oh baby in the snow

elex's first day in the snow!

elex is so adorable, if i may say so again:) however, i do so wish she would minimize her poos. it's 2pm and i have already changed seven diapers, five of which were poopy ones. help! anyone who would like to come over and change a diaper gets lunch, dinner or whatever i can bribe you with.

hmm....

Harper proposed coalition with Bloc Quebecois in 2004
Source: www.voteforenvironment.ca
Stephen Harper is trying desperately to paint a coalition that includes the Bloc Quebecois as a move that will "destroy Canada."

The problem for Stephen Harper is that he proposed to form a coalition government with the Bloc Quebecois in 2004.

goodness

Five-figure bonuses stun employees
Owners of ball bearings company reward workers for years of service

CHICAGO - Dave Tiderman wondered if the decimal point was in the wrong place when he opened his $35,000 company bonus. Jose Rojas saw his $10,000 check and thought, "That can't be right."

read more...

wonderful goodness.

random reads

What is web 2.0? The next generation of internet medium apparently, but complex enough that it's not a one liner. Web 2.0

which led to this:

Can you clearly define 'Obscenity'? This has plague the US courts for the last fifty years. This short article explores: A History of the Definition of Obscenity

I've learned a new word: Folksonomy

test

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Blogger: Create your free blog via kwout

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Blue Zones

Blue Zones. A term coined by Dan Buettner are areas in the world that people live the longest due to a few different and similar elements.

Here is the link: Blue Zones

reality

Reality is the leading cause of stress amongst those in touch with it.
- Jane Wagner

enid blyton

Enid Blyton was my favourite author growing up. I believe i started reading her books at about 6 years old. she wrote many genres - mystery and adventure stories, school stories and fantastical stories for children 12 and under. Enid Blyton's books have sold more than 600 million copies, and still today continue to sell more than 8 - 10 million copies. Her books have been translated into more than 90 languages. One of my favourite stories, 'The Magic Faraway Tree' was voted no. 66 in the BBC's Big Read. In 2008 Costa Book Awards , even though Enid Blyton passed on in 1968, she was voted the best-loved author ahead of JK Rowling and Shakespeare!

i remember the mystery stories - Famous Five series, Secret Seven series, the Adventures series and the Circus series. There were more I'm sure. The Secret Seven was my favourite series among these. I remember spending countless times reenacting the adventures with my cousins and friends and begging our parents for mystery type 'toys' and games to use for our 'play dates'. I remember being thrilled when I found a 'detective' type book, which showed me how to make 'invisible' ink, secret code 'languages', and varies simplistic type tools that were similar to the stories in the books. We spend many happy days engrossed in imagination and excitement.

The school series - Malory Towers, St. Clare's and The Naughtiest Girl were very charming as well. My sister, friends and I used to go to bed and make ourselves stay awake until as close to midnight as our sleepy selves would let us. We would dress up my room like a boarding school dorm (as far as our imagination took us). Pushed away my huge free standing closet from the wall to make a 'passage way' for holding the 'midnight' feasts' described in the books. We would raid the pantry secretly in the day for cookies, sweets, biscuits and purchase sodas that resemble the description of the books, and hide them in my room for the 'feast'. Sometimes it would take a week to plan and coerce our parents to allow the sleepover. We would spend days planning and giggling. i'm smiling reminiscing again. Delightful!

The fantastical genre kept me occupied for hours and hours by myself. The faraway tree series was my absolute favourite. I would spend hours reenacting and creating the characters, scenes and descriptions in the books. The series was about three children who discovered a magical tree, where all sorts of fairy folk lived. Each character was enchanting and funny in their own way. Madam Washalot, Mr Saucepan, Moonface... On the very top of the tree were magical moving 'Lands' that arrive and leave the treetop. We had a mango tree that I transformed into my faraway tree. I managed to bring up a table, chair, pots and pans and numerous props.

The imprint that this story had on me was reflected in my daughter Ashti's 1st birthday 15 years later:) I threw her an 'Enchanted Forest' Theme party. Looking back, I was definitely a little excessive and obsessive! I rental a hall, and turned a section into a mini forest where her guests would have to pass through and were met with characters from the book. ( I made my friends and family dress up as these characters.)The children would receive treats and solve mini puzzles dependent on their age. There was a dry ice machine to keep the 'forest' looking mythical and magical. When the children got to the end of the forest, there was the 'Land of Magic' where a magician would do tricks and entertain the kids with balloons, and treats. He also did a show with life mini animals, like rabbits and birds etc. After the show was done. This land would leave and the 'Land of Birthdays' arrived. The 'Land of Birthdays' was decorated with an archway of balloons and a feast laid out for the birthday guests with the magical treats described in the stories. One was the 'Hot & Cold' treat which was actually fried ice-cream, and i bought the fizzle pop candy for the older children where the candy crackle and pops in your mouth. Ashti had a stand up 'pixie fairy' doll cake. Ashti was dressed up like a pixie fairy.

I had so much fun creating this fantasy for her. We have looked back at the pictures laughing at this over the top birthday. We have Enid Blyton and her wonderful imagination to thank for this crazy joy bursting goodness.

listen

i'm constantly in awe at the reach of the internet. i'm constantly wowed by the talents and creatives i encounter. i stumbled upon a blog from a course i'm taking, through the introduction forum, which led me to another site, and then to this cool word site: http://onelittleword.typepad.com/ and then came across a blog by someone from Singapore.

although i'm very far removed from much of the culture and upbringing, there is always a nostalgia when the word 'singapore' crosses my senses. this blogger won the challenge for her piece on this.

the contest challenge was for the word 'Listen'.

a very good word to ponder on.

ok i'm turning up the volume, muting the speaker.

let's see what i hear.

eyes closed

...and i can sit up with my eyes closed. the family is proud.

i got a new crib today, way too spacious i say, i keep rolling onto my belly and yelling for help.

my accomplishments so far:

smiling
sucking thumb
grabbing hair
standing with help
rolling over and over
sitting up for a while
giggling
my own language (which i'm trying to teach the grown ups...who are a little slow, i must admit)

oh and i can belt a good lOUd song as well.

pretty good for my 4.5 months!

bits and pieces

i've finally finish the brain book by dr amen, and am beginning anna karenina by tolstoy.

i've started the scrapbooking class and it's quite amazing. it's titled 'stories in hand'. it gives you a format to expand, and tools to organize 'ideas' in a scrapbooking type book which lets you create your 'stories' in any medium you choose. i.e. blogging, writing, photography, art, etc. there are so many imaginative people! this website uses many great communication tools from the course offerings, blog and web pages. the mapping tool that is used to show us where all her students from a particular class is located is called 'platial'. it is quite innovative to incorporate this tool, as it gives a visual component and creates a more interactive element to what could be an isolated feel to on-line classes. there are people from literally all over the world - canada, the us, australia, uk, europe etc, in big cities and tiny never heard of towns where supplies can be limiting.

on this thread, i was on the way to deliver ambrey's lunch (not a long story but not worth penning:) i caught the tail end on cbc radio about a small town in, i believe Nunavut. where almost all essentials, basically everything had to be purchased on the internet. it is a very small town with a population of about 300 people. there was a time before the internet that they had to pay bills, like cable, phone and electricity by money order as there is no bank in the town. the town does all their shopping on line, and share information on this with each other. as you can imagine, the shipping cost would be phenomenal. they are constantly looking for free or reasonable shipping. when one person finds a lead to this, it is spread like wild fire. there was a lady who was expecting. she had to ship all the baby furniture and accessories. as most people are quite home bound, on-line courses that offer ways to interact and create would be a very lucrative business, especially since the networking in that community is very cogent.

i have a birthday project (which is quite late!) and many x'mas projects on the go. hopefully i can finish!

we went to a gathering for maura and geoff on saturday and experimented with elex on her first night outing. after greeting, gooeying and gaaing with the big people, she decided to eat and sleep, so we had a good evening to mingle.

we had maura and geoff from rossland to dinner with daphne and adam as well, and it marvelous. maura made a gingerbread cake with lemon sauce which was very very yummy.

dan's b-day has quietly come and gone. he received loads of spoilings and wishes from his family in kelowna, and all. we had a quiet family dinner. he's happily ready to use his cash, gift cards, new treats and clothes. thanks to all!

ashti's leg is healing slowly. she has read a gazillion books, done all her home-schooling assignments, and loads of laundry folding. we will attempt to try to go to school next wednesday. she will be continuing another week of schooling at home. i've already picked up her homework for the week. lucky girl:)

ambrey stayed over at her best friend, pamela's home, on tuesday and had a blast. she has truly been good sport picking up after her sister and doing most of the chores around the house.

elex is growing. i tell her to stop but she doesn't listen. she's taking after her two siblings. she can roll over from her back to her tummy very well now. and sit up for quite a while now. about 30 secs to a minute. yes, i have to get that pic out. elex is taking the bottle so far, but i will have to be more consistent at giving it to her. it was a struggle earlier as i didn't commence when i should have.

ta ta.

ramblings

elex sat up a few days ago! at 4 months and 7 days! for prove i have a photo and will post on the next write:)

to quench my restless spirit, i am taking piano lessons, a scrapbooking type class, and a course on exploring communication tools.

many, many more interests but for now i'm resigned to reading books on them.

anyone know of a good photography text for beginners, or a 'how to' on writing short stories and children stories?

i'm excited.

nightie night.

Barack Obama

i don't think i can say anything that hasn't been said. however, to add my two cents. what made an impression on me, was the seemly raw 'kindness' and humanity, Barack and his campaign projected.

i'm sure there are many political elements as with all projects of this sort, but somehow, the earnest yearning for a better and more responsible contentment and life was communicated beyond, it seems our five senses, but to the deeper subconscious that believes in humanity over our quite natural, innate negative aspect of greed in all of us.

i am in awe and thought because we seldom get to 'see' real live triumph of such significant authenticity of amity in this magnitude.

the goodwill displayed from John McCain, from reporters, from talk show hosts, I think are effects from one person trying to maintain and encourage integrity and respect for all. it brought the goodness out in many people. sometimes we forget that it starts quite small, whether it is the positive or negative. our universe really is a reflection of this.

it is quite awesome.

preoccupation with cogitation

each day, some days, i struggle with living the moment, with filling it with satisfaction, accomplishment, rich content, along with joy, and contentment. it's often odd that i use the word 'struggle' as this should come easily, so i think.

there are so many moments of 'catch my breath' elation, but they go quickly, and i'm always looking for the next fix. always restlessly trying to find a venture, change, or interest that may sustain me for a stable period of time.

the turmoil comes with the multitude of options, and dichotomy of peace and noise. i feel free and energized at times for the gift of not having to work for a while, yet also a loss of identity and purpose.

i'm reading 'change your brain, change your life' by dr. daniel amen. he explores the concept that our 'personalities' are a combination of biology, psychiatry, genetics and environmental, including associations. we are so much more complex than we can really fathom. however, bit by bit, it seems we are capable of learning more. the biology of our brain and it's many components(cingulate gyrus, amygdala,limbic system, prefrontal cortex,temporal lobes, basal ganglia etc), contain pieces of our capabilities and personality according to dr amen. he describes many case studies and how many of his patients overcome emotion disorders by medication, psychotherapy, and methods of healing that he discovered and confirmed some we already know about. he has helped depression, schizophrenia, anger issues and a multitude of 'mental' and 'control' issues, as well as ADD, dyslexia, and learning dysfunctions. he uses a brain scan called SPECT and EEG biofeedback for the biology aspect of his analysis.

i think i have huge problems with many functions especially my cingulate. this is where you get 'stuck' on a thought and have great difficulty letting it go. this is where a lot of compulsive disorders resides. oh brother...

really, the amount of neuroscience, psychology and 'enlightened' type lit, i should be a more evolved and centred person. but the reality is that the interest is the reason. the internal insanity the cause for the search.

perhaps dr amen will read this blog, and fix me. his name intrigues me a little coming from a staunch roman catholic background, that has done some serious falling...:)

elex is sleeping in my arms in the baby bjorn...another fleeting ambrosial moment.

a life lesson, a nice moment, and my grumps

my first born, was hit by a car on thursday. she was quickly taken to childrens hospital. she is ok with a broken fibula and tibia.

it was quite nerve racking as one can imagine. she was crossing a side street after a volleyball game at another school. one of her friend's dad dropped her off from the back of the school to the front where i was parked and tending to our newest. she said she looked quickly and ran across the street where a car made a right turn onto the street and hit her.

the elderly gentleman who hit her was so upset and stay with us and a crowd that had been gathering until the ambulance and police came. we had a lot of help and support, but most of the event was a blur.

this is a lesson for all of us. the street was packed and there was no where that the suv that dropped her off could park. mistake. she got out of the car and crossed behind the suv. mistake. school zone with 30km signage everywhere. mistake.

each of us had a responsibility, each of us knew better. the key element is that we all took responsibility for our parts, a big, but thank goodness not a fatal lesson.

her leg will have to be elevated for a week at least, thus no school, though i'm going to see her teachers about homework. she will not be able to continue volleyball, ballet and soccer, probably for the rest of the season which is very sad for her. brightness though is she's getting pampered with lots of attention, love, wishes, presents etc which helps her very much.

on a brighter time, today, ambrey played against her old burnaby team. she was very happy to have scored 4 goals. she was very nervous the day before, and wanted to do well. her old team was really great, and the group of parents are a very warm and amazing group of people. however, this new club is much nearer for practices and home games, and although the previous coaches were extremely nice, she learned all she could there and was looking for more training. this league is also more in line with what we were looking for.

i'm very grumpy nowadays, with hormones and going through the post pregnancy stages. it's like a roller coaster ride ( i actually love roller coasters but not this one.) one example is my hair is falling out like there's no tomorrow, thank goodness i have gone through this before and have lots of hair in general, because it's a bit unnerving. I won't elaborate on all the other stuff. dan is also working 24/7 and weekends on the latest releases, which has added to my witch-like state..:( i am more house-bound, with more yucky to do's now with the recent event, so just a warning to everyone...i'm a bit volatile...

hmmm

"In the temple of science are many mansions, and various indeed are they that dwell therein and the motives that have led them thither." Einstein

dissonance

i'm an 'experience junky'. i remember being two. (yes really!) i was apparently a very hyperactive child and was in my uncle's workshop when we were visiting my grandparents in Borneo. i was with my cousin rose, she wandered off and i stayed to play with a vice on my uncle's work bench. i somehow managed to loosen it, and instinct told me that it was going to fall. i sat on the ground below it, stuck one foot out, and it came tumbling down on it. the rest of the story was my mother's version of the hospital, cast on my foot, how i could not keep still and it kept coming off...

i think about this incident ever so often, because the memory of it is still quite clear and i'm not sure why. i distinctly remember sitting down and waiting for it to fall on one foot. i tucked the other behind me. part of the reason of my lamenting over this is that footwear is a passion of mine, and i now have a stunned toe and well the rest are just ugly as a result of this.

part of being human is forgetting. it is what helps us through this very complex world. otherwise, i'm not sure how our brain could process each and every moment. we help expand this complexity with computers, inventions, discoveries, and really by simply thinking...anyway, i'm almost at another thought...so back to this, why is the incident so clear? i see it now in slow motion.

so many analogies, but they don't seem 'truthful' to my experience.

this train of thought comes from reading Maria Abagis' blog 'Cycling the Road Less Travelled'. they have such marvelous adventures, and the joy and aliveness of their experiences are amazing. i've always had wanderlust. i'm always smiling when i read. thank you maria:)

africa. i myself have always wanted to go there. i know nothing about africa, i've read some, but like i've read books or clippings about other places, but my craving comes from nowhere that i can logically explain. all i know is i would like to go there someday and see the Serengeti. this place more than any other.

i'm restless today. i'm usually mostly restless in my mind. there are so many things to do each day and i seem to want to do it all:) i don't think i can ever be bored as i don't know how really. mind is too busy.

well, i'm off to the reality of the routine which i love and dislike at the same time. i wouldn't trade it, i just want two of me...well maybe more. i sound very strange, even to me. insanity is the balance of life i say...

well that's the racket of some moments in my mind today.

Usually, terrible things that are done with the excuse that progress requires them are not really progress at all, but just terrible things.
- Russell Baker

dan's 1st home

like a crab out of water

horrible day.

Whatever you may be sure of, be sure of this, that you are dreadfully like other people.
- James Russell Lowell

hormones or something.

blah

blah.

restless in thought and spirit. many things to do, but in a mode of a cluttered mindset.

taking this moment to scribble into somewhat a sane thought pattern. it is not interesting but interesting that the only certainty in life is death. this string of thought comes from dan's grandfather's recent passing.

in each of us, whether conscious or not, we struggle to organize what we want to accomplish & experience in this short time. some of this of course seem not in our power to make reality. however, many readings and gurus tell us that it is just a mindset. eckhart tolle new earth - awakening your life's purpose ( if you aren't aware i am somewhat of a 'self help' type book junky) advocates this loosely but expands on the 'present moment' being the most valuable where one should be in absolute 'present' in being - mind, body and self. Of course there are all the other theories that which he describes as 'pain body', the ego, the human vs being...etc that have been said, but he does put it in a perspective that is easier for the lay person to comprehend.

it is a mindset that is logical somewhat, but i struggle with 'being' it. i guess that is the eternal struggle in the general.

on another thought - 'the happiest baby on the block' is a helpful book for new and not so new parents, very easy to read, and again, nothing that hasn't been said in more so in the 'olden' days in various writings, sayings etc, but all in one book with update explanations or really some explanation to the 'whys' that these methods seem to work.

the baby signing book is another I'm starting, I've always love languages but am terrible at maintaining them. sign language i believe can be a 'life skill' in many situations or helpful at least. this seems to be a not so new movement offered for a while for babies to help understand and easy the transition to verbal language. I think it will be fun for the girls to learn and develop with their new baby doll.

still struggling with the mess in my brain and the logic:)

as i said it's blah today.

thinking...

To believe is to know you believe, and to know you believe is not to believe.
- Jean-Paul Sartre

My grandmother started walking five miles a day when she was sixty. She's ninety-seven now, and we don't know where the hell she is.
- Ellen DeGeneres

If the world should blow itself up, the last audible voice would be that of an expert saying it can't be done.
- Peter Ustinov

I have long been of the opinion that if work were such a splendid thing the rich would have kept more of it for themselves.
- Bruce Grocott

Lady Poo-alot

graced us with her presence on june 28, 2008 at 5.25pm. Weighing 8 pounds and 19.1 inches.

she is indeed an amazing entity with a personality that is all her own:) i love her toes and fingers. her smiles lights us all up and her expressions make us laugh alot.

when she cries we take pictures and video her.

everything she does fill us with wonder and fascination.

hopefully, we won't screw her up too badly. yesterday, someone told me that her friend had started a therapy fund for her child as she knows she's already messing the child up.

that is definitely an idea.

Elex is nine weeks. It seems true the corny sayings on 'taking time to smell the roses' and how your mind and priorities change etc. the significance of all the 'wisdom words' seem to hold more meaning as time goes on. i can actually feel my vulnerability and mortality. (well could be the hormones as well) personally i seem quite foreign to myself these days.

short version (as i could go on and on...)it was a 2-day labour, forceps and vacuum, a posterior birth, broken blood vessels in my eyes and right side of my face, etc etc etc and still some residue of the body repairing horrors...i looked like Frankenstein then.

However, people tell me now that i look the same, and since i can wear my pre pregnancy clothes, i guess it's true.

the first few weeks were blurry and i was just in coping mode. But as each day passes, this amazing wonder, this human possibility is truly awesome.

as most parents say, words fail to express this experience.

it is not for everyone, we all have our paths, but it's not something that can be explained or described, it just has to be experienced. however, there is one necessary component, you have to want to.

i'm lucky that i have ash and am. they loVe helping, (even changing diapers) and are so enthused by Elex that their friends are all asking their parents for another sibling, which I get alot of flag about!

this is a good day post:) the lady calls...changing diaper number 5.

mind quotes

I'm kind of jealous of the life I'm supposedly leading.
- Zach Braff

Nothing is as simple as we hope it will be.
- Jim Horning

If the human mind was simple enough to understand, we'd be too simple to understand it.
- Emerson Pugh

quotes of the day

The future is here. It's just not widely distributed yet.
- William Gibson

The most overlooked advantage to owning a computer is that if they foul up there's no law against wacking them around a little.
- Joe Martin

Hummm

The best way out is always through.
- Robert Frost

We are continually faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as insoluble problems.
- John W. Gardner

There are many who dare not kill themselves for fear of what the neighbors will say.
- Cyril Connolly

quoting quotes

If people never did silly things, nothing intelligent would ever get done.
- Ludwig Wittgenstein

You can only be young once. But you can always be immature.
- Dave Barry

Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.
- Arthur Schopenhauer

apposite quotes

Some have been thought brave because they were afraid to run away.
- Thomas Fuller

There is no excellent beauty that hath not some strangeness in the proportion.
- Sir Francis Bacon

Man is a credulous animal, and must believe something; in the absence of good grounds for belief, he will be satisfied with bad ones.
- Bertrand Russell

If little else, the brain is an educational toy.
- Tom Robbins

grumpy

tired of waddling
tired of rolling
tired of hormones
tired of grumps
tired of being female

I say this alot, especially now...
grass is greener as a man
i envy that

i know there are greatness to being female
don't care, can't think of any
i want to be a man

i would like to win the lottery
i would like to be unfat ( although, apparently all i have is a humongous belly)
the one cool thing is that it is a really cool feeling and i love the movements and the result.
just detest the transition to the outside world

i'm grumpy

i would like a pampered vacation with my own slave please.

watermelon news

i have fail to tell some very good friends that there is indeed a watermelon growing in my tummy.
i guess i've been very caught up with doing life.
so if you are still reading my blog you will know, if not, you will not.
unless i bump into you around town, yes literally bump into you:)

dan takes full responsibility for it, and i take none.
i was shocked and dan was not.
we have two different stories, but of course mine is the right one.

july 5 is the magical date.
i will be glad for the whole year off.
well, until i run out of $ and cannot pay the mortgage.

i bought lotteries tickets for myself today for the first time for a long while.
i usually buy them for my parents once in a while.
so, when i win, i plan to travel, read lots of books, i will study all the many things that so intrigue me, invent things, and finally open my quaint dream cafe, book store, knick-knack crafty venture. oh yes, and a shopping spree:)
there are a few more practical things i will do, but i won't bore you.

ignorance

Against logic there is no armor like ignorance.
- Laurence J. Peter
Reminds me of my safari in Africa. Somebody forgot the corkscrew and for several days we had to live on nothing but food and water.
- WC Fields
Education is a progressive discovery of our own ignorance.
- Will Durant

i'm reading 'the brain that changes itself' very interesting. always so intrigued by neurosciences. so far 4/5.

recently finished:
moral disorder - margaret atwood - rating 3/5
knights of the black and white - jack whyte rating 3/5
the in-between world of vikram lall - mg vassanji 31/2/5

two books that i just bought:
the alchemist and the witch of portobello both by paulo coelho. heard mix reviews...will see.

more great books to read that are still packed up...

ignorance is a very thought provoking state.
the infamous saying: ignorance is bliss, is a truly loaded phrase.
i wish sometimes the in-between state of being ignorant but my logic cannot justify this wanting.
i am fascinated by the recent year or so of experiences and observations in environments that have challenged my very thought of what is normal.
i try to be in constant openness to possibilities that are different to the way i think and know.
so that i may perhaps grasps somehow, if not fully convince myself of an understanding beyond my own logic.
it has been truthfully quite draining in mind set logic as well as emotionally.
it is coming to an end.
on most days i am so relieved
but on occasion, i find that i am sadden by the possibilities that will not come.
the horizon started very brightly
i'm not sure if i had a play in the dimming of it.
i run events backwards, and have not a clue.
if anything, another chapter is at its end, and i know i have learn new and grown in ways that have not come to light yet.
i today, am looking forward to what is ahead.
life is a concoction of amazing, crazy and surprising elements...

fool, tedious, sleep

A fine quotation is a diamond on the finger of a man of wit, and a pebble in the hand of a fool.
- Joseph Roux
It is absurd to divide people into good and bad. People are either charming or tedious.
- Oscar Wilde
To achieve the impossible dream, try going to sleep.
- Joan Klempner

can't wait for change!

mind

behind me
fleeting pictures, movie reels, rolling back in time
nostalgia, always better when remembered
in fondness, when present is bleak...not bad...just a dash dark
in my restlessness, and wanderings, i learn about me
about innate nature about many i don't fancy
i past time, with hopes still in the making
waiting, running, doing, toward...something.