Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Successful Launch!

The last day of September marks the end of the month that preceeds the best month of the year! I wanted to mark the occasion in style, so I planned a movie lyme with friends (classmates). It was cool. A nice lyme.

So here's to October- a month of enjoying myself with or without company. A month of being happy that God saw it fit for me to be on earth for 25 years. A month to celebrate being me and being appreciated by a select few. A month of acknowledging the Father for being so awesome and being grateful more and more for blessings galore and more to come. A month to celebrate!

Here begins the best month of the year. Happy October!

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Facing the Giants and more

This week was an unproductive week in many regards, but it also showed up some stuff. I realise what needs to be done (for the most part) so I need to work on doing them a little harder.

Fri night my landlady invited me to her church to see a film Facing the Giants. It was not the best quality in terms of acting, etc, but it was pretty decent. The basis of it was that we can do everything through Christ so even though we have giants to face and we may be going through crap, we will overcome when we put our hope, trust and faith in God. It was deep and I appreciated the lesson/reminder very much, especially since I can testify! Pic shows how I went to face the giants. (My hair was done Thursday so for the next few days it'll look decent... tried to keep up that decent appearance but aint sure how well I pulled it off)




Today I went into the field for field work, which only showed up what we needed do with different equipment. So I am on a hunt to find said equipment at cheap rate (ie, free). In the evening (with much guilt), I made my way to the opening ceremony for the new post-grad block. It was a cool lyme.

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Sick and Ka-Bomb Scare

So having had a long record of flu-free living, the streak ended on the weekend when I got it. I think it was my own fault. I had enough days of not eating properly to weaken my immune system enough but the good thing is I recovered in good time. Needless to say the weekend was somewhat unproductive - I was having issues focusing when I was well so being sick just made it worse.

Anyways, I am close to normal today. Decided I was going to town to the Immigration Office to get my student visa, then to school to meet with a lecturer about my letter and resume to start begging jobs. After much asking around, I found the Immigration Office. Only I didn't get past the door. I was met by two security officers who kindly (yah right) informed me that the office was closed. When next will it be opened? Don't know. Anytime for the rest of the week? Don't know. Seh wha?!

Anyways, I left there (somewhat flabbergasted) and caught a bus and went back to school. Did what I had to do, then came home. I then called the Immigration Office to see what the situation is. Apparently they had a bomb scare. That is scary! I'm happy it seems to be resolved though. So I guess I will venture there sometime soon and pray God watches over the place.

Friday, September 5, 2008

Aquatic Skills 2 and Lessons Learned

Today is Day 3 (but Day 2 for me) of the Aquatic Skills course that I invaded. I was hesitant to go because I wasn't quite up to it from the day before, but I figure since they've already paid for me I should make it there. So I went.

The day started out good. Ended good too. It rained in the morning but after lunch the sun was out with all its might. Now to more details.

In the morning, we were to swim (on our backs) out to the glass bottom boat which is twice the distance of the white boat we swam out to on Day 1 (see picture- look for the glass bottom boat WAY out, just in front of the war-looking ship/boat). I thought to myself, Help Faddah! But I struggled, I overcame some fears, and I made it (without the help of a lifejacket). The rain was pouring and it was cold but I didn't mind too much. The water felt good...when I was in it. When we got to the boat, we had to jump/dive from the boat as well. First time, I couldn't bring myself to it so I was helped in (ie, lifted and dropped in). Second time I decided I wanted to try diving in (yeah, get over the specific fear of diving). That also took a while but unlike the first entry, I was not assisted...not physically anyways. I made a grand total of 3 dives, the last being the best but still needing improvement. Seems I like to bend my knees too much. After all that, we then had to swim back to shore. Sigh. Dem muscles get a good workout!



After the LONG swim back, we went kayaking! As if my muscles didn't get enough workout! It was fun. Fortunately I had someone who had more muscles than I do/did. We went far...and at one point (where it was shallow), I was in the kayak by my lonesome and the huge wave came and knocked me out! It was fun though. We headed back to the place from whence we came and had lunch.

After lunch was snorkelling. That was cool as well. Decided to swim back to shore. Clearly I have masochistic tendencies! I had my lifejacket so I was good. I also had help from someone who saw the need to help a sister out. How nice of him! Anyways, I was happy I made it though at times I was wondering what the heck I was doing so far away from shore and swimming in. But I made it! And I was so proud of myself. Sniff.

So I have made lots of progress. And I have also been over-tanned (thin line separating that from burnt which I was couple days ago). Don't believe me? See pic below.



I came home and washed my hair. Later I was reminded that though I sometimes feel really crappy and in the mood to see my own tears (like I was yesterday), there is always someone in worse situations than I and I should try to look more on the positive things and be thankful in the not-so-great times....well more than I am since I do try.

What a day!

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Red Hot!

Today I went to the beach. It was the start of the aquatic traning for the new students that I decided to join since they didn't have it for us last year and I am determined to get over my fears and develop my abilities as a swimmer (another "Jackie" trait). I put on sunblock before I left home but somehow in my rush forgot it so I didn't top up at the beach.

BIG MISTAKE! At the end of the day, I'm tired but also burnt in the face. My face was red and sore. Not cool at all!!! The course is for 4 days but I am now happy that I can only make two (wasn't too happy before but Divine intervention is a wonderful thing). So now I'm dealing with a new(er) colour complexion(s) with a threat or two of it worsening and a sore face. The prices I pay! But I am grateful I had the opportunity and I did pretty well considering I have a fear of depths, am badly out of shape, and have not practiced good swimming techniques in so long I may've forgotten them. Oh well...

Monday, September 1, 2008

Fibromyalgia

So for the last couple week my shoulder has been acting up again. Sometimes it'd start when I am using my computer. Other times when I'm sitting watching TV or standing waiting for a bus. But this week it got to me, so today (being the first day of classes at UWI here), I called the Health Centre to see of the Drs. were back and they were so I went.

The Dr who "examined" me was the one who I'd gone to before. Without looking at my shoulder she made her diagnosis- I have fibromyalgia. I told her what my problem was and apparently that was all that was required. She recommended I stop doing the things that would aggravate it and perhaps physiotherapy. She thought about some drug that was expensive (she said) so I didn't bother to get the name or Rx.

Truth be told, I am half inclined to believe her diagnosis is correct. Some of the articles I read fit my symptoms, others I aint sure about. But since I don't have money for a second opinion, I will go with her evaluation. And since I do not have money for physiotherapy, I will have to try and keep my shoulder relaxed and do my physiotherapy (aka massages). Of course for someone doing a research paper that requires a lot of typing it will be difficult to prevent it from getting worse but hey, this is a price for doing what I love- trying to change (over) the world!