So I am currently working at the library, teaching people things like computers and ereaders. I have a love/hate relationship with this job. The love side is that I am employed, I work with great people and I love the library (why have I not spent more time here in my life?). The down side, it is stressful, the patrons are challenging and I am feeling drained and worn out.
I am a type A personality and I love order, routine and scheduling. I love to work a consistent shift and this job is not even close. Some weeks I work Saturday, some weeks I do not, some days I work the late shift and others a normal 9-5, the lack of routine is getting to me. We do not always get brakes and it seems that the amount of work comes in waves and right now we are being sucked under. The inconsistency mixes with the fact that I realize I am more of a person who loves to be alone in the forest, then a person to be teaching computer basics to people who will never remember it in an hour. Through this position I can certainly see that I am learning patience and acceptance and learning (failing, but trying) to not stress over the minor things.
Anyways enough complaining. I am very thankful I have work and on Wednesday I received the wonderful news that we will have our contracts extended an extra month. This means more time working and searching for something else. When we were asked if we wanted to extend our contracts the words my coworker said hit how I was feeling right on the nose 'I would love to, but I do not think Steph can handle the stress of another month.' He laughed at that, but I am serious about it. So where I am thankful for the work and it is truly showing God providing for me, I know in order to keep my sanity I am going to have to relax a little and find ways to enjoy work before I kill someone.
I am sorry, but I do believe there is such thing as being too old to learn. Like really, some of these people will be dead before they figure out how to send an email, please just keep using the phone. Ok that is the end of my rant. I am now deep breathing because even thinking about work is causing me stress. I am going to my happy place of ipads, ereaders and mousercising (if you have never mousercised it is wonderful, we found a website to teach mousing skills to people who are computer beginners, and in other words it keeps me calm because I do not need to be the one saying a hundred times to only click once and that they are missing what they are trying to click on. Google it.). These are the parts of work that I can currently mentally handle.
So this has turned into a rant, but in the end, yes I am thankful. I have a job and that is all I can ask for. Oh and did I mention that God just keeps bringing the blessings to our family because the husband also found full time work in his field and it is close to Chatham. Yes that meant that he left his position at the library and added more stress to me because I am the one who does the scheduling, however he now has a position in his field and for at least a year. We are happy because that means we might get to stay around Chatham for a while (which we love), and get to enjoy the apartment that we put so much hard work into.
Also, the good news kind of just keeps coming because yesterday we found out that his position comes with benefits. BENEFITS, can you believe it?!? I am so excited. I was always one whose parents had benefits, I had massage and chiropractor and all of my medicines paid for. It was wonderful while I had my headaches because I was able to test things out and try different methods to fixing the problem. I will again be able to have some of those little luxuries covered and I am all to excited for June when I will get my first professional massage in almost two years! God is good!
Friday, February 22, 2013
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
BibleReading.
I mentioned almost two months ago when I was talking about New Year's Resolution's (here) that I wanted to first start to take more pictures of every day life and second that I wanted to read through the entire bible. This was not a resolution, it was simply something I was thinking and praying about to start sometime over the course of the year.
Well I have not been doing wonderful with the goal of taking pictures of people other than my niece, but I am trying. She is just too cute to resist and she does not complain when I take a million picture whereas most people do. But that is besides the point.
I have started reading the Bible. I chose a Bible reading plan based up on knowing myself. I know I cannot stick to something every single day as life was bound to catch up to me, so I needed some grace. I also understood that I needed something that was attainable so anything under a year was impossible. On the other hand however if something was too far off it would seem like the end was never coming so I knew two year plans like I had originally looked into were not possible. I do however think if this year goes well, that I will start the two year plan which makes it so you read the old testament once, the new twice, the gospels a handful of times and I think like Pslams five times (don't quote me on that, it is just off of the top of my head). So I needed something easy, attainable and logical.
As a result I chose a built in plan on my phone (wonderful, I know). I have the Bible app 'You Version' which allows you to choose from a wide range of Bible versions and has almost as many different reading plans. I went with the chronological plan that has a six days on, one day off routine to it. I figured on that off day I could catch up or read ahead if need be.
I am currently about three weeks into the plan and I am loving it. It is easy on days where I feel like doing it and terrible when I get three days behind, yes that has already happened. It is wonderful because it congratulates you after you finish a day (who doesn't love a little praise and pick me up). I also love that no mater where I am, I am able to read the Bible when I have a few minutes to spare, therefore it is convenient and accessible.
So we will see how the year pans out, but as of now I am loving it and can see actually finishing close to the one year mark. I would so far highly recommend it. There are so many parts of the Bible that I have either never read in whole or potentially not at all, so it is very eye opening and informative.
Well I have not been doing wonderful with the goal of taking pictures of people other than my niece, but I am trying. She is just too cute to resist and she does not complain when I take a million picture whereas most people do. But that is besides the point.
I have started reading the Bible. I chose a Bible reading plan based up on knowing myself. I know I cannot stick to something every single day as life was bound to catch up to me, so I needed some grace. I also understood that I needed something that was attainable so anything under a year was impossible. On the other hand however if something was too far off it would seem like the end was never coming so I knew two year plans like I had originally looked into were not possible. I do however think if this year goes well, that I will start the two year plan which makes it so you read the old testament once, the new twice, the gospels a handful of times and I think like Pslams five times (don't quote me on that, it is just off of the top of my head). So I needed something easy, attainable and logical.
As a result I chose a built in plan on my phone (wonderful, I know). I have the Bible app 'You Version' which allows you to choose from a wide range of Bible versions and has almost as many different reading plans. I went with the chronological plan that has a six days on, one day off routine to it. I figured on that off day I could catch up or read ahead if need be.
I am currently about three weeks into the plan and I am loving it. It is easy on days where I feel like doing it and terrible when I get three days behind, yes that has already happened. It is wonderful because it congratulates you after you finish a day (who doesn't love a little praise and pick me up). I also love that no mater where I am, I am able to read the Bible when I have a few minutes to spare, therefore it is convenient and accessible.
So we will see how the year pans out, but as of now I am loving it and can see actually finishing close to the one year mark. I would so far highly recommend it. There are so many parts of the Bible that I have either never read in whole or potentially not at all, so it is very eye opening and informative.
7thHeaven.
I used to love the tv show 7th Heaven. It is a
show that is based around the family of a church minister who has five children
and by season three, two more. Each week
they face a different issue such as steeling, popularity and dating issues.
Growing up I attended Wednesday church programs with my best
friend. I did not realize until high school that this did not make me a
Christian, but at the time, that mixed with being baptized as a baby made me believe I was. I used to learn a lot from the show
and thought it was the ideal family situation. Now, not so much.
Recently I have been re-watching the show, I bought the first
five season used for a wonderful deal and was excited to relive some of my
childhood. Now however, as I am well into watching them there are a number of
things that do not sit well with me.
Yes the girls for the most part dress modestly, and they do
not believe in sex before marriage and the parents have a wonderful open
relationships with their children and a great marriage. However on the other hand, they are dating
at age 11, making out at age 12, and the lack of talk about God and trust in Him
shown among the children is shocking. They do not understand even the basic concepts such as prayer and it makes you wonder a bit of how much attention they pay at church every Sunday mixed with why the parents do not find it an important part in life.
A part of me loves how it in some ways shines a real light on the lives of Christians as the family would go out of their way to help others, they become friends with those in need and that they also stumble with real life temptations and pressures. The downside is that the actual God part of the equation is rarely there.
I am enjoying re-watching them and am even considering looking into finding the last five seasons cheap somewhere so I can see it all the way through, however I am not sure it still holds that special place in my heart and I am a little disappoint that the memories do not hold up to the actual show.
A part of me loves how it in some ways shines a real light on the lives of Christians as the family would go out of their way to help others, they become friends with those in need and that they also stumble with real life temptations and pressures. The downside is that the actual God part of the equation is rarely there.
I am enjoying re-watching them and am even considering looking into finding the last five seasons cheap somewhere so I can see it all the way through, however I am not sure it still holds that special place in my heart and I am a little disappoint that the memories do not hold up to the actual show.
Monday, February 4, 2013
Soccer.
So tonight I signed up for summer soccer. This was a hard decision for me for a number of reasons and even now that I have signed up I still cannot help but feel apprehensive about my decision.
I debated between rugby and soccer and in the end soccer won out. I have always loved rugby, but I fear with being out of shape that I will injure myself. Also, the time commitment is at least triple which I am not sure I am ready for either. So if this year goes well, maybe I will be in rugby shape next.
I am nervous for soccer first off because I have not played soccer in four years, a lot has changed in four years. Then again, when I did play four years ago it was not so much fun. I quite soccer half way throught high school due to the unneeded stress it was causing me. At the time I played travel, house league and reffereed, I was on the soccer field usually at least 5 times a week. The drama and polititcs got to me and when I quite I actually did not miss it. I took up coaching the following year, which I loved, but brought on other stress that again I could not handle. I played one year of women's soccer after my second year of university and again it was not a wonderful experience. I had a team that was competitive, I was just there for fun, I was stuck playing goalie and I could not handle the stress yet again. I lasted half a season before happily having to quite to move up north for work. That following year at school however I played indoor soccer with a wonderful group of girls. The game times were terribly late, and the commute home after via city transit in the freezing cold sucked, however it was actually fun. So I think for what I want to get out of summer soccer I need to hope that I get on a team that just wants to have fun and who are nice.
Another fear of mine is that I am out of shape. I was running daily before the wedding and have done the occasional run and workout video since then, but I am out of shape. This scares me. Mixed with the fact that I just want to have fun, I know I will not be the best out there, but it would be nice to be able to keep up. A part of me is excited that this will encourage me to get out and a bit more active and also it will be guarenteed physcial activity for me if nothing else.
The big question is did I waste my money. Will I even be around for the entire summer or will I find a job elsewhere? This is what has been keeping me from participating in a number of activities that I have wanted to over the past two years. Had I know this winter or last that I would be in Chatham for the entire winter I would have loved to play ringette or curl, but there was never a guarantee Currently however, the husband just got a one year contract close to town, so if I find work the odds are high that I will be able to play the entire season.
On the other hand however, I once upon a time actually love the sport and have had some wonderful experiences playing. I have played since I was like 4, I refereed a number of years and coached even more. I would love to love something again. So here is to hoping that this season works out, that my teammates are nice and that we can enjoy the game and not focus on winning. That I can go out there and have fun, that I will not stress over it and enjoy myself. So we will see what this summer holds.
I debated between rugby and soccer and in the end soccer won out. I have always loved rugby, but I fear with being out of shape that I will injure myself. Also, the time commitment is at least triple which I am not sure I am ready for either. So if this year goes well, maybe I will be in rugby shape next.
I am nervous for soccer first off because I have not played soccer in four years, a lot has changed in four years. Then again, when I did play four years ago it was not so much fun. I quite soccer half way throught high school due to the unneeded stress it was causing me. At the time I played travel, house league and reffereed, I was on the soccer field usually at least 5 times a week. The drama and polititcs got to me and when I quite I actually did not miss it. I took up coaching the following year, which I loved, but brought on other stress that again I could not handle. I played one year of women's soccer after my second year of university and again it was not a wonderful experience. I had a team that was competitive, I was just there for fun, I was stuck playing goalie and I could not handle the stress yet again. I lasted half a season before happily having to quite to move up north for work. That following year at school however I played indoor soccer with a wonderful group of girls. The game times were terribly late, and the commute home after via city transit in the freezing cold sucked, however it was actually fun. So I think for what I want to get out of summer soccer I need to hope that I get on a team that just wants to have fun and who are nice.
Another fear of mine is that I am out of shape. I was running daily before the wedding and have done the occasional run and workout video since then, but I am out of shape. This scares me. Mixed with the fact that I just want to have fun, I know I will not be the best out there, but it would be nice to be able to keep up. A part of me is excited that this will encourage me to get out and a bit more active and also it will be guarenteed physcial activity for me if nothing else.
The big question is did I waste my money. Will I even be around for the entire summer or will I find a job elsewhere? This is what has been keeping me from participating in a number of activities that I have wanted to over the past two years. Had I know this winter or last that I would be in Chatham for the entire winter I would have loved to play ringette or curl, but there was never a guarantee Currently however, the husband just got a one year contract close to town, so if I find work the odds are high that I will be able to play the entire season.
On the other hand however, I once upon a time actually love the sport and have had some wonderful experiences playing. I have played since I was like 4, I refereed a number of years and coached even more. I would love to love something again. So here is to hoping that this season works out, that my teammates are nice and that we can enjoy the game and not focus on winning. That I can go out there and have fun, that I will not stress over it and enjoy myself. So we will see what this summer holds.
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