Spongy!

So I read somewhere that some people are naturally very spongy. And I think I am one of them. Nope, this doesn't refer to the squidgyness of my thighs rather the way of being like a sponge and literally soaking up the energy and moods of other people.

There is no reason for me to be grumpy or stressed or in a bad mood. None whatsoever. All's well in my world. Sure I am busy and have a lot going on but until the next lunar cycle all is calm and managable! But because there is a strong stress and grumpyness vibe going on at work at the moment I am finding myself feeling the same way. In part it is because I just don't like it when people aren't friendly (there really is no need for it and I am sure it takes more effort not to smile than to smile) and I automatically think that I am the reason for their bad mood (oh god, he's grumpy because I am such a bad employee! oh no I must be bad company!) but also because they are sending off negative vibes and my wave lengths are picking them up even though they are set to positive. Honestly, its is equally as annoying as when the radio stations mix up and go crackly!!!!

Anyway that is what has happened today but I am feeling better now I've realised it. Any tips on not picking up this 'interference'?!

Forget about the big picture

every now and again. Put away your training manual. Quit overthinking it. Run for today.

This is kick in the butt # 92 and its just what I need to hear in preparation for tonight's 6 miles with a killer hill run. I am running with Julie and Nigel who will both kick my butt so I need to just run it to feel good and enjoy the fresh air, scenary and to clear my head not to be obsessing about not being able to double the distance in just 11 days time.

Running stands for no nonsense. The minute a negative thought comes into your head that's it your body slows down and stops. If that is what happens when you are running the same is true (although less obvious) in all other areas of life. It's a good reminder. So tonight, I will just enjoy my run, if I have to stop and walk I will but it won't be because I am telling myself I can't do it.

Come to think of it this kick in the butt is a good general kick - stop overthinking things, put away the plans and to do list and live for today...

PS - please give me extra brownie points because it is raining outside!

A weird thing

So I've just got home from an event for the Dress for Success charity I am involved in. It was incredibly successful and my part of it (to drum up interest in a new fundraising/networking initiative we are launching in the Autumn) went well. But here's the thing, I had some great girls volunteering to help me and somehow I had become the person who in their eyes was 'kind of there'.. I mean to say there was a group of tres cool beautiful girls wanting to get their break in PR - aka fresh blood - willing to volunteer to get experience, make contacts and meet people. For so long I've been that eager enthusiastic person helping out and still think I am (albeit it less of the chic and trendy more of a keener!) and then tonight somehow I was the person who was 'there' -they were helping me promote an initiative I was working on, keen to help out in anyway and I got to talk with the grown ups! It sounds silly but it was a moment to mark for me anyway!

So that was one bright and beautiful moment of today - other highlights include talking to Ella ( i am going to babysit Fin on Saturday, can't wait!) chatting to my Mum and joining facebook - who knew it was so cool? I feel popular for the first time ever and have reconnected with my best friend from when I was 12 until about 16! She reminded me that I was the queen of writing notes and passing them to friend during lessons at school. Goodness knows what I used to write but I suppose this blog and facebook fullfils an equivalent role for me now!

Better go, I have no wireless connection with my laptop so I am in the living room with david's hockey kit that is 'airing' out. Airing out of smelly hockey gear for days, rather than hours = suffocate, depress and distress me! If only those volunteers girls knew I was coming home to an apartment filled with a musty hockey fragrance as well as socks, shin guards, gloves, skates and goodness knows what else laid out on the living room floor to 'air', I don't think they would think I was so cool then!! Anyway that's all to say I must relocate to the bedroom and I need to lay down some ground rules to save my sanity- 12 hours of overnight airing is all that is going to be permitted from now on. Surely that's fair?

Goodnight! xox

I'm back

Sorry for the absence - here are some of the reasons

Weird things going on with internet connection at home. I can't get online with our connection on my laptop and the neighbour upstairs isn't sharing her wireless connection consistently!

We've been on a mad house hunt that is taking up lots of time and energy. It is quite overwhelming. Lots to learn and lots to watch out for. Luckily I have David on my team - he stops me getting overwhelmed and overexcited and whips out an excel spreadsheet to make up formulas and all sorts of other clever things that I hope will help us get a good place.

I've been running. Yup! It's true. I did the 7 mile run I was preparing for in my last post and have since moved up to 9 miles. I also ran the Vancouver Sun Run 5 mins quicker than last year!

I've been sleeping and a bit low on energy. See above!

But anyway I am committed to this blog so to the two loyal readers I have out there thanks for staying with me!

More later.... xox

Nearly time

"Running is a big question mark that's there each and every day. It asks you 'Are you going to be a wimp , or are you going to be strong today?" - Kick in the Butt #3.

It's 4.27pm - I've mapped out a 7 mile run for tonight followed by a 1 mile walk home. I've updated my playlist. I'll do my best to leave Wimpy Louise at home.

Wish me luck.

101 Kicks in the Butt

That's the title of an article in a copy of the Runners magazine I've just picked up from the hotel gym! I appreciate a good headline and with 27 days left until the Vancouver Half Marathon I am most definetely in need of 101 kicks in the butt!!! So, eagerly I turn to page 68 for my first kick and guess what it is???

1. "Start a blog - where you post your daily mileage and then give out the web address to your friends and family. Do you really want Aunt Ellen to ask why you skipped your four-miler on Wednesday"

Well it's rather uncanny that I have just started a blog isn't it?!!! Little did I know it would help to motivate me to run!!! So my apologies in advance if I become a bit of a running bore in the next 27 days but I think I will follow this advice and tell the world what I am going to run. I don't have an Aunt Ellen to reprimand me if I don't do it so some of you will have to take her place. I am all for some tough love - as long as it is compassionate tough love!

So today I ran 5 miles on the treadmill in the hotel gym. This is good because I am tired from not sleeping very well last night (weird anxiety about today's meetings), long meetings today and I managed to resist the allure of the Westin's "Heavenly Bed" which is indeed heavenly.

It's not so good because I had to run those 5 miles to burn off the Jelly Belly jelly beans I devoured from the mini bar (i love this hotel but that is extreme temptation to the point of cruelty - why not stock the room with fruit and yoghurts to prevent weak souls like me from giving in? Seriously???) Plus, I wish I could have done more than 5 miles. In 27 days I need to run 13.5 miles!!!!!! But negative thinking won't help here - I am proud of my 5 miles, I didn't stop and I worked in some sprints. I guess the idea of this Running Magazine using a blog as a "kick in the butt" is for you to all hold me accountable so here's the plan for the week:

Tues - 2 mile fast run after my meetings before I leave for the aiport
Weds - 7 mile run - I think from my house to Kits beach and back will do it but I will have to check it out
Thurs - Rest :-)
Fri - 3 mile tempo jog
Sat - Rest :-)
Sun - The Sun Run 6.5 miles

Including today's run that will give me a weekly mileage of 23.5. I think that's what I should be doing at this stage in the game. Any experts out there please advise.

I'll end with "kick in the butt # 59 - Remember you almost always feel better after a run than before it". Very true. I'll have to remind myself of that tomorrow. I'll report back.

Got to go.. 5 am mountain time start tomorrow. Yawn.

xox

A sunny sunday

I am now at the airport after another great day.

We had a lovely birthday breakfast for David - pancakes, fruit salad and coffee. I had to do a few hours work so David went out to help his David with a new fence they are building to keep the Deer out once the grapes are planted. We then had turkey left-overs for lunch and got to work on an egg hunt.

Thank you to David's family for humouring my new idea for an egg hunt. I picked up some small plastic eggs from the dollar store and instead of putting chocolates inside we put a slip of paper with a promise of something that we will do for each other! I did David's, he did mine, Len did Marion's, Marion did Lens and we each made one for Alice who made one for all of us. We then hid them outside and got to work finding them, along with chocolate eggs Marion had hidden. It was really good fun and now I have some lovely treats to look forward to from David - a day of cooking (breakfast lunch and dinner!!!), a massage, a promise to clean up his desk (aka "the disaster zone") and to make me some coffee his friend Travis brought back from Bali. Wow! There is a two month expiry date! Everyone did well - Len promised to wash cars, Marion to make special Urkrainian meals and David and I are going to take his grandma out for lunch and to the cinema!

David enjoyed his birthday I think! We have very different attitudes to birthdays. It isn't really a big deal to David. He likes having a birthday and always enjoys himself but it isn't the "Incredibly Special Occassion" that I like birthday's to be! We are starting to make our birthdays a good mix of how I like them to be and how David likes them to be. I set up a birthday table for David with balloons, banners and a gift display like I was always spoilt with when I was growing up and David helps to ensure it is a relaxed chilled out day - rather than ridiculously over planned and pressurized to be 'perfect' :-)

Happy Birthday David. You're the best.

I'll post pics of the birthday boy once I eventually find the connector cord for my camera. For now here is a picture of the view on the Kettle Valley Trail. I ran 5 miles along it yesterday - a good view helps to keep you running!

PS - If you'd like to see this view, we are looking for helping hands to help plant grapes for the May long weekend. It will be hard work but plenty of rewards in terms of sunshine, a beach 10 minutes away and lots of wine tasting. Leave a comment or email me if you are interested in joining us!

Happy Easter and Happy Birthday David!

We are in sunny Penticton for Easter this year celebrating with Marion, Len and Alice - David's parents and Grandma. It is heaven! The sun is shining and it feels so good to feel some sunshine on my skin. David has been working in the fields and is a million times happier than studying for CASB. I've been practising and learning some creative and domestic skills. Here are our decorated eggs - note my Easter Bunny! I also cooked a turkey yesterday for an early birthday dinner for David.
More blogging later when I am waiting at the airport in Kelowna to fly to Edmonton. Right now there is sunshine to soak up!
Happy Easter and Happy Birthday David!

You've made my day!

So I've just got home to find a parcel from the Easter Bunny for me (aka my mum). You've the best. And thank you for not believing me when I said I didn't want you to send any chocolate. I love it all - and the little hot cross buns are so lovely (they are minature and made of marizipan) how cool! Thank you so much.

PS - What's wrong with this picture? Can you guess?

All things bright and.. blah...

Today was a blah day. In spite of the sunshine I just couldn't get into a groove with my work, hence me finishing up at 9pm tonight. I hate that sometimes I work against myself - if only I had been speedier and on the ball earlier I could have enjoyed the evening instead of going home in the dark! Dagnabit. (Is that how you spell it D?)

Oh well. I guess it happens sometimes. I was also dumped today. Not by anyone of any significance but still it is hard not to take it personally! The girl I work out with who has asked her friend to be her training partner rather than me. Apparently it is nothing personal but I am convinced it is because I can't catch when we have to do these throwing exercises (I ducked a few weeks ago as she threw it really hard (deliberately I am sure) and it went into the smoothie counter!!). Anyway regardless of it apparently not being personal it feels a bit like I've been dumped especially as she gets to keep the time slot and the trainer and I've been given a man in his 50's to work out with. Now I am sure this guy will be much more fun than this miserable girl but still I am a bit put out by it (in case you couldn't tell). Luckily I am not going to be going to work out at the same time slot as her so won't need to see her prancing about with her friend with superior resistant training skills.

Anyway, this blog is designed to make me see the bright and beautiful in every day so enough of the blah. Here's today's B&B:

1. I wore a special necklace used to be Nanny's. It looks really nice with a new blue cardigan. It was reassuring to touch it throughout the day.

2. Cathy received a tres cool pink necklace I sent her as an Easter gift and she reports that she loves it! Yey!

3. Ella was given a surprise baby shower at work and sent me such a happy email about it. I love it when lovely things happen to lovely people.

4. I had sushi with my colleague before coming back to work late. It was nice to get to know him more. And the spicy tuna roll and cherry blossom roll were delicious.

5. I resisted my very strong at times urge to go and buy Cadbury's mini eggs. Feel virtuous.

6. My work is now done! I am going home! David is at hockey so I am going to watch a movie in bed. I rented The Illusionist ages ago so need to watch it before they send the bailifts round to collect it from me.

7. I have a blog and I love posting to it! It's very therapeutic after a day like this.

More tomorrow. I've lost the connector cord to upload the pictures on my camera I will try to find it so I can post more pics.

Sunny and sluggish

It's a gorgeous day today. Here is the view from my office. I just took this a second ago. I love it! I still can't get over this is where I live and work. In the summer I can actually see little sea planes swoop into the harbour to land on the water.

My body is slightly out of sync with the weather today though I feel quite tired and sluggish. I haven't been able to get out of bed in the mornings! David beat me today and yesterday. I think it is because I have had two long runs in quick succession (the half marathon is a month a way!!) and my legs are tired and heavy. Nothing to do with good old fashioned laziness of course.

Anyway, my to-do list is getting longer and longer but I don't have much urgency to do anything about it. Eeek. I keep turning over the page and starting a fresh to do list complete with time allocations in the hope that it will be THE list that I follow and obey. It hasn't worked yet as the documents I am supposed to be reviewing are waiting patiently on the printer while I am writing this post.

But now I have confessed to the world that I am procrastinating I will get to it. Plus I want to be able to leave early to enjoy what promises to be a beautiful spring evening.

20,000 words a day

I love reading the UK's Sunday Times. Reading the print edition of the Sunday Times is something I really miss. Canadian Sunday papers just don't come close. Getting and reading the sunday papers was a ritual for me. I loved picking it up at the tube station when catching one of the last trains home on a Saturday night. I loved going back to bed with the papers and a mug of coffee. I loved stretching out on the sofa with all the different supplements after a roast dinner. These were my favourite sunday things to do in England. I've tried to replicate it here but it doesn't work. I'm not sure why.

Anyway - to the point of this post - I still read the Sunday Time's online and love it. Here is an interesting article from today's edition. It rings true to me. Especially the part about women using on average 20,000 words a day compared to 7,000 for men!

OTEXT

I want to try this!

To follow on my posts about wine, I've just found a recipe on The Sunday Times website that might just be my ultimate wine tasting! I am going to try it over Easter. I'll report back.

Chocolate and wine may sound like a strange combination, but this alcoholic drink, laced with everyone’s favourite ingredient, is surprisingly delicious. We tried out different brands of chocolate for this recipe, and Valrhona really was the best. The others were either too sweet or too bitter, but each to their own taste. Experiment with different types (milk or plain) and see which you prefer. Mas Amiel Maury (£10.99, from Nicolas; 020 7727 5148) is a strongish, sweet red wine that goes beautifully with chocolate.

Serves 4

1 bottle Mas Amiel Maury

75g Valrhona Tanariva (33% cocoa)

185ml skimmed milk

Bring the wine to the boil. Carefully set it alight and allow the flame to burn off. Continue boiling until the liquid becomes syrupy and reduces to about 150ml.

Grate the chocolate or finely chop into small pieces and put to one side in a saucepan. Bring the milk slowly to the boil, pour it over the chocolate and stir.

Add the reduced wine to the chocolate milk, heat and froth using a whisk or hand blender. Serve immediately.

Finlay's first haircut

Finlay is my godson and also, as you can see, the most adorable little boy in the world. He had his first haircut on Saturday. Thanks Ella for sending pictures. Here he is with his posh new haircut.

Wherever you are, it's your friends that make your world

A big reason compelling me to blog is to share my life in Vancouver with my friends and family in England. I want more than anything to keep close friendships in spite of the distance and incredibly annoying time difference.

When I first moved, I couldn't wait for the weekends because it was my time to catch up with England. That really kept me going for a while. But then I realized that I really had to start making my weekends here about my life here. Somehow I have gone from weekends that I struggled to fill to ones that are bursting the seams with activities and outlets. I LOVE IT. It is a much better place to be but it means that I am rarely home for hour-long phone conversations with my friends at the weekend and when I am at home the chances are they are already out and about enjoying their Saturday night. It's one of the hardest things about living so far from home.

So hopefully this blog will help to fill some of those gaps and give you all a taste of my life here. [Disclaimer - I will promote Vancouver as much as possible to try and lure you to visit me!!] It will help me feel closer to you to know that you know what I am up to. I hope you like peaking into my life! Leave me comments! Start your own blogs!

I feel really really lucky to have some amazing friends. Moving to Vancouver and starting afresh really made me realize how much female friendships completely enrich my life. At first I realized this because of the huge sense of loss I felt. There was a massive void in my life for the first year I was here and I really think it was because I had yet to make new friends and I felt the day-to-day closeness of my friends in England slipping away.

Two years later, I feel incredibly lucky. I have met the most wonderful girls here (you know who you are!). It's interesting making friends as you get older. I think what you don't have in terms of history together, you make up for in terms of being a current 'match' in terms of the qualities, traits, interests I have now. But that doesn't take away or change the relationships I have at home (note I am still calling it home!) there is nothing quite like that relaxed familiarity and comfort of people who know and love you and I have seen you through copious up's and down's. Very happy to have both. You're all the best.

Open the doors in your mind

So I was lucky enough to get another set of free tickets to a wine tasting event on Saturday night too (thanks Travis!). This was a good event and smartly marketed – “25 wines under $25”.

After my last blog posting, I felt a bit of a fraud going back for more as I pretty much declared myself a non-believer in Friday's post. So I decided to test my theory as much as the wine…..

So, it isn't a con. It is possible to smell and taste multiple and complex flavours rather than good and bad wine. To do so takes work and some education. You need to know about the types of grapes and soils and characteristics etc and as one winemaker suggested 'open the doors in your mind’. Philippe, the winemaker for Yellow Tail also suggested we buy a bottle of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, which has a strong flavor and work on smelling the asparagus in that wine. Once you get one smell, you brain and your senses start to get into the swing of things and you can pick up more. When I can face wine again I will buy some!

However, I do think that the marketers have gone completely overboard! In an attempt to set them apart and appeal to those with self-proclaimed sophisticated palates wine descriptions have become a creative writing exercise - citrus is now nectarine skins, minerals are crushed rocks. And this is what makes me suspicious about it all. I think a new brand could do really well by going against this and keeping things simple. [But sssh, I am going to save that idea to give to Len, David’s Dad who is planting grapes in the next month.]

Better stop now. David says my last post was a little long!!