The Girl Wears Scrubs

New Blog!!

2011-02-25T17:26:00.000-08:00

Yup....new blog.....I'm tired of this one ;)

But the new one looks very similar! I'm still tweaking it, but it's where I'll be posting from here on in!

Here's the link:
http://cherylannephotography.com/

Let me know what you think!! Gotta learn wordpress now ;)
-cheryl

Thinking and Reflecting.....

2011-02-12T13:20:00.000-08:00

.....and looking through photos ;)

I have a lot to still get up on the blog (RE: a little more cambodia, 2 weddings and a family session).....but I definitely moved to vancouver a couple weeks ago and it's been busy! I'm enjoying myself though ;)

Anyhow, here's some more Uganda photos to pass the time.....

I miss being overseas....

Engagement: Leah + John

2011-01-02T17:29:00.001-08:00

Here's some photos from an engagement that happened in.....2010! Wow, 2010 is SUCH a long time ago ;)

Anyhow, Leah and John are getting married this coming May. Super excited for their wedding! For the engagement photos, we chose this one sunday and were hoping for good weather....and didn't quite expect that it would be SNOWY weather! It was indefinitely cold, but made for some lovely photos (I think ;)

Thanks so much for trudging through the snow with me Leah and John! Looking forward to your wedding and I hope you like the photos ;)

Hello beautiful light.......

Hello beautiful light reflecting off the pond.... ;)

It was just about this time that I realized we were standing on a frozen swamp, and my boots proceeded to crack right through the ice until I was above my ankles in freezing water! Mwahahah! It was actually pretty funny ;)

But I won't end there....here's one more to show you, yes, more of the lighting I got to work with...sigh ;)

Cliche CHRISTmas thoughts ;)

2010-12-22T17:57:00.000-08:00

I'll be honest.....I actually highly dislike blogging.....truly do. I hate writing about myself, which is why I've been so focused on just posting photos lately. Thought about even changing this blog to more of a photography blog (given that's what it's technically turned into ;)

I think, in turn, the reason why I'm not sharing so much is that I've really been questioning a lot of 'things' lately.....I've been learning a lot and I don't know how to verbalize it all here.....or even if I really want to. But for the sake of what I've been struggling with, and the fact that just maybe someone might be reading this over the holidays, here's what's on my mind ;)

I've been thinking a lot this christmas about what it actually means to be a christian. Over the past year, I've been watching christians....and I mean CLOSELY ;) I tend to be a people watcher anyhow, but this has been different.

I "claim" to be a christian, but I have really been watching my actions and words and wondering if I am TRULY portraying the Jesus that I know in my heart. If you are reading this and don't know Jesus, know that he is FAR better than our/my humanness will ever be able to share or portray.....we are a very broken representation of an awesome God. And in fact, our frailty in representing Christ at times is maybe just more PROOF that we need someone bigger than us.....

I realize it's entirely cliche that I'm thinking about all of this around christmas, but truthfully, what better way to spend the holiday than comtemplating Christ ;) So many presents and dinners and other things that will take our focus off of the one who deserves our focus the most.....I've been actually a little overwhelmed contemplating the holiday this year.....this last year has been really challenging and God has been nothing but GOOD to me through it all :)

Anyhow, I wanted to share some photos from an orphanage that I visited while in Cambodia.....I was sitting in this pizza place one evening and this group of girls from the UK handed me an invitation to a party at this orphanage they were volunteering at....and I obviously agreed to visit (who doesn't want to hang out with some kids? :)

I got there and was a little nervous, but after about 5 minutes, I felt right at home ;) And the best part was when they pulled out this tarp and laid it on the dirt to act as a dance floor.....and then we danced for a solid couple hours! And these kids could honestly dance.....like dance beyonce off the floor.....they were THAT good ;)

Anyhow, I've never written so much in my life! I hope that (whoever is reading this) has an awesome Christmas holiday! Enjoy the photos....and understand that we are very blessed here in Canada. The kids below likely ain't gonna get any turkey this christmas, and their joy will still remain ;) Pretty awesome to see....awesome kids.....

Merry Christmas! ;)

Oh my Heavens!!

2010-12-02T18:25:00.000-08:00

Too much to Blog!!!

Alright, I now have all of the following to post.....I suck at blogging..... ;)

Ninja Children (RE: more photos from Cambodia ;) I think I'm just gonna do sporadic random posts from my trip.....too many photos and FAR too many thoughts going through my head ;) But seriously, check out their moves!

Engagement: Leah and John ;)

Wedding: Nicole and Alejandro (they're on their honey moon as I speak (er, write ;)

Soon....soon I will post ;)

A few from Cambodia :)

2010-11-15T18:44:00.000-08:00

Wow....I was only gone for two weeks, and it felt like two months....

Now I'm home and it's been a week.....and it feels like it's been a lot longer!

I'm must be moving in slow motion......

Anyhow, enjoy!

Kids are the same everywhere ;)

Ta Prohm

Monk at Angkor Wat ;)

Family Portraits: The Friesen Family

2010-11-13T19:54:00.000-08:00

Hello all! I am BACK from cambodia :) With a lot of photos mind you.....I'm almost overwhelmed choosing which to share...... ;)

Anyhow, here's the Friesen family! I was able to take some photos for them at the Stewart Farmhouse near Crescent Beach.....Beautiful place!! I went the day before at the same time of day, and I got ENTIRELY excited because the place has so much character (must have been why there were a ka-jillion other photographers there too! ;)

Anyhow, thanks so much Friesen's for taking time to let be grab these photos! You have an awesome family!! :) I have far too many favorites from the bunch, so let's just say that I'm posting all the ones below because I really, really like them ;)

Enjoy!

I'm off soon!

2010-10-22T18:18:00.000-07:00

I am officially having the most perfect moment right now. Sitting at a coffee shop, drinking a vanilla latte, looking through photos and finishing some plans for the next couple weeks of travelling!! I leave on Tuesday for Cambodia!! :) I'm visiting a cousin and his wife there (see her blog here ;) I'm so excited.....not only to just be going away but to be taking pictures in a new place! And there are (it appears) a ton of neat things to see in cambodia (temples and such ;) OH! And this is random, but I keep being told that I should blow up a cow while I'm over there (apparently it can be done if you pay a pretty penny).....I've had 2 people tell me this (I'll have to clarify when I'm over there ;).....

.....And for the record, I would never do such a thing! I'd FOR SURE end up in fetal position, blubbering like a child, if I even saw this happen ;(

Anyhow, that was random.

And although I realize that's probably no way to introduce a sneak peek for the family below, it'll just have to do! Below is one of my personal favorites. I'm gonna try to post the rest before I take off, and then you're going to get the BIGGEST dose of cambodia photos when I get back! ;)

Enjoy!

Family Portraits: The Carter Family :)

2010-10-09T17:05:00.000-07:00

The following verse has been floating around in my head for the past few days.....don't know why, but what the heck, I'm gonna share it here:

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." -Philippians 4:6,7

Anyhow, here's another lovely family! They've indefinitely moved all the way to Ontario now and little Aiden has gotten SO BIG at this point :) A quick thanks to Mel and Lee for spending time with me in White Rock to take pictures! Most sarcastic and awesome couple ever.....and Aiden basically slept the entire time! Booyah ;)

It's probably a naughty no no to put newborns directly in the sun.....but Aiden didn't seem to mind and he was only there for a moment ;) Haha!

Engagement: Kerissa + Dan ;)

2010-09-24T14:53:00.000-07:00

Hello all! I'm trying to plow out some posts quick.....cause I've got some family photos tomorrow with another awesome family (with three cute little blondes that are likely gonna run circles around me...HAHA ;)

Anyhow, here's engagement photos that were taken *cough* a long time ago at Granville Island. Kerissa and Dan actually got married last weekend. I was in the bridal party, and YES, she chose fantastic dresses for us! I've included a picture at the end of me and another of the bridesmaids :)

Thanks Kerissa and Dan for letting me a part of your wedding! It was a beautiful day and I hope and pray for the best for the two of you in the years to come :) Blessings!!

Kerissa, you might hate me for posting the next one, but I think you look spectacular! And I'm positive no one will disagree with me, what with those blue eyes and all ;)

And here's the wicked dresses. Yes....WICKED :) You could tie them around a ka-jillion ways....helpful when you have some really tall, some really short and some very pregnant people in the bridal party. HAHA! Anyhow, Kerissa found them here. Indefinitely recommended ;)

Wedding Details: Farrah + Victor

2010-09-20T17:53:00.000-07:00

Hello all! This summer, I was a bridesmaid in a friends wedding. I've know her for....like....probably close to 4 years now?....something like that.

Anyhow, she got married this past summer, and I couldn't be more happy to stand up with her as she tied the knot! I'll be honest, the morning of the wedding was relatively hectic ;) But the truth and fact is that, looking back, I believe God showed himself present during that morning. It was in the prayer that surrounded the morning and in the way Farrah and Vic are with each other: patient, loving, kind, and supportive. Just an immense reminder of God's rich blessings....those little moments in the hectic-ness that prove that God is still in control and that he is sovereign......

If that makes any sense ;)

Thankyou SO MUCH Farrah for being such an incredible friend! Words cannot express the support you have been to me the past few years of my life. You have been Jesus to me. Forgiving, loving and PATIENT ;) Love you and Vic very much. All the best in the years to come.....

And for the rest of you, here's some "getting ready/detail-ish" photos from the wedding ;) Enjoy!

I realize that the picture on the right is totally cliche......but whatcha gonna do about it? ;)

Vic and Farrah met at starbucks.....so the left picture seemed only fitting ;)

Hello friend!

Aaahhhhhh.....Days off!

2010-09-11T21:30:00.000-07:00

So I'm trying to think of something really witty and cool and funny to open this post with.....and I have now sat here staring at the wall for a SOLID 10 minutes....and I've got nothing..... Blach!

Anyhow. Here's some things I'm excited about:

1) The Fall! The cool air is kinda warming my heart right now....and I now get to pull out all of the scarves that have been hibernating throughout the spring and summer.....

2) The end of october because... I will be going to visit family in Cambodia! Yes....cambodia....I am SO EXCITED ;) I've been so often to Uganda and I'm pumped to go somewhere new (for now ;) AND, I'm going to take a ka-jillion photos and then I'm gonna come home and I'm gonna spend a ka-jillion hours looking through and editing them all ;) I dream BIG!

3) Next weekend....because a lovely friend of mine is getting married and I get to be a bridesmaid (and might I add that the dresses are spectacular ;)

And one more thing I'm excited about? The following photos..... More to come!

Wedding details from a lovely friends wedding.....

Engagement photos (it's THEIR wedding next weekend....which means that she has incredible taste in choosing bridesmaids dresses ;)

Family photos including the most adorable baby on planet earth (and a couple pretty awesome and relaxed parents as well ;)

Have an awesome night!!

Wedding: Dana + Brad

2010-09-02T17:29:00.000-07:00

So, I officially get the award for most inconsistent blogger (which means, because I've now awarded myself.....I should go celebrate with some chocolate cake and maybe a glass of red wine ;) Mwahaha!

Anyhow, here's a wedding I was able to be a part of that happened, yes....2 months ago ;( Sigh! I'm terrible with procrastinating.....

Dana and Brad are somewhat 'in the family' now ;) Dana's brother is married to my sister.....which means that my nieces are also her nieces! Which is pretty fun.....and wait a sec! I just figured that means that my nieces are also Brad's nieces! Which means that, not only do I procrastinate.....but I'm a little slow on the pickup too :)

Dana and Brad were married at the beginning of July. It was a smoking awesome day (which isn't superior for lighting......but made for the most perfect blue skies......Aaahhhhhh!) I saw lots of familiar faces at the wedding. My sister made the cake, a past roommate of mine (Dana's sister) sang the most beautiful song during the ceremony (she's gets the award for most beautiful voice in the WORLD) and my little niece was the flowergirl :) It was a lovely day.....

And because I've procrastinated a LONG time before posting these.....I've included a MOTHERLOAD of photos :)

So here you go....the motherload ;)

After getting ready, we met up with the boys at Crescent Beach on (un-officially, by my standards) the brightest and warmest day of the summer! Haha! If I'm not correct, Dana got a tan on her wedding day (which is pretty awesome).....honestly though, BEAUTIFUL day :)

Random thought: I NEVER knew there was such a thing as white gerber's with BLACK centers (I've never been a big huge flower lover though....I've only really ever known what roses are ;) Needless to say, I absolutely loved these bouquets with the black centered gerber's....

If you look up the word "adorable" in the dictionary, you might find a portrait of Dana right beside it ;) Haha!

And shoe shots like this will never cease to be some of my favorites :)

And then off to the most perfect hill on the most perfectly warm day :) I felt a little bad dragging the ladies up there....I got all this wierd strawlike stuff all over my feet/shoes....but, oh man, I love these photos the most :)

Dear wedding party: Thankyou for climbing onto the top of this hill with the sun glaring in your eyes in order for me to get these photos. And thankyou bridesmaids for proving to me that girls can jump VERY high in platform heels and still look classy and cool(even though this photo doesn't prove what actually went down ;)

And yes, the following picture is total cheese.....but cheese is good sometimes. I mean, who wants a regular hamburger when you can have a CHEESE burger. And, you know....what's a cracker without some cheese ;) ...I'll stop now...

And then to the church! I really like this one of Brad (don't know why...as usual ;)

I went to Uganda once with the pastor who officiated. Life changing trip....but no big deal ;)

And then a little reception! My sister made the cake (so this is my official plug for her ;)

So, in order for your table to get some food, you had to construct something out of this envelope of paper items on your table (I think this was right.....I was so busy taking photos ;) But this one table constructed the most intense CPR scene.....it was fantastic (and Dana's a respiratory therapist....so it was also sorta sentimental ;) That is, If you consider CPR sentimental.... HAH!

Anyhow, one more photo. One of the bridesmaids brought these glasses. Good show ;) I also appreciate the half thumbs up that Bradley sported for this photo. Classic ;)

And that is it! Have an awesome labor day weekend!! I have a few more photos that I need to share (an engagement session and another family session).....so those to come "soon" ;)

Sneak Peek....and I Jumped again ;)

2010-08-16T22:33:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to share my favorite photo from the last wedding I was able to photograph! I scouted out the place the day before, and stared up at this hill and pictured THIS (the photo below) in my head....and told myself that if the weather (and wedding party) agreed, I was gonna make it happen.

And, as you can see, "both" agreed and the "photo" happened and I was grinning from ear to ear with the camera in front of my face the entire time....seriously, just loved it ;)

Anyhow, enjoy! More to come....

Oh! And in other news, I went BUNGEE JUMPING!! ;) I went with the same friends I went skydiving with a few years back and I must say...it was QUITE fun ;)

And I know that the picture isn't proof that I actually jumped, but you don't really get the t-shirt until you jump, so it's maybe...kinda....proof ;)

Family Portraits: The Vanhuizen's :)

2010-08-06T21:18:00.000-07:00

So, these were semi-family photos and semi-newborn photos......and might I say that it was entirely fun to take pictures of a newborn baby! Although I do work on a maternity unit at the hospital, I really only get to cradle the newborns under my arm before handing them back to their momma's ;(

ANYHOW! This particular newborn was just under a week old (if I remember correctly), had an adorable big sister (seriously, like.....SO cute:).....and two pretty awesome parents ;) In the front yard was this nice flowery garden-ish area and there was this 'for sale' sign that acted as the most perfect reflector ;) It also kinda blinded them.....but the photos turned out fine!! HAHA!

Anyhow, enjoy! And thankyou so much Jolene and Jeff for letting me take these photos! The best to you and your family in the years to come!! :)

Cutest big sister? Yup. I think so ;)

Um....Best looking family circa 2010? Again, I think so ;)

And below is my favorite from the session....can't understand why I love it so much but here you go! The one picture that I love and don't really know why ;)

Family Portraits: The Scotts :)

2010-07-21T01:05:00.000-07:00

Let me introduce you to the most awesome family....in the world ;)

Seriously though, are these kids not the cutest! They were so awesome while taking all of these pictures and they didn't even need to be bribed with anything (I don't think ;)

Anyhow, thankyou Nigel and Yvonne for spending time with me and letting me take so many photos of your little ones! You two are awesome and I hope for the best for you in the years to come :)

Enjoy the photos :)

Portraits: Jen + Megan + Danielle

2010-07-08T16:44:00.001-07:00

Wowweeee! It's been busy! Here's some photos from a few weeks back :) A couple of these girls have graduated this year...wanted some photos in their dresses. Which are quite nice mind you ;)

I have far too much to post here (well, not THAT much). A couple family sessions and then a WEDDING from last weekend. I cannot describe how excited I am to show some of those photos. Am I allowed to say that I got some truly awesome shots? Cause I did....and they will be up here soon :)

And for heavens sakes, I can't choose what colors to do. I'm trying to match them up a bit with my website, but blach! I'm so indecisive. I'll settle on something soon.....

Anyhow, enjoy these! More later but I've got a night shift tonight. Boo!

Wedding: Heather + Joe

2010-06-25T21:03:00.000-07:00

It's been almost a month since I took these! Crazy...time is flying...

I am so grateful to Heather and Joe for letting me shoot their wedding! It rained right before the ceremony, but then held off from the beginning of the ceremony and then thru the rest of the day! Woohoo! And honestly: I couldn't have asked for a more relaxed and trusting couple to take pictures of on this day. An absolutely special thanks to the two of them ;) And congratulations!

Anyhow, here's some of my favorites...

Thanks again Heather and Joe! And a special thanks to my friend Rae, who came along with me and took some awesome photos as well! Thankyou!

One :)

2010-06-02T17:36:00.000-07:00

One more night shift and then I go to OREGON!! Camping, driving, reading, relaxing....Woohoo!

And here's a photo from last weekend's wedding! I didn't think I should take off for the weekend without posting this one.....it's one of my favorites ;)

Portraits: Melissa

2010-05-27T01:14:00.000-07:00

Oh man! I'm finished work for the weekend....week....I don't know!(60 hours at the hospital=BLACH!).....

It's late....so I'll make this snappy....but here's some photos I took of a lovely girl named Melissa! We talked last fall about doing some photos and she said that she'd made this dress with polka dots that she could wear for the photos....I was indeed game :) Turns out the dress is super well done (what a talented girl)! She's wearing it in a few of the photos below:) And honestly, I had trouble picking which photos to post....I love so many of these......and MIGHT I add that the light is GLORIOUS right before sundown. I could have shed tears...it was just perfect :)

Enjoy!

Melissa looked like the most perfect little red riding hood in this photo (before I made it black and white).....hence I made it black and white ;)

And then I got to play with my new flash!! Woohoo!

And a photo of the two of us....I never have pictures of myself on here....so this is my debut I suppose!

Oh Nelly!

2010-05-18T23:38:00.000-07:00

I'm excited for the weeks to come...they're gonna be horribly busy and I'm working a LOT...but amongst them, I get to shoot my first WEDDING! So that is awesome...

Needless to say, here's a little sneak peek of what went down approximately 2 hours ago...I was so excited about these photos (especially that second one), that I decided to post a couple right away :) And I made that "second one" a bit bigger, just because I love it so much :)

More to come...

Hello Lovely :)

2010-05-11T15:34:00.000-07:00

Holy busy!

These next couple months are pretty brutal....and also very exciting! I will be attending five weddings this summer: 2 as a photographer, 2 as a bridesmaid....and then one as a guest ;) Basically that is one wedding per month until september. Bah!

Needless to say, lots of photos to come on here. I'm apparently also fitting in a road trip and a trip to san francisco with some youths that I've been working with :) And two other 'senior session' type photo shoots! PUMPED for those :)

Anyhow, rambling....I went to whistler this weekend. Here's some photos from 'Lost Lake'.....very pretty. Work at the hospital has been crazy busy (I'm getting a little tired of the 'spring-baby' boom that is happening)...so a walk around the lake was nice :)

And super pumped about this! But I have an 'aquaintance' that is lending me his super awesome zoom lens for the weddings I'm shooting this summer.....honestly an answer to prayer....because I DO NOT have the money for this lens on its own....

Hello beastly lens ;)

Have a nice night!! ;)

Crazy Love

2010-04-26T15:15:00.000-07:00

I've been reading the book 'Crazy Love' over the past while......it's taken me a long time even though it SHOULD BE a quick read ;)

Anyhow, I came across this quote, and read it again.....and then again......and then one more time before feeling the need to share it here. It's just so beautiful and true.....

So here you go :)

The love for equals is a human thing - of friend for friend, brother for brother. It is to love what is loving and lovely. The world smiles. The love for the less fortunate is a beautiful thing - the love for those who suffer, for those who are poor, the sick, the failures, the unlovely. This is compassion, and it touches the heart of the world. The love for the more fortunate is a rare thing - to love those who succeed where we fail, to rejoice without envy those who rejoice, the love of the poor for the rich, of the black man for the white man. The world is always bewildered by its saints. And then there is the love for the enemy - love for the one who does not love you but mocks, threatens, and inflicts pain. The tortured's love for the torturer. This is God's love. It conquers the world.

I love this.....very true....but very hard to follow.....

And because a post needs a picture.....here's my niece after playing some soccer.....I'll be back at langley events center taking photos this thursday. Very excited ;)

Fairhaven :)

2010-04-22T17:36:00.000-07:00

So, as recommended by a couple friends, I went down to the town of 'fairhaven' (just south of bellingham) on tuesday afternoon.....and other than that, I have no idea how to introduce these pictures.....

Although, it was so nice to get my camera out! Honestly...it's been too busy lately. I'm super excited for next week though, because I get to photograph a family and they have the two cutest children.....I'm super excited for it....anyhow....(Once the phrase 'super excited' has come out in my writing twice in a row, I realize that I should probably stop writing ;)

So this is me....stopping...

Here's Fairhaven ;)

And a picture of a bench....just because it's my blog and I can post whatever I want....

Did I mention that you can get the most perfect cup of coffee in Fairhaven? Well, here it is!

And did I mention that the cutest bookstore can be found in Fairhaven? Well, it can ;) I took far too many photos in this store....probably made a real fool of myself!

This picture was actually taken in Bellingham.....but whatever....

Have an awesome night!!

Days off....YEAH!

2010-04-19T21:26:00.000-07:00

Yah.....it's been a long weekend....

Actually, it's been a long couple weeks. This whole working 'full time' at the hospital is actually taking it's toll....I feel exhausted on my days off! And I don't think it's just the 'working' bit that drains me but what I'm seeing at work.....just broken relationships and I always get frustrated seeing women who have extensive histories with frequent abortions.....it's just frustrates.....

Anyhow, in the busyness/frustration I have been DYING to get out and take photos.....so I'm heading out tomorrow.....I don't know where. I'm just gonna drive blindly (well, not LITERALLY "blindly") and take my camera with me and see where I end up ;)

And then I'm going to take photos :) YEAH!

That said, it seemed fitting to include these photos that I came across a couple of days ago.....took them last fall.....turquoise cars will always be welcome on this blog ;)

I actually have an idea where I want to go tomorrow....so my journey likely won't be 'blind' afterall ;)

Engagement: Heather + Joe

2010-04-06T22:24:00.000-07:00

I was able to meet up with Heather and Joe for engagement photos a few weeks ago in Fort Langley. I got to the coffee shop early to look at photos etc. etc....just a little last minute inspiration!

Well! Shortly after getting there, I realized that the coffee shop didn't have internet OR working outlets to plug in my laptop. Needless to say I freaked out a bit ;) Entirely stressed actually. In school, I was always the one with my face in the textbook right up until the big test....well, I'm the same with taking pictures...I rely a lot on that last minute stuff!

Anyhow, that said, I'm amazed at how much peace God gives me at times (when it's truly needed). Heather and Joe were awesome, they left all the posing and direction up to me and I was able to try some new things. I appreciate (SO MUCH) those who have trusted me with taking their picture. It's entirely encouraging and I walked away from the afternoon with Philippians 4:6&7 in my mind...

'do not be anxious about anything.....peace of God....transcends understanding'

Those words ended off a surprisingly good day.

Thanks so much Heather and Joe!! So nice to spend some time with you (and meet Joe finally)....excited for your wedding in May :)

Here's some photos ;)

Come join me!

2010-03-30T09:55:00.000-07:00

A couple months ago I made a list of things I wanted to do this year (some random things and others that I've been thinking about for a while)......WELL! Here's the list! I'm posting it here, because I'm gonna need some people to join me for some of the things. So drop me a line if you're, well.....interested ;)

And at the end of this post, a photo from an engagement 'shoot' that I took of a friend :) I am also going to be shooting their wedding on May 29th.....the first of two weddings (I booked them after writing #1 on the list).....which I think is funny....

Anyhow, let me know if you're up for any of these things (well, minus #21.....I'll try and figure that one out on my own, thanks ;)

1) Shoot a wedding
2) Second shoot a wedding
3) Swim with Dolphins
4) Go to Hawaii for a week
5) Visit New York
6) Take a Basic Mechanics Course
7) Take a Self Defense Course
8) Road Trip with friends
9) Visit Ontario ;)
10) Spend a night in Portland
11) Learn the basics of another language
12) Participate in an intramural sport
13) Share my testimony in front of a large audience
14) Host a formal dinner party
15) Go Bungee Jumping
16) Read through the entire bible
17) Memorize a chapter from the bible
18) Run 5km (with no breaks ;)
19) Take a dance class
20) Sing kareoke (in front of an audience ;)
21) Do the splits
22) Go camping at least 3 times in the summer
23) Re-invent a new blog and website
24) Read through at least a book a month
25) Dance with Ellen

And a photo! It's the most random and candid from the whole day and I love it.....More to come :)

Seattle....with a cherry on top ;)

2010-03-25T21:28:00.001-07:00

So I'm presently watching 'arrested development' and I have TRULY FORGOTTEN how funny this show is....Mwahaha! For all you fans out there, I think the movie is coming in 2011 ;) Woot woot!

Anyhow, I went to Seattle about a week ago with some friends and this is what came of it :)

And the cherry? Well, I added some pictures of my nieces at the end of this post....they're both getting so big! My brother in law plunked the youngest in this little toy stroller and she just sat there while my sister mowed the lawn.....it was so adorable....

Anyhow, I'm otherwise in a lame mood and can't think of anything else to write.....but I'm happy to open with a spring-ish photo (and a spring-ish background)! It's about freaking' time spring arrived! Haha ;)

And my nieces. I love them ;)

And my favorite one of Marloe...just hangin' out in a little stroller...no big deal ;)

Anyhow, have a good night! :)

Family Portraits: Erin + Corey + Twins!

2010-03-16T20:28:00.001-07:00

Hello all!

I just made a plate of this, while watching this......

Which means that my stomach is full (with the most heavenly delicious food), I've listened to some good music and it's now time to post some photos!

I took Erin and Corey and their ADORABLE twins out into the coldest of cold weather (which didn't seem THAT cold until we were actually out there....with babies ;) But even though it was cold, the twins seemed pretty good and Erin and Corey were wonderful!...... Thank you so much Erin and Corey for letting me take these! I hope all the best for you in the years to come with your little ones. They're beautiful :)

Anyhow, enjoy the photos!

*And for those that don't know, I actually have a website now. YAY! It can be found here ;)

I love these ones of Erin.....

And these of Corey......

And then some inside.... given the cold :)

And one more favorite... the return of the cutest little feet ;)

Four little feet :)

2010-03-11T22:23:00.001-08:00

I don't know how to open this post.....it's been a long day ;)

Anyhow! Here's a photo from the 'family photos' I was able to take a few days ago.....And yes, four little feet = twins! How fun :)

And for the record, this was my favorite....pulling out my favorite before you can see anything else.....mwahaha!

Wowza!

2010-03-08T14:57:00.000-08:00

Once again, it's been a LONG time! (why do I always need to open posts like that?) This must change :)

Anyhow, I never even got around to posting photos from my last trip... so here are a few! And there is no doubt in my mind that more photos will show up BUT I do have some things coming up that I'm very VERY excited about:

First, I'm taking photos of a family tomorrow that will NEED to be posted.....I'm excited for this :) AND...... Second: I've got TWO weddings booked for this summer! Woot woot. My goal was literally for one wedding, so somewhere along the way my luck doubled :) Bing Bang Boom!

(This is about the point where any photographer who shoots 10-20+ weddings shakes their head.....and likely smiles just a bit ;)

But really, TWO weddings! I'm stoked (and if you know me WELL, you'll know that I must be excited because I NEVER use the word 'stoked' ;)

Anyhow, enough! Here's some Uganda photos, and some lyrics from Starfield :)

"Let me not be blind with privilege
Give me eyes to see the pain
Let the blessing you've poured out on me
Not be spent on me in vain
Let this life be used for change...."

Portraits: Farrah

2010-02-13T22:20:00.001-08:00

Wow! I think I say this alot but TIME FLIES! The olympics are indefinitely in my city! And I have MOST DEFINITELY seen both arnold schwarzenegger and wayne gretzky carry the torch past me....nothing says 'go canada' like the terminator? ;)

Anyhow, I meant to post these photos a long time ago...but nonetheless, here they are. And about Farrah? Well, she's a wonderful girl, amazing listener and leader and I hope for the best for her :)

Thankyou Farrah! :)

And note: The first and last are my favorites....I don't know why though :) Enjoy! And I'll get some more Uganda photos up here sometime soon.....one most post at least.....

Beauty in Simplicity :)

2010-02-04T21:29:00.000-08:00

Wow!

I have wanted to blog about this year's trip to Uganda SO MUCH over the past week, and there are JUST NO WORDS :) There are just too many thoughts floating around in my brain and I don't know where to start.

I love it in Uganda. I learn much in Uganda. And one thing I always miss coming back to Canada is the simplicity of the life that I experienced while away....Less distractions, less busyness, less choice (which can be both good and bad I realize ;)

This year I found some of the young girls making these AMAZING little dolls. They were literally made out of corn husks that were wrapped around plastic shopping bags and tied off with straw. THEN the girls used the pointy end of a protractor to thread through string hair (decorated with beads) and then ripped up used clothes/tshirts to make dresses for the dolls. They were the most creative and SIMPLE little dolls....and were made from the most simple and available supplies. Didn't need to spend any money etc. etc.

Which makes me think: Why don't I use my old stuff in new and creative ways? Why don't I cook something 'creative' out of what's already in my kitchen cupboards instead of buying new groceries all the time? And why don't I just go and tailor an old pair of pants instead of going and buying a new pair? Maybe I should be putting my own creative abilities to better use! :)

Anyhow, I'd love to post a whole heck of a lot more photos right now, but I'm only posting two ;) With these I assure you there will be more to come. But for now, here are two simple little photos: The first, one of the dolls and the second, a classic photo of a Ugandan mama that I find so SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL :)

Enjoy!

Gone!

2010-01-12T15:11:00.000-08:00

So, I officially never got around to posting some photos of the last little 'shoot' I did :) Woops.....

But I AM going to be heading to the airport in about 30 minutes because I'm off to Uganda! I suppose I'll have LOTS to post when I'm home (in a short 3 weeks), what with new Uganda photos and those ones from a few weeks ago......

Anyhow, just thought I should write something quick! The blog is officially taking a break until sometime after the 30th :) And although there's not a picture with this blog post (LAME), I WILL suggest that you slide on over to this one, because the photos "found" there are absolutely awesome :)

Enjoy!

One Week :)

2010-01-05T21:58:00.000-08:00

Yup! In one week from now (I haven't told a lot of people ;)....I'm off to Uganda again!

I've started to lay out all the packing. I work the next four days....which means this final week before my flight is gonna FLY by! (wink wink)

I took tons of pictures last year and although I shared a good handful, I keep finding more that I love as I look through my files. So here's a little smattering of the ones I haven't FULLY shared before, because truthfully: The next ones will be from the upcoming trip!

So here's the end to the '09 trip (or the ones I'll share at least - unless you wanna invite yourself to my apartment to see more, and I'll even have snacks ;)

Anyhow, 2010 pictures to come.....what a nice way to start out the year. I feel so blessed :)

And if you've made it this far :)

I made a little list of some random goals for myself this year.....FUN goals :) I WILL post the photos that I took of a friend a while back (along with the list of goals ;) but for now, I just really wanted to sneak in this Uganda post quick, because I leave so soon :)

Have a great week!

Hi!

2009-12-30T13:09:00.000-08:00

I'm bored. I work nights tonight and have just spent some time:

a) Baking (strawberry banana muffins)
b) Finishing Laundry (most of my scrubs ;) AND
c) Reading ('The Lovely Bones' by Alice Sebold - In my opinion, it's a GREAT book and I'll more than likely dedicate a post to it given its' greatness and the fact that the movie is coming out in January :)

And now I'm blogging (when I should probably be sleeping ;)

Anyhow, here's a little picture of the new holga, and the muffins I just made (Courtesy of my favorite food blog ;)

And a little sneak peek of what's to come! As I'm looking through the pictures I got from last saturday, I had trouble choosing.....but this is by far one of my favorites :)

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-25T20:20:00.001-08:00

Wow! Every year, the christmas season seems to go by quicker and quicker. Lots of time with family, fewer presents (which is fine by me ;)....and yummy, yummy turkey! I've officially had three plates of turkey dinner on three different days this season. YUM!

Nevertheless, this christmas has treated me quite well :) Here's the rundown....

First came some christmas cookies.....

Then came an ugly christmas sweater party :)

And then Eden got a little afraid visiting Santa (I SURE WOULD! I mean, check out these santas :) This is the TAMEST picture I got of the ordeal....I had some that were seriously....much MUCH worse. Poor little niece :(

And then came the family christmas....two days ago :)

Anyhow, that's it....my brother got me a cool little camera called the Holga that I'm pretty excited to try out.....maybe some of those photos soon :)

And other than that, MERRY CHRISTMAS!! :)

Family Portraits: Jenny + Matt + Eden + Marloe :)

2009-12-08T19:29:00.000-08:00

Almost 2 years ago, I wrote this post. And now, almost 2 years later....there's yet another niece added to my family. Her name is Marloe and she is pretty stinkin' cute. And once again, another reminder of the graciousness of God and the truth that a bit of waiting and hardship CAN turn out well in the end :)

My sister asked me to get some 'family photos' and some newborn-ish photos of Marloe (4 wks to be exact)....Newborn photos: No problem! Trying to get a 2 yr old to focus for a photo: Just plain problematic :) A good challenge nonetheless...

Thanks Jenny and Matt for letting me take these! Greatly appreciated! My first newborn-ish/family photos! Exciting :)

And did I mention that Marloe knows kung-fu? Well, she does ;)

Hooray!

2009-11-30T14:59:00.000-08:00

So, I've been getting the Sanyu Babies Home Newsletters for the past couple months, and I just found out that little cutie Raymond was fostered. Woot woot! I keep checking up on some of my favorites in the 'fostered' section of the newsletter....it's the first section I go to :)

And I just realized that I never did post a photo of the little man, so here you go ;)

Snapshots and some tears ;)

2009-11-28T18:14:00.000-08:00

I wish I could take pictures of my work at the hospital. There are some amazing and also hard moments there. And interestingly enough, I have a bundle of little snapshots of my work written on my mind....here's a few.

Snapshot 1: A mom, just recently up from the Operating Room, wheeled on a stretcher to see her preterm baby who was in our nursery incubator. The baby was being tranferred to another hospital because it wasn't breathing too well....and there was just this short moment where I lowered the side of the incubator and the mom reached out to touch her baby and she just couldn't contain herself....she looked down and then looked up with eyes glossing over and then she just started to sob. Maybe words just don't do it justice (or maybe they do).....it was just this horribly meaningful moment that will likely always stay with me.....

Snapshot 2: At a delivery a couple days ago, as I'm drying this (just born) baby on the mother's abdomen, I looked up and noticed that the father (who had seemed so "strong" during the delivery), had tears streaming down his cheeks. No sound....just tears streaming. I must say that whenever this happens, I'm nearly brought to tears myself. Nothing like the 'miracle' of life to bring out the vulnerability in a person ;)

Just some beatiful moments at work :)

And with that, a few more snapshots (not the written kind ;). A few days ago before lunch with a lovely friend....and a little family photo of my sister's family.....my favorite ;)

And my sister and her lovely family (and my new niece:).....yep! Marloe's the one in Jenny's arms ;) More to come.......

Have an awesome weekend :)

To share or not to share ;)

2009-11-17T00:53:00.000-08:00

To Share!

Well, bliggity blog. I'm presently at work and I am BORED! I have one baby and one mom and I don't need to go and check on the baby for another 10 minutes....aka: this will be a quick post because I only have ten minutes ;)

I like blogs. Most importantly photography blogs, but recently I've been visiting this blog. I LOVE food, and this blog is particularly likeable because a) The pictures of the food she makes look so good that I'm "this close" to scarfing the monitor, and b) The recipes I've actually made from this site (about 13 of them) have been simple to make and absolutely delicious :) So there you go. Check that one out...

...And then after you have something delicious (in front of you) to eat, you need to head on over to this blog, because the photos that you'll see there are INCREDIBLE! For some reason I especially love the family photos they take, but honestly, the whole friggin blog is just...plain...awesome :)

So there you go. Two blogs, absolutely more than ten minutes (woops) and I will now go and check on the baby that is (hopefully) still sleeping ;)

Bye Bye Fall!

2009-11-08T06:34:00.000-08:00

Just kidding. Although it's cold enough to be winter outside, it's clearly still fall until december 21st (if my calculations are correct ;)

As such, I will not yet bring out any christmas decorations and I will continue to bake with pumpkin.....HA!

Here's some fall pictures :)

And a little diddy from halloween :)

Portraits: Melissa

2009-10-28T13:17:00.000-07:00

Wow! I haven't been on here for a long time and I may have mentioned (a long time ago) that I'd post these photos ;)

Well, here they are! Honestly, this girl was entirely easy to photograph. She was up for anything (like posing up beside a trailer) and she's just plain beautiful, which made my job easy :)

Thanks so much Melissa for taking some time out of your day to let me take these photos! You're swell and I hope you like them ;)

And for the rest of you, ENJOY! I won't even bother listing my favorites because I have far too many of them........

Oh! And in other news, I'm going to be an auntie AGAIN! My little niece, Marloe, is on her way! Maybe some newborn photos? I think so ;

Mwahaha!

2009-10-13T15:12:00.000-07:00

Okay! If these pictures don't make you smile, I don't know know what possibly could. My niece is kinda cool. I had thanksgiving dinner with my family yesterday evening and my sister had her dancing up a storm in the backyard. And all this dancing was to my brother's guitar playing. Must've been some decent strumming ;)

And all dancing aside, here's a photo from a little 'session' I had a couple weeks ago now. Just a little 'sneak peek' (or so to speak ;) and it'll give me the motivation to get the others up here soon too!

Have an awesome night!

Finished!

2009-10-07T21:18:00.000-07:00

I just finished a book called And the Shofar Blew by Francince Rivers and it was both lovely and heartbreaking and then at other times I felt sick to my stomach. A solid read though. And as I was reading it, I kept writing down little quotes that I wanted to remember.....such as this:

For wasn't that what grace was all about? Extending love to someone who trashed what you held so dear?

Been thinking about this.....

And to end, a photo (obviously ;).....from some baptisms that I saw at crescent beach. I don't know where we'd be without that thing called 'grace' :)

This photo makes me happy.....so if anything challenging happens at work tomorrow, I will shut my eyes really tight and think about the happiness written all over this lady's face :)

Sometimes.....

2009-10-03T09:16:00.000-07:00

I just do not get it.....

At work there have been 5 fetal demises in the past 7 weeks. Two of which have happened during the last three nights shifts (that I just finished up). There is something just 'off' about seeing these babies delivered. As if hearing that your unborn baby has passed away isn't hard enough, we then need to get these women into labor to deliver the "fetus" (given that there is risk for infection etc. etc.) the longer they wait :(

I had one of these patients a couple nights ago. The baby was born (15 weeks) and it turned out to be about (but in reality quite a bit smaller than) the size of a lemon. It could fit into the palm of my hand. And as we do with all mom's experiencing this type of loss, we give them a 'memory box' with some baby bracelets, a hat, a crib card and some photos of the baby. So here I find myself, alone in a room taking pictures of this itsy bitsy tiny baby, thinking to myself "So what was your plan here God? Why have this baby growing for 15 weeks and then take that life away? Why have it's heart start beating and then decide to pull the plug?"

I do not get it. Likely will never see the light in this situation really.....

I guess (to look on the brighter side), it's really amazing to see how we're made. Honestly, us humans are some pretty unique creatures ;) The most amazing thing about seeing such a little baby was, to me, the fact that it had bones.....itty bitty teensy tiny little bones. And detail so intricate! Kinda neat to see something that only a select few will see with their eyes in a lifetime.....So I guess there's always some good with the bad.....

Anyhow, just thoughts. I'll close with a picture. I'll never look at a lemon the same way now that I've made the reference ;)

Portraits: Anna + Morgan + Michelle

2009-10-01T15:04:00.000-07:00

Wow! Once again, it's been a while....and I have a night shift tonight so I should probably be sleeping. Mwahaha!

But here are the photos that I took quite a while ago of three lovely ladies! Honestly, these girls are a lot of fun and it was even more fun to take photos of them. So here's a HUGE thankyou to them for their willingness to let me play around a little bit with my camera :)

And for the record, the last two are my favorites :)

Have an awesome day! I'll be sleeping it away...boo!

I love....

2009-09-21T22:51:00.000-07:00

Where I live :)

I just moved to a place that is about 10 MINUTES from the beach.....can't describe it! I just love it and I love my little place! And I took a little stroll to a nearby starbucks to get a smoothie and I stayed there for a while...in time to 'cash in' on a free coffee at closing time. Woot woot! That means it might be a late night tonight :)

Anyhow, just a couple photos....randoms....from near my new home. And then a little sneak peek at what's coming up. I'll be honest, I've been taking a lot of photos. I just like it a whole lot. And I will be sharing them here ;)

Enjoy!

And to come: These lovely ladies!.....they haven't seen any of the photos yet, but soon my friends....soon they will :)

Bye Bye summer!

2009-09-16T16:52:00.000-07:00

I found this quote by C.S. Lewis today:

"I believe in christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: Not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else."

Quite the truth.

And although summer has quickly faded and it's a little sad to see the colder weather coming.....the coming of fall also means that I get to pull out the SCARVES!! I love scarves! So Hooray for fall :) And one leftover summer-ish photo......

Portraits: Danielle

2009-09-12T22:30:00.000-07:00

Here are more photos! A lovely girl at the church let me take some photos of her this past tuesday....and I think that we got off some good shots! She indefinitely let me play around a bit with my camera (and props: see shopping cart in second photo). And not only this, but I had her in some very odd poses which makes her an incredible sport....so thankyou Danielle for giving me this opportunity! And I hope you like the photos ;)

The first is my personal favorite :)

Sneaky Peeky

2009-09-08T21:07:00.000-07:00

Man, I haven't blogged in a while.....I'll try better the next couple weeks :)

I took pictures of a very lovely young lady today. She is 'volunteer extraordinaire' at the church and she also, I might add, owns one very cute pink and black scarf ;)

More pictures later though...... Is that a good enough tease? Cause I really did try ;)

Come to the Edge.

2009-08-25T16:33:00.000-07:00

"Come to the edge," he said.

They said, "We are afraid."

"Come to the edge," he said.

They came.

He pushed them.....and they flew :)

-Guillaume Appollinaire

I like this. And I also like this photo. Taken with my wee point and shoot :)

Portraits: Shannon

2009-08-21T18:17:00.000-07:00

So! Last week, I had a friend (who was on my Uganda trip) send me an email wondering if I would possibly be able to take some headshots of her that she could give to her agent. She just finished her masters in producing in London (England :) and needed some fresh headshots taken.....I was scared out of my mind, mind you.....but I just couldn't resist this sort of wee opportunity falling into my lap :)

So here you go! I was able to snap just over 400 photos, 80 of which Shannon showed her agent.....and FYI: The first two photos and the last two on this post are (to my understanding) part of Shannon's profile now :) Woot Woot! It helps when you're taking pictures of a lovely person.....so my job was relatively easy in the end :) And it goes to show that maybe those things we are so scared of are, in fact, the exact things that we should be embracing more often in the everyday :)

And an IMMENSE shout out to Shannon for letting me help you out with these headshots! You cannot possibly understand what it means to me for someone to trust in my ability to take these photos! Thanks so much for your support ;)

Memoirs

2009-08-18T08:51:00.000-07:00

I sit here, at starbucks, relatively early in the morning, night shift tonight.....with Uganda on my mind. I just can't believe it's already been a month since I've come back! Time is flying.....

Anyhow, thought I'd share three thoughts: three thoughts, three pictures.....and honestly, if you're thinking, 'Oh my! I can't believe she's writing more about UGANDA!'.....I assure you that these people are absolutely amazing and the few little posts I've written don't do them justice (literally and figuratively) in ANY way.....

So here goes! :)

Story #1: Mary Kevin

I've talked about this young lady before (here). It was quite possibly the most amazing moment to see her again. The last time I'd seen her in '06, there was not a smile to be seen on her face, but the first day I arrived back this year, she came through the throng of children, shook my hand and with this HUGE smile said 'Hello! I'm Mary Kevin'......and it was from this moment that I think I'd found my match :) And to top it off, we'd sing wierd songs to each other....Simple little greetings in a 'sing song' way ;) Maybe a little odd, but like I said: I think I found my match!

Story #2: Water
This photo doesn't do the 'water' story justice. While I can just turn on a tap in my home and drink straight from it, these kids have daily chores, one of which is to go and collect water from a tap that is (what seems) a "short" walk down a hill. I tried on a few occasions to help, and after one trip up with two of these yellow containers filled with water, it hit home to see how hard these kids work everyday to satisfy the most basic of needs. The boys and girls rotate with who collects the water.....and they fill this GIGANTIC blue basin (I think it holds about 24 yellow jugs of water). While helping one day, I asked, 'I think it's full, yah?'.....and was quickly corrected as one of the children said, 'no, not yet' and pointed to the small amount of blue basin that had yet to be filled (the water was, in all honesty, an inch from the top :) Needless to say, that blue basin was filled to the BRIM and was spilling over. Maybe a literal analogy to how hard these kids work :)

Story #3: The Mama's
What do I say about these ladies! These three women have devoted their lives to caring for the 53 children who live on the 10 acres I visited. Three children's homes, three wonderful mama's! And although they're all amazing, I wanted to speak a bit for Mama Rose (in the middle, picking peanuts :).....Rose was on the 10 acres the last time I'd visited in '06. I have never met a woman who is more open about her faith in the sense that she would be up early every morning (aka 5am-ish) shouting 'HALLELUJAH!' at the top of her lungs for all to hear. I was behind one of the children's homes taking some quiet time for myself on another occasion, and she came around the home with her bible in hand (I think I might have taken her 'spot'). She sat a few paces from me, laid down a blanket and just starting worshipping like there was no-one else around (aka "I" was no longer there). She was humming to herself and raising her hands and then she opened the word and started reading, and then she started singing again....it was just her and God and that was all that mattered right then and there. It was lovely! So nice to see a heart laid open in front of me, and more importantly in front of the "big guy"......just encouraging :)

Anyhow, I think that's it. If you've made it to here, thanks for sticking around. Uganda will likely makes it way again onto this blog......Just far too many stories (and photos) to share :) But I've also recently taken pictures of a friend who was on the trip! So maybe I'll post those next time :)

Have an awesome day! And HALLELUJAH!! ;)

Opportunity :)

2009-08-13T15:55:00.000-07:00

So, I'm sitting here at a Wired Monk waiting for a semi 'appointment' at 5:30pm. My mind has been reeling around a certain topic for a solid year now, and although I don't know if I'm entirely ready to 'jump in' yet, I believe that God has given me a small opportunity this week, possibly a small nudge, in the direction I feel he might want me to go :)

It's kind of funny. I trust that God is good. I KNOW that he is good and that he wants the best for me....I've seen his hand in small (but GOOD) ways, working out the details in my life.....yet fear and worry just seem to settle in at times.

While I was away this summer, I had a chance to visit a church in Kampala, Uganda. I cannot describe the feeling that struck me as I walked into this church. The church is called Calvary Chapel, and I felt like I'd come home the moment I walked in the doors :)

I appreciated what the pastor had to share at one point during the sermon. He was preaching from Matthew 6, and because I can't possibly describe the scriptures the way he was able, I will just share the verses here :)

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." -Matthew 6:25-34

So here I am, worrying away, but needing to understand that.......
God is at work in this.
God's hand is at work in me.
I do not need to fear.
I do not need to worry.

So here's to the 'opportunity' that has frightened and worried me so!
.....and a picture of a flower, dressed in such splendor :)

Summer Swimmin'!

2009-08-09T16:45:00.001-07:00

Because I'm technically a 'hobo' at the time being (although I'm moving into a BRAND SPANKIN' NEW apartment in just under three weeks)....a lovely friend has allowed me to share a home with her for the better part of this month. The best thing: The place has a POOL.......which was lovely for the first couple of weeks given the hot weather.....not so impressive right now :)

Anyhow, I had my sister and niece over not long ago when the weather was still hot.....Got some of these photos of the wee one (who actually isn't so 'wee' anymore)....

I might be biased, but I think she's pretty stinkin' adorable :)

Just a few More :)

2009-08-04T12:12:00.000-07:00

So, I keep running through my Uganda photos and I keep coming across photos that I just wanna share! I took a lot and I have so many favorites......But these particular ones (the last couple posts) are absolutely PRECIOUS to me because I just adore these kids! So I hope you enjoy them too....
Oh! And might I add: Hello LARGE photos! How I like you :)

Mpigii :)

2009-07-20T20:57:00.000-07:00

So, I am officially in Canada......but I wanted to say a word for Mpigi, where I spent the last month and a half of my trip :) There are simply things I already (and knew I'd miss) about Mpigi. So here they are (officially):

Firstly, I miss the quietness. No traffic or television in Mpigi (for the most part).

Secondly, the simplicity in living. As far as I could see, there weren't any 'Walmart Supercenters' in Mpigi. Simplicity doesn't come easy in Canada. There are just too many choices here! Figuring out what to wear in the morning or what to eat for breakfast is much quicker and less stressful when you only have the choice of a grey or purple t-shirt to wear, and either oats or toast for breakfast. And oh my! Do I ever miss the simplicity....

Thirdly, I miss walking to where you need to get. It appears I'm back into the drudgery of driving where I need to be.....and also paying the gasoline to get there :(

And fourthly, I miss the kids. Maybe that's a given....but I just do. They sing and dance and play but are also so diligent with chores and homework. They're just absolutely incredible. And as such, I'll end with just that: A few pictures.....my ode to Mpigi ;)

Amani Baby Cottage

2009-05-30T07:47:00.000-07:00

So, as of today I am officially finished working at children's homes ;) I've been in Jinja, Uganda for the past week at Amani Baby Cottage....and I have been able to add (woopee!!) a couple of photos of my favorite children from this home ;) I was able to take the boy in yellow to town today. We walked there with a couple other children and volunteers and he officially ate an entire strawberry milkshake, a piece of chocolate cake with whipping cream....and then proceeded to finish off half of my slice of cake, half of another boy's milkshake and a couple swigs of my iced coffee.....needless to say, he was pretty hyper afterward....it was great ;)

And then....probably my favorite moment of the week, we hopped onto a boda boda and drove back to the children's home. And if you're thinking 'a boda boda?'....that would mean that we hopped onto the back of a motorcycle, me on the back and my little yellow shirted friend in the middle of me and the driver. He (NOT the driver) was giggling the entire way home, and then would stop and say, 'my tummy hurts'....maybe because I fed him a TON of sugar......I'm not quite sure though ;) And probably the cutest thing of all: He calls me Auntie Cheryl (AKA 'Auntie Cherwuw)....at least that's how he says it. I have it on video because it's just too cute :)

And the second picture of the little girl....words cannot describe.....I just LOVE her....stories when I'm home.......

And in other news, tomorrow I'm rafting the nile ;) Let's pray I don't drown. I've been told they're class 5 rapids ;) And the day after that, I'm visiting a family outside of jinja and then the day after that....MPIGI! Maybe one more post from mpigi....we'll see ;)

In the meantime, enjoy the, uh, TWO photos ;)

Sanyu Babies Home

2009-05-21T01:22:00.000-07:00

13 minutes for one story.....

That means that I have 13 minutes left of internet time, and because I haven't posted anything in a while, I should at least share one story ;)

I've been at Sanyu Babies Home for about 2 weeks and I've cuddled with a mass amount of children. And I could describe in lots of words what I see, but it just wouldn't do it justice. There have been 5 babies 'abandoned' in the past couple weeks and they are beautiful and adorable and 'well fed' it seems....which makes me wonder why they were left in the first place. It's one thing if you can't take care of your child and you abandon them because you can't nourish them, but when you leave a baby on the side of the road that is well fed with ears pierced....it's then that I wonder.....I just don't get it sometimes. Why some of these kids are left. And then again, I'll never know the full story either.....argh!

Anyhow, the actual story: One of my favorite children in the home is this boy named Raymond, and here's why! After we get all 50+ of the children fed and changed (aka their 'nappies' ;) we pop them in their cribs and draw the mosquito netting around the crib. WELL, I put this one boy Raymond in his crib and drew the net and then noticed about 5 minutes later that he'd climbed out.....so I put him back in there and drew the net.....and heard him laughing.....and then realized 5 minutes later that he climbed out again! Well, this time he slowly walked over to me and I picked him up and he rested his head on my shoulder....and I'm thinking, 'alright, he's tuckered himself out now'....he started to doze on my shoulder! So I ever so gently placed him back in the crib and his head flopped to the side....and then he quickly looked up at me and this adorable little grin spread across his cheeks and he started laughing!

The kid was faking it! He pretended he was tired....and at that point he climbed back out of the crib and started running around with some of the other children (who also weren't sleeping).

And there's the story....I'm off to another babies home as of saturday and then will be in MPIGI as of June 2nd.....I'm excited ;)

Hope everyone is well :)

Kibaale

2009-05-07T07:48:00.000-07:00

Well, I've taken lots of pictures, but I've only added one to this post ;) Internet here is terrible (and very slow). Needless to say, in the past two weeks I've been to one Ugandan wedding, two clinics, two 'immunization' clinics, one banquet and a few homes in the community. I've climbed one hill (apparently it used to be a volcano if that makes it any more interesting) and otherwise have walked everywhere. I've read four books, taken about 600 pictures (I think), eaten two Ugandan feasts with my fingers (I felt authentically 'ugandan' at this point even though I'm pasty white), and I've gotten (minimum) 25-30 mosquito bites. Likely far more than that...because somehow I just got bit on the chin! What the heck? I don't know how that happened.....

Anyhow, my time in Kibaale has been good. I feel like there's a lot to say but I'm at a loss for words now that I'm writing. I really love the weather. It doesn't rain for days on end (even though it's the 'rainy season' here right now) and the people are really friendly. I'll be honest. I was checking out one of the clinics here and this child was just crying away across the hallway from me, but then he looked over and peered at my "dazzling" white skin (that likely looked much whiter given that I was in the direct sunlight)....and stopped crying. Amazing! Needless to say a bunch of mothers started laughing at the situation. I'll admit: I laughed too. I mean, I can make children stop crying just by looking at them! Granted, I also made another child START crying when she saw my whiteness. You win some....and you lose some ;)

Oh! And this is random, but to further the record, I've also counted one 'dead' snake...thank goodness only one....and already dead ;)

I'm heading to Kampala tomorrow and then on to Sanyu Babies Cottage as of Saturday (I'm there for two weeks for those who are following along). Looking forward to cuddling with some babies.....and I've also heard that there's a resort in Kampala that has an olympic sized outdoor swimming pool. So if I find some other travellers willing to sit in the sun with me, I will most definitely be doing that on weekends ;)

Otherwise, enjoy the one picture that I've added. I sat there for 7 minutes for it to upload, so I hope it's a good one! It was the second picture that I took of a child in Kibaale and I looked at the LCD screen on the back of my SLR and a little smile made it's way across my face. I then proceeded to show the girl. I think she liked it ;)

Anyhow, that's it. I apparently wasn't at a loss for words in the end ;) Hopefully I can find some way to get more pictures on here. We'll see about that. Hope everyone is well back home!

Surreal :)

2009-04-24T11:59:00.000-07:00

So, I'm in Uganda! I have been anticipating being here for a LONG TIME now....and now I'm here and it's totally surreal. There are a lot of things that I've forgotten since the last time I was here. The children are much cuter and more beautiful that I remembered.....and I keep looking around and just stand in wonder that I'm actually here......and I will be taking pictures but I know that the second I get the camera in my hand, it'll be attached for good :) So I took the last couple of days off.....

Anyhow, just a quick update. I'm really enjoying it so far (it's been two days ;).....but given that it's been a good start, I'm looking forward to the rest as well :) Pictures to come with the next post I suppose.....

And there you go: my first greeting from Uganda :)

Busan

2009-04-19T23:40:00.000-07:00

This weekend was excellent! I think the best of my time in Korea so far. We went to Busan, which is a city on the south coast of Korea. When we got there, we went and walked around this fish market for a while (snapped some pictures) and then we headed to the beach. I love the beach. I love the sun, the water, watersports (but then, not necessarily the man in the thong riding around on his 'sea-doo').... so maybe I didn't like "everything" ;)

Needless to say, the reason for Busan: Shark Diving! My sister had talked about doing this, and given that it's something I've never done, I thought it might be fun. And it WAS :) We got to the aquarium on sunday morning and then went with an instructor who taught us the basics of scuba diving, and then we suited up in wet suits and headed into the tank.....which was funny, because it was actually a tank at the Busan aquarium....Korean's watching us in there from all directions...in with the sharks! Mwahaha! I was a total ham and was waving back etc. etc....it was funny :)

Anyhow, I'm now sitting here, back in Cheong Ju, washing my clothes and gearing up my bag for my flights again tomorrow.....Africa! I had this moment yesterday where I was trying to remember the details when I last was in Uganda, and I remember that lots of moms handed their babies to me....mostly at church functions. I'm looking forward to that again :) A couple named Sean and Jamie Davis are picking me up at the airport and I'm going to be in Kibaale for the first couple weeks.......for interest sake.....

And lastly, photos from this weekend. The last one was taken with the instructor's underwater camera......from the left: Adam, Heather and Me. And no, I do not have a picture of me WITH a shark, but I can assure you: Those things swam within a couple feet of my face ;)

Just some Kiddos!

2009-04-15T02:13:00.000-07:00

So, I've had a few days to visit my sister's classes. She's teaching here in Korea and I've visited her kindergarten class twice. She gave me the 'go-ahead' to take some pictures yesterday, so I took advantage :)

Little did she know I'd also post the pictures the next day ;)

Confessions....

2009-04-12T02:54:00.000-07:00

from Cheryl: The shopaholic ;)

So my first week in Korea has gone by quickly. I've gone with my sister and brother in law to a lot of different restaurants and yesterday we went to a place called Songnisan - It is a big park that is home to a buddha that is 5 stories tall and worth about 4 millions dollars. Needless to say, it's buddha's birthday on May 1st, so there were colorful lanterns everywhere. It was really pretty ;)

In the meantime though, I must comment on the shopping here. I didn't think that I'd end up buying much (given that I believed 'hello kitty' might make an appearance on each and every shirt or skirt that I saw), but MY GOODNESS....the shopping is quite fun! There are a lot of vintage-y floral dresses and hats and scarves and other little gems that are quite CHEAP. But then again, maybe not so cheap when you load up on the stuff (as I have). I also like this store called 'skin food' that sells natural soaps and lotions etc. etc. I've yet to buy anything there, but I still have another week and a bit ;) And today, Heather, Adam and I were walking downtown and it was really hot so we planned on getting these waffles with whip cream and strawberries (which I realize is far from Korean), but we submitted to getting these soft serve cones (also not korean). Notice the shopping bag on my right arm. Truth of my shopping disability... And I'm also apparently VERY excited about the ice cream. Heather and Adam: Excited about the ice cream but NOT so excited that I wanted a picture of them with their cones ;)

I think that's about it for now. I've tried some different foods, and I'll post pictures of other random things, but I think that's about it for now. Hope you're having a great easter weekend ;)

Korea!

2009-04-05T18:03:00.000-07:00

I'm here! In Korea that is. I had a 3 hr lay over in Hong Kong in which I decided to take a nap in the terminal and woke up to a ton of korean's surrounding me....I was most definitely the tallest (by at least a foot) and blondest of them all ;) And although it may sound wierd, the thought went through my mind "Oh, I've missed this travelling stuff!" There is just something to be said about a) Being in a different culture and b) Being out of your element :)

Needless to say, I got into the Seoul airport at about 430am, where my sister and brother in law picked me up. We spent this past weekend in Seoul, went to a market where I bought a cute hat for $7 and a scarf for $3....I like this kind of shopping :) We also went for some korean barbeque, which was cool because you basically cook your own meat on a small barbeque in the middle of your dinner table (they have similar stuff in canada), and then wrap it in a lettuce leaf with rice/kimchi/red pepper sauce etc. etc.....it was yummy.

Yesterday (sunday), we went to a palace called Gyeong Bok Gung (try and say that three times fast!) and then took the 1.5 hr bus from Seoul to Cheong ju where my sister/brother in law have been teaching. I am presently sitting in their apartment with their wee dog on my lap. I'm not usually an animal lover but this dog is kinda cute. She's actually missing an eye, but that's another story :)

For now though, I'm going to have a bath and then read a bit. Oh! I am hoping to become very familiar with the concept of relaxing in the next little while. North America has it's way of sucking the life out of you at times....and I do realize that this period of rest will last for only a while. So I will take what I can get right now :)

And with that, I hope you enjoy the pictures! Oh! And it's actually monday right now....not sunday like the post says ;)

Spring Cleaning...

2009-03-25T23:04:00.001-07:00

So, I was recently looking at a short devotion from 'Our Daily Bread' (yes folks, I definitely picked one up and tossed it in my purse!).....needless to say, one of the 'messages' that I came across intrigued me. The devotion held the title 'clearing out the clutter' and as I read through the words, I found myself thinking more and more about the baggage that each of us carries on a daily basis and how we need to let it go....

Here's what I read in 'Our Daily Bread' (yes, that rhymed ;)

"My garage serves as storage for things that don't have a place in our home, and, frankly, there are times when I am ashamed to open the door. I don't want anyone to see the clutter. So, periodically, I set aside a workday to clean it up.

Our hearts and minds are a lot like that - they accumulate lots of clutter. As we rub shoulders with the world, inevitably, perhaps unknowingly, we pick up ungodly thoughts and attitudes. Thinking that life is all about "me." Demanding our rights. Reacting bitterly toward those who have hurt us. Before long, our hearts and minds are no longer clean and orderly. And while we think we can hide the mess, eventually it will show...."

So, I'm moving. I have spent at least one day a week for the past couple months packing up my belongings and then, once a week, having them taken to storage. And it's funny (and I think that my roommates might agree), but it's actually nice to live in an apartment with less clutter. I mean the place looks empty....the walls in my room are now bare, as is the wall in the family room....but the clutter is disappearing and I feel my breaths easing with every box that leaves the house.

And it seems wierd, but I feel (and maybe even know) that this is how my life is going to be the next few months. I feel God prying at my heart with some things, and just encouraging me to let go of others....and it's hard to let go, but at the same time FREEING because I realize the relaxation that comes from looking at the bare walls all around me. I don't feel that God can work within the clutter (I mean, who can?), but that open and presumably empty heart....OH! I know he can do his work there :)

Anyhow, just felt like sharing. That seemingly small 'Daily Bread' manual really had it's way with me this time!

Next time Daily Bread....you're mine!

(And because I feel it necessary to include a picture, here you are: I will officially be seeing lots of Ugandan sunrises in the weeks to come! Booyah!)

2 weeks :)

2009-03-20T22:44:00.000-07:00

In 14 days from today, I'm on a plane and heading outta here! First stop: Korea. I'm visiting my sister for a couple of weeks....there was talk of shark diving, but I don't know the final plans ;) And the second stop: Uganda!! I have been anticipating going back to Africa for a couple years now, and slowly my heart is filling up with excitement for my returning trip :) I've slowly started gathering my stuff together. On the top of the list:

1) Plane tickets (Of course :)
2) Camera and lenses (Because the thing has been glued to my hand since I bought it ;)
3) A good book (Absolutely necessary...period)
4) A clock/alarm (It just seems important :)

I'm hoping to post on this blog while I'm gone, so for any updates this 'should' be the place to find them ;)

And just because I feel like sharing, I was over at my sister's 'assisting' to make a cake for a bachelorette party tomorrow night, and we turn around to see my niece sitting near the icing bowl, playing in the icing. Then she laughed for a bit which caused us to laugh and similarly, I still find a wee smile creeping across my face when I look at the pictures :)

And a note to the ladies eating the cake tomorrow night: It IS still edible...honest ;)

Everything.

2009-03-15T15:19:00.001-07:00

Man, I haven't talked about God here in a while....maybe because I find it a little wierd to be sharing my personal and spiritual life on the world wide web. And maybe a little portion of me is afraid of what people might think ;)

But the truth is that, over the past year or so, God has been incredibly good to me. I'm amazed that God could possibly love such a person as myself and even more excited that there is absolutely nothing I could do to make him love me more or less. His love is always available and it's always consistent and most importantly: It's always full of grace and mercy :)

I heard the song 'Everything' by Tim Hughes played this morning, and everytime I hear it I am always suddenly aware of how small I am and how intensely large and powerful my Savior is. God is very good! And in closing this simple little post, I will leave you with more words. Not my own, but those of another. And may they more accurately describe my thoughts right now ;)

God in my living

there in my breathing

God in my waking

God in my sleeping

God in my resting

There in my working

God in my thinking

God in my speaking

Be my everything.....

God in my hoping

There in my dreaming

God in my watching

God in my waiting

God in my laughing

There in my weeping

God in my hurting

God in my healing

Be my everything.....

Christ in me, Christ in me

Christ in me, the hope of glory

You are everthing.....

Nice Catch :)

2009-03-12T14:21:00.000-07:00

Girl caught herself some lovin'!!

p.s. No, I didn't take this photo ;)

Two stories and One baked good ;)

2009-02-28T00:49:00.000-08:00

I work on a maternity unit as a nurse, and I haven't shared much about what I do (besides the obvious 'cuddling' with little babies every so often)......WELL, here ya go! And just for the record: You'll soon see why I don't share many 'maternity' stories here. Avert your eyes from the second story if the word 'placenta' is something you don't want to see here again ;)

Alright, First story:

I recently heard a couple of nurses talking about an 'FLK' baby.....I had NO idea what this meant, but later learned that it's short for 'Funny Looking Kid.' Apparently doctor's used to chart 'FLK' if a baby's appearance was....well, funny. It meant that there could be some undiagnosed chormosomal disorder brewing (yada yada).

Anyhow! I remember walking into the staff room talking about one of the baby's on the unit (that I thought was really cute), and the other nurses sat there stunned at what I was saying. I mean, the baby's wee little head WAS a little crooked.....but he had this full head of hair that was spiked into a cute little mohawk :) It was adorable. But nonetheless, also 'funny looking' apparently.....and for the record: I was the only nurse who thought the baby was cute :)

And the Second Story:

Just the other day I saw a patient of mine deliver a BEAUTIFUL baby girl. And usually (within about 5-10 minutes of the infant's delivery) the placenta is also delivered. WELL, 5 minutes went past and the placenta still did not show.....and then 10 minutes past.....and then 25 minutes......and when we hit the 30 minute mark, the doctor decided to alert the on-call obstetrician.

Needless to say, the obstetrician arrives and gives the patient two choices: A) We can go down to the operating room, give you a sniff of anesthetic and deliver the placenta down there, or B) We can get the placenta out right now.....

Well, the patient chose the second option (WRONG CHOICE!).....at which time the obstetrician told me to give 75 mcg of fentanyl (which did nothing for the patient's pain). The obstetrician then donned gloves and proceeded to MANUALLY extract the placenta from the woman's uterus. I know it's been done lots before, but I've never SEEN it done......and if you're picturing a doctor reaching into a woman's uterus and pulling out a placenta....you've got the picture just about right. But include a LOT more discomfort on the patient's part and well, quite a bit more (uh) blood....and yep....there you go! That's what I witnessed ;) I had to try and keep the woman still......kept telling her to take nice deep long breaths and such......it was horrifying and exciting all at the same time.......

Suprisingly, I still like my job! I have far more stories than just the above, but maternity stories don't really make good tabletalk tidbits (or blog posts for that matter). And in the end, my job includes a lots of 'nasty', but also a lot of cute 'FLK' babies ;)

And because I don't want to end a post with a nasty story, here's some pictures I took at Granville Island with my photography class this past week. I kept walking past these baked goods and drooling......so I bought one at the end of the class and literally inhaled the thing in my car. It was this baked blueberry tart thing with white chocolate inside and powdered sugar on top. I'm salivating just thinking about it right now :)

Engagement: Rae + Tyler

2009-02-19T19:35:00.000-08:00

Yup! I got a chance to take some engagement photos ;) As I've been stuck taking FAR TOO MANY pictures of in-animate objects for my photography class, this particular opportunity was VERY EXCITING! ;)

Needless to say, Rae and Tyler are going to be married this coming July. I think that they're going to make a great 'Mr & Mrs' and I'm most definitely excited for the wedding.....I will be sportin' a pretty green bridesmaids dress for the occasion :)

I planned on putting only a FEW pictures up (like 5 or something).....but I had trouble choosing. The first photo is my favorite of the bunch, but there are a smattering of favorite's amongst the rest...... Enjoy!

Oh the Mystery!

2009-02-08T16:29:00.000-08:00

Not long ago I somehow 'misplaced' my favorite lipchap. Needless to say, I went out and bought a new one, and put it in my purse (where the other one had gone missing from).

Well, that 're-purchased' lipchap just went missing a couple of days ago.....very confused, I told myself that I'm a) Not one to really misplace anything and, b) Not going crazy :)

WEEELLLL, yesterday one of my lipsticks disappeared! Now I'm really losing it....well, not losing it, but wondering what the heck my lips are going to do against the vancouver elements without 'goop' on them.

I was out to lunch with a friend today, and she said 'maybe there's a hole in your purse'....I mean, my purse IS large, but it's NEW also.....there couldn't possibly be a hole already ;)

Well, there was. I felt at the bottom of my purse and there was a whole whack load of stuff lounging out underneath the fabric in my purse.....and after reaching into the small hole and retrieving all of the items at the bottom, this is what I found:

-2 Burt's Bees Lip chaps (Woot!)

-1 Covergirl lipstick

-Feminine hygiene products ;)

-3 bobby pins

-A small bottle of American Eagle perfume

-A spare car key

-Candies

-A button AND....

-Rewetting drops for my contacts.

All in the bottom of my purse! Needless to say, Christmas has come WAY early for me this year (minus maybe the feminine hygiene products and the button :)

Don't know why I felt the need to share that....but there you go! My taste buds, car, eyes, hair AND lips are now very happy :)

I quite like...

2009-01-27T23:46:00.000-08:00

...this picture.

Don't know why. It's totally random and I took it a while ago....but every time I come across it, I just really like it:)

My Top Five!

2009-01-23T00:09:00.001-08:00

This is random....but here's a few of my favorite things! Not to be mixed up with Oprah's favorite things.....because mine are much cheaper ;)

1. Cupcakes - Not just any cupcakes though, but the sugary and pretty cupcakes that come from this store. And although the icing is pure sugar and butter and flavoring, simply walking into the store puts a smile on my face :)

2. Sharwood's Curries! - I saw these at the supermarket months ago, but they were kinda pricy (or maybe I'm cheap because they were only like $4-5 or something like that).....and let me say, when I actually 'splurged,' I was not sorry. The one below (thai green curry) is the only one that I've tried but it is the perfect blend of curry and coconut and love :)

3. Chico Bags - I LOVE these things! I bought one last summer and didn't realize how much I would actually use it. They're just over five dollars and they bundle up small to fit in a purse but open up to a shopping bag with a 25-lb capacity. And they come in LOTS of different colors...Boo yah!

4. Candles - Not just any dollar store candle mind you....I've become a fan of the expensive, long-lasting and fresh smelling ones. I just bought the one below. It's my first candle of the expensive sort and it has already smelled up the entire living room in the apartment (it's only been lit for 20 minutes).....AND when it's lit, it's supposed to sound like a crackling fire (which it kind of does). Maybe a small, small fire :)

5. BOOKS! - Any book will do. I just like to read! And my favorite book of all time: The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls.....just for the record :)

Booked!

2009-01-14T00:29:00.001-08:00

My flights are booked! It's been over 2 years since I went to Uganda, and the place hasn't left my mind since. So, given that the place is persistently on my thoughts (and likely is there for a reason), I'm going back. I leave in just over 2 months!

Words cannot describe how excited I am to see these lovely faces again :)

I love.....

2009-01-12T23:35:00.000-08:00

....these shoes. I bought them a few weeks ago. Probably not worthy of a post, but I've only been able to wear them once and I think they're deserving of a little more attention :)

Oh Goals!

2009-01-03T08:32:00.000-08:00

I must say that as much as I enjoy Christmas, I QUITE enjoy the start of a new year. In my mind, the coming months seem to be holding some pretty lovely things for me. Some new courses and a trip coming up.....I'm pretty friggin' excited actually :)

So I'm not one for 'new years resolutions'....but last year I tentatively did have a goal set in my head, and looking back, I realize that I actually accomplished it during '08. The goal (and very cliche): Stop biting fingernails.....and then get a manicure.....cause my nails have always been too puny to get one :(

Well, one year and TWO manicures later, I have reached my goal. Woot woot! And looking ahead to the next 6 days (that I have OFF....Again: woot woot!) I'm going to take some time and think about how to go about my goals for the coming year.....yes, once again, I'm planning away in my little head. And there isn't just one goal this time....there's definitely two....and maybe I can sneak in a third (a SMALL third that is :)

In the meantime, I have been POURING over different photography websites and blogs and came across a photographer named Amelia Lyon, who takes gorgeous photos. I think each of her pictures looks like a piece of art. And if you haven't gotten enough from the website, her blog will offer you a second helping :)

And with that: Happy New Year! My prediction is that it's gonna be a solid '09.....

Ten Good Things :)

2008-12-21T23:34:00.000-08:00

I was just 'blog stalking' and came across a post which told its' reader to thank God for ten good things in their life. Well, here's my ten:

1) I have a full meal in my belly

2) I have a lovely family whom I just shared that meal with

3) I have a roof over my head and

4) I have a pillow to lay my head on tonight

5) I will be able to do some travelling next year

6) I am taking a course in January that I'm quite excited about :)

7) I have a rewarding job

8) I have a couple good roommates

9) And I am never alone because

10) I have a God who loves me

If you're reading this, Merry Christmas to you!

P.S. And a Merry Christmas to my sister in Korea.....I'm excited for my visit :)

Early.

2008-12-12T02:51:00.000-08:00

Presently: Cannot sleep

Present Time: 2:51am

Presently Listening to: 'Divine Romance' by Phil Wickham

Presently sipping on: Chamomile Tea

Present mood: Contemplative (yes folks, even this early in the am!)

I think in analogies. Seriously, I don't share them very much, but I think of analogies all day long. And I've been contemplating one particular analogy for the past while. Shall I share? Well, sleep isn't working for me right now, so why not :)

I was hanging out with my mom and niece today. I haven't seen either of them in a couple weeks now and it is especially interesting to see the ways that my niece changes EVERY time that I see her. The most recent having to do with her gettin' close to walking! Me and my mom had her taking a few steps back and forth between us......so I wouldn't be suprised if she's doing it all on her own the next time I see her.

I have this mental picture in my head of my sweet little niece gripping onto the edge of a couch and just not having the trust enough to let go of the couch and start walking. I'm reminded of the times where I can just hang on so tightly to the things in this world (one thing in particular right now) and not trust God with my life. Like a small little child just clinging to the edge of the couch, I find myself gripping to similar things....be them insecurities or fears, these 'safeholds' are there. And in the moment these 'things' keep me safe, they bring me comfort. But truthfully, I want to walk....and then one day run, and that's definitely not gonna happen if I keep gripping so tightly. I mean, hanging on hurts. Just squeeze your hand tightly for a minute and I'm sure that you'll be quite relieved when the 60 seconds is over :)

Anyhow, there's the analogy. I just need to learn to trust a little more.....

And for the record,

Present Time: 4:23am

Presently not drinking: Friggid cold chamomile tea :)

PAID IN FULL.

2008-11-14T18:00:00.000-08:00

It's official!

I have OFFICIALLY paid off the student loans that I owed! Yup. Pretty exciting....I didn't feel the freedom until I received the letter a few weeks ago :)

Thought I'd make it 'officially official' and post a picture of the letter.....I'm quite proud of myself actually. I put a LOT of money aside this past summer to pay the loans off.....and now I'm FREE :)

Woot!

Candid.

2008-10-16T13:12:00.000-07:00

I like taking pictures.

I bought a new digital SLR camera about a month ago, and recently bought a new lens for it. Photography has been a hobby for the past couple of years, and most recently I've been wanting to learn more :)

A couple of days ago I was working a night shift and I came across a Vancouver photographer named Jamie Delaine. After looking around her website and then through her blog, I went for my 'sleep break' only to find myself unable to sleep. I laid there for about an hour thinking about lenses and photos and courses I could take and places where I could go to take pictures.....it was ridiculous.

Needless to say, I went out the next day and bought a new lens. I love the lens, and am excited because it takes beautiful photos.....I wonder if it's not so much MYSELF taking good pictures, or the fact that I have a nifty lens :)

Anyhow, here's a little of whats come in the past while:

A Story.

2008-10-13T12:02:00.001-07:00

I was at church yesterday...the 'morning' service. As such, there was most definitely a sea of grey hair throughout the sanctuary. Anyhow, I was standing at the back and this older (and yes, grey-haired) man came walking past me. He stopped for a moment beside me and turned asking, 'Can I tell you a story?'

My initial thought was, 'shoot, do I really have to listen?'....well I'm glad I did.

He held out his hand and in the middle of his palm was a loonie. He asked me 'Do you want this coin?' I answered, 'Um...well that coin is yours.' So he replied, 'if you want this coin, it's yours.'

So realizing I wouldn't hear the rest of his story until I actually took the loonie, I reached out and took the coin and was now holding it in my hand. And sadly, I was actually a little embarrassed because he was talking kinda loud (shame on me), and the pastor was still preaching.....

So the man goes on, 'Who does that coin belong to now?' I replied, 'Well, I feel like it's still yours, but I suppose it can be mine now.'

And he finished with this:

"God graciously gives us the gift of salvation. There is no reason why he should be so gracious in offering his love to us and there are no other 'religions' or 'gods' that GIVE the way our God gives. But the love of God is offered to us; we just need to reach out our hands and accept. And once we do just that, we will truly understand the greatness of God. He loves us very much. God bless you."

And he walked away. I think I might have mumbled something like, 'God bless you too' as he turned.

The rest of the service was a blur. I remember turning back to the stage and my eyes welled up and I ended up leaving because I just couldn't concentrate. I am encouraged by two things. Firstly, the fact that there are still people out there willing to go out of their way to share the love of Christ with others (and can do it in a humble and soft way). Secondly, I once again am brought to a place where I feel loved. God's love is simple and powerful and so entirely pure. I experience this love from God over and over and over again, and I just can't get enough sometimes. It's amazing. I find human love to be etched always with maybe a bit of selfishness or pride....far from the pureness of Christ's love. We are but a faulty representation of the love of Christ. We can try (and I will continue to do so), but in the end I'm a mere sinner and the only way I can learn to love is with Christ beside me, working through me.....teaching me to love.

And given this lesson in love and salvation, I'll try not to be embarrassed next time an elderly member of the church approaches me with a story :)

James Nachtwey

2008-09-10T09:55:00.000-07:00

I came across James Nachtwey's work a few days ago, and besides the fact that he is a self-taught photojournalist, his pictures are beautiful. Not in the sense that what you see could actually be described that way, but the emotion these photos evoke in the viewer (I feel) could bring about much more change in this world than a story about injustice ever could. We are a naive and stubborn society. Now where do I go from here? Here are a few of the ones that 'got my gut' and my mind, the most :

The Shack

2008-08-07T17:31:00.000-07:00

I just finished a book recently called 'The Shack.' Although unaware, I quickly discovered (from several friends) that 'The Shack' was to be the 'up and coming' novel......truly, I'd never heard of the thing, but thought I'd give it a shot anyhow. And I would have to say that, much to my dismay, I had trouble putting the book down. Beyond the cheesy 'christian-ese' statements that can be found within this book, there were also some very truthful 'nuggets' that left me feeling truly loved and sought after by God. The basic plot of the novel (not so 'pretty' sounding here): A man's daughter is kidnapped and then murdered in a shack and years after the incident, the man receives a note from God telling him to come back to the shack for some unknown reason. Generally, the 'nuggets' are intended to be God's words to this man. So, without further rambling, here are some of the bits that I liked:

"Living unloved is like clipping a bird's wings and removing it's ability to fly. And, if left unresolved for very long, you can almost forget that you were ever created to fly in the first place."

"I don't need to punish people for sin. Sin is it's own punishment, devouring you from the inside. It's not my purpose to punish it. It's my joy to heal it."

"Trust is the fruit of a relationship in which you know you are loved. Because you do not know that I love you, you cannot trust me."

"You have to take the time to prepare the soil if you want it to embrace the seed."

"Have you ever tried to save someone who is drowning? It's extremely hard to rescue someone unless they are willing to trust you.....that's all I ask of you. When you start to sink, let me rescue you."

"Don't ever discount the wonder of your tears. They can be healing waters and a stream of joy. Sometimes they are the best words the heart can speak."

Quoted.

2008-07-26T01:28:00.000-07:00

Just a few of my favorites....been running through my head :)

"He has made us for Himself, and out hearts can never know rest and perfect satisfaction until they find it in Him." -Hannah Hurnard

"Your life is a drink offering and you decide how fast you pour it out." -Joyce Rees

"Nothing makes us so lonely as our secrets." -Paul Tournier

"The soul is healed by being with children." -Fyodor Dostoevsky

"But I'll keep leanin' on my Jesus. He'll love and guide and lead us." -Dolly Parton

"As Christians we know, in theory at least, that in the life of a child of God there are no second causes, that even the most unjust and cruel things, as well as all seemingly pointless and undeserved sufferings, have been permitted by God as glorious opportunities for us to react to them in such a way that our Lord and Savior is able to produce in us, little by little, His own lovely character." -Hannah Hurnard

Choice.

2008-06-23T23:13:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking tonight about God's leading. I don't want to underestimate God's power or sovereignty (because he encompasses both of these qualities to the FULL), but I do believe that he gives freedom of choice to his children, and I wonder if my choices over the past while have led me to an 'intended' place. Does he just smile when he thinks about where I'm at? Where I'm living? What I'm doing? Was this all part of his plan or intention?

I'm reminded of Psalm 139 when it says:

"Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there; If I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast."

We can not run from God. He is there. I could choose to fly to Nantucket or Djibouti or crawl into a cave in the middle of the Rockies (don't know why I would)...but God will find me there. He will work in that environment. He's gonna pry at my heart whether I'm laying on a beach in Vancouver or a camping mattress in a third world country. These 'worldly' distances are no obstacles for a God who speaks to the human heart.

I suppose then, that all that matters is the committment of a loving Savior to a sinner (and sometimes a 'run-away-er') like me. God's true 'intention' is to teach his children, help his children to learn and grow and understand his love for them. And that I am doing. I am learning a little more every day about a Savior who would love nothing more than for me to be happy with where I'm at. To not be discontented with life or questioning her whereabouts, but happy just to be with him.

So that I will choose to do. At least, in this moment.

And really...in the end, all the roads (for me) end up in the same place. I'm gonna end up with him when all is said and done :)

Quiet.

2008-06-09T11:55:00.001-07:00

I would really love to be back in Africa right now. I want to discover it's peace and quiet again :)

The Past Few...

2008-05-08T23:54:00.001-07:00

In the past few months, I have seen:

-Several babies born after having pooped in utero.

-Baby boys peeing in the air while in the nude and being weighed.

-A woman actually hitting her husband in the face while laboring.

-Many, many boobies :)

-A whole lot of Va-jay-jay :)

-More blood than I expected (and I expected there to be a lot).

-Plenty of dirty delivery dishes.

-Placenta...up to my elbows...all day long ;)

-Quite a few sick babies :(

-A good share of moaning and groaning (and screaming)...sometimes for hours on end.

-Loads of paperwork (once again, more than expected).

-Some of the biggest needles I think I'll ever see in my nursing career.

-Amniotic fluid gushing...er...'flying'...so powerfully out of a woman that it hits four of the people at the foot of the bed (myself included).

And interestingly enough (if 'interestingly' is in fact a word), I'm LOVING my job.

Go figure ;)

Repeater.

2008-03-29T14:19:00.001-07:00

The past few days have been busy, sad and just plain wierd.

Without going into the details, I'm reminded of something I've posted before.

It states:

"Many of our friends in their times of grief speak of God's mysterious ways and I know that there is an element of mystery, but I shrink from the suggestion that our Father has done anything that needs to be explained. What he has done is the best because he has done it, and I pray that as a family, we may not cast about for explanations of the mystery, but exalt in the Holy Spirit and say "I thank thee Father." It suggests a lack of confidence in Him if we find it necessary to try and understand all that he does. Faith never wonders why. Will it bring him greater joy simply to tell Him that we need no explanation because we know Him?" (Quote from Bishop Frank Houghton, China Inland Mission)

And with this I say, 'I thank thee Father. You know what you are doing.'

:)

Proven Wrong.

2008-03-25T22:10:00.000-07:00

I was at a community center a couple of weeks ago, and was in a room that overlooks the pool. Well I stood there (overlooking the pool) and discovered a plump young boy standing at the end of one of the diving boards.

Expecting him to be like any other typically 'plump' kid, I thought that he might do a cannonball, or perhaps the unfortunate 'belly flop' (given that he couldn't quite pull those knees up to his torso....and thus freak out mid-air).

WELL, to my astonishment, this young kid took on the most brilliant of poses and then proceeded to 'swan dive' into the pool. Hardly a splash followed his entrance into the water. It was simply DIVINE! I was actually so amazed that I looked around me to see if anyone has seen it too.....which no one had.

So I write about it here.
And I have now learned to never judge plump young kids :)

Temporary.

2008-03-10T20:26:00.000-07:00

I'm always struck when I come across 2 Corinthians 4:18,

"For we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary but what is unseen is eternal."

In the day-to-day I forget that this too will pass and that I'll finally end up in the place that's been prepared for me all the while I've been focusing on the temporary things...

Seeing Black and White.

2008-03-08T02:55:00.001-08:00

My brain is thinking in black and white after spending the past three hours in the early morning writing a paper.

And I've decided to include some black and white pictures as it's just so fitting to my mood right now...and also offers for a good 'paper-writing' break...

I took four of them on the sunshine coast and the other in hollywood, which would account for the sign proclaiming 'hollywood' on it :)

Mary-Kevin Nabukeera

2008-02-28T10:34:00.000-08:00

About a year ago, I had an auction. I sold some pictures that I'd taken while I was in Uganda (which seems like ages ago now). Although I haven't done anything with the money yet, it is persistently on my mind (and safely set aside).

But I think it's about time to spend it. Or more importantly give it away...

That said, I was at my church a few weeks ago and I noticed that we are now able to sponsor children from Uganda (some of which I met while over there). There is one little girl that has been on my mind for the past while. When I met her, I told myself that if a program was ever under-way, I would sponsor her. I remembered her name was Mary, and that she had lived with her grandmother and that her parents had died of AIDS. I also remembered that we could NOT get her to smile no matter what we did....and it absolutely broke my heart. Each of my pictures show her with this solemn face...hardly any expression at all. I couldn't believe a child not knowing how to smile.

Anyhow, I was scanning the table at my church for a picture of her face. It had been a while so I realized that she would look different...but I just couldn't find her. The 'Marys' that I saw didn't look like her. So I started sharing a bit about her story to the volunteer at the table (who had met many of the children being sponsored), and he hands me a picture of the most adorable, SMILING child. And I sat there for a moment thinking 'this cannot be her.' But sure enough it was her, with a cute little grin across her face.

I wonder what is was that actually got her smiling? I wonder if it was the fact that she's living with a bunch of other children in an orphanage now, or if she goes to bed with a fuller belly than before. Personally (even if she may not fully realize it at age 4), I think that maybe she's smiling because she understands that God helped her out...provided for her. I hope that maybe she's smiling because she sees, even in her young mind, God's love for her. I don't think that my assumptions would be too far off...

So I think that the 'giving' will start. There is maybe a portion of me that has been hanging onto the 'auction' money because it has been a sign that God has worked in the spaces around me. And there is a portion of me that REALLY wants to go back to Africa, but in the present time that just isn't a reality. So given that this girl has been on my mind for the past year and a half, I think it may be a good way to start.

So Mary's got one more reason to smile :)

Clean and Happy.

2008-02-26T15:25:00.000-08:00

This is random, but whatever.

Just about every time I am at work, I am assigned to a patient on antidepressants. And throughout the past few years, I've learned of people living at my church and in my community who are taking antidepressants. I don't want this to create a huge 'controversy' amongst the few people that will come across this post (and by that I mean VERY few), but something saddens me when I think of so many people in our culture taking pills to maintain a clear (and 'elevated') mood.

I was reading on the WHO (World Health Organization) website, and it is stated (amongst obvious 'biological' and 'genetic' and 'familial' risk factors) that:

"The assumption that depression is the direct result of an abnormality (such as a drop in neurotransmitter activity in the brain) may be an oversimplification. It is still a matter of debate whether the abnormalities in various neurochemical systems in the brain cause depression, or are themselves the result of depression."

I also read that:

"If people have distorted thinking by which they view everything around them including themselves and their future negatively and pessimistically, then their mood also becomes sad, completing the picture of depression."

I have several problems with antidepressants in our culture, one of which stems from reading through patient's charts at work (specifically their social histories). I believe that there are evident 'modifiable' reasons for which people are depressed (and for which pharmacological methods shouldn't be used). For example, I read of a patient who lived alone and hadn't left their apartment in months. And, to add to the reality of the situation, this person's hygiene was VERY bad, on the level of having hair like moses and smelling like a dumpster - which is simply just an interesting addition to the story (wink). But nevertheless, this person was on antidepressants. Now don't get me wrong, but I'm pretty sure that a complete lack of social connections would throw me into a depressed state as well...let alone not having bathed in weeks. I absolutely NEED people around at times, and I need to be clean too (wink wink). But antidepressants? What about finding this person some sort of motivational social connection...to start :)

I feel like too many people in our society could be diagnosed with 'depression' too quickly, when really they are simply in a 'depressed state' that could be changed by non-pharmacological means (this coming from a nurse who is VERY good at popping pills out for patients, and does so quite willingly).

And with that, I'll end my rant. And for some reason, I could really go for a nice hot bath right now...

Oh Church.

2008-02-03T18:19:00.001-08:00

A friend posted this on his blog a while back...and I found it VERY funny. Although I do need to add one more category. It'd be the one where you worship with your arms folded across your chest....it just about sums up the entire congregation at my church.

Gotta be better than the 'palm tree' stance right (wink wink)?

Blessed.

2008-01-11T19:10:00.000-08:00

Amongst the stress of school and moving and getting started within the year of 2008, there is one face that I can look at and it reminds me that God is there.

She's chubby and cute and her name is Eden.

And she is my niece.

And it's wonderful, because hearing the story of how she came to be my niece is one that may seem simple...but to me, it is a story of God's blessing and sovereignty in our lives. It reminds me that God does bless those who wait for his guidance. The wait may be hard and it may seem like the stress and hardship will never end....but the truth remains that God is there. He is there and he is working.

And every time I look at the pictures of my niece, I am reminded of this: God's work.

I can't help but feel blessed by that.

Give me Jesus.

2007-12-24T22:38:00.001-08:00

Many might see the date on this post and think to themselves...what the heck was this girl doing the day before christmas writing on her blog? Well let me explain.

For the past few days I've been thinking a TON about a lot of different things. I won't go into details about my exact thoughts...but I want to share one thought that has worked it's way into my mind several times over the past week or so.

I love Jesus.
And I want more of Jesus.

It makes me very sad to think of people who just do not fully understand God's love for us. It saddens me also, when I think of people turning to things of the world and away from the loving care of a Savior that could hold them much stronger than this small world ever could. It saddens me more that I have been the one running to the world over the past little while...

I know, through several experiences, how hard it is to look into the eyes of Christ and see yourself for who you really are. It's hard and tiring and frustrating and sickening at times. But when the initial shock is past, there's love so OVERWHELMING that there are simply no words to explain it. God's son was sent...JESUS was sent to free us from the chains of the world, if we'd only just turn to him and let him have his way with us.

I've been listening to a song called 'give me jesus' by Jeremy Camp for the past few days (for some reason it just hasn't gotten old yet). The song if very simple and several phrases ring true to me right now...

In the morning when I rise, give me Jesus.
When I am alone, give me Jesus.
When I come to die, give me Jesus.

You can have all this world, but give me Jesus.

The things of this world WILL come and go. Christmas seasons will come and go. Birthday's too. Friendships may change. Family member's will pass away. It is a GIVEN that we will have hardships...but Jesus is there through it all and it is his LOVE that remains the same.

And with that...I ask for more of Jesus.
Give me Jesus.

I'm a liar....a nice one.

2007-11-22T12:11:00.000-08:00

For the first few hours of a night shift (at the hospital), I spend my time 'settling' the patients with the other staff. This requires (sigh) pulling out some wash basins and helping people clean up for the night as well as getting people to move (aka get out of their beds and walk somewhere...which is apparently a HUGE ordeal, even to those who have had minor surgeries).

Anyhow, me and another nurse washed this one older lady who apparently has trouble even ROLLING in bed. We had her rolled on her side to change a dressing under her right armp and she was groaning and moaning and complaining the entire time. I tried to calm her by saying things like, 'Breathe nice and deep in through your nose' and 'We're almost finished.' Nevertheless, after about 10 minutes of my telling her that we were 'almost done,' the lady found enough breath to firmly tell me 'WHY do you keep saying that you're almost done when you're not?!'

The blunt comment stung a little...and I looked to my fellow nurse, who had a look of shock on her face. Apparently this was the rudest comment that the nurse had heard this patient say in the last couple days...and I had sparked it on (one solid point for me).

So, I turned to the patient and said, 'Sorry maam. I suppose I might be a bit of a liar.' WELL, this gave the lady a little smile, her face softened a little, and then she turned to me and said, 'Well, at least you're a NICE liar.'

A NICE liar. Had a good laugh afterwards anyhow...

I'm Comfortable.

2007-11-16T23:37:00.000-08:00

I get updates from 'World Vision' online. This is the latest:

A monster cyclone pummeled the southeast coast of Bangladesh late Thursday. Winds reaching 150 mph drove high waves across lowland areas, flattening houses and forcing half a million people to flee for their lives.

And the news report says this:

Cyclone Sidr smashed into Bangladesh's southern coastline late on Thursday night with 250-kph (155 mph) winds that whipped up a 5-metre tidal surge. It was the strongest cyclone since a 1991 storm killed some 143,000 people in this country. Navy ships scoured coastal areas for hundreds of people reported missing and to clear river channels clogged with sunken vessels to restore normal navigation, officials said. The official death toll from the cyclone was more than 900 but some newspapers on Saturday gave figures between 1,100 and 2,000, quoting their reporters in the devastated areas.

And while these sorts-of-things are going on in the world, I sit here comfortably with a roof over my head, well fed and typing away on a $1350 laptop.

Something about my comfort level just doesn't make sense right now, given the loss and heartache that people are facing in this world....