The Time Keeper

(Quote from The Time Keeper)

I always enjoy reading Mitch Albom's books. "The Time Keeper" is another must-read. At first, it started out slow for me, while I tried to find my footing in the story. Obviously, it is about time or the lack thereof or it being not enough. To fully appreciate what I'm trying to say here, you better read the book and see for yourself.

I'm not sure if it's a coincidence or not, but the story affected me in some ways. I have always been particular about time, that sometimes, I fail to take part in what is happening around me, because I'm so wrap up about  the time ticking by or whether I'm being productive or not. I prided myself on always showing up on time, except if there are unforeseen events that I can't do anything about.

"With endless time, nothing is special. With no loss or sacrifice, we can't appreciate what we have." - ( from The Time Keeper )

After moving to Canada, I find that time just go by so fast. Whenever I go and see my sister, we both complained about there's not enough time, especially when we're having fun. But then, we know it's all part of being here. We make the best of whatever limited time we have and look forward to the next visit. So now, I don't nag her as much as I used to, when it takes her, like forever, to comb her hair or whatever she does with it. And I stop thinking of myself as being the aggrieved party, just because she takes her sweet time.

Reading the book made me realize that I need to step back a bit and enjoy each moment. Never mind that the clock is ticking nearby. ( Seriously, I can hear the second hand of my watch, counting down each minute. )

Time is something that  is outside my control. What matters is what I do with what I have. I learn to "stop and smell the roses" once in a while. And I find that, sometimes "doing nothing" is not such a bad thing after all.

Not another "shameless plug"

Birthdays are always fun. I mean, to me it is. While some people would dread the fact that they turn a year older every time their birthdays come up, I welcome mine, with anticipation and excitement ( for what, I have no idea. ) Of course, it helps that I think my birthday is special and in some ways, I am too. And that's how my "shameless plugging" came about. I have this crazy idea that since it's my birthday, then I'm entitled to "beg" and get "special" things. ( Hence, a crazy idea, I know. )

Since, I started this shameful thing on my blog, I can say that, so far, it worked. Proof of that? Three years ago, on my 33rd birthday, I get to blow the candles on my first ever birthday cake and make a wish. It was fun. I think about that day with fond memories. ( And did I mention, that I got drunk too? Anyway, I can't remember. ) My friends were cool and indulgent so it worked out alright. I get to have my cake and eat it too. :-)

Come November, I'll be turning a year older. I won't be doing anything extraordinary on that day but perhaps, go for a short run if I can. From where I'm at right now, it usually rains or snows at that time. Awhile ago, I told my sister that we should do something fun and crazy on our birthday. ( It so happened that we were born in the same month but just on different dates. ) When I said 'something fun and crazy', I meant --- Zip Line. She exclaimed, no way. She's not really into physical stuff ( although she goes to the gym and all ) unless it involves putting on make-up or wearing high heels.

I'm not one to waste time when there's no reason to. Not, if I can't help it. I know my birthday won't be for another month or so, but I'm thinking, why not put it out there, early on. Pretty soon, November will be here. So I'm inspired to write another 'shameless plug' for this year. And I'm constantly dropping hints for my sister to figure it out, hopefully. Like one day, when I was in Nanaimo, I forced her to come to Chapters. At first, she balked at my suggestion to go inside the store, saying that she'd burst into flames once inside. ( She doesn't like books and hate the smell of coffee.) But I sweet-talk her into going and she had to make it up to me, for being late. So, we found ourselves walking around and in between shelves of books. I was in cloud nine but my sister looked like, she'd rather be somewhere else. I dragged her to a shelf where Moleskine journals and notebooks were neatly piled. She was like, "And you're showing me this, why?" I went on to say something about giving her an idea of what to get me for my birthday. She just rolled her eyes and walked away. I'm not sure if she get what I mean.

So, here goes my list....

I put a request for this at the library but I want my own copy so I can add it to my collection. ( Photo from amazon.co.uk )

I first get to try this one, I think, last year. Thought it be nice to use for my notes, although my phone's MemoPad works fine too. ( Photo from uncrate.com )

Moleskine journals or notebooks, so I can do more of this.:-)

I think, my list is not that long and perhaps, you can hardly call it a list. I get a kick from doing this post. It doesn't matter if nothing will come out of it. The whole point is I get to be "shameless" for a few weeks. And also, for me to find out if my sister reads my blog.

I wish I can say that I'm anxious about getting older or about how old I am, but I'm not. Age is just a number anyway. And  some think I don't look my age. It is always to my sister's chagrin, whenever we hang out, when her friends mistake me for her younger sister, instead of the other way around. One time, when I went to a pub with a couple of friends, I was asked for some identification. I was embarrassed and alarmed, thinking I did something wrong. My friend assured the person-in-charge that I'm old enough to be in the premises. Later on, she told me that it was a compliment - to be asked for my ID. I didn't know what to say.

Before I think of something else to add to my list, I'd better stop blabbering about what I want for my birthday. And really, it's no big deal if I don't get anything. I have far more important things to hope for....

• Good health for my family and friends. And myself too. ( I have another goal: run another marathon before I reach 40 )
• The means and willingness to provide for my family. ( Hopefully, they appreciate it.)
• To always "Be satisfied. Be grateful."
• To "don't sweat the small stuff."
• And to be able to run, for longer.

"Whatever with the past has gone, the best is always yet to come." Lucy Larcom

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

"For each new morning with its light,

For rest and shelter of the night,

For health and food, for love and friends,

For everything Thy goodness sends."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

I'm not going to expound at great length about the history behind Thanksgiving. If you're curious enough, you can look it up ( like, Google it ) on the Internet. I come across this annual event, from books I've read and movies I've watched. Little did I know that I get to experience it first-hand. There's really nothing extraordinary about it, other than to give thanks, I suppose. Families usually have get-together ( of course, if respective schedules permits ). Turkey dinner and all the trimmings are there. Then there's also this thing, about it being a holiday, which means a long weekend, for those who works from Mondays to Fridays.

After living here in Canada for the past two years, I realized that when you're grateful, it is easier to be generous and look at the brighter side of things. I'm not saying that this realization happen overnight. I continually work at it everyday. Sometimes, when things are downright tough, you need enough resolve to still be thankful, no matter what.

"No matter how easy or hard our current conditions, we all have a wealth of simple blessings around us - waiting to be counted. As we do, our happiness grows. Our gratitude expands. And each day becomes a breath-taking gift." ( from The Secret Letters of the Monk who sold his Ferrari )

I'm THANKFUL  for...

EACH SINGLE DAY. The fact that I still hear my alarm go off every morning is reason enough to be grateful. Otherwise, everything doesn't matter.

My FAMILY back home. Sometimes, it can be exasperating and frustrating to deal with them. But then, "You don't love your family  because they're kind and considerate. You love them because they're your family." ( from Fall of Giants )

The FRIENDS I have and will have in the future. I'm at the point in my life, where a friend does not necessarily mean someone I hang out with everyday and do stuff, rather, someone whom I'm sure will have my back ( and vice versa ).

BOOKS and the love for READING.Without them, my life is incomplete.

RUNNING. It has help me become a better person. Not to mention, giving me that extra jolt of "runner's high".

For my WORK and the PEOPLE I've come to know ( and even live with ) through it. I've been blessed to be well-taken care of, that sometimes, I thought I'm being spoiled. :-)

HIM. For allowing me to be here and live life. 

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

Things that make me go "Hmmm...life is good."

I was inspired to come up with this post from something I read in the paper. ( Well, it was actually from Wonderword.) I remember someone telling me, that when you get older, you start to notice the simple and ordinary things around you. I found that to be true.

It occurs to me, how sometimes, life unfolds in ways I don't expect. Whenever I think, everything is going smoothly, somehow, something always goes wrong. Plans don't turn out the way I want them to be. Being away from home have taught me a few things about how to go about life. I'm now more appreciative about what each new day is presented to me, no matter what the circumstances are.

I just love to watch this every morning, while I do the crossword and enjoy my coffee. Life is....:-)

 I decided I'd make a list of things that reminds life will always be worth it. And thought I'd share them with you. ( That is, if you even read my blog. )

• The smell of coffee and coffee itself. 
• The delicious aroma that wafts around the house when something is baking in the oven or cooking on the stove. ( And just to let you know, I'm not doing the cooking.)
• Running 
• The clear, blue sky
• Talk to my sister in our dialect.

Hanging out with my sister is always fun. ( No matter how short the time is. )

• Music
• Whenever I figure out a word in the crossword puzzle 
• A good book
• Cup of tea
• Driving the truck with the music on.
• The warmth and comfort of my bed.
• The feeling of "I just died and gone to heaven..." ( this usually happens whenever I'm served with a delicious meal, which is quite often )

I "love" coffee. Let me not count the ways.

• My phone calls to my folks back home.
• The early morning, particularly that part, when the sun rises and treetops are dappled with sunlight.
• Where I'm at now, I'm fortunate to be with people who are nice to me and treat me as part of their family.

So, there goes my list. It's not much, I know. But in some ways, they make me happy....:-)