Finally!

So, after setting my plan to be a camp councillor a month and a half ago, I finally get to go. We are leaving in less than four hours to start driving. (I was sleeping, but I abruptly woke up about half an hour ago. It was super hot in my room). Unfortunately there has been a mix up with Tenie's student loan and I have to drive all of the way to Waterloo first, but after we will drive to the camp. My mom and uncle-her brother-will be driving me and my cousin-his son-has agreed to feed the cats while the house is empty this weekend. My dad has taken himself on his own camping trip, which my mom and I practically forced him to take. I guess I'm like him. We both get super cranky if we don't have a change of scenery in a long time, or get out into the "great outdoors."
I guess I'll get my mix of mosquitoes, campfires and lakes for the next two weeks. I am not completely sure what awaits me. I just know they are going to be long days, but I think it'll be worth it. I really wanted a week with kids, but for some reason they gave me two weeks of adults-even though my resume and cover letter mostly talked about my experience working with children.
Lindsay gave me my early birthday present as she will be gone back to Ottawa when I'm gone and I'll also be celebrating my birthday out at camp. She got me an MP3 player loaded with a few hours of songs for my trip. She made sure it was user friendly and it was pretty neat to get it. She got me a lime green "string" to put it on it so that I can carry it. There was also a purple butterfly charm for my Italian charm bracelet and a purple butterfly necklace. They're too cute!
Anyway, back to camp-I digress. I am pretty excited, but a little nervous at the same time. I have never really done anything like this before and I guess I'm a bit worried. I can't wait though because it'll be good for Jetta. She's been so bored the past couple of weeks. This will be good for her.
Anyway, I don't think I'll get to write while I'm out there, but wish me luck and I'll probably tell you all about it when I get back. Also, Tenie will be back from Jordan and Germany when I get home, so that will be exciting. I went over to her house last night and had chocolate ice cream with her little sister. I promised her that when Tenie got back we'd have a girls' night with movies and such things.
Yes, so I am off because I am hungry. :) Have fun while I'm gone and don't do anything I wouldn't do. :)

"unwritten"

I am unwritten,
Can't read my mind
I'm undefined
I'm just beginning
The pen's in my hand
Ending unplanned

Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words
That you could not find
Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions

Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten

Oh, oh, oh

I break tradition
Sometimes my tries
Are outside the lines
We've been conditioned
To not make mistakes
But I can't live that way

oh, oh

Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words
That you could not find
Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions

Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten
*I liked these lyrics, so I thought I'd post them*

70 Things About Me

Ok, so it's not quite seventy-there seem to be a few numbers missing, but I'll post it anyway.
1. Initials: JAT
2. Name someone with the same birthday as you: I don’t know anyone
3. Last thing you ate: blackberries and blueberries with a little sugar on top
4. For or against same sex marriage: FOR
5. ...Where is five?
6. Last person you hugged: Jetta, she’s a person of fur
7. Do you believe in God: a type of God I guess
8. How many Canadian Provinces have you been to: 6
9. How many of the Canadian Provinces have you lived in: 1
10. Ever lived outside of Canada: no
11. Name something you like physically about yourself: ...my legs
12. Something non-physical you like about yourself: reliable
13. What is your dad's name?: Mark, he has a Finn name, but I can’t spell it
14. Why are you still up?: “still?” how about, “just got up-“ my mom accidentally woke me up as she was going to work, it’s 6 AM
15. Who made you angry today?: no one
16. Favorite type of Food?: ...all food? I love food Hmm, bbq steak medium rare is fantastic though
17. Favorite holiday: Christmas I’m not religious, but I enjoy the family time and all of our traditions
18. Do you download music?: Is this a trick question...Who doesn’t?
19. What illegal things have you done?: ...um, drank under age, but my parents were there so it couldn’t have been that illegal. Lol
20. Where would you want to go on a first date?: on a picnic at the beach, or, an ice cream place and then for a walk, *These are seasonal dates though of course*
21. Would you date the person who posted this before you?: Um...no, sorry Linds, I like boys
22. Has anyone ever sang or played for you personally?: no, but does someone writing me a song count?
24. Do you like Bush?: That is like asking me if I like lighting my ass on fire
25. Have you ever bungee jumped?: No, and no thanks. I couldn’t handle the recoil.
26. Have you ever white-water rafted?: YES It was amazing
27. Has anyone ten years older than you ever hit on you?: Yes, and I left very shortly after...he was too weird
29. Have you met a real redneck?: I’m from a little community in Northern Ontario, does that answer this question?
30. How is the weather right now: Very nice. Not too hot and not too cool, but it is 6:30 in the morning
31. What song are you listening to right now?: Sisu purring
32. What is your current favorite song?: ...wow, music is my life How do I choose? I really like “A Big Black Horse and A Cherry Tree,” right now though
33. What was the last movie you watched?: The Devil Wears Protta...decent
34. Do you wear contacts?: LMAO, noooooo
35. Where was the last place you went besides your house?: the physio therapist for my shoulder
36. What are you afraid of?: failure
37. How many piercings and tattoo's do you have?: 2 tattoos, *one very recent* and 5 piercings, *belly button and ears*
38. How many pets do you have?: 4, *Ok, Jetta is not quite a pet, but she counts too*, Sisu kitten, Loki kitten, Jetta dog, and Flash dog-my parents’
39. Have you ever loved someone?: yes
40. What turns you on?: shirtless guys, wearing jeans and bare feet...don’t’ ask
41. What do you usually order from Tim hortons?: an ice cap...chocolate milk in it-same as Lindsay
42. Have you ever fired a gun?: yeppers, scary or what?
43. Are you missing someone?: someones...Tenie and Carmen because they’re in Jordan and tis’ scary over there right now, and Ashley because she’s down in southern Ontario-sorry Linds, I can’t miss you because you’re here with me lol
44. What is your favorite tv show?: I don’t watch tv enough to have a favourite
45. Do you have an ipod?: Yes, and they are the most inaccessible bloody things in the world Anyone want to buy it? Lol
46. Has anyone ever said you looked like a celeb?: yep, but it was a long time ago-I don’t remember which one
47. Whats your mom’s name?: Maria Sophia
48. Who would you like to see right now?: Tenie, Carmen and Ashley lol
49. Favorite band of all time: ...GreenDay, and U2
50. ...Oh look, another missing number
51. Have you ever been caught doing something you weren't supposed to?: Me? Do something I wasn’t supposed to be doing? ...I haven’t been caught, you can’t prove anything.
52. Favorite flower?: anything purple
53. Butter, plain, or salted popcorn?: butter
54. What books are you reading?: ...none unfortunately, I am still doing my summer courses
55. Have you ever ridden in a limo?: no, but I want to
56. ...And there is no 56
57. Do you watch MTV?: nope
58. What's something that really bugs you?: people who lie
59. Whats your favorite hobby?: wow...um...I have so many, singing and horseback riding-swimming has become a profession so I can’t call it my favourite hobby anymore
60. Do you like Michael Jackson?: He was my hero when I was like four...not anymore lol
61. What the hell? Another missing number.
62. Favorite basketball team?: I don’t’ like basketball
63. Favorite cereal? Lucky Charms, but I don’t eat it often-last time I had it was two years ago in Athens lol
64. Do you drive?: Would you like me to kill someone? Lol No, but I have in deserted parking lots and such
65. What's the longest time you've gone without sleep?: thirty hours or so...never again. Blind people with no sleep are dangerous
66. Last time you went bowling?: It’s been so long I can’t remember.
67. Guess what? No 67
68. Who was your last phone call?: Lindsay
69. Last time you were at work?: ...a week and a half ago-swimming is my work. Lol My tattoo is healing.
70. Whats your favorite mood to be in?: excited or just happy
There you go, a little more insight to my crazy ways :)

Ride 'em Cow girl?

So, I have finally decided to take horseback riding lessons and had my first one on Saturday afternoon. The weather has been terribly hot and so I made sure to take a long a water bottle for me and Jetta. The barn wasn't actually too bad, temperature wise, and Jetta stayed tied in the tack room while I learned how to tack and sponge bath my horse. Her name is Spicy, she's 28 years old and she's a very small quarter horse-only 14.3 hands high. I'm not sure, but I think that could almost classify her as a pony. It's weird because quarter horses are supposed to be very tall.
I didn't get any riding in because it took a whole hour to learn how to brush, tack and untack Spicy. I also took her outside where there was a bucket full of water and a huge sponge to bathe her with. I think I had a bath myself since the water ran down my arms and on to the rest of me. It was kind of refreshing. My next lesson is next Saturday and I have already purchased a new riding helmet. I don't know much about horses, but my instructor is very friendly and is good at answering my onslaught of questions.
Lindsay and I also went to our local Rotery Fest Friday night and Saturday afternoon and evening. It was fun listening to the bands, getting our hair wrapped, looking at all of the lovely jewellery we could not afford and eating cotton candy. Jetta did not come with us Saturday because it was too hot and the bands were much too loud. She was pretty pissed at me Friday for bringing her along, so she stayed at home in the comfort of our cool house. We also made a point of trying to pet as many dogs as possible. I even got Lindsay up to dance to the last two songs of the last band-they were a tribute band to the Eagles called Hotel California and they were fantastic!
All in all, it was a good weekend.
Thanks Linds

The Final Result

So, it's been four days since I endured four hours of self inflicted pain to get my tattoo. I am very happy with the result! The artist was very good at shading and added in little details that weren't in the original picture. I think he was having fun. He had about 14 different colours out while he was tattooing me and used quite a few of them. The tattoo is quite large and covers the majority of the side of my left calf. The fairy's wings spread out over the front of my leg and onto the back. Lindsay took pictures and I will definitely be putting them up-eventually. :)
Speaking of Lindsay she got hers yesterday. She was under the needle for about 2 hours and she is very satisfied with her flower and vine. The flower is on the side of her calf-like my fairy-and the vine winds around her leg. If we have pictures, I'll put those up too. This guy is so creative, he had added in Lindsay's vine at the last minute and expanded my fairy's wings as well. He also added in fairy dust and stars, a necklace and a red fingerless glove on one of her hands. I was totally impressed by him.
Lindsay was very good at holding my hand while I writhed in pain-swearing the whole way. When it was her turn yesterday, I held her hand, while she wiggled and squirmed whimpering. We both had a good laugh after she was done at the difference between our reactions to pain. Her reaction went something like this:
"buzz buzz" goes the tattoo gun
"ow, *whine* ow, crap *whimper*" goes Lindsay.
Jess reaction:
"buzz buzz" goes the tattoo gun
"shit, shit shit shit," goes Jess
and so on.
I swore while getting it done that I would not be going in for number three, but who knows. I was being rash-you should never make such a hasty decision when you are under the influence of anything other than your normal brain.

The Wonders Of Religion

In light of the 17th Canadian soldier killed in Afghanistan-and the ongoing violence going on around the entire wrold-I figured I'd post a reflection piece I had to write for a class I'm taking now.
Since this is the final reflection paragraph of this course, I saw it fitting to discuss a theme I detected running throughout the majority of the World Religions we have studied. In the first readings we were clearly, and rightfully, instructed not to compare characteristics of religions to one another as it devalues each individual religious experience. Yet, there seems to be a common thread that ties these World Religions together-so much so that there is an entire course devoted to it at Wilfrid Laurier University and probably many other post secondary institutions. Many of these religions have been established through , and or have suffered great amounts of violence. This is evident when one reads the book Lakota Woman, or examines the lessons for each week. The unanswerable question seems to be why this occurs.
Historically, as we have read, violence has been a great part of religion, and unfortunately, the bloodshed has continued through to, supposed, modern times. The first aspect of the Islamic tradition our online notes discuss is the violence and battles that established this religion. Muhammad was persecuted by the Meccans and was forced to negotiate with the citizens of Yathrib because his message of monotheism was ferociously rejected by powerful leaders from his own tribe. These leaders vowed to destroy Muhammad and thus, the violence began. Not to mention, once “the Prophet” died, the following caliphs faced many of their own battles and assassinations. What is it within the nature of humans or religion that contributes to so much fighting?
It is not only in the Islamic tradition that violence is and was used in the name of religion. Within Judaism, the glaring example is the Holocaust that was declared against the Jewish communities of Germany and surrounding European countries by Hitler and the Third Reich. Million of Jews suffered great torture at the hands of this murdering political party. The violence within the Judaism tradition also continues with the fighting between Palestine and Israel over the rights to the ownership of the “Holy Land.” Is it the mixing of politics and religion that causes such atrocities?
Christianity, the other monotheism religion studied, also has a bloody history. The Crusade, witch burnings and the campaigns set against the First Nations people to Christianize them, are only few of the horrific events undertaken in the name of the Christian tradition. It is interesting to note that when Christianity was in its beginning phases, its followers were persecuted and suffered greatly as well. Meetings had to be held secretively for the followers could be and would be punished for their belief in Christianity. It took many years before public places of worship were established and even then, many of the churches were damaged or obliterated. How is it possible that one religion that endured persecution, could possibly forcefully and violently try to spread its message?
I suppose many of these questions will remain unanswered. Many different people have many different reasons for the violence that exists within the religious institution.It is an ongoing debate that may never be answered, but perhaps the more important question should be, how do we stop the violence now? We cannot change the events of the past, but there is a chance history can be stopped from being repeated over and over again. Then again, do the above questions, and others, need to be answered to put an end to religious bloodshed? It seems kind of like a chicken and egg question. There is one positive thing that has come out of all of this rambling-at least we’re talking about it and recognize that it is happening. That is a start.

"He's getting a tattoo, yeah, he's getting ink done..."

Okay, so he's not a he. In fact, he's a she, but the song lyrics only had "he" in them.
On Saturday around 11:30 please cross your fingers, paws or whatever you have, for me because I am going in for my second tattoo. You would think I would have learned from the stinging burning of the first one, but no of course not! I am getting another one. This one is bigger and has much more detail than the first and it will take much longer. Yikes! I'm a bit nervous, but I think I'll be fine.
One of my best girls, Lindsay, has volunteered to go with me and hold my hand like she did for the first. Jetta will stay home for two reasons:
1. She would freak out. She doesn't even like the doctor listening to me breathe.
and 2. It's against the sanitation rules.
The number one thing one should look for when getting a tattoo, besides artsmenship, is cleanliness and proper sterilization. There are so many horror stories of people getting tattoos and dirty needles being used on them. Quite often they catch some horrible disease that usually can't be cured. So, no carpeting in the actual room and proper sterilization. Very important.
I was instructed to eat a large breakfast before hand and was told that they had juice boxes on site. I'm sure it's to make sure nobody passes out on them. I know I eat a lot, so I'll probably bring extra food or maybe Gaitoraid. That stuff is great! Hmm, maybe my next project should be getting a sponsorship with the company. I drink so much of that crap. Wait, did I spell Gaitoraid right? Probably not. :) That is what happens when you are blind and only hear words spoken, and can't read the labels of things. My next Thursday 13 should be of words I can't spell because I've never seen them written. Woops, got sidetracked.
Anyway, the tattoo is of a fairy and I'll be putting her on the side of my left calf. Lindsay has a digital camera, so maybe I'll get her to take a picture of it whenit's healed and put it up. I don't even think I have one of my first one up. Hmm, I'll have to work on that.
So, on Saturday morning, send me "happy" vibes. I'll probably be needing them.
PS: I won't tell you how much it is costing. You will think I'm nuts!

Just The Two Of Us!!

Happy Anniversary Jetta!!
Can you believe it? It's been four wonderful years since your cute little black nose came zooming into the room at Leader Dog. You were this little black ball of fire with a huge heart and a silky coat. Not much has changed-except that you actually love me now and not Jeorge your trainer. I am so glad it's been you and me taking on the world together. I don't think I would have been able to do it without you. Your sassy attitude is just what I needed and our working team is perfect-even if you don't "come" when you're off leash. :)
Jetta and I would like to say congratulations to Laura and Willow too. They were our roommates during our fantastic stay at Leader Dog and we miss them very much. (I'd put a link to their blog, but I'm not that talented yet).
Congrats to the other 22 graduates from July 2002 wherever you may be. :)

Ps: I'll blog about your great camping trip later. This blog was more important.
PPS: Jetta will be taking a trip to the pet store tomorrow for a treat to celebrate. I wasn't able to go today-we just got back from camping today.

Love you Jetta!