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Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Winter Wonderland
A dear friend of mine recently moved from North Carolina to Iowa. Being a southern girl her whole life, she was understandably worried about the impending snow and ice winter she was told to expect. So I created the Notherner's Winter Survival Guide and sent it to her. And, since this is supposed to be another record-breaking winter for my friends in the south, I decided to post it here as well. Feel free to add in your winter tips in the comments section!
1. Fashion, Smashion - Warm clothes are not attractive. They are warm. And they make treading through snow and ice much more enjoyable. I have ugly winter boots and a large wool coat that hides all my curves, but I am warm so I don't really care. There are certainly a lot of cute winter clothes out there, but what materials are they made of? Chances are they won't keep the wind from cutting through to your skin. I would also invest in a pair of warm slippers. I find even socks aren't enough to keep my feet warm and I hate wearing them anyway.
2. Adjust Your Schedule - Plan to add 10-15 minutes to your commute. People drive slow in the winter, as they should, and it just takes longer. Or they drive like idiots and you have to contend with traffic jams. If you have the option of public transportation, TAKE IT. I hate driving in the winter and unfortunately I have to. I'd rather let someone else worry about braking on ice and avoiding ditches. Here, no one worries about being on time because you simply can't predict the roads, drivers, or weather.
3. Stock Your Pantry - Nothing is better in colder climates than soups and hot chocolate. D likes tea, so we have a lot of that too. It really does warm your soul after coming in out of the cold. If you're interested, here's my recipe for yummy, lo-cal hot chocolate: Boil water. Mix a tsp of stevia/splenda/artificial sweetener and a 1 1/2 tsp of cocoa powder. Add water and mix well.
4. Be Aware of Your Vitamin D Levels - I'm not sure about where you are, but a lot of people here suffer from seasonal depression. This is not because we’re sad; it's because we’re not getting the Vitamin D our bodies are used to getting as the sun shines differently in the winter. You may consider taking Vitamin D supplements (I can recommend a good one if you'd like). Or, if you're not concerned with cancer, go to a tanning bed. I do both (the tanning bed is a once/2 weeks thing to make me feel better). Another alternative is to begin eating more foods that have Vitamin D in them, such as fish and milk. However, I find I still need more in the winter months so I take supplements and tan occasionally.
5. Beware the Mid 30s - When the temperatures hover in the mid 30s, the roads are the most dangerous. This is because the snow is melting and refreezing as the temperatures fluctuate around 0 (36). Just be careful, drive slow, and leave lots of room between you and the person in front of you.
6. Take Time to Enjoy Outdoor Winter Activities - D and I sled, ice skate and ice fish. In fact, we're taking our engagement pictures on a frozen pond sometime in January. I also would like to begin snow shoeing or cross country skiing. These activities can be fun and a way to get out and enjoy the winter weather. And the more time you spend outside, the more you adjust to the cold temps. I find that if I am outside more, I am less cold in general. My body naturally adjusts to the temperatures.
7. Other Random Thoughts:
a. My nose always runs. Especially right now as the temps are diving and the air is getting more dry. It just does and I don't have a cold. It will lessen as I adjust to the cold temps, but just stock up on tissues with lotion.
b. Dry air = static hair. I use much more conditioner as well as a volume booster in the winter because my hair lays so flat in the dry air. In fact, I don't see my hair straightener between Nov and April.
1. Fashion, Smashion - Warm clothes are not attractive. They are warm. And they make treading through snow and ice much more enjoyable. I have ugly winter boots and a large wool coat that hides all my curves, but I am warm so I don't really care. There are certainly a lot of cute winter clothes out there, but what materials are they made of? Chances are they won't keep the wind from cutting through to your skin. I would also invest in a pair of warm slippers. I find even socks aren't enough to keep my feet warm and I hate wearing them anyway.
2. Adjust Your Schedule - Plan to add 10-15 minutes to your commute. People drive slow in the winter, as they should, and it just takes longer. Or they drive like idiots and you have to contend with traffic jams. If you have the option of public transportation, TAKE IT. I hate driving in the winter and unfortunately I have to. I'd rather let someone else worry about braking on ice and avoiding ditches. Here, no one worries about being on time because you simply can't predict the roads, drivers, or weather.
3. Stock Your Pantry - Nothing is better in colder climates than soups and hot chocolate. D likes tea, so we have a lot of that too. It really does warm your soul after coming in out of the cold. If you're interested, here's my recipe for yummy, lo-cal hot chocolate: Boil water. Mix a tsp of stevia/splenda/artificial sweetener and a 1 1/2 tsp of cocoa powder. Add water and mix well.
4. Be Aware of Your Vitamin D Levels - I'm not sure about where you are, but a lot of people here suffer from seasonal depression. This is not because we’re sad; it's because we’re not getting the Vitamin D our bodies are used to getting as the sun shines differently in the winter. You may consider taking Vitamin D supplements (I can recommend a good one if you'd like). Or, if you're not concerned with cancer, go to a tanning bed. I do both (the tanning bed is a once/2 weeks thing to make me feel better). Another alternative is to begin eating more foods that have Vitamin D in them, such as fish and milk. However, I find I still need more in the winter months so I take supplements and tan occasionally.
5. Beware the Mid 30s - When the temperatures hover in the mid 30s, the roads are the most dangerous. This is because the snow is melting and refreezing as the temperatures fluctuate around 0 (36). Just be careful, drive slow, and leave lots of room between you and the person in front of you.
6. Take Time to Enjoy Outdoor Winter Activities - D and I sled, ice skate and ice fish. In fact, we're taking our engagement pictures on a frozen pond sometime in January. I also would like to begin snow shoeing or cross country skiing. These activities can be fun and a way to get out and enjoy the winter weather. And the more time you spend outside, the more you adjust to the cold temps. I find that if I am outside more, I am less cold in general. My body naturally adjusts to the temperatures.
7. Other Random Thoughts:
a. My nose always runs. Especially right now as the temps are diving and the air is getting more dry. It just does and I don't have a cold. It will lessen as I adjust to the cold temps, but just stock up on tissues with lotion.
b. Dry air = static hair. I use much more conditioner as well as a volume booster in the winter because my hair lays so flat in the dry air. In fact, I don't see my hair straightener between Nov and April.
c. Lotion up. Your skin will get dry and flaky; it helps to lather on the lotion in the colder months.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
A Long Update
Yes, you can yell at me. I fail to blog as much as I would like and not nearly as much as you would like. Ooops. It’s a casualty of enjoying life too much J The summer has been really busy but fun. The snow melting has brought lots of mosquitoes, and they are HUGE! I forgot how bad they were here...I hope I don’t get West Nile or something along those lines. But I will take some bug bites with the sunshine over winter any day of the week.
So what’s been keeping me busy? Well, work. I know, I know, in my last post I mentioned how free I was feeling, and how much I was looking forward to a summer of relaxation. Well, that certainly hasn’t happened. I had a huge publication project for most of May/June, and then in July I traveled to DC for a conference. I feel as if I’m still working FT, which has its own pluses and minuses. I don’t want to speculate right now as to what will happen in the fall...we’ll have to see where this consulting thing goes. I like writing and editing, and I really like working from home. So maybe a permanent consulting gig is in order? We shall see.
Family has been the other big thing. At the beginning of June I went to visit my parents in Texas for a week and a half. It was a much needed trip to reconnect with them and a much needed shopping trip to buy new summer clothes as my summer wardrobe was way too big. In winter it doesn’t matter as much, you dress in layers anyway, but summer is different. I need clothes that fit! I have to say, it is way cheaper to purchase clothes in the U.S. then here. Thank goodness I have a connection down there.
In July, my future father-in-law turned 60. And my future mother-in-law recruited me to help her plan a surprise birthday party. It was a really fun time, but just time consuming. And then D’s brother and his family came for the party, and the following week so I spent a lot of time with them. And after they left I went to DC for this conference. And since returning, my sister-cousin Rena is currently in town. Fortunately, mom and dad changed their trip to September so I get a couple of weeks off before leaving to Charlotte, NC, for a friend’s wedding. THEN my parents come for a while. Phew!
I really am not complaining; I love having family around. And being summer, everyone makes plans to be out and about. I’m grateful my life is the way it is. I didn’t expect to feel so settled and integrated, but I am glad I do. In previous moves it’s taken me a while to get to this place and I’m so glad it happened quickly.
And one more piece of important news...I have a date for the wedding! August 11, 2012. SAVE THE DATE. This fall I’ll develop a website, etc., so you can keep track. I have my venues, and now I get to do all the fun stuff. I can’t wait to marry D, he’s just the best. And I hope all you U.S. friends can come, we’d love to show off Alberta to you!
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Summer Time is Super Fine
Hello blogosphere! It's certainly been a while, and that's ok because that means I have been busy. Since I last checked in, the snow has melted and the sun is shining from 6 am to 930 pm. With so much day, and such nice weather, being outside has been my favorite past time. I need the sun after that terrible, long winter. Do I have to do that every year? We seeded the yard, so I have spent a lot of time watering grass so the seed will take. Once it does I'll post before/after photos. We don't have a large garden area, so in the little corner plot we've planted irises, tulips, strawberry plants and some herb plants. I also convinced Darren to open up a small area in the yard for some legacy raspberry plants - my mom got them from Devon, gave them to my aunt, and she's now giving them to me to replant in Devon. It feels SO good to have roots!
Right now I'm also training for my first triathlon. Should be a good time, if I can get myself ready for it. I hate running and after the swimming and biking, it's going to be hard. But I guess as long as I finish I can say I accomplished something!
After I moved here I decided to take a little time off to just adjust and relax. Well, after a really terrible interview (on both sides) and a little soul searching, I decided to give myself the summer off as well so I'll have a full year away from the office, so to speak. I'm still consulting and creating a little business with USANA (www.usana.com, let me know if you want to learn more), but nothing that requires me to be any certain place at a certain time. And I love it! I really would just like to be a housewife all the time but with a wedding next year we need the money. After the summer I'll revisit the whole work situation and see where we are. I am so stoked for the summer!
Right now I'm also training for my first triathlon. Should be a good time, if I can get myself ready for it. I hate running and after the swimming and biking, it's going to be hard. But I guess as long as I finish I can say I accomplished something!
After I moved here I decided to take a little time off to just adjust and relax. Well, after a really terrible interview (on both sides) and a little soul searching, I decided to give myself the summer off as well so I'll have a full year away from the office, so to speak. I'm still consulting and creating a little business with USANA (www.usana.com, let me know if you want to learn more), but nothing that requires me to be any certain place at a certain time. And I love it! I really would just like to be a housewife all the time but with a wedding next year we need the money. After the summer I'll revisit the whole work situation and see where we are. I am so stoked for the summer!
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Food Fun Day
For those of you who know me, it comes as no surprise that I love to cook. I love food, I love trying new things, and I love making them too! Now that I have my kitchen back, the archives of fun food experiments I've been mulling around in my mind can finally be attempted. So, Friday night I made Lobster Spaghetti. I was looking for a way to enjoy pasta without a pasta sauce. And I have to say, it was delicious! Here's the recipe and some pics:
1 package SeaQuest Lobster Pollock (you can substitute any meat here, or add pine nuts or sliced almonds instead)
1 can diced tomatoes (if you cut fresh tomatoes, make sure you save the juices)
1/2 pkg of fresh spinach
Misc vegetables - I had asparagus, mushrooms, bell peppers, chives and onions on hand. Use whatever you'd like to for your tastes, just make sure it's fresh and not frozen.
3 cloves garlic, minced
Spices to taste
1/2 pkg whole wheat pasta
In a large skillet, cook spinach in about 1/2 tbsp olive oil until it looks just wilted (it's not, but fully cooked). Set aside. In the same skillet, add 1.5 tbsp of olive oil, vegetables and minced garlic cloves. Cook at medium heat for about 5 minutes or until soft. Add in pre-cooked meat (the lobster was pre-cooked. If using raw foods, cook those first before adding the vegetables. You can still use the same pan). Cook for 1-2 minutes, then add in can of tomatoes with juices and leftover olive oil. Cover and lower heat. You'll want to let the water of the juice reduce, this can take about 15 minutes.
While it's simmering, bring a pot of water to boil, adding in a little sea salt. Cook pasta noodles for about 6 minutes, or until al dente (read the package, each noodle is different). Drain and set aside.
You'll know the sauce is ready when it begins to thicken and seems less liquidy. Put some noodles on a plate, a layer of spinach, and then the sauce. Top it off with a layer of cheese. I like to mix it all together before adding cheese, but that's really a preference.
For a health garlic bread, we spread margarine on top of sprouted-grain bread and sprinkled garlic salt on top. Under the broil setting, I set it in the oven for about 2 minutes, took it out to add cheese and stuck it back for another 3. Our bread lives in the freezer because we don't eat it often, but if it's not frozen I would add the cheese before cooking and just watch for it to be crispy.
Let me know if you try it, and what you thought! D loved it, and I think it will be a staple for us.
1 package SeaQuest Lobster Pollock (you can substitute any meat here, or add pine nuts or sliced almonds instead)
1 can diced tomatoes (if you cut fresh tomatoes, make sure you save the juices)
1/2 pkg of fresh spinach
Misc vegetables - I had asparagus, mushrooms, bell peppers, chives and onions on hand. Use whatever you'd like to for your tastes, just make sure it's fresh and not frozen.
3 cloves garlic, minced
Spices to taste
1/2 pkg whole wheat pasta
In a large skillet, cook spinach in about 1/2 tbsp olive oil until it looks just wilted (it's not, but fully cooked). Set aside. In the same skillet, add 1.5 tbsp of olive oil, vegetables and minced garlic cloves. Cook at medium heat for about 5 minutes or until soft. Add in pre-cooked meat (the lobster was pre-cooked. If using raw foods, cook those first before adding the vegetables. You can still use the same pan). Cook for 1-2 minutes, then add in can of tomatoes with juices and leftover olive oil. Cover and lower heat. You'll want to let the water of the juice reduce, this can take about 15 minutes.
While it's simmering, bring a pot of water to boil, adding in a little sea salt. Cook pasta noodles for about 6 minutes, or until al dente (read the package, each noodle is different). Drain and set aside.
You'll know the sauce is ready when it begins to thicken and seems less liquidy. Put some noodles on a plate, a layer of spinach, and then the sauce. Top it off with a layer of cheese. I like to mix it all together before adding cheese, but that's really a preference.
For a health garlic bread, we spread margarine on top of sprouted-grain bread and sprinkled garlic salt on top. Under the broil setting, I set it in the oven for about 2 minutes, took it out to add cheese and stuck it back for another 3. Our bread lives in the freezer because we don't eat it often, but if it's not frozen I would add the cheese before cooking and just watch for it to be crispy.
Let me know if you try it, and what you thought! D loved it, and I think it will be a staple for us.
Monday, January 17, 2011
More and More Like Me
I'm feeling more and more like me every day. It's true. The more I'm here, the more I see how easy it is to go back to your roots, the more I feel grounded and at ease. I have always said moving away was really hard, possibly the hardest thing I've done to date, and even 14 years later I never really felt like I got my mojo back, that part of me that made me feel confident and inspired. But that no longer seems to be the case. Being back somewhere where you belong, where your home is, makes you feel, well, like you. I feel like I'm meeting an old friend and frequently say to myself, "oh yeah, that's who I want to be! I'm glad I'm me again."
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
A Long December
What a whirlwind the past few weeks have been. And while I've been away from the blog world, I've been spending some quality time with the people I love the most. My beautiful, talented, loving sister came to visit and I had a blast! True, she was escaping a pretty tough break-up but I think sister time is really what she needed. We got a week away in the mountains courtesy of my future in-laws, spent some time fighting (what sisters don't?) and a great weekend with our sister-cousins capped it off. We cried at the airport as I dropped her off, even though I saw her two days later in Houston.
Next came the Christmases. First was D's family, and we had a great time. It was the first time I met his brother and his brother's family, and really it seemed like we already knew each other. No awkwardness, just fun family time. I feel really lucky to be marrying into his family. They really do respect and love each other. I then flew to Texas and spent Christmas day with my family in Houston. And it was really nice. Just the four of us, and it will probably be the last time that happens. My mom, sister and I went wedding dress shopping and yes, I did buy a dress! I'm so excited about it despite swearing I wouldn't fall in love with the first dress I tried on. Ok, this was the 3rd but really, at the price and the way I look in it I couldn't let it go. Now if August 2012 would only come sooner!
After Christmas, it was tv heaven. As part of Christmas and a delayed engagement gift, we ended up getting the home theater items D's been eyeing for a year. The 54-inch plasma mounted on the wall with the blu-ray, receiever, and satellite all hidden in the closet. After 3 days of construction (no, really, he was in the attic and everything cutting holes), we got everything to work. Mostly. We're still working out some kinks ;)
So, after my December, I welcome January with open arms. I am resetting again, and looking forward to resuming the weight-loss journey I began a year ago (thankfully I haven't gained the weight back, just plateaued). I am also looking forward to finally finding a job here, and resuming the relatively normal lifestyle I've tried to instill for myself. But knowing the unpredictable nature of my life lately, I won't be surprised if I end up throwing all these plans and caution to the wind and just letting God take me where He wants.
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| Courtesy of CA's photographic genius. |
Next came the Christmases. First was D's family, and we had a great time. It was the first time I met his brother and his brother's family, and really it seemed like we already knew each other. No awkwardness, just fun family time. I feel really lucky to be marrying into his family. They really do respect and love each other. I then flew to Texas and spent Christmas day with my family in Houston. And it was really nice. Just the four of us, and it will probably be the last time that happens. My mom, sister and I went wedding dress shopping and yes, I did buy a dress! I'm so excited about it despite swearing I wouldn't fall in love with the first dress I tried on. Ok, this was the 3rd but really, at the price and the way I look in it I couldn't let it go. Now if August 2012 would only come sooner!
After Christmas, it was tv heaven. As part of Christmas and a delayed engagement gift, we ended up getting the home theater items D's been eyeing for a year. The 54-inch plasma mounted on the wall with the blu-ray, receiever, and satellite all hidden in the closet. After 3 days of construction (no, really, he was in the attic and everything cutting holes), we got everything to work. Mostly. We're still working out some kinks ;)
So, after my December, I welcome January with open arms. I am resetting again, and looking forward to resuming the weight-loss journey I began a year ago (thankfully I haven't gained the weight back, just plateaued). I am also looking forward to finally finding a job here, and resuming the relatively normal lifestyle I've tried to instill for myself. But knowing the unpredictable nature of my life lately, I won't be surprised if I end up throwing all these plans and caution to the wind and just letting God take me where He wants.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Unwarping Oneself
I have been warped. It's true, being in a city like Washington, D.C., has the effect of hardening oneself to the people and situations around you. Being in Canada, I've noticed that my once positive, rosy outlook on life has been replaced with an impatient, selfish attitude. This is especially noticeable this time of year when people around me really do need a giving heart and a shoulder to lean on. For example, a very dear friend of mine lost her mother earlier this year. And the last week has been very hard for her as she tries to get into the Christmas spirit. The other day, when she called and was just talking out her feelings, I felt annoyed. Doesn't she know I am working? Doesn't she understand I have other things to do? But then I checked myself; does it really matter if I take an hour out of my day to listen to her, which is all she really wanted? I felt like a first-class jerk for even thinking those thoughts (I did stay on the phone with her, btw).
One of the things I've always loved about D is that his heart is very giving. If a friend needs a hand, he runs out and helps without expecting compensation. So many of us would expect some kind of remuneration for taking time out of our busy lives to help a friend. But shouldn't that be the reward...the knowledge that you helped someone out? I have always admired this about D and despised it in myself. I see that by living in a city like DC, where everyone is worried about "me, me, me," I have lost sight of selfless giving and been hardened to the simple idea of lending a helping hand. So, I am resolved to change that in me and worry less about time and inconvenience in favor of showing love towards others. After all, isn't that the spirit of the season?
One of the things I've always loved about D is that his heart is very giving. If a friend needs a hand, he runs out and helps without expecting compensation. So many of us would expect some kind of remuneration for taking time out of our busy lives to help a friend. But shouldn't that be the reward...the knowledge that you helped someone out? I have always admired this about D and despised it in myself. I see that by living in a city like DC, where everyone is worried about "me, me, me," I have lost sight of selfless giving and been hardened to the simple idea of lending a helping hand. So, I am resolved to change that in me and worry less about time and inconvenience in favor of showing love towards others. After all, isn't that the spirit of the season?
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Thankful for Much
I can't say I'm ungrateful, as this year has been very good to me. I've moved to Canada to be with an amazing man who is everything I've ever hoped and prayed for. And although it's frigidly cold this week, I'm grateful I have a roof, a car that works, and a warm blanket to sleep under. I am thankful for my consulting work, and although I do struggle to make myself concentrate and work from home, I am grateful that I am employed. I am grateful for the Christmas season and the joys it brings. As I decorate the house for Christmas this weekend, I will happily bop along to the Christmas tunes blaring out of my iPod (thank you Glee Christmas and Sufjan Stevens!). I am grateful for my family who have been supportive and uplifting. And although this Thanksgiving I will not really be celebrating with decadent foods and desserts, I am grateful that I can be thankful for so much.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Write Drunk: Edit Sober
Write Drunk: Edit Sober ~ Ernest Hemingway
This is one of my favorite quotes. The writer in me agrees wholeheartedly. The realist in me says, get real...you can't be drunk all the time! True, but that doesn't mean I don't want a glass of wine every now and then to help me get started!
In just a short few days, I will be participating in a writing challenge called NanoWrimo. For those of you too lazy to click on the link, it's a novel-writing challenge where you write 50,000 words in 30 days. You choose a genre and get cracking. They have smaller support communities in different cities, all striving to simply write. They even have these 15-minute challenges where you write to see how many words you can in the short time frame. Sounds like fun, right (write!)?
Well, here's my problem. I've been sober for too long. As an editor, I have honed a special craft of rewriting and rewording almost everything that comes across my inbox and into my magazine. So when I sit down to write, I'm stuck. I keep rewriting sentences and searching for words that don't materialize. I have lost the ability to tap into my creative mind and just write. So when my cousin suggested I try this, I thought "what do I have to lose?"
I'm still not sure what I'm going to write about. I've decided to write in the romance genre because, well, why not? And since deciding this, the phrase "engorged member" has become a running joke around the dinner table at my Aunt's house. But I don't care, the point is to just write, relax your mind and write. Thank goodness I use a computer instead of a pen and paper...I can destroy the evidence afterwards! But at the end I hope I can say I've started drinking the proverbial wine and leave the editing until later.
This is one of my favorite quotes. The writer in me agrees wholeheartedly. The realist in me says, get real...you can't be drunk all the time! True, but that doesn't mean I don't want a glass of wine every now and then to help me get started!
In just a short few days, I will be participating in a writing challenge called NanoWrimo. For those of you too lazy to click on the link, it's a novel-writing challenge where you write 50,000 words in 30 days. You choose a genre and get cracking. They have smaller support communities in different cities, all striving to simply write. They even have these 15-minute challenges where you write to see how many words you can in the short time frame. Sounds like fun, right (write!)?
Well, here's my problem. I've been sober for too long. As an editor, I have honed a special craft of rewriting and rewording almost everything that comes across my inbox and into my magazine. So when I sit down to write, I'm stuck. I keep rewriting sentences and searching for words that don't materialize. I have lost the ability to tap into my creative mind and just write. So when my cousin suggested I try this, I thought "what do I have to lose?"
I'm still not sure what I'm going to write about. I've decided to write in the romance genre because, well, why not? And since deciding this, the phrase "engorged member" has become a running joke around the dinner table at my Aunt's house. But I don't care, the point is to just write, relax your mind and write. Thank goodness I use a computer instead of a pen and paper...I can destroy the evidence afterwards! But at the end I hope I can say I've started drinking the proverbial wine and leave the editing until later.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Working It All Out
Well, it’s been 6 weeks and life here has been, well, fast. I am really surprised by the lack of down time and the number of things to do. I had grand plans of taking some time off, traveling and generally being lazy. Well, that will have to wait until I retire! After 6 weeks, here’s what I love about living in Edmonton:
- D, of course! I love being near him, seeing him, kissing him…well, you get the point. I am more and more impressed by the person he is and I am so glad I moved. Any nagging doubts about whether or not this was the right decision are long gone.
- Family. I am so glad to be near family. I am feeling so loved and blessed, it’s contagious. I have a blast with my aunts, uncles and cousins! Even though I don’t have many new friends yet, I don’t feel like I’m missing out.
- Radio stations. I do a lot more driving here, and the radio is infinitely better b y a long shot. More stations + more variety = a lot of car karaoke!
- Food. The quality of food is so much better here. It’s less processed, more organic and servings are much smaller, which is great for my waistline.
But should you think I am looking at all this through rose-colored (or coloured) glasses, I am not. Here is what I am learning to live with, grudgingly:
- Cold. Yes, it’s cold here. Hovering around 60 during the day. And they consider that warm! It actually snowed in Calgary over the weekend. And while that city is 2 hours away, it does not bode well for me. I have already purchased a warm winter coat and am shopping for boots.
- Expenses. Things here are really expensive. Gas is more, food is more, clothes are more, shampoo is more! The sticker shock is getting old. All my budgeting is kind of out the window because I am always underestimating what I need to spend. It’s like starting over from scratch!
- Dirt. There is dirt and dust everywhere! My car gets really dirty and I have to wash it almost every week.
Compared to the love list, I can live with the hate list. I am looking forward to the holidays and experiencing the sights and sounds associated with that time of year. And while I do miss things about the states, I am glad I’m here and this chapter in my life is turning into an exciting one!
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Days 10-12
So this is really late in coming, but I've been busy settling in here. The rest of our trip was fantastic. We headed out towards the South Dakota badlands and enjoyed touring Mt. Rushmore, the caves underneath the mountain, a yummy winery called Prairie Berry Winery, and seeing Deadwood and Sturgis SD, known for outlaws and motorcycles, respectively. It was wild.
The rest of the trip was driving, driving, driving, driving. It kind of sucked. There's nothing in Wyoming or Montana, at least the way we came. And, despite my objections, we slept on the side of the highway in Montana. I'm still slightly annoyed by that one. Even if it did enable us to cross the Canadian border early in the morning, allowing an easy transition and export of my car (which I neglected to do 72 hours in advance). We made it to Edmonton safely and here I am. Total mileage: 4,124. The car survived and has since been doing well. We'll see what happens come winter! It's already fall here, complete with long sleeves, pants and socks. I miss summer :(
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| You can see Mt. Rushmore in the background. |
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| Welcome to Alberta, where it's rained every day since I've been here :( |
Friday, September 3, 2010
Days 5-9
Phew am I ever sick of sitting in a car! Between driving from Missouri to Minnesota to South Dakota, we've been racking up the miles on the Oldsmobile. Here's a quick recap:
1. Darren survived the Kookamonga Challenge. He was sick for a couple days but rebounded nicely for the Minnesota State Fair
2. Went on a great tour of the Anheuser-Busch brewery in St. Louis. Totally worth the $25 to drink directly out of the finishing tanks! Great history and tour as well of the behind-the-scenes process of brewing beer.
3. Toured Mark Twain's hometown of Hannibal, Mo.
4. Experienced the Minnesota State Fair where we saw heads of butter, ate lots of food on a stick, livestock being born (yes, born) and had a blast losing at games and taking many spins on many rides.
I think D and I will survive if we can make it through the Black Hills area of South Dakota! We'll be here for a couple of days before heading up to Alberta. Almost there!
1. Darren survived the Kookamonga Challenge. He was sick for a couple days but rebounded nicely for the Minnesota State Fair
2. Went on a great tour of the Anheuser-Busch brewery in St. Louis. Totally worth the $25 to drink directly out of the finishing tanks! Great history and tour as well of the behind-the-scenes process of brewing beer.
3. Toured Mark Twain's hometown of Hannibal, Mo.
4. Experienced the Minnesota State Fair where we saw heads of butter, ate lots of food on a stick, livestock being born (yes, born) and had a blast losing at games and taking many spins on many rides.
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| At the brewery |
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| Heads of butter! In the background you can see a girl being "carved". They get to keep their heads afterwords. |
I think D and I will survive if we can make it through the Black Hills area of South Dakota! We'll be here for a couple of days before heading up to Alberta. Almost there!
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Days 2, 3 & 4
Well, the last few days have been quite a whirlwind of activity. Between seeing my sister, friends, and attending a wedding in Memphis, I'm pretty exhausted. But still excited because D proposed!!! That's right, he did what few others could do and pulled a surprise engagement on me. I honestly had no idea it was coming. I am so happy though! I think the initial shock has finally worn off and now I can talk about it without getting all flustered. He proposed on UNC's campus, on the kissing bench which, as alums know, if you kiss your true love on that bench you will marry him/her. I showed D that bench during his first visit to see me as part of his campus tour. We did kiss on it. I can't believe he remembered and wanted to go back and propose to me while we were sitting on it! So, as all things have been on this trip, we were running late to meet friends for dinner. He insisted on going through a walk on campus, I insisted we skip it. Especially because he was complaining about losing his phone somewhere in the car (we found it afterwords, in the car). So we walked and sat on the bench. He kissed me, and asked if I had ever kissed anyone else on this bench (no). He kissed me again and pulled out the ring, and asked me to marry him! I must have said "Are you serious?" several times before saying yes :) I was too surprised to cry, which I guess was the objective. Here's a pic:
My ring is so pretty! It's an ice diamond from the mines in Canada so you can tell exactly where it came from. It's 2 and 1/4 karat (so I'm told) and a round cut in a cathedral setting. It's stunning. I really can't stop looking at it! No date, no plans yet. I think I'll let myself move before I decide on anything like that. Just enjoying the moment for now!
The rest of the trip has been fun. Yesterday and Today we are in Memphis. We saw Graceland yesterday and went to the fabulous wedding of some friends. Today we are off to Sun Records Studio and Darren is taking the Kooky Canuck 7 lb hamburger challenge. Then we're off to St. Louis!
My ring is so pretty! It's an ice diamond from the mines in Canada so you can tell exactly where it came from. It's 2 and 1/4 karat (so I'm told) and a round cut in a cathedral setting. It's stunning. I really can't stop looking at it! No date, no plans yet. I think I'll let myself move before I decide on anything like that. Just enjoying the moment for now!
The rest of the trip has been fun. Yesterday and Today we are in Memphis. We saw Graceland yesterday and went to the fabulous wedding of some friends. Today we are off to Sun Records Studio and Darren is taking the Kooky Canuck 7 lb hamburger challenge. Then we're off to St. Louis!
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Day 1: Wednesday, August 25
Left DC and Scott’s house relatively early in the morning, and it wasn’t a great sleep. I think we’re both adjusting to the new sleeping pattern of each other in the bed and, well, usually I’m OK with that because I know it’s temporary. But this time I know it’s not. We’re going to be together from now on. I guess I’ll have to get used to his snoring ;-) If we don't adjust quickly, I fear that two grumpy people with quick tempers may lead to a miserable trip! But I think we'll adjust after another couple of nights.
The rest of the trip was fabulous! We picked up a Garmin and headed off to Norfolk to see my little sister and her BF and celebrate her birthday...26 years young. My good friend Wendy joined us for dinner, and we had a great time catching up and celebrating. Tomorrow I think we’ll jet off to the outer banks before heading to the Raleigh area. Good-byes are still coming so I’m not too sad yet. The drive to Memphis will likely be miserable because I’ll be so sad to have left everyone at that point. Good thing we picked up a box of tissues today.
The rest of the trip was fabulous! We picked up a Garmin and headed off to Norfolk to see my little sister and her BF and celebrate her birthday...26 years young. My good friend Wendy joined us for dinner, and we had a great time catching up and celebrating. Tomorrow I think we’ll jet off to the outer banks before heading to the Raleigh area. Good-byes are still coming so I’m not too sad yet. The drive to Memphis will likely be miserable because I’ll be so sad to have left everyone at that point. Good thing we picked up a box of tissues today.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Everything's in a Cube!!!
Everything's packed and ready to go! No fights, we just "got er done." I'm always amazed how one's life fits into boxes, and in this case one massive box with room to spare. Let's hope nothing gets broken en-route. Tonight we spend the night with a friend and then it's off to our first stop, Norfolk, to see my sister. Let the road-tripping begin!
Monday, August 16, 2010
The Final Countdown
Today makes it official...I only have one week left here in the good ol' U.S. of A. I am a mix of emotions right now, which is fun for no one, least of all myself. But the boxes are mostly packed (except for some last minute stuff), the moving cube confirmed, and the anticipation great. I want to go. NOW. Just leave, but I have to be patient for one more week.
I'm always amazed at how one can literally fit a life into a bunch of boxes. It kind of makes you think, that's it? That's really everything? But it's strangely liberating and terrifying at the same time. Like you're closing off a loose end and everything's wrapped up neatly in a pretty little (or big) box. There's nothing left to come back to after this. Which can be incredibly depressing because I love all my friends here and leaving them is just about the hardest thing I've ever had to do. But then I'm reminded of the incomparable Dr. Seuss:
Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!
You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself any direction you choose.
You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the [gal] who’ll decide where to go...
Oh! The places you'll go!
You’ll be on your way up!
You’ll be seeing great sights!
You’ll join the high fliers who soar to high heights....
And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and ¾ percent guaranteed.)
Kid, you’ll move mountains!
So…be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray or Mordecai Ale Van Allen O’Shea, you’re off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So…get on your way!
One more weekend of celebration for my friend's wedding then I FINALLY (5 months later) get to see Darren and I move! One week will fly by with the wedding and other last-minute good-bye plans, but it's already too far away. I want to hit the open road, knowing that the end of this journey is really just the beginning of another one. And I can hardly wait to start.
I'm always amazed at how one can literally fit a life into a bunch of boxes. It kind of makes you think, that's it? That's really everything? But it's strangely liberating and terrifying at the same time. Like you're closing off a loose end and everything's wrapped up neatly in a pretty little (or big) box. There's nothing left to come back to after this. Which can be incredibly depressing because I love all my friends here and leaving them is just about the hardest thing I've ever had to do. But then I'm reminded of the incomparable Dr. Seuss:
Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!
You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself any direction you choose.
You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the [gal] who’ll decide where to go...
Oh! The places you'll go!
You’ll be on your way up!
You’ll be seeing great sights!
You’ll join the high fliers who soar to high heights....
And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and ¾ percent guaranteed.)
Kid, you’ll move mountains!
So…be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or Bray or Mordecai Ale Van Allen O’Shea, you’re off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting.
So…get on your way!
One more weekend of celebration for my friend's wedding then I FINALLY (5 months later) get to see Darren and I move! One week will fly by with the wedding and other last-minute good-bye plans, but it's already too far away. I want to hit the open road, knowing that the end of this journey is really just the beginning of another one. And I can hardly wait to start.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Chef Mel
I am so grateful at this moment to be here in Arlington. I really am going to miss all my friends and support network. But one of the fun things about moving, and also just summer, is the gatherings. Birthday/going parties, potlucks, random BBQs, needing to clean out the freezer, etc., have given me ample opportunities to stretch my chef legs and make different culinary delights. Examples include: red/white/blue cupcakes, my first angel food cake (which turned out terrific), a crockpot roasted chicken (slow cooked so the meat literally fell off the bones) in an apple wine sauce, bite-sized quiches, vegetable-au-gratin (which sounds gross but is possibly the most delicious thing I’ve ever made) and my standard 5-minute strawberry shortcake. I really love to cook/bake. I’m told the food’s good too, and I know I certainly enjoy it. There are never any leftovers, so it must be true! I’m glad I can cook for my friends while I’m still here and hopeful that I will find wonderful friends up there to cook for as well.
Raspberry angel food cake with raspberry preserve topping. Lo-cal and low fat too!
The moving plans are slowly beginning to finalize. Road trip is in progress (keep those ideas coming!) and so are the pre-move wedding details. (Just to clarify, I am NOT getting married. At least not yet. My friend is the weekend before I move.) I also received my consultant contract and it’s a lot more than I was expecting. I’ve started the selling process of furniture I’m not taking with me and I have a small city of boxes in my dining room area. As the details become more finalized, the move becomes more real and I am finally starting to get excited. I can tell because when someone asked me about it today, I didn’t panic as a reaction and start thinking about everything I still have left to do. Instead I gave her a big toothy smile and said, “I can’t wait to go!”
The moving plans are slowly beginning to finalize. Road trip is in progress (keep those ideas coming!) and so are the pre-move wedding details. (Just to clarify, I am NOT getting married. At least not yet. My friend is the weekend before I move.) I also received my consultant contract and it’s a lot more than I was expecting. I’ve started the selling process of furniture I’m not taking with me and I have a small city of boxes in my dining room area. As the details become more finalized, the move becomes more real and I am finally starting to get excited. I can tell because when someone asked me about it today, I didn’t panic as a reaction and start thinking about everything I still have left to do. Instead I gave her a big toothy smile and said, “I can’t wait to go!”
Thursday, July 15, 2010
I'm going on a road trip and I'm bringing...
A car full of stuff! After a successful convention in Orlando, I am finally on the home stretch to my move! I have secured transportation for most of my stuff, mapped out a loose plan for actually getting it from DC to Edmonton, and started working out the great summer road trip to Canada.
So far, D and I will be traveling to Alberta via North Carolina, Tennessee, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota and Montana. So my question to you out in the blog-o-sphere is, where should we stop? We’ve considered a few places (Memphis, St. Louis, Minneapolis, Black Hills, etc.) but would love to hear about where you’ve been, where to sleep, where to eat, what to see, etc. Please send me your best bets and ideas!
The whole experience has been overwhelming. Not just the logistics of moving, but the mental implications of the move as well. It’s not easy to just pack up and go, leaving behind wonderful friends and fond memories. And for people who have never gone through a large move like this, I gotta tell you: No matter how in control you feel, you’re not. My sister just recently moved to Norfolk and she’s been my litmus test…Results indicate that this is not going to be easy. I think the experience of having done this twice now is haunting me, making me feel worried and apprehensive about it all. But I still know I’m doing the right thing. I know it because I love D. I know it because I think I’m just ready to move on and begin a new chapter.
If nothing else, this will be a grand adventure! No work, no responsibility, just a fewweeks months of rest and relaxation. I think I will like being a lady of leisure, at least for a little while.
So far, D and I will be traveling to Alberta via North Carolina, Tennessee, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota and Montana. So my question to you out in the blog-o-sphere is, where should we stop? We’ve considered a few places (Memphis, St. Louis, Minneapolis, Black Hills, etc.) but would love to hear about where you’ve been, where to sleep, where to eat, what to see, etc. Please send me your best bets and ideas!
The whole experience has been overwhelming. Not just the logistics of moving, but the mental implications of the move as well. It’s not easy to just pack up and go, leaving behind wonderful friends and fond memories. And for people who have never gone through a large move like this, I gotta tell you: No matter how in control you feel, you’re not. My sister just recently moved to Norfolk and she’s been my litmus test…Results indicate that this is not going to be easy. I think the experience of having done this twice now is haunting me, making me feel worried and apprehensive about it all. But I still know I’m doing the right thing. I know it because I love D. I know it because I think I’m just ready to move on and begin a new chapter.
If nothing else, this will be a grand adventure! No work, no responsibility, just a few
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Melancholia!!!
So, I was ready to write a blog about how crazy I feel, how I'm freaking out about moving because I haven't actually done anything yet and how I'm worried about jobs because I have zero leads and the consulting work with my current company seems to be falling through. Then I thought about the word "melancholia" and this is how Webster's dictionary defines it:
A mental condition and especially a manic-depressive condition characterized by extreme depression, bodily complaints and often hallucinations and delusions.
Huh. That's not how I feel AT ALL or what I thought the word "melancholy" meant. So I looked that up. Again, Websters:
A depressions of spirits; a pensive mood.
Ok, so how can pretty much the same word be defined so differently? It made me laugh and definitely lifted my spirits. Only I would be lifted by the intricacies of the English language. Nerd.
A mental condition and especially a manic-depressive condition characterized by extreme depression, bodily complaints and often hallucinations and delusions.
Huh. That's not how I feel AT ALL or what I thought the word "melancholy" meant. So I looked that up. Again, Websters:
A depressions of spirits; a pensive mood.
Ok, so how can pretty much the same word be defined so differently? It made me laugh and definitely lifted my spirits. Only I would be lifted by the intricacies of the English language. Nerd.
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