Excited to return to continue off where I left off a year ago.
What a rare opportunity to return to Northern Spain to complete what I promised myself to do: celebrate san fermin in Pamplona (PARRRRTY!!), learn more Spanish (si si, muy bueno!) and the cherry on the cake: do a route of the Camino de Santiago.
John asked if I plan to do the running of the bulls.. he warned that a few foreigners always get injured or killed because they simply don't know how to navigate the course like the locals. My reply? Hell yes I will. You only get to live once! I survived cliff diving into the Atlantic last summer, I can handle a crowd and some angry bulls. Just don't fall or be the last one!
Unlike last summer, the University de La Rioja will assess our Spanish language proficiency in person instead of an online portal. Time to brush up on common phrases and common greetings while on the flight. Dos cervazas por fovor will only get me so far... I look forward to improving my listening and conversational Spanish. I feel I can read it well enough as it is similar to English on paper, just the grammar is backwards. Excited and nervous to take the test, tests are always unnerving!
After the four week course at UR, I plan on following the Northern route (800km) along the North coast of Spain for the camino. However, the option exists to simply do the French route since I will be based in Logorno. The final decision will be left up in the air for now, however I will prepare for the 800km journey because I love the ocean and the quiet sea side towns and hamlets that dot the Spanish north coast. Perhaps I will try surfing again in Zarrutz!
This is going to be another life changing summer! Thank you Centennial GEO office! I will represent our college and not do anything I wouldn't do at home. Go Canada in the Pam Am games!
JY
Sunday, June 21, 2015
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Hamlet in me.
Faced with difficult choices? Not really, in a sense. But still, it's something I want. Should I go for it or let it play out on it's own? If anything, past experience has taught me to let it go it's natural ways. Yet the "carpe diem" in me says gogogo. Ahhh, the heck. Atleast I'm not stressed about it haha, lets just keep calm and relax. School first, everything else is second.
Now, to practice some Spanish phrases.
Hoy est Sabado. I think? Time to review the days of the week >.<
Playing "My Spanish Coach" has taught me some words but they're usless if I don't practice and use them daily!
Like today, it's mucho hot!.. fresco is cold... what's hot? I don't remember the Spanish word for hot... aiya. Currently sweating buckets at work... the heat is turned on and it's 21+ outside.
Mama mia! As Melissa would say. Ah, Toastmasters, they're such a wonderful group of people. I look forward to every Wednesday night to attend my TM club meetings. I've been asked to run for VP of Public Relations. That sounds like fun and would train some social media skills simply by neccessity. Perhaps it's time to use my twitter account that I've never used ever.
That means no softball this season with the guys. Sam has chosen Wednesday nights again to accomodate everyone... except me, oh well. I will go cheer them on if their games go past 9:30pm! or start before 6pm.
School, now it's math, English is finished and I ended up with a 80% grade. I know I could of gotten higher, but I slacked off too much at the start and got burned by a few Hamlet quizes and tests. My fault. Lesson learned... will it be repeated for Math? I swear by my change jar... no. Although that did get stolen by the asshats that broke into my house.
House, alarm system operational. That's returned life to somewhat of normal. I don't know what everyone else's normal life is. But my dysfunctional family is functioning again at it's own dysfunctional way :).
Applied to Centenniel for the fall. Three (3) courses, all with co-op during the summer. All deal with electronics and energey matters. It's a start, taking Tracy's advice, go for the money first, chase your dream on your own time. My dream is still to make video games, but with EA laying off it's staff yesterday, there's just that many more competitors. I wno't let that stop me, but will nurture my ideas and write my own world on my spare time.
Spare time, it's plentiful yet not. Good thing this math teacher talks and talks and talks and simply repeats the examples of the book. I end up finishing all the homework questions in class. Still should study to solidify the knowledge and formulas. Going to do that on Monday. There's a quiz and test this up coming week. Will be diciplined and study!!
Next random thought... damn it's hot atm... mucho mucho not fresco! It looks like it will rain... which is ahh, forgot the Spanish word for rain also... Tiempo is weather. Time to review that section of "My Spanish Coach". Awesome program, glad I dug up my Nintendo DS. Also glad the asshats didn't take my DS.
Carpe Diem, going to get a tatto of that on my wrist, going to see it everyday and it'll remind me to live everyday to the fullest! Life is short as some say. But being around all these retirees at work. Life is too long, just now, two elderly men were just sitting here in the lobby. Not even chatting with me as most of them do. Which I enjoy, as they shared much of their wisdom with me. Oh well, they'll warm up to me eventually... Who doesn't? I'm awexome with an X!
Time to do some studying on formulas, ciao for now my brain.
Now, to practice some Spanish phrases.
Hoy est Sabado. I think? Time to review the days of the week >.<
Playing "My Spanish Coach" has taught me some words but they're usless if I don't practice and use them daily!
Like today, it's mucho hot!.. fresco is cold... what's hot? I don't remember the Spanish word for hot... aiya. Currently sweating buckets at work... the heat is turned on and it's 21+ outside.
Mama mia! As Melissa would say. Ah, Toastmasters, they're such a wonderful group of people. I look forward to every Wednesday night to attend my TM club meetings. I've been asked to run for VP of Public Relations. That sounds like fun and would train some social media skills simply by neccessity. Perhaps it's time to use my twitter account that I've never used ever.
That means no softball this season with the guys. Sam has chosen Wednesday nights again to accomodate everyone... except me, oh well. I will go cheer them on if their games go past 9:30pm! or start before 6pm.
School, now it's math, English is finished and I ended up with a 80% grade. I know I could of gotten higher, but I slacked off too much at the start and got burned by a few Hamlet quizes and tests. My fault. Lesson learned... will it be repeated for Math? I swear by my change jar... no. Although that did get stolen by the asshats that broke into my house.
House, alarm system operational. That's returned life to somewhat of normal. I don't know what everyone else's normal life is. But my dysfunctional family is functioning again at it's own dysfunctional way :).
Applied to Centenniel for the fall. Three (3) courses, all with co-op during the summer. All deal with electronics and energey matters. It's a start, taking Tracy's advice, go for the money first, chase your dream on your own time. My dream is still to make video games, but with EA laying off it's staff yesterday, there's just that many more competitors. I wno't let that stop me, but will nurture my ideas and write my own world on my spare time.
Spare time, it's plentiful yet not. Good thing this math teacher talks and talks and talks and simply repeats the examples of the book. I end up finishing all the homework questions in class. Still should study to solidify the knowledge and formulas. Going to do that on Monday. There's a quiz and test this up coming week. Will be diciplined and study!!
Next random thought... damn it's hot atm... mucho mucho not fresco! It looks like it will rain... which is ahh, forgot the Spanish word for rain also... Tiempo is weather. Time to review that section of "My Spanish Coach". Awesome program, glad I dug up my Nintendo DS. Also glad the asshats didn't take my DS.
Carpe Diem, going to get a tatto of that on my wrist, going to see it everyday and it'll remind me to live everyday to the fullest! Life is short as some say. But being around all these retirees at work. Life is too long, just now, two elderly men were just sitting here in the lobby. Not even chatting with me as most of them do. Which I enjoy, as they shared much of their wisdom with me. Oh well, they'll warm up to me eventually... Who doesn't? I'm awexome with an X!
Time to do some studying on formulas, ciao for now my brain.
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Petty Theft hurts!
So my family home got broken into while everyone was at work... brick through the window and a whole big mess for really chump change.. literally... They stole change from a jar... who fking does that? Stupid senseless destruction and disrespect for other people's time and property. Things are settling down now, time to get an alarm system as my parents don't like dogs. My friends and I both agree on a dog though but I don't want to bring home a pet if it's not going to be loved by everyone inside the house.
Been staying home all week and canceling evening plans to stay home with my mother, she's pretty shocked by the whole incident and doesn't feel safe yet. I just changed the front door lock to give her piece of mind... she somehow thinks whoever broke in had time and the plan to wax copy our house key... Which to me is absurd. But just in case.
On happier notes, school is blazing by and it's a lot of fun. We're finishing off Hamlet now and will move onto a book club assignment for March break. I choose a book called "The Book of Negroes" as my first choice, no guarantees that I will get it though, but I'm hoping. The other two choices are very interesting also; "What We All Long For" and "Three Days River"? Not sure about the last title, but I do remember the author's names here. Dionne Brand and Joseph Bryan(?) Okay, not both, but it's for sure Joseph! :)
J
Been staying home all week and canceling evening plans to stay home with my mother, she's pretty shocked by the whole incident and doesn't feel safe yet. I just changed the front door lock to give her piece of mind... she somehow thinks whoever broke in had time and the plan to wax copy our house key... Which to me is absurd. But just in case.
On happier notes, school is blazing by and it's a lot of fun. We're finishing off Hamlet now and will move onto a book club assignment for March break. I choose a book called "The Book of Negroes" as my first choice, no guarantees that I will get it though, but I'm hoping. The other two choices are very interesting also; "What We All Long For" and "Three Days River"? Not sure about the last title, but I do remember the author's names here. Dionne Brand and Joseph Bryan(?) Okay, not both, but it's for sure Joseph! :)
J
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Family Day Long Weekend
Amazing weekend so far with great friends. Taught Ting, Ken and Leslie how to snowboard, they did really well for their first time. Ting mastered her heel edge. Leslie was able to tackle the greens with ease by midday. Ken became the master of the toe edge. I almost got him onto his heel for a bit but he was simply too tired. John who was the most experienced out of all the beginners decided to go for it and nailed his transitions between heel and toe turns. He and Leslie did their own runs while Sammy and I did a quick black at the end of the day. Great progress for everyone, cannot wait for everyone improve to make a big skiing/snowboarding train down the slopes! Chau decided not to snowboard this year and hiked her way around the resort, he must of walked over 15k today!!
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Spanish phrases ... yay! Correct me if I'm wrong!
Phrases from Google translate, is this correct grammar???
I want to improve my Spanish - Quiero mejorar mi español.
I am feeling under the weather - Me siento bajo el clima.
It is snowing a lot - Está nevando mucho
I want to improve my Spanish - Quiero mejorar mi español.
I am feeling under the weather - Me siento bajo el clima.
It is snowing a lot - Está nevando mucho
The FLU is attacking!! *DEFEND*
Well well, after shoveling snow for 3 nights and walking in the storm for 3 days, I've finally succumbed to a sore throat and extreme watering nose; which means the full blown head ache and fever is not far behind. Hopefully it will be a short bout with lots of water and restful sleep! Before I become a flu zombie, lets review my thoughts for the past weeks and note down memories worth saving.
Jan 30th - I delivered my 2nd speech for Toastmasters speaking on the topic of the word "Free". I feel I still didn't prepare enough this time around and need to get better than that for my 3rd. Practice makes perfect and I need to practice out loud on my own before delivering in front of my peers. For once again, I've improvised the majority of the speech while touching on my main points. I've learned that what reads well on paper does not sound natural come speaking it out loud. Must revise and perfect a speech the way I would speak. As my English teacher has taught me, writing a good sentence is hard work, and writing a good speech full of sentences is even harder! My 3rd speech I am challenging myself to do just that, make it smooth and flow naturally as I would speaking improv.
Feb 5th, First day of class : Grade 12th ENG. Back to highschool again but this time in a room full of mature students like myself. It's an good environment, one I think I will enjoy especially paired with my Toastmasters experience. My hopes for this class is to improve my writing style and organization of my thoughts. As with my speech writing, it took me a long time (editing my 2nd speech on the bus) to really focus on what the manual assignment was and narrowing down the points that would fit the objectives of that project. I feel this class was a great idea as the afternoon math class was unavailable this quad. We're doing Oscar Wilde, time to pick up his works and read ahead.
Feb 9th, Today, snow snow snow is melting... yay... I am feeling a little sick. Need to stay ahead and just drink water like crazy. My nose is making Niagra Falls look like a small leak. Can't let this beat me! Water Water Water@!
Jack
Jan 30th - I delivered my 2nd speech for Toastmasters speaking on the topic of the word "Free". I feel I still didn't prepare enough this time around and need to get better than that for my 3rd. Practice makes perfect and I need to practice out loud on my own before delivering in front of my peers. For once again, I've improvised the majority of the speech while touching on my main points. I've learned that what reads well on paper does not sound natural come speaking it out loud. Must revise and perfect a speech the way I would speak. As my English teacher has taught me, writing a good sentence is hard work, and writing a good speech full of sentences is even harder! My 3rd speech I am challenging myself to do just that, make it smooth and flow naturally as I would speaking improv.
Feb 5th, First day of class : Grade 12th ENG. Back to highschool again but this time in a room full of mature students like myself. It's an good environment, one I think I will enjoy especially paired with my Toastmasters experience. My hopes for this class is to improve my writing style and organization of my thoughts. As with my speech writing, it took me a long time (editing my 2nd speech on the bus) to really focus on what the manual assignment was and narrowing down the points that would fit the objectives of that project. I feel this class was a great idea as the afternoon math class was unavailable this quad. We're doing Oscar Wilde, time to pick up his works and read ahead.
Feb 9th, Today, snow snow snow is melting... yay... I am feeling a little sick. Need to stay ahead and just drink water like crazy. My nose is making Niagra Falls look like a small leak. Can't let this beat me! Water Water Water@!
Jack
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Life advice from a plumber, No, he wasn't SuperMario
So today at work a plumber came to quote a job for a suite and we got talking about just life in general. He offered me something real and no bs. He said "Jack, study and work for money, at the end of the day, it'll make or break living a fulfilling life." Those weren't his exact words but he did say that you as an employee will always just be an employee, all bosses don't give a F about you. You're either making them money or not. That's the cold hard fact he told me.
I accepted his position on the subject and wanted to add my piece about how there are some employers out there that reward their workforce but decided against it as our elevator ride was coming to an end. He did get me thinking though, and he's not wrong. There are many employers that fail to fully manage and exploit their HR but providing an healthy and positive work environment. Example would be when I worked my ass off going above and beyond, there was initial recognition of my efforts, say a pat on the back and then a lashing for doing too much, what gives? I do my job with my 100% and more and rebuked?, and now there are times that another pat on the back once in a while wouldn't hurt to motivate me to do more again.
But anyways, he has his point of view, I have mine. It's good to share and view things from other people's perspectives.
Onto another topic, got to work on my CC#2. It's coming along okay but I am having trouble focusing the speech onto a coherent smooth piece tonight. I will give it a go tomorrow before and after vball. It's gonna be 101001010% times better than my impromptu icebreaker... as this time I will practice!! yes practice!!
J
I accepted his position on the subject and wanted to add my piece about how there are some employers out there that reward their workforce but decided against it as our elevator ride was coming to an end. He did get me thinking though, and he's not wrong. There are many employers that fail to fully manage and exploit their HR but providing an healthy and positive work environment. Example would be when I worked my ass off going above and beyond, there was initial recognition of my efforts, say a pat on the back and then a lashing for doing too much, what gives? I do my job with my 100% and more and rebuked?, and now there are times that another pat on the back once in a while wouldn't hurt to motivate me to do more again.
But anyways, he has his point of view, I have mine. It's good to share and view things from other people's perspectives.
Onto another topic, got to work on my CC#2. It's coming along okay but I am having trouble focusing the speech onto a coherent smooth piece tonight. I will give it a go tomorrow before and after vball. It's gonna be 101001010% times better than my impromptu icebreaker... as this time I will practice!! yes practice!!
J
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