Sickness

So clearly I am still sick. I never recovered 100%, and I know that - but now it's gotten a little worse I think.

My body is starting to feel sore and tired, my nose runs or is stuffed intermittently, I feel like I am developing a slight cough, and my throat is still incredibly sore. I have tried a bunch of things now to get myself better. I have befriended Fisherman's Friend, I had some Buckley's to ease the throat, lots of hot water and tea (of all sorts!), however I am still not feeling any better. I think I really just need to rest, but I fear getting behind in my course. Maybe I'll actually go see my family doctor tomorrow. Please continue to pray for healing!

Geek

Today was a good day.

We went apple-picking today for Zoe, and even though not a lot of people showed up, it was still fun times. Got to spend time with Pastor John & Cindy, Uncle Joe & family, and Elvin. Even though there were concerns that there wouldn't be many apples left we were pleasantly greeted with many Mutsu and Ida Red apples to be picked to be eaten and used for pie, respectively. We picked apples until about 12 and then went for dim sum at a Chinese restaurant in Brampton. Food was good, restaurant was clean, and the fellowship time was worth the extra dollars =D

Then we got down to be geeks for the afternoon. Well mainly Richard because he was helping me format my laptop. He did a great job because my laptop is now running so fast and smoothly now - I guess that's what you get for 3 years of stuff accumulating on your HD and such. And then after formatting my computer he proceeded to help format Kev Yee's computer and my brother's computer as well! This all the while when Kev Yee and I were making apple crumbles in the kitchen. It was almost like our little factory - it sort of reminded of the time when I enlisted Kelly to help for the CCF EM and we had our little sweatshop making sausage rolls, mini-sandwiches, and egg salad - just great times slaving over the oven =) We made 6 apple crumbles for our pastors and will distribute accordingly tomorrow. We also made a special delivery to Kelly who was studying hard for her exams this upcoming week.

The rest of the night was filled with the boys playing Mario Strikers while I was making my brain grow playing Big Brain Academy on Richard's DS. All in all, a very good day indeed.

Fisherman's Friend

Has become my friend the last three days.

Update on the sickness - headache being controlled by Tylenol, body is no longer achy, throat is still a bit sore, and I have developed a runny nose AND I feel congested.

Still have to tutor - maybe I'll get all my kids sick and have a week off. Just joking! =p

Sick

Yesterday was an interesting day - learning out voting, elections, and polling. It was also interesting to come home and watch the results. It was a tight race in my riding, with the Conservatives coming up on top by less than 250 votes. Voting does count as I experienced this past election, this election made me realize that we are all growing up and talking about "grown-up" stuff.

When I went to bed the night before the election, I wasn't feeling 100% and when I got up in the morning I had a sore throat. When I got to Woodlands I felt a headache coming on. Throughout the day I felt I was running a slight fever. And by the end of the night my back was killing from sitting in a chair all day.

Today I felt a little better, but I must still rest and catch up on some course work. Please pray for healing.

Question

While I was in the car with a friend yesterday she posed this question:

"If money or talent were not an issue, what would you want to be?"

This question elicited some silly responses like a professional athlete and rockstar - but it was a really thought-provoking question. And this question reaffirmed my yearning to be a teacher - to mould the minds of the youth today who are immersed in a culture that is so depraved at times, but they are also some of the most informed kids and critical thinkers that I have met.

I believe God has blessed me with talents to use in the classroom and it was also a reminder to wait upon him, because he hasn't provided me these skills for nothing.

I Stand Amazed

This morning at Zoe we did a praise and prayer. I always love P&Ps because I enjoy singing praises to God and taking time to pray and reflect.

Today I was convicted near the end of the program after we sang the song Amazed.

You dance over me
While I am unaware
You sing all around
But I never hear the sound

Lord I’m amazed by You
Lord I’m amazed by You
Lord I’m amazed by You
How You love me

How wide
How deep
How great
Is Your love for me

This song reminded me of another song, I Stand Amazed (How Marvelous), because of the chorus.

I stand amazed in the presence
Of Jesus the Nazarene,
And wonder how He could love me,
A sinner, condemned, unclean.

Chorus:
O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
And my song shall ever be:
O how marvelous! O how wonderful!
Is my Savior's love for me!

He took my sins and my sorrows,
He made them His very own;
He bore the burden to Calvary,
And suffered and died alone.

When with the ransomed in glory
His face I at last shall see,
’Twill be my joy through the ages
To sing of His love for me.

The last time I think I sang I Stand Amazed was last Thanksgiving. And how far I have come since then. I remember distinctly talking with Kevin Y last year during the P&P that I led and how thankful I was at the time for being placed with a wonderful AT and how I was learning so much. I also shared about the worries of my dad losing his job because of outsourcing to Mexico. Right now, I don't have a job, but that is okay - I am still learning everyday to become a better teacher in the jobs that God has bestowed upon me. And the good news is that my dad still has his job. And God-willing, he will keep it until the entire factory shuts down next year. God has definitely been good!

After we sung Amazed, there was a time of prayer - to reflect upon the songs and the passages that were sung today. I was convicted by the Holy Spirit to pray aloud as I was reminded of how AMAZING God had been to me the last year. Even though I was a sinner, condemned, unclean and so incredibly dirty, God has covered me white as snow. He completely broke me and convicted me of how sinful I am, but I was also encouraged by the fact that He has forgiven me and I am now striving to become better each day. I still am so incredibly amazed by what God has done for me this past year and may I continue to rely on him for ALL things!

Grey's Fondue

Last night I decided to get some people together to watch Grey's Anatomy over some fondue. This has been 2 weeks in the making as I was disappointed last week that Grey's had been pre-empted by the vice-presidential and leaders debates in the US and Canada, respectively.

It was definitely tons of fun despite the episode being less than high quality - there were some good parts - but the fondue made up for the not so great episode. I think the season premiere set the bar quite high this season.

The fellowship with one another was very fun and enjoyable.

(we actually had 3 bowls of chocolate going)

(bananas, apples, strawberries & marshmallows! oh my!)

Some highlights of the night:
- fondue etiquette quote
- everyone needing water
- devouring the plate of bananas (good call by Ruby & Rita)
- Kelly's surprise! (biscotti & marshmallows)
- making frozen marshmallows and fruit gummies dipped in chocolate (picture below)
- everyone watching ER afterwards and commenting how their interns don't know anything, but Grey's interns do! haha
- awkward political smear campaign commercials

There was a lot of apples and pears left over, so I made an apple & pear crisp for my family to enjoy!