i just finished printing off all my travel documents - not an easy task since no matter where i go or what computer i use i seem to experience techinicall difficulties. either the machines i am using are crap or i my current lack of routine and office space has caused me to be more sensitive to malfunctions! whatever that case, it seems to take me way to too long to complete simple tasks such as print of an itinerary or reserve pick up at the airport! now i must turn to another task that is not my favorite thing to do: pack.
i love to organize spaces, cupboards, closets etc... but packing is a whole other ball game. i am not only organzing a suitcase filled with clothing, footwear and other necessary items, but i have to decide on what clothes i want to oraginze. this especially diffult because i am packing for a trip that until 2 weeks ago i wasn't even sure i would be going on, and i did not bring anything from home in nb (summery stuff) that would be ideal for the climate of las vegas. i realized last night i don't even have any cute spring/summer footwear with me! vegas is the perfect place for me to show off my cute teal and gold ballet flats! poop.
maybe i should have a snuggle with a nephew max before i try to pack. his little face can brighten any day. and since there is only one more sleep before i head to las vegas for wppi 2011, and have my world turned upside down by this incredible opportunity, there is no time to procrastinate.
Friday, February 18, 2011
visiting aunty caroline and watching people
my dad and i paid a visit to my aunty caroline today. she lives in a care facility and when we arrived she was just sitting down to lunch along with the other residents on her floor. as took this time to people watch, something i find myself doing more and more, even though i always tease my mom for doing this, saying it's weird or rude... but i just can't help but observing people, their behaviors and wondering what they must be thinking, or how they feel. if people watched me and thought the same thing "i wonder what she's thinking about?" this is what they would have found...
what would happen if more people gave themselves the opportunity to pursue their passions? what would happen if more people worked in a profession because they really loved what they do, rather than because it pays decently? more so, what if people worked in professions they loved and were really good at?
i was watching the nurses and care staff as they interacted with the elderly and disabled persons living in the care home. it was, in a way, like watching babysitters interacting with children. "mr. r, you have to eat your salad;" "another drink of your juice mrs. a and then i'll take you to your room." at one point a care aid, noticing something on a patients neck, pushed his head back to examine her patient further. i was quick to judge her as being rough and felt compassion for the man. how must it feel to be handled so... un-tenderly when one is so fragile. does this woman love her job? would things be different if she did?
i thought about an acquaintance who just landed a job as a companion for a young disabled girl. she was hired having no experience or training yet a great personality and a lot of compassion. she's going to be good at her job. she is a natural nurturer and really loves working with people. i also thought about my friend britney who lives and works at the l'arche community in saint john nb. she oozes compassion, tenderness, joy and servitude.
so, what would the world be like if everyone could work in a profession because they loved it and were good at it. what if the paycheque was not the motivation? i know this is not realistic. we are a culture dependent upon more money than we actually need and many who do work for love and not for money are impoverish and considered failures in some regards. but what if? would we be a happier nation? would there be less physical poverty? would the most vulnerable be cared forby their family and their community rather than be considered a burden? would our perceptions of success be less dependent upon money and achievements and more dependent on happiness, freedom from oppression and knowing that everyone has enough?
i should visit aunty caroline more often... maybe i would solve the world's problems by people watching!
what would happen if more people gave themselves the opportunity to pursue their passions? what would happen if more people worked in a profession because they really loved what they do, rather than because it pays decently? more so, what if people worked in professions they loved and were really good at?
i was watching the nurses and care staff as they interacted with the elderly and disabled persons living in the care home. it was, in a way, like watching babysitters interacting with children. "mr. r, you have to eat your salad;" "another drink of your juice mrs. a and then i'll take you to your room." at one point a care aid, noticing something on a patients neck, pushed his head back to examine her patient further. i was quick to judge her as being rough and felt compassion for the man. how must it feel to be handled so... un-tenderly when one is so fragile. does this woman love her job? would things be different if she did?
i thought about an acquaintance who just landed a job as a companion for a young disabled girl. she was hired having no experience or training yet a great personality and a lot of compassion. she's going to be good at her job. she is a natural nurturer and really loves working with people. i also thought about my friend britney who lives and works at the l'arche community in saint john nb. she oozes compassion, tenderness, joy and servitude.
so, what would the world be like if everyone could work in a profession because they loved it and were good at it. what if the paycheque was not the motivation? i know this is not realistic. we are a culture dependent upon more money than we actually need and many who do work for love and not for money are impoverish and considered failures in some regards. but what if? would we be a happier nation? would there be less physical poverty? would the most vulnerable be cared forby their family and their community rather than be considered a burden? would our perceptions of success be less dependent upon money and achievements and more dependent on happiness, freedom from oppression and knowing that everyone has enough?
i should visit aunty caroline more often... maybe i would solve the world's problems by people watching!
Thursday, February 17, 2011
whistler portraits: dennis and maureen
one of the things i really wanted to do while home in bc was to drive up to whistler to walk around the village and take photos. i dragged my parents along with me and made them the subject of my photos whilst capturing some of the charm of whistler village. dad was a little grumbly but i'm used to it and used my persuasive ways to coax some smiles out of him... and even managed to get some public displays of affection between him and my mom!
sine it was valentine's day we went to dinner in deep cove (north vancouver) on our way home from out afternoon excursion and i took the opportunity to question my mom about romance in the early parts of my parents relationship. apparently it never existed! my father is too practical for that... and that is good thing because when my mom was a young woman when a guy was being all sentimental and romantic she got the impression that the guy wanted something from her... uh. and here i thought the romance was lost but it's always been the way they both wanted it! wow, who else can say that their relationship has remained the same for 39 years!
sine it was valentine's day we went to dinner in deep cove (north vancouver) on our way home from out afternoon excursion and i took the opportunity to question my mom about romance in the early parts of my parents relationship. apparently it never existed! my father is too practical for that... and that is good thing because when my mom was a young woman when a guy was being all sentimental and romantic she got the impression that the guy wanted something from her... uh. and here i thought the romance was lost but it's always been the way they both wanted it! wow, who else can say that their relationship has remained the same for 39 years!
belcarra village portraits: marshall, kristina and max
he is here!! maxwell robert pringle. my first ever nephew and first baby for my brother marshall and his wife kristina!! max took his time making his debut but the snuggles and cuddles and countless diapers marshall and kristina have been enjoying these past 4 weeks!
i was over at their house the day they came home from the hospital and i still laugh when i think about watching these brand new parents adjust to their new role. at one point, when max wouldn't settle and fall asleep they both stood in the doorway of their kitchen discussing their options. the conversation went something like thie:
marshall: what do you want to do?
kristina: i dunno, what do you want to do?
marshall: is he hungry?
kristina: he shouldn't be, but maybe he didn't get enough... how am i supposed to tell if he's getting enough?
marshall: i dunno?
kristina: should we give him a bath?
marshall: i dunno... do you know how?
kristina: yeah, they showed us in the hospital.
bah!! how great! i love witnessing this kind of stuff... it is so wonderfully human!
it was a great honor to photograph the new family last week! and as i was sorting through the images and choosing my favorites, making minor adjustments here and there, i wanted to jump into my car and go over to marsh and kristina's place to i could have some aunty shannon and max snuggle time!!
i was over at their house the day they came home from the hospital and i still laugh when i think about watching these brand new parents adjust to their new role. at one point, when max wouldn't settle and fall asleep they both stood in the doorway of their kitchen discussing their options. the conversation went something like thie:
marshall: what do you want to do?
kristina: i dunno, what do you want to do?
marshall: is he hungry?
kristina: he shouldn't be, but maybe he didn't get enough... how am i supposed to tell if he's getting enough?
marshall: i dunno?
kristina: should we give him a bath?
marshall: i dunno... do you know how?
kristina: yeah, they showed us in the hospital.
bah!! how great! i love witnessing this kind of stuff... it is so wonderfully human!
it was a great honor to photograph the new family last week! and as i was sorting through the images and choosing my favorites, making minor adjustments here and there, i wanted to jump into my car and go over to marsh and kristina's place to i could have some aunty shannon and max snuggle time!!
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| photo cred: kristina! |
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