London Calling

We made it to the Old Country and slept until nearly 9 this morning. One of my favorite things is watching someone experience a new country/culture for the first time. The joy that Jake has as he sees the history unfold in front of him is so fun for me. Speaking of history, we are off to see Stonehenge now. Now that's history for you. I am pretty sure we will figure the mystery of the rock circles today for everyone. Stay tuned for our answer :-)
Not sure how many pictures I will be posting while away as my iPad does not have a port for my camera but I will try to describe what we see as much as possible.

180

A quick update on my life...I took a year off from blogging in 2010 and my life did a 180 on me. I am overwhelmed with the blessings in life...I am holding them with open hands to enjoy them. I am learning that if you close your hands to grasp or hold tight to those blessings you cannot enjoy them, others cannot enjoy them and you cannot receive more blessings with closed hands. Open hands recognize that blessings come and go and I need to be grateful for the moments I have to enjoy the wonderful gifts.

For those of you who are interested, my next adventure is found at http://sarasmagichouse.blogspot.com/. Although, I will probably update this blog on my travelling adventures or other random thoughts that I feel compelled to share.

Until then.

THE CHARTER FOR COMPASSION

My hope for this world.
Love your neighbor as yourself
Do onto others as you would have them do unto you.

Review of Being Surprised

In 2009, my theme was "be surprised". As usual, my learnings about this were unexpected. I recently stumbled across a written journal entry about surprises. I wrote this down on paper a couple of months ago but thought I would share it as my surprising year wraps up.


Surprise vs. Disappointment AKA blutterbunged

For the last few days, the similarities and differences between being surprised and being disappointed have been aligining in my mind. With the "prepare to be surprised" theme for 2009, I didn't think that might also mean "prepare to be disappointed."

Here's what I've been contemplating - both surprise & disappointment are usually related to events/external; are both emotional reactions to unexpected outcomes. But surprise, I think, comes from not even thinking about the result or having expectations. Whereas a disappointment is when a different and unpleasant situation came about - not what was hoped or wished or expected. Surprises can be good, bad or neutral while disappointments are mostly bad...although I think we can learn more from them

I find I am often disappointed in people...in their character and actions. I find I am surprised more by events and coincidences but rarely people.

I never thought that disappointment was even remotely connected to surprise but as with everything in life, we do not know the future and the only guarantee is that we will be surprised over and over again - both for the good and the bad.

My research on the synonyms of surprise/disappointment lead to the most interesting word - blutterbunged which means flummoxed and discombobulated. There is an unpleaseant slant to feeling it. It is an archaic word that is rarely used today but it seemed to fit in the space between surprise and disappointment.

Perhaps my theme should have been "prepare to be blutterbunged"

Maybe it is that space where joy and sorrow mingle that surprise and disappointment meet. Although disappointment is unpleasant, it is rarely fatal and usually makes us stronger and more able to handle the next thing life sends our way.

Bring it on - I am prepared to be flummoxed, disappointed, surprised and yes, even blutterbunged.

Onto 2010 where my theme is "discipline." This word has many negative connotations but I hope to redeem it to be single-minded about achieving my goals - health, financial and spiritual...similiar to athletes who make every decision based on their goal of winning gold or achieving personal bests. One thing I know for sure is that no matter what I think about discipline right now, in a year's time, my understanding of the concept will be altered.

Something that made me smile

December musings

I am thinking about wrapping up my blog at the end of 2009. I want to focus on other things come the new decade. The decision is not made yet but the more I think about it, the more it feels like it is time. But before I am completely gone, there will be one or two more posts.

Here are a couple things that came across my path this week:

Obama's peace speech...here is a part that moved me:

So let us reach for the world that ought to be — that spark of the divine that still stirs within each of our souls. Somewhere today, in the here and now, a soldier sees he's outgunned but stands firm to keep the peace. Somewhere today, in this world, a young protestor awaits the brutality of her government, but has the courage to march on. Somewhere today, a mother facing punishing poverty still takes the time to teach her child, who believes that a cruel world still has a place for his dreams.

Let us live by their example. We can acknowledge that oppression will always be with us, and still strive for justice. We can admit the intractability of deprivation, and still strive for dignity. We can understand that there will be war, and still strive for peace. We can do that — for that is the story of human progress; that is the hope of all the world; and at this moment of challenge, that must be our work here on Earth.

Teux Deux

A new to-do software I am checking out. As a lover of lists, I hope it helps me hold on to everything I need or want to do. It currently does not have an igoogle app or iphone app...they are working on it. Will just test it out during the next couple weeks to see if it is worthy of my lists :-). Speaking of tracking things, I am looking for an online budget tool that is easy to do. If anyone has any suggestions, let me know.

I have started to think about next year's theme and long-term life objectives especially as this decade winds to an end. I am enjoying the Art of Non-Conformity's perspective on year-end reviews and planning. If you haven't checked out this website, please do...it has some pretty insightful and achievable ideas on how to live life fully. As much as I love my life, I know that I am not necessarily living as intentionally and fully as I could be. In 2010, there will be some changes...they will be difficult but necessary. I am an instant-gratification type person and I need to think more long-term about my life and humanity as a whole.

I will sign off with a quote from Dolly Parton...

You'll never do a whole lot unless you're brave enough to try.

Up-up-upholstery

Look what happens when life is so busy...I have so many blog postings/ideas and no time to post. So today, I am uploading all my drafts because I don't know when I will have another chance.

I thought I would share my adventures in recovering furniture. I have never upholstered or recovered anything before in my life until this week. My grandmother's old dining set was graciously bestowed to me. However, it has been well loved over the years and needs some work. I decided I was not going to re-finish the wood this year but I definitely needed to change the fabric on the chairs - it is dreadful.

I have done 1 chair - 5 more to go. Take a look!

The state of the chair seats when they arrived


In process removing the old...the yellow had disintegrated into a fine dust.


A first look at the possibility



The final product (almost - I still need to screw the seat on)
Not bad!

Advent

The Christmas season is nearing. Advent has started. A sense of Christmas is starting to spread through my soul. Last week, I attended "A Christmas Carol" at Theatre Calgary (the poem I posted last week was from the play). On Friday, there will be a little Hallelujah Chorus happening as I head to hear Handel's Messiah. I am taking a friend who has never heard it live. I love taking people to their first performance of this amazing music. My mom did that for me years ago and it is one of my favorite Christmas memories. I even remember what I wore for the concert - I think my mom bought me a new dressy outfit for the occasion.

Tonight, while listening to Elvis Christmas and Boney M, I finished decorating my home with Christmas baubles. However, I have yet to spend any real time contemplating the Advent of Christmas. But I have about 7 or 8 days off before the holidays so I hope to take some moments to truly anticipate the celebration. I am not sure if I blogged about this last year but the Advent Conspiracy is a great movement to re-new the true Christmas meaning. I hope to share with you what I am learning this holiday season.


This year, for my annual Christmas brunch, I decided to do a "party with a purpose" and will be asking for a donation to the YWCA of Calgary and their work with women and children in need. A fabulous organization in our city. If you are looking to give back this season, I humbly suggest this charity. Or for my family, if you are wondering what to get me for Christmas, a donation to the YWCA would make my day.

Ring Out Wild Bells

Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,

The flying cloud, the frosty light;

The year is dying in the night;

Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.

Ring out the old, ring in the new,

Ring, happy bells, across the snow:

The year is going, let him go;

Ring out the false, ring in the true.

Ring out the grief that saps the mind,

For those that here we see no more,

Ring out the feud of rich and poor,

Ring in redress to all mankind.

Ring out a slowly dying cause,

And ancient forms of party strife;

Ring in the nobler modes of life,

With sweeter manners, purer laws.

Ring out the want, the care, the sin,

The faithless coldness of the times;

Ring out, ring out thy mournful rhymes,

But ring the fuller minstrel in.

Ring out false pride in place and blood,

The civic slander and the spite;

Ring in the love of truth and right,

Ring in the common love of good.

Ring out old shapes of foul disease,

Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;

Ring out the thousand wars of old,

Ring in the thousand years of peace.

Ring in the valiant man and free,

The larger heart, the kindlier hand;

Ring out the darkness of the land,

Ring in the Christ that is to be.

-Lord Alfred Tennyson

Benefit of the Doubt

I read a line recently that essentially said "...if you trust someone, you will give them the benefit of the doubt. But if you don't trust people, you will immediately think the worst."

You know those times in life that Oprah calls an "aha" moment - this was one of those moments. I realized my lack of trust towards a good friend and that there just may be another side to a situation. In fact, with this particular friend, I had created a whole story to support my theory about how they were out to hurt me. I used justifications, examples...you know, hard evidence showing how I was so hard done by. After reading that line about trust, I realized I never did fully trust them (well, for that matter, anyone). At that moment, a wise voice from within led me to call this friend and hear the story. As it turned out, the reasons for their actions and the reality of the situation were nowhere near my theory. In fact, their actions really had nothing to do with me. Not only an "aha" but a humbling moment.

Life Lesson #4543* - trusting people allows them the space to share their story. Their actions still may not be right or appropriate but perhaps understanding why they did it will save a friendship.

* random number because I feel like I am always learning something about life

Forgiveness= strength

A photo from the U2 concert

Gandhi said the weak can never forgive; forgiveness is the attribute of the strong. The idea of forgiveness seems to go against our very nature as humans. It feels as though we are surrendering power to another. For me, there is a struggle between knowing that forgiveness actually frees me versus wanting someone to pay for the hurt I feel. And then I think about how much I am forgiven and one would think that would be enough to convince me to freely forgive but the struggle continues. I was recently in Vancouver for the U2 concert. It was an amazing concert with numerous highlights but one in particular was when Bono started singing Amazing Grace and then all 55,000 people in the stadium sang with him. If only those words were always lived out in my life. Why is extending grace to others so difficult despite the immensity of grace bestowed on us? Here is a clip from the concert (I apologize for the quality of sound and image).

long time gone

During the past month, I haven't been able to afford the luxury of writing on my blog. Mostly my busyness is around work events, wrapping up year-end and getting prepared for the Olympic torch relay (we are sponsors). This work thing sometimes can get in the way of my real life but it does provide some exciting opportunities. Below are some high-lights and low-lights that I may blog about in greater detail at a later date. FYI - there are no photos because that is another luxury time did not afford me.

Film Premiere - What Are We Doing Here? - interesting film on aid to Africa asking the question - is it really helping? I left the film with more questions than answers but that was the point of the film.

Trip to Yellowknife - What a beautiful city in the fall. I gave away a $40,000 grant to an after-school program, announced a torch bearer team and attended the Champions for Children Gala. Hung out with Donovan Bailey, Adam Kreek, Ben Rutledge and Fiona Smith-Ball - you know, the usual life stuff. Also had the Yellowknife cultural experience at the Gold Range bar.

Girls Night Out - Bollywood Style - a fundraiser for "Room to Read". Best event I have attended in years. I go to many events each year with my job and this one surprised, thrilled and energized me in ways I did not expect. I can't wait until next year.

Trip to Lethbridge - yummy thanksgiving food and lovely family time. Just love those people in the 'bridge. They pour love into my life and my cup overflows.

Mars Hill Bible Church podcast on "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." - Can't get enough of this sermon. I have listened to it four times now and am filled with gratitude that God is with me in my ache for all that is not right in the world and in myself. God is not waiting for me to get it all together and be holy before blessing me. God is blessing me in my questions, my doubts, my yearning for the redemption of this broken world. Download the podcast on itunes and listen.

Obama's peace prize - all I have to say is that peace is not an achievement but a way of living and on-going understanding and love of those who appear to disagree with us.

"One day we must come to see that peace is not merely a distant goal we seek, but that it is a means by which we arrive at that goal. We must pursue peaceful ends through peaceful means."

Trip #1 to Edmonton (& Edson) - work related - v. little excitement besides the advent of winter driving on terrible icy roads.

Trip #2 to Edmonton - a day after returning from Edmonton trip #1, I turned around and drove back up for a funeral. A dear friend's father passed away. It is hard to wrap your mind around the fact that I am in the life phase where we begin to say goodbye to the generation before us.

Leadership Calgary - am fully into the program now and am devouring the reading requirements as we begin to think about our thinking [aka "existential outward bound"] Recently finished "Deep Survival" and am currently reading "Mistakes Were Made (but not by me)". I am really enjoying getting to know the people in the course - they want to change the world. Great conversations!

As you can see, I am still alive but ready for a break. I am looking forward to a few days off next week when I head to BC to see my boyfriend Bono, my sister Wendy, my parents and some good friends. However, before I leave on my short break, I am volunteering for the Arab Film Fest and attending a grant making conference. So, just a quick glimpse into my life these days...I hope to blog more often but we shall see.

Peace.

Stand By Me

With the International Day of Peace on Sept 21 approaching, I hope you enjoy this hopeful music. Peace to you today.

One day we must come to see that peace is not merely a distant goal we seek, but that it is a means by which we arrive at that goal. We must pursue peaceful ends through peaceful means. - Martin Luther King Jr.

You can't shake hands with a clenched fist. - Indira Gandhi

just a quote today

"Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing & rightdoing, there is a field. I will meet you there." -Rumi

I am loving this quote these days. It reminds me to choose grace.

bliss moments

My Monday morning started out rather typical for a Monday. I spilled my coffee down the front of my shirt as I walked into the office. It did not bode well for the day but then I walked towards my desk and behold, what did I see...a copy of Julia Child's "Mastering the Art of French Cooking" cookbook. And to boot, it was a used copy. My colleague knew I was looking for a copy and she had one lying around she didn't want. It made my day. Who knew a cookbook could make a day right? She inscribed it "Bon Apetit Sara."

The spine of my new treasure - so exciting

On another note, I bought my first ever piece of art. My friend Kristin does some really beautiful art and yesterday, she held an art show. I attended and purchased. I feel like a grown-up now. I think this is also on my 101 things to do list. Now, I just need to get it framed properly.

The color didn't really come out well in the photo but the message is clear

And on the topic of beautiful and wonderful things, I picked up a bushel (or so) of colorful tomatoes. I will be making another batch of the Mothership Tomato Salad. I can't wait to eat it. I am also going to try making homemade crostini to eat with the salad. I am inspired by the movie, Julie & Julia. In the film, Amy Adams character, Julie, makes these crostini-like things in her frying pan. My mouth watered. By the way, if you have not seen the movie, go now and see it. Meryl Streep is amazing once again.

And they even taste like tomatoes...

Lisa Hannigan - I Don't Know - video

I love this song and video. Enjoy!

idea books

I am a collector of many things but I think my favorite thing to collect is ideas. When I was in grade 7, I began collecting ideas in books. Partly inspired by my older sister and partly inspired by the world, these books took a life of their own. The ideas arrive in my life in the form of notes, pictures, magazines, quotes, ticket stubs and so many other things. I am not sure how many books I have but it always gives me a slight thrill to complete an idea book. And tonight, another idea book is complete.

The completed book

A sneak peak inside

Now, the difficult decision of choosing the new idea book. Many things need to be considered before a book is chosen for the prestigious role of Sara's idea book. I am leaning towards the green one. I like the color. It makes me smile.

Desiderata

A friend revealed this poem to me recently. I thought I would share it with you.

Desiderate

by Max Ehrmann

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

moonshot

Today marks 40 years since a human walked on the moon. This was a rather incredible feat if you ask me. A few years prior to the landing, JFK announced that America will put a man on the moon. That was a rather incredible statement considering the state of the US Space Program.

Although I don't always agree with the billions of dollars spent on space exploration while people on earth are starving to death, there is a sense of awe when you realize how vast the universe is and how small we are in it.

People now refer to statements like JFK's as a moonshot statement. An incredible idea with the will to accomplish it. It got me thinking - what is my moonshot statement? What could I achieve if I had the idea and the will to do it?

Perhaps it is in just taking a small step towards the idea...

Be Surprised

"All of us have had the experience of a sudden joy that came when nothing in the world had forewarned us of its coming - a joy so thrilling that if it was born of misery we remembered even the misery with tenderness."

“Life always bursts the boundaries of formulas”

I recently found these great quotes on surprise by Antoine de Saint-Exupery, the author of "The Little Prince" [SIDENOTE: I must re-read that book soon so I don't become too much like an adult]. The quotes below made me re-look at my year theme of "Be Surprised". The whole thing about being surprised is it requires an unusual openness to life and a resistance to organizing every detail in life. This creates a good deal of protest from the planner within. I like to be in control and prepare for the next event, step or person in my life. But as I am discovering this year, sometimes the decision to not plan brings unexpected joys, surprises and blessings. Here is just one small example - I decided to "boycott" the Calgary Stampede and not attend any work or personal parties or events (much to the chagrin of friends and colleagues). I think I was the only one in Calgary not doing anything Stampede-ish thus leaving my calendar wide-open for 10 days. Then out of the blue, I get a call from an old friend who happened to be in town for the week and I was free to hang out a few times and catch up - a luxury my normally busy life would not have afforded. Surprise!

This example is just one of many small decisions I made this year which initially appeared to have little consequence in the big scheme of things. But in fact, those minor choices were part of a larger surprise or purpose in my life. There have been so many blessings in the past 6 months that I am often in awe that I still want to be in control. The thrill of a surprise should be enough to let go of the control...

This whole experiment about preparing to be surprised reminds me of the Woody Allen quote “If you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans". I started thinking about God and surprises. Throughout the bible, God takes people’s plans for their lives and blows them to smithereens. In fact, I have a sneaky suspicion that God revels in surprising people with situations that seem so far from anything they could imagine:

Surprise, Adam - meet Eve

Surprise, Noah - it’s gonna rain, you better build a boat

Surprise, David - so you’re gonna to be king

Surprise, Jonah - yes, in fact, you are in the belly of a fish

Surprise, Mary - you are pregnant

Surprise, Martha - your brother is alive

Surprise, Paul - you are blind

Surprise, Peter - you are going to lead my church

Surprise, World - He is risen indeed.

Just think of the surprises awaiting in our lives...