The Next Installment

First off, I have been praying for a while about what it is I am supposed to do here, what direction I'm supposed to take, and all the answer I got was "you need to take an institute class". First off, none of the institute classes worked into my schedule, what with work and school, so I just shurgged it off. Then, I felt really strongly that I need to take institute.

So I thought to myself, how can I take institute unless I quit my job? How can I pay for school unless I keep my job? I fasted on Sunday specifically about what I should do about my money situation. I didn't get a specific answer but I decided to apply for an extension on my loan. In answer to my dilemma, less than a day later (this process usually takes 2 weeks) I got an e-mail from the bank approving my loan. So, in answer to my prayer, I got an extension on a loan so I don't have to work and can attend institute.

The only problem is that everyone else at work is quitting too. There are 4 other people that are quitting or have already quit. My manager even called me to day to make sure everything was going ok. I see that as the adversary trying to sway me from what I'm supposed to do. I'm trying really hard not to feel bad about quitting, so I made a compromise. I'll stay until the 11th. I'm going to drop off my resignation letter tonight and we'll see how Netty takes it. She yelled at the others who quit and threatened to blacklist them with all the other businesses in Lethbridge. If that doesn't say something about her (being the Nazi boss) I don't know what will. So you can see my reluctance in quitting. But I feel it's for the best and so off I go to hand in my resignation.

Wish me luck!
-J

Time Flies...

Well, time does fly, but in my case, it's because I've been so busy. I've had papers and assignments and practicing and work, I just don't know where this week has gone. I wish I could say that I have a break the rest of the day, but I have a workshop to go to in 45 minutes and then I'm off to work until midnight. *sigh*. At least I have all day tomorrow (or at least until 5pm) to get stuff done. Our house is a wreck right now, so I'm going to take a trip to the local recycling depot and get rid of all this cardboard and bottles that have been building up. How exciting. I also plan on sleeping in. Those are my major plans.

Sorry for the short update, but I need food before the masterclass.

Until next time,
-J

A Day of Rest

So, as I've mentioned in my last few posts, I got to go to the Cardston temple yesterday. It was my first time actually going inside of the temple and it was so beautiful. It's actually a bit smaller on the inside than Montreal, but it's a lot more colourful and has murals lining the walls in certain places. It's a lot more open than Montreal and there's not as many doors that close off places. The outside is gorgeous and I'm so glad I was able to go.

I got to meet quite a few people that were in my ward, since we all did the sessions together. Those of us going to the 1pm session, met at the church at 11:30 to carpool and go together. I had two people in my car. One was this really nice girl, Lisa, who was fresh off her mission, and is originally from Edmonton. She's living there now and is studying massage therapy. I thought that was really neat.

The other person with me, was Neil. He's pretty quiet so I didn't find out too much from him. I think he's studying at U of L also though. We hung out a little at the Stake centre where they had food for everyone participating in our Stake temple day. It's awesome to have a temple so close by that we can visit so often.

Today I went to my new ward for the second time. This part may sound corny, but in Relief Society, we have this thing where you can write someone an anonymous note and the presidency will deliver it to them and someone wrote me this:

It really cheered me up and made me realize that I already have a few new friends in the ward. I'm slowly learning people's names and I joined our ward choir today, so that will be a great opportunity to get to know more people. I'm also joining the Institute choir, which meets tonight for the first time. I'm really excited.

Today marks three weeks that I've been in Lethbridge. Has it really been that long? I can't believe it! Time has flown by and I already feel so comfortable here. I'm so grateful that things are going so well and that things in my life are finally starting to turn around and change for the better. I look forward to having more news to report to you all, but until then, keep smiling!

-J

Week 2

Well, week two of my university experience in Lethbridge is done. Hurrah!

Things have gone pretty smoothly, minus what I mentioned in my last post. I am not letting anything bring me down. Last night, work was so insanely busy that of the three of us working, none of us got a break, when Brody left and it was just me and Dustin, we were working our butts off to get everything done. Even with that, Dustin stayed an extra half hour after close to help me, and I stayed over an hour. I didn't get home until 1:30am, then I had to finish my theory homework for class this morning. At least I only had one class today.

After class I went to the FORUM for Institute class, and we had a guest speaker, brother Woodward, tell us about his personal experiences as a bush pilot. They were very interesting. He talked about times where he almost ran out of fuel and somehow managed to find a lake or river to land on. He also said he managed to land on a lake at night, which is not an easy thing to do. He said he owed it all to God for directing him when he needed help.

As for my plans for the weekend, I get to go to the temple tomorrow. I haven't been since July so it'll be nice to go again. I hope I can go more often now that I live nearer to it. It's only a 45 minute drive there. Tomorrow night I'm working again and then I have Sunday off. That's pretty much all the entertainment that's going on in my life right now.

-J

Lies and Deceptions

Hey guys,

for those of you on facebook, you might have noticed various status changes recently. I just found out that someone, who I thought was always honest and open with me, was really lying to me for a very very long time. I feel betrayed and disgusted with this person and I never want to see or talk to them again. I won't go into detail, because I won't sink to exposing dirty secrets about anyone. Even though that person would well deserve me to tell the whole world about what they did.

I don't want you guys to be worried about me. I am angry about it, but it's in the past and there's not much I can do about it other than stop my association with this person. Life in Lethbridge is still good, regardless. I'm actually going to the temple on Saturday, so that's something I really need right now. Don't worry about me, I'm just trying to work through this. Everything else here is going fine.

until next time,

-J

Music and History

Today, I got up early, did my homework assignment for theory class (which I actually felt good about), and went to theory class. I went to brass and percussion class, where I learned how to tongue properly on a brass instrument, that was intriguing. Then I had my voice lesson and it went really well. My teacher says that she loves the sound quality of my voice and we're already working hard to improve my pronounciations and technique. For the first time, I'm actually excited about singing classical music.

The only class I'm worried about and that I really don't enjoy is my music history class. It is so monotonous and I'm really not interested in history, so I find it difficult to listen attentively. Even when I do, I feel discouraged because the Prof talks to us like we're supposed to know all this terminology he's using and know of all the examples he's given us. It's a headache class, and I can't get motivated in it. Don't know what I'm going to do about that one.

As for the rest of the day, I'm relaxing this afternoon, maybe taking a nap, before I go to work tonight. I'm closing for the first time by myself, so hopefully I won't mess it up! That's all for now folks!

-J

Dinner at the Kyle's

So this afternoon, we had a dinner/lunch at the Kyle's place for all the Ottawa people that have migrated out to Lethbridge. There were 6 of us, plus the Kyles. We had an amazing meal with roast beef, potatoes, beets, broccoli, buns...it was really tasty. Probably the healthiest meal I've had since I got here.

We chatted about Ottawa and some of us had never met each other, but we had common friends that we told stories about and we shared all the Ottawa gossip and who was getting married, who got back from their missions etc. It was some really good conversation. It was the most at home I've felt so far. But I guess that's just the spirit that the Kyles invite into their home.

We also had stake conference this morning and it was huge! We had the stake centre full from the chapel, all the way to the back of the cultural hall. PLUS we had an overflow building at Jerry Potts where it was being broadcast from the stake centre. Talk about a huge stake! As for the rest of today, I just spent the last hour and a half looking up videos and pictures of the new Twilight movie. Productive, I know. Only 67 days left!! I actually can't wait.

I have oodles of homework and practicing left to do, so I'll get on with that.

Happy reading,
-J

Coulees and Pancakes

This morning I got up and went to the pancake breakfast the Lethbridge YSA had planned as part of WOW (welcome out week). The pancakes were pretty good. They served them with vanilla ice cream and some mixed berries. Quite a sugar high so early in the morning.

I then did some grocery shopping and actually had a conversation with John (my housemate). Our other two housemates are away for the weekend so it's been nice and quiet so far. Kalysha's at the Rookie Camp for new people to the university, and Mickey always goes home to Calgary for the weekends. John's actually pretty clean so I haven't had to clean up anyone else's messes today. It's been nice.

After that, I decided I'd go down and explore the coulees, since I haven't done that yet. Once I finally found the trail that headed down there, I drove my car around the far side of the bridge and parked. I walked a fair distance (probably about 2 kms both ways) so I was out for a while. While walking, I encountered this sign-->

Not exactly encouraging. Needless to say, I stayed on the trail until I passed that sign on the other side. After walking about a kilometer, I came across the portage route for people in boats to get past the small dam in the river. I found some big rocks and sat soaking in the sun for about a half hour. Just listening to the water and the wind and watching some people on the other side fishing. When I was sitting there, I tried to figure out how I was feeling. I wasn't sad, I wasn't melancholic, I wasn't afraid or excited. I couldn't quite put my finger on it until I was thinking about my past. I realized that the feeling I had was happiness mixed with anticipation. I feel very strongly that I have a mission to do here, something to accomplish, but I have no idea what. This feeling of anticipation is not one of impatience because I know that the Lord will bless me and guide me to that mission. I'm just waiting for Him to let me know when that time comes. In the mean time, I am feeling content, and happier than I have felt in what seems like years.

When I got back to my car, my ipod appropriately began playing "unanswered prayers" by Garth Brooks. I'm not a big country fan, but this song really hit me at this time. Particularly the chorus:

"Sometimes I thank God for unanswered prayers

Remember when your talkin to the man upstairs
That just because he may not answer doesn't mean he don't care

Some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers."

If I had all the prayers in my past answered the way I wanted them to be, I wouldn't be where I am now, and I probably wouldn't be as happy as I am now. So on this day, I thank God for my unanswered prayers, and for the guidance and many blessings He has given me the past few months in particular.

For now, I wait.

-J

Weekend!!

I'm so excited for the weekend! I am officially done my first full week of classes and I survived! I thought I was doing badly in theory but I got my last assignment back and ot a 96% so that can't be a bad thing.



As for work, I'm bascially working for the Subway Nazi's. They are so strict and obsessive about everything! It drives me nuts, and I've only been working for 2 days. Hopefully I'll be closing soon so that'll be a step better because I don't have that much to do as a closer.


This weekend, I don't have much planned, but there's a pancake breakfast at the church tomorrow morning that I might go to. Save me a few bucks for breakfast. :) Students are always happy for any free food!


There's not much else to report at this time, but I just want to say to those who are actually reading this, I hope you enjoy my inane messages and things. Despite my complaining, I'm having a really great time here so no need to worry!


happy reading!
-J

A New Start

So, from reading the blogs of various friends of mine, I've felt inspired to start writing one of my own. I just want to make sure that every knows this is a casual blog and I'm only writing when I feel inclined to do so.

Well, as most of you know, I have moved out to Lethbridge, Alberta and have started school at the university of Lethbridge.













So far it's been a pretty smooth ride. I've managed to somehow make sense of an entirely different educational system and am doing ok for the time being. My new house is pretty nice. I'm living with 2 guys and a girl. They're names are Mickey, John, and Kalysha. So far no one's gotten on each other's nerves too much.


I started work yesterday and guess what? I'm working at Subway again! It's also run completely differently and it's really strict, so I'm not sure if I'm going to stay or not. I figure I'll ride it out until another, better job comes along...I hope.


I'm so sick of working there, but they were desperate for people and I'm desperate for money, so it all works out I guess.

I've only been to church once so far, but it seemed nice enough. I'd rather get a calling right away so that I'm forced to be thrown into it, but I don't know if that's going to happen. For now, I'm trying my best to get all my school work done and practice the 3 instruments I'm learning/improving on this semester.

I don't know if anyone's even going to read this, but it's fun for me to do. Enjoy!

-J