Janelle and I are challenging the ugly face contest. This was accomplished today

I've copied and posted my thank-you/summer report letter that I sent out to people. It is kind of a detailed list of what I did all summer. But there is more, oh yes

Cheryl’s Summer at Camp Discovery 2007

Thank You!!!

I can do nothing but begin by expressing my deeply felt gratitude for your encouragement, your prayers and your contribution to Living Bible Explorer’s camp ministry. This summer has been, without a doubt, filled with incredible blessing. It has been difficult for me to begin this report, because I’m afraid it will never end. As I reflect on the lessons I have the learned, the blessings I’ve received and all that God has done this summer, I really believe I could go on and on!

Week 1

The first week of camp was a little chaotic as we got things figured out and as Christine and I stepped into roles, filling in for our lack of director. I began to realize how many responsibilities the summer would hold. Fortunately, because of your many prayers, the Lord brought me to prayer, something I wouldn’t have remembered to do on my own. When I felt overwhelmed or frustrated, I prayed, often for the children we were ministering to. I was able to be blessed by the incredible softening that was seen in the children that week. By the end of the week, every child had accepted something of God and had become more obedient towards us and Him. It was a great joy to see the fruit of our labours.

Week 2

The best part of the second week was getting to know Sam. He cursed and fought with my co-worker and I the first night, but the Lord enabled us to bless him with love and affection the rest of the week. He was often the focus of our prayers, and when the speaker asked those who wanted to receive Christ to come forward for prayer, he was the first one up.

Week 3
The third week was hard for me as I got really sick and had to spend a lot of time lying down and away from the rest of the group. It forced me to realize that it is definitely not my strengths that benefit the camp, but it is the Lord who works through the staff to accomplish much. He provided people to fill in for me while I was out of commission.

Week 4
The fourth week brought struggles as well, as I was tired and felt like throwing up my hands and giving up. It was a real learning experience though. As Christine, Darcy and George were praying for energy, strength and the joy of the Lord for me, I was grumpy and realized that I didn’t even want what the Lord was trying to give me. In my heart I couldn’t force myself to change the hardness that was in me. As we moved into worship though, the Lord told me I could sit down, let my emotions and state of mind to control me, or I could stand up, sing, raise my hands to the Lord and choose to worship Him, who is above all of that. In choosing that, I was brought to a place of great and unwavering joy that broke the hardness in me and provided me with the strength to serve for the rest of the week.

Week 5
The last week was our Junior High week and it was the most challenging week of the whole summer. The attitudes ingrained in the teenagers seemed impossible to break. We prayed all week and on Thursday night the Holy Spirit moved and blew us away as we experienced what is possible with God. We enjoyed the best fireside of the whole summer! The teens got really involved in worship and we had an incredible time of prayer with and for them.


Praise the Lord!!!

I need to praise God for His faithful provision. In regards to staffing needs, there were some counsellors who appeared from practically nowhere, exactly when they were needed. This is just a small summary and testimony of what all went on this summer, but I hope it encourages you and reveals to you my thankfulness to you for making this summer possible! May the Lord bless you richly!

The Game

We played this game ALL afternoon and then took a break and then played it ALL evening (with sarah this time)

Basically you choose a signal with your partner that hopefully no one else notices and then when you get 4 of a kind, you signal so the partner will call game.. and then you win that round. Now if someone knows you have 4 of a kind they can call death on you and if they're right they get a point, if they're wrong they lose a point. If you signal and you notice that your partner is also signalling you will want to call double game (meaning you both have 4 of a kind) and recieve an extra point. This is what happened here, when Jer and I reached 10 points to win the game.

To gain extra points you can guess a person's signal after they've won. Which is what Mel tried to do here. But I tricked her you see.

ps. (this is only a re-inactment... the exitement level was much higher during the actual event)

Guess What I accomplished Today????

Not all that much yet. But I did one up both Zeb and Mike, by filling out TWO surveys today. One which was too long to be reasonable.

Name: Cheryl
Brothers: 1
Sisters: 2
Eye color: Bluish greyish
Shoe size: 7
Height: 5'4"
What are you wearing right now?: pants and a t-shirt with a sweater over top
Where do you live? Winnipeg
Best place to go for a date: boo, boring question and irrelevant for people who don’t go on dates
Favorites....
Number: 7
Boys Name: Eliam
Girls Name: Malah
Drink: water or milk (especially chocolate milk).
Month: June
Breakfast: a whole lot of cereal (multi-grain cheerios), and a banana.
Have You Ever...
Smoked: a cigar, yes, a cigarette, no.
Bungee jumped: nope
Made yourself throw-up: mmmhmmm. I was feeling sick and it wasn’t go away, I couldn’t study so I made myself throw up. Weird thing is, I couldn’t do it when I had food poisoning, but when I had to study, then..
Gone skinny dipping: mmmhmmm yup… and danced in the moonlight before hand.
Loved someone so much it made you cry: oh yes
Broken a bone: nope. I’m a rock
Played Truth or Dare: Yes, many times.
Been in a police car: not to my recollection
Been on a plane: Yes
Came close to dying: numerous times. mostly vehicle related. Sometimes I forget to look both ways.
Been in a sauna: Yes
Been in a hot tub: Yes
Swam in the ocean: Yes, two of them.
Fallen asleep in school: No. though I close my eyes and start nodding off, I’ve never actually fallen asleep.
Broken someone's heart: yeah.
Cried when someone died: of course.
Cried in school: pffft, yup
Fell off your chair: yes
Sat by the phone all night waiting for someone to call: I don’t know if I’d use the words “sat by the phone” and “all night” but I’ve probably waited around for someone to call, milled around the housing, hoping they would to relieve me from boredom.
Saved a IM conversation: In high school.
Saved e-mails: You don’t have to save emails, they just stay there.
Made out with just a friend: No
Been cheated on: sort of, well..not really, there was some disloyalty, not really cheating.
What's your room like: It’s purple and green. And big. and clean. that rhymes
What is beside you: A space heater and my purse
What is the last thing you ate: salad
What kind of shampoo do you use: I alternate. I don’t know what kind we have in the shower right now… some huge bottle from superstore. I love Dove and Pantene.. but I’m a menno.
Do You...
Believe in love at first sight: No not at all
Like picnics: definitely
Like school: yup
Questions:
Who was the last person you called: I called Orioles community centre to set up a youth to do his community service there. That doesn't count though... so... wow I really don't remember, i haven't called anyone in awhile.
Who was the last person you emailed: Jonathan, Tom, Rebekah and roslyn about V-mars night
Who was the last person you danced with: Probably Mel, aha, no wait it was DEFINITELY Roslyn hehehehe, and it was FOR Mel.
Who makes you smile most: That’s a hard question. Probably Mel by default, cuz she's around most.
Who...
Did you last yell at: Mel… she was devouring these chips, so I put them away and then I was cutting up some broccoli and she savagely grabbed a piece and shoved it in her mouth. I yelled “MEL!” and then I said (trying to keep a straight face) that she disgusted me.
Did you last go to a fair with: Oooh, with LBE we put on a winter fair.
Did you last sing a song with: Mel, she was upstairs and I was downstairs, but we sang a good song last night, I just can’t remember it.
Do you like filling these out?: I’m doing it aren’t I?
Do you like yourself: very much, but I guess there are times that I’m not so fond of me.
Do you get along with your family: yes
Final Questions:
What are you listening to right now: my mom chopping up vegetables
What did you do yesterday? I pretended to be an alcoholic, had my back cracked by the chiropracter, organized some stuff at practicum, played basketball with a bunch of 10 year old boys, played texas hold em with a 12 year old boy for like an hour, worked out and watched some TV while I iced my back and foot.
Where do you want to get married: Yes. Yes I would like to get married.. winnipeg I guess
Good driver: yup, no accidents, no tickets for 5 years of having my licence
Good singer: I can keep a tune
Diamond or pearl: boring
Are you the oldest?: no
Indoor or outdoor: outdoor when it’s nice, indoor when it’s not
Today did you...
Talk to someone you liked: Yes.
Buy something: Nope
Get sick: No
Sing: yup for some reason I have that “fill up my cup” song in my head. I get random songs stuck in my head all the time. Luckily they are usually praise songs.
Talk to an ex: No
Miss someone: I don’t think I actively thought, “ I miss this person” until now.
Last person who....
Was in your bed?: Schatzi. Stupid cat
Saw you cry: Either Mel or Jonathan, Kimberly, Sarah and Kim altogether.
You went to the movies with: Janelle, Roz, Zeb, Tom
You went to the mall with: aye, that was a long time ago
Have you...
Been to California: No
Been to Mexico: The border, never crossed it though
Beeen to Africa: No
Random.....
Do you have a crush on someone: Not that I know of
What books are you reading now: 5 people you meet in heaven, a book Rachel gave me, it’s good but I don’t know the name.
What's under your bed: dust probably
Favourite movie to watch: impossible to decide
Piercing/Tattoos: ears
What are you most scared of right now: lately I’ve started to feel kind of old, what with my back and feet bothering me and being tired all the time. I’m scared of being old.
Do you have a job?: yes
Have you ever liked someone you didn't have a chance with?: yes… I usually stay away from liking people who are dating someone, but it happened.
Has someone liked you, but didn't have a chance? well… yeah.
Have you ever played strip poker: No, but I think it should be in the works for next canoe trip.
Random (or not so random)
Your Favorite Food: East Indian food
Have you ever cried for no reason?: Well, I always had a REASON. It’s just whether it was a good one.
Are you too shy to ask someone out?: No, not if I had a pretty good feeling they’d say yes. But… I would wait for them to ask me out anyways, cuz it’s just better that way.
Popcorn?: yup
Favourite Flower?: tulip
Have you ever fired a gun?: what kind?
Do you like to travel by plane as opposed to car?: I don’t care
How many pillows do you sleep with?: One, but I’m thinking of more, because I’m not allowed to sleep on my stomach anymore, so I’ll have to surround myself with pillows to prevent it.

And this one told me what age I was gonna get married at:

[x] I know how to make a pot of coffee.
[] I keep track of dates using a calender. –not sure about this do them “dates” or like events and stuff. confusing
[] I own more than one credit card.
[] I know how to change the oil in my dads car.
[x] I do my own laundry.
[1/2] I vote every election. –I once missed the mayoral election to go for Gelati  but it will never happen again
[x] I can cook for myself
[1/2] I think politics are exciting. –sometimes yes, sometimes no.
[] I balance my checkbook.
[] My parents have better things to say than my friends.

total: 4


[] I show up for school/college/work every day early.
[] I always carry a pen in my pocket at school.
[] I've never gotten a detention.
[x] I have never smoked a cigarette.
[x] I have never gotten completely trashed.
[] I have forgotten my own birthday at least once.
[x] I like to take walks by myself.
[x] I've watched talk shows.
[x] I know what 'credibility' means without looking it up.
[] I drink coffee at least once a week.

total now:9


[x] I know how to do the dishes.
[x] I can count to 10 in another language.
[x] When I say I'm going to do something I do it.
[x] My parents trust me.
[x] i can mow the lawn.
[x] I can make adults laugh without being stupid.
[1/2] I remember to water the plants. -I don’t have plants to water, but if I did, I’d remember
[x] I study when I have to.
[1/2] I pay attention at school/college. -If you’re getting all intense counsellor babbly on me, I’ll tune it out.

total now:17

[x] I can spell 'experience' without looking it up.
[x] I work out on a regular basis.
[1/2] I clean up my own mess. mostly mom cleans up supper for us all.
[ ] The people at Starbucks know me by name.
[] My favorite kind of food is take out.
[1/2] I have gained weight since middle/high school. -I’d be concerned if someone gained no weight since middle school.. you’re still growing. dumb question.!
[ ] The first thing I do when I wake up is get caffeine.
[x] I can go to the store without getting something I don't need.
[] I understand political jokes the first time they are said.
[x] I can type quickly.

total now: 22

[] I have realized that the weather forecast changes every hour.
[ ] My only friends are from my place of employment.
[] I have been to a Tupperware party.
[] I have realized that no one will take you seriously unless you are over the age of 25 and have a job.
[] I have more bills than I can pay.
[] Most/All of my friends are older than I am.
[x] I can say no to staying out all night.
[] I use the internet every day.
[x] My wardrobe hasn't changed in a while. -I should get two points for this!
[x] I can read a book and actually finish it.

total altogether: 25
"MY marriage age is...(insert number here)"

If Only I Knew What A Full-Time Face Looked Like

Oh Winnipeg Transit. Our relationship is so strange.

After class I was runnign for the bus. Pretty fast, cuz it was about to start rolling away, when the weight of my backpack was suddenly gone. For the split second before ALL of my crap hit the ground, I was confused because the straps were still on my shoulders. And I looked back, and spread out over about 10 feet are my books, my purse, my ibu, and all the loose papers I shoved in my bag. Luckily there were about 5 gentleman nearby and I only had to pick up one thing, before they shoved in all in my hands.

I got on the bus and plopped all the crap on that handy ledge thing when you first walk in, muttering about my stupid backpack being broken (the zipper only stays together if you zip it up a certain way).

So.... I sit down and I'm settling down, when I realize the drunk guy I sat next to was muttering a lot and I think he was talking to me. The problem was, though I could hear what he was saying... it didn't make a lick of sense!

So I chose to ignore. Except then he got a little offended so he started saying, " I'm sorry I asked...I'M SORRY I ASKED." To which I turned and said, "It's ok, it's ok" So he calmed down.

A little while later he asked me a sensible question, "so how's your job?"

"My job? It's great" I reply with a friendly smile.

"yes... but does it have the same outcomes as .....(goes into muttering incoherently)" says the man.

"I'm sorry, I don't understand what you're saying." To which he smiles knowingly- like a teacher would to a new ignorant pupil.

More muttering, a little later, "So you like this job" I say, "yes"

"Like you would work there forever?" he asks.

"Well no. It's only part time" I say.

More words put together in something that I guess was supposed to form a sentence.

"So you have a nice part-time job."

"yup"

Then the kicker, I wish I could describe the tone he said this in, but you'll just have to imagine, it's a little like Joey's "How you doin?" Anyways, he says, "you have a nice part-time face."

I burst out laughing. It was the best line I've ever heard in my LIFE! You have a nice part--time face... it's priceless. Yeah, he apologized a bit then talked a little about my smile, all the while assuring me that he wasn't trying to pick me up or anything. I am laughing the whole time... I couldn't help it. It was so innappropriate and such a funny line, I couldn't stop. People around me must've thought I was crazy.

He also asked me after that, what my mom does (he was about her age). It was also in a very suggestive tone.

Ok, so as we were passing Polo Park he asked me where a good place to get off the bus was and how far it went. I said I think it goes to Westwood.

So... when I say "have a good-night" and go to get off the bus, he says, "I think this is a good place to get off" and gets up, first falling on someone. When I realize he's following me I say, "nah, I think you better stay on"

He says, "nah I think I'll get off"

I look at the wonderful dark secluded place where my bus stop stops and say, "well... then I'm staying on"

And he gets off at my stop while I stay on. I realize that if he had tried anything, I probably could have pushed him over pretty easily in his state, but Roca Jacks is a few stops away so I got off there. It was a good thing too, cuz Maia was working alone and the place was packed, so I did a few dishes, made a few drinks and walked home.

El Palabra del dia

I've been learning some new words lately, just by reading them or hearing them, and then checking their definitions. The one I'm not embarrased about not knowing:

HEGEMONY (hegemonic): The processes by which dominant culture maintains its dominant position: for example, the use of institutions to formalize power; the employment of a bureaucracy to make power seem abstract (and, therefore, not attached to any one individual); the inculcation of the populace in the ideals of the hegomonic group through education, advertising, publication, etc.; the mobilization of a police force as well as military personnel to subdue opposition.

and the one I am (and it affected the way I led my group counseling session, because I didn't know what exactly it was):

Bender
2. - revelry in drinking; a merry drinking party
booze-up, carousal, carouse, toot
revel, revelry - unrestrained merrymaking

New mom,
originally uploaded by cherylcherylp.

So I went over to meet Opal as she got home from the hospital and her mom went to get some groceries. She was so exhausted, hadn't slept for more than a few hours in 3 days. Part of the reason was that she was so worried about the baby and that she'd sleep through her cries. So she felt at ease with me there holding her (I don't know why, I've never even seen a baby that young) and was able to sleep for a few hours. At one point Tegan made this squeaking, gasping noise, like she was having trouble breathing and I got really scared, so I put my finger under her nose to check if she was breathing. And... she opened her mouth to start sucking on my finger. So, this noise is just a thing she does, but it freaked me out every time.