a letter to my younger self

A few words I would share with my younger self:

Your dreams of having a family will come true, so don't fret. Don't cry with each passing month when you get a crimson reminder that your dreams are on hold. It'll be a long road, full of potholes, but you will get there. And when you do, you will no longer sit in any judgement of your parents. You will see them for who they are: two people, trying their best. You will understand the depth of their love for you because you would lie down in front of a train to protect your own child.

Your first impression of a very tall boy you meet at a birthday party will be spot on. He will be your life's greatest discovery.

Don't slouch. Find your voice. Believe in yourself and what you are capable of. This will be your life's greatest struggle but with each passing year you get a little louder and a little taller.

Your friends will show you who they are and they will be incredible finds. Tell them how much you love them. You will lose one of your most treasured friends tragically, but will carry some solace knowing your last words to him were "love you."

Don't get that perm.

The older you get, the more you will want to learn. You will never know it all, even when you are a teenager.

Don't try so hard to fit in. Celebrate your quirks, they will set you apart.

Don't let the behaviour of others get you down. What you would do and what someone else chooses to do will often be two different things. And that is okay. Just don't waste your energy and time on those who don't give you theirs in return.

Don't worry about making mistakes. You will learn more from them than anything else.

Travel as much as you can, it will ignite your deepest passion.

The only person who ever makes you feel "less than" is you.

For the love of god, buy stocks as soon as you hear the words: starbucks, apple and google.

I like to move it move it

A little smile for your Monday. 

what you might not know about me....

I am currently taking Susannah Conway's delicious Blogging from the heart e-course. It's a wonderful mix of writing prompts, interviews, videos and a network of women who share the same passion for creativity. Here's a little peek into things you might not know about me for friends and classmates alike:

I got pregnant naturally last year with our daughter Stella, even though my doctor told me I only had a 5% chance

Coffee and q-tips are my biggest addictions

I built houses in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina struck

I value humour and kindness above all other traits

My passion for photography was born while travelling through Africa 5 years ago

I believe actions always speak louder than words

My husband is the funniest person i know

I am painfully shy but am not afraid of public speaking

I have done contemporary dance on stage in an auditorium

I am trying to let go of my expectations of others

My drink of choice is bourbon and coke

I haven't had beef for 15 years

I will always value brains over beauty

I was a reporter

I have belly danced at a greek restaurant

I have somehow collected the greatest circle of friends

I camped in the Masai Mara with a lion outside our tent

I was adopted

Status symbols and vanity don't impress me

Nature is my religion and protecting animals is my charity of choice

I crawled through a cave tunnel on my belly that was only one and a half feet tall

I have skinny dipped in a pool, hot tub and the ocean

I will always have crushes on people who make me laugh

renewal

Spring has arrived. I am PUMPED. After what feels like five months of hibernation (with the waistline to prove it), it's nice to feel change finally upon us. I love taking stock and setting new goals in the Spring. Is there anything you are excited about this season? We have limited space in our home so I use this time to go through my winter clothes, donate what didn't get worn and store the rest away in plastic tubs. I love re-organizing my closet, setting it up with spring/summer clothes and seeing what still works, which given this post baby body, will be no small feat! I also love to re-arrange the furniture in my home at this time, to give the space a new feeling. Sometimes a simple fresh coat of paint, a new picture or some new cushions can jazz up a room. (Cue eye roll. I think whenever I come home with new cushions my hubs gives me the same "what exactly is the purpose of those" look). This Spring, I am also going to extend my spring cleaning to this blog. I started this site two years ago, and as time changes, so do I. I want to update the look of it and freshen up the style (ie - find some!). The changes will be subtle, as I am technically challenged, just ask any member of our IT department at work if you need confirmation. Here are a few things I'm excited about (aside from the return of actual sunshine):

-Weekend getaways

-outdoor concerts

-Camping

-Yoga classes with my baby

-Trying this photo a day challenge for April

-seeing this movie

-learning a new sport: Paddle Boarding

What's in your sights for Spring?

serenity now

This little moment of serenity was taken in Steveston yesterday. I thought you'd enjoy a peaceful image as your busy week kicks off. 

Happy St. Paddy's Day!

a few thoughts on friendship

Yesterday I dropped my little girl off at mom's house and headed south for a two hour drive to Seattle to see the two lovely faces pictured above. In the morning I had a few heart palpitations. Was I ready to spend a whole day apart from my baby? Did I remember to pack everything she needs? Did I go over every painstaking detail with my mom? (Note: My mom is in fact a mom in her own right and did her best not to roll her eyes repeatedly as I, newbie/annoying mom gave her a lengthy list of painfully obvious instructions. "Okay dear, so when she poops she gets a diaper, got it.") But as soon as I was on the highway, mega coffee in hand, music cranked, I thought, I can do this. I should do this. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't completely transported back to my independent self. I had a mini photo album of my baby in my purse, you know, just in case the border guard had a few moments to spare.  As soon as I saw my friend's faces, I knew I had made the right choice by going. They had a fun filled day planned for us: brunch, shopping, pedicures, my favourite triathlon. I didn't realize how long it had been since I had taken time out, just for me. The whole day felt like such an amazing treat. (Except to the poor woman who handled my feet during the pedicure. She couldn't report her day as being a treat. She is probably still curled up in a ball somewhere, trying to find her happy place after seeing my gnarled feet). I really value any facetime I get with friends these days. People have to be special for me to dedicate time away from my family and these women are, and then some. What does friendship mean to you? Do you have friends for different aspects of your life? Friends you play sports with, friends you work with, friends you double date with, friends you travel with, friends you drink with, friends you share hobbies with, friends you really open up with? Do you have a big circle of friends who know you a little or a small select few who know you a lot? Do you let them know the real you, flaws and all? When it comes down to it, I think it's pretty simple: you cheer one another on while you shape your own lives, you lend each other a hand when someone falls down and you appreciate that somehow, somewhere, your paths intersected. When I drove home later that evening, I was greeted by my little girl's smiling face and I hugged her with all my might. I felt like she was getting a rejuvenated momma with, let's face it, toes she no longer has to fear.