And So Life Continues

Hello All!

So, I have been down south for nearly two weeks now, and surprise of surprises, I love it! The Groens are great people, and I feel like I fit into their family very well… even though I do still feel rather invasive at times… School is going well, I had my first math test on the first unit on Friday, and I found out today that I got the top mark in the class! Woot! Very exciting. I am taking Religion, Math, Tech, Biology and Phys Ed and so far I’m enjoying all of the courses.  I did end up getting a cell phone, so I now have an expensive new addiction, but it’s kinda nice.

This past weekend was great, I went shopping with a few girls Friday night and then we met up with some guys at McDonalds afterwards and chilled for a bit, then Saturday I went to Canada’s Wonderland with a bunch of friends and had an absolute blast. On the way back we got stuck in a traffic jam, so I opened my window and asked all the people how their day was going… I heard a couple life stories and hopefully made a few peoples day J Then we all went out for supper at Boston Pizza and went our separate ways full of food and good memories. Sunday I read a book on the balcony and got a bit of a tan for the winter. It was a relaxing and beautiful day.

Anyways, I should go do all the things I should be doing… basketball tryouts tomorrow!

Have a great night!

Heather

It's really happening!

On Monday I leave my home and travel to a new home for the winter. I’m nervous, I’m excited, I have no idea what to expect. It doesn’t feel real yet… even though Monday is tomorrow already. I still have to finish packing… I sent two suitcases down this past week so now it’s just the last minute stuff. I feel like I’m forgetting everything, but at the same time that I have way too much. I feel completely un-organized. And I feel very detached… as though I was watching myself, watching it all happen but not being affected by it. But I am. Perhaps I’m trying to feel detached so I don’t feel anything.

Yesterday was my last day of work at the chipstand. It was strange. I closed and went home. We had a campfire and Shirley mentioned how it was my second last night here. It registered, but it didn’t really, you know? Then this morning I woke up at eight and mentally counted the hours till I had to go to work but then remembered that I was done work, and today was Sunday. A few minutes later mom came to my room to tell me breakfast would be ready soon.

I’m in a melancholy state of mind… there are so many ‘last times’ happening. I will be happy though. Am I not the girl who always has a smile on her face? I need some sad music right now. And a hot cup of tea. 

Supper :)

tonight I made sweet chili pork tenderloin stir fry and bruschetta bread... it was delicious!

News & Not Caring.

Good Morning! It is the beginning of yet another work week, but I won’t be working very much this week! Tomorrow morning Mom and I hope to head down south until Thursday. If all goes well I will be living near Copetown in approximately 1 weeks time, and attending Rehoboth Christian School in Copetown for grades eleven and twelve. So the purpose of going down this week is to meet the Groens, who I hope to be staying with, getting fitted for my uniform, and meet with the school board. Then we will come back home Thursday, I will spend the weekend working, hanging out with people, saying my goodbyes, and packing. On Monday I will head down south again with Rich and Naomi and Abbi and begin my school year.

I’m going to miss my home. I’ll miss being able to bike or walk into town on a road surrounded with lakes and trees. I’ll miss walking through town and being greeted by everyone I meet because I know everyone here. If it doesn’t snow down south this winter I’ll miss the snow, but if it does, I’ll miss my snowmobile. I’ll miss being able to drive to Lowell Lake at the end of the day and taking our boat for a ride. I’ll miss my friends, my coworkers, my family… but somehow, I will survive, and find a way to enjoy being down south. I’ll find a part time job, study diligently, and spend time with old friends from down there. It will be good. Besides, I’ll still come home for holidays and weekends.

Last Friday Mom and I went to Liskeard and I took my road test. Apparently I did well and now have in my possession a G2 level license. I can drive on my own now! If only I had the money to buy a car… I suppose buying a boat with Richie didn’t exactly help. We also went back to school supply shopping. I had no idea it was so expensive!

You know how people are so obsessed with being better than everyone else? Everyone feels that they have to have the latest electronics, the latest vehicle, the lastest fashions in clothing. Got to be cool, have it better than their peers. I feel as though the whole world is caught up in this competition to see who has the most stuff, the best money can buy. I’m also somewhat caught up in it. You know how it is, the Puma shoes, the North Face coat, the Lululemon pants… all the name brands work as a symbol to tell the rest of the world that you have it good. Lately however, I feel myself pulling back from that somewhat. Honestly. Why worry about it so much? I showed someone a picture of my boat once and they made a degrading comment on how it wasn’t very big, powerful or new. I was somewhat offended because for Richie and I right now at the point in our lives, it works fine for us. We don’t need a big fancy boat. I find it rather discouraging how much people compare everything to whatever is currently best in that category. Personally, I don’t need the latest and greatest! The way I see it, I’m lucky to be part owner of a boat. I’m lucky to have a snowmobile that I can use whenever. I have more than enough in this life and it irks me when people feel the need to mention that they have something better. As long as we’re both happy with our own stuff, it doesn’t matter!

Well, I better get going… have a great week!

Heather.

p.s. You may have noticed that there is a new page with photos. I decided to start posting some of my photography. Please realize that there are copyrights on all of my images, all rights reserved. Thank you!

Contemplations

As I sit here on a cheery red bench I contemplate the vast mysteries of life. A chilling wind briskly flaunts about, bringing goose bumps to previously warmed skin. Vehicles rush by in a blur, intent on their destination. Everybody busy living their lives everyday… I wonder, how many people stop for a minute, block out the craziness of life and and just sit. And contemplate. Some people have to use alcohol to relax, some people use music, others use the bad habit of smoking. All people have some sort of method which they use to unwind at the end of the day. Why do we need to unwind? Is life so extremely stressful that we must force ourselves to relax just so we don’t break at some point? Does life have to be this stressful, or do we bring it on ourselves? Have we been raised thinking that we have to work ourselves to the bone in order to be successful? I wonder, is that a bad mindset to be ingrained with? Or is it good, because at the end of the day we are in some measure, on some scale, successful in this world? There are so many things that our society has taught us are important… things like weight, appearances, money, your position in life, popularity, manners,… everything really! I suppose we do need something with which to purchase things because if there wasn’t a system the strong willed people would get everything and the weaker would be in slums somewhere. Although it’s barely any better in our current state, really. The strong, self willed people rise in fame and success rapidly while the weaker, more timid people work diligently and slowly rise, nearly incognito in their success. But I suppose being recognized for your accomplishments isn’t really necessary. In fact, what made it so sought after in the first place? Perhaps because when people do something that they are somewhat proud of they want others to recognize their talents so that their self esteem has some outward support. Why don’t we follow nature’s lead in this area though? I mean think about it. The flowers and trees and rocks don’t shout out about their beauty and usability, they just sit there and are beautiful and usable, in their own way, and people walk past and smile and appreciate them. I suppose the reason people feel the need to flaunt their talents/success’ is because we have been so ingrained with the sense of being in some sort of race or competition. And because of the simple fact that people believe that, we are in one, by common belief alone.

I recently read a book about a woman who was a philosopher and who liked to solve mystery type things on the side. She was pictured as successful, good looking, and with her life pretty much in order. Yet she still second guessed little things, worried about others, and led a fairly normal life. Just because she didn’t have to worry about money didn’t mean she didn’t worry about other things. Where as a poorer person might not worry about the smaller things as much, but would spend a lot of time worrying about money. So in the end both people would spend a fair amount of time worrying, just not about similar subjects. Even children worry about things! Whether or not their little friends truly like them, whether they will receive everything they wished for on their birthdays or Christmas, whether their parents will find out about that chocolate bar they ate right before dinner but weren’t really supposed to… worrying is so extremely unhealthy, yet nearly everyone wastes time engaged in it. How do we get away from it in such a worry ridden society? 

music

retreat into a world of music

block the rest of the world out

forget everything

focus on the music

let it pull you

let it flow through your soul

float on a subconscious wave

close your eyes

feel it move you

let a tear seep out of your closed eyelid

let down your wall for a moment

just breathe

let your strength rest

you'll be alright

let yourself drift away

tomorrow brings another day

~by Heather Van Manen

smile.

Movember

Good evening, wonderful people that inhabit the alien planet ‘Earth’

Welcome to November, aka, ‘Movember’. I thought about growing a moustache but decided at last minute to shy away from that band wagon. Besides, it’s my personal opinion that my looks are not appreciative of a strange hairy thing being above my upper lip :S so... all in all, nope. The only moustache you’re going to see on me will be edited into a picture. 

Of other things...

YESTERDAY... ... ... was my big brother’s birthday!!! :D and he turned TWENTY-FIVE. Woah. Cool, but old, right?! [Just kidding Rich, if you’re reading this] however, I have already wished him a very happy birthday on facebook, but because that is not enough, I’m going to see him down south this weekend! That way I can give him a proper hug, birthday card, and appropriately embarrassing birthday present! :D I will say, though, that Rich is quite seriously the best brother I could ever have asked for. He’s been protecting me, taking care of me, and watching out for me since the day I was born. And the best part [even if I may not like it at times] is that he always tells me the truth about what he thinks. Whether it’s about a crazy new outfit I just bought, or how I think about something, he lets me know what’s going through his head! Even if at times I end up being rather perturbed with him and stomp away... he even taught me fabulous things like drinking from the juice carton and building hollows in my mashed potatoes for the gravy. Of course he did teach me a couple of good things as well...

Well. What has been happening in my life lately? Usually I would just say ‘work’ but, excitingly enough, there’s more in my life then just that right now! Monday nights I get tutored [yes, I found someone :D] by Mike, who is kind enough to put up with my incomprehensiveness when it comes to mathematical equations. Wednesday nights I curl [it’s not boring, honest!] and I absolutely love it. Of course, my curling partner might be part of the reason I like it so much ;) aha... Krista and I have the funniest times on Wednesday nights xD. If I’m feeling daring enough when I get around to posting this post, I may include some pictures... J and... Friday nights I have youth group in Liskeard! Which I also love. This is a time when not even Mike has to put up with me, but even Gwen [his wonderful wife] and Abby [their adorable daughter] have to as well. I must be pretty boring because Abby usually falls asleep... Mike stares hard at the road as if concentrating on it might help avoid the fact that I’m yapping his ears off, and Gwen [wonderful Gwen] smiles and converses with me. To contribute to the youth group and as a huge thank you to Mike and Gwen, I also do the baking for snack every week. I’m probably having way too much fun though... as of yet, I have not made the same thing twice!

Anyways, I was curling tonight, and it’s 10:30pm, and I’m kind of tired [there was a lot of awesomeness crammed into tonight... ;)] andd, I have to work tomorrow... so, I should probably say goodnight and go to my bed for a couple [or forty] winks.

I wish everyone a Happy Christmas, and a Merry New Year :D

Goodnight!

Heather, aka, Violet Moonbeam

p.s. I was daring... [see below]

Hey everyone

First of all, sorry for neglecting you all. Yes, I realize that it is October,,, and I also realize that my last post was back in July. You know, that wonderful summer month that everyone who lives in a cold place is currently dreaming about... Also the month of my birthday. Speaking of which, I turned 16 this year. And on  August 2^nd, two days after my birthday, mom and I drove down to north bay and I wrote my drivers test at 4:35, 25 minutes before the agency closes for the night... there was a sign on the door stating that in order to write your test you must show up one hour early. I explained my situation, how I had driven an hour to get here and it was only because of a wrong turn in our directions that we were late. They were wonderfully gracious and allowed me to write my test. 15 minutes later I walked out with official temporary papers stating I could drive as long as there was an adult driver possessing a full G licence with me. I was so happy I felt like I was skipping on clouds made of bouncy material. It was a good day. Anyways, that was a few months ago now, and I have been driving every chance I get, and am very proud to say that I learned to drive on a standard 5 speed car, and I’m getting very good at it :D

Oh, while I’m thinking about it, yesterday was the birthday of a beautiful, intelligent, amazing girl who just so happens to one of my best friends, Constance Turnbull. She turns 19 this year, very exciting! And I would just like to say thank-you to her, for always being there for me. For the late night [early morning?] talks online when we spoke of boys and houses and everything in between... remember the fun we had planning our dream house? With our fabulous plans for Tuesday nights... and our personal jet... the best part about me writing this is that no matter who reads this, they won’t guess the half of it :D  So thank you. So much, for everything you are... including an amazing poet who is pretty good at pretending she doesn’t know it... but if you had read any of her pieces you would know why I think she is so good at it :D I love you girl! Here’s to another wonderful year, and God’s richest blessings in the future. Oh, and don’t forget to give me your shoe size so that I can add to your crazy-amazing collection, all lined up along the wall. J

But of other things, I am constantly meeting and getting to know more and more people up here, and to be completely honest, although I really miss certain individuals who live down south, I really love it up here. This town is the perfect mi of everything. The people here are from all walks of life, and from all over the continent. But in the end, when everyone gets together for some social time and coffee, it’s the absolute perfect mix of complete looney bins, sweetheart old ladies, cool dude teenagers, humorous single women in their 30s, creepy old men that are always watching you, and absolutely everything in between. If I didn’t know for certain that absolutely nobody in Temagami read my blog, I could probably write entire posts on some people here, and some of the daily occurrences that make me laugh. And they would make you laugh, too, I’m sure... or roll your eyes in the least.

I have been working full time in my parents store still, and we have greatly enlarged our stock, having over 3,000 different items in our system. Of course since all of the summer residents have gone home things in temagami have really slowed down. I once heard someone say that in the fall it seems that the very sidewalks are swept off, rolled up and put away until spring. And it’s true, it really is. Temagami feels like a ghost town during the winter. Which, for us and all other business owners, means that business is extremely slow. However, if more residents here would come in and realize how much stock we have now and start supporting us by buying their groceries at Our Daily Bread, then maybe things would go better for us. Actually, because so many people didn’t realize how much we have grown since we first opened with next to nothing, this past Friday we had a open house, complete with free coffee and hot apple cider, as well as sample baked goodies from our instore bakery and 5 door prizes. It was a good day, a lot of people that hadn’t visited our store since it opened came in and enjoyed refreshments while sitting at a table by our coffee bar and chatted with each other. Many people commented on how great the store looks, how it is always very clean, and the shelves are nearly full, and very neat. All in all, it was a good day, and we just hope now that the people that came in on Friday will start buying all of their groceries here, and coming in more often.

Sadly I haven’t had as much time lately to take as many pictures as I used to. I still take a fair amount, but it’s not the same. However Sundays are a nice treat, since I have the entire day off, and between church services I like to go for long walks with my camera, and that partially makes up for my lack of photography during the week. However if I plan to study photography at a more professional level, I do need to broaden my portfolio. Does anyone need some pictures taken? J I’ve been looking into buying a new camera, but I don't know what one to get. Of course I have to have a camera with higher then 14.2 megapixels because my current camera is 14.2... and what is a new camera if it isn’t an upgrade? Anyways, I’ll have to see what kind of deal I can get on one of those new Pens. I do wish they were waterproof though.

Is it just me, or is high-school extremely dramatic? Just an observation that I’ve made... without even attending a high-school! I think that those four years have got to be the most drama-filled years of a teenagers life. Crazy. Oh, speaking of names for school, I especially liked what a friend of mine called it, a glorified babysitting facility :D [thank you, Katrina] I must say, I found that highly amusing. Ah, well, on to other things I suppose.

It’s raining to-day. I have always had mixed feelings about rain. On one hand I find it extremely depressing... and an excuse to curl up, blanket clad, in front of a fireplace with book in one hand and hot drink in the other.  I suppose the type of rainy day for that is the bone chilling cold ones when the sky is as grey as locomotive smoke without a hint of sunshine. The other type of rainy day is the comfortably warm ones during the summer when the skies open up and drop great drops of moisture onto our sun-kissed heads. That’s the perfect rainy day for dancing in the rain, and jumping into puddles, or, if you live by a lake, the perfect day for swimming in the rain. As a random side note, you can take the very coolest pictures with raindrops... I mean, think of the beautiful reflections portraying amazing scenes, all shown through a tiny little droplet of water fallen from the dreary sky.

Well I suppose I should get back to my school work now. I’ve been procrastinating nearly all day now. Not good, I know. My excuse is that I don’t understand it... any volunteer tutors around? ;)

Have a great night all!

Heather, aka Violet Moonbeam

of weddings, moving up north, youth camp and contacts.

Hullo!
Well. My last post complained about March being here already. Now it is suddenly July! A lot has happened in the last few months... in the beginning of April I got a job at Droogendyk Market Garden in Harley, Ontario and worked full time from then until Saturday the 9th... However, in the middle of April after much prayer and consideration, my parents decided to accept the challenge of re-starting a grocery store in Temagami. There had been one there until September 2010, when it went bankrupt for various reasons. In late December the board of the chamber of commerce of Temagami got together and made a proposal to my parents, get the store here up and running again, and we will help fund it. Mom and Dad spent many hours and days praying about it, and discussing it with many different people. Finally in April we put our house up for sale and put an offer on the store building in Temagami. Within three days our house was sold and we owned a store. Near the end of April mom and dad went up to begin cleaning and preparing the store for opening. They spent three long and diligent weeks scouring that building from top to bottom. It was nasty. But they got it done, and Our Daily Bread is now open, stocked with as many basics we could get in this amount of time. Until now, I stayed in Burgessville so I could continue working on the farm. However, I said that I would move up after my brother's wedding. Yesterday was the big day! And let me tell you, it was amazing :) Naomi made a stunning bride, and Richie an equally good looking groom. They are currently on their honeymoon :) And yes, I will post pictures when I get them.
A little bit less recent, but still very fresh on my mind, was the HRC Youth Camp, which took place in Michigan. I would post the pictures from that, but I took just over 500, so if you want to see those, you can look at them on Facebook. :) But I will say this much, I had the best of times this year. I met a lot of really amazing people, and reconnected with other amazing people. I heard topics and went to prayer meetings and workshops that were extremely uplifting and helpful. All in all it was an amazing 3 days. Although, I really think that in future years we should have it last an entire week... it was much too short :P
Oh, right, I have contacts now! Apparently they improve my looks... so that's good I suppose! :P
Other then that, although there is a lot more that is new, and has happened over the past few months, I believe that covers the most recent basics... And I need to be at the store by 6 tomorrow morning, so if I want to be anywhere close to awake by then, I should probably get a little bit of shut-eye.
Goodnight!
Heather