tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2808811115847246742023-11-16T09:29:57.211-03:30My Life on a RockI live in a small house in a small city on a small island in a big country. Life is good. As long as I can get off this rock a few times every year.Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05393205529446517752noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280881111584724674.post-73556325956794903412010-08-12T01:29:00.000-02:302010-08-12T01:29:21.585-02:30Singapore, Day 2I guess this is technically Day 2, since I arrived last night.<br />
<br />
Coming from a sparsely populated region that prides itself on open spaces, beautiful views, and unspoiled landscapes, it is always strange for me to wake up in cities that are shrouded in smog. While I love the bustle of a busy international city, it makes me appreciate why I live where I do.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRwRHs33n-YOFiye4LOG2zGsIUwRcaa7IKwz13X3nXnyPGI0S906jJczk2zYgmfNrQ6nbQQufw7s4hxL_8xVO3x6wCnof6n_cYA0VgJ1cjoLoriy03UzsbPC_iBesYiOVDQwo5h_QWCTI/s1600/Morning+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRwRHs33n-YOFiye4LOG2zGsIUwRcaa7IKwz13X3nXnyPGI0S906jJczk2zYgmfNrQ6nbQQufw7s4hxL_8xVO3x6wCnof6n_cYA0VgJ1cjoLoriy03UzsbPC_iBesYiOVDQwo5h_QWCTI/s400/Morning+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>And on the agenda for today: staring at my laptop screen in my hotel room. Yep, I am serious. I am on a deadline for some work reports that are due by the end of the week, so I'm taking advantage of a down day at the beginning of the trip to get a jump on things so that I can take part in some exploring later on.<br />
<br />
I headed down to the hotel's excellent breakfast buffet this morning (included in the room price), and was very pleased find a completely international spread that included everything from Frosted Flakes to French pastry to fish curry. I opted for a comfortable medium, with some delicious fresh fruit, yogurt and cheese. Healthy, no? A good start, I think. No need to kick the old colon into overdrive on the first morning. I'm sure I'll be scouting for bathrooms and searching for native dishes as the days go on.<br />
<br />
******** <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTV1kcgrNwd1oAQHzjnufWFPJ9bvuNxmMeARhkSTpFqNvvo1EhWpqC8qcHxmh8B-n5TGfGNyYsqvXAGNXaraIPFQYncAf6b5UoWW5bt0Mjg4MB-K3E89hv5RXVHzgl8Rd6ZheAStkzTn0/s1600/Morning+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTV1kcgrNwd1oAQHzjnufWFPJ9bvuNxmMeARhkSTpFqNvvo1EhWpqC8qcHxmh8B-n5TGfGNyYsqvXAGNXaraIPFQYncAf6b5UoWW5bt0Mjg4MB-K3E89hv5RXVHzgl8Rd6ZheAStkzTn0/s400/Morning+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
The smog is burning off and it's still - wait for it - a very humid 26 degrees. Shocking, I know. This 26-30 degrees EVERY DAY is a foreign concept to me.Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05393205529446517752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280881111584724674.post-37516259586810572552010-08-12T01:20:00.000-02:302010-08-12T01:20:02.321-02:30Off The Rock!The price you pay for getting away for an exotic break: <br />
<br />
- Wake at 3:15am (Tuesday, August 10).<br />
- Leave home at 4:10am.<br />
- Fly out of closest airport at 6:00am, flight leg #1 of the trip. <br />
- Arrive Toronto 3 hours later and stopver for 2.5 hours.<br />
- Fly out of airport #2 at 10:00am.<br />
<i>- Sit in airplane for 15.5 hours</i>, flying over the Pacific. <br />
- Arrive Hong Kong 1:15pm the next day (where did those 12 hours go??) and stopover for 2.5 more hours.<br />
- Fly out of airport #3 at 3:40pm.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh70LgIvsYkISQO7oAVXPhdpwEyCYIyVSgWHEjaGgoBBL-AfBvpzt9IhmIPa_UzT6KjEVV-BgbhxyJdmb6lG3H1uzuUH8FAoNJnFdyBgOpU4y-QetMfScmO1q1QzjJqbJ9jUWx2E8MlE1I/s1600/HK+Airport.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh70LgIvsYkISQO7oAVXPhdpwEyCYIyVSgWHEjaGgoBBL-AfBvpzt9IhmIPa_UzT6KjEVV-BgbhxyJdmb6lG3H1uzuUH8FAoNJnFdyBgOpU4y-QetMfScmO1q1QzjJqbJ9jUWx2E8MlE1I/s400/HK+Airport.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
- Arrive Singapore 3.5 hours later and try to figure out what day it is (now Wednesday, August 11).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGfr4Ft58ved7tPYGizcnekV1ilbeenM8-JTbG8kWFgj7yUGU9DMtMPd-07wSvmSMj1hNp35Rl0zteZC3grGZ0sZttRjQFqFl0v_HA-Y3mKhXoAj9GS9UTfqR1QxXDr0n_jMqP9wQYgtQ/s1600/Changi+Airport.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGfr4Ft58ved7tPYGizcnekV1ilbeenM8-JTbG8kWFgj7yUGU9DMtMPd-07wSvmSMj1hNp35Rl0zteZC3grGZ0sZttRjQFqFl0v_HA-Y3mKhXoAj9GS9UTfqR1QxXDr0n_jMqP9wQYgtQ/s400/Changi+Airport.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
- Arrange transfer from airport, check into hotel, get YOG accreditation, find food, sleeeeeeep.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwD3pL_v2unwdI5jHdn7x1BNB_hWjyeY7s4VjFK_VIcp2TZoo4cfG3siZkto28f7N6SuchA2J3ZjOP5Boequj7LDTGKoIHfLAt54EtFiHndBp7q1gFmajm1cjf8A32o-vkOULIi3Ky_t8/s1600/Night+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwD3pL_v2unwdI5jHdn7x1BNB_hWjyeY7s4VjFK_VIcp2TZoo4cfG3siZkto28f7N6SuchA2J3ZjOP5Boequj7LDTGKoIHfLAt54EtFiHndBp7q1gFmajm1cjf8A32o-vkOULIi3Ky_t8/s400/Night+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
The Haagen-Daz served somewhere over Vietnam almost makes the travel worth it.Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05393205529446517752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280881111584724674.post-54336647206410985562010-08-03T22:07:00.001-02:302010-08-03T22:09:07.553-02:30Well Now I Need a Blow TorchFor dessert, obviously.<br />
<br />
ST and I took a little roadtrip over the weekend to visit his mom, and so that I could get my passport renewed. You know, since I've only known about my upcoming Singapore trip for about 8 months and haven't really had time to put the existing document in the mail and get it renewed like a normal, organized person. Instead, I prefer to live on the edge and instead travel across the province so that I can make an in-person appearance at the office and pay double for the Express service. <i>Ahem</i>.<br />
<br />
So while away, we took advantage of some shopping, of course. And, of course, I focused mainly on housewares. Are there others out there who have this affliction? I know that I should be taking advantage of the beautiful clothes stores, but instead I buy ramekins. Red ones. That match the rest of my kitchen appliances.<br />
<br />
But why ramekins, you might ask? Why, to make creme brulee, since I just bought vanilla beans in bulk at Costco. <i>Silly</i>. You knew that.<br />
<br />
I've been talking about making creme brulee for ages, but I have always been intimidated by it, and I didn't own ramekins. But now - no more excuses! So I made it today and - success! It was totally delicious. So delicious that I forgot to take a photo before devouring it. But there's one left, so I'll try to remember to snap a quick pic before I eat that one. Maybe for breakfast.<br />
<br />
But now I totally have an excuse to buy the kitchen blowtorch. I've been trying to convince ST for years that I need one, and after scarfing down HIS dessert, I think I may finally have cracked him.<br />
<br />
******<br />
Update: no spray tan. But I did buy some self-tanning <i>gelee</i> (how this differs from a gel, I'm not sure) and so far, the results are okay. More on that later.Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05393205529446517752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280881111584724674.post-88292750650949798652010-07-20T16:21:00.000-02:302010-07-20T16:21:28.823-02:30When I Grow Up...I want to be a blogger.<br />
<br />
I just can't seem to get it together enough to post regularly. Or to figure out exactly what I want this blog to be. My life isn't really that exciting - does anyone really want to read a chronicle of my life? Hiiiiiighly doubtful. I love to bake - but don't do it regularly enough to make a whole blog. I love to travel - but see previous sentence.<br />
<br />
*****<br />
<br />
I'm debating getting a spray tan this week. I KNOW! Seriously, though. Several of my friends have had them and swear by them, but I don't know about it all. The thought of being painted weirds me out a bit.<br />
<br />
And the though of being painted with no clothes on, lifting up things to move them out of the way - let's just say that it doesn't inspire me to pick up the phone and make that appointment.Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05393205529446517752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280881111584724674.post-74506979706268485372010-03-25T17:52:00.000-02:302010-03-25T17:52:56.917-02:30Oh, Did I Mention?That I went to the Olympics last month? THE OLYMPICS. I realize that not everyone shares my crazy enthusiasm about this trip but c'mon people - the pinnacle of sporting events in the WORLD. A celebration of culture and all that.<br />
<br />
My friend Denise and I wound up in Vancouver with a pretty loose plan of attack for the week and two easy-going attitudes. An epic week ensued.<br />
<br />
More to come!Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05393205529446517752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280881111584724674.post-72615343877315838492010-03-15T10:26:00.000-02:302010-03-15T10:26:12.315-02:30Oh Mr. Sun...What's that? Seasonal Affective Disorder? Why yes, I think I know what that is.<br />
<br />
I neeeed sun. I am craving it like nobody's business. It has started to peek out more frequently, and since the clocks sprung ahead yesterday it even stayed out until well into the evening last night. This hasn't even been too terrible a winter on our little Rock, and I am dying for a beach vacation right about now. Except I wouldn't *actually* reveal this body in public, but that is a separate issue altogether.<br />
<br />
I was coaching my wee skiers this weekend, and as we're headed up the chair the 7-year old burst into a round of "Oh Mr. Sun, Sun, Mr. Golden Sun... please shine down on me...".<br />
<br />
My mood, summed up in an innocent elementary school chorus.Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05393205529446517752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280881111584724674.post-51579731171002963932010-03-09T15:42:00.000-03:302010-03-09T15:42:44.550-03:30March, Really?Sigh.<br />
<br />
So I guess I'm not getting any better at this keeping-up-my-posts thing. But I had my weekly dose of House last night, and the mystery-case patient was a crazy blogger - got me thinking it was time to update.<br />
<br />
The third month of 2010 already... how did that happen? The year has been jam-packed already, so I <strike>fear</strike> look forward to what the rest of the year will bring. A quick Jan/Feb recap:<br />
<ul><li>Started strong with Combat Fitness early in January</li>
<li>Started coaching SnowStars (Entry Level alpine racers) early in January</li>
<li>Made a couple of really cool cakes</li>
<li>Completed and passed a Coaching course (alpine skiing)</li>
<li>WENT TO THE OLYMPICS!! (more on that to come)</li>
<li>Won my age category at Old Sam Day for a repeat performance</li>
<li>Took up my position as Finish Ref at another Marble Cup</li>
</ul>And somewhere in there, I managed to gain about 10 pounds. It's been an action-packed year so far, indeed.Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05393205529446517752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280881111584724674.post-24112814319236246292010-01-29T12:25:00.001-03:302010-01-29T12:25:29.059-03:30What is This "Will Power" You Speak Of?I'm pretty sure I was born without the gene-trait thing that lets humans resist temptation. Specifically, the temptation to eat potato chips and drink Dr. Pepper.<br />
<br />
There is chocolate in my house that is almost a solid two years old, and I am never tempted by it. Well, especially now that it's developed those white-ish spots that old chocolate gets, but you know what I mean. <br />
<br />
However, I have never met a potato chip that I wouldn't eat. Even if I don't like the flavour, I will still eat it because it's there. And generally, I have to keep eating until I get to the bottom of the bag/bowl/basket. Which is problematic, really, since I've also never met a potato chip that didn't wind up lodged firmly around my ass/thighs.<br />
<br />
<em>Sigh.</em><br />
<br />
And Dr. Pepper? Don't even get me started. For some reason, Diet Dr. Pepper doesn't seem to be available in Newfoundland. And straight-calorie DP isn't even widely available in my city. Which means that I <em>have</em> to buy one whenever I see it, for fear that it could be my very last one, ever. (It-could-be-you-don't-know-shut-up-and-let-me-enjoy-it)<br />
<br />
I'm off to lunch with my sister and a few girlfriends today. Here's hoping that the restaurant doesn't stock DP.Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05393205529446517752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280881111584724674.post-83721707976408768332010-01-07T16:15:00.003-03:302010-01-07T16:16:12.746-03:30To My Unborn, Not Conceived, Not-Planned-For, Hypothetical Future Child:I promise that I will never, EVER, make you wear one of those scrunchy headbands with a bow on it. Especially one made of red and green plaid.Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05393205529446517752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280881111584724674.post-12411525077392234162010-01-04T15:53:00.002-03:302010-01-04T16:04:53.468-03:30Let's See What You've Got, 2010I started to write this post, and it was (unintentionally) turning into a serious reflection of self, which wasn't my plan. Rather than posting, I saved a draft and came back later.<br />
<br />
After reading the posts of several other <a href="http://nopasanada.org/">wonderful</a> <a href="http://www.notesfromthetrenches.com/">bloggers</a> who seem to have my sentiments exactly on 2009 (boiled down to nice, succinct posts), I abandoned my <strike>emo piece</strike> post and decided instead to kill two birds with one stone.<br />
<br />
Every January, my <a href="http://www.betasigmaphi.org/">Beta</a> group gets together for a night of chatting, eating, and catching up after the holidays. We'll each take turns dishing how our festivies/family craziness turned out, and then we give our Top 3 Things for the year just passed. Some are funny, some are exciting, others are heart-wrenching, but all are wonderful to learn about. In prep for our upcoming meeting, I have been thinking about 2009 so I'll hit a few highlights (and lowlights) of what I <em>thought</em> was a lacklustre year:<br />
<ul><li>Bought a snowboard and <strike>got worked</strike> learned how to ride (-ish)</li>
<li>Welcomed Caleb to the McDonald family and Charlie to the Paulse family</li>
<li>Joined a ladies bowling league</li>
<li>Had three scary PAP tests and had minor surgery (thankfully, things are okay)</li>
<li>Took a group of students to a national competition as their <em><strong>advisor</strong></em></li>
<li>Won my category at <a href="http://www.skimarble.com/events.asp?date=2%2F4%2F2010">Old Sam Day</a></li>
<li>Took in some of the East Coast Music Awards</li>
<li>Went to a 10-year reunion for staff of 1999 Canada Winter Games</li>
<li>Joined Combat Fitness, and have gotten up at 5:30am (almost) every weekday since July</li>
<li>Didn't win the league soccer finals... or even semi-finals</li>
<li>Officiated a Pan-American Cup triathlon and Canada Games triathlon</li>
<li>Did NOT see The Tragically Hip in concert, and lost $200 on the tickets</li>
<li>Vacationed in Montreal during JazzFest - saw Cirque de Soliel's OVO, and Ben Harper</li>
<li>Ran a 5k</li>
<li>Finally visited our friends at their wonderful <a href="http://www.fishersloft.com/">Bed and Breakfast</a></li>
<li>Saw the Corner Brook Triathlon Committee Inc. come to a bittersweet end and said goodbye to 28 Brook Street</li>
<li>Had a totally self-centred weekend of out of town shopping <em>by myself</em></li>
<li>Shared my beautiful friend Janice's special wedding day with her</li>
<li>Booked a ticket to the 2010 Olympics!!!</li>
<li>Learned to love scallops</li>
<li>Started a <strike>sadly-neglected</strike> blog</li>
</ul>If this is what okay looks like, I'm looking forward to a great year in 2010.Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05393205529446517752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280881111584724674.post-53709747511768160572009-12-30T17:14:00.000-03:302009-12-30T17:14:00.473-03:30Every Rule Has an ExceptionMy mother once said that it's completely unacceptable for a man to give a woman appliances for any occasion other than a housewarming. And I agree with her, 100%.<br />
<br />
Unless those men are my father and ST, the appliances are a KitchenAid blender and food processor, and the recipient is me.<br />
<br />
My Christmas morning smoothies were delicious.Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05393205529446517752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280881111584724674.post-56742257462214750262009-12-07T21:10:00.000-03:302009-12-07T21:10:33.061-03:30Truly the WorstBlogger on earth, that is. I'm a sad specimen. I love you, Internet, I just am not good at keeping up my end of the bargain. Maybe I'll do better when my <strike>stupid</strike> classes end for Christmas. Oh wait, they DID already (picture my shi*-eating grin right now).<br />
<br />
So I have discovered my new favourite part of the Internet - the make-your-own photobooks offered at <a href="http://www.blurb.com/">blurb.com</a>. Seen them yet? Visit, and I promise that you'll be hooked. Possibly so hooked that you'll neglect all the student papers and test that keep piling up on your desk, papers and test that you should be marking, but instead are ignoring in the hope that the marking fairies will show up overnight. Or, that may just be me. But it's worth the gamble. Go on over and have a look.<br />
<br />
I am still trying to figure out what I want this blog to be. Witty, mainly. I read the wonderful chronicles of several women, and want to be as snappy and smart as them. Sadly, I don't think blogger is selling that brand. Guess I'm stuck with mediocre posts and maybe a reader someday?Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05393205529446517752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280881111584724674.post-9569187939023452442009-11-08T14:24:00.000-03:302009-11-08T14:24:14.269-03:30SighThere's just something about Sunday afternoons in the fall - I remember delicious smells from the oven, the lull of some televised sporting event floating out of the living room, and being curled up with a book, maybe some homework. Generally, it was cozy, homey, and comfortable. It might be that "home" time that I miss the most about living out of my parents' house.<br />
<br />
I know, at 30, I shouldn't miss home. Or should I? We don't have any children yet, and no pets, so it's a pretty quiet place. I grew up in a house where it was hard to find a place that someone hadn't already staked out, but it was nice and comforting to be a part of the contained chaos. ST was an only child of a single mother - he doesn't quite understand how I like the madness.<br />
<br />
I've been thinking about it a lot lately, as friends and acquaintances are growing their families. It seems like there's been a huge influx of babies and pregnancies in the last year or so, and it makes me sort of sad to look at my own life and see that I don't have that yet. I didn't think I'd wind up in this place - 30, unmarried, no children yet. I had such a good plan - I'd already have 2 or 3 children by this time, would have been married for years. And life happens, and the plans go out the window, and here we are. At work on a Sunday afternoon missing my mommy.<br />
<br />
Note that I said "at work", and not "working".Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05393205529446517752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280881111584724674.post-16175138551274970512009-10-28T14:59:00.000-02:302009-10-28T14:59:50.779-02:30All Swine Flu, All the TimeI know people who are germophobes. I know people who disinfect doorknobs on a regular basis and boil their childrens' toys.<br />
<br />
I am not one of these people. I was raised by a stay-at-home mom who kept a clean house, but she didn't stress over us being dirty. Which we were, most often. And so as a result, I keep a clean(ish) house, and I don't stress about hand washing and doorknob disinfection as much as other people do. ST was also raised by a clean, but laid-back mother and claims that if you don't let your kids get dirty you are setting them up as a weakling because they'll never develop immunity to anything.<br />
<br />
But the entire community I live in is now in PANIC mode about H1N1. And the university I work in is even worse, since it's basically just a giant germ pool anyway, what with kids living on top of one another in residence and sharing computers in the labs, and books in the library (or at least they would, if they knew where the library was).<br />
<br />
There's a mini-bottle of hand sanitizer in my purse right now.<br />
<br />
I find myself almost looking over my shoulder for germs. Everywhere people are trying very hard not to shake your hand, there's sanitizer around every corner and people are dutifully coughing into their elbows. It's making me totally paranoid.<br />
<br />
So if I look twitchy the next time you see me, just ignore it.Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05393205529446517752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280881111584724674.post-79013178767222406282009-10-25T19:32:00.000-02:302009-10-25T19:32:02.049-02:30On the Up Side, the Mashed Potatoes and Gravy Were DeliciousI am dubbing today "The Great Meatloaf Experiment". Sadly, the results were not what I was aiming for. I generally consider myself to be a good cook but there may be some doubt after today's production.<br />
<br />
I did the weekly grocery shop yesterday but didn't think far enough ahead; when I realized this afternoon at about 3:00 that I had frozen all of this week's meat buys, I was thrown for a loop. After a quick inventory, we decided that ground beef was probably our quickest thaw, and ST asked for a meatloaf. Sure, I thought. I can do that. But what I should have factored in was the fact that:<br />
<ol><li>I am Canadian. Meatloaf is not called a "a classic Canadian meal".</li>
<li>I have never eaten meatloaf. My own mother did not make it, it wasn't available in our school cafeterias, and I've never seen it on a restaurant menu.</li>
<li>I did not know that there is a special meatloaf pan that enables you to actually cook the loaf without deep frying it in the grease that's released from the ground beef, and that allows you to actually remove the damn thing from the pan when the time comes.</li>
</ol>It's a good thing I'm not living in the 50's. I'd never catch me a husband.Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05393205529446517752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280881111584724674.post-47116121548012606342009-10-22T13:49:00.000-02:302009-10-22T13:49:40.601-02:30Who Doesn't Like Cake?So it turns out that I'm not so good at this blogging business. I was moderately ashamed when I realized today that my last post was Oct. 1 - I am the worst. Luckily, I don't think anyone has actually <em>read</em> this blog yet, so I'm not disappointing legions of fans, anyway.<br />
<br />
My niece turned 3 last week and, being the wonderful Auntie that I am, I made her a cake to go with her Pooh theme. Totally excited with the outcome of this one! I know that at 3 she's just excited about the fact that there is cake, and probably doesn't appreciate the effort, but it's still fun to do.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjro5n2xr4pH3GQeKxtZeL_d5rbLlTsUcr3QdGcyaqFB1pBUJGPsyPneBPD8JNp72hmfI28WS4xl-ODpQccUHZJN6rEGOI_L109c0CdYjzmm18FyOAQVkx4wAIkmSp0OAB3KsIZyxVrfjI/s1600-h/22-Oct-09+027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjro5n2xr4pH3GQeKxtZeL_d5rbLlTsUcr3QdGcyaqFB1pBUJGPsyPneBPD8JNp72hmfI28WS4xl-ODpQccUHZJN6rEGOI_L109c0CdYjzmm18FyOAQVkx4wAIkmSp0OAB3KsIZyxVrfjI/s320/22-Oct-09+027.jpg" vr="true" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What is NOT so much fun is cooking for 6 boys who are shingling your roof (ST and five of our friends who volunteered to help out - I am paying them in food and beer). What is even less fun is feeding those boys baked beans without really realizing what the consequences would be. <br />
</div>Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05393205529446517752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280881111584724674.post-31819074815380254762009-10-01T11:16:00.001-02:302009-10-01T11:17:01.641-02:30Things I Have Learned So Far Today<ol><li>Some pairs of tights are not.</li>
<li>Wearing tights with a slippery lining makes your skirt ride up, destroying any type of look that you may have been going for.</li>
<li>Although some tights are far superior to others, they all suck.</li>
<li>Pancakes - while delicious - don't really have much lasting power to get you through the morning.</li>
<li>Adults are totally getting ripped off by not having recess in their lives anymore.</li>
<li>I am really REALLY bad at push ups. Especially at 6am.</li>
<li>I am worse at chin ups.</li>
<li><strike>Some</strike> Many people should have their driver's license revoked.</li>
<li>There is no food in my house. Well, there is probably enough food for both of us to eat well for about 3 weeks, but I am not one bit interested in any of the stuff that's there.</li>
<li>We ran out of milk this morning but I didn't know it until after I had brewed a pot of coffee. I used a dash of unwhipped cream instead. It's actually not bad.</li>
<li>I think I'm an above-average speller.</li>
<li>Other people do indeed notice how heavy-chested I am. Not that I thought I was really hiding it, but it still suprises me when people point it out.</li>
<li>It's October. OCTOBER. Already.</li>
<li>It's only 11:15 and I feel like today has been a week long.</li>
</ol>Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05393205529446517752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-280881111584724674.post-53423859696003060522009-09-29T10:46:00.000-02:302009-09-29T10:46:06.258-02:30Seriously, I'm not a StalkerA few months ago, my sister sent me a link to a <a href="http://www.notesfromthetrenches.com/"><span style="background-color: white; color: #999999;">blog</span></a> post by a woman who was making a hilarious commentary on the state of kids' safety these days (as in, wrap them up in bubble wrap OR ELSE you'll be deemed the worst parent ever). The post made me laugh, and I bookmarked it. A few days later I went back to read it again, and decided to see what else this woman had to offer. Turns out, this mother of seven's brand of offhand humour and just her sheer <em>normal</em> approach to life struck me and I've been following her ever since.<br />
<br />
I actually spent about 2 weeks reading her achives, sometimes laughing out loud to myself and very often reading the posts to my boyfriend (who just doesn't quite get why I am so into it). Through her posts, I also found links to other online ladies who also crack.me.up. so I've starting following some of them, too.<br />
<br />
But I could stop anytime I want. That's the important thing. Noooo stalker-issues here.<br />
<br />
Logically, I know that my life is not linked to these women in any way (other than through you, Internet). And they do not know that I exist. Yet when there's no new post, I'm totally disappointed. I am always dying to know how their days went, what their kids are up to, what stunt the crazy neighbour has pulled now.<br />
<br />
I don't think that my life is anywhere near as comical or interesting as these women that I've "met", but I decided to give this a whirl and see how it goes.Janhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05393205529446517752noreply@blogger.com0