Moments D713: Take a break!

Today was another day dedicated to school.  That said, I slept in, enjoyed a cup (or two) of Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee and had a good long "wake-him-up" chat with EQ (he's at NAB!) before I dove into the pages and pages of information I had to read.

Instead of ploughing through the day as I normally would, ignoring the outside world entirely, I decided to take Heini up on her offer - a coffee break.  And so late afternoon, tea time if you will, I headed out to meet her and another friend for a coffee.

I was diligent.  I was only gone for 1.5 hours.  Sure a long coffee break, but given that it would have been easy to spend the rest of the late afternoon/evening catching up, I'm pretty proud of myself for (a) getting out and taking a break at all and (b) sticking to my guns and not being longer than an hour over coffee.  (I know, I know it was actually 1.5 hours all said and done.  That's not so far off the mark, right?)

I had a great (short) visit with Heini and her friend.
I had a productive day with my readings.
And I made some banana bread to share with Heini.

My moment:  taking a break.

I could (should!) get used to this.

Moments hitting pause and enjoying a beautiful spring day.
Moments realizing you can still be productive even if you take a break.

Moments D702: Perfect...or not.

Sometimes hard work pays off.  Actually, come to think of it, at least in my experience, hard work nearly always pays off.  In this case, it definitely paid off.

We received our tests back tonight in class.  I scored a perfect 100%!  Wow.  I haven't done that in a very, very long time.  What a sweet surprise!

And then, we dig into the answers.  It wasn't long before I realized that I hadn't scored perfect on this test after all.  No!  I missed a mark on the third question.  Curious.

Turn the page and AH HA! I landed the bonus question!

Sweet.  Of course, now I realize I could have ended up with 110% on this test.  How wild would that be?

Pretty wild.  But hey, I'll take perfect!

Moments being pleasantly surprised.

Moments seeing your hard work pay off.

Moments D658: KD - also known as MAC n CHEESE

Tonight was another night in the books.  After tonight, I have only one more night to cram three chapters worth of tax knowledge into my tired brain.  I pushed hard and I persevered through some challenging twists and turns.

But I didn't do it alone.

No.  Tonight EQ sat with me and quietly read.  His presence and calm energy was very welcomed. But the best part, the part that is my moment today was that he made me my favourite "I-am-studying" dinner.  K-D.

Of course, I came to learn that K-D has no meaning to EQ.  Kraft Dinner is what we Canadians know it as.  But to those south of the border, it's known, not by the brand, but by what it is "Mac n Cheese".

No matter what we called it, I called it damn good! 

Not only was it done up special (with a touch of love!), EQ took the time to spice it up a bit.  The attention did not go unnoticed and I had to Instagram it before I even took a bite!

Yes, that's right.  Bread with oil & balsamic as a side with a coriander garnished K-D plate.!

It was heavenly!

Moment appreciating the simple dinners.

Moments being surprised that it wasn't so simple after all!

Moments D656: Study breaks

Today was day one of hard core studying for my coming midterm.  I haven't been a very diligent student to date this semester and it's showing.  Between unexpected distractions to a shift in life priorities, my readings have taken a back seat to other things.

Today, there was no more delaying.  It was time to dig in, and dig in deep.

And I'm learning.  Not only the subject that I'm supposed to be focused on, but about taking better care of myself.  I paused mid-day and had a good catch up with BFF.  I took micro-breaks throughout the day and caught up with EQ.  I also ended the day earlier than I normally would so that EQ and I could enjoy a date night together.

Looking back, it's been a good, productive day.  I feel a little uneasy with the work left to do before my midterm, but in the end, I'm also trying to let go of my need for that A+.  Really.  Is that so darn important?Nope.  Definitely not.  It's time that need take a back burner.  It hasn't been easy for me to shift gears, but I can feel the shift more than ever.

That said, tomorrow I'll start a little earlier and work a little later to get more of what I feel I need to get done.  What can I say, I'm slow to shift.

Moments focusing on the back-burner.

Moments realizing that I don't need to push quite so hard.

Moments D460: New online adventures

Although today was a study day for my final exam, I still managed to have a little bit of fun today.  In fact, it was quite a bit of fun.  I had some online adventures today that were new and exciting.

As I was studying I listened to music, as I always do. I've been listening to 8trcks.com as they have some great playlists of piano and strings.  Piano covers of Hurt, Adele, Christina Perri.  And in my musical travels I found some amazing acapella singers as well. I really love acapella singers like Pentatonix and so this afternoon I listen to quite a few different ones there's a smattering of musical travels I had this afternoon.

Peter Hollens & his wife Evynne
Tyler Ward
Chester See

And then a couple of fun covers by Linsdey Stirling.  My Immortal & Halo.

What an incredible day for finding music.  What an incredible day for enjoying technology in general.  As I sit and reflect upon the day's M&M trail of new music, I think back to years ago when I'd buy myself a new CD with each pay cheque I received.  I collected many strange and some wonderful music over the years this way, but it's a lot more intensive and hit and miss.  Now, with a click of a webpage, within moments you know if you like an artist or not.  You can listen to that artist's favourite artists and so on.  What a wondrous time to be living in.

Technology for finding music, for staying in touch with friends and loved ones.  It's all very amazing.

Moments trying to focus on the task at hand.

Moments distracted by fantastic music and reaching out to friends.

Moments D348: Whistling winds

Whoa. Another long study day. This reminds me why I hate being the bad, leave it to the end kind of student. (Though I am grateful that I was able to enjoy more time with my family and friends this semester!) These types of days are taxing. Emotionally (am I going to get through it all?), intellectually (can I understand and cram it in?) and physically (sitting this long in one spot for two days in a row?).

Today it’s been a full 13 hour day. I ate breakfast and lunch at my dining room table…which, if you recall from yesterday, is now my oversized desk to study from. Near the end of the day, I think I read the same two pages over three times before the information sank in. I’m slow now and eager to crash into bed. But before I do….I wanted to share today’s moment.

My moment - pausing to listen to the whistling spring winds this afternoon. My windows, which were wide open for a good portion of the morning, needed to be shut to a crack because it became so wildly windy. They were open enough for me to hear the wind play. I could hear the big maple in the front creaking from the forceful wind. I could hear the wind whipping through between the houses as it whistled past my side windows. I paused and imagined myself outside, my hair thrashing around me and in my face. My eyes watering from the cool spring air. I breathed in the breeze as it pushed past the narrow opening of my window. Yes, today the wind caught my attention. It was a lovely distraction. The only one I allowed today.

The whistling winds of a Sunday study day.

Moments away from the desk and breathing in the fresh air.

Moments enjoying the sounds hidden beneath the whistle of a cool spring wind.

Moments D347: Push ups & Situps

Today was a hardcore study day. A full 12 hours. I barely moved from my dining room table which has been made into a makeshift desk. It’s completely covered with school stuff at the moment. My textbook, my laptop, my paper notebook, pens, pencils, random sticky notes, my trusty eraser and of course, random snack foods.  I am surrounded!  Truly - it’s a chaotic mess that looks like a hurricane came through. Of course, I know exactly where to find what I'm looking for!

Today’s moment was me deciding to do push ups & situps for my mini breaks during my study day. Yes really. That’s what I did. It was 10 push ups at a time and 20 situps at a time. Need I remind you….it was a long day. I ended up doing many situps and push ups! By the third/fourth round I couldn’t help but giggle at myself - a silly idea? Maybe, but fortunately, it also meant that by the end of the day, not only was my brain taxed and tired, so was my body.

So - I’m all for push ups and situps as a study break. But, that being said, I think tomorrow’s study day will include less physical exertion!

Moments to pause.

Moments of exercise both intellectually and physically.

Moments D291: Snow Angels

Today was a study day. My cold, getting better. I'm still coughing,but not nearly as much or as often. That’s a win in itself!

Studying went. Not to bad at all actually. My mind was more clear. Phew. I needed that. Here’s hoping tomorrow will be as productive and the information will stick in my brain.

But today’s moment was celebrating the snow. My apartment gets very, VERY hot. That’s because the basement apartment in my triplex gets very, VERY cold if the heat isn’t turned up higher than normal. To counter-act this heat (and I actually hate to be warm in the winter - after all it’s winter and I WANT to wear my sweaters and fuzzy socks and curl up on a blanket!) I open a window in nearly every room.

This morning as I started my studies, my first floor neighbour and her very adorable 7 year old daughter were outside shovelling the side walk. This was what I overheard through the open window:

“Mommy, I love the snow today……Mommy, I think there is more snow today…….Mommy look at my beautiful snow angel…………..Oh Mommy, I LOVE the snow today.”

How can you not just ooze with love and smiles after hearing that?

I won’t lie, I’m a wee bit jealous that I’m not out there enjoying the snow too. I love shovelling. But not with this cough!

I loved the snow today too - but from the 2nd floor. Watching it sparkle in the sunlight - that was quite lovely.

Moments overhearing joy & happiness and soaking it in.

Moments to pause and enjoy the beauty of winter.

Moments D227: Rainy Study Days

Today started with a fabulous 90 minute massage. (Sadly, the last of the year as I just found out that my coverage is now over with the ex.) But that’s not what brought me today’s smile (even though it was rather amazing!)

Today’s smile came to me when I was leaving my massage to head home for a long hard day of studying for my final. It was raining. It was cold. And it was a PERFECT day to dive into my textbook and notes to study.

Sometimes things align just perfectly. Today was one of those days. Having a grey cold day outside makes it that much easier to tuck in and focus on what needs to be done. And hey, I managed to still squeak in some time last night to finish up season one of Sons of Anarchy (though I did fall asleep during the last episode!).

Moments focused on the task at hand.

Moments when the universe agrees!

Moments D187: Let there be light!

Okay. I know that sounds pretty grandiose, but let me tell you the story and then you see if it doesn’t perfectly fit!

Today is the day that Hurricane Sandy hits the Eastern seaboard. NYC felt her wrath earlier today. This evening Toronto is feeling it too. Winds are high, the rain is pelting sideways and in large gobs at times.

When I drove onto my street post-volleyball, it was obvious that the electricity was out. My street was blacker than black. (But I was fortunate for parking out front….thank you parking fairies!)

I strategically collected my bags and made sure I had my key in hand before dashing to the front door in the pelting rain. No fumbling and in the door in thirty seconds. Brilliant. In the pitch black.

But, this really isn’t a problem for me (other than studying this evening without my laptop). Why? I play this game with myself sometimes. I love to walk around in the dark and make my way around the furniture and just FEEL a room. I’ve done it since I can remember. This is just another opportunity for me to play this game with myself.

But, as I turn to lock the door behind me the lights magically turn on. There’s no getting away from my study night it seems.

Best smile of the day by far. YES! LET THERE BE LIGHT! (Don’t you agree?)

Moments that make me wonder.

Moments to get back to work!