A couple of vacation pics . . .

A sad farewell . . .

So, a lot of things have happened in the last month. First off, I've said goodbye to Rigobert -- he's being retired to the junkyard after a career-ending collision. And how much is he worth? Apparently $670 according to the appraisers -- more than I would have paid for him! However, not quite enough to buy another car yet . . . hopefully by the end of the summer I will have a new addition to my family.

Also, I recently went on two trips to the States. One for my grandmother's (on my father's side) 90th birthday. She's the only 90 year old I know that e-mails and move around with ease. While there (in Eastern Washington) I also was able to see all my relatives that I haven't seen since my father passed away, so it was pretty sweet to catch up with them. Drove through Glacier National Park on the way home -- all in all a pretty sweet trip!

Second trip was to . . . uh, where wasn't it to?!! We drove down through Yellowstone (saw Old Faithful, and many other geysers, hot springs & waterfalls), Grand Teton NP, Utah (saw the Mormon temple in Salt Lake city), went rock climbing in a state park (I forget the name of the place), Zion NP (amazing rock climbing there), and finally the GRAND CANYON!! We spent a day hiking down the canyon, camped out, hiked halfway up, camped, then hiked out. Well, that's how it went for Jason, Jen and I. Brian and Mom ended up spending a second day at the campsite halfway up and made it out the next morning (it might have been a little too much to handle -- BUT, they made it out alive!!). Now that was a sweet trip!! Make that specTACULAR!!

When I was dropped off at home, my family took most of my belongings with them as I've decided to leave Lethbridge. I know what you're thinking -- didn't you just decide to go back to school like 5 months ago. Yes, it's true, but apparently I've changed my mind again. I'm such a restless person and I'm having trouble containing that. Luckily, Mom and Brian have been pretty understanding about moving all of my stuff twice in 5 months. I'll try not to do that again so as not to push my luck too much!! Anyways, I'm heading to camp this weekend as they're short on 'mature' female staff members (does that mean I'm mature?).

Oh, a special note here must go out to Luke, my climbing buddy who I've missed dreadfully and whose expressions came up repeatedly, especially on our hike down the canyon. Such expressions include, but are not limited to:

*"Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it."

*"Room for one more . . ."

*" . . . and then I found five dollars."

What I've been thinking about . . .

So, at the church that I attend, sporadically at best, we have been going over the lives of the patriarchs. That's right, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob . . .. Last week, we read through Genesis 30-31 and I know I've read this before, but I'm totally just astounded! Reading through and seeing how jealous, conniving, manipulative and petty Rachel and Leah are make me wonder why God loves any of his creation! I know, he made us and he loves us because we're his children -- the same parents love their own children even though they're flawed and jealous, conniving, etc, etc. But, it's just doubly obvious when I see Rachel exchanging sex with her husband for mandrake roots from Leah, forcing Jacob to sleep with her servant to compete with Leah (no mention of complaints from Jacob though) . . .. I'm completely aware that we are no better now, nor probably ever will be. Also, there are precious few times where any 'shining' moments by these women are recorded, so it's a little difficult to see them in a significant positive way.
But, in a way, it's also a reminder and encouragement that though Rachel & Leah behaved like this, God still loved and blessed them -- so they must have repented and there are a few instances recorded of them praising God. Even though I'm, in many ways, conniving, manipulative, jealous and petty, God still loves me and could possibly bless me? You know, I do need some more money for tuition . . . . anyways.

On to other thoughts: I'm reading A Generous Orthodoxy by Brian McLaren right now. I really haven't gotten too far, but the intro and his many disclaimers are quite entertaining and thought-provoking thus far. Here's a part that I really liked:

• "If I seem to show too little respect for your opinions or thought, be assured I have equal doubts about my own, and I don't mind if you think I'm wrong. I'm sure I am wrong about many things, although I'm not sure exactly which things I'm wrong about. I'm even sure I'm wrong about what I think I'm right about in at least some cases. So wherever you think I'm wrong, you could be right. If, in the process of determining that I'm wrong, you are stimulated to think more deeply and broadly, I hope that I will have served you anyway." p. 24

Totally cool . . . maybe you'll want to read it now? It's a good different view on Christianity and I'm so excited to get more time to read it. If anyone feels motivated to read it and feels like discussing things about it with me, that would be so cool. Really.

Anyways, that's all I've got for now. I've got to plan a soccer practice now for a struggling team -- sigh.

Whoa, so apparently time has just flown by! I haven't posted in a month! I don't even really think I've been THAT busy. I almost wish more exciting things had happened to write about. What's been going on to keep me from posting?

I guess soccer has taken up a lot of time for me. My first time coaching (and I'm only an assistant coach at that) is definitely a challenge. I really like the girls on my team. It's interesting trying to bring about the best in a group of girls with such a wide array of talent, energy and interest levels. It's also totally different than just being a counsellor -- I never thought it could be. It's a lot harder to be a friend and a coach (for me at least). How do I manage to motivate them when they're being lazy, yet keep the game fun? There's one girl in particular that has the hugest potential and shows moments of brilliance but then is just lazy and lacking motivation at other times. It's my personal mission to get her to absolutely love the game and everything about it. Not sure how I'm going to do that yet.

Also, got a climbing rope for my b-day and I'm getting really pumped for some climbing adventures to come. Also hoping for a chance to get out kayaking once or twice this summer.

That's about all I've got -- I'm not really sorry that it's not more exciting (I was going to say I was then realized it wasn't true).

Uh, hope we didn't give someone malaria . . .

So, recently I received an envelope in the mail from Canadian Blood Services. Me, thinking they might be giving me something cool because I've donated blood a certain number of times and wanted to make me feel special . . . right, like they would do that, apparently I live in a dream world.

ANYways, I opened it up to find that it says they've recently changed some policies. This jogged a memory in my head as I recall that there was an odd new question about handling monkeys and I had a conversation with the nurse about it: a consequence of new policies. Okay, I read on. Apparently one of their new policies has to do with malaria. Hm, sure, and why are you telling me this? Then I read that they're sorry to tell me that I cannot donate blood until I have been back for 3 full years from the high-risk malaria zone.

Again, okay, but what about the last 2 years that I've been donating blood? Oops, hope I'm not a carrier or anything . . . I don't exactly know how malaria works but that has the potential to come back to bite them. The three years are up in July though, so I'll be ready to infect the world again, one pint of blood at a time.

Social Man

Okay, so here I am reading a little Suicide by Emile Durkheim -- a classic if you know anything about Sociology. Oh, and by the way, not reading it for fun! Anyways, good old Emile serves up a little superhero action Sociology style:

"If, in other words, as has often been said, man is double, that is because social man superimposes himself upon physical man." -taken from Suicide translated by John Spaulding & George Simpson, The Free Press, NY, 1951, p. 213.

So, really, social man is the superior superhero . . . spiderman, superman, batman . . . who cares, they're all subject to SOCIAL MAN!!!

Now that I've really showed how lame I am, or maybe just how much sociology has consumed my life . . . I think I'm done.

After these messages . . .

Gaaaaaa!

So, the dreaded time has come . . . I have to get my wisdom teeth pulled! That's what the dentist told me today and from the look of the x-rays, he's got a point (one is pretty much growing sideways into my back molar). I LOVE my life (imagine great sarcasm here).

I know, I know, lots of other people have already had their wisdom teeth out and they're going to tell me to 'suck it up princess'. But, I thought I was going to get away scott free on this one. On the one side of my mouth the teeth are coming in just fine (really slow, but fine nonetheless). It's the other side that I can't see that's the problem.

Oh well, such is life. On the plus side, the knee is definitely improving. I can walk without a limp now. Tried a little jog to the car -- that's not so much happening. Going up and down stairs has improved in speed and degree of pain, and there's definitely increased flexibility. Please Lord, I just want to play soccer and go climbing -- that's all I really want!!

I've resorted to swimming!! Gaa!! For those of you who really know me . . . . swimming is far from a favourite activity, let alone one that I excel at. But, it's the only way I can get any exercise. Even then, I swim at a diagonal across my lane because the one leg is really just moving up and down (not actually a kicking motion) -- it's kind of a lopsided effort. I feel kind of dumb and as if the lifeguard wants to tell me that I need to kick my left leg more. I see them looking at me and I know they want to tell me . . .

Anyways, I'm rambling. School's almost over!!!! 4 more days of classes for me -- 2 more papers and two final exams.

Until next time, keep fit and have fun!

'Joy' jokes

Well, aside from being in pain, life is going well. It's been a while since I posted: lots of homework. I had a small mishap at soccer the other night. I'm limping around after some sort of knee injury (Doc's are looking into it). But, on to happier notes:

The other day at work, someone asked me if I had trouble escaping from Whoville. I was like, "What?!" He said, "Well, after the grinch stole Christmas, all the joy left town . . . " Needless to say, I groaned, but it was rather creative and the first time I'd heard it. As I'm sure you all know I've been the butt of many puns surrounding my name. But, it's kind of nice to hear something new and different.

I also heard a funny joke in church last Sunday:

There was a man who was bitten by a dog and got rabies. His doctor told him he had only a day to live. Immediately the man pulled out a pen and paper and started furiously scribbling things down. Curious, the doctor asks, "Are you writing your will?" "Nope," he replies, "I'm making a list of the people I'm going to bite before I die." That's all I've got folks! Pray for quick recovery of my knee as I'm not sure I can last without any sort of physical activity for very long.

This one's for C-Bear

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!


Yes, it is deserving of that much excitement, especially since I couldn't be near you for the occasion. Courtney, I wanted to let you know that I love you, pray for you and miss you! I hope that your birthday was a wonderful one (despite the apprehension that you had towards it). And I'd like to commemorate it with a Get Fuzzy comic because I know you love them so.










* I also thought this particular one had specific references to the squirrel problem at camp.

AND, apparently I can't get it big enough without the words going 'fuzzy' -- (Luke this one's for you) -- "I get it, it's a play on words!") Anyways, if you want to actually read it here's a link: http://www.comics.com/comics/getfuzzy/archive/getfuzzy-20070213.html



Cheers Court!

Why would they do such a thing?!!

I can't believe it and am still in shock! What is going on? Is Kevin Lowe on crack? Did Ryan Smyth commit secret heinous crimes for which he was traded? Is there anything left that's good in the world? What has this world come to?

Drumroll please . . .

So, the much anticipated moment has arrived. That's right, the B_ick has a new name. I'm actually pretty proud of myself, though not all of you will fully understand why (sorry to those of you who aren't in the loop). I am sorry to say that none of your suggestions actually were chosen, though they came very, very close. He was really close to being called Charlton or more affectionately Carlton. BUT . . .

His new name is Rigobert (probably Bert for short).

There are several reasons why:

1) Camp has a neighbour whose name is Rolf and is a very dear friend to camp (he's a workhorse and super friendly). I counselled his son (whose name is not Rigobert) on Adventure camp. He borrowed climbing equipment from his father and on the back of his helmet were the initials RRA. So, naturally, Courtney and I wanted to know what Rolf's middle name was. That's right, you got it . . . it's Rigobert -- so his name is Rudolph Rigobert Amann (don't tell him I told you). So, Courtney and I wanted to name a path or road or something Rigobert after him as we're pretty fond of him. That hasn't come to fruition as of yet, and I feel that the B_ick would suit that name. And, I feel that the B_ick's super friendly and, if you forget his periodic breakdowns, he could be considered a workhorse.

2)There's a soccer player from Cameroon named Rigobert Song who has played in 3 World Cups and is the most capped player in Cameroon history (don't even ask me what capped means, because I have not clue, but it sounds impressive). Well, do I need to go any farther . . . you all know that I love soccer!

3)Lastly, there was a Saint Rigobert who was a Benedictine monk. He became an archbishop but was persecuted and sent into exile. When he returned from exile someone else had been appointed to his position. So, to prevent scandal and dissention among the faithful, he didn't try to reclaim his bishopric. How humble (just like the B_ick) -- just does his work without any need for recognition. Saint Rigobert spent the rest of his days as a hermit and was noted for his patience and as a miracle worker. There is no subtle hint here that the B_ick is about to go into retirement (I'm pretty dependent on him), though when I do get a new car, he will be retired lovingly. However, he patiently waits for me to remember to check his oil, change filters, replace wipers, give him a bath, and while awaiting these things, he performs the miracle of working every day!

There, that is why he will now be called Rigobert, aka. Bert.

Also, I have a few pics from this weekend's trip to Lake Louise:

Name that car

So, I've been told that I need to name my car. I have felt this need before, but have never really been able to come up with one that I think really fits. The only name that I've sort of been calling my car is Napoleon. However, I have never really been able to accept it as fitting. It's just not right So, here's the challenge: help me name my car.

I don't have a digital camera, so unfortunately I can't just go outside and take a picture of my car to post on my blog. I did find a similar Buick Skyhawk on the net and copied the pictures. And, I have a pic from when my car was hit by some jerk in Calgary and dented the front (which is still dented by the way) and gave me a flat tire.

So, here's some random info about it: it's an '87 two-tone blue Buick Skyhawk, the rear label of Buick now reads B_ick, the paint is wearing off on the hood, the automatic doors are fickle and only work sometimes and only on some of the doors, I have had it for 2 1/2 years now, it's gutless, purrs pretty loudly (though not from an ineffective muffler), and it is a boy. Since I am a girl, my car must be a boy -- that's just how it works. Therfore the name must be a boy's name.

Okay, here's some photos to give you a mental image:

On Mennonites

So, I recently have come across a number of people who are unfamiliar with Mennonite things and have, incorrectly, called me Mennonite. I have been blessed with a connection with a Mennonite church, Mennonite camp and many Mennonite(ish) friends. Through them, I have learned to love and cherish Mennonitisms.

There are many fun expressions that come with them, "Cheap like borscht" being one of them. I had another, but it just slipped away right as I was going to type it. Oh well.

I found some sites with Menno jokes that I figured would be interesting. I've selected a few for if you're too lazy to go to the sites:

Q. What is a Mennonite ethical dilemna? A. Free dance lessons.

Q. Why don't Mennonite women wear sleeveless dresses? A. They aren't allowed to bare arms

Q. How do you know Adam was a Mennonite? A. Who else could stand beside a naked woman and be tempted by a fruit?

Q. Why do Mennonites never make love standing up? A. It might lead to dancing.

http://members.tripod.com/~Willoewen/mennojk.html#cheap

http://www.mennolit.com/pages/jokes.html

Anyways, I really just wanted to share the Mennonite love around because they are near and dear to my heart. And, I visited (what I consider the Mennonite capital) Steinbach, MB this Christmas to attend the wedding of my friend Heidi, from whom I heard many, many Mennonite jokes. It was quite the excitement in my life. Please don't comment on how boring my life must be if Steinbach brought so much excitement.

help me out here

So, I need some help. The leader, the fearless Michael Bryant, of the outdoor leadership program that I was in last year is having a little contest. It is to come up with the best caption for this picture. Now, I know it's a little blurry, but the point is, it's a zip-line picture, where the kid is going to smoke the ground pretty nastily. Anyway, I figured I have some pretty creative friends and they might have some sweet ideas.

Freedom

They may take our lives . . . but they will never take our freedom! That's how I'm feeling about University right now. It's been a busy first month and a half (I know, I'm out of practice), but I made it through and reading week is almost upon me -- hooray for freedom!

Anyways, here's what I've been thinking about:

I've been fondly remembering my last year in LDP at Medeba and all of our cool adventures. Mostly I've been eyeing my Grand Canyon picture and longing for a re-visit. Every time I see it I'm just astounded by God's creativity and design. Because though the Grand Canyon seems so intricate to me . . . I have to remember that there are so many more intricate and complex things he has made. And, if I am so awed and wondered at some of God's creation, how can I not be awed and wondered by all of it? What is wrong with me? Anyways, here's a poem that I wrote as we were driving away from the Canyon:

Have you ever seen it?

Have you marvelled at its greatness?

Have you wondered at how it was made?

Have you ever seen it?

Its depth is unfathomable.

Its peaks are wonderfully immense.

Its expanse is awesomely vast.

Its beauty is infinite and insurpassable.

Have you thought of its maker?

Have you marvelled at His power?

Have you wondered at His creativity?

Have you thought of its maker?

His depth is unfathomable.

His power is wonderfully immense.

His creation is awesomely vast.

His beauty if infinite and insurpassable.

So, I don't really like myspace. It wasn't quite what I was looking for. Henceforth, blogspot.