boy, was i wrong

i thought i was ready for school again. i was looking forward to taking a couple of classes after a long summer break. and i've always had this idea that i'm one of those people who keeps going to school on the side after graduating, just for the fun of learning. but maybe that's not me. it's the end of september and i'm still not in school mode yet. i bought my "human brain and behaviour" textbook just yesterday and it took me an hour and a half to get through the first half of chapter 1. i so don't want to be in school right now.

on another note, i had an interesting experience the other day with regards to my job search. i had applied for a job as a "computerized note-taker" where you attend college/university classes for people who are deaf and takes notes for them. the hourly pay is really good and considering i'm a part-time student right now (sigh), the part-time work hours would be perfect. the job posting mentioned schools like george brown, seneca, centennial, etc...places in toronto. but the phone call i got from manpower, the recruiting agency, went something like this:

mp: hi, is this sharon?
me: yes, it is.
mp: i have your application here for computerized note-taker.
me: that's right.
mp: do you have access to a laptop computer?
me: not at the moment, but i will get one if i need to.
mp: do you have access to a vehicle?
me: yes, i do.
mp: are you willing to travel to mississauga and brampton?
me: umm....i think that's a little too far.
mp: okay, bye.

and that was it. pish posh.

passion toronto

i went downtown today to attend a psych class i'm interested in taking. i'm not officially registered for the course b/c there isn't any space right now, but i'm hoping someone will drop it soon and open up some space. anyway, since i was on campus already, i decided to attend the "passion toronto" meeting that was being held at hart house.

passion toronto is an event happening on tuesday, november 22 of this year and it's organized by passion conferences. held at ricoh coliseum at the exhibition place, louie giglio will be speaking and worship will be led by chris tomlin, david crowder band and charlie hall. i'll admit that before today, i wasn't really into the whole passion thing. but at the meeting, i found out what passion toronto is all about and i'm very excited about it. it's a night of worship and prayer that's geared toward university/college students. passion has recently done similar conferences in boston and new york, and it's really targeting these intellectual centres, cities that we typically perceive as unreceptive to the Gospel, even hostile toward it. i was reminded of how important campus ministry is (a somewhat late epiphany) and how vital it is to reach these students who are the future leaders of our society.

another great ministry that also targets the world's "movers and shakers", so to speak, is ravi zacharias international ministries. it seeks to "reach and challenge those who shape the ideas of a culture with the credibility and the beauty of the gospel of Jesus Christ." definitely look into rzim if you haven't already. i've heard ravi speak a couple of times and i've read some of his writing and let me tell you his stuff is gold. rzim takes up a unique and critical role in fulfilling the great commission and is well worth supporting.

the summer draws to an end

i've been playing hard these past few months, really enjoying my summer. what better way to finish it off than by packing in every last possible drop of fun? some highlights of the past week:

last tuesday, i attended the jays vs. orioles game with the awakening staff courtesy of uncle kin and auntie helen. it was fun, and the jays actually won--that always helps. my ears are still ringing from the heckling and deafening boos (for palmeira) of two avid fans seated directly behind me--patty and adrian :)

wednesday night, i saw "legends of kung-fu" at the princess of wales theatre with my family. it was an interesting mix of dance and martial arts. at times it was a little too artsy (i.e. men in spandex+interpretive dance), but there was also one beautiful scene where chun-yi the monk and a "seductress" were sort of dancing while suspended in the air by something that looked like a curtain. of course, there were many chinese people in attendance, and at the quietest moment of the entire show, a cellphone rings and a man goes "wei?"

thursday was an awesome day with my gal pals. we drove to niagara falls, had brunch at a very expensive denny's and saw the horseshoe falls from the canadian side. after that, we crossed the border and went to "cave of the winds" at niagara falls state park. what a great experience. i highly recommend it to anyone visiting niagara. you're given a big yellow poncho and a pair of cheap sandals, you take an elevator to the bottom of the bridal veil falls and you get pounded by the water cascading down. it's exhilarating. after the cave, we went outlet shopping, got in trouble at customs getting back into canada and then had pho in mississauga.

on friday, my family and i left for detroit for some quality time together and some more outlet shopping. had some amazing steak (and i never order steak) at the uno chicago grill at birch run. i actually closed my eyes involuntarily with each bite, savouring the experience. in terms of shopping, here is a sample of some of the deals i found:

gap swimsuit top .99
gap skirt 3.99
alyn paige dress 3.00
tommy hilfiger t-shirt 4.99
aeropostale smock top 3.99
american eagle cord blazer 16.99
banana republic jacket 24.99

i think i've done enough shopping to last me for the next few months : P anyway, we'll be back in toronto monday evening. we have to get back in time for the filming of a promo video for the channels' 30th anniversary celebration.