Hitting the roads again

I started running again over the last week or 2. Decided that it was bad that a few months ago I could run 5 miles [maybe not easily but I could do it] and now I would struggle to run to the end of my lane and back. Probably not the best time of year to start what with the cold weather not to mention running/skating on ice and nearly breaking my ankle! the pain barrier hits after about 3 minutes when I have the choice to either- walk, fall to the ground [My preferred option] or keep going and so far I’ve chosen to keep going and hopefully the pain barrier will get further and further away.

Stateside

At the start of January I’m heading to Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the United States for 6 weeks. As part of my college course I have to complete an international placement. The church I’ll be working with is called Elmbrook church and I’ll be helping with their youth programmes and my favourite part- looking at their International team’s ministry. In fact the family I’m staying with takes a team to Mexico every year. I fear I will freeze to death, I’ve been told the snow can be anything from 6 inches to 6 foot deep and its right by Lake Michigan [I think I’m right in saying it’s the biggest lake in America??] it’s so cold it freezes solid until about 20 miles out. Needless to say ill need to buy some thermals! Should be good will be great to get some new experiences and have a break from life here for a while. Cheap clothes and boxsets here I come!

Boxset joy continues...

I got my hands on the second half of season 1 of Lost, and have watched it over the past couple of days- So so good! You suckers watching it on channel 4 have no idea what awaits you... Its simply magnificence. Roll on season 2! I just love boxsets.

Laptop withdrawal...

My laptop has been sick since May due to the fact I didn’t want to do without it I procrastinated and didn’t send it to get fixed until it got worse and more frustrating to use. Due to the fact that the end of the warranty was coming up I knew something had to be done plus it was very annoying not being able to load any disks or re write cd’s! So off to Sony in France my laptop went, 5-10 working days I was told until its return. Soon after the withdrawal set in… I had it all worked out the earliest date it would be back and the latest. Then to my joy and glee today [The 4th working day] It was returned to me by DHL in full working order. Then to my disappointment everything that had been on it was wiped! All software... EVERYTHING!! So I’ve spent all night putting everything back on including my i tunes. Good job me being so smart I saved all my work and pictures to the bible college computers! Ha ha

One to watch

Let me commend to you a film I watched on Tuesday night [Movie House, Dublin Road- £2.50 each: Bargain!] ‘The constant gardener’ Excellent excellent film- Set in Africa I don’t want to give anything away but really was one of the best films I’ve seen in a while- great story line. [Storyline Summary] Only down side was the heat in the cinema was like you were actually in Africa! We walked down from the Lisburn Road, due to the low temperatures I had on 2 t-shirts, a hoody and a coat, 10 minutes into the film I had my jeans rolled up to my knees and stripped down to one t-shirt I tell you the sweat was lashing!

On another note: Would you believe someone wanted to buy my Coldplay tickets- DENIED!

"What about your dream?"

I had a job interview yesterday for a development officer for Summer Madness. I really only applied in the beginning to see what standard I was at for such jobs… Never thought Id have a chance especially when I don’t finish college until May. The next thing I’m short listed then I get an interview. So I began to get caught up in the whole idea of it. Then on Sunday I was telling someone about the job and about the interview and they said “But what about your dream?” This I could not get out of my head and even during the interview it was going round and round in my mind. My dream folks for those who don’t know is to organise and lead international teams and help facilitate other churches/people to run teams. I know this job I applied for is only a small sidestep but it made me realise how much I want my dream to work out and how important it is to me, although I know God can use different things for building blocks to prepare us but I’m pretty sure it’ll not be this job. People for what little I know and this sounds like something your granny would say... lets go for our dreams and dream big!

Boxset update

I was having withdraw symptoms from boxsets until this week when I got my hands on part one of the Lost series!! Since I discovered my love for boxsets I have watched The OC season 1 and 2, 24 seasons 1, 2, 3 and 4 and now I happily add Lost to the list. The only sad thing about boxsets is when the credits roll on the last episode and you realise its all over… at least that is until the next one is released! Lost may I add is excellent viewing- Just annoying they released the boxset in 2 parts! If it gets bad Ill watch all the extra features!

Things of note:

- Congratulations to my good friend Claire Porter on her new role as the Edge female worker! I couldnt think of anyone better for the job.

- Made £17.50 yesterday on Ebay!

"Apple juice please"

I spent yesterday in Cranfield with the staff team from church on a retreat day. The sun was shining up there... lots of cracking views on the way up and from the house we used in Cranfield. Gordon shared some stuff from the bible and we spent some time sharing and praying together it was a great freshing time. Afterwards we went for a late lunch. Let me share with you a story which im sure you'll not find too funny but in years to come ill be able to look back on this and chuckle to myself- A sweet little old lady came and took our drinks order Glenys ordered an apple juice I decided to follow suit... Picture the sweet little old lady carrying a tray to our table with drinks for 7 people. "2 apple juices?" the sweet little old lady said Glen and I signaled that they're for us... the sweet little old lady lifts 2 sprites off her tray and handed them to us... both of us looking bewildered we wait for her to realised that they werent for us. But no no it then dawned on us that she had just lifted the sprite bottles because they are green and assumed it was apple juice. Yes I know your thinking thats not funny but you would of appreciciated it a) had you seen the sweet little old lady or infact had of been Glenys or myself!! [Pictures take from my new amazing 2.0 megapixal camera phone- Love it!]

A little extra cash...

I made myself some extra cash this week £73 to be exact on the wonder that is EBAY!! When times get tough sell stuff you never use or wore! I’ve so far sold a DVD, jeans and a pair of shoes with more currently on auction. £73 is not bad for sitting on your bum at a computer for 10 minutes and giving up stuff you never use. That is at least a couple of tanks of petrol I have earned myself in the process!