Geographical Announcement

After a recent expedition, Colour Island on Lake William is now known as Hollah Back Yo Island.

Please see Amarea's blog for proper documentation of this trip.

Hey, Hey, You, You

I'm getting very sick of being asked about my boyfriend. I've gotten the question a couple times this week.

"Jess, do you have a boyfriend?"

"So, do you have a Romeo coming to your window at night?"

"How could Jessie give you relationship advice? I thought she wasn't really into guys."

No! I don't have a boyfriend and thanks for reminding me. Again. Lately, when people ask I just say, "No, not right now". But I'm considering saying something like, "I did. But he asked me stupid questions so I ate him. Whole." Maybe I'm overreacting and am a little sensitive on the issue right now. I know I won't end up as that old spinster at church. People will never say, "Oh you mean Jessie? Yes. She never found someone. She's just married to Jesus."

Swimming Lessons Talk

On the beach before lessons:
Jessie: Where's your frog?
Kid 1: He died. He went to froggie heaven.
Kelsie: Maybe you shouldn't have been throwing him so high in the air yesterday.
Kid 1: He's actually a grass frog. So I shouldn't have been putting him in the water at all.
Jessie: That'll do it.

Walking in to the water for lessons:
Kid 1: Do you know how the first animal was made?
Jessie: How?
Kid 1: Jesus.
Kid 2: Do you know that if you say "God" that something bad will happen to you?
Jessie: I don't think that's true. You can also say "God" in a good way.
Kid 3: That's why I don't say my prayers anymore. My grandmother told me that if you kick someone by mistake or something, that God will make your foot hurt when you grow up.
Jessie: God isn't like that, you know.
Kid 3: Yes he is. My grandmother said so, and I believe it.
Kid 1: Jesus was a good man. Because he died.
Kid 3: Jesus was a good man. Better than God.
Jessie: Some people believe that Jesus was God.
Kid 1: Jesus is waaaay better than God.
Kid 3: Yeah. He won't make your foot hurt.
Jessie: Ok, everyone, lets do 15 bobs.

All I could think about while the boys were talking was how I want to tell kids about what God is really like. I also wasn't sure what was appropriate to say to these guys about God and what wasn't during swimming lessons. That's something for after class, I think. If you talk about it at all. I think you'd need a relationship with the kids first.

I think I might need to work at a camp next summer.

Shopping Spree

I took Josh shopping for the first time today. I like buying him clothes. He's like my little doll.

Notable Quote:
Josh: "Jessie, you having money is the best thing that has ever happened to me!"

Fellas, Leave Your Girl With Her Friends

I went to the Shoe Shoppe with a friend from church tonite.
A bachelor party was happening.
A man wearing a crown and a purple feather boa came to our table to say hello.
The bachelor.
He had picture perfect teeth.
He was French.
He flirted with us.
I played along.
My sweetie Rebecca was less than amused.
He was collecting the names and numbers of random girls.
On his arm.
His table of cute friends was cheering him on.
He handed me a Sharpie.
I might have written Megha's home number on his forearm in permanent marker.

Cardio Dance Is My Life

Mom and I went to our first Cardio Dance aerobics class tonite. I love it! I can't wait for the next class. My mom was definitely shakin' it to super cool jams like "This is Why I'm Hot". I can't wait until the day when she starts singing along to Rhianna or Nelly Furtado. That would make my life. I could die a happy woman after that. Her and I are going to go to a couple aerobics classes a week from now on. It's super sweet cause I get to go free since I'm still working at the Stadium. Trickiest part of the nite: the box step. I have no idea why I couldn't get it :).

Monday nite at the Stadium. Ladies in Sackville, consider it. Ladies around the world...consider it.

Musical Discovery

I've come across a song that I think I'd like to be part of my wedding in a significant way. I might even want to sing it. Once I find someone to marry. And marry him.

It Is You (I Have Loved)- Dana Glover.

Can Anyone Show Me the Real Jesus?

I like using this blog to help me think things out. I still keep my most personal and emotional things for my diary's eyes only, but I don't mind sharing personal things on here as much as I used to.

I often pray that God would give me opportunities to share the gospel with people. Make that- sometimes I pray that God would give me opportunities to share the gospel with people. Once in awhile, someone tugs at my heart and I really start to pray for their salvation. In those cases, it's not only because I want them to go to heaven when they die. Usually, I just know how much a relationship with God could mean to them if they actually knew Him. I've learned that it is in the times that I pray for someone regularly that God really moves and spiritual conversations happen. This is a pretty simple truth, yet I often don't take advantage of the power of prayer that I have ready for me to use at anytime.

Someone I know recently talked to me about her really rough home life. No one who reads this blog regularly knows her, but I don't really want to say who it is to maintain a bit of privacy. This particular girl has a bad relationship (if you'd call it that) with her father. Hearing the details shook me up. She is so sweet. I like her. I want her to know what a real father is like. I have my own daddy issues that I still haven't completely worked through. Maybe I'll never fully work through them. I hope that hers won't cause her to push God away because I want her to experience a relationship with the most loving, protective, strong, and trustworthy Father that anyone will ever have. I'm going to start praying for her regularly. I'm still learning how to let God fill that void in my life. It's hard, but God means so much to me because of who He is to me.

I would so love for her to meet her Heavenly Father this summer.

I itch.

The Way I Are

First day of my summer job starts 2morrow. Not sure if I'm looking forward to it or not. Thinking of ways to charm the canteen people so they will give me free ice cream and back rubs all summer. Maybe I can bargain with the ducks so they don't invade our swimming area this year. Definitely used my Beach Captain powers to get out of teaching all of the classes that I didn't want to. Trying not to abuse my powers, and they are substantial ;), but it's so tempting.

Another thing that is tempting: Timbaland's new song. Super catchy... don't think I want to know what all the lyrics are.

Happy Canada Day!

I'm proud to be Canadian. But, I think that the US has a better national anthem than us. It's prettier. More emotional.

Between 3am and 5am...

Got up.
Drove with my mom to the airport.
Brought extra grocery bags to bring some of her things home in because both her carry on bags were waaay heavier than 20 pounds.
Waited with her while she got her ticket.
Drove home.
Sped most of the way.
Wondered if I should feel guilty for speeding.
Probably should.
Got a call from my mom just before I pulled in the driveway.
She forgot her toiletries.
Drove back to the airport.
Parked in the taxi lane by mistake.
Drove home.
Tested my little Cavalier, or whatever it is, (aka. Fabio) to see how fast it is capable of going.
Things got a little shaky at 150km/hr and the car started to make a sad noise.
Remembered that I still have the "N" on my licence so endeavours like this might be frowned upon by our governing authorities.
Couldn't remember the terms and requirements of my current licence. Decided that I should probably look them up.
Saw the sun rise. That was pretty.
Got home and couldn't really fall back asleep.

Goodbye Mommy! She doesn't read this blog, btw. Party at my house-all nite, every nite. Just kidding. No, seriously. Haha, kidding. But, seriously.

How Much of Who I Am Is What I've Done?

Confession: I'm a virgin and I've never been drunk before. However, I don't know if I can handle admitting to both at the same time with my friends from work. It's been quite enough in conversations gone by (such as yesterday) to reveal only one of these little truths. I'm not ashamed, exactly. I just know how different it is from most people my age and how shocking it is. It's the reaction that I don't like dealing with. Most times people respect you for it. Sometimes you feel like they think this less of you even if they say that they respect you for it (like they think that you aren't as cool as you were to them before). Then you have to remind yourself that it doesn't matter what they think of you. But, somehow you still care what they think of you. In the end, you are thankful for your friends who know exactly what you are like and how you live your life and admire your values because they try to live the same way that you do.

Favourite song of the moment: Hey there Delilah-Plain White T's.

Wedding Thoughts

Here are some thoughts I've had since Jessie and Dave's wedding (which was lovely by the way):
1. I think that I'd like to have a print on my bridesmaids dresses.
2. Four bridesmaids and groomsmen is the max that I'd like to have.
3. I need to have a dance at my wedding. I can just imagine a bunch of parents, grandparents, kids, and teenagers having fun on the dance floor together.
4. I'm going to edit the songs for the bride and groom's first dance and the dance with the parents so they aren't full length songs.
5. Sometimes I feel like I'm watching foreplay when the bride and groom kiss after people tell stories about them in the microphone or tink their glasses (I've thought this at all the weddings I've been to).
6. I'm going to do the garter thing. Maybe it can be my something blue.

Notable Quote:
"I think I'll get a wife and then I'll get a boat. It just seems like a logical progression." -Matt from Beaches

It's Okay By Me

There's been something else on my mind lately as well. I often feel like as a Christian, I am entitled to receiving all the things that I need from God. What I mean is, all the basic necessities that a human needs are in my right to have. Things like food, shelter, money to get by day to day, two parents who invest themselves in my life, good friends, and a man in my life who I will marry. So what happens when any of these certain necessities are missing? I've been feeling kind of jipped by God when it comes to some of these needs lately.

"I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength." (Phil. 4:11-13)

I've been listening to this song by Nicole Nordemon lately. More like obsessively. It perfectly describes what I'd like to feel. I don't usually post whole songs like this, but I just love it. It's pretty brilliant, I think.

"Send some rain, would You send some rain? 'Cause the earth is dry and needs to drink again. And the sun is high and we are sinking in the shade. Would You send a cloud, thunder long and loud? Let the sky grow black and send some mercy down. Surely You can see that we are thirsty and afraid. But maybe not, not today. Maybe You'll provide in other ways. And if that's the case . . .

We'll give thanks to You. With gratitude. For lessons learned in how to thirst for You. How to bless the very sun that warms our face. If You never send us rain.

Daily bread, give us daily bread. Bless our bodies, keep our children fed. Fill our cups, then fill them up again tonight. Wrap us up and warm us through. Tucked away beneath our sturdy roofs. Let us slumber safe from danger's view this time. Or maybe not, not today. Maybe You'll provide in other ways. And if that's the case . . .

We'll give thanks to You. With gratitude. A lesson learned to hunger after You. That a starry sky offers a better view if no roof is overhead. And if we never taste that bread.

Oh, the differences that often are between what we want and what we really need. So grant us peace, Jesus, grant us peace. Move our hearts to hear a single beat. Between alibis and enemies tonight. Or maybe not, not today. Peace might be another world away. And if that's the case . . .

We'll give thanks to You. With gratitude. For lessons learned in how to trust in You. That we are blessed beyond what we could ever dream. In abundance or in need. And if You never grant us peace.

But Jesus, would You please . . ."

I'm not there yet, but I'd like to be. The end is how I feel right now, pretty much "Jesus, would you please?". Dear Lord, may I be content no matter what happens- no matter what I have or don't have- because I have You and You are always good and worthy of praise.

Search and Rescue

Here's a little note of warning. This post will not be upbeat. Yesterday (and today), I looked out at the lake that I will be working at this summer and there were helicopters circling it and men in boats looking for the bodies of two teenage boys. Two boys went missing on Monday afternoon and they were going to the lake. One of them can't swim. It's Wednesday and they are still looking for them. It's shaken me up because I don't know the people, but I know the area. I've been working there for two years and I'm at the pool (right next to the lake) doing maintenance all week, so the searching is going on right next to me.

I've been thinking a few things about this. The first is I just really hope that the kids are alive. I also hope that they find the bodies either way because they have been searching for a long time. The thought that I've been thinking of most is how I'm glad that it didn't happen while I was working there. I know that if I am there, no one will drown in the swimming area. I'm not worried about that. I just don't want anything to happen in other parts of the lake that I'm not responsible for or can't even see from the beach. It's all the same lake.

Teary Eyes

I don't really like Avril, but I have to say, nothing I've watched has ever made me cry as much as this.

This video completely redeems "Hey, hey, you, you, I don't like your girlfriend!".

(True) Tales from the Crypt

Dramatis Personae

Jessie- that would be me.
Brad-an attractive male lifeguard, not his real name.
13 year old boy- in a semi-private lesson with his younger sister. Asked Jessie to be his girlfriend 2 weeks ago. Will remain nameless. See old entry.

Last week

Boy (randomly): "Jessie! I'm so glad you're my girlfriend"
Jessie: "I'm not your girlfriend."
Boy: "Oh snookums! Don't be silly. You better talk sweet to me or I won't buy you a gift for our anniversary!"

Boy:"Jessie, stop blowing kisses at me!"
Jessie:"I'm NOT blowing kisses at you!"
Boy: "You're not being a very good girlfriend."
Jessie: "I'm NOT your girlfriend!!!"

Boy (to Brad, the lifeguard): "See that swimming teacher? Jessie. She's my girlfriend!"
Jessie: "I'm NOT your girlfriend!!
Boy: "Tell me you love me!"
Jessie: "Back crawl, go!"

This week

Brad (unexpectedly, to boy): "Hey! You better leave my girlfriend alone!!"

Boy: "Jessie!! Is this true? You're cheating on me!"
Jessie (doesn't usually lie, but she is at her wits end): "Yes. It's true."
Boy: "I don't believe this!"
Other lifeguard: "Hey, Brad! Why don't you kiss your girlfriend?"

Brad pretends to kiss Jessie. Jessie giggles because she thinks Brad is cute and strong.

Boy: "Jessie, what do you see in him?"
Jessie: "We're not talking about this."
Boy: "Jessie, I just don't want you to get hurt. I'd never break your heart."
Jessie: "Front crawl, go!"

Brad: "Jessie, is this guy bothering you, again?"
Jessie (rubs Brad's back): "No, but thanks for checking, Brad!"

Boy: "He just fingered me! The lifeguard! Your boyfriend! He fingered me!!"
Jessie: "I don't think he fingered you..."
Boy: "Yes he did! You didn't see it!"

Jessie is ready to pull her hair out. She teaches the entire class-all 120 minutes of it (as it is a double lesson to make up for a missed class) out of the water.

Jessie wonders if she could actually date Brad. She doesn't think so.

The End

Mid-Week Reporto

1. Work
Saturday is my last day of swimming lessons! I won't be done at the pool, though. The next two weeks are shut-down. Which means that the pool is drained and I've signed up to help clean every single surface open to the air in and around the pool. I'm also working one nite a week in the summer. This session has been positive. I haven't wanted to cry once. Sometimes I even enjoy it. I had beach captain training last weekend. Chocolate lake was surprisingly bearable. Unfortunately, it tastes like something unnatural. Someone said it was iron, but I don't know. This year's training was especially good. It wasn't just because they fed us. My boss was very nice. She really believes in us. That makes me feel special. I love feeling special. I've got general training before June ends. It's a 4 day affair.

2. Tunes
I'm changing! Or going through a phase. I used to be a C100 and Z103.5 addict when it came to choosing a radio station. Now I find myself listening to Q104 and enjoying a punk mix on my mp3 player. What is happening to me? I blame it on my environment. All we listen to at the pool is Q104. I still enjoy my pop beats though. Put something peppy on and my hips won't lie.

3. Plants
My veggies are young adults! I'm so pleased with my garden in the front of the house. You never know when you plant the seeds. I've had extra cause to worry, besides my usual irrational doubt that none of my seeds will grow, because of our bird problem. Make that, the problem I have with the birds in my yard pecking around my garden. I was convinced that they were eating all my seeds. So every time I'd see those winged monsters in the garden, I'd run out of the house and chase them away. Thought of making a scare-bird (like a scare-crow but for all species of bird), but didn't. My potted seeds in the back of the house, on the other hand, are having a hard time. Half of the seeds didn't grow. That's okay. Some things take time. Better a late bloomer than a no bloomer. Good things happen to those who wait. Maybe they are angry because I put them in the backyard instead of the front. Maybe the birds got to them.

Welcome back, my summer love!

Notable Quote:
Josh: I want the football player to win! He moves like a swan!!