I just had to say it…I have the BEST sisters EVER! My youngest recently sent me the image up top, but the picture made me smile and think.
How privileged am I to call my sisters not only sisters, but also friends?!
Today, I am thankful for them and all the joy they bring to my life.
Love you 4!
(photo cred: Tanis @ http://www.taniskatie.com/)
This laughter likely resulted from a lot of “butt grabbing” while trying to take serious family photos, we’re weird like that 🙂
A new year has started, and with it – new goals, plans, objectives, and planning. While I’m not one to make a huge list of “resolutions” at the beginning of each year, there are always a few things that I plan on focusing & working on. My personal list is still being carefully crafted and mulled over, but when my dad sent me this email last week, parts of it hit home. This list was circulated by email, and some of you may have received it too. However, take a few minutes to ponder the thoughts 90 year old Regina Brett penned – lots of them are great!
1. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone.
8. It’s OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first pay check.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.
12. It’s OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don’t worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It’s never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words ‘In five years, will this matter?’
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.
35. Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative — dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come…
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.”
Happy 2012 from Matt and I, we hope your year is better than your wildest expectations and dreams!
(photo cred: Jill Turton)
My hubby showed me this video after seeing it posted on FB by a friend:
Few things make me smile more than adorable children, and this short movie is full of them!
Not only that, but they tell the real meaning of Christmas – in such a sweet way!
I love love love it, and hope you enjoy it too!
AIDS.
What comes to mind when you hear this word? I’ve heard many responses to this: Africa, homosexuals, death, disease, no cure, the slums, epidemic, drug addicts, bad blood transfusions, punishment, retaliation, judgement, and the list goes on and on.
For me, my interest in AIDS began in high school when we were given the opportunity to research a disease of our choosing in biology. Having always had a love for Africa (my dad tells me this developed at a very young age), my skewed views had me believing that the whole nation was ravaged with AIDS – so naturally I chose this to explore.
I learned much through my research – about the myths, corrupt drug companies, transmission, stereotypes, and the manifestation and unfolding of the AIDS virus. Later research took me to the downtown eastside of Vancouver where I interviewed Safe Injection Site staff, Coastal Health reps, AIDS advocacy teams, and individuals living on the streets.
My interest and love for Africa eventually had me relocate to South Africa for nearly a year, where I chose to see the epidemic firsthand.  I stayed in an AIDS orphanage where the children were mostly infected with AIDS, or at the “least” – orphaned because of AIDS.  A few photos here can sum up what many words would otherwise say:
My conclusion through all of this: AIDS is everywhere. Not just in Africa, not just in one segment of society, but rather – across the board. Like cancer, many people can tell you of someone in their lives who has either been affected directly or indirectly from this virus. It can be ugly, it can hurt, and it can cause pain on every level of humanity.
However through all of my experiences, I learned one incredible lesson: Â hope still persists. When everything is falling apart, bodies are ill, emotions exhausted, lives are ended prematurely, we still have the ability to hope.
Hope for a cure. For healing. For awareness. For help.
December 1 is international AIDS day – please remember.
I caught myself today – caught myself in the throes of pity, complaining, and feeling generally sorry for myself and quite miserable. I left work for an appointment at the Nexus office, the final step to at last obtaining that coveted plastic card responsible for letting one jump the queue at the border. It’s been a long time in the making, and I was excited to get this done.
Excited…until I jumped into our car and realized that it wouldn’t start. A bit of anxiety/panic came over me as I frantically texted Matt, upset that our car was once again not starting (it’s a looooooong story!). He wrote back “grab a cab, we’ll figure it out later.” A simple solution really, but obviously one I hadn’t thought of myself while in my current anxious state.
I grumbled to myself as I ordered a cab, was self-admittedly not very friendly to the cab driver (as in, not saying a word), then begrudgingly paid the $15 cab fare for the seemingly tiny distance it took me. My poor attitude continued while I thought of all the “things” I have to get done this week that require a vehicle, and continued again when the very moody US border guy started asking me all sorts of probing questions. I don’t know why, but I always feel like I’ve done something wrong or shameful when facing these border guys – even though there’s nothing to hide.
He finally waved me through, sent me to the “Canadian side” to continue on with my application, and the whole ordeal wrapped up in minutes.
I wandered out into the street, a poor quality google map in hand, as well as handy bus directions that Matt had lovingly sent me. I managed to locate the bus-stop needed, jumped on, and annoyed – plopped myself into the nearest seat. I grew a bit more nervous as I realized the lady beside me was twitching erratically and eyeing me with great interest. I concluded that she was likely a drug addict, intent on stealing my purse – wrong I know. Even so, I clutched it a tad tighter.
It was as my bus #16 rolled around the streets that I realized what a mood and state I had gotten myself into. Granted I have bad days like everyone else, but I was ashamed and embarrassed at myself for this one. This only deepened as I peered out the bus window to see 2 homeless men cuddling up against a vent on the street-corner, which was blowing hot air onto their dirty selves as they huddled together for warmth. I watched as several homeless and otherwise destitute people wandered around the bus, and suddenly the lady beside me became a bit less threatening.
I have a car (granted, a temperamental one), a home, more than enough food to feed myself and my family, a loving husband, a job to return to, and clean sheets to sleep between. And here I sit, upset that my fortune today would have me riding on a bus with an addict at my side. The nerve. I gave myself a well deserved lecture and re-set my frame of mind – I am blessed. It was a good day for this reminder, and perhaps my patience will be tested next, seeing as our car has yet to start…
Well, in an ever ongoing quest to incorporate more fish into my diet (which is not my fav…) – here was my latest attempt. I made this Indian salmon marinade the night before, then let the fish soak overnight in all its goodness! Seriously…worth the effort! While the recipe seems to combine a lot of “odd” ingredients and spices, the end result is surprizingly good!
If you’re interested…click here for the recipe! And while you’re at it…crank some of this…my fav right now – The Band Perry. Young & talented…and can rule the show (they opened for Keith Urban and were amazing)!
Pair your delish salmon with some rice and coleslaw, and *voila* – dinner is served!!
Enjoy!
While in the UK this summer, I had the pleasure of trying a very “English vegetarian dish” – a nut loaf. I was a bit hesitant at first, but the ladies along convinced me that I wouldn’t regret it ~ and they were right! It was served with a medley of organic salads and was delicious!
I thought of this delicious dish a few nights ago, so tried to create my own yesterday evening. I found a recipe online (here), tweaked it a bit, and then decided to venture on and have my hubby really experience a strong vegetarian dish…
I also topped it with a hearty tomato sauce, and the result?! Yum! My love had seconds…and even took leftovers in his lunch today!
While I don’t think my loaf was quite as good as the UK version…it was still an awesome find and a try at something new! Give it a shot!
Not gonna lie…this album started playing at my house last night, and it’s going to be on repeat for the next while! Smooth tones, classic songs, delicious lyrics – everything pulls together perfectly for this season of festivities!
If you haven’t listened to it yet…give it a try!
And here’s a link to Buble talking about his album.
Enjoy!
A long while ago, I remember a friend of mine mentioning on her facebook page, that she had made a “roasted red pepper” soup. I was instantly intrigued as peppers are one of the VERY few vegi’s that Matt doesn’t mind eating (more about that, here). I asked her for the recipe, and she kindly complied. Not knowing what to expect, the soup turned out far more fabulous than I expected, and now it’s rated very highly on our list of “favorite soups.” Even Matt suggested that “you can make that one again!” Here’s the process of my cooking, and here is the recipe worth trying!
Now to add a few herbed parmesan biscuits:
And dinner is served….
I should also add….besides soup, this friend also makes amazing cards and jewelry…so check out her etsy shop here for some shopping!
Enjoy!
This post is dedicated to my husband, because really, how could I not write a post about a man as amazing as this?! Today is the occasion of his 26th birthday, and while he’ll spend it (as usual) studying and practicing at UBC, it’s just another day to honor him and marvel at the person that he is.
Those who know Matt well, often use words to describe him such as: kind, loving, gentle, helpful, great listener, funny, smart, hard-working, and cheerful. I couldn’t agree more.
Matt and I met when he was a mere 19 (yikes!) and from that day on, there’s been no looking back. He’s the sort of person who can captivate, entice, and coax a smile out of most anyone. He says “thank you” to the bagging kid at the grocery store, quickly notices when an elderly person needs a hand, speaks highly of others and what they’re good at, compliments others, encourages someone without a moments hesitation, and generously and full-heartedly loves others and God. In the time I’ve known Matt, I think I can count (honestly!) on 1 hand the amount of “bad days” he’s had – and “bad” meaning “I’m a bit quieter than usual” – not “bad” as in mean/horrible/rude days. He’s even tempered, quick to hug, even quicker to try and make you laugh, and the best friend anyone could ask for. And while I know I’m quite openly praising my husband, I feel it’s deserved. Never one to brag about himself or what he’s done, he’s quick to pass credit off to someone else, brushing off his own accomplishments.
And so today, on the occasion of his 26th birthday, I felt it right to pay tribute to the man that he is, and the one that so many love.
Happy 26th stud!
xoxo
ps. This song pretty much sums it up: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRJ0lpu6XaU
journeysinaconcretejungle 