What would I do without my Dad!

So I constantly am doing dumb things without thinking, but fortunately I manage to get my way out of them (at most times) without many people noticing. However, this weekend I had a near disaster when I woke up on Saturday morning to my kitchen sink full of water, nearly overflowing.

I tightened the tap so it stopped dripping (first oops!) then went to move that naughty dish that block the drainpipe. That's when I saw the result of my second oops - there was no dish or cup blocking the water's normal escape route. There must be something in the drain. D'oh. Last night I tipped a teeny weeny bit of fat down the drain.

I opened the kitchen window and spent the better part of the next 30 minutes getting as much of the water out of the sink as possible and then rang my genius father to see how I could fix it. Heck, if I told the males on campus of this current stupid move, I would be the butt of jokes for the rest of this week.

Lucky for me, Dad's suggestion of pouring boiling water down the drain worked (however was belated because I had to clean out confetti from INSIDE my jug - Grrr Annette) and my sink is now back in use. Thanks Daddy!

Sex God

So, to some of you who know me rather well, you will know there is one topic that absolutely fascinates me: SEX. I've never really understood the secrecy and hush-hushness that Christians in particular foster regarding it. Probably because Mum and Dad were so open as I was growing up about the goodness of sex because God created it. (But I confess, yes, that there are moments I still do blush!)

And, let's face it, sex is a pretty big part of our culture. And I've always tried to promote that when sex is used for the purpose it was created - as God the Creator intended - it is AWESOME. So I hear. I can't really speak from experience, being a 26 year old virgin and all. (I laughed at a title I somehow adopted recently - the 'Virginal Sex Therapist'.)

Thus, my interest was peaked when Simon recommended a book to me called 'Sex God', written by Rob Bell (the guy behind the Nooma series and Velvet Elvis.) Within 24 hours, I had my own copy in my hands.

I have to say, the titles of the chapters alone fascinated me: 'God wears lipstick' and 'Leather, Whips and Fruit', not to mention 'Whoopee Forever.' Genius.

According to Zondervan (the publisher) here's what it is about:

"God and sex go together. You can’t separate the two, says Rob Bell, because this physical world is intimately linked to deeper spiritual realities. And so, in order to make sense of sexuality, at some point you have to talk about God. With beauty and unusual insight, Sex God explores this connection."

Need I say more? Seriously, this is one book that I have found it incredibly hard to put down. Rob Bell says it as it is, and in such easy to understand language. I only wish I had something like this years ago! Go get a copy for yourself and another for a mate! Great read.

Taupos 7s

So Taupo 7s is an age old Army tradition, of at least over a decade anywho, held every Anzac Day, when Sallies from all over the North Island converge on Taupo for a day's games of Volleyball, Netball, Soccer and Touch Rugby.

This year was the biggest turn out yet, with 29 teams - and funnily enough a lot of people my age weren't even there. (If you're reading this: Shame on you! You missed a goody.) Particularly because this year, the weather broke with tradition and there was even BLUE skies!

Hamilton City (my old youth group) entered three teams this year, and funnily enough two of them faced each other in the competitive finals! But my current home team (Booth College of Mission aka BCM) were also fabulouso and got to the finals with Hastings, to whom we graciously lost. Anywho it was a loooong day (especially driving all the way to and from Wellington in one day!) but well worth it.

Tim (BCM) spins the ball like a pro.

Perry (BCM) shows his soccer skills.

James (BCM) takes a break on the touch ball.

Tiko (BCM) jumps to intercept the ball in the final against Hastings.

My little bro, Matt, (Ham City) dislocated his shoulder playing netball and made a short trip to Taupo Hospital. My old boys: Waka and Blair (Ham City) playing Touch.Tiko (BCM) naps in the van.
Albert (Ham City) struts his stuff playing Touch.
The Ham City Support crew watching someone play netball.
Simon (BCM) and Shar (Grandview but playing for Ham City)

inFLUenza

You would think that after the amount of blood tests I have had, vaccine shots would be nothing. And while it is true that the actual needle thing holds little fear for me anymore, all the what ifs are still present.

What if they put it into the wrong place?
What if I develop some kind of allergy?
Does this nurse/doctor/needle person really know what s/he is doing?
AM I GOING TO DIE???

Okay, so I am taking it to the extremes (or in the words of Perry: HYPOCONDRIAC!) but ever since I went on medication for my epilepsy, I always wonder how any other medication will react with it, and yes, often the worst case scenario goes through my head.

But the grand thing of this influenza stabbing session was that Janine gave me one of those Sally Pop-Up cards (you NZers know what I mean!!) and it said:

"See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands..."
Isaiah 49:16

And that became my promise. Nice to know that I'm always on God's mind, eh?

P.S. It really wasn't all that bad. I'm known to exaggerate a tad. inFLUenza is bad. Get immunised.

The Tooth Update

So I have just returned from the dentist. God bless him.

And the two dreaded words were uttered: Root canal. It appears that I had decay underneath the filling which caused the nerve to die and the filling to come out.

I am still wondering, however, if the nerve was dead, WHY DO ROOT CANALS HURT SO BAD?

Anywho as exciting as my evening was in the dentist chair, I can look forward to this one thing: I'm going back in two weeks for 'Phase 2'. Oh how blessed!

I'm currently doped up on nurofen as the anathesia has worn off, and am only moments away from swearing off sugary food forever! (Now that is serious!!)

Jew-a-neeeeeeeeeeta

There was was a girl named Juanita
who liked to sit on a three seater.
She's red and black :P
But here's another fact:
I couldn't find many people sweeter. (AW!)

She's the CEO of Triple C
That is another fact for free)
She is funny and smart
and is God's work of art
And supports the Chiefs - whoopeeeeeee!!

The Looooong Trek Home Part 3: Picton & the Ferry

This could not come soon enough for me! After the 1000+ kms driving we have done in the past couple of days, the toothache (Praise God for Ibuprofen!), the cold I had picked up along the way, and the lack of sleep from Easter Camp and the toothache, I was amping for my bed.

But those Southerners had to have the last laugh and the ferry was delayed by two hours due to bad weather in Cook Strait. I spent the two hours entertaining Kendal and Monique in my car, sleeping in my car, and praying that the Strait would be smooth because I get seasick. (Praise God for another answer to prayer for the Strait was relatively calm and the stars came out to welcome us into Wellington!)

As we finally left Picton, The Stevens whanau and I stood at the back of the ferry making up new words to the 'Shark' song from Easter Camp. For those in the know, our new lyrics included: "Say goodbye", "Crazy Southerners" and "Going home" do do do do do do do....

Above: Leaving Picton and the South Island.

Once we made it on the motorway in Wellington, I overtook the Stevens and went hard. My destination so near, I could nearly touch it! And then, once in Trentham, I turned down the wrong street, much to Sue, Si and my hysteria. Fancy forgetting where I lived!!

Anywho, I made it in one piece, only to discover my house completely done over. My dining table in my bedroom (completely made up with dishes and all!), my bed in the dining room, couches rearranged, easter eggs everywhere, my shower and microwave gladwrapped and... a Wellington Hurricanes scarf in the place where my Waikato scarf used to hang!

The night was absolutely freezing - worse than anything I experienced down south - and I went grocery shopping this morning. I also have a dentist appointment Monday night (the earliest they could fit me in). And now that I have spent my morning catching up with people, opening mail, and blogging, I better get home and start unpacking those boxes. Ciao.

The Looooong Trek Home Part 2: Nelson

Having never been to Nelson, and looking forward to catching up with Jenny, Marcus and the Hud, I was excited initially about this part of the trek.

By Rangiora I was ready to sleep.

Loaded with more panadol, we kept at it until we had lunch at Blenheim, and finally turned onto the Nelson road.

It was fab to catch up with the Collings Clan - and see the ultrasound of the new addition, even if I couldn't quite work out the limbs/facial features/umbilical cord - and have some laughs and debriefs. Marcus commented how he had never seen me so quiet - I was just trying not to complain about the ever-increasing pain in my mouth. Fortunately a lady in their corps works for a dentist and while they couldn't fit me in, Jen got me loaded up on Ibuprofen and the pain subsided incredibly! Praise the Lord!!!

Aside from that, Nelson seems like a lovely place and they have a wonderful house, so I'll be sure to be back for a decent stay and sightsee next time.

I'll post a couple of photos when I get my card reader thing working properly.

The Looooong Trek Home Part 1: Christchurch

Yes....I dropped off my Timaru crew at the hall and said some weepy goodbyes before meeting up with the Christchurch lot at McDs to traverse north.

It's a weird feeling. I just never expected I would care so much for a group of new people in such a short space of time. And I guess the lack of sleep over Easter Camp didn't help, but I was relieved I only shed a few tears with the Timaru people. By the time I got to McDonalds however, one girl from Chch City went to give me a hug and it all flowed out before I had a chance to stop it. (I think it gave her a hang of a fright!)

But we eventually made it. I stayed Monday night at Sue and Si's in Christchurch, and got up early in the morning for my trip to Akaroa. Which kept getting postponed for various reasons and sadly I ended up postponing it until I have my next trip to the South Island. (The plus side was that we have done so many 1000s kms driving this week that probably those extra hours not being in the car kept my sanity!)

By Tuesday my tooth (the one the filling came out of last week) was aching and I was regularly taking panadol. And in the afternoon I went to drop home some Christchurch girls home, hit the curb, and proceeded to completely flatten my car tyre. Sigh. More money!

It was everything in me, in my tired, sore, grumpy self, to not cry and complain.

But, I figured, two days and I would be home.

The bonus was that we got to go and have dinner with Juanita and her family. Ahhhhh.... one of the best meals I had eaten in ages!

Above: SOMEONE (and it wasn't Si!) went to the Army to drop off the keys to their house ... before we moved out. Thus the door was locked when we got back. And we couldn't get in. Fortunately she has a good shoulder and Si could climb up to the open window.

Below: Monique helps Mummy clean the house. Or makes mess for Mummy to clean.

Southern Easter Camp 07

My last sojourn with Timaru Corps was taking their youth - about a van full - down to Easter Camp in Waipiata. Waipi-where? Ah yes.... by Ranfurly. Which, if you are anything like me, still means nothing to you. It is literally in the hillbilly middle-of-nowhere country of the deep dark south. Held at what was a TB hospital, then a boys home, it is now a Christian camp.

After about a four hour drive south and inland from Timaru we finally made it!!

It was an interesting camp. Most camps I have been to in recent years were up north and with people I knew, and who knew me. Needless to say, I worked the crowd and got to know a fair few of them before camp was over.

I got pranked on by the Timaru girls, and I pranked the Christchurch City lot several times (because they are just so gosh darn easy!), which resulted in three of the boys - JJ, Madison and Tristan - trying to get me with water bombs. Apparently Si was in on it too, but he is currently denying any involvement. The funny thing is only the first bomb really got me, and since the crowd around me had dispersed rather quickly and I had stayed in the one spot, I was rather amazed at the three boys lack of ability in hitting their target. Not that I'm complaining!

Sue, Si and I ran one of the sessions, which I think went off well. I was stoked to have one guy come up to me afterwards and say he didn't realise I was a cadet, he thought I was one of the youth! So at least College and Out-training hasn't sapped my incredibly good and youthful looks yet!!

The other amazing thing about this camp was that I saw sooooo much chocolate that by Easter Sunday, I was quite content to not eat any of it! Can you believe it? But, don't stress, a few days later, I did manage to eat some Milky Bar, courtesy of the Collings. Phew! My chocolate senses are still there!

So all in all, a good time had. Only tinged with a weird feeling in knowing the end was nigh.

Haere Ra, Timaru

It doesn't quite seem real but this morning my boxes got picked up, and tomorrow I am out of my house. Then, via Easter Camp, Christchurch, Akaroa and Nelson, I am home!!It's crazy how fast Out-Training has gone. When I think about all the experiences I have had, people I have met, things I have learnt ... it nearly seems impossible that so much has been crammed into three and a half months.

Nonetheless, I am real excited about getting home, finishing training and getting on on the field for real. I'm trying to not wish the days away too fast, though. I know soon enough I'll be longing for College days! I do miss my session mates and look forward to the catch ups at the cafes, and getting to hang out with the 'Witnesses for Christ' (the session after us). Especially since I know many of them already. Seeing them in a different context might be a bit strange at first though.

Still it will be strange not seeing the Timaru whanau everyday, the laughs I have had with Jane and all the looks they all give me when I burst into whatever song is on my mind. But still, I know I've made friends I will keep for years and I'd like to think they have learnt something from me as well as me from them. Even if it's that the Chiefs are far superior to the Crusaders and Highlanders. (The scores all lie!!!)

RIP Bug Eyes

Throughout this blog, and over the last year or so, by famous big black sunglasses have appeared in many photos. I regret to inform you that there will be no more. They are broke, despite Greg's best attempts to resuscitate them with superglue.

RIP Bugeyes.

I just want the Tooth, the whole Tooth and nothing but the Tooth

Yeah okay, so the title is lame, but I wrote wishing that I truly did have my whole tooth.

Last night, I felt like I had something in my teeth so I tried to get it out and what plopped into my mouth instead? A filling and part of my tooth! I confess I cried, as I only saw sleepless nights in pain and money signs at the dentists.

Fortunately, while I'm still missing part of my tooth, I haven't been in pain, and I've been very careful with eating cold and hot food and drink. The money thing is just going to be a bridge I cross when I have to pay off my credit card!

Nonetheless as I'm about to leave Timaru, I'm trying to save the tooth reconstruction until I get home to Wellington.

Any donations can be sent to the College P.O.Box in cheque form.

EasterFest

So the week before Easter, the churches of Timaru sponsor this big event at Caroline Bay called EasterFest. It's literally a big festival but with a very Christian (and in particular Easter) focus.

Now, I've seen Christians do some pretty cheesey things in the past, and I will confess that I had high anticipations that EasterFest would comfortably fit into this category. Particularly as everything is free.But I am pleased to confess I was way wrong.

Definitely with a family focus, I hovered for most of the time around the Salvation Army caravan who were dishing out sausages and drinks. I gave out hundreds of cups of cold drink, and one of the few times I tried pouring a cup of tea, I burnt my hand, thus happily re-delegated that duty.

Anywhos...here are some photos from the event.

Superheroes Social Night

Okay so I confess I suggested this theme after seeing how well it went at our Mission Weekend last year. And our Superheroes Family Social Night at the Corps was awesome - improved on the Mission Weekend because I had a much cooler costume!! (Last year I was the daughter from the Incredibles - can't remember her name! This year, I was BATGIRL.)

There were some incredible costumes, and much more of a range. We had your typical Batmans, Supermans and Spidermans ... also Catwoman, Elastigirl, WonderWoman, PowerPuff Girls, MysteryMan and Zorro (who was mistaken by several kids as Puss n Boots! Oh the power of Shrek!!

It was a fab night. We shared in a fish n chip tea before doing some songs (from both Mainly Music and Kidsclub, since both groups were represented) and games. My favourite game has to be the adapted 'duck, duck, goose' - which became 'undies, undies, togs'. What a brilliant idea.

But one of my favourite moments was, while dressed as Batgirl, I pretended to be Spiderman and used that silly string (from in a can) to make spiderwebs. I love that stuff, though it's not as much fun to clean up, particularly from the basketball net, as it was to put it up.

However, great night, great company, great fun. And with that it was over as quick as it had begun.