2010 - the year can only get better :)

Well that’s it… the Olympics are done! And what a great run it was; at the begin of the games there were comments in regards to our nation not winning a GOLD medal on our own turf since hosting the games in Montréal (’76) and then in Calgary (’88), well we officially killed those comments and now will be known as having won the most GOLD medals (14!!!) by a single country at a Winter Olympic Games!!! There are several moments during the winter games that made me so proud to be Canadian – witnessing our first GOLD won by Alexandre Bilodeau, women’s bobsleigh when we took GOLD and SILVER, Joannie Rochette’s story, Jon Montgomery celebrating with a pint, Team Martin’s shutout victory… but by far the moment that made me scream and shout in jubilation would have to be the last medal event when our Canadian boys won the GOLD medal for men’s hockey. A-M-A-Z-I-N-G game!!! I must say that with only seconds left in the 3rd period when the US tied the game up (2-2) I got a little nervous, but I never lost faith… and 7 minutes and 40 seconds into the sudden death overtime period sid the kid scored the winning goal. Whatta a way to end the Olympics!! Especially one that we hosted…

So now that the Olympics are done… what to do, what to do…? I guess I can focus more on my school work as I’m nearing what feels like a never ending journey to obtain my degree and designation. Only 2 more papers to go and 4 more presentations… then exams!!! Oh dear, I don’t like thinking about that... quick, divert!

I’ve been wanting to try moksha yoga for almost a year… I finally found the time and motivation to just do it! And it’s been an amazing week; they have this 1st timer’s promotion - $20 for an unlimited week. It was definitely different, I’m used to physical exercise were I am over exerting myself, breathing heavily and being able to barely talk in order for me to sweat my face off; whereas with moksha I’m holding a warrior pose and sweating just as much! Weird, I know!




Moksha (90mins class) consists of 40 poses practiced in a heated room (37C to 39C) designed to promote openness through your hips and strength through the upper body while detoxifying your entire body. Both standing and seated poses are practiced, giving a balanced cardiovascular workout (mokshayogaedmonton.com) they also offer condensed 75 and 60 min classes.

It’s pretty intense, the first class I went to I laid inside the room prior to the class start, I remember thinking how nice and humid it was, bearable, but as the class started and everyone’s heavy breathing persisted throughout the 60mins class it just hotter and hotter and the more I dripped of sweat. I like it though and moksha boasts many benefits such as de-stress, relief of back/knee pain, headaches, insomnia, depression, scoliosis, poor digestion, arthritis, and poor posture.

A family friend of mine, Joe, is certain that bikram is where it’s at… I might have to try that one out too. This place charges $30 for an unlimited week. Look out for the verdict bikram vs. moksha in coming weeks.

Oh yes make a shout out to my girl Mary trying to get as much exposure and experience in this market, I played her assistant during the photo shoot of one of my dearest friends, Celeste. Derek had forgotten his cell phone at Celeste and Matt’s place the night prior and I thought I would go along for the ride…

Check out more professional photos here. I caught some good pics of Mary, E3 Studios, doing here thang.

random ramblings

Wow... ok, so my godsister Mary has started to blog, as she posted on facebook, I thought that maybe I should start trying to get mine a little more current and blogging more frequently. So here’s my first day attempt… let’s see how long this lasts!

So yes, Mexico… it was a great break, to say the least… a lot of drinking and dancing and hanging out with my handsome hubby, friends and family. Unfortunately we went when the weather was not that HOT… in know right. Mexico and NOT hot?!?! Let me tell you that when I was packing I brought one pair of jeans and a whole lotta shorts, skirts, dresses and swim suits. My tale of unfortunate events was a little bit of rain and a whole lotta wind, I had to go into Playa Del Carmen and buy a jacket and another pair of jeans!!! I’m over it now though but it just wasn’t what I was expecting.

While in Mexico I got my godsister to do a little fun photo shoot for me, it’s top secret as Derek still hasn’t seen any of the photos yet… thinking of making a little photo album or calendar for him… so shhhhhhh! You can catch a sneak peek of some photos here on Mary's Blog… some are touched up… but my favorite by far is this one.

she captured the shot at the right time, it’s me… au natural. I just love it!

Looking forward now… how ‘bout those Olympics?! Man I just can’t get enough of it!!!

The opening ceremonies where pretty cool; the big polar bear, or the electronic whales that blew out of their blow holes, or how 'bout the Olympic cauldron inside the arena when only 3 our of the 4 arms erected?!?! hahahaha priceless! Love Sarah McLachlan, mmm… that French dude was cool but whatever happened to Roch Voisine?

I watched as we received our nation’s first GOLD on our country’s soil; Alexandre Bilodeau has an amazing story, with that said this title couldn't have been awarded to anyone as deserving as he.

I’m looking forward to the events ahead and hope we continue to hold our position for medals held with victories from both curling teams (my favorite here!), speed skating, and both our hockey teams!

Chrismas 2009

I know it's kinda late, but in the attempt to make room on my camera for more debauchery here are some family pics from Christmas 2009

*mom n pops*

*me n derek*

*kuya and his family*

*justin*

*angelika*

I got a problem…

As you may or may not know I’m heading back to Mexico, for another destination wedding/honeymoon x2 for Derek and I. I’m hoping I don’t over pack as I usually do, with that said, I’m hoping to bring only one set of pumps which I needed a new pair of insoles for and decided to swing by the local Aldo and scoop some up.

Go in for a pair of insoles and come out with $150 dent in my wallet. I scored some sweet loot for ONLY spending $150… but I think I might have a spending problem…

Aldo – insoles (terry cloth), and two purses (which I probably didn’t need but they were super cute and perfect for my holiday); one is a simple black clutch which I hoping to use during the wedding, however I'm not really sure what I'm wearing yet, and the other (see below) for use in and around the resort.

Isn't it cute?! I figured, "Why do I need to carry my huge purse around"… I don’t need money or a cell phone, I'm on holidays. I figured just my camera and my Rosebud Lip Balm should suffice and I should be good to rock and roll! (this is how I justify purchases)

La Senza – a lil something something ;)

Shoppers – Sunscreen SPF50, Aloe Vera Gel complete with Vitamin E (just in case we burn!), bottles of hand sanitizer (it is the country to which the Pig Influenza came from), tooth brushes, toothpaste and mouthwash (essential to living).

Awwww man, I'm so glad I did this post! Makes me feel like I don’t really have a problem with spending after going thru each item and place where I spent my money --- I see now, were all necessary for the ultimate satisfaction of my trip! Thanks readers!!!

Happy New Year!

Christmastime

It’s December 24! Usually by this time I’m relaxing not worrying about Christmas gifts or wrapping as I’m generally done all that by now… this year, unfortunately is not the case!

Just yesterday I kidnapped my coworker, Kayla, to help me hunt for the last few Christmas gifts on my list. As we were standing in line at the local Wal-Mart I noticed something a little different from any other year that is one of my holiday pet peeves…. PRICE CHECKS! It seemed that no matter what 30 person line you where standing in there was always one fool that wanted a price check on that pair of socks or frying pan or whatever miscellaneous item among their basket or cart. If it ever happened to me I wouldn’t have bothered the other Christmas shoppers in the line and I would simply leave that item behind. This time around, I noticed the line operating beside me was at a standstill, customers blankly staring at the cashier… a minute or two after a customer ran up with a shirt, the cashier swiped it thru and tossed it aside, and transaction totaled and completed thus after … I’m assuming that the size she was purchasing didn’t have a tag on it and she ran back out into the madness to obtain the price check, good on her for taking it upon herself to do the work! I think it makes it worse when you’re standing in line and you hear on the PA system “Price Check, till two… Price Check on till two, please”; at least this way people have no idea…

Christmas Eve and I still have one more gift to purchase… gotta find a cool stocking stuffer for my nephew, oh and think of a really good prank gift for him. For the past two years Derek and I have given him a prank gift for giggles: first year, a doll I received when I was a child for Christmas for my late Tito Peter… she’s hot! Lace dress, lace stockings and crimped hair, GORGE! second year, the pink tutu my bridesmaids’ dressed me in for my bachelorette party… and this year, I have no clue but it’s priceless when he opens it, the only reason why we do it!

Until the new year… Merry Christmas to you and yours and be safe when you ring in 2010!!!

my husband loves me :)

my poor blackberry pearl was seeing its last few days with me struggling to make things work with a broken trackball, but my thoughtful husband hooked me up with the new Bold 2

I'm in luuuuurve! Thanks Babeeee