so, about May...
night shifts. youth group. a televised debate. rally in the valley. municipal elections. an overdue car appointment. an even more overdue hair appointment. a job interview. two graduations. Sunday school. pre-martial counselling. international travel preparation. not nearly enough sleep for any of it.
Taking that photo and seeing just how much happened in May kind of made me want to vomit. I've never been so excited to turn a calendar over to a new month.
In many ways, May was a blur. That said, there are a few things worth noting:
I made my television debut
Steve, our city hall reporter, and I at the debate. He was a panelist, I was the moderator.
We clearly took our roles very seriously.
When I was in j-school, I always said I have the face and voice for print. During my third year, I rooted myself solidly in print, chose radio as my secondary subject, and avoided television completely. I liked working behind the scenes - writing scripts, producing, filming, editing - but the whole idea of being on camera? No thank you.
So when I was asked at work to participate in a televised mayoral debate in the lead up to the municipal election, I wasn't exactly thrilled about it but I said yes anyway.
And to my surprise, it was actually kind of fun? I served as the moderator for the evening, tasked with keeping the show moving along. The team running the show was amazing and I'm happy to report my greatest nightmare of screwing up big time on a broadcast did not come true. I've had a lot of great feedback since it aired (which I hope is sincere and not just friends being nice!) and while I don't think I'm going to be running to make the switch to broadcast, I'd definitely do it again with the same team.
I chaperoned my first overnight, out-of-town trip (and conquered some fears in the process)
Those who know me, know there are two things I'm not so into as a driver: driving long distances and driving in unfamiliar places. I did both those things in May when my church youth group packed up and headed out of town for Rally in the Valley.
The trip was an interesting experience. Although I have been working with kids/youth pretty consistently for the last few years, I still find it bizarre that I am at a point in my life where I'm not only able but completely capable of chaperoning children. I joked upon return that the trip really gave me a taste of what being a parent to pre-teens/teens must be like; I did everything from helping manage medications, to driving kids to and from venues, to being woken up at way-too-early-o'clock by children wanting to go to the pool. Capped off the weekend with my favourite "parent moment": driving home in the pitch black on the highway with a child in my passenger seat, vomiting into a garbage bag. Delightful, right?
Still, overall, it was a success. The kids had a great time and so did I (although I learned going to an event as a chaperon is a very different experience than going as a participant). It was also a great rehearsal of sorts for my trip to Kenya next month.
Jeff graduated!
Took a little longer than some others, but now Jeff can officially add university graduate to his list of accomplishments. As an education reporter, I've sat through A LOT of graduations, but this one was definitely my favourite. Jeff worked so hard to finish his degree and I couldn't be more proud.
I also got to see Jeff's brother, Josh, receive his degree about a week later. Also exciting! May was a big month of celebrating some really wonderful education accomplishments.
Progress on the wedding planning front
the box for our BEAUTIFUL rings
Could not be more pleased with the work by Bentwood Jewelry Designs!
Although many of the big details about our October wedding have been planned for a while - the venue, who will be in the wedding party, the catering, etc. - May was really about getting some of the finer details moving forward.
Our wedding bands arrived (and they are SO, SO beautiful! I can't wait to wear mine!), we made an appointment to design our wedding invitations, and an appointment for a dress fitting. We've also been working through the book we picked as part of our pre-martial counselling, had our second session, and made a plan to get the rest of them finished before the pastor who is doing our ceremony moves to Nova Scotia.
Wedding planning has been strange in some ways. I often feel like we haven't really done a lot, but I made a list the other day and we have a lot more under control than I thought. It's so hard to believe how quickly it's coming up!
•••
Although I am anticipating June will be calmer than May (or at least I really hope it will be) I do have some things on the go. I have a few things to do to prepare for my trip to Kenya next month (one last vaccine/prescriptions to fill, a VISA to apply for, packing), some wedding-related work (counselling. above mentioned invitation/dress fitting appointments), a couple medical appointments and a whole slew of night shifts. That said, I want June to be a more...restful month, which I figure, all things considered, is an achievable goal. In the spirit of welcoming the new month...
Current month: June
Current book(s): Keeping the Moon by Sarah Dessen. I read this book at least once every summer, usually at the beginning. It's not my favourite Sarah Dessen book (that honour goes to Someone Like You) but for some reason, when I think about summer, this is the book that comes to mind.
Current music:
on repeat.
Current show: Nashville (which was just cancelled. SOB!) and the second season of Bloodline on Netflix. What can I say? Connie Britton and Kyle Chandler are my favourites.
Current workout: Ugh, May was a bust on the exercise front. My schedule was all over the place, I worked a lot of weird hours, and this definitely fell by the wayside. That said, I am hoping the nice weather sticks around so I can get some walking in in June. I've been doing that a lot more lately. I think my body has appreciated the break from more intense exercise.
Current link: Included it earlier, but if you're looking for some really fantastic, handmade, wooden jewelry, you should seriously check out Bentwood Jewelry Designs! They were a dream to work with and I am so in love with our wedding bands.
Current bible study: I spent a lot of time in May reading and re-reading Ecclesiastes. Not sure what I want to read for June. Took a bit of a break from structured plans last month, focusing instead on just...enjoying scripture, if that makes sense? Will likely continue that this month.
Current triumphs: I actually managed to lose about 10 pounds in May? Not by doing anything sketchy, but by just...eating better. And drinking more water, honestly. Amazing how big a difference those two things can make. I'm hoping to keep that going in June.
Current frustration: Waiting.
Current prayer request: Relevant to the last point, for patience during the waiting, for opportunities, and for wisdom to see those opportunities when they arise.
Current excitement: I LEAVE FOR KENYA IN, LIKE, 30 DAYS!
Current mood: Content, but also sleepy.
