Sunshine, Siestas and Sandals

Those three words nicely describe my week away. I couldn’t have asked for anything better (well except for the speeding ticket I got on the way back to Toronto).

Literally, I don’t think that I’ve been in need of a holiday more than I did. I also couldn’t believe how much I slept - often ten hour nights along with afternoon siestas.

Another big surprise was the weather. The week started off being sunny with temperatures around 20 to 23, but then they climbed up to 28, 30 and 30 respectively! I hadn't planned for that and had to go and buy some cheap sandals so I could liberate my toes.

It was nice to see my friends on the Victoria Day holiday week-end (last week-end) and then visit with my parents in the mountains after that. I’m now in that holiday to work transition mode as I ready myself for the first day on the job this Monday. Hummm, next week I may feel like I need another holiday.

Away! Away!

I'm up with the sun today doing last minute preparations before heading to my current job for the last time. At about 12:00 noon I'll be all done, and on the road directly out of town!

For the next week I'll be visiting friends and family before beginning my new job on May 28. I'll try to get on blogger from time-to-time, but it may not be too often.

I'm looking forward to being away for awhile as I'm exhausted and need a fix of relaxing days.

I Don't Know How To Love Him

OK guys -

At the end of March, I sang a solo in a church and didn't know it was being recorded on the lousy sound system. (I was doing a lot of arm motions to eliminate distortion and actually at times had the microphone right at my lips and at other times a full arm length away))

A friend of mine sent me the recorded song and I thought I'd be brave and share it with you blogging friends. While it's not technically perfect, I thought it would be nice to have you hear my actual voice (albeit singing).

Click onto the link here: Song

We communicate usually via written word. But last month I took delight in hearing Gypsy give a narrative on her blog. That post gave me the idea (and bravery) to post this.

Thanks to Ian for his instructional help. While I wasn't able to post it to my sidebar, I seemed to have been clever enough to figure out how to put it in the actual post.

Hope you enjoy it and ignore all the singing flaws!

xx

ps: it was pretty much unrehearsed

Klienberg

This past week-end’s weather was all about sunshine and pleasantly cool temperatures at around 16oC.

Saturday was a perfect day for a quiet outing north of the city to the quaint little town of Klienberg, now surrounded by the suburban sprawl of identical looking, mammoth homes situated on tiny lots.

What makes Klienberg a destination point for us from downtown’s diverse neighbourhoods is the wonderful art museum, the McMichael Gallery.

The McMichael Gallery is most famous for its large permanent collection of the Group of Seven. This group, actually consisting of 10 extraordinary painters traveled the country in the early 1920s and created some of Canada’s most celebrated works. (mostly oil on canvas, but also some acrylics on canvas). I’ve been to this gallery several times and never tire of these works.

The structure housing these works is also impressive as the gallery itself is a huge log building, complete with high ceilings, huge wooden beams and vistas as wonderful as the artwork itself overlooking a protected conservation woodland.

The visit, however also had a special exhibition of BC West coast painter Takao Tanabe. His exhibit displayed several large size acrylics on canvas works. My favourite works were from the early 2000’s of sea and landscapes.

The trip was lots of fun and also included visits to the local roadside shops and a nice lunch.

I’m now into the last week of my current job – hurray.

To my special people; especially one

It’s okay to be afraid of things we don’t understand.
It’s okay to feel anxious when things aren’t working our way.
It’s okay to feel lonely … even when you’re with other people.
It’s okay to feel unfulfilled because you know something is missing
(even if you’re not sure what it is).
It’s okay to think and worry and cry.

It’s okay to do whatever you have to do, but just remember, too …
That eventually you’re going to adjust to changes life brings your way,
and you’ll realize that it’s okay to love again and laugh again,
and it’s okay to get to the point where the life you live
is full and satisfying and good to you … and it will be that way
because you made it that way.

You are a wonderful worthy and loveable person
Appreciate that about yourself
No one has ever been, or ever will be quite like you.
You are an individual, an original,
And all those things that make you uniquely you
Are deserving of love and praise

The New Job

OK. I've had time to breathe after a busy and wonderful week-end with friends.

The new job will be working as a Communications Manager (with two staff) at a not-for-profit organization dealing with Copyright issues on published works, while moving slowly into electonic works. All this having to do with intellectual property. It will be a challenging position where I'll have to deal with external stakeholders, the media and issues management. Its a good thing that I'll also have five weeks vacation (amazing for North American standards) and a good health plan!

I'll be looking forward to the change as my current job isn't that challenging.

I find that I'm quite exhausted and will try to get some time off between the two jobs to recharge my batteries a little.

.... and three's a charm

Well folks, I found myself a job just in the nick of time. My contract was finishing at the end of the month so I was a tad bit worried. Most of my "spare" time these last couple of weeks has been devoted to job hunting, which is why my posts have been scarce.

I begin sometime at the end of the month. The start date is still to be determined.