You never know what's going to happen next. You can have "Plan A" all set and ready to go, and at a moment's notice everything can change. While I'd love to believe that we can each control our own destiny, there is far too much evidence that points to the contrary. This is at once exciting and downright scary. One thing is certain though - the mystery, the "what now?" factor keeps life interesting...

Wow... I haven't bothered to write in this thing for quite awhile, eh? I think it's because - sadly enough - not much has been happening lately. Over the past few months I've slipped into a bit of a routine, and while it's not a bad one... I must confess that it's been less than thrilling.

Today I was thinking about movies, and how life sort of plays out like a film. While I rattled off the answers to obvious questions such as "How do I get to The Maid of the Mist?" and "What IS Niagara's Fury?" I was actually thinking about what genre the movie of my life might fall under. Hmmm... there are some comedic aspects to it, I suppose... there's the odd dash of drama, and lately there's been a good bit of romance... a teensy bit of suspense (read: stress-induced canker sores and uncertainty about the future), and I'd say that it's a smidgen lacking in adventure. Overall, it's not the most interesting flick out there, but it's passible and pleasant enough. The plot is rather annoying - it involves a girl who seems to feel alone no matter what. This girl frequently sabotages friendships and finds it extremely difficult to be close to other people for some [unknown] reason. Perhaps this stems from her tendency to "mull," "stew," and generally over-think things. ;-) Maybe the plot would improve if the girl could find a way to stop dwelling on the past (and present, for that matter!) and to quit thinking of herself as the protagonist?

Everyone is a movie. Every life has a plot... an ever-changing plot. I wonder if somehow everyone on Earth is unwittingly playing a role in an epic masterpiece called "Human Nature." I wonder if all of our stories could somehow link with others'? If you took all of the little films and strung them together, what would you get? What genre are you living?

Last night the Watoto Children's Choir performed here in Stevensville (of all places!) and I counted myself lucky to be a member of a large audience - so large an audience, in fact, that I was seated in the overflow area at the back of Faith Reformed Church, just taking it all in.


For those of you who never have heard of the choir - that is actually gaining renown with the children having performed across the UK, USA and Canada - I'll provide a bit of background information. "Watoto children" are orphans from Uganda that have been freed from lives on the street, sponsored, and allowed to live in a community that has been designed especially for them. Most of their parents have died from AIDS or as a result of civil war. The Watoto organization has built homes for them that house eight children, and have hired adult "mothers" to live with them and to take care of their basic needs. They attend school and church within the community until they are old enough to attend university or other training elsewhere. The choir is made up of a selection of children who are strong and able performers. They travel the world, have new experiences, and meet sponsors along the way who agree to support other children in their community.

Their singing and dancing is absolutely amazing!!!!! There is a central focus on movement, with notable choreography, drumming, and excellent singing. While English is not the children's native language, Uganda was once a British colony and so they are taught English upon entry into school - the combination of languages make their singing a delight. I love these kids, and wish that I could take them all home with me! Overcoming obstacles is their LIFE!

I love to write, and I have kept notebooks and journals full of my thoughts for about as long as I can remember. Sometimes it's actually difficult for me to think without a pen and paper - or a laptop - at hand. This morning I stumbled upon the following entry:

"November 14, 2008

Here are some things that I want out of life:

1. to be completely satisfied in a job in which I'm helping other people every day, and making a difference

2. to find my soulmate

3. to travel the world

4. to write and publish a book

5. to speak fluent French

6. to graduate University

7. to play the piano at a very high level, and possibly with an orchestra or ensemble

8. to wake up happy as often as possible"

I think that it's really interesting to look back on past goals. In two years from the day that I wrote this, I have managed to accomplish numbers 5 (ish!), 6, and 8. I think that goal #1 will be met whenever I am actually hired as a teacher... my experiences student-teaching have convinced me of this. As far as numbers 2, 3, 4 and 7 go... I have a feeling that these might happen hand-in-hand somehow. They could even be in progress, but I wouldn't want to jinx anything by suggesting it outright!

Yesterday, while sunning myself on the back porch once again, I finished reading "Yes We Can," the New York Times' best-selling biography of President Barack Obama. I know that I'm a little late to jump on the "Obama train," but I was absolutely fascinated by his life story. Talk about triumphing over challenges! I cannot imagine the struggle that he faced with his divided racial and cultural identity. It must have been very difficult to grow up the way he did - spending part of his childhood in Hawaii, some in Indonesia... all without the presence of a stable father figure, save his rather "disillusioned-salesman-grandpa." But look where he ended up! He is PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES!!!! To me, this speaks to the power of drive and determination, as well as to the blessing of family - even if the family isn't perfect, or wholly together. I'm so inspired!!!! I'm going to do everything on that list I wrote and more. And I'm going to start right now.

Whenever I feel the need to escape the stresses of everyday life, to let my mind wander and attempt to figure itself out, I head to the nearest park and make a beeline for the swings. There's something extremely calming about flailing through the air, kicking off your flip flops in mid-"flight," and basking in the sun on a late spring day. Sometimes I pretend that I can actually touch the clouds with my toes. If clouds in the sky were to represent my problems, many of them would disappear this way.



As I swing, musical accompaniment runs through my head. Each squeak of rusty chain against worn steel joint acts as a metronome, keeping time to the wind as it rustles through the trees, and filling me with a steady flow of ideas. The sweet songs of the birds overhead are backup vocals to the symphony of my thoughts.



Nothing, and everything is resolved.

While this certainly isn't a picture of my living room [though I think that when I do eventually have my own living room it should include a gorgeous colour-coded library, vase of gerbera daisies, inviting couch, and possibly the cute pug puppy], I am thankful for a day that relates to this image...TODAY! :-)


Just a little after waking up this morning, I decided that - since the skies threatened rain - it would be wonderful to lounge on the couch in my pajamas and just read for as long as I felt like reading. [For once, I was actually happy to be unemployed!] I enjoyed copious cups of Orange Peokoe tea [2 milks, 2 sugars... just for the record] and immersed myself in 170 pages of an imaginary, yet believable world full of people who I'll never meet, but somehow feel connected to... even though they don't exist.


My Grandma always used to tell me that "books are friends," and as tremendously geekly as that might sound, I feel that it is 100% true. A good book takes the mind off the self and draws it into another realm. It's comforting, yet dramatic, captivating, yet honest. It's always there for you when you need it.


Need some interesting summer reading material? Here are a few books that I'd recommend:

- "Blue Like Jazz," and "A Million Miles in a Thousand Years," by Donald Miller*
- "The Shack," by William P. Young*
- "My Year of Meats," by Ruth Ozeki
- "The Kite Runner," and "A Thousand Splendid Suns," by Khaled Hosseini
- "Mansfield Park," by Jane Austen [though this was made 100x more interesting when accompanied with lectures from Dr. Daniel O'Quinn!]
-"Girl With a Pearl Earring," by Tracy Chevalier
- "Queen of Babble," "Queen of Babble in the Big City," and "Queen of Babble Gets Hitched," by Meg Cabot**
- "Oryx and Crake," by Margaret Atwood (Apologies to "anti-Atwoodians," I know there are a lot of you out there!)
- "Flowers for Algernon," by Daniel Keyes
- "The Catcher in the Rye," by J.D. Salinger (who passed away this year - January 27, 2010)
- "Lullabies for Little Criminals," by Heather O'Neill
- "A Million Little Pieces," by James Frey
- "Tuesdays With Morrie," "The Five People you Meet in Heaven," and "For One More Day," by Mitch Albom

Happy reading!

What do you get when you mix:

- 2-3 tbs Rose's Grenadine

- 1/3 can of club soda [and/or gingerale]

- approximately 1/4 c orange juice

- 2-3 maraschino cherries, a sliver or orange, and [if you're lucky enough to have one on hand, a cocktail umbrella] ????

A SHIRLEY TEMPLE, that's what!

I'm currently seated on my back porch sipping one of these most delightful home-made mocktails. [Sunglasses on... Jodi Picoult novel in hand... Thankful that I forced myself to be productive this morning and mow the lawn/tidy the house, etc.] ;-)

The first Shirley Temple was invented for the actress who bears its name, by a bartender at Chasen's Restaurant in Beverly Hills, CA. Since Temple was clearly too young to drink alcohol, this beverage appealed to her youthful palate [It still appeals to mine, too, though I'm certainly legal! :-)]. Here in Canada, the Shirley Temple retains its popularity among casual diners at Swiss Chalet, whose slogan - "always so good for so little" - is heightened by the frequent presence of the mocktail. Usually included in this family restaurant's version of the drink is a tiny plastic "sword" that has, in my experience, inspired countless "duels."

I've yet to try an "adult" Shirley Temple, but I think that I might have to at some point this summer. According to my research, a "Shirley Temple Black" consists of a combination of 7-Up, Kahlua, and Grenadine, whereas a "Dirty Shirley" mixes 7-up, Vodka, and Grenadine. Who knew?

Shirley Temple, anyone?

I have always been something of a "Momma's Girl." My Mom, in fact, is my best friend and has been for 23 years. She has been a constant source of love and laughter, and she has taught me almost everything [of importance] that I know. I remember calling her one night at 3 AM back in my first year of University. I had a paper due the following morning, and had only managed to write one page out of five. :-S I was about as stressed out as I have ever been, and I probably shocked her by phoning in the wee hours of the morning, but she somehow talked me through it. Her support has made me the person who I am today - I never could have graduated with honours degrees from two universities without her encouragement. She has inspired me to become a teacher, and I sincerely hope that I can be there for the children of the future in the way that she has always been there for me.


Mom, I mean it when I say that you're the best Mom ever!

I love you so much.

Happy Mother's Day! <3

I count History nerds among my closest friends, but have never considered myself to be "an historian" in the least. I keep a regular journal, have edited two high school yearbooks, and tend to frequently analyze antiquated Facebook messages though, so perhaps this points to a closet fascination with record-keeping - a secret desire to hold onto the past.


It's almost embarrassing to admit how little I know about History, be it Canadian or otherwise. Though bordering on cliché, I truly feel that this has a lot to do with how it was taught to me in elementary school... you know, the whole "Ok class, now we're going to copy notes from THIS overhead" deal. As a new teacher, I realize how difficult and time-consuming it is to constantly come up with interesting and interactive ways to present information, but thanks to the work that is being done by you "Public Historians" out there, it is becoming easier. :-)


I'm currently reconceptualizing my idea of history as, first and foremost, STORY. Narrative has power, and narrative is interesting. "Facts" happen not in isolation from the story in which they come into being, but are deeply embedded in the narrative fabric. When you think about it, all of the engaging qualities of History can be explained in terms of narrative structure. Researchers spend time and money looking for more solid resolutions, or uncovering details that create more suspense, and thus a greater climax...


These ideas crystallized in my brain as I watched "The Young Victoria," a film recommended to me by a man whose Historical prowess is coupled with rogue charm and athletic good looks. ;-)
To tell you the truth, I had my doubts about the movie. I figured that for $3.38 at the corner store, I could always turn it off and go back to my book if it was too boring. Thankfully, I was very pleasantly surprised! I learned so much about the early life of Queen Victoria, and was both amazed and inspired by a story that featured a strong, young, female protagonist. I don't want to give the story away for those of you who aren't familiar it, so I won't. But you should certainly rent this movie. Obviously Hollywood has added some "special touches," yet this does nothing to take away from a mostly-true tale that I will remember forever.


There's nothing like a book or movie that is relevant, captivating and believable... particularly when it is being used as a venue to communicate information about something important. [And when Twizzlers accompany it! :-)]

Jumper cables aren't appliances that we give much thought to until their function becomes necessary. I learned this the hard way last night, when I accidentally drained the battery of our Malibu by innocently reading to music. Who knew that a mere half hour of Top 40 accompaniment could sap a car of its life force?

Anyway, mom and I were thankful to be in a good place - the church parking lot - and to have assistance from a thoughtful lady driving a van full of rambuncious children, along with our pastor, whose sense of calm in minorly stressful situations is truly inspiring. I'm happy to report that I now know how to properly attach jumper cables between cars! In case you aren't sure how this works, I'll tell you:

Step #1: Attach the red cable to the [metal portion of] bolt that is surrounded by red rubber on the "empowering" vehicle's battery. Next, attach the black cable to the [metal portion of] bolt that is surrounded by black rubber.

Step #2: [Not for the faint of heart!] Test your connection by clicking the copper ends of the non-connected cables together. If all is well, giant sparks should result. ((I may or may not have screamed like a little girl.))

Step #3: Attach the remaining black cable to the [metal portion of] bolt that is surrounded by black rubber on the "drained" vehicle's battery. Follow this by attaching the red cable to the [metal portion of] bolt that is surrounded by red rubber.

Step #4: Have the driver of the "empowering" vehicle revv his/her engine for a count of 10. ["Tug boats" and/or "Mississippi(s)" are encouraged.]

Step #5: Ask the driver of the "drained" vehicle to attempt to start the car. [In our case this took two tries.]


This whole scenario got me thinking. Are there people in my life who I treat like jumper cables, if you will? People who go unappreciated until something happens to me and I find myself in need of their help? Unfortunately, I'm sure that they exist. Today I'm going to really reflect on who these people are, and come up with some ways to more consistently demonstrate my appreciation for them. I think that when we let others know that they are important to us, and that we admire their strengths and talents, they are encouraged, and a circle of positivity can be established.

Last summer I planted strawberries in my little side plot out back. Having worked at a greenhouse, I was familiar with the fact that strawberries are "perennials," meaning that after you plant them once, they make a seasonal return. Nothing very exciting happened with the strawberries last year - they mainly stayed the same... their lanky, leafy greenness could easily have been mistaken for weeds to the untrained eye. Patience is a virtue, though. This morning I stepped outside to admire how my afternoon of work, weeding and turning the soil, had combined with the night's rainfall to impact the plants. What I saw amazed me! So many of the flowers had transformed into small green berries! I predict that within a week I'll have a garden full of delicious, organic strawberries. Perhaps I'll try my hand at making jam so that a fraction of this goodness can be preserved.

It's so easy to take things like plants for granted. I mean, unless you're a farmer or a gardener extraordinaire, or maybe a drug dealer, you sort of just expect it to be green and wonderful outside as soon as late spring hits. Really, though, have you stopped to consider the intricacy of plants and how they grow? You take a miniscule seed, bury it underneath some soil, ensure that it gets water and sunlight, and boom, you've got a plant... right? Well, sort of, but it's a tad more complex of a process. Appropriate chemical elements must be available to the plant, and a system of protection must be in place so that your tender shoots aren't ravaged by insects or wildlife. I'm sure you've heard of studies that have demonstrated that plants respond to music and even conversation. Plants develop complicated root systems to help them stay nourished, and these roots hold them in one place - they can't even move around to seek shelter. Yet they are beautiful, they release oxygen into the air, and provide humans with food. As a vegetarian, I couldn't survive without them!

Today, I challenge you to walk outside of your office, your apartment, wherever you are, and to look around you in wonder at the new growth that surrounds. Consider the positive aspects of plants and smile at a dandelion. I guarantee that it will smile back.

Yesterday I found myself in a rather random place at a rather random time. After perusing the aisles of the library, I discovered a book called "The Power of Kindness," by Piero Ferrucci and decided to enjoy it - along with the remnants of the Coke Zero can that I had with lunch - on one of the cozy, overstuffed chairs by the South windows. All was well, until I became distracted by a discussion taking place between two elderly men who, truth be told, were some of the only other poor souls - aside from this awkward twenty-something - inhabiting the library on such a glorious spring day. They happened to be browsing the "Religion" section, and what I heard went something like this:

Grumpy Old Man #1: Do you see this Billy Graham guy? HA! I can't even believe it!

[Slightly Less Grumpy] Old Man #2: Oh yeah, Billy Graham. I know him. What are you getting
at?

Grumpy Old Man #1: Well, clearly, he's never worked a day in his life. He just gets all dressed up
and connives people into thinking that he's holy or something. HA! As if he
actually believes in God! I highly doubt that he does. He's just in it for the
money. All of 'em are. Don't get me started on that Benny Hinn...

[Slightly Less Grumpy] Old Man #2: Now, Benny does take it a little far, I think. You're right.

Grumpy Old Man #1: Of course I'm right! I did a lot of thinking when I was in jail, you know.
Time in solitary confinement really gets the brain working. I've thought
all about this stuff, and I've decided a few things, to say the least.
Consider how corrupt our world really is, would ya?

[Slightly Less Grumpy] Old Man #2: There certainly is a great deal of wrong, I'll agree with that.
I'd be more apt to criticize politicians than these religious
guys, though. I sort of think that they have a point... some
of them, at least...

Grumpy Old Man #1: You haven't read enough Astronomy or Science. Read it, and you'll realize
how pointless this "God" stuff is. I agree with you on those bloody
politicians, though. I can't believe how ridiculous that Arnold
Schwarzenegger is! I mean, honestly! He hasn't worked a day in his life!

[Slightly Less Grumpy] Old Man #2: Do you know what "Schwarzenegger" roughly translates
to? "Black Plough Man." Interesting, eh?


I'll spare you the minutae of the rest of this conversation, but ask you to think about how overridingly negative it sounded to the casual eavesdropper. I started to take an inventory of how many positive versus negative things I'd encountered in the past week, and... wow! I must say that we North Americans are seemingly followed by a cloud of negative energy. No wonder there are so many cases of depression! The cloud is almost impermeable. Like lead. And now that I have noticed it, I've decided to take some action in helping to "clear the skies," if you will. Earlier this year, my housemate and I got into an argument. He was angry about a situation that was happening between friends, and I kept urging him to look on the bright side, and to analyze from every angle - trying to step into the shoes of the people he was so frustrated with. Of course, this didn't go over well, and he snapped at me for being so positive. "There IS bad in the world, Caitlyn." Well, DUH, I felt like replying. Obviously nothing is perfect, but I really feel that we tend to become so focused on the things that are less-than-favourable, that we often fail to recognize and appreciate the GOOD that remains in the world.

[Enter my rose-tinted sunglasses. And this blog.]

My goal with this blog is to brighten your day, whoever you are, by reporting on random acts of kindness, happy happenings, and the kinds of things that newspapers don't print so that they have more room to share the bad news. Feel free to help me out.