What I want for Christmas...

When I was a kid, the closeness of Christmas made me wonder what present I would get from Santa. I would write letters and expect restless that my wish would become true. On the Chritmas eve my whole family would gather around the tree, which was packed with presents aroud it; tiny, smal ones, and realy huge ones. We used to have a big supper (we still do) and talked a little bit about the meaning of Christmas. Those were all great presents from Santa! Nowadays I realize I had much more than I expected: I had the same love Jesus had when he was born, a kind and caring family around me!
For this Crhistmas, I'm not going to be with my whole family for the first time, but I still have some wishes I would like Santa to grant me:
I want a nice cozy home, with lights all around;
I want snow falling outside and the lack of worry about tomorrow;
I want kids around me and the sound of gifts being unwrapped;
I want a nice, warm supper with my friends;
I want a simple and sincere prayer;
I want to feel like a kid again; I want my mom around and I want to sit on her lap;
I want an expected phone call and I want to hear my dearest ones celebrating;
I want hugs and kisses;
I want the love of God to surrond me and whisper to me "I came for your sake, so you could have the greatest Chistmas present, my abundant love."
I would not ask for more this Christmas...

Snow

Before I came to Canada, I had never seen snow before. Probably you Canadians, or you people who live here for a long time won't understand me, but it's a strange impression. I'm quite used to see everything around me quite green, or red, pink, even brown. However, seeing all around white is a weird experience! At first I got pretty excited, and I'm still. But I keep thinking all the time how people deal with daily problems snow causes, like taking it from the top of your car in the morning, warming the engines. Even walking on the street...I'm always aware not to fall! Not staying outdoors for a long time is inconceiveble for me, as I used to take long walks in my city. Everything about snow is new for me. At the same time it's annoying sometimes, it is quite enchanting watching the little white light flakes fall outside my window...!

Anxious

I'm a very anxious person. This has been a characteristic I've been trying to change! I want to see everything ready in my life! Concluded, done, perfect! But sometimes, I think it would be no fun if it were like that, if we didn't have challenges, or disapointments, or hope that something was going to change...It would be no fun at all. I try to convince myself that way. Try to believe that, try to enjoy each day! It's quite hard for me!
Today I feel a little low. Miss my home, my family, my friends, one specially I have learned a lot with. Sometimes I think if I have done the right choice...I believe so, but I still feel insecure now and then. This is all related to my anxiety. The fact that I wonder all the time what comes ahead... and try to control it, make the best decision based in what I know abou the future! I know that is not possible. And if it were, I know it wouldn't be good for me. Let's just see what God's will brings...

Cultures

I've been learning a lot about different cultures here in Calgary, and specially here at University. Calgary bears people from all around the world. You can talk to traditional Canadians, with their "hey", in the end of every sentence. You can meet Chinese (many Chinese...). They are very friendly and make us wonder what they're speaking with so much enthusiasm. We can see many people from Muslim countries. They seem misteriouly charming. Latin Americans, I love them, make me feel home, I've never liked so much hearing spanish, even though I speak a lot spanish with my dad's family, from Venezuela. Didn't meet many Brazilians here at University, but I know they're out there...For all that diversity to work it takes a lot of respect, and that I've seen plenty! It makes me feel glad about the city I've chosen to live for now!

Those on the left are some pictures of my city. It is called Belo Horizonte (BH), which means "beautiful horizon". And it cetainly is!!!

Last weekend

I had an amazing last weekend! On friday night I went to play bowling with some friends. It was fun! On saturday morning I got to sleep late! I needed that...made me feel brand new! In the afternoon I went to play squash with a friend. It was my first time. Really hard, but I think I got it quick, I loved it! I'm definately gonna play often. And it's very good exercise! ...My arm is still sore! hahaha! Saturday night I went to the movies with some friends and on sunday I just got a lazy day! It was assowme! I rested a lot and in the evening I went to church! Great weekend! I had it all, from having fun to sleeping a lot!

This last weekend was really great! I had plenty of time to rest, do some reading and go out with some friends. I feel renewed. This weekend snowed! It makes the city looks even more beautiful! I've been loving living in Calgary. I think I have passed the worse time of adjustments. I feel in peace now, and confident the best will come! It's already november, and I almost can't believe the year is coming to the end. I think I took I good adavantage of it, I've learned a lot this year, specially about trusting God, and his will to my life!

Thursday!

First of all, I'm sorry guys about my last posting... I just wanted to express myself! I feel better now and one of the reasons it's because it's THURSDAY! I love thursdays. On thursdays we can actually feel the weekend coming. A thursday is almost a friday. It carries the advantage of planning for the weekend. On that day we can also think about all we've done in the begging of the week and check it as concluded. I love this feeling of conclusion, accomplishment! What I mean is that Thursdays are fun because on those days we can live the spirit from the weekend and the compensation of the work we've been doing during the week.