A Year on the Island!

  Tonight, work is quiet. I can hear myself think, and tonight, I'm thinking about the impending one year anniversary of my arrival to the big red rock.

  I can still remember arriving here, seeing the bridge loom out of the misty greyness like the animated skeleton of an ancient dragon, twisting towards the shore, head down, waiting for me to ride on its smooth, narrow spine. I remember the wash of excessive rain and fog as I marveled at the names 'Crapaud' and 'Souris', wondering which Acadian was to blame for the Francophone joke. I have since been educated on the matter, don't worry!

  Since I have arrived, I have to say that there are a few things I have noticed that I have to note. No, this is very far from an anti-Islander rant, this is just a notes of things that have tickled me in the past twelve months.

  The first is the fixation of food, particularly the potluck. I must confess that I have never been to an open potluck back home, however, I am not certain if they happened on such a frequency as they do here. It is the funeral potluck that has marveled me the most. When I was first asked by a congregation member to help for an upcoming potluck, I agreed, and when I asked what the occasion was, she replied '(individual's name)'s funeral.'

  I was floored! After burying the deceased, the party of mourners get together and break bread (or to be more accurate, snag Nanaimo bars, pasta salad and sandwich quarters) made by members of the congregation, grab some coffee or juice, and regale colorful anecdotes about the deceased, as well as catch up on interesting news and the odd tidbit of gossip. Gaspesians, correct me if I'm wrong, but I've never been to a potluck after a funeral back home. Does anyone do it? My inner coffee enthusiast and chocoholic is amused and delighted on the idea of potlucks after a funeral, but the concept still seems foreign.

  One thing that Islanders do have in common is the small-town maritimer vibe. For example, if I say 'Fournier' to someone back home, they could almost picture the details of the family that almost every Fournier possesses. The same goes with, again, another example, with 'Gallant'. There is a specific notoriety that certain names and families have. The same can be said for the pride that comes with people that are born and raised as Islanders. 

  One dish that I miss the most: poutine. If it is made with grated mozzarella, it is counterfeit! You need the squeaky curds! Kudos, however, on the chocolate covered potato chips. The satisfaction of salt and potato dipped in chocolate, perfect whenever you can't decide whether or not you want to snack on chips or chocolate... or for the I'm-not-paleo-for-the-next-20-minutes moments.

  Not sure if this next one is something limited to my family/immediate circle back home, but when visiting, I was under the impression that it was rude to continue speaking by the door for any more than five minutes after you are ready to leave. With my experiences in PEI, on the other hand, it is not uncommon for us to stay by the door and elaborate on conversational highlights of the visitation period. Although it is a minor detail, it is one that has drawn a bit of perplexity from my fiance.

  Essentially, I have enjoyed my Island experience. I am tickled by the differences, and comforted by the similarities. The soil is red, the sand is soft, and the salt air is just as strong as it was back home. I wouldn't be surprised if I forgo my paleo ways for about twenty minutes sometime tomorrow afternoon...

So, what have I been doing? + Painting

  Hello world!

  So, many, many things going on!

-New job at a hotel! Awesome people, awesome work, and good hours!

-Two more Soldiership classes left! I will be able to wear my uniform at my induction on May 13th. Then we can start the Officership process.

-Got the aforementioned uniform at my week-end at Oak Island while attending the 'Lead Like Jesus' conference. It was epic! I attended seminars on Social Justice, Evangelism, Officership enrollment and the Church's Role in Society. They were all very informative, and offered chances at introspection for the purpose of re-evaluating our methods and approaches. Also, free Starbucks. I've never ingested so much coffee in my life, but with the lack of sleep, it was a delicious necessity.

-I have challenged myself to read the Bible in its entirety before the end of the year. I had initially wanted to get it done before September, however, it took me over a month to get through Genesis and part-way through Exodus. I've been mad busy, but I have been reading through various other sections on a regular basis!
-In less than two months, I will be married. Let the stress-off begin! I need to find a photographer, a cake, and a tailor for the dress. Also have to book hair appointments, make-up testing, and my friends are suggesting nails and waxing. Then there's the wedding favors and decorating. I want to explode, but I can't. I really don't have the time.

-If I do not schedule some time to create, I think I will explode. I have two paintings that need finishing. I've also found myself in the worst rut a writer could be in: to be inspired, but to have trouble putting it into proper words. This is worsened with the multiple tangents/ideas/story lines tangled in the base of my mind like Christmas lights. 

-I think I have caught a friend's son's stomach flu. I seriously do not have time to be sick.

As soon as I write something, I will post it. In the meantime, I have something that I don't normally post...a picture of one of my paintings! My minister back home is moving, and she posted a picture with a link via Twitter. It made me a little misty eyed. I remember waking up as early as 5:30 and going to bed as late as 12:30 while working on this one. I had a specific goal with this one: creating something with the three basic colours. Inspired by my then recent conversion, my thoughts were on afterlife, including heaven and hell. Merci, Rebecca!


https://p.twimg.com/Aq3s-7kCQAAmnic.jpg

<3

I Just Finished My Linkedin Profile...

...and my brain is oozing out of my nose...

Yes, I am back on the unemployed wagon. Wah-diggity-frigalicious...

Plus side: more time for volunteering :D

My encounters of the Ex-Kind

Happy 2012!

I'm gonna shoot myself for staying up this late, but I'm tired of planning and I miss blogging. That and I haven't had a good solid rant in a while.

Being a serial monogamist from ages 16-25, I have made exes excessively (also inadvertently) throughout my wild child years. I can say that out of the three major relationships and five dating ones, I am friends with...wait, what? I'm only friends with one from the major category and three from the minor...somehow I thought I would have more.

I know what you're thinking. You can't be friends with an ex. I beg to differ. Unless the break-up was under unique circumstances (such as leaving his alcoholic ass after being a tool for the five months you lived with him), I believe friendship can be possible.

I have an ex with which I was with for almost four years. My family was convinced we would live together, maybe get married, have kids and come over for Christmas on a regular basis. After one break-up mid relationship, I knew that we were not meant to be. We were awesome friends, we have enormous respect for each other, we cared deeply and yet still there was something...missing? Gone? Did we not take care of it well enough? Nope, in the end, we were friends and not lovers. Even after we left, we promised to never hate, disrespect, or trash-talk the other. We wouldn't see Ozzy live together again, however, we could not look at the other person in such a way.

I don't mean to sound syrupy, but would it not be awesome to retain that distance, respect and friendship? When we started dating other people, we would even hear about the other person in joy, not jealousy, and even give ideas and well-wishes for those awkward first dates. Yes, my fiance knows that I am still friends with this one (as well as others), but no, my ex will not be visiting anytime soon. As much as I am friends with my ex, I respect the comfort of my darling way too much to have him in that situation. I know this situation is unique.

What about the exes of sig. A's? Ah, there lies a delicate situation, especially between girls, right?

...euh, not necessarily...

I met my darling friend, Sabu, through my ex. When he and I got together, he said he had been seeing someone before we met and that they had broken up by the time we met. No harm, no foul. One day, a while after he and I went our separate ways, I was curious about the girl he was seeing before me. I had known her by her unique style, but never spoke to her. After taking a look at her blog, I saw she had a journal entry that mentioned me in the kindest way possible, congratulating our shared lover on his newest choice, even complimenting me by saying I was beautiful! The fear of an awkward and rage-fueled encounter died in me. I had questioned her sincerity, but then I messaged her, extending my appreciation of her blog post. The rest is history.

It was only two years later that she told me the truth, that our shared beloved had actually left her for me. I was floored. I had no clue of this, and I had no intention of stealing anyone's man. I am allergic to drama in huge doses. I do not know many people who could have even thought about answering my message in even the most politest way.

So, what is the point? I guess that, in my journey as a Christian, I am learning to love everyone. Love also means forgiveness, which is highlighted in:

Mark 11:25 ESV 'And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.'

Romans 12:20 ESV 'To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.' (This one used to make me smile in a smug way, but now I understand that heaping 'burning coals' could also be a reference for making him rethink his grudge)

And, last but not least...

Luke 23:33-34 ESV 'And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. (34) And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.'

Thank you, Jesus :)

Getting back to the numbers I have taken, I wish I could have made that number of friends-that-used-to-be-lovers greater. Even if we never really kept in touch, I wish I could call them all 'friend', and I wish that their exes (of lovers past and present) can be called 'friend'. Thankfully, I can still pray for them.

It's not easy, but if I'm gonna talk the talk, I have to walk the walk.

Merry Christmas!

I have already begun saving money for a new tree to replace the fuzzy stick...and it will be PRE-LIT!

I don't have many days completely clear, however, I do have today as a complete day off. In between laundry and a nap, I believe I will be writing.

A bit of time to update

Vive le vent d'hiver...even though there's not a flake of snow to be found, which apparently hasn't really surprised many here.

A dusting before Christmas would be nice.

This is what I have been doing:

-Christmas prep (gifts to Quebec and Ontario were sent out yesterday!)
-Work (Which I LOOOOOOOOOVVE, and not just for the perks either :D)
-Volunteering (Pioneer Clubs and Youth Group are done for the year, but there is still kettles!)
-Squishes of time in between for quick hugs and five-minute cuddles

As you can see, writing/painting are not on the list.

I would like very much to post some of my previous work, as I am distancing myself from DeviantArt (shhhhhh, he doesn't know :P), which may or may not include paintings. I haven't decided yet.

I am spending Christmas on the big red rock with my fiance and his family.

...also...

WEDDING PLANNING!!! Yes I went all out on the capslock :P

The first draft of the guest list has been completed, and there will be more discussion as to what we will be doing for a reception, when the service will be, etc.

On my end, I still have to find a dress. Thanks to an evening devoted to looking up styles (and also asking the beloved opinion of my mother), I have come up with what I am looking for :D

Apparently, planning a wedding is not all incense and peppermints, so my friend Cat has offered to help with the invites as well as the planifications. W00t!!!

I'm off to the showers to get ready for a kettle shift, work, and hanging out with the Hill family...and find Paul's gift...shhhhhhhh ;P

Ventolin's a Heckuva Drug+RIP Marjorie

Ouf, mon homme...

So it would have to take a really bad cold to make me miss two and a half days of work and catch up on my blog...which I haven`t been taking care of due to work, volunteering, and spending time with my friends.

The past few days have been wheeze-fest 2011. I haven`t been this sick since I was a kid, and it takes a lot for me to miss work. I am on new meds for the next two weeks, and hopefully, I will be back to normal...tomorrow? :(

While I was sick, I was browsing facebook, and came across some sad news. Back home, a girl named Marjorie Raymond took her own life this past Monday. She was fifteen years old and, apparently, the victim of years of bullying and intimidation. It was so bad that she ended up failing Sec II (grade 8) because she didn't go to her courses, and sometimes missed days of school. Harassed online and in school, she confided in her mother over and over again 'I can't do this anymore.'

Her mother promised to send her to adult education when she turned sixteen, but Marjorie took her life long before that. One of my friends had posted in her facebook pictures a screenshot of a post made by one of her tormentors that sickened me down to the core. This same tormentor apparently used to physically fight her on a nearly weekly basis.

What truly frustrates me is that her mother met with the principal of the school on numerous occasions and, unfortunately, they did not take her plight seriously. She had moved to the Gaspesie from Granby about three years ago, and her integration had been more than simply difficult. Her mother spoke to the principal on several occasions.

I do think about poor Marjorie, and her grieving family but I'm also thinking about the students that were aggressive towards her. Did they know how far they were taking it? Did they really realize that what they were doing was hurting her so badly that she would miss school and flunk a year? I'm sure they didn't, but what type of lives are they living where they think that behavior like this is acceptable? I also think about them, and wonder what role-models do they have in their lives that would promote this behavior. I'm not excusing them, but I do pity them for not having sensible roots or someone to shake them by the shoulders to wake them up.

Is there anyone else fed up of the Mean Girls behavior? Why is it that most women I meet consider themselves feminists (or 'equalists', some people are scared of that F-word) and yet have trouble keeping friends that are girls? Is there anyone else that agree that talking behind someone else's back is a cowardly and hollow way of feeling better about someone else?

Is there anyone else afraid to have a daughter that will grow up in an environment like this?

Also, were there not other students that noticed? Did nobody ever talk to the principal and say 'I'm worried about Marjorie.'? Why did nobody else step in? What were they afraid of? How much did they enjoy seeing her victimized with the relief of 'It's not me'? Where did all the Good Samaritans go?

Sleep well, Marjorie
You are missed more than you know