365 Day Project Has Been Relocated

After further consideration, I've decided to use blogger to post my photo-a-day project from now on. Thanks for the suggestion, Cormie. You can now find it here:
http://365dayproject.blogspot.com

Election Day Madness!

Wow! What an experience that was... I think that was by far, one of the craziest management situations I've ever experienced. Here's the scenario:

- I was working at a polling center that had 6 different polling stations at it
- I was working poll #51 and had a total of 167 voters the entire day
- Most other polls (49, 50, 52, 53) at that center had similar voter turnouts
- There was one poll, however (#48 to be exact), that as I found out later in the day, had 3 polling stations combined into the one
- As it turns out, that was a VERY VERY bad idea since it caused a majorly huge lineup during the busy hours of the day
- To add to this overflow, this particular poll also happened to have the largest percentage of student voters at it, which meant that a whole whack of them needed to register first (registering is not a 30 second process either)
- As a result, there ended up being a huge lineup (out the door) for students to register for the vote
- And once registered, these same people then had to stand in another lineup that stretched out the door due to the number of people having to vote at poll 48

As the day moved along, I watched the lineup grow larger and larger, and noticed the chaos and confusion that was brewing in the hallway outside. I tried to think of something I could do to help, but felt limited in my abilities since I was supposed to stay at my station and there was a poll supervisor that was supposed to taking charge. I felt trapped -- in a situation where I knew a leader needed to step forward and do something to alleviate the chaos, but I felt trapped and uncertain about where my authority lay. It was a classic case, really, of poor management and leadership, and seeing how others (including myself) reacted in the situation.

I ended up playing my small part in solving this process, and as the day progressed the chaos eventually faded, and the day finally came to an end. I actually had a great day for the most part, hanging out with my poll clerk, Line, and the Liberal scruitineer, Jane. All the while, knitting the day away (my scarf if almost done!).

Although my fears really did come true with the announcement of the final result, I'm taking a deep breath and have no choice but to wait this new federal government out and see how things go. Wonder how long til our next federal election?....

My Latest Addiction

My roomie, Ange, just got the boxed DVD set of Lost (season one) for Christmas. I had heard that it was a good show so I decided to start watching it when I got back to NB after the holidays. Well... I'm hooked now. I actually think I could be classified as being addicted to this show! Rather than working on my homework assignments in my evenings, I instead choose to spend my time fitting in another episode or two of Lost. Last night I was just going to watch one episode and was left in such suspense at the end of it, that I was forced to stay up til 1am watching the next one too! Oooops!

The thing that is most cool about the show is the never ending mystery of the storyline that unfolds and grows more complex as the episodes progress. I've heard through friends (that are also addicts of the show) that the writers say that there are always answers to everything that happens, we just may have to wait to find them out. Although it has a bit of a science-fiction feel to it, I'm beginning to wonder if it's more a spiritual underlining instead.

I look forward to watching more episodes and learning more about the characters that I'm already starting to love. Here's to hoping I actually do enough homework to earn my teaching certificate when all is said and done! :P

Gotta love the roomies!

Last night I was experiencing a severe attention span problem and spent the entire evening avoiding anything remotely related to the tonnes of homework that I have due in the next few weeks. In my restlessness I conquered that I need more excitement in my life and changed my MSN name to reflect that thought.

Today my roomie, Krystal, MSNd me in response to my name, "what could be more exciting than living with me?! but if you feel you need more i'll be naked whe you get home." I quickly changed my name to "Hmmm... Krystal is offering to wait naked at home for me... woot woot!" A few minutes later, I check again and her name simply stated "Naked, waiting for Heather." LOL

Gotta love those random MSN conversations (and super hilarious roomies like the two I ended up with)!! If only that helped to alleviate my problem related to my lack of motivation... Alas... somehow I'll find some excitement in my life!

List-Crazy!

I realized that I am the "Queen of Lists" yesterday when I re-wrote my grocery list in order of the aisles I was going to walk down in the store... Does that mean that I need psychological help?

New Project: Photo A Day

So I've been inspired to start a new project. I got this idea from both Ming and my new boss at the Running Room (her article is at the bottom of the pdf file) who each completed their own version of this project. The long and short of it is that I have decided to take a unique photograph each and every day for the next year of my life. I haven't yet decided what sort of things I will focus on, or what restrictions I will impose on my photographs. Regardless, I think this will be a fun and interesting project... we'll see how it goes :)

Another Chapter

2006 has arrived! And hence, so have my new years resolutions!

1. Surpass my 2 hour time goal for half marathon!
2. Learn to be more patient with my parents
3. Become more knowledgeable about the facts within the bible
4. Learn to play guitar
5. Start planning my meals ahead of time for better grocery shopping/eating habits