Earth Hour 2009

A sign of Spring:


I spent March 28, 2009, 8:30pm-9:30pm with a headlamp on my head and a book in my hands... computer off, lights off, and several (not all) appliances unplugged. Doing my symbolic part for the environment.

It does remind me of a Hallmark Holiday, though. Do I do this normally? No. Do I try to live somewhat responsibly when it comes to the environment? Yes. Could I do more? You bet. I see Earth Day as a symbolic gesture on my part indicating that I know I need to do more and therefore pledge to do so - I don't sign a contract, I don't promise my first born to the eco-freaks out there, but I do turn off my lights once a year as a reminder to myself and to others to take steps towards a more sustainable future. Do I want you to, too? Sure? Will I hold it against you if you don't? No. As I said, it's much like a Hallmark Holiday (aka Valentine's Day) where one is coerced into doing something they 'should' be doing all the time anyways. Same with birthdays. I can give someone a gift whenever I like, darntootin! It doesn't have to be your birthday. BUT, the birthday is a good little reminder ;)

In other news...

Rumours abound at UFV regarding the Teacher Ed program. Interviews with applicants who are 'border-line' have been on-going this past week, and because of this, the official list is still being made up. SO, that means two things 1) no news is good news and 2) probably won't find out until mid-April.

IT'S DRIVING ME CRAZY. I just want to plan my life, thanks!

*sarcasm alert*
Thank goodness I have papers to keep my mind off this TEP fiasco.

I'm hoping that 1) no news is good news does really apply to me!

Blogging without Obligation

Yep, no more apologies for taking so long to write. BWO allows me the freedom to come and go from this blog as I so choose - no nasty, guilt-induced 'sorry it's been so long' type blogs from me EVER again.

I'm currently suffering from a ridiculously annoying case of strep throat that has had me pretty much bed-ridden for five days now. My tonsils are so large that my epiglotis gets stuck inbetween them. It's not pretty. Night sweats, day sweats, headaches, incredible pain while swallowing, body aches, and awful antibiotics have been the order of the day (and night) and are getting pretty old, pretty fast. I've had strep before, but this case has thrown me completely out of wack. I wouldn't wish it on anyone. I'm probably no longer contagious but my body isn't ready to leave the house. I'm not going to classes, not going to school, not going to work, and I'm barely able to sit up long enough to write this silly blog post.

I guess it's pretty good timing though... I'm in my final month of my FINAL semester for my BA, and have some papers coming up, but not so soon that I feel I should be working on them right now. I probably will tackle one of them this weekend as my prof is accepting drafts for a quick editing on Monday. It can't hurt to have something to hand in. I have three papers in total waiting to be written and then will have three finals to write... and then DONE. My finals are on April 16th, 18th, and 27th (boo!)... and my flight to Frankfurt is on May 1st :D And my convocation is on June 11. Crazy!

I should find out soon if I got into the TEP at UFV... keep checking the mail for that all important letter. Wish me luck!

Time to lay down. Ciao

Planning

Well, I'm off for the month of May and am getting quite excited for my "European Adventure." I like to name my trips. Makes me feel that they are more grand and fantastical. They're not always named very uniquely, mind you, but named nonetheless!

A month ago or so I booked my flights into and out of Frankfurt, Germany... but made no plans about what to actually do about my time while there. Well, those plans are slowly starting to take shape and I'm getting quite excited. Yes, I hope to see some old stuff, learn a bit of history, tour some 'must see' cities and do some self-portrait photos infront of some famous landmarks and monuments... but I'm also really looking forward to spending some time with people I haven't seen in years. Here's hoping I can fit them all in and find time to explore at the same time!

I'll have just about 4 weeks to do some travelling, and these are some of the places I hope to visit/explore/experience:

- Berlin
- Munich
- Dresden
- Prague
- Rome
- Paris
- Nice
- Lisboa
- Barcelona
- camp on the beaches at Normandy
- Stockholm

I've already been to Amsterdam, London, and some of Scandinavia, so will be only seeing Stockholm again... but this time acting as the tour guide for some friends! And catching up with other friends.

Any suggestions (and the why behind the suggestion) would be appreciated! I only have four weeks and my last week and a half is already booked up with Munich, Prague, and Stockholm.

I'd love to hit some Greek Islands, too... we'll see!
I'm saving the UK (especially Ireland/Scotland) for another time... I think. Unless I can be convinced otherwise! :D

Suggestions?