Mii fit!

So I am obviously failing at blog-posting.

And I could make a vow here again to post more often.

But, let's face it, I would probably fail.

Nonetheless, I press on. I'm going to let you in on the inner workings of "Trying-to-build-muscle-but-miserably-failing-Michelle".

Lately, my only motivation for many things has been my future children. No, I'm not pregnant, but we'd like to have kids soon, so in preparation, I have started to do the following things:

1) Take ridiculously large pre-natal vitamins each day (at least they're pink. I think it makes them more attractive to swallow.)
2) Do some form of physical exercise each day

Literally, the only thing that motivates me to exercise is a scary friend yelling at me to, or our Future Unborn Child (oh, was just about to shorten that to an acronym and realized it might not be that appropriate). Oh, or trying not to be shown up by the grandma walking on the treadmill beside me (more on this later).

Just so you understand the full extent of how much I really really really hate working out, this was my internal and external dialogue with a friend.

Me: So, I ran (and by run, I mean jog...or, well, a really fast walk) for 30 mins each the last 2 days. Do I need to run again today?
Inner dialogue: Twice in one week is the most I've run in 5 years. Gimme a break.
Trainer: You can run everyday if you want to.
Me: Oh, but you know, my leg muscles hurt. Shouldn't I rest them, you know, to prevent injury?
Trainer: It should be okay.
Me: Okay, but my leg muscles hurt. Are you sure this is okay?
Inner dialogue: Please just tell me I don't have to run. I am obviously not asking you about running because I want to do it.
Trainer: Okay, fine, run for 10 minutes and then if your muscles still hurt after that, stop. But it should be okay.
Me: That sounds great, I will definitely run.
Inner dialogue: My muscles better still hurt after 10 minutes. They are TOTALLY going to hurt. And I am going to stop running.

You know, I ended up running for 15 minutes, even though my muscles hurt. When I walked into the gym, there was a grandma on the first treadmill, and after 10 minutes, she was still there. I was not about to let her show me up. Plus she would know how out of shape I was if I got off after 10 minutes. So, I kept running, pretending to be all fit, and THANK GOODNESS she left after 15 minutes.

Oh yeah, I am so fit.

And she's back!

Wow.

Three years. It's been a long time, blog.

Things have changed a LOT since I last posted. Marriage. Moving. Job.

I've also stopped writing in my journal as often, so I think this is the next best thing. I type faster than I write, anyway.

I really don't think anyone's out there reading this anymore, but that's okay. I think this is more for my own "verbal" processing.

I think my first official blog will be about my vacaciones in Argentina.

Stay tuned!

WHAT are you doing THIS SUMMER??!?

Starting in April and continuing to September, the Japanese Gospel Church of Toronto (my church!) will be constructing our very FIRST church building (we've been renting space until this point)!!!!!

We're constructing solely with volunteers, so who's free this summer? The building site is between Warden and Kennedy on McNicoll, and we'll be there Monday-Saturday. The only requirements for the build are that you be over 16, wear a pair of CSA-approved (green triangle) safety shoes, and have WHMIS training. If you don't have WHMIS training, we're having it at the church THIS Sunday at 1pm, Sunday, April 29th at 1pm, or May 6th at 1pm. These safety trainings will be at our current church location, at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre (Don Mills and Eglington).

Come be a part of CHURCH HISTORY! We REALLY need volunteers! Let your friends and family know!

Check out the Building blog!

Ow, there's a plank in my eye

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Romans 12:3

Seems I've forgotten about the plank in my eye.

My fave song of the moment is Who Am I by Casting Crowns. I think it's
amazing because it talks about how little and insignificant we are (we
are but a breath!) and yet, God loves us, forgives us and has such HOPE
in us. I love the line that says, "Who am I, that the eyes that see my
sin, would look on me with love, and watch me rise again." It's such a
good reminder of His abundant grace.

Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name
Would care to feel my hurt
Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever wandering heart

Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are

I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
Vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours, I am Yours

Who am I, that the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love and watch me rise again
Who am I, that the voice that calmed the sea
Would call out through the rain
And calm the storm in me

Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are

I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
Vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours 

You have made my days a mere handbreadth;
the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Each man's life is but a breath. - Psalm 39:5

Bittersweet goodbye

You don't really realize how much you'll miss something until it's taken away.

I'm really going to miss Bangkok Villa. True, the restaurant business is stressful. But the food was so good, the regular customers were so great...and now, I guess I won't see those people again.

Now, the old Bangkok Villa space will join the gazillions of Japanese sushi places. Sigh, just as Starbucks was opening up across the parking lot, too.

God has a plan, and I'm thankful for the Lims for showing me what stepping out in faith and trusting God with your future looks like.

I'll miss you Bangkok Villa.

JGCT building project blog!

The official JGCT building project blog is up and running!

We'll need lots of volunteers to help with the construction over the summer, so if you have some spare time, stay tuned for details on how to come help out!

Medieval Valentine's

Instead of celebrating Valentine's day on February 14th, Kevin and I celebrated on Saturday with my sister and Quang...and we went to Medieval Times!!!

The chicken was a little dry, but otherwise, it was good food and fun fighting. It was slightly disturbing to me that we (in character, of course) were cheering for duels to the DEATH, but I guess it's all part of the Medieval experience. It also bothered me a bit that our red knight was kind of a goof and didn't really pay attention or seem to be trying to hard at the games. Didn't he know how competitive we were?!

And, do either the red and yellow knight or the black and white knight always win? I kinda think so. The other knights got shafted, I think. At least our red knight was the cousin to the secret traitor. Oh, oops, just spoiled the surprise story line. Eh, actually, you probably would've figured it out in the first little bit, anyway.

Overall, fun times with serfs and wenches and sawdust and the cutest (can I say horses are cute?) horses ever!

Mission accomplished, prayer answered!

So WHO knew how ridiculously ridiculous it would be to find a wedding dress. I was definitely not one of those lucky gals who walks in and finds the dress right away. It took FOREVER. Thank you to my lovely and devoted bridesmaids (especially my sister) who trekked across the city to help me find it! I was getting so stressed out! Who KNEW there were so many shades of white in so many cuts, with so many sequins and lace and buttons/no buttons, pick-ups/no pick-ups, sleeves/no sleeves....etc. etc. etc. Phew.

While many bridal salons had pretty white concoctions, none had them in the price range or style I wanted. I have to say that The Brides Project was great great great, although I didn't find my dress there. The proceeds go to cancer research, and some gowns even come with notes from previous owners! Miles of trekking later, I found my gown at Best For Bride for SOOOOOOOO cheap! UNDER budget! Thank heavens for Ava and google. So yes, another detail in the bag. I was praying SO hard for a dress...ahahaha, now I have to start praying I'll still fit into it properly for the wedding! :)

So what does it look like? Ahahaha, can't tell, because Kevin reads this and doesn't want to know. All I can say is that it's very "me". Whatever that means!

Wedding dress marathon

After trying on ELEVENTY BILLION wedding dresses at the Ritche's Bridal sale, I understand why brides want to get into shape before their wedding.

No, it's not just to look good in the dress.

It's to work up the endurance to truck a couple pounds of tulle, lace, taffeta and/or silk for an entire day.

Those poufy concotions are HEAVY!

Urbana 06

Over 22,000 people, Spirit-led worship, freedom in Christ, re-energizing, eye-opening, inspiring, exhausting, educational, late-night girl talk, nothing open past midnight, yellow school bus rides, manuscript studying up a storm, Rick Warren in person, random reunions, Tide to go, TGI Fridays...
Urbana was amazing.

There's so much on my mind and I can't get it all out.

Can I get a force field?

I wish I could get a force field so that the complaints and mean things that people mutter under their breaths while waiting in line wouldn't bother me or penetrate my happy bubble.

I understand we're grumpy. But why do you have to ruin someone else's day, too?

:(

Happy Birthday surprise!

Thank you all for all the birthday wishes! :)

I got to go see Aladdin: A Merry Family Musical for my birthday. It was soooooooo funny, although some of the humour was geared to the adults (re: "Treasure tramps" and "menage a trois"...not explaining those to my small children!). And Bret "The Hitman" Hart? Very...large, wrestler-like Genie. Very...hmm.....large-giant-like. But funny, nonetheless. :)

Thanks for taking me, Kev!

Gah, cannot believe I'm a 1/4-century OLD!



P.S. Priceless quote from Nakz: "I like studying...it makes me feel better about myself." AHahahaha, nerdy nerd!

Choosing my attitude.

Oh, James MacDonald, you brilliant but challenging speaker.

I hate choosing my attitude. No, wait, scratch that, I like to choosing the attitude that comes most naturally to me in the given moment. But, I hate the nagging voice in the back of my head that sounds eerily like James MacDonald that says, "Choose your attitude." Basically, that means, you have the wrong attitude, so choose the right one.

It's hard, okay?

Sometimes I just want to scream and snap at others and be mean. Sometimes I'm just driven to non-Holy-Spirit-filledness. Especially lately. Sometimes I wonder whether it's a good challenge for me to remain in a situation with others who really irk me, or whether it would just be better to avoid situations that are going to make me cranky. I've been trying to conflict resolve, which means using my, "I feel _____________ when you ___________" statements, but changing actions is hard when they are ingrained. And I know, really, I need to worry about the plank in my own eye before the speck in others'.

Oh, just pray for me, guys. Work is stressing me ouuuuuuuuuuuuuuut!

Lord, help me choose the right attitude, and help me not to conform to the patterns of this world, but to be renewed by YOU.

"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." - Philippians 4:13

Wickedly Wicked

"It's good to see me, isn't it?

No need to respond, that question was rhetorical." - Galinda (with a "Gah")



Ahahahahaha, I can't believe how funny, touching, and thought-provoking this musical was! And it was so brilliant in how it incorporated references to the Wizard of Oz movie! Ridiculously good.

And the made-up words! I LOVE made-up words!
"Rejoicify"
"Innuendo...outuendo"
"Scandalacious" (I just used scandalacious in a phone conversation!)
"Festivations"
"Swankified"
"Confusifying" (are all these words confusifying?)
"Hideodeous" as in, "My granny is always giving me the most hideodeous hats. I'd give it away, but I don't hate anyone that much."
"Now wait just a clock tick!"
"We can't all come and go by bubble."

And the best part? My date! Thanks for coming with me, Kevin! :)

Go watch Wicked!

The spiritual side...

One of the things about being back in easy North American society is that I forget the spiritual undercurrents of everything. Any decision I make, any action I take...they all have some spiritual aspect to them. I've been thinking about this recently because the youth have been on my heart, and because I know they face difficult decisions everyday that DO have spiritual ramifications, whether they know it or not.

A quote I read in someone's testimony really stayed with me. He said, "Although I am now fulfilled in having assurance of everlasting life, I regret giving the best years of my life to Satan. I regret embracing sin and insecurity. Though it might be fashionable to say 'I do not regret anything because I am who I am because of my past mistakes,' I would disagree. I believe Jesus Christ was sufficient to save me. My unwholesome experiences contributed only to the problem, not the solution. If only I had enough humility to listen to the 'great cloud of witnesses' earlier in life."

I forget that as much as God wants us to succeed, Satan wants us to fail. BUT, knowing I have power through His Holy Spirit to resist Satan's evil is reassuring.

"Satan knows full well that God wants to present His Son with a pure, spotless, virgin bride, so he's doing everything he can to defile her. What he doesn't seem to 'get' is that he cannot touch or taint the Spirit of Christ in us, which is what ultimately gives us our pure standing before God."
- Beth Moore, When Godly People Do Ungodly Things

Fight the good fight, brothers and sisters!

It's time to clean the gutters when...

Today, I cleaned out the rain gutters. Actually, I cleaned out one part and then my sister went on the roof to make quick work of the rest.

How do you know when it's time to clean your gutters?
1. When you see leaves sticking up over the sides.
2. When the rain that should be going down the drain pours over the sides of the gutters.
3. When there are plants GROWING in your gutters.

Yes, we had all of the above. My sister discovered a PLANT growing in part of the gutter. But a plant needs soil to grow! Yes, indeed it does, and apparently, when you haven't cleaned the gutters in a REAAAAAALLY long time, the leaves decompose and form a really great soil/mulch, which is apparently very ideal for the particular plant we found.

Oh the shame! Ahahahahahaha. So, here's to more gutter cleaning in the future. Ahahahaha. We shall be the home for gutter plants no longer!

Restaurant job = less social life

Being a server cuts down my social hours. I mean, really, I work when every other person who works has their break. Lunchtime? Working. Dinner? Working. After? Still working.

I'm thankful to have a job in an environment that's easy to work in. I just wish restaurant hours were different, and that I could still have more of a social life during the week. It's also hard because my most productive work hours are at night, but I come home at 11pm or midnight now, which means ummm...ahahaha, no productive hours in my days, ahahahahaha. I wonder how I get things done.

ANd NOW, my mom is in Japan for 10 days. Gah! I'm not exactly sure how we'll survive, even though she left us LOTS of food. The one good thing is that it will force me to clean out our over-stuffed fridge, which means the rotting food that is hiding in the crevices of our refrigerator will meet their ends.

Take that, you moldy cabbage!


Oh, and I decided I should give wedding planning updates on here. So far, we have booked a venue, talked to our Pastors about being in our service, booked the photographer and planned our invitations (somewhat...the Star Trek theme is apparently still in debate, ahahaha) ;) ....next big thing: FIND A DRESS! Gack!

On a further rant-y sidenote, I had my first experience with Star Trek today. I mean, besides the 10 min. clip I saw in gr. 5 for our space unit. Anyway, I saw "First Contact" and...........I'm not sure how I feel about this yet, but.... I rather liked the movie.

Gah.

I know.

I think.......
I might.......
like Star Trek?!?!?!?!

This is a whole new....universe.....ahahahahahah. Oooh, I think that might have been a corny attempt at a pun, and I think it may be the negative side effects of watching the movie. AHahahha. Okay, but seriously. I did like it. Thanks for introducing me to the ST empire, Kev!

Just give me another couple weeks to get used to the idea that I like it. Sigh.

The shame of not posting in a billion years.

Yes, I have become one of them. Those that have a blog but never post, even after repeated houndings by others more obsessed with blogging.

The shame!

AHahaha, okay, I'm over it.

I'll break the silence with an update:
1) I'm not married yet, but have set a date (Sept 23, 2007, save the date!)
2) I'm waitressing at Bangkok Villa by Vaughn Mills (it has the yummiest food ever and I'm not just saying that because I work there!)
3) I'm also teaching Art4Tots (a mom and tots art class) at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection on Thursdays, and also a Saturday morning art class for 8-10 yr-olds. So fun!
4) I'm doing my missions presentation at church this coming Sunday (pray for me!)
5) I have discovered that the mall near my house is hiring once again for seasonal gift wrapping which makes me so stupidly deliriously excited to apply (visions of wrapping paper and ribbons floating in my head).
6) I get to see my dentist on Saturday (the first time in OVER A YEAR!!), and I could just be more excited than I was for #5.
7) I have become a Firefly fan. And a Serenity fan. But that doesn't mean I love all science fiction. Okay? Okay.
8) I have been spending ridiculous amounts of time with Kevin, YAY!
9) Still writing blog posts at ridiculous hours of the night.

I should think of one more to make it an even 10 but I'm too tired.

I will end off with the funniest situation I heard on the radio (it's a child questioning his father)...

Child: Dad, which are more complicated: males or females?
Dad: I guess I would say females.
C: Why?
D: I would say because of their ability to reproduce (and as Kevin would say, because their endocrine systems are more complicated, ahahaha).
C: So then who would theoretically have taken longer to evolve?
D: The females.

Dun dun duuuun. Do you get it? I thought it was great! Boo-yah, evolutionists mevolutionists.

Animals in God's will

Countdown to reunion: 21 days till my hun comes home!!!!!!

Congrats to Carol and Will on their engagement! :) Will next year be a crazy wedding summer? :)

I have a couple animal observations to share with you today. The first came during my visit with my Japanese Pastor and his wife. They are AMAZING people and I was so blessed during our meal together, but the most surprising part came right before the meal when they fed their dog, Naru. Naru waits patiently as his dad puts his food in the dog dish, and he waits while his dad says grace! Yes, the Pastor prays with Naru before Naru eats, and Naru doesn't make a move until after the "Amen". I know, I know, Naru probably has no idea what the Pastor is saying, but it was one of the most touching animal moments I've seen. A dog saying grace before dinner.

*********

My cat came to join me during my quiet time today, and it led me to think about how animals are so much in God's will. They do exactly what they were designed to do! He must have such joy in His creation as they purr, leap, snuggle, shed, eat, sleep, pounce, sleep some more... That I would have such obedience to God's will in my life!