See, write, hear, speak...
So first off, sorry for not really posting anything for the last little while. Life has been busy, and I'm sure eventful, but everytime I've sat down to write this, it just hasn't come.
Second, I've posted pictures from the last month on facebook, in the albums "it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas" and "November, 2009." Because there's so many, and loading them onto my blog is rather frustrating, for now, that'll have to be good enough!
For those of you who dont use facebook, I think these links should take you to the photos:
As I hope you have guessed, one reason that I haven't been blogging, is because I've had so much school work to do! In the last two weeks, I've handed in 30 pages of writing and done 20 minutes of public speaking in my second and third languages. This for a total of 85% of marks, split over 5 courses. I have now achieved a rite of passage in University: I stayed up writing an essay until 6 am this week, and then went to bed for 3 hours before waking up to finish it. Not the best plan for me...but the essay was handed in on time.
In addition to school stuff, I've been getting ready for Christmas! As you'll see in the facebook photos, our room is rather decorated. Taylor and I now have a wreath, and a fireplace with a mantle on our door. We each have paper chains wiht one link for each day until we come home. There are snowflakes hanging from a network of fishing line attached to every possible screw near our cieling. As the wind blows through our open windows or through the door, the snowflakes move around the room. We've put up lights, and stickers on our windows. And we have two advent calendars each, so we spend some time together in the morning opening one, and we open the other when we just need some chocolate. We still have to hang our mini-stockings in which we've embroidered our names from our mantle, and also hang some other little decorations. And of course, Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without candy canes and oranges, which we have in mass quantaties!
For some silly reason, mandarin oranges dont come in boxes here, and they aren't very nice looking yet. Luckily we can be boxes of clementines which taste almost the same for a very good price, but they fill in nicely for the oranges.
Last weekend Amber's friend was visiting from Waterloo, and so we hung out at Amber's place, made an amazing dinner, and then made sugar cookies from philsbury dough, and added bought cream cheese icing. At least the candy was real though! I am soooo craving real baked goods!
I can't believe it's December. The weather is getting cooler, and although there isn't snow on the ground yet, it has snowed a few times. December 1st I woke up to big flakes of snow falling past my window, and Taylor, Veronica, and I opened our advent calendars together in our pj's. It was such a beautiful morning! And, the chocolate inside was a snowman, how fitting! A couple days later, Veronica received a package in the mail from her mom and sister. It was all wrapped in festive papers, and full of food, candy, and Christmas memories: decorations, music, words. The thing about being away from home, is that our excitement for Christmas is probably on par with the five year old, who eagerly dreams of waking up Christmas morning. Who whole-heartedly believes that Santa's recieved the letter, and has made the toys, and will bring joy to all the children all around the world. Here I am eighteen, and Christmas is just as real, just as exciting. I think about the candles being lit at church. I love watching them slowly get closer and closer to the surrounding evergreens - to the life which encircles them. Coloured wax slowly drips down the side of the candle, and everything but the light is carefully peeled away. It's advent, and here I am, eighteen, sitting at my desk, stressing about coming exams, relieved that the major assignments are all handed in. In my preparation, it's time for all those little things to melt away. What else matters but the light? Waiting for Christ: hope for the nations; peace on earth; joy to the world; Love that knows no end. And waiting for home: hoping that with all that everyone's changed, we'll still be friends. Yearning for peace; the sound of waves crashing against the shore, the wind through the trees, the silence of a winter night under the stars. Joy - for real hugs and face-to-face. Hearing eachother's voices as they really are. Sharing gifts, and stories. And love - loving eachother, loving God.
What a wonderful life!
Today was my last history class. And the end, our professor gave a little farewell speech, and the lecture class, full with 200 people began to clap. I was overwhelmed. The relief in the room having finished the course, the clapping echoing through hall - like a really hard rainstorm hitting the roof, while you sit happy and warm inside. It was that kind of feeling - I was glad to be there, in disbelief at how fast the semester had gone by, and comfortable in my chair as we expressed our appreciation to a really great professor. All that remains is an exam, and, to quote the prof, it's not something to be scared about, we should be happy, because "exams are a celebration of your knowlege."
Starting Saturday, there'll be not much else in my life other than preparations for this oh-so-exciting party.
Tomorrow, though, the real celebration continues. Amber, Taylor, Veronica, and I are getting all dressed up to go to the Ballet! Which ballet you ask? Why the nutcracker! What else would we see in December? Taylor and Amber have never been before...I'm so excited to share this experience with them.
My first time (and only other time) seeing a ballet was such a wonderful day, and I hope that this will be similar for them! I remember getting all dressed up, and taking the bus to Grandma's. We had a delicious dinner sitting at the dining room table, and then off to the Royal theatre we went. The music transcended everything - filled me to the point where there could have been nothing else in the world. The sets were beautiful. And the dance - breathtaking.
Tomorrow's dinner wont be quite as fancy, just spaghetti and garlic bread, probably sitting on the floor in our room. And there'll be no bus ride, just a very chilly walk in our dresses and heals to the National Arts Centre. BUT, the part that really matters, that dance, I know will be astounding.
So there you are, an update.
I miss everyone sooo much. Little things keep reminding at home: I read a sign about a bethlehem walk, and thought about how we used to go to the little shop where Bob would offer "one for the price of two." I sit down for tea with my friends for tea and miss having Terri over for singing and conversation. I walk through a hallway and expect to see Emily or Hannah, Michelle, Sydney, Kaylie...the list goes on. We were talking about a didjeridoo last time I was at the Johnston's place after church. Probably dont need to mention who that reminded me of.
I miss getting ready for the Christmas concert at church, going to the choir party, and having Cranberry Loaf for breakfast with Dad. I miss begging to put up the tree, and watch movies, and do all those little traditions that I know I cling to more than anyone.
Home matters.
A lot.
:) I walked by that Bethlehem walk, that you saw the poster for, today.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea where it was and this was by complete coincidence!
They had ponies and a small lama.
it looked pretty fantastic.