New opportunities: volunteering

Volunteering, an idea Ive been considering for a few years now - mostly in the 'when I get a job and and have a structured life, I should do something like that'  kinda way.  With so many people all trying to get the same job/internship/ position/program acceptance, Ive come to realize the benefits of going that extra mile to make my application look as amazing as possible. With that being said, Ive actively carved a volunteering niche into my life recently. I wont even try to BS here, I started it now in hopes it makes my resume and applications as shiny as possible - anything to potentially stand out over someone else thats trying just as hard (and potentially getting better grades  *angryfistshake* than I am) to get that spot. 

What I have come to realize over the last two terms is that I genuinely enjoy volunteering for worthwhile organizations that do give back in a meaningful way - and this is honestly how I feel about my position in MacEwan's Peer Support community. The PS program is made up of student volunteers working closely with the school's appointed faculty to offer to students a drop in center where they can feel welcome and comfortable to talk about serious issues or find information about where to go for help that is beyond our scope of help ( because at the end of the day, while we do go through alot of training, we arent counsellors and theres only so much we can do to help someone.)  As cheesey as it may sound, it really does feel rewarding to be there for someone when things are falling apart and being able to make things sensible again, drawing out their confidence in themselves and guiding the conversation in ways that allow them to discover that deep down they actually know how to fix most things themselves.

  PS has done so much for me personally. Believe it or not, I would describe myself as a bit shy, and while theres so many people on campus it can feel so isolated and lonely when you do your own thing day in and day out. PS has forced me to be more open to having people in my life, and by caring about how other people are doing, Ive began to care about myself again. Less than a year ago I could walk down the campus hallways and not recognize a single face for days, and when I did I wouldnt feel comfortable enough to say hello... cos srsly.. what if they didnt remember me?!.. then Id feel like a complete knob!...lol, anyways, these days its pretty rare for an hour or two to go by without seeing a fellow volunteer that can greet me by name and thats a great feeling.

To wrap this up, I guess its safe to say that volunteering has started to open my eyes to looking at things differently. Altho we may be looking at the exact same thing - that doesnt mean were seeing the same thing, thinking the same, or feeling the same thing about it. Perspective, its amazingly individual. <3

omg, im retarded.

So a few weeks ago, I was writing about how Ive discovered that I actually enjoy volunteering but didnt have time to finish my thoughts. At the time I assumesd that it would be saved as a draft and I could finish it later. Well when i went back a couple hours later I couldnt find it at all. This mad me totally sad! I mean wth?! Ive been too cranky to bother retyping it up until now, and what do I find after I log in, but the draft that saved way back when.

So yeah, Im retarded. I swear it wasnt there before!!

Boourns, midterms suck.

Dear pre-midterm optimism,

I just wanted you to know before you leave, that once again I have enjoyed your brief visit. One of these terms, would you consider sticking around after midterms as well? Just a thought. I know I would appreciate it and I promise I would try my very best to be as entertaining and engaging as I am during your normally scheduled visit. I understand post midterm pessimism isnt someone you want to hang around with, but I consider us fairly good friends, and honestly, friends dont bail when things get tough. Hopefully this reaches you before you leave and you reconsider your travel plans. If not, then see you next term and bring me a souvenir.

xoxo
Heather.

Why do I do this to myself?

  So Ive been sitting here cramming physics into my brain for I cant readily remember how many hours already today, when I decided short diversions can be invigorating and offer a fresh (?) outlook on the topic Im studying once I get back to it. (At least right now thats my theory as I sit here potentially wasting 10 minutes of study time. Haha).  Ive been back in school since sept 08, which seems to me like an amazing amount of time already. Its weird, my life has cycled through rotations of "registration-study-midterms-study-moremidterms-study-finals" (wash, rinse and repeat) - with these last 2 semesters having work mixed in there somehow too. Im not sure my life has ever been so structured as it is now - or at least not during my adult life. Ive accomplished alot already, just knowing I can do this if I put my mind to it is a huge realization in itself. Ive done alot of varied classes already - alot of upgrading ( we wont get into that right now ;).. lol)  alot of classes Im required to take, and once in a blue moon a class I can take because it interests ME. Like this term, Im taking Greek and Roman Mythology - its like storytime every class and THAT makes my brain happy.

  But with all that said, I still am nowhere near completed my scholastic effort. With any luck and hard work this semester will be my final one at G-Mac, or at least the final one where I will be taking pre-requisites for my Radiation Therapy program. Ah yes, THE program... with all its requirements and pre-req's and hoops to jump thru to get into... the program.  If all goes according to plan I will be able to apply for it this May and be in this sept's intake. Three years later Ill have something to show for the last few years of my life that Ive spent hermitted away. (Bad grammar much, eh?)

Anyways, not really sure if I was trying to go anywhere with this - if I had any idea originally it has long since flitted out the other ear and I guess my 10 mins are up. Here's to hoping studying wont be as painful as when I started this.

Hello Midterm! Goodbye world.