Marianne - far far away

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Book Recommendation



How to be a complete and utter failure in life, work and everything; 44½ steps to lasting underachievement by Steve McDermott

In a world of overly optimistic selfhelp books that are flooding the market "How to be a Complete and Utter Failure" comes with a warning - that you don't think about taking the direct opposite steps to those outlined in the guide, as this could seriously damage your chances of becoming a failure.
Now this is a book for me. Satire and irony in a selfhelp book... delicious!
Behind the humour, though, is good advice and a serious message. And whether you choose to heed the warning or not, it's an extremely entertaining read.

Buy it here!

Songs

This Saturday I (together with THomas) am responsible for the COntemporary Service. Patrick Johnson is preaching based on 1 Pet 2:5-9 about us, God's people, being a Holy Priesthood. I am really looking forward to the service, since many students will be involved. I always found it a bit strange that a college like Newbold had so little student participation in the Sabbath Activities. I mean the students are in charge of so many activities during the week such as the Experience, College Worship, Friday Vesper and so on, but when it comes to Church on Sabbath we are always hiding in the back rows. Well that's about to change now I hope. This Saturday it will be ALL STUDENTS and Patrick.

Here are the songs we are planning to sing:
Hillsongs - Mighty to Save


Hillsong United - Hosanna


Lakewood Church - Still Standing


Lakewood Church - You Are Good


and Step by Step by Step

Monday, January 28, 2008

Engagement

As most of you have probably heard, or should I say hopefully, at least if you're a friend and have been so for a while, me and Andreas are now engaged!

I'm just writing that again, mostly for my own sake... I am engaged

On New Years Eve, or officially the first day of the year 2008. I celebrated New Years with his family in Sweden, and slept in the guestroom dowsntairs around 2 am, after shooting off the fire works, his parents were getting ready for bed and me and his younger sister were watching television, he came to me and said he had bought me a present.
I don't know why, but the same second he said that it was as if my uncounsciousness understood what was going on because I suddenly got this adrenalin infusion and became very awake and aware.
"It's in your room" he said and nodded towards the guestroom where my bed was. I got up and giggly as I was I walked towards the room, but then I stopped and waited for him. "Go on," he said, but I was thinking that if what I thought was happening was about to happen he better be there with me! Then he said; "It's wrapped" and that was my signal... I ran into the room and couldn't really get the wrapping paper of the little box that had been lying on my pillow.
"It's not a ring" he said (very rude to kill the excitement... hehe)
...but it was!
Then he went down on one knee and said things that I hardly can remember for some odd reason, but he talked about wonderful love, rest of his life, marriage, and some other incredible things. WHat I do remember is the tingling feeling in my stomach and thinking; "It's happening! It's happening right now! Once in a lifetime"

I couldn't really wait for him to finish and kept saying "Yes, yes, yes!" and then he put the ring onmy finger.

I thought things wouldn't be different in any way. That the relationship would be the same, but it is not!

Such a great feeling of belonging, of trust, and safety... I can't imagine what it will feel like when we get married!

Now I mentioned marriage, to all you who are eager to know, it won't be until summer 2009, and probably in Sweden, Linköping (his hometown). So if you've never been to Sweden I'd recommend that you plan a trip there in 1½ year.

Thank you to all of you who have said congratulations and wished us all the best, it really warms when I am reminded of all the good friends I have all over the world.

MY RING!

from Schalins

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

what is love?

a song by my new favourite artist... Sigvart Dagsland.
Music has always stirred my emotions, but here is a man who can make music with words. To actually hear these words with the music is an even greater experience but I will be gentle and give you the words to start with...

What is love?
Tekst: Mike Mc Gurk & Sigvart Dagsland / Melodi: Sigvart Dagsland

What is love, a gentle flower
so hard to tell
Showering pure
bitter sweet madness
over you

It takes control, turns night to day
it runs like a fever
Soothing and healing,
hiding - revealing
love's endless theme

And when somebody asks
you can't explain
you can't express
what it is
So let people ask
don't explain
just be content
to be in that ocean of bliss

Poets, painters sing its praises
It's all been said
But it strikes you like lightning,
bewitching and frightening
love's endless theme

But love can fail you, do you wrong
and love can be so sad
Nothing can shake you
disturb you and make you
so lonely as love

So when somebody asks
you what it was
don't explain
about pain and bliss
But treated ill or well
you might just tell
them that it was
a feeling you would never have missed