Trinity and Community

In continuing in on a discussion and journey of figuring out community, tonight we will look at the Trinity in relation to the community, unity, and diversity of humanity. Tonight in Systematic Theology class we are talking about the doctrine of the Trinity. In our discussion time we moved onto discuss the Trinity in relation to community, so here are some points that we discussed.

Points to ponder:

- both unity and diversity are healthy and necessary when it comes to community. although many fight about their differences, and bring a great divide between each other, if handled rightly and lovingly, diversity is a beautiful thing. we see this through the Trinity. the three in one. all have their unique roles within the God-head, but all are in perfect unity with one another. our differences bring us together. our diversity creates a beautiful community.

- we as humans need to live in and act as a community for so many reasons. life would be boring and dull if we were all the same, or if we just hung out with people that are like us. men, women, young, old, black, white, business minds, and artists need to be in community with one another. when we are with those unlike ourselves, we are put into a place where we are not necessarily comfortable. but this is a good thing. it challenges us to live life in ways that are out of our comfort zone. it stretches us to do new things that we might have not understood before or were scared of. diversity is a good thing. it is a Godly thing.

- just as the Trinity is one, we too need to become one. we need to learn to understand and practice unity of the body.

- look at the Acts church. everyone shared everything. its not a what's mine is yours, whats yours is mine mentality, but it is a 'it's all God's and we get to share in that' mentality. it's not a greedy way of life, but is an others focused way of life. putting the Lord and others before ourselves at all times.

- if we look at the Trinity, God gave up his Son. there is a sacrifice that was made. we too need to make sacrifices in our lives for the sake of community.

What I realized through this class discussion time:

- people are scared to even talk about community and unity. they don't want to touch the issue because they don't want to face what they don't want to do.

- they are so fixed on living as individuals, and don't even want to discuss possible ways out of this way of life. they don't want to live in the way that God originally intended it to be.

- someone even said that they don't feel comfortable talking about the issue of community and unity because that means that some serious change needs to take place. they don't want to face it.

Right now I’m enjoying my Saturday evening by listening to some good music. Included in a long list of music I have been listening to this evening is U2. I probably haven’t listened to these guys in months. I used to list them first in my top favourite bands… and they still are my favourite… no one comes close. But I’ve been distracted these past few months with new music, new bands, new artists. These others are good, but they are truly no comparison to U2 in my opinion. When people have asked me in recent days about what kind of music I listen to, I don’t list U2 as my number one. I do mention them, but only after I have already mentioned the new and more relevant artists… trying to stay with the times. I don’t think that I am selling out by listening to these new bands (as some would say listening to U2 is selling out), but I’m not staying true to my ‘roots’. I’m missing out on something indescribable. Some might think I’m crazy, but when I listen to certain songs of theirs, it is as if I’m experiencing God… maybe I am. I forgot about my love for them by not listening to them, by not experiencing their music.

As I listen to where the streets have no name, I have made the connection between this and my relationship with God. When I am not actively experiencing the Lord through His Holy Spirit and when I am not actively pursuing Him, I begin to forget. I begin to forget about how incredible He is and His unfailing love and grace. When I am not fully focused on Him I begin to loose sight. I get distracted by the other exciting things happening around me. Not that these other things are bad in any way, but if I am not careful, they can become a distraction in the way of me seeing the Lord. When I am not fully focused on the Lord, I get disillusioned into thinking that He is not as great as He actually is. I begin to forget about His unfailing love and the incredible grace that He has poured out on us.

This forgetfulness can be reversed though. Through spending time with Him… through experiencing His presence we can be brought back to a place where we can be in true active communion with Him once again. We can continually be mindful of His presence and power. Just like how I was reminded of the greatness of U2 through experiencing their music once again, I have been reminded of God’s greatness and love through spending time with Him. Through experiencing His presence, I am excited about serving Him and living for Him once again. It might be a stretch to connect my love for U2 with my relationship with God, but these are simply my thoughts of the evening.

early morning ramblings

It's 6:03am, and I can't sleep. I've been awake since 4:45ish. I hate being sick. Im tired and just want to rest, but I can't. Though I'm tired, can't sleep, and can't breathe through my nose, it has been nice to watch the sun rise and hear the birds sing early this morning.

In addition to not being able to sleep due to my sickness, there are also a number of things on my mind right now which are not allowing me to be well rested.

1. I'm thinking that as of this coming Monday morning at this time, I will be at work already... yikes. I'm sort of nervous to start the new job. Its a little nerve wracking meeting new people who I will be spending the majority of my summer with.

2. In only about 3 hours from now, I have to tell the new RA team a 'nugget of wisdom'. What the heck am I supposed to say? 'It's a great experience that you should embrace and be thankful to be a part of'', when what I really want to tell them is 'run while you still can'? Am I supposed to tell them the truth, or just let them figure it out on their own? I guess only time will tell.

Well these have been my early morning thoughts for Thursday, April 26th. I'm going to try to sleep again now... even though the geese have now arrived for the day and have made their presence known loud and clear...

what's our purpose? are we living it?

Once again social justice is on my mind. Well actually, I don't think that it ever left my mind. I recently got the latest issue of Geez magazine in the mail, and it is full of articles surrounding the fact that we as humans need to work some major issues out. We are selfish and prideful individuals who have a hard time of thinking of others. We need to step out and follow the calling of our Lord to love and feed and clothe the poor and needy.

We need to get up off of our lazy North American asses. Stop consuming and start giving. Stop living only for ourselves, and start living for others and for the Lord. I have realized that we always talk about about doing good things for others. We have great ideas and great things to say about the issue. We talk about the change that needs to take place. We challenge others to step out in faith and serve others for the glory of the Lord. What we're really doing is making ourselves feel better by talking about, but not doing anything about these things we are talking about. We are all talk and no action. What the crap is up with that? We claim to be Christ's followers living to make a difference. Are we really? I think we're just messing the whole system up more than it already is.

Take politics for example. So many Christians are fighting against the gay rights movement and trying to stop gays from being able to marry one another. To top it off, the way in which we are doing it is in a hateful way. Satan is probably having a field day with this. Christians distracted by such issues which are fairly unimportant. I'm in no way for it, but I'm just saying that there are bigger issues in the world. Like starving people who have no where to live who are being treated completely unfairly. Environmental issues are a big one too. God called us to take care of this world, but all we're doing is fucking it up and watching it die as we help it die. These are bigger issues. Taking care of people who have no one to fight for them. We are being distracted by issues that are so minor in comparison to the real issues. We need to set our eyes on the truly important issues in this world once again.

Stop telling people that we hate them (or acting as if we hate them), and let's start showing the love of Christ to them. Even though we talk about doing this, we fear it. We don't want to be vulnerable like that. But this is what Christ called us to do. What he has asked us to do it something so small in comparison to what He went through for us.

On things that are great

So today Chris was telling me that my blogs were too long and that he didn't want to read something so long. So Chris, here is one specially for you... just cause I love you... and because you told me to.

Things that are great:

1. Chris Clements -> reason: because he apparently has "fresh and tasty breath" (not my words folks... his). This is not the only quality of his that makes him great though... there are many other reasons.

2. Almost being done school for the semester -> Only one more take home exam and I can pretty much write on what ever the heck I want.

3. Community -> a great thing to live in. Soon I'll be moving from the Tyndale community to the 11 Ruddington community. It will be a change, but looking forward to it!

4. Friends -> hung out at Christie's bridal shower tonight and there were lots of wonderful people there that I love.

5. My dorm -> they are beautiful and fun girls with lots of love for each other and the Lord. They put on a surprise dorm event bridal shower for me and Beth Gelyk. It was lots of fun and I was not expecting it at all because I was planning dorm event... and it wasn't supposed to be that.

6. Making fun of Ashley Saunders -> only because I love her. It's a very fun past time though...

7. Great music -> no particular reason... just like music.

This has been a random list of things that are great created because Chris told me to. I hope it wasn't too long for you to read Chris.

Peace.

ideas about social justice...

Today has been a jam-packed day of learning, work, being in community, and so much more. It all began with the alarm sounding at 5am this morning. After being disoriented and attempting to wake up at such a god-awful time, we began our journey to the Epiphaneia conference. Dan Young and myself were working for the admissions office at the conference, but we had the privilege of being able to sit in on most of the sessions. It was so much information to take in and process about social justice.

Shane Claiborne began his morning talk with a quote from Mother Teresa. It goes something like (or not exactly like) this:

It is fashionable to talk about helping the poor,
but it is not fashionable to talk to the poor.

In reflecting back on what I learned today, what I was reminded of, and what I was challenged by, this quote encompasses the essence of my feelings and fears and challenges. So many times we talk about social justice issues, and we feel good about ourselves for taking the time out to think about and ponder such ideas, but what do we do after those talks? We walk away stunned and confused as to how we are to incorporate such radical, yet necessary steps in our own lives. Questions arise in my mind such as: how extreme do we have to go? what does true Christianity look like? in what ways is the Lord calling us to use our gifts in social justice? are we truly being challenged and are we making real sacrifices for others? These questions and so many more arise when we talk about social justice. And they are questions that I am asking myself after coming out of such a conference.

These are questions to think about over a long period of time and to struggle over together. Once again, the Lord is teaching me more and more about community. We can't (and are not supposed to) figure this out and process it all on our own. It's about being in community and journeying together on this path called life.

There are so many other issues that came up today that I (and others) need to process. I can't write about it all now, or this would turn into a book. But as we struggle through these and other related issues in our own minds and hearts, don't forget to struggle through them together with others. In all likelihood others are asking the same questions as you, and it might be nice to bounce ideas off each other and to simply be in community as we figure this community thing out together. That is one thing I was reminded of today: that social justice in all it encompasses is about community in some form or another.

I will leave you on this last note. Think about and struggle together to better define and learn how to truly practice this verse: "to love your neighbour as yourself".

Fox Confessor Brings the Flood

I've never written a blog on an album, nor have I ever written a review on an album before, but today is the day of new beginnings.

Today I went shopping, and probably spent too much money, but in my frivolous spending I bought a new CD: Fox Confessor Brings the Flood by Neko Case. It's a beautiful and wonderful piece of art work in so many regards. From the album art, to the lyrics, to Case's strong and powerful, yet sweet voice, to the music itself, it is an admirable album of Case's. Unlike the super-pop sound of The New Pornographers, which is where I first heard of Case, her solo material is folky, country and musically and lyrically creative. It's something a little bit different to spice up the CD rack.

Each song is beautifully written and stunningly preformed. From what my ears have heard, there is not a weak track on the whole album. I originally bought the album because of the third track Hold On, Hold On, but quickly discovered that the whole CD is filled with great songs that I could listen to over and over again. Some notable tracks include the title track Fox Confessor Brings the Flood, John Saw that Number, and Maybe Sparrow. You can go to her website nekocase.com to listen to some of the tracks on her albums. I would say that it is worth the listen.

So that's my album review. Done and done.

Creativity

Creativity. It comes in all different shapes and sizes and colours. That is why it is creative.

God is the ultimate artist. Not only did he create the whole universe and the never ending details of the world, but He created you and me. He has a sense of humour in that artistic ability of His. You look around and see the eccentric individuals in the world and we say that they are so creative, but it was the Lord that created those crazy people! He was the one who originally came up with the idea. In thinking this, we are a reflection of God's creativity.

We need to be creative with our lives. We need to learn to live our lives the way the Lord created us to. We each have so many beautiful differences and quirks that we need to learn to embrace and share with others. And when we do this we need to do it for the love of the thing itself: whatever it might be. Music, art, photography, crafts, sewing, writing, the way we dress, the way we act, these are all ways of expressing who we are, and ultimately expressing who the Lord is. We are created in His image, so lets show the rest of the world what the Lord has done. We need to create and live for the sake of the 'art' itself. Not for the recognition, nor for the money or the prizes, or for any other reason. Just for the 'art' itself. I don't know if that is possible in our sinful nature, but its a good goal. Do things for the betterment of humanity, community and for the glory of God. Do it just because you want to. Don’t get boxed in by what society tells us to do. W are creative beings, so in whatever way you choose, show off that creativity and others might be inspired by you to do the same in their own unique way.

I think and write about these things due to some recent conversations had at Tyndale and due to the Burning Man Festival documentary that Chris told me about. But it was inspiring to see people live their lives doing things that they truly love to do. There is no holding them back. This can be applied to so many areas of our lives. Whatever it is you love to do, do it. Don’t be so stuck up and forget about doing the things you love to do. I know that so many times I get so busy with work and school and meetings, that I forget to do the things that I love to do. I believe that it is for the betterment of the individual, community, and brings glory to the Lord when we do the things that we love.

Two of my favorites...

Here are two of my favorite photos that I took in Bukoba, Tanzania this past summer. I miss being there.

Moving on...

So it hadn't hit me until last night at our little RA gathering to discuss next years RA team, that I am going to really miss being on Student Leadership. It has been part of who I am for the past three years. Its has shaped who I am and how I lead and how I live my life. I have been so wrapped up with moving out into an appartment, getting married, leaving residence for good, eating my own food, and simply moving on, but I have forgotten how much I think I might miss doing all of this. Mind you, I am done, with not a lot more to give, but it still is sad talking about next year when I know I won't be a part of it. Being on Student Leadership has transformed and shaped who I am. I have loved and respected the so many people who have poured into my life so that I can pour out onto others. I may not have turned out to be the same person if it hadn't been for being a part of this team for three years.
Even though I am excited to move on with the new opportunities life has ahead of me, I still am sad to leave such an incredible program and team. Lord bless those people who have poured all that they had into me so that I could grow and pour out onto others.

Thoughts on community...

“Then the LORD God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.’” In the beginning God created us to be in community. He did not created us to be alone, but He created us to be in community with each other and with Him.

It might seem like a simple thing, but I think that so many of us forget this truth: that we are made for community. Especially here in the West, we live in such an individualistic society. We are selfish and self centered, thinking only of ourselves and what is good for ‘me’.

They might not admit it, but even in the church today, many have strayed away from the idea of community as a lifestyle. There are countless conferences, churches, books and people within the church screaming out to us that its just all about me and Jesus. It’s just about your personal relationship with Him and nothing else. That pisses me off. Its not! It’s about so much more than that. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that we don’t need a personal relationship with the Lord, because we do. All I’m saying is that it is about so much more that simply that. When Christ was talking with His disciples before He ascended into heaven, He told them to ‘go out’. Don’t keep what you know to yourselves, but share that with everyone you meet. We’ve got a mission, and keeping Christ for ourselves is not a part of that.

Something I was thinking about last night was how, because we are created to be in community, we need to live like it. Instead of struggling alone, how about struggling and working through things together. Instead of getting answers from God for yourself, how about sharing those answers with others. What about being more accountable to each other. We all struggle through the same things, so why don’t we work through those situations together. Life would be so much better. I think that the church specifically, has scared many Christians away from doing this. ‘It’s just all about me and Jesus’… Frig… its all about me, Jesus, and everyone else in the world. You can’t forget that. The church for years has told us that we can’t rely on others in terms of growth for your own personal relationship with the Lord. Not true. I realize that we are all human and we fail and will never be able to provide all the answers, but I do think that we are able to work together, along with God, to figure this life thing out.

It’s such a lonely idea… going through life alone. I know they say that if you have a great relationship with the Lord you won’t be lonely. But He knew from the very beginning that it wasn’t a good idea to be alone. I don’t think that it just relates to man and woman in a marital relationship. But I think it is much greater than that. There are so many people out there that the Lord has surrounded us with, each with their strengths, weaknesses, experiences and more. Take advantage of these other people. Work through life together. It gets lonely figuring it out by yourself. And you won’t figure it out by yourself. We need Christ, we need others. That’s the way God made us, don’t fight it.

It's a new year...

The new semester has begun. Mostly good classes. And I feel that I have more motivation for this new year in terms of school, work, RAing, and life in general. I now have a renewed vision and focus of where, potentially, my life is heading. There are a number of changes are taking place this new year. 1) A switch of majors and a potential add of a minor. 2) The planning of a wedding. (this one is already wearing me out... but is still fun!). 3) My last semester in residence! Praise the Lord! But lets make it a good one. 4) Additional other new random tasks: appartment hunting...
In addition to these many new changes that are a part of my life this new semester and year, I have been so bold to give my self those so called 'new years resolutions'. Yikes! Never done that before cause I knew I wouldn't accomplish them. So we'll see what happens this year...
Overall, I've had a good start to 2007. I have a renewed sense of purpose for my life, I have goals that I am trying to reach, exciting things to plan for, and more new changes just around the corner. Also, 2007 has begun with an overwhelming knowledge and feeling of the presence of the Lord surrounding and guiding myself and others. Uncovered this weekend was quite the reminder of this. The Lord made a guest appearance that evening and decided to work in a number of hearts that were in attendance. So we wait in expectation for what He will do next and how we will respond to His calling. Let's stop sitting around in our theology classes and church pews, and begin to walk and run with the incredible knowledge and passion that He has given us to work along side of Him... to be His vessels where ever He leads us. A startling thought I know, but a thrilling and exciting adventure it will be. Let's band together with the Lord on our side to life up to our calling and follow Him with all that we've got.
It's a new year. So let's do new things, partake in new adventures and live in a new way. Let's do this together, as a community, with the Lord as our motivation and guide.

Finally!

How many of you thought the day that Chris Clements would propose to Nyssa Dhillon would never come? Well, if you were one of those, you are wrong! I am pleased to announce that that day has finally come. After four and a half years of dating, we are now engaged!!
It all happened Saturday, December 9th 2006 sometime in the early afternoon. It was Chris' birthday, and he told me that it would be nice that for his birthday we could go for a birthday hike in the Durham forest. So we did. We got in the car at Tyndale and headed to Uxbridge for the walk of all walks. So we got to the Durham forest (Glen Major to be exact). It was an absolutely beautiful day. Sun shining, birds singing... About twenty minutes into the walk we got to a beautiful lookout point. You could see for miles from this point. Chris suggested that it was a good place to take pictures. I agreed, and then proceeded to do so. Once I got up and was ready to continue our walk, Chris stood there and said "Nyssa, yesterday I thought of an important question for you". I am at this point, still clueless to anything that is about to happen. Then he continued in saying that "it is a question that could potentially change the course of history for me" (or something like that). As he said this, he pulled a little red box out of his jacket pocket and got down on one knee in the little snow that was on the ground. He then asked the question that I have longed to hear since who knows how long ago... "Nyssa Dhillon, would you marry me!". At this point I was in complete shock, but so filled with joy, excitement and love! And as a girl who is in love with Chris Clements, I said "yes!". Of course I would say yes! I'd be crazy not to. This was indeed the walk of all walks!
I'm still getting used to this new status of ours, but at the same time am still almost in shock that it has happened. Mind you, I am so incredibly excited about it too!
We still need to set the specific date, and all that fun stuff, but for the time being, I am just enjoying these wonderful moments to the fullest.
So that’s our engagement story. Pretty exciting I think!

a spiritual retreat

Silence and solitude are two disciplines that our culture fears. We stay as far away from silence and solitude as we can. We make ourselves busy, rushed, and complicated. We dismiss the simplicity of life and force our lives to be so full of... anything and everything.
But I am fairly confident in saying that this is not how it was intended to be. I don't think that God really wants us to be stressed out and busy all the time. There must be a way out of this hole. Wait a minute... there is!
It's called let's slow down. Get away from the busyness and the noise. We need time to reflect, relax, and get rejuvinated. All too often, we are don't listen to the voice of God. We are too noisey, busy, preoccupied, and rushed to listen to Him. We think that we dont have the time... but we do. We just need to get away from the demands of our lives, turn the volume off, and focus solely on the Lord.
This evening I just returned from a three day Spiritual Formation Retreat with my class. It was much needed. Over the course of our time there we spent 7 hours in silence and solitude. We weren't even supposed to hum to ourselves. Complete silence. Its a scary thing at first, but as i got into it, I learned to absolutly love and cheerish this time. It was a time to not worry about what was going on in my life. A time to listen to the still small, yet powerful voice of God through His creation, Word, and Spirit. I didn't have to worry about doing all the talking. I just got to listen to what He wanted to tell me. It was so refreshing. I really was at a point where I needed this badly.
I've come back to the real life now though. I'm back at Tyndale in a busy world. So what do I do with what I've experienced? Well I do know that I feel move motivated, passionate, and excited about life in general. But how can I incorporate this into my everyday life. I realize that it is completely impossible to spend 5 hours in silence and solitude each day... but something must be possible.
I've realized that I can't do life on my own. I need Gods strength. So I think that each day the follower of Christ needs to take that time of quiet reflection on the Lord. I know I wasn't really doing this before hand. But I've seen how important and life giving it truly is.
It's comforting to know that we dont have to have all the answers. We don't have to have our lives all figured out. We just need to give it all up to God. Let Him take care of us because we do a fairly poor job of that.
We need to be quiet. Stop talking. Listen. Be still before God.

our late night adventure...

Last night, myself, Jo, Megs, and Laura decided to embark on somesort of an adventure. It was late... maybe 11:30pm, so I was a little nervous about going out for a fun evening on the town. Im normally in bed by 11pm so this was huge for me. We threw around some ideas of what we could do, some good sounding, other ideas not so much. But we decided that whatever we would do needed to revolve around food of somesort.
So the idea was put forth that we should just hop on a bus and see where is takes us. This sounded like it bring about some intiresting adventures... so we did. As we walked closer and closer to the bus stop I said to the girls 'why dont we just go to Pizza Pizza or something'. They said to me 'where's the adventure in that?' I just didnt want to wait for the bus forever. I figured I didnt want to be a suck, so I went along with this crazy plan.
To my surprise, only about 5 minutes later the bus came. So we got on and the adventure had begun. It wasnt too long that we had rode down Young St. that we spotted our first destination. Open 24 hours, an All Day Breakfast Diner! I wasn't expecting that. So we got off and ran to the restaraunt. The food wasnt anything special... but it was good because it was breakfast at 12:30am.
So we had finsihed our breakie and thought 'what should we do next'? The only logical thing to do was to find a Korean Karaoke bar. I really dont know what we were thinking. So we walked down Young St. a bit more and came to a section of the street that had 3 Karaoke places right next to eachother. We had hit the jackpot!... so we thought. We went into the first place where we were greeted by an older Korean man who quickly brought us into a small room with 2 couches, and a TV. What was going on? I was nominated to learn how to use this Karaoke machine that had 20,000 songs in it. He showed us ABBA, Celine, and P.I.M.P. Weird. I didnt really know what was happening. It was nothing that we had expected or wanted, so after 10 minutes of learning how to use this thing we told the man we didnt want to do it. He seemed a little upset. Whatever. I wasnt paying $20 to sing in a little room by ourselves. I can do that for free in my own room.
The two other places we went to were the same set up. I cant believe this is actually a big thing. Very strange. Anyways, we figured Karaoke was out of the picutre now, so what to do next. We figured to finish the night off like good Canadians, we would go to Tim's. Not like we needed anymore food in us... it was about 1:30am by this time.
And that was our evening/morning adventure in Toronto. A night full of randomness, but lots of fun, good stories, and bonding with friends. Who would have thought there was so much to do on a Wednesday night after 11pm? Try it out sometime. It's lots of fun.

where the ducks are

I would like to invite you to a world that only some travel to. It is a place where many are afraid to go because it is deemed 'uncool'. But I would challenge you to join me on a journey to where few go, but to a place of joy, peace, relfection, and life. It is not always easy to find, but when it is found, it is absolutly wonderful. So go to a forest... wander to a stream within that forest... and open your eyes. Go to where the ducks are.
Okay.. so by this point you're probably thinking that this Nyssa girl is crazy. I accept that. But Im being honest here. Going to a place where ducks hang out is great fun.
I write about this today because I finally saw them today... for the first time this season at Tyndale. Ever since I got back to Tyndale in the fall, I've gone on walks to the woods hoping for a glance of some ducks. Dont ask me why I have such a facination with ducks... I just do. They make me happy. Simple as that. But every time I've gone, I've been disappointed because I havnt seen any ducks. But today was a different day. I went for a walk with my camera... it was a beautiful day. I didnt have my hopes up about seeing any ducks... but I thought that I would check just in case.
I went to my regular spot on the bridge because thats been the place in the past fews years where they have dwelt. But they werent there. So I continued on my way down a path that I dont normally take... but today was a different day. As I wandered down a leaf covered trail, I found a little dog. He was a cute little thing. He barked at me then ran away. I noticed that he ran to a place where the trees had fallen and it seemed as if it would be a place of prime photography conditions. So I followed the little guy. I was just looking around this area for photography opportunities when I looked up and to my surprise, there they were. Four ducks. Two male, two female. Just hanging out. It was like I solved a case, I found what I've been looking for. It was a sense of fulfillment.
It's such a simple thing... but it brought so much joy to my day. So what... Im a simple person. Thats okay. I think simplicity is a lost art form in this culture and needs to be found once again.
Now for those of you that actually made it through this blog... congrats. I probably wouldnt have read a blog about some crazy persons love for ducks. So thanks for reading. Be inspired. Go find some ducks!

a day out on the town

Okay... so I didn't take this picture myself, but I needed a reflective photo to intro my day out on the town.
Today I needed some down time. Some Nyssa time I like to call it. So I packed my bag and headed off to a day full of reflection, creativity, fun, and catching up with friends.
I was reminded today of how important it is to take time out for ourselves. Our lives can be so full of busyness. Whether it be work, school, friends, or just the busyness of our minds and hearts, we are busy people and we need some down time. So today was my time to take some down time.
Simply sitting on the subway listening to music and watching people interact was refreshing in itself. It was a time to relax and reflect. A time to be invisible, in a place where no one knows you, except you and God. It's an intiresting thought... to be in a place where there are so many people, but at the same time having the ability to be so alone. But alone in a good way... a refreshing way.
Another one of my highlights of the day was walking through Kensington Market with Caitlin. It's quite inspiring to see so many people with such creativity. But we're all creative in some sort of way whether we realize it or not. Because God is creative, and we're made in His image. That's another intiresting thought. What is true creativity? Anyways. Walking through Kensington was inspiring. It brought me back to the days of walking through the small African town of Bukoba. Everyone had their stands outside trying to sell their stuff. Having fruit stands on the side of the road. People filling the streets with no room for cars to go by. Everyone is just being. Having a good time, no regrets, and just loving life.
I think that this is a way of life that we need to learn how to live everyday even throughout the busyness of our lives. We need to learn how to just be. How to enjoy life and all the things that it throws at us. We need to understand how to not be so stuck up and serious all the time. Life is to be lived to the fullest. Not full of stress, anger and frustration, but full of love, joy, peace, and excitement. Life is a good thing... don't let it be a burden.
So those are my thoughts from the day. It was good day, and I would encourage you to get out there are do something that will refresh and energize your life too. It's well worth it.

the first day of snow

Update:
It's October 12th 2006 at 3:15pm in Toronto, Ontario and we have snow!
What's the world coming to? This is much too early.

music: the new pornography

It's a cold wet night. The rain is coming down, but it can't dampen our spirits. We're walking down Queens Quay last night umbrella in one hand, concert ticket in the other. In the rain, we waited patiently in line in front of the Kool Haus to see the New Pornographers. Jimmy Swaggart once said that music is the new pornography. Okay... so the guy was a little nuts. I accept that. But thanks to this statement made, The New Pornographers were named... Plus it makes for a great band shirt to wear around Tyndale for some good reactions. I feel like a rebel... sort of.
Anyways, we finally got inside to warmth and a fun night ahead of us. Three opening bands: the Bicycles, Immaculate Machine and Novillero. All quality bands. Sounds of fun, talent, and good times. Then onto the stage they came... the New Pornographers. Music that will make our foot tap, head bob, and your whole body want to dance.
It was no jam band show, but the indie rock/pop scene is nothing to look down on. It turned out to be a great night becuase of good friends and the experience of some quality live music.

free concert anyone?

Who would have thought that a musician such as John Mayer would put on a FREE concert. Well I'm happy that he did. It was a great show.
It all happened on September 16th, 2006. Leaving the frosh picnic at Center Island at 3ish when the show started at 4, I thought that I would be lucky to be standing near the doors of the Eaton Center. We got to Dundas Square at 3:45, and to my surprise, we managed to sneak ourselves to the fourth row! Lauren had the best view being in the VIP section, but I was fairly proud of Kaitlyn and I getting that close.
i enjoyed John's music to some extent before the show, but really didn't know all that much. I was just excited about going to a free concert. But listening to that man play his guitar... I fell in love (no need to worry though Chris). What an incredible guitar player he is, and not to forget to mention that the rest of his band is so tight. I now hold a new appreciation and love for his music. To be honest with you, I've been listening to his Try CD over and over and over again this week. Maybe I'll get sick of it eventually, but right now I'm loving it.
So to all of those who havn't given him a chance, give his a listen. You'll be happy you did.
~ Photo of John featured above, taken by Lauren Buxton ~