tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-309404852024-03-05T05:03:23.543-08:00Ramblings from AbroadKatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12498221474514111842noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30940485.post-55788729099377818862007-04-01T02:26:00.000-07:002007-04-01T02:28:13.243-07:00<strong>Last day</strong><br /><br /><br />It's my last day in Paris...and I'm blue like the sky!<br />The sun came out for my departure...that should make it ALOT easier to go back to April weather in Cape Breton!<br /><br />See you CB'ers soon!<br /><br />Love love<br />KateKatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12498221474514111842noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30940485.post-13646751682891950542007-03-28T11:45:00.000-07:002007-03-28T12:33:39.899-07:00<strong>Plans Change/I am Sabrina</strong><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Ok, it's a fact of life, plans change. For inevitable or unavoidable reasons sometimes things don't go exactly according to plan. But bring on that horribly overused saying, "Don't let it get you down!" (Please insert appropriate "When life gives you lemons..."saying here)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>So I am headed back to Canada for an undetermined amount of time this week. I had planned on being paid by my company for the internship, however because of one completely unnecessary line in my contract I'm not eligible to be paid. This is not the end of the world. I obviously am very grateful for the grant that I received to come here. But the money from my company had been budgeted to get me through the next month. Oh well...I'm back at square one, and homeless once again! (Maybe Buttercup will take me back...)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>It has been a beautiful week in Paris. Sunny and 15-17 degrees all this week (now insert the jealous sigh here!)! I couldn't ask for a better way to go out. Now I think that it is only appropriate that I take this time to reflect a bit on my time here...</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>So I've come to hate the term "Once in a lifetime..." because anything is possible and there's absolutely no rule that says you may only experience something like this once. However if I say that perhaps you'll be able to grasp the depth of my experience here. There is not one moment that I would take back over the past 6 months. True to the "Sabrina" lifestyle I've had, you know...finding myself...I am a changed person. At the same time, please expect the same Kate to emerge from the plane, however my outlook on many things, including myself, has changed. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I have, for the past six months, lived a life that I have been wanting for many years. I thought it was so romantic and grown up to move to Paris. To wake up each morning, and walk to my office in a very respectable organization, to walk out at night and buy my dinner at the outside market. I dreamed of this, I really did and I also lived it! Ok so there were crappy days, there were days I wished I had someone who loved me to hug me and tell me it will be ok. Some days I would have jumped on a plane the minute someone offered, however I quickly learned that those feelings were normally brought on by something beyond my control (i.e. sickness, I was sick so much here!) and you just have to roll though that.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The most important lesson I learned here had nothing to do with International Trade or Impressionism(art...museums...duh!)...it had to do with me. I learned a lot of my strengths and weaknesses. Let's just say that I will now rock the interview question: "What are your strengths and weaknesses?" Bring it on (no really, I need a job!)! I've had days where I was proud of myself. And that's a difficult thing to do, to genuinely be proud of yourself and the effort you put into something. I had an amazing boss, who took the time to praise you when you deserved it, he didn't coddle me...he gave it to me straight when something wasn't right. So many times I got back good copies of letters I'd drafted and they did not resemble anything I wrote. He made sure to let me know this was the way that he wanted it, and told me soon enough I'd hear his voice in my head writing the letter. He gave me tasks that I was scared to death to do. To call these big organizations to make contacts and get support. And when I succeeded he praised me and I felt like I had genuinely contributed to the organization and the future of this project. He told me that he couldn't have gotten through the last six months without me...and while I know that everyone is replaceable, and this line is given out too much in general to actual mean a lot to me, I certainly appreciated his gratitude for things I did. I take many skills with me, but one of the most important is how to be a good manager. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Everyone asks if I'm sad to leave. Well of course it's hard to pick up and leave right now. Wrapping up my work this week has been difficult. I have to train someone to replace me and it's hard for me to let go of it all. For the last 6 months I have lived and breathed Certificates of Origin and this project. I had a call today from a member in London to go over some projects and I told him that I would be leaving this week and someone else would be replacing me and he seemed so surprised to hear I was leaving. It's things like that I don't want to pass on. I have worked hard at making these contacts and having them trust me and now they will call when they need help. I can't help but not want to pass them over...but I'll get over it. I'm not sure if it's a strength or a weakness but I have an incredible loyalty for any company I work for. Just like the Tour Coordinator, you start somewhere, get into and then have to leave making your work as transparent as possible for the next person to take over. That's how I learned the important lesson that anyone is replaceable. You just have to make them want you to stay. My boss does want me to stay, but it's not that easy at the moment, no money, no visa, no money...but I at least know I have a strong reference!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Ok this is long and drawn out and I don't even care if no one got this far...this was a wrap up for me! Thanks to everyone who supported me, who listened to me, who loved me, who knew I could do even when I wasn't so sure myself. I didn't win the Olympics, I didn't find a cure for Cancer, but I got to know myself a little bit better and that's good enough for me. I am Sabrina. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Catch on the other side of the ocean y'all. It's only a stopover cause there's no way I'm staying away from this place for long!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Love love love</div><br /><div>Kate</div><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5047060422776005554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXNCAByY6oc7rAfWCBgJEwoNEQSzTLaJwnbss1lNgKbS09blvIJ4KK-FwPwybcWsyM9aqIlo6GtGF-bViZ4OirOwK5oWdpP65ic5zUqhhIsLvhSiD-aax4qB9fM5cvj06QkgrP/s320/P1000437.JPG" border="0" /></div>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12498221474514111842noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30940485.post-90307854740068229892007-03-23T13:48:00.000-07:002007-03-23T14:17:12.260-07:00<div align="center"><br /></div><div align="left"><strong>Stan, my man.</strong></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="left">I have spent the past week with a wonderful, handsome, intelligent guy. It's rare in life that you find a guy who listens as well as he does, without interupting or adding his opinion. He just sits there quietly and stares at you with a big grin on his face. I think I'm in love. There's a bit of a downfall though, he's a bit short and well...a little flat. Literally.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="left"><br />Lynn and I have had the pleasure of showing Flat Stanley around Paris this week. Flat Stanley is the school project of my aunt's niece. He comes with a bio (he needs to be in bed by 8:30, and he's allergic to pineapple) and he's pretty portable so he goes just about anywhere! He's gone to the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Chateaux Versailles, among other great places in Paris! I hear he frequented the Great Canadian Pub too...</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="left"><br />Thought I'd put a few pics from his travels. He's such a cutie.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5045228814600972594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5kB9g5pkhm7aWUnG3eVLrXeGO1zu452GBCmo10PS-cFGEEbnNmODmVSAQb_JCfGSmRxQRYpDMsy_-remxQU4NGNwi-6FfYFZtY8doZ-QTGIPrPl57MKPw6iF5YUQ3wjRlnnLF/s320/IMG_7270.JPG" border="0" />Flat Stanley and I on the train </div><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5045228973514762562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoKFR0_MaXhyvJTW47ljVF5ExCGTNCgkcPhzM27jAvDK9DedqeXgIoNYwHENa65VbBut6rb84R8hUT5y_5Nf6At5TIftT8LI_OsMButfT28LxSPFRk2afT-HnSk115lFpwj2n3/s320/IMG_7292.JPG" border="0" /><br /></p><p align="center">Stan comparing profiles with the bust at Versailles, spitting image I'd say!<br /></p><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5045228625622411554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij2XXc-7yw0OYtLFSqBhKf20GNF38aAoBfGxmF74Q0TAZm9BVHJKQScEwj6Ou9RBRkhuaMlIuJnerdBWET0d6SQAXkV7DVNyAq9HfUSsrh624b-VI1tlwjozYQCQCr2HzuKTd1/s320/IMG_7318.JPG" border="0" /></p><br /><p align="center">Stan hoeing a row in Marie Antionette's Garden. He was breaking the law but shhhh...</p><br /><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5045228269140125970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4pzhedp4FFbGcjKnjoA6qhAOqN-74adAKxlmgGl8bgkH3kRHtwEMTsfbeCeUAOsmjhUC_ffKbYnyn276WAySwm83alEUtase6duJMBADMRmMAAP8-94FErFPU79WlWancPG8J/s320/IMG_7272.JPG" border="0" />Peakaboo! At Versailles</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5045230403738872146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBql1ZfirTe6oPrmAoliJZEUfOlywRiXMhvb8fOyI2JmpRmpUGEee4eNzznEjOQYVrqe62unwkSpjOmSvAH8a7xvr5Hk5uI89KIRevhx0IdJ_ozxGwRAIzgZu4PXuU-58_6Rh3/s320/IMG_7341.JPG" border="0" /><p align="center">Pretending to be Wilson from Tool Time. Did I mention he's got a great sense of humor?<br /></p><p align="left">Stan's going to accompany me on my travels to the UK next month. Now my mom can breathe a sigh of relief, I won't be alone and Stan, my man, can protect me!</p><p align="left">Anyways, I'm exhausted...too much fun and too much wine!</p><p align="left">Love love everyone,</p><p align="left">Kate</p>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12498221474514111842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30940485.post-25360502335666469462007-03-11T07:30:00.000-07:002007-03-11T08:49:48.684-07:00<strong>Busy Busy Busy!</strong><br /><br /><br />So I had every intention of sitting down and writing a nice long post about my trip to Scotland that followed the girls trip, but then last week came upon me, and I barely had time to take my clothes off before falling into bed!<br /><br />My "less than 24 hour trip" to Scotland was a success! I had so much fun. Of course the point of the trip was to see Dave Matthews in concert and I can't even begin to describe how FABULOUS that was. He "forgot" to mention he was bringing Tim Renyolds along, best surprise in the world. Those two together are fantastic. It was an accoustic show, but Tim makes up for like 5 people he's so amazing on guitar. Jenn and I had a fantastic hotel, which included a full Scottish breakfast, haggis included (I left that alone for now, along with the blood pudding, puke!). We did a little pub crawling after the show with some friends of Jenn's. And by pub crawling I mean club crawling the exact opposite of what you would think of pubs in Scotland. These clubs had people dressed better than Parisians, and that's difficult. Needless to say we were a tad underdressed. But it was fun nonetheless! It might have been the best trip yet...<br /><br />Work was absolutely crazy and pretty much great this week. I spent Tuesday in Brussels with my boss from Singapore and my boss from here as we had a meeting to attend at the World Customs Organization. It was fabulous to see all that goes on in a real meeting! The trip was short, there and back in one day but I did have a chance to stop and get some Belgium Chocolate. My intention was to send some home but let's just say I was in a chocolate mood lately so don't get your hopes up...! It was great week at work. A real confidence builder. I also learned some valuable lessons about not having TOO much confidence but thank goodness for a great boss who recognizes one's strengths and tries his best to show your weakness and ways to improve that. I will forever remember this internship and how I learned so much in the span of six months.<br /><br />So onto the big news. I have an interview on the 27th for a visa to move to the United Kingdom. My short jaunt to Scotland made me fall in love and want to move there. I didn't feel I was ready to go home yet, and with Jenn being in Scotland and me liking it so much I think it's my next stop. I plan to become addicted to football, rugby and bad english soap operas and plan to drink too much beer in charming pubs while surrounded by boys in skirts. I think that's all the Scottish stereotypes I'm aware of...I'm very excited and will keep you posted on job prospects!<br /><br />I'll leave you with a picture taken yesterday in Honfleur, Normandy. Not too far from the D-Day beaches. Dr Sun, an incredible woman my university set me up with took me there for a DIVINE lunch yesterday and I loved it!<br /><br />I'll be back soon y'all. Love love love!<br />Cheers,<br />Kate<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5040693469320954258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT4MFgfREjDgK1irh7fT_ynhDWnRpjDgd3VKmL3K0Iwn5A2X0HbXcUXbJ1DXxj0yPyUGuDks9uL4Oi5e1VjBZrfpsvhM6YAhk4_1CFZL38XpEzeDeZFyqrK8zUoVdeBLEsVBmb/s320/IMG_7217.JPG" border="0" />Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12498221474514111842noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30940485.post-16615379705518216352007-03-04T09:31:00.000-08:002007-03-04T10:17:01.155-08:00<div align="left"><strong>La Vie en Rose, with the girls of CB</strong></div><br /><br /><div align="left"></div>Ok so this is a bit late coming but for any of you wondering....I had a blast with my girlies!<br /><div align="left"><br />So the girls week, sorry their 5 days here, was great. It went by oh so quick and I didn't get to see as much of them as I would have liked to, but it was fabulous. Some of the highlights would include: </div><br /><br /><ul><li><div align="left">Champagne and strawberries (to start the trip off right!)</div></li><li><div align="left">Tea with Dr. Sun</div></li><li><div align="left">Monmartre (mainly the ten million flights of stairs that gave us butts o'steel, wishful thinking)</div></li><li><div align="left">Music quiz at the Long Hop</div></li><li><div align="left">Versailles (aka Mary-Ann's house)</div></li><li><div align="left">Almost missing Cabaret (ok this wasn't a highlight, this was a disaster but worth remembering, it almost cost me 351 Euro)</div></li><li><div align="left">The man who drew our picture (Es looked like Mona Lisa, Dawn looked normal, and I wished that I actually looked like the girl he drew!)</div></li><li><div align="left">The bad wine, checking our pulse and the boys across the hall who heard every word we said...</div></li><li><div align="left">The Eiffel Tower (crying at the base of it, JDoggPop: scared man we took pictures of to email him, the Canadian Physio's at the top, Paris at Night) </div></li><li><div align="left">And of course breaking all the wine glasses and losing the key AFTER the safety deposit was returned.</div></li></ul><p align="left">It was a great week. I love my girlies...the last time we spent that much concentrated time together must have been going to Quebec in Grade 9. They brought me lots of presents from some great people. You know when you move to another continent people feel the need to shower you with presents...it's great, you should try it. Everyone will at least send you Kraft Dinner, and really is there anything better than that?! </p><div align="left">I wish they could have spent more time here, then we wouldn't have had to stuff everything into that short amount of time, but I think it was a success! They got to see this beautiful city that I live in, and me, well I got a little bit of home, and two of best girls in the world! Thanks for coming girls, maybe you'll meet me at my next stop...or I'll meet you on yours...<br /></div><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5038132510837077794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV9L-G9CAPMGcJVrtxSEqkmPy5TbByOv8n-E1igfOXybKdwYI-p8vR577EKjO-4SyGqBUY1jbyakLr_TztNj2MXR02YePstyRZpYJXj33tP22DHQIk0ox7yaLpgeB83kIdCp-N/s320/girls+long+hop.jpg" border="0" /></p><br /><br /><p align="center">Esther, Dawn and I at the Long Hop</p>Ok more pics to come...as well as my trip to Scotland! It just takes so long to upload the pics!<br />Keep checking back for the updates. Love and miss you all!<br /><br />Kate xo<br /><br /><p align="center"><br /><br /></p>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12498221474514111842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30940485.post-7941285596937981012007-02-18T00:46:00.000-08:002007-02-18T00:55:54.834-08:00<div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"><strong>Living it up in Paris with my girls...</strong></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">Alright so I haven't heard from them yet, but I would suspect that they are driving in from the airport at this exact minute. And aside from being exhausted they are probably really excited! So am I! </div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">Don't know what we are going to get up to this week, but I don't think it matters! Paris with your girlfriends is seriously close to being the best thing ever! (best thing ever would be to spent it with your significant other. Paris being the city of love and all!)</div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">Anyways, must go prepare. If I'm not around for the next week this is why...oh and Dave Matthews in Glasgow on Sunday! Can't wait to see my Jennyfer!!</div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br /></div><div align="left">Love love y'all!</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5032794630008626930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/__MmBwxqJIcM/RdgUDRUoXvI/AAAAAAAAADU/GsdXdRubGnc/s200/kate+es+and+dawn.jpg" border="0" /></div><p align="center">Mega old picture but apparently I don't have any recent ones... That'll change this week I'm sure!</p>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12498221474514111842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30940485.post-32503774060920604682007-02-14T12:29:00.000-08:002007-02-14T12:45:00.827-08:00<strong>Happy Valentines Day!<br /></strong><br />Just wanted to say have a Happy Day. There's no better day to say I love you with grocery store flowers, cheap chocolate and ecards! Just remember to keep saying it the other 364 days of the year. I believe it more when you aren't forced by a commercial holiday!<br /><br />Love to all the fam and friends who read this...and of course to all those who I don't really know, I wish you love as well! And I'm not saying it just cause Hallmark makes me. I really do wish everyone love! <div><div></div><div>Only 4 more sleeps till my girls are here...and more importantly my Kraft Dinner. Kidding...</div><div></div><div> </div><div>xo Kate</div><div> </div><p align="center"><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/__MmBwxqJIcM/RdNyuRUoXsI/AAAAAAAAACw/qxTpefBzZPE/s1600-h/grammygrampy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5031491347952459458" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/__MmBwxqJIcM/RdNyuRUoXsI/AAAAAAAAACw/qxTpefBzZPE/s200/grammygrampy.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><div align="center">Some cute valentines!</div><div align="center"><br /><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/__MmBwxqJIcM/RdNzHBUoXtI/AAAAAAAAAC4/BCEix4Gw4XY/s1600-h/karenmike2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5031491773154221778" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/__MmBwxqJIcM/RdNzHBUoXtI/AAAAAAAAAC4/BCEix4Gw4XY/s200/karenmike2.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><br /></div><p align="center">Some more cute ones!</p><p align="center"><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/__MmBwxqJIcM/RdNzfhUoXuI/AAAAAAAAADA/AOWgrZUgRIc/s1600-h/kate+and+kyle+lap.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5031492194061016802" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/__MmBwxqJIcM/RdNzfhUoXuI/AAAAAAAAADA/AOWgrZUgRIc/s200/kate+and+kyle+lap.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center">Cutest!</p><p align="center">ps. No discrimination meant by only choosing these three couples. They were the only ones that I had! </p><div><br /></div><p align="center"></p></div>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12498221474514111842noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30940485.post-22694488584034214782007-02-13T10:33:00.000-08:002007-02-14T05:48:34.412-08:00<a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/__MmBwxqJIcM/RdIN2hUoXrI/AAAAAAAAACY/btv_0LGbSks/s1600-h/katetongue.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5031098964035264178" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/__MmBwxqJIcM/RdIN2hUoXrI/AAAAAAAAACY/btv_0LGbSks/s200/katetongue.jpg" border="0" /></a> <strong>Screaming on the inside and, evidently, the outside as well...</strong><br /><div><div><div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Alright I had a bad day. Nothing in particular was bad about it but I just had one of those days where I got stressed out about things that are beyond my control.<br /><br />Age 23 is a particularly rough age. I'm supposed to be figuring out my life. I should at least be finding the right path to get on. Everyone says don't worry about it. But don't worry about it is contrary to my nature. I need to worry about it. I need to know that I'm making some progress somewhere. Every now and then I feel like I'm taking two steps back to every one I take ahead. This is an age, where you have the degree and or smarts to get a job, but you can't find a job. Or the age where you have time to travel and explore, be reckless, but you can't afford to do that. It's stressful on this 23 year old mind of mine.<br /></div><div>At the height of my stress right before the breakdown I found this on a bloggers site. She wrote it, and it's probably wrong to steal it and put it on here, but I'll link to her site so you can give her her due:<br /></div><br /><div align="left"><em><a href="http://hildemollerknag.blogspot.com/">Stop</a></em></div><div align="left"><em>Stop being afraid of what other people think</em></div><div align="left"><em>stop putting on a front to hide who you really are</em></div><div align="left"><em>stop pushing away the people who care about you the most</em></div><div align="left"><em>Stop filling your life with excuses so that you don't have to deal with things that are "too hard"</em></div><div align="left"><em>Stop being scared of life, of love, of being loved</em></div><div align="left"><em>Stop putting up walls</em></div><div align="left"><em>Stop hiding behind them</em></div><div align="left"><em>Stop hurting others just to protect yourself</em></div><div align="left"><em>Stop acting weak and finally be your strong self</em></div><div align="left"><em>Stop trying to have life figured out before you'll even take a baby step</em></div><div align="left"><em>Stop and take a look at yourself, and ask if you're really getting what you want out of life,or if you are just too scared to see what it will bring</em></div><div align="left"><em>Stop and think about how you are called to live.</em></div><div align="left"><em>And then</em></div><div align="left"><em>Start living. Start believing. Start loving</em></div><br /><div align="left"><em></em></div><div align="left">Her name is Bekah, and personally I think she's a genius. Or maybe she's just in the same boat as me and understands. In any case I thought it was good, and I wanted to share.</div><br /><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Ok so to all of you who know someone this age, at this stage in their life. You might want to refrain from asking what they plan to do with their lives...it could be hazardous to your health. </div><br /><div align="left"></div><div align="left">Love love everyone!</div><div align="left">Kate</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="left"></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="left"></div></div></div></div>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12498221474514111842noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30940485.post-81340615003252109652007-02-12T01:05:00.000-08:002007-02-10T20:46:42.282-08:00<strong>"Was I an overnight sensation?"</strong><br /><br />Yay! Gordie won a Grammy!<br />I thought the awards were next week so I was surprised this morning to find out he won! I announced it to everyone in my office; who, evidently weren't as thrilled as I was. Number one because they aren't familiar with Grammys, and number two because they have no idea who Gordie Sampson is...or Carrie Underwood for the matter!<br />I, on the other hand, am thrilled! I think I'll make a point of only listening to Gordie today...<br /><br />I love Cape Breton and all the talent that comes out of there. Look at all the people who were pumped to attend the Rankins this week...We got talent (ok i say that like I have talent, which I don't, but I like being part of an island that's full of it!)!<br /><br />Have a good one...remember to listen to Gordie today!<br />Love love<br />kateKatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12498221474514111842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30940485.post-86002115446357569322007-02-06T10:45:00.000-08:002007-02-06T11:57:14.514-08:00<div><div><strong>Giving to others...</strong> <a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/__MmBwxqJIcM/RcjchBUljNI/AAAAAAAAABk/gMGcd8sUqoM/s1600-h/beggar+2.jpg"></a></div><div><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/__MmBwxqJIcM/Rcjc_xUljOI/AAAAAAAAABs/Cq12ZqIPGSE/s1600-h/beggar+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5028511972088712418" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/__MmBwxqJIcM/Rcjc_xUljOI/AAAAAAAAABs/Cq12ZqIPGSE/s400/beggar+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />If I happen to have change in my coat pocket (and normally I do) I will give to those people begging on the street or in the metro station. It certainly would not be possible to give to everyone because Paris is full of people asking for money, or performing for money. But I certainly don't avoid those who are less fortunate looking for help. I don't know what it is they do with the money, and frankly I don't care. I give people the benefit of the doubt and believe that they are in fact hungry and/or homeless and give what I have. Certainly this isn't a big gesture. But I would like to think that perhaps the Euro or two I deposit in their cup could give some small relief.<br /><br />Lately though, I've been saving my Euros to deposit in the cup of a lady who begs in the metro station on my way home from work. My heart absolutely breaks every single time I see her. She is middle aged I would guess and some days she is sitting at the top of the stairs, her usual spot, and is crying. Every time I see her cry I wonder if some heartless person has gone before me and said something mean to her. On those days I wish I could hug her, or say something that would make feel better. But I don't know the cause of those tears, and I don't know why she is forced to beg so I give what I can and hope it helps. She averts her eyes from everyone and sits huddled up as though she's embarrassed to be there. She holds a small sign that says "J'ai faim<em>"-I'm hungry</em>.<br /><br />Today before I reached my final station, and where my sweet lady is, I was reading a book called 'A Fine Balance' on the train. It's about India in the mid-70's and the hardships of people who were homeless and some forced to beg. And this evening I read a line that struck me, and I had to put the book away, "O Babu, without beggars how will people wash away their sins?" And I felt guilty. I felt guilty for feeling good when I dropped those few coins in people's cups. Guilty for believing that my giving would make a difference to them, but was I sub consciously thinking it would make me a better person? No, I don't think I give to balance out my wrongdoings, or sins, but it did make me feel guilty. Guilty enough to put that book away and think about it.<br /><br />And so tonight, when I dropped my Euro and a half in the sweet lady's cup, she grabbed my hand. And for once she looked in my eyes and said "Vous etes gentille<em>"-You are kind</em>, and my heart hurt so much. It was as though she knew I felt guilty and that I wished I could do something more than give the Euro and a half left from buying my lunch. Tonight I didn't walk away with a lighter heart and the feeling of doing good. I walked away with tears in my eyes and her three words echoing in my ears.<br /><br />The world is a cruel place sometimes, and as Esther so eloquently put it this morning, <em>"[There are things in life that] remind us how quickly things can change and how fragile we all really are". </em>I don't give to this lady or others to make me a better person. I do it because I hope that it helps. And maybe one day I can and will do more. But for now, I wish I could tell that sweet lady crying at the top of the stairs, that there's someone thinking of her right now and wishing the world hadn't been so cruel to her...<br /><br />It's time to start saying my prayers again I think, there are a few people who need them this week...</div></div>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12498221474514111842noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30940485.post-28686144544058951872007-02-03T09:54:00.000-08:002007-02-03T11:04:10.805-08:00<strong>161 pounds is not FAT!</strong><br /><br />I've spent an entire afternoon looking at naked women. Ok, I spent the afternoon looking at paintings and sculptures of naked women at Musee D'Orsay here in Paris. Beautiful works of beautiful women, loved by the men who created them, or painted them from models or from images in their mind of the ideal woman. And you know what...there was not one 'skinny' woman in these paintings or sculptures.<br /><br />So I'm in the museum looking at all this different works by all these different men, and I think that it was such a different time back then. When it was a woman's curves, her hips, her breasts that we admired, the more curvy the better. And I think that I hope we go back to this. Like fashion I hope it comes back into style.A 360 from the size two models we now worship.<br /><br />So then I come home and find an article on Tyra Banks, and all those people who are calling her fat. Ok I saw the picture of her on the beach in that horrible one piece bathing suit...but c'mon there's no one in this world who could rock that suit. It was definitely a poor fashion choice, but I certainly did not think she was fat. There's so much pressure these days, there's <strong>too</strong> much pressure these days. When we are at a point where society thinks that 161 pounds for her height is fat, we're in trouble.<br /><br />Too many times I've stood in a mirror with a critical eye and cursed my body. Cursed my butt, my stomach, my breasts. And I'm ashamed of that. I am not fat. I am average, maybe even a little below average. (In 2005, the average Canadian woman was 5'3" and 153 pounds.) I am a size 8 or 10. And by 'Hollywood' standards I am fat. Well screw you guys. You are the minority...the rest of us who eat are the majority. It makes me so angry to think of people who think they aren't beautiful because they don't measure up to what the standard that is forced upon us. Personally I get way too excited when I see a 'real woman' in movies. I think, look at her thighs...they are like the same size as mine. Really I shouldn't be thinking this. But woman are so worried about meeting standards that we are happy when someone in the media that looks like us.<br /><br />I am happy for Tyra, it's unfortunate that she had to retire to be able to gain 30 pounds. I'm happy for stars like Catherine Zeta Jones, and Mandy Moore, who are healthy sized actresses. I'm happy for Jennifer Hudson and Beyonce Knowles and their curves. I just wish I didn't have to be happy for a few successful people in the media who are normal sized. I wish I didn't live in a world where we create standards of beauty. Standards of beauty that the majority of people can't meet.<br /><br />I know a very impressionable young girl, who I think is absolutely beautiful but I have already witnessed on a few occasions her worrying about her weight and looks. And it makes me so angry. How do I explain to her, that what we see in movies and on TV is not what you should trying to be. You should focus on simply being healthy. Keep playing soccer and eating the right things...and don't feel bad when you eat sweets, or occasionally splurge and eat junk food. This young girl is tall and lanky and will probably remain this way most of her life just like her mom...but if at the young age of 12 she's already worried about her weight, I'm worried about what's to come in the next few years.<br /><br />I can hear the criticism...I'm just jealous cause I don't look like them. No I'm not. Even though I've stood in that dreadful mirror way too many times, I like my body. I try to be healthy and maintain a healthy weight, but I don't care if I eat three cookies and don't eat near enough vegetables. I try not to think about those parts of me that I simply can not change. We don't get to decide our body type, we don't get to decide how long our legs are, how wide our hips are, how big our breasts are (well you can in fact alter that...but that's a whole other can of worms) If one focuses so much energy on things we can not change, we burn out long before we learn to focus on the beautiful aspects of ourselves.<br /><br />Anyways, I could go on forever about this. But you know, I just wanted to say I'm beautiful, and I can't think of one woman in my life that isn't. So let's go have some cake and complain about our thighs. I know, I'm a hypocrite!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/__MmBwxqJIcM/RcTbqRUljKI/AAAAAAAAABE/Mfz-Zy2YaOs/s1600-h/dove.jpg"></a><p align="center"><a href="http://www.campaignforrealbeauty.com/"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5027384770806779058" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/__MmBwxqJIcM/RcTb0BUljLI/AAAAAAAAABM/Q0srn2F5MfE/s320/dove.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><div align="center"><br /><em>Click on image to go to the Dove Real Beauty Campaign</em><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />(While looking for a pic of the 'Dove' models to go with this post I found this article:<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/18/AR2005081801887.html">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/18/AR2005081801887.html</a> It made me feel bad for saying 'real woman'. I certainly in no way suggest that anyone who is below a size 10 is artificial. My only point is we should stop putting so much focus on beauty and deciding a certain body type is a standard of beauty. In any case check it out.) </div>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12498221474514111842noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30940485.post-43842417445361643012007-02-02T01:11:00.000-08:002007-02-02T01:13:35.176-08:00Hi All<br /><br />I gave you a link a few posts ago to get to Post Secrets. However today in an effort to return to the site, I clicked the link and realized...This is not the site I want! So here is the link to the Correct Site! Oops! Check this one out:<br /><div align="center"><a href="http://postsecrets.com">http://postsecrets.com</a></div><br />Love love!Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12498221474514111842noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30940485.post-30623680661877022692007-02-01T13:17:00.000-08:002007-02-01T13:40:00.281-08:00<strong>Everything is 'Fancier' in France</strong><br /><strong></strong><br />Had a bit of a craving for salt today, and was going grocery shopping so I thought I'd pick up a bag of chips. Ha. This is not Canada. There is not an entire aisle at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">SuperStore</span> dedicated to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">oversized</span> bags of chips. There's a dainty little section dedicated to dainty little snacks. So I spotted on the bottom shelf 'Lays'. Yes, I thought to myself, something I know. Ha. I should know better by now than to think that...because just because it has the same name as home...they are normally not the same. Number one, you can't buy big bags. These 'Lays' came 6 individual sized bags in a pack. And I'm certainly not complaining but the individual sized bags are smaller here than home. And number two, the flavors are CRAZY different. So I thought I'd share them with you:<br /><ul><li>The two normal flavors: Plain, and Plain Ripple</li><li><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">Bolognaise</span> ( tomato, green pepper and spice)</li><li>Cheese</li><li>Roast Chicken and Thyme</li><li>Mustard Pickles</li><li>Spicy</li><li>Barbecue</li><li>Tomato, Mozzarella and Basil</li><li>Ham and Cheese</li><li>Oh and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">there's</span> also two kinds of Olive Oil Lays: Plain and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">Romarin</span>(whatever that is!)</li></ul><p>Some seem pretty normal...but Ham and Cheese and Mustard Pickles! My word, that's a whole freaking dinner! So in my pack came <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">Bolognaise</span>, Cheese and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Barbecue</span>. I tried the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">Bolognaise</span>, and surprisingly they were good. I love how the Roast Chicken ones come with Thyme. In Canada we carnivores like our gravy with our roast chicken...here it's a delicate dusting of Thyme. I love France. </p><p>Oh and also I was looking a some Chef <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">Boyardee</span> type products here, and decided to put them back when they stated in bold print: 8.5% Pure Beef! What? Tell me what exactly is the other 91.5%...no wait don't tell me!</p><p>love love...that's 8.5% pure love topped with Mustard Pickles! Yum!</p><p> </p>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12498221474514111842noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30940485.post-15318082846252669942007-01-31T12:31:00.001-08:002007-01-31T12:35:57.123-08:00<a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/__MmBwxqJIcM/RcD9DBUljII/AAAAAAAAAAs/s6EMVIMS4QU/s1600-h/oprah.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5026295412481690754" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 143px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 120px" height="137" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/__MmBwxqJIcM/RcD9DBUljII/AAAAAAAAAAs/s6EMVIMS4QU/s320/oprah.jpg" width="152" border="0" /></a><br /><div><strong>The 'O' Effect</strong><br /><br />While aimlessly fooling around on the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Internet</span> I came across a business weekly slide show about Oprah. In particular, her role in many profit rich businesses. The slide show showed 11 or 12 business that got rich off of one tiny Oprah mention. Either Oprah put their product in her magazine on her 'O' list or she mentioned them on her show. Each business had DRASTIC increases in business after Oprah dropped their name. And some lucky businesses got on both the show and in the magazine...Holy Fortune Batman.<br /><br />Can you imagine being such a powerful person that simply mentioning a product could put someone on Easy Street financially...or maybe the nuthouse from the flocks of people that storm them?! Now clearly, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">celebrity</span> endorsement must work; many celebs/athletes have endorsement deals with big companies but <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">I'm</span> not so sure it amounts to the proportions that Oprah has reached. You don't hear about 'Britney' effect for Pepsi, and I will certainly throw myself from the Eiffel Tower if there is a '<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">KFed</span>' effect for Nationwide Insurance. If anything people should boycott those products because...<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">never mind</span> I digress and those two don't need ANY MORE publicity! An entire economic effect though...I think I'll do my MBA thesis on " The 'O' Effect: How her endorsements change the economy". Sign me up. I smell an 'A+'!<br /><br />So Oprah is the world's richest female entertainer according to Forbes, and my word she's practically superhuman, I'd say she should be rich to boot! Simply put Oprah can do whatever the H**L she wants. There's no end to it. People trust her. Look at the women of North America, we abide by what she says, we watch what she does, we read what she reads, and evidently we buy what she buys. When Hermes snubbed 'O', you could smell the smoke of all the North Americans burning their Hermes scarves all the way across the Atlantic. We love Oprah.<br /><br />Point is, I'm just amazed by her and what she manages to accomplish. I don't know how she does it. I don't know how she created the near religion like following...but damn share the love why don't you? I wrote you for tickets like 5 years ago...and I've yet to hear a word! Hook my mama up...<br /><br />Love love lovers!</div>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12498221474514111842noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30940485.post-32887966230920003872007-01-30T13:35:00.000-08:002007-02-02T01:11:27.126-08:00<strong>Wait for it...</strong><br /><br /><div align="left">So I had a great post for today but I've just spent my entire night on something I had to get done and I'm exhausted now...so wait for it!<br /><br />But in the meantime, I found this blog today which I find very interesting. I think everyone should take a look at. It's called post secrets. People mail in their secrets on postcards and they are posted here. Some are funny, some are sad, some are way out there. But it's always a good way to waste few minutes. The link is: <a href="http://postsecrets.com">http://postsecrets.com</a><br /><br /></div><div align="center">This a sample. I picked an appropriate one for myself!<br /></div><p align="center"><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/__MmBwxqJIcM/Rb-7EzvHSXI/AAAAAAAAAAg/f_bxfe8oZ7A/s1600-h/white+man.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5025941400450451826" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/__MmBwxqJIcM/Rb-7EzvHSXI/AAAAAAAAAAg/f_bxfe8oZ7A/s320/white+man.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p align="left">Alright, check it out! Waste some time and see into other people's crazy lives...</p><p align="left">love love</p>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12498221474514111842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30940485.post-81284189689789737092007-01-28T14:05:00.000-08:002007-01-28T14:20:16.770-08:00<strong>Where oh where should we go?</strong><br /><strong></strong><br />Well I had a bit of a waste weekend. Saturday started promising, a nice sleep in (little did I know, I was going to spend the entire weekend in bed!) and I got dressed and went to Champs. I had to find a club that I have to go to tomorrow for a lunch date. I'm meeting up with a former SMU prof and she's taking me to her private club...which looks incredibly posh by the way, so I'll let you know how it goes. I stopped at Virgin to pick up some earphones cause my iPod ones stopped working on me and also a map of Europe! Unfortunately I started feeling a little "seedy" after Virgin so I thought I'd head home. I had a bit of a headache and was feeling a little tired, but thought a good meal would fix me right up. So I made some goulash (which I definitely regretted at 3am) and knew not long after that I'd be spending my Sunday in bed. I'd mistaken the "seedy" feeling for hunger but it was in fact a migrane. Unfortunately my triggers and signs that I'm getting a migrane are not consistent so I'm not able to tell when I get them. So I spent today in bed, but it wasn't a relatively bad one and I'm hoping it will have vanished by tomorrow!<br /><br />Ok so the real point of the post! Kyle and I are planning a trip in April. He's coming for two weeks and we want to see as much as possible (hence the map purchase at Virgin!). So where we want to go is all over the map and I have no idea how to pin down what would be a good area to go to. So thought I'd ask for some suggestions. Places people have been to...or wish they could go to...let me know. We're pretty open to anything and anywhere. I'd love to visit Greece and Italy. He suggested Spain and the Czech Republic, which I would also love to see. There's oh so many possibilities and I'm horrible at making decisions so help a brother out here!<br /><br />Alright I should go to bed. I mean I should sleep because I've been in this bed all day...<br />Love you all!<br />KateKatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12498221474514111842noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30940485.post-48073219427348157502007-01-25T10:22:00.000-08:002007-01-25T11:05:47.224-08:00<strong>Susceptible to the bubonic plague...</strong><br /><br />While ordering in lunch today my supervisor, the temp and I got into a discussion about food and blood type, and the supposed relationship between the two. The temp is semi vegetarian and barely eats any meat whatsoever. However my supervisor says that if she cuts meat out of her diet that she <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">gets</span> really tired and cranky. Funny you should mention that...me too! According to her, she said that Blood Type plays a role in what one should eat. Type O like herself and I should fill our diet with lots of MEAT! Because Type O blood is the oldest blood type that exists, we should therefore should follow the diet of our ancestors, a diet full of meat.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">Ok</span> so it made me curious. I thought it strange that she and I shared the same symptoms from lack of meat in our diets. So I did like any person would do, I googled it! I had no idea there is an entire diet fad related to this called, surprisingly, The Blood Type Diet. Now if I were I science student, perhaps I could explain to you the reasoning for all of this, but I can barely grasp it myself, so you can feel free to check it out here: <a href="http://www.drlam.com/blood_type_diet/">http://www.drlam.com/blood_type_diet/</a> (this isn't Dr. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">d'Adamo's</span> site, but it's a bit easier to comprehend!)<br /><br />The majority of articles I found flat out dissed this diet saying it basically had no scientific back up whatsoever. Which wasn't a surprise to me. I know that the reason I feel good when I eat meat, in particular red meat, is because I have incredibly low iron so my body has a little party <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">every time</span> I have a steak. Perhaps I'll mention this to my supervisor, and explain it may not be due to the fact that we are supposed to follow the diets of the neanderthals!<br /><br />I personally don't believe that dieting works. Correction: FAD dieting doesn't work. I've seen way too many people try one of those crazy diets...like the cabbage soup diet (GROSS!) and come crashing down only to find themselves in the drive <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">thru</span> for <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">McDonald's</span>. But I was certainly intrigued by the supposed genetic predispositions that we apparently have according to our blood type.<br /><br />Type O and B are susceptible to the bubonic plague and scarlet fever (good thing this isn't the 1700's!) while Type A is supposedly more susceptible to diabetes and cancer. Now I didn't see any scientific data to back this up (like <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">I'd</span> understand it anyway!) but they were debating Dr <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">d'Adamo</span> for not doing research...so they'd be hypocritical if they didn't do theirs. Here's the site, you can check it out: <a href="http://www.acu-cell.com/btd.html">http://www.acu-cell.com/btd.html</a><br /><br />I also found that 98% of Natives have type O blood. Now that's definitely a handy fact, and something I will use a conversation starter the next time I go to visit the family. "So...Uncle Pep...betcha I can guess you're blood type!" <br /><br />Oh and one more bone to pick with the dieting thing...a good friend sent me a site <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">recommendation</span> for vegetarians ( GoVeg.com ). I'm certainly not a vegetarian though it was an informative site if you are thinking of becoming a veggie! But it also made me incredibly angry that they practically screamed at me that I was an animal killer. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Admittedly</span>, yes an animal did die, but I believe in the food chain and the Circle of Life! Me predator...top of food chain! I have a lot of respect for those who can healthily live as vegetarians, and I respect their decisions. I have many a friend who are veggies, and they are very respectful of me and allow me to eat my meat, and I'm always sure to cook veggie when they come over. But I don't think I'll be joining you anytime soon though...I'm Type O.<br /><br />Alright...just some food for thought....<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" onclick="BLOG_clickHandler(this)">hahaha</span> I made a funny!<br /><br />love love<br />KateKatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12498221474514111842noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30940485.post-65632730632664730402007-01-24T13:55:00.000-08:002007-01-24T14:23:29.526-08:00<strong>Music through the walls...</strong><br /><br />Well since my move to the basement, I've discovered a few things. One, that no one really uses the kitchen down here, so my social interaction has been halved, if not more. When you live in a residence like this, social gatherings happen while making dinner. And no one really uses this kitchen at all. I may actually have to climb a few flights of stairs and cook in my old kitchen to ensure I am appearing to be at least a little socially involved!<br /><br />The other is that there is so much talent in this building it's incredible. I'm either blessed or very unfortunate to have been put in the hallway with the music room. If I'm not mistaken there are actually two music rooms in the hall. So I am, most evenings surrounded by music. The piansts here are absolutely amazing. At our little "soiree" that I participated in before Christmas I was simply amazed by the skills of some people. There were two piansts (totally different styles), a clarinet player, and a soprano. They were incredible. And now I find that next door to me is a guitarist. And he is CRAZY AMAZING. When he plays, you swear there are like 6 people in there playing because it just sounds so good...and full (does that make sense?). It's like he's playing the parts of three people. Tonight I was laying in bed reading (The State of the Union, by Douglas Kennedy...good book!) and he's practising in his room next to me...and it was just so very nice and relaxing. And just as he stops, someone starts on the piano in the music room. It was lovely. I'm so impressed by the talent in this building.<br /><br />On a related note...it does suck to have the music room on one side and a guitarist on the other side. When they both practice at once...it's a bit stressful. And also I find that many of the students and artists keep very different hours than I do. I, unlike many of them, have to get up at 7:30am, so needless to say I go to bed a bit earlier than many. And I wasn't particularily happy at 1:30am on Monday to be woken up to very loud piano AND the soprano practicing together (i had my bedroom window open and they had the music room window open, which meant it was like they were in my room!) Needless to say, I was upset but I got over it, and was lulled back to sleep by the music, with the occasional jolting awake when it was piano fortissimo!<br /><br />Alright, well it's late and it's probably going to take about an hour to fall asleep because for once there's action in my kitchen...what appears to be a dance party. At 11:30, on a Wednesday. Crazy Parisian/Canadian Students/Artists!<br /><br />love love<br />kateKatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12498221474514111842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30940485.post-50420488373585316822007-01-23T09:35:00.000-08:002007-01-23T10:07:48.670-08:00<strong>Paris Sales...When everything is CHEAP. Even Louis Vuitton (it only costs an arm, not an arm and a leg!)</strong><br /><br />I've been avoiding the stores in Paris. Why? Because everyone keeps telling me that shopping is so good right now I know that the minute I step in the door I will go CRAZY. Shopping in Paris is always good, and when it's all on sale...oh so much better! But after going a little overboard for Christmas and then with the new single room, my budget basically can't handle any shopping, if I plan to eat that is.<br /><br />But alas, this morning I woke up and it was so very cold here. Certainly I deserved this cold snap after making fun of all the Canadians freezing off their little keesters. And lucky me, I found out that I left my gloves in Canada. Plus I have no winter scarf. So today I ventures out in my semi winter/spring coat and I'm frozen. So I decide I'm absolutely going to have to go buy gloves and a scarf. I'll go on my lunch break, just a quick trip to Champs Elysee's GAP, pick up the scarf, grab a sandwich and back to work. Ha!<br /><br />Well I walked with my supervisor to the top of Champs because she was going to the bank and GAP is at the bottom. So I had to pass all the shops. I made a quick trip into Promode because they had these really nice scarves before Christmas that I thought I could pick up. No scarves but pretty much everything else was on for some ridiculously low price and I could feel my heartbeat start to pick up so I hightailed it for the door. Must focus. Scarf. Gloves.<br /><br />So I walked to GAP. I've never walked so fast and looked only in one direction the entire time. Must not look in stores. Must not see great deals...Made it to GAP. My mom and I saw really nice scarves before Christmas and I thought there might be a good deal. Well there wasn't much selection. I in fact decided not to get one and walked away, but upon my second loop someone had put back a beautiful scarf that I had drooled over before Christmas. It was fate. Angora and Lambs Wool, regular 40€ on for 4€. Yes! The matching gloves were in fact the same price. So I got them. I made a quick move for the counter. Grabbed two pairs of socks off the rack on the way and got in line. I looked to my left. Holy beautiful down vests on sale for 34€!Must stay in line. Must pay and leave. But I really do need a vest, I simply cannot wear my Costco Vest any longer. Nope. That's fine. Just stay in line. I stayed in line and thank goodness, after an eternity and much internal fighting later, it was my turn. I paid. And I walked directly to the vests. They had just been marked down further to 29€. And the first one I picked up was my size.<br /><br />You think I bought it don't you? You think I was unable to use my willpower (which barely exists) and bought that vest? Well...I didn't. But I ran like hell out of that store. I tripped two elderly women, knock over a rack of sweaters, and gave the security guard a black eye as I ran, limbs flailing out the door.<br /><br />I went straight back to the office (well after a sandwich stop of course!) and I didn't think about it all afternoon. Not once did I devise a plan that I won't eat for a week in March just so I can look styling in that vest...not once did I think about selling the nice boots that my mom lent me to pay for that vest (and the 2 other shirts I fell in love with on the first loop). Nope I didn't think about it at all.<br />I'm proud of me. Look at my willpower.<br />No vest.<br />I'm good.<br />Really good...<br />There's a possibility I may need to be tied to my desk tomorrow and escorted home.<br />Love ya's!<br />Kate<br />ps. No actual person was injured during my stop in the GAP. This whole story has been a gross exaggeration. Maybe.<br />Also, Louis Vuitton isn't actually on sale. When you can afford that stuff...you don't need a sale!Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12498221474514111842noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30940485.post-31059861111969176402007-01-21T09:11:00.000-08:002007-01-21T09:49:06.932-08:00<a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/__MmBwxqJIcM/RbOe3zvHSWI/AAAAAAAAAAU/ub_T1YpgGRA/s1600-h/audrey+hepburn.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5022532691066046818" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/__MmBwxqJIcM/RbOe3zvHSWI/AAAAAAAAAAU/ub_T1YpgGRA/s320/audrey+hepburn.jpg" border="0" /></a> <strong>A weekend in Paris with Audrey...</strong><br /><br />Well I've just had a splendid weekend in Paris. With Audrey. That's right my ole chum Audrey Hepburn joined me for some fun in Paris. Could you imagine a better person to explore Paris with? Certainly the original Sabrina would know all the sophisticated hangouts, where we would don fabulous dress, pin up our hair and grab a clutch in our gorgeous gloved hand. Oh I so wish that happened! Last weekend I purchased a few movies from a sidewalk sale and saved the best for last. I'd been putting off watching it all week, so that I could come home on Friday, have a nice relaxing meal and curl up with "Breakfast at Tiffany's". I had never seen this movie, though I'd heard wonderful things about so when I saw it I HAD to buy it. And of course I was not disappointed at all. It is of course a keeper! Wonderful movies always put me in a dramatic world, and normally I would dream of travelling to some magnificent place and living the high life...but of course I live in a wonderful place so I was inspired to spend my Saturday in search of the high life!<br />Of course I'm not deluded enough to believe that there still exist a 1950's sort of place in Paris where I can put on a fancy dress, drink champagne while looking incredibly sexy smoking from one of those fancy cigarette holders. So I settled for roaming! My all time favorite past time in Paris. I grabbed my "1000 Places to Visit Before You Die" to see if there was somewhere in Paris I had yet to see and it said there was a beautiful church on one of the islands. And so I went. I never found the church, however my disappointment quickly faded while I realised I was in fact right next to Pont Neuf. Pont Neuf is a big part of why I fell in love with Paris. A friend used to have a poster in their room that I used to stare and hope that one day I would see it in person. And so there it was. Now, I will admit somethings are just better left in dreams. The bridge was in fact just that, a bridge. Perhaps I was little too caught up in what I thought I'd be doing while strolling across the bridge. Perhaps I was deluded enough to think that I would be strolling that bridge with a Humphrey Bogart type, falling in love, and drinking champagne and looking sexy smoking from one of those fancy cigarette holders. Ok, but the day wasn't a disappointment. I found the most wonderful park in the middle of the Seine where two people were picnicking at the tip and some families had gathered to chat. It would be an incredibly romantic place for someone to propose (hint hint for anyone planning to propose in the next little while...no one in particular of course!)! Anyways I had a wonderful day and another relaxing evening chilling at the house.<br />And then today I spent with Audrey again. Jessica, the ex-roomie, found a little theatre in the middle of St Michel showing Sabrina. So today I watched the original Sabrina in black and white. My grandparents had lent me the Harrison Ford version of Sabrina before I left for Paris, and from it the joke that I came to Paris to find myself developed. I am the modern day Sabrina, minus the rich guys and the cooking/art classes (depends on the version). It is a wonderful movie and I think I may have developed a love for old movies. It was all so romantic. And to come out of the theatre and actually be in Paris was great.<br />Ahh, I'm such a sap when it comes to these things. A good old fashioned love story will get me anytime. It's quite surprising that while in general I'm devoid of emotion a movie like this will make me melt. Alright that's enough. I just HAD to tell you all about me and my new friend Audrey. Be sure to leave some recommendations for other old movies that'll stir up my emotions!<br />And don't worry, I'm putting away the bottles of wine and will return to a less delusional state for work tomorrow.<br />Living La Vie en Rose,<br />KateKatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12498221474514111842noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30940485.post-56262558742333659002007-01-19T13:59:00.000-08:002007-01-19T14:17:23.810-08:00I detest myspace.com. It was my intention while I was here in Paris to be able to post things each day regarding the simple details of my life. Like how some days I hate the metro. Or how I found the cutest little English book store that I could spend hours in. Or just let whatever is on my mind out. However since blogger has not been that reliable to me in the past I resisted because myspace was so drab. However blogger have a new format and I'm hoping that this will solve my problems.<br /><br />I've become addicted to blogs. Oh maybe it's intrusive, but I figure if people put the site up there they realized people would look. Essentially, it all started with the Halifornia blog against the Cornucopia of Awesome guy (it was published in the paper, so that's not intrusive, he practically asked me to go there!). The author of the blog writes a lot of controversial things, and I like people that take risks. Some days you can get so riled at what a person writes but truly it makes you look at something from another point of view and how can that be bad? You don't have to believe what he or she says...just listen to it or shut the window and not care. Simple as that.<br /><br />So if this blogger thing should work, I will in fact write. I don't know if anyone at all will read it, and to be truthful I don't really care. If it gives me a medium to share all the wonderful and hateful things in my life, my thoughts in general, or perhaps random questions that pick at my brain (similar to the email I sent to selected recipients today regarding whether they believe in circumcising boys...I got that from a fellow blogger!) . So that's that.<br /><br />I welcome comments. Somewhat intelligent ones would be appreciated but I know not everything I write will be intelligent so I'll not put a lot of weight on that. But please be respectful.<br /><br />See you soon!<br />KateKatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12498221474514111842noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30940485.post-1160071866395572442006-10-05T10:46:00.000-07:002006-10-05T11:11:06.406-07:00And so the adventure continues...<br />I now reside at one of the most beautiful universities in the world Cité Internationale Universitaire I think it is called! I live in the Canadian House, which was just renovated, so it's quite lovely! I'll take pictures this weekend and post for all to see.<br />Some highlights this week:<br />Not homeless any longer (defintely the best part)<br />Started my job (duh, my whole reason for being here!)<br />Saw the Sex and the City hotel (from the finale)<br />Saw where Princess Diana died<br />Stood where Oprah taped her show<br />Okay I know this is a short one but when I have internet in my room and I don't have to use a European keyboard I'll have more paitience to type!<br />Je t'aime tout le monde!<br />KateKatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12498221474514111842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30940485.post-1159907768051595502006-10-03T13:30:00.000-07:002006-10-03T13:36:08.076-07:00I have arrived!<br />Severe jet lag took over my emotional system yesterday. We all know what happens when I get a little too over tired! But today is a good day. I saw the Eiffel Tower for the first time today, and its difficult to describe the feeling you get when you look up and see it for the first time. It’s overwhelming. I found where I work and its in a lovely part of the city, very posh. I’m excited to start tomorrow and finally meet all of those people that I’ve been talking to for so long.<br />We found an apartment this evening. It's pretty small, think dorm room size with a bath attached. And yes that’s for TWO. For those planning to visit, please expect to get cozy! Not like we would spend much time in the apartment anyways. This is city is so big, I’m not sure I’ll ever see it all.<br />I also bought my first French baguette! I know you were all just waiting to hear that. You know that you are a true Parisian when you buy baguettes!<br />So it looks like I will enjoy these next few months. I'm happy that Jenn is coming this weekend, it gives me some home to ease that left over emotional jet lag.<br />Well I must go to bed, first day of work tomorrow.<br />Life is good, and I miss you all!<br />Kate, the Parisian!Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12498221474514111842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30940485.post-1159702516378606022006-10-01T04:05:00.000-07:002006-10-01T04:35:16.390-07:00Today is the day!<br />Can you believe it? I'm finally going! It has been a crazy month trying hard to get me to Paris. I've certainly learned a thing or two about French bureacracy. It's crazy. My visa arrived on Friday. Just in the nick of time.<br />I'm currently homeless in Paris. Though, it doesn't quite bother me as much as I thought that it would. Our wonderful appartment featured in the first blog is no longer being rented to us because it was "too complicated"! Now I'm agree, I'm a very complex person but man, there's no need to dicriminate! So alas, Jessica and I are in a hotel for a bit. And we are going to scrounge for a new place to live this week. Should be interesting!<br />Well I currently have nothing packed. But it's only early, and I don't fly until this evening, so it should be a very exciting day of running around looking for things like my winter jackets which are currently MIA. Minor details!<br /><br />Before I go, in a whirlwind to pack, I must say thanks to the best parents a girl could have for doing everything they could to help. And of course for the Christmas dinner last night, complete with carols and Christmas Crackers! My mom stopped cooking with cheese long ago in an effort to get me to move out, but secretly I know she'll miss me, when her baby girl is out finding herself in Paris!<br /><br />Of course, thanks also to every for the gifts and EUROS. My stomach will thank you when I'm living on a park bench under the Eiffel Tower. And to all those who encouraged me, and listen to me say I want to go to Europe for the last number of years, thanks! I'll stop with that rant now!<br /><br />Well all, next time you hear from me I'll be on the other side of the pond. Can you believe it? I certainly can't, especially because I have no idea how many pairs of shoes I can fit in two suitcases!<br />Alright I'll leave you with some memorable quotes from some cards I got last night at Christmas dinner.<br />Don't miss me too much, I'll barely have time to miss you all ( I jest!)<br />Kate x (that's for you Jenn!)<br /><br />"Now is the time to live your ideal life" Cousineau (and Laura Jean)<br /><br />"Twenty years from now you will be more disapointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the tradewinds in your sail. Explore, Dream, Discover." Mark Twain (and Sue and Charlie)<br /><br />"Bye! Don't forget to drink." American Greetings Card (and the sis!)<br /><br />"Travel broadens the mind, flattens the finances, and lengthens the conversation." Lois Hoarse (and the sis again, or maybe this was the Donald)<br /><br />"Those french guys are trouble, and whatever they can do, I can do, but I can do it underwater too!" Pure Kyle TKatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12498221474514111842noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30940485.post-1157595745945721252006-09-06T19:12:00.000-07:002006-09-06T19:27:41.766-07:00<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7710/3327/1600/parisflat.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7710/3327/320/parisflat.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />And so the journey will begin shortly. It's been a long time coming and I can't believe that it will actually happen now. I have a flat in Paris, complete with a Cape Bretoner roomie. It costs an arm and a leg, and is no bigger than a shoe box, at least that's what the pictures portray, but who cares, I'm in Paris! Note the very European windows, that both I and Jessica (the roomie) have fallen in love with. I, of course plan to hang out of them each morning to hear "La vie en rose" echo through the alleyway. It happens...I've seen it in the movies!<br />So, to anyone and everyone who will read this, please check back for more updates on my journey to Europe. I'm sure I'll be dying to tell all of my stories, and this blog will save many of you from listening for hours on the phone. I expect you to read about them though!<br />Love/Amour<br />Kate<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7710/3327/1600/parisflat2.jpg"></a><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7710/3327/1600/parisflat4.jpg"></a><br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/7710/3327/1600/parisflat3.jpg"></a>Katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12498221474514111842noreply@blogger.com0