Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da

Does anyone have a copy of the Beatles' version of "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da"?  iTunes Canada doesn't sell it, and I don't really want to buy the whole album to get just one song...

JET Update 5

Hey everyone!

Thank you for all of the congratulations that you've passed my way! I'm very excited and glad to know that I have all of your support!

As an update, I now have lots of forms to fill out.  I just sent off the key "acceptance" form today, as it is due at the Consulate by the end of business hours on the 24th.  Then there is the police record check, the visa application, the alien registration card, etc etc.  I'm going to be so sick of paperwork by the end of it.

I'm getting very excited!  I'll depart Vancouver on August 1st!  It seems so far away, but there is so much stuff left to do!  I've told both of the teachers I volunteer with now, and they have both offered to help me find resources for ESL learning once I know what age group I'll be teaching.

For now, I know only that I am accepted into the program, and I will find out where I'll be by the end of May.  I believe that is also when I'll find out what age group I'll be teaching!

Only 103 days until I leave!

JET Update 4

Well, I have some news that I would like to share with the world.  It came to me in the form of a letter, part of which I will quote here.

"Dear Amy:

'It is our great pleasure to inform you that you have successfully passed the 2nd stage of the screening process for the 2009 Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme year and are now on the final short-list for ALT candidates.  You are now scheduled for placement in a Contracting Organisation [...]

'[...] once again, congratulations on being accepted into the 2009 JET Programme!

'Sincerely,

'Naoki Yoshimura

Vice Consul"

It's PLAYOFF Time!

WOOOOOOOOOO!

A revised, better version of the pre-playoff hype that the NHL sent to me via e-mail:

"You've chosen quadruple-OT over sleep (YES!).
You believe in the power of the hot goalie (YES!).
You can grow a better Playoff Beard than Joe Thornton (umm… no).
You feel a little chill every time Ovechkin's stick touches the puck.
You need a 17-minute break between the periods as much as the players (YES!).
You watch pregame, postgame and in-game interviews and it's still not enough (YES!).
You pray the hockey gods will finally smile upon Jarome Iginla the Vancouver Canucks and let him them win the Cup.
You're slightly disappointed when every series doesn't go to seven games (YES!).
You count your blessings that you get to live during the Brodeur Era.
The only thing that can improve your bagel and coffee is watching Kane and Toews during the morning skate.
You dream in loops of skate, puck and whistle.  You wonder just how do teams gameplan for Roberto Luongo (YES!).
You live in constant awe of Zdeno Chara (who?).
You can’t wait to tell your grandchildren stories that begin with “I remember the time Sidney Crosby…”.
To prepare for the Canadiens playoff run, you learned to say “25 Cups in 100 years” in French.
You think the Red Wings might be more dangerous with a target on their back.
And in-between playoff games, the only thing you want is more hockey (YES!)."

Starting the Day with Prayer

Last night I was with my small group (you are all such a blessing by the way) and we mentioned worry, anxiety and quiet times with God.  I shared that I had been remiss in my quiet times for months, mainly because of my crazy schedule, especially the 4:15am shifts.  I want to do my quiet times before I start my day, but when the day starts that early for me, it's difficult to get up even a few moments earlier.

So this morning, I found myself waiting in the car for the other barista to arrive at 4:08am, and realised that I could use that time to at least pray.  So I did.  I knew who I was scheduled to work with, and I have some difficulties holding onto a cheerful attitude with that person, so I really focussed on that, and for an overall smooth day.

Then, it's 4:15, and the other person still hasn't arrived.  I head in, and discover, hey, it's not the person I thought it was, and so I call them and they arrive a couple minutes late.  No biggie, but still fun to tease them about.  Still, it throws off the day a little bit.  Not a pothole, but rather a rough patch.

Then, it's 4:30, and the person scheduled to start at 7am calls in sick.  Ugh.  I hate dealing with sick calls.  There is a lot of grovelling involved, and I hate that.  I really hate waking people up.  I decided not to deal with it right away.

At 5, a young woman comes in, and introduces herself as the borrowed partner that had been scheduled.  Cool.  Shen turns out to be pretty cool too.  And competent.  Even better.

Then at 5:20, another young woman comes in, and introduces herself as the borrowed partner that had been scheduled.  Huh?  I tell her that someone else has already come in, but would she be willing to start at 7?  No, but I offer her the hours (ie to do the shift she was supposed to).  She takes them, and we are good to go!  The sick shift is covered!  Woohoo!  And she turns our to be pretty cool as well!  And competent!  AWESOME!

What an answer to prayer that the day would run smoothly!  It did, and how cool, and awesome, and wonderful, and provisionary that God would have two girls show up on the day where I was completely not in the mood to deal with a sick call, and grovel.

I realise that starting every day with prayer is not going to result in a perfect, or wonderful day, but it was still super cool that it happened today.  I am very grateful.

To Catch Up...

Here are some things that I wish to share with you, and while they may seem unconnected, they all had some sort of root in my day today...

-My favourite sandwich is plain cream cheese, cucumber and pepper on whole wheat or flax bread.
-My new favourite colour, in addition to green and white, is yellow. (But not that awful mustard yellow)
-I miss Hawai'i, the heat and the tan that goes along with that particular US state.
-I think my fashion-forward friends would be quite happy with me today
-I had a shopping trip with my mother today, and we got along! No fight, no arguments, and that continued into the rest of the day.
-I am amazed that there are only 22 days left until my sister leaves for a 62-day trip to Europe.
-I am completely done my Bach. Arts. DONE! I handed in my last paper, and I don't have any exams!
-I am really looking forward to the Convocation Ceremony on June 4th.
-I most definitely want to go karaoke-ing with some friends soon.
-When I find out about JET, I will most definitely will NOT be announcing it on Facebook.
-The end of this semester was one of the best ever. Last class was in the pub, involved beer, home-made wine and beer, and mead.
-I really enjoy mead.

Regarding my Last Paper before I Have my Bachelor of Arts:

This paper is for ENGL 400, which is a course completely focused on reading the epic poem of Beowulf in its original Old English language (and we're talking English in 700 AD here folks, not Shakespeare; Shakespeare is Early Modern English).  The paper is a research paper, and is expected to be between twelve and fifteen pages long, and of course, arguing something that would enhance the reading of the 3182-line poem.

Eight pages later, four pages to go, and eighteen hours before it's due, my paper has a thesis.

I am one brilliant procrastinating hamster-ninja.