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In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.— Lt.-Col. John McCrae (1872 – 1918)Well I think that this poem pretty much sums up why we celebrate Rememberance Day. As a teenager, it took me a long time to understand why we would honour anything to do with war, since we are a society that so values pacifism. It’s a day to be grateful to those who fought and lost their lives at a time when the world was in such an atrocious, horrifying condition, and it’s a time to reflect on what we need to do to achieve/maintain peace in this world. Lest we forget.Are YOU wearing your poppy?
I have so, so much to be thankful for this weekend. I am one lucky girl! What are YOU giving thanks for? This is my list:
My family: 4 of the most awesome people I will ever meet. My parents, though I’m biased, are the top. They’ve done so much for us kids and I have always felt 100% supported. As for my brother and sister, they are just two cool people who inspire me, make me laugh and of course keep me real.
My education: Everyday I get to learn about what I love. I’m acquiring tools so that one day I’ll be able to contribute to my field. I’m learning to learn and ask questions and nothing makes me happier. I don’t think this should be a luxury, but I know it is a huge one. Thanks professors, thanks university, thanks colleagues and thanks parents.
My health: Aside from the obvious issues, I am healthy, strong and young. So many don’t have this, or have lost this. I am trying to take care of my body and to take advantage of my good health. Carpe diem, yes?
My freedom: I’ve never known anything but to live with my human rights intact. I’ve grown up free when so many children do not. I haven’t known war, and I don’t live in fear of persecution. I know that countless people have fought with their lives for me to have these rights, and I am overcome with gratitude.
I don’t know what else to say. There is so much good in my life, so much to be thankful for. I don’t know why I should be so blessed. Why was I born in the right place, in the right era? I don’t know, but it makes me want to do something REALLY REALLY GOOD. Hopefully soon I’ll know what that is. I take time to appreciate the gifts of life everyday, but this holiday has made me especially pensive, and especially exuberant.
Even if you are not celebrating Thanksgiving this weekend, let me know what you are thankful for!
We are having a Thanksgiving meal at my aunt’s house this afternoon. It will be so nice to have a house full of cousins, and to eat until we’re stuffed and sleepy! My aunt says she’s making pumpkin AND apple pies. I can’t wait.
Many many thanks to Kerri, who designed and created this header for me. I never would have been able to do something like that myself :p. It suits me perfectly, don’t you think?? I specifically asked to have a runner on there, because for the past month, and hopefully for many months (years) to come, running and my breathing have become sort of one integrated factor. I do one so that I can do the other, you know? Run to hopefully breathe better. Breathe better so that I can go running! Expect to hear a lot more about it 
Yesterday, I probably had one of my best runs yet. I decided that I would extend my route by a few kilometers. I’ve been building up to 5 km, and I’d estimate yesterday I did about 7 km. I took it at a very slow and controlled pace, of course, and I was able to get into that “zone” fairly quickly. In the zone, I don’t even think, I just breathe. What made the run extra special is that the SUN was shining, something we have not seen in weeks. The fall colours are at their peak so the side of the river where I run is just on fire. I happened to run past a football game, everything just felt SO Thanksgiving-y. Glorious!!
When I got home, I decided it was time to bite the bullet and do some serious cleaning. I dust my room frequently, but this time I decided to go over every square inch of the place. I moved all my furniture and dusted away and i was surprised at the number of dust bunnies I found. Of course this little activity produced an audible wheeze and inspired some pretty violent coughing fits which weren’t so nice but it really had do be done. I think I clean more than any university student I know, I must have a touch of the Monica Gellar in me.
I didn’t get such a great sleep last night because I was pretty breathless. I guess I could have predicted that one, with the extended run AND the mega cleaning. It’s funny how I’ll often pay for things I’ve done during the day at nighttime. Well, funny and weird and annoying. The asthma beast is like most other monsters, it prefers the dark!
I’ve almost digested my breakfast and my lungs have loosened up considerably so…. it’s time to go running again! I’m trying to decide if I’ll do the long route again or try a different route altogether. We shall see!
So, it is Thanksgiving weekend (almost). Pretty much every single one of my close friends is going home, including my roommate. It’s going to be lonely. Of course, I have a big Thanksgiving dinner with my extended family to look forward to, but it’s not the same as being HOME.
Dinner with the rellies will be awesome though. I don’t eat turkey, but I still loooove Thanksgiving dinner. The squash, the sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce and… PUMPKIN PIE. Oh how my heart sings for pumpkin pie (apple pie’s not bad either).
Can I tell you guys a secret? I bought a can of pumpkin pie filling this week to make pumpkin bread, but I only used up half of it. Ever since, I have been stealing away random spoonfuls of the delicious stuff, especially as a bedtime snack. Oh my goodness it is yummy.
One thing I do appreciate about being here in the fall is the colours. We don’t get the fiery oranges and reds back home, just old boring yellow. It’s so neat to walk under a red tree with the sunlight filtering through through the leaves, it feels like you are just bathing in fall. There is something so Canadian about walking on a crisp fall day with red maple leaves scattered on the sidewalk…
The exam is done and it went well, thank goodness. I’m a happy camper, but a little tired. This afternoon I desperately need to attend to some domestic matters, ie scrubbing the tub, grocery shopping and dusting.
Happy Thanksgiving to the Canadians. Others, enjoy the weekend (when it gets here!)
