Hey all,
So this is a short update. School is continuing to go well. I'm back working at Subway and it's a dull as ever. I bought a new computer yesterday (finally) and it's great so far. It takes some getting used to with Vista, but that's ok. It's not as bad as everyone made it out to be. Church is also going well. I'm planning a big Enrichment celebration for the Relief Society anniversary next month, so that will be lots of fun. Hope all is well with everyone and hopefully I'll have more to report soon!
Until next time,
J
Friday, 20 February 2009
Tuesday, 13 January 2009
New Semester
Hey all,
Just a short update on the new year. So far things have been going pretty well, other than getting bronchitus, but that's almost past now. I've started classes, and most are the same as last semester, just the next section of it. I now have voice studio II, music theory IV, music history IV, Musicianship skills IV, U of L singers, and intro to Computer Science. At the end of this semester, I never have to take musicianship again, and I only have one semester left of history and theory, woo!
I'm taking computer science because for our degree, we need some science and/or social science classes, and this was the only one that really fit in my schedule, and also, I didn't really want to take psychology or women's studies. It's so easy, I don't really know what to do with myself. So far, we've learned how to create a folder inside of another folder on the computer. Fascinating, really. Apparently we're supposed to learn how to create websites and stuff later on, so I'm looking forward to that, but for now it's total dullsville.
As for work, I'm now back at Subway working Thursday to Saturday evenings and it's actually not too bad. Hopefully it won't become too stressful. That's pretty much all for now, but I'll keep you posted!
Until next time,
-J
Just a short update on the new year. So far things have been going pretty well, other than getting bronchitus, but that's almost past now. I've started classes, and most are the same as last semester, just the next section of it. I now have voice studio II, music theory IV, music history IV, Musicianship skills IV, U of L singers, and intro to Computer Science. At the end of this semester, I never have to take musicianship again, and I only have one semester left of history and theory, woo!
I'm taking computer science because for our degree, we need some science and/or social science classes, and this was the only one that really fit in my schedule, and also, I didn't really want to take psychology or women's studies. It's so easy, I don't really know what to do with myself. So far, we've learned how to create a folder inside of another folder on the computer. Fascinating, really. Apparently we're supposed to learn how to create websites and stuff later on, so I'm looking forward to that, but for now it's total dullsville.
As for work, I'm now back at Subway working Thursday to Saturday evenings and it's actually not too bad. Hopefully it won't become too stressful. That's pretty much all for now, but I'll keep you posted!
Until next time,
-J
Sunday, 4 January 2009
Change
Hey all,
Some of you may have noticed a change to both the title and layout of my blog. I've decided that this year, 2009, will be my year of change. I was inspired by President Thomas S. Monson's talk "Finding Joy in the Journey" from this past general conference.
(http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-947-26,00.html)
He quotes the familiar adage "nothing is as constant as change". I loved this quote because it is 100% true. This inspired me to find other quotes on change:
"Butterflies are God's way of saying change is beautiful"
"When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves."
~Victor Frankl
"Change is inevitable - except from a vending machine." ~Robert C. Gallagher
"They must often change, who would be constant in happiness or wisdom." ~Confucius
"Continuity gives us roots; change gives us branches, letting us stretch and grow and reach new heights." ~Pauline R. Kezer
"Our only security is our ability to change." ~John Lilly
I want you to seriously think about these quotes for a minute. Those who fear change are only fearing growth and new situations that bring with them all new opportunities to find joy and happiness in the journey. I like the quote by Confucious, because what it's basically saying is that what makes us happy today, may not make us happy tomorrow. Our interests change an evolve as the world around us changes and evolves.
Some of us may complain about being in "a rut" because what used to make them happy doesn't any more. That may not necessarily be because they don't enjoy that activity, but we as human beings, need change in our lives in order to stay motivated and to grow. When we do the same activities day after day, they become monotonous and meaningless as times goes on (for most people). By changing how you do something or when you do it in a day, though it is a small change, it can make all the difference.
What I'm trying to say by all of this is simply, change is a good thing. If it weren't for change, we would never be able to be better in our lives. We'd never be able to progress or learn new things that make our lives more interesting. I like the last quote also, "our only security is our ability to change". Because of my ability to change, I've been able to become someone completely different, in action and thought, in the last year. All of that I attribute to my Saviour for the Atonement and for the love He's showed me.
As my faith in the Gospel and in the Lord grows, so does my ability to love others. My ability to see blessings in the midst of trials grows also, and I begin to have a gimpse of that perfect love that the Saviour has for us. It is an amazing thing.
The advice I give to you all this year is to embrace change. If you're unhappy with how things are going, do something about it! Don't put it off and wait for the "right time" because you'll soon find that that time never really comes. Take action, make changes, and do what will make you happy in this life. That is what this time is for. My new year's resolution: make positive changes that will make me a happier person.
Until next time,
-J
Some of you may have noticed a change to both the title and layout of my blog. I've decided that this year, 2009, will be my year of change. I was inspired by President Thomas S. Monson's talk "Finding Joy in the Journey" from this past general conference.
(http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-947-26,00.html)
He quotes the familiar adage "nothing is as constant as change". I loved this quote because it is 100% true. This inspired me to find other quotes on change:
"Butterflies are God's way of saying change is beautiful"
"When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves."
~Victor Frankl
"Change is inevitable - except from a vending machine." ~Robert C. Gallagher
"They must often change, who would be constant in happiness or wisdom." ~Confucius
"Continuity gives us roots; change gives us branches, letting us stretch and grow and reach new heights." ~Pauline R. Kezer
"Our only security is our ability to change." ~John Lilly
I want you to seriously think about these quotes for a minute. Those who fear change are only fearing growth and new situations that bring with them all new opportunities to find joy and happiness in the journey. I like the quote by Confucious, because what it's basically saying is that what makes us happy today, may not make us happy tomorrow. Our interests change an evolve as the world around us changes and evolves.
Some of us may complain about being in "a rut" because what used to make them happy doesn't any more. That may not necessarily be because they don't enjoy that activity, but we as human beings, need change in our lives in order to stay motivated and to grow. When we do the same activities day after day, they become monotonous and meaningless as times goes on (for most people). By changing how you do something or when you do it in a day, though it is a small change, it can make all the difference.
What I'm trying to say by all of this is simply, change is a good thing. If it weren't for change, we would never be able to be better in our lives. We'd never be able to progress or learn new things that make our lives more interesting. I like the last quote also, "our only security is our ability to change". Because of my ability to change, I've been able to become someone completely different, in action and thought, in the last year. All of that I attribute to my Saviour for the Atonement and for the love He's showed me.
As my faith in the Gospel and in the Lord grows, so does my ability to love others. My ability to see blessings in the midst of trials grows also, and I begin to have a gimpse of that perfect love that the Saviour has for us. It is an amazing thing.
The advice I give to you all this year is to embrace change. If you're unhappy with how things are going, do something about it! Don't put it off and wait for the "right time" because you'll soon find that that time never really comes. Take action, make changes, and do what will make you happy in this life. That is what this time is for. My new year's resolution: make positive changes that will make me a happier person.
Until next time,
-J
Saturday, 3 January 2009
Sorry for the Delay!
Hey all,
So, much has happened since November, including a birthday party, exams, 2 car accidents, Christmas and New Year's. That's a lot of ground to cover. First off, there was Nath and Mike's birthday party in Medicine Hat. We had cake and presents and Sali even made 
a pinata for us to break. We had a lot of fun with that.
a pinata for us to break. We had a lot of fun with that.Next, was exams. I was studying like mad, trying to get everything together, and apparently I did because I passed everything with pretty good marks. Thank goodness for that. I finished my exams on the 16th and at 5:50am on the 17th I flew home. The next 2 weeks flew by in a flurry of work, baking, parties and fun.
From the moment I got home, I had a million things to do. My mom had purchased a big screen tv and hadn't hooked it up yet, because she didn't know how. That was my first project. Then there was the baking. I sort of roped my friend Joe and his friend Marly into helping me with my holiday baking. In about 5 hours we made 2 batches of shortbread and 2 amazingly awesome New York style cheesecakes (which I'd never made before). The day after that I made another batch of shortbread, butter tarts and sugar pie. 
Then Christmas came along, all too quickly, and we had presents, food, and time with family for the next few days. It was really awesome. Throughout all of this I was working for my previous bosses at Subway just to earn a little extra cash to cover expenses. It's a good thing I did, because in the past month I got in 2 separate car accidents. One in Lethbridge and one in Ottawa.
The one in Lethbridge was not my fault, but my car is basically a write-off. We're not sure what the insurance company is doing about it, since it was the holidays and no one was working. The second one only happened 2 days ago. I was in Ottawa on my way to work and driving my sister's car, when the guy in front of me (who was lost) decided he was going to turn into a parking lot to the right. The sun was shining on the back of his car, so I couldn't see his brake lights, and he put his signal light on at the last second, which was too late for me to stop, and I slammed on my brakes and rammed right into the back of his car.
Both my airbags deployed and I got severe whiplash, but thankfully the Lord watched over me and it wasn't something more serious. My sister's car was also a write-off, but she didn't have collision insurance for it, so we get nothing. That being said, I have to start working again so that I can help her pay for a new car. I'm going to talk to my old boss (the Subway nazi!!) and ask if I can start working there again. Hopefully I'll be able to manage my schedule!
Anyway, I got back to Lethbridge yesterday and have basically spent most of my time sleeping and trying to rid myself of this cold I got in Ottawa. My roommates get home tomorrow and I start classes again on Wednesday. It should be fun. Wish me luck!
Until next time,
-J
Sunday, 14 December 2008
Holy crap, I'm going home!!!
Hey guys,
Ok, I realize it's been over a month since my last post, but my excuses are the same old, exams, moving, social engagements, papers, etc. I'm just writing to tell you, there will be more to come when I go home this week. I'm heading out on Wednesday morning (bright and early at 5:50am!) and I'll be back in Ottawa around 1:30pm. Watch out Ottawa, I'M COMING HOME!!!!
-J
Ok, I realize it's been over a month since my last post, but my excuses are the same old, exams, moving, social engagements, papers, etc. I'm just writing to tell you, there will be more to come when I go home this week. I'm heading out on Wednesday morning (bright and early at 5:50am!) and I'll be back in Ottawa around 1:30pm. Watch out Ottawa, I'M COMING HOME!!!!
-J
Monday, 10 November 2008
Masquerade!
Hey all, sorry for the delay in posting. This week has been a pretty crazy one. First off, 3 of my classes were cancelled and the school was closed on Tuesday because of a sewage back-up (ew!). My weekend started on Thursday around noon. I went shopping that night, with my friend Kaylee, for the Masquerade on Saturday. We both got super cool dresses and were totally stoked.
Sunday was church, and lots of people weren't there (presumably still recovering from the dance). We had a really great lesson in Relief Society about the Second Coming and I was greatful for it, since I realized I have been focusing lately on what's right in front of me instead of the big picture. This lesson made me realize that and I felt a little ashamed that I've been so self-absorbed.
Friday I went to Friday Forum at the institute building. Our lesson was on the King Follett Discourse. For those of you who don't know what that is, it's a 2 hour talk that was given by Joseph Smith at General Conference on April 7th 1844. Only about 45 minutes was recorded between four scribes. The general topic was knowing God and how to obtain eternal life. It was a really great lesson and I recommend everyone to read this if you can find it.
Friday afternoon, my friend Brad came over and we (like any productive and studious adults) played nintendo all afternoon. We're that cool. I then went visiting teaching (woo!) and later on headed to a dance at the church. The music was lame, but the company was good :)
Saturday was devoted to preparing for the Masquerade. We (Kaylee and I) went out and bought supplies to make masks and then headed to Karen and Sera's to put them all together. This is how mine turned out.
The Masquerade was lots of fun! There was a live band for about 45 minutes at the beginning. They weren't that great, and all they played were slow songs, but we didn't really care. There was an appetizer 'buffet' and a drink 'bar' (non-alchoholic of course!) too. Once the DJ started, things got so much better. He played really great music and he knew how to mix tracks and get everyone dancing the whole time. We (me and 2 friends) left around midnight, but apparently the party went on well past 2am.
Sunday was church, and lots of people weren't there (presumably still recovering from the dance). We had a really great lesson in Relief Society about the Second Coming and I was greatful for it, since I realized I have been focusing lately on what's right in front of me instead of the big picture. This lesson made me realize that and I felt a little ashamed that I've been so self-absorbed.
Sunday evening I went to Emily's house and we made paper snowflakes and paper chains, just because we could (and also because they needed stuff to decorate their place for winter/christmas). Then off to Institute choir and back home around 10:15pm. Long weekend for sure. 
Until next time,
-J
Monday, 3 November 2008
Halloween and Callings
So this week we had Halloween!! I went as a super scary vampire (Volturi-esque you could say). I freaked out a few people and it was awesome.
I went to the dance at the church where there were so many people it was practially a mosh pit. Totally awesome though. The people who won the best costume contest were these two guys who were robots (Iron Man style) on stilts painted silver. They were amazing! I only wish I had gotten pictures.
In other news, I had another miraculous answer to my prayers. I've been getting a litte frustrated with being here since nothing big had happened yet. SO, today being fast Sunday, I got on my knees this morning and started my fast asking for a calling at church or something to reassure me that being here was right. Not ten minutes later, I got a phone call from the bishop's secretary asking me if I could meet with him today.
I almost cried right then and there because it was so fast! I was so grateful. Then meeting with the bishop, my call was unexpected. I thought maybe I'd be a teacher in Relief Society or Sunday School (since they desperately need them), but instead, I was called as Enrichment leader! I'm actually really excited for this calling and I look forward to getting started! I basically get to organize fun stuff for the women of our ward to do, and it can be as often as I want it to be! Super awesome. I never would have expected this calling, but I'm so grateful to my Heavenly Father for giving me a calling.
Personally, I never turn down a calling, no matter what it is. I believe that you're called to do something in the church because it's what the Lord wants you to do. Even if you don't like it, or don't have any idea what to do, you still take it and learn from it. That being said, I'm going to try really hard to make this calling work for me and I hope that I can help a few people along the way.
Until next time,
-J
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