not here anymore

Hello Fans!

I thought there was something you should know by now.

I am no longer keeping this blog up to date.

Please visit me at:

http://chapter6motherhood.blogspot.co.nz/

or


http://musicformeandyouundertwo.blogspot.co.nz/

LLxx

small things amuse small minds?

I am trying to become better at baking. Being pregnant I have developed more of a sweet tooth and I seem to have a wee bit more time at the moment to try out recipes and things. I am usually a 'half a slice, please' person, normally because I have over done it on the savory options. Well a bigger appetite has meant more love for all things sweet.

We have moved into our new place in Mangere Bridge. It is a wee cottage and our knick knacks and tea ware have almost managed to squeeze themselves in somewhere. Slowly but surely Cam and I have been categorising and sorting and even throwing out bits and pieces of our collection of papers and images and things to reuse. Many of you will know already I love the reuse part of reduce, reuse and recycle.

At our flat we have a nice newish oven in our wee open plan kitchen but it has turned out to be a bit of a learning curve getting things right in there. First the hobbs were set to ballistic so we had an electrician adjust those. Now we can turn the elements to simmer or boil not just nuclear meltdown. Woohoo! The oven doesn't have a convection option so if I cook two things at once in there (which I almost always do, waste not want not) they take about half as long again to cook and require some switching about from the top to the bottom as the main source of heat is still at the top of the oven, even for bake!

I have made a few crumbles, magic slice, date slice and something called crunch which could not have been more true. Last night I made the best home made burger, rosemary new potatoes and lemon yogurt cake I have ever made! I could be getting the hang of this oven thing. Cooking two things at once is better than three in this kitchen too. There is actually less than 1m squared of bench space total, you know I have estimated that carefully right?!

Here is the cake I made:

http://www.bestrecipes.com.au/recipe/Lemon-Yoghurt-Cake-L3208.html


I used only half a cup of oil and 1 and a half cups of sugar and added a little more lemon juice and it took 45 minutes and a few up the top, now the bottom switcheroos in the oven. I made a glaze for the top too, just lemon juice and icing sugar heated up and poured over.

Pretty chuffed it worked.

3 months without a blog post is a bit of a fail...

I confess! I have been busy. And preoccupied. Oh and I started another blog about coffee at another blog address, which is so fun to write! Around the World in 80 Cafes. Clever title, no?! I have listed 12/80 or I am 15% completed at this point. I like to throw in a little basic high school maths just so people remember I used to be a Maths teacher.

So things that you should know by now are that I finished work in Toronto, went to NYC and Montreal, visited family in Vancouver, said Hello! to London and Seoul and got home to NZ about a month ago. Also I am expecting a baby! There have been so many goodbye's and hello's and decisions and big thoughts and trips to airports since I was here last.

So here I am at home by myself for what seems like the first time in 3 months. My stream of consciousness is often inflicted on other people, I seem to have half thoughts and then blurt them at someone to have them clarified. So here I am with a little down time and choosing what to write about is tough. So many things are happening and have happened but essentially we are in limbo.

A new job, house, neighbourhood, church, city, country and baby are on the agenda for 2011. Have I mentioned that I occasionally bite off more than I can chew? I did consider taking a paper at uni in August too. Who am I kidding? Every few years I go through these major upheavals but admittedly this current list of new things is a doozy. I used to think I loved change but I am beginning to wonder if I am addicted to it? When I think about it, these things will all be added one by one over the next few weeks and soon enough I will be too busy to consider all the changes as I will instead be in the middle of them. But right now I am at the top of the cliff willing my stubborn legs to start abseiling down and I am waiting. Well, waiting and planning and praying and worrying, trying to keep busy and be organised and prepared and relaxed while I have all the time in the world to do things. It is a pretty fun game really!

i can offer opinions about things i am not 100% informed about.

I was advised once to write about what I know. This is one reason why this post has taken so long for me to write, you should know by now that I am not that political. Cameron loves to tell of my response to his 'Clinton or Obama?' question on our first date. I was also advised to write about what I am passionate about. Looking at the word passionate reminds me how I haven't really gelled with this word. I doubt many people would think of me first when they think of 'passionate'. However, taking all this into account, I started thinking about writing this blog a few weeks ago when all I could talk about what I had learnt in this book The Shock Doctrine, The Rise of Disaster Capitalism by Naomi Klein.

Why is enthusiasm so fleeting? At first I was reading the news differently, I was voluntarily reading political commentary and looking for the next book to quench a new found thirst for knowledge. I wanted to somehow share my new understandings with you dear reader but I am not sure I have figured out how even now.

The Shock Doctrine opened my eyes to so many ideas and taught me about things that I have pretended to understand before. It made me furious that leaders of countries could manipulate people and markets for their own gain or for the gain of a tiny number of ready wealthy people and he demise of the lower classes or political groups that opposed them. It made me question my own political leanings and determined to watch and listens to the ideals of New Zealand's government. I couldn't believe the crimes that were committed under the banner of democracy. Granted this book is still written to sell and I am sure people could offer valuable critique, for example, the copy I had from the Toronto Public Library had thoughtful insights such as 'bull sh**' peppered through some of the proofs that were being offered. Nonetheless it is a riveting book and completely worth challenging your notions of good government by reading. Please do.

Now the US and friends have entered into combat with Libya. When the UN has issued no fly zones before it resulted in years of war in Bosnia and Iraq. What is the answer to a dictator killing his opposition? How else does the world respond? What are the underlying factors at play that we cannot see yet? Who will benefit from this drama? How do I respond?

We heard in church on Sunday about suffering and looked at Romans 8:18-27. There is no question that people are suffering around the world at the moment. I won't try and paraphrase the sermon, I wouldn't do it justice. You can go and listen to Kyle here, it was a great message. In answering my own 'how to respond' question, firstly, I was particularly encouraged to pray even though I don't have the answers, God prays with me, that is amazing. Secondly, I was encouraged to grieve when others grieve. On a macro level I don't want to ignore what is happening in Japan or Libya but instead care about more than the hype on the 6 o'clock news, on a micro level I don't want to look away when someone is grieving in my life. There are ways we can come alongside people and I want to practice them, but I may need some help.

i love lists

I really do!

Here is a list of the lists I have on my iPhone at the moment. No editting, some are a little embarrassing and no I don't think I have OCD. They are in order of last updated.

1. Food log
2. Headache log
3. Presents to buy
4. Music to investigate
5. Errands
6. Websites to visit
7. DVDs to watch
8. Books to read
9. Things to do in NYC
10. Sunday school songs
11. Things to do when in NZ
12. Goals 2011
13. Time management systems
14. Things to do in South Korea
15. Craft ideas
16. Things to do in Montreal
17. Letters to write
18. Quinoa porridge recipe
19. Sides recipes
20. Mains recipes
21. How to make a Manhattan for two
22. Stress management ideas
23. Things to consider when starting a business
24. T.O. places to eat
25. T.O. places to shop
26. T.O. things to do

Making lists and loving lists is by no means unique. Here are at these two websites dedicated to lists. Information in list form just suits my mathsy self.

http://listverse.com/ - "listiverse" may have been a better name but what a tresure trove.

http://www.todolistblog.com/ - inspiring stuff, many found to do lists.

My top 5 reasons to love lists

1. On a list an everyday activity is important
2. For the sense of well being when you cross items off a list
3. Lists help you visualise your thoughts
4. Lists take less time and punctuation than a paragraph
5. Lists can help you stop procrastinating

i like to think of myself as observant and I may repeat myself from time to time

Canadianisms:

There are signs everywhere. Mostly because someone, somewhere was sued for something or they think they could be sued for something. Case in point is the helpful reminder ‘Caution your hot drink/pie/dog is hot’! Road sides are littered with as much information for those using the roads as possible. Parking a car takes a good ten minutes of deciphering the available times at each prospective spot, it takes a team of nuclear scientists to avoid parking tickets in this city. Along the highway there are constantly signs informing you of which takeaway options are available at the next exit and there are so many!

I am not sure if I am biased but it seems that things have strange names here. Often people name things after their own first name.
“Christine's Fitness.”
“Jim's Mattress World”
“Beatrice Milk.”

That last one could be named after a famous cow I guess. In NZ most of us wouldn’t presume to name something after ourselves, it is a bit show offy is it not? This North American habit is in a similar vein to those ad’s you see referenced on sitcoms where the guy who owns the store does his best ‘I am really excited about this crazy sale’ bit and the ad is comically low budget. Those really do exist and get shown on primetime here. Creepy comb over dudes wanting you to exchange your gold for cash on some strip mall store on an abandoned highway. Jim always wants to personally invite you to his very own world of mattresses, with the ad filmed inside that same store and at the same time showing of those mattresses.

The paper sizes are quite strange. I guess once you are used to them you can prefer letter and legal sizes, I for one do not. The beauty of the A system with each successive number being half the size of the number before, why would you not switch to that? It is too international for them perhaps? Those Americans have a stranglehold in common sense in some areas, for a country that escaped imperial England they cling to the imperial measures. Here in Canada the store owners use these ye olde measures too, for fear of fierce repercussions from those resistant to common sense.

Politeness is a rule here. Orderly lines and pleases and thank yous. People almost always ask how you are and expect you to reciprocate whole heartedly. To end on a happy note, people here quite often say ‘take care’ instead of goodbye. O lovely. I think they mean it too; I particularly like it for the variety.

Take Care Y'all!

the start to a new years is a good time to make a deal with yourself.

I am of the opinion that resolutions are different to goals and are more about breaking or forming habits. When I think about it I haven't successfully added any habits before via resolutions. In fact, I had given up on resolutions in recent years, a trend I have noticed in my peers. Instead I focused on 'a general enhancement of life enjoyment', enjoying the moment and the like, a big 'check' for 2010 I believe, thank you Europe and thank you Cam. Truth be told (or as some say, to be honest with you, ie psst I am taking you as my confidant, thank you so much for your honesty to me, it's just a saying I hear you say) I could go off the deep end with resolutions. I find it so tempting, especially when some friends are so good at changing their ways piece by piece and I want to have similar success stories and be a better person. There are so many habits I consider important that I do not yet possess. You should know by now that I love lists and also that I wouldn't mind if suddenly I...

*ate only whole grains

*didn't eat refined sugars or carbs
*rhymed more in my every day talk (British people are so cool)

*exercised 3 times a week

*learnt a new language

*got at least 8 hours of sleep every night

*volunteered at an urban shelter
*didn't buy clothes made in sweat shops
*learnt to swing dance
*read through the Bible in a year in a deep and meaningful way rather than goal orientated ticking the box type of way
*ate more fish to improve my memory (this is one past failed resolution, I forgot about it for some time)

I could go on, however adding all these to a list of new year resolutions could prove to be quite overwhelming. This year I did see fit to make a few resolutions, a benefit of being a temp and being in this foreign land with time to ponder perhaps? I am trying to form the habit of writing 3 things I am grateful for each night. I missed two nights without realising it. Do you think that means that I go back to zero on the 14 days to make a habit rule? In any case I am on the grateful train, it is fairly easy in good times but I want to be better at being grateful in the less good times. I am also unofficially trying to eat less refined white foods. That is about all.

I hope your new year has started tremendously and good luck with any resolutions you might have. I am grateful you have read this, no really I am!

xxx

it gets very cold where i am

Merry Christmas!

Here we are, December 12 and the snow hasn't really come! I thought I could let you in on the joys of snowmen and snowball fights but there hasn't been enough to make a shop of popsicles. I am sure there will be plenty soon, a white Christmas is the idyllic scene we think of for a North American Christmas, here's hoping...

As you probably know I consider myself quite observant, by no means the most but I enjoy a little deduction or summation here and there. So here are some things you should know about Canada.

1. There are signs everywhere. At the entrance to our street on one corner there are eight. Only bikes can turn and some parking information, the street sign and 5 others. There are so many signs here that when you try and park a car in the city you spend a good five minutes each time deciphering the myriad of potentially conflicting signs on your side of the road and then have to ascertain which is the most important sign to obey. This still may not guarantee you leave the park ticket free but you have to try. The highway has 100's of signs competing for your attention, most advertise the same fast food restaurants over and over...

2. The banking system seems to be quite 1990's. No internet transfers or automatic payments? Long queues at the bank to deposit and withdraw money? Many, many stores without 'interac' or 'chip n pin'.

3. The phone companies are in cahoots. You pay for incoming calls to your cell phone!? Contracts are 3 years long?! You pay for caller ID and for a message service. Bah humbug. At least the company I chose has a cute dog as a mascot. I would have chosen the mexican wrestler mascot company if I didn't already have a sim for the other one though.

4. Everybody else looks quite cool (no pun intended) in the bad weather. I look like a giant three year old including the very pink cheeks. Groan!

5. Christmas has definitely become 'happy holidays'. No mention of where this magical happiness comes from and no little manger scenes about the place either. The decorations this year seem to be blue and silver, more a winter theme than a Christmas theme. The lit up polar bears look quite cool and maybe a glowing baby Jesus might look a but alien but 'the reason for the season' is no where to be seen in the mall or streets with decorations that I have seen. You can count on the carols being decidedly religious and 'Oh Holy Night' seems to be everyone's favourite. I really love that hymn, the thrill of hope that causes a weary world to rejoice and the soul knowing its worth are reasons to celebrate!

Pictures to come!

it is a good idea to carry tissues for such an emergency

Hello friends,

So I have full time employment! this does mean I have less time to ruminate and compose scintillating posts based on my thought life. While working 9 hour days I must not be distracted from the task at hand...

One of my reasons behind the title of this blog is the ever increasing list of things that I thought I would know by now but don't. I imagined myself to be a quite well put together, wise, interesting and focussed woman at 30. Where did I get this idea from? I will continue to blame TV. I still forget to look if there is toilet paper in the stall before I am 'indisposed'. I have required life experience to be my teacher over and over again. It can be a depressing thought, the older we get we realise the more we have to learn. Personality must effect whether you agree with this point of view, what do you think? I have a poll started on the right hand side of the screen. Vote!

Being here in Canada a second time, starting from scratch has been more of a stretch than I expected. I have been surprised at the number of things I seem to be learning still. How to spend time by myself, how to make a good first impression, how to prioritise what to spend money on, I could go on. In particular I've been learning about patience and humility. I'm keen to learn this quickly and without it being too obvious to the people around me. Something tells me I may be learning these for a while yet!

Here in Toronto I am not furthering my career, I'm spending savings on experiences, meeting new people and I don't quite know what is going to happen next. It isn't always comfortable and it has taken longer than I wanted for me to get used to being a bit uncomfortable. I am getting there slowly, I feel like I am growing up, again. I do always want to trust God more and it has been a while since I needed to trust him for such everyday things like having enough money, having a place to live, what to do with my life. The more I think about it the more philosophical I feel and the more I see God making use of this time and I'm thankful for that.

Maybe I have been thinking just as much even while putting in the hours at the mall. It isn't hilarious there so perhaps that is why this post is not a 10 on the funny scale. I do plan to write more on my observations on Canadian 'culture' soon. As a follow up to the fracas with the quotation marks last time, this website is funny. This wee gem is too and it complements the sentiments of the first link too.

xx

coffee is a religion to some people

Hello again!

Thanks to those of you who gave some initial feedback. After a bit of reflection I have come to the conclusion a 'travel blog' is probably the most appropriate, a window into my life in Toronto per se. So my 'readers' will be those of you who want to keep up with what I am up to and don't mind my 'observations' along the way. I hope I haven't lost anyone by using so many quotation marks, just imagine my forefingers in the air punctuating everything I say, I find this 'amusing' and I'm unlikely to be able to stop (some of you will know by now my love of overusing certain types of punctuation).

Something you may not know is that coffee culture is thriving in Toronto. So much so that I almost don't feel the need to add the qualifier "for an North American city". Honestly I have found as many cafes serving delicious flat whites and americanos here as I have had any place, Wellington included. I am a fussy coffee drinker, apparently most of us from 'down under' are. When I go out for coffee I check the rims of the empty coffee cups on the tables as I walk in for a good crema stain and typically will not order a flat white unless I have seen a good looking fresh one in the cafe somewhere. I sadly will continue my 'research' as the coffees come out and the mood does dampen intermittently if your coffee comes out better than mine, based on a visual assessment of crema and milk consistency.

Upon arriving here in Toronto we promptly went downtown to look about and see what we could see. We noticed a flyer for an Indie Coffee Passport and later did some research. It boils down to this: $25 for a card that allows you one coffee, to the value of $5, in 24 participating coffee shops. I was so exited I bought two, do the Math people! So now I have been to roughly 20 different places for coffee all over the city, most of which are on my happy lil' blue coffee passport.

For anyone who visits Toronto my favourite two so far are te aro on Queen East and Rooster Coffee House on Broadview. te aro has really friendly staff, a big space out the front that feels like you are hanging out on your friends deck and is situated amongst all sorts of interesting shops, many of which sell fancy things for babies and dogs. Rooster Coffee House also has a nice space out the front, opposite a park in their case, but has a more comfy and quirky decor, here you need to ask for a cortado to get a flat white (this means 'cut short' and I first tried one in Barcelona, it was a high point on the European coffee tour). An honourable mention goes to Jet Fuel on Parliament for being the location where I wrote this, accompanied by country music (ah thanks) plus they have the cheapest americano so far! Yay! Value for money, my favourite!

The fun thing is there are loads more coffee shops to go and see, plus brunch places are different to coffee shops here, so there all of those to visit as well. I started my 'Toronto brunch journey' this weekend just been, it was a delicious time.

I just may have a job by the end of the week so if coffee is boring I may be talking about working in high heels in the 'finance industry' soon. Yay! Something to look forward to? Lastly, I will use less quotation marks next time, I promise.

job hunting is lame but you do have time to start a blog

Hmm. Why am I here? Well, I have a lot of free time and a desire to write more. Heck, I even have a desire to be a better typist. That is a good reason to start a blog I'm sure, wpm improvement. I 'm also fairly opinionated and think the world needs more opinions. We all know it doesn't really, but I do like my opinions and it could be interesting to know what you think too. Mostly I have opinions about coffee, if we are friends you should definitely know this by now.

So post number one is more or less an introduction, a sounding out of the theme perhaps. Hello! If you are reading this then either you are my friend and are humouring me by reading this first blog or I have decided I really did have something worth sharing. The second reason seems unlikely at the moment as I am job hunting. In other words I am selling my soul to the corporate world and they are spitting it back at me. This is not a unique situation but I am really not enjoying it, I am also concerned that it is making me boring. I do have a lot of time for the internet however and I am learning a few things, for example, I am an ENTJ on the Myers Briggs personality profile. Once I was an INTP. What has caused this change? Maybe we will find out in the coming weeks. Stay tuned! You should look into your personality profile for yourself, this is another thing you should know, it makes for great party conversation (FYI something INTPs don't like, pft I am so not an INTP, I am pretty sure both ENTP and INTP like abbreves tho because I love them, another thing you should know by now). I did this test here. It was pretty easy.

How long is a blog post supposed to be? Can my random thoughts really become interesting reading? Don't worry friends, I am not going to go on ad infinitum, just see where this leads, feel free to come along.

NZ peeps, I miss you.