Masters of Horror!

Well Ben has officially graduated from Vancouver Film School as of Friday, August 18th. He has come out of it as a competent professional cinematographer. So the job search began Monday morning. Through some personal connections he made throughout the year, he got ahold of Mike B. who is currently the key PA for the Masters of Horror television series. And Ben was offered a job!!! Which is a miracle. Masters of Horror was created by Mick Garris.... one of the best adapters of Stephen King material. So far Ben has seen Jason Priestly (Beverly Hills 90210) and Christopher Lloyd (Back from the Future, My Favorite Martian) and lots of other actors we have heard of but aren't as big. We are unsure how long his position will last as they are finished shooting the series at the end of October. He still has his sights set on Fantastic Four 2, though....thats where Mike B. is going so maybe Ben's connections will continue to help him along. So who knows what will happen from there. We know we will for sure be in Vancouver until January....and probably longer. I just wanted to share the good news with all of you!! He is working 16 hour days... so pray for his sanity.....and mine too for that matter. Goodbye my faithful readers, Johanna

So I work in a coffee shop....

I work in this great coffee shop called Big News Coffee Bar. Its a fun place to work. You get to know all the regulars pretty well. And I am pretty easy going and get along really well with most of them. BUT there is this one man .......here is his typical order: "Give me a latte, no foam, skim milk, give the espresso 20 pounds of pressure (ps: I don't even know how much 20 pounds of pressure is), and have my milk steamed to exactly 170 degreees" He leans way over the counter to watch every move you make. If it isn't made to perfection he demands you re-do his drink or he will have to write a letter to the owner. Are you kidding me!?? And everyday he is in around 1:30. The girls always run when they see him (including me). I just find a broom and start sweeping somewhere in the back! I have been lucky enough to avoid his wrath on most occaisons. Although one time he threw a fit at me because the milk was 174 degrees. (ugh) And then demanded I throw it all away because it was 'burnt'. And so yesterday he comes and in low and behold he has changed his order to "165 degrees, 1% milk, and no extra pressure". He's crazy. Anyways.....I just had to vent...but all you Barista's and Barista's of the past KNOW how freaking annoying these Mr. Latte's are and how easily they can destroy a perfectly good day of work. Ugh....I am going to take a nap now. Have a great day!!!!!

One year of Bliss. Well mostly...

Can you believe Ben and I have been married a whole year!? I can't. Time has really flown by. A lot has happened this year. Moving from a small town in Saskatchewan is one of the most major events as well as going to university (UBC) with a population of 55, 000 students. I'm still not used to being #5230405* Heck....I have NAME! Ben started school August 22nd last year and he is about to graduate next friday. He is nearly an all-out cinematographer. Its insane! And I know our second year of marrige is bound to hold some major changes as well..... but thats okay. God is steadfast.....and thats the ONLY stability we need. I have been thinking lots over the last year and these are some of the main things I have learned/discovered, and quite honestly they are mostly from Ben whether he knows it or not:
1. its okay to not plan every little detail of everything out. Its more fun to be spontaneous!
2. its okay to be poor students.... in our weaknesses and shortcomings God is STRONG. And its truly a miracle we survived the year financially...God never let us slip.
3. its important to give others the benefit of the doubt...its not cool to be judgmental.
4. Forgiveness is a gigantic key to freedom and peace
5. It doesn't matter what you have, or what circumstances you face, its who you have beside you.
6. Arguing can be a totally healthy thing... I am learning to be much less selfish and more fair when we end up on a topic we just don't jive on. PLUS....you get to make up again......
Okay...I could honestly go on forever, but this was just an incredibly stretching and learning year for me and I give God the glory....But I blessed with a wonderful husband who hears His voice and is filled with wisdom. I only hope as the years continue to go by that I will always learn and grow from the leadership Ben provides in our life. Thanks Ben for your love and patience with me. Johanna