Humbled, Grateful, Inspired

In the process of completing job and school applications recently, I have had to gather several reference letters. I got to read a couple of them. It was so very flattering, encouraging, and humbling to hear such incredible comments made about me, by people I admire and respect very much. It made me want to work a little harder to be all those things in my own eyes too.

Then today I received a surprise package from a dear friend. It is a planner/workbook for embracing and celebrating who I am throughout 2010. I was so touched to know that such a great person was thinking of me and wanting to help me be happy.

These things have come at a time when I really needed to feel loved, and be reminded of what I am capable of. It's amazing what a few simple words or a kind gesture can mean to a stressed-out soul:)

I am a GLEEK

Disclaimer: This is an entirely superficial post in an attempt to give my soapbox a well-needed break.

Say what you will, I love GLEE! I got a taste of it last summer, but between living in Europe and not having tv when I came home, I missed it all. However, I recently got the soundtrack and watched a few episodes online. It just makes me happy! It is about talented people from all sorts of backgrounds pulling together and stepping up to become something better. It's about seeing beyond yourself and being a part of something. I loved watching the kids learn with each episode, and I laughed at the guys who were still idiots after all they had experienced(typical!). I love how the overall feeling is so positive, without ignoring the daily garbage that comes with high school. Top it all off with beautiful singing/dancing men, inspirational music, lots of laughs, and some powerhouse musical talent. Plus, the adorable Cory Monteith is Canadian:) Love it.

I've also recently busted out the first few seasons of Smallville, which I have owned for years and only seen a handful of episodes. (I didn't even know this show was still on - in it's 9th season! - until I looked for this picture) Cheesy, over-the-top sci-fi stories and teenage melodrama... somehow it makes me smile. And I've always been a sucker for Superman.

So as you can see, my main entertainment sources currently consist of eavesdropping on the lives of fictional teenagers. When you live far from your friends and social outlets and you are more or less housebound by the cold, you find things like this to keep you smiling. It's my escape :) Besides, the guys of Glee and Smallville are the closest I have been to attractive single men in months! A girl needs cute boys in her life!!! LOL

One little word

I recently stumbled across the blog of a friend of mine, where she chose one word as the theme of her year. I love that idea, cuz I have had one small word crowding my thoughts for a few weeks.

HOPE:(noun) 1. the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best 2. to look forward to with desire and reasonable confidence 3.to believe, desire, or trust

As I have spent the past few months reflecting on my experiences and searching out my future path, I have been clinging to hope. I am not where I want to be, and yet I believe that I am on my way. I don't have all the answers, but they are coming, gradually. I have felt incredible heartache for people I love. I've seen them lose touch with precious things, and experience humiliating trials. I wish I could solve all their problems and make the hurt go away. I wish I could help them see the light, regain courage, and move forward. Though I can't do it myself, I have hope that they can. And after the devastating earthquake, I feel so overwhelmed by the need of the Haitian people. Yet, I have hope for them too.

That's what hope is: trusting in the possibilities when the reality gives you nothing but despair.
Hope is the glue when everything seems to fall apart. The new dream when nothing is as you expected. It is the hug of encouragement when you feel like a disappointment and failure. It's the light of inspiration when it seems you've done it all, but must keep going. It's the vision of the future when it seems so close yet so very far away. It's the courage to smile when everyone around you is enjoying the very opportunities you ache to have. It is the clarifying guide when you are alone, and feeling lost; the burst of energy when you feel you have nothing more to give. It is the faith to keep trying when it just seems impossible.

Last year, my life was filled with adventure. This year, I have grown up and settled down somewhat. My focus has changed. I am still dreaming, believing, and pushing forward into the darkness, but the goals I am reaching for now are not specific destinations, nor are they within my immediate control. So instead of planning adventures, I hope that I will succeed. I hope that I can continue my education. I hope that I will be able to study, travel, work, serve and meet many wonderful new people. And I hold onto hope in my future, that I will someday get to experience the joys my freinds are feeling; that I have not been forgotten, but simply have a longer journey to make.

It is hope that has kept me afloat thus far, and I look forward to a new year filled with it. At least, I hope it will be :)

Bill and Stephen talk business

Boo-yeah!!!

Today Prime Minister Stephen Harper was in Davos, Switzerland to speak at the World Economic forum. While there, he met with former US President Bill Clinton who is currently the UN special envoy to Haiti. After their meeting, Clinton made these remarks:

"It has been unbelievable. First, the Canadian people are so generous. I’ll bet you on a per capita basis, they’re number one in the world now in helping Haiti. Probably because of the Prime Minister’s matching grant program but for whatever reason, the Canadians have all given money and all want to support it. You should be very proud of that. There is a big Haitian diaspora in Canada but this goes way beyond that. I’m very grateful."

Canadians have now donated $82.5 million to the relief efforts in Haiti. That is essentially the equivalent of $3 from every man, woman, and child living on Canadian soil. And that amount has yet to be doubled by the government's matching donation. Don't worry, this is only the beginning.

See, in the midst of a failing world economy, Canada is holding her own. We have the means to give, and we are doing it. I am so impressed with how this disaster has been handled by our leaders. I am so grateful to be citizen of a nation that is stable enough to be able to lift the hands that hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees. We have a connection to Haiti through a sliver of our population. But more than that, we have a connection to Haiti through our hearts, cuz they are people just like us. They need help so we give. 'Nuff said.

I AM CANADIAN!!!!

And I've never been so proud to be a part of the true north, strong and free.

Help Haiti - NOW

I was supposed to be flying to Haiti today. I was going down with my dad as a part of a humanitarian aid group to help a group of orphanages. Due to some coordination issues, the trip was postponed.

Funny how things work out.

Before the quake in Haiti, many people were without food on a daily basis. There was no public infrastructure. No plumbing or electricity, no sewage control or clean water supply. Many lived in cardboard slums amidst the poorly constructed cinder-block buildings and over-crowded streets. There were over 400 000 orphans, with limited options in a society ridden with disease, danger, and corruption.

Now multiply that by a devastating 7.0 earthquake.

Haiti needs our help now more than ever. They simply have NOTHING. No one has food or clean water. The meager temporal belongings they had are buried in the rubble. Most hospitals, homes, and government buidlings collasped. The aftershocks continue and fear is rampant. Who knows how many new orphans there are now? There is looting, rioting, death, crippling injury, fear, and pain everywhere.

And yet... they still have hope. Haitians have survived hundreds of years of being pillaged by natural and political disasters. In spite of being the poorest nation in the western hemisphere, they are a modest and self-respecting people. And in spite of the anguish they are experiencing now, they still pray and sing in the streets.

Many different countries have come to the aid of Haiti. Some sooner than others, and in varying sums, but the important part is that someone is there. Haiti couldn't survive alone before, we cannot abandon her now. These are people who need help, and we are people with the means to provide it.

"It's the spirit of generosity that is part of who we are as Canadians. It's part of our history. Our country was built with, for, and by people who share. We're not solo artists. We're team players." -George Stroumboulopoulos

Millions of dollars have been raised. The Canadian government is even matching every dollar Canadians donate!! So everything we give is doubled. Yesterday I gave 5 bucks at the clothing store H&M. First the store will match the money, then the goverment will match that money, and $20 just went to Haiti. For a country where the average daily wage is about $6, that will make a difference. Every bit does.

That is just the beginning of my donations - and I make next to nothing! But that is more than Haitians have, so I give.

Canada for Haiti has raised nearly $13 million in addition to the $50 million raised previously. That is about $2 for EVERY single Canadian. And the numbers are still growing. Isn't that awesome?!! I am so very proud to be Canadian right now!!

"When the world is struck by a tragedy, the likes of which we are seeing right now in Haiti, it suddenly becomes a lot smaller and we realize just how close we really are. As Canadians, we come from all walks of life, from different backgrounds and different means. But one thing we have incommon is our tremendous generosity of spirit. It is to that spirit that I am appealing now when I ask you to please give and give as much as you can. Because at the end of the day, I can't think of anything more Canadian than that." -Michael J. Fox

I don't care who you are, where you are from, or what prejudices you have. Give to help Haiti. There are many reliable organizations that will put your contribution to good work for Haitians. I know it's a recession and all that. But if you have a roof over your head and you eat every day, you can afford to give to people who don't. We are all people, all part of a world community, and it's times like these that push the other issues aside to provide help to those who need it most. We cannot wait, we must take action and give. When all is said and done, I hope a lot more is done than said.

I may not have much, but I will continue to give to Haiti. After the initial crisis ends, the rebuild must begin and it won't be easy. They will need us more than ever. But I believe they can rebuild. And from this disaster a great nation will rise, built by people who love, work, share, and believe.

I did not fly to Haiti today, but my money is going. Along with my prayers for peace and comfort to a people who need them so very much.

Another year gone by...

How the heck does my life seem to drag on, then all of a sudden I am year older?? I loved being 27. 2009 was a great year. It's really kinda hard to let them go.

So I tried to fly under the radar today. Didn't make any big plans, just did a few things to treat myself. If I've learned anything from single life, it's that you can't expect anyone else to make you happy, you just have to decide you're gonna be. Besides, no one knows what I like better than me:)

So today I worked out with Bob Harper and my Biggest Loser peeps. I watched Regis and Kelly and drank vanilla milk. I read and listened to inspirational stories about relief efforts in Haiti and the Olympic torch relay across Canada. I bought myself a couple books I really want to read and some shirts that will still look cute when I get fit again. I went to lunch with my family. I took a nap. I watched a wonderful Disney movie with my nephews. (Princess and the Frog deserves to be a classic) And I sang out loud to my favorite songs.

There were a few frustrations in the midst of that goodness, but also some happy surprises. My mom, little brother, and some close friends made extra efforts to brighten my day, which was awesome. I heard from a few long lost friends. I had a facebook page overflowing with greetings. And I got a very generous financial boost from my aunt. I am so very blessed!

So although technically I am older and stuff, I really just feel very fortunate to be who I am, have the life I do, and know the people I know. I feel like I still have so much to learn, so many things to experience, and so many more people to love.

And now I look forward to another year full of possibilities! 28 is looking pretty good after all:)