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Showing posts with label errands. Show all posts
Showing posts with label errands. Show all posts
February 24, 2013
rest (v.)
We all know what rest feels like - from times of catching the flu, or being sleepy, fatigued, or just plain lazy.
However, an interesting aspect of rest - as it is defined in physics - is rest as it refers to an object that is in a stationary state in relation to another object: "When the position of something with respect to its surroundings does not change with time it is said to be at rest," says Wikipedia.
On resting the body:
Over the last couple of weeks, my 40-hr work week, 8-hr/week commute on the bus, and sometimes restless sleep has caught up with me. My poor immune system that's successfully warded off every bug on this planet for the last year and a half finally gave up. I got sick. I then needed to become "stationary" in respect to my status quo self - the me that goes to work and functions effectively in the outside world; in other words, I needed to rest - my body.
However, how do we integrate rest into our everyday lives when we're not sick - when our mind needs rest, rather than our body?
On resting the mind - even when you're moving:
For me, often the best rest comes from the kinds of activities that resemble the complete opposite of lounging in sick-mode on the couch with a How I Met Your Mother marathon in the background. I can't seem to let go and "forget about the rest of it" and just relax. It's precisely the rest of everything - the obligations, the fun, the events, the adventures - that my mind needs most in order to really relax.
It's the work week that slowly builds up and tires my mind. Work challenges, long hours, lots of thinking, stress; these slowly wear on the mind and once the weekend comes along, my mind needs, well, a rest. However, my mind can't sit on the couch.
So, if my mind is to rest - i.e. find a "stationary" mode in relation to its state when it's in overdrive, working and thinking hard and being productive - it needs to find an opposite state.
What I've found is that it's possible to train your brain to derive rest from all sorts of activities - even ones that many of us may not think of as being necessarily restful. I've found rest in climbing a mountain; it's also enveloped me in the middle of chaturanga in yoga class. I find it frequently as I wander through grocery aisles picking up groceries for the week. And sometimes, my mind gets a great rest from the same activities as my body - when I cut myself off from the rest of the world and let go and embrace the rest of my body.
The key, I think, is in not obligating yourself to limit what rest can be. Instead, see it as something relative that depends on the world around you and where you are within it.
Perhaps you're a walking virus receptacle overhauled by a sinus headache that just needs to sleep; or perhaps you're a ball of fun that just needs to bounce somewhere new because the rhythm of the routine is deflating you; or maybe you just want to curl up somewhere and eat a bowl of chili and let the world pass you by. It doesn't matter - you'll find your rest.
Just observe: Has the world just started moving a bit faster and you need to catch up? Or is it you that's slowing down? Figure out your state and then rest up until you can get moving again.
Rest up, y'all!
However, an interesting aspect of rest - as it is defined in physics - is rest as it refers to an object that is in a stationary state in relation to another object: "When the position of something with respect to its surroundings does not change with time it is said to be at rest," says Wikipedia.
On resting the body:
Over the last couple of weeks, my 40-hr work week, 8-hr/week commute on the bus, and sometimes restless sleep has caught up with me. My poor immune system that's successfully warded off every bug on this planet for the last year and a half finally gave up. I got sick. I then needed to become "stationary" in respect to my status quo self - the me that goes to work and functions effectively in the outside world; in other words, I needed to rest - my body.
However, how do we integrate rest into our everyday lives when we're not sick - when our mind needs rest, rather than our body?
On resting the mind - even when you're moving:
For me, often the best rest comes from the kinds of activities that resemble the complete opposite of lounging in sick-mode on the couch with a How I Met Your Mother marathon in the background. I can't seem to let go and "forget about the rest of it" and just relax. It's precisely the rest of everything - the obligations, the fun, the events, the adventures - that my mind needs most in order to really relax.
It's the work week that slowly builds up and tires my mind. Work challenges, long hours, lots of thinking, stress; these slowly wear on the mind and once the weekend comes along, my mind needs, well, a rest. However, my mind can't sit on the couch.
So, if my mind is to rest - i.e. find a "stationary" mode in relation to its state when it's in overdrive, working and thinking hard and being productive - it needs to find an opposite state.
What I've found is that it's possible to train your brain to derive rest from all sorts of activities - even ones that many of us may not think of as being necessarily restful. I've found rest in climbing a mountain; it's also enveloped me in the middle of chaturanga in yoga class. I find it frequently as I wander through grocery aisles picking up groceries for the week. And sometimes, my mind gets a great rest from the same activities as my body - when I cut myself off from the rest of the world and let go and embrace the rest of my body.
The key, I think, is in not obligating yourself to limit what rest can be. Instead, see it as something relative that depends on the world around you and where you are within it.
Perhaps you're a walking virus receptacle overhauled by a sinus headache that just needs to sleep; or perhaps you're a ball of fun that just needs to bounce somewhere new because the rhythm of the routine is deflating you; or maybe you just want to curl up somewhere and eat a bowl of chili and let the world pass you by. It doesn't matter - you'll find your rest.
Just observe: Has the world just started moving a bit faster and you need to catch up? Or is it you that's slowing down? Figure out your state and then rest up until you can get moving again.
Rest up, y'all!
May 6, 2012
count (vb.)
It's a busy busy time over here! And it's a bit ironic. I finally submitted my thesis, yet somehow, with that big priority out of the way, I feel as busy as ever.
It's a very good busy too. I'm filling my days with lots of fun activities I didn't always have as much time doing (at least without feeling like I was in a hurry to finish it) including yoga, biking, writing as a guest blogger, shopping (it's been so long!), walking on the beach.... But with all these "small" activities dotting the timeline, there are also really big ones ahead.
It's making me count incessantly.
Ben comes back from his 6-week long work trip in 6 days!
Then he leaves a week later..
Then I get 9 days before my dad comes for a visit!
Then Ben comes back 2 weeks later..
Then I officially walk across the stage to receive my Masters degree.
Then Ben leaves.
Then I finish up TAing at SFU
Then I continue hanging with my dad for a bit more
Then Breanne comes back for a weekend and then leaves
and then my dad leaves too...
But then Ben comes back for a while
and we plan some kind of summer vacay.
And bam, before I know it, it's the middle of July.
Today, I found myself counting and thinking like this a lot in yoga class.. throwing deadlines in the mix and just kind of whirling around in a schedule frenzy. Not fun. All this compartmentalizing my life and counting is taking all the fun out how amazing the next two months are going to be.
I gotta take a breath, stop counting things, and just let them count.
And with that, I'll end this post and keep it as a reminder of how important it is to live in the moment (cheesy!) even when anticipation is sometimes half the fun.
It's a very good busy too. I'm filling my days with lots of fun activities I didn't always have as much time doing (at least without feeling like I was in a hurry to finish it) including yoga, biking, writing as a guest blogger, shopping (it's been so long!), walking on the beach.... But with all these "small" activities dotting the timeline, there are also really big ones ahead.
It's making me count incessantly.
Ben comes back from his 6-week long work trip in 6 days!
Then he leaves a week later..
Then I get 9 days before my dad comes for a visit!
Then Ben comes back 2 weeks later..
Then I officially walk across the stage to receive my Masters degree.
Then Ben leaves.
Then I finish up TAing at SFU
Then I continue hanging with my dad for a bit more
Then Breanne comes back for a weekend and then leaves
and then my dad leaves too...
But then Ben comes back for a while
and we plan some kind of summer vacay.
And bam, before I know it, it's the middle of July.
Today, I found myself counting and thinking like this a lot in yoga class.. throwing deadlines in the mix and just kind of whirling around in a schedule frenzy. Not fun. All this compartmentalizing my life and counting is taking all the fun out how amazing the next two months are going to be.
I gotta take a breath, stop counting things, and just let them count.
And with that, I'll end this post and keep it as a reminder of how important it is to live in the moment (cheesy!) even when anticipation is sometimes half the fun.
November 9, 2011
salad (n.)
This morning, on my third day of my bi-annual detox, I woke to find I was not particularly hungry. I started doing errands, multitasking (I'm good at it but I genuinely hate it), and then 1pm rolled around and I realized I hadn't eaten - anything.
I had finished a few hours of fact checking for Reader's Digest, caught up on my emails, and watched some Lana Del Ray song videos (it waaay too early in the morning to emote to Video Games, I admit). My stomach hadn't grumbled but I felt agitated a bit, so I coerced myself off of my couch and into the kitchen.
There, I decided to make what I dub, a breakfast salad.
As I happily peeled my apple and carrot, grated them into a bowl, then sprinkled flax seeds, raisins, and blueberries on top with a hint of lemon zest, I came to a realization (apart from that I had invented a recipe): My life's been kind of like a salad these days.
My preoccupation (or lack thereof on one too many days) with writing my thesis, has justified my adoption of a crazy number of activities to keep track of (and be too busy to write). I started with a solid bowl, and rather than filling it with something simple, like soup or yogurt, I've decided to cram in as many different ingredients in there as possible.
And it wasn't hard either.
Leading tutorials, grading projects, working, volunteering, consulting on projects, writing for hire, writing for free, writing with angst and frustration, keeping up with family responsibilities, friend responsibilities, girlfriend responsibilities, and self responsibilities, as well as trying to eat healthy, and look for jobs for the new year, was really easy to take on or say "yup" to. Now, at times, I have started to get a wee bit overwhelmed that maybe I'm just doing too much. That if my "life salad" were an artist's palette or a painting, it'd be a piling up of so many different colours that the whole darn thing just looks, well, brown.
But then I think about it in more positive terms and realize that if my "life salad" were actually a real salad, it'd be daaaamn scrumptious! (I'm just getting a little full, that's all.)
I guess, the only way out is to eat it all at once. Can't be picking out ingredients one by one
at this point!
Gonna go do some yoga and get hungry again and start chomping down!
I had finished a few hours of fact checking for Reader's Digest, caught up on my emails, and watched some Lana Del Ray song videos (it waaay too early in the morning to emote to Video Games, I admit). My stomach hadn't grumbled but I felt agitated a bit, so I coerced myself off of my couch and into the kitchen.
There, I decided to make what I dub, a breakfast salad.
As I happily peeled my apple and carrot, grated them into a bowl, then sprinkled flax seeds, raisins, and blueberries on top with a hint of lemon zest, I came to a realization (apart from that I had invented a recipe): My life's been kind of like a salad these days.
My preoccupation (or lack thereof on one too many days) with writing my thesis, has justified my adoption of a crazy number of activities to keep track of (and be too busy to write). I started with a solid bowl, and rather than filling it with something simple, like soup or yogurt, I've decided to cram in as many different ingredients in there as possible.
And it wasn't hard either.
Leading tutorials, grading projects, working, volunteering, consulting on projects, writing for hire, writing for free, writing with angst and frustration, keeping up with family responsibilities, friend responsibilities, girlfriend responsibilities, and self responsibilities, as well as trying to eat healthy, and look for jobs for the new year, was really easy to take on or say "yup" to. Now, at times, I have started to get a wee bit overwhelmed that maybe I'm just doing too much. That if my "life salad" were an artist's palette or a painting, it'd be a piling up of so many different colours that the whole darn thing just looks, well, brown.
But then I think about it in more positive terms and realize that if my "life salad" were actually a real salad, it'd be daaaamn scrumptious! (I'm just getting a little full, that's all.)
I guess, the only way out is to eat it all at once. Can't be picking out ingredients one by one
at this point!
Gonna go do some yoga and get hungry again and start chomping down!
July 7, 2011
gag (v.)
I don"t have much of a gag reflex. Most things, though gross, will elicit a verbal response from me instead. A gag, only comes now and again, when words just can't be processed in time.
Words, like the following, are great titles for wretched, sickly things we encounter in life:
"gross" (a go-to term for things that simply repulse us; overused in my vocabulary)
"yucky" (to describe things that elicit a pasty fat-tongue feeling at the back of your throat)
"disgusting" (for a response to something physically seen)
"creepy" or "uncanny" (if it gives me some kind of out-of-this-world, ephemeral shudder)
"foul" (if it's immoral or indescribably stinky)
"abysmal" (if I'm feeling dramatic or using a British accent)
"god-awful" or "fugly" (in response to bad fashion choices)
All of these words are great for making a negative remark and expressing a repulsed opinion about both the physical and abstract world. However, none of these words encompass what a gag does.
Gag encompasses a moment. It makes your eyes roll back, the skin go all goosebumpy, and the brain momentarily stop functioning. It's an experience where for an instant, the exact millisecond that the sparks in your mind fly to connect what's happening, your body follows with a simple gag.
Today, I gagged for the first time in a long time. I was sitting in my office keeping up my daily quota of 2L of water a day by sipping from my Nalgene. Before I knew it, I had something in my mouth - the texture of a leaf. I spat it out, instantly, and to my horror, realized it was a daddy long legs. Well, a deceased daddy long legs. My throat did some funny retraction thing, and there it was: a gag.
I eventually got over it, ate my peanut butter and banana sandwich and got on with my day, researching ebook series and fact checking an article on a universal influenza vaccine.
But it wasn't over.
A few hours later, I was on St Catherine walking home from work with a bounce in my step, in a giddy mood. I walked into the Jean Coutu there to buy some Bandaids and goat milk soap (my latest obsession). In the aisle, to my horror, another gag recurred.
What I'm about to show you probably does not warrant the gag reflex kicking in, but I guess the muscle memory kicked in with the long-legged bug still lingering in whatever part of my brain it is that files away trauma.
Here it is my friend. Something gag-worthy:
For other cilantro-haters like me, please join the anti-cilantro movement.
Thank you and good night, y'all.
*gag*
Words, like the following, are great titles for wretched, sickly things we encounter in life:
"gross" (a go-to term for things that simply repulse us; overused in my vocabulary)
"yucky" (to describe things that elicit a pasty fat-tongue feeling at the back of your throat)
"disgusting" (for a response to something physically seen)
"creepy" or "uncanny" (if it gives me some kind of out-of-this-world, ephemeral shudder)
"foul" (if it's immoral or indescribably stinky)
"abysmal" (if I'm feeling dramatic or using a British accent)
"god-awful" or "fugly" (in response to bad fashion choices)
All of these words are great for making a negative remark and expressing a repulsed opinion about both the physical and abstract world. However, none of these words encompass what a gag does.
Gag encompasses a moment. It makes your eyes roll back, the skin go all goosebumpy, and the brain momentarily stop functioning. It's an experience where for an instant, the exact millisecond that the sparks in your mind fly to connect what's happening, your body follows with a simple gag.
Today, I gagged for the first time in a long time. I was sitting in my office keeping up my daily quota of 2L of water a day by sipping from my Nalgene. Before I knew it, I had something in my mouth - the texture of a leaf. I spat it out, instantly, and to my horror, realized it was a daddy long legs. Well, a deceased daddy long legs. My throat did some funny retraction thing, and there it was: a gag.
I eventually got over it, ate my peanut butter and banana sandwich and got on with my day, researching ebook series and fact checking an article on a universal influenza vaccine.
But it wasn't over.
A few hours later, I was on St Catherine walking home from work with a bounce in my step, in a giddy mood. I walked into the Jean Coutu there to buy some Bandaids and goat milk soap (my latest obsession). In the aisle, to my horror, another gag recurred.
What I'm about to show you probably does not warrant the gag reflex kicking in, but I guess the muscle memory kicked in with the long-legged bug still lingering in whatever part of my brain it is that files away trauma.
Here it is my friend. Something gag-worthy:
For other cilantro-haters like me, please join the anti-cilantro movement.
Thank you and good night, y'all.
*gag*
May 23, 2011
count off (n.)
It's been a while since I wrote anything - seeing I moved my butt across the country for an exciting opportunity to work at Reader's Digest Canada for the summer, you think it would've been sooner that I'd feel I needed to let it allll outttt!!
I haven't had a moment to even reflect on all that's happened in the last 2 weeks - however, now that I have a long weekend, I can get started (and hopefully finished).
To avoid this turning into a long Vish Ramble, I will also (in Vish-like manner) proceed with a list.
Alliteratively and alphabetically (feels so good).
I imagine this will give you all an idea of what my life in Montreal (mon-ray-all) has been like since I got here a couple of weeks ago :) Of course, there's parts missing, but I've tried to piece it together....
B
C
E
Evening runs and walks :)
Eden grocery has all the lovely specialties I encountered in Vancouver all in one spot: vegetable gyozas, Bengal spice tea, fortune cookies, Leslie Stowe's crisps, mint body wash & Manna bread!
F
Looking forward to festival season to start up in June... it's gonna be effin' crazy! And fireworks!
Miss Farmer, my new weekend roomie :) sleepovers, manicures, movies & ice cream!
I have yet to learn francais... Je vais continuer essayer...
J
Place Jacques Cartier and the old city - just great for jolly weekend afternoons :)
K
I really like my kitchen - it's kind of a room of its own, with access to the balcony and filled with useful knick-knacks; it has a Vish-sized oven, too!
L
M
Marche Lobo: money well spent (on mounds of food - organics too!); with prices like that, it's gotta be a shady operation, right?
Mango had a 30% off sale! Speaking of mangoes... the city can't get enough of them!
Missing all my Vancouverites, of course.... :) Vous me manquez!
N
Noshing: one of Dani & Vish's favourite activities when they get together. (Melt that Fudge-O, Dani!)
P
Poutine, please!
R
Reader's Digest is going really well - I've been given a range of responsibilities that I like doing and am good at: research, reviewing/editing, writing copy, pitching articles, doing marketing tasks (ad layouts for example) and updating online content. So far, so good - and everyone is so nice!
S
Free shots at the sports bar for every time Burrows or Salo scored a goal!
Skyping with my Vancouverites makes me feel special :)
Summer hours at work means early Fridays!
Scrabble with Ben is not dead!
U
Early May: UVA rays, what!
& St. Urbain's wonderful Jewish bakeries - and downhill bike lane! :)
W
Walking to work is great! Sipping coffee, getting a bit of Vit D, right before the day starts :)
Also - On Saturday I realized that my apartment had no hot water; and I also realized that, you know you're in Montreal when your neighbours don't seem to care or mind all that much - apparently hot water is more of a luxury than a necessity? Well, I'm relieved to find that today (Monday), the faucet gave me what I needed and it sure is hot!
I haven't had a moment to even reflect on all that's happened in the last 2 weeks - however, now that I have a long weekend, I can get started (and hopefully finished).
To avoid this turning into a long Vish Ramble, I will also (in Vish-like manner) proceed with a list.
Alliteratively and alphabetically (feels so good).
I imagine this will give you all an idea of what my life in Montreal (mon-ray-all) has been like since I got here a couple of weeks ago :) Of course, there's parts missing, but I've tried to piece it together....
A
My Apartment is on Rue Aylmer - with ample room for all my stuff.
I've been drinking ample amounts of St. Ambroise amber ale on any given "patio day".
B
I have a balcony that overlooks a bad-ass beer can burial ground.
Bixi bikes are the best - and especially beneficial for booking it to Outremont for fresh babkas and bagels in the a.m. (My monthly Bixi pass was the first thing to arrive in the mail addressed to me!)
C
$2 chow mein on St. Laurent is not closed. Clearly, it's still conducive to late-night chomping - two doors down from the original location.
Crescent St.'s Sir Winston Churchill pub is cheaper than I remember it being. $2.50 for a mixed cocktail on Mondays?!
Champs has officially been classified as the centre of Canucks fandom.
D
D
Dinner has become really delightful because I get to dream it up and make myself - simple or crazy, it's always delicious.
E
Evening runs and walks :)
Eden grocery has all the lovely specialties I encountered in Vancouver all in one spot: vegetable gyozas, Bengal spice tea, fortune cookies, Leslie Stowe's crisps, mint body wash & Manna bread!
F
Looking forward to festival season to start up in June... it's gonna be effin' crazy! And fireworks!
Miss Farmer, my new weekend roomie :) sleepovers, manicures, movies & ice cream!
I have yet to learn francais... Je vais continuer essayer...
G
Google has been a gigantic help in giving me tips on how to find things, clean things, cook things, and just generally, how to play house!
H
H
My home was not hot enough (i.e. cold) so I used my hair dryer to keep my toes warm in the mornings.
H&M shopping and city "hike" with Dani for 6 hours in the heat.
Tim Horton's iced capps in the old city.
Tim Horton's iced capps in the old city.
I
Visited Little Italy, Dani's neighbourhood - the industrious Jean Talon market and its invigorating fruit samples are the bomb.
Visited Little Italy, Dani's neighbourhood - the industrious Jean Talon market and its invigorating fruit samples are the bomb.
J
K
  |
| Cooking "instruction sheet" pull-out in my oven! And my red kitchen! |
I really like my kitchen - it's kind of a room of its own, with access to the balcony and filled with useful knick-knacks; it has a Vish-sized oven, too!
Mini kickoff pizza party at work on my first day at RD.
Went to The Keg with Ben before he left for the month; probably the last steak I'll be able to afford on my summer (party, concert) budget!
Went to The Keg with Ben before he left for the month; probably the last steak I'll be able to afford on my summer (party, concert) budget!
L
 |
| Pont Victoria connects Montreal with St. Lambert. |
Ben and I went on a little adventure to St. Lambert where he'll be working at an e.s.L. camp!
Biking the Lachine canal and the St. Lawrence river.
Biking the Lachine canal and the St. Lawrence river.
The first day arriving at my apartment, it looked more than a little dark - but then Ben screwed in some more light bulbs... phew!
Oh-- AND! check out: Librissime bookstore.
Oh-- AND! check out: Librissime bookstore.
M
Mango had a 30% off sale! Speaking of mangoes... the city can't get enough of them!
Missing all my Vancouverites, of course.... :) Vous me manquez!
N
O
Trying on onesies at Forever 21 on the long weekend...uber obnoxious-looking.
P
Q
Quinoa, the quintessential nutritious dinner :)
R
S
 |
| except no goal by Salo yet.... |
 |
| and no win for Ben...(yet!) |
Free shots at the sports bar for every time Burrows or Salo scored a goal!
Skyping with my Vancouverites makes me feel special :)
Summer hours at work means early Fridays!
Scrabble with Ben is not dead!
T
Tam tam on Sunday: picnicked and really got into it...so sweaty!
U
Early May: UVA rays, what!
& St. Urbain's wonderful Jewish bakeries - and downhill bike lane! :)
V
Vishie likes this ville she's living in. A smart personal venture.
Restaurant signs, "apportez votre vin", means cheaper wine for just an uncorking fee!
Restaurant signs, "apportez votre vin", means cheaper wine for just an uncorking fee!
W
 |
| The park kiddy corner to my building. |
Also - On Saturday I realized that my apartment had no hot water; and I also realized that, you know you're in Montreal when your neighbours don't seem to care or mind all that much - apparently hot water is more of a luxury than a necessity? Well, I'm relieved to find that today (Monday), the faucet gave me what I needed and it sure is hot!
X
xox's to all my lovelies who aren't here with me!
xox's to all my lovelies who aren't here with me!
Y
Couldn't say anything but, "Yes!" to onion rings at Champs!
Couldn't say anything but, "Yes!" to onion rings at Champs!
Z
Looking for Dani's place - on rue zygote was over zealous as it was really "rue Zotique".... woops.
Looking for Dani's place - on rue zygote was over zealous as it was really "rue Zotique".... woops.
Now I know my Ah - Bay - Says... Next time won't you chante avec maaayyy!!
<3 miss you all!
March 25, 2011
hangry (adj.)
Today I was a busy bee. Off I went to school this morning, then caught a dentist appointment around lunch, and whilst waiting for my fluoride to set into my teeth, starved my poor self putting together scholarship applications. Then, I had a very productive meeting with my lovely MPub tech group (Rabbit Hole Marketing!) and our professor, while chowing down on some lentils. After a couple of hours of that, I sat in my swivel chair working on my first digital portfolio, then ran off to a yoga class as part of my #YYoga30DayChallenge. Busy busy bee!
I must share with you that whenever I use that phrase, I am reminded of "Busy Bee Cleaners" - an establishment I drove by twice, every single day for an entire decade. Every morning, as I drove up Granville Street from 70th Avenue on my way to grade 4 (or grade what have you), I'd see Busy Bee Cleaners - a little white boxy building, in the far corner of the little strip of stores next to the Korean noodle place, looking grungy and dusty and packed.
For some reason, the name stuck; and today, I thought of myself as this crazy lil bee flying around doing way too much, not eating enough, with piles and piles of laundry to do!
Apart from feeling like a busy bee, however, I also felt HUNGRY. After yoga, I had what I call, "yoga-head". I temporarily felt fine - until, of course, my boyfriend came over and I decided to become irritable and annoyed at almost everything he said.
So, today: my entry is dedicated to Ben. I'm sorry for getting so hangry. I hope that, next time, you force feed me before we truly interact. Then you'll get some more honey, and less stinger.
(p.s. He's accepted my apology. We're having a splash of scotch with our friend Aaron right now - he cooks up a meaaannnnn stir-fry! Thanks, Aaron!)
[I would really, really appreciate some feedback on my portfolio, too. Any comments are welcome, and will be taken to heart! Thanks!]
I must share with you that whenever I use that phrase, I am reminded of "Busy Bee Cleaners" - an establishment I drove by twice, every single day for an entire decade. Every morning, as I drove up Granville Street from 70th Avenue on my way to grade 4 (or grade what have you), I'd see Busy Bee Cleaners - a little white boxy building, in the far corner of the little strip of stores next to the Korean noodle place, looking grungy and dusty and packed.For some reason, the name stuck; and today, I thought of myself as this crazy lil bee flying around doing way too much, not eating enough, with piles and piles of laundry to do!
Apart from feeling like a busy bee, however, I also felt HUNGRY. After yoga, I had what I call, "yoga-head". I temporarily felt fine - until, of course, my boyfriend came over and I decided to become irritable and annoyed at almost everything he said.
So, today: my entry is dedicated to Ben. I'm sorry for getting so hangry. I hope that, next time, you force feed me before we truly interact. Then you'll get some more honey, and less stinger.
(p.s. He's accepted my apology. We're having a splash of scotch with our friend Aaron right now - he cooks up a meaaannnnn stir-fry! Thanks, Aaron!)
[I would really, really appreciate some feedback on my portfolio, too. Any comments are welcome, and will be taken to heart! Thanks!]
March 2, 2011
challenge (n.)
Yesterday, I started a 30-day yoga challenge at my favourite Yoga studio in Vancouver: YYoga in Yaletown. While I'm definitely tooting the studio's horn - and I really genuinely want people to come out and try it - this month, I initially felt a little bit differently about spreading word about "my" little secret hideaway on Homer.
But, I've changed my mind! To infinity, and beyond!
I've had an unlimited yoga pass at the studio since September, going about 3-5 times a week.
"My kind" of classes are hot and power classes.
I like breaking a sweat rather than delving so deeply into yin stretches that I fall asleep; anusara also doesn't always do it for me because it asks my heart to be active more than my mind - and the reason I started yoga was to stabilize my though process, ease my nerves and stress, and wield the physical that controls my life. (Of course, after 30 days of yoga, I may start to feel differently.)
Anyway- I digress.
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March happens to be a "challenge" month at YYoga; the challenge is to go to 30 yoga classes in 30 days. While I'm always up for a challenge, I initially had a couple of anti-yogic thoughts that threw me out of zen (I threw myself back in eventually):
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1. Is yoga an errand that I must do daily to "succeed"? I like to feel it's part of my lifestyle, rather than a list of 30 boxes that I must check off to feel I've accomplished something to prove I didn't let myself down. The whole point of yoga is that it is not a quantifiable competition - and not really even with yourself. It's a way of being with, and in, and within yourself, on a daily basis - yes; but, on and off the mat.
.
and
.
After having these ineffective thoughts about what I feel is kind of marketing ploy to increase membership - I thought: so what if it is!
I'm thinking about it wro ng.I'm thinking about it wrong.
People should join yoga - and the more the merrier. The group energy is wonderful. You meet people who are doing the challenge too, and you support each other along the way as you start to feel like a sore, flexy, yoga robot, dragging your mat around with you, instantly aware of when your feet go wider than hip-distance (even while brushing your teeth...naw).
Showing up (in class and in life!) is always a challenge, and to submit to a consistent practice has its benefits: You get the opportunity to show up to class despite what your mind tells you. You also get to knock your body into shape - and eventually your mind follows too.
If yoga has taught me anything, it's that the attitude you bring to the mat ("and beyond!") trumps everything else. Understanding that may be the biggest challenge of all.
So, here I go, Day 1 behind me, looking forward to the next 29, starting with today (everyday) - come hell or high water.
But, I've changed my mind! To infinity, and beyond!
I've had an unlimited yoga pass at the studio since September, going about 3-5 times a week.
"My kind" of classes are hot and power classes.
I like breaking a sweat rather than delving so deeply into yin stretches that I fall asleep; anusara also doesn't always do it for me because it asks my heart to be active more than my mind - and the reason I started yoga was to stabilize my though process, ease my nerves and stress, and wield the physical that controls my life. (Of course, after 30 days of yoga, I may start to feel differently.)
Anyway- I digress.
.
 |
| low lunge |
.
1. Is yoga an errand that I must do daily to "succeed"? I like to feel it's part of my lifestyle, rather than a list of 30 boxes that I must check off to feel I've accomplished something to prove I didn't let myself down. The whole point of yoga is that it is not a quantifiable competition - and not really even with yourself. It's a way of being with, and in, and within yourself, on a daily basis - yes; but, on and off the mat.
.
 | |
| warrior 1 |
.
2. The studio gets so damn busy. Everyone takes advantage of the deal and before you know it, March means that changing-rooms get super crowded; you have to dash to find a hook for your jacket, show up extra early to snag your third-favourite spot, and start to notice some people totally getting into a frenzy about landing an early shower slot so they can go home earlier than everyone else. Totally not in yoga spirit, and not the best energy to be around..
After having these ineffective thoughts about what I feel is kind of marketing ploy to increase membership - I thought: so what if it is!
I'm thinking about it wro ng.I'm thinking about it wrong.
People should join yoga - and the more the merrier. The group energy is wonderful. You meet people who are doing the challenge too, and you support each other along the way as you start to feel like a sore, flexy, yoga robot, dragging your mat around with you, instantly aware of when your feet go wider than hip-distance (even while brushing your teeth...naw).
 | |
| mountain pose. |
Showing up (in class and in life!) is always a challenge, and to submit to a consistent practice has its benefits: You get the opportunity to show up to class despite what your mind tells you. You also get to knock your body into shape - and eventually your mind follows too.
If yoga has taught me anything, it's that the attitude you bring to the mat ("and beyond!") trumps everything else. Understanding that may be the biggest challenge of all.
So, here I go, Day 1 behind me, looking forward to the next 29, starting with today (everyday) - come hell or high water.
July 15, 2010
boring (adj.)
Today, and after some time (as always), I decided to return to you (all?). In doing so, I noticed that I had bookmarked my OWN blog under a tabbed folder entitled
"Bored."
So, I pondered, "If I'm bored, how can I expect others to be interested in my blog?"
On behalf of you all, I will answer this question:
It's because the world we live in today, while far from boring, is boring us out of our minds.
The moment we move our cursor to the "Internet Explorer," "Firefox" or "Safari", we enter a web portal that justifies our very existence of subconsciously being bored. It opens up a platform on which we lie down, stretch out our legs, and take a little vacation, on a little safari, if you will.
Sure, there are many interesting things to be explored on the world wide web, but insofar as we are building curiosity, we are also illustrating the "real world's" lack of stimuli.
How many of us can attest to actually having laughed their butt off at the immaculate, unobstructed view of the funny fat kid next to us on the rollercoaster? Or when does an actual trip to the farm end with a piss-in-your-pants laughter at the sounds of the man-goat? And how about libido - who out there actually enjoys this much sexy booty in their face? That just might just get a little too firefoxy for my PG blog.
Yah, modern life can be a bit BORING so (or because) we turn to the Internet for an entertaining solace, a compounded effort to reach beyond routine and mediocrity, the errands of the everyday.
And so, my conclusion stands: We're bored, and so we click. I just hope you've clicked onto the right place and I've sucked you out of your boring life for at least a few minutes.
And if not, at least you may have seen some booty.
And just in case you haven't, here it is again folks:
www.google.com
(what, too bored to do it yourself?)
"Bored."
So, I pondered, "If I'm bored, how can I expect others to be interested in my blog?"
On behalf of you all, I will answer this question:
It's because the world we live in today, while far from boring, is boring us out of our minds.
The moment we move our cursor to the "Internet Explorer," "Firefox" or "Safari", we enter a web portal that justifies our very existence of subconsciously being bored. It opens up a platform on which we lie down, stretch out our legs, and take a little vacation, on a little safari, if you will.
Sure, there are many interesting things to be explored on the world wide web, but insofar as we are building curiosity, we are also illustrating the "real world's" lack of stimuli.
How many of us can attest to actually having laughed their butt off at the immaculate, unobstructed view of the funny fat kid next to us on the rollercoaster? Or when does an actual trip to the farm end with a piss-in-your-pants laughter at the sounds of the man-goat? And how about libido - who out there actually enjoys this much sexy booty in their face? That just might just get a little too firefoxy for my PG blog.
Yah, modern life can be a bit BORING so (or because) we turn to the Internet for an entertaining solace, a compounded effort to reach beyond routine and mediocrity, the errands of the everyday.
And so, my conclusion stands: We're bored, and so we click. I just hope you've clicked onto the right place and I've sucked you out of your boring life for at least a few minutes.
And if not, at least you may have seen some booty.
And just in case you haven't, here it is again folks:
www.google.com
(what, too bored to do it yourself?)
October 23, 2009
paper smock (n.)
The moment you set down the idea To Write, the blank page is daunting. It calls out like a chore, seeking to envelop your hand and it's inky pen, to make it shed its innards onto the page. It's very self-destructive this choice to Begin To Write. It becomes an obligation, with no merit, no warrant for affection or personal achievement. It is like an appointment with the doctor who must examine you in your paper smock. You feel naked, exposed and without words as his eyes gaze at his instruments that describe you with numbers and decimal points. You are Healthy in body.
To Do List
- 3pm Dr. Marger appt.
- Safeway
- rant on my blog "tick"
Do I feel healthier in mind?
I guess. I did something for myself today. I bled a few thoughts, wore the paper smock and stained it with ink.
To Do List
- 3pm Dr. Marger appt.
- Safeway
- rant on my blog "tick"
Do I feel healthier in mind?
I guess. I did something for myself today. I bled a few thoughts, wore the paper smock and stained it with ink.
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