Alex Needs.

I thought I'd type "Alex needs" into Google (totally stole the idea from Serena) and see what came up. Apparently--in the viritual world of computers, this is what I need:

Note: These are all direct quotes--no jokes! The bolded ones are evidently my favorites and I've included a summary below, enjoy!

1. Alex needs your help.
2. Alex needs more than just a rat trap for this vermin.
3. Alex needs you!
4. Alex needs a job!
5. Alex really needs a No. 1 Receiver.
6. Alex needs a new layout.
7. Alex needs a new kidney in order to live.
8. Alex needs to read this--how to fly a helicopter.
9. Alex needs to go to Venice and find Scorpia to find her destiny.
10. Alex needs to get sleep, she looks awful and the bags under her eyes attest to her lack of good health.
11. Alex needs to freak out.
12. Alex needs to show something special.
13. Alex needs Ralph.
14. Alex needs you to make a difference.
15. Alex needs training, dog obedience would be great.
16. Alex needs to be in a one pet family.
17. Alex needs about 10 cardboard boxes to build a decent-sized spaceship.
18. Alex needs a steak.
19. Alex needs to stop drinking coffee.
20. Alex needs to keep her witness a live for the next three days.
21. Alex needs a scapegoat.
22. Alex needs a new nickname, I'm thinking McCreamy.
23. Alex needs to use her rotating helicopter ability to safely float down to the bottom level while avoiding the walls lined with spikes.
24. Alex needs crayons.
25. Alex needs a microphone and a stand for her second banjo.

According the world wide web, I'm some breed of dog who is a delightfully tasteful treat topped with whipcream! Using my helicopter skills I gained from reading a particular article, I plan to fly away in my cardboard ship with my witness that I must keep alive for three whole days. Carefully, I plan to avoid the walls of spikes which will be difficult considering I am a) a dog in need of obedience classes b) overloaded on caffienne from coffee and c) in need of a new liver.

The End.

The Past Is Only The Future With The Lights On.

Cause these are the days worth living, these are the years worth giving, these are the moments--these are the times, let's make the best out of our lives...

How many times in a period of say a year do we hear the question, "Are you sure?". Furthermore, when we give our answer to the very question--how many more times do we hear in response, "But how do you know?". That's just it--how do we know anything? How are we assured in our decisions when life remains to be a question?

Faith.
The assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things we cannot see.
Hebrews 11:1

Simply it is the belief that although we cannot answer every question in life fully or correctly, that we can find assurance and hope because faith assures of what we cannot see, nor touch--nor prove. It is a beautiful thing because faith itself does not require proof by sight nor science--it's knowing something is real without even having to see it, question it or understand it.

Are you sure?

Yes.

How do you know?

Because I have faith--even though I know I cannot answer everything, or know every possible outcome of every decision, I have faith that God has amazing plans for my life and if I follow him, I can be sure.

Feeling Poetical.

In every single letter, in every single word--there will be a hidden message...

Note: Click to enlarge and remember, in every single letter, in every single word--there will be a hidden message...

Note: The word that is cut off reads "rendevous".

How Could It Be Any Better Than This?

Sometimes I stop and wonder--how did I ever become so lucky...
I could not have imagined a better way to spend my birthday...
Thank-you.

I Am.

I was regretting the past and fearing the future.
Suddenly, my Lord was speaking.
My name is I am.
He paused.
I waited.
He continued.
When you live in the past with its mistakes and regrets,
It is hard, I am not there.
My name is not I was.
When you live in the future with its problems and fears,
It is hard, I am not there.
My name is not I will be.
When you live in this moment, it is not hard, I am here.
My name is I am.

Pictures Galore.

The moment everyone has been waiting for--the creation of a new photo album!! Enjoy everyone!

The latest and greatest addition to my photo album collection.

Wanna Ditch the Logical.

Angel of mercy--how did you find me? How did you pick me up again? Angel of mercy--how did you move me? Why am I on my feet again?
"Mercy"--One Republic

Toping the Charts:

1. Highlight of the week? There is no better feeling than the feeling of knowing that you're good enough. This week, I found a job listing that peaked my interest and the more I read, the more I was intrigued. Can you imagine getting the opportunity, the absolute experience that would come from spending a summer working with youth? Not only youth, but children who could use that extra little bit of love and encouragement? I found a job listing for the summer that entails working with youth with disabilities caused by primarily spinal cord injuries. The theory they base their organization on is the idea that too much rehabilitation is done within the walls of a building--which not only doesn't interest a child but doesn't give them a lot of hope either. By introducing them to their physical activity program, they interest the kids while helping them build back their motor skills as well as the hope that is necessary for life. Sounds completely amazing, right? Right. What's even more amazing? They want to interview me, not even twenty-fours after I submitted my application.

2. Ever spent a morning in a wheelchair? Until this week, I would have had to answer that question with a 'no'--but this week I had an eye opening experience. The first part of the lab for my "Assessment of Individuals with Disabilities" class was 'just for kicks', we all had a great time racing around the pavillion, around the track and weaving in and out of pylons--first forward...then backwards. The highlight of this portion was making Mike fall over in stitches as I tried to wheelie in the chair (a skill we had to practise so we could try going off curbs and stairs) and inevitably, I fell over backwards--tipping and collapsing my chair in a pile full of giggles. As I learnt, the technique for tipping the chair is to:
- Tuck your chin to prevent your head from hitting the pavement
- Use your arms to create a barrier between you and your legs as the wheelchairs does collapse and you will find your knees coming at you with the force of your weight...and gravity.
It was all fun and games, right? Not exactly. We were then assigned a task in small groups to accomplish that were all around campus. Our jobs were not only to complete the task but to watch how people a) looked at us and b) treated us. So we left the pavillion and our task was to first look at hoodies in the university bookstore followed by having to check out a textbook for a particular class in the lower level of the students union building. What I found? The bookstore's clothing area is not accessible to individuals in wheelchairs--the lay out doesn't allow the width of the chair to fit to get anywhere near the hoodies. This was actually really sad. As we found our way around using ramps and elevators, we finally made it to lower level students union building to find the book we were supposed to check was on the top shelf--far out of the reach me in the chair. Again--truly sad.

3. I've never really 'won' anything--ever. I enter every possible draw that I can get my hands on and still, nothing. This week, in the midst of all the good experiences and laughter, I get a phone call...turns out I can no longer say "never". What did I win? A three month membership to the city's finest workout facilities and gym.

Here's to the nights we felt alive...

Memories.

"No matter how tall I grow, I'll always look up to you."
Myself to Papa Bear, Age Seven

Green Eyes.

...Whisper's "Hello, I miss you quite terribly."
--"Here In Your Arms" Hellogoodbye

Roadtrip.

...If you want to see perfect, stand in front of your reflection...

The day began early as I rose out of bed without hitting my snooze button on the alarm and stumbled out into the kitchen. Still half asleep I began to get ready for the day ahead which began as soon I walked out the front door. The weather was nippy, so cold that it bit right through to the bone--the worst kind. The first stop on the list was a Post Office which to my favor is just around the corner from my house. After my package was paid for and put into a pile with others to be sent presumably around the world to special people, I braved the cold again as I sprinted to the car from the doors of Shoppers Drug Mart. A large fountain drink, a breakfast sandwich from Subway and three hours later, I found myself in the big city with only moments to spare...

Yesterday afternoon for some was a joyous time as they rushed off to job interviews with great excitement rushed through their veins while others went hand-in-hand with their best friends to accompany them through some of life's most unfathomable pain--sickness. Through the tears and all the laughter, the next twenty-four hours were nothing short of amazing for me as I got to spend time with a girlfriend of mine that I absolutely cherish.

Sleep deprived I headed out on the roads flying solo--apart from the company of a lil' four legged friend and princess, Holly. I arrived back home a few short hours ago to sunshine and thoughts of you.

I don't think this perma-grin is going anywhere.