The gift of optimism

Learning comes at the most unexpected times and in the most unexpected places. The lessons I have learned so far came in a variety of ways. Stories told by my parents, grandparents, pastors, teachers or other adult mentors. Tiny acts of kindness from total strangers. Gifts of love from children. And many other ways as well.

After reading this Globe and Mail column, I am reminded of the many things I've learned through experiences that I might have otherwise passed off as insignificant. May I never cease to learn and grow by watching and interacting with the world around me.

Extreme schooling

A fascinating article and the corresponding video about how sometimes putting children in a difficult situation and letting them find their way through the hardships might actually be better for them in the end.

My Family's Experiment in Extreme School - The New York Times Magazine
An Education (the video - can also be viewed right from the top of the article)

I'm a fan.

In My Seat

Ever since my great-aunt, my grandma's older sister, was admitted to the hospital back in May, a sweet elderly lady named Ilona from one our sister SDA churches in the Okanagan Valley has been going to visit her on a regular basis. My grandma has become friends with Ilona and greatly appreciates her gift of spending time with Auntie Beth, who is now living in an assisted care facility, to help buoy her spirits on the days Grandma isn't able to visit.

Ilona e-mailed this video to Grandma and she forwarded it on to relatives. It sat in my inbox for about a week before I made time to watch the 15-minute video, but once I sat down to watch it, I was struck by the stunning symbolism. I think it's a perfect Christmas message. We should never forget the sacrifice that God and Jesus made for us. Thank you, Jesus, for coming to this world for me.

Librarian stats

I've thought of getting my master's. The only problem is, I'm have yet to figure out what field I would actually want to study further. I've given a passing thought to a master's in journalism/communication, library science and creative writing. After finding the infographic below, library science is looking pretty interesting. Really, my dream job would be one where I'm paid to read, but working in a library everyday seems like it might be almost as good. Anyway, take a look at these interesting librarian statistics.

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ImageSource: MastersinEducation.org

Reading slacker

Since the summer of 2009, I've keep a record of the books I've read, creatively calling my spreadsheet "Books Read List." The other day, after finishing Sam Campbell's "Eeny, Meeny, Miney, Mo -- and Still-Mo" I opened my spreadsheet to document my completed book. The sight that greeted my eyes was dismal, to say the least. And here's why: since getting back from Tanzania at the end of April, I have only read four complete books. FOUR! In more than four months! That is disturbing, despairaging (a good word for this situation), and despicable! And you want to hear the really, really ugly news? (You probably don't, but I'm going to tell you anyway.) I read only one full book between returning from Africa and my wedding on August 1. The only other book I attempted to read before the wedding was started on May 3, but not completed until August 16. I feel like a failure of a reader...and this from a self-proclaimed readaholic!

On the brighter side of this appalling realization, since returning from my honeymoon, I've read three books and started two others (which I have yet to finish and probably won't for awhile since they belonged to someone else and I just picked them up to look at while camping -- hopefully I can get to a library sometime soon to check them out and finish them). Those statistics are starting to sound a little better, right? Phew! Can't wait to get fully back into my readaholic ways. :)