Friday, August 16

Today we went to the zoo 😀 It was lovely. The giant pandas were fantastic. Also the orangutans. Also pretty much every animal that was there. Except the snakes. I didn’t look at the snakes. I was left exhausted though. Walking around for 6 hours in the heat looking at animals wears a body out!

I spent some time unpacking when I got home. I’m not completely done, but I’m close. Oh so very close. We also watched The Sound of Music, on which I have two thoughts. 1. Why does the intermission exist? 2. Uncle Max is legitimately more funny when you’re older and actually understand everything that he is saying.

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Wednesday, July 10

I’m exhausted, but here is todays shenanigans.

My sister and I watched another Bond movie – “You Only Live Twice” and let me tell you (spoiler alert) I was freaking out in the first scene when he fake dies. Like … what the heck? I get it was a plan, but still. Also. Why is he so …. stupid? I mean, you approach the girl who is smiling deviously as you edge closer. Clearly she wants you to come closer. I don’t understand how people can be that oblivious and still live through 50 years of spy movies. Come on.

In addition, today was the first summer meeting for CCF! Yay! It was great to see people again before I go back to camp. I especially liked getting to have a super quick catch up with a dear sister. I actually enjoyed the evening more than I thought I would, but that is totally ok with me. 

OH YES. I also signed my contract today! Officially going to camp, as long as I get my documents done on time! AHHHH!

Tuesday, July 9

Today my sister decided to start watching old James Bond movies. So, like a good natured older sister, I sat down and watched some with her. We did some Sean Connery features today, which I hear are the first ones? But I don’t know for sure and I just don’t feel like googling it. I enjoyed them more than I thought I would – apparently all I need to actually enjoy a thriller is blood that looks like gaudy pink paint and horribly acted out deaths (I usually don’t really like suspense filled-action movies). I wish I had known sooner!

In other news, I found this fantastic video on youtube today. It’s this newish boyband IM5, and if you don’t know yet, I like boybands. No shame. Well … some shame in real life, but the shame is decreasing as I stop caring what other people think. Anyway, this song is wonderful mashups of disney songs and boyband songs. I have so much joy listening to it. Also, I looked at some other videos, and it’s kind of nice to see a boyband that can dance AND sing. Brings joy to my life 😀

Monday, July 8

The power went out today so I had to post this the next day.

So the power went out today at work. Luckily for me, I had the studio with the windows, but everyone else was teaching in the dark. It was interesting to say the least. Needless to say, we broke the no phones in the lesson rule because everyone was using the flashlight ap. Not that I blame them.

Then my sister and I were home by ourselves, so we watched Hoot (I’m 20 and I still love that movie…) on her laptop because it was fully charged (how lucky!) and roasted marshmallows over a candle. If you are going to attempt this, know that A. it’s fun, B. it takes forever, and C. your marshmallow will probably never cook all the way through. Also, surprisingly, the marshmallow can catch on fire, as my sister found out the hard way.

Friday, June 28

Some days I don’t do much. Other days, I do too much. Like today.

I made a mediocre apple crisp, so bypass that one. Then I went to see Epic with my mom and sister. It was pretty cheesy at times, and it was hilarious at times. It was fairly predictable, and it had a wonderful balance of magic, love, and loss. Overall my expectations were met. It should also be noted I really like children’s movies…

Next, however, came my second venture in the kitchen! I shall show you my images of how this desert thing went down.

Brownies with chocolate and mini PB cup pieces:

Chocolate Chip Cookie

It totally spilled over during cooking, but … now I know better for next time (if there IS a next time).

Haven’t tried one yet … letting it sit overnight and cool and things, but I’m kind of excited. If it’s bad I’ll be quite upset … but it’s just sugar. How can sugar NOT be good?

OH, and finished books 2 in the series … ONTO THE THIRDS

Sunday, June 2

Quite a few glorious things today…so a list!

1. Taught my first Sunday School lesson. Not half as bad as I had expected. I guess camp counselling was good for something!

2. Taught some church family friends about the joys of slacklining. Delightful because it attracts so many people. How to meet your neighbours and make adults have a good time 101.

3. WATCHED THE SWAN PRINCESS. Honestly, one of my favourite movies. I don’t really know why I like it so much … but it isn’t complete until you watch the music video at the end of the 1995 VHS … which I had to find online because I was foolish and watched my DVD version instead -_- BUT HERE YOU GO. (FYI, it starts at 1:45)

Eternity – Dreams Come True

Tuesday, May 28

Today I watched Mary Poppins! I always forget how pleasant it is to watch Disney movies when you’re older. There is still the mystery and magic of childhood, but you actually understand all the jokes they’re making…

For example, I FINALLY understood all the puns they make when they’re at her uncle’s house floating on the ceiling. Like … wow. It was actually pretty funny. Not that I remember any of them now…but it was good. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I forgot how much of a lady Mary is at different points. Everyone loves her (setting unrealistic expectations for my life!) and that white dress … man if I lived in that era, I would want me a dress like that. Heck, I kind of want one now….alas. Perhaps I shall just embrace my inner “Anne with an e” and imagine it. Yes, I think that will do quite nicely.

Thursday, May 16

So apparently on my summer list of things I’m doing I should include “see ALL the summer must-see action movies!”

Yup you guessed it, today I got to see Star Trek: Into Darkness. It was completely last minute, but it was good. I was wholly satisfied with the amount of explosions, dialogue, philosophy, complexities, and costume accuracy. I’m not really a trekkie as I have only seen a few original episodes, but I still enjoy a good sci-fi (I’m more of a Star Wars/LOTR fan myself). The only thing I would have rather liked to see was Uhura participate in more action. I just feel like she could be a really good fighter, given the chance. I’m also trying super hard not to give away any spoilers, so I’ll keep my other comments to myself.

Anyway.

Before the movie I also got to go to my old high school and see most of the groups perform. As I said with the last concert, I love hearing old songs reprised with new people, and seeing old friends (and in this case teachers). It is always a joyful experience to go back, and I fully expect to continue to do so for at least two more years, if not more. I’m hoping more.

Sunday, May 12

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!

Today I got to celebrate my wonderful mother, who has helped me through every up, down, and ….well basically every day of my existence  if you think about it…

First, following the age old tradition, I made a breakfast (did not take a picture) of Reese Puff muffins. It was not as good as best case scenario, but you know what? It wasn’t as bad as it could have been. All in all a success.

Church is always a plus on Mothers day because it’s wonderful to be able to celebrate all the mothers in my church family. I wouldn’t be half the person I am today if it wasn’t for all the other moms I had in addition to mine (but my biased opinion is obviously that mine is best).

I also rapped at church today. I know, I know, I don’t exactly seem like the rapping type, but I can do it! Sort of… We do the song “Awake My Soul” by Tomlin and I do the harmony and Lecrae parts (woman of many talents?). It’s fine … but on the SWAG-O-Meter I rank about -5, so its just a little … ahh …….. you know, it just doesn’t fit very well. But all glory to God!

The biggest thing we were going to do for my mom was have an ice cream feast. But then we went out for lunch after church and were full … so we just had a tiny bit afterwards when she opened her mini ice cream sandwich maker. Then we were going to have it for dinner, but my dad wanted something substantial (go figure) so we each had a whole small-pizza-thing and watched The Italian Job … and then we were full again. The Italian Job is one of my favourite movies, so I was pleased with the selection.

we were so into getting to watch the movie we definitely just used cardboard instead of plates

Ice cream party coming soon to a household near you?

Saturday, May 4

“May the (horse) be with you” – Relient K

May 4th is one of the most absolutely fantastic days because A. it is Star Wars Day, and B. it is my sister’s birthday. Star Wars is honestly one of my favourite things ever. Sort of. Well, I just really like the excuse to talk about it one day of the year :]

My sister’s birthday this year was not a HUGE big to-do, but i DID make a carrot cake form scratch for the first time ever. It was actually way more delicious than I thought it was going to be. However, we only had baby carrots … so shredding the carrots took forever…and my fingers turned orange. Legit.

The highlight of the day, though, was CCF Banquet. It had a special air to it this year, being away from school, and also since I was actually around all year (and on committee). It was so nice to see everyone hanging out and enjoying the times we’ve had … but it was a little bit more than that for me.

The entire year I’ve struggled with seeing how the stuff I’ve done impacted people, how the little things I was spending SO much of my time doing actually effected people, and seeing how I was appreciated in any way. At time I wondered if God was even there, or if I was just doing “too much” for him and therein “losing” him in the business. It didn’t make sense though because I WAS having a quiet time every day, and I WAS trying to get back on track…

Anyhow, this song came up in the worship portion at the end of the night RIGHT after committee got these fantastic mugs…and the combo just really touched me. I can’t explain it other than suddenly, everything was worth it. I realized that yes, even though the things I did were small, they were big in God’s eyes, even if they were invisible to other people, they were BIG in God’s eyes, that the work I put it was, in fact, appreciated, and that not for a moment did God forsake me this year. Never once did he leave my side (song by Merideth Andrews).

My beautiful reminder of this year.