Random Thoughts

Ever have one of those days where you are incredulously self-aware?

Today was one of those days.

I don't know what brings them on. Perhaps today was due to a mix of reasons; Easter with my family, moving my sister into her new apartment, visiting my old elementary school, tucking another decade milestone into my pocket...who knows.

Today was one of those days. When you're finally able to step back and look at everything around you; to take a minute out to survey your life. Lessons learned from the past are spread out like a deck of cards. What seemed like a harrowing issue wasn't so important. What might case a problem in the future becomes a source of adventure.

I thought about a lot of things.

I think it'll turn out just fine.

In fact, I think I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be right now.

I think it's good when that happens; I somehow feel that the contentedness I'm experiencing is fairly rare.

I'm happy.

I'm ready for what comes next.




Bring it on.

Plans

"Now the sky could be blue, could be gray, without you I'm just miles away." --  Strawberry Swing, Coldplay

I’m a fairly metaphoric person. I’m not the hippie type to tell you that your soul is really a rabbit, nor the Dr. Seuss type to tell you that your world is really a fluff on a flower being carried by a giant elephant in the sky.

But I relate easily to my surroundings, and I find expressing my thoughts in that way helps people understand me better. 

Anyway, as of late, I’ve been thinking a lot. Slowly getting back to my more philosophical side, I suppose.

And recently, I’ve been thinking about plans. 

Having just finished an exam that went well and it being nice outside, I was sitting outside reading my book yesterday, soaking up some well-missed sun.  I like to be comfy when I read, so I was lying back on the warm concrete of the roof of 137 (thanks, Ron Thom) and seemingly became distracted by some clouds drifting by.

I was attracted by the colour of the sky, first of all, and how blue it was. Being a bit of a backcountry girl, I always forget the way the sky lightens around the horizon and gets deeper blue towards the middle. Anyway, that’s another story.

I felt like a kid again, looking for shapes in the clouds, watching them shift shapes and whisp around the sky.

And I realized that clouds are very similar to plans.

As I’ve said, I’ve been thinking about plans lately. Maybe it’s because I’ve suddenly realized I’m halfway through my life as an undergraduate. Maybe it’s figuring out living arrangements for the year and beyond. Maybe it’s looking for alternate employment for the summer. Maybe it’s realizing who’s important to me. Maybe it’s thinking about the future and what I want from it.

I have a lot of plans. 

Everyone has a lot of plans. 

They’re what keep us going, in a way. They give us something to look forward to, something to hold onto when things get rocky, something to look back on and tell ourselves we did the right thing. 

I got thinking, as I watched the clouds dance across the sky. Our plans are like clouds (fine, that’s a simile, not a metaphor, thank you English Majors).

We make plans that tend to float aimlessly around for a while. They fluctuate; bits break off when they don’t work and bits get added when things get thrown into the mix last minute. They interact with other people’s plans. Sometimes two clouds collide and make one big one. Sometimes they make amazing shapes and formations that catch the sun just right at sunset…and sometimes they create vicious storms that rage across the whole sky and never seem to end. Sometimes we get to our destination (above Maccu Picchu) and sometimes we don’t (above a chemical factory in Cleveland).

But most of the time, despite our best efforts, life is quite random. We can’t control anyone else’s plans and sometimes they take over ours, for better or for worse.

 We can’t always control where we go in life, or the means in which we get there. But we make plans, and on a whim and a prayer we head out into the world hoping that ‘things go as planned’.

Plans are good. They give us inspiration, hope, and stability. They give us the drive to do the right thing.

But knowing that they don’t always work out is just as important. Sometimes plans fall through, and sometimes the unexpected occurs. 

But you know what, life is beautiful, no matter how ugly it can seem. There is beauty in a storm, especially just after it ends. No matter what, the sun sets and rises (even if it’s hidden!), and life goes on.

As someone important to me once said,

“We fall in love, we fall out of love…but we’ll still end up worrying what to do with our Friday nights.”

Plans lead to plans that lead to plans. 

And as many of them as I have, I’m content to just sit and watch the clouds go by once in a while. To expect the unexpected. And to be ready for whatever comes next.

20 Things

Okay, so, I haven’t updated you on anything environmental lately. But here’s something else that I think will have some environmental themes and hopefully be quite interesting.

As some of you may know, my birthday is coming up. I’m about to turn 20. Five years ago that seemed so old. But now that I’m here, it seems not too bad at all. Maybe it’s the fact that most of the people I spend time around these days are older than I am, or maybe it’s the fact that I’ve always felt older than I am. In any case, age is a weird thing for me. I’ve never really acted my age, or at least felt my age. Which, interestingly enough, has given me a unique perspective on life. 

So I have chosen to enlighten you with 20 things I’ve learned in 20 years.

1)    

·         A smile can be the greatest cure.

·         Happiness isn’t something to be sacrificed.

·         Music can make even the worst day a little bit brighter.

·         Kids make the world go round.

·         It’s best not to dwell on the bad.

·         It’s ok to ask for help when you really need it.

·         If you’re in doubt about something you’ve done, you haven’t tried your best.

·         Your family is the reason you are who you are.

·         You can’t love anyone until you love yourself.

·         Nothing’s better than doing what you love to do.

·         You can never have too many Smarties. Or Cheerios.

·         Talking to strangers isn’t always a bad idea. Sometimes they’re lovely people.

·         Friends come and go, but it doesn’t make them any less valuable.

·         Love will never make you do the wrong thing.

·         The right thing is sometimes the hardest thing.

·         Never fight the feeling that you want to smile or laugh.

·         Money isn’t everything.

·         Health is the most important part of being alive. Or feeling good in general.

·         Trying new things is good for you. And keeps you on your toes.

·         If you can see something being in your future, there’s probably a reason.

E     Enjoy :) Comments welcome. 

Green Love?

I just had the randomest thought.

But it's rather interesting, so I thought I'd share.

First of all, I will shamelessly admit to you that I have been sitting here watching The Big Bang Theory, knitting, and drinking hot chocolate (or hocho, as I call it). And watching Sheldon, Leonard, Howard, and Raj bumble through their nerdy little lives has gotten me thinking about dating.

Typically, in any of the hard sciences or engineering, a strange thing happens -- for which I will coin the term The Nerd Phenomenon -- where  the ratio of men to women is extremely high. That is, there are about 100 nerdy guys for maybe 1 or 2 girls. Thus, the boys of the physics and egineering department find themselves hung up over Penny. And, finding this amusing (as well as my sad appreciation for science jokes) I continue to watch the show.

However, I just realized that the same situation seems to happen in the environmental sector. It seems to me, through my meetings with other environmentalists and people of the like, that the opposite occurs. We shall call this The Green Phenomenon. Everywhere I look, there are young single ladies such as myself striving for environmental solutions and sustainable living. But there aren't all that many young suitable males...

I read a green dating post over at Grist, stating that the same Green Phenomenon has been happening elsewhere! The general consensus seems to be that there are tons of young green women, and few men. One poster stated that at his local Green Drinks events, there is a huge abundance of single women, and only a few men, who happen to bring their wives...

As environmentalist and secondly a nerd, I have to say it seems my chances are pretty slim.

In response to the poster from Grist, I have to say that, in my experience, all the green men are so attractive that they get snatched up quick. I mean, what's hotter than a guy who enjoys hiking and wants to live sustainably, too? The thing is, environmentalism isn't just a department, like physics. It's a lifestyle. If you're into climate change and the outdoors, every life decision you make is going to be influenced by that --  so it's only inevitable that environmentally-minded people are going to hitch up fairly quickly!

I wonder why there aren't more men in the environmental fields? It seems that there are many older men working in the field, but who knows, maybe they jumped on the bandwagon while it was empty, back when environmental fields were just starting out. Now, I'm looking around my classes and I'd say there about 70-80% women. Where are all the guys at? Seriously...there's a whole world of active, fun, and  tanned environmental ladies out here in the boonies.

Well, you'd say to me, head on over to the physics department and bag yourself a Star Trek loving theoretical physicist!  It would make sense, after all, if the Nerd Phenomenon and the Green Phenomenon met up and made little nerdy green babies...our kids might even come up with a theory for mitigating climate change.

But is there something wrong with wanting a like-minded life partner?

It would only make sense for two environmentally-minded people to fall in love...they would have similar values, which would probably extend beyond their discipline, such as a love for nature, a particular outlook on children,  a need for exploration and fun.

But, at the moment, there are a whole lot of single men in suspenders hanging around somewhere, and a whole lot of single women with hiking boots.

Guess I'll just have to revert to my animal instincts and hunt a green man down. But with the trend I'm seeing, it would seem futile. I might as well just sit at the end of a trail and wait for him to come to me...

Hello, again.

Would ya look at me, updating once again.This is madness!

I have to say, I should be updating more often with more of my pseudo-philosphical thoughts, but to be honest I haven't really been thinking too hard lately. I'm not finding my classes this semester to be challenging at all, however they're so time-consuming that I don't get to spend much time reading. Speaking of, I'm hoping to finish The Shack by William Paul Young, and hopefully break out my old copy of Walden to spark that old environmental flame...I might even hunt down some Aldo Leopold.



So what has my life been filled with as of late?

I'm not even sure.

I've been trying to keep up my training, but it's kind of slowed down a bit. Still running strong, though. I managed to run Armour Hill up Hunter St. 6 times the other day (woo!) and I did a quick 2.5k around campus yesterday followed by the OC stairs a few times. I also biked to tri clinic on Sunday, trying to avoid the many puddles. The weather's been nice lately...can't wait to take the road bike out for a spin.

Classes have been....gruelling. Fairly uninteresting, unfortunately. I'd like to say that I'm learning some new and valuable information, or that I'm at least being inspired to undertake new projects or research on my own...But I'm not. Quite frankly, I'm a little annoyed with Trent as we're taught the same things over and over again without much deviation. I know it's very important, and it was very interesting the first time I heard about it, but if I have to hear about eutrophication and the ELA one more time, I'll explode.

Profs keep telling us not to focus on big cases such as Temagami or James Bay because they're sick of hearing about it...but you know what, there are important environmental case resolution lessons to be learned from those cases. Eutrophication is an ongoing issue, yes, but at least teach us about what's being done now, and what other related processes are important, not that it's just there, that Lake Erie died and came back, the end.

Sorry. Frustrated rant.

Somebody tell me something interesting, please. Something I can analyze or learn from or learn more about.

Anyway, what else have I been up to?

Looking for a job, for one. Something outside and active.

It has also been "surprise roommates with dinner" week, and so far we've had
-- maple salmon/wine and herb salmon with asparagus
-- chicken divan
-- pierogi casserole/lasagna
-- fettuccine and peas with homemade garlic bread
-- honey garlic sausages and baked potatoes (tonight)

Assignments are so much less exciting after a glass of wine...

Anyway, I need some fun in my life. Perhaps I'll make a music video or something.

I must be off now, though. My chariot awaits.

(aka the scary old lady who drives the east bank)

Update

Hey there...

Quick update on the tri front.

Since my last blog, I was struck down by a vicious sinus cold which put a cramp in my training...and my schoolwork...and my sleep...and my life, really.

Honest-to-God, I was so sick that at one point I crawled under my desk with a cup of tea because, in my teary-eyed delusion, I thought it would make me feel better. And, on top of that, I still had to walk to the bus stop and get my butt to school each day because apparently lab demonstrators don't care if you can't breathe or talk, there are samples of estuary water that need to be tested for pH!

Anyway. I've had some successes in the tri department, regardless. I shall shamelessly update you on my somewhat less-than-impressive running successes. My long term goal for the tri course was to be able to pace this guy in the class for the 2.5k run, but I did so last Sunday. We even had a conversation the whole way!

I've been running on the treadmill lately, as I'm still somewhat recovering. I've been upping my mileage over the course of the week, and so far I'm up to 4.5k, which is almost double last week. My min/mile has been dropping as I get stronger, and I'm looking forward to seeing it decrease!

I'm hoping, for this month or so, to log a 5k time under 25min, which I think should be possible. By race time, I should hopefully get it sub-20, or at least sub-22. I shall work hard!

My roommates have started the TriForce, my training support team, who basically will cheer me on when I finish my first triathlon. They might make tshirts, I'm not sure. But by all means, feel free to join. We'll have a barbeque at my house after, hopefully my family will come up and my nieces will be there to cross the finish line with me! :)


I've also graduated from frozen yogurt to normal and frozen fruit to fresh in my smoothies. Addiction to blackberries starts now.


In other news, I'm now also addicted to rock climbing. Yes, I tried it at the gym and it was really fun. Calling all climbing buddies, come belay for me and I'll return the favour!! I'll have to get some decent climbing shoes first.

Also, you can look forward to an upcoming blog post on environmental thinking...it'll be more or less a paper I'm writing for one of my classes but it should be very interesting.

Oh, almost done my sweater, too. I need to knit the sleeves and cuffs, then add the zipper, but it should be wearable in a week or two :) Woo!

Anyway, have a great week, try not to get sick!

"If at first you don't succeed..."

"...try tri again."

Hello out there?
Everyone still doing ok?
It's been awhile.


I'm still alive, in case you were wondering. I haven't blogged consistently for a few months and that has been due to a number of things.

Firstly, exams and assignments had swamped me for a while there (you'll be happy to know I came out with scholarship intact!).
Secondly, the holidays happened, as they inevitably do. As much as I enjoy the break, the stress that seems to build around Christmastime never ceases to amaze me.
And lastly, probably the largest reason, there has been so much going on in my head as of late that I couldn't choose what to focus on and blog about.

So, today I'm going to talk about focus [edited after post...this isn't really about focus at all. Oh, the irony.]

Those of you who know me well know that I'm a highly ambitious person. I probably create about 3 new goals for myself each day, whether they're to finish something by 9 o'clock, something new to try that month, or to do before I die. There's a long, long list of things I want to do.

Among them are to write another novel, hike the West Highland Way, build a cottage, and have a DIY wedding. (I'm a rampant do-it-yourself-er. Things don't have the same value if you don't make them yourself...anyone want a knitted toque, by the way?).

Those who know me particularly well will know that once I have my mind set on something...there is no turning back. Not that I'm stubborn (well, maybe a little selectively so), but if there is something I want to do for good reason, it's going to happen. Eventually.

However, motivation is sometimes an issue for me lately. I tend to have a lot of projects on the go at once and willpower to do one over the other tends to shift. I don't procrastinate much...I just...spread myself a little too thin at times.


Which is why I'm undertaking a new project, one that will require a lot of time, a lot of focus, and a bit of a lifestyle change.

For a few years now, I've wanted to do a triathlon. I figure putting most of my pent up energy (there's usually a lot of it) into training for a triathlon will be good for me. I'll not only get stronger and be in better shape, but I'll be more focused, self-motivated, and have some more 'me-time' while training. Plus I practically live off of endorphins, so if you see me unable to stop smiling, you'll know why.

Also, I'm one of those "dive-in-head-first-and-book-it-until-you-collapse" types, so endurance sports are new to me (...Slow? What's that?) and will be a good challenge. I love challenges :)

So, along with a new fitness schedule, a bag of frozen fruit, and a handy dandy blender, I have a new lease on life. Not only do I have to get my butt out of bed in the morning, but I also have to fit in time in the pool, time on the bikes, and time running.

So, be prepared for a series of Tri-blogs, in which I'll be updating you with my successes and failures.

Meaning, if I try (and yet again fail) to keep training, you (the reader) have full rights to give me disappointed looks and remind me that I really wanted to do this and that I should keep going. Such as "Catherine, you lazy pajama-clad bookworm, get your butt outside and run!"

I've started my own loose training schedule, which I've stuck with thus far. I'm attempting to run 3 times a week, and fit a spin class/bike and swim 3 days a week (hooray for the student schedule!). I'm also taking a tri-fitness course at the TCSRC (aka "the AC") on Sundays to get a little coaching in. (It's actually madly fun).

Primary Goal: Be in shape, motivated, and feel generally awesome.

Secondary Goal: Learn to actually like running.  

Ultimate Goal: Finish the Peterborough Triathlon in July 2011. 

 It's a Sprint Triathlon, which entails a 800m swim, a 20k bike, and a 5k run (really not too bad at all).

 Backup Goal: If that doesn't pan out for whatever reason, the Chemong Lake Tri in august 2011 will serve as a backup, and I'll do either the Tri-A-Tri (300m, 10k, 3k) or the Sprint (525m, 20k, 5k).

So, in case you were wondering how it's going so far...

The swimming isn't an issue at all. I come from an extremely strong swimming background and I could swim arms-only front crawl all day if I had to. The only issue there is open water swims, but it's not exactly like i can go for a quick dip in Little Lake right now, is it? Haha, but seriously, any information on wetsuits and how I could acquire one would be appreciated : )

The biking is going well; I'm starting to do spin classes a few times a week and hopefully start biking to campus once the weather breaks slightly. My roommate has graciously offered me the use of her road bike, so again, if you have any info on spinning/cycling shoes that would also be much appreciated.

The running....

Oh, God, the running!

I love running after the first 2 weeks...but these first two weeks are EVIL. I have issues with pace and breathing, which I'm learning to work on. I'm slightly asthmatic, which doesn't seem to slow me down in other sports, but for any amount of running it becomes my demise. I've managed a few clicks this week, but as the brave Peterborough-nians (word?) will know, -30C weather and unploughed streets aren't the greatest running conditions. In fact, I ran a short 2k with my tri class on Sunday and now possibly have frostbite in my throat.

Seriously -- I can't talk. I've been pounding back tea all day and sounding like Rod Stewart.

Yes, running 5k will be a push for me (sadly) but I'm determined to meet this new fitness goal of mine...Hopefully I'll even get to actually RUN the CIBC Run for the Cure next October. (See, there I go again with the goal setting).

Oh, and I've also added quite a bit more yoga to my daily routine -- getting more flexible and balanced by the second :)

So, point and case: I am going to run a triathlon and you're going to force me to do it in the event that I give up on myself (not likely, but still).

Also -- consider this my call for cycling/spinning/running/swimming/squash/climbing/yoga workout buddies.

If you're competitive and you like endorphins, feel free to join me!

Hopefully see you next week with less tea and more km's!

-- Catherine