Anyone can sympathize with the sufferings of a friend, but it requires a very fine nature to sympathize with a friend’s success. — Oscar Wilde
I'm wondering if my nature is fine or more granular.
Monday, March 30
Thursday, March 26
Really? Honestly? Seriously?
You! The one who works in a cubicle environment. I have a question for you.
Do you have someone who sits near you who uses their phone on speakerphone?
There's this manager. He sits across the hall from me. His office has a door. A functioning door. Yet he still makes calls using speakerphone. But what really gets me is when he checks his messages on speakerphone. With the door open!
Really? Honestly? Seriously?
Do you have someone who sits near you who uses their phone on speakerphone?
There's this manager. He sits across the hall from me. His office has a door. A functioning door. Yet he still makes calls using speakerphone. But what really gets me is when he checks his messages on speakerphone. With the door open!
Really? Honestly? Seriously?
Wednesday, March 25
Balance
"Balance is what you find when you step off the scale."
I am not overweight nor have I ever dieted (thank you genetics and athleticism) but I can imagine that phrase being a life-saver to those watching the numbers on the scale intently.
I know there's a delicate balance between how we look and how we feel. I also know that even the prettiest people have things that they hate about their bodies. Why? Because it's their body.
It took me years, but I'm quite happy with my body. Sure there are things that I may change if I could, but then I look at some plastic surgery addicts and wonder what they think when they look in the mirror. At least my flaws came with me (though the bruises and dents and scars were add-ons) and make me who I am.
I know that weight isn't only a number, but it can be. As long as you're healthy and feel good about yourself, why care what number shows on the scale? I would much rather be a little more plump but happy and oozing confidence than eating only celery and rice cakes and being completely miserable.
I think I've found my balance.
I am not overweight nor have I ever dieted (thank you genetics and athleticism) but I can imagine that phrase being a life-saver to those watching the numbers on the scale intently.
I know there's a delicate balance between how we look and how we feel. I also know that even the prettiest people have things that they hate about their bodies. Why? Because it's their body.
It took me years, but I'm quite happy with my body. Sure there are things that I may change if I could, but then I look at some plastic surgery addicts and wonder what they think when they look in the mirror. At least my flaws came with me (though the bruises and dents and scars were add-ons) and make me who I am.
I know that weight isn't only a number, but it can be. As long as you're healthy and feel good about yourself, why care what number shows on the scale? I would much rather be a little more plump but happy and oozing confidence than eating only celery and rice cakes and being completely miserable.
I think I've found my balance.
Tuesday, March 24
Work In Progress
The Work In Progress that is my life seemed to strike a chord with some of you reading. I guess no one knows what's going on, really. I know for me, I need to appreciate the things that I have, because I have everything I need. Maybe I need to take stock. I think too that it's part of our culture, a consumerist culture, to want things and to measure our happiness in "things".
For anything positive to happen, I need to be in the right frame of mind. I'm getting there by getting enough sleep, enough exercise and eating well. The hardest of the three is eating well. Even though my schedule isn't very full, I find it hard to have time to prepare food. I've read over and over that preparing your own meals instead of eating out is cheaper and healthier. Why can't I do it? Why is cooking such a chore? Definitely something I have to work on, more so than getting enough sleep and enough exercise.
Apart from the big things, I've tried making some smaller changes. I don't know why these make me happy but I'm taking my time in the shower and taking my time when I walk places and I'm less road-ragey when I drive (which isn't often). I think I was impatient before, and probably still am, but accepting the fact that I have to commute to work instead of being resentful of the time I have to spend in transit is cathartic.
What else is cathartic? Eating mint chocolate chip frozen yogurt that tastes like it's actually ice cream and taking the time to tell you about it.
Oh, the dusting of snow from Sunday did melt. Bring on real spring with warmer weather. I want to be able to run outside more regularly because I want to run the 5K race at the end of May. That is not a thing that I want, it's a goal. Running a race and learning to enjoy cooking. That'll keep me busy.
For anything positive to happen, I need to be in the right frame of mind. I'm getting there by getting enough sleep, enough exercise and eating well. The hardest of the three is eating well. Even though my schedule isn't very full, I find it hard to have time to prepare food. I've read over and over that preparing your own meals instead of eating out is cheaper and healthier. Why can't I do it? Why is cooking such a chore? Definitely something I have to work on, more so than getting enough sleep and enough exercise.
Apart from the big things, I've tried making some smaller changes. I don't know why these make me happy but I'm taking my time in the shower and taking my time when I walk places and I'm less road-ragey when I drive (which isn't often). I think I was impatient before, and probably still am, but accepting the fact that I have to commute to work instead of being resentful of the time I have to spend in transit is cathartic.
What else is cathartic? Eating mint chocolate chip frozen yogurt that tastes like it's actually ice cream and taking the time to tell you about it.
Oh, the dusting of snow from Sunday did melt. Bring on real spring with warmer weather. I want to be able to run outside more regularly because I want to run the 5K race at the end of May. That is not a thing that I want, it's a goal. Running a race and learning to enjoy cooking. That'll keep me busy.
Sunday, March 22
Snowing in Spring
It's officially spring and it snowed last night. There's a light dusting on the ground. I'm hoping it will all melt today.
Since it's spring, I'm feeling the urge to clean and to organize. Most of the house looks like a tornado went through, but it's a work in progress. We did our taxes and now we're thinking of paint colours for some rooms and pictures to hang on the walls. We're thinking of ways to better organize the basement and the garage. Lots to do.
The meeting at work to tell my boss my decision to stay was not the greatest. For the first time ever, I cried at work in front of people. I'm hoping, as one coworker said, it made my point stronger - that the current situation was really affecting me. Who knows.. it's over now. I'm staying in my current job with my current boss. Not ideal, but the best I have.
That's something I'm working on: being happy with what I have. Whether it's at work or in my personal life, I'm trying to be happy and enjoy every day. Maybe it's the influence that yoga is having on me - that hour every Thursday afternoon to slow down - or maybe it's just that I've had more time to reflect lately. I'm not really sure. All I know is that the more you put in, the more you get out. It's time for me to put 100% into everything I do.
I wonder if that will translate into more regular blog posts....
Since it's spring, I'm feeling the urge to clean and to organize. Most of the house looks like a tornado went through, but it's a work in progress. We did our taxes and now we're thinking of paint colours for some rooms and pictures to hang on the walls. We're thinking of ways to better organize the basement and the garage. Lots to do.
The meeting at work to tell my boss my decision to stay was not the greatest. For the first time ever, I cried at work in front of people. I'm hoping, as one coworker said, it made my point stronger - that the current situation was really affecting me. Who knows.. it's over now. I'm staying in my current job with my current boss. Not ideal, but the best I have.
That's something I'm working on: being happy with what I have. Whether it's at work or in my personal life, I'm trying to be happy and enjoy every day. Maybe it's the influence that yoga is having on me - that hour every Thursday afternoon to slow down - or maybe it's just that I've had more time to reflect lately. I'm not really sure. All I know is that the more you put in, the more you get out. It's time for me to put 100% into everything I do.
I wonder if that will translate into more regular blog posts....
Wednesday, March 18
Spring!
The past few days have felt incredibly spring-like and I have to admit that the weather and the sunshine is lifting my mood. Combined with other things I'm sure, it's making me happier and I feel like I have more energy.
The movie Friday night was a marathon. I'm used to watching movies in the comfort of my basement where we have a pretty good setup. Watchmen must have been well over 2 hours because I was starting to get sore from sitting. The movie itself was pretty good, just a little long.
Saturday was a beautiful day. J had two guys over to work on a friend's truck for many many hours. I enjoyed my leisure time and got my laundry done, went for a run and had a nap - all things I wanted to do. That night, J and I went out separate ways. He went with some friends to a bar downtown with the sole purpose of consuming many beers (mission accomplished!) while I went to a bar not-quite-downtown to celebrate a friend's birthday. My night was much tamer than J's: I was home before midnight and I did not puke.
Sunday was my social day. I went to see my parents in the morning and then went shopping with SJ. While we were out, J washed SJ's car and put on a piece that will stop the back bumper from being scratched. Her car was shiny and new when we got back. We went and had dinner with her and J's parents that night.
The only thing missing from my weekend was a trip to the grocery store and that was done Monday after work.
Yesterday after work we went to College Square to find me a spring jacket. I don't know if all the planets aligned or what, but we walked into the store, went right to where the jackets were, and found one, in my size, that was perfect. It was everything I wanted in a coat. This never happens to me. Happy as a clam, wearing my new coat, we continued shopping. Not finding a single other thing did nothing to dampen my spirits. Believe me when I say that I love this coat.
And today. Today is the day that I make a final decision on what to do about my job. Truth is, I've already made the decision and I feel a ton of relief. Today I'll tell my boss my decision. Big day.
The movie Friday night was a marathon. I'm used to watching movies in the comfort of my basement where we have a pretty good setup. Watchmen must have been well over 2 hours because I was starting to get sore from sitting. The movie itself was pretty good, just a little long.
Saturday was a beautiful day. J had two guys over to work on a friend's truck for many many hours. I enjoyed my leisure time and got my laundry done, went for a run and had a nap - all things I wanted to do. That night, J and I went out separate ways. He went with some friends to a bar downtown with the sole purpose of consuming many beers (mission accomplished!) while I went to a bar not-quite-downtown to celebrate a friend's birthday. My night was much tamer than J's: I was home before midnight and I did not puke.
Sunday was my social day. I went to see my parents in the morning and then went shopping with SJ. While we were out, J washed SJ's car and put on a piece that will stop the back bumper from being scratched. Her car was shiny and new when we got back. We went and had dinner with her and J's parents that night.
The only thing missing from my weekend was a trip to the grocery store and that was done Monday after work.
Yesterday after work we went to College Square to find me a spring jacket. I don't know if all the planets aligned or what, but we walked into the store, went right to where the jackets were, and found one, in my size, that was perfect. It was everything I wanted in a coat. This never happens to me. Happy as a clam, wearing my new coat, we continued shopping. Not finding a single other thing did nothing to dampen my spirits. Believe me when I say that I love this coat.
And today. Today is the day that I make a final decision on what to do about my job. Truth is, I've already made the decision and I feel a ton of relief. Today I'll tell my boss my decision. Big day.
Friday, March 13
Massage
I had my first ever massage after work yesterday. What an experience!
I've been having pain in my leg and my doctor thinks it's a nerve thing in my back. Sure enough, the massage therapist was able to pinpoint the exact location. This appointment was a general one but my next appointment will be more focused. She thinks she'll be able to get me better in one or two more sessions.
While I was there, J went to Canadian Tire and bought things. Not things I would have bought, but he was happy. We went and had dinner with his mom afterwards and then went home to see Sandy.
I am ridiculously behind in my laundry - I have to go downstairs every morning to get a pair of clean socks (why can't I just bring the clean clothes up and start the process again? I don't know.)
Backing up to my last post, games night at S&L's was a good time. The game, At Wit's End, was really hard and often made me feel pretty dumb, but at least I wasn't alone. Most of this past week was the routine of go to work and come home, eat and fall asleep. Not very exciting. Tonight though we're going to see Watchmen. I finally saw a preview this morning and agreed to go. Apparently it's good. We shall see.
I've been having pain in my leg and my doctor thinks it's a nerve thing in my back. Sure enough, the massage therapist was able to pinpoint the exact location. This appointment was a general one but my next appointment will be more focused. She thinks she'll be able to get me better in one or two more sessions.
While I was there, J went to Canadian Tire and bought things. Not things I would have bought, but he was happy. We went and had dinner with his mom afterwards and then went home to see Sandy.
I am ridiculously behind in my laundry - I have to go downstairs every morning to get a pair of clean socks (why can't I just bring the clean clothes up and start the process again? I don't know.)
Backing up to my last post, games night at S&L's was a good time. The game, At Wit's End, was really hard and often made me feel pretty dumb, but at least I wasn't alone. Most of this past week was the routine of go to work and come home, eat and fall asleep. Not very exciting. Tonight though we're going to see Watchmen. I finally saw a preview this morning and agreed to go. Apparently it's good. We shall see.
Saturday, March 7
Playing Catchup
What a better way to start the weekend than taking Friday off? That's exactly what we did and my body has been thanking me ever since. We slept in, took our time getting ready and did some shopping. I was able to squeeze in a nap before heading over to JP&C's place for dinner. The plan was to show each other our latest vacation pics, but after dinner and wine and rum and chocolate, we never got to the pictures. Their dog, Peppy, took a liking to me and sat on my lap a lot of the night. We got home and Sandy was not impressed with how I smelled. Neither was I to tell you the truth.
Today is Saturday but feels like Sunday - perfect! It's warm out so J's been in the garage organizing while I've been catching up on tv. So many shows to watch. I also started a knitting project so I'll have something to bring to scrapbooking if I can make it this week.
Looking forward to games night tonight at S&L's. We get to meet one of her sisters and some of their friends. And Sandy will appreciate when we come home not smelling like dog.
I'll leave you with some pictures of things that have happened over the past couple of weeks.
New computer desk
New cupboard for front hall
Happy birthday, Dad!
JP's fun birthday cake
Obama came to town
So You Think You Can Dance live show
Today is Saturday but feels like Sunday - perfect! It's warm out so J's been in the garage organizing while I've been catching up on tv. So many shows to watch. I also started a knitting project so I'll have something to bring to scrapbooking if I can make it this week.
Looking forward to games night tonight at S&L's. We get to meet one of her sisters and some of their friends. And Sandy will appreciate when we come home not smelling like dog.
I'll leave you with some pictures of things that have happened over the past couple of weeks.
New computer desk
New cupboard for front hall
Happy birthday, Dad!
JP's fun birthday cake
Obama came to town
So You Think You Can Dance live show
Thursday, March 5
Randomness
I made the mistake today of falling asleep after work. I slept for a solid three hours and now I'm wondering if I will ever get to sleep. I was able to sleep so long because J went out. This is a good story: his dentist gave him tickets to see the Sens. No joke. J picked up his braces this week (Invisalign which are cool) and I guess made nice with the dentist enough so that when he couldn't attend a game, he thought of J. J took his friend JP. I slept.
This has been one of the longest weeks at work that I can remember. I don't want to get into details, but I don't agree with my boss on certain things (probably most things actually) and ended up pretty mad most of Tuesday. I took Wednesday off, which helped a ton. But back to work today obviously took its toll on my body so that I was exhausted by the time we left. I'm glad tomorrow is Friday and thankful that we have plans both tomorrow night and Saturday night. Filling up the weekend is the best way to forget about work and not feel Monday morning like Friday afternoon was mere hours before.
Since my last post, which was forever ago I know, I've done lots. We went to Moxie's for SB's birthday. We sat at a huge round table under a neat glowing light. J and his friends drank lots of beer. Sunday, we had dinner with J's parents and sister. Monday is when all hell broke out at work. The hell continued to Tuesday. Tuesday, J got his new braces. Wednesday, I stayed home for a much needed mental health day. And today is today. Now you're all caught up.
This has been one of the longest weeks at work that I can remember. I don't want to get into details, but I don't agree with my boss on certain things (probably most things actually) and ended up pretty mad most of Tuesday. I took Wednesday off, which helped a ton. But back to work today obviously took its toll on my body so that I was exhausted by the time we left. I'm glad tomorrow is Friday and thankful that we have plans both tomorrow night and Saturday night. Filling up the weekend is the best way to forget about work and not feel Monday morning like Friday afternoon was mere hours before.
Since my last post, which was forever ago I know, I've done lots. We went to Moxie's for SB's birthday. We sat at a huge round table under a neat glowing light. J and his friends drank lots of beer. Sunday, we had dinner with J's parents and sister. Monday is when all hell broke out at work. The hell continued to Tuesday. Tuesday, J got his new braces. Wednesday, I stayed home for a much needed mental health day. And today is today. Now you're all caught up.
Sunday, February 22
Big weekend
This was the fullest weekend in the past while, by far. Friday night J and I went to IKEA and bought a new computer desk. We spent a while building and then reorganzed the office. It's a nice little desk and soon enough will be a nice little room. For now, there are papers everywhere, but that's how we do things. Then we watched What Happens in Vegas. The movie was better than expected with some really funny lines, the best one being "Are you sure you know how to drive an automatic?"
Saturday was my dad's birthday so we went over. I blew up balloons in the car on the way and when we showed up, I threw them out the car door at my dad who was standing in the driveway. It was nice to see him smile and laugh at my ridiculous idea. Max, the dog, didn't like the balloons at all.
That night we went downtown for JP's birthday. We went to Minglewoods and ate and drank and laughed while JP did a disco dance that ended with some enthusiastic hip thrusts. I left J to consume more pitchers with the birthday boy and went home. I was home after midnight and J not until after 2am. It was a fun night.
Today we had (breakfast for) lunch with S&L and L's parents. It was a nice visit. We made another trip to IKEA on the way home and had more building to do this afternoon. Sandy has taken over Rolo's role as helper which makes J happy. Happy until I break a part of the newest piece. But of course that's what I do. Ug.
Not sure what this week will bring, but it's getting warmer out and the days are getting longer. And with the potential new job coming soon, work seems much less hard. At least I didn't spend the day hungover like some people I know.
Saturday was my dad's birthday so we went over. I blew up balloons in the car on the way and when we showed up, I threw them out the car door at my dad who was standing in the driveway. It was nice to see him smile and laugh at my ridiculous idea. Max, the dog, didn't like the balloons at all.
That night we went downtown for JP's birthday. We went to Minglewoods and ate and drank and laughed while JP did a disco dance that ended with some enthusiastic hip thrusts. I left J to consume more pitchers with the birthday boy and went home. I was home after midnight and J not until after 2am. It was a fun night.
Today we had (breakfast for) lunch with S&L and L's parents. It was a nice visit. We made another trip to IKEA on the way home and had more building to do this afternoon. Sandy has taken over Rolo's role as helper which makes J happy. Happy until I break a part of the newest piece. But of course that's what I do. Ug.
Not sure what this week will bring, but it's getting warmer out and the days are getting longer. And with the potential new job coming soon, work seems much less hard. At least I didn't spend the day hungover like some people I know.
Saturday, February 21
New job on the horizon
Before my current job, I had only been in the same job for 9 months. Once I hit a year (July 2007) I started feeling restless, like I needed to find something new. Over the last year and a half, I've felt the same restless feeling off and on.
And then came the new boss. He started in November and seems like a nice guy at first. And then he tells you that you aren't doing a good job and that things have to change. Maybe he was unaware that my little group of 5, who are responsible for coordinating upwards of 800 submissions for pest control products (you can't just call them pesticides) in the agency, had been functioning for over a year without a manager and functioning quite well. We receive praise and pats on the back for a job well done. We do our job and we do it well.
Mr. NewBoss has all sorts of lofty ideas, which isn't a bad thing in itself, but when you first come to manage a group, take some time to observe how they work, how the work gets done.
Anyways, Mr. NewBoss basically kicked me into gear and made my search for a new job take on a new urgency. I enlisted the help of some friends and found myself something good. I spoke with my potential new manager and decided after much back and forth that this would be a good thing. I told them I was interested and they said they'd love to have me. The ball is now rolling and soon enough I will have this new job.
With this in mind, I'm getting much more work done. I have the motivation to not leave my portion of the 800 subs in disarray. Nothing is set in stone yet, but come April I should be onto new things.
Yet another change in my life. A good change.
And then came the new boss. He started in November and seems like a nice guy at first. And then he tells you that you aren't doing a good job and that things have to change. Maybe he was unaware that my little group of 5, who are responsible for coordinating upwards of 800 submissions for pest control products (you can't just call them pesticides) in the agency, had been functioning for over a year without a manager and functioning quite well. We receive praise and pats on the back for a job well done. We do our job and we do it well.
Mr. NewBoss has all sorts of lofty ideas, which isn't a bad thing in itself, but when you first come to manage a group, take some time to observe how they work, how the work gets done.
Anyways, Mr. NewBoss basically kicked me into gear and made my search for a new job take on a new urgency. I enlisted the help of some friends and found myself something good. I spoke with my potential new manager and decided after much back and forth that this would be a good thing. I told them I was interested and they said they'd love to have me. The ball is now rolling and soon enough I will have this new job.
With this in mind, I'm getting much more work done. I have the motivation to not leave my portion of the 800 subs in disarray. Nothing is set in stone yet, but come April I should be onto new things.
Yet another change in my life. A good change.
Monday, February 16
2009 is the new 2008
I was speaking of routines and being thrown off. Here are some things that have changed recently, not necessarily throwing me off, but changes nonetheless.
When J got back from Tremblant, we picked up his new glasses. They look good and stop his head from hurting.
To up the nerdiness, he's also getting braces. They're the invisible kind and he'll have them for 7 or 8 months. Nothing compared to my 2 years of hell. Hopefully they will stop his teeth from hurting.
I got a new ring that I absolutely love. I found out it's a Russian wedding ring - it is three silver rings entwined. Extremely fun to play with.
J and I went for a run outside Saturday. It was -10 but sunny and clear. We didn't go very far and had to stop every time we came to a street because it was mega icy (run run run, stop, J grabs my hand, walk slow on ice, run run run, repeat) but it felt so good to be out running. I've been wanting to run for a while, but with the sick and the weather and everything, it just hasn't happened. I did my pilates DVD afterwards and got the nice burny abs to go with the sore legs.
We celebrated Valentine's Day, which I do not subscribe to, in a non-romantic way.. though I guess there were elements of romance. It was a dinner and a movie night with S&L (date-like and two couples... fine). They brought lasagna and we had salad and garlic bread and raspberry pie. We watched Body of Lies. I wouldn't recommend the movie. I fell asleep (it was late and the movie was dragging on and on) and heard bad reviews from the other three when the movie ended and I woke up.
Yesterday was the So You Think You Can Dance live show. J's sister and mom took me and J's grandma. We did the valet parking - such a good idea and it was so fun seeing the guys run to get the cars. The show was really good. J's mom asked me to point out Nico, the guy who won, but I didn't have to. Every time he was on stage the girls went wild, screaming and shrieking. SJ's ears were ringing the whole time. Good times.
And now we're here. I took some time this weekend to catch up on getting my pictures on Flickr, but still have a backlog. We're starting to think about how we want to organize our spare rooms. It seems silly the way we have them now. I think IKEA may come to the rescue once again. There are trips to IKEA in our future, painting and organizing. Fun.
Next post: update on work.
When J got back from Tremblant, we picked up his new glasses. They look good and stop his head from hurting.
To up the nerdiness, he's also getting braces. They're the invisible kind and he'll have them for 7 or 8 months. Nothing compared to my 2 years of hell. Hopefully they will stop his teeth from hurting.
I got a new ring that I absolutely love. I found out it's a Russian wedding ring - it is three silver rings entwined. Extremely fun to play with.
J and I went for a run outside Saturday. It was -10 but sunny and clear. We didn't go very far and had to stop every time we came to a street because it was mega icy (run run run, stop, J grabs my hand, walk slow on ice, run run run, repeat) but it felt so good to be out running. I've been wanting to run for a while, but with the sick and the weather and everything, it just hasn't happened. I did my pilates DVD afterwards and got the nice burny abs to go with the sore legs.
We celebrated Valentine's Day, which I do not subscribe to, in a non-romantic way.. though I guess there were elements of romance. It was a dinner and a movie night with S&L (date-like and two couples... fine). They brought lasagna and we had salad and garlic bread and raspberry pie. We watched Body of Lies. I wouldn't recommend the movie. I fell asleep (it was late and the movie was dragging on and on) and heard bad reviews from the other three when the movie ended and I woke up.
Yesterday was the So You Think You Can Dance live show. J's sister and mom took me and J's grandma. We did the valet parking - such a good idea and it was so fun seeing the guys run to get the cars. The show was really good. J's mom asked me to point out Nico, the guy who won, but I didn't have to. Every time he was on stage the girls went wild, screaming and shrieking. SJ's ears were ringing the whole time. Good times.
And now we're here. I took some time this weekend to catch up on getting my pictures on Flickr, but still have a backlog. We're starting to think about how we want to organize our spare rooms. It seems silly the way we have them now. I think IKEA may come to the rescue once again. There are trips to IKEA in our future, painting and organizing. Fun.
Next post: update on work.
Thursday, February 12
In my head
The fire is in my head. In fact, there may not even be a fire. Maybe it's just smoke.
Things are changing and the older I get, the worse the changes seem to be. I guess I'm settling into a routine. My life is becoming more and more routine the farther I get from the constant flux that is life in school, university especially, when you didn't know where you were living one year to the next or how you would make enough money in the 4 short months of summer to survive 8 long months of school.
I'm getting old. I'm married, have a house and a full time permanent job - all good things, but all lead to routine living. But when I think about me, about who I am, I don't think I'm average, that what I do, even if it's the same day in and day out, is the same as anything anyone else is doing. I take my cue from the people who tell me that I should write a book. These are people that don't know me well and don't know about this book: my blog. My question is always: who would read my book. I would, they always say. I'm sure you would, but you could always just ask me questions until I've told you all my stories. How long could that possibly take. Ask J, I think he's close.
The routine that I didn't entirely realize I had, was badly disrupted in the past, oh, 3 weeks or so. I would say things were pretty normal until we went to Mexico. We came back and haven't settled in - being sick and apart and thrown off are some things getting in the way. Other things are unbloggable and mysterious even to me. Everything seems to be conspiring to change me, change how I do things and change the things I want to do.
All this time pondering my navel, to steal a phrase from Crazy Aunt Purl (who got a book deal based on her blog I should mention), and I finally figured out what to do. Do I try my best to go back to the pre-Mexico routine or do I forge ahead and create a new normal? The answer to that question is to forge ahead and that's what I'm doing, grudgingly.
I'm finding that I don't blog as often as I did before, even though it still acts as a catharsis of sorts, I don't take as many pictures and I don't seem to care. I'm spending more time in the kitchen, preparing healthy meals, more time with J and with Sandy, more time sleeping. I suppose my focus has shifted somewhat and, apart from being a little freaked out by the resulting fire, I'm going to go with it. To the new, glowing me.
Things are changing and the older I get, the worse the changes seem to be. I guess I'm settling into a routine. My life is becoming more and more routine the farther I get from the constant flux that is life in school, university especially, when you didn't know where you were living one year to the next or how you would make enough money in the 4 short months of summer to survive 8 long months of school.
I'm getting old. I'm married, have a house and a full time permanent job - all good things, but all lead to routine living. But when I think about me, about who I am, I don't think I'm average, that what I do, even if it's the same day in and day out, is the same as anything anyone else is doing. I take my cue from the people who tell me that I should write a book. These are people that don't know me well and don't know about this book: my blog. My question is always: who would read my book. I would, they always say. I'm sure you would, but you could always just ask me questions until I've told you all my stories. How long could that possibly take. Ask J, I think he's close.
The routine that I didn't entirely realize I had, was badly disrupted in the past, oh, 3 weeks or so. I would say things were pretty normal until we went to Mexico. We came back and haven't settled in - being sick and apart and thrown off are some things getting in the way. Other things are unbloggable and mysterious even to me. Everything seems to be conspiring to change me, change how I do things and change the things I want to do.
All this time pondering my navel, to steal a phrase from Crazy Aunt Purl (who got a book deal based on her blog I should mention), and I finally figured out what to do. Do I try my best to go back to the pre-Mexico routine or do I forge ahead and create a new normal? The answer to that question is to forge ahead and that's what I'm doing, grudgingly.
I'm finding that I don't blog as often as I did before, even though it still acts as a catharsis of sorts, I don't take as many pictures and I don't seem to care. I'm spending more time in the kitchen, preparing healthy meals, more time with J and with Sandy, more time sleeping. I suppose my focus has shifted somewhat and, apart from being a little freaked out by the resulting fire, I'm going to go with it. To the new, glowing me.
Thursday, February 5
Sunday, February 1
Funnee
J and I had some time to kill last week (or maybe even the week before) so we wandered through a pet store. We looked at all the birds and lizards and snakes and finally got to the fish. I like that fish are so colourful and different and interesting. Nothing, however, could have prepared me for this fish:
Oh, how I giggled!
This weekend, so far, has been exactly what I thought it would be: lots of lying on the couch and avoiding shoveling the driveway. I'm spoiled because J's dad actually came over with Bob, his trusty snowblower, and took care of the driveway for me. I had a nice visit with L and went back to doing nothing. I did leave the house to get some Quiznos and a new book to read.
Today is going to be busier though. I have plans to go shopping with SJ and have dinner with J's family and then meet up with my baseball girls to scrapbook... well, they might be scrapbooking. I will be hanging out because I'm nowhere near organized enough to actually do anything in an album. That will come. I have plans to get myself organized and get back in it, but other things keep getting in the way. Like yesterday, I randomly decided that our luggage should no longer live in the spare room closet but in our closet. Why now? Who knows. But it now has a new home. I'm wondering how many things I can change so that when J gets home he won't recognize the place. Hmm....
Oh, how I giggled!
This weekend, so far, has been exactly what I thought it would be: lots of lying on the couch and avoiding shoveling the driveway. I'm spoiled because J's dad actually came over with Bob, his trusty snowblower, and took care of the driveway for me. I had a nice visit with L and went back to doing nothing. I did leave the house to get some Quiznos and a new book to read.
Today is going to be busier though. I have plans to go shopping with SJ and have dinner with J's family and then meet up with my baseball girls to scrapbook... well, they might be scrapbooking. I will be hanging out because I'm nowhere near organized enough to actually do anything in an album. That will come. I have plans to get myself organized and get back in it, but other things keep getting in the way. Like yesterday, I randomly decided that our luggage should no longer live in the spare room closet but in our closet. Why now? Who knows. But it now has a new home. I'm wondering how many things I can change so that when J gets home he won't recognize the place. Hmm....
Friday, January 30
I'm old and sick
I turned one year older and then got super sick.
My birthday this year was even more low key than last year's celebration. I woke up really early but was nice and left my sleeping beauty in bed for hours. S&L stopped by after seeing a house in our neighbourhood then my parents stopped by. My parents hadn't been over since we got the piano. I thought it had been so long that they forgot who I was because they came with this fancy wine holder thingy. I don't drink wine. Turns out, they stuffed a whole bunch of work socks into the wine holder. They know me afterall.
I had a relaxing day when J went out on the town. Then we had A&S and S&L over for dinner and cake. Dinner was free pizza - the best kind - and the cake was a chocolate oatmeal concoction that Sylvia made. It was REALLY chocolatey.
Sunday I got the sleep in I was looking for but I woke up with a nasty cold. That night we had dinner with J's family. We didn't stay late so I could get back to the couch. No kidding, this is possibly the worst cold I've ever had.
I stayed home from work Monday and Tuesday and again Thursday. I went in Wednesday and today to get some important things done. Turns out the people before me didn't get their pieces done on time so I couldn't get mine done. I had a really bad week at work last week so it was nice to spend this week mostly on the couch. Sandy liked having me home too.
Today I sent J on his way. He and 7 friends are going to Tremblant for the weekend. He has plans to snowboard and I have plans to avoid shoveling the driveway. I may see my family and see my friends, or I may lie on the couch all weekend. We will see.
My birthday this year was even more low key than last year's celebration. I woke up really early but was nice and left my sleeping beauty in bed for hours. S&L stopped by after seeing a house in our neighbourhood then my parents stopped by. My parents hadn't been over since we got the piano. I thought it had been so long that they forgot who I was because they came with this fancy wine holder thingy. I don't drink wine. Turns out, they stuffed a whole bunch of work socks into the wine holder. They know me afterall.
I had a relaxing day when J went out on the town. Then we had A&S and S&L over for dinner and cake. Dinner was free pizza - the best kind - and the cake was a chocolate oatmeal concoction that Sylvia made. It was REALLY chocolatey.
Sunday I got the sleep in I was looking for but I woke up with a nasty cold. That night we had dinner with J's family. We didn't stay late so I could get back to the couch. No kidding, this is possibly the worst cold I've ever had.
I stayed home from work Monday and Tuesday and again Thursday. I went in Wednesday and today to get some important things done. Turns out the people before me didn't get their pieces done on time so I couldn't get mine done. I had a really bad week at work last week so it was nice to spend this week mostly on the couch. Sandy liked having me home too.
Today I sent J on his way. He and 7 friends are going to Tremblant for the weekend. He has plans to snowboard and I have plans to avoid shoveling the driveway. I may see my family and see my friends, or I may lie on the couch all weekend. We will see.
Saturday, January 24
Just wondering
I'm sitting here wondering if my mother would be proud. Earlier this week I told her that she and my dad couldn't come over today before 11 because I wanted to sleep in. Then I'm up before 6am. I must be getting old.
Thursday, January 22
So True
"When you start to really know someone, all his physical characteristics start to disappear. You begin to dwell in his energy, recognize the scent of his skin. You see only the essence of the person, not the shell. That's why you can't fall in love with beauty. You can lust after it, be infatuated by it, want to own it. You can love it with your eyes and your body but not your heart. And that's why, when you really connect with a person's inner self, any physical imperfections disappear, become irrelevant."
- Ridley Jones, a character in Lisa Unger's novel, Beautiful Lies
- Ridley Jones, a character in Lisa Unger's novel, Beautiful Lies
Wednesday, January 21
Mexico
Mexico was a great trip to start off the new year. It didn't start off so great though: we had some issues at the airport even before we took to the air. For some reason our pilots were in Montreal and had to cab to Ottawa. Where did the cabbie take them? The Carp airport of course. The finally arrived, we finally got on the plane, they finally de-iced the plane and then they figured out that there was a problem with a tire. Sure guys, you go ahead and fix that, because you couldn't have checked that earlier. Either way, we were finally on our way! Excited but tired and grumpy, we were going to Mexico.
The flight was fine until the captain came on the intercom thingy and said something about a fire. In the cockpit. Honestly. We landed safely in Cancun and were escorted by emergency vehicles to a deserted part of the airport and let off on the tarmac. Welcome to Mexico, these are the finest firefighters in the land!
Our first day at the resort, which was huge by the way, is a little fuzzy in my sleep-deprived memory. We went to the beach, we looked around, we ate food and we went to bed early. The whole week was a lot of the same - lying around on the beach or at the pool, eating way too much at the buffets - but here are some highlights.
We went to Akumal, a nearby town, to see sea turtles. We were told we could snorkle right off the beach and see turtles. We were not disappointed! J and I found this ginormous turtle munching away about 10 feet below us. I freaked out a little when he came up for air in our direction. Incredible!
We also took a day trip to see the ruins in Coba, a small town in from the coast but not too far from our resort. We were able to climb the ruins, which was made scarier by the fact that it was pouring rain. The stone steps, all 120 of them, were slick. From the top, I could see the exact spot I would land if I tripped on the way down.
We also had a little bit of canoeing, a jungle walk, a short zipline, a meal with the Mayans, a Mayan ceremoney, and got to swim in a cenote. The cenote is basically a sinkhole that you have to rappel down into. The water was almost completely clear and wasn't cold and you're sitting on an innertube, but what creeped me out where all the catfish in the cenote with us. Just thinking of them gives me goosebumps. But I survived and can now say I've swam in a cenote. The last event of the day was tequila shots at the head office of the tour company. Mmm.
We had three a la carte dinners during the week. We chose Italian, Mexican and Japanese food. My favourite by far was the Japanese place. We were lucky enough to get a table where the chef cooks right in front of you. He was crazy and the food was really good.
We've been back almost a week now. I'm back at work though J's super sick and is still at home. Work has been awful and I'm daydreaming about being on the beach again. Too bad we can't take trips once a month. That wouldn't be so bad.
Whole Mexico Set on Flickr
Tuesday, January 6
2008 Wrap Up
I've been thinking about this post for a long time. I have so much to tell you. 2008 was a busy year.
In January, I had the chance to act as section head at work for my group. It was harder than I thought it would be and I came out with an eye twitch that lasted until April. I also turned one year older. Something I plan on doing again real soon.
In February I went skiing for the first time in a lot of years. I didn't break any bones, even with a massive wipe-out, and experienced a hot tub in the middle of winter. Snowpants, bikini top and a touque - sexy!
March was a month of excitement. J, A and I almost died when we flew down an icy road backwards in A's parent's van trying to get up to the abandoned mine in Quebec. J also, very discreetly, whispered to me that he got the pretty hygienist when he went to have his wisdom teeth pulled. In his drug-induced state, the whole dentist's office heard his proclamation. Poor high J.
April was the month for birthdays. Who wasn't born in April? It was also when the snow started melting and therefore the pictures we took got a little less white and grey.. more brown and dogshit. That's a colour, right?
The biggest event in May was our trip to Europe for C&S's wedding. It was our first time in Europe and our first time traveling with friends. Pretty exciting.
June was my baseball team's only tournament. We had a good time in Grafton which is middle-of-nowhere, Ontario. I loved the city so much, I traveled back a week or two later for JW's wedding. My brother, his girlfriend and his friends were very good at keeping both my hands full of alcohol. Trying to swipe my room key at some wee hour in the morning to the room I was sharing with my parents while unable to even keep my eyes open was an experience.
July was the month of summer: HOPE beach volleyball tournament at Mooney's bay, cottage weekend with my family and one with friends, and our 4th anniversary. It was also the month that our little cats turned 4. They're getting so old!
When I said July was the month of summer, I really meant that August was the month of summer. August was full of cottage parties and drinking on patios and birthdays and BC's wedding.
September was a big birthday month and really the kick off to A&S's wedding with showers and a full-on bachelorette party. I'm surprised we survived that day - make up, drinks, dinner, more drinks, bar number 1, an entire men's soccer team, more drinks, bar number 2, more drinks, some walking in the rain, some crying in the parking lot and eventually some passing out. It was also a huge month for me - I ran a half marathon after training all summer. Incredible.
October was an emotional month. It was full of photo outings with the leaves changing colours, A&S got married, we saw Cirque du Soleil, we lost Rolo and J went to Toronto for a week. I'm not sure I'm fully recovered from October yet.
Most of November I was out of it. We did our usual hikes and took lots of pictures. We had American Thanksgiving and lots of family dinners and bought an electric piano.
December was incredibly busy. There was work and work lunches and family dinners and dinners with friends and birthdays and Christmas and everything that comes with that - shopping, wrapping, worrying about not sending out cards, cookie exchanges, feeling sick after eating too many cookies, having friends go home and come home. The month ended without a bang: J and I spent New Year's together. It was nice but not typical. No friends, no noise makers, no jello shots and no kissing at midnight. We watched some movies and I lost the battle with myself and fell asleep before midnight. My conclusion: I'm getting old.
Now that 2009 is here, I'm hopeful. I'm looking forward to another year that is just waiting to be filled with the things I love doing. I'm not one to make resolutions, so I didn't, but I did reflect on the last year and think about things I maybe want to do more of and things that I could do less of. 2009 is going to be a big year and we're kicking it off with a trip to Mexico! Who knows where else we'll go or what else we'll do. Anything is possible.
Check out my Project 365 to see a picture for every day of 2008.
Oh the places you'll go...
Dr. Seuss
In January, I had the chance to act as section head at work for my group. It was harder than I thought it would be and I came out with an eye twitch that lasted until April. I also turned one year older. Something I plan on doing again real soon.
In February I went skiing for the first time in a lot of years. I didn't break any bones, even with a massive wipe-out, and experienced a hot tub in the middle of winter. Snowpants, bikini top and a touque - sexy!
March was a month of excitement. J, A and I almost died when we flew down an icy road backwards in A's parent's van trying to get up to the abandoned mine in Quebec. J also, very discreetly, whispered to me that he got the pretty hygienist when he went to have his wisdom teeth pulled. In his drug-induced state, the whole dentist's office heard his proclamation. Poor high J.
April was the month for birthdays. Who wasn't born in April? It was also when the snow started melting and therefore the pictures we took got a little less white and grey.. more brown and dogshit. That's a colour, right?
The biggest event in May was our trip to Europe for C&S's wedding. It was our first time in Europe and our first time traveling with friends. Pretty exciting.
June was my baseball team's only tournament. We had a good time in Grafton which is middle-of-nowhere, Ontario. I loved the city so much, I traveled back a week or two later for JW's wedding. My brother, his girlfriend and his friends were very good at keeping both my hands full of alcohol. Trying to swipe my room key at some wee hour in the morning to the room I was sharing with my parents while unable to even keep my eyes open was an experience.
July was the month of summer: HOPE beach volleyball tournament at Mooney's bay, cottage weekend with my family and one with friends, and our 4th anniversary. It was also the month that our little cats turned 4. They're getting so old!
When I said July was the month of summer, I really meant that August was the month of summer. August was full of cottage parties and drinking on patios and birthdays and BC's wedding.
September was a big birthday month and really the kick off to A&S's wedding with showers and a full-on bachelorette party. I'm surprised we survived that day - make up, drinks, dinner, more drinks, bar number 1, an entire men's soccer team, more drinks, bar number 2, more drinks, some walking in the rain, some crying in the parking lot and eventually some passing out. It was also a huge month for me - I ran a half marathon after training all summer. Incredible.
October was an emotional month. It was full of photo outings with the leaves changing colours, A&S got married, we saw Cirque du Soleil, we lost Rolo and J went to Toronto for a week. I'm not sure I'm fully recovered from October yet.
Most of November I was out of it. We did our usual hikes and took lots of pictures. We had American Thanksgiving and lots of family dinners and bought an electric piano.
December was incredibly busy. There was work and work lunches and family dinners and dinners with friends and birthdays and Christmas and everything that comes with that - shopping, wrapping, worrying about not sending out cards, cookie exchanges, feeling sick after eating too many cookies, having friends go home and come home. The month ended without a bang: J and I spent New Year's together. It was nice but not typical. No friends, no noise makers, no jello shots and no kissing at midnight. We watched some movies and I lost the battle with myself and fell asleep before midnight. My conclusion: I'm getting old.
Now that 2009 is here, I'm hopeful. I'm looking forward to another year that is just waiting to be filled with the things I love doing. I'm not one to make resolutions, so I didn't, but I did reflect on the last year and think about things I maybe want to do more of and things that I could do less of. 2009 is going to be a big year and we're kicking it off with a trip to Mexico! Who knows where else we'll go or what else we'll do. Anything is possible.
Check out my Project 365 to see a picture for every day of 2008.
Oh the places you'll go...
Dr. Seuss
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