Running

I recently pinned this:

I spent about a half hour running around my neighbourhood this evening. Not all running, more than half that time walking, especially after making it to the top of a way steeper hill than it looks.

Why? Because I was ambitious/dumb enough to sign up for the Army Run at the end of September. I signed up this in, um.... June? Let's just say I didn't keep to the workout schedule I envisaged and am now staring down a somewhat scary distance in less than 6 weeks. Thank goodness Z (my race buddy) e-mailed me expressing similar sentiments today.

But I've now laid out the training schedule, pinned up the race course in my cube so that I keep seeing it out of the corner of my eye to remind me to not eat that giant italian sandwich two hours before I'm supposed to go for a run (Dirienzos - delicious, but dangerous), and am resolved.

Let's hope my stubborn nature can work this out, otherwise if someone could pick me up along the side of the canal 6 Sundays from now around - that would be great.

Pinterest Challenge!

Yes, yes, I know it's been a while (Chantal :P). But summer time is not the best for sitting around a computer, it's a time for sun and fun and this year, lots and lots of weddings. Pictures to come, I promise.

So what has brought me skulking back to the blog? Well, if you know me, I've probably mentioned my love for the blog Young House Love. John and Sherry are the authors of the blog who talk about their DIY approach to gorgeous home renovation. And much like me, Sherry has an unhealthy love for Pinterest.

She proposed last a week a 'Pinterest' challenge, where people actually act on something that inspired them off that site. Now if you check out my Pinterest account here you'll see that there's a lot of fashion and not so much home reno since I live in a condo and really have no intention of tearing down walls anytime soon. However, I have been tried to get a bit more organized as well as allowing myself time for reflection at the end of the day (trolling twitter is not exactly a restful thing for my brain).

Thus, I was inspired by and wanted to put my own spin from this idea. After hemming and hawing about what I want to jot down at the end of the day, along with the ongoing suggestions from my awesome trainer Burke (goodness this post is link heavy) - I came up with this:

It responds to my neurotic side and trying not to repeat an outfit within three weeks, my wish to be aware and proud of what I learn and accomplish each day, to take the time to enjoy some tunes and be more active. I'm planning on printing off a bunch and seeing how I do with taking the time at the end of each day and seeing what I put down.

Maybe it'll even spur a few more blog posts here and there... :)

Thoughts from a business trip

.... I'm rather sick of planes.

.... knowing I can expense my lunch is fun but I start to really miss actual food/my food (ie. I craved Dirienzos alllllll week).

.... the worst stuff you can watch on an airplane is the best. I was pretty stabby during a plane ride that was over three hours delayed that was going to give me less than four hours sleep before getting up to catch the NEXT plane but Terra Nova and New Year's Eve got me through it. (Though note to producers - there is no way in hell SJP and Zac Efron could be brother and sister. Ever.)

.... I can actually survive without blackberry/wifi contact but am still very relieved when I get back into cell/twitter/e-mail range.

.... Stuffed bears in airports is officially hilarious.




.... there is never any reason to unpack the night you get home. Nope. Not happening.

.... I may get on the plane with Starbucks but by the time I get up there, I am a northern girl.

.... People would come visit me right?

A Broken - but Repaired - Heart

It may be Valentine's Day but I'm not quite as bitter as the title of this post would have you think.

Today I am getting past the single girl blues and simply being happy to be here with my wonderful friends and family. Today is Congenital Heart Defects Awareness Day, and I am one of more than 180,000 Canadians who live with a congenital heart defect.

I was diagnosed with a severe coarctation of the aorta in summer 1998, when I was 13. Thanks to amazing surgeons at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, a graft was put in place of my severely narrowed aorta and I now live a basically normal life, now with ongoing monitoring by the Adult Congenital Clinic at the Ottawa Heart Institute.

It was a total fluke that I was diagnosed and I am enduringly grateful for that - defects such as my own are all too often only discovered by the sudden death of a youth (such as is often seen in hockey players).

While I am currently quite healthy, knowledge that my heart is already weaker than most means that I need to (and am starting to truly) take greater responsibility for my health and its maintenance. February is also Heart and Stroke month and I really appreciate the work of Joannie Rochette in raising awareness around the importance of women's heart health. So while I may bitch about it, I am hitting the gym more these days (beyond just trying to look hawt wearing a bridesmaids dress in the spring). Because I won't always be single on Valentines Day, and I want as many of them as possible.

If you have a chance, please check out excellent organizations such as: the Canadian Congenital Heart Alliance and the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Take the time today to think about those that love you, want you around for as long as possible, and see if you can't help make that happen.

Relaxation

Am having the most relaxed sojourn to Montreal ever. Came down yesterday and had that magical whole set of seats to myself so lots of room to spread out and work on that presentation I'm giving on Wednesday. Have to sit next to x-ine tomorrow, boo (I keed, I keed!). Then after some very productive meetings with various research collaborators who did not murder me for not bringing a new draft of the paper of death but rather asked for my expertise (ha!) on various subjects that I guess I do know something about, or encouraged me to find all sorts of training to be an awesome leader, I got to have dinner chez the new apartment of my former roomie and one of my other besties.

Today was a late wake up, shopping and deal finding on Ste Catherine and a DEELISH late afternoon lunch at Juliette et Chocolat with yet another dear friend (I have a lot of those in this city), we are now deposing before making dinner for another wonderful person.

I'm making inroads on my holiday shopping but let's not discuss the Christmas card situation. I have a lot to deal with at work still but with weekends and friends like this I think I can get by.

(NYC pictures still to come I swear!)

Not always efficient....

So that last post about being an AWESOME packer? I might have to take back some of it after I brought a very full duffel (including 3 pairs of shoes for 3 days) to NYC with friends, and didn't have much room for shopping, so I had to check that bag to carry on a very full shopping bag?

Anyways, we had a blast, will work on a full run down for you, now am dealing with all the laundry I should do but a few highlights include seeing Harry Potter sing and dance, getting into a new hot store (where my preppy soul found it's Mecca) before many actual New Yorkers, gorgeous architecture and of course lots of laughs. This weekend was so, so needed and while I am currently sleepy,nit gave me that (forcible) unplug and refresh.

LadyLaptop's Commandments...

...for an efficient business trip.

Hi friends - I'm back from yet another business trip, this one several days on the not so sunny west coast. I had headed out hoping for warmer temperatures than the O-town but instead back here they had record highs. In any case, the trip went well, had some productive meetings and got to stay in a hotel for more than one night. I got to unpack - a luxury! Anyways, with a number of recent trips and more to come, I've learned some lessons I'd like to pass on to my dear readers. And you'd better listen or I may take you down if you're slowing down the security line.

1. Thou shalt pack in colour schemes
This trip I based around my current favourite flats - blue suede with tassels and these brown snake ones from Old Navy. So everything I brought coordinated with both shoes, including two pairs of dress pants (brown and black), one black skirt, one brown and black tweed blazer, one blue and brown blouse, one formal yet comfortable/flowy navy cardigan, and t-shirts/tank tops to match. I also had simple yet formal enough jewelry. Please note that I brought flats - unless you are really, really, really good in heels, they are more likely to be a hindrance in the airport and are way bulkier to pack.

2. Thou shalt pack for surprises
I had never attended this conference before and thus was prepared for scale of formalities all the way from business casual to full on suit. Most of the attendees ended up on the casual side but when my regional director showed up in a shirt and jacket I was happy to have my blazer and other more formal clothes as I was representing my Depatment. I also packed one extra outfit that was suitable for going out to dinner/just in case.

3. Thou shalt be nice to people in the airport
Yes going through security is a pain and often the agents aren't the friendlist, but that doesn't mean you should be mean in return. Say 'thank you', smile and nod. Even more important, be nice to the people at the counters, gates, attendants, etc. They can make your trip super smooth and give you a whole bottle of sparkling water or they can 'forget' to give you your mini cookies and send your bags to Saskatchewan.

4. Thou shalt look cute
I know that sneakers and a pair of lulus are the most comfortable thing to travel in but I just can't. I wear either my super comfy dress pants that feel like lulus that look way better, or a pair of nice straight jeans, always with flats just in case I have to take them off. I also layer - you never know what temperatures you will encounter, or more importantly, what kind of fascinating man you may be sitting next to.

5. Thou shalt moisturize
The flights over the past few weeks, as well as sleeping on sheets likely not washed
with my hypoallergenic detergent, have been hell on my skin. So before I took off I went and invested in some really good moisture creams which were applied morning than night and made a big difference. Lip gloss and drinking only water/juice on the plane versus soda or alcohol are also important.

6. Thou shalt snack smart
Most carriers in this country now offer barely any food or drink and airports are PRICEY so I had a bunch of bags of trail mix in my suitcase and picked up cheese/other allowable options before heading over whenever I could. Made a big difference both in dollah bills spent and my overall mood.

7. Thou shalt not get bored
I probably over prepare for flights/lay overs but it means that even in my most ADD states I always can keep myself occupied, essential for a slightly nervous flyer and type A personality who hates delays. I had with me my own i.Pad with lots of books and movies on it, a work laptop with actual work to do, a book/magazine for when I got tired of that work/while taking off or landing, and headphones to take advantage of the inflight entertainment while working. I tend to be productive for about half a flight and then need other things to do. As well, while I love watching TV in the hotel beds before falling asleep, I still sleep best reading for a bit before turning out the light.

8. Thou shalt bring your own alarm
Rarely are those clock radios anywhere near reliable so I set my crackberry as I do most mornings I am home, I know it works and it will get me up.

9. Thou shalt spoil yourself
This week I worked really long hours, the time delay meaning that when I woke up around 6 I usually had at least 15 e-mails already to start responding to before my meetings and sessions started, then picked up whatever I had missed at the end of the day, as well as doing any real work I had to do. I have realized that taking advantage of room service, with either a glass of wine or a sundae (below) makes a big difference.


10. Thou shalt take a walk
At least once a day, get the hell out of whatever conference rooms you've been immured in. Even if its just around the block, over to that interesting store or cafe across the street - getting out and clearing your head will make a big difference. If you're somewhere where you don't get a lot or have never been, ask if there is somewhere near by to check out. Who knows what kind of cool souvenirs you may find!

I know there are usually ten of these but here is the most important commandment

11. Thou shalt follow the rules and GET OVER YOURSELF
Your liquid foundation is more than 100 mL but you really really want to keep it along with your four carry ons? You really need to keep texting despite us being ready for take off? Um, no. You are not a super special snowflake and as annoying as the rules may be these days they are there for a reason and we all have to abide by them. If you are blocking the aisle of the plane trying to lift your way too big and heavy carry on into the bin I am not going to be sympathetic unless you're over 75 and STILL. Travelling is not a rocket science but it does require you to be aware of what's going on around you, and realizing that your own incompetence doesn't make you endearing and one of the 'people' to your fellow passengers as you protest well publicized and very clear rules, but rather the person we all bond in hating. Just an FYI.

I hope that you will also take these commandments to heart and are all able to become efficient and happy travellers. I hope we can all share in a drink at an airport bar someday.