taaccccccooooo time

mmmm, Mishu made tacos for dinner. I'm spoiled.
well, I'd better get to bed before I get hungry and eat the leftovers.

out.

an inconvenient truth, jumping on the bandwagon

Ya'll are probably sick of hearing about this movie.
I took some time a few weeks back to see it at the Princess Twin (my first time there). I could write a review of the movie but there's really no point... besides writing is not my forte. But I do have a few thoughts.

We make so many decisions in our lives. We decide where we will live, a level of education to pursue, what kind of job we want, which show we'll watch, what supermarkets to shop, we'll decide how to raise our children, what role we'll have in our communities, what type of parent's we'll be. But when, if ever, do we make a decision about how our lives will impact our environment? It has become unconscious.

As a Christian I can not seperate my spirituality from my every day life... I can not afford too. Can I worship God, the creator, when I never stop to think about how my actions and decisions are impacting the earth? How can these go hand in hand? After watching this movie I decided that for me, they can't.

I think every person, at some point, has to make a choice. We can not go our whole lives unconsciously impacting the environment. It's a choice. Make it. Own it. Live it.

guilty as charged

this past weekend I attended an Embassy Leaders Camping trip. well, it could barely be described as camping... we were still in the city limits! but we were surrounded by trees, camp fires, tents and raccoons so it did the trick. :) (thanks Sarah for all the preparing and planning)




my main reason for my post is to share about an activity we completed mid-way through Brandon's teaching. He asked us to take a piece of paper and a rock and go to another part of the camp site. On these pieces of paper we filled out "I am guilty of ___________". After coming back to our seats we went and grabbed the paper and rock from someone else's spot. One by one we read them outloud replacing "I" with "we" and then setting them in the fire. To own another's guilts is a humbling thing. To recognize the struggle in others mirrors your own provides a kinship and strength otherwise unknown.
Of my guilt I am convicted. I know it to be true.
Pray.
I need to pray.

maintaining my cool

I've been doing more swimming this month then I did all last summer. :) Still haven't been to the lake to swim but I'm loving the pools. Not so much wearing a swimsuit but meh, the effort is always worth it!

We have a/c at my job this summer. I didn't grow up with it so I'm used to the warmth but after the unbearable heat in the loft of the Butternut house having a/c this summer is definitely a blessing!

My apartment stays suprisingly cool despite the fact we're on the 8th floor. There's usually a good cross-breeze going through which cools the place quite effectively.

So all in all I'm staying comfortable.

On, to another type of cool... my composure and dealing with frustrations.
If you know me well, you know that I can lose my cool. I don't typically get mad with people, I bottle it so when things go wrong with non-human type things I, well, I overreact and freak out. For instance when my computer freezes I start yelling at it, or when I miss a bus I swear a blue-streak. This uncontrolled thoughtless wigging-out is something that bothers me about myself so over the past few months I've been intentional of trying to understand why I do this and to figure out how I can better deal with frustrations and maintain my cool. Alot of it is just learning to be more laid back and realizing that no matter how I react it's not going to change what's happening (like, yeah swearing at my comp is really going to suddenly make it unfreeze! haha). It sounds so basic but I have to remind myself to chill. Hopefully, it eventually becomes natural to react in a positive and healthy way (sometimes getting angry is healthy... but mostly not). I love how I'm 26 and I still don't have me figured out. :)

so much for budgeting

I spent way too much money this weekend.

Friday night I headed to the movies to catch opening night of Pirates of the Carribean II. I definitely bought refillable popcorn which allowed all 7 of us to share. Yum!

On Saturday morning I helped my friend move into my building. Yeah! Afterwards I headed over the the mall and bought a bunch of things... necessary things but I spent quite a bit of money nonetheless. Saturday evening I finally got a chance to connect with my friend, Tania. It was great! We went to the Keg. It was my first time being there. I had a fantastic steak... drool. I also tried lobster for the first time. I think I like it.

After Elevation on Sunday a bunch of us went out to the Thai place on Northfield. They had super awesome service! There was 9 of us there and we got in and out in 25 minutes! That's unheard of!

It was a great weekend so I guess it doesn't matter.
:)

money, sucks.

So the GST dropped to 6% and all the people are happy. fools, we are. it's a brilliant plan by Harper... in our day of instant results, he's giving the people what they want. But if you're like me you get paid this week and you'll notice a nice little surprise... your federal tax deductions are higher. Coincidence? nope. Oh and get this... the less money you make the higher your deduction jumped. For instance, I know someone whos salary is twice mine and their deduction only went up by $4, mine it went up by $16 per pay period. $32 a month... stink! That $32 makes a difference to me.

My rent is increasing in September.

GRT raised the price of an adult monthly bus pass.

Money, sucks.

Hmmm, now what to cut from my budget? grrr!

july at the embassy

P.S. I had the privilege of designing the poster this month :)
www.the-embassy.org for more details.