Christmas gifts

The gifts of Christmas that truly mean the most are the ones that should be given throughout the year.
Kindness, love, honesty, time, care and appreciation. At Christmas we suddenly realize that we should let our loved ones know we love them, that we should call that long distant relative or give a food donation to the needy. But why just at Christmas? Why not take the time to appreciate your family and make time for them more often. Go out with your friends. Say hello to your neighbour. Help an old lady crossing the road. We are all one family. Life is busy indeed, but it is also short. For 2007, I wish you all peace, love and joy. Take time to do good things every day. Take a moment to smile and greet a co-worker. Appreciate something in nature. Stop and be a better person today, this very minute.
One love, one life.

Find Inspiration...

by opening your eyes to the beauty
that surrounds you every day....

Quote of the Day

Beauty Comes From Within

A movie to relate to...

The Break-up. Oh my god, just watched it! I couldn't believe how much I could relate to this movie. Any girl who has put her all into a relationship and didn't feel like she got the same in return MUST see this movie! (now, I have to admit, I didn't see the end yet, because the damned rental DVD had a scratch...go figure!) Anyhoo - I feel vindicated! Go Jennifer Aniston! -who the hell needs Brad Pitt anyways?

Relationship Clutter

Sure, there is the usual clutter around the house...stuff we keep, but don't need, don't use, don't value. Then there's the clutter that we have no room for, but is so meaningful and cherished, that we can't imagine never seeing it again. The same goes for relationships. They do bring some unwanted clutter. Sometimes the phone may ring and you really don't want to feel like answering it. And it could be for a number of reasons. You know if you pick up, the next hour will be spent listening to your friend bitching on the phone about how terrible life is. You may pick up and the person on the other end really has nothing to say, so you have to think up stuff to talk about. You answer the phone and hear an oh-too-cheery voice on the other end that just makes your headache that much worse. Then again, there are times when you wish the phone would ring, or you hear a knock at the door. In relationships, there are some things you can do without and a a lot of things that you hold close to your heart and appreciate. It's a give and take - a compromise. What should you throw out and what should you keep? Sometimes you want to make room for the new and sometimes you want to keep around the old stuff because they hold so many memories and know you so well.

Quote of the Day

Exert your talents, and distinguish yourself, and don't think of retiring from the world, until the world will be sorry that you retire.
Samuel Johnson

Owwwwwwwww! Verrrrrry Scarrrrrrrrry....

Well, maybe. I do enjoy the series Most Haunted, based out of England. I'm kind of a believer, but not really....still waiting to be convinced, yet don't want to be convinced. I'm sure many of you are in the same predicament. However a friend told me about Most Haunted Live - which I think was only airing live for Halloween. So for the past 2 night and then tonight, we are seeing the Haunted crew live from various locations. I have to say, that this is a little over the top. Maybe I'm a skeptic but it's kind of strange that when a few staff got deep gashes last night from an "unknown something", that they didn't scream out in pain. They were more like, "oh, I am hurt!". However, 'tis the season for scarrrrrrrrrrry things, so it was fun to watch with my buds and celebrate Halloween in ghoulish style. Boo!

Precisely!

"Experience is not what happens to you; it's what you do with what happens to you."
-Aldous Huxley

Quote of the Day

"Tension is who you think you should be.
Relaxation is who you are" - Chinese Proverb

Inspiration

As I walk through the woods
of my dreams
I see the sunlight beaming
through the cedars.
Though I may walk alone,
I feel at peace
in this mystical serenity,
as its beauty
takes my breath away.

A Democratic Move in Hotsoup

"Clinton will be among 80 "opinion drivers" taking part in an issues-oriented online community called Hotsoup that launched Thursday. He'll be joined by his wife, New York Sen. Hillary Clinton, and a diverse group including cycling champion Lance Armstrong, rocker Jon Bon Jovi and Bush aide Karen Hughes." (from wired.com)
Now, I know this is a U.S. thing - but I'm sure that Canada will soon follow. To me this seems like like a potentially great idea! Though can't see Bill sitting with his coffee at breakfast and emailing me back to debate on the topic of North Korea.....
For more info on Hotsoup: www.hotsoup.com

Hit the Road

When my feet pound the pavement, I can feel the rush of freedom in my veins. I run and a smile creeps slowly across my face as I go further than the day before, last a little bit longer. I feel powerful, in control and on the right track. It's totally addictive!
Note to self: ask Santa for another pair of Nikes :)

Words to Live By

"Losers let things happen,
Winners make things happen."

So ask yourself what you're doing in your life to make it "happening".
And above all, do things that keep your mind focused, your body strong and your heart happy. Go get 'em!

Autumn Leaves

It's the season of change! The fresh frosty air, the foliage, the smell of leaves and of fireplaces. What a lovely time of year!
Though, I'm in Bermuda - had an enjoyable trip to the Great White North to celebrate Thanksgiving. A time to appreciate all that we have and sometimes take for granted.

Living in Bermuda

So I've heard, if you can live in Bermuda, you can live anywhere. Well, my view differs. Bermuda is one of the least improverished places in the world. There is a job for every Bermudian who wants it. Some choose not to, and so there are drug addicts, drunks and homeless people hanging around Front Street and the City Hall. Bermuda is a beautiful place to live albeit quite a boring place for young people. All they do is drink and purchase expensive clothing due to their high amount of disposable income. These kids are spoiled. They stay at home since there is no space on the island to move out on their own. Many don't pay rent and get used to the "good life" at a very early age. It's really a shame for them - as they are missing a huge part of growing up - and that is, working hard, struggling and saving up for things that you may want, for a future. I'm sure you find this in many countries, but I haven't quite seen it to the extent as here. Superficiality (if that's a word) is paramount. People look you up and down to see if they can see a brand name or two. Shallow really. And if you don't, then they wonder if you're really worth knowing or being "seen with". Now, again, this is a point of view of an expat. Expats treat expats differently. I find that there is more acceptance. The segregation between locals and expats is quite extraordinary - something I would have never imagined. A night out with a Bermudian is a complete different adventure than a night out with an expat. It is truly amazing. Bermuda is a paradise however. Even though, the bus schedule is ennerving when the last bus out of town on a Sunday is at 6pm - at least a Sunday still feels like a Sunday. Though the main streets are clean, there are areas of the island where there is garbage all over the place. Take Ord Road in Warwick. Garbage all along the street, people having thrown things out of their cars. It's really a shame how people don't take care of what they have. And it seems the government is only interesting in keeping the "tourist areas" clean. How about the back roads? It's like disguising a foul smell with some fancy perfume. It isn't going to mask the reality. Bermuda needs to get real. If it plans on increasing it's tourism, helping it's young people and making a good impression, it needs to bring more cultural events, clean up the garbage, trash this attitude of "we are better than anyone else" and be more genuinely gracious towards expats.

You are the dope

You are the dope
that feeds my veins
giving me a high
that's out of this world

You are the ice
keeping my vodka chilled
one sip is not enough
quench my thirst again

You are the smoke
lingering on my lips
I need to taste you
a habit I cannot break

You are my weakness
I keep on giving in
I will do what you want
just give me my fill

Sushi is a sexy food - no doubt about it! It's pleasing to the eye with its freshness, variety of colour and texture...not to mention it often looks like a presentation of art.
Sushi is healthy, it leaves you feeling good, not stuffed like a Thanksgiving turkey! Using chopsticks requires skill, patience and focus. Choosing the fish you'd like to savour, with or without rice, in a roll or not - it's a delectable decision. Then to get just to right amount of wasabi and soy sauce on that piece of sensuous sushi and slowly place it in your waiting mouth....mmmmmmm. Very hot. Very sexy. Enjoy it that much more, the next time you have it, or for those sushi virgins.....it's definately a must-try experience (and you might get hooked!).

Spring weather! and I kinda like it! I've been able to go out for a run and keep my New Year's resolution (one of them, at least!). In the meantime the West Coast is getting pummeled by 26 days of straight rainfall. 3 more and they'll bust the record. Good Luck guys!
Heck, I even had the BBQ going the other night in celebration of the warm southwest breezes. Mmmmmmm BAR-BE-QUE.......But I'm sure the real winter weather will be sneaking in soon. And then we'll really get it and probably will see snow on the ground into April. YIIIIIKES! I wouldn't mind seeing a tad bit more of sunshine. It's depressing and hard to get out of bed in the morning when it's all dull and gloomy out there. But see some rays and WHAM, we are jumpin' out of bed and zip-zapping around!

It's snowing!!! I just love it when the soft, fluffy flakes fall so peacefully. It is so beautiful...definately one of my favourite things. Got to get out for a walk this afternoon. Well, got the beef stew simmering on the stove, some jazz playing and I have to say, I'm a happy camper. Later on, a glass of cab-sauv and an inspirational book. Nice way to spend a Saturday. The Leaf game is on tonight at 7 though, may have to tune in to the excitement then :) I should actually take off my old nail polish too...it's bugging me. I'm not normally a nail polish gal...but alas, the holidays! Have to do something a little special right? And sorry, but I do have to gripe about the holidays going by so quickly...so much hype and then in a few days, it's all over. I think all stores should be closed between Christmas and New Year. For heavens sake, there is LIFE besides shopping all the time!!!! Some pharmacies and convenience stores can stay open in case of emergencies, but otherwise, why not ENJOY and actually have time to RELAX over the holidays? Wishful thinking, I know...but it's nice to do.

Happy New Year! Every year seems to be going by faster and faster...or my memory is getting better and better as I recall exactly what I did the New Year and Christmas before!...then again, I could be behaving better and just not drinking and thus, forgetting as much! I still have to think about whether that's a good or bad thing :)
Well, this year is going to be a Year of Change. I have christened it to be the Year of Bean...the year of doing stuff for me and my happiness. Though I thought I had found the love of my life - sadly after almost 5 years, he no longer saw a future with me. I won't say it wasn't the hardest pill I ever had to swallow. Albeit, in a relationship, it takes two to make it work and overcome inevitable obstacles...if one person's heart is no longer in it, then there's not much that can be done. I find relationships to be extremely complicated these days. Though we are all supposedly communicating more than our parents did.....why is it that we are breaking up at record breaking levels? Is there such a thing as communicating too much? Maybe we communicate so much that we discuss not only present problems, but problems that could arise, that may have arisen....we drive ourselves crazy with worry about the "what ifs". And "what if" most likely will never happen. Anyways, I am determined to get into shape. I've been running every night this week and am eating less and healthier. I have been unhappy with my appearance for years. Though, I am attractive...I know I can do better. I need to do it for my spirit. I want to feel happier inside. I want to love myself - I've been told that that is key to getting someone to love you. I want to do things that I haven't done is some time. Write poetry, ski, enjoy the company of my girlfriends.....contact friends that I have lost touch with. Over the past few years I somehow lost myself along the way....I need to get the real Bean back. And I will!!!!! Looking forward to the all the wonderful things that I'm sure 2006 will bring. May it be a good one for you too :)