Church was really good yesterday. Tiana and I tried a church, City Bible Church that was recommended by Luke. They don't have a website which made it hard to find them, but we did get their number in time and found that they had just moved to another location, closer to us--in the Frankton Market area!! That was great. This was their second week there.
We don't know what to expect when we enter the warehouse that is their church location. But friendly faces greet us immediately and we have a good talk with people from all different nations--including America. One of the pastors is from Texas and he and his wife just moved here in January. He LOVES Ohio State Football because he graduated from there. The other, main pastor who's been running the church for 6 years is Campbell. He knows Luke. He was very cool and down to earth. Then there was a girl who introduced us to everyone, Laurie, and she works for Campus Crusade for Christ at the University. There were also a few people who worked with Word of Life. I even managed to meet a few Graphic Design people and a few more sketchers and closet artists. Nice! The church is mostly made up of young adults, and people in their 30's I'd say. There are some young kids from all ages and a some of the older generation. It's definitely a newer church feel. There were about 120ish amount of people. Maybe more. We were all sitting on cream colored plastic lawn chairs. It was very casual and relaxing, but the message was awesome!! Since it was Pentecost Sunday, we read in Acts and the pastor had everyone turn to Acts in their Bible instead of just putting it up on PowerPoint. I love that. I've missed that the past few weeks since the other churches were bigger and put verses up there. I liked how Pastor Cal at home always made us turn to the verses in our Bibles so we can see it for ourselves as well and make notes, and sometimes he'd put the verses up too. It shows the value of individuals knowing the Bible instead of just the pastor.
After church we were invited to a lunch for the young adults group and met even more people!! My head's still swimming with faces and names!
Tiana and I were looking for a church that had a young adults group. We want to connect with others our age. Many of the churches in Hamilton that had a good amount of young adults and programs for young adults were churches that were not Biblically sound. No wonder the Malaniks were sent to plant a church in Hamilton. The churches that seemed Biblically sound didn't have a program or Bible Study for young adults. So, we feel kinda left out.
This church seems good so far, but we don't know all the info about the church yet. We are having lunch with Campbell and his wife next Sunday and so we will find out more, but we'll keep going there to learn a bit more about the church.
Please keep us in prayer!!!! We like this church a lot, but we don't want to get too involved until we know that they are Biblically sound. We've learned a lot about some key things, but we still need to know more. Pray for us!!
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Grrrrrrrrrrr!!!
Yes, I am not happy.
We found out a few days ago that we can only do temp work from an agency because of the nature of our visas. Fine. I've been avoiding them all my life, but Hamilton's not huge and we do need work.
We had our inverview today with the agency. It was a joint interview with Tiana and I. Not a good idea. That's like comparing two people.
And of course my resume holds artsy and creative as my strong points, with a bit of casual secretary work and retail thrown in. I tried to turn in a left-brained resume. I really did. It was very professional. It just was handed in to the wrong profession! Our interviewer glanced over it with a kind of "...eh.." attitude. She was friendly enough. Just not into the whole "art" thing. She said that maybe I would be good for an Advertisment company.
Could I just really stand up and say, "Look lady. I need money. I heard that yall might know how to get me some. Bills are due and I wanna have fun on my working holiday. Please, give me a job."
As we were taking various skills tests that I could care less about, and signing forms, forms, and more forms, I was thinking to myself, this is horrible!!! I just wanted to grab a simple job, retail or something, and enjoy New Zealand that way. But now, I have to think about temporary (thankfully temporary) work, 9-5, blah blah blah behind a desk, in front of a computer, typing number after number after number. Ugh!!!! I want out!!!!!
but i need a job. bills are due. very soon.
We found out a few days ago that we can only do temp work from an agency because of the nature of our visas. Fine. I've been avoiding them all my life, but Hamilton's not huge and we do need work.
We had our inverview today with the agency. It was a joint interview with Tiana and I. Not a good idea. That's like comparing two people.
And of course my resume holds artsy and creative as my strong points, with a bit of casual secretary work and retail thrown in. I tried to turn in a left-brained resume. I really did. It was very professional. It just was handed in to the wrong profession! Our interviewer glanced over it with a kind of "...eh.." attitude. She was friendly enough. Just not into the whole "art" thing. She said that maybe I would be good for an Advertisment company.
Could I just really stand up and say, "Look lady. I need money. I heard that yall might know how to get me some. Bills are due and I wanna have fun on my working holiday. Please, give me a job."
As we were taking various skills tests that I could care less about, and signing forms, forms, and more forms, I was thinking to myself, this is horrible!!! I just wanted to grab a simple job, retail or something, and enjoy New Zealand that way. But now, I have to think about temporary (thankfully temporary) work, 9-5, blah blah blah behind a desk, in front of a computer, typing number after number after number. Ugh!!!! I want out!!!!!
but i need a job. bills are due. very soon.
Monday, May 21, 2007
Pictures!!!!!!!!
I've got pictures!!! Tiana and I went to the library and uploaded the pictures from our camera onto that computer, then burned them to a disk. Here goes. Make sure you've read the last couple of entries to better understand the pics.
Day 1. This is me, super-excited about being back in New Zealand!! We were staying with Luke and Kristin and they lived out in the country in Cambridge. Beautiful!
This is me, cleaning the apartment before we moved in. See how excited I am--NOT!!
This is Tiana standing in front of our apartment building.
Frankton Market. Can you find Tiana?
Lake Rotorua!!
The "Go bus". Yes, it's really called "go bus." And boy does it fly down those streets!!
Me and Tiana. Happy in New Zealand. Don't you want to visit us?
By the way, you can always leave a comment here, on my blogs. You don't have to sign up for anything. Just do it as anonymous and be sure to leave who you are! Otherwise, drop me an email. Please!!!
Sunday, May 20, 2007
FYI #2
The Bus
Note to self: when attempting to catch a bus in another country, make sure you are standing on the correct side of the street.
When we were catching the bus yesterday, we thought we were so smart, having been on a bus numerous times at home. So we walk right up to the bus stop, smiling to ourselves, confident that we knew what we were doing and stood there for awhile. Now, the bus stops in Hamilton, New Zealand have the schedule information posted in the bus stop pole. It so happened that ours was rubbed off, so we thought we should check the stop across the street. Before we crossed, we noticed a car coming from the direction that we were expecting our bus to come from. The only thing is, it was on the other side of the road. You know, in New Zealand, everything is switched. Cars drive on the left side of the road instead of on the right like in America. We were on the wrong side! Boy, did we feel dumb! So we hurry across the street and just as we get to that bus stop, here comes good ole mister "Go" bus, speeding towards the stop. Had we not crossed the street in time, we would have missed our bus!! Fun times. Nevermind that we pushed the "stop" button when the bus was at the bus station in the city center, only to find that everyone gets off at that point. Brilliant.
Note to self: when attempting to catch a bus in another country, make sure you are standing on the correct side of the street.
When we were catching the bus yesterday, we thought we were so smart, having been on a bus numerous times at home. So we walk right up to the bus stop, smiling to ourselves, confident that we knew what we were doing and stood there for awhile. Now, the bus stops in Hamilton, New Zealand have the schedule information posted in the bus stop pole. It so happened that ours was rubbed off, so we thought we should check the stop across the street. Before we crossed, we noticed a car coming from the direction that we were expecting our bus to come from. The only thing is, it was on the other side of the road. You know, in New Zealand, everything is switched. Cars drive on the left side of the road instead of on the right like in America. We were on the wrong side! Boy, did we feel dumb! So we hurry across the street and just as we get to that bus stop, here comes good ole mister "Go" bus, speeding towards the stop. Had we not crossed the street in time, we would have missed our bus!! Fun times. Nevermind that we pushed the "stop" button when the bus was at the bus station in the city center, only to find that everyone gets off at that point. Brilliant.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
A Busy Day Indeed and FYI #1
Today...ah...was very eventful--in a good way.
First, Tiana and I got up early and bummed around for an hour or so, then we headed down the street to Frankton Market. This is an outdoor market where everything from clothing and fruits & veggies, to artwork and trinkets that no one really needs are sold. It was fun.There were a lot of Maori shops where they were carving special symbols out of cow bone, and musicians walking around with guitars and singing. We were able to talk to one of the guys carving and shaping the bone. He knew we were from America and was explaining about the carving and trying to convince us to buy a "prosperity" symbol as a souvenir for family and friends back home. There were plants that we could buy for a lot cheaper than anywhere. There were fruits and veggies displayed everywhere at very good prices. And they looked very good and fresh. We're going to get our veggies from the market for as long as they sell them. As it is, we picked up a couple of fijoa fruits that were juicy and plump. I've had them before and I wanted Tiana to try them. There were also handmade jewelry spots and rugs and fabrics. The street it was on was near another train station and had a "quaint" feel to it with lots of people from different cultures passing through. It was very nice. We also met a South African Man who said he saw us as was debating whether we were from his country or not, and then said he knew that we "must be American". I guess it's the mixture of cultures we have in our blood. People from other countries just cannot figure it out. It's not like they're going to say, "aren't you African/Irish/Portuguese/Native American?" Haha.
We were also able to catch an early lunch of lamb kabobs, corn dogs, egg foo yung (which was more like an omelet than what we know from America), and sweet and sour pork. Don't worry. It wasn't as much as it sounds. We split our food with each other and portions here are at healthier portions than America's "supersized menu."
Next, we decided to walk to Lake Rotarua which wasn't too far away. We saw mountains in the distance and so we wanted to see if we could get a better view of them from the lake. It was beautiful!!!! People were out walking around, renting lake bikes & canoes, and there was even a guy playing a guitar. Classic! We stayed there for awhile and then thought we were out for a long time, so we checked our watch and it was only 12:30pm!!! We decided to catch a bus to the city center instead of walking and we were able to for $2.30 a piece. Then we checked out some overpriced department stores and finally ended up at the Warehouse (like a wal-mart). At that point we were very tired so we had to sit down at on of their resting spots.
After the Warehouse we stopped off at a grocery store and bought some sarsaparilla because we heard it was like rootbeer and they don't have rootbeer in New Zealand from what I've seen. It didn't have as strong a flavor as Rootbeer, but it still worked out nice for a rootbeer float.
Yes, we're tired. Tomorrow's church and we're going back to the same church from last week for an info lunch with people from the church. We're still looking for a church home and yes, we can be bribed with food to at least visit a second time :) Sad, but true. We took lots of pictures, but we still can't hook our camera to the comp yet. i hope mom get that instillation disk to us soon.
FYI
I decided to write a random thought for (almost) each day so here we go:
A trip to the Post
So the other day we went looking for a post office and found one that was empty and said they had moved. So we walked over to where they had moved and found out that particular type of post office didn't have envelopes. Actually, I'm not sure if they actually mailed things either. So we were directed to go all the way down to the city center to another place that did have envelopes, but you had to mail letters outside in the post box. Now it doesn't sound as confusing as it really was at the time, but all we wanted was to mail a simple letter and ended up walking all around the city to find a place that did mailings. On our way back home, we stopped at the place where the Frankton Market is usually held, and found a post office that is much closer. This is good, except, we don't actually know if they mail out letters yet. Hmm. It's probably more of our incompetence than it is of New Zealand's quirkiness. Like I've said before, everyday things are such an ordeal!
First, Tiana and I got up early and bummed around for an hour or so, then we headed down the street to Frankton Market. This is an outdoor market where everything from clothing and fruits & veggies, to artwork and trinkets that no one really needs are sold. It was fun.There were a lot of Maori shops where they were carving special symbols out of cow bone, and musicians walking around with guitars and singing. We were able to talk to one of the guys carving and shaping the bone. He knew we were from America and was explaining about the carving and trying to convince us to buy a "prosperity" symbol as a souvenir for family and friends back home. There were plants that we could buy for a lot cheaper than anywhere. There were fruits and veggies displayed everywhere at very good prices. And they looked very good and fresh. We're going to get our veggies from the market for as long as they sell them. As it is, we picked up a couple of fijoa fruits that were juicy and plump. I've had them before and I wanted Tiana to try them. There were also handmade jewelry spots and rugs and fabrics. The street it was on was near another train station and had a "quaint" feel to it with lots of people from different cultures passing through. It was very nice. We also met a South African Man who said he saw us as was debating whether we were from his country or not, and then said he knew that we "must be American". I guess it's the mixture of cultures we have in our blood. People from other countries just cannot figure it out. It's not like they're going to say, "aren't you African/Irish/Portuguese/Native American?" Haha.
We were also able to catch an early lunch of lamb kabobs, corn dogs, egg foo yung (which was more like an omelet than what we know from America), and sweet and sour pork. Don't worry. It wasn't as much as it sounds. We split our food with each other and portions here are at healthier portions than America's "supersized menu."
Next, we decided to walk to Lake Rotarua which wasn't too far away. We saw mountains in the distance and so we wanted to see if we could get a better view of them from the lake. It was beautiful!!!! People were out walking around, renting lake bikes & canoes, and there was even a guy playing a guitar. Classic! We stayed there for awhile and then thought we were out for a long time, so we checked our watch and it was only 12:30pm!!! We decided to catch a bus to the city center instead of walking and we were able to for $2.30 a piece. Then we checked out some overpriced department stores and finally ended up at the Warehouse (like a wal-mart). At that point we were very tired so we had to sit down at on of their resting spots.
After the Warehouse we stopped off at a grocery store and bought some sarsaparilla because we heard it was like rootbeer and they don't have rootbeer in New Zealand from what I've seen. It didn't have as strong a flavor as Rootbeer, but it still worked out nice for a rootbeer float.
Yes, we're tired. Tomorrow's church and we're going back to the same church from last week for an info lunch with people from the church. We're still looking for a church home and yes, we can be bribed with food to at least visit a second time :) Sad, but true. We took lots of pictures, but we still can't hook our camera to the comp yet. i hope mom get that instillation disk to us soon.
FYI
I decided to write a random thought for (almost) each day so here we go:
A trip to the Post
So the other day we went looking for a post office and found one that was empty and said they had moved. So we walked over to where they had moved and found out that particular type of post office didn't have envelopes. Actually, I'm not sure if they actually mailed things either. So we were directed to go all the way down to the city center to another place that did have envelopes, but you had to mail letters outside in the post box. Now it doesn't sound as confusing as it really was at the time, but all we wanted was to mail a simple letter and ended up walking all around the city to find a place that did mailings. On our way back home, we stopped at the place where the Frankton Market is usually held, and found a post office that is much closer. This is good, except, we don't actually know if they mail out letters yet. Hmm. It's probably more of our incompetence than it is of New Zealand's quirkiness. Like I've said before, everyday things are such an ordeal!
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
So today Tiana and I spoke to people on skype for like half the day. Our mornings the next day are your evenings the previous day. It's hard to keep track. It's nice to talk for free!
It's crazy here in New Zealand. Everything is soooo expensive because it's imported. You can get jewelry cheaper here, but electronics are ridiculous. Our phone and answer machine cost us enough for a fancy phone back in America. Hmm.
We've found a good Christian radio station called Life FM. It plays a wide variety of music that I love. Kudos to them!
We've gone to two different churches so far. The first one was great!!! And I recognized some people from when I was in New Zealand before. But, the church is in Cambridge and so we cannot get there. We went with the couple that we stayed with last week, Luke and Kristin. Last week we went to another church around Hamilton. It seemed okay, but we are going to keep searching. Please keep us in your prayers. We may try to catch a ride to the cambridge church again, by bus or by carpooling with one of the guys who picked us up.
Speaking of Luke and Kristin, the high-school history teacher by day and rock singer by night, with his wife the M.I.A. Kiwifruit 18 hour working day maniac for the next few months due to the Kiwifruit packing season for her family's farm...yes, they were a big blessing to us. If someone would have told me that my first week in New Zealand would include a tour of a Kiwifruit packing site, a highschool Maori hangi competition, and a NZ battle of the bands with the bass guitar and electric guitar players of the "Holy Rollers" picking us up from the airport, and the lead singer being the guy that was a friend of a friend who we'd be staying with-not to mention our stay on an open land of beautiful rollings hills and cows and sheep and all the things that make New Zealand so beautiful,....yeah, I probably wouldn't have believed it.
Whew!
Too bad I was sick for the first few days. But the bad cold is wearing off and the jet lag is slipping away. It's all good.
We moved into our apartment last Thursday. It could have been cleaner, but, it's very nice. We just a lot more cleaning to do than we expected. Internet is up and running again after some wiring problems. Sorry I couldn't post sooner. We just recieved our couch and two dressers today from Habitat for humanity who not only builds houses, but also fixes furniture and sells it at thrift store prices. Oh, and they deliver, so thus we were able to get a bit of furniture in our apartment. Beds cost tooooooooooo much, at least twice as much as home. So, we'll be sleeping on our air matresses a little longer. We tried to find tall air matress than can last a year. Y'know, so we're not sleeping on the floor with little ones. We've had no such luck so far. We'll such the web for a little, then we'll turn to ebay or somewhere to see if we can get one shipped here.
Well, I need to get some decorating done. Pictures of NZ will have to come a little later.
Cheers!
It's crazy here in New Zealand. Everything is soooo expensive because it's imported. You can get jewelry cheaper here, but electronics are ridiculous. Our phone and answer machine cost us enough for a fancy phone back in America. Hmm.
We've found a good Christian radio station called Life FM. It plays a wide variety of music that I love. Kudos to them!
We've gone to two different churches so far. The first one was great!!! And I recognized some people from when I was in New Zealand before. But, the church is in Cambridge and so we cannot get there. We went with the couple that we stayed with last week, Luke and Kristin. Last week we went to another church around Hamilton. It seemed okay, but we are going to keep searching. Please keep us in your prayers. We may try to catch a ride to the cambridge church again, by bus or by carpooling with one of the guys who picked us up.
Speaking of Luke and Kristin, the high-school history teacher by day and rock singer by night, with his wife the M.I.A. Kiwifruit 18 hour working day maniac for the next few months due to the Kiwifruit packing season for her family's farm...yes, they were a big blessing to us. If someone would have told me that my first week in New Zealand would include a tour of a Kiwifruit packing site, a highschool Maori hangi competition, and a NZ battle of the bands with the bass guitar and electric guitar players of the "Holy Rollers" picking us up from the airport, and the lead singer being the guy that was a friend of a friend who we'd be staying with-not to mention our stay on an open land of beautiful rollings hills and cows and sheep and all the things that make New Zealand so beautiful,....yeah, I probably wouldn't have believed it.
Whew!
Too bad I was sick for the first few days. But the bad cold is wearing off and the jet lag is slipping away. It's all good.
We moved into our apartment last Thursday. It could have been cleaner, but, it's very nice. We just a lot more cleaning to do than we expected. Internet is up and running again after some wiring problems. Sorry I couldn't post sooner. We just recieved our couch and two dressers today from Habitat for humanity who not only builds houses, but also fixes furniture and sells it at thrift store prices. Oh, and they deliver, so thus we were able to get a bit of furniture in our apartment. Beds cost tooooooooooo much, at least twice as much as home. So, we'll be sleeping on our air matresses a little longer. We tried to find tall air matress than can last a year. Y'know, so we're not sleeping on the floor with little ones. We've had no such luck so far. We'll such the web for a little, then we'll turn to ebay or somewhere to see if we can get one shipped here.
Well, I need to get some decorating done. Pictures of NZ will have to come a little later.
Cheers!
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Greetings from the southern hemisphere
Hi. Yes. I exist.
In the future!
New Zealand is 16 hours ahead of most of you guys from home, so, yeah.
It's been eventful here. We had internet, then we it messed up so we had to get another type that cost $100 kiwidollars more. Right now i'm at the library, but hopefully by tonight or tommorow I will be able to use the internet at home.
I have a short time limit at this computer so, I'll have to get back to the whole UPDATE thing.
For now, just know that we miss home, love all you guys, and really need continued prayer as we are going through this adjustment stage.
Thank you so much for all of the encouragement notes and emails. It made me very happy. And Tiana too, I'm sure.
For now, bye bye.
In the future!
New Zealand is 16 hours ahead of most of you guys from home, so, yeah.
It's been eventful here. We had internet, then we it messed up so we had to get another type that cost $100 kiwidollars more. Right now i'm at the library, but hopefully by tonight or tommorow I will be able to use the internet at home.
I have a short time limit at this computer so, I'll have to get back to the whole UPDATE thing.
For now, just know that we miss home, love all you guys, and really need continued prayer as we are going through this adjustment stage.
Thank you so much for all of the encouragement notes and emails. It made me very happy. And Tiana too, I'm sure.
For now, bye bye.
Monday, April 23, 2007
"It's soooooo hoooottt out!" -Narnia-
y'know- the little dwarf said this as the snow was melting. haha...haaa......hum.
_________________________________________
Well, I know it's been awhile.
Busyness.
You know how that is.
Moving to New Zealand will commence in about a week. Am I ready? Of course not! There's still a ton of packing to do, and U.S. business to handle. But I am closer.
breathe....
I have to remember to breathe.
We have an apartment. We have a laptop. We have luggage. By the grace of God he has provided us with all of these things.
God is good.
Alas I must go.
Busy busy.....
y'know- the little dwarf said this as the snow was melting. haha...haaa......hum.
_________________________________________
Well, I know it's been awhile.
Busyness.
You know how that is.
Moving to New Zealand will commence in about a week. Am I ready? Of course not! There's still a ton of packing to do, and U.S. business to handle. But I am closer.
breathe....
I have to remember to breathe.
We have an apartment. We have a laptop. We have luggage. By the grace of God he has provided us with all of these things.
God is good.
Alas I must go.
Busy busy.....
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Confession of a Cushy American
I confess.
I am terrified of moving to New Zealand.
It was exciting leading up to it all, but now, our move is less than six weeks away and the reality of it has struck a chord deep inside of me. A chord that is also known as fear or inner child. The little child inside of me took over and decided that I'm not ready for adulthood. Sure, I'm 23, five years into my legal adulthood-ness, but that seems to be just an age, not an inner maturity. And my inner child is saying "don't go" because New Zealand is "too scary!"
Yes ladies and gents, I am no more than a big baby.
But working at Barnes and Noble really isn't a long-term option for my life. Trust me.
I see you there, shaking your head, wondering if I am still going to New Zealand.
Of course I am still going to New Zealand!
God is sending me. I have no clue of what to expect, except for the beautiful scenery there. And challenge.
I have just learned that refrigerators don't usually come with an apartment (known as a "flat") in NZ. How can refrigerators not come with a flat? With other countries, I can see this being the case, but New Zealand is a very Westernized country, and they try most to be like America. So you would think that, in their pursuit of America-like-ness, they would have a refrigerator be a requirement for a flat. What is a requirement in New Zealand flats is that they have to have a wash tub for clothing. A wash tub for clothing! I had heard that dryers weren't common. Fine. I had months to get over that. But no washing machine? Washboard?--No! A tub that water can be poured into and your clothes put in. Maybe some detergent too. Who knows?
There are a whole lot of other things that I can list, and I'm sure that this list will increase when I move there, but I won't get into it more. Let's just say that I am an ignorant U.S.A-ian who thought all Western countries were the same. Lame and shameful, I know. I woke up today and realized that I have become like the thing that I had most tried to avoid in life--A cushy American.
And then I realized why God is sending me out of the country long term; because I have become so comfortable with my life--even in the hardships--and arrogant and secure in my country that I needed a wake-up call in a place that I assumed would be comfortable, only to find out it is vastly different and challenging. If I were being sent to a country that wasn't Westernized and was easily observed as being different, I would have prepared myself long ago and thus been able to deal better.
But New Zealand...?!
Here, all along, I had thought it was my idea, and God agreed.
What terrible arrogance!, to presume that God would "go along" with my idea, as though I had convinced Him that I need to go to New Zealand! This realization was like a smack in the face and I fear for how God will make me grow in this experience.
Nonetheless, my inner child is still saying "it's too scary."
I am terrified of moving to New Zealand.
It was exciting leading up to it all, but now, our move is less than six weeks away and the reality of it has struck a chord deep inside of me. A chord that is also known as fear or inner child. The little child inside of me took over and decided that I'm not ready for adulthood. Sure, I'm 23, five years into my legal adulthood-ness, but that seems to be just an age, not an inner maturity. And my inner child is saying "don't go" because New Zealand is "too scary!"
Yes ladies and gents, I am no more than a big baby.
But working at Barnes and Noble really isn't a long-term option for my life. Trust me.
I see you there, shaking your head, wondering if I am still going to New Zealand.
Of course I am still going to New Zealand!
God is sending me. I have no clue of what to expect, except for the beautiful scenery there. And challenge.
I have just learned that refrigerators don't usually come with an apartment (known as a "flat") in NZ. How can refrigerators not come with a flat? With other countries, I can see this being the case, but New Zealand is a very Westernized country, and they try most to be like America. So you would think that, in their pursuit of America-like-ness, they would have a refrigerator be a requirement for a flat. What is a requirement in New Zealand flats is that they have to have a wash tub for clothing. A wash tub for clothing! I had heard that dryers weren't common. Fine. I had months to get over that. But no washing machine? Washboard?--No! A tub that water can be poured into and your clothes put in. Maybe some detergent too. Who knows?
There are a whole lot of other things that I can list, and I'm sure that this list will increase when I move there, but I won't get into it more. Let's just say that I am an ignorant U.S.A-ian who thought all Western countries were the same. Lame and shameful, I know. I woke up today and realized that I have become like the thing that I had most tried to avoid in life--A cushy American.
And then I realized why God is sending me out of the country long term; because I have become so comfortable with my life--even in the hardships--and arrogant and secure in my country that I needed a wake-up call in a place that I assumed would be comfortable, only to find out it is vastly different and challenging. If I were being sent to a country that wasn't Westernized and was easily observed as being different, I would have prepared myself long ago and thus been able to deal better.
But New Zealand...?!
Here, all along, I had thought it was my idea, and God agreed.
What terrible arrogance!, to presume that God would "go along" with my idea, as though I had convinced Him that I need to go to New Zealand! This realization was like a smack in the face and I fear for how God will make me grow in this experience.
Nonetheless, my inner child is still saying "it's too scary."
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Words
Several things are going through my mind.
1. First is New Zealand which is only 96 days away! Yesterday one of my managers at the book store asked if I was going to New Zealand because I was buying so many books about it. I almost froze. The "uh's", the "um's", and finally, the "yeah in May". I thought I had doomed myself. I still need to keep my job for three more months. Well, she just said "that's exciting," and moved on. It was then that I realized that she thought I was just 'visiting' New Zealand for a little vacation, not moving there. But who was I to correct her? So I didn't and took my book and left. Very quickly.
2. This whole kidnapping case thing with the two boys that were rescued. The media was all over it. I'm sure the first thing a boy who has been kidnapped for a few days, or the other one who was kidnapped for 4 years wanted to do when they were rescued was go on TV and tell everyone about it in great detail. I have no respect for Oprah who sits on her show and asks the boy on national and international television if he was 'sexually abused'. Why not let the world know his private business! Nor for And the magazines and newspapers and everyone who seemed to love exploiting peoples business! And the parents who let there child be on oprah and responses that sounded so rehearsed. These boys need help, not the media. Being kidnapped and abused is a very serious thing, not just some juicy piece of news that everyone will forget about tomorrow. I have more to say on this, but not the heart to say anymore.
3. Hollywood is a ghetto of sorts that people fall into and have a hard time getting out. It's all about conforming. It's very said to seeing our 'beloved stars', so to speak, focusing on dressing to impress, backstopping each other, cheating on each other, having babies together outside of marriage, divorces that happen way to commonly, arrogance, etc, etc, etc. There is a lot in common with the low class, inner city ghettos if you really think about. Ask me more about this later.
4. Dakota Fanning and the uproar about the movie at the film festival Good points on many sides. Maybe the movie is a good movie that needs to be shown. Maybe it's not. That's not the point. However, a young child should not be in a bed with a naked adult. Maybe and actress who was older (like 18) who played a young child would have been better. Or a stunt double. Or whatever. A child who is not old enough to see R- rated movies should not be put in that position no matter how 'grown' she feels. Also, faking a rape scene can be really hard on the mind for adults, and moreso for a child. Many thoughts on that. Ask me later.
5. How come all artsy film critics and peoples dress the same? Don't act like you don't know. Black turtle neck, or white old school wide-lapelled shirt, a black dress coat, and jeans. Oh yeah. Boots too. Can't forget the black snakeskin boots. Ha!
6. I'm artistically depressed and I can't seem to shake out of it. It's really bad because I have a commissioned piece to do, and it's about ready to be put on canvas.
7. There's a ton that still needs to be done with New Zealand. It can get overwhelming. Am I really doing this? And yet, I am. 96 days and counting.
1. First is New Zealand which is only 96 days away! Yesterday one of my managers at the book store asked if I was going to New Zealand because I was buying so many books about it. I almost froze. The "uh's", the "um's", and finally, the "yeah in May". I thought I had doomed myself. I still need to keep my job for three more months. Well, she just said "that's exciting," and moved on. It was then that I realized that she thought I was just 'visiting' New Zealand for a little vacation, not moving there. But who was I to correct her? So I didn't and took my book and left. Very quickly.
2. This whole kidnapping case thing with the two boys that were rescued. The media was all over it. I'm sure the first thing a boy who has been kidnapped for a few days, or the other one who was kidnapped for 4 years wanted to do when they were rescued was go on TV and tell everyone about it in great detail. I have no respect for Oprah who sits on her show and asks the boy on national and international television if he was 'sexually abused'. Why not let the world know his private business! Nor for And the magazines and newspapers and everyone who seemed to love exploiting peoples business! And the parents who let there child be on oprah and responses that sounded so rehearsed. These boys need help, not the media. Being kidnapped and abused is a very serious thing, not just some juicy piece of news that everyone will forget about tomorrow. I have more to say on this, but not the heart to say anymore.
3. Hollywood is a ghetto of sorts that people fall into and have a hard time getting out. It's all about conforming. It's very said to seeing our 'beloved stars', so to speak, focusing on dressing to impress, backstopping each other, cheating on each other, having babies together outside of marriage, divorces that happen way to commonly, arrogance, etc, etc, etc. There is a lot in common with the low class, inner city ghettos if you really think about. Ask me more about this later.
4. Dakota Fanning and the uproar about the movie at the film festival Good points on many sides. Maybe the movie is a good movie that needs to be shown. Maybe it's not. That's not the point. However, a young child should not be in a bed with a naked adult. Maybe and actress who was older (like 18) who played a young child would have been better. Or a stunt double. Or whatever. A child who is not old enough to see R- rated movies should not be put in that position no matter how 'grown' she feels. Also, faking a rape scene can be really hard on the mind for adults, and moreso for a child. Many thoughts on that. Ask me later.
5. How come all artsy film critics and peoples dress the same? Don't act like you don't know. Black turtle neck, or white old school wide-lapelled shirt, a black dress coat, and jeans. Oh yeah. Boots too. Can't forget the black snakeskin boots. Ha!
6. I'm artistically depressed and I can't seem to shake out of it. It's really bad because I have a commissioned piece to do, and it's about ready to be put on canvas.
7. There's a ton that still needs to be done with New Zealand. It can get overwhelming. Am I really doing this? And yet, I am. 96 days and counting.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
On plane tickets coming
Plane tickets came.
They're pretty. Me=happy.
Moving to New Zealand on May 1st, 2007
They're pretty. Me=happy.
Moving to New Zealand on May 1st, 2007
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
On Eragon - the movie
Some good. More Bad. I won't write a detailed review like normal, but I will say this. The director of the movie was terribly afraid of being compared to Peter Jackson and The Lord of the Rings Trilogy to the point where the people in Eragon weren't allowed to mention even the name "Lord of the Rings". Seriously.
Believe me when I say this:
He was in NO DANGER of being anywhere near the level of being compared to the Lord of the Rings.
Apparently (in my opinion, of course) when directing the movie, the director never actually READ the book...or any fantasy book for that matter, that dealt with typical fantasy beings; elves, dwarves, evil creatures, etc. The 99 minute duration of the movie was my warning. It was too rushed and key things were changed. Key elements of fantasy were missing from the movie that were in the book. Characters weren't developed, scenes were done poorly, big cities were reduced to small villages, important parts were changed and then had to be made up for latter in the movie to fix the issues that arose, fantastical creatures were seriously lacking -- could you tell the girl was supposed to be a warrior elf instead of what they portrayed her as? And the acting of the "fortune teller" was so bad that I am still recovering from the shock. How can you have 5 lines to say and still mess it up? In the book, the old witch (not young goth fortune teller) had a bigger part. One good thing the director did was to cut most of her part out. This is why singers shouldn't act unless they really know how to. Another good thing I can say is that the graphics for the dragon was great!! Kudos to the dragon fight.
I thought there was a big enough following of Chris's books to force the director and screenwriter to stick within the main confines of this amazing fantastical story-- seeing how most people who went to see the film had read the book, or were planning to very soon. There are allowances for artistic expression and freedom, but it shouldn't disrupt the story. After all, by some miracle, Peter Jackson did it.
I didn't feel like I wasted money. After all, I did go during matinee prices. However, I was thoroughly disappointed.
Interested in great fantasy?
Do yourself a favor. Read the book.
It's a little rough around the edges, but the story is incredible!
Believe me when I say this:
He was in NO DANGER of being anywhere near the level of being compared to the Lord of the Rings.
Apparently (in my opinion, of course) when directing the movie, the director never actually READ the book...or any fantasy book for that matter, that dealt with typical fantasy beings; elves, dwarves, evil creatures, etc. The 99 minute duration of the movie was my warning. It was too rushed and key things were changed. Key elements of fantasy were missing from the movie that were in the book. Characters weren't developed, scenes were done poorly, big cities were reduced to small villages, important parts were changed and then had to be made up for latter in the movie to fix the issues that arose, fantastical creatures were seriously lacking -- could you tell the girl was supposed to be a warrior elf instead of what they portrayed her as? And the acting of the "fortune teller" was so bad that I am still recovering from the shock. How can you have 5 lines to say and still mess it up? In the book, the old witch (not young goth fortune teller) had a bigger part. One good thing the director did was to cut most of her part out. This is why singers shouldn't act unless they really know how to. Another good thing I can say is that the graphics for the dragon was great!! Kudos to the dragon fight.
I thought there was a big enough following of Chris's books to force the director and screenwriter to stick within the main confines of this amazing fantastical story-- seeing how most people who went to see the film had read the book, or were planning to very soon. There are allowances for artistic expression and freedom, but it shouldn't disrupt the story. After all, by some miracle, Peter Jackson did it.
I didn't feel like I wasted money. After all, I did go during matinee prices. However, I was thoroughly disappointed.
Interested in great fantasy?
Do yourself a favor. Read the book.
It's a little rough around the edges, but the story is incredible!
Friday, December 29, 2006
Random Thoughts
and they really are random...
1. What's wrong with Christians today? I'm by no way perfect in my walk with Christ. I am very aware of this. Even so, that does not mean we should not care what we say and do to others, forsaking the parts of the Bible that force us to acknowledge our need to change and become more Christlike. Sexual teasing, foul--and I do mean FOUL language, angry banter and friction between "denominations" (denominations...aren't we all part of the body of Christ?), desire to put others down, bitterness and unlove towards each other...
*sigh* This world is really hard.
2. I want to go to new Zealand, like yesterday. I wish I was already there. I don't know why. A change of scenery? I do realize that no one will have any idea where I'm from. I got that a lot before. A lot of people said Canada. Hmm. I think I'll make up a place. Canadia.
3. My brother wants me to visit him and Erica in Florida after the baby is born. Finances aren't looking good for that and it would have to be during that two-week time before the big more to NZ, but I'm trying. There was talk of taking the greyhound bus. Flying looks surprisingly cheaper.
4. I demanded (in a nice way, of course) more hours ar Barnes and Noble since I have unfairly been under hours during the Holiday season. Like it's MY fault that they hired too many holiday seasonals.
5. I'm slightly fed up with the world. That'll happen from time to time. I'll get over it.
6. Besides the fact that I still can't hear out of my right ear, I'm doing surprisingly well after the long sickness. What kind of "cold" was that?
7.This is how God blesses, even in the seemingly insignificant things... I got my top three movies that I wanted to buy before I went to New Zealand, but who has money? Apparently someone did because I got them all for Christmas. Curious? 1-Lady in the Water, 2- Whisper of the Heart, 3- Howl's moving Castle. Two Hayao Miyazaki movies and one M. Night. That's pretty much amazing! I don't have to buy anything.
8. Next year in NZ, I get to celebrate Boxing day. That'll be interesting.
9. My plant that I got from Bible Study with Linda Leon last spring...It's still alive!! Who'd a thought...?
10. I watched Lost Season 2 DVD (finally!) in 3 days. Being sick has it's perks. They're really going no where with the show, but I still like it. I couldn't imagine watching it every week on t.v. and trying to remember everything and with commercials. DVD shows is the way to go.
11. The Pursuit of Happyness (yes, it's misspelled on purpose....watch the movie) was AMAZING!!! Go watch. Now! I can't wait to see Eragon tomorrow. If they make it as good as the book, it will be worth buying somewhere in the distant future. If not, I will have some words.
12. Spiderman 3, venom...are you serious? To jump that far ahead may have fatal mistakes like X-men with Phoenix. At least with this movie, I'm not a diehard fan. I'm still mad about the ruination of x-men.
13. I'm done
For now...
1. What's wrong with Christians today? I'm by no way perfect in my walk with Christ. I am very aware of this. Even so, that does not mean we should not care what we say and do to others, forsaking the parts of the Bible that force us to acknowledge our need to change and become more Christlike. Sexual teasing, foul--and I do mean FOUL language, angry banter and friction between "denominations" (denominations...aren't we all part of the body of Christ?), desire to put others down, bitterness and unlove towards each other...
*sigh* This world is really hard.
2. I want to go to new Zealand, like yesterday. I wish I was already there. I don't know why. A change of scenery? I do realize that no one will have any idea where I'm from. I got that a lot before. A lot of people said Canada. Hmm. I think I'll make up a place. Canadia.
3. My brother wants me to visit him and Erica in Florida after the baby is born. Finances aren't looking good for that and it would have to be during that two-week time before the big more to NZ, but I'm trying. There was talk of taking the greyhound bus. Flying looks surprisingly cheaper.
4. I demanded (in a nice way, of course) more hours ar Barnes and Noble since I have unfairly been under hours during the Holiday season. Like it's MY fault that they hired too many holiday seasonals.
5. I'm slightly fed up with the world. That'll happen from time to time. I'll get over it.
6. Besides the fact that I still can't hear out of my right ear, I'm doing surprisingly well after the long sickness. What kind of "cold" was that?
7.This is how God blesses, even in the seemingly insignificant things... I got my top three movies that I wanted to buy before I went to New Zealand, but who has money? Apparently someone did because I got them all for Christmas. Curious? 1-Lady in the Water, 2- Whisper of the Heart, 3- Howl's moving Castle. Two Hayao Miyazaki movies and one M. Night. That's pretty much amazing! I don't have to buy anything.
8. Next year in NZ, I get to celebrate Boxing day. That'll be interesting.
9. My plant that I got from Bible Study with Linda Leon last spring...It's still alive!! Who'd a thought...?
10. I watched Lost Season 2 DVD (finally!) in 3 days. Being sick has it's perks. They're really going no where with the show, but I still like it. I couldn't imagine watching it every week on t.v. and trying to remember everything and with commercials. DVD shows is the way to go.
11. The Pursuit of Happyness (yes, it's misspelled on purpose....watch the movie) was AMAZING!!! Go watch. Now! I can't wait to see Eragon tomorrow. If they make it as good as the book, it will be worth buying somewhere in the distant future. If not, I will have some words.
12. Spiderman 3, venom...are you serious? To jump that far ahead may have fatal mistakes like X-men with Phoenix. At least with this movie, I'm not a diehard fan. I'm still mad about the ruination of x-men.
13. I'm done
For now...
Monday, December 18, 2006
Chaos
There is a lot going on in my life right now. Not necessarily bad, but challenging. Things don't work out the way I want them to. People become increasingly difficult to deal with. Sometimes I sit in my room and just think...
About what? I don't know.
Things.
How life is sometimes chaotic. How people in general treat each other. Reactions, Emotions, Art, & Music. Christ. Accomplishments. Failures. Apathy. Christ. Discussions. America. New Zealand. Christ. Church. Work. Life.
And Christ.
My God. My Creator. My Love.
My Savior. Jesus Christ.
In the midst of the chaos, He is always clear.
About what? I don't know.
Things.
How life is sometimes chaotic. How people in general treat each other. Reactions, Emotions, Art, & Music. Christ. Accomplishments. Failures. Apathy. Christ. Discussions. America. New Zealand. Christ. Church. Work. Life.
And Christ.
My God. My Creator. My Love.
My Savior. Jesus Christ.
In the midst of the chaos, He is always clear.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Thursday, November 30, 2006
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Whew!
I like how I just read three amazing posts from friends and decided that I miss art. It's not that I don't do any. It's more that I just don't have the time and therefore my artistic endeavors have been more of the mental conjuring type than the paint-on-canvas, photoshop, or pencil-to-paper kind. My heart is heavy with this realization of backburning my art. Is life so busy that I can't place a pen to a piece of paper? And since art is one way I worship my Creator...
Mentally, Spiritually, and often Physically I feel spent. Some days I wonder why I bother getting out of bed. It's not depression. It's a realization that life is changing so fast. I can't seem to keep up with it and therefore I would rather spend my days in bed, either in quiet slumber full of dreams of the fantastical kind, or curled up with a good book and a chai latte that's never empty, so that I can drown my thoughts into a different world, one that doesn't seem so "adult life-ish". One that pauses everything so that things can stay just the way they are right now.
God help me...
...and I'm okay.
Mentally, Spiritually, and often Physically I feel spent. Some days I wonder why I bother getting out of bed. It's not depression. It's a realization that life is changing so fast. I can't seem to keep up with it and therefore I would rather spend my days in bed, either in quiet slumber full of dreams of the fantastical kind, or curled up with a good book and a chai latte that's never empty, so that I can drown my thoughts into a different world, one that doesn't seem so "adult life-ish". One that pauses everything so that things can stay just the way they are right now.
God help me...
...and I'm okay.
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Did you vote for issue 0.5 of the Gabriel Two?
Issue 0.5 of the M.E. reforendum of the Gabriel Two
A proposed tax levy of .001mill on all tobacco products beginning immediately to help fund the exploration of Middle Earth, herein known as New Zealand. Such tax will be in effect until the acquisition of a specifc number* of business class Air New Zealand boarding passes.This levy is not to exceed past the date in which the aforementioned boarding passes are purchased. The proposed levy will result in the creation of more jobs** for Ohioans in the Greater Cleveland area as well as uphold the unalienable right of the "pursuit of happiness," as outlined in the Bill of Rights, for select Ohioans.***
* In the value of 8.0
** A total of three
***Between the numbers of two and eight Ohioans
____________________________________
I was thinking of sending in this proposal for the March elections. Just in time for NZ, huh? Hehe. Do you think it would work? It was worth a try.
Anyway. Tally-ho!
A proposed tax levy of .001mill on all tobacco products beginning immediately to help fund the exploration of Middle Earth, herein known as New Zealand. Such tax will be in effect until the acquisition of a specifc number* of business class Air New Zealand boarding passes.This levy is not to exceed past the date in which the aforementioned boarding passes are purchased. The proposed levy will result in the creation of more jobs** for Ohioans in the Greater Cleveland area as well as uphold the unalienable right of the "pursuit of happiness," as outlined in the Bill of Rights, for select Ohioans.***
* In the value of 8.0
** A total of three
***Between the numbers of two and eight Ohioans
____________________________________
I was thinking of sending in this proposal for the March elections. Just in time for NZ, huh? Hehe. Do you think it would work? It was worth a try.
Anyway. Tally-ho!
Sunday, October 29, 2006
the feeling of betrayal
So I' feel like I've lost a friend today. I've learned that things that I hoped to put into motion aren't much fun when they're actually moving.
So I retreat to my music.
"Dreaming. I [must be] dreaming.
Where all the things I run from
Are sure enough to find me"
I've also been struggling with the fact that my young adult pastor is leaving. I keep waiting for God to say "just kidding". Now that I'm finally home, people are leaving all over again. People in whom I was looking forward to working with and knowing better, and trusting more. Why do they need to leave now? Just when I need them. Why does Craig and Renee and my little babies whom I babysit often...why must they go? Heartache, lonliness, abandonment, these are words that don't even describe...In my selfishness and need, I feel like those I most trust are leaving me.
What's the point of creating genuine relationships with people if they're just going to leave in the end, or if I'm just going to leave. I've met many amazing Koreans while I was in New Zealand and it was very difficult to say bye, after just 3 short weeks. There are friends still at college, and others who have graduated. I want to keep in contact with everyone, but realistically, relationships are going to fade away. My heart still aches at the thought of it. When I move to New Zealand for a year, I know I will meet many wonderful people, and it will be hard to leave again.
So here I am, very near tears, and mourning the relationships that I have lost and will lose all to soon.
I've never been very good at goodbyes.
Goodbyes...ha!
More like, badbyes.
So I retreat to my music.
"Dreaming. I [must be] dreaming.
Where all the things I run from
Are sure enough to find me"
I've also been struggling with the fact that my young adult pastor is leaving. I keep waiting for God to say "just kidding". Now that I'm finally home, people are leaving all over again. People in whom I was looking forward to working with and knowing better, and trusting more. Why do they need to leave now? Just when I need them. Why does Craig and Renee and my little babies whom I babysit often...why must they go? Heartache, lonliness, abandonment, these are words that don't even describe...In my selfishness and need, I feel like those I most trust are leaving me.
What's the point of creating genuine relationships with people if they're just going to leave in the end, or if I'm just going to leave. I've met many amazing Koreans while I was in New Zealand and it was very difficult to say bye, after just 3 short weeks. There are friends still at college, and others who have graduated. I want to keep in contact with everyone, but realistically, relationships are going to fade away. My heart still aches at the thought of it. When I move to New Zealand for a year, I know I will meet many wonderful people, and it will be hard to leave again.
So here I am, very near tears, and mourning the relationships that I have lost and will lose all to soon.
I've never been very good at goodbyes.
Goodbyes...ha!
More like, badbyes.
Monday, October 23, 2006
Last week in a nutshell
Worked, worked, and worked at Barnes & Noble, out to dinner with Bibles International director, was approached by a college bill gates wannabe customer who hoped to impress me by his quest for becoming a millionaire-twice-slightly worried about his stalking capabilities, was sick with a sudden cold, was joked (i hope it was a joke) by a flirty co-worker that we should make-out in the back as though there were ever a chance in the world of me becoming that type of girl, ears burned at work from language use, tall chai latte here and there from the cafe, mistakes and more mistakes at the cashwrap, watched a ton of movie previews and listened to too much music at the Music/DVD dpt. where I have worked too often, bored to death, wrote a song, read two books, Cece's Pizza with father's 2nd wife, Kinkos canvas printing discovery and lead, eyes popped at seeing way too much sexual content in the bookstore, got up early, woke up late, begged God to help me, went on Oasis class (Sunday School) retreat at camp carl which spoke on genuine relationships with people, saw a fellow Malone grad (derek), missing college life @ Malone, walked along Nelson's ledges and picnicked, went to church, almost cried to college pastor about issues at work, sister begins new relationship with Shwan, bad dreams about school mates and work, and awoke this morning with the hope of a better week.
Hmm.
Hmm.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)