My Arm's Sore From Hitting Home Runs.

Played some Wii, last night. I've been able to lower my age to 29. Not too bad. I find it remarkable how one can find themselves physically sore from playing a video game!

Surprisingly, my legs aren't very sore from my closer-to-actual experience of cycling up mountains and breaking out in front of a pack of cyclists. (Spin class.) I believe that was the first time I found myself visualizing something in my mind to help me overcome and finish "the race" while completely out of steam! My heart rate ended at 180!! Yikes!

Uma Verdade Inconveniente.

I finally saw An Inconvenient Truth last night. I liked it, but found it seriously bothersome and somewhat lacking couth to see all of the footage of Mr Gore traveling by car and by air! Am I the only one who sees just a bit of a contradiction there, regarding fossil fuel and CO2 emissions?! I mean, I certainly appreciate the amazing part he is playing in educating the public. And in challenging us all. And, I loved the practical tips listed all throughout the closing credits and Melissa Ethridge's song. But....

Of course, I know what the tension (the contradiction) is all about. Coming back from many countries and many situations, pledging to change my lifestyle. Having great intentions to boycott everything! But of course, we have to "pick our battles". Pick what "issue" is most important to us and go after making a difference with your whole heart. Or, doing the little bits that one can over a variety of issues. I don't know which is better. I know that I certainly have picked what it is that I can do as much as I can. Buying locally, buying fairly traded clothing and drinks. Not shopping at Walmart. Recycling, minimizing water and electricity usage, walking, biking, car pooling. (But, well, I still fly...)

The most impressive and credible person I ever heard speak on the issue of emissions was Will Braun, one of the editors of Geez Magazine. He shared the importance of a personal connection to an "issue". He had had the opportunity to visit the end of the pipeline once in northern Alberta and spent some time in the First Nations community there. It was there where he really saw the negative effects of the oil industry on that community. And I believe it was that experience that motivated him the most to make deliberate decisions for change.

I certainly identify with this as well. Lately I've been realizing just how much the situation in New Orleans bothers me and how excited {for lack of a better word) I get at any mention of the city. I believe that must be because of the personal connection I have been able to make in going there six times now (twice, post-Katrina).

Similarly, on Sunday our church had a really different (and amazing) worship time. We watched a 45 minute documentary about creatures in the Amazon! Basically, our act of worship was seeing and learning about the awesome creation of the Creator! I particularly enjoyed it and felt connected because it was all from the Rio Negro, in Amazonas, Brazil. A place I have been to three times!

And then there are the experiences of others I have witnessed, who return home as people more compassionate and open-minded towards the poor, oppressed and needy. And all that from just spending time with and personally connecting with those they may not normally open themselves up to.

Yes, it is so true that we need this personal connection to an "issue". Especially to give us a motive to change our actions other than guilt.

All this is a side thought really. A good point. Now back to that Will Braun guy.

He actually biked to the Nidus Festival last August in Kitchener (where we at Global Youth Network were hosting a Fair Trade cafe), rather than accepting the plane ticket offered to him as a speaker. A distance of 2,220 km! At the time, we learned that he hadn't flown in three years! He has a campaign going called De-motorize Your Soul! Please check it out, as there are some practical things and some more food for thought. In fact, this whole little ramble is reminding me of this whole thing. Funny how we so easily forget the stories of those who impressed us once upon a time.

I'm going to Europe

It's official. The tickets have been booked. And this is an actual holiday! Can you believe that I am traveling for sole pleasure for once!? (Although, a couple of our travel mates are turning to Sharon and myself for guidance and well, team leading! Ha ha. And already I am kicking into Beth-organizer mode--getting very excited to plan and plot things all out!)

So it's going to be four countries in the period of July 5th to the 23rd! France, Italy, Switzerland and England in that order. (England is more to visit friends.) Quite the whirlwind.

If you're interested, you can check out our route plan at My Own Google Map.

Speaking of Google Maps, here's a little something fun to try. Go to "Get Directions" and choose a North American city departure and a European city arrival (New York to Paris, for example) and read the directions they give you. Particularly scrolling down to the transatlantic portion.

For those with experience or those who would like the chance to live through my experience, I am open to any suggestions of places to go and things to see. Along the way of course (Paris and surrounding region, Nice, Cannes, Monaco, Pisa, Rome, Venice, Davos, Herisau, Zurich, Basel, Champagne...) For example, I found this cool little thingy I want to check out. Lord of the Rings fans, you may be interested.

And if you're the praying type and agree that I deserve such a holiday, please join me in beseeching the Lord for the necessary money! Yikes. Merci beaucoup!

Un bon jour

C’est une nuit froide. Beaucoup de gens sont dans les rues de ma ville. C’est un ville d’étudiants et les classes ont fini pour l’année! Oui, beaucoup de gens sont dehors ce soir. Je l’aime.

Je me suis promenée aussi. J’ai rencontré ma bonne amie à un café. Elle y était avec des autres femmes pendant que leurs maris ont joué le poker! Finalement, je suis revenue chez moi. Et j’y suis!

Aujourd’hui était un bon jour. J’ai eu un examen français en Collingwood (j’ai vu un enseignant vieil que j’ai eu il y a 11 ans!) et il a passé très bien. Je me sens bon de lui. Après l’examen, je suis allée à Wasaga Beach et j’ai eu une sieste! Alors, je suis allée à la celebration pour l’anniversaire de ma grand-mère. Elle a 80 ans!! Il y avais beaucoup de gens. Elle est spéciale. J’ai chanté pour elle. Elle s’appelle Mary alors, j’ai chanté “Let It Be” parce que les mots. Ensuite, beacoup de ma famille m’a approché complimenter. Ils n’ont sait que je chante bien ou que je joue le guitare. (Parler dont, j’ai parlé à mes amis de jouer de musique ensemble. Faire une bande.)

J'ai apprécié passant du temps vraiment avec ma famille aujourd'hui. Je ne les vois pas très souvent. Je vois rarement mes cousins, donc c'était très agréable. Tout le monde était très gentil et qui soutient quand parler de ma maman.

Merci Dieu pour mon bon jour.

A Reversal of Roles

The following are tearful (I mean, really full) thoughts I had today while driving, once again. This time on my way from picking my mom up at the hospital and taking her to her new temporary home.

"You're bossing me around! Telling me what to do! You're not being fair!"
"Well, if you want me to treat you like an adult, you're going to have to start acting like one."
~Reflections on a mother-daughter conversation. The daughter's statement is the latter.

"Why was I even born? I'm stupid. I was a mistake. Born out of wedlock, born out of wedlock. My parents only got married because of me. My father hated me."
~Words and hurts you never want to hear. Especially crying from out of your mother's mouth."Blessed be Your Name when the sun's shining down on me and the world's all as it should be...when the darkness closes in Lord, still I will say, Blessed be Your Name."

"Oh Lord, Your love is new with every morning.
Your faithfulness gets me through the night.
You bid me come.
You know that I am weary.
Your yoke is easy, Your burden is light."

~boredatthebeach