Remember Your Mother!

For the first time in awhile I am late in my blogging. It has been 3 weeks since I last blogged. To be honest, I think it is because there has not been enough happening to blog about. As summer approaches everything begins to move at a slower pace. It might be that I only blog every 3 weeks for the summer months. On a more important topic, it is Mother's Day on Sunday! I have a huge respect for parents/guardians/grandparents. I would love to be in Charlottetown visiting with my own but was there just a couple weeks ago. Ensure that you take some time this weekend to let the person who raised you know how much they mean to you. We are all who we are today because of those who gave their time and hearts to us over the years. I will be making a couple of calls to P.E.I. this weekend as today is also my niece's 1st birthday.

Over the past several weeks there has been quite a number of events. On May 9th I got to work at McDonald's during the supper hour rush. It was McHappy Day and proceeds from certain food items as well as donations were going to the local Boys and Girls Club. It seems that the media created a stir over the fact that politicians and others should not be supporting fast food restaurants in light of growing obesity rates. I believe this is a charity fundraiser like any other and it is important to support our non-profit sector. It is also important to remember that everyone has two choices: whether to go to a fast food restaurant or not and once there, whether to select a healthy menu item or not.

I have had several meetings with our Many Faces of Violence Awareness Project committee. Our next event will be a strictly awareness raising event. We will join St. Joseph's Community Health Centre at their Health Fair in King's Square at lunch on May 25th. We will be handing out information and promotional items to raise awareness on domestic violence.

I had my management course exam on the 27th of April and received my mark yesterday. It was fine so I am glad that chapter is over. Now, I will be awaiting a response from Dalhousie University to find out if I have been accepted into their Master of Public Administration distance degree program for the Fall. Please keep your fingers crossed! Not that I really need the extra work.

Today, I will be attending a gathering to discuss and plan the 4th Annual Harbour Passage Gardening Party. This is an annual event that has been organized by the Greater Saint John Community Foundation and the Saint John Waterfront Development Partnership. I have taken part since its inception. It is a great opportunity for people to get out in their community and take part in cleaning up a well-used community asset. It is also a lot of fun and a great family event. Especially if you trying to teach your children to become involved in their community. This years Gardening Party begins at 9:00 A.M. on May 26th.

A couple of weeks ago I also had the opportunity to have input into the New Brunswick Southwestern Community Needs Assessment. Every 5 years the Atlantic Health Sciences Corporation assesses health needs, capacities, and status of the residents of Region 2 and identifies which needs are a priority. I helped organize a small group of youth to have input into this assessment.

A couple of small updates include being referred to a Temporo-Mandibular Joint Disorder expert in Halifax to try and finally put an end to my jaw pain. I will let you know how it works out. Work has been extremely busy especially since I have been acting in my manager's position since he went on vacation. On May 7th I celebrated my 6th anniversary and will be surprised if my partner can put up with me for 6 more years! This past week I also had my bag stolen out of the back seat of my car while it was parked on Germain Street, near the Aliant building, during rush hour traffic. Obviously I should have locked my door but I think it should also serve as a warning to everyone of how today's thieves can be quite brazen. Remember to lock your doors!

Finally I would like to highlight an important event coming up next week. The UNBSJ Q-Collective and PFLAG Canada-Saint John Chapter along with like minded individuals and groups will commemorate the “International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia” with the Third Annual Rainbow Peace March commencing at 6:00 p.m. on Harbour Passage underneath the Harbour Bridge (off of Chesley Drive, behind the HMCS Brunswicker), Thursday, May 17, 2007 (Rain or Shine)

The Rainbow Peace March will travel along the beautiful Harbour Passage, passing the boardwalk, up King Street to King Square and follow the route to Centenary Queen Square United Church at 215 Wentworth Street. At 7:00 p.m. the Rev. Don Uhryniw will then conduct a Service of Prayer and Hope followed by the lighting of luminaries to recognise Champions Against Homophobia, a fundraiser for PFLAG Canada.