I am another turning point in my road of life.

I had the mole on my face removed yesterday. I was freaking nervous about it and now that it's over I'm better but still feel a little odd. Almost like I'm off balance. In a weird way I am losing a small part of my identity that I've had for so long.

Do I think getting rid of this mole will make me more attractive? That's pretty steep of an expectation on something actually quite small in the grand scheme of things.

And the healing process is going to take way longer than I realized. The "dressing" they put on my face I've already taken off. Now I have an ugly ass band-aid covering the wound which this will last for like 3 weeks. Just lovely! :P

When can I face the public again? Ha, ha. I already did right after the procedure which was terribly embarrassing. "Michelle! What's that on your....wait, nevermind". Thanks coop student for pointing out the obvious.

I'm really enjoying the fullness of life right now. I don't remember feeling this happy about life in..well, I think ever. And in fullness I mean letting life flow and being more carefree. Going out frequently with friends and trying new things I've never done before. My last two weekends have been insanely nice but in a way that's just keeping me smiling.

Last week recap
-Thursday night dinner out with my friend Bob
-Friday was quiet, relatively.
-Saturday was Tim & Roe's wedding in Listowel
-Sunday I spent the day in Niagara Falls with my friend Jenn
-Monday I relaxed for a while then went for dinner with my friend Rachael and then we played a couple rounds at Dooley's.

This weekend recap
-Friday night was out with my friend Dee, her sister and their cousin to "Dallas" in Kitchener
-Saturday I spent most of the day painting the living room upstairs. Then in the evening it was movies with Rachael which also then included watching UFC at Crabby Joe's in Cambridge (where I ran into an old friend from high school/youth group/college - talk about an added bonus!)
-Sunday was church in the am, church hike in the early pm and than a bbq in the evening.

Can we say that I've officially became a social butterfly?

It's such a contrast to last year and I LOVE it. God has blessed me with such good friends, building relationships and a good life. I've changed a lot in the last year and I think that has been pivotal in why my life is the way it is now.

There is still things I need to work on. There are things I still wish for in life but right now, I'm resting in my current joy...the joy the Father has given me.

There's a few things I've been addicted to lately:

Let me start by saying this. I'm 24 years old and have never had a boyfriend. The last date I was on involved McDonald's and a drive in the country with my date from Prom. Which looking back, I don't consider it much of a date really. Anyways, this brings me to a topic that has come up numerous times lately in my life and I want to address it.


Being "unattached" aka being single.


Last Saturday I was at a dinner party with ex-colleagues from a company I used to work for. It was a good time of catching up and eating good food. During one of the conversations with an ex-colleague, she asked if I have been seeing anyone. I was like "...uh, no." And I was quick to add "but I'm okay with that". She quickly retorted with "I wouldn't be!". (She's been married for a handful of years and has two kids).


Why is it that some people can't handle even the notion of other people still being single in their 20's (let alone any older age bracket). It's especially hard in the dutch culture I grew up in and have family ties to. Most of my cousins on my mom's side over the age of 20 are married. (Heaven frick'n forbid you are still single by mid-late 20's!). My aunts and uncles I think have pretty much given up asking. Which is fine, I hate when they ask anyways because why is that such a pinnacle of life?


To me having a life I enjoy, living in God's will, having great friendships and being part of a fantastic church is more important at this time in my life. I'm very thankful that I've had a couple of years of immense spiritual and personal growth I'm not sure I could have experienced as a married person.


I think it's somewhat harder as a Christian to be a single. Or at least when explaining to non "religious" people why you aren't dating or shacked up with someone. My only answer to them is that my social circles are pretty small and they don't involve single men. The church I attend and am heavily involved in has very few single men. So what are my options then? Church hopping? (Just KIDDING. I love telling people about a series of books I read once where that was the main plot of the stories). Or follow the trend of "hunting" online? (At this moment, I don't have the "balls" to do more than look at profiles)


Being in a relationship or married doesn't "complete" me and I'm very thankful that is not my mindset! I think someone falsely let themselves believe this lie as an excuse that they have to always be in a relationship. Maybe it's because I've not even "tasted" a real relationship that I find it okay to be single?!?


I dunno but these are my thoughts on the subject at the moment! :)

P.S. Check out my posting on "R is for Rejection" on my deeper thoughts blog.

Last night after working out I was mentioning to my workout buddy that I need some new music. Sadly I've been listening to pretty much just two albums/artists for the past two years - Grits and Manafest. Any suggestions? I need lots of beat and energy music!

Interestingly enough while at work waiting for my machine to run, I came across some new music! Mind you it's not for working out but it's beautiful! I'm not a big fan of female singers (for some reason) but this lady rocks! Brooke Fraser:

Love it!

(that's what I call a catchy blog title and possible book title?!? Just kidding)

Yesterday I received a couple new followers on twitter and the one being Matthew Paul Turner!

I have no idea how he found my twitter or why I'm interesting enough to follow :P Anyways, my point is this - I read one of his books a couple years ago and I will never forget it. Funniest book ever on a topic most "Christians" avoid like the plague - "What Your Parents Didn't Teach You About Sex". I remember there being somewhat of an issue* about his book being too uh, risky to be put in the Christian market. I really wanted to buy a copy and give one to every friend who was getting married except I don't think it would have gone over too well. (The single girl giving the soon-to-be-married a book on sex? How awkward!)

We, Christians, have such a warped view on the topic. Thankfully I was a smart kid and learned quickly all about the "birds and the bees" relieving my parents of ever having to give "the talk". Aren't you lucky Mom? (She reads this blog) I think people, especially those of the religious kind, should gain a healthy knowledge and understanding of sex. Why? For various reasons and you dear reader, are smart enough to figure that out.

Which brings me to another book I've read recently - "Sex and the Church" by Carmen Renee Berry. This was a really fascinating book about how sex effected change in the church from women being property of their husband to gaining rights in society and within the church. I didn't think I would enjoy so much history of the church but the author did a good job of keeping my interest.

There ends my uh, interesting post of the week!

Side note: I also wanted to point out two books that I want to read from reading Matthew Paul Turner blog:

"Unchurched" by Matthew Paul Turner
"Angry Conversation with God" by Susane Isaacs

Happy Thursday!


(I miss working in the Christian book industry!)

My life has gotten quite a bit busy since the beginning of the year.
- Leadership team meetings (Yah! for getting voted in for another two years!!!)
- Two Young Adults Small Groups
- Grace Walk Advanced Training sessions

And recently I've decided to take more care of myself!
- finally back to the gym after a year hiatus and I even have a workout buddy
- first appointment with my own doctor this afternoon
- overdue eye appointment on Friday afternoon which will include long overdue new glasses
- next Saturday I have a hair appointment for both cut and hair dying

I like this path I am on now. Finally feeling like I'm getting back to "normal". I let everything go last year and especially myself which not only impacted my health but also my self confidence.

Now to find me a new esthetician - these eyebrows need some work....

but links about things I like/or find funny.

Totally love Joshua Jackson thanks to his awesome character in Fringe! He's in a movie called "One Week" and it's pretty much an all Canadian movie! I want to see it and apparently it's playing this weekend and next week at the Princess Twin in Uptown.


Last night's LOST episode recap: 'Lost': Flower to the people, no delay!
Seriously the funniest recap so far this season. This writer is hilarious.

I totally forgot about this website I used to read all the time - Reverend Fun - it's basically comics based on the church and biblical stuff in good fun. I'm not sure if I find this funny or sad since I've worked in the Christian book market:
http://www.reverendfun.com/index.php?date=20081208

Most Improved Schools Are In The Poorest Neighbourhoods: Study
Grey Central in Ethel - my elementary school in on the list - interesting!

Motorist Pulled Over For Allegedly Driving At 250 km/h This is absolutely insane. Apparently the type of car the guy was driving would have capped off at this speed. Oh and all he said was "I'm sorry". Have fun paying the price for being ridiculous!

Three Ontario Residents In Running For "Best Job In The World"
You should click on the link and check out the 3 videos - love the guy from Guelph singing a musical in the streets.

Top Ten Tools for your Blog
I want to pass this on to my sister - information she may need to get the word out about her website.

Random LOST items:

Ace of Cakes on LOST
Duff and his crew created a cake for the 100th episode of LOST. Awesome! Episode airs May 9th I think.

Red Shirt Theory
I didn't realize that "red shirt" characters always die on shows/characters have short life spans. Totally is true on LOST!


Websites I found while webcrawling:

MentalFloss - a lot of useless information and articles to read
Cake Wrecks - funniest website I've read in a while plus it's all about cakes which I love

"For, much of the time, low-fat foods have just as many calories as their higher-fat versions, and often they have even more sugar."

Another Transformers 2 trailer:
http://www.geeksaresexy.net/2009/02/12/video-gm-unveils-new-footage-of-transformers-2/

Interesting Facebook Stats:
Women Over 55 Take Facebook by Storm

Lately I've been addicted to watch "The Hour" while I work - I heart George Stroumboulopoulos!
His cool "One Million Acts of Green"

Best Radio Station in Town
91.5 The Beat

Apparently it is currently -26C right now. *shudder* It was freaking cold at midnight when I came into work, so didn't see that coming. The snow in the afternoon yesterday threw me off! (It was oddly awesome yesterday when it was sunny and snowing)

I've found a bunch of interesting things on the web so far this week that I would like to share.

I've decided to go on a diet! It's called the R.A.B. diet and never has 3 food items tasted so delicious.

NOT. I think I caught a bit of the flu bug while I was at someone's house (who came down with the flu two days after I was there) and it's not fun. I have no choice but to go on the R.A.B. (rice, apple/sauce and bananas) diet because a certain pink over the counter medicine isn't working. I know, TMI. And I need to work especially since I was sick already once last week. (I think this is one downfall of working nights, lower immune system). No worries, I'm washing my hands a lot and not sharing anything! I do not want to pass this on to anyone....it's so draining! Oh and one thing I've added to this "diet" is...peppermint tea. ICK! But I know it helps settle my insides a bit.

Anyways, this is where I am at today....er, this morning at 4:16am! :)

Apparently I'm a magician recently and am to disappear for a week at a time! :P

Life has a way of getting away with me lately and in a good way! I'm pretty much busy all weekend long and during the week I spend majority of my time sleeping and working. Although this long weekend has thrown me for quite the loop!

I don't have much to post at the moment but I leave you with a fun note I did on fbook the other day:

25 Random things about me:

1. My initials spell MAD.

2. I ate Arm&Hammer laundry detergent when I was one - delicious and could explain a few things

3. When I was really young, people used to call me a boy (I had super short curly hair)

4. I was going to be named Melissa if my mom's sister picked Michelle

5. My 2003 Echo is my first car

6. I was a Lego-maniac for many years and proud of it!

7. I love the original star wars movies!

8. Princess Bride is my all time favourite movie and can pretty much quote the whole thing

9. I (used) to play the clarinet

10. I'm dutch but I hate salt droppies

11. I have eaten horse meat and I like it (it's a dutch thing okay?)

12. The only fast food restaurant I can tolerate is Wendy's because their beef is not frozen

13. My sister broke my left arm when I was 4 and she pulled the cast off before it was supposed to come off too!

14. I have 3 other sisters and we all live in K/W

15. I've been to Disney World at age 23 and LOVED it

16. At Fanshawe College I was the Information Technology Student Council Representative during my first year

17. I hate accounting. Got a "C" in every class.

18. I'm afraid of clowns

19. Has discovered the "Sunsilk" hairproducts do not work for my curly hair...grr for bad hair day today!

20. I was a 4-Her for 6 years

21. I grew up in the same house for my whole life minus one year

22. Skiing downhill terrifies me. Oh the speed and possibility of DYING

23. Rollercoasters are awesome except if they go backwards, then I hurl

24. Seeing blood (in person) or getting needles makes me pass out

25. Snowtubing (at Chicopee) is my new favourite sport.

Laurence Fishburne had never seen 'CSI' before landing lead role

This forecast makes me happy:
http://www.theweathernetwork.com/weather/caon0728

Shared a 5 minute testimony at church on Sunday, check out my post on my other blog:
Contemplations r us

I am making a cake/cupcakes for a bridal shower in April. Below are links to an idea I have:
Bride Cake Idea 1
Bride Cake Idea 2

Phases I am teaching my ESL colleague:
"Fooled with" (in the context of someone changing something that shouldn't have been touched)
"So far so good" (the difference between saying "good" or "so far so good"

Weirdest song remix I've heard in a while:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j07edUsAGBE
(Using a Phil Collins song, who would think of that?!?)

I know where I am going on June 6, 2009 - Ontario Place. Why?
GROUP 1 CREW IS IN TORONTO!! We're going Cynthia, right?!?

Seriously I love reading LOST episode recaps. Totally makes my nose bleed...wait, no, those would be the Losties..makes me really think about all the crazy happenigs.

Anyways..found some great comments on Zap2it.com that I want to share:

"Now that we see Locke & Sawyer's Merry Band wondering around the island through time: are they the whispers we have heard in the first four seasons, or was that solely the original Others?"
http://blog.zap2it.com/ithappenedlastnight/2009/02/lost-flashes-of-brilliance-abound/comments/page/3/#comments
That was totally a HUH! moment reading that. Totally believable explaination!

"Imagine explaining any of what's going on now to a fan back in Season 1, who was blown away by the reveal that there was a ship in the jungle or a hatch in the ground. Season 5 would be so preposterous to them, they'd think you were a crackpot."
http://blog.zap2it.com/ithappenedlastnight/2009/02/lost-flashes-of-brilliance-abound/comments/page/4/#comments
So freaking true and for all those people who complain about things not being explained or happening in episodes, think of the above.

I heart LOST.

Isn't this the cutest?
They're having a heat wave in South Australia. This little koala walked up onto a house deck in Maude, and thoroughly enjoyed a bucket of water the owner kindly filled to cool him off.

http://therecord.blogs.com/fizz/2009/02/cooling-off-koalastyle.html



Random Search of the day:
Vin Desiel - heard he was gay, not so sure. Has a girlfriend who he had a baby with last year. Also has a fraternal twin brother. This search got me thinking about:

Fast and the Furious (4).


I am so watching this movie as soon as it comes out!! I heart Paul Walker, what can I say? :) I also own Fast and Furious, 2 Fast 2 Furious on DVD and I have watched them more than I'm willing to admit.






Other Randoms of the night:

Vector Energy Bar - Tried one tonight as a snack and ick! Good thing I only spent 50cents on the darn thing. It has the texture of a Nutri-grain and the heaviness of a yogurt covered granola bar. Waayyyy to sweet even for me! I've ate protein bars that taste better than this!

Ka-Glom - Totally addicted to this game which I have on my Blackberry. It's like "Collapse" (we will not discuss how much time I wasted during lectures in college playing this) but more fun. So much better at it then Brickbreaker!

BookExpo Canada cancelled due to lack of industry interest, report says
Whoa, not good news for Canadian book retailers.

'Fringe' stars Anna Torv, Mark Valley got hitched over holidays
Weird. That's all I have to say and speaking of which it's on tonight. Getting prepared to be grossed out as per usual.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
DUDE!! Transformers!! Can hardly wait to watch this movie! Loved the first one.

'Chuck,' Dominic Monaghan, and the annoying gimmick
Recap of last night's episode of Chuck 3D guest staring Dominic Monaghan. Apparently he's just so good at acting like a washed up rocker. Love him! Oh, and the episode was great! Nothing like a good dose of Chuck to make the world a bit brighter.

Interview with Dominic Monaghan
Because of my fondness for Dominic, here is an interview with him about being on Chuck

I almost snorted my gum out my nose after watching this:

Roundabout Dance
(click on above title)

Seriously, take a moment to watch this - it's worth a good laugh. I understand the need for education about pedestrian safety but could it be a tad less cheesy?