This was a Jenn get organized day!!!
It was great to have a day where you get absolutely everything done that you need to. I work 9-6 almost every single business day and it gets a little bit hard to get done the things that need to be done during the day.
One thing that was really on my mind was my passport. The government recommends that you don't travel if your passport is going to expire in 6 months. I go to London in June and my Passport was due to expire in February 2012... so Im playing it safe and decided to get my passport renewed. The entire last week I got all passport things together!..... passport pictures taken..... docoments filled out... birth certificates found, and off I went. I thought in my head that it would only take a half an hour or so... but boy oh boy was I wrong. I ended up being at the office for almost two hours! I played a ton of angry birds while I waited and I made it through 25 levels! And then finally it was my turn!!!! I got my passport renewed and am so relieved that its all been completed!
So next thing on my to-do list. Collect all my T4 slips... last year I worked at 3 different places... crazy hey? One place I only worked at for a week and it was right when I was leaving, after I had spent 2 years there. The next place.. earls... I switched locations so needed 2 T4 slips. And then I moved.. so had the wrong address and none actually made it to me!!! So I drove from location to location picking up all my T4s. When I got to Dalhousie they said they didn't have one for me! Boy was I upset. Being at earls on my day off to pick up a T4 and then it wasn't there was kind of depressing! So I drive home.... call Tara (My fabulous office leader) and get her to check again. And then... they found it!!!!! So I had to drive all the way back and retrieve it!
By now its 6:00pm.... And my day was over.
I was thinking in my head.. man I feel like I wasted a day... But thinking back on it now Im happy that I accomplished so much and achieved everything that I needed to get done! The next day (which I am soon going to write about) ended up being a very relaxing day because I had nothing on my mind!
Its amazing how your mind can think... and over think about all the things that you have been putting off getting done. If there is one thing I have learned its that it creates stress... which is completely unneeded! And as soon as I got all my emergency activities done I felt like a free spirit!!!
Thursday 14 April 2011
Tuesday 12 April 2011
Day 20
Today I went to go check out the Glenbow Museum in Calgary. This was the first time I had ever been to the museum and it was my moms idea to go. Very exciting stuff. There was an exhibit by the photographer Karsh as well as a Asian, African, and all the Alberta exhibits.
So my mom and I took off for a day at the museum. The Karsh exhibit was very very cool! We learned in the morning that this Canadian photographer had taken a photo of my great great Aunt. She was the first Canadian women to ever be a member of parliament. It was cool to see photos of Walt Disney, and Audrey Hepburn, as well as Jackie Kennedy, athletes, writers, sculptures and many more! THe Karsh exhibit was my favourite part of going to the museum.
We walked around the entire asian section which was very cool to see all the different buddas and sculptures. There was also a big shrine which was very interesting.
By the end of the day I was quite tired!! It was good to spend the entire day with my mom and doing an activity together that we don't normally do. So does going to the museum make me happy?? I could not do it everyday but it definitely was interesting!! Always makes you think when you learn different things!
So my mom and I took off for a day at the museum. The Karsh exhibit was very very cool! We learned in the morning that this Canadian photographer had taken a photo of my great great Aunt. She was the first Canadian women to ever be a member of parliament. It was cool to see photos of Walt Disney, and Audrey Hepburn, as well as Jackie Kennedy, athletes, writers, sculptures and many more! THe Karsh exhibit was my favourite part of going to the museum.
We walked around the entire asian section which was very cool to see all the different buddas and sculptures. There was also a big shrine which was very interesting.
By the end of the day I was quite tired!! It was good to spend the entire day with my mom and doing an activity together that we don't normally do. So does going to the museum make me happy?? I could not do it everyday but it definitely was interesting!! Always makes you think when you learn different things!
Sunday 10 April 2011
Day 18 and Day 19
The Dog Days are over.
One of my favourite songs but also the reality of the day. Last Night was the last night that I spent with Juno, Oliver and Zeus.. We had a relaxing night at home.... watching dirty dancing, cuddling and then went to sleep pretty early!
One of the interesting things about this project is that in this road to find myself I have been spending a little bit more time alone. Thats exactly what I did on Saturday! Basically more or less I took the one night or rest to prepare for today!
Today is the day that everyone resturned home. First my parents- who I got to see this afternoon and with that I got to see My sister, Peter, Charlie, my Brother Chris, and his girlfriend Kristen. What a great day to have my entire family back! The weather was beutiful, I took adventage and took the dogs for walk and met up with my sister for lunch,
Cool purchase of the day-- I got Katy Perry "shatter" nail polish.. and oh boy is is very cool! I attached the photo.. so what did I do... I painted my nails had pizza with the family and am now waiting for Chelsea and James to return home.. then off to my parents house for a sleepover.
I don't work this week.... so that means the posts will be pretty exciting.. An "in Calgary" vacation.... so Im going to try to get some local sights under my belt in the city I live in!
For some reason Im having trouble uploading photos... so photos to come.. sorry guys. stay tuned!
One of my favourite songs but also the reality of the day. Last Night was the last night that I spent with Juno, Oliver and Zeus.. We had a relaxing night at home.... watching dirty dancing, cuddling and then went to sleep pretty early!
One of the interesting things about this project is that in this road to find myself I have been spending a little bit more time alone. Thats exactly what I did on Saturday! Basically more or less I took the one night or rest to prepare for today!
Today is the day that everyone resturned home. First my parents- who I got to see this afternoon and with that I got to see My sister, Peter, Charlie, my Brother Chris, and his girlfriend Kristen. What a great day to have my entire family back! The weather was beutiful, I took adventage and took the dogs for walk and met up with my sister for lunch,
Cool purchase of the day-- I got Katy Perry "shatter" nail polish.. and oh boy is is very cool! I attached the photo.. so what did I do... I painted my nails had pizza with the family and am now waiting for Chelsea and James to return home.. then off to my parents house for a sleepover.
I don't work this week.... so that means the posts will be pretty exciting.. An "in Calgary" vacation.... so Im going to try to get some local sights under my belt in the city I live in!
For some reason Im having trouble uploading photos... so photos to come.. sorry guys. stay tuned!
Saturday 9 April 2011
Day 17
Sorry this post is almost one full day over due. But trust me after you read this you will understand that I have my hands full.
So.. on Tuesday I moved into my friends house to take care of her three puppies while her and her fiance went to Palm Springs..... I went into the experience being very convenient knowing I could handle three dogs!
Day 1- Pretty awesome we went to the dog park, we cuddled and watched a movie, we played XBOX Connect.. which of course left me feeling pretty good about the whole week ahead of me! Chelsea was very nervous when I left... I thought she was more nervous about me not taking care of them... but really she was more nervous about me. With a text message on the way to the airport she says... "You know Marley and me when they go away and have a dog sitter come in and Marley goes Crazy. And the sitter hates her life" So in my head I was thinking... oh great, what have I got to look forward too? But overall Day 1- successful
Day 2- Juno gets me up bright and early about 6 aclock and we go outside... and then I decide to get back into bed and let all three of them join me back in my bed (Juno and Zues slept in a kennel all night) Quickly they all go back to sleep. Feeling good.... I have three dogs almost on top of me but feeling good. Get ready for work... go to work.. and then I come home! So 6:00 is dinner time.. I get them all set for dinner.. we all go upstairs to change and then I put the puppies outside. So now this is first not so good babysitting experience.... I look outside and Juno breaks through the front gate. Naturally I freak out. I know Chelsea would murder me if anything happened to her dogs (did I mention she is my boss too?!?!) So outside I go... thankfully Juno and Oliver listen pretty well.. and come barreling up the street at me... but where is Zues?! I have tears in my eyes.. Im thinking the worst of the worst... Zeus is just a little ten pound dog... what if he gets run over.. where did he go??? (I know Chelsea is having a complete heart attack as she reads this right now... Im so so sorry!) So Im screaming Zues's name... I start crying..... I put the other two dogs inside the house and run upstairs to get my shoes... and then there is Zues. I forgot to pick him up off the bed when we went to go outside and he is to little to jump off!! So turns out I actually just left him upstairs and didn't lose him outside. Rookie move. I feel like a bit of an idiot now. So finally I get over the fact that I didn't lose a single dog and then I got really nervous about putting them outside. So what happens?? Juno pee's down the stairs. My question is.. why the stairs?? Probably the most difficult place to clean up... but hey at least I didn't lose her...
Day 3- Normal day much like the first. The dogs get to know me a bit more and Juno gets a bit more crazy... I now get tumbled over when I let her out of her Kennel.... overwhelming... shes crazy!
and that brings me to Day 4.... right now! What's currently happening... we just had dinner and we are getting ready for the dog park... I figure the walk is what makes all the difference. Tire them out!! Maybe they will all sleep through the night. Tomorrow Chelsea comes back and I think we are all excited to see her.
So would I give up this experience??? Definitely not! I had tons and tons of fun! Although dogs are like children they also brighten up the day!! So I will leave you with a list of things that make me smile....
1. James, Chelsea's Fiance brought up 5 bottles of wine for me... basically I could drink a bottle of wine a day. Quite entertaining as I work for them... and if I chose to drink it all I probably would not make it to work! I should have had a wine party... but I didn't.
2. I've never had a bath and a glass of wine at the same time.... very relaxing and will do it more often. Juno trying to eat bath bubbles... priceless
3. Volcano rocks???... Put in the dogs water dishes... it didn't matter how many times I took them away they always showed up! I woke up in the morning cuddling a rock... I would leave for work and it would be sitting outside. The rocks followed me everywhere...Im going to have nightmares about those rocks... and are the hit toy for all three of the dogs.
4. Never leave any sort of dog outside unattended. Must watch them like a hawk. Never want to feel like how I felt when I thought I lost them ever again!!
5. Must get an Apple TV.. while staying at the Bed and Breakfast of C and J... I got to play connect, watch Apple TV and learn there high tech TV system. Intense system but very cool!
So no I wouldn't give this up for the world. I have three new best friends and Im officially Auntie Jeni.
Well off to the dog park now!!
xo
So.. on Tuesday I moved into my friends house to take care of her three puppies while her and her fiance went to Palm Springs..... I went into the experience being very convenient knowing I could handle three dogs!
Day 1- Pretty awesome we went to the dog park, we cuddled and watched a movie, we played XBOX Connect.. which of course left me feeling pretty good about the whole week ahead of me! Chelsea was very nervous when I left... I thought she was more nervous about me not taking care of them... but really she was more nervous about me. With a text message on the way to the airport she says... "You know Marley and me when they go away and have a dog sitter come in and Marley goes Crazy. And the sitter hates her life" So in my head I was thinking... oh great, what have I got to look forward too? But overall Day 1- successful
Day 2- Juno gets me up bright and early about 6 aclock and we go outside... and then I decide to get back into bed and let all three of them join me back in my bed (Juno and Zues slept in a kennel all night) Quickly they all go back to sleep. Feeling good.... I have three dogs almost on top of me but feeling good. Get ready for work... go to work.. and then I come home! So 6:00 is dinner time.. I get them all set for dinner.. we all go upstairs to change and then I put the puppies outside. So now this is first not so good babysitting experience.... I look outside and Juno breaks through the front gate. Naturally I freak out. I know Chelsea would murder me if anything happened to her dogs (did I mention she is my boss too?!?!) So outside I go... thankfully Juno and Oliver listen pretty well.. and come barreling up the street at me... but where is Zues?! I have tears in my eyes.. Im thinking the worst of the worst... Zeus is just a little ten pound dog... what if he gets run over.. where did he go??? (I know Chelsea is having a complete heart attack as she reads this right now... Im so so sorry!) So Im screaming Zues's name... I start crying..... I put the other two dogs inside the house and run upstairs to get my shoes... and then there is Zues. I forgot to pick him up off the bed when we went to go outside and he is to little to jump off!! So turns out I actually just left him upstairs and didn't lose him outside. Rookie move. I feel like a bit of an idiot now. So finally I get over the fact that I didn't lose a single dog and then I got really nervous about putting them outside. So what happens?? Juno pee's down the stairs. My question is.. why the stairs?? Probably the most difficult place to clean up... but hey at least I didn't lose her...
Day 3- Normal day much like the first. The dogs get to know me a bit more and Juno gets a bit more crazy... I now get tumbled over when I let her out of her Kennel.... overwhelming... shes crazy!
and that brings me to Day 4.... right now! What's currently happening... we just had dinner and we are getting ready for the dog park... I figure the walk is what makes all the difference. Tire them out!! Maybe they will all sleep through the night. Tomorrow Chelsea comes back and I think we are all excited to see her.
So would I give up this experience??? Definitely not! I had tons and tons of fun! Although dogs are like children they also brighten up the day!! So I will leave you with a list of things that make me smile....
1. James, Chelsea's Fiance brought up 5 bottles of wine for me... basically I could drink a bottle of wine a day. Quite entertaining as I work for them... and if I chose to drink it all I probably would not make it to work! I should have had a wine party... but I didn't.
2. I've never had a bath and a glass of wine at the same time.... very relaxing and will do it more often. Juno trying to eat bath bubbles... priceless
3. Volcano rocks???... Put in the dogs water dishes... it didn't matter how many times I took them away they always showed up! I woke up in the morning cuddling a rock... I would leave for work and it would be sitting outside. The rocks followed me everywhere...Im going to have nightmares about those rocks... and are the hit toy for all three of the dogs.
4. Never leave any sort of dog outside unattended. Must watch them like a hawk. Never want to feel like how I felt when I thought I lost them ever again!!
5. Must get an Apple TV.. while staying at the Bed and Breakfast of C and J... I got to play connect, watch Apple TV and learn there high tech TV system. Intense system but very cool!
So no I wouldn't give this up for the world. I have three new best friends and Im officially Auntie Jeni.
Well off to the dog park now!!
xo
Thursday 7 April 2011
Day 16
So its Thursday day, and this morning I took a step back to look at my life and then to also re read my blogs.
When thinking about my blog, I really want to make the commitment of blogging every single day for 365 days. I started off extremely strong and my life sounded very exciting. The last couple of days have been tough. Looking back I had a great couple days but a busy couple days and what ended up happening is that my life looks kinda boring! The difference between the last couple of days and the beginning of this whole project... I didn't take the time to enjoy myself, or at least I didn't take the time to blog about it! With real life happening it makes it a little bit harder to take a step back and smell the flowers. But this morning I realized its something that I need to take the time to do! When it comes down to it thats what my blog is all about, step back and think about different activities that are going to make me happy and make me think... and then reflect about it. In reality I would like to become a better version of what I already am. (Im pretty awesome if I do say so myself) So do do that I need to log it out and think about all the things I do during the day!
So what new task am I doing today? Well Im currently training a shift leader at my work. Im the day manager and Im training Kale so that I can have some extra helping hands on the floor. (also... maybe take a vacation which is what I am going to do next week) He use to shift lead at a different earls so basically this is a week for us to get to know each other again and for him to get on board with my vision! (Vision is very very important to me.. hehe) A mini refresher course! So today I get to take the step back and watch him do my job! This is a very very very hard thing to do. Sit back and watch and not step in? It also gives me the opportunity to see where things need improvement or are not functioning the best way that it can! What I am doing today is what I am also spending my year doing. Taking a step back and looking and listening to what my life is all about.
Today it will be hard to watch as Kale works through his own problems when I know I could go and do it/ or help him. It will be my opportunity to impact another human being. This is how I also want to impact myself. Take a step back and listen and look at what I am doing. Have a good balance of life and enjoy myself.
Wish me luck... I have a whole day of staring at my computer.... watching my business being run by someone else.. and get some well needed office work done... pay close attention to my tweets you will probably get some great updates! :)
P.S- Update on the week! I budgeted myself 40 for eating out. Today I went to starbucks and spent 5.50... so I have 44.50 left of my budget and have no plans to eat out! Congrats Jenn!
When thinking about my blog, I really want to make the commitment of blogging every single day for 365 days. I started off extremely strong and my life sounded very exciting. The last couple of days have been tough. Looking back I had a great couple days but a busy couple days and what ended up happening is that my life looks kinda boring! The difference between the last couple of days and the beginning of this whole project... I didn't take the time to enjoy myself, or at least I didn't take the time to blog about it! With real life happening it makes it a little bit harder to take a step back and smell the flowers. But this morning I realized its something that I need to take the time to do! When it comes down to it thats what my blog is all about, step back and think about different activities that are going to make me happy and make me think... and then reflect about it. In reality I would like to become a better version of what I already am. (Im pretty awesome if I do say so myself) So do do that I need to log it out and think about all the things I do during the day!
So what new task am I doing today? Well Im currently training a shift leader at my work. Im the day manager and Im training Kale so that I can have some extra helping hands on the floor. (also... maybe take a vacation which is what I am going to do next week) He use to shift lead at a different earls so basically this is a week for us to get to know each other again and for him to get on board with my vision! (Vision is very very important to me.. hehe) A mini refresher course! So today I get to take the step back and watch him do my job! This is a very very very hard thing to do. Sit back and watch and not step in? It also gives me the opportunity to see where things need improvement or are not functioning the best way that it can! What I am doing today is what I am also spending my year doing. Taking a step back and looking and listening to what my life is all about.
Today it will be hard to watch as Kale works through his own problems when I know I could go and do it/ or help him. It will be my opportunity to impact another human being. This is how I also want to impact myself. Take a step back and listen and look at what I am doing. Have a good balance of life and enjoy myself.
Wish me luck... I have a whole day of staring at my computer.... watching my business being run by someone else.. and get some well needed office work done... pay close attention to my tweets you will probably get some great updates! :)
P.S- Update on the week! I budgeted myself 40 for eating out. Today I went to starbucks and spent 5.50... so I have 44.50 left of my budget and have no plans to eat out! Congrats Jenn!
Wednesday 6 April 2011
Day 15
Skype Date!
I Skyped for the very first time! I was happy to see that Amanda (from Day 3) got my letter!! It really didn't take that long to reach England... I thought it would at least be two weeks, but turns out I was wrong!
The best part about the whole thing is that I got an e-mail that she had commented on my post. I was so excited that I got tears in my eyes. So immediately I needed to talk to her. Right away I texted my sister and my mom! So then I finally talk to Amanda through Whatsapp on my blackberry and her i phone. And because I had a day off we decided to have a skype date! I can not believe that we had not skyped before! I got to see a tour of her little flat in London and she got to see my cute little character house that I moved into while she was gone!
It was quite funny because its the first time I had seen her since she left in August. She gave me a tour of her place which is kind of funny when you walk around with a computer. And while she was giving me a tour some little British man came to the door so I got to here a real english accent! So then I did the same thing for her. I walked my computer around the house and gave her a tour of where I lived. It was really cool and we had a conversation for about 45 minutes! We caught up on each others love life's which are basically both non- existent. I guess there is no cute boys in London. Sucks for me since Im going in July. But when I look at... that just means there is no reason for her to stay there right? Maybe persuade her to move to Calgary and not back to Edmonton. Hehe wouldn't that be fun!
I got to catch up on her teaching job and about all the interesting slang words she has learned. And then she learned all about my exciting job! We decided we need to skype more often. Could be more like a weekly activity. Good idea right? What else was funny?? I basically rolled out of bed when I talked to her... so she got to see me in my best form.... I have bangs right now so if I don't do them I look like the girl in "something about Mary"... at least I made Amanda laugh.
Well now Im off to bed. I will have an exciting blog tomorrow about my new babysitting job I have for the rest of the week. Today was definitely an adventurous day for me and my new family, Zues, Juno, and Oliver. Thats right three dogs people.....
I Skyped for the very first time! I was happy to see that Amanda (from Day 3) got my letter!! It really didn't take that long to reach England... I thought it would at least be two weeks, but turns out I was wrong!
The best part about the whole thing is that I got an e-mail that she had commented on my post. I was so excited that I got tears in my eyes. So immediately I needed to talk to her. Right away I texted my sister and my mom! So then I finally talk to Amanda through Whatsapp on my blackberry and her i phone. And because I had a day off we decided to have a skype date! I can not believe that we had not skyped before! I got to see a tour of her little flat in London and she got to see my cute little character house that I moved into while she was gone!
It was quite funny because its the first time I had seen her since she left in August. She gave me a tour of her place which is kind of funny when you walk around with a computer. And while she was giving me a tour some little British man came to the door so I got to here a real english accent! So then I did the same thing for her. I walked my computer around the house and gave her a tour of where I lived. It was really cool and we had a conversation for about 45 minutes! We caught up on each others love life's which are basically both non- existent. I guess there is no cute boys in London. Sucks for me since Im going in July. But when I look at... that just means there is no reason for her to stay there right? Maybe persuade her to move to Calgary and not back to Edmonton. Hehe wouldn't that be fun!
I got to catch up on her teaching job and about all the interesting slang words she has learned. And then she learned all about my exciting job! We decided we need to skype more often. Could be more like a weekly activity. Good idea right? What else was funny?? I basically rolled out of bed when I talked to her... so she got to see me in my best form.... I have bangs right now so if I don't do them I look like the girl in "something about Mary"... at least I made Amanda laugh.
Well now Im off to bed. I will have an exciting blog tomorrow about my new babysitting job I have for the rest of the week. Today was definitely an adventurous day for me and my new family, Zues, Juno, and Oliver. Thats right three dogs people.....
My friend Amanda while we skyped. She probably will be upset that I posted this but what can you do? Look how happy she is to talk to me!?!
Day 14
Today was Toms a day without shoes! Unfortunately I work in a restaurant and so going a day without shoes is not an option. So what did I do instead?? Well I made it it starbucks two blocks alway from my house. Its crazy, when I think out loud it sounds stupid that I only made it two blocks away and then another two blocks on the way home. Let me say.. my feet were frozen!!!
But I live in Calgary where there is snow all over the ground and the cement was about 0 degrees. This task was a lot harder then I thought it was going to be.... but definitely makes you think about all the people that do go without shoes every day. I put myself in there position and realized how grateful I am to own all the shoes that I do own. A couple of my favourite pairs being toms....
So what we have decided to propose to our restaurant for next year?? Since its a health code violation to not where shoes... what about an entire day with the entire staff wearing toms?!?! Sounds like a good idea to me!!!
Since buying my first pair of Toms about two months ago I now have two pairs of Toms. Who else has some? Tara my office leader at work, my sister, my niece, my mom, and a couple friends here and there! Check out this picture that Tara and I took while we were at work celebrating our one day without shoes in the office!!!!!
Enjoy and if you don't have Toms... get out there and buy some!!!
xo
Tuesday 5 April 2011
Day 13
Sorry this post it a little bit late. As you can tell by my short posts from the last couple of days I have been a little bit busy (with the exception of Saturday when I was perfectly fine doing nothing)
So what happened yesterday. My drink when through the prelim competition at earls Dalhousie. My drink is a combination of flavoured vodka, basil, mango, honey, and yuzu juice. (Yuzu is a hybrid fruit from Japan made out of tangerine and grapefruit) Im not telling you what kind of vodka or how I made it. I still don't want to ruin the surprise. Cause... my drink made it to the finals!!! I now have only two weeks to work on preparing it (I need to make 5 drinks in 5 minutes using the exact muddling method required) and that is going to take some work.
So yesterday morning right as my work day was starting we held our in house bartending competition. The finals was between Joel and I. We had five minutes to set up our stations and then we had five minutes to prepare our drinks. Our drinks were completely different!! Joels drink was espresso, cream, raspberry, and ice cream. Where as my drink was basil, mango, soda. Its tough competing against Joel cause he has some crazy charisma!
But sure enough my drink came through. So in two weeks on Palms Sunday I get to go and compete in the earls Calgary region Bartending competition. Its going to be an amazing experience. Not only is it a bar competition but its also a culinary competition. Scott my sous chef at work is going to compete as well. They are setting up a free standing kitchen right in the middle of the room and then 7 bartenders will also make there drinks. I think we might make our drinks in the morning as well and then 4 people make there drinks at night. The cool thing is that in the afternoon I also get to go to a seminar with some of the top people from earls Head office! All in all its going to be a good day!!
And get this.... if I win I get to go to Napa Valley. I know I have talked about this before but Napa valley is my most favourite place in the entire world!! I get to spend 4 days with people from all over Canada who work at different earls. What an amazing experience!!! I also get to try some great wines along the way! I bet you cant wait for Palms Sunday now??
As for the eating out goal I set the day before... didn't eat out last night... saved my money and ate in! What did I have hummus and crackers... and some cashews! Yumm... I guess I will have to make a trip to the grocery store!
So what happened yesterday. My drink when through the prelim competition at earls Dalhousie. My drink is a combination of flavoured vodka, basil, mango, honey, and yuzu juice. (Yuzu is a hybrid fruit from Japan made out of tangerine and grapefruit) Im not telling you what kind of vodka or how I made it. I still don't want to ruin the surprise. Cause... my drink made it to the finals!!! I now have only two weeks to work on preparing it (I need to make 5 drinks in 5 minutes using the exact muddling method required) and that is going to take some work.
So yesterday morning right as my work day was starting we held our in house bartending competition. The finals was between Joel and I. We had five minutes to set up our stations and then we had five minutes to prepare our drinks. Our drinks were completely different!! Joels drink was espresso, cream, raspberry, and ice cream. Where as my drink was basil, mango, soda. Its tough competing against Joel cause he has some crazy charisma!
But sure enough my drink came through. So in two weeks on Palms Sunday I get to go and compete in the earls Calgary region Bartending competition. Its going to be an amazing experience. Not only is it a bar competition but its also a culinary competition. Scott my sous chef at work is going to compete as well. They are setting up a free standing kitchen right in the middle of the room and then 7 bartenders will also make there drinks. I think we might make our drinks in the morning as well and then 4 people make there drinks at night. The cool thing is that in the afternoon I also get to go to a seminar with some of the top people from earls Head office! All in all its going to be a good day!!
And get this.... if I win I get to go to Napa Valley. I know I have talked about this before but Napa valley is my most favourite place in the entire world!! I get to spend 4 days with people from all over Canada who work at different earls. What an amazing experience!!! I also get to try some great wines along the way! I bet you cant wait for Palms Sunday now??
As for the eating out goal I set the day before... didn't eat out last night... saved my money and ate in! What did I have hummus and crackers... and some cashews! Yumm... I guess I will have to make a trip to the grocery store!
FINAL DRINK
Sunday 3 April 2011
Day 12
What a Sunday Funday I had!!
After doing nothing yesterday I was well rested to get up and do something today! I woke up bright and early at 8 AM and headed out of the house... after church, lunch, and then a walk in the park with 3 cute puppies I ended up catching up with the roommate Lane who I had not seen in a couple of days! After spending Saturday completely alone with know other human contact being able to have a conversation was very exciting. So what do I decide to do? I log on to my online banking and decide to manage my accounts. If you read blog "Day 4" you would know I said this is something I might not do. But I did it and boy did I learn alot!!!
You know whats interesting? I always complain that my bills are way to high and that thats where the majority of my money goes... boy was I wrong. Basically a wake up call. My bank basically put my life into a pie chart for me and where does most of my money go to? Eating out.... hmm funny.. I work in a restaurant, how come Im eating out all the time... don't I do that enough everyday I am at work? Turns out my cell phone bill shouldn't be that big of a deal when I spend twice that on eating out in a month! So thanks Darren for the wake up call... and now maybe I will learn how to save a little bit more!
So my friends that brings me to this up coming week. The week of not spending a single extra cent on eating out. Tomorrow I have budgeted myself 40 dollars for any small groceries I might need for the week. (Im sure I will have family dinners here and there) but that is all Im spending!!
Im going to basically minimize that number and put the rest of my dollar bills towards saving for Europe! Wish me luck!
JC
After doing nothing yesterday I was well rested to get up and do something today! I woke up bright and early at 8 AM and headed out of the house... after church, lunch, and then a walk in the park with 3 cute puppies I ended up catching up with the roommate Lane who I had not seen in a couple of days! After spending Saturday completely alone with know other human contact being able to have a conversation was very exciting. So what do I decide to do? I log on to my online banking and decide to manage my accounts. If you read blog "Day 4" you would know I said this is something I might not do. But I did it and boy did I learn alot!!!
You know whats interesting? I always complain that my bills are way to high and that thats where the majority of my money goes... boy was I wrong. Basically a wake up call. My bank basically put my life into a pie chart for me and where does most of my money go to? Eating out.... hmm funny.. I work in a restaurant, how come Im eating out all the time... don't I do that enough everyday I am at work? Turns out my cell phone bill shouldn't be that big of a deal when I spend twice that on eating out in a month! So thanks Darren for the wake up call... and now maybe I will learn how to save a little bit more!
So my friends that brings me to this up coming week. The week of not spending a single extra cent on eating out. Tomorrow I have budgeted myself 40 dollars for any small groceries I might need for the week. (Im sure I will have family dinners here and there) but that is all Im spending!!
Im going to basically minimize that number and put the rest of my dollar bills towards saving for Europe! Wish me luck!
JC
Saturday 2 April 2011
Day 11
What did I do today??? Basically nothing interesting. I live in a city that can not decide if it wants to be spring or winter.
This is the first Saturday I've had off in a very long time! All week I thought about all the exciting things I could do today. And then what happens this morning? I wake up and have a look outside the window and it has snowed all day. Somehow my day turned into not leaving the house once. This is something I have not done in a very very long time. I watched 127 hours, Stick it, Mean girls, and currently I am watching Yes Man. I took a bath and I slept.
So how do I feel? You know that feeling when you feel tired because you have over rested? Thats me right now. Its now 9:30pm and I am now wide awake! So whats going through my mind? Do I make up for it and venture out tonight? Or do I wait until tomorrow? But then do I really need to make up for doing nothing? No! Today was a perfect day to nothing... and not only that but I don't work tomorrow either which means tomorrow I definitely need to have a fantastic Sunday Fun day.
Well back to resting to get ready for tomorrow!
This is the first Saturday I've had off in a very long time! All week I thought about all the exciting things I could do today. And then what happens this morning? I wake up and have a look outside the window and it has snowed all day. Somehow my day turned into not leaving the house once. This is something I have not done in a very very long time. I watched 127 hours, Stick it, Mean girls, and currently I am watching Yes Man. I took a bath and I slept.
So how do I feel? You know that feeling when you feel tired because you have over rested? Thats me right now. Its now 9:30pm and I am now wide awake! So whats going through my mind? Do I make up for it and venture out tonight? Or do I wait until tomorrow? But then do I really need to make up for doing nothing? No! Today was a perfect day to nothing... and not only that but I don't work tomorrow either which means tomorrow I definitely need to have a fantastic Sunday Fun day.
Well back to resting to get ready for tomorrow!
Friday 1 April 2011
Day 10
Fancy Fridays called for Fancy things!! This Friday I spent two hours of my day preparing for a bartending competition Im entering at work. So what did I get to do all day?? Whip up some cocktails!!
I get to enter the preliminary competition on April 12th and then if I get through that I get to go to the finals a week later! This program is put through my work... and what do you win in the end? A trip to Napa Valley!!!
I ended up with quite the drink! I used a few unique ingredients. So new task of the day was quite successful and I will keep you updated on the results of the competition!!
Wondering whats in it? Can't tell you! Will have to wait until after I win... don't want to give any secrets away!
I get to enter the preliminary competition on April 12th and then if I get through that I get to go to the finals a week later! This program is put through my work... and what do you win in the end? A trip to Napa Valley!!!
I ended up with quite the drink! I used a few unique ingredients. So new task of the day was quite successful and I will keep you updated on the results of the competition!!
Wondering whats in it? Can't tell you! Will have to wait until after I win... don't want to give any secrets away!
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