It's Christmas!?!

Merry Christmas Readers,

It's been some time since I've updated you on my last adventures.  These last two months have flew by like the Canadian geese do when it gets cold.  

In November, I participated in the annual no shave November.  This was something new for me as of this year.. Partly because I can't grow much facial hair and partly because what I can grow is untidy.  I don't have a picture to post for both of these reasons. 

November is usually the busiest month in the first semester as far as school work.  I had most of my assignments due in the third week.  I had a hard time this semester with motivation and initiative to write.  Who knew being in school is such a transition from working a 9-5 job..? 

I have also still had extra involvements on the side.  SBC hosts an event called Splat; a Saturday that junior highers come to the school for sessions, prayer and small groups, games, food etc.  I was the host/MC for the day as well as a speaker for one of the sessions.  The sessions talked on Colossians 3 seeking after God.  I was a little nervous but kind of psyched that I could have this experience.  It went very well.

December brought final exams and end semester stuff.  Not a whole lot of exciting drama happened.  I travelled home just a little over a week ago in my car with 3 other college students. The trip was a haul, calculated almost 27hours of driving with me behind the wheel 25 of those hours.  We ran into a winter storm around Chicago and the roads didn't get any better till we got home. Did I mention I had summer performance tires on.   Yeah, it was a little scary at points but probably what helped me stay awake.

Home safe, enjoying being around family and friends. Its nice to have a break from all the house work.  Moms cooking has been appreciated to a new degree.  But today i must inform you that I'm cooking Jumbo shells for Christmas lunch.  Here's a picture of our annual crazy family Christmas shot.  Not sure where we get our goofy faces from obviously not from the parents :)  

October winds...

Hey again,

I can't believe a month has passed by already... It's October!  Typically this is one of my favourite months of the year; leaves turn colour, weather begins to get a little colder and most importantly turkey dinners are on the menu.  And don't let me forget, it seems like the wind picks up too. gotta love windy Manitoba! Yeehaw. 

So what's been going on here?  Well to start, sports teams are underway.  I've had two volleyball and one footsal exhibition games.  We lost all three games...but the team is fresh and we are adjusting.  Both teams have skill and potential.

Classes are going well.  Papers are flying here, there and everywhere.  But so far it's been managed; like a hen managing her eggs.  Good analogy? So, I think I've read more pages in the last month than I have over the entire year.  Which could say a lot or nothing at all... In my pop culture class we've been talking about secular vs sacred.  Actually I think it's popped up in another class too.  It's been on the brain, there's been interesting debates about what categorizes the two... And really.. It's only all of God who belongs in the sacred list. Not worship music artists or theologians or Christians or church.  Sacred isn't our traditions, or us, or what we belong too. It's who we belong to; God!  That's my rant for the day.  

In other news I've made two pretty fly (awesome) dishes lately, check it out; 

French fry casserole!

And, BBQ Chicken caesar salad

Oh, and I was out with my sister (yes mom, we still hangout even when were not at home) and we are the best pizza I've had in years...

 

My roomie James, is arriving next week Wednesday.  I'm excited to have another person to share the place with. Hopefully I don't end up doing all the cleaning and cooking.  ..just most of it ;)

Well- that's it for now... until next time.

Brendon

Hey Readers,  Yes, I'm still alive.  Although the first three weeks have taken a toll.  It's been exciting, stressful and chaotic.  Lets start with exciting because as all of you know I am such a flowerpower, suns yellow and sky's blue kind of person.  Har har.  

It was my sisters 20th birthday this past Sunday.  Jon (the tall boyfriend) and I began scheming awhile back of what to do.  Just after planning a 25th wedding anniversary this seemed like a piece of cake (pardon the pun).  We wanted to keep the birthday to a casual close friend only and no surprise kind of thing.  I mentioned we could host it at my place.  However, the birthday girl had different plans...  She wanted to invite 8 friends and their boyfriends.  She wanted Sushi. She wanted flowery decorations.  She wanted a personal DJ.  Ok, maybe not the last two, but seriously...it blew our plan out of the water. Need less to say we had a great time at a sushi place in Winnipeg and then a walk down by the forks. A beautiful day it was.

Enough about Janna. I am playing two sports again this year.  Honestly, no comment is needed to those who I told that I wasn't going to do this.  SBC really needs athletes... So I'm playing volleyball and footsal (indoor soccer).  That's three nights of the week.  

I'm also volunteering at a church called Heartland on Wednesday nights.  Working as a senior youth sponser.  I convinced some very gullible people, mostly girls, that I was staring in a new role in the show Heartland and was using it for my field Ed credit.  It was funny. So yes, for those of you who watch TV there's a show called Heartland.  This is not a church based on it or in it.  Hah.

From the kitchen corner, this morning I may have made the grossest shake of life.  Lettuce, oranges, plain yogurt and frozen fruit.  Never do it. Ever. But with every fail comes a win.  I made this for supper.  Baked potato with a hamburger sauce and cheese!

So all these extra curricular things plus four classes, a bit of work from Desire 2 learn and living on my own will keep me busy!  Hopefully the stress stays to the lowest  premium. 

I think my new 25$ buy tv and tv stand will help to relax into my home a little more.  Hey it's nice writing thee blogs but it's also nice getting a few comments on them.  Hint hint smile smile.

Until next time!

Brendon

And we're off to the races....

Hello again friends, family...and those who I have yet to be acquainted with.  I shan't believe a week has already gone by since I arrived in this new and fun filled place.  This week has been full of school orientation and new class syllabi. 

 At SBC there's always a orientation annual new year bbq with food (really? I know...), field games and an opening chapel.  Which then is followed the next morning by orientation all students and all staff breakfast, another chapel gathering and a new and returning student orientation to SBC in general.  If that was enough orientation for you - good. If not I'm sure I could find something more to add.  I guess it's not as bad as frogs week.  Oops I mean frosh week.

I've had my first two out of five classes near the end of this week.  Faith and Science a class where we will talk about hot topics like rapture, creationism, Genesis etc.  How does science prove faith and vies versa! Other class is Christian theology, a class to extend and create new ways of thinking theological. Wooho. 

How's the rest of life?  Well, it's about time for round two of the groceries.  Still learning what fruits don't need to be refrigerated.  Who knew bananas could sit on the counter all week long??  ..Otherwise things in the kitchen are looking good.... (Hope this made you laugh, mom). I'm kidding by the way.  

However here is a look at my most recent fail.

It may look good...that's because it was. But I was going for a omelette, which I think means everything is supposed to be inside the egg?? Hah.  Good times.

Just learned of my roommates where bouts.  Ya, he's in North Carolina enjoying the hot weather.  Apparently it's nice enough that he won't be coming to Manitoba until second week of October.  So I'll keep bacheloring it up all by my lonesome. Key word bacheloring!

That's all for this week.  Stay tuned 

Brendon

The McKenzie Place

Lonely Chair - Extravagant Retro Furniture to come :)

The old house - I don't know the year but things are on a steady decline :)

Don't worry mom I promise I'll clean my room soon.... The whole bed situation is a little interesting right now.  I have a double bed mattress and a single bed frame??? Home improvement??

Ahoy Manitoba !

After two loooooonnnngggg driving days, I have landed in the heart of south eastern Manitoba. I had no problem getting across the border which came as a huge relief to my trip anxiety. The border gaurd asked all of three questions, kind of like a stranger who is trying to make awkward conversation. The 14 hour journey took me through "pure" Upper Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. All fairly boring country besides the odd lake and the very odd town; consisting of 5 houses, a gas station, post office and if you are lucky a greesy spoon. I really wanted to just get the trip over with and drive straight through. But I recognized the risk of the "death sleepies" and decided to stop at my relatives in northern Minnesota. It was all worth the 1 hour visit and the 9 hour sleep before trekking the last 6 hours up to Manitoba.

I made it to my new home in Steinbach friday afternoon. I was greated by two of my great friends who had refered me to this apartment they were so conveniently moving out of. Immediatly I began the unpacking; friday and saturday turned out to be full of packing and unpacking. I did get away from the packing for a little while to purchase my first set of retro chair and couch. They are being delievered Tuesday. Who new MCC was so awesome?? Pictures to come :) And, I had my first grocery purchasing experence. Good grief, I miss my comfortable - no responsibility lifestyle already. It was kind of fun price matching and looking for the best deal! Who knew a cheese slab was 8 dollas!?!?!

I helped my friends move into their new house in Winnipeg, Saturday evening. Which by the way is a super upgrade from this place. However it is a few bills and coins more.... I immediatly told myself that my future place will look that nice when/if I ever I get married...hehe.. dont stay tuned.

Today, my sister helped me do the rest of the unpacking... Flip, there is just a ton of stuff I didn't realize was so essential to living. Groceries, furniture, cleaning supplies, etc, etc.. The apartment is about 700 square feet - you do the math (its not super big - but not super small) Does that help? Can't wait for James (my roomate) to join me here... in October. Don't worry James, I will lone ranger it up till you come back to Canada. I'll add some pics :) Hope to post more soon :)

Brendon