Showing posts with label excitement. Show all posts
Showing posts with label excitement. Show all posts

Awesometown 

Wednesday, April 27, 2011 - Posted by Amanda Bast
There comes a moment in every life where you know that you have arrived. In the "I'm infinitely cool" sense of the term. Until today, that moment for me was getting dubbed as Valedictorian in grade 8. Everything between then and now was a little disappointing.

But today, oh today is a new day! I have simultaneously been dubbed an Awesometown Resident AND a facial hair guru. Could things get any more majestic than this? Move over William and Kate, it's my time to shine.

If you have no idea what I'm talking about, you need to head over to my friend Knox McCoy's blog to read my Awesometown Interview and leave a comment. Or six.

Because today is a new day. A new day brimming with hope, excitement and dang good facial hair.

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Friday 

Monday, February 7, 2011 - Posted by Amanda Bast
Early Friday morning, I will be flying to Mexico.

When I tell people this, their initial response is usually, "OOhh, nice! That's going to be so lovely!"

I smile and nod because they have no idea.

Early Friday morning, I will be flying to Mexico.

I will be getting off of the plane in Mexico City, boarding a bus and driving three hours north to a city called Queretaro. Just outside of this city is a little place called Pan de Vida*.

It is at Pan de Vida where I will experience a homecoming of sorts. I will be greeted with hugs and reunited with pieces of my heart that I have been missing for the past two years.

This whole process started in 2004. My father went on a trip and returned with pictures of kids that would begin to radically change my life, little bits at a time. I didn't get to meet these kids myself until February 2007. For 10 days I was overwhelmed by an enormous amount of new experiences. I wrote every detail down so I wouldn't forget anything. I couldn't get over how much I had, and how thankful I should be for that fact. It was eye-opening.

My heart returned to Canada in one piece.

In February 2008, I returned to this place, overwhelmed by the joy I kept discovering in these children. In a place where I expected to find heartbreak and sadness, instead I saw pure, raw joy. I saw living proof of kids who were scooped up out of harm and rescued by a Savior. It was incredible.

My heart returned to Canada in one piece.

In February 2009, I returned to Pan de Vida once again, but this time, I was in quite a state. I was not myself. I was withdrawn, I was quiet, I was unhappy. I was living my life in a deep, dark pit. I couldn't see anything around me. I was lost, I was in the dark. I was just sitting there. Nothing seemed to fit.

One night, a team member shared his story. His story is not pleasant. There is nothing about his story that you wish was yours. You are not envious of his story. In fact, his story is likely one of your biggest fears. But nonetheless, it is his story and he bravely shared it.

His story was where I was headed, but it broke me before I got there. His story punched me in the gut, left me without air, and completely shattered my heart. It broke it into a million tiny pieces. We did a lot of crying that week, him and I. The broken pieces of both of our hearts got all mixed up and we couldn't sort out which piece belonged to which heart. I had a little piece of his broken heart in my pile, and he had a little piece of my broken heart in his pile. Everyone on the team shared a few of their broken heart pieces with one another that week.

I climbed a mountain that day. I saw that my heart needed to be broken before it could be healed. I discovered the beauty in being broken together. Sharing our broken pieces, because we were never meant to go at this whole thing by ourselves. We to be weak in order to be strengthened. It was in the midst of my brokenness that I experienced an unbelievable amount of love from those kids. They didn't know all of the details of my story. They didn't know how deeply I was hurting. But they loved me, no questions asked. They rushed out to greet me and hugged me with a fierceness I know was Jesus' way of screaming "I love you more than you can fathom!"

"Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." - 2 Corinthians 12:8-10

If you are praying at all next week, think of our team. You can pray for our safety, pray that we work hard at doing jobs that need to be done around the orphanage and pray for our unity as a team. You can pray for our health, and pray for our families back home. You can pray for all of those things. But please also pray that we will be broken. Pray that our hearts will not return in one piece. Pray for our hearts to be a jumbled mess of all sorts of different heart-pieces. For in our weakness, He is strong.


**********


*Pan de Vida is a Christian orphanage run by a Canadian organization called Children of Hope. This organization supports two orphanages - Pan de Vida and Dulce Refugio - and one community centre - Casa Otimi. If you would like more information about these places or you want to know how to sponsor a child or to donate to any of the homes, visit http://new.childrenofhope.info/

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Life Goals 

Wednesday, December 29, 2010 - Posted by Amanda Bast
I used to hate making goals. Since I've altered my thinking from "goal setting" to "things I want to do before I'm a certain age" I have discovered that I have many goals. I have never done anything on this list, and I would like to accomplish all of them. I've also posted this same list under "Life Goals" over there ----->

Here are my 30 before 30 (in no particular order):


  1. See Sufjan Stevens in concert
  2. Eat lobster
  3. Live within walking distance of a coffee shop/craft store/fancy cooking store (any would do)
  4. Write a song other than ones I make up on the spot every day
  5. See the Rocky Mountains
  6. Take dance lessons
  7. Completely gut and renovate an old house
  8. Land a permanent contract job
  9. Take voice lessons
  10. Talk in an accent for an evening in order to convince a stranger that it’s real
  11. Take a fancy cooking course (or several)
  12. See Ingrid Michaelson in concert
  13. Be a part of a show where people pay $20.00 or more to see
  14. Sing in front of a crowd
  15. See a show on Broadway
  16. Hit up a jazz club in downtown Montreal (must be drinking a martini when this occurs)
  17. Fall in love
  18. Teach nieces and nephews a choreographed song and dance number
  19. See the ocean (any one will do)
  20. Adopt a Greyhound dog
  21. Publish a children's book (or three)
  22. Try my hand at some stand-up comedy
  23. Travel to the east coast
  24. Make flan
  25. Host an unnecessarily fancy dinner party (serve flan)
  26. Go scuba diving
  27. Babies! Birth, adopt, foster – any way they choose to come to me.
  28. Oh, get married (that first...then babies)
  29. Preach a sermon
  30. Change someone’s life (for the better)

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What Community Theatre Taught Me 

Monday, November 29, 2010 - Posted by Amanda Bast
From November 18th-20th I was in a play called "Altar Egos: The "I Do's" and "Don'ts" of an American Wedding. Besides the grammatically correct yet still awkward subtitle, the play was quite good. I played Colleen McMasters, a bride-to-be in her early 20s. Colleen is moody, bossy, spoiled and most definitely wears the pants in the relationship. She's nearly the opposite of the kind of bride I would want to be. This means it was an exceptionally fun character to play. I have never been on stage in this sort of capacity at all. Yes, we've done a bunch of improv shows but this was different.

This...this my friends, was community theatre. Not just any community theatre, this was Wellesley community theatre. You can read all about Wellesley here. The article is not very big but it mentioned Apple Butter, cheese and Noah Martin Summer Sausage, so all the bases were pretty much covered.

The first time I climbed the stairs in the historic library building, I never expected that Theatre Wellesley would turn into a blog-worthy event. But my goodness, did it ever. Here is a list of things that community theatre has taught me (with pictures!):

* Even though it may not be a high caliber show, it is still loads of work. I may not be a professional, but I still had to memorize a whack of lines.
* People will come to see your show based solely on a well written article in a small newspaper.
* Teenagers have an unbelievable amount of energy.

my co-lead and his adoring fans

* Teenagers consider 23 old. I'm no longer hip or with it.

See, totally cool!

* Old historical library buildings make me sneeze.
* You can find some really weird crap in old historical library buildings.

He was the understudy for my fiance

* Stage families are never believable.

I get my size from my Papa

* At first stage kisses are the most awkward thing on the planet. Then somehow they aren't significant.

This was the G-rated picture of this moment

* Yelling from my diaphragm does not wreck my voice and results in impressive decibel levels from such a little person.

I screamed in the poor boy's ear a lot

* Channeling my "inner Colleen" helps with substitute teaching in a rowdy class.

I don't think I ever smiled in this scene. In any scene.

* Things that you as a cast laugh about may not make an audience laugh, and things you never laughed about in rehearsal may cause an audience to bust a gut.

Her company will give you a FULL INCH MORE BALL

* It is much easier to act in front of a large/easily entertained crowd.
* Celery and Popeye Sticks is the perfect pre-show snack combo.
* Accidental comedic moments can never be recreated for the next show.

Gun. Being inserted into his pants. Not in script.

* Stage makeup can make anyone look trashy.


* You can get very attached to people you see twice a week for 2 1/2 months.

The sign mentioned in my last post

 * I love meeting people I wouldn't normally get the chance to meet. When else do you get to hang out with a chaplain, farmers' kids, an artist, a priest and a mental health worker all in one afternoon?

Family on the couch!

* I need to be involved in theatre in some capacity in the future.
* All of the hard work was worth it. This was one of the best experiences, and I can't wait to do it again!

Thanks for all the fun! See you next year!

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The Beginning 

Wednesday, August 26, 2009 - Posted by Amanda Bast
Today was the first day of my teaching adventures. I don't really know how true that is since I've already taught many lessons (I'm so very wise, you see), but we'll call it that anyway.

I am currently typing on a brand new spanking* laptop, and....well. Let me make a list or two.

Things I Like About New Laptop
-it's new
-Kid Pix plus other various kid-related programs
-built in webcam
-case that has many zippers and compartments

Things I Do Not Like About New Laptop
-huge
-heavy
-ugly
-expensive
-I have to bring it with me to class every day
-it's a Toshiba
-all of the neat programs get wiped at the end of the year

Awesome?

My first day of teacher's college taught me a couple of things. First, some teachers ask a lot of unnecessary questions: "Can we use our laptop to check our email when we get home after class?" or "Where do we buy books?" or "Where is the bookstore?". To me these questions are like asking plot-related questions within the first 10 minutes of a movie. Unnecessary, because you'll find out the answer if you are quiet and keep watching. Or in this case, if you commonly buy books in a bookstore.

Another thing I learned today was that the vast majority of teacher's college students are warm, friendly and lovely people. I think...this is going to be good, laptop and all.

Speaking of which, if you have a suggestion for a name for the new beast of a computer, please feel free to leave a comment.

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move over Chris, it's time for Cute with Mandie 

Monday, October 27, 2008 - Posted by Amanda Bast
We've been talking in high pitched squeaky voices and spending a lot of time sitting on the kitchen floor at our house this weekend. Sitting on the floor and talking in strange voices is a favourite pastime of mine, but this weekend, the whole family got involved. We've been celebrating the arrival of the newest addition to our family.

I would like you to meet Marwyn's Sweet Sassafras (here she is with Kirk, waving hello):


M.S.S. (or Sassie, as we call her) is a 10 week old Miniature Schnauzer puppy, weighing in at a whopping four pounds. At first, Miss Sassie-frass was quite shy and timid (Kristi can attest to this) and didn't want to do anything besides cuddle, thus earning her the nickname, SQUEEZY BABY (thanks, Annie). Over the weekend, she's gotten used to her new home, and her true colours are beginning to show through, and I'm happy to report she is one spunky little puppy.

She's also very talented. Here she is doing her bunny impression:


Here she is being a wonderfully fantastic obstacle between me and my studies.


She's also really good at being impossibly cute.

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getting down to brass tacks 

Friday, August 15, 2008 - Posted by Amanda Bast
Here comes a serious post, but I feel as though I need the internet to know my seriousness and excitement. Ready, internet? Here goes!

I find summers away from civilization, and some of the people I love most (Mom, I said some, not all!), are times of moderate to extreme loneliness, but also the best learning experiences ever. I'm definitely not complaining about my situation because I absolutely love living up here for two months. It feels like a vacation from real life, which is kind of nice. Being alone forces me to sit and think and just...be. With God.

Something I've learned this summer is about plans and timing. Five months ago, I basically had my life planned out and it was all neat and tidy and great. Then God threw someone into my life that completely changed all those plans (for the better...way better). So then, I planned a new little future. This one is slightly less neat and tidy, and I didn't know what to expect, exactly. But then God decided to stray from my line of thinking and throw in some long distance stuff. I didn't want to have to deal with someone far away in North Bay, but I had no choice. So...again, my plans changed. I didn't think they were better, but I figured it was only for a year, so I could deal with it. THEN, God decided to change my plans AGAIN! and totally made things extremely exciting and stressful for a few days. In the words of Stephanie Tanner, "how rude!" A transfer from North Bay to Brantford while the main character is overseas...means calls and emails and more calls and more emails scrambling to find a new place to live, and work out new arrangements. I'm happy to report that the place we found is beyond amazing, and involved way too many coincidences for them to be merely coincidences.

It's amazing to be able to clearly and unmistakably see God working in my life. It's kind of funny, when I really think about it, because I know that God is always moving, but sometimes He likes to throw things right at us and bonk us in the head with his Grace. It's like he's saying, "Helloooo! Remember me?" While I don't think it's a bad idea to plan, it's always good to be reminded that our plans may not necessarily happen the way we think they should. But let me tell you, it sure is exciting and comforting and exhilarating and terrifying and amazing to know that my plans absolutely SUCK compared to what God has lined up for me...

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Checklist 

Tuesday, June 17, 2008 - Posted by Amanda Bast
Lake: check!

New wakeboarding life jacket: check!

Board shorts: check!

Friendly neighbour boys: check!

Friendly neighbour boys that let me borrow their wakeboard: check!

Friendly neighbour boys with a brand new wakeboard edition Seadoo: check!

Friendly neighbour boys who will take me out on their new wakeboard edition Seadoo: check!

Athletic ability: oh crap.

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news! 

Monday, May 5, 2008 - Posted by Amanda Bast
I'll be leaving for my 17th annual (plus or minus one) entire summer spent at the cottage trip on June 20th. We're leaving about a week earlier than normal and I don't have to waitress or scoop ice cream this summer...exciting! Also, for the first summer in 17 years, we will have internet!!!! At the cottage!!!! I will no longer have to sit in the corner of the office and have grumpy old lady who checks her email three times a day breathing down my neck...this is marvelous! This means consistent blogging from yours truly, and I can almost guarantee amusing stories! And pictures! Maybe videos! Hoorah!

Be excited, folks. I am.

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do I get bathroom points for this? 

Sunday, May 4, 2008 - Posted by Amanda Bast
If you ever decide to take a pee (or other things) in one of our upstairs washrooms, and you happen to peek out the window, you will be delighted. Last spring, a robin nested on the sill of my parents' bathroom window, and this year, she made a nest on the guest washroom sill. The other day (Thursday, maybe? MAYBE BABY!?) when I went to use the facilities, I checked on Mama Robin, and accidentally scared her away. I felt bad, but then....I saw this:

The only thing cooler than seeing these babies was seeing the look on Kirk's face when he saw them. Complete, utter joy and surprise, and I wished I had the camera ready to get that moment...but...these moments will have to do...
I would like to introduce you to Hannah and Montana. I'm not sure if you can see it, but the bird on the top of the pic (I think it is Montana) had his head stuck underneath Hannah. We watched him struggle to get it out for awhile...no dice. He was still stuck. Then Mama Robin flew to the window, all scary and protector-like and we yelled (it was startling, ok?).

I showed my mother the birds when she got home today, and there are no more eggs...Hannah and Montana have been joined by their brothers, Freddie and Mercury. Mom's response to seeing the birds?

"Awwwwwwww babies! They're hideous!"

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Signs of Spring 

Saturday, April 12, 2008 - Posted by Amanda Bast
The other evening, when I arrived at my place of residence, I was met by my mother at the door.
"There is something you need to look at in the backyard," she said.
"Well, what is it?" I wasn't in the mood for guessing games.
"You just have to see it yourself." She looked rather somber as we walked to the back window.
"What, is there a dead body in the backyard?" I asked, scoffing.
"Well..." she started as she flipped on the light. This is what I saw:

You may remember Professor Peppergrape. He was a good man.



In other news...I'm knitting a sock. A SOCK! I'm using merino wool that was half price. MERINO! HALF PRICE! I think I would like to marry this merino wool. Look how pretty it is:

I'm so excited about my little sock. I think this is what it feels like to have a child. Except children probably take more than forty hours to make. Or wait...maybe it doesn't take that long to make children but....well, lets not get into that now.

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signs that say you probably shouldn't be on the road 

Wednesday, February 13, 2008 - Posted by Amanda Bast
(Mom, you might not want to read this)

-you've just written two midterms and you feel like your brain is going to explode
-your contacts are dry and you feel it is necessary to blink every half-second
-well traveled city streets are coated in snow
-people are going 40 km/h on the highway
-when you turn on your high beams, it does nothing but light up the snow ahead of you and make things scarier
-the tire tracks you are following frequently swerve around the road
-it is still snowing
-it is dark and there are no street lights
-when the plow goes by, it seemingly does nothing because the snow is so packed into the road
-you don't see another car on the road for a good 15 or 20 minutes
-you can't remember if you charged your cell phone
-parts of the drive that normally take you five minutes, take 15 minutes
-no one from home knows what time you left the city, or if you left at all
-a 40 minute drive takes you an additional 40 minutes

Probably wasn't the best decision to drive home last night. I did it anyway.

Now that I'm home safe, I'm excited for MEXICO! I leave early early this Friday morning. If you wish to do so, here is a list of things you can pray for (I really like lists):

-safe travel, including no delays because of the weather
-the entire team gets all of their luggage, and we don't experience any bag searches (this is what I'm most concerned about, for some reason)
-arrival of the bus in Mexico City and safe transport to the orphanage
-food! That it is gluten free and safe, and doesn't make anyone sick
-safety while working (mixing concrete, etc)
-that God will keep our hearts open to whatever he wants to teach us
-my mommy back home - that she isn't enjoying her time to herself tooooo too much

The weather forecast in Mexico is up in the mid-twenties today :o)

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milestone 

Thursday, January 31, 2008 - Posted by Amanda Bast
Remember the time I was scared to even think about using double pointed needles to knit in the round? Yes, I'm sure you do. It's something we all think about. Again, to refresh your memory, this is what knitting in the round with double pointed needles looks like:
See? Scary. There are eight points of possible injury when you knit like this. Since I like an arts and crafts challenge, I decided to try it anyway. At first, all the needles are like siblings, and they get in each others way and push and shove and are generally not very laid back about not being the centre of attention. It's frustrating. But after awhile, things start to happen, and things start to take shape. Then it becomes really enjoyable.

Then your knitting becomes like a security blanket and you take it everywhere, even though you know you won't have the opportunity to knit, but YOU NEVER KNOW, because if you didn't take it with you everywhere you go, then a stranger might get a hold of it and rip out all your stitches - your beautiful, even stitches - and you would have to start all over again, but it wouldn't be the same because you know that if you had your knitting with you, a stranger wouldn't have gotten a hold of it and ripped stitches out and then you would be half a mitten ahead of where you are now, so it is absolutely necessary that your knitting become like your child because hey, you wouldn't want a stranger ripping out your child's hair now, would you? I didn't think so.


Ahem.


Behold, the beauty of knitting in the round with double pointed needles:Now, when I look at them I can find all the flaws, but they're still pretty rad. There were many hours of Gilmore Girls put into those mitts, including three episodes late last night. I also learned my knitting late at night when overtired is a bad idea lesson once I got to the thumb (I was knitting inside-out and backwards (that takes talent, folks), but I fixed it, but then I dropped stitches on the VERY LAST ROW and had to sew up some gaps..it was eventful), but alas, they are done two weeks ahead of schedule.

p.s. the red knitting above is the start of my next pair!

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always choose the right lane 

Friday, December 21, 2007 - Posted by Amanda Bast
I passed my G test. I am fully licensed! My driver tester lady was very rude, and I hope to never have anyone that rude in my vehicle ever again. HOORAY for never having to do any more driving tests! This means I can check one thing off of my to do list. Painting canvases comes next!

I had a doctors appointment yesterday, and my oh my, this doctor was straight out of Grey's Anatomy. He is the definition of tall, dark and handsome. Well dressed. Nicely coiffed hair. My first reaction was to propose, but I controlled myself, and carried on with the appointment. Here is part of our conversation:

Dr. McHottie (reading my medical history): "Celiac Disease, eh?"
Me: "Yeeeah."
Dr. McHottie: "Well, that's a drag."
Me: "Yeeeeah."

Thanks, dude. You're still hot.

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hear ye, hear ye! 

Tuesday, December 11, 2007 - Posted by Amanda Bast
I declare today to be the best day ever. It is my first full day of Christmas holidays, and we found gluten free oreo cookies. This means I can make cheesecake. And eat gluten free oreos. Today is indeed, the best day ever.

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And it begins.. 

Monday, November 5, 2007 - Posted by Amanda Bast
Tonight was the first of what will seem like a never ending stream of missions meetings. I'm headed to Pan de Vida in Queretaro, Mexico again with a team. Last year our team was around 8 people. This year, if everyone ends up coming, it would be around 26 people. Wow!!!

There will be maybe 8 or 9 other youngins on the trip. That beats last year's...one (me). I'm thankful for a bit of a younger crowd, but it's a really young bunch - I'm the only one finished high school. The next oldest is 17. So I'm essentially the "leader" of the kids, which will be a pretty cool opportunity.

The team will have a completely different dynamic than last year, and I'm really looking forward to it. I'm pumped this year because I know what to expect. I've made connections and I can't wait to go back and hug those cute little children. And Juan. I've missed Juan like an emo kid misses his diary.

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things to look forward to 

Saturday, October 20, 2007 - Posted by Amanda Bast
Tuesday: The Golden Dogs with Kerry in London

November 23: The One of a Kind Craft Show in TO

December 10, 4:31pm: Official start of Christmas holidays

February 15-25, 2008: Mexico!

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shalom! 

Sunday, September 30, 2007 - Posted by Amanda Bast
-not getting (too) lost - 4:00am mornings - new friends - late night fence climbing - late night making fun of Steve - best friends - suprising Chad with cookies - having three toes - Saved By the Bell - those delicious apples - pa-pa-pants! - Caaaawwfeeeaaaaaay! - four on a bunk - a door hit my face - becoming Goo - intense prayer sessions - blue silk blouses - ones-ey pjs - hugs - go fish - three boys in a shower - singing outside - sticky situations - brown and sticky - IKEA in mom's pants - sketchiest man alive - autumn crispness - mad libs - spelling POO - apple juice water - guitars - Jewish things.

Good weekend.

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uptown boy 

Monday, June 25, 2007 - Posted by Amanda Bast
Laura and I left the bookstore, lost in our own little worlds. She was talking to her mom on her cell, and I was just staring off into nothingness, thinking about the CD I just bought. I hope it's good, because the price was fabbbulous (extra b's added for Annie's amusement).

A little black Nissan had pulled up to the curb ahead of us, but we continued our slow meandering down the sidewalk. I was digging through my purse for who knows what, and I look up in time to see him.

HIM.

Black pants, white dress shirt, collar open, with sleeves rolled up. He was walking towards us. He stared me down and I think my jaw dropped. So. Unbelievabley. Attractive. I think he stepped directly out of GQ onto King Street. It's possible that time slowed down, and the bow chicka wah wah song played as he walked by. I turned and watched him walk into a store. He walked out, a minute later, and I stared some more.

It was only after he had walked by again and I got a second look, that I realized that I recognized him. It was (drumroll please) Kyle Christie, from CKCO News. Yes, THE Kyle Christie. The sole reason I watch the news. I am happy to announce that he is better looking in person than on camera, and he lived up to every one of my expectations. Yes, this is pretty pathetic, but it probably made my year.

Oh, and after leaving the bookstore, he crossed the street and went to Starbucks. We all know how I feel about Starbucks. Quality.

June 25, 2007: The day I saw Kyle Christie in Uptown Waterloo. Hot diggity dog.



p.s. the CD is kind of sucky

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That's what she said 

Friday, June 22, 2007 - Posted by Amanda Bast
HOookay, it's been awhile. Let's recap:

Wednesday:

WOOOONNNNDERLAAAAAND! I had a blast! I've never been on "real" rollarcoasters before, so I was in for a treat. I have to admit, waiting in line for the first ride was terrifying. Especially since Annie told horror stories of her friend peeing on that ride. We were accused of "line jumping" by the power-tripping loser working at the Bat and were afriad we'd get kicked out. But we didn't. We went on every upsidedown coaster, and I think I smashed my head/ears on the shoulder bars enough times to do some sort of damage.

I was quite nervous waiting for most of the rides, and had huge doubts while strapped in waiting for the ride to begin. Luke telling me that someone died or fell off the ride sure comforted me, though. Highlights and favourite rides included the standing up one (although, I feel like I almost fell out of the harness while upside down), Top Gun, and Italian Job. Unexpected favourites included the Minebuster (the all wooden one) and Drop Zone (I almost backed out of this one, but ended up loving it). The absolute worst part of the entire day was the Jet Scream. The shoulder thingy was way too tight and was quite painful. The lap bar pressed on the bladder region. And the ride was slow and swinging, and I almost puked. That could have been due to the fact that Annie, Ian and Luke were making puke noises. Yum.

Other highlights of the day include: 7 tye-dyed shirts, several mullets, rattails etc, Ian having a nap on the pavement in the parking lot, the candy store, waiting in line for french fries for longer than we waited for most rides, fanny packs and crocs galore, gluten free food at the Outback (a BROWNIE! even). Also, say Jax X out loud. What a dumb name.

Thursday:

Kindergarten Graduation was fantastic. I cried a little when they sang the love grows song. I feel so attached to these children and I've only been with them for two months. When (if?) I'm a teacher, I expect a whole lot of waterworks at the end of the year.

The Rwandas are home from Rwanda, and D is back from Uganda!

C-leb, Krispy, Jedwards, Emily and I went to see Nancy Drew. Surprisingly good and cute and fun. Ned is a dreamboat. Padfield played his CD release concert and was fantastic. Some rasta guys played some good tunes, then The Runaway played some, too. I enjoyed the hip hop-o-dizzle. Richard thinks my shoes are darling.

Friday:

Breakie at the Crossroads with Maja. That place is so Christian and unbelievabley menno. And they have gluten free bread. I bought some more darling shoes. I also bought some Thai soup. Thai is my friend. I'm tired, so my sentence structure is waning. I'm being bored. I apologize.

Josh came over to pick up some chicken today and said the following (Annie, get ready...):

"So, I hear you have some meat for me."

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