I came across this song when I was watching a "You Tube" video on children in Africa who are dying of AIDS. The lyrics are so beautiful so I thought I would share them with you. I challenge you to the title... "I dare you to move, to step up and make a stand on a global issues, to learn about an issue that is happening in our world today. I even dared myself and I am going start today, this very moment." 

Dare You To Move 
Welcome to the planet 
Welcome to existence 
Everyone's here 
Everyone's here 
Everybody's watching you now 
Everybody waits for you now 
What happens next? 
What happens next? 

I dare you to move 
I dare you to move 
I dare you to lift yourself up off the floor 
I dare you to move 
I dare you to move 
Like today never happened 
Today never happened before 

Welcome to the fallout 
Welcome to resistance 
The tension is here 
The tension is here 
Between who you are and who you could be 
Between how it is and how it should be 

I dare you to move 
I dare you to move 
I dare you to lift yourself up off the floor 
I dare you to move 
I dare you to move 
Like today never happened 
Today never happened 

Maybe redemption has stories to tell 
Maybe forgiveness is right where you fell 
Where can you run to escape from yourself? 
Where you gonna go? 
Where you gonna go? 
Salvation is here 

I dare you to move 
I dare you to move 
I dare you to lift yourself, to lift yourself up off the floor 
I dare you to move 
I dare you to move 
Like today never happened 
Today never happened 
Today never happened 
Today never happened before

Read more: http://artists.letssingit.com/switchfoot-lyrics-dare-you-to-move-6m8p776#ixzz1Z4kFHrLr 
LetsSingIt - Your favorite Music Community 

"Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today. Teach a man to fish; and you have fed him for a lifetime."

I feel like we could separate society into groups:

-A group that is actively involved and up to date with global issues
-A group that is aware of the issues and concerns, but tends to continue on in everyday rhythm
-A a group that is completely unaware of what is going on

I am going to admit that until now I have probably fit into the second group. Global issues are something I am aware of, and am passionate about but I tend to not step up and get involved. I feel I do this, because I don't know where to begin. I have strong opinions and care about the world so much I don't know where to focus my attention too. I  know the introduction course to International Studies is going to help me become more aware, enable me to step up and begin to see what it really is that I want to focus my attention on.
In today's class we talked about the: "Millennium Development Goals for 2015." If you type in the following link you can check them out: http://www.beta.undp.org/undp/en/home/mdgoverview.html

The question is: Do we think that this is possible?
Although there has been a lot of progress in these steps we are already in the year 2011 and still quite far from reaching these goals. How are we to reach these goals though if a majority of the people (such as group number three) have no idea what is going on!?!
Its like if you knew what they used to make a hamburger patty at McDonalds in the US you may think twice about eating it. This won't change until the consumer speaks up and demands changes in the product. It is because of the consumers that McDonalds makes billions of dollars all over the world (even Fiji)!!! So why bother if the consumer is going to continue to buy the product?
I feel that we need to make our society more aware of global Issues. Not just through the news, and the internet, but in everyday life. Through education in the schools and at home, within communities, churches, and so on. Are we prepared to handle a crisis?
And as Christians... are we prepared? Is our churches?

The true way to handle a matter wisely is to trust in the Lord. This is the sure clue to the most intricate labyrinths of life, follow it and find eternal bliss.

Fear imprisons, faith liberates; fear paralyzes, faith empowers; faith heals; fear makes useless, faith makes serviceable-and, most of all, fear puts hopelessness at the heart of life, while faith rejoices in its God.

After a fantastic weekend, of parties, dancing, church, BBQ's, hanging with all these amazing people and reading "Sophie's World" I am super tired... My more in depth blogs will have to wait till the week days!!

Night;

Nicole xox

Its almost 12am. I am really trying to write a blog everyday soo... At the moment I am so tired, so I don't know what to say. haha But I have learned that as much as I want to do well and study hard, its important to make time for fun as well!  Had a blast dancing with a few of my fellow classmates, and an enjoyable evening getting to know you guys. I am really looking forward to the months to come!! SSU Rocks!!

Love always;
Nikki xox

I am going to try very hard to post on my blog everyday... hopefully I will be able to keep up.

Today I want to share with you about something I read for a class. We are having to read this book in Ancient history (note the name of it and author in the title of this blog) and we are also reading the entire Old Testament. Anyways, I just finished reading the first chapter of this book and on the first page a few sentences down I came across one in particular which stood out for me. Anyone who is reading the old testament or who is attempting too... I think this could help. The author Sandra L. Richter explains: "We take our first step across the great barrier by addressing what I believe is the most profound distinction between "us" and "them": culture.

In this book she is referring to understanding the culture in the Old Testament. I think this is a very helpful way of looking at the Bible, especially the Old Testament. But I also feel that we can apply this to society today as well. We often associate differences (not always positive) among different ethnics, religions, groups, and so on as: "us" and "them."

Humm... I will have to continue the thought process on this, unfortunately my brain feels like it is going into overtime.

I would love to hear any thoughts or comments.

Well I must admit at this moment I am very frustrated as I had just finished writing a whole blog..... and then once I posted it I realized I had wrote it in the title so I am now having to do it ALL again as I didn't save it to my drafts... Sometimes technology really ticks me off. So here it goes again...

The past year has been challenging in so many ways. After being abroad for 3 years, traveling alone, living spontaneously, and living out of a backpack... it was a huge adjustment to come back home to PEI and live with my parents (whom I love my dearly)! But as challenging as it was... it was a true blessing to be able to be back home and spend time with my family and friends, to become more stronger spiritually, and emotionally in my faith, as a person and spend time getting to know my beautiful niece "Lexie." I have come to understand and love myself more then ever.

So after a busy summer of working, and helping my good mate with wedding plans I am finally here at SSU.

SSU is a special place (the smallest University in Canada for those of you who don't know), but a special place filled with hope, love and faith. My first week here has been overwhelming in many ways. Living as a small community has both its up and downs and of course the amount of information my brain has been taking in... I imagine someone blowing air into a balloon... it just keeps expanding and expanding until it finally bursts.

There is about 40 students this year plus the staff, so it gives you an idea of how small we are.  We are a community who learn, study, live, play, clean, cook, eat, pray and share with. Each of us has a strong, beautiful personality which makes each of us stand out. This also makes for an incredible learning experience. Everyone adds to the community with their personal idea's, strengths, and talents. I have tired to take time to get to know different individuals, time to get organized and of course to study. Here at SSU, you need to learn how to balance your life... otherwise you might go nutty!

Today I feel tired, and am looking forward to the weekend. But... I am looking forward to the next few months as well. I am super stoked to keep learning, to challenge myself in new ways, to continue to grow as a person, and to make new friends.

Love always,
Nikki :) xox