- Why, oh why, is it so hard for people to accept that change can be a good thing?? Why are people so stubborn and stuck in their ways that they cannot see the benefits of trying sometihng different..or at least talking a bit more about doing something different? Well, unfortunately, the NO vote won in PEI's plebiscite today so they'll be no more big debate over whether Mixed Member Proportional representation is a better system of election than First past the Post. I think it's disappointing - time after time PEI has the chance to show some leadership, to do something out of the ordinary and we always seem to fall short by our own choice.
- The Liberal government (federal) will be disolved tomorrow. Election time, here we come! A shout out to my American friend Emily for her great knowledge of Canadian politics - she knew we had MPS and Senators - good job Pittsburgh :)
- Spending money on nutritionist was very good investment! 7 days= 4.25 pounds lost!!!
- On-line shopping rules, especially at www.indigo.ca . I only wish that more Canadian retailers had such well-developed on-line stores. I especially wish amazon.com had a Canadian equivalent that sold as broad a product selection.
- I bought Christmas cards today - I like musical ones!
- Someone is renting space in my head. The only problem is, they aren't paying any rent, they might not even know they are a tenant and I am not very good at evicting people from my head. Damn squatters!!
- I have to go to sleep, long day of work, gym, Hip Hop then meal prep for tomorrow....zzzzz....zzzzzz
Monday, November 28, 2005
Random thoughts of the day:
Sunday, November 27, 2005
What a Harry, Hairy weekend it has been! And it's not even over yet!
OK, so Friday evening I had a date with Harry Potter, who insisted on brining along his Goblet of Fire. For the most part he was enjoyable company. . . aside from when he turned into a fish with gills and all. That was just bit weird! It certainly was a PG night though . . .
Saturday was super busy day where I actually got things done!! Woohoo! After an especially sweaty workout, Mom & I went to the library where I picked up, amongst other things, My Ishmael (sequel to Ishmael by Daniel Quinn) and a book on Understanding Psychology. Evidently I miss learning! Anywho, after a quick jaunt around town, we headed home. I spent the afternoon making food for the week and doing my taxes - both Scottish and Canadian. I finished them both!! THe exclamation marks indicate I did NOT have a balance owing.
In the evening, as is becoming all too usual for me here on PEI, I had no hot date (yeah, cause of course they were a dime a dozen in Scotland!)...so I went to a birthday party..with Mom & Jim. I was the youngest there by 23 years. Unless you count the dogs...
ANd that brings us to today. Kind of. Except one of the best/worst things about this weekend is that I have been having these really vivid dreams and it seems like they last forever. It's actually quite horrible really - I am dreaming about people and things that I wish I were not. Gads, my subconcious is trying to tell me something..... I just can't handle it!
Sigh - today = lots of eating (on my meal plan of course!), shopping and the gym. I might even get a chance to do some more fiction writing...
Oh right - about the hairy....My hair then and now.... if i can upload these photos properly!
OK, so Friday evening I had a date with Harry Potter, who insisted on brining along his Goblet of Fire. For the most part he was enjoyable company. . . aside from when he turned into a fish with gills and all. That was just bit weird! It certainly was a PG night though . . .
Saturday was super busy day where I actually got things done!! Woohoo! After an especially sweaty workout, Mom & I went to the library where I picked up, amongst other things, My Ishmael (sequel to Ishmael by Daniel Quinn) and a book on Understanding Psychology. Evidently I miss learning! Anywho, after a quick jaunt around town, we headed home. I spent the afternoon making food for the week and doing my taxes - both Scottish and Canadian. I finished them both!! THe exclamation marks indicate I did NOT have a balance owing.
In the evening, as is becoming all too usual for me here on PEI, I had no hot date (yeah, cause of course they were a dime a dozen in Scotland!)...so I went to a birthday party..with Mom & Jim. I was the youngest there by 23 years. Unless you count the dogs...
ANd that brings us to today. Kind of. Except one of the best/worst things about this weekend is that I have been having these really vivid dreams and it seems like they last forever. It's actually quite horrible really - I am dreaming about people and things that I wish I were not. Gads, my subconcious is trying to tell me something..... I just can't handle it!
Sigh - today = lots of eating (on my meal plan of course!), shopping and the gym. I might even get a chance to do some more fiction writing...
Oh right - about the hairy....My hair then and now.... if i can upload these photos properly!
Thursday, November 24, 2005
Ho Hum Ho Hum..it's off to work we go! And what a week at work it has been - oh to be employed in a politician's office during pre-election fever. . . My eyes are being opened every day to a world I'd never really paid much (if any) attention to before. ANd, to be honest, it's actually pretty fun. I can honestly say, for probably the first time ever, that I really really like my job. OK, so I am still feeling slightly like a freshman amongst seniors, but time will change that, I am sure! In any case, I must say I never imagined my return to PEI would result in challenging and fun work!
In other notes from the Life of Shan, I've started a nutrition plan with the help of a professional this time (a holistic nutritionist). It involvse eating the right foods, in the right amount at teh right time of the day. I'm eating 6 times a day, and food that is pretty much as unpreocessed as possible. Bread has disappeared, replaced by homemade bran falx muffnis which are scrumptious. I also have a shake every morning that is made up of blueberries, banana, soy milk and flax oil. I am not allowed any sugar!! So, yahn it's kindo f strict, but it's not a diet - it's all about the Canada food guide. And how am I doing, you might ask (or not!)? Well, to be honest better than I expected! I haven't had ANY moments of weakness and am not craving sugar at all. It takes moer time to plan out my food for the next day now, but having a plan in place makes it really easy to just eat what I am supposed to. I don't even have to question whether i should pick up some yogurt raisins. I know I can't.
In other news of random note:
In other notes from the Life of Shan, I've started a nutrition plan with the help of a professional this time (a holistic nutritionist). It involvse eating the right foods, in the right amount at teh right time of the day. I'm eating 6 times a day, and food that is pretty much as unpreocessed as possible. Bread has disappeared, replaced by homemade bran falx muffnis which are scrumptious. I also have a shake every morning that is made up of blueberries, banana, soy milk and flax oil. I am not allowed any sugar!! So, yahn it's kindo f strict, but it's not a diet - it's all about the Canada food guide. And how am I doing, you might ask (or not!)? Well, to be honest better than I expected! I haven't had ANY moments of weakness and am not craving sugar at all. It takes moer time to plan out my food for the next day now, but having a plan in place makes it really easy to just eat what I am supposed to. I don't even have to question whether i should pick up some yogurt raisins. I know I can't.
In other news of random note:
- An event with concert, food and dance is being held at the Basillica next Friday,Dec 2, called Cultarama - celebrating other cultures. I think everyone who is on PEI should go (that includes Rana and her boyfriend!)
- Read Ishmael, go see The Corporation and check out this company. Now ask yourself - what s going on and what can I do to change things?
- Did anyone hear? There may be a federal eletion called next week
- A BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE ONE, THE ONLY MR. BRANDON!!!! Wish I could be there to celebrate with you all - one last ceilidh would be nice!
- I miss Edinburgh, I even miss Dublin sometimes. I guess, at the end of the day, I just miss Europe in general. Such style (the continent, not me), such class (as before..), such fun!!! Sigh, well at least I haven't resorted to BINGO on PEI. . . yet
- I've made an executive decision to go to Australia in 2006, followed up by New Zealand in 2007, if I am loving it down there, which I anticipate I will!! Endeavor to do many of my 101 THings TO Do Before I Die while there..or on my way there in the airplane :)
I have to go eat now...this is the thing - I am spending so much time eating now! Never hungry!
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Saturday, November 12, 2005
In another strange twist o life - I am home again on a Saturday night. I think that in the last two months I've stayed home more Saturday nights than I did the entire 16 months i lived in Scotland!! I could say it sucks, but to be honest I think I am dealing quite well with lack of social life here on PEI - given my tendency to enjoy socialising. Anyways, I am just killing time until my bread comes out of the breadmaker and then I will go watch a movie.
This is the second time I've made bread today - the first time I screwed it up majorly. Ididn't forget any ingredients, but I forgot to put a piece of the breadmaker into the machine, which resulted in it never getting stirred together at all. Whoops.
On a more positive note - I made the most scrumptious curry dish tonight! My first attempt at an Indian curry - it was from Eat, Shrink & Be Merry, and I must say it was extremely well-recieved - seconds all around!
Lately I've ben doing more cooking, writing and reading. Oh and torturing myself with lots of exercise. Solitary pursuits that I've been thoroughly enjoying. The three books I have on the go at the moment:
No Logo (Naomi Klein) - satisifies my 'anti-corporation' beliefs and encourages me to pursue a writing career (Klein was only 27 when she wrote this mammoth book that's become a bestseller)
10 Stupid Mistakes Smart People Make - OK - there's an obvious lack of humbleness required to read this book (deeming oneseld smart could, initslef, be a dumb mistake - best ask for a second opinion!) Anyways - it s avery enlightening book . I've made a lot of stupid mistakes in the past which have been to my detriment. Tthe most obvious mistake - Being a Mind-Reader. I am the Queen of Assumptions -the only problem is, I am extremely inept at making accurate assumptions when it comes to interrelations with other people.
How to Be A Canadian (Will & Ian Ferguson) - This is HILARIOUS. I can think of at least five fellow Canadians who would consider this the gospel of all that makes this land of ours Canadia! Honestly, I don't laugh out loud too much when reading a book - everyone gets edgy at such action, but I can't help myself with this one!
OK - so aside from all that, it's been a rather hectic week here on PEI (never thought I'd say that!). Here are the hihglights of my week for anyone who is super bored or actually interested in what I've been up to (Will not do the numbers on this possibility - too infinitely small!)
Monday: Second hip hop class. Improved funkability and flexibilty! Copious amounts of practice ensue to the music of Pink's Get This Party Started. Wish I'd done this earlier in life...
Tuesday: Set up a weight training program with Gineen, personal trainer and masochistic aerobics instructor. I swear she enjoys torturing us - the bubbly persona is just a front! ANyways - 4 days a week I'll be inflicting pain on myself - two days on my upper body, two on my lower. All in the name of being fit and strong.
Wednesday: Attend a commuity forum hosted by my boss and the PEI Bioalliance. PEI is developing a bioscience cluster - how exciting! I am fast becoming a believer that small is better, that PEI's size is actually an advanatage in many way. Better to be a big fish in a small pond that vice versa.
Thursday: Have a session with nutritionist, discover my body fat is at highest percentage ever (OK, maybe not, but higher than last time I got test done!) She seems to think I can lose the weight I need to in about ten weeks through proper nutrition. I am still debating whether to shell out the money for a meal plan and support and am leanign towards sayign yes.
Thursday - about 5 hours after seeing nutritionist: Enjoy a lovely meal of Chicken & broccoli crepes & fries with Rana at the Pilot House & sneak afew bites of her pecan pie. Oops. On a better note - I saw Sherilyn!!!
Friday: Attend Remembrance Day ceremony. WE ahve much to be thankful for and I think that we ought to take greater care of that which men before us have dies for. Who are we to let politicians dissolve our civil rights? Who are we to let the world become more polluted, more corrupt and more dangerous than it was a generation ago?
We are here today because a generation of young men & women sacrificed their lives for our freedom. Perhaps we should start thinking about what sacrifices we need to be making so our children and our children's children can enjoy the bounty of our Earth as much as we do today. I suggest, as a first step, we choose to live more modestly - with smaller houses and fewer cars, better food and fewer trips to the shopping mall.
This is the second time I've made bread today - the first time I screwed it up majorly. Ididn't forget any ingredients, but I forgot to put a piece of the breadmaker into the machine, which resulted in it never getting stirred together at all. Whoops.
On a more positive note - I made the most scrumptious curry dish tonight! My first attempt at an Indian curry - it was from Eat, Shrink & Be Merry, and I must say it was extremely well-recieved - seconds all around!
Lately I've ben doing more cooking, writing and reading. Oh and torturing myself with lots of exercise. Solitary pursuits that I've been thoroughly enjoying. The three books I have on the go at the moment:
No Logo (Naomi Klein) - satisifies my 'anti-corporation' beliefs and encourages me to pursue a writing career (Klein was only 27 when she wrote this mammoth book that's become a bestseller)
10 Stupid Mistakes Smart People Make - OK - there's an obvious lack of humbleness required to read this book (deeming oneseld smart could, initslef, be a dumb mistake - best ask for a second opinion!) Anyways - it s avery enlightening book . I've made a lot of stupid mistakes in the past which have been to my detriment. Tthe most obvious mistake - Being a Mind-Reader. I am the Queen of Assumptions -the only problem is, I am extremely inept at making accurate assumptions when it comes to interrelations with other people.
How to Be A Canadian (Will & Ian Ferguson) - This is HILARIOUS. I can think of at least five fellow Canadians who would consider this the gospel of all that makes this land of ours Canadia! Honestly, I don't laugh out loud too much when reading a book - everyone gets edgy at such action, but I can't help myself with this one!
OK - so aside from all that, it's been a rather hectic week here on PEI (never thought I'd say that!). Here are the hihglights of my week for anyone who is super bored or actually interested in what I've been up to (Will not do the numbers on this possibility - too infinitely small!)
Monday: Second hip hop class. Improved funkability and flexibilty! Copious amounts of practice ensue to the music of Pink's Get This Party Started. Wish I'd done this earlier in life...
Tuesday: Set up a weight training program with Gineen, personal trainer and masochistic aerobics instructor. I swear she enjoys torturing us - the bubbly persona is just a front! ANyways - 4 days a week I'll be inflicting pain on myself - two days on my upper body, two on my lower. All in the name of being fit and strong.
Wednesday: Attend a commuity forum hosted by my boss and the PEI Bioalliance. PEI is developing a bioscience cluster - how exciting! I am fast becoming a believer that small is better, that PEI's size is actually an advanatage in many way. Better to be a big fish in a small pond that vice versa.
Thursday: Have a session with nutritionist, discover my body fat is at highest percentage ever (OK, maybe not, but higher than last time I got test done!) She seems to think I can lose the weight I need to in about ten weeks through proper nutrition. I am still debating whether to shell out the money for a meal plan and support and am leanign towards sayign yes.
Thursday - about 5 hours after seeing nutritionist: Enjoy a lovely meal of Chicken & broccoli crepes & fries with Rana at the Pilot House & sneak afew bites of her pecan pie. Oops. On a better note - I saw Sherilyn!!!
Friday: Attend Remembrance Day ceremony. WE ahve much to be thankful for and I think that we ought to take greater care of that which men before us have dies for. Who are we to let politicians dissolve our civil rights? Who are we to let the world become more polluted, more corrupt and more dangerous than it was a generation ago?
We are here today because a generation of young men & women sacrificed their lives for our freedom. Perhaps we should start thinking about what sacrifices we need to be making so our children and our children's children can enjoy the bounty of our Earth as much as we do today. I suggest, as a first step, we choose to live more modestly - with smaller houses and fewer cars, better food and fewer trips to the shopping mall.
Monday, November 07, 2005
I have come to the conclusion that it is very near impossible to have contentment in all areas of life at the same time. For instance - in Scotland I loved the social life and the great friend, but hated work (not my workmates though!). In PEI I actually really like my job and have no social life to speak of thus, nothing to like or dislike about it!
I also find my weekdays super busy and my weekends super quiet, which is kind of the opposite of Scotland. I only watch TV one hour a week and spend about 8 hours a week at the gym, which is pretty much opposite of what I did in Scotland for much of my time there! And of course I am drinking absolutely no alcohol now, whereas in Scotland..well there are a few that can atest to my indulgences in two things: wine and candy. Oh, OK, there was a third - it was the male species, but believe me it was rarely an indulgence!
Hmm...so it was a pretty quiet weekend . I was home alone. Well, it was actually me a Smudgie but cats don't count in my books. Anyways, the highlights of the weekend were going to the movies on Saturday night with my hot movie date (aka Dad/Daddy). We went to see North Country - I highly recommend it, although it is rather disturbing to be quite honest. On Sunday night I made dinner from the new cookbook - Eat Shrink & be Merry. It was amexican lasagna with tortillas instead of noodles and salsa and beans, etc. It was sooooooo goooooood!!!!!
Today I worked out three times - this morning I did some leg work. After a super busy day I went to Myrtle's Step/Suicide with Weights class and then I went to Hip Hop class where we bopped along to Pink's 'Get the Party Started' Suffice to say I am now a bit sore!
It was great fun though, and I am so glad I decided to take a dance class - now where to show off my moves??? oh right...I forgot it's PEI!
In other news - the Governor General is on PEI - she is really pretty and seems so down-to-earth and friendlly. I had to go to a citizenship swearing in ceremony that she was presiding over. It was pretty neat and made me feel very grateful to be a Canadian.
In other othew news - who knows - looks like there might be an election this winter after all. I hope not!
That's all she wrote for now -super busy week ahead but no plans for the weekend as per usual!
I also find my weekdays super busy and my weekends super quiet, which is kind of the opposite of Scotland. I only watch TV one hour a week and spend about 8 hours a week at the gym, which is pretty much opposite of what I did in Scotland for much of my time there! And of course I am drinking absolutely no alcohol now, whereas in Scotland..well there are a few that can atest to my indulgences in two things: wine and candy. Oh, OK, there was a third - it was the male species, but believe me it was rarely an indulgence!
Hmm...so it was a pretty quiet weekend . I was home alone. Well, it was actually me a Smudgie but cats don't count in my books. Anyways, the highlights of the weekend were going to the movies on Saturday night with my hot movie date (aka Dad/Daddy). We went to see North Country - I highly recommend it, although it is rather disturbing to be quite honest. On Sunday night I made dinner from the new cookbook - Eat Shrink & be Merry. It was amexican lasagna with tortillas instead of noodles and salsa and beans, etc. It was sooooooo goooooood!!!!!
Today I worked out three times - this morning I did some leg work. After a super busy day I went to Myrtle's Step/Suicide with Weights class and then I went to Hip Hop class where we bopped along to Pink's 'Get the Party Started' Suffice to say I am now a bit sore!
It was great fun though, and I am so glad I decided to take a dance class - now where to show off my moves??? oh right...I forgot it's PEI!
In other news - the Governor General is on PEI - she is really pretty and seems so down-to-earth and friendlly. I had to go to a citizenship swearing in ceremony that she was presiding over. It was pretty neat and made me feel very grateful to be a Canadian.
In other othew news - who knows - looks like there might be an election this winter after all. I hope not!
That's all she wrote for now -super busy week ahead but no plans for the weekend as per usual!
Tuesday, November 01, 2005
Well, I did it. I wrapped a cardboard box in pretty purple paper, cut a circle out for my waist and hung it off my shoulders with ribbon. I attached some nice bows and a gift tag that read:
To: Men From: God.
There were many jokes about my box throughout the evening. Someone called me gifted adn a number of guys informed me that they were 'men'. I replied that men is a plural, thus representing more than one. I could not be gifted to just one man. So I stayed wrapped up, enjoyed flirting wit a doctor(hey, it's been awhile, I've been on PEI after all!) , spilled some wine, drank some more and then proceeded to, well, use Rae's bathroom for its unintended purpose.
Suffice to say that the trip home the next day was rather unenjoyable and slightly hard on the stomach. I did make it though, and in one piece thank goodness. I was starting to wonder when I boarded the propellor driven plane from Halifax to Charlottetown. I guess I was spoiled by jets over in Europe.
Anyways, yesterday it was back to work. It was also Hallowe'en! I avoided candy all day longa and only indulged at the end of my workout class with Gineen, who had dressed up in a kimono as aJapanses girl. She is so very full of energy!
After workout class I quickly changed into something more appropriate for my Hip Hop class. not that I have any attire that is really hip hop style, but I wasn't going to wear my sweatyh sports bra and tank top.
Hip Hop Class was a blast and a laugh. I think I was cocky, since I'd been doing pretty well at Scottish danicng, but Hip Hop = totally foreign. I laughed at myself a lot last night.
Today was kind of stressful - work does that to ya. It was a big day for Canadian politics what with the release of the Gomery report. I can't believe I am watching and listening to CBC all thetime now..
To: Men From: God.
There were many jokes about my box throughout the evening. Someone called me gifted adn a number of guys informed me that they were 'men'. I replied that men is a plural, thus representing more than one. I could not be gifted to just one man. So I stayed wrapped up, enjoyed flirting wit a doctor(hey, it's been awhile, I've been on PEI after all!) , spilled some wine, drank some more and then proceeded to, well, use Rae's bathroom for its unintended purpose.
Suffice to say that the trip home the next day was rather unenjoyable and slightly hard on the stomach. I did make it though, and in one piece thank goodness. I was starting to wonder when I boarded the propellor driven plane from Halifax to Charlottetown. I guess I was spoiled by jets over in Europe.
Anyways, yesterday it was back to work. It was also Hallowe'en! I avoided candy all day longa and only indulged at the end of my workout class with Gineen, who had dressed up in a kimono as aJapanses girl. She is so very full of energy!
After workout class I quickly changed into something more appropriate for my Hip Hop class. not that I have any attire that is really hip hop style, but I wasn't going to wear my sweatyh sports bra and tank top.
Hip Hop Class was a blast and a laugh. I think I was cocky, since I'd been doing pretty well at Scottish danicng, but Hip Hop = totally foreign. I laughed at myself a lot last night.
Today was kind of stressful - work does that to ya. It was a big day for Canadian politics what with the release of the Gomery report. I can't believe I am watching and listening to CBC all thetime now..
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