All the best on your birthday

Today I got a birthday card in the mail. It was from the owners of the pilates studio that I go to once a week so I assumed that it would be some boring, "wishing you all the best on your special day" bullshit that's normally in those stock cards you get from places you give money to. At Christmas, I received a total of 2 cards in the mail... from my insurance company and my cat sitter (Yes, I have a cat sitter) and they were both one-sentence Hallmark style messages accompanied by a signature. I could practically re-use them. I do appreciate the effort but there's nothing heartfelt about a message like that... not that I really expect anything heartfelt from an insurance company....anyways....

This card, though simple, was a little different. In the owner's handwriting it said:

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments that take our breath away. Happy Birthday."

I liked it. I've heard the quote before but the fact that it was handwritten seemed to make it more personal. It's a nice feel-good kind of quote. In fact, everything about that pilates studio is feel-good. And maybe I'm deluded, but I actually think I'm seeing results.

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Speaking of my birthday, I can't help but mention what I now have planned. Graham asked me to go to England with him!! ENGLAND! I'm basically still recovering from shock. So on Oct. 5, we're leaving for the Thanksgiving weekend on an overseas adventure! Honestly, could this guy be any more incredible? I have a feeling this is going to be a good birthday. :)

Reality Check

I sometimes have these moments where I convince myself that I can sing. These moments normally occur in my car when the volume is cranked and mostly drowning out my voice. This happened today and as a test, I turned the volume down and sang some more only to be convinced once again that I am in fact, a terrible singer. Damn you genetics. Where were you on this one?!

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Today I finally got a new driver's license picture. The first one since my original, day-I-turned-16, deer-in-the-headlights shot back in 2000. According to a coworker, I "look like a baby" in that photo. Strangely though, I've never had any trouble with it at the bar. Nor have the two 18 year olds I gave my old licenses to as far as I know ;) Two - three weeks till I see what will be the next photo to last the next 6 years.

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So homecoming came and went in a blur of drunken partying. I have patchy memories of the whole day. I guess that's what happens when you attend breakfast keggers and start your day off with a large Tim Horton's coffee that's heavy on the Baileys, low on the coffee. Great day though. I saw pretty much every single person I've ever met in university, saw a football game (by saw, I mean drank in the beer tents), and got drunk three seperate times in one day. Highlights include a beer-filled water gun, Graham and I unofficially winning "The drunkest couple" award, Patillo nipping at Cathy's breakfast sausage on a fork and countless games of flip cup. I was having a hard time adjusting to this new life as a non-student. I was feeling old and sad. But with weekends like this, it seems like being an alumni isn't so bad afterall ;)

You know you're old when...

Your two options for Friday night are:


1) A Wine and Cheese party


2) Attending the K/W Symphony

My world turned upside down

Time has literally dissapeared since I returned from my Costa Rican adventure. I've had a draft post saved that's a long winded play-by-play about what a wonderful, life changing experience it was but I deleted it. I realized that nothing I say, no pictures I show anyone or anything I write will ever do it justice. That trip was incredible. Life changing, eye-opening and inspirational. To see a sucessful experiment in sustainable living and witness a community living and working in complete harmony with nature was absolutley refreshing. Sometimes I feel like this world is doomed but being there really instilled new hope in me.

While I was on the trip I kept a trip journal of sorts - well, more like some scrawlings of random thoughts and substandard poetry but there was one entry in particular that I'd like to post because it makes me remember the incredible people that live in the Durika Biological Reserve in Costa Rica. I titled it "Knowledge"

"The people here have a lot of knowledge to share. No matter how many times they must have shared their stories, their eyes still sparkle when they talk. They're not self righteous or condescending; they're just eager to share what they know. It's reassuring to know that they weren't always like this. They grew up in urban areas, went to university, and lived much like I do today. Coming here wasn't easy. It was a journey, a sacrifice, a challenge. I will really try to take even a small peice of this knowledge back home with me. I can't change the world but I can change myself. It's a start"

I met some incredible people, saw some of the most diverse, interesting landscapes I've ever seen, ate some fabulous food and learned a lot - about work, life and myself. I couldn't have asked for a better way to end the summer.