Distractions

I have a major paper due on Tuesday that I have to keep working on. But sometimes, I just have to stop and do things like paint my nails. Another thing that gets me through studying is reading blogs. I read so many of them. Here are some of my current favourites:

Karla's Closet (which, by the way, has inspired me to cut off my long shock of bangs in the front and just have a regular pixie, kind of like hers, but also heavily inspired by Jean Seberg)

StyleLikeU

HEL Looks

Apartment Therapy

Oh, and one I haven't checked for a while, but is always inspiring: Pikaland

**Please Note, when I say "read" I really mean "look"

Time to stop procrastinating and get back to my paper.

Tea For Two?

These teas are from two friends of mine, Jess and Rachael. I have been enjoying these teas over the past month or so, and now that they're almost gone, well, I am missing them! Both of Jessica and Rachael have already visited me in my new city, and I miss them so! As well as the others who I cannot see in person. How lovely it really is to sit with some tea, or other hot beverage, across from a friend. It was funny, last week I texted my sister, saying I wish she could make me one of her delicious tomato and avocado sandwiches and that we could hang out. Then, when I facetimed with her yesterday, she happened to be making one of those sandwiches, just the moment I called! I am thinking TJ and I will hopefully facetime with Beth tonight, too. It's nice to see people's faces.

It's funny to think of all the little routines I had with different friends. I find it funny how often visits with friends included a hot beverage of some sort. I miss that so much.

TJ and I are taking our sweet time making new friends here. One thing, though, we are going to attend the Kits community house potluck on Wednesday. I am kind of excited because it is being run by someone in an expressive arts program. We have to bring a vegetarian dish to share. I will post the details.

Aloe Vera Drink

So I picked up this drink from Sunrise Grocery last week, then got another bottle on Sunday. It is very yummy. I first saw this drink sticking out of one of my co-worker's bags and wondered about it. Then I found out aloe vera is particularly good for my little health issue. Anyways, it's pretty tasty - it has little chunks of aloe vera gel floating throughout - it's not going to be everyone's favourite, but if you like bubble tea and/or the jelly in the tea, then I'm sure you'll take a liking to this. Mmmmmmmmm

School and Borscht

I love to put on the oldies station on my little vintage a.m. radio that mom and dad got me for Christmas last year, and sing along, and cook. That's what I did today. Cooked up a colourful borscht, the easiest recipe ever! And I have decided it's official.....borscht is my favourite soup in the world.


Such simple ingredients of cabbage, onion, garlic, beets, broth, beet water, salt and pepper, and lemon juice....makes one of the most flavourful soups ever! What an awesome budget dinner.

I could elaborate for a very long time about the delights of borscht.....I remember the time Beth and I went to Ukranian Cultural Heritage last year, and we had some borscht there....it was what inspired me to actually cook it for myself. I remember having borscht at my great aunt Helen's house in Edmonton as a child.....that and wonderful tiny ukranian cabbage rolls and amazing perogies...I remember Hilda K.'s borscht, too, at least I think it was hers - when the youth group was over there one time or something......anyway, heart warming memories. If you haven't noticed - I've really got a thing for soup!

Alas...I must get back to my next paper!

Admiration Friday

I'm not going to change the way I look or the way I feel to conform

to anything. I've always been a freak.

~ John Lennon ~

I admire John Lennon....growing up I always thought I liked Paul's voice best, but now I prefer John's. I first got a tape of his album "Imagine" when I was 20 years old. I loved the song "Gimme Some Truth", and sometimes I put "Oh Yoko!" on repeat.

cowls

I still love the "eternity" cowls, because they sit so nicely, and are so warm. So, I bought myself one (pictured above), to uh....celebrate my being in good health, yeah, that's it! But when I was looking at them in the store, I had a "duh" realization: I could just sew, pin, or tie my old scarves together - end to end, and make my own.

Maybe that is too obvious, and people already do that, but anyways it works pretty well! Depending on how long the scarf is, you can get two or three loops. The one pictured below I tied together at the ends, and I looped it three times. This is a great money-saving tip for me, and a way to freshen up some of my old treasured scarves! Yeehaw.

Tea Time

Good news - I am cancer-free. Nothing has come back, I went for my test yesterday! So that is a huge relief! It really takes a weight off!

I did get diagnosed with something way less serious though, and one of the aspects is that I have been told to eliminate caffeine from my diet. I am trying not to pout, but it's really hard not to! Tea has it's place, but I have been a pretty huge coffee drinker since the age of 17. I have gone off it before, so I know I can do it again.....but....I have a lot of mental addiction to it! It brings me such comfort, such a sense of home-iness, a general alertness in the mornings, such a basket-full-of-rainbows kind of feeling. Listen to me, hey? Maybe this is good timing. As I have heard many times in the world of recovery: it is good not to let anything own you.

Maybe I put this detail on my blog to give myself some courage, and some perspective. It's just coffee. Sure, I do seem to live in the coffee capital of the world. But....it's just coffee. There is more to life. Maybe it's time I dug into my resources and found new ways to self-comfort, ways that don't involve using a substance. Um, yup.

Learn

Not to lose anyone who does not watch Parks and Rec, but sometimes I relate to Ben, the character who is uptight. He is the character who, while sitting at the spa, says he can't relax because something about harp music makes him feel anxious. Yesterday was my attempt to just relax. It did go pretty well, and I am very lucky to be able to do things like that.

I started off with a sea walk and a coffee with Ares, where I sat on a rock and stared (my view is pictured above). I still feel so lucky to be able to live so close to the ocean.


Followed by wandering the neighbourhood, buying a bath bomb at Lush, and chatting about bees and random ways to wash your face with an employee there. I wandered in London Drugs, and then my favourite new wandering store: The Blue Owl, where I drooled over the headboard below. Although, they do have much more than furniture, and there was music playing that was unique and really stuck in my head. It was dream-like music.

Then home to make some postcards and stuff, and eat Barb's jalapeño cheezies. And have TJ's homemade veggie soup.

Then, I went and made cupcakes, which took me a total of two and a half hours. It was fun, and they turned out lovely, but perhaps that aspect of my day is a sign of my tendency to not actually relax, BUT....as I just picked up my daily reading, here is what it says: I do not have to do "penance for being human". So, I am glad that I spent most of the day relaxing.

One more thing I learned, as I found myself feeling much more fresh in approaching my studies today, is the value of a day off. Even if it is not a day full of treating myself, taking a regular day off is going to be important for me. Yup.

Treat Yo Self 2011

After watching the newest Parks and Rec episode, I have been inspired to take a "Treat Yo Self" day...tomorrow! I may not be buying myself clothes, fragrances, massages, mimosas, fine leather goods, or a batman suit.....but it will be good! I'm thinking more like visiting thrift stores, and some dorky things like buying birdseed and bird watching on our deck, maybe baking something fancy, and music and collaging? We shall see! Ya ya!

Do others out there like to have a "Treat Yo Self" day? What? When? How?

A Few Favourites

I met TJ on the bus, and we went to Sunrise Market again (pictured above). It is kind of our heaven, as we love good deals, and we love fruit and vegetables. Okay, so I have to list all that we got again:

bag of carrots

carton of strawberries

bag of twelve large, multicoloured peppers

bag of chop suey vegetables

4 lbs of brown basmati rice

2 avocados

small bag of apples

bunch of bananas

four pears

butter lettuce

pocky sticks snack

5 limes

ginger

2 bags of snow peas

lotus root

kettle chips

celery root

fresh dates

5 tomatoes

....for a grand total of $20.

Then we got organic pepperoni sticks from the meat shop kitty corner, took the bus home, and went for a walk with Ares.

Hermit

I feel like a hermit. I need suggestions as to how to adjust when you move to a new city thousands of miles away from all your friends and family. I need ideas on where to connect with people. I have not been getting any shifts at work, I have been in the house studying, thinking, and driving myself batty. I miss everyone, seeing people in person. I'm not used to so much time alone. This may sound too much, but I am used to seeing at least ten different people a week. Like, really connecting with someone in the flesh at least a few out of those ten times.

TJ and I are thinking of starting to attend the Philosopher's Cafe. It sounds good. There is always church, but we have not decided on one yet. I should reach out more, to the people I do know, which is like three people. I hate that it is hard. Being in a whole bunch of new situations is just draining. I shouldn't complain. But I guess I am. Oh well, this is better then closing up I guess.

I talked to my sis on skype today, that was nice, but just made me want to be there, to pick up my little (chubby) nephew and carry him around. Wah wah. Poor me. I will find a way. I really will, it's true.

But one thing I am realizing is that I find it hard not being recognized. I just took for granted all the people I knew who knew me. It's such a good feeling to be around others who confirm who you are, who know you. It's such a draining experience to be on the other end of that - to be putting yourself out there, wanting to know and be known. It's overwhelming when it's not just a new job, but when it's everything - a job, a city, a group of classmates (on-line for that matter, which makes it way harder), and potentially other places like spiritual communities, neighbourhood communities, etc.

All I know is that I am going to Naam vegetarian restaurant right now to meet TJ, and will have one of their awesome and amazing salads to drown my blahs.

Walking

Walking is good for the soul sometimes. It was a bit nicer out today. I was getting stifled with being in the house reading. Just kind of low. Getting out for a walk with Ares was like medicine. We went down to the sea, and then took a detour home, through a park with huge trees, where a bunch of kids were doing some kind of science experiment, speaking French. We saw two playful black dogs on the beach. We saw two large, white poodles in the park. We passed a nervous lady, and Ares behaved herself. I took in the rain drenched green neighbourhood, that is still abundant with flowers and greenery. Some of the trees are turning red now. The smell of crushed leaves mixed with the freshness after rain brought me a feeling of aliveness.

Bed-Head Ramblings

I have been sleeping in like crazy for these past few days. I got a cold several days ago, and so I feel the extra sleep is warranted. But now I am mostly on the mend. It's Thanksgiving Monday. I'm home with TJ, we're both plugging away at school work.

There is the sound of a fire crackling, thanks to our faux fire, fuel-in-a-can device. Our laundry is still hanging in the back porch, not quite dry. I have bed-head and am wearing my favourite red jeans and a grey turtle neck. We had a lovely thanksgiving meal with Pascal and Becky last night, where we played Jenga and Mennonite madness. I had fun cooking and tidying yesterday, listening to Neil Young, Unplugged, and my favourite other song by him: "Bandit". I made cranberry sauce, which is very easy. My gramma taught me how to make it, but lo and behold, the recipe is actually on the bag of cranberries. Just mix one cup water with one cup sugar (although, I only use half a cup of sugar). Boil for five minutes, then add the cranberries and boil on low for another five to ten minutes. The cranberries will pop and crack open. My gramma told me you need to boil it for a little longer than it says, to thicken it a bit more, and then you mash the cranberries a bit at the end, and let it cool.

I hope to facetime mom and dad tonight. I hope to try out my beeswax and collage idea later.

A Renter's Life

Introducing....our new kitchen light fixture! Ta Da!! Yes folks, that's it. We've been waiting for two months for this to be installed, and, well....it's a little anti-climactic. Oh well. It is sufficient. It does the job. We finally got our kitchen sink fixed today, too. No more terrible leaks all over the place!

Renting is kind of a relief, in many ways. Our landlord told us this house is over 120 years old, and that his dad bought the house in 1920!! Mine and TJ's house was over 80 years old, and it was a handful to keep up. Old houses, while beautiful, take a lot of effort and money to maintain. It's a nice feeling to not have to worry about putting our own money into fixing things when they break!

Little Things

I had to go to a staff meeting at work yesterday morning, so I was downtown, and had a chance to finally go to the green thrift store you see in the left hand corner of this photo. It was nice to enjoy being out and about in the morning, even though I was sick with a cold.

I like my job, but think I might start looking for a second job (to supplement) if I don't start getting more shifts by Christmas. It's hard to say, with being casual. I think the more shifts I accept, the higher I am on the seniority list. I guess all I can do is my best, and see what happens.

TJ made a wonderful stew this week. He got the recipe from post punk kitchen, after we had a delicious meal at Pascal and Becky's last week, and Pascal told us the recipe was from the site. The stew was so wonderful, I just had the very last of it for lunch today.


I just wanted to post a picture of my favourite mug. I got it in the spring when Beth and I went to Vancouver. We stopped in Field on the way back to Edmonton, and browsed in the pottery shop. I could not resist buying it. It brings me happiness every time I use it.

TJ and I went for a nice walk yesterday with Ares. I like walking with him. I find this weather recently very agreeable. It's not hot, it's not cold. It's just wonderful, mild and enjoyable.

Sunrise Market !

So we finally made it to Sunrise Market (which is actually only one block from my work, but open 8-6, so if I'm on nights - 7 pm to 7 am - I can't go). Sunrise is actually the same company that makes Sunrise tofu.

Anyways, the deals were amazing. Let me list all that we got:

7 Nectarines

1 Bunch of Bananas

2 Mangoes

5 Apples

2 Large Carrots

1 Head of Cauliflower

1 Large bag of Organic Onions

5 Lemons

1 Bunch of Leeks

3 Avocados

1 Small Bag of Potatoes

2 One Litre Cartons of Organic Soup Broth

1 Package of Organic Quinoa

1 Can of Pinto Beans

3 Heads of Garlic

1 Jumbo Bag of Purple Taco Chips

1 Bag of Kettle Chips

1 Bag of Marjoram Spice

1 Bag of Fennel Seeds

All for a grand total of.....$33.36

The last 8 ingredients on the list alone would come to at least $30 in any other store, especially here at my neighbourhood Safeway or Capers....

Pretty great, huh??

It's a bit of a bus ride, but great if you bring along reading. The atmosphere is great, i.e. I was asking TJ if he wanted some corn on the cob (8 for $1) and a passerby told me it was terrible and not to buy it. And there are a ton of interesting products, AND a great variation of produce, AND organics are available, plus lots of tofu to choose from!! Also, it's kitty-corner to a great little independent meat shop for when we decide to get a good cut of meat once in a while. It is safe to say that this is our new go-to grocery store.

G-I-N-G-E-R snap diversion

This paper of mine is not done yet. It's taking the energy out of me. It's too personal. I'm not liking that. Usually I am fine with personal. But right now it's draining. Ah well. I made ginger snaps as a distraction. TJ went out to Safeway and got me the missing eggs I needed to make them.

So, here I sit with a belly full of ginger snaps and milk. Waiting until my next cysto on October 18. Waiting for a call from work. Stretching out finishing my paper. Still kind of homesick.

Tomorrow, unless I get a call from work, I will get out of the house for a bit. I will go to Sunrise market. I will buy my beeswax to start my collage. These are kind of pointless posts right now. I just want to stay connected to whoever reads this, and I know some of you do. So, thanks. Throw me a hello if you are reading!

Ocean Therapy

Not necessarily a morning person, I did get myself rolled out of bed this morning to go for a walk down to the beach with TJ and Ares. Although the pictures don't look too warm, the sun was out. Since the forecast is calling for rain the next six days, I'm glad I did get out. Being at the ocean is very centering. It is very lovely and peaceful.

Also, been doing a lot of school work this past weekend. I haven't been at my job for a few days, which is working out well, as I have a paper that is due on Tuesday. But I did have an urge to make vegetable soup and biscuits this afternoon. The soup was kind of a strange concoction of what was left in the fridge: a few potatoes, carrots, celery, ginger, an apple, and some ground ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, and vegetable stock, all blended up. Then, Scott's biscuits.

This weekend was good because we got to see and visit with friends - first Josh and Jessica, who stayed with us for a night!!! And then we met them again at the Art Gallery on Saturday. Then dinner at Pascal and Becky's yesterday evening! It's a good feeling to visit and really talk with people.

My brain has been filled with so many thoughts lately on religion, personal psychology, and great, lofty philosophical debates with TJ, with my school, internally, and with friends. So, my brain is done for now.....well, actually, there is just enough functioning left to finish up my paper tonight, and then hopefully gaze at the rainy ocean tomorrow with a cup of hot coffee or something. Ciao.