Sunday weigh-in #23

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! I've got something scary to show you.........

eeeeeeek!

As for updates, this is what my life has been for the past week:

Reading articles and staying up until 2 am has become so normal.

And I'm starting to go a little crazy!

On Thursday night I was on a role and stayed up until 4:00 am Friday morning. I had my mom wake me up at 7:00 to make sure I wouldn't sleep through my alarm. Then I had a 12 teaching day on Friday. It's been an exhausting and overwhelming week!

Something to think about.....

“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” – Maria Robinson

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I've been doing A LOT of thinking lately. A LOT! I thought I'd go into this semester of grad studies and work away at my (many) jobs but being back in school makes me really question my future. Thankfully I have a supportive husband who basically says "do what makes you happy!" even when I'm changing my mind every other day.

I like that I'm challenging my thoughts. I like that I'm questioning my career/life path because that means I'm an active agent in my future. I need to be doing that (and keep doing that all my life) not only because that's the kind of person I am but also because it's important for me to be accountable.

What I've learned about myself is that I like writing.

I'm thankful to have this outlet and the ability to express my thoughts on my blog but simultaneously I can't help but feel like I also abuse it.

I write when it fits my schedule, often interrupting long periods of silence, with short simple posts. One day I talk about losing weight and the next about not caring about losing weight. Contradictory? Perhaps. This being said, I know that my blog represents truth. This is who I am even though this blog only reflects parts of my life. I often wonder if I could make blogging my career and if I would be brave enough to make that happen!

Sunday weigh-in #22

Okay, I had given up on the weekly weigh-in until 1 anonymous commenter said they enjoyed seeing the weigh-ins because they were "real with ups and downs".

SOOOOO I'M BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!

Two weeks ago!

I've realized that I just have to keep at it. I always run away when things get too tough. I had "given up" in my mind so it was just easier to stop caring than forge and keep fighting -- writing and showing my gain online was exceptionally difficult. But this morning I woke up and said "fuck it, i don't care what the number is, I'm in this for the long run". I need to remember that there will be ups and downs and that is exactly what life is about.

Sorry for my absence. And thanks for that little push anonymous ;)

p.s. did I mention how much I love my little blog community. I may not get a lot of readers but those of you who stick around really care and that means the world to me. Your comments are especially important. Thanks!

THIS is life!

Tonight was the first night I didn't work at my evening job. I know I'm going to miss the students but I will certainly grow to enjoy having evenings off with my husband.

The studious bunch!

Don't let this photo above fool you. Most of the time was spent laughing a joking around.

It's amazing how humour translates no matter what level of English you have. Body language and a big smile is all you need!

On my final day of English class my student Larissa, on the left, said to me: "Jennifer, this is life!" She was referring to people coming and going into their lives. And it's true. I looked at her, gave her a huge hug, made a promise to meet her for coffee in 1 year and replied, "Yes, Larissa, you are right. THIS is life!"

The fond memories will remain in my heart. I have no doubt that they'll remain in theirs too!

What I've learned...

What I've learned about being busy:

1. Eating healthy falls by the way side when I'm busy. I stop caring about preparing healthy meals and take comfort in familiarity -- fast and unfortunately fatty food.

2. Being busy is good. It keeps me motivated and enthusiastic. Being too busy is bad. There is a fine line between the two and I'm working to achieve some balance.

3. Exercise is still important to do no matter what your life schedule is like. I try to make it to the gym 2 times a week. I'm satisfied if I go once.

4. Quitting my job at Regina Open Door was bitter sweet. I'm glad to have some free evenings (which are already filled up) but sad to leave my students.

5. My husband and I have actually been "communicating" which has been made possible with shifting our schedules so they are more in sync with one another.

6. Grad studies.......fun, challenging, but f'ing hard! Perfectionism is my worst enemy. But I've learned I LOVE writing.....academia, journalling, you name it!

7. I am not looking forward to Monday. Here's what my day will look like:

8:30 - 4:20 --> teach at the university (no lunch break)

4:30 - 5:30 --> work meeting

5:45 - 6:30 --> grad studies project meeting

6:30 - 9:30 --> grad class

10:00 - 12:00 --> homework!!!!

8. Next semester will be different. I don't plan to work (more than full-time) and study. It's too much.

9. Now that Sung Hyun has a good job, I can step back from this insane amount of work. I'm finding it hard to let go.

10. Yesterday my former instructor, now friend, made a good point: "your job won't care about you when you're 65, your family will!"

Two things that make you laugh....

Thought I'd share 2 things that made me laugh out loud today. Enjoy!

Jennifer-Aid

Remember this summer how I got screwed over by the "trusted" travel agent in Korea? Well he's also screwed over a lot of other people too. HOW SAD! He keeps scamming people to this day and even though we've reported him to the police (along with about 20 others) he has not been shut down. We will NEVER see our money back. End of story!

The day after the scam, on my birthday of all days, while I was at work I broke down crying in my office explaining the situation to my coworkers. Word quickly spread and it didn't take long for others to find out what happened.

Then my amazing coworkers got together, formed a committee, planned an event in our honour. Here is the poster I thought I'd share in case any of you would like to come out:

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Jennifer's-Aid Fundraiser!

Greetings, everyone! Some of you may not be aware, but Jennifer Burton and her husband SungHyun had an unfortunate occurrence this last summer. They had booked with a Korean travel agent to bring their Korean family here to Canada for a visit. Unfortunately, the agency folded and left Jennifer and her husband without the refund of a considerable amount of money for the trip. This is a terrible burden for a young couple to face. We felt so badly when we heard this that we wanted to do something to help out.

As a result, we are having a Tony Roma's rib buffet night on Thursday, November 17, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at 4450 Albert St. Please put this date on your calendar and bring your partners or spouses. We will be selling only 100 tickets to the event ($23.00, cash only) and they can be purchased beginning next week. There will also be a cash bar, a 75-25 draw, and a silent auction going on during the evening. Our very own diva, the famous TaraSolheim will be entertaining on her piano with special paid requests from her songlist. In between Tara’s singing, feel free to entertain us with your own karaoke renditions!

We have need of donated items for the silent auction. This could include gently used orregifted items, other donated items, or special services like yardwork, marking, consulting, or other…use your imagination! Please register your items or services with Tayyaba at (email address) and bring them with you on November 17 just prior to 6:00 p.m.

Buffet Menu (we can’t offer menu substitutions for those with dietary concerns, but you can order from a table in the restaurant and then bring your plate inside the fundraiser room):

· Tony Roma’s riblets

· Garlic toast

· Baked potatoes with fixings

· Caesar salad (no bacon)

If you have any questions, please direct them to Myra Froc, (email address). Everyone please come out on November 17^th for a great cause and a very good time with your ESL staff co-workers!

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HOW NICE IS THAT?!!!!!!!!

A Good Story

I came across this story last week on the good old worldwide web. It made me chuckle so I thought I'd share:

An old Italian gentleman lived alone in New Jersey. He wanted to plant his annual tomato garden, but it was very difficult work, as the ground was hard. His only son, Vincent, who used to help him, was in prison. The old man wrote a letter to his son and described his predicament:

Dear Vincent, I am feeling pretty sad because it looks like I won't be able to plant my tomato garden this year. I'm just getting too old to be digging up a garden plot. I know if you were here my troubles would be over. I know you would be happy to dig the plot for me, like in the old days. Love, Papa

A few days later he received a letter from him son.

Dear Papa, Don't dig up that garden. That's where the bodies are buried. Love, Vinnie.

At 4 a.m. the next morning, FBI agents and local police arrived and dug up the entire area without finding any bodies. They apologized to the old man and left. That same day the old man received another letter from his son.

Dear Papa, Go ahead and plant the tomatoes now. That's the best I could do under the circumstances. Love you, Vinnie

Sunday weigh-in #20

A LOSS (last week)!!!!! I'll take it.

Sorry you have to stare at my ugly toes every Sunday. HEHE!

Seems my last weekly weigh-in has caused quite a stir-up in the comments section.

CHEERS TO HEALTH THIS THANKSGIVING!!!!

All sorts of uncomfortable!

AH HA! I know why I've been eating my weight in junk food lately!

I am struggling with choices in my life right now. I quit my evening job at Regina Open Door. Although I love the students I know that I really do need to be spending more time with my husband. Although I have been going back and forth on this one for quite some time it was comments from this post that solidified my decision. In fact, I woke up that day, read the comments on my break at work, wrote my letter of resignation in the 20 minute window before I had to go to my evening job and handed the letter to my boss that very night. A weight has been lifted off my shoulders.

Currently I'm in grad school. Although I'm only taking 1 class (albeit 2 classes is full-time) I feel very VERY overwhelmed. The perfectionist in me wants me to do really really well. But the reality is I can't just pick up where I left off in my undergrad. I used to be a really good academic writer. As I look back now I realized that I missed some amazing opportunities to publish some of my papers because I was 'too busy' to make time with my profs to edit my work for a journal. I was 'too busy' trying to get good grades that I missed the point. Now I'm mad at myself for not being able to pick up where I left off. I'm struggling......

.....I've even considered quitting because I don't know fully if I want to specialize in the field of Adult Education. Why should I invest so much time (and money) into a field that I'm not 100% sure I want to pursue? Teaching is my passion, yes, but I just don't know where I see myself in 5 years from now. On the other hand, education is never really a waste. And then when I'm in the classroom I'm like "YAH, I love this. Learning is fun. It challenges me and makes me think in different ways that I didn't think was possible. I feel so inspired!". Then I get home and feel so overwhelmed.

Hummmmm......

So I'm just so unsettled. That's the reason why I've been keeping myself busy. Sad, I know! If I'm busy then I don't need to address this nagging voice that keeps saying 'what do you want to be when you grow up?' Geez, am I the only one who feels this way?

So yah that's what's been going on lately.

This Thanksgiving I'm thankful that my husband didn't die in this explosion at his work place. Scary stuff:

p.s. I feel so vulnerable, in a good way, when I write about this kind of stuff on my blog. But my dad feels that I'm too honest and at times say too much (HI DAD!). I'm wondering if I need to tone it down or if this is the kind of stuff you look for when coming to my site. Take a minute and let me know in the comments below. Thanks!

Weddings....

I went to a wedding last weekend. It was really nice to get together with all my girlfriends and celebrate. We danced and ate and (of course!) drank. Happy wedding Tracy!

Sung Hyun had fun with the babies.

He'll make a great dad!

Help me..........in MY dreams!

Background: Tomorrow (Friday) I am doing my last teaching lesson in front of my supervising practicum for the intense TESOL course that I took this summer. I was so busy this summer that I think I neglected to mention this on my blog. Anyways it is 10pm and I haven't started planning yet. Surprise surprise!

Tonight as Sung Hyun kisses me goodnight I say "Hey Yobo, how can I teach my students who, what, where, when and why?"

"Because of your husband" he replies, after obviously only hearing the 'why'.

"No, no, how can I teach my students to make the questions who, what, where, when and why?" I repeat.

"I don't know but I'm going to tell you in my dreams, okay?"

Photo Strip

Sunday weigh-in #19

To be expected:

I had a terrible week food wise so I'm not surprised about the weight gain. I'm happy to hang out in the 150's (as long as it's the low 150's) until I'm more serious about wanting to lose weight. Right now is not that moment. So I'll keep tracking and weighing but I won't expect much.....

This week I participated in the 'run for the cure' 5K race. I beat my first time by almost 2 minutes. I did the race in just over 28 minutes.

That picture was taken post race. Do I look pregnant?