Monday, July 13, 2009

7000! (and 25)

I was waiting for the 7000th hit to make a celebratory party-post, but it's now up to 7025! Anyway, yay 7025!

Not to mention that it either already is the one year anniversary of this blog, or it will be soon. Milestone!

And today I finished my creative travel writing course. To be honest, I'm glad to be done with it.

I've been extremely busy and am about to get busier! There are lots of things coming up for me. I'll keep you posted....

Friday, July 10, 2009

What Matters

What matters?

People and place.

In that order.

And well, peace too, if you're into alliteration.

Current things making my heart smile:

#1: NL scenery and air

#2: My family (including two beautiful and absolutely entertaining nephews)

#3: Familiarity

#4: Progress

#5: Not really knowing for sure what the future holds.

Thursday, July 09, 2009

On the Atlantic

I'm here just hanging out here in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.

Seriously.

The infamous "Caribou" has moved up a class and installed WiFi. My saving grace. I cannot sleep so I'm resorting to blogging. Not that, you know, blogging is something that needs to be resorted to.

Now just a few hours from home, I'm finally getting a chance to reflect upon this cross-Canada roadtrip. In a way it's been more comfortable than the trip from east to west because we kind of know what is waiting for us across the Atlantic. But going home, while an exciting return to the familiar, is also slightly frightening because there are realities to deal with there that I haven't had to directly deal with for awhile.

I was supposed to be in this position last night, but of course Craig and I missed the ferry. Two days in Halifax and still couldn't make it to the boat on time. Those of you who know us are not surprised.

There have been lots of laughs and drugs along the way. Prescription drugs, that is. For the puppies, that is. Winnie was scared out of her wits every time the car was in motion - but we were thankful that she was at least quiet about it. Winston, on the other hand.... Well lets just say he was a happy puppy after we fed him the "magic cheese" as we tend to refer to it. There was only so long I could keep the block of cheese in the glove compartment before it went moldy, but it saved us quite a bit of frustration. Stuffing that little, yellow quarter-of-a-pill into a tiny piece of marble cheese brought us infinite pleasure. Particularly when only seconds after ingestion Winston's piercing whines turned into yawns. Peace. Don't worry, the vet was the one who suggested this so he's doing A-Ok.

Except now I'm worried about the little youngins' down in the car because they wouldn't do their business before we left. Puppies have small bladders. Who knows what kind of sights we'll see upon docking.

Canada day was one of my favourite moments of this trip. We were in Winnipeg and after going to a huge festival at "The Forks" we ate Korean for the first time with one of our dear Canadian coworkers that we met in Korea. Also we went to a party with a bunch of her friends and got to hear a great little bluegrass band and see some of the best crappy fireworks ever. We stayed with her at her house and got to spend some QT. It was great because she was the first in-Korea-Canadian-friend we've seen since our return.

We were all over dt Halifax. We spent two nights there and went to this great little pub with excellent live music. Not to mention lots of Mexican food and Cora's. Mmm fine dining.

Stayed at a bunch of nice hotels and a couple sketchy ones. We like to balance things out that way. Ate at a bunch of nice restaurants and several sketchy ones, too.

I'm not entirely sad to see the end of this journey, though. We've been beating around for nearly two weeks with two small puppies. That's not easy considering one is not 100% trained and dogs are territorial and into routine. It will be good to let them flake.

So home sweet home, here I come! It's been awhile.

Peace out from the Atlantic.

Saturday, July 04, 2009

So Far....

Cold Lake to Saskatoon

Saskatoon to Winnipeg (... 2 nights. Canada day was spent with a coworker from Korea. We ate at a delicious Korean restaurant and celebrated with a bunch of her friends, cheap fireworks and a lovely bluegrass band).

Winnipeg to Thunder Bay

Thunder Bay to Saulte Ste. Marie

Saulte Ste. Marie to Pembroke (... it was supposed to be Ottawa but my driver quit).


I am several thousand kilometers closer to home. That feels good.

Monday, June 29, 2009

In a Nutshell....

I know, I know. I've been neglecting my blog again. Really though, with end-of-the-school-year festivities and trying to get everything packed up - I just have not had the time. I don't really have the time now either, but I'm squeezing this in. Just don't tell Craig.

Based on the fact that I'm supposed to be packing/getting ready right now and we're supposed to start driving across the country in a couple hours, this post will be in point form and will cover in very little detail things that potentially would have had their own post if I had time.

- The Thailand thing: It's not happening. I e-mailed WE and let them know that while I was honoured to have been chosen, it would be better to pick one of the other candidates in my place. $250 is what I would have been given, which would really just have been deducted from the $1570 program fee. On top of that $1320, I would also have to pay a $200 application fee, VISA fees, and airfare cost. So in reality, while I'd love to volunteer in Thailand during August - I didn't really win much of anything.

-Coldplay: Just when I thought I couldn't love them any more... I went to their concert. It was filled with surprises and just blew every other concert I've ever been to out of the water. I honestly don't know if it's possible that I will ever see a show that will top this one. If you can, go see it! We paid an arm an a leg for our 22nd row floor seats (we were very close to Mr. Christopher) - but it was completely worth it!

-The talent show: The talent show I planned for the students was very long because I didn't have the heart in auditions to tell a bunch of primary children that they couldn't participate. I'll sacrifice my patience for their courage to get up there and perform. Despite a considerable amount of technical difficulties, it went okay I think.

-Goodbye to you: After saying goodbye to the students I've come to know and love and a bunch of goodbye suppers with my coworkers/friends, today I will leave Cold Lake. It's a nice place, but I'm okay with leaving the town. It's the people I'll miss! But I've grown accustomed to missing people.

-Michael Jackson: I may eventually write a separate post about this. I know many people are sensationalizing his death. After all - he died at only 50 years of age. So did my Dad. Michael Jackson was a human being just like my Dad, and obviously I feel that the world should be mourning my Dad's death just as much as MJs. Despite feeling a little bit of bitterness that people are so affected by THIS death, I do understand it. I feel sadness about it too. I'm not sure what I believe about all the allegations that were hurled at MJ because I have no way of knowing whether or not those things are true. I do, however, believe that he was a very misunderstood and lonely man. Imagine never having a childhood. Being forced to work at such a young age and never knowing what it's like to not be in the limelight. We see it all the time with celebrities - it affects people. I wish he had more people who would have reached out to him with his best interests at heart. I have a feeling MJs death might have been preventable. My Dad's was not. That is what makes both of these deaths so sad.

-RPLF Golf tournament: The Ray Palmer Legacy Foundation's first golf tournament was yesterday. I am so thankful to my Dad's friends for creating it, and also to everyone who went or donated to this worthy cause. Thank you for the love and support.

-Exciting things: I may have a couple exciting things coming up in the near future. I hope so because I always need at least one thing to look forward to each month. :)

-My bloggy sister: My sister Lesley has just started a blog about her life as a mom. I'm very happy about this. Check her out here: Lesley's Blog

Hopefully my next blog post will be from a different province!

Stay tuned.

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Dear Daddy - June 2009 (Father's Day)

Dear Daddy,

Father's Day. A day I've been dreading since October. For me it's still too early to see this day as a celebration of what a great father you were; this year I just want to get through it. I'm avoiding Facebook, Twitter, and all other websites/TV shows that may serve as a constant reminder of what I missing today. Besides, not a day goes by when I don't think about how great of a father you were.

This weekend has been a weekend full of firsts. Yesterday was your anniversary. When I talked to mommy I told her to treat it just like any other day. I know it's the easy way out - but it's also the only way we can deal with it in this first year. Eventually we may be able to view days like that as happy occasions once again.

You guys would probably have left Nunavut by now, if things had gone according to plan. You'd probably be here with me. We'd probably be laughing together and enjoying our time after spending too much of it apart. It's incredible how differently things have turned out - how our expectations have been crumpled up like a piece of tissue paper and tossed in the wastebasket. I wonder if there's reason to ever make any plans at all.

Your golf tournament is coming up. I am still so honoured that your friends have put this together for you. It's definitely a true reflection of the impact you've had on so many people. I will not be at the tournament as we're leaving to drive across Canada next Sunday, but I will be thinking about you all day - as I always do. In some ways perhaps it's a good thing that I'm not around to make it, I'm not sure I'm ready for that just yet. Baby steps, for me.

We now have two puppies! They're both extremely playful - you would love to pick at them!

I have only four more days with my students. I can't believe how fast this year has gone. And so much has happened. It's all a big blur.

When all this first happened, mommy gave me one of the watches you always wore to keep with me. That leather watch still smelled of you; aftershave, cologne, shampoo, whatever it was - distinctly you. Every time I smelled it I really felt like you were still with us. When I came back to Alberta I put it in a little silk bag, in an effort to preserve the scent. Since then I've been afraid to smell it because I always worry the smell will be gone.
The other day I pulled it out of the silken bag again. What a relief it was for me to find that the smell was still there. Part of me feels pressured now, as if I have to keep you alive - even though I know it's out of my control. And if one day I wake up and the smell is gone I'm going to feel as though I've failed and all the memories will begin to fade. Yet, those moments when I do experience that strong sensation of having you close more than makes up for any pressure I might feel around it.

I just got back from a Coldplay concert late Thursday night, and one of their songs always strikes me when I hear it. It starts out: "Those who are dead are not dead, they're just living in my head..." How true. When I think about it, you really are alive in our heads and we think about you constantly.

So, happy Father's day, Daddy. I know someday it will be a happy day again. Thank-you for being a better father than I could have dreamed of. You are always in my heart - always.

Your baby girl,
Laura XOXO




Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Coming Clean - Ten Current Guilty Pleasures

1.) Brownies













--> I'm not a huge meal-then-dessert girl, but I cannot say no to a brownie even with the button of my jeans undone and the zipper pulled down. It's a disease. Chocolatitis. Brownemia.



2.) The Hills















--> This is embarrassing. Truly embarrassing. I feel my IQ drops about fifty points each time I watch an episode - and I don't miss an episode. I'd try to figure out where that leaves my IQ score, but I can't do math anymore because I've watched too many episodes of "The Hills." While everyone else claims it's scripted, I cling to the belief that it is like, OMG, TOTALLY real!



3.) The Bachelorette



















--> Another shallow one. But it's pure dramatic goodness, and I can't help myself.



4.) Hanson

















--> Actually, I don't really feel too guilty about this one. It can't be denied. Hanson is awesome. Just try putting on "Mmmbop" and not singing along. I dare you.



5.) Social Networking















--> I'm the kind of person who rarely gets bored and likes spending time alone. I can have fun by myself and I don't need to be around other people often. However, I happen to be obsessed with social networking, which shouldn't come as a surprise to those who know me. I've been doing a little better on this front lately in that I've layed off the F-book somewhat. But only because it's been replaced with Twitter.



6.) Shopping



















-->When it comes to shopping I am impulsive and compulsive. I am no Paris Hilton but like most I do enjoy things, though I realize things are empty and meaningless. I shop for therapy. I shop for celebration. I shop because it's thrilling. Yes, thrilling. ...Too strong a word?















--> I'm pretty sure he's not the nicest person ever, but I have been known to wander over to his website when the rest of the internet-world is in a lull. This is also slightly embarrassing because I've never been someone who really cares about celebrities (other than my teeny-bopper crushes on JTT, Leonardo and Josh) but he makes me care! His entertaining rants coupled with his general overall obnoxiousness is a bit analogous to watching a trainwreck - you know what you're about to see will be horrible, but you can't look away!



8.) Poker Face



















--> Lyrically the song is terrible. Absolutely terrible. Before I went to Vegas I couldn't even listen to it because the lyrics were so ridiculous. Then while IN Vegas the song was everywhere and so were poker tables/players. In Vegas, the song made more sense. In fact I consider it to be somewhat of a Vegas theme song. I still hate the lyrics, but now if it comes on the radio I'm prone to busting a few moves in the car much to Craig's chagrin. I can't lie, it's a catchy tune and it has grown on me.



9.) The red carpet



















--> I don't quite know why, but I think pre-awards show red carpets are quite entertaining. Perhaps because it's one of the few times we get to see a bunch of actors/actresses on TV minus the acting. Well, I suppose a bit of acting is required to keep those fake smiles posted on their faces for the paparazzi.

Photo courtesy


10.) Wipeout















--> While there's a fine line between slapstick humour and plain stupidity, you have to admit: there is something wonderful about seeing somebody else wipe out. Just ask AFV, which has thrived off people hurting themselves for years. Now there is this new summertime show, appropriately dubbed "Wipeout." It's really just the English version of the Japanese MXC. Despite the filled-with-extra-cheese commentary, it is thoroughly entertaining and has even been known to produce a few belly laughs in this household.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

I Kind of Won, But.....


Remember that Thailand thing?


Great news, but I'm in a bit of a bind over it. The scholarship is worth $250, which probably wouldn't even cover the cost of the airplane from Newfoundland to Halifax. Let's keep in mind that Thailand is on the other side of the world.

The full scholarship winner gets reimbursed for airfare and everything is basically taken care of for him to go and pursue this opportunity. Which is awesome.

I have to let them know by Friday if I am accepting. FRIDAY! That leaves very little time to get my mind around all this. I love the idea of spending August in Thailand to volunteer, and $250 would cover a few meals and accommodations, but financially the airfare to fly from one side of the world to the other might be a little out of my price range at present.

What to do, what to do!

Oi vey!

Tuesday, June 09, 2009

EDIT

EDIT: Whitney = Winnie.

We've changed the puppy's name because Whitney does not roll off the tongue easy enough. And the general consensus is in that Winston & Winnie has more of a ring to it than Winston & Whitney does.

Poor little Maya turned Whitney turned Winnie is going to get a complex.

Saturday, June 06, 2009

Meet Whitney

Here she is: little Whitney! A brand new sister for Winston. :)

While out for a run one day, Craig and I discussed how it would be nice for Winston to have a companion while we're gone to work all day. Craig said it in passing, I said it and meant it.

I logged onto Kijiji and responded to every Yorkie ad in my area. Luckily - there was a breeder right in my town. I would not even attempt to find one in a pet store because the puppies there are often coming from puppy mills with terrible conditions. I refuse to support that and so should you! Just FYI.

After much imploring, Craig finally caved. He says it's because I'm relentless and he knows I would never stop begging. I like to think that deep down he wanted another puppy just as much as I did.

So a few hours later, we brought home this little girl. She's very friendly - but still understandably nervous. 

Winston just had his sutures removed (he got fixed last week) so we're hoping the incest will be kept to a minimum.

Dogs add so much joy to my life! They truly are loyal friends.

Oh, and in just a few weeks we're going to make a trip across Canada with Winston & Whitney. Stay tuned - that's bound to be an adventure.


Tuesday, June 02, 2009

Bill 44


Do you think that parents should be able to pull their kids from classes in an effort to avoid topics such as religion, sexuality and/or sexual orientation?

Bill 44 was passed today in Alberta, which makes this possible.

I am not a parent (unless you count Winston - I kinda do) but I believe that I understand the desire of parents to instill in their children values which they perceive to be important.

However, I have to be honest here. I disagree with this bill.

Part of me disagrees with it because I have never seen anything good come from segregation. Most of my schooling took place in a denominational school system. Students in my school rarely associated with those from the "secular school" and the students from the "secular school" didn't exactly want anything to do with us either.

When the two school systems amalgamated, there was a rift the size of Europe between the two groups of students and it took awhile before that rift got smaller. Let's face it. The denominational school system didn't exist because being separated was biblical. It existed because the powers-that-be thought "Christians" needed to be shielded from things like sex, drugs and rock-and-roll. (Oh, and let's not forget alcohol).

Which brings me to my next, perhaps even more important point. Is it okay to shield kids from the world? Kids who are trying to discover who they are and what they want to be?

As a teacher, I am responsible to get through curriculum. However, here's how I try to make the curriculum come alive. By applying it to the real world. Through discussion. Dialogue. History teachers teach about WWII and Hitler but that does not in any way suggest that they condone what Hitler did. Teachers provide the information and it's up to students what they do with that information and how they choose to see it.

Proponents of the bill argue that this is a human rights issue. I argue the same thing, albeit in a different way. I would argue that each individual has the right to know what is out there, be it about religion or sexuality. It should be a human right. Teachers are not responsible to tell people what to believe, we are responsible for presenting the facts in the best way we possibly can. Children do not get a choice as to what family they are born into but they should have a say in forming their own belief system. For parents to pull students out of a class where facts relevant to the curriculum are being presented in a professional manner is not only wrong, but cowardly. You cannot protect them from the world that they are a part of - it's like trying to separate your head from your body. You can raise them in a loving home, shower them with affection and educate them morally - but to deny them of the privilege of learning about the world they are an integral part of is sad.

"But we don't want them to be of the world. They need to be in the world, but not of it."

We are all in the world, and we are all of the world. Like it or not. And you know what? If this is a Christianity thing (and I know it isn't just a Christianity thing - people of many religions and even atheists are for it) I would argue black and blue that being in the world and of it is biblical. Segregation, blind faith and ignorance are concepts which are the polar opposite of who Jesus is and what he stands for.

Individuals who go through the school system in Alberta and take considerable advantage of this bill may grow up to become ill-informed, sheltered, shallow individuals. Congratulations, Alberta. And then those individuals will go on to indoctrinate their children with more beliefs that will never be legitimate because they haven't come about conclusively. Instead, those people will choose to live in ignorance about what's out there and go along on their merry way.

Let me reiterate: I am not disagreeing with parents teaching their children about morality, or even necessarily steering them in one direction or another. As long as children are not expected to give up their personhood or simply inherit the beliefs of their parents. As long as the ultimate decision lies with the individual who has to live with it.

I am lucky. I will never have to resent my family. They taught me morals and they took me to church - but they also had long dinner-time conversations with me. We'd sit for hours on end asking questions and listening to one another in opinion-forming episodes. My family never forced anything on me, rather, taught me it was okay to question and to seek out answers. They did not place a shield of protection in front of me but showed me how to stick to what I believe without cutting myself off from parts of society. And if my beliefs evolved as I matured - I was taught that was okay too. Maybe even natural. In my situation, maybe even necessary. I will be forever grateful to them for allowing my mind the freedom to think instead of attempting to build a cognitive prison for me.

So yes, Alberta. I am decidedly unimpressed. Education is a right; beliefs are personal. Let's keep it that way.


Sunday, May 31, 2009

Children Together





(Click images to view full-size)

May is winding down and June is dancing onto the stage full of warmth and colour. It's that time again. Time to get ready for goodbye. Time for nostalgia to march in uninvited and take her place for more au revoirs. Story of my life.

I vividly recall a post I wrote sometime last July about having to say goodbye in Korea and I was wondering if I'd ever see my newfound friends or my students again. Now I have to start wondering the same thing.

Teaching is sort of like parenting. It's hard. You go through a lot with your kids. You try to teach them music and science, but you also try to teach them right from wrong. Then there comes a time when they have to move on and so do you.

Of course, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't ready for June. June is an oasis after walking through the long desert that is January-May. In June you see the horizon and know that you will soon be refreshed.

I am going to miss my students. I've thought about that since earlier this month, but they made it concrete for me at the musical showcase on Wednesday night. It was a moment. They had been driving me crazy in the dressing room where we waited until nearly the end of the program for it to be our time to perform. There were almost forty of them - almost forty primary children, 90% of which were running around wildly as if they had just been set free after two hundred years of captivity.

Eventually we were informed that it was nearly our turn to perform. The students lined up on cue, without any help from me. As I walked down the hallway with a line of little lemmings following behind I turned around, finger already up to my mouth expecting to have to ask someone to return to the line and walk quietly. They were all in line, all walking quietly. Hmmm, maybe I have taught them a thing or two! I thought.

We took our place on the stage. They climbed the risers without a hitch. Standing in their spots, a few students looked at me for reassurance. Their eyes told me that they were nervous. "It's okay, don't be nervous. It'll be fine!" I said.

The curtains opened and I could not see the audience. Instead I focused on the sea of grade 2 and 3 students clothed in white and black before me. The light hit their faces and through the nerves I spotted hints of pride.

The first song loosened them up. It was an action echo song called "O My Aunt Came Back," so we had the audience up on their feet. Basically, everyone looked absolutely ridiculous - which lightened the mood.

The second song was one we had received distinction on at the music festival called "Children Together." It's a nice song about music and how children can make a difference in the world. They performed it very well at the festival, right on tempo. On Wednesday night I noticed them speeding it up just a little, but it didn't even matter. I have never heard them sound so fantastic. They sang their hearts out; belting the tune with such passion, enunciating the words as though they really meant them and believed the lyrics with every fiber of their beings. It was a good moment.

Perhaps it was all amplified by the fact that I am leaving, and I don't know if I'll ever see these kids again. Perhaps every music teacher thinks their choir or band is fantastic, just like all parents think their children are fantastic - even if they mess up. Either way, I could not be more proud of the choir. In my mind and in the mind of their parents/other teachers, they are stars.

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Music Makes the World go 'Round

Tonight:

The big school division musical showcase. My choir will be performing 2 songs and it will probably be one of our last performances of the year.

I'm nostalgic already.

I've enjoyed getting back into music this year, and in many ways I'll miss this job next year.

A music teacher one day, a grad student the next.

Such is life!

Monday, May 25, 2009

The Problem with Warm Weather

video

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Thank-you

I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to vote for me for the Thailand volunteer trip. I posted a simple link on here and in a Facebook note and garnered much more support than I had thought I would. Some of the comments you've left on my JustMeans idea have overwhelmed me. Thank-you so much!

Haven't voted yet and have a couple minutes to spare? Please click here: http://tinyurl.com/poav9t
Then you can just click "support it" to the right of the page and leave a comment if you are so inclined.

If you have multiple e-mail accounts, you can vote more than once. :) Just a little FYI.

Now I feel like the person who says: "thanks for the money, but can I have a little more?" I assure you - it's appreciated! I'm quite a ways from having the most votes, but I do have a lot and I am on the front page.

In other news, I also want to thank the readers of my blog! Sometimes if people aren't commenting I wonder if anybody actually reads. I see the number of hits increasing and wonder if it's broken. It wouldn't matter a whole lot to me if people weren't reading: I would still blog. However, it is nice to think that people care about what I have to say! I've had several people admit to me recently that they visit "What in the World?" regularly. I wasn't even aware that most of those people knew it existed.

So thank-you to those of you who increase my hits and make me feel like a worthy blogger. And a special thanks to those of you who are out of the closet, so to speak.

Merci beaucoup!

P.S. I have this habit of going overboard with thank-yous......

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

To Hunt or not to Hunt. That is the Question.


I wanted to write a blog about this awhile ago but in an effort to avoid crawling back on the soapbox I decided against it. Then I thought about doing it again and decided not to again. And now, here I am. It was inevitable, really. I can't change my opinionated nature any more than I can change my age.

I've said it many times before and I'll say it again. I am the biggest animal lover I know. Anyone who knows me well can vouch for this fact and could probably give you at least ten reasons why I remind them of Elmyra from Looney Toons. 

I am not a vegetarian. I think PETA goes overboard. I think Heather Mills is misguided. And yet, I love animals.

I completely respect vegetarians who have chosen that lifestyle as being something that is right for them because it coincides with their particular belief system. I respect vegetarians who respect omnivores and don't condemn us when they see chicken on our plates. 

Let's flip the coin. I'm tired of the people who place themselves upon a pedestal and spew misinformed "facts" about issues they know very little about. Any idea where I'm going?

The thought of clubbing seals makes me cringe. I'm not saying the people who have done it are heartless, and clubbing is apparently a very quick method as opposed to the slow painful death that we immediately think of. Many claim that clubbing is more humane than shooting, for example. I've never been clubbed so I can't make an informed comment about this. All I can say is that I know that's not how I'd want to go. It seems inhumane and I would like it to stop.

But, did you know that the majority of seals harvested during the hunt are not clubbed anymore?

Not only that, but the pictures of the baby seals (whitecoats) that are used in the majority of the anti-seal hunt ads really is an inaccurate depiction of what goes on during the hunt considering it's illegal to kill a whitecoat. They don't post pictures of the older seals because quite frankly they aren't as cute. 

I was watching Canada AM the other day and there was a woman on there (I forget her name, clearly she didn't make much of an impression) who was strongly opposing the seal hunt. When she said something along the lines of nobody actually making a living from the seal hunt I almost threw my Dearfoam slipper at the T.V. 

Now I don't come from a family of hunters, but I do come from an island where people depend on the seal hunt. Even if they do not depend on the hunt directly, the fishery is what has sustained my province for years. We eat, breathe, and sleep by the sea. When seals overpopulate the fishery suffers immensely and so too do the people who depend on it. But I can see how it might be a difficult for someone who has never lived near the sea (and who knows almost nothing about it)  to truly understand the delicate balance of that ecosystem and how hunting might be necessary to keep populations of certain species in check.

The thing that irritates me the most, though, is the hypocrisy. The selective generosity. I'm sure the seals are grateful for all media attention, but what about chickens? Cows? Pigs? Perhaps nobody clubs them but I have seen the documentaries about what goes on in those slaughter houses and it's more barbaric than anything else I've ever seen. Hard to watch. I had to stop.

In Newfoundland we also hunt moose. Odd, but the world doesn't really care too much about that.

I'm sorry. I cannot respect your outspoken, jump-on-the-bandwagon plea to end the seal hunt until I also hear you voice your opposition to the slaughter of these other creatures. If cuteness is the issue (which it must be) then personally I think cows are cuter anyway. If somebody can give me a logical explanation as to why seals should be spared and all these other animals do not get that same right, maybe I'll reconsider my views.

"Canada is supposed to be a civil nation. I can't believe this is going on in our country." Some say.

Canada is also a country that is completely accepting almost to a fault. A country that respects all cultures and beliefs. How then, can one say to a hunter who really does live off the land in Nunavut that what he/she is doing is wrong? What about people from other countries who kill animals to make an offering of some sort? Would they not be allowed into our country? Try telling the people from Northern Canada that their way of life is unacceptable. They would look at you like you have ten heads. This is what they know. This is how they survive. This is how they have always survived.

I know it's cool to kiss PETA's ass these days. To say how against the seal hunt you are makes you politically and intellectually up-to-date. Supposedly. I would beg to differ.

This will not be a popular post, I'm aware of that. Mostly because I'm not on one side or the other, but right down the middle somewhere. Some proponents of the hunt will dislike this because I agree that clubbing seals is probably not the best hunting method. Some opponents of the hunt will really dislike this because I'm saying that they often jump into the water wearing a blindfold and not really knowing the facts. Either way, I just want to let the record show that I'm not a Sarah Palin-esque redneck by any means. I'm also not proposing that this is how everybody should think. I'm saying that this is my opinion and sometimes the floodgates that hold my opinions in bursts open. :)

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

For Daddy - May 2009

Dear Daddy,


7 months. Too long and it keeps getting longer. So long and yet when I allow my mind to "go there" I still feel the sudden urge to hurl. I guess that's one sure sign that you really love/miss someone - if you feel like you need to throw up when you think about them being gone.


A couple of weeks ago I had a breakdown while I laid in bed - it's been awhile since I've done that. That's progress, I suppose. It wasn't pretty, but it felt good to knock down the wall I've built up in my mind and let all the thoughts and realities temporarily flood in. But of course, I built the wall up again immediately after. It's my coping mechanism.


The strength it takes to keep that wall up is analogous to keeping a muscle constantly flexed. I guess, though, if that's what it takes to be able to soldier on, that is what I have to do.


I've recently enrolled in a creative travel writing course. Remember how I would spend hours in my bedroom writing things that you always wanted to read? Remember how I would rarely let you get your hands on any of it? Funny how that works. I have always been the most shy about showing my writing to my parents; the two people who surely would have been my biggest supporters.

The Ray Palmer Legacy Golf Tournament seems like it is going to go over very well. You were extremely lucky to have such devoted friends. Craig and I won't be able to make it home to the tournament. It is a little disappointing, yet at the same time I don't know if I would be able to go even if I was home. I love the idea and support it whole-heartedly, but it's too early for me. I'm not sure how I'd handle it. If I had to make a guess, I'd say not that well.

A couple weekends ago at Mark's wedding I saw a lot of the Palmers for the first time since... well... since. It was more emotional than I thought it would be. I look at them and all I see is you. I tried to keep it together and for the most part I did.

The school year is quickly winding down and pretty soon I'll be home again. My greatest fear is that there will be no escape from this harsh reality when I return. I'll have to face everything head-on. The hardest will be having to watch Mommy as she tries to adjust to her new life alone. Of course she won't really be alone, as we'll be there for her. But being there for her is different than being there with her, in the physical sense.

Daddy, you're the first thought I have in the morning and the last thought I have at night. I keep your picture right next to my bed and it constantly reminds me of the kind of Dad I had.

My next goal is to learn how to smile when I reflect on memories of you, rather than frown.

I love you so much and you are always remembered.

-Your baby girl XOXO



Saturday, May 09, 2009

Please vote!!!


Hello friends,

I've just entered a contest at www.justmeans.com . I'm a little late entering, so I need your help please!

The winner of the contest will be presented with the opportunity to volunteer in Thailand during the month of August. 

To enter, I wrote a short explanation to show why I think international volunteerism is so important in promoting cultural understanding.


***UPDATE: You may have to make an account, but it only takes a minute. Then I would ask you to do two things: Click on the "support it" button (number of votes matters!) and then leave a comment on my entry (comments also matter). So greatly appreciated! xo 

Merci!!


Thursday, May 07, 2009

No Second Chance???

Woke up to this comment on my "Second Chance" blog post:

Tourism Queensland said...

Hi Laura,

Unfortunately, Tourism Queensland is not offering a 2nd chance on The Best Job In The World.

@2nd_chance is not a TQ account and we are unsure of who own it, and what their intentions are.

Thanks for your continued interest in the campaign.

Wednesday, May 06, 2009

Much Ado About Australia

video