Gratitude | Nichole Nordeman
Send some rain, would You send some rain?
'Cause the earth is dry and needs to drink again
And the sun is high and we are sinking in the shade
Would yOu send a cloud, thunder long and loud?
Let the sky grow black and send some mercy down
Surely You can see that we are thirsty and afraid
But maybe not, not today
Maybe You'll provide in other ways
And if that's the case...
We'll give thanks to You with gratitude
For lessons learned in how to thirst for You
How to bless the very sun that warms our face
If You never send us rain
Daily bread, give us daily bread
Bless our bodies, keep our children fed
Fill our cups, then fill them up again tonight
Wrap us up
And warm us through
Tucked away beneath our sturdy roofs
Let us slumber safe from from dagner's view this time
Or maybe not, not today
Maybe You'll provide in other ways
And if that's the case...
We'll give thanks to You
With gratitude
A lesson learned to hunger after You
That a starry sky offers a better view if no roof is overhead
And if we never taste that bread
Oh the differences that often are between
Everything we want and what we really need
So grant us peace, Jesus, grant us peace
Move our hearts to hear a single beat
Between alibis and enemies tonight
Or maybe not, not today
Peace might be another world away
And if that's the case...
We'll give thanks to You
With gratitude
For lessons learned in how to trust in You
That we are blessed beyond what we could ever dream
in abundance or in need
And if You never grant us peace
But Jesus, would You please...
musings and reflections of hollyholz
6.28.2005
6.27.2005
Extremely Random Tidbits
- Some evil person has been viewing my imagestation and deleting my pictures... who is this evil person?
- Because of the above point, I am currently looking for new photo sharing sites, and am contemplating whether or not to revert back to the old ways of PBase and actually pay. Any suggestions? I figure if I pay, I will actually be more committed to taking pictures, rather than simply talking about wanting to. At least I found someone to go on photo trips with, right Ms. I-want-a-DSLR-Wu?
- Countdown: 37 hours and 3 minutes until I taste freedom once again
- Despite wondering up to this very day whether or not I made the right career choice, I am thankful for the few people I've met at work that make me believe that I did make the right choice. I hope they know who they are.
- I have a new tea thing to add to my collection - thanks to my grandma who came back yesterday from HK with a Chinese tea set (instead of a pot, you have a mini cup that's simply for brewing tea...) maybe a picture will be up sometime?
- Summerlicious plans are in the works! Whoot!
- I am going to be extremely broke this weekend. Woodfield, Michigan Avenue, Target, here I come!
- Elianna and I have bonded recently. She feels soooo comfy with me that she doesn't mind farting, burping, puking, laughing, and giggling with me. I love her. So do my jeans.
- I am not going to be eating fish for a while - after another all-you-can-eat session at Tenichi in the ghettos of Scarberia with Yanna and Myles, I have another fish bone stuck in my throat.
- Still trying to find ways to live a life that's not cluttered with junk. I cleaned out a small section of my desk, and ended up with three huge piles of magazines that I don't even read anymore. I gave some to Myles... is anyone interested in old copies of In Style?
- Starbucks. My home away from home. A conversation with a barista there today reminded me why I love that particular starbucks so much. No, the goodies, as nice as they are, aren't the reason why I love my neighbourhood starbucks. It's the conversations! After studying for 2 hours non-stop, I went to order my second drink (yes, I have no life savings, as Starbucks sucks all the money out of me) and the barista I conversed with was finishing her shift and heading home for her nap. She asked what I was studying, and somehow, she was able to converse with me about s. 85 rollovers and what not cos she worked previously at a law office that dealt with people wanting to defer their taxes and set up these holding companies that do nothing. Anyway, we ended up chatting for 15 minutes and I found out that she's a UT alumni! We talked more, and we found out we had mutual friends and that we were both Christians. Pretty cool stuff :) Ah a nice break to studying.
- Studying. I'm not supposed to study anymore. I should be in bed right now. Why I'm awake, I don't know...
===========
Currently thankful for: My friend, Summer :)
- Some evil person has been viewing my imagestation and deleting my pictures... who is this evil person?
- Because of the above point, I am currently looking for new photo sharing sites, and am contemplating whether or not to revert back to the old ways of PBase and actually pay. Any suggestions? I figure if I pay, I will actually be more committed to taking pictures, rather than simply talking about wanting to. At least I found someone to go on photo trips with, right Ms. I-want-a-DSLR-Wu?
- Countdown: 37 hours and 3 minutes until I taste freedom once again
- Despite wondering up to this very day whether or not I made the right career choice, I am thankful for the few people I've met at work that make me believe that I did make the right choice. I hope they know who they are.
- I have a new tea thing to add to my collection - thanks to my grandma who came back yesterday from HK with a Chinese tea set (instead of a pot, you have a mini cup that's simply for brewing tea...) maybe a picture will be up sometime?
- Summerlicious plans are in the works! Whoot!
- I am going to be extremely broke this weekend. Woodfield, Michigan Avenue, Target, here I come!
- Elianna and I have bonded recently. She feels soooo comfy with me that she doesn't mind farting, burping, puking, laughing, and giggling with me. I love her. So do my jeans.
- I am not going to be eating fish for a while - after another all-you-can-eat session at Tenichi in the ghettos of Scarberia with Yanna and Myles, I have another fish bone stuck in my throat.
- Still trying to find ways to live a life that's not cluttered with junk. I cleaned out a small section of my desk, and ended up with three huge piles of magazines that I don't even read anymore. I gave some to Myles... is anyone interested in old copies of In Style?
- Starbucks. My home away from home. A conversation with a barista there today reminded me why I love that particular starbucks so much. No, the goodies, as nice as they are, aren't the reason why I love my neighbourhood starbucks. It's the conversations! After studying for 2 hours non-stop, I went to order my second drink (yes, I have no life savings, as Starbucks sucks all the money out of me) and the barista I conversed with was finishing her shift and heading home for her nap. She asked what I was studying, and somehow, she was able to converse with me about s. 85 rollovers and what not cos she worked previously at a law office that dealt with people wanting to defer their taxes and set up these holding companies that do nothing. Anyway, we ended up chatting for 15 minutes and I found out that she's a UT alumni! We talked more, and we found out we had mutual friends and that we were both Christians. Pretty cool stuff :) Ah a nice break to studying.
- Studying. I'm not supposed to study anymore. I should be in bed right now. Why I'm awake, I don't know...
===========
Currently thankful for: My friend, Summer :)
6.22.2005
The Story Behind the Tea
Ah, I need a break tonight. So here goes a story that has been told quite frequently as of late due to a common question asked when sharing about my arse kicking tea pot - how many teapots do I have?
It all started on a Sunny afternoon in August 2004; I was trying to absorb as much of the British culture as I could in Cambridge, England before ending my month long trip in Europe, as I was scheduled to leave Heathrow that night. My friend Rosie offered to take me to a quaint tea shop and there, I had my first English afternoon tea thingamabob with the scones, preserves, jelly, and of course, the loose leaf tea.
Upon arriving home, I couldn't stop rambling to everyone about my trip, including my grandparents. Somehow, it hit me that my grandparents enjoyed fine Chinese tea... so I told them about my experience in Cambridge. And then they reciprocated and shared w/ me how much they enjoyed Chinese tea, and voila - another common interest found! They shared with me the different types of teas they had, and their favourites. My grandma pulled out this old Chiu Chow tea set (apparently, the Chiu Chow people really know their teas well, and would spend their life savings on some good old Pu Erh), and I'd bring them to the Old Curiousity Tea Shop. Of course, they preferred the Chinese tea ultimately.
Through our tea journeys together, not only have I discovered fine teas like Monkey Picked tea and Bik Law Chun, but I also discovered a small bit about my family history. I found out that my great grandfather (grandma's dad) was an agent in selecting which teas to buy and sell at a tea shop. I also ended up chatting and sharing with my grandparents a lot - together and individually. Like that time grandpa and I snuck out for afternoon tea while my grandma went to LA for some family matters.
Tea time with friends are also memorable. :) Jess and I ventured to the Tea Emporium for a lesson on tea for her birthday; Myles and I had tea together from time to time; and of course, tea time alone is also enjoyable as much needed downtime is granted.
So, from what started as a mini obsession and hype about the whole English tea thing, my fondness of tea grew cos it drew my grandparents and I closer than before, it created an opportunity for me to catch up w/ friends, and it made me appreciate what the loose leaves can offer. That's the story behind tea.
Oh, just in case if you were wondering, I have seven teapots:
2 from Japan (given by my aunt and uncle!)
3 from Grandma/Grandpa
1 from myself
1 from a friend years ago
===========
Currently thankful for: My cousin reminding me to be thankful everyday; also thankful for a good sunday school lesson reminding me what is simply enough and sufficient
Ah, I need a break tonight. So here goes a story that has been told quite frequently as of late due to a common question asked when sharing about my arse kicking tea pot - how many teapots do I have?
It all started on a Sunny afternoon in August 2004; I was trying to absorb as much of the British culture as I could in Cambridge, England before ending my month long trip in Europe, as I was scheduled to leave Heathrow that night. My friend Rosie offered to take me to a quaint tea shop and there, I had my first English afternoon tea thingamabob with the scones, preserves, jelly, and of course, the loose leaf tea.
Upon arriving home, I couldn't stop rambling to everyone about my trip, including my grandparents. Somehow, it hit me that my grandparents enjoyed fine Chinese tea... so I told them about my experience in Cambridge. And then they reciprocated and shared w/ me how much they enjoyed Chinese tea, and voila - another common interest found! They shared with me the different types of teas they had, and their favourites. My grandma pulled out this old Chiu Chow tea set (apparently, the Chiu Chow people really know their teas well, and would spend their life savings on some good old Pu Erh), and I'd bring them to the Old Curiousity Tea Shop. Of course, they preferred the Chinese tea ultimately.
Through our tea journeys together, not only have I discovered fine teas like Monkey Picked tea and Bik Law Chun, but I also discovered a small bit about my family history. I found out that my great grandfather (grandma's dad) was an agent in selecting which teas to buy and sell at a tea shop. I also ended up chatting and sharing with my grandparents a lot - together and individually. Like that time grandpa and I snuck out for afternoon tea while my grandma went to LA for some family matters.
Tea time with friends are also memorable. :) Jess and I ventured to the Tea Emporium for a lesson on tea for her birthday; Myles and I had tea together from time to time; and of course, tea time alone is also enjoyable as much needed downtime is granted.
So, from what started as a mini obsession and hype about the whole English tea thing, my fondness of tea grew cos it drew my grandparents and I closer than before, it created an opportunity for me to catch up w/ friends, and it made me appreciate what the loose leaves can offer. That's the story behind tea.
Oh, just in case if you were wondering, I have seven teapots:
2 from Japan (given by my aunt and uncle!)
3 from Grandma/Grandpa
1 from myself
1 from a friend years ago
===========
Currently thankful for: My cousin reminding me to be thankful everyday; also thankful for a good sunday school lesson reminding me what is simply enough and sufficient
6.19.2005
I need...
- I need to stop playing with toy #1 and toy #2. The former is a new toy, but the latter isn't... but I suppose when studying kicks in, so does procrastination. Ah, the art of procrastination. According to Sarah, my new toy is capable of doing many things on it own...
- I need to stop eating out. Hollywood Gelato, Mariko, Laterna, 9 Course Chinese meals, ah... and it's not even summerlicious yet
- I need to stop spending money. My spending habits are unbelievable.
- I need to treat my dad better. For father's day, he received nothing but a nice card from moi, and no surprises. In fact, I'm so creative that I asked what he wanted for father's day, and he told me to go to amazon to buy his gift. How thoughtful am I!
- I need to go to sleep for another week at the SOA. Wheeee. Believe it or not though, I am actually enjoying a portion of the classes. Excluding the mock exams.
- I need to stop playing with toy #1 and toy #2. The former is a new toy, but the latter isn't... but I suppose when studying kicks in, so does procrastination. Ah, the art of procrastination. According to Sarah, my new toy is capable of doing many things on it own...
- I need to stop eating out. Hollywood Gelato, Mariko, Laterna, 9 Course Chinese meals, ah... and it's not even summerlicious yet
- I need to stop spending money. My spending habits are unbelievable.
- I need to treat my dad better. For father's day, he received nothing but a nice card from moi, and no surprises. In fact, I'm so creative that I asked what he wanted for father's day, and he told me to go to amazon to buy his gift. How thoughtful am I!
- I need to go to sleep for another week at the SOA. Wheeee. Believe it or not though, I am actually enjoying a portion of the classes. Excluding the mock exams.
6.16.2005
6.13.2005
there are days where i find i have lots to blog about.
then there are days where i find i have nothing much to say.
today's one of those days.
but i think i'm going to take jess' advice (again) and instead of complaining, whining, and worrying, i'll think of something to be thankful for each day. and i hvae all of you to keep me accountable. you know how xanga has the "currently reading" or "current watching" things for their blog entries? well, i'll be somewhat creative and have a "currently thankful for" line. :)
so for today, i am currently thankful for: an understanding colleague and friend.
then there are days where i find i have nothing much to say.
today's one of those days.
but i think i'm going to take jess' advice (again) and instead of complaining, whining, and worrying, i'll think of something to be thankful for each day. and i hvae all of you to keep me accountable. you know how xanga has the "currently reading" or "current watching" things for their blog entries? well, i'll be somewhat creative and have a "currently thankful for" line. :)
so for today, i am currently thankful for: an understanding colleague and friend.
6.09.2005
After a fun night in the city w/ my dad at the TSO, courtesy of my employer, we decided to head home immediately (as I have a mock exam to write tomorrow... why I'm still awake surprises me too). Here goes our conversation, while waiting to cross the street at Simcoe and King St W, to our car:
Dad: The pianist didn't really convey the music as I thought she would...
H: I liked it! She had some fancy left foot kicking skills!
D: Um, do you see our car?
H: You must be seeing things; it's probably behind the other car
D: I don't think so
[H proceeds to jaywalk across King, to find plenty of street space and no car]
H: Our car was here... hmmm.
Turns out our car was towed cos we parked in front of a post where parking was prohibted. We ended up taking a 10 minute walk to the pound, where we found my beloved car.
What did I learn? Surprises come up any time - suck it up and remain calm. :) What a lesson to be learned the night before the mock exam... ;) Albeit a costly lesson, it'll guide me through the weeks to come.
BTW, my parents thought I really needed to relax, and thus, dragged me to see the symphony... and it was amazing. More to come later. Right now, it's bed time!
Dad: The pianist didn't really convey the music as I thought she would...
H: I liked it! She had some fancy left foot kicking skills!
D: Um, do you see our car?
H: You must be seeing things; it's probably behind the other car
D: I don't think so
[H proceeds to jaywalk across King, to find plenty of street space and no car]
H: Our car was here... hmmm.
Turns out our car was towed cos we parked in front of a post where parking was prohibted. We ended up taking a 10 minute walk to the pound, where we found my beloved car.
What did I learn? Surprises come up any time - suck it up and remain calm. :) What a lesson to be learned the night before the mock exam... ;) Albeit a costly lesson, it'll guide me through the weeks to come.
BTW, my parents thought I really needed to relax, and thus, dragged me to see the symphony... and it was amazing. More to come later. Right now, it's bed time!
6.02.2005
my mui and i!!! :) http://myomy.blogspot.com/2005/06/with-big-sis-holly.html
on a totally random note - i need a break. argh!
on a totally random note - i need a break. argh!
6.01.2005
I think I will take on Jess' advice - look out for blogs to come your way, cos I think I'm back.
What a coincidence that I'm starting this just as school of accountancy (yes, you've heard me kids, school of accountancy) is about to begin.
Goodbye Cs, welcome NAs! :) (only a selected few would get this last sentence, haha)
I'm 1hour and 21 minutes behind my schedule. I shouldn't even be awake right now. What a way to start June!
Countdown: 29 days, 12 hours 38 minutes.
What a coincidence that I'm starting this just as school of accountancy (yes, you've heard me kids, school of accountancy) is about to begin.
Goodbye Cs, welcome NAs! :) (only a selected few would get this last sentence, haha)
I'm 1hour and 21 minutes behind my schedule. I shouldn't even be awake right now. What a way to start June!
Countdown: 29 days, 12 hours 38 minutes.
"...let them see You through me."
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