So how did my year of restoration go?
My position at the Court of Appeal was extended for an additional eight months to cover most of a second maternity leave. During this time, I worked for three different judges who kept me very busy and at times absolutely swamped!
Knowing my time in this job was short prompted a lot of soul-searching about what I should do with my life. Do I go back to my business full time? Do I look for another job? Do I go back to school? What would I take? Do I stay in Regina? In Saskatchewan? Is it time to spread my wings and fly? So many options...
Well, I chose to continue working full-time. At the end of July, I left the Court of Appeal and started a full-time permanent position with the Saskatchewan Municipal Board. And, my commute got shorter – now I only have to walk one block to work!
In November, I took TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) training through Oxford Seminars. I have wanted to do this for years, and it finally seemed to be the right time. The options are endless for tutoring or volunteering opportunities – or even teaching English overseas at some point!
Looking back, I can see that restoration took place with my job - going back to a full-time permanent position - and with a long-held desire to take the TESOL training. A long-time dream is to live overseas and perhaps this is the way I can do that!
What will the coming year bring?
Sunday, December 31, 2017
Tuesday, December 12, 2017
It's 12/12/17 - the 5th anniversary of my blog!
Happy 5th Anniversary to 40 Here, 40 There, 40, 40 Everywhere!
This year, I've decided to take a look back at some of those things that have been dreams since I was a child or teenager. I think it's high time some of these long-held dreams made their way on to my list of '40 Things & More!'
The '40 Things & More' List!
1. Go snowshoeing.
2. Serve a meal in a soup kitchen.
3. Eat something I've never tried before.
4. Visit a town in Saskatchewan that I've never been to before.
5. Plan my dream 40th birthday trip.
6. Start running again.
7. Visit a US state I haven't been to before.
8. Read a classic novel.
9. Create and complete a scrapbook for one of the trips I've taken in my 30s.
10. Do up a will.
11. Complete one of my cross-stitch projects.
12. Go kayaking.
13. Get my website business off the ground.
14. Take a self-defense class/course.
15. Go horseback riding.
16. Visit a museum or historic site in Saskatchewan that I haven't been to before.
17. Give blood regularly.
18. Attend a Victorian Tea.
19. Ride my bike in the city.
20. Stop and smell the flowers at a garden I haven't been to before.
21. Try an activity that's new to me.
22. Walk a portion of the Trans Canada Trail that I haven't been on before.
23. Learn more about my family history.
24. Visit a park in Regina I haven't been to before.
25. Participate in a fundraiser that involves a physical activity.
26. Simplify some area of my life that needs simplifying.
27. Learn how to change a tire on a vehicle.
28. Explore Regina's backyard - see what's just outside the city limits.
29. Learn more about Canadian history.
30. Visit a natural site in Saskatchewan I haven't been to before.
31. Learn to play the guitar.
32. Visit a Canadian National Park I haven't been to before.
33. Climb Wascana Hill in Douglas Park and watch a sunset.
34. Visit the observatory at the Science Centre.
35. Attend Mosaic - a multicultural festival held annually.
36. Play my first solo concert on the bells.
37. Attend an outdoor movie event.
38. Go fly a kite!
39. Play a mini golf course I haven't been on before.
40. Go on dream 40th birthday trip!
41. Attend a Regina Red Sox baseball game.
42. Visit Saskatchewan's only lighthouse.
43. Run a 5K.
44. Visit the Great Sandhills in Saskatchewan.
45. Visit a Canadian province or territory I haven't been to before.
46. Attend the annual kite festival in Swift Current.
47. Visit a major US city I haven't been to before.
48. Watch a sunrise.
49. Try another activity that's new to me.
50. It's a surprise (even to me!) - I'll know it when the opportunity presents itself.
51. Take a ballroom dancing class.
52. Watch an old black & white movie I haven't seen before.
53. Experience a WARM birthday!
54. Experience a WARM Christmas! (not necessarily in the same year as the previous item)
55. Attend the annual Dickens' Village Festival in Carlyle.
56. See the polar bears in Churchill, Manitoba.
57. Visit the east coast of Canada.
58. Jump out of an airplane! (in tandem, of course!)
59. Experience a 4th of July in the United States.
60. Visit a US National Park I haven't been to before.
61. Write a book.
62. Watch the Rose Bowl Parade in person.
63. Attend a spring training baseball game.
64. Buy something at an auction.
65. Drive part of Route 66.
66. Attend the tulip festival in Ottawa.
67. See the Great Wall of China.
68. Visit Disneyland or Disney World.
69. See a lavender field in bloom.
70. Attend a ballet.
71. Live overseas!
72. Visit Laycock, England.
73. Get published (e.g. magazine article).
74. Attend a Remembrance Day service/ceremony.
75. Visit the Grand Canyon.
76. Learn Spanish.
77. Take a river cruise on the Rhine River and see castles along the way.
78. Learn Latin.
79. Visit an orphanage.
80. Learn to play handbells/play in a handbell choir.
This year, I've decided to take a look back at some of those things that have been dreams since I was a child or teenager. I think it's high time some of these long-held dreams made their way on to my list of '40 Things & More!'
The '40 Things & More' List!
6. Start running again.
8. Read a classic novel.
10. Do up a will.
11. Complete one of my cross-stitch projects.
14. Take a self-defense class/course.
17. Give blood regularly.
26. Simplify some area of my life that needs simplifying.
27. Learn how to change a tire on a vehicle.
29. Learn more about Canadian history.
31. Learn to play the guitar.
34. Visit the observatory at the Science Centre.
42. Visit Saskatchewan's only lighthouse.
43. Run a 5K.
46. Attend the annual kite festival in Swift Current.
47. Visit a major US city I haven't been to before.
49. Try another activity that's new to me.
50. It's a surprise (even to me!) - I'll know it when the opportunity presents itself.
51. Take a ballroom dancing class.
52. Watch an old black & white movie I haven't seen before.
53. Experience a WARM birthday!
54. Experience a WARM Christmas! (not necessarily in the same year as the previous item)
57. Visit the east coast of Canada.
58. Jump out of an airplane! (in tandem, of course!)
59. Experience a 4th of July in the United States.
61. Write a book.
62. Watch the Rose Bowl Parade in person.
63. Attend a spring training baseball game.
64. Buy something at an auction.
65. Drive part of Route 66.
66. Attend the tulip festival in Ottawa.
67. See the Great Wall of China.
68. Visit Disneyland or Disney World.
69. See a lavender field in bloom.
70. Attend a ballet.
71. Live overseas!
72. Visit Laycock, England.
73. Get published (e.g. magazine article).
74. Attend a Remembrance Day service/ceremony.
75. Visit the Grand Canyon.
76. Learn Spanish.
77. Take a river cruise on the Rhine River and see castles along the way.
78. Learn Latin.
79. Visit an orphanage.
80. Learn to play handbells/play in a handbell choir.
Saturday, October 7, 2017
Canada 150: Fisgard Lighthouse and Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Sites
While my mom and I were in Victoria celebrating a big birthday of hers last weekend, we took advantage of the free admission to national parks and historic sites this year and took in Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse.
We tried our best to understand the fort and its history and really enjoyed touring our very first lighthouse. History is not my mom's favourite subject, but she certainly was a good sport!
We tried our best to understand the fort and its history and really enjoyed touring our very first lighthouse. History is not my mom's favourite subject, but she certainly was a good sport!
Saturday, September 9, 2017
An Interview with Myself
So Jill, here are a few questions for you:
1. A lot of your posts are travel related. Where did your desire to travel come from?
One day when I was in grade 6, we opened up our social studies books and there was a picture of a very beautiful city - Prague. I had never seen anything like it and thought to myself, "I want to see that one day."
Twenty years later that dream came true and I haven't looked back. There is so much to see in our big, beautiful world -- and I want to see it all!
2. Are you happy with the progress of your blog?
Overall, yes. Do I wish I was caught up? Yes. Would I like to be crossing more things off my list? Definitely! Will I keep at it? Of course. I'm having a great time with this!
3. What is the best thing about having your blog?
The best thing is that, even though I'm not whizzing through my list and crossing things off left and right, I am getting some things done.
I remember a few years when I started making lists of things I wanted to do each summer... The long days and warm temperatures always flew by so quickly, and I hated feeling like I had missed out once fall rolled around each year. My lists were shorter and much simpler then. They included items such as go on a day trip, walk around both parts of Wascana Lake (the main loop and the more natural side), enjoy a picnic or BBQ, and so forth.
What I learned from making the short and simple "summer want-to-do" lists was that I actually did some of the things on my list before fall rolled around. It made me realize that, even if I only accomplished a few things on my list, I didn't feel like I had missed out on our short summer season. It was such a big help to me and it also made this much bigger goal of 40 things not only reasonable but also exciting!
Here's my challenge to you: Now that summer is fading and fall is right around the corner, what are some things you wished you would have done or made time for this summer that you can make a suggested to-do list from for next summer?
Time is precious... don't waste it!
1. A lot of your posts are travel related. Where did your desire to travel come from?
One day when I was in grade 6, we opened up our social studies books and there was a picture of a very beautiful city - Prague. I had never seen anything like it and thought to myself, "I want to see that one day."
Twenty years later that dream came true and I haven't looked back. There is so much to see in our big, beautiful world -- and I want to see it all!
2. Are you happy with the progress of your blog?
Overall, yes. Do I wish I was caught up? Yes. Would I like to be crossing more things off my list? Definitely! Will I keep at it? Of course. I'm having a great time with this!
3. What is the best thing about having your blog?
The best thing is that, even though I'm not whizzing through my list and crossing things off left and right, I am getting some things done.
I remember a few years when I started making lists of things I wanted to do each summer... The long days and warm temperatures always flew by so quickly, and I hated feeling like I had missed out once fall rolled around each year. My lists were shorter and much simpler then. They included items such as go on a day trip, walk around both parts of Wascana Lake (the main loop and the more natural side), enjoy a picnic or BBQ, and so forth.
What I learned from making the short and simple "summer want-to-do" lists was that I actually did some of the things on my list before fall rolled around. It made me realize that, even if I only accomplished a few things on my list, I didn't feel like I had missed out on our short summer season. It was such a big help to me and it also made this much bigger goal of 40 things not only reasonable but also exciting!
----------------------
Here's my challenge to you: Now that summer is fading and fall is right around the corner, what are some things you wished you would have done or made time for this summer that you can make a suggested to-do list from for next summer?
Time is precious... don't waste it!
Sunday, July 23, 2017
Canada 150: Waterton Lakes National Park
Welcome to the second national park of our trip - Waterton Lakes National Park!
What a beautiful place! The scenery all around us was just magnificent! And there's so much to see and do in the townsite (shops, restaurants and a natural waterfall!) and the surrounding area.
We did two scenic drives within the national park - one was to Red Rock Canyon and the other was to Cameron Lake.
We also took a cruise to Goat Haunt, USA! This US border station can only be accessed by boat or by foot - how unique!
We loved this national park so much that we spent an extra day here! Of course, it was ridiculously hot everywhere else and Waterton was a tall glass of cool water in our itinerary. What a relief!
 |
| The townsite, the lake and the view! |
 |
| Gorgeous! Stunning! Wow! |
We did two scenic drives within the national park - one was to Red Rock Canyon and the other was to Cameron Lake.
 |
| Red Rock Canyon |
 |
| Cameron Lake |
 |
| Welcome to Goat Haunt, USA! |
We loved this national park so much that we spent an extra day here! Of course, it was ridiculously hot everywhere else and Waterton was a tall glass of cool water in our itinerary. What a relief!
Sunday, July 16, 2017
Canada 150: Fort Walsh National Historic Site
Fort Walsh was a complete surprise to me - from the road to the scenery to the location - and I loved it! This gem was tucked in the very corner of southwestern Saskatchewan right against the Alberta border.
But first, let me tell you about getting there... We traveled on a narrow road that twists and turns its way through the prairies, alongside a variety of crops, and up and down gentle rolling hills. Then, all of a sudden, you face pastureland and a veritable forests of trees! I didn't think there were any trees in this part of Saskatchewan!
Following that, you then travel up a mountain-like hill with sharp twists and turns along the way. Then you reach a plateau and see cattle grazing! Where were we???
The terrain was not only completely unfamiliar but also it was so unexpected - it seemed there was a surprise around every corner!
Finally, we arrived. We were excited and full of anticipation! The next step was our trek down to the fort!
We arrived just in time for a tour and saw some interesting things as we learned the history of the area.
Because we visited on Canada Day, there were a few extra "treats" as well - everything from the cannon being shot to sun-steeped iced tea and birthday cake!
All in all, it was a completely wonderful experience, and I'd return to this stunningly beautiful part of the province any time!
But first, let me tell you about getting there... We traveled on a narrow road that twists and turns its way through the prairies, alongside a variety of crops, and up and down gentle rolling hills. Then, all of a sudden, you face pastureland and a veritable forests of trees! I didn't think there were any trees in this part of Saskatchewan!
The terrain was not only completely unfamiliar but also it was so unexpected - it seemed there was a surprise around every corner!
Finally, we arrived. We were excited and full of anticipation! The next step was our trek down to the fort!
We arrived just in time for a tour and saw some interesting things as we learned the history of the area.
Because we visited on Canada Day, there were a few extra "treats" as well - everything from the cannon being shot to sun-steeped iced tea and birthday cake!
All in all, it was a completely wonderful experience, and I'd return to this stunningly beautiful part of the province any time!
Saturday, July 15, 2017
Canada 150: Grasslands National Park
My sister and I have been busy planning a road trip of southwestern Saskatchewan and southern Alberta most of this year. Our goal is to explore the area, see some of the sights and take advantage of the free admission to Canadian National Parks and Historic Sites this year.
On Day 1 of our trip, we visited the first of two national parks we planned to see: Grasslands National Park located in southwestern Saskatchewan.
There was no way we could see all of even one block in just a day, so we chose to drive part of the Ecotour Road in the West Block and enjoyed a picnic lunch along the way.
We encountered buffalo, black-tailed prairie dogs and even a mule deer as we drove. Thankfully, we avoided any rattlesnakes out basking in the sun!
Although we only saw a fraction of the West Block, we were wowed by its vastness! It truly is a treasure in southern Saskatchewan's backyard. Why not plan to check it out for yourself?
On Day 1 of our trip, we visited the first of two national parks we planned to see: Grasslands National Park located in southwestern Saskatchewan.
 |
| My sister taking in the view |
 |
| Now those are grassy plains! |
 |
| The views went on forever... |
 |
| The infamous Parks Canada red chairs highlighting one of the best views! |
We encountered buffalo, black-tailed prairie dogs and even a mule deer as we drove. Thankfully, we avoided any rattlesnakes out basking in the sun!
Although we only saw a fraction of the West Block, we were wowed by its vastness! It truly is a treasure in southern Saskatchewan's backyard. Why not plan to check it out for yourself?
Wednesday, March 15, 2017
I've been guest blogging again...
Guess what? I've written another guest blog post for Jenn Smith Nelson's website Travel & Happiness and it's up as of today!
Here's my latest... http://travelandhappiness.com/guest-post-polar-bear-safari/. It's all about the Polar Bear Capital of the World!
Friday, February 3, 2017
Time flies!
Wow, am I behind! The last year has absolutely flown by as I've been working full-time again.
Although I'm a month behind on making any kind of resolution, here is my goal: to get my blog caught up again.
Stay tuned and keep checking back to find new and catch-up blog posts. I promise it will be worth it.
Although I'm a month behind on making any kind of resolution, here is my goal: to get my blog caught up again.
Stay tuned and keep checking back to find new and catch-up blog posts. I promise it will be worth it.
Saturday, January 14, 2017
Canada 150: Visit all the free sites I can this year!
Canada turns 150 this year! To celebrate, all of its National Parks and National Historic Sites are offering free admission in 2017! Ooh, the possibilities...
It's hard to decide where to go first! I'd like to visit all of Saskatchewan's National Parks and Historic Sites, and that would include the following:
Are you ready to explore Canada? Do you have your pass?
It's hard to decide where to go first! I'd like to visit all of Saskatchewan's National Parks and Historic Sites, and that would include the following:
- Grasslands National Park
- Prince Albert National Park
- Motherwell Homestead National Historic Site
- Fort Walsh National Historic Site
- Batoche National Historic Site
- Fort Battleford National Historic Site
Are you ready to explore Canada? Do you have your pass?
Sunday, January 1, 2017
2017: The Year of Restoration!
Happy New Year! A new year means a new word! My word for 2017 is...
As usual, I'm not sure how this word will play out in my life over the coming year, so we'll just have to wait and see.
The Canadian Oxford Dictionary describes "restoration" as follows:
1) the return of something to a former or original state, and
2) the act of returning something to a former owner, place, or condition; restitution.
Hmm... What will 2017 hold for me?
As usual, I'm not sure how this word will play out in my life over the coming year, so we'll just have to wait and see.
The Canadian Oxford Dictionary describes "restoration" as follows:
1) the return of something to a former or original state, and
2) the act of returning something to a former owner, place, or condition; restitution.
Hmm... What will 2017 hold for me?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)