life.com (not an actual website) :)

You know that little kid saying "when I grow up I'm gonna be..." or "when I grow up I'm gonna change the world by doing..." I have found myself still using those sayings until the other day when reality and I collided. Suddenly a horrible realization began sinking in when I realized that today is life, regardless of how old you are. Today, being life, is also a day in which you have the ability to affect someone else's life or do something for someone. Michael is writing this. Back to you Charlee. Michael, my bro, just came and stole the computer and wrote those last few words, now where was I. Right life. So anyways I have just been deep in thought the last few days, and seeing as I don't have a lot of exciting adventures to write about I thought I would share the adventures of...my mind. That does sound funny however. O.k before you think I am crazy and need to be locked up I will continue writing. What led me to these thoughts on life is the sad fact that I am getting older (where did I put my glasses), not only that but I always viewed my life as something that would happen and not as something that is happening. Then the realization struck that God has given us an amazing opportunity to serve him through everyday life. We don't have to look to the future to begin doing great things for God, it starts today, with small things. Examples would include holding the door open for someone that has their hands full or helping a lady unload her groceries into her car when she seems to be having troubles, smiling at someone who appears to be having a bad day or just saying a small prayer with someone who looks like they need the encouragement. Little things like this go so far. I can't take all the credit for this. Josh always says "Pass it forward" and its so true. People do nice things for us so why not continue them and do something nice for someone else. We are given so many opportunities to serve God everyday and yet we pass these up because we are looking for the big ones. Another thing that got me thinking was my mom. When we were in Toronto last weekend she would always be reaching into her pocket or digging through her purse looking for loose change to give to a homeless man or woman. What if everyone on earth did something small for someone else and kept passing things forward? Perhaps by now we would be living in Heaven and there would be no more goodbyes, no more tears. Anyways I'm going to end this post for tonight as it is late and I should be getting to bed! A challenge though...for Christmas this year...do something little for someone else. Merry Christmas all!!!!!!!!

Home at Last

Yes folks thats right, I have finally landed in what I claim as the better part of Canada, aka Ontario but hey, I'm slightly biased. Something to do with living here my entire life. No I must admit Alberta does have some positives. See, if you like brutally cold temperatures, Alberta is your place, or if you like flat, Alberta is your place. Ok ok I'm being mean. Alberta is nice because it has the mountains which means skiing! and of course hiking! and of course just beautiful scenery. I also must say that Calgary is a nice looking city. Allow me to explain. After something stupid like 6 hours of sleep in two days and as I looked at my watch I realized it was once again around 2:30 the thought struck me, I should probably get some sleep. It was Friday, early a.m. We were leaving the school at 5am. So I went to bed for an hour and a half and woke up yet again and ran my stuff downstairs and threw it into the waiting van. Josh, myself, Azalea and two other sleepy people piled into the fifteen passenger van (now full of luggage) and headed toward the airport, the Calgary airport. We arrived around 7 and headed to drop off the luggage, goodbyes followed (I hate and suck at goodbyes) but alas survived them and went to security. The ladies working there were in a really good mood and after chatting with them I walked through the screener thingy and kept on walking toward the gate. Azalea hit Timmy's instantly, me, I wasn't hungry. Whose stomach is awake that early?? Just kidding. Just as Azalea got up to go to the bathroom they announced that they were going to start boarding our plane so she ran. Alas, at 7:40ish we sat in the plane, buckled in and awaiting take off. I looked out the window as we were leaving, ok, let me reword that. I leaned over Azalea, who had the window seat, and looked out and wow, Calgary is gorgeous. The sun was just beginning to rise and the reflection could be seen on the highrises. But what set this off was the mountains etched in the background, the reflection of the snow picking up the rays of the sun. Beautiful sight, lasted only a few minutes as we changed direction and began the long run down the runway and off into the sky. After watching "No Reservations" on the plane and tapping my fingers against my seat, stretching, going to the bathroom just as we hit some turbulence (not fun) and trying to sleep but realizing it was not possible, we finally landed in Toronto. Sure enough, Faith and Cary were standing there waiting for us as we walked through the doors after collecting our luggage. The rest of the day was good and slow and ended with lentil soup and something really sweet that they made for us. I think the ingredients were sugar, sugar and chocolate chips. Very good! Friday night I was in bed at 10 but up the next morning at 10 (8 Alberta time). We made it for the world's shortest church service (combination of being late and a short sermon) then went home and ate haystacks. Mom and Michael and of course, Sport (the maltese dog mom has officially replaced all of us kids with) came up and met us Saturday afternoon. That night found the lot of us at the Old Spaghetti Factory and me feeding manicotti to my jeans, ya you can't dress me up and take me anywhere. Sunday we went to the Handel's Messiah, amazing performance I must add. Faith bought Chocolate covered almonds during intermission and Michael just so happened to pop one in his mouth as the next song began, all I could hear was *crunch crunch crunch* and Michael trying ever so hard to chew an almond silently. Sorry Michael, didn't happen...brothers. When we got home that evening we decorated the Christmas tree, me, I wrapped myself in Christmas lights and Uncle Cary plugged me in. Good times. Toronto decided to get one of its worst snow storms in years so we decided to spend another night in the big stink aka Toronto. Monday morning (aka this morning) I was awakened rudely at some unearthly hour as we were leaving to go home. I think the time was something like 10 a.m. The drive home was uneventful, thank you Steve for being there and texting haha helped break up the monotony of the drive. Ok, this afternoon we drove into Gananoque and mom, Azalea and myself rented 4 movies. Yup, 4 and so far we have watched three! Alas, mom and Azalea went to bed so we will have to watch the other one tomorrow. Which movies? I'm glad you asked. They were...Loves Enduring Legacy **** Amazing Grace *** and...The Ultimate Gift***** definitely five stars. I would highly recommend it!! Anyways I should probably stop writing as I am tired and it is 1:39 a.m. now and I should get up sometime before noon tomorrow. So...until later. Take care everyone. Be safe and don't get run over if you go Christmas shopping. Warning...malls are dangerous this time of year!

I Is Done!!

Hi all!! Yup thats right I is done this semester and mes going home in days two! Sure not if yous can tell but me brain is fried from finals and I's is happy theys over. Ok I'll stop butchering the english language, oh wait, I do all the time when I talk! :) I can't believe this crazy semester is over and you know what! Just when you think you are done you find yourself booking classes for the next semester! I'm going to be taking 18 credits! Wahoo!! I want to graduate on time. I can't wait until I am done with college and I am walking down the aisle of the church, no not marriage, to receive that beautiful piece of paper that tells me I never have to set foot in a school again as long as I live. Unless I want my masters or something like that.
I'm currently working front desk and I'm watching as more people leave the dorm for home while a few are cramming for their last exams tomorrow. I'm kind of enjoying my position, no exams, just watching, pointing and laughing. Ok not really, I feel there pain, really I do. Last night I said goodbye to Michael and Adri then at 4 am I woke up and ran downstairs to say goodbye to Liz and today I said goodbye to Steve. So yes, the school is slowly clearing out for the holidays. Tomorrow I need to think about packing *thinks* wow that was exhausting, ok maybe tomorrow night I'll do that. Then Friday I'm in Toronto eating real food! Can't believe how fast this semester has gone, wow! Anyways folks I'm out for the time being. Take care all and I'll see most of you at home.

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My title demonstrates what your brain waves look like during this time of the year. Thats right, there is nothing but dashes. This afternoon I took my Philosophy exam and after confusing myself I decided it must have been correct. Five essays, 50 matching and 3 other questions...lets just say my brain was ready for the events that followed. See, Christel, Tamra and myself all took this wonderful *cough* exam and afterwards we needed something to unwind with. What else could there be to do then to throw a ball as hard as you can or just throw it down a lane and knock pins over! Thats right...we went bowling, Christel, Tamra, Josh F., Josh B., Azalea, David and myself that is. So now what am I doing? Well, I was attempting to write a paper that is due on Wednesday at the time of my final, 7:45 am, yes a.m! but I decided procrastination was more important and so I opted to write in my blog, since its been a while and mom keeps getting on my case. So mom, HI here is a blog for you to read. I promise I will be writing in my blog more often after Christmas vacation but alas life has become crazy as a student! Finals, blah. I mean, who thought of that bright idea. Some dude sitting around in an office thinking of some new way to torture his students, suddenly he jumps to his feet "Aha! We will make them think that the school year is over but alas, just when they have been lured into a sense of safety we will spring a final test on them. Ah, yes and this test will be worth as much as we can make it." He takes another puff of his cigar and blows the blue cloud of smoke around his office, an evil grin forming, his double chin triples. Yes folks, this is how finals were thought up! Ok so I don't really know, I just know that I'm glad they are almost over. I have it all planned out, I'm coming home, making a big pot of macaroni, tomato soup and chickpeas, drinking my grape juice and watching I Love Lucy while sitting by the warm fireplace. Or perhaps I will lay in my room eating cheerios and listening to my music on a real sound system. There is so much that must be done before this though, so alas, two more finals loom above me and yes a paper that I must write. A book report by some dude that had way to much time on his hands. Anyways, I should probably write this book report and yes, I will be seeing most of you very shortly. Faith and Cary I will email you with the Itinerary and YES the OSF Sounds AMAZING!!! Can't wait!!! Mom, dad I love you guys see you Sunday!! Messiah yay!! Kendra, Jason can't wait!! MOVIES!!!