Have you ever thought about winning the lottery and how it could change your life?
A big life altering event is fun to think about. Graduating, getting the dream job, coming into money, a new addition to the family (child or furry or furry child?), a new this, a sparkly that or a good surprise.
It's easy for me to live in excitement of tomorrow, instead of today and the truth is, you can experience these type of thrills EVERYDAY.
A quick adjustment in attitude can unveil the little things that bring us joy and the discipline recognize them can keep them coming all day long.
Some of my "little things":
-Coffee break
-An empty public bathroom
-A warm fall day
-Accomplishing a task
-A conversation with a stranger
-A sucessful homemade meal
-A "thinking of you" text from a friend
-Being thanked, encouraged or recognized
-Crafty time
-Scarves
-Moments of inspiration and revelation
-A good laugh
-Time with friends
-Worship
...just to name a few
I hope your day is filled with little things that keep you high on life and grounded in your blessings.
When you're thankful for each one, a satisfaction focuses your thoughts on what you have, not on what you don't.
Thank you Lord for what I have, seen and unseen,
What are some of your "little things"?
Meaghan Ellen
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Offical 'thankful' list 2013
It's a beautiful Thanksgiving weekend!
The mountain air is "crisp" (as Kyle fondly likes to say) and the leaves are lovely.
I'm sipping a pumpkin spice americano about to start a project but stopped on by to deliver you this comprehensive, 50 point list of things I have been thankful for this year.
Hold onto your mini decorative pumpkins and behold, my thankful list:
Thank the Lord for (in no particular order):
50. Credit card debt free living (student loans to be tackled at a later date)
49. Pumpkin flavored anything (coffee, muffins, pocky when I didn't know I couln't eat them)
48. Good grades as a result of hard work
47. Mending relationships
46. My blackberry. Can't help but love the little feller who makes googling "is (insert food) gluten free?" and google maps which should be called "where the cuss am I going?"
45. Quirky movies that I am different enough to enjoy
44. Scarves. Infinity and beyond.
43. Church family. I love to gather in the walls and outside 'em.
42. Country music. I'm sorry I denied myself of it for so long.
41. Katy Perry's (did you really think I was going to say music?) kettle POP chips. OM NOM!
40. Gluten free food at coffee shops and faster food places. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, THANK YOU!
39. Co-workers who care about you (shout out Children's Cottage Staff, we needs to stick together)
38. Long commutes with a new friend. It amazes me that a few months ago we sat next to eachother in class and knew nothing about one another. Look what 3 hours stuck in a car together can do.
37. Kyle's family. I love collecting people, these are especially special to me because they are special to you.
36. Long sleeve shirts.
35. Being under a bunch of fluffy blankets how it makes me feel like sinking into a little piece of heaven.
34. Round earings. (Treated myslef to a pottery pair yesterday)
33. Looking fly in my scrubs and stethescope (now just to learn how to use them quote Sandra "your earpeices are in wrong again)
32. The flower section in the grocery store.
31. Blue bic ball point pens
30. The NWT (I miss you and your beautiful people)
29. White and ivory decorations
28. Vietnemese salad rolls
27. LAUGHING
26. Conversations with strangers
25. Cooking, especially when I can host
24.Amazing friends who let me stay in their homes
23. Driving in the fall.
22. Mittens
21. Other people's pets and kids that I can oogle until I can have my own
20. Raises at work and retro pay! I feel appreciated!
19. Open discussion at Church. I feel apart of!
18. The radom child that literally just hugged me at starbucks whom I dont know and cuddled into me. I looked around and said "I don't know this child". Her dad said "thats my daughter". I replied "I work with kids so its all good".... okay back to my list
17. Crafts and little projects
16. Living in a little town
15. Supportive peers at school who I can encourage and be encouraged by (not going to lie, held Steph's hand before a major test and let a group of 10 of us in a deep breathing exercise on Tuesday)
14. My doctor. She's a gem and an inspiration to me of how to love others within the health care system.
13. My friends. I love love love my friends. They don't try to beat the crazy out of me, they just enjoy it.
12. Being Canadian. I almost cry every time I sing "God keep our land..."
11. Fruit such as love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, kindness, faith, self-control....
10. Warmth. I don't like to be cold.
9. Student loans. Thank you government of Canada for lending me money.
8. Art. I'm really grateful for self expression and getting to see other's perspective
7. Resources
6. Long phone conversations
5. Short text converstaions
4. The girl at the nail salon who waxes my eyebrows so I don't risk doing it myself
3. My family
2. My Kyle
1. My God
Enjoy what you have,
Meaghan Ellen
The mountain air is "crisp" (as Kyle fondly likes to say) and the leaves are lovely.
I'm sipping a pumpkin spice americano about to start a project but stopped on by to deliver you this comprehensive, 50 point list of things I have been thankful for this year.
Hold onto your mini decorative pumpkins and behold, my thankful list:
Thank the Lord for (in no particular order):
50. Credit card debt free living (student loans to be tackled at a later date)
49. Pumpkin flavored anything (coffee, muffins, pocky when I didn't know I couln't eat them)
48. Good grades as a result of hard work
47. Mending relationships
46. My blackberry. Can't help but love the little feller who makes googling "is (insert food) gluten free?" and google maps which should be called "where the cuss am I going?"
45. Quirky movies that I am different enough to enjoy
44. Scarves. Infinity and beyond.
43. Church family. I love to gather in the walls and outside 'em.
42. Country music. I'm sorry I denied myself of it for so long.
41. Katy Perry's (did you really think I was going to say music?) kettle POP chips. OM NOM!
40. Gluten free food at coffee shops and faster food places. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, THANK YOU!
39. Co-workers who care about you (shout out Children's Cottage Staff, we needs to stick together)
38. Long commutes with a new friend. It amazes me that a few months ago we sat next to eachother in class and knew nothing about one another. Look what 3 hours stuck in a car together can do.
37. Kyle's family. I love collecting people, these are especially special to me because they are special to you.
36. Long sleeve shirts.
35. Being under a bunch of fluffy blankets how it makes me feel like sinking into a little piece of heaven.
34. Round earings. (Treated myslef to a pottery pair yesterday)
33. Looking fly in my scrubs and stethescope (now just to learn how to use them quote Sandra "your earpeices are in wrong again)
32. The flower section in the grocery store.
31. Blue bic ball point pens
30. The NWT (I miss you and your beautiful people)
29. White and ivory decorations
28. Vietnemese salad rolls
27. LAUGHING
26. Conversations with strangers
25. Cooking, especially when I can host
24.Amazing friends who let me stay in their homes
23. Driving in the fall.
22. Mittens
21. Other people's pets and kids that I can oogle until I can have my own
20. Raises at work and retro pay! I feel appreciated!
19. Open discussion at Church. I feel apart of!
18. The radom child that literally just hugged me at starbucks whom I dont know and cuddled into me. I looked around and said "I don't know this child". Her dad said "thats my daughter". I replied "I work with kids so its all good".... okay back to my list
17. Crafts and little projects
16. Living in a little town
15. Supportive peers at school who I can encourage and be encouraged by (not going to lie, held Steph's hand before a major test and let a group of 10 of us in a deep breathing exercise on Tuesday)
14. My doctor. She's a gem and an inspiration to me of how to love others within the health care system.
13. My friends. I love love love my friends. They don't try to beat the crazy out of me, they just enjoy it.
12. Being Canadian. I almost cry every time I sing "God keep our land..."
11. Fruit such as love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, kindness, faith, self-control....
10. Warmth. I don't like to be cold.
9. Student loans. Thank you government of Canada for lending me money.
8. Art. I'm really grateful for self expression and getting to see other's perspective
7. Resources
6. Long phone conversations
5. Short text converstaions
4. The girl at the nail salon who waxes my eyebrows so I don't risk doing it myself
3. My family
2. My Kyle
1. My God
Enjoy what you have,
Meaghan Ellen
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
I shant
I refuse to whine about how I haven't blogged and I shall not promise to begin blogging again.
I will, however, say how nice it is to clink away at the keys regarding something other than:
1.The nursing process
2. Nursing diagnosis
3. Distasteful comments on facebook regarding:
4. A.P.A format
and
5. Client research including what cream they have in the morning, where it goes and how I'm going to apply it. As if it takes a full length report on where to put hemorroid cream on someone else's arse.
On another note of where the sun does shine, I'd like to point out that the mountains are looking more gorgeous everyday.
Somebody has to because as the semester progresses my hair gets a little flatter and my make up a little not done. At all. I also wore what I like to call the "crypt keeper" outfit today. Its black on black on black except for the white socks I was wearing (classy!). I was dressed to rob a bank but I swear i was eating a lunch of cheezies and chocolate at 1:03 p.m officer so it I was definitely not at the scene of the crime.
But seriously, the mountains are an amazing place to be in autumn.
Good.
Well a rusty post is better than no post (question mark).
M. Ellen
I will, however, say how nice it is to clink away at the keys regarding something other than:
1.The nursing process
2. Nursing diagnosis
3. Distasteful comments on facebook regarding:
4. A.P.A format
and
5. Client research including what cream they have in the morning, where it goes and how I'm going to apply it. As if it takes a full length report on where to put hemorroid cream on someone else's arse.
On another note of where the sun does shine, I'd like to point out that the mountains are looking more gorgeous everyday.
Somebody has to because as the semester progresses my hair gets a little flatter and my make up a little not done. At all. I also wore what I like to call the "crypt keeper" outfit today. Its black on black on black except for the white socks I was wearing (classy!). I was dressed to rob a bank but I swear i was eating a lunch of cheezies and chocolate at 1:03 p.m officer so it I was definitely not at the scene of the crime.
But seriously, the mountains are an amazing place to be in autumn.
Good.
Well a rusty post is better than no post (question mark).
M. Ellen
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Year in Review
Top 5 favorite Christmas movies:
1. Elf
2. The Grinch Who Stole Christmas (obvs the animation version)
3. Rudolph (claymation)
4.
5.
Okay let's make that top 3. In fact, I haven't watched ANY Christmas movies this year as I haven't made the time for it. I've got to be missing some good ones. Let me know your favorites.
It's December 20th in this little old mountain town. I thought I'd send out a blog before the world ends or more likely, that it gets to July 9th again. Which, happens to be the last time I blogged.
I've been up to no good shenanigans again. That's right. Working, studying and spending time with Kyle. The no good, down right bad kinds of things a young girl should not be up to. Responsibility is the new bad, right?
My top ten moments of 2012 as a year in review summary in no particular order (except that I put Kyle at the top of the list so when he reads this he won't be mad he is 2nd or 3rd):
1. Caving into Kyle wanting to date me. You are crazy for pursuing me and you truly are the highlight of my year.
2. Moving out to Canmore
3. Finally applying to and getting into nursing
4. Finding out I'm Celiac and being able to change how I feel by altering what I eat. Bye bread and bye bloating (except when I just eat a lot, then the ol' button is once again, undone)
5. The great trips I went on: NWT and Vancouver with Kyle
6. Successfully losing weight:8 pounds away from my goal, then gaining back15 and now being back on track towards that goal.
7. Learning a lot about myself and how I can change what I need to and how I can let go of what I can't.
8. Managing A's and B's in my upgrading course when the only A I got in Bio 30 in high school was for Absent
9. Selling my cards to different stores who absolutely loved them and have even re ordered
10. Making new and maintaining old really great friendships
If this was a top 11 my #11 would be my newest niece being born yesterday to the two best friends a gal can ask for. Welcome to the world, Sophia Kay Rowley. You got two days to really live life.
Well, It's been a swell time, 2012.
And for you dear reader, I pray that you revel in the reality of how blessed you are and how much of a joy you are to others around you. You have much... And if that doesn't make you feel nice just tell yourself whatever you need to hear and slap a 'love Meaghan' tag on it. You. Are. Welcome.
Meaghan Ellen XOXO
1. Elf
2. The Grinch Who Stole Christmas (obvs the animation version)
3. Rudolph (claymation)
4.
5.
Okay let's make that top 3. In fact, I haven't watched ANY Christmas movies this year as I haven't made the time for it. I've got to be missing some good ones. Let me know your favorites.
It's December 20th in this little old mountain town. I thought I'd send out a blog before the world ends or more likely, that it gets to July 9th again. Which, happens to be the last time I blogged.
I've been up to no good shenanigans again. That's right. Working, studying and spending time with Kyle. The no good, down right bad kinds of things a young girl should not be up to. Responsibility is the new bad, right?
My top ten moments of 2012 as a year in review summary in no particular order (except that I put Kyle at the top of the list so when he reads this he won't be mad he is 2nd or 3rd):
1. Caving into Kyle wanting to date me. You are crazy for pursuing me and you truly are the highlight of my year.
2. Moving out to Canmore
3. Finally applying to and getting into nursing
4. Finding out I'm Celiac and being able to change how I feel by altering what I eat. Bye bread and bye bloating (except when I just eat a lot, then the ol' button is once again, undone)
5. The great trips I went on: NWT and Vancouver with Kyle
6. Successfully losing weight:8 pounds away from my goal, then gaining back15 and now being back on track towards that goal.
7. Learning a lot about myself and how I can change what I need to and how I can let go of what I can't.
8. Managing A's and B's in my upgrading course when the only A I got in Bio 30 in high school was for Absent
9. Selling my cards to different stores who absolutely loved them and have even re ordered
10. Making new and maintaining old really great friendships
If this was a top 11 my #11 would be my newest niece being born yesterday to the two best friends a gal can ask for. Welcome to the world, Sophia Kay Rowley. You got two days to really live life.
Well, It's been a swell time, 2012.
And for you dear reader, I pray that you revel in the reality of how blessed you are and how much of a joy you are to others around you. You have much... And if that doesn't make you feel nice just tell yourself whatever you need to hear and slap a 'love Meaghan' tag on it. You. Are. Welcome.
Meaghan Ellen XOXO
Monday, July 9, 2012
Outdoor Summer
This post is brought to you by the letter M. M for Mmmm Mountains. And, for those who live by or below these mountains I am offering you a once in a life time offer to come and enjoy them this summer.
Alright, it's not a one time deal and you can enjoy them any time you want with or without me but I have started a little project and I hope it fares well!
My plan was and is to create a group of people who can post on facebook when they are outdoorsing in Canmore and want company (I am clearly not the only one who has thought of this as there are official groups who do this). The "Outdoor Event"'s purpose is to broaden the community of people we live in and to enjoy outside with others (my network of people extended to the network of people I know to the network of the network of the....)
You'll find the event on my facebook page. It's public so anyone can join. Take a peak and "join" then "comment" as to what things you might be interested in doing this summer. No commitment expected, just interest. If you want to get outdoors and have other come along, post in the event the who, what, when, wheres and why and contact those who seemed interested.
I really want to try paddlesurfing this summer. Things Ill be wanting to do are floating down the river, geocaching, hiking, canoeing and scrambling for sure. Summer passes me by to quickly so I gotta plan these things and be super intentional about them. I'm also wanting to be intentional about connecting with those around me.
Come, join me!
Thursday, July 5, 2012
The coffee shop calls
I'm a big procrastinator. Lucky for you it provides you with posts.
I don't know what it is but every time I sit down to do work, I end up thinking about blogging and then sometimes blogging. I know what you're thinking: 'you don't work very often'. True.
I'm in a coffee shop though and that just brings about a sense of blog worthy thoughts.
Strange how your atmosphere can change you.
For instance, when I'm at home I'm usually in my bed. I never sit on my couch or outside on the deck. I like to eat in bed, read in bed, watch tv in bed, surf the net (is that still cool to say?) in bed, sleep excessively in bed, craft in bed... it goes on and on.
When I'm at the coffee shop I start thinking.
When I'm at the dance studio I start making plans to abandon life and join a theatre.
When I'm on pinterest I loose all track of time and want to craft my life away.
So, today, I'm at the coffee shop. I get more accomplished here. On the blogging side of life anyways as I've been here for an hour and haven't touched my work.
Ever since we learned about advertising in grade 8, I've been obsessed with pin pointing marketing schemes. Why the Mcdonalds sign is yellow, how different fonts appeal to different people, how changing the way you say something can be received one way or the other. It's fascinating to me.
All of this makes me think about Church and the environment we create for a service.
If we manipulate the visual, emotional, audio and physical surroundings of a building are we in fact manipulating people's experience?
For instance. If you want toddlers to listen to you intently, you might turn off the kiddy music, dim the lights, gather them in a circle and speak clearly and slowly with eye contact.
If you want adults to listen to you, you do the same.
Why do we play music softly in the background during an alter call? Why do we have preacher voices, prayer voices and normal voices?
What would happen if we took the pews out of church and sat on the ground with no sound system? Would we feel the same way? Would we leave the same? Would we even come?
Don't get me wrong, I love creating space, especially for comfort. Ill be one of the first to say 'dim those lights' or 'put those chairs in a circle'. Either way we have emotions (and rightly so as they are given to us by God) I'm just trying to work out where their place is as a reaction to space.
Thoughts?
I don't know what it is but every time I sit down to do work, I end up thinking about blogging and then sometimes blogging. I know what you're thinking: 'you don't work very often'. True.
I'm in a coffee shop though and that just brings about a sense of blog worthy thoughts.
Strange how your atmosphere can change you.
For instance, when I'm at home I'm usually in my bed. I never sit on my couch or outside on the deck. I like to eat in bed, read in bed, watch tv in bed, surf the net (is that still cool to say?) in bed, sleep excessively in bed, craft in bed... it goes on and on.
When I'm at the coffee shop I start thinking.
When I'm at the dance studio I start making plans to abandon life and join a theatre.
When I'm on pinterest I loose all track of time and want to craft my life away.
So, today, I'm at the coffee shop. I get more accomplished here. On the blogging side of life anyways as I've been here for an hour and haven't touched my work.
Ever since we learned about advertising in grade 8, I've been obsessed with pin pointing marketing schemes. Why the Mcdonalds sign is yellow, how different fonts appeal to different people, how changing the way you say something can be received one way or the other. It's fascinating to me.
All of this makes me think about Church and the environment we create for a service.
If we manipulate the visual, emotional, audio and physical surroundings of a building are we in fact manipulating people's experience?
For instance. If you want toddlers to listen to you intently, you might turn off the kiddy music, dim the lights, gather them in a circle and speak clearly and slowly with eye contact.
If you want adults to listen to you, you do the same.
Why do we play music softly in the background during an alter call? Why do we have preacher voices, prayer voices and normal voices?
What would happen if we took the pews out of church and sat on the ground with no sound system? Would we feel the same way? Would we leave the same? Would we even come?
Don't get me wrong, I love creating space, especially for comfort. Ill be one of the first to say 'dim those lights' or 'put those chairs in a circle'. Either way we have emotions (and rightly so as they are given to us by God) I'm just trying to work out where their place is as a reaction to space.
Thoughts?
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
In the spirit of summer in Canmore
Hi Loves,
It's been a while. Truth be told, I have blogged but haven't posted. I've written but not shared.
Tucked away in my draft file of my blog are posts.
Today I share.
Did you notice my title? 'In the spirit of summer in Canmore'. That's where I live now. In the spirit. Okay, I meant Canmore. Wouldn't it be lovely though to simply live in the Spirit? I want to.
So the mountains are home and the tourists are my personal hunting 'game'. Only because they drive 20 km all the time. I used to be one of those but mama's holding the bow and arrow now.
It's beautiful here and not just the rocky scenery. When you walk by people on the trails, they are always smiling. Sometimes not even at you. Just smiling as they walk. They are in pure bliss and eventhough they live here, the wide-spread-love-struck mugs tell me nature is new to them each day. I like that and running with the theme of living in the Spirit, I figure that's how I would look if I existed in Jesus all day, everyday. What a thought.
This has not been the case lately. I know because I can feel it and I've been told it. My sunshine is hidden and "hiding it under a bushel" doesn't sound so crazy because it's been my reality. Not on purpose. It's been a sneaky endeavour letting circumstance overshadowing my rays.
I guess the posters in the doctors office really do have purpose because when I read the large print of symptoms of depression while waiting for the doctor, I realized the lack of light.
Stress, confusion, worry. My lack of luster revealed.
How can that be so in the Rocky Mountains of Canada? I pretty much live in the definition of beauty and yet inwardly sadness, sorrow, something else that starts with an s so this thought can be more poetic. I live in a peice of art.
Home.
Funny thing is I don't feel like I have a home. I have lots of wonderful people who welcome me into their homes. I have a house. I dwell but I just can't say I know what "home" feels like. I've been close, I think, once but I'm still in search of it.
Until two weeks ago.
Pouring my heart out to friend I told her how everything these days makes me angry, irritated or hopeless. A road I never wanted to travel down. There is no room on these roads for Christians. At least there shouldn't be.
I told her how even though I desired to move to Canmore, I still haven't found a peace of settlement and that I fear no matter where I go it'll be the treasure I never get my hands on. Discontentment can be really ugly.
Suddenly, out of my mouth, a thought probably not my own. "You know where I feel like home is? When I sing. When I worship. That's home and I want to live there."
I'm going to try to. To allow wherever I am to be home through the connection I know to be music to something bigger than myself. To something bigger than my world. To something bigger and better than my selfish endeavour to create my own perfect circumstance. I can't describe how right it feels even just to sing nothing along to music. It looks like a big sigh, a little glow and a wide-spread-love-struck mug.
It's been a while. Truth be told, I have blogged but haven't posted. I've written but not shared.
Tucked away in my draft file of my blog are posts.
Today I share.
Did you notice my title? 'In the spirit of summer in Canmore'. That's where I live now. In the spirit. Okay, I meant Canmore. Wouldn't it be lovely though to simply live in the Spirit? I want to.
So the mountains are home and the tourists are my personal hunting 'game'. Only because they drive 20 km all the time. I used to be one of those but mama's holding the bow and arrow now.
It's beautiful here and not just the rocky scenery. When you walk by people on the trails, they are always smiling. Sometimes not even at you. Just smiling as they walk. They are in pure bliss and eventhough they live here, the wide-spread-love-struck mugs tell me nature is new to them each day. I like that and running with the theme of living in the Spirit, I figure that's how I would look if I existed in Jesus all day, everyday. What a thought.
This has not been the case lately. I know because I can feel it and I've been told it. My sunshine is hidden and "hiding it under a bushel" doesn't sound so crazy because it's been my reality. Not on purpose. It's been a sneaky endeavour letting circumstance overshadowing my rays.
I guess the posters in the doctors office really do have purpose because when I read the large print of symptoms of depression while waiting for the doctor, I realized the lack of light.
Stress, confusion, worry. My lack of luster revealed.
How can that be so in the Rocky Mountains of Canada? I pretty much live in the definition of beauty and yet inwardly sadness, sorrow, something else that starts with an s so this thought can be more poetic. I live in a peice of art.
Home.
Funny thing is I don't feel like I have a home. I have lots of wonderful people who welcome me into their homes. I have a house. I dwell but I just can't say I know what "home" feels like. I've been close, I think, once but I'm still in search of it.
Until two weeks ago.
Pouring my heart out to friend I told her how everything these days makes me angry, irritated or hopeless. A road I never wanted to travel down. There is no room on these roads for Christians. At least there shouldn't be.
I told her how even though I desired to move to Canmore, I still haven't found a peace of settlement and that I fear no matter where I go it'll be the treasure I never get my hands on. Discontentment can be really ugly.
Suddenly, out of my mouth, a thought probably not my own. "You know where I feel like home is? When I sing. When I worship. That's home and I want to live there."
I'm going to try to. To allow wherever I am to be home through the connection I know to be music to something bigger than myself. To something bigger than my world. To something bigger and better than my selfish endeavour to create my own perfect circumstance. I can't describe how right it feels even just to sing nothing along to music. It looks like a big sigh, a little glow and a wide-spread-love-struck mug.
Friday, June 8, 2012
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Post a song on youtube. Check!
Hi Friends!
I have posted a song I wrote on youtube as part of my 25 things in my 25th year. I'm happy to post the link or you can go to youtube and search "alberta grown" which is always exciting as it comes up currently as the first video.
Check it out and if you wish, "share" it on your facebook or "like it" or just love it. Here she is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tl538W902IM
Thanks for the song love.
Meaghan Ellen
I have posted a song I wrote on youtube as part of my 25 things in my 25th year. I'm happy to post the link or you can go to youtube and search "alberta grown" which is always exciting as it comes up currently as the first video.
Check it out and if you wish, "share" it on your facebook or "like it" or just love it. Here she is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tl538W902IM
Thanks for the song love.
Meaghan Ellen
Friday, January 6, 2012
The day I said good-bye to bread.
Wheat. Something I used to enjoy that I can no longer put in my mouth. It's now added to the list of other things I've been told not to eat. Paste, play dough and yellow snow.
About a month and a half ago I learned I was Celiac. I have an autoimmune disorder that acts like an allergy and destroys my small intestine. The small intestine is where your body absorbs its nutrients. It's kind of important.
Finding out I had a wheat allergy was a relief. Mostly because my doctor told me nothing about it. I asked him for information and he told me to google it. "google?" I said, "do you not have a trusted site or a pamphlet?" no. He didn't. I did what I knew I had to do. Chapters. And after looking like I was a five year old lost in a grocery store a book genius came along, held my hand and directed me to the right section reassuring me that some sausages didn't have fillers and that at least I would feel better.
My happy "hey guess what! I'm Celiac and that's why I feel like crap" texts turned into"yeah, it's not just wheat, it's all gluten and I have to throw out my toaster" texts. Being gluten free is so much more than just avoiding wheat. It's avoiding:
wheat-bread crumbs-coating mixes-panko-barley-barley malt-bulgar-couscous-dunum-einkorn-enimer-farina-farro-graham flour-kamut-kashi-malt-matzo-modified food starch made from wheat-orzo-pastina-rye-seitan-semolina-spelt-triticale
so most of these things I wouldn't eat on a day to day basis but did you know that smarties have gluten in them? soy sauce? some chocolate? and if it doesn't have a label, I can't eat it. If it wasn't prepared in a place where I know it wasn't cross contaminated with gluten, I can't eat it.
The good thing is I am learning so much about what is actually in our food and how many fillers (often containing gluten) are put into what we eat to cut costs.
It's been a hard transition. It's easier to think of all the things I cannot eat instead of all the great things I can eat (which there is a lot). There are a lot of meals I already used to eat that are gluten free but like the forbidden fruit, when you know you can't have something, you want it.
Another great thing is that there are a lot of gluten free items available most places than there used to be. Yes, some of them taste like cardboard but not all of them and while I've squandered my life savings on finding the perfect gluten free cookie, it's worth it to know I'll someday find it.
So there it is. The new and improved Meaghan should complain less about feeling after eating, you might just have to put up with more pouting about the food she orders at a restaurant and the inconvenience of making her a meal at home.
The best thing about being Celiac is that I can reverse the damage that's been done to my body by simply being gluten free forever. It isn't out of my hands. There are also "support groups" to help Celiacs become accustomed with their new life change and while I wanted to introduce myself like this"Hi, my name is Meaghan and I've been gluten free for 3 weeks" in attempt to make fun of the idea of a support group, I actually found it quite comforting.
So, if you have any questions, feel ill after you eat or want to high-five me because you too have an allergy, leave me a comment or get together with me for coffee. I'd love to chat.
About a month and a half ago I learned I was Celiac. I have an autoimmune disorder that acts like an allergy and destroys my small intestine. The small intestine is where your body absorbs its nutrients. It's kind of important.
Finding out I had a wheat allergy was a relief. Mostly because my doctor told me nothing about it. I asked him for information and he told me to google it. "google?" I said, "do you not have a trusted site or a pamphlet?" no. He didn't. I did what I knew I had to do. Chapters. And after looking like I was a five year old lost in a grocery store a book genius came along, held my hand and directed me to the right section reassuring me that some sausages didn't have fillers and that at least I would feel better.
My happy "hey guess what! I'm Celiac and that's why I feel like crap" texts turned into"yeah, it's not just wheat, it's all gluten and I have to throw out my toaster" texts. Being gluten free is so much more than just avoiding wheat. It's avoiding:
wheat-bread crumbs-coating mixes-panko-barley-barley malt-bulgar-couscous-dunum-einkorn-enimer-farina-farro-graham flour-kamut-kashi-malt-matzo-modified food starch made from wheat-orzo-pastina-rye-seitan-semolina-spelt-triticale
so most of these things I wouldn't eat on a day to day basis but did you know that smarties have gluten in them? soy sauce? some chocolate? and if it doesn't have a label, I can't eat it. If it wasn't prepared in a place where I know it wasn't cross contaminated with gluten, I can't eat it.
The good thing is I am learning so much about what is actually in our food and how many fillers (often containing gluten) are put into what we eat to cut costs.
It's been a hard transition. It's easier to think of all the things I cannot eat instead of all the great things I can eat (which there is a lot). There are a lot of meals I already used to eat that are gluten free but like the forbidden fruit, when you know you can't have something, you want it.
Another great thing is that there are a lot of gluten free items available most places than there used to be. Yes, some of them taste like cardboard but not all of them and while I've squandered my life savings on finding the perfect gluten free cookie, it's worth it to know I'll someday find it.
So there it is. The new and improved Meaghan should complain less about feeling after eating, you might just have to put up with more pouting about the food she orders at a restaurant and the inconvenience of making her a meal at home.
The best thing about being Celiac is that I can reverse the damage that's been done to my body by simply being gluten free forever. It isn't out of my hands. There are also "support groups" to help Celiacs become accustomed with their new life change and while I wanted to introduce myself like this"Hi, my name is Meaghan and I've been gluten free for 3 weeks" in attempt to make fun of the idea of a support group, I actually found it quite comforting.
So, if you have any questions, feel ill after you eat or want to high-five me because you too have an allergy, leave me a comment or get together with me for coffee. I'd love to chat.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
En-light-ened!
So, this little lady shares a one bedroom apartment with the lovely Marissa and so in the mornings when I get ready before the crack of dawn I turn the hall light on so I can see into our room to gather my clothes to get changed.
If you know me you know that it is rare that my clothes hang in a closet or folded anywhere let alone the dresser drawers. I keep my clothes in a laundry basket (or beside it depending on my mood) at the end of my bed.
The laundry basket is wonderful because when I go home to Sherwood Park or to Canmore I simply pick it up and put it in my Jeep.
Though some light is shed into the room it is difficult to tell what shirt is which, if my clothes are dirty or where the heck that belt went to. The bottom of the hamper is churned up like I was mixing flour into butter. The bottom of the contents are scooped under my hands and brought to the top or perhaps just dumped onto the bed (though this is not my preference).
Every time I have to send a search party for my basic black tee and a pair of clean knickers I think to my self:
"Lord, this is what life is like when I don't invest into our relationship. I know you're here, I can even feel you but if I just had a little more light, a little more perspective, a little more understanding I would be able to see what I have my hands into and execute this plan with a little more stealth and grace"
Sometimes I live life the difficult way but not on purpose and then I'm angry when it doesn't make sense.
I clearly can't turn the bedroom light on when Marissa is sleeping but I do have access to more knowledge when it come to Christ.
My friend Chantelle recently posted this on her facebook as her status:
I liked this query.
I'm not sure why groping a full laundry basket in the dark reminds me to read my Bible and to sit with God but it does.
When I open those scriptures the light turns on.
Speaking of my roommate and open flames. Way to go on lighting your hair on fire today. Sad I missed it.
Love to y'all,
Meaghan Ellen
XOXO
Friday, November 4, 2011
Quarter-life crisis, not an option.
So I have been longing to blog these days but haven't had a. the motivation, b. the time (?) not true... or c. inspiration or d. all of the above.
Do you remember that choice on multiple choice tests? It always felt like a trick but then again every time I am asked a question I feel like I am being tricked or tested.
There's a new one for Halloween "trick or test"...
child 1 "I got so much candies in my bag last night!"
child 2 "luuuckyyy. All I got were these Chinese finger traps and pregnancy tests"
...not my best idea...
moving on.
There are many things (besides blogging) that I have been wanting to do these days and my routine this year has been to write it down when I find something that I want to do so that I can remember to accomplish it. I have a list of places I want to go, a list of general things I want to do and then there is THE list.
As some of you may know from either reading it in here in an earlier post or from me taking incessantly about it, I have developed a list of 25 things I want to do in my 25th year.
The rules are the night before my birthday I had to compile the list and make no changes to it after the clock struck midnight. Once the list is made I have to do everything on the list no ifs ands or buts. I made the list with two of my best friends as consultants and took some of their suggestions but left most of them out (you girls know why.)
I have to say this list has truly changed my life. I don't know if it's the sense of accomplishment I get from completing the goals or if it is the realization that I needed to do something about living in the now. I never live in the now. I spend my time regretting the past and mostly anticipate the future. Even if I am enjoying what I am doing in the present, I'm thinking about what's next never really savouring what I once wished for; the moment I actually have.
My list has not only allowed me to plan and accomplish the things that pass me by with time and conquer the things that I fear but it let's me enjoy the moments. When I'm crossing something off the 25 I take joy in that moment. YES! I'M DOING IT RIGHT NOW, THIS MINUTE, THIS DAY, THIS YEAR!
Not only does this give me joy but 6 other people have been inspired to do the challenge for their birthdays this year too. I love hearing people excitedly tell me how awesome they think the list is and then tell me what they plan to do for their year.
Though I cannot take credit for the idea of the list I do get to see people motivated to dream, motivated to overcome and motivated to take joy in the now. I tell people everywhere I go about my 25 things in my 25th and it empowers me even more to keep checking things off.
This year, by far, has been the best year of my life. The crumpled ink marked page with things crossed off in a little book cannot take sole responsibility for this though. It is knowing this:
"This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it" Psalm 118:24 (a quote from the Bible, God's written word)
God doesn't promise me tomorrow, he doesn't even promise me my next breath. He wants me to take seriously each tick on the clock that I have, not the ones that I don't have. Though a lot of items on my checklist are not serious, some of them are.
Matthew 6:27 says: "who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?". I sure can't and as a self proclaimed worrier I need to buckle down and take my moments as I have them.
Don't get me wrong. Worrying about the future is different than planning for the future. Worrying about the past is different than learning from the past.
Do you remember that choice on multiple choice tests? It always felt like a trick but then again every time I am asked a question I feel like I am being tricked or tested.
There's a new one for Halloween "trick or test"...
child 1 "I got so much candies in my bag last night!"
child 2 "luuuckyyy. All I got were these Chinese finger traps and pregnancy tests"
...not my best idea...
moving on.
There are many things (besides blogging) that I have been wanting to do these days and my routine this year has been to write it down when I find something that I want to do so that I can remember to accomplish it. I have a list of places I want to go, a list of general things I want to do and then there is THE list.
As some of you may know from either reading it in here in an earlier post or from me taking incessantly about it, I have developed a list of 25 things I want to do in my 25th year.
The rules are the night before my birthday I had to compile the list and make no changes to it after the clock struck midnight. Once the list is made I have to do everything on the list no ifs ands or buts. I made the list with two of my best friends as consultants and took some of their suggestions but left most of them out (you girls know why.)
I have to say this list has truly changed my life. I don't know if it's the sense of accomplishment I get from completing the goals or if it is the realization that I needed to do something about living in the now. I never live in the now. I spend my time regretting the past and mostly anticipate the future. Even if I am enjoying what I am doing in the present, I'm thinking about what's next never really savouring what I once wished for; the moment I actually have.
My list has not only allowed me to plan and accomplish the things that pass me by with time and conquer the things that I fear but it let's me enjoy the moments. When I'm crossing something off the 25 I take joy in that moment. YES! I'M DOING IT RIGHT NOW, THIS MINUTE, THIS DAY, THIS YEAR!
Not only does this give me joy but 6 other people have been inspired to do the challenge for their birthdays this year too. I love hearing people excitedly tell me how awesome they think the list is and then tell me what they plan to do for their year.
Though I cannot take credit for the idea of the list I do get to see people motivated to dream, motivated to overcome and motivated to take joy in the now. I tell people everywhere I go about my 25 things in my 25th and it empowers me even more to keep checking things off.
This year, by far, has been the best year of my life. The crumpled ink marked page with things crossed off in a little book cannot take sole responsibility for this though. It is knowing this:
"This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it" Psalm 118:24 (a quote from the Bible, God's written word)
God doesn't promise me tomorrow, he doesn't even promise me my next breath. He wants me to take seriously each tick on the clock that I have, not the ones that I don't have. Though a lot of items on my checklist are not serious, some of them are.
Matthew 6:27 says: "who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?". I sure can't and as a self proclaimed worrier I need to buckle down and take my moments as I have them.
Don't get me wrong. Worrying about the future is different than planning for the future. Worrying about the past is different than learning from the past.
So as I enjoy the ending of my vacation with the lovely Anna I am thrilled to have accomplished 6/25. I wanted to blog at least once on this time off and I've done it. Pictures and stories re the great Cali/Arizona escape to come.
Thanks for stopping by!
Yours truly,
Meaghan Ellen
Monday, August 15, 2011
It's like
I thought about you today
I remembered you when it was, pouring rain
water droplets chasing each other round the pane
It's like you had me in mind
Oh it's like you love me
Oh it's like you care
And when I see this all around me
It's like my doubt isn't there
I've got to hand it to you
I love the fall it's how I'm moved
Trees being stripped just to be made new
It's like you had me in mind
Oh it's like you love me
Oh it's like you care
And when I see this all around me
It's like my doubt isn't there
At the top of this mountain view
It's not invisible to you
Not a word in this great big outdoor living room
It's like you had me in mind
It's like your hand is in mine
Oh it's like you love me
Oh it's like you care
And when I see this all around me
It's like my doubt isn't there
Monday, August 8, 2011
falling again
This week I am back at the office filling in on my days off from the cottage. I am in reminiscent mode of when I first came to Calgary in the fall and things, rather a feeling, is washing back over me. I stifle a smile and roll my eyes up as if the memories are in the top right corner of the room.
Summer had gone and I was starting to absorb the fullness of autumn. Change was the title, uncertainty the thesis statement and the cursor was blinking on the proverbial page. There, then not. There, then not. Waiting for me to start typing. Something.Anything. But how do you write your life when you don't know what the hell you are doing?
I adore fall, it is my favorite season and mostly because it makes me pensive. Something rises in me. Something art, something creative. Fall changes me. It rearranges the furniture in my heart. Furniture that has always been there but looks fresh when you move it around. Perspective is funny that way, isn't it.
Often fall adds a new rug to the collection or decides to omit the antique lamp that was never turned on in all the years it's been dawning the space I lived within.
Where, I wonder, do those pieces go? To another living room or to the dump? Is some of my new collection recylced to me like the gorgeous vintage coffee table of 2009? Is someone missing it or were they glad to see that part of their life go. It inspires me and I hope it will always "work" in my space.
Fall forcibly changes me. It is out of my hands and I look forward to that. It's silly but I prefer it that way. What will it bring me this year?
Last year I think it brought me choice. I sat on choice for a while and am now wearing it in slowly. Like a big chesterfield brown with big orange flowers.
Summer had gone and I was starting to absorb the fullness of autumn. Change was the title, uncertainty the thesis statement and the cursor was blinking on the proverbial page. There, then not. There, then not. Waiting for me to start typing. Something.Anything. But how do you write your life when you don't know what the hell you are doing?
I adore fall, it is my favorite season and mostly because it makes me pensive. Something rises in me. Something art, something creative. Fall changes me. It rearranges the furniture in my heart. Furniture that has always been there but looks fresh when you move it around. Perspective is funny that way, isn't it.
Often fall adds a new rug to the collection or decides to omit the antique lamp that was never turned on in all the years it's been dawning the space I lived within.
Where, I wonder, do those pieces go? To another living room or to the dump? Is some of my new collection recylced to me like the gorgeous vintage coffee table of 2009? Is someone missing it or were they glad to see that part of their life go. It inspires me and I hope it will always "work" in my space.
Fall forcibly changes me. It is out of my hands and I look forward to that. It's silly but I prefer it that way. What will it bring me this year?
Last year I think it brought me choice. I sat on choice for a while and am now wearing it in slowly. Like a big chesterfield brown with big orange flowers.
I like it now that it has grown on me and my space wouldn't be the same without it. I'm comfortable with it being there and the tacky pattern no longer intimates me. Its familiar and I am in charge because it knows I will have it covered in an instant with fresh polka dot fabric if I choose to.
I am hoping this year fall will bring me a love seat. One with deep cushions you can sink into and doesn't mind when you do.
I am hoping this year fall will bring me a love seat. One with deep cushions you can sink into and doesn't mind when you do.
I can hear my granmothers voice in my head "don't flop on the furniture!"...
"I'm not" I'd say. "I'm falling".
Sunday, July 31, 2011
My 25 in my 25th.
Hi friend,
All caught up on my previous posts? Great!
Have I told you that I have challenged myself to do a list of 25 things in my 25th year?
Truth be told, I need your help to accomplish some of them. You in? Awesome!
Theses are the things that are left on my list that I'm going to need help with:
-touch a snake (Do you have a snake?) (..oh you..please try and be appropriate)
-help on a farm for a day (do you have a farm?)
-volunteer for a day (do you have an organization I've never helped out with before?)
-learn to make sushi (do you know how to make sushi or would like to go sushi-ing with me?)
I know what you are thinking, that's only 4 tasks, have you completed 21 so far?
negatory, these are just the things I need help with.
Things I've completed are:
-belaying
-get a facial
-go to dance class
-go hiking
There are others I don't need help with that aren't completed:
-go on a vacation
-buy five colored shirts to add to my wardrobe of black, grey and all things neutral
-read the Bible in its entirety
-finish my weight loss goal
-go surfing
-go sea kayaking
-get a tattoo
I know what you are thinking again! (no, I'm not couins with Chris Angel)
I haven't put the whole list up as some of them are personal.
I will keep you posted though on progress if you like.
Let me know if you can help!
Meaghan Ellen
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Wish you were here
I'm here all the way in the Northwest Territories on a Canadian staycation. It wasn't planned this way but it's how it turned out.
You see, I should be in Calgary cleaning up children's vomit and snuggling babies but alas I am enjoying the sun and warmth of familiar faces in Hay River.
Sometimes you don't realize you needed a rest until rest happens and you are overjoyed by the silence of a house, uninterrupted sleep, scheduling nothing but visiting and being freed from any routine commitments.
I'm not sure I ever have wanted this so much in my life as I do now. A sure sign I am growing old. That and shift work is hard. A sure sign I have a real job.
Normally, when planning a trip, I cram every last moment with something in hopes of not being let down by "nothingness". Nothing is what I am here to do.
It's a good chance to catch up on sleeping, reading, resting, playing the piano in a sanctuary of none, indulging in girly magazines (I'm so into the denim trend ladies), excercise and just being. Oh, and I guess blogging. My true love is to just be (not to be confused with Anna's true love, doing).
Do you ever feel like your whole life is so crazy that even your body is out of sync. Perhaps it's not just the busy of your world but the stress or the worry or the perpetual planning. Shift work has made my stomache say "I don't know if I'm hungry, what time of day is it again?", my eyes look caved in and darkened, my skin puffy and my intestines preparing for world war 3 (I have colitis, I'm not trying to be unlady-like and gross).
It's like running so hard trying to reach a destination and when it finally approaches the brakes on your feet fail you. You just keeping running because that's all your body has known and has been pushed to do for the last however long.
This is seemingly new to me and I feel resilient bouncing back but I just wonder what kind of effect this would have on someone if it were their whole life? It certainly has made me appreciate this week off so much more. I feel like I have won the lottery. Cue game show music *You have just won a brrrrannnd new 12 hour drive to the middle of no where canadaaaaaaaaaaaa. For some you think this is crazy. For me it is really true bliss.
I know this isn't my typical type of blogging but in the spirit of getting back into the things that make me relax I hope you can appreciate this post for what it is (a little bit off, a little bit serious, a little bit like its 8 in the morning and my body won't allow me to be in bed anymore as it's all I've done in the last 30-ish hours)
I'm sure once I have wiped the smug look of my face from feeling like I have escaped normal life and they can't find me in paradise, I'll start asking myself stupid questions or a playful squirrel will inspire more blogging.
I'm not going to end now with a charge for you to seize the day or any crap like that. Get things done on your list, there's a time for everything.
Glad to be back,
Meaghan xoxo
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Like a Child
When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 1 Corinthians 13:11
The other day at Winners whilst I was perusing the racks (of clothes), a slippery shirt dropped of the hanger. As I crouched down to grab it and as I looked up, I felt an old familiar feeling. Surrounded, hidden and smitten.
When I was a kid, I loved to hide in the clothes racks from other shoppers. When they would pass me by and I'd go unnoticed, I got this butterfly tingly feeling in my stomach and would think "yes, hehe! They didn't see me". I was an espionage of sorts or maybe just plain old sneaky and depending on the season, I may had just literally pulled the wool over their eyes. The round clothes racks were the best because they gave a full circle coverage.
The only full circle coverage I get these days are from my bra.
Funny though how one small thing can bring you back to a feeling, a state or place you've been or once dreamed you would be. Maybe it's sparked by a conversation with an old friend or an object from your childhood.
I like to buy candy I once enjoyed as a kid to make me feel small and innocent again. Coconut aroma anything brings me to past summers and certain songs to past love interests.
The most surprising is when you pass a stranger in the crowd and you catch a scent of perfume and it reminds you of someone you knew. I close my eyes and think of that person even if for only that moment or longer if I choose.
Maybe it's one single word that can trigger a whole reel of emotion. Sometimes it's blissful and other times it's evasive. Your day is carrying on as normal as a day in your life can be and something small, even unmentionable picks you up out of the present and tosses you backwards into a stream of guilt or embarrassment. It's about a conversation you shouldn't have had, the time you were in the wrong place at the wrong time and the worst, a misunderstanding you never could fix. You're tortured again by what you've done or haven't done. What you've said or haven't said. Who you were or who you weren't.
It's silly, really, but I love a good unexpected trip via time travel. I'd like to collect these moments but that's sort of the beauty of them. They come and go as they please.
I wish sometimes I could crawl on the cold tile floor under organized garments (hopefully long and almost to the floor like coats) and tuck my feet in as close to my body as I can. Hugging my knees tightly and slowing my breath I'd be once again be a child.
...Until of course my mom would then find me and it would just be...
game over.
!
The other day at Winners whilst I was perusing the racks (of clothes), a slippery shirt dropped of the hanger. As I crouched down to grab it and as I looked up, I felt an old familiar feeling. Surrounded, hidden and smitten.
When I was a kid, I loved to hide in the clothes racks from other shoppers. When they would pass me by and I'd go unnoticed, I got this butterfly tingly feeling in my stomach and would think "yes, hehe! They didn't see me". I was an espionage of sorts or maybe just plain old sneaky and depending on the season, I may had just literally pulled the wool over their eyes. The round clothes racks were the best because they gave a full circle coverage.
The only full circle coverage I get these days are from my bra.
Funny though how one small thing can bring you back to a feeling, a state or place you've been or once dreamed you would be. Maybe it's sparked by a conversation with an old friend or an object from your childhood.
I like to buy candy I once enjoyed as a kid to make me feel small and innocent again. Coconut aroma anything brings me to past summers and certain songs to past love interests.
The most surprising is when you pass a stranger in the crowd and you catch a scent of perfume and it reminds you of someone you knew. I close my eyes and think of that person even if for only that moment or longer if I choose.
Maybe it's one single word that can trigger a whole reel of emotion. Sometimes it's blissful and other times it's evasive. Your day is carrying on as normal as a day in your life can be and something small, even unmentionable picks you up out of the present and tosses you backwards into a stream of guilt or embarrassment. It's about a conversation you shouldn't have had, the time you were in the wrong place at the wrong time and the worst, a misunderstanding you never could fix. You're tortured again by what you've done or haven't done. What you've said or haven't said. Who you were or who you weren't.
It's silly, really, but I love a good unexpected trip via time travel. I'd like to collect these moments but that's sort of the beauty of them. They come and go as they please.
I wish sometimes I could crawl on the cold tile floor under organized garments (hopefully long and almost to the floor like coats) and tuck my feet in as close to my body as I can. Hugging my knees tightly and slowing my breath I'd be once again be a child.
...Until of course my mom would then find me and it would just be...
game over.
!
Monday, March 14, 2011
Church Obesity
I went for an early spring jog the other day since I could see the pavement. I don't know why but when spring approaches and the pavement clears of snow, I get an overwhelming urge to lay down on it and maybe even give it a kiss. Perhaps I thought if I tried running I might get a version of that experience if I tripped.
Anyways, as I was lightly jogging (I don't want to exaggerate and say I was running just for the sake of a good post) I saw other people doing the same (okay, they were running). They were real runners though. You can tell by what they are wearing. Usually a little cap, fitted pants to the ankles and a bright jacket that rounds about their bum. I thought to myself "self, why is that you never see really obese people running? You always just sort of see the fit ones doing it" (though I was out and about prancing around the side walks in my non-running clothes a.k.a not fitted joggers and my jacket that sticks, not rounds, to my bum)
I came to the conclusion it is for the same reason that only really busy people who already serve themselves dry in the Church are always the ones to volunteer their tired selves again and again.
Church obesity.
One last thing I discovered on my outdoor excursion is that if you run downhill it makes you look way more athletic than you really are. That and I think I have shin splints.
Anyways, as I was lightly jogging (I don't want to exaggerate and say I was running just for the sake of a good post) I saw other people doing the same (okay, they were running). They were real runners though. You can tell by what they are wearing. Usually a little cap, fitted pants to the ankles and a bright jacket that rounds about their bum. I thought to myself "self, why is that you never see really obese people running? You always just sort of see the fit ones doing it" (though I was out and about prancing around the side walks in my non-running clothes a.k.a not fitted joggers and my jacket that sticks, not rounds, to my bum)
I came to the conclusion it is for the same reason that only really busy people who already serve themselves dry in the Church are always the ones to volunteer their tired selves again and again.
Church obesity.
One last thing I discovered on my outdoor excursion is that if you run downhill it makes you look way more athletic than you really are. That and I think I have shin splints.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Death by Life
So here I sit, updating you lovely folk on my adventures.
It's now March (welcome) and I am embracing it with open arms and a full heart. Every month forward from when winter begins is a month closer to spring.
At my new job, I get every 7th week off so this week I have been "vacationing" in Edmonton. I've been visiting, sleeping, tanning, working out, eating and spending much needed time with my grandparents.
I can't help to think one day I'll wish it were today again when I can see them, touch them, hear them and smell the familiar smell of the house I know will go away when they do.
Death is not a topic we refrain from in our family. We know each others wishes (yes mom, we will bury your damn dogs with you) and it's a conversation that frequents our table talk. Today at the restaurant my mom was encouraging my papa (grandpa) to finish the sailboat he starting building years ago that (insert my gaggy (grandma)) "just sits in our bloody garage". My papa told my mom he plans to finish it. Either that or convert it into his coffin. I laughed heartily and we all rolled our eyes because we all know very well he wants to be cremated. A funny joke to probably just our table. More wine anyone?
Anyways. I am very much alive but I said to my family today, "just so you all know (since I realized I hadn't expressed it before) I'd like a coffin and a grave". They hope to never have to worry about those details since they think they should be long gone by the time it is my turn but "you never know". You simply never know.
I'd like a white coffin.
It's now March (welcome) and I am embracing it with open arms and a full heart. Every month forward from when winter begins is a month closer to spring.
At my new job, I get every 7th week off so this week I have been "vacationing" in Edmonton. I've been visiting, sleeping, tanning, working out, eating and spending much needed time with my grandparents.
I can't help to think one day I'll wish it were today again when I can see them, touch them, hear them and smell the familiar smell of the house I know will go away when they do.
Death is not a topic we refrain from in our family. We know each others wishes (yes mom, we will bury your damn dogs with you) and it's a conversation that frequents our table talk. Today at the restaurant my mom was encouraging my papa (grandpa) to finish the sailboat he starting building years ago that (insert my gaggy (grandma)) "just sits in our bloody garage". My papa told my mom he plans to finish it. Either that or convert it into his coffin. I laughed heartily and we all rolled our eyes because we all know very well he wants to be cremated. A funny joke to probably just our table. More wine anyone?
Anyways. I am very much alive but I said to my family today, "just so you all know (since I realized I hadn't expressed it before) I'd like a coffin and a grave". They hope to never have to worry about those details since they think they should be long gone by the time it is my turn but "you never know". You simply never know.
I'd like a white coffin.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Calgary Culture 101
So I have decided I am going to give Calgary the chance it deserves.
Like any awkward person you meet, you may have to give them time to bloom out of their closed bud. Perhaps though, in this situation, I am the closed bud.
I am going to experiment with what I call "Calgary Culture 101". This is an independent self study but friends are welcome to join. I am hoping that through this little debacle, new friends will be made.
While lazily thumbing through the Herald at work (you needn't worry, the kids were sleeping) I came across a little insert magazine. Swerve. Check it out: http://swervecalgary.com/
I found that there are indeed lots of things I'd like to do in Calgary and to explore it like I would if I went on a vacation to another city. There are people who come to Calgary (I know, it's hard to believe) to find and seek out it's culture so I should do the same.
So far I've found a really lovely cafe. http://www.tmdish.com/what.html They have really delicious food and you can either stay in or take it out. They have yummy veggie dishes, eclectic cold salads and a chai latte that I will frequent often.
Today I am going to go to a film festival viewing. The film is called "The Waiting City". So though it is scary to venture to the trendy part of town alone, I will go.
I am also going to give a large Church's young adults service a try. It's going to be touch and go but a I'm meeting a friend from work so that eases my pain.
Let me know what you would seek out in a new city
Like any awkward person you meet, you may have to give them time to bloom out of their closed bud. Perhaps though, in this situation, I am the closed bud.
I am going to experiment with what I call "Calgary Culture 101". This is an independent self study but friends are welcome to join. I am hoping that through this little debacle, new friends will be made.
While lazily thumbing through the Herald at work (you needn't worry, the kids were sleeping) I came across a little insert magazine. Swerve. Check it out: http://swervecalgary.com/
I found that there are indeed lots of things I'd like to do in Calgary and to explore it like I would if I went on a vacation to another city. There are people who come to Calgary (I know, it's hard to believe) to find and seek out it's culture so I should do the same.
So far I've found a really lovely cafe. http://www.tmdish.com/what.html They have really delicious food and you can either stay in or take it out. They have yummy veggie dishes, eclectic cold salads and a chai latte that I will frequent often.
Today I am going to go to a film festival viewing. The film is called "The Waiting City". So though it is scary to venture to the trendy part of town alone, I will go.
I am also going to give a large Church's young adults service a try. It's going to be touch and go but a I'm meeting a friend from work so that eases my pain.
Let me know what you would seek out in a new city
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