decorating december

Just before December hit, I somehow convinced Chris to dust off his Christmas decorations that I thought were all a myth and add a little Christmas spirit to his place. I was very impressed by his supplies and as a team we spruced his place up! I love love love this time of year! As Chris didn't need additional decorations I thought I would add one personal touch to his tree (keeping with his colour scheme) and add a little starbucks charm. (The picture of the tree doesn't do it justice...good ol' bb camera). Anywho I just love admiring his tree, there is nothing like being surrounded by a little Christmas loving. I feel this should be a year long tradition - decorate a tree to the season?!?! Just an idea. Continuing on...since then lots of events and memorable moments have occurred. Last weekend a bunch of us went to C5 restaurant at the ROM for Erin's birthday (totally recommend the place...rated in the top 10 i think in the tdot), and then made our way into the hammer to celebrate Dave's surprise bday. Great night...especially the company. The week then flew by with lots of supplying and teaching, and on Friday Chris and I joined some western folks at Lindsay and Will's house where we celebrated Martha, Matt, Christina, Dave and Katy's decision to move to London in January. Not much of a celebration for me, but I am excited for them as they enter into a new chapter in their lives. Might just have to make a visit. (why is it that everyone is leaving..boo hoo!). Then last night met up with some high school peeps to hold up a glass to Amie's 30th. 30?!? where does the time go? And today was spent sleeping in, having tea with Hennum and Box and continuing to knit my aritzia inspired wool sweater and watching the finale of my fav show Amazing Race! One year when the network allows Canadians to participate...I will be there...and racing to win! Anywho this week seems to be another busy one as this time of year always brings on gatherings, but am looking forward to celebrating my Dad's 60th birthday on Saturday and welcoming home Jen! I love December!
Ps. Florida in t-minus 12 days
Pps. Christmas cd of the moment: Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers! holla

their back!

One of my favourite times of year is when you see the ol' wooden box of clementines in the grocery store! I love love love clementines! Yesterday I was in wholefoods picking up some flowers (yes I was not grocery shopping), and saw a floor stand of "cutie clementines" In the past 24 hours I think I have had half the box already! So delicious!! yum! Maybe that is why I had an awsome run this eve! Anywho for y'all that live near a wholefoods I recommend the cutie brand. Perfect in every way.
Health benefits of my lil orange friends:
Nutritionally packed, a medium size clementine is approximately 50 calories (however no one should be counting calories when eating fruit...but that's just my opinion). It's a great nutritional source of Vitamin C, fiber, folate, and potassium. Also packed with antioxidants, this citrus fruit has excellent health benefits.
Excellent for Vision - Research shows beta-carotene and ascorbic acid consumed daily reduces vision loss related to aging.
Citric Acid for Skin Care - This fruit is loaded with an antibacterial agent, citric acid, which helps eliminate bacteria that causes blemishes. Its juice also helps reduce fine lines because Vitamin C stimulates the skin cell's production of collagen. (holla)
Stress Reducing Aroma - The sweet aroma of this fruit is very calming. Studies show the scent triggers a neurotransmitter called serotonin in the brain. When serotonin is released, it gives you a "feel good" feeling.
Enough said!

make today a healing day

Take time for healing. Take time for what soothes your body, your mind, your soul.
Take a bath. Light a candle. Read a book. Take a walk. Get a massage (yes please). See your favourite healer if you desire. See a movie. Buy some flowers. Drink a cup of tea.
Sometimes we talk ourselves out of doing something healing for ourselves. We're too busy, too tired. But that is when we most need to take care of ourselves. Listen to your heart. What does it want? Listen to your body. What does it need? Trust what you hear.
Make today a healing day.
Then take some time and make
everyday a healing day.
- Journey to the Heart
ps. 1 month until Christmas! That is my healing thought...I will be on the beach in a couple weeks!

Ottawa

So this weekend I made my 3rd ever trip to Ottawa. My first and second trip also happened not too long ago. Every visit really makes me appreciate Canada a little more - I have seen lots of the world, but have yet to really see my own country - so it's nice to be venturing out. It also makes everything much more fantastic when Chris reserved a room at the Westin on Friday night that over looked the Parliament. Gorgeous!! Saturday was spent running along the canal (which I have a future skating date with!), having lunch with some of Chris' friends, meeting Brody Carriere, and having some din and playing domino's in Smith Falls. A great escape. And now the weekend seems so long ago! But am looking forward to another great weekend ahead!
ps. I have been supplying every day since I have been signed on....and I love it!! I know I know supplying is much different than having your own class, but I am just so happy I took a leap of faith and went into teaching! :)
pps. Happy 30th Birthday to Josie! May all your dreams come true! You are an amazing friend and I wish you a lifetime of smiles and laughter! xo

ppps. My vote: Mya and Dmitry (though Derek and his partner should have been in the top 3 and would have perhaps won! - However no one tops Shawn from last year!)

Sweet November

November 18th already?! where does time go? I feel like lots has happened in the past couple weeks...but can exactly pin point what. anywho...drum roll please...one of my fav yoga instructors, Kinndli, has now opened up her Power Yoga Canada studio in Clarkson. Great space, resembles a space I would like my 'one day in the future studio' to look like (I can dream). She opened up November 2nd...but seeing as I have been sick, and then have been trying to get my running back up to snuff I have only had my first visit today. At the moment she has a $20 special. $20 for as much yoga as you can handle for 10 days. So check out the website: http://www.poweryogacanada.com/ for the class schedule. An FYI from me to you. See you there!
ps. Sooo on Friday night one of my good friends Kim was in town. Her and her boyfriend organized a fantastic set menu din at the lovely Grace Restaurant on College. At one point in the night, Kim and Rich went missing and came back with tears and smiles! Kim and Rich are now engaged!! What a fabulous moment! I was so happy to be a part of it. It's so lovely to witness true happiness and to see one of your good friends so much in love! Congratulations Kim and Rich! xo
pps. Kim's ring is gorgeous!!! I of course had a little try on session....sigh!

miss d&d bryce

BIG NEWS!....soo this morning I had my HR meeting with the Peel Board to be signed onto the OT list...yay!Annnd tomorrow I have my HR meeting again with the Peel Board to sign my paper work for the permanent 0.1 Planning Time (drama and dance) position! holla! I am officially going to be a Peel board teacher - south side! Though I am at the bottom of the totem pole...my little foot is in the door and I will be teaching drama and dance to the kindergartens (starting tomorrow) with the biggest smile imaginable! :)

ps. also got the h1n1 vaccine today...I know there are mixed emotions about it all, but I believe in the medical system and the act of prevention, and seeing as I am in the high risk category (female in her late 20's) I thought it would be in my best interest. my arm is a wee bit sore tho. c'est la vie!

Finally....

....after a month of straight knitting I have finished my sweater jacket! Yay! Though I can only wear it at night and only as a comfort sweater...I will wear it with pride...the hours that went into that piece was ridiculous! Now onto smaller projects!! ps. when looking at this picture...I desperately need some highlights and a tan. boo hoo...on to winter I guess!?

Allow your own inner light to guide you

There comes a time when you must stand alone.
You must feel confident enough within yourself to follow your own dreams.
You must be willing to make sacrifices.
You must be capable of changing and rearranging your priorities so that your final goal can be achieved.
Sometimes, familiarity and comfort need to be challenged.
There are times when you must take a few extra chances and create your own realities.
Be strong enough to at least try to make your life better.
Be confident enough that you won't settle for a compromise just to get by.
Appreciate yourself by allowing yourself the opportunities to grow, develop, and find your true sense of purpose in this life.
Don't stand in someone else's shadow when it's your sunlight that should lead the way.

Stumbled across this 'thought'...and though I find my life to be unfolding how I always hoped it would, it's always great to give yourself a little reminder to keep strong, confident and moving forward! Got some AMAZING news yesterday that I will definitely share when I have signed the dotted line....slowly but surely! "Life has a way of working itself out..."
ps. you know you are getting old when you go shopping for 'work' shoes and you put away the point'ies and pick up the same shoes as your mother wears....please note though my mom has killer styles in shoes I replicated the same shoes she has that are considered grandma styles - it always amazed me she owned them, but I now find myself in the same boat. Comfort over style I guess?!? oh dear!
pps. going to Whistler in 2 sleeps!

Everything

Everytime I listen to Michael Buble sing Everthing I can't help but feel happy. What an amazing song to sing to the love in your life. sigh!

You're a falling star, You're the get away car.
You're the line in the sand when I go too far.
You're the swimming pool, on an August day.
And you're the perfect thing to say.

And you play it coy, but it's kinda cute.
Ah, When you smile at me you know exactly what you do.
Baby don't pretend, that you don't know it's true.
Cause you can see it when I look at you.

[Chorus:]And in this crazy life,
and through these crazy times
It's you, it's you, You make me sing.
You're every line, you're every word,
you're everything.

You're a carousel, you're a wishing well,
And you light me up, when you ring my bell.
You're a mystery, you're from outer space,
You're every minute of my everyday.

And I can't believe, uh that I'm your man,
And I get to kiss you baby just because I can.
Whatever comes our way, ah we'll see it through,
And you know that's what our love can do.

P.s: Hope everyone is having a great weekend! Last night was spent at Christina and Dave's for some delish Indian food, and catching up with Jen! It's great to have her home, even if for just the weekend!

....knock knock knock knock...open seasame ?!?!

Product Endorsements #5

2 things I would like to highlight this month:
1. John Freida's Sheer Blonde Tessled Tresses Fine Mix Wax: Yess it is a mouthful but I think it's great! It's great for my type of hair: thin (boo hoo), layer'ey, blonde (or trying to be) and for the person who is looking for a little weight on the tips but that doesn't weigh the rest of your hair down. Totally recommend it. Ps. I got it as a promo - and have yet to see it in my fav store SDM, so for those of you who shop else where and see it on shelves please let me know as I would like to stock up!
2. I Want that Body - with my good friend Tamilee (best known for her 80's tapes of Buns of Steel and Abs of Steel). As I am in waiting (last official week) to start hard core running again, I have been venturing out and re-visiting tapes that have helped me keep in shape. I did this tape a couple weeks ago and had troubles walking for a couple days. It has taken me 3 tries before I can do it and not have troubles the next day. Totally recommend this tape to those who need to work out everyday but sometimes need another option. Well just an fyi from me to you.

my desk companion

it's funny how every so often I feel it necessary to open up my melody beattie book and find an excerpt about how I may or how I would like to feel at a specific time in my life...and how I feel that I should include it in an entry. I'm not sure if you all take anything from the excerpts...but if you do for just one of my million melody beattie excerpts than we are somewhat on the same page for a moment of our lives. hmmm? anywho here ya go:
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 that they do. Help them by openly sharing yourself and being not what 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 lead the way.
ps. Did anyone else notice a little Jake (from Bachelorette) sitting in the audience of dancing with the stars....new Bachelor perhaps? Heather and I think so.

whirl wind

So these past 2 weeks have been a little bit of a whirl wind...but of course a great time!!
Last weekend a group of us hit up Boobyball #8...great event! Though I think several of us could have eliminated the predrink portion of the night. Oh dear! The following night (Saturday), after sleeping in until 3pm Chris and I made our way to the ACC where we saw Keith Urban rocking it out! I think Chris was a little apprehensive about going to a country concert, but I saw him tap his feet a few times and swing a chicken arm ;) We also met up with Box and Sean (the Hodgins), for a quick catch up and drink. Side note: Keith Urban was fantastic...I couldn't stop listening to his CD last week! Totally recommend tickets to a future show. Cc and I then headed into Yorkville, where we attempted to check out Nuit Blanche. Little bit of a fizzle, but we did our fair share of walking around. I'm sure Queen St. was where it was at. My week then continued with a little bit of un-needed stress :( but fortunately I had another great weekend to make up for a not so great week. Cc and I made the cross country trek and spent a night near Smith Falls/Ottawa for our first Turkey din and then continued to drive 5.5 hours to the skoka's where we had yet another delish turkey meal. My fam was in fine form, and it was great to have Steph and her fam there, and Nana Shiraz (aka Brenda C). Hope everyone else had a great thanksgiving!
ps. I am (un)officially on the Peel OT list!! Holla!!! (Everything should be up and running in hopefully a week or so)
pps. It seems I don't know how to carry a camera around with me...so pictures will follow some day soon.
ppps. Off to Heather's to go knit up a storm, eat some din and watch DWTS. Ahh the good ol days.