Fall fashion

Even though fall means that winter will soon be upon us (we just had our first significant snowfall yesterday), fall also means.....fashion! I love fall shopping, it's one of my favourite times of the year to shop. I got 2 kick-ass pairs of shoes this fall; one pair of pumps and one pair of riding boots!
Pumps:

 Riding boots:

 I also managed to buy yet another pair of Lululemon pants (which I probably didn't need, but they were so comfy, I couldn't pass them up!)

I also have a slight obsession with scarves this time of year. I've bought several so far, and I have a few more on my Christmas wish list. I was recently introduced to this wonderful YouTube video:
25 ways to wear a scarf in 4.5 minutes which has opened up my world to many more ways to wear my scarves.

*Sigh* Fall is awesome! And even better still...tonight we fall back an hour, so one more blissful hour of sleep is headed my way tonight!

Now if only my report cards (all TWENTY SEVEN of them) would write themselves, I'd be completely happy. I'll just have to wear my new Lululemon's, a scarf and my beautiful red pumps to make it through... :)

A book EVERYONE should read

**spoiler alert...if you plan to read the book, and don't want to read some of the quotes I've taken away from the book, stop reading once I tell you some things that Randy said** 
Why does it take a terminal illness for most people to realize how they should live their lives? Randy Pausch doesn't quite fit that mold. He knew how to live his life before he found out he only had 3 to 6 months to live, but, it took finding this out for him to decide to share it with the world. This book was amazing. Not long, not long-winded, not preachy. Just one man sharing how he lived his life. And it's a kick in the pants for me to realize that I should be doing the same thing, even though I'm not suffering from a terminal illness. This book should be read by EVERYONE. I will re-read it time and time again, when I find myself slipping back into old habits. Some things that Randy said, that will stick with me forever:
"Luck is indeed where preparation meets opportunity."
"A lot of people want a shortcut. I find the best shortcut is the long way, which is basically two words: Work Hard"
"We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand."
"Complaining does not work as a strategy. We all have finite time and energy. Any time we spend whining is unlikely to help us achieve our goals. And it won't make us happier."
"I wanted to help students learn how to judge themselves."
"Phrase alternatives as questions, instead of ...."I think we should..." try, "What if we did...?"
"The brick walls are there for a reason. They're not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something."
"Time is all you have. And you may find out one day that you have less than you think."
"EXPERIENCE is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted."
"Proper apologies have three parts: 1) What I did was wrong. 2) I feel badly that I hurt you. 3) How do I make this better?"

All words worth living by every single day that we are on this Earth. It's just sad that it takes a dying man to impart this wisdom on so many. I will do my part to pay it forward in my own life, in the lives of my students, and in the lives of those I care about.

The last makeover...

My adventure begins not this past Saturday, but the Saturday before that. My cousin was about to turn the big 3-5, which for her, is her 'scary age'. So, in light of this big occasion, she decided that she was going to "face her scary age with a new face!" She decided she would like to go the the MAC counter and get a makeover for her birthday. I love MAC, it's the only makeup that I use and I had never had a makeover done before, so I thought this would be a super fun way to celebrate with her! Key word....*thought*

I met my makeup artist Matt, and he was awesome! Funny, listened to what I wanted, yet really wanted to get playful and do something different from what I normally do with my makeup. Which, on a daily basis consists of tinted SPF moisturizer, lip gloss and some mascara. I don't wear a lot of makeup. I informed Matt of my sensitive skin, and that I wanted something that I could use for a day look, but that he could boost up for that night. Let me tell you...the amount of makeup that was used was IN.SANE! I have NEVER worn that much makeup before in my entire life. Primer, foundation, mineral setting powder, eyelid primer, 3 different eye shadows, lip liner, lip gloss, mascara and eyeliner. Oh my god, the eyeliner! I have never worn eyeliner on what he called the "water line". The inside edge of the bottom lid. So of course, he puts it there, it felt weird and made my eyes water, but he said that it was normal, it's just that my eyes aren't used to wearing makeup there. Once he was finished, it felt weird to even look at myself. I felt so aware of all the makeup on my face, and felt certain that everyone else would be just as aware of it when we went out for drinks after we were done. But nevertheless, I thought it was a fun change:

Once drinks were done, and we made our way back to my cousin's place to crash for the night. I couldn't wait to wash my face and get it back to the blank canvas so my poor skin could breathe again! Roll around to Wednesday, and I start to notice that my bottom lid on my left eye is developing a little bump (stye). Whatever, I've had one before, no big...

Oh boy...by Sunday:

PANIC! The bump only continues to grow larger, my eye is almost completely bloodshot, and the skin below my eye is yellowish-purple...a BLACK EYE!! Monday morning rolls around, and I immediately make an appointment with my optometrist to get this taken care of. He informs me that it's likely because the makeup blocked several of the glands in my eyelid, and so it's still trying to secrete the oils to keep my eye lubricated, but the blockage is causing it to just build up under the skin because it can't get out. I cannot tell you HOW PAINFUL it is to blink, sneeze, cough, laugh, anything that involves my top lid closing and touching the bottom lid!

So I'm now on medicated ointment to try to prevent infection, reduce the swelling. And I have to put a hot compress on my eye several times every night, massaging upwards to try to unblock the glands. All of this because of some stupid eyeliner! Let me tell you, it will be the last makeover I ever do again. If I am convinced to do another one, I will be sure to tell them to STAY AWAY from the eyeliner/eye shadow around the inside edge of my lower lids. I hope to never experience this again!

Within the next 2 years...

...I WILL

Volunteer at for the Sarawak Orangutan Volunteer Program

 

I WILL

Know where all of my food comes from

I WILL

Donate 10 or more inches of my hair to Locks of Love

(inspired by one of my 9 year old students who has now done it 3 times in her short life)

I know I have more goals than this...this is just all I could think of off the top of my head for the next 2 years. As I think of more, I will continue to add them!

What are some of your "I WILL's" in the next 2 years?

Ok Spring. You can make your debut any time now.

Sunday was the first day of spring. You wouldn't know it looking out the window. Since Sunday, we've had a good few inches of snow fall. It hasn't been cold, but I am ready to be done with the snow for another year. I can't wait for green grass,

the sounds and sights of new life being welcomed into the world,

the smell of lilacs and cherry blossoms,

a nice light breeze blowing through the leaves on the trees,

evening walks.

The list could go on and on! 

Spring is definitely my favourite season, and I'm ready for it to join us!

Making changes

For awhile, I've been using a Lancome facial cleanser that I've been happy with. However, the other day I discovered that Lancome (which is a subsidiary of L'Oreal) tests their products on animals. As soon as I found that out, I immediately stopped using the products. I cannot support a company that tests their products on animals.

 So...I started researching. After all of our discussion in my class with my students about ways we can create a more sustainable community, I really started to think about the products that I use, and where they come from. I would like to begin supporting as many local companies as possible. So while I was researching new cleansing products, I started looking at The Rocky Mountain Soap Company. They are a company based out of Canmore (it is a young couple who own the company), all of their products are natural (no added chemicals, preservatives, colours, fragrances) and they "only test on the owners, not animals" Now this is a company that I can get on board with! so I purchased the Transformative Cleasning oil

and the soothing toner

 

And I have to say, the toner smells AMAZING! It makes my skin feel so silky soft. I have really sensitive skin to begin with and it dries out really easily and can be prone to breakouts, so I'm hoping that this will help soften my skin and improve my complexion. I'll see how the cleanser and the toner work, and then I might also buy the moisturizing cream to go along with it if I find that my skin is still dry. I'll be sure to post a review as I continue to use this product, and if it works well, I really think it's a product that I would recommend to my friends and family.

I think it's important to start becoming more aware of where my everyday products and food comes from and start to make changes to support more local. This is a goal that I'd really like to stick to from now on.

Nature is a powerful force

The recent earthquakes and tsunami to strike Japan have a really humbling effect. In a matter of seconds, the life that you have for yourself can be turned upside down, shaken to the core and ripped away from you with no remorse.

In my grade three classroom, we are doing a unit called "How the World Works" and we are studying a central idea that states, "the natural world and human society are interconnected and change over time." The more we study this, the more I realize that even though we are interconnected, we need the natural environment, but nature would survive just fine (probably even better) without us. We rely on nature, but it relies on nothing other than itself - the reason a lot of it changes, is because of what *we* do. It's adapting to us, but it certainly doesn't need us. I'm in awe at the sheer power and force that the world possesses, and this is something that I hope to impart upon my students. Their worlds consist of video games, when am I going to get the latest gadget/toy to keep up with my friends, this math problem is too hard - I don't know what to do - tell me the answer. By hearing about events such as those happening in Japan or Libya (Ok, this one not so much at the grade three level but older grades...) I only hope that it puts into perspective how truly lucky our kids are and that they need to respect and appreciate where they live. It saddens me to think of all of those poor people in Japan that have lost absolutely everything. Homes destroyed, farmland destroyed, lives destroyed. And yet, with the power of the human spirit, they will rebuild and carry on. And when the Earth is ready again, it'll do the same thing all over. That's pretty humbling. But hey...it's How the World Works.

Days go by...

...and the pain of losing a close family member doesn't get any easier to deal with. The sadness is immense. I'm sad that every day that goes by, my grandma becomes more of a past memory than a present presence in my life. I'm sad that she will never get to meet her great grandchildren (when we decide to start a family). I'm sad that I can't go visit her and share books with her. I'm sad that my Dad no longer has any surviving immediate family members.

On the other hand, I'm happy. I'm happy that she is no longer in pain. I'm happy that I had so many years to spend with her. I'm happy we made so many memories. I'm happy that she is in a place where she gets to see all of those that she's lost over the years.

I know that eventually the pain will ease. But I never want to forget. I've been wanting to get another tattoo for awhile, and I've had a pretty good idea about what I want to get. Obviously, from the title of this blog, one of my favourite quotes is, "Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars" I believe that my Grandma is now among the stars. That quote inspires me to think that I should always try my best, and even if I fail, I'll still have loved ones surrounding me to support me and keep me going. My tattoo is inspired by my inspiration. I would like to get a tattoo on the back of my neck of a moon, with 5 stars (to represent my husband, my mom, my dad, my last surviving grandma and myself) and 3 shooting stars (to represent my 2 grandpa's and now 1 grandma that have passed) surrounding it. Everyone who holds the largest pieces of my heart, all a part of me, encouraging me to live my life the way I want to; big and without fear, doubt or regret. I don't know when I'll get it done, but it will be before the year 2011 is out.

Saying goodbye

It's funny how things work...my first blog entry and I'm saying goodbye. This has been one of the most difficult weeks I've had in many years. This week, I had to say goodbye to my Grandma. One of the people that I hold closest in my heart.

I spent many days at my Grandma and Grandpa's house. Growing up in a small town (and living on an acreage outside of town) where my parents owned their own business meant that while my parents were working, I walked to my grandparent's house for lunch every day, and then walked back after school to spend my afternoons with them until my parents closed their store for the day. The bond between myself and my grandparents to say the least, was tight. I adored them. They played a huge part in how I was raised and I have them to thank for many of the positive attributes that I see within myself.

My Grandma had been sick for about the past 2 years, but every time she got sick, somehow, miraculously, she bounced back. She'd recover and feel good for awhile before it started all over again. Close to the end, I know she was tired. Every time we went to visit her, I'd ask her if she was feeling good, and she'd say to me, "I haven't felt good in so long, I don't know what good is anymore." That broke my heart. Last week, she was transported to the hospital where she was to receive a blood transfusion. The doctor's were hoping that the transfusion would flush out her system and make her feel a little more like herself. 

My parents were going to St. Lucia last Sunday night for a month-long vacation. They were nervous to be leaving while Grandma was in the hospital for this procedure, but she told them that they shouldn't postpone their trip just on her account. She said she knew they loved her, and they know she loves them, and that if anything were to happen while they were gone, that's just the way it was meant to be. So we took my parents to the airport last Sunday night at about 10:00pm for their flight at midnight. They were still pretty uneasy about leaving and said to phone them if anything changed with Grandma. We said our goodbyes, had our hugs and left them to go check in. Not even half an hour later, I got a text from my Mom saying that they had missed their flight. The airline had eliminated the flight that they were originally scheduled to be on, and had put them on a flight that was scheduled for 9:30pm - the only part the airline forgot about, was to inform my parents of the change in their flight itinerary. Right from this moment, my mom expressed to me how she had a bad feeling about all of this, that this was fate's way of telling them that they shouldn't be leaving. After a few minutes of confusion, the ticket agent realized that the new flight that they were scheduled on (at 9:30) had been delayed, and actually hadn't left yet. So they rushed my parents through security, and got them on this plane. They arrived in Vancouver only to discover that because the flight had been delayed leaving Calgary, they had now missed their connecting flight out of Vancouver. So at 2:30am, I get another text from my Mom telling me about their ordeal. Because it is the middle of the night, there are no ticket agents to help them get re-booked on another flight, so now they had to stay in Vancouver overnight until they could get another flight booked. Again, my Mom expresses to me how her gut is telling her that all of these delays and missed flights are a sign that they should not be leaving the country. 

Monday morning arrives, and I get myself ready to go to work. I hadn't slept well all night, and for whatever reason, I knew in my heart that I shouldn't be going to work that day. But I go anyways and within half an hour of getting to work, I get the dreaded phone call. At 7:20am on Monday, February 28  at 92 years of age, my Grandma passed away peacefully. My whole world collapsed around me. Not only was my Grandma gone, but my parents weren't here either to be with. I was numb. I was crying uncontrollably, and then had to drive myself home, because I couldn't stay at work and pretend to teach 25 grade three students all day long. Eventually late that afternoon, my parents arrived back from Vancouver. Both of them knew that fate was pulling all of the strings on their vacation. Had everything gone according to their itinerary, they would have been on a plane somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean, half-way to St. Lucia (and flights only leave out of St. Lucia back to Canada 3 times a week) when the news would have come about my Grandma. They were not meant to leave the country.

I think what upset me the most was that she was alone. There was nobody by her side to hold her hand and tell her that we love her. I know that she knew...but it would have been nice to have someone there with her in her final moments, just so she wasn't alone. For many years, my Grandma had told us, "When it's my time, I wish that I could just fall asleep one night and not wake up." Grandma got her wish, and I know that she's now in a much better place where there's no pain, no poking of needles, no prodding of doctor's and where she can see her two children that she lost in the years earlier, and her husband of 60 years. 

Rest well, Grandma. You will forever hold a special place in my heart. I love you immensely and miss you every single day.

xoxo