Jun 30, 2009

Zorberts

I had to laugh to myself. I was getting washed up for bed and I noticed that the hair net I have to wear over my messy bun in my hair for work was still holding onto my hair tightly...some 3 hours post shift end.

My mom went to Goderich today to visit my 4 year old cousin for his birthday. The thing in our family is to give 'zorberts' to the kids. In case you don't know what a 'zorbert' is...

(zore.bert.): to press ones lips upon a body part, such as an arm or a stomach, and blow until it makes a sort of farting noise.

MCC: 36

Word of the Day: Zorbert

Quote of the Day: "I'm from LA *stunned look by me inserted here* -lower Alabama!" Customer in the BK lounge this evening.

Jun 29, 2009

Michael Buble and Mom

My mom and I spent most of Sunday and Monday making cards. By the dozens. It was great, we sat, we blared Michael Buble CDs and we laughed- a lot. Dad made us supper, hamburgers, because we were both too busy to get up and refuel. Here are some of the cards I made.

Simple Happy Birthday- lots of blue.



That one is sideways. The stamp says "I thank God for you." and the brad says 'Hope".

Wedding card for a friend who is getting married in a few weeks. Card itself from Dollarama- the purple bases came in packages. 6 card bases for a buck. Good deal!





This one ended up sideways too. But the stamp says "Bug me anytime". I tried to go for a picnic type look.

And the 'Happy' elephant. Good to send to a guy on a birthday or just because.

MCC: 36

Word of the Day: Blech

Quote of the Day: "Michael Buble is upstairs in the bathroom. He's being saved for later use." Mom (only afterwards did I realize she had said he was in the bathroom closet...which I am not sure makes it sound any less funny.)

Jun 25, 2009

And the Third King is?

Yeah, okay, we get it. Michael Jackson died. So what? It is not like he was going to release any new songs, dance any new dances or dangle any new babies from Hotel windows... I mean...

So that makes two. The king of Rock and Roll, Mr Elvis 'Thank you very much' Presley died. The King of 'Pop' Mr Michael 'My skin changed colour because I have a disease' Jackson died. It makes me wonder who the third king is. Is there a king of say...rap and/or hip hop? Would that mean that Eminem or (*coughs*) Kanye West have an early death coming their way too? Do you sense my cynicism? And are we going to start an entire elite of the already elite? You know, A king of Rock and Roll, and his queen. But what about the King of Daytime TV, or the Reality TV show King, and his royal subjects. And who would be named the King of Rap (Will Smith and the Fresh Prince of Bel Air has a nomination here!)

The entertainment world has seen too many deaths for one week. But it isn't our fault Hollywood's golden era is getting old (and by golden era, I don't count John and Kate plus Eight, or those two from the Hills on 'I'm a celebrity get me out of here'...that's just bad television). Hollywood said goodbye to Farrah Fawcett and Ed McMahon.

Now, yes, get mad at me for bashing Michael Jackson. I don't care if he was acquitted from his charges of molesting a 13 year old boy. It went to the courts. So something that he did wasn't right and honourable. The colour of his skin changed because of a disease he had? And why was he dangling his infant child out a hotel window? Michael Jackson, you gave us music that will always be remembered. However, this is one of those times I really wish that Jay Leno was still hosting the Tonight Show. Move over Dick Chaney, Sarah Palen, George 'doubleyah' Bush...because late night TV will enjoy this.

Now, from the King...



MCC: 30

Word of the Day: Artistically

Quote of the Day: "That was Cheryl. She was calling to let us all know that Michael Jackson died." (Brenda, one of the BK Lounge Managers)

Jun 23, 2009

The Empire Strikes Back

As many Southwestern Ontario dwellers are well aware, there are a few strikes that have been making their way through the GTA and Windsor. For a few weeks city mantainence staff and workers have been on strike in Windsor, ON. They are fighting for wages, and pensions, and the strike means that no garbage is being picked up, no day care centres or local pools are open, which is an inconvenience especially considering the summer months have kickstarted. Well, Toronto is now facing the same sort of thing. City workers walked off the job Sunday night and all of the city is waiting and hoping for their demands to be settled. Now, we hear of a province wide LCBO strike. So, possibly starting tomorrow, summer booze will be...well, nonexistent.

Flipping through various stations at the 12 noon news hour shed some light on the situation. I agree that LCBO is facing job stability problems. It is unfair that 60% of those holding down jobs at the liquor store are part timers, and no one can live off of less that 20 000 dollars a year. But the Toronto and Windsor strikes? It seems to be that they are bargaining for more paid sick days, and pension agreements. However, if the city was smart, they would have been training others to take the jobs. Think about it. We are in an economic recession, General Motors has just shut itself down, factory workers have lost jobs, and even MySpace has downsized...and the garbagemen are going on strike? I am sure that all those who have just lost their jobs would love to scoop up the jobs of the strikers.

Toronto is a big place. There are all sorts of people living there. There is all sorts of garbage. Not only that, but with day cares closed, parents are having to find alternative places to bring their children or bow out a days work themselves. It's nasty, it's smelly, and pretty soon, it'll also be sober.

MCC: 26

Word of the Day: Strike

Quote of the Day: "Goodbye, Kristen...Have a wonderful summer!"

Jun 22, 2009

I Nearly Forgot...

MCC (and for those of you just joining, this stands for Marineland Commercial Count): 22

Word of the Day: Sunshine

Quote of the Day: "Kristen is leaving tomorrow...Tomorrow!"

Afternoon Sunshine

How could I not have gone out and taken some photographs of God's amazing creation on a sunny day such as this?



Jun 17, 2009

Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy


And it had the words 'Don't panic' written in friendly letters on the front of it. Well, each individual CD did. I thank Joel for mailing me this incredibly endearing story of Arthur who, thanks to his friend Ford Prefix (an alien from the planet Beetlejuice), takes a trip across the galaxy. The novel, written by Douglas Adams, is read by Stephen Fry (who I think did the voice of the depressed robot Marvin on the movie).

My family laughed at me for spending nearly 6 hours listening to the CDs last night. The package in the mail officially has to be one of the top 5 things I've ever recieved via Snail Mail.

I can't blog the full extent of my gratitude to Joel for sending me these CDs. Although I was disappointed that iTunes wouldn't let me rip the CDs on to my computer (because you know, burned CDs and all...that has to be illegal somewhere..). But let me tell you. It was worth every new accent and voice that Stephen Fry tossed for new characters. My personal favourite was the part about the whale and the petunias. If you don't know what I'm talking about, I strongly suggest watching the movie.

MCC: 16

Word of the Day: Squelched

Quote of the Day: "I know, WRETCHED isn't it." Marvin the depressed robot.

Jun 15, 2009

The Weekend in Retrospect

What a wonderful weekend it was. It seems like forever ago that I woke up at 5am on Saturday to work for 6am. The shift was short and left much time to embrace all the wonderful sunshine that happened this weekend. How I wish I had soaked up so much more of it!

I had taken some photos of the blooming garden. Gorgeous flowers, and I must say that the garden looks much better this year than previously. There are still some Corabells I would like to snap some photos of.My photo skills are still something to be worked on, though I enjoy the scenery.

My sister and I took a trip to the mall on Saturday evening and definitely made the most of the sales going on. Fun summer shorts and a dress and aviator sunglasses later, we found ourselves back home rather pooped and quite pleased with the purchases.

Sunday was wonderful also. Church in the morning brought me back to my childhood. My mom and I decided we wanted to check out the intern the other CRC church in town. The intern happens to be a young lady who was a small group leader at a program I attended a few years back at Calvin Theological Seminary. It was wonderful to see an old friend, and to chat for about an hour following the service. The afternoon was mother-daughter time. Mom and I took a trip to the USA to return some jeans she had gotten. We got a little sidetracked at the Christian Bookstore and I ended up purchasing a new Bible (my old one has seen better days, and the devotions in it are aimed at 12 year olds. I am definitely grown out of those..) The Bible excited me...all leather bound and red lettering where Jesus speaks. The whole afternoon was sunny and bright and going over the bridge in Sarnia was absolutely beautiful. The water was a rich teal colour that reminded me of the ocean off Cancun.

Today was spent uptown (or downtown...I'm not sure which) with my friend Stephanie. She had recently returned from France on an exchange program through Redeemer, and I was quite pleased to see her. We went out for lunch at a small cafe in town, and then spent the afternoon at the park, swinging, walking, soaking in the sun, and taking some goofy photos (which I hope to put up here soon).

I hope, dear readers, that God blessed you with wonderful weekends as well. I hope that you were able to soak up some sunshine and live joyfully.

MCC: 15

Word of the Day: French Novel

Quote of the Day: "That's just trashy, and I am NOT from a trailer park!" Stephanie on fashion faux pas.

Jun 11, 2009

Relive

It seems to me that I change my mind a lot.

This colour is nice, but now it isn't. I think I would like to be a writer or a reporter, but maybe I'll go into missions. I'll decide to sit down at the piano and learn a new song, and end up playing the same old ones.

The last few nights I have found myself rediscovering my love of the novel. There is something about books. I love their smell, and the texture of the pages, not to mention the words between the covers. I'm in the process of reading Jane Eyre, Canterbury Tales, the entirety of Anne of Green Gables, Angels and Demons and Portrait of a Lady. But the problem is that I can never stick into a book long enough. I'll get inspired and start writing. I'll read something that reminds me of another novel, and off I go to my bookshelf to figure out where that reference or hint came from. Sometimes, I just can't match the accent that I picture the author to be writing in (British novels are always the most fun!). Sometimes, I'll just change my mind and 'unstart' a book. It's an awful tendancy I have.

I have quite enjoyed living my childhood over again though. I don't know why, but while my parents were gone to Myrtle Beach, my sister got this idea that it would be fun to rewatch all the Anne of Green Gables movies (hense my reading the books), something we both did faithfully as children at the grandparents' house. The Lady of Shalott will always be fixed in my memory as Megan Follows recites it in the movies. Perhaps this is why I have decided to take it upon myself to read so much this week. We'll see how long it lasts. One thing is for sure, I love reliving this little peice of my childhood and rediscovering my love of literature...I wonder sometimes if my imagination and passion was awakened by this childhood tale...

MCC: 13

Word of the Day: Smickering

Quote of the Day: "Think less. Dream more."

Jun 9, 2009

It's a Wonderful Life

Old friends, memories, Anne of Green Gables.

That's my weekend. How wonderful it was.

It's kind of fun to reminisce about the old days of high school newspapers, swamp monsters and charicatures. It is also fun to drink exceeding amounts of coffee and spend an evening laughing with a friend.

MCC: 12

Word of the Day: Tragical

Quote of the Day: "I read once, that a rose by any other name would not smell so sweet!" Anne of Green Gables.

Jun 6, 2009

A Movie Review

Tonight following an 8 hour BK shift, I plopped on the couch to watch a movie. I flipped channels and noticed that 'The Holiday' was on. I had never seen it and was interested in a sort of girly chick flick kind of movie night, so up I curled on the couch with my blanket, and off into someone else's world I went.

This movie was nothing like I had expected. It was fantastic! The characters were witty and funny and loveable. The lead guys were played by Jude Law and Jack Black, one has been type casted as the hollywood hunk, the other as the cheap comedian, however, both seemed to break that typecast wonderfully! Dustin Hoffman even made a cameo! Female leads are played by Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet

Without going into details, the girls are both forced to look at their lives from the perspective of another world, and find themselves and what they have always wanted in the context of who they really are. Needless to say, the movie ends with smiles, though I won't tell you who ends up where or how. It is worth the watch, and not your average chick flick.

MCC: 12

Word of the Day: Phleeping (. the act of catching yourself in a drool. )

Quote of the Day: "I have a cow and I sew, how's that for hard to relate to?" Jude Law

Jun 2, 2009

Happy...

Turns out Joel had a birthday and he didn't bother to tell anyone. So, Joel, this is for you. Happy Birthday!

This morning I had to work the 6am shift at Burger King. It was a back shift, so I got to make all the yummy homestyle breakfasts and do all the prep work for the day. There's a lot that goes into a day at a fast food restaurant. So many temperatures to be taken, tomatoes to be cut, lettuce to be panned, onions to cry over, dishes to do, prep work to be done, buns to stock...the list goes on and on. I love the job though. Who would have ever thought working in fast food could be fun? Honestly, I think it is because I get to work with people all the time that it is just so much fun.

I'm really beginning to miss being at school. I love my job, but I do miss the academics and the social aspect. I miss my friends. It is weird being home where my groups of friends don't mix for very obvious lifestyle choice and distance reasons. But enough of that. Fall will come soon enough, until then, I should continue making money so that I can go back to Redeemer in the fall!


MCC: 10

Word of the Day: Mullet

Quote of the Day: "Mom, the hockey players can't hear you yell at them!"