Pay It Forward

It was a good day at work and a sad one at the same time. It was good because things went well and I got a lot done and it's the Friday before a long weekend, so that made it awesome to start with. I was sad because it was also the last day of work for several of our staff. Some are returning to school, one is going on mat leave and one is moving onto a better job.

Having the students leave means that summer is almost over. The long hours of sunlight are slowly dwindling. The last of the summer flowers are blooming. It's times like this when it seems like time is just moving by far too quickly. And I have to admit it: I miss school. I loved going to University and getting to open my mind to new ways of looking at the world, new ways to interpret things and for the first time, really thinking for myself. I don't miss the mid-terms and final exams, but I miss school.

It was also kind of a sad day because the co-worker who's moving on to bigger and better things is gone. She was a blast to have in the office. I'd known her a little before getting the chance to work with her and over the last 5 weeks or so, I've really gotten to know her better and have learnt that she's a wonderful person and I genuinely enjoyed spending time with her. And I'm somewhat amazed by her killer Crossword skills too. I know it's not "goodbye" as I'll see her again, it's just not going to be the same on Tuesday morning without having her there. Next Thursday will be worse for the 'farewell' category, but more on that later next week.

Before leaving work this evening, I was chatting with some of our evening staff and there was a mini game of "six degrees" happened as a lot of people working here know other people in the department and so on. How people found out about the jobs came up and someone's comment about it being great to be able to help out others reminded me of something from long ago.

I had a teacher in high school who gave everyone in the class a special paper in our last class before graduation. Mine was a long quote about life and happiness and the end part stuck with me and I still remember it. It said "And above all remember this: Do what you can, for whom you can, with what you have and with what you will obtain". Not quite the same quote as Roosevelt but close.  That line really has stuck with me all my life and I've very much tried to do that. I guess it's the same concept as "Pay it Forward". It's a simple idea really. If someone does something nice for you, go out and do something nice for someone else.

I think the world would be a much better place if more people subscribed to that idea. It doesn't have to be a grand gesture either. Even the smallest things can really make someone's day. Something as simple as paying for the coffee of the person behind you in the drive through. Or holding the door open for a someone who's pushing a stroller. Or sending a post card to a friend.

I do that last one a lot. I have a couple of friends who are near and dear to my heart who lives several thousand kilometres away. One of my favourite things to do is to pick up a cute card or random post card and send it to them, just so that they know I'm thinking of them. It's truly amazing how much getting something simple like that in the mail can totally brighten your day. I know, because said friends do the same for me.

A simple, selfless, heartfelt random act of kindness can completely turn someone's day around.

If you're reading this, and I've ever done something nice for you, please go out there and do something nice for someone else. Share a smile. Buy a child a balloon, compliment someone on the colour of their dress, send an old friend a postcard just to say hi....just spread some happiness in the world. Not only will the other person feel amazing, but you will too.

Thank you for being so nice as to take the time to read this blog. I'll be sure to pay that forward.

Good Night!

Sarah

Random Bus Ranting and Potatoes

It was a good at the office. I'm not 100% sure that I actually got any work done, but I sure did a lot of running around. Our potluck was a huge success and everyone seemed to enjoy the food a lot. There was definitely a lot of leftovers which our night shift got to enjoy. My cobbler turned out really well and there was none left to bring home.

After work, I took the bus home with my friend Steph as we were going shopping afterwards. The bus was packed. I'm talking sardine like here. We were lucky enough to have gotten on the bus earlier in the route and we had seats. There was this one lady who kept complaining quite loudly about how full the bus was and that no one was moving back. I should point out that yes, everyone was back as far as they could go without sitting on people's laps as this bus had a row of seats all the way across the back and she was one of the people who pushed their way onto an already over crowded bus rather than waiting for the next one. Anyhow, at one point she actually started yelling at people to move back. The problem was that everyone at the back was doing the "move out of the way to let people off" shuffle at the time and hadn't had a chance to re-arrange themselves yet. Rather than standing there, yelling at everyone, perhaps paying attention and using some logic would have been a much better approach. I understand that the bus is over-crowded and it's uncomfortable but yelling at perfect strangers is not going to make things better. Perhaps you should try asking the bus driver why he let so many people on in the first place? Oh right, had the bus driver been following the rules, he wouldn't have let you on!

We did managed to make it to Steph's house unscathed and got to GT for our cheap potatoes. So I'm happy. LOL. I know, when 87 cent instant potatoes are something I get excited about, it's time to get a life. But they really are very good for being instant ones. They actually taste like potatoes rather than some grainy chemical whatever.

Oh! I created a new word today. Instead of Pheasant, I said "Phezant". When asked what that was, I said "It's a Pheasant that landed on an electric fence". Get it? Phezzzzzant? It was funny at the time.

And on that note, it's bed time.

Good Night!

Sarah

Ok, so it's not a bus, but it is a form of public transportation !

Walking Playlist August 30th 2012

Got back out there tonight after taking last night off to bake. It was a really good walk tonight and I made good time. I had a bus driver who was walking to work ask me if I wanted to race :)

Here's what I was listening to this evening:
Change of Seasons - Sweet Thing
Day After Day - Inward Eye
Loser Like Me - Glee Cast
Judas - Lady Gaga
Little Smirk - Theory of a Deadman
Animals - Nickleback
Can't Get You Out Of My Head - Kylie Minogue
Right Here Right Now - Jesus Jones
You're A Lie - Slash feat. Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators

Change and Cobbler

I spent a relaxing evening at home after a rather long day at work. It was only long because I ended up staying late to take care of a few things and to talk to two of the managers. Loads of fun.

I didn't get out for my walk tonight but that was due to an important thing at home: Peach-Blueberry Cobbler. As in I was baking one :) We're having an "End of Summer/Goodbye to the Students" potluck at work tomorrow. The concept is simple. A sign up sheet is put on the wall so that you can tell us what you're bringing (so we don't end up with 6 different Caesar Salads, 20 bags of chips and 19 cakes for lunch). Easy, right? Nope. Getting people to sign up is like pulling teeth. I used to be so different in the office....

We were a much smaller group before and worked much more closely with each other. We've tripled in size since I started and now I keep getting emails from co-workers asking me "Who the hell is so-and-so". LOL. This is the largest staff I've ever worked with. I kind of miss having a smaller group, but it's not like I have any control over things. Change is a part of life and it's not a bad thing. It might be scary but if you just accept it and roll with it, it can be amazing.

I am very much a creature of comfort. I get complacent easily and change usually results in one hell of an anxiety attach (you should see me when I travel - not pretty!). But over the last few years or so, I've developed an interesting relationship with change. I think I finally understand its roll in my life and know why I need it. Now I appreciate it and accept it, especially when it's change for the better.

Now I'm actively working to change a few things and so far, the universe seems to be agreeing with my decision, which in itself is a big change. Usually when I get it in my mind to do something, it seems like the whole world is against me. You know the joke "If you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans!"? Yeah, something like that. But lately, I think I'm in sync with the world around me and it's a very nice feeling. I will keep a positive outlook on it and keep faith and hope that it sticks around.

On an unrelated topic - only 2 more nights until the Blue Moon.

Good Night!

Sarah

The Peach-Blueberry Cobbler I made for my office potluck.

Why I Want A Roll Of Duct Tape In The Office

I wish I could keep a roll of duct tape in my desk drawer and be allowed to pull it out and tape people's mouths shut when they start to spew bull shit and ignorance etc... It's a public service really. I'd be helping my co-workers out because they wouldn't have to listen to it anymore either.

Anyhow, incoming rant in 3...2...1....

Have you ever had a co-worker, classmate etc. who you just wish you could bitch slap into next week? Well I have one and my god was she in rare form today. I seriously had to exercise some pretty strong self control not to climb across the table, grab her by the shoulders and shake her while yelling "GROW THE FUCK UP" in her face. The word "ignorant" doesn't even begin to cover this wonderful gal. I'm almost convinced that she can't hear the shit that comes out of her mouth.
We do have one male co-worker who tends to walk the line between appropriate and inappropriate office topics on a regular basis and some days he says shit just to be an ass, but at least most of what he says has some logic behind it or some form of intelligent thought. But not this girl. I'm going to call her Honey (if you watch How I Met Your Mother, you might get the joke).

Honey is a university student, so there has to be some intelligence there, right? I'm not sure if it's just an act to impress the boys or if she's really so unaware of the world around her. Today she was complaining about having to essentially think before she speaks as some people might take what she says the wrong way. NO FUCKING SHIT!!!!!! You work in a PROFESSIONAL OFFICE. This isn't your dorm room or the school cafeteria. This is your PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT. Welcome to the real world sunshine. And don't keep harping on the point. And if you're going to have an opinion on something, take the time to learn the facts about the topic first. Don't just agree with the guy across from you because you think he's hot!!!!

There's tons of shit I'd love to be able to say to people in the office on a daily basis. But guess what? I don't. You know why? Because I'm a mature, responsible adult that recognises that there is a time and place for everything and 9 times out of 10, the office isn't the time or the place. The people around you are co-workers. Yes, you may develop a friendship with some of them, but you still have to remain professional and be respectful to the other people around us.

Oh yeah. And wearing a see-through blouse isn't office appropriate, I don't care how trendy you think you're being.

Ok. I think I'm done now. I'm pretty sure that I can make it through the rest of the week. All of our students are done on Friday. Some I will some. Some, not so much :)

On a rather positive note, as I sat down to write this tonight, my blog was sitting at 994 page views. That's so amazing. I'm going to break 1000 tonight! I wish I had some way of knowing who 1000 was and I'd totally send them a gift. Oh well :)

I'm off to play more SongPop (yes, I'm addicted) and then it's off to bed.

Good Night!

Sarah

Keep Calm and have a Cupcake (yes, I made it!)

Walking Playlist August 28th 2012

Got out a little later than I'd like today so it was on the dark side by the time I got home. I saw 3 rabbits tonight and a man sitting next to the creek, reading the newspaper and drinking a beer. Just like it was his own yard or something. Go figure.

I mixed up the music again tonight:

All That I've Got - The Used
Danger! High Voltage - Electric Six
I Love Myself Today - Bif Naked
Walk Like an Egyptian - The Bangles
Big Slice - Jonas & The Massive Attraction
Poker Face - Lady GaGa
Still Swingin'- Papa Roach
Porn Star Dacing - My Darkest Days Feat. Ludacris
Love You Like A  Love Song - Selena Gomez & The Scene
Albatross - Big Wreck

Quite the mix eh? LOL.

My One Month Anniversary

Wow. 30 days. 40 posts. 926 page views. I'm floored and amazed and humbled.

When I started this a month ago, I had no idea what to expect. I figured it would just be a really good outlet for me. It turned out to be an amazing outlet. I can't even begin to describe how happy I feel when I write and I can't believe that I've been doing it every night for a month. Even when I'm dead tired and don't have a thought in my head, I still feel the urge and need to blog.

What surprised me the most is how cathartic this is. I know I'm notorious for keeping thing bottled up inside and I know how bad that is for me, but I never realised that letting it out could feel so good. My head is a much happier place without so many thoughts trapped inside. I can see things a little more clearly now and that's a very good thing.

Some nights I get very emotional when blogging and I sit here and cry. You should have seen me the night I wrote the blog about my parents. I was bawling so badly that I had to stop because I couldn't see the screen anymore. But those were happy tears. I doesn't really surprise me. I'm quite an emotional person. I'm just very good at keeping them in check, except when I'm writing.

When I write, I feel free. The emotions just pour out of me through my fingertips. Some nights I feel completely emotionally drained after writing. Other nights I just sit and smile or keep giggling because I've made myself laugh or I'm laughing at myself :)

Blogging from my parent's house was interesting. I'm not used to having people around when I'm writing. They kept asking me question: What are you doing? What are you writing about? My responses: Writing my blog. Stuff. LOL. I have no idea if either of them have read my blog.

I like looking at the location stats for my blog. It boggles my mind to see that people in other countries have read it. Apparently someone in Russia reads it a lot as there are nearly 20 page views from there along with ones from France, Germany, Japan and the USA.  I'm still amazed beyond belief that anyone reads this.

Moving ahead, I will try to keep up with my goal of blogging every night. The fall is coming. Even though it was hot and humid here today, you could smell fall on the wind this afternoon. I love the fall. It's my favourite season. It also scares me a bit because fall is when my inner demons tend to wake up a little bit more and my struggle to keep them under wraps begins anew. Perhaps the blog will help me keep those little bastards at bay. I guess I'll just have to keep writing and find out.

To all of you who have read my blog, I just want to say thank you very much. I'm glad I could share a little sliver of my world with you. And to whoever the person in Russia is that keeps reading, I'd really love it if you'd drop me a line and say hello!

I'm going to celebrate my One Month Anniversary by playing a few rounds of SongPop (my new addiction on FB) and then curling up with my book before bed.

Good Night!

Sarah