Under the Apple Tree

Catherine, Theresa, Miranda (with doll) and me.

My sisters and I circa late 70s.

I am feeling overwhelmed. Trying to organise my thesis defense and graduate, apply for a BC teaching certificate (requires 8 different institutions/ people references , etc., and over $400) and find a good job, and get Zumba certified in 2 levels, not to mention get back into trying to publish my novels and start a wildlife painting collection to show at Art Walk--must apply for that too. I can't let any of them go because I need my eggs in many baskets at this time because I don't know what will be my ticket to a good income yet. Life isn't a lot of fun at the moment. All work and no play.

Leaving for Seattle on Wednesday. Found out Zumba Atomics (kids) is being taught both in Seattle and Abottsford on the 3rd--thus I have a better chance of getting in.

Peter is in Vancouver until Tuesday.

Have been going to a lot of movies to break up my work. Quit Salsa because as much as I love the dance, I couldn't take the singles market. All the dancers are either in couples or singles on the make and I'm not up for that atmosphere at this stressful time in my life. 

Pip and I are a Starbucks this morning, waiting for Mist and Tabs to finish with a morning piano lesson. We can't get into Pip's computer, thus she is bored and I cannot work. Will surrender this computer to her momentarily so she can go on Club Penguin :(

Just when my novel editing is going great too.

Through Endurance I Conquer

Hope this is the last you see of me in a toque this season. Down town rink is closed, I don't think I'll ski again until next fall--bring on the sun!

Busy week:

Attended a talk by Dr. Samantha Nutt--War Child Canada founder. Inspirational for me as it fired up my passion for global literacy of girls and women. I am applying for a 1-3 month internship with UNESCO--I have all the right qualifications at this point in time (just finished a graduate degree). If I get the internship (I'm applying to work in Global Education)--it will open doors for jobs in global literacy I hope!

Finishing the last edits of my thesis and applying for jobs at the same time--a very busy time. 

To cope with everything I pull out a few saving graces:

I have two personal mottos that pull me through life. One I shared with you already:

Touch me not for I am free; wild to hold though I seem tame.

The second I share with Ernest Shackleton:

Through endurance I conquer.

In addition, I am looking at all of the work and challenges ahead of me as adventures. Hard yes, but I always get quite excited about an adventure, so I believe this attitude will help me forge ahead in life and conquer...

And the ten day Vipassana meditation retreat next month will train my mind in peacefulness.

The girls and I are having a 'girl's weekend' as Peter is in Victoria at a conference. Luckily, Victoria is on the inside of the island, against the coast, as the Tsunami may break 25 m waves on the BC coast today.

So, the girls and I are dining out for supper, probably Joey's. And then I have salsa. Tomorrow night a party at Miranda and John's.

And what else? A West Coast Road trip for March break for me and my gals--I'm taking them to Seattle with me. We'll tour the city and they can have one relaxing hotel day while I train for Zumba.

--Gotta go apply for a job I really want at Okanagan College! Just have to fill out the form, attach my CV and covering letter and voila!