What are you grateful for?

"We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have." - Frederick Keonig

I've been toying with the idea to come up with something about Thanksgiving. It's purely a coincidence that I decided to write about it at the time that Americans celebrate Thanksgiving. From where I'm at, this yearly occasion was celebrated more than a month ago. I'm not saying that I'm partial to them ( the Americans, I mean ) It doesn't matter to me anyway. Besides, I think that each new day ( however it turns out ) is always a good enough reason to be thankful for. And not just a specified date on the calendar.

I'm thankful for this.

I'm THANKFUL for...

• RUNNING because it has given me immense pleasure and a strong sense of doing something great, not to mention crazy ( sometimes ). I'm only exceptionally happy when I run. ( If you know what I mean.)
• BOOKS because I love to read. I can't imagine what my life would be if I don't read. And without books and the library.
• FAMILY because I realized that no matter how my family is 'dysfunctional' at times, it would be pretty isolating and lonesome to not have them to come home to and belong with. Though at present, I'm far from them.

I will always be thankful for the chance to know my girls.

• ANOTHER YEAR because turning a year older just means that I'm still here, alive and well. Always willing and thankful to live life, no matter what.
• BEING HERE because I learned that any place can be as great or crappy as I want them to be. It's just a matter of perspective and the right attitude.
• FRIENDS because even if I'm boring and all, they still take the time to get to know me. ( You all know who you are.)
• HIM because when all is said and done, it all comes down to HIM. What I have, I owe it all to HIM.

Some of the happiest and carefree moments I had are those times spent with them.

"Celebrate the happiness that friends are always giving, make every day a holiday and celebrate just living." - Amanda Bradley 

Anyway, I think I've said enough. So, let's hear it, "What are you grateful for?" And, let's have that turkey, already.!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!

I found 'love'

No, not that kind of love. Although, I have now an idea what to reply if someone ( especially the nosy ones ) ask me, "How's your love life?" And it would be, "AWESOME!!!" 

Especially not of that kind where you pretend you like someone and go all doe-eyed and act crazy. Okay, enough about that.

Cinnamon buns...bow.

I've always been fascinated about food in its various forms but not so much about how it is prepared. Once, I even told a friend that if she has devious plans to bring me down, all she has to do is put a plateful of something delicious in front of me and I'm finished.  ( Thankfully, I'm not an interesting person to "inspire" someone into plotting my downfall. But then, despite my best intentions to stay invisible, there are people around, who can't seem to think of anything appropriate to say. )

Love 'em fruit preserves.:-)

Whipping up meals has never been my forte and as far as I'm concerned, not one of my skills ( as if I have any ). It would be a miracle if I can come up with something that's edible and wouldn't make someone choke.

So, it was quite a surprise, when for the past few months, I realized that I can be useful in the kitchen. It did not come easy. I had to contend with burns ( Not serious ones though.) and the smell of onions ( even if I like them ).

Bread and bread.

Now, I can prepare a passable mashed potato and gravy. I develop the knack for making salad and eating them. I bake bread and cookies. And cinnamon buns too. I pickled beets and made zucchini relish. Made some raspberry jam and canned peaches. On the other hand, dealing with meat is a weak point. I can't make a beef roast turn out right. Either it is under cook or too well done. And mind you, people here don't like their meat well done. So, I'm working on it. And based from the comments I get from them, I'm doing okay ( except if they're just being polite to me, anyway )

It does not take much effort.

I think, I'm slowly improving with my new-found 'love' that,  I heard suggestions to hook with someone. Or that I'd make a 'good wife' ( whatever that means ) Ah, the irony of it all.

If it's up to me, I'd rather have something that only needs to be heated on the microwave and won't require a lot of clean up afterward.

Anyway, I found out that COOKING is not only about following recipes ( to a tee ) and hoping it'll turn out wonderful. It's more than that.

Talk about finding 'love', eh?

October "happenings"

"October gave a party;

The leaves by hundreds came-

The chestnuts, oaks, and maples

And leaves of every name.

The Sunshine spread a carpet, 

And everything was grand, 

Miss Weather led the dancing, 

Professor Wind, the band."

- George Cooper ( October's Party )

I know I made a resolution to update my blog more often but it did not turn out that way. I find it hard to sit down and just write. Oftentimes, while I'm in the middle of something, my brain has this annoying habit of going 'bonkers' and ideas just pop out of my head ( and I don't mean that in a literal way ) By the time I decided to jot them down, they're gone.

So anyway, it's now November and it's amazing how days just seemed to sped by. Then out of nowhere, I had this thought, to come up with a short recap of what transpired last month. ( Not that it is interesting or anything. ) I just thought it would be a neat way to keep a record of what happened in the previous month. ( Hopefully, I'll keep this up. )

THANKSGIVING 2011

I had my second Thanksgiving in Nanaimo. Stayed overnight and hang out with the family. I had a great time. Stef was pretty good at mixing drinks.We played games after dinner. I had a few rounds of drinks and ate a lot of food.

KNIT and KNIT 

When I started to learn how to knit, I got so into it that I was torn between knitting and reading. So much so, that I only read two books for this month. It usually take me less than a week to read a book but for once, while I read "Cutting for Stone", it took me two weeks to finish it and even had to stay up late one night, to beat the due date. Silly me. Anyway, I'm proud of the finish product---a scarf.

SHAWNIGAN KINSOL HALF MARATHON 2011
The last Sunday of October, I ran in my second half marathon for this year. I did not aim for any personal best or anything. I just want to run and enjoy the sights along the way, which was awesome, by the way.

After slogging it out for two and half hours, I got this. And a cup of coffee too. :-)

Running has become a part of my life. And it doesn't matter if I run alone or with a group ( though most of the time, I run alone.) I sign up for a race in order to run in other places and in the company of others.

Look at where running takes me. Awesome, eh?

HALLOWEEN 2011

My first Jack-o'-lantern. I wasn't even thinking about it until someone suggested that I should try and carve my very own pumpkin and so I did. At first, I thought it was a tedious task but it wasn't and I even enjoyed doing it. And of course, don't forget the treats. If you ask me, I'd go for "treat & treat" anytime. Who cares about tricks, anyway? Just saying. :-)

And now, off to the next one....

birthday is coming up ( now what? )

"Our prayers are answered not when we are given what we ask, but when we are challenged to be what we can be." - Morris Adler

I woke up today and realized that it's already November. And you know what that means, I suppose. ( if you don't, never mind. ) It's now time to put on my thinking cap and flex my writing muscles and come up with this year's version of "the birthday wish" list.

Two years ago, I started writing about "what I want" for my birthday. True enough, my "wish" were granted. Somewhere out there, someone read this blog. And it was really cool.

Now, as I prime myself to usher in another year of my so-so life, I'm torn between coming up with another "shameless plugging" or just forget about it. Besides, I think I'm "too old" for the usual 'me want this and that on my birthday' list. Though, one time, I had this brief chat with a nice lady, that went like this:
Nice Lady: How old are you, honey?
Me: I'm 34.
Nice Lady: Oh, you look like 12.
Okay, I really didn't know how to reply to that except smile. I had this nagging thought, either I don't really look my age or my face reflects immaturity or something. I didn't know whether to be flattered or be bothered. Anyhow, let's not go there. We're talking about my birthday here, remember.

I don't have a list ( shock yet? ) And I know, come my birthday, it will just be like any ordinary day ( I'm the only one who thinks it's special ) I have no plans of going somewhere or doing something, except probably, go out for a run ( if the weather permits. I remember it was snowing last year.) Besides, I will be working at that day, so I'll see how the day will turn out.

Okay, now wait, I changed my mind. Scrap that "I think I'm too old" line. No one is not too old to 'want' something for their birthday, especially for someone who look like 12. :-) So, here's the 2011 version of my 'shameless plugging'. Don't worry, it's not a mile long.

I enjoyed all the books in the series. Recently, I decided to read it again. So, I'm on the third one and I already put a request in the library, for the next one. It would be awesome to have my own copy so I can read it anytime I want.:-)

Starbucks Stainless Miller Tumbler, 16 oz.

Stainless Steel Tumbler-Pewter 20 oz

I can't make up my mind between the two. They all look great to me. I'm so into coffee that if I can, I'd be drinking it the whole day.

A Book Lover's Diary

My Bibliofile

It just occur to me to start making some sort of  a record or list of all the books I've read. So far, I only come up with a list and sometimes, I don't even bother to update it. I'm thinking, a journal. Let's see.

There goes my 'list'. Now, I'm not saying, I will throw a tantrum if I don't get them. It's just a list anyway.

And now, for the serious stuff, having a another birthday is a good enough reason to be thankful for. ( Of course, it won't hurt to get the books and the mug.:-) ) I don't expect too much of anything on my birthday and for the years to come, except the following:

• Good health for my family and friends. And for myself too. ( I have yet to run a marathon, though, I'm proud to say this, I did 'survive' in my first ultra-marathon.)
• The means and willingness to provide for my family.
• To always "Be satisfied. Be grateful."
• To "don't sweat the small stuff."
• And to be able to run for as long as I can.

There I said it, now I can go back to.....