…a brief glance…

My Birthday Week!

Well another birthday has come and gone. It has to be said, that aside from the absence of my family and closest friends, it was one of the best birthdays I have celebrated.

Lorena arrived Tuesday afternoon and we pretty much bummed around in the evening. Walked around Southside Mall for awhile before deciding on Nando’s for dinner. We spent the evening catching up, we even watched ‘Object of my Affection’. At around 11 in the evening my phone began buzzing with messages followed closely by the phone calls an hour later. By about 3 I was asleep. Thanks to all those who called and messaged me on my birthday, whether you’re here in London, or back home in Sydney, or Philippines. I truly felt spoilt and very much loved!

I had work on my birthday but only for ¾ of the day. In all honesty productivity level was on a low that day…then my care package from home arrived. Thank you Fedex for delivering so promptly! Lorena came to meet me for lunch and we had lunch with my work buddies, which was nice, though C couldn’t make it because he was in Glasgow. After lunch I was presented with a cake and a balloon…which I had to carry home with a bunch of flowers and bags full of goodies from home. Thanks Lorena for carrying the other half!

Thanks to my Ma and my Ats for organising it all. For all the goodies in the box, for my sister’s labour of love with my spindle requests! I keep telling you, you’re my favourite sister! I swear! =)

After fighting off lethargy we began to get ready for the night ahead. Dinner with my closest friends and I was truly looking forward to it. Predictably we were running somewhat late, not for the restaurant but for poor Ashe who was waiting for us. To my defence, if you saw the height of my shoes, and the fact that I was wearing a skirt, you’d have some sympathy!

The evening went extremely well and I totally enjoyed it. As I looked around the somewhat long table, I had to smile. The girls that surrounded me were girls in my life that had made a significant impact in my life.

To my right was Ang, who’s in my Lifegroup. Making the transition from HSK to Parsons Green was a breeze because of the welcome she showered upon me, and the constant encouragement and blessing she is to me. Ang’s determination to serve with gladness is always inspirational.

To my left was Bek, also known a Buhbooo! *E ducks*. Boo was one of those unexpected blessings that God drops in your lap. From the moment we met, we couldn’t shut up. Then Loretta’s birthday just sealed the bond that made us the kind of friends that we are. Through rants and raves, through the silences and frustrations…you read me too well.

Then there’s Loretta, ‘R’ was and remains a gift. The way we met will always be a chuckle moment. When Brett introduced me to his wife, I never would have imagined what an amazing impact she would play in my life. Each friendship is treasured and holds a special place in my heart, ‘R’s love and friendship is no different!

Lorena, who I guess can be categorized as one of my first friends in London. Your coming to London to visit on my birthday means more than words can express. I am sooo glad that you came. That you got to meet my friends, and get a glimpse of my current world, what a change from the last time you were in London huh, when I was bound and determined to go home. You got to meet the people in all areas of my life. Your presence this past week has been awesome.

Asheley Lotter, my fellow Colour Conference Worship Baby….we’ve been through heaps, Dawsons Creek and back again! You understand my incoherent blubbering and despite the amount of times I’ve changed my mind about everything, you sit there patiently while I reassess.

Sherrod, getting to know you these last couple of months and hanging out with you has been awesome. You challenge me in ways I can’t even begin to eloquently put. You challenge me to strive harder in building that relationship, and stepping up that level. You’re an amazing woman of God, and an amazing friend! Next time we go straight to dessert, none of this walking all over London and back again!

Mei knows that she was my inspiration to join the Worship Team. From the moment you saw Mei worship, you wanted to be where she was. In that zone! It has been an incredible experience serving alongside her. Glad we went out to that massive Vietnamese Dinner get together, otherwise I might have not gotten to know you.

Maz, when I think of Maz I have to smile because it warp speeds me back to when we started hanging out. I feel that a lot of my growing up was influenced by many people, but who I grew up beside, would probably be Maz. She knows what I mean by that, and no matter what, through time and distance, I will always treasure those moments.

Ate Ghie & Ate Grace…well, they’re like my Ate’s (older sisters) in every essence. They look after not only me, but my friends…who consequently have become theirs too. Ate Grace keeps me up all hours on the phone! Well not so much recently because I fall asleep on her. Ate Ghie, is always there to listen about anything and everything. Ate Ghie & especially Ate Grace will not hesitate to make sermon (and lecture me) when they see fit. I appreciate you both!

As the dinner drew to a close and I blew out my candles, my eyes got somewhat watery. I chuckled as, in true Bek style she began to pull out a punnet of strawberries and raspberries from underneath the table and garnish each slice of cake with them. Boo, I totally appreciate your eye for detail and your efforts to make my birthday a memorable one.

The following day Lori and I made our way to Hammersmith Tube station, bound for the centre of London, but not before going to Lunch and Harper Collins Pub Hang out OSP. After which we headed for the Harper Collins Staff Bookstore for the bargains! I got to introduce Lori to C who was back from Glasgow that day, which was cool because she got to meet most of my friends. While in the middle of the conversation however, the reports of the bombings came about…Hmmm, needless to say we headed for home…by foot!

Friday I spent at home bumming out, recovering from the late nights! That evening I had another birthday dinner celebrations with my Kids Church Team, which was sooo nice. I loved being with and celebrating my birthday with them.

Saturday morning was Women’s Brunch @ Munster Road! Images of melted chocolate continue to haunt me. It was a totally chillin’ day which was nice. We spent Saturday evening just hanging out at home and watching DVD’s with Lana, which was nice.

Lorena left for Italy the next day, but not before sitting in at Kids Church and seeing bits and pieces of big church, and I’m sooo glad she enjoyed herself.

This week kinda feels like anti climax, I guess it’s me feeling tired and sluggish from such a big week…bouncing back from late nights and long days aren’t as easy as before.

In a couple of weeks…Germany, here I comes!!! So excited. Going to go shopping for my sleeping bag this afternoon. September has been booked for the launch in Paris, which is going to be amazing. We got a really good deal on the Eurostar! Yay!

Anyways, that’s pretty much how my birthday week was. Will write more later, (Yeah right you say!) Hope all is well with you guys, thanks for reading my blog! Catch you all soon!

Hi everyone…

This is just to let you guys know that I am okay. Sorry for the delay, but as you can imagine it’s been slightly CHAOTIC around here.

It all happened while I was at work already. At first it was just a ‘power failure’, and in London, that’s an hourly occurrence. So no biggie, but then there was a phone call from one of the guys at work who was running late because of an explosion, so the TV was set up in our office and we watched it all unfold. Yes there was an explosion, several by the next half hour. The hours that followed consisted of getting the ‘bomb wardens’ to do floor checks while a huge operation to get everyone home while it was still forseeable was underway in the Atrium. I called my Mom to let her know I was okay, but since it wasn’t worldwide yet I may have freaked her out. So I called my sister to make sure my Mom was okay. Ten minutes later it was worldwide. Phone kept buzzing with messages from friends and phone calls. E-mail box was filled with ‘are you okays?’. For those that e-mailed, text and called…thanks so much. At that stage I was a little on the freaked out side and your calls and messages totally helped.

Messages from friends all around London came in and out as we all made sure that everyone was accounted for. There was a definite sense of family and being so far away from my own, it was comforting. I was so grateful for the people that were positioned in my life.

I finally made my way home around 4pm. They were kind enough to find me a car pool headed close enough to my neck of the woods, so I got dropped off at Wandsworth Bridge and walked the rest of the way.

I did a small grocery shop before crashing on the couch for the rest of the evening. Had the news going in the background as I watched a couple of DVD’s. Got a few phone calls. I missed a couple as well. Had the house pretty much to myself till after 10pm.

The whole ordeal had me a lil shook up. Mainly because I was so far away from home, but I talked to my Mom in the morning, and my Ats throughout the day so it was okay. The rest of the day sort of went by in a blur. I just wanted to go home and be in my pj’s. By nightfall everything had died down…getting up this morning to come to work was a huge challenge, knowing I had a bus ride ahead of me. However, once I was on it, it was fine. Everything is almost back to normal.

Anyways. bect go. Just wanted to check in. Thanks again for those who got in touch and made sure I was okay. You guys rock!

Love to all, E

Greetings everyone! I know it’s been awhile…like three months since my last blog! I can go on about the extremely busy sched, but it has been more a writer’s block than anything else. I would start and never finish. Frustrating to say the least.

It’s amazing to think that it’s like April. That means I’ve been gone for almost ten months. TEN MONTHS… I never even thought I’d last till November. There were doubts on whether I would last a month. It feels surreal to look back on that.

What’s new with me? Well… I moved into a new flat about a month ago. It’s in Wandsworth, which is only about 25 minutes away from work, depending on the traffic. The opportunity to move was a little unexpected, fast and somewhat fun. I am, yet again living with three boys. Brent, Nicholas and Eke. Brent and I met through a mutual friend Ashe, and are in the same rockin’ Kids Church Team. Nick and Eke I met the day we moved in. It’s been fun. The place is really nice. Especially compared to my dark and dreary room at Maida Vale! The fact that I can use the kitchen and use the bathroom is a definite plus. The flatmates, well, they’re pretty cool. I’ve been somewhat fortunate.

The last couple of months have sped by in a blur. I’d love to be all profound at this point…but it’s just not coming! =)

The whole theme, well seemingly anyway…of this trip has been stepping out of one’s comfort zones, and that I have certainly started doing. I find myself doing things I never imagined I would. Slowly, my confidence is building. (I do have my fleeting moments in that department – but it’s a progression thing)

Funnily enough the series Gary is doing at the moment is about Confidence. It’s where you put your confidence that matters. That it’s easy to put our confidence in what we do, to draw our strengths from our accomplishments, but it also means that it’s easily knocked down. However if it is sourced from God, it positions you to do life from who we are in him, and not from what we do. Hmm!

Valentines passed as normal…like any other day. Enough said! But it was all good. I got a few messages, couple of e-mails, and even a card. Thank you Ate Meanne! =) Easter weekend was jam packed from Thursday to Monday.

I’ve managed to see Windsor and Oxford in the last couple of months with friends and it’s been great to have actually seen things outside London. Plans for Paris and Denmark are in the works. Budget willing of course!

In October my cousin Ate Alicia is getting married, so I’ll be heading on over to New Jersey for a couple of weeks. Can’t wait.

This weekend we have Extravagant Worship @ the Hammersmith Apollo. It’s going to be a great conference weekend. There’s like 3500 people attending the conference. It’s going to be awesome.

Vipo has informed me that Ilagan # 6 is going to be a girl. Congratulations to Papa Smurf and Cris. Can’t wait to meet her.

Hopefully my friends Mer and Win follow suit …. *aherm* Come on guys. I need playmates when I return.

Welcome to the family Dylan Francisco. Sorry your Ninang isn’t around for the next year, but I promise to make it up to you when I get home. I’m still waiting for your picture. You think with all the technology your Tita Annie would get her butt moving with providing me with your photos…that was a dig Annie! Hehe!

Speaking of modern technology and people not using them. Kuya Ferdie and Kuya Allan, photos of my inaanaks please! I keep hearing about how much they’ve grown and no pictures to prove it. Please send some!!!

I think that’s pretty much it. A2J seems like it’s having a busy but an awesome year so far. That’s sooo cool.

Anways… I better go. Try and get some work done. Will write more later. Well, I am trying. Hope all is well with all. Miss you much.

Sometimes in life you’re lucky enough to find a special friend. Sometimes when you’re extremely fortunate you find a few who are there for a lifetime. I travelled across the world to figure that out.

Often you hear that a friendship isn’t a friendship till it’s tested. Time and distance is one of the greatest tests of all. A part of me felt like I was gambling when I decided to leave the comforts of my lifelong friends almost a full seven months ago (oh my gosh, it’s been that long already?). I mean these are the friends who have seen me through the best and the worst of times. Through the good, the bad and oh so ugly! We’ve had fights, tensions, a period of long silence, misunderstandings, arguments and every possible scenario you could think of, ranging from many topics, which we won’t even go into. Some friendships were strengthened, and some you realised had reached their peak, and you learned to live with the limitations in which some friendships were meant to have.

I am often reminded of how awesome some of these friendships are. The phone calls from Ann and Jes, (our conversations are always funny, especially the impromptu ones) our e-mail-athons about anything and everything. Being in constant contact with them makes me feel like I haven’t left home sometimes. Which is comforting at my ‘Uhhh’ moments. It’s amazing how easily we transport our ‘self’ through e-mail. Jes is still, well Jes and Ann is Ann. It’s so hilarious to find the signature traits even through e-mail. ‘Uh, no no no!’ Sorry Jes, had to do it.

The other day I was reminded of another friendship that I continue to treasure, almost seven years of when it first started, (Oh my gosh it’s been so long since that fated day I was robbed of my pillow and sleeping bag at my very first Antioch Camp). Come to think of it, it was like the first of only three…but I digress.

For those familiar with and have no doubt heard this story numerous times would know I am talking about none other than Christian, (affectionately known as Vipo, or the thorn in my side). We’ve been trying to maintain connection through e-mails, and because of both schedules, and his ever growing family (aherm) commitment, we’ve both been slacking in that of late. What is comforting with what we have is that we both know that we can pick up from where we left off, as though no time had passed. As we’ve always been able to do.

This was proved only a couple of nights ago as we got to engage in a conversation, thanks to modern technology. It was amazing how easily it all came. The banter, the teasing, the laughing! It was awesome. For a moment we were back to the two crazy people wandering around NSW Art Gallery talking and being silly during someone’s lunch break, which he always exceeded, and my so called necessary research at the Sydney Library during my Uni years. Vip, I think now’s the time to tell you that you were a bad influence to my academic aspirations! There are certain parts of my psyche that only he gets, in turn because frighteningly he shares them. No one else gets my fascination with ‘Dream for an Insomniac’ and why I love it so much. He does! (Which is why I think I should get to do the review on the Tattler. I promise to keep it short and concise…I’ll only use one quote! THE QUOTE…of course!) When watching movies, we go ‘Oooohhh’ at the same parts. Christian and I have the ability to exchange nonsensical conversation for hours, in fact our friendship is based on it…which is always fun. There is never a dull moment. Actually it depends on who’s paying out on who!

Christian, is also my writing critic, cheerleader, motivator, in a hail Hitler kind of way no less. “Write something!”, “What was that?”, “That was lacking of zest!”, you get the jist. The funny thing is he is one of very few that I’ve ever shared my writing with. It’s funny every time I blog and he replies I feel like I’m being graded. In a really good way! His replies are a great read.

Some friendships are easy, and some take work, being so far away from home and the comforts of my old friends, it’s easy to appreciate what you had. Sometimes when something is just beginning, there is that fear of crossing boundaries, for something to be misinterpreted. Therefore the friendship is tested at a very early stage and at times, the friendship fails…but you learn and you move on with the knowledge of not making the same mistakes. You learn early on that you’re starting a new, that you’re working on the day to day basis, and you have to take it on those terms. I forget at times that some people whom I get along really well with, I haven’t known for awhile…therefore there is a danger to overlook that boundaries may exist where it doesn’t to those you’ve known forever. A lesson learned, when my being me, was misinterpreted into something that wasn’t intended. Feel free to use one’s imagination *rolls her eyes upward* Cest la vie!

Starting over is exciting, meeting new friends is an awesome experience. I have been blessed with great people in my journey so far, and getting to know them has been such a blessed experience. I’m loving it! I know I would have gone home within a week had I not met Cristina, Isabel, Lorena, Paloma and Julien. We had become our very own family unit at Finsbury being so far away from home. As a result I think we are all confident in knowing that we have friends in Sydney, Italy, France and Spain.

Friendships need to be nurtured, and it only grows with time and effort. As a self proclaimed snob (as many would agree – stop nodding your heads!), well more extremely shy! (…to my defense) I totally had to step out of my comfort zone. I was great at the whole maintaining a friendship (those who haven’t heard from me for awhile, I apologise now), but it was the actual introducing myself to strangers and starting from the beginning that was the freaky part…but one of the best things about deciding to move into a country where you don’t know a soul is that it forces you to really step out, and in a sense step up to the new challenges and meet them head on. Hillsong certainly helped in that!

I have met some great people, and a handful of them are currently in the makings of a great friendship. As an overly sensitive person, I quickly had to come to terms with the realisation that not everyone you meet becomes your life long friend, that some of them pass through for a season, fulfil a purpose and move on. I learned that I had to be thankful for that moment, no matter how brief, because it is part of the growth of who I am becoming.

I guess this is a tribute, to the friends of the past, current and future. Your presence in my life has an impact. So in d’cookster fashion (to those who don’t know, and I can’t believe I’m admitting this out loud, my nickname is Cookie and have been proclaimed ‘d’cookster’ by my beloved friends) I have slipped in the words to one of my existing theme songs!

So now it’s time for me to say a thank you

For the love you give

For all those times I’d lose my faith in myself

And you’d still believe

I wish, I could be a friend as true

You can depend on me as much as I rely on you

You are my friend and you will always be

Until this world is through

You’ll see me standing right there by your side

When times are hard for you

Even the darkest clouds can never ever

Make us fall apart

The rain may keep on falling

But the sun will keep on shining

Cause I’ve got the best in you

After all these years, it remains one of my all time favourite friend songs. So this is for all you! Awwww… Have a blessed week!

Happy New Year! 2005 brings with it a lot of promises. New hopes, dreams, and resolutions. At times it’s easy to get caught up in the resolution, what we want to accomplish, or what we want to avoid in the coming year. The new year brings the opportunity to start anew. To determine to not make the same mistakes, to set goals and determine to achieve them.

2004 was a huge year for me. Early in the year I had made the decision to finally stop dreaming about going to London, and just go! I booked my ticket before getting a Visa. An impulse brought on by a really bad day at work, but it was the best decision I ever made in terms of making a decision. Had I waited to get my Visa, I would probably still be postponing it. Booking my ticket made the decision real. Two thousand dollars does that. The following months was filled with a mixture of denial, excitement, apprehension, and anticipation. My first big trip, my life long dream. I had dreamt about it for so long, and even written about what the experience was going to be like, that it was as though I had already done it. Was I in for a shock when it finally happened?

Saying goodbye at work felt like I was leaving behind what had become a family unit. Rob certainly made our little OSU team feel like a family. I can say this now that I am so far away and can fully appreciate it…but Rob nurtured our little team. Spoiled us in many ways…and vice versa. Seeing Rob’s reaction as he saw our lolly jar filled with red raspberries was always fun to watch. MPC provided many friends of whom I treasure to this day.

My farewell party followed shortly after, which was a weird experience all together, and no not because of the amount of shots had that night, but because I knew the party was for me, and that there were pretty signs (courtesy of Jes – which I have to point out were still there when I left for the airport Philippine bound, wonder if it’s still there), it didn’t seem real. Saying goodbye to most of my friends that night felt like I was just saying goodnight. I remember blogging for the very first time on my “d’cooksterztrip journey”, which is always hilarious to look back on and read.

The days and nights that followed were filled with last minute arrangements. Last dinners, lunches, and meetings! I remember sitting in my Mom’s formal dining room on the night before I left. After Grace and my Kuya Arnold had gone home, I was sitting around the table with my nearest and dearest friends…Ann, Jes, Mer and Nige. Our little posse, and honorary posse member (sorry Nige)! We sat around talking as we had time and time before. Gas bagging about this and that. It was pointed out repeatedly that I was leaving, not that it sunk in or anything.

The turn out at the airport was extremely touching. I think almost every significant person in my life was there. From my immediate family (Stitch included), my Posse, to my high school best friend Jade, my cousins…not to mention my other cousins and Aunt had come that morning to say goodbye at the house. My departure finally hit home as I got ready to board. Tears were shed to say the least. All my sister’s fault! My palms were sweaty, my heart was racing. I was torn between excited and freaked out. Though I was upgraded into business class, thanks to my favourite brother, I have to say crying my eyes out dampened the experience.

Philippines was an experience. For so long I referred to Phils as home, and though it was something I had realised in my last trip, home it isn’t. I love my cousins and my Aunts, but my future lay elsewhere. My heart no longer yearned to be there as it once did. I was able to hang out with some of my cousins and Aunts, and enjoyed those times immensely, however I was waiting for my next adventure to begin with anticipation. When the time finally came and I had to say goodbye to my Mom and my brother at the airport along with my other family I fell apart!

London was definitely harder than I had anticipated through my naivety. At the same time, as hard as all that was, and how much easier things would have been had I done them differently, I believe its all part of the journey I am meant to take. Each road leads somewhere, and what you encounter along the way is part of the journey. The lessons you learn, brings you to the next level. The next part of your path. God has a plan for us, and each circumstance we face is a part of it all, however it is through the choices we make that determine how we get to the destination.

After a few weeks of getting no where in terms of finding a job and a place to live, by August I was contemplating accepting defeat and going home. But first I needed to see the one place I have always wanted to see…Italy! Lucky for me in Italy, I had connections. Thanks to Kuya Arnold and Ate Grace. For Cristina and Lorena, my beloved friends from Finsbury Residence. I loved Italy.

By the time I arrived back to London I was ready to give London another try. I figured London had won the first round, but the game wasn’t over till I quit, and I wasn’t ready to quit just yet. I gave myself a dead line, and Praise God a couple of weeks before my dead line was up, I got Pell and Bales, which lasted a couple of weeks before I got offered Harper Collins…a publishing company no less. How awesome is that…the job is hardly glamorous…actually not at all, but it’s my foot in the door. It enabled me to look for a place of my own to live, and I have met some really cool people there. Who shall remain nameless because they’ll just get a big head. If you’re reading this, you know I mean you!

The year ahead is an exciting one, and I cannot wait for what it holds. It’s limitless and I am determined to make it an awesome year ahead. To live each day fully. To leave what was in the past in the past and look right ahead, for what is ahead is bright…so 2005 bring it on.

I can’t believe it but this time next week it’s going to Christmas Eve. YIKES! It feels so weird! Usually at this point of the year my sister and I are constantly on the phone making sure we have covered every family member and remind each other to have spare stuff so that in the event that we forget someone, we can recover with such grace! Ha! You have no idea how many times that’s happened.

As far as I know Jenna and I are still going to Midnight Mass together, and from there who knows. I have put my name down for a Hillsong Christmas Dinner, determined to make the most of my Christmas away from my family and friends. It feels so strange that I wouldn’t be at Midnight Mass with my family, my cousins, sweating to death at Eaglevale. Exchanging funnily looks and what not instead of paying attention, in sheer hope that by keeping ourselves amused with each other we wouldn’t fall asleep.

I can’t imagine not having an EAT-athon till 3 in the morning while unwrapping presents. Aww! Oh well…new experiences right?

Lisa has gone home! We said our goodbyes late Sunday night, or should I say very early Monday morning.

Christmas dinner @ James’ house was great. Karen and John did a great job cooking.

I’ve been trying to write this blog for over an hour but keep getting distracted, so I think I’ll just write it at home and post on Monday. It’s Friday….I’m outta here!

I know, I know, I’ve been slack with the updates. Been somewhat busy of late. My bad!

Well Christmas is fast approaching, and my friends are returning home one by one *sigh* Mollie, departed on Saturday morning. It was sad to see her go, even though I know she’ll be back, it was the start of what was to be inevitable… the girls going home.

Meeting Katie and Lisa at Discovery more than a couple of months ago has been such an awesome blessing. I am sooo glad I met them, and it’s been fun hanging out with them. Meeting Mollie shortly after that made it a lot more fun. From Songs of Praise tapings, dinners @ Fridays, Planet Hollywood, Colour Conference, etc, etc…I think in each other we’ve found great friends. I know I’ll miss them dearly.

I can’t believe it’s December. That I have been here for almost six months. It’s BIZARRE! I think I’m in denial about the whole not being home for Christmas thing. I’m sure I will be a blubbering mess once it hits. Hehe. At the moment my plans are: Jenna staying over for a couple of days, we’re going to Midnight Mass together. Christmas Day there are dinners and lunches going on @ Hillsong so we’ll probably go to one of those. New Years Eve is the same, there are parties going on. In saying that, a part of me wants to just have a quiet day. Sleep it off! But that would be silly. So I am bound and determined to do something on those days, as I am sure I will be homesick!

I am still awaiting my care package from home. Totally looking forward to it. Thank you to those who contributed. I don’t know what’s in there yet, but I am told a couple of you guys made a contribution. Grazie! I was hoping it’d come today, but it’s tomorrow. Or at least that’s what it says in the FedEx tracker.

A little over than a week ago my friend Cristina came from Italy for a few days and it was an AWESOME reunion. Our first encounter included a lot of yelling and jumping up and down in the middle of Picadilly Circus. We were a sight! It was soooo good to see her. It was like seeing an old friend. She was still the same Cristina. We had dinner, and we shopped! Nothing has changed.

Last night Sid and I watched the Incredibles and it was so funny. We were going to watch Bridget Jones but Incredibles won. It was pretty good. So not a kids flick!

This Friday we’re having Christmas Dinner @ James’ house with a few other friends. Which should be nice.

Anyways, I better go. Lunch over. Hope all is well with everyone. Miss you all…

Awww….I can’t believe that it’s here already…and I’m not there to celebrate it with them. *sigh* However…I wish them all the best. Tank, there’s no need to welcome you into the family, you are FAMILY. You have been such a great addition to the circle of friends, A2J, etc, etc. There is no one I would rather see Mer marry than you. I’m so glad we got to chat even a little today. Know that my heart and spirit is with you both as you take this step towards the rest of your lives.

As I write this I have just gotten off the phone from talking Mer (wiping away tears as we speak) – I picked up the phone so quickly when I saw Mer’s face flashing at me on my phone. (bet she doesn’t remember we took that photo when we were having one of our silly moments at my house…) It took all the will not to start crying right then and there as she said I was the last person she wanted to speak to before she slept her last sleep as a single woman. Though I always knew I would be sad that I would be missing such an occassion, the regret and everything I would be missing flashed before my eyes and my heart sank.

Mer and I have been friends for ages, we met at the Banana’s birthday one year. And though we remained friendly when we saw each other, it wasn’t until a couple of years later that we bonded for life, and the red licorice tradition was born. From there we evolved from our personal friendships with each other to the affectionately referred to Posse along with our other Chickas, Ann and Jeswinnie. The four of us have been through many laughs and many tears. In many ways we were alike, but we’re sooo different in many other ways…but that’s what makes it fun.

Anyways, I’ve been interupted sooo many times I’ve lost all train of thought! I just want to say to TANK and MER, congratulations… Love ya!

Greetings! It’s Saturday night, and in less than 12 hours I have to be back at Blackfriars for my first Kid’s Church session as part of TEAM! I am excited!

In saying that I have hit a period tonight that made me incredibly homesick. Though the timing is way off by now, Mer celebrated her Hen’s night Saturday evening. I haven’t heard on how it went, but I’m sure it was great. After tonights service I went straight home but as I got out of the station, I felt the urge to take a walk. I figured it was good excuse to check my e-mail, perhaps BLOG…so here I am.

As I walked I talked to myself, well to God I guess. I felt overwhelmed with sadness. I missed out on one of my oldest and dearest friends Hen’s night. The reality of having to miss out on the most important day of her life hit me like a ton of bricks. I actually started crying. Hormonal you think? No, that was last week! I guess it’s only hitting me now that I won’t be home for a few months. That Mer’s wedding isn’t the only important occassion I will be missing out on. It isn’t the only big event that I won’t be able to participate in.

I still believe that this is where I am meant to be. That I have so much ahead of me, and I love that. It’s just it hit me today, how much I miss everyone back home. My family. My friends. I miss the friends that have known me for so long that they read me so well. When I talk to Jes she cracks me up because she uses sentences like ‘okay, if this wasn’t involved, would it still affect you in such a way’ … like hello, what was that? Or when I talk to Ann in midsentence, and she gets what I mean. I don’t know what I’m trying to say. I guess being so far away from home at this point is starting to feel… sad.

I wish I could have been there to have dinner at the Roxy, party all night and stay at the Marriott with the girls. I miss my girls.

As much as I am loving this journey, moments such as these creep up and I get homesick. My Mom has such uncanny timing because she called me! I so appreciated hearing her voice. Just that piece of home I needed.

Anyways…I guess I just needed to let that out. Thanks for reading.

Hi all…

So much to tell… Okay, where did I leave off? Well Katie and Lisa are back, which Mollie and I are quite happy about! We’ve missed them dearly!

This week was just like the others, jam packed, but with a lot more excitement and anticipation as this weekend was the Women’s Colour Conference…

Thursday, I also had my Choir Audition, which turned out to be a little less painful than I had feared. I’m in the choir, and I sang for the conference.

The conference was great. Definitely raised a few challenges, and we learned so much.

I had my interview for Kids Church on Sunday and it went okay. It would be so great to work with the kids.

I feel a little sad as this is the time I am supposed to be on board a plane home bound, but it’s all good. I’ll be home soon enough, for the meantime I am here making the most of it all.

Hope you’re all well. Will keep you all posted with the latest…