Life in Motion

S omebody loves me! Yey! I received Odette's letter yesterday. Yey again! Thanks Odette! She sent me some samples of her crafts. They are so pretty! I'm still thinking if I should actually write on them or if I should put them on display. They look so professional, it's almost a shame to taint them with my yucky handwriting. Hmmmm...

Update: Photo attached


I will update this post later tonight and post some pictures so everyone can see. I was too excited yesterday that I forgot to take a picture of it. I'm going to the mall after work today to get her a little something.

I wonder what would she like?
*Hint*Hint*

Labels: Shopping

A part from being painfully swamped with work these days (end of the month is the busiest for us), my extremely short free time has been very much occupied with Wii's and Mii's. Well, I did the unthinkable, I went ahead and bought hubby his early birthday present. For the longest time, I have frowned at the idea of paying a ridiculous amount of money for a video game. Yet, with the heightened persuasion and encouragement from my colleagues and friends who have long been endured many sleepless nights courtesy of the Nintendo Wii, I gave in.

I picked up the console on my way home last Friday. Needless to say, hubby is undoubtedly surprised and more than excited to receive it. He's been glued to it all weekend long and if it hasn't been for the Red Wings playing for the Stanley Cup on Saturday, he would have spent the entire night playing with it too.

Okay, well I've had my share of the excitement too. Monday was an American Holiday which means all US-based companies in Canada were also enjoying an extended weekend. Hubby had to bring the car for its regular maintenance early in the morning and I finally got a chance to test out the Wii. Ha! Let me tell you, I had a blast! I think I've lost like 5 lbs just playing the baseball and tennis...and now I'm hooked! And this is the reason why I've neglected my blog for a little while.

Although I am quite positive that in the near future, the novelty will run out and I will pay more attention to blogging once again.

Labels: Becoming a Wife, Shopping

O dette has tagged me in her featured friends corner in her Little Miss Firefly world and sent me her badge.



So, to keep the ball rolling, Kitty, Toni, Dagul, and Odette
are my featured friends and I am passing on my badge to you.



To keep this going, there are only two things that you have to do:

1. Pick at least 4 names from your list of friends, including me and post them as your featured friends for the week.
2. Inform all of your featured friends so they can do the same.

...then Voila!

Labels: Meme

During the warm Summer months, hubby and I have this unspoken agreement to go for long after-dinner-walks. Our small apartment is situated a block away from the Saint Lawrence River. About two years ago, the riverbank was landscaped and made into a park which can be enjoyed by the residents of the area. The grassy area was expanded and a portion of it was developed into a kiddie park with swings and slides, see-saws, wading pool and fountain and tables and benches for mommies and daddies. Just beside the playground is La Cremerie, an inexpensive ice cream parlor featuring home-made ice cream for both kids and adults. A little below the play area, the concrete bike path was widened and it now runs along the stretch of the River, from the far East to the far West. Several semi cobble stone walkways were also added near the play area.


Down by the river-shore, there is also a dirt path for those who want to enjoy a quiet and romantic afternoon walks. The path is somewhat hidden with the grass growing tall and lush. There are big rocks on the shore which, overtime, have been used as picnic benches. In the late afternoon, the water is being illuminated by the sun's golden glow and you could see the reflections of the buildings across the river. It's an ideal place to sit and watch for birds or the ocassional beaver that comes out of the water surface for a breather, or to just lean against a tree and read a book while enjoying some chips. This area is by far my favorite since it is very close to the water. It reminds me of the stream near my grandparents house, where as a child became my "swimming pool", although I never really learned how to swim.


I have lived in the area for close to 5 years now. I've enjoyed every minute of it. The warm Summer months and my long relaxing walks and ocassional early morning jogs with my mom. And even the winter months where the park is completely covered with mounts of snow and the River frozen solid. It is a shame that we won't be here much longer. A year from now, we will be moving on.

Labels: Life in General, Places I've Been, Seasons

N utcase. That's what my husband calls me. At first, I'd cringe and make a face everytime he calls me that. But now that I think about it, I am actually starting to believe him. If you knew me, you'd probably agree with him too. I have the tendency to obsess about stupid things which irks my husband at times.

While most people fix their beds after they get up in the morning, I do the opposite. Ok, well maybe not the exact opposite, but I tend to overdo it. I smoothen the sheets and the comforter and fluff the pillows before I climb into bed. I like to see the bed all neat and tidy, almost looking like nobody ever sleeps on it, before I actually go in it. Nevermind that I'll probably mess it up in my sleep anyway, it just has to be done. I like the feel of a well made bed on my back. The first time my husband saw me doing it, he didn't say a word but he looked at me like I was crazy.

I do make phone calls only after the minute hand of the clock is no longer pointing upwards, like it's nth past the hour. This actually started when I was still a teenager and I would return some crush's missed phone call. I remember being told that I should never call a guy at an exact time, lest he thinks I'm too eager to talk to him. I heeded that advise and carried this attitude with me up to these days.

So yeah, maybe he does have a point after all.
I am a nutcase, but I can't help it!

Labels: Becoming a Wife, Life in General

H ere are some photos I took from last Saturday's Tulip Festival. Arrays of tulip flower beds, showcasing the magnificent hues of each variety. I wanted to pick some and bring them home with me. But of course, I wasn't allowed, so I took these pictures instead to remind me of their grandeur. Aren't these flowers lovely?

Labels: Places I've Been, Seasons, Spring

L ast weekened was one of the busiest for me. Normally, I would sleep in during the weekends, especially when I have nothing lined up to do. Weekend is my time to catch up on sleep and not worry about getting up early to catch the bus or the metro. I usually don't get up until 11:00 AM, sometimes even much later. This weekend, however, was a different story.

Saturday. I dragged myself out of bed at 8 in the morning. With eyes still half-closed, I made breakfast: scrambled eggs, fried some bacon and toasted some buttermilk Eggo Waffles and brewed Hazelnut coffee. After breakfast, I jumped into the shower and started getting ready to go out. I promised my cousins that we would go to the Tulip Festival in Ottawa. It has been our yearly tradition. We drove for 2 and a half hours to the Nation's Capital to admire the tulips in bloom and join in on the festivities at the park. The Commissioners Park at Dows Lake is our favorite destination as this is where they showcase the most varieties of tulips. They also feature music and stand up comedies at the park. There are booths and small tents around the park where you can buy food: mexican wraps, ice cream and ice cold drinks, hotdogs on a bun, or on the stick if you prefer, and of course our favorite beaver tail. Ok, for those who do not know, beavertail is a North American pastry, it is made from deep fried thin dough. It comes in variety of toppings: chocolate and hazelnut, garlic and cheese, maple and cinnamon sugar, and killaloe sunrise (sprinkles of sugar with a squeeze of lemon, my all time favorite). These are commonly found in outdoor festivities, carnivals and fairs. I guess it is our local version of street food.

We were like butterflies with colorful wings at the park, hopping from one variety to the next. Admiring the different blooms and hues. Taking turn to pose as our cameras flashes repeatedly. Ignoring the heat of the sun beating down on our bare skin. The park was oozing with people, mostly tourists, coming and going as they please. Some have brought picnic baskets and were contented to collapse on a blanket under the shade of the maple trees. Some were running after their kids and some after their dogs. Some were sitting directly under the sun, I'm sure to get baked and tanned. On one side of the park, a magician was showcasing his tricks. I wanted to watch the show but couldn't squeeze myself into the barricade of people watching. There were also artists, doing caricatures and sketches on the spot. There were face painters for kids and kids at heart. There were a constant coming and going of tour buses along Carling Street. All in all, it was a fun day.

It was almost dark when we left Ottawa. We were all exhausted. My feet were aching from walking all day, but it was well worth it.

Sunday. Sunday was Mother's Day. This, I will reserve for later. I will tell you all about how my Sunday went. So be sure to stop by.

Labels: Life in General, Places I've Been, Seasons

S unday, May 11 is Mother's Day. For all mothers, grandmothers, mother-in-laws, soon-to-be mothers, and want-to-be-mothers out there, it is your day to be pampered, to go to a SPA and come home relaxed and not worry about what to prepare for dinner. The only day where you could (or should at least) be excused for sleeping in, for demanding for breakfast in bed or brunch at your favorite restaurant. The way I see it, this is also the day where you should be showered with thank you gifts from your sons and daughters, and from your grandkids. A day for lavish arrangements of flowers and chocolates from your husbands accompanied with the professions of their undying love and gratitude. Your day to feel ver spacial.

Being the good daughter that I am, have been racking my brain for the perfect mother's day gift for my Mom. I wanted to give her something unique. Last year I made her dinner and gave her a bouquet of her favorite flowers. The year before that, I bought her a bracelet, which she lost when someone broke into their house. I gave her a gift certificate for a SPA last Month for her birthday so I can't give her the same thing this time. This year I want to stay away from jewelries too, especially because I just couldn't afford it this time around. LOL! So, I thought, maybe I'll take her out for brunch at Burgers and Benedicts. I have seen raving reviews about their food and service, so I thought, why not? So, I called her to make sure that she has nothing planned for Sunday. But...and it's a BIG but, she said she'll be tied up until after 1:00PM which of course would be too late for my planned brunch.

Arf! So now, I'm back to the drawing board. And I'm running out of options and not to mention time. I guess this is what happens when I always wait till the last minute!

I am desperate. Anybody got some suggestions?

Labels: Life in General, Shopping

T here are times when I lead myself to believe that I am not the typical "wife" material. Well, ok, maybe that sounded a bit bad, but no, what I meant was that maybe I am different. Why? For example, most wives do a lot of things in the house, they are able to juggle between their wifely duties and the demands of their job. Most wives I know make it look so easy.

I know of a friend who gets up at 5:30 in the morning most days, cooks breakfast for her family, wakes up her 2 year-old son, dresses him and feeds him breakfast, while still managing to put one load of laundry in the washer before heading out to drop the kid off to day care on her way to the office where she starts work at 8AM. She would then leave work at 5PM, makes a short stop at the grocery store, goes back home to prepare dinner. Her husband picks up their son from day care and they will go to the park for a bit and come home to a home-cooked meal. After dinner, her husband cleans the dishes while she finishes the laundry, during which time the son watches a little TV. After all these were done, she would bathe her son, read him a short story before tucking him to bed. Only then can she retreat back to their room to a waiting husband. The following day, it starts all over again.

Isn't that amazing? How'd they do all that? Sometimes I feel I will never be able to measure up to that standard. Already, I'm not a morning person, so waking up at 5:30 in the morning, will pose a problem. The way it's going now, my husband and I are sharing all the responsibilities at home. His mornings consist of cooking breakfast and clearing out the dishes, and I take care of the meals at night. Sometimes, he even takes care of that part! Ouff! Maybe I'm just lazy...no, wait, scratch that, I guess I just am really lucky to have married someone with so much patience with me, more like he's the wife! Somehow, in the very near future, I have to start acting the part though.

Labels: Becoming a Wife

// posted by Gracie @ Thursday, May 08, 2008 2 Comments

L ast night, I had the biggest scare of my life. We were on our way to my in-laws place when it happened. Hubby was behind the wheel while I was sitting on the passenger side head banging to a Limp Bizkit song blaring on the radio. We were comfortably cruising on Highway 15 well within the speed limit when we noticed a red Mazda RX-8 tailing us with his high beams on, almost blinding us. Beside us on the right was an 18-wheeler truck carrying a load of metal poles that they normally use in building constructions. On our left was the fast lane, where cars and mini-vans were speeding almost uncontrollably.

The Mazda started honking at us, but we couldn't go anywhere as there was no open lane. we continued that way until we reached the exit going to the Metropolitain. The driver of the Mazda must have stepped on the gas because we saw him only inches behind our rear bumper before he instantly maneuvered his car to the left and cut us off as he continued to speed to the ramp going up to the Metropolitain. I heard my hubby swore out loud as we swerved to the right almost colliding with the truck beside us. Good thing he was able to gain control of the wheel and stirred us back to the clear and got us to the West unscathed.

For a moment there, my life flashed before me. I was scared up to my wits. We've been in a minor vehicle accident before, but that was nothing compared to the chilling experience we had last night. It felt like being face to face with death, fully knowing we weren't ready.

The rest of the night was quiet, we didn't bother going home after that incident. I could tell hubby was relieved when I said I was too tired to go home and I wouldn't mind staying for the night.

Sometimes I wonder what compels people like that Mazda driver to risk their own life and the lives of others. Have they no regard of their existence at all?

Labels: Becoming a Wife, Life in General

W ho do we consider modern day heroes nowadays? I was struck with the news I saw on TV the other night about an unmistakable display of sportsmanship among 2 opposing teams in softball. A senior softball player, Sara Tucholsky of Western Oregon University gave her best swing and hit her very first home run during a play against Central Washington University. However in a sick twist of fate, she missed to touch the first base and had to run back to tag it when she collapsed with a knee injury. Vying to win the conference and advancing to the play offs, she crawled towards first base, but couldn't do more afterwards. Unfortunately, the rule of the game was clear, it prohibits any member of her team to help her. This would result in her being called out.

Then the first baseman of the Central Washington, Mallory Holtman approached the umpire and ask if she and her team mates can help Tucholsky instead. The umpire agreed since there was no rule against it. Tucholsky was carried by Holtman and another team mate, Liz Wallace around, making a stop at each base so Tucholsky could tag them, basically sending their own team packing. Read the full story here and the video here.

The crowd was stunned and everyone was in tears at the gesture. Suddenly, the game was no longer about winning or losing, it was about character. These are two of our modern day heroes.

The moral of the story? In life, it is not how often we win or lose, it is about how we play the game that counts the most.

Labels: Sports

I t's Friday! Since the month has just started, work load is not as bad as of yet. It's been a quiet afternoon here at the office. I needed something to do to keep myself from falling asleep at my desk. Mind you it wasn't easy, between the comfortable temperature and the soft music emanating from the radio beside me, I literally had to discreetly pinch myself on the arm to wake up. Even that was a task. I had to do it several times. So yeah, you get the point.

So, I went blog hopping! It proved to be very productive. I found this great tutorial site which shows you the easiest way to use drop caps to make your blog or posts stand out. It would be a crime not to share it with my readers. This post is sort of my guinea pig to see if it actually works well with my template.

I added the tweaked version of the code into my Post Template so I don't have to type the entire code everytime.

Anyhow, that's it for now. I'm off to find some more goodies for my blog. I will most likely edit this post to show some useful examples.
Happy Friday everyone!

Labels: Blogging

Labels: Seasons, Spring