Christmas Decorating!!

Yay! My roommate, Jen, and I decorated our room today. It was so much fun! We have this little christmas tree that her mom gave us. It's four feet tall and really really skinny. We made it look beautiful though. When I was home for remembrance day I bought decorations and so we put those on it. The bulbs look a little bit large, but the tree has character. We also hung stockings on the wall. Four of them! Two for me and Jen and then two for Michael Ui and Dave. They are in the room next to us and we decided that we would fill their stockings and they would fill ours. It should be tons of fun! I'm actually really excited. I have so much work to do in the next few weeks though. It is going to be so hectic, but I'm quite looking forward to it.

And the countdown begins

I've always found it to be quite lame to countdown the days until... well until pretty much anything. Anything except for Christmas because no one can complain about eating a chocolate a day. I mean, I've always been excited about events and such that are approaching, but I've never taken to counting the exact number of days until I get to them.
I would, however, like to bring to everyone's attention that I am coming home in 19 days (if my math is correct) and I am expecting Tamlin Cooper to come and see me soon there after. I'm actually so very much excited! My last visit home was not nearly long enough. I didn't even get to visit with my family! I can't wait to see them again! And all my friends... one night was not nearly long enough. I'm pretty sure I won't actually count down the days until I get home, but I may randomly think about it and calculate the time left.

In other news:
My team went to Grande Prairie for volleyball this weekend. Our girls and guys teams. It was pretty fun. We lost both games, but our guys won one of the two. I hate sitting on the bench hurt. I especially hated it because I actually would have had a chance to play in those games. It sucked.
My ankle was healing quite nicely. I still couldn't walk on it, but the swelling was starting to go down. That was until I was walking down the hall in Grande Prairie and my crutch hit a wet spot and went flying to the side. I landed hard on my bad foot and it was so painful!

Nothing interesting has been happening though. I've spent much of my time doing homework and nursing my foot. I'm pretty much only updating this thing because Michael Ui likes reading them. Don't ask why he'd be so interested because I have no idea... he happens to live next door to me so he knows everything. Anyways... 19 days!!!

Michael Ui

My buddy Michael Ui was complaining about me not mentioning his name in my blog ever so I have decided to devote an entire blog to him. Michael Ui and I went to high school together and we were "friends", but we never really hung out ever. We got along and all... and he liked me for all of two minutes in Grade 10 science class, but that was the extent of our relationship.
On my first day at King's I noticed that the guys who would be occupying the room next to mine for the year were named Dave and Michael. I got all excited about meeting two hot guys, one of which I would end up marrying and living happily ever after with. When the guys showed up later on in the day I went over to say hello and meet them. So I walked into their room and realized, much to my dismay, that instead of my heartthrob future husband, Michael Ui was who I was to be sharing a wall with for the rest of the year.
Things have been working out quite wonderfully though. It's true that I still have not found a husband, but I am quite satisfied, maybe even happy. Michael Ui is a wonderful guy and I wouldn't trade him for all the Brad Pitt's or Orlando Bloom's in the world. I would, however, give him up for Adam Brody, but he's the only exception. Michael Ui though.... HILARIOUS!!! He makes me laugh all day long!
Michael Ui is a vegetarian. More than that, he is allergic to pretty much everything but he still insists on eatting it all and I'm pretty sure he pays the consequences. He is very generous... aka he's not too bothered (or at least doesn't show it) when I waltz into his room to use his computer every day. He makes sexy faces in the webcam when I'm talking to people on msn, namely Jesse VH, and that is definitely entertaining. Michael is like my mommy. He makes sure I'm doing my homework and such. Hmmm... Michael puts up with my singing and dancing with only minimal mockery. Dave (his roommate), Mikey and I sit on his bed, turn the lights off, look at the city, and listen to love songs at night. It actually is on of my favorite times of the day.
I could... or I guess I would go on and on about Mikey, but I have class and it takes a bit more time to get down there these days so I should probably be leaving.

PS. I sprained my ankle yesterday. It hurt.

Home Sweet Home

So this past weekend I went home to surprise my family and friends. Nine of us ventured off for British Columbia at 9:00 pm on Thursday night in two cars. The ride down was as one would expect, long and long. I tried to sleep, but only managed to get minimal rest. I was so excited to be going home! Deanna, Gabriel, Daniel, Mike and I drove in one car and as we neared home we started getting very excited. We stopped by Gabe's house to get his car and then he drove Deanna, Daniel and I home. Nobody appeared to be occupying my house at the time so I brought myself upstairs to my now invaded room (Justin apparently took over). I came downstairs to find that my parents re-did the kitchen with hardwood flooring and we got a new fridge and stove. It looks so good! I was quite excited. And my little brother, Benjamin, was watching TV. He came and gave me a confused hug. We (Daniel, Gabe and I) were laughing at him. My parents were apparently at the school watching volleyball so I decided to go and see my sister at her house. So, we went to my sisters house and I walked in the front door and heardher in the kitchen. I ran dancing in singing "hello my family!" and my sister screamed and we both started crying. It was so happy! She was so cute in her bathrobe and she gave me the biggest hug. It was so good to see her. She said I almost gave her a heart attack. Then my neices game with squeals of laughter to hug me. They are so beautiful! And so big! I love them!!! Then I went upstairs to see my nephews. Zachary was being a grumpy pants, but Christpher game out wearing his Canucks Jersey, shorts, and winter boots. Apparently that is his favorite outfit. He was so cute. He looked a little confused, but he allowed me to hug and kiss him and laugh and dance him around. Zachary eventually ungrumpified himself. All it took was coaxing with Christmas Oranges. I missed that family so much! My brother-in-law was also home and he gave me a huge hug too!

Now we faced a dilemma because I wanted to go see my parents, but we were supposed to be having a surprise party for all of our friends the next night so we didn't want to go the school, but I really wanted to see my parents!!! So, we went anyways. I decided that I'd rather see my parents and ruin the surprise than wait because if I happened to run into anyone than they'd still be surprised anyways. So I tracked down my parents. They were watching a volleyball game; my dad was sitting on the bench helping coach and my mom was sitting with my uncle. And I walked into the gym beaming and I waved at my mom. She started crying instantly and I ran to give her a big hug. She was sitting in her chair and she wouldn't stand up so I just knelt down and hugged her. We were both in tears and we made the lady sitting beside us cry too. I love women! Then my dad came around and gave me a hug. My brother happened to be coaching another team on the other side of the gym so I ran over and hugged him to. I'm so glad they were surprised!! I was afraid they would know and then it wouldn't be quite as fun. It was so awesome! That has to have been on of the greatest feelings in all the world. Seeing the joy you can bring someone with a surprise! It was worth the lying and manipulating that it took to keep it a secret.
So on Friday I hung out with my family. My sister, parents and I went shopping to IKEA and bought a whole bunch of Christmas decorations. I spent way too much money, but it was fun and my dorm room will now look fun... I hope. I still have to get a little tree to put the decorations on. We'll see how things go. My sister bought me my grad gift. I got a blanket that is so soft and so warm and so awesome. I'm excited! After that we came home and sat around for a bit. My little brothers are getting so big! They are so tall! I love it! I decided to go and visit Stewart for a minute and so I quickly went to his house for a quick 15 minute visit. It was so good to see his family again. I love his sisters! They are two of the most beautiful women I have ever seen. I definitely missed them. I had to run home to eat dinner with my family and then Sam Tse picked me up for Joel Brons basketball game. Daniel Brouwer came along with us and I made Joel a sign. We got to his game just as they were singing the National Anthem. I wanted to get Joel's attention so I held up my sign which read
"Joel Bron

You = My Hero

I love you"

Joel soon found the sign and got all excited and happy, but then he looked closer because he didn't know who was holding it. He started squinting, as Joel tends to do because he is visually impaired and too stubborn to get glasses, and leaning forward in an attempt to focus on our faces. He eventually realized that we were us and he got all giddy on the bench - clapping and bouncing a little bit. It was so cute! I wanted to run up and hug him right then and there. The game went on as most games do... CBC lost... and then Joel came and gave us all hugs. I was so happy to see him! I love him and missed him so much and ... oh Joel Bron is amazing and handsome and excellent... he's also four up right now, but I plan on increasing the difference. He showered and changed and gave us a tour of his dorm (no girls allowed... sneaky sneaky) and then we went to visit Brandsma for a couple minutes. We talked about the same old... basketball. Brandsma talked about what could have been and yadda yadda yadda. I was so tired that I wanted to leave, but Joel wasn't done yet so we went to Timmy Ho's and ate some donuts. It was good times, but I was about to pass out by the time I got home.

On Saturday I managed to sleep in until 9:00am. I hung out with my mom for a bit and then I called Stewart because he'd called me early in the morning. He came over and then we went to Mrs. Visschers house. I walked in through the garage door and it took Vissch a second to realize that I actually wasn't supposed to be there, but she came flying at me as soon as she did. Then I played with her daughter Camryn for a long time because it was Ethan's party so he was preoccupied. Aww... it was so good to see her! Then Stewart brought me to Super Store because my mom was there shopping and then I hung out with her more and we did some more shopping. When we got home we just lazed around and there was a fire so I sat infront of it. At 7:30 Vissch came and we went to Tim Hortons for coffee and we talked about the Philipines and missions and it was so fun.

Oh yeah! Saturday night I went to Jeffrey Gerbers house for a party. That was so much fun! It was good to see a bunch of my friends again! Except Tamlin Cooper decided to not show up! I was very sad! But I still managed to enjoy myself.

Sunday... Sunday was good, but sad. My whole family came over after church! It was so much fun! We had to leave for edmonton earlier than expected though so I didn't get to spend much time with them. I left at 2:30 when I thought I'd have the whole evening with them. That was very disappointing. I love my family though!! We took pictures of us kids and it was an absolute gong show! Always is. So much fun! Umm... When I left a couple of my friends had come to say goodbye and some of the people I was driving home with were there so they all just stood there while I cried and said bye to my family. I broke down after hugging the first person and I had like 18 to go! Shoot! There is no better feeling than having people surround you while you're crying. I was hugging my brother Jonathan when I broke down and then three of my other brothers all hugged me at the same time so I was surrounded by these big guys and it was good to be home. I'd missed those hugs. Oh man, I was so sad! I miss them so much already!

Correction

Stewart was repulsed by my misleading definition of his laugh and I am supposed to inform you all that it is a "manly" giggle. Sorry for the confusion...

Slight Case of Nostalgia

It appears that everyone else is writing nostalgic blogs so I thought I'd join the crowd and lament as well.
I miss waking up in the morning in a comfortable bed with my window open just a tad so I can feel a slight breeze and curl up in the warmth of my covers. I miss hearing my little brothers playing downstairs. I miss watching my mom rush out the door, barely on time for work. I miss coming home to the smell of a wonderful meal. I miss lazy sundays in front of the fire. I miss bbq's in the back and lounging around with my family. I miss coming home from work and having my sister and Chantelle's families over playing in the pool. I miss my nephews hugs and giggles. I miss taking them to the water park and hanging out with my neices. I miss my daddies hugs and backrubs and I miss my moms cooking and her laugh. I miss my brothers loud voices and their huge hugs! I miss their overprotectiveness and knowing there was someone there to kick my butt if I stepped out of line. I miss babysitting for Sharlene and eatting all the leftovers in her fridge. I miss Fraser Valley! I miss walking down the halls and seeing everyone I love. I miss morning practices and showers with the girls. I miss my volleyball team! Visscher and her kids! I miss setting! I hate playing rightside! I miss my basketball team! Such fun times! I'm not gonna lie, I miss taking jump ball and schooling girls on defense and inbounding the ball on press break. DIXIE!!! Great play! I miss working hard in practice and being in shape. I miss all my friends! I miss Joel B and all his pasty beauty! Wow Joel, I love you! I miss Chris C and his lack of humor... I guess mockery is the next best thing... I think it meant we were friends. Tamlin C and her morning hugs. I miss Lynn G and her lovingness! I miss throwing balls at her window trying desperately to awaken her from her slumber. I miss Michelle! I miss Neil and his hugs and "Hey Buddy!" I miss Adrienne... especially bugging her. So much fun! I miss talks with Kira and dance parties. Drew and his big hugs! I miss Stewart and his giggle. I miss Aaron W!!! Did I mention that I danced with him?? And of course Jesse and Joel VH. I can't wait to see everyone!! Then there's Alex A who I corrupted and Michelle H!! Janis and her prayers! I love Hannah and her big hugs too! Danielle G! So sexy! I love my little grade 8's too! Well, now grade 9's! I miss them so much! I miss everyone! The mountains! Oh I can't wait to see the mountains!
I can't wait to play ultimate again! I pretty much love home and everything that comes along with it!

Ok... I'm not actually homesick, even though it sounds like I am. The best feeling in the world is talking to someone you haven't talked to in FOREVER! Just hearing their voice makes me so happy! Joel B! You made my day! I love you!