Work

I am working full time in social services. I work Monday to Friday during the days. This is the first time in my entire life that I've not had to work weekends or evenings. I am digging it.

The end of semester one is quickly approaching and I feel good. I'm on top of my assignments and have been performing excellently thus far! I didn't always feel this way about school, though. We'll travel back in time to see me stress about registration.

The final update

Copied from a mass email I have been producing regularily.

Transition: Passage from one form, state, style, or place to another. My time in L'Arche is nearing an end, though I find that it hasn't really 'hit' me yet. Nor do the memories of arriving to Winnipeg on April 25 come readily, either. It's a strange feeling, knowing that I'm in denial. University begins on September 6. Orientation begins on September 4. I'm moving into residence on September 1. My last day in L'Arche is August 31. It's 11:30 PM on August 26 and I'm completely 'set up' for university. My student loans have come through. I'm admitted into residence and have a meal plan. All my courses have been selected. I have a book list.

All this is simply incredible since I didn't even know what the word ' faculty' meant in January. I'm thrilled to say that I've had excellent guidance along the way, and a huge thank you goes out to you-know-who and you and you and you, etcetera.

In the past four months I have accomplished all the things, the reasons, why I chose to leave Ontario 4 months before school began in the first place. I've met new people and made new friends, good friends that I adore and have had many good times with. I've traversed across the city and found places and things that I like, while also realizing that there's so much more of this city to explore. I've also visited the University of Manitoba campus many times and feel quite comfortable when it comes to orienteering myself towards buildings and student services available. I'm nearly 25 and couldn't imagine plopping myself into a sea of 18 year old first year students, and then attempting to figure all this out. It would be impossible. I'd have a nervous breakdown. Not seriously, but my arthritis would likely kill me.

And I feel blessed to find that there is lots more I've accomplished since I arrived 4 months ago. God, only 4 months? I've been on the 6 o'clock news. Learned how to plant a garden and harvest it. Learned how to cook delicious meals. Stood in awe under the prairie sky an watched a distant thunderstorm flash beyond my peripherals. Learned how to dance. I've even gotten another high paying part time job at the U of M BookStore as a sexy cashier (which I totally love).

I'm pretty sure that I'll be looking forward to what lies ahead once I can accept that there is something beyond this.

Feel free to visit my blog regularly, again, since I was limited in what I could post in my current job. This message should also mark the end of my mass updates, of which many people have told me were absurdly long. I thank you for your honesty and end this here.

Prosperity and favor upon you all!

Michael

P.S. Do you think you have what it takes to live in L'Arche? We need committed, imperfect people just like you! Visit http://larchewinnipeg.org/

Assiniboine Zoo

Assiniboine Zoo
Originally uploaded by mojospet.

I wish that I had something profound and funny to tell you now that I've sat before this computer and am updating my audience. But I don't really.

I'm content with life in my new home, in this new city.

My computer was having some overheating issues and so I brought it to the shop to get repaired under warrenty. I won't have it until approx. Thursday of this week. I accidentally left my flash card in my computer as well, so I can't even take photos or video footage while it's gone.

My right hand is inflamed at the moment. This always happens to me when I move or start a new job. In this case, I've done both, so I'm not surprised that my arthritis is flaring up.

I went to the Zoo today. The weather here is perfect. If you're ever going to visit Winnipeg, you should do it at the end of April or the beginning of May. Everyone has a healthy tan and most people walk around with their shirts off. The temperature is a balmy 21 C, but the sun is nice and warm. It's really the perfect mixture of natural elements.

I hope that some of you will email and let me know how you are doing.

Exciting Planning

Click to play

A lack of adventure compounded by deficient blog posts compels me to vlog.

Formats available: Windows Media (.wmv)

The next dozen

My friend, Lawrence, is helping me find my way in life. He recently gave me a creative homework assignment; Storyboard out the next 12 years. I thought it would be a breeze, but it turned out to be quite difficult. Hindered not only by my lack of drawing capabilities, I drew a mental blank as well for the greater part of the entire experiment. I did come away from this project with the understanding that I need to think more about my future.

Below are the storyboards. They didn't exactly turn out chronologically, like a real storyboard would. I drew whatever came to mind, whenever SOMETHING would come to mind. Some are fanciful wishes, others realistic goals. Others...well let's just say that I was using a green Crayola Twistable and they aren't erasable.

Visit back in a few days, I will have an important question to ask YOU, my knowledgeable viewers.


And there's more!

Update: October 2006

Click To Play

I've been digitally different the past while, some of you might have noticed. The month of October can do that to you. It sure did it to me. Autumn colours, awful viruses and altered surroundings abound.

Here's an update of October 2006. Where I'm at, recent decisions, excuses and a tour!

See Vous Play is on it's way, I promise. That's explained in the update.

P.S. When I say "I've started typing," I meant 'typewriting'. You know, with a typewriter!