Sunshine and Snow!

This morning has been a wonderful chance to rest! I didn't set my alarm and let one of my friends borrow my car this morning - so I have no where to rush off to! The last several weeks have been jam-packed with work and all the craziness of this season and the end of the semester approaching. Yesterday was snowing non-stop and today it's super sunny outside. I LOVE that... the sunshine when everything is covered in white...especially because most days are pretty grey here in the winter!

Friday was the "last day of classes" and Finals begin for everyone on Tuesday. I am pretty thankful to not have finals this semester... and to be only a paper and two assignments from being done! I honestly thought this time would never come. Yesterday Drew and I took a spontaneous trip to the city to do homework. It was really WET and snowing a ton. The best part about being down there was the fact that I couldn't just come home right away... I had to wait for the 10:40 train!

Today is yet another day to be filled with writing papers and reading! Only two more days...

What does it mean to come alongside others?

Today has been a hard day. The part of me that remembers life at the Drop-In Centre wants to attribute it to the full moon... or maybe it's just the time of year! I have had a lot of good conversations today, but a lot of hard ones too. Some of them debating issues, others walking people through conflict and struggles. All of these conversations left me with the question of what does it mean to really come alongside other people? How do you really show people the love of Christ. It is such a monumental task, and yet simple at the same time. Monumental in the impact that it has, and in the issues that people are dealing with (that all of us are dealing with in one way or another). Simple in our role of loving, of being present, of just "doing life" together. If it IS simple, why is it so difficult? Why do we have such a hard time being present? Why is it so easy to come to conclusions, to try and "fix" whatever problems there are instead of guiding people, of walking with them?

The other part of this question for me is how do I come alongside someone when I myself am so stained? I am shoulder deep in the mire, barely able to keep my head above it! I am so thankful that the Lord uses uses us in the midst of it, that His grace covers it all.

Tonight I decided to go swimming. I have forgotten how much I love swimming. There is something so theraputic and relaxing about it, even though it is great exerise. I had heard that there was a diving board at the pool here, but it had slipped my mind until I was actually IN the pool. For those of you who don't know, I used to dive... a lot. It was a big part of my life and the thing I was most passionate about for a long time. The whole time I was doing laps I was thinking about that diving board. I was totally drawn to it, but was trying to convince myself that I didn't really want to go near it. I finished my laps and moved into a deeper part of the pool. I was in there treading water for several minutes, my heart started to beat faster as I thought about diving. I wasn't nervous or anything like that, I don't really know how to explain what I was feeling. It was this excitement that I couldn't contain mixed with my stubbornness and not wanting to go anywhere near the diving board. It had been a long time, years even, since I did it last - talk about being out of practice. Finally I gave in and moved towards the deep end of the pool. I got up on the board and realized that I had to do it quickly, kind of like ripping off a band-aid. I stood for only a moment and then started. By the second step into it I felt like I had slipped into something so familiar, so comfortable.

As strange as it may sound, my little trip to the pool today was exactly what I needed. This past week I've really felt the feeling of being in a new place with new people. I've been praying a lot about feeling a sense of home, of familiarity here at Wheaton. As small as it is, diving was exactly what I needed to do tonight.

60km's, Camp, Fire Alarms and Tornado Warnings

It has been a long time since I have written anything... so this is a brief update of what I've been up to.

I moved down to Wheaton, IL on July 16th. A few days later I was in Minnesota for my friend's wedding. After that I went BACK home and spent a few days there and in that walked 60KM's with two friends as part of the Weekend to End Breast Cancer (that was GREAT by the way). The next day I hopped back on a plane to home back to Wheaton to stay! On July 31st I began my new job and I have definitely not stopped since that day!

First I had GRA training with the other new GRA's and time to prepare for the arrival of the RA's. Then the RA's moved in (they're AWESOME) and we began RA training (including a week-long trip to HoneyRock camp). We came home fromt he Camp last Saturday and all the new students moved in yesterday! The volume has definitely increased in the Fischer lobby (where I live) and I love it!

My favourite story from the chaos of the last few weeks is from yesterday. The campus was crazy all day because new students were moving into their new dorm rooms and getting all their information for the coming school year. Freshman orientation had begun. Sometime aroun 3:00, right when things started to get crazy, the sky turned black, rain began pouring down, the power went out and the tornado sirens went off. We moved fast to get everyone into the basement (protocol for Tornado warnings). Thankfully the warning didn't last too long!! BUT, in the midst of the tornado warning the fire alarm in the entire building went off. Once the tornado warning lifted we had to then evacuate the building and put everyone on the lawn in the middle of the thunder storm! It was totally crazy, but a fun initiation into Residence Life here!

New Colour for a New Life!

I just got an e-mail from one of my Chinese students and the subject was "Oh, you gonna start your new life?!" I thought it was fitting to bring that into the subject on here. I guess I am starting a "new life" or at least a new phase or chapter in the one I've been given. I looked at my blog today and realized that it was time for a change. Unfortunately, none of the "templates" stood out to me today so I went to the default black. I can imagine some of you saying "surprise, surprise, she chose black!" It'll change again soon enough... but when I have more energy to do so!

The past week and a half has been nuts! My mom and I drove across the country in my wee little Jetta (which thankfully has a big trunk) and moved me into my new apartment in Wheaton. I met a few more of the people I'm working with this fall and they are A-Mazing. I feel like I've known them forever... and I keep forgetting that there is so much that they don't know about me yet and that I don't know about them. I guess it's kind of fitting because I'm sure I'll know them well in no time at all. Dan, Sarah, Michael & Terese are pretty great people. My new favourite thing about them are all the nicknames! Even Terese's computer has a name... I think it was Bertha!

I'm at home for this weekend to do the big walk and spend a few last meals & afternoons with friends and family and Monday morning I head back to Wheaton!

In need of a new alternator...

Today I had an appointment to take my car to the VW Dealership to get an oil changed and a funky "surging" checked out. I thought it would be nothing... I should know that it is NEVER nothing! :-)

First, I go to get my Jetta (it's been parked in my apartment's parkade all week because it has a big box attached to the top for my move this week), and it doesn't start. So I go to Canadian Tire to get some jumper cables (thankfully I still have the Saturn!) and got it started. I got to the dealer just in time for the appointment thinking that it just needs a new battery. Again... it's never JUST a new battery, is it?? I got the call I was dreading... I need a new alternator. The good news is the battery is just fine! The bad news is more money and the car won't be ready until noon on Monday.

It puts a little glitch into my plans, but that is yet another reminder that my plans are not His plans and that I need to let go! So, instead of leaving at 6am on Monday, we'll pick my car up, take it to my apartment and pack it up and then head out on the road. Really, this just means that we'll be driving later at night on Monday and have less time in the twin cities on Tuesday. If all goes well, I'll still be moving into my Wheaton apartment on Wednesday! I'm crossing my fingers because my mom and I have tickets to go see WICKED in Chicago on Thursday night!

Transition? Homesick for China?

I have a number of thoughts at the moment - so I will try and get the good ones out! :-)

I think I underestimated this whole moving and transitional period ahead of me! I think I have become so caught up in the excitement of moving to Wheaton and preparing for what is ahead that I have forgotten that this really is a time of transition. Maybe transition has become such a frequent part of my life that I just dive in head first. Only moments ago did I really realize that I am venturing into the unknown! I don't really know anyone in the Chicago area - except for Angie (from my team in China) who probably doesn't realize that I may just stop by her house! I have only spent a day at Wheaton for my interview and it is a total blur. At the same time as realizing that there is a chance that I will be lonely at Wheaton - I am so confident that this is my path! I absolutely ADORED my one day there. I had a ton of fun with the students I met and I am looking forward to working with some pretty amazing people - and learning a lot from them as well! I think I leave in 9 days or something crazy like that! Oh dear do I ever have a lot of packing to do!

I miss China. This week has been FULL of memories of China and longing to be there again. I spent two days this week teaching English to students from Taiwan. They were age 7-12 and are in Calgary for a summer camp this month.

They were pretty fun kids but it was yet another reminder that I LOVE teaching adults - especially College/University students! I miss my students and friends in Changchun. I am thrilled to know that the work I was blessed to be a part of has continued and I am so excited to meet friends in a week or so that share my love of China and experienced it with me. My homesickness for China really comes in waves. Some weeks I miss it more than others - I think this week it has been a tsunami.

This is more for me - but below are a few of my favourites from China!! If you want to check out more go to: My China Photos

This is my all-time favourite photo from the year. This is most of my students and I LOVE that they are all laughing!

I stole this from Stacey's blog. Some of the songs that came up were pretty funny (even just the titles)... and some I didn't know I even had them on my computer! Try it too!


Opening Credits: A Litle Bluer Than That, Alan Jackson
Waking Up: A Bitter Song, Butterfly Boucher
First Day of School: This Woman's Work, Kate Bush (From the Felicity Soundtrack)
Falling in Love: After the Dance, from Captain Corelli's Mandolin
Fight Song: Wake Me Up, Norah Jones
Breaking Up: Where You Are, Rascal Flatts
Prom: How Can I Tell, Sara Groves
Life: Snow White Queen, Evanescence
Mental Breakdown: Majesty (Here I Am), Delirious?
Driving: Desert Roses, Sting (I didn't know I had Sting on my computer!)
Flashback: Johnny Can't Decide, tick tick BOOM soundtrack
Getting Back Together: Teenage Dirtbag, Wheatus (didn't know I had this either)
Wedding: Always Beautiful, Worship Circle
Birth of a Child: Over the Moon, RENT soundtrack
Final Battle: More Love, Dixie Chicks
Death Scene: Crashing Down, Mat Kearney
Funeral Song: I'm Not Waiting, Julia Murney
End Credits: Everything, Ten Shekel Shirt


So, here's how it works:
1. Open your library (iTunes, Winamp, Media Player, iPod, etc)
2. Put it on shuffle
3. Press play
4. For every question, type the song that's playing
5. When you go to a new question, press the next button
6. Don't lie and try to pretend your cool...

"An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle, but never break." Ancient Chinese Belief

People are SO Generous!

I just want to say that I am so thankful for the generosity of people. I have been totally overwhelmed by that the last couple of days.

Check this out!

July...

Here is my crazy month of July!

JULY 4 & 5 - Teaching ESL to Chinese students
JULY 16 to 18 - Driving to Chicago
JULY 19 to 21 - Tourist in Chicago
JULY 21 to 23 - Minneapolis & St. Paul, MN
JULY 24 - Wheaton, IL
JULY 15 to 29 - Calgary (Weekend to End Breast Cancer)
JULY 30 - Back to Wheaton!
August 1 - Start working at Wheaton


If you will be any of these places at the same time, let me know because I would LOVE to visit!

Weekend to End Breast Cancer

Me, Krista and Karen

The last weekend of July the three of us are participating in the Weekend to End Breast Cancer. We will walk 60km's over the course of two days. This photo is after one of our 15km training walks - and it was at that walk that I realized for the first time that 60km's really IS far to walk!

If anyone is interested in going for a walk sometime in the next few weeks let me know because I would LOVE that.

Check out the website: www.endcancer.ca (I'm participating in the Calgary one). Or click on the links to the right of this blog!

Wise, wise man...

The longings which arise in us when we first fall in love, or first think of some foregn country, or first take up some subject that excited us, are longings which no marriage, no travel, no learning, can really satisfy...creatures are not born with desires unless satisfaction for those desires exists..if I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world. If none of my earthly pleasures satisfy it (desire), that does not prove that the world is a fraud. Probably earthy pleasures were never meant to satisfy it, but only to arouse it, to suggest the real thing.

- CS Lewis (Mere Christianity)

Baking Cookies

One of my responsibilities at work is to bake cookies. I'm working at a design centre for a home builder, so when clients come in to choose everything for their new home they get fresh baked cookies AND it smells wonderful! The kitchen above is the one I get to bake cookies in several times a day!


Along with baking cookies, I have been reflecting a lot. The last few months have been SO busy. I don't know whether it's having two jobs, changing jobs, taking on too much or what!? I am tired and feeling overwhelmed this week. Stress isn't always a part of my vocabulary - but this week it sure is! I don't want to sound like I'm whining or complaining - but I made my choice to do temp work this summer so I could slow down a bit and relax, to take some time to rest before transitioning this summer. That didn't exactly happen, but I think it's on it's way! This weekend is my last at Pottery Barn (and they're both on call) and next week is my last as the design centre. Then I'll essentially have two weeks off before the big move to Wheaton! Oh....and I'm teaching English for two days to Taiwanese students which should be a BLAST! They're going to the Calgary Stampede one day and to Banff as well, so I may tag along for one (or both) of those days.

At the same time as feeling overwhelmed and tired, I am also feeling very EXCITED. I am ready to move to Chicago and yes, I'm even ready to start school again. I am SUPER excited to meet all of the RA's that I'll be working with and the students in my building and to get back into what my heart is SO PASSIONATE about - ResLife!

Current Read

I still really like Stacey's idea of posting the books she's reading. She actually lent me this one and it is FANTASTIC. It is especially good for how I'm feeling right now...weary and in need of REST.

My Apartment

My future co-worker Michael and his wife Terese sent me a few photos of my new apartment at Wheaton. It's a little empty at the moment, but soon enough it will be my home.





COME VISIT! :-)

Current Read

Everything is better in a Volkswagen

This is my "new" car! Finally, the Jetta and I reunite! You may not know this, but my first car was an 85 Jetta and ever since 2000 when I bought the Saturn, I've wanted a Jetta again! AND, I got a really great deal on it! How can you beat that??

Hello USA!

I just got final word from Wheaton that all will work out just fine with my visa/immigration stuff. It looks like in a little over a month I'll be packing up my new little jetta and beginning the 28+ hour drive down to Chicago! Crazy how fast time flies.

In the meantime, I'm working at Jayman Builder/Wen Di Interiors. (And I'm still at Pottery Barn, though very part time) It's a pretty fun temp job. They keep me busy which is fantastic! And, I start my morning every day with baking cookies for the people coming to pick stuff out for their new homes! SO GREAT. I'm super tired so I'm sorry that this is so short! I'll write more soon!

Ps. the quote at the top - especially meaningful for me today as I think about and prepare for what is ahead!

Random things I found...

Your 1950s Name is:

Renee Virginia

What's your 1950s Name?

You Are New York

Cosmopolitan and sophisticated, you enjoy the newest in food, art, and culture. You also appreciate a good amount of grit - and very little shocks you. You're competitive, driven, and very likely to succeed. Famous people from New York: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Tupac Shakur, Woody Allen

What American City Are You?

You Are 20% Left Brained, 80% Right Brained

The left side of your brain controls verbal ability, attention to detail, and reasoning. Left brained people are good at communication and persuading others. If you're left brained, you are likely good at math and logic. Your left brain prefers dogs, reading, and quiet. The right side of your brain is all about creativity and flexibility. Daring and intuitive, right brained people see the world in their unique way. If you're right brained, you likely have a talent for creative writing and art. Your right brain prefers day dreaming, philosophy, and sports.

Are You Right or Left Brained?

Sanctification School

I've been reading "Girl Meets God" and I finally finished it. My favourite thing about this book is that as I read through it I come across these really simple, yet profound things! In this one chapter, titled "Sanctification School" she starts talking about her jealousy of her friend who is married and having a baby. One of the things (aside from the family and the relationship) that she is jealous about is how she sees God refining her friend through the relationship, that the marriage is a school for sanctification. She says "I have watched their marriage and I have seen that God has been who He said He would be. 'He will be like a refiner's fire or a launderer's soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver.' He has used their marriage as soap. I praise God for His soapiness, and then I get so jealous that I think I might literally start to see green. It is the old question, the pathetic question: Why them, Lord/ Why them and not me?"

The chapter continues with Lauren describing how she is trying to imagine herself being happy for her friend when the baby comes, being genuinely happy! "Sitting on my bed, I tell God bluntly that I don't have the resources to watch Hannah have this baby. 'I really don't want to feel this way,' I say, 'I really want t do right by my friend. But I don't know how to be a friend here, God....You are going to have to give me the eyes to do it with.' If I am going to do something other than crumple up and collapse, it will only be because God does it for me. Because He will gently pry me apart and prop me upright right after I have crumpled into a ball on the floor."

"Somehow I know he will uncrumple me. I will be jealous and miserable all through this pregnancy, but I have known God long enough to now know that He will give me enough respite from my jealousy to go to Baby Gap....if I ask for that respite and open my hands to receive it, He will give it to me. He will give me enough peace to be her friend. And, knowing God, He might even surprise me. He might give me, amid the months of envy, a few moments of gratitude and joy. He might give me a little burst of affection and edxcitement when I first see that downy bundle of pink."

And the most important part...

"Later, in the shower, I get it. I get that Hannah's pregnancy is my own school of sanctification. God is sactifying my friends through marriage and parenthood, but He is not just blessing them and leaving me out in the unblessed cold. He is using my rediculous jealousy and my endless self-pity to sanctify me."

Funny!

Shen-wei found this comic around Christmas and I've laughed at it ever since (It was on the wall of our office). Now that I don't work at the Drop-In Centre anymore, I thought I should put it up here! :-)

Current Read...

I love Stacey's idea on her blog of listing the books she's reading. I've been working on this one for a while. I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with it. But, overall it's good. The hate part is my own issue - nothing with the book!

Them Homeless

Them Homeless
- Tim G. (Night Supervisor at the CDIRC)

People love to quote statistics when talking about the homeless population. I guess it helps us to make sense of people that we know nothing about. Oh, so half of them are working, huh? Well, I guess that's okay then. Somehow it makes it better when we know things like this. But the numbers don't really tell the whole story, do they? I mean, think about the community that you live in. Maybe you live in a house in the suburbs. I bet half of the people on your block are working. I'm sure that some people on your block suffer from addictions, some probably have a mental illness, too. Some have been abused and some are abusers. I'm sure that lots of people on your block have low self-esteem. I imagine some of them are lonely as well.

But this is not the story of your community, is it? And this is not how you would define your community. I wonder why people always use these types of parameters to define homeless people.

The thing is this: In general terms, most people who find themselves homeless are very much like people who live in homes. Weird, huh? Some of them are grumpy. Some are very nice. Some of them work, some don't. A few panhandle, most don't. Some have addictions, some like a beer after work. Others are not very good at volleyball. Some call their moms every night, while others write letters to their children. Some even fit into multiple categories. Yes, some are grumpy, have jobs, addictions, excel at volleyball, but never phone their moms. You see, they're people. Nothing is black and white.

I think the thing that gets me is the "they" mentality that many have about homeless people. When people ask me questions about my work, they often ask things like: What are they like? or Are they scary? And it's frustrating because when speaking of people that are homeless, we are not speaking of a cohesive unit that acts as one, but rather a very diverse community of all sorts of people--individuals--who are as different from one another as you and I. They are not "they". This may seem trivial, but the importance of understanding this is paramount to addressing the issues surrounding homelessness.

A quiet night last night. We slept 1073 people. And each of those 1073 people has a unique story to tell. Just like you or I. The only difference is they don't have homes.


This article is originally found on the Drop-In Centre's blog - I really liked it so I thought I'd put it on mine as well!


Also...if you're into reading. Louise G. (link to the right) wrote an amazing post yesterday after her experience teaching Self Esteem to our students. Check it out.

Funny!

My friend Stacey had this on her blog and I couldn't resist adding it to mine as well!!

Visual DNA

Read my VisualDNA™     Get your own VisualDNA™

Moving to CHICAGO!

Well, it's official - I have finally decided that I am MOVING TO CHICAGO! In March I was offered a position as a Graduate Resident Advisor at Wheaton College and then a few weeks later I was admitted into the Graduate Program there. I am SO EXCITED to move to Chicago (a) because it's Chicago (and I love Chicago), (b) because it's closer to Minnesota than I am now and (c) it's an amazing opportunity to work with amazing people and get my Masters degree at the same time!

So, sometime near the end of July I'll pack up my car and begin the 28 hour trek to Wheaton, IL. As a GRA I'll be living in a freshman dorm working with the RA's and other students. Even though I'll be living in the dorms, I'll have an actual apartment - I get asked about that a lot! The masters program will take me two years to complete and the job contract is also two years. It feels like such a great fit and it really is an amazing opportunity. If you want to know more, let me know because I'd love to tell you about it!

As for this summer - my job at the Calgary Drop-In Centre (homeless shelter) ends in a couple of weeks and I have arranged to do temp work until I move. I'm really thankful for that because I will have more flexibility with my schedule, but will still be working full time so I can get all the immigration stuff done! So, LOTS of changes are ahead - but they're good ones! I know I will miss living in Calgary and being so close to my family, but they have assured me that they'll have fun visiting Chicago! Also - if anyone else wants to come visit, my door is always open!

Memories of Katie

Leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember! Don't send a message, leave a comment on here. Next, re-post this in your notes and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty cool (and funny) to see the responses.

Decisions, decisions, decisions...

I am an indecisive person and it is driving me crazy.

A few months ago as I was thinking about what I want to do this next fall, I remember asking to be given a CHOICE. My reasons behind all of this were fine. In the past, I have been very fortunate to not have to make a lot of choices, the things that have fallen in my lap have been the things I was meant to do. For example: getting into Mount Royal College's Interior Design program (it's the only University program I applied for), Northwestern (the next and only school I applied to), the job at the Drop-In Centre, China, etc. Each step I have taken has immediately followed the previous one and rarely have I felt what it is like to reach a fork in the road. Though all of this has been WONDERFUL, it has left me feeling like I am not really involved in all of the choices I make and the things that happen in my life...if you know what I mean.

So I asked for a choice and now I'm kind of regretting that decision. I've been offered one job and have interviewed for another and IF it comes down to making a choice I have no clue what I am going to do. Do I choose job A or job B or do I not choose either of them and wait for an unknown C to appear?? Both A and B are good...they're GREAT even. So I have no clue...

As I look ahead and think about what I WANT do there are two things that stand out. I want to work in Residence Life/Student Development at a College or University. At the same time, I want to work in Design or Marketing...or even at a Gallery. Could those be any different? I know that I'm only 25, but it's beginning to feel like what I choose now will determine what I am can do later on. If I accept a job in Res Life does that mean that I can't do Design later on? Can I somehow combine the passions that I have, or will one be reserved for my "free time"?? Anyway...just some random thoughts!


Ps. My last official day at the Drop-In Centre is May 18th! I imagine I'll still be at Pottery Barn through the summer - but I have begun to wrap things up at the D.I. It's a little nerve wracking to be without a job for the summer, but kind of exciting at the same time!

Great Book!

Donald Mller's Website
http://www.donaldmillerwords.com/painteddeserts.php

Happy Easter

He is Risen!

Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you." So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, "Greetings!" And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me."

Matthew 28:1-10

The GRE

This afternoon I have to write the GRE. I'm not really looking forward to it. I have spent the better part of a week studying for it (and some before that too) and realizing that there is a ton of stuff that I DO know and equally as much that I don't. I have been pleasantly surprised by how much of the math I remember from High School - all of the math on this test is quite similar to the exam I had for math 8 years ago! Hopefully, all that information is really stored in there somewhere!! I did realize something though...I don't actually know what "GRE" stands for. Hopefully that isn't a question on the test!

Wish me luck!

Otters!

I guess this video is from the Vancouver aquarium. It's pretty great!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epUk3T2Kfno

Purell

Purell is my new favourite thing...but also an old favourite!

Honestly, at my current job I don't know what I would do without it! I think I use more purell here than when I was in China. And China didn't provide soap and water in bathrooms...


Also, I found this quote this morning and really liked it:

Learn avidly.
Question repeatedly what you have learned. Analyze it carefully.
Then put what you have learned into practice intelligently.

What are you going to do to the monster?

One of my coworkers found this video. It's pretty funny! To view it, copy and paste the following into your internet browser.

http://www.break.com/index/what_are_you_gonna_do_to_the_monster.html

Another opinion on homelessness...

Yesterday one of my students was telling me about a notice posted near the Bow River in Calgary (the Drop-In Centre where I work is next to the river). Today, he brought a copy of this notice in for us to see:


WARNING

So long as the CALGARY DROP-IN CENTRE is allowed to harbor drug addicts and chronic criminals it will be EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO TRAVEL THE RIVERSIDE BIKE PATHS between CENTRE STREET and the ZOO.

These are not "homeless" - they get welfare cheques in Saskatoon, Vancouver and (even) Calgary! They are TRANSIENTS BY CHOICE, and PREDATORS BY NATURE.

- a message from a concerned East Villager who knows.
Ed Mielke (age 61)


This message is extremely sad to me. It is a pretty clear reflection of the ideas and opinions many Calgarians share. For those of you who don't know, Calgary is a BOOMING city. With the increase of wealth, the divide between the wealthy and poor has grown exponentially. Low-income housing is non-existent and rental properties are scarce.

The Drop-In Centre is a place of HOPE in the city. I feel very thankful that so many of the clients I work with every day see value in the services it provides. The average client stays at the Drop-In Centre for 6 months. They are thankful for warm meals, hot showers, clean clothes, and a place to sleep for however long they need it. Contrary to popular belief, those who access the services at the Drop-In are not all drug addicts, criminals, unemployed or predators.

Yes, there are some who have made choices that have brought them there. Yes, some have mental illnesses and some are addicted to drugs, alcohol or gambling. But in my experience with the people I work with daily, that is not the "norm," nor is it even the majority.

I see people who are an inspiration. They have a desire to LIVE, to survive and overcome the obstacles in their path. I see people who have a wealth of knowledge and experience and who have a lot to teach me ... they have a lot to teach US! Every life that I have encountered has changed my own.

So to Mr. Mielke and other Calgarians who share his opinion, I want to invite him to spend a few days at the Drop-In Centre with us, to talk with the people who live there and to experience their stories and to be impacted by their lives. I want him to experience the beauty that I see every day in learning from those around me, especially those who have a different experience than my own.

Taxes, Spring & Walking!

Last night I did my own taxes for the very first time! I know, that probably sounds pathetic, BUT until this year it has always been really complicated. Either I was in the states, in school, in China, or SOMETHING. Plus, I did my 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005 taxes all in August of 2006! (I guess Revenue Canada doesn't care when you do them, as long as you don't owe them money!) That may have contributed a little to the complication. Anyway, I definitely recommend the online QuickTax - plus, I get a bit of a refund, so it's all good!!

I am starting to realize how BUSY life is. Between a full-time job, part-time job, Chinese class, small group, church, grad school applications (with test preparations), job applications and attempting to have a life, it all feels pretty overwhelming. I am debating leaving Pottery Barn - especially since I decided to stay at my current job through the summer (until I start whatever I'll be doing in the fall). Plus, the weather is getting warmer and spring is coming - makes me want to sit out on my porch and read a book! I guess this is all partially to do with the anticipation of spring and unknown of what comes after that I'm feeling!

Last night I went for a 6K walk with my "Weekend to End Breast Cancer" friends. It felt so good! Though I'm not sure I can handle 10x that much in one weekend! :-)

Reminders of China

I miss bubble tea! Last year it was almost a daily thing for me to walk over to the school store and get my hot bubble tea, either the regular milk tea flavour or coffee! The girls who worked at the little stand knew who I was, even though we were never able to understand each other!

Lately, I've been missing my hot bubble tea. The Drop-In Centre where I work is really close to China town and the people I work with love bubble tea too, so we often walk over there to get it at lunch time - although usually it comes frozen, kind of like a slurpee with black pearls. BUT, the greatest find in the last few weeks is a little hole in the wall place that sells hot bubble tea. Every time I get it, it's like a sweet (and kind of chewy) reminder of home!

Oh, and the lady who works there is trying to set Shen-wei up with her daughters! *SMILE*

I think I must be CRAZY!

WEEKEND TO END BREAST CANCER


On July 27-29, 2007 I'll be participating in a very special event called The Weekend to End Breast Cancer.

I'll walk 60 kilometres (37.28 miles) over the course of two days with thousands of other women and men. The net proceeds will support breast cancer research, treatment, and services through the Alberta Cancer Foundation.

I've agreed to raise at least $2,000, but I've set my personal goal at $2,500. So I need your help. Would you please consider making a donation? Use the link to the right of this page, and go visit my site - and please take the time to support me. Please keep in mind how far I'm walking - and how hard I'll have to train.

According to the National Cancer Institute of Canada, approximately 20,500 Canadian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, and about 5,400 will die from the disease. Thankfully, I've never known anyone who has had to fight this terrible disease - and I am hoping to keep it that way! That's why I'm walking so far. To do something bold about breast cancer. I hope that you'll share this incredible adventure with me - by supporting me in my fundraising efforts.

Thank you in advance for your generosity!



To the Right I have added the following links:

The Weekend to End Breast Cancer page
My own personal page for the Weekend to End Breast Cancer
My team "The K's"

I wanted to start off the new blog with some new photos!!

Nicole and I in Rice Park, MN

A few of us from the 2004-2005 Hartill Staff!

Coley and I from my visit to Minnesota!

Random CTI Staff photo!

Just moved!

I've decided to move back over to Blogger from Xanga. It looks better AND I have more freedom with what it looks like!! So from now on, this is where I'll be!