I thought I should enlighten all of you, and tell you a story. This is how I buy clothes.
My mom and dad bought me a UofA sweater for my birthday, which was really awesome. When I got it, Mom said to me, "Honey -- there are so many colors and styles of sweaters at the bookstore, I didn't know which one you would like. So I just bought one. If you want to take it back, do it, because I didn't know which one you'd like."
So, i thought to myself: i'll go look.
There's something stupid about going "looking" at hoodies at the UofA stores. That in itself is a problem: THERE IS NOT JUST ONE PLACE. yes, that's right: there's two. You can buy hoodies at the UofA bookstore, or at SUBtitles. They happen to be right across the hall from each other, which means you can't just compare sweaters. You must make MENTAL NOTES, and then walk across the hall. The second thing that's dumb is that there are about a MILLION different sweaters in a plethera of colors, shapes and styles.
Back to the story.
I decided I was going to go look. Wonderful. I looked at a bunch of clothes, and was immediately overwhelmed, and then decided to leave.
As I was walking around, I decided that I needed to have MORAL SUPPORT in order to go sweater shopping at the UofA. There really were just too many options. So i called up my friend, and she agreed to meet me before her classes on Friday and help me decide if I was going to exchange my sweater.
We met on Friday, and headed over to SUB to check out the sweaters. First we went into SUBtitles, but we didn't find anything that I liked MORE than what I already had. So then we went across the hall to the bookstore. After looking at almost all of them, we found one that I liked. So THEN the problem is finding a mirror. We wandered around the store for a bit, and finally found a mirror.
great.
so then my poor friend had to witness me putting one on and taking it off, and then putting the other one on and taking it off. (i'm pretty sure she thinks I did it a MILLION times. I maintain I only did it 3 times.) But I still couldn't decide. Here was my problem: the one I was looking at switching to was grey, and I can't wear a grey sweater with gray sweatpants. (incidentally, I only own gray sweatpants).
My friend was pretty much rolling on the ground by now in agony. Did i mention that she hadn't had coffee yet?? She's a little like my sister in that respect...
I thought I had decided to go with the gray one anyway, but then I realized. "HEY! I've got my cell phone! I'll call mom." So I did. And we talked about the sweater. Finally my mom persuaded me to buy the gray sweater, and return the blue one that she had bought.
OK. Fine. No problem. Except she bought the blue one at the OTHER store. I had to traipse all the way back to the other store across the hall, and persuade them to return my money, even though more than 7 days had elapsed. Then I had to pusuade them NOT to put it onto my credit card, but to give it to me in cash. THEN, i went back to the other store and bought the other sweater. (which I am wearing now, by the way.)
After that, my friend and I went for coffee.
The moral of the story: thank goodness for friends, who will put up my my crap while I'm shopping. ( for those of you who may have trouble getting your friends to be this awesome: you just have to promise coffee afterwards...)
Monday, April 03, 2006
Monday, March 27, 2006
The truth of it all
My English Prof asked an interesting question in class a couple of days ago..
I may seem a little naive to you, but those two words seem rather synonymous to me. To prove my point, I even looked them up in both a dictionary and thesaurus. They're used interchangeably: one to define the other, and they're listed as synonyms. As more and more people responded to the question, I started jotting down some of their points:
- Facts are what actually happened, and truth is an interpretation of those facts.
- Truth is your perception of what happened.
- Facts are included in truth, but facts and truth are not the same.
- Truth is biased because it contains your opinion.
AND, my personal favorites:
- Truth is the way we interpret fact.
- We can't judge someone else's truth. What's true for them might not be true for me.
In all of this, there was one guy who raised his hand and argued the opposite. (hats off to you, Adam) Although I know that this is rapidly becoming a commonly held view, I wondered to myself if all those people actually realize what this belief can do. What a sad state of decline our society is in. I would ask what happened, but I kindof know already.
I'm not exactly sure what I wanted to say with this post, except spew my displeasure into cyberspace. It made me hurt. How sad God must be when he looks at us. He is truth -- the REAL truth, and we walk away from him. He calls us back to truth, and we say there's no such thing. We're just echos of Pilate, just before he agrees to have Jesus crucified:
John 18:37-40
Pilate replied, "You are a king then?"
"You say that I am a king, and you are right," Jesus said. "I was born for that purpose. And I came to bring truth to the world. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true."
"What is truth?" Pilate asked. Then he went out again to the people and told them, "He is not guilty of any crime. But you have a custom of asking me to release someone from prison each year at Passover. So if you want me to, I'll release the King of the Jews."
But they shouted back, "No! Not this man, but Barabbas!" (Barabbas was a criminal.)
How much God must hurt when we turn our backs on him, and on his truth. Those “philosophers” in class think they know it all, but it’s only in knowing truth that we really begin to know anything at all….
"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (Jn8:32)
"What is the difference between fact and truth?"
I may seem a little naive to you, but those two words seem rather synonymous to me. To prove my point, I even looked them up in both a dictionary and thesaurus. They're used interchangeably: one to define the other, and they're listed as synonyms. As more and more people responded to the question, I started jotting down some of their points:
- Facts are what actually happened, and truth is an interpretation of those facts.
- Truth is your perception of what happened.
- Facts are included in truth, but facts and truth are not the same.
- Truth is biased because it contains your opinion.
AND, my personal favorites:
- Truth is the way we interpret fact.
- We can't judge someone else's truth. What's true for them might not be true for me.
In all of this, there was one guy who raised his hand and argued the opposite. (hats off to you, Adam) Although I know that this is rapidly becoming a commonly held view, I wondered to myself if all those people actually realize what this belief can do. What a sad state of decline our society is in. I would ask what happened, but I kindof know already.
I'm not exactly sure what I wanted to say with this post, except spew my displeasure into cyberspace. It made me hurt. How sad God must be when he looks at us. He is truth -- the REAL truth, and we walk away from him. He calls us back to truth, and we say there's no such thing. We're just echos of Pilate, just before he agrees to have Jesus crucified:
John 18:37-40
Pilate replied, "You are a king then?"
"You say that I am a king, and you are right," Jesus said. "I was born for that purpose. And I came to bring truth to the world. All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true."
"What is truth?" Pilate asked. Then he went out again to the people and told them, "He is not guilty of any crime. But you have a custom of asking me to release someone from prison each year at Passover. So if you want me to, I'll release the King of the Jews."
But they shouted back, "No! Not this man, but Barabbas!" (Barabbas was a criminal.)
How much God must hurt when we turn our backs on him, and on his truth. Those “philosophers” in class think they know it all, but it’s only in knowing truth that we really begin to know anything at all….
"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (Jn8:32)
Friday, March 17, 2006
Amazing Pictures
Hi all!!
I've heard some good things about my "Steven Mandel" story. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Here is something more for you to enjoy:
http://www.terragalleria.com/theravada
It's an absolutely amazing site of pictures from around the world. Of course, the ones I liked best were the ones were from Thailand and Cambodia and Laos (where I've been.) Check them out. You can click on the link there, or the link at the bottom of this post.
To those of you who prayed about worship last weekend at church: THANK YOU. God was amazing.
I've heard some good things about my "Steven Mandel" story. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Here is something more for you to enjoy:
http://www.terragalleria.com/theravada
It's an absolutely amazing site of pictures from around the world. Of course, the ones I liked best were the ones were from Thailand and Cambodia and Laos (where I've been.) Check them out. You can click on the link there, or the link at the bottom of this post.
To those of you who prayed about worship last weekend at church: THANK YOU. God was amazing.
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Showing up with Steven Mandel
Those of you who are from Edmonton, you don't need to be told that Steven Mandel is the mayor. To those of you who are not from around here:
Steven Mandel is the Mayor of Edmonton. He is Jewish.
He happened to be at the Jewish Synogogue that I attended on the last two Saturdays. I was doing a "research project" for my world religion class. The first time I went (see the Feb25 post), two thirds through the service, I looked to my left, and sitting at the end of the pew? Yes, none other than Steven Mandel. Now, usually, I'm not one to be all "agog" around those who are in politics, but it struck me as odd that he showed up with 20 minutes left. The Jewish service starts at 9, and ends at 12:30, and he was there around noon. (I should mention that he appeared long enough to recite the designated passage of scripture for the passing of a loved one.) I should also mention that after his designated assignment was complete, he left.
To make a short story VERY long, one my friend coined a phrase. It means "TO SHOW UP LATE". As of right now, add the phrase "SHOWING UP WITH STEVEN MANDEL" to your lexicon. It can be used in several contexts. For instance, if I was late for class, I could tell my mom that "my bus was late and I showed up with Steven Mandel". Or if I was planning to go to a party and was intending on being fashionably late, I would say that "I'm planning to show up with Steven Mandel".
Now that we have covered this, let's move on to the real story.
I went to the synagogue on Feb25 (as you have read). I learned a lot. But I didn't have enough to write my paper. I had to "interview" an 'informed member of the community.' I used my wonderful procrastination skills, and ended up having to get an extention on my paper because of this interview. ANWAY, through a series of frustrating events in which neither the secretary nor the rabbi phoned me back, I found myself showing up with Steven Mandel on Saturday morning. I went alone this time.
Because I had shown up with Steven Mandel, I asked a man who was standing at the door where I should sit. I explained that I was a university student, and that I was visiting, and I really wanted to talk to someone after the service. So he looks around, and says to me, "see that lady with the big hair, sitting in the back bench??" "yah" "go sit with her, and tell her you're new."
UH??!?!!? Ok. I'll just walk over to this strange lady, and interrupt her service, and announce the fact that I know nothing.
I did. I went over, and introduced myself, and blamed my rudeness on the man at the back. She smiled, and promptly began explaining EVERYTHING that was going on. She explained all of the pictures on the walls, and the readings. She explained all the gestures, the songs, the Hebrew and the Aramaic... everything. There was no question that she didn't answer. AND THEN, half way through, she asked me if I wanted to attend the Kosher meal afterwards. It was incredible. She helped me understand the things that I didn't understand when I sat through the first service.
This isn't the best part though. That little conversation didn't count as an "interview". The interview was supposed to give me a look at what it means to be a Jew, and how life is different for her than for me.
OK. on to the story.
The meal, also was fascinating. First of all, because I decided that I would find it difficult to eat kosher food 24-7. Secondly because I was introduced to this lady's friend. Between them both, they agreed to answer all my questions, and to sign my release form. They answered all the questions I asked about life and how their actions are shaped by the Torah (Old Testament). It was especially neat to see two ladies with two different perspectives on their religion. The even cooler part was that one of the ladies is a personal friend of my prof.
God was so cool on Saturday. There are two other girls who have been phoning the rabbi at this synagogue for over a month, trying to make an appointment for an interview, and trying to get their release forms signed. God arranged the whole thing for me. I was in awe.
I still am in awe. The way God made the details work out was incredible.
The part that really topped off my Saturday was the privilege to go to church and sing on the worship band, and have it miraculously work out. We were unable to have a practice during the week, so our first rehersal was an hour before the service. But God worked it out, and showed up in power. What a great finish to a suprising day.
I am standing in awe of him and his power.
Truly God is good to me.
Steven Mandel is the Mayor of Edmonton. He is Jewish.
He happened to be at the Jewish Synogogue that I attended on the last two Saturdays. I was doing a "research project" for my world religion class. The first time I went (see the Feb25 post), two thirds through the service, I looked to my left, and sitting at the end of the pew? Yes, none other than Steven Mandel. Now, usually, I'm not one to be all "agog" around those who are in politics, but it struck me as odd that he showed up with 20 minutes left. The Jewish service starts at 9, and ends at 12:30, and he was there around noon. (I should mention that he appeared long enough to recite the designated passage of scripture for the passing of a loved one.) I should also mention that after his designated assignment was complete, he left.
To make a short story VERY long, one my friend coined a phrase. It means "TO SHOW UP LATE". As of right now, add the phrase "SHOWING UP WITH STEVEN MANDEL" to your lexicon. It can be used in several contexts. For instance, if I was late for class, I could tell my mom that "my bus was late and I showed up with Steven Mandel". Or if I was planning to go to a party and was intending on being fashionably late, I would say that "I'm planning to show up with Steven Mandel".
Now that we have covered this, let's move on to the real story.
I went to the synagogue on Feb25 (as you have read). I learned a lot. But I didn't have enough to write my paper. I had to "interview" an 'informed member of the community.' I used my wonderful procrastination skills, and ended up having to get an extention on my paper because of this interview. ANWAY, through a series of frustrating events in which neither the secretary nor the rabbi phoned me back, I found myself showing up with Steven Mandel on Saturday morning. I went alone this time.
Because I had shown up with Steven Mandel, I asked a man who was standing at the door where I should sit. I explained that I was a university student, and that I was visiting, and I really wanted to talk to someone after the service. So he looks around, and says to me, "see that lady with the big hair, sitting in the back bench??" "yah" "go sit with her, and tell her you're new."
UH??!?!!? Ok. I'll just walk over to this strange lady, and interrupt her service, and announce the fact that I know nothing.
I did. I went over, and introduced myself, and blamed my rudeness on the man at the back. She smiled, and promptly began explaining EVERYTHING that was going on. She explained all of the pictures on the walls, and the readings. She explained all the gestures, the songs, the Hebrew and the Aramaic... everything. There was no question that she didn't answer. AND THEN, half way through, she asked me if I wanted to attend the Kosher meal afterwards. It was incredible. She helped me understand the things that I didn't understand when I sat through the first service.
This isn't the best part though. That little conversation didn't count as an "interview". The interview was supposed to give me a look at what it means to be a Jew, and how life is different for her than for me.
OK. on to the story.
The meal, also was fascinating. First of all, because I decided that I would find it difficult to eat kosher food 24-7. Secondly because I was introduced to this lady's friend. Between them both, they agreed to answer all my questions, and to sign my release form. They answered all the questions I asked about life and how their actions are shaped by the Torah (Old Testament). It was especially neat to see two ladies with two different perspectives on their religion. The even cooler part was that one of the ladies is a personal friend of my prof.
God was so cool on Saturday. There are two other girls who have been phoning the rabbi at this synagogue for over a month, trying to make an appointment for an interview, and trying to get their release forms signed. God arranged the whole thing for me. I was in awe.
I still am in awe. The way God made the details work out was incredible.
The part that really topped off my Saturday was the privilege to go to church and sing on the worship band, and have it miraculously work out. We were unable to have a practice during the week, so our first rehersal was an hour before the service. But God worked it out, and showed up in power. What a great finish to a suprising day.
I am standing in awe of him and his power.
Truly God is good to me.
Monday, March 06, 2006
The Muffin Fairy
By popular demand: The Story of the Muffin Fairy.
(which is, in fact, completely true. except for the fairies. but the story line is true. this all happened to me, and I'm not even kidding.)
Dear ma'am,
I recieved your acclaimed "muffin fairies" last week, and decided to put them to work right away. Unfortunately, it appears that my muffin fairies are both defective, and the apple muffin fairy did a crappy job of morphing my fruit into muffins.
Let me illustrate my point with a story: (a true story)
My apple muffin fairy came up with this really great idea that the soft apples should be made into apple cream cheese muffins. This was a great idea. So, the apples were cut up into tiny little pieces, and the muffin fairy realized that she had double the amount of apples that she needed. no worries. then the apple fairy put the butter in the microwave to melt it, just as the recipe said. So she pulled out a block of butter from the fridge and put it in the pyrex and melted it down. Unfortunately, when she went to pour the butter into the mixer, she neglected to LOOK at the amount of butter that was melted. It was 1/2, not 1/4. And then, the muffin fairy added the apples to the batter (almost all of the DOUBLE amount of apples), and mixed evrything together. Unfortunately, the silly apple muffin fairy forgot to buy another muffin tin. So the muffin fairy spent the next 2 1/2 hours making her 18 muffins in a muffin tin of 6 cups. She had to bake 3 tins of muffins so that they could all be done by the time she wanted to go to bed.
When the muffins were done, a few things became apparent. First, the muffin tin was new, and did not have a built up layer of grease to keep the muffins from sticking, and the mufffin fairy did not grease her muffin tin. Second, because of the extra ingredients, the muffins fell apart instantaneously without holding together in the slightest. SO, the muffin fairy ended up with a 3 tins of muffin pieces.
Stupid Apple Muffin Fairy. Fortunately for her, the muffins taste good, and that saved her from being thrown out into the frost for her poor job in the kitchen.
The Banana Muffin Fairy is also defective, as she HID MY BANANAS IN THE COAT CLOSET for 2 days before I found them. How am I supposed to eat my bananas when I can't even find them?? How are they supposed to be morphed later if they're missing??
My muffin fairies are defective. I would like to SEND THEM BACK for a full refund, or replacement fairies. I would also like to request a new dinner fairy, as mine seems to have run away from home.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
an unhappy muffin fairy recipient
Dear ma'am,
I recieved your acclaimed "muffin fairies" last week, and decided to put them to work right away. Unfortunately, it appears that my muffin fairies are both defective, and the apple muffin fairy did a crappy job of morphing my fruit into muffins.
Let me illustrate my point with a story: (a true story)
My apple muffin fairy came up with this really great idea that the soft apples should be made into apple cream cheese muffins. This was a great idea. So, the apples were cut up into tiny little pieces, and the muffin fairy realized that she had double the amount of apples that she needed. no worries. then the apple fairy put the butter in the microwave to melt it, just as the recipe said. So she pulled out a block of butter from the fridge and put it in the pyrex and melted it down. Unfortunately, when she went to pour the butter into the mixer, she neglected to LOOK at the amount of butter that was melted. It was 1/2, not 1/4. And then, the muffin fairy added the apples to the batter (almost all of the DOUBLE amount of apples), and mixed evrything together. Unfortunately, the silly apple muffin fairy forgot to buy another muffin tin. So the muffin fairy spent the next 2 1/2 hours making her 18 muffins in a muffin tin of 6 cups. She had to bake 3 tins of muffins so that they could all be done by the time she wanted to go to bed.
When the muffins were done, a few things became apparent. First, the muffin tin was new, and did not have a built up layer of grease to keep the muffins from sticking, and the mufffin fairy did not grease her muffin tin. Second, because of the extra ingredients, the muffins fell apart instantaneously without holding together in the slightest. SO, the muffin fairy ended up with a 3 tins of muffin pieces.
Stupid Apple Muffin Fairy. Fortunately for her, the muffins taste good, and that saved her from being thrown out into the frost for her poor job in the kitchen.
The Banana Muffin Fairy is also defective, as she HID MY BANANAS IN THE COAT CLOSET for 2 days before I found them. How am I supposed to eat my bananas when I can't even find them?? How are they supposed to be morphed later if they're missing??
My muffin fairies are defective. I would like to SEND THEM BACK for a full refund, or replacement fairies. I would also like to request a new dinner fairy, as mine seems to have run away from home.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
an unhappy muffin fairy recipient
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