Today was a day of shopping with the family. We had a late start and finished out the day strong. A couple new bling pieces for the belly button, a couple of (ironically) new warm Columbia sweaters and we were done for the day.
Though the day was filled with many laughs, the best moment was when everyone else was busy getting ready for dinner and my Aunt & I were alone in the living room just chatting and catching up. In those brief 15-20 minutes we touched upon many a topic. Some were worrisome, others were simply a sharing of stories over the past couple of months. All the words shared help to remind me of the things that were most important to me.
The story that I most connected with me was about my niece. It reminded me that it’s never okay to settle, but it is okay to explore. It also reminded me that it’s okay to fight for more and it’s normal to expect more when you aren’t happy. I know it sounds simple, but sometimes it’s not. Sometimes we get bogged down into the mundane and we settle. We settle because we’re comfortable. It’s easier to accept less and remain comfortable. This is never a good recipe for a happy life path.
Moments to remember who we are.
Moments with your family reminding you.
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Moments D281: Lazy Bones
Today was the laziest day I've had in years as 90% of my day was further laying down or eating & drinking. Brilliant. Exactly what vacations are for. Detox & revitalization.
So lazy, that this is all I write tonight! I loved my lazy, lazy moments today.
So lazy, that this is all I write tonight! I loved my lazy, lazy moments today.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Moments 280: Singing Stewardess & Moon rise
Today was an incredible day. After a 2hr drive in torrential rains (yes in the middle of winter!) I was finally on vacation. As I drove through the spectacular rain storm, I really thought things experience would be my moment. After all it was beautiful and, at times, frightening.
But this wasn't the moment of the day.
On our flight from Buffalo to Baltimore, we made a new friend with the lady in the window seat. She was lovely, insightful and overall quite pleasant to chat with. I thought her stories might be the moment of the day. But I was wrong.
When we were preparing to leave Baltimore for Florida the unexpected happened. One of the stewardesses introduced a soon-to-be-married couple. After the introduction, she asked us to listen up as the soon-to-be-groom had something to share with us about his bride-to-be. Three next thing I knew. .. the stewardess began to sing From This Moment. What an incredible voice she had too! I was thoroughly impressed. It brought a tear to my eye and a warmth to my heart. First because this stewardess sang the whole sing and did so with such passion. Secondly, because of the groom's request to share his feelings with us. Beautiful.
Then shortly after we were in the air, we watched the moon rise. How incredibly spectacular. As we banked away from its grande finale, I paused and just made a note to myself about how fortunate I was to have been able to experience these two magical moments back-to-back.
Today was about unexpected moments. I loved them all, but these most of all.
But this wasn't the moment of the day.
On our flight from Buffalo to Baltimore, we made a new friend with the lady in the window seat. She was lovely, insightful and overall quite pleasant to chat with. I thought her stories might be the moment of the day. But I was wrong.
When we were preparing to leave Baltimore for Florida the unexpected happened. One of the stewardesses introduced a soon-to-be-married couple. After the introduction, she asked us to listen up as the soon-to-be-groom had something to share with us about his bride-to-be. Three next thing I knew. .. the stewardess began to sing From This Moment. What an incredible voice she had too! I was thoroughly impressed. It brought a tear to my eye and a warmth to my heart. First because this stewardess sang the whole sing and did so with such passion. Secondly, because of the groom's request to share his feelings with us. Beautiful.
Then shortly after we were in the air, we watched the moon rise. How incredibly spectacular. As we banked away from its grande finale, I paused and just made a note to myself about how fortunate I was to have been able to experience these two magical moments back-to-back.
Today was about unexpected moments. I loved them all, but these most of all.
Monday, January 28, 2013
Moments D279: Customer service with a smile
Today I had the best customer service ever and it totally made my day!
When I arrived at work this morning I saw that I already had a voicemail. It seemed strange to have a voicemail already, so it was the first thing I did when I sat down: I checked my voicemail.
Low and behold it was a message from my dentist's office. It was from my favourite hygienist in fact. She had called to tell me that she was taking some vacation time when I was next scheduled in to see her. (In March, quite some time from now! )She went on to comment on how much she knew I would want to see her and suggested alternative dates for me.
It was such a lovely gesture. I've been seeing her for over 6 years now and she didn't want me to show up and not see her. I loved the personal touch!
Moments taking care of your clients/customers. It is the little things that matter most and that which sparks word-of-mouth sharing of stories.
Moments being pleasantly surprised.
When I arrived at work this morning I saw that I already had a voicemail. It seemed strange to have a voicemail already, so it was the first thing I did when I sat down: I checked my voicemail.
Low and behold it was a message from my dentist's office. It was from my favourite hygienist in fact. She had called to tell me that she was taking some vacation time when I was next scheduled in to see her. (In March, quite some time from now! )She went on to comment on how much she knew I would want to see her and suggested alternative dates for me.
It was such a lovely gesture. I've been seeing her for over 6 years now and she didn't want me to show up and not see her. I loved the personal touch!
Moments taking care of your clients/customers. It is the little things that matter most and that which sparks word-of-mouth sharing of stories.
Moments being pleasantly surprised.
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Moments D278: Bedtime
Today was a constant running kinda day. I got up early I was shopping for a few things that I needed for my coming trip then I hit my homework.
Between homework, phone calls, lunch and doing laundry I quickly found the day had come and gone.
I skipped dinner as i really wasn't all that hungry. Instead, I popped out to see my girlfriend and pick up my ghetto blaster from our New Year’s Eve party. It was a quick visit...i just dropped off keys and picked up my ghetto... then I was back home working on homework yet again.
By the time I was finished it was 1130 p.m. and I was knackered. But I wasn’t done yet! I pull together some stuff for my trip and then I made myself something to eat.
Once settled with some food I decided to watch some TV. Before I knew it it was 230 in the morning! I had missed my bedtime!
And so by the time I put my head to pillow I so very ready for it. SO VERY READY.
It was that moment where I finally put my head to my pillow that I enjoyed most. It was simply delicious!
I smiled as I let the exhaustion wash over me. Best moment of my day!
Between homework, phone calls, lunch and doing laundry I quickly found the day had come and gone.
I skipped dinner as i really wasn't all that hungry. Instead, I popped out to see my girlfriend and pick up my ghetto blaster from our New Year’s Eve party. It was a quick visit...i just dropped off keys and picked up my ghetto... then I was back home working on homework yet again.
By the time I was finished it was 1130 p.m. and I was knackered. But I wasn’t done yet! I pull together some stuff for my trip and then I made myself something to eat.
Once settled with some food I decided to watch some TV. Before I knew it it was 230 in the morning! I had missed my bedtime!
And so by the time I put my head to pillow I so very ready for it. SO VERY READY.
It was that moment where I finally put my head to my pillow that I enjoyed most. It was simply delicious!
I smiled as I let the exhaustion wash over me. Best moment of my day!
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Moments D277: DOCs & Soundgarden
Today was a slow start and not nearly as productive as I needed it to be (I’m sorry tomorrow, you are going to be a little more crammed now because of this!), but even so it was a good day and this evening ROCKED.
Literally!
My BFF and I went to see Soundgarden tonight at the Sound Academy. We were about to leave my place when she noted my footware and suggested that I go get my DOCs. Damn. I haven’t worn my DOCs in (ahem) over a decade. Hell, I thought to myself, why not. If not at a Soundgarden concert, when would I dust those maroon bad boys off? I smiled the entire time it took me to lace them up properly. The memories that flooded to me. Incredible really. I was 15 years younger all of a sudden!
It wasn’t long before we found ourselves in the Sound Academy. It’s a smaller venue and it was crammed with people tonight! I swear it was a sea of six-foot-something guys for I barely saw the stage for the entire concert! No matter, though as the SOUND at this venue is amazing and Soundgarden did not disappoint. Chris Cornell sounds incredible live as do his band mates. Such an incredible concert. Bravo.
So today’s moment, enjoying a blast from the past. Both my fun, well-worn, well-loved DOCs and one of my favourite bands from decades ago.
Easy to dance and sing up a storm with these guys!
Literally!
My BFF and I went to see Soundgarden tonight at the Sound Academy. We were about to leave my place when she noted my footware and suggested that I go get my DOCs. Damn. I haven’t worn my DOCs in (ahem) over a decade. Hell, I thought to myself, why not. If not at a Soundgarden concert, when would I dust those maroon bad boys off? I smiled the entire time it took me to lace them up properly. The memories that flooded to me. Incredible really. I was 15 years younger all of a sudden!
It wasn’t long before we found ourselves in the Sound Academy. It’s a smaller venue and it was crammed with people tonight! I swear it was a sea of six-foot-something guys for I barely saw the stage for the entire concert! No matter, though as the SOUND at this venue is amazing and Soundgarden did not disappoint. Chris Cornell sounds incredible live as do his band mates. Such an incredible concert. Bravo.
So today’s moment, enjoying a blast from the past. Both my fun, well-worn, well-loved DOCs and one of my favourite bands from decades ago.
Easy to dance and sing up a storm with these guys!
Friday, January 25, 2013
Moments D276: Winterlicious in the Snow
Tonight was such a lovely night. It started out with a couple of drinks after work with deep conversation. That was followed by an adventure out to one of the Winterlicious restaurants: Bodega
Now, the restaurant itself was quaint, as is the area that it is. The staff were a little mopy (really, it’s the only honest way to describe them) and the food was a little unimaginative and not overly impressive. My favourite dish was the heirloom tomato and feta salad. That was simple and you could taste that the ingredients were fresh, but there was nothing that made it unique. But I digress, for today’s moment wasn’t about the food, nor was it about the restaurant, but if you are thinking about visiting Bodega, I’d suggest you save your coin for somewhere else. There are too many other unique, friendly restaurants in the city for Bodega to take up your time!
No, tonight was about the company, the conversation and about the pretty snowfall. Yes, we nearly didn’t make it to dinner because of the snow. Ha! The irony. Not making one’s reservation to Winterlicious because of a snowfall!
As we first sat, it was all I could do to peel myself away from the prettiness of the snowfall just outside the window. Here I was in the middle of a very busy restaurant, watching the beauty outside. Shortly after being seated my red wine arrived and the picture was complete. Inside, warm, in a bustling restaurant watching the peace and quiet of snow fall outside. It was a perfect moment for me.
Moments engaged in conversation and being present, but also being somewhat separated and aware of the quiet beyond.
Now, the restaurant itself was quaint, as is the area that it is. The staff were a little mopy (really, it’s the only honest way to describe them) and the food was a little unimaginative and not overly impressive. My favourite dish was the heirloom tomato and feta salad. That was simple and you could taste that the ingredients were fresh, but there was nothing that made it unique. But I digress, for today’s moment wasn’t about the food, nor was it about the restaurant, but if you are thinking about visiting Bodega, I’d suggest you save your coin for somewhere else. There are too many other unique, friendly restaurants in the city for Bodega to take up your time!
No, tonight was about the company, the conversation and about the pretty snowfall. Yes, we nearly didn’t make it to dinner because of the snow. Ha! The irony. Not making one’s reservation to Winterlicious because of a snowfall!
As we first sat, it was all I could do to peel myself away from the prettiness of the snowfall just outside the window. Here I was in the middle of a very busy restaurant, watching the beauty outside. Shortly after being seated my red wine arrived and the picture was complete. Inside, warm, in a bustling restaurant watching the peace and quiet of snow fall outside. It was a perfect moment for me.
Moments engaged in conversation and being present, but also being somewhat separated and aware of the quiet beyond.
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