... and it's December already.
So much is on the go.
My thesis (a HUGE thing).
-I'm on Chapter three
The
grande Christmas party at the Department and all the logistics with it.
The Department's career day.
Finishing up the year and putting together the new student council.
Leslie and I talked about volunteering today (after my supervisors wife and I talked about the same thing). I remember, that at 2001, when I attended the World Youth Volunteer Summit, I didn't even know what "volunteering" was. Volunteering = To perform or offer to perform a service of one's own free will AND To do charitable or helpful work without pay. Simple.
But now I do LOTS of volunteer work (the council, the lets talk science, international house, estonian community etc). I like it. But I also feel tired. I am ready to pass the torch at the student council. I am ready to leave from the Ottawa Estonian Society. I am ready to do teaching in other forms that Lets Talk Science. Even teaching (the paid job) has exhausted itself in this form.
The "shuttle-chat" evolved around "why" people volunteer. To be more exact - why don't they volunteer. One - they don't get paid. Two - they don't care. Why? We don't know.
Why did I start with volunteering?
There was nothing going on in our department. Like ZERO nothing. And no-body knew anyone. So I it was personal interest to get something going. I also wanted to belong somewhere and be useful/appreciated. Over the last 2.5 years I got lots going. I will cover that once I get to my report writing.
It's just weird that there's nobody else really active to follow my steps.
Which brings me to the morning conversation. We talked about the Ottawa Estonian Society and volunteering for them. I have belonged to the board of directors for 2 years, I think... maybe more. And now I want to leave. So do everyone else on the board. We don't really have the overflow of volunteers. And so this morning we talked about it, and perhaps there is no need for such organization at this moment. The previous 'leader' we had, she wanted to be famous. And then she disappeared. Not on the best terms. But now - perhaps we should relax and not push it too much. And once there is the need, it will come to life on its own? Like Montreal - they had no such society for a long time, until a group of young people got together and started it. Like 2 years ago. And it's doing well.
And perhaps with the students council it's the similar thing. That there is a need for a "breathing" year. And then someone will "rise" and become active, once there is the demand.
Caring though - that's the special skill, I have learned. And most people don't seem to have it. I think I should include it in my CV.
A few words about the weekend:
*I relaxed
*I went to a birthday party. It was a good party. Lots of interesting people. And I got to introduce Estonia:) It's amazing how good it feels if someone is genuinely interested in you and your background. Also, two of the best moments were the following: 1- someone offered to go and fill my wine glass; 2 - someone prepared the last piece of cheese and cracker and gave it to me. It takes really a LITTLE to please me.
And/but of course, I have grown to become a cynic and I think it's not genuine and that they must want something. It's actually rather sad.
On my way home (we walked, through the ice covered city) we finished a bottle of wine sitting on the bench at the canal. It was 3 am. Cool moment. Romantiiq, I would say (even though there was nothing romantic going on).
*I purchased a chair. The ergonomical kneeling chair. It's great for posture. And I was so happy, because I wanted it (because I saw it the night before), and found it from the kiji (internet selling place) right away and got a great deal plus it got delivered. It feels great to use! I will post a picture soon.
*I went to yoga.
*I settled some old loans.
So all and all - pretty good weekend!
There was another great game. The one that required some wine-courage. Girls got to pick a piece of paper with the name of a guy. And so the pairs formed. And then every pair was given a ping-pong ball. The essence of the game is to perform two tricks: the guy has to roll the ball under the girls shirt, from one sleeve to another. And then the girl has to to do similar thing and help the ball to travel up the one leg of the guy and down the other leg (underneath the pants). I, along with my assigned guy (who was there with his wife and a kid), was successful in this task too:) There might have been pictures... But I imagining will be quite enough here:)
