So, I'm sure the following experience has happened to many of you out there, but when it does happen it is so sharp and meaningful in the moment, but soon forgotten. This post is to help you remember that feeling and maybe look for opportunities for it to happen to you today, or create it for someone else. It's when we are aware, that this 'it' can get passed on.....and that 'it,' is simply, humanity.
At the grocery store today, Caleah and I were in line at the checkout. A senior gentleman was behind us in line. Caleah was pouting about something and since I was in front of the cart unloading it, he had a direct line to the pouting child. He of course asked what was the matter and told her she wasn't that hard done by. When I entered into the conversation he quickly offered that he had 5 children and knew what it was all about. He was very chatty and sweet. We went through the line and when the cashier was looking after him, I heard him offering a story about the war. He told her how he carried a token in his wallet that was from war times and that the token was what was given out to claim your food rations. What a pleasant old man I thought to myself. He just wants to chat and connect with those around him.
We were still packing up our groceries as he breezed through the checkout. He stopped to talk to Caleah again and then turned to me and gave me a loonie to give to Caleah for a treat. He didn't want to give it to her himself, lest she learn to take money from "strange nuts out there" [his words] I said thank-you and we started out of the store with our two bags. Next thing I know, he takes the two bags from my hand and asked me, "where's your car? You have your hands full." So this nice older gentleman took my bags and walked them to my car and helped me put them in the back. He said good day and off he went. In that moment I was so in love with the idea of connecting with those around me. How simple it was, but it sure made me feel alive and happy.
We all need encounters like that....many more of them than we get. We all need to create encounters like that for others. It'll make us all rich.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Monday, May 31, 2010
Back Into The Game.
Haven't written a post since February!? aaahhhhh. Well, I guess this wasn't as easy to keep up with as I thought. No matter. I have lots of material I can access...even if it is a few weeks [months] late.
I'll start with this audio clip because it is just so darn cute! The link below will take you to a recording of Caleah, age nearly 4, singing for our friend Dennis. So glad Dennis thought to pull out his ipod to record her. I need to get one just for moments like this.
Follow this link:
http://www.box.net/shared/z9gv911msi
I'll start with this audio clip because it is just so darn cute! The link below will take you to a recording of Caleah, age nearly 4, singing for our friend Dennis. So glad Dennis thought to pull out his ipod to record her. I need to get one just for moments like this.
Follow this link:
http://www.box.net/shared/z9gv911msi
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Comfort Food
Have you ever had a pining for a taste of your childhood? Maybe from a restaurant you use to frequent or home cooked Sunday roast?
Well, I got this incredible hunger for cookies the other day and after looking through a number of recipes, none of them to my satisfaction, I decided I needed a taste of my childhood. Luckily my parents live downstairs and my mother's cookbooks sit on the same bookstand my brother made her when he was a kid.
I knew the look of the book I was searching for, but not by name. It took only seconds to find. It took only seconds more to find the cookie section and as I thumbed through the pages it opened to a well used page. You know, the way a good book opens to a well read passage. There it was....spattered with dough and penciled markings....Oatmeal Crinkle Cookies.
That was it. One of those basic cookie recipes you can make on short notice....no ingredients you have to plan for, they're all cupboard staples. They tasted just as I remembered them. Old faithful. mmmmmmmmm
They're gone so don't even post asking if you can come over for some....here's the recipe, you can make your own. Or better yet, find that recipe from your childhood and enjoy!
Well, I got this incredible hunger for cookies the other day and after looking through a number of recipes, none of them to my satisfaction, I decided I needed a taste of my childhood. Luckily my parents live downstairs and my mother's cookbooks sit on the same bookstand my brother made her when he was a kid.
I knew the look of the book I was searching for, but not by name. It took only seconds to find. It took only seconds more to find the cookie section and as I thumbed through the pages it opened to a well used page. You know, the way a good book opens to a well read passage. There it was....spattered with dough and penciled markings....Oatmeal Crinkle Cookies.
That was it. One of those basic cookie recipes you can make on short notice....no ingredients you have to plan for, they're all cupboard staples. They tasted just as I remembered them. Old faithful. mmmmmmmmm
They're gone so don't even post asking if you can come over for some....here's the recipe, you can make your own. Or better yet, find that recipe from your childhood and enjoy!
Olympic Confessions
Okay, so I have a few confessions to make regarding these 2010 Vancouver Olympics. This is the place for them, right? It's what blogs are for...so I've heard.
Firstly, I have been sidelined by my own Olympic injury. It's a severe case of "lazy-assitis." I'm so intent on not missing a Canadian moment that I've parked myself in front of the T.V. and watched as much coverage as I can and then re-watched it again....[because the important parts are on during Prime Time which Steve wants to see] I've stayed up way too late watching qualifying rounds of events, and then the finals the next night. My body is paying for all the hours of sports I'm watching! Isn't that ironic?!
Next, I've got to say that I haven't been a fan of figure skating since I was a girl watching Elizabeth Manley or the battle of the Brians. However, I've watched this year and enjoyed many of the programs I've seen. Here's the confession...I've cried at the crowning of the Men's, and Ice Dance medalists, and again last night watching Joannie Rochette compete even with the death of her mother earlier this week. For as much politics that is involved and controversy that has surrounded this sport over the years, these athletes really are talented and their hard work is beautiful. I'll be rooting for Joannie to get a medal, although it won't likely be the gold or silver, it will be a testament to her strength at handling more than is expected of any person. The favourite, from Korea, lives and trains in Toronto with Brian Orser and has said that if she wins gold, she will tell Brian, 'congratulations.' He'll finally have his gold. That would be so great.
There has been a lot of good sportsmanship in the games [and some not--*cough* ahem Begg-Smith] and you can see when athletes are truly happy for whatever their placing in an event. I don't consider myself unsportsmanlike, especially when I'm playing a sport, but when I'm watching I can be a bit of a gloat. My next confession is that I was so happy when Evgeni Plushenko lost the gold medal to Evan Lysacek. That guy is just dumb and there is no such thing as a "platinum medal!" [google it if you haven't heard about it yet! sheesh!]
I love boarder and ski cross and if I was 20-something again, I would totally train for and compete in that event! Maybe my girls will.
My last confession is more of a guilty pleasure. Commercials are usually a pain in the butt, an unwelcome waste of my T.V. time. However, I've really enjoyed watching the commercials that have come out during the Olympics, about the Olympics. From Tim Hortons to Bombardier, to goworld Visa, to Coke. They have been inspiring and funny. I've attached a few links to my favourites.
And oh yes, the prognosis for my lazy-assitis is good. It should clear up in about 4 days.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldKAFoLUN2E
http://goworld.visa.com/#/save/tv_spots/jansen
Firstly, I have been sidelined by my own Olympic injury. It's a severe case of "lazy-assitis." I'm so intent on not missing a Canadian moment that I've parked myself in front of the T.V. and watched as much coverage as I can and then re-watched it again....[because the important parts are on during Prime Time which Steve wants to see] I've stayed up way too late watching qualifying rounds of events, and then the finals the next night. My body is paying for all the hours of sports I'm watching! Isn't that ironic?!
Next, I've got to say that I haven't been a fan of figure skating since I was a girl watching Elizabeth Manley or the battle of the Brians. However, I've watched this year and enjoyed many of the programs I've seen. Here's the confession...I've cried at the crowning of the Men's, and Ice Dance medalists, and again last night watching Joannie Rochette compete even with the death of her mother earlier this week. For as much politics that is involved and controversy that has surrounded this sport over the years, these athletes really are talented and their hard work is beautiful. I'll be rooting for Joannie to get a medal, although it won't likely be the gold or silver, it will be a testament to her strength at handling more than is expected of any person. The favourite, from Korea, lives and trains in Toronto with Brian Orser and has said that if she wins gold, she will tell Brian, 'congratulations.' He'll finally have his gold. That would be so great.
There has been a lot of good sportsmanship in the games [and some not--*cough* ahem Begg-Smith] and you can see when athletes are truly happy for whatever their placing in an event. I don't consider myself unsportsmanlike, especially when I'm playing a sport, but when I'm watching I can be a bit of a gloat. My next confession is that I was so happy when Evgeni Plushenko lost the gold medal to Evan Lysacek. That guy is just dumb and there is no such thing as a "platinum medal!" [google it if you haven't heard about it yet! sheesh!]
I love boarder and ski cross and if I was 20-something again, I would totally train for and compete in that event! Maybe my girls will.
My last confession is more of a guilty pleasure. Commercials are usually a pain in the butt, an unwelcome waste of my T.V. time. However, I've really enjoyed watching the commercials that have come out during the Olympics, about the Olympics. From Tim Hortons to Bombardier, to goworld Visa, to Coke. They have been inspiring and funny. I've attached a few links to my favourites.
And oh yes, the prognosis for my lazy-assitis is good. It should clear up in about 4 days.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldKAFoLUN2E
http://goworld.visa.com/#/save/tv_spots/jansen
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
The Spirit of the Olympics
When I was a kid I dreamed of being in the Olympics. I would watch every sport [particularly the downhill events] and wonder what it would be like to train and compete at that level. I never pursued that dream because I thought at that time, dreams were to be had but not really to be realized. I mean, how could that ever come to be for me. But still, I had Olympic spirit...I would cheer and watch intently.
Now that I have children, my Olympic spirit is reborn. We talk a lot with the girls about the Olympics and even let them stay up very late to watch the opening ceremonies. I asked them at one point, which Olympic sport they wanted to do, and Kiyomi quickly said "skiing" and Caleah said "I want to be a snowboard girl!" They have the spirit in them too!
Now that I'm older I know that dreams take work, not just wishing. I will teach this to my girls and provide them whatever possibility I can to help them with their dreams, Olympic or otherwise. In our home, Olympic spirit will burn brightly, and for now I'll enjoy watching the country I love compete in sports I love.
We are going out to B.C. in March for a little vacation which will include a stop in Vancouver and Whistler to take in some Paralymipic events. Hopefully the memories from that trip will be everlasting in their minds and inspirational for their lives. I'm looking forward to a very special time.
GO CANADA GO!
Now that I have children, my Olympic spirit is reborn. We talk a lot with the girls about the Olympics and even let them stay up very late to watch the opening ceremonies. I asked them at one point, which Olympic sport they wanted to do, and Kiyomi quickly said "skiing" and Caleah said "I want to be a snowboard girl!" They have the spirit in them too!
Now that I'm older I know that dreams take work, not just wishing. I will teach this to my girls and provide them whatever possibility I can to help them with their dreams, Olympic or otherwise. In our home, Olympic spirit will burn brightly, and for now I'll enjoy watching the country I love compete in sports I love.
We are going out to B.C. in March for a little vacation which will include a stop in Vancouver and Whistler to take in some Paralymipic events. Hopefully the memories from that trip will be everlasting in their minds and inspirational for their lives. I'm looking forward to a very special time.
GO CANADA GO!
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
The Oscar List
Each year at this time I make a list. A movie list. Then the race begins to view as many movies from the list as I can, in order to make an "educated" [LOL] guess at who will take home the Oscar.
I attend an Oscar party every year hosted by a friend who has been hosting an Oscar party every year for the last 26 years. It's fun to be a part of something that's annual for kind of a silly reason, yet important at the same time. I've been going for 5 years now and I like it. I get to see a bunch of ladies I use to work with and now, only see once a year, and also enjoy the movie madness that comes every February.
Of course, I don't strive to watch the movies from the Sound Editing or Make-up categories if they're not nominated somewhere else, but the main 5 for sure, plus the documentary categories and short animated films. This year there are 10 BEST PICTURE nominations. My goodness! and for the record....I can't believe DISTRICT 9 is even in contention for any award at all!
Here's the list of what I'll be watching over the next month. If it's not listed here, and it's in the main 5, that means I've seen it.
Avatar
An Education
Precious
A Single Man
Up in the Air
Crazy Heart
The Messenger
Invictus
Nine
The Last Station
The Lovely Bones
Fantastic Mr. Fox
The Secret of Kells
If you need me this month, you know where I'll be.
I attend an Oscar party every year hosted by a friend who has been hosting an Oscar party every year for the last 26 years. It's fun to be a part of something that's annual for kind of a silly reason, yet important at the same time. I've been going for 5 years now and I like it. I get to see a bunch of ladies I use to work with and now, only see once a year, and also enjoy the movie madness that comes every February.
Of course, I don't strive to watch the movies from the Sound Editing or Make-up categories if they're not nominated somewhere else, but the main 5 for sure, plus the documentary categories and short animated films. This year there are 10 BEST PICTURE nominations. My goodness! and for the record....I can't believe DISTRICT 9 is even in contention for any award at all!
Here's the list of what I'll be watching over the next month. If it's not listed here, and it's in the main 5, that means I've seen it.
Avatar
An Education
Precious
A Single Man
Up in the Air
Crazy Heart
The Messenger
Invictus
Nine
The Last Station
The Lovely Bones
Fantastic Mr. Fox
The Secret of Kells
If you need me this month, you know where I'll be.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Because my children bring me such joy, and spew incredibly funny remarks from time to time, they will of course be included in this blog for your entertainment as well. The following is one such instance:
Caleah was hungry before bed a few nights ago and wanted to eat. Snacks had already been had, teeth brush, and bed time had long passed. Complaining increased for food, as well as the denial for it, then all of a sudden she put out her hands and cried, "can't I just have even a crumb?"
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