Finally, The “About Me” Page

I can’t write something here and let it definitively define me. That seems obvious but I realize that what I do choose to write or reveal here (and on my blog as a whole) is in a sense, the/a basis of what people have to work with. So i guess the following is just a very skeletal framework of where I’m coming from. But know that the things of life that fill in that framework will never be exhaustive– which can actually be an annoying and over-complicated thing at times. But I have no problem admitting that I’m still trying to figure some things out myself. Feel free to take it as it is I guess…

My name’s Steph and there’s always things on my mind: opinions that I’m forming, beliefs which are solidifying, issues that I’m questioning, experiences I am evaluating, doubts with which I am wrestling, frustrations that i tend to be suppressing, life moments that I’m enjoying. And in all these things, I find myself lacking in ability to articulate it all. And beyond that, I think I’m too afraid to do so anyway. But whatever will find itself on this blog, I suppose it’s another step towards unfolding another part.

I was born in 1984 and grew up in the Los Angeles area but moved to Vancouver around the time of high school. It was a trade-off between sun and rain, between surfing and snowboarding, between non-colored money and coloured money– note the added “u,” between the ignorant but sometimes funny stereotype of Canadians and the equally ignorant and pigeon-holed stereotype of Americans, between never going to the doctor or dentist and now going at the slightest inconvenience.

I graduated from the University of British Columbia in English and Sociology. For the most part, I enjoyed studying what I did and found the university experience invaluable. Since graduating I’ve moved to Calgary, Alberta to work with a Christian missions organization called Power to Change (formerly Campus Crusade for Christ, Canada) under the campus ministry division called Campus for Christ at the University of Calgary.

I call my blog “Canaan Bound” because life for me boils down to faith. Canaan Bound is a reference to the biblical story of Abraham (Genesis 12 and onward) who left everything he knew and set out for a place of incredible promise (Canaan). And although he did not know what it would look like or how the details would play out, he chose to trust and place his faith in a God who he knew was good. God honored Abraham’s obedience and as a result, Abraham has left a legacy of faith that has lasted generations upon generations, reaching even up to mine, extending even beyond mine. At the end of it all, I think I’d like to do something like that too.

Mmmm, oh yeah, and I love baseball and still unashamedly enjoy the novelty of boy bands from time to time.

GO Canucks GO

Lots of people would say that I’ve never been much of a hockey fan, surprise surprise, i know. But i’ve always been well aware that going to any kind of professional sports event would be fun to the max. I love sport environments. Looooooove it. I love cheering, i love heckling, i love sitting on the edge of my seat. I actually enjoy getting a sore throat from yelling so much, it makes me feel accomplished and loyal. And, I love competition.

Tonight, I went to my first NHL game with dozen or so other people. Canucks @ Flames, sweeeet. The Flames have cheap tickets for $22, waaaaay cheaper than any seat in Vancouver. Not to mention it’s hard to get any tickets in Vancouver, period. I had a lot of fun cheering on the Canucks in Calgary. The anti aspect of it all appeals to me. I even bought a Canucks jersey just for this game (17 bucks on eBay, very nice). It was especially fun being a Canucks fan in our particular section cos it seemed like it was half Vancouver fans and half Calgary fans. And it being a decisive game so close to the playoffs made things more intense and competitive.

I had such a good time even though we lost. Losing a 2-0 lead and getting killed on the winning goal because of a bad line change was so upsetting, not to mention embarrassing. Sunk down into my seat. Sad times. But at least we’re still in contention, all is not lost!

People might be thinking i’m starting to jump on the bandwagon… well, it’s not that i haven’t been on it already. It’s just that hockey isn’t my #1 sport. But i’ll always be proud of Vancouver. Plus, it’s much more fun to get into hockey as a Canucks fan in Calgary. And a big props goes to hockey for the normalcy of getting into a fight 5 seconds into the game. First period, :05, FIGHT. Gotta love that!

Food for Thought Courtesy of John Mayer

“You better know that in the end it’s better to say too much
than never to say what you need to say”

I know it could depend on the context of the situation.. but to throw it out there i’m gonna have to disagree…

Thoughts? Agree or disagree with Mr. Mayer?

and March is here.

I’d prefer not to have random bullet point posts but it’s probably the easiest way to catch up when i don’t blog for a month. So, to backtrack a part of the last 4 weeks or so..

I went to Scotland (Campus for Christ’s Spring Break missions). i should write more about it but i don’t think that’s going to happen at the moment. i sent off update emails and finished my newsletter but haven’t written much on the laissez-faire side of things to post here. if you want my newsletter just let me know.

Edinburgh

I finally went boarding. Alberta’s got the mountain-deal down pat. Kudos.

Baptisms! Paulman and Karina, congrats!

Throwback to those beloved SNES days.. Mindy O. came down to Calgary and brought my fave Nintendo product. Good times beating the Street Fighter II game again. =D

My sisters’ 17th birthdays! Weren’t you both only 5 just a few years ago?? Remember those Pocahontas PJ shorts way back when? hahahaa, your fave! Some summer pics, something to look foward to.

Haha, i’m a creeper!

I’m whipping through quite a bit of period pieces/ historical adaptations lately. some being.. Kirsten Dunst in Marie Antoinette = horrible. Cate Blanchett in Elizabeth: The Golden Age = enjoyed it a lot. I’m also reading The Other Boleyn Girl right now. I’ve had hesitations that it might be too racy. So far, not terribly bad. But then again i’m only 1/7 of the way through its 730 pages.

And lastly, i’ve been able to have time to do some “inner-thinking” as i’d like to put it. it wasn’t all that fun, but still good. probably borderline necessary. yeah, pretty much.