Oh Be Joyful

This time a year ago, I was incredibly lucky to be at marching rehearsal at Anaheim Stadium, before heading off to Disneyland to ring in the new year. After a couple more days of touring California and marching in my first (and longesttt) parade ever, I returned home to complete my final midterm exams as a high school student. I got a 73% on my math midterm and thought it was the end of my intelligence as I knew it (oh, if I'd only known). I developed a spontaneous fascination with skating. I fell in love with the Fearsome Foursome. I auditioned for music school. I got a tour of NSAC and almost decided to be a veterinarian. I went to St. John's and Ottawa with Wind Symphony and Jazz Band respectively. My new cousin, James, was born. I played in my last Rotary music festival and, despite the random Wind Symphony loss, did the best I've ever done. I had my last trombone lesson and died a little inside. I went to Stephenville. I sat watching the diameter of my hair grow through the endless cap and gown, and I graduated. I felt pretty at the grand march, and I actually danced afterwards. I had too much fun bouncy-castle and bbqing it up at safegrad. I nostalgically said goodbye to my teachers - the loves of my life - and had the most fun while not actually drinking the beers at a post-grad party ever.

My summer started off with a bang when I quit my lifeguarding job before I actually started it and took a job working at kids' camps at the college instead. My restrictions came off. I spent lots of time hanging out in random groups like we'd never really done before. I went to my cabin with my parents. I tried really hard to develop an appreciation for science fiction and Monty Python, but I was a hopeless case. I went to St. John's, played in the jazz festival, toured our house, and got really scared. I went to Stephenville by myself for the first time and had even more fun than usual. Sarah and I decided we could not stand to be separated for periods longer than a week, so she and Josh came to Bonne Bay with Grammy and I and we had an epic blast. I had a cabin party with Heather and Meredith and we went on quite an exciting kayaking adventure. The goodbyes started. Heather showed me the best farewell night ever. Everyone made me cry and it was embarassing. I felt like I was leaving forever. I headed to Nationals for one more life-changing week before starting university.

St. John's life started with group pizza and an open air service. I had a brutal audition for the Citadel band. I skipped off of orientation. My parents left, and Josh brought me snacks. I hated school in all ways, but fell in love with the excellent services at the Citadel. We hosted the best dinner ever, a story I'm pretty sure I'll be telling my grandchildren someday. I ate up (no pun intended) our pizza-hang out-sleepover-hang out-church-hang out routine. I failed my first test. I had a birthday and felt loved. I went home for YC, and it felt really weird, probably because I didn't actually get to spend much time at home. Back in St. John's, life exploded. We celebrated Robyn's birthday, dressed up as ABBA, and celebrated Sarah's and Rob's birthday. I started not liking my St. John's church. School and away-from-home-ness seemed to start getting to everyone, and the rest of the school year pretty much sucked.

My first week back at home before Christmas was a bombardment of hanging out with my little church friends and the borborygmous crew. I skated a lot. Christmas came and went. It was probably the best year for family gatherings - there were so many of them - but it felt like Christmas ended at noon on the 25th. I relaxed. I read. I watched Gilmore Girls and Full House. And I saw everyone I love.

Tonight, Grammy is coming over for an excellent fancy supper, and I'll end off 2006 either at Robyn's house or at home with my parents, depending on how things go.

2006 was once again random and wonderful. I guess, in retrospect, I accomplished a lot. I felt like I finally grew up. I became closer to some people than I ever considered, and farther away from others than I ever could have imagined or wanted. And, through it all, I developed an appreciation for how lucky I am to have to so many people to love. I can't help but end optimistically. I am blessed.

When your somedays have come and gone, you may look back and be surprised to find that your best friends were not always the funniest ones, the smartest ones or the ones you've kept since kindergarten. You may just find that your truest friend was the one who tiptoed into your life, taught you how to pick your bouquet and then quietly slipped away.

Thank-you for Giving to the Lord

Tomorrow will be our first Sunday with our new officers. I feel . . . sad?

The Coopers, after spending - I think - two and a half years in Corner Brook, made a bit of an abrupt decision to leave our corp after Christmas when they were given the opportunity for a placement in Australia. Both of the Coopers' children were married this year, and they're growing close to retirement. Who could blame them for accepting such an excellent, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to serve in Australia?

It seems that the Coopers have had a bit of a hard time in Corner Brook. I think they've had to deal with a lot of issues and pressures from our corp all through the past two and a half years. On top of that, I've heard countless stories of discontent from people in my church because of the problems with our officers. They don't organize youth functions. Or there's no leadership. Or something.

I didn't fully understand the Coopers' struggle, however, until my mom told me today that, immediately after their final service last Sunday - the candlelight service - , our officers put their suitcases in their car and left to spend Christmas with their parents. We pretty much drove them out of town.

So, I'm really sad. The Coopers are two of the nicest people I know. They were the first officers that my family has actually developed some kind of a bond with. I know they put in tireless hours at the hospital and nursing homes, and visiting shut-ins at home. And, heck, they took time out of their 24-hour visit to St. John's this fall to take me out when I needed it most.

I hate that we do this to people simply because they're not quite who we want them to be.

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:3-6

Can't You See What Love Has Done

I am very sad.

:(

We brought over my laptop to get the 1 key fixed today, and he doesn't expect it to be ready until the second week in January. They'll have to ship it to St. John's.

ohs nos.

It's not healthy to be this emotionally attached to an inanimate object.

In other news, I hate that I'm not having much time to read over the holidays. I want a day to do nothing but read - read my new novel, my Christmas Shoes book, some Mitch Album, my new Chicken Soup book, my Bible. Maybe now I'll have more readin' time.

Oh man. New Bob Saget show is on. What's this, trivia? Shweeeeeet. :D < 3

ok. The last question asked who's birthday is celebrated on December 25. Oh, Bob. You've sold your soul.

Well, my parents' computer may explode at any moment, so I'm going to run. Leave me messages of lovvvvve in the comments, as I may not be on msn much.

I miss you alllllllllllllllllllll.

he. he.

Squish Banana Squash Banana

Once upon a time
there was a girl with a cold
who had a very
very
very
red, flakey nose.
The girl's
uncle's
girlfriend
told the girl
"Put chapstick on it and it'll clear right up."
So the girl went home
and,
before bed,
put some mint blistex on her finger
and rubbed it on her nose.

Her nose burst into flames
and exploded.

The end.

I Believe in Christmastime

All these things and more

that's what Christmas means to me, my love.

When Evening Drops the Curtain

Man's best friend. Dogs? Nope. Computers.

Think about how dependent we are on computers. Computers control our money and our privacy. Computers control access to our vehicles and homes. Computers can allow or disallow us to move within our city or country or around the world. Computers limit our ability and reduce our need to communicate.

The debit machines were down at Wal-mart today and it was chaos. Frantic mothers with heaps of Christmas presents and no way to pay for them harassed innocent cashiers who were just as confused as everyone else, while others lined up at the portable atm machine that would eventually run out of cash.

Can you imagine if all the computers in the world stoped working? We live in a society that has forgotten how to survive on its own.

My parents and I were talking yesterday, and they told me that my Nanny White (yes, the smart, poetic, prophetic one who is pretty much my hero) always thought that computers (or Bill Gates?) were the anti-Christ. My father's mother died almost five years ago, and spent her last years as a very sick woman, but even she could see how frighteningly consuming technology is proving to be.

I'm sure I've never completely understood the idea of the Apocalypse and the anti-Christ. I always thought that the anit-Christ had to be a person.

But the more I think about how much faith we've placed in technology, the more I realize that my nanny was most definitely a wise, wise woman . . .

Though It's Been Said Many Times

It never ceases to amaze me how our everyday lives are so magnificantly planned.

Robyn and I went to the new school today in hopes of visiting Ms. Hynes and Ms. Crane. While we were looking for Ms. Hynes, we randomly came across the classroom of Ms. Skinner, my math teacher from grades 10 and 11. Ms. Skinner's never been one of the teachers I've most conncected with, but she was really excited to see us and we ended up staying for almost a half of an hour. Ms. Skinner asked me what I planned to do in the long term and, after I assured her that I really didn't think I was interested in medical school, I went into my usual rant about deciding between psychology and engineering. Ms. Skinner simply replied, "Meagan, you like math. You can either teach or become an engineer. I love my job. I get to teach people. I spend my days interacting with young adults. The money's not great, but it's enough. To me, engineering was a monotonous desk job. But the pay is excellent. Now, it's up to you: do you want to make lots of money, or do you want to love your job?"

In a statement, she simplified my entire future. Psychology? Teaching? Law? I'm not sure yet. But engineering is definitely not who I am. I want to teach, mold, help, and love. People mean the frigging world to me. And I want to love my job.

On a similar note, Sarah and Rob came to Corner Brook this morning for the famed gift exchange (luckily for me and everyone within a two-mile radius of me, as I would have exploded out of anticipation of present-giving if I had had to wait any longer). I was too excited to receive the novel Journey of Hope from Sarah. I actually took a good chunck out of it before supper, and I am loving it in all ways. It's one of those books where I periodically have to put it down and have an omgoshhhhJesusIanfeelgoodsmileSarahthankyouloveeeeeeeeeeeeeee moment. I think I hugged the book once.

In conclusion, it's almost Christmas. Which means it's almost the end of 2006. Which means it's 2006 journal reading time for me. For those of you who don't know, my journaling method is a little different. Every night before bed, I write down something from that day that I'm grateful for. It's usually just a couple of sentences, but there's always something. It's a very cleansing and humbling experience that I really recommend.

And reading about all the things that are wonderful in my life always reminds me of this poem:

I have a list of people I know

all written in a book,

and every year at Christmas time

I go and take a look.

And that is when I realize

that those names are a part,

not of the book they're written in,

but of my very heart.

For each name stands for someone

who has crossed my path sometime,

and in that meeting they've become

a treasured friend of mine.

And once you've met some people,

the years cannot erase

the memory of a pleasant word

or of a friendly face.

So when I send a Christmas card

that is addressed to you,

it's because you're on that list

of folk I'm indebted to.

And you are one of many folk

who, in times past, I've met,

and happen to be one of those

I don't want to forget.

And whether I have known you

for many years or few,

in some way you have a part

in shaping things I do.

This, the spirit of Christmas,

that forever and ever endures,

may it leave its richest blessing

in the hearts of you and yours.

These Wonderful Things are the Things We Remember All Through Our Lives

CHRISTMAS CHRISTMAS CHRISTMAS CHRISTMAS



Heather and I came up with a solution to our over-consumption of chips this week: daily skating. With the seniors at lunch time. Too cool.



We decorated our tree today and it's prettyyyyy. Our Christmas trees are always awesome. :)

I finished up everyone's Christmas gift today (except Heather's) and they're all stacked by my dresser. Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh two days until first present-giving timmmmeeee.

Mom, Dad, and I also decided to spend some quality time together tonight and give blood. I have several funny storied involving not reading the pamphlets and multiple stabbings. And I also received this wickedly cool pin. Shweet.

ummmmmmmmm skating again tomorrow. And Wind Symphony concert. Coffee with Erika? And, with any luck, some quality reading time. :D

SARAH AND ROB COME ON THURSDAY.

Presentgivingpresentgivingpresentgiving.

P.S. Marks at 5pm tomorrow, kiddies. Are we pumped?

Men Have Stopped Believing; Forgotten How to Pray

Today was ridiculously crazy. Church, two Carol Services, and a Chorale Concert. I went to visit Mr. White before the Carol Service, but I pretty much got harpooned by Amanda, Nicole, and Kristin on the way and ended up not getting to talk to him. No complaints, though. They're all awesome.

OH. And I randomly saw Nancy in the church parking lot. She got home last nighttt. :) She's going to Meredith's on Saturday and it's going to be hoppin'. Apparently, she's developed some kind of allergy to the polluted air in Toronto, and her eyes are all swollen and red. It's all very sad. Another reason for her to return to Corner Brook after she's finished saving the world! <3


Jane randomly shared an epiphany with me last night at skating. No one decides to go astray. Few people make conscious decisions to stop going to church, become a druggie, get pregnant. You don't feel like going one Sunday. You get spiked. You let your guard down. Life in it's entirety kind of made sense just for a second.

Tomorrow's going to consist of getting my eyebrows done (finally), going to visit Grammy (finally), shopping with my mom, finishing the Christmas ornaments with Heather, and sending out my Christmas cards that I somehow managed to still have in my possession.

In the meantime, here are some of the many reasons why our best friend - whom I love dearly, and of whom I am incredibly proud for sticking to her guns even though life has sucked a little over the past few months - is not pathetic, but is rather very, very cool.

Should Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot

This is how I've spent the past two days:



Plus a glorious introduction of Love Actually.

God only knows what I'd be without you.

Somebody Snitched on Me

A poem
entitled
My Phobia of Love

Heather leaned in for a picture.
She laughed
and I felt it right in my ear.
I jumped and ducked.
For a moment
I forgot I was in Corner Brook;
I thought she was going to lick me.

And "Io, io, io!" by Priests and People Sungen

So I didn't finish writing last night because of my alpha-waved state of consciousness.

It's really weird that you forget about recent changes in things when you've been away from them for a while. We've only had a dishwasher in our house for the past two years. When I came home, I had this big moment where I was like "wooooowwwwwwwwwwww dishwasher." Over the past two months, I remembered the kitchen as I knew it for the longest.

Although I'm really pumped to see everyone, band was really weird last night. I hated not knowing what part I play or where to sit. And then Sarah was talking about how Kristin Chow is leading the trombone quartet these days and who made the antiphonal trombone part and who's playing in the brass quintet. So much changed in three and a half months. :(

One person who definitely hasn't changed, however, is Sarah. After the hugging, she welcomed me home by putting a chocolate that had been in Erika's mouth, down her pants, and down Katie's shirt down my shirt. I, in turn, put it back in Sarah's mouth. HAH. Karma.

But Sarah seemed pretty offended that I "talk different now." Apparently, I didn't do the whole "hooooh yahhhhhhhh" thing that's become such a competition between Robyn and I before. Hmmmm. Interesting.

In other news, Robyn appears to have overtaken Sarah's initial lead in the Candy Cane Contest. Who'sgonnawinwho'sgonnawinnnnn?

Repeat the Sounding Joy

Sooooooooo who likes to show up for the bus an hour an a half early? Robyn and Meagan.

The bus ride definitely wasn't that bad. The movies and snack-age definitely helped.

And now I'm home for Christmas. I don't understand where the term went.

When I showed up at band tonight, they clapped. It was lame and embarassing, but it made me feel loved. There was also much hugging from Erika, Denise, Sarah, Darren, Wendy, and, especially, Dave Wells, which made my dayyyy.

I'd continue describing the wonderful things of home, but it'd just bore you.

So breakfast with Sarah tomorrow. Lunch and afternoon with Heather. Checking up on Katie's, Jacob's, and Sarah's babysitting of Denise's baby after supper(for reals; Denise doesn't trust them and neither would I). Movie and evening with Heather, Meredith, and everyone else?

P.S. Present-giving time is totallyyyyyyy even closer today than it was yesterday.

Angels Bending Near the Earth to Touch Their Harps of Gold

Robyn and I couldn't control ourselves. After my exam today, we went back for more.

Ok. The guy who works at Needs by our house is awesome. I ran down to buy some celebratory dip tonight, and he started talking about how he's never really liked dip. Then he said that a lot of students were in buying beer because exams were over. Then he asked me what I was studying. Then he told me he was a sixth year honours history major. Then he said he did a 100% aural exam today about six different books. Then he told me about the 90 page paper he has to write over the summer. Life story in 7.3 seconds. Shweet.

Sooooooooo I go home tomorrow. Yayyy. Heather, Meredith, and Sarah W. all have me pretty excited.

Um.

This time tomorrow.

I'll be in my hommmmmeeee bed.

This time in two days.

I may still be hanging with Heatherrrr.

This time in three days.

I'll be just returning from seeing Sarah Woodland.

Um.

This time in a week.

IT'LL PROBABLY BE PRESENT-GIVING TIME.

ohmygoodnesssssssss

Once in Royal David's City

I think I may have died and gone to heaven.

Seriously.

Sing, Choirs of Angels

Oh, box # 1. What joy you contain.

I'm officially finished studying for my first university finals. Scorrreeee. I'm kind of curious to see how this exam is going to turn out. I studied with Sarah today, and I discovered that I pretty much can't intelligently communicate anything I've learnt. But I don't feel any more underprepared than normal. No wonder I forget everything the day after an exam; I don't actually learn, I just know how to take a test. Is that a baddddd thing?

So yah. Life is excitin' these days, as you can see right here.

How many more days before present-giving timmmmmeeeee?

How Silently the Wondrous Gift is Giv'n

Yah, we burnt supper again. Luckily, we only cooked half the pizza the first time, so we had another frozen half ready to go.

So physics exams suck so much. Is it possible to do any more to prepare than we did? Didn't think so.

Ali and I went shopping today and I somehow managed to buy more stuff for Christmas. I'm being consumed and it's awesome.

So now I'm going to bed really early. Because I just studied for a while, and I want to avoid retroactive interference. After brushing my teeth in the NSC, where my brain creates beta waves, I expect to spend a little time reading and thinking, involving alpha waves, 2-5 minutes in stage one sleep, about 20 in stage 2 sleep, where I might have some sleep spindles and start talking, five or so minutes in transition in stage 3 sleep, 25 minutes or so in stage 4 sleep with delta waves and growth horomone-secretion, before rewinding and heading into REM sleep for 45 minutes or so. Score. If only I'd remember that in the morning.

Says that Christmas Will Never Go Away

Today was reallyyyyyy uneventful. I pretty much studied all day, but I caught myself lying on the futon and staring at the ceiling far too many times. My brain is too complex sometimes.

Rob and I had our final session with . . . sigh . . . Paul . . . sigh . . . for the year tonight. For such a hateful subject, physics studying always ends up being too much fun with him. He says we ask the hardest questions, but we're totally his favourites. Agreed, Rob? tehe.

After wrapping - again - my nieces' gifts tonight, I packed my first box for home. :) It's perhaps the most random box everrrrr. I put my meagre scrapbooking supplies in first (incase Heather and I decide to go wild while I'm home and do some arts and crafts), but I found I had lots of extra room. So I packed all of the Christmas gifts that my parents didn't bring home last week and a couple pairs of socks (?) . There were a couple of presents that I'm not sure if I'm supposed to have here for this week or not, so I kept them just incase. I'll tuck them in my suitcase on the bus.

Sooooooo that's about it. Physics exam tomorrow at 12. Boo. And then shopping with Ali for a while. Ha. Just what I need to do.

I call it Scowling Robert with Deer Gloves.