Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.
sexta-feira, 26 de dezembro de 2008
The true meaning of Christmas
Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.
sábado, 18 de outubro de 2008
What's up?
I know, i know...it's all my fault, I haven't writen for ages... shame on me.
so, what happened since i last wrote? LOADS! I've been incredibly busy for the last 3 weeks.
I have heaps of deadlines for uni, plus lectures but that's not new.
Today I spent the day working lying in my bed which resulted in a terrible back pain. And I still have loads to do!! Arrrggg...
I have books that i want to read sitting in my shelf for ages. Just finished "What to do with these musicians?" by Marcus Witt and I'm hoping to read "Too busy not to pray" by Bill Hybels that Rach lent me next.
Then CU. This is probably the area I'm the most excited about. We had 229 people in the first meeting. I think in the last few weeks we had less people there but still a really good number. Pray that people would come along. We are looking at "Distinctive living" at the main meetings. Last one was about sex, drugs and alcohol and how the christian should face these issues. Quite good.
I'm also one of the leaders of housegroup this year. We are going through Mark's gospel and it has been amazing!! There is so much to learn about Jesus' life and having time to get stuck into the Bible and study the One that came to save us is such a privilege!! This is part of the UCCF evangelistic project "FREE". It's all about Mark's gospel and Jesus. In february, we'll have access to the "FREE" Gospels to hand out to our friends and make the commitment to reading it with them! I've seen the gospels and they are really good! I'm so excited about this!!!
We had prayer meetings everyday last week to pray for FREE and on wednesday night we had a night of prayer after CU which was amazing and really challenging! Each passing day I'm more aware of how important prayer is. And what a priviledge we have to talk with the True, Living God, the King of Kings!!
One of the main focus of CU this year is to encourage accountability and me and Jo are going through Daniel together. I had read Daniel before but it's amazing how everytime you read it you find interesting facts!
Tomorrow is church - it's crazy the ammount of engagements that happened during summer (in church and CU apparently)!! And we have 3 new babies in church! So cool!
Right, better be back to heart connexins. I have a group project/essay to do and I'm PROPERLY late.
Take care
ASG
quinta-feira, 25 de setembro de 2008
Unbelievable
segunda-feira, 15 de setembro de 2008
Back in Cardiff
Cheguei na sexta feira ao aeroporto de Bristol com uma mala a pesar 19.5 kg e uma mochila a pesar prai outros 15.
Depois de passar pela chuva de Bristol e apesar de um atraso de 30min no comboio para Cardiff, cheguei a esta cidade para trazer o verao ha tanto esperado!e verdade...esta razoavelmente quente e ate solarengo aqui desde que cheguei.
Durante 2 dias sem internet, aproveitei para passar tempo com pessoas e nao com icones de msn. No sabado a tarde tivemos reuniao de oracao na igreja durante 4 horas sobre o ano que vem. Depois do jantar, aventuramo-nos pelas ruas de cardiff com o Al a conduzir (shock...) a procura do sitio que acolheria a festa dos 22 anos de Dave Scott, a casa de Dave e Naomi Webster. Depois de quase termos ido a Port Talbot e voltado, la encontramos o sitio e seguiram-se 2 horas de Buzz versao Hollywood merecidamente dominadas pelo agora aclamado guru do cinema - Dave Webster. Ganhou sem dar hipotese...
Domingo foi dia de igreja de manha. Almoco em casa dos Metheringham.
Por volta das 5.30, eu and my NIish favourite person, transportamos todas as coisas que ela tinha deixado no meu quarto durante o verao (entre os seus pertences encontrava-se uma casa de bonecas ja referida num post anterior) ate a sua novissima casa...ou pelo menos tentamos porque aquilo era pesado...depois de muito esforco, trocas, paragens, etc...la chegamos sas e salvas e com os potes do ikea ainda inteiros (assim com os talheres a condizer - afinal de contas OCD e mesmo assim). Ainda nessa noite tive oportunidade de ver Over the Edge!fun fun
Hoje (ou melhor, ontem), depois de uma manha numa quest por resolver o meu problema com a internet para vos poder escrever este post, tive de ir a universidade resolver algo relacionado com uma das cadeiras. Seguiu-se uma tarde bem passada e regada a cha britanico com a Jo que tinha acabado de chegar.
E sempre dificil sair de casa mas e bom estar de volta e voltar a encontrar todas estas pessoas que tem um papel enorme na minha vida, tambem.
Beijos e Abracos
ASG (from a surprisingly dry and warm Cardiff)
segunda-feira, 2 de junho de 2008
Holidays
writing again in english as almost all my portuguese readers now have me in person to ask whatever they like and won't need to read this blog to be updated about my life (as anyone would want to be updated about my boring life...maybe my mum, haha).
so I left cardiff on thursday. it was sad to leave all my friends for the long period of 3months...I'm still trying not to think about how long it is very often...but it was amazing to see all my portuguese friends and family.
I wanted to have a proper goodbye with people that are important to me and that I consider became some of my best friends during this year. Was sad I didn't have time to do it with everyone I wanted to but, anyway...So I tried to organize and meet some friends on wednesday. It turned out to be a great but mad day...
Woke up at 8.00 that morning and made a deal with myself - I would not cry that day.
After doing laundry, packing and tidying my room, went to meet Al and we walked down to uni as I had some questions to ask in the undergraduate office. After asking the refered questions (and finding out our walking was useless as they were, apparently, dum questions), we went for lunch and had a great time having deep and random conversations as usual.
Then, we headed up home again. Al left me at my hall and I had a quick shower before meeting Rach.
Met Rachael at 3pm and, after dropping some of her stuff in senghenydd (have no idea if the spelling is right...it's very likely that it isn't), we entered a new coffee shop that had free cake when you buy any hot drink!!! Paradise...
After what we called our "mother and daughter" date, went to talybont to pick stuff she was going to leave at mine's during summer and we met Jo to have dinner.
Then,we met Al and Annie and walked down to CU. It was supposed to be CU in the park week but due to the rain that didn't stop ALL day (we were in Wales in the end...)it was at "The Gate" as usual.
Great fun was had and Jo passed me the "gummy bear rule" that I started following for no apparent reason - you have to eat two gummy bears at a time. you *can not* eat just one.
When we were about to leave (me and Jo), Rach gave me an envelope and made me promise I wouldn't open it until she said goodbye. As a good Christian daughter, I obeyed. I said goodbye to everyone and me and Jo walked home. Was almost crying when me and Jo hugged and said goodbye but I managed not to. was very impressed with myself.
I got into my flat and finally opened the envelope rach had given me. I read the card and the deal I had made with myself that morning was quickly broken...
Finished packing and went to bed (not before playing with sylvanian family for 5 min)
The next morning, left my flat at 6.45 and called the taxi. Al turned up running, late as usual, and, very kindly, took me to the train station where I got my train to Bristol.
After a nice and smooth flight, got home at 16.00 that afternoon and spent most of thrusday and friday sleeping. Saturday was chuch day away and it was awesome to see everyone again.
Starting volunteering tomorrow at a church day-care centre.
I'm having some very needed rest and enjoying the confort of my home. However, I'm missing people in Cardiff quite terribly...ah well. I'm looking forward to everything that's gonna happen this summer and can't wait to see what God has for me during this time.
Much love
ASG
terça-feira, 20 de maio de 2008
quinta-feira, 15 de maio de 2008
terça-feira, 29 de abril de 2008
Fotos
Voltamos a lingua de Camoes!! YAY! Sim, eu AINDA sei falar portugues razoavelmente e nao, eu nao tenho sotaque ingles quando falo outra lingua.
Ok, o que e que se tem passado?? hmmm...nada. Tenho estudado,estudado, feito relatorios, praticas, GBU, Hall Group, testes, mini-testes, testes para os quais estudei desalmadamente e no fim descobri que nao contavam para nota,Igreja, estudado, etc etc. Vida interessante, nao?!
A parte mais interessante desde que cheguei deve ter sido o takeaway chines+musica da disney+musica de criancas em geral e o passeio de 5 horas de ontem que me deixou completamente de rastos fisicamente...Mas foi util para afastar a culpa de nao fazer exercicio durante, pelo menos, as proximas 3 semanas. O tempo esteve fantastico e os parques e lagos que vimos valeram a pena (ver fotos)!
Igualmente importante o jogo de futebol Cardiff Uni Christin Union vs Swansea Uni CU...Uma palavra: abada...Demos 5 a 0 aos meninos de sotaque esquisito e eles nao jogaram nada. Tudo com amor entre irmaos (excepto algumas entradas "ligeiramente" violentas pela parte do nosso capitao Pete Evans que pareceram tudo excepto abracos e comunhao entre irmaos...)
Esta e a ultima semana de aulas oficialmente e depois tenho exames. Voo no dia 29 de maio de volta para Big Navy e nao serei mais caloira...sad sad
Pronto...acho que e basicamente isso que tinha em mente para esta narrativa... O importante sao as fotos, really...
Beijos e Abracos
ASG
Sarah fighting a swan
Riacho: Heath Park
Heath Park
Roath Lake
quarta-feira, 16 de abril de 2008
First entry after hols
So back in Cardiff after 3 wonderful weeks in the "discoveries land". Really nice to see some of you guys although I havent seen some people I was looking forward to which made me sad.
Anyway, thank you for all the care and love when I was there.
Cardiff is in the same place and looking the same except for the sun that decided to appear but that's going away this friday.
Just came back from CU meeting which was quite good. Peter Baker (yeah, the guy that saved my mum's housemate from dying in the sea - what a tiny small world), senior pastor at Highfields spoke about about suffering and Job. Very good indeed! This was followed by tea and cookies which are much apreciated by me (specially when I'm so hungry as I was).
One thing we found out this monday was that Dave (friend of mine)was leaving this uni and his Biology course to go and learn Teaching to special needs kids. A sad notice 'cause he is a great guy, but will come to visit :) With this, some housing stuff may change but you'll be informed when it is definitive.
Right, and I think it is it! Loads of work to get on to as usual and exams coming soon.
Hope its everything great in the sunny (oh wait...)/ cloudy land
lv
ASG
P.S.: Just a quick reference to you, guys. It worths to call the radio station when there is some contest goin on. One of the things I found out this week. Mr. Sabbo called and won a ticket to Estoril Open and got to see Federer...such luck annoys me!!
quarta-feira, 19 de março de 2008
Free from assignments! Rejoice with me
Quinta feira: Concerto do Coro com o tao aguardado Brahms e hino da universidade.
Sexta: Comboio para londres a 13.25, chegar a Paddington as 15.30, Heathrow Connect ate ao Aeroporto, Voo para lisboa as 18.20, aterrar as 20.50. Vai ser um looooongo dia.
Ok, este provavelmente vai ser o ultimo post durante algum tempo, ja que quando estiver ai nao tem muito sentido postar (pelo menos em Portugues) e tambem nao me parece que va ter muito tempo...
Portanto, Beijos e Abracos e...HAPPY EASTER!
Love
ASG
terça-feira, 4 de março de 2008
Another one in Shakespeare's language
First of all: thanks all for the comments on the last post! Love you all guys.
Second: you may be wondering ( I know you are and if not...just wonder now)"why is she writing in English again?" Well, the answer is:don't know!
My first post in English was written a couple of months ago when some people almost cried because they wanted me to write in Shakespeare's language. Well, here you have it again.
Well, as some of you said I am becoming "Britanized". Let's make a point clear here: I am not! However there are some things that I am adopting, really... I thing the most shocking one is that I now actually take milk in my tea!! Yep, I know that seems weird but it actually tastes nice (don't try to have milk with mint tea, though...it's just awful). And I'm having about 3 teas a day, in average (shocking!). Oh, and apparently I now have a british accent (according to David who suddenly seems to have developed the strongest american accent ever!) and many people make fun of me because of this...ok, ok, I'll stop.
Ok, moving on...(what was I supposed to write about...hmmm..oh yeah)my life in Wales. Life is going very well!!
This term I have done less work (true) but I'm much happier! I am actually getting to know people better and just hanging out with friends. People have been awesome, really!I think I'll have really good friends here.
About CU...well this was one of the most commented things on the last post which is really great!It's really good that people realise that we have to do our part! Not that God would not do His will if we didn't. It is written that even rocks could do it. But He has chosen us to reach others and think: what a privilege that is!!!We just have to trust that He will save and no one is too far away from Him.
We had AGM last week and voted the new committee.Our prayer is that they may continue the work the last committee has done and help us serve God as He wants to be served.
As it was read at the AGM :"For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified."(1 Corinthians 2:2) That's what we have to do: know nothing except Christ crucified..
I could not finish this post without speaking about the Kids Party!! Yep, that's right! Rachael, Rebecca, Sophie and Mark organized a party for freshers and hallgroup leaders on saturday (St.David's day, apparently) where there was a boucy-castle (yeah, cry now!mwahahah...I am imagining your jealous - in the most godly way possible - faces right now), kids games, food, etc. So much fun! Just felt 5 years younger!
Right...so I'm sitting here with my cup of tea (yep, just had one), the Martini's Applications Manual open on page 170 - "COPD: Asthma, Bronchitis and Emphysema" and an essay of 1600 words to write, trying to think about what else do I have to tell you...Oh! Quick reference to last Sunday’s evening sermon. Dai Hankey preached the third sermon of King Jesus series: Crucified King. Really good. Next week it will be about Evolution vs Creation (btw, heard that Adauto Lourenco book was really good: read it!).
Hmmm...I think that's pretty much it, really. It was a beautiful sunny day in Cardiff today so rejoice with me!!
Hugs
ASG
P.S.: You know what I think about comments... Please leave one!
P.S 1.: Apologise for any spelling or grammar mistakes... :S
quinta-feira, 21 de fevereiro de 2008
E verdade...
Os rumores que correm e que vos podem ter chegado aos ouvidos de alguma maneira confirmam-se: Passei nos exames! Aquele nervoso miudinho (que deixou de ser miudinho a medida que a data de saber os resultados se ia aproximando) cada vez que a palavra "exames" era proferida, o "ainda nao sei, so sei as notas daqui a 3 semanas" como resposta em praticamente todas as conversas que tinha,o esperar intimamente com todas as minhas forcas que passasse mas ao mesmo tempo ter sempre aquela perguntinha: "e se chumbar?", tudo isto nao tem mais razao de ser...Ja esta!
Quatro disciplinas estao feitas: Physiology I, Human Structure I, Animal Biology e Cell Biology. As notas nao foram brilhantes mas eu nao tinha expectativas nao-realisticas quanto a esse assunto. O ter passado ja me chega nesta fase do campeonato.Agora e trabalhar e esperar que se passe o mesmo nos exames de final de ano...
Mas outras coisas acontecem que nao exames...
O GBU esta em fase de mudanca de committee e toda a lideranca, de alguma forma, apos uma Mission Week cheia de actividades e que surtiu o efeito pretendido: 3 pessoas foram salvas e muitas dezenas ouviram o Evangelho. Entre palestras,concertos, reunioes, "Grill a Christian" (sessao em que nao-crentes podiam perguntar as questoes que tivessem quanto ao cristianismo a um painel da direcao do GBU).
Quanto a este ultimo evento (no qual nao estive presente mas fiz questao de me informar de como tinha corrido),aparentemente houve uma intervencao a salientar. Uma das pessoas a assistir perguntou se os Cristaos achavam que se alguem nao acreditasse em Cristo seria condenado ao inferno. A resposta foi sim, numa versao resumida. Este rapaz nao-crente entao disse:
.
" If I knew that I could stop you [refering to a friend of his on the panel] being knifed tomorrow by some guy, knowing where you live, I would do everything I could to stop this from happening. I would protect you and look out for you. And yet, you Christians believe that those who don't believe will spend forever in Hell, being tormented and tortured forever. If I thought that was the case I wouldn't be able to sleep at night, worried about those I love. I would spend every moment I could, every opportunity I could to warn people about this..."
The response from Pete Evans (presente no painel de respostas) came "You should run the CU mate." (como disse eu nao estive presente entao estes ultimos paragrafos sao uma citacao do blog de Rachael Davison - cheers Rach!)
Como podem perceber isto atordoa um bocado...Estas afirmacoes feitas por uma pessoa que nao conhece Cristo ainda torna a situacao mais propicia a fazer corar muitos cristaos, incluindo muitos de nos na Christian Union. O painel desculpou-se aquele rapaz em nome da CU pelos nossos falhancos nesta area... Shocking...
Continuando com a CU... Como disse o committee esta a mudar, os hall group leaders estao a mudar, as equipas estao a mudar, etc...Estamos numa fase de mudanca...Votacoes, reunioes, AGM, etc...Mas esta tudo a correr bem e confiamos que a nova lideranca ira continuar o bom trabalho da anterior...
Ontem a reuniao foi sobre Tiago 2:14-26, boas obras e fe...Nao foi bem o meu estilo...O pregador era, nao sei bem como dizer, ligeiramente violento... Algumas primeiras frases que disse foram do genero: "Pela minha experiencia a maior parte de voces, quando morrer irao para o inferno", "A maior parte do vosso committee ira para o inferno e das pessoas que estiveram a liderar o louvor tambem poucas sao salvas","Era preferivel que estivessem neste momento bebados e a dormir em algum lado na rua do que estarem aqui". Claro que depois explicou e atenuou um pouco as suas afirmacoes mas foi chocante durante toda a mensagem...E continuou na mesma onda...Eu compreendo que muitas vezes como crentes precisemos de ser "acordados" mas certas afirmacoes que fez nao foram razoaveis a meu ver. As opinioes divergiram quanto a pregacao...Alguns acharam que foi bom e desafiante, outros foram deitados (demasiado) a baixo...eu enquadro-me num plano intermedio...Em resumo, foi sem duvida uma pregacao forte. A minha opiniao:as coisas que ele disse sim, a maneira como as disse nao.
E pronto..os meus dias tem sido passados entre relatorios, praticas,CU, Geraint Probert CD, coro (estamos a cantar Brahms - demais) e sair com os amigos...Dentro do normal agitado,
E pronto, digam la que nao tinham saudades destes posts enormes?? Nao podem negar... Agora, please, deixem um comentariozinho..va la, va la, va la, va la....
Beijos e Abracos
ASG
quinta-feira, 31 de janeiro de 2008
Headlines:
2: Neste endereco esta um video do genial Ricardo Araujo Pereira no contexto do encerramento das urgencias e da relacao Bombeiro-INEM. Mais uma vez genial. Vejam a descricao do video para encontrarem o link para a noticia real tambem ela lamentavelmente hilariante. Passado algum tempo dei-me conta de que realmente o facto de os nomes Mafamude e Canidelo me serem familiares tinha a ver com o facto de conhecer gente de la (mas podem crer que me levou para ai uma hora a tentar lembrar-me o que e que se passava em Mafamude-pra mim isso e tudo Gaia). Portanto beijinho especial pros Monteiro e Fonseca - Mafamude e Canidelo/Grijo, respectivamente.
http://pl.youtube.com/watch?v=s5n9jPQsRPk
3: Este blog tem andado muito parado de comentarios, pessoal.. Vamos la... Nao tem piada tar para aqui a escrever se depois nao sei o que acharam. E sintam-se livres para elogiar, criticar, gozar ou ate mesmo insultar estes posts. Afinal e para isso que os escrevo... Se nao escrevia um diario, nao era?!
Beijos e abracos
ASG
P.S.: Amanha diz que vai nevar!!!! YUPI!!!
sexta-feira, 25 de janeiro de 2008
Mr. Joseph Grice and Mr. David Hanninghton-Smith
segunda-feira, 21 de janeiro de 2008
Physiology I: the sequel
Outra prova que nao correu bem nem mal... A materia e definitivamente mais interessante do que a de Cell Biology mas tambem mais dificil. A escolha multipla correu melhor, mas a dissertacao ja nao correu tao bem...
Portanto pesando as duas coisas nao sei o que dali vai sair. Esperemos que positiva mas esperemos sentados.
Quarta feira, Human Structure I, 9:00 da manha (gostaram da hora, pelos vistos... eu e que nao... ter de acordar as 7.30 nao e a coisa mais agradavel do mundo para mim), City Hall ( ainda por cima escolheram um sitio pertinho e tudo...que bondosos)
Wish me luck
Beijos e abracos
ASG
terça-feira, 15 de janeiro de 2008
Cell Biology ? - Soraia ?
Ok, e mesmo verdade... O exame nao correu mal... Mas tambem nao correu bem... Como diria o Joe:
"Joe, how was the exam?"
"Hmm... It was...meh... (encolhendo os ombros)"
sexta-feira, 11 de janeiro de 2008
Back to business
Finalmente volto a escrever algo! Depois de intimada veementemente a faze-lo, volto a postar neste espaco. Estas ultimas 3 semanas foram de ferias e estive em casa, pelo que grande parte das pessoas que leem o blog estiveram comigo e deu pa contar as novidades (ou nao...).
Nao posso prometer regularidade nos posts porque agora e tempo de exames e e mesmo assim... Ou estudo, ou chumbo (convenhamos que a ultima opcao nao seria o ponto alto do ano, por assim dizer...). E como nao sao acontecimentos contrarios (a probabilidade de um, menos probabilidade do outro nao da zero - Probabilidades Matematica 12... nao desejo a ninguem) posso estudar e chumbar na mesma e tambem, mas com uma probabilidade a raiar o -1 ja, posso nao estudar e passar (naaah... nao me parece).
Bem, tenho a dizer que o meu primeiro exame e dia 15 de Cell Biology. A disciplina e uma grande seca, o que nao quer dizer que seja facil (nao quer dizer, meeeeeesmo). Montes de coisinhas para decorar, ate ao mais infimo pormenor que nao lembra a ninguem (nao vou especificar nenhuma porque ha realmente muitos). Os exames que se seguem, Physiology I, Human Structure I e Animal Biology sao de disciplinas mais interessantes mas sao tambem mais dificeis (acho eu). Ou seja, avizinham-se duas semanas ligeiramente stressantes (pronto, pronto razoavelmente stressantes...)
Agora tenho de ir a faculdade carimbar o meu dicionario Portugues-Ingles, Ingles-Portugues para o poder usar nos exames... O unico inconveniente e a chuva, o vento, o ceu cinzento carregado, o frio de rachar, as pocas de agua,os carros que passam por cima das pocas de agua e molham os transiuntes, os Autocarros que passam por cima das pocas de agua e molham os transiuntes... enfim... uma pequena quantidade de coisas que me fazem ter que ganhar coragem para sair de casa. Ah, e tambem tenho de ir a farmacia, O2 (telemoveis - patrocina o Arsenal, acho eu, para quem gosta de futebol) e a estacao de comboios (penso que estou a ser ousada de mais, mas pronto...)
Ok, fui
Beijos e Abracos
ASG
P.S.: Por favor comentem.... Pleeeeeeaaaaaseee