Though It's Been Said Many Times

It never ceases to amaze me how our everyday lives are so magnificantly planned.

Robyn and I went to the new school today in hopes of visiting Ms. Hynes and Ms. Crane. While we were looking for Ms. Hynes, we randomly came across the classroom of Ms. Skinner, my math teacher from grades 10 and 11. Ms. Skinner's never been one of the teachers I've most conncected with, but she was really excited to see us and we ended up staying for almost a half of an hour. Ms. Skinner asked me what I planned to do in the long term and, after I assured her that I really didn't think I was interested in medical school, I went into my usual rant about deciding between psychology and engineering. Ms. Skinner simply replied, "Meagan, you like math. You can either teach or become an engineer. I love my job. I get to teach people. I spend my days interacting with young adults. The money's not great, but it's enough. To me, engineering was a monotonous desk job. But the pay is excellent. Now, it's up to you: do you want to make lots of money, or do you want to love your job?"

In a statement, she simplified my entire future. Psychology? Teaching? Law? I'm not sure yet. But engineering is definitely not who I am. I want to teach, mold, help, and love. People mean the frigging world to me. And I want to love my job.

On a similar note, Sarah and Rob came to Corner Brook this morning for the famed gift exchange (luckily for me and everyone within a two-mile radius of me, as I would have exploded out of anticipation of present-giving if I had had to wait any longer). I was too excited to receive the novel Journey of Hope from Sarah. I actually took a good chunck out of it before supper, and I am loving it in all ways. It's one of those books where I periodically have to put it down and have an omgoshhhhJesusIanfeelgoodsmileSarahthankyouloveeeeeeeeeeeeeee moment. I think I hugged the book once.

In conclusion, it's almost Christmas. Which means it's almost the end of 2006. Which means it's 2006 journal reading time for me. For those of you who don't know, my journaling method is a little different. Every night before bed, I write down something from that day that I'm grateful for. It's usually just a couple of sentences, but there's always something. It's a very cleansing and humbling experience that I really recommend.

And reading about all the things that are wonderful in my life always reminds me of this poem:

I have a list of people I know

all written in a book,

and every year at Christmas time

I go and take a look.

And that is when I realize

that those names are a part,

not of the book they're written in,

but of my very heart.

For each name stands for someone

who has crossed my path sometime,

and in that meeting they've become

a treasured friend of mine.

And once you've met some people,

the years cannot erase

the memory of a pleasant word

or of a friendly face.

So when I send a Christmas card

that is addressed to you,

it's because you're on that list

of folk I'm indebted to.

And you are one of many folk

who, in times past, I've met,

and happen to be one of those

I don't want to forget.

And whether I have known you

for many years or few,

in some way you have a part

in shaping things I do.

This, the spirit of Christmas,

that forever and ever endures,

may it leave its richest blessing

in the hearts of you and yours.