I now know something about the Premier of BC, Gordon Campbell, that the majority of BC residents do not know. So how did I get such valuable information you might ask? This past Sunday, Gordon Campbell came into my store because the neighboring Paris Orthotics is closed on Sunday. He had a prescription for a met pad for his shoes which could not be filled that day because the place was closed. So he came in looking for some relief. It turns out the premier of BC has metatarsalgia, which in non-geek terms basically means, the front of his foot hurts. To make a long story short, he bought 3 different over-the-counter insoles to try them out.
I love not taking classes. Co-Op is fantastic. I love going home and not having extra work. I love not stressing over future exams. It's great. I can't wait till I'm finally finished my degree and I can just work and not have to worry about school anymore. This semester is just a taste of what that will be like, and I like it.
I want to travel. I mean I REALLY want to travel. I want to see the world while I'm still free - not tied down to anything...or anyone. I've been holding off. Telling myself I should graduate first or I wont go back. We'll see if I can make it that long. For now I'll take mini trips. I'm going to Mexico with my church in April, so that will be good. I also have a cousin getting married in Ontario this summer and I'm playing piano so I'll be going to Toronto this summer as well. I have never been there and I look forward to seeing things like Niagara Falls. So it should be a good summer. Hopefully those trips can quench my thirst for travel a little bit longer so I can graduate.
Boersma
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
Co-Op
The evidence that grass still exists on my front lawn is starting to emerge. As most of the snow from a month ago has melted, another snowfall has been predicted for this weekend. Oy. On the plus side, that means we will sell more Yaktrax at work next week and get rid of our winter stock items.
Speaking of work, it has been going great. My mom asks me almost every day if I miss school yet, and every day my answer is the same, "no"! And somehow, she is shocked every time. "You mean you don't miss it at all? Nor even a little bit?" She just can't fathom the idea that I might not enjoy school as much as the next guy. Many people I've talked to over the years at SFU would have answered the opposite to the question my mom always asks. In discussions with other university students, I am surprised to find the vast majority are comfortable where the are just studying and actually fear getting a career after graduation. I guess I just don't quite fit in with that crowd. I can't wait to finish school and start living!
I really like my job a lot. The people I work with are great. We are all Kinesiology majors or grads, so we all share common interests in one way or another. A lot of people ask me "what does working at a shoe store have to do with getting a university degree?" Then I have to explain what exactly we do. We specialize in fitting shoes for people so they are getting the correct fit and the right type of support for their foot needs. Some people have really messed up feet, let me tell you.
It's rough though, because I get a really great discount and I work in a shoe store. I am constantly seeing things I like and I have to tell myself not to buy them. So far, I have only bought some really good slippers (which I wear at work every day - it's awesome), and a few pairs of athletic socks - which are amazing. I am limiting myself to get one pair of runners, a pair of sandals closer to the summer, and maybe some trail type shoes, and possibly a dress/casual shoe. Ugh...so many shoes!
Next door to my store is a Paris Orthotics, and we work closely with them. Right now, they have a pedorthist-in-training, and he needs to practice casting molds of people's feet for orthotics. Today, I got to be a guinea pig and he casted molds of my feet. It was the coolest feeling. I asked if I could take the molds home. He hesitated, and then his supervisor said, "I don't see why not", so now I have two hardened foot molds sitting on my desk - interior decorating at its finest.
Taking transit is one of the few times I actually have a desire to read. That, and right before bed. During school, I never felt like reading at either of those times, because I was just so sick of doing homework for my classes. I have been able to finish two books so far on transit in 3 weeks - that's pretty good for me. The first one I read was The Shack. I had heard a lot of hype about that book, so I decided to read it for myself. Not a bad book, but I didn't find it quite as good as what people claimed it to be. I think it speaks more to a parent, or just someone who's older.
The second book I read, which is possibly one of the best books I have ever read, was The Kite Runner. I remember Lynn told me about the story and that there was a movie about it, but that the book was way better, so I decided to read it. The story was excellent, and gripping, I could barely put it down. If you want to read an excellent book, I highly recommend that one.
Here is just a quote that I liked from The Shack:
"Every time you forgive, the universe changes; every time you reach out and touch a heart or a life, the world changes; and with every kindness and service,seen or unseen, my purposes are accomplished and nothing will ever be the same again."
Boersma out
Speaking of work, it has been going great. My mom asks me almost every day if I miss school yet, and every day my answer is the same, "no"! And somehow, she is shocked every time. "You mean you don't miss it at all? Nor even a little bit?" She just can't fathom the idea that I might not enjoy school as much as the next guy. Many people I've talked to over the years at SFU would have answered the opposite to the question my mom always asks. In discussions with other university students, I am surprised to find the vast majority are comfortable where the are just studying and actually fear getting a career after graduation. I guess I just don't quite fit in with that crowd. I can't wait to finish school and start living!
I really like my job a lot. The people I work with are great. We are all Kinesiology majors or grads, so we all share common interests in one way or another. A lot of people ask me "what does working at a shoe store have to do with getting a university degree?" Then I have to explain what exactly we do. We specialize in fitting shoes for people so they are getting the correct fit and the right type of support for their foot needs. Some people have really messed up feet, let me tell you.
It's rough though, because I get a really great discount and I work in a shoe store. I am constantly seeing things I like and I have to tell myself not to buy them. So far, I have only bought some really good slippers (which I wear at work every day - it's awesome), and a few pairs of athletic socks - which are amazing. I am limiting myself to get one pair of runners, a pair of sandals closer to the summer, and maybe some trail type shoes, and possibly a dress/casual shoe. Ugh...so many shoes!
Next door to my store is a Paris Orthotics, and we work closely with them. Right now, they have a pedorthist-in-training, and he needs to practice casting molds of people's feet for orthotics. Today, I got to be a guinea pig and he casted molds of my feet. It was the coolest feeling. I asked if I could take the molds home. He hesitated, and then his supervisor said, "I don't see why not", so now I have two hardened foot molds sitting on my desk - interior decorating at its finest.
Taking transit is one of the few times I actually have a desire to read. That, and right before bed. During school, I never felt like reading at either of those times, because I was just so sick of doing homework for my classes. I have been able to finish two books so far on transit in 3 weeks - that's pretty good for me. The first one I read was The Shack. I had heard a lot of hype about that book, so I decided to read it for myself. Not a bad book, but I didn't find it quite as good as what people claimed it to be. I think it speaks more to a parent, or just someone who's older.
The second book I read, which is possibly one of the best books I have ever read, was The Kite Runner. I remember Lynn told me about the story and that there was a movie about it, but that the book was way better, so I decided to read it. The story was excellent, and gripping, I could barely put it down. If you want to read an excellent book, I highly recommend that one.
Here is just a quote that I liked from The Shack:
"Every time you forgive, the universe changes; every time you reach out and touch a heart or a life, the world changes; and with every kindness and service,seen or unseen, my purposes are accomplished and nothing will ever be the same again."
Boersma out
Sunday, January 04, 2009
2009
Clearly the snow does not stop. It took me 20 minutes to get up my street to go to church this morning. I was stuck on the inch of ice covering my cul-de-sac. Since I had to play piano this morning, I panicked a little thinking I wasn't going to make it. If you are unaware, a CRC church gets lost without a pianist. The pianist is king.
I rang in the new year pretty miserably. I was sick , so I spent the night lying in a recliner and watched movies. My parents came home at 11:45 so I didn't have to ring in the New Year alone. I felt so crappy I just wanted to sleep, so I took some mini naps to get me to midnight so I could say "Happy New Year!" and then hit the hay. Bummer. But it's alright, there will be better New Years for sure.
I think this is going to be a pretty stellar year. I'm officially starting my new job tomorrow. It's going to be great, I hope. I'm really looking forward to taking a break from school for a bit. I'm so sick of classes, and I want to get a better idea of what I actually want to do with my degree.
In April, I'm going to Mexico for 10 days for a Mission Trip with my church. I went on this trip 5 years ago in grade 11, and I am very excited to go back there and see what plans God has laid out for me there.
I intend to buy a guitar soon and start learning to play. It's something I've wanted to do for a while and I think it would be fun to be able to play an instrument I can take with me wherever I go without looking like a tool. (Carrying my saxophone around would be pretty lame :))
I had a friend's wedding yesterday (Kim VanEe) and more weddings to come this summer. My cousin is getting married in August in Ontario, and another friend (Adana) is getting married less than a week after that. Should be lots of fun.
That's all I've got for now.
I want to keep this more updated from now on. I tend to let it slide a little.
Boersma
I rang in the new year pretty miserably. I was sick , so I spent the night lying in a recliner and watched movies. My parents came home at 11:45 so I didn't have to ring in the New Year alone. I felt so crappy I just wanted to sleep, so I took some mini naps to get me to midnight so I could say "Happy New Year!" and then hit the hay. Bummer. But it's alright, there will be better New Years for sure.
I think this is going to be a pretty stellar year. I'm officially starting my new job tomorrow. It's going to be great, I hope. I'm really looking forward to taking a break from school for a bit. I'm so sick of classes, and I want to get a better idea of what I actually want to do with my degree.
In April, I'm going to Mexico for 10 days for a Mission Trip with my church. I went on this trip 5 years ago in grade 11, and I am very excited to go back there and see what plans God has laid out for me there.
I intend to buy a guitar soon and start learning to play. It's something I've wanted to do for a while and I think it would be fun to be able to play an instrument I can take with me wherever I go without looking like a tool. (Carrying my saxophone around would be pretty lame :))
I had a friend's wedding yesterday (Kim VanEe) and more weddings to come this summer. My cousin is getting married in August in Ontario, and another friend (Adana) is getting married less than a week after that. Should be lots of fun.
That's all I've got for now.
I want to keep this more updated from now on. I tend to let it slide a little.
Boersma
Friday, December 26, 2008
No more dreams...
...this is reality.
Years of singing "I'm dreaming of a White Christmas" have finally paid off. Our white Christmas came in style and left the Lower Mainland wishing Christmases were wet like usual. In the Boersma household, "White Christmas" has been parodied to a more Vancouver-friendly version of "I'm dreaming of a wet Christmas".
We are never satisfied with what we have. Each year I have envied the East Coast of Canada for their beautiful blankets of snow gracing their lawns and clogging their streets, creating havoc with travel plans. This year, the white stuff fell in the West and already, after only a week, most people are sick of it and wish it would just go away. Attempting to navigate a Honda Civic out of a hilly driveway in the snow makes going out anywhere not even worth it. It can take about 30 minutes to swerve the car up the street. That's a two minute walk people. Two minute walk, 30 minute drive - pick your poison. I would walk, which is precisely what I did today, opting to take a bus to an overcrowded mall just to get some good deals. Was it worth it? The Dutch part of me, so basically my whole being thinks so, but my sanity begs to differ.
When it came time to go home, I discovered my bus had decided it's only going to run on the main streets. I do not live on a main street. Needless to say, everything I had bought was soaked by the time I got home.
"It doesn't show signs of stopping". Safely back home, I sit staring at the window at sheets of snow pouring from the sky to land and add to the snow on the ground which is already well above my knees. According to a physiotherapist, I have "abnormally long lower legs", so the snow is pretty darn deep.
People in the Lower Mainland are terrible drivers at the best of times. Throw in some snowy conditions, and you risk your life trying to get around.
Do I love it? Absolutely! There's something comforting about frolicking in the snow without a care in the world, acting like a 5-year-old, and nobody finds it strange.
I love winter!
Merry Christmas, Blessed Boxing Day, and Happy New Year!
Boersma
Years of singing "I'm dreaming of a White Christmas" have finally paid off. Our white Christmas came in style and left the Lower Mainland wishing Christmases were wet like usual. In the Boersma household, "White Christmas" has been parodied to a more Vancouver-friendly version of "I'm dreaming of a wet Christmas".
We are never satisfied with what we have. Each year I have envied the East Coast of Canada for their beautiful blankets of snow gracing their lawns and clogging their streets, creating havoc with travel plans. This year, the white stuff fell in the West and already, after only a week, most people are sick of it and wish it would just go away. Attempting to navigate a Honda Civic out of a hilly driveway in the snow makes going out anywhere not even worth it. It can take about 30 minutes to swerve the car up the street. That's a two minute walk people. Two minute walk, 30 minute drive - pick your poison. I would walk, which is precisely what I did today, opting to take a bus to an overcrowded mall just to get some good deals. Was it worth it? The Dutch part of me, so basically my whole being thinks so, but my sanity begs to differ.
When it came time to go home, I discovered my bus had decided it's only going to run on the main streets. I do not live on a main street. Needless to say, everything I had bought was soaked by the time I got home.
"It doesn't show signs of stopping". Safely back home, I sit staring at the window at sheets of snow pouring from the sky to land and add to the snow on the ground which is already well above my knees. According to a physiotherapist, I have "abnormally long lower legs", so the snow is pretty darn deep.
People in the Lower Mainland are terrible drivers at the best of times. Throw in some snowy conditions, and you risk your life trying to get around.
Do I love it? Absolutely! There's something comforting about frolicking in the snow without a care in the world, acting like a 5-year-old, and nobody finds it strange.
I love winter!
Merry Christmas, Blessed Boxing Day, and Happy New Year!
Boersma
Monday, December 08, 2008
Aaaaahhhhhh
Shown above is my sigh of relief.
Classes are over, exams are over, and Christmas holidays have officially begun.
I chose a job for January - I'm going to be working at The Right Shoe in Vancouver, so I'm excited for that. The people there are great. When I went for my interview, two people working were friends of mine from SFU, and my interview was mostly just me chatting with my boss about being a trainer for sports teams - the injury stuff, because he did that too, and about piano, since I taught piano for a bit, and his wife is a piano teacher. It's a great place and I'm very excited to work there.
I haven't yet decided if I want to go back to school in the summer or do another semester of coop and go back in the fall. I'm leaning towards just working till September. I'm sick of taking classes and I really need a break, and I also need the money to pay for the classes I need to take to graduate. Oh the life of a student.
So here goes my first January of not being in School since 1992 when I was 4 and not yet in Kindergarten. That is so sad.
I am also very excited to go back to Mexico with my church. It's been 5 years since I went and I miss it a lot, so I'm pretty stoked to return.
So ya, things are going great right now. I spent about 4 hours cleaning my room today - not that I did that great of a job, it was just that bad :P. And now I'm trying to catch up on lost time and maybe get some reading done - that pretty much gets put on hold when I'm in school. I started reading The Shack at the end of the Summer, and I got about half way when September rolled around and I haven't read any since. I'm thinking I might have to re-read some parts to catch up.
Anyways, I'm just talking about nothing now and this is getting a little long, so I'm going to stop.
Till next time.
Boersma
Classes are over, exams are over, and Christmas holidays have officially begun.
I chose a job for January - I'm going to be working at The Right Shoe in Vancouver, so I'm excited for that. The people there are great. When I went for my interview, two people working were friends of mine from SFU, and my interview was mostly just me chatting with my boss about being a trainer for sports teams - the injury stuff, because he did that too, and about piano, since I taught piano for a bit, and his wife is a piano teacher. It's a great place and I'm very excited to work there.
I haven't yet decided if I want to go back to school in the summer or do another semester of coop and go back in the fall. I'm leaning towards just working till September. I'm sick of taking classes and I really need a break, and I also need the money to pay for the classes I need to take to graduate. Oh the life of a student.
So here goes my first January of not being in School since 1992 when I was 4 and not yet in Kindergarten. That is so sad.
I am also very excited to go back to Mexico with my church. It's been 5 years since I went and I miss it a lot, so I'm pretty stoked to return.
So ya, things are going great right now. I spent about 4 hours cleaning my room today - not that I did that great of a job, it was just that bad :P. And now I'm trying to catch up on lost time and maybe get some reading done - that pretty much gets put on hold when I'm in school. I started reading The Shack at the end of the Summer, and I got about half way when September rolled around and I haven't read any since. I'm thinking I might have to re-read some parts to catch up.
Anyways, I'm just talking about nothing now and this is getting a little long, so I'm going to stop.
Till next time.
Boersma
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Decisions
There are definitely times in my life when being indecisive is my downfall. For some reason, I am really bad at making decisions, and now I'm stuck with a pretty big one.
This week has been great job-search-wise. I got my first offer yesterday for The Right Shoe in Vancouver. The manager is such a good guy and we got along right away, which is important to me in picking a job. I also knew a bunch of the employees from school as I've had classes with them in the past. Working at a shoe store is not my ideal, but it has a great working environment, the staff is great, and the pay is reasonable for a coop job. It is also the typical job a coop student gets on their first placement for kinesiology.
I had an interview today that went really well. I found out about an hour ago that they're offering me the job! This one is for a physiotherapy clinic in Ladner. I would be assisting the physio by monitoring their patients' exercises and prescribing different exercises they should do so they can regain full strength and range of motion. This job is beyond my skill levels I think, so it is a bit of a stretch for me and honestly, it scares me a little. However, working in a clinic would probably be the only way for me to get into physio school if that was the path I wanted to take since my grades are not high enough. This job pays less than the shoe store for the first four months, but it's an eight month placement, so I wouldnt have to look for summer employment, and the pay goes up after the 4 months. I think it would be more challenging for me, and as much as I like that, it scares me a little. This is not a typical first coop term job, so I'm very fortunate and I think I should pounce on this opportunity while I have the chance.
It turns out my chances for another interview for a job at a chiropractic clinic are pretty high. This one in in Guildford and the chiropractor is really nice. Ideally, I think I would choose this one if I was offered it, but we'll see how that goes.
Needless to say, I shouldn't be complaining because it is better to have too many job offers than none at all. Hopefully I can choose the "right" one, or the one that is best for me. Your prayers would be awesome right now. This is going to help lead me to what path I want to take after university.
I have to do homework now :(
Boersma
This week has been great job-search-wise. I got my first offer yesterday for The Right Shoe in Vancouver. The manager is such a good guy and we got along right away, which is important to me in picking a job. I also knew a bunch of the employees from school as I've had classes with them in the past. Working at a shoe store is not my ideal, but it has a great working environment, the staff is great, and the pay is reasonable for a coop job. It is also the typical job a coop student gets on their first placement for kinesiology.
I had an interview today that went really well. I found out about an hour ago that they're offering me the job! This one is for a physiotherapy clinic in Ladner. I would be assisting the physio by monitoring their patients' exercises and prescribing different exercises they should do so they can regain full strength and range of motion. This job is beyond my skill levels I think, so it is a bit of a stretch for me and honestly, it scares me a little. However, working in a clinic would probably be the only way for me to get into physio school if that was the path I wanted to take since my grades are not high enough. This job pays less than the shoe store for the first four months, but it's an eight month placement, so I wouldnt have to look for summer employment, and the pay goes up after the 4 months. I think it would be more challenging for me, and as much as I like that, it scares me a little. This is not a typical first coop term job, so I'm very fortunate and I think I should pounce on this opportunity while I have the chance.
It turns out my chances for another interview for a job at a chiropractic clinic are pretty high. This one in in Guildford and the chiropractor is really nice. Ideally, I think I would choose this one if I was offered it, but we'll see how that goes.
Needless to say, I shouldn't be complaining because it is better to have too many job offers than none at all. Hopefully I can choose the "right" one, or the one that is best for me. Your prayers would be awesome right now. This is going to help lead me to what path I want to take after university.
I have to do homework now :(
Boersma
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Bus Riders
Have you ever noticed how people do not like to sit together on the bus? The "one-seat buffer" is a common occurrence and verifies the fact that most people have personal space issues. Too often I find myself choosing not to sit on the bus or the skytrain in the morning to avoid those awkward conversations governed by what I call "bus talkers".
definition:
bus talkers = anyone who is unable to entertain themselves on transit and must resort to making conversation to the people around them - namely the person in the seat beside.
Once you sit beside them, conversation is inevitable and you must sit, trying not to offend, and pray for the rare chance that the train or bus might just drive a little faster that day so your agony can be as short as possible.
I find it funny the tactics people use to prevent others from sitting beside them. There's the classic put your bag on the seat beside you one as well as the "sit in the aisle seat" so people wont sit beside you. Both these methods are quite turn-off-ish and may lead to people resenting you for your selfishness of needing 2 seats to yourself.
I decided to compile a list of subtle methods to prevent people from sitting beside you on the bus:
- stare people down as they get on the bus. If you get a good look at them they are less likely to sit beside you. (trust me, this works)
- cough and sneeze loudly - nobody wants to get sick
- lack personal hygiene - nobody likes to sit beside someone who stinks
- excessive personal hygiene - see reason above
- purposefully place your umbrella on the seat beside you so it gets wet, then put it on the floor
- vomit on the bus - ok, this is really gross, but true story, there's this guy who takes my bus every day. One time he puked on the bus, and I have never sat beside him since, you never know when he'll do it again
As for me, I got an interview this week for a co-op job, so hopefully they offer me a spot so I'll have something for next semester. I'm a little scared though, it's my first interview in a couple of years.
Boersma
definition:
bus talkers = anyone who is unable to entertain themselves on transit and must resort to making conversation to the people around them - namely the person in the seat beside.
Once you sit beside them, conversation is inevitable and you must sit, trying not to offend, and pray for the rare chance that the train or bus might just drive a little faster that day so your agony can be as short as possible.
I find it funny the tactics people use to prevent others from sitting beside them. There's the classic put your bag on the seat beside you one as well as the "sit in the aisle seat" so people wont sit beside you. Both these methods are quite turn-off-ish and may lead to people resenting you for your selfishness of needing 2 seats to yourself.
I decided to compile a list of subtle methods to prevent people from sitting beside you on the bus:
- stare people down as they get on the bus. If you get a good look at them they are less likely to sit beside you. (trust me, this works)
- cough and sneeze loudly - nobody wants to get sick
- lack personal hygiene - nobody likes to sit beside someone who stinks
- excessive personal hygiene - see reason above
- purposefully place your umbrella on the seat beside you so it gets wet, then put it on the floor
- vomit on the bus - ok, this is really gross, but true story, there's this guy who takes my bus every day. One time he puked on the bus, and I have never sat beside him since, you never know when he'll do it again
As for me, I got an interview this week for a co-op job, so hopefully they offer me a spot so I'll have something for next semester. I'm a little scared though, it's my first interview in a couple of years.
Boersma
Monday, September 22, 2008
Oh the places you will go...
It's been a while...lots has happened...I'll try to keep this short...
I'm already almost a month into my 4th year at SFU and this semester feels like it's the middle of October already. Every one of my classes went into high intensity mode within the first 2 weeks, it's nuts. But I'm actually enjoying what I'm studying this year (for the most part...) I have a human physiology course which isn't that great, a human anatomy class where we disect rabbits, which is somewhat anticlimactic after doing a cat and a shark last year, but at the end of the semester we get to fiddle with a cadaver (a dead human used for science) which is apparantly a former Kinesiology prof at SFU. I'm also in a health promotion class which deals with a lot of marketing stuff, it's pretty cool and the prof is awesome. We get stretch breaks every 30 minutes which is great in a 3 hour lecture. I'm also taking an education class on health in the classroom. At one point I have to interview a teacher... that class is a lot of work.
Aside from school, I'm also prepping myself for the co-op program. I quit my job at McDonald's, and have never felt better :) Usually you have to prep for coop 2 semesters in advance, but I asked them if it was possible if I could do it in one semester so I could start work in January. They agreed, and so now I have a bunch of workshops and other stuff I have to rush and do before applying for jobs in October and doing millions of interviews. I think it will be a great experience, a good break from classes, and I'll be able to see what kind of jobs I like in my field.
A part of my motivation for doing co-op is that I want to go on a missions trip to Mexico with my church this coming April. I went in grade 11, and I really feel called to go back there this year. I dont know why, but I'm sure eventually I'll find out. I figured the best way it would work out would be if I'm not taking classes, so co-op was the perfect option. I just need to make sure I can get time off work.
I am also considering taking a trip out to China possibly in May to visit my sister and travel around. We'll see what happens with that.
I just got called to dinner. Gotta go.
Boersma
I'm already almost a month into my 4th year at SFU and this semester feels like it's the middle of October already. Every one of my classes went into high intensity mode within the first 2 weeks, it's nuts. But I'm actually enjoying what I'm studying this year (for the most part...) I have a human physiology course which isn't that great, a human anatomy class where we disect rabbits, which is somewhat anticlimactic after doing a cat and a shark last year, but at the end of the semester we get to fiddle with a cadaver (a dead human used for science) which is apparantly a former Kinesiology prof at SFU. I'm also in a health promotion class which deals with a lot of marketing stuff, it's pretty cool and the prof is awesome. We get stretch breaks every 30 minutes which is great in a 3 hour lecture. I'm also taking an education class on health in the classroom. At one point I have to interview a teacher... that class is a lot of work.
Aside from school, I'm also prepping myself for the co-op program. I quit my job at McDonald's, and have never felt better :) Usually you have to prep for coop 2 semesters in advance, but I asked them if it was possible if I could do it in one semester so I could start work in January. They agreed, and so now I have a bunch of workshops and other stuff I have to rush and do before applying for jobs in October and doing millions of interviews. I think it will be a great experience, a good break from classes, and I'll be able to see what kind of jobs I like in my field.
A part of my motivation for doing co-op is that I want to go on a missions trip to Mexico with my church this coming April. I went in grade 11, and I really feel called to go back there this year. I dont know why, but I'm sure eventually I'll find out. I figured the best way it would work out would be if I'm not taking classes, so co-op was the perfect option. I just need to make sure I can get time off work.
I am also considering taking a trip out to China possibly in May to visit my sister and travel around. We'll see what happens with that.
I just got called to dinner. Gotta go.
Boersma
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Vacation
I got back a couple days ago from a family vacation up to Terrace to help my sister pack up her stuff to move back here before she goes across the world to China in August. It was quite the trip, let me tell you.
First off, we decided to drive it all in one day (my mom flew so it mas myself with my dad and brother) and my dad and I were going to take turns driving. We left around 9am, but didnt actually arrive in Terrace till 2am the next morning. Along the way, we stopped for gas/food/peeing and I bought a new camera in Prince George since mine has been missing for a while and I gave up the search. At around 10pm maybe a little over an hour out of Smithers something crazy happened.
I had been complaining that we hadn't seen any wildlife yet on the trip and I was turning to my dad (who was driving at the time) to complain again when I see a massive dark shape with legs careening towards the car. I yelled "MOOSE!!!" and then assumed the fetal position and screamed bracing myself for the worst collision of my life. I heard stories of what happens to people who hit moose and they're not pretty. My dad swerves the car and we hear a thunk! and the car keeps going - there was no time to stop. With hearts racing, we turned around to get a good look at what we just hit and to assess the damage on the car. The moose ran away with a bit of a limp. The only damage to the car was that half the hubcap on one tire broke off and there was a dent in the roof where the car antenna slammed into it - possibly from the moose's head.
God really spared us from what could've been so much worse and I learned a lesson on compaining. It's like God said - "Elly, you want wildlife? I'll show you wildlife!" Let me say, I did not bring up the lack of wildlife at any other point on the trip.
Overall it was a pretty good trip. We made a stop up north in Alaska to see some glaciers and bears at a bear viewing platform, but we saw more bears on the way home than we did at the platform (there were no bears at the platform).
We are all alive and well...and grateful for a great trip.
Boersma
First off, we decided to drive it all in one day (my mom flew so it mas myself with my dad and brother) and my dad and I were going to take turns driving. We left around 9am, but didnt actually arrive in Terrace till 2am the next morning. Along the way, we stopped for gas/food/peeing and I bought a new camera in Prince George since mine has been missing for a while and I gave up the search. At around 10pm maybe a little over an hour out of Smithers something crazy happened.
I had been complaining that we hadn't seen any wildlife yet on the trip and I was turning to my dad (who was driving at the time) to complain again when I see a massive dark shape with legs careening towards the car. I yelled "MOOSE!!!" and then assumed the fetal position and screamed bracing myself for the worst collision of my life. I heard stories of what happens to people who hit moose and they're not pretty. My dad swerves the car and we hear a thunk! and the car keeps going - there was no time to stop. With hearts racing, we turned around to get a good look at what we just hit and to assess the damage on the car. The moose ran away with a bit of a limp. The only damage to the car was that half the hubcap on one tire broke off and there was a dent in the roof where the car antenna slammed into it - possibly from the moose's head.
God really spared us from what could've been so much worse and I learned a lesson on compaining. It's like God said - "Elly, you want wildlife? I'll show you wildlife!" Let me say, I did not bring up the lack of wildlife at any other point on the trip.
Overall it was a pretty good trip. We made a stop up north in Alaska to see some glaciers and bears at a bear viewing platform, but we saw more bears on the way home than we did at the platform (there were no bears at the platform).
We are all alive and well...and grateful for a great trip.
Boersma
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Let the Summer Begin!!
I woke up this morning to a beautiful, sunny day...glorious!
Since my last post, many things have happened.
On, I think it was April 26, I dont remember the date exactly, but I went to a Starfield concert that ended, well actually started - since it was right after their opening song - in disaster. The floor collapsed under hundreds of people and many, including my friend Min fell through the floor down fifteen feet to the basement. I was still upstairs on the balcony at the time and about to go down to join the crowds when it happened. So many people were traumatized and I felt bad because I was having an adrenalin rush. I dont know what it is, but there's something about disasters that excite me. I ran downstairs to try and help out since I've got first aid, but they wouldnt let anyone into the sanctuary and the crowds were rushing out. I've been to several places now where ambulances have been called and I get so excited - it makes me want to be a paramedic - something to think about...
My friend Min also lost her dad the Thursday night before mother's day in a car accident. She lost her mom to cancer last year on mother's day, so this is an even bigger blow to her. Please keep her and her brother in your prayers as they have become orphans in less than a year.
Please also pray for Jackie and her family as they have to deal with the loss of her t13-year-old sister Angie to a short battle with cancer.
It's been a rough couple weeks in a lot of ways, but I'm also having a blast with friends, enjoying the weather, and working at an easy job. (I'm still debating whether or not to take the promotion to manager at work since it means an extra hour of work or so for each shift and I might not be able to get as much time off...still not sure)
Hope everyone is having good times as the weather gets better and there's no school to be had. (apologies to those taking summer classes - that sucks)
Boersma
Since my last post, many things have happened.
On, I think it was April 26, I dont remember the date exactly, but I went to a Starfield concert that ended, well actually started - since it was right after their opening song - in disaster. The floor collapsed under hundreds of people and many, including my friend Min fell through the floor down fifteen feet to the basement. I was still upstairs on the balcony at the time and about to go down to join the crowds when it happened. So many people were traumatized and I felt bad because I was having an adrenalin rush. I dont know what it is, but there's something about disasters that excite me. I ran downstairs to try and help out since I've got first aid, but they wouldnt let anyone into the sanctuary and the crowds were rushing out. I've been to several places now where ambulances have been called and I get so excited - it makes me want to be a paramedic - something to think about...
My friend Min also lost her dad the Thursday night before mother's day in a car accident. She lost her mom to cancer last year on mother's day, so this is an even bigger blow to her. Please keep her and her brother in your prayers as they have become orphans in less than a year.
Please also pray for Jackie and her family as they have to deal with the loss of her t13-year-old sister Angie to a short battle with cancer.
It's been a rough couple weeks in a lot of ways, but I'm also having a blast with friends, enjoying the weather, and working at an easy job. (I'm still debating whether or not to take the promotion to manager at work since it means an extra hour of work or so for each shift and I might not be able to get as much time off...still not sure)
Hope everyone is having good times as the weather gets better and there's no school to be had. (apologies to those taking summer classes - that sucks)
Boersma
Monday, April 21, 2008
time for another blog...I think so
I guess it's been a while, so probably nobody reads this thing anymore.
School is finally over now, so I can have a life again now woohoo!! I've just been cleaning my room, and am now on a break cus it's a pretty huge task. I really let it slide this semester, and now it has caught up to me. I also worked this morning at 5, so I'm a little groggy.
Yesterday I had a good time standing out in the freezing cold volunteering at the Sun Run. I am registered as a sports aider with SportMed BC, so I got to be one of the first aid personnel at the event. My job was fortunately pretty easy and not too stressful. I was stationed along the gorgeous English bay, right across the street from the water. All I had to do was hang out with some sports physios at the medical tent there and if anything happened where a person couldn't finish the race, but it wasn't serious for an ambulance, then I had to transport them through the streets of vancouver to the finish line medical tent where they could be treated. Thankfully, nothing too serious happened where I was and I just had to transport one lady who had shortness of breath and chest pains. She was also shivering in the van I was driving when I had the heat jacked up so much I was sweating. I had also never driven a van before and had to parallel park it, which was interesting... It was weird having to cross the police lines to streets that were blocked off for the race so I could get to the finish line.
The worst thing that happened though, apparently someone collapsed on the Cambie Street bridge and hit their head on the way down and they were bleeding profusely on the head. That wasn't near my part of the race though, so I didn't have to deal with that one.
here is just a preview of this summer at a glance:
I am still going to be working at McDick's. :P. I mentioned leaving for a better job that will pay me better and they offered me a raise, a promotion, and lots of hours, so I couldn't turn it down. This way, I can take lots of time off to go camping etc.
I'm doing Profession of Faith at church on May 11
I need to take my road test so I can finally throw my "N" in the trash
I have to get my wisdom teeth pulled :S
Camping with the family in Terrace and with the Young Adults from church in the interior
Possibly volunteering with sports teams
And just hanging out and having fun!!
School is finally over now, so I can have a life again now woohoo!! I've just been cleaning my room, and am now on a break cus it's a pretty huge task. I really let it slide this semester, and now it has caught up to me. I also worked this morning at 5, so I'm a little groggy.
Yesterday I had a good time standing out in the freezing cold volunteering at the Sun Run. I am registered as a sports aider with SportMed BC, so I got to be one of the first aid personnel at the event. My job was fortunately pretty easy and not too stressful. I was stationed along the gorgeous English bay, right across the street from the water. All I had to do was hang out with some sports physios at the medical tent there and if anything happened where a person couldn't finish the race, but it wasn't serious for an ambulance, then I had to transport them through the streets of vancouver to the finish line medical tent where they could be treated. Thankfully, nothing too serious happened where I was and I just had to transport one lady who had shortness of breath and chest pains. She was also shivering in the van I was driving when I had the heat jacked up so much I was sweating. I had also never driven a van before and had to parallel park it, which was interesting... It was weird having to cross the police lines to streets that were blocked off for the race so I could get to the finish line.
The worst thing that happened though, apparently someone collapsed on the Cambie Street bridge and hit their head on the way down and they were bleeding profusely on the head. That wasn't near my part of the race though, so I didn't have to deal with that one.
here is just a preview of this summer at a glance:
I am still going to be working at McDick's. :P. I mentioned leaving for a better job that will pay me better and they offered me a raise, a promotion, and lots of hours, so I couldn't turn it down. This way, I can take lots of time off to go camping etc.
I'm doing Profession of Faith at church on May 11
I need to take my road test so I can finally throw my "N" in the trash
I have to get my wisdom teeth pulled :S
Camping with the family in Terrace and with the Young Adults from church in the interior
Possibly volunteering with sports teams
And just hanging out and having fun!!
Monday, December 24, 2007
What's worse than a Charlie Brown Christmas Tree?
A fake Charlie Brown tree.
The true reality in how incredibly Dutch my parents are came out several Christmases ago. My mom got angry no one was vacuuming the needles under our gorgeous, real, living Christmas tree. So she decided that unless someone was willing to vacuum every day, that we couldnt get anymore real Christmas trees. Needless to say, that year my parents went out and purchased a fake tree on Boxing day for a great deal. The tree was incredibly cheap...in more ways than one.
The following Christmas came around and we bitterly set up our sad excuse for a Christmas tree. At least fake trees are designed to be more "perfect" than the real trees. Once the tree itself was set up, we all stepped back. It looked like Charlie Brown's tree AND it was fake. I have to admit, it does look better once its been decorated, but it's still not nearly as good as a real tree.
Last year, we found a nice tree lying on the side of the road. Naturally, we picked it up and carried it home. The nicest tree we'd ever had.
It's taken me many years to learn Christmas is not just about the tree, the decorations, going to church on Christmas morning, singing Christmas songs, and visiting family. Those are just some perks.
5 years ago, my family spent Christmas in the hospital. My mom was struggling to recover from complications of cancer surgery. Christmas day included spending time with my mom trucking around her IV pole in the patient's lobby. It was a weird Christmas, and I loved it. I finally realized what an amazing gift life really is. The gift from God at Christmas beats out getting an ipod or snowboard for Christmas any day.
This Christmas I want to thank God for the gifts I already have. Thank Him for the family He's given me, as much as they get on my nerves sometimes...many times...Thank Him for my house (...my parents house :)), my friends, food on the table, being able to get an education, and my mom, for her 5th year with no cancer.
God is good
Merry Christmas
The true reality in how incredibly Dutch my parents are came out several Christmases ago. My mom got angry no one was vacuuming the needles under our gorgeous, real, living Christmas tree. So she decided that unless someone was willing to vacuum every day, that we couldnt get anymore real Christmas trees. Needless to say, that year my parents went out and purchased a fake tree on Boxing day for a great deal. The tree was incredibly cheap...in more ways than one.
The following Christmas came around and we bitterly set up our sad excuse for a Christmas tree. At least fake trees are designed to be more "perfect" than the real trees. Once the tree itself was set up, we all stepped back. It looked like Charlie Brown's tree AND it was fake. I have to admit, it does look better once its been decorated, but it's still not nearly as good as a real tree.
Last year, we found a nice tree lying on the side of the road. Naturally, we picked it up and carried it home. The nicest tree we'd ever had.
It's taken me many years to learn Christmas is not just about the tree, the decorations, going to church on Christmas morning, singing Christmas songs, and visiting family. Those are just some perks.
5 years ago, my family spent Christmas in the hospital. My mom was struggling to recover from complications of cancer surgery. Christmas day included spending time with my mom trucking around her IV pole in the patient's lobby. It was a weird Christmas, and I loved it. I finally realized what an amazing gift life really is. The gift from God at Christmas beats out getting an ipod or snowboard for Christmas any day.
This Christmas I want to thank God for the gifts I already have. Thank Him for the family He's given me, as much as they get on my nerves sometimes...many times...Thank Him for my house (...my parents house :)), my friends, food on the table, being able to get an education, and my mom, for her 5th year with no cancer.
God is good
Merry Christmas
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
one down...three to go...
I got sick of studying....
I did my worst class's exam today. Being done it is glory. I (hopefully) will never have to hear that prof butcher the English language ever again. Honestly it was pretty funny to listen to him, but I've had enough.
strange but true sayings of dr. Pai:
" It's Pai, but not like apple pie...P-A-I"
"what?" - he seriously threw this one in every sentence, potentially even multiple times per sentence. Jackie counted one class he said this 215 times in 50 minutes
"interpretate" - ooooooh you mean interpret
"rememberize"
"brack" - (this means black)
"do you understand what I'm saying? let me repeat one more time"
"I have a what? friend. He is what? 185 centimeters. He plays what?" class: "basketball!" Pai: "no! football"
"I just had a new baby. He is what? way cuter than I am. He is a girl"
"cunt" - this was how he said the word count. Everyone laughs each time and he doesnt get why.
...
the snow was crazy on Sunday. I went camera-happy. Church was canceled and I was supposed to play. It was nice.
And then there was a gorgeous rainbow 2 days later that even my nearly-blind neighbour could see so it was even bright enough for her to see.
Oh ya and that movie I was talking about on my last blog, the one that was being filmed. Apparantly Ashton Kutcher and Michelle Pfeiffer are in it and they were at SFU, but I didnt see them. The movie is called Personal Effects and its supposed to come out in 2009. I think the only reason I would see it would be to say "hey..that's my human physiology class! you see, it's not actually a courthouse, that's where I go to school!"
I did my worst class's exam today. Being done it is glory. I (hopefully) will never have to hear that prof butcher the English language ever again. Honestly it was pretty funny to listen to him, but I've had enough.
strange but true sayings of dr. Pai:
" It's Pai, but not like apple pie...P-A-I"
"what?" - he seriously threw this one in every sentence, potentially even multiple times per sentence. Jackie counted one class he said this 215 times in 50 minutes
"interpretate" - ooooooh you mean interpret
"rememberize"
"brack" - (this means black)
"do you understand what I'm saying? let me repeat one more time"
"I have a what? friend. He is what? 185 centimeters. He plays what?" class: "basketball!" Pai: "no! football"
"I just had a new baby. He is what? way cuter than I am. He is a girl"
"cunt" - this was how he said the word count. Everyone laughs each time and he doesnt get why.
...
the snow was crazy on Sunday. I went camera-happy. Church was canceled and I was supposed to play. It was nice.
And then there was a gorgeous rainbow 2 days later that even my nearly-blind neighbour could see so it was even bright enough for her to see.
Oh ya and that movie I was talking about on my last blog, the one that was being filmed. Apparantly Ashton Kutcher and Michelle Pfeiffer are in it and they were at SFU, but I didnt see them. The movie is called Personal Effects and its supposed to come out in 2009. I think the only reason I would see it would be to say "hey..that's my human physiology class! you see, it's not actually a courthouse, that's where I go to school!"
Friday, November 30, 2007
I Love Snow!!!!!!
Long time no blog...
So I guess it's been a while seeing as I last blogged when the semester started, and here I am at the semester's end. Christmas is so close I can smell it. This semester feels like it has taken years. It feels like years since I've had some good long quality time with friends without having school on the back of my mind, years since I could sleep till noon with no regrets of lost time, years since deadlines never existed...
In reality, it has only been months - four months - but they're almost over!
nothing too much to report here. We just had snow this week, a couple inches at SFU. Now the campus is grey AND white. Gorgeous.
A movie was being filmed here yesterday, and they had the entrance to my class blocked off, so we all had to wait behind this big curtain till they finished shooting a scene before we could get to class. I forget what the movies called....something with a p...but they made the hallway at school into a courthouse. It really does not look like a courthouse, more like a boring school hallway with signs that say "courtroom A" and so on. There was also no talking on the scenes that they filmed. I think it's going to be a really exciting movie, you should all go watch it *cough cough*
Work is still lame as ever, but the people are still fun. We're planning a mass-quitting some time in the New Year because apparantly we are all "replaceable". We'll see how it goes when they have to replace all their most experienced employees. McDonald's is lame.
I should head to class soon...
peace
So I guess it's been a while seeing as I last blogged when the semester started, and here I am at the semester's end. Christmas is so close I can smell it. This semester feels like it has taken years. It feels like years since I've had some good long quality time with friends without having school on the back of my mind, years since I could sleep till noon with no regrets of lost time, years since deadlines never existed...
In reality, it has only been months - four months - but they're almost over!
nothing too much to report here. We just had snow this week, a couple inches at SFU. Now the campus is grey AND white. Gorgeous.
A movie was being filmed here yesterday, and they had the entrance to my class blocked off, so we all had to wait behind this big curtain till they finished shooting a scene before we could get to class. I forget what the movies called....something with a p...but they made the hallway at school into a courthouse. It really does not look like a courthouse, more like a boring school hallway with signs that say "courtroom A" and so on. There was also no talking on the scenes that they filmed. I think it's going to be a really exciting movie, you should all go watch it *cough cough*
Work is still lame as ever, but the people are still fun. We're planning a mass-quitting some time in the New Year because apparantly we are all "replaceable". We'll see how it goes when they have to replace all their most experienced employees. McDonald's is lame.
I should head to class soon...
peace
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Midterm?
After all those years learning root words throughout elementary and high school, it turns out all former knowledge must be thrown out the window for the intellectually superior realms of University. Let me explain. Take the word "midterm" for example. Based on what I've learned before, "mid" is a prefix for "in the middle of" basically representing something occuring at the center of an event. in this case, the event would be the term. So if I put it all together, and midterm will occur in the middle of the term. Au contrair my friend, no such assumption is true. now apparantly, a midterm can occur at any point and time throughout the term and more than just once. So going with the whole post modernism thing, "mid" actually refers to "whenever I want it to be".
So I have a midterm on Tuesday. The beginning of the 4th week of school. In a way it's nice to have my exams spread out a bit more, and since there are 3 in that course, the knowledge expected to be learned for each will be slightly less. It just feels too early. It feels like school has just started and already I'm expected to display a knowledge for a topic I've barely ever glanced over yet. I probably should get to that :P
Other than that, school is going pretty good so far. Overall, my profs are so-so. Two of them are good, the other 2 are just weird, but one of the weird ones is so weird I was actually tearing up I was laughing so hard in class. He's just strange.
I'm sure the funny embarrasing moment stories will come soon enough so I can entertain whoever reads this with my blatant stupidity :):)
Boersma
So I have a midterm on Tuesday. The beginning of the 4th week of school. In a way it's nice to have my exams spread out a bit more, and since there are 3 in that course, the knowledge expected to be learned for each will be slightly less. It just feels too early. It feels like school has just started and already I'm expected to display a knowledge for a topic I've barely ever glanced over yet. I probably should get to that :P
Other than that, school is going pretty good so far. Overall, my profs are so-so. Two of them are good, the other 2 are just weird, but one of the weird ones is so weird I was actually tearing up I was laughing so hard in class. He's just strange.
I'm sure the funny embarrasing moment stories will come soon enough so I can entertain whoever reads this with my blatant stupidity :):)
Boersma
Monday, August 20, 2007
road trip etiquette 101
well it has already been over a week since I got back from my road trip to Oregon with the big sister and let me tell you, it was awesome. here's a little play-by-play summary for you because I fear this may get a little long recalling a whole week of events in paragraph form
1. on the first day we drove for 12 hours down the coast to Florence Oregon. My uncle told us about a nice campground there, so we went to check it out. The sign said "no vacancy" just like every other campground we passed along the way, so we went to the front desk just to see if there was a wait list. The guy told us that we were in luck. We got there at 7:20 and if the handicapped spots arent taken by 7, they go up for grabs for anyone. So we ended up with the campsite for disabled people, which couldnt be closer to the bathrooms or running water.
2. on day 2, we had to switch campsites since someone was coming who actually needed what the site we had, had to offer. So we packed our stuff and moved to a new campsite. We spent the day hiking up the sand dunes (intense workout I must say) and relaxing on the beach, which was just one big sand dune by a lake.
3. Day 3 we had to move again to a new campsite and we finally got a site that was more permanent so we payed for the rest of the week. Then we decided to find a church to go to. We ended up at this lutheran church that was probably the oldest standing building in all of North America. The insides smelt of heritage museum and the members we not much younger than the building. But once we stepped in, we couldnt just leave, so we stayed for the service. We were the only ones under 60 in the entire building, so it was just a little awkward. The service was very Catholic, but it was interesting to partake in a communion that was a bit different than what I'm used to. Overall, it was interesting.
4. we went to the Sea Lion caves in the morning. It wasnt the best weather so there were tons of sea lions on the rocks and inside the caves. Apparantly its the world's largest sea cave, so that was pretty cool. Sea lions are really loud and we spent the rest of the day mimicking them. Good times. We also went to Newport and I got a copy of the new Harry Potter for $18. We did a bit of shopping. Then we went to Devil's Churn which was this place by the ocean with lots of rocks and the water just crashes up against the rocks. You cant go to close to the edge, or the water will wash you into the churning ocean below. Tres cool.
5. Went to crater Lake which was a 4 hour drive from where we were staying, but very well worth it. Some of the bluest water we'd ever seen. We hiked down to the water there and sat by the lake with our toes in the water then hiked back up. Oh and did I mention, we got in for free? It's supposed to be $10 and I went to pay with credit card, but she said the line-up was too long behind us, so she just let up in and told us not to tell anyone...about....it.....oops :)
6. Went to go to Heceta head lighthouse, but it was too foggy, so we went back to the campground and went to the beach. It wasnt foggy at the beach. I got the sexiest farmer tan you will ever see not gonna lie :)
7. Went to heceta head lighthouse and hiked the short trail to the lighthouse. Also went to go tidepooling (biology nerd I know...animals are cool ok!) but the tide wasnt going to go out very far, so after having fun with some mussels and kelp, we left to go shopping in old town Florence.
8. packed up and drove back home.
What we learned:
1. so apparently it's illegal to pump your own gas in Oregon, who knew? so we almost ended up with a fine...and possibly a 12 year prison term ;) j/k about the jail ,but they will fine you. Crazy Oregon people!
2. lots of people bike down the Oregon coast. Looks like fun.
3. When hiking up sand dunes, one step forward=a half step back=very tiring
4. one word: "restroom"......but I don't want to sleep, I want to pee!
5. Canadians are uber cool
6. Even people in Oregon have accents
couple photos:
phantom ship at Crater Lake
crashing waves at Devil's Churn
Hug Point!!! need I say more?
1. on the first day we drove for 12 hours down the coast to Florence Oregon. My uncle told us about a nice campground there, so we went to check it out. The sign said "no vacancy" just like every other campground we passed along the way, so we went to the front desk just to see if there was a wait list. The guy told us that we were in luck. We got there at 7:20 and if the handicapped spots arent taken by 7, they go up for grabs for anyone. So we ended up with the campsite for disabled people, which couldnt be closer to the bathrooms or running water.
2. on day 2, we had to switch campsites since someone was coming who actually needed what the site we had, had to offer. So we packed our stuff and moved to a new campsite. We spent the day hiking up the sand dunes (intense workout I must say) and relaxing on the beach, which was just one big sand dune by a lake.
3. Day 3 we had to move again to a new campsite and we finally got a site that was more permanent so we payed for the rest of the week. Then we decided to find a church to go to. We ended up at this lutheran church that was probably the oldest standing building in all of North America. The insides smelt of heritage museum and the members we not much younger than the building. But once we stepped in, we couldnt just leave, so we stayed for the service. We were the only ones under 60 in the entire building, so it was just a little awkward. The service was very Catholic, but it was interesting to partake in a communion that was a bit different than what I'm used to. Overall, it was interesting.
4. we went to the Sea Lion caves in the morning. It wasnt the best weather so there were tons of sea lions on the rocks and inside the caves. Apparantly its the world's largest sea cave, so that was pretty cool. Sea lions are really loud and we spent the rest of the day mimicking them. Good times. We also went to Newport and I got a copy of the new Harry Potter for $18. We did a bit of shopping. Then we went to Devil's Churn which was this place by the ocean with lots of rocks and the water just crashes up against the rocks. You cant go to close to the edge, or the water will wash you into the churning ocean below. Tres cool.
5. Went to crater Lake which was a 4 hour drive from where we were staying, but very well worth it. Some of the bluest water we'd ever seen. We hiked down to the water there and sat by the lake with our toes in the water then hiked back up. Oh and did I mention, we got in for free? It's supposed to be $10 and I went to pay with credit card, but she said the line-up was too long behind us, so she just let up in and told us not to tell anyone...about....it.....oops :)
6. Went to go to Heceta head lighthouse, but it was too foggy, so we went back to the campground and went to the beach. It wasnt foggy at the beach. I got the sexiest farmer tan you will ever see not gonna lie :)
7. Went to heceta head lighthouse and hiked the short trail to the lighthouse. Also went to go tidepooling (biology nerd I know...animals are cool ok!) but the tide wasnt going to go out very far, so after having fun with some mussels and kelp, we left to go shopping in old town Florence.
8. packed up and drove back home.
What we learned:
1. so apparently it's illegal to pump your own gas in Oregon, who knew? so we almost ended up with a fine...and possibly a 12 year prison term ;) j/k about the jail ,but they will fine you. Crazy Oregon people!
2. lots of people bike down the Oregon coast. Looks like fun.
3. When hiking up sand dunes, one step forward=a half step back=very tiring
4. one word: "restroom"......but I don't want to sleep, I want to pee!
5. Canadians are uber cool
6. Even people in Oregon have accents
couple photos:
phantom ship at Crater Lake
crashing waves at Devil's Churn
Hug Point!!! need I say more?
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
Summer is Finally Here!!
I never want to take a summer course ever again! Even though it was just one credit, I found myself putting things off so much to the point that I didnt even study for the final. This class was supposed to be an easy "a", but I'm pretty sure I failed in the attempt of getting one. I think I passed though, so for a physics lab that all I can hope for :)
I'm leaving on a road trip on friday that I'm so stoked for. It worked out that only me and my sister had time off for a vacation (she's a teacher and I can get time off whenever I want at McDonalds..even though they were mad I booked off days, but I need a holiday from that hole of a restaurant sometimes!) so I'm going on a road trip with Cath...for some sisterly bonding. It should be fun. We plan to go down the Oregon coast, and my uncle told us about a great camping location that we think we might stay at while we're down there. It's right by the ocean, but these huge sand dunes block the park from the ocean, so you just have to go over the dunes. and then the park has two lakes! I've never been camping at a place with 2 lakes. But they use one for fishing and boating and the other for swimming, so none of that nasty Eurasian Millfoil (ropey seaweed type stuff) caused by moter boats will be in the swimming lake. Horray!
So, now its just getting all the camping supplies together and loading up the little Honda Civic, and praying I can get through customs at the border. I seem to always have some sort of problems at customs pretty much every time. The worst was the last time I went on a plane. They got mad at me for having lip gloss in my purse even though it was only 10mL of fluid..apparantly any fluid is bad fluid. And then they pulled me aside with my backpack because they thought they found a "foreign object" inside. "Oh that? That's just my mp3 player" take it out, show it to the guy, ok it is safe to let this girl on our plane from Terrace to Vancouver. Like someone is going to hijack a plane with 30 people on it thats flying over the coastal mountains.
But I'm off on friday..and should have tons of fun. And I'll let whoever reads this know how it went!
Bon Voyage!!
Boersma
I'm leaving on a road trip on friday that I'm so stoked for. It worked out that only me and my sister had time off for a vacation (she's a teacher and I can get time off whenever I want at McDonalds..even though they were mad I booked off days, but I need a holiday from that hole of a restaurant sometimes!) so I'm going on a road trip with Cath...for some sisterly bonding. It should be fun. We plan to go down the Oregon coast, and my uncle told us about a great camping location that we think we might stay at while we're down there. It's right by the ocean, but these huge sand dunes block the park from the ocean, so you just have to go over the dunes. and then the park has two lakes! I've never been camping at a place with 2 lakes. But they use one for fishing and boating and the other for swimming, so none of that nasty Eurasian Millfoil (ropey seaweed type stuff) caused by moter boats will be in the swimming lake. Horray!
So, now its just getting all the camping supplies together and loading up the little Honda Civic, and praying I can get through customs at the border. I seem to always have some sort of problems at customs pretty much every time. The worst was the last time I went on a plane. They got mad at me for having lip gloss in my purse even though it was only 10mL of fluid..apparantly any fluid is bad fluid. And then they pulled me aside with my backpack because they thought they found a "foreign object" inside. "Oh that? That's just my mp3 player" take it out, show it to the guy, ok it is safe to let this girl on our plane from Terrace to Vancouver. Like someone is going to hijack a plane with 30 people on it thats flying over the coastal mountains.
But I'm off on friday..and should have tons of fun. And I'll let whoever reads this know how it went!
Bon Voyage!!
Boersma
Friday, July 13, 2007
Old Age
I have 4 grandparents...
now maybe you're thinking congratulations elly...you can count! But seriously though, having all 4 grandparents alive when the grandchildren are in their 20s is pretty rare. And its not that I have young grandparents or even young parents, it just so happens that Dutch people (and Fresians) live for a long time. We're a hearty race. Or maybe its just Boersmas and DenHaans. In any case, the downfall of having all grandparents is the knowledge I will have to lose all of them after developing a long relationship with each one.
Things have been quite stressful at home lately as my parents deal with their aging parents. With my grandma in a nursing home developing some form of dimensia or Alzheimer's along with the heart trouble she's had for years, my grandpa lonely living at home alone, my opa gradually losing his eyesight and my oma also having heart troubles and just getting weak, it seems like nothing else could possibly go wrong.
well, yesterday, my oma den Haan was taken to the hospital by ambulance, they figured it was dehydration and they didnt have a bed for her, so they sent her home overnight. Then today, she was doing even worse. She was taken to the hospital again by ambulance and they ran a bunch of tests. They found a slow blood leak on her brain and they need to operate. She also may have bladder cancer and she needs a pacemaker.
Please keep my oma in your prayers as she goes through all this medical work.
now maybe you're thinking congratulations elly...you can count! But seriously though, having all 4 grandparents alive when the grandchildren are in their 20s is pretty rare. And its not that I have young grandparents or even young parents, it just so happens that Dutch people (and Fresians) live for a long time. We're a hearty race. Or maybe its just Boersmas and DenHaans. In any case, the downfall of having all grandparents is the knowledge I will have to lose all of them after developing a long relationship with each one.
Things have been quite stressful at home lately as my parents deal with their aging parents. With my grandma in a nursing home developing some form of dimensia or Alzheimer's along with the heart trouble she's had for years, my grandpa lonely living at home alone, my opa gradually losing his eyesight and my oma also having heart troubles and just getting weak, it seems like nothing else could possibly go wrong.
well, yesterday, my oma den Haan was taken to the hospital by ambulance, they figured it was dehydration and they didnt have a bed for her, so they sent her home overnight. Then today, she was doing even worse. She was taken to the hospital again by ambulance and they ran a bunch of tests. They found a slow blood leak on her brain and they need to operate. She also may have bladder cancer and she needs a pacemaker.
Please keep my oma in your prayers as she goes through all this medical work.
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Initiation
It's a conspiracy. McDonalds is trying to kill me.
Apparantly part of the initiation into the managing world of fast food chains is pushing their employees to the far reaches of their physical capacities. This past week I've done a late night (9pm-5am) then the following day I opened (5am - 1pm) then the next day i do another late night which is followed by yet another opening shift and so on. I there is any way to confuse your body about sleeping and eating patterns this is it. And to add insult to injury, I haven't been able to sleep in on my days off because we're getting a new roof, which is noisy business.
Some of these 5am shifts need to be accompanied by an energy drink just so I dont doze off at the till or do something stupid. But I dont think that level of caffeine is good for my body. I'm usually pretty wired as is. Coffee wakes me up pretty good. Energy drinks are way too powerful. I get so crazy hyper its not even funny. Wild.
So work has been...well work. There is no better way to describe it. My one two-credit physics lab course has been death...but on the bright side its almost over and thats my last physics class EVER!! My brother just moved out a couple days ago, so I've reached the pinnacle of a youngest child's existence, when I rule the household. I'm sure I'll get bored of being the only kid at home soon...My sister left for europe today for a couple weeks...so jealous.
Lovin the weather!!! summer is finally here!!!!
all for now
Boersma...OUT!
Apparantly part of the initiation into the managing world of fast food chains is pushing their employees to the far reaches of their physical capacities. This past week I've done a late night (9pm-5am) then the following day I opened (5am - 1pm) then the next day i do another late night which is followed by yet another opening shift and so on. I there is any way to confuse your body about sleeping and eating patterns this is it. And to add insult to injury, I haven't been able to sleep in on my days off because we're getting a new roof, which is noisy business.
Some of these 5am shifts need to be accompanied by an energy drink just so I dont doze off at the till or do something stupid. But I dont think that level of caffeine is good for my body. I'm usually pretty wired as is. Coffee wakes me up pretty good. Energy drinks are way too powerful. I get so crazy hyper its not even funny. Wild.
So work has been...well work. There is no better way to describe it. My one two-credit physics lab course has been death...but on the bright side its almost over and thats my last physics class EVER!! My brother just moved out a couple days ago, so I've reached the pinnacle of a youngest child's existence, when I rule the household. I'm sure I'll get bored of being the only kid at home soon...My sister left for europe today for a couple weeks...so jealous.
Lovin the weather!!! summer is finally here!!!!
all for now
Boersma...OUT!
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Lately
A whole lot of nothing has been going on for me for the past little while. Don't get me wrong, I haven't been sitting around doing nothing, it just feels like I havent accomplished anything.
My summer semester has started now, and my one class for the summer, my one lousy lab is a total flop. I hate it. It doesnt help that the only person I know is in the other section (aka the room next door) and I got stuck with a bunch of people who dont know anything and just look at my paper to answer their questions. I tried explaining it to them, and eventually I just handed mine in and left them to finish on their own.
I've been working as well. It seems I am not always a woman of my word. It's not that I never keep my word or that I cant keep a secret, I just seem to state that I will "never" do something, and then I end up doing it. For example, my job. I used to say I would never work at McDonald's...and here I am...having worked there for about 2 and a half years!! When you measure a job at McDonalds in years instead of months, you know there is something wrong. And now they have offered me a position as a shift manager, another thing I said I would never do, and I am actually considering it! It does after all look good on a resume, but I was going to quit at the end of the summer, and by the time I get the promotion (since I have to be promoted twice to get there, and part of the second promotion is going for a panel interview with a bunch of head honchos...:S) it will be August.We'll see how it all goes. It's a nice pay raise at least. But now I've been thinking about taking the fall off school and working as a manager and making tons of cash and then going back to school. I dont know...so confused.
Thats about all thats been going down lately...not much.
Oh ya, my poor puppy...my 8-year-old lab-x...had to have surgery to scrape some dead tissue off her eye and now her eye has to be stitched closed for 2 weeks so it can heal and she has to wear one of those cones on her head so she wont scratch it. She looks so miserable, but it is also kind of funny because she goes bumping into everything.
And that's the kind of weeks it's been post-Terrace vacation :P
Boersma
My summer semester has started now, and my one class for the summer, my one lousy lab is a total flop. I hate it. It doesnt help that the only person I know is in the other section (aka the room next door) and I got stuck with a bunch of people who dont know anything and just look at my paper to answer their questions. I tried explaining it to them, and eventually I just handed mine in and left them to finish on their own.
I've been working as well. It seems I am not always a woman of my word. It's not that I never keep my word or that I cant keep a secret, I just seem to state that I will "never" do something, and then I end up doing it. For example, my job. I used to say I would never work at McDonald's...and here I am...having worked there for about 2 and a half years!! When you measure a job at McDonalds in years instead of months, you know there is something wrong. And now they have offered me a position as a shift manager, another thing I said I would never do, and I am actually considering it! It does after all look good on a resume, but I was going to quit at the end of the summer, and by the time I get the promotion (since I have to be promoted twice to get there, and part of the second promotion is going for a panel interview with a bunch of head honchos...:S) it will be August.We'll see how it all goes. It's a nice pay raise at least. But now I've been thinking about taking the fall off school and working as a manager and making tons of cash and then going back to school. I dont know...so confused.
Thats about all thats been going down lately...not much.
Oh ya, my poor puppy...my 8-year-old lab-x...had to have surgery to scrape some dead tissue off her eye and now her eye has to be stitched closed for 2 weeks so it can heal and she has to wear one of those cones on her head so she wont scratch it. She looks so miserable, but it is also kind of funny because she goes bumping into everything.
And that's the kind of weeks it's been post-Terrace vacation :P
Boersma
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