Fantastical Week

I have no clue, how time flies these days. Busy busy bee that I am. Life has been pretty good on all fore fronts of life. I guess I am a little troubled with the choices I have to make in life. 

The freedom of choice leads to so many correct and incorrect answers. Which one to choose. What am I feeling at that point in time when I make it? All these factors that play in are whimsical. 

Anyway, the week has been awesome. Fun filled and the start up of intramurals is just great. 

Townies

I was going TGIF way to early. I fell asleep Thursday night whilst checking e-mails and my phone died, thus no alarm clock. I missed my 830 Friday morning class of Biogeography. It's been a pretty good Friday other than that.

There needs to be more love on the streets, as the Kingstonians just rev through the ghetto or rather rampage around campus. I almost got run over today. It was not fun. Then I get yelled at. It's been a pretty good Friday other than that.

I'm just casually on my bike rolling through Victoria Park, heading back to campus towards to the ATM. I was cutting through the grass due to the influx of pedestrians during school days. Out of no where a ditch. Not ready to brace myself on my bike — tumble and fall. Wipeout. Super not fun. It's been a pretty good Friday other than that. Got up quickly since I have to make the 5 pm closing and pick up my jacket! I was really glad that I made it in one piece, and I got to get suited up in my barred leather jacket.

Away & Back again

Pulled another summer AWOL. As most of life usually is when it's not as important as writing everything down, well typing! Anyway, it's been a helluva fun, awesome (insert Aussie accent) few weeks. I'm back in town with a job, new friends from all over the world, and here in an empty classroom typing. 

I guess we can back track because that's always easier. First day of school has been going great, I've spending most of my day in the office up to no good really. There isn't much work to be done with school just taking off. 

My previous week was filled with sickness, awesome times and new friends from all over the globe that I hope to be life long friends with. That being said, I've enjoyed my time being an Orientation Leader for incoming exchange, transfer and castle students. They've been an enjoyable bunch to hang out with and to learn from whether it be culturally, academically or purely to be a friend. 

The house in Kingston, has been pretty good. It was empty and lonely until all my housemates came home. Although their nightly escapades Downtown are a tad distrubing and apparently I've locked them out quite a few times. It's definitely going to be a fun year although I won't be in residences!

And previous to that is too far away to remember, so all I can say is that driving on a highway was something   I intended to be doing when I was 16, three years later and childhood dream fulfilled. So, it's been a great summer is all I can say! 

Assurance

Be assured, I didn't fall into some hole or as I like to say, fall off the face of the Earth. I've been active on my alternative social networkings. Rest Assured. Anyway, it's been a world wind of a month. I simply can't believe that August is already well under way.

It definitely has been a great experience so far in the large city of Toronto. Well I commute equally between Markham & Toronto. Fun stuff. I've had the opportunity to meet new friends, and find that we all have some sort of mutual friend. I got to accomplish most things on my to-do list. Only my instructors course and the stupid chemistry course to finish. What can I say, I lead an "intensive" life.

In all, the weather has treated me well. New friends & acquaintanceships have been made. God's been guiding my life, finally and not me at the steering wheel. But I got to say driving a car is always making me gleeful, (maybe not my "life" car). I've also committed to pray for specific people and want to continue to do that.

In a nutshell, I'll be more apparent on this beautiful site. (time to update the cover photo?)

Vancity

I’m behind again, but with great reasons of course. Vancouver, the city where I’ve lived for so many years. Where I would call home on many occasions. I think this time around, although I was only there for six days. Being there by myself allowed me to really connect with those that I love and admire dearly. As much as I did spend a lot of time with an unexpected person, we shared what we had most in common; God & moving elsewhere for university.

I guess there’s some innate connection that is forged when you move away to another city for tertiary education. The friends you make, the choices that you take, the wealth experiences & opportunities you are exposed to are all similar but different at each university. More so we’ve all grown so much connecting with others and building up our spiritual growth throughout the year, well in his case years.

There’s always a purpose. It’s been really showing through the past few years. Leaving turned from a horrid thing that I could not even face at the age of 15. After the realization that the experiences I’ve had the opportunity to partake in and not has allotted to grow as an individual and closer to Christ.

As much as there was that shadow of a time where I was literally a lost sheep, wandering aimlessly spiritually. I’m glad to say I have found my way through my peers and friends, I’ve made as a child and new ones as well.

Coming back from a year of crazy and everything new to me. Sitting in that kitchen with my childhood friend felt like it was not too long ago that we were sitting in that exact same position 11 months back. Predicting what would happen over a year. Things that may change us, things we aspire to do. We both came to the simple realization that we cannot control everything and essentially we let God humour us and make sure our way is what He so desires.

There's too much to share as usual. But those are the striking thoughts I had throughout last week. I also have to catch up in a post about things that have already taken place in Toronto. But that’s for another day.  

Sleepless Nights

So I don’t jet lag. Maybe it’s because I’ve been sleeping really late but have really early commitments. It’s throwing a world wind of odd naps here and there. I also have not a clue what to do with this wealth of time I’m supposed to be sleeping.


Don’t want to study just because I’m too tired. Don’t want to watch a movie, because truthfully I’m so bored of it. As much as “Hong Kong night life” goes, not too into that scene, well not without a good reason to go blow some dollars anyway.


Deterring from all that. Being back in HK currently is definitely a change. I don’t go seek out all my buddies and go hang out, I’m just flat out exhausted. The week coming back from my practicum was just way too packed with meet ups with people that I haven’t seen in ages and probably will not for the next year. The two week trip with my family was tiresome. So to kick back and relax, with the occasional studying and TV show. Sitting at home is pretty good.


Something too late to get into right now but definitely on the “to write about” list, is simply how spending quality times with ones you cherish dearly is pretty awesome. 

Here, There and Everywhere

One moment I was at home meeting up with friends, few days later in the Chinese mega-city of Shanghai eating kao fu. Few nights pass, and I find myself surrounded by red telephone booths, pubs and an area that radiates with architecture that sweeps you away. 

Enough said the travelling does toll on someone, the time differences, changes in culture. Very much so, it becomes a brick wall of new experiences and things you didn't imagine yourself doing. I guess things never really do settle when you're always on the move from one place to the next — it was a good experience. (Well other than the fact that there was much neglect to my online course). 

So what to start off with on this pretty crazy sounding 14 day adventure through the buzzing streets of Shanghai and London. Shanghai was all about food. I've been many here a time and really I'm not a tourist nor one to know my way around the city. I just go with the flow of things and eat what they make best here. Not really interesting since I didn't do anything really. 

London is a completely story. The time it took just to absorb everything that is going on. A large city filled with, museums, architecture, history and shops – there is seemingly an endless list of things to do. Quite frankly, it is from a tourists perspective, living here would be a completely different story. From eating from Soho, enjoying a beer in any pub, visiting where The Beatles started and who could forget the wealth of museums that I could have stayed for ages. It's been a wealth of knowledge in a very short amount of time. To share these, maybe I should have blogged more frequently.

As I take this plane trip back home, hearing two year old Liam scream, "No!! No!!", the last authentic British accents for awhile and worry a tad for my exam in a week, it's been a good family trip. One to remember, one to cherish and be grateful for. 

Random. They have a lot of rotaries on the roads of England. 

Keepin' the Pace.

There's a striking difference in HK when you have to keep up the pace with so many things – happenings, events, meet ups, trips. Life is just so much faster in this part of the world. People walk, eat, talk faster and the list goes on.

So in this "fast pace" part of the world there's just way to little time to reflect, think, compose yourself. It's odd I guess, now to think back, "How did I deal with it before?" The simple answer, I conformed and kept up with it.

This time around, I have the goal of sitting back. I actually have to do it.

Hello 852

Flight Shmight, traveling for 23 hours was tiring but I guess well worth it since I'm not on the plane forever. That's not really too interesting anyway. 

I guess there's many happenings in life since getting back to the 852. It's a lot of organizing of meet ups, hanging out with family, seeing people that you haven't seen for ages, and yea just lots going on. Within the span of a week, I had the opportunity to: 

Gotta love the Fam.

I guess I could the best of the worlds of siblings, well over the last two weeks anyway. Having the two parents, an older brother and sister then a younger sister was definitely one packed house. Although the brother was only here on the weekends and the the older sister being here for the first week and the second weekend – it was still overwhelming in terms of number compared to the only child situation I have.

It's definitely been a good experience to have most of the better aspects of having siblings. Scaring the younger one in the dark. Just chatting in the car with the older ones. Larger family dinners. Skipped the fighting.

I'm so grateful for what I was provided with. Such hospitality shown towards me; in fact integrating me in their daily lives. There's nothing more I can say but thank you over and over again, and give thanks for whom who provides. Opening up your home, is not an easy thing. They took on the responsibility and made me feel a part of their family.

Thank you, give glory back to Him. Of course, I'm going to miss the atmosphere of having a large family but it's also time to return to the life as an only child and head home. (:

Week Two

Two field trips, track meet, two days in class later, I've never thought that I could learn and miss everything so much. The last two weeks have really confirmed why I really want to pursue the life of a teacher, it's something I'm truly passionate about.

To see children understand, live, love and just be themselves around you. Grade four is a mighty grade where its an age where there are still no worries of academics, just living life to the fullest. I've come in contact with a variety of children and they have really opened my eyes to a lot of things. 

There may be politics underlying every profession whether it be with other colleagues, with the administrators or with the union. Ultimately, the fact of the matter that we're here to educate children gets lost in that jumble of things. It's sad, but I can say now with experience as a teacher that I would make a difference in someone's life. Little beings are mighty fine at picking up what really goes on. We can only do our best as individuals and in an ideal world it would be great to think that my future colleagues shared the same point of view, mais c'est la vie and I've gotta live with what I'm dealt with. 

Loved the children and I'll miss them dearly. I will be back, soon enough -- there's great things waiting for you guys out there. 

Week 1 - Accomplished

All in all a wonderful week and had a blast in a pretty awesome classroom. So much to share but I guess highlights of my week is using different coloured pens to mark all the things I did do. Given the opportunity to have an eye widening experience with 75% of the class being ELL, ESL or with an identified learning disability. Definitely took a lot away from this week. Among all the cool things I did, I'm so grateful for such a loving host teacher. Oh yea, I forget to mention – I got grade 7s and 8s this week. One would also assume they are that age where they can much out of hand, but proven by the strong disciplining yet lovely teacher they can but such sweet hearts. 

Part from the marking, the errands that I run and the bs I sometimes have to deal with from one of the secretaries it was a really fun time. Get the laughs, the gags, be engaged, engaging others, helping others, teaching others. All in all, words cannot describe how the week was. Somethings that I've noted for next year. Always have great class management. Be flexible and accommodating, both things I knew about but seeing 'em in action. 

I think the funniest part of this entire experience is the fact that 99% of the teachers including the administration believe, or very much thought that I was in my mid 20s ready to get out of teacher's college  and be seeking a job in the new term. Those who did finally ask or hinted on it (so I told 'em) I was truly only a student who has finished first year and it's my first practicum. Most of them took a step back to digest that material. I guess just because you dress for the occasion can make me look a lot older than I already am?

Another very interesting teacher I've met on the job was a long term occasional teacher. I was talking to her and I was taken aback when she told me, "I studied chemical engineering." In shock and awe, I replied, "woa". Teaching is a field of great diversity and to see many who have gone into the profession who heartedly you are awesome and probably under paid. For those who just did it because it is considered a stable job, you're just cray. I have no idea how you sit there in front of a class 9-3 and not actually enjoy what you are doing. 

Interesting things go on in life. I'm grateful for all that I've been given the opportunity to do this week. 

Alrighty

In a nut shell, there has been a lot of happenings. So the usual I'll just take the liberty of sharing in a form of a list. 

• If I ever move out of my house now, I'm going to find some friends with a car. 
• Moving was a huge chore, but it's done. 
• I love my landlord, even though it was at first really hard communicating with her. I'm not complaining now since she's doing a lot of "freshenin' up" around the house. 
• Lovin' the fact that previous tenants have left a crap load of things. 
• I now own: 
• A Gamecube
• A foosball table
• A microwave that cost my ziltch
• A lot of kitchen stuff – a curse and a blessing
• We're pretty awesome, scored a $25 BBQ. Sweet stuff. 
• Kingston was pretty good, it wasn't actually that lonely when you have friends around to:
• Watch movies
• Watch more movies and have dinner
• Have BBQs
• I'm in Toronto, and I'm staying with a pretty awesome family. 
• Well the fact that I met them yesterday. It's a pretty rowdy house with the 2 parents, the older son who actually just left back to Waterloo this evening, a niece who's in 3rd year hoping to study @ Richard Ivey, then the younger daughter studying l'immersion français in grade 8. 
• It's odd after spending an entire week alone. 
• Blessed this family who has opened up their home, shown so much hospitality and essentially treat me as one of their own. So I'm very thankful for that. 
• Practicum is fast approaching which is exciting, not so much the fact that I have to start summer school but then that can be again counter balanced by the fact that I'm going back to HK! 

ciao. 

Then & Now

From the time I stepped off that jet plane from Hong Kong in January these are the things I've learned, need to do, thought about.

1. Always, ALWAYS pay attention to signs in airports (esp in Vancouver) just because you might miss your connecting flight
2. Related, always make sure you have ALL your train tickets before leaving the house
3. My limit till physical exhaustion is <2 hours per night for a week
4. Be conscious of my commitments, once I'm on board theres no going back (except excruciating circumstances then I'll go back on my word)
5. Don't start watching Titanic at 330 in the morning
6. See the silver lining in everything you do
7. January = Con-Ed Craze month
8. February = SWEP + Interview Craze month
9. March = Summer position Craze month
10. April = Hibernating month 
11. The sport of inner tube water polo is beyond my capabilities as a self-declared athlete, it's one tough cookie
12. Red bean soup tastes best over night
13. I need to stop leaving my iClicker at home
14. Being a good listener and just shutting up sometimes
15. How to approach this interview thing
16. Being calm and composed for those really awk, odd, situations
17. How not to curl and of course how to curl
18. Take the high road all the time
19. Letting go, and receiving grace
20. How not to communicate
21. What I shouldn't look for in a house
22. I should see the house before I sign it, not that it was a problem for the house I did sign (just something to keep in mind)
23. Stepping out of that comfort zone with the same people
24. Not bothering to go above and beyond for certain tasks
25. Paying more attention in my classes
26. Attend class since my attendance dropped by ~30% the first half of this semester
27. Stop being so accommodating
28. Take some more me time
29. Take some more Him time
30. The awesomeness of laying in bed glaring at the ceiling and sending my mind off to an expanse of endlessness
31. Reduce the number of lists I make, it stresses me sometimes
32. I should blog more about life critical issues like world issues
33. Hold back sometimes, I'm too impulsive (not new, it's a work in progress)
34. How to file my taxes on paper
35. Why my parents always invested in a program that cost them money to file taxes
36. How not to teach when I become a teacher as exemplified by some of my profs
37. CBC streams Hockey Night in Canada (:
38. Being behind, doesn't mean it is impossible to catch up
39. Making lists to see what you need to do sometimes makes things better
40. Just avoid the cafeteria completely during March Open House, way too many prospective students + families
41. Not by personal experience but the pills that people take for asian flush don't work
42. Never have 151 ever again, and let me re-iterate that again, NEVER AGAIN
43. What it feels like to be a Volleyball Intramural Champ
44. Realize that although some people on your team have played a long time, mistakes happen and there are consequences
45. What it feels like to have a minor concussion/mild head injury - no idea what the difference is, but it hurts to hear anyone speak to me
46. The perfect way to avoid a really long, over-extended meeting is to have the excuse of playoffs 
47. You can make your friends do everything, but reciprocate. One of those ways is purchasing them a meal. 
48. I'm so thankful for 2 Nort. We were a fun bunch. 
49. Moving is a pain when you don't own a vehicle and when you're from out of the country.
50. It all comes down to letting things happen as they do; everything falls into place.

Powering Through.

Quick, short, update of my life. 

• Sucks having 5 full fledged exams over the course of 7 days – its aggravated by the fact it's the first week of exams
• Cramming is not fun, but the ideal way to study when you have less than 24 hours till the next exam
• After tomorrow I can be proud and take the night off. 
• Last two weeks of being sick is taking it's toll
• It's playoff season and I'm watching the game and studying
• I'm tired and so worn out. 

Stress comes and goes, it's wave-y at the moment and its ok. Go into the exam neutral, walk out neutral. I tired and just need to power through the next 16 hours, well once I wake up tomorrow morning. Ciao. 

It's That Time Again!

It's that time of year again, where everyone is rather swell – exams! I guess this time around its more of a brick wall to the face. It's the fight to figure out whether I truly will ever be prepared for this, and relating back to all the psychology terms I've been cramming into my mind.

It's been an accepted fact that I would like a pass in that course and if I get anymore it is a gift. I guess there's more to then just exams during this, frame of time.

It's nice.

Not really in the mood of writing much but share the goodness & kindness of others today.

When the pharmacist addresses by your first name and says, "I hope you get well soon."

It's just plain out nice when you know that its truly genuine words. It makes a dent in all the exhaustion. But beyond that, life is good. Once I get back on a sleeping cycle. Even better. 

The Tragedy of the Commons - Garrett Hardin

I must say, Hardin – you were a brilliant man. The fact that in 1968 you recognized the issues that are only emerging in the last decade and truly considered a problem now, is amazing. I think I should go back to the fact, that although this was a required reading for my biology class, it's one of the things that drives me to become a conservationist if I don't become a teacher. One needs to recognize, we as the human species are making such a large impact on the world.

Our daily choices, optimization, greed, temperance, freedom, coercion and everything in between. Hardin hit all the points. We simply want to believe that the world is infinite, and one can do anything they please as long as it does not affect them. The CEOs who run the world, don't care that somewhere out there in the world, the destruction of the planet is looming – it all comes back to materialistic desires.

Overpopulation is a problem. Plainly stated, there needs to be more consideration on this pertinent issue that is finally being unraveled by the majority of the world today. It was recognized 44 years ago that we have this problem... It all goes to question how we can backseat a lot of things in life.

Although it opens a large can of worms that I don't want to currently speak upon. I really do give kudos to China for the One-Child-Policy. Yes, it's cause major social issues such as female infanticide, boy and girl ratios be severely off. The impacts of a single growing population limiting their birth ratios has decreased the number of consumers in the world. There are also a lot of other considerations to this of course that I am currently not acknowledging, but think today, March 31, 2012, if China did not implement the policy how many more people would there be in the world.

Rough Week

It's been a pretty rough week. Two visits in the ER, a visit to LaSalle, corticosteroids and sensitive hearing. Don't even know where to start with this one. So let's just make it a list and keep it concise.

• I still really haven't pieced together how I got kicked, it just happened 
• The Doc in the ER should get another shift, so I don't run into him again. He's also pretty funny guy. 
• The second visit was not me, just so happened my friend decided to sprain her ankle. Well, not her doing. 
• Sleep is good. 
• I'm suffering major cabin fever, I probably spent a good number of hours that are countless by now in the dark in my room doing absolutely nothing. 
• It sucks that I couldn't do anything, cus I know that I was realyl far behind in the thing that I had to do last week
• Crazy allergic reaction, just completely speechless. It's just me, and growing up in such a clean environment of Vancouver. 
• Yummy corticosteroids that are great for the rash, not so great on my sleeping schedule. 
• Sensitive hearing. OMG regular cars sounded like trucks going up and down the street. I effectively avoided 90% of my classes. 

That's all, world. My rough week, that continues till I'm off the 'roids. 

It's been a Real Long Weekend

The weekend started off with bang, was done by 230 pm because I went to Thursday PROF. Some appreciation was shown to the Teaches and that whole plan backfired. But I heard it always done anyway. Had some great laughs out of it and met some new people. Tis all good.

Saturday was fine and I was just tired. Had QP for dinner with the groupies; well except for those who needed to finish homework. And then the night took off starting with a poem. I personally think that the extra five minutes we took made it phenomenal. It was fun and tiring again. All the walking you can do in Kingston is pretty crazy. It was great to crash at the end of the night with a full McDonald's meal. Might as well mention that the tolerance of 2013 is greater than 2012 by a mile.

Sunday. Fun stuffs. Championship. Other than the fact that I didn't get the biggest room in the house next year and that I spent some time in the ER Sunday night it was all good. We played phenomenal and we were in it to win it. That other team got way ahead of themselves in some plays. So some things to note for whenever I play again

• There shall not be a table next/near to the court filled with electronics. I almost took that table out with a hip check yesterday and it shouldn't be there... it's a hazard. 
• There should be padding on where the ref stands, almost took her out. 
• There should be no kicking of volleyballs, b/c I'm concussed because of it
• I don't even understand why he kicked the ball I was totally there for it.. o.O oh wells I forgive him. 
• There needs to be another setter, as much as I do enjoy playing 5-1, it's tolling when you play four games and I'm in every single set booking it for the ball every play. 

Other than all that. We won. My head hurts and this typing thing isn't working out. Disorientated typing is weird. 

Lazy Awesome Day

Lazy Awesome Day. It's one of those days even with trying really hard, no work gets done and you just enjoy life a little. It was a combination of things coming together. It all started at 830 when it was the final lecture of that horrible prof, actually to clarify she doesn't even hold a PhD – not that you need one to teach the material, she was just plain right bad. Went to the doc to find out that I'm not crazy and I don't have some odd allergy to wheat, I don't know why I thought wheat anyway. Chem got cancelled, had lunch with some friends and headed off to west campus. The bright and beautiful day set everything off, the rest of my day doesn't really matter because it was really boring.

The walk to downtown was nice and relaxing to be out in open, fresh air. I guess the kicker for the night was watching all the brawls from the 'nucks game– finally we're off to a win again, last night w/ Chicago ain't pretty. And the rest of it was to receive an awesome gift of dinner; homemade may I add. With a simple note, "Enjoy your dinner :) ! Hope your interview went well !! - love in Christ, E :) " The fact there were two smileys goes a long way to see how happy and joyful people are. It's like the diffusion of happiness, it's great to see people in this great mood even though times are tough. Yea, had very yummy homemade Chinese food and it's just a taste of what I'm going to be cooking next month and when I'm home...

People are crazy awesome sweet here. Even with the roller coasters thrown my way, theres always someone to seek out to talk to, someone that's got my back, someone that cares – and even if that all goes spiraling out of control, He's there with open arms.

Home Stretch

It's that time of year, the home stretch before it's all over. Well all over in the sense that the year is over anyway. I'm looking ahead in my schedule now and after the next couple hectic weeks it'll be a great time to write all my exams, chill in my room packing all my things away and getting ready to move!

And even though times can be tough and there's pressure to do well,

"Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." Ephesians 5:1-2

Hopefully, in whatever I may be doing in the next couple weeks it reflects that! 

Coinkidink

What a coinkidink that I happen to just pick up my guitar (I should name it, I've been procrastinating) and jammed to a song that CL decided to lead it for worship this week, half way cross the globe. 

Stumbled upon the music sheet on my really old binder that has been through a heck of a lot over the last seven years. Well I can tell that CL decided to type it up, as it bears the iconic smile "=)" next to the title. 

So I share with the world something that was probably lost in the musical world because I still can't find the origins of this song. 

SAVED BY GRACE =)*

I'm a sinner saved by grace, 

Never known such worth, than the ransom paid that day

When my Lord on a cross

Gave His life in my place

For a sinner Hallelujah

I've been saved by grace.

Nothing I've done, to merit such grace

That the king of glory would die in my place

Unworthy as I

Still He laid down His life

For a sinner, I'm freed forever

I've been saved by grace. 

That Christ would leave His throne

To ransom sinner's home

How great a sacrifice

Who should deserve such a prize, such a prize

I'm a sinner saved by grace,

Never known such worth, than the ransom paid that day

When my Lord on a cross

Gave His life in my place

For a sinner Hallelujah

I've been saved by grace.

*Just to show my love for the =) next to the title (:

Powerful lyrics, message and the truth. 

Without His grace, mercy, and eternal love – there is nothing. We are sinners saved by grace. 

Monday Madness

So it's official, I should sleep more and figure out a better scheduling of my weekends. With a jammed packed March as well, there is seemingly no time to breathe with all my weekends now fully booked solid. So time, to reorganize a bit of life, be proactive and increase productivity when I am supposed to be productive.

To start of my day, my alarm clock didn't go off. Stood my friend up for breakfast, missed my two classes of the day and can't seemingly feind off the sleepiness while I'm supposedly to do my readings for Psychology. With that said, it's Monday Madness for me. Weeks never start off like this...

Well, at least it was a chill day. I think after this, I'm not going to even attempt to do my readings and just head back home and rest. Perhaps get some more shut eye to work off that sleep debt. I can't believe it's the second week of March, and exams are fast approaching. There's still a tonne of stuff to do and I need to start thinking about booking that ticket back home... Kind of important?

Thoughts.

So much for getting into bed by 12 AM today and sleeping 8 hours to prep myself for my 830 in the morning. I don't think I'll be attending that one eh? Well, I caught an hour or so of shut eye before now and it's going to take it's toll tomorrow. I totally thought I was over this over thinking thing, but I guess I'm so excited that I can't go to bed.

Of course for those who don't live in the little town of Kingston aren't really in the loop of things so here I explain. Perhaps over the last 24 hours scenarios have been running through my head – whether I landed the position I wanted, didn't land it, did other great things in life or rather not. It gets pretty crazy hectic in my mind.

World Issues

Kony 2012

What are you really, truly. After some deliberation of learning, watching and sharing with some friends. What is this entire campaign truly about. Invisible Children is attempting to advocate for something. It's a toss up of issues, and personally I side more with not really going with the movement. Which is one of my pet peeves. I'll just deliberate here and share my thoughts.

For this revolution:

• It's raising awareness for something that has been unseen and unheard of for decades
• It's viral and touching millions across social media sites like Twitter, Facebook, Blogger.
• It's making people think twice about what's really going on in the world
• The ideal of stopping Kony himself for all his actions has caused
• The list does go on, but those are the key things. 

Against this viral sharing

• In technicality there is very little information of "how" this is all going to pan out with one's financial support
• The viral sharing is just a "band-aid" for the situation, no one really knows what their supporting. Just like senorcristian said in his Tweet, This "Kony 2012" is a fad like Occupy Wall Street, where 75% of people don't even know what they're fighting against."
• There are more current world issues that are affecting so many people in the world, whether it be a natural disaster or the perpetual cycle of poverty, why should this stand above all other humanitarian projects. 
• Lastly, this is a feel good thing that people just do, it's easy– by the click of the button they are able to "share" but are they truly doing anything? There's something much more close to home, the Kingston community is right here beyond the campus and yet people are choosing to support financially to somewhere thousands of miles away? 

Although I do sit more on the against side, I will acknowledge and give merit to how viral Kony has gone and will continue for the next few weeks. I only want people to realize that there are many things that go on in the world that are unseen and not touched by popular media. Kony is a start for many to recognize that there are real problems in less economically developed country and to invest more time in the research and genuine aims of a humanitarian project. 

KONY 2012

Watch. Learn. Share.

Monday

Monday. Just like any other ordinary day. One would assume anyway, because why should Monday be so special. It could be someone's birthday or due date for some assignment, even better a day for an exam...

What makes any day special?

Stumbled Upon

Too much to say and think about, but I shall share this. I stumbled upon this on Friday and started jamming to it :)

Brenton Brown's Lord Reign in Me

Over all the earth

You reign on high

Every mountain stream every sunset sky

But my one request Lord my only aim

Is that You'd reign in me again

Lord reign in me

Reign in Your power

Over all my dreams

In my darkest hour

You are the Lord of all I am

So won't You reign in me again

Over every thought

Over every word

May my life reflect the beauty of my Lord

'Cause You mean more to me than any earthly thing

So won't You reign in me again

Sleep? Nope.

I should be in bed, but I thought it was important (not truly) to share before I forget. Two things. Random really. My thought process as of this moment, "alsdhflaiuewfhaiefuhaleifuahef, oh yea I posted earlier today yesterday. 

Numero Uno.

- I don't think I ever recounted my trip to the oral surgeon, aside from the fact that they made me have my appointment at 11:15 in the morning and didn't consult with me till 12, t'was good. Random fact about me, I apparently have the dental age of a 15 year old. Another of those times where age is a misnomer for me. 

And yea, I got bored of studying. I decided to create some fanciness out of my cue cards. Going to rock that midterm (pun intended). 

The amusement ~

There's much to do and very little time, if only I had all 24 hours. Next blog title?

Woa.

Hey! I didn't fail chemistry. Perhaps the lack of studying and the fact that I should invest a bit more time into the course set me up for the "asian fail" HAHAHA I really couldn't care for less. Meh.

Well we get on in life and continue life as we know it. I had the realisation that it was March a couple hours ago. March. Around this time of year last year, I was starting to gather myself in preparation to hardcore on some IB stuff. In a few months, I'll be done first year, a few after that I'll have a job or be doing something super cool—maybe things on my bucket list, which I shall share at some point when I remember to actually write it out. Continuing on with this trend; in a few months new Frosh will be rolling in, MP's little brother is going to continue their families attendance at Queen's legacy, MB is heading over and I would assume weighted Q > UVic. It'll all be fun.

So here I am, 19th week of university. I feel like I've accomplished so many things already. Well more things on my own agenda rather than on an academic one. It's been a ride on the roller coaster with my sleep schedule but hey, got some work (not academic) done that was of the upmost importance.

He does Work within.

He works within us. I guess it's not as evident especially when we are not in a reflection stage or when don't consider how the doors opened and closed for a purpose, a reason. A lot of things have been revealed to me this week. 

Hello & Good-bye

I guess I have reiterate again how fast time goes by, I feel like I do this ever so often with the fact that I'm realizing it more and more. Perhaps it was the conversation with EC that evoked that thought. The knowledge that she's moving on with her life as the Civil Environmental Engineer and she's graduating this year. Her last graduation I was a mere child who didn't really know what was going on. Life as I knew it was completely different and I'm not the same person I was three years ago.

But that's the not the point of this post, I was just thinking about how in 6 days and 5 nights I've accomplished a lot, things come and go. It just wasn't the simple meet and greet and never talk to them ever again. Living with someone is definitely different from the typical we're just friends thing. It's just like when you're over for a sleepover. I treasure those moments; one because it's not every often that I do sleepover but when I do it's a feel good feeling, because you truly get to them "raw" well more than you ever would in a coffe shop talking about life eh?

Where does that leave me now half way through reading week? Well, apparently I may be going to view my first basketball game on the 11th, we'll see how the kinks work out and if that's going to even to happen. There's a crap load of stuff I do have to do but as usual, it will get done in the knick of time and there will be no stress nor anger or anything associated with those emotions. I'm exciting I guess to go back, maybe I will choose to sleepover tonight with SC, but knowing her it's never a night of sleeping. Harper's is on the menu tonight as we shall casually stroll downtown with a new friend that as of if this moment haven't met.

Time for the cool and funny story I guess in the travels of RSF. Trains, ViaRail I guess is foreign to me. Which  one would find odd because well I've travelled to quite a few places just not on trains or that's not the mode of transportation that I fancy. So anyway, at some point in the 6 days from when I boarded the train in the snow and from when I was heading out to board I lost the actual ticket for my train. So great eh? If I were in any other country, I would not have been able to 1. Cut the line in front of six people 2. Not pay a fee for getting my ticket reprinted 3. Not be treated like just some other girl who lost their ticket.   So I was just that crazy con-eddie booking it up and down Union Station, ran into another con-eddie, literally yelled, "Hey LC and bye".

That's the end of it..

That's the end of all the fun of reading week, or that's what I thought until I get a bunch of spam message from my dear friend "stranded" in Kingston. Upon my return to Kingston, it'll be a party and I won't get jack done.

Well, it sounds like a great plan especially because I get to watch my first Queen's Women's Basketball Game, make my first batch red bean soup in Kingston and to sleepover! So screw work and let's not get down to business...

I guess it's important to write a summative to the things I have accomplished over the reading week abroad, mhmm, away from Kingston. You will notice there is a trend here, lack of academics – that's the way to live life though nowadays.

• Got a new MEC red back pack
• Got to eat sushi, bubble tea among many other really good things
• Got to have some good heart to heart with the people I stayed with
• On the note of having great heart to heart, emotional train wreck is no longer that hurt I hope. Over the course of a few hours she went from doubting sully to girl who's in the process finding the good of the situation
• Shh. I wrote a note and slipped it somewhere in her bag, hopefully it'll help at some point
• Got to meet my friend's parents and her younger sister; I guess it was odd because her younger sister was my age
• Got to visit uptown's T&T and purchase many things.. yum
• Got to sleep on memory foam for the first time, it was rather odd I found. 

Essentially in the Middle of Nowhere

It’s been an awesome three days in the big city of Toronto. A dynamic difference in comparison to the small little town of Kingston.  It was great to be greeted with such great hospitality and staying in my friend’s studio flat in the heart of the city. I really couldn’t ask for more. To be quite frank I never really connected with the girl before it would be the day to day things we talked about, the weather per say or how much this assignment did not allow me to get a good nights sleep — You get the gist of things.

It was therefore real interesting that she opened up her home just because I asked. Well, I met up with her in December and just asked her what she was doing for reading week. I’m completely grateful that she had done so, because if not I would have no where to stay, and I’d be stuck in the little town in the middle of no where.

The first night I was there we stayed up till 2 am. And it was simply great to just to get to know her. It was odd I guess that I had to initiate every conversation we had since I got there, but it plays to her quiet personality.

I got to do some awesome things such as shop for the things I needed, well necessities more than shopping for what I wanted. I’m kind of bummed that they actually don’t have Timberland stores here since I recently found out they all closed down in ‘04. So I could not shop for a good pair of boots to replaced the ones I’m currently worn all the way to the sole. They’re a great pair of leather boots that I don’t want to part with as they brave the light Kingston snow and are that great day to day pair of shoes that are classy, not over the top shoes. I also looked forward to visiting Clarks or stores that sold them anyway since I spotted a pair of their Originals Desert Mali shoes that are new for the season. Eaton Centre just wasn’t that impressive since I didn’t get to purchase the things I hoped to. However, it was great that Sears was having some really random sale for their bath things. I lost my only towel, well my only real cotton towel during BEWIC. So it was great to purchase a nice shade of blue towels – other than the fact they take up so much space in my bag. I’m just lugging around a 45 L hiking bag and my new 30 L MEC deluxe book bag (:

I’m sporting the book bag in red, apparently a colour more suitable for me Random, now back to my days spend here in TO. The second day was great, when we went to Ktown in this case (Korean Town). Went for my haircut and had some great conversation with CC since I haven’t seen her since the end of summer. I guess that’s really it, wandered around downtown, watched “The Grey”, got NW hooked on House, baked PB cookies.

Now, I’m just sitting in “Café Princess” in the Finch Subway station area. Random I know, but I didn’t want to stay in downtown, subconsciously well may be now consciously to avoid any more awkward conversations. I’m enjoying my coffee with hazelnut syrup. mhmmm... If it was only hotter, that would be great. I’ll blog a little later after staying up with the train wreck girl. Hope she’s not in that state at the moment. Looking forward to share the love of God.

Hello Again.

After a few kind of troubled posts. Tis alright, rest assured. The great city of Toronto has amazed me and I'm finding comfort in staying with friends downtown and simply enjoying the good life of relaxing. It may be reading week, but I'm far from what the university defines to be reading week. None of my textbooks are even currently with me. I however, did take the opportunity to travel and seek out the greatness of VIA rail. 

The awesomeness of MEC has been refound, asian food and many other great delights like a real shopping mall. I guess I did purchase a few things, nothing extravagant. My biggest purchase were bath towels in a lovely shade of blue, since mine disappeared after BEWIC. So here it is. Part of the good life one may say. 

There is a lot to get back to when I'm back in Kingston, still then everything else can be held in a picturesque frame; no worries, no regrets. The week coming back from reading week will be one horrid nightmare with back to back interviews and a heck of a lot of classes. 

Switching gears. Today I was asked by my future housemate / floor mate if I was graded on a different scale because I was in IB. I guess I didn't foresee that she was going to try to convince a friend of hers to do the programme. I guess it does pose a huge dilemma. It does give people a head start, challenges those, prepares one in "studying for exams" but there are huge drawbacks that I hoped that never came to light. The fact that I became essentially in the bubble of the player on the varsity sports teams who would have to miss games, the girl who did adequately well and in everyone's eyes the girl who seemingly juggled her life well. I couldn't advocate for the programme although I grew a substantial amount as it came to a challenge that I had a passion to knock it down and defy all odds. However, not everyone lasts through such a rigor programme. I guess it's counter-intuitive just as all the teachers and administrators talk about mock exams. 

Off to a Rough One

The morning was a rough one. I managed to wake up for that 830 class of Geology. I don't even know why I bother going to that class. It's my bird course for the semester and I have yet to learn something. I guess to Mrs. D, I've learn a crap load of stuff in IB HL GPHY and it's paying off big time.

Digressing from that one class. Well, near the end of that one class I was supposed to meet up with KW so she can give me Hunger Games. I saw her and just bolted the other way. I didn't want questions to be raised, or comments, or concerns. For once in my life, I saw a Con-Eddie and booked it straight in the opposite direction.

The day was a rather rough one, but calming one. I failed to attend any of my classes even though Thursday is my "hard day" I just didn't want to go nor did I have the energy to after sulking all night and depicting what could have happened, what I did wrong, and why they made the choice. I'm over it completely.

It was great talking to ML, long story for another time but I'm her math Froshie. She lightened my day as she informally introduced me to her friend who is running the Gecko / Newts Orientation well give me his e-mail. (Gecko / Newts = for international students and students new to Queen's; I forget the acronym) It was great though. New doors are opened once I closed some old ones.

I guess it's also the realization that when that does happen, it may hurt. It's probably for the better. Less of my plan and more of His.

BLEH

It's that depression stage where you've been rejected twice in exactly a week for something you just love and adore. Feeling like I could knock back some drinks, perhaps not so much b/c OC doesn't want to drink, and drinking alone is just plain awkward.

Well I'm at that point where I want to look forward but am constantly reminded that I didn't make that cut. Perhaps I was just boastful with pride and joy, but then again ... when am I not usually like that?

So here we have it. I'm sitting in a room in the ugliest residence with an amazing Lazy Scholar which I recently found out serves really - I mean like really good ice cream. Anyway, two episodes of House later with some Woody's Grapefruit Vodka whatever which  tastes pretty good, I just got reminded by some people that they were there. Without me..

They can say all they want that they wish I was there, some were truthful others meh, not in the mood to interpret them. It's just a painful process now. Something you love, enjoy, passionate for; shattered in front of your eyes.

Till other times, I'll be in a hole. A metaphorical one (:

Cover Letters On the Fly

It's that crazy hot season for job applications in the summer. It's odd for me I guess, because I've never truly applied for a job. Well with the exception of when I worked at McDonald's but I got the interview right away and got hired on the spot. My last job didn't even require me to hand in a resume or a cover letter – it pays off to have connections.

I'm currently in the process of writing my second cover letter. It's not a crazy hard process but it does take time. Anyway, I guess feel good about writing these, just to get the experience out of it and perhaps land the job. On another note, the one I'm writing now is actually for a position for next year. And I'm stuck...

WHY?

It's because I'm going for a job where I just have to push a bunch of buttons. I obviously need qualifications for that... LOL. We'll see how it works out. It's good that I can possibly get paid $11 / hour essentially doing nothing – sorry to push buttons.

Anyway, thought I would share with the world. Although now that I'm a seasoned noob at this business, I was happy that my first cover letter was said to be and I quote,"Solid content, one of the better cover letters I've edited (I've edited a lot of them btw, I was once paid to do that)." HAHA I'm just self-loathing aren't I. It's that good feeling you get when you feel like you accomplished something great.

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. Till some other time.

Nothing to Do.

It's great not to have to do anything. It's weird, 5th week in, and nothing to do? I remember in first semester I felt like I was swamped in work and didn't have a clue how would I pull off the whole mid-term thing and continue to go to all my classes and all that jazz. I guess I'm just currently on top of things, having a very filled plate does pay off.

It's going to be an interesting week. I've already shared that I didn't get my elected position but tomorrow I find out if I'm going to get a position as a Teach. I guess I'm nerve racked at the same time interested to see what is to come of everything. Because there is the Teach and non-Teach divide throughout the rest of the year. Perhaps the plan set out for me is to defy all odds and not be a Teach and break through like KJ did.

There are a lot of Con-Ed events going on so that's very exciting. I guess at this point I'm just grateful that I'll have a place to stay over reading week. All of that I shall share soon enough. A glimpse into it currently I'm staying with two completely different parties and it'll be fun, love, and hopefully an insiders view on the raw personalities of those I haven't yet gotten to know dearly yet.

Now, to head home and to read more Hunger Games.

And to share a glimpse of my day I'm going to share a pretty photo!

Overlooking Lake Ontario, 2012

Post-Elections & Interviews!

Election results were out a few nights ago and I get the call that I didn't get the position. I guess initially I was bummed but it just means that I need to commit something else other than Council. So perhaps that its QCE and to organize a huge conference with very little people. It'll be a challenge but I'm sure I'll do fine. So we'll see what I'll end up doing. 

So what else is in store for next year? Who knows. It'll be an interesting one. I do however want to be HIRED to be a teach and have little FROSHIES over at my place. 

Our interview was a blast. We knocked the ball out of the park and couldn't have been part of a better group. I met new people, and saw different sides of them I didn't know existed before. We built a bus, made a cheer that I'll share with you here. 

Con-Ed is hot to go. 

H-O-T-T-O-G-O

Con-Ed hot to go.

Con-Ed hot to go.

We're loud we're proud,

We're ten to one.

Got summers off, 

Wish you were done. 

Con-Ed hot to go.

Con-Ed hot to go.

From West to Main, 

In shine or rain. 

Alpha to Nu, 

We'd school you. 

Con-Ed hot to go.

Con-Ed hot to go.

We're the teachers,

With great features. 

So everyone said, 

"It's better in B.Ed!"

Con-Ed hot to go.

Con-Ed hot to go.

Reminded...

Perhaps I'm unlike many of the people who go off to university nowadays. Everyone has no clue where they'll head towards in terms of career, or what they truly want to do. There are others on this diverse spectrum who are brought up in a society where the pre-determined professional life of being an advocate, or a doctor who strive each and every single day starting from a young flourishing age towards that career path. I also do wonder, what goes on in those minds who are so TRULY determined to gain such a career path. How does God fit into that picture. Or is it simply a life of that is purposelessly driven – only desires to be "rolling in cash" where there is a lack of a better phrase or simply providing for the family.

However one comes to their career, it must all come down to the fundamental and initial desire / drive to step down that path.

As teachers you are forever a learner. Well it's probably practical to say that you are a forever a learning as individual tasks and whatever life throws at you makes you "learn", but you get my gist and what I mean as teachers as being a learner. Before I delve into why I truly want to be a teacher lets go back to they story of how I was reminded, only a short few days ago. It was that thing I just joined in the beginning of the year. Volunteering with Frontenac College in their literacy programme, well in particular their French reading circle one. It was only a one hour commitment every week that I started in late October / early November. I wanted to be out there, giving back to the community, on the side boost my resume and of course, have a little fun.

I guess it became a drag when I would almost forget all the time that I've committed my hour at 6:30 pm on a Monday night and end classes at 11:30 in the morning. With that huge gap of 7 hours, I move along in my life, going about my day and so forth. So the "drag" part came that I didn't enjoy my time. I worked with a number of kids, they were never constant and I was just getting flustered with the fact that the program is not working as I thought it would.

So it came to last week, where I even told the circle leader that I had another commitment and couldn't come to a meeting. I didn't lie or anything, but I think I could have still made a good 45 minutes of the hour. Digressing from that, it was unenjoyable. Period. It came to my turn to provide snacks and come up with a game for this week. So I went about heading out to the grocers to get some arrow root crackers and headed home to figure out what I'm going to do with all these kids. Talking to my can-mate the idea came to me. One of the games that I enjoyed as a kid was a fishing game. For some reason I associated simple arithmetic on the back of the fish although I've never played such a game.

I then had that "eureka" moment. Where I just put vocabulary words on the back of the fish, set up a bunch of fish hooks using paper clips and made fish with vocabulary words and a paper clip portion that could be hooked.

Ingenious I thought.

And so it turned out to be true. The last half hour before the reading circle ends there is time for a game. Although the children were first uninterested; at the end of it all they were truly enjoying the learning experience.

Learning is supposed to be enjoyable. It sucks when someone is shoving something down your throat, and that analogy applies to education as well. To simply see the kids desiring to play the game and to translate all the vocabulary before the other team was indescribable.

Teaching for me is a lifestyle, a career and my way of reflecting about what I enjoy the most– learning out of interest and of course for fun.

Woa. Too many things.

It's a new year. New semester. New term. blah blah blah. Perhaps one of the biggest highlights at this moment is running for council once again. It's such a big difference than running for a first year position. There's a long list of to-dos on the checklist I was given. The position also has lots of responsibilities attached but not to mention all the fun and the fact that I get to get involved! It's just awesome. The next few weeks shall be busy once again. We'll see how often I'll post. Everything is not up to me, if the position is not my calling. So be it and I'll continue to live on with my life and commit to other things!