Both Hannah and Teeni tagged me with a meme that required me to ponder what I am grateful for in my life. THAT, my friends, was relatively easy and I took today to ponder exactly that. Here is my list:
1. My parents. I have to start there because without them, there would be no me. And the wonderful parents they are have shaped who I am and how I parent my own boys. The fact that I am so close to both of them speaks volumes on how great they were and are. They are always available for cooking, home reno and computer advice (Mom’s Food/sewing/parenting/misc Help Line and Dad’s Helpdesk at your service). Not to mention that they are great, not great as in old but fabulous, grandparents to boot. Yay for my mom and dad!
2. Next has to be Jay. My partner in life, parenting and everything in between. Oh and also my best friend along with other things not necessary to mention here ;-) I think these posts tell all . He ROCKS and he’s hot to boot. Yay for Jay!
3. My two favourite little boys, Jack and Kamden. They make all right in the world. The joy that they share with me is priceless. I think they are the single most poignant beacon ensuring I don’t take anything in this wonderful life for granted. Their innocence is palpable and it brings me back to simpler times when the biggest concern was what game to play next. One cannot get overly caught up on the rat race if you listen to your kids. Not just hear them, but listen to them. I try to. I don’t always succeed but thankfully they have good lungs and eventually they get my attention. Thanks dudes, I am forever blessed because I have the privilege of being your Mommy.
4. My extended family. I have the BEST extended family one could ever hope for. You don’t get to pick your in-laws, siblings and siblings in law. Honestly, I couldn’t have picked them better myself. I look FORWARD to family get togethers and for that I am eternally grateful.
5. Friends. Need I say more? Everyone should have several. Period. I am lucky enough to have many great friends. I treasure each and every one of them. Each is uniquely wonderful and brings something unique and wonderful to my life. I only hope that I do the same for each of them. And by the way, that includes all you on-line buddies too, y’all are awesome!
6. My health and the health of those around me. As Jay’s Nana says, if it’s healthy, it’ll be happy. She is a wise one that Nana. Today as I choked for breath as I jogged with Kamden in the stroller, I was grateful for the ability to jog, for the pain that went up and down my legs as I pushed harder into the gale force winds. I was grateful that I felt the sting as the wind whipped a fallen leaf into the side of my face. Because in feeling all of those sensations, I felt fully alive. Someday, I will not be able to jog – hopefully not for a long, long time but until that day I will be grateful for the privilege of having a body that is able. It is a gift to be treasured.
7. & 8. My job. For my job I am grateful because of two things. First and foremost, it allows me to stay home with my dudes. I can’t imagine not being here to do all the things we do. I love taking both of them to school and then being the one to pick them up and hear all about their day. I like that we are not (usually) rushed to get out the door in the morning. That I can simultaneously do laundry and catch up on some work at the same time is worth more than all the tea in China. But mostly I am grateful because even when I am working, I am here. I can hear the kids beating up on their dad, er I mean, playing with their dad. That in itself warrants mention on this list. However, the fact that I also thoroughly enjoy my work more than any job I have EVER done in my entire life (I know, I know, I am NOT that old but still) makes this point count for two things to be grateful for.
Now because I was tagged twice, I promised I would do more than the required. I have so much to be grateful for so here’s a laundry list (why in the name of all things is it called a laundry list anyway?) of some of the multitude of things I am grateful for:
9. My childhood, it was happy
10. My home, it too is happy
11. The country in which I was born and reside. I. AM. CANADIAN. And proud of it.
12. Summer nights
13. Summer days at the beach
14. The melancholy call of a loon
15. The enveloping comfort of my own bed
16. Good. Food.
17. Chocolate (how did it take me this long to get that one in?)18. Cold winter nights snuggled up by the fire
19. Memories. The good, the bad and the ugly because they all make me who I am today.
20. A good laugh. I consider it a vital ingredient for life.
I could go on and on really. But for the sake of your boredom, I quit now. Thanks for yet again, (if you made it this far that is) listening to my drivel.
And because I have fairly crazy luck with successfully tagging people, I am going to leave it up to you. IF you want to play, please do. It’s good to focus on the good.
Hugs
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Corporate Culture
My trip to Vancouver over the weekend caused me to ponder corporate culture. No wait, don’t leave, I promise it won’t sound like some boring lecture you might get in a business class.
The corporate culture I was pondering was that of the two airlines we have to choose from here in our home and native land. One, which has received more than it’s fair share of government assistance and even Celine Dion endorsements has a mission statement that by my estimations reads like this:
“We strive to make ensure the customer provides the best service possible.”
That’s right, I said the customer will provide the service.
Here are two examples to demonstrate that this company, has indeed, met its mission.
About 4 years ago Jay, Jack and I (pre-Kamo) headed to the Cayman Islands to visit our very good friends, Rena and Wade. We left her in the midst of a huge snowstorm (it was the beginning of April). We were a bit concerned that we may not get out but no problem, we left here right on schedule to overnight in TO (to get anywhere from using this airline you must first go to TO – the self professed center of our dear country). We arrived late at night and waited FOREVER to get to the hotel with our 20 month old little guy. It was about 2am when we finally arrived because apparently an inch of snow pretty much shuts the place down.
Sorry this isn’t about that. Back on topic.
We get back to the airport in time for our morning flight to Grand Cayman. We board right on schedule. We no sooner move seats because some self centered lady that I could call a few other names as well announces that “she doesn’t sit beside children because she always gets spilled or puked on”. Hmmm, lady, maybe there’s a reason that happens?
Ahem.
Back on topic again.
We move seats and the captain comes on informing is that the airport may or may not have enough de-icing fluid to allow us to take off. 5 min later, he announces that no, they do not.
We are told to head back into the airport and call the 1-800 number to reschedule our own flights.
That’s right folks. The 1-800 number. The customer service desk was blocked off.
And given that they cancelled several flights the Caribbean within an hour’s time frame getting through on the 1-800 number was IMPOSSIBLE. Let me tell you, angry Jamaicans are not something you want to encounter!
When we finally did get through we were told that the next flight, two days later, was full. That’s it. It was full. Sucks to be you basically.
The aforementioned lady has the gall to walk by as I received this news and ask if there was another flight, I told her no, the next flight was full. Her response, and I am not embellishing in the least here, was “oh I am already on that one, I want a flight that’s sooner.”
Um okay, I may or may not have puked on her a little at that point.
Anyway suffice it to say that after several calls to the 1-800 and a trip back to the airport the next day from the hotel we secured once I called my dad in tears and he three way called to set us up (NOT even kidding!) we finally had tickets on the next flight. Amazing how the next day the flight suddenly wasn’t full anymore.
This is the coles notes version of that story. Believe me, there is much, much more. I had typed up an email when we got home detailing every last event that occurred but that was way before the days of this blog and it’s lost in cyberspace.
Example number two is much shorter. I promise!
On Sunday, I arrived at the airport in Vancouver not having printed off a boarding pass from the internet. I arrived at the check in point and asked an employee if I could still check in at this point without one. She assured me I could. The guy at the desk must have missed that memo. He asked me for it, I told him I didn’t have one. He asked for my flight number. Um, sorry don’t know that off the top of my head either so I quickly retrieved my iternary from my bag and passed it to him.
“See this confirmation number here? You take that and punch it into those self check in computers over there, then come here next time.”
Seriously?
I do realize that you might break a nail pushing print on the boarding pass but seriously? You are telling me that next time you won’t be so nice as to do it for me?
Right. Let me tell you this. That won’t be necessary. There won’t be a next time.
Now the other airline here in our fair land costs almost to the penny the exact same for an equivalent fair. There mission statement would read something like this:
“To provide the best service to our customers possible.”
Here’s an example.
On route to Vancouver on this airline #2, a lady kitty corner to me asked the flight attendant if the bathrooms might have some hand lotion in them.
Her reply was:
“Oh, I don’t think so but just give me a minute and I’ll check my bag. I am pretty sure I have some.”
Not five minutes later she was back, with her own personal tube of hand lotion.
Now that’s going above and beyond.
You may think that one example of goodness doesn’t quite prove my point, however, I leave you with this. Which airline would you chose?
The corporate culture I was pondering was that of the two airlines we have to choose from here in our home and native land. One, which has received more than it’s fair share of government assistance and even Celine Dion endorsements has a mission statement that by my estimations reads like this:
“We strive to make ensure the customer provides the best service possible.”
That’s right, I said the customer will provide the service.
Here are two examples to demonstrate that this company, has indeed, met its mission.
About 4 years ago Jay, Jack and I (pre-Kamo) headed to the Cayman Islands to visit our very good friends, Rena and Wade. We left her in the midst of a huge snowstorm (it was the beginning of April). We were a bit concerned that we may not get out but no problem, we left here right on schedule to overnight in TO (to get anywhere from using this airline you must first go to TO – the self professed center of our dear country). We arrived late at night and waited FOREVER to get to the hotel with our 20 month old little guy. It was about 2am when we finally arrived because apparently an inch of snow pretty much shuts the place down.
Sorry this isn’t about that. Back on topic.
We get back to the airport in time for our morning flight to Grand Cayman. We board right on schedule. We no sooner move seats because some self centered lady that I could call a few other names as well announces that “she doesn’t sit beside children because she always gets spilled or puked on”. Hmmm, lady, maybe there’s a reason that happens?
Ahem.
Back on topic again.
We move seats and the captain comes on informing is that the airport may or may not have enough de-icing fluid to allow us to take off. 5 min later, he announces that no, they do not.
We are told to head back into the airport and call the 1-800 number to reschedule our own flights.
That’s right folks. The 1-800 number. The customer service desk was blocked off.
And given that they cancelled several flights the Caribbean within an hour’s time frame getting through on the 1-800 number was IMPOSSIBLE. Let me tell you, angry Jamaicans are not something you want to encounter!
When we finally did get through we were told that the next flight, two days later, was full. That’s it. It was full. Sucks to be you basically.
The aforementioned lady has the gall to walk by as I received this news and ask if there was another flight, I told her no, the next flight was full. Her response, and I am not embellishing in the least here, was “oh I am already on that one, I want a flight that’s sooner.”
Um okay, I may or may not have puked on her a little at that point.
Anyway suffice it to say that after several calls to the 1-800 and a trip back to the airport the next day from the hotel we secured once I called my dad in tears and he three way called to set us up (NOT even kidding!) we finally had tickets on the next flight. Amazing how the next day the flight suddenly wasn’t full anymore.
This is the coles notes version of that story. Believe me, there is much, much more. I had typed up an email when we got home detailing every last event that occurred but that was way before the days of this blog and it’s lost in cyberspace.
Example number two is much shorter. I promise!
On Sunday, I arrived at the airport in Vancouver not having printed off a boarding pass from the internet. I arrived at the check in point and asked an employee if I could still check in at this point without one. She assured me I could. The guy at the desk must have missed that memo. He asked me for it, I told him I didn’t have one. He asked for my flight number. Um, sorry don’t know that off the top of my head either so I quickly retrieved my iternary from my bag and passed it to him.
“See this confirmation number here? You take that and punch it into those self check in computers over there, then come here next time.”
Seriously?
I do realize that you might break a nail pushing print on the boarding pass but seriously? You are telling me that next time you won’t be so nice as to do it for me?
Right. Let me tell you this. That won’t be necessary. There won’t be a next time.
Now the other airline here in our fair land costs almost to the penny the exact same for an equivalent fair. There mission statement would read something like this:
“To provide the best service to our customers possible.”
Here’s an example.
On route to Vancouver on this airline #2, a lady kitty corner to me asked the flight attendant if the bathrooms might have some hand lotion in them.
Her reply was:
“Oh, I don’t think so but just give me a minute and I’ll check my bag. I am pretty sure I have some.”
Not five minutes later she was back, with her own personal tube of hand lotion.
Now that’s going above and beyond.
You may think that one example of goodness doesn’t quite prove my point, however, I leave you with this. Which airline would you chose?
Monday, September 24, 2007
Big city and home again
I’m back from a whirlwind trip to Vancouver. I left Friday and spent the night hanging out with my cousin, Angela. She took me to a fabulous Indian buffet for supper and then showed off her new condo in West Van. Did you all know how crazy the housing market is there? It’s bad here but really we haven’t seen anything yet.
The real reason for my trip was work related. I spent all day Saturday and Sunday working hard writing and editing multiple choice questions. The fun part was that I got to see all my co-workers (well almost all) in person. I work with a great bunch of people and it was great to see everyone again.
As I mentioned, Angella, not to be confused with my cousin, Angela, was there. We met in March of 2006 and have been blogging buddies since. She is even funnier, sweeter and lovely in person, if that’s at all possible. Using the automatic settings on my camera we had these pictures taken of us.
Clearly I need help with using the manual settings on my camera! Oh well, you get the idea.
But I did get these neat shots from the balcony of my suite (complete with stove, fridge and patio set!).
After picking up some goodies for my boys and supper with one of my favourite co-facilitators, it was back on the plane to good old home.
It was a great weekend full of laughter, hard work and a little bit of wine!
The real reason for my trip was work related. I spent all day Saturday and Sunday working hard writing and editing multiple choice questions. The fun part was that I got to see all my co-workers (well almost all) in person. I work with a great bunch of people and it was great to see everyone again.
As I mentioned, Angella, not to be confused with my cousin, Angela, was there. We met in March of 2006 and have been blogging buddies since. She is even funnier, sweeter and lovely in person, if that’s at all possible. Using the automatic settings on my camera we had these pictures taken of us.
Clearly I need help with using the manual settings on my camera! Oh well, you get the idea.
But I did get these neat shots from the balcony of my suite (complete with stove, fridge and patio set!).
After picking up some goodies for my boys and supper with one of my favourite co-facilitators, it was back on the plane to good old home.
It was a great weekend full of laughter, hard work and a little bit of wine!
Monday, September 17, 2007
Me oh my
Hannah tagged me with this meme a few days ago. Here are the rules:
1. Players must list one fact, word, or tidbit that is somehow relevant to their life for each letter of their first or middle name.
2. When you are tagged you need to write your own post containing your first or middle name game facts, word, or tidbit.
3. At the end of your post choose one person for each letter of your name to tag.
4. Don’t forget to leave a comment telling them that they have been tagged, and to read your blog.
5. If I’ve tagged YOU (see below), please join in on the fun!
K – is for kids. Since I was a little girl sitting at my “kitchen table” drinking pretend coffee and smoking pretend cigarettes (too many relative who smoked!) with my pretend friends I have wanted kids. I used to imagine what it would be like to have little ones who looked up to me like I did to my Mom. How I would know everything and be able to solve all my kid’s problems with the snap of my fingers.
Naturally, things are exactly as I imagined except for the cigarette part of course.
A – is for amour (the other official language’s version of love). I am surrounded by it and full of it for all the special people in my life. I am blessed.
M - is for motivated. I have always felt that one cannot sit around waiting for good things to happen. So I went out and made it happen. Of course, meeting the man of my dreams was sheer luck. The rest, well, we have made good decisions and made happen. I wouldn’t change any of it. Not even the time I made a fool out of myself.
I - is for individual. There is no one else like me and only a handful of people with my name. I like that. I like that when someone says Kami, I know it’s me. Except when there’s a Tammy around, but my name is cooler, so there.
And in case you were wondering…. I am sacred. Not scared. Sacred.
ka•mi (kä'mĭ) Pronunciation Key
n. pl. kami
Any of the sacred beings worshiped in Shintoism, conceived as spirits abiding in natural phenomena and sometimes in people with extraordinary qualities.
HA! And if you think I believe that, I have a nice beach front property to sell you. Cheap.
If you want to play, consider yourself tagged dude. Have fun!
1. Players must list one fact, word, or tidbit that is somehow relevant to their life for each letter of their first or middle name.
2. When you are tagged you need to write your own post containing your first or middle name game facts, word, or tidbit.
3. At the end of your post choose one person for each letter of your name to tag.
4. Don’t forget to leave a comment telling them that they have been tagged, and to read your blog.
5. If I’ve tagged YOU (see below), please join in on the fun!
K – is for kids. Since I was a little girl sitting at my “kitchen table” drinking pretend coffee and smoking pretend cigarettes (too many relative who smoked!) with my pretend friends I have wanted kids. I used to imagine what it would be like to have little ones who looked up to me like I did to my Mom. How I would know everything and be able to solve all my kid’s problems with the snap of my fingers.
Naturally, things are exactly as I imagined except for the cigarette part of course.
A – is for amour (the other official language’s version of love). I am surrounded by it and full of it for all the special people in my life. I am blessed.
M - is for motivated. I have always felt that one cannot sit around waiting for good things to happen. So I went out and made it happen. Of course, meeting the man of my dreams was sheer luck. The rest, well, we have made good decisions and made happen. I wouldn’t change any of it. Not even the time I made a fool out of myself.
I - is for individual. There is no one else like me and only a handful of people with my name. I like that. I like that when someone says Kami, I know it’s me. Except when there’s a Tammy around, but my name is cooler, so there.
And in case you were wondering…. I am sacred. Not scared. Sacred.
ka•mi (kä'mĭ) Pronunciation Key
n. pl. kami
Any of the sacred beings worshiped in Shintoism, conceived as spirits abiding in natural phenomena and sometimes in people with extraordinary qualities.
HA! And if you think I believe that, I have a nice beach front property to sell you. Cheap.
If you want to play, consider yourself tagged dude. Have fun!
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Fall has arrived
This is me actually using the manual settings on my camera! I need to practice and play much more but I love the effect the sunlight has on these photos.
This has been brought to you by Angella’s Foto Friday’s.
And yes, after one frost the night before this was the scene in our front yard yesterday. The tree was literally raining leaves. Time to get ready for Halloween already.
Have a great weekend everyone!
Friday, September 07, 2007
BAH!
Updated! See the bed set I already have here: http://www.bedbathstore.com/bed.html It's the one on the very right. It looks better in the picture. I can't find the one I love in the link below... Sigh. BUT I did get paint! Yay! I nice pale yellow called Melted Butter.
I am having one of those weeks. You know, where you just don’t feel quite right, you have a million things to do and can’t figure out where to get started.
Based on the calendar, I can pinpoint WHY I feel this way but knowing that just isn’t helping.
We need to paint Kamden’s room and the colour choice is the most daunting thing EVER for me this week.
I know. Get a hold of yourself if that’s your biggest concern.
I am trying. Trust me.
There is also the fact that we have to paint the trim around the new windows. It is currently primed white and we think we’ll keep it white.
That should be simple right?
Yeah, no. Have you seen how many shades of white there are? There are yellow toned whites. Blue toned whites. And pukey toned whites (?). Yeah I made that up but you know what I mean.
Could you make it anymore difficult for me and my indecisiveness?
Thought not.
I may have a nice pale yellow narrowed down for Kamden’s room but that’s subject to change almost by the minute today. Good thing we are supposed to be painting it this weekend. That is if I get off the internet and finish my work.
As Kamden asked, “Is Beth waiting for it?” Beth is my “boss”.
EVEN he knows where it’s at. And yes, she is waiting for it.
And to top everything else off I am looking for new bedding for our room. I ordered a set and it is not quite what I wanted and ironically enough almost the exact colours that our current set is. I am gravitating to the brown and pale blue combinations that are popular right now. I also found this one that I adore, however, I can’t find it in king size anywhere on the internet or any store here. I believe it's last year's line and as always I am way behind the times.
That pretty much sums up my week. Make a decision only to have to change it due to unforeseen circumstances.
I’ll leave you with this.
GAH!
I also just went for my regular cut and colour and it's a good thing I warned her I was in a mood. Today, a big peroxide blonde chunk with a Posh spice cut was looking really GOOD. Don't worry, it's the same boring old Kami style.
Sigh.
I am having one of those weeks. You know, where you just don’t feel quite right, you have a million things to do and can’t figure out where to get started.
Based on the calendar, I can pinpoint WHY I feel this way but knowing that just isn’t helping.
We need to paint Kamden’s room and the colour choice is the most daunting thing EVER for me this week.
I know. Get a hold of yourself if that’s your biggest concern.
I am trying. Trust me.
There is also the fact that we have to paint the trim around the new windows. It is currently primed white and we think we’ll keep it white.
That should be simple right?
Yeah, no. Have you seen how many shades of white there are? There are yellow toned whites. Blue toned whites. And pukey toned whites (?). Yeah I made that up but you know what I mean.
Could you make it anymore difficult for me and my indecisiveness?
Thought not.
I may have a nice pale yellow narrowed down for Kamden’s room but that’s subject to change almost by the minute today. Good thing we are supposed to be painting it this weekend. That is if I get off the internet and finish my work.
As Kamden asked, “Is Beth waiting for it?” Beth is my “boss”.
EVEN he knows where it’s at. And yes, she is waiting for it.
And to top everything else off I am looking for new bedding for our room. I ordered a set and it is not quite what I wanted and ironically enough almost the exact colours that our current set is. I am gravitating to the brown and pale blue combinations that are popular right now. I also found this one that I adore, however, I can’t find it in king size anywhere on the internet or any store here. I believe it's last year's line and as always I am way behind the times.
That pretty much sums up my week. Make a decision only to have to change it due to unforeseen circumstances.
I’ll leave you with this.
GAH!
I also just went for my regular cut and colour and it's a good thing I warned her I was in a mood. Today, a big peroxide blonde chunk with a Posh spice cut was looking really GOOD. Don't worry, it's the same boring old Kami style.
Sigh.
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