For years I had dreamed of going to Europe and seeing places I hadn't seen before..taking in the culture and the people and immersing myself in all that is local. I finally got to experience this last March when I went to France, England and Italy with some of my favourite people. I started in Paris with one of my good friends from work where I think we managed to walk most of Paris in 5 days. To say we saw a lot of the amazing sites this beautiful city is known for is an understatement. To see Paris by foot is an experience everyone should have once in their lives. The city is apparently known for the "rude Parisians" but I can truly say I never experienced this attitude once. In fact, I found the people in Paris to be quite charming..from the lovely lady who ran the Boulangerie below our apartment to the waiters who flirted for extra tips the people we met were never anything other than polite and friendly. You just have to make sure you understand how the locals do it. Always greet the shopkeeper, maitre d' or anyone else whose business you enter with a friendly "Bonjour Madame/Mosieur" and you were treated as an equal. There is no reason to yell or get flustered..a simple pointing of to what you want with a s'il vous plait will do it.
The French have a unique way of dealing with life in general I found. It's a definite C'est la vie type of attitude. An easy way of looking at is that they live to enjoy life, whether it be from the food and wine to the simple act of going for a walk along the Seine on a nice day (watch out for dog droppings, they are everywhere), the Parisians live life to the fullest and enjoy it for everything it is worth. There is honestly nothing better than a leisurely morning spent wandering Marais with a warm Pane au Chocolat, going into the unique little shops that sell everything from wine to olive oil to fine linens (don't even get me started on the beautiful linens they have there). Followed by a leisurely lunch in the Eiffel district and a tour to the top of the tower makes a wonderful afternoon indeed. We spent a good part of the day wandering Montmarte which I could easily spend an entire week in for sure. The artist's square and the surrounding shops are a reminder of a Paris of long ago when the Belle Epoque was the reason to live and the nights came alive at the Moulin Rouge. The winding streets of shops and apartments are some of the most charming I have ever seen and the climax of the visit is definitely to climb to the top of Sacre Coeur to see the opposite view of the City of lights that is seen from the Eiffel Tower. To head down the famous staircases of Montmarte back to the level of the rest of the city engulfs you in a feeling of stepping back into the here and now and away from a time of fun and frolic brought on by the sweet sting of Absinthe and the splendour of the time.
A day spent wandering the Ile, the original Paris is an absolute must. To say that a trip to Notre Dame cathedral is life changing is an understatement. It is a humbling experience that can make even the biggest atheist question his beliefs in mankind and humanity. It is a throne to both God and some of the most amazing works of art and architecture that have ever been created (other than Italy, but I'll get to that in another post). It happened to be the nicest day we had that day and we thoroughly enjoyed being able to walk around the Ile and see all that is there. Saint Chappelle was our next stop and it is actually located within the walls of the Dept of Justice so there is quite a security clearance line to go through to experience what will probably be the most amazing examples of stained glass windows you will ever see. The colour that comes into the open cathedral is indescribable and the fact that there is nothing else in the room to take away from the light show is sheer perfection.
Our nights were filled with relaxing and delicious meals with many chats over bottles of amazing wine. People will tell you it is expensive to eat in Paris. These are the people that hit the trendy places on the Champs Elysses. If I can give you any advice when it comes to eating in Paris, it is to go find what looks good and is off the beaten path. This is where you will find the locals, the food is better and cheaper and the staff treat you like someone who is there to enjoy what they have to offer and not just to 'experience Paris'. This is most people's mistake. I loved the little places we ate most. The tiny cafe's that had simple food using local ingredients and the pizzeria's that were so authentically Italian that we felt like we were in Italy and not in Paris. I don't need to be seen to enjoy a meal, I need to sit and enjoy the ambience and the food and wine. As a self-proclaimed foodie I can give you these tips..
1. Go visit the famous places for sure to say you have seen the likes of Laduree, but then go find the patesserie down the side street that isn't making macarons by the hundreds everyday. Find the ones that you see the locals buzzing in and out of in the morning for the pane au chocolat and try them once. Then go find the one on your street and support their business for the duration of your trip.
2. Eat the produce. Whatever you can find, whereever you can find them. Never think to yourself, but we have fabulous produce here in North America. The taste of a fresh tomato in Europe will change your way of thinking in a second.
3. Drink the wine. Any of it. All of it. Red, White and Pink. Just enjoy it.
4. Don't expect excellent coffee in France. That's what Italy is for.
5. Try the French food...and indulge. Even if it's only on one meal..it's a must. The classics are still around and they are still around for a reason. They are classic. They are delicious and the French have perfected them in such a way that other cultures can't even try to compete. So go ahead, eat the snails. They are melt in your mouth phenomenal.
6. Eat cheese. Lots of it. France is known for their cheese for a reason.
7. Enjoy a croissant or a pane au chocolat at least once a day.
8. Crepes and a Chocolat Chaud are a must at least once a trip..especially from a street vendor. I highly recommend the one across from the Eiffel Tower on the Left Bank of the Seine next to the Carousel. Seriously, on a cold night in March they are TO DIE FOR!!
From here we left the gaity of Paris and boarded a train on the way to London for a week...those adventures are to come...
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Crutches...we all have them
And apparently one of mine is procrastination when it comes to my blog. Even now I sit here writing with a movie on, glass of wine poured, and Facebook on my other window tab. Also my iPhone is right next to me because apparently it is too hard for me to shut out the world and just write...is that what our world has become? We all have to be so attached to technology that we can't just turn it off and write. Even our books have become digital. Don't get me wrong, I love my laptop, my phone and my Kobo but sometimes I think we all need to turn off the world and just...be. It's in this time that we discover who we are as individuals. Where we can discover our dreams and desires and what we hope the future will bring us. Whether it's sitting down and escaping in a book, planning a dream trip or just meditating to escape the craziness of the world we live in I am a firm believer that everyone needs time to be alone with themselves and no one else.
Lately I have used this time alone to really think about what I want out of life. Not just with personal issues but with my professional life as well. I have come to a point in my life where I need to be happy with myself and my career and lately I have been finding the latter lacking. Although I won't go into detail right now about the changes I am thinking about I can say they are definitely major and would take my life down a whole new road. Is this scary to me? Absolutely! Can I see past the scared feeling and realize that it may be the best leap I ever take? I'm getting there. Change has always been hard for me whether it's myself that needs to change or the circumstances surrounding me that need change. I think a lot of it comes from low self-esteem in a bad relationship earlier in my life (we don't talk about that anymore..that's looking back at the negative and I don't do that) but all I know is that time in my life gave me many walls and trust issues...both with myself and my relationships..if I have let you into my whole life you are a lucky one and obviously mean the world to me. The walls are a whole other issue..they are there ready for someone to climb over..but at the same time, they are waiting for me to scale them to. Harder than it seems? For sure. Will I do it? Damn straight I will. Just takes a little drive and a whole lot of encouragement from the people that mean the most to me.
The biggest step I've made to getting over fears is to take the leap and go to Europe for a month with some really great friends. I will finally get to visit all those places I love in my dreams. Paris in Winter..check! London when it's most at itself, rainy and grey in March..check! And Tuscany in Spring..check! Will definitely be the trip of a lifetime and even though I am living lean till the time comes to leave it is absolutely worth it. And from this trip comes the start of my new journey..the journey of me..what comes at the end of the trip? Well, that's an answer we're both waiting on...so cheerio, au revoir and ciao for now!!
Lately I have used this time alone to really think about what I want out of life. Not just with personal issues but with my professional life as well. I have come to a point in my life where I need to be happy with myself and my career and lately I have been finding the latter lacking. Although I won't go into detail right now about the changes I am thinking about I can say they are definitely major and would take my life down a whole new road. Is this scary to me? Absolutely! Can I see past the scared feeling and realize that it may be the best leap I ever take? I'm getting there. Change has always been hard for me whether it's myself that needs to change or the circumstances surrounding me that need change. I think a lot of it comes from low self-esteem in a bad relationship earlier in my life (we don't talk about that anymore..that's looking back at the negative and I don't do that) but all I know is that time in my life gave me many walls and trust issues...both with myself and my relationships..if I have let you into my whole life you are a lucky one and obviously mean the world to me. The walls are a whole other issue..they are there ready for someone to climb over..but at the same time, they are waiting for me to scale them to. Harder than it seems? For sure. Will I do it? Damn straight I will. Just takes a little drive and a whole lot of encouragement from the people that mean the most to me.
The biggest step I've made to getting over fears is to take the leap and go to Europe for a month with some really great friends. I will finally get to visit all those places I love in my dreams. Paris in Winter..check! London when it's most at itself, rainy and grey in March..check! And Tuscany in Spring..check! Will definitely be the trip of a lifetime and even though I am living lean till the time comes to leave it is absolutely worth it. And from this trip comes the start of my new journey..the journey of me..what comes at the end of the trip? Well, that's an answer we're both waiting on...so cheerio, au revoir and ciao for now!!
Monday, April 9, 2012
Yay for Vacay!
Once a year I like to take some time to myself to get away from work and focus on me again. This year when I got my vacation hours and discovered I was up to 135 hours for the year I figured taking the month off would be a great idea. It's not often I get to go where I want, when I want with my work schedule. I have a few little trips in this month starting tomorrow when I leave for Seattle with my Mom for 3 days. It's not often we get to go away just the two of us without any family along for the ride. I have been looking forward to this trip for a few months now and it's finally here. We are staying in a boutique hotel right in the downtown area where we can walk and shop and eat and just have some good Mother/Daughter time. I like to think I will be able to be careful about what I eat but Seattle is a total food city and at heart I am a major foodie. I love trying new places with my Mom because she has the same appreciation for good food that I do. But I am determined to still eat healthy.
Next on my month of "me" time besides finishing up the painting and redecorating of my condo is a Girl's weekend away for my birthday in Victoria with my closest friends and my sister. This is bound to be a weekend of bad food and too many martinis and wine but I am ok with that. I have a month off in which to hit the gym and not be upset about a few days of bad eating.
After that weekend, I am off to Edmonton (the snow better be gone) to see my gorgeous Goddaughters and their parents. Godchild #3 should be there when I get there and I can hardly wait for some hugs from the girls and baby cuddles. All in all, a good month off with lots of time to have some fun with my friends here and get my workout schedule ingrained in my mind so it's just something that occurs without me thinking about it.
Next on my month of "me" time besides finishing up the painting and redecorating of my condo is a Girl's weekend away for my birthday in Victoria with my closest friends and my sister. This is bound to be a weekend of bad food and too many martinis and wine but I am ok with that. I have a month off in which to hit the gym and not be upset about a few days of bad eating.
After that weekend, I am off to Edmonton (the snow better be gone) to see my gorgeous Goddaughters and their parents. Godchild #3 should be there when I get there and I can hardly wait for some hugs from the girls and baby cuddles. All in all, a good month off with lots of time to have some fun with my friends here and get my workout schedule ingrained in my mind so it's just something that occurs without me thinking about it.
Saturday, April 7, 2012
Shift work...sh*t work
For anyone who doesn't understand the fun of shift work let me enlighten you. I work 4 nights then have 4 days off. Does this enable me to have a normal eating schedule or exercise routine. In a word...Nope. I do what I have to to make things work but there are times when it is harder to do than others. The ER is an amazing place to work but it can also be the biggest pitfall to getting healthy. Everyday we save people's lives or help them in some way and in return for this we get thanked and rewarded by patients and their families with...FOOD. That's right, we save yourself or family from something and we get chocolates or cookies or doughnuts in return. While we inhale these delicious gifts of thanks we all sit there and think to ourselves "Why couldn't they just bring us some veggies and dip?" or better yet, a card of thanks that we can share with everyone.
On top of these temptations there are the many gift baskets from the specialists at the holidays, themed food nights and the joy of not one, but 4 pick up restaurants and a 24 hr grocery store within a blocks distance of the hospital. This means on nightshifts when we feel like a treat of chips or cookies or candy we just need to walk down the street and get them. You can try as hard as you want to not indulge but there comes a time whether it be after a bad trauma case or just out of boredom from the rare quiet shift that you will inevitably fall victim to the goodies. On my quest to be healthier and keeping in tune with the five small meals a day that I am supposed to be having I have been making my meals ahead of time and taking a bag stocked full of healthy goodies such as veggies, salad, yogurt, nuts and an apple or an orange (the latter two have the same effect as coffee to perk you up btw). I have learned that it takes my own will power to just say no to the sweets and that as long as I have something healthy to munch on and a big waterbottle going on I can avoid them.
It takes a bit of getting used to with sleeping patterns and eating patterns changing every four days but I have found as long as I eat every 4-5 hours while I am awake I can manage this routine...now I just have to get used to the fact that I need to go to the gym everyday that I am off if possible. I am getting there though and it is easier everytime I go now. I actually look forward to my gym time when I can get on the treadmill and hit the machines to destress from the previous week's shifts.
On top of these temptations there are the many gift baskets from the specialists at the holidays, themed food nights and the joy of not one, but 4 pick up restaurants and a 24 hr grocery store within a blocks distance of the hospital. This means on nightshifts when we feel like a treat of chips or cookies or candy we just need to walk down the street and get them. You can try as hard as you want to not indulge but there comes a time whether it be after a bad trauma case or just out of boredom from the rare quiet shift that you will inevitably fall victim to the goodies. On my quest to be healthier and keeping in tune with the five small meals a day that I am supposed to be having I have been making my meals ahead of time and taking a bag stocked full of healthy goodies such as veggies, salad, yogurt, nuts and an apple or an orange (the latter two have the same effect as coffee to perk you up btw). I have learned that it takes my own will power to just say no to the sweets and that as long as I have something healthy to munch on and a big waterbottle going on I can avoid them.
It takes a bit of getting used to with sleeping patterns and eating patterns changing every four days but I have found as long as I eat every 4-5 hours while I am awake I can manage this routine...now I just have to get used to the fact that I need to go to the gym everyday that I am off if possible. I am getting there though and it is easier everytime I go now. I actually look forward to my gym time when I can get on the treadmill and hit the machines to destress from the previous week's shifts.
Friday, April 6, 2012
New Year, New Me
Ok, so technically it is well into the New Year but it is my Birthday this month therefore it is a new year for me! I have decided that this year is the last year I am going to be overweight, unhealthy and unmotivated. I started by going Gluten-free at the beginning of January and it has made me feel great on the inside..now it is time to make me feel great on the outside. I thought it was going to be difficult to go GF but it really hasn't been. I chose to do it to be healthier, not because I couldn't have it. So there are definitely cheats in there once in awhile...usually in the form of a dessert. The next step in my transformation is joining the gym. Thanks to a push from my sister and a great corporate rate at our neighbourhood gym I started going two weeks ago and I am surprisingly LOVING it!!! I used to be really active and athletic in my teens and early twenties but I managed to fall into that trap that so many women do. You know the one...meet a guy, get comfortable, eat crappy and as much as him and start the gain. It's not much at first but all of a sudden 15 years has passed and you have had 2 not so great relationships, a couple career changes, life upheavals in general and you are now 50lbs more than you were before. Not a great feeling at all. I am in no way blaming anyone but myself for this and therefore it can only be me that changes it.
It doesn't help that I come from a family full of weight issues and negative pressures. Don't get me wrong, my family is the world to me and my greatest support system but growing up it is very hard to get past the passive aggresiveness of some family members. Being asked if I want more, then telling me I am looking chubby is not a great confidence booster in a teenage girl already struggling with self confidence issues. To go from a bad relationship in the same time I was going to culinary school probably didn't help either. The joys of food and all that surrounds it is a very hard thing to get past. Not until I left my second relationship and went back to school in healthcare did I realize the damage I was doing to my body with the way I was eating and not exercising. I consider myself a pretty healthy eater now with some allowance for cheats so I don't end up binging on anything I shouldn't be having. It was the exercise part of losing weight and getting healthy again that was a barrier. I just didn't have the energy with a typical crazy healthcare schedule. I now work only nights ( and bring all my snacks pre-made ) and have a consecutive 4 days off in a week that I can get a good active schedule in. My goal is to lose 50-70lbs. I haven't given myself a length of time in which to do this...just until it's done.
I am embarking on this journey for myself and only myself this time...and I think that is why it feels right. I have the support of my family and some amazing friends and with that I am sure I will succeed. Pics will come throughout of my progress..I have been pretty good at eluding the camera from the neck down for the past 10years...I think it's time to stop.
It doesn't help that I come from a family full of weight issues and negative pressures. Don't get me wrong, my family is the world to me and my greatest support system but growing up it is very hard to get past the passive aggresiveness of some family members. Being asked if I want more, then telling me I am looking chubby is not a great confidence booster in a teenage girl already struggling with self confidence issues. To go from a bad relationship in the same time I was going to culinary school probably didn't help either. The joys of food and all that surrounds it is a very hard thing to get past. Not until I left my second relationship and went back to school in healthcare did I realize the damage I was doing to my body with the way I was eating and not exercising. I consider myself a pretty healthy eater now with some allowance for cheats so I don't end up binging on anything I shouldn't be having. It was the exercise part of losing weight and getting healthy again that was a barrier. I just didn't have the energy with a typical crazy healthcare schedule. I now work only nights ( and bring all my snacks pre-made ) and have a consecutive 4 days off in a week that I can get a good active schedule in. My goal is to lose 50-70lbs. I haven't given myself a length of time in which to do this...just until it's done.
I am embarking on this journey for myself and only myself this time...and I think that is why it feels right. I have the support of my family and some amazing friends and with that I am sure I will succeed. Pics will come throughout of my progress..I have been pretty good at eluding the camera from the neck down for the past 10years...I think it's time to stop.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Girly thoughts
With our crazy life schedules it is extremely hard to get together with my girlfriends so when we do we treasure the time we have. It's not often we waste our time going to a restaurant where it's going to be loud and in the end expensive. One of the greatest joys I have when we do get an evening together is cooking for them. I love to find something new and wonderful to try. This is the night when we don't worry about our diets or calorie counting or whether or not we earned that extra bit of wine or dessert. Tonight is no different...the one other joy I had preparing for this evening was getting to walk up to the downtown village area of the town I live in and indugle in the little shops and the farmer's market that happens every Thursday afternoon. To be able to choose my produce and smell the truly fresh odours of hand picked herbs was absolutely heavenly. And then go to our local Italian deli for fresh parmesan and prosciuotto was exactly why I love to cook...tonight's menu..Risotto with asparagus, fresh English peas, the aforementioned deli finds and fresh seared scallops..followed by a banana cake with cinnamon icing...and I can almost guarantee there will be at least one or two bottles of wine consumed..all in all, a perfect evening with some pretty amazing ladies.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Dreams...
And no, I'm not talking the ones in our sleep. I think we all have those dreams. The ones that you think will never come to fruition, the ones that seems so far out of reach that they are just that...dreams. I have a few of those and have decided they need to be fulfilled. I know some may never come true (living in Ireland per say), but I can definitely attempt some of them. The first up to come true...Paris!
That's right, I have always dreamed of spending a few weeks in Paris just wandering and exploring the city and it's surrounding areas. The French culture has always fascinated me and I am finally going to go immerse myself in it. I'm not going until the Spring but am so beyond excited about this decision that I had to write about it now. It's not the sophistication or the fashion that intrigues me, it's their sense of tradition and family. The fact that even though they put on their airs, they are extremely simple people. The things important to them don't seem to be as important to us anymore. The time spent with family, long leisurely lunches, walking everywhere and not worrying about the time. We live in such a rushed society nowadays that we all seem to forget to stop and enjoy the wonder around us.I can hardly wait to arrive in the magical city and wander the streets and museums and take in the culture...not to mention jumping on a train to the outlying villages and towns and take in the history..
Now, I just have to brush up on my French!! Oh well, I have 8 months to do it in!
That's right, I have always dreamed of spending a few weeks in Paris just wandering and exploring the city and it's surrounding areas. The French culture has always fascinated me and I am finally going to go immerse myself in it. I'm not going until the Spring but am so beyond excited about this decision that I had to write about it now. It's not the sophistication or the fashion that intrigues me, it's their sense of tradition and family. The fact that even though they put on their airs, they are extremely simple people. The things important to them don't seem to be as important to us anymore. The time spent with family, long leisurely lunches, walking everywhere and not worrying about the time. We live in such a rushed society nowadays that we all seem to forget to stop and enjoy the wonder around us.I can hardly wait to arrive in the magical city and wander the streets and museums and take in the culture...not to mention jumping on a train to the outlying villages and towns and take in the history..
Now, I just have to brush up on my French!! Oh well, I have 8 months to do it in!
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