Last night we went to the festival of lights in Chickasha, Oklahoma...
We go every year.
Yesterday it was such nice weather. It was such a great night with my best friends.
Days like today are the days I dream of. After a heavy rain fall last night there proceeds to be absolutely beautiful weather. The moisture in the air and the smell of freshly fallen rain sweeps across my face as I walk downtown. I am wearing a sweater and that is quite enough to combat the slight chill that engulfs me as I set forth on foot. The sun is not quite out but I am rather fond of cloudy days; such beautiful weather after a battle for warmth all autumn.
Last night we went ice skating, eating, and galavanting about Oklahoma City.
We found our new favorite hang out spot, Banana Island, a Malaysian restaurant... and we became best friends with our Polish waitress who said "you can find me on the facebook."
It was such a great night with an old school sleep over with my best friends.
So refreshing.
Tonight Jayme and I went up to the city for a closing vintage sale.
After, we hit up big truck tacos for my first time! It was really good and lived up to expectations.
Cuppies, of course, was next-- the thing I missed most about Oklahoma-- apart from the people.
We ended the night by playing Jayme's boyfriend, Jordan, and his friend, Kevin, in Cranium. It was a heated game that ended by our challenge to them for a re-match.
We may be sore losers, but rightly so seeing as in both games we lost by one point.
Last night we had an SWD Christmas party at my friend Evann's house. Her house is GIANT. And so nice. It is out on a farm. We had a hay ride, dirty santa (where I scored Miracle on 34th Street), and lots and lots to eat. We had some Christmas caroling in the living room. It was so fun. I am sad to be away from those people for three weeks but they say "distance makes the heart grow fonder."
After Evann's we had an all night party at my professor, PA's, house. Of course I went and slept in his 8 year old daughters room while everyone else pulled all nighters.
To all my Canadians- I will miss you.
To all my Americans- I will be home tonight!! I am currently waiting in the airport... Free wi-fi? Yes.
A week until Christmas!
End o' school update:
HMS final was today. It went really well, I am so so thankful it is over. It was 6 hours straight of being tested on the dances and dramas we learned for ministry.
We ended the school day by getting our team splits for Asia. I am going to Thailand and Philippines for the first two weeks and we get our other splits later! This means no India. With that said I know I am right where God wants me. I cannot lie that I was a bit disappointed but I know there is a reason I am not going now and I am going to the other places instead. God definitely knows what he is doing.
Tonight is the big SWD (school of world discipleship) Christmas party. Tomorrow I board a plane and return home. I was so over joyed to leave until today. Now I just feel a bit confused... because I really love it here too.
Merry Christmas.
Last night we were busy studying for a giant exam that we just conquered this morning.
As a result of all the studying we got a sort of cabin fever.
To fix this we decided to go sledding... And then out to Denny's. We got home at 3am. And actually did well on the exam this morning.
Here are a few of us in all our snow gear. And yes, I am wearing a
snow one piece suit that I got at the thrift store...
I am so Canadian.
Tonight we went to the Bethlehem walk at WECA church. Basically it was a GIANT gym set up with a field scene, market place, and stable. The field consisted of shepherds talking to us and then angels flying out on wires and singing about the good news of Jesus' birth. Then was the market, so many realistic shops, people, and animals. My description does not do it justice. It was huge and felt so real. And then of course the stable with baby Jesus, Joseph, and Mary. All I was thinking the whole time was "my dad would love this." All the people dressed up and acting like they were living in ancient times. The whole atmosphere was so mind blowing. About 10,000 people attended throughout the whole weekend.
From 1211-101 street.
We are officially out of school and on to finals week.
Therefore, we would like to wish you a Merry Christmas.
In the dictionary we forgot a word.
Pheen- (verb) to feel a need or a desire for; wish for, to want.
I pheen to come over and have some Peach Blank.
And since all the Canadians are getting all worked up about the incorrectness of this vocabulary I should tell you most of this way of speech is credit to my friend Brock.
While in Canada my vocabulary has somewhat been influenced by my fellow Vanguardians. Here is a dictionary of common words used in our everyday vocabulary.
Chach- (adj, noun) a negative or positive description of anything.
You are such a chach face. That tastes like chach.
Shh- (noun, interjection) An abbreviation of the S-word. Not to be confused with telling someone to be quiet.
I love this shh.
Eff- (interjection) An exclamation generally used in a negative context.
Eff this shh.
Dime Piece- (noun) A very attractive individual.
She is a dime piece.
Actually- (adverb) as an actual or existing fact; really. Canadians tend to overuse this word in many situations.
This is actually so cool.
Gong Show- (noun) This word is used to describe a chaotic or amusing situation.
That presentation was such a gong show.
Eh- (interjection) an interrogative utterance, usually expressing surprise or doubt or
seeking confirmation. Similar to "huh?"
This is such a gong show, eh?
Peach Blank- (noun) just another name for Orange Pekoe tea often used as a selling point for getting Canadians to hang out with you.
You guys want to come over? I have Peach Blank.
Chocolate Chach- (noun) another type of tea called Chocolate Chai that we are famous for supplying here at 1211-101 street.
Do you want sugar or honey in your Chocolate Chach?
Frig- (interjection) used as an expletive to express anger, annoyance, disgust,etc.
Frig, that test was actually so hard.
If you ever feel like impressing a Canadian use these words as much as possible in a conversation.
So put the kettle on, you know it's time to. It's December, this is Canada, it might be all that keeps us alive.
I ask if we might go walking in the fields before the night. Your earl grey eyes in the lavender light, they make me wonder... If we'll ever live closer than an ocean to each other. You just smile and say "we might."
Dawn wakes us through the windows of this big house. You say so much with just your eye brows. Everything is cold, everything is free now.
So if I had to choose a place, the day they run out of fuel and have to ground the planes. You know that I would choose right here, in this big old house, with you.
My favorite professor took us out for Dim Sum today to celebrate our last class.
This conversation took place on the car ride over.
Kent: Oh, I just love my dentist.
Me: I know Kent, you talked about it all Saturday.
Kent: I never dreaded it when I was young.
Me: I know...
Kent: Where I go they have TVs in the ceilings.
Kelly: Yeah me too!
Me: Well crap... Mine just has posters of baby golden retrievers sitting on couches.
I guess America is not as progressive as we think.
Last night was the Vanguard Christmas Banquet.
We began the night by taking pictures at random places around town... even though it was so cold. We tried hard to not look cold.
We went to Remedy, which is a really awesome Indian cafe and coffee shop. They have the best Chai I have ever had in my life.
The banquet was pretty good. It was really fun to see everyone and take pictures together but I feel that most formal gatherings are pretty lame when there is no dancing.
But after we went to a giant after party and it was a lot of fun.
We got back so late last night and pretty much slept all day today.
Brock, me, LeeAnna, and Kent.
More pictures on Facebook!
I have been seeing a lot of light yellow lately because I have been preparing for my school's Christmas banquet-- coming up this Saturday! I am proud to say that I actually made my date's tie! I am so excited to dress up even though the actual banquet itself is probably going to be lame.
But isn't that how it always is?
A country has been added to our trip to Asia this spring! INDIA! It has been my heart for a long time to go there and now I am getting the chance! But just because it is in the trip plan doesn't mean I am on the team. I am just praying that I will embrace where ever God sends me!
While in India we will be working with organizations that get women out of the sex trade (my dream). I am just getting so pumped about our trip to Asia.
And this Saturday is the Christmas Banquet!
Life is so exciting.
Today my new baby cousin who was 13 days old and eleven weeks premature passed away in his mother's arms.
Please, please pray for my cousin Chris and his wonderful wife, Wendy, as they are dealing with this extreme loss (and the rest of the family too).
I don't know why these things happen and I wish more than anything that they didn't.
I just beg you in this time to be in prayer for them, they are such wonderful people.
I had a dream I was back. Back home. In Haiti.
The Hope House kids had written a song for me and when they sang it I cried. Roseberline told me that since I had left she had been in darkness but now that I had returned I was in the light (as if any six year old would say that, especially an extremely sassy one).
Miseline was there too. And Stevenson. And all of them. Micherline gave me a hug but told me she still hated me, but even that I loved.
I remember hating myself because I didn’t know all of their names anymore. I was overcome with guilt and hate for myself because I didn’t know my own family’s names.
I had forgotten how to speak Creole and I was ashamed.
I remember crying a lot, because they had been waiting for me.
I remember asking Brad to think about hiring me.
But in the end, I was home. Sitting on a bench outside the Hope House, waiting for the Friday night movie to start surrounded by the brothers and sisters I have always prayed for.
Despite all the advice I receive about being a hundred percent where you are… I think part of me is still there. Still walking into that kitchen ready to teach class. Or lying on the floor in the girls’ dorm letting the tiles cool my skin while we do hair and read books.
Clearly my sub conscious is more torn up about not being there, with them, than I have let myself be.
As many of you know I traveled the long road home last weekend to attend one of my best friend's weddings!
It was SO great and so much fun to see my friends and family.
I was supposed to be flying back Sunday morning but my flight got cancelled so I got some quality time in with my parents. We went to see the new Harry Potter (so good)!
It was so great to be home and I already miss it so much BUT I am having fun here too. I am embracing the -30C weather and the sensation of my nose hairs freezing the second I walk outside.
Today when walking to school I had my scarf up around my face and when I got in the school I realized that my breath had frozen onto my scarf. The weather is unlike anything I have ever experienced... and it only gets worse.
The bridesmaids outside in strapless dresses. You Canadians cannot believe this right now.
Congrats Ava. I love you so much.
I had the best Saturday. Woke up, got picked up. Went to my friend Johnathan's house and made a huge meal after going on a food shopping spree complete with an ice cream cake (Johnathan's treat)! We rented the back up plan to watch while we were cooking.
Good times filled with new friends and good food.
Then we got free tickets to the water park at West Edmonton mall (a famously giant mall). We went until 1030 pm. LeeAnna (my roommate slash best Canadian friend) and I rode every slide. It was epic.
Then an amusing trip to Wendy's with irritable staff.
LeeAnna and I went to my friend Brock's house and stayed until 4am.
This is the latest I have stayed up since I got here.
Such a good weekend, now it is time to hit the books.
Why is it when I tell people that I went to a liberal arts school they assume that I am a visual artist... especially painter?
Liberal Arts- –noun
The academic course of instruction at college intended to provide general knowledge and comprising the arts,
humanities, natural science, and social science as opposed to professional or technical subjects.
On another note... Christmas cookies!
Dear Christmastime, I have been waiting in anticipation for you, well, since last Christmas ended. As of today I am officially accepted by society (at least in Canada (because we already had Thanksgiving)) for listening to Christmas music.
So even though I am a bit sad I won't be in New York this Christmas.
I am just awaiting that feeling when I get off the plane and see my family. I am waiting for eggnog and hot chocolate. Christmas movies. Christmas shopping. Sitting by the fire. Hanging out with my wonderful friends.
I cannot even explain how excited I am.
picture one: friends in new york (bryant park) last year, christmas. picture two: snow flakes on saks 5th ave, christmas.
