Feeding the soul

"He causes grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food from the earth; and wine that make glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread to strengthen man's heart." ~Psalm 104

The clinic I work out of is situated in a lovely up-and-coming area of Burnaby, surrounded by offices, medical buildings, and, of course, fast-food restaurants. And now, working right next-door to a McDonald's is posing something of a dilemma for me.

I recently had a conversation with a friend about the inherent evils of the 99cent hamburger and the fast food society we live in. Ignoring even for a moment all the health and sanitary concerns associated with places like McDonald's, the ethical issues surrounding our fast-food industry are pretty staggering, if not downright demonic. On the other hand, when you've only 20 minutes to spare between patients, and McD's is RIGHT THERE, it's tough to run out and find something fast, cheap and vaguely satisfying. (We won't even talk about what problems fasting causes in these circumstances.) And that's it, it's just so darn convenient.

So today I cooked a meal for my family, and we sat down together (at the table, not in front of the television) and we ate. Granted, I didn't exactly kill and pluck the chicken myself, and not all the ingredients were fresh let alone organic or locally grown, but it still provides an amazingly eucharistic experience. Taking the time to carefully prepare food for people you love, and enjoy it with them is a joy that is lost in our 'fast food nation'. We no longer see eating as a joyful, almost ritualistic experience of communion, but simply a chore that must be done, as quickly and cheaply as possible.

And perhaps this is the problem. The entire idea that eating is something to be done on the fly, whenever you can get around to it, as quickly, easily and inexpensively as possible. Everywhere you turn there are ads for 'instant' meals, fast-food restaurants, meal replacements and, perhaps my favourite, 'gormet, organic frozen entrees, just 3 minutes in the microwave!'
All this instead of seeing food as a gift, a communion, a eucharist. After all, food is one of the most beautiful pleasures given to us. God could have made us like some other animals, who eat and mate and live simply by instinct, no real comprehension or joy in those things which they must do to survive. But he didn't. He made us to enjoy His creation, designed us to take pleasure in those things which keep us alive. Food is not just a way of nourishing ourselves, but of partaking of all of God's creation, of communing not only with God and nature (from which our food comes) but with those around us. One of the best and most important sacraments we have is the Eucharist; Christ giving Himself to feed us, both physically and spiritually.

I know that not everyone's lives or schedules permit such luxuries and home-cooked family meals. The rest of the world isn't going to snap out of their convenience-based secular outlook, and your boss isn't going to let you leave early because you stand up and say 'excuse sir, but I'd like my meals to be a eucharistic experience.' But still, it's something to think about. Food for thought.

new blog

For multiple reasons, I'm working towards shutting this blog down. I've started a new one though, on which I hope to post semi-regularly.

So, from now on, I can be found at:
Magdalen's Sing-Along Blog

Look back in Angora...

... or, something like that.

I was re-reading my blog today, particularly the post following my final exam of my first term. Wow. It's funny how fast time goes by, how much things change in a few short years. I was so excited, so giddy. Standing on the edge of something new and wonderful, so many great expectations. If I knew then what I know now...
well, I'd probably be a receptionist. Or a waitress.

So much has changed. I have a nephew, a niece or nephew on the way. Got a cat, lost a cat, got another, lost another. Got a cat that finally stayed. I've made new friends. Lost some old ones. Somewhere in there I think I grew up, at least a little. I found a gift I never knew I had. I fell, I got up. And repeat.

I'm glad no one told me how hard this would be, or I might not have done. Coming out the other side, a little older, a (very) little wiser, and a lot more exhausted, I'm glad I did it. I Learned I have a strength I could never have found without it being tested.

And now, back into the breach. I fall, I get up.
Repeat ad nauseum.

I'm a bad, bad blogger.

The Highlights:
Term 7 is hard, I'm exhausted.
I have less than 5 weeks left in my academic career before I graduate and start my prep for the Boards. I'm less giddy than I thought I'd be, and more just pushing hard through the final leg of the race. And needing electrolytes.
I still love my job. I love my patients. I can't wait to start my practice.

....
Hmmm, wow. For no blogging I have pathetically few updates. Guess that's what happens when you have no life outside school.

Will update when I have something more interesting that tests and studying to talk about.

Well, my break is almost over. Where did it go? to Someplace I suppose, to the City of Lost Time, or whatever it is. What is it again?

I've had a pretty fabulous break though, and finally feel a little rested and revitalized. I've gotten some back-burner projects underway again, visited friends and family, had some new experiences and even learned a little about myself. Pretty good for only 3.5 weeks off.

My most joyous news is that I've got a job!! My chiropractors have a place for me in their office, effective immediately upon my graduation and registration. I'm so insanely, ridiculously happy, like a school-girl.

Happy happy. Nothing but grins over here.

:)

as Braveheart put it...

FREEEEEEEDOOOOOOM!!!!!!

Term 6 is OVER. Done. Finished. Complete. Never-to-return-to-that-pit-of-misery-and-despair-OVER.

Now for a break. Yes, I'll be working on my case study, and beginning to study for Board Exams. But it will be on my terms, without a frighteningly looming deadline, and including an opportunity to sleep and see people.

And then there will be term 7. My last term, the last hurdle, the final farewell.
5 more months until graduation.

Anyone else counting the days?

And now to my cave. Extra-curricular beta-reading, writing and massive amounts of Gilmore Girls awaits. See you on the flip side.

end of term, redux

Writing Jurisprudence exam this morning.
Yay, bylaws. Blah blah, don't sleep with your patient, blah blah, minors must have parent consent.

This afternoon, Research exam, via email. At least I get to sit at home with coffee.

Truly, this school is breaking my spirit. I'm losing all will to live. I'm at that point in the program when the mind-numbing, soul-crushing despair and misery have set in, and I just want out.

Soon.

For now, bylaws.