Table Topics

I am always fascinated by unique questions, questions that aren't necessarily asked in our every day life...questions that we don't really ask each other, but when they come up in surveys or games we tend to have a laugh. So when I opened my Christmas gift from Steph this evening I was pleasantly surprised and very excited (as I have been eyeing it) to get the coffee table game "Questions: Girls night out"!
Here is the scoop: GIRLS NIGHT OUT TOPICS
You already know how easy it is to have fun with the girls on a girls night out. Now make the experience even more memorable using these conversation starters for women. Girls night out questions range from hilarious to thought-provoking, guaranteeing an entertaining evening for everyone. You never know what you’ll find out about your closest friends!
If you had to gain 10 pounds what would you eat to gain the weight?
What would the "perfect" man be like?
What was the worst hairstyle you ever had?
What's your favorite chick flick?
What's your most meaningful family heirloom?
What's your most favourite pair of shoes you've ever owned?
How has your life turned out differently than you thought it would?
and so on...It also comes in different themes such as: family, spirit, books, couples and more. I highly recommend it to anyone who is intrigued by finding out more about your friends and family! Thank you Steph!!

Let Yourself Be Who You Are

It's difficult to be around people who are trying to be perfect - perfectly healthy, perfectly polite, perfectly poised, perfectly controlled.
Remember that being human means being imperfect, being flawed. Let yourself be. Let others be. Slouch in your chair. Eat with the wrong fork. Laugh out loud. Stand up and reveal who you are and know that you're good enough.
Stop worrying that people will find out who you really are. Instead, hope they do. Help them by openly sharing yourself and being not who you think you should be, but who you really are.

Freedom is just a small step away - a step into self love and acceptance. When you take it, others will follow. And they'll be grateful you led the way.
~Journey to the Heart

procrastinating...

As I prepare for the week ahead, I can't help but to procrastinate and find everything and anything else to do besides open a book or write my essays. I have 3 exams this week and several assignments due Friday but yet seeing as I am a stress-free person when it comes to work (life is what I seem to stress over) I can't seem to bring myself to start! Seriously!! I cant bring myself to start the process...yesterday I went and got my hair done, had a loong work out, went and got some Thai food...then started to finish the baby hoodie i am knitting and then started to watch re-runs of friends and sex and the city...i think at one point I was even just staring off into space! ahhh! and today as continued into the same sort of mind set...I woke up early went to Yoga, did some grocery shopping at wholefoods (only went there because of all the samples they have on the weekend), to then come home to make a shake, have a long shower making sure to deep condition my hair, and give myself a facial...and now here I am and I still cannot put pen to paper! (fingers to keys). Hmm maybe I should go for a walk into town to get a tazo chai..maybe that will get me going? Maybe a little later!
Hmm what else? ...if I stop writing then i have to study ;) ! ha ha! I should get going, but will probably be posting later, ya never know!
ps. Heather also got me hooked on http://www.freerice.com/ (posted on 'My Two Pennies'). It is not helping my situation much, but it is very addicting! Everyone should give it a try. Heather got to 40 pts, I have only made it to 36 (only once too). K later skaters!

My '411' from the weekend

Have you ever been so tired that your thoughts start to blurr and you aren't able to even see straight?!? Well yesterday I showed all the signs and symptoms of a person being 'burnt' out...and it has carried over to today as well. This weekend was a power packed weekend of activities! Friday night Steph and I went to Yoga and then to see Enchanted at the theatres (totally recommend it...uber cute!) Saturday was started off with some yoga (challenging class) and then sandwich making all day in preparation for Sunday. In the evening I headed into Toronto to attend Tate and Cindy's wedding (first picking up Kim& Rich followed by Christina - she was my fab date for the night) Wedding was very special, and of course there were a couple tears...I am a sapper for speeches! Cindy's twin sister said the most memorable and relatable speech (at least to me)...Tate's dad also had a great speech! The wedding was held in the Fermenting Cellar in the Distillery - very unique! At 1:30 I decided that it was time to head out, but with lack of windows we all were unaware of the blizzard that was happening outside and the lack or should I say "no taxi situation" we were all stranded there...and seeing as all the furniture, lighting, tables etc were rented, at 2am the couches we were all sitting on as we were waiting for taxi's were being taken out from right under us....some even resorted to lying on the carpets...until those were also taken from under us. Kim then called her mom in Mississauga to come and save us and take us home. So at 4:30 I strolled into the house, after a long drive! Nightmare of a night! My alarm (my mother) then woke me up at 8:30am where we continued to make sandwiches and prepare for Jodie's Baby shower. I am getting tired writing all of this down...but it was a great shower, amazing gifts, lots of friends, great nibblies (especially the sandwiches!) and Jodie looked great! So crazy to think I will be an Aunt in less than a month, and Jodie will be a mom! Super happy for her (and for the 1/3 of the guest who to0 are also pregnant!) "Pink or Blue, we welcome you!"
Ps. The picture of the lil one is Bailey O'Regan (Sarah and Jake's little girl)

Enough procrastinating I need to get working on my essay! Did I mention things are nutso busy with school....ahhh! 2 more weeks!

She's back...

Celine Dion is back from her time in vegas...and she is definitely doing the rounds in full force to let us all know she is here. Of course she started on Oprah, did a lil' bit on Dancing with the Stars (Yay for the results!! Love that show!), and last night she was on the Christmas Special in Rockefeller centre for the tree lighting...and I am sure she has many more appearances to go! And though I admit to love her songs...yes I know you may call me an old lady or a cougar as some would like to call it...but I don't really care, I just can't help but love all the songs she sings, they are very peaceful and calming! Two of my all time fav's are when she sings "Immortality" with the Bee Gees and "Tell Him" with Barbara Streisand (both can be seen on Youtube...however some may think I am aging myself when listening to them! ha!)

Anywho hope everyone is having a great week...mine has been a little crazy, and will only get more crazy as the days go on, but I can see the finish line in the distance (end of Semester 1 that is) I also have a wedding to go to on Saturday and Sarah and I are throwing a baby shower for Jodie on Sunday! Sigh! I am also 'teen'sitting Steph this week at her house, I think she is shocked by my undomesticated ways, but I am getting there and I did cook for her on Tuesday night ;) OK ciao for now!

Ps. Happy Birthday to Josie on the weekend and Erin TODAY!! Hope you girls having an amazing 28th year (your weddings will definitely help with that! Cant wait!)

xo

Black Friday

When all were getting ready to go to bed last night....my mom and I were driving to the Miromar Outlets at 12am last night (this morning). We were all prepared on getting up early this morning at 5am to hit the shops, but when reading the newspaper yesterday and finding out our fav outlet mall was open at 12, we thought hey why not go after dinner for an hour or two. When approaching the shops we were shocked and amazed by the number of people who had the same idea. The place was rammed with people!! Even though today I feel as if I either ran a marathon or was out partying last night, I managed to get some great deals and almost complete my Christmas shopping list for my friends and family. My mom and I kept laughing at ourselves last night....well our dreams came true, we have been able to shop all night...and even grab a Starbucks at 4am. When a lady at Saks commented that we were up pretty early for the sales I knew it was time to leave.

Ps. we rolled into the driveway at 6am this morning

Book Review

Last night I read the last few pages of "A Thousand Splendid Suns"...it was an amazing book! I also read the Kite Runner a while back, and thought it was great too...but felt this book was much better! I had this book on my bedside table for awhile and read a couple pages here and there...but when I started on my flight to Florida, I could not put it down! soo good! It's a novel about the lives of two unique women living in Afghanistan...and their journey to happiness. It's a must read!

Well just sipping tea and about to head out to enjoy the sun! I am currently in Florida for American Thanksgiving...I go to an American school so I get American holidays...hey works for me :) I am at my parents gorgeous house in Naples. I had never been here before as I was always flying to other places (I know rough life)....and I love it here...I feel as if I am in a hotel. I don't ever want to leave! Lucky for me I am coming back on the 15th!

just a few things to say...

#1 Last night the gracious Shipps hosted a baby shower / cocktail party in honour of the parents to be; Jodie and Matt. It was a great evening... their house was gorgeous, there were lots of scrumptious nibblies, and we were surrounded by amazing family & friends! What more could J&M have asked for?
#2 Yesterday also marked the count down for a month until andrew and I meet in Atlanta ... to then head to Florida...yay!  #3 This week was the busiest week to date in my teacher college career...and it feels great to be done! So as a little breather...my parents have invited me to Florida next week for American Thanksgiving...A-Mazing! I leave Tuesday evening. The beach is screaming my name!
#4 Girls day out in Toronto tomorrow...here I come!

Pink- Dear Mr President - Live

I love this song! I don't believe in everything Pink has to say...but I love the sound of the song and do think that the chorus is powerful.

Babies 'R' Us

Well today was a day for firsts...after being cooped up all weekend doing a lovely miscue assignment...which has finally been printed...I ventured over to Babies R Us (a first time visitor). I felt like a foreigner..."um excuse me, I need to find out my friend Lauren's registry for her soon to be bundle of joy..." The sales girls looked a me like I wasn't from around here. Once I got into it I felt as if I could have stayed forever...everything was sooooo over the top cute! I then met up with my mom and we headed to Bolton...for my first baby shower (that I can remember). It's an amazing thing seeing a friend who you have known since birth (our moms are best friends...Nana Merlot and Nana Shiraz) grow into an adult and a mom to be...(even crazier seeing your sister!). Any who the moms to be decided to do a little comparison...thought I would share ;)

Lauren and Shane, may the new addition to your family bring you all the happiness in the world. xo

Ps. Happy Birthday Elecia!!

Christmas at Starbucks

Well it's officially the first day of the Christmas (Holiday) season...so says Mrs Starbucks! I couldn't help but feel happy as I walked into Starbucks this morning on my walk to school and saw all the decorations, change in menu...and of course the red Christmas cups! Love it! Grande Non fat Tazo Chai please :) Ahh... all I need now is some Christmas carolers on every street corner, Christmas lights lining the streets, and of course a few tiny snow flakes...well maybe not just yet....but I do love this time of year.
~ Heading out to dinner tonight with Josie, Heather, Angela and Erin...there's a lot to celebrate!! but until someone (not naming any names) talks about their amazing news...I still feel the need to zip my lips...while waiting for the right moment to share with everyone my excitement for the lucky couple :)

Jake Simpson on Oprah! "Isn't She Lovely?"

Ok so I am procrastinating BIG time from doing homework...so I thought why not look for my all time favourite Oprah moment..and I found it! Listen to Jake Simpson sing one of my fav songs! Ok time to get back to work!

Paul Potts

Just finished watching Oprah's show on youtube...and the amazing Paul Potts was a guest. I watched him a couple months ago and was overwhelmed by his story! (turn up your volume when you watch this clip...he's amazing!)

Ginger

One of the world's healthiest foods: Ginger is a good source of potassium, magnesium, copper, manganese and vitamin B6.

I have always been fascinated by healthy remedies...whenever one of us hears about something that is healthy and good for the body, we always share our findings. Here are the benefits of Ginger:
Historically, ginger has a long tradition of being very effective in alleviating symptoms of gastrointestinal distress. In herbal medicine, ginger is regarded as an excellent carminative (a substance which promotes the elimination of intestinal gas) and intestinal spasmolytic (a substance which relaxes and soothes the intestinal tract). Modern scientific research has revealed that ginger possesses numerous therapeutic properties including antioxidant effects, an ability to inhibit the formation of inflammatory compounds, and direct anti-inflammatory
effects.
In addition Ginger also provides:

• Safe and Effective Relief of Nausea and Vomiting During Pregnancy
• Anti-Inflammatory Effects
• Protection against Colorectal Cancer
• Induces Cell Death in Ovarian Cancer Cells
• Immune Boosting Action

For more in depth information visit: http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=72
At the moment I am sipping ginger, lemon and honey tea. All I did was boil some water and mix it with some shredded ginger, a squeezed lemon (1/4), and a touch of honey...it is a powerful taste...but you can't help but feel great while drinking it!