Demolition Derby

I spent my Sunday afternoon with some good friends painting a derby car for an upcoming demolition car derby this Saturday evening. Don't worry, it is not me that will be participating in this so called 'car fight', but rather a good friend of mine. (I'm slightly concerned for his health and safety) ;)

I say this in the best possible way, but I don't think we could have been more 'hick' if we tried to be. There I am, out in the middle of Uxbridge, dressed in an old t-shirt, shorts, and leggings slopping paint onto a transformed derby car. That evening, after the car had been turned into an art masterpiece, my friends and I made our way to my first demolition derby at the nearby fair in Parry Sound. Of course. We settled in on the bleachers; junkfood in hand and ferris wheel turning behind us, to watch dozens of men (young and old) climb into souped-up cars ready to smash the guts out of eachother. Wheels torn off, billows of smoke rose from broken radiators, the back-end of vehicles smashed up like a pop cans ready to be thrown out, mud flying everywhere, and a full audience watching in anticipation of the winner.

And in fact, I found the entire experience incredibly educational. I really know absolutely nothing about cars, but just from going to that derby and hearing the words I feel a whole lot smarter. Piston, 6 cylinder, radiator, front wheel drive. Look how much I know now! I learned a whole lot more about cars last Sunday that I have ever before, that's for sure (Which really doesn't say a lot.. but still)

I fully enjoyed myself. It was peaceful out in the country, painting a friend's car. The companionship, the laughs, the steady work, the "hick"-ness of it all made for a really rewarding day. We all need a little bit of that in our lives. It reminded me a bit of my summer in Quebec. A lot of things remind me of my summer in Québec. But that of course is another story.

I'm really looking forward to Saturday.

Photo Credit: Jared Krause - Check out his sweet photo blog!!

I'm back.

I've been gone for quite some time. But I'm back from Québec, and more bilingual than I was when I left.

One of the things I love about leaving home is that being away gives you a sense of freedom and independence you'd never find from your hometown backyard. When you leave home for a period of time, you learn how to trust God with even the smallest of situations. You feel adventurous, and crazy, and beautiful. You feel courageous, and carefree. And at times, you feel homesick, and unsure, and frustrated. But in the end, the positive always outweighs the negative. I never knew feelings could be so tangible. I don't think it's possible to leave and come back the same person. But I think that that's a good thing.

I learned a lot about myself this summer. Or we could say that God taught me a lot of stuff about myself this summer.

So, I'm back. I don't know how often I'll be writing - that will sort itself out as I begin my second year and begin to understand how heavy the workload will be.

But just thought I'd let you know that I'm definitely still alive. Probably quite different from 2 months ago, but still ready to take on the world just the same.

K

Dancing is good for me. Especially in my room, listening to worship. It's freeing.

I feel the utmost freedom to go now. To Quebec I mean. For a time, nothing is holding me here. Liberty to experience something new. Maybe this newfound feeling - given from God no doubt - is why I'm finding such a reason to dance.

K
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La danse, c'est bien pour moi. Surtout dans ma chambre en écoutant les chansons de louange. C'est un affranchissement.

Je me sens la liberté de partir maintenant. Je veux dire au Québec. Pour une saison, rien ne me retient ici. J'ai la liberté de faire un nouveau expérience. Ce dernier sentiment, que Dieu m'a donné sans doute, peutêtre est-il pourquoi je trouve une telle raison de danser.

K

20 Days Till I leave for Quebec!

Don't ask me how the time has passed so quickly, because I don't have an answer for you.
But, while glancing at my calendar today, I realized that it is just under 3 weeks before I take off for Rollet, Québec - 7 hours north of here.

My feelings on this? Excitement, nervousness, anticipation?
One of my good friends and I were having a conversation a few weeks ago about my upcoming trip to Quebec. She's been living in Australia for the past year and a half attending the Hillsong school - So I felt like my situation resonated with her on a deeper level. We're both leaving home (albeit me for a shorter time), we're both leaving an amazing group of young adults that we've come to cherish, we're leaving the comfort of routine. Sometimes I think it would be so much easier to stay right where I am. I could keep working during the week, keep hanging out with friends on the weekends. And it would be comfortable. It would be what I know. It would be simple.

But it wouldn't be what or where God has called me to.
What's easy is not always what is best.
So, I am ready for this next season in my life. I'm ready to learn, and explore, and meet new people. I'm ready to break free from routine.
Bring it on.

K

The midnight hour.

It's always late at night when my mind whirls around like a spinning ride at the county fair. Thoughts rush in and around until I can't separate one from the other. Somehow I'm so much more pensive in the night. I need a wind-down time. A time for my mind to just work through all the thoughts.

I've tried coming home from a late night shift at Second Cup and hopping in my bed straight away. Might as well forget about it. I need time to slow down. To work through those thoughts that seem insignificant, because sometimes they're significant enough to keep me up for a few extra minutes.

So, I read a book, or look aimlessly at facebook pictures, or I pray, or read my bible, or I eat, or I just sit there on my bed with my bedside lamp on. And after a few minutes, I can shut the light off, close my eyes and drift off into a beautiful sleep.

Good night. Sleep well,

Kirstyn.

Listening to: Haley

Needtobreathe has never failed to describe exactly the way that I feel. Still my favourite band? Oh yea.

The days are starting to blend together. One after the other.
These are just a few things I am LOVING about my wonderful summer vacation:

Yummy healthy trail mix
Peanutbutter and honey
No homework
Making cappuccinos
Weekends
NCC young adults
Reading my french book, Plein Ciel
Wearing shorts and flip flops
Sitting out in the sun
Sleeping in
Preparing for the 1body event this SATURDAY!!! (Be there)

Life's pretty peachy...