January 23, 2005
Just came back from CFC's Ravi Zacharias talk. CFC graciously provided a bus for us university students to hop on at the SLC to get us there. Since the bus was later than most attendees, seats were not abundant when we got there. But Marianne spotted some seats right in front and centre of the stage and so that's where I sat with her and Elliot. Ravi was just awesome - an absolutely gifted speaker and intellect. He spoke on "Recapturing the Wonder," which also happens to be the title of one of his books. At the end, he said sorry for making us drink out of the fire hydrant, but he just said so much that was so profound and full of truth and inspiring. I might order the CD for church.

Here are some highlights from his sharing:

• G.K. Chesterton pointed out that never in the Bible does it say "Jesus LAUGHED," though he showed every other emotion including crying and being angry - this is because joy is central to the faith, where as sorrow is peripheral; as humans, we are more prone to express the peripheral
• There cannot be worship without REVERENCE and RESPECT
• "You call me Father, but where's my honour?" (paraphrase from Malachi 1:6)
• The definition of SACRILAGE: taking something that's God's and using it for yourself, or even worse, taking something that has no meaning to you and giving it to God
• The society has kicked God out, but when tragedy strikes, we ask where He is

Definitely a very powerful night.

Speaking of which, Ken Taylor's message from this morning was also very impactful. He has been speaking on a series dealing with fishing, and today's topic was on "Fishing Buddies." In one phrase, "fishing isn't a solo sport!" When we evangelize, it is a team sport... everyone plays an important part. Two things hit me the most:

• The most important question Jesus asks is "who do you say I am?" - the answer that should follow, if you are a Christian, is "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God."
• Jesus came and said, "Come follow me and I will make you FISHERS OF PEOPLE," not more mature, not more spiritual, not anything else... it is therefore the most important thing he wants us to participate in

Ken's series has been speaking to me since I am trying to get off my butt and actually witness for God. Alpha at CCF is giving me a great opportunity to invite people to meet God, which is awesome. After attending the leadership training session, I'm definitely more pumped for Alpha. I'm looking forward to this Thursday when it all kicks off.

Well, those are my thoughts tonight. Keep on persevering on this Amazing Race.

January 22, 2005
Hey Ceci, I have bad news for you. Here are my results for the quiz: [May 13, 2007 addendum: Quizzes no longer exist. Boohoohoo.]

Very strange results, I must say. But nooo!!! We're losing the connection again! Ahh!!! I suppose it'll take another one of those days where we dress the same or opposite from each other... maybe during retreat? If you wear your Urbana sweatshirt, I'll wear mine! :oD

Alright... should stop being sidetracked from my tests next week! Oh Spencer, why is your social psych class so interesting yet your readings so many? Why?

Last note: Marianne, thanks for the chat to 3am last night. :o) Lots for me to think about...

January 19, 2005
Yay! Finished both the paper and the quiz for this week! Ahh... the feeling of accomplishment and entitlement to some time off. Although I should really get reading on the test and quiz I have for next week. :oP

Anyway, I thought today's lectures were really interesting. In social psych, my prof beat up on a bobo doll to illustrate *surprise surprise* agression. Everyone enjoyed his act... he punched it, he kicked it, he threw it, he hit it with a mallet, and the best part was, he tackled it to the ground! It's funny how the doll actually makes sounds when you hit it. Dr. Spencer got applause after his performance. That was followed by the actual videos made during the famous Bandura study in which a lady acts violently (in a girly way, I must say) against the doll, and the kids who watched it really take it out on the doll. The little girl in the nice dress especially. The whole class was laughing. But it has pretty serious implications, like kids mimicking what they see on TV and such. Heck, watching all that violence carried out against the doll made me want to punch it too! Hmm...

In ARTS 301, the prof preached... I mean, lectured on Judaism and Christianity. It was interesting hearing the history of my faith recounted from a secular point of view. When I read the Bible, it seems to me that Israel was just a separate and special entity, but they were influenced by their neighbours and were very much a part of the global community known at the time. I thought it was interesting that Paul very much adopted the Roman point-of-view in which the Christianity should be inclusive and multicultural, which is what the Roman empire definitely was. It's cool how God put Jesus into that time of history so that the faith could become global. Speaking of Jesus, the prof skimped over him, which I half expected, but would've appreciated hearing about. He did chat at more length about the Sadducees, Pharisees, Essenes, Zealots, Paul, and even Augustine and his Confessions (which I should read... along with other classics!). The prof even shared some scripture from Psalm 8, Songs of Solomon (which he says might have been about the affair of Solomon with the Queen of Sheba... hmm...), and Corinthians. He was saying how beautiful and poetic the passages were... I guess if secularists enjoyed the Bible, it's for the literary aspects. It's good to be a Christian and be able to enjoy both the literary aspects as well as the deeper meanings. Anyway, the class is making me want to read the Bible in different versions just to get fresh new perspectives on God's Word. I'll have to work on it.

Well, that's about it for now. I'll ttyl!

January 15, 2005
Things are getting tight! I have a quiz for ARTS 301 and a 10 page paper for learning disabilities due this Wednesday. Praise God I actually go through 2 chapters of readings for LD! Just one more chapter for today... and of course, more if I can do it. The week after boasts of a test for social psych and a quiz for stats. Joys. Then it's JOY WR!!!

Speaking of which... last night I pounded away at organizing several things for it, and I'm glad to see things finally fall into place. I was pretty surprised when as soon as I sent out some e-mails, recipients started MSNing me! It's great, because that settled a few more things, which is always beautiful when you feel so disorganized.

Anyway, just wanted to mini-update here. And of course, post up some song lyrics. :o) Take care everyone!

SONG OF THE MOMENT

When your only friends are hotel rooms
Hands are distant lullabies
If I could turn around
I would tonight
These roads never seemed so long
Since your paper hearts stopped beating
Leaving me suddenly alone
Will day break ever come?

Who's gonna call on Sunday morning?
Who's gonna drive you home?
I just want one more chance
To put my arms in fragile hands
I thought you said forever over and over
A sleepless night becomes bitter oblivion
These thoughts run through my head over and over
Complaints of violins become my only friends

August evenings bring solemn warnings
To remember to kiss the ones you love goodbye
You never know what temporal days may bring
So, laugh, love, live free and sing
When life is in discord, "praise ye the Lord"

"Paperthin Hymn", Anberlin (from Never Take Friendship Personal)
*gasp* A God mention in an Anberlin song! Well, it's not that surprising, seeing that they're signed on with Tooth and Nail, but the free songs they posted on Purevolume.com for their previous album didn't have any God mentions. It's a nice little touch. :o) Anyway, this song literally rocks! I especially love the last line of the song - relates so well with my current Bible readings in Job, and how my spiritual walk has been going lately (and how I should react).

Gotta love 'em Christian emo bands! It's refreshing to hear other *struggle* in the walk, not just talk about it in passing. Makes you know you're not alone.

January 12, 2005
HAPPY EARLY BIRTHDAY TO NIETTE! Twenty-two in one more day... my goodness aren't you OLD!!! Have a great celebration!

I had a great time hanging out with Chris and Elliot at William's yesterday... good old Oasis crew! There's always interesting discussing to be a part of with them. Definitely make it a monthly thing! Of course, there was dinner with Jasmine today at Bubble Tease. I'm excited for her wedding! It's gonna be great! :oD I'm gonna miss her when she's all the way in Ottawa, married and all. :o(

JobMine postings started today. I'm applying to a grand total of 1 job! *sigh* The selection sucks, or I'm just not qualified. It'll be (yet another) miracle if I end up employed by first round! I'm also being selective though... things like truck driving and teaching and finances and HR I'm ruling out. Which pretty much means everything. At least there is one not bad psych job available for the time being!

Anyway, Lost is on in 10 minutes! SO EXCITED! It better not disappoint. Have a wonderful night!

SONG OF THE MOMENT

Mike was right when he said I'd put up a fight to be someone
A fight to be me
But see now, I'm down
Under the pavement of capital hills and lowercase people
As time rolls by my dreams have become that which is attainable
Not what I'm looking for!

I've got the company car
I'm the one swinging at two below par
Yeah, I've become one with the ones
That I've never believed in
But I've got the company car

I'm the king of things I've always despised
I'm the gingerbread man who got eaten alive
I'm half-baked! I'm fake!
But see I've got hotels on Park Place and Boardwalk
And two hundred bucks
I pass go but, oh! Life's taken its toll
Have I won Monopoly to forfiet my soul?

All the king's horses
At the foot of the wall
They're taking pictures of The man who's lost all of his masks of pretension
He's got two faces left
His is the one that he hides
On the left behind that smile

Hiding tears and fear that burns like an engine
It drives him away from the ones that he loves
Mike was right:
"Hey Mike! We're one and the same; we're the faceless combatants in the lonliest game"
Ah but say, I'll wave as I'm driving by
With that smirk in my eye, yelling
"Hey! I'm something man, check me out!"

"Company Car", Switchfoot (from New Way To Be Human)
A great fun song from the wicked album New Way To Be Human. Thanks Marianne for your endless supply of Switchfoot albums! Switchfoot is just so talented with fresh and new lyrics (although, of course, this album is older than The Beautiful Letdown). Check out the album if you haven't already.

January 9, 2005
Just watched Finding Neverland with Marianne at the Princess Twin. Awesome, awesome, AWESOME movie! There is just a fantastic blend of drama, humour, fantasy, and of course, tear jerking. The kids, especially the role of Peter, was just excellently cast. Michael is also really adorable. And of course, there's Johnny Depp, who played J.M. Barrie really, really well. Kate Winslet is not bad either, being the mother trying to give her four boys a normal childhood. The story was beautifully written and acted out. I hope it gets Oscars for at least SOMETHING. I'd definitely watch it again, and of course, I highly recommend it.

Well, a full Sunday (thanks Karen and Keith for the ride to Valu-Mart!) has brought me very little time or motivation for reading my textbooks. Procrastination, here I (don't really want to) come! Now there's the People's Choice Awards on, so that doesn't help. Oh well.

January 8, 2005
Can you believe Mae is coming to town??? Yeah, didn't think so, but they're only one of my current favourite bands! I probably won't end up going since a) I don't like going to concerts on my own, b) no one *knows* them, at least in my circle of influence, and c) I'm in school and it's a Sunday and I definitely have to get back for class the next day. But hey, if you are interested, drop me a line.

The details: Mae @ El Mocambo with Red Hot Circuit on March 6, 2005. (more info)

January 6, 2005
Had a really nice MCBC-people-in-Waterloo dinner today, put together by dear Betty. :o) First, we met up at East Side's which was already full, then we went to Johnny Fiasco's which had no good food (all late night grub). So, we ended up at Lucy's! Yay! We went in time for the Mardi Gras menu to be up, so I ordered me a southern fried catfish with sweet potato fries. The fries were AWESOME! The catfish was not bad either... the sauce was nice, but the meat was a little bland. That's okay. That's what salt is for. Me and Betty shared a white chocolate pecan cheesecake as well, which was awesome. Mmm... Lucy's...

When we came out, someone toilet papered Simon's car. I didn't lock the passenger door when I left! :oP Sorry Simon! Shouldn't take automatic locks for granted, I guess. But I'm definitely buying me an automatic locking car when that time comes along! Culprit's still at large, though the note was left under Jeff's name. Hmmm... crazy Waterloo pranksters!

It's too bad not everyone came out though, just 10(!) of us. Benson half-jokingly suggested a potluck, but I think it would be fun to have one. Hopefully more people can make out to that one, whenever it is set up, if ever! Maybe February... in the middle of midterms? :oP

Anyway, on a different note, I watched the first new Lost episode of the year yesterday (thank you Mimi for bringing in her TV!). Looks interesting... Kate's interesting! What's up with her? Is her name really Kate? Now she's got Jack and Sawyer both kinda against her... maybe more good guy Jack than bad boy Sawyer. But more interesting to me is of course, Shannon and Boone. Boone did look kinda menacing right at the end of the episode when Shannon started singing the French song. And there's some interesting speculation going on at the board at lost-tv.com about the "Hearts And Minds" episode that sounds definitely valid, but is a blow to my favourite character. Oh well, no spoilers here! Go look for yourself (because I'm sure you're already bored)!

Well, that's all for now. I should really read my textbooks before I get too far behind for my own good...

SONG OF THE MOMENT

I started to ache when I started to think of you
Wondering how long it would take before I step into something new
There's only so much I can fake
There's only so much that I can prove
Well, do it in a minute
I could go play the fool for you

Lights, camera, action
I think I'm going for it this time
There's something you should listen to
Could I take you for a car ride?
This is the soundtrack for our movie
Would you tell me when we get to the best part?
I'll play it for you
Oh no, I think I've lost this one
Can we try again?

Well I'm a wreck
I really can't explain it but I
I hear the music when I look at you
Orchestrating the song to accommodate the moment
Well, I'm so in love with you

Are you looking for an answer?
Because I could really use a friend tonight
We can make this last forever
We don't have to fear the sunlight

I'll take a chance and steal away this movie moment

I'm in deep whenever I'm with you
I'm directing the scene that has you and me forever
Well, I'm so in love with...

"Soundtrack For Our Movie", Mae (from Destination: Beautiful)
A nice little song for getting ready to go out with a bunch of friends. 'Cause... I... love them? Hmm... I do, I suppose. But probably not in the way that is implied. But anyway, the upbeat, happiness of the song always puts me in a good mood. I like much!

January 3, 2005
Finally settled into Eby Hall... took a while for me to unpack, wash the dishes, put everything in a place, but it's all done. Big thanks to Marianne for helping me lug those boxes of mine up! It definitely saved me a bunch of time. :oD

Anyway... I'll leave it at that for now. Take care, and have a wonderful term everyone!

January 2, 2005
It's back-to-loo time... I am all packed up, and my stuff litters nearly the floor of the entire living room. I think it'll take a truckload to get everything up there. :oP Hopefully the one car load will fit most of everything that's needed for the time being, and the rest can come up whenever my dad is up to driving up!

Just watched The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou with Ceci, Qing, and Steph. It's an interesting little film. Don't think I would've watched it on my own in the theatre, but that's okay. Ends on a depressing note, I found, but I guess Mr. Zissou is, at the least, enlightened at the end. I love some of the randomness of the movie... and of course, Seu Jorge adding the soundtrack live in pretty much every scene. That was awesome. I wished I knew more David Bowie songs, then I probably would've appreciated Jorge's Portuguese spin on things. The outfits were hilarious... gotta love that little red cap and the blue speedos! But I agree with Ceci about The Royal Tenenbaums being a better movie. It was just more intimate and the characters a little more endearing. But anyway, it was nice to hang out with the 'sauga crew before heading off to the 'loo.

Well, I'm gonna get going. Eat some ice cream, then shower, then sleep for the big move tomorrow! Take care everybody!

January 1, 2005
HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE!!!

Thanks to the MLs for an awesome new year's eve, as always. I hope we keep doing this forever! :oD I thought it was nicely pulled together even at the last minute. Okay, maybe the last 5 minutes. I shall upload the pictures when I have time...

In other news, check out the new Lost fic here... my last fanfic for 2004. Oh, the momentous occasion! :oP

Anyway... I'll be starting school again in a few days. The tutor again becomes the student. I'll enjoy that. I hope it will be a good term in terms of academics. But I'm REALLY looking forward to living with Marianne! Yay!!! Oh, and the proximity to be enjoyed with the plaza. Oh... good times abound. :o)

Until next time, may God give you a blessed new year in 2005. Take care, everyone!