RIP Jack Layton

I was not happy initially when an election was called this year. When it was all said and done, I was shocked, as was the rest of the country. I was so proud of my party and its leader.

The "orange crush" made history. The NDP, led by Jack Layton, had won 103 seats, becoming the official Opposition for the first time in the party's history. They took 59/75 seats in Quebec, which led to the collapse of the Bloc Quebecois.

In July 2011, Layton announced that he would be taking a leave of absence as he fought a new form of cancer. This morning it was announced (link) that he passed away peacefully in his home with his family. He was 61.

RIP Jack Layton, the man who somehow managed to catch my interest in Politics. You were a brilliant, sweet man, and a great leader. This country will not be the same without you.

Keeping busy and enjoying the weather

We finally got a week or so with no rain. YAY! Unfortunately it's coming back with a vengeance tomorrow, but that's besides the point. For now, we shall enjoy it! It's currently 24 outside. LOVE!

So our crazy month is just about up. Easter, Hannah's birthday, my birthday, election, Mother's Day and Morgan's birthday have all (finally) passed. Next up is Ryan's birthday, then the craziness dies down a little.

Somehow I didn't get a chance to get on here and talk for days about the election. Long story short, I didn't get to work it because Elections Canada cannot accommodate nursing mothers. Hopefully I'll get to do it next time. While I'm very upset that Harper won a majority government, I'm incredibly happy with the many other stories that came from May 2. NDP is our official opposition for the first time in Canadian history. Go, Jack, Go! Ignatieff stepped down as Liberal leader after an abominable finish, and Duceppe resigned, as the Bloc loses recognition as a formal party. Finally, Elizabeth May won her own riding and got the Green Party their very first seat in Parliament. There is one heck of a silver lining here after all. We can only go up from here, Canada.

Mother's Day was nice and quiet. We had my (belated) birthday party on May 7, after which Isaac, Addison and I stayed in the trailer. It was a really nice afternoon/night out at the lot with a camp fire and a few good friends. I got to sleep in the next morning as Isaac cleaned up. He made me breakfast at home and Addison and I spent the rest of the day shopping in Belleville with my Mom. It was perfect, being able to spend the day with my Mom and daughter. Mom bought us some flowers so we spent the afternoon fixing up the front garden beneath the picture window. It looks so much better already!

Morgan's turned one on Wednesday. I still cannot believe she's already one! Where did this past year go? She'll hold on to your finger and walk pretty quickly all around the house, and she can get up and down from the couch by herself. She's drinking milk and using sippy cups now. I see her often and I'm still in disbelief.

Ryan and Nicole had a small party for her with family and a few friends, an Eeyore cake and lots of presents. It was cute to watch her pick at her piece of cake and bat some balloons around. She got kind of cranky though, and had no interest in her birthday hat or any pictures.

Addison has just passed out on the floor in the Living Room as I write this, and Isaac is off measuring the lot with his Dad and Laine. I'm going to do some laundry. Hopefully I can get Mom's camera and upload some recent pictures.

No excuses

As most Canadians know, Stephen Harper has been charged with Contempt of Parliament, which has lead  to the upcoming Non-Confidence Vote on May 2.  I've always followed basic politics, whether they interest me or not.  I feel like it's my duty to be aware of what's going on in the world around me and the world I just brought a child into.  While it may seem like it at times, all politicians are not the same, nor do they believe the same things.  They are certainly not all "criminals."

Saying you just don't know how to vote is ignorant.  If you can't find the time to figure out what everyone stands for, I believe you are lazy.  I don't expect everyone to be interested in politics, follow them religiously, and know how many pets Jack Layton owns or what Stephen Harper likes for breakfast.  Just take five minutes out of your life and research the basic party platforms.  Is Education important to you?  The Economy?  Crime rate?  Military?  See what the five leaders have to say about it.  The bottom line is if you don't bother to vote, then you have no right to complain when the "bad guy" gets in or things happen that you disagree with.

Canadian citizens who choose not to vote have always gotten on my nerves.  I've convinced Isaac to finally vote this year, and couldn't be happier.  I don't care who he votes for, just that he's doing it at all.  This year will also be the first time that I'll be working at a poll.  It's not the most exciting job I'll ever have for a day, but I feel like I'm doing a good deed.  I consider it a step in the right direction on behalf of my generation, most of whom "can't be bothered."

Make an educated decision and do your civic duty.  Go vote on May 2.

Upcoming events

Things to look forward to!

• Apr 21: Training to work at the election
• Apr 22: In-laws get home from their vacation
• Apr 22: Easter weekend
• Apr 28: My Niece's due date
• Apr 29: University ends, Isaac's brothers come home
• Apr 30: My birthday
• May 2: Election (That's not very exciting in itself, but I'm pretty pumped to do some easy work for great pay)
• May 8: Mother's Day
• May 11: My other Niece's 1st birthday
• May 23: My Brother's birthday (Is Brother capitalized?)