Long weekend! I really wanted to run with Lisa down by the beaches today, but unfortunately had to cancel it.  Beautiful weather these past 2 days!  I couldn’t help but look up at the sky and admire the absolute lack of clouds!  Recently I’ve been looking back at old photos all the way from university days.  And videos too!  Super great memories!  I’m really looking forward to summer!  Now every year, I post what I’m hoping to do for the summer… so here goes…and let’s hope I’ll have time for all of this

-Camping (x2)

-Family bbqs

-Swimming more often – Waterpark!

-Road trip somewhere

-Canada’s Wonderland

-Cottage?

-Photowalks – many of them!  I hope to gather some old friends to take some great photos again!

-CityChase

-Beach/beach vball – I’d really like to play again.

-Tennis?! lol

-jogging

-CNE!

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I’m looking forward to Sunday, to hang out with my 2nd fam

Here is this year’s randomness about me.  Tell me if you learn something new about me!

1. I love to eat candied ginger.  I’m eating it right now!

2. I don’t like driving to places I’m unfamiliar with.  I usually like to Google map the location beforehand.

3.  I’ve probably had sinusitis more than 5 times in the past year.

4.  I collect stamps and stickers.  It helps that I’m a teacher!

5.  I watch many reality T.V. shows including:  Amazing Race, Project Runway, Fashion Star, The Voice, America’s Next Top Model, and Big Brother.

6.  I’m really bad at first-person shooter games.  I walk straight, left, right, and bump into walls.

7. I love running…esp. with the company of others.

8.  I have an ongoing scrapbook filled with random interests.

9.  I used to play a lot of beach volleyball in the summer.  The beach was my second home!

10.  I LOVE The Hunger Game Series of books, the movie was alright.

11.  I tend to fend off telemarketers with the line, “May I have your number?  I will call you when I need your services.  Please put me on your do not call list.”  I had one telemarketer hang up on me!  Shouldn’t it be the other way around? lol

12.  If you could have any dream job, what job would it be?   A professional dancer, photographer, or designer.

13.  When I’m really stressed…I start getting hives.

14.  I need to declutter!  I find it difficult to depart with some of my old belongings…but I’m slowly learning to just throw away things!

15.  I’m a worrier…mostly about being late.

16.  I love to explore new places!

17.  I am so grateful for the greatest circle of friends.

18.  I’m learning more grammar this year than I have done so in my education.

19.  I’m re-reading the book, The Giver.  My grade 6 teacher read it to me, and it was a challenging book, but I ended up loving it!

20.  I wish I could go away on vacation or just go on a trip for a week somewhere.

21.  I hate bugs.  As a kid, I cried when I attracted a ton of aphids since I was wearing a bright green shirt.

22. I cannot ride a bike well.  Evidence:  Riding on those Bixi bikes in Montreal…and being the slowest, most wobbly of the group.

23.  I take my time to eat.  If I eat too quickly…I start to feel sick.

24.  I like outdoor activities…minus the bugs of course. lol

25. Settlers of Catan is addicting!

26. I’m re-learning how to snowboard!

So it feels like I’ve just momentarily floated off the face of Earth, and now I’m back!  Why?  The past two weeks seemed more than I could handle.  With major cleaning in my room and re-organization happening, to papers to mark piling up on me, to resolving some work conflict, to recovering from my sinisitis, to saying “yes” to accepting more classes on Sunday…  But I must say that I’ve finally made it over the ever-so-long hump of busy-ness.  Phew!  It feels great to have fought through all this work!  Also, I learned a lot along the way, in terms of handling confrontation and issues at work; and just how to persevere.  I couldn’t have done it without the help of my family, friends, & Chris.  Coco here, also helped by always asking me to play with her.  And just by being cute with her sun tanning!  It’s as if she’s saying, “What are you looking at?  I’m just tanning.”

Some other great accomplishment of mine:  I haven’t gone shopping in 2 months!!  But…I’m guilty for shopping online yesterday…I bought a pair of new dark-grey Keds!!  :D  Now let’s hope they fit!

I had so much fun over the weekend in Ottawa with Chris’ siblings.  They are so kind and like to joke around a lot!   I felt like I was with family…the time passed by too quickly!

We stayed at home for a day, and played so many games of Catan where we all fought for sheep.  They call me by a French version of my name, “Jaaa-nay”.  Christine made the best carrot cake I’ve ever had!  Selene, Natalie and I talked about Korean dramas.   Chris asked if we could play Catan again.  We walked on the Ottawa River at Petrie Island, and I got to witness ice fishing for the first time.  They all surprised me with a cake for my birthday!  We went on a photowalk for Christine & Joel’s 5th Anniv.  Chris asked if we could play Catan again.  We watched a movie late into the night.  Kingsley & Chris stole Selene’s socks.  We played President and Rummy-cub.  Selene wanted to play Rummy-cub again.  Natalie got picked on by the boys.  Joel snuggled Chris.  Christine made us some delicious Chicken Curry!  Chris asked if we could play Catan for a final time….but it was time to go home.

I’ve been so busy that I forgot to post here, and update my FB cover photo!

These past few days have been pretty busy.  Busy is supposed to be good, but I didn’t see it that way.  I wanted it all to go away.  It made me think that perhaps I’m too comfortable in the state I was in.  If I was so comfortable, then how will that prepare me for what’s ahead?

I’m so grateful for this voice that instantly calms, and reassures me…this voice that tells me that that’s what life is all about.  That I need to face my fears.  That I will grow and learn from all these experiences.

Thank you for reminding me always.  Today, your voice helped me channel my patience.