Easter Sunday Movie

My earliest memory, is of having a headache (migraine).  I was, I think four or five, and my father used a spoon to grind an aspirin with sugar and a little water for me to take.  Later, when I was about six, my uncle gave me a VHS copy of Mary Poppins for my birthday. To this day, it remains my most favourite movie of all-time.  There is so much wisdom in this children's film that I continue to apply the things I learned from this movie - daily.  Here are a few reason why I have such a special place in my heart for this bit of cinema.

Mary Poppins always sought the good and bright things that life had to offer.  Tea Parties on the ceiling, jumping into sidewalk chalk pictures, cleaning up the nursery with a snap of your fingers.

In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun, and - SNAP - the job's a game!  

Through it all, she was always on task and instilling a sense of responsibility in all she did.  The most important aspect I took away from this movie was that of confidence.  As she unpacks her carpet bag in the nursery she pulls out her measuring tape to measure the children.  This measuring tape is not your typical type you'd expect.  No, no, no.  By no means does it measure one's height, but the their character and attitudes.  Michael was stubborn and suspicious, and Jane was inclined to giggle and didn't put things away.

 As I expected. "Mary Poppins, practically perfect in every way."

I learned about confidence.  Confidence in myself and how to have confidence in others, despite that they may let you down sometimes.  I learned how one can use their imagination, but not to lose sight of reality, or your responsibilities.  Even as she left the Banks' household, though it was difficult and she had grown attached to the family, she knew her work there was done and she opened her umbrella and floated away into the sky, presumably to continue her work elsewhere.

Never judge things by their appearance... even carpetbags. I'm sure I never do.

How does this fit into my life as an Easter Sunday movie you may ask?  Like Mary Poppins, the life of our Saviour Jesus Christ was short here on the earth.  He was perfect in all he did.  He always taught and instilled confidence, and the importance of work.  Christ wanted us to learn lessons that would help increase our faith in his Father's plan, and as his life was coming to an end and it was time for him to depart, He did so with love in His heart, and the ultimate sacrifice.  After which, he ascended to be at the right hand of his Father in Heaven.

A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, in the most delightful way.

Some days, I have a more difficult time finding those sweet things in life.  They're always there.  I treasure those moments of laughter and smiles from the nursery children on Sunday at church.  The innocence and spirit of love they possess.  I basque in the excitement of the little things in life that are the make up of the fibers woven into the fabric of my life.  I hope and pray for the sam for you and your family this Easter Sunday, as we consider how and who we love. Christ taught that we should love one another and serve our fellow man.  No matter what your spiritual affiliation, the universal principal of treating each other with love and respect is vital to happiness for all.

I stray from the movie Mary Poppins to leave you with this final quote from another Julie Andrews film called The Sound of Music.

You have a great capacity to love...these walls were not built to shut out problems. You have to face them. You have to live the life you were born to live.

 As it is with love and service for our fellow man, both have infinite capacities that are ever increasing.  Happy Easter.

Spring Cleaning

Sure, our springtime weather is much different than most of yours, but we still have spring cleaning to do.  Since I have lost many inches around my waist, I have spent quite a bit of time purging my wardrobe and replacing it with new things.  Well, some of my clothes I don't have the heart to part with, so, I am having it tailored instead. When clothes are cute, they're just cute, and I didn't want to have to try and find a replacement for some of them.

Today, I spent half an hour with "my" tailor and having her take in and alter several items, including my favorite black dress.  It's a good problem to have I reckon.  I also have brought home two new pairs of jeans, bringing my jean total to four, and several new tops.  A friend of mine gave me a gift card to JC Penny and I finally took advantage of it today.  They are having a great sale, and I got several new items.  One item in particular, my favorite of the lot, only cost $5!!!!  Yay!  Nothing I bought today cost much more than that!  Oh yeah, it's all about sales!

My trip to Target today took me longer than I had anticipated.  I bought some snacks for the nursery kids on Sunday, as well as a few essentials that I have been needing.  Being on spring break has allowed me to get a lot done...except my homework.  LOL.  I guess I better get that done this weekend.  Fortunately, I have been thinking about it, so it shouldn't take long when it comes down to getting it down on paper.

Really, not a lot going on these days.  Two of my three hockey teams are done for the season, and I have two upcoming tournaments in April.  The only thing in my way is that I sprained my MCL and may not be ready come the first tournament.  Oh, right, and my one team made the championship game for the end of season tournament and lost.  We took second.  I did not get to play in the game, as I had sprained my MCL two days prior.  Go me!  =D

Okay, really, I think that's all I have going on these days.  Life has slowed down a great deal, so time to add something to the docket.  LOL!

Second Blog

For those that don't follow Stay Sexy Thursday, this will not mean much to you, but for those that do, here is an update:

After some thought, and requests to do so, I have started a second blog that will be solely for the purpose of "promoting" the Stay Sexy Thursday tradition.  There may be posts made outside of Thursday, but there were requests by those that ask me to email them every week, or send the "update" via text messages, to get be able to access it without have to have a FB account, or to make special emails and texts every week.  To be honest, it didn't even bother me, but they're right, this will be much easier, and faster to get the message out every week.  It's a one shot deal.  On the page, there will be links to "add" to follow, receive emails, etc. when posts are made.  See link below.

Stay Sexy Thursday

In other news, Friday night's game was a lot of fun and we lost, but it was a blast.  (Men's League at Subway).  On Saturday, we won our game 1-0 and it was super.  First game of the playoffs, and it was against the toughest team in our division.  Let's go Ravens.  Tonight, we tied Champ's Choice for the first game of playoffs.  Let's go Weaver!  Good times, good times.

As hockey is winding down for the women's league, I am looking forward to switching to a few other extra-curricular activities.  Some a bit more mellow in nature.  =D  (more on that at a later date, as things progress)

A friend recently shared that she was going through her journal and noticed a lot of hardship within it, and that she is recommitting to write more about the good and the awesome, so posterity can see both sides of her life.  She has a fair point.  So, I am resolved to do more of the same, but perhaps a little different, here on the blog.  Maybe you'll see a difference in the posts, maybe you won't, but only time will tell.

Until then, I bid thee all, farewell.

So, it's been awhile

Wow, so where do I begin?

Transferred and started at a new University.  Decided to go back to the brick and mortar school for a few different reasons, one being, it's way cheaper!  It's been great so far and though I am taking full-time credits, I am managing quite well so far.  I am always busy, more than usual and somehow manage to find some down time.  I think being well prepared for classes and tests, allow me breathing room.  For example, I had a test yesterday and was prepared.  I walked in, listened to the explanation about the test, followed by a few questions by classmates, then he gave us the 50 question test.  I was done in just under ten minutes and since he said we were free to go once complete, I left.  I normally have that class from 11-1415, and had two hours of free time!  What did I do?  I got the truck washed, unloaded my hockey gear and got both sets out and airing out in the garage, shoveled the driveway a bit, ate some food, took my skates to the shop for sharpening, then headed to Grant's hockey game at 1500 hours.  I felt like such an efficient machine.  Oh, and tossed in a little gym action there too.

Not only did I change schools, but I also started a new job with a new employer.  So far so good.  It's been great getting to learn downtown Anchorage a bit better and my work group is fantastic.  Everyone is helpful, and I find the office dynamics to be rather entertaining.  My cube is setup at a corner so I hear everything, and I mean everything.  Cracks me up.  Not because the conversations are that entertaining, but all the things I am hearing all at once just makes for great entertainment.  I look forward to taking on more projects and getting more familiar with the business we are in.  It's just a great atmosphere and I am grateful for the opportunity to be there.

Still enjoying hockey and still with the same trainer.  I am pretty sure I will be with him as long as he'll have me.  He's the best trainer I have ever had and he totally sees my vision and doesn't try and force his own ideas or goals on me.  He hears me out on what my goals are for myself and pushes me hard because he knows I respond well to a challenge.  He's not the only one who's realized this, as my team rep for the Ravens team I skate on has realized it and is always giving me opportunities to be challenged because she says I skate and perform better when feeling challenged.  She couldn't be more right!

I am playing on two women's teams (I goalie on one, I skate centre on the other), and one men's team (I skate and goalie, depending on the day and their need).  I can score goals now, and my backwards skating is improving.  I can skate backwards all day in my goalie gear, but skating out is a whole different ballgame for me.  It's been great getting out of the crease, but being in the crease is where my heart is for sure!  I'm a goalie at heart and I am pretty sure that is where I want to continue to grow as a player.  However, I do enjoy skating out with the ladies.  I might be too aggressive for some of the ladies in my division, but it's where I belong for now. 

Now, my favorite ice time each week:  skating with my little buddy Grant.  My friend's son takes private lessons twice a week.  He asked if I would goalie during the lessons and let me tell you, I have a blast!  My ice time with Grant is so amazingly fun and valuable to me and best ice time I get each week!!!  The kid is super great on and off the ice and he is not afraid to talk trash to me and I love it!  Normally, I wouldn't get excited beating a kid at a sport, but since this guy is so much better than me, when I "win" during a drill, I celebrate and talk trash!  LOL!  Good times!

Church has been great and I am still loving my calling in the nursery.  The kids amaze me every week and watching them grow is so fulfilling.  Even when they're grumpy, I feel so blessed to be able to do what I do each week.  I do spend an hour in a teaching development class each week as well.  I was, and maybe still am, a bit bummed that our Spanish speaking kids no longer join us each week.  I really enjoyed reading books to them in Spanish and speaking with them every week.  It really helped me keep up a bit in my Spanish, but, even though it was remedial, it was extremely beneficial to getting my mind thinking in Spanish again.

Okay, there are a few other things, but for now, this is all I can share until something more develops.  Keep your fingers crossed!  =D

jjf