30 Things Update

Finding out that I'm going to be a Mommy, just a couple of months after my 30th birthday, has put a small wrench in the spokes of my list of 30 things to accomplish this year!

Lets recap:

1. Run a 21 km race (and follow Syb's training!!): My dad registered me for a half marathon here in Montreal, but it'll for sure be impossible to complete this year. Even the 10 km race in May that I had signed up for in Ottawa was impossible for me to run because of my difficult pregnancy. I'm happy I'll get to at least be there in September to cheer Miko who will be running the 21 km race for me!

2. Go horseback riding: Probably not recommended...

3. Drive away from the city to see the stars & 4. Bike Montreal streets at 2:00 am: These I can do!

5. Use up my gift certificate for 10 yoga classes: First class, and then some and 20 more classes were bought! What's nice is that Miko started doing the classes with me. Hot yoga being a little controversial for pregnant ladies, I'll be starting prenatal yoga very soon.

6. Paint an original picture: This one will wait for when I'm on maternity leave.

7. Make-out on a ferris wheel (hopefully with a boy that I love): Will be done this summer, and hopefully for many summers to come. Love you Miko!

8. Eat vegan for 30 consecutive days: Piece of cake... 

9. Read all the books found on my nightstand: These have been replaced with prenatal books- which I have been reading pretty consistently for a few weeks now. Maybe I'll be able to tackle a few on vacation in August, but most of them will be returned to their owners, unread for now.

10. Complete a sewing project: Saving this one for mat leave as well.

11. Get a proper haircut: Mom haircut before Baby comes? We'll see...

12. Tell a stranger she's beautiful: More nerve-wracking than it sounds, but will be done for sure!

13. Clean out my closet(s): This will have to be done again and more thoroughly since I'm in the process of moving and going from three closets to half a one...      

14. Host a dinner party for my friends Andriana and Wissem: Sorry friends, apartment is a mess, chairs are sold, pantry has been emptied...

15. Do Pilates everyday for 30 days: Since this was done, I forgot what a flat stomach looks like...

16. Go skating on the Rideau Canal: I had a small window of opportunity to go skating on my birthday weekend but it was -100 in Ottawa on that day.

17. Get a brazilian: Still doing it, still loving it.

18. Eat a fucking banana: Hate you even more now that I'm pregnant. Fuck this one.

19. Go canoe camping: Too busy this summer to go canoe camping...

20. Wish my grandfather a happy 90th birthday, in person (in Vancouver!): Grandpa turns 90 in October, so I won't be able to go to Vancouver as planned to see him... he's in my thoughts though, and I'm hoping to send him a picture of his great grandchild in December.

21. Get all dressed up and go out dancing: Phew!

22. Take a relaxing bubbly bath once a week during the two coldest winter months: I have to remember what relaxing feels like.

23. Bike to work during the two warmest summer months: Could technically be doing now... but I feel stressed out enough in the mornings as it is! I'm replacing this one with go on a leisure bike rides once I move to explore my new neighbourhood.

24. Organize my music collection: Another project for mat leave? Or maybe I'll be too busy learning new songs for Baby!

25. Go shopping in NY: Replacing this with a day trip to the US to buy some cheap baby clothes/missing accessories.

26. Read all the newspapers that I've accumulated in my home office: Recycled them this weekend! Too much to read, do, move...

27. Plan a trip to India for 2014: I'll be busy in 2014.

28. Learn the names & geographical locations of all the countries (& their capitals) in the world by heart: Studying for my license to trade on the market will be enough, thank you very much.

29. Cook a traditional Indian meal for my mom: Ok, Mom. This I will do!

30. Celebrate the end of 2013 surrounded by the people that I love +1.

Banana Hate

It was my colleague S's birthday today and, as is office birthday tradition, my boss baked her a special treat. To my disgust, she baked a banana cream pie! Not wanting to be left out, I accepted a slice and, with #18 in the back of my mind, actually took a bite. Even though I quickly washed it down with a glass of water and discreetly through out the rest of my piece, it wasn't that bad... I'm a little less scared now to concur the real deal... but I'm still not ready!

5 Yoga Classes Left

Only 5 yoga classes left from when I started a few weeks ago... and I LOVE it. Yesterday I woke up in a good mood because I knew I had Yoga that evening! Besides the physical challenge and the amazing connection I feel to my body throughout the class, I love yoga because it allows me to let go. I can let go of any stress, anxiety or fears, of any regrets, and find peace in the moment. At the end of yesterday's class, as we bowed and connected to our sixth Chakra (out third eye in the center of our forehead), we gave thanks to the people that allowed us to practice freely. I thanked Sybs for the gift, Miko for giving me so much space, and Moka for patiently waiting for her mama to come home.

So far I'm still super tight in my hips and back and my upper body strength feels non-existent, but maybe if I practice hard enough, I can one day be as good as her?:



... probably not!

Bubbly Baths Update

#22 take a relaxing bubbly bath once a week during the two coldest winter months

Bubbly baths were taken every week without fail during the month of 

& all but the last week of  

I really valued my relaxing alone time in the super hot water warming my always frozen hands and feet. 

But it's already time to say 

and slowly start doing other spring like activities. This doesn't mean that I wont take a bath from time to time! I found they really forced me to relax and de stress and are especially lovely when shared with Miko ;)

  

9 Yoga Classes Left

5. Use up my gift certificate for 10 yoga classes

The Moksha Yoga series consists of 40 poses practiced in a heated room designed to promote openess through your hips and strength through the upper body while detoxifying your entire body. Both standing and seated poses are practiced, giving a balanced cardiovascular workout.

Exactly 5 years ago, Sybs got me a gift certificate for 10 yoga sessions at Moksha Yoga Sudio, and today, I finally attended my first class! After a few high fives for keeping the GC for so long from the ladies running the show, I rented a yoga mat and towel (I actually forgot a towel!), and found a space in the back of the class near the huge windows. I was feeling good in the warm room, lost in the hypnotizing effect of the snow falling outside. As the room filled up, I started getting nervous when a muscular shirtless man with a tattoo of tree branches & vines wrapped all around his chest and back settled down beside me, and went straight into a headstand and held the pose while breathing like Darth Vader...  

When the class finally started, we were asked to sit still, crossed legged and focus only on breathing and letting go of our stress, of all the past and the future and all those things we can't change or control and think only of the present and our breath. I started to relax once again and felt amazed at the sound and energy when we all Omed in unison.

I managed to maintain my composure throughout the 90 minute class, surprising myself in my ability to keep balanced (even tree headstand guy tumbled from time to time) as the sweat poured into my eyes and down my neck. I noticed my hamstrings are super tight, my quads are even tighter, and my back has practically zero flexibility, and I don't really understand how or why Darth Vader breathing is really necessary... but I can't wait to do it all again next week (minus the stepping in other people's sweat on the way out part)!!
 

Last Weekend

- Beautiful roses delivered to me at work by my loving Miko

- A long lovely relaxing Valentine's Day Indian meal
- Bota Bota spa in the old port
- An amazing family birthday dinner Chez Vanessa



- Another chocolate cake at Miko's
- A beautiful bracelet!



- A hot comforting bubbly bath
- Feeling loved, and exactly where I want to be at 30

Day Off

I used to cry all the time, for the smallest little things. I'm not a sad person, just maybe a little sensitive and tend to bottle in a lot of stress so it tends to come out funny. These past couple of months, I've been managing my stress a little better; in fact, just the other day I made the remark that it's been a while since I cried... until today. I had a Dr's appointment at 9:30, and being punctual as usual, got signed in at 9:20. At 10:30 I found it strange that my name hadn't been called... 10:45 rolled around and I asked the reception if there was some kind of mixup. She asked for my name, saw that I was registered and asked me to take a seat. 12:15 I asked her again and she told me my Dr had left for the day!!! Instead of getting mad I started to cry and shake and everybody felt terrible that I was somehow forgotten, my chart was misplaced, my name was erased.

Having missed my noon time spin class, and not being able to do my laundry at my parents' because of a snow storm, I was left home alone for the rest of the day with really nothing to do, so I decided to tackle #13 Clean out my closet(s). With Moka's help, I managed to fill 2 boxes, 2 garbage bags and 3 big paper bags with some of my clothes and shoes and girly things to donate. I still have more to do, but for now, I'm happy today didn't feel like a complete waste.

The Ultimate Bikini Wax

17. Get a brazilian

Today I got the ultimate bikini wax: A Brazilian.  First of all, just making the appointment was a nerve-wracking experience for me, so you can imagine how I felt when the aesthetician asked me to remove my skirt! It was only after I told her it was my first time, that I suddenly felt at ease. I never felt awkward or silly as she started the job, gently talking me through the different stages, making sure to compliment my "area" in a way that only an aesthetician can. After going through almost all the vowels ooooooo eeeeeee aaaaaaaa, less than 20 minutes later, I was a new woman! The pain (which isn't thaaaat bad) is worth the result. My only regret is that I didn't do this before! I'm a convert for life.

30 Days Update

The 30 Days are over (finally!) so, as promised, here's the update:

8. Eat vegan for 30 consecutive days: Chocolate junky

It's no secret that I have a chocolate addiction, but I realized this month that I have a serious chocolate addiction. My initial plan was to cut all chocolaty goodness out completely, but during the first few days, my cravings were just too strong; thankfully, Miko helped ease my withdrawal symptoms by bringing me some dark chocolate... on more than one occasion! I didn't actually buy it so how could I refuse? This is how I rationalized my consumption... Then Oreos (vegan btw) were purchased... but does that really count as chocolate? Midway through the month, on a particularly busy Monday, I caved and bought some dark chocolate at the dep close to work. As I savoured my first bite, I noticed, to my horror, that it contained milk ingredients!!! I quickly hid it far back in my desk and texted Miko to let him know what had happened (and for some moral support). The next day, I had another bite. And the 35 grams were shamefully finished before the end of the week. There was also another case of mistaken identity last week with a similar piece of dark chocolate... To my credit though, major will power was exercised considering all the Christmas chocolate I received (and bought on sale)- none of which I touched.

Chocolate wasn't the only non-vegan food I ate this month though. There may have been milk ingredients in a (ok, 3) cookie(s) that I ate on day 1, parmesan cheese in a soup that I bought at a restaurant (it was only after the soup was ordered that I noticed it in the ingredient list), I may have eaten gelatin (not vegetarian btw) on one or two occasions, some fudge & ginger cookies my boss had made, some chocolate cookies (the shame), and spring rolls were eaten almost every time I ordered sushi (are those vegan? I never bothered to ask). Last week, Miko (vegetarian btw) and I went to a restaurant and ordered Ramen soups. In discussing vegetarian options, the waiter mentioned that all the broth was pork/beef based. We got the soups anyways because it was cold out, and we wanted warm broth, and the alternative was leaving... in our defense, we felt really guilty that evening and I got a stomach ache.

Despite these (mostly junk food related) failures, I think I did pretty well. I bought less coffee at work, and when I did, enjoyed drinking it black (although, I did indulge in $4 soy lattes from time to time). I brought my lunch more often, and ate lots of salads and fruits and nuts all that good stuff that makes you feel good too. Almond milk is actually a hundred times better than cow's milk and will now become a staple in my fridge. I found vegan tea biscuits that did the trick. And Nutella, well I missed that, and I'm looking forward to eating this.

Merci Miko for doing it with me for almost the entire month! I'd say we did the best we could, and will continue to choose more vegan options when available.

15. Do Pilates everyday for 30 days: Pilates kitty

Done and done! I may have cheated a little by rushing through the movements to shorten the workout on those days when I really wasn't feeling it; but, without fail, Pilates was done everyday for 30 days. Moka found her place on the mat beside me almost every time, including that one time I did it last minute at 1:00am and groggily at 7:00am. I did it once with the door closed (Miko was over) and when I opened it, I found her scowling for having excluded her from our workout!

I promise to keep it up, maybe not everyday but at least alternate with gym days. I actually do feel stronger, slightly more flexible, but never got a flatter stomach like the ladies in my DVD... Maybe it's because of all that chocolate!

Pop Pilates

Switched up my daily Pilates routine and suffered through this:



She's amazing!

Crispy Cheese!

February 1, I'm making this:

Holidays Recap

It's Monday, the buses are full of students again, and for most it's the start back to work and routine. Though I worked between Christmas and New Year's, this holiday season was definitely anything but routine! It was memorable, magical and eventful...

Dec 24
- Christmas Eve at Miko's mom's
- Lovely Polish feast of pierogi, krokiety, barszcz with mushroom (picked in Poland!) tortellini, potato salad, cheesecake and good drink and great fun

Dec 25
- Though Miko and I exchanged gifts the night before, it was getting to wake up beside him on Christmas morning that filled my heart with that joyful excited Christmassy feeling
- Day with Mom and Papa watching a movie, cooking (seitan pie, peas, carrots, mashed potatoes, gravy and chocolate molten cakes with ice cream yuummmyyyyy) and relaxing by the fire



Dec 26
- Boxing day shopping & lunch with Mom
- Christmas CD with Papa

Dec 27
- Braved the 45cm of snowfall, and made it safely into Miko's warm arms

Dec 28
- Wishing I had a break from work
- Drinks at Claremont (thanks Tim!)

Dec 29
- Mom and Van super sick so Informal Christmas Dinner (of lasagna) chez les Heberts with everyone
- Miko making a great first impression
- Apples to Apples

Dec 30 

- Gym (finally!)

- Another feast where everyone contributed a dish and everyone ate too much 

- A family picture

- Gift exchange- thank you Sybs for the running gear and V&P for the gifts including this beautiful refurbished one of a kind chair  

Dec 31 

- New Year's Eve at Jeremie's 

- Champaign at midnight 

- Party jour de l'an where Miko brought me to the dance floor and helped me accomplish #21 on my 30 Things list: Get all dressed up and go out dancing! A first for this shy girl, who really had a lot of fun

- Pizza at 3:00am 

Jan 1

- Another amazing supper at Miko's mom's with the most beautiful salad I've ever seen

- Falling asleep beside him and thinking what a great start to 2013!  

   

Bubbly Baths

#22 on the list reads Take a relaxing bubbly bath once a week during the two coldest winter months.

A bath (or taking a bath) has been on my wish list for ever! and it was only recently that I took my first official bath as an adult. It was a particualrly cold Saturday, after brunch and shopping and marshmallow eggnog lattes with Miko, he suggested I take a bath to help sooth my cold symptoms. It was so gloriously relaxing and theraputic that committing to taking one every week during the coldest winter months of January & February will definitely not be a chore. It'll also be a good opportunity to catch up on my reading (see #9), reflect on the week's events, or plan out the next. It's cold today and I just finished a grueling work-out so now I can't wait to take my bath!

30 Days

Starting today, January 2nd, I'm tackling numbers 8 & 15 on my list. This means that for 30 consecutive days, I must abstain from eating anything animal derived and dedicate 30 minutes everyday to my Pilates routine. 

8. Eat vegan for 30 consecutive days

Adapting a vegetarian diet to a vegan one isn't that much of a stretch; in fact, I became a vegan shortly after declaring my vegetarianism back in 2000. I maintained the diet for 2 years, but decided to revert back to being a vegetarian after eating a Kit Kat bar on a grueling hike in the Adirondacks (no joke!). My sister Van and her partner P have been vegan for over 10 years and they really are an inspiration- I always eat super well and get new recipe ideas whenever I visit them. But despite my past experience and family support, it won't be easy! There are a few things that I will really miss:

Nutella
Milk and cream in my coffee
My favourite tea biscuits
Nutella smeared on my favourite tea biscuits dunked in creamy coffee
And anything with cheese (excluding the aforementioned)!

15. Do Pilates everyday for 30 days

The Pilates DVD I have is actually a relatively short (30 minutes) and relaxing exercise routine, so I'm not stressed about having to do it every day. By January 31st, I should have a stronger core and be more flexible, and if I can keep it up throughout the winter, it will help with yoga (see #5) and prevent injury when I start running in the spring (see #1)...

26 to 30 in 2013

26. Read all the newspapers that I've accumulated in my home office 

27. Plan a trip to India for 2014

28. Learn the names & geographical locations of all the countries (& their capitals) in the world by heart  

29. Cook a traditional Indian meal for my mom

30. Celebrate the end of 2013 surrounded by the people that I love 

21 to 25 in 2013

21. Get all dressed up and go out dancing!

22. Take a relaxing bubbly bath once a week during the two coldest winter months

23. Bike to work during the two warmest summer months 

24. Organize my music collection 

25. Go shopping in 

16 to 20 in 2013

16. Go skating on the Rideau Canal

17. Get a brazilian

18. Eat a fucking banana 

19. Go canoe camping

20. Wish my grandfather a happy 90th birthday, in person (in Vancouver!)

30 Things in 2013

2013 will be a BIG (& hopefully lucky) year: I'll be turning 30, also be reaching 1 billion seconds on Earth, and of course nearing my impending doom. So in celebration, I'm working on a list of 30 things to do in 2013! Here's what I have so far (in no particular order): 

1. Run a 21 km race (and follow Syb's training!!)

2. Go horseback riding

3. Drive away from the city to see the stars

4. Bike Montreal streets at 2:00 am

5. Use up my gift certificate for 10 yoga classes

6. Paint an original picture

7. Make-out on a ferris wheel (hopefully with a boy that I love)

8. Eat vegan for 30 consecutive days
9. Read all the books found on my nightstand

10. Complete a sewing project 

11. Get a proper haircut

12. Tell a stranger she's beautiful

13. Clean out my closet(s)   

14. Host a dinner party for my friends Andriana and Wissem 

15. Do Pilates everyday for 30 days

16.-30. to be announced

Each completed task will be documented, so I hope you stay tuned in the upcoming year!