Connor and I have a bout 24 hours of flying ahead of us (not including lay overs). I hope to blog when we reach SA, or at least post some pictures.

Have a happy holidays!

xoxoLiz

Evidence

There was a period of mid-length and blonde in there as well. I’m not sure what my real hair color is, but I’d compare it to dirty dishwater, or ashy blonde blah.

I am currently sporting very bright blonde hair…pictures to come

I’m also hoping to get some videos up because Connor and I just got a VIDEO CAMERA for our trip to South Africa in 27 hours!!

One thing that never changes is my horrible bed-head. This is au naturale people!

Not only is this site a great place to check out reviews and onions of your local food scene, it’s cool to browse around other boards like: “Food that makes you particularly sad?”, “Food packaging that drives you nuts”, “What brand of Eggnog is your favorite”, “2010 Food Trends”, “What is your favorite “foodie” gift to give and/or receive?”, “Have you ever dumped anyone because of their food preferences?”, and on and on!

You can also browse recipes, get your nagging food questions answered, read cookware reviews, get connected with the latest news on the food scene, link up to new blogs, research areas you’re traveling to and check out the latest “Top Tens”.

The site keeps me endlessly amused, and makes me feel like my obsession with all things culinary isn’t an oddity (I’m often seen as weirdly occupied with food and wine, THANK GOD I have friends who share my passion else I might be in therapy) . Others like me exist-and beware there are extremists (they are the most entertaining)!

Defiantly check it out, if you’re ambitious you’ll set up an account!

Beware readers, graphic content follows…..

I buried her today… amongst banana peels, coffee grounds and the twinkling gold wrappers of almond Hershey kisses.

All good heating pads go to heaven.

P.S. I’m proud to announce that Connor brought me home another electric pad today. She’s different-pink, with a shorter cord…but we’re already hanging out. It’s the beginning of a beautiful relationship.

Every winter we get together, we are were inseparable. She and I would hang out pretty much every night and spend most weekends together. We’d chill on the couch, or lay in bed and read, take naps and watch tv. We’d have dinner together: me, her and Connor. She was ALWAYS around for dessert (her favorite? ICE CREAM, just like me). While she kept me permanently attached to the wall throughout the colder months we usually spend together, I didn’t mind. We worked best that way. She got so comfortable around me that she took off her cover, I didn’t judge, she was pretty just as how she was. She was able to express herself better when she wasn’t all wrapped up in “material” things (I hated that blue cover, it always fell off her anyway). With age, she wrinkled (badly if I’m honest), but that’s what time and use does to us all. She was faithful, and always warmed my heart with her fiery heat. Seriously, she was the best friend a displaced island girl could have.

She’s gone now. She gave a good fight to the bitter and cold end. She fought hard-but her “fire” began to faid, and I could not do anything but hold her…feel and watch her die. Tears were cried, and I hugged her goodbye. I have not been able to bury her yet…the wounds are just too fresh. I shiver to think about it….I will remain strong, and I can’t lie to myself and say I won’t move on; try to find another companion like her. I have to look out for myself too. She will always hold a place in my heart, you might say, her impression is burned into me…

My dear friend Electric Heat Pad has died. The electricity could not flow through her any longer. She wasn’t in good shape. Her plasticy skin exposed her frayed wires below…and if I’m honest with myself, it was better for both of us to let go (god forbid I caught her disease…set my house on fire?!).

You will be missed E.H.P. You lived a good life, you warmed me like no one has before. I love you. Goodbye.

I will post “after” pictures…but the wounds are still too fresh…

To those of you who didn’t know about our relationship, you must understand what a tragic death this has been to me. I spend the winter months permanently attached to a wall or in the proximity of an outlet to plug-in my beloved E.H.P. People have made fun of me for my attachment, but a girls gotta have a best friend, dare I say that mine was made of wires and plastic…

In her youth:

What do you guys do during the winter months to stay warm?

Are you weirdly attached to something-to the extent you’d have a mourning ceremony if you ever lost it? (not that I’ve done this…)

About this time of year I would typically be buried under books, taking Tylenol for my aching fingers that manage to shoot out 25 page papers (often without the participation of my brain), and would be exceedingly anti-social because school work ruled my life. God forbid I didn’t re-read all my chapters again before the test. My world revolved around school (poor Connor), and I’m not sure why it was my entirety, like I would cease to exist as a decent human should I do ‘poorly’? (which by others standards was still doing pretty damn well). Regardless, I felt like my personality, passions and happiness were often sacrificed because of what I thought was the most important thing at the time-school.

It’s funny having perspective now, looking back on all those hours studying and re-studying (did they even make a difference, or just contribute to might exceedingly high levels of stress). Why I felt the need to put so much pressure on myself (it was all me-my parents have never had to bribe or push me to get my shit done), I do not know. I do it in a lot of areas in my life (if I’m honest with myself), but school is the most obvious right now.

I’m done with school now-I endured a 4 hour-long mind-numbingly boring ceremony, and got the diploma and shook hands of fist bumped Deans and Professors (yes, H1N1 nixed the whole hand shaking business right out of graduation. We were told we could pretend to shake hands if we wanted, seriously?! How do you even PRETEND to shake hands?  Wait, I didn’t learn that in my 4 years of University!). I graduated with distinction (even if it wasn’t announced on stage, see rant below). Would I have done or expected anything else from myself? Hell no. A plus of being an overachiever was getting scholarships to help pay for a tuition that cost my amazing parents three-times what other students paid. While I wouldn’t change that. I wish I lived a little more. ( Don’t get me wrong, I still attended the Keggers and visited the bars and stayed up late at night talking-but not near to the extent I wished I had). I’m not saying I wanted to have less memory of my college years cause I was too wasted to remember anything, not anything like that. I just wished I’d met more people, done more things, got more involved and had less fear of failing.

Looking back, it’s with a little regret (I hate to regret) and a lot of relief! I do not miss being in school, I don’t miss having that paper always in the back of my head, or finals looming over me like a count down to dooms day. I do miss making my own schedule, sleeping in on days and being in the classroom (which i REALLY do enjoy and miss). I just don’t miss the judgement. I don’t miss having to be judged all the time…this may be because I made school and my success in it an extension of my worth.

Those of you in school, I hope to god you do not do this. I know many of you are still in the midst of finals and paper writing, but keep remembering there is a lot of life to live and that you are much more than school. If you were like me, it’s hard to see this when you’re piled among your books and are too tired to do laundry or spend more time thinking about ways to procrastinate than get shit done. Hang in there and look outside your box! Remember to take care of yourself (I forgot sometimes).

I did think that when school was over things would just easier, like everything would finally fall into place and be “right” (whatever the hell that word means or is). It’s not, life is still confusing, it’s still work. I don’t have the dream job, that’s ok, at least I have one. I know i’ll still be judged, still have ‘homework’ to do, but it’s different now…

I won’t sacrifice myself at the feet of arbitrary things. I won’t let my worth be tied to the ‘rules’ and ‘structures’ our society erects and judges us by (body image anyone?!).

I know this was reflective rambling, but I had to get it out of my system. I’m sure you’re all long-lost by now, but thanks for the glance!…

Today, the low, including wind chill, is -50 degrees celsius. “NO?.!”  you say. “God makes weather that cold?!!” I know, I know….but I don’t lie (that’s immoral, almost as immoral as making weather this cold. God, is Satan peer pressuring you again?). I’m not sure you can all appreciate how much I detest the cold. You’re saying, “why then, Liz, are you living in Canada?” and you’re thinking “poor, poor, stupid girl”. I know. I ask myself the same things when I realize I’m living in a place that experiences approximately 3 months of summer (which often likes to pretend it’s more like Spring and Fall).

You’d think after the 4 1/2 years I’ve lived here I’d suck it up, get used to it. Uhhhh, no. Not even f*cking close. Winter always comes, usually unannounced, and barges into life. I’m like “oh…hey…you..I thought I told you we were over. I just can’t take seeing you again…now…like this. I’m in love with summer, why can’t you understand…”. Yea, I talk to winter like a psycho ex who won’t stop showing up at my door, all cold like. Don’t get me wrong, winter is pretty, I guess that’s why we have such a complicated relationship…

I like the accessories that come with winter (even though its personality sucks). I love sweaters, the smell of fires and pine. I love the way the ground looks like it’s littered with sparkles. I love how calm untouched snow looks. I love Starbucks seasonal flavors. I love any excuse to cuddle closer to keep warm. I love driving around and looking at everyone’s Christmas lights (and making fun of the Griswold Christmas Vacation type houses). I love the root vegetables and squashes in season that become addictive on chilly nights. I love the endless string of christmas parties (however-these can quickly show up on my dislike list…). I love enough, and that’s part of the reason I’ve survived (I don’t believe surviving is an exaggeration by any means!). I’ve tolerated the winter mostly because it means I’m with the love of my life, Nor (Connor). See, he’s Canadian, and after a dramatic union (a story for another day) in Orange County, California (where I was living at the time and he was playing baseball in college), he had to move back up to Canada. I followed. I was applying for schools and applied to The University of Calgary on a whim when we realized him moving and me staying meant we wouldn’t be together (I know, it’s rocket science folks). So, here I am. A random and impromptu Chemistry SAT later (I had to take it to get into U of C…don’t ask…) I’m here.

I don’t plan to stay forever, we regularly fantasize about all the warm places we will live (please realize that I grew up on an island in the Pacific ocean from age 5-18). We have dreams of traveling and buying islands and boats and wearing sandles everyday (they are dreams people, I’m rich in them-don’t judge).

On thing the winter does, specifically its-50 degree celsius temperatures, is make me thankful. I’m so thankful to have a roof over my head, a fridge full of food, a shower where I can defrost after walking home, a thick blanket I can escape under. I’m thankful for the job I have to pay for the heat I blast too high throughout these cold months. The wine I drink to dull the chill (kidding, kidding..kinda..). The boy I have to cuddle with and warm my “death feet” as he calls them. I’m thankful that I’m able to buy gifts for the ones I love and that I receive gifts that I do not need. I am not ignorant. I blatantly see how privileged I am, and in this, I must give thanks. In all this thanks I need to give more “you’re welcomes”. It motivates me to give back, to choose to make my Christmas present a contribution to a family that Connor’s mom, Connie, hosts at Christmas. I don’t give enough, that’s for sure. But it is a goal I would like to work on.

Complaining is easy (see above…and below). However, it doesn’t change anything. I probably pissed God off and now he’s all like “you brat, I’m gonna make it -56 tomorrow cause you can’t shut up and just put on a fourth pair of socks”. Talking (or complaing) is easy. Acting is harder. I want to act-do more for those who don’t get to wear those cuddly sweaters, or have a car to get into to drive to work, or enough to fill their bellies.

Call me out people, keep me on track. My face will remain in this position for a lot of the winter (I’ve tried smiles…they are harder, lets compromise…)

Give me this look…

I’ll attempt to impersonate a smile

I know such a negative attitude isn’t conducive to “Nourishing Me”. I’ll work on my poopy attitude….and…sorry God…but -50?? Seriously dude?!

I find that on Friday nights my 80-year-old self emerges-where the couch, possibly a nap after work, and pulling on my oldest sweats is most appealing. I indulged myself in a nap on the couch in my comfy sweats, but pulled myself up to go to dinner and make an appearance at a friend’s birthday. The thought of getting to go out to dinner is enough to make me jump of the couch and whip out the mascare!

We decided to try a new restaurant called Italian Kitchen (I was craving Italian after watching a Bobby Flay Throw Down on Food Network-yeah, I fully admit to being victim to most every delicious food commercial and show).  I’ve read good reviews of Italian Kitchen, so my hopes were high, but I’m a tough critic…

We were excited (the wine is for the party after). I’m unconsciously hoping for a thumbs up!

So after a bit of wandering around in the wet now trying to find the place, we found it. When we walked in we were faced with a hostess who seemed to be seating two restaurants, side by side were Spur Gastro Pub and Italian Kitchen-owned by the same group and presumably sharing the same kitchen (they were puting their hostess on double duty).

We were seated and asked if we’d like a cocktail or drink…but were a little at a loss because we weren’t even provided with a drink menu or wine list…so our waiter scurried off to get one (he proudly informed us that it was his first night). We ordered a glass of Valpolicella and scanned the menu which looked delicious enough…

We were in a hurry so we decided to just go straight to mains…well “secondi’s”. I got the angel hair with sun-dried olives, anchovies, capers in tomato sauce, Connor got the Toli pasta with cherry tomatoes, lobster and arugula  in a lemon zest sauce. Our new waiter, his name escapes me, brough a basket of cold wheat bread with balsamic and olive oil as well as a garlic, chive butter which looked like it sat out faaaar to long (I didn’t touch it). The bread was alright, Connor commented that it tasted a little old-I wished is was warm, but liked the heavy wheat taste  of the bread (it seemed out-of-place for an Italian Kitchen though). I received a large soup spoon, presumably for my pasta-however when I glanced over at it, it had clearly been used (please insert this into my “Gross” post). I pointed this out to our waiter who brought me a clean one, giggly “haha, this one is clean…I promise”, like he felt the need to assure me…

Our meals arrived quickly (almost too quickly). Both were….ok. My dish had some amazing flavours but I couldn’t get over how salty it was. Coming from me, this is huge!!! I have an affinity for sodium, and am shocked my blood pressure is not through the roof! I should have expected it, capers, anchovies and olives aren’t exactly low-sodium. I ate it all though, so I must have liked it, or was just really hungry and didn’t want to let me $12.92 go to waste (yes, the menu did NOT round prices, we noticed one cocktail was $7.92…seriously?!) Connor’s dish was…ok, as well. The lemon was too overwhelming and totally overshadowed any sweetness of the lobster. I was impressed by the amount of lobster in the dish; we both guessed there would be two pretty but miniature pieces. I liked my dish better…

We were in and out pretty quickly and needless to say, we won’t be back. Italian Kitchen, thanks, but no thanks. I’d give you a 2 generous stars out of 5. There are just too many better places I’d rather spend my well-earned money. I’ll have to tell you all about Niko’s, god’s savour for my Italian cravings…

Off to get some Christmas shopping done! Connor’s starting to get anxious to get going and buy me lots of gifts get his chores done.

Lata girls and boys!

Today I was quite proud of myself (more so than other days) because I realized that my quickness and agility is comparable to Superman…dare I say SUPERWOMAN! It takes practice, I’m not gonna lie, but once seasoned, benefits are reaped. I’m speaking about my lightening fast ability to get ready in the morning. My mornings go like this…

Alarm-7:10am (arbitrary time, and probably one most people consider sleeping in…but i won’t name names KATH ((I love you Kath, if I’m so lucky you read this, don’t be offended dear blog goddess))

Shut off Alarm-7:10am + 1 second Notice my fast-ness

Back to Sleep-7:10am + 2 seconds Do NOT waste time folks, every second counts

Dream-7:10am + 3 seconds Mathew and Brad…and we’re back…

Wake Abruptly-8:00am Panic and fear about your 8:30am start time help quicken your pace

Throw (literally) covers off + snap on light-8:02am Getting air while leaping from bed helps cover distance

Oatmeal Breakfast Prep-8:03am You can still enjoy ‘slow cooked food’ in your morning marathon. I use rolled oats-no thanks instant, you suck. It also helps if you can make your tired (but delicious) combination of oatmeal with your eyes closed (mine, still from sleep), while shivering uncontrollably (the heat hasn’t kicked in yet) and having to pee (this can happen later while the oatmeal is cooking in the microwave).

Pee-8:04am-Pee (enough said)

Hair/Makeup-8:05am It helps if you’re gorgeous already like me my blog readers. Face wash, face cream, concealer (you better believe I love this baby), swipes of mascara (ensure in your haste you don’t poke your eye out and smear waterproof mascare across your entire face…no that I’d know…), finish with a few swipes of blush. It doesn’t have to be perfect people, the computer screen sees my face more than anything human all day.

Stir-8:07am Vital, you must RUN to the microwave where your oatmeal is cooking to ensure it is not overflowing and gummifying your entire microwave. Snap (use muscle here) open the microwave with lightening force where you’ll endure the burn of boiling oatmeal as you stir. Stir your heart out sisters! Place bowl back in microwave and nuke that baby even longer.

Dress-8:08am Dress, don’t forget this step. I workout at lunch, so to save time (which I’m all about doing) I pull on my sports bra, workout top and pants to wear under my uniform. You may think this would look weird, but when your uniform is literally 5 sizes (i’m barely exaggerating here) too big for you, no one will notice. It helps to fill me out, pretend I have goods I clearly lack (and which are further emphasized by my synthetic uniform). “Yes, there is someone under these mom pants, baby pink button down and swimmingly large vest.” I ensure I have my name tag on at all times so I don’t go missing.

Pack Bag-8:10am Stuff workout towel, change of clothes and phone into backpack (you gotta keep it classy friends)

Stir-8:13am I can’t stress the importance of this. Ensure plastic Tupperware is prepared to empty contents of oatmeal into to take to work. I don’t eat breakfast at home people, you think I have time for that?! I’m not God people (just Jesus…)

Pack Lunch-8:14am Stuff contents of pre-made lunch (pack this the night before-this is an essential time saver!) Don’t forget the condiments you’ve packaged in your tiny Tupperware that you always seem to forget behind the orange juice. It’ll make you pissed off when you don’t have mustard for your wrap or to spread all over your salad (don’t judge). Maybe that’s just me….

Freak out-8:15am This helps to quicken your step when you feel like you’re fading. Hollar at your significant other to hurry up cause you’re going to be late (note: you won’t be-but the fear of being reprimanded at work assists in getting out the door)

Pour, package, grab-8:16am Remember the mantra. Pour the contents of your delicious slow cooked oatmeal into its Tupperware, package your lunch into your cute Lulu Lemon lunch bag, GRAB all items (and mentally go through your check list), shove on runners (for the gym later) and bolt down the stairs (envisioning a mass murdered is chasing you helps)

Take out trash-8:17am Yes my friends, I had time to chuck two massive bags of trash into the dumpster

Wait-8:18am I had to wait for my significant other to meander down the stairs. Refrain from getting to anxious at this point, you might snap, this is not a good nor positive way to start your day

Drive-8:19am Drive to work (it helps if you live directly next to your place of employment)

Wait-8:20am Wait at cross walk while punky high schoolers meander (grrr) across the street, staring at you through your windshield with a look like like they are about to beat you up but are really just envying that you’re old enough to drive…

Exit-8:25am Quickly kiss your significant other goodbye (don’t forget the love people) and bolt out of your passenger seat and through the automatic doors at work. Scanter across the lobby attempting to remain as invisible as possible as you enter the office directly near the kitchen and lockers. Picking an efficient entry point is key.

Prep/Dress-8:26am Push tea kettle to on position to heat up water for your tea while you dress. Pop lunch bag into the fridge and reheat oatmeal a couple second so it is perfectly steamy when you sit down at your desk. Open your locker (have this conbination memorized, you will waste precious time if forgotten). Jump into your uniform (granted it helps when it’s so big you can literally do this).

Fix-8:28am You might be slightly shaken by this point-it’s time to fix, adjust and straighten like you’ve been up since 7:10am when your alarm went off.

Retrieve-8:29am Fill your trusty travel mug with free office tea and now warmed water, carefully pull your too-hot oatmeal (the first time you heated it was only 12 minutes ago) out of the microwave.

Hussel-8:29 +29 seconds  Walk, very quickly,  to your desk, sitting down in your rolly chair and placing your home-made breakfast onto your desk.

Rock and Roll-8:30am You are on time, not too early to seem overly ambitious and not late, cause that’s just inappropriate. I’m ready to start my day, on time and with a healthy breakfast to boot!

Finish Work-9:04am If you work where I do, between now and your start time you will have had enough time to attend a morning briefing, answer the 3 e-mails in your inbox, answer 4 calls, send out last nights statistics and enjoy your breakfast.

Blog-9:05am Enjoy favorite blogs and even give your own blog a second thought-dream it will one day be as awesome as the ones you obsessively dedicatidly read.

There you have it folks, never under-estimate your own ability. I am well-practiced, but have faith, you can get more sleep and get to work on time with a little prepping and a lot of fear, panic and faking it…