Hey all. Just trying to get the T's crossed and I's dotted around here. So if all of you who have two addresses (school and home) or who expect that I have your address wrong (different from Capes yearbooks, etc) could email me the complete mailing address at which you would prefer to receive an invite, that would be fab. ADDITIONALLY, if any of you think that your family would be interested in receiving an invite (including Ryan please and thankyou), you can let me know that and indicate whether you want seperate ones and if so what address THEY would like to receive one at. Now, no promises about inviting distant cousins I've never met... just to clarify. Anyway, much love, and thanks to you all!
Ash
Saturday, September 23, 2006
Thursday, September 21, 2006
100 Days.
One hundred more days until December 30th. Sometimes it seems short, but mostly it seems long. I should go and do something productive towards the wedding (or to school, I guess), instead of chatting to all of you about it. So maybe I will.
love to you all.
PS. I have a new roomie, her name is Maria, and is from Edmonton/before that the Phillipines. She's really cool, and I'll take a pic with her later and post it.
love to you all.
PS. I have a new roomie, her name is Maria, and is from Edmonton/before that the Phillipines. She's really cool, and I'll take a pic with her later and post it.
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Silly Me!
So it turns out that I had that comment thing switch-a-ma-jigger on the wrong setting somehow... and none of you COULD leave a message. But now you can. Even if you don't have an account. So... Mom! and everyone else who reads this and doesn't have your own blog, please just sign off in the space where you leave the comment, then tick annonymous and say HELLO!
Love to you all.
And a special thanks to Rosie McLovelyface for tipping me off.
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Island Girl Forever.
There is much to say.
I will try to be light on the words and heavy on the pics this time, so you can see what I've been up to.
Here are some pics from the summer. There's one of my friend that I was paired up with for the first two weeks playing dodge ball, then a self portrait he did of himself, then a brilliant picture he took looking down over the park (I let him take pictures until we ran out of batteries- he loved it SO much, and was quite talented!) then one of us at the pool, where I spent every afternoon all summer. It is without a doubt THE GROSSEST pool this side of the rockies. We would have "fishes in the pool" every couple days or so, and guess how long we would be out of the pool for? Nope. Not the normal 24hrs. Not even 24 minutes. more like 10. Yuck. Then there was this time that it was so murky that you couldn't see the lines on the bottom... in the shallow end. It was some kind of algae... that made you itch later. :) It was okay though. We had a lot of fun.
Then there's a pic of some of the kids from Teen Odyssey. That was a blast too. There was one guy, Matthew, who isn't in the picture, that just really had my heart. He was 18 or so, non verbal, and had an autism diagnosis. He was just so much fun, so communicative with eye contact and wanting to get tickled, and faces like you can't imagine. So awesome. Lots of them really became friends to me, and I miss them. I don't have any pics of the young guy I was one on one with for the second two weeks, but he was also rad. He was a good little dancer, and we used to groove out on the pool deck before jumping in, to Sean Paul, especially!
Okay. So then fast forward to the end of the summer.
Here's me saying goodbye. Bye to Dilla and the apartment: Dilla is in India for three months, and Nathan's little sister Naomi and her friend moved into the apartment. Bye to Sonya- we had a sleepover at her house cause James was away. Bye to my brother Jackson Ace, who has probably arrived in Montreal by now, via a cross country van trip with some friends. Dad was there too, for breakfast with JA and I, but I didn't think to take pictures until after he left for work. Oops. there's two there from Bye to Ren, too. I forget the order. But I ran into Ren just as I was heading to the florist. After a terrible experience with a different florist, Roses and More lady was AMAZING! She lent us all those books and we went and got coffee and chatted and looked at flowers. Which reminds me: I need to email her! Goodbye to Kierra and her bedroom view! We had a really nice walk and then a chat at her place. There were so many other goodbyes. It was really sad, even if it is short term. When will I get to live near all these people that I love again?
I stayed in town an extra night so I could get my birthday massage the next morning. It was very nice. Then I headed out to the west coast to visit my dear Kait:
Thirty Six hours of really for real glorious summer vacation. We had so much fun, and it was SO relaxing. Then I braved long drive out one more time and headed over on the ferry to my new house and my new life.
Most of that is self explanitory. The little dog belongs to the family upstairs (which is awesome, by the way. A couple with two young children. She is indo-canadian, he is caucasion, they are both hearing impaired. Good thing I know some sign language! They are young and fun).
So... yeah. You can see that I haven't really moved in too much. I guess I've just been feeling kinda low, kinda lonely. I imagine it just takes a little time. Still, I would appreciate any prayers for good friends and especially some good Christian community. Nathan is awesome. It is nice to be near him. School seems like it will be very interesting, but hardly feels like it's actually started. Mostly it's just been intros. Today was an awesome meet and greet day. It was amazing to hear all the backgrounds our class is coming from, and all the variety of places they want to go from here. I'm sure I will have more for you on them later. Oh. For those who do not know, I am taking the Social Service Worker program at Langara College. :) and Psychology, cause I need it. My profs all seem pretty rad too, so that is good news!
Alright. that's good for now.
Love to all of you.
And please please comment. It makes me feel sadd-ish as a raddish when you don't!
xoxo
Ashley Star.
I will try to be light on the words and heavy on the pics this time, so you can see what I've been up to.
Here are some pics from the summer. There's one of my friend that I was paired up with for the first two weeks playing dodge ball, then a self portrait he did of himself, then a brilliant picture he took looking down over the park (I let him take pictures until we ran out of batteries- he loved it SO much, and was quite talented!) then one of us at the pool, where I spent every afternoon all summer. It is without a doubt THE GROSSEST pool this side of the rockies. We would have "fishes in the pool" every couple days or so, and guess how long we would be out of the pool for? Nope. Not the normal 24hrs. Not even 24 minutes. more like 10. Yuck. Then there was this time that it was so murky that you couldn't see the lines on the bottom... in the shallow end. It was some kind of algae... that made you itch later. :) It was okay though. We had a lot of fun.
Then there's a pic of some of the kids from Teen Odyssey. That was a blast too. There was one guy, Matthew, who isn't in the picture, that just really had my heart. He was 18 or so, non verbal, and had an autism diagnosis. He was just so much fun, so communicative with eye contact and wanting to get tickled, and faces like you can't imagine. So awesome. Lots of them really became friends to me, and I miss them. I don't have any pics of the young guy I was one on one with for the second two weeks, but he was also rad. He was a good little dancer, and we used to groove out on the pool deck before jumping in, to Sean Paul, especially!
Okay. So then fast forward to the end of the summer.
Here's me saying goodbye. Bye to Dilla and the apartment: Dilla is in India for three months, and Nathan's little sister Naomi and her friend moved into the apartment. Bye to Sonya- we had a sleepover at her house cause James was away. Bye to my brother Jackson Ace, who has probably arrived in Montreal by now, via a cross country van trip with some friends. Dad was there too, for breakfast with JA and I, but I didn't think to take pictures until after he left for work. Oops. there's two there from Bye to Ren, too. I forget the order. But I ran into Ren just as I was heading to the florist. After a terrible experience with a different florist, Roses and More lady was AMAZING! She lent us all those books and we went and got coffee and chatted and looked at flowers. Which reminds me: I need to email her! Goodbye to Kierra and her bedroom view! We had a really nice walk and then a chat at her place. There were so many other goodbyes. It was really sad, even if it is short term. When will I get to live near all these people that I love again?
I stayed in town an extra night so I could get my birthday massage the next morning. It was very nice. Then I headed out to the west coast to visit my dear Kait:
Thirty Six hours of really for real glorious summer vacation. We had so much fun, and it was SO relaxing. Then I braved long drive out one more time and headed over on the ferry to my new house and my new life.
Most of that is self explanitory. The little dog belongs to the family upstairs (which is awesome, by the way. A couple with two young children. She is indo-canadian, he is caucasion, they are both hearing impaired. Good thing I know some sign language! They are young and fun).
So... yeah. You can see that I haven't really moved in too much. I guess I've just been feeling kinda low, kinda lonely. I imagine it just takes a little time. Still, I would appreciate any prayers for good friends and especially some good Christian community. Nathan is awesome. It is nice to be near him. School seems like it will be very interesting, but hardly feels like it's actually started. Mostly it's just been intros. Today was an awesome meet and greet day. It was amazing to hear all the backgrounds our class is coming from, and all the variety of places they want to go from here. I'm sure I will have more for you on them later. Oh. For those who do not know, I am taking the Social Service Worker program at Langara College. :) and Psychology, cause I need it. My profs all seem pretty rad too, so that is good news!
Alright. that's good for now.
Love to all of you.
And please please comment. It makes me feel sadd-ish as a raddish when you don't!
xoxo
Ashley Star.
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Oh the pain and the glory...
Luke took this truly candid pic outside the place I am officially renting starting today, the first time we looked at it... it was probably around 12 noon, Saturday the 5th: hour three of nonstop house hunting. You can imagine how we looked (and smelled) seven hours later, when we finally called it a day!
So sorry for not posting for awhile. I will get back to the Catholic Church thing eventually, probably once I am somewhat settled on the main land. Life is so hectic and stressful these days... it seems that there are more loose strings to tie up than there are minutes in the day to tie them! There is the moving stuff... moving out here... haven't started packing, and I have a moving truck and my wonderful dad's generous help booked for THIS SATURDAY! Then, I took some initiative to find someone to take over the apartment, but then her roomate fell through at the last minute, so I have to tell my landlord tomorrow and see if that will mean paying next month's rent here as well as in Van... which of course I can't afford! YIKES!
Then moving in there... the picture above really says it all. It was fairly unpleasant looking for the place... and then somehow not even a relief once we found it. Partly because we were expected just to hand over $700 and walk with no signed agreement, no key, nothing. Kinda scary. But really, I shouldn't grumble and complain, as the place is really huge for the rent, and only two blocks from where Nathan will be renting, and really very close to the school. PLUS I found a really cool roomie from Edmonton that will probably be living with me from mid Sept to mid Dec, helping with rent (and keeping me company!) Then there's wedding stuff, of course, which just never ends. We feel like we're getting so far (and really, we are taking care of business!) but there is still so much left on our to do list! (Complain, complain, complain! Why are you still reading this?) I haven't even started worrying about school stuff yet. And then money. Well isn't that just a constant nagging at the back of the mind. Oh well. Soon enough all will be sorted. And in the mean time, there is an awful lot of wonderful things about this time too... hanging out with Nathan pretty well every evening, ferry trips, hanging out with family and friends... Naomi, Charlotte, and Kait (my wedding party) all went down to Nanaimo last weekend and searched for bridesmaids dresses. That was rushed too, in a way, but we found them! And then I got to hang out with Kait, who I haven't seen in just ages, for several hours. What an awesome friend! She was on the floor with the Norwalk virus the day before, and she still trucked out to Nanaimo from Ucluelet to hang out with me! We've also been having a young people's Catholic study group with some of our buds from church on and off this summer, and it's been super fun to play hostess and serve tea and whatnot. Plus my darling girl Marleen comes and she always brightens my day. I've been having tea at her place with her and her mum fairly frequently this summer. And my work is still cool... I've been working with the teen group for the last few weeks, and I just love getting to know each of them. We get to do fun stuff like pretend that it is Valentines, or Easter and go on bowling and skating trips and stuff. Getting to know individuals just lights me up. People are so RAD! Oh. and work doesn't start until 9:30, so if I want to get up half an hour early, I can hit church and still get there just in time. And I have. And I do!
So yeah, behind all the restrictive garbage that I let jumble up my brain these days, there is so much good. I have to believe that the future is shining brightly, and my hope is in God my Saviour that I might rise above the madness and better appreciate these days that are flying away so quickly! Love to all of you.
the incredible beauty of the sunset Sunday, on the way home from Van, on the ferry.
Notice the nice visual representation of the glory shining through the "restrictive garbage"...
am I arty, or am I arty? (though I should give Nathan credit- it's his pic)
good reason to stay on the car deck... and to move to Vancouver... and to thank God that I am alive...
xoxo
Sunday, July 30, 2006
--Me and the Catholic Church-- Chapter One: falling in love.
So, I promised I'd get to this, didn't I? Here it is. A little explaination of my choice to join the Catholic Church.
The fall before last, I began hanging out with Nathan again. We had been good friends in highschool and had attended each others churches at that time. During my first year at Capernwray, we had sent letters back and forth discussing differences and similarities of the way we understand and relate to God- as a Catholic, or as a "non-denominational" Christian. He asked some tough questions, that I had to ask around for some good answers for, and he quoted from books as well as friends... both of us quoted from scripture. It definitely wasn't debate-ish, though. Very friendly and mutually interested. He actually sent me a rosary with a little booklet explaining how it is prayed that year. I remember being surprised by how biblical it was. The "Mary prayers" were still weird to me, but the idea never bothered me much. It seemed clear to me that the Catholic Christians I knew didn't worship her or place her on a level with Jesus. So that's some background. Right. So... that fall, I started going to the Catholic Church during the weekday Mass, just as a place to find quietness, to discipline myself to regular prayer, and (let's be honest here) to do a little spying. And I loved what I found from the first. The people were sweet, devoted, quiet hearted and kind. I mean, I'm sure they are also human, but really, it was an oasis for me. I began popping in during afternoons sometimes to pray in the tabernacle. I should mention that the very second time I ever went to a weekday morning mass, a very beautiful older lady presented me with a 800 and some page Catechism of the Catholic Church with a lovely dedication to me from her on the inside cover! She gave it to me while parading me around like her little prize chicken introducing me, telling all the older ladies that I was working with Youth For Christ and that I knew my bible, and wasn't that just great. Right so I was starting to wade into that catechism in the evenings. Soon I began to really hurt over the split in the Church. Now, I know that for non-Catholic Christians, it sometimes feels that the splits are superficial and only exist because the Catholic Church is so "exclusive". And a lot of the "reasons" that we are not fully united ARE superficial. But some are not, and when you are there with a quiet heart and desiring to be so close with the Lord, and are excluded from the communion table, it can break your heart how real that split is. So I would stay kneeling and pray for the people of God. Or I would go up and receive a blessing from Father Paul. And I would pray that God would show me what to do. Because I SO DESIRED in my heart to receive communion there. But why? Why couldn't I just go and take communion at some other church and let it be? I don't know. But I do know that that church drew me like a magnet, and that I felt more at home there than I ever have any church. I felt my heart quiet and open up as soon as I walked in. I had to discipline my mind to be critical and alert to any heresy, so that my conscience would be clean. But the experience was so rich.
Well. I said "a little explaination," but clearly this is going to be more like a chronicle. So I think I'll leave you hanging for now and get back to you soon with the next chapter.
Sunday, July 16, 2006
Big News (and a little update)
It's been a long time since I've updated (though I have noticed that I am only about average- everyone has been slacking off!) and I was planning to update the night before last but put it off one more time... as it turns out, it's just as well, because now I have big fun news to tell you! Last night (Saturday the 15th) Nathan and I went to Saturday night Mass. Afterward, we prayed together in the tabernacle- a really lovely, beautiful, and holy place off of the main "sanctuary" where the "host"- the communion- is kept. There are candles, flowers, stained glass. It is quiet and reverent and one of my favourite places in the world. I know, I know. I am terrible that way! always taking an hour just to set the scene! Even so, it's important. So Nathan and I were praying the rosary, offering up prayers for our lives, our families, our friends. It takes about half an hour, and as we are getting closer to the end Nathan is speeding up and speeding up. Now it is a fair generalization to say that comparatively speaking, Nathan is ALWAYS in a hurry and I am ALWAYS wanting to take longer at everything. Prayer is one area where I believe it is a legitimate concern that an appropriate amount of time is devoted, so that you can really put your heart and mind fully into what you are saying. Yet it is a terrible thing to interupt a prayer in order to deliver a lecture on the above very legitimate concern, so I was struggling to maintain a focus on the prayer and not allow myself to become more and more annoyed with Nathan's speediness. Still, I was just a little preoccupied with the question of where he was trying to rush off to- after all, he had requested that we stay to pray, not I. We finished praying out loud, and I remained kneeling there (there is a little bench thing), praying inwardly. When I opened my eyes, Nathan was moving close to me, kneeling beside me on the floor. According to Nathan, I looked pleased to see him moving closer, but then somewhat confused as to what was going on. All of a sudden he was saying beautiful things to me regarding his love for me and holding out a little box. Of course, I threw myself off of the kneeler and into his arms and hung on for dear life long before he finished his lovely proposal of marriage. It took a bit for me to get out my "Yes of course" "I love you" and "thankyou"s, and a while yet before we paused our hugging and crying and clinging long enough to take a look at the beautiful ring he had bought me and to get it onto my finger. And so, and so... it has been an exciting weekend. We are hoping to get married over Christmas holidays (we're both going to be in school next year) and I'll keep you all posted. So there. That is the big huge news. That Nathan Edward Hoffart and Ashley Star Bates REALLY, REALLY LOVE EACH OTHER!!! YAY!!!!
In other news, I started my job over a month ago- training was good- lots of awesome information, and actually too much slacking off, believe it or not. Two weeks ago the actual camps began and I was one on one with an eight year old boy that has a "autism spectrum disorder" diagnosis. He took part in the big summer program the CRA offers to 50 kids at a time- an overwhelming setting for just about anyone! I had a really great time, and I hope he did too. There were some tough times, but mostly there were good times. What else? Well, I was accepted into the Social Services Worker program at Langara College, so that's the plan for the fall. Oooh. AND Nathan and I road tripped up to Vernon and stayed with Laura Ginn and went to Melissa Rose and Ted's wedding. Which was just beautiful of course. Also of course I hardly recognized the beautiful bride, as it has been two years since I've seen her and three years since the Capernwray bread diet... The trip was great, Nathan and I got lost many, many times and were stressed out by a fair number of them- oh, the adventures! Unfortunately, one of these fiascos lead to me forgetting the camera in the car as I strapped on my high heels and ran two city blocks to make it to the wedding on time... and thus, I have no pictures to offer you! However, the trip was well worth it. We saw beautiful scenery and enjoyed good conversation and listened to the Bible on CD. We enjoyed the hospitality of the Ginns which included a glorious swim in a cool lake on a hot day, warm comfy beds, tasty food, world class live music, and the generous gift of probably hundreds of absolutely WONDERFUL books that Gail was ready to pass on from her library! We had a much smoother return trip, caught an earlier ferry than we had dared to hope, and were home in really good time. Nathan even taught me to play crib on the ferry, a game I have always wanted to learn, as both my mom and grandma have an absolute passion for it. It was all great fun. Well, that is all for now. Goodnight, all, much love and affection and all the blessings God has to offer! xoxoxo from your very most newly engaged friend! PS. maybe you should notice that when I marry Nathan my initials will be ASH. How cool is that?
Monday, June 26, 2006
a little bit dangerous.
It's always a bit dangerous to start writing a post without really thinking through what you want to say...
But the update has gone far too long, so I want to fill in just a little:
I started working my new job at the Rec Centre two weeks ago. We have one more week of "training" before the kids show up. "Training" gets those little quote things because our time is pretty well equally divided between workshops&programming- which is the closest we get to actual work, and "game breaks" which include such things as making boats out of wax paper and trying to sink each others in buckets of water by weighing them down with pennies. No joke. I get paid for this. I've learned how to play squash, played badminton with a seniors group that MEANS BUSINESS (I got smoked in the head with the hard part of a racket, cause I wasn't moving fast enough), gone kyaking, bowling, swimming... tomorrow is school presentations then yoga. I don't know. It's pretty fun, but I also feel kinda bad; I miss actually working. I have learned lots about "special needs," though... I'll add some stuff later, I'm sure. For now I'm just stoked for the kids to get out of school and come and hang out with me.
What else? Most of you who knew Steve probably already know (from Ryan's blog if nowhere else) that Krueger passed away suddenly last weekend. I was somewhat preoccupied with thoughts of that for part of last week. When someone dies, I have these certain wonders that I like to ponder over again, just sort of as a comfort. But they also make me think of heaven, of the actual end of all the causes we hold up in this lifetime. I like to be alone a bit, I like to remember as much about that person that I can. I like to imagine what they would think of me thinking about them so much. What they would say. So I guess it was good for me to be in a sort of slack job last week, although I wasn't super into the constant group activity and peppy atmosphere... Charlie Fordham was saying in his response to an email I sent him recently that we have to be careful that the death of someone we know doesn't end up being all about us in our little minds ( I am VERY loosely paraphrasing here), how WE feel, etc. And he is right of course. But on the other hand, it is about us. We are all more like Steve than we are unlike him. We all stand in the same position of grace before the throne of God, all of us depend on Him for every breath, none of us know the number of days that God has set out for us. Where were we when he set the boundaries of the ocean?... It is good to reflect on these things.
I am going to leave that there. I will now move on briefly to the "it was my birthday yesterday" discussion, and then I will go to bed. It was my birthday yesterday. Well, the 24th, and I realize that the date of the blog will be the 26th, but I haven't gone to bed yet so it's still the 25th to me (Which reminds me: if by some miracle, Brian Patterson should stumble upon this site with perfect timing, I just want to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY! this is the first birthday for years that I haven't talked to him. I don't have his number in T-dot. Yes that's right. T. Dot. as in Toronto. I'm calling it that just for you Bri, for your day. Yay 23! We're so old!). Right so my birthday was wonderful. Nathan spoiled me like crazy, and I got to spend some good time with my mom, too. I got the phonecall from my grandma- just wouldn't be right without it.
Okay. that's it for now. I'll try to be more interesting later.
much love to all of you.
ooh. and also I have terrible allergies. Yuch. Thats funny. I meant to write "yuck," but "yuch" is actually much better.
xoxo
Monday, June 05, 2006
Handsome Nathan: not just another pretty face!
Hi there everyone. First things first: the guy under my stairs was aparently asked by the strata manager (who knows who he is, sort of) to not come around anymore, after he disturbed a few other neighbours the following nights. And I never saw him again. Thanks for the support there, all- I wish I could have had a chance to hook him up with someone who could help, but my time with him was brief.
On a brighter note, after teasing you all with that little taste of Nathan's awesome photography (with my last post) I knew you would be hoping there was more... So here are a few of my favourites from his Europe trip a couple years ago. I actually love his stuff so much that I have it set up as a slide show and I play it all the time while I'm in my room. Oh. And while I'm bragging, he also has a beautiful voice and sang in a choir for years. So I might just listen to his CD while I watch his photos. Are you getting embarrassed for me yet? I'm sorry. It's just that he's the best!
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
There's a man sleeping under my stairs.
So this has been a strange couple weeks all around. Not having work doesn't seem to have been exciting nor restful. I find I am wasting a lot of time not growing, learning, conversing, caring. Rather, I sleep, read stupid novels that are poorly written and have predictable plot lines, and watch movies. At least when Nathan gets off of work I hang out with him... mind you by then he is tired, so we mostly just sit about or take a little walk or... watch a movie! Terrible. Well, in this lack of excitement, I found myself awake and chilling at home at about midnight yesterday evening. Nathan had just left, so when there was a knock at the door, I opened it without even checking out the window, as I assumed he had just forgotten his wallet or something. As it turns out it was a young man (maybe 18, maybe a bit younger) that I had seen around our complex- I thought he lived here. I guess he had been staying with a friend, whose mom had kicked him out. He was looking for a place to stay. I let him come just inside the door (we have a little stool there) to explain the situation to me. I told him that it was just us ladies here, so we couldn't offer him our couch, but that I could call Nathan, if he liked. Maybe he could pick him up and put him up for the night. To this the young man became quite agitated and began explaining his many difficulties with men- how he couldn't trust them, didn't like them. Didn't like to be in their space. Because when he gets in their space, he gets in their headspace, and they don't know why, but they start fighting with everyone in their lives, their lives start to fall apart, because he is taking up their headspace. He also mentioned that he would protect himself by striking them with lightning, if ever a man tried to do things he shouldn't do, that shouldn't be done, ever again. And he mentioned that he once had a snake that he played with in the grass, where he slept, that grew into a king cobra that was also a shape-shifter and which is 12 ft long. Thankfully, my experiences at the Mustard Seed greatly aided me in my ability to keep the situation calm and comfortable. I let him know that there was no problem, that we wouldn't call the guys, that he still couldn't stay with us, but perhaps he could take my camping mattress and bring it back in the morning. I told him that it was getting late, so we were going to go to bed, opened the door, and told him to have a good night's sleep. Oh. I also asked him whether he was tripping out on anything and he said no, but I'm pretty sure... Anyway, when he brought back the mattress, we were still in bed, but he knocked and knocked, REALLY loudly. I just wasn't about to confront him in my pjs! Oh. I didn't say that last night my roomate had been on the phone to her B/F, who lives with his cop brother. The brother was adament that we should have the situation logged with the police. So I called it in, and the cop made me feel totally stupid, as the guy hadn't broken any laws, etc etc. So. Tonight rolls around, ten after twelve and KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK. KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!!! Well, our lights are all out, we're in our pjs in our rooms. So it's easy not to answer it. He then went to some of our neighbours who told him in no uncertain terms to get lost. We were chatting to our neighbours out our window, when we spotted him heading back. So we just watched quietly and unspotted from our window while he made himself comfortable under our stairs. So I guess we'll eventually charge him rent or something. I don't know. But he was at least as sketched out tonight as yesterday. I just wish there were better resources... someone to call other than the police, who clearly don't want to hear about it until something terrible happens to him or someone else. Altogether, I am torn. He is so young and so troubled, and I don't know 'where he belongs' who knows him, who to talk to. I wish I could offer him more without endangering myself and my roomie. As it stands, he started to creep me out a little with all the persistant banging on the door. This sort of thing comes up all the time, in smaller measures. How can I follow Christ's example without being stupid and putting myself and others in harm's way? Even things like picking up hitchhikers... there are so few people with visible needs in this society. Here's someone driven by some madness to the point of desperation. And I feel like I've got nothing to offer. It's depressing. I'd be very interested in some feedback. Thanks guys! Love you all.
Sunday, May 28, 2006
Thanks to Amie, I now know!
| You Are a Soy Latte |
 Yeah, you've got a bit of that healthy hippie thing going on But you're more Kate Hudson urban bohemian than Phish groupie You're worldly and well traveled.. and you know where to get the best coffee in town. All your experience makes you a compassionate person - and a caring girlfriend. |
Saturday, May 27, 2006
I'm Sorry... Read or Skip at Will:
1. What time did you get up this morning? 8:00, 8:15, 8:30, 9:00, 9:15 (I was sleepy, but had work)
2. Diamonds or pearls? the jury's out. They need more diamonds and pearls before they can decide.
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? It's been a long time. Maybe... oh what is that called? Family Stone or something?
4. What is your favorite TV show? You know, I don't actually know any anymore.
5. What did you have for Breakfast? Coffee.
6. What is your middle name? I give you all one guess.
7. What is your favorite cuisine? I'm funny with food. Either I feel like it- and then I LOVE it ALL. Or I don't feel like it, and can hardly be bothered. A couple favourites are fish, fresh salads, coffee, steak and potates, Nathan's pasta dishes
8. What foods do you dislike? Olives, Blue Cheese, meat pate, ranch dressing, sour cream and onion chips...
9. What is your favorite Potato chip? dill pickle. hands down. S&P comes in second.
10. What is your favorite CD at the moment? I keep just listening to my itunes- lotsa David Gray, Lauren Hill, Weezer, and Choir music. You guys should check out Eric Whittacre's composition "When David Heard" It's awesome.
11. What kind of car do you drive? red '98 dodge neon.
12. What is your favorite sandwich? yi! that's random! um. I feel like something with white cheese and peppers and pickles and crunchy lettuce right now, for whatever reason. But I can't say I have a favourite.
13. What characteristics do you despise? Passive Agressive, Snobby, Lewd.
14. Favorite item of clothing? different clothes for different days!
15. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, it would be: Everywhere. I especially want to go to India, but not really for vacation, per say. I'd like to Venice- well, and Rome. Well, and Paris. So Europe. And Mexico. Or to visit all my friends! Let's face it. If I had money, I'd never stay put.
16. What color is your bathroom? Dark khaki green. Sounds ugly, I know, but it's really nice. Very earthy and calm.
17. Favorite brand of clothing? Second-hand brand!!! OK fine. If I want something new, RW and Co.
18. Where would you want to retire to? Mexico. Have some peace and raise chickens. And stay warm. Who's in?
19. Favorite time of day? If I can haul myself out of bed, the morning has a nice fresh, hopeful feel.
20. Where were you born? Duncan, BC
21. Favorite sport to watch? Hockey. I used to LOVE it. I hardly see it any more, but playoffs are still exciting. (yay Edmonton!)
22. Who do you least expect to send this back? Um....Someone who doesn't have a blog?-- I like Laura's answer.
23. Person you expect to send it back first? I haven't the foggiest.
24. What type of detergent do you use? don't know. My mom brought me a re-fill from a local place...
25. Coke or Pepsi? Coke. Though I hate to promote the corporate monster.
26. Are you a morning person or night owl? It's quarter to four AM and I am cheerily up and writing. But did I stay up or get up really, really early...???? Hmmm....
27. What size shoe do you wear? pretty much 7. sometimes 6. does anyone care?
28. Do you have pets? not at my apartment. I have two cats at my mom's.
29. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with everybody? not really.
30. What did you want to be when you were little? I don't think I had a plan til I was, like, 12. Then I wanted to work for the UN.
31. Favorite Candy Bar? Eat-More. Partly because it was my mom's dad's favourite. I never met him, because he died when my mom was pretty young, but she told me that once, and I think I made myself love them, so that I could be like him. But yeah. I really do like them a lot.
32. What is your best childhood memory? Maybe playing imaginative games with my brother. Or my parents tucking me in.
33. What are the different jobs you have had in your life? holy. I'm glad I'm not answering this when I'm forty.
fundraising for COPS, babysitting, teaching at an international college, lots of coffee shops, Capes domestics, some retail, interactive drama troupe for BC Parks, Cleaning out charter yachts, hostess/expo at several restaurants, and office assistant.
34. What color underwear are you wearing? classified.
35. Nicknames: Ash, Smash, Bean, Sweetpea, Baby.
36. Piercing? Finally got my ears pierced last year. So fun! I've thought of a nose ring, but I don't know if it would suit me.
37. Eye color? Blue
38. Ever been to Africa? No, I wish.
39. Ever been toilet papering? I don't really recall. I kind of hope so. Because I'm probably too sensible now.
40. Love someone so much it made you cry? Lots.
41. Been in a car accident? No, thankfully.
42. Croutons or bacon bits? Bacon bits make everything taste good, I only eat croutons by themselves.
43. Favorite day of the week? I dunno. Maybe Sunday because of church and visiting family?
44. Favorite restaurant? I don't have an ALWAYS favourite. But the Atlas is pretty outstanding.
45. Favorite flower? Peony.
46. Favorite ice cream? Hot Chocolates on 5th makes their own. It is SO good. Which reminds me that I should go. Tomorrow.
47. Disney or Warner Brothers? Neither. Well, both have had their moments.
48. Favorite fast food restaurant? fast food is kinda fast food. Not that I don't madly crave it now and again!
49. What color is your bedroom carpet? it's light coloured laminate flooring, actually.
50. How many times did you fail your driver's test? I failed the one to get my N once- I turned left too sharply one too many times- and to get rid of my N I passed first try. Oh yeah.
51. Before this one, from whom did you get your last e-mail? My rad friend James.
52. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? What kind of dumb question is that? This is a fun "fill in the answers" thing. Make the question read "Which store would you choose to blow 5000 dollars prize money, if you had to spend it all right now, all in one place?" Wow. Five Grand. A travel booking store? Or some cool furniture and home decorating place. Or a place that sells rad cameras. Well, actually I'd buy Nathan the computer he's dying to have. Oooh. Or shoud I say Home Depot, for my mom?
53. What do you do most often when you are bored? Hang out with Dill or Nathan, watch a movie, read, play on my computer.
54. Who are you most curious about their responses to this questionnaire? I'm sure I'm curious enough to read anyone's I know...
56. Last person you went to dinner with? The entire last staff ever of Joe Reads Internet Cafe and Bookstore. The owners, fresh back from Halifax took us all out for dinner tonight. It was very nice.
57. Ford or Chevy? My dad works for ford, my uncle loves chevs. Since my only loyalty is by association, it's a tie.
58. What are you listening to right now? it's quarter after 4. Just me typing.
59. What is your favorite photograph? There is no way I could ever decide. I have lots of favourites of loved ones, and arty inspiring ones... Nathan's Europe pics, I have one beside my computer looking down highway #1 somewhere in the prairies in winter from a trip with my brother a couple years ago that I love.
60. What person have you learned the most about life from? My mom, I'm sure. But my dad, Jackson, Nathan also play leading roles. Well, and Jay (somewhat inadvertently).
61. How many tattoos do you have? nine. (i mean that in the german sense of the word)
62. Which came first, the chicken or the egg? Probably the chicken. Cause an egg with no mom is just breakfast.
2. Diamonds or pearls? the jury's out. They need more diamonds and pearls before they can decide.
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? It's been a long time. Maybe... oh what is that called? Family Stone or something?
4. What is your favorite TV show? You know, I don't actually know any anymore.
5. What did you have for Breakfast? Coffee.
6. What is your middle name? I give you all one guess.
7. What is your favorite cuisine? I'm funny with food. Either I feel like it- and then I LOVE it ALL. Or I don't feel like it, and can hardly be bothered. A couple favourites are fish, fresh salads, coffee, steak and potates, Nathan's pasta dishes
8. What foods do you dislike? Olives, Blue Cheese, meat pate, ranch dressing, sour cream and onion chips...
9. What is your favorite Potato chip? dill pickle. hands down. S&P comes in second.
10. What is your favorite CD at the moment? I keep just listening to my itunes- lotsa David Gray, Lauren Hill, Weezer, and Choir music. You guys should check out Eric Whittacre's composition "When David Heard" It's awesome.
11. What kind of car do you drive? red '98 dodge neon.
12. What is your favorite sandwich? yi! that's random! um. I feel like something with white cheese and peppers and pickles and crunchy lettuce right now, for whatever reason. But I can't say I have a favourite.
13. What characteristics do you despise? Passive Agressive, Snobby, Lewd.
14. Favorite item of clothing? different clothes for different days!
15. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, it would be: Everywhere. I especially want to go to India, but not really for vacation, per say. I'd like to Venice- well, and Rome. Well, and Paris. So Europe. And Mexico. Or to visit all my friends! Let's face it. If I had money, I'd never stay put.
16. What color is your bathroom? Dark khaki green. Sounds ugly, I know, but it's really nice. Very earthy and calm.
17. Favorite brand of clothing? Second-hand brand!!! OK fine. If I want something new, RW and Co.
18. Where would you want to retire to? Mexico. Have some peace and raise chickens. And stay warm. Who's in?
19. Favorite time of day? If I can haul myself out of bed, the morning has a nice fresh, hopeful feel.
20. Where were you born? Duncan, BC
21. Favorite sport to watch? Hockey. I used to LOVE it. I hardly see it any more, but playoffs are still exciting. (yay Edmonton!)
22. Who do you least expect to send this back? Um....Someone who doesn't have a blog?-- I like Laura's answer.
23. Person you expect to send it back first? I haven't the foggiest.
24. What type of detergent do you use? don't know. My mom brought me a re-fill from a local place...
25. Coke or Pepsi? Coke. Though I hate to promote the corporate monster.
26. Are you a morning person or night owl? It's quarter to four AM and I am cheerily up and writing. But did I stay up or get up really, really early...???? Hmmm....
27. What size shoe do you wear? pretty much 7. sometimes 6. does anyone care?
28. Do you have pets? not at my apartment. I have two cats at my mom's.
29. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with everybody? not really.
30. What did you want to be when you were little? I don't think I had a plan til I was, like, 12. Then I wanted to work for the UN.
31. Favorite Candy Bar? Eat-More. Partly because it was my mom's dad's favourite. I never met him, because he died when my mom was pretty young, but she told me that once, and I think I made myself love them, so that I could be like him. But yeah. I really do like them a lot.
32. What is your best childhood memory? Maybe playing imaginative games with my brother. Or my parents tucking me in.
33. What are the different jobs you have had in your life? holy. I'm glad I'm not answering this when I'm forty.
fundraising for COPS, babysitting, teaching at an international college, lots of coffee shops, Capes domestics, some retail, interactive drama troupe for BC Parks, Cleaning out charter yachts, hostess/expo at several restaurants, and office assistant.
34. What color underwear are you wearing? classified.
35. Nicknames: Ash, Smash, Bean, Sweetpea, Baby.
36. Piercing? Finally got my ears pierced last year. So fun! I've thought of a nose ring, but I don't know if it would suit me.
37. Eye color? Blue
38. Ever been to Africa? No, I wish.
39. Ever been toilet papering? I don't really recall. I kind of hope so. Because I'm probably too sensible now.
40. Love someone so much it made you cry? Lots.
41. Been in a car accident? No, thankfully.
42. Croutons or bacon bits? Bacon bits make everything taste good, I only eat croutons by themselves.
43. Favorite day of the week? I dunno. Maybe Sunday because of church and visiting family?
44. Favorite restaurant? I don't have an ALWAYS favourite. But the Atlas is pretty outstanding.
45. Favorite flower? Peony.
46. Favorite ice cream? Hot Chocolates on 5th makes their own. It is SO good. Which reminds me that I should go. Tomorrow.
47. Disney or Warner Brothers? Neither. Well, both have had their moments.
48. Favorite fast food restaurant? fast food is kinda fast food. Not that I don't madly crave it now and again!
49. What color is your bedroom carpet? it's light coloured laminate flooring, actually.
50. How many times did you fail your driver's test? I failed the one to get my N once- I turned left too sharply one too many times- and to get rid of my N I passed first try. Oh yeah.
51. Before this one, from whom did you get your last e-mail? My rad friend James.
52. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? What kind of dumb question is that? This is a fun "fill in the answers" thing. Make the question read "Which store would you choose to blow 5000 dollars prize money, if you had to spend it all right now, all in one place?" Wow. Five Grand. A travel booking store? Or some cool furniture and home decorating place. Or a place that sells rad cameras. Well, actually I'd buy Nathan the computer he's dying to have. Oooh. Or shoud I say Home Depot, for my mom?
53. What do you do most often when you are bored? Hang out with Dill or Nathan, watch a movie, read, play on my computer.
54. Who are you most curious about their responses to this questionnaire? I'm sure I'm curious enough to read anyone's I know...
56. Last person you went to dinner with? The entire last staff ever of Joe Reads Internet Cafe and Bookstore. The owners, fresh back from Halifax took us all out for dinner tonight. It was very nice.
57. Ford or Chevy? My dad works for ford, my uncle loves chevs. Since my only loyalty is by association, it's a tie.
58. What are you listening to right now? it's quarter after 4. Just me typing.
59. What is your favorite photograph? There is no way I could ever decide. I have lots of favourites of loved ones, and arty inspiring ones... Nathan's Europe pics, I have one beside my computer looking down highway #1 somewhere in the prairies in winter from a trip with my brother a couple years ago that I love.
60. What person have you learned the most about life from? My mom, I'm sure. But my dad, Jackson, Nathan also play leading roles. Well, and Jay (somewhat inadvertently).
61. How many tattoos do you have? nine. (i mean that in the german sense of the word)
62. Which came first, the chicken or the egg? Probably the chicken. Cause an egg with no mom is just breakfast.
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Monday, May 22, 2006
oh dear.
here I am starting a post at 1:23 in the morning. Silly girl that I am. But I just finished reading everyone else's blogs and I feel like I should update more often...
So, Joe Reads closed it's doors for the last time, I did get the job at the Rec Centre and am stoked for it, Nathan came home for the summer, he (finally!) got his "N" and I finally got rid of mine (the plague of graduated licensing fyi)... And to be honest I've kinda been slacking off. Well, I did get Norwalk virus for the second time this year- that kept me in bed for a solid 36 hours... mercifully "in bed" is here not even a euphemism for "passed out on the bathroom floor," which is what this nasty bug is known for, as my loving roomie managed to get me into bed and nurse me til Nathan got off of work and took over. YUCK. Well, that behind me (well, us- Nathan brought that one home for me from his trip to Van), it's time to procrastinate my distance English course to a dangerous (maybe fatal) degree and have fun in the sun!!! Nathan bought a beautiful new scooter thing- you probably all know what I'm talking about- they are so trendy right now!- and so we have spent the last couple days zipping around everywhere on that thing- SO FUN! we even took it off-roading. Which it is definitely not made for, but it was still really great. Those of you who know my mom- she tried it out and loved it so much she just GLOWED. She LOVED it. I love watching my mom love things. She is just like the sunshine when she is filled with joy and excitement! Oh. and also it was the highland games in town this weekend. And no, I don't highland dance or play the bagpipes, but all that scottish business featured fairly prominantly in the the tiny little town I grew up in, and so I look forward to that somewhat noisy spectacle as a time to indulge in nostalgic reverie. There's a little something probably none of you knew about me. I'm a sucker for the bagpipes. I know. You either love them or hate them. While we're on the subject, you might as well know that I also love Vogue magazine. And that I enjoy a good glass of port. And that's all I'm going to disclose at this time. :)
Maybe I'll add some pictures. <
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