It's not Christmas until..

All of us have those little things that signify Christmas. Whether it's hearing a particular song or watching an advert on TV, some things will just kick you straight into the Christmas spirit.

I, of course, have a list of these things and would now like to share these with you. So, for me, it's not Christmas until..:

1) The "Holidays are coming" Coca Cola advert is on

2) I hear the "You're a mean one Mr. Grinch" song

3) I watch "The Nightmare before Christmas" and "Home Alone" (the original) + in later years "Love Actually" and "The Holiday"

4) I start opening my advent calender

5) A car drives past with a tree on it's roof

6) Christmas lights are up in town and everyone's got a star in their window

7) My cat starts spending all his time sleeping on the sofa

Planning a wedding

Apparently to plan a wedding you need at least a year and a lot of organisation...oh dear, what have I gotten myself into

	Announce Engagement
	Select Wedding Date
	Hire wedding consultant/coordinator
	Determine type of wedding: location, theme, # of guests, formality, time of day
	Determine budget & how expenses will be shared
	Buy a daytimer to keep track of appointments & events
	Develop a record keeping system for payments
	Create an approximate # guest list
	Decide if you will be inviting children or not
	Select and reserve ceremony site
	Select and book Officiant/Priest/Minister/Rabbi
	Select and book reception location
	Select and order bridal gown
	Determine colour scheme
	If ceremony or reception is at a home, arrange for any home improvements
	Obtain, passports, visas, birth certificates, any documents need for travel and/or marriage licenses

	Select and book caterer, if needed
	Select and book photographer
	Select wedding party
	Give wedding party a list of their responsibilities
	Select and buy attire or bridesmaids & flower girl
	Select and buy attire for mothers of the bride and groom
	Select and book ceremony musicians
	Select and book live band or DJ for reception
	Select and book videography
	Select and book florist
	Register for your wedding gifts (this can be done sooner)

	Schedule fittings for custom made bridesmaids gowns
	Arrange marriage prep-courses, if necessary
	Reserve rental items
	Select and book decorator
	Finalize an A and B list of guests
	Select and order invitations and other wedding stationary
	Set date, time and location for rehearsal dinner
	Select and book honeymoon night suite
	Arrange accommodations for out-of-town guests
	Start planning your honeymoon
	Shop for your wedding gifts to each other
	Shop for your wedding gifts to your wedding party
	Shop for your wedding gifts to your parents
	Buy shoes, lingerie and accessories for the bride
	Buy shoes and accessories for the bridesmaids
	Select and order wedding bands

	Take formal engagement picture
	Select and order wedding cake
	Order party favours/bombonniere
	Select and order decorations
	Purchase honeymoon attire and luggage
	Select and book wedding day transportation
	Start addressing your invitations
	Plan activities for out-of-town guests (optional)
	Go on trials and book wedding day hair and makeup. Bring your headpiece and wear a white shirt
	Obtain marriage license (expires in 3 months)
	Send out your invitations
	Select ceremony readers
	Select ushers to seat your guests
	Select guest book attendant
	Select your MC
	Mail invitations to shower
	Get photography permit, if needed

	Maintain a record of RSVP's and early wedding gifts
	Maintain a record of shower gifts and send thank you's
	Purchase all ceremony and reception accessories: guest book, toasting glasses, garter, ring pillow, etc.
	Select and reserve wedding attire for all gentlemen
	Mail invitations to rehearsal dinner
	Plan bridesmaid luncheon
	Select your something old, new, borrowed, blue

	Finalize all food and beverages for wedding
	Finalize all ceremony details with Officiant
	Finalize all rehearsal arrangements
	Finalize all floral arrangements
	Final fittings for yourself and bridesmaids
	Make a wedding day itinerary
	Give a copy of the itinerary to your wedding party and vendors
	Finalize all details with all your vendors
	Decide order of receiving line and head table setting
	Contact guest that haven't replied
	Pick up wedding rings
	Give photographer a photo checklist
	Visit reception site for floor plan
	Create reception seating plan
	Give musicians a list of your music selection
	Inform attendants when and where to pick up attire
	Determine VIP seating for ceremony seating
	Print out seating cards
	Pick up honeymoon tickets

	Give caterer/reception venue final tally of guests
	Pack of your honeymoon
	Wrap reception flavours/bombonniere
	Arrange mail collection while you are on honeymoon

	Drop all wedding accessories and decor off at ceremony and reception locations
	Make sure you bring all gifts that will be handed out at dinner
	Make sure you have all final payments in envelopes for wedding day
	Pack over night bag for honeymoon suite
	Make sure wedding party has their itinerary
	Make sure gentlemen have black socks
	Go to church for rehearsal
	Review VIP seating with ushers at ceremony location

	Most of the details will be on your wedding day itinerary
	Eat breakfast
	Pack anything remaining on your "To Bring" list in cars
	Make sure Maid of Honour has groom's ring and Best Man has bride's ring
	Make sure you have your marriage license, photo permit and Special Occasions Permit, if needed
	Put your engagement ring on your right hand
	Use your wedding day itinerary to get you through the day on some sort of trouble
	Remember to look around and soak in the views of the day you planned so long and hard for.

Mad World

Wouldn't it be nice?

Wouldn't it be nice if we were older, then we wouldn't have to wait so long...

My top 10 Disney

I have been really ill lately so I've had a lot of time to do work, and when I'm too exhausted from coughing my lungs out, too watch all my favourite Disney classics. So I've decided to finally make a list. It's not very definite as all of these films are equally amazing and all have great music in them but obv there are some that I will (and have) watched more than others. Mind you that I didn't get to see Pocahontas or The Hunchback of Notre Dame till this year and I've never seen Dumbo. So here goes:

1) The Lion King (Has always been and will always be my all time favourite. I love all the songs, the Hamlet based plot and Scar is the coolest Disney villain ever)

2) Beauty and the Beast (Belle is my favourite princess, mainly because she is so smart and caring and also because she wasn't born rich. Also this film has many amazing songs and it teaches kids not to judge people by their appearance or even by first impressions)

3) Bambi (Makes me cry every time I watch it. Great story and really sweet too)

4) The little Mermaid (Oh how I wanted to live under the sea when I was a kid. This story is so sad, giving up everything for real love is hard. I love Ariel, she fights for what she believes in, she even has the courage to stand up to her father. I also think that Eric is the most handsome Disney prince.)

5) Peter Pan (Also the first book that I couldn't put down. I used to leave my window open so that Pan could fly in and take me to Neverland. I also know the feeling of not wanting to grow up)

6) Mulan (So so funny and shows that girls can do whatever they want if they put their mind to it)

7) Robin Hood (The characters are just hilarious! The songs are brilliant and I love that the characters are animals)

8) Hercules (I used to be obsessed with this film, watched it over and over again. The songs are really amazing and I love Greek mythology)

9) The sword in the stone (May be a shocking for some but I used to watch this loads and I love the magic and Merlin is just so funny!!)

10) Lion King 2: Simba's pride (The only sequel I've ever liked. It's brilliant! I love the songs and the lessons and the villain is still great!)

The saga ends

Guess what I'm looking forward to

I am the Passenger

Totally about me today! Just Came back to England a week earlier...mouwahahahahahahaha...Scared a certain mr. X ;)

Some general observations about Paris

- Observed no fancy ppl in fashionable clothes of the latest season
- The city is only fancy in the centre, otherwise it looks like any other big city
- We decided that we don't like modern art
- Everything is SO expensive
- No one follows the traffic rules...and now neither do we (it's literally cross whenever you have a split second to do so)
- Stairs are following us everywhere
- Dan Brown is an incompetent stuck up idiot who has never been to the Louvre or any other place he's written about
- Mona Lisa is not a small painting...however, you won't get closer than 5 m
- Two hours in Louvre is enough for a lifetime as it tricks you to be more cultivated by luring you with fake EXIT signs that only lead you to more expositions
- Climbing the Eiffel tower is an amazing thing to do especially since you can see everywhere you've been earlier that day
- Parks are awesome and very relaxing
- It is possible to walk Paris in 2 days
- The food totally makes up for not understanding a word
- No matter what time of the day you take the metro, it's always extremely busy
- The Picasso museum is closed till 2012
- Disneyland is a dream come true for anyone who likes fairytales
- Not everyone knows French...someone should tell the Frenchmen about this fact

Wish you were here

Kind of sums up what I'm feeling right now.

Some general observations about Luxembourg

- They speak French
- The scenery is defined by varied ground levels and steep hills. Expect lots of exercise while walking in this place
- Green country
- All information is in French and German. People generally don't speak English and keep explaining things in French even though you have tried telling them that you don't understand them
- Yummy bread :D
- Finding a toilet in the train station is a mission
- Much more quiet and nice outside the city
- Pretty Castles (best one in Vianden)
- Trains are on time....buses are not
- Relatively cheap place
- A tour of the city can be performed by getting on the bus - city circle line (costs about 3 euros)

That's why I love him

Some general observations about Brugge

Brugge is a small place in Belgium :)

- Best place ever for chocolate lovers
- Small, but cozy streets that are welcoming and filled with architecture
- Many relaxing parks that are perfect for a lunch break
- Welcoming people
- A city for people who like exploring by foot -> perfect for a 2 day stay
- Very romantic atmosphere
- Horse carriages that are adorable, but will sadly not take you outside the city centre
- Interesting churches and museums

Some general observations

As you very well know, this summer I went on InterRail with my best friend Ingrid. During this month we visited 13 European countries, stayed at 19 different hostels, saw 17 cities, went to about a 1000 museums and never stayed anywhere for more than 5 days. I kept a diary all through this immense journey and now I want to share some of my experiences with you. I am, of course, not planning to re-write my whole diary on my blog (I mean, come on...I need to preserve at least a bit of privacy), however I will summarise the days in "some general observations" for each country. So here goes the first one:

Some general observations about Amsterdam:

- The city has a very distinctive smell. A kind of interesting blend of weed and piss.
- The alleys are filled with some dodgy shops
- It's an island
- People live in houses built on the river
- There are far more bicycles than cars, hence you are more likely to get hit by a biker
- You are expected to know the art of walking through walls as various signs point directly into one
- No real concept of winning and loosing (we were there the day after Holland lost in the World Cup and there were a 1000 fans all in orange celebrating the team's homecoming)
- Getting lost between the channels is a piece of cake as everywhere looks the same
- Awesome parks

The end of an era

Yesterday I found out that my favourite band is suffering an immense loss. Their drummer and co-founder Mike Portnoy (the world's most awesome drummer!!) is leaving the group after a dispute. For those who have ever experienced this - you will understand my pain and shock. Never again will the tunes by that band sound the same, any drum solo will always lack that little something added by the genius that is Portnoy, and every dark song will have to do without his deep voice in the background setting the setting for a horrible story in the lyrics. After 25 years, Dream Theater are no longer. I am going into mourning....

MIKE PORTNOY QUITS DREAM THEATER (info provided by TotalRock Newsletter and Dream Theater's official site)
Drummer Mike Portnoy has sensationally left Dream Theater. However, the band intend to carry on without the founder-member. This is what Portnoy has said: "After 25 years, I have decided to leave Dream Theater... the band I founded, led and truly loved for a quarter of a century. "To many people this will come as a complete shock, and will also likely be misunderstood by some, but please believe me that it is not a hasty decision...it is something I have struggled with for the last year or so... "After having had such amazing experiences playing with Hail!, Transatlantic and Avenged Sevenfold this past year, I have sadly come to the conclusion that I have recently had more fun and better personal relations with these other projects than I have for a while now in Dream Theater. "Please don't misinterpret me, I love the Dream Theater guys dearly and have a long history, friendship and bond that runs incredibly deep with them... it's just that I think we are in serious need of a little break. "Dream Theater was always my baby...and I nurtured that baby every single day and waking moment of my life since 1985... 24/7, 365... never taking time off from Dream Theater's never-ending responsibilites (even when the band was 'off' between cycles)... working overtime and way beyond the call of duty that most sane people ever would do for a band. "But I've come to the conclusion that the Dream Theater machine was starting to burn me out...and I really needed a break from the band in order to save my relationship with the other members and keep my Dream Theater spirit hungry and inspired. "We have been on an endless write/record/tour cycle for almost 20 years now (of which I have overseen EVERY aspect without a break) and while a few months apart from each other here and there over the years has been much needed and helpful, I honestly hoped the band could simply agree with me to taking a bit of a 'hiatus' to recharge our batteries and 'save me from ourselves'... "Sadly, in discussing this with the guys, they determined they do not share my feelings and have decided to continue without me rather than take a breather... I even offered to do some occasional work throughout 2011 against my initial wishes, but it was not to be... "While it truly hurts for me to even think of a Dream Theater without Mike Portnoy (hell, my father named the band!!), I do not want to stand in their way...so I have decided to sacrifice myself and simply leave the band so as to not hold them back against their wishes. "Strangely enough, I just read an interview that I recently did that asked me about the future of Dream Theater and I talked about 'always following your heart and being true to yourself'... Sadly, I must say that at this particular moment, my heart is not with Dream Theater...and I would simply be 'going through the motions,' and would honestly NOT be true to myself if I stayed for the sake of obligation without taking the break I felt I needed. "I wish the guys the best and hope the music and legacy we created together is enjoyed by fans for decades to come... I am proud of every album we made, every song we wrote and every show we played.... "I'm sorry to all the disappointed Dream Theater fans around the world... I really tried to salvage the situation and make it work... I honestly just wanted a break (not a split)... but happiness cannot be forced, it needs to come from within. "You Dream Theater fans are the greatest fans in the world and as you all know, I have always busted my ass for you guys and I hope that you will stay with me on my future musical journey, wherever it may lead me.... (and as you all know my work ethic, there will surely be no shortage of future Mike Portnoy projects!)" The band have also issued a statement: "To all of our loyal fans and friends: It is with profound sadness — regret — we announce that Mike Portnoy, our lifelong drummer and friend, has decided to leave Dream Theater. "Mike's stature in the band has meant the world to all of us professionally, musically, and personally over the years. There is no dispute: Mike has been a major force within this band. "While it is true that Mike is choosing to pursue other ventures and challenges, we can assure you that Dream Theater will continue to move forward with the same intensity — and in the same musical tradition — that you have all helped make so successful, and which is truly gratifying to us. "Fans and friends: File this episode under Black Clouds And Silver Linings. "As planned, we begin recording our newest album in January 2011, and we'll follow that with a full-on world tour. "All of us in Dream Theater wholeheartedly wish Mike the best on his musical journey. We have had a long and meaningful career together. It is our true hope that he finds all he is looking for, and that he achieves the happiness he deserves. He will be missed."

Be jealous!

I have just looked at my timetable for the next academic year and it is AWESOME! Since I chose lots of autumn based modules I will have 4 days off in the spring time to do whatever I want :D This gives me a great chance to finish my dissertation and maybe even get a job or an intern-ship as well as doing some volunteering! It also means that I'll get lots of time to spend with my amazing Mr. X! Yaaay!

InterRail

12.07.10

DRAMMEN – AMSTERDAM

Quote of the day: ”Vi tok flytogbussen som tok oss rett til flytoget som tok oss like til flyplassen.”

Started stressing as soon as I woke up. Did a million and one things including posting some keys and buying food. After that we took a bus to the train that took us to the airport. Managed to concour the evil check – in machines but were for some reason directed to the “heavy luggage” tilt (a piece of information we only received after having stood for ages in line for the normal bag drop). Grr. Arg. The rest of the flight went well even though they tried confusing us several times by changing the gate and changing straight from “go to gate” to “gate closing – last call” in a matte of min.

Well in Amsterdam the city welcomed us with a whiff of weed and piss, that and the sight of about a dozen bicycles. We had some help from nice people to find the train and even though Ben tried to confuse us with his “knowledge” of the city we managed to find our way there fairly quickly. As we came out of the train station some “damsels in distress” a.k.a. two guys from Norway who needed to borrow a phone because they’d managed to successfully loose their friend (great start to a holiday, right?!) and theirs had no battery. So we got to play the AWSOME knights in shining armor (armed with a whistle that is), borrowing them my phone and saving the day. Was skeptical to the idea at first seen as we’d just been thinking of the film Taken, but they seemed alright so we gave in.

Followed the route to our hostel trying not to get lost between the million bridges and channels that make up Amsterdam city centre until we finally reached our hostel. The staff at “Jordaan” was really nice and we went to bed straight away (or at least straight after I changed my tiny pillow for someone else’s big one).

Words that give me comfort

Yesterday God was with you, today - you are under his care. Don't worry about tomorrow, he is already there :)

How GREAT is our God!

He is amazing, folks! I just have to tell you that he really provides, it's the dead honest truth. I am filled with so much love for him. He's the best. He is so personal and so full of grace and forgiveness. And the best thing is that he really cares, for each and every one who believes in him. Learn to trust God and you will never regret giving things to him!

I am a total control freak, and I always want to do things my way, but recently God has shown me again and again that after I have done my part all I should do is trust in Him to do his. That has NOT been easy for me, especially during exam times. However, he has pulled me through and all I can do now is thank him for the incredible work he has done in me and praise him for his glory.

Exams

Sorry guys, exam time. 7 exams...4 in one week...2 left now

Introducing Mr. X

It suddenly dawned on me that I have yet to introduce someone quite important to me. And since it's such a nice day for it, I decided that in stead of finishing my lab report I want to tell you about Mr. X:

The Mysterious Mr. X

First of all, the pseudonym "X" was introduced in the earlier stages of our acquaintance and has stuck with the gentleman to this day. He is my greatest comforter and supporter. He makes my days brighter and my life happier. He reads, plays the drums like a pro and listens to tons of good music. Nearly every day he tells me a random fact about the world. He likes history and wants to travel. He knows two languages and is 2 years older than me. Most importantly - he is a passionate believer who constantly encourages and helps me on my walk with God. To me, he is perfect :)

All I can say

Stasie's special moment

I am one of those people who very often has "special" moments. Moments where I make a complete idiot of myself and if no one is around to see it I enjoy telling people about it afterward. It becomes my little story and it makes them smile, so I am just happy to tell anyone who will listen about my great stupidities :D

Here is an brilliant example of one such moment:

I was sitting on my bed this afternoon, talking to my friend Jamie. He had to wake up really early today because of lectures and I was emphasizing with his great pain. To me getting up before 11 seems like torture no one man should endure, but alas he was forced into it by necessity. Anyway, while I was emphasizing I thought it would be a great idea to get some breakfast (about time too, it was 1 pm after all), so I got off my bed, stretched out while still thinking how lucky I was for having my lie in and...

I woke up on the floor from an emerging panic-filled thought: "Where are the muffins?"
Then, calming down a series of other thoughts followed: "Wait, what muffins? And why am I on the floor? My head hurts :( !!! Ooooh"

Everything came back to me within seconds. I had gotten dizzy and fallen on the floor hittin my head twice. Laughing hysterically at this incident I explained all of it to Jamie, whereupon this conversation followed:

Jamie

wow lol!! That sounds exactly like something that would happen to me.

I liked the muffin part in particular, that's kind of how i think when i wake up

Me

same here, just completely random thoughts that are either left overs from a dream or just something my head creates to smooth the transition from sleep to awake

Jamie

yep, although i never thought about them that logically

Me

it just came to me, must have been the hit to my head :P It's because I hit it twice. At first it rearranged my thought to "muffin-thinking" and then the 2nd hit rearranged them into "logical explanations for weird things- thinking"

Jamie

haha, sounds great! Who needs drugs?

Me

yh, just hit your head on the wall and you'll go to muffin land in no time

We are indeed a weird bunch :P

The drugs don't work

Sometimes you find a song that you just love

All my feelings in a song

Porcupine Tree - Shallow

I don't remember
Did something in my past create a hole?
Don't use your gender
To drive a stake right through my soul

I live to function
On my own is all I know
No friends to mention
No distraction, nowhere to go

Shallow, shallow Give it to me
Scissors cutting out your anger
Shallow, shallow No good to me, not if you bleed
Bite your tongue, ignore the splinter

This city drains me
Well maybe it's the smell of gasoline
The millions pain me
It's easier to talk to my PC

Shallow, shallow Give it to me
Scissors cutting out your anger
Shallow, shallow No good to me, not if you bleed
Bite your tongue, ignore the splinter

The five people you meet in Heaven

As you all very well know, I've been trying to read through a list of books that have long been recommended to me by both friends and family (and BBC) as books you "have to read before you die". There are many great titles in that list, but only a few jewels that I would keep reading again and again. One of these jewels is "The five people you meet in Heaven" by Mitch Albom.

The book starts with the end. A strange place to start a story, perhaps, but as Albom says "All endings are also beginnings. We just don't know it at the time." The story tells us about Eddie - an old maintenance worker at Ruby Pier, an amusement park near the ocean, who dies on his eighty-third birthday while trying to save a young girl from a falling cart. Eddie awakens in the afterlife remembering nothing from his last seconds on Earth except that he felt two small hands in is. He has no idea whether he managed to save the girl or not and thoughts of whether his life was worth anything in the end torment him throughout the whole story. He soon realizes that Heaven is not at all like the Eden he had imagined it to be, but rather a place where your earthly life is explained to you by five people who were in it. Five people who's path you changed forever, or who might have changed yours likewise. Strangers and loved ones who wait for you in their own version of Heaven to tell you their story and give you a lesson to learn.

Throughout the book Eddie starts understanding what his life meant to those around him. Seeing more than one incident from another point of view helps him accept the things he could not come to terms with before and see things, and people, in a different light. In the end he realizes that the ordinary life he thought he had settled for was the one he was meant to lead all along.

I believe this book is one of the most powerful stories I have ever read. An ordinary man leading an ordinary life that touched so many others whom he never knew. It' s a story that inspires, a story that comforts and a one that stays with you for the rest of your life. I highly recommend reading this book. It's good one for the soul.

Wuthering Heights

Ok, so I have attempted to read this book online but failed miserably as the copy they have doesn't actually correspond to the real book. It jumps over chapters and there are misspellings and misprints everywhere, half of the sentences don't have endings and there are letters in some that just don't belong. So I went to my favorite bookstore to seek a hard copy, yet the only one they had had a Twilight-styled cover that said "Bella and Edward's favorite book, read the original now", and as I could not get myself to buy a book that has anything to do with Twilight I ordered a different copy which will hopefully arrive within a week. Meanwhile I have watched 3 different film adaptations of the book and can say right now that I much preferred the 1998 version to the 1992 and 2009 versions. I also found a song about it sung by Kate Bush. Never heard of her before but the song is good and I guess it helped her earn some money. Well well, as I remarked earlier she is not the only one taking advantage of this book's popularity.

As time goes by

My gosh how quickly the time goes by. Today I woke up and realised that so many things have changed just in a matter of days. Funny how that can happen, right? It's no longer March, I'm no longer in England, I've finished reading 1984 and my holiday will end in just 3 weeks. Everything is changing and I'm not sure whether it's for the best or for the worst. I'm in a state of in-between where nothing is certain, but I'm not even sure I want it to be certain because somehow it seems that as soon as I find out what the future holds it will lose some of the air of mystery around itself. It will be like the past - familiar and safe, but also boring in a sense. Yet there is a need inside for something...constant...something I can depend on so that if everything else fails and falls to a million bits and pieces, like it has done so many times before, that I will still have something left to hold on to. Wow that sounds so melancholy but I guess that's what happens when you've suddenly got so many hours a day to think about stuff like this.

Judging by the book

So today I spent at least 5 hours trying to understand these 2 chapters in the Bible that were just difficult to grasp. These were Judges, chapters 11 and 12. Can't say it was time wasted, but it was definitely very challenging and somewhat frustrating. When your Bible is a New-Norwegian translation and you are reading the old testament, things become very complicated in a matter of seconds. The language is just a bit...tricky, to say the least. Luckily I did not have to despair for long because of the great invention of the Internet!!! I googled the NIV version and read the chapters, but then a new problem arose. I just did not get it. Have you ever had that happen to you - one minute you are reading something and you understand everything and all is fine, and the next you're just lost and you can't seem to grasp anything? It's like you kind of know what it's saying but then again something isn't quite adding up and there seems to be a deeper meaning with all of it that you just don't get. Well, that's what happened to me anyway. Never mind all the people and places that have oh so difficult names (which I often seem to confuse...I always confuse city names with people names :S), but the random vow and the brutal sacrifice just don't fit in let alone make any sense.

Luckily the Internet had some answers for me. As did my pastor who happened so conveniently to be online when I was stuck with all these questions. At the end of the day I finally grasped some valuables from these chapters and here is what I learned:

1) Never make rash decisions or vow's. And whatever you do don't treat God as a vending machine saying if you give me this then I will... God knows what he wants from you and he will tell/ask whenever and whatever he sees fit

2) All can serve God, no matter what background you come from, what your relatives and family have done you are not them and it is up to you whether you are going to choose to serve God or not. He has a plan for everyone and he never puts anyone in "booths" of useful and useless. Therefore neither should we put each other in those booths, for none of us are better than others

3) If you are in a quarrel with someone, do not attack them with aguments and anger, you are then stooping to their level. In stead, try to show the other party their unreasonableness by calm explanation of your point of view, if the other person hears you then you can resolve the issue calmly and no one will come to harm.

4) Trust in God in all you do and ask for His advice. Only He knows all and will tell you what the right thing is. Doing it your way without consulting God is very silly and often you end up in a situation you could have easily avoided if you had just sought God's word and listened to Him in the first place.

Easter Eggs

Just came back home for Easter holidays. Already met up with two of my friends, which is better than expected (no offence). Is good to be back but every time I visit there seems to be so much news I need to catch up on. Relationships ending, relationships starting, people who start working, people who quit working and start school in stead, and also people who stop talking to each other for some obscure reasons. Sometimes it feels like I've fallen so far behind I can never catch up. It's like I exist in a different world and when I come back to this one I am an alien who has to accommodate to new rules and customs. It can be quite annoying sometimes. It's good to have my friends there to make the transition go smoother, but I wish I could be better at keeping in contact with them while I'm away. That is something I definitely need to improve on, specially since I have every opportunity to do so as they are all frequent facebook visitors.

This Easter I have great plans to actually finish planning my inter rail trip for this summer. I need to look up ways for us to get to our first destination, order all the tickets and hostels etc., and look up recommended tourist attractions in each country we're going to. It will be a challenge to find all the places we want to see and ways to get there, but I think it'll be alright because both Ingrid and I can be very organised at times and so hopefully together we can plan something that will end up being a wonderful trip :) I also want to get in shape for Hadrian's wall as it now seems that I am coming along to that as well. Don't even fully know what Hadrian's wall is or where it is but apparently 8 days will be enough to see it. Those 8 days have been promised to me to be filled with a lot of walking, so I kind of need to prepare for that in advance, so that I don't collapse on the first day and have to go home immediately. That is why I plan to start running 3 times a week. Hopefully I'll stick to my plan this time.

Somewhere in between all of the jogging and planning I also have to work and revise for my exams. All of my exams are crammed into 2 weeks so once again I will have to resume to living in the library. Seems like it's my permanent habitat, that place. Oh and I have to write a lab report while I'm home too, man this is going to be a busy holiday. Life is never easy, is it?!

Laminin

Lately I've been a bit absent...to say the least. Work has been crazy and being a Vice President in a society takes some time as well. Sometimes I lose focus, and even a bit of faith in myself and in the world. At those times it's nice to know that it's not up to me, but up to God. He is the glue that holds the whole world together. He also holds me together, all of me, all my life and even all the little pieces that make me, well....me. Wanna know how I know this? It's all about Laminin!



"For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together"
- Colossians 1:16-17, The Bible

The new and edited book list :)

Books I'm in posession of

Books I need to buy/borrow

Books I've read since I posted this

To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee

Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte

Nineteen Eighty Four - George Orwell

Complete Works of Shakespeare

Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier

Birdsong - Sebastian Faulk

Middlemarch - George Eliot

The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald

Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy

The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini

Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden

One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Far From The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy

Atonement - Ian McEwan

Dune - Frank Herbert

Brave New World - Aldous Huxley

Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov

Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas

Moby Dick - Herman Melville

Captain Corelli’s Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres

Life of Pi - Yann Martel

The Inferno – Dante

Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray

Possession - AS Byatt

Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell

The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Albom

Les Miserables - Victor Hugo

The Thorn Birds – Colleen McCullough

Идиот – Ф. Достоевский

Ревизор – Н. В. Гоголь

Золотой Телёнок – Ильф и Петров

A Farewell to Arms – E. Hemingway

Three Comrades – Erich Maria Remarque

The Splendors and Miseries of Courtesans - Honoré de Balzac

Hatter's Castle – A. J. Cronin