Oct 31, 2009

Roaring Twenties

Today was a historical day in my life. Today was the day I officially passed out of the teenage years and onto the world of adults. That's right, ladies and gents, 20 years old. I feel incredibly blessed.

The day was wonderful. It started at 12am with this exact line from Monty Python and the Holy Grail: "We are the knights who say 'Ni'! Now bring us our shrubbery!' " It ended with an epic dance to Footloose with about 20 of my favourite people. Life is good. God is good. I feel so grateful in all of this to have lived such an incredibly full life! 20 years is an impressive number. I am still young, but I have been to Mexico as many times as I have fingers on a hand. I have been to Disney World twice, been blessed with a wonderful family, a wonderful home. I have the opportunity for post secondary education in an institution founded in the Christian faith. I have been led and guided by incredible people. I have loved a few times, and cried little. God has given me the strength to continue on throughout these years, and he has taught me more about Him, and more about myself.

The day was just as I hoped. Relaxing (thought I should have been doing homework), and serene. I sat most of the afternoon watching the leaves fall from the trees outside the dorm window and then as they danced across the grass by the wind I couldn't help but smile. I was woken up by Joel VS singing to me over the phone. I searched for costume ideas online and became fascinated by Google and the truly excellent 'Halloween' header they had going. The more clicks, the more candy! Genius. Mom called and wished me a wonderful day. It's always great to hear your mother's voice. Two friends of mine dropped off the best birthday present in the world: a tub of chocolate ice cream. I have never been so pleased. And then, a Halloween party off campus. Sung 'Happy Birthday' to in four part harmony. I think that makes me a pretty lucky girl.

I have some of the best friends in the world. I have some of the best family in the world. I feel blessed to have such a wonderful life.

I wonder what the next 20 years will bring.

Word of the Day: articulate

Quote of the Day: "If you tell one more scary story involving animal cruelty, I'm going to animal cruelty you in your sleep, Joel!" Sarah Nanninga

Oct 27, 2009

Exhausting

Family is exhausting.

I think that, because there is so much laughing, and eating going on during family get togethers, we all find ourselves just drained from being together. This was my case on Sunday evening. I got back from Woodstock at about 7:30 pm, and I was pooped. Now mind you, the day was long, as I had gone to church in Woodstock that morning with Chadbo, and spent the entire afternoon eating and hanging with most of the Knapper clan (and by most, I mean more than half...because there's a lot of us!). I love family. I love family dearly. There is just something a little depressing about being all together again for the first time after Grandpa had passed away.

One thing I noticed right away was that I could talk to Grandma in a way that I hadn't really had the opportunity to before. Grandma was always overshadowed by Grandpa, and his eagerness to share stories of his life. I never realized how incredibly intelligent my Grandma is. Her and I had a wonderful conversation about church history and Enlightenment ideals and the modern church, as well as spiritual and knowledge parts of our faith. This was the type of conversation normally to be had with Grandpa, while Grandma would listen quietly at the other side of the table.

Midterms and essays are also exhausting. 2 essays, 1 midterm next week. This means I don't get to go home for reading break, but that's alright. I'm looking forward to a quiet dorm and to get lots of work done. Maybe I can crack down on some of the 3 million books I always seem to have to read, but never do.

Word of the Day: eradicate

Quote of the Day: "Don't worry about that. It was just my elbows. I'll get new ones tomorrow."

Oct 21, 2009

The Educational Axis

I sit in my chair in the corner of the living room listening to the anthem of the Wii. It's an odd sound.

Finally, a week without midterms, essays or any sort of spectacular academic showing. I left the library before 9 on a Wednesday. I know, I was impressed too. I feel as though my whole world is rotating on this educational axis that is centered on the study booth in the library, in a universe that prohibits sleep.

Last week (or maybe it was the week before, I can never remember, they become so muddled) the fire alarm in AUG Hall went off at 3am. False alarm. Not a drill. No fire truck showed up. Not reassuring. A night that was already depriving me of sleep simply ended in spite for the second time being evacuated from AUG Hall in one semester. Let's not make it three, okay Redeemer?

I would be completely dishonest if I said I didn't enjoy every aspect (including the random fire alarms) about Redeemer. It has become a wonderful home to me, and I feel myself growing spiritually and mentally every day. I've even continued running, and so the physical growth is getting a chance at stardom as well.

Time to turn in for the night. I'm hoping for sleep.

Word of the Day: Delve

Quote of the Day: "I don't like the person I become when I play video games." Keeley

Oct 17, 2009

My Life is Average

www.mylifeisaverage.com

Don't get addicted!

Word of the Day: Mario

Quote of the Day: "I wish I could shower without getting wet!" Kaitlin VanderSluis

Oct 13, 2009

Thankfulness and Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving comes and goes.
But what am I thankful for?

I am really thankful for my school, and my family, and my dorm. But most of all, I am finding this year that I am incredibly thankful for my relationship with God. I am thankful for my growing relationship with God. My faith walk has always been dynamic, but I never had the fundamentals and the really academic study of the Scriptures aspect that some of my other Christian friends had. Growing up in the public school system, my religion class was 2 weeks of Christianity (because everyone knows about that) and the rest of the semester studying everything else. My faith always lacked the fundamentals. I had the passion and the energy and the belief, but the daily walk and study and knowledge lacked. I had the ability to practically live my faith, but it has only been since I have been at Redeemer that my understanding has grown. This is one of the greatest gifts God has blessed me with this year.

Thanksgiving is a religious holiday. Who do people who don't believe in God thank? And what is the point of thanksgiving if you have no one to truly thank for all the great and wonderfulness that there is in the world? For some people, Thanksgiving is just a good excuse to get together at a table and eat a lot of really good food.

Just a thought.

Word of the Day: Dangerous

Quote of the Day: "Friendship is like peeing your pants. Everyone can see it, but only you can feel the warmth it brings." Anonymous

Oct 8, 2009

Looking out the Library window...

I'm sitting here in the libray, realizing that my attention span is getting shorter. This is really too bad, as I did so well with homework yesterday.

An account of University in the second year:

-I write at least 2 essays a week. Time is not measured by weeks for me any more, nor hours on the clock, but by essays. Not all as bad as it sounds though, not only do I really enjoy the academic life, but I have gotten A's on all my essays thus far. This makes me really happy.
-My social life is much more vibrant. I love seeing people in the halls and offering them a hug, a short hello, or a smile. Our dorm tends to go out to other dorms for dinner. Of course, most of them are 1st year boys (thanks to Yana), but once they find out that Yana is 21, Lauren is engaged, they all kind of give up on the idea. It is rather entertaining.
-One of the girls in my dorm has incredible style. I was telling her today that because of her, I made a point to dress somewhat nicely. Last year, I spent most of my time in sweats. This year, I haven't even bothered with my sweat pants. My mother will be thrilled to know that phase may have passed.
-I don't think I have ever been so excited to go home for a weekend. Thanksgiving is upon us, and I find that I am just really eager to sleep. Sleep is a luxury.

And last but not least, I am finding that my relationship with God is growing ever more each day. There is something so wonderful to be said, knowing each day and everything I do is really to glorify my Savior. It makes it all that much more worthwhile.

Word of the Day: Seem

Quote of the Day: "At nine oclock, let's all yell!" Devon Forbes

Oct 6, 2009

Window Drops

The rain doesn't seem to want to leave. I don't know why.

My slippers are laying on the floor beside the wall. They've been there for a week.

Devotions.
Slippers.
Wedding Magazines.

Randomness of an average day.
All in the hands of God.

Word of the Day: Crepe

Quote of the Day: "Lauren can't be held accountable for anything she says after 11 pm." Keeley

Oct 1, 2009

A Happy Ending

Three essays down.
One Midterm to go.
I have reclaimed my weekend.

Word of the Day: Simultaneously

Quote of the Day: "Don't drink and ride, only slutty girls do that!" Aaron Vedder