Regularities...

Ever think about what things you do regularly in a day? A week? A month? I've been thinking lots about what I do and this is what I came up with:

In a day:
Wake up between 7 and 8
Have a good breakfast (usually cereal and a banana or toast with peanut butter and banana)
Eat lunch and supper, usually there's a snack in there somewhere
Brush my teeth/wash face (twice)
Floss (once)
Check e-mail (Gmail & Hotmail - a few times)
Check The Weather Network (once or twice)
Check Facebook (once to a few times)
Read blogs (once)
Check Fantasy Hockey scores (once)
Read from "My Utmost for His Highest" in the morning (sometimes I miss this...)
Quiet time with God (once)
Pray (numerous times)

In a week:
Go to small group (once)
Have roommate dinner (once)
Lead a discipleship group (once)
Meet with Lynsey, my discipler (once)
Do random evangelism on campus (once)
Receive C4C training (once)
Pray at the C4C staff meeting (once)
Work with Pilgrim Painting (3 days)
Make dinner with Ev and John (once)
Go to church (once)
Check my bank account online (once or twice)
Read the latest chapter from "Bleach", "Naruto" and "The Way to Your Heart" (once)
Play guitar and/or piano (once to a few times)
Work out (or try to... once or twice)
Tidy up my room (once)
Get groceries from the market (once or twice)
Eat chocolate (anywhere from once to everyday depending on my craving)
Shower (every 1~2 days)
Check GCX, an online community thing for C4C (once)

In a month:
Look through my finances (check receipts, budget, etc)
Post a blog (a few times)
Laundry (twice)
Help out with worship at church (once)
Go out for lunch with church friends (once or twice)
Go to Costco/Superstore (once)
Clip my nails (twice)
Call my family (twice)
Clean the bathroom (once)

In a year:
Watch a movie in the theatres (few times)
Go visit my parents (few times)
Shop for clothes (few times)
Go to Winter Conference (once)
Go to Summit (once)
See a play/ballet/symphony/etc (once or twice)
Participate in Lent (once)
Get a haircut (twice)
Get rid of clothes I never wear (once or twice)

Things I do sporadically:
Read books/manga
Draw or do something crafty
Watch anime on YouTube
Play a game on some kind of game system
Fast

Things I rarely or never do:
Nap
Watch TV
MSN
Read/watch the news (sorta bad... I really should get up-to-date on what's going on in the world)
Get a flu shot (although I did get one this year because I'll be in nursing)
Take drugs when I'm sick, have a headache, etc unless I absolutely have to
Download music


And there you have it, peoples. The exciting, everyday life of Mindy.

Peachy Beach-y

I miss the beach.

I miss the raining rays of brilliant hot sun falling on my head.
I miss the hugs of the gentle, warm and humid breeze.
I miss the masses of fine sand swallowing up my feet.
I miss the symphony of sea birds and crashing waves.
I miss the medley of rumbling turquoise sea, foams of white, soft-pink-shell-speckled golden sand, endless cloud-washed blue sky, and lush tropical greens.

I miss the beach.
A lot.


Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining about where I am now. I love Vancouver and the weather here.

I love rainy days.
I love walking through the rain, umbrella or no umbrella.
I love being inside on a cold day, curling myself up in my blanket and drinking hot chocolate.
I love wearing sweaters and sweatpants, toques, scarves and gloves.
I love fireplaces.
I love the colors of fall.
I love the crisp cold air of autumn and winter.
I love snow.
I love walking/running/playing in snow.
I love skating.


However, thinking about the times I was at the beach during Panama project has created this huge yearning to be at one. It's too bad I won't be able to go anywhere like that for awhile...

Another underlying reason for missing the beach is what it represents; a slow and relaxed lifestyle where one is able to enjoy time. This culture is too busy, too hurried, too rushed to who knows where. Time is a commodity, not a gift to be enjoyed.

Even North American Christianity sometimes gives off the vibe that we need to do do do when really, the Bible teaches us to just be and to be in His presence because He loves us for who we are, not because of what we do.

Yes, there is a sense of urgency in bringing the Good News to the ends of the earth. But, there's a fine balance between urgency and patience. Some people need time to accept and we can't force that or else it doesn't become a faith brought out from the entire will of that person. Also, the Great Commission isn't our primary duty. Our first priority is our relationship with Him. When God commands us to do things, we obey out of a heart of love for Him, not because we have to or else He'll love us less or stop loving us all together.

I guess that's one of the things I'm learning lately; to be a human being, not a human doing. What that means, I'm still figuring it out. I'm hovering between a 24/7 drilling machine and a lazy couch potato, often going from one extreme to the other, but I think I'm slowly starting to get a balance between the two. I just hope I get a better handle on it so when school starts in January I won't be overwhelmed with things I "have" to do and burn out, but at the same time still getting things done that do need to be done.

Sigh, it seems so complicated.

I miss the beach...

Random thoughts #2

There are so many thoughts in my brain right now, I feel like it's pouring out of my ears. Since I can't seem to gather them in an organized fashion, I'll just spew them out as they come:


~ I think I want to do a triathlon. There's one in Harrison, BC for first timers and it doesn't seem to be too bad. 400m swimming (I can do that), 20km biking (maybe I can do that?) and 5km run (... yeah, I need to work on that...). I should probably start training now. Anybody want to join me?

~ "War, Inc." is a very bizarre movie. It stars John Cusack and Hilary Duff (yes, the one and only Hilary but beware, she doesn't play your typical sweet and innocent teen heroine). I'd say it was a mix between Quentin Tarantino and Wes Anderson. A satire on American economy and politics. I'm still not sure what I think of it. John Cusack did a fantastic job with his role. Parts of it were hilarious, parts of it were really gross. Suprisingly, no sex scenes but a couple scenes where we had to fast forward through. If you're a super huge fan of Hilary because of her sweetness, you might be a bit scarred after this, just to warn you.

~ My mom and sister are going to Japan in January. Again, at a time when I'm in school so I can't join them. Sigh.

~ I know it's November but it sure doesn't feel like it. Where's the snow??? Oh wait a sec, this is Vancouver not Edmonton.

~ This generation and culture has lost the meaning of holy. No wonder there are more people who don't fear God properly anymore.

~ Why do we have to be so... stuck on time? I wish people would enjoy life more and actually stop to look at the beautiful fall leaves or take time to have a real conversation with a friend or even just sit, do nothing and be content. There are too many distractions that take away my time to just be. I need to get rid of them somehow but as always, it's easier said than done.

~ I feel like I don't know myself very well; yet at the same time, I think I do. I guess I'm just in the process of discovering who I am; my strengths and weaknesses, my passions and disinterests, etc etc.

~ I'm finally getting to know more people at church now which is exciting. It's sorta weird though because the majority of the people are older than me. I'm too used to campus ministry where I've always been one of the older ones, haha.

~ Ack! I need to exercise more... My life is a little too sedentary. I bought a swimming pass at the local community centre so hopefully that'll motivate me to get my butt into gear!

~ I didn't realize painting was so much work! I've learned so much about prep work these past couple months that I could be a pro now. If you ever need anything to be caulked or filled or taped off, let me know :P


Alrighty, that's enough for one night. My brain is shutting down so good night.