Oscar the Grouch with a Masters

So this week I feel like I've been Oscar the Grouch.  I feel grouchy-don't know if I've been portraying that but wow.  I'm ready for this week to be over.  The kids are driving me nuts-most likely because we've all been shut in from the blizzard and it's been too cold to even go out.  I'm looking forward to tomorrow!  TGIF!

I've decided that I'm finally ready to go for my Masters in Special Ed.  I'm like super excited, almost bouncing off the walls.  I've wanted this for so long (my Masters) and it feels good to start working towards this.  Why Special Ed?  I love at risk kids and Special Ed not only includes exceptional children but also behavioral issues.  I'm hoping to focus my studies and thesis on aboriginal students.  Not sure at this time what focus it will be, but that's what I'm thinking.  I'm keeping my ears open for any phenomenal programs out there, so if you know any, let me know...I'd like to look into B.C. as I've been really impressed with some of the things I've heard on the reserves.  There just seems to be a true committment to children in some communities, some ideas which seem way beyond where Manitoba is right now.

But the Masters right now seems like the right time.  As tough as things are financially, I'm really hoping this could take me to the next level in my career.  I plan on applying for scholarships and bursuries, so we'll see.  My family is really excited, and that's amazing in itself.  It feels really good for my family to be so behind me.  I didn't have that with my other degrees, so it means a lot.

Well, I'm going to go and face the cold...brrr.....

Getting Healthy in 2010

So, I bought myself a Wii.  I absolutely love it.  While I don't have all the accessories I want so far, I have the Wii, the Jenny McCarthy workout with camera, Wii Sports, and Wii Resort.  I've been working out every day for a week straight!  I have to admit though, I'm out of shape.  I hurt, I puff, but I feel really good.  I'm starting to even see more muscle definition in my arms!  I haven't adjusted other things yet, but I want to start recording what I eat and for how long I'm exercising.  The step after that is to try to eliminate pop ....  Im serious about this, it's going to be the year for me!

But yeah...totally recommend Jenny McCarthy...awesome workout that adjusts to how you are doing...I love seeing myself on screen so i can correct my body...and wow...awesome workout!

So I started my path to being better to myself.  Already I've done one thing for the month brand new, and that was go to a new restaurant with friends of mine in the city.  The restaurant was called New Win-at least that's what it sounded like.  It was a Vietamiese restaurant down on Ellice.  Food was good, service horrible, and I'd never had any of the foods before.  It was great, plus I had awesome company!

I plan on going to Tribal Days in Brandon for the end of the month, which I've never been to.  I don't know what to expect-I'm wondering if it's a smaller version of Manitoahbe??  I also want to hit the Brandon Art Gallery as they have an Iroquois art display. 

In other news, it looks like I've got a big commission on my hands....I've been contacted by a local restaurant to do a big piece for them, encorporating their logo into it. I'm quite excited-it should be a great piece to do.  The finished product should be about 4 ' diameter (circle).  I've also got a couple of other projects that I need to do...I need to completely redo my great grandmother's stained glass that her nursing home broke in time for her birthday and as well, do a door panel for Lisa and Neil, my best friend and her husband.  This is a wedding gift for them. 

My uncle also left for Haiti yesterday, and I can't help but be worried.  He's a photojournalist, and while I know he's capable of taking care of himself, he's my uncle and I worry you know?  He's admitted that this will most likely be the worst thing he's ever walked into, and I know that things in the past have been horrible conditions at time.  Wendell, my uncle, has been one of the most influencial people in my life.  While I wouldn't consider him a father figure, he's been an uncle, a mentor, a leader, and a friend.  Who I am is in large part due to him and what he's taught me.  He's an amazing man who has a talent to show what is truly going on.  But Haiti, with aftershocks still occuring-well, it's just scary.  You pray for his safety, for his welfare, and at the same time, for his ability to be able to tell the story there-that everything would fall in place.  If you get the chance, check out his website, http://www.wendellphillips.com/.  It's absolutely incredible.  He's been nationally honored, worked for the U.N., different governments, New York Times, magazines, etc.  And if you get the chance, think of him while you're thinking of the people in Haiti...thanks.

Life is such a journey.  One minute you're up, the next you're down.  And the truth?  I can't begin to understand it. It's probably more fun that way though!

So,I've started taking more chances, more risks, more stepping outside of my comfort zone. I went to a Vietamiese restaurant I'd never been to with friends.  It was good...great company, poor service, but it was good food. 

Treated myself to the movie Avatar too...and I really enjoyed that.  I'd been wanting to see that for a while, and I was not disappointed.

Still need to take my laptop in...having problems typing still....

Truth be told, I feel quite alone tonight.  It's not a good feeling...

Brave Frontier???

So tonight I was brave.  Maybe foolish?  I don't know. I answered a call.  I picked up the phone and spoke to my birth father for the first time in years. It was interesting.  He phoned to tell me that his brother, my uncle, was in the hospital, which I already knew, but it was nice of him.  I spoke to his wife and that went well too. 

Without airing their dirty laundry, my father is not a well man. He never has been to my knowledge.  In the past, he has made it a habit of attacking me verbally, consistently lied, and been quite beligerant.  I broke off the relationship to save myself-sometimes all one can do under bad circumstances.

I've very likely opened a door, and I don't know how to feel about that.  I don't know if contact with him is wise or safe.  I don't know why I answered the phone.  I guess part of me wanted to be there for my brother should he have phoned (he's going through a rough time).  I don't know really know what to think...

Manitoba Girl

So before I start writing what I plan to write about, I want to wish you all a wonderful NewYear's!  I fhope it was safe and that you were doing what you love!


So what I'm realizing is that I really need to take care of me. I need to get out of my comfort zone, broaden my horizons, and live more.  I need to make each day count to not only those around me, but to me first.  So I have a plan....I'm going to do something new or that I haven't done in at least 10 years once a month.   This is not a New Year's resolution as I always end up breaking them.  This is going to be me taking care of me!

So ideas I have include (and remember I'm from Manitoba):

*  Folk Festival
*  Folklarama
*  Winnipeg Art Gallery
*  Winnipeg Blue Bombers
*  Fort Whyte Centre
*  Tea House in St. Francois Xavier or Elie
*  Apple and Corn Festival
*  Fly a Kite
*  Festival du Voyageur

Any ideas?  Let me know!