Hey y'all
A big hello from beautiful Duncan, British Columbia. It's been a really fun holiday here. I flew into Vancouver on thursday morning(the 28th), and we spent the day in Vancouver. We went out for lunch, and my aunt gave us a little tour of the Supreme Court of BC-cool stuff. They have a bombproof jail there. We took the ferry back, ate an extremely good buffet, and had some good conversations. Friday we went to a place called the Knoll retreat, a cabin out in the woods with some family friends. I took some sweet pics there(I think), and we played games and had some good food. Saturday we went to my cousins wedding, which also had amazing food, and had a good time chatting with teh fam and some of my favorite cousins who I dont get to see a lot anymore. Tonight we do the new years thing, and then tomorrow Tracey and Luke(my sister and her husband) leave, then tuesday I leave. I think it will be the start of a good year...
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Friday, December 22, 2006
Christmas is nearly here!!!!
Where have all my blogging friends gone? So far my blog has had 1 hit this month, it makes me sad...:(
But on the upnotes, Christmas is nearly here!! I am probably going to my roommates grandma's for the big day, unless I get an invite from a single girl or something...;) Then on the 28th I am heading home, my family is picking me up in Vancouver and we are going to spend the day there, then off to the island for more celebrations. I am really excited about it, it should be fun!
But on the upnotes, Christmas is nearly here!! I am probably going to my roommates grandma's for the big day, unless I get an invite from a single girl or something...;) Then on the 28th I am heading home, my family is picking me up in Vancouver and we are going to spend the day there, then off to the island for more celebrations. I am really excited about it, it should be fun!
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Anyone remember this?
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=589204180&n=2
I liked it...
But why does Northwestern think we are the enemy all the time? Seriously...
I liked it...
But why does Northwestern think we are the enemy all the time? Seriously...
Friday, December 08, 2006
A joke about photographers...
The Smiths were unable to conceive children and decided to use a
surrogate father to start their family. On the day the proxy father was
to arrive, Mr. Smith kissed his wife goodbye and said, "Well, I'm off
now. The man should be here soon."
Half an hour later, just by chance, a door-to-door baby photographer
happened to ring the doorbell, hoping to make a sale. "Good morning,
Ma'am", he said, "I've come to..."
"Oh, no need to explain," Mrs. Smith cut in, embarrassed, "I've been
expecting you."
"Have you really?" said the photographer. "Well, that's good Did
you know babies are my specialty?"
"Well that's what my husband and I had hoped. Please come in and have
a seat"
After a moment she asked, blushing, "Well, where do we start?"
"Leave everything to me. I usually try two in the bathtub, one on the
couch, and perhaps a couple on the bed. And sometimes the living room
floor is fun. You can really spread out there."
"Bathtub, living room floor? No wonder it didn't work out for Harry
and me!"
"Well, Ma'am, none of us can guarantee a good one every time. But
if we try several different positions and I shoot from six or seven
angles, I'm sure you'll be pleased with the results."
"My, that's a lot!" gasped Mrs. Smith.
"Ma'am, in my line of work a man has to take his time. I'd love to be
in and out in five minutes, but I'm sure you'd be disappointed with
that."
"Don't I know it," said Mrs. Smith quietly.
The photographer opened his briefcase and pulled out a portfolio of his
baby pictures. "This was done on the top of a bus," he said.
"Oh my God!" Mrs. Smith exclaimed, grasping at her throat.
"And these twins turned out exceptionally well - when you consider
their mother was so difficult to work with."
"She was difficult?" asked Mrs. Smith.
"Yes, I'm afraid so I finally had to take her to the park to get the
job done right. Peop le were crowding around four and five deep to get
a good look"
"Four and five deep?" said Mrs. Smith, her eyes wide with amazement.
"Yes", the photographer replied. "And for more than three hours, too.
The mother was constantly squealing and yelling - I could hardly
concentrate, and when darkness approached I had to rush my shots.
Finally, when the squirrels began nibbling on my equipment, I just had
to pack it all in."
Mrs. Smith leaned forward. "Do you mean they actually chewed on your,
uh...equipment?"
"It's true, Ma'am, yes.. Well, if you're ready, I'll set-up my tripod
and we can get to work right away."
"Tripod?"
"Oh yes, Ma'am. I need to use a tripod to rest my Canon on. It's
much too big to be held in the hand very long."
Mrs. Smith fainted.
surrogate father to start their family. On the day the proxy father was
to arrive, Mr. Smith kissed his wife goodbye and said, "Well, I'm off
now. The man should be here soon."
Half an hour later, just by chance, a door-to-door baby photographer
happened to ring the doorbell, hoping to make a sale. "Good morning,
Ma'am", he said, "I've come to..."
"Oh, no need to explain," Mrs. Smith cut in, embarrassed, "I've been
expecting you."
"Have you really?" said the photographer. "Well, that's good Did
you know babies are my specialty?"
"Well that's what my husband and I had hoped. Please come in and have
a seat"
After a moment she asked, blushing, "Well, where do we start?"
"Leave everything to me. I usually try two in the bathtub, one on the
couch, and perhaps a couple on the bed. And sometimes the living room
floor is fun. You can really spread out there."
"Bathtub, living room floor? No wonder it didn't work out for Harry
and me!"
"Well, Ma'am, none of us can guarantee a good one every time. But
if we try several different positions and I shoot from six or seven
angles, I'm sure you'll be pleased with the results."
"My, that's a lot!" gasped Mrs. Smith.
"Ma'am, in my line of work a man has to take his time. I'd love to be
in and out in five minutes, but I'm sure you'd be disappointed with
that."
"Don't I know it," said Mrs. Smith quietly.
The photographer opened his briefcase and pulled out a portfolio of his
baby pictures. "This was done on the top of a bus," he said.
"Oh my God!" Mrs. Smith exclaimed, grasping at her throat.
"And these twins turned out exceptionally well - when you consider
their mother was so difficult to work with."
"She was difficult?" asked Mrs. Smith.
"Yes, I'm afraid so I finally had to take her to the park to get the
job done right. Peop le were crowding around four and five deep to get
a good look"
"Four and five deep?" said Mrs. Smith, her eyes wide with amazement.
"Yes", the photographer replied. "And for more than three hours, too.
The mother was constantly squealing and yelling - I could hardly
concentrate, and when darkness approached I had to rush my shots.
Finally, when the squirrels began nibbling on my equipment, I just had
to pack it all in."
Mrs. Smith leaned forward. "Do you mean they actually chewed on your,
uh...equipment?"
"It's true, Ma'am, yes.. Well, if you're ready, I'll set-up my tripod
and we can get to work right away."
"Tripod?"
"Oh yes, Ma'am. I need to use a tripod to rest my Canon on. It's
much too big to be held in the hand very long."
Mrs. Smith fainted.
Thursday, December 07, 2006
I am still alive...
Hey ya'll
Dont worry, Im still around. Life has been going well, I have been having fun at work, and sales are rolling in:) I like December. I think this is the first job I have had that after 3 months, I still look forward to going to work:) I am also super excited about going home for new years, I am flying into Vancouver on the 28th and my family is picking me up, and we are spending the day in the city. Then on the 29th we are going to a retreat house out in the boonies with some friends, I am going to go fishing:) My cousin's wedding is on the 30th, as well as a volleyball tourney, hopefully I can do both. And Im sure you all now about New YEars eve, my Sis and brother in law are leaving on the 1st, and then I am coming back to Calgary on the 2nd. Its gonna be busy, but super fun!
Mark
Dont worry, Im still around. Life has been going well, I have been having fun at work, and sales are rolling in:) I like December. I think this is the first job I have had that after 3 months, I still look forward to going to work:) I am also super excited about going home for new years, I am flying into Vancouver on the 28th and my family is picking me up, and we are spending the day in the city. Then on the 29th we are going to a retreat house out in the boonies with some friends, I am going to go fishing:) My cousin's wedding is on the 30th, as well as a volleyball tourney, hopefully I can do both. And Im sure you all now about New YEars eve, my Sis and brother in law are leaving on the 1st, and then I am coming back to Calgary on the 2nd. Its gonna be busy, but super fun!
Mark
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
brrrr
Its really cold here...supposed to go down to -30 degrees celsuis tonight, with a -42 windchill... I bought a scarf today, but then I realized that, being a tropical Canadian, I lack the knowledge on how to use it! Can someone who was raised in an igloo enlighten me?
That is a picture of our bathroom window... yes, that is ice around our window! Its pretty cold in there all the time, because there is no heat duct in that lil area of our abode. I have to run the hot water for a few minutes before I shower in the morning for a few so that I can get into my birthday suit without catching pnuemonia...and then some.
Mark
Sunday, November 26, 2006
A good day
Today was a good day:) Although I worked ALL day (9:30 to 8), it was pretty good. I am doing really well at sales, although I'm not really sure why, its not like I am a super good salesman or anything. But today I guy came in, basically said that he had a point and shoot, and wanted me to convince him why are SLR's better, and why should he buy one. So I convinced him to buy one. But not only did I convince him to buy any one, I convinced him to buy the $2000 one:) We joke around at the store a lot about how we are going to "ninja" (steal) other peoples sales, so that they dont get commission/incentives on it, and I get the feeling that I am doing so well just because I am lucky. I am lucky, I will admit that, but its not pure luck. And today I got to prove it:) It made me happy inside.
After work, I got to hang out with Nathan Johnson, a guy I went to elementary school, high school, and college with. It was good to see a familiar face again. We went to a bar called Loco Loui's, and had some beer, it was a good time. There was a good band, but there was also one particularily roudy drunk guy. He made things pretty awkward, especially when he was talking to the waitress and basically grabbed her chest. She was pretty pissed off, and she walked away almost crying after telling him off. I was surprised she didnt slap him silly, I know I would have if I was in that situation. Nate and I felt really bad, we told her that she doesnt have to take that. It was also a wierd bar though, at a normal place that guy would have been gone in a second. So the moral of the story is, if you are a waitress and guys are doing innappropriate things, tell them off. Get pissed. You dont have to take it - but Im sure you already knew that;)
After work, I got to hang out with Nathan Johnson, a guy I went to elementary school, high school, and college with. It was good to see a familiar face again. We went to a bar called Loco Loui's, and had some beer, it was a good time. There was a good band, but there was also one particularily roudy drunk guy. He made things pretty awkward, especially when he was talking to the waitress and basically grabbed her chest. She was pretty pissed off, and she walked away almost crying after telling him off. I was surprised she didnt slap him silly, I know I would have if I was in that situation. Nate and I felt really bad, we told her that she doesnt have to take that. It was also a wierd bar though, at a normal place that guy would have been gone in a second. So the moral of the story is, if you are a waitress and guys are doing innappropriate things, tell them off. Get pissed. You dont have to take it - but Im sure you already knew that;)
Friday, November 17, 2006
A new opportunity
Hey
So Sunday I am meeting with a wedding photographer here Gabe Mcclintock, from www.perspectiveye.com to see if I can be his second shooter for weddings this summer. I just edited a bunch and printed them today at work. When this shot came out, I was like "WOW"!!! I love the look in her eyes, and the way she is holding the flowers. Just so innocent....
So Sunday I am meeting with a wedding photographer here Gabe Mcclintock, from www.perspectiveye.com to see if I can be his second shooter for weddings this summer. I just edited a bunch and printed them today at work. When this shot came out, I was like "WOW"!!! I love the look in her eyes, and the way she is holding the flowers. Just so innocent....
Friday, November 10, 2006
My new website...
Woohoo!! Website revamping is complete! check it out at:
http://members.shaw.ca/mrkwkkrn
Unfortunetly I cant put any of the wedding stuff I did this summer on there, as the photographer I worked for doesnt want it on the web. But oh well.
Let me know what you think!
Mark
http://members.shaw.ca/mrkwkkrn
Unfortunetly I cant put any of the wedding stuff I did this summer on there, as the photographer I worked for doesnt want it on the web. But oh well.
Let me know what you think!
Mark
Thursday, November 09, 2006
woah
So I just realized that it has been a crazy long time since I've posted! Well thats for a reason, there really is nothing to post about! Work is going well ( I am leading the store in sales:)), and I am getting together some other job options. And now I go to bed!
Monday, October 23, 2006
So today I got my first bad taste of the city. I was invited to come to a movie night for Christian students studying at U of Calgary, by the campus pastor ( a dordt grad:)) So I decided to go. So I got transit directions, planned my route, and set out.
However, the journey was destined to fail from the beginning. I realized that I had forgotten to write down the house number, or the phone number. So I got to the destination, and I hoped I remembered the right address, but I failed. So I went home, got some groceries(including chocolate cake), and had a night to myself. But it was ok.
Other than that, not much else is new. I sold a nice digital SLR to a couple who turned out to be a Christian couple who do a lot of ministry work overseas. And today I talked to a lady at church who spent time in Africa, serving there, and I was encouraged to look deeper into using my photo and design skills to produce material for organizations that work over there. A few days ago I got a message from Jim at Africa Inland Missions that there is possibly a position like that over in africa with them, so hopefully that will develop for me:) Cool huh?
I am going to bed now, my eyes hurt. But before I do, here is a recent photo I have been playing around with. It is of my Cousins daughter, Brianna. She is very friggin cute. Kinda shy, but that makes her even cuter. I do a lot of work for them in the summer, so I know them pretty well.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Mall thinking
When working in a shopping mall, one begins to ponder lifes meaningful questions. Today, for instance, when walking by one such womens undergarment store, this question popped into my mind: Does underwear fall under the category of form or function? Does this depend on gender? Or physical attributes? Share with me your opinions, friends, I want to hear some underwear thinking
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
God Answers Prayer
Anyone else been experiencing this lately? Have any cool stories? If you do, let me know, I want to hear about it!
A while ago I found this pretty cool church that I have been debating about attending more often or not. The reason I said debating is because the church seemed a little over the top at first, for me anyways. I have always gone to conservative CRC churches, and this one well isnt. But its good. Its a CRC church plant, called New Hope, and it meets in a commmunity center gym. Its pretty upbeat, and very visual. THe pastor preaches on real-world, current events topics. One such Sunday there was a new childrens hospital opening, so he talked about finding God in hard situations, and showed clips from the TV show House as examples. Its pretty cool.
Another reason why I have been debating is because the people arent terribly friendly, at first anyways. The first 2 times I was there, no one said a word to me, only 1 girl because the toaster was broken(they have bagels:)). Anyways this Sunday I was there early, and so I was in the washroom, and I asked God that he would let me make some friends today, so I would know if I am supposed to be a part of this church or not. Well I was browsing around the information booth, and the lady working there started talking to me, and I told hee there wasnt a whole lot of college-age kids around. So she ended up intoducing me to 2 sisters (Josiah and Sancha- crazy names, I know), who I talked to and sat with in the service. After the service, I met some of their friends, and the one friend, Sarah, invited me over for Thanksgiving Dinner! So I went to her house for the day(along with 3 exchange students they had over, another guy, Jon, and of course her family), and basically sat around, ate, and played games all day! Then we went to another church at night were she was playing piano for worship, and ended talking to other people around our table and sharing times such as our most vivid memory of God, and when he felt closest to us. Good stories I had, but I wont share them now, this is gonna be too long already.
I was also talking to her friend Jon, and he mentioned something about the past, and basically said the past is great, there is no reason to forget it, but dont dwell on it. Well that is something I have been doing for a while now, and I realized I needed to stop. I loved my time at Dordt, and I miss all my friends there terribly, but I also need to look ahead and get excited about the future! Who knows what God has in store for me?
Also I got transfered to another camera store(same company), but this one in another mall, and apparently it is busier to I can sell more and have better hours, which will be nice.
Dont forget to tell me your stories, and share whats going on in your life! Jon Schmidt this means you! I havent talked to you in AGES!
Mark
A while ago I found this pretty cool church that I have been debating about attending more often or not. The reason I said debating is because the church seemed a little over the top at first, for me anyways. I have always gone to conservative CRC churches, and this one well isnt. But its good. Its a CRC church plant, called New Hope, and it meets in a commmunity center gym. Its pretty upbeat, and very visual. THe pastor preaches on real-world, current events topics. One such Sunday there was a new childrens hospital opening, so he talked about finding God in hard situations, and showed clips from the TV show House as examples. Its pretty cool.
Another reason why I have been debating is because the people arent terribly friendly, at first anyways. The first 2 times I was there, no one said a word to me, only 1 girl because the toaster was broken(they have bagels:)). Anyways this Sunday I was there early, and so I was in the washroom, and I asked God that he would let me make some friends today, so I would know if I am supposed to be a part of this church or not. Well I was browsing around the information booth, and the lady working there started talking to me, and I told hee there wasnt a whole lot of college-age kids around. So she ended up intoducing me to 2 sisters (Josiah and Sancha- crazy names, I know), who I talked to and sat with in the service. After the service, I met some of their friends, and the one friend, Sarah, invited me over for Thanksgiving Dinner! So I went to her house for the day(along with 3 exchange students they had over, another guy, Jon, and of course her family), and basically sat around, ate, and played games all day! Then we went to another church at night were she was playing piano for worship, and ended talking to other people around our table and sharing times such as our most vivid memory of God, and when he felt closest to us. Good stories I had, but I wont share them now, this is gonna be too long already.
I was also talking to her friend Jon, and he mentioned something about the past, and basically said the past is great, there is no reason to forget it, but dont dwell on it. Well that is something I have been doing for a while now, and I realized I needed to stop. I loved my time at Dordt, and I miss all my friends there terribly, but I also need to look ahead and get excited about the future! Who knows what God has in store for me?
Also I got transfered to another camera store(same company), but this one in another mall, and apparently it is busier to I can sell more and have better hours, which will be nice.
Dont forget to tell me your stories, and share whats going on in your life! Jon Schmidt this means you! I havent talked to you in AGES!
Mark
Thursday, October 05, 2006
I must apologize
My apologies to you all for meaning well, and trying to upgrade my blog to the new google version. Well it wasnt much of an upgrade, in fact it was a downgrade. Now I cannot post comments on any elses blog who hasnt upgraded, which was pretty much everyone. So I try to post a comment, and I try, and I try. But I cannot do it. I fail everytime. So in case you have happenend to notice a lack of comments, well I am sorry. There are lots of comments stored up in this pea sized brain of mine.
In other news, I have been looking for a new job. I mean selling cameras is pretty fun, (yeah not really, its pretty boring), and I want to do something more meaningful. So I have been emailing around, and we'll see what comes up.
Thats all for now, I am going to bed. I must admit I like my $50 air mattress, almost more than a regular mattress! Try it, its a very cheap alternative to a real bed(but probably not good for sex I should think)
In other news, I have been looking for a new job. I mean selling cameras is pretty fun, (yeah not really, its pretty boring), and I want to do something more meaningful. So I have been emailing around, and we'll see what comes up.
Thats all for now, I am going to bed. I must admit I like my $50 air mattress, almost more than a regular mattress! Try it, its a very cheap alternative to a real bed(but probably not good for sex I should think)
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Jones Soda
Monday, September 25, 2006
nothing to post about
so there really is nothing to post about this time, life doesnt really seem to be going anywhere. I have been working, which is going well, I am selling a lot of stuff, which is cool. I wish I had more hours though, 35 just doesnt seem to be enough to cut it. I mean I can live off it, but I would like to save a lot more that I will be able to on 35 hours a week. I applied for a job being an inventory photographer for a auto dealership. Could be good, we'll see what happens.
I went to a meeting to sign up for a small group with center street church, and I signed up for two, one an all guys group and one mixed. I dont think I'll be able to stick with both, so I'll go with whichever one has a better group. The first 2 people I met at the meeting also knew people that I knew from back home, it was pretty crazy. I can never get away from dutch bingo!
Mark
I went to a meeting to sign up for a small group with center street church, and I signed up for two, one an all guys group and one mixed. I dont think I'll be able to stick with both, so I'll go with whichever one has a better group. The first 2 people I met at the meeting also knew people that I knew from back home, it was pretty crazy. I can never get away from dutch bingo!
Mark
Friday, September 15, 2006
a little update
Well I am still alive and kicking, although the funds are getting a little low now. But that is ok, payday will come soon:) I am working at a place called Saneal Cameras, selling cameras and photo equipment. Its ok, a job, but it can get REALLY boring. You pretty much have to sit there and wait or the people to come in, and there really is nothing you can do if they dont. The store is in a mall, and there are always people walking by. I do get tempted to go to the food court a lot or other places and buy lunch or whatever though, so hopefully I can overcome that and save my money.
Selling is actually quite a bit harder than I expected it to be. I dont know the products very well, so I have to work on leaning what we sell. Today I did sell over a thousand dollars worth of stuff, but that was all things that other people sold and told me to ring up. But I like doing that, because then I get the comission:)
Anyways Im out, I have to work at 10 tomorrow. Hopefully I can find some things to do this weekend and meet some people, somehow. How do regular people meet new people, aside from colleges? It's pretty tough.
Mark
Selling is actually quite a bit harder than I expected it to be. I dont know the products very well, so I have to work on leaning what we sell. Today I did sell over a thousand dollars worth of stuff, but that was all things that other people sold and told me to ring up. But I like doing that, because then I get the comission:)
Anyways Im out, I have to work at 10 tomorrow. Hopefully I can find some things to do this weekend and meet some people, somehow. How do regular people meet new people, aside from colleges? It's pretty tough.
Mark
Sunday, September 10, 2006
A short landscaping stint...
Well the landscaping job is over, and I say that with a grin on my face! I worked on Friday, got up at 5 AM, caught the 5:45 bus, got off that bus, caught another bus, and then walked for about 15 minutes to show up to work about 15 minutes late. But that had no effect on the job ending, he knew I caught the first bus to get there. The actual work was ok, pretty hard because I am out of shape from not working all summer, but I could handle it. But the environment wasnt very good - wait it was horrible. The guys were alright, but every other word was the F word(understandable), but it was pretty vulgar. Also there was really no leadership from the boss. He said all of 5 words to me, which didnt include how much he was going to pay me. He seemed like the kinda guy who cheaped out of everything possible. There were no benefits from this job, which is a bad thing, becuase the work is pretty rugged(we started off the day hauling boulders around by hand). During the day one of the guys asked if I smoked pot, and I told him no, I dont. That didnt bother me, no biggy. But when we were driving back from the job site, the other guy in the truck, the other guy(the foreman!) asked if I smoked weed again, and when I said no, he asked if I cared if they did!! And he was driving!! The impression I got was that these guys did it a LOT, just from the way they talked and acted, and that wasnt a situation I wanted to put myself in.
So after I got on the train to go home, I checked my voicemail, and there was a message from a place I had applied earlier, a camera store I had been given an offer to be a salesperson at. So I called and asked if the job was still available, and it was, so I took it, went into the landscaping office the next morning, and promptly quit. The boss was kinda shocked, I think they told him I worked hard(which I did), but he let me go nicely. So things all worked out. Thanks God.
So after I got on the train to go home, I checked my voicemail, and there was a message from a place I had applied earlier, a camera store I had been given an offer to be a salesperson at. So I called and asked if the job was still available, and it was, so I took it, went into the landscaping office the next morning, and promptly quit. The boss was kinda shocked, I think they told him I worked hard(which I did), but he let me go nicely. So things all worked out. Thanks God.
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Oh crap
Hey
So i just got a call to start a landscaping job tomorrow morning at 6:30 AM until 7 PM. HOLY COW! WHat am I going to do? I have never had a real physical job before, and Im kinda sick right now, so I hope I survive! It'll do for the time being though, and its good money, and no weekends. Hopefully I get to do something cool like drive a big machine or something like that, but I wont get my hopes up so I think I'll probably just be digging or something like that. Of course its not my dream job, but it will pay the bills until I find that job, so we'll see how long I can hold out.
Well I think I am gonna go to bed at like 8 tonight, so everyone have a good weekend!
Mark
So i just got a call to start a landscaping job tomorrow morning at 6:30 AM until 7 PM. HOLY COW! WHat am I going to do? I have never had a real physical job before, and Im kinda sick right now, so I hope I survive! It'll do for the time being though, and its good money, and no weekends. Hopefully I get to do something cool like drive a big machine or something like that, but I wont get my hopes up so I think I'll probably just be digging or something like that. Of course its not my dream job, but it will pay the bills until I find that job, so we'll see how long I can hold out.
Well I think I am gonna go to bed at like 8 tonight, so everyone have a good weekend!
Mark
Saturday, September 02, 2006
I made it!
well I made it to Calgary, safe and sound. I have spent the last few days unpacking, getting my act together, and mainly handing out resumes. I've gotten some good response - I have a job offer selling cameras, but I have a second interview at a cool print shop that I am holding out for because its for a small company, and there is a lot of variety. Thats what I like.
I got a cell phone, I'll put my number in the comments. That should stop the hackers:) No internet at my place yet, Im at an internet cafe, so Im wasting money by the second. gotta go!
Mark
I got a cell phone, I'll put my number in the comments. That should stop the hackers:) No internet at my place yet, Im at an internet cafe, so Im wasting money by the second. gotta go!
Mark
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
The start of something good...
Tomorrow I start a new chapter in my life. I fly to Calgary tomorrow morning, and I will pretty much start to look for a job right away. Hopefully I will have something by the end of the week. I'm not nervous about leaving, I am actually excited about moving out and exploring new opportunities! I have been reading a book lately called Miracle in the Andes, about the rugby team who's plane crashed in the Andes and they were lost for 72 days, eating the flesh of the others who didnt survive the crash in order to stay alive. Anyways, at one point in the book, the father of the man who hiked over 70 miles to save the survivors says to his son "Dont let this be the best thing that happens to you". What a powerful statement! Things that have happenend in the past are amazing, such as going to Dordt, all my friends there, and the amazing times we have had together, but I shouldnt make that the best thing that has happenend to me. If I look forward to things that are better, that will be what I will get! Like the game, Bigger or Better. From this point on, I will live my life Bigger or Better!
Tonight I hung out with a friend from high school I havent seen all summer because he was away. It was good to see him, he is a crazy guy, and we had fun laughing at his dogs who were having fun getting sexual favours from his brothers new puppy(poor thing). He is going to school in Edmonton, but his girlfriend will be in Calgary, so hopefully I can see them lots! She seems very nice, and even offered me a ride with her to Edmonton sometimes on the weekend!
Today I also got a cell phone, a pretty snazzy one at that. It can play MP3's. Cell phones and plans sure are confusing though, they are probably the form of technology that I understand the least. If you want to call me, go ahead, I have unlimited incoming(if I understood it right), and my number is 403-993-8426! I'll try to set up facebook on there, but Im not sure if it works in Canada, so we'll see. Otherwise you can email me, or send me a text, and I'll get back to you! Keep in touch everyone!
Until I post again,
Mark
Tonight I hung out with a friend from high school I havent seen all summer because he was away. It was good to see him, he is a crazy guy, and we had fun laughing at his dogs who were having fun getting sexual favours from his brothers new puppy(poor thing). He is going to school in Edmonton, but his girlfriend will be in Calgary, so hopefully I can see them lots! She seems very nice, and even offered me a ride with her to Edmonton sometimes on the weekend!
Today I also got a cell phone, a pretty snazzy one at that. It can play MP3's. Cell phones and plans sure are confusing though, they are probably the form of technology that I understand the least. If you want to call me, go ahead, I have unlimited incoming(if I understood it right), and my number is 403-993-8426! I'll try to set up facebook on there, but Im not sure if it works in Canada, so we'll see. Otherwise you can email me, or send me a text, and I'll get back to you! Keep in touch everyone!
Until I post again,
Mark
Monday, August 28, 2006
I am Back from the end of the earth
Like I said in my last post, I went for a week long hike. We left monday morning, drove for 3 hours, then went out for lunch, and took a float plane to the start of the hike. It was an amazing time. It took us 5 days of hiking to get er done, but the first day we only hiked for 1/2 hour before setting up camp. The trail was very rugged, not many people do this hike, and we spent a lot of time hiking on the beach and along the coast. There were no ladders to climb, just ropes to pull yourself up in certain areas or down in others. There is just way to much to say, so to sum it up, I'll just say that God is an amazing God, and he is even more amazing for creating such an awesome planet!! We even saw killer whales from the beach we were camping on! If you havent gotten out this year to do anything cool in the great outdoors, get out and do it!! Thanks for all your prayers, they worked! There were NO injuries, which is actually very amazing becuase 8/11's of our group was over the age of 50!
Wednesday I leave for Calgary, and I wont have my own computer there, so I'll try to keep everyone updated. I'll get a cell phone eventually, so when I do, I'll post my number so you can call me! Pray that I get a job that is good for me!
Mark
Wednesday I leave for Calgary, and I wont have my own computer there, so I'll try to keep everyone updated. I'll get a cell phone eventually, so when I do, I'll post my number so you can call me! Pray that I get a job that is good for me!
Mark
Monday, August 21, 2006
Watch out Nootka, Here I come!!
Tomorrow morning I leave for a 6 day hike with some friends from church, mostly retired people but 1 guy my age. Its 35 km long, and will be pretty grueling. Right now my pack weighs in at 45 pounds. We have to our own food along, and basically everything else we need! Its awesome! I did the world-famous West Coast Trail in highschool, which was longer, but less rugged. This trail has no cable cars to cross rivers(you wade instead), no ladders(you use ropes), and there is no way to get onto or off of the trail except by float plane or boat! I'm kinda worried about that, because for those of you who don't know, I'm pretty much deathly allergic to bee-stings, so if I get stung I can be in serious trouble, if I dont have my epinepherine pen. But I'll have 3 along, and there is a bunch of nurses in our group, so all should be good. Even so, pray that there won't be any injuries, the weather will be nice(hypothermia is a serious threat), and that we can experience God's beautiful creation without any other problems!
Here is a map of where the island is, its off of Vancouver Island
http://www.vancouverisland.com/Maps/?id=34 (the top right corner) I live about a 3 hours drive away, plus an hour flight in a float plane.
In other news, I went to a wedding this weekend, the last one of the summer. My friend Kim, who I went to school with for a long time and worked with last summer, got married!! It was a really cool ceremony, it was on a grassy knolly area overlooking the ocean, and it was really casual. The guys didnt have to wear suits, they had white shirts and khaki pants, and the girls wore green skirts with white shirts. Very Kim style, I liked it a lot! I'll post some pictures!
Kim, the bride of course!(blooger wont let me add pics, so copy and paste the address into your adress bar to see-they are DEFINTETLY worth it!)
http://members.shaw.ca/mrkwkkrn/K-lav.jpg
Kim and 2 of the bridesmaids, who I also went to school with for many years! Ashley is in the middle, and Jenn is on the right. Both are married. Jenn and her husband, Chuck, live on the island. Ashley and her husband Mike live in Calgary, so hopefully they can introduce me to some cool people!
http://members.shaw.ca/mrkwkkrn/HS-girls.jpg
That is all, hope you all have a good week in your last weeks of work or if you are going back to Dordt already, have fun!
P.S. Anyone in the market to buy an island? Check this out!! http://www.bcoceanfront.com/private_islands.html
Marko
Here is a map of where the island is, its off of Vancouver Island
http://www.vancouverisland.com/Maps/?id=34 (the top right corner) I live about a 3 hours drive away, plus an hour flight in a float plane.
In other news, I went to a wedding this weekend, the last one of the summer. My friend Kim, who I went to school with for a long time and worked with last summer, got married!! It was a really cool ceremony, it was on a grassy knolly area overlooking the ocean, and it was really casual. The guys didnt have to wear suits, they had white shirts and khaki pants, and the girls wore green skirts with white shirts. Very Kim style, I liked it a lot! I'll post some pictures!
Kim, the bride of course!(blooger wont let me add pics, so copy and paste the address into your adress bar to see-they are DEFINTETLY worth it!)
http://members.shaw.ca/mrkwkkrn/K-lav.jpg
Kim and 2 of the bridesmaids, who I also went to school with for many years! Ashley is in the middle, and Jenn is on the right. Both are married. Jenn and her husband, Chuck, live on the island. Ashley and her husband Mike live in Calgary, so hopefully they can introduce me to some cool people!
http://members.shaw.ca/mrkwkkrn/HS-girls.jpg
That is all, hope you all have a good week in your last weeks of work or if you are going back to Dordt already, have fun!
P.S. Anyone in the market to buy an island? Check this out!! http://www.bcoceanfront.com/private_islands.html
Marko
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Coolest flower photo ever
Well, the art world is probably going to kick my butt for this, but I really love this photo. I hated it at first, but now I am enthralled with the color, the composition, and the fact that the part that I wanted sharp is actually sharp!! Woohoo!! It looks better on print by the way, Im still working in film. I want to get it enlarged to 16x20 or bigger!
In the headlines today, today was a great day! I spent the afternoon with Kim Taylor, because she was here visiting, and so I showed her the island. We went up to Parksville to the beach, explored the ocean, and then went to the "2006 Canadian Open" Sandcastle sculpting competition. That was radical, and thats not a word I use often:) After that we went to Coombs, where there are goats grazing on the roof of the buildings, we got ice cream - actually I got raspberry and pineapple sorbetto, it was amazing. We explored there for a bit, then drove back to meet her mom and got some drinks from Tim Hortons. The visit ended on a sad note, however, with the unexpected passing of my Chocolate Milk Iced Cappuccino. She somehow managed to knock it out of my hand during our hug goodbye. I was sad. But we laughed. And someone will remember the good times we had when they step on the goey mess in the parking lot:)
Friday, August 11, 2006
Trust
Trusting in God is tough....that is what I have been slowly realizing over the last few weeks.
A few weeks ago a friend called me and asked if I was serious about moving to Calgary(I had mentioned it before). So I was praying about it, while I was applying for jobs in Calgary, and that God would show me a sign that I should go. Well the next morning one of the places I applied to called me, and wanted me to come for an interview.
So I went to Calgary this week, and did the 3 interviews that I had lined up. They went ok for the most part, and I got 1 of the jobs for sure, but I had to turn it down because it started on monday, I needed a car, and it was only temporary. The one that I really wanted(the place that had called) I found out I didnt get tonight after I got back, so I was pretty bummed about that. I really felt like God wanted me in that position, but I guess not.
On the plus side though, on my way to an interview for a photography gig, I stopped in at a design studio next door and dropped my resume off, and they called me later that day! So I have a phone interview with them on Monday morning. Also the owner of the place I got rejected at told me of a commercial photographer who is looking for a assistant, so maybe that will work out. I also talked to the owner of a hair-styling school, and they are looking for a photographer for the fall to shoot their models...so maybe I could do that also! I guess God does want me there, just on his terms, not mine!
A few weeks ago a friend called me and asked if I was serious about moving to Calgary(I had mentioned it before). So I was praying about it, while I was applying for jobs in Calgary, and that God would show me a sign that I should go. Well the next morning one of the places I applied to called me, and wanted me to come for an interview.
So I went to Calgary this week, and did the 3 interviews that I had lined up. They went ok for the most part, and I got 1 of the jobs for sure, but I had to turn it down because it started on monday, I needed a car, and it was only temporary. The one that I really wanted(the place that had called) I found out I didnt get tonight after I got back, so I was pretty bummed about that. I really felt like God wanted me in that position, but I guess not.
On the plus side though, on my way to an interview for a photography gig, I stopped in at a design studio next door and dropped my resume off, and they called me later that day! So I have a phone interview with them on Monday morning. Also the owner of the place I got rejected at told me of a commercial photographer who is looking for a assistant, so maybe that will work out. I also talked to the owner of a hair-styling school, and they are looking for a photographer for the fall to shoot their models...so maybe I could do that also! I guess God does want me there, just on his terms, not mine!
Monday, August 07, 2006
My first picture!
(sorry I had to remove the pictures due to issues with the photographer I work for)
This is sort of what I have been doing for work this summer. Being a second shooter for a wedding photographer. Part Time. VERY part time. Like 4 hours every week. But its good experience.
THe other night I freaked out about the upcoming move to Calgary. I woke up at 4 in the morning(after going to bed at 2) and was very distraught about having absolutely NO money! I couldnt sleep for a while after that, so I got out of bed, ate some cereal with milk, and read the paper. Then I went back to bed.
Looking back I probably should have gotten a part or full time job for the summer, and just saved the money. But I can't change the past now, and in retrospect I had a good summer with my parents and helped them out a lot.
My uncle and aunt are here from Northern Alberta, I LOVE having guests - especially when they are your favorite relatives. My siblings and I spent a lot of time at their farm visiting them and playing with their kids, and I thought today about how I havent been there in around 10 years. Sad. Tims have changed, but I'll definetly have to go up there for a weekend or something when I am in Calgary. Hopefully tomorrow we get to do something cool instead of sitting around talking all day.
Tuesday I fly to Calgary for interviews - I have 3 lined up. 1 print shop, 1 doing school photography, and 1 photographing pools(part-time). I really hope I get the print shop one and that its a rockin place, as well as the pool job. If I dont get any, I'll just get a shitty job doing something like produce or whatever until I can find something better.
Well thats all, pray that my interviews go well!
This is sort of what I have been doing for work this summer. Being a second shooter for a wedding photographer. Part Time. VERY part time. Like 4 hours every week. But its good experience.
THe other night I freaked out about the upcoming move to Calgary. I woke up at 4 in the morning(after going to bed at 2) and was very distraught about having absolutely NO money! I couldnt sleep for a while after that, so I got out of bed, ate some cereal with milk, and read the paper. Then I went back to bed.
Looking back I probably should have gotten a part or full time job for the summer, and just saved the money. But I can't change the past now, and in retrospect I had a good summer with my parents and helped them out a lot.
My uncle and aunt are here from Northern Alberta, I LOVE having guests - especially when they are your favorite relatives. My siblings and I spent a lot of time at their farm visiting them and playing with their kids, and I thought today about how I havent been there in around 10 years. Sad. Tims have changed, but I'll definetly have to go up there for a weekend or something when I am in Calgary. Hopefully tomorrow we get to do something cool instead of sitting around talking all day.
Tuesday I fly to Calgary for interviews - I have 3 lined up. 1 print shop, 1 doing school photography, and 1 photographing pools(part-time). I really hope I get the print shop one and that its a rockin place, as well as the pool job. If I dont get any, I'll just get a shitty job doing something like produce or whatever until I can find something better.
Well thats all, pray that my interviews go well!
Saturday, August 05, 2006
Monday, July 31, 2006
A lot has happenend
Hey
Sorry to any of you who actually read this, I havent been posting a lot and keeping you updated!
This past weekend my family went out for a tiny little vacation, but it was fun. We went up island to a beach on the east coast for a day, then stayed at a hotel overlooking the ocean that night-very nice place to be! That was thursday, and Friday we went to the west coast of the island to the open ocean. It was much colder there, but the beach was amazing-awesome sand, big waves(cold water though), but too many people. It's getting way too populated out there now, there is a big surfing community and its getting crowded. Too bad.
In other news, Mark Wikkerink has decided to take the plunge and move to Calgary, Alberta! A friend from high school phoned me up one night and asked if I wanted to move out there, because he needs someone to share his rent with. So I said I'd think about it, and I looked at some jobs there and applied for some. I applied for one at a high-end print shop called ABL Imaging, but I didnt think much of it. I prayed that night that God would give me a sign or something that I should go to Calgary....and the next afternoon the owner of the place called!! The job I applied for was a "Drymounting/Laminating Technician", which is taking photographs, design work, whatever, and mounting them to other stuff, like wood, plastic, glass, etc. The job isnt exactly in my field, but they do a lot of work for museums and pro photographers, so I can get some good contacts. The only thing is that they basically want me to run the show eventualy because they have 2 older guys working there who need to cut back on hours, but I am not sure I want to be tied down to such a permanent thing. I am going there for an interview from the 8th to the 11th, and if I dont get this job, there was another company that wanted an interview back in july, Im not sure if thats still the case though. I am not sure what date I am moving on though yet, that is TBA. So that is my news!!
Sorry to any of you who actually read this, I havent been posting a lot and keeping you updated!
This past weekend my family went out for a tiny little vacation, but it was fun. We went up island to a beach on the east coast for a day, then stayed at a hotel overlooking the ocean that night-very nice place to be! That was thursday, and Friday we went to the west coast of the island to the open ocean. It was much colder there, but the beach was amazing-awesome sand, big waves(cold water though), but too many people. It's getting way too populated out there now, there is a big surfing community and its getting crowded. Too bad.
In other news, Mark Wikkerink has decided to take the plunge and move to Calgary, Alberta! A friend from high school phoned me up one night and asked if I wanted to move out there, because he needs someone to share his rent with. So I said I'd think about it, and I looked at some jobs there and applied for some. I applied for one at a high-end print shop called ABL Imaging, but I didnt think much of it. I prayed that night that God would give me a sign or something that I should go to Calgary....and the next afternoon the owner of the place called!! The job I applied for was a "Drymounting/Laminating Technician", which is taking photographs, design work, whatever, and mounting them to other stuff, like wood, plastic, glass, etc. The job isnt exactly in my field, but they do a lot of work for museums and pro photographers, so I can get some good contacts. The only thing is that they basically want me to run the show eventualy because they have 2 older guys working there who need to cut back on hours, but I am not sure I want to be tied down to such a permanent thing. I am going there for an interview from the 8th to the 11th, and if I dont get this job, there was another company that wanted an interview back in july, Im not sure if thats still the case though. I am not sure what date I am moving on though yet, that is TBA. So that is my news!!
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
The days events in short form
1 Wake up early (7am-thats early as of late)
2. Drive to the west coast
3.Along drive, stop to take pictures, get chased by angry swarm of somethings...very scary
4. Arrive at Port Renfrew, after driving very windy and curvy road
5. Pick up friends from West Coast Trail head
6. Drive halfway back to Duncan
7. Eat lunch at McDonalds
8. Discuss various diarrhea horror stories
9. Finish drive to Duncan
10. Nap
11. Supper
12. Talk to Jon Schmidt about lack of spicyness in "Pappy's XXX White Lightning BBQ Sauce"
13. Swim in lake with the fam
14. Compute.
15. Write on blog.
16. View wedding pictures.
17. Devotions
18. Sleep
Wow that was a lot more than that 5 I had originally planned on writing...
1 Wake up early (7am-thats early as of late)
2. Drive to the west coast
3.Along drive, stop to take pictures, get chased by angry swarm of somethings...very scary
4. Arrive at Port Renfrew, after driving very windy and curvy road
5. Pick up friends from West Coast Trail head
6. Drive halfway back to Duncan
7. Eat lunch at McDonalds
8. Discuss various diarrhea horror stories
9. Finish drive to Duncan
10. Nap
11. Supper
12. Talk to Jon Schmidt about lack of spicyness in "Pappy's XXX White Lightning BBQ Sauce"
13. Swim in lake with the fam
14. Compute.
15. Write on blog.
16. View wedding pictures.
17. Devotions
18. Sleep
Wow that was a lot more than that 5 I had originally planned on writing...
Thursday, July 13, 2006
great vacation
Hello World! I am back from one of the best vacations I have every had! (was it really a vacation though? its hard to take a break from nothing..) I went down to the States for Wilbert Talens wedding, one of my roommates from sophomore year. I flew to Chicago on teh 4th, and got to celebrate the 4th of July with my sister, brother in law, and cousin, who was also visiting. I got there at 2 in teh afternoon, then went to a bbq and ate and watched soccer, and then went to a neighberhood where EVERYONE was shooting off fireworks at night! It was awesome, it was nearly as good as New Years Eve in the DR this past year, which I recommend to anyone.
The next day I went to the Field museum, and Sarah Franken showed me around(she works there). I was inspired to apply for jobs at museums/zoos, they would be cool to work at.
Thursday I went to the art institute, and was again amazed/astounded by the amazing artists who have gone before me. I need to start making art again, I miss it. Maybe I will paint tomorrow.
Thursday night i went to michigan, and stayed with Mike Elders. What a great guy. A bunch of my friends also stayed there, and we had a great time, with some great discussions about life after dordt, life at dordt, girls, Europe, and many other great topics. I miss those dudes now. The wedding was friday night, and it was beautiful. Saturday we went to the beach and then had a barbeque at a gals house who goes to Calvin, and met a lot of calvin students. Nice people.
Sunday we went to church, watched the soccer game, and then went to Mikes friends house for a bonfire and bocce ball. I just looked in my closet, and the soccer jersey my sister got from Italy when she was there in 2002 is a Del Piero, who was on the Italian team this year!! I should have worn it!
I went back to Chicago on monday morning, went to the zoo and took a bunch of pictures of cool animals, and played floor hockey with guys from there church on monday night. It was fun, but was very wierd. They all thought they knew what they were doing, but they didnt actually know. One guy hit me in the forehead with the puck from about a foot away...how do you even do that? seriously...
I got home on tuesday afternoon, and spent the afternoon with the 'rents shopping for a new mattress for them and looking for clothes. Let me tell you there are way to many comfy mattressess out there...
Well I am sure you are all sick of my amazingly deep thoughts, so before I bore you, I will retire to continue reading teh Chronicles of Narnia, and then to get some sleep!
The next day I went to the Field museum, and Sarah Franken showed me around(she works there). I was inspired to apply for jobs at museums/zoos, they would be cool to work at.
Thursday I went to the art institute, and was again amazed/astounded by the amazing artists who have gone before me. I need to start making art again, I miss it. Maybe I will paint tomorrow.
Thursday night i went to michigan, and stayed with Mike Elders. What a great guy. A bunch of my friends also stayed there, and we had a great time, with some great discussions about life after dordt, life at dordt, girls, Europe, and many other great topics. I miss those dudes now. The wedding was friday night, and it was beautiful. Saturday we went to the beach and then had a barbeque at a gals house who goes to Calvin, and met a lot of calvin students. Nice people.
Sunday we went to church, watched the soccer game, and then went to Mikes friends house for a bonfire and bocce ball. I just looked in my closet, and the soccer jersey my sister got from Italy when she was there in 2002 is a Del Piero, who was on the Italian team this year!! I should have worn it!
I went back to Chicago on monday morning, went to the zoo and took a bunch of pictures of cool animals, and played floor hockey with guys from there church on monday night. It was fun, but was very wierd. They all thought they knew what they were doing, but they didnt actually know. One guy hit me in the forehead with the puck from about a foot away...how do you even do that? seriously...
I got home on tuesday afternoon, and spent the afternoon with the 'rents shopping for a new mattress for them and looking for clothes. Let me tell you there are way to many comfy mattressess out there...
Well I am sure you are all sick of my amazingly deep thoughts, so before I bore you, I will retire to continue reading teh Chronicles of Narnia, and then to get some sleep!
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Wow
I must apologize all my blog followers-if there are any. So my apologies for not posting for a LONG time, and I really have no excuse. I'm not working, I have pretty much become a housewife, but now I am getting really bored...and poor...at home. I have been doing a lot of job searching, and I've lined up 1 part time job for sure, another is right on its heels. I'll be shooting weddings with another photographer on saturdays, and I hopefully will be doing some freelance graphics work for a place in town. I am looking all over Canada for a full time job, but there havent been many responses thus far. Pray that something cool happens soon!
In other news....well there isnt much news. The 6 o clock news of my life would be about 2 minutes long. I am going to Chicago/michigan in July for Wilberts wedding, so that should be fun.
If anyone is coming out to BC and wants to experience some steller west coast life, let me know!! There is a ton of stuff to do here...wait a minute, I have been home for a month and havent done anything yet! SICK, i need to get on that!
Or if you just want to talk on msn, add me (mark162@hotmail.com).
Over and out,
Wikkerink(I miss people calling me that now, no one does here)
In other news....well there isnt much news. The 6 o clock news of my life would be about 2 minutes long. I am going to Chicago/michigan in July for Wilberts wedding, so that should be fun.
If anyone is coming out to BC and wants to experience some steller west coast life, let me know!! There is a ton of stuff to do here...wait a minute, I have been home for a month and havent done anything yet! SICK, i need to get on that!
Or if you just want to talk on msn, add me (mark162@hotmail.com).
Over and out,
Wikkerink(I miss people calling me that now, no one does here)
Monday, May 29, 2006
at home
Well I am at home again, Im not sure if I said that in my last post or not.
It's pretty boring here, I havent found a job yet, but then again I havent really looked either. I dont know whether to get a summer job here to make money, or go somewhere else right away. I want to leave, but I dont really have money too, but if I stay here too long Im afraid I'll never leave...and there isnt much for me here in Duncan in terms of well, anything!
My high school is hosting the BC A Provincial Soccer tournement this weekend, so I am helping out with that, taking pictures and making a DVD of the action with a friend. Hopefully everything comes together...and I dont get too annoyed with the high school girls and accident kick a soccer ball at one of their heads...but I would never do that anyways:)
Other than that, nothing much is new, the weather is crappy...I have been runnig, so far I have totalled over 20 KM for the 2 weeks that I have been back. I run 4.35 K (usually) every monday, wednesday, friday, but I am not seeing the results I want so I might start every day. We'll see.
Oh has anyone ever been to Ottawa? Whats it like? I might look for a job there...
It's pretty boring here, I havent found a job yet, but then again I havent really looked either. I dont know whether to get a summer job here to make money, or go somewhere else right away. I want to leave, but I dont really have money too, but if I stay here too long Im afraid I'll never leave...and there isnt much for me here in Duncan in terms of well, anything!
My high school is hosting the BC A Provincial Soccer tournement this weekend, so I am helping out with that, taking pictures and making a DVD of the action with a friend. Hopefully everything comes together...and I dont get too annoyed with the high school girls and accident kick a soccer ball at one of their heads...but I would never do that anyways:)
Other than that, nothing much is new, the weather is crappy...I have been runnig, so far I have totalled over 20 KM for the 2 weeks that I have been back. I run 4.35 K (usually) every monday, wednesday, friday, but I am not seeing the results I want so I might start every day. We'll see.
Oh has anyone ever been to Ottawa? Whats it like? I might look for a job there...
Sunday, May 14, 2006
update on nothing to update really...
Well I found my blog back...I have it under my favorites on my computer, but that is back at home now, and I am still in Sioux Center though. I have been here for nearly a week, after spending some time in Pella, Chicago, and De Motte with family and friends.
In case your wondering, I went to my brother-in-laws folks house last weekend with my family after grad, then drove to Chicago with them. It was a good weekend, and we bonded, although it was short. My parents flew home on Monday, and I stayed in Chicago with my sister Tracey and her husband Luke. I explored Chicago on monday, I tried to find the Museum of Holography(can someone tell me how you are actually supposed to say that word? holo-graphy? or holog-raphy?)but I failed. Then I went down to De Motte Indiana and spent the night at Aaron Shupes house, which was fun. I then flew back to good ol SC and spent the week with Karen Gruppen, Ginelle Bakker, Jon Schmidt, Melinda Fritschy, and Megan Vonk, basically helping get things ready for Megan's wedding. I was the candid photogapher, and I had a really great time. I am still staying at the Vonk residence, even though everyone has left and it is just me, Mrs. Vonk, and Ben, Megans brother. Good times.
The wedding was really great, but it was bittersweet. It was pretty sad for me because it was the last time I would see a lot of my good friends for a long time, which is always sad. Of course I tried not to ruin the big day, but that was kinda tough. I'll really miss Megan, Jon, and Ginelle, I have gotten a lot closer to them this last year than anyone else I think, and its hard because they will be coming back to sioux center, like a lot of my other friends, and I won't be, except maybe to visit.
I'm starting to get worried about what I want to do for work, but even more so making new friends and starting a new life. I'm not so good with starting things fresh again, so I'm kinda worried about that. Plus I really don't have anything stable in my life, which means that I basically can go anywhere I please, but that also kinda freaks me out. Anyone have any advice?
By the way can somebody tell me how to get rid of adsense? I dont want that crap on my blog anymore...
In case your wondering, I went to my brother-in-laws folks house last weekend with my family after grad, then drove to Chicago with them. It was a good weekend, and we bonded, although it was short. My parents flew home on Monday, and I stayed in Chicago with my sister Tracey and her husband Luke. I explored Chicago on monday, I tried to find the Museum of Holography(can someone tell me how you are actually supposed to say that word? holo-graphy? or holog-raphy?)but I failed. Then I went down to De Motte Indiana and spent the night at Aaron Shupes house, which was fun. I then flew back to good ol SC and spent the week with Karen Gruppen, Ginelle Bakker, Jon Schmidt, Melinda Fritschy, and Megan Vonk, basically helping get things ready for Megan's wedding. I was the candid photogapher, and I had a really great time. I am still staying at the Vonk residence, even though everyone has left and it is just me, Mrs. Vonk, and Ben, Megans brother. Good times.
The wedding was really great, but it was bittersweet. It was pretty sad for me because it was the last time I would see a lot of my good friends for a long time, which is always sad. Of course I tried not to ruin the big day, but that was kinda tough. I'll really miss Megan, Jon, and Ginelle, I have gotten a lot closer to them this last year than anyone else I think, and its hard because they will be coming back to sioux center, like a lot of my other friends, and I won't be, except maybe to visit.
I'm starting to get worried about what I want to do for work, but even more so making new friends and starting a new life. I'm not so good with starting things fresh again, so I'm kinda worried about that. Plus I really don't have anything stable in my life, which means that I basically can go anywhere I please, but that also kinda freaks me out. Anyone have any advice?
By the way can somebody tell me how to get rid of adsense? I dont want that crap on my blog anymore...
Sunday, April 30, 2006
last weekend
This week has definetly been bitter sweet. Like I said in my last post, I'm pretty torn over leaving, so like my roommate has noticed I have been grumpy.
This weekend wasnt any better. Last night I hung out with the girls downstairs for a while, went to a movie(Silent Hill-do NOT waste your money on this movie, it isnt scary OR good!), went for a donut run that had no donuts, and then started watching Bourne Identity but fell we all fell asleep so we stopped.
Today I slept in really late, bummed around until 2, then did printmaking and ceramics until 9:15 tonight. This etch is going to be really good I think, and I think this firing is also going to be good. Im trying a lot of new things, but I spent about 5 hours spraying glaze on ceramics, and I didnt find the vent until about 3 hours in, so needless to say my lungs are full of what are probably carcinogenic glazes.
After that I went to the SAC dance for a while, ate supper and homemade donuts across the hall, went bowling, and then hung out more and talked to people. Now I am kinda pissed off, because it seems like my friends realize that these are our last times together, but they don't care enough to try and make it memorable. I really wanted to go to a party at someones house with one friend, so he said he would call when he went, but never did. Then I talked to him later and he was like "oops, sorry, oh well".....argh!!
I'm excited for my family to come, hopefully I can get everything done that I need to before they come so that I won't be running around all stressed out when they get here. Now I am going to bed, so goodnight world.
This weekend wasnt any better. Last night I hung out with the girls downstairs for a while, went to a movie(Silent Hill-do NOT waste your money on this movie, it isnt scary OR good!), went for a donut run that had no donuts, and then started watching Bourne Identity but fell we all fell asleep so we stopped.
Today I slept in really late, bummed around until 2, then did printmaking and ceramics until 9:15 tonight. This etch is going to be really good I think, and I think this firing is also going to be good. Im trying a lot of new things, but I spent about 5 hours spraying glaze on ceramics, and I didnt find the vent until about 3 hours in, so needless to say my lungs are full of what are probably carcinogenic glazes.
After that I went to the SAC dance for a while, ate supper and homemade donuts across the hall, went bowling, and then hung out more and talked to people. Now I am kinda pissed off, because it seems like my friends realize that these are our last times together, but they don't care enough to try and make it memorable. I really wanted to go to a party at someones house with one friend, so he said he would call when he went, but never did. Then I talked to him later and he was like "oops, sorry, oh well".....argh!!
I'm excited for my family to come, hopefully I can get everything done that I need to before they come so that I won't be running around all stressed out when they get here. Now I am going to bed, so goodnight world.
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Purgatory
So I'm pretty sure I now know what purgatory would feel like, if it actually existed. These last few weeks have been pretty umm not stressful, but just well hard to describe. I want to graduate so that I can be free from classes and homework, things I have despised my entire life, but at the same time I don't want to graduate because I will definetly miss my best friends and all the amazing people that I have met this year, and in the past 4 years. I also can't wait for my family to come because I havent seen 3/5 of them since Boxing Day, and a lot has happenend since then, but then again I feel like I could wait forever because them coming means me leaving Dordt. I also am struggling with leaving Sioux Center, believe it or not, because lots of my good friends are staying here for another year, so I would like to be with them, but I also want to go out and explore the rest of the world besides this little villa. There are a lot of amazing places out there, and I want to experience them, but that means that I have to start with new relationships all over again. Which is even scarier. Not that I dont like new relationships, am I just not very good at them.
GIFT on Sunday also encouraged that whole schpeel. Seniors went up to the front, and people who wanted to say goodbye or share a last moment with us were encouraged to come up. I sat up there on the stage, really hoping some certain people would come up, but they didnt. Another friend from PLIA did, which was really awesome, but I was saddenend by another person who was standing near to me(physically) didnt even acknowledge I was there.
On another note, this past weekend was INSANE. SAC had S^3, and it basically fell apart the day before. The company we signed a contract with to supply the inflatables screwed up hardcore and left us hanging, so we had to basically replan the entire game situation that night. It was very stressful. Then I had to drive to Omaha to pick up all the stuff at 5 AM on saturday morning, be at the event all day, and then drive the stuff back in a 26 foot Uhaul on Sunday morning. Needless to say, I am still recovering, but at least the event went well and people liked it(for the most part). There was also some troubles with people on SAC, but I won't get into that.
Well thats enough of a novel for now,
Mark
GIFT on Sunday also encouraged that whole schpeel. Seniors went up to the front, and people who wanted to say goodbye or share a last moment with us were encouraged to come up. I sat up there on the stage, really hoping some certain people would come up, but they didnt. Another friend from PLIA did, which was really awesome, but I was saddenend by another person who was standing near to me(physically) didnt even acknowledge I was there.
On another note, this past weekend was INSANE. SAC had S^3, and it basically fell apart the day before. The company we signed a contract with to supply the inflatables screwed up hardcore and left us hanging, so we had to basically replan the entire game situation that night. It was very stressful. Then I had to drive to Omaha to pick up all the stuff at 5 AM on saturday morning, be at the event all day, and then drive the stuff back in a 26 foot Uhaul on Sunday morning. Needless to say, I am still recovering, but at least the event went well and people liked it(for the most part). There was also some troubles with people on SAC, but I won't get into that.
Well thats enough of a novel for now,
Mark
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Who is my audience?
Does anyone actually read my blog? Just wondering if I should actually take the time to keep this thing up, so lend me a comment if you actually do!
By the way, did anyone find that todays GEN 300 class was the best yet? Not in terms of content, but it sure was interesting, I actually stayed awake for the entire period!
I have a presentation worth 40% of my grade in the class tommorrow, (sen. sem), so wish me luck!
By the way, did anyone find that todays GEN 300 class was the best yet? Not in terms of content, but it sure was interesting, I actually stayed awake for the entire period!
I have a presentation worth 40% of my grade in the class tommorrow, (sen. sem), so wish me luck!
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Complications
So my life just got a lot more confusing, the part that is deciding what to do next year anyways. I wasnt even considering working at the humble bean because of the money and VISA problems, but today I got a call from a girl I met on spring break who works at Hills Photo who basically asked me to come and work for them, doing photography. So now I have even more to think about.
Other than that, things have been good, I barbequed deer sausages for supper tonight, so its time to chow down.
Other than that, things have been good, I barbequed deer sausages for supper tonight, so its time to chow down.
Monday, March 20, 2006
spring break over:(
Well Spring break has finally come and gone, and it was pretty much all I could ever want. I spent the break down in Cary, Mississippi serving at the Cary Christian Center. We did some roofing, painting, cleaning, and thrift-store working. We also had a great time on the way down.
Spawn, our van, broke down 3 times on the way down, and my great ex-roommate drove an hour out of the way! But it was really great, we bonded a lot on the trip and made our group the best ever!
I also got to spend a day with Mark Volkers' video crew, who were shooting a promotional video for the center. We visitied a catfish farm, an old mansion, and also took some footage of the town and other various areas. It was a great experience, now if I only I could find a job like that...
Speaking of jobs, I now have 3 pretty sweet options for next year. 1.) Go to the Virgin Islands and work in the hotels/parks during the week, and lead worship services on Sundays. 2.) Go to Holland and work as an au pair for a few days a week(not my choice job, but its basically a free pass into the country!). Or 3.) Stay here at Dordt for another year and work running the Humble Bean. I have a really hard time with decisions, especially ones as huge as this, so I guess I should pray that God closes some doors so I dont kill myself trying to decide what to do!
That's all for now kids
Spawn, our van, broke down 3 times on the way down, and my great ex-roommate drove an hour out of the way! But it was really great, we bonded a lot on the trip and made our group the best ever!
I also got to spend a day with Mark Volkers' video crew, who were shooting a promotional video for the center. We visitied a catfish farm, an old mansion, and also took some footage of the town and other various areas. It was a great experience, now if I only I could find a job like that...
Speaking of jobs, I now have 3 pretty sweet options for next year. 1.) Go to the Virgin Islands and work in the hotels/parks during the week, and lead worship services on Sundays. 2.) Go to Holland and work as an au pair for a few days a week(not my choice job, but its basically a free pass into the country!). Or 3.) Stay here at Dordt for another year and work running the Humble Bean. I have a really hard time with decisions, especially ones as huge as this, so I guess I should pray that God closes some doors so I dont kill myself trying to decide what to do!
That's all for now kids
Thursday, March 09, 2006
Spring Break here I come!!
Its 3:48 and I am finally done my homework...I had everything planned out perfectly, I would write my cross-cultural paper, work on printmaking, and then have a nice relaxing evening at p&W and packing. We'll that didnt happen, turns out I had another paper that was due today that I didnt know about! Hence I am still awake, and unpacked.
I think this spring break is going to be a good one. I am going to Cary, MS on PLIA, and I am also working with Prof. Volkers down there doing some photography for the center's marketing materials. A friend loaned me a medium format camera, I am excited to try that out! Plus our PLIA team looks like it should be pretty sweet:)
I really need to pack now, I have class at 8 too, and I can't really skip as there are only 4 of us in the class...the prof might notice.
Goodnight world
I think this spring break is going to be a good one. I am going to Cary, MS on PLIA, and I am also working with Prof. Volkers down there doing some photography for the center's marketing materials. A friend loaned me a medium format camera, I am excited to try that out! Plus our PLIA team looks like it should be pretty sweet:)
I really need to pack now, I have class at 8 too, and I can't really skip as there are only 4 of us in the class...the prof might notice.
Goodnight world
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Excting plans
Well things seem to be coming together for next year pretty well, I think I have some pretty cool options. # 1 is to go to the virgin islands for a year, working in the national parks/hotels during the week and then leading worship services on Sunday's. #2 is going to the Netherlands and being an au pair for 3 days a week, and then finding a better job for the rest of the week. Both could have jobs that are not entirely my thing(possibility of washing dishes, or being with bratty kids), but I really want to take a year off from studying and just enjoy life and see more of God's creation. I guess we'll see where he is leading me as things develop more.
Other than that, today was a decent day, although I didnt do jack for homework. We are planning a new SAC event for April - its called S^3. It will be awesome!
Other than that, today was a decent day, although I didnt do jack for homework. We are planning a new SAC event for April - its called S^3. It will be awesome!
Monday, March 06, 2006
A new start
Ok so blogspot is pretty much WAY better than Xanga....or at least all the cool people think so (ok most, sorry Diane).
I think I am gonna be hanging out here more from now on, I'll post my old posts on here just to start out.
Today has been going very well, I did some homework, went to GIFT, talked to Ginelle B and Emily W for a while which was nice, and started up this amazing blog!! This week is going to be pretty nuts, but not as nuts as last week with the senior show and all that jazz. I'll have to post some pics of that sometime.
I think I am gonna be hanging out here more from now on, I'll post my old posts on here just to start out.
Today has been going very well, I did some homework, went to GIFT, talked to Ginelle B and Emily W for a while which was nice, and started up this amazing blog!! This week is going to be pretty nuts, but not as nuts as last week with the senior show and all that jazz. I'll have to post some pics of that sometime.
Volleyball and what not
(Xanga # 4)
This weekend is turning out to be great!! After an extremely busy week (monday night I didnt get to bed until 6:30 AM), this weekend is going swell.
Last night I had the reception to my Senior Art Show, and so I had to give a speech about my art and whatnot. I wasnt nervous until I started speaking, and then I started sweating like mad........it was the lights, I swear Nobody asked any questions, which was kind of disturbing, but then again it was mainly college kids there. Versluis gave me a complement by saying something to the tune of "Mark has a very creative side..." which felt good:) Josh deGroot and Philip Van Dyken also spoke, and I was really impressed with Josh's inspirations for his art. I lived with James Klaver his freshmen year, a guy who toucehd a lot of people with his life before passing away from leukemia. I have a lot of respect for both of these guys.
On the side I sold 2 ceramics pieces, which feels good to know that somebody likes your work. I dont create art to sell it, and its nice to hear that people like it, but its a different kind of feeling to see that someone likes it enough to pay money for it, because nowadays we value money so much.
After the show we went to Blue Bunny in Le Mars, I got a Chocolate Raspberry as well as a HUGE banana split(which I split with Jay and Jake). The split was 9 scoops, and we didnt finish. It was a lot of fun being there, everyone was in a crazy mood and we laughed a lot.
We watched Million Dollar Baby (after experiencing the Maurice slide), which was a good movie but really sad. That movie touches on pretty much the hugest fear in my life, which I won't tell because it would spoil the movie, but if you've seen it you'll know what I'm talking about. But laughter was very much present after the movie.
Today I had a volleyball tournament to coach at, which went well. We didnt do very well, but it was the first time all of our players have been there at once, and we were doing some major adjusting. Its tough to get up so early in the morning, but I like coaching.
Well thats all for today, I need to either sleep or do homework, or possibly both. Which could get messy considering I have to do either printmaking or ceramics homework
This weekend is turning out to be great!! After an extremely busy week (monday night I didnt get to bed until 6:30 AM), this weekend is going swell.
Last night I had the reception to my Senior Art Show, and so I had to give a speech about my art and whatnot. I wasnt nervous until I started speaking, and then I started sweating like mad........it was the lights, I swear Nobody asked any questions, which was kind of disturbing, but then again it was mainly college kids there. Versluis gave me a complement by saying something to the tune of "Mark has a very creative side..." which felt good:) Josh deGroot and Philip Van Dyken also spoke, and I was really impressed with Josh's inspirations for his art. I lived with James Klaver his freshmen year, a guy who toucehd a lot of people with his life before passing away from leukemia. I have a lot of respect for both of these guys.
On the side I sold 2 ceramics pieces, which feels good to know that somebody likes your work. I dont create art to sell it, and its nice to hear that people like it, but its a different kind of feeling to see that someone likes it enough to pay money for it, because nowadays we value money so much.
After the show we went to Blue Bunny in Le Mars, I got a Chocolate Raspberry as well as a HUGE banana split(which I split with Jay and Jake). The split was 9 scoops, and we didnt finish. It was a lot of fun being there, everyone was in a crazy mood and we laughed a lot.
We watched Million Dollar Baby (after experiencing the Maurice slide), which was a good movie but really sad. That movie touches on pretty much the hugest fear in my life, which I won't tell because it would spoil the movie, but if you've seen it you'll know what I'm talking about. But laughter was very much present after the movie.
Today I had a volleyball tournament to coach at, which went well. We didnt do very well, but it was the first time all of our players have been there at once, and we were doing some major adjusting. Its tough to get up so early in the morning, but I like coaching.
Well thats all for today, I need to either sleep or do homework, or possibly both. Which could get messy considering I have to do either printmaking or ceramics homework
take home tests
Xanga # 3
GEN 300 + Take Home Test + Senior Show + Many other stressful things = still being awake and typing at 5:20 AM. Not so fun. But the show is really awesome, I cant wait til its all up:) Everyone(if anyone actually reads this) should go and check it out!
GEN 300 + Take Home Test + Senior Show + Many other stressful things = still being awake and typing at 5:20 AM. Not so fun. But the show is really awesome, I cant wait til its all up:) Everyone(if anyone actually reads this) should go and check it out!
A good Weekend
Xanga # 2
Hmmm...Almost 1 o'clock on a saturday night, and I cant really think of anything to write about. Last night I went to the junior art reception, where there was a lot of quality art, even though I didnt spend much time with it. I talked to one of the girls there who apparently has a medium format camera, and she said I could borrow it sometime:) Maybe I will take it on spring break, that would be awesome to play around with and get some good shots of things besides Iowa life. Last night I also went to the alumni hockey game, hung out with Jason Wyenberg and his dad, and also watched half of Pirates of the Caribbean. But I figured it was time for bed at midnight, seeing as I get up at 6:30 this morning for a volleyball tournament.
I am coaching a gr. 9 AAU team from Unity Christian, and today was our first tournament. We have only had 1 practice so far, and although we played well today, we definetly have a lot to work on. But it is fun. Brittany Rook is coaching with me too, so it was nice to have another person there to help out, especially during time outs and what not. I am not very good at directing the team during those long minutes...and I think we'll make a good team together, hopefully we can teach these girls a thing or two-at least we'll have fun.
Tonight I did homework all afternoon(with intervals of napping mixed in), and got finished my personal finance at 7, so tommorrow I have the whole day free to work on my speech for Monday. I wanted to go to the Chris Rice concert, but it was cancelled, so instead I found some friends, played some pool with the Wyenbergs, tried to eat some ice cream(but it was also cancelled), played Scattergories, then watched Aladdin, just like old times. It is actually a more comedic movie than I remember, and there is a lot of jokes I got now that I had no idea about before. Good times.
Now I am going to bed, tommorrow Jason and I are in the nursery at Covenant, so we have to be there early.
Hmmm...Almost 1 o'clock on a saturday night, and I cant really think of anything to write about. Last night I went to the junior art reception, where there was a lot of quality art, even though I didnt spend much time with it. I talked to one of the girls there who apparently has a medium format camera, and she said I could borrow it sometime:) Maybe I will take it on spring break, that would be awesome to play around with and get some good shots of things besides Iowa life. Last night I also went to the alumni hockey game, hung out with Jason Wyenberg and his dad, and also watched half of Pirates of the Caribbean. But I figured it was time for bed at midnight, seeing as I get up at 6:30 this morning for a volleyball tournament.
I am coaching a gr. 9 AAU team from Unity Christian, and today was our first tournament. We have only had 1 practice so far, and although we played well today, we definetly have a lot to work on. But it is fun. Brittany Rook is coaching with me too, so it was nice to have another person there to help out, especially during time outs and what not. I am not very good at directing the team during those long minutes...and I think we'll make a good team together, hopefully we can teach these girls a thing or two-at least we'll have fun.
Tonight I did homework all afternoon(with intervals of napping mixed in), and got finished my personal finance at 7, so tommorrow I have the whole day free to work on my speech for Monday. I wanted to go to the Chris Rice concert, but it was cancelled, so instead I found some friends, played some pool with the Wyenbergs, tried to eat some ice cream(but it was also cancelled), played Scattergories, then watched Aladdin, just like old times. It is actually a more comedic movie than I remember, and there is a lot of jokes I got now that I had no idea about before. Good times.
Now I am going to bed, tommorrow Jason and I are in the nursery at Covenant, so we have to be there early.
First of Many(maybe)
(this is my first post from Xanga)
Wow...so I have finally joined the ranks of Xanga..and the reason is that I am bored:) I am in art history class right now, my professor is talking about Botticelli. I like art, dont get me wrong, I just find it painful to learn about it:)
My life this far has been pretty interesting...to sum it up I was born, I went through school, now I am in college. The best thing that I has happened so far was my trip to the Dominican Republic this past christmas on AMOR...it was amazing! I am actually talking to a guy from down there as I type this!
I am pretty much swamped with homework right now, or at least I should be. I feel like I am really getting no where, probably because there isnt really defined objectives. I have a 50 minute presentation to give for Senior Sem on the ethics of the Exxon Valdez on Monday, and I have a lot of art to create for next week. That topic probably wasnt the best choice, but I'll work with it.
Well class is almost over, so I should maybe look like Im trying to pay attention...
Wow...so I have finally joined the ranks of Xanga..and the reason is that I am bored:) I am in art history class right now, my professor is talking about Botticelli. I like art, dont get me wrong, I just find it painful to learn about it:)
My life this far has been pretty interesting...to sum it up I was born, I went through school, now I am in college. The best thing that I has happened so far was my trip to the Dominican Republic this past christmas on AMOR...it was amazing! I am actually talking to a guy from down there as I type this!
I am pretty much swamped with homework right now, or at least I should be. I feel like I am really getting no where, probably because there isnt really defined objectives. I have a 50 minute presentation to give for Senior Sem on the ethics of the Exxon Valdez on Monday, and I have a lot of art to create for next week. That topic probably wasnt the best choice, but I'll work with it.
Well class is almost over, so I should maybe look like Im trying to pay attention...
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