tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83420730901534154982024-03-04T23:08:20.223-05:00so much scope for the imaginationA glimpse into the life of a young theological student who is trying to figure it all outmkirk84http://www.blogger.com/profile/02821924915525113985noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342073090153415498.post-86170034518624783252010-02-15T18:33:00.000-05:002010-02-15T18:33:13.584-05:00Switching platformsWell friends, <br />
I am switching to the wordpress platform.<br />
You can follow my adventures over at: http://mkirk84.wordpress.com/ <br />
Hope to see you there!mkirk84http://www.blogger.com/profile/02821924915525113985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342073090153415498.post-15048773926678804812010-02-13T19:26:00.000-05:002010-02-13T19:26:15.316-05:00Skunk SnoutsSkunk Noses<br />
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Proving that there are regional differences, I now share a story that was told to me at Pleasant Grove United’s fall corn roast. Beulah, the organist of the church and church matriarch (in the best sense of the word) shared this gem with me.<br />
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When she was growing up as a girl on the Island, there was a real problem with skunks. To help allieviate the problem, people were offered $.10 per skunk snout. Now to paint a picture, Beulah, is a woman who certainly has a clear understanding of how things should be. Not a hard-nosed church woman, she is simply a strong woman who is clear about what should and should not happen in the church. And so it just amazed me to hear of a young Beulah sets multiple traps to catch skunks. On her way to school she would collect the traps that were full and take them to the river to drown the skunks. She would re-set the traps and head to school. She had a tin full of salt that she would put the skunk snouts in, saving them up so “it was a good pay-out” I nearly fell out of my chair! The colourful past of Beulah! Who would have thunk? Skunk Snouts.mkirk84http://www.blogger.com/profile/02821924915525113985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342073090153415498.post-74576140865019373582010-02-13T19:25:00.000-05:002010-02-13T19:25:04.989-05:00Come together right now, over me(Sidebar: is it cocky to use a Beatles' song to describe an event about me?)<br />
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For those who are unfamiliar with the United Church, this is what you need to know; we in the United Church we love a good covenanting service. A covenanting service is a way to mark the beginning of a relationship. Based out of the scriptural witness of Noah, Abraham and of Jesus, the covenanting service is meant to mark the entering into a relationship with a congregation and most importantly with God.<br />
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Having been placed on a five-point charge (meaning there are five churches), getting to my covenanting service took a bit of time. I hadn’t made it to all the churches yet, but had been working for three weeks before we could gather all the church communities together for the covenanting and what would be my first communion service (on the other side of the pulpit)<br />
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There are no words to describe what that Sunday was like. There is just no words I could summon that would describe the love and support that I felt that day. To have all the congregations in one place ... well it just doesn’t happen often. And to hear them speak of journeying with me, honouring this new learning relationship, brought tears to my eyes. And then to help lead a communion service... <br />
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Having never having helped lead communion from behind the pulpit, I had never experienced how amazing it was. (I know I keep saying that... but really what other word can you use?) There was this palpitiable sense of the sacred. Our Celtic forebears speak of times such as this as thin spaces, when the barrier between us and the sacred is thin. I am still floored that I am able to doing this as part of my job. I am such a lucky girl!<br />
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Here are some shots from the wonderful day. Can you see the nerves? On the left is me standing at the pulpit prepping before the service. The centre pic of during the actual covenanting at York United with my LST (Lay Supervision Team). The final shot is me, my LST and my supervisor Joy after the service. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcqpo6Z3ISvjWVQtiHtbspQnPc9UtvEKK531XRfR3Z37Arc8Q33lcEkfiHO6m-3m8rTlhP-G8ZXtIZ0c46iQ0QlkS5gSmFmGU-M_Wym4srabQIC7VJ87d9_00c_yB0D1XBssSWiTcWqoAq/s1600-h/c2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcqpo6Z3ISvjWVQtiHtbspQnPc9UtvEKK531XRfR3Z37Arc8Q33lcEkfiHO6m-3m8rTlhP-G8ZXtIZ0c46iQ0QlkS5gSmFmGU-M_Wym4srabQIC7VJ87d9_00c_yB0D1XBssSWiTcWqoAq/s200/c2.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJyaBodSlBWIYqEl9zGe9fayGRSZqGcUdXrRpXjKzamptJA5vhTnJVZTz9qbEQqlsK9McNxaYk2np0rYm70URBrrlWbPJGroEsSTzQWXmiIHbmATKPERRmvyf2x-NUuGayFjc_DhDYnxRT/s1600-h/c3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJyaBodSlBWIYqEl9zGe9fayGRSZqGcUdXrRpXjKzamptJA5vhTnJVZTz9qbEQqlsK9McNxaYk2np0rYm70URBrrlWbPJGroEsSTzQWXmiIHbmATKPERRmvyf2x-NUuGayFjc_DhDYnxRT/s200/c3.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"> </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhehPh9oCwaxBRCe1LiTv5SzxUSNmLjj3tlAabU4Na4paBf3zE_SPcsb1YzSlPY8UffOLxoYbREz10dBmIht3T1o_-iXKh87lbZI5nl7qtzUzq2_KxrZHTu03NKHU0GmP61zWTFNtrEwex9/s1600-h/c7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhehPh9oCwaxBRCe1LiTv5SzxUSNmLjj3tlAabU4Na4paBf3zE_SPcsb1YzSlPY8UffOLxoYbREz10dBmIht3T1o_-iXKh87lbZI5nl7qtzUzq2_KxrZHTu03NKHU0GmP61zWTFNtrEwex9/s200/c7.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>mkirk84http://www.blogger.com/profile/02821924915525113985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342073090153415498.post-24625879180388383092010-02-13T19:18:00.000-05:002010-02-13T19:18:15.526-05:00Standing on my own two feetI have been blessed to be a second generation minister (well third on my mom’s side, her grandfather was also a minister) My mother is a wonderful minister and I have been witness to that way that she has touched the lives of many. As I grew up, and came into my own in both camping and youth ministry, it was often for people after meeting me to say “Oh you are Cheryl’s daughter....I just love her. She is such a wonderful minister.” Even when I went to theological school, my mother’s legacy followed, as one of my professor’s went to school with her and led a youth group with her. <br />
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I have always has a love/hate relationship with my mother’s legacy. I am so proud of who she is, and am blessed that people often consider me in the same breath. But if I am honest, there are times when I wish that the first words weren’t “Oh you are Cheryl’s daughter”, but something like “Oh nice to meet you” or some such sentiment. Every person wants to stand on their own merits, not only the laurels of others. It didn’t want to have my ministry be seen as a reflection or copy of my Mom’s or anyone else for that matter. <br />
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I hadn’t realized that I would be afforded this opportunity during this internship.<br />
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When I attended my first presbytery meeting on the Island, something felt different. I met so many people and it took me a full day after the meeting to realize that I hadn’t heard the familiar phrase at all. And it was freeing. Whatever would come from my time out here would be based I what I did... myself. For better or worse, Cheryl’s daughter was no longer my chief descriptor.<br />
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I had the opportunity to find my own voice and style and do so without comparisons. I am still my mother’s daughter and am shaped by her ministry and how it played out in my life. But I have also discovered that I have my own style and presence of ministry and that it has been affirmed in my time out here. <br />
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Who knew that Presbytery would offer such a gift? Usually all it gives is a numb bum from sitting still for so long!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2wrSv0WaENx0Dpkbb8Mv8afS2-Xndd0rNcXbI_qbCmyOCHEZ_xpIAuq1TC04_VxdrStTFTIEKno9qyWdDWlurK1RW51jXFHr3cpU6TWPYKHNmadI0s-BAPnKvMSp7kvgiJoGrjAeNUWMJ/s1600-h/DSCN4247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2wrSv0WaENx0Dpkbb8Mv8afS2-Xndd0rNcXbI_qbCmyOCHEZ_xpIAuq1TC04_VxdrStTFTIEKno9qyWdDWlurK1RW51jXFHr3cpU6TWPYKHNmadI0s-BAPnKvMSp7kvgiJoGrjAeNUWMJ/s200/DSCN4247.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mama Kirk and I on our road trip out to the Island</div>mkirk84http://www.blogger.com/profile/02821924915525113985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342073090153415498.post-30716814566214651122010-02-13T19:15:00.001-05:002010-02-13T19:28:11.350-05:00An Introduction to being a Hooker.Yep, you read that right. I have become a hooker since I moved to the Island. Let me back up as explain before the wrong idea creeps in and someone reports me for deplorable behaviour on internship.<br />
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Each Monday, at York United, the Monday Group meets. It is an open time for people of the community to come together for fellowship, fun and crafting. I rather naively showed up during one of my first weeks on the Island, unsure what to expect. Not being a crafty person, I brought some letter writing materials to fill the time. <br />
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I remember distinctly those first moments. Most of the women there had already settled in, sitting with burlap material stretched across frames, working and chatting. I walked around the room, looking at these mats that were made by pushing strips of fabric through the burlap, creating the most beautiful designs. I sat in awe at the speed at which their hands whirled as the shared the news of the community. I think I spent that first Monday just watching... and almost got away with it, until one of the Hookers (they took that name themselves) looked at me and asked: “And what are you working on? Are you just sitting there?” I sheepishly replied that I am not very crafty and that I was enjoying watching them work. This did not satisfy her. “Oh well, we will have to fix that. We will make a hooker of you yet!” <br />
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If only I knew then....<br />
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(I will try and track down some pictures to show you the glorious crafting experience that is rug hooking)mkirk84http://www.blogger.com/profile/02821924915525113985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342073090153415498.post-47032457313966998622010-02-13T19:13:00.002-05:002010-02-13T19:13:45.429-05:00One... Two....Three....One of the wonderful sights that I can see out of my front bay window is the Covehead lighthouse. Situated in the National Park, the lighthouse was actually built in memory of American sailors who died in an awful sea gale there in the 1800’s. Build to prevent the same devastation again, the Covehead lighthouse shines on guarding the North Shore. My mother and I took a day, touring through the park and found ourselves parked and wandering around the lighthouse. The road that brings you to the lighthouse has a bridge on it. <br />
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On that bridge, stood two girls. They stood perched on the bridge, trying to jump into the water, being egged on by the boys who had clearly already jumped in. There they stood, starting into the water, unsure if they could jump. They would crouch down, as if they were going to jump and would chicken out at the last moment. Mom and I stood there watching, waiting to see if they would jump in or climb back over the guard rail and admit defeat. I was rooting for them to make the leap... even if only to prove they were just as tough as the boys.<br />
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And then quietly, the younger of the two reached her hand out and looked at the other girl. In unspoken words, they clasped hands, saying through their actions that together they could do it. Alone, the jump was too big, too deep and overwhelming. But together, together they might be able to do it. They both crouched down again and counted out-loud “One... Two... Three... Go!!”<br />
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As they plunged in, screaming the whole way, I thought that was just what I needed to see that. Here I was about to start something new, feeling rather alone on the edge. My mom would be leaving and then it would be just me on this 5-point charge, figuring out this ministry thing. But as time would quickly show me, I was not alone up there. The whole of the church community was up there, waiting to take my hand and jump in. We would jump in together. I shared this story with each one of the churches as I started my time with them. Inviting them to take a leap of faith with me.mkirk84http://www.blogger.com/profile/02821924915525113985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342073090153415498.post-89147850389497154772010-02-13T19:12:00.000-05:002010-02-13T19:12:42.757-05:00Green Gables; A dream realized<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv2IbA7pQNbq63tuee-GPsByl3ZKom3tp_q0w2X5NIXvAfJkbUreoShdYwO_ztO127DFdDSIWwrLvuIPtPJ2Z-9eYM0I2Yn_7_N4gYNGO47An9GzluYhlcfaJwewQ2neQe4nDlay5ERMqK/s1600-h/DSCN4263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv2IbA7pQNbq63tuee-GPsByl3ZKom3tp_q0w2X5NIXvAfJkbUreoShdYwO_ztO127DFdDSIWwrLvuIPtPJ2Z-9eYM0I2Yn_7_N4gYNGO47An9GzluYhlcfaJwewQ2neQe4nDlay5ERMqK/s320/DSCN4263.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">First, I should confess I have been an Anne fan since I first read about the iconic red-head when I was in grade two. Practically, every summer since then, I have returned to Green Gables, following in the adventures of Anne-Girl and Gilbert. I have always felt a certain affinity to Anne (clearly, look at the name of the blog) and have often been teased about it by friends and family. So, of course, when I found out that I was moving to the Island, I began dreaming of finally standing in front of the house that I had dreamed of and loved since childhood. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>On my second day in the Island, my Mom and I trekked out to see Green Gables. Mom had warned me not to get my hopes up; remembering that it was not in great shape when she and Dad visited it many years ago. And I heard her warning, but couldn’t help but feel my heart pound with excitement as we left. As fate would have it, my house is a mere 15 minute drive away from Cavendish. (!!!)<br />
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We arrived bright and early, hoping to avoid the crowds of end of season tourists. We started out touring through a visitor’s centre with information about Anne’s creator, Lucy Maud Montgomery. My stomach flipped with Joy. After touring through there, you are invited to watch a video, narrated by LMM’s grandchildren about the site and Anne. As I sat there, I became overwhelmed. The reality of a childhood dream hit me. As tears began to fall down my face, I realized that Green Gables, really represented how far I had come and what a journey I was about to start. I tried to hide it, as there were others with us. But try as I might, as we excited the theatre about to see Green Gables, I couldn’t stop. Mom and I stopped, so I could collect myself before we saw it. See below for evidence of how that went....<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_igck04GQPFviOEZgFeiFHXFZC0pA57-JFJnRY0gNChNu5i9-PDg-_lcxy_9rit3AAxR2QrMc97UySXPfTiUAZOeI5S5qcGIsTruDWVTwC0ameJghWH23XTg1qt-ik9_X7ogfRIbv6kd/s1600-h/DSCN4262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_igck04GQPFviOEZgFeiFHXFZC0pA57-JFJnRY0gNChNu5i9-PDg-_lcxy_9rit3AAxR2QrMc97UySXPfTiUAZOeI5S5qcGIsTruDWVTwC0ameJghWH23XTg1qt-ik9_X7ogfRIbv6kd/s320/DSCN4262.JPG" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Of course, that did not last long.... as soon as I saw it, I was reduced to a crying child. I was so moved and it couldn’t have been any better! In fact, it exceeded my imagination... and that is saying something, as I have a fabulous imagination, if I do say so myself. There was an odd sense of home-coming and proud newness there. We spent hours meandering that day. I spent a large chunk of it crying.... I am who I am, an Anne-fan who had her dreams realized as she crossed the threshold into a place and province that would change her forever.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgVVN54uXMY0fACFmeebho_LBoX150zhhW5bw0O7DudzHWhvwQgyyV5eA1A9jEtyLYnV4GL1sJYxJ5JkHaOrkKAy9dYjhwlQrAyUnE5JZVDTxJ2MVj6FxGSyNrNwqFlLbKZ5H6IT37zqDW/s1600-h/DSCN4293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgVVN54uXMY0fACFmeebho_LBoX150zhhW5bw0O7DudzHWhvwQgyyV5eA1A9jEtyLYnV4GL1sJYxJ5JkHaOrkKAy9dYjhwlQrAyUnE5JZVDTxJ2MVj6FxGSyNrNwqFlLbKZ5H6IT37zqDW/s320/DSCN4293.JPG" /></a></div>mkirk84http://www.blogger.com/profile/02821924915525113985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342073090153415498.post-55029708767535694622010-02-13T19:06:00.000-05:002010-02-13T19:06:16.629-05:00Moving to the Island: A lesson in East Coast Hospitality<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5vC5xkb3J_P8X2kz4bQuLJ9544spywppbWlhyphenhyphenRhf1zX2LrcoPTHst4tenrZJXQCJMWKc2IeCGFYKWA-Et4uYlQ8OmLlY1sHQxrF_B9HJpMAv0EdH7PvCIcvPGjy6ub_BIkbec37rBwYQL/s1600-h/DSCN4647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ct="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5vC5xkb3J_P8X2kz4bQuLJ9544spywppbWlhyphenhyphenRhf1zX2LrcoPTHst4tenrZJXQCJMWKc2IeCGFYKWA-Et4uYlQ8OmLlY1sHQxrF_B9HJpMAv0EdH7PvCIcvPGjy6ub_BIkbec37rBwYQL/s320/DSCN4647.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is a shot of my awesome house. This was taken just recently during a snow storm</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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This internship I have been blessed to be living in a house that has ruined everyday life for me. Before arriving, I didn’t have a clear picture of where I would be staying. I knew that it is the summer home of a couple who summer in the Pastoral Charge. Out of the goodness of their heart, they offered to let the intern stay at their place while they returned to Massachusetts to teach for the year. And that was about all that I knew. <br />
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So there I sat in my supervisor’s car, about two hours after arriving on the Island. My mom and I had piled into Joy’s car and had just finished a tour of the pastoral charge. As we began the trek out to Brackley Beach, I could feel my stomach tightening up. I knew that I would cope with whatever they had arranged for me for the following eight months, but given the beauty I had seen so far, I really hoped that it would be great.<br />
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We pulled into the driveway and both my Mom’s and my own jaw dropped. Here sat the house, looking over the Brackley Bay, literally a minute’s drive outside of the National Park. Situated just right, I am able to catch both the sunrise and sunsets from my deck. Nervously, I entered in the front door, waiting to meet the people whose home I was going in. Claudia and David. What embodiments of East Coast Hospitality. Claudia, the fire cracker of the pair, quickly pulled me into a hug and welcomed me to my new home, tears shining in her eyes. David, the laid back one, held back, watching and providing helpful information as we went.<br />
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When I think about that moment, I get choked up. Here I was standing at the beginning of a new chapter and had found two new cheerleaders in my journey. They had known me for just a short while, but I knew they were genuine in their excitement for me. I can only imagine how differently I would have felt if I hadn’t felt their East Coast hospitality envelop me as they welcomed me home.mkirk84http://www.blogger.com/profile/02821924915525113985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342073090153415498.post-87390846411038882482009-09-28T07:07:00.003-04:002009-09-28T07:39:44.037-04:00A Much Needed Bullet UpdateYay! Finally, my dial-up decided that I should be able to post an update. Imagine how red my face was when I realized how long it has been since I last blogged. (To be fair, not having Internet at my home this summer and only having access when at work really did cut into my ability to post)<br />So in order to bring everyone up to speed, I think I shall do a point-form list of my past few months, starting based from my last post.<br /><br />- Finished out the school year and sadly moved out of my sweet apartment in Toronto. Also, after seeing the neurologist, managed to get a hold on my migraines! Woo hoo!<br />- Before moving out of Toronto, I discovered that I would be moving to PEI for my 8 month internship. Talk about fitting: the girl who has a blog that is named after a Anne of Green Gables quote, now moves less than 20 minutes from Green Gables<br />- I was Director of the same day camp that I worked at the past summer. In total, the staff team reached 13, our Jr Leaders numbered 15 and our camps grew from 6 weeks to 8 weeks. However, this time was not without challenge. The chair of my Camping Committee<br />(also the husband of my boss), who is also a close family friend, faced allegations that while in ministry he sexually assaulted two teens. This was a huge blow. Not only did I have to sort through how I felt about it, but I also had to help the staff team navigate this. I also in many ways was thrown into a PR role, being put in the role of being the approachable face attached to the situation. I am still unpacking what that whole experience. I know that there was a lot of good, but tough learning.<br />- While working at camp, I lived with a Swiss farming family who were members of the church. I will probably write other posts about them. Oh man! It was an entertaining summer with them. Often times, dinner felt like I was in a foreign film without subtitles!<br />- I was also blessed to have a great summer working and living with my little brother. It had been seven years since we had lived together. It was amazing that I got to get to know him as an adult. He is no longer the seven year old that I always picture in my head. We had a great summer together, both looking into huge transition times. He was heading off to university and me off to PEI<br />- My maternal Grandfather (my only living grandfather) took a turn for the worst. His previously misdiagnosed Alzheimer's kicked up a notch and he ended up in the hospital... multiple times. He is now living in a nursing home, while my Grandmother lives in the house that they shared for 60 years by herself. It has been scary and sad to watch my mother and my aunts and uncles wrestle with this new reality. Also to watch my Grandmother, who is a fearsomely strong women cope with this change.<br />- The move out to PEI was a wonderful trip with my mother. It was three long days of driving but for the memories it was amazing. I will definitely be posting about it later<br />- My internship here on the Island has me living up on the North Shore, right outside the National Park, with an ocean bay view. I am working at a 5 point pastoral charge. Translation: I work for five churches. My supervisor and I get along really well and the congregations are great. I have been loving living here! If only I didn't have dial-up, I would upload some picture to share with you the amazing place I am living in<br />-And of course, I have been doing everything Anne related that I can. Thus far, I have gone to Green Gables (what an amazing experience), visited Dalvay-by-the-Sea which was White Sands in the classic Anne of Green Gables movies, and most recently took in Anne of Green Gables the musical. Let me just tell you, I am in heaven!<br /><br />Well I think those are the major things that have happened. I am pledging to be a better blogger now. I promise that I shall post as frequently as my Internet shall allow. This may mean that I will have to write my posts and put them up in groups as the Internet will allow. Well, I should be off. I need to head out to the hospital to see if anyone is in and would like a visit. Wish me luck.mkirk84http://www.blogger.com/profile/02821924915525113985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342073090153415498.post-13362277870587185512009-02-26T10:58:00.002-05:002009-02-26T11:03:25.692-05:00I am still aliveWell, its been a few days since I've posted. I am doing okay. I've had a couple migraines and therefore been knocked down a peg or two. In fact, I feel kinda crappy today and am hoping that cleaning and organizing my place/ yoga-ing it up tonight will help.<br />I promise I will post more later. I really need to clean my pig sty of a place... it's gross. And you can't do yoga if there is no room to do it.<br />Wish me luck. Here's hoping I won't make an ass out of myself in front of my friend who is coming over...mkirk84http://www.blogger.com/profile/02821924915525113985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342073090153415498.post-86132515638903292962009-02-21T21:49:00.002-05:002009-02-21T22:11:16.092-05:00thoughts...I think I am truly a glutton for punishment.<br />I know I should write an update about the conference... but so much happened that I still need to process there. It went super amazing but you know a lot happens in six days of intense community.<br />And being the idiot that I am, when I came home, I decided to watch girly movies. Sometimes, girly movies are the root of all evil... seriously. Let me tell you why this is a SUPER bad idea last night.<br />I am an emotional person at the best of times. But add in not getting enough sleep, plus saying goodbye to friends and to an event that I have invested my heart and soul into, and it is a recipe for me to dissolve into a puddle of tears at the drop of a hat.<br />This was an especially bad idea when I have a boy on the brain, and decide to put on the Sex in the City movie. Clearly I made it about 10 minutes in before I was crying.<br />I then proceeded to cry through the majority of the movie, and have one of the most disheartening conversations ever. A friend of mine was talking to me about my boy situation (which got complex this week) and was so pessimistic and well... mean, that it just depressed me. Normally, she is super supportive, but my situation sounded too similar to the one that broke her heart, so she went into Mama Bear protection mode.<br />Obviously, not really what I wanted to hear when I was already doubting the situation with the boy (clearly I just wanted to be assured that he was into me)<br />Cue the boy striking up a convo with me. Now, if I was smart, I would have said "Sorry can't talk, need to go to bed."<br />Obviously... I did not. Glutton for Punishment= me!<br />I won't go into details, but ultimately my worst fears were confirmed. He indeed does like someone else. And the super crappy part of the conversation was that he was SO great during the conversation. The way I found out he liked this other girl was because we started talking about my boy troubles. It started because I said I was feeling a wee bit emotionally confused about a boy, and he was just so sweet. Telling me how great I am... you know all those sweet things you want to hear. Except when it is followed by him making reference to this other girl. Cue my heart being wrenched out. Not only has he dashed my hopes, he has done it while killing me with kindness. And he probably has no idea that he is the one that I was talking about (if there is a God, he won't know!)<br />I am trying to remain positive about this. We have since talked again. And it wasn't weird. Which is a plus. I was totally worried that I may have really put my foot in it last night. I did give him full strength crazy. But true to form, he was amazing. So this is a plus. Friendship maintained. And knowing he isn't into me, in a way, frees me. Prevents me from falling more; which may be a good thing when I am leaving for internship soon.<br />Sigh. I should have just gone to bed. ha ha! Isn't that always the case?<br />I will try to make my next post a wee bit happier. Hopefully, this will just be a tiny blip to get over. I will keep you posted.mkirk84http://www.blogger.com/profile/02821924915525113985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342073090153415498.post-23238644090998349672009-02-14T08:21:00.004-05:002009-02-21T21:49:14.736-05:00A Wee Little BreakSo I am off for a week to help lead a conference that I have been planning for a year.<br />Expect an update later.<br />Take care<br />love me<br />ps- Happy Valentine's Daymkirk84http://www.blogger.com/profile/02821924915525113985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342073090153415498.post-59500070027363197862009-02-12T14:50:00.003-05:002009-02-12T14:59:09.390-05:00stupid freakin' migraines!So in the spirit of honesty, I may or may not be stoned.<br />I have been dodging a migraine for days now. Between the gong show that has been my life the past couple weeks, school work and prepping for this conference that starts on Saturday.... I knew it was coming. But somehow I was crazy enough to think I could allude it.<br />And so this morning, after having a wonderful night last night with the ladies, I woke up in so much pain that I nearly puked. Luckily one of my friend's crashed here and was the best ever and went and got my migraine meds, in the pouring rain. I have the best friends. I think I should get her a present to say thanks. She really did take care of me.<br />Why oh why after nearly two months of not having migraines do they return? It's like casting Paris Hilton in a movie... no one wants to see her, and yet people keep casting her. Why oh why!<br />Any who, I am going to head back to bed. I only woke up to get something to eat. My meds give me mad munchies. I am off to try and slumber away my medicated stupor.mkirk84http://www.blogger.com/profile/02821924915525113985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342073090153415498.post-74102554782378566762009-02-08T15:58:00.003-05:002009-02-08T16:40:13.486-05:00Stars and MoonSo, my friend (to whom I shall refer to as Stars) just left my place.<br />Stars and I have known each other since I was 14 years old. We met at camp when I was a CIT and she was a staff member. We bonded over camp and church stuff and soon grew to be close friends. Our friendship has remained close even though we went to different universities and now live in different cities. She is one of those friends that if you don't see them for a while when you get back together, it is like no time had passed at all.<br />Stars recently got engaged and has asked me to help officiate the wedding this summer. Originally, she wanted me to do the whole service, but because of the way ordination works, I wouldn't be able to do the legal aspects of the marriage. So I will be doing the wedding with a friend of theirs. This will be my first wedding that I have ever officiated and I am so honoured and thrilled to be asked to be part of their special day.<br />So this weekend, Stars came so that we could pin down some details about the wedding. It was so exciting and fun. Her wedding is going to be great and I can't wait for it. But I must admit, it was a little weird. Not that I would be leading the wedding, because that felt very natural. It was weird because of my history with Stars.<br />Back when we worked at camp together, Stars and I would lament about our love-lives. One day, I complained that I would never find anyone to be my "stars and moon" (a la all the cheesy romance films that I love so). And so Stars, who was feeling equally down about her love life, said: "That's it! If no guys can see how great we are, then we will be each other's Stars and Moon!" And so the nic-name was born. Now 6 years later, we still call each other that.<br />This weekend, as awesome as it was, was also a little sad. My Stars is leaving me for a man. The other day, I was talking to a friend about this and he kindly reminded me that I just need to find a new star then. Easier said than done! ha ha!<br />I hate to admit this but it kind of feels like I am falling behind. Stars has someone, and I am still single. I fear that this sneaky little feeling of sadness might rear it's head on the wedding day. For that reason, I am really hoping that I will be able to find someone to come with me to the wedding. I don't mind going stag, but I think I am going to need some support that day. It is going to be such a beautiful, emotional and heart-warming day. That and most of Stars' friends seem to be married folks.<br />Don't get me wrong, I am SO so happy for Stars and I am so excited to be a part of her big day. But I just needed to vent a little about it. I know that I shouldn't feel like this, but I do. So I need to feel it and move forward.<br />(I swear my next post will be happier, and less self-indulgent whining)mkirk84http://www.blogger.com/profile/02821924915525113985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342073090153415498.post-69770747839213519012009-02-06T21:06:00.003-05:002009-02-06T21:10:27.414-05:00Falling in line with the Facebook craze... here is my list of "25 Things"1. I secretly... okay not so secretly wish my life was a musical. The closet I have ever come was once at a bar called Cowboys where a song came on and everyone started to line dance and sing.<br />2. As a child, I didn't have one imaginary friend. As my mother would say, I had an army of imaginary friends. My imagination is one of my greatest gifts... and one of my greatest undoings.<br />3. I get started when previews for scary movies come on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">tv</span> after 9:00. They run through my mind while I am trying to sleep and my imagination runs wild.<br />4. I have some of the wildest dreams and usually remember a lot of them. Either this is a good thing, or a sign that I am not getting a full nights rest...<br />5. I think I have an obsessive personality, with a limited <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">time frame</span>. I get into <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">obsessions</span> that last for about two week intervals and then move on (sort of). For example I went through a very <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">embarrassing</span> stage of loving The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Da</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Vinci</span> Code and everything related to it. Most recently it has been watching Ghostwriter again.<br />6. I get fictional crushes... all the time. Mr Darcy from Pride and Prejudice, Gilbert from Anne of Green Gables, Edward from Twilight, Adam from a Ring of Endless light... the list goes on.<br />7. I still blush at dirty jokes. Sometimes I think people say them just to watch me blush and squirm, and I still can't stop it.<br />8. I am a hopeless romantic. Damn you Disney!<br />9. I knew I was going to be a minster since I was 8 or 9 years old...<br />10. which brings me to my next point: I am stubborn person at times. I like to call it my tenacious streak. I reused to admit i was going to be a minster until I was "ready".<br />11. I spent the majority of my life hating my hair, and now I can't imagine it any other way. I actually love it most days.<br />12. I have broken: my left arm, my right elbow, my big toe on my left foot, my left thumb... i think that is all. I have had three concussions and far too many sprains to count. I am an accident waiting to happen and often bring those around me down in the process of getting hurt. (Consider yourself warned)<br />13. I was once mauled by 40 kids at camp. You know the scene in the Matrix where <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Neo</span> is swarmed by all the Agent Smiths? I was totally <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Neo</span>, minus the cool powers.<br />14. I still miss working at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Kenesserie</span> Camp and think I always will. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">However</span> I also loved being a director of my own day camp this summer and can't wait to do it again this summer.<br />15. I love gratuitous swearing. There is nothing better than a well placed f-bomb. This is a bad habit I need to get in check before I "grow up", lest one Sunday I drop one from behind the pulpit.<br />16.I still have baby teeth. My adult eye teeth grow into my nasal cavity rather than into my mouth. I had surgery to remove them from said nasal cavity in grade 10. Because i still have my baby teeth, I have a wonky smile.<br />17. I love the feeling of sand between my toes especially sand from my cottage<br />18. I have the annoying habit of shouting out when people on television and movies are left-handed. It's not enough that I notice, everyone else should notice too. (I think is a symptom of be a super proud left-handed person)<br />19. I own over 80 movies, not including TV DVDs.... I think I have a problem.<br />20. I am irrationally afraid of spiders. We are talking about hyperventilating and shaking and usually tears. I had to have Erin kill all the spiders in our house in undergrad. In return I killed the centipedes.<br />21. People blowing their nose loudly gives me the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">heebee</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">jeebees</span>. I hate when I can hear the transfer of snot onto <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">kleenex</span>.<br />22. I've always wanted someone to throw me a surprise party. (is that awful to say?)<br />23. When I go home to visit my parents, I usually don't make plans with other people because I love staying in with them. We have dinner together, watch a movie, and top the night of by having popcorn while watching Numbers (yes, I am aware that I am a 50 year old woman waiting to happen... and you all love me for it)<br />24. I think that I am fundamentally unable to flirt.<br />25. My Dad's <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">nic</span> name for me is Puddle Duck, as in Beatrix Potter's Jemima Puddle-Duck. My Grandma Kirk called him that as a child and in turn when I have kids (God willing), my first born shall have that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">nic</span> name. He still calls me it sometimes and I still love it.mkirk84http://www.blogger.com/profile/02821924915525113985noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342073090153415498.post-65669447591509540302009-02-05T22:39:00.003-05:002009-02-05T22:52:26.321-05:00thoughts on the past monthSo today I managed to connect up with two old friends today. It's been a while since I had talked to either of them in a meaningful way. Both asked me how things were going for me, and my answer surprised me. I said it's been both a gong show and wonderful.<br />In the past month there has been: <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">OSAP</span> troubles, my Dad losing his job, my grandfather's trip to the hospital, computer issue (stupid essay eating machine), a near cell phone explosion, and some classmate struggles... have I forgotten anything?<br />But also in the past month, I have had a life-changing trip to New York, great times with friends; a reconnection with some that I drifted from, a deepening of other relationships, shared meals together, tears, sleep overs and a new running goal and buddy.<br />As much as life has thrown at me, its been my friend's who have really kept me a float this month. (And helped me avoid doing something I might regret.... such as go postal on the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">OSAP</span> people)<br />Connecting up with my dear friends today helped me remember all that I have to be thankful for. Things have been a wee bit of a gong show but things have also been wonderful in a very different kind of way. It may be <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">uber</span> cheesy, but I love days like today.mkirk84http://www.blogger.com/profile/02821924915525113985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342073090153415498.post-84678349168046590462009-02-01T14:22:00.003-05:002009-02-01T14:24:14.806-05:00Cell Phone UpdateSo after 2 hours, the ringing stopped. I assumed the battery was dead, so I hesitantly plugged it in to charge. And now the thing is fine.<br />I think my phone was possessed. Yes, that's my story and I am sticking to it.mkirk84http://www.blogger.com/profile/02821924915525113985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342073090153415498.post-34209925042489450972009-02-01T10:01:00.002-05:002009-02-01T10:21:19.038-05:00Lesson of the Day: Pay Up and get a non-annoying ringer<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ARG</span>!!!<br />Today's lesson of the day is brought to you by the experience of having your phone ringing constantly from 9:15 this morning. Believe it or not, but the ring that is only mildly annoying when it rings twice becomes <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">infinately</span> more annoying when you have to walk from College and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Spadina</span> back to your place at King and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Bathurst</span>. (and have it still ringing as I type) I am tempted to chuck it out the window right now.<br />Here's what happened: I was supposed to meet my friend this morning to go to a Buddhist temple this morning for our CE class. I got the time wrong and ended up being super early. So I went to get a Starbucks <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">whilst</span> I waited. I started to get nervous that I was waiting at the wrong place so I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">texted</span> her to check. She responded and then I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">texted</span> back.... and the phone died. The screen went black. I tried to toggle it, tried removing the memory card to reboot it, tried turning it off. Nothing worked. Needless to say, I started to worry a little... okay a lot. That is my only phone and my life-line.<br />So when my friend arrived, she thought maybe if she called it would get the phone out of its funk. So as it started ringing, I tried to desperately stop it. And that brings us up to this point. Needless to say I couldn't stop it and its been ringing since. And the best part, the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Telus</span> store doesn't open until 12. Another two <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">freakin</span>' hours of ringing!! I am hoping either the phone will stop or the battery will die.<br />Hopefully <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Telus</span> will have some good news. I really hope I won't lose all my contacts and my texts messages (I have some really funny ones on my phone) but at this point I will just settle for the ringing to stop!!mkirk84http://www.blogger.com/profile/02821924915525113985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342073090153415498.post-16946641636321231802009-01-30T23:06:00.002-05:002009-01-30T23:12:17.989-05:00Blast from the pastSo in one of those chance meetings that seems to only happen in Toronto, I ran into the guy that I had a MASSIVE crush on in first year.<br />It happened yesterday whilest riding the subway home. Out of the blue there he was, first year hottie and I was feeling those butterflies again. It was like a wormhole opened up and suddenly I was back standing outside our Totalitarianism class. And it looked like the excitement was not just one way. He seemed genuinely surprised and glad to see me. It felt pretty freakin' great!<br />It is so funny that after 6 years, 6 freakin' years, that I could still feel like that. Or maybe I mean that I could easily fall back into that. I guess as much as some things change, some don't.<br />We had a nice little chat and he told me to message him and we should grab a coffee. First year Me is still smiling from ear to ear about it!mkirk84http://www.blogger.com/profile/02821924915525113985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342073090153415498.post-70264032883944412552009-01-28T22:15:00.002-05:002009-01-28T22:27:08.827-05:00Everything's Coming Up Millhouse!!Today was one of those red-letter days. In a good way.<br />So after a very uncomfortably <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">squishey</span> ride to school on the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">TTC</span> (like I was squished so close to the guy next to me that I thought his <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">viberating</span> cellphone was mine), I got to school and had a wonderful day catching up with friends, balanced with a good amount of work. You know, just enough to make you feel like you had a productive day.<br />And then, I had to facilitate our class discussions tonight and it went really well. I got some really good feedback and I am glad that I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">could</span> step up and do that for my friend who is currently ill and was supposed to be it tonight.<br />Also, I got a great reference letter from a professor and now my internship papers are totally done. Talk about a lot of pressure coming off my shoulders. Now I just have to wait for my interview and the final decision... in April.<br />And the best of all: <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">OSAP</span> CAME TODAY!!! There is a God! (I know, I know, I should already be sure of that. But let's be honest, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">OSAP</span> really did play a number on me and I thought that no merciful God would let that happen. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">ha ha</span>) I am so glad that now I can afford all of the following: Norton Anti-virus, Printer ink, groceries, and perhaps some new running pants!<br />There were also other little things that when added to the above list made a great day. I just feel really good about today! <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Yay</span> me!mkirk84http://www.blogger.com/profile/02821924915525113985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342073090153415498.post-79996236144952338572009-01-27T09:32:00.004-05:002009-02-01T10:26:53.245-05:00Dan Levy loves my facial expressions!<div><br /><br /><div>So last night was an epic night of AWESOME! For my friend's birthday present (and maybe also for my own birthday) I got us tickets to Mtv's The After Show. For those that don't know, the After Show is a show that makes fun of pop culture, hosted by the wonderful Dan Levy (who I may have a school girl crush on) and Jessi Cruickshank. In particular, the show is know for its after show comments about The Hills and The City (which I will now admit that I LOVE! And I will thank you not to judge)<br />Anywho, like 14 year olds, Heather and I lined up at the Masonic Theatre and went to the taping. And it was everthing that I dreamed of. We were seated about 3 rows back and if you look really hard, you can actually see me on the show. I was the one wearing the cute green hat.<br />Now something special happened during the show. There were about 30 or so people there, and prior to the show Dan and Jessi come out and chat up the audience. I don't even remember what they said, but I did my patented pull-at-the-collar-move and Jessi saw it and made eye contact. Geeky I know but I loved it! But wait there is more.<br />The show continues taping and Dan made eye contact. And in fact we had a wee bit of back and forth during a commerical break. I totally turned into a giddy schoolgirl. The show continued and it was wonderful. Also, sidebar, hilarious moment where I was taking a shot of the stage and Dan saw it, and TOTALLY smiled for me!<br />At the end, both Dan and Jessi stay to pose for pictures, so of course we line up. So we get up to the stage with theme and I slide underneath Dan's arm, and he says "I love your facial expressions." Swoon!<br />Thus starts a little convo between all of us. They thanked us for coming and being part of the show and for being great. Heather turns to Jessi and says "It was totally the hat right, you noticed the hat." and Jessi said "Ya for sure. I love the hat." And I nearly died!<br />I also geekily thanked Dan for posing in the previously mentioned stage shot.... I didn't care how stupid I looked, I was just excited that his arm was still around me!<br />I will put up pictures once I get them from Heather. This may make me the biggest geek ever, but I loved it! We already have plans to go back again!</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Update: Here is the money shot! U<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaC3Y7jPRDz2p7xHRV2MhyvNENW9MfQ-IOW1HYF4-DOKpaOvNZ63gD75tCqQZd7rT9tMtORXXc96eL1E_1VSzKsIF68zL_3cl6M9jXnPbP-FL307bs-DSXU7h5bPaX7_WjGKuc1kUqJM0G/s1600-h/awesome!!!.jpg"></a>s <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmzcuTEYG4YBVaOZq3UgpgVIvLKvyi6PmxaKqw21N2JPb95grqZLVW1ntGRXd0QG5aWl9IuEo0Hd6KTbMxm9a-ElJ1cRs3hg-3TafEZx6jWyOW2-CirRR0tEfWLANwuvxvCS5zvD8eE4DR/s1600-h/awesome!!!.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297850572614357794" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmzcuTEYG4YBVaOZq3UgpgVIvLKvyi6PmxaKqw21N2JPb95grqZLVW1ntGRXd0QG5aWl9IuEo0Hd6KTbMxm9a-ElJ1cRs3hg-3TafEZx6jWyOW2-CirRR0tEfWLANwuvxvCS5zvD8eE4DR/s320/awesome!!!.jpg" border="0" /></a>with Dan and Jessi</div></div>mkirk84http://www.blogger.com/profile/02821924915525113985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342073090153415498.post-60274924743409710322009-01-27T09:17:00.005-05:002009-01-27T09:32:07.608-05:00Black and Bling<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1onWdSdxo3JEKYzkJLRdrtJLqZ6HSbDtCK6hGml1_KAAfJsUGPjGSnbVOrs_4sKygqzaOCaYOaKDG8ZHYDU1igfm4aVqavLZUl6ZeRagM8ImSb7_TZLSO5Au-V20QDJiMYg47IdVBEeYU/s1600-h/Heather's+Black+and+Bling+Birthday+2009+045.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295979076985245314" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1onWdSdxo3JEKYzkJLRdrtJLqZ6HSbDtCK6hGml1_KAAfJsUGPjGSnbVOrs_4sKygqzaOCaYOaKDG8ZHYDU1igfm4aVqavLZUl6ZeRagM8ImSb7_TZLSO5Au-V20QDJiMYg47IdVBEeYU/s200/Heather's+Black+and+Bling+Birthday+2009+045.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeW4BadiLj6TV1a9lo8UgXCURBy4keFabBULNRgDssZsKhgL69KTmaMvUDoQ9Zsa9NWItceOk4H0y3Dtj6b3UobP7AIZf9rbsv64UfMFmqdDmFELeKvoKvtg2zBG1_Ku4VlBMva7ENMS1U/s1600-h/Heather's+Black+and+Bling+Birthday+2009+013.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295980226833920850" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 202px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 157px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeW4BadiLj6TV1a9lo8UgXCURBy4keFabBULNRgDssZsKhgL69KTmaMvUDoQ9Zsa9NWItceOk4H0y3Dtj6b3UobP7AIZf9rbsv64UfMFmqdDmFELeKvoKvtg2zBG1_Ku4VlBMva7ENMS1U/s200/Heather's+Black+and+Bling+Birthday+2009+013.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaOG9A6iZT1GvX68dMtjn7e42qq5_hNM0AXme60FvJCHMCOYZayyTbFiMRKq8nOo4ew4O4-xMGRdne-94PAGTNddTXJ9PrlxdJaJ_G2SZ7E1YijsG_yYtjZvTEGs4Mo6aDUSJ0NigJ4_S0/s1600-h/Heather's+Black+and+Bling+Birthday+2009+012.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295979460139069458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaOG9A6iZT1GvX68dMtjn7e42qq5_hNM0AXme60FvJCHMCOYZayyTbFiMRKq8nOo4ew4O4-xMGRdne-94PAGTNddTXJ9PrlxdJaJ_G2SZ7E1YijsG_yYtjZvTEGs4Mo6aDUSJ0NigJ4_S0/s200/Heather's+Black+and+Bling+Birthday+2009+012.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><div>Oh what a night. It was an epic success. As you will see from some of the pics I post, that everyone got in the spirit.<br />I had a very funny experience whilst at this party: I had the experience of someone else wearing the same shirt as me. Now I always claimed that it wouldn't bother me in the least. I was so wrong. The other girl with the same great fashion sense walked in and I nearly died! I literally cringed. Thank goodness I was there first and fully established at that point. (I may have also taken pride in being told that I wore the shirt better! I am so horrbile, I know!) Besides that wee little snaffu, things were great. A wonderful night of hanging out with friends and dancing. Really it was just what I needed after a stressful couple weeks.<br />The pictures are from L-R~ Me and the Birthday girl (wearing a Bedazzled sweater), and the next two are shots of my awesome friends and I at the dance party in the living room</div></div></div>mkirk84http://www.blogger.com/profile/02821924915525113985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342073090153415498.post-22871022231499835022009-01-24T15:50:00.002-05:002009-01-24T16:05:05.842-05:00Bad day.So yesterday I had just got home from a shopping trip when I recieved a message from my Mom. She told me that my Dad was permanently laid off yesterday...effective immediately. Needless to say, I freaked out. With all the trouble I have been having with OSAP (aka- I still haven't got any money from them yet!!), it just felt like the financial Gods were out to get my family.<br />I know that we are going to be fine. My Dad's factory closed when I was in first year, and we managed just fine. But this time seems scarier. Dad is older; in the magical bracket where companies won't be fighting to hire him. He is too young to retire early and too old in some companies eyes. I am trying not to let my worries get the best of me, but its really hard to do.<br />I was supposed to go for a run last night, but by the time my running buddy came, I had dissolved into a puddle of tears. So the night was spent chatting and keeping me from crying.<br />(Though I am pretty sure at that point I had cried all of the liquid in my body out)<br />I am happy to say that today, after 14 hours of sleep, I am in better spirits and feeling a little more even keeled. I just felt like my family had our collective legs knocked out from underneath us, and I wasn't sure if we were going to get up again. Today, I am more sure that we will. It may be tough for a bit. But we Kirks are of a stubborn stock.<br />Tonight, I am looking forward to a wonderful birthday celebration with some friends. Just what I need after some really stressful weeks. Let's hope my outfit is blinging enough for the Black and Bing theme of the night.mkirk84http://www.blogger.com/profile/02821924915525113985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342073090153415498.post-29291242726198584802009-01-23T09:54:00.003-05:002009-01-23T10:11:29.647-05:00Back and Ready to GoSo,<br />After a more than a month long unintentional hiatus, I have returned!! Did you miss me? (Let's be honest, Probably not)<br />So here's the quick recap of what you missed: fabulous birthday, wonderful Christmas (perhaps the best in years), rocking low-key New Year's Eve, impromtu trip to New York (perhaps the best decision of 2009), school starting, visits from dear old friends. Which brings us to today: applications for internship/shopping.<br />2009 is shaping up to be a pretty wonderful year indeed. I love my classes this semester. They are interesting and scheduled ever so nicely. I don't ever start before 11 am... hello sleeping in.<br />I have also started running again, which is SO exciting. I am actually being a friend's running coach/ training buddy. We plan on running a 5k race coming up in March. I am excited to have found my running again. I didn't realize how much I missed it until I started again. I am really hoping that it will pre-empt some of those damned migraines. Heaven knows I don't need any more of them.<br />It is weird how much I am wanting to cram into this semester. After classes end in April, I leave for camp and from camp go straight to internship. It will be my first September not in school since I was five. This is major transition time!<br />I have realized that whenever I have moved somewhere new, I have always had a safety net. When I went to undergrad, half of my high school friends were there. when I came to Toronto half of my closest friends from undergrad where there. I have never really moved on my own. This is both scary and exciting. This one is going to be all on me... for better or worse.<br />The other part of the worry equation is that after this semester, my tight-knit group of friends at school may never be together again. Not everyone is going on internship at the same time, which means we might not be back together for our final year. Things have already begun to change. First year we all had the same classes together, and this year we are all spread out. Yet we have held together. And I am sure that we will remain close even after we leave school, it is just something to think about. I have never coped well with the idea of losing friends. I just love our group so much. They have quickly become some of my closest friends and I will really really miss them next year.<br />Well now that I have that off my chest, I probably should get up and be productive in the world. I am currently typing from my bed. Man I love not having classes on Fridays!mkirk84http://www.blogger.com/profile/02821924915525113985noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8342073090153415498.post-67130018665478693252008-12-09T16:38:00.004-05:002008-12-09T16:50:21.304-05:00wow, I am bad at thisWell, I stink at this whole posting regularly thing. Sorry.<br />And it is not that is lack of material to write about in my life. There were at least three or four times when I thought, "Ooh! I should blog about that." And now for the life of me, I can't think of what they were!<br />That and my stupid wrist has been acting up. Curse you tendinitis and double curse you papers and your uncanny ability to eff up my plans!<br />Life has been really great lately. Besides the end of term rush, things have been running rather smoothly. I finally feel like I managed to get the school/social balance figured out.. again. Papers are getting done, I have had some phenomenal nights with friends. Nights like mojitos night, celebrating the end of term at our local haunt, a non-concert night that turned into a Pride and Prejudice night (BBC style) and other festive activities.<br />And now I am counting down the days till Christmas! I leave to go to my parents' place on Saturday and I can't wait.<br />I just love every part of Christmas and the traditions that happen at home. And now that the snow is starting to fall (and stay) it is really beginning to feel like Christmas. This causes me great joy and my friends' endless amusement with my joy. In fact, I am pretty sure that a friend of mine invited me to attend a reading of Dickens' <em>A Christmas Carol</em> just to watch my reaction.<br />So, on such a happy note, I shall conclude this explanation post. I think I am going to pop in a Christmas movie, while I review some sermons. Tis the season after all!mkirk84http://www.blogger.com/profile/02821924915525113985noreply@blogger.com0