Thoughts on Days Off

As a supply ECA (Early Childhood Assistant), I get many days off during the week. And although I wish I had more work then I'm getting, I quite enjoy the time off as well. Days off work during the week are especially pleasant because there is something to be said about those mornings. Maybe its the fact that you can finally savour those smells coming from the bakery down the street, or the morning frost (or dew), or maybe it has something to do with spending the day off while others are at work; finally getting to spend that quality time among your thoughts (hopefully the pleasant positive ones) without interruptions, be it the kids, the man or that annoying friend who you love but can't stand all at the same time.

I feel like I appreciate those days off even more than my weekends because they almost feel like bonus days. You know, days where you don't have to think about mindless or mindful work. Days where you have an hour to cook a descent breakfast or brunch (depending what time you chose to wake up). Days where you can walk out your front door and feel like nothing will affect you negatively because its a bonus day and nothing has to be planned or worried about. 
I think bonus days are important, especially in the Western lifestyles, where we get wallowed into this plague of debts; whatever they may be. I say this because these debts consume our lives. We feel morally obligated to pay the off. And if its not moral obligation, its personal consciousness of being debt free. 

The point I am trying to make is getting consumed in such day to day problems, makes us forget to appreciate and moreover enjoy the beautiful, calming things in life; family, friends, nature and our communities. However, bonus days give us time to reunite with those feelings and moments of bliss. 

Today, was a bonus day for me. Not only did I get the day off and the weather was great, but it also happens to be my name day Mihaela (St.Michael and Gabriel Day). I woke up early, as I am used to doing for work. I spent my morning organizing things I always wanted to, but never got around to doing. Now, although these things seem to be important, really have no importance in the grand scale of things and I'm sure it doesn't take me writing it for you to agree.

The best part of my day was spending the noon hours in Westdale, eating a Vegetarian Panini and a Pumpkin Latte from a local cafe (My Dog Joe) all the while walking with my puppy Mina through the Ravine Road Trail and its various side trails and visiting my grandmother. 

For me, food is an important part of life. I live to eat, not eat to live. I think food is creative and inspiring. Each meal, each food or beverage tells a story through its taste, smell, appearance, sound, texture and most of all with who and how you eat it. That is why on my bonus days, if I am not taking the time to create, I'm definitely out enjoying food!

They say that those people who own a pet live a less stressful life. I don't know if that also leads to a longer life. What I do know is I get a sense of complete happiness when I see Mina having the time of her life exploring and discovering the world. Even when I come home from work she makes me feel like I'm the most important person in the world and that my presence is not only noticed but favoured. It just doesn't matter how my day went, you'll be sure that when I get home, she's there to put a smile on my face or make my day even brighter. So, what better way than to appreciate her then by taking her out?

There's a warm fuzzy feeling inside of me when I think of grandparents. It's probably because when I visit my grandmother, she always has some warm food ready for me in case I'm hungry. And when I walk through her door, I can just see how happy she is to see me, which in turn makes me smile even more because let's face it, everyone loves to love and be loved. If you're lucky and have the patience, the best part about grandparents is the great stories they tell; whether they are fiction or true events that they lived. Needless to say, my bonus day wouldn't have felt complete without visiting her. 



So maybe it was an epiphany that got me to ramble on about days off or maybe its something greater (a change urn for in our Western society) or maybe it's a little bit of both.  Whatever, it may be I thought I'd share what it is I enjoy doing on my days off with the aspiration that it will inspire someone to not just have a day off but to have a bonus day instead.


Signing Off,

Anca Mihaela