Thursday, June 28, 2012

Heaven is Here

Tonight I finished reading Heaven is Here. It was incredible. I didn't want to put it down. I felt more encouraged with each chapter I read. After burning over 80% of her body in a tragic plane crash, Stephanie Nielson's courage and extreme faith are evident in her appreciation for life, and truly inspiring to all who hear her story.

If you have time I highly recommend you read the book, but for now, check out this interview;  and Stephanie's blog, the Nie Nie Dialogues! 


A Vision for the World

This spring I have had the privilege of interning at World Vision Canada. After travelling to Kenya last year at this time, I have since felt it on my heart to continue to be involved in the field and to further my knowledge of the non-profit world. After witnessing first hand the need that defines the lives of millions of children around the world, I was more than willing to help out behind the scenes.

When it comes to an organization, like World Vision, that supports 2 million people worldwide through their sponsorship program, administration is key. I spent a lot of time in the mail and banking department, reading letters from sponsors who consider their sponsor children their own; sending birthday cards off to children in countries like Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, and Brazil; preparing portfolios for children in need of a sponsor family; and filing multiple forms of payment from generous donors. I found myself constantly amazed at people's generosity as I would file checks for five, five hundred, and even a thousand dollars.

The highlight of my time spent at WV was definitely the Wednesday chapel services where everyone gathers together to spend time worshipping and soaking in the message of influential speakers from around the world. I feel blessed to also have met some incredible people who work and volunteer in the office. It was so neat to work for such a wholesome organization and to know that everyone involved there loves Jesus and knows that the job they are doing furthers the work of His Kingdom. My time at WV was an invaluable experience and I have learned so much. If you are involved with World Vision or a similar program, thank you so much; and please know how much of a difference you personally are making in the lives of children and communities in need.


"The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.' Matthew 25:40

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Tupper: A Home for Wayward Dads

Last week, George Clooney (aka my dad), was in Montreal for business and spent the night in our beloved apartment. Knowing he would have to brave the heat, he came prepared with a fan, (which pails in comparison to Katie's 'cooling contraption'), in addition to the load I sent him with from home. Dad, you are welcome in Tupper anytime– preferably when I'm there, but for now I'm content being at home with AC!


I think this picture is absolutely hilarious. 


Friday, June 22, 2012

Canoeing

I like to canoe with the men in my life. They make it super easy for me :) 



Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Camp Fisherman

For the third year in a row, myself and some friends from high school drove up to Camp Fisherman for the weekend! It is such a treat and I look forward to it all year. Being away from home all year, this is the perfect opportunity to catch up and have some girl time! This year we could not have asked for better weather. We spent lots of time swimming, tanning, playing euchre and dutch blitz, eating way too much and talking even more! 








Thursday, June 14, 2012

Mama Knows Best

My dear Mama deserves way more than a blog post but that's what I'm gonna do for her today. She is  a very smart and wise mama but sometimes I don't like to listen to her very much. For example, I was supposed to start work on the fourth but as of the eleventh I still hadn't started. Mama Neuf lovingly "bothered" me to go in and talk with my boss rather than sending emails back and forth and not getting anywhere. I was hesitant to go in because I'd let him know I was home and ready to start and I felt like I'd already bugged him quite a bit. However, I finally gave in and stopped in at Vineland Growers and what can I say, Mom was right (as she so often is). I was given a much more detailed explanation and we even set up a meeting for the next day so that I could start the day after! So HOORAY for being persistent and HOORAY obeying my mother. Boy, did I learn my lesson! Mama sure does know best!


Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Hide and Seek

I had better hide
THESE

when the fire inspector comes to inspect
THIS

this morning.

On second thought, that could be kind of hard...

Monday, June 11, 2012

Cherished Spaces

There is good and bad to having not started my summer job yet. 
bad: no income. 
good: time to bake, to have lunch with my grandparents whom I love so much, time to run and to read and to visit with friends and time to enjoy the beautiful home my mama works so hard to maintain. 
This morning I sat on our front porch journaling and decided to take a walk around our yard. I am so blessed to live in such a beautiful place! I will cherish my time here! 



Today's the Day

...That our dear Katie writes the LSAT. Please keep her in your prayers this morning as this is something she has been preparing for, for months! Pray that she can stay focused and recall all of the strategies she spent so long studying. Katie, you are one smart cookie and you're going to do GREAT today! 180, here you come!

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Going Green

The lovely folks at Eco-Quartier Peter-McGill have been attempting to beautify the neighborhood as of late (I noticed they moved in around the corner a couple months ago). This week, they filled the tree squares with mulch and little plants. It doesn't look like much yet, but maybe by September, Tupper's modest mounds of dirt and plants will have blossomed into lush little gardens.


I, for one, appreciate that someone is doing something to look after the street. It's no fun coming home to graffiti and garbage. Thanks, Eco-Quartier.

Saturday, June 9, 2012

High (Iced) Tea

I'll have none of that juice crystal iced tea (at least, not today...). Kinsey sent me a fruity orange-mango-peach green/black tea blend to try. Given the mid-twenties temperature today I figured I'd work some magic and ice my own tea.

As a side note, it must look like I never leave the apartment-- I swear I do. But with this happening just blocks away, at least this afternoon, studying is better conducted indoors.

I digress! Iced tea.

1. Take a fruity tea (like David's Tea Paradise Found)--or plain black tea if that's what floats your boat--and steep it stronger than you might typically drink it.



2. Add sugar, to taste, keeping in mind the sweetness will be somewhat diluted when you...

3. Pour over (flower-shaped) ice cubes and a generous squeeze of lemon juice.


4. Put in your ear plugs, get out your textbook, and sip away.

Rainy Day

Spoken like a true Vancouver girl, I love rainy days.


Flashes of lightning, rumbles of thunder, and splatters of rain on the window impel me to grab the kettle, boil some water for tea, and sit in our beloved rocking chair to watch the action unfold... Cheers.

Friday, June 8, 2012

A Lesson on the Brain

Studying is exhausting, and I'm not just imagining it:
When we sleep, the chemical energy reserves of astrocytes are replenished. This has been hinted at by experiment. Example: two groups (plus control groups) undergo intense physical exercise and intense mental exercise, respectively. Then they sleep. The group who exercised physically subsequently needs a normal amount of sleep (equivalent to the control group), while the group who underwent mental exercise needed more sleep. Thus we can conclude that neural activity (specifically heightened metabolic activity) is related to sleep.
From Physiology of Behavior.


Nap time!

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

From Studying to Sunsets

It's hard to believe that less than one week ago I was sitting at our kitchen table with Jessy and Jeanie studying away for our upcoming exam...



And now, I'm spending evenings on the beach with a volleyball, a boyfriend and an old friend. Just a few of the things I love about home.




Together Again!


This evening Kinsey and I were reunited at my home in Vineland! :) We went to the beach to play volleyball, walk along the pier and enjoy the beautiful sunset! Looking forward to lots more of this, this summer! (Wish you were here, Katie!)

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Retrieval!


Mom and sister Ange have arrived to bring me back to little ol' Vineland! But first we must enjoy the (rainy) city! 

Friday, June 1, 2012

Moving On

It's June. June, June, June, how quickly you have arrived.

But not so fast. May was a good month.

Sunshine and studying. Glorious.

Lots of studying, little adventures, and good food. May 2012, we'll miss you!