I stumbled across a song by Laura Story the other day, and was reminded of it again tonight, through something someone had posted on facebook. Not quite remembering how the song went, I went over to youtube and took a listen. I realized how much this song reflected on my Easter experience this year. It was a different one, first holiday away from my family and first Easter not attending the Catholic Church. It was hard at times, so many differences, not quite feeling in the holiday spirit at times, simply because it didn't feel like a holiday. The chorus of the song states:
What if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes
to know You're near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise?
It brings up some good questions, and regardless of your background, Christian, Athesist, whatever, it holds a message. Sometimes our greatest blessings come through times of trial. You hear stories all the time of families who are brought back together after a diagnosis of a loved one, or friends who reunite in the wake of a tragedy. maybe the rain isn't that drastic, maybe it is as simple as spending a holiday away from someone you love. I realized this weekend that my family might actually miss me. My brother, although taunting me for the most part, sent email after email. I have never communicated with this kid so much in my life, even when I was living at home. My parents called at least twice this weekend, and that's in addition to the time I called, hashing out my brother. One of the big blessings I felt through this trial, this period of rain, was the love and support of my family.
As well, I spent most of the weekend at the Salvation Army. Organized Church is something I had been lacking in lately, too busy with schoolwork and curling to be involved in much and it was refreshing to share in worship with like minded individuals. It was also different. Really different. I have gone to a Catholic Church for 18 Easters, and it is always the same, from Good Friday to Easter Sunday it is the same service. It is a service I am comfortable in, and I was more than uncertain going into service at the Salvation Army, especially on Good Friday. It wasn't all that bad though. It was different, but sometimes different is good. It shakes things up and makes us reconsider our routines. Blessing number two for this weekend.
My final Blessing that came through this period of rain was the exact opposite of rain. It was a beautiful weekend (although it is supposed to pour tomorrow and I have a nice long bike ride ahead to volunteer). Because of the great weather I took a hike and got lost in the best way possible. I was exploring a new trail, in a new park and just kept wandering. I knew which way was out if worst had come to worst, but that was probably one of the best feelings, the slight fear of being lost, but still knowing how to be found. I also had the opportunity to take the bike out, and it never ceases to amaze me the power a bicycle gives me. Even while struggling up hills I felt alive, and joyous. It is something I underestimate every time. Cycling instills a sense of wonder and amazement, and adventure. Refreshing after all the stress and changes experienced lately. Blessing number three.
I guess the whole purpose of this post is not to tell you what a fantastic weekend I had, but to caution you not to shy away from the difficult parts of life. To embrace the disappointments, the times of grief, of pain, those nights where you cannot sleep because 50 things are running through your head. Those times will challenge you, but they may also be some of your greatest blessings. In the words of Dory from finding Nemo "Just keep swimming."
Here's a link to the song, I encourage you to take a listen, regardless of your spiritual background, you can relate I am sure: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CSVqHcdhXQ
Sunday, March 31, 2013
C'est la vie
C'est la vie. Such is life.
Life has been pretty good lately. It has been full of lots of different and some unnerving situations. In the next two weeks, I will be videotaping a national ringette championship, scoring a maritime wheelchair basketball championship and timekeeping a world curling championship. I am beyond excited for these opportunities, a little frightened maybe, but excited more than anything. These opportunities are something that will help me gain experience in a field I am studying. It is also a huge opportunity to network and hopefully someday it will all pay off with a sweet job.
That being said, I think I may have finally decided where I might want to pursue my career path (sorry that sentence is weirdly worded, but I don't know how to fix it). I have always thought about being a doctor, or something medicine related, but it wasn't until a few days ago when we started doing dissections in biology, that I realized how much I really wanted to be a doctor. The body is fascinating, and even though we were only dissecting fish, worms and sheep eyeballs, it was way different than I ever thought.
On top of all that, I have been looking into doctors without borders a lot. This would involve everything I have ever wanted. Working in an impoverished area, being a doctor, helping people. It wouldn't be overaly difficult work, pretty routine treatments, but it would be amazing. Living in another country, a developing country... it's all I ever wanted.
Life has been pretty good lately. It has been full of lots of different and some unnerving situations. In the next two weeks, I will be videotaping a national ringette championship, scoring a maritime wheelchair basketball championship and timekeeping a world curling championship. I am beyond excited for these opportunities, a little frightened maybe, but excited more than anything. These opportunities are something that will help me gain experience in a field I am studying. It is also a huge opportunity to network and hopefully someday it will all pay off with a sweet job.
That being said, I think I may have finally decided where I might want to pursue my career path (sorry that sentence is weirdly worded, but I don't know how to fix it). I have always thought about being a doctor, or something medicine related, but it wasn't until a few days ago when we started doing dissections in biology, that I realized how much I really wanted to be a doctor. The body is fascinating, and even though we were only dissecting fish, worms and sheep eyeballs, it was way different than I ever thought.
On top of all that, I have been looking into doctors without borders a lot. This would involve everything I have ever wanted. Working in an impoverished area, being a doctor, helping people. It wouldn't be overaly difficult work, pretty routine treatments, but it would be amazing. Living in another country, a developing country... it's all I ever wanted.
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Crazy times
It's been a little while since i posted, so I figured would keep all you dedicated readers (or those of you who aimlessly stumble on my blog from time to time) updated.
A lot has happened lately. I have slaved away, working like crazy on school work ( although that is to be expected, seeing as I am university). I have also managed to survive my first week without curling (it was pretty rough, going from being on the ice 15 hours a week to 0). Instead of replacing that free time with school work, I have instead chose to watch greys anatomy non stop, starting from season one. May have to tone down that habit in the upcoming week.
It's kind of funny, we all read the research and know the benefits of physical activity and all that, how it relieves stress, increases energy, improves concentration and so on and so forth, but it isn't until that aspect of my life started to lack a tiny bit that I realized how true it was. I haven't been going to the gym as much lately, mainly because I would spend so much time curling and walking/biking to the rink that a) I didn't really have time and b) I didn't really need to because I was getting physical activity from another source. I have slept more this week than I have in a long time ( because I could start my homework before 10 o'clock, weird thought), but I have had less energy, and was less productive when I was working. That is something I am definately going to work on this week, aiming to eat better again and attend the gym more.
My first big charity event was yesterday, and I would say it was a success, with over $250 and 8 big boxes of food raised. I still think we need to reevaluate for next year, but it was a great event this year! We also had our social last night, first time soberrepping for house committee this year, although I kind of wished I hadn't sober repped so I could have left and slept, but it was a great night!
So that's it,
Britt
A lot has happened lately. I have slaved away, working like crazy on school work ( although that is to be expected, seeing as I am university). I have also managed to survive my first week without curling (it was pretty rough, going from being on the ice 15 hours a week to 0). Instead of replacing that free time with school work, I have instead chose to watch greys anatomy non stop, starting from season one. May have to tone down that habit in the upcoming week.
It's kind of funny, we all read the research and know the benefits of physical activity and all that, how it relieves stress, increases energy, improves concentration and so on and so forth, but it isn't until that aspect of my life started to lack a tiny bit that I realized how true it was. I haven't been going to the gym as much lately, mainly because I would spend so much time curling and walking/biking to the rink that a) I didn't really have time and b) I didn't really need to because I was getting physical activity from another source. I have slept more this week than I have in a long time ( because I could start my homework before 10 o'clock, weird thought), but I have had less energy, and was less productive when I was working. That is something I am definately going to work on this week, aiming to eat better again and attend the gym more.
My first big charity event was yesterday, and I would say it was a success, with over $250 and 8 big boxes of food raised. I still think we need to reevaluate for next year, but it was a great event this year! We also had our social last night, first time soberrepping for house committee this year, although I kind of wished I hadn't sober repped so I could have left and slept, but it was a great night!
So that's it,
Britt
Thursday, March 14, 2013
IB and university
They said IB would prepare you for university. They said it wouldn't be that bad. They lied. All IB has accomplished is making me into an overacheiver who spends many sleepless nights in my bedroom alone, doing schoolwork because I was too busy being a well-rounded person because that is all the last two years have taught me!
In all fairness, it's probably not IB's fault I seek out the opportunities I do. I also wouldn't trade many of the opportunities I have had in the past few months for the world. I have learned so much, and have experienced so many things I might never have the chance to experience again. Like a para sport conference (great experience), or playing the cornet(not so great experience, I am not especially musical). I am slowly but surely figuring out what I want to do with my life, kind of. It's a process, but these challenges I face, along with the ridiculous amount of coursework I have are helping slightly.
That being said I have learned a few things from IB that are helping me immensely now. Firstly, there are more important things than grades. Doing what you want, and what you need to do to stay somewhat sane and moderately stress free is sometimes more important than handing in a perfect assignment. It has also taught me how to get the most from my learning experience. I remember sitting in TOK thinking what a giant waste of my life this is, but now I can see basic principals emerging into my daily (and academic) life. The whole questioning what you read is a big thing. I no longer believe something just because it's published, I think about it more, and ask why (although that could be a health and wellness thing, why is the biggest question in that class). I've also learned how to rip through a paper in minimal amounts of time, which is a big help now, and the ability to actually properly cite is beneficial... which apparently isn't a very big part of the NB high school curriculum.
Anyway, that's my little why IB is good/bad rant, inspired by an email from none other than the IB coordinator himself, complete with a survey I now have to fill out.
Until next time,
Britt
In all fairness, it's probably not IB's fault I seek out the opportunities I do. I also wouldn't trade many of the opportunities I have had in the past few months for the world. I have learned so much, and have experienced so many things I might never have the chance to experience again. Like a para sport conference (great experience), or playing the cornet(not so great experience, I am not especially musical). I am slowly but surely figuring out what I want to do with my life, kind of. It's a process, but these challenges I face, along with the ridiculous amount of coursework I have are helping slightly.
That being said I have learned a few things from IB that are helping me immensely now. Firstly, there are more important things than grades. Doing what you want, and what you need to do to stay somewhat sane and moderately stress free is sometimes more important than handing in a perfect assignment. It has also taught me how to get the most from my learning experience. I remember sitting in TOK thinking what a giant waste of my life this is, but now I can see basic principals emerging into my daily (and academic) life. The whole questioning what you read is a big thing. I no longer believe something just because it's published, I think about it more, and ask why (although that could be a health and wellness thing, why is the biggest question in that class). I've also learned how to rip through a paper in minimal amounts of time, which is a big help now, and the ability to actually properly cite is beneficial... which apparently isn't a very big part of the NB high school curriculum.
Anyway, that's my little why IB is good/bad rant, inspired by an email from none other than the IB coordinator himself, complete with a survey I now have to fill out.
Until next time,
Britt
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Oscar and Reeta
I'm sure you have all heard by now of Oscar Pitorious and his alleged murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp. If you haven't, google it, it's an interesting story after all his accomplishments and the pride he brought to his country. He is currently waiting, after being released on bail, until the summer when he will face the charges. His defense is he heard noises and thought it was an intruder so he shot them. Simple enough. Now, I'm not writing this post to voice my opinion on this event, but rather on an article I read recently. It was published by a feminist website which I usually try to avoid because, although I believe men and women should be treated equally, sometimes it is taken way too far, and by trying to achieve equality we are promoting inequality, but alas another rant for another day.
This article struck me for several reasons. Firstly it mentioned that she was dead. It didn't matter that she was a model, had posed in bikini shots, or that her boyfriend was an Olympic athlete. It also mentioned that it was in no way her fault. Both of these points were definitely something that has come up in many articles. Reeva was being blamed (although not outright) in some writings because she spoke out against rape in South Africa... something which is a touchy topic in many African countries. The one thing that stood out though wasn't even something in the article, it is more or less a sob story criticizing other journalism groups for their poor reporting (which in all fairness could use some improvement), but in the comments. Someone commented that she is always being referred to as "Oscar's girlfriend." This is true. He is her link to fame. If it wasn't for Pitorious we more than likely wouldn't even hear of a shooting in South Africa.
This brings up an interesting topic, why are stars lives always profiled so much more than our own. Athletes, for the most part, don't ask for the attention. They play a sport they love, be it running, cycling, basketball, whatever, and they play it better than most. What sets them apart from us so much? I think we all need to remember they are normal humans, just like us. They face difficulties and some make bad decisions. We don't hear about every single gang shooting or drug bust that goes on, so why are their stories so much more important?
anyways, just some late night musings,
Until next time,
Britt
This article struck me for several reasons. Firstly it mentioned that she was dead. It didn't matter that she was a model, had posed in bikini shots, or that her boyfriend was an Olympic athlete. It also mentioned that it was in no way her fault. Both of these points were definitely something that has come up in many articles. Reeva was being blamed (although not outright) in some writings because she spoke out against rape in South Africa... something which is a touchy topic in many African countries. The one thing that stood out though wasn't even something in the article, it is more or less a sob story criticizing other journalism groups for their poor reporting (which in all fairness could use some improvement), but in the comments. Someone commented that she is always being referred to as "Oscar's girlfriend." This is true. He is her link to fame. If it wasn't for Pitorious we more than likely wouldn't even hear of a shooting in South Africa.
This brings up an interesting topic, why are stars lives always profiled so much more than our own. Athletes, for the most part, don't ask for the attention. They play a sport they love, be it running, cycling, basketball, whatever, and they play it better than most. What sets them apart from us so much? I think we all need to remember they are normal humans, just like us. They face difficulties and some make bad decisions. We don't hear about every single gang shooting or drug bust that goes on, so why are their stories so much more important?
anyways, just some late night musings,
Until next time,
Britt
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