Looking back it has been a crazy year- It feels like only yesterday when I started the CreComm lifestyle with all of it's busyness. The amount of assignments, late nights, group projects were UNREAL! I thought it was a joke how people said CreComm would consume your life, but I shouldn't have laughed. lol
After countless hours of homework, InDesign projects, video making, outings to things I would never normally go to, I stand here today in shock and awe that it is all over for this year. And a head of me stares a blank slate called summer. Who knows what I'm going to fill all of my "free" time with. Who knows what will now consume my every waking moment.
Clearly I have a couple of things I've been looking into, but I wonder if it will live up to my current standard of busy. At the same time, it might be nice to have a different pace.
Either way- I know this much. Summer is exciting because there is a whole new list of things to do: like paint the house, work on some pinterest projects, get some great footage of my farm, do some photography for some lovely people about to be wedded, go for a run come fathers day, fine some good music to make into my summer soundtrack, maybe travel somewhere, or camp somewhere, maybe get in a bit of gardening, sewing, and sitting and relaxing by some source of water. Who knows... maybe I'll do none of that stuff on my list, or maybe all of it. I'm just in such shock, because I haven't had a summer like this since gr. 10. Every summer I have ever experienced consisted of me either living at camp, volunteering as a speaker, or filming in another country. Now I'm just left with a blank canvas and I'm not sure what I want the finished product to look like. Maybe I'll spend some time next week sittin in a Starbucks, pondering the meaning of summer- or maybe I'll just apply to work there and enjoy the sounds and smells of roasted coffee!!!
In the meantime I hope to keep on-top of this blogging thing- maybe post some of the cool things, projects, or whatever I do over the summer. And hopefully by the time fall kicks into gear I'll have great things to share, or at least a great tan to remember the four months "off" of CreComm... only to be right back into the swing of things- and even more exciting is that next year is CreComm: The PR edition!!! *(brace yourselves.... I know I certainly will be)
CreComm is a marathon. You don't run it like you're running a sprint- you run knowing that it is a journey with hills, valleys, and of course moments when you might hit the wall.
However, being in CreComm is not like a marathon in the fact that activity levels turn you more into a couch potato, not less. Since being in the program (and juggling work) I have had little time to do things like exercise (my own fault I know- but saddening non the less). That is why when there was an opportunity to get back into the a running routine I JUMPED at the chance. I, along with four others are entered into the Manitoba Marathon Relay. I'm excited because it gets me back in the running routine, and because I find I am a challenge driven kind of girl.
Believe it or not, the last time I ran with any amount of purpose was back in 2009 when I decided I was going to run the MB Marathon... all 26.2 miles of it! It was the first race I had ever entered and I was excited beyond belief to take on the mother of all challenges. I had been watching The Biggest Looser one day and figured if they can run a marathon- then I can run one. So I signed up. And clearly there was no backing out for me.
Weekends took on a whole new meaning- running 20 plus miles closer to the end of training. I remember people asking what I was up to on the weekend and I would tell them I was running to the perimeter and back. They looked at me with a shocked expression, probably because I live downtown and for some people driving that distance seems to be a task. I remember on my off days having "short runs" of 6-10 miles= ha! By the time the marathon came I was logging countless miles and drinking gallons of water.
Running the thing was a whole other matter- probably one of the craziest experience I have ever had in my life! When the gun went off - with Chariots of Fire playing- I ran for the first 10 miles without blinking. I was in a sea of people and just moving! I hit the "great divide" (the point where full marathoners and half marathoners split) I was still running off the initial adrenaline. But as I saw the "serious" being weeded out from the "sissies" it hit me that I had just been running the same pace that people running half the distance were running.... eeek. By mile 13 I my legs were in pain and all I could think was "If I had signed up for the half I would be done by now!" At mile 16, they said it was getting to hot and they were shutting down the course for anyone who hadn't made it past mile 14 (this was a nice kick in the pants to keep me movin!). At mile 20 with no bathroom in sight - I ended up running into a complete strangers house to use theirs= I'm forever indebted to them!!!! At mile 24 I don't even know if I was running anymore or just walking at a quickish pace. And when they called my name when I entered the stadium I nearly lost it when I realized I still had to run the track to get to my destination (the free popsicles, chocolate milk, and bagels! lol).
The next day I went to work (NEVER do I recommend going to work the next day) - and found my name in the list of finishers for the marathon. Goal completed!
But still sooo many more goals to accomplish- and if I can finish the marathon, I can certainly finish CreComm... and I an finish the 5.6 miles I'll be running this fathers day. *(secretly I'm hoping it will get me into the groove so I can run the marathon again... because like all good things= It's addictive! And one day checking off the Boston Marathon, or New York Marathon, or one in Hawaii would be a very COOL THING!)
However, being in CreComm is not like a marathon in the fact that activity levels turn you more into a couch potato, not less. Since being in the program (and juggling work) I have had little time to do things like exercise (my own fault I know- but saddening non the less). That is why when there was an opportunity to get back into the a running routine I JUMPED at the chance. I, along with four others are entered into the Manitoba Marathon Relay. I'm excited because it gets me back in the running routine, and because I find I am a challenge driven kind of girl.
Believe it or not, the last time I ran with any amount of purpose was back in 2009 when I decided I was going to run the MB Marathon... all 26.2 miles of it! It was the first race I had ever entered and I was excited beyond belief to take on the mother of all challenges. I had been watching The Biggest Looser one day and figured if they can run a marathon- then I can run one. So I signed up. And clearly there was no backing out for me.
Weekends took on a whole new meaning- running 20 plus miles closer to the end of training. I remember people asking what I was up to on the weekend and I would tell them I was running to the perimeter and back. They looked at me with a shocked expression, probably because I live downtown and for some people driving that distance seems to be a task. I remember on my off days having "short runs" of 6-10 miles= ha! By the time the marathon came I was logging countless miles and drinking gallons of water.
Running the thing was a whole other matter- probably one of the craziest experience I have ever had in my life! When the gun went off - with Chariots of Fire playing- I ran for the first 10 miles without blinking. I was in a sea of people and just moving! I hit the "great divide" (the point where full marathoners and half marathoners split) I was still running off the initial adrenaline. But as I saw the "serious" being weeded out from the "sissies" it hit me that I had just been running the same pace that people running half the distance were running.... eeek. By mile 13 I my legs were in pain and all I could think was "If I had signed up for the half I would be done by now!" At mile 16, they said it was getting to hot and they were shutting down the course for anyone who hadn't made it past mile 14 (this was a nice kick in the pants to keep me movin!). At mile 20 with no bathroom in sight - I ended up running into a complete strangers house to use theirs= I'm forever indebted to them!!!! At mile 24 I don't even know if I was running anymore or just walking at a quickish pace. And when they called my name when I entered the stadium I nearly lost it when I realized I still had to run the track to get to my destination (the free popsicles, chocolate milk, and bagels! lol).
The next day I went to work (NEVER do I recommend going to work the next day) - and found my name in the list of finishers for the marathon. Goal completed!
But still sooo many more goals to accomplish- and if I can finish the marathon, I can certainly finish CreComm... and I an finish the 5.6 miles I'll be running this fathers day. *(secretly I'm hoping it will get me into the groove so I can run the marathon again... because like all good things= It's addictive! And one day checking off the Boston Marathon, or New York Marathon, or one in Hawaii would be a very COOL THING!)
*SPOILER ALERT- this is an assignment for a play I went to! Continue reading if you so choose.
It was a good thing that I showed up early to the Crocus building last week Wednesday to see the play Dionysus in Stony Mountain. Instead of only walking to the second floor to find the Rachel Browne Theatre, I may have run up to the sixth floor instead. With the sixth floor on lock down- I walked down to the second floor where I found the stage ready and waiting for the two act play that was about to begin.
Dionysus in Stony Mountain is centered on three characters played by two actors (Sarah Constible and Ross McMillan). Themes of mental illness, slave morality, rehabilitation, religion, the death of religion, run throughout the two 55 minute acts. With the first act focusing on James (a Mennonite inmate at Stony Mountain) and his psychiatrist Heidi. James is nearing his parole date, but has decided to stop taking lithium for his mental illness. Increasingly James is becoming philosophical, discussing the philosophies of slave morality, but is also becoming more unstable and agitated. Heidi, conserned that he won't be able to be leave Stony if he stops taking his medicaiton, convinces him to continue with treatment in exchange for her quitting her job (a job she has never loved). The bond between James and Heidi is evident, but you soon realized Heidi has crossed the line making such a deal with James. And in act two you see the repercussions of it.
The second act followed Heidi's story, as James had committed suicide. Heidi is left picking up the pieces of her own life, feeling like she is unable to help anyone. Her uncle comes for a visit (played also by Ross), and they discuss why she has chosen to leave her job, what she is to do next, and how her own mental instability has affected the situation.
Throughout the entire play I found myself drifting in and out of the dialogue. It was filled with intense content that I feel I would have to pick a part piece at a time and not just ingest in two 55 minute seating. I was also distracted by the accents (Ross' interpretation of a Mennonite that sounded more Irish, and Sarah trying to sound Jewish Mennonite), as well as the stage direction of Heidi not knowing how to re-insulate her house. She spent much of the second act measuring out the same pieces of insulation for interior walls, which typically don't need insulation at all. I also spent a lot of time wondering who Dionysus was... and was left at the end of the play with the question - Why was He in Stony Mountain?
Overall, I would say it was a good play for an audience that wasn't me. I think the audience that was in attendance (and paid full price of $25 for the ticket) was very interested in the play and what it had to offer. I on the other hand had paid $10, and am still trying to figure out what I spent the money on.
It was a good thing that I showed up early to the Crocus building last week Wednesday to see the play Dionysus in Stony Mountain. Instead of only walking to the second floor to find the Rachel Browne Theatre, I may have run up to the sixth floor instead. With the sixth floor on lock down- I walked down to the second floor where I found the stage ready and waiting for the two act play that was about to begin.
Dionysus in Stony Mountain is centered on three characters played by two actors (Sarah Constible and Ross McMillan). Themes of mental illness, slave morality, rehabilitation, religion, the death of religion, run throughout the two 55 minute acts. With the first act focusing on James (a Mennonite inmate at Stony Mountain) and his psychiatrist Heidi. James is nearing his parole date, but has decided to stop taking lithium for his mental illness. Increasingly James is becoming philosophical, discussing the philosophies of slave morality, but is also becoming more unstable and agitated. Heidi, conserned that he won't be able to be leave Stony if he stops taking his medicaiton, convinces him to continue with treatment in exchange for her quitting her job (a job she has never loved). The bond between James and Heidi is evident, but you soon realized Heidi has crossed the line making such a deal with James. And in act two you see the repercussions of it.
The second act followed Heidi's story, as James had committed suicide. Heidi is left picking up the pieces of her own life, feeling like she is unable to help anyone. Her uncle comes for a visit (played also by Ross), and they discuss why she has chosen to leave her job, what she is to do next, and how her own mental instability has affected the situation.
Throughout the entire play I found myself drifting in and out of the dialogue. It was filled with intense content that I feel I would have to pick a part piece at a time and not just ingest in two 55 minute seating. I was also distracted by the accents (Ross' interpretation of a Mennonite that sounded more Irish, and Sarah trying to sound Jewish Mennonite), as well as the stage direction of Heidi not knowing how to re-insulate her house. She spent much of the second act measuring out the same pieces of insulation for interior walls, which typically don't need insulation at all. I also spent a lot of time wondering who Dionysus was... and was left at the end of the play with the question - Why was He in Stony Mountain?
Overall, I would say it was a good play for an audience that wasn't me. I think the audience that was in attendance (and paid full price of $25 for the ticket) was very interested in the play and what it had to offer. I on the other hand had paid $10, and am still trying to figure out what I spent the money on.
Things I get to do in CreComm... making videos over the long weekend!
Special thanks and congrats to Sarah and Stephen- the starts of this video who are gettin married in Aug.
And to Starbucks- for providing the caffeine to get me through this!
Special thanks and congrats to Sarah and Stephen- the starts of this video who are gettin married in Aug.
And to Starbucks- for providing the caffeine to get me through this!
*A story of my trip to Winkler Manitoba
Driving to Winkler is like driving home. The hour and a half car ride flies by as the mile roads mark the journey away from Winnipeg. For many, the moment you breach the perimeter of the big city is the moment civilization is lost. But for some, venturing into the country brings the opportunity to slow down and feel like you belong.
When you walk the streets of Winkler people stop to smile or wave, and instead of 7-Elevens on every corner you encounter churches. If you stop by the public library you can discover the history of Winkler from talking to a librarians rather then picking up a book. And after chatting they include some of the current main attractions of this growing city of over 10,000.
On this particular Saturday afternoon two teams take to the ice at the Winkler Arena. Both are dressed in the hometown hockey jersey of the Winkler Flyers. In light jerseys are the current Winkler Flyers team, and in dark jerseys are the 1991-92 Winkler Flyers team, who are about to be inducted into the Flyers Hall of Fame.
“They are having a scrimmage game today to give fans a chance to see their old heroes on the ice one last time,” says Matthew Friesen, Director of Communications for the Winkler Flyers, (who let me take photos from behind the bench).
“People who can’t afford the $100 on the Jets game come here and spend $10,” Friesen says, who moved to Winkler for his job and stayed because he loves raising his family here.
“It’s a good place to live because really, you have everything you want here without a lot of the problems of a bigger centre. And Jonny’s Java is cool,” Friesen says.
The mecca for coffee lovers in town, Jonny’s Java, is located at 555 South Railway. The large sliver cube building holds both Jonny’s and Co-op Electronics. Upon the giant chandelier, concrete counter tops, and bright red coffee mugs make you feel like you’ve entered something reserved for coffee connoisseurs instead of a country coffee shop.
“When this one first opened and people walked in they would be like ‘I don’t feel like am I'm in Winkler anymore. I love it!’” says Megan Hiebert, a barista at Jonny’s. “It feels like you are in an actual city or something.”
But Jonny’s isn’t for coffee snobs. Instead there are those who come on coffee breaks by day, younger crowd at night and families that pop in for their fruit smoothies. Prices range from $1.50 for an espresso, to $4.95 for a large smoothie, and there are a variety of fresh baked goods. Their hours are impressive; open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on during the week, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday.
“We want to provide a great drink but we want to make and create friendships here,” Hiebert says. A slogan the whole town seems to be embracing.
For more information on Winkler, the Winkler flyers, or Jonny’s Java check out
www.cityofwinkler.ca
www.winklerflyers.com
www.jonnysjava.com
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