I'm sick. I'm not sure with what, which is odd, because I am a nurse, so you'd think of all people I would be able to tell...but I can't. It's a weird, sore throat, now stuffy nose, no energy, wanna lie on the couch all evening, kinda sick. And all I want to eat is popsicles, ginger ale and carbs (Thrifty's raisin scones have been doing the trick). The only thing I like about being sick is the excuse to watch numerous movies in a row. And usually they're movies I've seen a million times, so it's okay if I fall asleep for 1/2 of it. Now, I haven't been able to get started yet, as most of my day of sickness was spent at clinical (ugh) (side note: I'm doing a clinical rotation for my course right now in the Coronary Care Unit, which is like the ICU for hearts...good times!), or watching good tv tonight (America's Next Top Model and One Tree Hill...I love Wednesdays!!). But I have big movie plans for tomorrow if the sickness is lingering.
And these movie plans will include my Top Movies to Watch While Sick:
1. The Little Princess (the one made sometime during the 1990s...there are a few out there)
2. The Princess Bride
3. Ever After
4. Sense and Sensibility
5. Pride and Prejudice
6. Narnia (warning: the battle scenes are a little loud for napping)
7. You've Got Mail
So, I'm gonna go to bed now, and will probably put in Sense and Sensibility to fall asleep to, only because I leant the first 3 out to a friend while she was sick. So next time you are sick, friends, send your friends or boyfriends or husbands to go get you a few Sick Movies...it makes those hours on the couch a little more bearable than daytime television.
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
The Poignant Words of Fred Penner
Disclaimer: This blog entry is pretty much about nothing. One might call it a Seinfeld Blog...but I couldn't help myself.
I have a new addiction as of late, as if coffee, all beverages fizzy, and ANTM weren't enough. I can't get enough of it. I've had it at least everyday for the last week...and I still want more. In the immortal words of Fred Penner "I love sandwiches". There. I said it. In fact I was singing it the other day at work, to which my coworker, not shocked at the fact that I was singing at work...again, looked at me quizzically and asked "what ARE you singing?"...poor soul had not been exposed to the lyrical genius of Fred Penner in her youth. I know what you're thinking "Did she grow up in cave?" No. But, let this be a lesson to us all to expose all children we know to fabulous songs about sandwiches, and magic dragons named Puff. But I digress...back to the sandwich...
Now today it was just your average turkey sandwich on nice, fresh whole wheat, with a little mayo, butter, lettuce, tomato and avocado...but Tuesday - I have to tell you about Tuesday. It was possibly the best sandwich I have ever made. Let's call it The Italian Tuna Melt. This sandwich will revolutionize how you see the Tuna Melt. Ingredients: tuna, a spoonful of pesto, chopped kalamata olives, diced tomato (without seeds...too watery), a splash or two of balsamic vinegar and feta cheese, on fresh bread. Now I used just some bakery whole wheat...but the ideal would be a paninni or ciabata bun...but the bread worked. Grill that baby up, and mmmmmmmm...tuna melt heaven, italiano style.
Just thought I'd share. And leave you with this:
Sandwiches are beautiful
Sandwiches are fine
I love sandwiches
I eat them all the time
I eat them for my supper
And I eat them for my lunch
If I had a hundred sandwiches
I'd eat them all at once...
(courtesy of Fred Penner's "Sandwiches")
I have a new addiction as of late, as if coffee, all beverages fizzy, and ANTM weren't enough. I can't get enough of it. I've had it at least everyday for the last week...and I still want more. In the immortal words of Fred Penner "I love sandwiches". There. I said it. In fact I was singing it the other day at work, to which my coworker, not shocked at the fact that I was singing at work...again, looked at me quizzically and asked "what ARE you singing?"...poor soul had not been exposed to the lyrical genius of Fred Penner in her youth. I know what you're thinking "Did she grow up in cave?" No. But, let this be a lesson to us all to expose all children we know to fabulous songs about sandwiches, and magic dragons named Puff. But I digress...back to the sandwich...
Now today it was just your average turkey sandwich on nice, fresh whole wheat, with a little mayo, butter, lettuce, tomato and avocado...but Tuesday - I have to tell you about Tuesday. It was possibly the best sandwich I have ever made. Let's call it The Italian Tuna Melt. This sandwich will revolutionize how you see the Tuna Melt. Ingredients: tuna, a spoonful of pesto, chopped kalamata olives, diced tomato (without seeds...too watery), a splash or two of balsamic vinegar and feta cheese, on fresh bread. Now I used just some bakery whole wheat...but the ideal would be a paninni or ciabata bun...but the bread worked. Grill that baby up, and mmmmmmmm...tuna melt heaven, italiano style.
Just thought I'd share. And leave you with this:
Sandwiches are beautiful
Sandwiches are fine
I love sandwiches
I eat them all the time
I eat them for my supper
And I eat them for my lunch
If I had a hundred sandwiches
I'd eat them all at once...
(courtesy of Fred Penner's "Sandwiches")
Monday, April 23, 2007
I *heart* the West Coast
Oh it is a good day! Much of it is due to the fact that after five 12 hour shifts in a row, I don't have to go back to work tonight! But it is also due to greatness of loving the west coast as of late. I was going for a run this evening (feeling a little nervous about my 10km race plans this weekend), and couldn't help revelling in the greatness of west coast life. I may have even bounded a wee bit for a few steps!
This last week I have had some classic west coast moments! It all started with a little Gourmet Club Road Trip to Denmann Island. Denmann Island is just off the coast of Courtenay, about a 3 hour drive north of Victoria and a short little ferry ride. We stayed in a quaint, rustic cabin (an old logging house), sans le bathroom (insert nervous laugh here), about 50m from the beach! About 50% of our 24 hour trip consisted of eating fabulous food! The rest was filled with beach walks, hiking and bon fires. Big sigh! Is there any better way to spend a weekend?!
Now as if this wasn't enough west coast greatness for one week, Corporate Rowing Challenge also started this week!! What is Corporate Rowing Challenge, you ask? Well, here in Victoria they hold a rowing competition every year where businesses in town can put together a team (experienced or not) and you spend 6 weeks learning how to row, or improving your rowing. 4 West (my unit at the hospital) has put together its sophmore team: "How Sweet Eight Is", and practice began last week. I'm not sure what thrills my heart the most when we get that boat on the water - is it just being outside on Elk Lake? is it working as one with 7 other teammates? is it the nostalgia of years gone by when rowing consumed so many of my days? is it the feel of working hard in a graceful motion? Ah, it must be all of these...oh how happy my heart is in that boat! Plus, our handsome new coach makes things a little more exciting too!
And now, to top off the April West Coast Adventures of yours truly, there will be the Times Colonist 10k this weekend...wish me luck! I'm probably not as prepared to run it this year, as I have been previously, but it should be fun to run it with Andrea. We were tempted to register as Barbie and Midge Mattell...but decided not to in the end...maybe next time!
For those of you far away...really wish you were here to share this with. Make sure you register with Chez Elise and Kendal's B&B...we have a newly furnished guest bedroom waiting just for you and your west coast adventures...
This last week I have had some classic west coast moments! It all started with a little Gourmet Club Road Trip to Denmann Island. Denmann Island is just off the coast of Courtenay, about a 3 hour drive north of Victoria and a short little ferry ride. We stayed in a quaint, rustic cabin (an old logging house), sans le bathroom (insert nervous laugh here), about 50m from the beach! About 50% of our 24 hour trip consisted of eating fabulous food! The rest was filled with beach walks, hiking and bon fires. Big sigh! Is there any better way to spend a weekend?!
Now as if this wasn't enough west coast greatness for one week, Corporate Rowing Challenge also started this week!! What is Corporate Rowing Challenge, you ask? Well, here in Victoria they hold a rowing competition every year where businesses in town can put together a team (experienced or not) and you spend 6 weeks learning how to row, or improving your rowing. 4 West (my unit at the hospital) has put together its sophmore team: "How Sweet Eight Is", and practice began last week. I'm not sure what thrills my heart the most when we get that boat on the water - is it just being outside on Elk Lake? is it working as one with 7 other teammates? is it the nostalgia of years gone by when rowing consumed so many of my days? is it the feel of working hard in a graceful motion? Ah, it must be all of these...oh how happy my heart is in that boat! Plus, our handsome new coach makes things a little more exciting too!
And now, to top off the April West Coast Adventures of yours truly, there will be the Times Colonist 10k this weekend...wish me luck! I'm probably not as prepared to run it this year, as I have been previously, but it should be fun to run it with Andrea. We were tempted to register as Barbie and Midge Mattell...but decided not to in the end...maybe next time!
For those of you far away...really wish you were here to share this with. Make sure you register with Chez Elise and Kendal's B&B...we have a newly furnished guest bedroom waiting just for you and your west coast adventures...
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Soooooo...
...this is what happens when Kendal and Elise try to study on a sunny, spring day...after eating too many mini-eggs...
Confession: I had written a more serious blog about my recent viewing of "The Passion of the Christ", and then had to delete it, as it felt too intimate to share blog style - so I opted for the above! But, if any of you have seen "the passion" I would love to chat about it! It's been 2 days, and it's still sinking in!
PS I think we look 12 in this picture!
Monday, March 19, 2007
Spring is taking the lead
I have always considered myself a lover of autumn. I love the changing colors, I love the crispness in the air, I love bringing out the scarves and comfy sweaters, I love the sound of crunching leaves under my feet and the smell of woodstoves heating up...I have always had a love affair with autumn. I would even secretly long for it in July while I sipped on my iced tea in the sun. Even when I lived in Calgary and fall only lasted 3 weeks, it was still my favorite 3 weeks of the year...but lately, my affections have begun to turn...towards spring.
Have you noticed how WONDERFUL it smells out lately, with the hope of spring coming in just a couple of days?!!? *huge deep breath in* I've started walking to work on my night shifts, and I can't tell you how much I have been enjoying my walks home in the morning. The sun rising, the fog clearing, the smell of ocean in the air and the blossoms! Oh the blossoms!! I have developed a deep love of the cherry blossoms and then there is this magnolia tree that is intoxicating - and you can smell it half a block away!! When I grow up and have a yard of my own (instead of my gigantic patio of greatness) I am going to have a magnolia tree in my front yard...and maybe my back yard too...it will be glorious!! AND there is this other fragrance in the air - I have no idea what it belongs too, but it is so sweet and it almost smells like Earl Grey tea...if any of you green thumb types have any thoughts as to what I'm describing, please let me know what it is...because I think it will have to go in my grown up garden too.
What's more - it's not just the beauty of spring that I love, it is the very idea! The very idea that spring is a sign of hope - that the dark, dampness of winter is not forever, and even though it will surely come again, there will be beauty before it does! God is so amazing. He knew exactly what He was doing, and exactly what we needed. And isn't it fabulous that this is the season we celebrate Easter? Our celebration of hope...it's all so fabulous...
All this to say - Spring has won me over, for more reasons than one. I still love autumn, but I'm afraid it may have to assume the position of second most loved season. I think I'm going to go outside now, let me know if you want to join me!
"[Spring is] when life's alive in everything" ~ Christina Rossetti
Have you noticed how WONDERFUL it smells out lately, with the hope of spring coming in just a couple of days?!!? *huge deep breath in* I've started walking to work on my night shifts, and I can't tell you how much I have been enjoying my walks home in the morning. The sun rising, the fog clearing, the smell of ocean in the air and the blossoms! Oh the blossoms!! I have developed a deep love of the cherry blossoms and then there is this magnolia tree that is intoxicating - and you can smell it half a block away!! When I grow up and have a yard of my own (instead of my gigantic patio of greatness) I am going to have a magnolia tree in my front yard...and maybe my back yard too...it will be glorious!! AND there is this other fragrance in the air - I have no idea what it belongs too, but it is so sweet and it almost smells like Earl Grey tea...if any of you green thumb types have any thoughts as to what I'm describing, please let me know what it is...because I think it will have to go in my grown up garden too.
What's more - it's not just the beauty of spring that I love, it is the very idea! The very idea that spring is a sign of hope - that the dark, dampness of winter is not forever, and even though it will surely come again, there will be beauty before it does! God is so amazing. He knew exactly what He was doing, and exactly what we needed. And isn't it fabulous that this is the season we celebrate Easter? Our celebration of hope...it's all so fabulous...
All this to say - Spring has won me over, for more reasons than one. I still love autumn, but I'm afraid it may have to assume the position of second most loved season. I think I'm going to go outside now, let me know if you want to join me!
"[Spring is] when life's alive in everything" ~ Christina Rossetti
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Hello Pot, This is Kettle
So I never really realized the pressure there was to regularly blog (btw, Pot...errr...umm... Rachel! I haven't seen anything new on your's since FEBRUARY!! ;) I'm just sayin'....)! I figured that if I didn't have a moment to check other people's blogs, they probably didn't have time to check mine, and see that I haven't written in a little while...turns out that's not the case. And I'm pretty sure that kind of thinking is similar to that of a 5 year old, in their whole learning how they relate to other people...or at least I remember learning something very similar to that in my developmental psych class...but I digress!
My friend Alida is in town. We met my very first day on the U of C campus. It was called University 101 - a basic intro to the school. Funny thing is, I met Alida and Amy, two very special friends, that first day in our little group 0f 20! It wasn't until we were touring the SUB and we both noticed the IVCF sign that we realized we had more commonality than just being first year nursing students. Alida became one of the friends that got me through my degree. She was the one that brought Amy and I and our 3rd year group project team snacks in the computer lab as we headed into our 12th hour of typing out our 116 page paper...she was the one who took me to the airport to come home for Christmas...and she was the one who never lost sight of her dream to work in Africa with medical missions. She's traveling to Nigeria for the third (??? do I have that right???) time in a few months, where she'll live for 2 1/2 years, helping people, meeting their physical needs, and loving them. This is her passion.
We sat in ReBar last night over an almond burger and lotus land stirfry as she told me of her African adventures. Sometimes, I admit, I am terribly jealous! That is, until she told me about the "bush meat" and the near-death experiences while driving...but, I tell you - it's pretty great when your friends are your heroes.
You should really check out her blog (see below) - and tell her she should write a book, because her stories are fantastic!! At least that's what I keep telling her.
"Go in the direction of your dreams. Live the life that you have imagined" - Thoreau
...ok....I have to add to this quote - I love it! It's one of my favorites, there's just one part missing - that if you dream with God, He'll take you further than you imagined!
My friend Alida is in town. We met my very first day on the U of C campus. It was called University 101 - a basic intro to the school. Funny thing is, I met Alida and Amy, two very special friends, that first day in our little group 0f 20! It wasn't until we were touring the SUB and we both noticed the IVCF sign that we realized we had more commonality than just being first year nursing students. Alida became one of the friends that got me through my degree. She was the one that brought Amy and I and our 3rd year group project team snacks in the computer lab as we headed into our 12th hour of typing out our 116 page paper...she was the one who took me to the airport to come home for Christmas...and she was the one who never lost sight of her dream to work in Africa with medical missions. She's traveling to Nigeria for the third (??? do I have that right???) time in a few months, where she'll live for 2 1/2 years, helping people, meeting their physical needs, and loving them. This is her passion.
We sat in ReBar last night over an almond burger and lotus land stirfry as she told me of her African adventures. Sometimes, I admit, I am terribly jealous! That is, until she told me about the "bush meat" and the near-death experiences while driving...but, I tell you - it's pretty great when your friends are your heroes.
You should really check out her blog (see below) - and tell her she should write a book, because her stories are fantastic!! At least that's what I keep telling her.
"Go in the direction of your dreams. Live the life that you have imagined" - Thoreau
...ok....I have to add to this quote - I love it! It's one of my favorites, there's just one part missing - that if you dream with God, He'll take you further than you imagined!
Thursday, March 1, 2007
What! You too?
"I awoke this morning with devout thanksgiving for my friends, the old and the new." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
So I've been thinking about friends lately. I've had a few random dreams that have brought to mind dear friends who I haven't been in touch with for a while. And then these last couple of weeks I've been able to connect with some fabulous people in my life...friends that feel more comfortable than my favorite sweater. Such sweet and wonderful friends!
It's interesting how life is full of different friendships. There are friends who are perfect for laughing hard with, friends to cry with, friends to run and play with (I know I'm 27...but I still play!), friends to make music with...friends that push you and challenge you, friends that encourage you, friends that are friends because of a history shared...what a tremendous gift we have in friendships...whatever form they take.
I was just chatting with a dear friend today about how you get to this point in life and you remember that time when your one group of friends was everything...they were your world...and then, as we get older and life moves on, so do our friends. Friends move on to different cities, or different places in life, different relationships, different worlds...and we remember when they were our Sunday morning, our Tuesday night, and Friday night. Now they become the Wednesday night phone call that lasts over 2 hours, and the great card that arrives unexpectedly in the mail, or message on the voicemail that reminds you that you are loved and thought of...
So maybe there are some friends that are just for a time, but then there are those rare and special friends that hold onto your heart forever, where time apart has little impact on the connection between two kindred souls. I am so thankful for my friends - the friends who "knew me when...", the friends who know the history behind my nicknames and passions, the friends that make me laugh to the point of tears, the friends that challenge me to be the person God's called me to be, the friends that bring so many beautiful moments to life.
I am a very thankful girl. I am so very thankful for each of you, friends.
"Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: "What! You, too? Thought I was the only one." ~ C.S. Lewis
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