Five Blondes » Calgary

Now I can finally stop holding this news inside of me…

Leah — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 15:43:29 +0000

So. I have some Big News. I can’t even tell you if it is good or bad because it depends on who you are asking.

I’m moving.

To Toronto.

Well, technically, we’re moving to Toronto, because Tim got a new job there. And since I’ve been having more problems with seizures this past week and all of my test results have come back normal, I think it is probably best for me to be near my family right now.

I am so mixed up inside about all of this, it’s a very bittersweet life change. I’ve given my two week notice to my office, so it’s all official.

And that’s my big news.

Wish me luck, I’m gonna need it.

The only thing I have to say to all my Calgary friends and to the city I have grown to love and adore: I’ll be back.

Calgary Stampede

Lauren — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 19:20:47 +0000

I flew out to Calgary for a week as a birthday present from my parents for the Stampede and to see Leah and Tim this week! I arrived Saturday morning at 9am. So far we have gone to the Stampede to see the chuck wagon races and the grandstand show, and yesterday we visited some relatives in Red Deer, where we went surfing in the middle of the prairies (embarrassing pictures to follow). Leah took the week off work and today we’re heading to do some serious shopping!

We’ll keep you updated with our shenanigans as the week goes on!

There are two kinds of people out there.

Leah — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 02:48:37 +0000

As a result of having had a seizure a month ago, I’ve lost my license. What I really want to write about is how much it sucks, and how much I hate being so dependent on other people, and how I just want to get in my car and drive to the mall to get a better pair of work shoes (ones that are more conducive to walking thousands of kilometres a day) and how I want to eliminate waiting from my existence and how being on the c-train behind the car that killed a little boy yesterday put a serious damper on my day. I know that last one sounded … trivial, and I will acknowledge that my problems are most definitely first world problems, but they are problems, they are real, and they are mine.

So now that I let that all out (insert big sigh here) I will talk about something I have learned since becoming a full-time transit user.

There are two types of people that take public transit: The kind you wouldn’t mind getting stuck sitting beside, and the kind you avoid sitting beside.

Today, friends, I am going to teach you the very basic and easy ways to become the former and avoid the latter.

1.) First and foremost, SHOWER. And when you shower, use soap. This one is very basic, yet unfortunately people seem to be confused about it.

2.) Wear clean clothes. If you are taking public transit the chances of being in very close proximity to another person are extremely high. If your shirt smells and you think no one will notice, they will. I promise.

3.) Deodorant is your friend. Probably your best friend (even though you may not know). Perfume, on the other hand, is NOT your friend. Don’t choke those around you with your cloud of stench.

4.) iPods are excellent companions on public transit. But not everyone around you favours the same genre of music as you, so turn down to volume to a reasonable level.

5.)Don’t talk to the person next to you. People take public transit to get places, not to make friends.

6.) Don’t talk loudly on your phone. A short, quiet phone call I can understand. But please, if you are going to yell and swear and rant or laugh and exclaim, take it outside. You are disturbing those around you.

7.) Don’t give yourself a manicure on the train. While being productive on the bus/train can be helpful, I don’t want your dirty nail filings flying all over my lap.

8.) If a senior citizen, handicapped person, or somebody with a child comes on the train, offer them your seat. Don’t think about it, don’t count on somebody else doing it, just do it. It’s the courteous thing to do.

9.) Don’t stare at other people on the bus/train. I don’t care if you think that girl is hotter than Heidi Klum or perhaps she has a giant wart on her forehead – staring is rude and that person does notice.

This is by all means not an exhaustive list, so what would you add? What irks you about your public transit neighbours?

*This has been a public service announcement from Leah.

She’s over the prairies and far away

Leah — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 10:26:19 +0000

If you’re an avid reader of our cutie-pie little abode, you just might recognize the name “Natalie” – Natalie is my Calgary BFF and has even written a few guest posts for us in the past. Her gorgeous mug is plastered all over my posts, so creepers? Stalk away.

Well, friends, Natalie has taken a big step in her life – she has started her Very Own Blog.

over the prairies and far away

Let’s all help out with breaking her blogging virginity and leave her a comment or two … or ten. She’s a beautiful writer and I promise you won’t be disappointed. (And she’s got quite a few stories to tell that’ll keep you busting a gut over and over again.)

Zen Moments

Leah — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 10:03:58 +0000

Do you ever have those moments when you just feel warm and cozy inside and it’s like for just one fleeting moment, life is pure bliss?

Those moments come to me when I am driving through the mountains and a train passes by. I can’t put my finger on exactly what it is about that scene, a train passing through the mountains, but it calms me right down.

Source

I would love to take the Toronto-Vancouver train and see bits of the country that I wouldn’t be able to see otherwise. I’d bring many good books, a journal, a camera and just relax for four days while enjoying the views of the prairies, then the mountains, then the ocean.

Another zen moment for me is laying in bed, listening to a car slowly creep down the alley behind my house. For just a moment I am reverted back to my youth, laying in “the big bedroom” hearing somebody drive down the gravel driveway at The Farm. That sound will forever settle my mind and calm my soul.

What are your zen moments?