old friends

Today I will be having coffee with an old friend who happens to be in town for a short time.

I am different person today than I was 30 years ago. With the passage of time we evolve. We learn from mistakes, experience life's bumps and bruises, make adjustments and change. The things we've done and the places we've been help make us who we are today. Our roots are a reflection of parts of us.

I have many happy memories from my youth, and some not so happy. I was blessed to have made some great friends back then. They added so much to my world, and I am glad to have spent those years with them.

I don't live in the past ... anyone who does robs time from the present, but it's nice to spend time with old friends once in a while. It's comforting in a way to be reminded that there are people on this earth that you have that special shared past with.

Most of us want to feel connected. Thank goodness for old friends, and the happy memories that can come from seeing them.

life long learning

This weekend I will be taking the second course in a series of eight, as I pursue a Certificate in Web Design. It's not a huge undertaking, but I will have the paper at the end, and the courses will reinforce knowledge previous learned elsewhere.

I believe we are never to old to learn. I enjoy opportunities to grow and improve. Even if I am at a class where the material is familiar to me, there are opportunities to learn, grow, improve or absorb something missed previously.

In the past I have attended courses covering many different areas of interests. Some areas revealed my lack of suitability for the coursework being covered. Even this is a learning experience. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

In the world of Information Technology, change and evolution are inevitable. Old skills and knowledge become less useful as technologies are updated, so staying current is essential.

I have enjoyed the world of computing since the 80's. Through the years, I have updated my skills and enjoy the challenges involved. I recognized the potentials of the technologies a long time ago, and hope to continue learning the newest skills to be effective. Using current tools, I can improve my services for clients and be more successful.

Knowledge is power, and education helps keep us vital and informed.

turning points

I am glad to be where I am today. My life is good and I am a lucky man. When I think about my past, I can't help but recognize certain times when aspects of my life changed.

In my junior high years, my life took a turn for the better. I remember being overweight and insecure ... a bit of a lost soul. Thank goodness for kind hearted, caring people in the world.

One of the teachers at school took me under his wing. He had a little jogging club after school, and invited me to join. I knew that being overweight had to be dealt with, so I used the opportunity to help burn calories. Before you knew it. I had lost about a hundred pounds. I felt better about myself, and my life took a turn towards the better. It wasn't long after, that I began forging friendships with some pretty wonderful people that I still know today.

Meeting Janice was another huge event as well. I am so lucky to have found someone so warm, caring and wonderful as her. I hope I never take her for granted, and look forward to our years ahead together.

Things happen in our lives when we are open to them. If we sit at home, hiding from life, you can bet that not much can change. But if we are out there, living life, trying things and interacting with others, the possibilities are wonderful.

Whether you want to call it fate, luck, destiny, chance, divine intervention or something else ... you never know what's around the corner in life. One thing's for certain, possibilities abound if we want them to be.

public school

One of the hats I've worn over the past twenty years has been as an Educational Assistant at various schools. I have worked with a wide range of students, from kindergarten to Grade 12, and enjoy working in schools. I have been lucky enough to work with many talented, caring teachers, and think it's wonderful that there are so many teachers working so hard to help young people grow and learn.

Today was spent mainly with grade one students for me, and it was wonderful. At this grade level there is much music and smiles, play and joy, learning and growth. For much of my career, I have enjoyed working with older students, and to rediscover the joy of the younger grades is wonderful.

I love how the younger kids are so filled with happiness and energy. It inspires me to see wonderful teachers leading them into knowledge, growth and being better citizens.

I remember how difficult the younger years were when I was a student. It wasn't until high school that Í found any real friends or enjoyable activities. Most of my earlier years were filled with less than fond memories. I hope that I can help here and there. I hope that I can be an advocate and a role model.

It's nice to be doing such important work, and enjoying what you do.

autumn

The leaves are changing.

It's time to put the summer things away and slide into the cooler weather.

The change of seasons is an opportunity to see some of the many wonderful colours of mother nature.

This time of year always seams to zip by pretty quickly.
zing ... it's Halloween ...
zing ... it's Christmas ...
zing ... it's New Years ...

Here are some lovely pictures taken from last weekend's outings at Wakefield, Dow's Lake, The Rideau Canal and Gatineau Park.