This year I have decided to be more circumspect with my verbal communication. I intend to finish my sentences and choose my words more precisely. This means slowing down (take a page from the Barack Obama interview guide!) and being more mindful of the words coming out of my brain and into the world via my mouth... which sometimes has a tendency to lag behind my thoughts to the detriment of everyone around me.
Also, I will be turning 40 in 8 years and I am going to create a list of 8 Things to Do Before I Turn 40. I haven't thought of everything yet but I figure I don't have to decide today. Here is the beginning of my list:
1. Perform on stage. This will likely be either dance or acting. The thought freaks me out but I'll get there eventually.
2. Learn a language... and then use it in that country. I'm thinking Italian at the moment.
3. Discipline and love another creature. I'm thinking puppy but I suppose I might accidentally get pregnant and have a little MiniMsB.
4. See my photo on a wall. Not my own wall.
5. Live in another country. I have my sights set on Melbourne, Australia in 2011.
...
Got any New Year's Resolutions you would like to share?
Showing posts with label birthday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label birthday. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
2^ 5 has been the best birthday ever
I just had the best birthday ever. MFV phoned at 11.30 to wish me a happy almost birthday and we probably talked for a couple of hours about stuff and stuff. It was tough to get up in the morning but it sorta felt like Christmas - minus that whole having to go to work thing. I got my free birthday latte from Starbucks - yay! - and my coworkers took me out to lunch which was so surprising and really nice. I really did not expect that at all. I even brought my lunch today which I NEVER do.
In the afternoon, I met up with my financial advisor. That was my birthday present to myself. I didn't lose as much as I thought in the last couple of years. Only around 4 or 5% of my portfolio. This was due to sheer dumb luck. When I last saw her in 2007, I had intended to buy a place in 2008 so we moved a lot out of equity into money market. Then, because I didn't see her for 2 years, we never moved it back out and I weathered the storm quite nicely. Actually, I should give her more credit for that. I'm sure that if I had been too aggressive with my equity balance, she would have let me know. She also asked me about my target retirement age. Whether I was looking at 60 or 55. I laughed and said 55 would be nice but, considering that I'm 32 years old today and still don't own a house, I doubt I can do both. She said she would run some numbers and see what happens.
Then the girls came over this evening for dinner. Pink dress made vegetarian chili which is phenomenal. Our mutual friend brought wine and cheese, all of which were fabulous. She also brought over molten chocolate lava mini cakes. Oh lord. And my belly dance teacher brought herself and some cheery spirits. It was really nice. It was good to feel loved. Also, my facebook wall literally exploded today. It was really unexpected and overwhelming and touching to feel so much love in my life.
But the icing on my cake might have been unexpectedly receiving a gift in the mail from MFV. He mailed me a Moroccan teapot stuffed with chocolates from Daniel le chocolat Belge. And a really sweet card. I might be falling in love with that stupid boy.
In the afternoon, I met up with my financial advisor. That was my birthday present to myself. I didn't lose as much as I thought in the last couple of years. Only around 4 or 5% of my portfolio. This was due to sheer dumb luck. When I last saw her in 2007, I had intended to buy a place in 2008 so we moved a lot out of equity into money market. Then, because I didn't see her for 2 years, we never moved it back out and I weathered the storm quite nicely. Actually, I should give her more credit for that. I'm sure that if I had been too aggressive with my equity balance, she would have let me know. She also asked me about my target retirement age. Whether I was looking at 60 or 55. I laughed and said 55 would be nice but, considering that I'm 32 years old today and still don't own a house, I doubt I can do both. She said she would run some numbers and see what happens.
Then the girls came over this evening for dinner. Pink dress made vegetarian chili which is phenomenal. Our mutual friend brought wine and cheese, all of which were fabulous. She also brought over molten chocolate lava mini cakes. Oh lord. And my belly dance teacher brought herself and some cheery spirits. It was really nice. It was good to feel loved. Also, my facebook wall literally exploded today. It was really unexpected and overwhelming and touching to feel so much love in my life.
But the icing on my cake might have been unexpectedly receiving a gift in the mail from MFV. He mailed me a Moroccan teapot stuffed with chocolates from Daniel le chocolat Belge. And a really sweet card. I might be falling in love with that stupid boy.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Bloated
I haven't blogged because I haven't had much to say. I spent Wednesday in my pjs on the couch, Thursday at the office not really doing any work and today doing marginally more than the other two days. So, in reverse order of the things that made me happy:
1. I finally got to have my belated birthday dinner at our favourite all-you-can-eat sushi place. I attempted to eat myself catatonic but failed. I am now just bloated from raging hormones and excessive salt intake. It was totally worth it though. Baby was obnoxiously rude today which really tried my patience but that will soon pass. I just hope our two friends aren't too annoyed that she told them she was going to return their wedding gift because she could get it free on points and is planning to use the money towards her china set instead. I told her that she was being tacky but she dug herself deep into that hole. Then she felt guilty. She blamed me for making her feel guilty but that just rolled right off.
2. I spent half an hour on the phone with Capitaine le Vomi. He called me after lunch and we chatted about the usual randomness. Honestly, I can't figure out that guy. Perhaps I shouldn't try. Friends it is, until he notifies me otherwise.
3. Received a text message from The Crush. He has been sick for most of the week since his client's funeral. We went back and forth a bit during dinner when I finally got fed up and told him I would call him after dinner. He sent a cryptic message and I replied with "okay so I shouldn't call you?" He sent another cryptic message and I lost my patience. Told him that he was the one playing games with me, that I was turning my phone off for the remainder of dinner and would call him afterward if he was lucky. I didn't. Sent him a text to find out if he needed anything and told him to feel better soon. Poor guy has to be at work at 8 am. But really, I'm tired of his indecisive crap as well. Friends, until he notifies me otherwise.
One thing that really did not make me happy was finding out at 5 pm that three drilling jobs scheduled for next week have been canceled. I had planned to work all next weekend and they were going to pay for my VISA bill and Montreal trip. I hate when that happens.
Oh well, more food tomorrow. I'm attempting a new apple crumble recipe for Baby's Christmas dinner. Hopefully it doesn't suck.
1. I finally got to have my belated birthday dinner at our favourite all-you-can-eat sushi place. I attempted to eat myself catatonic but failed. I am now just bloated from raging hormones and excessive salt intake. It was totally worth it though. Baby was obnoxiously rude today which really tried my patience but that will soon pass. I just hope our two friends aren't too annoyed that she told them she was going to return their wedding gift because she could get it free on points and is planning to use the money towards her china set instead. I told her that she was being tacky but she dug herself deep into that hole. Then she felt guilty. She blamed me for making her feel guilty but that just rolled right off.
2. I spent half an hour on the phone with Capitaine le Vomi. He called me after lunch and we chatted about the usual randomness. Honestly, I can't figure out that guy. Perhaps I shouldn't try. Friends it is, until he notifies me otherwise.
3. Received a text message from The Crush. He has been sick for most of the week since his client's funeral. We went back and forth a bit during dinner when I finally got fed up and told him I would call him after dinner. He sent a cryptic message and I replied with "okay so I shouldn't call you?" He sent another cryptic message and I lost my patience. Told him that he was the one playing games with me, that I was turning my phone off for the remainder of dinner and would call him afterward if he was lucky. I didn't. Sent him a text to find out if he needed anything and told him to feel better soon. Poor guy has to be at work at 8 am. But really, I'm tired of his indecisive crap as well. Friends, until he notifies me otherwise.
One thing that really did not make me happy was finding out at 5 pm that three drilling jobs scheduled for next week have been canceled. I had planned to work all next weekend and they were going to pay for my VISA bill and Montreal trip. I hate when that happens.
Oh well, more food tomorrow. I'm attempting a new apple crumble recipe for Baby's Christmas dinner. Hopefully it doesn't suck.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Milestone passed
Is it pathetic that I was sad that I had nobody to help me carry balloons, birthday cake and leftovers up from the underground parking today? I found it overwhelming to be the centre of attention at my birthday "party". On top of having to control my temper with my mother and failing miserably at that early in the evening, being inhibited by her presence was just exhausting. But I am very touched that three of my girlfriends went to such efforts on a Monday evening. I had pink balloons, pink cake and a gift card for the mall. I am debating actually purchasing this outfit.
Okay the website is taking forever. Let's just say it's an outrageously HAWT pant suit. Yes people, I said a pant suit. The pants and the top are actually attached! The thing is, I put it on and looked totally smoking. I am thinking of spending $140 I don't have on the damn thing. I had to walk over to the men's section of the store to have my ass scanned as the bar code had fallen off and every single male head turned to stare. That has never happened to me before. Two guys walked by and said "that's beautiful". That has happened before though ;)
So I walked away knowing that it would still be there tomorrow. I might go to a different store to visit it again. Maybe take a friend.
Other than that, the day was relatively uneventful. I went to pick up my gift from the Government of Ontario. They charged me $134 for my vehicle registration renewal which was charming. I must remember to put the sticker on next time I drive my car. Then I came home after much fruitless shopping for a not-black dress for Baby's wedding (her mother is superstitious so I thought I would make an effort to at least look for another dress). Talked to X on the phone for a while about Halloween, weddings and random crap.
Tomorrow I really must pretend to work on my thesis. Pilates class in the evening is followed by a "meet" - I am no longer referring to them as dates - with another random PoF guy. We talked on the phone and he sounded normal. Not that that's an indication of anything, clearly. Also, one of the guys from Saturday night sent me a fb message. Yay the miracle worked! But it was the cute one, not the chemical one. Sigh. Oh well, it's early yet in dating time right? Maybe he'll reach out later in the week.
Just got an email from my former Valentine. Do normal people consider 256 a nice round number? Hell yes! I must come up with a new name for him.
Okay the website is taking forever. Let's just say it's an outrageously HAWT pant suit. Yes people, I said a pant suit. The pants and the top are actually attached! The thing is, I put it on and looked totally smoking. I am thinking of spending $140 I don't have on the damn thing. I had to walk over to the men's section of the store to have my ass scanned as the bar code had fallen off and every single male head turned to stare. That has never happened to me before. Two guys walked by and said "that's beautiful". That has happened before though ;)
So I walked away knowing that it would still be there tomorrow. I might go to a different store to visit it again. Maybe take a friend.
Other than that, the day was relatively uneventful. I went to pick up my gift from the Government of Ontario. They charged me $134 for my vehicle registration renewal which was charming. I must remember to put the sticker on next time I drive my car. Then I came home after much fruitless shopping for a not-black dress for Baby's wedding (her mother is superstitious so I thought I would make an effort to at least look for another dress). Talked to X on the phone for a while about Halloween, weddings and random crap.
Tomorrow I really must pretend to work on my thesis. Pilates class in the evening is followed by a "meet" - I am no longer referring to them as dates - with another random PoF guy. We talked on the phone and he sounded normal. Not that that's an indication of anything, clearly. Also, one of the guys from Saturday night sent me a fb message. Yay the miracle worked! But it was the cute one, not the chemical one. Sigh. Oh well, it's early yet in dating time right? Maybe he'll reach out later in the week.
Just got an email from my former Valentine. Do normal people consider 256 a nice round number? Hell yes! I must come up with a new name for him.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Happy birthday me!
I was going to reply to GH's previous comment but I decided this thought merited a post.
It has taken me years to get to my present mental state. The two hardest lessons I have learned as a single, independent woman are:
1. Don't give a crap what most people think. It's a total waste of time. Just let it go. I was fortunate enough to get a ticket when the Dalai Lama visited Vancouver and his presence was phenomenal. I learned that emotions and feelings are normal and natural. What we choose to do with them, however, is completely within our own control. Therefore, in order to control your actions, you must accept your emotions, acknowledge them and understand them before you can let them go. As a corollary to this, I have also learned that we are often our own harshest critic and most damning judge. It's a lot less effort to be less hard on yourself.
2. Happiness is intertwined with my outlook on life. Okay, that was inside a fortune cookie I got many years ago. But I have learned that happiness is as simple as a conscious decision to just be happy. It was a difficult lesson to learn and I really resisted it in the beginning. And that's not to say I'm happy all the time. Clearly if you read my blog, you will know that isn't the case. But overall, I am happier now than I was in 2004. Back then, I didn't even know I wasn't happy.
Finally, on a somewhat unrelated note, to my dear American friends, it is officially my birthday. I don't ask for much. In fact, normally I ask for nothing. But this year, I would really like a Democrat in the White House. I'm too hungover and tired to articulate my reasons. Is it enough to say that gut instinct tells me this is what North America needs right now? Can I just ask for that because it would make me happy?
It has taken me years to get to my present mental state. The two hardest lessons I have learned as a single, independent woman are:
1. Don't give a crap what most people think. It's a total waste of time. Just let it go. I was fortunate enough to get a ticket when the Dalai Lama visited Vancouver and his presence was phenomenal. I learned that emotions and feelings are normal and natural. What we choose to do with them, however, is completely within our own control. Therefore, in order to control your actions, you must accept your emotions, acknowledge them and understand them before you can let them go. As a corollary to this, I have also learned that we are often our own harshest critic and most damning judge. It's a lot less effort to be less hard on yourself.
2. Happiness is intertwined with my outlook on life. Okay, that was inside a fortune cookie I got many years ago. But I have learned that happiness is as simple as a conscious decision to just be happy. It was a difficult lesson to learn and I really resisted it in the beginning. And that's not to say I'm happy all the time. Clearly if you read my blog, you will know that isn't the case. But overall, I am happier now than I was in 2004. Back then, I didn't even know I wasn't happy.
Finally, on a somewhat unrelated note, to my dear American friends, it is officially my birthday. I don't ask for much. In fact, normally I ask for nothing. But this year, I would really like a Democrat in the White House. I'm too hungover and tired to articulate my reasons. Is it enough to say that gut instinct tells me this is what North America needs right now? Can I just ask for that because it would make me happy?
Friday, October 31, 2008
Lovestoned
Last Friday night, Grey and I danced in his living room to the Tiesto remix of JT's Lovestoned and now I can't stop listening to it. He's got me lovestoned and I think that he knows...
Mom arrived today. She behaved herself. Any bets on how long that will last? Plans for this weekend including handing out Halloween candy at Baby and Delorean's house tomorrow night. Out with the mutual friend (me and Grey's) on Saturday night - dare I hope she will introduce me to a new, not-so-eligible bachelor? And then dinner with the mother and in-laws on Sunday night. Monday is my birthday. As much as I wanted to lie on the couch in my pjs watching TV and eating leftover fondue, I guess I had to know that I would never be allowed to do that. So, I'm reluctantly celebrating my First Annual 40th Birthday Bash with my mother, in-laws and three high school friends, including two of the girls from Saturday night. Overkill? I think so.
Those flashing lights come from everywhere
The way they hit her I just stop and stare.
Mom arrived today. She behaved herself. Any bets on how long that will last? Plans for this weekend including handing out Halloween candy at Baby and Delorean's house tomorrow night. Out with the mutual friend (me and Grey's) on Saturday night - dare I hope she will introduce me to a new, not-so-eligible bachelor? And then dinner with the mother and in-laws on Sunday night. Monday is my birthday. As much as I wanted to lie on the couch in my pjs watching TV and eating leftover fondue, I guess I had to know that I would never be allowed to do that. So, I'm reluctantly celebrating my First Annual 40th Birthday Bash with my mother, in-laws and three high school friends, including two of the girls from Saturday night. Overkill? I think so.
Those flashing lights come from everywhere
The way they hit her I just stop and stare.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Single ladies make some noise
Sometimes, when I'm out with my girlfriends, my phone will ring and I'll say "I wonder who's calling me; all my friends are here." I'm only half joking.
Tonight, I was out with one of my ex-coworkers and a classmate. We were celebrating her 30th with dinner, martinis and dancing. While we were on the dance floor, her purse vibrated so she checked her phone and said the same thing. And it occurred to me that I have quite a number of girlfriends who I didn't realize were girlfriends. There were six of us out tonight and I have worked with five of them. The sixth is in the industry and it is a small, incestuous one. The stuff that went down six years ago at the small company I used to work for is legend. Tonight, the sixth girl was suitably in awe that I was so closely tied to that debauchery. I digress.
I thought I was out with former and current coworkers. But it turns out I was out with girlfriends. I don't think that it's just single girls who gravitate towards me either. Granted, it's hard to be single in your thirties and us single ladies do tend to bond quickly. It's hard work being independent and balancing work and life and still being open to meeting men and finding a relationship. It's a bit anti-feminist to admit that it would be nice to have someone else shoulder the burden once in a while. But there are married women too. I have been invited to bridal showers and weddings and baby showers by women that I didn't think I was that close to. But perhaps those women have fewer female friends so, even though I might be on the periphery, it's an important concentric circle. After all, I was looking forward to high tea this afternoon for weeks, even though I only talk to some of those ladies once every couple of weeks.
So, married, single, mothers, coworkers... it all becomes irrelevant. It's about the female connection. I wasn't planning for this kind of a weekend. That makes this a very good weekend, pending post dim sum Sunday sex with Grey aside. (And, at this rate of sleeplessness, my performance will be distinctly sub par).
Last night, I was out with friends. This afternoon, I was out with friends. This evening, I was out with friends. I'm a lucky girl.
Tonight, I was out with one of my ex-coworkers and a classmate. We were celebrating her 30th with dinner, martinis and dancing. While we were on the dance floor, her purse vibrated so she checked her phone and said the same thing. And it occurred to me that I have quite a number of girlfriends who I didn't realize were girlfriends. There were six of us out tonight and I have worked with five of them. The sixth is in the industry and it is a small, incestuous one. The stuff that went down six years ago at the small company I used to work for is legend. Tonight, the sixth girl was suitably in awe that I was so closely tied to that debauchery. I digress.
I thought I was out with former and current coworkers. But it turns out I was out with girlfriends. I don't think that it's just single girls who gravitate towards me either. Granted, it's hard to be single in your thirties and us single ladies do tend to bond quickly. It's hard work being independent and balancing work and life and still being open to meeting men and finding a relationship. It's a bit anti-feminist to admit that it would be nice to have someone else shoulder the burden once in a while. But there are married women too. I have been invited to bridal showers and weddings and baby showers by women that I didn't think I was that close to. But perhaps those women have fewer female friends so, even though I might be on the periphery, it's an important concentric circle. After all, I was looking forward to high tea this afternoon for weeks, even though I only talk to some of those ladies once every couple of weeks.
So, married, single, mothers, coworkers... it all becomes irrelevant. It's about the female connection. I wasn't planning for this kind of a weekend. That makes this a very good weekend, pending post dim sum Sunday sex with Grey aside. (And, at this rate of sleeplessness, my performance will be distinctly sub par).
Last night, I was out with friends. This afternoon, I was out with friends. This evening, I was out with friends. I'm a lucky girl.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Warning
When I was little, I performed Jenny Joseph's poem, "When I am an old woman, I shall wear purple". I won a prize*. I imagine much of the appeal was having the poem recited by a precocious eleven year old in a school uniform.
When I was in my early 20s, I used to say often that I would rather be old and wise than young and stupid. I still feel that way. And I think I'm getting there. Sort of like cheese. Or wine. Or Scotch.
Today, I decided that I will celebrate my 40th birthday this year and for the next 9 years until I actually turn 40. Then I'll pick another great number.
*I also won a prize for Charles Causley's "Colonel Fazackerley Butterworth Toast".
When I was in my early 20s, I used to say often that I would rather be old and wise than young and stupid. I still feel that way. And I think I'm getting there. Sort of like cheese. Or wine. Or Scotch.
Today, I decided that I will celebrate my 40th birthday this year and for the next 9 years until I actually turn 40. Then I'll pick another great number.
*I also won a prize for Charles Causley's "Colonel Fazackerley Butterworth Toast".
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Yesterday was my 30th birthday
This should be an important and meaningful post but it won't be. I'm tired which is great for a Sunday night. So I'm going to take advantage and go to bed soon.
I turned 30 yesterday. I'm pretty excited to be 30-something. I've been saying for years "I'd rather be old and wise than young and stupid". I think I've been ready for my thirties for a few years now. I wonder if my early 30s will be remarkably different from my late 30s in terms of perspective and how I see the world. I hope so. I hope I can finally learn to be happy. Beyond that, I have goals but nothing specific in terms of personal development or emotional growth. It's probably best to approach this decade open-minded. The 20s were good - I did things I never imagined I was capable of doing - and I hope the 30s will be great.
Onto more immediate thoughts. I spent the weekend with the mysterious guy. I am going to start thinking of a name for this blog. On Friday night, I had sushi with my closest friends in Toronto which was nice. A small manageable group after all of the planning. Saturday morning, I got a french manicure. I feel like such a girl. Then pizza lunch with X which was nice, if brief. Many phone calls and emails and facebook birthday wishes which was overwhelming and wonderful. Finally, the mysterious guy cooked me dinner and we watched License to Wed which was surprisingly funny. Today we went to the Royal Winter Fair and watched Evan Almighty and lots of TV. It was a really great weekend.
He was nice to me and was clearly keeping the sarcasm in check which was refreshing. We didn't talk about anything and, to be honest, I don't particularly feel like having that conversation just yet. Bedtime.
I turned 30 yesterday. I'm pretty excited to be 30-something. I've been saying for years "I'd rather be old and wise than young and stupid". I think I've been ready for my thirties for a few years now. I wonder if my early 30s will be remarkably different from my late 30s in terms of perspective and how I see the world. I hope so. I hope I can finally learn to be happy. Beyond that, I have goals but nothing specific in terms of personal development or emotional growth. It's probably best to approach this decade open-minded. The 20s were good - I did things I never imagined I was capable of doing - and I hope the 30s will be great.
Onto more immediate thoughts. I spent the weekend with the mysterious guy. I am going to start thinking of a name for this blog. On Friday night, I had sushi with my closest friends in Toronto which was nice. A small manageable group after all of the planning. Saturday morning, I got a french manicure. I feel like such a girl. Then pizza lunch with X which was nice, if brief. Many phone calls and emails and facebook birthday wishes which was overwhelming and wonderful. Finally, the mysterious guy cooked me dinner and we watched License to Wed which was surprisingly funny. Today we went to the Royal Winter Fair and watched Evan Almighty and lots of TV. It was a really great weekend.
He was nice to me and was clearly keeping the sarcasm in check which was refreshing. We didn't talk about anything and, to be honest, I don't particularly feel like having that conversation just yet. Bedtime.
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