Goobad News

Well, I suppose I have some goobad news. It's called goobad news because it's good on the one hand, but bad on the other (I suppose it's self-explanatory). So, here goes. I'm going home for Christmas (good)! I'm not going back to school after Christmas (could be bad)! So yeah. I'm not coming back. Dad, and maybe mom, are coming to pick me up on December 12. I'm finishing off my exams here and then going home. 

I'm planning on getting a job with the school board right now. Mom is supposed to be sending me the paperwork right away. They always need clerical, so I'm going to try for that. I also might try tutoring math at the college and high school; I'm also planning on finishing off my piano. 

It's kind of crazy. I'm rather scared right now. A part of me is so relieved that I'm going home and can relax, but the other part of me thinks I've gone off my rocker. I mean, who doesn't have a university education today? You wouldn't believe how many guys I've met here who have outright said to me they would never marry a girl who didn't have a degree and career. It starts to kind of get to you after a while. 

So it's back to the parents house! At least I'll have access to a properly stocked kitchen. Mine here just doesn't quite cut it. Woo hoo for bigger food budget! I can eat more than bagels and pasta now! Till I move into my own place. Then I have to feed myself again. :P My mom is trying to convince me to take over making supper in exchange for free room and board. She's not big on cooking. 

Climbing a Mountain!

Ok, so right now I'm contemplating whether to take a shower, sleep, or do homework. So instead of doing any of those, I'll blog! Why not. 

Oh my super ducky... Saturday was awesome!!!! Super Super Cool. We climbed "Mt." McKay (quotation marks cause I've been to Alberta and it just doesn't compare mountain wise. it's like a big bump).  There is supposed to be a path to the top, but we couldn't find it. We thought we were following it but then we got the the top of this really steep shale path and realized that it just went straight back down. We then realized that our "path" was actually a water runoff. So, because we are crazy like people, we decided to keep on going! We call it the scramble route. There wasn't really any hiking per se. It was mostly climbing. But soooo much fun! 

So yeah, we got to the sort of top and wandered around for a while and then bushwhacked our way to the highest plateau (there are two).  Again, we aren't very good at finding proper paths. There was a big telephone or hydro or something pole up there that a few of my un-named friends climbed. It was one of the metal ones that are really skinny on the bottom. I'm pretty sure it's phone. 

There were a few random people who came up to the top using the path. Andrew went over and asked them where the path was and they sort of pointed. So, we headed in that direction. We weren't sure if it was a good idea to take the scramble path down cause it was really slippery and loose and we'd probably drop things on each others heads. We found a sort of deer trail thing and kind of wandered down there. Somehow, I don't know how, our trail we were following ended up back on our scramble path. So, we were lost again and decided to just take it down anyways. And it was a blast again. 

My chiropractor told me that climbing was a good thing to do in the long run for strengthening my back but that I was going to pay for it right now. :P All well. I'm sort of sitting through classes these days. It's better than the beginning of the year. 

I'm scared for Thanksgiving.... I'm cooking for 10-15 people. Like a turkey and stuffing and all those yummy things. It will be fun, but I've got to do some serious organizing before then. 

I've found a church that I'm trying to get to for Sunday mornings right now. They just got a building. Up until this fall, they were meeting in peoples homes and then the college. The building is gorgeous and huge! I'm pretty sure it's bigger than the TPA, except without a basement. And I've heard a rumour that they got if for 20K. Which is amazing. The building is in stellar condition. I'm hoping to be able to get involved on the worship team there. They are just starting up but already they have more people than our churches back home. 

Alrighty, so I just noticed that this is getting long, so I suppose I better leave for now. Take a look at the climbing pics. ;)

This was even before we started climbing. We drove to this point. And I didn't go past the "do not pass" sign.... *innocent*

POINT! *I have no idea what I was pointing at*

It was such an amazing view. Andrew was scared I was going to fall off.

Posty Time

Well, I promised Claire that I would update as soon as she got her butt in gear and did the same. And therefore, after reading about everyone's lives, I'm going to update too! 

School is going really well as far as the school part goes. I love almost all of my classes. The exception being Applied Analysis (CALCULUS!!!). I'm pretty sure I'll love that class too when I finally understand it, but right now, my teacher might as well be speaking Greek! (or rather some sort of Asian language)

As to the rest of my life.... not so great health wise. My back is even worse than when I left Thompson..... Dr P asked me to take Advil as a anti-inflammatory for ten days and then email him with how I was doing. So that is what I did-eed. It didn't work to make a story short. I was leaving classes the beginning of this week because I just couldn't sit anymore.... After about fifteen minutes of sitting, the pain is crazy. 

So, he sent me to a doctor yesterday to get stronger anti-inflammatories. They seem to be working a little bit better. I managed to almost get through my hour math class this afternoon. It still hurts like mad though. I just moved to my bed with my computer (gotta love laptops!) cause I can't sit at my desk anymore. I play lots of video games while lying on the couch now :). 

Aside from that mopey sad stuff, I love my house! I'm in phase three (Bearskin Lake) which is waaaay out and far away from all the other residences. I think the University just got it a couple years ago. As a result, our walls are relatively white still, we've got new-ish kitchen appliances, and not too many holes in the walls! It's wonderful. Plus, my roommates are great. We get along for the most part. Andrew and I still argue like crazy though. Lara and Devin say we act married. I think it's more like brother and sister. With vastly different opinions. :P 

Andrew and Devin are soooo funny. They are both really big gaming geeks. And sci-fi geeks. So they are always talking about Star Trek or WoW or Battlestar Galactica.... You get the point. Lara is the new one. Her little sister was my cubby buddy last year. She is great though. Our personalities don't clash at all which is always a worry of mine with new people. Sadly, she is only here for two months at a time. She leaving for a practical teaching thinger in November, and then comes back for Jan and Feb. 

Ok, I've blabbed on forever now. Or at least I feel like it. I miss everyone tons! You should all come visit me! And I'll take you to an Amethyst mine! How can you turn something like that down?

Love you guys!

PS. Prayer Request: That I don't take everything Andrew says personally and that I can be patient and meek and humble and all those traits that my stubborn personality has problems with. I'm being too defensive with him again this year.... So year. Pray for me when you guys think of it please.

What do we have to show?

Wow... Time just flies. I can't believe that I am heading back to school the day after tomorrow. That is unbelievable. Where did my summer go? Do I have anything to show for it? It makes you wonder where you put your time and energy. I wonder if I really have anything to show for my entire four months at home. Sure, I made a couple thousand dollars, but does that really mean anything? Money really isn't all it's cut out to be. It doesn't provide you the important things in live like friendship, love, and a relationship with God.

Extreme Youth

I found this on the internet today and it made me think. It has a lot of truth to it. Even though I know this stuff is true, I always seem to push it to the back of my mind and refuse to think about it. Makes life a little bit harder to live with a clear conscience after reading something like this. 

I write this as a musician and a radical. Christian Youth of America, your generation is dying, and I need to ask if you are EXTREME enough to provide the answers. We know there never was anyone more "Extreme" than Jesus. But what about you?

Christian Youth, I need to ask why you sit in the padded pews of your fathers while all around the darkness takes your cities and your friends.

I need to ask why you worship the great god of Entertainment, just like your parents before you - but a bit 'louder' - and think that is "radical".

I need to ask why you think it is "extreme" to slam and mosh, when all the while the devil owns your streets, and fat Record Companies line their pockets with your cash.

I need to know why you have allowed the system to make you a slave - a "consumer" - a clone. I need to know why you can be sucked into buying $150 shoes and $200 sunglasses - while 30,000 children die of starvation every day.

I need to know why you will not cry out to the rich money-preachers "REPENT". I need to know why you still enjoy it when they tickle your ears and never speak of Hell. I need to know why you accept it when their gospel sounds like a toothpaste commercial - all slick and no substance. Well-dressed drones with plastic smiles, selling you the latest line in snake-oil. WHEN WILL YOU WEEP?

I look at your piercings and your tattoos and your hair and I still have to tell you: You are nowhere near EXTREME ENOUGH. The outward appearance will not do.

The time is coming when an army of young warriors will hit the streets - fearless and bold beyond anything we have ever seen. Even death itself will hold no fear. They will cry to the church "REPENT" and to the comfortable, "SELL what you have and GIVE TO THE POOR". They will be hated and despised by religious authorities. They will openly decry the TV preachers and eschew the watered-down pap that passes for 'gospel' in our day. They will reject sin and love people - even the homeless and the very least. Utterly pure of heart, they will befriend the prostitutes and the gang bangers. They will look and sound just like Jesus.

With great daring and ruthless aggression, this army will make war on the devil and the darkness. Their music will be hymns of battle. Their sound will ROAR over the crowd. Truly these shall be the 'Sons of Thunder'.

Christian Youth of America, can you not hear the call of God in this hour? All heaven awaits the moment when you will arise and ACT on behalf of your generation.

To the Christian Youth of America I say:

It is time to get "EXTREME".

God bless you all.

-Andrew Strom.

http://www.revivalschool.com/youth-Am.html

Bedridden! Whoot! Not.....

I am sooooo bored! For those of you who don't already know, I've been bed/couch ridden since Sunday. I messed up my back at work and now it hurts like crazy when I move around too much. 

So, I'm going to see Claire's dad every day now. He hooks me up to this electric machine-ee thinger. ("It doesn't hurt. It's actually quite comfortable." comfortable isn't the word I'd use. It's weird...) It's supposed to relax my muscles. And then he cracks me all up my spine. Sooooo strange. I'd never gone to see a chiropractor before this. It's quite interesting. He says that I could be off for a week. :) :( I don't know whether to be happy or sad. It's nice to have some time to relax, but I wish I could actually do something with my time. 

I'm going to be all alone this weekend which sucks.... My parents are leaving on Thursday and Peter *love love love* is leaving on Saturday. So, I'm bedridden and there is no one around. Ok Ok. I'm complaining too much. Things could be much worse. I can move around for 15 minutes or so at a time before I have to rest again. And I know tons of people who are doing worse than me. 

I miss everyone who is away.... ie. Claire, Carolynn, Beth.... *reverse alphabetical order!* It's not fair!!! Why did you guys leave me....... I'm feeling mopey in case you didn't notice. :P

Well, I'm going to go and do something positive to get me thinking happy things! 

Rainy days

My life feels like a rainy day right now. Maybe it's because it is raining today. And yesterday. And tomorrow..... I'm just totally flabbergasted at, what seems to be, everyone's faith but my own. My friends have so much to be unhappy about and yet they're still cheery. Or at least that's the face they are showing. 

I have been feeling down for the last couple days and there is no reason for it. I have lots of stuff in life. I'm almost engaged to the most amazing guy on the planet, I'm making lots of money at work, I'm commuting and able to be home every night..... But I still feel crappy. I think I know why. My relationship with God is non-existent. I want it to be there, but I just can't seem to get it. It just won't click! 

All well, back the the drawing board and keep on working I suppose. Prayers are appreciated. 

Really boring post to satisfy the masses

Long time no blog. As always for me. Claire made comments about me using colours, so I'll have to do that often. I am not getting enough overtime at work right now.... I was hoping to get 12 hours a day this week. Kind of crazy huh? I want to work 7am-7pm. There must be something wrong with my brain. 

I'm missing everyone.... Caro is gone to Belize, and Claire is off at the lake. Beth has moved aways, and Kitten is always working. Then again I suppose I am too.  

Oooo.... I suppose this might be interesting. Did y'all know, I'm working with nuclear materials? I'm doing density testing for my job right now. It uses a gauge with fancy radioactive materials in it. Don't ask me how it works. I'm still trying to figure it out. So yeah, if I have an extra arm the next time you see me, no worries. I'll get workers compensation. :P Actually, really no worries. It's a really really low dosage. I shouldn't even grow an extra hair. Or lose one.

I miss you all lots and lots. We never got any of those sleepovers together. :( Lots of prayers for me if you guys can. I'm tired a lot, and there is a bunch of stuff in my life right now. Thanks tons guys! 

Till next time....

.......

Hmmmmm..... I suppose I'm not really entitled to bug Claire about posting her blog considering I've only done one post, and that was in February. Claire's life is so interesting though! 

Well, I'm back home now. I've started work, but I don't know where I'm going to be placed yet. These past couple months have been psychotic (I love spell check!). Probably some of the hardest of my life. But I think I'm getting through. Prayers would still be super though. I need lots of those. 

I'm done school for the year! And I only have to repeat one course! A year ago, I would have never thought that I would be happy about that :P It was a good year though. Tons of fun. Rough too though. There really aren't that many Christians that I know. Not that I'm around at school. It's so frusterating when people bash what you believe, but let you try and defend yourself. They are so closed minded! I suppose I shouldn't be surprised:

Matthew 13:13 ... "Though seeing, they do not see; 

though hearing, they do not hear or understand.

It's just hard to see stuff like that in real life....

I got to go on a business trip on Wednesday and Thursday. We went to The Pas for an Engineering start up meeting. My first business trip.... Kinda cool. I get paid to drive to The Pas, go to meetings, eat, and come home. Pretty good deal. :) It was really cool though. I got to see what will be going on this summer.

This blog is so random. I totally don't know what to talk about. Hopefully I'll have lots of good stories once I start working.

PS. Ironman is amazing!!!! You gotta see it! (I saw it in The Pas)

Super evening

Okey. So you guys want me to write, and now I have something to write about! I had the most awesome evening ever. I've got a few good engineer friends here and we decided to go out tonight. So, we went out for Chinese and ate tons of food while being loud and crazy. Then, one of the guys had a hockey game tonight so we went to go see that. It was the second hockey game I've ever seen. And this one had fights! :0 It was crazy. One guy got hit in the face with a puck and got five teeth knocked out! And one of the pucks flew up in the stands and hit a girl (no injuries). 

After the game, we went to go see the movie 27 Dresses. It was actually really good, though I'm partially biased cause I've got wedding on the brain. :) After the movie, three of us went to Tim Hortons and sat there talking till almost 2am! It was a lot of fun. We talked about all the crazy memories we have from random moments, like Peter and I tipping our canoes and stuff. It was hilarious. Lots of crazy drinking stories. Boy, people are dumb when they are drunk. :P So yeah, I had a blast and I feel so much better now. 

Really truly, it is people that get you through life. You really can't do it without them. I would be in such bad shape if I didn't have these guys to let lose and hang out with every once in a while. If it is one thing I'm learning here, it's that you really need to get people in your life no matter where you go. They are what hold you up and make you laugh. All school and no play, makes you have a huge breakdown and drop out (almost been there). 

So yeah. It is after two here so I'm going to go to sleepy now.