My favorite part about working nights:

Watching the sunrise! (these pictures don't do it justice!)




**Disclamer: These pictures were not taken while I was on duty. In fact they were taken after I left work.**

Preparing for Christmas

only 2 weeks until Christmas and for the first time this year, while making small talk, I found myself asking the dreaded, cliche question: "Are you ready for Christmas?" I hate that question, and I don't know why I asked it...but it seemed like the "right" thing to say at this time of year.

The tree is up and decorated! The Christmas tunes are pumpin'! I've baked a couple of batches of Christmas cookies. I have NOT started buying gifts yet (That's what Christmas Eve is for...haha!) What else is there left to do?

I went to church tonight and the pastor was talking about the story of Zachariah and Elizabeth and when they found out that they would have a son: John, the one who would prepare the way for Jesus. After a period of shock and unbelief, both Zachariah and Elizabeth were pretty excited to have a son. The end of Zachariah's prophesy in Luke 1:76-79 says:

"And you my little son, will be called the prophet of the Most High, because you will prepare the way for the Lord. You will tell his people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins. Because of God's tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace."

John was supposed to get ready for Jesus's coming to the world. How did he do that? By telling others about salvation through forgiveness and giving them something to hope for. Maybe that's what getting ready for Christmas is all about. Just a thought.

And the bunny trail: Not going to lie...I was slightly distracted when the pastor read Luke 1:62 and just kept going. I found it odd and confusing. It is after John is born and the family are confused as to why Elizabeth wants to call the baby "John". They turn to Zachariah. The verse says: "so they used gestures to ask the baby's father what he wanted to name him." Why did they use gestures? Zachariah couldn't speak...but it doesn't say anywhere that he couldn't hear. Weird.

Cowboy Angel

I love this song (Put the the Lights on the Tree) by Sufjan Stevens. Last year my cousin and I played/sang it at our Christmas gathering. The animation makes it even better! Ever since the lights have been put on my tree, I have had this song in my head.

Post-Dramatic Stress Disorder (PDSD)

**Disclaimer: The intention of this post is not to make light of an actual serious illness of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder...but rather to provide a therapeutic outlet for myself as a recovering PDSD sufferer.**

What is PDSD?
It is an emotional condition that develops as a result in participating in a dramatic production. The symptoms generally start developing after closing night. It is an acute disorder that has a good prognosis. However, once one has experienced this disorder, they are more likely to experience it again in the future!

Symptoms may include two or more of the following:
-Feelings of sadness
-Randomly inserting lines from the play into everyday life
-Having flashbacks/nightmares about the play
-Erroneously believing that they have to go to rehearsal.
-Wishing they had some fake eyelashes to wear
-Headaches
-Nausea, Vomiting, and Diarrhea
-Oliguria
-Cardiac arrhythmia's

Treatments:
There has been very little research done in the area of treatments for this disorder. One sufferer of this disorder stated that keeping in contact with cast and crew members helped diminish the symptoms. Drinking a hot cup of tea and reading a good book also been known to help ease the suffering. Talking about your experiences with others (even if they get sick of hearing about all your stories) is another recommended therapy.

Prevention:
The only prevention is abstinence: Do not get involved in any dramatic productions, EVER! But really, who wants to do that?

P.S. In case you're wondering...I only experienced 3 of the 9 listed symptoms...I guess it was a mild case. :)

Here goes nothing...

I always said I'd never teach anything because I am bad at explaining things. Words don't come to me on the spot. (Probably one reason why I hate improv). I don't mind going in front of a crowd of strangers and saying words that someone else has written...but when I have to make up my own words, I start to feel my palms get sweaty and my heart start racing. A lot of my friends are teachers, and I have never envied them. Well, I am a nurse...and guess what comes with that job, TEACHING!! I do a tonne of teaching everyday regarding care for babies, how to take care of healing incisions, when to come in and get things checked out. I do a pile of education about medications, surgical and medical procedures....and the list goes on and on. Who would have guessed. Had I known that was involved with nursing, I may have been scared out of going into this profession. But now I am doing it, and it's not as big of a deal as I thought. I am now taking that next step in stretching myself and have agreed to teach prenatal classes. I am finally okay with the "informal" one-on-one teaching with my patients...but this will be in a classroom, and I will have to talk for a long time...and I hope it will make sense! I am quite nervous to say the least. All the information I will tell them, is stuff that I teach my patients everyday who are in labour. It will just be in a different setting with many different couples listening and asking questions, instead of just one couple. What if I can't answer their questions. What if I totally lose them and don't make any sense. What if I'm really boring and they hate it. I guess we'll find out tonight. I guess I should prepare a bit for this lesson...

"Good teaching is one-fourth preparation and three-fourths theater." -Gail Godwin

Water

"When the poor and needy search for water and there is none, and their tongues are parched from thirst, then I, the LORD, will answer them. I, the God of Israel, will never abandon them." -Isaiah 41:17

My sister showed me this link to a couple of video's and articles from the Winnipeg Free Press about the shortage of running water in Manitoba. This is the type of stuff that makes me angry. I am not normally an angry person...but situations like this upset me a great deal. There are many people living in third-world conditions in our own province. What are we doing about it? How can we make this right? I know it's all very complicated and political and everything, but these are real people who live in an environment where infections and diseases are bound to spread. This does not promote healthy living, in fact it can be fatal. Some of them don't even have the option to make some of the healthy choices we make everyday (like washing our hands with clean water, or flushing the toilet to get rid of waste). It's not right. What CAN I do about this? I feel so helpless.

"And if you give even a cup of cold water to the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded." -Matthew 10:42

Becoming Mollie

I am in a play. It will be opening in less than 2 weeks. This is quite a scary revelation (not the fact that I'm in a play...just the part that it's coming up so soon!!). I feel like I have so much more work to do to prepare for this. There's the lines for one. But there is a lot about becoming a character that one has to think about...and I do think about it...but then I get stuck on how to portray that to others properly. I don't see myself as a very expressive person, in fact I'm often quite reserved, but I have to remind myself that Lori isn't on the stage...Mollie is. (And Mollie apparently doesn't laugh nearly as often as Lori does). So that's my pep-talk to myself. Other than that, I am very excited for performances. It has been a lot of fun getting everything together and I hope that everyone will enjoy it!

New Home-Owner Diaries: Fall edition

I thought I'd be clever and wait till all (or at least most) of the leaves fell off of my trees before cleaning up my yard. This seemed like a good idea to me especially when I watched my neighbor rake multiple times...it seemed futile to me to be out there raking every other day. But then I felt a little bad because my yard was a bit of an eyesore and the leaves on my yard kept blowing onto the neighbor's yard. One day when I was outside the aforementioned neighbor kindly showed me her new leaf-blower and offered (or more like strongly suggested) that I could borrow it any time! I then decided I probably should clean up the yard. Most of the leaves were gone anyway, so I thought it would be okay. So I mowed up the leaves (which is probably cheating, but it sure beats raking). My dear neighbor lady had already made a pile of leaves for me on the side of my yard that joins with hers. (Very passive-aggressive move on her part.) The next day my lawn had leaves on it again. It's never ending. So, mental note for next year...don't worry about what the neighbors think...and maybe do something extra nice for the neighbor who raked a pile of leaves for me (since she probably hates me by now).

My next project is to get my fish in from the pond and clean out the pond for the winter. I'm not looking forward to that.

Hikes, Haircuts, and Happiness

Last week Jessy, Bentley, and I went hiking in the hills. I didn't think Bentley would last very long...but I think he had more energy than me by the end!

Today, Bentley got a haircut, so this is his "Before" shot (yes, I know I'm geeky like that).

And this is his "After" picture:

I think he's pretty cute...and he thinks he's quite the stud muffin...especially with his "girlfriend" Pippin! I'm trying to teach him how to be a gentleman, but I guess that takes time. :)

All we need is love

Hate always fuels more hate. Nobody wins when one retaliates with hateful words or actions. I am appalled, ashamed and embarrassed by the Christians in Florida who feel that they should have a Qur'an-burning to send a message to Muslim people. I could go on about how ridiculous and derespectful I believe that is...but that's not the point of my rant.


Too many evil things in this world have happened in the name of religion. Why is it that the radical extremists from different religious groups tend to create chaos and spread hate? Where are the extremists from the other side of the spectrum? Where are the people who are radically spreading love, mercy and justice? Whatever happened to extending forgiveness and grace to people? When will The Church rise up and show the world what it really means to love; to care for the poor, the widows, the orphans, and foreigners? Justice doesn't mean retaliation or getting even, it means to take a wrong and make it right. Two wrongs don't make a right.



I know there are people in this world that live a life of extreme love, peace, mercy and justice. I just wish we would hear more about those people instead of the other side of things. I guess it's just a kick in the pants for me to be more aware of my own attitudes and to be more deliberate in my actions to actively break the cycle of hate, indifference, resentment, and ignorance.

b-b-b-Bentley and the Jetsssss!

So I got a puppy. Yes, his name is Bentley. No, he doesn't have electric boots or a mohair suit. Bentley is a 9 month old Yorkie and he is terribly cute! He's adjusted to his new home fairly well. He had one accident in the first couple of days that I got him, while I was at work. But he hasn't had any more of those. He's fairly quiet, too...except when he sees other dogs. He gets pretty worked up about it! He does really well with my niece's and nephew too...they really love him. I love going for walks with him (I'm sure that 'novelty' will wear off eventually...probably around the same time that the weather gets cooler). How do people with dogs do it in winter? I'm sure my little guys's feet would freeze if I walked him in winter...I guess these are things I will learn.

the doggy dilemma

Lately, I've been looking into getting a puppy. I would really like a Yorkshire Terrier. I think that they're absolutely adorable. My previous room-mate had a dog. I had never lived with a dog until Paddington came to live with us. At first I was annoyed and yelled at him a lot because he was very jumpy and craved attention. You see, he was used to living with 4 active children and their parents, before moving in with us. I'm sure he missed those kids and all the attention that they gave him. But he kinda grew on me and he started hanging around me a little more when my room-mate wasn't around. (I still did yell at him from time to time, but sometimes dogs are mischievous and need to be kept in line.) After Paddington left, I realized that I missed having him around. Don't get me wrong...I don't miss the jumping, but I really do like dogs. So, I decided that I should get one. I'm a little apprehensive because I know it will be a lot of work, but I think it will be fun and worth it. Or at least I hope it will be. I'm also concerned about leaving him alone when I go to work...but I suppose other people do it and their dogs are okay. My co-workers tell me I should get a cat instead because they're not as much work...or maybe I should just get one of each! ;)

Happy 2 month anniversary to me (and my house)!

This was my flower garden before my mom got at it...I had no idea which were plants and which were weeds. That was Lesson #1.



This is after:









And of course, a picture of my pond: Home of GF2, GF3, GF4, GF5, Japan, and Freckles. Cleaning out that thing and getting it ready for my fish was Lesson #2. And the lessons keep coming...

I have learned many things about homes, yard-work, plants, life, and myself in the past two months. It's been an adventure! Here's to many more lessons and adventures in this place!

Mañana

I love the rain. I love thunderstorms. There is something calming about sitting inside with a cup of tea and a good movie or book, while listening to the rain fall and the thunder roll. I was intending to work outside in the yard today...but I suppose the weeds will have to wait another day. Perhaps I should be cleaning indoors instead....I will yet.

Settling or Changing?

Apparently every time I update this thing, I talk about going on a trip...this time I won't, though I did go on an outstanding and eventful road-trip to Minneapolis since my last update...anyway...

I've been thinking lately about how funny life ends up sometimes. If you would have told me 2 years ago where I'd be now, I would've laughed in disbelief...and probably been a bit disappointed. I had dreams of traveling, going away on missions, and of moving away. While I have traveled a lot in the past 2 years (China, Bolivia, Texas, Minneapolis, Vancouver, Las Vegas, to name the more 'major' vacations), I haven't moved away or gone away on missions. In fact, slowly I have been making more decisions that are "tying me down" here in my hometown more than ever (accepting a permanent job position and buying a house for example).

Have I settled for something less? I hope not. I feel like my goals and priorities have changed in the last 2 years. I'm happy where I am at, though it makes me laugh sometimes because I would have never imagined me to be where I am now. As far as the missions goal goes, it's still a goal that I intend to accomplish and have plans to chaperone our youth's mission trip this summer...but I hope that's not the end of that. As much I dream of going away on missions, I really do believe that the spirit of missions starts at home...yeah I know that's cliche, but that's the place I believe I'm supposed to be right now.

Who knows, in 2 years I may again look back and laugh at where life has taken me. I hope I will never settle, but I think changing my mind is okay.

With Glowing Hearts

Being Vanna


Holding the Olympic Flame


The Bronze Medal hockey game: Finland and Slovakia. GO JETS GO!


Finland Wins the Bronze! Yeah Teemu!


Robson Square skating rink


Watching Canada win the Gold Medal Hockey Game outside Alberta Place. Luuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!


Closing Ceremonies


Good Bye Vancouver

Watch out Vancouver...Here I come!

I love Olympics!! My first memory of the Olympics was the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway. My family didn't own a TV back then, but I remember every day in school we updated our medal count chart and talked about the latest events.
By the next Olympics, 1996 in Atlanta, our family had a TV...so I remember watching the events, fascinated by the idea of people all over the world coming together to compete. My highlight that year was watching Donovan Bailey break the world record!
One of my dreams back then was to someday compete in the Olympics...and I'm still "secretly" trying to figure out what kind of sport I could start training for to make it to the next Olympics. (I'm thinking the biathalon...it seems like fun, and I wouldn't have to deal with my fear of heights like in some of the other events). But since that is a fairly unattainable goal for me...I will settle for attending the Olympic games. I know that I'm going...but it still feels so surreal to me. I don't think I'll fully believe it until I'm there...and then watch out!
WOOT!! Go Canada!!

My holidays

After an amazing holiday, today is the day that I must return to work. I've done a lot over the past 2.5 weeks. The first week I basically did "nothing": caught up on sleep, had a lock-in with my youth small group, visited grandparents, played with my nieces and nephew, and all that jazz. Then my parents and sister and I flew to Texas to visit my aunt and uncle, and my cousins and their kids. It was fun!

We arrived in Dallas late Tuesday night, then drove out to where my family lives (just outside of Paris). Wednesday and Thursday we hung out with my aunt. We went shopping and bowling in Paris and also visited with my cousins and their kids. On Friday we headed in to Dallas to do some site-seeing. We went to the Dallas aquarium, which was pretty spectacular! I love seeing different animals from all over the world. Then we walked around the downtown, saw different buildings. We took the trolley through the downtown area, that was pretty neat! We stayed overnight in Dallas and on Saturday we went to a heritage museum which had different buildings from the early settlers. There were different homes, a general store, a saloon, a bank, a printing shop, a doctor's office, a hotel, and a blacksmith shop (with a guy who was teaching blacksmith lessons). We also went to this aviation museum and I decided that when I hit my midlife crisis I will become a pilot! Then in the evening we went to a Dallas Stars game (they were playing Phoenix). Dallas won 4-0. Then we headed back to our Texas "home". Sunday morning we went to church with my aunt and uncle. Then we went to my cousin's house to see their yard. They live out in the country and have a whole bunch of animals. Then my sister and I watched the Superbowl with Norma, a new friend we met from my aunt and uncles church. On Monday we hung out with my aunt and uncle, then headed back to Dallas for night cuz our flight was early the next morning. We flew out of Dallas to Chicago on Tuesday. Our flight out of Chicago was cancelled, so we were booked onto the next flight which was supposed to leave 4 hours later than our original flight. So I explored the airport and such. Meanwhile it was snowing like crazy! When we finally boarded our plane they said they needed to de-ice the plane before we could fly out. First we had to wait for the de-icer people to come, then when they did come they got the stuff somewhere where they weren't supposed to...so they couldn't fly the plane. so we got off the plane and the airline provided us with a hotel room for the night and we flew out the next morning. Meanwhile, during our night in Chicago, there was apparently an earthquake. First of all they said on the news it was a 4.3, then later they reported that it was more like a 3.8. I was asleep and didn't notice a thing. But the guy that was working at the hotel the next morning was telling us that he woke up from it. Crazy! So that's another thing I can add to my list of things that I sleep through: earthquakes, smoke detectors, multiple alarm clocks, telephones, exams...oh my list goes on and on.

Here's to great things we don't deserve...

Today I am officially on holidays. This is the first time I've had a job give me holidays. Don't get me wrong, I've switched away shifts or taken banked time to go away before. But that's different, in those cases I've had to work my time in order take "time off". I've never had a job where I've actually been paid to not come in to work. What a concept. I could get used to this! At the same time I find it a bit unsettling. I admit it's really nice, and it is much needed to rejuvenate in order to prevent burn-out and promote health. But do I really deserve this? I don't know. I feel like it's so unfair that there are people in this world who don't have food, shelter, or safety...and here I am safely sitting in my warm home with a full stomach doing absolutely nothing and getting paid for it. Hmmmm...I just realized that I take the fun out of everything...Maybe I think too much. That being said, I will enjoy this time thoroughly, and not take this time for granted. Let the fun and relaxation begin!

My RSVP: Yes, I will be attending this event!

Here's to another year

Half-way through January, and I still can't think of any resolutions to make. I don't like to make resolutions for the sake of making resolutions, but I think they're fun to do. So every year I have this dilemma about whether I should even bother to make them. I feel compelled to at least try to make some, but give up, because most of the goals I think of are either a) frivolous and not worth trying to keep for an entire year, or b) vague and not measurable (so what's the point anyway, if there's no definable success or failure), or c) not even close to attainable. So here's to me bucking the tradition another year and not making any resolutions. Instead I will aimlessly begin the new year hoping that I will make good choices and experience life to the fullest this year. (oops, I just made a vague and non-measurable 'non-resolution')