Home!

Home.....a word that I used to feel mellow about....

Now, it makes me feel excited and filled with joy!

I don't think my particular greyhound driver ever saw anyone fly out of the bus like I did! "I'm home!" I shouted, spinning around with my bags. Everyone around me just smiled, and laughed quietly. I started running to my parents house, meeting them half way. Throwing my bags down, I gave them both giant hugs, and didn't want to let go!

This past week, I went home for my one week vacation. I had missed everyone so much! I enjoy my jobs near Toronto, but with no family, or close friends, I sometimes get really lonely! 

It wasn't really a vacation, because I went to camp Mishewah to be a cabin leader and a sports director.  Pinaaz-i zibi maamawi (Travelling the River Together) is a native bible camp run at Mishewah, that I have worked at before. The camp has always been a rewarding experience for me! At this camp you can really see God working through everyone to change the lives of the campers.

Chilling with the senior campers on an overnight camping trip!

This was definitely a tough year for me, for a number of reasons. However, I learned so much about myself, and saw my work pay off! I saw kids who hardly smiled, smile. I had a camper who didn't believe God cared about her, realise at the end of camp that he did! I also worked with my sister Nancy, and got to see a positive side to her that I had never seen before. I feel it made us grow closer! I also made a lot of good friends with my fellow co-workers! I'm definitely looking forward to going back to camp next year!

Before camp, I visited one of my best friends! It had been such a long time since we had seen each other! When I entered her house, her dad said, "I was beginning to think you didn't exist outside of face book!" It has been awhile since I've been home!

Holding my friend's chicken!

Her horses! We went on a short trail ride!

We also went swimming in the lake which was fun!

 I also got to see my dog again! He was scratching himself pretty bad, so I ended up taking him to the vet. The vet said he is probably having allergic reactions to a bug, or something. My mother said she thinks its also partly psychological, because he always gets better when I come home for a bit. This has made me begin to re-think my future plans a bit. My dog really does need me.....I'm not sure what to do!

I also got to say goodbye to my uncle, and my favourite cousin. They have been posted to British Columbia with the military, so I don't know when I will see them again! I also saw my grandparents too! They are selling their house next door, because my uncle won't be here anymore. Now my only family in Ontario will be my immediate family. (sad face)

There is three weeks left of summer! I'm going to miss my job on the farm....I hope to go back and work here again! There will be lots of changes when the summer is over! I'll go back to my nanny job for another three months, Mom will be going to University! Plenty of adventures are underway!

Rough week

As much as I love working on a farm, its not always easy! This week was just plain shitty! 

It rained......

And it rained.....

And it rained! 

By the end of the week, I felt like I was in a WW1 zone, with mud going over the top of my boots!

Constant rain really effects my mood, and I'm sure that's why the horses were not the greatest  this week either!

I got this lovely foot injury from chasing a horse out of its pasture! Ginger (the horse) thought it would be fun to run where I wanted her to go, but then change directions the last minute to run right where I didn't want her to go! Rubber boots weren't made to run in! 

Their Gypsy Vanner in its very wet field!

 Despite those negatives, there were positives to the week as well! I was given a pony to ride, in the hopes that she would become more suitable for the horse camp they have here. Well, they used her this week, and they said she was pretty good! Mission accomplished!

The pony, Mudslide!

I also got to help out with treating some equine injuries! I always enjoy learning new things! For example, I learned that honey is very good for treating infections! I believe Cyndi said its because bacteria can't grow in a sweet environment. Just spread some natural, organic honey over a wound, and it begins to heal! It worked on my foot anyway! 

On the one sunny day, I got to take their farm dog for a walk! They have two large corn fields behind the ranch, so we explored those for a bit!

Loki!

Corn everywhere!

I spent the weekend back in Toronto. The dogs needed some looking after for a few nights! Tonight I go back to the farm! We shall see if this week goes a little better!

How did I get here?!

Where am I?!

In my paradise!

Surrounded by horses!

Out of the city!

With a variety of other animals to play with!

I have a working student position at Absolute Equestrian farm in Bowmansville Ontario. (1/2hour outside of Toronto.) Remember those abandoned bunnies I found? Well, one of the people who wanted to provide a new home, lives here! After visiting the farm, seeing how my face lit up when we pulled in, Alicia (mother of the boys I nanny) said they didn't really need me for the summer. However, the director of this farm (Cyndi) said she was in desperate need of help! So, here I am all summer, and it looks like its going to be great fun!

Some facts about this farm!

- Almost 100 horses
- Has two indoor arenas, and three outdoor
- eighty some odd stalls
- Mostly hunter jumper, English style riding here!
- other animals are two dogs, a lot of cats, and two adorable goats!

Some facts about this job:

- I get covered in a lot of dirt!
- Help muck about 80 stalls
- Turn horses out into the pasture
- Sweep, I do lots of sweeping!
- Feed and distribute diets to horses.

That happens everyday! Then there are odd jobs like exercising horses, dealing with equine injuries, dusting the cobwebs, which are everywhere! At the end of the day I get to ride! Soon I will receive lessons in jumping, which is something I haven't done much of! Hoping to find the time to keep you all posted!

Half Way!

I'm half way done my time at this job! Wow! I honestly feel like I just got started! Five more months to go! 

At this half way point, I feel like I have already learned so much! I thought raising kids was pretty simple! I mean, I spent a lot of time helping take care for my siblings as I was growing up. It wasn't easy, but nothing I couldn't handle....well, I've realised that its not as simple as I thought! Raising kids can be really frustrating at times!

A sword fight is happening, no matter how tired you are!

It is also super rewarding though! I feel so privileged to be a part of these boy's lives, and their integration into Canadian culture! 

Home made Popsicles

Best three year old cookie baker!

 Volunteering at the Toronto Wildlife Centre is also going very well! During my shift in the nursery, there are four other women who I work with, and they are awesome! We are a very good team! We got told by our supervisor that we are one of the best teams she has ever had to work with! I look forward to every Saturday morning! It is so much fun! 

(Note: Taking pictures of the patients at TWC is not allowed, that is why there are no pics! Sorry!)

My Rouge shift is also going very well! All the baby raccoons, and skunks are starting to take over! Oh! And all those squirrels I spent the spring syringe feeding! I can't say enough about how incredibly awesome being a part of the rehabilitation process is!

Taking a little selfie break outside of some rouge park enclosures. 

 I also started taking Jiu Jitsu classes about three weeks ago! Honestly, I love it! Jiu Jitsu is really my thing, and (I think) I'm pretty good at it! I felt, since I do a lot of solo travelling, that having some self defence knowledge was in my best interest. I strongly encourage women who can, to take classes like this! They really boost self confidence! (Plus are really fun!)

I didn't think I would get to see the glory of nature in Toronto, but I was wrong! Here are some cool pics of nature I've captured over the last few months!

Rouge park

Backyard

Garden

The bluffs

Lake Ontario

Road side

We have also had lots of storms lately! Including a Tornado warning!

I did go through a rough period for a while here, where I really wanted to quit! This job was harder then I thought it was going to be, and I really hated the city! Now though, I'm actually starting to really enjoy myself! 

Of course, if I had to choose between living in the country or the city my entire life I would choose the country. However (since I'm here) I may as well really take hold of all the benefits living in the city has to offer! Since adopting this perspective, I have grown to enjoy life here a lot more! I think it is helping that the language barrier is slipping away, and the boys are starting to respect me more as well; But I think my perspective changing has also helped me enjoy myself a lot more! 

And Jiu Jitsu! I'm kind of sad I only have five months left now! I wish I could just teleport the classes wherever I go!

Family came down two weeks ago for the weekend! Was great to see them!

Anyhow, sorry for the rather long post, and sorry I have a bit of a gap between posts as well! My life has just been really hard to keep together lately! Here is a phrase of thought to end on....

Found it on a trail!

OMG! I finally understand my Parents!

As I sit outside under a lilac tree, with a cold glass of pomegranate juice, with no little children running around..... I am beginning to understand why my parents sometimes wanted a break from us kids!

Actually, now I understand so much more about them that I never did before!

For example, I never understood why Mom sent us all to our rooms when she got super mad! Now I do! Sometimes you just need the little ones out of your sight, so you can breath!

I also could never understand why she was, so happy when the house was clean! After making the house spotless this week, I actually felt immense joy! It was just so satisfying! I never liked house cleaning before, but honestly, its starting to become some what therapeutic!

And then I always thought my mom was going insane! I have recently learned that this basically comes with being a parent! I mean how are you supposed to keep yourself fully together, when you are trying to keep the lives of several little children, your house, responsibilities, and your finances together?! Its pretty normally to go slightly insane! (And I'm only getting a taste of parent hood right now!)

Honestly, I have so much respect for both my parents! This job has been very eye opening for me. I realise now that my parents are human. I always thought as a child (for some reason) that their only calling in life was to look after me. I never understood that they could have dreams, feel hurt, feel defeated, feel like they weren't good enough. Now that I understand that my parents probably felt like this, I have so much gratitude for them sticking it out, and putting effort into providing a good life for my siblings and I.

So to all the parents out there who feel defeated, feel like their children will never understand the struggle they are going through to raise them, have no fear! I finally understand my parents, and I'm sure someday your kids will feel indebted to you as well!

And some exciting news! (Speaking of my parents) My mother got accepted to university! I am honestly so proud and excited for her! This is something I can tell she has wanted to do her whole life, and I'm glad that she has finally got the opportunity to do it! So, starting September, guess who is going to be only a short bus ride away from me?

I wonder if her choice of university was intentional?!