Tag Archives: Love

First Stitches Quickly Lead to Knitting Triumphs

So another one of my goals is to live a happier and more fulfilled life.

One way I am working on achieving this is by taking more pleasure in my hobbies.

You may have noticed that I have been a little less consistent with my blog posts recently. And while I could have striven to be more regular with my updates, instead I have decided to be more fair with my distribution of energy into the things that I love. So that means that some weeks, I will have plenty to share and others I might be too busy. But I’ll always be back… and I hope you will as well.

When it comes down to it…

I want to be happy.

We are already into the 2nd week of 2013 and so far I’m on track with the goals I’ve set out reaching. If you recall in my previous post Goals vs. Resolutions, I decided that I would set myself up for success from here on out. As a result, some of the work to achieve certain goals won’t even be attempted until later this year.

Since living a happy and healthy life is such a broad goal, I’ve taken it upon myself (and my analytical, list making ways) to find ways to make it happen.

To start, my life is not miserable. I’m not depressed and I’m not unhealthy… but there is definitely room for improvement.

There always is.

What I quickly realized, is that there are so many things in my life already that give me joy and make me feel good about myself.

So why don’t I take advantage of these opportunities to feel awesome?

I gave you a hint in my last post. For those of you who couldn’t decipher the clue, I’ll be competing in my 2nd 10k race in May where I plan to beat my previous time of 1 hour and 13 minutes by at least 10 minutes. The race is called the Scotiabank International Bluenose Marathon. It’s kind of a big deal around these parts and from what I’ve been told by serious runners… a pretty good training ground for larger races around the world… (East Coast San Francisco remember… every run has hill training in it at some part). If the term Bluenose is giving you pause… check this out (Bluenose).

Doesn’t it feel good to learn something new?

Sorry… moving on.

The other way I’ve decided to enjoy my time to myself a bit more is to improve my productivity without having to worry or stress over the outcome.

Sure there are plenty of productive tasks I could tackle that would make my life easier, more enjoyable, or ease some of my financial strain…

But instead, I’m taking it back a few decades.

7 to be more specific.

With a little guidance and instruction from Mary, I’m well on my way to producing my very own knitted infinity scarf… one that I might actually wear in public!

Add to Mary’s beyond her years wisdom with a ball of yarn a book given to me by my grandmother circa 1941, and I’m feeling quite domestic lately.

Who knows, I might even take myself down to the local Starbucks and see if I can pick up any cute hipster boys…

I’m kidding… or am I?

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Making My Parents Proud

I may be an adult, but I still crave my parents approval, affection, and attention.

Last night the first half (2 out of 4) of my parents sat in the audience (in the front row nonetheless) and saw The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.

This being the first show I’ve done in almost 10 years it is of course exciting for me to be involved. I get to live out a fantasy and use talents that have unfortunately been sitting on the sidelines for much of the past decade.

Singing in weddings, in the shower, and in car the don’t really count…

But on top of the excitement of being involved, I have missed the feeling of doing something (not related to academia or work) that really makes my parents smile and beam with pride for their daughter.

I don’t think we ever really grow out of that.

Last night I knew my Dad and Sandra would be in the audience. And soon enough, so did the rest of the cast. I threatened kindly asked everyone to do their best to put on a good show for them.

After the final curtain call, I rushed out to see them and was greeted by hugs and smiles and two beaming parents.

Sure it’s nice performing for strangers and receiving compliments from those you don’t know.

But nothing beats the feeling you get when those who raised you let you know just how proud they are of you.

How to be There for Someone You Love

Have you ever felt at a loss for how to help someone you love who was obviously going through a tough time? Have you wanted to just love and support their pain away? Sometimes we love people so much that it pains us too much to see them spiraling.

Maybe you know what it feels like.

Maybe you’ve been there before.

Maybe you wish they could see how easily their problems could be solved if only they would get out of their own heads.

Maybe you get frustrated when they don’t take your advice.

Maybe you take offense when they don’t ask for your advice.

Maybe you try to talk to them but they shut down.

Maybe they are completely open with you but what they have to say worries you.

That worry can be all-consuming.

You don’t want them to be hurting.

You see them as a beautiful person.

But you aren’t the expert.

Only their friend.

You can’t always love a person better.

Loving someone means loving someone regardless of circumstances. When someone I love is hurting, I hurt. The only way I know how to support someone who is struggling with the day to day is to listen to them when they eventually want to talk and be ready to help when they ask.

Judgment free.

Accolades and Praise

I have been extremely lucky enough to have been nominated for yet another award by the lovely lazylauramaisey. I gratefully accept my induction into the Very Inspiring Blogger family, and my acceptance speech will be to provide you all with yet another sampling of random factoids (sorry guys, can’t quite think of seven) you never knew about me, a listing of my nominations, and my prominent display of my award on my homepage.

And you thought you knew everything about me… here are three more.

1.  I still sleep with a teddy bear. His name is Love and he is a Tie-Dye Teddy whose clothing has long since been lost. Love was a Christmas gift when I was in grade 6; the same year my best-friend at the time, Lea, received her own Tie-Dye Teddy named “Peace”. Don’t worry, he goes in the wash every once in a while.

2. I’ve already confessed that I love musicals, Glee, or anything Broadway… but I haven’t yet disclosed by love of Bollywood. Frankly, it’s only a natural extension. Helped along by my Indian-Canadian friend Monika I’ve discovered a whole slew of movies to watch that satisfy my need for a little romance, music, and theatrics in my life. English subtitles are a must though.

3. I’ve never had a proper boyfriend. Crazy right? I’ve dated. I’ve had relationships. But no one to bring home to the family, no one to take a vacation with. Fear not, I’m not throwing in the towel just quite yet, but I’m definitely done with all the riff-raff and commitment-phobes out there. On a serious note though, I’ve made a pretty concerted effort to not make this blog about my relationships (positive or negative) preferring to focus on the imaginary (my husband Josh Groban)… there are plenty of other blogs out there for that, but I’ve tried to pass along the lessons I’ve learned from dating that can be relateable to people in all parts of life. Hopefully, you agree.

And as for the nominations?

1. Simply Stephanie Blog: This girl just keeps surprising me with all of her many talents, and how big her heart is. Be it charity work, modeling, being a big sister, or a best friend, Stephanie is truly inspiring. She even did a whole week on it!

2. Jessica of Defining Wonderland has been one of my favourite blogs since I started in March. This Californian girl was featured (along with myself) in Simply Stephanie’s Inspiration Week, and for this reason alone (believe me there are many others) I nominate her for this award.

3. Mylifeisthebestlife cracks me up. I can’t help it. When I read her blog about her husbandio and her daughter (and forthcoming baby – Bob Marley) and then posts about her life living with gestational diabetes, I can’t help but be inspired.

If You Liked It Then You Should’ve Put a Label on It

Yesterday I was (mistakenly) introduced to a client at work as the “receptionist”.

I can honestly say that I am confident there was no offense intended… the mistake was not meant as a slight, or an insult to my position, qualifications, or capabilities.

Maybe he just didn’t know what my actual title was? Or maybe he isn’t familiar with the distinctions found between various administrative roles?

I didn’t correct him.

That would have been rude.

But it got me to thinking about a subject that has plagued me in other areas of life as well.

Why do we label something (or someone) or assign titles?

I know my reasons.

When I label something or someone, it is because they play a certain role in my life.

In romantic relationships, the assigning of labels is a contentious issue to say the least. In my experience, guys people shy away from assigning a label or a title to anything… even discussions of, or references to, labels can be enough to send some people running for the hills… or not replying to a text message.

Time, frequency, and nature of the relationship doesn’t seem to decrease the anxiety or general abhorrence to unease of these types of classifications.

I’ll never really understand this, and maybe I’m not meant to… lacking certain gender-specific anatomical appendages and all.

Professionally speaking, titles are of great significance.

Seniority and authority are dictated by titles. Education and credentials are meant to determine where you lie in the pecking order.

When speaking with a friend about the unfortunate mistaken title situation, he expressed his own frustrations with lacking a formal title befitting his responsibilities and position. Doesn’t someone who directs other managers deserve the title of Director?

While I may play the role of receptionist (in that we do not have a great need for someone in that role), my responsibilities are much more far-reaching than simply answering the phone and greeting clients.

I am the first point of contact for external inquiries.

I coordinate the schedule of, and report directly to, the CEO and President of the Company.

I handle all financial transactions, expenses, receivables, payables, etc.

I perform inventories of all office supplies and equipment.

While I may not understand labels in relationships.

I sure as hell understand professional titles and designations.

I am not a receptionist. I am an executive assistant to the CEO.

I earned it.

;

;

Together Again

Last night I was at the hospital by my grandmother’s side as she took her last breaths.

As a young woman Marie Tobin was beautiful… at 88 years old “Nanny” was just as beautiful, and I was lucky to have had so many years with her in my life.

Six years ago, my “Puppy” passed away.

For her six remaining years, Nanny missed the love of her life.

For six years Puppy had been waiting for her.

Now they are together again, and they’ll never have to wait again.

Their love was the kind of love not everyone is so lucky to experience. Their love was the kind of love I dream to find some day.

Their love was eternal.

As my mom said tonight with tears in her eyes, “I’m sad for me, but I’m happy for her.”

Thank you Nanny and Puppy for proving that true love really does exist, and just like in the movies, it can stand the test of time.

You will be missed.

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