I am back from my looooooonngg hiatus, which I am going to call (and rightfully so as you will be informed upon my return from overseas) my sabbatical.
Yet, as I announce my return, I also must announce my departure for the Philippines. For two weeks I will be travelling with the international development organization, Development and Peace
I will be on a solidarity trip with youth across Canada learning about the work being done by partner organizations in the Philippines to help themselves out of poverty and towards governance.
Follow our blog while I'm there! And please keep our group and those we are connecting with in your hearts and minds.
Vancouver --> Teipei --> Manila, here we come!
Friday, August 6, 2010
Monday, April 19, 2010
The End of My Getaway
My visits to the mainland keep coming up unexpectedly for me. They have all been invitations so relevant to who I am known to be (the Chapter's Volunteer Appreciation Day from my last time in Van) and who I am becoming (this weekend in Sorrento as a week for D&P).
So this weekend has not actually been a true getaway for me. It has taken me away from my studying desk at home, but it has not been a means of me wanting to avoid my studies as an academic. Rather, it was the beginning of fulfilling my duties as a youth member of Development and Peace.
So, Sorrento. The heart of the Shuswap, offering me another beach to run on, and another lake to contemplate by...
The stillness of a 7a.m. morning by the water
The afternoon back at the beach with another new filipino family. The weather was as incredible as it looked. I ran down the hill to meet them there. I felt really weightless and free because I had stepped outside of myself and recorder a video speaking on my thoughts of D&P, particular how I support their mandate to educate Canadians on the issues of the Global South. Using my voice has been a challenge for me - this was my first big step in making myself more visible.
The long drive that brought me closer to home brought me some painful clogged-ear moments, but was well worth it. Weaving between the mountains and taking in our beautiful landscape.
I arrived in Kamloops by flying over those mountains. I made my way home at ground level.
A visit to Merritt - a place I thought I would potentially never visit (a place a school friend currently lives in. I wouldn't even have known of its existence if it were not for him and his visit to Victoria last fall).
A visit to Hope, B.C.'s McDonalds, where I made a pledge. First of all, not only did I not order a burger, but I made a decision to enjoy my last medium fries.
Yup. I'm acting on my decision to actually make healthier decisions. Not just think about them. The motivation came from my surprise at how much I enjoyed a salad I made for myself earlier last week. I had enjoyed it so much that I wanted to lick the bowl clean. I didn't lick the bowl clean because although I was by myself, I still found it offensive. I realized that the need to eat well was actually becoming a want for me.
So, goodbye McDonald's french fries. It's been a great relationship, but you're no good for me.
So this weekend has not actually been a true getaway for me. It has taken me away from my studying desk at home, but it has not been a means of me wanting to avoid my studies as an academic. Rather, it was the beginning of fulfilling my duties as a youth member of Development and Peace.
So, Sorrento. The heart of the Shuswap, offering me another beach to run on, and another lake to contemplate by...
The stillness of a 7a.m. morning by the water
The afternoon back at the beach with another new filipino family. The weather was as incredible as it looked. I ran down the hill to meet them there. I felt really weightless and free because I had stepped outside of myself and recorder a video speaking on my thoughts of D&P, particular how I support their mandate to educate Canadians on the issues of the Global South. Using my voice has been a challenge for me - this was my first big step in making myself more visible.
The long drive that brought me closer to home brought me some painful clogged-ear moments, but was well worth it. Weaving between the mountains and taking in our beautiful landscape.
I arrived in Kamloops by flying over those mountains. I made my way home at ground level.
A visit to Merritt - a place I thought I would potentially never visit (a place a school friend currently lives in. I wouldn't even have known of its existence if it were not for him and his visit to Victoria last fall).
A visit to Hope, B.C.'s McDonalds, where I made a pledge. First of all, not only did I not order a burger, but I made a decision to enjoy my last medium fries.
Yup. I'm acting on my decision to actually make healthier decisions. Not just think about them. The motivation came from my surprise at how much I enjoyed a salad I made for myself earlier last week. I had enjoyed it so much that I wanted to lick the bowl clean. I didn't lick the bowl clean because although I was by myself, I still found it offensive. I realized that the need to eat well was actually becoming a want for me.
So, goodbye McDonald's french fries. It's been a great relationship, but you're no good for me.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Let the Games Begin
It's about 7 days into exam period now and I am experiencing the usual symptoms of head ache and stomach ache that accompany the added stress to my life.
Yet somehow, these terrible days have brought back the fitness guru in me. I have made a fitness comeback. I have ran all the days of the week, and managed to lift weights of the weight you would have expected of me in my goodlife tonka truck days of last summer.
I attribute this success to the team player attitude of my housemate who remembered and took me up on our tye dye run.
Be seen. Be heard. That's how we did.
After this public tye dye display, I am now about one step away from becoming a "granola." If you're not familiar with this label, it's ok. I wasn't until reading my marketing textbook. Granola: an individual who is always finding ways to take care of the earth and their fellow citizens. Also likened to the hippie type.
Having finally learned how to cook and bake has added great quality to my life, in that I have another way to find stress relief during these terrible days.
I even invented something:
I shall call it "Katrina's Sweet Salsa Bread:"
1) Preheat oven to 220 degrees
2) Cut crusty bread (that you purchased at Thrifty's Dollar Days for $1) into as many diagonal pieces as you like
3) Spread margarine and then sprinkle quite liberally with garlic salt
4) Place in oven and complete a relatively small and simple task (like loading laundry)
5) Remove bread from oven and place fresh avocado (organic if you can) slices
6) Spoon (also organic) mango salsa over avocado slices
7) Share with your awesome housemates (but keep the best pieces to yourself of course)
I thought I loved the Victoria airport with all its scenic windows, but I think I now love Vancouver airport more for its free wifi - If not for YVR, I could not blog while transferring flights.
This is my first commute by air within the province.
Location:Sorrento (near Kamloops), B.C.
Temperature: 26 degrees.
Purpose: D&P Regional Meeting (and that's all the details I can share in confidence)
The timing of this could not have been any more perfect being the middle of exams and all - but I am truly blessed to have these life experiences.
I'm a little embarrased, as I am wearing a mint lululemon wrap. It matches too well with my mint City of Guelph tote. Oops! At least my D&P friend will spot me easily in Kamloops.
XOXO Perhaps I'll buy meself a postcard.
Yet somehow, these terrible days have brought back the fitness guru in me. I have made a fitness comeback. I have ran all the days of the week, and managed to lift weights of the weight you would have expected of me in my goodlife tonka truck days of last summer.
I attribute this success to the team player attitude of my housemate who remembered and took me up on our tye dye run.
Be seen. Be heard. That's how we did.
After this public tye dye display, I am now about one step away from becoming a "granola." If you're not familiar with this label, it's ok. I wasn't until reading my marketing textbook. Granola: an individual who is always finding ways to take care of the earth and their fellow citizens. Also likened to the hippie type.
Having finally learned how to cook and bake has added great quality to my life, in that I have another way to find stress relief during these terrible days.
I even invented something:
I shall call it "Katrina's Sweet Salsa Bread:"
1) Preheat oven to 220 degrees
2) Cut crusty bread (that you purchased at Thrifty's Dollar Days for $1) into as many diagonal pieces as you like
3) Spread margarine and then sprinkle quite liberally with garlic salt
4) Place in oven and complete a relatively small and simple task (like loading laundry)
5) Remove bread from oven and place fresh avocado (organic if you can) slices
6) Spoon (also organic) mango salsa over avocado slices
7) Share with your awesome housemates (but keep the best pieces to yourself of course)
I thought I loved the Victoria airport with all its scenic windows, but I think I now love Vancouver airport more for its free wifi - If not for YVR, I could not blog while transferring flights.
This is my first commute by air within the province.
Location:Sorrento (near Kamloops), B.C.
Temperature: 26 degrees.
Purpose: D&P Regional Meeting (and that's all the details I can share in confidence)
The timing of this could not have been any more perfect being the middle of exams and all - but I am truly blessed to have these life experiences.
I'm a little embarrased, as I am wearing a mint lululemon wrap. It matches too well with my mint City of Guelph tote. Oops! At least my D&P friend will spot me easily in Kamloops.
XOXO Perhaps I'll buy meself a postcard.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
GoodDay, GoodNight
Another early rise. I got as far as sending some emails before deciding it was better to rest longer than study more.
Experienced a right place, wrong time situation. If given the choice between Starbucks and Tims I always go for the Tims. More for my buck.
So today I decided I was going to try the Breakfast B.E.L.T. combo. Not only would I get a roll-up-the-rim medium cup (of H.C.), but I would also have a delicious twelve grain bagel to eat half of at the time (and the rest for lunch), but I would also have a trail mix cookie to eat immediately before my exam (so my stomach won't grumble an hour in - my greatest exam writing fear).
But... my H.C. did not come in a roll-up-the-rim mug. Why? Because the last one had been handed out before me.
Right place. Wrong time.
Also experienced a right place, right time situation. Woke up (from my regular Saturday afternoon nap) just in time to wash out my tie dye shirt - MY FIRST EVERY TIEDYE SHIRT. Made it at school on Friday under a tent being attacked by hail for a fundraiser for St. Vincent de Paul. I did the traditional cinnamon bun style, yet managed to create a spiral pattern. Awesome.
I think this one's going to become some sort of t-shirt dress.
I figured since I was washing out my tyedye shirt in the tub, I may as well handwash my handwash only clothes. I love Woolite. Definitely worth the extra money. Hoping they'll come out with green initiatives.
But handwashing is quite the process:
1) Fill tub with cold cold water and 1/2 cup of Woolite liquid.
2) Soak clothes individually for 3 minutes.
3) -go and check your email and send emails in between
4) Gently squueze out suds
5) Roll item in towel to remove excess water
6) Lay flat to dry (or hand from your bathtub like I do)
The first personal recipe I am going to share with you is my cantaloupe smoothie.
Light. Refreshing. So good. So good that I made one for Becca and Rob too.
1) Fill the bottom of your mini-blender with as many frozen cantaloupe cubes as you like. About 6-8 is good.
2) Add water until about 1/3 of the cantaloupe cubes are immersed
3) Add 2% vanilla yogurt (Island Farms to be exact) until just above the cantaloupe cubes
4) Blend!
5) Enjoy!
Finally today, a sunny day with a temperature to parallel it. It wasn't as cold as the last days have been! So it was time to take my picture for the Blush contest. Basically, until April 15th, Blush, one of my favourite downtown Guelph boutiques is taking entries for their contest. Blush ladies can coordinate Blush purchases and post their pic on the Blush website to win gift certificates to- of course- Blush! Just entered mine, and it should be on their website soon.
http://www.blushshop.ca/#/Contest/
Did my best to co-ordinate what I had here with me in B.C.
But, could I actually pull this outfit off in public?
Very spontaneous attendance at a UVic concert tonight. Choir and Orchestra, Janos Sandor's (conductor) farewell concert after 15 years of conducting at UVic.
Turned out to be the concert my fellow ushers have been talking about recently.
Also turned out to be a great performance. The pieces were selections of the best operas for choir and orchestra.
The best musical performances, when I am sitting in the audience and not on stage myself, always leave me questioning the "What Ifs?"
What if I had actually continued pursuing music and wholewheartedly dropped the sciences and rowing to put the necessary time in to be as talented and skilled?
What if I was still singing in Symphonic Choirs?
What if I had the time to just keep playing?
What if I had not gone to tonight's performance. I would have missed out.
Experienced a right place, wrong time situation. If given the choice between Starbucks and Tims I always go for the Tims. More for my buck.
So today I decided I was going to try the Breakfast B.E.L.T. combo. Not only would I get a roll-up-the-rim medium cup (of H.C.), but I would also have a delicious twelve grain bagel to eat half of at the time (and the rest for lunch), but I would also have a trail mix cookie to eat immediately before my exam (so my stomach won't grumble an hour in - my greatest exam writing fear).
But... my H.C. did not come in a roll-up-the-rim mug. Why? Because the last one had been handed out before me.
Right place. Wrong time.
Also experienced a right place, right time situation. Woke up (from my regular Saturday afternoon nap) just in time to wash out my tie dye shirt - MY FIRST EVERY TIEDYE SHIRT. Made it at school on Friday under a tent being attacked by hail for a fundraiser for St. Vincent de Paul. I did the traditional cinnamon bun style, yet managed to create a spiral pattern. Awesome.
I think this one's going to become some sort of t-shirt dress.
I figured since I was washing out my tyedye shirt in the tub, I may as well handwash my handwash only clothes. I love Woolite. Definitely worth the extra money. Hoping they'll come out with green initiatives.
But handwashing is quite the process:
1) Fill tub with cold cold water and 1/2 cup of Woolite liquid.
2) Soak clothes individually for 3 minutes.
3) -go and check your email and send emails in between
4) Gently squueze out suds
5) Roll item in towel to remove excess water
6) Lay flat to dry (or hand from your bathtub like I do)
The first personal recipe I am going to share with you is my cantaloupe smoothie.
Light. Refreshing. So good. So good that I made one for Becca and Rob too.
1) Fill the bottom of your mini-blender with as many frozen cantaloupe cubes as you like. About 6-8 is good.
2) Add water until about 1/3 of the cantaloupe cubes are immersed
3) Add 2% vanilla yogurt (Island Farms to be exact) until just above the cantaloupe cubes
4) Blend!
5) Enjoy!
Finally today, a sunny day with a temperature to parallel it. It wasn't as cold as the last days have been! So it was time to take my picture for the Blush contest. Basically, until April 15th, Blush, one of my favourite downtown Guelph boutiques is taking entries for their contest. Blush ladies can coordinate Blush purchases and post their pic on the Blush website to win gift certificates to- of course- Blush! Just entered mine, and it should be on their website soon.
http://www.blushshop.ca/#/Contest/
Did my best to co-ordinate what I had here with me in B.C.
But, could I actually pull this outfit off in public?
Very spontaneous attendance at a UVic concert tonight. Choir and Orchestra, Janos Sandor's (conductor) farewell concert after 15 years of conducting at UVic.
Turned out to be the concert my fellow ushers have been talking about recently.
Also turned out to be a great performance. The pieces were selections of the best operas for choir and orchestra.
The best musical performances, when I am sitting in the audience and not on stage myself, always leave me questioning the "What Ifs?"
What if I had actually continued pursuing music and wholewheartedly dropped the sciences and rowing to put the necessary time in to be as talented and skilled?
What if I was still singing in Symphonic Choirs?
What if I had the time to just keep playing?
What if I had not gone to tonight's performance. I would have missed out.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
15 Days
There is a reason why people who live in Victoria always greet the bus drivers and thank them at their stops. Bus drivers here are just nice. It's that simple.
They don't get upset when you accidentally signal your stop too early (I didn't do it. Some other UVic student I recognized).
And I very much admire their ability to selectively choose to ignore drunken res. students on the number 4 to downtown. There was no escaping them tonight.
I actually had to use my circle scarf for what I had originally seen it advertised on SweetSpot. One end became a hood for me, the other end was used to keep my little hands warm (until I had to use them to hold my umbrella to protect me from the rain and wind). It was just cold tonight, and most of today.
And so begins 15 days of hell. I will keep my head above water and get through this somehow. It isn't anything I haven't brought onto myself. I don't even get a break between the end of my finals and beginning of my summer semester, but such is life, and I'm lucky to be here, I know.
Sometimes I wonder why I try. I took so much pride the other week in writing The Plan for each of my parents
For Mom - reasons why she should ride the motorcycle
For Dad - reasons why he should be physically active to manage the effects of smoking (I wasn't even asking him to quit!). I even gave him a training plan.
I really thought I would motivate some change here, and that I was finally applying my skills to my family, whom I should have always been putting first. It's pulling teeth. It makes me sad.
They don't get upset when you accidentally signal your stop too early (I didn't do it. Some other UVic student I recognized).
And I very much admire their ability to selectively choose to ignore drunken res. students on the number 4 to downtown. There was no escaping them tonight.
I actually had to use my circle scarf for what I had originally seen it advertised on SweetSpot. One end became a hood for me, the other end was used to keep my little hands warm (until I had to use them to hold my umbrella to protect me from the rain and wind). It was just cold tonight, and most of today.
And so begins 15 days of hell. I will keep my head above water and get through this somehow. It isn't anything I haven't brought onto myself. I don't even get a break between the end of my finals and beginning of my summer semester, but such is life, and I'm lucky to be here, I know.
Sometimes I wonder why I try. I took so much pride the other week in writing The Plan for each of my parents
For Mom - reasons why she should ride the motorcycle
For Dad - reasons why he should be physically active to manage the effects of smoking (I wasn't even asking him to quit!). I even gave him a training plan.
I really thought I would motivate some change here, and that I was finally applying my skills to my family, whom I should have always been putting first. It's pulling teeth. It makes me sad.
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Back to the Island - A New Journey Begins
Today I start my journey back to Victoria. It consists of a one hour ferry ride from Powell River to Comox, and a four hour Greyhound ride from Courtenay to Victoria.
Since getting away from the hometown I have been frequent in my travelling. Flights at least twice a year, when some are lucky to go at all, let alone ever leave the places they call home. Frequent bus-ing, skytrain-ing, ferry-ing, subway-ing, bicycyle-ing, walk-ing.
I'm getting all my necessary internet uses for today out of the way now, before I reach home in 11-hours.
The first task was to complete my new blog. It resulted out of a commitment I made to Development and Peace of how I will educate others about the organization and the work I will have done for them throgh my solidarity trip with them to the Philippines. It gave me a reason to actually start a blog, as I mentioned the other day, that has a real, distinct focus and purpose to it.
So check it out, follow it, and spread the good word around:
klaqu-globalmind.blogspot.com
Since getting away from the hometown I have been frequent in my travelling. Flights at least twice a year, when some are lucky to go at all, let alone ever leave the places they call home. Frequent bus-ing, skytrain-ing, ferry-ing, subway-ing, bicycyle-ing, walk-ing.
I'm getting all my necessary internet uses for today out of the way now, before I reach home in 11-hours.
The first task was to complete my new blog. It resulted out of a commitment I made to Development and Peace of how I will educate others about the organization and the work I will have done for them throgh my solidarity trip with them to the Philippines. It gave me a reason to actually start a blog, as I mentioned the other day, that has a real, distinct focus and purpose to it.
So check it out, follow it, and spread the good word around:
klaqu-globalmind.blogspot.com
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
A Change Is Gonna Come
Yup. I keep changing my blog layout. I really liked the most recent one, but have had to change it, because I have found something else to blog about that is more than just a diary-like update of the going-ons in my life, and the most recent layout was just perfect for it. You'll see.... my new blog: a global mind.
Running on the beach is hard. Beautiful. But hard. I kept picturing myself rolling on my ankle from the unevenness of the rocks, and the noise from my shoes was ruining the sound of the tide for me. But not many people get to run on the beach often, or at all for that matter, so I can get used to it. The beach was Powell River, a home I frequent when I can.
Dogsitting duty for my new cousin, Ginger. 8 weeks old and 19 lbs. Did I mention she is incredibly cute and smart? How can you not fall in love with a soft puppy who loves you no matter what and falls asleep in your arms or lap? You can't. It's impossible.
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