february joy dare

I'm three days behind, but here is a wonderful challenge for the month of February: to find things of joy each and every day.

So.
February 1:

• Pigs - technically, they're pink, but my little brother was so excited to show me the pig cards he has been diligently working on for the past number of days
• Love - generic, but such a blessing!
• Heat - as someone who is frequently cold, the gift of heat is one that I truly appreciate (particularly in the form of a hot water bottle, a hug, or a fireplace)

February 2:

• Books - I love books (if you haven't noticed), and love getting lost in them
• Music - music has been a point of bonding with my father (going to see Les Miserables with him this weekend was one of many highlights) and a gift I don't think I would be able to live without. It fills my day, from eating breakfast in the morning to doing homework through the afternoon and evening
• Pictures from my siblings drawn with love

February 3:

• How appropriate to find gifts in writing on a Sunday, for where else does one find a gift in writing but in the Scriptures? We stand back, amazed at the gift of grace that is demonstrated page after page
• Singing the Psalms - there is such comfort and joy to be found in these words
• Writing itself as an action is a gift - I tend to grow anxious about things and store them up inside of me. Writing serves as a way in which to give up these cares of the day, whether that is through journaling or in finding comfort in the words of others who continually support me

screaming english major fan girls

In preparation for a class in three weeks, I have begun to read Charles Dickens' Little Dorrit. Now, as much as I adore A Tale of Two Cities and swoon at the ending every time and enjoy my soon-to-be-annual reading of A Christmas Carol, Dickens' diction in Little Dorrit is phenomenal, eliciting giggles as the result of ridiculous passages.

Sometimes, I love my homework. What's not to enjoy (besides the pressure of getting it done) about reading 3 books every 2 weeks?

academic procrastination

Some have Facebook, some have Twitter, I have When In Academia.

opening doors

Last semester (or "term" as they call it here), though thankful for the opportunity and learning experience of working as a TA of an online course, I was very much hoping for the chance to be a part of an in-class course. Now, when I'm least expecting it, a window is opened beside me and all I have to do is crawl through.

As a result, my semester has just gotten a little bit tighter, and needing just a little bit more organization and self-discipline. So, as I prepare for that which lies ahead, please pray for me that I will be able to do my work well, that I am able to learn, and yet able to enjoy life as the gift it is. Learning can be such a joy, but often we [I] get bogged down and distracted by the tasks that need to be done and forget the sheer enjoyment of reading and learning.

I am excited about the semester: all of the things I am studying are so distinct from each other. The Early Modern English Title Page (how much more specific can one get?) to Victorian Literature (where we are reading delightful novels such as A Tale of Two Cities and North and South, Elizabeth Gaskell's famous novel that has a wonderful film adaptation starring the actor who now plays Thorin Oakenshield in the recent movie The Hobbit) and all the way to the present day with Contemporary Canadian Life Writing.

Now it is time to stretch those muscles and prepare for the mental workout and training program that has already begun.

a deep breath

With every stressful time of year comes the belief that I will not be able to finish the tasks that are before me. And yet every time, through God's providence, He is able to see me through to the completion of each thing.

The holidays are too rapidly drawing to a close, leaving little time for the check list I made before coming home of things that I really wanted to do before returning to my cozy little place. The time of family and relaxation is going to be missed.

Don't get me wrong: I love living on my own. I like having my own place, my own schedule, my independence, but there is nothing like coming home for a while and I'm just not quite ready to leave.

early morning panic

There's nothing quite like the rush of adrenaline when you come to a bus stop a scant minute before the bus is scheduled to arrive only to discover that Google Maps is completely unreliable in terms of updated information as the stop has been moved due to the Santa Claus Parade. I got my dose of exercise racing, well, more like hobbling as my duffle bag bounced off my leg in an unrepentant rhythm, to the temporary stop.

And here I now sit on the train, looking for all the world cool, calm, and collected; the pretentious grad student who refuses to be divorced from her laptop and takes every opportunity to continue to do her work. Oh how deceiving looks can be!

The sunlight (oh glorious sunshine!) is cutting through the barren branches of the trees as we roll through the countryside, transforming the fields into a shimmering sea of frost.

shafts of sunbeams

There are days when I struggle to put one foot in front of the other and then a blaze of sunlight breaks Eeyore's gloomy clouds and I become much more like Tigger, dancing around and unable to sit still because I am so full of joy.

Tea. Books. Children. Love.

Kathleen Kelly (Meg Ryan)'s Shop Around the Corner in the 1998 film You've Got Mail is a place where these things are equally mixed, along with a healthy dose of Christmas cheer. I am so looking forward to being home and celebrating the above-mentioned happy triggers in the understanding that they are an enormous gift and blessing from the One who holds us each in the palm of His hand.

reflecting windows

Oh the late nights when I tell myself to go to bed at 10 to make up for past late nights and yet continue to do work well into the nights.

The promise that tomorrow will worry about itself is often difficult to accept - I keep wanting to do all my work in one day.

frozen colours

At times I find the world is spinning by too quickly to catch a breath and be thankful for the blessing of each day. Waves of news continue to swell over my head - it is difficult to respond appropriately to everything with so many deadlines and assignments that seem to take priority but really shouldn't.

I ran along a trail encrusted with frost this morning, clouds of breath hanging in the air, and envied the frozen flowers: they are poised in a single moment, forced to remain still for a while and contemplate life as it hurries past them. But they themselves are not responsible for anything and can watch through frosted panes.

"Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10)

I need this reminder shouted at me. I need to stop and appreciate the world in its frozen yet vibrant beauty, to stop and to lay all cares and concerns at His feet.