Still here!

Life's been pretty full lately. Lots of skiing and playing outdoors!

And Heaven & Nature Sing

I like Christmas. I really do. I like Christmas music. Just not every day, ALL day, for a month! But Joy to the World is my very favourite carol and always has been, I think.

I don't like crowds. I don't like screaming children. I don't like crowds of screaming children in a line up at the mall waiting to see Santa. My version of hell. Which is why I did not set foot in a big, boxy mall at all this year.

I do, however, like shopping.

I went to stores in my neighbourhood (I'm looking at you, Lulu). I went to my local ski shop (where I happen to get a discount because I have a season's pass). I may have stopped in at a favourite soap company downtown, too.

And the rest of my shopping? What shopping? I just had to fill some stockings and buy a certain special someone something special, but not too special, but just right. No pressure!

I may have bought myself a thing or two, but I guarantee I need them. Really, I do.

Christmas starts on Friday for me. Hanging out with that special someone before we both take off to be with our families. On ski slopes both of us, but different ones. I'm hoping we can manage one day together on the slopes before we have to be back to work.

I'm excited to get away with my family to spend some quality time together. There will be lots of laughter, probably some tears, lots of wine, definitely some good food, but most of all, great company in a beautiful, mountain setting. And a hot tub.

Wherever you are this holiday season, and whatever holiday you celebrate, I hope that you are surrounded by people you cherish and by those who cherish you.

Life's too short for anything less.

Playin' in da Snow!

We played hard last Sunday! It snowed all day and it's been snowing all week. This weekend is gonna rock! The rock skis are staying home this weekend and the good ones are making their 2012-13 season debut. Oh, and the amazing day of skiing followed an 8.67km hike (more like trudge in knee deep snow) on the Galatea trail in K-country.

What else is new? I'm going to have eye surgery so that the glasses I've worn since grade 4 can finally go bye-bye. I'm not a candidate for laser surgery, so I've had to have extra tests (ever had an ultra-sound of your eye? No? I have!), lenses are made 'specially for me in Switzerland and I get surgery sometime in the next 1-4 months. Whoo hoo!

My current favourite quote: Where you invest your love, you invest your life.

Life is good. =)

My Favourite Season is Here!

Ski season, that is.

I've made it out to two opening days so far: Mount Norquay on October 25 and Sunshine Villiage on this past Friday. I made it to Nakiska on the Sunday of their opening weekend to get a few good turns in.

We went hiking yesterday at Barrier Lake. Holy moly, Batman, my cardio sucks balls! My goal this week is to get in some cardio training. Aquasize and then some time on the elliptical, I think. And maybe hit the stairs at work a little more often.

And that's what I know. I work this afternoon (the double time will help finance the season) and then I'm heading out tomorrow for another fabulous day on the slopes!

Hello, Saturday!

Am I ever glad to see you!

The past two weeks at work have been crazy. I've banked a week of overtime (thanks to an extra shift and having to stay late one night that turned into ALL night) and I'm exhausted.

But, I did have some Halloween fun:

I also had two completely unexpected lunch dates! I ran into my friend A in the mall on Tuesday and we got to have a quick lunch and catch up before she headed to her appointment and I went to work. Then yesterday, I was puttering around the house and got a "hey, do you have time for lunch before work?" text. Um, hell yeah!

Things here in my world are pretty good.

I've got a house. I've got a car (well, two at the moment: my mom's and car2go!).
I've got a friend who loves me.
I've got a good mother.
~Jann Arden

I've also got a yoga mat and a kitty to snuggle with.

Now, if only the god damned construction downstairs was over and they'd clean up their effing mess!

Today I give thanks for:

-my family
-my friends
-Nermal
-cozy fires to cuddle up in front of

May today there be peace within. 
May you trust that you are exactly where you are meant to be. 
May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. 
May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content. 
Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. 
It is there for each and every one of us." 
~ Therese de Lisieux

Happy Thanksgiving! _/|\_

WTF? How can it be the end of September already?

Yeah, so I'm not sure where September has gone. It's like I've blinked and it's almost over. But what a month it's been!

- some pretty amazing hikes with a pretty amazing person
- some pretty amazing times and conversations with above amazing person =)
- celebrating FOUR years with Nermal. Wow. Time really does fly!
- my work schedule has changed completely (hello, early mornings and having a social life again!)
- co-teaching a corporate yoga retreat
- witnessing the last of my 'little siblings' get married. And partying with their aunties (my old baby-sitters). And realizing that family doesn't necessarily have to be related to you by blood to be family.
- getting snowed out on a hike on September 1. Yeah, Baby!
- having some pretty deep conversations (yes, we were both drunk, but still) with my SIL
- enjoying wings and pizza after the wedding with my mom, bro and SIL in the hotel
- driving a mobster car
- making plans for skiing this winter!

Life is full. Life is good. And I'm grateful for it all. _/|\_