We all remember a time in our lives that we thought: "This is going to be the way I die" or "I probably won't survive this... I'll probably die" or "If I do this, I'll most likely die" (and then we do the thing anyway).
Like playing with an electrical socket when you are a child. You probably shouldn't. You've been told you shouldn't. You've even been told that it will hurt and you could die. Like my nephew, for example, who has been told on numerous occasions not to play with electrical sockets. He came to my sister one day and told her that he touched one in the playroom in the attic "Mommy, I got elestroscuted!". ... Um... Right. My point exactly.
That is an example of something that could actually kill you (especially if the voltage is high enough, or if your hands are wet, or some other arrangement of circumstances is in place.)
But there are often things that we imagine will kill us, and we say they will kill us, simply because we do not want to do them. When you are a child, you think that interrupting whatever important thing you are doing to take out the garbage will kill you. You think that walking the 15 minute walk to school on a hot day will kill you. You think that Your big brother or sister being in your room bothering you is probably going to kill you, because you will burst from the inside with rage that they are touching your things (even if they are not). These things will not kill you. They won't even hurt (unless of course you live in that part of Australia that doesn't have an ozone layer in which case, 15 minutes outside in the sun may actually kill you).
Yesterday, I was to go running in the mountains of Barcelona. Lovely place, really, with a church on top that you can see almost the entire way up, and lots of people sweating as they also walk, run or cycle up the mountain with you. I haven't run hard in probably 4 years because my knee bothers me if I run too hard or too long. So a woman from the gym asked me if I would like to go running with her (on a Saturday) in the mountains and I hesitantly agreed, mostly because I felt pressured to go, and partly because an actress friend of hers who does voice-over dubbing was going to go with us, so it would be a good chance to meet this person and maybe network. The friend cancelled. Of course. I was sure that this mountain run was going to kill me. Hot sun, hills, heat, sweat, being sociable (talking and running is one of the hardest things I think you can do- there is no way to sound normal while running, and breathing becomes even more laboured).
So we went, just her and I, and it wasn't so bad because she took me to a part that wasn't as hilly, and we took it pretty easy. There was never a moment on the mountain where I thought: "yes, I'm going to die up here for sure" but there were times when I thought I wanted to kill her. People don't seem to understand that while other people become very laboured in their breathing, and their shoulders slump and they sweat like crazy when they workout really hard, I am different. Through theatre I became very, very aware of my body and what it can do, and what its limits are. When I workout, I push myself, but not to the point of possible injury. I make sure that whatever I'm going, I am keeping my form correct, and breathing properly. I am also very aware of my breathing, and how important it is to breathe steady breaths while working out. I have trained myself to be hyper aware of that. I am also not a very sweaty person. So while running yesterday with this woman, I told her I needed to stop for a minute. Her reaction was: "but you're not even sweating, and your breathing is fine, and you are still keeping your form, you can't be that tired!" But yes, I can be. I'm not a wimp, and I actually pushed myself much further than I thought I would be able to yesterday, but my heart is not used to running, and neither are my legs. So when I tell you I need to stop, then trust that I know my body and stop!
Anyway, all of this was to say that running in the mountains won't kill you (unless you're attacked by a bear).
Sunday, October 19, 2014
Thursday, October 16, 2014
My Favourite Quote....
I don't know if I'd call it my favourite quote, but I certainly do like this one lot:
"You only life once,
but if you do it right,
once is enough"
- Mae West
Some people might think this is kind of cliché... I mean, hello: YOLO! I may be Canadian, but this love of this quote has nothing to do with Drake.
It actually has everything to do with the person who has affected my life in so many more ways than you would ever think! She and I grew up together.. we learned about life together... and her time was limited. Well, guess what: all of us have limited time, we just don't know how limited it is, or isn't. Some people live until they are 80 or 90 and some only live until their 20's or 30's or God forbid, they don't even get that much time. Well, no matter how much time you have, or don't have, make sure you live your life right! I'm not talking about a "correct" way of living, but of making sure you don't go through life forgetting to live it.
So here is to living life only once, but making sure that all of the time you have, is spent well.
Happy thoughts people.
xo
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
A (very) Short Story
Once upon a time there was a girl with writer's block.
She wanted to write. She had no inspiration.
The end.
(She will live happily ever after if you send inspiration)
She wanted to write. She had no inspiration.
The end.
(She will live happily ever after if you send inspiration)
Monday, August 25, 2014
'Somebody Like You'
Listening to 'Somebody Like You' by Keith Urban... makes me think of my very best, best friend. And 'Something More' by Sugarland.... "I get home, 7:30, the house is dirty.. but it can wait!" heh.
Been thinking about this girl a lot for the last couple of days. Coming across things she's given me or being reminded of moments we've shared.
Coke and Mattresses.
Forgetting to take long pants and sweaters to camp.
About a million mix cd's from ages past to almost present day, one of which I found under a seat in the car when I was cleaning it out the other day (love little surprises like that!)
For some reason we both liked country music. Not ALL country songs, but random ones. And Linkin Park. Our list of favourite songs include everything from hymns to rock and pop and even songs in languages we don't understand... pretty much, if you can move to it, we like it. HAHA.
Miss your face girl.
Come back from the best vacation ever and chill with me on a beach (I'll buy you ALL the suntan lotion that you need.. and we both know that is an investment!)
Been thinking about this girl a lot for the last couple of days. Coming across things she's given me or being reminded of moments we've shared.
Coke and Mattresses.
Forgetting to take long pants and sweaters to camp.
About a million mix cd's from ages past to almost present day, one of which I found under a seat in the car when I was cleaning it out the other day (love little surprises like that!)
For some reason we both liked country music. Not ALL country songs, but random ones. And Linkin Park. Our list of favourite songs include everything from hymns to rock and pop and even songs in languages we don't understand... pretty much, if you can move to it, we like it. HAHA.
Miss your face girl.
Come back from the best vacation ever and chill with me on a beach (I'll buy you ALL the suntan lotion that you need.. and we both know that is an investment!)
Monday, July 14, 2014
That Day in Paris
I have realized that I have never actually written about the day I spent in Paris. I should be writing this on my other blog, Bethalona, but I suppose I will just copy it there and get on with life.
I spent my day in Paris with Esther and Victoria- fitting that both of them have royal names and so do I, and we spent the day wandering around a city that has a way of making one feel like a royal. When we arrived, it was late. So dark we could not tell where we were or what direction we wanted to go in. Other tourists helped point us towards the metro line where we could at least find a map of the city and figure out where our hostel was. Somehow I became the tour guide (I was the only one of the three of us who actually wanted to spend time in Paris and the only one with a little bit of French to rely on).
After safely navigating Paris at night and getting us from Metro to bus to the hostel, we ventured out for pizza. A small place, tucked away in what felt like a slightly unsafe neighbourhood, but the pizza was good and we were all too tired to care if it wasn't. Back to the hostel for sleep in our cramped three-person room where Victoria and I shared a bed and Esther was on the bunk up top.
Morning showers in a cold hostel, bundled up and hungry we left the hostel ready for a day of adventure. We found a bakery (one of many, and not-so-few-and-far-between) and bought some pastries for breakfast, and the much needed coffee. We bought some apples from a local vendor and carried on our way. Me, being the tour guide again, had asked in very broken French (after reciting in French that I don't speak the language) had asked for directions from a very large man at the reception desk in the hostel. He had told me in simple terms to walk down to the main road, turn left and walk to the MacDonalds. We would find it from there.
We did, thank goodness. And still having my map, I found our way through the spiders web to a metro stop close to the Louvre. (I should mention that on the Metro the three of us saw the most attractive, well-dressed man we could ever agree on as being the most attractive man we've ever seen. He looked as though he stepped out from between the pages of a magazine cologne ad and onto the Metro. None of us were close enough to smell him, but I assume he smells like something that would have most women losing themselves in and falling victim to his European allure. From head to toe: perfection. And I said "bonjour" to him on the way out of the Metro car and giggled like a school girl with my friends all the way to the top of the stairs!)
Out on the street, we met some Australians who gave us a tip about travelling in Europe, and most importantly in Paris: keep your purse under your coat and your valuables where you can feel them on your person. Past a church and down the street, we got out first glimpses of the magnificent museum. Truthfully, I thought it would look different, and once inside the confines of the buildings it did. The old style architecture and sculptures were beautiful and as many have said, I found the glass structure in the middle to be starkly out of place, despite how beautiful it can be in photos (something not unlike the structure built onto the ROM in Toronto- completely unnecessary and mostly out of place, but trying to tie in old world with new and modern). We of course took pictures, and once inside, wandered our way around the Greek sculptures, Egyptian antiquities and still life paintings. We found the Mona Lisa which is actually a lot smaller than I had imagined it to be, and the Venus de Milo. We left around noon as we were all beginning to get rather hungry, and found a little shop to buy sandwiches in.
After our snack, we wandered in a tourist fashion all the way up the Champs Elysees, going into shops along the way. We went into Yves Roche, a store I happen to quite like, and purchased a few small things and while the store clerk was quite pleasant to me, she was quite rude to my friends, who again, do not speak any French.
We found the Arc de Triomphe and took a siesta on a park bench nearby. Another lovely tourist took our photo because the occasion was simply entertaining.
From there we took a bicycle taxi to an attractive photo-perfect spot close to the Eiffel Tower. It was 15 euro but well worth the money for the somewhat romantic ride and the laughs along the way.
Photos, photos, photos and lots of posing. Another walk had us standing right under the tower, looking straight up. We didn't take the opportunity to walk up the tower because it was already getting late in the day and the wait was 2 hours. If we had another day we would have planned to be there early and go up, but alas, maybe next time.
We had been recommended a place to eat for dinner by a friend of ours, so we decided to try to find it. It was across the city: another Metro ride and a walk through the narrow streets to find it. Once there, we tried to get in. We were declined. The man at the door said it was because we didn't have reservations and they were quite busy. The place was empty from what I saw. I think it was because we didn't speak French.
Another place around the corner was quite a bit more hospitable. I tried escargot! It has much the same texture as mushroom, surprisingly, and I found it to actually be agreeable. Though, the amount of garlic and the overpowering taste of salt prevented me from wanting more than a few bites.
Dinner was delicious and fanciful as any dinner in Paris should be. Afterwards, we decided to take a stroll and find a store for some sweet treats. We purchased a box of cookies and some bottles of water and kept on walking. I had spoken to a friend of mine from Canada who said he would be in Paris the same weekend, but we hadn't been able to get ahold of him all weekend. That was perfectly fine with all of us. We ended up sitting on a park bench on a small street, looking at an old building and just talking into the night. We didn't have energy after our long day of walking to go out partying, and we didn't care to go back and change and go out again. We were perfectly content to eat our cookies on the park bench.
We got back to our room late that night again, and went to bed. That night I dreamt in three languages and woke up feeling rather confused.
After a quick breakfast and purchasing a few items to take on our train ride, we headed to the train station to continue our trip around Europe. Baguettes, apples and coffee. The perfect end to our short stay in the city of love.
I spent my day in Paris with Esther and Victoria- fitting that both of them have royal names and so do I, and we spent the day wandering around a city that has a way of making one feel like a royal. When we arrived, it was late. So dark we could not tell where we were or what direction we wanted to go in. Other tourists helped point us towards the metro line where we could at least find a map of the city and figure out where our hostel was. Somehow I became the tour guide (I was the only one of the three of us who actually wanted to spend time in Paris and the only one with a little bit of French to rely on).
After safely navigating Paris at night and getting us from Metro to bus to the hostel, we ventured out for pizza. A small place, tucked away in what felt like a slightly unsafe neighbourhood, but the pizza was good and we were all too tired to care if it wasn't. Back to the hostel for sleep in our cramped three-person room where Victoria and I shared a bed and Esther was on the bunk up top.
Morning showers in a cold hostel, bundled up and hungry we left the hostel ready for a day of adventure. We found a bakery (one of many, and not-so-few-and-far-between) and bought some pastries for breakfast, and the much needed coffee. We bought some apples from a local vendor and carried on our way. Me, being the tour guide again, had asked in very broken French (after reciting in French that I don't speak the language) had asked for directions from a very large man at the reception desk in the hostel. He had told me in simple terms to walk down to the main road, turn left and walk to the MacDonalds. We would find it from there.
We did, thank goodness. And still having my map, I found our way through the spiders web to a metro stop close to the Louvre. (I should mention that on the Metro the three of us saw the most attractive, well-dressed man we could ever agree on as being the most attractive man we've ever seen. He looked as though he stepped out from between the pages of a magazine cologne ad and onto the Metro. None of us were close enough to smell him, but I assume he smells like something that would have most women losing themselves in and falling victim to his European allure. From head to toe: perfection. And I said "bonjour" to him on the way out of the Metro car and giggled like a school girl with my friends all the way to the top of the stairs!)
Out on the street, we met some Australians who gave us a tip about travelling in Europe, and most importantly in Paris: keep your purse under your coat and your valuables where you can feel them on your person. Past a church and down the street, we got out first glimpses of the magnificent museum. Truthfully, I thought it would look different, and once inside the confines of the buildings it did. The old style architecture and sculptures were beautiful and as many have said, I found the glass structure in the middle to be starkly out of place, despite how beautiful it can be in photos (something not unlike the structure built onto the ROM in Toronto- completely unnecessary and mostly out of place, but trying to tie in old world with new and modern). We of course took pictures, and once inside, wandered our way around the Greek sculptures, Egyptian antiquities and still life paintings. We found the Mona Lisa which is actually a lot smaller than I had imagined it to be, and the Venus de Milo. We left around noon as we were all beginning to get rather hungry, and found a little shop to buy sandwiches in.
After our snack, we wandered in a tourist fashion all the way up the Champs Elysees, going into shops along the way. We went into Yves Roche, a store I happen to quite like, and purchased a few small things and while the store clerk was quite pleasant to me, she was quite rude to my friends, who again, do not speak any French.
We found the Arc de Triomphe and took a siesta on a park bench nearby. Another lovely tourist took our photo because the occasion was simply entertaining.
From there we took a bicycle taxi to an attractive photo-perfect spot close to the Eiffel Tower. It was 15 euro but well worth the money for the somewhat romantic ride and the laughs along the way.
Photos, photos, photos and lots of posing. Another walk had us standing right under the tower, looking straight up. We didn't take the opportunity to walk up the tower because it was already getting late in the day and the wait was 2 hours. If we had another day we would have planned to be there early and go up, but alas, maybe next time.
We had been recommended a place to eat for dinner by a friend of ours, so we decided to try to find it. It was across the city: another Metro ride and a walk through the narrow streets to find it. Once there, we tried to get in. We were declined. The man at the door said it was because we didn't have reservations and they were quite busy. The place was empty from what I saw. I think it was because we didn't speak French.
Another place around the corner was quite a bit more hospitable. I tried escargot! It has much the same texture as mushroom, surprisingly, and I found it to actually be agreeable. Though, the amount of garlic and the overpowering taste of salt prevented me from wanting more than a few bites.
Dinner was delicious and fanciful as any dinner in Paris should be. Afterwards, we decided to take a stroll and find a store for some sweet treats. We purchased a box of cookies and some bottles of water and kept on walking. I had spoken to a friend of mine from Canada who said he would be in Paris the same weekend, but we hadn't been able to get ahold of him all weekend. That was perfectly fine with all of us. We ended up sitting on a park bench on a small street, looking at an old building and just talking into the night. We didn't have energy after our long day of walking to go out partying, and we didn't care to go back and change and go out again. We were perfectly content to eat our cookies on the park bench.
We got back to our room late that night again, and went to bed. That night I dreamt in three languages and woke up feeling rather confused.
After a quick breakfast and purchasing a few items to take on our train ride, we headed to the train station to continue our trip around Europe. Baguettes, apples and coffee. The perfect end to our short stay in the city of love.
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Sunday, June 22, 2014
The "More Is MORE" of Cake Decorating
If you think you know something about icing cakes, you are probably wrong. It's no simple thing. I mean, sure, anybody can slap a little icing on a cake and maybe you mostly won't see the cake through the icing, or have gobs sliding down the sides or somehow manage to make it lop-sided. And even if you manage to cover the cake half-decently, who is to say that the decorating will go over well? The Cake Boss may make it look easy, but that doesn't mean it is easy.
I'm sure we've all had a family gathering of sorts that you're expected to go to and someone comes up with the brilliant idea that because you're "artistic" that must mean that you can bake a cake! (Shakira's artistic, she sings, so she must be a whiz in the kitchen! Right??*) So here you are, saddled with the chore of trying to come up with something family-fun related and not at all mangled. You decide to bake the cake yourself and maybe have some design or flowers or something on it, and a cute little saying like "Happy Mother's Day" or "Happy Easter" or "Congrats on your Little Angel".
So first you bake a cake, and let's be honest, you got some help from Betty Crocker and Walmart's baking isle. Don't be too ashamed, ingredients and measuring aren't for everybody and for most of us "winging-it" doesn't turn out well. So you have a cake now, hopefully not too burnt, and most of it came out of the pan okay. Toss that baby on the cooling rack and then when its mostly cooled, throw it in a bag and put it in the freezer**. Don't think that freezer burn cancels out the other burn- seal the bag! Freezing your cake helps lock in the moisture, so you probably wanted to bake your cake yesterday. Oh well.
Take it back out of the freezer. If you are like half of North American women, you probably don't have a turntable. If you have one, get a dj, stick him in the corner and have him remix you some tunes while you decorate. But seriously, a cake turntable is actually very useful when decorating. If you're the other half of North American women and you have one, you probably got it with your wedding registry items and it's still in the box in the basement under your crockpot and fancy towels. Dig it out, you'll need it.
Centre your cake on the turntable and cut it in half. Top and bottom halves, not the other way. Put the top half to the side and get out the Betty Crocker icing you bought. Give it a good stir and gob some icing on the bottom half. Smooth it out. There is a trick to this but I'm not gonna give it up. If you don't know how to properly do it then just get crumbs in it like everyone else and get on with it, or watch a youtube instructional video.
Once that's done (consider it your practice round because the top is next and people will see that part), put the top back on and repeat: gob, then smooth.
Once you've done the top, do the sides. If your cake is round this shouldn't be too much trouble. If its square or rectangle, good luck on those corners.
Now your cake is iced. Wherever you see cake showing through or some crumbs is where you're gonna want to decorate a little more, but lets start with a border: something around the bottom and around the top. If you're sneaky, you will have bought pre-coloured icing in the tubes that fit the shaped tips that just screw onto the tubes. Fine, use the star, it's the most interesting. With a steady hand- I said steady, put the wine down and focus- position your tip almost against the part of the cake you're starting at, and squeeze. You'll want to keep even pressure while you turn the cake on the turntable. Well it's mostly even and somewhat straight and if you'd have stayed away from the wine until after you were done it might have looked better, but hopefully everyone will be trashed at your niece's christening so no one will notice... right? Have another sip so it looks straight and do the border on the top, same idea: position, even pressure (mostly), and turn. If one spot looks sparse, just add some more on top: more is more.
Now you've got a cake with icing and a border. Now what? Well, if you Google "cakes" you'll probably see mostly things that are WAY out of your ability and creative reaches. But that one has some flowers, so maybe try a few of those. Since you don't know what you're doing, maybe do a few practice ones on the counter to see if you're doing it right. Or maybe not, and just go for it.
Okay that one didn't turn out so well. Maybe you can fix it. But probably not. And now its a gob. So put a few sprinkles on it and maybe no one will notice. Try another one. Maybe it will look better than the first. Nope. Maybe if you just poke that one spot, it will turn into a star. Or maybe not. Have another sip, and sprinkle. Hey, maybe you can make a theme of sprinkles! Like "Sprinklings of Joy on Your Happy Day, Grandpa!" So then maybe you take the idea a little too far. But wait, More is More, right? Never too many sprinkles!! Load up your cake with icing gobs and sprinkles, because clearly no one would believe that's a flower or a star or anything else you could've tried to pass it off as.
Now you have a space left, mostly centred in the middle of your gobs. Now to write your message. You could write it out on paper and see how it turns out, or again, take a practice round on the counter or other surface, but what the heck, you're great at writing birthday cards and this can't be very different, so just go ahead and start right on your cake.
It's not very centred and Timmy's name is squished on and halfway down the side... maybe people will think you did that on purpose. It's kind of "artistic" right?
So if you're thinking now that you maybe should have just gone to the grocery store and gotten one of those pre-made cakes that are ready for you to request a saying and take it away, you're probably right.
OR, you could take a cake decorating class.
The first option is definitely easier, and cheaper in the short term. But if you ever want to show up at your family gathering with a little bit of pride and something to show for your creative talent besides that single that never got played on the radio or the paintings that keep piling up, half-finished in the spare bedroom, the second option is definitely worth while. Introductory cake decorating classes range in price and time, but a few hours with a professional will at least give you some confidence in making a cake for your best friend's bachelorette (because not everyone wants a penis cake anymore) or some cupcakes for Aunt Sue's "Newly Single" party.
And even if you have no reason to decorate a cake, at least now you'll know how to make Butter Cream icing (cause if you're gonna eat it out of the tub by yourself on a Thursday night, it might as well be homemade!)
Happy Decorating!
*probably not, the girl looks like she's never seen butter, let alone butter cream icing!
** be gentle, it's a cake not a Frisbee
I'm sure we've all had a family gathering of sorts that you're expected to go to and someone comes up with the brilliant idea that because you're "artistic" that must mean that you can bake a cake! (Shakira's artistic, she sings, so she must be a whiz in the kitchen! Right??*) So here you are, saddled with the chore of trying to come up with something family-fun related and not at all mangled. You decide to bake the cake yourself and maybe have some design or flowers or something on it, and a cute little saying like "Happy Mother's Day" or "Happy Easter" or "Congrats on your Little Angel".
So first you bake a cake, and let's be honest, you got some help from Betty Crocker and Walmart's baking isle. Don't be too ashamed, ingredients and measuring aren't for everybody and for most of us "winging-it" doesn't turn out well. So you have a cake now, hopefully not too burnt, and most of it came out of the pan okay. Toss that baby on the cooling rack and then when its mostly cooled, throw it in a bag and put it in the freezer**. Don't think that freezer burn cancels out the other burn- seal the bag! Freezing your cake helps lock in the moisture, so you probably wanted to bake your cake yesterday. Oh well.
Take it back out of the freezer. If you are like half of North American women, you probably don't have a turntable. If you have one, get a dj, stick him in the corner and have him remix you some tunes while you decorate. But seriously, a cake turntable is actually very useful when decorating. If you're the other half of North American women and you have one, you probably got it with your wedding registry items and it's still in the box in the basement under your crockpot and fancy towels. Dig it out, you'll need it.
Centre your cake on the turntable and cut it in half. Top and bottom halves, not the other way. Put the top half to the side and get out the Betty Crocker icing you bought. Give it a good stir and gob some icing on the bottom half. Smooth it out. There is a trick to this but I'm not gonna give it up. If you don't know how to properly do it then just get crumbs in it like everyone else and get on with it, or watch a youtube instructional video.
Once that's done (consider it your practice round because the top is next and people will see that part), put the top back on and repeat: gob, then smooth.
Once you've done the top, do the sides. If your cake is round this shouldn't be too much trouble. If its square or rectangle, good luck on those corners.
Now your cake is iced. Wherever you see cake showing through or some crumbs is where you're gonna want to decorate a little more, but lets start with a border: something around the bottom and around the top. If you're sneaky, you will have bought pre-coloured icing in the tubes that fit the shaped tips that just screw onto the tubes. Fine, use the star, it's the most interesting. With a steady hand- I said steady, put the wine down and focus- position your tip almost against the part of the cake you're starting at, and squeeze. You'll want to keep even pressure while you turn the cake on the turntable. Well it's mostly even and somewhat straight and if you'd have stayed away from the wine until after you were done it might have looked better, but hopefully everyone will be trashed at your niece's christening so no one will notice... right? Have another sip so it looks straight and do the border on the top, same idea: position, even pressure (mostly), and turn. If one spot looks sparse, just add some more on top: more is more.
Now you've got a cake with icing and a border. Now what? Well, if you Google "cakes" you'll probably see mostly things that are WAY out of your ability and creative reaches. But that one has some flowers, so maybe try a few of those. Since you don't know what you're doing, maybe do a few practice ones on the counter to see if you're doing it right. Or maybe not, and just go for it.
Okay that one didn't turn out so well. Maybe you can fix it. But probably not. And now its a gob. So put a few sprinkles on it and maybe no one will notice. Try another one. Maybe it will look better than the first. Nope. Maybe if you just poke that one spot, it will turn into a star. Or maybe not. Have another sip, and sprinkle. Hey, maybe you can make a theme of sprinkles! Like "Sprinklings of Joy on Your Happy Day, Grandpa!" So then maybe you take the idea a little too far. But wait, More is More, right? Never too many sprinkles!! Load up your cake with icing gobs and sprinkles, because clearly no one would believe that's a flower or a star or anything else you could've tried to pass it off as.
Now you have a space left, mostly centred in the middle of your gobs. Now to write your message. You could write it out on paper and see how it turns out, or again, take a practice round on the counter or other surface, but what the heck, you're great at writing birthday cards and this can't be very different, so just go ahead and start right on your cake.
It's not very centred and Timmy's name is squished on and halfway down the side... maybe people will think you did that on purpose. It's kind of "artistic" right?
So if you're thinking now that you maybe should have just gone to the grocery store and gotten one of those pre-made cakes that are ready for you to request a saying and take it away, you're probably right.
OR, you could take a cake decorating class.
The first option is definitely easier, and cheaper in the short term. But if you ever want to show up at your family gathering with a little bit of pride and something to show for your creative talent besides that single that never got played on the radio or the paintings that keep piling up, half-finished in the spare bedroom, the second option is definitely worth while. Introductory cake decorating classes range in price and time, but a few hours with a professional will at least give you some confidence in making a cake for your best friend's bachelorette (because not everyone wants a penis cake anymore) or some cupcakes for Aunt Sue's "Newly Single" party.
And even if you have no reason to decorate a cake, at least now you'll know how to make Butter Cream icing (cause if you're gonna eat it out of the tub by yourself on a Thursday night, it might as well be homemade!)
Happy Decorating!
*probably not, the girl looks like she's never seen butter, let alone butter cream icing!
** be gentle, it's a cake not a Frisbee
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Hope for a Houseplant
You can't die. If you die, I'll lose all hope. I used to think I could do anything, but if you die, I'll know I can fail at something. The veil I've laid over my own eyes will be removed and I'll see myself for what I really am. If I can't even keep you alive, what am I worth?
When I got you, you were strong and beautiful. You only need a few things to keep you going. Have I failed you in your smallest and greatest needs all together? Did the cat attack you one too many times? I should have put you higher up.
Let me feed you again. Water. Sunlight- everyone needs sunlight, especially you. Please come back to me. Flower and bloom. Bring back the deep, vibrant colours of the days when we first met.
Let's stay alive together. One bad month or two can't keep us down, right? There is hope for revival. I'll help you, and you help me. "Keep a plant alive for more than one bloom" is on my list of things to do before I die.. we're in this one together and I won't let you go just yet.
Monday, June 16, 2014
How Will You Use Your Seconds?
Anything.
Everything.
Something.
Nothing.
Seconds tick by so quickly that rarely do we notice individual moments coming and going. We sleep, we eat, we go about our lives. The normal is perpendicular to the abnormal; where the normal keeps going straight and the abnormal disrupts the natural rhythm of our lives, and we stop to take notice.
A birth.
A death.
An accident.
A miracle.
Life changing events happen in a second. They sneak up on us in our most unsuspecting moments, and tear through our habitual, methodical lives to take us by surprise.
A bad decision.
A negative response.
A gunshot.
Just like that you life will change, never to be the same as the moment before.
A sound.
A noise.
A crash.
Words on average are typed at .5 per second, spoken at 1.5 per second and read at 4-5 per second. Incredible how information can be shared so quickly.
An announcement.
A proclamation.
A victory.
We never know when our seconds will end, or how many we will have to keep using. To keep wasting. On eating alone, or watching t.v. Video games and mocking people in the street or on the bus. Shameful things are done in seconds. And blessings are given in seconds. I don't know the weight of a wasted moment or the density of a well-used second, but I sure hope that the latter outweighs the former in the end.
Everything.
Something.
Nothing.
Seconds tick by so quickly that rarely do we notice individual moments coming and going. We sleep, we eat, we go about our lives. The normal is perpendicular to the abnormal; where the normal keeps going straight and the abnormal disrupts the natural rhythm of our lives, and we stop to take notice.
A birth.
A death.
An accident.
A miracle.
Life changing events happen in a second. They sneak up on us in our most unsuspecting moments, and tear through our habitual, methodical lives to take us by surprise.
A bad decision.
A negative response.
A gunshot.
Just like that you life will change, never to be the same as the moment before.
A sound.
A noise.
A crash.
Words on average are typed at .5 per second, spoken at 1.5 per second and read at 4-5 per second. Incredible how information can be shared so quickly.
An announcement.
A proclamation.
A victory.
We never know when our seconds will end, or how many we will have to keep using. To keep wasting. On eating alone, or watching t.v. Video games and mocking people in the street or on the bus. Shameful things are done in seconds. And blessings are given in seconds. I don't know the weight of a wasted moment or the density of a well-used second, but I sure hope that the latter outweighs the former in the end.
Saturday, April 26, 2014
How Will I "Wear a Tiara in Public" Without You?
Remember the list we started making together? The list of "Things to do before we die"? ... I'm gonna keep going. You're not here to go with me, and I can't call you and share my adventures, but I checked a few things off my list last year and I intend to check a few more off this year.
Miss your sweet soul, your beautiful smile and your always joyful laughter.
2014: Things are Gonna Happen!
Miss your sweet soul, your beautiful smile and your always joyful laughter.
2014: Things are Gonna Happen!
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Thursday, March 6, 2014
A New Adventure
"You always dress in yellow
When you wanna dress in gold
Instead of listening to your heart
You do just what you're told"
"You keep waiting where you are
For what you'll never know
Let's just get into your car
And go, baby, go"
...
"Why not take a crazy chance?
Why not do a crazy dance?
If you lose a moment,
You might lose a lot,
So why not.. why not?"
Took a leap today. A leap of faith. I think you'd be proud. I think grampa would be too.. only child/ grandchild to follow in his footsteps (kindof). Jeez its scary, but its sooooo exciting!!
I'm gonna save the world!
When you wanna dress in gold
Instead of listening to your heart
You do just what you're told"
"You keep waiting where you are
For what you'll never know
Let's just get into your car
And go, baby, go"
...
"Why not take a crazy chance?
Why not do a crazy dance?
If you lose a moment,
You might lose a lot,
So why not.. why not?"
Took a leap today. A leap of faith. I think you'd be proud. I think grampa would be too.. only child/ grandchild to follow in his footsteps (kindof). Jeez its scary, but its sooooo exciting!!
I'm gonna save the world!
The Journey of Life And Death
"We are a partnership that can never be conquered. In life and in the afterlife, we are connected."
Profound words from one of the wisest people I know. She was something different to everyone who knew her, but to me, she was my best friend. Always and forever. And she knew me. She knew things about me that I never had to tell her, and she knew just how to kick my ass when I needed it.
The words above are words taken from a letter she wrote me when I was graduating from University.
Well now, you've "graduated" to another place. I can't be mad, angry or disappointed that you left. You had to. It was your time to go. And really, that is the only place you've truly wanted to be... ever. And even more-so since your papa and gramma went there. The "anger" stage of grief has to be passed over- it is irrelevant; non-existent. How could I be mad at God for bringing you home? And how could I be mad at you for leaving me here? There is no one to feel anger against in this situation, only those I could deflect it onto. And since you and I both know that is a terrible idea, I won't do that.
Shock and denial? Yes, that happened. Of course it did. How can you be gone? And are you really gone? You're around me everywhere. In everything I see and touch and hear and every place I go. I see you embedded in every aspect of my life. Knowing you and your faith and belief in me caused me to have faith in myself and strength to move to Toronto, and then to Barcelona. Words you've spoken helped me feel worthy of certain opportunities and joyful about accomplishments. We did that for each other. Your successes were mine and mine were yours. So of course I denied you were gone. I'm still here- how can you not be? And shock. Never have I had more jarring moments than realizing that you'll never answer another text, or another email. You'll never send another letter or funny card in the mail, and the cards I see for you will either stay on the store shelves, or go to someone else- someone who may find them funny, but not ever in the same ways you would. That's just history for you. That's the result of transitions of life from playing with Barbies, to getting our periods, to liking boys, to heartache, to refound faith in ourselves and God, to graduations, to family triumphs, to family pain, to becoming adults and becoming aunts (or in your case aunties), to being the one looked up to instead of the one looking up. Except that I still look up to you- literally and figuratively. We were equal in height for so long and then you grew and I didn't. Now I feel like we were equal in other ways and then you flew... up in to the sky, where I will always look up to you.
Pain and Guilt. Yup, I feel that. Like an amputation- part of me was taken off. Like a victim of war who went to bed whole and woke up in the ICU without legs. Except this amputation was of the heart. And I woke up alone. No doctors and nurses taking care of me, no drugs to numb the pain. No counselor to help guide me through the psychological part of losing a piece of myself and no physiotherapist to help me learn to walk again. Do I wish I had sent the card a few weeks earlier? Yes. Do I wish you didn't have to go by yourself? Yes. Do I wish I would have asked for more time off work to come down and see you even one more weekend? Of course. I would wish those things anyway, even if you weren't gone. Do I think about my future and wonder what will hold me down and keep me connected? Who will help keep me grounded? In another letter you once said that I "bring a foundation and history to my life as much as energy and laughter". The same can be said of what you brought to mine. There was a balance that you brought to my life that I cannot explain. You were a constant. Despite trying to stay in touch, everyone else has the possibility of coming and going in life- that is just the way things are. How many people can say that they are still friends with the people in their bridal party, or those they went to highschool with, or university, or elementary school, or camp. But you and I, we did all those things (except the bridal party part, but you'll be there one way or another). And we had very real plans of drinking lemonade on our porch together when we are 80, and serving homemade cookies to the kids on our street. Don't ask me what our husbands/ significant others were up to in these dreams of ours, but we were going to live together. Knowing that that will never happen, breaks my heart every time I think of it. You are the person who knows me best, and part of me thinks that you had to go for my own sake. There is another person coming to take a very real part of my life, and hanging on to you the way a child hangs on to a stuffed animal or security blanket would hinder that relationship. A child can't learn to ride a bike if they are holding on to something else; they can't go to school and learn and grow if they are hanging on to something out of fear or desperation to stay the same. You have in many ways been a security blanket for me- the thing that reminds me that I am safe, whole and loved. But its time for me to be that whole, safe, loved person on my own so that I can be that security for someone else. I have not, to this day, thought I could be a good mother because I have so many of my own insecurities and lean so heavily on feelings of support from you, whether you knew it or not. Just like the audition you yelled me into going to, I heard you telling me I'm strong, and telling me I deserve things and telling me should try for things. How can I be the support for another person, a husband or child, when I didn't tell myself the whole wonderful things that you told me about myself. Like I've said a hundred times, you knew me better than I knew myself, and I truly believe that. Just like hindsight is 20/20, so is looking in from the outside. I knew the same strong, deserving things about you that you couldn't see for yourself. So now, in this place where I need to stand on my own two feet and support and believe in myself instead of leaning into you while you lean into me, I realize that while we loved each other, we were support for each other, we were also each other's crutches. Always letting the other person see our weakness and hold us up. If I were metaphorically a tree, I would have to learn to stand straight, or fall over. Saplings are often tied to poles in order that they withstand wind and rain and root themselves properly. You've been the pole I've been tethered to. And I thank you so much for keeping me upright. You never let me truly fall. 30 is upon me, and finding that I am grounded enough in who I am and the foundations of my life that have been laid beneath me and the nutrients that I have been granted and love I have had flow over me, I know I need to be strong on my own now. I'll stand or I'll fall, but my safety net is gone.
"Depression", Reflection and Loneliness. I think it is safe to say that I am experiencing all of that, wholly, fully and thoroughly. Looking at your pictures, or pictures of us together, letters, cards, gifts, even the earrings I bought because I thought to myself that day "what would you pick?"... and you haven't even SEEN them! I'm ridiculous. But you already know that. And I'm rolling my eyes at myself right now because I know I'm being ridiculous. I don't NEED to be sad or lonely because you are always and will always be in my life. I just am. I am just plain sad. People ask me how I am and I burst into tears and have to cover my face or turn away. One second I am fine, and then the next I am a mess. It is much like you would be if I were the one to be gone, I am sure.
Acceptance and Hope. This one is tricky. I accepted that you were gone two days after you left. You asked me to come.. people will think I'm crazy, but I know what I saw and what I felt. You asked me to come with you. I said "No." I haven't told anyone why, and I know you already know. I don't want to put any pressure on the reason I stayed so I won't tell anyone. Expectations can sometimes ruin things. Like my paintings: if I expected to paint well I would be disappointed when they weren't good. And if I expect to create something ugly then I might do something to MAKE it ugly just so I could tell myself I'm not good at it and be hard on myself. If I have no expectations of creative talent then I put my heart into it and let the talent fall where it will. Same thing with this. I know why I stayed, and I will put my heart into it. And if it is meant to be good, it will be good. And if it is meant to not be good, then I will learn from that. Either way, there is reason that I am here. And though I wish we could have gone through this stage of life and death together, I know that it has been just as hard for you to leave me, as it is for me to be left behind. ... Please don't beg Jesus to come get me sooner. All things in time, my love. Our eternity began 23 years ago, and it isn't going anywhere.
So the things I hope for you, are that you can find happiness in heaven, and rejoice there. And decorate for me... make the silliest things and hang them on our walls. Add buttons to the nail polish blankets and tacky fabric art, and glitter to the table cloths. Make scarf holders from anything you can find (and fill them with scarves) and take longs walks by the rivers and make whistles out of blades of grass. Find something soft to touch to your eyelids and sexy boots to wear. Magazine time just got a whole lot more real. Scrapbook the walls with it! Anything is possible where you are and life has no limits! Wear your prettiest dresses every day and climb a mountain. Learn to fly like Peter Pan and swim like The Little Mermaid. Wake from a restful sleep to the prince of your dreams kissing you and telling you he fought off a dragon for you, and or that he hunted you down in the woods and rescued you, or found you despite the trials and tribulations put in front of him. Fight like Mulan and sing like the beauty that you are. The evils of the world can't get you now. They never will again. Heartache and bills will never creep into your thoughts because they have been taken away- all debts paid. Your smile doesn't HAVE to be the crazy, over-the-top "Rue smile" anymore. I know it will be, but not because you are proving anything, or showing the world what the world wants to see. It is all heart. And when you are not grinning from ear to ear, I know the look that is on your face now. I have a picture of it. My heart finds that smile that comes from the pit of your soul and reflects it.
I love you, my very dear girl. From age six to twenty-nine to a million and ten, I love you.
Profound words from one of the wisest people I know. She was something different to everyone who knew her, but to me, she was my best friend. Always and forever. And she knew me. She knew things about me that I never had to tell her, and she knew just how to kick my ass when I needed it.
The words above are words taken from a letter she wrote me when I was graduating from University.
Well now, you've "graduated" to another place. I can't be mad, angry or disappointed that you left. You had to. It was your time to go. And really, that is the only place you've truly wanted to be... ever. And even more-so since your papa and gramma went there. The "anger" stage of grief has to be passed over- it is irrelevant; non-existent. How could I be mad at God for bringing you home? And how could I be mad at you for leaving me here? There is no one to feel anger against in this situation, only those I could deflect it onto. And since you and I both know that is a terrible idea, I won't do that.
Shock and denial? Yes, that happened. Of course it did. How can you be gone? And are you really gone? You're around me everywhere. In everything I see and touch and hear and every place I go. I see you embedded in every aspect of my life. Knowing you and your faith and belief in me caused me to have faith in myself and strength to move to Toronto, and then to Barcelona. Words you've spoken helped me feel worthy of certain opportunities and joyful about accomplishments. We did that for each other. Your successes were mine and mine were yours. So of course I denied you were gone. I'm still here- how can you not be? And shock. Never have I had more jarring moments than realizing that you'll never answer another text, or another email. You'll never send another letter or funny card in the mail, and the cards I see for you will either stay on the store shelves, or go to someone else- someone who may find them funny, but not ever in the same ways you would. That's just history for you. That's the result of transitions of life from playing with Barbies, to getting our periods, to liking boys, to heartache, to refound faith in ourselves and God, to graduations, to family triumphs, to family pain, to becoming adults and becoming aunts (or in your case aunties), to being the one looked up to instead of the one looking up. Except that I still look up to you- literally and figuratively. We were equal in height for so long and then you grew and I didn't. Now I feel like we were equal in other ways and then you flew... up in to the sky, where I will always look up to you.
Pain and Guilt. Yup, I feel that. Like an amputation- part of me was taken off. Like a victim of war who went to bed whole and woke up in the ICU without legs. Except this amputation was of the heart. And I woke up alone. No doctors and nurses taking care of me, no drugs to numb the pain. No counselor to help guide me through the psychological part of losing a piece of myself and no physiotherapist to help me learn to walk again. Do I wish I had sent the card a few weeks earlier? Yes. Do I wish you didn't have to go by yourself? Yes. Do I wish I would have asked for more time off work to come down and see you even one more weekend? Of course. I would wish those things anyway, even if you weren't gone. Do I think about my future and wonder what will hold me down and keep me connected? Who will help keep me grounded? In another letter you once said that I "bring a foundation and history to my life as much as energy and laughter". The same can be said of what you brought to mine. There was a balance that you brought to my life that I cannot explain. You were a constant. Despite trying to stay in touch, everyone else has the possibility of coming and going in life- that is just the way things are. How many people can say that they are still friends with the people in their bridal party, or those they went to highschool with, or university, or elementary school, or camp. But you and I, we did all those things (except the bridal party part, but you'll be there one way or another). And we had very real plans of drinking lemonade on our porch together when we are 80, and serving homemade cookies to the kids on our street. Don't ask me what our husbands/ significant others were up to in these dreams of ours, but we were going to live together. Knowing that that will never happen, breaks my heart every time I think of it. You are the person who knows me best, and part of me thinks that you had to go for my own sake. There is another person coming to take a very real part of my life, and hanging on to you the way a child hangs on to a stuffed animal or security blanket would hinder that relationship. A child can't learn to ride a bike if they are holding on to something else; they can't go to school and learn and grow if they are hanging on to something out of fear or desperation to stay the same. You have in many ways been a security blanket for me- the thing that reminds me that I am safe, whole and loved. But its time for me to be that whole, safe, loved person on my own so that I can be that security for someone else. I have not, to this day, thought I could be a good mother because I have so many of my own insecurities and lean so heavily on feelings of support from you, whether you knew it or not. Just like the audition you yelled me into going to, I heard you telling me I'm strong, and telling me I deserve things and telling me should try for things. How can I be the support for another person, a husband or child, when I didn't tell myself the whole wonderful things that you told me about myself. Like I've said a hundred times, you knew me better than I knew myself, and I truly believe that. Just like hindsight is 20/20, so is looking in from the outside. I knew the same strong, deserving things about you that you couldn't see for yourself. So now, in this place where I need to stand on my own two feet and support and believe in myself instead of leaning into you while you lean into me, I realize that while we loved each other, we were support for each other, we were also each other's crutches. Always letting the other person see our weakness and hold us up. If I were metaphorically a tree, I would have to learn to stand straight, or fall over. Saplings are often tied to poles in order that they withstand wind and rain and root themselves properly. You've been the pole I've been tethered to. And I thank you so much for keeping me upright. You never let me truly fall. 30 is upon me, and finding that I am grounded enough in who I am and the foundations of my life that have been laid beneath me and the nutrients that I have been granted and love I have had flow over me, I know I need to be strong on my own now. I'll stand or I'll fall, but my safety net is gone.
"Depression", Reflection and Loneliness. I think it is safe to say that I am experiencing all of that, wholly, fully and thoroughly. Looking at your pictures, or pictures of us together, letters, cards, gifts, even the earrings I bought because I thought to myself that day "what would you pick?"... and you haven't even SEEN them! I'm ridiculous. But you already know that. And I'm rolling my eyes at myself right now because I know I'm being ridiculous. I don't NEED to be sad or lonely because you are always and will always be in my life. I just am. I am just plain sad. People ask me how I am and I burst into tears and have to cover my face or turn away. One second I am fine, and then the next I am a mess. It is much like you would be if I were the one to be gone, I am sure.
Acceptance and Hope. This one is tricky. I accepted that you were gone two days after you left. You asked me to come.. people will think I'm crazy, but I know what I saw and what I felt. You asked me to come with you. I said "No." I haven't told anyone why, and I know you already know. I don't want to put any pressure on the reason I stayed so I won't tell anyone. Expectations can sometimes ruin things. Like my paintings: if I expected to paint well I would be disappointed when they weren't good. And if I expect to create something ugly then I might do something to MAKE it ugly just so I could tell myself I'm not good at it and be hard on myself. If I have no expectations of creative talent then I put my heart into it and let the talent fall where it will. Same thing with this. I know why I stayed, and I will put my heart into it. And if it is meant to be good, it will be good. And if it is meant to not be good, then I will learn from that. Either way, there is reason that I am here. And though I wish we could have gone through this stage of life and death together, I know that it has been just as hard for you to leave me, as it is for me to be left behind. ... Please don't beg Jesus to come get me sooner. All things in time, my love. Our eternity began 23 years ago, and it isn't going anywhere.
So the things I hope for you, are that you can find happiness in heaven, and rejoice there. And decorate for me... make the silliest things and hang them on our walls. Add buttons to the nail polish blankets and tacky fabric art, and glitter to the table cloths. Make scarf holders from anything you can find (and fill them with scarves) and take longs walks by the rivers and make whistles out of blades of grass. Find something soft to touch to your eyelids and sexy boots to wear. Magazine time just got a whole lot more real. Scrapbook the walls with it! Anything is possible where you are and life has no limits! Wear your prettiest dresses every day and climb a mountain. Learn to fly like Peter Pan and swim like The Little Mermaid. Wake from a restful sleep to the prince of your dreams kissing you and telling you he fought off a dragon for you, and or that he hunted you down in the woods and rescued you, or found you despite the trials and tribulations put in front of him. Fight like Mulan and sing like the beauty that you are. The evils of the world can't get you now. They never will again. Heartache and bills will never creep into your thoughts because they have been taken away- all debts paid. Your smile doesn't HAVE to be the crazy, over-the-top "Rue smile" anymore. I know it will be, but not because you are proving anything, or showing the world what the world wants to see. It is all heart. And when you are not grinning from ear to ear, I know the look that is on your face now. I have a picture of it. My heart finds that smile that comes from the pit of your soul and reflects it.
I love you, my very dear girl. From age six to twenty-nine to a million and ten, I love you.
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Free Stuff
So when we were younger, (we are, of course, not old by any standard) and we used to go out, it was always fun to get free stuff: drinks, shots, etc.
I don't know what happened, but last night we got free brownies!
I don't know what happened, but last night we got free brownies!
I am okay with this :)
*brownie can be found at Beertown Waterloo and is very delicious!
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Soul Mate
Alter ego.
Companion.
Confidant.
Kindred Spirit.
Partner.
A person with whom one has a strong affinity, shared values and tastes.
These things all describe you, my soul mate. But if I wrote my own dictionary, your name would be the definition of "soul mate". It would read:
Soul mate [səʊl ɱeɪʈ] n Wilmz: A close friend who completely understands me, shares my values and beliefs; is my companion, my champion, my confidant and my challenger; fights with me and never against me; is my partner-in-crime and my motivator; plays the devil's advocate when I need one, and God's advocate when He needs one; my antagonist, collaborator and alter ego; the one who knows my heart and soul better than I do.
I know it was time for you to go, my kindred heart. I can't come just yet, but someday our spirits will be united again. For now, my severed soul is mending and finding the pieces that will always remind me of you, keep me whole, and maybe even help me love another the way you and I have loved each other.
Know that I love you,
Forever and always,
In this life and the next,
Bettz
Monday, February 10, 2014
A Voice Like Silk
Saturday night was one of the best nights I've had in a really long time. I am so glad that I had the opportunity to go out and hear one of the most talented singer/songwriters in Southern Ontario sing. It was a small venue (The Village Bistro on Greenbrook) and only a few privileged people got to hear his sweet, sweet voice singing pop songs and his awesome mixes of these songs and artists.
He sang some of his own music too, and by my request, he sang the first song I had ever heard him sing. It was one of his own, called "Million Words" and it reminds me of one of my favourite people to ever walk this earth. Listening to the song reminds me of her not only because she put it on a mix CD and we sang it all the way to Port Perry one year for New Years, but also because many of the lyrics make me think of her. Its supposed to be a love song, but given that we are soulmates, I think it fits anyway!
"I could write a million words and try to describe you"...
"Cause I can't take my eyes off your smile"...
"I would give, give up my words, to spend one morning with yours"...
The list of lovely lyrics goes on, but I won't spend time writing them out for you. Buy the song yourself on iTunes! The artist is Mandippal Jandu and if you ever have the chance to see him live, I recommend it! (He has two CD's out and more to come and they are perfect for... everything!)
The night had other wonderfully special moments of wine, beer, requests, laughter, love burgers, hilarity and friendship. I spent much of the night talking to an old friend that I hope I see much more often from now on, and her friend. They refer to each other as "Pinky" and "The Brain" and I think it's completely on the money!
Another friend walked halfway across town and brought more people. We sang happy birthday to Colin and ate something that had ice cream and chocolate and came with a lollipop on top of it.
The end of the night saw Brain and myself spinning on chairs at the bar while pressing the lever on the side that makes them sink down to the ground. More than ridiculous, we didn't care. We were having the time of our lives in that moment.
Quote of the night:
Me: "That scarf is very becoming on you, Simon"
Simon: "If you were on me, you'd be-coming too."
He sang some of his own music too, and by my request, he sang the first song I had ever heard him sing. It was one of his own, called "Million Words" and it reminds me of one of my favourite people to ever walk this earth. Listening to the song reminds me of her not only because she put it on a mix CD and we sang it all the way to Port Perry one year for New Years, but also because many of the lyrics make me think of her. Its supposed to be a love song, but given that we are soulmates, I think it fits anyway! "I could write a million words and try to describe you"...
"Cause I can't take my eyes off your smile"...
"I would give, give up my words, to spend one morning with yours"...
The list of lovely lyrics goes on, but I won't spend time writing them out for you. Buy the song yourself on iTunes! The artist is Mandippal Jandu and if you ever have the chance to see him live, I recommend it! (He has two CD's out and more to come and they are perfect for... everything!)
The night had other wonderfully special moments of wine, beer, requests, laughter, love burgers, hilarity and friendship. I spent much of the night talking to an old friend that I hope I see much more often from now on, and her friend. They refer to each other as "Pinky" and "The Brain" and I think it's completely on the money!
Another friend walked halfway across town and brought more people. We sang happy birthday to Colin and ate something that had ice cream and chocolate and came with a lollipop on top of it.
The end of the night saw Brain and myself spinning on chairs at the bar while pressing the lever on the side that makes them sink down to the ground. More than ridiculous, we didn't care. We were having the time of our lives in that moment. Quote of the night:
Me: "That scarf is very becoming on you, Simon"
Simon: "If you were on me, you'd be-coming too."
¡Felicidades!
Today is a really great day. I've only been up for a few hours, but already it is good. I just found out that my old roommate (and landlord) in Spain is pregnant!! While I was living with this Colombian beauty, she received her papers to live legally in Spain. It was such an exciting day! She was then able to bring her husband over from Colombia to live with her *finally, after about a year and a half of being apart* and help him get a job and his own papers.
Now, a year and a half after he arrived, they are pregnant!! I am so extremely happy for them! She mentioned that she is prone to miscarriages and is very delicate right now, so I am hoping and praying for the best! She is going to be a great mom. She used to come to my door all the time, knock and say "Quieras?" and when I would open my door, she would be standing there with a plate full of food, or the table set for two and a delicious spread laid out.
Now, a year and a half after he arrived, they are pregnant!! I am so extremely happy for them! She mentioned that she is prone to miscarriages and is very delicate right now, so I am hoping and praying for the best! She is going to be a great mom. She used to come to my door all the time, knock and say "Quieras?" and when I would open my door, she would be standing there with a plate full of food, or the table set for two and a delicious spread laid out.
¡Felicidades Gloria!
Sunday, February 9, 2014
Canadian Fog
You may be wondering why I'm about to talk to you about Canadian Fog in the middle of winter. At this time of year it seems that fog is the least of our worries and snow blankets the land with a majestic beauty that so many people brush off their cars and snow blow out of their way in order to get on with their busy lives.
I'm not here to talk about the mist that rolls in over the fields in April, though I do miss the sight of the first frost in October and the morning dew in May.
Canadian Fog is the tea latte that I am falling in love with at local downtown café I've been frequenting with an old friend. This "old friend" is actually not old in the sense of years on this planet, but she is an old soul that I've known for about 15 years. She is wonderful and caring and one of the most delightful people to spend an afternoon with, drinking tea and talking about all of the lovely, adventurous things we've done and have yet to do.
Canadian Fog is a deliciously maple twist on the classic London Fog tea latte.
Tea. Maple. Steamed Milk. Love.
It is magic in a mug.
The setting for our visits is a gem in the core of downtown Kitchener.
The café is Matter of Taste on King Street W - a rustic, open concept, unpretentious venue, perfect for sipping tea and gazing out on the bustling downtown.
Monday, February 3, 2014
Splendid Hips
I read PostSecret.com every week, without fail. This is by far one of my favourites, because it reminds me of one of my very favourite people.. EVER.
And I hope he did.
Today is a Day You Might Not Have Had, So Live Like it is a Bonus
So live your life like it is a bonus. Every day is a bonus day that you might not have had. Don't take life so seriously. Play. Be silly. Buy that plastic tiara and wear it in public, simply because it makes you smile. Take pictures. Don't be afraid to not be perfect or make mistakes. Never miss an opportunity to tell someone what they mean to you. Share your passions. Climb a mountain and enjoy the view from the top. Make waves. Be the butterfly that causes a tsunami.
Above all, something I think everyone should remember, love your God and love your neighbour as yourself. With these two things you will find that you will love yourself.
LOVE!!
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