Today I am nurturing my gratitude for makeup.
Actually, I have been semi-obsessed with makeup for a couple of months now, to the point where it's almost become a hobby, if that's even possible with makeup. Not only do I find makeup pretty to look at, but also there's an art to it, using makeup on one's face and accentuating beautiful features. I discovered the art of makeup on my first visit to a M.A.C. store about four years ago. What I found amazing about this M.A.C. store was how the makeup artists were actually just that, artists. These salespeople were actually very knowledgeable on the application of makeup, on how to use the right makeup to accentuate the right features, not to mention they are excellent at matching skin tones for foundation (the only place I have seen such good skin tone match-up was at a Bare Escentuals boutique)! At the time, I was a poor student, so I found similar makeup at drugstores. However, now that I am a careerwoman :) I can afford to splurge on various namebrand makeup...
To me, makeup has almost become the adult version of a girl playing with dolls, or walking into a candystore. I still remember the first time I walked into a Sephora store in Times Square, feeling overjoyed at having different makeup brands under one roof, and most of all, being able to sample them to my heart's delight, without salespeople hovering over me to make a purchase. I usually walk out with my makeup purchase feeling all light-headed and giddy, excited about trying my new goodies.
So thank you makeup, for providing me with hours of joy.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Sunday, May 22, 2011
19. The Royal Wedding
And while I'm in the mood for writing, or rather blogging, let me nurture my gratitude for The Royal Wedding.
Yep, the Royal Wedding. In April, it was becoming a bit much, with nothing but buzz of the Royal Wedding everywhere, to the point where I would check my e-mail and be invited to give marital advice to the Royal Couple hmm...yes, it bugged me for days, this whole wedding business, and I just wanted the bride and groom, the world and the media to get the thing over and done with. The day after the Wedding though, something hit me: I realized that for at least two weeks, the only thing dominating the news was the Royal nuptials, not another Chernobyl in Japan, not Libya, not death and war and some overwhelming disaster, but rather a dream, a fairy tale, an aspiration to a happily ever after, that was echoed by millions all over the world. I would honestly be inundated for weeks on end about hope and happiness, about love triumphing all than by war and genocide. And of course, I had to watch clips of the wedding, the sight of the beautiful wedding dress, the 'Just Wedded' car that did a round around Buckingham Palace, which melted even the most cynical part of my heart. I had tears to my eyes, and I was thankful that the whole world watched this event, that people all over rejoiced and celebrated in a union that gave many people hopes of everlasting happiness and joy.
So weddings, keep it coming, may there be more happy news spreading through the media and internet world.
Yep, the Royal Wedding. In April, it was becoming a bit much, with nothing but buzz of the Royal Wedding everywhere, to the point where I would check my e-mail and be invited to give marital advice to the Royal Couple hmm...yes, it bugged me for days, this whole wedding business, and I just wanted the bride and groom, the world and the media to get the thing over and done with. The day after the Wedding though, something hit me: I realized that for at least two weeks, the only thing dominating the news was the Royal nuptials, not another Chernobyl in Japan, not Libya, not death and war and some overwhelming disaster, but rather a dream, a fairy tale, an aspiration to a happily ever after, that was echoed by millions all over the world. I would honestly be inundated for weeks on end about hope and happiness, about love triumphing all than by war and genocide. And of course, I had to watch clips of the wedding, the sight of the beautiful wedding dress, the 'Just Wedded' car that did a round around Buckingham Palace, which melted even the most cynical part of my heart. I had tears to my eyes, and I was thankful that the whole world watched this event, that people all over rejoiced and celebrated in a union that gave many people hopes of everlasting happiness and joy.
So weddings, keep it coming, may there be more happy news spreading through the media and internet world.
18. Rain
Today I am nurturing my gratitude for rain.
Coming from Vancouver, rain seems like the last thing to be grateful for. These days however, I think most things are relative in life. Yes, sometimes week after week of drizzling does tend to make me yearn for some glorious sun, but then again, I always remind myself of what it was like to go through months of snow and slush on the East Coast. I mean, when it snows in May, somehow the weeklong of rain seems tolerable. Or, if you happen to no longer live in Vancouver, then going back to Raincity for a week does not faze you, as you are so thankful for everything else - the beautiful seawall, the very inexpensive sashimi and tamales that abound, the wonderful shopping that is within walking distance, yep, like I said, it's all relative.
For me, rain has become even more welcoming ever since I moved to Kamloops, which can be so dry and hot in the summer, that forest fires are not just a matter of news on TV, but a very real phenomenon, with the smell of smoke clouding your nostrils for days...Every time it rains in K-town, I say a little 'Thank You' to the universe, because it means forest fires are at bay, and that my surroundings will be that much greener. Those majestic trees that make Vancouver so stunningly beautiful? They're there because of the rain.
So, thank you liquid sunshine, for taking the edge off :)
Coming from Vancouver, rain seems like the last thing to be grateful for. These days however, I think most things are relative in life. Yes, sometimes week after week of drizzling does tend to make me yearn for some glorious sun, but then again, I always remind myself of what it was like to go through months of snow and slush on the East Coast. I mean, when it snows in May, somehow the weeklong of rain seems tolerable. Or, if you happen to no longer live in Vancouver, then going back to Raincity for a week does not faze you, as you are so thankful for everything else - the beautiful seawall, the very inexpensive sashimi and tamales that abound, the wonderful shopping that is within walking distance, yep, like I said, it's all relative.
For me, rain has become even more welcoming ever since I moved to Kamloops, which can be so dry and hot in the summer, that forest fires are not just a matter of news on TV, but a very real phenomenon, with the smell of smoke clouding your nostrils for days...Every time it rains in K-town, I say a little 'Thank You' to the universe, because it means forest fires are at bay, and that my surroundings will be that much greener. Those majestic trees that make Vancouver so stunningly beautiful? They're there because of the rain.
So, thank you liquid sunshine, for taking the edge off :)
17. Birthdays
As I am three minutes away from midnight, I am nurturing my gratitude for my birthday.
While that might sound immodest (blogging about your own birthday?!!?), consider this: how many people like revealing their true age after a certain point in their lives? Some people stop at 27, others remain 30 for a very longggg time. Some people do not even look forward to their birthdays because it is a harsh reminder that they are one year older, while one look at the greeting cards aisle can give you an idea of how aging is viewed in our society. So yeah, I am blogging about my birthday, about getting a year older, and while sometimes I have to heed looks of shock from people (usually in their early twenties) about my age, and put up with crude jokes about getting older, I have to admit - I enjoy getting older. Not physiologically per se, since sometimes I am reminded of the limitations of my aging heart and the cumulative effects of stress, however, emotionally, intellectually, and philosophically, I have grown just as much, so really, it's a give and take process, this getting older business.
While my body was probably more capable of tackling things in my early twenties, I can say without a second thought that I would much rather be in my early thirties than in my twenties. Why? 1. I never appreciated my young twenty-something body. 2. I dwelled on everything that was going wrong in my life. 3. I relished a sense of importance in catastrophizing, in besting everyone else by talking about how much worse my life circumstances were than others (which may or may not have been true, but that is irrelevant really, which my thirty-something wisdom has made me realize :)
At least in my thirties, I appreciate what I have (and make a conscientious effort to do so), and am more self-aware. To me, aging has almost become synonymous with a bottle of fine red wine that gets better with every year, and birthdays have become an opportunity to review my life and aspirations mid-way through the year, to renew my resolutions and to well, quietly reflect and be kind to myself, and be the best person I can be under the circumstances. While I might not be able to be the best person every day, I certainly feel motivated (and can be) a great person on my birthday :)
So here's looking at me, kid, carpe diem!
While that might sound immodest (blogging about your own birthday?!!?), consider this: how many people like revealing their true age after a certain point in their lives? Some people stop at 27, others remain 30 for a very longggg time. Some people do not even look forward to their birthdays because it is a harsh reminder that they are one year older, while one look at the greeting cards aisle can give you an idea of how aging is viewed in our society. So yeah, I am blogging about my birthday, about getting a year older, and while sometimes I have to heed looks of shock from people (usually in their early twenties) about my age, and put up with crude jokes about getting older, I have to admit - I enjoy getting older. Not physiologically per se, since sometimes I am reminded of the limitations of my aging heart and the cumulative effects of stress, however, emotionally, intellectually, and philosophically, I have grown just as much, so really, it's a give and take process, this getting older business.
While my body was probably more capable of tackling things in my early twenties, I can say without a second thought that I would much rather be in my early thirties than in my twenties. Why? 1. I never appreciated my young twenty-something body. 2. I dwelled on everything that was going wrong in my life. 3. I relished a sense of importance in catastrophizing, in besting everyone else by talking about how much worse my life circumstances were than others (which may or may not have been true, but that is irrelevant really, which my thirty-something wisdom has made me realize :)
At least in my thirties, I appreciate what I have (and make a conscientious effort to do so), and am more self-aware. To me, aging has almost become synonymous with a bottle of fine red wine that gets better with every year, and birthdays have become an opportunity to review my life and aspirations mid-way through the year, to renew my resolutions and to well, quietly reflect and be kind to myself, and be the best person I can be under the circumstances. While I might not be able to be the best person every day, I certainly feel motivated (and can be) a great person on my birthday :)
So here's looking at me, kid, carpe diem!
Saturday, May 21, 2011
16. Music Parodies
Tonight, I am nurturing my gratitude for music parodies...
Why, you ask? Well, because music parodies, in particular music video parodies, just crack me up! It combines two of my favourite things - comedy and music - into a nice little three minute package, and provides me with much-needed comic/stress relief. Music video parodies have also become a bonding topic between me and my friends, as I had recently received a lil' link to The Lonely Island's new video "Jack Sparrow" from a good friend :)
"The Lonely Island" is a trio formed by Andy Samberg and his friends, and they've produced SNL digital shorts, some of the more famous ones being "Lazy Sunday," "D*** in a box," and "Shy Ronnie." Check them out at http://www.thelonelyisland.com/
How did I get into these hilarious videos? Stress relief during nursing school, yep, someone had mentioned Jon LaJoie and I checked out his work on YouTube, and thanks to him, had many feel-good-laughter-hormones balancing out the force from the dark side (aka stress hormones). Then came "Flight of the Conchords" and their "Inner City Pressure" music segment provided me with soothing companionship as I was in the thick of looking for work :) Let's not forget Jack Black and his band Tenacious D.
So thank you, modern gurus of music parodies, for bringing balance to the force (remember to check them out on iTunes :)
Why, you ask? Well, because music parodies, in particular music video parodies, just crack me up! It combines two of my favourite things - comedy and music - into a nice little three minute package, and provides me with much-needed comic/stress relief. Music video parodies have also become a bonding topic between me and my friends, as I had recently received a lil' link to The Lonely Island's new video "Jack Sparrow" from a good friend :)
"The Lonely Island" is a trio formed by Andy Samberg and his friends, and they've produced SNL digital shorts, some of the more famous ones being "Lazy Sunday," "D*** in a box," and "Shy Ronnie." Check them out at http://www.thelonelyisland.com/
How did I get into these hilarious videos? Stress relief during nursing school, yep, someone had mentioned Jon LaJoie and I checked out his work on YouTube, and thanks to him, had many feel-good-laughter-hormones balancing out the force from the dark side (aka stress hormones). Then came "Flight of the Conchords" and their "Inner City Pressure" music segment provided me with soothing companionship as I was in the thick of looking for work :) Let's not forget Jack Black and his band Tenacious D.
So thank you, modern gurus of music parodies, for bringing balance to the force (remember to check them out on iTunes :)
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
15. Voting Rights
Today I am nurturing my gratitude for the ability to vote, as I come off voting for the federal elections.
Voting is truly a privilege that people ought to feel thankful for. There are few things I feel strongly about, and over the years, voting has become one of them. In a world where the written letter has the final word, casting your vote represents your voice, your choice, your presence, your essence. I know many people think that one vote does not make a difference, and that apathy plays a role in voter turnout, however, consider this: If you know of two people who are apathetic towards voting, then chances are those two people will know of four people (two per person) who might not vote. So now there's six people, or six potential votes missing. And thus, missed votes build on exponentially, kind of like compound interest. As for last night's election, the "majority" government only had about 40% of the popular vote, meaning 40% of the actual votes cast. On the other hand, about 61% of voters turned out to vote. Those 61% of voters gave the New Democrats almost three times the number of seats they have held in Parliament, almost decimated another political party, and led to the resignation of two political leaders. The best part is probably no individual person had seen the results forthcoming, but as a collective, history was made.
Why else should one be thankful about the ability to vote? Who votes determines how much money is allocated by the government. We all hear about how resources are strained, and money is tight in the fiscal budget, especially given our recessionary climate, but chances are the government will spend more money, or rather make the necessary budget allocation, in those sectors that directly benefit the largest demographic of voters. This really at the end of the day is in a hope to secure more votes for the ruling party in future elections. So students, if you are wondering why your tuition is on the rise, and scholarship funds are dwindling, one thing to consider might be what the student voter turnout is at elections.
If economics and financial incentives are not enough to convince a voter to vote, perhaps human rights will. There are countries in the world, at this very moment, where people or certain genders, are not allowed to vote. Those people probably desperately want to vote, but cannot, under threat of punishment, or even death. And here we are, living in a country, with the full rights and privileges of being able to vote.
So, voting is not just about putting a cross on a piece of paper, it is about enacting your right, it is about saying 'Thank You' for that right, regardless of whether the party you voted for came into power or not.
Voting is truly a privilege that people ought to feel thankful for. There are few things I feel strongly about, and over the years, voting has become one of them. In a world where the written letter has the final word, casting your vote represents your voice, your choice, your presence, your essence. I know many people think that one vote does not make a difference, and that apathy plays a role in voter turnout, however, consider this: If you know of two people who are apathetic towards voting, then chances are those two people will know of four people (two per person) who might not vote. So now there's six people, or six potential votes missing. And thus, missed votes build on exponentially, kind of like compound interest. As for last night's election, the "majority" government only had about 40% of the popular vote, meaning 40% of the actual votes cast. On the other hand, about 61% of voters turned out to vote. Those 61% of voters gave the New Democrats almost three times the number of seats they have held in Parliament, almost decimated another political party, and led to the resignation of two political leaders. The best part is probably no individual person had seen the results forthcoming, but as a collective, history was made.
Why else should one be thankful about the ability to vote? Who votes determines how much money is allocated by the government. We all hear about how resources are strained, and money is tight in the fiscal budget, especially given our recessionary climate, but chances are the government will spend more money, or rather make the necessary budget allocation, in those sectors that directly benefit the largest demographic of voters. This really at the end of the day is in a hope to secure more votes for the ruling party in future elections. So students, if you are wondering why your tuition is on the rise, and scholarship funds are dwindling, one thing to consider might be what the student voter turnout is at elections.
If economics and financial incentives are not enough to convince a voter to vote, perhaps human rights will. There are countries in the world, at this very moment, where people or certain genders, are not allowed to vote. Those people probably desperately want to vote, but cannot, under threat of punishment, or even death. And here we are, living in a country, with the full rights and privileges of being able to vote.
So, voting is not just about putting a cross on a piece of paper, it is about enacting your right, it is about saying 'Thank You' for that right, regardless of whether the party you voted for came into power or not.
14. Ice Hockey
Today I am nurturing my gratitude for ice hockey.
I am not a sports fan, but I love ice hockey! And no, I cannot go into details about all the sports terminology for hockey, however I am learning, now that the Vancouver Canucks are in the Stanley Cup Playoffs :P The reason I love hockey, apart from the fact that it is Canada's national sport, is the energy and grace in the game, yes, grace. There's something powerful and graceful about gliding down the rink at full speed, charging ahead with the puck, playing "the fastest game on ice" (as was advertised during the 2010 Winter Olympics). It is a fast-action game that can make you feel on edge, even if you know very little about the game. For novices, just pick a side, and follow the puck (better done if you watch hockey live or on HDTV).
Actually, the first time I got into hockey was at a game during my college days, at Cornell. I was in search of some school spirit, and also wanted to maximize my undergraduate experience, and hence started volunteering/attending school games. Football did not do much for me, even though we won against Yale; hockey, on the other hand, was a different story. The only thing I knew about hockey at the time was that it was played with skates in an ice rink, which was intriguing to me. The school spirit was captivating-students and adults alike chanting, jumping off their seats with every goal scored by the home team. I was mesmerized by the speed and gliding on the ice, not to mention the school spirit. The fact that we had a long-standing rivalry with Harvard that involved throwing frozen fish on the rink also appealed to my college sensibilities :P
So that's how my love for ice hockey started, with a live game. Flash forward about eight/nine years later, and I am the proud owner of a Canucks jersey (that I am told I cannot sleep in...)
Looking forward to watching tonight's game against the Nashville Predators, go Canucks go!
I am not a sports fan, but I love ice hockey! And no, I cannot go into details about all the sports terminology for hockey, however I am learning, now that the Vancouver Canucks are in the Stanley Cup Playoffs :P The reason I love hockey, apart from the fact that it is Canada's national sport, is the energy and grace in the game, yes, grace. There's something powerful and graceful about gliding down the rink at full speed, charging ahead with the puck, playing "the fastest game on ice" (as was advertised during the 2010 Winter Olympics). It is a fast-action game that can make you feel on edge, even if you know very little about the game. For novices, just pick a side, and follow the puck (better done if you watch hockey live or on HDTV).
Actually, the first time I got into hockey was at a game during my college days, at Cornell. I was in search of some school spirit, and also wanted to maximize my undergraduate experience, and hence started volunteering/attending school games. Football did not do much for me, even though we won against Yale; hockey, on the other hand, was a different story. The only thing I knew about hockey at the time was that it was played with skates in an ice rink, which was intriguing to me. The school spirit was captivating-students and adults alike chanting, jumping off their seats with every goal scored by the home team. I was mesmerized by the speed and gliding on the ice, not to mention the school spirit. The fact that we had a long-standing rivalry with Harvard that involved throwing frozen fish on the rink also appealed to my college sensibilities :P
So that's how my love for ice hockey started, with a live game. Flash forward about eight/nine years later, and I am the proud owner of a Canucks jersey (that I am told I cannot sleep in...)
Looking forward to watching tonight's game against the Nashville Predators, go Canucks go!
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
13. Running
I love running...
Which sometimes sounds surreal, given that back in my Cornell days, I could barely run, and in an attempt to become fit, I had taken running as a phys ed class. Now let me tell you, that did not go well, as on the last day of our class, the instructor decided to take us on a ___ mile run, which left me with such bad shin splints, I thought I was going to pass out.
And here I am, in 2011, claiming that I love to run. My love affair with running really started with the Vancouver Sun Run in 2008. My boyfriend had signed up with his company to do the Run, and I thought it would be a good motivator to try running again. And I am glad to have tried it, as the run-walk training program that came with the run was amazing (still is), and led me to believe that almost anyone can run.
I remain a recreational runner (unlike some runners who I hear will pee in their pants so as not to lose time, I will actually pause my run to use a Porta Potty, lol :), and my running stamina has gotten better over the years, not to mention the euphoria I feel mid-way through a run, and towards the end of a long run. In the meantime, the Vancouver Sun Run, North America's second largest 10k run, has become a personal tradition for me, reminding me every year that if you don't succeed at first, you can always try again; that it might not necessarily be the activity that's not doable, rather it might be the approach to tackling that activity. Doing the Run every year is also my way of paying tribute to something that hopefully has become a lifelong passion, and that will eventually enable me to run a half-marathon (in 2012 perhaps?)
Here's the link to the Vancouver Sun Run:
http://www.vancouversun.com/2011sunrun/index.html
Thank you Vancouver Sun Run, for making a runner out of me :)
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
12. Cherry Blossoms
Today I am nurturing my gratitude for cherry blossom trees...
These trees are a wonderful sign of spring bursting forth. I had totally forgotten about one of the best things about spring in Vancouver (since I typically associate Vancouver springs with my seasonal allergy) until yesterday, when I walked out of the Burrard SkyTrain Station, to be pleasantly greeted by a row of cherry blossoms, in all their pink glory. Cherry blossoms, on a perfect sunny day with blue skies, can make one truly feel like heaven is on earth.
So I spent a very sleep-deprived afternoon, roaming around the city, enjoying every cherry blossom tree that crossed my path, feeling reinvigorated and reflective at the same time.
Thank you cherry blossoms, and nature, for nurturing my soul.
Pictures to follow, in the meantime, check out Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival
These trees are a wonderful sign of spring bursting forth. I had totally forgotten about one of the best things about spring in Vancouver (since I typically associate Vancouver springs with my seasonal allergy) until yesterday, when I walked out of the Burrard SkyTrain Station, to be pleasantly greeted by a row of cherry blossoms, in all their pink glory. Cherry blossoms, on a perfect sunny day with blue skies, can make one truly feel like heaven is on earth.
So I spent a very sleep-deprived afternoon, roaming around the city, enjoying every cherry blossom tree that crossed my path, feeling reinvigorated and reflective at the same time.
Thank you cherry blossoms, and nature, for nurturing my soul.
Pictures to follow, in the meantime, check out Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival
Saturday, April 9, 2011
11. Oprah
I have been nurturing my gratitude since yesterday evening for Oprah Winfrey, in particular her show, "Oprah presents Master Class."
The woman is truly an inspiration, and has a gift for speech, for tapping into the emotions of people, for making an emotional connection with her viewers, her audience. In other words, she has an innate talent for what many entrepreneurs strive and possibly go to business school for - getting consumers to make an emotional investment/connection with the product. Her personal need to connect with people has possibly turned her into a self-made billionaire, and her courage to go beyond, to push the envelope, has made her who she is.
I have been wanting to learn more about Oprah and her work/products for quite some time now, looking up this famous personality on Twitter, Wikipedia, thinking of reading her biography (if there is one), of watching The Oprah Show, eyeing her magazine on racks at the grocery store, etc. So yesterday, after a mentally and physically exhausting day at work, with my hip muscles spasming, as I was flipping through the TV guide, I come across Oprah's channel, OWN. I watch Oprah talk about her life in "Master Class," and am completely in awe - of her gift for inspiration. This morning, I turn on her channel and watched the conclusion of Ms. Winfrey talking about her life, her show, and the life lessons she has learned along the way. At the end of this, I have a lot of respect for her perseverance, the ability to reflect on her own life, to candidly talk about her past, and for her spirituality. She has inspired me, and given me that extra oomph, to blog in between my shifts, to pursue my goals and aspirations of reaching my higher potential, of writing...so thank you Oprah, for giving me that extra nudge.
I end today's gratifying experience with a quote from the Master Class show that spoke most to me:
"Luck is preparation meeting the moment of opportunity."
The woman is truly an inspiration, and has a gift for speech, for tapping into the emotions of people, for making an emotional connection with her viewers, her audience. In other words, she has an innate talent for what many entrepreneurs strive and possibly go to business school for - getting consumers to make an emotional investment/connection with the product. Her personal need to connect with people has possibly turned her into a self-made billionaire, and her courage to go beyond, to push the envelope, has made her who she is.
I have been wanting to learn more about Oprah and her work/products for quite some time now, looking up this famous personality on Twitter, Wikipedia, thinking of reading her biography (if there is one), of watching The Oprah Show, eyeing her magazine on racks at the grocery store, etc. So yesterday, after a mentally and physically exhausting day at work, with my hip muscles spasming, as I was flipping through the TV guide, I come across Oprah's channel, OWN. I watch Oprah talk about her life in "Master Class," and am completely in awe - of her gift for inspiration. This morning, I turn on her channel and watched the conclusion of Ms. Winfrey talking about her life, her show, and the life lessons she has learned along the way. At the end of this, I have a lot of respect for her perseverance, the ability to reflect on her own life, to candidly talk about her past, and for her spirituality. She has inspired me, and given me that extra oomph, to blog in between my shifts, to pursue my goals and aspirations of reaching my higher potential, of writing...so thank you Oprah, for giving me that extra nudge.
I end today's gratifying experience with a quote from the Master Class show that spoke most to me:
"Luck is preparation meeting the moment of opportunity."
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
10. Jigsaw Puzzles
Today I am nurturing my gratitude for jigsaw puzzles...
I love making puzzles - it's such a great feeling to build a picture from a mishmash of cardboard pieces. Having the pieces fit together is like solving a great mystery, which probably goes back to my love of Nancy Drew mysteries as a child, or aligns with the analytical side of my personality, thinking and thinking about something until it makes sense to me, until I've gotten to the bottom of a pattern. I derive so much satisfaction from a finished puzzle piece, that I almost want to frame my achievement; needless to say, I can spend hours sitting at a table, trying to make the pieces fit, or staring at the picture on the box, trying to figure out the subtle shades that might provide me with clues to making my puzzle come to life.
There have been times when I've sat with my puzzle and pondered the question, "Am I prematurely getting old?" Well, making a puzzle brings two images to mind - that of a child excitingly putting the pieces together, and that of an older adult, passing the time with a cup of tea and puzzle pieces. Lately, the latter image has been popping into my head, especially yesterday afternoon, as I sat with my cup of hojicha green tea, pondering over the last pieces to my puzzle...
So, how to come to terms with my thoughts/fear of getting older? Well, old age is inevitable, and perhaps it is better to acquaint myself with the rituals of older adults sooner than rather, which might help with my transition to older adulthood, so that when I do end up in the hospital or an assisted living facility, a) the routines would be less of a shock, and b) I'd be one step ahead of those folks who are so in denial of giving up their past lives, that they miss out on all the fun of the present, and fall into a deep depression that makes them even more helpless. After all, I'd know - I work in a hospital, where 70 year olds seem young, i.e. 'Seventy is the new thirty,' at least in hospital age, lol.
So here's to making puzzles - thanks for bringing a smile to my face :)
Also, here are some pictures of my latest puzzle conquest, as I usher into a new tech era of blogging with pictures, whoa!
I love making puzzles - it's such a great feeling to build a picture from a mishmash of cardboard pieces. Having the pieces fit together is like solving a great mystery, which probably goes back to my love of Nancy Drew mysteries as a child, or aligns with the analytical side of my personality, thinking and thinking about something until it makes sense to me, until I've gotten to the bottom of a pattern. I derive so much satisfaction from a finished puzzle piece, that I almost want to frame my achievement; needless to say, I can spend hours sitting at a table, trying to make the pieces fit, or staring at the picture on the box, trying to figure out the subtle shades that might provide me with clues to making my puzzle come to life.
There have been times when I've sat with my puzzle and pondered the question, "Am I prematurely getting old?" Well, making a puzzle brings two images to mind - that of a child excitingly putting the pieces together, and that of an older adult, passing the time with a cup of tea and puzzle pieces. Lately, the latter image has been popping into my head, especially yesterday afternoon, as I sat with my cup of hojicha green tea, pondering over the last pieces to my puzzle...
So, how to come to terms with my thoughts/fear of getting older? Well, old age is inevitable, and perhaps it is better to acquaint myself with the rituals of older adults sooner than rather, which might help with my transition to older adulthood, so that when I do end up in the hospital or an assisted living facility, a) the routines would be less of a shock, and b) I'd be one step ahead of those folks who are so in denial of giving up their past lives, that they miss out on all the fun of the present, and fall into a deep depression that makes them even more helpless. After all, I'd know - I work in a hospital, where 70 year olds seem young, i.e. 'Seventy is the new thirty,' at least in hospital age, lol.
So here's to making puzzles - thanks for bringing a smile to my face :)
Also, here are some pictures of my latest puzzle conquest, as I usher into a new tech era of blogging with pictures, whoa!
Thursday, March 31, 2011
9. Spring
Since I have been nurturing gratitude for things in my head lately, without putting them down on paper, or rather, through the Blogosphere/Twitterworld, today is the day I make two gratifying posts :P
And now that spring's upon us, I am feeling extra grateful.
This is the first year that I have realized one sign of spring is that you can hear birds chirping outside. It might be cold, and the weather might still be in limbo, snowing one day, and shining warm and bright the next, but the birds start chirping, and you know winter's almost over, and spring is 'bursting' forth. It's great to sit in your room, or walk outside, and hear birds chirping, it really is. Not only that, I have started noticing that I have renewed energy in revving up my physical activity, be it jogging, taking a long stroll, going to the Y, etc. March is almost like New Year's Resolutions reaffirmed - if all your resolutions started dwindling in February under the dreariness of grey clouds and the cold of winter - spring is when you feel rejuvenated, again. In my case, I have started making salads, enjoying the fresh crispiness of spinach without having to worry about being too cold, and thereby needing something more substantial, like a warm entree.
So, thank you spring, and may you last long, before smouldering summer comes along...
And now that spring's upon us, I am feeling extra grateful.
This is the first year that I have realized one sign of spring is that you can hear birds chirping outside. It might be cold, and the weather might still be in limbo, snowing one day, and shining warm and bright the next, but the birds start chirping, and you know winter's almost over, and spring is 'bursting' forth. It's great to sit in your room, or walk outside, and hear birds chirping, it really is. Not only that, I have started noticing that I have renewed energy in revving up my physical activity, be it jogging, taking a long stroll, going to the Y, etc. March is almost like New Year's Resolutions reaffirmed - if all your resolutions started dwindling in February under the dreariness of grey clouds and the cold of winter - spring is when you feel rejuvenated, again. In my case, I have started making salads, enjoying the fresh crispiness of spinach without having to worry about being too cold, and thereby needing something more substantial, like a warm entree.
So, thank you spring, and may you last long, before smouldering summer comes along...
8. Smartphones
Today I am nurturing my gratitude for smartphones.
I got myself an Android phone (thank you nursing for the ability to afford one :) a couple of weeks ago, and my mobile world has completely changed since. Whereas before I had 'just a phone' that was able to text, make phone calls, play games, had an alarm clock, and calendar, now I have a phone that can do all that, but better. Consider this: I no longer have to text all my words, as my phone Happy (yes, I love my new phone that much!) can figure out the word most of the time; I can play games similar to Nintendo handheld games; my new phone alarm clock has a more soothing ring tone to it; my calendar is synced with Google; AND - I have an e-reader on my phone, which means I no longer have to add bulk to my purse/bag/luggage with paperbacks; I get to see the local weather forecast wherever, whenever; and I have a flashlight app, which means I no longer have to carry a flashlight on my backpacking travels. Not to mention my solo outings have just improved exponentially, as when I am at a restaurant on my own, I no longer have to spend awkward moments before the meal arrives figuring out how to pass the time, and ditto for waiting in line before watching a movie that no one else wants to watch with you, lol. And think about those endless waits at the airport! Smartphone, wifi, a charger, and you're all set! Oh, two more things: a) If I don't have a camera, and want to capture a beautiful moment or sight, no problem! Happy does that. b) I've often heard a good song on a commercial, or at the mall, and wished to download it, and now I can, with my glorious Soundhound app.
So, to sum up: Once you go smartphone, you can never go back, lol.
I got myself an Android phone (thank you nursing for the ability to afford one :) a couple of weeks ago, and my mobile world has completely changed since. Whereas before I had 'just a phone' that was able to text, make phone calls, play games, had an alarm clock, and calendar, now I have a phone that can do all that, but better. Consider this: I no longer have to text all my words, as my phone Happy (yes, I love my new phone that much!) can figure out the word most of the time; I can play games similar to Nintendo handheld games; my new phone alarm clock has a more soothing ring tone to it; my calendar is synced with Google; AND - I have an e-reader on my phone, which means I no longer have to add bulk to my purse/bag/luggage with paperbacks; I get to see the local weather forecast wherever, whenever; and I have a flashlight app, which means I no longer have to carry a flashlight on my backpacking travels. Not to mention my solo outings have just improved exponentially, as when I am at a restaurant on my own, I no longer have to spend awkward moments before the meal arrives figuring out how to pass the time, and ditto for waiting in line before watching a movie that no one else wants to watch with you, lol. And think about those endless waits at the airport! Smartphone, wifi, a charger, and you're all set! Oh, two more things: a) If I don't have a camera, and want to capture a beautiful moment or sight, no problem! Happy does that. b) I've often heard a good song on a commercial, or at the mall, and wished to download it, and now I can, with my glorious Soundhound app.
So, to sum up: Once you go smartphone, you can never go back, lol.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Glorious Days Off
Tonight, as I am trying to get my circadian rhythm back in track, and also processing through the emotional trauma that comes as part of my profession, I am nurturing my gratitude for my glorious days off. Despite the gruelling 13-hour shifts I put in, and having to work nights, it feels great to have four days off, to relax, decompress, and rejuvenate the body and soul. My work makes me thankful for the time off I get, and for the leisure opportunities it provides. And in the spirit of leisure, this weekend I am taking off to beautiful Jasper, in search of winter wonderland in the Rockies.
Till next time...
Till next time...
Saturday, February 19, 2011
The Vagina Monologues
I am currently nurturing gratitude for 'The Vagina Monologues' and 'V-Day.'
Yesterday, I was fortunate enough to be able to attend a wonderful rendition of 'The Vagina Monologues' in my community. 'The Vagina Monologues' is essentially a play talking about vaginas, yes, 120 minutes of vaginas, and then some. The playwright, Eve Ensler, interviewed tons of women of different ages and ethnicities, asking them what they thought of their vaginas, and to basically, talk about vaginas. The end result is a beautifully empowered masterpiece, with a whole lot of humour and heartfelt truth about the violence towards women, both at home and around the world.
My first experience with 'The Vagina Monologues' was in 2001, when I got to watch a star-studded cast perform the play, including Eve Ensler and Oprah Winfrey, at Madison Square Garden in New York City. I must admit I was kinda shocked and embarrassed to hear the word 'vagina' so many times, but by the end of the night, I was chanting 'Vagina, vagina, vagina' with a whole arena full of women and men. And last night, I was not in the mood to be chanting vagina and almost did not go; however, I was very glad to have gone afterall, and watch my community come together through this play, 10 years after the fact, even though the play was on a much smaller scale, yet equally powerful and engaging. I especially enjoyed the piece 'The Woman Who Loved to Make Vaginas Happy,' performed by Jody Tippett, about a lawyer turned sex worker who was a 'moan expert,' lol.
I also learned about V-Day, a global movement to end violence about women and girls. Here's the link:
http://www.vday.org/home
The proceeds from last night's show is benefitting a sexual assault counselling centre and a women's shelter, as well as a violence prevention program targeted towards youth.
Thank you, Eve Ensler, for writing a play that empowers so many women around the world.
Yesterday, I was fortunate enough to be able to attend a wonderful rendition of 'The Vagina Monologues' in my community. 'The Vagina Monologues' is essentially a play talking about vaginas, yes, 120 minutes of vaginas, and then some. The playwright, Eve Ensler, interviewed tons of women of different ages and ethnicities, asking them what they thought of their vaginas, and to basically, talk about vaginas. The end result is a beautifully empowered masterpiece, with a whole lot of humour and heartfelt truth about the violence towards women, both at home and around the world.
My first experience with 'The Vagina Monologues' was in 2001, when I got to watch a star-studded cast perform the play, including Eve Ensler and Oprah Winfrey, at Madison Square Garden in New York City. I must admit I was kinda shocked and embarrassed to hear the word 'vagina' so many times, but by the end of the night, I was chanting 'Vagina, vagina, vagina' with a whole arena full of women and men. And last night, I was not in the mood to be chanting vagina and almost did not go; however, I was very glad to have gone afterall, and watch my community come together through this play, 10 years after the fact, even though the play was on a much smaller scale, yet equally powerful and engaging. I especially enjoyed the piece 'The Woman Who Loved to Make Vaginas Happy,' performed by Jody Tippett, about a lawyer turned sex worker who was a 'moan expert,' lol.
I also learned about V-Day, a global movement to end violence about women and girls. Here's the link:
http://www.vday.org/home
The proceeds from last night's show is benefitting a sexual assault counselling centre and a women's shelter, as well as a violence prevention program targeted towards youth.
Thank you, Eve Ensler, for writing a play that empowers so many women around the world.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Indoor Race Track
Today I am nurturing my gratitude for the indoor race track that's available in my community, and open to the public, enabling me to run and train for race events even in the thick of winter, when there's snow and ice and slush everywhere. If it weren't for the race track, I would probably not be running till spring, and would have missed out on my beloved Sun Run, which has become somewhat of a personal tradition for me.
Here's the link to the great fitness/sports facility in Kamloops:
http://tournamentcapital.com/tcc.htm
Thank you, TCC :)
Here's the link to the great fitness/sports facility in Kamloops:
http://tournamentcapital.com/tcc.htm
Thank you, TCC :)
Monday, February 14, 2011
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
Today I am nurturing my gratitude for "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory," the movie starring Gene Wilder. It was my first time watching the movie, and although I've heard lots about it, have somehow missed seeing the movie for so long. And what a great movie to watch, for all those who are young at heart, and sometimes feeling down from bureaucracy and work politics. Imagine my surprise when I realized the 'Oompa Loompa' song was part of the 1971 film's soundtrack! You can escape the movie, but not the endurance of a classic movie and classic songs :P
Thank you, "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" for making my Valentine's :P
Thank you, "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory" for making my Valentine's :P
Monday, February 7, 2011
Wool Socks
As I get ready for bed, I am nurturing my gratitude for wool socks. Quality wool socks are the best ever, and every time I wear a pair of new wool socks, I feel like I am on cloud nine. They feel so comfortable, with such great support for my overworked feet (when you're working on your feet almost thirteen hours a day, or do some heavy duty walking/running, or have flat feet like I do, you suddenly start appreciating your feet a lot more).
I discovered wool socks a few years ago, as I was window shopping (a favourite pastime of mine) at a sports store. The label caught my eye, which said "Smartwool PhD". I thought to myself, "Honestly, PhD as a marketing strategy for socks, really?" I picked up the pair of socks, and sneered at the price, something around 19 or 20 dollars. Then I got reading about how the socks have great cushioning to the arch and toes, etc., and at the time I had just finished my first 10k run, and realized that blisters were becoming a problem, and since I only have two feet that work really hard, I decided to try out these highly intelligent socks. Remembering the first time I put those socks on still make me feel all warm and fuzzy, almost orgasmic if I might say so (hey, if people can get all tingly from shoes, I can get tingly from a brand new pair of socks ;-) Needless to say, I have become a fan of these doctorate socks, and well, the marketing strategy worked, lol.
Here's a link to Smartwool's socks:
https://www.smartwool.com/phd/
Thank you, wool socks for pampering my feet, and Smartwool, for helping me discover the world of gloriously divine wool socks.
Good night!
I discovered wool socks a few years ago, as I was window shopping (a favourite pastime of mine) at a sports store. The label caught my eye, which said "Smartwool PhD". I thought to myself, "Honestly, PhD as a marketing strategy for socks, really?" I picked up the pair of socks, and sneered at the price, something around 19 or 20 dollars. Then I got reading about how the socks have great cushioning to the arch and toes, etc., and at the time I had just finished my first 10k run, and realized that blisters were becoming a problem, and since I only have two feet that work really hard, I decided to try out these highly intelligent socks. Remembering the first time I put those socks on still make me feel all warm and fuzzy, almost orgasmic if I might say so (hey, if people can get all tingly from shoes, I can get tingly from a brand new pair of socks ;-) Needless to say, I have become a fan of these doctorate socks, and well, the marketing strategy worked, lol.
Here's a link to Smartwool's socks:
https://www.smartwool.com/phd/
Thank you, wool socks for pampering my feet, and Smartwool, for helping me discover the world of gloriously divine wool socks.
Good night!
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Zumba
Today I am nurturing my gratitude for Zumba, one of the most fun 'workouts' I have done in a while. So Zumba is basically a dance class, with latin, hip-hop, bellydance, and fitness moves blended together; the 'dance-fitness' routine is broken down and simple enough for most people to follow. The other great thing I found about Zumba is that in addition to fitness, the focus is on fun - the instructor was concentrating on her moves, but she was also able to create a light and fun atmosphere by improvising, and well, having fun. There were over 30 people in this fitness studio and we were all having a good time! In fact, there was even a girl on crutches moving to the latin grooves, so yep, Zumba is for everyone!
As I was grooving and 'working out' to Zumba music and moves, I ended up having one of my work fantasies - perhaps I can become a Zumba instructor? In the last six months I have fantasized about being a banker, a server, a writer, and now, a Zumba instructor. Good news: Zumba is THAT fun; bad news, this is not looking good for my target goal of making it through my first year as a nurse, in the hopes that my second year will be better and brighter. I had once heard a high level government official talk about how she had often wanted to work in retail; at the time, I had thought to myself, "Why would someone with a PhD, working such a prestigious job (she now happens to be the economic advisor of a country, although she never got to fulfill her retail worker fantasy), ever want to work retail?" Well, here I am, finally a professional and a non-student, and I am having work fantasies of being a restaurant server...
Here's the link to Zumba world (in case you missed the link above): http://www.zumba.com/us
And yes, I did check the 'Instructor Training' section, although for now, I'll just continue to enjoy the fabulous dance classes being offered at my local Y :)
Thought I would finish the post with a lil' background on how I came across Zumba, since I've been musing upon it for a while. I first saw the Zumba logo last year in Seattle, as my boyfriend and I were exploring the city and its neighbourhoods. At that time, I wondered to myself, "What's Zumba?" and that was that. Then, just this past Christmas, my lovely boyfriend got me a Wii for Christmas, and of course, I started researching all the fitness 'games' available through Wii. I came across Zumba again, did a search for it, and it seemed pretty cool. As 2011 rolled around, I like most people, reaffirmed my resolution of becoming fit, started looking around for fitness classes, et voila! Zumba classes at my local Y, and lots of them too! I guess you notice things that you are thinking about (even if subconsciously), or as 'The Secret' book would say, I have put my Zumba force out to the universe somehow, and now I can get my groove on, rekindle my passion for latin music and dancing, and feel happy while working out!
Monday, January 31, 2011
Justin Halpern's "Sh*t My Dad Says"
Welcome to Nurturing Gratitude, a blog about being thankful for the everyday things around us...
A little background as to what motivated me to start this:
I am a 31 year old female, who after many years of soul-searching and schooling (two bachelor degrees, and one post-bachelor's diploma later), finally thought I found my calling in nursing. After all, nursing is one of those meaningful careers where every working minute is spent helping others. However, six months into my new career, meaning, or rather meaningfulness, completely eludes me; I mean, it's not like I wonder if I am helping others on a daily basis, because I am, I have no doubt of that. But even after doing 'meaningful' work, somehow I have not been able to feel meaningful; instead, I have been coming home sad, completely exhausted, and on my days off, have been living in a mini-crisis mode, trying to understand why I do not feel the satisfaction, the self-actualization I have been dreaming of all these years.
Hence, the birth of this blog. I thought the new year would be a great way to start on a new project, to remind myself of all the good things I have in my life, and hopefully, I can find meaning in what I do along the way. And if not, perhaps I can be more at peace with my career choice (as I chip away at the 80k student debt I have amassed over the years), and my life as it is today...and somewhere along the journey remind others to be thankful of their surroundings too!
As January ends and February begins, I nurture gratitude with being thankful for:
1. Justin Halpern's "Sh*t My Dad Says."
Why Justin Halpern's book, of all things? Well, a few years back, I had started a 'thankful list,' however as my life got more peaceful, and I felt more in control of things, my gratitude list somewhere disappeared in the blogosphere. As I was thinking of bringing back my gratitude list to 2011 and at the forefront of my life, I got thinking about smartphones (I still belong to the old school, 'unsmart' phones sans apps and email capability) and twitter (am a twitter virgin), and well, somehow Justin Halpern or rather his famous twitter page, popped into my head. Justin Halpern is the 29-year old author who, after being dumped by his longtime girlfriend, and moving back to his parents' home, came up with the brilliant idea of tweeting his dad's comments, and now has his own CBS sitcom, along with a great book.
Needless to say, when I opened my first twitter account a few weeks back, the first person I searched for was Justin Halpern; when I discovered he had a book as well, I went to the bookstore and got his book, which is friggin' hilarious! It is a great book to start the new year with, as I firmly believe in a daily dose of laughter, just as many people believe in daily doses of multivitamins. Justin Halpern's "Sh*t My Dad Says" delivers a 1000 IU of laughter daily (yes, it is cold, I live in Canada, so Vitamin D's been on my mind as well), and has made me laugh on nights I have been dreading to go back to work after my glorious days off, as well as during my breaks, when my mind goes into overdrive thinking how injuring myself repeatedly, and paving the road to long-term disability, somehow equates to meaningful work.
So, thank you Justin Halpern for making me laugh in 2011, and for giving me hope. I nurture my first day of gratitude with you and your book :)
Btw, this is the link to his book:
http://shitmydadsays.com/book
A little background as to what motivated me to start this:
I am a 31 year old female, who after many years of soul-searching and schooling (two bachelor degrees, and one post-bachelor's diploma later), finally thought I found my calling in nursing. After all, nursing is one of those meaningful careers where every working minute is spent helping others. However, six months into my new career, meaning, or rather meaningfulness, completely eludes me; I mean, it's not like I wonder if I am helping others on a daily basis, because I am, I have no doubt of that. But even after doing 'meaningful' work, somehow I have not been able to feel meaningful; instead, I have been coming home sad, completely exhausted, and on my days off, have been living in a mini-crisis mode, trying to understand why I do not feel the satisfaction, the self-actualization I have been dreaming of all these years.
Hence, the birth of this blog. I thought the new year would be a great way to start on a new project, to remind myself of all the good things I have in my life, and hopefully, I can find meaning in what I do along the way. And if not, perhaps I can be more at peace with my career choice (as I chip away at the 80k student debt I have amassed over the years), and my life as it is today...and somewhere along the journey remind others to be thankful of their surroundings too!
As January ends and February begins, I nurture gratitude with being thankful for:
1. Justin Halpern's "Sh*t My Dad Says."
Why Justin Halpern's book, of all things? Well, a few years back, I had started a 'thankful list,' however as my life got more peaceful, and I felt more in control of things, my gratitude list somewhere disappeared in the blogosphere. As I was thinking of bringing back my gratitude list to 2011 and at the forefront of my life, I got thinking about smartphones (I still belong to the old school, 'unsmart' phones sans apps and email capability) and twitter (am a twitter virgin), and well, somehow Justin Halpern or rather his famous twitter page, popped into my head. Justin Halpern is the 29-year old author who, after being dumped by his longtime girlfriend, and moving back to his parents' home, came up with the brilliant idea of tweeting his dad's comments, and now has his own CBS sitcom, along with a great book.
Needless to say, when I opened my first twitter account a few weeks back, the first person I searched for was Justin Halpern; when I discovered he had a book as well, I went to the bookstore and got his book, which is friggin' hilarious! It is a great book to start the new year with, as I firmly believe in a daily dose of laughter, just as many people believe in daily doses of multivitamins. Justin Halpern's "Sh*t My Dad Says" delivers a 1000 IU of laughter daily (yes, it is cold, I live in Canada, so Vitamin D's been on my mind as well), and has made me laugh on nights I have been dreading to go back to work after my glorious days off, as well as during my breaks, when my mind goes into overdrive thinking how injuring myself repeatedly, and paving the road to long-term disability, somehow equates to meaningful work.
So, thank you Justin Halpern for making me laugh in 2011, and for giving me hope. I nurture my first day of gratitude with you and your book :)
Btw, this is the link to his book:
http://shitmydadsays.com/book
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)