August in Pictures

As promised, here is a photo-journey through the month of August.
And remember, I'm facebook friendly so check out more pictures there!

The first thing I did in August was head to "The Shuswap" (pronounced Shoe-SHwap) with my almost sisters Tiersa, Laura and Jenny. We did a LOT of this:


A little bit of this:


A bit of this:


And for those of you who watch Canadian Idol, I was at the family reunion for this top 10 singer:


Next the vacation continued. I took some much needed time off from work. My sisters Bethany and Vanessa and I, drove to Panorama BC - in the heart of the Rockies, to visit my sister Esther who lives there. On the way we went white water rafting. We also spent some time in hot springs as well as Lake Louise. Very relaxing, very fun. I love white water rafting. I think maybe I'll be a teacher by winter, a professional white water rafter by summer. Yeah?



Shortly after returning from my adventures in Panorama (and by shortly I mean two days later) my friend Erik and I headed to Penticton BC for 'summer friend' Lillian's 24th Birthday party. I met Lillian in a parking lot in June and we've been friends ever since.





Then a week later it was my birthday.
I went to a concert with my family and then out for dinner in my new birthday outfit. Not to be confused with my birthday suit. Sunday was a big lunch with friends and then the closer friends headed to the beach. This is me and the almost-sisters. So pretty eh?








Tom brought out his super powerful telescope and we spied on the people across the lake.



Then my little friend Gracie came over for a Highschool Musical party.



The next weekend, Tiersa, Bethany, Laura, Jenny and I headed to the IPE (interior Provincial Exibition) aka Rodeo and sketchy midway.





Where I saw a lumberjack show. Cheesy and entertaining.



After my birthday came Bethany's birthday.
Which I gave her, ahem US, season 2 of Prison Break.



2 Days after Bethany's birthday, and in the middle of our obsessed Prison Break marathon. (we had 10 days to watch them all before season 3 started) It was Ferin's fantastically 80's birthday party.



Mike and Ferin


Classic 80's feet.


And last but not least, this post would not be complete without a shout out to my summer friends. Bo, Erik and Deborah.

Jobs

I was thinking today about how my friends have a LOT of different jobs. Cool Jobs, random jobs, fun jobs. And NONE of them work in a field even remotly related to mine.

Nikki: I'm a teacher. I teach fifth graders about spelling and try to make them love reading books as much as me. As a bonus I can infiltrate them with Dr. Quinn stories unntil they are as passionate about it as I am.

Bethany: Is an Out-tripper. She takes people rock climbing, and camping in the bush, and kyaking and white water rafting, and caveing. Her bonus is that she gets to be all buff and pretty.

Tiersa: Is an Administrative Assistant for the Continental Singers. She does paperwork and books hotels and flights and makes posters and brochures and gets to do awesome things on the computer. Her bonus is that she gets to live in California part of the year.

Tom: Is a fish wrangler. He wrestles fish out of the water in rivers all over BC so that the gov't can know what types of fish are in what rivers and in what quantity. His bonus is that... he gets to play with fish all day.

Mike: Walks around the bush (and there is a lot of it here) and maps out cut-blocks for logging companies. His bonus is that he gets to be as back-woodsmany as he wants to be and no one can say anything. And he gets to take his dog to work with him.

Ferin: Is a clothing store manager. She gets a sweet discount.

Bowen: Is a miner. I don't know exactly what he does. But neither does he half the time. His bonus is that he gets paid a lot.

Erik: Works Rockey Mountaineer Vacations. He serves and is in a musical. His bonus is that He is in a musical!

My Inspiration

Yesterday was an awesome awesome day. My sister Bethany and I headed to the Shuswap with her friend Rita for a day on her boat on the lake. (Side note, where do British Columbians go to trade their shoes??? the Shuswap)

We boated on her speed boat in 37 degree weather with no clouds and a bright sun. We stopped on a random beach for lunch, stopped at a store that floated in the middle of the water so you could only get their by boat, we found an awesome swimming beach. We boated some more and then swam off the boat with a waterfall tumbling down the mountain on my left, and a view of the coastal mountains and rocky mountains on my left. Amazing. We boated some more and then went over to Copper Island in the middle of the lake where people often cliff jump. I hummed and hawed about doing it, because it was really high and dangerous and you had to free rock climb to get to the cliff. But then I thought to myself "You just swam at the base of a waterfall looking at the Rockies. You have to do this! You are in BC. This is an awesome opportunity that might not come along again."

So I jumped out of the boat and swam toward the rock cliffs jutting out of the water. I climbed to the top of the cliff very carefully, knowing that a) i was wet and b) the crevaces in the the rocks would mean broken bones for sure if I slipped. Very treacherous. I got to the cliff and stood there looking out over the lake and the mountains and then I looked down. And it was VERY high. Very high. I stood there for a few minutes getting my courage up and the yelled to my sister that it was too high and I couldn't do it. i climbed down a bit. Bethany started heckling me. "Nikki, theres 10 year olds jumping off the cliff. You are a teacher you should be the example DO IT!"

Her pressure made me climb back up. I looked down. It was too high. I climbed down again. Bethany continued heckling me. I climbed back up. It was freaking high. VERY high. I climbed down again. This time Bethany said something that really stuck with me:

"NIKKI! IF DR. QUINN CAN DO IT SO CAN YOU. SHE JUMPED OFF A CLIFF THAT WAS WAY HIGHER THAN THIS ONE."

It was so true.

"You're right!" I yelled back. "She did! I'm doing it!" Seriously, if Dr. Quinn could do it, so could I. I climbed back up and jumped realizing on the way down that Dr. Quinn jumped off a cliff because some crazy renegade Indians were trying to kill her AND Sully held her hand the whole time. I had a) no indians chasing me and b) no handsome backwoodsman holding my hand. Even ONE of those would have been a better reason for jumping than just doing it for 'fun'.

But I did it. I can officially call myself a cliff jumper.

Seriously, Dr. Quinn IS my inspiration. Time and time again she inspires me to do different things, move west, jump off cliffs, have crushes on boys with tight deerskin pants, just wonderful wonderful things.

I feel bad because I totally have sucked at blogging this summer. I know facebook has taken over my personal internet life, and I know that other blogs have fallen by the wayside in the wake of this new fad, but I have to remember that there are people out there who do not have facebook and want to read my oh-so-amusing stories. (Seriously though, doesn't everyone have facebook now?)

AND SO, lucky you, I am blogging 2 times in less than 24 hours.

I feel the need to share something a little more serious today. But joyful too. I've been thinking over the past few weeks about how incredibly filled with joy I am. I just have joy bubbling up inside of me. I love to laugh, and smile and have fun and be friendly and live the life here in Kamloops that God has called me to live. I like my jobs (all three of them) love my family, am appreciating more and more my good friends, and am growing very attached to my church. I am relaxed (usually), busy and serving the Lord in ministry and it has blessed me abundantly.

Today I sat beside a pool on the banks of the South Thompson River (don't ask me why you put a pool beside a body of water - but it was super nice), Anyways, I was sitting by the pool with a couple of friends just talking and swimming, and reading and discussing and as I sat there in the glorious sunshine I thought to myself that this is fully, without a doubt, where I am supposed to be. I looked at my life and realized that I am a fun, mid-20's, single female with a good job, great family, friends, social life, ministry and a nice car. Am I living the all-canadian single girl dream? Yes. I am. And it makes me happy. It makes me happy that I know that it is a gift that HE has given me. It fills me with joy knowing that this is just another great section in my life that God has blessed me with.

Serving and following Christ is not a barter system - I'm not working in a church or Christian school because I want Him to bless me. I'm doing it because I am called to - and some days it is really really hard. Some days I can't understand for the life of me why I am working in ministry. The by product of the work I try to do for the kingdom is that I am generiously and graciously blessed.

My Summer Thus Far - In Photos.

Karmyn and Ben came for a visit. I took them ALL over Kamloops.




And we had a bonfire at Kamloops lake.





Then I went camping with my friends at Isobel Lake





This is me learning how to fish:


This is me not catching anything:


Then I went camping again with my friends a few weeks later at Knuff Lake.
This is our SUPER awesome dinner the last night that is becoming a tradition. Everybody brings stuff, then we share it all and have a great big dinner.


This is me with my real sister Bethany, and my almost-sisters Laura and Jenny.


This is a picture of Jenny playing "tinfoil triangle Square ball" Its like baseball only with a triangle instead of a diamond and a square ball of tinfoil instead of a baseball. And a lawn chair instead of a catchers glove.


Then it was Canada Day (Oh yes, we haven't even hit July yet!)






The Alieda came to visit.


We went on a train and were robbed by bandits on horseback!




We played with their horses after the show




We went hiking in the mountains and climbed to the top of the world.





Then we went to the creeeeeeepiest place in the world. An old abandoned mental institution. It was FREAKY FREAKY FREAKY. This is Alieda being freaked out.





And we went to a random inn and pretended that we were guests and had every right to swim in their pool.


Then I made a new friend named Lillian and we spent the weekend together.
This is us with our friend Mike jumping into the pool at the Inn where I work.


This is me being cute


I had a housewarming party and saw went to see an excellent fantastic movie with Tiersa, Esther and Bethany:



Then Sandy, Ray, Curtis, Brianna and Chelsea came to visit. We had SO much fun with them.


Then I went camping again in Enderby. This time with my extended Gerrits Family.








And then I came back to Kamloops and floated down the river.




NOW it is July 31. Still to come this summer: Shuswap x 2, Lillian's Birthday party in Penticton, My Birthday.

During my many hours on the road each week it is not uncommon for me to see any variety of home made signs. Signs on overpasses, poles, or hanging from bridges. Usually they are just birthday wishes to somebody, or a memorial of someone who died. But today, I saw one that made me smile.

Driving to work, hanging off one of the bluffs by the river was a large sign painted on a bed sheet. It simply stated to the world "You are beautiful"

It made me smile. And it made me appreciate the people who had made the effort, to make someone smile today on their drive to work.

People I need more of in my life.

Here is a non - exhaustive list of people that I flat out, need more of, in my life. Also known as people I miss. Or people I would like to hang out with for an afternoon.

Karmyn Bokma. Mikey Arce. Laura Stewart. Rob Joustra. Steven Gelensey. Mark Sinke. Rebekah Fluit. Rebekah, Daniela, Samuel, Amy, Abby, HyoBin, Joel, Cameron. Aura Opris, Aimee Ridley, Whitney and Luke, Deborah Sedjo, Costin Keenan, Marian Christian Comax, Kari Glennan, The Mathers, Jenn Lipp, David Akim. Kim Furtney. Matt McKenna. Nathan Stretch. Hayley Morgan and wee Aven. Linda, Shawn, Natalie and Avery. Jill, Greg, Paul, Aunt Chris and Uncle Steve. Aunt Dianne. Uncle Bill and Aunt Amy, Uncle Henry and Aunt Lieda, Aunt Dianne and Aunt Marg, Chief Christy, Sara-Beth Fava. Ben Shingler, Spencer LeBlanc, Jackie Thompson, Gosia Szok, Gosia Szok, Gosia Szok, Bethany Sartorious, my Granny.

AND just so you all know. I do miss you and think about you, and you all impacted my life at some point in time and in some great way.

10 months later

So school is winding down - only two more days and then it is summer vacation and I have been noticing how well I have gotten to know my students over the last ten months - and them me. They think they are SO clever and it always makes me smirk just a little bit on the inside. I know that when one student thinks the work is too hard, he will refuse to do it. I know that another one needs constant affirmation about the trivialest things, I know that another student thinks she is smarter than the rest of the class, but really isn't. I know that almost all of them have no concept of "Miss. G and Mrs. Huckulak are the authority in the classroom" They all will do whatever they want to do whenever they want to do it. It gets tiring.

The students know how to soften me up when I am frustrated with them. They know that when I get really frustrated and either talk too loudly in anger, or too softly in exasperation that I have reached my wits end and am going 'bonkers'. They will sweetly put up their hand and say things like:

"Miss. Gerrits, you look pretty today"
"Miss. G, I like your shirt. It is nice"
"Mrs. Gerrupps, You are the best teacher ever!"
and my favourite from today:
"Miss G, I changed my mind today. You are my favouritest teacher ever now!"

Thanks very much. That means alot from someone who has had all of two other teachers in their life. And you still have a detention for hitting your desk partner.

Offical Countdown

2.5 days with students
4. days in school
5. days till staff brunch and staff fancy dinner and I get to wear my new dress.
7. days till I move in with Tiersa into the sweetest apartment ever named and forever referred to as S-Club 2.
9. days till VBS starts
12. days till VBS is done
17. days till the Ontario Gerrits' start filtering into BC
23. days till vacation
26. days till Gerrits Family Reunion BC style.

funny is better

Here's my thoughts of the day.

What is better? A funny boyfriend/girlfriend or a nice-gentle boyfriend/girlfriend?

Here is my theory.

The nice-gentle significant other:
Will be nice and gentle till you die at say 70.

The funny significant other
Will make you laugh your butt off for yeeears. AND we all know that laughing add years onto your life. So you live - with laughter and - to be like 116. SO the little skills the funny partner has in being gentle and nice, will actually equal, over time, the hard core skills of person number one just spread out over more years.

Yeah? Thats what I think. Funny is better.

big beetle.

Today I saw a BIG BIG BIG beetle. It was amazingly huge. Seriously, like something out of the rainforests in National Geographic.

Vanessa's reaction when I showed her:

"Holy Cow! Thats a cross between a beetle and a turtle!"

Yes, it was that big.

Ok. I'm blogging more.
Seriously People. Facebook has taken over my life.

But I'll post something.

CAMPING
By. N. Gerrits

On the weekend I

went camping with my good friends

It rained the whole time.

Fun Parts Of Camping:

• Everyone getting their native names. I was originally Crafts on Clouds. Which very quickly deteriorated to Craps on Clouds. Quite Funny.
• Campfires. (People who can build campfires in the rain are cool)
• Playing this game called 'Things' where you write down THINGS you shouldn't say to your grandma, THINGS not to say on a first date (will you scratch my bum) THINGS not to say when proposing (I looove you man, whats your name again?) etc. In the pouring rain, but fun.
• Fantastic supper on Saturday. Full course meal.
• Tinfoil Square Ball. (resourceful use of leftover tinfoil a stick, a small campsite and similar baseball rules)
• Napping.
• Nature.
• Showers and real bathrooms this time!
• Lauging A LOT. My friends are funny.

Not fun Parts of Camping

• Getting lost. Which made me lividly angry
• Rain Rain Rain.
• KNOWING that I shouldn't drink hot beverages before bed because it makes me pee, and doing it anyways. SO having to get up in the middle of the night to drive to the bathroom in the rain when it was 5 degrees. BUT I did sit in my car with the heat on for 10 min which helped with the most freezingest I have ever been.

Reasons why I don't like rain.

1. Wet Feet
2. Wet pant legs
3. dirt on the back of your pant legs from walking in the rain
4. FUZZY hair
5. Arthritis

I like Kamloops. We only get 20cm of rain every year. I think we got 18cm of it today. ON MY FIELD TRIP.

I will make you fishers of men.

Yesterday,
The sporting goods department at Wal-Mart.
Made me a Fisher of Fish.
I'm officially and leagally a fisherwoman.

This one time last week when I played a quality prank.

My family is mildly obsessed with watching Crime Drama's. We watch: CSI New York, CSI Las Vegas, CSI New York, Criminal Minds, Law and Order, Law and Order Criminal Intent, Cold Case, Law and Order Special Victims Unit. And I'm not around that much so there probably are a few more that get tuned into on occasion.

LAST week, for a special change that doesn't happen very often, we ALL sat down - at the same time, to watch Criminal Minds. (very rare occurance in the Gerrits House). WELL on this particular show there was a serial killer that was severely derranged. Every time he killed someone, he would take a rib bone from the victim and then he made windchimes out of all the ribs - and gave them to his girlfriend. She didn't know they were human rib bones and she probably had about 30 windchimes full of bones - thats hundreds and hundreds of victims. It was pretty sick.

WELL, the other night 4 out of the 6 of us sat down to dinner. A dinner of mashed potatoes, veggies and... ribs. (pork, not human) As The pile of ribs grew I thought... "what a perfect opportunity to freak out one of my little sisters."

So after dinner, I, Nikki Gerrits, made a windchime out of the rib bones, unscrewed the light bulb in my littlest sisters room, and hung the rib windchime above her bed with a solitary flashlight shining up on it.

Vanessa came home at 11pm. I waited up, and it was well worth the "WHAT THE HECK IS THAT DISGUSTING THING!!!!!"

Everyone got out of bed and laughed.

What a good prank.

And its still hanging there a week later. She's saving it to be a baby mobile for her kids when she grows up.

I was thinking - that there really is NOTHNG good about mornings.
I mean I can't really appreciate anything in the mornings. The sun, the clouds, the mountains, the view, the river, the drive, music, good hair.
There is nothing to look forward to early in the morning.
I don't like anything in the morning. Or anyone.
I cant see what will be good in the day.
Even my pupply licking my chin isn't cute in the morning.
The one possible thing that could maybe make me smile in the morning - is french toast.

But I do like afternoons - starting around 4pm. And Nights.

FYI

Gas prices here in "beautiful/gas guzzling BC" has reached in Kamloops an astonishing 1.26/Litre. (1.30 in Vancouver)

I drive over 100km/day.

But I get 550km/tank.

Thank you Fee-B the excellent Toyota Yaris.

For my American friends - and for Jay Leno who complains that gas is 'nearly 3.00 a gallon' that is FIVE DOLLARS per gallon.

20 Things I like to do.

1. LAUGH. I like it the most bestest of anything.
2. Rub my dogs belly.
3. Restore furniture.
4. Read novels
5. Watch TV and movies
6. Keep up to date on current world and entertainment events.
7. Be friendly
8. Hang out and mentor pre-teens and teens.
9. Hang out with my friends.
10. Play games (but not sport games. I'm talking cards and board games)
11. Drive my car.
12. Clean out the inside of my car.
13. Sing. Sing anything.
14. Sing in my car. Loudly. With made up, unharmonious harmonies.
15. Be in the sun.
16. Nap. Nap. Nap.
17. Tell stories and entertain people.
18. Go to church.
19. Spend time with my family.
20. Make up worst-case-senario and 'what-if-this-happened' stories in my head.

KarBen (Carbon) in Kamloops for the first time!


Campfire out at Lake Kamloops. Bethany made the massively impressive fire.

I found this picture and was reminded yet again, that I am short.

A Little Survey

Here is a little survey about me. All random things. Things that you probably didn't know.

Fav. Cheese flavour: OLD Cheddar
I have a freckle between the toes on my left foot.
I get stomach aches when I am really tired or really stressed out.
I can always sleep. Anytime, anyplace.
I can not sleep with a repetitive noise around me. (ticking clock, snoring etc.)
I can drive stick shift.
My middle name is Janette, (Juh-net) not Janet (Jan-et)
I have an unusual knowledge of words to songs.
I can spell my name backwards (all three names) in less than 4 seconds.
I don't puke. Ever.
I've never seen the ocean.
I've never been fishing.
I've never waxed my legs.
I don't know my 6, 7 or 8 times tables.
I have serious road rage issues.
I just learned how to use chopsticks in January.
I don't like soft fruit. Ever. (Especially things like pie, jam, booster juice etc)
I really like Roast Beef and Gravy. Like really a lot A LOT.
I don't have a dresser.
I can never justify buying jewlery for myself.
I've never been to the east coast.
I really like ghost stories.
I have to fall asleep facing the door, laying on my stomach with one leg hiked up.
I wear flannel PJ's all year round.
It annoys me when people misspell my first name.

To Lori, Kim and Katherine

HELP WANTED: Pastors Wife.
Must sing, play music, lead youth groups, raise seraphic children, entertain church notables, minister to other wives, have ability to recite Bible backward and coreograph Christmas pagent. Must keep pastor sated, peaceful and out of trouble. Difficult colleagues, demanding customers, erratic hours. Pay: $0 (TIME Magazine April 9)

I appreciate what you do. And I know that Summit Drive Baptist would not run without you, because we all know that behind every decent man, there is an AMAZING woman.

Practically a Naturalist

Well, I have decided, that after a full 5 hour day on a second grade field trip to the Tranquille River Park, I am now practically a naturalist. I learned a lot.

Prickly Pears have hooks on them and dig through your clothes into your skin.
Prickly Pears taste like cucumber.
Ants live under rocks.
Theres gold in 'dem 'der hills
Two words: Pillow Lava.
Silt is bad for salmon fish. So is antifreeze.
Native Americans used to use Sagebrush as perfume.
There are 400 species of birds between Kamloops Lake and Tranquil River (about 1km)
Beavers eat trees.
Sliding down all natural gravel 'slides' is fun, dangerous and dirty.
Tranquille River is pronounced TRAHHHN- KEEL, not Tran-quill.
Poison Ivy is itchy

You know what? In theory FIELD TRIPS are a "day off." In reality they are more work, and more stress and more energy than a full week of school.

obsessed with being popular.

Well my week of 'liking everyone' has gone well, but I do have to admit that I have used some phrases to describe people that some would say sound mean and that I don't like the people I am describing. For example I was trying to explain kindly my frustration with a person I find annoying and I used the phrase "He/She has certain qualities that I cannot appreciate." Thats just stating a fact - and stating it kindly - like it is MY fault that I find them annoying, its not being rude at all!

On a sidenote, I am addicted to facebook. I have tapped into the Kamloops area, the Redeemer club, the Clinton Club, the Canada World Youth group, and today I'm working my way through Romanians. 89 friends. I'm determined to get more than Mark Sinke who has 220. Yes I am obsessed with being popular.

You know how some people complain a lot about how they are busy? I am busy, but I'm not complaining because being busy is a CHOICE people. I choose (well partly me, partly the size of my student loans) to have three jobs, and friends, and extra curriculars and volunteer work.
BUT I just want to explain a fairly normal situation that I am in. Like today

No water at home, the well is broken. Wake up 30min early (6:00am) in order to drive to the local truck stop to shower.
Drive 30 min to drop vanessa off at school
Drive 20 min to get to the church.
Work at the church for 2.5 hours.
Drive 20 min back to the school Work 4 hours
Staff meeting from 3:00-4:00. (Oh crap I planned to meet Mark at 3:15 for coffee)
Oh no, Staff meeting at the INN at 4:00. Leave staff meeting number one 20 min early to drive to staff meeting number two. 4:00-6:00. (Oh crap, I planned to meet Tiersa at 5 - Did I really quadruple book myself between 3 and 6?)
Drive 20 min back into town to the church for youth/planning DVBS/planning Jr. Youth till 9pm
Drive 30 min home. Go to bed.

And today is a nice day because I don't have to work two eight hour shifts back to back!

I'm in "Like"

Every once in a while, I put a "LOFTY" goal infront of me for the week. It might be to not complain about work, or to appreciate people more or to finish my entire list of things to do, or to pay the parking ticket thats been hanging over my head since February. This week I have decided to like EVERYBODY. I am going to like every single person I know. Even the ones that annoy me. It might be hard, but I'm going to try.

I like Tiersa because she is the person I get along with and have the most fun with out here in BRITISH COLUMBIA
I like KarBen because they came all the way to Kamloops to visit me.
I like Steve Gelensey because... well seriously... who doesn't?
I like my family because they take care of me and love me and make me laugh. A lot.
I like Bethany S because she is nice and always up for doing something.
I like Pastor Dave 1, Kim, Landon, Levi and Hayley because they represent a good solid fun Christian Family.
I like Lana because she is wise.
I like Pastor Harry and Lori because they love eachother.
I like Pastor Dave 2 and Katherine because they went to Mac. And are nice. And super smart. Pretty much walking encyclopedias.
I like Sylvia and Kyler because they are cute and infatuated
I like Mike because he is friendly.
I like Ferin because she don't take no guff from anyone and says it like it is.
I like Cory because among other things, he is going to find 8 months worth of church work my computer deleted last week.
Lilly is a gormet chef wannabee - 'nuff said.
Christy will always be my Chief.
Rob J will always be the most inappropriate and hilarious friend I ever have. And he will be my lifelong connection with the o so wonderful J BAX.
Deborah from Kamloops reminds me to be gentle.
Deborah from Chicago/Bucharest reminds me to be gentle.
Debra is a nice work partner.
KCS staff is funny
All secretaries in the world bless my life.
The youth and jr. youth at church make me feel useful and fun.
David, Gerda, and Carla teach me to be a perfectionist.
Jeremy is always nice.
Mark Sinke will always make me smile.
I always want to know what Aura is doing.
My first teaching class (at BCA) gave me good memories that I fall back on whenever I feel like quitting being a teacher.
Tom is always my friend and always fun to be around.
Mom and Dad love me and let me mooch.
Esther makes me giggle. P.S. I miss you.
Memories of Jacci make me smirk and smile.
All my aunts are supportive.
My uncles are second fathers.
I like Bo because I know I will without a doubt always laugh when I talk to him.

I'll fill in more as my 'week of liking everyone' continues.

Dear Grade Two Student - Letter #2

Hi. My name is Miss. Gerrits. We have been in school for 8 months, there is two left to go. Why did you forget my name yesterday? Not even a Miss. G or a Mrs. Gerrups, just a "Miss.... ... uhhhhhh" Its Miss. Gerrits, or Miss. G. 5 letters. Not hard to remember.

Defending the Family Honour

This post is a tribute to my super sister Bethany who defended the family honour yesterday. Here's how it happend.

My sister Esther moved out here to British Columbia in December and started working at Chilcotin Holidays. It was not all it was cracked up to be, but she persevered - even though they promised her a wage that they didn't actually pay her, made her work too many hours, made her do things that were not in her job description. (She was the office manager and had to regularly muck out the horses - that is not what she went to college for.) But despite all that, and the ..... rude... attitudes of her employers she continued to work there. During her three months she saw twenty one employees come and go. One arrived in the morning - went to get gas that evening and never came back. THe average person stayed for 4 days. A few never even showed up, some would come for a night and then pack up and leave the next day. Sometimes they would even hitch-hike to get away from the backwoods resort. Why you ask? Well because the employers were jerks. They would bawl out everyone for anything and they were just plain mean.

When Esther had finally had enough (she was there the longest - at three months!) she quit and offered very kindly to remain at the resort to train her replacement. When boss number one heard, she went right over and yelled at my sister for a solid 30 - 45 minutes about how she was the worst employee ever and how she sucked and they should never have hired her etc etc.

Keep reading this story gets better.

After that she decided, no, I"m leaving. That was uncalled for. But she didn't want to tell them that until she had her cheque in her hand - worried that they would stiff her for the last month that she worked. When she had the cheque in her hand, along with three other employees (who had been there all of three days) they collectively told boss number two that none of them would be returning after their weekend off. Boss number two then proceeded to strangle one of them. (yes with his hands, around his neck). They packed up and drove away within two hours, arriving unexpectedly, stressed and angrily on our doorstep at 2am.

YESTERDAY, my sister Bethany was at the drivers liscence place and this rancher dude came in and sat down beside her, and it took her about five minutes to realize that the man was Esthers boss number two. He said to Bethany,

"You look VERY familiar."
"Yeah, I'm Esthers sister." she responded.

THEN Boss number two went off on Bethany about how Esther was the worst employee ever - used some choice swear words and derogatory terms that I will not mention here and went over the top at Bethany! Bethany defended the family honour with the following seven words:

"You are a Jerk. Screw You."

He went SO nuts that the drivers liscence place kicked him to the curb!

I don't get it! What is wrong with some people?!?!?!

The moral of the story is: Stay away from Chilcotin Holidays. I don't even know if you could go there. They have absolutly NO staff anymore. Five Star Retreat ha! how can you run a resort with only TWO people???

Adult Lunch Bags

Things I wish, as a teacher, I could justify putting in my lunch. All the other kids get good stuff in their lunches why cant the teacher???

Fruit Rollups. I saw a kid eating one today and I wanted to steal it and wrap it around my finger and suck it as long as I could.

Fruit By The Foot. Its food and its fun!

Dunkaroos. So many ways. Icing between two, dip it, a little, scoop it alot, save the icing till last.

Lunchables.

Chocolate milk. (which ironically I don't even like)

Those cool new juice bag boxes. (also that I don't like but look fun)

Alphagetti and Zoodles

Seriously, why can't their be cool 'adult' lunch food. The only 'neat' thing we get is yougart covered granola bars. mmm yogart and granola even sounds fun! I mean maybe if they called it granola rollups or granola by the footaroos. Someone needs to invent fun adult lunch food. Here are a few of my ideas.

Fruitations Geometrics Imagine - flat flavour filled fruit rolled up. You can make crafts out of it before you eat it, roll it up, cut out shapes, chew or suck it.

Leftoverables. Like lunchables only real meals and adult sized.

Coffee-Aid or Tea-Aid . Like kool-aid, only in a bag with a straw and coffee instead of juice.

Sandwiches by the Foot. Long sandwiches full of lettuce, cheese, meat, sauces etc. And long instead of square so they are funner to eat.

Just think of the lunch room conversations that could come. The bartering and trading. The librarian wants to trade the principal her Leftoverables for his Fruitations Geometric. Lunchtime would be so much more enjoyable.

New York to London

1. go to www.google.com
2. click on "maps"
3. click on "get directions"
4. type "New York" in the first box (the "from" box)
5. type "London" in the second box (the "to" box)
6. click on "get directions"
7. scroll down to step #24


...
20.
Take exit 24 A-B-C on the left toward I-93 N/Concord NH/S Station/I-93 S/Quincy
0.4 mi
1 min
21.
Merge onto Atlantic Ave
0.8 mi
3 mins
22.
Turn right at Central St
0.1 mi
23.
Turn right at Long Wharf
0.1 mi
24.
Swim across the Atlantic Ocean
3,462 mi
29 days 0 hours
...
25.
Slight right at E05
0.5 mi
2 mins
26.
At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto E05/Pont Vauban

THAT my friends

IS FUNNY

PHEW

My life has just gotten better.

There is hope for us yet ladies.

Prince William is once again available.

Like my good friend Christy said once when she liked a boy with a girlfriend "Meh, people break up. " (actually she said 'Meh, people die' but same difference)

Wills, prepare to meet your match. I'll be the queen to your king. And seriously, Canada technically is still part of the British Empire, so think of the political benefits our union would have!

the CSI of nikki

Yesterday I was walking across a parking lot, and I thought to myself - "what would a CSI discover about me if I were to die right now. What if I get hit by a car? Or what if when I walk past that empty beer bottle over there someone shoots me or there is a bomb there triggered by movement?" I wondered what someone would discover about me just from the articles I had on me. Here is what I came up with.

THE BODY
Young girl, in her 20s. Wearing old clothing covered in paing and dust. Paint on arms and under nails, obviously a labourer. Hair is styled so obviously took some pride in her appearance. Lack of jewlery save two rings. Slightly whiter skin under the rings indicating that she wore them permanently and either has spent time in the sun or has been tanning.

Swollen ankle, partly due to an old injury, partly due to the physical labour of the day. Painted toenails, slightly chipped. Bitten fingernails so a worrier. Only 3 of 5 piercings have earings.

THE PURSE
Keys to various rooms as well as a Toyota Yaris. Not an elaborate car, but a modern model, all on an AWANA Because Kids Matter To God lanyard. She must have something to do with kids.
DayPlanner - various shifts written in, colour coordinated with highlighter. Has three jobs. Outstanding parking ticket. Must boycott the retardeness of parking laws in Kamloops. Yellow paintchips of various tints and shades. Grade two Social Studies Tests, all graded save one. Future lesson plans on British Columbia. Division Flash Cards, a childrens book, plastic orange easter egg, apple. Must be a teacher. Tanning glasses. Explains the discoloration underneath the rings mentioned above. Three mints, old paystub, church bulletin - front indicates she works at the church. Eyeliner, empty ziplock bag, cell phone with 54 numbers as well as 27 pictures, various text messages - must be well known with many friends. Hand cream, lipgloss indicates slight dry skin problem. Wallet including many gift cards and no money, receipts organized by date and location of store. Perhaps Obessive Compulsive? Picture of victim and two friends in a tree. British Columbia drivers liscense, Ontario Health Card. Perhaps our victim is trying to escape Ontario.

Thats all I could come up with. Any CSI wanna bee's out there have any other conclusions?

This is the true joy in life,
being used for a purpose recognized by yourself
as a mighty one.
And being a force of nature instead of a selfish little
clod of ailments and grievances,
complaining that the world will not devote itself
to making you happy.
I am of the opinion that my life belongs
to the whole community.
And for as long as I live,
it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can.
I want to be thoroughly used up when I die,
for the harder I work, the more I live.
I rejoice in life for its own sake.
Life is no brief candle for me.
It is a sort of splendid torch,
which I've got a hold of for the moment.
And I want to make it burn as brightly as possible
before handing it on to future generations.

- George Bernard Shaw

THE OFFICIAL PLANS OF ONE NICOLE J. GERRITS

July/August
South Thompson Inn and Conference Centre (Full Time)
Summit Drive Baptist Church (Part Time)
Camping
Family Reunion
Moving
Garage Sales

September
Kamloops Christian School (Full Time)
Summit Drive Baptist Church (Part Time)

Seriously Guys,

This whole TWO HEAD thing is getting out of control. All I wanted to do was put a funny little ancedote on my blog and it has since turned into three newspaper articles, an interview on the CBC (yes the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation,) an angry letter to the editor, and numerous phone calls.

Seriously, is the fish that interesting??

Twas the night before something....

Twas the afternoon of Wednesday, when all through the streets
The cars were a driving, the people on their feet,

My gas tank was full, the oil all topped up
In hopes that my shopping would bring me good luck.

Vanessa was at candy striping working the beds
With visions of hot male nurses danced in her head.

And I in my teaching clothes, Fee-B covered with dirt
Had just parked on the side of the road along a empty curb.

When I went to the thrift shop, it was full of such clutter
I sprang round the aisles to see what what stuff would matter.

Away to the CD section I flew like a flash
Turned over the tables and threw out the crap
The sun shone through the window blessing my search
Gave the luster of glory to the objects I researched.

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear
But a beaten up CD all scratched and unclear.
With five boys on the front, so lively and played
I knew in a moment it was the first CD ever made.

Better than Backstreet Boys, the came very first
Though some would argue that the Beatles were first.

Now Donny, Now Joey, Now Danny and Jordan
Don't forget the one no one liked I think his name was Jonathan

From 1989 to 1993
They came and left, came and left, came and left all.

As dry leaves that before wild hurricanes fly
When they met with an obstacle, their band it did fall.

Donny trashed a hotel
While Jordan had stage fright.

And then in a twinkling, I head over the PA
"We are closing, get out of here, its the end of the day"

As I picked up the CD, and was turning it around,
Down the aisle they came with a leaping bound.

They were dressed in all stonewashed from their heads to their feet,
And I haven't seen that much Neon since my days on the street.

A bundle of old clothes they had flung on their backs
Donations to goodwill - to the community they were giving back.

Joey's eyes how they twinkled, Donny's dimples how merry,
Jordans cheeks were like roses, Jonathans nose like a cherry.

Danny's droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And his 3 foot long rat tail hung on his back so low.

The steps on the side of their heads were so cut,
And the loafers and socks were definitley hot.

They said to me in unison "Please don't go Girl"
And told me romantically you're "My favourite Girl"

With a wink of my eye, and a twist of my head,
I told them "I remember when."

They spoke not a word, but went straight to their work
And emptied their bags and turned called me a jerk.

And laying their fingers up their nose,
And giving a five hip trusts, in mist they arose.

They looked down from above, to give one last word of advice,
And away they all flew leaving the chill of ice ice.

But I head them exclaim as they flew through the fluff

"Hey Nikki! Don't forget to always Hang Tough"

Things I didn't like this week
In a particular order

10. Spinach
9. Pie
8. Spinach Pie
7. Things and people that smell like mothballs.
6. Snow in April
5. Two Head officially kicking the can. Well... more like getting flushed down the can.
4. Rotten eggs
3. Gas prices
2. Getting up in the morning.
1. Getting up in the morning.

Things I did like this week.
In NO particular order

10. Hanging with Ferrin (Tom is a liar! no cookies for you, mates and sharks)
9. So many movies with Tiersa (LIke a singed koala looking for an all night burn centre)
8. Leanna being a nerd.
7. Eating goldfish in memory or Two-Head
6. Filling out Customer COmmment Cards
5. Learning how to save the environment. (may or may not have been hanging out with comment 7 from the previous list)
4. Having a RE-Crush on Leonardo Dicaprio
3. Bar-B-Q parties
2. My Drive on Barnhartevale Road
1. Bringing the puppies to school.

Things I'm looking forward to next week.
No particular order.

10 My sister doing my taxes for me.
9. sleeping in for 4 days in a row.
8. Hanging with my sisters and parents.
7. Baking banana bread.
6. Eating Easter dinner.
5. Reading some books
4. Finding out what I'll be teaching next year.
3. Being done with the grade 2 play
2. Sunshine and flipflops
1. Weekend Retreat for One.

Mystery Road Trip

It all started on a cold winter evening in a hot tub. Tiersa, Bethany, Sylvia and I were complaining about winter, about Kamloops, about being bored. So we decided that on the weekend of March 16 we would go on the most random road trip we could think of. We all booked off the weekend and the only plan we made was to meet at 9am for breakfast with a map, and a full tank of gas.

We opened the map, put a blindfold on, spun around and pointed. No matter what, we were going to go to wherever we pointed. Bethany's finger landed on Arrowhead British Columbia - so that was where we were going. We made up all sorts of silly rules, like stopping at every single Tim Hortons on the way, stopping whenever we wanted to see something neat.

For Example:

This is us stopping at the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway. Who knew it was only 2 hours away from us???


"I'm so happy to see the spike!" (It was actually under 4 feet of snow, so we didn't actually 'see it' but we saw the pile of snow that it was under!


This was at Three Valley Gap. There was an old ghost town that we attempted to explore. Apparently there are no ghosts there in the off-tourist season, and so it was all locked up. We still had fun walking around and taking pictures.

This was my favourite stop:


And yes, it does say 'skidders' on the bottom. And to think, this sign was only 20km from my home and I never knew about it!

We also made up rules that we had to be SUPER friendly to every single local that we met. Here is one of my funnier conversations with a Tim Hortons Drive Through employee.

"Hi!!!! My name is Nikki, and my friend Sylvia here would REALLY LOOOOOVE a Medium French Vanilla. Preferably in a winning cup."
"Well Nikki, you tell your friend Sylvia, that I'd love to get her a Medium French Vanilla, and I'll do my best with the cup. Thats $1.49 please drive through."

We also had to do a random act of kindness for a stranger.
This was getting gas:
"I want to buy a chocolate bar. What's the best kind?"
"Uh, I'd say a Coffee Crisp is the best. Its my favourite" said the employee.
So I bought one with my gas. and then handed it to the employee and said,
"Oh, thats for you, have a great day!"

BC has lots of mountains, and it is winter, so lots of snow. Another rule we made up was that every time we saw a sign that said "Avalanche Area Do Not Stop" We would stop and do a chinese fire drill. It was hilarious fun. Except for the time when we really couldn't stop, and had to do 7 in a row.


Here is us on the road to Arrowhead

You'll notice the road is covered in 2 feet of snow - so we never actually got there. it was quite disappointing that after 7 hours of driving we never got to our destination.

What could have been:

I was pulling out some older CDs this week - just to mix things up and as I drove down a beautiful back road near my house that I had never been on before, this song came on. I'm not usually one to get all sentimental and testimonial, but some of the lines in this song really made me thing.

Big Daddy Weave - Audience of One
From the album One And Only

I come on my knees
To lay down before You
Bringing all that I am
Longing only to know You
Seeking Your face
And not only Your hand
I find You embracing me
Just as I am

And I lift these songs to You and You alone
As I sing to You in my praises make Your home

To my audience of one
You are Father and You are Son
As Your spirit flows free
Let it find within me
A heart that beats to praise You
And now just to know You more
Has become my great reward
To see Your kingdom come
And Your will be done
I only desire to be Yours, Lord

So what could I bring
To honor Your majesty
What song could I sing
That would move the heart of royalty
When all that I have
Is the life that You've given me
So Lord let me live for You
This song with humility

And Lord as the love song of my life is played
I have one desire to bring glory to Your name

Because what really can I bring? God is SO amazing, and royal and majestic and I am just me, I'm loud, and sinful and I complain a lot. What can I do that would move someone as awesome as the Lord God Almighty? I'm just me, I'm not even good enough to try and it is amazing, that I even have the chance to give my God my life. He gave me this life and a long time ago I said I would live it for him, and often times I think to myself - "hey yeah, I"m doing that. I"m teaching at a Christian School, I work at the church, I'm involved in the church, I mentor youth, people like me because I have a good head on my shoulders and I follow Christ." I do that, but at the same time I complain about teaching, I worry about money, I swear, I gossip, inwardly I am stuck up. I need to turn those negative parts of me the other way, because all I can give to Him is this life that He has given me, and I'm not using my whole life to serve him.