moving on.

Graduation is tomorrow.

Weird.

musings on the brain lately.

Some of the general thoughts going through my head, put to song.

St Patrick's Prayer

Christ be with me and within me

Christ behind me and before

Christ beside me and to win me

Christ to comfort and restore

Christ beneath me and above me

Christ in quiet and in danger

Christ in hearts of all that love me

Christ in mouth of friend and stranger

Christ in every heart that's broken

Christ in every joy and pain

Christ in every word that's spoken

Christ in sun and moon and rain

Christ in resting and in rising

Christ the Lord of all my life

Christ to guide me and to shield me

Christ protecting me in strife

It's been a while...

...and I don't even know if anyone even bothers checking here anymore. Well, if you do, I want to let you know that I'm still alive! I'm still jobless, I'm still searching for a job, I'm still learning a lot about myself and about God. I'm still learning a lot about trust, about using time wisely, about waiting patiently. I'm still learning about friendships and relationships. I'm learning a lot of things right now, and oddly enough, there is no other place I'd rather be. How can I say that? There is only one reason: because I know that God has it all in control, and nothing I can do to try to change where I am will change that fact. I want to be where God wants me to be, and I believe that is right where I am.

It is awesome to believe that...after struggling so long with it.

flurries?

Well, if we were enjoying autumn weather into the first part of December, we aren't now! The world is all white out there, and the air is filled with snow swirling to the ground. It's finally looking a lot like Christmas! So many people say they don't like the snow, or can't stand the cold, but for the record, I love snow and I enjoy bundling up to go outside. I don't care if it snows for days. I don't like this song at all, but Let It Snow anyway:)

and...

I am stoked to crochet my blanket!!

. . . one way to keep myself occupied while jobless.

I immensely enjoy cooking in color.

I just plain enjoy cooking a whole lot!

new interests

So, since I'm still jobless...and Christmas is coming soon (woo!), Kimberly and I went shopping. (the Christmas shopping part was pretty unsuccessful, I must say.) We decided to go into the book store in the mall. Mistake! Or maybe not. I got a sudden desire to buy a whole bunch of books I would never usually even care about.

We went to Value Village and I spent probably too long looking over the books and searching out what I wanted.

I was successful in some areas. Like finding almost the entire set of Anne of Green Gables in great shape! A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes!!

I have yet to find some William Shakespeare. I was seriously sooo close to getting the complete works online from Chapters today. But I don't think that is wise since it's just before Christmas. And I just bought a car.

Yep. That's the update. Books are my new interest.....Shakespeare and Dickens none the less!

That, among other things that have been finding their way into my interests, makes me wonder what is wrong with me lately:)

given as examples

Hebrews 11

By faith Abraham went, even though he didn't know where he was going.

Without faith it is impossible to please God.

Also, thank God for friends.

patience

sometimes it seems like everything is all wrong at the same time.

or like everything is not happening all at the same time.

lalala...

sometimes waiting is so painful.

what will happen?

...just waiting for the phone to ring. Anything!

straight on.

I have this tendency to go full in until I'm bored of something.

Example? Okay, well, if I find a band or group I like, I listen to their music over and over again. And usually that means I don't listen to any of my other music until that one band gets boring and I get so sick of it that I never want to hear it again....at least not for a long time.

That particular music right now is the music of Matt Costa.

I get side tracked with Counting Crows now and then, though.

autumn

I like the smell of leaves changing color.

PS

If you know anyone that would like to take piano lessons, send them here:

www.joyfulmusicpianostudio.com

on it goes

The search for a job, that is.

still nothing in sight...except book work and etc at home.

One new student, though!!!

still no job.

still learning to trust God.

Oregon is a beautiful state.

Friends are the best gift.

what I've been doing while jobless.

So, I've almost been jobless for a week. It's been nice, actually. I've been spending time with my family. Dad was off the first three days I was off, so that was sweet. I've been bringing around flyers and resumes, calling schools, and organizing my studio.

Of course, I've also been doing summer holiday-ish things. IKEA date with my sisters, tubing and boating with my parents and brothers, and visiting the St Jacob's market...where Kim and I totally lost mom and decided to spend all our money on jewelery:)

For the most part, it's been a nice holiday, despite the fact that job hunting is probably the worst thing to have on one's to-do list ever.

Fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of your faith - Hebrews 12

Teen 2 - Campfire!

what I learned...again.

HE must become
GREATER,
I must become
LESS.

John 3:30NIV

And, even when people and circumstances are always changing, God stays the same. He's always right there beside you, the entire way.

stoked

Camp next week!!!!!!

I'm stoked.

one month

One month until -

A dear friend leaves for school
Two of my friends get married (to each other:P)
Teaching starts again
I fly to the other side of the USA
I've been 'going out' with a wonderful young lad
My sister starts university! (and quite a number of my friends)



One month until a lot of things. That's too many things all at once.

new thought - sad that I've never thought of it like this before.

CONSTRUCTION AHEAD


REDUCE SPEED


WE HAVE FAMILIES TOO!

in this time

Psalm 86.


How did David write this stuff down in such a comprehensive way?

I wish I could express my thoughts like that.

fittings.

....and I think that dress looks nice on you,

I can see a lot of life in you.

my thought for the day.

I like that God created everyone different. I meet lots of people these days, and they are all so different and interesting to talk to, observe, sell to, and work with. 

I enjoy.

enjoying yellow.

 Choosing yellow from a billion and one paint chips is not very fun. 

To Inform You.

        Some would say I make a good grandmother. 

So, guess what? I met Elvis this weekend.....he's amazing. If you ever meet him, say hi for me. 

   He even signed my table cloth!!!

wilco

I don't remember the last time I wasn't busy. As in, I don't remember the last time I wasn't doing something every night of the week.


What is this?



ALSO...

If you are at all talented, or interested, in designing a web page for my piano studio, contact me and we'll talk. I desperately need some ideas. Thank you in advance.

Since this pun is flying around anyway...

...I may as well use it too. 

The UPS of working at the UPS Store are the great people I get to shadow for a while.

The DOWN of working at the UPS Store (at least for the first little while) is that my legs hurt from standing all day!

in other news, check this out!

study break

Papers full of scribbled notes. More papers. Papers full of questions and music. More paper. Paper everywhere. More scribbled notes. 

Reviewing everything takes a while. And involves lots of paper everywhere.

PS  I have turned 21. I can't even fathom that.

the last days

Six days until I am done...if passing marks are recieved. 

I'm nervous! 

 Can I write it all in three hours?
 Will I remember all the titles and names?

 Will I remember the terms?

 

back in the day

Kim was looking through photo albums today and found this amazing picture of Napolean!

AOC...not sure how I feel about it.

12 days

Home alone studying. Silence.

That's what I'm talkin' about. Beautiful.

leaving all that behind

 I'm thinking that if one's appetite comes back after a little vacation, that must mean health is within reach!

finish line

    days left: 13

morning coffee

   I am looking forward to being really tired tonight after a hectic day, simply because that means my bed will be all the more wonderful, and I get to sleep in as long as I want tomorrow. 

Yup.

at choir's end.

A lot of people I know like to bash roses. I don't know why. They say they wouldn't want to recieve one from their boyfriend (or potential boyfriend), or anyone else...they would prefer wild flowers or other exotic flowers. I love recieving those flowers as well, don't get me wrong!

But when you get a rose, it makes you feel pretty special. And I don't care if no one else likes them, because I do. I like the brilliant red. I like the scent it leaves in the air. I like the thoughtfulness behind it. I like the 'thank you' that it symbolizes. 

I'm quite enjoying my rose, thank you. 

Is this possible?

I've been sick with strep. But that's not the half of it. I've been sick with strep while I was preparing for a weekend of a playing at Streetlight, having a student piano recital, playing in church, and a choir concert.


One of my friends told me that I got sick because of stress. But I wasn't stressed! I said. He meant that maybe I do too much.


Is this possible? Am I? Hmm.

inspiration

I love pictures of people.

   I need to take more pictures. 

hold on!

   

    Friendship is the one thing I could never do without.  

.

an interesting piece from The Record obituaries.

IN MEMORIAM

Apr. 9, 2009
JESUS CHRIST

Jesus Christ of Nazareth died suddenly at the

age of 33. Jesus was a descendant of Abraham

and a member of the House of David. He was

the son of the late Joseph, a carpenter of

Nazareth, and Mary, His devoted mother.

Jesus was born in a stable in the city of

Bethlehem, Judea. He is survived by

His mother, Mary; His faithful Apostles;

numerous disciples; and many other

followers. Jesus was self-educated and

spent most of his adult life working as

a carpenter and a teacher. Jesus also

occasionally worked as a medical doctor

and it is reported that he healed

many patients. Up until the time of

His death, Jesus was teaching and

sharing the Good News, healing the

sick, touching the lonely, feeding

the hungry, and helping the poor.

Jesus was most noted for telling

parables about His Father's Kingdom

and performing miracles. A memorial

to celebrate the life of Jesus will take

place at Calvary Assembly, 127

Hespeler Rd., Cambridge at

10:30 a.m. on Good Friday. Come

experience the start of the weekend

that changed the world.

WEB PAGE

It needs a little bit of beautifying and perhaps some more information about what I do, but I have a web page for my piano studio!

Thanks for your help, Peter.



So, if you would like to help me out by spreading the news and making it more 'popular' and easier to find in search engines, I would greatly appreciate it if you would like it to your blog or website. Also, it would be even better if you put the word 'Cambridge' in the link somewhere too:)

the Faithful One

You know it's God speaking when you have something going on in your life, and then at the same time you hear applicable talks/sermons.

AND you keep coming to the same songs over and over.


Then you listen to them in your car - with the volume probably a little too loud - as you sing your heart out in a prayer.

Cookie Jar

Sometimes I wonder if Jack Johnson has read the Bible and understands that we are sinful, fallen people...

weather tricks.

April 5th - I got a pretty bad burn on this arm, sitting outside in the beautiful sunshine. 

April 6th - It's snowing today. And the world is looking pretty white. 

One day it's t-shirts and sunscreen, the next day it's boots and coats. :/

a favorite scene

east to the west

   But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgement for every careless word they have spoken.

                     - Matthew 12:36NIV

soggy hair

"Of course, it would be raining." (say with an English accent)

    

        Why do my visits always end up including rain? 

surrounded

The tank that was below, before, behind, beside, and above. Pretty swell. It gave me a sense of wonder, being in there. 

   This reminds me of St. Patrick's Prayer. This tank could be a metaphor for how God surrounds us. Does this give me a sense of wonder?

earth hour

Hamilton is a beautiful place. I mean, the people, the city...the character, not what you see in the first glance.

thoughts.

Too much of our time is spent trying to chart God on a grid, and too little is spent allowing our hearts to feel awe. - Don Miller

is this me or my sister? i don't even know:)

In America, the first generation out of slavery invented jazz music. It is a free-form expression. It comes from the soul, and it is true.

from the book.



"...the problem with this is that it indicates there is less value in what people believe, what they stand for; it only matters that they are cool. In other words, who cares what I believe about life, I only care that I am cool. Because in the end, the undercurrent running through culture is not giving people value based upon what they believe and what they are doing to aid society, the undercurrent is deciding their value based upon whether or not they are cool."


And it has crept into the Christian circles.

I like driving dad's truck.

I greatly enjoy stereo's that produce a very clear, defined sound.


Just putting that out there.

whaaaat?

Dad found this at the Cracker Barrel (a pretty sweet restaurant) in Florida, USA. They had these little books for all different years. I tried to find the year I was born, but this was the closest I could get. 

Don't freak out too much, okay?

Good Memories!

Haha...that's spectacular! I was just looking at my pictures and I found this one of a gift I received from my secret friend at Camp last summer. Thanks Joel:)

Dear fellow citizens of Canada and the world:

I have one simple question for you.

          Why do you litter?

It gives me great displeasure to see how ugly you have made this world.

Sincerely, 

Carol-Lee

in relation to my post on March Break

I was shown this song/group at work a few summer's ago. I was intrigued. When I listened to it, I felt some sort of understanding with what I was hearing.  

A conversation with my co-worker (who also happened to be my friend from church) followed, as we listened to the song again, and other songs from them. I don't remember everything we talked about, but one thing was that as Christians, it's probably not a good idea to listen to this kind of music because it is so easy to be sucked into the depressed feeling that it gives you. What you listen to slides into your mind and your heart and you begin to feel and think about what is being impressed upon you through it.  I thought that was interesting.

I also find it so sad that there are probably hundreds of bands, and people who listen to these bands, who live lives that don't have meaning, where songs like this express their lives so perfectly. What does the world have to offer you when you are depressed. 

The truth is, the world has nothing to offer. It only has more hopelessness to offer, resulting in more depression, more stress, more hurt, more suicide...

The song also represents the idea that no one else understands where you are. That there is similarity between your problems and someone elses. Verses the Christian idea that we can all share our problems and help eachother, because we all struggle with similar things and go through many of the same things in life. We can identify with eachother. And we are okay with leaning on one another. 

What can Christ offer them? Everything. Do we share this? People can find this song and many like it on youtube. Are other songs of hope found there as well? Are they having an effect? 

Just something I thought about as I remembered this song. And in light of what I heard about March Break.

PS

I think I want to go on a road trip. To a place in the USA. A seminary. 

But the when and how and with who is the difficult part. 

true?

I heard recently that the reason for March Break is that this week is when many are depressed and suicidal. And I suppose that is why the Reading Week is when it is as well. 

I wonder how true that is. And if having a break at this time of the year helps the situation.

It is good to be back...

...although, I will have to get used to these frigid temperatures again.   It's cold!

Gulf of Mexico, Florida

sunshine state

It's cold. But the pool is warm.


So I spent time enough in it to get my first burn.

death waltz indeed!

I just want to say that this is an amazing piece. If you've ever played this before, let me know! I'd love to witness it's performance.

And just for the record...no one will be able to convince me to give a performance of it myself. I may be a music freak, but not that hardcore! 

Also, please read all of the instructions written in the music itself. AMAZING!

oil bow?

insert peanuts?

light explosives?

increase breathing?

release the penguins?

if you can't play this, why don't you call your Mommy?

switch to your Sears violin?

onwards

It's strange to hear people talking about getting accepted here and there in the programs they are stoked about.

Especially if you are almost done with that part of your life...or think you are.



Moving from the study world to the working world is a strange thought.

a piece of art i found

This is it, folks.

 

Well, this particular picture is not mine, but mine looks exactly like this one. :)

Romans 8

things falling into place. 

        weird? 

OR 

        GOD!!??

knowing that the things that aren't falling into place will be worked for my good. 

  just like in the recent past. 

GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME   suddenly has more meaning than it ever has before.

at practice tuesday night,

a spark it did ignite.
it gave me an excite,
and a feel of sheer delight.

i feel in love again...
with my violin.




so I'm bad at poetry.....but you get the point:)

old or new:boring or exciting

Sometimes life seems to be boring and old and repetitive. It seems like nothing is new or exciting. Like books, clothes, Cds, songbooks, school, work, house....the Bible, it's message. 

But it's not true. I just let that thought happen and take over. 

             Everything is new and exciting, if I put my mind to it and enjoy things for what they are. 

Two things come to mind when I think about what all of that means:

  God has done so much for me, how can I not be thankful?

  Be content where you are at this moment...in the present. 

my crazier side

   Put Niagara Falls, a camera, and two crazy people together and you get this. :)

what you don't plan in planning

...that when you've accomplished what you have been planning for years, all of a sudden you don't know what you're doing anymore. 

You've planned to get somewhere, but never planned to actually be there.

now what?

- contemplations as I go into the third last exam of music study....ah!

On Journaling

                 I found this on two different sites online.

Journaling is helpful and beneficial because:

1. It is a route to self-correction and self development.

2. Proven method of self help or healing that is used by many clinical psychologists.

3. The ability to transcribe thoughts helps to identify where negativity is coming from.

4. It can be an easy solution to complicated problems; helps solve tricky problems.

5. Can help you gain clarity in decisions etc.

6. Your progress in working through things (life) is recorded, and you can go back and read it anytime you need to (for encouragement, reminders etc).

What do you think about this? Are these true statements? Is journaling good and okay for these things? 

Is it okay to be pretty reliant on journaling to keep your thoughts - and thus your emotional, spiritual, and mental state - in order?

of a sort of new year's "resolution"

Funny how you decide to do something healthy for your body - like, say, jogging - but then you end up hurting yourself by doing it - by, say, pulling a muscle in your ankle, making it painful to walk and do stairs - hmph!

thanks

I enjoy late night walks and late night talks.

gallavanting in Toronto

Dear RoyalOntarioMuseum:

When you put it that way, I might just change my mind about history being my least favorite thing ever. 

Adoration - A Christmas Song from the Newsboys

I’m here with the others 
Who saw the heavens testify 
Now I hang back in the shadows 
I want to come close 
I want to know 
She sees me shivering here 
She smiles and with a nod 
I walk through the mud and straw 
To the newborn Son of God 

Come, let us adore Him 
He has come down to this barren land 
Where we live 
And all I have to give Him 
Is adoration 

He raises a wrinkled hand 
Through the dust and the flies 
Wrapped in rags like we are 
And with barely open eyes 
He takes my finger 
And He won’t let go 
And He won’t let go 
It’s nothing like I knew before 
And it’s all I need to know 

Come, let us adore Him 
He has come down to the world we live in 
And all I have to give Him 
Is adoration 

God is with us here 
Our Immanuel 
God is with us here 
Our Immanuel 

O come let us adore Him 
O come let us adore Him 
Jesus, our Immanuel 
Is with us here and He won’t let go

Walken

I was walken all by myself
I was talken to myself
About you





Wilco is now the new fav.

I don't mind.

I'm in an Asher Lev and R.E.M. mood right now.



Which is REALLY weird for me.

reading, writing, and pondering.

C. S. Lewis was brilliant.

He really was.



It would have been quite thrilling to have met him.

pessimistic

a friend once told me how she told Satan to leave her alone, and it worked.


did you ever think of telling Satan to get lost? to leave you alone?

have you ever thought of telling Satan that God owns your heart and thoughts and emotions and feelings, so he may as well leave because there is no place in your heart and mind for him?

tell him. anytime. anywhere.
i think he'll probably get scared and run away.

think, think, think

Okay, I've decided.


I like that it's snowing.

down for 5+ days

I like getting letters in the mail when I'm sick for a long time.



Wait. Let me re-phrase that:

I like getting letters in the mail.
Anytime.

eyes in the dark.

They belonged to an owl sitting beside the road.
I'm pretty sure that it was beautiful.

beauty.

This is a beautiful harpsichord. I may not like the sound of them very much, but harpsichords served as one of the inspirations of the piano.

Grand pianos are sleek and gorgeous, but harpsichords are so intricately made. I've seen one in real life and they are absolutely amazing in their delicate design. They don't make instruments like that anymore. They are just made by the thousands, all the same, and not really unique.

a message from one Christian to another, while still speaking to myself.

Be happy where you are today.
where you are right now.
this very minute.

Instead of looking to what you will do tomorrow.
or where you plan to be next year.

Enjoy where you are right now.
One moment is too short to waste in waiting for the next moment to come.

Be content.


- a message from one Christian to another
(and a reminder to myself)

whiteness all around.

It's snowing.


I can't decide if I like that or if I'm sad.

discovery in great dimension!

"Pachelbel's Canon" and "Hear, O Lord, and Answer" have the same chords? What?

and "Seek Ye First" and "Hear, O Lord, and Answer" have the same chords?



And they can all be played and/or sang in a round?




CONCLUSION....then why not play them at the same time?

I love making musical discoveries. Even if they've been thought of before, I still like making them myself. And they always make me super excited and ecstatic.

taken and dumped out the window in a cloud of smoke

Our English language means nothing these days.
Fad words like SWEET! and AWESOME! and COOL! have become the grand extent of the average persons vocabulary.

I'd say that is pretty sad. But what can we do about it? Try and use other words? I can't find any!!

That's how awful it is...when we want to try and give our language it's meaning again and stop going with what the fad is, we can't because we've forgotten all the other beautiful words that we could use.

They've been dumped out the window
and forgotten in a cloud of smoke...
...in the dust of fad words.

yup.

Jesus, I've forgotten the words that You have spoken
Promises that burned within my heart have now grown dim
With a doubting heart I follow the paths of earthly wisdom
Forgive me for my unbelief
Renew the fire again


Lord have mercy
Christ have mercy
Lord have mercy on me
Lord have mercy
Christ have mercy
Lord have mercy on me


I have built an altar where I worship things of men
I have taken journeys that have drawn me far from You
Now I am returning to Your mercies ever flowing
Pardon my transgressions
Help me love You again


I have longed to know You and Your tender mercies
Like a river of forgiveness ever flowing without end
I bow my heart before You in the goodness of Your presence
Your grace forever shining
Like a beacon in the night

playing with the camera.

color.

fall smells beautiful.






The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
Psalm 103:8

little nothings

i find myself bored once again. homework is non-existent today.

a friend is blessed with the birth of a daughter today.
another comes home from her honeymoon this week.
another graduates.
another needs prayer.



boredom leaves me no choice but to bask in the sun. the Son of Love. to read of what love is. and memorize of poetry from the Bible.



and suddenly I want to learn more. to love more. to serve more. to let my heart overflow with prayers of praise and thankfulness and confession and intersession.

and i realize that there should be no such thing as boredom. that there can be no such thing as boredom. it's a choice you make.

inspiration lacking

blogger changed while i was away.


and so did i.

somehow i don't have anything to say on here anymore.
and i feel as if i can live without it.


which is somewhat freeing. somewhat sad.
somewhat good. somewhat bad.

yes that rhymed. not intentionally.

this weekend.

i found psalm 38.

wow.

she is home once again.

and i'm very glad about that.





and just to warn you, i think i'll be absent from the blogging world for the rest of the summer cause i'm too tired to get back into it. but i'll be back in the fall FOR SURE.

i caved.

okay...so i admit i'm reading the 'forbidden books'.

:) i'm very much enjoying them.

lately

...light the fire again...

this is for my dear Amy

Zephaniah 3:17

D A G

The Lord your God is with you

D A G

He is mighty to save

D A G

He will take great delight in you

A D

He will quiet you with His love

D A

He will rejoice singing over you

Bm G

He will quiet you with His love

D A

Yes, He will rejoice singing over you

G A D

For with you, He takes great delight

D

He will lighten your load (lighten your load)

A

He will gather you (gather you)

Bm G

He will rescue you, He will rescue you,

D

He will lift you up (lift you up)

A

Wipe away the pain (wipe away the pain)

Bm G

He will rescue you, He will rescue you

Majesty

F^#m E D A D

Here I am humbled by your Majesty

A E
Covered by your grace so free

F^#m E D A D
Here I am, knowing I'm a sinful man

A E
Covered by the blood of the Lamb

F^#m G^#m A F^#m G^#m A
Now I've found the greatest love of all is mine

Bm
Since you laid down your life

D
The greatest sacrifice

Chorus:

A E F^#m D
Majesty, Majesty

A E
Your grace has found me just as I am

F^#m D
Empty handed, but alive in your hands
Majesty, Majesty
Forever I am changed by your love
In the presence of your Majesty

Here I am humbled by the love that you give
Forgiven so that I can forgive
Here I stand, knowing that I'm your desire
Sanctified by glory and fire

Now I've found the greatest love of all is mine
Since you laid down your life
The greatest sacrifice

Chorus

St. Patrick's Prayer

St. Patrick & Dwight Beal

Intro: D2 D2/Bb D2/C D2/G (2X)

Dm Bb

Christ be with me and within me

C G

Christ behind me and before

Dm Bb

Christ beside me and to win me

C Dm

Christ to comfort and restore

C Bb+7

Christ beneath me and above me

Gm7 Asus A

Christ in quiet and in danger

Dm Bb

Christ in hearts of all that love me

Gm7 Am7

Christ in mouth of friend and stranger (intro)

F C

Christ in every heart that’s broken

Dm Bb

Christ in every joy and pain

F/A Bb

Christ in every word that’s spoken

Csus C F

Christ in sun and moon and rain

Bb C

Christ in resting and in rising

Dm Bb

Christ the Lord of all my life

F/A Bb

Christ to guide me and to shield me

C D2

Christ protecting me in strife (intro)

You Laid Aside

You laid aside Your majesty
Gave up everything for me
Suffered at the hand of those You had created
You took all my sin and same
When You died and rose again
Now today You reign in heaven and earth exalted

I really want to worship You my Lord
You have won my heart and I am Yours
Forever and ever I will love You
You are the only one who died for me
Gave Your life to set me free
So I lift my hands to You in adoration