Finally I am done the first term of my final year in University. I am this much closer to graduation, and just thinking about it scares me a bit. The uncertainty, the questions, but I'll get to that later.

So let me tell you a little about my last few months and some things I've learned, gone through, and experienced.

so my school year started by moving downtown. my first time living outside of Mississauga, and this was the best. I moved down by myself, packed all my stuff into the van, and drove down, moved in, all by myself. That was fun, moving in, loading the elevator with my stuff, assembling my room. I really liked living on my own, but what made it good was I wasn't too far from my family, can see them once a week at least, which is nice. I guess if I moved away further, it would be a different experience. But my roommates have been good. In case you do not already know, I do live with two girls who have been great, really nice, and I enjoy their company. However, my year living out has not been met without some troubles in the apartment.

One day saw one of my roommates in the lobby, she stops me and tells me a former tenant mailed back the keys to the place and the envelope was ripped, no keys. Man, this was kinda freaky, if someone took it they knew the address, it was on the envelope. Anyways, spent night figuring out what to do, got locks changed next day. This was in the middle of of midterms, hassle not appreciated.

Next thing, even BIGGER. The washroom flooded, wasn't me though. So I was studying for an interview, and I hear my roommate scream. The washroom floor was flooded with water. Whole night was spent trying to prevent all the water going outside of the bathroom, and trying to clean the floors. Was not good. What is left is this yellow stain on the carpet right in front of the washroom entrance. Why? well my roommate poured the whole bottle of Mr. Clean to clean the floors. Then the water starts flooding again! and we managed to stop it, but then to try and get the water off the carpet, I had the ingenius idea to use the mop, which is made of a sponge to soak the water up, worked like a charm. But one of the reason why the carpet was yellow besides the Mr. Clean going onto the carpet via the slanted floors was because I think we used the mops to stop the water and Mr. Clean, thus the mops had Mr. Clean in it. And by pressing it against the carpet to try and soak up the water, it also got Mr. Clean on it, so thus my carpet. All in all an experience to say the least.

This school year has been the longest I think. There has been some massive amounts of work and no time off. Usually you'd have your off-times, andd your on-times. But not this year, started busy right fron the first assignment. I don't know how I could of done it without living downtown. I went through weeks at a time in the computer labs doing work til 2-3AM in the morning. I know the night of the daylight savings time. When I looked at clock on computer, said 3AM, so I thought it was 2AM. Little did I know it changed already, so I was actually there til 4AM. But not like that would be the last time being there til that time. I started to feel like, is this taking me extra long or something? Longer than everyone else? Why am I spending so much time to do this? Is it just me? My answer to that is I don't think so. Weird thing is, everynight I stay late in the computer labs, there is always at least one other person there. I'm not alone I guess.

One of my roommates could never figure out how I could stay up til 2-3AM in the morning, then wake up for 9AM or 10AM classes. But I did that almost everyday, even when I had late classes, I'd still wake up at like 8-8:30. Surprised me.

Exams are over, so what should I do? Go out of course. Went to the graduate small group for dinner, and we went to go watch a movie. then the next day went again to watch. Watcched "Somethings gotta give" and "Last Samurai" respectively. I enjoyed both of them actually. First one had some indecent exposure I could live without though, but I thought it was funny. Jack Nicholson was a better actor than I thought. And Last Samurai was much better than I first thought when I first heard about it, but then I heard so many good things about it, I thought must be good then. And it definately was. Was kinda of inspirational almost I think. The ending was not great, but overall it was good, lots of good action, I'd recommend seeing it.

okay looking for some gift suggestions for girls between ages of 9-15. I reallly feel old now when I have no idea what is "in" for children these days. (Although 15 is no child, but still). So give me some ideas, and let me limit them. No body shop, no cds, no picture frames, no "mitts/scarf" set. So, any suggestions?

So I can't believe I'm almost graduated. Four years of University, can't believe I went through it. I really look forward to having that iron ring. I mentioned it to someone, and he said, "eh, it's really nothing special", waving his hand around like it's nothing. But I said to him, but it's like one of those things you work for, and you want it until you get it. But even moreso becuase you earn it (to some extent). I really see it more of a symbol of me making through it. The hard work. I think it's kinda sad to think you hold it to no value (like I kind of feel he feels that way).

Today on the train home some guy really kinda pissed me off. He wasn't directing anything at me, but it was just his attitude in general. He had no ill-feelings towards me, but it was just like, what's your problem? So we're sitting there, he calls whoever is picking up saying we're a few mins late, prob no more than 5 mins, maybe even less. Then he get's off phone and starts ranting a little "can't rely on Go Transit if your life depended on it", "Why are we stopped here, enjoying the view or something", followed by some other stuff not as significant to write about. I had the urge to just say to him "What is your problem, are these few mins too hard to bear! Did you have something really important you have to get back to? Will these few mins kill you? Live with it! How many times do you take GO Transit and it IS on time! show some appreciation and stop complaining to people who don't want to listen to you rant." but I didn't. But I was going to say something if he said anything else, but he did not, so I went about playing my spider solitaire.

I went through some very rough times half way into the year (or maybe a little more). It really got me depressed, and really I did not know what to do from then on. Because it was always on my mind and I really had never felt that way before. So I decided to drown myself in work to get my mind off everything. Don't want to get into it further, but it was a challenge to go through the day.

What else could I do in this situation but turn to God. And God did really show me his power. He got me through each day, and I'm glad because of it. I didn't want to listen to anybody through this, and I really had no other options but God. And God really shined.

Other ways I've seen God this term? Campus Challenge. Again I am on the committee, and it has challenged be already. And everytime I get a little worried, things come through well. God showed me some purpose, some of what He has in store for me. "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." (1 Peter 2:9). This is the theme verse for Campus Challenge this year, and how true it is. we belong to God, he will call us out of the darkness because we are chosen by Him.