Merry meet to your faces!
Well, look at that -- it's only been a week since I last posted. I'm getting better at this!
The past week has brought along the promise of change on the horizon for me and my little circle of comrades. As for myself, I managed to finish the biology course I was taking online. Hooray! I didn't really study for the final. I figure I should have learned it right the first time around. Ha. Not a very good reason not to study, but in all honesty I'm a terrible procrastinator, and apparently playing Hearthstone is more important. However! I think the final went well anyway. I do spend a long time learning each lesson to make sure I understand it in the first place, so that kind of sort of maybe negates the need to study a lot? That's what I'm telling myself, anyway.
So that means I can now apply to the course I want to take at community college. I'm going to become a medical laboratory assistant! This involves taking blood samples out of people, collecting other certain bodily fluids... and preparing/organizing the samples for testing. Among other things.
The reasons for doing this are quite a few, including the following: I want to get out of working in retail/customer service as soon as possible; the course is only 6 months and the tuition is strangely affordable; I have heard good things about the job outcomes of the field, meaning I should be able to actually start working as a lab assistant after completing the course; there is the possibility of working in a hospital or clinics or labs; it should be possible to find a casual/part-time position if and when I manage to start making money off my other hobbies and skills (read: art); and finally, if I like the work enough, it provides a good stepping-stone for the job I was originally looking at -- medical laboratory technician. (The people who actually test the samples.)
So, I've taken the first step towards that! I've sent in my online application to the college, but I think I also need to go in and take a keyboarding test. Which might be trouble. I can type fairly quickly but I don't put my fingers on all the right keys like they used to teach us to do when I was in elementary school. (Remember All The Right Type? Ha! "Dad eats alfalfa salad...") They might also need a transcript proving I took Biology 11 & 12. Which I should be able to get soon.
So that's all going according to plan!
As for other change on the horizon... well, nothing too crazy I suppose, but a few of my best friends are considering finding a place together. Which would be fun because then I could visit them all at once. Also, my sister and her family are planning to move away in the fall. Like, halfway across the world away. I'm not sure how to feel about that one. Of course, if that's what she truly wants, then I am most happy for her... and it does give me an excellent excuse to visit a certain tropical island. But I'll miss her and my nieces, though they'll be back to visit for a few months of each year. I'll have to get very good at letter-writing and remembering birthdays! The Fox keeps trying to get me to use the calendar feature in my new phone to remind me of things, but I've been being stubborn and obstinately old-fashioned about it. I still have a paper agenda book, darn it all! Sigh. Perhaps I'll have to get up with the times one of these days.
I have an exciting thing to do today! I'm going to have my tarot cards read for the first time. Since I got my own deck I've been wanting to go to a professional reader to sort of see how they do it; I figure it'll make it a little easier for me to get into it. I have an instructional book that I've been reading, but for some reason I've been a little held back about actually trying it myself. The self-conscious part of me thinks I can't take myself seriously enough to do it properly, and the skeptical part of me thinks it's all a bit silly... but the deep-down part of me really wants to do it all the same.
So, I'm finally using my birthday money to get myself a reading. I did some Googling and found a nice lady nearby who does it from her home, so I'll be heading out pretty soon to go do that. (There's a couple of them around here, but some of them seemed like not what I was looking for. The ones who claim to be able to "help with all problems: money, business, love, luck, hexes..." And the ones who claim to be "Best European psychic!"... Yeah, those kind of make me suspicious. I don't think the tarot cards are about being psychic or providing magic solutions to your issues. The lady I decided to go with seems much more down-to-Earth.) It'll be a nice reward for myself after finishing my course. I want to see what the cards say about my art, too. I really feel at a crossroads about it, and I'm not at all sure where I want to take it, so maybe this will give me some ideas at least, if nothing else. The ritual-loving part of me is going to enjoy the experience, in any case.
If I like it, hopefully it'll inspire me to fiddle around with my own deck more. I'd like to offer readings to friends and family eventually. I know my lovely aunt is first in line, since she is the one who gave me the deck!
It's nice to write in a blog again, friends. You should try it! By the way, if there's anyone out there reading this, please feel free to comment. I would love to build up a little network of blog-friends. I like reading other people's everyday life sort of blogs, but they're a little hard to find. Most of them these days seem to be all about posting daily recipes or hundreds of photos, without having much in the way of actual writing about life in general... which is what I like to read. People's thoughts and feelings and experiences! Share them with me!
Anyway, better go get ready to leave for my tarot card reading. Until next time!
Thursday, 28 May 2015
Thursday, 21 May 2015
I should be studying
Merry meet to you!
Well, it seems I'm not yet very good at frequent and/or regular posts on this blog. That's fine though. Like I said in the first post, I'm not going to necessarily have a schedule of posting. For now I'm just winging it.
So, I've been reading a couple of other blogs and feeling a bit envious of their style. One in particular is written in such a raw and open manner that one can't help getting emotionally invested in it (or maybe that's just me)! I find myself wanting to do that type of blog post, but at the same time I know it's just not how I write naturally. Since this is my personal blog and no one else's, I don't want to copy anyone. That would just be false!
Thus, you get to read my own pointless ramblings. Ha!
Anyway. Our camping trip was a success! My friend's graduation was a very nice event; set up like a wedding reception, with many tables and a delicious buffet and dancing afterwards and all (though we didn't stay for the dancing). The provincial park we stayed at was gorgeous... a natural temparate rainforest, just as this area of the world was before the European pioneers came along, covered in soft moss and mind-bogglingly giant trees. We came across a beautiful grove on one of our walks that looked suspiciously like it had been used as a ritual spot. I hope so. I know there's a big pagan community on the island...
Speaking of which, both the Fox and I were so pleased with the natural beauty and more relaxed lifestyle that islanders seem to ascribe to that we talked about one day moving over there. I have always thought it might be nice to live there, especially after the past few years as I've been working downtown in the big city here on the mainland (and in one of the most high-class/pretentious neighbourhoods too). It's starting to wear me out, being surrounded by so many people and buildings and all that. I used to think I was a city person, but now I'm not so sure.
Our city is notoriously cold, not in terms of temperature, but in terms of friendliness between strangers and passers-by. It's much more normal to avoid eye contact with others when on public transit, walking down a street, or even walking around the golf course beside our house. In one of the smaller cities we visited on the island, everyone seemed to know each other, and people actually greeted us as we walked by! It was a strange, yet nice feeling. It is certainly more natural than walking silently by someone without looking at them when you are the only two people on the whole block, as is what I do every morning on my way to work.
So we're thinking about that, for the long-term plan. For now, I still plan to attend the community college here (I should really be working on my prerequisite course right now as I only have a couple weeks to finish it), so we'll stay in our current place for the near future.
It's nice, by the way; I realize how lucky I am to have found someone with such similar goals and values in life. We're different enough to have our own identities and interests (I don't quite share his passion for computer programming, and he's not really as into the new agey stuff), but similar enough to be able to enjoy many of the same things (we both thought the new Mad Max movie was freaking awesome, and we are both into video games and art/drawing).
I always thought I would be on my own for the foreseeable future, which I was actually completely fine with (being an introverted hermit artist type and all). However, who am I to say no to something wonderful just because it's not what I expected?
(gets another cup of tea)
I think I left that tea too long. It's black as the inside of a cow. Ah well, as they say in Ireland... On Galway sands they kiss your hands, they kiss your lips at Carney; but by the Lee they drink strong tea, and kiss the stone at Blarney. And of course, since I once lived beside the Lee river in Cork (and indeed, kissed that famous stone in Blarney Castle), I will drink strong tea!
Where was I? Camping. Yes. So overall, a great trip. Not too stressful in the end; I did nearly have a small mental breakdown the night before we left, because there was still so much to do (and the Fox was busy making almond milk and marzipan instead of preparing for our trip... he got to see an angry Fru). However, once we were on our way, everything went mostly smoothly. Thank goodness for the Fox's new phone, which is GPS-capable; I don't know the island very well and we may have gotten quite lost if it weren't for that.
I did get a little wound up over his constant use of the new phone, admittedly, even though the GPS part of it was invaluable. I felt that he shouldn't be checking Twitter and reading programming blogs while we were surrounded by such beautiful nature. The real reason I was irritated by it is that I wanted us to be both together in the moment, so to speak, and I was worried that we were having totally different experiences.
But, I realize that not everyone feels the same way I do about nature and forests and such. For most people it's fun to be in nature, but it doesn't really change their habits or outlook on things. For me it's a bit of a spiritual experience (don't laugh!). I guess that's part of the reason I identify with neo-paganism so much; that's the whole idea behind it, that nature is more or less the basic "life force," or seen as divinity itself. You know that part in Disney's Pocahontas where she says, "But I know every rock and tree and creature / Has a life, has a spirit, has a name"? (Yes, I'm quoting a culturally inaccurate Disney movie... what of it?) It's pretty much like that, or that's how I see things.
Anyway, that's why I got a little cranky about the whole checking-Twitter-in-the-woods thing. But once the Fox explained why he was doing so (he did have a somewhat valid reason) I tried to calm down a bit. I should also not expect everyone else to want to do the same thing as me and have the same experience; that's basically impossible, isn't it? No two people have exactly the same experience, even if they're doing the same thing in the same place at the same time. That's why we write and make art... to try and convey our personal experience.
We still had an amazing time. We went on a couple of hikes, found an amazingly beautiful waterfall, did some fishing (didn't have even a nibble), and had a ridiculous amount of campfire time (S'mores and all). The Canadian experience! It only rained for part of the time...
We managed to get in a visit to my sister and her family, as well. They live very near to the place we were staying, so on our last day we popped in on them before getting the ferry back to the real world. My nieces were only told they were getting a "surprise visitor," so they were very pleased and excited to see their auntie and her companion! I know my sister wishes we could visit more often, and so do I. Unfortunately, it's expensive and time-consuming to make the journey over there, so I can't do it very often. Usually I see them if they're over here for some reason like a family event.
If we end up moving over there, though... that could be nice!
My sister and I are like night and day in some ways (her: Christian, me: heathen pagan type), yet very similar in others (both: love nature, love herbs, love our family). We get along well and enjoy one another's company, and I would really like to be closer so we could get closer, if you know what I mean by that.
I should really stop typing. This is a very rambly and incoherent blog post, I realize. There's not really a point to it besides me having fun typing things.
The trouble with rambling so much is that you don't have a tidy way to wrap up at the end...
Well, I suppose I will just get to work on my course. I'm having my three-day long weekend now, because I had to work solidly over the real long weekend (that was difficult; watching everyone else having a long weekend while I had to go to work). I'm determined to get as far as possible on my course, considering I only have a couple weeks left.
The house is a mess, but homework needs to come first, unfortunately. (I get antsy when things are untidy!) We went to IKEA yesterday and came home with a new desk for the Fox and a new shelving unit to serve as a pantry of sorts, because our kitchen is so tiny that there is hardly any cupboard space). So after putting them together and trying to find somewhere to put the old desk, well, it's a bit of a hurricane zone.
I shall try and ignore it for now. I shall also try to ignore the beautiful, gorgeous, sunny day outside..!! (Yes, yes, I could go to the beach and study, but we both know I wouldn't get anything done there.)
Until next time, non-corporeal readers!
Well, it seems I'm not yet very good at frequent and/or regular posts on this blog. That's fine though. Like I said in the first post, I'm not going to necessarily have a schedule of posting. For now I'm just winging it.
So, I've been reading a couple of other blogs and feeling a bit envious of their style. One in particular is written in such a raw and open manner that one can't help getting emotionally invested in it (or maybe that's just me)! I find myself wanting to do that type of blog post, but at the same time I know it's just not how I write naturally. Since this is my personal blog and no one else's, I don't want to copy anyone. That would just be false!
Thus, you get to read my own pointless ramblings. Ha!
Anyway. Our camping trip was a success! My friend's graduation was a very nice event; set up like a wedding reception, with many tables and a delicious buffet and dancing afterwards and all (though we didn't stay for the dancing). The provincial park we stayed at was gorgeous... a natural temparate rainforest, just as this area of the world was before the European pioneers came along, covered in soft moss and mind-bogglingly giant trees. We came across a beautiful grove on one of our walks that looked suspiciously like it had been used as a ritual spot. I hope so. I know there's a big pagan community on the island...
Speaking of which, both the Fox and I were so pleased with the natural beauty and more relaxed lifestyle that islanders seem to ascribe to that we talked about one day moving over there. I have always thought it might be nice to live there, especially after the past few years as I've been working downtown in the big city here on the mainland (and in one of the most high-class/pretentious neighbourhoods too). It's starting to wear me out, being surrounded by so many people and buildings and all that. I used to think I was a city person, but now I'm not so sure.
Our city is notoriously cold, not in terms of temperature, but in terms of friendliness between strangers and passers-by. It's much more normal to avoid eye contact with others when on public transit, walking down a street, or even walking around the golf course beside our house. In one of the smaller cities we visited on the island, everyone seemed to know each other, and people actually greeted us as we walked by! It was a strange, yet nice feeling. It is certainly more natural than walking silently by someone without looking at them when you are the only two people on the whole block, as is what I do every morning on my way to work.
So we're thinking about that, for the long-term plan. For now, I still plan to attend the community college here (I should really be working on my prerequisite course right now as I only have a couple weeks to finish it), so we'll stay in our current place for the near future.
It's nice, by the way; I realize how lucky I am to have found someone with such similar goals and values in life. We're different enough to have our own identities and interests (I don't quite share his passion for computer programming, and he's not really as into the new agey stuff), but similar enough to be able to enjoy many of the same things (we both thought the new Mad Max movie was freaking awesome, and we are both into video games and art/drawing).
I always thought I would be on my own for the foreseeable future, which I was actually completely fine with (being an introverted hermit artist type and all). However, who am I to say no to something wonderful just because it's not what I expected?
(gets another cup of tea)
I think I left that tea too long. It's black as the inside of a cow. Ah well, as they say in Ireland... On Galway sands they kiss your hands, they kiss your lips at Carney; but by the Lee they drink strong tea, and kiss the stone at Blarney. And of course, since I once lived beside the Lee river in Cork (and indeed, kissed that famous stone in Blarney Castle), I will drink strong tea!
Where was I? Camping. Yes. So overall, a great trip. Not too stressful in the end; I did nearly have a small mental breakdown the night before we left, because there was still so much to do (and the Fox was busy making almond milk and marzipan instead of preparing for our trip... he got to see an angry Fru). However, once we were on our way, everything went mostly smoothly. Thank goodness for the Fox's new phone, which is GPS-capable; I don't know the island very well and we may have gotten quite lost if it weren't for that.
I did get a little wound up over his constant use of the new phone, admittedly, even though the GPS part of it was invaluable. I felt that he shouldn't be checking Twitter and reading programming blogs while we were surrounded by such beautiful nature. The real reason I was irritated by it is that I wanted us to be both together in the moment, so to speak, and I was worried that we were having totally different experiences.
But, I realize that not everyone feels the same way I do about nature and forests and such. For most people it's fun to be in nature, but it doesn't really change their habits or outlook on things. For me it's a bit of a spiritual experience (don't laugh!). I guess that's part of the reason I identify with neo-paganism so much; that's the whole idea behind it, that nature is more or less the basic "life force," or seen as divinity itself. You know that part in Disney's Pocahontas where she says, "But I know every rock and tree and creature / Has a life, has a spirit, has a name"? (Yes, I'm quoting a culturally inaccurate Disney movie... what of it?) It's pretty much like that, or that's how I see things.
Anyway, that's why I got a little cranky about the whole checking-Twitter-in-the-woods thing. But once the Fox explained why he was doing so (he did have a somewhat valid reason) I tried to calm down a bit. I should also not expect everyone else to want to do the same thing as me and have the same experience; that's basically impossible, isn't it? No two people have exactly the same experience, even if they're doing the same thing in the same place at the same time. That's why we write and make art... to try and convey our personal experience.
We still had an amazing time. We went on a couple of hikes, found an amazingly beautiful waterfall, did some fishing (didn't have even a nibble), and had a ridiculous amount of campfire time (S'mores and all). The Canadian experience! It only rained for part of the time...
We managed to get in a visit to my sister and her family, as well. They live very near to the place we were staying, so on our last day we popped in on them before getting the ferry back to the real world. My nieces were only told they were getting a "surprise visitor," so they were very pleased and excited to see their auntie and her companion! I know my sister wishes we could visit more often, and so do I. Unfortunately, it's expensive and time-consuming to make the journey over there, so I can't do it very often. Usually I see them if they're over here for some reason like a family event.
If we end up moving over there, though... that could be nice!
My sister and I are like night and day in some ways (her: Christian, me: heathen pagan type), yet very similar in others (both: love nature, love herbs, love our family). We get along well and enjoy one another's company, and I would really like to be closer so we could get closer, if you know what I mean by that.
I should really stop typing. This is a very rambly and incoherent blog post, I realize. There's not really a point to it besides me having fun typing things.
The trouble with rambling so much is that you don't have a tidy way to wrap up at the end...
Well, I suppose I will just get to work on my course. I'm having my three-day long weekend now, because I had to work solidly over the real long weekend (that was difficult; watching everyone else having a long weekend while I had to go to work). I'm determined to get as far as possible on my course, considering I only have a couple weeks left.
The house is a mess, but homework needs to come first, unfortunately. (I get antsy when things are untidy!) We went to IKEA yesterday and came home with a new desk for the Fox and a new shelving unit to serve as a pantry of sorts, because our kitchen is so tiny that there is hardly any cupboard space). So after putting them together and trying to find somewhere to put the old desk, well, it's a bit of a hurricane zone.
I shall try and ignore it for now. I shall also try to ignore the beautiful, gorgeous, sunny day outside..!! (Yes, yes, I could go to the beach and study, but we both know I wouldn't get anything done there.)
Until next time, non-corporeal readers!
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