As the saying goes:

A big loss

I am so sad. I have lost my internship project that I worked on over an eight-month period. I forgot to keep up with the email account I had saved it on. Hopefully I can still get a copy of it from the college.

A rare quote

"I don't want to open anymore presents." -my niece, Age 3.

Merry Christmas

A day in the life...

I really do like my job (and I really don't have a life...haha). I worked until 7am this morning and was supposed to begin my weekend, but they asked me if I could work from 3-10pm, so I said I would. I clocked out at 10pm, but I stayed and worked until 11:30pm.

Ugh...there's one of those paid advertising programs on TV right now. The product itself is probably good, but the reactions of the "guests" they have seem rehearsed and fake. Not to mention it gets so annoying when they repeat themselves all the time...Ah, much better...Friends is on.

I find it so funny how I hardly ever get to hang out with anybody, but now I have plans with three different groups of people in three different cities over the next three days (then Christmas with my family).

Ew! Why did I want to know???

House dust

A sample of house dust and hairDust in homes, offices, and other human environments is mainly generated by the inhabitants, and mainly from their skin cells that slough off. Some atmospheric dust from the outdoors is also present. On average, approximately 6 mg/m2/day[1] of house dust is formed in private households, depending primarily on the amount of time spent at home. "Dust bunnies" are little clumps of fluff that form when sufficient dust accumulates.

Insects and other small fauna found in houses have their own subtle interactions with dust that may have adverse impact on the health of its regular occupants. Thus, in many climates it is wise to keep a modicum of airflow going through a house, by keeping doors and windows open or at least slightly ajar. Once outside, dust particles are borne away by the breeze or disintegrated by sunlight. In colder climates, it is essential to manage dust and airflow, since the climate encourages occupants to seal even the smallest air gaps, and thus eliminate any possibility of fresh air coming in.

House dust mites are on all surfaces and even suspended in air. Dust mites feed on minute particles of organic matter, the main constituent of house dust. They excrete enzymes to digest dust particles; these enzymes and their feces, in turn, become part of house dust and can provoke allergic reactions in humans. Dust mites flourish in the fibers of bedding, furniture and carpets.

The particles that make up house dust can easily become airborne, so care must be exercised when removing dust, as the activity intended to sanitize or remove dust may make it airborne. House dust can be removed by as many as ten methods listed hence: wiping, swiping or sweeping with a hand, a dust cloth, sponge, duster or a broom; or by suction from a vacuum cleaner or air filter. Dust is trapped by the device being used, however some becomes airborne and may come to settle in the cleaner's lungs, thus making the activity somewhat hazardous.

Thanks Wikipedia!

A Night on the Town

I had a 6 hour nap yesterday instead of a 2 hour nap, so I woke up at 10pm last night and have not been able to sleep since. I felt like going for a drive, so I went to the Nativity display in town here and just stood in front of it. I think it was around 2:30am. There was a guy sitting on a bench there looking at the display as well. He said he just got off work and he likes to stop there on his way home and listen to a few Christmas carols. A few minutes after he left on his bike a car was stopped at the lights across the street. One of the guys started yelling at me to get away from there before he threw me in. He yelled about 4 different times, but I just kept turning around and ignoring what he was saying. I was kind of scared that when they got through the lights there might be some trouble, but thankfully they just kept driving. I stayed a little longer then continued my drive. I ended up stopping in at work to visit for a bit (ended up helping get some supplies from the warehouse), then took a different route home. It was a good drive.

Movie Day

Today is a movie day. I began by renting 4 movies: "The DaVinci Code", "The Lake House", "Stick It", and "An Unfinished Life". I finished my shopping by buying 6 movies: "Shrek 2", "Spider-Man 2", "The Passion of the Christ", and "The Matrix" trilogy.

And now I begin to watch...

Thanks

I just want to say thank you to everyone who has ever prayed for me. Some of you I know, some I do not, but either way your prayers have impacted my life greatly, so thank you.

Once: bitten, twice: bitten again

Yesterday I woke up with a tiny bite on my hand. This morning I woke up with one just under my left eye. The one on my hand is gone, but the one by my eye is itchy! My mom thinks it might be spider bites, though none of us have seen any spiders here.

Whenever I've looked at my mom the last couple days I notice how her face and skin still look relatively young. I'm not sure why, but it makes me look at her differently, though I'm not sure how either.

I finally opened my journal again after about a month. I still couldn't bring myself to write anything of significance. I got as far as writing out my frustrations of the morning, but it's like I didn't feel like fighting to look deeper within.

The cons of the internet are beginning to outweigh the pros for me. I do not know how much longer I will continue...

On the surface

Today I put my hoodie on and ended up being frightened as all went dark: the hood covered my face. This was the first (and hopefully the last) time I put my hoodie on backwards.

Allergies...need I say more?!

What is it about the glowing flames of candles that captivates, calms, and frees me to think? I am scared to think right now.

Something to think about

I received the following forward that I think fits well with my last post:

Beautifully stated...
As we grow up, we learn that even the one person that
wasn't supposed to ever let you down probably will.
You will have your heart broken probably more
than once and it's harder every time. You'll break hearts
too, so remember how it felt when yours was broken. You'll
fight with your best friend. You'll blame a new love for
things an old one did. You'll cry because time is passing
too fast, and you'll eventually lose someone you love. So
take too many pictures, laugh too much, and love like you've
never been hurt because every sixty seconds
you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get
back. So send this to all of your friends (and me) in the
next 5 minutes and a miracle will happen tonight.
"Don't be afraid that your life will end, be afraid that it
will never begin."
~anonymous~

Another turning point?

I am afraid my life is heading in a direction I will all too soon regret, if I do not already. I mean, my job is good: I enjoy it (for the most part), I like the people I work with (for the most part), and I make enough money to pay my bills and stuff and have some left over for myself. However, my relationship with my family (immediate and extended) does not seem like a relationship at all. I barely have a desire to spend time with any of them, though I want to WANT to spend time with them. It is a combination of me being so self-focused and not really knowing how to talk to them. (I'm sure there are other variables involved, but those are the two forefront in my mind and heart). I mean, I still play games with my mom (usually only when I want to, rarely not when I don't want to). And once in a while I will sit at the computer with my niece while she plays her games (though not nearly as often as she would like). I rarely talk to my dad; even less so to my sister-in-law; and even less than that to my brother (granted our work schedules make it nearly impossible to even see each other). And that's another thing...while I enjoy my job, my partially-set schedule does not allow for me to be involved in my church as I would like to be, nor am I finding it easy to volunteer at Cyrus Centre because they want to schedule volunteers in for a full month about 2 weeks before that month starts. I don't know what to do. I do not like who I am becoming (or have become).

As my "mantra" plays over and over in my head: "Think positive. Be a blessing."

Okay, now this is where I tell myself that God is doing something in my life. He is trying to tell me something. What that is, I am not sure yet. I like the whole analogy of us being God's masterpiece, and that as He is working on it we only see random threads on the back, while He sees all as it really is.

My feet are like blocks of ice

I learned so much during my time in Saskatchewan. One of those things was "how to drive in the snow". Yes, we have had record-breaking weather out here in the Fraser Valley. I chuckle though because they have closed all of the schools out here because of a foot or two of snow and some strong winds, while my prairie friends have had to go to school in much worse weather. I suppose that it's because snow and wind is common for the prairies, whereas we rarely get snow which means that few people know how to drive in it.

I am no expert at driving in the snow, and I would still rather not if I don't have to, but I will not let this bit of snow and ice stop me from going to work. (Also granted that I only live about a 10-20 minute drive from where I work).

Oh! Yesterday when I was going to leave work, there were a few vehicles stuck at the intersection by the main road: BIG TRUCKS = BIG RUTS = TRAPS FOR SMALL CARS. This plus the occasional white-outs made for a long wait to be on my way home.

TGIF

I am so thankful that it is Friday. Last night was my first night back to work after my days off. Thursday nights are always busy, but they get even busier as it gets closer to holidays. Seeing as Christmas is coming in 31 days it is getting crazy busy! Working 10 hour shifts and only taking a 10 minute break when we force each other to is normal. I feel bad for the warehouse supervisors because they are always being called somewhere and never have time to eat during their shifts...and they are usually there for close to 12 hours for a shift and they work so hard!

Anyways, yes, I am thankful it is Friday because my craziest night of the week is over. One down, three to go...

My mom

Please pray for my mom. She is in so much pain. She is 61 and has been in pain for 36 years, but it is getting so much worse. It is mostly her back, but she hurts everywhere. Her greatest fear is being useless and she is afraid that she is on getting close to being just that. Please, please pray.

Bless others

Find a way to bless someone today.

Some ideas:
give someone a hug
do the dishes
talk to someone
financially
make a phone call
send an email
write (and send) a letter
take someone out for coffee or a meal
apologize if you've done something wrong
smile
listen to someone
tell someone about Jesus Christ
visit someone
volunteer
pray

Don't let the list end there...add more in the comments if you desire, but find a way to be a blessing to others.

Know what you're doing?

Use words wisely; a single word could mean the difference between life and death for a person. The same goes for your actions: if you get the sense that you should go over and talk to someone, do it! You may not know why you're going over to them, but your very presence or the words you speak could change the course of a person's life forever.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4:8)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)

"But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. (Luke 6:27-28)

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. (Romans 12:14)

Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your fellow believers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 5:9-11)

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. (James 3:9-10)

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE PERSECUTED CHURCH

In Flander's Fields

In Flander's Fields











In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

By John McCrae