Road Rage

Hello to my two faithful readers! *S* The past 2 hours have been filled with much emotion. I left work at 1536 today. Rather than take my usual route home, I took the Queensway. I had to pick up a parcel on Merivale... my new laptop! (On which I am writing this post! Woo Hoo!) Apparently the entire city is under construction. The QW was down to one lane. One stinken lane! So after much frustration, I got off at Carling...thinking I would drive down to Maitland etc. Well, Carling was also down to one lane. Are you kidding me? I freaked. I got home at 1700. Yes, it took me almost an hour and a half to get home! Usually it takes me 20 minutes... 25 in traffic....45 in a bad snow storm. Today made me understand road rage. Really. There was not enough music in the world to keep me happily singing along. I was pulling out my hair...literally! All I wanted to do was start honking on my horn like a crazy woman. I didn't though. I was so ticked when I got home. Thankfully, I had just enough Ben & Jerry's ice cream to cool my jets!

So I set up my laptop, knowing that I would not be able to get on the internet. I have not yet received my wireless modem. But who knew??? I somehow have managed to tap in to someone else's wireless connection. (Is that legal?) It will do for now!

My quote of the day.... not sure who said it, but I can attest to its truth...

There are 2 seasons in Ottawa. Winter and Construction.

Water Bottles

Tonight was awesome! My latest venture is to become a High School Sponsor. (For now, during the "probation period", I am a wannabe sponsor.) Seems kinda crazy because I feel like I am the same age as these kids. Only sadly, I am nearing the big 3 - 0! Tonight was my first night. We met at the site of our new church at the corner of Prince of Wales and Hunt Club. It is a wooded area with a small clearing. Lotsa mosquitoes. I am envisioning NOT having fun, and getting poison ivy. I am not very outdoorsy!

The "surprise" plan for the night was to deliver free water (in bottles) to people in the neighbourhood of our new church. ( I am thankful because when they did this last summer, they played Capture the Flag. I am itchy just thinking about how eaten alive I would be.) As we handed them out, we had the chance to talk to people about the church, and ultimately about God. So we went off in groups of 10, collected bags, boxes and handfuls of water bottles, are loaded on to buses, and taken to residential areas.

It was amazing to see these Jr High and High School kids so excited for people to listen to their message and accept a free water bottle. The (many) times they were rejected were great teaching tools... how many times will we share our faith and be rejected. These kids were so great. I am so proud of them! It did my heart good. This is what I want to do. This is where I feel God wants me to be.

So my quote for the day is from the water bottles we passed out. (Well, ok. So really it is from the Bible, only paraphrased!)

"Every person who drinks this water will be thirsty again.

But whoever drinks the water Jesus gives will be satisfied."

John 4:13-14

What made me laugh was that when I got back to my car, one of the kids had ministered to me by putting a water bottle on it!

1000 Places To See

After a short morning nap (post nights), my best friend and I went to the local Starbucks / Chapters for some afternoon entertainment. Today we were drawn to the book entitled "1000 Places To See Before You Die". Of course, we took the time skim through it and see just how much (little) of the world we had seen. Between the 2 of us, we found 46 places we had been to. So that leaves 954 to go! So much to see, so little time!

We wander for distraction, but we travel for fulfillment.

-Hilaire Belloc

Security

One of my favourite quotes.... nothing else to say today.

“Security is an illusion. Life is either a daring adventure or it is nothing at all.”

-Helen Keller

Opa!

Todays quotes have double significance. I spent the afternoon at a family and friends shower for my sisters upcoming wedding. Yup... the Greeks were there. It was a glimpse into what the wedding day will be like. My sister is "taking one for the team" as she says. I am now even more convinced that I will have a nice, small, quiet wedding on a beach somewhere.

This evening was the Closing Ceremony for the Ottawa Greek Festival. Some friends and I braved the rain for just a little more souvlaki, baklava, music and of course dancing. Thanks to my Thia Vana's dancing lessons when I was in Greece, I am getting better. The whole night made me home sick. I would give almost anything to live in Greece... despite my crazy family... I miss them. I truly felt as though I left a part of my heart and soul there. I know that sounds cheesy, but it is true.

So in honour of my Greek heritage and the upcoming wedding, here are some quotes from one of my all time favourite movies... My Big Fat Greek Wedding.

Ian, if you're gonna be in this family, I get you some earplugs because the Portokalos women, if they're not nagging someone... THEY DIE! (Yianni)

(same goes with the Papadoupoulos / Patton / Ramsay women!)

My family is big and loud but they're my family.

We fight and we laugh and yes, we roast lamb on a spit in the front yard.

And where ever I go, what ever I do they will always be there. (Toula)

(Yes, we used to roast lamb on a spit my aunts back yard)

Nikko! Don't play with food! When I was your age, I didn't have food! (Maria)

What do you mean he don't eat no meat? Oh, that's okay. I make lamb. (Voula)

You family now, so I tell you a story. All my life ... I have this lump on the back of my neck. When I reach the menopause, the lump get bigger. I go to the doctor, and he performs a ... bo-bo-bobopsy. And inside the lump, he finds teeth, and a spinal column. The lump ... it was my twin....opa! (Voula)

When I was growing up, I knew I was different.

The other girls were blonde and delicate,

and I was a swarthy six-year-old with sideburns. (Toula)

Forget being six and feeling that way! Try being almost 30 and feeling that way!

The man is the head of the house,

but the woman is the neck; she can turn the head any way she wants. (Maria)

Laptops and Lunch

Nothing much going on today. I have spent most of the day looking at laptops on the internet. I thought that I would treat myself... getting a new job and all. I am looking at DELL... only because they have pay over 48 months with 0% interest, and a free shipping deal. Can't go wrong for $40.00 a month. Any thoughts?

Then a friend called and we went out for lunch. So thought that this quote from my favourite yellow bear was appropriate.

“It is more fun to talk with someone who doesn't use long,

difficult words but rather short, easy words like "What about lunch?"”

Winnie the Pooh

Wisdom

All week I have been praying for wisdom and strength in handling a particular situation. Today I took a step towards the outcome. I did not get as far as I wanted, nor did I get the response I wanted. Meaning, I think there is more to come. So I have two thoughts on wisdom today... one that is serious, and one that made me laugh.

Whatever is at the center of our life will be the source of our security,

guidance, wisdom, and power.

- Stephen Covey

How true. And how awesome when God is the center of our lives!

It's so simple to be wise.

Just think of something stupid to say and then don't say it.

- Sam Levenson

Sacred Tears

There was a lot of sadness today at work. The day was spent trying to save a little life that is quickly nearing an eternity of glory. Many of my colleagues had cared for this little guy for his entire life... 5 months. Many people ask how I can work in a pediatric critical care setting. My response: "I cry a lot." There is no shame in it. In fact, I think that it comforts parents to know that the people caring for their loved one.... the people who have spent more time with their child than they have themselves... these people have grown to love their child too. So that said, here are Washington Irvings words of wisdom for today.

“There is a sacredness in tears.

They are not the mark of weakness, but of power.

They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues.

They are messengers of overwhelming grief...and unspeakable love.”

Quote of the day

My attention was recently drawn to a plaque in the NICU of the hospital I work at. Undoubtedly, it was donated by a family whose life was impacted greatly in one of those hospital rooms. I thought that rather than try to think of something original to say every day, I would try to enlighten you with some of my favourite quotes and how they have impacted my life.

To laugh often and much;
To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children;
To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends;
To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others;
To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.
This is to have succeeded.

--- likely inaccurately attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson.

I must say that I am partial to the second line (affection of children)... think I have got that one, only because I act like I am a kid!) and the second last line (to know even one life has breathed easier...) ... being an RT and all!