Foam

Sometimes drowning is fun. Who knew?

Bike Rides

Even though you hate going uphill, and downhill is way too scary, there is nothing like a good old fashion bike ride. Changing gears, sitting on that uncomfortable seat, feeling so insecure as you try to avoid the cars ripping by. It is something everyone loves to do. Once you know how, you know how for good. It is such a freeing feeling. The wind in your hair, ringing the bell, hearing your motor fashioned out of a clothes pin and a queen of hearts. My friend Amy and I had such fun on our wild Saltspring bike adventure. We taped ipod speakers to the handle bars of Amy's bike and as we were riding we would sing along to the songs blasting out of the little music maker. It was so much fun. Just for the sake of it we had the song "Knock 3 times" just like in the movie "Now and Then". It was honestly like I had nothing to worry about. Except the giant hill creeping closer and closer. Bike rides are such a wonderful thing to do. Even though it is tough and your bum hurts and your thighs feel like jelly there is no better way to spend a day. Sheer beauty and chains a clankin of amazing.

Old Friends.

Do you remember those friends who are not quite your friend. More like your acquaintance. But you feel so fortunate to have them around? Like when you start a new class and there is nobody you know and you scan the room hoping dearly that there is just one slightly familiar face. Then BAM! Your eyes meet and you bond like glue knowing you both are in this together. Then you remain friends just in that class. Never hanging out at lunch but saying that awkward "hi" as you pass each other in the hallway. Maybe on occasion you plan a tiny lunch session just to remain the slight friends you are so you can still lean on them if you need. So you don't feel guilty for only being friends in that one little class. Then you move away. Don't talk. You think that the friendship is gone, you were only friends any ways so neither of you would have to be alone. Then after a year or so of not talking you find yourselves at the same party, once again both alone and glad you have the familiar face. You plan to hang out but both know it is one of those dates that wont be kept. Then once again you meet at a party and make the excuse "I was going to call you but I've just been so busy" and plan to hang out again knowing once again it wont happen. Then all of a sudden you just feel a flood of guilt coming along and decide to meet up for that awkward coffee date. Knowing it is just going to be awkward you go anyways. But once you find yourself in the situation, you wonder why you weren't better friends. Why you weren't phoning every couple of days to hang out. Why you weren't this close all the time ago. Then you realize, the alone bond made you closer friends then you ever thought. All of a sudden it is good-bye and you don't want to leave your long lost old friend. You hug maybe 3 or 4 times. Say "you have to come visit!" And you actually plan on doing it because right then is when it hits you that you really actually are great friends with this person. You drive away and notice your best friend standing on the steps waving with the same sad face you've got on. You realize: this is a friendship that is worth the ages. Just like that your awkward acquaintance just became the friend you never want to leave. Isn't it funny how it works out to be so amazing?

Folk Fest.

It's that time of year! AH I love Folk Fest. A weekend packed with dancing, camping, friends and of course, folk music. It is easily said to be the best weekend of the year. Put on your hippie pants for this wild ride. This carefree weekend starts at 11:00am on the Friday of the last weekend in July. The best. Last year was my first year going. I didn't think it could get any better than that. First off, we just finished off a huge heat wave and it was starting to get stormy. I thought great a night in the pouring rain, freezing cold and stupid music. But to my surprise a thunder storm after a heat wave is the best thing ever. I was surrounded my people I love and I gained a new love for folk music. Definitely NOT stupid. Dancing in the summer rain with lightning and thunder and amazing people was honestly the best feeling I've ever felt. Now that was last year. I didn't think it could be topped. But it was. This year was just the best. That's it. So fun. I cannot begin to describe to you the feeling of just being so carefree and happy. If you've felt it before you know what I mean. Just complete happiness. Dancing, laughing and listening. I got to spend an even longer time this year at folk fest. Not only did I get to share amazing dance moves with my friends, but I got to share the day with them lying in the grass, staring up at the sky completely without worry. That was truly what AMAZING is. I cannot wait for next year to come around and I can experience an even greater impact.

Ultimate Frisbee

ULTIMATE!!!! Oh what a joy. Nothing like a good ole fun game of ultimate frisbee. Pump those arms, stretch those legs and yes, practice your pancake. The best part about this game is playing with a giant group of great friends. We took a stab at this high impact sport a few nights ago. We were all into it. Team cheer and everything. TEAM 2! You should have seen it. Passes left and right. Catches high and low. Sprints so fast not even a cheetah could keep up. That wonderful feeling of victory when you catch the flying disc just past the goal line. Don't forget the injuries though. What do you get when you throw an 100 pound girl into a bowl filled determination and a couple of opposing team members? A crash landing. I guess you could say I bit off more than I could chew. It was the game winning goal and I just so happen to be in the end zone and the frisbee? Way down the other end. Our team mate with the best throw known to frisbee history, sent that flying disc soaring through the air. Straight towards me. I thought this is it, you can win your team the game. So I strapped on my sport head and didn't let anything stop me. Not even the two boys-just as determined as I- running towards me at full speed. Then suddenly a Cassia sandwich. The result: a sprained finger, bruised neck and ribs, and a pile load of shame and embarrassment. But the pain and suffering doesn't last long when you are surrounded by great people who laugh along with you not at you. Ultimate frisbee: A game best played with a truckload (literally) of friends. Oh and yes, we did win!

Our God.

I love the church. When Sunday comes around it is my day. My day to spend with God and to hear all the wonders he has done. Church is such a powerful place for me. Very inspiring and full of good news. Choosing to follow God has been one of the best decisions of my life. Since then I have noticed I have been a much happier person all around. I feel much more alive. Whenever I need, God is there for me and it really is amazing to know that no matter what I am going through I am able to lean on God for guidance and help. Our. God. Saves. Recently I was at church and noticed a gentleman in a wheel chair who had come to speak to us earlier in December. He is a quadriplegic. About 8 years ago he fell off his horse and broke his neck. He came to give us a recap on what has been going on. He told us he had been praying to God to give him the strength and training to walk again. Now, reading this you must be thinking, that's impossible. He will never walk again. I thought the same thing- until he got up out of his chair. Using a walker he was able to slowly but surly take step by step across the stage. Right in front of my eyes, it was more awe striking than watching a baby takes its first steps. Emotions just flooded over me and I couldn't help but cry. He was walking. Our. God. Saves. I have been so honored that in my life I was able to, right in front of me, witness a miracle. It was one of the most touching, amazing things I have ever seen in my life. I have witnessed a miracle. Naturally I raced home to share this amazing glory with my family and friends. What an amazing feeling that gave me. Knowing the belief, faith and trust in God really pays off. Our God saves. What glory. Amazing.

The First.

So this is my first post. Ever. So it is safe to say- blogspot, you took my blog virginity.I never thought of doing a blog before I started reading one of my friend's posts and she was commenting on how reflecting on your day is really something special and helps you see the little things you may miss along the way. I thought this could be something really good for me, and lets be honest here, I get a bored quite easily and this definitely gives me something to do. I chose the name Amazing as because I wanted to post inspirational, fun loving things that are seen, heard, smelt, felt or tasted in everyday life that are just plain amazing. Now, I know there are plenty of blogs out there that are quite similar to this. However, I am really just doing this for me, my experiences and my sights that I find just plain old amazing. If you happen to be reading this I hope that what I am posting on here gives you the same feel good feeling as it does for me. That little sparkle, that one sentence or thought that makes your mouth slowly curl up into a smile. That little tweek that makes you believe that this life that you are living right now is truly amazing. I thought back to my first year of University and my first semester with my wonderful Australian exchange student friend, Nikki. See in Australia they have a saying "sweet as". That's it. Nothing more. It always struck me whenever she said it, sweet as what exactly? I never did grasp the concept quite as quickly as I should have. It really just means anything you want. Sweet as- absolutely anything. SO that's what this is. Amazing as- anything you want. Amazing as- the first day of school. Amazing as- summer rain. Anything you want. This saying definitely gave me that inspiration and fun love. So thank you Nikki, for giving me a sweet as blogger title. I hope you all find this blog to be your "Amazing as.."
XO~ Cassia