Do I look good?

So, I switched to blogger beta.
I think it was a bad move, because my template got all messed up
So, if you are thinking of switching, be careful.
It advertises switching fonts, and then it makes them look awful.
So I just switched all together.
I want to hear some thoughts.
And I also want to know, how are people making their blogs look so good. (Spiro, Kathryn)
Are you creating your own template?
I sure dont know how that is done.
I need some tips. Send them my way.

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Okay, this is getting sooo geeky, but now I realized you can go and get templates from other places.
Are people doing this?
How?
So. So. So. Geeky.
Sorry

True Story....

I know what you're thinking: a courier logo? this has got to be a lame post. Just you wait.

Today something happened, that I only think happens to pastors and my mom. You know how pastors are giving a sermon, and they say "one day I was at Starbucks and I started talking to the person about ethics, morals and Christianity". And you are thinking, "no you didn't, you just got your coffee, smiled at the barista and got out of there". Okay, well this actually happened to me today....

I phoned "Quick as a Wink Couriers" which by the way, are often not at all quick as a wink. Anyway, I have phone to this courier at work (Novacom) just about everyday. Its like a two minute conversation: give the pickup and drop off details, get the confirmation number and you're off the phone. But today was a whole different story...I tell them that my envelope is going to Trinity Western to the office. And then it started.

The woman said "Oh I love Trinity, there are good people there, this world needs more good people". And she goes on to explain that her father picked up a wallet in a gas station that belonged to a TWU student, so she went out there, gave this student their wallet, and they became friends. Then she told me that this week she broke up with her long time boyfriend (yes this did actually happen). She said that he didnt have any respect, and the world needed more people like the ones at TWU who were "good people". She said "you sound like a good person". And I was like, umm...ya I hope so. Anyway, she said she had all this anger, and just today, she has decided to give it all up, because we cannot hold onto anger, and we need to find love and grace. Seriously.

So the lady explains this whole thing to me for about 15 minutes and then says "I dont know why I am telling you this...we can get back to your order". I was so shocked, so I just told her I was so happy she had found TWU, and that I hoped she came back to meet more people there. Moments in life like this, are just so unexpected. But I guess the point is, it really is possible, to be a kind of community that gets noticed, that makes a difference to people. I mean it all seems like a lot of rhetoric sometimes, but its true. People need what we have, and we have to be reminded of that some days.

Wow, that was really long, thanks for sticking it out. Has anything happened to you guys like this? It seems to happen to my mom a lot. I guess its being passed along...

Has it really been three years?

Now, I know that I just posted about Capernwray, but I'm sorry, I just have to say this:

Last weekend, here in Canada, it was time to be thankful. You know what I'm thankful for - the fact that I had a year at Capernwray. And you know, I am thankful for my life now too: for learning, for relationships, for home. Yet Capernwray will always hold this place in my heart, and I cannot even begin to examine the depths of that. Its just little moments in the day where I realize: that place changed me. I guess not the place so much, but the expierence, the people, the culture, the joy, the peace, the laughter, the growth, the safety. When I think of the moments, I smile and feel at peace. When I think of the faces, I almost want to cry, I just feel that blessed.

And tonight I realized, that I learned to love beauty at Capernwray. I mean sure I had always had an apprecation. But for the first time, I was with people who encouraged me to look around and really see beauty. Sometimes this was in art, music and literature. Yet other times, it was in something totally unexpected, like the light shining behind a tree (that ones for you Janzen). So tonight, as I sit here, I just want to say that I am thankful that I have these things to cherish in my heart. And I am thankful that sometimes, like tonight, I remember the beauty I found and it filters into my heart.

A Magical Evening....

Who says that you can't picnic after labor day? Well we sure don't. Trust Angela Haugo to pull out the stops and create one of the most magical evenings I have had in a long time. I arrive at Stanley Park and watch the sun dip over the mountain at Ferguson Point. Then the girls arrive with bags of food: specialty cheeses, crackers, crossiants, fruit, salad, tzatziki and pitas. Ang also pulled a Martha: vases light with tall white candles. See what I mean: magical.

So what did I bring? I brought the wine. I know, we are so classy. Don't ask me if I knew which wine to pick, I definitely had to phone Matt three times from the store, but thats beside the point. I did bring the wine.

The evening was wonderful. Women, enjoying one another's company, laughing, talking and taking ridiculous pictures. Could you ask for anything more than that? In the darkness, it felt like we were camping, outside in the (relative) cold. As we left, the moon shone so bright down on us, that it looked like a streetlight. Then, straight from our adventure we drove into the city to be warmed by a coffee at one of the most pretentious and wonderful places in town: Cafe Artigiano. They may have kicked us out, but at that point, I don't think it mattered anymore. Nights like this don't happen very often, but when they do, we must cherish them. And I did.

(Ang said "I'm not going to tell you what to do, just do something...this is what i did...go figure)

Photos Courtesy of Angela Haugo: because I think it's clear, I could never have taken these. You are amazing Ang.

Just when you thought the joke was dead...

Chuck Norris puts the laughter in manslaughter.

looking through the old Europe photos tonight, and I found this.
my little Euro shoe and Chuck suspended in time.
Priceless.

....today i miss....

Single Serving Friend...

On Sunday, I had a wonderful day with Matthew and we headed downtown. In an effort to use all the entertainment coupons before they expire, we decided to go for the gold. So we chose Kobe. It's the one where the chefs cook right in front of you. Our chef was named "Kevin", and he was an entertainer. He made some big fires, stacked some onions, flipped his...umm flipper? I don't know what they call those things. He also had a lot of jokes. Gotta say I wasn't expecting jokes.

Anyway, they seat you around this sort of semi-circle table that surrounds the grill. So if you on are a date for two, you suddenly are not. Its you and 5 random other strangers. At first, I thought this might be a little odd, but then we met Brian. Matt aptly named him a wonderful "single serving friend". This guy was just great, biting wit and understated jokes. We had a fairly thorough discussion about the difference between cynicism and pessimism (yup, cracking open that can of worms). I explained how my education profs are very anti sacrasm. It went like this:

Sharelle:
"My education proffessor said that sarcasm was just anger in a clown suit".

Our new friend Brian:
"Whatever - happiness is just depression in a clown suit".

Oh man, that just killed me.

Required Reading....

In many ways, my semester this fall is seriously lacking: history filler courses, seven hour midday breaks, all the "core requirements" that I put off until now. But there is one thing, which pretty much redeems the rest - I am studying the 19th Cenury Novel. So, for "homework", I get to come home and read Jane Austen.

There is just something about Austen's sardonic wit, and rich cariactures that makes me happier than I can describe. The amazing thing is, her characters are all around you. While I read the book, I just kept on writing names next to the descriptions (Was your name in there....now you're wondering...haha) Yet we don't speak like they do, with biting wit and clever come backs. I just wish I could for one day.

So for the Austen readership (or "watchership") I pose this question: do you see yourself more as an Elinor or a Marianne? And which male character truly stole your heart? There was some debate in class, and I'd like to know some other opinions. Thanks for humoring me and my literature posts. I just can't help myself.

Welcome Back John...

Friends, you are going to want to listen to this album.

I think Mayer sort of lost it on "Heavier Things". Then, something happened and he came back. I got the "first listen" with him discussing his new songs, and I had to listen to it straight through. I liked it so much, that I actually bought the album. This is a rare occurrence. The man has a way of describing the quarter life crisis, that just fits.

Get in car, let the rain overwhelm you, then put this on.
I am telling you, it’s just perfect.

Beware of Cliches....

So, as a student of good old Trinity Western University, I am required to take 3 "Human Kinetics" courses, which is essentially gym class. The whole concept is quite strange I realize. Holistic education or something like that. Anyway, I decided to take hiking. In many ways, it was a good idea, only 4 Saturdays, you know just get it over with.

Then I found myself on Mt. Seymour, on the side of a mountain. So on Saturday, I did a full hike. Now if you are a hiking keener you are thinking "ahh thats a moderate hike". But if you know me at all, you realize, I am seriously not in shape. Needless to say, it was quite a trek

Picture me, staring up at this, realizing I have to climb it....

Yet, I must admit, its true what they say, the view from the top is pretty amazing. That and the immense feeling of self satisfaction.

So I realized then, why the "mountain" and "hiking" analogies have been so grossly overused in speeches, sermons, lectures and so on. When you are up there, it feels like the greatest physical expression of "journey" possible.

I must say, it was much better when I was climbing with someone else, even if I didnt know them at all, then it was to be scaling those rock faces on my own. I promise I won't beat the analogy to death anymore, just saying I noticed something I would use, if I liked cliches. The other thing to remember is, most people you are talking to cannot actually relate to this whole hiking idea, as they are far from actually going on one themselves.

As for me, I unexpectly understood all these well worn analogies on a fine Saturday morning.

My legs however, are not thanking me.

It's true: another post about school.

"What year are you in now?"

"Fourth year"

"Wow, that must feel good..just about done"

My response to this conversation I have had about 30 times in the last week is no, no it does not "feel good".

It feels overwhelming. It feels like all the classes I avoided doing for 3 years are now coming to haunt me. I have no idea how they will be completed by Spring. It feels like I actually need to "pull up my socks" and think seriously about how I plan on teaching 18 year olds when I am only 25. It means that I have to leave a place, where everyday I walk out of at least one class thinking "I was made for this".

So, contrary to the popular opnion that all fourth years are itching to get on with the rest of their lives, I am not. Maybe I will be in 9 months. Yet honestly, there is so much more work to be done, from prepping for PDP, to actually doing PDP, to hopefully one day doing even further studies. So theres my rant. Its probably good I wrote this all down, because come April, I bet just like everyone else around me I will be saying...

"Wow...it sure feels good to be done...."

Ha.
We will only have just begun.

Can I just say...

....that I love learning.


I love that studying medieval monks can you teach you about modern Christianity. I love that most early English Literature was written to reflect the glory of our creator.

I love that scholarship can be worship.

The day I realized this was just monumental. It meant, that this desire to learn, to know, to understand is not created by me, but by God. People will say many things about Trinity Western, but one thing I will say, is that the school taught me to see academia in a whole new way.

Have I mentioned that I love school? I love the atmosphere that is ripe for discussion at any given moment. I love the intellectual insight that comes not only from proffessors, but from the person sitting next to you at the BBQ. Its amazing to find a place, where you don't feel like the English keener, but you just feel right, like this is an important thing to care about. It's safe to say, I will miss it when its over. So for now, I plan on really enjoying it.

(I think I will probably have to re-read this post during midterms and paper weeks...just for a little well...perspective)

WANTED:

Study Buddies

You probably think I am kidding.

I am not.

If you need to study,

but sort of like to study with someone else...

then I'm your girl

I might be the geekiest person in the world for having posted this.

I'm alright with that.

I think it is particularly hard for me to realize that summer is over this time around. Mostly because I never really had a summer. I was busy studying Thomas Merton, World War II, and then of course the Dead Sea Scrolls. Now don't get me wrong, I am not whining here. I realize that students are among the extremely priveleged human beings who get summers "off". And off from what you ask? Well yes, not working. So, it seems studying in the summer is not really a hardship at all. But I do sort of feel like summer came and went without me realizing. Doesn't that happen every year though?

So, we go back to the books, for the final year of TWU. I feel a tiny pang of sadness realizing this. Then I remember: I still have PDP and potentially another two years after that. Then I realize, as you all already realized if you are still reading this post, I am a very big geek. hehe.

....everyone pretend to be normal....

So picture this with me. Matt and I are in the US of A, and we decide we are going to find a theatre playing this movie. So I pick up "The Whatcom News" and we discover a gem: The Pickford Cinema. Here we have Bellingham's only independent cinema. The only word to describe it is character. The single theatre was clearly crafted by one mans bare hands: velvet cloth staple gunned to the walls, retro-theatre seats, a tiny concession stand operated by the women in the family. Then when the movie started, the laughs just filled the room - because it was so small you see. It made me realize, I hate monstrosities like Colossus Langley, and I absolutely love this. It honestly made me want to go see every independent film there.

In this context, we saw this wonderful film. I can safely say that I loved it, and would watch it again this week if I had the time. One warning: the humor is a little dark, not your average comedic fair. Just perfect though: awkward family dynamics - the crazy grandpa, the innocent girl, the emo-teenaged boy, the super keen father. A family on the verge of a breakdown.

A perfect blend: sometimes so funny that I couldnt even control my laughter. Other times, insightful, in a non-hollywood sugar coated sense. Just wisdom, the way we would actually speak it. So my advice is: if you liked Garden State, or movies of that lore, please go see this movie, its just great.

Failure to Photograph....

So I just looked at my last post and realized that I have not blogged for an entire week. The thing is, I really do have legitimate reasons. Wow, its like I am tied to this blog or something. Anyway, this past week a lot of stuff went down:

....Bard on the Beach....
I think I might have already beaten that one to death.

....Aimee Fagent Visit....
Yes you heard me right. My dear friend from California was "up north" and I had a wonderful Wednesday visit with her. I don't know what it is, but every time I see Capernwray people the world just seems better, more livable. We had a very British day including afternoon tea, a bookstore, a sea side walk, a telephone booth and a fish and chips pub dinner. Just perfect.

.....Wedding Festivities....
Starting Thursday onwards, I had the wonderful pleasure of being in Joanna Epp’s wedding party. Her other two bridesmaids were her bible school girls which was just awesome. I got to join in all their jokes and fun all weekend. We laughed a lot and enjoyed ourselves. Just like everything else with Jo, it felt simple, relaxed and comfortable. The wedding was in a garden, we had bright pink bridesmaid dresses, and they served latte’s. So once again, pretty much perfect.

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Probably the only sad thing about all of these things is that my photos were taken on a disposable camera, and I am not technologically savvy enough to figure out how to scan them onto my computer. You’re thinking “disposables suck” and you are right, they sure do, but mine was Black and White. Did you even know that existed? I didn’t and neither did the cashier at Hagen’s. He was pretty excited. Point of the story – pictures are on their way. Do not worry…because I am sure you were very worried.

Passion on the stage...

Hence shall we see/

If power change purpose/

what our seemers be"

- Duke Vincentio

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So last night I had the amazing pleasure of watching "Measure for Measure" at Bard on the Beach. Sometimes I forget how much I love this stuff, until I attend one of these events. Here we have the public, taking in Shakespeare on the backdrop of our beautiful city. With my life's passion on stage, I can't really help but be keen. But yesterday, there some wonderful surprises:

1. Dr Holly Nelson - so pre-performance I am outside listening to the play introduction and I see one my despised professors across from me. So I am busy trying to avert my eyes, when I notice, that she is actually standing next to my favorite professor Holly Nelson. The craziest part is that Holly was my Shakespeare prof, and actually taught me Measure for Measure. I absolutely loved her challenging theories and passion. Its a large case of "I want to be you". To see her there was just perfect. Of course like a true keener, I went to chat with her a little, in the process scoring major academic points I hope. haha. A little bit of a dream sequence though - to have the one you dislike the most with the one you love the most. Random. I must say, it made me dislike the other prof a whole lot less, when I realized they must be friends.
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2. Chatterbox Tuesdays - So I only remembered after already being there, that on Tuesdays, post performance, the actors and actresses come from and discuss the play with you! This was the most amazing thing. It was like the public was engaging in an upper level English class. Random people would pose questions about the interpretation of characters and meaning - including my friends! Then the actors would tell you who they believed their characters to be. Of course, as aforementioned, I was in a large state of keeness, so I posed a question, and even interjected at one point when I disagreed with a fellow patron. I know, I 'm crazy.

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3. The Setting - The play was set in pre-war Europe in the 1930's. The characters had a sort of Nazi persuasion. It was very fitting, and made the rigid moral framework seem appropriate. There was an interesting blend of drama, history and literature. So basically right up my alley.

So, this is one of those exercises where keeping your expectations low might be a good thing, I was disappointed that Matt could not come, that this was a mental week, and just thinking I might bail on the whole idea. Then I go, and it was better than I could have imagined. It’s a pretty amazing thing, to feel and know your own passion. I am aware that is a gift, and I treasure it, especially on nights like that.

The Weekend of the Ladies....

This weekend I took a long overdue trip with the White Rock girls to the Drewlo trailer in Kelowna. There were lots of laughs and good times.
These 3 rules were set in place:

1. No drama.
2. Eat like Kings
3.Limited Boyfriend talk.

Well hey, at least some of them were followed. The punishment was a toothbrush out the window. Suprsingly, although I insituted said rules, my toothrbush did in fact go out the window...into the dirt...with my entire bathroom bag. I swear the conversation was important and fit the "time and place" criterion.

Being with this girls and reliving the many years of friendship was wonderful. Although it becomes abundantly clear as we grow older how much we have all changed, it is amazing to see how we have grown. Its a pretty great thing to be with so many girls that you love at one time. To me these women remind of the wonderful years of past, but also make me think, smile and enjoy the moment. That, and they really good looking. This my friends is a pretty killer combination.

So we begin withe indignant Lana Jones."What!?!?! you have never heard that band? What is wrong with you!"

The Ladies of the Lake....

Revealing far too much skin for Brenda's liking.

"Hi my name is Brenda, and I often contort my face"

 

A White Peach Bellini and Mandy. Does it get any better than that?


Yes, we are sexy, except me, who kind of just looks scared. Something to work on.


Ready to frame by your bedside.

Who are those two good looking girls?


If you think this photo was posed, you are wrong. Gina really just IS that graceful.


I like to call this one "the reflection of beauty".

To Africa....

Today was quite the day. This afternoon, Lindsay was in a T-Bone accident with Brandon's car. This being the very same day, they are leaving for Africa. So needless to say, the whole thing was very stressful. Thankfully, Lindsay is ok for the most part. However, she will probably be in significant muscle pain while she is away.

So this is a simple request. Please pray for my brother and his wife. This is going to be a very big trip for them, giving of themselves and learning. I don't do this very often, send out the massive invitation to prayer, but under the circumstances, I figured they could really use it.

.....Safety, Health, Growth, Grace.....

The Africa Blog