Amazing Nature.
See here for more pictures.
Amazing God.
(see link for photos!)
Friday, October 26, 2007
Thursday, October 18, 2007
The people of London
Jogging in london has been .... has been interesting ... and rewarding ... not because of the epinephrine rush i feel after a good run, but more for the people i have met on my way!
man #1: awhile back, i met a man named Brian. He was sitting and waiting for the bus ... it was late, around 10pm. He kind of waved me down as i approached the bus stop. Do i know him? I stopped ... i guess he just needed someone to chat with. I learned all about his family, about his love for Elvis and future plans to head to the Elvis celebration in Collingwood. When the bus pulled up, he waved goodbye like we were old friends that chatted often, as if we'd see each other again sometime soon ... we haven't.
women #2: this happened last time winter was approaching. It was that awkward morning weather that is so much colder than when the sun is out in the afternoon. The moment i stepped outside, i realized it was pretty frigid and that i should be wearing pants ... but i didn't feel much like heading back up the stairs to change in my apartment. My circulating blood should keep me warm! The run was cold ... as i was finishing up ... struggling up the last hill of the route, all exposed skin was red ... these two unrelated, elderly women, one in the bus carol, one approaching, yell in unison as they slap the top of their thighs repeatedly, "YOU SHOULD BE WEARING SLACKS!" I said, "i know," with a smile and small giggle ... they were not smiling ... they were overtly angry with me ... i felt ashamed and thought, i should be wearing slacks.
men # 3: Running down oxford hill, i see two young men, dressed impeccably, carrying little black books ... mormans. I have had my experiences with them a few years ago when my brother was involved in the church of later day saints. As i attempt to run by, buddy flags me down. I stop, pull out my headphone, "hi?" "HELLO! we can see you are in a rush (i'm not in a rush! i'm exercising!? go on) but we were just wondering if you knew that your lord, Jesus Christ loves you?" "Yes, i do-" He continues with some memorized speech through an expressionless face ... and repeats, "well, we can see you are in a rush, is there a better time we can come talk to you?" Sure meet me here, on the corner of oxford and beaverbrook ....? Does he expect me to give him my address? "No thank-you." "Do you know anyone else we can talk to?" "No," ... cordial good-byes and i keep running ... a bit faster than before.
man #4: Again, running up the last leg ... i see a man in the distance coming down this very steep hill on the same side as mine. There is no sidewalk. I make my way onto the side of grass as not to be in his way. As i run by, i attempt to make some eye contact ... he flags me down. I remove my earphone. He asked in a very quiet and gurgled voice, "can you pass me that piece of plastic?" and he points so some clear plastic on the grass. I hand it to him ... he places it into an old Tim Hortons cup that has other various pieces of garbage in it. "Are you collecting litter?" i ask. "mm hmm," he responds quietly. I touch his shoulder - "thank you." He's not looking for praise. Amazing. ... Oh, did i mention he had use of one leg and was in a wheelchair? More amazing.
man #1: awhile back, i met a man named Brian. He was sitting and waiting for the bus ... it was late, around 10pm. He kind of waved me down as i approached the bus stop. Do i know him? I stopped ... i guess he just needed someone to chat with. I learned all about his family, about his love for Elvis and future plans to head to the Elvis celebration in Collingwood. When the bus pulled up, he waved goodbye like we were old friends that chatted often, as if we'd see each other again sometime soon ... we haven't.
women #2: this happened last time winter was approaching. It was that awkward morning weather that is so much colder than when the sun is out in the afternoon. The moment i stepped outside, i realized it was pretty frigid and that i should be wearing pants ... but i didn't feel much like heading back up the stairs to change in my apartment. My circulating blood should keep me warm! The run was cold ... as i was finishing up ... struggling up the last hill of the route, all exposed skin was red ... these two unrelated, elderly women, one in the bus carol, one approaching, yell in unison as they slap the top of their thighs repeatedly, "YOU SHOULD BE WEARING SLACKS!" I said, "i know," with a smile and small giggle ... they were not smiling ... they were overtly angry with me ... i felt ashamed and thought, i should be wearing slacks.
men # 3: Running down oxford hill, i see two young men, dressed impeccably, carrying little black books ... mormans. I have had my experiences with them a few years ago when my brother was involved in the church of later day saints. As i attempt to run by, buddy flags me down. I stop, pull out my headphone, "hi?" "HELLO! we can see you are in a rush (i'm not in a rush! i'm exercising!? go on) but we were just wondering if you knew that your lord, Jesus Christ loves you?" "Yes, i do-" He continues with some memorized speech through an expressionless face ... and repeats, "well, we can see you are in a rush, is there a better time we can come talk to you?" Sure meet me here, on the corner of oxford and beaverbrook ....? Does he expect me to give him my address? "No thank-you." "Do you know anyone else we can talk to?" "No," ... cordial good-byes and i keep running ... a bit faster than before.
man #4: Again, running up the last leg ... i see a man in the distance coming down this very steep hill on the same side as mine. There is no sidewalk. I make my way onto the side of grass as not to be in his way. As i run by, i attempt to make some eye contact ... he flags me down. I remove my earphone. He asked in a very quiet and gurgled voice, "can you pass me that piece of plastic?" and he points so some clear plastic on the grass. I hand it to him ... he places it into an old Tim Hortons cup that has other various pieces of garbage in it. "Are you collecting litter?" i ask. "mm hmm," he responds quietly. I touch his shoulder - "thank you." He's not looking for praise. Amazing. ... Oh, did i mention he had use of one leg and was in a wheelchair? More amazing.
Friday, October 12, 2007
The Margie Song
Finally a song to express my love to you! It'll be the opener to our performance ... one day ... one sweet day.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
This is my brain on music
I love music!
I used to frequent concerts often ... until i had an epiphany during and $80 concert for Justin and Christina where i spent the entire time watching the giant tv screen as opposed to the little ants on the stage waaaaaaaaaay down there! I vowed to cut back since then!
My favourite concert, hands down, has been for the counting crows. $20, front row. incredible.
This last week i saw some more live music.
First stop, $3, Justin Nozuka. I kind of love him. He's kind of 19. eeeeek. he just has some MAD guitar skills and i love watching him perform because he gets so into his music.
For your viewing pleasure ...
Justin unplugged his guitar and took it into the audience .... just him and his guitar! awesome!
Yup, that's Justin signing my splint! HAHA!
Wanna see some video's!? Check him out!
Next stop, Tegan and Sara ... 20 bucks but general admission, so it was a small venue and we were close! They are awesome!! Canadian twins on guitar ... crazy harmony and a variety of songs.
Check them out too!
Where will i go next!? Dunno! But in the meantime, i've ordered a book from chapters, "This is your brain on music." Anyone read it? I'm excited to get started ...
I used to frequent concerts often ... until i had an epiphany during and $80 concert for Justin and Christina where i spent the entire time watching the giant tv screen as opposed to the little ants on the stage waaaaaaaaaay down there! I vowed to cut back since then!
My favourite concert, hands down, has been for the counting crows. $20, front row. incredible.
This last week i saw some more live music.
First stop, $3, Justin Nozuka. I kind of love him. He's kind of 19. eeeeek. he just has some MAD guitar skills and i love watching him perform because he gets so into his music.
For your viewing pleasure ...
Justin unplugged his guitar and took it into the audience .... just him and his guitar! awesome!
Yup, that's Justin signing my splint! HAHA!
Wanna see some video's!? Check him out!
Next stop, Tegan and Sara ... 20 bucks but general admission, so it was a small venue and we were close! They are awesome!! Canadian twins on guitar ... crazy harmony and a variety of songs.
Check them out too!
Where will i go next!? Dunno! But in the meantime, i've ordered a book from chapters, "This is your brain on music." Anyone read it? I'm excited to get started ...
Monday, September 24, 2007
Traffic
Traffic makes me happy. It really does. Not busy traffic, but the flow and organization of it all. I love the way people work together and obey the rules of the road. Now of course, there are those people who are rude and dangerous, but for the most part, we all follow the rules of the road and people get where they want to be even with thousands of cars on the road.
I've thought about this before, but was reminded today as i was driving along Sarnia Road ... at one point, it narrows and curves sharply over an old one-lane bridge. There is a small sign that reads, "please alternate." so there was a short line up on each side of the bridge, and one by one, each car from alternating sides took their turn along the shadey bridge. I mean sure, there was one car that tailgated the car in front of him to bud his turn, but for the most part, it was a beautiful synchronization of strangers, and it made me smile.
I've thought about this before, but was reminded today as i was driving along Sarnia Road ... at one point, it narrows and curves sharply over an old one-lane bridge. There is a small sign that reads, "please alternate." so there was a short line up on each side of the bridge, and one by one, each car from alternating sides took their turn along the shadey bridge. I mean sure, there was one car that tailgated the car in front of him to bud his turn, but for the most part, it was a beautiful synchronization of strangers, and it made me smile.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Things that matter
I'm in Occupational Therapy School.
I love Occupational Therapy. I love the ideas and the values of the profession. I love considering each person uniquely and seeing potential in all clients. I love that as an Occupational Therapist, you can work within any age group and in an incredible variety of settings (hospital, community, treatment centres, mental health facilities).
Then why do you constantly hear me say how i procrastinate when it comes to school work? Why do i always make sure people understand that school is a last priority for me?
The reason is that i know what i want to do with my degree. I want to work with children with special needs. This is my passion. This is my number one priority. And when we have to spend so much time in school preparing for the plethora of careers paths we can take, i get bored, i disengage and i procrastinate.
As of late, i have frequently found myself explaining to people my lack of interest in school ... and started second guessing myself. Maybe i should put more time into it? But on Monday night, my original beliefs were reassured!
.... Monday nights, i work with a young guy who is 12. He is your typical boy. He likes to get dirty, explore, play rough, eat, jump and swim. He is a sweetheart deep down who struggles with behavioural outbursts that are most often immediately followed by remorse and a visible, internal struggle with appropriate behaviours when he is trying to communicate. I love him. He likes me too!
I have been working with this young guy for 8 months, and unfortunately because of my new school schedule, my classes go too late on Mondays for me to work with him anymore. I dropped him off on Monday (my second last night with him) ... and stayed a bit later talking with his mom. (a usual occurrence as she is stressed out her mind with two children with special needs, a job, a house and all the extra stuff that goes along with that). Tonight, she was telling me how she was interviewing a new girl to come work with her little guy. She was telling me how he was acting out in front of the new girl. And through spontaneous tears, the mother tells me how he does this cause he knows yet another girl is leaving. Through tears, she tells me how hard it is when he will ask for a girl by name and she has to tell him that she is not coming anymore more. Through tears she tells me that he will miss me. Through tears, she tells me it is so hard for her to send him off with someone new. And through tears but without words she tells me how much she cares for her son. How much he means to her. How much she wants him to be happy.
My eyes were filled with tears, and i returned to my car to let them fall. And i sit for a little while ... Gain composure, and am reassured ... this is what i care about, this is what matters, this is why i'd rather spend time with these kids than reading 40 pages on evolution of the raised toilet seat.
I love Occupational Therapy. I love the ideas and the values of the profession. I love considering each person uniquely and seeing potential in all clients. I love that as an Occupational Therapist, you can work within any age group and in an incredible variety of settings (hospital, community, treatment centres, mental health facilities).
Then why do you constantly hear me say how i procrastinate when it comes to school work? Why do i always make sure people understand that school is a last priority for me?
The reason is that i know what i want to do with my degree. I want to work with children with special needs. This is my passion. This is my number one priority. And when we have to spend so much time in school preparing for the plethora of careers paths we can take, i get bored, i disengage and i procrastinate.
As of late, i have frequently found myself explaining to people my lack of interest in school ... and started second guessing myself. Maybe i should put more time into it? But on Monday night, my original beliefs were reassured!
.... Monday nights, i work with a young guy who is 12. He is your typical boy. He likes to get dirty, explore, play rough, eat, jump and swim. He is a sweetheart deep down who struggles with behavioural outbursts that are most often immediately followed by remorse and a visible, internal struggle with appropriate behaviours when he is trying to communicate. I love him. He likes me too!
I have been working with this young guy for 8 months, and unfortunately because of my new school schedule, my classes go too late on Mondays for me to work with him anymore. I dropped him off on Monday (my second last night with him) ... and stayed a bit later talking with his mom. (a usual occurrence as she is stressed out her mind with two children with special needs, a job, a house and all the extra stuff that goes along with that). Tonight, she was telling me how she was interviewing a new girl to come work with her little guy. She was telling me how he was acting out in front of the new girl. And through spontaneous tears, the mother tells me how he does this cause he knows yet another girl is leaving. Through tears, she tells me how hard it is when he will ask for a girl by name and she has to tell him that she is not coming anymore more. Through tears she tells me that he will miss me. Through tears, she tells me it is so hard for her to send him off with someone new. And through tears but without words she tells me how much she cares for her son. How much he means to her. How much she wants him to be happy.
My eyes were filled with tears, and i returned to my car to let them fall. And i sit for a little while ... Gain composure, and am reassured ... this is what i care about, this is what matters, this is why i'd rather spend time with these kids than reading 40 pages on evolution of the raised toilet seat.
Monday, September 17, 2007
My double life.
Thursday 4:30pm: Drove to Hamilton
Thursday 11:00pm: Drove to London
Friday 4pm: Drove to Hamilton
Saturday 3pm: Drove to London
Sunday 6am: Drove to Hamilton
Sunday 10pm: Drove to London
Thursday 11:00pm: Drove to London
Friday 4pm: Drove to Hamilton
Saturday 3pm: Drove to London
Sunday 6am: Drove to Hamilton
Sunday 10pm: Drove to London
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