I Resolve, More or Less…

Leave a comment December 31, 2012 drworobec

I resolve to read more.

I resolve to watch TV less.

I resolve to trust my intuition more.

I resolve to be upset by other’s choices less.

I resolve to smile at strangers more.

I resolve to be in a rush less.

I resolve to run more.

I resolve to let my ego get in the way less.

I resolve to eat protein and vegetables more.

I resolve to eat sugar less.

I resolve to sleep more.

I resolve to spend wasteful time on the internet less.

I resolve to listen more.

I resolve to interrupt less.

I resolve to worry about the weight on the barbell more.

I resolve to worry about the weight on the scale less.

I resolve to drink water more.

I resolve to drink coffee less.

I resolve to talk to people on the phone more.

I resolve to talk to people via text and email less.

I resolve to ask for help more.

I resolve to do things ‘my way’ less.

I resolve to get a babysitter more.

I resolve to postpone date-night less.

I resolve to meal-plan more.

I resolve to go to the grocery store less.

I resolve to floss my teeth more.

I resolve to think about the next day’s to-do list less.

I resolve to take pictures more.

I resolve to not print pictures less.

I resolve to nurture friendships more.

I resolve to worry about what others think less.

I resolve to do it today more.

I resolve to save it for tomorrow less.

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

4 Comments December 24, 2012 drworobec

Merry Christmas from my family to yours! May you enjoy the holiday season to its fullest!

‘TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below.
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tinny reindeer.

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name!

“Now Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!”

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky.
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my head, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack.

His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly!

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself!
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk.
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose!

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ‘ere he drove out of sight,
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!”

~Clement Clarke Moore

I am a Transplant. And it’s Christmastime.

3 Comments December 18, 2012 drworobec

I am a transplant. A geographical transplant, that is. I was born and raised in Alberta, and moved my life across the country 10 years ago (10 years already? Really?!) for post-graduate studies to become a Doctor of Chiropractic- and I ended up staying.

I have always identified myself as an Albertan, and likely always will; but it’s only been in the last few years that I’ve really started to feel at home in Burlington. I mean really ‘at home‘. The this-is-where-my-life-is-and-I-feel-content kind of home. Having my children here did that. Buying a house here did that. Growing roots here did that. And while Ontario is home, there are still times when my homesickness gets triggered by a rough day, a family celebration in Alberta, or my birthday. Christmas gets me too. When I close my eyes…

…I can see the familiar white lights on my parent’s Christmas tree.

…I can taste the love in the caramel popcorn that my mom makes.

…I can smell the warmth of the fire crackling in their wood-burning fireplace.

…I can hear the nostalgic sounds of my cousins laughing.

…I can feel the comforting crunch of Alberta snow beneath my boots.

Now with two young children of my own, I’m trying to nurture their sense of home and cozy familiarity with our own family traditions. And in the process, I’m creating a a new sense of home and cozy familiarity for myself. My homesickness eases when I see the excitement in their eyes and the magic in their smiles. My nostalgia lessens when I see the lights on our tree and the fire in our fireplace. And the love of my husband and my in-laws goes a long way too. I hug them more during the holidays.

So this Christmas, if you have a transplant in your life, be sure to remember that the holidays may bring feelings of loneliness mixed in with feelings of happiness. Be sure to ask them how they’re doing. Be sure to ask them what their Christmases ‘back home’ were like. And be sure to listen to their answers. It makes them feel more ‘at home’.