Blend. Drink.
This combination has a mild, delicious flavor. And the fact that there are no berries in there isn’t an accident. I don’t want to have to deal with dry socket while I’m trying to heal! 🙂
My locs will be 6 months old on the 1st of April.
This Is How… is a fantastic book of short stories by the flawless Junot Díaz. I finished it last month. If you’ve followed my blog for a while you might remember me talking about it on one of my podcast episodes. The delay in finishing it is purely my fault. I’m always surfing the web or chatting with people on Twitter when I should be doing God’s work*–writing and reading.
Last month I brought my copy with me to my day job. A Grade 12 student asked if I thought it was a good book. “Yes…” I nervously began. And then I offered a disclaimer or two:
The book is written in Spanglish. If you don’t speak Spanish you should be able to understand what’s going on. But I figure that knowing a bit of the language can only enhance your experience.
This next one was a biggie for me: As they say before certain tv shows, “The following contains coarse language and adult situations.” Basically, I mentioned that certain segments of the book might not be suitable for someone in her age group.
Now, to be honest with you, I couldn’t care less about swearing and sex in books. (With exceptions. If the bulk of your content hangs on those two things without a substantial plot or characters, I’m going to wonder if you have any talent at all.) That said, I don’t know what kids are reading these days. Even though there may not be much difference between what’s in This Is How You Lose Her and a movie or–gasp–a teen’s own personal life, I don’t want any student(s) telling their mom or dad, “Ms. said we should read this book…”
Mark my words. I embarrass myself enough as it is by being my awkward self. I am not going to be ousted from my profession because I “suggested students read inappropriate materials”.
And speaking of risqué books, I understand that Shades of Grey is available in some school libraries.
But that’s another rant for another time…
*I believe that the things we were born to do were divinely assigned.
The media places too much emphasis on the notion that you have to fit into a certain box in order to make things happen. Lord knows I’ve struggled with thinking I was past my prime—or at least too old to pursue my dreams.
Lest you need another reminder that the opposite is true, read this article featuring the awesome Dina Pugliese. I found it a couple of weekends ago via Twitter and had a smile on my face.
Source – That’s Dina with the lovely Tracy Moore in the background.
For those of you who don’t know, Dina is a morning show host in Toronto on City TV’s Breakfast Television. At the age of 29 she decided to step out from working behind the scenes in television and began her career as a host. On Twitter twitter she spoke to fans including me about making the switch. At one point she even mentioned hitting a low point and then just GOING FOR IT.
Oh, how I can relate. 😉
Mind you, I’m closer to Dina’s current age than the age she was when she got her start. But my spirit remains undaunted. I can’t wait to get going!
As for my future, I am looking at a career change from my current field, into arts and entertainment. This switch will begin with me furthering my education…
My thoughts on the subject have run from insanely excited to quietly pensive. Meanwhile, even though I believe I’ll be very successful, in the back of my head is the fact that I am going to start out as an intern. This idea isn’t actually that discouraging. In fact I’m more curious than anything else.
My hope stems from knowing that I’ve been looking at the big picture. And quite honestly, I’d rather be at the bottom rung of my dream career than on a path to nowhere in a field where I don’t have a future.
Source
Those aren’t my teeth, by the way. 😉
Remember when I wrote about my wisdom teeth? I said I wanted them out during exam time or over the holidays.
Well, that didn’t happen.
I’m getting them out later this week.
I have scared myself out of my wits reading everything from general stories of misery to specific tales involving lingual nerve damage. I have read time and again about all of the soft foods that I have to look forward to.
A little while ago I cancelled my appointment. I won’t get into specifics about why, other than to say I was afraid. However after a lot of thought, and investigation, and prayer…I wound up rescheduling my rendez-vous. Luckily, I was able to get a booking for a few hours later on the same day as my original surgery.
I don’t know if there’ll be a blog post up that day. But if there is, know that it was pre-scheduled.
I sent a tweet to Shane Koyczan to let him know how I felt about his poem. Truly, it touched me.
When I was little, I was one of very few non-white kids in my school. The main thing I remember about that time was that I was teased. A lot. When I recall those days, I still get a knot in my chest.
Today is “Let’s Talk” day. Bell Canada is giving 5 cents to mental health initiatives nationwide for–among other things–every tweet using the hashtag #BellLetsTalk. Check out their campaign’s web site for further details.
Their tweets have appeared more than once in my timeline, and I’ve retweeted messages as I see fit. I’ve even tweeted a couple of my own.
Yet I’ll admit something. Even though I support the cause, I cringe over the phrase “mental illness”. (It’s a bias of mine, but it’s there.) I believe I resist mainly because of the misconceptions attached to the phrase. Furthermore, in my head there’s still a difference between a person needing help with their mental health, and them having a (serious) mental illness. Both issues obviously relate to each other. Yet I’m concerned that generally speaking, the idea of preserving a person’s mental health is overlooked.
Instead, I tend to talk about “mental health” and place it on the same plane as our physical well-being–underestimated, yet essential.
The fact is, though, that some people reject the idea of seeking therapy for the very same thing that I’m guilty of–the assumptions surrounding the word. They may believe that time in a counselor’s office belongs to folks with big-name illnesses such as schizophrenia. They might think that taking care of one’s mental health is tantamount to admitting that they’re “crazy”. However, those who subscribe to these beliefs often fail to consider people who struggle in quiet ways. Some of us may have anxiety-based issues, or may still bear scars from a tragedy that we experienced ages ago.
The expectation of invincibility needs to end. We are all vulnerable in different ways. Some more than others.
And there is nothing wrong with admitting that you might need a little help.
Really, though.
Source
Wars are being fought overseas. Gun control is out of control, with tragedies making headlines on an almost weekly basis.
Yet yesterday it was the photo above that sent me over the edge.
Before the rest of you nerds go off on Lucy Maud Montgomery’s estate, know that they are not to blame. According to this article, an independent publisher decided to have his (or her) way with Anne. For, you see…Anne of Green Gables is a part of the public domain. From what I gather, that means that that indie publishers can re-sell such works in whatever guise they want.
People have been up in arms because the image features a blond Anne. Meanwhile, in my opinion, that’s the last thing that’s wrong with that picture…
I suppose I should be relieved. I thought that this cover belonged to an officially-sanctioned version of the series. Thankfully it does not.
Nevertheless, I’m concerned. Our artistic treasures deserve to be protected.
1. A few hours ago (this post was written after midnight) I discovered something absolutely, incredibly wonderful…Purely by accident.
Seriously. It was weird.
Imagine going into the kitchen for some random food, only to learn that someone baked you a pie. But not just any pie…
Your FAVOURITE pie.
Now…imagine feeling that thrill multiplied by at least 1000 times. 😀
I won’t offer any details just yet. But I’m truly ecstatic. It’s been a while since I’ve had something this big to be thankful for. A part of me feels as though I’ve experienced one of life’s wonders. I’m truly thankful to God for His gifts.
Here’s a song to celebrate.
*ahem*
There’s one aspect of this news that I need help with. Rather than tell you outright what it is, I’m going to take a cue from a post that I read on another blog, and ask you to pray without revealing any specifics.
Somehow, though…I feel uplifted and confident about the outcome of this impending phase of life. I will let you know how everything goes.
2. I think the spell has finally been broken. You know. The one where I write and work on bits and pieces and never submit anything?
Wha…? You don’t know…?
Well…That’s over. I’ve been wrestling with fear lately. And I think I’m learning how to give it a proper arse-kicking.
I’ve come to accept writing as my divine vocation. There are a variety of things that have made it very clear to me that I have to see it as my J-O-B.
I mean…I think this is something that I’ve always known. But accepted…?
Nah.
Our gifts were not meant to be held so tightly. Rather, I think we ought to give them away.
Or sell ’em, if we can. 😉
claire.she.goes 
