vendredi 10 décembre 2010
Half a year after
I have to admit that this blog has definitely fallen by the wayside; however, I haven't minded the lapse too much. Life has been very good since the last time I wrote on here and I've been able to experience a lot of wonderful things! Along with a few trips out east, I travelled to the United Kingdom this summer and have had some great trips around my own province this summer and fall. Life in ministry has been ever-interesting and a constant journey of growth and adventure. Admittedly, this year has not been what I've expected but those are the most pleasant surprises, aren't they? Since I don't envision myself keeping this blog too updated, I'd like to wish anyone who randomly pops by here a merry Christmas filled with the joy and wonder of Christ's arrival!
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." - Isaiah 9:6
Libellés : Christmas, everyday life
vendredi 4 juin 2010
A season later
Goodness, it's been quite a few months since I've posted on here; I think the commenting fiasco deterred me from writing anything until I figured it out (which I never did, as Andrew has pointed out to me). In any case, it seems like people can actually comment on Echo, so that's a strange and unexpected surprise.
I just saw that my last post was from four months ago. One of the reasons I've been largely silent is that I didn't know for sure if I would continue to have employment after February. It was a stressful time in my life but God brought me through it and I am still employed. I have much to be grateful for but also a lot to still process and work through, which will likely take a while.
Other than that, life has been ever-changing yet constant for me - I probably take these changes in stride and without much notice since my personality is pretty placid. I'm now involved in a ministry that I have avoided for eight years (ha! God has a good sense of humour) and it's been interesting. I'm also involved in the ministries of discipleship and hospitality at my church, both of which I've appreciated because they're such different activities than what I usually do.
As for this summer, I hope to travel once more although I won't know for sure until later this month. Right now, the myriad of ministry events that are coming up are consuming my time (tomorrow is my first day off after working 12 days in a row - yay!). One of the saddest things about this past year so far is that I haven't picked up a book in so long - what a shock to my system! However, I will concede that I would prefer being out with people rather than being cooped up; I suppose I won't be able to do the 100 book challenge this year so it's a good thing I accomplished that when I had time to do so :)
Libellés : everyday life
dimanche 3 janvier 2010
Undefinable
So the first unnamed decade of the 2000s has passed and now we head into another one (would it be called the "10s" or the "2010s"?). I'm excited for what will come this year and a little nervous that I won't end up doing as much as I will want to. While I am forming a list of goals in my mind, I hesitate to voice them just yet as I don't want them to be mere resolutions that I'll quickly give up weeks into it.
I also want to keep it a small list so that I won't feel too intimidated as the year goes by. Last year, I had too many goals and the only ones I followed through on were reading a hundred books and being in the Bible on a daily basis. I'm still doing the daily Bible reading plan but I've picked a less intensive one for 2010 which I think will give me a bit of time to do more in-depth Bible studies/reading. I think that is one thing that I wasn't able to accomplish last year; while I may have read the Bible everyday, I didn't take enough time to meditate on it. My hope is that this year, I'll still have my daily reading but that I'll also take the time to really dive into the Word.
Another reason for my hesitation in making goals this year is that I have no idea what's ahead of me - personally and professionally. This year feels so undefinable whereas last year, I knew that it was the first year of guaranteed full-time work following seminary. I feel like I'm swimming in waters out of my depth... exhilarating at first but worrisome now. However, I know I shouldn't worry about tomorrow so perhaps this will be my first step in 2010 :)
Libellés : Bible, everyday life
jeudi 31 décembre 2009
Seven questions
Inspired by this series of reflective questions on Michael Hyatt's blog, here are some of my responses to what life in 2009 has looked like for me:
1. If the last year were a movie of your life, what would the genre be?
Honestly, I don't know the answer to this (not a good start!) but I'd perhaps say one of those long-drawn out British miniseries where things move slowly and the conclusion is yet to come (for me, anyway).
2. What were the two or three major themes that kept recurring?
Everyday obedience; jumping into the unknown; simple pleasures.
3. What did you accomplish this past year that you are the most proud of?
Leading an adult mission team; surviving life post-grad; reading the Bible on a daily basis; meeting my reading goal.
4. What do you feel you should have been acknowledged for but weren't?
I don't feel that I should be acknowledged for this but I will admit that it was very challenging to fill in for my coworkers this year while handling my growing job responsibilities - that's not an experience I'd like to repeat this year (so far as it is possible, and if it must occur I would prefer that I'm not filling in for multiple people at the same time again).
5. What disappointments or regrets did you experience this past year? Where did you let yourself down? Where did you let others down?
I'm disappointed that I wasn't more disciplined with my exercise regimen. Another letdown for myself was having high expectations for certain things that were unrealistic. I probably let others down by my indecision and indirectness.
6. What was missing from last year as you look back?
More time with friends. More time resting in the promises of God instead of fretting. More risks. On a more positive note, I didn't have any skipped Bible-reading days which really made a difference throughout the year.
7. What were the major life-lessons you learned this past year?
Learning how to love God and others through small daily gestures - a challenge on most days I'll admit but wonderfully freeing at the same time. Rather than being worried about the big things, I've been focusing on how I can be faithful in the little things. Realizing that the sum of how I spend my days is what constitutes my life.
And now for 2010 - I pray it will continue to be a year where we can discover anew the goodness and faithfulness of God!
Libellés : everyday life
lundi 19 octobre 2009
Disappearances
Silly me - I haven't checked this blog for months and lo and behold, my images have disappeared. I'm sad to say that it took me a bit of time to retrieve them too as I didn't save any of them to my computer in the first place. Oh well, lesson learnt; my blog looked far worse when I first started out (Wayback Machine can be a scary tool - I definitely cringe when I see how messed up my HTML was in the beginning!) so I'm not too concerned about a few missing pictures now.
In a way, I've disappeared as well. I've started journaling once again in real life and that has been one of the reasons for my absence, among others (which I don't need to elaborate on but includes the following: dial-up internet, a geriatric computer, and a crazy ministry life).
Not much has changed over the past several months since I've returned from my missions trip. I'm still very much enjoying ministry and putting out interesting fires here and there. The majority of my closest friends have either moved overseas or elsewhere so I've been a hermit this past year. I took a leap of faith this fall by getting involved in two ministries at my church that are new to me but I'm recognizing that my busy ministry activities are keeping me from doing too much and that I may need to cut back a little bit. One of my commitments ends in a few weeks so that will be nice!
I'm also anxiously looking forward to my holidays and although I've succumbed to the "staycation" trend as a result of finances, I know it will be so refreshing to slow down and take a break. I've been overworked for the past month and have gone two-three weeks without a day off, which I know is a warning sign to stop something somewhere. Thankfully, by November, this insane pattern will stop and life will return to normal.*
Thus concludes my brief post in which I assure my non-existent readers that I am alive and well :) I'm content in where I am at and I look forward to a full but not overwhelming schedule. Plus, it looks to be a warmish winter which always sits well with me!
* What is normal when you're in ministry? I know, rhetorical question.
Libellés : blogging, everyday life
dimanche 31 mai 2009
Bites and vows
Finally, it's starting to feel like spring/summer! Unfortunately, this is usually precipitated by the worst mosquito bite imaginable each year, which often leaves a part of my body hugely swollen, in pain and at times, immovable. So that's what I experienced yesterday when I was chatting with someone in the parking lot for all of five minutes; it's officially the beginning of mosquito attack weather for me now.
Another sign that the seasons are changing is the appearance of weddings. I'll be heading to one in a couple of days and another one in August, so that'll nicely round out my summer. I'm finding that most of friends are married now so that's been helpful on my pocketbook... until they have baby showers, that is :)
And this has been a constant for me for the past four years but I'll be heading back to Quebec again this summer. I'm not sure how much longer this will continue but I appreciate the opportunity to go again. It'll be for a much shorter period this time around which means I can spend the summer at home and get around to the list I made last year!
Libellés : everyday life
mercredi 8 avril 2009
Goal tracking
So here is an update on some of the goals that I've posted on here:
Fasting from unnecessary television: Most days are good; some aren't. When I was horribly sick a few weeks ago, I spent way too much time watching TV. I've also fudged a bit when it comes to what's "necessary" - I've included news and movies (which technically aren't on TV, ahem) in this category so I'm still pretty glued to the set. On the other hand, when I was sick, I probably spent half of that time watching British movies as well, so that was worth it :)
Guarding my tongue at work: I still need lots of prayer for this. Some days, I just have to bite my tongue. Unfortunately, I am encountering more and more situations by the day where I really need to heed James 3.
Bible reading plan: Hooray, three months and I've been able to read the Bible everyday without missing a day so far!
Health stuff: I'm getting worse with the exercise but doing better with the food.
100 books a year challenge: I am over a quarter of the way there but I'm slipping behind again.
Getting outside of the church/Christian bubble: I don't remember if this is something I've mentioned on here but it's been on my mind for a long time. I can say that being at home is definitely being outside of the bubble but I do want to get engaged with the community somehow.
Libellés : everyday life
lundi 6 avril 2009
Technologically unadvanced
Compared to most people I know, I must be one of the least technologically-savvy 20-somethings out there. For instance:
1. I have happily had dial-up internet for the past decade.
2. I refuse to get a new cell phone that has more functions than calling people, receiving calls, and getting the occasional text message from someone who doesn't expect me to write back. I have no plans to give my almost five year-old phone up but in case I absolutely have to, I don't see where I can get a basic phone that's not a Blackberry, iPhone, etc.
3. I jumped on the Facebook bandwagon back when it just opened up to the public since my school wasn't one of the registered colleges that could access it beforehand. The academic feel appealed to me (remember when you could list your college courses on there, pre-app?) but now, I'm losing interest with it.
4. I refuse to get a Twitter account. Isn't that what blogging is for?
5. I still don't want or need an iPod.
6. I ended up receiving some sort of new technology gift in the mail but it's something that is so unnecessary and practically ridiculous yet I'll probably use it just so I don't feel like I'm letting it collect dust - even though it will. Why do people invent these things?!
7. I'm tempted to get a GPS system because I get lost going everywhere but I'm still content with writing directions down in my notebook, although I'm a bit behind on it right now.
8. The last time I ever chatted online was in my third year of college. I don't miss it at all.
9. I just learnt how to program my VCR three months ago.
There are probably other things out there that brand me as one who is a bit tech-backwards but this is a start. I have to laugh at the fact that one of my dear mentors who is in her 70s is way more advanced than I am in that she has a Mac, a Blackberry and she texts her friends (none of which I have/do myself). Someone mentioned that it's ironic that I used to be in tech ministry and yet I don't subscribe to any of the latest gadgets. Personally, I like having a minimalistic approach to all of this gear; if I don't need it, then I don't want to have to worry about it. I'll use it if someone else owns it but that's about it. I guess I'm not doing my part as a millennial in this generation..?
Libellés : everyday life
mercredi 11 mars 2009
Seasoned with grace
I'm afraid I haven't had much to say lately as my life primarily consists of work and attempts to get as much sleep as possible so as not to be a danger on the roads (and a few things in between - mostly chores and some reading). It's interesting that when I was in school, I thought that was one of the most boring things I could write about but now that I'm working full-time, updates about work aren't that exciting either. Or it could just be that I'm the common denominator and I need to figure out how to make my posts more lively :)
Lately, one of the issues that I've been dealing with is how to respond to Christians whose words have been quite 'grace-less' toward me. Frankly, I'm shocked that I've had to encounter this on a number of occasions now and it's disheartening to know that I'm getting verbally attacked in Christian ministry from fellow believers. While I shouldn't be surprised that Christians are imperfect people and therefore sinners, I guess I'm dismayed by how some of the difficulties I've encountered involve those whom I expect more from.
The funny thing is that about two weeks ago, I started praying that I would be able to communicate with love and grace in my own speech everyday - something that I desperately need because I work with lots of different people on a daily basis and because I seem to be so skilled at foot-in-mouth-itis. Now with each new day, it feels like I'm really being put to the challenge because I keep having conversations that, were it not for God, would leave me bawling (I certainly wasn't asking for that, Lord!). As a result, I'm definitely learning how powerful words can be and how even among Christians, we need to guard what we say and to make sure that we're not cutting others down. Umm, thanks for the reminder, Jesus? What a week it's been for me and it's not even Friday!
"Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." - Colossians 4:6
Libellés : everyday life, work
dimanche 22 février 2009
Un mélange des choses
In light of the 25 things craze that is hitting Facebook, here's a much-shorter list about what's been happening in my life lately:
1. I celebrated Valentine's Day this year by going to a wedding at a funeral home. I'm not sure if/how I'll beat that in the future.
2. I finally had my first taste of Devonshire cream over a week ago and naturally fell in love with it. Good thing I can't make it myself or I'd be eating it all the time.
3. I just discovered that my Myers-Briggs has changed from being an ENFP to an ISFJ. Again, I don't take that much stock in these things but that's quite a drastic shift.
4. "With the economy the way it is", I am finding incredible clothing sales - which is great as I keep putting off having to buy work clothes.
5. The same follows with sales on books, although I've cleared over fifty titles from my bookshelves and am not that eager yet to fill them again.
6. Another good thing is that airfare has gone down; I just purchased tickets for a round trip at the cost of what I would have paid around three or four years ago!
7. I'm developing an aversion to eating out, and with the number of health inspection scares that are escalating, I'm glad I'll be mostly eating at home.
8. Wow, I'm one of the uninsured young adults this article speaks of, although my reason has to do with once again, "the economy" and its impact on my workplace.
9. I'm wondering if my constant and unexplainable fatigue can be attributed to a sleeping disorder. See above point about self-diagnosis :)
10. The one-year Bible reading plan I'm on is driving me nuts as it seems to jump from place to place without much reason or rhyme; I'll have to use a different plan next year.
Libellés : everyday life, news
vendredi 6 février 2009
Health goals
In an ideal world, I would love to:
- Get at least eight hours of sleep every night
- Exercise for half an hour everyday
- Eat more fruits and veggies
- Drink more water
(pretty basic, huh?)
I'm sloooowly getting there. The water thing is pretty convenient since I'm near a water cooler at work and since I have a sore throat nearly everyday now (not sure why). I'm also starting to have an aversion to eating out, which my stomach and wallet are grateful for. Sleep is still something that throws me for a loop; no matter how much sleep I get, I'm typically plain tuckered out by late afternoon. I've heard that if you exercise first thing in the morning, it keeps your metabolism up for the day and then you have more energy. Well, I've been exercising after dinner just to keep from falling asleep so I'm not sure if I should change that considering I'm like a zombie when I get up as well.
I think I'm healthier now than I was a few years ago in college when I mostly ate out and pulled all-nighters. If that's the case though, why are my eyes constantly droopy like I'm going to fall asleep at any moment? Sometimes when I'm running errands in the evenings, I worry that I look like the "Sleepy" dwarf and/or that I'll do what Rowan Atkinson did in Rat Race (that is, fall asleep while standing in a public place - was he in an airport when he did that? I don't remember...).
Libellés : everyday life
mercredi 21 janvier 2009
Habit formation
In one of my leadership courses in seminary, we spent some time learning about habit formation. One thing stuck out to me, which was that it usually took twenty-one consecutive days of doing something in order to form a new habit.
Well, I'm now at day twenty-one of my Bible reading plan and happily, I have managed to do it everyday without missing a day :) I have been absolutely horrible at this in the past, missing up to three days several times a month. Needless to say, there were some long catching up days!
What finally convinced me to try a bit harder was the realization that there are a lot of things that we do everyday that we would never neglect - things such as brushing our teeth or eating (or additional things for me such as cleaning the lens of my glasses or flossing daily). If that's the case, why can't I apply the same mentality to reading the Bible? So far, this "guilt trip" (not really) has worked but I'm hoping that I can keep up with this... there's still 344 days left to the year!
Libellés : everyday life
vendredi 9 janvier 2009
Out there
It feels like we've been in a perpetual winter (Narnia?) but only because the chinook has taken over a month to show up - and that's if it actually does this weekend. I can't recall the last time the snow here has been piled up this high but I suppose it reminds me of Quebec and that's a nice thing.
I've been using the weather as an excuse for why I've become a recluse over the past couple of weeks but really, I might be turning into a (reluctant?) introvert. I say reluctant because I still thrive from being around others but my social life is slowly dying and I'm letting it do so, one day at a time. I also don't want to fully admit it just yet because I was so shy as a child and only when I became a Christian did I change into an extrovert - I don't want to revert back to what I was. But maybe after following Jesus for ten years now, I'm finally mellowing out into a more balanced version of me? Hmm, I'm not sure at this point. All I know is that I come home from work and I spend the entire evening cooped up by myself; then, I repeat this the next day. [I also go to church by myself, which is one thing I will admit that I dislike about big churches, but that's another topic.]
I struggle with this because I do want relationships with people - we aren't created to be alone. But solitude has become my reality and it's both disappointing and guilt-inducing. I keep telling myself that I have to decide what social activities I will engage in this year, but I'm still procrastinating on this (if it's not schoolwork, I suppose it has to be something else!). It never used to feel like work before but now it's as though I have to be so conscious about my (lack of a) social life that it's eating me up inside.
Maybe my soul is in a bit of a perpetual winter right now.
Libellés : everyday life
mercredi 31 décembre 2008
An overview of a year
Admittedly, my first thought about this year being almost over is that my Christmas vacation is almost over and I'll be back at work in no time (oh, to be back on a semester system). However, it's hitting me that 2008, in its entirety, will be gone in less than a few hours. It's been a big year for me but at the same time, nothing completely life-changing - things seem to go on as usual.
To summarize: I finished my last semester of school (so far) and received my Master's degree this spring. To celebrate, I went on a fun trip with my dad to visit family in California. Afterwards, I came back to my final summer of "French camp". It was during this time in Quebec that I felt God was directing me to go back home rather than to move across the country, which was a hard decision to make but the right one.
It seemed to be a whirlwind of weddings in July for me, having stayed an extra week in Montreal for a friend's wedding and then coming back the day after to prepare for my best friend's wedding. One week later, I finished my maid of honour duties and started an internship.
Looking back, I am so thankful that I had this internship because it gave me something to come back to without having to spend my entire summer job-hunting and because it was in the same field that I receive my Bachelor's and Master's degrees in so I could definitely put what I've learnt to use. The internship was not without some issues but God definitely used them to stretch me and to grow me (says the girl in retrospect).
In the end, I was offered a temporary full-time position that I will be starting after the holidays. I'm grateful that I had a gradual transition from school to work life; having a part-time job throughout the summer and fall was really nice in easing me back to life here.
Now that I'm back (and by back, I mean not traipsing off to Quebec every few months), I've had to reconcile my hopes for full-time missions with being at home. It's not that I cannot do missions here but it is something I'm struggling with a bit since I had been preparing for years to leave and yet here I am, staying.
So as of this point, I am simply putting one foot in front of the other and depending on God to lead me to what's next :) He is so faithful and I am waiting in anticipation for what He will have in store.
"In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." - Proverbs 16:9
Have a blessed New Year everyone - may the Lord Jesus Christ be made more real in your hearts and lives in 2009!
Libellés : everyday life
dimanche 2 novembre 2008
Nearing the end
Eek, I didn't realize that this month would be absolutely crazy but it's becoming more so. It wasn't until I was out for breakfast with friends yesterday that I realized I'll have to figure out how I can attend a dance performance, a wedding, a church presentation and a college reunion all in the same weekend. This is going to be tough; I don't want to miss any of these but I have to say no to something... sigh.
It's been a hard couple of weeks for me lately, personally and professionally (which probably accounts for the complaining on here - sorry). I'm just so weighted down and burdened, making for several sleepless nights and agonizing days. I've been crying out to God repeatedly, asking for His peace, and going through His Word for something to comfort me. These are a few of the verses that have touched my heart:
"In my anguish I cried to the Lord, and he answered me by setting me free. The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? The LORD is with me; he is my helper. I will look in triumph on my enemies.
I was pushed back and about to fall, but the LORD helped me. The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation." - Psalm 118:5-7, 13-14
Libellés : everyday life
jeudi 30 octobre 2008
What's in a name?
Apparently, I have a very confusing name (apart from my nom de plume) as evidenced by the following examples. I've always known this to some extent but never has it escalated to the point where numerous incidents keep happening, one right after another.
Incident #1: I attended a symposium a few weeks ago where they told us that they would forward us some contact information. I kept waiting and waiting but didn't receive anything at work or at home. Finally, I asked a coworker if they received this information and they did, so they sent it to me. The problem? The symposium people thought that my last name was something else and so they sent an email to an address that doesn't exist.
Incident #2: One of my coworkers keeps calling me by the wrong first name but I've never had the chance to correct him. It wouldn't be so bad if his father didn't also happen to be my boss. Unfortunately, when he was introducing me to some people a little while ago, he kept using this incorrect name and I had to force myself to smile and pretend that it really was my name to be polite.
Incident #3: For some reason, people tend to assume that my name is not spelt in English even though it is. So they come up with alternate spellings and even when I tell them that it's spelt the conventional way, it's as if they don't believe me. I normally don't mind but sometimes I just want to say, "Yes, I do know my own name. Really." So now I'm forwarding a document to my supervisor with the incorrect name because of another assumption.
Incident #4: The very first piece of mail that I receive at work not only calls me the incorrect name that the person in incident #2 calls me but also gives me the title of "Mister". Wow - my identity has really changed!
Incident #5: It's always fun to see your name on a table setting chart at a banquet and to figure out who you're sitting with, except when your name is wrong and it's the same error as found in incident #1.
Incident #6: Someone I met at said banquet called me something that didn't quite sound right but I let it slide because I could barely hear what she was saying. Finally, I corrected her and she said, "Oh, I have a friend with such and such a name so I thought you had the same one." I'm looking forward to when I can use this reasoning with someone else rather than just hearing it (this wasn't the first time it's been used with me).
And the best thing of all? Incidents #3, 4, 5 and 6 all happened today. Although I've been mistakenly called each of the names in these incidents before in my life (except for Mr.), it's still a bit frustrating to have to correct people or to receive things that aren't correctly addressed. Even my nickname on this blog is the result of a miscommunication. It shouldn't bother me but being called the wrong name four times today makes me wonder if I should change it. Maybe I'll end up marrying someone with the last name that I keep getting rather than my own surname and that'll at least solve one problem, ha!
* That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet...
Libellés : everyday life
dimanche 26 octobre 2008
Ma vie... kind of
Admittedly, one of the only times I feel inspired to write something on here is after I have perused someone else's blog... usually an interesting blog that greatly puts me to shame :) I also tend to write something at the very hours I shouldn't, such as right now, since I have to be at church super early in the morning.
Here are a few things that have crossed my mind/life lately:
- I ended up going with the Sauder Oak bookcase. It actually holds a lot so I suppose looks can be deceiving; it also fits into a space that I didn't even have in mind at first but which is much more ideal. I am so thrilled that my books are finally organized!
- My hours at work were extended a few weeks ago; thus, I have an even stranger schedule now. I work sporadic hours which is hard because I love routine and order. Having a consistent life is tricky when some days are so short (maybe 2 hours of work) and others are long and exhausting (sometimes over 12 hours straight).
- I strongly dislike the concept of lunches. Somehow, I'm adverse to eating food that needs to be warmed up or food that is at a bland room temperature taste. This doesn't quite make sense as I do like leftovers from meals that I make but maybe it's just the lunch environment that I've never been fond of or something. I can't explain this one too well.
- I have an even greater dislike (hate?) for Halloween. To me, it seems silly and excessive when adults treat this as the holiday of the year and go nuts over "scary" decorations and costumes or whatever else it is that people do when this is their favourite holiday. I don't get it. The whole giving out candy is a weird practice as well.
- I'm a year older, and the novelty of telling people my age is almost gone. It was always so fun to hear people express surprise at my youth... now I'm just another twenty-something among the masses (wow, what a melodramatic statement!) :)
- To be honest, I am having such a hard time fitting in with my age group at church. Some days I feel like an old lady, especially when people find out that I like the traditional church service as opposed to the contemporary one. Other days I feel like I'm back in high school when it comes to things like relationships, etc. since a lot of my peers are married and/or are parents. It's such a weird age to be at but maybe it's just an identity crisis I'm going through now that I'm not a student?
- Hmm... I better get to bed. This overly cynical-sounding post doesn't sound too fun; rest should help.
Libellés : everyday life
mardi 2 septembre 2008
Come again?
Since I was on the yearbook committee for a couple of years throughout junior high, high school, and college, I thought that my ability to recognize people and remember their names was pretty good. Oftentimes, that has been the case and it has only come about from seeing mug shots over and over again or indexing countless names, forwards and backwards. But it seems that my once-obtained skills have now disappeared.
Incident #1: Winter semester 2008. I was having a late-night dinner with some friends and professors at a restaurant I'd never been to when I realized that our server looked familiar. I couldn't place where I knew him from throughout the entire meal so when we were getting the bill, I asked the server if he had attended the same college that my group of friends and I went to. He gave me a strange glance, telling me that he did not go to that school. Several days later, I finally figured out where I knew him from - seminary. Not only that but we were in the same class. And to top it all off, I sat beside him for the entire semester that same semester in a course with nine people! Yeah, I have no excuse for this one.
Incident #2: About two weeks ago. I was at a different restaurant during a busy evening. The person I was with knew one of the servers and called out his name before we had taken our seats; this person ended up serving us. Again, there was something about the server that got my attention but I didn't think I actually knew him from anywhere. It wasn't until the next day that I put two and two together and remembered that I audited a course with the server three years ago. Granted, this was much better than the last incident in that I knew the server from three years ago as opposed to the day before but still, the class I took with him only had six people!
Incident #3: Last week. Finally, an incident that doesn't involve a server at a restaurant although this one is pretty bad because the person knew that I didn't know who he was. I used to volunteer in video technologies and student ministries at my church and this was one of the people that was involved with both as well. He was the same age as the group of students that I led and a fellow techie on the same rotation that I was on four years ago. I guess I wasn't thinking that youth don't always stay youth and that they eventually grow up because I had no clue who this guy was until someone else called out his name and I went, "That's him?!" Haha, he's definitely taller now.
I'm a bit embarrassed that this has already happened to me three times. I wonder what the next few incidents will look like although I don't know if anything can take the cake like the first one where I sat beside the guy for an entire semester and didn't know his face...
Libellés : everyday life
lundi 18 août 2008
Apparent contradictions
In reading over a couple of old posts, I noticed several things that seem to contradict each other on here. Not that I need to clear them up, but I might as well :)
I mentioned at the beginning of this month that I'm working. A couple of days later, I wrote that I was looking for a job. Well, it's both. I'm only working part-time right now and am looking for something full-time after my temporary contract is up. I'm grateful for the part-time work because it's been a nice transition from the academic life into the working world but at the same time, I have to start paying some bills. I applied for another part-time job but it's been several weeks and I haven't heard anything so I'll start looking for something else this week.
And a few minutes ago, I wrote that I don't have a good paper record of my lists but in the midst of organizing some labels on this blog, I found an old post where I stated that I have a notebook full of lists. I do, but that book is full of to-do lists where I rip out the sheets after I'm done with them. This is going to be the first time that I've actually kept my lists and where they won't just be full of homework assignments :)
That's all; just a few unnecessary clarifications but I figured it wouldn't hurt to set the record straight. After all, this blog may be the only thing that's kept track of anything of my insane life so far!
Libellés : everyday life, work
samedi 9 août 2008
A few things here and there
Since I've come home, I have had an amazing summer. To be honest, this is partly because I haven't been too active on the job front - something that I'll need to rectify before the end of summer. But it's still August, which means I can go about and do a few things that have been piling up on my lists.
One of the things that I've finally gotten to has been the overwhelming photo project at home. My mom has never been really good at keeping our family pictures organized (ever) so over the past week, I've gone through and sorted at least 25 years' worth of pictures. Not only were they not chronologically ordered (which took about three days to do) but they were also mixed up with all of the pictures that our extended family and family friends have sent us over the years. It was a lot of work but it's worth it to be able to flip through something without seeing strange faces every couple of pages now.
Part of the inspiration behind this project was from helping put together a wedding slideshow and seeing how unorganized pictures can be a lot of work to go through. What a relief it is that the pictures are in (general) chronological order and that they are displayed in proper albums. It was so nice to throw away tons of doubles and blurry pictures as well; hooray for less clutter! In addition to organizing the family photo albums, I went through my personal collection as well. Now I can print off the more recent pictures and take a major project off my list :) (Thank goodness I don't scrapbook - that would be a nightmare in itself!).
I'm also feeling inspired to shop off of Etsy and look for some accessories to update my room with since I'm finished school. I don't need very much but my room is feeling a little bare since I've thrown out/donated a lot of the stuff I had in high school. Also, I haven't figured out the book situation yet - my current bookshelf is completely full, as are the other shelves in my room - other than to cull my collection but I'm not ready for that at this point. Perhaps I'll need to get creative with a few storage ideas.... Update: Hooray, I have finally done this and gotten rid of around fifty books and a bookshelf. Sigh, it was in me all along :)
My wardrobe is also changing, which isn't too much of a concern right now but will be once I get a job. I went shopping for black pants the other day with a friend and found that it was a more difficult task than I'd thought. Another problem I discovered is that I love clothing with prints on them but this definitely means that I need clothing without prints to balance them out - hence the black pants. In the past, I never used to pay that much attention to what I wore (unfortunately, this meant that all I wore in high school and college were t-shirts, hoodies and jeans) but after being in Montreal over the past couple of years, I'm starting to have more interest in fashion.
And for some reason, I have plenty more to write - shocking considering the record on this blog - but I'll refrain and save it for additional posts :) One of the things I might mention in the future is this: Lists of Bests.
Libellés : everyday life, organization
