I'm So Random

Hello friends,

I have been spending a great of time thinking about 2011 and looking forward to 2012. I want to make sure that I am making myself a better, smarter, and stronger person. I have been talking with others, reading, thinking, and trying to plan my next steps in life.

Remember when I reflected on how my life has been brought to you by the letter C? http://catherinegoestofitnessridge.blogspot.com/2011/02/carpe-diem.html

Well, now I just realize that it is so random. Based on @steveinaSpeedo 's website and blog, here are the 100 randomnesses (I know that is not a word) of my life.

1. I can not play any musical instruments - totally tone deaf

2. If I owned a wiener dog, I would name him Relish

3. I was born at 10am

4. I was sent home from elementary school early once for starting a riot on the snow hill

5. I wear glasses and hate it, but do not qualify for laser eye surgery

6. I look and feel better with a tan

7. I am not a morning or night person, I am a 12:35pm person

8. I wish the world wasn't "scent free" because I would be covered in CoCo Chanel

9. I loved the show Beverley Hills 90201 for years and still do "knuckles" with Lennie when we hear the theme song.

10. Lennie will be upset with me for telling people that he watched 90210 and still does the knuckles thing

11. I am addicted to coffee

12. I love the color yellow

13. I love to get mail of any kind

14. I love the smell of Old Spice cologne

15. If I lived in the US I would totally be one of those extreme couponers

16. I am a momma and daddy's girl

17. Knitting is one of my favorite things to do

18. People do not believe that I can knit - see #17

19. I had the best grandmothers ever and a sweet grandpa

20. I take a bath everyday

21. I had skin cancer on my leg and now bathe in suntan lotion

22. I collect seltzer bottles, hat pins, perfume bottles and letter "Z"s

23. I love the smell of bonfires

24. I was suppose to be called Zoe or Lorna

25. I'm cheap

26. Video games bother me

27. I once ate (OK more than once) an XL pizza myself while watching the Biggest Loser

28. I hate everything having to do with snow

29. I get seasonal effectiveness disorder so I lay in the sun on the carpet in our family room Sunday afternoons in February

30. My mom got my ears pieced when I was 6 so that people would stop thinking I was a boy

31. I sucked at school because I am sure I had ADD

32. My dad spell checked my thesis for my M.Ed and it turned into a total rewrite. He says he really enjoyed helping me, I say, never give a grammar expert your thesis the week before it is due.

33. I spend a lot of time and money on my skin so that I will not look my age as I get older

34. I once won a chili cooking contest by using canned chili and adding a couple more veggies and spices

35. I always get my suitcase out 1 week ahead of a trip and start the packing process

36. I give everyone a nickname

37. Plane turbulence scares the crap out of me

38. Lake Louise is the beautiful site I have ever seen in person, I am hoping that Kenya 2014 beats it

39. Skiing sucks

40. I only have 9 toenails - lost one permanently after an accident at the mall where my foot got run over by a wheelchair

41. I having hearing and a sense of smell like the bionic woman

42. Motorcycles scare me as I saw too many accident photos when I was an insurance claims adjuster

43. I don't trust horses

44. ...or lazy people

45. ...or door to door sales people

46. Cancer has changed me

47. ...so has marriage

48. ...and becoming a teacher

49. People tell me they like my laugh

50. ...and that I sound exactly like my mom

51. ..but look exactly like my dad

52. I married a person who LOVES talking on the phone

53. I hate talking on the phone

54. I once found a $100 poker chip on a casino floor and spent it

55. People say that I am bold

56. ...because my fundamental purpose in life is to tell the truth

57. ...so, if you do not want to know, do not ask me

58. I am afraid to swim in the ocean

59. I went to school in Paris and never went up the Eiffel Tower

60. Every December I pay the bill of every person behind me at every drive thru

61. I suck at grocery shopping because I just buy whatever

62. When I am scared or upset I imagine myself sitting on the beach in Cuba when we visited there during spring break.

63. I get a lot of things done while brushing my teeth - big time multitasker

64. Speeding tickets - 2, traffic violations - 1, parking tickets - lots

65. Flannelet pajamas rule

66. I can't leave my house unless my kitchen is clean

67. I golfed 9 holes the morning of my wedding because my mom and I set a goal to be so organized that we could

68. Easter is my favourite holiday because of it being spring, having chocolate, and a 4 day weekend.

69. I have very little body hair - helped when the thyroid meds made the rest of it fall out.

70. I screw up every day

71. Being a baker would be my dream job

72. Slippers are my favourite footwear.

73. Swimming in Potash Lake, Ontario with my family are some of my favourite memories growing up

74. The smell of diesel fuel makes me sick and that is why I always feel nauseous on plane trips

75. I have never been to New York City

76. ...or California

77. ...or the Grand Canyon and I really want to!

78. My dad wrote me a letter every week that I lived in France and I still have them

79. I have never beaten Lennie at Checkers

80. ...or a thumb war but there is still time

81. Losing my thyroid has really sucked because of the side effects

82. Ricardo's Pizza in downtown London was the greatest pizza ever

83. If I am ever mad at you, take me out for dinner and you are forgiven

84. I need validation

85. Someone once said I was tenacious and I didn't know what it meant but I knew I liked being called it

86. I love the idea of social media - perfect for someone who wants to remain close with people without ever having to leave her house

87. I will run a 5:?? marathon

88. I have accomplished 1/2 the things on my bucket list

89. I never thought that I would be happily married

90. ...because I know I am "difficult"

91. ...not high maintenance, but complicated

92. I have never finished a Rubik's Cube

93. I will win a reality show one day

94. It takes me 37 minutes to get ready in the morning and it shows

95. Being a leader is hard work

96. ...and so is being a wife

97. ...and friend, but they are the greatest gifts I have been given

98. Our home gets a ton of magazine subscriptions

99. I hate surprises

100. I can't wait to see what the rest of my life brings

Making a Difference

On Friday, November 25, 2011 I had the privilege of participating as a medal bearer for the http://www.rickhansenrelay.com/en/ along with some amazing employees of the Thames Valley District School board.

25 years ago Rick Hansen wanted to make the world more accessible and inclusive and to find a cure for spinal cord injury. Inspired by a deep-seated belief that anything is possible, Rick's dream took shape in the form of the Man In Motion World Tour. For 26 months he and his team wheeled over 40,000 kilometres through 34 countries, raising awareness of the potential of people with disabilities. The completion of this epic Tour was a testament to willpower, physical prowess and the ability to lead a seemingly impossible campaign. It was the beginning of a lifelong and selfless journey to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

Through the Foundation that bears his name, more than $250 million has been raised to accelerate progress towards a cure for SCI, and a more accessible and inclusive world.

Twenty-five years to the date of his Man In Motion World Tour commencing its historic cross-Canada journey back to British Columbia, Canadian hero Rick Hansen wanted to continue his journey of making the world more accessible and inclusive with the announcement of the Rick Hansen 25th Anniversary Relay.

Beginning on August 24, 2011 in Cape Spear, Newfoundland and Labrador - the easternmost point in North America and approximately 15 kilometres south-east of St. John's - the 25th Anniversary Relay retraces the Canadian segment of the original Tour, but this time one man in motion is represented and celebrated by many in motion; engaging 7,000 participants from across Canada who have made their own difference in the lives of others.

In every province, Relay Medal-Bearers pass along the Rick Hansen Medal - produced by the Royal Canadian Mint, 

Focusing on engaging Canadians to take up the challenge and become catalysts for positive change, the Relay features Medal-Bearers who run, walk, wheel or bike and complete their segments through a variety of forms of movement for all abilities.

I had the honour of receiving the medal here in London at the Children's hospital and carried my segment until Wellington Road. Lennie, Lindsay, Jamie, Andrea and Carrie all walked with me during my time with the medal.  I was very choked up the entire time because I got passed the medal in the very hospital that told me I had cancer 10 month earlier.  What a feeling to be well and able to participate as a "difference maker"

My participation has me continually asking "if I am making a difference" I sure hope so.  In my role as teacher, friend, administrator and colleague, my hope is that by my actions of positivity, focus and hard work, that I am modelling for everyone that you can make a difference. 

Funny how the quote under my signature at work for 10 years was, "to the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world" - amazing how stuff eventually makes sense to you.

The Value of Paper?

In this world of recycling, reusing, and reducing, I have been reflecting on the value paper.  In particular, the value of a single piece of paper.

What is it's value?  Ask a mom that just received her new baby's birth certificate. Ask a new Canadian that just received their citizenship documents. Ask a teenager as they cash their first job's cheque. Ask a fire survivor as they hold their only remaining family photo.

Paper is only paper until you add value to it. Whether that value is the pleasure associated with a new family member, the safety of coming to a new country, the pride in completing a day's work or the emotions associated with photography.

Paper is just a piece of paper right? Paper is kind of like people.  Thick or thin, tall or short, rough, smooth or colorful, it is the imprint that they have left in our memories that makes them so valuable.

When I spoke at Ashley Oak PS' graduation a couple of years ago I advised the grads that the 8 1/2 x 11, vanilla in color, sheet with just a little writing on it should have immense value.  It means pride in their achievements, survival of grade 8, learning hurdles overcome and many wonderful memories.

Lots of pieces of paper have been in my hands over the years.  I remember receiving the tiny orange paper card of my Bronze Cross from the Life guarding Association of Canada along with it's patch.  It meant that I passed my certification and could get my first real job - life guarding at Kipps Lane pool. 

I remember my driver's license being handed to me by the MOT.  It meant freedom and trust. 

I remember signing my marriage licence & what it means to me, Len and my family. 

Last week, I received another invaluable piece of paper.  One that I really never dreamed of receiving.  It was just an email, but my name was on it.  It was an email that was able to tell everyone that I have worked hard, learned, grew, and completed a process.  The piece of paper helped define me, my role, and my abilities.  A piece of paper that I could celebrate my accomplishments with my colleagues, team and family.

It was my confirmation of being promoted to Principal for the Thames Valley District School Board. 

This is one sheet that will not be recycled, reduced but reused for a long time.  I will pull it out and look at it when I am feeling overwhelmed, unhappy, or stressed.  It will remind me of my work and why I do what I do and the people that have supported me along the way.