The Adventure Begins

Christmas is done and over with and I survived.

This week has been a strange one weather-wise and it is taking a toll on me. We went from well below zero with half a meter of snow to spring-like temperatures of 9 or 10 C and now today we are having a windstorm, with winds up to 90 and 100 km per hour. Exactly the sort of weather that wrecks havoc on me. Time for better living through chemistry.

And time for daydreaming about Greece. I picked up a travel guide at Chapters the other day and started reading it, although I've since found out that it's not the "recommended" guide, so I may take it back. But it seems pretty good. I am going to start another blog which will be just about my adventures in Greece. As far as I'm concerned, my adventure started Christmas Eve (although I wasn't here) when the great big cheque was delivered by UPS. Ok, not physically big, but it has enough zeros on it to make me happy. In fact, it had bigger numbers than I expected, which is an awesome provision of God.

I'm a little nervous about Greek food, not having had much exposure to it. I've decided that I will have to start dining out at Greek restaurants to start getting used to it. I will have to learn to like olives and tomatoes and figs and feta cheese. I've never actually had feta cheese or figs; for some reason, though, I associate figs with prunes and I don't like prunes so I avoid figs. I am very unadventurous with my diet, I know, which in part is due to the fact that my digestive system is not keen on adventure. I refuse to venture into squid and octopus and other slimy seafood. Thankfully, they like to eat lamb, which I enjoy. And I will try Greek coffee and goat for the sake of trying them because I'm there. Goat is supposed to be very good and healthy. I'm not a coffee drinker but I may as well try Greek coffee while I'm there, since it is different from what we call coffee. I will try ouzo, but I plan to steer clear of some of its even more potent cousins altogether-- I'm a cheap drunk to begin with. And for sure I will sample Greek wines. And I will learn to love olives, although I do not like capers and cannot be convinced to like capers. *shudder*

The guidebook also warned of the many hidden dangers: giant centipedes that bite hard, poisonous snakes that sun themselves in inconvenient places, sting rays and fish that hide in the sand to inflict painful wounds, jelly fish of all sizes and sea urchins that are just waiting to impale your foot. Note to self: wear waterproof sandals in the ocean. Still, I am dreaming of floating in the warm, luxurious Mediterranean again. *sigh*

But all that aside -- and it's really only the centipedes that creep me out-- I am eagerly looking forward to going to Greece. And while it would be a bit of a hassle, I think that if I don't get into the American School I will be comfortable designing my own itinerary and backpacking though Greece. I'll find out in March if I get in.

March is when I'll really have to kick into high gear, making arrangements to store/move stuff, house the cat someplace, find someone to care for the fish, purchase tickets, etc etc.

I'm actually going to GREECE!

Merry Christmas

What an exciting month this has been so far. Aside from being on vacation since December 3rd, here's what I've managed to accomplish: I have got some good work done on my architecture website research project thingy. Considering that this project will take the rest of my life, any work on it is good. I have also been working on my grad school applications; my goal was to have had them all done by Saturday, but since that was two days ago.... well, it'll be after Christmas. Fortunately, though, my reading on my proposed research topic is proving very helpful, and as that is the only bit of the application left to do, it's not so bad. I haven't got around to doing Greek yet and I actually have not touched the sewing machine for at least two weeks. I did get all my Christmas shopping/present making/baking done, even if a few of you aren't getting cards because I didn't get enough made. I'm sorry; I still love you, though!

The carol and lesson service at the Cathedral last night was lovely and the final choral piece finally put me really in the awe-of-Christmas mood: O Magnam Mysterium by Lauridson.

O magnum mysterium,
et admirabile sacramentum
ut animalia viderunt Dominum natum,
jacentum in praesepio!

Beata Virgo, cujus viscera meruerent
portare Dominum Christum. Alleluia!

O great mystery, a wondrous sacrament
that animals should see the new-born Lord
lying in their manger.

Blessed is the Virgin whose womb was worthy
to bear the Lord Jesus Christ. Alleluia!

I absolutely adore this piece, not only because of the gorgeous musical arrangement but the simple awe and wonder in the words. It conjurs up so many memories and images. (You can listen to it here on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1J0O8wTzvIc )

I have received two early Christmas presents, and these are major ones. The first is a scholarship, in a provincial contest, that allows me to go study in Greece for a month this summer. I am ridiculously excited about this (I found out a week ago tonight) and even though I have started spreading the word, I still am afraid to believe it until the cheque is in my hand. It is a significant sum and awarded on the basis of marks and an essay, so I feel particularly honoured. I know when I get to Greece I will spend the first two weeks crying with joy and disbelief!

The second early Christmas present is an email I received today from the Associate Dean, who informs that the Chair has agreed to create a seat for me in the final course I need to graduate. This has been a long and convoluted drama which I have deliberately not written about. Suffice it to say, I am glad to be in the course and to know that I will actually finish this degree.

Weather permitting (there has been about half a meter of snow here in the past week and three storms) I will be heading the farm tomorrow to spend a few days with whatever family comes. Hopefully it will not be too stressful this year. I am most excited about giving my little niece her Christmas present I made.

Merry Christmas!

Deck the Halls with Gingerbread

In the past two weeks I have been through two pounds of butter, a pound of shortening, a bag and a half of flour, three quarters of a bag of sugar, one carton of molasses, half a dozen eggs and a kilo and a half of icing sugar. Gingerbread, shortbread, brownies, ginger snaps, and sugar cookies. I love baking, and fortunately my friends like eating.

Although if I ever eat another gingerbread man it will be too soon.

Today's Headlines

Black hole confirmed in Milk Way Scientists report it is filled with odd socks, overdue library books, cat toys and my Greek homework.

Actor cuts throat on Vienna stage Health risks high in the cut-throat business of drama.

American vs British Teeth Go natural-- and be proud off your off-colour clackers.

Chinese girl gets "kiss of deaf" Yet another reason that kissing is bad for your health. Germs aren't the only thing to be scared of. (I hope these two had a motel room and weren't in public. Super gross.)

The World is A Cheerier Place When You Have Warm and Cozy Feet

Someone left a really sweet comment on my post the other day. I wish I knew who you were because then I would send you a mental hug. Please don't think that all my friends are selfish; I certainly didn't mean to give that impression. My friends have done a lot of really sweet and kind and supportive things for me-- which is why I keep them around :) And I guess I really shouldn't complain because that makes me the selfish one, doesn't it?

At any rate, with the birthday over and out of the way, I've had a couple of good days. I'm almost caught up on my rest and sleep and my sore throat hasn't gotten any worse (yay!). And...

Yesterday I got the bestest slippers ever, and my feet are so happy! It turned out I had $8 left on a Mark's Work Wear House gift card my brother had given me for my birthday LAST year. And they had a promo advertised on TV where if you go to their website you can print off a $10 coupon that will give you--surprise, surprise--$10 off ANYTHING in the store. (Except for the two dozen types of items listed in fine print.) The slippers I had really been wanting since seeing them in early November were sold out in every MWWH in my area. The sales lady called around for me, but apparently they are very popular and each year sell out in a few weeks. So I got a different pair of slippers, which happened to also be on sale. In all, I got the awesomest pair of slippers for five bucks! They are very poofy and puffy and remind me of a sleeping bag. They are big enough that I feel like I'm wearing pillows on my feet. But, best of all, they keep my feet and ankles sooooo warm. This is particularly important considering I live in a basement.

Today I sewed up both of my fuzzy sweaters-- my last two for the season. As much as I love the results, the fuzzy muss is a bit annoying, so I try to do all the fuzzy sewing in one fell swoop. Now I have a lovely yellow and a lovely mauve sweater. Warm and cozy. Of course, now it's time to get working on my other sewing projects that accumulated while I was working at the fabric store. But it's hard to think of anything other than fuzzy, cozy sweaters in weather like this!

I also got some significant work done on my grad applications-- I only have the letters of interest to write-- and I got my architecture website up and running, thanks to the kindliness of one of my aforementioned friends. This is a long-term project, so what's up is only a draft, but it's exciting to get it started. So much research to do now!

No More Birthdays

While this year's birthday wasn't the worst, it definitely wasn't one of the better ones. It sucked enough that I've decided next year I'm not having my own birthday party. If someone wants to have one for me, fine, but I'm not organizing the thing.

First off, I had to spend my actual birthday at a department function (yucky, icky) and then studying for the Latin exam I had the following day. I did NOTHING special on the actual day, didn't even buy myself a doughnut. I did receive a number of phone calls-- my phone rang more that night (about five or six times) than it has all year. But I did have to let one or two go to the voicemail because I wasn't getting enough studying done.

Note: If you plan on having children, do not conceive in March. December is a sucky time for a birthday once you're in university. You, and all your friends, are trying to write papers and study for exams. Once you leave for university, you will not celebrate your birthday on the actual day ever again.

The appointed day for my party was Thursday. I had arranged a bunch of friends to go out for supper with me, like I had last year. This was a discouraging task as half of the people invited cancelled, several on the day of. I understand why, but I was still disappointed.

I decided to drive into TO with one of my friends (who had not cancelled) and meet another friend at his place. I had bought a fancy dress for the occasion (which also served as a gift from my mom) but given the temperatures I waited until I got to TO to change.

I also found out once I arrived at TO that the friend who had indicated they would take care of getting some wine (I had bought some cookies, cheese and a cake for the after dinner get-t-gether) decided that they had spent "800 bucks on wine last month" and didn't want "all my friends getting drunk on it" so I then had to go out and buy a couple of bottle of wines. (The after dinner drinks were not ever intended to be, and were not in fact, a drunken orgy. I do not stand for that sort of behaviour, and neither do most of my friends.) I also realized at this point that I had left the cheese in my fridge and had to pick up some more cheese.

The same friend had also indicated that they would take care of getting us to and from the restaurant by cab. I had not originally planned to drive to TO, but I did because I had more money in the gas tank than my wallet. But the friend didn't want to pay for parking, so we took the cab, and the friend didn't have any cash so I wound up paying for that.

The restaurant was good, I think we all had some degree of fun. I didn't expect anyone to pay for my meal, but I had kinda hoped someone would offer, since someone usually does, but no one did and I can't blame anyone because I know my friends don't make a lot of money, either.

I would rather have paid for parking because then all five of us could have driven back to the condo after dinner, instead of walking a few blocks in the freezing cold and wind to wait fifteen minutes in the same freezing cold and wind for the streetcar. I caught a chill I couldn't shake and am now sick.

Back at the friend's condo we only ate a few of the goodies-- and didn't even touch the cake. I was annoyed that I had wasted my money on it.

I find on my birthday that I like to feel special, to feel that people love me and appreciate me, flaws and all. But I didn't feel that way this year at all. And I know it didn't help that I had my mental cash register going and was feeling stressed out over how much money the evening cost me. But I guess I have to lump that one; it was my idea to "do something." (Shoot me if I get that idea again, ok?)

The birthday with my family was ok, but not much smoother. I was halfway home on the Friday when I realized I had forgotten all-- and I do mean ALL-- my medications at home. I was tired and achy already, but I couldn't afford to stop at a drugstore and replace all of them just for one night.

I probably should have turned around and gone back to my place at that point, as I didn't get any less painful and only more crabby. I went to bed by 7 or 8 pm, I don't really remember, and was still in pain the next day. Then I backed my car off the laneway and got it stuck, let loose with a choice word (for which my mother, rightly, got upset with me) and had a breakdown, all before noon.

I managed to pull myself together and enjoyed the really good meal my mother had prepared. My niece came and I had to read her lots of stories. After dinner I opened the two presents I had bought, wrapped and brought with me (the dress, which I had already worn to supper, and a package of underwear which I happened to have and had not yet opened.)

In addition to sewing up some fabric into pajamas for me, my mom also gave me a gift card for M & M Meat shops, whose food I love, and ultimately the dress and underwear do come from her. One friend gave me a really funny book with pictures of cute guys in it and one of my sisters gave me a carved wooden box she had brought back from Africa. So I got a few things.

One thing that is really bugging me, although I'm trying not to let it, is that two of my siblings didn't bother to acknowledge my birthday at all. Neither of them ever have much to say to me so I'm not close to them at all. The one was there for dinner so I guess that's an acknowledgement in a way, but never even said "Happy Birthday." The other usually sends me an email or ecard but didn't bother this year. I know it shouldn't bug me, but it bugs me more than I want to admit.

So this year I bought my own gifts, arranged (and paid for) my own party and bought my own birthday cake. This sucks. Never again.

Can We Go Back to Politics Being Boring?

Canadian politics are finally interesting and, surprise surprise, Canadians are upset about that.

We had a federal election in October and the current parliament (#40 for anyone who's counting) has actually sat for less than two weeks, last I heard. The Conservative party, under Stephen Harper, have the minority government.

But now they have gotten nasty and aren't playing nice and have introduced a rather ineffective monetary bill and all the opposition (which outnumbers them) are planning to vote it down. Money bills serve as votes of confidence, so if they go ahead as planned on Monday then they will be voting no confidence in the current Prime Minister, Stephen Harper.

So far, pretty basic stuff. Here's the interesting part: one of three things could happen.

1. Harper could ask the Governer General to dissolve the government and call an election. This is unlikely to happen as the GG, who is basically the referree of Canadian politics (but we usually play so nicely with each other that she only needs to step in rarely), must look out for the best interests of Canadians and frequent elections, like we've been having, do not create a stable government. OR
2. Harper could ask the GG to parogue government. This basically means this session of the house would end and they would all go do whatever they do until sometime later in January when sitting would resume. In this case, the politicians would keep up their current inflammatory fighting in the media. To be honest, I'm not keen on this idea as I don't want to put up with politicians bickering over Christmas. OR
3. The GG could accept the coalition agreement that is being put forward by the NDP, the Liberals and the Bloc.

This is where Canadians are getting their toques in a knot because a lot of people do not release how our parliamentary system actually works. People (including the Tory spin people) are saying this is an affront to our democracy, that the coalition is hijacking the parliament, etc, etc, etc. But here's the thing: under the Westminster system of parliament, which is what we have here, we do not elect a prime minister. That's right. Unlike our neighbours to the south, we do not elect our leader. Rather, we elect members to the house of commons. It is the members of the house of commons that choose the leader. Normally, this is easy: the leader of the house of commons is the leader of the party that got the most seats. But it doesn't have to be that way. The leader, who is appointed by the GG, is the one who commands the confidence of the house. Coalition governments are perfectly acceptable under our constitution and have been made in the past.

See this article in the Toronto Star, written by a constitutional expert: http://www.thestar.com/comment/article/547336

For the record I did not vote for the Conservatives. (Neither did I vote for the Liberals or NDP.) And I certainly do not like how the Tories are misusing their own power. Yes, I am one of those Canadians, reputedly few and far between, who support the coalition bid for parliament. I think it is the only way to get a parliament that is going to get work done and do anything to help Canadians right now.

I would like to think that most Canadians will educate themselves about our constitutional system and see through the Tory hyperbole and spin. I don't expect people to agree with me, but I do hope people will educate themselves about our system before they get their minds too stuck.