mi amore

Fri, 21 Mar 2008 12:51:33 GMT

WOWOWOWOW!!!!
this is what happens when you never update, you have too much to say!
do i look at the really big picture, or do i just narrow it down to the last month? I guess there hasn't really been that much happening to be honest. The only thing i'll remember about moving to Montreal so far is S.N.O.W!!!! This was the craziest winter weather I may have ever been through, and hopefully it's ending soon? There is still a ton of snow here, and it's minus 20 today, so the end isn't in clear sight.

I turned 25, which was very uneventful. I laid in bed, covered in blankets suffering with a horrible flu. I still have the remnants in the form of a cold, and the need for a nap everyday. I basically stayed in bed for 5 days straight.

For my birthday I got a bike!!!
It's a white vintage 3 spd. cruiser with silver wheel covers. It was basically the best present ever, and just what i wanted! it looks like the one below only white!

I am down to only working 4 days a week, Tuesday to Friday. I have to today off for Good Friday. That gives me every Monday morning and evening for school/schoolwork, and Monday afternoon I volunteer at a Magazine. It's awesome seeing what happens behind the scenes to produce a magazine, and everyone there is really cool. I actually just remembered that I'm going there this afternoon and that is really exciting!

The other night for dinner I made the tastiest pasta recipe from Vegan Yum Yum. It's the Spicy Lemon Pepper Pasta with Broccoli, and it only has like 5 ingredients in total but it's my new favourite pasta dish ever, and i'm probobly going to make it all the time.

this is the direct link to the recipe-> http://veganyumyum.com/2008/01/spicy-lemon-pepper-pasta-with-broccoli/#comments

SO GOOD!!!

Well, even though it's the end of the semester and I have no interest in doing schoolwork today, i'm off to the library. Hope elsewhere you are starting to see signs of spring!

Sun, 06 Jan 2008 17:35:11 GMT

Wow, it's hard to update when you haven't in so long.
Well, christmas came, and went, and New Years Eve came and went as well. Both were lovely.
Christmas was spent in PEI. Spent lots of time with firends, and lots of time with family. I got to see a lot of the people who mean so much to me.
New Years Eve was spent in Montreal. Lots of wine, dancing and cheesy 90's music. The night ended with me serenading a few friends on the piano until the wee hours of the morning.   Rusty piano skills were in full efffect.
2007 was the best year in a long line of not so great ones.
There was a lot of life lessons learned, and a lot of good memories made.   Most importantly I gained a lot of things back I thought were lost forever.
Hopefully 2008 will be much of the same.

Starting tomorrow I am a university student again.   EEEK!!
Wish me luck!

on the way home

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 23:57:04 GMT

yay! this was my view on the walk home from work tonight! the snow was shining like diamonds!
yay christmas!
my mom sent me a rose cousins/jill barber christmas cd in the mail, and i've been listening to it non-stop, although i think i'm the only one who really appreciates that in my house!

Sat, 17 Nov 2007 00:29:32 GMT

as per Christina's request, i will further update with my adventures in Montreal:

I must say, one thing that sets Montreal apart from the rest of Canada is it's construction. They show complete disregard for personal safety, and people fall in holes, are forced to walk over things that are completely unsafe, and generally there are no signs, markings or detours.
With that being said, one of my most favourite things is the construction workers! After working for my fathers construction company, I've pretty much heard every sleazy pick-up line, and "hubba hubba" type comment. In Montreal you never hear any of that! The construction workers look at you and say "Bonjour Mademoiselle"! It's tres elegant!!

That's it for now, I'm awaiting my dinner from this little vegan pizza place is a mere hop, skip and a jump from me!

Sat, 10 Nov 2007 15:58:06 GMT

Sometimes I can be the worst updater ever.
I have been in montreal since the end of October and so far, it's really really great. I feel way more at home here than i ever did in Vancouver, even after I had been there for over a year. I don't really know why, but for me this is a more comforting place. i still don't have a job, i haven't really even looked yet so I better get on top of that.
I start school in January. I'm only taking 3 classes first semester, summer session i'm going to take 4, and september i'm taking five. I'm pretty stoked to start, I have to admit! I've been spending lots of time at Concordia, (they serve a free vegan lunch everyday, and I've been eating there regularly), so already i feel comfortable being there.
I love the student initiatives at Concordia! Peoples Potato (free vegan cafeteria-style lunch), Frigo Verte (student run organic grocery store) etc.
It's a really cool environment.
Other than that, I've met some great people here. Some people with similar interests in health, and with connections to people in Halifax!
So all in all, so far, so good.

My new address is
6625 Boul. St Laurent
H2S 3C5
Montreal QC

Send me stuff!
PS. I've been having really strange dreams lately!

Stolen from Alexis, and Christina!

Thu, 25 Oct 2007 00:45:52 GMT

I am not: doing the things I need to get ready for my move to Montreal
I hurt: when i eat a lot of garlic, ouch!
I love: the ones closest to me.
I hate: when I impulse buy, i always regret it.
I fear: not getting into my program at Concordia.
I hope: i can find my passion in life.
I regret: making mistakes, duhh
I cry: when people raise their voice at me, instantly. I'm such a baby.
I care: about animal welfare.
I always: drive, i can't wait to be able to take the metro.
I long: to read into the future.
I listen: to cbc radio, all day, everyday.
I hide: my true emotions.
I write: in a journal, inconsistently though.
I miss: everyone i love whom i'm not close enough too. you know who you are!!!
I learn: from listening to my friends advice, they're always intuitive.
I feel: tired, always. anemia here i come!
I know: i'm addicted to sugar.
I want: that which i can't have.
I worry: too much.
I wish: I knew how to knit. someone teach me, i've tried teaching myself and it's hard.
I have: amazing parents. I'm lucky.
I give: health advice whenever anyone wants it.
I wait: for Tuesday and my trip to Montreal.
I need: more money, and definitely MORE CLOTHES!

i enjoy this, and you should too

Sun, 23 Sep 2007 23:00:24 GMT

So this is an example of really bad recipe made interesting.

Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies with a twist!!!!
(How it all Vegan pg. 137)

3/4 cup dry sweetener (i use sucanat because it makes them taste like caramely/brown-sugary/mollasossy goodness)
1/2 cup margarine (i use coconut oil instead. i've used earth balance margarine, and the coconut oil is way better)
1/2 cup oil (olive is fine, but something lighter like canola or sunflower would be okay)
3 tbsp water
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 1/4 cups flour ( i use whole wheat)
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 to 11/2 cups chocolate chips (i just use a dark chocolate without dairy, buy them at the bulk barn)

Preheat oven to 375 c
In a small bowl stir together sweetener, margarine, oil, water, vanilla.
In a large bowl mix flour, baking soda, and salt.
Add margarine mixture and the chocolate chips and mix together well.
What i usually do is make the cookies by hand, because they are a bit crumbly. I also find it easier to just place the chocolate chips in once i've formed them and put them on the baking sheet.
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes.
Makes roughly a dozen.

ladies, do your ovaries a favour!

Tue, 11 Sep 2007 02:58:33 GMT

I am almost going to be the proud owner of a fertility computer!
my ovulation will be announced by a little red light!
YAY for babycomp!!!
http://babycomp.ca/show.php/index

thanks to zane's sister for providing me with this amazing little contraption!

Sat, 08 Sep 2007 19:38:09 GMT

Last nights adventures included
-a sweaty, sweaty dance party
-awkward conversations
-old school danceoffs
-a really annoying guy who just wanted everyones attention.   i asked him 'were you payed to be the hype guy?'. he was standing right in front of the dj trying to impress him with his pop n lock skillzzz, and ended up hitting the needle off the record. it was funny, i pointed and laughed.
-grade eight dance moves!!

things that i would really like to have right about now are
1.these jeans


2.                3.

Also, an added bonus would be, a place to LIVE in Montreal!
I wouldn't mind if it was cheap, had hardwood floors, accepted pets, had large windows, a washer and dryer insuite, and was close to Concordia. if you have one of those you want to give me, let me know!

Mon, 03 Sep 2007 07:42:00 GMT

i seriously think this may have been the best and worst day of my life.
is that possible?
i slept from 8 pm, till 2:30 am, and have been wide awake ever since. comparing myself and my life to everyone else.
i know that nobody is perfect, and that fairy tales don't really exist but i can't help but think....
if only things were different.

ps.
to you,
thanks for updating my ipod, i'm listening to your sleep time playlist, hopefully it'll put me back to sleep soon.

SUMMER 2007!!!!!

Fri, 31 Aug 2007 00:53:10 GMT

There were too many good things about this summer
-arm wrestling
-fireworks
-drinking homemade wine and having drunk four hour crazy 8 championships
-amazing thunder and lightning storms
-farmers market saturdays
-alexis and zanes wedding and the whole weekend that ensued

1. On the way back from Halifax made a stop at Andy's Dummies! The guy is around 90, and makes mention of how he's going to die soon and that this will be his last year having the dummies displayed. On the way out he gave me a crusty salt and pepper shaker from his van as a present.

2. Playing in the field behind my house wearing my country gear and letting off fireworks!

3. catching the bouquet at Alexis' wedding!!! I'm really good at it!!!!

4. FRIEND LOVE!

5. BEACH PARTY!

Mon, 06 Aug 2007 16:59:03 GMT

The best advice I've ever gotten was from my yoga instructor who said, the key to perfection is to "be an introvert". Avoid the overwhelming urge to compare what you're doing to that of other people. So difficult, yet so critical.

Be an introvert.

Fri, 03 Aug 2007 19:57:27 GMT

It's steaming hot, and i'm uncomfortable in more ways than one. I keep thinking about when I lived in Vancouver and people would visibly ignore my presence. I didn't fit the criteria, I guess. My thumbs keep fidgeting the same way they would when I was in a room surrounded by people, but totally alone. It's weird how the weather is playing tricks on my mind like this, because I am obviously far away from that place.

SAFARI BOUND

Sun, 29 Jul 2007 16:31:30 GMT

LIST:
1.HAT
2. REALLY ADORABLE SPANISH PUPPY

I'm ready to go!!!!

Fri, 20 Jul 2007 21:07:28 GMT

two books i highly recommend from my summer reading collection. "The Birth House" is written by Ami McKay of Nova Scotia, and has to do with midwifery and herbalism and other things I enjoy. Its such a good story and the main character Dora Rare is so lovable. The second book is "Reading Lolita in Tehran", based on one womans story of teaching western literature to her students in Iran, and mostly for a select group of females in which she holds a private class.
Both very good and worth the time. Right now I'm reading Bram Stokers "Dracula" just to steer away from the so-called 'girly' books for a bit.
Anybody else have good books to recommend?

Mon, 09 Jul 2007 17:04:46 GMT

The fact that I've worn a hoodie every single day this summer isn't getting me down.
WHY????

because.......
a.    living across from an organic strawberry u-pick makes me SOOOOOOOOO happy
b.    i have structure for the first time in my life. ie. working 9 to 5 monday to friday. what a nice change!
c.    I am constantly surrounded by uplifting, positive people.
d.    i am more inspired lately than i've ever been.
e.    i cook amazing food every day, and i give the finger to every single recipe. basically, i rule.
f.     my dog is feeling healthy again
g.     i have a badminton set, and am now addicted to badminton.

it's the simple things in life that count.

Fri, 06 Jul 2007 13:30:50 GMT

I was 15 when after years of begging for one, we finally got a dog. When we first brought her home she was so cute, long curly ears that would fall into her water dish. I think i have a million pictures of this. The novelty of taking her for walks lasted for a really long time.
After a few years things changed. I moved away to Halifax, then Boston, and everytime I came home, she wanted to sleep in my room less and less. She got closer to my parents and although she'd still act happy to see me, she wasn't really MY dog anymore.
Now that she's sick, I think about all the times she made me feel happy and safe, and warm when i was cold. She's a great feet warmer, and such a good friend. I know people think i'm so cheesy when it comes to my pets, but I really hope she gets better soon.

Mon, 02 Jul 2007 01:17:33 GMT

i need this

http://www.blackphoenixalchemylab.com/welcome.html

every single piece of it.

i made amazing black bean burgers today. i even soaked the black beans first. last week i made homemade almond milk. being self sufficient is a great feeling.
i have resisted wheat, dairy and processed sugar for over a month. in limitations we find so many opportunities. i love it!

a step away from crazy

Sat, 02 Jun 2007 01:13:17 GMT

Here is a story about how as I get older I become a little crazy.
Last Friday Nick had a bbq, and we ended up hanging out till late. I left his house around 130 am, and started driving home.
I stopped off at Queens Arms Esso for gas, and this gas station has a McDonalds in it. I walk in past a group of people sitting in a car, chowing down on some nasty cheeseburgers. As I walk back to my car, one of the guys in the car tries to chat.
I get in my car, turn it on and am about to pull away. I look over and see all the people in the car throwing their bags, and cups and wrappers fom McDonalds on the ground. I sit and think for a minute about how crazy I'll look for going next to their car, and picking up their garbage, especially at 130 in the morning, but i figured what the hell. At this point I had seriously lost all hope in humanity, so i shut off my car and ran over. I run up to the car, at which point everyone inside is staring at me, i stoop down, pick up their garbage and walk it the FIVE STEPS to the trash can!! One of the guys looks at me and says "it wasn't me", at which i said " it doesn't matter, that was so unneccessary". I run back to my car and drive away.
Am I crazy for doing this? What is wrong with people for being so gosh darn lazy!??

Wed, 18 Apr 2007 14:09:40 GMT

One thing you should never do at work..... update your Livejournal. OOPS! good thing i work for my father.

I have decided to put my store on hold for the time being, and so now I'm acting as a Personal Assistant for my father. That sounds funny I know, but he really needs one. I am going through a mountain of paperwork everyday, and generally learning a lot about his business and what he does everyday. The only thing that is not fun about it is his employees, which are pretty much the stereotypical construction workers. I tend to wear a lot of layers as to not be eye-raped. I'm wondering how that will go in the heat of the summer?
I got a new car, which means I' m going to be making a trip to Halifax in May with Chelsea for thrift store shopping. Alexis and Lindsay are you in? Where in NS are the good thrift spots? I'm currently trying to find some new age/vegetarian/enviromental progaganda license plates and bumper stickers for my car, so i can make it the true geek mobile that it is meant to be. I like this one 'plants and animals disappear to make room for your FAT ASS", or 'insatiable is NOT sustainble'. Oh they are all just so deliciously geekarific.

Now two things that are currently changing my life, who I will recommend to change yours as well.
OCM or Oil Cleansing Method. Basically I've combined eye makeup remover, a cleanser, and a moisturizer in one by doing this. Its a combination of Castor oil ( organic/hexane free for cleansing ) and organic olive oil for moisture. i've started using a 50/50 ratio and so far thats what works for my face, and you just work that onto your face, leaving all your makeup on. After you've massaged it into your skin, you take a steaming facecloth, like what you've get with a facial and put that on your face, leave it there till it cools. This part is my favorite because its so relaxing. After that you just use that cloth to wipe off all the excess. I'm serious when i tell you this has taken my blackheads off my nose, regulated my skin, and left it moisturized enough that i don't usually need to put anything on afterwards. Shu Uemera and a few other brands have variations of this, but with additives that you don't need. This is cheap, and ecological and you can tailor it to whatever you want. Adding Jojoba or essential oils that are paticular for your skins needs. I LOVE LOVE LOVE IT! If you wanna know more go to the naturalliving community and look in the memories.
Now my second favorite thing in life right now is Yerba Mate! If you've never tasted this tea before, please do so. It is a better more sustained kick than any shot of espresso, i have energy all day from one cup in the morning.
These are my favorite things in life right now, and I just thought I'd share.

Sun, 25 Mar 2007 21:44:01 GMT

If I could only own 10 things in my life, they would be:

10. limitless writing utensils, journals, pens and pencils. To be particular about the journals, they would be moleskins of various types and sizes. Sometimes you need lined, and sometimes you don't. Sometimes you want big pages and sometimes you want small. You need all of the them. Black pens preferably and the pencils would be mechanical. Not to be picky...

9. A library of books and resources.

8. A room dedicated to yoga and meditation with all of the relaxation tools inside.

7. A window seat

6. A craft store.

5. a huge organic garden.

4. a large bathtub.

3. a loft apartment with hardwood floors and beautiful large windows that let me soak up the sun.

2. accessible communication to people I love, ie my laptop and internet access would be perfect.

1. My dog Baby. She's my side kick and I couldn't wouldn't live without her.

If you could only own 10 things, what would they be?? Be materialistic if you want, I just couldn't justify it because I'm being self righteous today.
Oh yeah, I'm sick and bored. Can you tell??

Sun, 25 Mar 2007 05:57:31 GMT

Is it just me or do you ever feel like life is passing you by??? Seize the moment!!!

Being sick makes me cranky.

Thu, 22 Mar 2007 21:36:58 GMT

Spent my birthday weekend in Montreal. Montreal, the city of cigarettes and cheap cologne. The city that has a restaurant where the owner dresses like a gay pirate and tells you that if you can't finish your portions, you'll be asked to leave and told never to return. A place where a caring group of people at a University can provide a service of feeding hungry 'students' everyday, and simultaneously keeping a group of hungry unemployed boys fed with a square meal of vegan food everyday.
My birthday I drank 1 litre of 'la gentleman boheme', some of the cheapest wine the gas station en route could provide. I learned how to play dominoes, lost a whole bunch of times, drank some more whiskey and then finished off the night with my old friend Jagermeister and breaking glasses against the wall. Not before dancing in the grocery store, yelling 'lets just run' while the security guard was standing their watching us, and yelling "ITS MY BIRTHDAY!!!!" to anyone who'd listen.
The rest of the time included walking around in the freezing cold and hanging out with nice people.
My only complaint is that I came home to find out I'm not getting nearly as much money back for my income taxes. WHY!!!???

Go to Spirit Lounge in Montreal. You won't regret it.

Thu, 08 Mar 2007 02:21:44 GMT

so, i really like to doodle hearts everywhere. What does that say about my personality??

Wed, 28 Feb 2007 01:44:58 GMT

like my new glasses???