Oh her eyes, her eyes
Make the stars look like they’re not shining
Her hair, her hair
Falls perfectly without her trying

She’s so beautiful
And I tell her every day

Yeah I know, I know
When I compliment her
She wont believe me
And its so, its so
Sad to think she don’t see what I see

But every time she asks me do I look okay
I say

When I see your face
There’s not a thing that I would change
Cause you’re amazing
Just the way you are
And when you smile,
The whole world stops and stares for awhile
Cause girl you’re amazing
Just the way you are

Her nails, her nails
I could kiss them all day if she’d let me
Her laugh, her laugh
She hates but I think its so sexy

She’s so beautiful
And I tell her every day

Oh you know, you know, you know
I’d never ask you to change
If perfect is what you’re searching for
Then just stay the same

So don’t even bother asking
If you look okay
You know I say

When I see your face
There’s not a thing that I would change
Cause you’re amazing
Just the way you are
And when you smile,
The whole world stops and stares for awhile
Cause girl you’re amazing
Just the way you are

The way you are
The way you are
Girl you’re amazing
Just the way you are

When I see your face
There’s not a thing that I would change
Cause you’re amazing
Just the way you are
And when you smile,
The whole world stops and stares for awhile
Cause girl you’re amazing
Just the way you are

Twenty-four oceans
Twenty-four skies
Twenty-four failures
And twenty-four tries
Twenty-four finds me
In twenty-fourth place
With twenty-four drop outs
At the end of the day

Life is not what I thought it was
Twenty-four hours ago
Still I’m singing ‘Spirit,
take me up in arms with You’
And I’m not who I thought I was
Twenty-four hours ago
Still I’m singing ‘Spirit,
take me up in arms with You’

There’s twenty-four reasons
To admit that I’m wrong
With all my excuses
Still twenty-four strong

See, I’m not copping out
Not copping out
Not copping out
When you’re raising the dead in me

Oh, oh
I am the second man
Oh, oh
I am the second man now
Oh, I am the second man now
And you’re raising these…

Twenty-four voices
With twenty-four hearts
All of my symphonies
In twenty-four parts
But I want to be one today
Centered and true
I’m singing ‘Spirit take me up in arms with You’
You’re raising the dead in me

Oh, oh
I am the second man
Oh, oh
I am the second man now
Oh
I am the second man now
And you’re raising the dead in me
Yeah

I wanna see miracles
To see the world change
Wrestled the angel for more than a name
For more than a feeling
For more than a cause
I’m singing ‘Spirit, take me up in arms with You’
And you’re raising the dead in me

Twenty-four oceans
With twenty-four hearts
All of my symphonies
With twenty-four parts
Life is not what I thought it was
Twenty-four hours ago
Still I’m singing ‘Spirit,
take me up in arms with You’
I’m not copping out
Not copping out

What a year it’s been… I often catch myself complaining about how tired I am and how busy my life is. School isn’t easy, but I have to remind myself that it is a blessing to have the opportunity to study and that it wouldn’t be worth it if it was easy.

***

About a week ago, I received a letter from OSAP saying that there is a discrepancy in my application. I had checked the box that says I don’t own any vehicles. However, when OSAP ran my driver’s license through the system, it said I own the RAV4 we bought last October. Because my family wanted the 500$ “new grad” incentive, I became the co-owner of the car with my mom…Even though I didn’t pay for the car, it became my “asset”. Because of this moment of greed, I now am unable to apply for OSAP, and will not be eligible for a bursary or UTAPS. It seemed like such an easy decision to make in October to go for the 500$ discount, but what we didn’t know were the long-term consequences. I cannot take my name off as co-owner unless I sell the car to a third party (which we’re not going to do).

I was so upset when I learned about the bind I got myself in. It’s a tough lesson to swallow, but some choices we make have unfortunate and lasting consequences. Thankfully, I have a dad who is always willing to help me financially. As much as I want to be independent and shoulder my own financial burdens, I need to suck up my pride and be willing to receive his charity (in the original definition of the word, it means love). Further, dad reminded me that whatever can be fixed with money isn’t really a problem.

Anyways, the bigger issue is also remembering Jehovah Jireh…God is the provider of all things. I have never lacked anything in the past, so why should I worry? I need to continually trust that He will provide for me what I need, when I need it.

You’re stuck on me and my laughing eyes
I can’t pretend though I try to hide – I like you
I like you

I think I felt my heart skip a beat
I’m standing here and I can hardly breathe – you got me
You got me

The way you take my hand is just so sweet
And that crooked smile of yours it knocks me off my feet

Oh, I just can’t get enough
How much do I need to fill me up?
It feels so good it must be love
It’s everything that I’ve been dreaming of
I give up I give in I let go Lets begin
Cuz no matter what I do,
Oh (oh) my heart is filled with you

I can’t imagine what it’d be like
Livin everyday in this life – without you
Without you
One look from you I know you understand
This mess we’re in you know is just so out of hand

Oh, I just can’t get enough
How much do I need to fill me up?
It feels so good it must be love
It’s everything that I’ve been dreaming of
I give up I give in I let go Lets begin
Cuz no matter what I do,

Oh, I just can’t get enough
How much do I need to fill me up?
It feels so good it must be love
It’s everything that I’ve been dreaming of
I give up I give in I let go Lets begin
Cuz no matter what I do,
Oh (oh) my heart is filled with you

Oh (oh)
You got me You got me
Oh (oh)
You got me You got me

Ecosia: The eco-friendly search engine from in60seconds on Vimeo.

#1 – Waterfalls Indian Tapas

I went to this restaurant after hearing good things about it from my friend V, who was also my housemate at the time.  I needed to find a place for my friend A’s going-away-to-Seattle-to-work-for-Amazon-party.  V said that the decor was nice, and the food was decently priced.  She was quite right on both counts.  I enjoyed the ambiance..it’s a chic atmosphere, and they have a waterfall right when you come in.  I ordered the butter chicken with nan and it was soooooo good.  I thought the portion size was small, but what I didn’t realize was that nan expands in your stomach:P

Look how happy they look:)

#2 – Negroni

My friend (who was my housemate at the time), brought me to this restaurant to try their paninis.  According to Blogto, they have the best paninis!  As well, they made top 10 for “Best Cheap Eats” in Toronto.

I ordered one of their popular choices: the Segovia Sausage panini with fontina, slow roasted onions, and sundried tomato pesto. They’re paninis come with salad and olives (blech).  Although the panini was quite salty, overall, I enjoyed the combination of the sausage, tomato pesto and cheese flavours.

#3 – Big Fat Burrito

Located literally across the street from where I was staying, Big Fat Burrito is known for, well, their big, fat, burritos.  My friend B had been there before and said he enjoyed it.  So at his suggestion, we decided to share a steak burrito (halfsies), since we weren’t too hungry at the time.  It was definitely a comfortable amount of food for me, but I think B was still hungry afterwards.  With a glass bottle of sprite, sitting inside the little burrito hut…it was a fun dining experience.

#4 – Kensington’s

Known for their coffee and breakfast food, V & I woke up early to visit Kensington’s on a breakfast date the week before our final exams.  It was a treat to ourselves before hitting the books.

We had omlettes with sausage, zuchini and other random, sauteed vegetables:)  She had coffee, I had tea!

#5 – Mother’s Dumpling’s

Also a favourite on blogto, I visited this dumpling house with my parents when they came to have dinner with me downtown.  Claimed to have the BEST dumplings in all of Toronto, I was really interested to see what the critics are raving about.  Apparently the restaurant had done so well, it moved from its “hole-in-the-wall” location on Huron Street to Spadina.  I really loved watching the workers carefully kneed the dough and prepare the dumplings one-by-one.  However, the service was quite slow, and I found that the dumplings were good..but nothing out of the ordinary, and also kinda pricey (well, I guess it’s downtown Chinese food, so I can’t compare it to Scarborough?).  The dumplings were not that flavourful, but then I guess it’s a good thing then, because they don’t seem to use a lot of MSG.  (Pretty home-made style I guess?)  However, I went a second time with a friend, and his siu-long baos were sticking together.  We lost a lot of juice, so that wasn’t fun.

Overall, I would go back to Negroni’s for panini’s.  Oh, and I also tried out Supermarket, The Grilled Cheese, and Amadeu’s in Kensington market.  Wow, I tried out a lot of local places:)

about a 400$ ukulele

>.<

I Will Be Here by Steven Curtis Chapman

Tomorrow morning if you wake up
and the sun does not appear
I will be here
If in the dark, we lose sight of love
Hold my hand, and have no fear
‘Cause I will be here

I will be here
When you feel like being quiet
When you need to speak your mind
I will listen
And I will be here
When the laughter turns to cryin’
Through the winning, losing and trying
We’ll be together
I will be here

Tomorrow morning, if you wake up
And the future is unclear
I will be here
Just as sure as seasons were made for change
Our lifetimes were made for these years
So I will be here

I will be here
And you can cry on my shoulder
When the mirror tells us we’re older
I will hold you
And I will be here
To watch you grow in beauty
And tell you all the things you are to me
I will be here

I will be true to the promise I have made
To you and to the One who gave you to me

Tomorrow morning, if you wake up
And the sun does not appear
I will be here
Oh, I will be here.

Train – Hey, Soul Sister from Matthew Stawski on Vimeo.

Hey, hey, hey

Your lipstick stains on the front lobe of my left side brains
I knew I wouldn’t forget you, and so I went and let you blow my mind
Your sweet moonbeam, the smell of you in every single dream I dream
I knew when we collided, you’re the one I have decided who’s one of my kind

Hey soul sister, ain’t that Mr. Mister on the radio, stereo, the way you move ain’t fair, you know!
Hey soul sister, I don’t want to miss a single thing you do…tonight

Hey, hey, hey

Just in time, I’m so glad you have a one-track mind like me
You gave my life direction, a game show love connection we can’t deny
I’m so obsessed, my heart is bound to beat right out my untrimmed chest
I believe in you, like a virgin, you’re Madonna, and I’m always gonna wanna blow your mind

Hey soul sister, ain’t that Mr. Mister on the radio, stereo, the way you move ain’t fair, you know!
Hey soul sister, I don’t want to miss a single thing you do…tonight

The way you can cut a rug, watching you’s the only drug I need
You’re so gangsta, I’m so thug, you’re the only one I’m dreaming of
You see, I can be myself now finally, in fact there’s nothing I can’t be
I want the world to see you be with me

Hey soul sister, ain’t that Mr. Mister on the radio, stereo, the way you move ain’t fair, you know!
Hey soul sister, I don’t want to miss a single thing you do tonight,
Hey soul sister, I don’t want to miss a single thing you do…tonight
Hey, hey,hey

Hey, hey,hey

Tonight

The last time I posted these lyrics was in 2005.  I don’t know what state I was in then, but it still speaks to me now.

Unfailing Love – by Chris Tomlin

You have my heart
And I am Yours forever
You are my strength
God of grace and power

And everything You hold in Your hand
Still You make time for me
I can’t understand

Praise You God of Earth and sky
How beautiful is Your unfailing love
Unfailing love

And You never change God You remain
The Holy One
My unfailing love
Unfailing love

You are my rock
The one I hold on to
You are my song
And I sing for You

And everything You hold in Your hand
Still You make time for me
I can’t understand
Praise You God of Earth and sky
How beautiful is Your unfailing love
Unfailing love

And You never change God You remain
The Holy One
My Unfailing love
Unfailing love

And everything You hold in Your hand
Still you make time for me
I can’t understand
Praise You God of Earth and sky
How beautiful is Your unfailing love
Unfailing love

And You never change God You remain
The Holy One
My Unfailing love
Unfailing love

I will praise You
Praise you God of earth and sky
How beautiful is your unfailing love
Unfailing love

And You never change God You remain
The Holy One
My Unfailing love

Unfailing love
Unfailing love
Unfailing love
Unfailing love
Unfailing love

Going On
by Charles R. Swindoll

1 Samuel 30:1-6

Flying ace Chuck Yeager has written a book with an inviting title: Press On! A guy with his adventurous background, plus a chest full of medals to prove it, probably has a lot to say about “pressing on.” Few will ever know the thrill of breaking sound barriers, but all of us live with the daily challenge of pressing on. The question is how?

How does the patient go on after the physician breaks the news about the dreaded biopsy? How does the divorcée go on after the divorce is final? How does anyone press on when the bottom drops out?

I have recently discovered some principles from Scripture that have certainly come to my rescue. They emerge from the life of David when he and his fellow warriors were returning from battle. Exhausted, dirty, and anxious to get home, they came upon a scene that took their breath away. What was once their own quiet village was now smoldering ruins; their wives and children had been kidnapped by the same enemy forces that had burned their homes to the ground.

As if that were not bad enough, David’s own men turned against him, and talk of mutiny swirled among the soldiers.

If ever a man felt like hanging it up, David must have at that moment. But he didn’t.

What did he do instead? Read this very carefully: “But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God” (1 Sam. 30:6).

He got alone and poured his heart before the Lord . . . got things squared away vertically, which helped clear away the fog horizontally. He did not surrender to hard times.

Why not? How did he go on?

By refusing to focus on the present situation only.

What happens when we stay riveted to the present misery? One of two things: Either we blame someone (which can easily make us bitter), or we submerge in self-pity (which paralyzes us).

Instead of retaliating or curling up in a corner and licking his wounds, he called to mind that this event was no mistake. The Lord wasn’t absent. On the contrary, He was in full control. Bruised and bloody, David faced the test head-on and refused to throw in the sponge.

When we get things squared away vertically,
it helps clear away the fog horizontally.

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I must be crazy
I can’t see straight anymore
I’m ten feet from your door

Surprise, dear
You both don’t know
That I’m here watching alone
My worst fear, now my home

Such a cruel,
Such a cruel heart
Such a cruel, cruel heart

Her eyes they shine on you
While I stay under the august moon
And I pray sleep comes soon

Why did I come here?
Look what you’ve undone, dear
Once two, now one here

Just a cruel,
Just a cruel heart
Just a cruel, cruel heart

I know what I’m gonna say
When I go
Who I’m gonna believe
In this pain, in this goodbye
And I’m brave, broken down
And I crave the very ground
That I’m slave to
And I’ll cry on

Now I’m ten feet from your door
My heart beats, not anymore
I’m empty and not yours

Just a cruel,
Just a cruel heart
Just a cruel, cruel, cruel heart
Just a cruel, cruel heart

In my everyday routine of school, eating and sleeping, it’s easy to get tunnel vision.  I can only see what’s up ahead – potential failure if I don’t finish this paper.  I often feel like school is suffering.  (4 essays and 4 exams in 12 days.  like WHAT?)

But really, I have experienced very little (if any) suffering in my life.

When I think of suffering, I think of famine, drought, earthquakes…people losing their loved ones because of unjust acts.  I think of child prostitution, slavery, human trafficking.

I know that God calls us to “act justly, to love mercy and walk humbly”…to experience others’ hurt and suffering and help those in need.

God, where do you want me to go?  What do you want me to see?

Bought this dress at RW over reading week, and had my aunt alter it a bit to fit better.  I love the material (it’s satiny), colour (fushia pink!), it has POCKETS, tiny little buttons on the side, and the neckline makes me feel very safe.  haha   oh and best of all, i got it for more than half price!

St. Patty’s Day, I brought the first round of drinks to my study group meeting here…

And we consumed them.