Survived my first week back to work- a feat in itself, especially with the intense humidity! My new schedule is crazy busy, along with my fellow EA's, but I am enjoying the students I will be working with this year. No doubt, I will have a few more student "yarns" to share here on my blog.
I am celebrating my birthday all weekend - why not, eh?! I am heading down to TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival) tonight with my sista's to stalk some celebrities - hopefully Brad Pitt and George Clooney, and ya'll know how I feel about my George! You know I'll be posting pics of my adventure!
On Saturday, I am heading up north to a friends cottage with my folks - you know the ones with no inhibitions!
Then on Sunday, my actually birthday, I am having some friends pop on by for some of my mother's AMAZING chocolate torte - which is our family's traditional birthday cake!
A fun-filled weekend...for more, stay tuned!
Friday, 5 September 2008
Sunday, 31 August 2008
Be Still
Portrush, Antrim Coast, Northern Ireland, July 17, 2008
Hide me now
Under your wings
Cover me
Within Your mighty hands
When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with You above the storm
Father, You are King over the flood
I will be still and know You are God
Find rest my soul
In Christ alone
Know His power
In quietness and trust
When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with You above the storm
Father, You are King over the flood
I will be still and know You are God
I will be still and know You are God
("Still" by Reuben Morgan)
Saturday, 30 August 2008
Thematic Photographic - Watery
"Parkwood is one of Canada’s finest and last remaining grand estates, featuring architectural, landscape and interior designs of the 1920’s and 1930’s. Once home to auto baron R. Samuel McLaughlin (founder of General Motors of Canada), Parkwood is praised by Canada’s Historic Site and Monuments Board as “a rare surviving example of the type of estate developed in Canada during the inter-war years, and is rarer still by its essentially intact condition, furnished and run to illustrate as it was lived within.”
Spending the afternoon at Parkwood, I explored one of my favourite features of this estate. Speaking of features, it was "featured" in Adam Sandler's movie, Billy Madison.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqOgU-epKX0
Carmi over at Written Inc gave us this challenge for thematic photographic:
"It's hard to imagine what's more important than water. Our bodies are made mostly from it. We need to drink it fairly regularly to stay healthy. Our plants won't grow without it. So for this week's Thematic Photographic theme, I'd like to focus on - say it with me - water. I know you'll find new and exciting ways to share photos of the most critical resource on the planet."
Here are some of my "new and exciting ways" of sharing this watery, recycled, resource from the gardens at Parkwood this afternoon...
Without realizing it due to the blinding sun, I captured my shadow in the pic. I think it is a "cool" effect!
Once again without realizing due to the sun, I managed to capture both streams of water coming from their mouths 
Walking towards the tea house...
The tea house in the distance. To the left is the tent set up for a wedding today. I have been to a Swing Night under this tent at the Oshawa Jazz and Blues Festival. It was enchanting and felt like something out of "The Great Gatsby."
The tea house...
Parkwood is located beside our hospital. (It was here where I came into this world!) Years ago you would not have been able to see the hospital from Parkwood, but the estate had to cut down many of the dying trees, thus the present view! Another bit of trivia that is not on the Parkwood website...R.S. McLaughlin donated a great deal of his money to the Oshawa Hospital. His one stipulation however was that there could not be a catholic hospital built in Oshawa or he would pull his funding. Why you ask? He was a protestant chap from Northern Ireland!
The view from the tea house looking towards the mouth of the fountain.
I had an enchanting afternoon at my favourite "watering hole!"
Spending the afternoon at Parkwood, I explored one of my favourite features of this estate. Speaking of features, it was "featured" in Adam Sandler's movie, Billy Madison.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqOgU-epKX0
Carmi over at Written Inc gave us this challenge for thematic photographic:
"It's hard to imagine what's more important than water. Our bodies are made mostly from it. We need to drink it fairly regularly to stay healthy. Our plants won't grow without it. So for this week's Thematic Photographic theme, I'd like to focus on - say it with me - water. I know you'll find new and exciting ways to share photos of the most critical resource on the planet."
Here are some of my "new and exciting ways" of sharing this watery, recycled, resource from the gardens at Parkwood this afternoon...
The mouth of the fountain leading to the tea house
Without realizing it due to the blinding sun, I captured my shadow in the pic. I think it is a "cool" effect!
Once again without realizing due to the sun, I managed to capture both streams of water coming from their mouths Walking towards the tea house...The tea house in the distance. To the left is the tent set up for a wedding today. I have been to a Swing Night under this tent at the Oshawa Jazz and Blues Festival. It was enchanting and felt like something out of "The Great Gatsby."The tea house...Parkwood is located beside our hospital. (It was here where I came into this world!) Years ago you would not have been able to see the hospital from Parkwood, but the estate had to cut down many of the dying trees, thus the present view! Another bit of trivia that is not on the Parkwood website...R.S. McLaughlin donated a great deal of his money to the Oshawa Hospital. His one stipulation however was that there could not be a catholic hospital built in Oshawa or he would pull his funding. Why you ask? He was a protestant chap from Northern Ireland!
The view from the tea house looking towards the mouth of the fountain.
I had an enchanting afternoon at my favourite "watering hole!"Wednesday, 27 August 2008
More "Colour" in my Life!
I have been frequenting downtown Oshawa lately because my community care clients have had appointments at the Oshawa Clinic. While I wait for them, I have been exploring the Oshawa that has been long forgotten. New life is blossoming in this diverse community. My most favourite place is Isabellas Chocolate Cafe!
This morning, I stopped in for a fair trade, Ethiopian, smooth, black coffee. As I entered, a blind lady was sitting to the left of the door, taking a puff of her strong -scented cigarette. She fascinated me. I couldn't resist taking her picture with my zoom. The picture is a bit blurry but you are still able to see why she fascinated me. With eyes closed, slowly she savoured every inhalation of her fag until it was finished. She looked so content. So "colourful!"
Sauntering along, I came upon this most DELIGHTFULLY DELICIOUS chair on display in the equally delightful shop called "Brush Strokes." (If you look close enough, you can see me in the mirrored reflection!) I still had a wee bit of time to explore this cool store...
...look what was calling out my name...
...AND, it was on sale! Definitely meant to come home with me!
(More 'colourful' pics for the thematic photographic theme of the week....you know the drill - check out Carmi's blog for more thematic photographic.)
This morning, I stopped in for a fair trade, Ethiopian, smooth, black coffee. As I entered, a blind lady was sitting to the left of the door, taking a puff of her strong -scented cigarette. She fascinated me. I couldn't resist taking her picture with my zoom. The picture is a bit blurry but you are still able to see why she fascinated me. With eyes closed, slowly she savoured every inhalation of her fag until it was finished. She looked so content. So "colourful!"
Sauntering along, I came upon this most DELIGHTFULLY DELICIOUS chair on display in the equally delightful shop called "Brush Strokes." (If you look close enough, you can see me in the mirrored reflection!) I still had a wee bit of time to explore this cool store...
...look what was calling out my name...
...AND, it was on sale! Definitely meant to come home with me!(More 'colourful' pics for the thematic photographic theme of the week....you know the drill - check out Carmi's blog for more thematic photographic.)
Tuesday, 26 August 2008
Untitled Poem/Song
Looking through my old journals tonight, I came across this rough draft of a poem I wanted to make into a song, but never did - yet! It was written in September 2003. It is raw and vulnerable. It speaks for itself, with one exception...I have risen above and am celebrating my singleness today! (sure I still have my moments, but the pain and loneliness is not as deep as I used to experience)
One more thing...I never did come up with an appropriate title so if any of you have suggestions, please feel free to leave me a comment! Without further adieu, here it is:
Complete/Why?
Why
Why am I on this soapbox
Why do I still struggle with these high school feelings
Why does it still matter what guys think of me
Why do people assume there is something wrong with me
because I am not married yet
Why do people think we are not complete and whole beings
because we are not married
Sometimes the pressure is too much
Sometimes the pain is too deep
Sometimes the loneliness too unbearable
Why do I get overlooked
Why do I feel rejected
I'm tired of getting overlooked - of getting rejected
There is nothing wrong with me
I am complete
I have every reason to be confident in
Who God created me to be
It is my prayer that those girls who come behind me
Who feel this way
Who ask "why do I get overlooked?"
Will rise above
Will Dance
Will Celebrate
Be complete!
One more thing...I never did come up with an appropriate title so if any of you have suggestions, please feel free to leave me a comment! Without further adieu, here it is:
Complete/Why?
Why
Why am I on this soapbox
Why do I still struggle with these high school feelings
Why does it still matter what guys think of me
Why do people assume there is something wrong with me
because I am not married yet
Why do people think we are not complete and whole beings
because we are not married
Sometimes the pressure is too much
Sometimes the pain is too deep
Sometimes the loneliness too unbearable
Why do I get overlooked
Why do I feel rejected
I'm tired of getting overlooked - of getting rejected
There is nothing wrong with me
I am complete
I have every reason to be confident in
Who God created me to be
It is my prayer that those girls who come behind me
Who feel this way
Who ask "why do I get overlooked?"
Will rise above
Will Dance
Will Celebrate
Be complete!
Monday, 25 August 2008
Summertime Surrogate Motherhood
Lancaster, PA, August 2007 Amish child looking for mommy"Children, do what your parents tell you. This is only right. 'Honour your father and mother' is the first commandment that has a promise attached to it, namely, 'so you will live well and have a long life.'" (Ephesians 6:1, The Message)
"Evie-Chevy." She hated us calling her that. I guess it was disrespectful as she was our elder, yet somehow the name suited her. Chevrolet's (Chevy) motto is "Let's Go" and that definitely described Evie-Chevy, a real go-getter. Her given name was Evelyn. She was a special lady in my life - a summertime surrogate mother.
Evelyn first came into our lives before I was born. Evelyn worked with my parents at Physicians Services Inc. ( now O.H.I.P) on Yonge Street in Toronto in the 50's, so they would socialize together outside of the office. In fact, they went on double dates together! As it goes with life, my parents lost touch with Evelyn when they moved out to the burbs. Twenty-five years later they reconnected at a christian resort in Muskoka. It turned out our families both had trailers at this resort: Muskoka Baptist Conference (MBC)!
I have fond summer memories of my time at MBC. When I was younger, Evelyn would look after me at the trailer while my parents were down in the city working. She always told me I was the daughter she never had. I felt special. My summer surrogate mother! Evelyn and her husband John treated me to many exciting adventures like horseback riding, an airplane ride over Muskoka, dinners at the Thursday night smorgasbord, hay rides, daily trips to the beach, campfires, etc. They had two sons a few years older than me, so when I got older, we would chum around together during the summers at MBC. Off season, our families would always spend Christmas together. Evelyn and John were a wonderful christian influence in my life.
Evelyn died three years ago. Evie-Chevy, the go-getter, succumbed to leukemia. No doubt she is "on the go" in heaven, relishing her time spent at the feet of Jesus, the true love of her life. Vividly, I recall a strong desire to visit Evelyn in the hospital on Labour Day, three years ago. I knew I had to see her that day and ended up changing my plans so it would be possible. We had a wonderful, special visit despite her pain. She was always so gracious and positive even in the midst of suffering. As I was leaving she said, " you know Karyne, you were always my girl!" I wept. As I walked out the door, I knew in my heart I would never see her again - here on earth.
The next day after my visit she went into a coma and never regained consciousness. Without a doubt in my mind, I know that tug I felt in my heart that day was from God.
Interestingly enough, Evelyn and John's oldest son Steve is now the music pastor at my church. He is married with three children and I had the privilege last week of camping out at their house to look after the kids while Steve and his wife went away for a few days to celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary. Evelyn would be proud of how her grandchildren have turned out. They are incredible kids. I was a wee bit nervous as to how the week would go-being a swinging single and all!
Quickly my nervousness turned into relief as these children made me feel right at home. I couldn't believe how polite they were and how well they got on with each other. They even said thank you to me for cooking their meals for them- sadly something I am not used to hearing from the pre-teen and teenagers I encounter. We enjoyed playing games in the evenings. I taught them Dutch Blitz, Scrabble and "Bite the Bag," while they taught me how to play Wii, " Water Poker," and how to make everlasting cards!
It was clear to me over the course of the week that these children "honour their mother and father." Steve and his wife have done a fabulous job of raising their children, through prayer and hard work no doubt! I am confident these kids will turn into responsible adults who will "live well and have a long life!"
I feel so blessed to have these opportunities to experience parenthood, if only but a fleeting moment! I love how life comes full circle. Evelyn, I will always be your girl and will carry on the tradition of summertime surrogate motherhood!
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