2008 is coming to a close. It is hard to believe how fast this year went. I look back and wonder what I accomplished and there are a few things. But I have decided to let this new year be a new beginning. No looking back, just moving forward. As Anne Shirley said, "tomorrow is always fresh, with no mistakes in it".
I have some goals for myself. They are not New Year's Resolutions. Just goals that I hope to achieve. If they don't happen, I won't beat myself up over it.
Here they are:
1) I want to be better at keeping in touch with my friends. Somehow life has moved so many of my favourite people around the world and I'm very bad about getting so wrapped up in what is happening in my own little world, that I neglect them. No more! This is the time when I want to renew those friendships and make sure they know how much they mean to me.
2) I am going to lose 15 lbs. Now, this is one of those things I might beat myself up over! I am going to subject myself to the fitness classes after school at Thom. I have lost 9 lbs already and there is no reason to stop now. I want to feel healthy in my body. Not skinny, just healthy. I don't feel that way right now.
3) I am going to relearn my French skills. In the last five years, I have really let them slip and it bothers me. There is no reason to let all of that training go to waste. I bought some books today. I'm going to tackle that ASAP!
4) I'm going to be a better recycler. I started that this past year and I'm doing better, but I am definitely not perfect. Crown Shred and Recycling is an easy way to do that, I just need to get at it.
5) Last, but not least, I am going to join a Bible Study. I haven't been a part of one in a long time. Some friends of mine and I have talked about it, now we just need to do it. If we don't, I'll join something else.
That's it. 5 goals that are important to me on this eve of a new year. I hope a year from now, when I look back, I can be proud of myself for achieving what I've set out to accomplish.
Yay for a new year!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Another "Chapter" Closed
I've had a lot of part-time jobs. This one was my second favourite...only next to Blessings and considering the sameness of duties, it isn't really fair to say I like one more than the other.
I left work today at 2:05 pm for the last time. I'll miss it. I love the atmosphere of Chapters. It isn't pushy, the music is nice, I am surrounded by books. The people I worked with were great. The managers were awesome and the floor staff was very helpful and friendly. I didn't want to be done, but sometimes life makes choices for us.
I am tired. Working two jobs is not as easy as one would like to think. Some days, I would teach at 7:30 in the morning and work until 10:30 at night. Or I'd work until 10:30 at night and be up to teach at 7:30 in the morning. It got to be a bit overwhelming.
They want me back. That's a good sign. I must have done a good job. If time allows this spring, I'll go back and I'll be happy about it. I shall miss my 30% discount!
Where one chapter ends, another begins. So it shall be, even though this Chapter has a bittersweet ending.
I left work today at 2:05 pm for the last time. I'll miss it. I love the atmosphere of Chapters. It isn't pushy, the music is nice, I am surrounded by books. The people I worked with were great. The managers were awesome and the floor staff was very helpful and friendly. I didn't want to be done, but sometimes life makes choices for us.
I am tired. Working two jobs is not as easy as one would like to think. Some days, I would teach at 7:30 in the morning and work until 10:30 at night. Or I'd work until 10:30 at night and be up to teach at 7:30 in the morning. It got to be a bit overwhelming.
They want me back. That's a good sign. I must have done a good job. If time allows this spring, I'll go back and I'll be happy about it. I shall miss my 30% discount!
Where one chapter ends, another begins. So it shall be, even though this Chapter has a bittersweet ending.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
The Power of Conviction
I have been convicted this Christmas season...why you ask? It has nothing to do with spending or needing to be more focused on Christ. It has everything to do with eating. My new motto is "Christmas is not an excuse to overeat". In the past, I have allowed the season to dictate my eating habits, but no more. I have really been convicted of this. Food is my drug of choice. It is a neccessity that has become an addiction.
I have discovered that I rank sin. No really. I think overeating is a much lesser sin than say, I don't know, stealing $50k or killing your neighbour. The Bible doesn't rank sin, it tells us we all sin, regardless of what that sin may look like.
So, I have been convicted and it has been a good reminder. I have not gained a single pound this Christmas. In fact, I have lost a couple! Yay Me!
Christmas is not about the food. It is about the Saviour. What better focus could there be than that?
I have discovered that I rank sin. No really. I think overeating is a much lesser sin than say, I don't know, stealing $50k or killing your neighbour. The Bible doesn't rank sin, it tells us we all sin, regardless of what that sin may look like.
So, I have been convicted and it has been a good reminder. I have not gained a single pound this Christmas. In fact, I have lost a couple! Yay Me!
Christmas is not about the food. It is about the Saviour. What better focus could there be than that?
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Confidence
I wish I had the same confidence in all areas of my life as I have when I step in front of a choir. I'm good at what I do - and I know it. Not to be conceited or proud...that's not what I mean. But I can be myself in front of a choir and have expectations because I have the confidence to make it happen.
I don't have that degree of confidence anywhere else. I wish I could be as open and conversational when I meet new people. I clam up and wonder what on earth to talk about.
I wish I had more confidence to talk to guys. Doesn't matter who the guy is, I get all tongue-tied and stupid. It's ridiculous really.
I wish I was that confident when I talk about my faith. My relationship with Christ is so important and yet I'm very shy when it comes to speaking about it.
I wish I was as confident when it came to playing the piano or solo singing. I'm also good at that, but I am also a bundle of nerves.
I don't know where the confidence comes from when I step before a choir. I do things that I would never do in any other situation. I make jokes and I make demands. I expect results.
I want to transfer some of that confidence into other areas of my life. I'm just not sure how to make that happen.
I don't have that degree of confidence anywhere else. I wish I could be as open and conversational when I meet new people. I clam up and wonder what on earth to talk about.
I wish I had more confidence to talk to guys. Doesn't matter who the guy is, I get all tongue-tied and stupid. It's ridiculous really.
I wish I was that confident when I talk about my faith. My relationship with Christ is so important and yet I'm very shy when it comes to speaking about it.
I wish I was as confident when it came to playing the piano or solo singing. I'm also good at that, but I am also a bundle of nerves.
I don't know where the confidence comes from when I step before a choir. I do things that I would never do in any other situation. I make jokes and I make demands. I expect results.
I want to transfer some of that confidence into other areas of my life. I'm just not sure how to make that happen.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
For the Love of Books
I love books - I always have. I love to read. I work at Chapters part-time which not only cultivates my love to read, but has also really expanded my horizons.
Sometimes working there stresses me out. I look at all the books and think of all the paper that goes into making those books, and how many trees have to be cut down to cultivate my love of reading. Then I go to the magazine section. People don't buy the magazines. They come to Chapters after they have purchased their Starbuck's creation and sit and read them. Then, they put them back on the shelf (or throw them on the bench, as the case is more often than not) and leave. The magazines that don't get sold (which is most of them), get sent back to the publisher. I have no idea what the publisher does with them, but I'm guessing they go in the garbage. Once a new edition comes out, the old ones are history. Such a waste.
I am often amazed as I shelve books to the diversity of subject. Chapters is over 20,000 square feet in size and has more than 400,000 books. That's a lot of books. The area that always makes me stop and think is the religion section. On one side of the shelf is the Christianity section. Here you can find Bibles, devotionals, spiritual living, and all other manner of Christian books...right next to it, is the Eastern religion section and right next to that is the New Age. On the same table, there is a book by TD Jakes and right next to it is a book called "God is Not Great". Talk about two opposing views sitting side-by-side.
Then you go up to the business section, where for some reason, the humour section also lives. Seems strange. The humour section has everything from Uncle John's Bathroom Readers (probably about 50 different titles) to Calvin and Hobbes in the comic section.
Then there are the books that just make you laugh. There is a book called "What's Your Poo Telling You?" - and this isn't found in the humour section. It's found in the gastrointestinal section in lifestyles and well-being. AND if you are REALLY serious about finding out what your poo is telling you, you can buy the companion poo log. Yes, you can journal about your poo. OR what about the book on farts, with sound effects and everything. Talk about in depth.
My favourite section is the cooking section. I don't cook, but I like putting the books away. You can find All-Time favourites to Japanese cooking to creating cocktails to writers on food. And then of course there are the many famous TV chefs, all of whom have a million books.
I haven't even touched on Fiction, romance, horror, mystery, true crime, the sex section, the work-out section, the kids section, the history section, the music and arts section, the biography section, the self-help section (which I think is a bit ridiculous), the gift section, the bargain section, the best-sellers, Heather's picks and the list goes on. There isn't enough time for me to got through it all. Sometimes it is overwhelming - yet great!
Ah, I love books!
Sometimes working there stresses me out. I look at all the books and think of all the paper that goes into making those books, and how many trees have to be cut down to cultivate my love of reading. Then I go to the magazine section. People don't buy the magazines. They come to Chapters after they have purchased their Starbuck's creation and sit and read them. Then, they put them back on the shelf (or throw them on the bench, as the case is more often than not) and leave. The magazines that don't get sold (which is most of them), get sent back to the publisher. I have no idea what the publisher does with them, but I'm guessing they go in the garbage. Once a new edition comes out, the old ones are history. Such a waste.
I am often amazed as I shelve books to the diversity of subject. Chapters is over 20,000 square feet in size and has more than 400,000 books. That's a lot of books. The area that always makes me stop and think is the religion section. On one side of the shelf is the Christianity section. Here you can find Bibles, devotionals, spiritual living, and all other manner of Christian books...right next to it, is the Eastern religion section and right next to that is the New Age. On the same table, there is a book by TD Jakes and right next to it is a book called "God is Not Great". Talk about two opposing views sitting side-by-side.
Then you go up to the business section, where for some reason, the humour section also lives. Seems strange. The humour section has everything from Uncle John's Bathroom Readers (probably about 50 different titles) to Calvin and Hobbes in the comic section.
Then there are the books that just make you laugh. There is a book called "What's Your Poo Telling You?" - and this isn't found in the humour section. It's found in the gastrointestinal section in lifestyles and well-being. AND if you are REALLY serious about finding out what your poo is telling you, you can buy the companion poo log. Yes, you can journal about your poo. OR what about the book on farts, with sound effects and everything. Talk about in depth.
My favourite section is the cooking section. I don't cook, but I like putting the books away. You can find All-Time favourites to Japanese cooking to creating cocktails to writers on food. And then of course there are the many famous TV chefs, all of whom have a million books.
I haven't even touched on Fiction, romance, horror, mystery, true crime, the sex section, the work-out section, the kids section, the history section, the music and arts section, the biography section, the self-help section (which I think is a bit ridiculous), the gift section, the bargain section, the best-sellers, Heather's picks and the list goes on. There isn't enough time for me to got through it all. Sometimes it is overwhelming - yet great!
Ah, I love books!
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Governmental Unrest
I am not normally the political type. I follow politics a bit, have my views and opinions, have chosen the party that I will vote for and such, but I don't tend to express those views openly.
However, the last few days have made me feel a lot of unrest. As a democratic nation, Canadian citizens have the right to choose their government. This time, it meant that we would have a minority Conservative Government and the Liberals would be the official opposition. Sometime between October 14th and now, the Liberals decided that they didn't like being the opposition and wanted to be in power. They are now trying to form a coalition government with the NDP and the Bloc Quebecois. Basically what they are saying to Canadians is that they could care less about what the voters wanted and will form their own government.
I thought I lived in a democratic country. I have realized now that it is only partially true. The law does not prevent the Liberals and NDPs from forming a coalition government. They now have the power to overturn the people's decision by combining and choosing a leader amongst themselves. Just because it is a law, doesn't make it right. Our Governor General has the final say...we have placed the political situation of our country in the hands of one woman. I pray she makes the right decision.
I have been amazed at the outcry and outrage that is coming out from all across the country. Liberal and NDP supporters are not happy about the coalition, even though it would bring power to their party of choice. Conservative supporters are obviously not happy because it would mean the fall of a government that they elected.
I can understand now why so many countries have political or military coups. It is much easier than I would have thought to overturn the people's decision. We don't have a real democracy. We have a democracy that depends on good people being in power and when the wrong ones are there, it is easy to turn the tables.
Welcome to Canada. A place that could once hold pride in it's government, but where shame and disgrace may soon reign.
However, the last few days have made me feel a lot of unrest. As a democratic nation, Canadian citizens have the right to choose their government. This time, it meant that we would have a minority Conservative Government and the Liberals would be the official opposition. Sometime between October 14th and now, the Liberals decided that they didn't like being the opposition and wanted to be in power. They are now trying to form a coalition government with the NDP and the Bloc Quebecois. Basically what they are saying to Canadians is that they could care less about what the voters wanted and will form their own government.
I thought I lived in a democratic country. I have realized now that it is only partially true. The law does not prevent the Liberals and NDPs from forming a coalition government. They now have the power to overturn the people's decision by combining and choosing a leader amongst themselves. Just because it is a law, doesn't make it right. Our Governor General has the final say...we have placed the political situation of our country in the hands of one woman. I pray she makes the right decision.
I have been amazed at the outcry and outrage that is coming out from all across the country. Liberal and NDP supporters are not happy about the coalition, even though it would bring power to their party of choice. Conservative supporters are obviously not happy because it would mean the fall of a government that they elected.
I can understand now why so many countries have political or military coups. It is much easier than I would have thought to overturn the people's decision. We don't have a real democracy. We have a democracy that depends on good people being in power and when the wrong ones are there, it is easy to turn the tables.
Welcome to Canada. A place that could once hold pride in it's government, but where shame and disgrace may soon reign.
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