Today: a long day in the office filled with issues that needed to be dealt with at every turn. Late to arrive home and I fixed myself a quick, but tried and true dinner. Okay, maybe it’s not a REAL dinner, and it certainly doesn’t stand up to my typical palate, but it does the job when you’re making dinner at 8pm and trying to get organized for your coming weekend of studying!
Today’s smile came from finally opening my Cyber Monday 50% off deal. A Sodastream. A PURPLE Sodastream at that! Yes, thank you BFF for keeping me in the loop at that!
As the evening wore on, I realized I’ve had over a litre of bubbly water to drink this evening. And I drank it along side some K-D and cottage cheese. Huh. Talk about strangely paired partners.
So as I finish making my second bottle of sparkling water within a 4 hour time period, I guess it’s safe to say I kinda love my new Sodastream!
Moments to enjoy new toys.
Moments to enjoy one’s water.
Friday, December 7, 2012
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Moments D225: Spectators part two
Tonight my parents were in town as they wanted to be in the city for an early morning appointment tomorrow. Tonight was also my volleyball night. I suggested they come to cheer me on tonight.
And so they did!
I won’t lie, I was a little nervous to have my parents sitting there watching. It has been many, MANY years since they’ve seen me play court volleyball.
Fortunately I played well, even though I was tired from a bad night of sleep and a hectic day at work. And in the end we fought hard to win our second match. Wooot! Splitting our matches, a good result after many losses!
Post volleyball we had a quick, late dinner and home to bed. It was a quick visit and catch up but, as always, a loving one.
Hopefully the appointment goes well and is informative tomorrow.
Moments to share with family.
Moments to shine in their love.
And so they did!
I won’t lie, I was a little nervous to have my parents sitting there watching. It has been many, MANY years since they’ve seen me play court volleyball.
Fortunately I played well, even though I was tired from a bad night of sleep and a hectic day at work. And in the end we fought hard to win our second match. Wooot! Splitting our matches, a good result after many losses!
Post volleyball we had a quick, late dinner and home to bed. It was a quick visit and catch up but, as always, a loving one.
Hopefully the appointment goes well and is informative tomorrow.
Moments to share with family.
Moments to shine in their love.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Moments D224: Tasty Italian Dinners
Those that know me, know just how much I love food. Honestly, it’s a shame that I can’t enjoy seafood (it upsets my stomach) because I think if I could I’d be a more rounded food taster! But, that being said, I still do my best to explore the world of food every day.
Tonight we went to a cute Italian restaurant attached to a Best Western of all places. It’s not a place that I’d typically stop in to test, but ages ago it was the only Italian restaurant open on one Sunday when I had a hankering for Italian. Tonight we revisited said restaurant. Mickele’s is quite delightful and the gentleman that served us in the summer remember us in our parkas as we were leaving the restaurant this time. He said the same thing tonight as he did months ago. ”We’ll see you tomorrow.” This made me smile then as it did tonight.
Yes, if you are ever in the area, give Mickele’s a try. Delicious, great, friendly service and a huge roomy, comfortable patio (for the summer) and warm ambiance inside.
Moments to meet new people.
Moments with great food.
Tonight we went to a cute Italian restaurant attached to a Best Western of all places. It’s not a place that I’d typically stop in to test, but ages ago it was the only Italian restaurant open on one Sunday when I had a hankering for Italian. Tonight we revisited said restaurant. Mickele’s is quite delightful and the gentleman that served us in the summer remember us in our parkas as we were leaving the restaurant this time. He said the same thing tonight as he did months ago. ”We’ll see you tomorrow.” This made me smile then as it did tonight.
Yes, if you are ever in the area, give Mickele’s a try. Delicious, great, friendly service and a huge roomy, comfortable patio (for the summer) and warm ambiance inside.
Moments to meet new people.
Moments with great food.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Moments D223: MY car
After driving a crappy rental car for the past 5 days, I realize just how much I love MY car. She’s peppy and she’s cute.
And, while the rental we had was cute, boy, oh boy was it a sloth!
Yes, I’m happy to be driving my cute Hyundai Veloster again.
Moments appreciating your own.
Moments zipping around in your car, seat warmers ON!
And, while the rental we had was cute, boy, oh boy was it a sloth!
Yes, I’m happy to be driving my cute Hyundai Veloster again.
Moments appreciating your own.
Moments zipping around in your car, seat warmers ON!
Monday, December 3, 2012
Moments D222: Home Coming
It’s funny because as much as I love to travel and explore new places, there really isn't any place like home.
After a lovely getaway to Arizona for 5 days with MANY adventures, beautiful moments, stories and photos to share it’s still nice to be sleeping in my own bed tonight.
Today’s moment. My bed. MY bed.
Yes, I am happy to be home.
Ah……
Moments to appreciate one’s trip.
Moments to enjoy the stillness of home.
Today’s moment. My bed. MY bed.
Yes, I am happy to be home.
Ah……
Moments to appreciate one’s trip.
Moments to enjoy the stillness of home.
Moments D221: What fear of Heights?
Yesterday I mentioned that my “older sister” had a fear of heights. This morning she and I went on a hot air balloon ride. Yes. You read that correctly.
Now those of you who know me, know that this is right up my alley and likely an adventure that I would have suggested for us to partake in. You would be wrong in that assumption. (What’s that old saying about assumptions….?) This adventure was something that my “older sister” wanted to do free and clear of any input from myself.
Seriously! I swear! In fact my “older sister” made arrangements so that we could stay an extra night just so we could get up early to meet the sun at the horizon. (Of course, who am I to say no? After all, I am who I am! I definitely wanted to join in on this adventure!) As the sun rose, so did we in our hot air balloon high into the silence of the cold morning.
What a beautiful adventure it was, despite the cold and despite the nerves I know she felt. It was such a beautiful, calm, silent moment, watching the sun poke up over the mountain range. And it was a soul recharging moment to feel the heat of its rays upon our faces.
So today, I celebrate yet another huge step made by my “older sister” in her fear of heights (yesterday was climbing/hiking). I have been inspired by her motivation to push her limits. I have been inspired by her positive spirit and belief in herself, for I heard her tell another friend tonight “if I can do it, YOUcan do it.”
Yes she was digging deeper and for that I respect my “older sister” that much more. If only we all pushed ourselves a little harder every day as I watch her do over the past couple of days.
Moments to forget fear.
Moments to celebrate the silence of nature from 2000+ feet above ground.
Now those of you who know me, know that this is right up my alley and likely an adventure that I would have suggested for us to partake in. You would be wrong in that assumption. (What’s that old saying about assumptions….?) This adventure was something that my “older sister” wanted to do free and clear of any input from myself.
Seriously! I swear! In fact my “older sister” made arrangements so that we could stay an extra night just so we could get up early to meet the sun at the horizon. (Of course, who am I to say no? After all, I am who I am! I definitely wanted to join in on this adventure!) As the sun rose, so did we in our hot air balloon high into the silence of the cold morning.
What a beautiful adventure it was, despite the cold and despite the nerves I know she felt. It was such a beautiful, calm, silent moment, watching the sun poke up over the mountain range. And it was a soul recharging moment to feel the heat of its rays upon our faces.
So today, I celebrate yet another huge step made by my “older sister” in her fear of heights (yesterday was climbing/hiking). I have been inspired by her motivation to push her limits. I have been inspired by her positive spirit and belief in herself, for I heard her tell another friend tonight “if I can do it, YOUcan do it.”
Yes she was digging deeper and for that I respect my “older sister” that much more. If only we all pushed ourselves a little harder every day as I watch her do over the past couple of days.
Moments to forget fear.
Moments to celebrate the silence of nature from 2000+ feet above ground.
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Moments D220: Surpassing Fears
Today had a nice slow start to the day, but it quickly became another adventure filled day within beautiful surroundings.
Today my “older sister” (as she likes to be called) and I went hiking. Now these trails are not your ordinary path trails in the woods. Each trail has been labelled as either EASY, MODERATE, or STRENUOUS. After doing a little research, we managed to pick one of the hundreds of trails in this area.
This one was labelled as MODERATE. Of course, we assumed “no problem”! Well….what we didn’t know is that, while the first part of the trail is quite easy to navigate, the mid-section of the trail is quite steep with approximately a 600 ft climb using footholds and “scrambling” up the rocks.
To back track: It was only recently that I learned that my “older sister” was afraid of heights. (In her words, it’s not about the height, it’s about the fall!) BUT, little did I know that this kind of hiking/climb was something she’s ever attempted before!
I didn’t realize this new tidbit until we were well into the steep part of the hike/climb. And yet, while I could see the trepidation in her face, my “older sister” was pushing through the fear. I helped her navigate some of the trickier spots and cheered her on through her uncertain moments. We celebrated along the way of her successes and in the end she made great leaps in how she tackled the steepness of it all.
And then, we hit a spot that required a bit of a leap of faith. It was a BIG step up with small footholds. It required confidence to believe that once you stepped up you’d find yourself on solid and flat ground. This was the breaking point for my dear sweet ”older sister”. She wasn’t ready to take that step and I understood that was the time to stop cheering and start congratulating her on such steps taken. She, of course, felt like she had failed. I completely (and quickly) disagreed with her - she DID NOT FAIL. She took BIG steps forward to surpass her fears and SHE ACCOMPLISHED SO MUCH.
We then walked another trail after that for about an hour. It was an easier one with less navigating to do. Eventually we looped back to the first trail *where the car was parked) and as we looked up to the steep climb my “older sister” commented on how surprised she was that she had made it that far into the climb. We took a moment and celebrated her success once again.
For the rest of the evening she lamented over the fact that she didn’t make it to the top. Each and every time I reminded her just how much she HAD accomplished.
(why is it that it’s so damn easy to forget the success and focus on the rest?)
It’s incredible that my “older sister” pushed herself so hard today and *I*, for one, am damn proud of her! As the night closes, I think she’s starting to respect her steps taken in surpassing her fear. That is a moment to celebrate.
Moments of digging deeper and believing.
Moments of celebrating the successes.
Today my “older sister” (as she likes to be called) and I went hiking. Now these trails are not your ordinary path trails in the woods. Each trail has been labelled as either EASY, MODERATE, or STRENUOUS. After doing a little research, we managed to pick one of the hundreds of trails in this area.
This one was labelled as MODERATE. Of course, we assumed “no problem”! Well….what we didn’t know is that, while the first part of the trail is quite easy to navigate, the mid-section of the trail is quite steep with approximately a 600 ft climb using footholds and “scrambling” up the rocks.
To back track: It was only recently that I learned that my “older sister” was afraid of heights. (In her words, it’s not about the height, it’s about the fall!) BUT, little did I know that this kind of hiking/climb was something she’s ever attempted before!
I didn’t realize this new tidbit until we were well into the steep part of the hike/climb. And yet, while I could see the trepidation in her face, my “older sister” was pushing through the fear. I helped her navigate some of the trickier spots and cheered her on through her uncertain moments. We celebrated along the way of her successes and in the end she made great leaps in how she tackled the steepness of it all.
And then, we hit a spot that required a bit of a leap of faith. It was a BIG step up with small footholds. It required confidence to believe that once you stepped up you’d find yourself on solid and flat ground. This was the breaking point for my dear sweet ”older sister”. She wasn’t ready to take that step and I understood that was the time to stop cheering and start congratulating her on such steps taken. She, of course, felt like she had failed. I completely (and quickly) disagreed with her - she DID NOT FAIL. She took BIG steps forward to surpass her fears and SHE ACCOMPLISHED SO MUCH.
We then walked another trail after that for about an hour. It was an easier one with less navigating to do. Eventually we looped back to the first trail *where the car was parked) and as we looked up to the steep climb my “older sister” commented on how surprised she was that she had made it that far into the climb. We took a moment and celebrated her success once again.
For the rest of the evening she lamented over the fact that she didn’t make it to the top. Each and every time I reminded her just how much she HAD accomplished.
(why is it that it’s so damn easy to forget the success and focus on the rest?)
It’s incredible that my “older sister” pushed herself so hard today and *I*, for one, am damn proud of her! As the night closes, I think she’s starting to respect her steps taken in surpassing her fear. That is a moment to celebrate.
Moments of digging deeper and believing.
Moments of celebrating the successes.
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