so remember the post on how hot it was. well this is a post on cold. yes, it is snowing. and yes it is may 29, 2010.
this morning it was soft rain as jeff and i started our training for the half marathon in july. a great run with a great friend. although cold for jeff, i found the rain cooled me nicely (it helped i was in a snowsuit, ha ha).
the rain progressed to a bit of pour in the afternoon as i caught up with nikki, christine (and little kate), casey (and little haley), and jeaninne at the highland street festival: a cute little festival with huge potential. unfortunately the people just could not stay in their tents any longer as the cold was too much. although the coffee house music was very enjoyable! we chatted in rain as we walked under our umbrellas.
the rain fell and fell as i organized the apartment for the future furniture donations by my parents.
as i napped the snow came. hard. mark dug out the old sheets to protect the budding crops in his garden.
now the snow is falling a little softer as i am about to take a long bath. after i plan on lying on my couch with tons of blankets and watch two very girlie movies.
ahh this will also be a day to remember!
love
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Monday, May 24, 2010
i am a baker!
another one of my goals completed. i did one of my favourite recipes!! queen elizabeth cake. this (to me) is a signature nan recipe. everytime she made it, dad and i competed on who could eat the most. i am sure the other eaters were not impressed.
it was my first attempt at broiling and using dates. both went well! the taste testers (my parents, mark, and my beloved brother) all agreed as the cake pan was licked clean. i may have helped out just a wee bit.
its been a most fabulous long weekend. i have done nothing related to work. so great. just staying at home scrapbooking, watching movies, baking, general housework, with a little bit of yoga mixed in. it has been wonderful. no complaints from this gal!
love
it was my first attempt at broiling and using dates. both went well! the taste testers (my parents, mark, and my beloved brother) all agreed as the cake pan was licked clean. i may have helped out just a wee bit.
its been a most fabulous long weekend. i have done nothing related to work. so great. just staying at home scrapbooking, watching movies, baking, general housework, with a little bit of yoga mixed in. it has been wonderful. no complaints from this gal!
love
Sunday, May 23, 2010
roadtrip 2008
mark's cousin, emma, married will in june 2008. the next day, on our drive home from calgary we decided on a detour and took a trip to drumheller. i hadn't been there since i was 13. it is amazing what the 13 year old mind forgets to appreciate. great visit back to dinosaur land! here is my scrapbook spread:
love
love
pink floyd
i thought of my dad today while listening to the radio. i listen to k-rock (its classic rock on the radio). i used to listen to that station with my dad. it was always on in his car as he dropped me off at work (at 6am), on our various driving lessons, and numerous road trips. of those times my BIGGEST MEMORY is dad and another brick in the wall by pink floyd. the volume would get progressively louder as dad started to "play the drums" on his steering wheel.
i was first introduced to pink floyd when i was around 6 years old. dad would take out his old records led zeppelin, pink floyd, rolling stones, and orson welles. my overall favourite was always pink floyd. much to my mom's dismay dad and i would sing (maybe shout?) "hey, teacher! leave those kids alone!" at the top of our lungs. i loved it and urged him to play it again and again. he made me promise not to recite the lyrics at school, in turn he would give in to my wishes.
that was what i was thinking today when i was listening to the radio.
thanks dad! love you!
click on the link of pink floyd if you want to hear it!
i was first introduced to pink floyd when i was around 6 years old. dad would take out his old records led zeppelin, pink floyd, rolling stones, and orson welles. my overall favourite was always pink floyd. much to my mom's dismay dad and i would sing (maybe shout?) "hey, teacher! leave those kids alone!" at the top of our lungs. i loved it and urged him to play it again and again. he made me promise not to recite the lyrics at school, in turn he would give in to my wishes.
that was what i was thinking today when i was listening to the radio.
thanks dad! love you!
click on the link of pink floyd if you want to hear it!
Friday, May 21, 2010
hot yoga
so i tried something new . hot yoga. i had callously dismissed this previously. the idea of sweating while doing stretches sounded more revolting than actual exercise. however the opportunity came up, so i decided to challenge my preconceived notions.
NOTE: hot yoga (according to yoga life studios):
An energetic class in a room heated to around 38-40 degrees Celsius. Hot Yoga is famous for the detoxifying and cardiovascular effects on your body. The heat facilitates a deep stretch, enhances your physical workout and allows your body to remove toxins through perspiration. Hot Yoga is a unique Yoga experience and you will leave feeling like you`ve never felt before!
What you can expect: Those who practice Hot Yoga generally enjoy a challenging practice. Your body and mind will definitely be challenged, and you will enjoy the benefits of a detoxifying sweat
the co-worker that was giving free yoga classes is now working at this studio. because i enjoyed her classes so much i decided to go to yoga life and support her. i noticed that they had quite a bit of hot yoga classes. my co-worker told me it wasn't too bad. when i asked if i would be okay if i just wore my t-shirt, and capris her response was, "yeah, you should be fine." HILARIOUS! i have never sweat so much in my life. i was hot, exhausted, and my shirt was dripping within the first 15 minutes. all i could think was: a) when will this be over and b) when are we taking a break. ahhhh. not to mention the lack of materials i failed to bring as the people around me seemed to have towels, face clothes and were dressed for the beach rather than yoga.
because of my ill prepartion in my first trial, i knew i had to try a second time. i forgot my towel, but i wore a tank top, shorts, had ice cold water, and a cold compress. ahhh the sauna experience of hot yoga was a success! my mat was a little slippery near the end (hence where the towel would have come in handy), however the overall stretching was fantastic. the heat allowed for a deeper stretch than i could have ever done in hatha. i felt like gumby in the end. added bonus it was a chilly outside from the rain, so it was refreshing to be all hot coming out into that weather!
i will definitely be going back for the next three months!
lesson: my parents are right: it's always great to try something new...never quit...try, and try again! :)
love
NOTE: hot yoga (according to yoga life studios):
An energetic class in a room heated to around 38-40 degrees Celsius. Hot Yoga is famous for the detoxifying and cardiovascular effects on your body. The heat facilitates a deep stretch, enhances your physical workout and allows your body to remove toxins through perspiration. Hot Yoga is a unique Yoga experience and you will leave feeling like you`ve never felt before!
What you can expect: Those who practice Hot Yoga generally enjoy a challenging practice. Your body and mind will definitely be challenged, and you will enjoy the benefits of a detoxifying sweat
the co-worker that was giving free yoga classes is now working at this studio. because i enjoyed her classes so much i decided to go to yoga life and support her. i noticed that they had quite a bit of hot yoga classes. my co-worker told me it wasn't too bad. when i asked if i would be okay if i just wore my t-shirt, and capris her response was, "yeah, you should be fine." HILARIOUS! i have never sweat so much in my life. i was hot, exhausted, and my shirt was dripping within the first 15 minutes. all i could think was: a) when will this be over and b) when are we taking a break. ahhhh. not to mention the lack of materials i failed to bring as the people around me seemed to have towels, face clothes and were dressed for the beach rather than yoga.
because of my ill prepartion in my first trial, i knew i had to try a second time. i forgot my towel, but i wore a tank top, shorts, had ice cold water, and a cold compress. ahhh the sauna experience of hot yoga was a success! my mat was a little slippery near the end (hence where the towel would have come in handy), however the overall stretching was fantastic. the heat allowed for a deeper stretch than i could have ever done in hatha. i felt like gumby in the end. added bonus it was a chilly outside from the rain, so it was refreshing to be all hot coming out into that weather!
i will definitely be going back for the next three months!
lesson: my parents are right: it's always great to try something new...never quit...try, and try again! :)
love
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
lovely lovely friends
ahhh my fantastic friends...even better than my fantastic friends? karaoke with them! a wonderful night of singing, laughing and making "zoolander" poses at casey and sal's housewarming party.
love
love
Monday, May 17, 2010
26 degrees
for those that complain about the alberta weather: it is 26 degrees.
and for those that complain: it is may 17.
there are tulips, lilacs...blossoms everywhere.
this is for those that complain.
remember.
love
and for those that complain: it is may 17.
there are tulips, lilacs...blossoms everywhere.
this is for those that complain.
remember.
love
Sunday, May 16, 2010
winter fun
so let's go back to winter (i know we just got out of winter)! mark's granddad was renting out a skating and curling rink (in 2008) for a family get together. because of this, i wanted/needed to buy skates. i hadn't skated since my figure skating days 17 years prior, so mark and i went on a practice run at hawreluk park. similar to riding a bicycle, i picked up where i left off...AND loved it. i forgot how much fun skating was. when you are 11 and have to go to lessons the fun wears off after awhile. to be on the frozen pond reminded me of all the good times i had with my dad and brother on our pond in sherwood park. we just skated around, and enjoyed the snow sculptures, attempted a snowball fight. it was a really great night!
love
love
Saturday, May 15, 2010
christmas shopping
he he...so on this hot spring day i am couped up in an apartment high above the sky.
what can a girl do?
think about christmas shopping...
crazy?
yes!
but i can't help it. i personally would like to have most of mine done by september so i can mail the parcel off to my parents in time for my dad's birthday.
unrealistic?
possibly.
but i already have purchased a few items...and just purchased a couple more.
i love the internet!
love
what can a girl do?
think about christmas shopping...
crazy?
yes!
but i can't help it. i personally would like to have most of mine done by september so i can mail the parcel off to my parents in time for my dad's birthday.
unrealistic?
possibly.
but i already have purchased a few items...and just purchased a couple more.
i love the internet!
love
opening day
saw some friends
ate some food
yummy green onion cakes
and a hot dog
admired the jewelery
bought some veggies
apples
plants
great day at the downtown market
love
ate some food
yummy green onion cakes
and a hot dog
admired the jewelery
bought some veggies
apples
plants
great day at the downtown market
love
Friday, May 14, 2010
goal one is complete
so fresh from my trip i decided to keep busy and accomplish one of the goals i set for myself in april. what was it, you ask?
ahhh. i remember my mom making this numerous times and it was a sugar attack on all my senses. i loved it! so after working out in the am, going to work, going to hot yoga after work (holy man that is the hardest thing i have ever done...another story), making a pasta salad for work potluck, i started the baking process. it was ambitious.
i started with the pie crust. not my specialty. really i would have probably been close to quitting soon after i rolled the dough out if i was in my right mind. yet i muddled through. (p.s. if anyone has a good pie recipe out there, i am interested). next was the filling, my favourite part. because our pots are all different sizes i was slightly exasperated on how i attempt to boil it...however with some ingenuity by mark, the double boiler process went quite smooth as he made a contraption to keep the pots in place. the meringue was last. i love the process of making meringue. it is fun to watch the egg whites get "beaten" to a pulp and start to rise into a smooth frothy fluff. so cool.. however, i do have the problem, of flat meringue. a work in progress, which will only improve with age, i assure myself. i put it in the oven...baked till the meringue was tan brown, placed it in the fridge to allow it to mold together. as i waited, i attempted to do the dishes. exhausted, after such a long day, i drained the sink halfway through, and went to bed. mark, excited at the prospect of butterscotch pie, was the first to taste it...judge rules:
ahhh, my pie is no where near the experts. the crust was imperfect, the meringue was flat...yet it was made with determination, a little love, a little madness, and manages to taste great. i should know. i have an expert taste tester in the kitchen!
love
BUTTERSCOTCH PIE
i started with the pie crust. not my specialty. really i would have probably been close to quitting soon after i rolled the dough out if i was in my right mind. yet i muddled through. (p.s. if anyone has a good pie recipe out there, i am interested). next was the filling, my favourite part. because our pots are all different sizes i was slightly exasperated on how i attempt to boil it...however with some ingenuity by mark, the double boiler process went quite smooth as he made a contraption to keep the pots in place. the meringue was last. i love the process of making meringue. it is fun to watch the egg whites get "beaten" to a pulp and start to rise into a smooth frothy fluff. so cool.. however, i do have the problem, of flat meringue. a work in progress, which will only improve with age, i assure myself. i put it in the oven...baked till the meringue was tan brown, placed it in the fridge to allow it to mold together. as i waited, i attempted to do the dishes. exhausted, after such a long day, i drained the sink halfway through, and went to bed. mark, excited at the prospect of butterscotch pie, was the first to taste it...judge rules:
SUCCESS!
ahhh, my pie is no where near the experts. the crust was imperfect, the meringue was flat...yet it was made with determination, a little love, a little madness, and manages to taste great. i should know. i have an expert taste tester in the kitchen!
love
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
is there a doctor in the house?
ahhh so after my exams but before i left, i went out with anita, mark and two former co-workers (from elves). one of the girls been out of the country for about a year but had previously worked (on and off) at elves about the same time as me. we got to talking and the subject turned to doctors. ugh. this is an extremely touchy subject for me as i have been having issues with mine for years.
well i went on my rant and my co-worker said, "haven't you been talking about this doctor since before i left...or even when i started working at elves?"
huh...well that hit me. relatively hard. it got me thinking. i really need to find myself a new doctor. my current doctor is competent. she is thorough and pleasant but the fit just isn't there. AND when i think about how much thought i put in the "picking" process it seems like i took more time figuring out what car to buy, and what to wear on trips than i ever did in finding my doctor. is that right? this is someone i should be having a personal relationship with and be able to talk to about my problems. yet i don't feel comfortable with either.
so that is that.
there are a few issues i need to get straightened out before hand (nothing serious) but i think by the end of the summer i will have a good fit with someone i am comfortable with.
i even wrote it on the calendar! :)
well i went on my rant and my co-worker said, "haven't you been talking about this doctor since before i left...or even when i started working at elves?"
huh...well that hit me. relatively hard. it got me thinking. i really need to find myself a new doctor. my current doctor is competent. she is thorough and pleasant but the fit just isn't there. AND when i think about how much thought i put in the "picking" process it seems like i took more time figuring out what car to buy, and what to wear on trips than i ever did in finding my doctor. is that right? this is someone i should be having a personal relationship with and be able to talk to about my problems. yet i don't feel comfortable with either.
so that is that.
there are a few issues i need to get straightened out before hand (nothing serious) but i think by the end of the summer i will have a good fit with someone i am comfortable with.
i even wrote it on the calendar! :)
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
p.s. i am back!
so new york was an absolute fabulous vacation. i am speechless (for once) on how to explain what i did and what i thought. i am sure i will think of stories every now and then and post them on the blog but here are a few words (free association if you will) on my trip:
ahhhh i hope that give a great idea of what i did! loved it!
love
noisy-busy-taxis-subway-entertainment-walking-lights (everywhere)-sleepless (both me and the city)
shopping-expensive-famous designers-playing dress-up-inexpensive-bargains-spending
broadway-musicals-fantastic-amazing-longing (for the same)-immense pleasure
museums-thought provoking-learning-interesting-wacky-fun
weather-amazing-hot-humid-love
people-fun-entertaining-open-very open-fabulous-melting pot of cultures-friendly-different
parks-breath taking-quiet-flowers-greenery-carousal rides-alice and wonderland-nannies-zoo animals
coney island-nostalgic-boardwalk-ferris wheel-protesters-fortune teller-photo booth-hot dogs
food-chocolate goodness-22$ banana split-hot dogs-more hot dogs-egg sandwiches-fries-more fries-italian restaurant
ahhhh i hope that give a great idea of what i did! loved it!
love
Sunday, May 09, 2010
happy mother's day
to my mom:
thank you for your smile. it brightens up a room whenever you enter. i am lucky enough to share the same responsibilty. thank you for fostering my creativity. for setting up drawing, painting, playdough stations every afternoon when i was young. thank you for the gift of reading. i love books because of you and our endless trips to the library and bookstore. thank you for being my brownie leader, pushing me to do new things, helping me get badges, getting me involved with other young girls my age. thank you for taking me on "ladies trips" when being around a brother and his friends seemed a little too much. thank for the advice. you are great at it. always there to listen to my problems and offer whatever you can to help me solve them. also thank you for listening. i always know i can go to you when i have an issue. thank you for encouragement. you have always supported anything i do regarding my school, travels, relationships, and athletics. thank you for everything mom. there is so much you do that cannot be written and so much you will do in the future! love you. happy mother's day!
love