Thursday, December 16, 2010

Zoo Day!

A few weeks ago it was Auntie and Nanny time for the girls. This was back when Monica was just born and Mom brought the other girls back to our house for a few days. I took the day off work for Zoo Day. This was my first time hitting the zoo with the girls. 




Zoo Day is tradition for them. Every time they are at our house they head to the zoo. They are actually known to go to the zoo two days in a row, because they want to and they can.

I had a great time hanging out with them. They are so adorable and fun. But, I did get a little bit of the mom perspective on children. Who knew we would have so many tears about who got to sit in the stroller or who got to sit in the wagon? And how many times can we change our mind about which one is better? I think I'll have to work on my patience skills in preparation for motherhood. Eek!



It is also super fun to see my mom as "Nanny". I'm sure most people with nieces/nephews will realize that moms significantly change when they become grandma. It took me awhile to get used to that! However, it's fun to see all the little routines they have together: the zoo, baby belle cheese, chocolate milk, bubble gum (Megan's favourite), puzzles, trampoline...Mom never seems to tire of doing these little things with them.


I'm excited to see them at Christmas!

Monday, December 13, 2010

Decorating

Just wanted to share my lovely little niece, Megan. She helped me decorate my tree the other day. :)




She taught me a very important lesson about Christmas this day. I'm speaking about it at our Christmas Eve service, so I'll post my write up after Christmas. Meggie it is pretty much the cutest thing ever, along with her other three sisters. I'm excited for them to come up after Christmas. :)

Friday, December 10, 2010

In Vancouver

So, I've been meaning to write since my little melt down post last week. I don't want people to think I'm on the verge of tears at every point in my life.

I have lots running through my mind right now and I'm not sure how much I can organize into my thoughts. I'm in Vancouver for business again. I was here last week, got sick this week, and then managed to stumble my way on to the plane at 7:00am yesterday morning. I love coming to Vancouver (although I really wish I were feeling better this time around). 

I made the comment yesterday that I'm not sure I can qualify this as a truly "Canadian" city...All you Vancouver-ites will shoot me for that comment. But in the last few days I've seen more green plants than I do in Calgary on a summer day, I've seen flowers blooming!, I've seen people walking down the street in shorts, and people complaining about the "cold" with it was far above zero...I am only joking, but it's quite pleasant to have the reprieve for awhile.

But, I love coming because I get to work with people. I am so motivated and "directed" when I come home. I've just met with people who have given me direction, I've been able to over hear conversations that make me feel "in the know" again, I've been able to just chat with my co-workers (which is really hard to do over the phone). It is just so easy to be here, while to work in Calgary, it's hard. It's hard to motivate myself. It's hard to have to pick up the phone to talk to someone and not walk down the hall. It's hard to out of the loop.

HOWEVER, this is a big however because I don't want to make is seem like I don't enjoy work. I've realized over the last few months that I've been "remote". This process is actually teaching me to communicate and have thoughts of my own. Yes, nothing is easy, but the lessons I'm learning are not just work lessons, but work lessons. 

Working in a team is difficult. Understanding different personalities takes work, perception and sensitivity. It takes effort to make sure I can communicate so people can understand my thoughts, feelings, and opinions.

And while most people know I usually have no problems expressing myself, it's strange that this doesn't naturally come out in my work environment. Maybe it is because I've always being placed in a position where I don't feel like I have confidence. But all my "career" (I still don't think of myself as having a career) I've been very willing to sit back and do what people tell me. In a remote situation, that doesn't work...I don't really like it, but I've having to show and be confident in areas that I don't feel 100% confident. I do think this is a good thing...and very uncomfortable thing, but a good thing.

I don't love learning the lessons I'm learning through back and forth process. It's not easy, but I do thank God that He's giving me the opportunity to learn them, even through my tears. 

God, sometimes I'm not sure about Your plans, but I'm going to stick it out and learn what You want me to...with joy. 

I have no pictures of Vancouver, so here's a fantastic one of me waiting at the airport. :)



p.s. The second reason I love to come is that I get a night off and to myself. I sure love hanging out in the hotel, going to see a movie, watching TV, going for a walk, reading a book (I need a new one!), catching up on e-mail, and not having to go out...it is a true treat.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

It's back...

The "Jesus" prayer is back...wow, I have so much to do that I am so unqualified for! 
Oh Jesus, only through your strength.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Oh the experiences...

I've had an interesting week. 1) I'm exhausted and 2) the boiler blew at one of my sales centres. 3) I'm going to Vancouver and should have lots more work done than I do. And therefore 4) it's been an interesting week.

The work events of the week got me to thinking about all the "experiences" I've had at work over the past few years. Good and bad. So, in no particular order:


~Being receptionist. What a great way to start work! I love being there for a year!

~Moving to admin for multi-family - first task: "Here, make these 163 binders! No, we currently have no supplies. Yes, they need to be done in 3 days..."

~Finding another Christian at work and getting know her more. Love you, Robyn!! I miss you lots!

~The laughs with Jenn. Miss you, Shmoe! Lots...

~Saying "I'll work here as long as Alex isn't my boss." Ah, I look at this and laugh....I now love this guy more that words can express and thank God for him everyday. God's got a plan in this for sure!

~Searching some unnamed person's head for ticks. This will forever stand out in my mind as the strangest thing I had to do...

~Alex's incredible patience in training me to do *everything* I do.

~Developing a love for "Excel" and stats. 

~Getting the call "Uh, there's water pouring out the back door."

~Specific Union Square memories:
    • Having my first panic attack. Not cool. High-rise possessions are just slightly stressful.
    • Taking safety training so I could walk around site in a hard hat and steel toes so I could pretend to be important.
    • Finding out we had all three colours schemes "mixed up" for the entire building. Yup, supplies were already ordered.
    • Learning to read electrical plans, just to make sure that the electricians got it right (because I'm such an expert, you know).
    • Getting my morning exercise by walking the stairs...all 26 stories.
    • Racing Alex up and down the stairs while filling humidifiers...hardwood floors and concrete buildings do not mix well!
    • Me becoming "Customer Service Representative" and being given 3 days notice to develop the entire system. Who thought that was a good idea?!
    • Shuffling over the concrete floors to find the high spots and low spots.
    • Oh, calling the exterminators to get a bat out of the sales centre...and then having it fly in Candice's hair. Really funny, but not at all!
    • Holding a "grand master" key for the place
    • Watching the fireworks from the roof with Mik. :)
    • Pretending I owned the show suite. I still do this...
    • "My" building:



And more specifically this year:


~Alex telling me he was moving. What a horrible day...and week. Still makes me cry...but God's working in it.

~Flying to Vancouver every other week for work. Somehow they think this is worth it. I love it, so I'll just keep going as long as they want me.

~Designing exteriors and floorplans of townhouses (uh, when was I trained to do this?!)

~Picking exterior colours for the buildings (and my mom's reaction when she hear this!)
~Having skype dates with the boys in Vancouver. :)

~Having Sean to vent to and "chat" with...actually chat.

~Talking spiritually with Simon. So cool. I never thought I'd be doing that at work!

~My morning fill of Alex, via skype. They get me through my day.


Oh, and there are so many more! This year has been especially challenging, but when I look at my list, I can't help but smile at my experiences, even some of the bad ones. God has brought me so incredibly far in my work journey. As I said before, never in a million years would I have imagined I'd being doing what I do (wait, what do I do?).

Thank you, Lord! You've brought me so far...and I sure couldn't have done any of it without You!