Healthy Living

So like all my other posts, they are simply expressions of what is going on in my life, hence the title of my blog "What's going on?" Since the start of the school year I've been consistently making choices in my life to live a healthy lifestyle. I think I was always put off by either working out or staying in shape because I always had this impression that people that go to the gym are egotistical and self-centered. Plus I've been blessed with a high enough metabolism where my weight was never an issue. I've come to realize a lot more people go to the gym than I expected and none of them are egotistical. There was one more fear, that my life would be consumed with lifting weights, running, and the desire to be bigger and better. I'm glad to say that I've overcome this very narrow minded view of the gym. I've developed a routine that I've stuck with for the past three weeks or so and I'm actually enjoying everyday life a lot more. I feel good about myself knowing that I've done some good for my body and mind. Also, starting to work out has actually made me be more aware of the food that I put in my body. Not saying that I won't eat junk food, but it's not something that I desire to eat anymore.

Marriage/Cactus

So January is almost done and it’s crazy that we are a month in to twenty ten! [not two thousand and ten] Three more months then I’m done my second year here at Ambrose! The last time I wrote it was at the beginning of Christmas break, oops sorry for the lack of updating! Time just flies by, I don’t think I’ll ever get used to it. Makes me enjoy smaller moments a whole lot more though!

So on January 1, 2010 my little sister got married! It’s so hard to believe the same girl I used to pretend to put boogers in her cereal, build forts, play Mario Kart for endless amounts of time, go to the Reddi Mart with what little money we had and spend it all on candy, and the little girl I grew up with is now married! A few of the family from Canada got to drive down and take part in her beautiful wedding. Overall she did a wonderful job planning and getting everything organized. The question I’ve been asked multiple times now that Ryan and Alyssa are married has been when will I get married? I say, NEVER!... Haha...just kidding...but do not worry about me! God is a big God and His plan is perfect and I definitely trust in Him to bring the right person along.

So I was blessed this Christmas break. Turns out that my Grandma took a little piece of my cactus, the one from third grade, and actually grew her own cactus. When she heard about my predicament with the Christmas cactus, she was so generous that she gave me her Christmas cactus which was the one I had since elementary! It was one of the best Christmas gifts ever. I have a little something up my sleeve for my Grandma, but she won’t know until next Christmas!

Well just wanted to give a quick update. I love you all and I hope you are having a great year so far!

BAM!

That’s how I feel right now. Like I’ve hit the brick wall and now I’m lying on the ground trying to recuperate from immense pain! Okay, maybe not that bad, but this last semester has been a doozy. In my entire school career, it’s been one of the most challenging, growing, exhausting, semesters of my life. Between school, practicum, work, and the rest of life’s happenings, I had to force myself to take breaks which have been a first. It was a wonderful learning experience for me in regards to time management, taking days off, and enjoying life in the midst of utter chaos. I don’t assume next semester is going to be any easier, although it possibly could, but I feel more prepared to handle whatever comes my way. I’ve learned the importance and necessity of taking one day off a week no matter what to allow my body to recover from the previous week’s unfolding. This past semester has been a challenge well accepted and well learned from.

These past couple days, my friend Melissa from Australia came for a short visit while on her way to Winnipeg. She got a pretty full experience of Canadian culture while she was in Calgary. I was able to take her tobogganing and snowboarding and she got to meet a lot of great people! For the first time snowboarding she did really well. It was her first time out of Australia so it was great to share a little bit of Canadian culture with her.

Right now, I’m sitting in Yellowknife, enjoying the stress free atmosphere. It’s so refreshing to be up here, away from everything, and best of all, be with my family. This Christmas break has been muchly anticipated and I can tell you will be muchly enjoyed! With my sister’s wedding coming up in January, it’s going to be a wonderful end to a wonderful Christmas break.

Take a break, take a breather, enjoy the season, and remember why we celebrate it.

God bless,

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Containing Christmas Subject Matter

So I know it's a little early for Christmas talk. Well actually I don't think it's ever to early to talk about Christmas! I'm super excited for this winter season!

To begin with, a bought a Christmas cactus. If you aren't sure what it looks like, a quick Google image search will reveal that to you. Now why would I buy a Christmas cactus? It all started in third grade when my teacher gave everyone in our class a plant to take care of. This plant was a Christmas cactus. The one given to me was small in nature, consisting of only three leaves. Over the years I had the chance to watch it grow into a beautifully mature plant that bloomed every November. Upon graduating and leaving to Yellowknife, [consult the first post of this blog for more information about moving to Yellowknife] I left the cactus in care of my brother. Not to long after, it died, and was thrown out. Upon hearing this news I was devastated from the core of my being, okay well maybe not that much, but it hurt. Over the next couple of years I searched for a cactus to call my own. This search came to an end as last week when I was able find a plant to secure that place in my heart, a new Christmas Cactus [whose name has yet to be determined, although there has been some ideas tossed around].

Along with the Christmas cactus, I was also able to purchase a Christmas tree and Christmas lights to decorate our room. It's my first Christmas tree that I've ever owned personally and so far I'm pretty happy with it. It stands 6' tall and is visible from the school. When I'm walking back to residence at night, you can see it glistening in the window.

I'm super excited about this Christmas break because my little sister is getting married! I never imagined she'd get married before I did, but that's life. She's getting married to a wonderful man of God, and their passion for God is also undeniable. I look forward to January 1, 2010 as a start of a new life for my sister, and a life with a new brother for myself.

I also have a season's pass to Canada Olympic Park. It's my first time buying a pass at a hill so I'm looking forward to spending time there. I think it's a great hill. It is 10 minutes away from the school for easy access so who can complain.

After this two weeks I'll be done all my papers, most of my assignments with only finals to look towards. After that, Christmas break, then semester 2 here I come.

God bless.

Neglect

Never in my life do I want to be so concerned with myself and my own problems, that I forget to take notice of the people around me.

So this past month has been relatively busy compared to my previous years of schooling. My involvement in different areas has definitely pushed me to my limits physically, mentally, and spiritually. What I'm noticing is that when I get to my limits, I retract. Almost in a preserving manner which I find interesting. My focus is primarily on myself and how I can I make it through each individual day and the overwhelming pressures I feel. On the other hand, I think by being aware of this, I'm learning to cope. The pressure is slowly subsiding and I'm starting to make my way back to being out in society. I'm learning to say no [a skill I thought I'd already developed] and to manage my time properly. Interesting enough, I had to write a short paper on time management which challenged my actions and gave me a little boost in regards to using my time well. How often do we neglect people for the sake of ourselves and how we feel that day? What happened to putting others before us? Love God, love people. How can you love God or people when all you consider is yourself and your own problems? Take care of yourself, don't get me wrong, but let us give our undivided attention to people that we interact with. Let us stop the wandering eyes that happens so often in our conversations. Let us invest into our relationships as much as we can. I know two essentials in life are community and faith, let us pursue both. Life is a journey, let us walk it together. Relationships come and go, but the ones we have in this moment are the ones that are significant.

What else happened this month?

My brother got married!

Live in the moment, look to the future, learn from the past.