Our lives are all connected, both parties benefit

Have you ever thought why you're here at this moment in this stage of your life? Why there have been certain people in your lives? Why some people remain friends and some have grown apart? Or a few grow closer because of the struggles they've gone through together...

I truly believe that God works in mysterious ways...He has a plan for each and everyone of us whether you know it or not...At first I was kinda skeptic, like really? I know that life is not a game, but the way that my life has worked out has been a blessing. A lot of people family, friends, collegues, etc... have seen this quote before as my email signature: "I believe that God does put each person into my life for a purpose... the world's too big for it all to be a coincidence...For the purpose will be revealed in His time" A little less than two years ago, a friend said this to me and it really meant a lot to me. Often I am reminded of this, but more so lately.

I've been thinking, if I didn't go to my friend's birthday last September, I wouldn't have met some of my TO friends that I've been hanging out with now also. I wouldn't be able to witness to them or just expand my circle of friends. Each person I meet, contributes to shaping my character; as well, my influence on them. I'm not implying this scenario only w/ Toronto, but also a few new friends in surrounding Oakville/Mississauga area. It's as if I didn't go to the States a couple months ago, I wouldn't have gotten to know a couple people better or if I didn't go to the Stag or some gathering/party, certain events would not have happened.

I've had a lot of fun, last weekend, Saturday night and Sunday as well. Just being w/ friends has helped me cope with the stress and anxiety that I have been going through at work. For the past few months, work and school has consumed a lot of my time, my life and my mind. The first thing an last thing going through my mind is work or school. But last Saturday night while playing games, I forgot how fast the time went by or how much fun I was having. For that short time, I forgot about work and school. I was happy again. Not saying that I'm not happy but being able to relax. I'm so thankful for my friends, you help me escape my reality...my job, my schooling. Thanks for planning activities/outings/ice skating, or just calling me up. It has meant a lot to me.

In closing, I guess life has come around it's full circle...by that I mean, just as I have been there for you, you have been there for me also. Through the joy and laughter, but especially through the troubled times. The Lord brings people into your lives, although confused as to why two people are friends, down the road, you realize the true purpose of the friendship.

Sunday in TO and my accident

I went to TO as well today to hear the TSO perform one of the piano concertos from Beethoven's masterpieces. Since I'm here, I thought I hang out w/ some friends, most were glad to see me...great to meet people as well. On my way into TO, I hit something...rather something hit me...maybe it was the fog? A bird, looked like a sparrow or robin, flew into my windshield while I was driving on the QEW...well it hit my windshield SPLAT! and bounced off it and probably landed somewhere else dead. Let's just say going 120km/hr, and it hit dead centre, there's no way it would have survived. I've never had this happen to me, so I also lost control of my car for a moment...I slammed my brakes. I felt so bad, I was praying right away. I've killed one of God's creatures:( but it was an accident.

After service but b4 Sunday school, we had breakfast @ Kim Moon Bakery. Thanks to Simon, Angel, Jon, Trinh for breakfast, small world, saw Emmanueller too:) Had lunch w/ a few of them@ Hong Kong Harbour, the HK style food,(aka Cafe Hollywood). Must also add, that the worship team and the choir was also good too!

Hung out w/ one of my friends for the afternoon, while watching chick flick, "wedding planner"...then a couple of my friends came over for dinner before the TSO performance since it was only minutes away. I actually enjoyed cooking tonight, and I'm glad everyone enjoyed it. Sorry for leaving the place a mess, dine and dash, but time was ticking away. Both of us girlz ran to the Hall in our heels, w/o falling, YAY! Met up w/ one of my other TO friends and headed in for the concert.

I would say the last piece was the best. Conducted by Bramwell Tovey who has been the Music Director of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra since 2000 and works internationally w/ a prestigious list of orchestras. The piano concerto (Beethoven's Piano concerto No.4, in Gmajor, Op.58) was done nicely too, w/ Jane Coop on the piano. Although, the last piece (Camille SAinte-saens) Symphony No.3, in C MInor, Op.78 "Organ Symphony) w/ Patricia Krueger on the organ was just breathtaking. The organ although not always famous, was just majestic and powerful.

Standing ovation!

Thanks everyone for a great weekend!

Saturday March 24th

Tonight Elaine and I did our usual Jumping Frog @ Church. We watched a video on the ten commandments and it was just too funny, you can read it on Elaine's blog. Let's just say, very "Disney" like...

After Jumping Frog, I headed over to my friend's fiancee's place and played some games. Well, by the time I got there, I was a judge for Apples to Apples. It took me 20minutes from hwy to hwy to Markham but then I got lost. I was stubborn and didn't want to call Dave, thinking I could find it on my own. Eventually I found the place so I thought, rang the door bell and this is what happend:

Me: Ring door bell
Man: Who is it?
Me: It's Bonnie, M, open up..
Man: Opens door, and says who are you?
Me: I'm so sorry, I have the wrong house...(Embarassing b/c it was like 10pm)

I thought I had the right house b/c I saw Pat's car and Dave's car...but it was the house across the street that I was looking for. So I called, and finally got the right place.

After awhile, we all played Taboo, and I had suggested battle of the sexes...that didn't go over well with the guys, so we mixed up the teams, the "wiser" vs. "young"...it was fun though. Lots of laughter, which I cannot blog about. Played for a couple hours then headed home.

On my way home, I almost got into a car accident as a car, did not check his blind spot and almost hit me if I didn't move over quickly but at the same time I could have hit another car as i was in the middle lane. I honked at him/her but thank goodness I didn't hit anything that night.

Thanks Alice for having us over=)

Guys Beware

Something I learned over the weekend...a pick up line for the boyz...well, if you're a guy and you're asked this question, don't look stupid now, b/c I told you what it means:

Conversation among a CA(Chartered Accountant in training), CGA(Certified General Accountant in training), An Economist, an OT:
Girl(1): Hey, you know what?

Girl (2): Whaaaaaaat?

Girl (1): Some guys aren't that smart w/ pickup lines but if you're looking for a rich hubby, ask this question... What's your 260? Also can be asked "What's your line 260?"

Girl (2): Hahaha...No guy is going to know what that means unless he's in Finance. Actually, no one else knew the answer except for me and Girl1(CA).

The answer: If you didn't know but some will...Line 260 is your "Net Income" on your tax return. IF someone asks you, about your Line 150, it's your "gross income" but no one really cares about that. Just thought it was funny! Not that I would ever ask a guy's 260, but that doesn't mean others won't...

Guys...heads up :)

It's been a CRAZY Weekend...

Friday: I am probably the most forgetful person that way, that it's not even funny. I prepared a dish for potluck @ Emmanuel and I left it at home. Soooo, I fought the traffic at 4:30 and took the QEW home in the middle of a blizzard. It took me an hour to get home and I don't live that far either, but the traffic was just soooooo slow, that my eyes kinda closed a few times. I didn't exactly fall asleep but my eyes were heavy. When I got home, I rested for 15minutes and headed out to Alana's which took me another hour b/c of the storm. When I got to Sauga, there was no snow anywhere but it was cold. As I parked my car, I knew people were going to ask, ah, where did you come from? Alaska? Fellowship was good, we had a bible study on 1Timothy 5 and PNelson was able to join us for a bit as well. I decided to leave around midnight as the roads were bad and it took me an hour to get home. Luckily, there weren't too many vehicles on the roads as I couldn't see the lines on the roads, so I was kinda taking up two lanes. Switching lanes w/o signalling which I was not aware of, I mean really, one can't see where the lanes were. (120KM)

Saturday: Since I was the last one up, I had no car so I couldn't go over to a friend's house in the morning...I woke up around 9:30am too=( In the evening, I went to a friend's Birthday in Markham@ Maison du Japan, food was good, especially sashimi and the arctic roll but the service was horrible. Watched "Phat Girls" movie @ Alana's then went home. Those that know me, also know that I have poor driving directions and got lost once coming back to Sauga and missed the "Burnhamthorpe exit" (200KM)

Sunday: Went to Church, and then to NY to a friend's place and hung out w/ the girlz for the afternoon. Met up w/ a friend later for dinner at Congee Wong...might as well, since I'm out there. It's not often that I'm there that I can meet up w/ friends. After a wonderful dinner, dessert(BBT) @ The Sugar located next door. It's a very good place for BBT. Didn't get lost, not really...but when you say Finch or Sheppherd or Leslie, it really doesn't mean anything ot me except that it's in the North York/Scarborough area. (160KM)

Overall, I've filled up on gas twice this past weekend...spent about $45-$50 in gas. Poor car...I don't think I've driven that much in any given weekend...and the 401 series is frightening. Everyone is so dangerous, I've had to use my horn, slam my breaks...Why can't they drive like the people on the QEW. My blood pressure sky rockets! Although, I did have a great weekend.


Sunday:

Dressing alike at work

This past week, everthing I wore matched someone at work this week...I was either a twin or triplet. This was my observation at the office this week:

Monday: Mark(Analyst)-Maroon dress shirt, black pants, black shoes
Me(Accounting)-Maroon turtleneck, black pants, black shoes

Tuesday: Carol(Executive to the prez)- white blouse, black vest, black pants, black heels
Me(Accounting)-white blouse, black vest, black pants, black heels

Wednesday: Jen(Construction)- Grey top, black pants, heels
Me: Grey top also v-neck, black pants, heels

Thursday: Mark(Analyst)- Black top, black pants
Summer(co-op)- Black top, black pants
Me: Black top and black pants

Friday: Fabio(Land Eng)- Brown dress shirt, blue jeans
Me: Brown top, blue jeans

Other observations from others at work: M, stop wearing what I'm wearing...wearing identical colours twice a week is a bit much. Brian said,"What do you guys do? Call each other in the morning and ask what you're wearing?" I said,"Nope, this is all by chance" Each person that wore the same colours as I was all just by chance.

Crazy Friday

It's been such a crazy did from the moment I woke up this morning...I guess I do need more than 5 hours of sleep=(

First of all, I left my Chowmein at home that I was suppose to bring w/ me to work so that I wouldn't have to come home to make it and save some gas. Soooooooo b/c of rush hour traffic, it took me an hour to get home+the blizzard in Burlington didn't help. Lately, I've noticed that between 3-6pm, I am at the most tired state of mind...that is if I go home right after work as oppose to stopping at the gym or store first. So I started to doze off just slightly while being stuck on the QEW, so that really is not good...yes, like someone said to me tonight, I should have just pulled over, but I'm also stubborn. I did have "Hillsong Blessed Live" blaring in my car, but still not keeping me awake. Anywayz, I made it home safely to grab my food and rest for 1/2hr then faced the traffic to Alana's house. It took me about an hour to get out there, when really w/o the snow would be a little over 30 minutes.

Tonight at Fellowship, we had Potluck, and wow there was so much food. There were about 20 of us tonight, and it felt like the old times. It was cozy atmosphere and good fellowship over some yummy food. Our topic tonight was on 1 Timothy 5, about elders, the widows, etc..We also celebrated the March Birthdays over a "Hello Kitty" Birthday cake. As a group, we also discussed some issue outstanding and on the matter of which day, we've changed it back to Thursdays.

I decided to leave shortly after midnight as I had the quite the drive back. Let me tell you, it was not fun. The salt trucks were just starting to appear but not in full force. The highway was not salted yet, which made the roads dangerous and slippery. Those that know me, always, say"what have you hit lately?"...well, I'm surprised that I didn't hit anything tonight, since I took up almost two lanes and I didn't signal when changing lanes. Well, I didn't know I was changing lanes, you couldn't see where the lines were as they were covered in the snow. I did skid a couple times, but no cars near me, phew! It took me an hour to get home but at least everything is in one piece. Thanks Alana, for making sure I got home alright!

Great News...

I did really well on my midterm, thanks everyone for your prayers and support. Sorry if I've been a hermit these past two months...I'll make it up to you all=)

Missions...

This past weekend, the topic of "Missions" came up in all my conversations w/ friends..and it has got me thinking, would I be a candidate for serving overseas or in other countries? I know there will never be a "right time", when God says GO, I will go...A lot of my friends have gone on Mission trips or will be going on them soon but for those of us who have yet to experience it, well perhaps soon. Honestly, I admire people who go on these mission trips to go and do God's work. With that said, the people doing His work right here in Sauga or GTA or wherever they maybe are also admirable. You can be a SS teacher, a part of the worship team, or various committees/involvement within your local Church.

For me personally, I do see doing missions in the future in a third world country or other various developing countries. Yes, there will be cultural shock and a lot of depressing situations but at the same time, I think I'd learn a lot more. Perhaps not full time, but for three weeks or a month...At the same time, something that was brought up in one of the conversations, did we waste our time in obtaining our degrees/education? That thought did cross my mind but I'm sure that God can use our talents in those countries no matter how different it may be. He has plans for each and every one of us. He knows our future, He knows our every thought, we just need to trust in Him. He will show us the way!

Last day of winter...

Last night was probably the last we'll ever see of Winter again until Christmas according to the weather forcast. I mean I look forward to the warm weather, the walks, the hikes...but at the same time I'll miss my winter sports. I'll miss ice skating and skiing...I've really enjoyed it this winter. Ice skating is quite the relaxing activity for me. I get to chat w/ friends, enjoy the scenery and exercise. Last night, I went to Gage Park for one last time to say farewell to winter and my ice skates...it was what I needed. Just to relax.

At the end, we helped a woman after she fell and I gave her some advice on her sprained knee. I found out tonight that my diagnosis, was in reverse order. It's ice pack for 48 hours, then the heating pads after....ooooooooops! but it is still effective. I told her to keep it elevated, do not apply pressure to it and to see a doctor in the morning for xrays. I didn't think it was broken, but just probably a sprain. The woman asked if I was a doctor and I giggled..."Dr. Bonnie Lok" hmmmmmm....nice ring to it, hahaha...but I said nope. She then said, "a nurse?"...then my friend said "beancounter"...just that I've hurt myself enough times to know a bit of treatment.

On another note, the topic of missions came up....which I'll blog later, I'll see. There's so much to write, but just trying to organize my thoughts right now...

Cars Cars Cars~What's that thing under the hood?

Hahaha...the engine?





Shocking that I know a little about cars...The past 24hours, talks about cars. Well of course, most people who know me know that I know nothing about cars...well not nothing just not much. I lifted the hood of my Corolla like last year for the first time. One of the vehicles that caught my eye was the 2007 Porsche Cayman line S-Class w/ the Aerokit. Well there are a bit of differences between the S-Class and base suchas the engine...

S-Class
- 3.4-liter engine in the Cayman S makes 295 hp and 250 pounds-feet of torque
- 18" wheels are std., 19" optional.
- For better high-speed downforce, a rear spoiler automatically extends when the car reaches 75 mph.
- 14.1 cubic feet of storage space
- Std. six-speed manual Transmission,
- Goes from zero to 60mph in 5.1 seconds

Base model "Not S-Class"
- Engine displaces 2.7 liters, producing 245 hp and 201 pounds-feet of torque.
- 17" wheels
- 14.5 cubic feet of storage space
- Std. five-speed manual Transmission, six-speed is "optional"
- Goes from zero to 60mph in 5.8seconds

Price range: Too expensive for me...

Thanks for bringing me out=)

Last night, Chanthan brought me out to a friend of a friend's Stag and Doe. Well I know the Groomsman from one of Lewis's parties and the rest of the MAC Eng gang...Lots of food, MEAT MEAT MEAT! Lots of drinks too. Thanks for buying me drinks, peeps! Dancing was ummmmmmmmm....
Thanks Channie for driving the Burlington crowd. Of course, Lewis, would need a ride...hahaha. Regardless, it was great to see the old crowd again and reaquainted with others. I'm glad I went. I was able to get to know some friends better that I had not been in the past and talk about my Faith as well. God works in myesterious ways. Opportunities present itself. It is hard to ge together w/ friends from MAC when none of us are in Hamilton anymore, well 70% of us aren't. Time is precious and life is short. I will try to see you all more often,although now that some of you live in TO, like Bathurst/Lakeshore or Yonge/Lakeshore is close to where I stay from time to time...so I'll see. Or crash over w/ sleeping bags.