Comedy & Food- a killer combo

It's been a great week. Last night we caught Russell Peters live, in-person and his show was hilarious. I'd never been interested in comedy shows until Alvin dragged me to a show last year...I fear there is no going back. Tom & Dev bought the tickets for Alvin's 30th & I think we're all pleased that they decided to do so- not just Alvin.
On to the food portion of my post: to my horror I realized that Alvin & I had never had my girlfriend Candra over for Zambian food. How she's been home for nearly a year & never made it over for nshima is terrible...so Wednesday night we cooked up a feast. (Actually, Candra brought a mean dessert that put us over the edge- sweet potato cheesecake...who knew that would be such a delicious combination?!) Cooking up flavours from Zed always brings warm memories and silly tales; I believe we need to do that more often.

Cabbage, chicken in divine 'soup' - butternut roasted red pepper & a lump of delicious nshima. Really, it tastes so much better than it looks- you'll have to trust me on that or try for yourself*grin*.

Canj's irresistible cheesecake....

Tolstoy...Nabokov...

After my eReader adventures & a good read loaned to me care of mom a library trip was well overdue. I think I was a little over excited...I had ever intention of picking up Tolstoy's Ana Karenina...but I ended up with Nabokov's Lolita. Let's just say it's not quite what I had in mind (it's a story about a man who lusts after prepubescent women). Nothing like a little light summer reading*grin*.

On a completely different note I spontaneously bought rubber boots the other week...I was thrilled when the rains came. I swear I was the only person so stoked for a couple of rainy days- but - how cute are they?!

Seems like it's a big birthday month- we've been with 3-year olds for the past two weekends...hopefully we'll make it to another 30th party next weekend. And don't worry Mom, no one needs to know what you're hitting tomorrow*grin*. Couldn't be a more beautiful month for all the celebrations. I'm cycling off to yoga now...weeeee (it's downhill the whole way there)*grin*

From the Roof

As promised...here's the shot of Alvin on the roof. I had recently clambered down- I believe my knees had stopped knocking to capture the still photo.

In Over My Head

Have you ever agreed to something without fully understanding to what exactly you'd signed up? I considered this as I tried to manoeuvre from roof to ladder without a) falling or b) dropping the can of paint that also had to descend.
Sigh.
Urban adventures- you've got to love them. Monday evening I had zero motivation to run & knew that Alvin was looking forward to finishing up a paint job that he'd taken on before starting his warehouse job. He was a bit surprised when I so readily agreed to come. It all made sense while sitting on the roof. I volunteered without realizing I would be teetering precariously on a roof top with my rear-end sizzling from the hot shingles. Three hours later the mission was accomplished & we made it home safely. I have a photo on my camera that I will have to post up here once I have the technology at hand to do so. It will really complete the story*grin*

All of that after a lovely & relaxing weekend. We set off to visit our friends from Zambia & their kids. Tory- turning 1 in July.

 Cruz (turning 3 the day after Alvin turned 30)

My folks also hosted a 'happy birthday Alvin / happy anniversary Tom & Dev' dinner. Dev was a little creeped out by the shrimp legs but the food was divine.

Best birthday wishes to my partner in crime. We have so much fun enjoying the small things...like a glass of Amarula to mark any occasion- however small or noteworthy.

Running Late

In my personal life (not professional) I have a terrible habit of running late. Alvin & I are teased relentlessly about showing up fashionably late for just about anything.
On my day off we had thought we would get ourselves out of the house to catch a matinee (I really want to see the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel- it looks funny). Showtime 12:50. Sarah & Alvin in the Rav4 ready to roll: 12:55. Factoring in all the pre-show ads and trailers we thought we'd be cutting it pretty close. I looked over at Al and suggest that perhaps we should consider a Plan B; without missing a beat he replies "driving range"? Love it! We had a fabulous afternoon.

Further to my tardiness in person it seems my reputation for standing up Skype dates is growing...if it's not a time zone error I find myself getting caught up in the 'now'...and having to reschedule cyber visits. I must work on that- I would be highly irritated with myself. 

Longest 1.5 Hours of my Life

I'm thrilled- my little balcony is filled with summertime flowers/herbs. I've got a couple of tomato plants, a pepper, and my usual fave herbs (cilantro, mint, basil, oregano). I went with some of my flowers that did well last year (canna lilies and portulacca) and have tried a couple newbies that were irresistible at the greenhouse. Yay!

I also bought a watering can....which I'm rather excited about- I know, I can be a bit ridiculous.

My only other story for now is about the last movie my mother took me to see The Deep Blue Sea (as a fundraiser for the library). Honestly, we stepped out of the movie theatre & thought we'd been there for days...the film was only 1.5 hours. I'm sure a lot of people loved the film - Rachel Weisz is amazing- but I chalk it up to one of the worst I have ever seen (sorry to all the artsy folks out there who adore it). I'll stick to the less creative art of enjoying the outdoors & my few plants on the balcony (& of course the NBA playoffs)*grin*.

The Baby Blanket

Well my first baby blanket is ready to be packaged up & sent to my cousin in Nova Scotia. I figured that a gift made with love would be most appropriate for my cousin who traveled to visit me twice in Zambia. Marty & Pat are a couple who really doesn't need much...so what better than a homemade gift?

How would I describe this blanket? It has character...one-of-a-kind. Yes, I'll admit that means there are a few mistakes but doesn't that make it all the more special? Like I said- it's made with love & best wishes for Marty & Pat & their one-on-the-way-any-day-now.

Making Allowances

After my recent bold announcement of running a minimum of 7km every time I hit the road I already have to admit that I've broken the rules. Last Sunday we were hosting Sunday lunch for Mother's Day & for Dev's birthday. I mentioned to Alvin that I may not have enough time to sneak in my usual run and made the mistake of suggesting that we go to 'seven hills'. I was innocently thinking that ripping off a few hills would be faster than my usual route. In the end it took me about the same length of time & I struggled to walk for 2-days post hills. So really in this instance I feel like making the allowance was actually a good challenge. I will also sheepishly admit that some part of me must have enjoyed being out there with Alvin because we've agreed to hit the hill again this weekend. Wish me luck!

(Aside- Mother's Day/ Dev's birthday / Sunday lunch was lovely. I tend to forget how much I enjoy having people over to enjoy a meal and visit...perhaps we'll do it more often now that neither Alvin nor myself are studying).

Apart from keeping myself busy physically I have felt like there are just not enough hours in the day. One of my lovely colleagues has lent me her 'e-reader' (a Kobo) so I can complete reading the Hunger Games trilogy. I'm enjoying the Kobo but think I would only invest in one if I traveled more often. I do love the library and the smell of cracking open a new book...but it is kind of fun to have to 'turn on' a book before you can start reading*giggling*. Listen to me joining the 21st Century.

Of course I am also madly knitting (while watching the NBA playoffs) trying to finish the baby blanket for  Marty & Pat. I will take a photo & post up here before I send it to Nova Scotia because so far- I'm quite proud of how it's turning out.

At work the other day I had to chuckle to myself. With this constant changing of passwords for various account access and to simply log on to computer or voicemail sometimes I get a little frazzled. Apparently my mood affects my choice of password as I punch in "drat" or "dang it" or most recently "bugger". Really...all I wanted to do was see who was calling me & I end up punching in passwords for five minutes. Too funny coming from me- Miss Positive.

I also came across this photo in one of the journals we circulate at work. I was beaming when I saw it because I think two of my most favourite things right now are basketball and Human Resources*grin*. (Jeni- I hope to get a comment out of you on this one)!

Celebrating my New Found Freedom

Flip flops (pata patas)! Oh my toes were dancing as they slipped into the shoes that I love most in the world. After a winter wrapped in wool socks, boots, and other suffocating options my toes are free and loving it.

Perhaps of more interest is that Alvin and I had an amazing Saturday. I was out at the UofA at the crack of dawn to write my exam. The experience was pretty much the usual- sweaty palms to start, the wheezing, snorting coughing guy sitting behind me,and a room full of people with small bladders who had to exit via a squeaking door- bah. I would have liked to have left feeling a bit more confident about the exam but it is over and I have a 2-month waiting period before I will know whether I passed.

From the exam I trotted over to Alvin's convocation which was lovely (ok- long...but lovely).

A celebratory meal post-convocation was in store. We found a gem of a Lebanese diner and enjoyed every bite & sip of delectable fruity pop.

We wrapped up our evening continuing to do what we love to do- watching a buzzer beater of an Edmonton Energy basketball game. Woo hoo!

Cell Phone

After two years of going without...I caved. I have happily invested in a cell phone & am very happy to be back in the texting world. The only thing I must do before arriving at work today is figure out how to turn the ringer off*grin*. Happy Monday.

Jogging, Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, and Adoption

I realize my posts are few & far between; & perhaps that's why this post will include a number of little stories/ ramblings.


1. I hit the road the other day for a jog. The day was glorious- as I feel are most days when I'm able to get out & enjoy the sights, sounds, smells & fresh air. While trotting along, taking in the Spring changes to the river valley, I wondered if I actually enjoyed jogging or if it was merely the outdoors I enjoyed. I started thinking about how I don't often push myself (I remember nearly dying last year when Alvin & I ran hills together); and then I started smiling because I had already set the goal that my base run for this spring/summer is 7km. Last year when I didn't really feel like running I'd rip off a quick 4-5km route but this year the minimum is 7km. So I guess I do enjoy running & ensuring that I meet my targets. I look forward to exploring a new route today that should be about 8km- but really, for me right now just being out there & enjoying the road is enough for me.

2. Alvin & I passed through my brother's place the other day & found him ready to dive into his grilled cheese sandwich for lunch. I never make grilled cheese sandwiches but it looked so good I proceeded home to make my version of grilled cheese (I added banana peppers & salsa- delicious)! Thanks Tom, for the inspiration*smile*.

3. I'm not sure that I've told the wide world (& my few readers) that I'll be writing an exam for Part 1 on the journey towards my HR designation early May. I was horrified yesterday when I completed a practice exam & did terribly. (OK- I'm passing the practice test but I hardly did any better than when I wrote the test cold- with zero preparation- imagine)! I've psyched myself out a bit because it's multiple choice & generally I do not do too well with that time of examination. I guess I'll have to invest a little more time than I have been to properly prepare myself for the day. Boo.

4. All of Alberta is talking about our elections...I didn't feel great about voting this year because I felt that I didn't have a great candidate to select- I sort of felt like I was selecting a lesser evil- not someone who I really believed in- odd experience for me.

5. I've been knitting the most gorgeous baby blanket for my dear cousin Marty & his beautiful wife Pat who are expecting their first in May. I wanted to have it completed in the next couple of weeks so I could send it to them across the country. But late last night I realized there were a few missed stitches & I went ahead & pulled apart my work rather than figuring out how to fix the boo boos. But I went out today & bought a new wool which will be more appropriate for boy or girl...so hopefully the blanket will arrive in Nova Scotia before the baby is 1-year old*grin*

6. Finally (last one, I promise) my Pop planted cukes & tomatoes from seeds weeks ago in hopes of having them hardy enough for planting in the next few weeks. Unfortunately they haven't done very well so he asked that I adopt them & see if they can grow a bit more in my warmer apartment (for all of you who've been to my parents place with slippers, sweaters & scarves- feel free to laugh- I can't believe my dad can get his Canna lilies up in that freezer of a house they keep)*grin*. Here they are at the time of adoption...I'm not sure that I'll have any more luck but I do baby them- I've been coaxing them to flourish...fingers crossed their will be fruits from our labour.

Tomatoes & Cucumbers

The Cukes

Spindly Tomatoes

2nd Annual Spring Trip

Mom & I have started an annual Springtime Alberta road trip. This year- since we planned for an April trip- we agreed to go South in search of warmer weather & hoodoos. We had one afternoon of warm-ish weather which we spent out-of-doors at the Calgary Zoo. It pretty much went downhill from there weather-wise; but we had a blast traipsing around the prairies and into the badlands. Photos below are of the Zoo, our trip to Rosebud Theatre for an afternoon play (fun!) and then a frosty visit to the Hoodoos just outside Drumheller.

Some Kind of Morning

I love that I behave like a little old lady. This was the view from my balcony this morning:

My immediate thought was "I'd be crazy to drive in this". So I opted to take the bus. Ignoring the morning news reporter complaining about the weather off I trotted sans toque & mittens. I was soaked...but couldn't help but notice just how beautiful a morning it was. (I would not have been this chipper if I drove to work- apparently there were cars in ditches everywhere). I fancy myself quite clever for taking the easy route...though I seem to have had some kind of skin reaction to the cold whipping snow- my forehead is still welted & red looking. How odd. I will not post my picture*grin*

No sense complaining- this is life in Northern Alberta...and chances are it will all be melted by tomorrow...since this is how it's looking now.

2 Years Yesterday

I suppose Spring is a fairly busy time for everyone- Alvin & I have quietly noted that it was 2 years yesterday that we arrived back in Canada. Things have been so busy with Alvin's school schedule, Pops' 65th birthday, etc that we haven't had too much time to reflect on all the changes we've enjoyed over the past two years. I can only affirm that time does truly fly when you're having fun*grin*. But it is nice to pause and enjoy exactly where we are right now. We spend so much time planning for the future that I do enjoy celebrating what most would feel is mundane. That being said I am off to prepare a delicious meal (and so you all know- cooking has trumped my desire to run)*giggling*.

Happy Tuesday to all*grin*

My Mouth is Watering

Today is the day- one year ago- my grandmother passed away. None of the family wanted to make a big occasion of the day but I could not let the day pass without notice. And nothing seemed to make my Gran happier than news of her granddaughter preparing good Mennonite meals. So I find myself trying to make homemade noodles for the first time ever. They will be accompanied by barbecued farmer's sausage & peas- oh, and of course, cream gravy (schmandtfat). As I was slicing the noodles up (pictures to follow) my mouth started watering. Isn't is amazing how taste-buds can dredge up memories?

The cream gravy took forever to thicken but the food turned out fabulously- almost like Gran's.

There was cause to smile on my drive to yoga; covering the soccer pitch was a gaggle of Canadian Geese- a warm memory of time with my Grandpa. Today is a day for me to celebrate the memories of my dear grandparents. And the food was great too*grin*

Nightmares

I woke up in the middle of the night, unable to fall back asleep because my heart was racing. It's been an age since I've had a nightmare & I couldn't figure out what would have triggered a dream about murderers and drownings. That evening I had attended a stellar yoga class; we did two of my favourite poses and I hadn't done them in ages. And you know these yogi-types, they spend a lot of time talking about the energies in your body and how some poses can create releases of these energies. So I got the giggles at work explaining that I must have upset some inner chi to have had a nightmare. It was only much later in the evening when I was chatting with my mom that it 'clicked'; I remembered that before yoga class I was watching the news. The stories of the day were so disturbing that I switched off the TV- those horrors must have come back when I was resting.

It all seems like a distant memory now- & I've been back at the knitting. I'm getting closer but still- not quite right.

The Worst of Winter is Over

I can't resist posting because of my after-work run last evening. First, it was 13 degrees (yes- above zero) and second, there was enough sunlight to take my time on the trails. I am not trying to tempt fate- we are certain to get some more snow & cold weather- but the fact that the days are longer causes a small case of spring fever for me.

It was a perfect start to the weekend- enjoy!

Good friends & Beautiful Weather

Someone, somewhere, once told me that you should consider yourself lucky if you have a couple of good friends throughout the course of your life. In this respect, I have been truly blessed; I have an amazing group of solid friends to surround myself with from many different corners of the world. Recently I went down to Calgary for work & was able to connect with good friends from my University days. And I couldn't help but think- how amazing to drop an email to people I haven't seen in years- and not miss a beat. (I am not exaggerating- Hol & I deduced that we had not met since 2004. Marty thought we'd seen each other as recently as 2009- which might be right)*smile*. This is what I find most amazing- of course we've grown and changed and gotten more grey hair- but the natural flow to the conversation (fueled by one single glass of wine) reminded me how dear these friends are.

I also wanted to post a couple of shots from my balcony this evening- the days are getting longer & we're getting some beautiful sunsets. We've had a glorious couple of days with knee deep snow (well, not so glorious for Alvin because he has to shovel it)*giggling*. But it is quite a sight- fresh white snow, Alberta blue skies and a brilliant sun all day today. It's important for me to take a couple of moments to be thankful.

Where to Start?

I've had a number of thoughts on how to compose this post- here are some of my starts.

- The only way the weekend could have been any sweeter would have been if the Boston Celtics played better. What a dream to watch our favourite team play live. Kevin Garnett is amazing even on an off day. I was dying to see Rondo at his best- explosive, scoring, making crazy assists and being fired up about playing- I guess it was not to be. Ray Allen's text book quick release jump shot is something to be seen by any basketball fan- live & in person was indescribable. And Paul Pierce...what an athlete. I loved to see Doc Rivers in action (the head coach) even if it was only in frustration last Friday*smile*..

- When I think about how the weekend played out sometimes I want to start with what happened last. So, in reverse chronology - the Zambia National football team (the Chipolopolo) won the Africa Cup of Nations on Sunday for the first time ever. If that isn't sweet enough- I was able to watch the match with friends from Zambia...on a Smartphone...in Toronto.

- My dear friend Jen knows that I have never been a Lakers fan and certainly not a Kobe fan...but how can I start to explain my excitement at being able to watch -live- one of the world's best athletes? And did he ever put on a show. The whole fourth quarter was watched on our feet- cheering, hooting, hollering & getting caught up in all the excitement of a buzzer-beater finish between the Lakers & the Raptors.

- All of the yoga instructors I've had over the years mention the importance of living in the 'now'. They always talk about listening to your body, staying focused while you're on your mat, and not worrying about the past or the future. I am so fortunate to have a partner who reminds me of that. I was fresh off a retirement course (yes, 30 & planning for retirement- seems a bit odd) when we first tossed around the idea of an NBA weekend trip. Rather than taking my little bonus & wrapping it up for the future in an RRSP- living in the 'now' took over. And there will be no regrets after such an amazing weekend. All I could think while we were in Toronto- doing what we love to do- i.e. watching basketball- was: "this is living".

When we weren't watching some of the best basketball players in the NBA we wandered all over Toronto and connected with some dear friends. (And I might add here that my family was very understanding that it was a basketball weekend- rest assured we will plan another basketball-filled weekend but take a few more days to make sure we can visit with family too).

The crew from Zambia

Kieran & his beautiful family.

Out & about in T.O.

Pride Gets the Last Laugh

Early in 2012 I've been committed to my goal of learning how to knit a toque (hat/ headsock...depending on where you're from). I've been working from the knitting book that Dev bought me for Christmas. I'm thrilled to be learning how to really knit- reading patterns & learning to change the colours of yarn. I know I know- it's always the small things with me. I began the project with a scarf to build up my confidence before starting in on the matching toque. I have proudly been sporting the scarf assuring all who see me that a beautiful toque is to follow shortly.

The first project of 2012 has been completed- details in attached slide show.