Love: My Body is my Temple

   Hello my dear readers and what a good day this is. The weather is turning around, and though I am never one to complain about a rainy day (since they're perfect for reading) we all need a little sunshine.
   This past weekend, I was fortunate enough to have my father visit me on father's day. I hadn't seen him in a while, and if he didn't come and visit then, I wouldn't have seen him until August since he is a travelling man. Even if the world is his oyster, it doesn't mean that I don't miss him. He gets my sense of humor, he's great when it comes to talking through a choice I have to make, and he always makes sure that I've got everything I need; whether it's help fixing my computer, making sure my apartment isn't so hot as to prevent me from sleeping, or making sure my bike is running smoothly and safely. My dad is a great man.
   And on this visit, my father brought along a book to help me get healthier; to kick start a healthy habit. It's not always easy to start, but once you've got a habit, it's harder to quit it. So following my father's example, I've started a kick-start metabolism food plan. I've been on this plan for three days now and I haven't felt this good in a while. I've also struggled with exercising more because I'm tired when I get home after work, and if Riles is to, well I want to hang out with him since we don't see each other often. So I've resolved that the nights that he's working, I will exercise. It's a simple commitment that will make a big difference.
   I've heard many times that "your body is your temple" and now I'm actually following that mantra. It's not dieting; it's healthy living. I figured I might as well be healthy since I plan on living long enough to accomplish all of the amazing things I'm setting out to do.
   If you're having a hard time starting a healthy habit, get someone to help you out to make sure that you're sticking to it. It's good for reminders, but in the end dearest readers, you will be the one who will push yourself to accomplish what you want. There will be no harder critic than you, so why not impress yourself?

K.P.H.

Literature: Leap of Faith

   Good afternoon dearest readers! I am busy, a little stressed but I`m always keeping a smile on my face. Sometimes a positive attitude can help you along the day, and sometimes good news can give you a bigger boost. This is exactly what happened to me this week.

   Working together with so many different people for so many different opportunities has allowed me to talk with many about my passion for writing and reading. It`s a common known fact back home that I plan on becoming a published writer. Now this knowledge has sparked ideas in the mind of few, and one of these few people had connections with the industry. I had worked a leadership camp with this woman, and her friend worked for a well-known magazine. She was gracious enough to send me her friend`s email so that I could ask her my questions on the industry and what it takes to make it in this ever changing world.

   There is one thing that I've acknowledged about myself, and that is my problem with change. I hate making difficult decisions because it brings about change. I hate the uncertainty of it all, and how it makes me feel like I could fall without a safety net. More and more this year (more this summer) I've been putting myself out there and taking these leaps of faith into the great, ever-changing abyss of the unknown. It takes a lot out of me, but I'm still surprised by how it's beneficial in the long-run. I contacted the woman from the magazine and she gave me great advice, and became a future contact and reference. What did I lose by talking to her? Nothing. Not even time was wasted because it brought me closer to where I wanted to be.

   It's obvious now that these kinds of leaps will be more frequent in the future, but I'm starting to get adrenaline from the free fall. I'm enjoying the breeze and the view. In an industry when chances are few but the success can be great, you have to be willing to try things you've never done to get to places that you've never been.

   So I encourage you my dear readers to take a chance on the thing that's been swaying in the back of your mind for a while now; whether it's asking out that cute guy you've been thinking about, or asking for a promotion at work, or maybe even trying out a new hobby. However uncertain, scary or unforgivable change might seem, it's the one thing that will make sure that you get to the place you want to be in your life.

K.P.H.

Laughter: Who Needs Free Time?

   Good morning dearest readers! My writing pattern seems to fall into posting once or twice a week, which I think generates enough content to keep you interested without overwhelming my creativity either! Today's post is once again about my adventures over the weekend (since apparently it's the only time that fun things happen to me). The irony of the situation is that I think my parents actually worry that I spend too much time by myself and quite literally applaud me when I do go out. Well this weekend I went out with the intention of staying in.
   I took a train and went to visit both my grandma and grandpa (my mom's parents), as well as my oma and opa (my dad's parents). I had a good two days with each and it surprised me by how much we got done in so little time. I practically came back more tired than I went in, but hey, I got good stories to tell now! My trip started with an early train ride that got delayed (because something ALWAYS has to happen when I take the train) and had a great breakfast when I finally got to my grandma and grandpa's place. I think there's a kind of instinct embedded in grandparents to want to spoil their grand kids and give them some of their own things to carry on traditions. I entered this weekend with two almost empty bags, and returned home with them full. There's still a box left behind and my coat in my dad's truck. What are you going to do when the love is overflowing as much as my luggage?!
   We went shopping, and I got books (wow, that's shocking isn't it?) and then we spent the night hanging out at home, browsing netflix for another comedy to watch. My grandpa is one of the funniest people I know, and he wasn't letting up the whole time I was there (except when he was napping). What was funnier for me, was the fact that I had been up early that morning, and I am used to going to bed early to wake up early, but my grand parents forgot to tell me that they're party animals. I started nodding off near the end of the second episode of the show we were watching, and I had to tap out since I needed to go to bed. I slept in late the next morning, and I woke up feeling like I had the best sleep of my life. The day itself was great. We went ruffling through old memories and VHS tapes (all of which I got to pick which ones I wanted) and went out to lunch at this great restaurant. We then went to mass, came back home for dinner and a movie. It was just so much fun, because being the middle child in the grand kids, I never really got much alone time with anyone so this was truly something I was grateful for.
   I was then driven to my oma and opa's place where more quality time was had. We went for coffee (which is something I truly did enjoy) and went to visit a community garden. I never had the gift of a green thumb but I'm always amazed by people who do. It was raining a little, but it didn't take anything away from nature's beauty. We went back to their home, had lunch, talked and spent some time together. I even had the chance to write which was incredible since I've had writer's block pretty much since school ended (something I hope you didn't notice too much). The stories were flowing through my head and when I tried to explain them, I realized that for people who don't know me, and hear me talking about my stories must think I'm a grade A crazy person; (even people who know me think that from time to time).
   Anyways we ordered in chinese food for dinner which was delicious and proceeded to the entertainment part of the evening. My oma played the piano and I tried as best as I could not sound like both of my hands were in casts when I played the black and white keys. We watched TV for a little while, and contrary to my grandma and grandpa, my oma and opa like going to bed a little earlier, because they wake up earlier as well; (I must have gotten that from their side of the family). I spent the morning trying on things in my oma's closet as she unloaded some of her vintage clothes and I accepted it with a smile. We had lunch, my opa went to a doctors appointment, and I had time to talk with just my oma; a memory I will not soon forget. As the time approached for me to take the train, my dad was in town for work so he came to pick me up and drop me off. It was some more quality time that I usually don't get to have often because of work and the overall distance of the province of Ontario.
   On my way back on the train (something always has to happen) and I was graced with the presence of not one, but two crying babies who were nice enough to sit beside me, and behind me. I heard their unhappy cries in surround sound for four hours; just lovely. I got home, and Riles was at work, and we've both been so busy that I haven't seen the poor kid in more than a week. He must be so happy that he isn't forced to socialize for a while.
   So all in all, by the obvious size of the entry my dear readers, this should hold you off until the next entry I write (which will probably be about my weekend since my dad is coming to visit)! A vacation doesn't always have to be at a big destination. Sometimes it can be a small town with great people; most of the time, those are the most memorable ones.

K.P.H.

Love: Why Not Weekends

   Good morning my dearest readers! I have not forgotten that I said that I started up the blog again, because I did, however my posts will never be as frequent as when I initially started this whole thing simply because I need to pace myself with all of the great adventures I have to tell. Well this weekend my mother came to visit, and do I ever have things to tell you!

   We started off things slow with her arrival on Friday where we literally just talked and went to bed; we were both in need of some serious rest. We got up early the next morning to go workout and do groceries; starting our day a healthy way is always a good choice. We then got ready and made a little road trip down to a town called Williamsburg where some good friends of my mother's own a B&B. I've had the privilege to go there with her three times already, and every time the food we're served is absolutely DELICIOUS. They have a team room where they serve breakfast, lunch, dinner and afternoon tea; definitely my kind of place. After good food and good laughs, we continued to head downtown for some shopping and a quick coffee break.

   On our way back, we checked into my mother's hotel and got ready for dinner. We didn't exactly know where we wanted to go, so like rational people, we went exploring. We went up and down all sorts of streets but nothing really stuck out. On top of that, we were desperately trying to find a place that we had never been to before. My mother has this mind set that she has to do something different every single day, and that way she is sure to live her life to the fullest. I'm proud to say that she's kept that for two, going on three years now. The fun part for me is when I get to tag along. So we finally found a restaurant in an area of town we hadn't really explored before and stepped inside a small restaurant called Fraser Café. We were seated at one of the last spots open which was right next to the kitchen in the back. It's a seasonal menu, so you know that whatever you're going to get is going to be fresh; and that it was. I can surely say that it was probably in my top 5 best meals of all time. Yes, it was that good. A bonus to that was that since we were so close to the kitchen, we got dinner and a show since we got to see how all of the food was being prepared.

   But wait, there's more! Sunday came around the corner and my mother and I went shopping in the morning (and got some really nice things for the places we are both going to visit throughout the summer) and then proceeded to have brunch at my aunts place. More good food and good laughs. We then went to the activity my mother had chosen for the day; visiting the Diefenbunker (which was something that had been on my To-Do list for the past five years now), and so we took the drive. It was on the outskirts of Ottawa, in a place with a small-town vibe. It was Doors Open Ottawa which means that almost all museums, embassies and public places are open for free. So we went and we waited until the very last tour and got to see it all with a veteran tour guide; it was very cool. We then headed back to town at a places called Alice's Village Café where it was my turn to treat my mother. Once more, I was not disappointed by the food, nor the atmosphere. This was probably one of the best weekends for me when it came to the food (and the company too). After that packed day, we went back to the hotel, ordered some food and rented a movie. A good end to a good weekend.

   So this is a long post to say that every time people visit me, it truly is never a dull moment. The best part of it all is the fact that even if we didn't do all of the things I mentioned above, we would still have had a great time. It is one of the things that I've come to realize by living away from home for the past three and a half years: time is precious and more so are the people you decide to spend it with. Therefore chose wisely dearest readers because you only have a limited supply and it is not to be wasted.

K.P.H.