Revival?

Today was Sunday. While I have to admit that I worked on the Sabbath it was still a great day. I stayed at Becky's last night to spend some time with some wonderful girls from Western, veronica and hannah! Of course a big Congrats is needed for Lauren and Trevor for their engagement. Definitely one of the most Christ-centered couples I have met, muchos blessings on you guys....you're in my prayers.
What really got me today was the sermon in church today and the recent results from Porn Nation. So, Porn Nation has now come and gone but I don't think it did so without making waves. While it was probably the smallest for turn out for any event we have had God worked in incredible ways. Michael Leahy presented the gospel and I would guess 85% of people stayed for it. I have never heard anyone tell such a large group of students about a personal relationship with Christ in such a real, honest way. I know that even if some people only sat there to be polite they heard something that could someday save their lives.
Praise report though: 10 people from Guelph and 14 from the other two schools accepted Christ at the talk. I can't even describe how fantastic that is. So humbling.

Then today, Pastor Dave was talking about the year of Jubilee and how it was a time every 49 years (I think?) where God rights injustices, prospers land, returns land to who it belongs to, rights wrongs. It is a time of revival. The scripture he used is Is. 49:8-13, 61:1-2 and Luke 3:14-21. One of the most amazing things were the stories of revival happening within the last 100 years. When I say revival I don't mean just quite a few people coming to Christ at a time but full out, God's Spirit making the presence of the LIVING GOD known to everyone in that area. There was an area in Ireland in the 1930s that revival happened in and thousands and thousands of people knew the presence of God, they were 'alive to the awareness of God". How cool is that? Crime plummeted, talk of Christ was everywhere...all aspects of life were changed by God's Spirit.

Thats what I want to see in Guelph! God can do that, we just have to pray! We also need to be a in a place where all the glory will go to God. We cannot change hearts. But we can be used!

lets not get kicked off

This is a quick blog, a sanity blog lets call it. I needed a few minutes away from my notes about how to retain customers and get them to use self-service technologies....I am still not sure how this will be relevant for the Kingdom of God but I sure want to be used! Anyway, tomorrow is the big day, the unveiling of Pornnation. It is this speaker from the US who expereinced the loss of almost everything dear to him because of his addiction to pornography. There is lots ot do but I have a great team and a great God on my side. Hopefully my ambition to continue updating on the event (Nov. 17th!--pncanada.com--check it out!) won't wear out once i don't have to study any longer.

A test

Here is my pet (or its supposed to be a pet). I was inspired to name him this after studying Spanish for one day. It is pronounced A-sool...he is touchy about that.

[url=http://bunnyherolabs.com/adopt/showpet.php?b=bWM9aGVkZ2Vob2cuc3dmJmNscj0weDFlOThiZSZjbj1henVsJmFuPWthdGll][img]

the first week: a reflection

Well its mid first week and wait a second...I'm in Guelph....oh wait and I'm still in Marketing...with a minor adjustment...no coop. Thats right, i'm suffering from cognitive dissonance...perpetually telling myself that I'm doing the right thing with my life. More later as I am mooching a room and this person wants to sleep....tata

emcee

I could be MC'ing (i dunno if I like MC or emcee better) the first crusade...with Becky that is. What made me say yes this time...uh...not so sure. Meh, could be fun....maybe this year I won't be "Katie from Marketing"...it will be "Katie in Undecided" lol. Work wasn't too bad today...I had the song Blackbird in my head and Break my stride...and others. Little birthday party for the parents tomorrow night, thrown by me I suppose...since I have to miss my dad's real 50!

no clue

So I leave in less than a week for school...that is assuming i'm going to school this semester; still have no idea what program I'll be in. But nutrition is looking less and less appealing. I was all gung ho about shadowing the program (taking the classes but not being in it) once I found out that I applied way to late to get accepted this year. Maybe I would like business, but it just feels like a useless degree to me. I'll probably have to go ahead and take more school after my undergrad. But thats fine. I think I'm out of coop too, since I was so set on changing programs I haven't applied for any jobs so I haven't found one lol, and its a getting a little late now. I just need to find a place to live in Guelph. I am so spazzed, one day I hate business and I can't see myself doing anything related to the degree, the next day its full of potential. I just don't know...bah!

Rant

I just need to rant right now. I am so frustrated with how things are going this year and I guess I just need to write it down to get it out and prayer would be great. So first, I want to change into Nutrition so I email someone because I missed the deadline. That was three weeks ago, still no answer. So I have no idea what I am doing in the fall as of yet but if I can't change programs now it will be too late next year. I also have not found a coop job yet, not that there are any I can apply for because you need a car or to be bilingual and thats not me. It doesn't matter right now though because I just discovered that I am not in an 'unknown' semester according to coop and not 'searching for work' so I cannot access the jobs even if there were ones I was qualified for. This is probably because of another awesome occurance. I get this email saying I was late paying the $200 new fee that I didn't even know I had to pay...our school always communicates by email so sorry for thinking they would tell us by email, no they posted it on webadvisor, a place I never go in the summer nor would I think that important announcements would be on it. So they changed teh deadline and I had to have it in by friday. So i email them to figure out that it is and they don't answer my questions (ie, how to pay) and they don't answer me, email them again, dont' answer my question. Finally I'm at work on friday and my mom has to call and pay. So she pays on time but now they need paper confirmation faxed to them. So first she can't print it cuz our printer quits, then the bank prints it and is like "don't worry we'll fax it". She leaves and "oh no their fax doesn't work" so it doesn't get faxed. So now I guess I'm cut off...i refuse to pay any late fees. On top of all that I can't access my school email and I am soooo frustrated! Bah!
On a much happier note, today was Natalie and Josh's gift opening because yesterday was their wedding! She looked amazing, they whole ceremony was fantastic. The reception hall was the bushplane museum and their first dance was with the hangar open and the sunset over the Ste. Mary's river in the background. The three cars carrying the bridal party got in a 3 car 'pile up' between the wedding and the reception when some idiot slammed on his brakes in front of them to parallel park on Queen street. Thank the Lord that there was minimal damage and no one was hurt. Overall though, a wonderful couple started their life together.

Dairy Queen and a Litter Box

So thats it, I officially work for the man again. Well actually not the man, the woman and she's actually really nice. Nonetheless, yesterday was my first day back in the swing at the DQ. It was only a 3 hour shift...woot. They finally automated things around there, as of last year I think they were the last chain that regularly operated 70s style (who i am kidding, it was from the 70s) crackly microphone for drive through. Now there are headsets...i almost died of shock. I guess its about time they put some money into the store...everything in it was over 20 years old and they weren't exactly NOT selling icecream at 40 degrees in the shade. Seriously I'm not trying to sound bitter this is just all of interest and I will want it on the record someday, a long way down the road.
Luckily my more official title is "cake decorator's assistant" which I am pretty excited to do, something new. My first day back at the DQ who comes in but this lady that I've known my whole life, i babysat her kids, i watched her husband carve up Canada geese, I built snowmen in their yard....she calls me Miss Kate...probably the only person that has ever gotten away with it. But yeah, so she's basically my first customer and so not knowing how to use all this awesome equipment I get lost and defintely make mistakes so not only am I greeted with "Miss Kate, what are you doing here?" I then look like I can't even run a cash. Yeah, so there's my ugly pride peeking out.
In keeping with the Dairy queen theme, I was outside waiting in the parking lot for my mom and there is this couple who looks to have driven a very long distance in their little sports car and have decided to keep a pet cat, toys, litterbox and all as company for the journey. I go back inside to call my mom (i'm impatient, i wouldn't want her to forget about me: she hadn't). I go back out just in time to catch the girl EMPTYING THE LITTER BOX in the parking lot! I mean who...what? Sick. Anyway, i wasn't even mad just thought, wow they look really stupid. Cute kitten.
Good news, no work tomorrow (saturday) so that means...Garage Saling! I have found them in the paper, written out the ones that look good and then proceeded to mapquest them all and print out the maps. Yep, too much time on my hands. I have also been spending a great deal of time focusing on my Yahoo radio station, being sure to rate each song so that one day I will have the ultimate station that will cater to my selective music taste (80s to early 90s pop with some jazz and hiphop in there...so sad).

did it

I DID IT! I sucked it up and called DQ, two hours late but still I called. I dreaded it so much, not because I was scared to talk to my old boss but because I would have to wear that horrible uniform! Also its so like taking a step back, but wait...its money and I need money so I guess I can't complain. So yeah, I called and she is taking me back...oy. But, this time I get to be the cake decorating assistant. I mix gels and icings...i can pretend i'm an artist mixing my paint pallette. I am actually excited, who knew! I am just hoping that I get to go garage saling on Saturday, i miss it so much! I'm such a dork.
I also finished my "70s-dress-into-shirt" this morning. It looks pretty nifty but I don't know what to do with the flowy sleeve thingys, they are a bit tacky but taking them right off won't work either. What a dilemma.
Anyway, praise God, I am actually looking forward to DQ, never thought I would say that!

Back

I'm back from Calgary now, a week and like 6 hours. Weird. It feels like I was never there and that I am a different person all at the same time. I don't feel like summing up everything that happened quite yet, it is a daunting task. One thing is that I was not able to get back on with Home Depot here in the Sault because I'm only here for one month. So I have been dreading making the call to DQ to see if they could use me for a month. Putting it off and off, but sadly I have to suck up my pride and ask for my job back, and get covered in ice cream and probably work for minimum wage (but it went up so i guess its like a raise). But then again, better than nothing of course. Tomorrow before noon; the call.
Laura's wedding was this weekend. Thats it, its so exciting, they have real lives now. God just showed his provision big time with them as they were obedient to him in keeping their relationship as pure as they could. I think their wedding was the first time I had actually seen them kiss. Laura looked amazing, a little snafu with a dress that just wouldn't fit but nothing that couldn't be fixed. The dinner was great, speeches were so good and sincere and they just looked like they were so in love. I was a little bored for the dinner just because I was stuck at the end of the head table because I was asked to trade with someone (how do you say no to a 14 year old?) so yeah, oh well it wasn't about me anyway :). Two more weeks and Nat is next!
I am officially trying to change my major to nutrition. Until today I thought FOR SURE it was what I wanted but now of course I am second guessing myself, as usual. It felt so right these last few weeks. I just don't think marketing is right for me...but what is? Too bad fashion isn't a degree, that would be amazing. Then I would have to leave Guelph, oh and assume that I could make a living off fashion lol. But I have been inspired today while walking to Value Village on a few ideas, some different fabric combinations. I really need to learn to sew better.
I'll have to stop avoiding summing up project eventually but for now I think i'll go read.

calgary

This is actually not really about Calgary. It is a post fro Calgary to avoid losing my page until I can get back home and update it. Woot, so much has happened, I just sent a big'ol package up Guelph way.

no title as of yet

Today doesn't get a title i suppose since there hasn't really been a theme to speak of. Not saying it was bad, just blah. I finished one exam, and it went decent so that gets a Woot.
I feeling a little overwhelmed I must admit over Calgary and exams. I know God can provide but calling people actually scares me like nothing else. Why? Meh, couldn't tell you. But I just have to suck it up. I am trying to get at least 5 more letters out by tomorrow so lets see if I can come up with that many people! And addresses!
I am excited though, I guess I just want to get exams over with, but then that means packing, leaving....leaving. Oh man I don't know if I can come to terms with that. If I do get a co-op in the Soo that means 8 months away. I love this place! Sarah will be moving into my room, someone else using my food cupboard. Well putting their food in there! Whew....man this could make me weepy.

No more

No More inside voices! I can't take this insideness any longer. Not only am I inside I have been abandoned, all my housies are gone. I think when I talk from now on today I will use my outside voice...i suppose that means talking loudly to myself. I also gave up on silence now, i need some music even if it compromises my studying a little. It is a balance between my grades and my sanity. Sometimes i wonder which is more important. This is one of the first times I will go into an exam that my marks on the exams will 'make me or break me' as they say. Meh, its my own fault tho, I had way too much fun for my own good this semester!
Do you grades matter in the long run? I guess not but still it isn't a good mentality. How can I show my parents I am thankful for them helping me pay for school if I dont' take it seriously. Alright, I guess that sentence was the cue for me to get back to work....oy

Reflect-itis

Yeah its that kind of year when everyone comes down with a little reflect-itis. I can't help it, this year has been awesome, and i guess 'reflecting' kind of sums it up, makes sure that nothing is left behind. Or maybe its easier to look back than look forward...who knows.
I have been trying to write down what God has done in my life this year to be sure that I can look back and see what God did, when and maybe it will keep me on track. One thing that has been a main lesson for me has been that all sin is sin, is the same. I guess by this I mean that it doesn't matter what someone does, drink, swear, be jealous....it just matters that it 'misses the mark' or causes a distance in their relationship with God. The world seems to but a weight on sin, "this one is worse than that one" it creates a barrier. This has helped me quite a bit.
Also, the parable of the rich man has been big...maybe i won't summarize that tho, i'll go read it again.
It seems that about this time last semester, ie. exam time, is when I started this here bloggy. I think its a vicious cycle of both being trapped inside (oh, its so nice...) and wanting to do anything but memorize trivial facts about well, its trivial really.
I got my first supporter for Calgary this weekend! I am major excited, but I still have to suck it up and make some phone calls...oh the dread.
Right now, listening to Eagle Eye cherry...i've had the cd for years...just listening to it now. I thought I was going to find a treasure and a new fave...I didn't, don't listen to it...try something else instead. The Streets on the other hand quite good, british punk-rap might be the best way to describe it...either way a very unique sound. Maybe a few expletives tho, careful.
This weekend was way fun, me and Becky took a little adventure to Toronto for the day. We ended up having to stand on the bus on the way there, no worries tho. It was a beautiful day, what a good atmosphere to just walk around, breathe in the (relatively) fresh air and chill. I didn't even really buy anything, it was just fun to be there. We did miss the bus to get us home in time for some study...oh well....can't change that now! My first exam is wednesday, bah...its kinda giving me dragonflies...well sorta...anywho...no...more....dot...things.......

12th Try is the Charm

I I had to try about 15 times to get into here. The site is a little slow today. I have been good lately, Ihave a schedule set out for all the studying I have to do this week to minimize my screwed-ness for exams. Not that any of the original screwed-ness isn't my fault, it most certainly is. But that isn't the focus today. These last few weeks I have been spending quite a bit of time appreciating music. I love just about any kind of music. I am checking out some of my old burned cds from years ago that aren't labeled. its always a surprise to see what I listened to constantly at the time. When I get a new cd I listen to it non-stop for about a month. Right now its Nelly Furtado "Folklore". Great tunes!
I also decided that I would like to know at this point in my life what i considered to be some of the best music of all time. So this is my list of must have tunes for any play list. It will be different tomorrow, and should actually be about 900 songs but i'll try to keep it to 10. Here goes:
1. Smooth Criminal by Michael Jackson (although this may be replaced with Thriller or the Free Willy Song at any time)
2. Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen. THis is on here because of its amazing funness to sing along to and even dance if you are feeling brave
3. In my Dreams by The Real McCoy...do i even need to say...early to mid-90s pop with repetitive lyrics and white guys trying to rap...fantastic
4. Behind the Wall by Tracy Chapman. This is sung a capella and its amazing. I demand silence when it is on lol, it is moving and she has a great voice.
5. If I Stand by Jars of Clay, good message and just great song
6. Long Time Gone by THe Dixie Chicks, needed a little country on here for the best short play list ever, this is fun, not overplayed like Earl had to Die but almost as fun to sing along with.
7. I would do anything for Love by Meat Loaf, every list needs a powerful ballad, and this can be sung to without the vocal acrobatics of one by celine dion
Note: this is really hard! I feel like I will miss something that is crucially important because I don't have any song lists in front of me. These first 10 will be a starting point and will be subject to change until i feel that it is perfected.
8. Love is a Battlefield by Pat Benatar, need I say more? 80s 'punk' pop...yes. can be replaced by Girls just Wanna have fun by Cindy Lauper
9. Wannabe by the Spice Girls (basically any spunky Spice girls song can be substituted here)
10. Love is Blind by Eve *there is disclaimer on this one but nonetheless a good song

Hmm...i'm not happy with this yet, but it gives me something to get excited about!

Birthday Week!

Shout out to Silas, Tim, Becky (Happy Actual birthday), Kristen and...well me I guess haha. This is officially birthday week.
Last night was officially the best birthday party (well heck, party period) I have had. Can't get much better than to celebrate with four other great people and cram 40-ish people into our house! The dance party was so good. I mean, it felt like a good old fashioned shindig. At one point it was a house party, people just dancin er up in the kitchen, chatting in the dining room and playing games in the living room. I even had to post because it was so great I can't get over it. Want to know what else I can't get over? That i'm going to be 20 in three days. I only have three more days of teen-hood left. Crazy. I dont' feel very grown up so i guess it doesn't mean much. But its big, starting the second 20 years of my life! It seems so long, but then again, so short. I wonder what the 2nd 20 is like...i mean I don't have to grow, or go through puberty, I already started university. Doesn't seem like there is much else to fill up these next years. Makes me wonder what kinda stuff God has planned. I think i'll go contemplate that for a while.

This one Ain't Exclusive

This week has been one of fun and fancy free I suppose. Only in the sense that it was actually fun, and homework free. But its too late to change that, I can only forge ahead and actually get something done this weekend. Oh man, the birthday bash. I sure hope some people show up, and kinda feel bad that me and Becky were so excited to do this for so long but didn't really have any time to put into it. Our house....messy messy, the cake (quest'ce que c'est?), the decorations, who needs those. I won't be tooo disappointed if it's small....i guess.
But this week, I must make a confession....I have had fashion on the brain! It's just so exciting, different patterns and colours and being creative. I think for me, that would be my ideal job. To create a collection and a fashion show. I have been working on my own sketching style because all fashion designers have a really cool way of drawing their ideas. Very long and elegant and wispy. Give me some pencil crayons! I want to be like fancy Pants off school of rock and make little moquettes of my designs. How neat would that be? Who knows, I could go from small town gal in Moo U to big time creative director for D&G (translation, Dolce and Gabana, aka amazing, elegant runway style) or work alongside John Galliano or Donatella Versace. Man, i'm getting goosebumps! I think that might be the temperature in this room. Anyway, if anyone ever wanted to know, that is my (not-so-secret) secret dream career.
This weekend is FOP, still not sure why I'm not going but I hope everyone has a really great experience. I think this is a big step for me that I'm not horribly depressed to not be going where everyone else is. ; ).

To My Girls (Boys, keep out)

Well this is to all my darlings. Why is it that us girls (or women if you have come to terms with that word yet....which I sure have not!) just can't accept that we are gorgeous beings. I have to admit to being an offender and to all of you I am sorry, we need to band together! It breaks my heart when someone who is so dear to me and who is completely beautiful in my eyes does not like herself or her looks or her whatever... I know maybe this is not the same as coming for some dreamy boy but I mean every word. I think girls are afraid to consider that she might be beautiful because 'what if someone tells her otherwise?" Wouldn't it hurt so much more going into life knowing that you are amazing and valuable and to have that crushed and stepped on when someone may not agree (out of complete blindness or ignorance I suppose). Then ladies, when will it get to the point where it is worth the possibility of pain to admit that you are special? I guess this is a question that each girl has to answer for herself.
Now for each one of you so you know that I'm serious: ashley darling, your tanned skin is beautiful and I love that you are so generous and thoughtful. Sarah, your blue eyes are amazing and I love the way you whistle when you are in a good mood (which happens to be almost always!), Jaacquie, you are very graceful and I love that you are mysterious and that I get to know that side of you. Becky, I love your laugh and you smile, you have a gift for making everyone around you feel special and included. Christine, the eyes again, you've heard it before but they are stunning, but I also love how you are willing to back up your opinions and be strong when it matters. Shelly, your eyes are fantastic and I would trade you for your hair any day ; ), it is refreshing to know someone who is so open and honest about how she feels and I think this post is partly possible because I know that other ppl express their feelings on here (a good release eh?). Leah, i love that you laugh loud and lots and I love your nose (and you feet? haha). You are so friendly and willing to help. Paula, I love your beautiful smile and how you always have something nice to say to everyone and but you aren't afraid to say what is on your mind. Lauren, your freckles and blong hair are spectacular. Your ability to be a good friend, to have fun and to have a serious side is great! Allison, your red hair is gorgeous and who else has hands like Lindsay Lohan? You are one of the sweetest and most thoughtful people I know and I love that about you. Meredith, my girl,you have to be one of the spunkiest, most understanding people I know. And I love your eyes, I think they are so gorgeous, and fantastcially large. Oh man, I could go on all night about you ladies and about so many other hot gals I am lucky enough to know but I am tired. I hope you take this in the way I meant it....really, really :).

Back to 10

This has to be a short one today because I am already cutting my study night short for about the 3rd time. But poker? I'll be there! Actually I have only played twice but I am interested in learning...so lets correct the sentence. Fun? I'm there!
So today I felt especially childish. Everything was fun; hopping down stairs, talking loud, running around. Man those days are great. I really need a giant chair that my legs can dangle off of to complete a pretty good day.
I was also really worried about a project today but some of my fears have been allieved and I am not as stressed out. Not that I should have been stressed out in the first place but I was so too late now.
But right now this is totally eating away at economics time!

Spoke too Soon

Ok I took another little break. I am scared that I am losing my fun for this. I'll get it back. I have had the biggest urge to take out my camera with me and do some night time shots or black and white this week and no matter what I always end up forgetting the camera.....Bah! I find photography is a good release for me (haha release...shutter release...oy) even release of good stuff. Its just so fun to get back what you did. I even made up some sheets to take with me like we had in high school so I can record my shutter speeds and aperatures. Its nice to know how you took a shot so you can know what to do different or the same the next time.
So this is kinda out of the blue but I'm feeling like lately I have been having a very hard time treating my relationship with Christ as a friendship and not as a casual chat with an undefined, mystic being. Sounds kinda weird I know but I am a very visual person and when I can't picture God or His presence I can get frustrated. Its not a good excuse but it is still something that I struggle with. I have also been kinda dry this week. Which can be a bad cycle because I need to do support letters and continue getting to know God better as I am about leave for Calgary. But then I get discouraged or something and then I don't write my support letters cuz I don't want to write them when I am feeling on the 'not so spiritual side'. But then I'm frustrated and I waste time and don't use it to get my heart where it should be....like I'm blogging now so that can't be good haha.

Ok sorry for all the seriousness. This week is better than last, I aced a philosphy test and College Royal Ball is coming up this weekend! Wicked Sweet! All my girls getting dressed to the nines (if you will) and having a great time dancing. Not too much is better than that!
Ok study time!