Today was deadline day for two very large marketing projects. The day was busy from the start as we were, of course, complications yesterday as we neared the final stages of our projects.
Today, however, we fought through them all. Together, as a team. We pushed forward. I learned a lot about graphic designing and working on Apple computers. It’s been a wonderfully strange day, it doesn’t feel as long as it’s been. Nineteen hours later, we are heading home. We had a big day, and the four of us dug deep to get here, but it was also filled with lots of smiles and laughter.
I will fall into my bed exhausted, but with a sense of accomplishment.
Moments of incredible teamwork.
Moments knowing you are part of something incredible.
Friday, June 7, 2013
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Moments D409: Kitten Leaps
Today my kitten managed to make a leap of her short 5.5 month lifetime.
She has been eying the window above my bath tub since she was about 8 weeks old. Every time I opened the window she would sit on the edge of the bath tub, tail twitching looking to the window. You could almost see her trying to figure out how to herself up there. She was eager to make the jump but she was always too small to close the distance.
Today after my shower, while I was getting ready for work, she took the leap of faith and landed gracefully in the bathroom window. Boooyah!
Score one for my baby kitten - a baby no longer.
Moments watching thoughts.
Moments watching thoughts turn into action
She has been eying the window above my bath tub since she was about 8 weeks old. Every time I opened the window she would sit on the edge of the bath tub, tail twitching looking to the window. You could almost see her trying to figure out how to herself up there. She was eager to make the jump but she was always too small to close the distance.
Today after my shower, while I was getting ready for work, she took the leap of faith and landed gracefully in the bathroom window. Boooyah!
Score one for my baby kitten - a baby no longer.
Moments watching thoughts.
Moments watching thoughts turn into action
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Moments D408: Compliments
I'm not very good with them. In fact, I shy away from them when and where I can.
Today's moment was a first for me in that I received a compliment from my new business partner that didn't make me uncomfortable. (And yes, that too sounds strange to me, that I have a business partner!)
As I drove home from my class (which ran late!) he and I had a conference. He was feeling anxious. I had answers. His response as we neared the end of our call was to compliment me. He gushed over the tools I am bringing to his new team. It was a tremendous, wordy and deeply genuine compliment. Normally I would shy away from it, bashful almost. Instead, I took it all in stride and didn't even blink when I replied with an equally genuine "thank you" and reminded him that's why I was on his team!
Truly, I think it's the first time I've had such a gushing compliment that I wasn't uncomfortable about. This gave me pause. Why, in this case, was I comfortable with the compliment?
I gave it some thought. It wasn't merely because I was exhausted and not really engaged or paying attention. I was fully engaged and aware of the compliment. The only thing I could determine is that maybe, just maybe I was so open and accepting of the compliment because I believed in it. In this particular case, I believed my business partner's words. I believe in my skill set. I believe in my ability to deliver value to this new team.
Moments of growth.
Moments of awareness.
Today's moment was a first for me in that I received a compliment from my new business partner that didn't make me uncomfortable. (And yes, that too sounds strange to me, that I have a business partner!)
As I drove home from my class (which ran late!) he and I had a conference. He was feeling anxious. I had answers. His response as we neared the end of our call was to compliment me. He gushed over the tools I am bringing to his new team. It was a tremendous, wordy and deeply genuine compliment. Normally I would shy away from it, bashful almost. Instead, I took it all in stride and didn't even blink when I replied with an equally genuine "thank you" and reminded him that's why I was on his team!
Truly, I think it's the first time I've had such a gushing compliment that I wasn't uncomfortable about. This gave me pause. Why, in this case, was I comfortable with the compliment?
I gave it some thought. It wasn't merely because I was exhausted and not really engaged or paying attention. I was fully engaged and aware of the compliment. The only thing I could determine is that maybe, just maybe I was so open and accepting of the compliment because I believed in it. In this particular case, I believed my business partner's words. I believe in my skill set. I believe in my ability to deliver value to this new team.
Moments of growth.
Moments of awareness.
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Moments D407: Super Star Dad
My Dad (finally) received his birthday card today in the mail and he sent me a quick email to thank me for it. Surprisingly, he expressed his surprise at my words within the card. I had called him a “super star”. He had no idea why I would have said that.
Huh. Really? I guess as a daughter I’ve failed at sharing my words with him! Perhaps he’s just being humble. After all, he’s survived and accomplished much in his life. How could he not know he’s a super star?
My Dad hasn’t had an easy life. He’s worked hard and fought for everything he has and more importantly for the man he is. Eighteen operations. A son who, as an infant, was in and out of hospitals. Working many overtime hours in his career, so that his family would have more than just what we needed. Stepping up and helping his ailing father before he passed. Continuing to take care of his mother, now lost to Alzheimer’s. I watched him lovingly take care of his wife as she fought her own battle with cancer. This a man who worked hard all through his working years, who continues to work hard in retirement. All the while he is quick with a smile or laughter. There is no doubt in my mind: This man IS a super star.
I don’t say this because he’s my Dad. No. This is a man who digs deeper than anyone else I know. He’s an incredible human being and one that I am fortunate enough to have him in my life to learn from. His work ethic is above and beyond and his views on life are flexible and varied. I’m lucky to be able to call him Dad, but he’s not a super star because he’s my Dad. He’s a super star because he is incredible as a person. I am ever grateful.
So today, a reminder to me, to remind my Dad, the super star, more often just how incredible he is.
Moments appreciating brilliant people.
Moments of gratitude for my life.
Huh. Really? I guess as a daughter I’ve failed at sharing my words with him! Perhaps he’s just being humble. After all, he’s survived and accomplished much in his life. How could he not know he’s a super star?
My Dad hasn’t had an easy life. He’s worked hard and fought for everything he has and more importantly for the man he is. Eighteen operations. A son who, as an infant, was in and out of hospitals. Working many overtime hours in his career, so that his family would have more than just what we needed. Stepping up and helping his ailing father before he passed. Continuing to take care of his mother, now lost to Alzheimer’s. I watched him lovingly take care of his wife as she fought her own battle with cancer. This a man who worked hard all through his working years, who continues to work hard in retirement. All the while he is quick with a smile or laughter. There is no doubt in my mind: This man IS a super star.
I don’t say this because he’s my Dad. No. This is a man who digs deeper than anyone else I know. He’s an incredible human being and one that I am fortunate enough to have him in my life to learn from. His work ethic is above and beyond and his views on life are flexible and varied. I’m lucky to be able to call him Dad, but he’s not a super star because he’s my Dad. He’s a super star because he is incredible as a person. I am ever grateful.
So today, a reminder to me, to remind my Dad, the super star, more often just how incredible he is.
Moments appreciating brilliant people.
Moments of gratitude for my life.
Monday, June 3, 2013
Moments D406: My two cents, now worth five
It’s a small notion, a simple shift in perspective, but it certainly made me smile.
Surely you've heard the term “put my two cents in” when sharing an idea with others. Well, here in Canada, we've done away with pennies. Prices are now rounded up to the nearest 5 cents.
And so, my two cents worth, are now actually valued at five.
Better yet, next time you ask me “A penny for your thoughts?” you’d best be ready with a nickle.
Moments of being silly.
Moments wondering if in a decade or three the saying really will change?
Surely you've heard the term “put my two cents in” when sharing an idea with others. Well, here in Canada, we've done away with pennies. Prices are now rounded up to the nearest 5 cents.
And so, my two cents worth, are now actually valued at five.
Better yet, next time you ask me “A penny for your thoughts?” you’d best be ready with a nickle.
Moments of being silly.
Moments wondering if in a decade or three the saying really will change?
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Moments D405: Summer Storms
Today I was home prepping for my very long week and coming weekend. With an assignment due for class, extra long work days all this week and my mid-term all happening in the next 10 days, my plate is very full.
As I puttered and dealt with my chores, the weather was as fickle as my mood. First thing this morning, it was sunny, bright and humid. By the time I was home from picking up groceries, the sky was darkening. Before I knew it, the sky had opened up and there was a heavy downpour. Within moments, they sky was clear yet again, the sun out and drying up the puddles.
An hour or so later, it happened all over again. This time, the tennis courts across the street from me were filled with players. Instead of running from the downpour, each of the four courts of players simply kept on playing! I was shocked, but I smiled knowing that I’d likely do the same if I were on the court. They laughed, they giggled, one even hooted into the rain. What fun it was to watch and a great way to break up my day.
Strangely enough, this happened two more times today. What a strange fickle day of weather, but it was entertaining. It almost made up for being stuck inside all day working.
Moments puttering and prepping.
Moments enjoying the weather.
As I puttered and dealt with my chores, the weather was as fickle as my mood. First thing this morning, it was sunny, bright and humid. By the time I was home from picking up groceries, the sky was darkening. Before I knew it, the sky had opened up and there was a heavy downpour. Within moments, they sky was clear yet again, the sun out and drying up the puddles.
An hour or so later, it happened all over again. This time, the tennis courts across the street from me were filled with players. Instead of running from the downpour, each of the four courts of players simply kept on playing! I was shocked, but I smiled knowing that I’d likely do the same if I were on the court. They laughed, they giggled, one even hooted into the rain. What fun it was to watch and a great way to break up my day.
Strangely enough, this happened two more times today. What a strange fickle day of weather, but it was entertaining. It almost made up for being stuck inside all day working.
Moments puttering and prepping.
Moments enjoying the weather.
Saturday, June 1, 2013
Moments D404: Windy Wine Country
Today was a long,long day. I was up and out of bed by 7 am and I didn't get home until nearly 11 pm. But what an incredible day it was!
I was up and out picking up Arizona, and then Heini to join my besties for breakfast at 9 am. After a hearty breakfast at Golden Griddle, the five of us were on our way to meet up with another 5 friend and to enjoy a day of wine tasting in the “Bench” of the Niagara Escarpment.
There was food, wine, and music throughout this event. The weatherman had been calling for clouds and rain later in the afternoon; we were fortunate: most of the afternoon was filled with extremely windy sunshine. (I suppose those high winds were left over from the tornadoes in the Southern states!)
The 10 of us managed to visit 4 of the 7 wineries. We enjoyed tasting the food, sampling the wines and taking in the music at each location. It was a brilliant day. An opportunity for everyone to mix and mingle and have a chance to get to know new friends. There were many beautiful moments today, but one of the best was when the summer storm finally hit while we were at one of my favourite wineries in the region: Peninsula Ridge.
We all tucked in under the tent and watched as the rain clouds blew in. We then watched the clouds unload their burden. It was a full on summer downpour. We laughed, with played in it, we debated if it was a “warm” rain or not. And before we knew it, the rain storm had moved on just as quickly as it had arrived. The sun was out once again and we were off to our final destination, my other favourite winery in the region: Fielding Estate.
We spent the last of our tickets here on food and wine. We enjoyed the humid windy and the solo artist singing out Johnny Cash. It was an incredible day, followed by a fun dinner out together and tea after that. We were all a little burnt, “wined-out”, and tired by the time we rolled home, but I think we all felt like our souls were recharged from sharing the experience together and enjoying the outdoors for as long as we had.
Moments enjoying the fickle weather with delicious (and some not so delicious!) wines.
Moments building lasting memories with your friends.
I was up and out picking up Arizona, and then Heini to join my besties for breakfast at 9 am. After a hearty breakfast at Golden Griddle, the five of us were on our way to meet up with another 5 friend and to enjoy a day of wine tasting in the “Bench” of the Niagara Escarpment.
There was food, wine, and music throughout this event. The weatherman had been calling for clouds and rain later in the afternoon; we were fortunate: most of the afternoon was filled with extremely windy sunshine. (I suppose those high winds were left over from the tornadoes in the Southern states!)
The 10 of us managed to visit 4 of the 7 wineries. We enjoyed tasting the food, sampling the wines and taking in the music at each location. It was a brilliant day. An opportunity for everyone to mix and mingle and have a chance to get to know new friends. There were many beautiful moments today, but one of the best was when the summer storm finally hit while we were at one of my favourite wineries in the region: Peninsula Ridge.
We all tucked in under the tent and watched as the rain clouds blew in. We then watched the clouds unload their burden. It was a full on summer downpour. We laughed, with played in it, we debated if it was a “warm” rain or not. And before we knew it, the rain storm had moved on just as quickly as it had arrived. The sun was out once again and we were off to our final destination, my other favourite winery in the region: Fielding Estate.
We spent the last of our tickets here on food and wine. We enjoyed the humid windy and the solo artist singing out Johnny Cash. It was an incredible day, followed by a fun dinner out together and tea after that. We were all a little burnt, “wined-out”, and tired by the time we rolled home, but I think we all felt like our souls were recharged from sharing the experience together and enjoying the outdoors for as long as we had.
Moments enjoying the fickle weather with delicious (and some not so delicious!) wines.
Moments building lasting memories with your friends.
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