Happy Holidays!

Christmas cookies
that my boyfriend and I made!

Happy Holidays to everyone!  Personally I celebrate Christmas - so Merry Christmas! :)

What are your plans for the holidays?  Today, I'm just spending some time with my family and then my dad's family as well.  Then tomorrow, my family is visiting my mom's family for a Christmas dinner.  Lots of food and lots of company!  Hah!

I'm really only at my parents for a couple days, so hopefully I get a chance to actually spent time with them (and my sister) and hopefully we aren't rushing all over the place all the time.  I'm hoping to relax, since I haven't really in the past few days!

Tell me how your Christmas / holidays / break is going!  What are your plans?  Anything exciting?

Eight Ways To Survive Family Christmas

1. Take up drinking. A lot of it. And in a short period of time.
2. Ask for a handheld video game for Christmas. You may be playing with it all day.
3. Go for a walk. Get lost. Call your parents and ask them to come find you. Stay hidden for a couple hours.
4. Insist that you need to practice for your upcoming school concert. Choose opera.
5. Get everyone gag gifts. And use them constantly throughout the day.
6. Send your parents on a scavenger hunt for their gift. Make it at least an hour. Then give them a dollar store gift.
7. Forget everyone’s name. Introduce your grandpa as your girlfriend. Talk about how much your memory has improved.
8. Fake an injury. Spend the day in ER. Well, it’s a good way to get uninvited for next year.

Living With Parents

How long do you think it is still 'okay' to live with parents?  Obviously, yes, it is different from person to person.  But what do you think makes it okay to live with your parents for longer?  When is it really time to move out?

Personally, I went to university at age 17.  I lived with my parents for the two summers in between.  But I didn't live with my parents when I was at post secondary school.  I didn't live with them once I graduated either.  I was able to support myself.  Just barely, but I could do it.  I don't intend to move back in with them unless I have hit rock bottom ... Even more than I already have!

I know some people who are 25 or 26 ... Still living with their parents.  Maybe it is smart of them, they can save up lots of money.  Especially because the people that I know have full time jobs. imagine making $30,000 a year and not having to pay rent, food, and all that.  Maybe they are the smart ones after all!

I guess it depends on the person.  I need my independence.  It isn't like I hate my parents, but I do hate living with them (it was like torture!).  I like being my own adult.  They can come up and visit me, that's pretty cool, always nice to see them.  But not to live with them.  I need to be on my own.  I don't think that I should be relying on them for everything.  I need to be making my own food, cleaning my whole house, dealing with normal things (ex. mouse infestation), and making normal decisions.

Sometimes it is difficult, but I really do enjoy it.  Growing up is important.   I'd rather do it now than later.  Yeah, I have a lot more responsibilities, but I find it is a lot more fun as well.  I mean, I don't have a curfew or as many rules.  I can have my friends stay over anytime.  My boyfriend doesn't have to sleep in another room.  Heck, I'm allowed to kiss him!  I can listen to my type of music whenever I want.  I just don't want to give up these benefits!

Living on your own at a young age is, of course, a challenge.  But I think it is worthwhile to grow up and not have to rely on your parents for everything.  Personally, it is working out for me anyway.

Christmas Shopping!

It's that time of year again.  I'll admit, I've done most of my Christmas shopping already (okay, they are almost all wrapped and under my tree too!) but I tend to get over excited about things.  Many people have yet to start.  I'd like to start off by giving some ideas for your Christmas shopping!

1. Thinkgeek: http://www.thinkgeek.com/
There are tons of random but cool things on this site like:
Electronic Butterfly in a Jar - http://www.thinkgeek.com/geektoys/cubegoodies/e70c/?pfm=homepage_Featured_7_e70c
LED Jellyfish Mood Lamp (I would LOVE this!) - http://www.thinkgeek.com/homeoffice/lights/9a8c/
Glow in the Dark Odd Pods Cacti Pals -  http://www.thinkgeek.com/clearance/on-sale/c6e4/
Tetris Link - http://www.thinkgeek.com/geektoys/e7f3/

2. Zazzle
Canada: http://www.zazzle.ca/
US: http://www.zazzle.com/
You can browse tons of designs or create your own.  You can do t-shirts, mugs, ornaments, posters ... all sorts of things!
Canada deal: free shipping on orders over $35 with code ZAZZLEFREE35 (ends December 8)
US deal: 15% off all orders and free shipping on orders over $50 with code DECDELIGHT15

3.Amazon
Canada: http://www.amazon.ca/
US: http://www.amazon.com/
Canadian amazon isn't really the greatest.  However US amazon ships to Canada for some items.  Which is nice.
Anyway, they have a variety of items for pretty much anyone on there!  Computers, books, sports equipment, kids toys, posters, kitchen items, pet supplies.  I find that amazon has something for everyone!  I have made plenty of purchases on amazon including: spice rack, poster, watch, workout videos, and more.

Here are some other ideas:
- hoodies
- t-shirts
- tickets to a concert, show, or event
- gift certificate to a nice restaurant
- gift certificate to receiver's favourite store
- posters
- plant
- basket of assorted fruits or chocolates or nuts
- baked goods (always delicious!)
- books
- shower gel / body lotion

I've found that online shopping is very nice around this time of the year, considering it is so busy in the stores.  But some people love the rush of the stores during this season.

Best of luck for all your Christmas shopping!

I'll Show You Beautiful

This video is wonderful.  So many people are bullied.  For not being enough of something.  Not looking good, not acting the right way, not doing something, not being smart enough.  Everyone is different.  Accept others for who they are.  Love the person that you are.

Another Happy List!

I apparently missed updating last Monday.  I was sooo tired that day.  I thought I had scheduled a post but I guess not.  Oh well.  Anyway, I've felt the need to make another "happy list" aka reasons to be happy about life.

1. My job is amazing.  I don't dread going to work (unless it's at 9 a.m. ... I'm not a morning person) and I love being there.
2. I'm getting paid more than minimum wage and I can ALWAYS make my rent.
3. I really enjoy my apartment - it's spacious and cute and comfortable.
4. I just got my hamster a new cage and it's larger and has more things to do in it - I think she'll be really happy with it.
5. My hamster is the most adorable thing in the world.
6. I have an awesome boyfriend who is always awesome.
7. I was not feeling very great last week but I've been feeling a lot better today and yesterday.
8. I got some awesome Black Friday deals!
9. I'm pretty much done my Christmas shopping (I love Christmas shopping).
10. I'm excited about staying meat-free ... although I miss meat ... I know it's a really good thing for me to do!
11. I got a new computer about a month ago (I've been needing one for a while) and it is gorgeous.
12. Christmas is in less than a month which means I get to go visit my family for a couple days.
13. I got to see fireworks today.
14. I watched a couple episodes of The Big Bang Theory today ... and I forgot how absolutely hilarious it is!
15. I have super awesome friends and family!

Tell me some positives in your life!

My Family's Approval

I think I try too hard to get my family to like me, or at least approve of me.  I have no problems with friends or other people.  You don't like me?  Oh well, it's all good, I will find someone who does.

But with my family, it is different.  I am the oldest of two daughters.  My sister is obviously the favourite.  She's successful in sports, something that I've never been good at.  She's smart (academically) but I was too.  I'm actually a lot smarter than her for the most part.  (Not to brag but I'm a 90 student and she's an 80 student.)   But I also worked hard and it paid off.

I've also always had more mature friends.  In high school, I hung out with the smarter kids.  It was nice because we could talk on the same level and stuff.  And we understood that getting an 80 on an assignment was disappointing!  But we did other things too.  We had campfires, pool parties, slumber parties, move nights, etc.  We would talk about boys and play goofy games.  Now, my friends are mature in a different way.  Common interests and same feelings on life.  I'm only 20 years old but most of my friends are at least a couple years older.  My sister, on the other hand, hangs around with a group of immature and weird girls.  They don't date, I don't think any of them have kissed a guy.  And they just do immature things and insult everyone.  It is just immature and annoying!  Yet my parents hate the idea of my friends (they haven't even met them) and love my sister's friends!

My parents seem to hate my way of life.  They insult me and my life at any chance they get.  I think that being loving and trusting is the way to be.  I trust everyone, I love people, and I try to be the best person I can be.  I want others to be happy, not just myself.  They just make fun of me for that and I'm not sure why.  I guess they like my sister's mean and negative attitude.

I am always trying to 'earn their approval'.  I try and impress them by making dinner.  I show them cute pictures of my hamster.  I tell them about my successes.  But it doesn't really phase them.  It still seems like I'm not good enough.

I try my best at everything, I always want to be the best, I'm scared of not being the best!  I think it kind of boils down to trying so hard to get my family's approval.

Blogs I Like Vs. Blogs I Don't Like

Obviously, if I comment on your blog, I like it.  But there are certain characteristics to blogs that make me like them or not like them.

1. Short blog posts.
I like posts to be longer than a couple sentences.  But ones that take me (what feels like) forever to read ... I don't enjoy it.  I just skip past it.  Usually I'll give a blog a few posts before I decide if they are too long.  The occasional "long" blog is cool.  But not all of them!

2. Good content!
This is different for everyone, but the content has to be interesting.  Stories about ... say ... woodworking.  I don't have an interest in woodworking at all, so I'm probably not going to check it out.  But if it has to do with one of my interests (baking, cats, music, friends, etc.) then there is a good chance I will read it.

3. A reason to comment.
If there is a question at the end, or a reason to comment, or even just a thought provoking blog post ... then I am more inclined to comment at the end of the post.

4. No music.
Music playing in the background drives me crazy.  Because it's probably music I don't like.  Not that I won't give it a chance ... I probably would.  But I'd rather click a link than have it automatically play.  I almost always have music playing off of my computer.  It drives me crazy when some other song goes overtop of my music!  It's cool if I decide to click on a link ... then I can pause my music and listen to another song ... but it is not cool when something automatically plays.

5. Not going overboard on the design.
A slow loading page is very annoying.  Having a classic, simple design without too much "stuff" there is my favourite!

6. Someone who responds back.
If you comment on my blogs, I will certainly comment back on yours!

7. Including pictures.
I don't have many pictures on mine ... unfortunately.  But having a few small pictures throughout your blog is really nice.  It adds to it.  There is such thing as too many pictures.  But a couple small ones are nice.

8. One topic per post.
Having like five different stories in one post is overwhelming.  If you have five different topics ... just make five different posts!  Why not?  It makes it easier to read ... and then the reader can stick with which posts he or she want to read.  Reading a jumble of posts in one post can be confusing and not very fun.

October 2011 Best Songs

I have missed a couple months ... but I'm back at it!  Okay here are my favourite songs for the month.

1. Chocolate Pumas and Firebeatz - Go Bang
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2z3diZNNHo
Another great song for dancing.  Anytime I hear it, I have to get up and dance!  Wooo!  My current favourite song, by far!

2. Invisible Reality - Mysterious loppan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BF9ynYF2NFI&feature=youtu.be
Different type of music ... but I love this song ... you definitely have to check it out if you want something different!!

3. Alex Kenji and Frederico Scavo - Get Funky
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGmTC-pHpww
Another one of those songs.  :)  It is currently my second favourite song.  I am always ridiculously excited to hear it!

4. LMFAO - I'm Sexy And I Know It
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMMTIksFxbQ
I love this song just because it's hilarious!  I really love LMFAO ... they are so unique and fun!  I've actually seen them twice!  I saw them at Summer Rush 2010 (first time I was at a concert).  Then one day, I was just walking home from work, and I saw them at Much Music ... I just walked by and saw them performing so I went to see them ... it was amazing!!  They are also coming to the place that I work in a few weeks ... oh yeah!

5. Florence and The Machine, Mark Knight Remix, You've Got The Love
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QY3rrKnZ58k
This was my favourite song for like ... a month.  Now I'm finally no longer obsessed with it but I still love it.  It really "starts" at one minute and 45 seconds.  I'm not really into the intro.  I don't even know what the intro sounds like.  My boyfriend has been like ... hey it's your favourite song ... if we hear it at a club or something ... and I don't know until it actually "starts".  Anyway ... awesome song!!

Recipe: Banana Bread

Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups flour

Banana bread

1 cup sugar
3 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
3 tbsp salad oil
3/4 cup milk
1 cup mashed bananas (about 2-3 medium bananas)
1 egg


Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 F.  Grease and flour 9 x 5 x 3" loaf pan.
Measure all ingredients into large mixing bowl.  Beat on medium for 1/2 minute, scraping sides and bottom constantly.
Pour into pan.
Bake for 55 - 65minutes or until a wooden pick comes out clean.
Remove from pan and cool completely before slicing.

Suggestions:
Adding 1/2 cup - 1 cup of chocolate chips makes a delicious chocolate chip banana bread as well!

Being Secure

I used to be so insecure about myself.  If I was at home by myself, I'd think I was uncool and I should be with friends, like at a party or something.  Or I'd be self conscious about what I was wearing.  Maybe I should be showing more, or less ... either way.  But it is all the same thing, being insecure, self conscious, whatever.

It finally changed when I moved into the city.  Finally I had options.  I had things to do all the time.  I could go out whenever I wanted.  Tuesday night?  Wednesday night?  It doesn't matter, there is something I could be doing!  And now, even if I don't necessarily have someone to go with (say friends are away, boyfriend isn't around, whatever), I can still do something and I don't feel like a loser so much!

Now I feel comfortable turning down invitations instead of thinking 'this might be the only thing I can go to'.  Because there will be many more opportunities.

In fact, I'm finally comfortable staying home on a Friday night - by myself!  If I'm too tired or something, why can't I just stay home, watch a movie, relax, and go to bed early?  If for some reason I feel like going out, I can always just head out whenever, the buses and subway run forever, parties run forever!

I'm just so happy that I don't have to try and impress people by going out.  I can just do what I want to do and I don't have to worry about others judging me.  I can simply enjoy myself because I am secure with myself!

Happy Birthday To Me!!

It's my 21st birthday today!  I'm super excited to see my family (including my sister who lives in Michigan now due to university) and I get to hang out with my boyfriend all day today too!  It's going to be wonderful!  My sister's birthday is in two days too, so we get to celebrate twice as many birthdays!  I'm not sure what we're going to do today but it should be decent weather anyway!

And then tonight I get to go out to a party with some of my friends - woot!  I'm so excited!

Oh, and my sister's birthday card is hilarious!  I love making birthday cards.  On the front of the card, I edited a couple pictures so it looks like my sister (instead of riding on top of a cow), is riding on top of my pet hamster!  What can I say, I'm weird like that, but I know she will love it and think it is hilarious!  I may edit out her face and post the picture sometime though, it is too funny!

:)

One Month "No Meat" Challenge

I'm about three weeks into the "no meat" challenge.  My boyfriend and I decided to do this and try and live a "healthier" lifestyle this way.  Basically, we stopped eating meat a few weeks ago.  October 22 (or is it 23) is the end of our "no meat" challenge.

The goal of this is that we see an end.  Giving up meat for a month ... that doesn't seem that bad, does it?  I mean, most people could do it if they set their mind to it.  Ahh, it's just a month, there is an end date, so not a big deal.  But the goal is that, by the end of the month, we will realize that it's easy and healthy to give up meat and we will not eat meat again.  However, if we notice ourselves getting unhealthy or something, we will figure out what we need to do and possibly start eating meat again.  Or even just eating meat on special occasions.

I've always loved meat, to be honest.  Mostly chicken and turkey.  My mouth is literally watering while thinking of this.  Thanksgiving (which is in mid to early October for us Canadians) was very difficult for me!  My whole family eating turkey and me ... not so much!

I've realized that I really REALLY crave meat.  A ridiculous amount.  I've tried to eat veggie burgers to satisfy my craving but that is not very successful.

There are actually a number of surprisingly good vegetarian recipes out there.  My boyfriend and I have tried making a few different "dishes" and some have been pretty successful.   It is kind of cool though, what else is out there!  I like experimenting with different recipes, I just miss the meat!

But I'm going to hold out for another week!  On my birthday though, it ends, and I guess we will see how things go then!

Birthdays!

Okay, you may have guessed it, but it is my birthday in a couple weeks!  I'm so excited about it!  Everyone always tells me that I won't be as excited about it soon enough.  I don't know though, I am excited every year.  I love a reason to celebrate, I think that's all it is.  Oh, and the attention has to be on me, hah!

Birthdays are fun.  I remember when I was younger, I'd have my classmates over to my house and we'd play games and I'd get lots of presents and we'd have "swamp water" and birthday cake!  Now I will go out with some friends to a party or club or something and then I usually have a "birthday dinner" with my boyfriend and family.  I like that it is another reason to spend time together, right?  And I'm always ridiculously happy on my birthday because, hey, it is my birthday!

What did you do for your last birthday?

Going "Home"

I hate it when people are always "when are you going home to visit your parents?"  I'm always like ... I don't go home to visit my parents ... I live at my home.  My "home" is not a place where I used to live, it's the place I currently live.  I don't even visit my parents all that often ... once every month or two.  Technically that address is my "permanent address" and the one that is on my license and stuff but that's just because I'm not staying in this location for very long and it is a pain to change addresses every few months.  So I'm not going to until I am going to stay in one place for at least a year.

That being said ... I didn't even feel "home" in that place when I lived there.  It's just not a "homey" feeling when I'm there.  It's just a miserable place!  A place where I feel awkward and just like something isn't right.  Thus why my home is the place where a) I live, and b) I feel at home.

It's almost Thanksgiving so people have been like "are you going home for Thanksgiving?".  My answer "yes I'm staying at home" meaning MY HOUSE not my parents house.

I don't even understand why people think it is "going home" because I haven't lived there for a few years.  I guess I get when I was in college / university.  But when I'm living somewhere else for a job or basically for anything that isn't school, I don't see why it isn't my home anymore!

All in all, I wouldn't visit home ... I live at home!

Some People Have Crazy Luck

So there are some people and things just "happen" to them.  I used to lead a super uneventful life.  One of my previous bosses ... things were always happening to her!  I always said to myself ... how does all this happen to her?  Most other people I knew ... "things" didn't happen to them.

What do I mean by things?  Well like ... pipes leaking, car breaking down, winning prizes, old exes coming into their lives, getting picked to go on stage, being scammed ... I don't know, just random things like that!  A combination of good and bad things.  But things that are relatively "big".

I'm pretty sure this has become me now.  Things just keep piling up!  I don't even know where to start anymore.  I can't say much here BUT I got some crazy information today.  It added to an issue that has been going on for a while.  Just more stuff to pile on to it!  Of course, it is very rushed too.  "Gotta be done asap"  Ahh, tell me about it!

Sometimes I think ... oh wouldn't it be nice to have a calm, simple life.  Excitement can be good, for sure.  I love it when it's all good, positive, exciting things.  That's nice!  BUT it never seems to work out.  When life calms down, I'm like "ahhh well isn't this unique" and then the next day something happens again!  There is never a break!

The thing is, it's not necessarily "only good" or "only bad".  There are tons of good things that happen as well as bad things!

Crazy, crazy!

Lifelong Habits

Good or bad habits ... Do you have any?

I have one that may get me made fun of!  I always HAVE TO sleep with my stuffed animal bear at night.  It will take me hours longer to get to sleep if he's not there.  If I'm sleeping somewhere else for a night, I use a blanket or pillow or something to replace him because otherwise I just can't sleep.  Even when my boyfriend is over, I still need that bear!

Another bad habit is biting my nails.  If I'm stressed or worried or anxious, I will bite my nails constantly.  I try so hard not to!  But the second I stop thinking about it, I'm biting again!

I definitely have some good habits too!  Like:
- looking both ways before crossing the road
- locking the door behind me
- putting my seat belt on in the car
- washing my hands after using the toilet

What are your habits?  Good and bad?

I've Been Busy

I've been the WORST about blogging for the past little while.  I've had some good things happen though recently.  I went through a REALLY tough time with money issues and house issues and legal issues (that weren't my fault but someone stole money from me).

BUT although it isn't all over ... I'm getting back on my feet!

I have a "real" job now.  It's part time BUT it will make enough for rent, groceries, the necessities.  My other job, which varies from month to month, will be the bonuses.  So I think it's pretty good.

I've been spending a lot of time with my boyfriend and our friends.  I have some amazing friends who I have really bonded with lately and I'm very excited about that.  I have never had really good friends but seems like I have some now which is great.

I also really love my new place.  I love having my own place.  It's a basement apartment and it's so cute.  It's nice to be able to have friends over and family over and it's all good!  My landlord lives right above me, in the actual house, which is nice because then it's always looked after and stuff.

My hamster is also super adorable!  For sure!

And I've been trying to eat really healthy.  My boyfriend has been teaching me how to use spices in cooking (I've always hated them and I don't know why).  We have made some delicious meals recently!  So amazing!  I've also started eating tofu and I'm slowly going vegetarian lol.  I have eliminated red meat from my diet (grrr I love burgers!) but I think it's for the better!  I still eat chicken and stuff like that but we are getting there!  Honestly part of it is that I have some chicken left in my freezer and I don't like things going to waste.  Really :p.

So I'm going to try and write some more blogs of substance soon! :P  Hah!  I do have some ideas, all written down, but I need to actually write them!

Hope you have all been having a great September! :)

My Goals In Life

I'm finding it difficult to figure out what I want to do with my life.  Yes, still.  Good news, I now have a better part time job.  It will pay for rent and groceries which is great.  I'm very happy about it.  But I'm still trying to figure out exactly what I want to do with my future.  I do have some ideas though.

• own my own bakery
• work in customer service for an animal shelter
• cook meals for homeless people
• get back into web design and do contract work
• go back to school for marketing (and go from there)

See, there are quite a few cool things I could do.  But they are often so different!  And the thing is, I've got interests beyond those things too!  I'm going to write a brief list of my interests

• swimming
• baking
• web design
• going out dancing
• cooking
• helping people
• sewing
• photography
• listening to music

It's so hard to figure things out!!!

Why is life so confusing?

Recipe: Chocolate Chip Cookies

This chocolate chip cookie recipe is my absolute favourite.  It never goes wrong!

Ingredients
3/4 cup margarine
1 1/4 cup brown sugar
1 egg
2 tbsp milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 3/4 cup flour
1 tsp salt
3/4 tsp baking soda
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions

1. Preheat the oven at 375°F.
2. Cream margarine and brown sugar for two minutes.
3. Add egg, milk, and vanilla and beat for one minute.
4. Add flour salt, and baking soda and beat for one minute.
5. Add chocolate chips and beat by hand.
6. Drop spoonfuls onto the baking sheet about three inches apart.  Bake at 375°F for 8 - 10 minutes.

Cookies will appear moist when baked.  Don't overcook!

It's So Hard To Be Nice

It can be "hard" to be nice.  Like, when you're not sure if you should give someone a hand.  If you're in the city and you see someone carrying some heavy bags or something ... you might want to help but you're worried about it not being acceptable or something.

But why not offer?  What's the worst that could happen?  The person you're trying to help could say no.  In that case, just move along.  You tried.

Today, I was at a fruit market.  It isn't very accessible and there was a lady in a wheelchair looking at the strawberries.  She couldn't reach them all.  All the ones she could reach had a bit of mold in them.  So I went around on the other side (which was hard for her to get to) and found her a good basket of strawberries.  It's so little to do, but so easy, and it made me feel good.

At first I was like, should I offer to help her?  I was worried that she might get upset with me or something.  Or that she'd be like "I can't do it myself!" (I've had that happen to me before.)  But finally I was just like, of course I'll help.  If she gets upset, oh well, I was trying to be nice and helpful.  And who knows, maybe next time she won't yell because she'll realize I was trying to help.  I didn't want to be embarrassed or anything but I offered.  And she said thank you to me a couple times, which made me feel good.

It's just a little thing ... but you should do those little things!  Why not?  It takes little effort on your part and could really help someone!

I think it can be hard to offer to help someone sometimes but just do it!

Recipe: Chicken Flavoured Rice

Ingredients
condensed chicken broth
two cups of rice
peas
carrots
corn
(any other vegetables you'd like)
1 egg
salt

Directions
1. Make the rice.  I usually use Minute Maid white rice and I do two cups of rice.
2. Make the scrambled eggs.  Use one or two eggs.  Don't add salt because you will be adding salt to the final recipe.  You can do scrambled eggs on the stovetop or in the microwave.
3. In a big bowl, add the rice and eggs.  Add half a cup to one cup of vegetables.  You can use fresh veggies for the best taste.  Personally, I use a pack of frozen "mixed vegetables" which includes carrots, peas, corn, and potato bits.  You can experiment and see what vegetables you like best.
4. Mix the rice, eggs, and veggies in the bowl.
5. Add about 1/4 - 1/3 of a cup of chicken broth.  Mix it up.
6. Add a sprinkle or two of salt and mix.
7. If the chicken taste is not strong enough, add more chicken broth.  You can add as much as you'd like until you get your desired flavour.

This should be enough for four to six servings.

Enjoy!!

Small Town Versus Big City

For 17 years, I lived in a small town.  By small, I mean really small.  Population of 1,000.  Yeah, it was the kind of town where you knew everyone.  The place where you'd go for a walk for exercise and ten people would offer you a ride home.  The place where it was hard to date someone you weren't related to.  That kind of place.

When I was 17, I left for college, lived in what I thought was a big city for three years.  And a few months ago, at age 20, I moved to the real "big city" aka Toronto!

The differences between small towns and big cities are very, very amusing.

One thing I've really noticed is politeness.  In a small town, you say hi to everyone, you wave to everyone, that's just how it is.  In a big city ... no one even smiles at you!  It's like everyone is hiding from you or avoiding from you.

Stop signs and pedestrian crossings are another thing.  Everyone is sooo aggressive here.  In a small town, people will be like "no you go" and let the other person go.  Especially if someone has been waiting for a while (although I guess you don't wait that long in a village).  But here, it's first come first serve!  You have to be aggressive.  I will now walk out in front of a car who is rolling, trying to start up.  But the thing is, all the other pedestrians will do the same thing.  So if I stop, I just look silly!  At first when I moved here, I was like - oh no, let the car go!  The car is anxious to go of course but it doesn't want to hit you!

The one thing that really bothers me about the city is all the beggars.  Especially the beggars who are smoking!  I will NEVER give a beggar money if he or she is smoking!  Or drinking!  When I was at college, there were a couple beggars.  None in my hometown!  But here - everywhere I go!  I do feel sorry for them.  But the fact is, I'm not making enough to give it away.  I come first.  I have to be able to pay my rent and buy groceries.  Which I can barely do.  So no, the beggars are not getting my money.  Some of them are rude too.  Like being mean to me because I'm not giving money.  It's frustrating!  Some are nice though.  There was a nice guy today - he said "have a good day" to everyone.

There are also tons of charities.  Doctors Without Borders is my least favourite.  They have stopped me so many times!  I tell them that I'm unemployed and I can't even pay rent.  Yet they still expect me to donate money to them.  No, I can't do that!  I can't just take money that I don't have!  I will never EVER donate to Doctors Without Borders.  Simply because of how persistent and annoying they are.  When I have a real job and can afford to donate to a charity, I will donate to one that a) appreciates my efforts, b) is thankful for what it gets, and c) did not harass me.

I also really enjoy being able to go grocery shopping whenever I went!  I love 24 hour grocery stores within walking distance from my house.

And transit.  So amazing here!  Going out after 10:00 p.m. was difficult in my college town because there wasn't a bus back!  And there was (of course) nothing within walking distance.  During the day, I could get anywhere.  But not at night.  Here ... I have a 24 hour streetcar outside my door.  The new place I'm living - there is a 24 hour bus that is only a 5 minute walk away (another bus just outside my door but it doesn't run all the time).  In my hometown?  You'd have to drive an hour before transit existed!  If you didn't have a vehicle, or someone who would drive you, you were out of luck!

I also feel like I fit in.  I did not feel like I fit in in my hometown.  I don't know why.  It just wasn't "me".  I didn't enjoy being there.  Perhaps because there was nothing to do.  But it sucked!  But here - always something to do!  Even walking down the street is enjoyable.

A lot of people are like "how can you enjoy Toronto?"  My question - how can you NOT enjoy Toronto?  We have parks here too, if you want to go to the park.  It's not like it's all city.  There are tons of small parks throughout downtown actually and some bigger parts outside.

All in all, I love the big city.  Sometimes it's fun to go visit my parents in my hometown.  But I can't handle it for more than a couple days!  I love the city and can tell that I am definitely the city type of girl!

PC Financial

For those of you that live in Canada, I highly recommend the bank PC Financial.  It's associated with Zehrs, Loblaws, etc.  At first, I was a bit nervous about it.  No fees and everything.  Sounded too good to be true.

But I have been using it for a few months and it's great!  They don't have actual tellers which is the "bad" part of it.  But how often do you need a teller anyway?  And if you need a teller, you can go to a CIBC bank and use them for no charge!  It's a pretty good deal.

I used to be with RBC.  Okay, I'm still "partly" with RBC.  I'm in the process of switching over.  My parents are with RBC and have been for years.  RBC is also the only bank in my hometown (or the place that my parents live).  So I can see why they are with RBC, out of convenience.  But I don't live there anymore, so what is the point for me?  RBC is nice and all but they charge you after you aren't a student anymore (so yeah, they will be charging me soon!).

You can set up different accounts (high interest saving account, tax free savings account, etc.) with PC Financial.  You can also get a credit card (Mastercard).  You also get free cheques with your no free chequing account.  You can pay your pills.  You can set up automatic payments.  All sorts of things!

The other thing is that you can deposit American cheques into the bank machines!  I get American cheques once or twice a month.  When I was with RBC, I would have to go to the teller to deposit my cheque.  Each time, they would ask me a gazillion questions about it!  It was extremely frustrating.  What's the big deal?  It always went through, no problem.  The last time I wanted to deposit a cheque, I waited in line.  The teller asked if I wanted to get an American account associated with my RBC account.  So I said sure.  She set up a time so that I could meet with someone the next day.  The next day, I went back to RBC.  Some lady clicked two buttons online and set up my American account.  I could have done it myself online!  Why didn't anyone tell me that?  I wouldn't have wasted my time going into the bank if I needed to.  Even better, I had to wait in line AGAIN to deposit my cheque!  That was the day I got a PC Financial account.  I left the bank instead of waiting in the line (at least 20 people in line and only two tellers open).  I went over to PC Financial, got an account with them, and then deposited my American cheque into the ATM there.  No problem.

All in all, if you're looking for a new bank, PC Financial is highly recommended!

For more info, check out their site at: http://www.pcfinancial.ca/

Ugh! Guys!

Okay guys, please don't take offense to this.  I don't mean all guys.  I know that there are tons of good guys out there - like my boyfriend and my guy friends.

But I am ridiculously tired of some guys!!!

I went to a party last night / this morning.  It's a Wednesday, my boyfriend lives in another town, so I go with a couple of my friends (who are married) and meet up with another friend there.  Okay, so that's all good.  I'm dancing, having a good time.

This one guy comes up and talks to me.  Now I'm a friendly, nice person, okay.  I talk to him.  He compliments me.  Okay thanks.  But compliments are usually meant for "I want you in bed" or "I want to date you" not "hey, let's be friends".  So I know this guy is into me in some way.  I mention a boyfriend.  Doesn't seem to matter to him.  He asks for my number and I give it to him (why?!? I don't know).  I eventually managed to ditch him (I had to go to the washroom).  He comes up to me about an hour later when I'm dancing and he's all like "oh I was looking for you, I just sent you a text".  I (for real) didn't check my phone so I didn't see the text.  Then he's all "oh whatcha doing tonight" "want me to come home with you?".  Ummm heck no.  But I'm so nice and don't just say that.  I'm just like uhhhh welllll.  I don't know, do guys take "uhhhh welllll" as being interested?

Eventually that guy left, I was enjoying myself.  I went to sit down for a second because I'd been dancing for a couple hours.  Another guy comes up just as I sit down and he's all like "hey why are you sitting down?" so I'm like "I'm tired" and we have this weird conversation and then I finally give in and just get up and dance.  He's asking me questions, I'm responding pleasantly.  Then he's inviting me to this afterparty at his house with lots of alcohol ... I told him I didn't drink (very true actually!).

Finally my friend comes over and I'm good.  Then another guy starts talking to me.  Ugh ugh!  Does something on me say "talk to me?!?"  I mention a boyfriend as well.  Doesn't seem like he cares.  I'm at a party, I just want to listen to the music and dance!  The third guy leaves a bit quicker than the other two which was a relief.

Then I'm standing with my two friends and this other guy goes "hey cutie, how are you doing?".  "good thanks, you?" completely unenthusiastic.  He asks me to chill with him after.  I say no I have to work early.  He says "everyone does".  I don't have to work early.  I don't have to do anything until late afternoon tomorrow, actually.  But I give up on telling people that.  He's like "can I at least have your number and we can link up?"  So I'm like "yeah sure I can give it to you."  Give him my number.  He's like "yeah I'll for sure link up with you."  Alrighty.  Oh yeah, and my friends are just laughing at me the whole time!

Night is almost done, I'm just waiting for one of my friends to go to the washroom.  The third guy comes up and asks for my number.  Okay I give it to him.

Finally, all the guys leave.  Whew!  The third guy sends me a message.

You know, the second guy seemed like the nicest one of them all.  What's with that?  Aha.  (For a friend, of course.  I don't want to date any of them!)

The thing is, I don't want to be mean.  But what do I do?  I try and mention a boyfriend.  Why can't guys a) ask about a boyfriend, and b) if you say you have a boyfriend, go away!  Now one of the guys is texting me (third one).  Oh wait, I just got a text from the fourth one.  What the heck?  I don't want to be mean!!  I like to have friends.  But I don't like those friends that always tell me how sexy, beautiful, etc. I am.  My boyfriend is awesome at that!  And I don't care that they think that!  And I know I am!

I don't want to sound like I'm "all that" or anything.  I know some people would like to have others approach them.  But what am I supposed to do?  I don't dress revealing or anything.  Well okay sometimes I do (when I'm out with my boyfriend only!).  But if I'm going out alone, I know this might happen.  I was just wearing a jeans and a tank top that covered up quite a bit!  I was wearing running shoes.  I even put my hair up in a ponytail (everyone says it looks better down).  I can't just like wear a sweater or something.  When I'm dancing, it gets hot.  I wish I had worn shorts or something but that would only make things worse.

And I don't want to just not go to parties.  I go out most of the time with my boyfriend.  But even then guys still come up to me!  I'm like, can't you see I'm with someone?!?  More so happens when I'm by myself or with other friends though.  At the one party I went to, guys would be like "who are you here with?"  Eventually I just said my boyfriend, even though he wasn't there.  But if my boyfriend isn't around ... what do I do?  Just not go to parties?  I don't want to sit at home by myself.  I want to be with my friends and I want to listen to good music and I want to dance!

I really thought these parties were different.  I guess not.  It's all about respect, happiness, love.  Not picking someone up and trying to have sex or date someone.

I seriously don't hate all guys.  I love my boyfriend.  I love (in a friendly way) my friends.  I hate guys who don't get the hint and do not listen when I say "I have a boyfriend."  Ugghhh!!  Okay, end rant!

July 2011 Top Songs

I apologize for my list being a couple days late - but here it is!

1. Katy Perry - Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlyXNRrsk4A&ob=av2e
This is such a hilarious song.  It kind of just shows what a Friday night is for high school kids and collegers.  Having fun!  I do think that this party might have gotten a bit out of control though by what was said.  And especially after watching the video, which really made me laugh!


2. Tujamo - Zora In Red
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWiG0JKqqhc
One of the club songs that I can't get enough of!  It's just so much fun to move to, to dance to!  I just love it!!

3. Chris Brown ft. Benny Benassi - Beautiful People
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2oPacPFBog
I'll be honest, I never would have seen this combination together.  But it just works!  Plus, I like the positivity of the song.  Who doesn't like a positive song?


4. Selena Gomez and The Scene - Love you Like A Love Song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgT_us6AsDg
She's so young but so talented!  I love her voice.  She's just ... captivating!  It's a slower-ish song but I still like to listen to it!

5. Barem - Kolimar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Qj42NNq8pM
Not an intense dance song but it's more of the relaxing songs that you'd hear while out.  The music is pretty cool though!

Why My Boyfriend Is Amazing

I've talked about him in a few posts but I want to really emphasize how awesome he is!  (Also he is going to read this blog sometime I'm sure hah!)  So I decided to come up with a list!

1. He gets excited for me when I have good news (even though I get ridiculously over-excited).
2. He always look after me when I need it.
3. He encourages me to eat healthy.
4. He treats me like an equal.
5. He actually listens to me.
6. I never have to feel ashamed or embarrassed about anything around him.
7. He is my common sense when I don't have any.
8. He sometimes pays for me.
9. He encourages me to follow my dreams.
10. He compliments me.
11. He often puts me as a priority.
12. He helps me out if I need it.
13. He supports me (like what I decided to do or what I want to do) especially if my family doesn't.
14. We can have intelligent conversations.
15. We have some common interests and some different interests which makes it interesting.
16. We just "get" each other.
17. He appreciates what I do for him.
18. He visits me every weekend so we can see each other.
19. He tells me that he loves me.
20. He shows me that he loves me.

Countdown To WEMF!

The countdown to WEMF is on!!!!!!  I'm so excited!!!!!!!!

You can see information for it at:
http://wemf.com/
Some amazing people will be playing there ... I am soo soo soo excited!!!!!!!!!

Recipe: Fried Rice

My fried rice in the frying pan! Just about done!

Ingredients
one chicken breast
two cups of rice
1 - 2 tbsp soya sauce
peas
carrots
3-4 eggs
milk
salt
pepper

I usually estimate with all my ingredients.  So you will figure out the amounts that work best for you in time.  But the amount in the recipe is a basic amount that will be good for your first time.

Directions
1. Make the rice.  I usually use Minute Maid white rice and I do two cups of rice.  This can be done before hand and refrigerated for a couple days if you'd like.
2. Make the scrambled eggs.  If you are using two cups of rice, I would recommend using three or four eggs.  Add a bit of milk and salt and pepper to your scrambled eggs.  This can be done earlier in the day.
3. Cook the chicken breast however you normally cook it (in the oven, fried, etc.).  This can be done earlier in the day or the day before and stored in the fridge.
4. Put some rice and scrambled eggs into a frying pan.  I often have two or three times the amount that goes in a frying pan so I either use a couple of frying pans or do them in rounds.  It is up to you.  Just make sure the ratio is good.  Like use a third of the rice and a third of the eggs.  Put a tiny bit of butter in the frying pan so it fries nicely.
5. Add some soya sauce.  1 tablespoon is good to start.  But you can add some more in later if you want a stronger taste.  Mix it up.  Mix regularly with a fork or another utensil so that the bottom does not get burned.
6. Add in some vegetables.  I usually choose carrots and peas.  Carrots can be cooked before or put in raw, depending on how you like the texture.
7. Cut up the chicken and put it in as well.
8. The amount of vegetables and chicken does not matter.  It is just how much YOU want in your fried rice!
9. Make sure you continue to move the rice around so that the bottom does not burn.  Add more soya sauce if you would like.  Usually people will include 1 - 2 tbsp of soya sauce, but it depends on a lot of things.  You can decide how much you want for the desired taste.
10. Once your rice is a nice colour of light(ish) brown and you have taste tested it, your fried rice is ready to be served!

Two cups of rice and three to four eggs often makes enough for six people.

Enjoy!!

Hottest Day Ever (Toronto Ontario)

The highest temperature ever recorded in Toronto was on August 15, 1948 at 38.3°C (or 100.94°F).  Nonetheless, ridiculously hot for around here!

Temperature today was 38°C (or 100.4°F).

Luckily (thanks to my parents), I stayed in their air conditioned home all day.  Talk about brutal!

I'm not trying to compare to other countries/provinces or anything.  I know it will be insanely hot in Florida and California and Mexico ... places that are always hotter than us!  For me though, this was way too hot.  The humidex was 48°C (or 118.4°F).

And ... do you know how hard it is to find an air conditioner around here?

I will hope to find one on Friday or Saturday so that I can BREATHE in my house.  It's actually hotter IN m house than outside.  I don't go outside though because of the brutal sun.  I hate the feeling of the sun on my body.  Yeah, I'm one of those people.  Aha.  I just hate how I can feel the burning of my skin as the sun hits it.  I also dislike looking like a bright red lobster after it.  And I hate how the sun seems to steal all my energy, motivation, etc.

Anyway.  I'm going to hope that things get better.

So close to the hottest day ever.  It would have been kinda awesome if it had beaten the record. Just to say I survived it!

Questions That People Don't Ask

This is just a fun survey.  Feel free to do it if you want ... post it in your blog or not.  I came across it on this website: http://www.quizopolis.com/survey/4725/60-Questions-People-Dont-Ask-Survey/
The website is really funny.  I took out some questions as they just didn't seem to work.  But all in all, fun survey!

When's the last time you ran?
Really ran?  As in at the gym or something?  It has been a while.  I prefer to walk.

Do your jeans have rips, tears, and holes in them?
Nope!

What are you dreading right now?
I'm not sure.

Do you celebrate 420?
You bet!

Do you get the full 8 hours of sleep a night?
I rarely get 6 hours of sleep a night ... 8 hours just seems like way too much!

If anyone came to your house on your "lazy days" what would ya'll do?
Walk to the park, maybe watch a movie, bake cookies, something like that.

Have you ever been on your school's track team?
Nope.

Do you own a pair of Converse?
Nope.

Do you eat raw cookie dough?
Yes.  Yum.  So delicious!

Have you ever kicked a vending machine?
Nope I haven't!

How do you eat oreos?
I take the top off.  Then I heat half the icing.  Then I eat half the bottom.  Then I eat the rest together.

Have you ever stayed online for a very long time waiting for someone?
Yes I have.  When I had a crush on a guy (guys?) way back when.  Years ago!

Are you cocky?
Yeah, I kind of am.

Could you live without a computer?
Not really.  I earn money from my computer.  It's helpful.

Do you wear your shoes in the house?
Yeah.

Who or what sleeps with you?
No one does!  I sleep alone!  Unless my boyfriend comes over (on weekends).  Then I get to sleep with someone!

At what age did you find out that Santa wasn't real?
I really have no clue.

How many phones, house phones and cell phones are in your house?
I have one cell phone.

What do you do when you're sad?
Cry?

Who would you call first if you won the lottery?
My boyfriend.  Then my family.

Last time you saw your best friend?
I don't really have "best friends".

Are you in high school?
No, been there done that!

What jewelry are you wearing?
None right now.

Is anyone on your bad side now?
Hmmm yes I suppose.

What's the first thing you do when you get online?
Check email.

Would you wear a boy/girlfriends clothes?
I have worn my boyfriend's sweater a couple of times when I have been cold.

What are you doing tomorrow?
Working!

Favorite name for a girl?
Angela.  Hayli.

Favorite name for a boy?
Kevin.  Joe.

Will you keep your last name when you get married?
I'm not sure.  Haven't decided.

When was the last time you left your house?
This afternoon.  I went to visit a house, went grocery shopping, and went to get the mail!

Do you have a dishwasher?
No I don't!

What noise do you hear?
Right now?  The fan.

Would you survive in prison?
No :(.

Who is the youngest in your family?
My little sister.

If all of your friends were going on a road trip, who would most likely over pack?
Definitely me.  Aha.

What's the last thing you purchased?
Cherries from the grocery store!

Do your siblings ever pay for stuff for you?
No way.  I have a little sister.  She would never pay for stuff for me.  Me, on the otherhand.  I pay for stuff for her!

What brand are your pants right now?
I am not sure.

What irritates you most on the internet?
Spam!  Ads!

What brand is your digital camera?
Canon

Do you watch movies with your parents?
I have before.  I don't live with them so not really.  Maybe once or twice a year.

Do you own expensive perfume/cologne?
Nah.  I don't wear perfume that much.  Only if I think I smell.  Hah.  Seriously though, I have one bottle of perfume.  A friend got it for me for my birthday.  I don't buy it myself.

Are you taking college classes right now?
Not right this instant.  I just graduated in May and I will be taking courses again in either September or January.

Do you go online everyday?
Yes, I do!

How Dirty Can It Get?

My Basic Rules For The House

1. Wash your dishes when they are dirty.
2. Wipe the counter if there are spills or messes or anything.
3. Take out the garbage if it is full, smelly, dirty, or there are flies.
4. Remove food from fridge if it is old, rotten, or dirty.
5. Take out the recycling.

Does this look like a difficult list to follow?  I'm not even asking for sweeping or other things like that.  Just basic stuff.

My roommate will leave dishes in the sink for DAYS.  Even better - she piles them so much that they block the drain so if a piece of food drops down (like when I'm washing), I can't see it.  Which makes everything worse.  And I am NOT going digging around in her dirty dishes.

I emptied out the fridge today.  I saw old milk, moldy fruit, meat that was overdue in June, and yogurt that was overdue in April.  And yes, it is the end of July.  Is it right for me to throw out that food?  Some people say no - it's her food.  I say yes - it could infect my food with is dangerous.  Plus it attracts flies and it just smells bad!

She also won't take out the recycling!  She has a recycling pile in the kitchen.  Lovely, okay, whatever.  I took it out the first week she was here.  Since then (end of May), she has NOT taken it out.  She also puts like bags and stuff in the recycling.

I was also away for a couple nights.  When I come back, she left out rotten bananas on the table and the garbage was swarming with flies.  I took out the garbage asap and put the bananas outside.  I also put the garbage can outside because I do NOT want the inside staying all gross and stuff like that.  Now she just puts a bag in the place of the garbage.  Ugh!

I don't see how this is difficult to do.  Sometimes my last roommates got on my nerves but overall they were clean and tidy and respectful of one another.  Which was great!

I'm really REALLY trying to find a bachelor apartment for this year!  I need one!!!

Positivity ... Moderator Position

These past couple weeks have been kind of rough.  Nothing too "great" has happened.  I've been feeling really down ... sick, tired, unhappy.  I've been extra stressed out too.  I even took a break and went to my parent's place for a bit to have some "time off" from regular life.

I did get good news though!  There is this forum website that I'm on daily.  It's a great community and I really enjoy it.  Lots of really cool information.  Anyway ... there was a volunteer moderator spot open in one of the forum.  I applied, thinking it would be pretty cool.  But it is a busy forum and I've only been on there for about ... eight months?  Not exactly a long time.

Anyway ... I got the position!

I'm pretty excited.  I know it's a volunteer position and not really a "big deal" but I think it will be fun.  Already, I've had a good time.  I'm trying to figure out all my extra mod capabilities and whatnot but it's good.  I'm pretty excited and very happy.  It did make my day to be offered that position!

This Cat Is Ruining My Life

It's not exactly the cat, but the cat's owner.  I'm subletting my room from a girl for the summer.  Let's call her Pat.  I am looking after her cat as well.  It was all going well, cat was content, things were good.

So Pat sends me an email all of a sudden saying that one of my roommates (let's call her Deb ... Deb is actually away for the summer and having her friend pick up her mail) said that her friend said that the cat had pooped all over the house and was starving.  This friend even said to take the cat to the animal shelter.  So Pat gets mad.  I get why she would get upset, hearing this about her cat.  Except it's all BS.

So I explain that this was not true.  I don't know where this "friend" came up with "poop all over the house".  I have yet to find poop at all in the house (besides the litter box ... which I scoop out multiple times a day).  And the cat had food.  It wasn't like completely full but I'm only supposed to fill it two thirds of the way full every day.  So, at the end of the day, it is getting empty.  Then I just fill it up the next day.

Finally she does some investigating and realizes that this friend is an idiot and knows nothing about cats.  She freaked out over nothing.  No kidding!  I still have yet to figure out why this "friend" made this up.

Then Pat sends me another email saying Deb said I didn't clean the litter box.  Deb and I were living in the house together for a few weeks, maybe a month?  Anyway, Deb had a cat and would leave the cat alone for days.  Her cat would eat Pat's cat's food which is not allowed.  Probably because her cat was starving.  And I would have to clean its litter box.  And then Deb said I left the litter box dirty?

There's actually a third person that lives in this house.  Let's call her Ashley.  Ashley is only here a couple days a week.  I'm actually alone most of the time here.  Pat just told Ashley to make sure I was rationing out the cat's food properly!  So Ashley is supposed to check on me!

Oh yeah, and I'm not allowed to leave the house for more than 24 hours at a time.  Which will not happen.  I need to leave for more than 24 hours at a time!  I need to get out.  I need to do things.  I need to visit my family and boyfriend and friends!

I've looked after plenty of cats before.  I have had other pets too, but small animals, like hamsters and fish.  I move too often to have a cat and most places don't allow cats.  But I have always done just fine.  For this cat, he threw up a few times so I informed Pat as soon as possible and asked if he needed to be taken to the vet.  She told me not to worry about it.  I give him treats, I play with him.  He always seems to want to go outside so I will hold him outside (he is an indoor cat) so he can enjoy the outdoor weather.  I do just fine.

I'm so annoyed about all this.  I'm going to just keep doing what I've been doing before the terms were set.  Feed him daily.  If I'm going away, feed him more.  And if she wants to find someone else to look after him, that's fine with me.  Less stress for me to worry about!

Anyway, she is six hours ahead of my time I believe, so she won't be replying tonight.  Probably tomorrow morning.  I can't wait to see what she says to my last email about getting her to find someone else to look after the cat.

So annoying ... oh well ... I will see tomorrow!

Ab Rocket

I just ordered an Ab Rocket (https://www.abrocket.com/).  You can see a basic picture here: http://www.davidhayden.com/photos/abrocket.jpg  Luckily I got it for free!  (I got to redeem my RBC Rewards points ... and that is the first item I decided to choose).

They had the option of P90X which I heard was amazing.  But that option disappeared all of a sudden ... once I finally had the points for it!  Frustrating!

Anyway, I ordered this Ab Rocket!  It comes with one DVD of Fat Blasting Workouts, a meal plan manual called Blast Away the Calories, and recipe cards.  It should arrive in about four weeks, so I will let you know how it is in that time!  I'm hoping that it helps!

For some reason, I've got a belly now!  It is really annoying.  I've never had a stomach at all!  I'm had big thighs and legs (which, yes, I've always hated) but never a stomach.  Now my thighs and legs are more in shape but this belly won't go away!  To be honest, my boyfriend loves my belly!  Apparently it is fun and comfortable.  But I still don't think it is that attractive.

Soooo I'm going to work on doing some more situps.  I've been walking a lot each day.  This past weekend, I walked 19 km in one day.  I've been at about 8 km per day with two days during the week on a "break" day.  It is making me feel a lot better and a lot more in shape.  I saw my dad on the weekend and he said it looks like I've been loosing weight.  That is definitely a compliment coming from him!

I'm really excited to get this Ab Rocket!  Let me know if you have had any experience with it!  Or any good exercise programs or plans in general!

June 2011's Best Songs

Note: I've decided to put Youtube links to all the songs in here!  If you are trying to listen to a song and the link is broken, let me know!  They are all checked when I write this but sometimes things happen.  If you're interested in a song and can't get to it, let me know, and I'll find one!  Anyway, this is so that you can hear the music too!

1. Sherri Lea - Nothing Better Than Life 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvC6dGehuXg
I know it's an older song but I can't get enough of it.  I have seriously listened to it on repeat for the past couple days.  If you're looking for a cool remix, check out Deko-ze's remix of it.  I love to just sing along to this song!  So much emotion and passion in it.  Amazing song.

2. Lady Gaga - The Edge of Glory
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeWBS0JBNzQ
I didn't realize this was her song until a couple days ago.  I had heard this song a few times and thought it was really nice.  It's not a big dance song but it is a good song nonetheless.  I have really loved all of Lady Gaga's songs.

3. Hertz and Subway Baby - Shockz
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePnuMbUaxtk
If this song doesn't make you want to get up and move, what's going on?  I love the introduction to this song.  Gives you some time to listen and move a bit before it goes all out.  Then once it gets going, you just need to keep dancing along with it!

4. Mia Martina - Latin Moon
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYpIp05r-eU
I love her voice.  It is so gorgeous and just ... perfect!  (In my opinion.)  I remember seeing her perform at August Rush last summer.  She was incredible!  This song is just beautiful!

5. Alex Kenji - Like This
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4UQJ9HKSRY
Another dance song!  I can't get enough of this song either!  It was on repeat earlier this month for me.  It really makes me want to move.  I love the beat and the lyrics are hilarious.  It's all about having a good time and enjoying life!

It's Tough Being Popular

This blog title is just for amusement.  But it does have some truth to it.  As I've mentioned in past blog posts, I have really changed and 'come into myself' since I started dating my boyfriend.  It kept progressing and I just feel so much more like 'me' now!  It is amazing!

The thing is, I lost a lot of my 'friends' when my ex and I broke up.  That was over a year ago but still.  Some of these people, I had been friends with for years!  And yes, they ditched me for my ex.  I've learned that they weren't good friends anyway but it is still hard to have 90% of the people you hung out with just stop talking to you.

So, in my last year of college, I made so many more friends.  People in my class, of course.  A couple of them who seem like friends that I will stay in touch with.  But then my boyfriend and I have made new friends, together!  And it is just incredible!  I am so happy with the friends that I have made.  It is exciting because they invite both of us to places and events - not just him and then I tag along (which happened with my ex ... Maybe I should have noticed the clues then!).  But they invite both of us!  Not just one of us!  I love being included in it.

The other thing is, people like me more.  This may seem a bit odd but I'm always trying to make a good impression and I want everyone to like me and I get super worried (anxious) about this.  But I don't have to put in that much effort.  I can just be myself (the quirky girl that I am) and people generally like me!  With my ex and his friends, it was always hard to make conversation with people, it was always awkward and forced.  Now it all seems so natural!

It is kind of cool now.  I'm always invited to a few parties every weekend.  People are texting me on Friday night being like 'hey are you coming to x event tonight, I'm going, you should come!' and things like that.  I love feeling like I am part of things!  Next weekend, we (my boyfriend and I of course) are invited to the beach, camping, a couple clubs/parties, and a friends place for a get together.  I have never had to decide between so many things before!

It is just making me so happy, to have such great new friends who I can bond with, to have such an amazing boyfriend, and to just really be me!

Door Knobs ... and Canadian Tire

Seriously ... I am unhandy.  I wish I could do those everyday tasks that everyone can do so flawlessly.  But it just boggles my mind.

As you may know, I just moved into my new place about a month ago.  Anyway, there wasn't a lock on the door which I kind of like to have.  I was away last weekend, just shut my door, and I came back and the cat had gotten into my room while I was away.  And I have a hamster in my room.  That is NOT what I want to happen!  (By the way, the hamster is still alive!)  For that (and many other privacy issues), I want a lock on my door.

I went to Canadian Tire today and purchased a door knob lock thing and some screwdrivers (I got a big package ... they would have come in handy previously so I might as well have some!).  Brought them home.  I took the door knob off and tried to put the new one on.  It didn't work.  And I can't very well make a bigger hole.  I'm only renting the place!

So I brought the purchased door knob back and returned it.  I also brought the door knob that was on my door into the store and asked them for help.  The salesperson showed me the right door knob lock thing to get so I got it.

I got home and tried to put it on and guess what ... it didn't work!!!!!!  Now I'm kind of annoyed because it takes 30-40 minutes to get to Canadian Tire and then another 30-40 minutes to get back.  And it was a waste of time.  I showed the guy my door knob and everything and he still couldn't help me.

Now what do I do?  I have to wait for tomorrow to take it back.  I'm going to look like an idiot returning a second door knob.  I hope that the same person isn't at exchanges and returns!  This means another hour to hour and a half wasted.  Ugh!  I am NOT asking for a lock though.  They obviously won't be much help.

Also, I'm not going to Canadian Tire again!  I have honestly never really shopped there before.  But when I show the person my door knob and everything and he still can't help me!  That just proves what an idiot he is.  He could have gotten someone else to help me or something if he didn't know!  But no he just wants to give me wrong information.  Drives me crazy!

I might take a chance with Home Hardware tomorrow.  We'll see.  I have one that is close to my house so that's better than nothing.  At least I'll get more exercise tomorrow!

How Do You Stand Up To A Friend?

My friend, lets call him John, is sharing an apartment with his friend Tom.  John kind of "takes care" of the house.  Initiates rules (buy your own food, clean up after yourself, etc.), looks after Internet, etc.  Likely because John has lived on his own for a number of years and Tom has just started living on his own (please note, John is 21 and Tom is 24 I believe).

Tom does not really understand personal space.  Yes, they are friends, but John does not want or need to hear about Tom's entire day.  When Tom gets home from work, he will just wander into John's room and talk about his day while John is in the middle of something.  Tom seems to think this is okay.  John doesn't really like it (I wouldn't either so I can see where he's coming from).  Tom is also always wanting to hang out with John.  Asking him to see a movie, go out for dinner, stuff like that.  He doesn't seem to understand that John has a life and work he needs to do.

Tom also expects John to drive him around everywhere.  John has his own car, Tom doesn't (he uses the bus).  Is John expected to drive Tom around everywhere?  I definitely don't think so!  Tom doesn't pay gas, insurance, or for repairs.  So why should John have to pick up Tom for work?  Tom seems to think this is reasonable.

Tom is getting paid more than John right now.  But he spends his money on eating out, girls, alcohol, etc.  Which is fine.  But he doesn't pay John back for things.  Tom eats John's food?  John doesn't get anything in return, even though he bought it.  John got the Internet, but does Tom ever pay him back for it?  Nope.

Now, John is coming to me about this.  I'm frustrated with Tom (I know them both but I know John a lot better).  John isn't great with confrontation.  He is annoyed with Tom but hasn't made many attempts to fix this.  He has asked for Internet money a couple of times, but Tom just says he doesn't have money.  (Good excuse?  No!  He shouldn't be using Internet if he can't pay for it.)

I don't know what advice to give to John.  I say, just confront Tom.  But he can't just outright do that.  He doesn't know the words.  And doesn't know how to not sound like a jerk for it.  I'm kind of just venting for this.  I don't understand how Tom can think this is all okay.  I guess I could use some advice for John?

Potluck Suggestions

How many times have you been invited to a potluck?  I know a lot of people can't cook or bake and getting invited to a potluck is not what you want to do!  You get people saying they will bring the fanciest items ... you probably haven't heard of them!  To be honest, I love cooking and baking, but I have some suggestions for those of you who don't!

1. Mini sandwiches
It's something everyone will enjoy!  Get some bread, meat, cheese, lettuce, etc. and put together a nice platter of mini sandwiches!  My advice is to have three or four types of sandwiches.  The ones I would recommend are: a) egg salad b) ham and cheese c) roast beef d) tuna.  Almost everyone will be able to find something out of those four.  You can mix it up with white bread or whole wheat bread.  Add butter or mayo or lettuce or mustard to some of them.  And always put it on a nice platter and decorate the platter with lettuce and/or carrots.

2. Fruit and veggie platter
It is pretty simple to purchase some fruits and veggies and do a platter of each.  Remember to get dipping sauce!  To be honest, I'm not a fan of dipping sauce, but most people are!  Suggestions for fruits are to get FOUR of them.  My ideas: grapes, some sort of melon, strawberries, and another fruit such as apples, oranges, plums, peaches, kiwis, pineapples.  If you are not serving right away, either don't cut up all the fruit or dip the cut up fruit in lemon juice diluted in water.  This will help them not turn brown.  As for veggies, four of those is good as well.  My ideas: carrots, celery, peppers, broccoli, mushrooms, or radishes.

3. Lasagna
This involves a bit of cooking but it is not too difficult!  It is a very basic lasagna recipe though.  You will need to purchase 1 can of spaghetti sauce (I would recommend a kind with beef already in it, such as Ragu with beef), a block of cheese, and precooked lasagna noodles.
To Prepare:
Heat oven to 350 degrees Celsius
Grate all the cheese (If you have two different types of cheese, do half and half!)
In a lasagna tray, put the ingredients in it in this order
- grease the tray (with butter or something like PAM)
- spaghetti sauce
Then rotate through these three ingredients in the following order
- noodles
- sauce
- cheese
Make sure cheese is the top layer
Cover with tinfoil and cook on 350 degrees Celsius for 50 minutes - 1 hour (check on it every 15 minutes though if it's your first time!)
It is surprisingly easy.  If you want to make twice as much, just get twice the amount of ingredients!
Store in the fridge if you are not serving right away.  And make sure you can warm it up before you serve it!

4. Salad
There are tons of basic salads you can do.  Caesar salad, garden salad.  Those are the two easiest one I can think of.  If you don't know how to make a salad, there are tons of recipes for it online!  It depends what type you want.  But Caesar and garden are always good.  There are fancier salads (like Jelly salad or marshmallow salad) that usually go over well but they are more complicated to make.

5. Potato Skins
This is another one where you will need to warm it up beforehand.
All you need is: Potatoes (one potato will make two potato skins), cheese (a couple different types is good, grated), Parmesan cheese, bacon, a tomato, onions, salt and pepper
Preheat the oven to 450degrees Celsius.  Clean the potatoes or make sure they are clean!  Poke holes (with a fork) in each of the potatoes.  I would say poke it about six times throughout the potato.  Put it in the microwave for five minutes.  Wait for it to cool a little bit, then cut them in half with a sharp knife.  Use a spoon and dig out the insides so you have a hole in the middle.
In the whole, you will put a layer of cheese, some bacon (cut up into small pieces), onions (if you'd like, not everyone likes onions), and tomatoes.  Sprinkle on some Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.  Then add another layer of cheese (it will melt a lot ... feel free to let the cheese go out of the middle and spread around the top of the potato).  The more toppings, the better it will taste!  Then put them in the over at 450 degrees Celsius for 5 - 10 minutes (Check on them at 5 minutes and keep an eye on them after).  It will be done when the cheese is melted.
They can be stored for two to three days in the fridge!

Have fun at your potluck!

Who Is Important To You?

Most people have friends, family, and/or acquaintances.  You care about some of them, of course.  Great.

Now think more deeply.  How many would you consider true friends?  Probably not quite as many.  If you have Facebook - how many of those are real friends?  If you're like me, I have almost 200 Facebook friends.  I've known them all at some point, yes.  But I've grown apart from most of them and wouldn't consider them real friends.

When I think about the number of real friends I can, it is kind of frightening.  The people who I talk to regularly and care about the most - probably only two people.  My boyfriend and my sister.  I talk to them at least every other day (well communicate - I don't live in the same city as either of them so there is plenty of emailing and texting going on).  But it is really only those two who I talk to a lot.

I have two high school friends who I keep in contact with quite a bit.  But sometimes we will stop talking for months at a time.  And they often break plans.  So even though they are friends, they aren't really 'best friends' if you think about it.  I met someone else about six months ago.  We started talking almost nonstop.  She was awesome!  But the, things happen, we drift apart.  And I haven't talked to her much in the past month.

I think it is really important to treasure who you have.  Even if there aren't many people who you consider very good friends.  Make sure they know it!  Make sure they know that they mean a lot to you!

Make sure that you know who is really important to you.

May 2011's Best Songs

1. Black Eyed Peas - Just Can't Get Enough
The Black Eyed Peas never fail to come out with a good song, do they?  I love the lyrics.  They are meaningful.  Even though my music tastes have definitely changed, I will always be a Black Eyed Peas fan.  I love how the sound and beat switches it up to keep the song interesting.

2. Chromeo ft. La Roux - Hot Mess
The first time I heard this song, I wasn't really a fan.  But then it got really catchy.  Now I have to move to it every time!  It has a unique sound to it.

3. Tom Novy feat. Michael Marshall - Your Body
Definitely one of those "get up and dance" songs!  Great for partying, clubbing, dancing, and having a great time.  Every time this song comes on my playlist, I'm dancing around the room like a maniac.  The lyrics are awesome too.  There are some different remixes of this song around but my personal favourite is the Alex Kenji remix.

4. Kristina Maria - Let's Play
I heard this song numerous times and always thought "wow".  I finally was able to look it up and have now been listening to it nonstop.  Her voice is amazing.  The lyrics are seductive.  And the music is amazing.  I love the chorus.  Again, this isn't really the type of music I have been listening to lately but this song is just too catchy!

5. Studio Apartment feat. Rae - Your Words
I just close my eyes and move to this song.  I love the music in this song.  It seriously makes my skin tingle.  Oddly enough, I can't listen to this song on repeat.  There are plenty of remixes of this song too.  I love the ones that make it more into a house song.  Either way, the song is incredible.

Subways

I'm talking about the mode of transportation, the subway.

A couple weeks ago, I moved to an area where there is a subway.  There are some amazing things about the subway.  For one, it is incredibly fast!  No stopping every two seconds like on a bus!  I love that part of it!  It is really easy to use too, once you get a hang of it.

I had my first 'real' subway experience last weekend.  It was ... well ... interesting!

There were these two people who looked like a couple waiting for the subway.  Cool.  They got on the subway at the same time.  Then they sit in two completely different spots!  There were quite a few seats together that were available but they sat as far apart as possible!  So I figured, okay, they must have just gotten on at the same time.  But then they get off at the same time and walk next to each other all the way out!

The next group of three people was probably high school age - two guys and a girl.  One guy looked like a nerd.  The other guy looked like a stoner.  And the girl looked like a party animal tough girl.  (I know, I shouldn't judge by looks, but that was my first impression!).  So they get on the bus and sit together.  And the three of them are talking as loud as they possibly can while eating pop tarts (which happens to be the only thing they have with them).

I heard a funny story from a friend's friend about the subway.  I guess he was on the subway when there was a guy, across from him, holding a bag.  Okay, people hold bags, not a big deal.  Then the bag started meowing!!!!  Oh wow!!!  I'm definitely against animal cruelty but you've really got to wonder what was going on!

The last interaction I saw was this young woman (mid 20s I would say) stand up to get off the subway.  The older guy (late 40s I'd say) stood up as well.  The lady seemed surprised and was like 'oh are you getting off here too?' And he just smiled (relatively creepily) and said 'no, just wanted to say bye to you.'. So she was awkwardly like 'bye' and he gives her a kiss on the cheek!  I felt so sorry for her!  That guy just seemed really, really creepy!

All in all, the subway is great for transportation and amusement!

Losing Your Friends

Have you ever just kind of drifted apart from your friends?  I have been lately, in the past few months.  I mean, I have changed a bit, but they just haven't accepted me.  I feel like I've grown up a lot and they haven't.

In high school, there were four of us that hung out like all the time.  The guy in the group kind of ditched us after high school, but no big deal.  Then there were the three of us and we were still pretty close during our first year of university even though we didn't see each other much.  They were really supportive of me when I was having a tough time that year.

After that year, I switched to college.  Since then, my relationship with them has been really downhill.  I don't think they like that I went to college (since university is considered the "smarter" of the two).  But I'm still smart.  I mean, I'm the top of my class here at college.  But I think they didn't really like that I switched (even though I hated and was horrible at my program at university).

Then I broke up with my boyfriend of almost three years.  Then I slept with another guy.  They both like guys and everything but they have never really had serious relationships or anything before (and defintely never had sex).  They thought I was just using this guy to get over my ex.  Honestly he was just using me for sex at first too!  But it ended up going well and I've been dating this guy for over a year.  The point is, they just judge me for this.  Maybe sex is a big deal for them.  It's different for me.  Like it is important but I'm not just going to wait for years or something.  That's not me.

They also seemed upset when I started partying a bit more.  The thing is, I'm maintaining friends at college, I'm at the top of my class, I'm working three part time jobs, and I've got a great boyfriend.  Everything else is going well.  So what if I go out and party every other weekend?  What else should I do?  I could study but I can't do much better than I'm doing now anyway.  And even if I wasn't partying over the weekend, I certainly wouldn't be studying!

I get it, friends drift apart.  But I just don't get why the two of them are just judging me so much.  We were best friends for years.  We supported each other.  We had fun together.  All good!

I guess things change.  I have new friends.  They have new friends.  I keep some old friends of course.  I'm not sure when it's time to move on from them though.

How To Get A Date

This is something that many people find difficult.  Now, I'm aiming this at young adults.  College aged, mostly.  But you can use some of these methods if you are in high school or college graduates.  So here are some basic tips to getting a date.

1. Be confident.  If you don't think you're any good, it makes it a lot harder for you to find someone.
2. Just ask him/her out.  He or she is probably scared to ask you out.  So if you go for it, it might actually work!  You have to just go for it!
3. Do not obsess over one girl or guy if you aren't with her or him.  This just makes you seem desperate.  There are other people out there too!
4. Go out, meet people, have fun.  Do not stay at home and do nothing.  Do something!  Anything!  It will make you more interesting.
5. Nothing to talk about?  See #4.
6. Keep yourself healthy.  Eat healthy and exercise.  You don't have to be a body builder or personal trainer or anything, but being healthy is attractive.
7. Have your own interests.  You will always have stories to tell and things to talk about.
8. Don't be mean.  Making fun of people or anything else is not the way to get a girlfriend or boyfriend.  Being nice and respectful IS the way!
9. Go for a kiss!  Even if he or she isn't ready, at least he or she will know what your intentions are!  If you play along as "just a friend" for too long, he or she could just move on.
10. If he or she has told you he or she doesn't like you, move on.  There are tons of other people out there.  So if you have been rejected, find someone else!