Kat's Mewsings

Ummm

2011-09-14T20:45:00.003-04:00

This blog post is a little late. I was going to post a few hours after my online book club's first attempt failed miserably but I was sad and not quite sure what to say.

But whatevs, I mean I know I didn't do enough reminding, I really should have posted some check-ins to see how you were all doing with the read. And I didn't.

So soon, I will post our next three options. And we'll try again, this time with check-ins and questions along the way in the hopes of keeping all my ten blog readers engaged in the process.

Sound good!?!

Sounds good!!

Tonight's the Night

2011-08-22T17:23:00.003-04:00

Despite being terribly sad, commenting on the book will begin at 7:00 pm sharp!

Jack Layton will be missed, his tenacity, his fierce dedication to improving the lives of ALL Canadians was unmatched on our political sphere. Canada has lost a great man, his legacy will live on.

I think I may have the start the comments tonight with a toast...

Booking Through Thursday

2011-08-04T09:00:00.002-04:00

What’s the first book that you ever read more than once?
I am going to leap to young-adulthood, because there's no need to rehash the children's books I made my mother read over and over again. But the first book I remember reading repeatedly was Anne of Green Gables.

What book have you read the most times? And how many times?
I have read every book in the Anne of Green Gable's series multiple times. I have read Rilla of Ingleside (the last book), oh, about ten times.

What about you? What book have you read over and over and over...? Do you have a book you read once a year at approximately the same time?

I'd love to know which books never get old....

And...

2011-07-25T20:21:00.006-04:00

The Paris Wife has won...clearly!

I will be snacking on Brie cheese, a nice baguette and some grapes.

I plan to drink this wine. Your favourite Beaujolais will do just fine if you can't get your hands on this one.

Seriously though, time for me to get reading. I've been hearing I may have been overly ambitious with my deadline.

I'm really looking forward to the 22nd...cheese sure....but I hope you are too!

My Experimental Book Club

2011-07-20T17:40:00.010-04:00

I gave up on my blog.

While I love writing, I was finding it so incredibly difficult to find motivation and write authentic pieces. Seeing that authenticity has always been so important to me, I stopped when I felt I was finding nothing but banality in my heart.

I needed time to revisit my motivation for writing. I needed to understand why I was doing this. And really came up with only one reason. I want to share what my passion, in all its wonderfully geeky wholesomeness, is.

So to that end…

I love books. Always have, always will. I love delving into a good read in the comfiest corner of the house with a cozy blanket and a couple hours for me and my “friend”.

And I have always wanted to have a book club that’s meaningful to me. I want to share the books I love with all the people in my life that love reading like I do.

So I am starting an online book club, so that no matter where you live, how far away you are from me, you can be a part of my awesome book club and join in the conversation. Hopefully interspersed within the postings about the club I'll manage to share something witty and engaging (generally focused on my secondary loves...politics, wine, photography, food, design, fashion) here and there.

This is how it’s going to work.

We vote on the books below

1) The Paris Wife by Paula McLain
2) The Art of Racing in the Rain by Gath Stein
3) Sanctuary Line by Jane Urquhart

Voting ends Sunday July 24th at 7:00 pm EST. I will post the winning book, along with a themed snack and a matching wine on Monday July 25th (participate in the foods if you so wish)!

We then meet back here, on Monday August 22nd at 7:00 pm EST, to have a conversation via the comment section on the blog.

Bear with me, this first month is intended to be a test. I don’t know how the conversation will work out doing it all via the comments section. If it doesn’t work I will refine for next month, give a new discussion method a chance. But maybe the hosting the discussion on the comments section will work out just fine. I have my fingers crossed!

Fire any questions my way! Here's to hoping some of you like the concept and give my experiment a whirl! Now vote!

Gatecrashing

2010-08-02T15:28:00.005-04:00

I enjoy my escapism as much as the next girl and well a good piece of chick lit can be in order from time to time.

I have a penchant for the author Sophie Kinsella who also writes under her real name, Madeleine Wickham. So while I was travelling for work I picked up "The Gatecrasher" in the hopes that Ms. Wickham would provide me with an entertaining easy read.

And to be honest, I enjoyed the book quite thoroughly. That is until the last 30 pages or so.

I found the characters genuinely likeable; they were both flawed and honest (by times). Wickham managed to weave an intriguing story that kept me reading. But the last 30 pages struck me as a rushed ending, an author who was struggling to get to make a deadline, hoping that her readers didn't miss the storytelling left untold.

I certainly missed the ending the book should have had.

My Arms Shake

2010-01-20T18:43:00.002-05:00

And, honestly and truly, are shaking as I type.

It's day 2 of the 30 Day Shred and I am not sure I have ever loved and hated someone so much, as I love and hate Jillian Michaels right now!

The description of the video is deceiving. Two minutes of cardio, two minutes of strength, one minute of abs. Repeat! A couple times over....

Seems easy enough?!?

Umm, not so much!

Must admit I'm proud of myself though! I'm sure you would be too if you tried the workout!

I highly recommend, just don't hate me when you're swearing at your tv.

Dealing with the Cobwebs

2010-01-16T20:08:00.007-05:00

So I have spent the day trying to clear the cobwebs out my brain, cause yes, the new job still has me so busy that most days I am discombobulated upon returning home to the nest.

So I've made up my mind that this weekend is all about unwinding, relaxing and finding ways of permanently dealing with the discombobulation.

Right now, all the physical activity I'm enjoying is the running around the office I manage to do. And well, as fun as pitching it down to files in the basement to dig something up for the lawyer and then running it back upstairs because we're working on a 20 minute deadline is, it's not quite enough physicality to help me sort out my head at the end of the day.

But the problem is...I hate working out! I enjoy dancing but I'm no longer attending dance class cause it's just too late at night. I enjoy yoga but it doesn't really get your heart rate up. I generally enjoy a good aerobics class but I REALLY hate getting myself together to go the gym, you have to pack a bag, leave the house 20 minutes before the class at least, get to the gym, change, make friends in class, chat with people afterwards...and you know, all I really want is that workout!

So that got me thinking, there's got to be something I can do at home. So today I ordered Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred. So many people have commented about what a great workout it is. And you know what - being able to work out in my living room just might be the best thing for me.

If anyone has any advice, suggestions about what to check out, comments about how to find inspiration and keep me motivated - I would greatly appreciate it. I am looking for things that are going to kick my butt! Seriously! It's why I have set my sights on the 30 Day Shred as my first attempt in the workout dvd world.

I figure a good workout each day will help me clear my head. Right?!?

It's got to! I need me some order!

Wish me luck?!?

So Far

2010-01-14T21:07:00.002-05:00

So far I've sorted through my digital picture collection...I managed to get some good ones over the Christmas holidays.

In my mind that's some headway!

Now on to a new goal and a new brain to sift through the muddle that's in my head currently. That would be a joy in all honesty!

January Goals

2010-01-10T10:58:00.002-05:00

I have decided to make my monthly goals public knowledge in the hopes that writing them down and sharing them with my blogging world will make me accountable.

Thanks Modite for inspiring me to become pro-active in accomplishing my - sometimes well intentioned but not followed through with - goals.

1) I'm attending a large wedding show at the end of the month with my cousin, I'm standing up as a bridesmaid in her wedding this August. I am going to help her prep, try to lighten her load (she's in nursing school right now, with the second semester just starting she's incredibly busy) - so to that end, I will do whatever she needs, I will book the hotel rooms, try to map out a path of what booths needs to be hit up while there, make restaurant reservations etc.

2) I am going to organize all my December photos. I want to make sure those that need to get printed actually do get printed and make sure that the pictures that need to be shared get shared with the appropriate people.

3) Plan February Ski Trip

4) I started a new job recently and the new schedule has wreaked havoc on my ability to attend dance class. At this point I have pretty much given up. My class is a late night class 9:00 - 11:00 pm on Tuesday nights and I just can't do that any more. So I need to find a new class of some sort. Maybe back to yoga! We'll see what I turn up!

Sleepy Kitten!

2009-11-18T15:52:00.003-05:00

So I am no longer unemployed; I'm currently "overemployed" to be honest.

I was contacted by a local non-profit to take over a contract position until the end of December. I accepted eagerly because it's a group I feel passionately about. I love the work they do, I enjoy helping them however I can.

A week into my contract I was offered a full-time permanent position in the private sector (it's a strong, vibrant, community minded business with a fabulous philanthropic sense).

So now I am working on contract, trying to get up to speed in my evenings for the new position starting in January. It's only a few days in but lordy am I am ever TIRED!

I guess it's back to dreaming about sleeping in!

A Day for Love*

2009-11-06T10:00:00.000-05:00

I love

... the smells of autumn, crisp air, holiday baking, pine needles. I love cooler weather... I adore snuggly sweaters, tights, scarves, beautiful boots. I enjoy being in that perfect outfit, wandering downtown, christmas shopping before the crowds set in.

... my morning routine. It calms me. I wake up, get ready for the day, I check email, read my morning news, immediately handle anything that can be taken care of quickly. I just love that sense of catching up, feeling informed, and being in charge of my day.

... that moment when you're reading a new book and fall in love. For me it's an instant, one minute I am kind of enjoying the read and then I am loving the read. Sometimes it's love at first site, other times it takes me a chapter or two to fall so deeply, other times I never fall, and every once in a while I walk away before I'm done. And there's a part of me that enjoys that too, the knowing when a book is not for you and it's time to walk away.

... singing, dancing, giggling with abandon but I also love being in charge, knowing what's happening next, managing the details of a project, and seeing said project through to completion.

... that sense of accomplishment you get when things go off without a hitch. Whether it's the perfect dinner party with friends, a night out with the girls, a job well done on a project at work, or a volunteer event I've helped organize. I love when life's easy, when everything's lined up so the events of the day to day are seamless.

... dreaming about my future, planning, strategizing, figuring out what the plans could, should and will be. I want to make a difference, impact people's lives for the better, and I love making plans so I can accomplish just that. Sometimes it feels silly but then I tell myself how can something that I love so much be silly! Figuring out how I can have greater impact??! I say it's a great thing.

*I challenge you to make your own list or leave a love of yours in the comments. The only catch? You can't include a single person you know on your list. No "I love the way my husband laughs" or "I love hearing my little girl call for me." It'll be tough, I know. But this particular little exercise is about stripping away everyone who defines you and figuring out what you (not his partner; not their mother/daughter/sister/friend) love.

We Are Not Our Circumstances

2009-10-28T11:14:00.001-04:00

Becky Blanton's tear jerking story about hope

A Few of the Favs

2009-10-26T17:46:00.004-04:00

The weather in San Francisco wasn't what I had hoped for. It was pretty much miserable. Typhoon Parma had swept some nasty weather across the Pacific. San Francisco was subject to torrential rain, a few miserable days and lots of fog and mist...which some might argue are essential San Francisco experiences. While it made sightseeing on foot challenging, I soldiered on and managed to catch a few fantastic photographs. The sun did peek out every once in a while; it was exciting I tell ya, it was everything I had expected of late summer in San Francisco.

A Catalogue of Sorts

2009-10-25T15:25:00.008-04:00

Richard had a conference in San Francisco a short while ago, I joined him. It was always the plan, I would take a week off work, go with and enjoy a rather impromptu vacation. The trip was punctuated by the job loss, while it was nice to relax upon my return from San Francisco, knowing I wouldn't have to go back to work hurt my heart a little...well a lot really....

I have been taking some time to catalogue why I loved my job so much...what made going to work so easy...

Here's the shortlist I have come up with.

I worked for a cause; knowing I was working for an organization that improved the lives of families in need made my heart soar.
Each and every day I was challenged to think critically about a project and how it would benefit the community. Each day I came to understand the mission of our organization on a deeper and more meaningful level. I had to communicate, communicate, communicate what that meant to us as an organization and make sure that message was understood by others.
I got to be an advocate and pseudo spokesperson. I LOVED speaking about the project, updating others, communicating project news,
I connected with volunteers daily, I got to know, befriend and learn from those who cared as deeply as I about the mission. I built great relationships with board members, campaign volunteers and program volunteers.
I learned that I have a passion for non-profit governance. I have always had an interest in all things political, but prior to this job I was only marginally aware of my love of governance...how and why organizations are run a particular way, how boards interact with senior management and what this means for strategic planning. This has lead me to some hefty reading and learning I am excited to do.
While not a member of the senior management team, I worked incredibly closely with senior management. The Project Manager, CEO, CFO, Regional General Manager all in part became mentors to me. I learned so much from each and everyone of them, I appreciated the opportunity to work for and with people who offered me so much of themselves. They gave me opportunities to work on projects not related to the project office I worked for and because those opportunities I was able to learn, grow, even mentor others.

________________________

Some days I wallow a little, I sit on the couch watching Martha and worry I wasn't passionate enough, capable enough, talented enough to be kept around. I then remind myself that I tend to wallow in the irrational.

I am a talented employee, with vision and drive and a passion to lead, I knew the finances.... I have to remind myself that the senior management who became mentors to me are willing to help me however they can to find that fabulous next step. I know they recognized my talents and that means a lot.

The Thud

2009-10-01T10:16:00.007-04:00

For the last two years I have been working in the non-profit industry on a very important (or at least in my mind) project. I have loved every second of the work I've done and the team I have had the pleasure of working with.

As of this past Friday I am out of work. I'm laid off. We need a major "partner" to move forward and the logical "partner" isn't moving quickly. So without that guarantee our small project office has had to downsize. We've gone from 3 to 1. My boss, my wonderful, thought provoking, supportive boss (the best boss and mentor I have ever had) is the only one left. He's trying to get the "partner" on board.

I have been aware of the project's reality since I started working there but it doesn't make the sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach go away. The first few days of the layoff seemed like a vacation; it doesn't feel like a vacation anymore. I am loving watching Martha (mmm sweet potato gnochhi) but I would love more to know that the "partner" has come on board. I know how important this project is to the community; I have worked so hard to see this get done and it hurts my heart that the project is stalled. I have always hated being stuck in a sense of limbo and that's the best way to describe where the project is - project limbo.

I wish I knew the best way to move forward myself...what to do next...but right now I am sad; the thud didn't feel so great (I know thanks captain obvious, right?). Any thoughts? Insight? Advice? Would be much appreciated...

The Swell Season

2009-09-17T15:42:00.002-04:00

Sad music has always helped me put life in perspective; contemplative, achingly beautiful music makes me feel happy. I know it's the catharsis I crave; that I need, that makes me love this genre of music. Anyhow, I think Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova create and epitomize the type of music I love... thank you for sharing with the world your love; your beautiful music; your passion.

I can not wait for your new album to come out!

Struck a Chord

2009-09-10T15:41:00.003-04:00

A Ted Talk on living life passionately, meaningfully, wholly and deeply. I'm certain Sandor Teszler would have been a kindred spirit of mine.

Parliament Sunset

2009-09-10T09:40:00.003-04:00

Rich and I went on a Quebec/Ontario tour last week. We decided to drive up to Montreal visit an old friend, then slowly make our way back through Ontario stopping in our favourite Canadian cities along the way. We had a fabulous time, ate all of our favourite foods (which we're hard-pressed to find rural Ontario). Japanese, Indian, Korean, Vietnamese... mmm! It was a great week enjoying the simple pleasures of life...friends, family, dinners out, good wine, laughter and fun. Thanks to all our hosts along the way!!

Back from the Metropolis'

2009-09-08T15:06:00.004-04:00

Rich and I were on vacation this past week, I plan to post a few pictures either tonight or tomorrow. In the meantime enjoy...

Thanks Sweetney for pointing us to this fabulous cover.

Where I dream about entertaining...

2009-08-20T15:25:00.002-04:00

Oh My!

2009-07-02T11:15:00.003-04:00

So in love with Built By Wendy... and they seem to be having a sale....

Loving Today

2009-04-24T11:17:00.003-04:00

I am all about love today...finding pleasures in small things...

So I plan to share the 'love' I have found on the interwebs this week.

I would love to live in a house like this.

I need to find a way to vacation here. The $520 a night room rate makes me sad, but I am sure it would be worth it!

I want this bag. Yellow or brown?? I don't know....

Adorable greeting cards - might be needed for the obsessive greeting card collection.

And a Tree Kangaroo!

Can't Stop Listening...

2009-02-25T10:31:00.001-05:00

Cause this song just makes my heart happy!

Enjoy!!!

A Week and Half Late

2008-07-22T08:20:00.003-04:00

A good read on the Morgentaler debate.

I believe people who work hard, undoubtably care, pay their incredible debt of service to their nation deserve to be honoured.

I Feel Validated!

2008-07-10T14:29:00.000-04:00

Socially awkward? Hit the books
HAYLEY MICK
From Thursday's Globe and Mail
July 10, 2008 at 9:14 AM EDT

For a good chunk of the summer, 17-year-old Charlotte Spafford plans to hole up in her room so the words of author Toni Morrison can transport her deep into the American South. Not exactly a sure-fire way to enhance her teenage social life - or is it?

A group of Toronto researchers have compiled a body of evidence showing that bookworms have exceptionally strong people skills.

Their years of research - summed up in the current issue of New Scientist magazine - has shown readers of narrative fiction scored higher on tests of empathy and social acumen than those who read non-fiction texts. And follow-up research showed that reading fiction may help fine-tune these skills: People assigned to read a New Yorker short story did better on social reasoning tests than those who read an essay from the same magazine.

Those benefits, researchers say, may be because fiction acts as a type of simulator. Reading about make-believe people having make-believe adventures or whirlwind romances may actually help people navigate those trials in real life.

"Fiction is really about how to get around in the social world, which is not as easy as one might think," said Keith Oatley, one of the researchers and a professor in the department of human development and applied psychology at the University of Toronto. "People who read fiction give themselves quite a bit of practice in understanding that. And also, I think reading fiction sort of prompts one to think about these questions - you know, what are these people up to?"

Makes sense to Ms. Spafford, whose love of fiction began with The Cat in the Hat and graduated to an obsession with the Brontë sisters and, most recently, novels by African-American authors.

"I've always been interested in people and why they do the things they do," she said from her home in Abbotsford, B.C.

The research, published in various peer-reviewed journals over the past few years, is founded on ideas held by everyone from Aristotle to Charles Dickens, Dr. Oatley said. Throughout history, fiction has long been lauded for its benefits to the reader as a source of entertainment, understanding of the world and as a way to improve one's character.

But now researchers are using empirical methods to see whether those suspected psychological benefits are real. Their positive findings have given fiction some credit at a time when funding for some arts programs is being threatened and kids would rather grab a joystick than a Judy Blume novel, says Raymond Mar, assistant professor in psychology at Toronto's York University, who has researched the science of fiction for seven years.

"Fiction doesn't get a lot of respect," he said. "It has always been viewed as false and as a frivolous thing that had no bearing on real life. But the fact of the matter is, there are effects that continue on after we close the book."

Dr. Mar says this body of research is still in its infancy, and there are still many unanswered questions that he and his collaborators plan to tackle.

For example, most of their research has focused on fiction in general. But would they find similar effects if they looked at biographies? And do sci-fi tales about chasing aliens through the galaxy have the same benefits as Alice Munro's short stories about love and loss? And what parts of the brain are stimulated when literary simulation is in full effect?

Ms. Spafford, for one, says she's seen first-hand how reading has enhanced both her social life and her understanding of the world - "if you use it right, and you don't sit in your room all day. It's just a question of balance."

She heads to the University of Victoria in September where she plans to study psychology.

My Left Eye is Twitching a Little Bit

2008-07-02T14:57:00.005-04:00

So on top of my busy two months, I have had the busiest of my busy weekends this past. So I am cheaping out...here's a list of my favourite things as of late.

- Vanilla lattes
- This cardigan
- This magazine (It's my birthday July 17th!!)
- This outfit (and I have a gift certificate to spend there!)
- I desperately need a new bathing suit, and this one is oooh so perfect!
- My current summer read
- Pirate's Booty
- I think this would be the perfect little dress for any birthday celebration!

That's about all I got in me today....
Send me pretty pictures, I like pretty pictures of things I can lust after and don't have to concentrate too hard on!

For the Last Two Months

2008-06-27T14:58:00.005-04:00

I have been quite busy, no I haven't disappeared into a vortex, though I do often refer to my small city as one. My office has been in the throes of putting together some pretty important proposals, which has had me quite busy at work. And with summer coming up I have had more and more social responsibilities - of the awful fun variety to attend to.

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of attending Smelly's wedding reception. I knew the party would be good, I knew we would all enjoy ourselves... I didn't quite expect to feel quite so happy and overwhelmed by all the emotion we all know is in me.

The best of friends are the friends I have known all my life and boy did we party on Saturday, the best of friends are also the men and woman who propped my drunk/elated/angry/tired/giddy ass up while in university. I know people who feel awkward introducing old friends to new friends... but I have always loved that, the friends who have been my solace over the last 26 years are the friends I hope get to meet so we can be one big brady bunch family of friends! I feel lucky everyday to have such amazing friends.... one's that love with their whole hearts and souls, ones who share their stories in turn sharing their lives, ones who so willingly create connections so others don't feel so lost. My darling friends, you are the best buddies ever....

To all those friends who read this, thank you for sharing yourself with me. You all hold special places in my heart. You are the best friends a woman could ever ask for.

Muah!!!!!!

And This I Found Entirely Too Entertaining!

2008-05-08T15:26:00.001-04:00

He's great

2008-05-08T15:20:00.001-04:00

Obsessed!

2008-04-30T10:31:00.001-04:00

Go, run, and play, play, play away - you're going to love it! I promise!

In Loving You.

2008-04-29T20:27:00.004-04:00

I wish I could say everything to you that I never felt I could...
I wish for once you would hear and truly 'understand' the point we're trying to make...
I wish we could be adults....

I hate feeling like we're still 15...
I hate knowing that this is going to hurt like a bitch...
I hate that this isn't going to be easy to bear, for anyone....

I hope we're able to repair what's been broken someday in the future...
I hope we can be there for each other when it really matters, even though that day is not today...
I hope you know I love you and always will....

I ache knowing my words might fall on deaf ears...
I hurt knowing that my words might burn...
I heal knowing my words are needed....

Making Me Happy with Instructions!

2008-04-22T08:57:00.004-04:00

I still feel incredibly new to the blogging sphere. I haven't had time lately to construct a proper blog post (you don't want to know how many I have started in the last week and deleted).

Yesterday I decided I wanted to share my favourite song of the moment because I haven't had enough time to do my blog justice. So I spent way too much trying to figure out how to embedd the youtube video in body of the post.

Yea - couldn't do it.

If there's anyone out there who can give me an easy step by step instruction of how to use blogger to do exactly this I would be greatly appreciative.

In the meantime check out the link. This is my happy song currently. Enjoy the song! And enjoy your Earth Day! Go re-cycle something!

Canadian Liberals Rejoice!

2008-04-15T11:23:00.003-04:00

All I got is - "Holy freaking crap" - is this exciting or what?!?!

Happy Three Years Today!

2008-04-15T09:26:00.001-04:00

I am ever-so lucky to have you in my life....

Kisses!!!!

To Smelly....

2008-04-14T08:49:00.003-04:00

Many moons ago - 22 years ago to be exact - I made a friend. We were five, we met in kindergarten, her hair was white like snow, and she didn't have trouble understanding my childhood lisp.

In grade four, five of us were separated from the rest of our friends, placed in a split grade 4-5 class. We became misfits, bonded together through what seemed to be our adversity.

She became my solace, a safe place, a friend like no other, the friend who helped me organize the un-organizable closet, the friend who taught me (and encouraged my Dad to do the same) how to laugh at myself, to not take things so seriously, the friend who always understood when to push to when to back off.

She's getting married soon, and I couldn't be happier for this woman who has meant so many things to me over the years. She was the childhood friend who understood my geeky appeal, she was the high school friend who always stood up for me....

We didn't go to the same university, but even that span of four years was peppered with laughter, and summer trips, late nights at the beach, Sex and the City marathons, singing (or was it screaming) "Don't Turn Off the Lights" by Enrique on long car rides....

Be married, be blessed, know you're loved...and when you're back we'll continue this journey with tea and dessert, wine, good food, delicious tales and more laughter than you can imagine....

Hugs,
Buddy!

Where One Finds Faith

2008-04-07T15:33:00.005-04:00

I have been thinking a lot about what it means to be a good person. Richard and I live our lives according to our own set of innate rules; rules that govern our minds, our heart, and our generosity.

Quite simply, we believe that while we’re on this earth we should be governed by the goodness in our hearts, that we should be kind to others, put good karma out there, be decent people because that’s what ‘right’.

Neither of us attends church. I grew up Catholic - attended Sunday mass, was involved in youth worship (now I can’t be bothered to go, the church I was raised in just isn’t the right fit for me) Richard grew up not attending mass/service/worship of any sort. And I can tell you quite certainly that he’s the more generous, thoughtful, and all around helpful individual in this pairing. So I struggle to know how organized religion has any place in our lives. I sure as heck didn't turn out any better than my wonderful significant other who lacked the direction that my religious worship supposedly gave me. His direction came from that innate sense of goodness that I truly believe all individuals have in their souls.

I always thought I would want to raise children in a faith-filled environment, but I’m not sure if that faith-filled environment needs to be 'church'. The dilemma for me lies in, this question, “Is it easier for us to instill generosity of spirit, life, and fellowship on our own or with the help of the ‘right’ church?” Right now, I’m struggling to find that answer and I simply don’t know….

All Phlegmy but Loving Friday Eye Candy!

2008-04-04T09:28:00.002-04:00

Sorry for the light posting...

I'm still sick, and work is still insanely busy!

So here's a link for all my female friends.

I am sure you'll enjoy...I can't decide which one is going to become my desk top picture. Votes anyone?

Home Remedies Anyone?

2008-03-31T15:57:00.003-04:00

I'm planning a speaker series at work. Our first event is being held this Thursday. I'm excited about it, we have a leading Canadian childhood health specialist coming down to speak about child development and building strong and healthy kids. I've been working long hours, and I've been finding this project incredibly rewarding.

I thought this would go off without a hitch... (everything was coming together much too easily).

I am on the verge of a cold, my throat is killing me, I'm stuffy and I have been sneezing endlessly for the past two days. I am going to hit up Shoppers tonight, get some echinacea and OJ, possibly some cold f-x - and hope, with fingers crossed, that I can kill this thing by 7:00 am Thursday morning!

Wish me luck, as well as send me any tried and true cold killing methods you have! Shanks!

A Reminder for all Who Forget

2008-03-18T13:00:00.000-04:00

I feel the need to remind everyone that it’s okay to accept who you are. Accept you are without Photoshop, gads of makeup, perfume and hair product….

I am in love with colour…some might say obsessed with it. My favourite colour is green, always has been, and that wasn’t particularly acceptable as a seven year old. But I didn’t care….

I can never, and I repeat never, get my hair to do what I want it too…but I don’t let it bother me (at least not too much).

I love fashion but I refuse to let it define me.

I do not need to look perfect…what I need is to look like me.

Bill Simmons - "To An Athlete Dying Young"

2008-03-13T10:16:00.001-04:00

The best article I have read all week.

(which rendered me tearful while at work, beware)

Cursing 18 Year Old Wisdom!

2008-03-11T10:51:00.002-04:00

My jaw has been hurting for a couple of months now. I wrote it off thinking I was just overly stressed and grinding my teeth at night.

I am sad to report, this morning I have come to realize that's not it at all....I'm not wearing away enamel (well maybe I'm doing that too, who really knows seeing I did not go to the dentist when I realized my jaw was sore).

Today my mouth is AGONY I have never experienced, the whole left side of my face is throbbing. I have a wisdom tooth coming in. A wisdom tooth in all my "wisdom" I refused to have removed when I was 18.

(In my defense, at the time I was told they were all impacted sideways and would that I would have to have jaw broken and the teeth removed at the hospital for it to be done safely - therefore making recovery unnecessarily long and painful).

So I said screw it, I'll deal with it when the teeth actually give me a problem...

Well I have a problem....

I am tempted to grind up tylenol and rub it on my gums! (And I seriously don't want to call the dentist)!

Yoga

2008-03-10T13:55:00.002-04:00

Yoga has always been "intriguing" to me. Being a naturally flexible individual who loves to nap, the combination of stretching and meditation appeals to my sensibilities.

Throughout university I dabbled in yoga - I would go to a class with a friend (and then decide it was too far of a walk from my home) - I would go to a class at the Physical Education Centre (and then decide I wasn't going back because the instructor annoyed me). Through this all I would repeat, "If I can find the right class I'll stay, If I can find the right class I'll stay."

And low and behold, almost five years later I have found the yoga class of my dreams. A class physical enough that I feel like I am accomplishing something, a class where I can tell my muscles will be sore the following day, a class where I can strive to become a stronger, more centred individual.

Thanks Devin for the invitation, class was great, I will definitely be coming back!

Better Than Sliced Bread!

2008-03-07T13:28:00.002-05:00

I have mentioned her many times, but seriously, I can never get enough of Jen Lancaster. Today's post made my week!

Enjoy!

P.S. - Jen's new book can be pre-ordered on the Indigo website. (I am getting absolutely nothing for this endorsement, I just love her so much)!

Regretting Not Taking Richard Up on His Offer of Espresso!

2008-03-07T09:48:00.004-05:00

Here is the Friday edition of "I'm too tired to freaking post anything worthwhile!" (A nightmare woke me up at the witching hour [do I have to wake up from every nightmare at 3 am - that alone give me nightmares, Emily Rose anyone?], and I had serious trouble falling asleep afterwards).

So here are some links to items I found interesting today.

This really makes me quite sad!

A friend shared this link with me the other day and I loved it sooooo much I had to share it with the world!

I am a big fan of the Blog Unclutterer. This work space makes me droooooooool.

At this exact moment in time I could curse snow. I don't want any more of it! Gah!

And last but certainly not least, here is my spring shopping wish list - this is soooooo me, and these would look perfect with the pretty dress, and this can be my new spring coat. And lastly these are to be my new summer staple because even though I love yellow, I promise you I look downright ill if I wear it near my face! So on my feet it must be!

Let me know what you're jonesing for this spring season!

Waiting to be Read

2008-03-05T09:11:00.003-05:00

This is the pile of books in my house, purchased, left unread when something more interesting came along.....

To the pile of sad and abandoned books; I know you're there, and I will read you. Someday....

Iran Awakening by Shirin Ebadi
Atonement by Ian McEwan
Collapse by Jared Diamond
Freakonomics by Steven Levitt
Organizing From The Inside Out by Julie Morgenstern
Larry's Party by Carol Shields
A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby

Hoping She Keeps Up With Me

2008-03-04T09:38:00.008-05:00

I decided to take part in BlogHer’s Letter to My Body initiative...

Dear Body,

I feel lucky, very lucky, to have always had positive, well-grounded, well-rounded female role models in my life. Growing up I didn't feel pressure to be thin, to look a particular way, to subscribe to a particular belief system of what females should/shouldn't look like. I thank my Mother, my Sister, my Aunts for instilling in me the belief that what I say, what I do, that who I am is always more important than what I look like.

Until the age of 14 you were incredibly good to me dear friend, you allowed me to be a competitive gymnast, we danced, we swam, I like to think I was good to you too. Our relationship could only be described as healthy, just the way my Mother had intended. That moment in high school where I realized I wasn't as thin as the rest of my friends, and that fact alone mattered to an awful lot of people (mainly bullies and young men), that moment in grade nine when that male classmate called my size eight ass FAT I decided we couldn't be friends any longer. And while I didn't exactly go to war with you, starving you, attempting to make you apart of the masses I unravelled all the good work my Mom, my Sister and my Aunts had done. I stopped dancing for worry of what others would think, I quit gymnastics entirely, I swam only when I had too. I gave up doing what I loved because I DID NOT want to be judged based on the size of my ass. Instead I replaced healthy activity and my normal weekday schedule with entirely different sort of schedule of afternoon soaps, snacking on junk food and my own personal brand of self-loathing.

And while I may not be a sad, angry, frustrated 14 year old any more I still fight with you my dear friend (if you'll still let me call you that). You tell me to drink water, I pour more coffee down your throat. You encourage me to eat, healthy, good for you food, instead I eat on the run, offering you refined carbohydrates and sugars. You plead with me to join a dance class because you know how much fun I used to have, and I tell you I can't because I'm scared, scared of not being as competent as I used to be, as flexible, as able to ignore the snickers that might come my way.

I struggle everyday with the fact that I am not as kind to you as you've been to me. I worry that at some point you're going to rebel and inform me that YOU ARE ON STRIKE, that until I start caring for you in the manner I should that you are not going to do what I need you too. And yet that thought never seems to be to be the motivation I need.

I'm struggling to find balance in our relationship again, and I'm failing miserably.

I hope you stick it out with me, I hope you plan to be around for the long haul. Just so you know, I called a dance studio today... I am trying to be better to you... honest... I promise....

Hugs,
K

Reference Material

2008-02-29T11:21:00.013-05:00

Lisa, creator of 20 Something Bloggers, writes "If somebody were to write a biography of your life... what would the recommending resources (like recommended reading but various types of media) include? They'd be representing the way you feel, the way you think, the things you like, etc. Let's say you have to limit yourself to 15 pieces."

Mine would be.....

The Queen's University Website
Bitter is the New Black by Jen Lancaster
The 1995 Julia Ormond version of Sabrina
Rilla of Ingleside by L.M. Montgomery
New Soul and the cover of Britney Spears Toxic by Yael Naim
Cannonball by Damien Rice
Warren Kinsella's Blog
CBC.ca
The Chatham-Kent Community Portal
The Babysitter's Club book series
This movie (eek!)
The Well Rounded Geek
20 Something Bloggers
A Case of You by Joni Mitchell
My family trees

*Thanks go out to Lisa and Peter for the inspiration....

A Welsh Corgi Anyone?

2008-02-28T14:32:00.008-05:00

I want a puppy just like this little guy.... I am wearing the perfect short sleeve white button down top, grey pinstripe wide-legged trousers, a red silk short sleeve belted cardigan, and the most beautiful red patent leather loafers. This outfit is good for the soul....I wish the Canadian Liberal Party would just act already...our indecisiveness makes us look wishy-washy, silly, and irresponsible. All of which, I believe myself, not to be....I am ready for spring....I am ready for progress....

My Version of the Warm-Fuzzies

2008-02-25T10:32:00.005-05:00

These words really resonated with me today...

"I feel warm and loving toward myself, for I am a unique and precious being, ever doing the best my awareness permits, ever growing in wisdom and love."

I came across a sampling of affirmations at one of the productivity blogs I read regularly, and while reading I was filled with a strange-quasi-warmness in my chest. And I started to think about how important positive self affirmation has been in my growth as an adult.

Silly as it may be to some, I truly believe that self-esteem can be built, nutured, grown over the years. I reaffirm my own self-worth everyday, and the words I choose to use are quite similar to statement shared. I wish I could show people how important affirming my worth to myself has been over the course of my adulthood. I guess the real testament is from those individuals who've shared this crazy journey with me, have watched me grow from the 18 year old girl floundering to find her way, to figure out her voice, to understand her worth to the 26 year old woman, who for all intensive purposes, has her head on pretty-straight, knows who she is, knows what she wants and knows who to love....

Catching Up with Life

2008-02-20T09:08:00.002-05:00

Richard's Grandfather passed away two Saturday's ago.

Since returning from the visitations, funeral, and internment we've been slowly playing catch-up around the house and at work.

I will do my best to post something entirely entertaining in the next couple of days...

For the Book-Lovers Out There

2008-02-01T11:24:00.001-05:00

I was inspired by a blogging-friend to share my favourite authors, whom I am loving right now, and whom I love in general....

So here goes.....

1) Jhumpa Lahiri - I love everything about her writing, it's so evocative and crisp. I really enjoyed the Namesake, and the movie which came out this past year is the best book to movie adaption I have ever seen.

2) Maeve Binchy and J.K. Rowlings - These two authors I lump together because they are my guilty pleasures! I was incredibly happy with how Rowlings tied up the series...personally I think Binchy hasn't been on her "A" game for the past couple of books, but her earlier work I can read over and over and over and over...some favourite are "Quentins", "Tara Road" and "The Copper Beech".

3) Lori Lansens - This author is from my hometown so I have a kinship with her novels, they extoll the "virtues", shall we say, of rural Ontario. I love the way she writes, the honesty and integrity of her stories. Check out her debut novel "Rush Home Road" or "The Girls". I promise they won't dissapoint.

4) Kazuo Ishiguro - "Never Let Me Go" has become one of my all-time favourite books. Haunting, errily touching, and lord did it ever make me think about life and what I want to leave behind for future generations.

5) And cause she rocks like it's 1999 - Jen Lancaster is the last author on my list. "Bitter is the New Black", "Bright Lights, Big Ass" made me laugh like no other book ever has. I CAN NOT wait for "Such a Pretty Fat".

In Light of Family Birthdays

2008-01-30T10:49:00.000-05:00

(Tomorrow is my Father's birthday so this post is a tribute to him and my family.)

I am a member of a tight-knit, well-oiled, loud, boisterous, wonderful family. I love each and every member of my family dearly and passionately. Trite maybe - but I am shaped by their existence, I am loved by each and everyone of them, and that knowledge makes my days a little a little easier and my step a little lighter.

My Father is the kindest man I know. He is generous, sincere and has room in his heart for all. He has taught me to be true to my word, to work hard and trust openly. I inherited my sensitive nature from him; I cherish that. I cry easily, I love deeply, and do everything I can to share my best with everyone. I really can't think of a better gift he could have given me.

My Mother is the bravest woman I know. She is calm, incredibly capable and fun (some might find it strange that I use the word fun as one of my Mom's defining characteristics, but that's what she is - she has a lightness of heart that always make her "fun" to be around). My Mom has been through a lot (especially in recent months) and through it all she has continued to be the rock of our family, immediate and extended, she reinforces in me the desire to be calm in stressful situations, the willingness to experience new things and the ability to be open to new approaches.

My Sister is the smartest woman I know. She is intelligent, articulate, and generous. My Sister is my mentor; I covet (although I know I shouldn't) her all-around "abilities". I strive to be half the debater, the professional, the generous, loyal, loving woman that she is. Someday I hope my big sister will be half as proud of me as I am of her.

My Brother-In-Law is the most ambitious man I know. He is dedicated, thoughtful and witty. He and my Sister make a good team, together they are what the general public might refer to as a "power couple". I admire his ability to persevere through all obstacles; his perseverance is what makes him the thoughtful, funny, fun man that he is.

My Brother is the most loyal man I know. He is spiritual, loving and truly knows who he is (something I find hard to come by in your average 28 year old bachelor)! I admire his honesty, his willingness to take care of any child that comes his way - known and unknown, met in the park that day - and I admire his unwavering dedication to those he loves.

My Richard is the the most thoughtful man I know. He is wise beyond his years, funny as hell and as kind as my father. I am lucky to have met him, I am lucky to share my life with him, I am lucky to be able to introduce him and include him in my wonderfully imperfect family.

And that's what we are - so wonderfully imperfect and perfect all at the same time. I am grateful that each of them have helped shape the woman I am and I hope with all my heart they are proud of me like I am of them.

Farewell to the Old Me

2008-01-29T10:24:00.000-05:00

I often feel like I am working way too hard to be optimistic because that's what people have to come to expect of me. The "former cynic" is now the uber-productive, positive, ever-efficient employee, coach, daughter....

I used to swear a mile a minute - now Richard laughs at me because I use "fudge" as an expletive rather than my former favourite.

I used to drink insane amounts of alcohol on a much too regularly basis and then make a fool of myself on the dance floor- now I have three beers a month. Maybe?! And dance?! I can't remember the last time I danced with no inhibition.

Bedtime used to be arbitrary, I was lucky if I made it near a bed by 2am - now if I'm not in bed by 10:30pm I feel anxious, I worry how I am going to be productive at work the next day, I worry if I am going to manage to get enough sleep because lord know what would happen if I didn't get eight hours of sleep a night.

My life used to be chaotic, mind-boggling to some...always off to the campus bar to meet friends for a pint, or to the library where I always managed to turn studying into happy hour...I was a social-butterfly (as my brother used to call me).

Now I am the anti-thesis of a social-butterfly.

And a part of me misses it... I know all this natural slowing-down is part in parcel the "growing-up" process, but I struggle some days with feeling like I've lost a part of me. I miss the old me, the natural social director, always ready for a good time.

I don't miss however, the hang-overs, the poor choices that always managed to make me feel even sicker than the brutal hangover. I don't miss the poor self-esteem associated with seeing my self-worth reflected in how attractive others thought I was or wasn't. I don't miss the knot in my stomach that this lifestyle left me with.

What I love about my life now is the security in knowing I have my self-esteem back, no more looking for love in all the wrong places...knowing my worth I was able to find and accept the most wonderful love of my life, without that moment of self-realization I never would have been able to accept Richard's affections willingly and lovingly. For that I am incredibly grateful...

Now I just need to work on getting over the grandma-syndrome, I don't want to be old before my time and I think that's what's worrying me right now. I know a part of all this is living in rural Ontario where the night life and the social circles are somewhat limited. But I just want to be able to swear like a normal 26 year old woman again, I want to go to bar and have a good time past 11pm, I want to have a "normal" social life...

So to start off the resolutions I am going to swear...

Damn you rural living, look what you've done to me!

A Doozy

2008-01-25T11:40:00.000-05:00

One of my gymnasts brought in some new music to listen to in the gym. I thought goodness gracious we have a smart kid on our hands - sick of the music, she brings her own.

Much to my chagrin, she had brought in a Hannah Montana cd. I put it in because I felt I had to reward the conniving little upstart!

After training, one of my eight year olds ran up to me and informed me she "believed" she had a lot in common with Hannah Montana. To which my response was "Oh you do, do you??"

It was all I could come up with....

100 Things

2008-01-21T15:14:00.000-05:00

About Myself

1) I started wearing glasses at the age of 4; I had next to no bridge on my nose, so my glasses would slide down to the tip and instead of pushing them back up I would stare at whomever was talking to me over-top my glasses much to everyone's amusement and frustration.
2) Also at the age of 4, I decided I wanted to be a music teacher when I grew up.
3) At the age of six my favourite songs were "We Are The Champions" by Queen and "Pour Some Sugar On Me" by Def Leopard.
4) I bite my nails obsessively, and strangely it's not a nervous habit, it's just simply an unconscious one.
5) I wore contacts from the age of 14 to 24 - My eyes couldn't handle it so I have gone back to glasses.
6) I learned my directions, North, South, East and West, before I learned my left and my right.
7) My Favourite junk food is ketchup chips, but it must be Humpty Dumpty Ketchup chips (no other ones will do).
8) I love Joni Mitchell.
9) I have 77 subscriptions in my Google Reader - please tell me people that you have more!!
10) I sang Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da in a grade seven talent show.
11) I like to think I am a good cook.
12) I have never broken a bone.
13) But I am often sick.
14) I'm asthmatic and because of that when I get a cold it usually turns into bronchitis.
15) I stick my tongue out when I'm concentrating.
16) I hate my handwriting.
17) I think most 12 year olds have better handwriting than I do.
18) I watch way too many re-runs of "What Not to Wear".
19) I watch way too much TLC as a general.
20) I have watched "Centre Stage", "Dirty Dancing", and "Circle of Friends" at least 20 times each.
21) I have read every book in the "Anne of Green Gables" Series at least 8 times each.
22) I cry reading particularly meaningful greeting cards.
23) I hug my significant other (Rich) at least 20 times a day.
24) I tell Rich at least 20 times a day that I love him.
25) My favourite candy are sour keys.
26) I don't really like chocolate.
27) My favourite carbohydrate is rice.
28) I could eat (good) sushi seven days a week.
29) I order the strangest pita ever when I go to Pita Pit - Chicken breast, cooked on the grill with green peppers, green olives and hot sauce - in the pita I get lettuce, cucumbers, sprouts, tzaitki sauce, feta cheese and a little more hot sauce. That order, to me anyway, is the perfect pita.
30) Rich swears I am obsessed with olives and hot sauce.
31) I have a huge family!!! Seriously! My Mom has 10 siblings, my Dad has 10 siblings. I have 32 first cousins.
32) On my Mother's side of the family my brother, sister and I are the 3 oldest grandchildren.
33) I am Canadian and obsessed with all things Canadian.
34) My heritage is half Portuguese and half Irish.
35) When I was 7 my Parents took our family to Portugal for the first time.
36) The things I remember most about the trip were riding my great-grandfather's donkey...
37) Going to a water park where lifeguards caught little kids at the bottom of slides (apparently parents let children go down the slides when they can't swim - this bothered me to no end because I was always a strong swimmer for my age)...
38) And getting up early with my Dad in the village where he spent most of his young life and visiting the bakers of the community (they baked their bread in a stone oven).
39) When I was 11 my Mother took my Brother, Sister and I to visit family in England and Ireland.
40) My Dad couldn't come because he couldn't get the time off work.
41) My favourite thing about that trip was going horse-back riding with my cousins in the rain.
42) I also loved playing laser-tag in London, climbing over a fence to visit a castle after visiting hours, and going body surfing in Cornwall.
43) I was a competitive gymnast for many years.
44) If you read my blog you well know I coach competitive and recreational gymnastics.
45) I would have an iv drip of coffee in me at all times if possible.
46) I like beverages as a general.
47) Throughout the day I can almost always be found with a drink in my hand.
48) My favourite drinks are coffee (obviously), water, pepsi, and red wine. (that one you would never see in my hand at work though! - the other 3 are almost always in hand.)
49) I twirl my hair.
50) When I was younger I used to cuddle with my Mom and twirl her hair.
51) My full name is Katrina Rose
52) My Parents always called me Katie, or Katie Rose.
53) Today most people call me Kate.
54) Rich's family calls me Kat because Rich knew too many Kate's and didn't want to confuse his family.
55) I have an absurd amount of nicknames.
56) Most of them are innapropriate! So I won't list them here.
57) When I was younger I would read about 3 books a week.
58) Most evenings you could find curled up in an armchair reading some sort of young adult fiction.
59) I still read an awful lot.
60) My favourite things to read are Canadian Fiction, Chick-Lit, Political Biographies, Historical and Political Non-Fiction...and some Kid Lit thrown in there for good measure.
61) Right now I am finishing the last Harry Potter.
62) I talk a lot.
63) When I was a kid teachers would have to cut me off rather forcefully to get me to be quiet.
64) I would end up sitting alone - a lot - or they'd just stick me at the front of the class.
65) I've been to New York City once.
66) I was sick the entire time.
67) The only thing that seemed t0 be wrong with me was I couldn't keep food down.
68) No, I was not pregnant!
69) On that trip, I was sick in the Empire State Building, on Ellis Island, in Central Park and in the MET.
70) Even though I was sick all over NYC, I fell and in love with the city and am aching to go back!
71) The first time I went to Boston I had bronchitis.
72) I fell in love with Boston too.
73) My favourite soup is Clam Chowder.
74) The best Clam Chowder I have ever had was at Legal Seafood in Boston.
75) Runner-up in the best Clam Chowder contest is a local restaurant here where I live - the place is called Molly & O.J.'s.
76) I have seen a lot of movies in recent weeks.
77) I was really suprised at how much I liked 27 Dresses with Katherine Heigl.
78) I rented and watched The Namesake and loved that as well.
79) I was a big fan of the book.
80) The movie is the best adaption of a book that I have ever seen.
81) My favourite Canadian cities are Ottawa, Montreal and Halifax.
82) I also love Toronto.
83) I don't particularly enjoy rural Canada.
84) It's kinda boring...
85) I think my city would be a lot more exciting with a Starbucks!
86) And some fantastic new restaurants!
87) I am incredibly anal at times.
88) I HATE being late.
89) Because of that I am almost always 5 minutes early for everything.
90) I have a pretty decent memory.
91) I remember birthdays, anniversaries, phone numbers, what people were wearing when I met them, people's childrens names....and on and on....
92) Rich, my family, my close friends mean the world to me - if you're special to me I do my best to share that with you because I never want you to forget that.
93) I would do anything for any of them.
94) My Parents have been together since they were 15 years old. They have been married for 31 years and are the best example I know of how to make a marriage work.
95) I am thankful for everything they have taught me.
96) I think it's incredibly important to live life in the moment.
97) My hopes and dreams for the future are worn on my sleeve.
98) I'm excited to live my life according to my plans.
99) Thankfully, I am surrounded by the best people I know.
100) I honestly believe my life is about as perfect as it gets.

Indulgence

2008-01-21T13:37:00.000-05:00

I have been really busy lately (work, coaching, volunteering, family responsibilities have kept me running at breakneck speeds) and this past weekend was the first weekend where I had absolutely no reponsibilities and believe me, I relished in that.

Friday night after I was done coaching gymnastics I rented four movies (yes I said, four - no, all four have not been watched! 2 though, have been). Friday after I coached I watched a movie with Richie - Saturday I spent most of the day in my pj's - I watched tv, almost finished reading Harry Potter, made a yummy dinner with Rich, and watched the second movie - Sunday I had brunch with my family, ran errands, went to the movies to see 27 Dresses with my cousin - and then my cousin and I tried out a new recipe - and three of us enjoyed dinner while watching The Amazing Race.

The weekend was fabulously indulgent and I loved every second of it. Honestly, I needed the release, I needed a weekend where I did nothing but enjoy myself. Rich and I ARE going away the first weekend in February for some much needed alone time. But this past weekend was all about simple indulgence...and boy was it nice.

When He's Done Playing Politics

2008-01-05T08:35:00.000-05:00

I think Dennis Kucinich and his lovely wife should move to Canada. I swear, this is where he belongs, Canada is his long lost home. (Just like Ireland is mine! - More about that another day)

Cheers 2008

2008-01-02T19:31:00.000-05:00

While I agree New Years Resolutions are bit of poo-poo; fodder if you will for the junk pile of broken dreams, I still try to put together a list of yearly goals. I try to ensure that my goals are manageable and to be honest, simple (otherwise I abandon goals shortly after instating them).

To that end; my manageable and simple goals for 2008 are:

Find a professional mentor (I recognize this is easier said than done but I imagine there are loads of leaders in the non-profit industry just aching for a young, energetic, dedicated protégée).
Start saving for retirement (I am a year and a half behind my goal of starting an RRSP; I had planned to start one on my 25^th birthday and that did not happen. I think I kept imagining that I needed an extra $500 to get started ; armed now with information I know that is not necessary so I will start one with whatever money I can throw together).
Increase my charitable giving (My goal is to each month eliminate an unnecessary purchase and donate those dollars to a charity of choice - I'm thinking $30/mon is more than do-able).

So that's the list; short, simple - highly manageable me thinks. Wish me good-luck people!

2 New Year's Resolutions that Made me Laugh

2007-12-31T11:19:00.000-05:00

“I resolve to be self-aware enough to spot potential problems within myself and to begin to work on them immediately, without a making a public announcement or waiting to start the improvements on an entirely arbitrary date.” – Jen Lancaster

“My resolution is to take Prime Minister Stephen Bunnypants more serious this year!” – W. Russell

Timely...

2007-12-31T09:52:00.000-05:00

The day after my last post my mother was admitted to the hospital...

Her illness and hospital visit reinforced all the reasons I want to have a child, reinforced the love and appreciation I have for my mother and father - my mother spending the holiday season in the hospital made me acutely aware of how precious our time with our family is; how lucky I am to have the ability to create family wherever I am; even made me appreciate my ability to someday have a child of my own....

My Mom is at home now for all who are wondering - she's stable and the family is waiting on specialist visits and answers - and in the meantime she will get all the time I have to give...

If Your Middle Name Isn't Corny - This May Not Be For You!

2007-12-13T21:33:00.000-05:00

I have always wanted to be a parent – I love children, and I know I am not meant to be a teacher (I don’t have the patience needed to teach thirty-two ten year olds about photosynthesis so please do not suggest I become a teacher!), so being a parent seems to be the only hands on option available to me. While I may coach gymnastics, and love it, it’s not the same, even without a true understanding of what parenthood is I know it’s not even close to the same thing as raising your child….

The other competitive coaches at the gym tease me about the fact that I always have extra snacks in case one of the gymnasts forgets to bring something to eat. I’ll have pepper slices, granola bars, extra carrots stashed in my lunch bag ready for distribution when called upon. (And having that extra food has come in handy many times) That doesn’t stop Em and Marie from teasing me though and calling me the “little gym mom”.

On numerous occasions I have found myself in conversations about children in corporate networking circles. Gen Y’ers are genuinely interested in what their cohorts hobbies are, what their 5 year plan looks like, who wants to have kids, who never wants to have kids…so on and so forth. Because I have on numerous occasions been asked about my plans to have children I have put some considerable effort into understanding why I want to raise a child.

And here it is….

I want to be a mom because I think the best gift I can give to the world is to be a contentious citizen, who protects the environment, who challenges their government to be socially responsible, who protects those who can not protect themselves and raise others to do the same. Hilary Clinton talks about it, Up With People used to sing about it…it takes a village to raise a child. So I do my best to help my friends, family members, anyone I see struggling raise their child and someday I hope to raise my own child to be a good citizen who gives back all the kindness and love they’re afforded with. It's one of the best things I can think to do, bring kind, hard-working, dedicated citizens into this world, it's the least I can do....

What Am I Grateful For Today?

2007-12-09T14:30:00.000-05:00

1) Coffee!
2) My new jeans...
3) Sue, the new coach at the gym....(I'm grateful to her for bringing new life to our competitive program, she's such a phenomenal coach...)
4) My large family - and how wonderful it is to unexpectedly run into some of them when out for brunch!
5) Christmas cards!!

Stevie Wonder = Prozac?

2007-12-04T19:20:00.000-05:00

So Richard and I were on the highway in some brutal weather with over-zealous transports blowing by us and cars, we would have loved to have seen pulled over by the police, using the 401 as their personal closed-track. Driving in weather like that, with drivers so careless makes me decidedly anxious. I know Richard doesn’t care for it either so it was time to plug in the iPod for a little distraction.

Music is always a great way for me to pass the time, I get lost in “good” music, with it an hour trip feels like 15 minutes. This weekend I needed it simply to ignore the obnoxious drivers making me feel as though my life was in their hands. So we sang along at the top of our lungs, and as a whole enjoyed ourselves very much. We sang along to some Weezer, and some Counting Crows…and then my man Stevie came on and it was like the storm clouds parted and the rain had stopped, I sang “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” like my life depended on it and my mood lifted, I didn’t notice the cars around us, and it felt like we were on an open road with the sun shining and no cars or trucks in sight.

Yesterday’s road trip made me think about the healing qualities of music. Stevie Wonder is special to me, an uncle introduced me to his music as a child, on such a simple level I appreciated his joy then and now I appreciate his talent, his abilities, his gift as an adult. So much has been said and written about his genius so I won’t even bother trying to write about it here. But I will say that Stevie Wonder’s music makes me happier than the perfect pair of jeans ever could, happier than receiving a perfectly poured pint of cider, even happier than spicy tuna rolls make me. The smile his music brings to my face is the smile of a blissfully contented adult enjoying one of life’s most simple joys.

Thank you Stevie Wonder for being my mood-enhancer!

I'm Not American But....

2007-11-27T19:02:00.000-05:00

The recent Thanksgiving Holidays have put me in the mood.

Here are the things I am most thankful for this holiday season...

1) My wonderful partner Richard and all my wonderful friends and family
2) All the emails Richard, my family and friends send me throughout the day
3) My new job
4) Lancome mascara - girls if you haven't tried it, do! It's worth it....
5) My beautiful home (not the plumbing though, don't love the plumbing at all!)

That's the list for today... I am going to write a new list at least one more time before December 25th, I'm thinking it might be nice to wake up each morning and think about the things I'm grateful for... so that the plan for the next couple of weeks.

It's New Job Time!

2007-11-18T18:46:00.000-05:00

Just a quick update....

I started a new job this past week. The first few days have gone quite well.

I will write more this week once I have adjusted to the new work schedule.

Sifting through the Muddle...

2007-11-06T13:15:00.000-05:00

Blogging is a great way to connect with the world...when I decided to start writing I had one goal in mind. Reach out to other Gen Y'ers who are going through the same things I am; struggling to find their voices and their places in an over-saturated job market, trying to remain true to that voice, to unabashedly reach for their goals in the honest, thoughtful manner that typifies Generation Y.

And while I don't have the perfect job just yet, and while I may only be in the exact same place everyone else is, one thing I do know is to trust my instincts. And if there was one piece of advice I would like to give my friends that's what it would be .... Know yourself, trust your instincts, project authenticity, be constantly learning.

I am certain that will only lead us and lead others to our dreams.

Things I Can't Get Enough Of Right Now!

2007-10-30T10:05:00.000-04:00

1) The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri
In all honesty, I don't want the book to end. Without even finishing it I feel comfortable recommending it. Lahiri won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction for her collection of short stories Interpreter of Maladies. The Namesake is her second piece of work and her first novel.

2) Playing Scrabble online
I added the Scrabulous tool on Facebook and I am very much enjoying playing scrabble with family and friends. Scrabble is hands down my favourite board game which is why I avoided adding the tool on Facebook. I knew there was a possibility of me getting a little insane.

3) Breakfast Television and Cityline!
City TV programing has grown in leaps and bounds over the last couple of years. I wake up in the morning and turn on Breakfast Television to get my morning news and find out what's new and hot. I don't live in Toronto though, so it feels a little strange some days to be listening to very specific Toronto traffic news. At ten o'clock I continue the what's new and hot trend by watching Cityline. I am watching Marilyn Dennis right now! They are showing fantastic ways to decorate for Christmas! I am loving the designs and can't wait to get started on my decorating next month.

4) The latest Beck album
Enough said......

Please let me know what you can't get enough of right now, anything to help me pass my day is welcome!!!

Throne Speech, Liberals Playing Politics and a Bemused Kate....

2007-10-24T19:48:00.000-04:00

The Conservative minority government had designated this evenings vote a confidence motion, meaning its defeat would have triggered an election. And to that end the Conservative Throne Speech passed much to my chagrin....

(Anyone who knows me notes my inability to refer to Mr. Harper as Prime Minister...he will always be Mr. Harper to me!)

Conservative MPs rose in the House of Commons in support of the speech, the Bloc Québécois and NDP members stood in opposition, while Liberal MPs all remained seated. The motion passed by a vote of 126 to 79.

I must admit I am quite displeased with what I see happening in the Canadian House of Commons. The Conservatives and the Liberals are playing politics. By making the Throne Speech a confidence motion Stephen Harper is attempting to bully the Liberal party into saying the Conservatives are the official government. And well they are not! They are a minority government and continue to require the help of other parties to govern. The Liberal members by abstaining from the vote are attempting to make a statement, a weak statement I must add. They are attempting to say "we are powerful as a whole, we matter, and we won't take this sitting down" and ha-ha they are sadly! The Liberal party doesn't have the strength, doesn't have the leadership (or rather the leader hasn't shaped up the way the party was hoping) and plain and simple they don't have the polling numbers.

I'm sad because I was hoping for a Fall election (this fall!!), and now it doesn't even look like a spring election will be happening. If things continue to play out in this manner we'll be lucky to see an election next fall!

Having Trouble Coming Up with Blog Content!

2007-10-22T12:28:00.000-04:00

How do people blog everyday, let alone a couple of times a day?!? I want to blog more but the trouble is coming up with content that someone might be interested in.

Here I am a news junkie, blog junkie, pop culture junkie and all I can think to blog about is the hospital trip this household made on Saturday. My cousin is currently living with Rich and I and she's allergic to shrimp. She ate something on the weekend (while working a banquet) that had been on the same platter as shrimp and she immediately broke out in hives. She came home to get changed and let us know she was going to the hospital. She wouldn't let us drive her, so she drove herself while in anaphylactic shock, little did she know the intensity of this reaction. By the time she got to the emergency parking lot she could barely walk or breathe. Thank goodness a paramedic was heading out to the parking lot while she was coming in.

She called us once she was all checked in, hooked up and in need of some company; so we hightailed it over to the hospital with some mags, slippers, and other things we could think of that might make a hospital visit more tolerable. Because it was such a bad reaction she was immediately admitted so we made it through the experience in record time. She went in at 10 and was out of there by 12:30...

In Nina's defense she thought she was just having a regular reaction; she didn't realize how bad her allergy had become. So now she is a proud owner of an epi-pen and Rich and I will never let another friend, family member, child living with us drive themselves to a hospital ever again!

My 5!

2007-10-19T11:39:00.000-04:00

I like to think everyone has innate love of music. Having been raised in a musical family has been both a blessing and a curse. I find myself particularly judgemental of music I consider to be bad. But at the same time I have such a love of music that my favourites span genres and decades. Mock my choices all you want, but here are the 5 songs that always cheer me up, that I can listen to over and over and over again and never get sick of, the songs I don't hesitate to recommend to my friends.

1) Joni Mitchell - Both Sides Now
I fell in love with Joni Mitchell much to late in life. I was 23 when I learned the genius that woman spun. Both Sides Now is plaintive, achingly beautiful and makes my heart sing!

2) Damien Rice - Cannonball
Thank you Soraiya for the introduction. If you don't know the Irish artist, check him out.

3) Serena Ryder - My Heart Cries for You
This new Canadian artist blows me away. Her talent is ageless, her artistry reminds me of Joni and she's only 23.

4) Jack Johnson - Banana Pancakes
Cheesy I know but the song makes me soooo happy.

5) Teenage Fan Club - Your Love is The Place Where I Come From
I love TFC, they are quirky, fun and incredibly sweet. And for whatever reason their music reminds me of me.

10 Things I've Learned from Coaching Gymnastics!

2007-10-12T08:49:00.000-04:00

I have been coaching gymnastics for four years; I was once a competitive gymnast many eons ago; and now I am an assistant coach in the competitive stream at my old gym. I love coaching! I find so much joy at my gym...and I have learned an incredible amount from the kids around me. Here are a few of the lessons the kids have shared with me.

1) Children are sponges - Ok so I know everyone talks about how children of a certain age can learn and retain information quicker than their adult counterparts, but until you watch a 6 year learn to do a round of back handspring in two weeks you aren't visually attuned to the capacity. Grab hold of children from the age of 2 on and share everything you have with them...read, talk about life, go to museums, science centres, just learn! They will absorb it and it will affect their future!
2) Never bring your personal life to work - When I am upset, or frustrated and I let that come through at the gym I see it reflected in my gymnasts. They don't listen as well, they act out, they obsesssively attempt to get my attention. So I leave my day at the door of the gym, and I can not tell you how much easier that makes my work!
3) Children will be what you expect of them - Related to number 2; if you expect good things out of children, if you bring enthusiasm and vibrancy and you expect your kids to work hard, do their best, they will. Reflect what you would like to see!
4) Kids are really interesting; Listen to them - Kids are funny, they have stories and lives and they love to share it. So listen to the children, get to know them and you will build relationships that are meaningful and will last a lifetime. I have one gymnast who insists on calling me Stephanie, my name is Kate. This gymnast knows my name but she thinks it's funny to call me Stephanie. She makes me laugh on a daily basis and it's great to share laughter with others. I'm just happy I am not Emily, one of the other assistant coaches, she gets called Shakira!
5) 26 young gymnasts are really loud - The Head Coach at our gym has some fantastic tricks of how to quiet a gymful of noisy gymnasts. He claps his hands in a specific pattern, the girls job is to repeat it and stop talking. When you hear that clap you know the gym is too loud, and that Scot needs some quiet to get a message across. You also know that you could be in some trouble...eek!! I love watching the girls after the clap...their reactions are priceless.
6) Ibuprofen is a gymnastic coach's best friend - Between the loud gymnasts and the shoulder, arm, elbow, lower back pain from spotting 100's of back handsprings a day ibuprofen has become a coaching necessity.
7) Global Warming is a reality - I have never seen a roomful of kids sweat in the middle of October like I have in 2007! Last week we had 100 degree weather, second week of October and our kids were lethargic and somewhat dismal. Our competitive gymnasts take the month of July off because we know they can't handle the heat, I never imagined we would be having similar issues in October.
8) Children are incredibly resilient - I have seen kids fly 10 feet off the uneven bars, I have seen kids fall on their heads attempting challenging tricks. It's the life of a gymnast. I have seen these things happen and children immediately bounce back up and try again. Adults could learn so much from this sort of perseverance.
9) Life should be fun - The more fun we incorporate into practice, the better the kids train. If we laugh, enjoy ourselves, smile with the girls they train better. Making things fun for them makes our lives easier and makes the coaches calmer and happier while at the gym! I know my stress levels are significantly lower when I'm happy and having a good time, so lets find ways to keep ourselves content, happy and excited about life!
10) Children have so much love to give - So let them give it. I love watching when we introduce new young gymnasts to the competitive stream. The older gymnasts gravitate towards these kids, they love helping them, showing them the ropes, teaching them skills. Sharing our skills and being joyful towards others is such a positive thing to do. And so few of us remember to do it when we meet new people. We should though...share love and you will see it returned.

These are just a few of the lessons that I have learned in my years coaching. I often reflect on my experiences coaching, the lessons the kids have shared with me and the joy I take home. Please share the lessons you've learned from children; being a parent, coaching like myself, teaching...I would love to know your kid stories!

Definitely Worth Checking Out!

2007-10-09T02:04:00.000-04:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r43yCiKlbCo

Lily is a two year old geography genius (she'll give most of us a great world geography refresher course) - watch the video - you'll be blown away.

I promise.

Understanding the Adult Connection

2007-10-05T10:52:00.000-04:00

Just over a year ago Richard and I bought a house together. We made a very conscience decision to only buy items for our home when we found the perfect piece. This has lead to quite a few rooms lacking the pieces we need to finish them but we figure we've got loads of time, a lifetime really, to find the perfect pieces.

Yesterday we finally made some inroads in bedroom furniture. Our master bedroom is too small for a bedroom set and we're not really in to the matchy-matchy bedroom look so we held off on purchasing items for that room. We managed to find and agree on bedside tables recently so as of yesterday we now officially own some.

Why does this matter you ask?!

It matters because this random Pier One purchase has made me feel more like a real adult than any other purchase Richard and I have made over the last couple of years. Even buying our house didn't make me feel like this.

I have never in my life owned a bedside table. Let alone matching bedside tables! I always had a dresser beside my bed to throw my books on. When I was young I had a childs room complete with the stuffed animals and the trophies from sports camp; away at school I had a university students room with the messy computer desk and the James Bond "To Russia With Love" poster on the wall; and for the last two years Richard and I have shared a room that has been a mish-mash of our previous lives. Yesterday our bedroom started to come together. It is incredible how bedside tables create some cohesion in an otherwise disorganized room. I can see our bedroom coming together. Give us another year, we'll have purchased all the pieces we want and our room will be the vision I am currently having, and that day I will walk through the doors of our bedroom and into adulthood.

Google Reader is my New Best Friend!

2007-10-03T11:48:00.000-04:00

I love Google and all Google Products! I can spend hours playing around on my customized Google Homepage. This fascination was spurred by my techie boyfriend who keeps me abreast on all the fun new Google tools, so what did we do one fun Saturday afternoon, customize those pages together.

He started using Google Reader about six months ago, I didn't though.

( Google Reader, for those of you who may not know the family of Google Products all that well is basically an internet inbox, you tell Google Reader which website you would like to track, Google Reader tells you when something new has been posted on said website)

At the time it looked a little confusing so I didn't sign up, didn't do the online tutorial, didn't think much about it afterwards. I have been spying Richards activity though, and since watching him was basically a six month tutorial I threw caution to the wind and signed up for Google Reader today.

I love it!!!!! In a matter of 15 minutes Google Reader has changed my life, no more manually going to my favourite blogs to see if anything is new. Google Reader will tell me automatically whether or not there is a new post of any of the blogs I visit regularly. How unbelievably wonderful!! Yea Google!!!

The First of Many...

2007-10-01T09:11:00.000-04:00

I love to read. More importantly I love to share my love of books; I hand off books the minute I'm done in the hopes that others find joy in the loves of my life (Richard you're the biggest love, books however are the distant second). So here's to sharing!

Today I recommend...

"Don't Lets Go to the Dogs Tonight: An African Childhood" by Alexandra Fuller
I came across a review in magazine, thought the the book seemed interesting. I forgot about the book all together but randomly noticed it on the Biography table in a local bookstore. I decided fate was playing a hand in the book deciding process and bought it. Don't Lets Go to the Dogs Tonight is a diary of an unruly life in an inhospitable environment. Fuller finds humour and laughter in the most unlikely of places...her diary is candid, unsentimental and captivating. I barely put it down.

If you wish to pick it up I hope you enjoy...

What I do When I'm Bored

2007-09-27T10:57:00.000-04:00

My name is Kat - I currently live in small town Ontario and unfortunately am having challenges finding a fulfilling employment opportunity. I spent four years at university studying politics and somehow that doesn't translate to rural communities in Ontario; granted I never thought I would end up in my hometown so I wasn't particularly worried about how my degree would translate. Life happens, you move on and try to make the best of the time you're afforded with. I am currently sitting on my couch in my penguin pj's watching "The View" and surfing the internet....this is what my morning generally looks like!

Other things I do while sitting at home:
1) Search all the job sites I can find (I put together applications for anything that looks tolerable - unfortunately that usually amounts to two applications a week).
2) Play Tetris on my Google homepage.
3) Search blogs for home improvement ideas (namely things that don't require building supplies and hammers - believe me when I say I could lop off my hand with a hammer if you let me), job advice, and laughter (check out dooce.com and you'll see what I mean).
4) Bake (I'm all about simple yummy recipes - I have the easiest, best banana muffin recipe).
5) Update my facebook account.
6) Call my mother several times a day.
7) Do loads and loads of laundry.
8) Search recipe indexes for dinner recipes I never use.
9) Keep on top of my all time favourite television show (Yea General Hospital - thank you for making my days tolerable - and for those of you who laugh at my soap watching rear, don't knock it till you've spent an excessive amount of time in your home during the day and realize these "stories" are actually entertaining!).
10) Read online news (I figure I should know what's going on outside my bubble).

I know this list seems a little sad and strange....but that's what I do with my day. If anyone wants to send me interesting ideas of what I can entertain myself with please forward that information on (I recognize asking for ideas is a free for all I may not be prepared for but in the starting of this blog I am trying to infuse more life in my day)!