Monday Musings

This past Saturday I attended a workshop that was put on by a local church and Food for the Hungry Canada.  It was a time that gave you the permission to dream by brainstorming how to bring hope to people through ideas and actions.

The biggest thing I took away from that session was the impact of simply acting on one small idea.  Here are some other thoughts that I came away with:

When you look at the overall picture, at the end goal, whether it is running a marathon, implementing a budget, or trying to change your lifestyle, it can seem overwhelming to the point where it can hinder you to start at all.  However, everything starts with one small idea that is then turned into an action.  FH was founded in 1971 and now works in over 26 countries that work towards sustainable community development through a holistic approach of addressing physical, spiritual, social, and educational needs.  It started, however, with one man buying one very hungry child a bowl of soup in the streets of Saigon.

Passion.  It struck me that this organization was a product of someone's passion.  Passion is something I lack, and it is something I definitely notice when it is present in others.  It made me wonder if getting to that place of having a passion starts simply with an urge or desire to do something, or change something and then simply taking that first step of action.  It is through this process of acting, that passion grows into something that is noticeable to those around you.

While I am a planner by nature, and like to see the big picture and end goal, sometimes I just need to start by taking one first step and then being open to looking for further direction from there.


~b~

Me Want FOOD!!

One of the things I love to do is get together with friends at some of Saskatoons restaurants.  Here are some places I've been to:

La Bamba

La Bamba is located on Boychuk and is an authentic Mexican restaurant.  I always order the tostadas with usually a Sol or a Corona to drink.  There is a lot of different items on the menu that are delicious, but I just always know I will be happy eating the tostada.   Every time I go, I find that the servers are always friendly.  Besides the awesome food, the great Mexican atmosphere with the bright walls and the Mexican music that plays in the background makes La Bamba one of my favorite places to eat.

Bamba Margarita

Konga Cafe

I met with a group of friends to enjoy some caribbean food at the Konga Cafe.  The server was very helpful giving me suggestions from the menu and we started the meal off with johnny cakes (a cornmeal flatbread), served with different sauces with various spice levels.  I was happy that the semi-private back room was large enough to fit our large group.  I would love to go back for lunch sometime, as I've heard the soup is amazing.  If you want to check out Konga Cafe, it is located on Avenue H.

Johnny Cake at the Konga Cafe

Alexanders

I took my mother and son to Alexanders for lunch and my son order some monstrosity of a burger.  I'm not a huge fan of burgers, and I'd rather meet for beer at Alexanders, but I found the sheer size of my son's burger to be astounding: 

Burger Monstrosity at Alexanders

 El Secondo

I was really excited to hear that Christies Bakery was opening a second location on Broadway.  My friend and I popped in to check things out and decided to grab a latte.  I loved the latte art my friend had, and was so excited to check out my latte art, but alas, it was just an abstract latte blob.  

Ricebowl

I was nervous about organizing a supper at the Ricebowl, as I had never been there before, but the night was definitely a success.  I can't remember what I ordered, but the server was very knowledgeable about all the dishes on the menu and gave some excellent suggestions.  I ended up ordering one of their Korean specialities, and really enjoyed my dish.  I even ended up ordering dessert, which is something I normally don't order at a restaurant.  

Korean dish with Sake at the Ricebowl

Dessert at the Ricebowl

Keos


I'll always remember the first time I had Pad Thai at Keo's and I'm so happy I live close by now.  Besides the Pad Thai, I enjoy ordering the Panag Curry (peanuty), and the Ginger Beef.  They also have these gluten-free treats that are in the shape of a lotus flower, and I always pick one up for my friend when I go.

Pad Thai at Keos

 Taj Mahal


I went to the Taj for lunch the other day, and ordered the Butter Chicken.  Although, the menu is quite limited at lunchtime, we all ordered Butter Chicken, which tasted fantastic.  The Naan bread was amazing and I'm not sure how I will adjust to eating Naan bread from the store after I have tasted how good Naan can really be.  I enjoyed the atmosphere and would definitely come back for supper sometime.  The service was quick and the servers were friendly, we even had the cook come out and discuss dietary concerns.

Taj Mahal

Here is a little 30 Rock humor to finish this post off:

~b~

Chemistry

I went to the store to buy Thank You cards yesterday, but got sidetracked by the beaker and bubbly concoction on this card:

Against my better judgement, I stopped to take a closer look.  And after opening it up, I immediately regretted spotting this card on the shelf.

It's things like this that make me embarrassed to have a Chemistry degree.  Also, I think I must toughen up before the impending nauseating mush that is displayed mid-February.

~b~

Christmas Holidays Redux

Before it gets to far into January I wanted to post some pictures from Christmas.  

This year I drove up north to spend some time in the Flin Flon/Creighton  area with friends.  We had such a great time visiting this summer, that I thought a winter trip might be just as fun.  This time we rented a very cute 2 bedroom cabin at Bakers Narrows.  

We ended up arriving at Creighton late Christmas Eve.  The bright stars shone in the dark sky, and the crisp air was filled with that wonderful smell of burning wood.  We stopped by Aarons relatives house, which was packed full of family.  I don't remember the names of everyone I met, but I do remember that Davin and I felt very welcomed, despite our lack of familial connections.  

Christmas Day was spent opening presents and having a much needed nap.  Santa managed to find Davin and I, even way up north.  I loved getting the new Kings of Leon CD, Come Around Sundown and have been listening to it ever since.  

Boxing Day was absolutely beautiful.  We spent some of the day outside, exploring an island and checking out the lookout tower.  We found Aaron's uncles ice fishing shack and stopped in to visit.  He had a camera down one hole that was hooked up to a monitor inside.  He caught a fish while we where there and we sat and watch the whole thing on the monitor.  While fishing shows are pretty boring to watch on tv, watching that fish being caught, in real time was pretty cool.  I'm proud to say that the only thing I bought on Boxing Day was a Manitoba fishing license! 

Family picture after exploring the island.  

In the afternoon, Aarons family drove out to visit us and we all squeezed into the very small, but quaint cabin.  Staying at the log cabin was one of the highlights to my trip.   The lighting looked antique, the room was decorated with pictures on the walls and on bedside tables that were of fisherman and their catches.  Even the bedrooms had cute quilts with a very cabin-y feel:

I felt like I was living in a museum and I loved every minute we spent in the log cabin, it definitely made the Christmas holidays feel special.

Afternoon visit at the fabulous log cabin

In the evening we checked out the hot tub and watched the bright stars and the crazy guys who ran out and rolled around in the snow before jumping back in.  The stars up north were magnificent.  They are so bright and clear to look at.  I would have loved to see northern lights, but the weather wasn't cold enough, and I would much rather enjoy the warm days.  

The next day we headed out to the ice fishing shack.  Despite my trepidation of ice fishing, as I originally thought I would be miserable, bitterly cold, and just standing around a small hole in the ground, I was wrong.  The whole experience was very enjoyable.  The ice fishing shack had everything we needed to be comfortable and a small wood stove at the front made it toasty warm inside.

Ice Fishing on Lake Athapap

I didn't have a fishing rod with me so I used a baited hook and fishing line tied to a small piece of firewood that was meant for kindling.  We spent a good part of the day sitting in the dark shack listening to the ice crack as vehicles drove past.  (I have to admit, I was freaking out at the sound of the cracking ice, it was not fun to hear).  My favorite part was when I caught a jack, by pulling it out of that hole with my hands, after I put on my mitts, of course!

I took this last picture as were where heading back to Saskatoon on the last day.  With the shorter days it was nice to be able to sleep in and still catch the sunrise:

It was so nice to leave all the Christmas plans, preparations and hype behind and spend time with friends just hanging out: playing games, being outside, and watching dvd's.  I definitely felt welcomed and included when spending time with their family.  And I'm glad I took a much needed holiday this Christmas.     

~b~

January 4th

 
One year ago plus a night I couldn't sleep.  I was about to step out of the familiarity of my mundane life and my mind couldn't stop racing.  I blogged about how my trepidation manifested in that jittery butterflies in your stomach which was coupled with the excitement that comes with change and new possibilities.  I was tired.  Really tired.  But the excitement, along with a whole lot of caffeine kept me going through out the day.  The whole year ahead of me seemed full of possibilities and I was filled with hope and excitement.

Last night I couldn't sleep.  I had spent yesterday distracting myself from my stress by planning and preparing.  The distraction didn't work.  I spent last night wrestling with anxiety.  Trying to control my anxiety before I had a racing heart and I feared imminent death - a full-fledged panic attack.  I knew I just had to calm down and get the rest I desperately needed to think and feel properly.  But my anxiety wouldn't go away.  I cried out for comfort, wishing I still had Max.  To stroke his fur.  To hear him breath.  To help me calm down.  So I wouldn't be alone.

But I was alone.  And Max was gone.  I think I cried myself to sleep.  Asleep to my dreams that are so vivid and so real.  My anxiety found me in that place where my emotions reign, and logic and truth can't reach my ears.  My dream played out my biggest hope and my biggest fear.  My dream was filled with intense emotion.  I woke up feeling that the true essence of me that is real and fragile and authentically me will never be good enough or never be attractive enough.

Being rejected, (in your own dream no less), is never a great way to start your day.  Needless to say, I spent more of today crying, that I did getting prepared for the end of the week.  I normally wouldn't admit that I'm emotional.  I feel deeply.  I'm vulnerable.  I cry.  But I think it's odd that January 4th seems fraught with emotion.  Next year I'll have to watch out for January 4th, and plan accordingly.

I'm glad that it's the start of a new year, even a new decade and that tomorrow is a fresh day.

~b~