Education, the world, etc.

I  have just finished  taking part in a Chat with some really good organizations.  Half the Sky Mvmt ‏@Half  10x10 ‏@10x10act, LitWorld ‏@litworldsays, Girls Gotta Run ‏@GirlsGottaRun, Room to Read ‏@RoomtoRead Intelinvolved ‏@Intelinvolved. 


I was amazing to get a chance to talk with people about women's education.  This is a special thing on my heart. When I was in India I spent time volunteering in the schools, nursery and a special school for children and women with special needs.  It was great to see how they are moving forward despite the struggles that they have had.  It was hard to see though that sometimes it was the girls who had the most troubled academically  came from the most troubling backgrounds. It's sad, and show's how the environment impacts the world around us. It's really a cycle if  women are educated they can get better jobs and not only help raise their children in less poverty but they can also get jobs in government and change government policy. 63% of the people who are illiterate are women, there is still inequality in the world but the issue is getting better, we are seeing improvement. 

One day I hope that I can get a job where I can help people, I feel really comfortable in other cultures and would love to work overseas and help people in some way. I don't know how this is going to work out. I'm in the process of applying for my MSW, and had some disappointments along the way but I'm not going to give up.  If I don't get in I will try again. 

Someone said to me today that "the world needs you", and I hope someday to make an impact in people's lives even if it's just by the small stuff, a smile , doing a puzzle with a special needs child, teaching english, helping a child with there homework, talking to a friend who is in distress,  giving someone in India paper , pencils and a sharpener. Sometimes it's the small stuff that make a difference.  

I don't know what God has planned for the rest of my life but I'm trusting in him to give me the direction. I will take it one step at a time, help one person at a time. 

I think if I could do anything in the world, I would be in India helping special needs children.
I find that sometimes the people that society rejects, are the most precious people in the world. No matter who you are , what you've done, what disability you have, there is something special about you, something unique something you can give to the world. 

Last night I watched a movie called Phoenix Dance, http://www.karinafilms.us/phoenix/phoenix_articles.html. It was an amazing story about a man with cancer who lost his leg and is a dancer, he is able to do stuff that I could never dream of doing.  People with disabilities are special and can teach you a lot of stuff.  It's when hard times come and we get through it that we are able to move on and fight and then help other people get through similar situations.  I think it takes someone who has experienced hardship of any kind to truly be able to empathize with other people.   Though I might not understand what it is to be in poverty, I do understand how it feels to feel worthless and like I'm not good enough, that I will never succeed.  I might not understand everything that people have gone through but I can sympathize with their feelings. I can celebrate with their triumphs, listen to them in their heartache. 

Well I better go do homework. I would love to type all day about changing the world , and talk to people about how they are making an impact, but education is important too.

Twitter... and how it helps people.

I have been spending time on twitter and their is some amazing people on their.  If you look up Autism on twitter you will find a lot of great organizations.  Mental health issues in general are on there too. People who have issues are helping one another and helping them get through their issues.  I have read so many good articles through twitter.  One person I am following that is really good is @TheCoffeeKlatch which is special needs radio I am listening right now To a talk with Temple Grandin and there is a whole lot of other information on special needs to and pod casts. Check it out. Another great person to follow is ‏@Life_Tweetss_ or Just stay strong, she is really helpful and encouraging to a lot of people.  I have been using twitter a lot recently and I have found it really helpful and really encouraging. I have been following some amazing people, therapists, people with social work degrees, which gives me insight into that field. I can also follow some of my favourite actors/actresses, which is a side bonus but not the main reason i do it. Their is a lot more to twitter then just following celebrities.  So if you want to learn a lot and meet new people get a twitter account. :)

Butterflies

Today I went to Niagara Falls and I went to the butterfly conservatory.  Seeing the butterflies reminded me about what this blog is all about.  These butterflies flew all around they came in amazing colours, and different sizes. It's like the people of the world, when we go through hard stuff we come out beautiful and we are all different and unique , we all are unique , yet some of us are more similar to others just like the butterflies can be of the same kind.   When we go through hard stuff it shows the beauty we have within us. When the catipillar goes into it's cocoon it seems like the world is over but the world is not over something beautiful is about to occur.  It's interesting the instincts that monarch butterflies fly down to Mexico, it so great instinct and a design of a creator. We like monarchs may go through hard times and long journey but God will direct our path, he has a plan for us even if we don't see it. As he directs the butterflies path he directs are own life and can turn are sorrows into blessings.

Children with Special Needs are Special!!

At work, I sometimes work with a child who is basically non-verbal, I have only heard him say one word.  He uses some sign language. He has a hard time interacting with children and playing simple games.   At first it was hard for me to interact but then one of my fellow workers gave me the advice " Talk to him as if he is any other child." That's hard to do when the child does not talk back, but after spending time with him i realized he communicates in his own ways.  I felt him warming up to me, and when he would take my hand  for a minute that felt special because he was connecting even though that is really hard for him.

I have a passion for working with children with special needs, particularly working with children with Autism. I also babysit two kids one 4 and one 2 the 4 year old has high functioning Autism. It is great to work with him. I have also worked with a five year old boy with Autism in a camp situation and a five year old boy with Autism in a school situations. One summer I tutored a 12 year old boy with Autism. I have also babysat for a family with a boy with Down Syndrome and in high school worked with the Special Olympics at the school. I also had a partner through Best Buddies for one year. In high school i also tutored a girl with Asperger's and I'm happy to say she is doing well and now doing her BA in university. Some people with Asperger's (which is a high functioning form of Autism) are really smart.  I have a  teenage girl who is a friend has Autism i really enjoy talking with her!!  I talk for hours most day with a guy who I'm really close to with Asperger's and I love to get his opinion and to  run stuff by him that I read and listen to about Autism.

I find it amazing that you can learn so much from people with special needs, they are such special people and have a lot to give to this world. Don't take anyone for granted. Everyone is special. Everyone is worthwhile no matter what disability they have whether developmental , mental, or physical.  We all have a place in this world. I love working with children with special needs because I learn so much from them and they inspire me and help me to keep going despite having a bad day.  Children in general are wonderful and I love working with them. Working with children gives me joy.

Happy Easter!!

Happy Easter everyone!!  Today we celebrate Easter in remembrance of the day that Christ rose from the dead. Now if anything  fits with the title caterpillar to butterfly this does.  Jesus died and went into a tomb like a caterpillar goes into his cocoon and he rose again  and has new life just like a butterfly. It's a day to remember how much God has done for us, and how we can rely on him.  Life is a journey and we all have storms but during the storms God will carry us through, it's as if God is the  branch the holds up the cocoon that allows the butterfly to grow.  God will also carry us through the hard times.  No matter what you are going through or how you are struggling if you trust in God he will pull you through.  I have struggled over in my life with a lot of things, but Jesus is my light in my darkness,  the hope in my depression, the strength in my weakness, the joy in my sorrow.  Christ the Lord is Risen Today!! :)  He is alive and he hears us when we pray.

I have been reading a lot about Autism recently, and it's so interesting.  I think people with Autism are amazing people, I know the people I have worked with and met are.   I might have gotten a job at a Children's Residential Home for children with Mental Health issues, Trauma and Developmental Disorders including Autism.  I  really excited about this job and I hope it works out , but I know it's going to be a hard job. It's in the area I want to go into so i really hope it works out.  I love working with children especially children with special needs. I hope it will work out but I don't know if it will.

Wondering what the future will bring....

I have been searching  about the future and wondering what God wants me to do with my life. I have many options.  My options I'm thinking of right now is getting my MSW,  or getting an MA: sociology  & International Development.  I have also thought of going to teacher's collage,  I thought of getting my ECE but I found out if I have my BEd I can teach both at a school and a day care.  I have also been looking at  the collage program , Autism and Behavioural Science, and ECE- Resource teacher.  The positive about teaching is that I can have my summers off, so I can do stuff like go on missions trips and help people around the world.  Or maybe I could go work for Power to Change : Gain, though that would be a lot of office work and only a little bit international experience.  I could go into missions full time and go overseas, or go teach English as a second language. I love kids, I love traveling and helping people.  I want to make an impact in people's lives.  I wish I knew what God wants me to do next, I want to do his will and help people in the process.  I don't even know what I'm going to do this summer.  I have applied to  GAIN for a project to go to India and help people there and share God's love with them.  Though I have no idea if I will get accepted or not.  That's August so i need to find something to do the rest of the summer. Hopefully work and make some money.  I don't care a lot about how much money I make,  but i wanta be able to help people and one way of helping people is through giving money, I also need enough to pay for school and eventually when I move out for a place to live and food.  Unless I do the MA: Sociology & International Development, I won't be going to Guelph, so I will probably be moving out from home.  I like school a lot but I can't stay in school forever, but then again if i become a teacher I will still be in school but getting paid, though I know there are not a lot of teaching jobs, but maybe I could teach overseas and maybe helping people, but I know a lot of people like teacher's from there own country. That's why social work could be good because people need social workers around the world. If I could combine kids and overseas and helping those with special needs or who are in underprivileged situations that would be perfect but I don't know how to  pull that off.

Santuary4Kids

Been in a negative mood but trying to be positive.  I just read a story about Santuary4kids, and it was so inspiring about a family getting back together in Nepal. It's amazing how people are doing stuff to make a difference, even in the darkest of times there is still good.  Sanctuary is one of my favourite shows next to Stargate. Amanda Tapping is amazing!!  It's so great to see her helping kids, that she is making an impact in people's lives outside of acting.  I really respect her. She is my favourite actress.  If you wanta look up Sanctuary for kids the link is here: http://www.sanctuaryforkids.org/  People helping people brings a light to my day even though a lot of times I feel consumed by darkness.  Even though there's darkness in the world, their is also positive stuff.

I've been sick but I got back to work today it was good to work with kids again. It makes me realize how much I miss my job when I'm not at it but i feel bad for missing work especially when people are counting on me.  I got my appetite back today i haven't been eating much recently , which is really good. I am meeting with my group after class today for our presentation I hope we can get some stuff done, nervous about that.  Our presentation is on  Child Care. The course is Women work and public policy. I'm trying to be positive  which is hard sometimes but I'm working on it.

thinking about the future...

Haven't written for a while. I am busy with school and work.  I am taking three courses  Intro Chinese,   Women work and Public Policy, and  community Mental Health. I like my classes. I just wonder what I'm going to do after I graduate. I work at a daycare , I really like it. I like working with kids. Today i was volunteering at church with a girl with special needs. I want to help people, but I wonder how I will go about it.  I can;t do much with just a sociology- social psychology degree.  Sometimes I wonder if it's worth the years I spent getting my degree. Like if I go do a college program  even if it's fast tracked it takes me a lot longer then if I just took a two year program. Will a degree really get me somewhere.  I try to have hope that this will all  work out, this blog is about positive stuff anyways, but sometimes life isn't the way you want it to be.  If I get my masters in social work then the degree will be worth it, but I'm so afraid I won't be able to get in.  Also I'm interested in Autism and Behavioural Sciences which is a post grad certificate, but I could have done that if I had an ECE diploma or SSW diploma which would have taken less time.  Though I love my courses and love studying. So I guess it's not a waste.  It just seems like I spend all this money on school and I won't make that much.  Not that I'm after the money , but I would need enough to survive. Social workers make more then Social Services workers but still it's not a lot.  Teaching could make more, as much as I love kids I don't know  if I could handle all those kids, i'm better working one on one, like with a kid with special needs. Though I do like working in the day care.  I could go for teacher's college but I know teaching is also really stressful. I guess all the jobs I'm looking at are stressful.  I want to help people , I'm not after money. I just worry to much wonder about my future. Wonder if I will ever get married have children. I've even considered adoption but I know that is expensive and you need some money to do that.  I guess getting out into the work force and the real world scares me.  I'm trusting God has a plan and he will lead me in the right direction next year.  I might take a year off and do something , like go to China. I've also thought of teaching English as a second language, that would be cool. Though I like working with kids too.  I love working with internationals. If I could work with kids in another country with special needs that would be perfect. There is an option of volunteering in an Orphanage in China which is cool, but it's volunteer and not paid and in the end i will need some sort of job.  Well I should go to bed, thanks for reading.

This is not really positive but not everything in life is positive and it's something important. I was talking in class about women's work, and how there is still a gender gap between men and women, men get  paid more the women, women get penalized for being a mother.  Also the thing they don't tell us when we start are degree is that most of us won't get high paying jobs in our fields.  The Universities are trying to make money, and the President makes millions of dollars, while students go in dept, it's really not fair. Tuition rates have gone up 400% in the last 10 years, that's insane.  It kind of makes me wonder if my university degree is worth it, if I can't get into a good job. I am looking at possibly getting my masters in social work.  So if i do that then that's  good  but then there's issues whether or not i will get into grad school. Anyways i g2g to bed I will write more later.

Messenger

I just finished reading a book called " The Messenger"  it is about Mattie J.T. Stepanek. http://www.mattieonline.com/  This is an amazing story about a young boy who had a terminal illness but this didn't let him get in the way. He was able to make an impact on people in his life and around the world.  He wrote  his own books and talked about Peace around the world.  Even though he was dying and on life support  he made an impact in people's lives. Even people who are the sickest can have hope and make an impact.  No matter what you are going through you can be positive and come out of it the other end.  Even the mother Jeni was able to have a positive attitude despite her lost. She lost 4 children  to a neuromuscular  disease that she herself had. I think it takes a lot of courage to write a book and express positives of life even though she was in grief and loss.

Soul Surfer

Soul Surfer is the most amazing movie. It is a great example of perseverance and determination.  This is a true story of how  girl went through an amazing hard time but she fought through it and went back to surfing, she didn't give up  She got back in the water . she was able to deal with trauma  and move on.  She was also a Christian which was cool it also showed how God  helped her get through it. She trusted God even though she didn't understand.  Her Youth pastor told her she didn't know why God always stuff to happen, and it's cool how God took her life and made her an inspiration to other people.  She also went to Thailand and helped people, she helped a boy get back into the water after a tsunami. It's amazing how she was able to take a bad situation and turn it into good. "Life is tough, get back on the board and try again, you will be successful with what you do."

I have gone through some hard times in my life and God has helped my through, but this movie has really encouraged that I can succeed even when it feels like it is impossible.  I think anyone can move through stuff and move on and succeed even in difficult situations.  God can really help people get through tough times . This movie also made me really  thankful that I have two arms. We complain a lot about life and how bad it is but most of us have two arms, and without an arm Bethany was able to do stuff we do with two arms, it's amazing. I think it's a good movie to watch if you want a pick me up and to feel thankful about what you have. Bethany was thankful for what she had when she went to Thailand.

Precious and other thoughts.

I watched to movie precious. Its a novel about an overweight teenage her that is having her  second child  after being raped by her Father. She's also abused by her mother. It is a really sad story. Though I know this stuff happens to people around the world.  Though  the movie shows that people can get better even in the most desperate situations and I know that people can get better . This story  reminds me of freedom writers which is another good movie which is based on a true story that talk about kids who get given a good education and a teacher believes and them and they are able to succeed, some of these kids went to college  the first out of there families.  I think people can be helped if they have people who really care, who will listen to them and care about them. People do much better when they have someone who believes in them that thinks they can succeed, and sadly not all kids grow up in an encouraging environment so sometimes they need encouragement from outside sources . Teachers can have a huge impact on a child or teenager. I thought of being a teacher or a social worker because I want to help people who are in need and make in impact in people's lives especially kids, because they are young and it's easier to make an impact in a child's life then someone who is older.  Though I'm also really interested in working with children with special needs.  I want to use my work to be able to help people who are in need.  I still don't know totally what i want to do with my future but I know I want to be able to help other people.

Book : Sarah's Key , etc.

I just finished reading another book. Sarah's Key. Though it's a fictional book it talks about an historical event that happened in France, the notorious Vel' d'Hiv Roundup in 1942.   It was a really good book but sad.  Now I really don't think I can come up with any positives  about the holocaust and  I'm not going to try.  It just makes me think a lot about this world and how sad  it is that people can be so evil to other people  and hate them because of who they are.  Though the only positive thing that happened during that time was the few people that helped the jews out like  the couple from the farm in the story of Sarah's Key. Though a true story of someone who helped the Jews was Corrie Ten Boom. She wrote the book  The Hiding Place that tells about her story and what she dealt with at the concentration camp.  The amazing thing is that she was able to forgive to man who was so mean to her and her sister in the camp.  So I guess I didn't see any positives at first but if you look at Corrie Ten Boom you can see that even out of the most devastating situations there can be forgiveness.  There was a big difference been the character Sarah and Corrie in that way, even though Sarah's story was fictional I'm sure it has truth to it and similar stuff happened to someone.  We have a choice we can let our past haunt us like it did Sarah or we can use are past to help others and forgive people  like Corrie Ten Boom.   Though Corrie Ten Boom  was a Christian  and that is why she was able to forgive just as God forgave us she was able to forgive her worse enemy.

"Even as the angry vengeful thoughts boiled through me, I saw the sin of them. Jesus Christ had died for this man; was I going to ask for more? Lord Jesus, I prayed, forgive me and help me to forgive him....Jesus, I cannot forgive him. Give me your forgiveness....And so I discovered that it is not on our forgiveness any more than on our goodness that the world's healing hinges, but on His. When He tells us to love our enemies, He gives along with the command, the love itself."
— Corrie Ten Boom (The Hiding Place)

"Forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart."
— Corrie Ten Boom

Not Without My Daughter... Spoiler

Just watched the movie Not Without My Daughter. It's a sad but good movie. It shows the way in which Iran  was like at the time and the way in which they treated women.  Though it has been positive because some of this stuff has changed over the years and woman's rights have been developed more in Iran. It's really sad to see how little control women had over there lives and we think we are oppressed because we don't have enough money to buy the newest clothes. At least we have a choice in what clothes we wear, during the  time of this movie they had to cover up when out in  public and had really strict rules.  I have nothing against women who want to wear the "hijab" or want to cover there heads, but i do think it's wrong if it is forced upon them to do so.  People should have the right to choose the way in which they live and not be forced to wear something they don't want to wear.  Though I do know however many people do wear the covering for religious reasons and I respect that.

The movie has a positive ending as she is able to escape with her daughter and come back to America, this shows that even in the toughest situations when things seem impossible good can come out of it. It's amazing she was able to escape and many women  are not so lucky. It also shows that there are good people out there wanting to help others in need. It was interesting they took her passport and jewelry for safe keeping, so no one would know she was American when she was escaping through Iran. Though they gave it back to her once she reached Turkey... which amazes me because they could have easily kept it especially the jewelry and get money from it.

I like that this movie is based on a true story, I love movies like that because it feels real. Though I do know that it was  filmed in America and therefore there is some bias , and I know there has been some criticism about the movie , I think I need to read the book to see how close it is to the movie, but if the book is close to the movie, then that's what happened to her and I don't see anything wrong with portraying that.

Invisible Children, etc...

There are many organizations that are helping people in need. I have been looking at videos from Invisible Children.  http://vimeo.com/invisible 

"  Invisible Children is an organization based out of San Diego, California. Named after the organization's 2003 film with the same title, IC's goal is to end a 22-year war that has been raging in northern Uganda. This war has forced families into displacement camps where many children are kidnapped and taken as child soldiers by the LRA (Lord's Resistance Army). The LRA is led by Joseph Kony and their main goal is to overthrow the government.

For more info visit www.invisiblechildren.com.



1. End the war in northern Uganda and change the lives of thousands in the region through education and economic opportunities.

2. Inspire youth culture to value creativity, idealism and sacrifice by becoming a part of the movement of advocacy and awareness.

3. Connect people to the war-affected children in northern Uganda through compelling stories and revolutionary programs. "

Taken from invisible children : causes


 I'm not sure where I first heard about this organization it might have been through school but they seem to be doing good for the poeple of Uganda.  They have  started a Legacy Scholarship Fund which raises money to help children go to school.  It's good to see causes out there helping children around the world.

------

There is another cause that is good, and it's called Hope is Sold .  This cause raises awareness about Sex Trafficking , it is just starting out but I know the poeple who run it Jay and Michelle because I went to school with them, I think it's great that someone I went to school with is trying to make a difference in this world and Raising awareness about an important cause.

--------

Another organization that I know is World Vision, my parents sponsor a child through them, it's nice to see people giving there money in order to help others who are in worse off situations.   Another organization that sponsors children is Compassion Canada.

I know that there's lots of ideas about NGOs  and if they are really helping, though i would like to think that some people are making a difference even if it's one person at a time.

Random stuff I'm thinking....

Well I'm back from holidays. Just finished reading the book " I miss mummy" by Cathy Glass. It is a really good  story , kind of sad,  and talks about a girl who is in foster care, it has a good ending and its based on a true story it shows me that  even in tough situations positive stuff can come out of it. Even if it's not fun in the process. It could have been better another way but the way it happened happened and well it's good people were able to make the most of the situation and have a positive outcome in the end.  Though it also points out some of the negatives about  Social services, but know organization is perfect and yes there are  problems with social services and mistakes being made, it has to be a really hard job for the social workers and other people who work in that field.  Taking kids out of there homes and into foster care must be a really hard thing to do.  Though also many kids get into good home situations and get adopted . Though being adopted has it's own issues and problems.

I'm applying for work study job at the University, I've emailed people  for working with children in different areas but most wanta work with kids with special needs, I also emailed the library and disability services, I'm hoping I can get one, because it would be much better to get a job that pays and something I'm interested in. I'm just hoping it will work out for the best, and that if I get an offer the one I want will show up first so I don't  accept the offer for one and find out later I could have got another job that I liked better.

It's interesting, I tend to worry a lot about the future but I need to trust God that he will work it out.  I worry about whether I will take the right courses, whether courses will get offered in the future, whether I will get a job, get into grad school etc.  I am trying to be positive but sometime anxiety gets in the way.  Anxiety can get in the way of life and functioning.

Just saw a commercial for sending money for a drought in Africa, that's one thing I wish I had was money so I could give it to charities and stuff.  Like there's so many stuff I would want to give to if I had some extra money.  Last Christmas I asked for part of my Christmas present was  money towards clothing for children through World Vision. My parents sponsor a child and I hope once I have a stable job that I can sponsor a child too.  If I can's send money I want to help people out any way I can. I have been looking into volunteer stuff but I also have to keep in mind of my time and not stress myself out to much, because if I get sick then I won't be able to do anything not alone help other people.  I have a passion for people who struggle with stuff. I love working with children , teenagers, adults with special needs because they are such special people and I want to help them. But even though I am helping them I find that these people also make an impact in my life.  I also love working with people from other countries, especially those trying to learn English because it's something I can help them with.  Plus you can learn a lot from them as well, I love learning about other people's culture. It is so interesting. I think if I wasn't taking sociology and psychology I would take anthropology. Luckily I can take some SOAN ( Sociology/Anthropology) courses because the soc and anthro are in the same department. Heck if I could go to school for more i would probably do anthropology or even like East Asian studies.

I love studying there is so much I would love to study.  It's going to be weird when I finish school, that's part of the reason I want to get my Masters is I love studying and learning stuff. I just hope that someday I can put what I learn to use and be able to help other people with what I have learned.  I'm still not sure what i want to do after i graduate I am still thinking about doing my MSW  (Masters in Social Work) but I'm so terrified about  prof references , especially if I'm going to take time off in between. Though if I wait for 5 years after I graduate I won't need a prof reference but if anything I will go away for like 2 years  before I go to grad school. I have been looking at the options of going to Kairos for a year with Reign Ministries, or teaching english as a second language with English language institute ( most likely China), or my most recent interest working at an orphanage for 2 years in China.  Though  Kairos has an age limit so if I want to do that I have to do that right after I graduate so I really need to think and pray about it.  It's weird there is so much I can do that I don't know what to do. Graduating soon is getting exciting but also nerve racking as well ( back to the whole anxiety thing.)

Watching Oprah , talking about prison about women getting put in because of something boyfriend did, but that's a whole other topic, I could talk about that too, the prison system and how they treat people, but that would mostly be negative.  Though woman in jail are like any other woman and many of them have made just one simple mistake  and it can screw them up for life, it's interesting. Though I do know someone who has had a record  made the most of  a bad past and using it now to help other people.

Anyways  I will stop writing stuff.. watching Dr. Oz right now, kind of odd medical stuff but interesting. 
 

New day...

Well it's a new day at the cottage. I'm doing good been reading. I like reading. Starting school soon. Getting excited to start school, but I  hope the courses will work out. I'm planning on taking Community Mental Health, Woman Work and Public Policy and Intro Chinese.  I'm only taking it part time, which is ok but sometimes I feel stupid but like I tried taking four before and couldn't handle it, I hope some day in the future I will be able to handle stuff full time because I want to be able to work full time and be normal like everyone else. I'm doing a lot better with stuff so maybe I can handle more, but I don't really wanta chance 4 courses because last time I did that I had to drop and lost tons of money.  I have three more semesters left if I take 3 courses a semester. I might take it in the summer but I might do it next fall too, I'm considering going to China to work in the orpahange during part of the summer, and getting a job for the rest. Well time to sign off the computer. I hope everyone is having a good day!!  Even though it's raining today it can still be positive. Don't forget to look for the positives.

On holidays...

well I'm on holidays been reading a lot of books. ONe boos I read was Boy Alone, good book but a little sad I wish it had a happier outcome but the cool thing is the author imagined what it could have been like so he had some positive thoughts.  I'm now reading embracing the wide sky. It's really interesting and about the brain.  I love that kind of stuff. It's sad Jack Layton died he was a good man. 

"Love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world." -Jack Layton.   

The cottage is nice reading and sleeping and stuff before school starts. Get home on thurs and have to register for my mandrine course. I hope that it works out. The other two courses I'm planning on taking is  Community Mental Health, and Woman Work and Public Policy. I have been looking into volunteer stuff.  I have a bunch of replies and going to fill out some applications. We will see what happens. If I could work with  kids with special needs that would be great or people from another country or just kids in general. I applied again to colunteer with Best Buddies so that's working with an Adult with special needs.  I need to fill out my application for the orphanage in china I wanta go back there.  They say I can go back for 2-3 weeks to try it out before making a longer term commitment for like two years. Still not totally sure what I'm going to do after I graduate, still thinjking of doing a MSW if I can ever get my references, but we will see what happens.