, it is my fourth major at Kings. I applied for a Bachelor of Music, but quickly realized that wasn't for me and a few hours later changed to Psychology- cause that is what everyone takes. First semester passed with no psych class, but second semester, I didn't enjoy my intro Psych class. So the next fall I came back as an English major- but somewhere during my middle ages British Literature Class, when we were reading a story written in the 13th Century and I had no idea what it said and we had to do a 10 page essay on it... I figured that perhaps I wasn't meant to be an English major either. So this time around, its been a year and a half since I've been in school, and I am giving it another go as a Sociology major this time around. We shall see how it goes.
I am in three courses- which yes, is still technically full time. Research Methods, History, and Sociology of Gender. I think, once I get caught up, I will be ok. But within the next month or so, I promise I wont feel so optimistic about it. I have most definitely realized that perhaps school really isn't for me. I don't like it. Any of it really.
Thats not true, I don't mind the new knowledge- although I hate how I have to get it. I don't like the homework, the reading of dry material, the papers and research projects, the book reports, and the old and terrible movies you watch in class. I don't like sitting through lectures of what someone says is important, writing quizes and exams on it, and then- lets be honest here- within a few days have no idea what I wrote the test about. I don't like the games played by the student population. I hate trying to fit in, to not be on the outside looking in, but to not lose myself in the process. I hate watching people get shut out, or even experiencing it myself, and feeling that there is nothing that can be done about it, because when it is all said and done, we are human.
But, somehow, here I sit, working on a paper, dreading all the reading I have to do, bracing myself for IS to start tomorrow, trying to rack my brain for a research topic that is worthy of my attention this semester. Its hot and sunny outside, yet somehow I sit here, quietly alone in the AC of the SAC, bundled in a sweater, procrastinating rather then actually focusing and finishing my paper... Ahh... The life of a student...

Video of the Haitian Devastation

http://www.miamiherald.com/multimedia/slideshows/090808_haiti_floods/

PLEASE! Pray for Haiti!

So I am not sure how many of you have been paying attention to the hurricanes that have been battering the Gulf these last few weeks. In truth, I expect that you have heard about New Orleans and how they evacuated, how the people boarded up and got out in preparation of Gustav, about the damage that Hannah has laid along the east coast, and most recently Ike.

Most of you know that I spent 6 weeks there last summer, and the impoverished little country, and especially that orphanage in general have really captured my heart. I have been recieving updates from the orphanage via a friend and here are some bites from them to try and begin to explain what it has been like down there. I might add some side notes in brackets.

Tuesday, September 02, 2008 1:20 PM

We have high winds and damage at and around the orphanage in Thomassin. The metal gate is broken and they have lost their solar panels.(The gate is very important for the safety of the kids, and to make sure that people do not steal their supplies- esp with all the loss that is occuring right now). Metal roof is lifting on the balcony at the main house and wind is gusting with force and speed. Lots of trees down in our area and debris is blowing.

Tuesday, September 02, 2008 5:53 PM

5 PM - Haiti is being blasted by it's third storm in 3 weeks! Gonaive(a small town in the north) is experiencing severe flooding and conditions worse than with Hurricane Jeanne 3 years ago. Gonaive police reported seeing at least 10 bodies floating in the flooded streets. People are on their roofs and it's up to the 2nd story floor of homes that have 2 levels!!(In most places in Haiti, very few homes have a second level)

Roads blocked by fallen trees and power poles in our area. We tried to take Mme Bernard home in Ft. Jacques(a drive up the mountain0 45 mins away? on roads that are no where near our standard) at the end of her work shift and could only make it half way there. She is now walking the rest of the way.

Wind is shaking the house and bending the trees in here at the orphanage. We cannot believe we still have Internet service and pray that the satellite continues to hold! The roof on the babies' feeding balcony and the 3rd floor playing balcony have been ripped off the house! Some of the roof fell onto the babies tables. We could not get them inside without taking them apart.(They are specially crafted tables with one nanny able to feed 5 children at a time) Some of the toys are gone. Blown away in the wind!

Airport is closed. We have 3 families here and one of them is stuck here until the weekend unless some seats open up.

And on top of all of that it's freezing too! We are so cold from this wind! The house inside is covered in leaves. The wind is pushing them in around the closed windows. The staff keeps sweeping them up, and an hour later, it looks like nobody has swept at all!

Continue to pray and ask God to make the wind go away! This is the worst storm that we've been through in the 17 years that we've lived in Haiti. We are not having a lot of rain, but the wind is horrendous!

Hurricane Gustave hit the southern part of Haiti and Hurricane Hannah is hitting the rest!

7 PM - Satellite is not working right now. Some lightening and rain and wind gusts. I think the wind sounds like it is not quite as strong at the moment. The gusts are still pretty strong and our yard looks like a battle field with debris and trees down! Will try to get photos tomorrow to send.
Thank you for all of your prayers. So far, all kids and staff are safe.

Wednesday, September 03, 2008 2:49 PM

TROPICAL STORM HANNAH
Tropical Storm Hannah came rolling over Haiti on Monday evening and continued through Wednesday morning about 3 AM. We weathered the storm of Hurricane and nobody was hurt. We are very thankful. We lost the Internet satellite dish at the Toddler House and the solar panels on their roof. Their metal gate was also broken in the wind!

At the main house, the balcony roofs suffered damage and the one over the babies' balcony was actually ripped off of the house! Lots of leaves laying around and the house is full of them. The wind blew rain in around the window frames and through cracks and my dining room table was covered in water this morning and the floor surrounding it! I've attached some photos of the destruction.

On the new property, trees are down and our new gates that they recently installed have been blown in and off the steel posts! The gates are huge and weigh a lot. The higher up the mountain you go, the more damage we see.

Trees and walls in the community are down. But lots of people out this morning cleaning up. So things should be back to normal soon. God kept us safe and I am so thankful for all of your prayers.

Thursday, September 04, 2008 11:40 PM

(From Haiti Children's Home)
the hurricanes have been causing havoc in Haiti to say the least. In the town of Mirebalais where the orphanage is located they have so far been relatively unaffected until now. The dams upstream from the river are full and they had to open the dam gates in the Dominican Republic and that will flow to the river that goes through Mirebalais. If the pressure is too great the dam that is just upstream will also have to be opened and that may cause large flooding downstream which would include Mirebalais. The orphanage is located fairly close to the river and this flooding could affect them. The river has already spilt over the bank and is about 1/2 way from the riverbed to the orphanage.

They were concerned that this evening they would have to evacuate all 40 children; a set of triplets in the incubator and other newborns and special needs tiny babes. Tonight they are safe and will reevaluate the situation in the morning. Please pray for the people of Haiti, the area of Gonaives has been devastated again.

The people of Haiti desperately need our prayer. They have lost crops, livestock and many lives in the various areas and Hurricane Ike is to come in a short time.

I think we will try and put updates on the website so that you can get them efficiently. These hurricanes will cause the cost of food to rise and for a country that cannot cope with rising costs this will be another blow that many will not be able to survive. There will be families needing to give up their children because they just can't bear to watch them suffer and die and that means more resources will be needed at HCH. Prayer is our first defense.! Action directed by God is our second.

Thank you on behalf of Pat and Melinda, volunteers Minnie, Hanna and Lori(on a break in Canada) and the blessed people of Haiti.

Check out the website for updates.
http://www.haitichildrenshome.com/

Monday, September 08, 2008 9:06 AM

(And from GLA again)
More rain and wind and an already wounded Haiti is devastated! The photos I have attached are of the Gonaïve area on the west coast of Haiti. Gonaïve is situated on a river that comes out of the mountains inland of Gonaive. The old colonial drainage system has not been repaired or much has been destroyed. The government has not repaired the system or put in a new system, so the city floods when we have storms that come through.

We received this email from Yvonne Trimble.
Dear friend,
Ike rained and blew all night on poor Haiti. This morning it is still raining and blowing. While we are safe on a mountain in Port au Prince, the northwest of Haiti is experiencing a natural disaster of unimaginable proportions.
Tropical Storm Hanna flooded Gonaives and claimed more than 500 lives in the past week. Now Hurrican Ike is dumping more wind and rain on the battered region. This morning we received a first hand report of a missionary there who said, "Forty children in the orphanage are eating flour, because they have not had food for five days." This same missionary is using bleach to purify contaminated well water for drinking. While human and animal cadavers float in the flood waters surrounding the facility. They have no other choice though as the UN is NOT DISTRIBUTING RELIEF.
The UN received 33 tons of relief for the region yesterday and it is warehoused in Gonaives, to date they have not distributed any of it. We received a message from a Haitian pastor in Gonaives who said his wife walked 18 hours through mud and flood waters to get food for her family. She returned empty handed, even with cash she could not find food; BECAUSE THE UN IS HOLDING THE FOOD BACK IN THE WAREHOUSES. It is rumored they will sell the relief after the storm.
This same family said, they "are waiting for death." This is not an overstatement of the situation in Haiti. We need your help now. You can go on line and find the name of your Congress men and you United States Senators with their phone numbers. Call them today and tell them that the UN is NOT DISTRIBUTING RELIEF IN HAITI. That you know the situation is worsening by the minute and thousands are at risk, in fact 600,000 Haitians have been displaced without food and water for days now.
People have been without food AND water for 6 days now. Orphanages in the area have children without food and water.
The UN that is suppose to distribute the food and water. The US, Canada, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Spain, The Netherlands, and other countries supporting the UN should demand that this food be distributed!

Another missionary, Licia Zachary Betor with Real Hope for Haiti, in the village of Cazele said that at 3 AM on Sunday morning, a wall of water swept through the village of Cazele. There is a small, shallow river that runs through the middle of the village. They are assuming that a mud slide in the mountains caused the wall of water to sweep down and flood the village. It took out the foot bridge over the river and swept people away. Licia heard that the road to the village was cut in half by the fast moving water and so the village is isolated, but she did not know for certain yesterday afternoon if that was true. Go to her blog at: http://haitirescuecenter.wordpress.com/ to read more about the flood.

Blonde Moment Anyone?

Alright. So I have a confession to make. Biggest blonde moment of my life, and I am super sorry for it. Haven't yet decided if it is funny or not, ok well its funny, but I am waiting to hear back from one person before I fully make my choice. But you are more then welcome to make your own call.

I have a friend from Kings, she lived across the hall from me when I was in the tower in residence second semester of my first year. She has always been a blast, full of energy, hilarious. We have some wicked fun pictures and definitely great memories. Ok, and that is my intro.

So in April she got engaged, which is wicked exciting! A couple months later I got an invite to the wedding! I was so psyched! She is from Surrey, so I started contacting a friend there to see if I could crash at his place, see if he was free that weekend so I could have a date for the wedding. He agreed and I was set- time to plan my trip. I was sitting at the computer one day, looking at flights, and there was a seat sale! I am sitting there, thinking to myself- sweet, you can't go wrong. I had figured I'd fly in on Friday evening(the 22), fly back home on Sunday evening(the 24). Just a short trip, busy and fun. For some reason I didn't book my flight, and would soon find out that wasn't a bad thing.

A few days later, I am in Vernon for a family wedding, and I get a facebook message from her, asking for my RSVP for her wedding on the 24th. I wrote back, what do you mean on the 24th? Isn't it on the 23rd? Nope, I was wrong. Turns out it is a really good thing that I didn't book that flight, cause it was a 330 in the afternoon wedding, on SUNDAY the 24th. Oops.

So change of plans, this time when I go to book my flight, I plan it a little better. This time I plan on a longer visit. I was to fly into Abbotsford on Sat, have my buddy Kurt pick me up, got to the wedding in Surrey on Sunday, stay at his place abd hang out till Tuesday, catch the ferry across to the Island and stay with Cheryl for a while in Victoria, flying home on Sunday. A great plan that I was pretty content with.

So Sunday comes around. Kurt and I are sitting there, its two hours before the wedding, and he asks me where in Surrey the wedding is. So I go to my suitcase, get the invite out, and take a look. I had to sit down as I gaped at it in wonder. Turns out, this wedding, the one that I flew into BC for, the one that I was super psyched for, well it wasn't exactly in Surrey. To be honest, it wasn't exactly in BC. And, if I am really tell you the truth, it wasn't even in Canada. Thats right folks, she was getting married, in Washington. Granted it wasn't far across the border, but Kurt didn't have his birth certificate on him, which meant getting there would take a little longer as we had to stop by his parents place- 20 mins away- to pick it up. Cept there is a problem beyond that. His truck, while insured, had seemed to of misplaced its papers. Never mind it is an older truck, he was convinced that it couldn't get across the border.

Needless to say, I missed the wedding.

In closing, I offer this piece of advice to the rest of the world. If you are invited to a wedding, actually read the invite. Don't assume anything. And to the Bride- I am truly sorry. I've seen pictures, you looked beautiful! Congrats to the two of you, I wish you a very happy life together, one blessed by God, full of love, happiness, joy, and everything you deserve.

New Life

Great news!

I have another Niece!

Katie Janelle was born on Sunday to Dale and Mar!

That makes three beautiful nieces- Kiera Lee(13 months), Brooklynn Amanda-Jean(2 months), and Katie Janelle(1 week).

Don't you just love when your siblings have kids? Even if it is hard to believe that they can be parents. Congrats!

Still Breathing

Yep. I am still breathing, still alive, despite my apparent disappearance yet again from the world of blogging. In my defense, when I am online I often think to myself- I should write a quick note- but by the time I actually get onto the site to do so, I am tired and don't feel like writing about my life. Ok. Thats a bad defense. Then I shall go with- I am a lazy procrastinator. Can't argue with that one. =)
Its hard to even know where to begin with talking about life. Its been a pretty good summer. Lets start with the biggest and best thing so far- Shelly and Ian had their baby! Ok, so you all probably know that, but it is still definitely th emost exciting thing that has happened for me this summer. She is a beautiful little girl, almost 6 weeks old already(tomorrow), has a head full of hair, and has got pretty much everyone she meets wrapped around her little fingers. Due to my recent trip overseas, Shelly asked if I want to be Auntie or Tante(Auntie in Dutch). My indecision over the matter has her convinced that I will now be Auntie Tante Laura... Got a pretty good ring to it I think...
We are also sitting in eager anticipation for Dale and Mar's second child. Kiera, their first, turned one last month, and Mar is now a week over due for this one. I can't wait to find out if is a girl or a boy, and to have a chance to hold yet another child of one of my siblings. It still amazes me that Dale and Shelly can have kids of their own. Not that they can't or shouldn't or whatever, simply cause they are my brother and sister and it seems odd almost. But the excitement overpowers the rest!
A couple of my cousins got married, two weekends in a row(well actually three, but I couldn t make it to the first one) in Vernon. Naturally, as with any get together on moms side of the family, we all had the time of our lives, dancing, and laughing, and joking, and partying, and I for one, am quite looking forward to the third(fourth) wedding in a couple weeks, once again in the Okanogan area, once again with that side of the family... It will rock!

Work. I found work. Actually once I started looking it didn't take long. I left resumes at four different golf courses, had interviews with three. Two I was hired on the spot and the third called a couple weeks later. So I picked one and have spent the last month and a half working at Legends Golf and Country Club, in the clubhouse. My original plan was to get on the beer cart, but since it hasn't happened after 6 weeks, I am almost ready to give up hope. Then last week I started a second job. I now work a couple times a week as a show home hostess. Works out to about 10 hours a week. Its quite slow and not the most exciting job, but it is something different, and a little bit more money made.
What else can I tell you? I applied to a couple of colleges, UBC Okanogan- in Kelowna, and Grant Macewan here in Edmonton. However, both applications were late going in, because I determined late that I wanted to go. Due to my late decision, both my first choices are already full, before they got to my application. I still have one more hook in the water, but to be honest am not really expecting it to pan out. So either I have to give in and return to Kings- for a semester or a year- get some more general courses under my belt, or some other college- where I don't know as most will be full already, or I am going to continue working in the fall. Gonna take a while and think about that over the next week or 5... Hope something gets figured out!

Otherwise in life, I joined Curves. Going to get in shape, maybe lose a little weight. I am pretty excited and really like how the whole thing is set up. And that is about it. I am actually sitting at work at the Show Home right now. My boss is off today to do some family stuff- which is the reason I was hired, so that he can take some time off occasionally and not have to work 6 days a week, so I am sitting here alone and figured it the perfect time for a hello. And with that done, I am off to either upload an album to Facebook, or watch a movie on my laptop. Have a great day! Look forward to talking to you soon!

New Album

I just added a new photo album- Sellingen and Zwolle with Rene- from my time in Holland.

Stay tuned for more albums in the (hopefully) near future!

Practically Famous...

You know the Edmonton Oilers Intro Video conteset? No? The videos are the intro videos that were shown on the scoreboard prior to the team skating onto the ice at Rexall Place this last season. The Oilers are looking for fan input so that they can know what fans like to see for that pre-team game excitement builder videos. They are holding a vote between three videos to find the fan favorite. So what right?

Well it turns out that Cheryl and I are in two of the three videos. Its just for a moment, same shot in each video, but we are there! Makes my day (the little things in life that count right?) and I figured I would share and tell this little tidbit. Check them out!

http://oilers.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=363876

Life Investment

Its amazing to me how time can fly. I am sure that I’ve said that before, but really, have you ever thought about it? How with the passing of time so much, or so little, can change. A week ago I was sitting in Murphys Law, an Irish pub in Hengelo, in eastern Netherlands, watching Ajax(Amsterdam) play Twente in the 2nd game of the home and home series. I sat, bathed in dutch and laughter from the soccer fans around me. I was, literally and figuratively, a thousand miles away. Now I am sitting in Rundle Park(ok, so when I post this I am sitting somewhere else, but thats irrelevant) at a picnic table next to a pond, bathed in sunlight and the sounds of birds chirping. I had to walk the long way around because there was a couple of Canadian Geese on the path with their gosling and they were hissing at me as I tried to pass(now they swam across the pond and sit like 30 meters from me, I’m scared to get up...). It is phenomenal to me the differences that life can bring with the simple passing of time. Time is amazing.

Anyways, yes. I am home. Made it safely, flights were uneventful, in fact they were really good, the cold that has been bothering me the last three weeks took it easy on me so I didn’t even drive the whole plane nuts with constant coughing- go team! The international flight is actually one of the easiest flights I have ever done. Each seat has its own mini screen(10inches maybe?) and various options on ways to pass the time. So I watched 4 movies as I crossed the ocean, and when we landed 9 hours or so after departing the Amsterdam airport, I looked around, shocked by how quickly we had arrived in Minneapolis. A simple four hour layover and then on to Edmonton. Never have I gone through customs to quickly in my life, and my luggage was among the first off the plane. Smooth as can be.

It is strange to be home. Obviously returning from any amount of time can be strange and the longer you are away the more things seem to have changed, or at least seem to have changed. It happened after Chile. It happened after Haiti. And now it appears to be happening again after Europe. It was expected though. I am unemployed and actually not going back to the Flying J this time. I promise. Its time. Time for something new. New experience, new field of work, new people, new company, new hours, new everything. What job you ask? I have no idea. Absolutely not even a remote clue. Truth be told I am dreading the process of having to write a resume and hit the pavement looking for work, because having absolutely no idea sure doesn’t make the process any more appealing. But it’ll work out. Somehow. Eventually. I hope...

Otherwise, I have to finish a couple of things to complete the application process for the Massage Therapist program at McEwen in the fall. Thats the plan at least. If massage therapy doesn’t work out, perhaps a different course, or there are always the many travel options that always present themselves. But who knows. I have no idea what I am doing tomorrow morning, so planning for the fall is definitely not my strong point.

Long story short? Europe was amazing. The visiting, the travelling, the experiences, the people, the history, the culture, the food, everything. I loved it. Definitely plan on going back again someday, hit up a few more of the countries and meet some more people. I will miss it. All of the things I loved I will miss. Especially the friends that are there. But it is good to be home. Weird but good. I am about to become an aunt again, then in a month or so a third time. I had the chance to help a couple friends move, to catch up with people I haven’t seen in a couple months. I have plans to see other people who I haven’t seen in longer then just while I was gone. I am ready to start a new chapter of my life(post flying J I mean) and even though I don’t even know how the chapter begins, I look forward to seeing how it unfolds. Here’s to life. To experiences. To travel and friends.

Ps. To explain the title, one of my family members in Holland told me that travelling is more then what people think it is. It is not just for the here and now because the things you do, the sights you see, the people you meet, it is all having an impact on who you are. It is impacting your life- present and future. Perhaps you don’t notice the changes, but it is nearly impossible to go home after any excursion the same person you were when you left, the change is there. Therefore, my new definition for travelling is “Investing in my Life”. Has a good ring to it don’t you think? Makes travelling seem like a responsible and crucial part of life, I like that. Can’t wait for the next Investment!

Going Home

Ok so I absolutely sucked at updates the last few weeks. I am sorry. It started in Ireland when I was to busy to even sit at a computer, never mind trying to find one, checking emails, and taking a moment to say hello. And since then, I've been sick so I am using the excuse that I haven't had the patience to sit and write.

As it stands right now I only have a moment. I depart Amsterdam at 330 this afternoon(730am home time) And it takes about 2 1/2 hours to get there by train so I am on my way really soon. Arrival time is 1130pm in Edmonton- via Minneapolis(730am Amsterdam time), so it looks to be a long day.

Am I ready to go home? Yes and no. For various reasons but this happens at the end of every trip. I definitely feel better about it then I did a few weeks ago, so it was unquestionably worth the trip exstension. But I will miss the relaxed life I have had, the people I have met, the beauty, history, and culture that is Europe, and of course the people I have gotten to know so much better. I loved my time here. I really did. BUt I have to go. Leaving in 15 mins and I am not quite packed... Have a great on, see you soon!

A little late...

Belguim. I was in Belgium...


Just one night this time, seems really short compared to Ireland, but it was pretty awesome none-the-less..


Belgium

What now?

I am in Ireland!





I love these posts. Short, sweet, and exciting!(For me at least)

Berlin and Ireland

So Berlin was awesome. The city is a fascinating mix of the old and new. It is a city jam packed with history in a country of the same. Someone asked which I prefered, Venice or Berlin, and it is hoenstly impossible to compare them. Venice is charming. Its tourist area is in a concetrated area and absolutely enchanting. You go for two or three days, and you've seen it. You've relaxed, you taken pictures, you've eaten the pasta, the pizza, drank the wine. Berlin is fascinating. I think every corner you turn there is another building that has stories to tell. It is a mix of the new and modern, standing side by side and arm in arm with the old, shambled, sometimes even bombed. There is history in so many things and while perhaps it is a history the country is not proud of, it is still there. To properly see Berlin, you need more then two days.

It was awesome though. I went to Berlin by car, with Jero and Rene. Yep. The three of us. First of all it was good to see Rene again, been a couple weeks. Second of all, those two are hilarious together, and it is just so comfortable when its the three of us. We did a day of wandering, taking public transport(highly recommended if you go there. The city is amazing for public transport), checking out a couple churches(Berlina Dome is beautiful and you can actually climb right to the top, walking around outside on the balcony around the dome at the top), and finished the night with a pub crawl through New Berlin Tours. Awesome pub crawl, great hosts, tons of fun and intersting people. The second day, we checked out, threw our bags into the car, and jumped on the train to join up with the New Berlin Free Bike Tour. We spent 3 hours biking around Berlin hearing about the history, about the government, and all the little things like that from a very informed tour guide who had a great sense of humor. Highly recommend that as well.

So it was good. Definitely different from Venice, but I treasure each experience on its own.

Now what you ask? Well, I have extended my stay in Europe. I was originally supposed to be at the airport about 40mins from now to check in, but now I am not leaving until May 21. Am I am so excited about it! It was kind of a last minute switch, but in the end, the more I thought about going home, the less I felt like doing it, so I spent the money(more then I expected it to be) and changed my flight.

Can't and wont complain about doing it. Because tomorrow morning I shall pack up most of my stuff, take the bus to the train station, get on a train-by myself, make a switch or two, take a bus, and end up at the Eindhoven airport. From there, I am getting on a plane and flying to Dublin, Ireland. Yep. I. Laura Boskers. Am going. TO IRELAND! I am pretty excited about it, as for some strange and unexplicable reason I've always wanted to go, and now I am doing it. Really psyched. I am spending a couple nights just on my own(actually just booked a hostel, thought I was sol on that one), then Monday morning joining a tour group for back packers and spending 5 days on and off the bus through Shamrocker Adventures- a branch of Busabout(if anyone has heard of either of them). I am so excited!

Whats more, when I get back to Holland- landing again in Eindhoven, I now have time to visit some more family, and then I am looking at taking the EuroLine(like a greyhound) and going to Belgium and maybe even France. I have the time, I have the interest... But that is still really up in the air. We'll see!

But I have to go. Going to Den Haag today to see Maduradam(don't think thats spelled right) and I need to get ready. Have a great one!

dag!

Berlin

So I just arrived in Berlin where I shall be spending the next two nights along with Jero and Rene!

I love Europe!

Bug you later!

Ciao Bella

If it is possible to be absolutely charmed with a city, then this was such the case for me in Venice. The canals are beautiful, the buildings are old and enchanting, the bridges are numerous- each affording a great view, streets so narrow that I can stick out my elbows and touch both sides, gondolas and gondoliers are everywhere on the main canal, churches with so much history you can't help be in awe, gelato so delicious (to use a dutch saying, roughy translated) its like angels peeing on your tongue. Pizza, pasta, wine, seafood, and limoncello abound, as hawkers stand in front of their restaurant, trying valiently to bring the customers in. As the rain begins to fall, terraces are efficiently covered, the stands have their canvas roofs extended, locals simply open the umbrellas they carry around, and tourists sprint for cover... It was wonderful.

To arrive at our Hostel was a feat in itself. We took the bus from Jero's apartment to the local train station. Caught a stoptrein to Zutphen. Switched to a bigger train- sat upstairs, and headed off to Nijmegen. After arriving in Nijmegen caught a 'shuttle' to the airport. Cept that our shuttle was to pick us up in a random spot and turned out to be a taxi. But it got us to the airport Dusseldorf/Weeze in Germany. We ended up there nearly 3 hours early, so we sat in the bar, on the patio, watching planes load and land, drinking Varsteiner(German beer) and Baileys. The flight was uneventful, we boarded by crossing the tarmac and there were no assigned seats, allowing people to sit wherever they please. So we land in Venice(YAY! ITALY!) and buy a round trip ticket to Piazza del Roma- a public transportation hub, and board a greyhound sized shuttle bus to the square. We get to the square- its now like 10pm, neither of us speaks any Italian and Italians don´t speak much English, so we find the bus that we need to get on (chosen thanks to an email from the guy who runs the hostel we were headed to). So we get on this bus, and try to ask the driver if we are on the right one. After like 5 mins we just point at the name of the street to which he responds ´sí´. The bus is full as it leaves the depot, full of Italians who know where they are going, and two tourists completely lost. After about 10 minutes and various stops, we look back and realize that we are two of three people on the bus. Now we are getting worried. How are we supposed to find a hostel on some random street, if we can´t even ask the driver to tell us when to get off? All of a sudden the driver stops, just before a roundabout, with no bus stop in site, opens the doors and says the street name. So we get off. Cept for that we are on a round about and not sure where we are going. After a moments hesitation we head down a street, find a supermarket mentioned in the email(after 10 mins of walking in the near dark on a very narrow strip of side walk that switches sides of the roads randomly and unexpectedly) and discover we don´t know what building we want. So we ask a couple of guys, who have no idea what we are asking, and tell us there is no where to sleep nearby. Then I see a woman and ask her, using gestures, english(uselessly), and the three words of Italian we know. She leads us up to a building(directly behind us) and we have found our home! It was a gong show but quite the adventure!

The first day we took the water bus for a while, getting off randomly as we agreed it would be more fun to try and walk to our destination- San Marco's square- one fo the most famous attractions in Venice. It was overcast with light showers on and off, so while there were people about, the numbers were down from what they would had been had the day been sunny. On the way to the square we stopped for Speghetti Carbonara and a glass of wine- pasta and wine in a little cafe, on a narrow street, just off a canal, in Venice... San Marcos Basilica is a huge church rebuilt in the 12th century. After visiting the church we simply wandered around, me browsing stand after stand, taking piles of pictures, and essentially loving being there. As we were looking for a place to eat dinner, we passed some gondoliers and they tried to get us to go for a ride. The plan was to go on day two, so we said no and continued walking. One of them came up to us and said that rather then the usual 80€ he offered us a ride at 60€. Impossible to say no to a bargin, so we went for a ride. In Venice. On a gondola. He didn't sing but when we docked again, there were a couple other 'drivers' standing there, so I asked them to sing, and got my song from a gondolier while sitting in a gondola. It rocked! Dinner ended up at a little restaurant with a terrace literally right on the canal. Beside our table was steps leading down into the canal right next to the Rialto bridge- a large and recognizable and popular bridge. The pizza was good, the wine was delicious, the atmosphere was amazing. I love Venice!

Day two started well, with clear skies and promises of sunshine. We packed up our bags, left the hostel, and headed to the bus station. Rather then hoping on the water bus we simply started walking. Before I left Canada, Cheryl gave me some amazing advice- when you get to Venice, aim to get lost. I thought she was nuts at the time, but by day two we were ready to give it a try. The narrower the street, the more likely we would walk down it. Over bridges, past canals... It was awesome! It was sunny out, but where we were walking, there were less people then the day before, and a much higher percentage of them were speaking Italian. After a while we were standing in a little square, getting hungry, and a nearby tavern started putting out tables in the middle of the square. A delivery boat was unloading its cargo, a couple Italian guys were discussing something as one sat in the sun and the other 5 feet away in the shade, the two bridges connected to the square were occupied, but only by a couple people at a time, not a steady stream like the bridges from the day before, there were moms pulling strollers, and old ladies with their shopping carts, business men walked into the tavern, and from a window above us a lady began pulling in her laundry off the line and replacing it with a fresh load, occasionally a tourist or two would walk by but for the most part, it seemed to be locals. We simply looked at eachother, and sat down to eat. Our getting lost in Venice experiment was a huge sucess as sitting there, watching everything go on around us, soaking up the sun, we were perfectly content and could have stayed there all day. Eventually we rose, wandered aimlessly for a while longer, then returned to the crowded areas and headed to San Marco square so that I could do some shopping.

Getting back to the airport turned out to be an easy thing to do. Caught a water bus to the depot, almost bought a ticket for the shuttle, but remembered at the last minute we had a return ticket and didn't need to buy another one. Got to the airport and couldn't find our check in desk. Our flight wasn't on the departures screen- not by the name Dusseldorf or Weeze. So we went by time, picked a line up, and discovered the airport has not one, not even two, but three names- Niederrhein being the last one, one we didn't know and naturally being the one used. So after checking in, we are sitting there talking about how bad it sucks to be late for a flight and how you never understand them when they page you(me remembering Guatemala and Jero remembering Washington). Finally he gets up for a smoke and I agree to meet him in a couple minutes, but then I look at the customs line and at the time, run outside, grab him, and run to customs. The line up took forever, one security point was going through, and they were calling last call for our flight. I'm freaking out about missing the flight, and he is laughing at me for it. A couple ladies in front of us let us go ahead of them, then the man in front of us stalls things. He tries to take his suitcase through the metal detector and argues when they tell him to put it through the machine. Finally he does, then he has to go thru again, without his jacket, and his shoes, and then they ask where his wife is- somehow she ended up a few people behind and he had given them her boarding pass. I'm getting more and more anxious as they have called our flight again, and finally we go thru. I have no problems. Jero has to pass through a second time with out his shoes. Oh, and the need to search his bag, in a moment when they are done with this other one. So I tell a guy, that our flight is boarding and we can't miss it and as I am explaining this to him... They page us. Finally the start going through jero's bag, they actually do an on the spot check of his cologne and FINALLY let us through. We literally ran to our gate at which point the airport employees were waving us through as fast as possible... Our plane was supposed to leave at 9 55. We boarded at 10pm... I love Italy!

So it was awesome. Had a great time, so glad we went. I recomment Italy to many people. Just use a bit more time awareness when you are departing. Biggest piece of advice? Like Cheryl says, if you have a day- aim to get lost. It was probably my favorite thing about the trip!

At that, I feel I have bored you enough, Have a great day!

Ciao

http://jssgallery.org/Essay/Venice/San_Marco/Basilica_San_Marco/Basilica_San_Marco.htm for more information on San Marcos Balisica

Ciao

Just want to send out a Ciao from Venice, Italy!

Thats right. I am in Venice!

Tell you about it when I get back to Holland=)

Halfway point?

I write to you this time from Hengelo. A city in Eastern Overijssel, really close to the German border. Its been a good week. Met up with Rene in Meppel at a train station. It was really good to see him again, hard to believe it had been 5 1/2 years. Headed north to the province of Gronigen and met Rene's parents. Throughout the course of the weekend I met family that to be honest I didnºt know existed. My grandpaºs sister, cousins of my dad, it was really neat to meet these people. I saw the barn of the house that my grandpa grew up in. Climbed the Martinitoern, had a beer in a pub off the square, listened to his band practise, and went to Germany. See, Reneºs parents live less then 1 km from the border, so throughout the course of the weekend we crossed the border about four times. Yep. Iºve hugged a windmill in Germany, laid on the border. Then, on the way to Zwolle, we took the autobahn for a bit. Autobahn is the German word for Highway, and when you are on it in Germany, there is no speed limit. We hit 180, then got passed like we were standing still. It was awesome.

Spent a few days hanging out in Zwolle with Rene. It was nice. After thinking about it for a bit Iºve come to realize that before I came here I have spent all of 12 days or so actually with these guys. But somehow, despite that, and I suppose along with the internet connection, it feels like Iºve known them forever. Got to meet up with a friend of mine from Kings while I was in Zwolle. Renee is here for a semester studying, learning Dutch, and enjoying life. It was pretty awesome to be sitting in a cafe, chatting with someone I lived with in the tower.

Wednesday Rene and I jumped on the train and came to Hengelo. We met up with Jero, went for a beer, and it was time to head off to my latest Dutch home. Iºve had a good few days here so far. Iºve met a bunch of Jeroºs friends, had a couple nights at various pubs, met his sisters family. Rode double on a bike, did some shopping, played some basketball and checked out a dutch forest. I love living a relaxed Dutch life. So far =)

Tomorrow afternoon we jump on the train for Dussledorf, Germany, after which we shall board a plane for Venice, Italy. Its a whirlwind trip, two nights there, and land back in Germany late Wednesday night, but I am really excited about it. I love Europe!

Moving On

As I write this, I am racking my brain trying to make sure I have everything I need packed up and ready to go. In an hour Jan and I are leaving the house to pick up Piety from work and meet up with Rene about an hour south of here. When we meet up with him, I'll transfer my bags to his car, say my goodbyes, and head off to Gronigen where I will have the chance to meet some extended family on my dads side, see the town my grandpa grew up in/near, and other things of the such. After the weekend, the two of us will head to Rene's place in Zwolle Overijssel and hang out for a couple days. Tuesday I am probably meeting Renee(From Smithers- a friend from Kings) for lunch or so as she is currently in Zwolle. How cool is that? Then on Wednesday off to Hengelo to Jeroen's place.

I have enjoyed my final days in Friesland(found out the spelling difference- Friesland is Dutch, Fryslan is Frisian). Tuesday we headed to a major tourist spot in Noord Holland called the Keukenhof(It is really close to the airport in Amsterdam, so probably about an hour and a half from here, maybe a little longer). It is a few acres of Gardens open from Mid March-Late May. You walk around and check out the flowers, they have a miniature windmill you can go in, lotso f touristy souvenirs(at ridiculous prices!), and more flowers. It was pretty neat to see. People from all over and so many gardens. Piety had me pose with some flowers.After the Keukenhof, we went to Zaans Schaans, only to find out the shops had closed but we could still walk around. What is that you say? It's a lowland that has like 10 windmills in sight, up to 5 close enough together to get in one picture. It was neat. THey were industrial mills used to cut lumber, get the oil out fo peanuts, make colored dyes, and I don't remember the others. It was cool to see so many all at once. Kind like what you stereotypically think of when you imagine Holland.

On Wednesday, Piety was off to work so Jan and I went for a drive after lunch. First we visited his Stallion at another farm, then checked out a couple windmills in Dokkum(one of which runs a pet store out of the main floor). Next it was off to Anjum, the town near where my grandpa grew up. We went to the mill, to take a picture, and there was a little store in the bottom. So we go inside and find out that it is a museum now, and you can actually climb up the mill, all the way to the top floor! Naturally we did it, and it was pretty neat to be climbing a mill in the village near where my grandpa grew up. The red and green on the top left of the photo is where the arms of the mill are attatched to. Yep. Right to the very top!

Just outside of town is a dijk, it seems Grandpa grew up near a hole in the dijk(yep there are holes in the dijk), so we tried to find where his house used to stand- it has since been demolished. After looking at 3 holes and talking to a few people, we think we found the right property. It was pretty neat. This isn't the one(I don't think) but it shows the hole in the dijk the best. It seems that on the other side of the dijk it was very shallow, so when the waters were low, the farmers would put their livestock to pasture over there. When the waters were high or there was a storm, they would put some big, fitted pieces of wood in the hole to close it up.

Yesterday, Piety had to work just in the morning, so after a calm morning where I slept late, applied to College, and discovered my old job still owes me money and I might have to look into further action to get it, and took the dog for a walk, we went shopping. Didn't buy much, but it was awesome to be shopping on a street in Holland, crossing the canal to get to different stores. Yep. I love it.

So I have truly enjoyed my time here. Jan and Piety were awesome and I am so glad that I got in touch with them. I don't think that my first 10 days could have gone much better.

Hoi

A week ago tomorrow I left Canada and began my trip. It is hard to believe that I have not yet been here a week. With all the driving around, touring, and photos it feels like I have been here for so much longer. In a good way.
Saturday turned out to be a very fun day. It was 'Kom in de Kas' day(open houses at some greenhouses) and later we found out that it was also a weekend to get in free to any museums in Frysland. So in the morning, Piety and I got on the Bikes. Yep. I have now riden a bike in Holland. I am so dutch I can feel it;) There were three greenhouses, first Paprikas, then we broke for lunch, then off to flowers and tomatoes. It was neat to get to go right inside and have some people explain how it worked on such a large scale. After we got home, we jumped in the car and headed off to Kazemattenmuseum. A museum built out of the actual bunkers of WW II German soldiers right on the coast of Frysland next to the Afsluitdijk- at the meeting of the Waddenzee and the Ijsselmeer. I know I know, the Germans? It wasn't a tribute to what they stood for, simply actual buildings from the war with lots of things about the Dutch soldiers and the fighting in that area. It was really neat, definitely not something you could ever see in Canada! Finished the night off with a couple glasses of a Fantastic bubbly Italian White Wine with Piety, giggling about something or another.
Sunday we headed to Leeuwarden- the capital of Frysland, to a Nature Museum. It paled in comparison to the War museum the day before, but it was very well set up for kids, it was comfortable and interactive in some exhibits. In the evening Piety and I went to a Praise and Worship service at a church she attends in Draacht- about 35-40 minutes away. It is a huge church, nearly 3000 during the day, and probably almost 1000 at that night service. It would be in dutch, but they had a translator, so I got a translator box and throughout the entire service had a lady translating, the songs, the prayers, the messages, in my left ear. Definitely a different way to experience a church service. Didn't end up getting much of the message, or singing along to any of the (dutch)songs, but it was still good. People seemed very at ease. There was an age range of 12-75 or so, and it was so lively! The band was jumping and dancing and clapping away as they led everyone in worship.
Today we once again hit the road, I saw Frysland's soccer stadium and then we proceeded on to Giethoorn- a very picturesque village with mostly thatched roofs. After walking for a while and then stopping for coffee/tea, we...... rented a boat! Yep, I rode in a boat on a canal in a small village in Holland. In fact, I got to DRIVE the boat, on a canal, in a small village, in Holland... Ok, so it is just a boat, but I have never driven a boat before and since my rowing incident have been a little afraid of being in a boat on water. But it went well. Got in a fight with some ducks, maybe bumped the wall a few times while turning 90degrees to the left, but lived to tell!
So that has been my last few days. What a lot of fun! No idea what is in store for tomorrow, but I am learning to enjoy that. I am, as Piety says, on holiday, after all!

On a side note, just to mention some of the wonderful cusine I have tried/eaten in the last few days- boerenkool stamppot met worst, kroket en patat, poffertjes met aardbeien met slagroom, pannen koeken, blokzyler brok, dropjes, chinese food, pizza, gouda kas, hagelslag, brodje... yep... I am cultured ;)

Check out the links on the left for picture albums links to facebook!

Dooi!

Another Hallo

Have I ever mentioned that I have serious issues with thinking up creative names for my posts. If you have any suggestions, let me know! Its almost as bad as naming a name that tune team...

Jess, pictures are coming I promise. Not sure when yet, and they are nothing compared to the kids in Haiti, beautiful but not cute and heartbreaking at the same time. But I will work on that soon, promise!

So. I am no longer jet lagged. Or I will deny it if I am. Sure I still sleep late and take naps, but I blame that on being relaxed and being drained. It is amazing how much energy trying to converse to someone who speaks only so much English can be. With my aunt, it is ok. Her English is really good actually. But her husband doesn't speak it so well. Well, this afternoon, he and I went for a drive and a tour of some areas in Friesland (I know it is spelt different then last time, I don't really know which way is right so I think I will use both). Just the two of us. Me with next to no dutch, and his English is choppy at best. It is amazing how well we can manage to get by despite these hurdles. Turned into a really nice day. Got to see a few Dijks, some more windmills, a skate mueseum, drove through numerous little towns and learnt more about this country. Its fascinating really. I am almost glad I didn't do any studying up on the country before I came because hearing it first hand from a Dutch man is really awesome!

For those of you who don't know, my mom was born in the Netherlands. Yesterday I had the chance to go with Aunt Piety and see the town that she was born in. I saw a house she had lived in, a bridge my grandpa used to cross going to work, a school that my aunt attended for a little while. In fact, through the kindness of a stranger, we actually got to go inside a house that my mom lived in with her family when she was just 4 or 5 years old! It was an adorable town and since I admit I am a bit of a history fan, it was amazing to go and see this little village. I never really imagined what it was like, or pictured how life had been back then, but after seeing this village first hand, not only do I appreciate the chance to see moms birthplace, I have alot more respect for my grandparents, for all people of that generation and what the must have faced in regards to hurdles. Wow. It was pretty much fantastic.

We also did some visiting, Pietys mom and sister, her cousin(also a Pietje!) and some of her family, a walk to the village to check the prices on Klompen(the infamous wooded dutch shoes). So it was a very busy day!

At that, I must be off. There is an open house at a near by green house tomorrow and I do believe we are headed that way to check it out. Going to bike there. First time I will be on a bike in... I don't know. A long time. Doi!

ps. I ate Chinese food. First time. And I lived to tell =)

Hallo from the Netherlands!

So I made it! I am writing you from a computer sitting in an adorable little house in the province of Frysland. Already since arriving I have ordered lunch in dutch, driven over a dam, seen some windmills- old fashioned and the new ones, and begun to settle into my home for the next few days. Can't believe I am here but thrilled to have made it safely! Pictures are not going to be a problem, as anyone who knows me is aware, I love taking photos. Turns out, Auntie Piety also loves taking photos and she loves that I am here, exploring things for the first time and learning about the country of my ancestors. That means that not only do I get to take alot of photos, but I get to be in alot of photos! Seriously psyched about that!

The flight itself was uneventful. My flight out of Edmonton was delayed by nearly an hour, however I still had a good hour between flights and despite the vastness of the Minneapolis airport, my arrival and departure were from the same terminal. Made it on time no problem! The flight to Amsterdam was alright as well. No horrendous stories of my seat partner, as he was actually a nice gentleman who has spent the last 40 years in Winnepeg but returns to the Netherlands yearly. My back is killing me and I am a little worried about my knees, but considering the length of the flight, I'd say those are pretty small prices to pay.

Now I am off for a nap and perhaps a walk as I sit and settle into the world of the Dutch.

God Bless

Bought a new camera!

I just bought a new camera! Really excited about it, probably spent more then I planned to, but thats ok, its a fantastic camera. Its a Canon (Powershot SD870 IS for those who know that stuff) and I has all sorts of great features. It is an 8.1 Mega pixel, with a 2.8 inch screen. I can do all sorts of fun photos with it and can't wait to pull it out and start snapping pictures on the way to Holland, not to mention while touring around!

I spent the day doing little things getting ready. Laundry.... Well really that might be the only important thing I did today. I put the iron on Canada Flag patches on my backpack. Found out my day pack has more to it then I figured. I am starting to think that my bag is going to be alot lighter and lesser packed then I originally expected. Yep, me, an unashamed over packer, might actually do a good job packing... Might... Have to see yet =)

As my Nerves Begin to Frey

So in ten days I will be on my way. To say the least I am more then just a little bit nervous about going. I am excited, don't get me wrong, but I am nervous as well. I am not exactly the worlds most spontaneous person, but somehow, in a months time, I quit my job, bought a plane ticket, and will be off for the Netherlands. Good times...
I think I have been explaining myself poorly. I say that I am going to Europe, to the Netherlands, to backpack. While this is true in some aspects I guess how I mean it might not be the same as it is understood. I am not going all accross Europe, staying in Hostels every night. I will be living out of my back pack, yes. I will be in Europe, yes. I hope to see more then just the Netherlands, yes. But while I am in the Netherlands, I have family to stay with, and friends.
Moms cousin(Piety) is picking me up from the airport and taking me north. After almost two weeks in the north, she is going to drive me an hour and a half away where I hope to meet up with a friend(my dads cousin's kid- Rene) and spend a day or two. Then it is on to the next city where I meet another friend(met through dad's cousins kid- Jero) and his place will be my base for the remainder of my trip. He is gonna travel with me sometimes, and hoepfully we have the chance to go abroad, and he is also going to show me Amsterdamm. I am welcome in his apartment as long as I want, so on that chance that I decide to stay longer, his place will likely be what I call home.
Hopefully I'll get the chance to stay at some hostels, to backpack and ride the train, but at the same time, if I can have this chance to see the country with people from there, that is pretty awesome too!
I just spent like three hours talking to Jero online and we are sort of starting to form some plans. It is hard to confirm much at this point, as he is not yet positive what his work schedule will be like, he is pretty sure his 5 hours a week is split between two days, leaving open for some long weekend excursions. Can't wait!
Packing for the trip is an experience in itself. I have to remind myself that I am carrying everything I chose to bring on my back and that it has to be resonable. I need to bring things that dry quickly, that don't matter if they get destroyed, and that aren't going to need to be broken in... in other words, I think I might be in trouble. I have to get new shoes, and break them in... I have to buy pants and travel toiletries... I guess Monday will be a big shopping day for me.

Anyways, I hope you all have a very happy Easter Sunday tomorrow, celebrating the resurrection of our Christ the Lord. We are having some family over and having dinner after church, I am looking forward to it. Always an interesting time when you put a bunch of us in one room:) Good night and God Bless!

One More Day till Unemployment!

It is amazing how strange it can seem. Tomorrow at this time, I will be unemployeed. I will no longer have shifts in that building that I have spent so much time at. No longer have a need to be there. Considering, like any job, how much of my life it consumes, it is a hard thought to fathom. But it feels pretty good in its own way.

I will miss it. Staff. Customers. Even parts of the job. But at the same time I am so unbelieveably excited for my trip that it is hard to feel sad about leaving the job. Finishing with work simply makes Europe and the Netherlands that much closer...

My goal is to have my backpack packed by the end of the week. Ready to go. That might sound early to some people, a good week ahead of schedule, but it makes sense. This way if there is something last minute to buy, I have a week to remember it, to pick it up. And it means I get to get accustomed to my new pack. Going to go on some walks to get used to the weight and size of it. Not that I will be carrying the whole thing around often, but I need to have a little bit of a feel for when I do have to carry it for more than an hour or so. So if anyone is looking for a walk next week, let me know;)


In other news, I got to feel my sisters baby kick last night! Since she is due in early June and I don't know for 100% that I'll be back by then, we figured on trying to give me a chance to feel the baby move before I leave. So I went over last night, she sat, she ate, she lay down-on both sides, she had a slushie, and finally we got it to move a little bit. What a strange feeling. To hold your hand on a tummy and feel such obvious movement inside. Just a little miracle!

Have a great day, and a super week! I'll try to be in touch, have to get all warmed up and in practise for while I am gone=)

Plane Tickets

I BOUGHT MY PLANE TICKETS!!!

Departing for the Netherlands April 1st, arriving on the 2nd. I return home May 2nd... Assuming that is, that I am ready to come home.

After all these years of saying it, I am finally doing it!

Am I nuts?

Good Day

I don't even know where to begin. This happens everytime I think. There ends up being so much time in between my blogs that so much happens I don't even know what to say when I finally sit down and write my hello... So I guess I'll just touch upon a few things.
A friend of mine, a friend of many, died late last month. Derrick Timmermans was involved in an accident as he was driving home from The Kings University College in Edmonton to Abbotsford during reading week. He hit a patch of black ice, spun out, and after a couple of days in hospital he was declared brain dead. While it is difficult to imagine that a 25 year old vibrant young man could be taken so young, at the same time we learned that his family is at peace with it. Two of his sisters flew out for the memorial and informed those in attendence that Derrick was 'ready to die', not hoping or waiting for it, but not afraid or worried about it. And as a further blessing, we learnt that all seven of his major organs, and both his eyes were donated. It is extremely rare for someone to be able to donate all their organs, so in a way he lives on in the lives that his family's selfless action of donating his organs restored life for many others.
RIP Derrick. God Bless to your family and friends. See you again some day.

In other news, a little less somber, I quit my job and am planning on going to Europe. More specifically, I am finished working at the Flying J as of March 19, 2008 after two years and nine months of work. It has been interesting, educational, stressful, and fun. No idea what is next in line for me in terms of work, but I am not to worried about it at this time.
The plan is that on April first, I will hop a flight to the Netherlands(Holland) where I will spend a month or so backpacking and exploring the country of my ancestors. I have always wanted to go and have talked about it many times, and while I have not yet bought my plane ticket- I am going to do it this time. I intend to embark on this trip solo, and although I am more than a little terrified about it, I strongly feel that it is the time to go. I emailed a cousin of my moms who lives in Friesland(Northern Netherlands) and she told me that I am welcome to stay with her for up to two months. Since then the trip got shorter, but it gives me the freedom to stay longer if it doesn't feel like the time to leave. I have also got ahold of a friend of mine from there, a guy I met about 5 years ago, and he said I can stay with him as well. He lives a bit more in the Western end of the Netherlands and is doing a practicum right now, only working a few hours a week. He was really excited to hear I was coming down and mentioned he might be willing to travel with me. I've another friend there, whom I met at the same time as that guy and he is pretty busy right now, but I am pretty sure(pretty hopeful) that he will be available at least a couple days as well. Finally, a friend of a friend is an au Pere in Switzerland right now and she gets weekends off and we might be meeting up for aweekend in Nice or something as well. So while I am going alone, there is a chance of meeting up with various contacts.
It is hard to believe it is real. I applied for a Mastercard and it came in the mail today, so I have my emergency money while I am gone. I bought a travel backpack this afternoon. It felt like a really big commitment, like admitting to my bank account that it is about to dwindle. It has me excited, like the trip is more real then ever before. Now I just have to work up the nerve to walk into a travel agent and book my flight.

The best thing about the whole thing is the fact that I really have no idea what I am doing with my life after this. If the month doesn't go well, I come home and return to life here, what is a month out of my life? It'll be an adventure in the Netherlands, in Europe, so it wont be anything close to a waste. But if it does go well, then who knows. Perhaps I will stay longer than the month, or I shall return home for the summer, put away some more money, and go back, in the fall, or next spring. Go back to travel more, or to work. To visit or to live. Anything is possible and since I really have no idea, I am trying hard to be open to any and all options.

So, to be cheesy, the winds of change are blowing and my world is about to be turned upside down. Heres to the adventure and the unknown to come!

My Post Christmas Rant (and other musings)

It amazes me sometimes how caught up we get in our lives. How quickly time passes, while we stare out the window day dreaming. I always feel like I am a busy person. Like there is so much to be done and no time to do it. But really this isn’t the case, because at the same time I can look back at the last month, ask myself what I did and generally speaking the answer stays the same. I work. I sleep (minimally at that). I eat. I go dancing (some weeks more than others). Occasionally I will meet someone for a ‘coffee date’, you know those random times with friends that can make up such a large part of our lives. Or mine at least. Other than my times hanging out with Cheryl, if I were to lose my ‘coffee dates’ I would likely lose all of my social interaction outside work and church.
The holidays were pretty good. I have decided it really bothers me how commercialized Christmas is. How many people actually acknowledge it for what it is, a celebration of our Saviours birth. The importance of the event, the occasion that are the cause of it, are completely lost and forgotten by nearly everyone- religious and non religious alike. It actually almost bothers me to the point of total frustration sometimes, but that is old news with it already nearing late Jan. My brother and his wife made it home for Christmas from the States this year, so we had the whole family together for the first time (first time since my niece was born) and I believe our first Christmas as a whole in three years or so. It was awesome. I got to spend some one on one time with both of them, which was a rare treat and I really appreciated it. Outside of that it was just another couple of weeks. I worked straight through the ‘holidays’ I am in the hospitality industry after all...
As for what the New Year brings, that is a good question. I got a guitar, so I hope the New Year brings new musical talents. I hope for time to dance, the opportunity to sing, and the chance to meet new people, to make new friends, and to touch base with old ones. I hope to learn things, to make a difference, to have some unique experiences, and to enjoy my life. To travel somewhere I have never been, to try something totally new, to step out of my comfort zone every now and then, and to have a year that at the end of it, I can look back and smile in perfect contentment, knowing that I have lived it to its fullest. I know, who doesn’t want these things right? But even if I share these wants with others, it makes them no less mine.
Work is going alright. I am slowly getting more and more recognition as a manager, from staff, customers, and the other managers. I am beginning to receive more and more management tasks, more responsibilities. I quite like that part of it. And otherwise, life just is. Nothing new or exciting to report. No big plans for a trip (not yet at least, keep posted for anything fun like that).
Ok. Battery on my lap top is about to die. Good night, stay in touch, and try to make someone laugh today- really really laugh. Chao!

ps. I ate Japanese food and lived to tell about it, a pretty big feat for me!