Now With Music...

Ok, you may have noticed that I now have music on my blog. I debated a long time about whether or not I should. However, I noticed that when I visited my friend Katie's blog how warm and friendly hers felt with just that added touch of music. Every time I visit Katie's blog, I feel welcome. So, I thought I'd give it a try. I built a playlist that represents quite accurately the very wide range of music I enjoy. It's quite broad ranging and may be a bit surprising to some of you. Remember there's 159 selections on there, so if you really can't stand a song, push the next button, or the pause button, or just turn your sound off. The options are endless. Haha. So, hopefully you enjoy it. If not, too bad. I'll probably get sick of it after a while anyway if I'm really honest about it, however, it's something new and fun to play with...

My Least Favorite Holiday

Something to think about when you're hacking up pumpkins this week...



Perhaps it's a bit dark...

Right In Line With What I've Been Learning...

Still awake. Still on a sugar high, evidently. Anyway, I've been listening to this...

http://broadcast.lds.org/genconf/2008/10/60/GRSM_2008_10_608_UchtdorfDF_04903_eng_.mp3

It's President Dieter Uchtdorf's talk from Women's Conference this past September. President Uchtdorf is a member of the First Presidency of the entire organization of the my Church - worldwide, and he is considered a Prophet in our faith. So, what he says for me and millions of others carries quite a bit of weight. His talk goes right along with what I've been learning lately about myself, and my worth, and my relationship with my God. I love his German accent. It brings me comfort for some strange reason. Haha. Thought I'd share it. Hope you enjoy it.

If you can't listen due to technical difficulties, you can read it here...

http://www.lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-947-37,00.html

Learned - A Painful Lesson

Drug Dealer - thy name is CRAVE!!!

This blog may contain negative words - it's the sugar talking. So, as you know, yesterday was my first crave experience. It was overall pleasant, however, today I thought I'd be brave and try again because - I don't do guilt, and there they were - sitting there - waiting for me to come and buy and eat. I figure it's quite sensible to buy one now and then. 2 days in a row may be pushing it, however - thought I'd give it a try again. I now wish I had payed attention to the forboding feeling telling me not to. Well, I went in there - it was the end of the day, and for some - very strange reason - they had surplus cupcakes. I guess she said they were about to sell out, but got one last shipment in from the bakery (which is elsewhere in the city I take it). So, instead of throwing them out, she offered me one free one to go with the one I bought. I thought - ooh - that's not a good idea, however, I relented - thinking I would wait until tomorrow - at breakfast to enjoy it. I believe breakfast may actually be the best time to eat high calorie foods. However, the second one didn't last until morning - no indeed. After I had enjoyed the first one - which was the CraveOLicious - I guess - their signature cupcake. Chocolate cupcake smothered in blue vanilla icing...



I apparently had to have the second one. Why not? It's only a cupcake - for crying out loud. So, I had the Lemon-lime twist one that I had hoped to save until morning. It's a white lemon cupcake with creamy green lime butter icing...



Immediately after I finished my second cupcake - I had the full feeling in my stomach - the one which feels like a little bit too much. Apparently it was a lot too much - because my head started spinning out of control about 10 minutes later. No, I don't have diabetes, I am insulin resistant, but have managed to avoid the big D. You would think I was having a major high blood sugar though, considering how bad I felt. Now I'm completely dead - totally crashed right out. Basically, I feel like I had a really bad acid trip - not that I know what a bad acid trip feels like - but let's call this Becky's bad acid trip shall we?

I guess - my body doesn't tolerate large quantities of refined sugar anymore. I used to work with a lady - some of you may remember - who made these AMAZING sugar cookies for every single holiday. They were the kind that were really good sugar cookies to begin with, but were smothered in the most elaborate icing designs - that made you want to gobble their pretty little selves right up. I used to be able to sit and eat about a dozen without blinking an eye. They were quite large too. Well, I suppose I should be happy to be able to say that I really can't tolerate large quantities of sugar anymore. However, I do wish I didn't feel so awful right now. I guess I've learned my lesson.

Yes, this is a prime example of how enjoying your food is very important. Enjoying the eating part, and also enjoying the digesting. If you're not enjoying one or the other of these parts, then - I guess you know your answer as to whether or not you should eat it.

I think I need some Ibuprofen. I'm in so much pain. My head actually hurts. I must go and drink LARGE quantities of water now...

I Took Some Pictures For You

I've had a few of these pics sitting on my cell phone waiting to be shared via blog for a while. Sometimes I do that, I'll see something and think - oh, I can share that with my bloggies. Haha, so then I take a picture of it thinking I'll share it later, and get busy doing other things, thinking of other things... life takes over and I forget the wee pictures sitting on my cell phone. So, here's a few...

The girls and I went to check out (yet another) restaurant that was this time a recommendation by my friend who actually resides in Scotland. That Jonas has connections everywhere it seems. ;-) It's a Hungarian restaurant called "Jonas Restaurant" down on 6th avenue. It was really good. We each between us had the Chicken Paprikash or the Cabbage Rolls. I admit, I had never had Hungarian, and it was quite a nice surprise. I did notice a lot of men in the restaurant. Girls, if you're looking for where the men go for lunch downtown - this is it. Go, and order the cabbage rolls, I heard they were fantastic, as I had the Chicken Paprikash - which was also good, but evidently not as fantastic as the Cabbage Rolls. Haha.



The Chicken Paprikash



The Cabbage Rolls - mmm

Next picture is totally random. It's proof that Fidela actually has the capability to make an imperfect Lumpia. Anyone who knows Fidela knows her Lumpia are always immaculate. However, in Fidela fashion, this one tasted just as good, in fact better for it's imperfections. Yes - it was the best Lumpia I ever had. How I will miss my Filipina Mummy. She better come and visit me in Scotland...



The next I may get in trouble for, and will definitely hear about tomorrow. Heehee. Linda - here's proof of the culprits who decorated your brand new workstation...



Alright, I admit, I was responsible for the severed hand on your mouse. That was me.

Next I have a picture of the Crave Cupcake I finally had an opportunity to try - guilt free. Haha. You know, I've heard about these Crave Cupcakes from absolutely everybody. They're just down the street from my work, and so I thought - why not give it a try. So, $3.10 later :-$ I enjoyed the "Dirty Blonde" cupcake. Yes, they all have names. Apparently they're the Bernard Callebaut of cupcakes. It was pretty good, I admit. I mean - the icing was VERY chocolately and smooth, and the cake part was good and smooth and tasty. So, for a woman who's had her ups and downs this week, it was welcomed.



So now a brief review of a lovely gem of a place which the girls accidentally discovered on 17th Avenue between 4th and 5th street called the European Bakery. Yum, yum, yum. They have this stuff called Burek (which I had never heard of, but now love) which is fantastic - anything savory and pastried, I am in love with. However, I'm sure it's got 5000 calories in a serving. Again, I don't care, and I don't feel guilty eating it because if I enjoy my food, then it's worth it. I really ought to write a diet book called the enjoyment diet. Hmm, I bet it's been done. Anyway, they have Burek, and every kind of pastry imaginable. I also enjoyed an Orangina...







The treasured Burek and Orangina Lunch


The Staff there are fantastic too. They're so nice, and authentically European.

Last but not least, I've been feeling a bit nostalgic (I guess it's to be expected) about my home city. I do complain about it a lot, but the truth is, regardless of how it's changed, it's still the city I grew up in, and there's lots of things I'll miss. I've taken to taking long walks whenever I can. Tonight, I took a highly therapeutic walk practically half way home (which is really quite far) For anyone who knows Calgary I walked from the RRDTC (the old Children's Hospital) down 17th Avenue to 4th Street, up 4th Street to Elbow Drive, walked along the river, and all the way to Chinook Mall and Station. So, that's a pretty far walk, but it was a nice evening, and I need to treasure my time - you know. Anyway, along my walk, I was given a moment to appreciate some of the beauties that God has given us. When I got to the bridge on Elbow Drive near Riverdale, there was a lovely Sunset waiting just for me...



I bet all of those people in a rush to get home in their cars missed it entirely. That's the beauty of walking everywhere, nothing escapes your notice. But, I don't know how anybody could miss that...

What Is Life - But To Enjoy?

I have decided...

Not to believe any negative self talk anymore. I also don't believe in guilt, or anxiety, or depression. What is there to feel guilty for? Why should I feel anxious or depressed or angry? What's the purpose of that? I suppose what it is, is that I've been fed guilt ALL of my life - bless them - they didn't know how it would harm me, as it harmed them, and anybody else who's been fed that nonsense. God says - "Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy" Women are that they might have joy as well. We are here in this life to enjoy it. It's not just a nice idea, but a commandment. It's been a commandment for me lately - in my personal prayer and dealings with God. It's a principle we can apply in every aspect of life...

With food for instance; when one is overweight (take it from me, I know) they don't enjoy their food. They eat it quickly, and lots of it, but they really don't taste it or enjoy it or take the time to enjoy it. It's just something they feel compelled to do, so they do it. When one takes the time to enjoy their food, taste it, make it an enjoyable and pleasant experience, they are more likely to eat less because they have taken the time to enjoy it. They are also more likely to have joy in food. We can apply that principle to every aspect of life. Take the time to enjoy it, and it will be well worth the effort. Or rather - the non-effort. Well, not that effort is unpleasant either. I mean - there's joy in a job well done, for sure. But, if you're not enjoying it, then it's really not worth it, is it? This is my new motto in life - If you're not enjoying it, it's not worth it. Yep, that's it - definitely my new motto.

You'll notice my post today is quite opposite to last week's postings. Well the reason for this is, I knew where to turn to, and I found the light I needed. I get it - loud and clear. Enjoy life, and don't feed yourself anymore of that crap you've been fed all your life. In fact, stop saying things like crap, and try really hard to use positive words.

It will be hard, but I'll try. :-)



Thanks Bunny and Marsha. I'll miss you.

On The Lighter Side...

My posts have been very intense lately. I'm not usually such an intense person. It's just lately - you know - changes, and life, and challenges along the way, not making it easy for me, etc. That happens anytime you're about to do something important. Have you noticed? Well, anyway, the plan to move is very much a go, and I'm not looking back. So, enough with it already. Gosh!!! Here's a lovely video I took last week-end at family Thanksgiving dinner. It's my sweet nephew and his best friend - the doggy. His best friend cost a mere $6 at Ikea his Mummy tells me. It's his bestest friend in the universe. Wouldn't it be nice if relationships were that kind of simple sometimes? He sings a little song to his best friend - it goes *doggy, doggy, doggy*. Haha. He's so stinking cute. Yes, alright, I'm feeling slightly maternal lately. Enjoy the video. I do - every time I see it.