Waiting...

Summer has ended and I find myself still waiting.... waiting for something to keep my days busy and not so self centered. It is wonderful to sleep in everyday as long as I like and do what I want at any time but it isn't very fulfilling. I had my two months off from teaching during the summer, which was somewhat busy, with a move to a new city and a trip to Switzerland, but I am still amazed with how much time I spent doing 'nothing' (at least nothing useful eg. tv, internet, reading). Looking back there is so much I could have done and accomplished during that wasted time but I was severely lacking the motivation. It is hard to go out and make new friends, find new jobs and to develop talents and serve.

I have been blessed in the, almost 3 months I have lived here, with good friends, a comfortable home, a quiet city and a happy husband. It is fairly close to my family and far enough away from the craziness of traffic and year-round construction.

Since school started in September I have been really missing the feeling of 'helping others' that was so prevalent as a teacher. I miss knowing that I was an important part of a group and that I had an impact, perhaps forever, on the lives of so many. Not knowing what was awaiting us here in Lloydminster we had decided that I would just substitute for the school year. I have been hired but put off the paper work I should have done during the summer, that would allow me to teach in a Saskatchewan school district. So I find myself waiting for the document to come in the mail that will finally let me work and take my mind off the nothingness that seems to be my life at the moment.

Don't pity me though as I have been mostly happy here and like the smaller city life. I have just been focused on me for too long. I am excited for the recent call I have to be the Young Women's President here in the Lloyd branch and hope that serving these wonderful girls will put some fire back into me. I am just sooooooo ready for change and hope that me, myself and I can leave my thoughts for awhile.

Thanks to all you friends and family who have kept in touch, gotten to know me, sent me messages, phone calls and love and support since we left Calgary and came to Lloydminster.

Switzerland and Italy

We made it back! The last two weeks in Switzerland were such an adventure. It was so wonderful to see my Sister and her husband and to travel around such beautiful parts of the world. I knew as soon as I got there that I couldn't find any motivation to get my sister to come back to Canada. We have a beautiful country in Canada but Switzerland doesn't even seem to compare.

This trip involved a lot of firsts for me. It was my first trip overseas, first time riding the intricate train systems, first time climbing the Alps, first gelato, first time in Switzerland, Italy and Germany and the first time surrounded by people who don't speak English. I enjoyed most of these firsts but I am not such a fan of being unable to communicate with others. Oh and I had no idea what car sickness was until I rode the switchbacks in Switzerland.

We traveled to many cities including: (Germany) Frankfurt, (Switzerland) Zürich, Sankt Gallen, Appenzell, Meglisalp, Gais, Tessine, Vira, Lugano, Bellinzona, Indemini, Locarno, Winklen, (Italy) Luino and Milan. We drove, walked, hiked, shopped, ate, swam, explored and were awestruck.

Favourites for me were the great cathedrals, the market in Luino, the soccer stadium, the castle, Indemini and the old city in Sankt Gallen. I loved being with my sweetheart who spared me great anxiety as I fear traveling and everything associated with it. I loved to see what my sisters new life in Switzerland is like and I am so proud of her as she teaches primary in German. I loved seeing Ian and Ephraim having fun together and really appreciated my time with my sister.

There were many stories to tell and lots to see... check out my facebook space to see pictures of us and to hear about our adventures. www.facebook.com

Switzerland was amazing and I am so glad I went but now I am so grateful to be back home with all the comforts it allows. As Ian and I were traveling back to Lloydminster we realized that Switzerland may be beautiful beyond compare but there is still such beauty in all the places we call home. I love the yellow fields of canola and the vast expanses of green. I like to see far into the distance and watch the sun rise and set. I love that I don't get sick traveling on our straight roads and I love being able to communicate with all around me. I most of all love sleeping in my own bed!

Scrapbooking

How wonderful! This is the first time I have sat down to scrapbook in probably 2 years. Here are the few pages I have done so far of our wedding. I forgot how much I enjoy doing this activity, especially with all the alone time I have had lately.

Only 9 more days until we go to Switzerland!!!!

Memories

Lately I have been reading back through the journals I have written over the years... it has been an 'interesting' process. I love to read about the good times and can't believe how totally cranky I was as a teenager. I would love to hear about what some of your favourite memories are with me and got this idea from Crystal's blog.

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew/know me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

Soooooo bored...

Here is a tag I found on someone else's site and since no one seems to be updating their own sites (yes I have been secretly stalking all of you) I will add some tidbits of info that you probably didn't know about me!

1. What was I doing 10 years ago?

Yikes... 10 years ago I was a cranky, bitter teenager who hated school, hated boys and hated life... I was a hate-er (shocking I know!)

2. 5 things on my to do list:

a) Go sailing
b) Do a one handed bicycle kick in soccer
c) Write a children's book
d) Learn break dancing
d) Have children

3. What snacks do I enjoy?

Sour candy... I'm a big sucker for sour patch kids

4. What would you do if you were instantly a billionaire?

Pay off all debt, buy a nice house and car, invest some, start a school for children in a 3rd world country were they can learn to read and write and hopefully bring their family out of the cycle of poverty.

5. 3 bad habits:

a) giving my opinion (when unwanted)
b) worrying
c) procrastinating

6. 6 places I lived:

Calgary, Alberta (2 places)
Edmonton, Alberta (12 places)
Lloydminster, Alberta (1 place - so far)

7. 5 Jobs I've had

a) Taco Time (good times when I was 14, lasted 3 months)
b) Panagopalous Pizza
c) Hallmark
d) Parks and Recreation
e) YMCA
(can't stop now... so many more)
f) Holyrood After School Care
g) Netmar Flyers
h) Royal Glenora Club
I) Cancer International Research Group
j) Office of the Auditor General
k) GoodLife Fitness
L) Calgary Science School, Webber Acadamy, Westmount Charter School, Calgary Waldorf School

Okay I think that is all of them...

8. 5 things people don't know about me

a) I'm allergic to almost all animals and outside... thank heaven for antihistamines
b) I'm an excessive worrier
c) I have moved 15 times in my life (averaging about 1 move every 18 months of my life)
d) I have some sign language training
e) I am SUPER organized

New city, new haircut, new adventures...

It is a time of change for us Isackson's. We are settling nicely into our new apartment in Lloydminster. Ian has been working like a dog (the last 10 days straight, about 12 hour days) surveying the Husky pipeline in the city. He is now officially a Party Chief and is excited about the responsibilities that the position entails. Callings are coming our way in the next couple weeks but it is all very hush, hush so I will have to let you know later.

I also felt I was in desperate need of some attention to my hair and chopped a good portion of it off and am having fun with the new look (it is so sad that this is the exciting event in my life). I do admit that I am already getting bored in my summer holidays. Around week 3 is when it usually happens and I am determined to make use of my free time by working on some sewing projects, scrapbooking our wedding (finally) and applying for substitute teaching here in the fall.

I really don't have much time left this summer as we will be gone for the first 3 weeks of August on some real adventures. First we are off to Ian's hometown for a family reunion in Lillooet, BC for a very short weekend and then we rush back to Edmonton to fly straight to Switzerland to see my sister and brother-in-law. We are super psyched for this trip. We plan to see some of Germany, Switzerland and Italy while we are there. I can't wait to share the pictures and stories with you all.

That is about all that is happening right now but I will keep you updated on life with the Isackson's.

Lloydminster Colonial Days Parade

Wow! I don't think I have ever seen more trucks and semi's in a parade than horses. I must say though that I am impressed with the length of the parade and the number of entries. Most were interesting and enjoyable to watch. Some... I wasn't quite sure why they were there but you still smile and wave!

It was great fun to go with some new friends Kalinda and Lara (along with her 3 kids). They have been so welcoming in the short time I have been living in Lloyd and really helped to fill the emptiness that remained from leaving my friends in Calgary. I am excited to spend the summer hanging out with these lovely ladies.

It was so cute to see the girls watching their first parade. They seemed so confused as to why people were lined up along the street watching these weird cars as they drove past. I think the most confusing was when they started dumping out candy on the street. It didn't take them long to start filling their baggies with treats though. The innocence of children is such a blessing to see.

It was no Stampede or Klondike Days Parade, but it was fun and I was happy to be there with friends.