Ah, Ira! He was SO GOOD. He was warm, charismatic, intelligent, humble, honest, and generous with his experience and talent. I expected him to be fun, but I didn't expect him to also be so FUNNY.

He obviously put some serious planning into his show, mixing sound bites and music on his iPad as he went, pulling together what was essentially an amazing sermon on storytelling. I really felt like he was preaching on the power of story -- and not in a bad way.

Also, he is the first Jewish guy I've heard who has talked so familiarly about Jesus. Sounded like they were pals. ;)

I do! It varies from year to year. Sometimes there's a party; sometimes it's just me and my famiy. Sometimes everyone goes to bed except me. I've done the whole hang-out-in-the-city-amongst-the-millions-waiting-for-the-fireworks thing and often that feels more lonely, more lost, than just being with a few special people to ring in the new year. This year, it was me, my parents, and my sisters, all in the one place for the first time in about five years. So THAT was cool.

I've never eaten kangaroo! But I've heard it's quite tough and a bit gamy. I guess kangaroos are like a massive overgrown rodent on steroids, so maybe it tastes like rat -- which I ALSO have not eaten.

However, it is somewhat normal to eat kangaroo over here -- mostly in the supermarkets, though, it's sold as dog meat.

Oh wow. I hardly know where to start. There are so many things that I could dream/wish/hope for in 2012, but honestly at the top of the list I just want to be confident in who I am in God, and love people better. I really really really want this.

And don't worry; I know how busy life can be -- I definitely still feel connected to you even though we haven't been as caught up on each others' worlds. LOVE.

I got your card in the mail just this week!! And I'm so glad mine got to you okay because I wasn't sure if I had your most up-to-date address. But yay it did!

I thought I answered this! Waaaah :(

I love so many traditions, and for me Christmas is about more than just the 25th of December. However, one of my favourite traditions of Christmas is rising early on Christmas morning to gather with my family in my parents' living room. My dad will read something from Scripture -- perhaps the nativity story, or a messianic prophecy -- and then open the day with a prayer of thanks. Then we start our gift exchange. We still have the childhood pillowcases that our parents first filled with gifts, and we refuse to let this tradition die. Mine is a Smurf pillowcase, which is pretty darn cool.

Would it be weird if I said 'Sex and the Supremacy of Christ'? Heh. That's one I'm keen to start from my to-read pile soon.

Until I was about twenty-two or three, I would've said country girl, all the way. But I think sometime when I wasn't really looking, I turned into a city girl. I love the city -- the people -- the architecture -- the culture -- the bustle -- the always happening-ness.

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Sharks. SHARKS SHARKS SHARKS SHARKS SHARKS SHARKS SHARKS SHARKS SHARKS SHARKS SHARKS SHARKS SHARKS SHARKS SHARKS SHARKS SHARKS SHARKS SHARKS SHARKS SHARKS SHARKS SHARKS SHARKS SHARKS SHARKS SHARKS SHARKS SHARKS SHARKS SHARKS SHARKS SHARKS SHARKS SHARKS SHARKS SHARKS SHARKS SHARKS

There's something very scary about them.

Someone asked me a question!

I never stopped loving you, Formspring; it's just the question-askers who occasionally forget you are here. I will always be into you, oh Formspring. I promise.

Totally. Thank you, random, for igniting life into my langushing formspring, a la:

(via Urban Dictionary) I Like Cheese

1. The ultimate forum hijacking post.

2. An attempt by someone intelligent to end a thread that should have died long before said "I like cheese" post. when used this way often devolves into a silly fun "non-discussion/debate".

MOAR QUESTIONZ NAOW

I happy-sighed when I read this. I am not awesome, my lovely anonymous friend, but my heart felt awesome when I received this sweet message.

Aw, what a nice question!

I sometimes dream about starting a literary magazine (but I tell myself that won't happen for, like, ten years or something) so that suggests I definitely miss the editing. I also miss the interaction with readers, and the deadlines that publishing forces on you. I'm appreciating having started writing for ylcf.org because it has a similar vibe and a similar readership. I appreciate the stretch of narrowing my faith walk down into intelligible words and stories.

ooh! um, right now: --

off-white, lemon, and deep red.

Feet and tummy. But I DON'T LIKE BEING TICKLED. Invasion of personal space, yo.

I would summon the wise and ancient wind to blow his sweet mist over those whose fellowship and words and smiles and small touches and unexpected gifts and unending forbearance have coloured my world like a million pink and gold and orange and violet sunsets.

These dear ones deserve all the sherbet in the world.

AH! Excellent question is excellent!

I think I've seen all seven seasons, at least in part. Before I owned any, I was borrowing them from the library or Blockbuster in single discs, and sometimes I lost track. I am hoping to watch them through in the right order one day. I had no idea until recently that I'd missed the whole second half of season four!

I own seasons one to five (eee!) and I think my favourite might be season three... I *think*. However, there are things I love and things I mourn about every season.

Chamomile. This is a recent favourite. I got to love it over this past winter. It helps my tummy, too!