A friend completes the following form with a group of his friends every New Year’s Eve. (Before the drinking begins) They review past years and see how much each of them have grown. Events that seemed so significant in their lives weren’t such a big deal once they reached the other side. Hindsight puts life into perspective.

I am adopting this ritual. Starting a new journal I will fill it out and review it yearly, on July 1st, Canada Day - my birthday. Feel free to join me.

Top 5 good/positive things that have happened in the last 12 months:
Top 5 bad/undesirable things that have happened in the last 12 months:
Top 5 new people that have come into my life or made a significant impact and why/how:
Top 5 things I look forward to in the next 12 months:

Answers to come soon...

Europe... Here We Come!

I still can't believe that this is actually happening. Seeing my family this weekend, they are talking all about what I am going to see and I just sit there not thinking that its true.

Lori and I have been busy planning our days and what we are all going to see. So exciting. We just signed up for a cooking class in Rome. How cool is that? We get to cook a four course meal, eat it, and they pair up their 4 best wines to the food as well! We wanted to do this since it is something different than just the typical sight-seeing! Oh, and did I mention that the Chef is quite handsome as well!! Nice bonus :)

London---Venice---Florence---Rome---Athens---Santorini---Crete---London---Bristol--- London------- HERE WE COME!!! :)

30 = Europe

I have been having mixed feelings in regards to turning 30 this year. I never thought that this day would actually ever arrive. I imagined my life to be so different at this stage but I have been able to do alot in my time so I am grateful for that and trying to focus on that.

Something super exciting. I am going to Europe this May. My friend Lori and I are travelling around for 3 weeks. We are flying into London and meeting up there. She is coming from BC while I am coming from Toronto. We will spend a couple of days there and then travel on Italy and spend about a week there. Then we swim all the way to Greece and spend about a week there and then fly back to London and visit a friend of mine in Bristol and then fly home. It will be busy but fun and so much to see!!

Cant wait. The countdown begins..... (not for my birthday... :(...)

My Crazy Up and Down First Month

Well, it has been over a month since my big move to another city! What a crazy one it has been. I have to say that it has gone better than I thought it would. Probably because I have gone home almost every weekend. I know I know... I am a sucker. This past week has definitely been a tough one for me. People kept telling me that about a month in, it would really hit me that I no longer live in St. Catharines. They are pretty much bang on. Part of my lonliness has been my neglect of wanting to go out and meet people. It is such an exhausting task that I have no desire to do but I know that if I want to make the best of my life here, I just HAVE to do it. So, I am excited to tell you that I am attempting a church tomorrow morning. One that I have heart great things about. So, that will be my first step....

I have to say that what makes it easier being here is the love I have for my apartment. It is so cozy and I love being here!! My landlords are great and I love the area I am in. It feels alot like home when I walk the streets so it makes it an easier transition.

Here are some pics of my apartment that I love so much!!

This is the picture of my livingroom where I spend alot of my time!! When I first moved here, I was OBSESSED with watching "Friday Night Lights". Such a great show! Just waiting on my season four.

This is the back part of my living room and I didnt know what to do with the space so I bought a carpet and put it in the middle of the floor. I think it works well.

Here is my wonderful kitchen. It is a little changed since this picture was taken. I attempted to paint and I did it a green so it looks alot more cozy now!! I love it.

So that is my life. Work, home... It will get better. I know!

Packing up, yet again!

I remember when I bought my condo, I said to myself, "No more moving". And... here I am again. This time, I have to be more organized since it is in a new city. Away from my parents home, away from my sisters and away from my friends.

I have always talked about wanting to get out of St. Catharines and move away. First it was Kitchener, then Saskatoon, then Calgary, maybe Vancouver, maybe Prince George and now it is ACTUALLY happening for me. Only this time, it is one of my destination cities. Kitchener. Now, it is not too far from home so it isnt like I am going away that far... so I cant complain too too much. I know I will come home and visit my friends and family and I know that they will come visit me but it will be wierd to not call "St. Catharines" my home anymore. Sometimes I just sit there and think about the fact that this is it. No more will I live here. Crazy to think about.

But then I think about what a wonderful opportunity this is for me and my career. I have been getting the chance to open a whole new office and people listen to when I talk, give advice and they trust me. It is so nice to have respect and enjoy the work I do. I also get to work in an office with some great guys who want to see me grow in my work and that is so encouraging!

When I finally move in to my new place, I will post some pics of it!

A Tribute to my Baby Sister

I am so excited to tell you that my baby sister, Suzanne Wilson, will be graduating Teacher's College today. She has been going to Brock University for 5 years now and today, we get to see her walk across that stage to receive her diploma. I am so proud of her.

Suz is one of the strongest woman I know. She is brave, hard working, stubborn as heck, but the most giving and generous people with a kind heart for everyone she comes into contact with. We got closer because we lived at home the longest. She just got married last December to her highschool sweetheart. I was so excited to be a part of her day.

I have always been involved in her life. Poor girl. When I was in Grade 12, I did a school co-op in her Grade 6 class. And then I was the Youth Leader in our church when she was in Youth. She always said she didn't mind but I am not sure if she just said that to be nice! She will always hold a special place in my heart!

Suz was always our little baby. Rachel, Julie and I used to play house and the best part about it was that we had a real baby to play with. Suzie was our little "toy". Sometimes I feel bad for her since she was so far apart in age from Rachel and Julie and I were so close in age and in relationship that I think Suz missed out but we now all have a good relationship where we can be open with each other and just enjoying being together!

Suz, if you are reading this, I LOVE YOU and I AM SO PROUD OF YOU!! You did it. You accomplished school and I KNOW, that you are going to make an AMAZING teacher!!

My Apartment

I rented out my place!!! So excited about that. I was stressing about it for a while since I am moving in 2 months. It just doesn't seem real that I am actually leaving. I have been talking about wanting to move to Kitchener for so long and now that it is actually happening, I am scared. I am scared to be away from my family and friends but I know that this is the best thing for me at this point in my life.

So, thanks to all who were praying for me through this decision and journey! I feel at peace with everything and it all seems to be working itself out and in good timing!

Definition of Me

S - sleep deprived
T - trying to find a renter
R - ready to wake up 3 months from now
E - envious of people lying on a beach right now
S - stoked for the weekend
S - singing
E - eating a freezie b/c I refuse to turn on the a/c
D - determined

The Biggest Loser

So, my new favourite show is definitely "The Biggest Loser". I had never really watched it before but my friend Aly was here when the premiere was one and she made me watch it and now I am hooked!

For those of you who don't know what the show is about, it is about couples that go on the show together to lose weight. Such a great concept because not only do they win money in the end, but they lose weight and also learn so much about who they are deep inside their insecurities and the person that was there but they could just not find. And as an audience, you get to learn different ideas on eating and exercising!

So, the purple team was my favourite from the beginning. It was a mother/daughter team. Kristin (daughter) was kind of annoying because she talked so much but her reasons for doing the show was so sincere that you couldn't help but love her.

And then there was the brown team. They are the only team that has made it to the end. We are now on our last 4 contestants. This is a father/son team. The father had not been under 300 pounds since he was 11 I think. And the son was the youngest and most heaviest person they have had on the show. He has now lost half of his weight. I am definitely cheering for the son. His father, he is a good game player. He has manipulated this whole show just to make sure that his son made it to the finals. Pretty brilliant.

And then comes the green team. This is the one team that I have despised this whole season. Tara (on the left) has won every challenge and though that would make her a good player, she is one of the most arrogant players. There is just something about her that bugs me! Her friend Laura went home because she had pulled a muscle and tore something so she pretty much was sent home because she would of made it worse staying and that really wasn't fair to the other players who needed to be there.

The thing with this show that is just so cool to watch is seeing the transformations that come from it. Seeing the way there were to the way they are now is incredible. The one person has lost over 180 pounds! Is that not just unbelieveable!?

Early on in the show, you get to choose which trainer you would like. There is Bob or Jillian. Bob is the nice/mean trainer. He works you hard but he seems to be kinder. Then there is Jillian who is B-R-U-T-A-L! She works you hard and she yells at you and tries to keep you going that way. She would probably make me cry all the time.

For those of you who are interested, there are only 2 more episodes. This week they have to go home for one week and then they come back to the Ranch and have to get weighed in. And then the following week (May 12), it is the F-I-N-A-L-E!! You will find out who the Biggest Loser is and who wins $250,000!!

Make sure to check it out!!

Facebook

So, Facebook. Not sure what to think about it. I have decided to get rid of it. Part of me wishes I had not done it but I was realizing how nosey I was becoming. You start to realize that everything becomes all about "Facebook". People start to get offended if you don't accept their friend request and it caused more hurtness than it was supposed to at the beginning. I started because I thought it would be fun to connect with Bible School friends that I never got to see anymore.

I am not dissing anyone who has it or enjoys it. I think it was alot of fun to see what is going on in others lives but for me personally, it was becoming unhealthy. Not that I was spending so many hours on it, but I just wanted to return to the "email" world instead.

So in the blogging world, I will probably continue this more. Not that anyone really reads this but it is still fun to do.

Quote of the Day

"You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.' You must do the thing you think you cannot do." Eleanor Roosevelt

A Great Story and Nice Reminder!

The Cab Ride

So I walked to the door and knocked. 'Just a minute', answered a frail, elderly voice. I could hear something being dragged across the floor.

After a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in her 90's stood before me. She was wearing a print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned on it, like somebody out of a 1940s movie.

By her side was a small nylon suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had lived in it for years. All the furniture was covered with sheets.

There were no clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard box filled with photos and glassware.

'Would you carry my bag out to the car?' she said. I took the suitcase to the cab, then returned to assist the woman.

She took my arm and we walked slowly toward the curb.

She kept thanking me for my kindness. 'It's nothing', I told her. 'I just try to treat my passengers the way I would want my mother treated'.

'Oh, you're such a good boy', she said. When we got in t he cab, she gave me an address, and then asked, 'Could you drive through downtown?'

'It's not the shortest way,' I answered quickly.

'Oh, I don't mind,' she said. 'I'm in no hurry. I'm on my way to a hospice'.

I looked in the rear-view mirror. Her eyes were glistening. 'I don't have any family left,' she continued. 'The doctor says I don't have very long.'
I quietly reached over and shut off the meter.

'What route would you like me to take?' I asked.

For the next two hours, we drove through the city. She showed me the building where she had once worked as an elevator operator.

We drove through the neighborhood where she and her husband had lived when they were newlyweds. She had me pull up in front of a furniture warehouse that had once been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a girl.

Sometimes she'd ask me to slow in front of a particular building or corner and would sit staring into the darkness, saying nothing.

As the first hint of sun was creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, 'I'm tired. Let's go now'

We drove in silence to the address she had given me.It was a low building, like a small convalescent home, with a driveway that passed under a portico.

Two orderlies came out to the cab as soon as we p ulled up. They were solicitous and intent, watching her every move. They must have been expecting her.

I opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to the door. The woman was already seated in a wheelchair.

'How much do I owe you?' she asked, reaching into her purse.

'Nothing,' I said

'You have to make a living,' she answered.

'There are other passengers,' I responded.

Almost without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She held onto me tightly.

'You gave an old woman a little moment of joy,' she said.

'Thank you.'

I squeezed her hand, and then walked into the dim morning light. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound of the closing of a life.

I didn't pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient to end his shift?

What if I had refused to take the run, or had honked once, then driven away?

On a quick review, I don't think that I have done anything more important in my life.

We're conditioned to think that our lives revolve around great moments.

But great moments often catch us unaware-beautifully wrapped in what others may consider a small one.

PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID,

~BUT~

THEYWILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM FEEL.

Updates

Just yesterday my mom was bugging me about not updating this more. I guess with the whole "facebook" world, blogging has been put on the back burner of alot of people. I still like it though. I am just really bad at it.

There has been alot of things happening in my life lately. One of the most recent activity has been the death of my grand-father. I have to say that I have been blessed with all four grand-parents for 28 years so I know that I have nothing to complain about. Grandpa was a fixture in our family and it wont be the same without him. I will always remember him sitting quietly at the lunch/dinner table just watching his family, or laughing at one of the jokes my Grandma told. He loved his music so he would always get our family to sing "Praise God from whom all blessings flow" for our prayers. You will be missed Grandpa.

This summer has been BUSY with weddings and weekend getaways. I have 3 more weddings and then I get a break for a while. That will be nice.

One thing that has been so great is having so many Bethany friends around. Alex and Carla moved to Ontario so it has been so great connecting with them again and alot more often. Rhea and Jarvis moved to Ontario for a year so spending time with them as well will be so great. Hopefully more people will come and visit. And just this week, my dear friend Lori and her awesome twin sister Doris came through my area so I was able to meet them for dinner. It has been so nice and refreshing.

My health has not been so good. Its such a downer when you are feeling icky ALL THE TIME. I am hoping that I start feeling like myself again and soon.

Thats enough for now. I will try to blog more often. See ya!

Friendship

"Life is too short to wake up with regrets. So love the people who treat you right. Forget about the one's who don't. Believe everything happens for a reason. If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said life would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it. Friends are like balloons; once you let them go, you might not get them back. Sometimes we get so busy with our own lives and problems that we may not even notice that we've let them fly away. Sometimes we are so caught up in who's right and who's wrong that we forget what's right and wrong. Sometimes we just don't realize what real friendship means until it is too late. I don't want to let that happen so I'm going to tie you to my heart so I never lose you."

I have really been thinking about my friendships lately. The ones that slipped away. The ones I have lost and the ones that continue strong. It is crazy how much you depend on those friendships. Without some of my friends, I dont think I would of made it through this last year of my life. I think it has been one of the hardest and most challenging and emotional year for me. There were times when I would ask myself, "How the heck am I going to get through this week?" But then I would be surprised by my friends who would totally step up and be there for me.

Thank you to those who were those friends to me!

A Speech from Bill Gates

Rule 1: Life is not fair - get used to it!

Rule 2 : The world won't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.

Rule 3 : You will NOT make $60,000 a year right out of high school. You won't be a vice-president with a car phone until you earn both.

Rule 4 : If you think your teacher is tough,wait till you get a boss.

Rule 5 : Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your Grandparents had a different word for burger flipping: they called it opportunity.

Rule 6: If you mess up, it's not your parents' fault, so don't whine about your mistakes, learn from them.

Rule 7: Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you thought you were. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parent's generation, try delousing the closet in your own room.

Rule 8: Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life HAS NOT. In some schools, they have abolished failing grades and they'll give you as MANY TIMES as you want to get the right answer. This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life.

Rule 9: Life is not divided into semesters. You don't get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you FIND YOURSELF. Do that on your own time.

Rule 10: Television is NOT real life. In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.

Rule 11: Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one.

If you agree, pass it on. If you can read this - Thank a teacher

Encouragement

"For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord.
Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give
you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

This verse is my comfort. Whenever I am struggling or
questioning God's calling in my life, I repeat this verse
over and over in my head and it always gives me a great
sense of peace.

My Newest Purchase

Well, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and do one of the
biggest things ever. I purchased my very first home. It really
happened quite quickly. I wasnt really looking at buying. Where
I was currently living, my roommate was getting married in May
so I was going to have to move out anyways and I had decided
that I wanted to live on my own again, so I was trying to decide
whether I wanted to rent or buy so I was just surfing the net to
see what was out there and out popped this place. That happened
on the Monday and by the Friday, I had put in my offer.

Below is the picture of my kitchen. When I got it, it was a mint green.
That had to definitely go and I have ALWAYS wanted my red
kitchen so I finally got it.


The next picture is taken from my front door looking into the
rest of my place. The living/dining room. Its a pretty small
place but it is really comfortable. It has a nice fireplace and
balcony. I still have to get a picture for above my fireplace. It
drives me nuts to see the empty spot above the fireplace but
I want a particular picture so I have to be patient.


The next picture isnt all that exciting. Its just my bathroom.
That room was painted a peach/yellow colour. YUCK! So I
painted it a nice taupe/brown colour. Well, I didnt paint it.
My dear friends who actually enjoy painting, did it.


I would show you my bedroom but its not that exciting. Its
really small and its pretty much just my bed in it.

So there you have it. I am now officially part of mortgage land.
Not quite sure how I feel about it but it is pretty cool to own
something and to have some sort of investment.

My last couple of months...

Lots has happened to me these last few months.

December - Was a very tough month for me. I had just returned
from Jamaica. Again, one of the most amazing experiences ever.
Then I was home at the beginning of the month and the month
pretty much consisted of Christmas and planning my baby sisters
wedding. The wedding was very mixed emotions for me. First, I
had to sing, which I havent done since leaving Fairview Church.
That was a very huge moment for me. I know it meant so much
to Suz so I did it. It was so great to be up on stage again. Reminded
me of something I forgot about myself. Another tough thing was
knowing and dealing with the reality of having my little sister
married before me. Dont get me wrong. I love my life. I have done
things and have gone places and have not been scared to do
things on my own. But it has been hard when people say things
about it to you all the time. But it is getting easier.

January - Lots of changes. I decided to buy a condo. That was a
very huge and exciting step for me. I get possession of the place on
the 29th of Feb. I have to do some painting but other than that, it is
ready to move right in.

February - This month has been good so far. Next Friday I am going
on another missions trip. This time with an organization. I am helping
lead a College & Careers Missions Trip through my church. We are
heading to Mexico. I am looking forward to getting away and again,
getting involved in another culture. It will be nice to feel apart of a
team and not just be by myself. Jamaica was great, but it was lonely
at times. Then when I return from Mexico, it will be busy with packing
and getting ready for another big move.

Thanks everyone for praying for me. I am hoping to seek some answers
in questions that I have asked God everyday to answer. I am really
still working on trusting Him and trying to seek Him in all I do.

Till next time... (I will try to update more often)

My Christmas

My Christmas was so great this year. Not only did we get
to celebrate Christmas, but we got to celebrate my little
sister getting married. What a GREAT day that was! Suzie
was a beautiful and very happy bride. The picture below
is of her friend Ashley, myself, Suz, my oldest sister Rachel
and my other older sister Julie. We were the bridesmaids.

Below is a picture of my family.

Dave and Suzanne Wilson


My other special time was being able to celebrate Christmas
with my friend Jessica from Saskatchewan. We were able
to spend Boxing Day just the two of us. We did the whole
Niagara Falls tourist thing. I took her to the casino for her
very first time and she ended up winning $100 in the
quarter slots. Beginners luck.




Hope everyone elses Christmas's were good.

Busy times...

M E R R Y C H R I S T M A S!

Just wanted to wish you all a very happy holiday!!
This Christmas is a little different for me because
my baby sister is getting married. Her wedding is
on Friday, December 28th. What a special day that
will be for my family!

Blessings...