You are here: Home / Archives for Calgary

A rant. Okay, a few rants.

February 22, 2010 By 16 Comments

Some ridiculous things I need to get out of my system and into the world. It’s a skimmer, trust me.

Ever

When people say “ever”, as in “I had the best time ever.” Because really? You had the best time EVER? Never, ever in your life have you had a better than the that time you had the best time EVER? I am all for exaggeration and blowing things out of proportion to get your point across, but this one irks me. Let’s be a bit more imaginative next time. How about “I had so much fun that I accidentally punched my friend in the face.” (True story, by the way. Last week at the airport. I witnessed an proposal and … let’s just say it was messy and there were tears involved.)

Just

When people describe themselves as “just” something (especially bloggers). I don’t know why, I think it’s a feminist/women empowerment  thing that I have, but when I see a blogger describe themselves as “just” this/that in their “about” section I don’t believe them. Obviously they think they are something special or they wouldn’t have started a blog. I would never describe us as just five sisters because we aren’t. We are five fabulous, wonderful, interesting women who write  this blog for each other. As soon as I see the word just in an about page, my eyes immediately glaze over.

Money

I just want to do it all, is that so hard to ask? How is it that I budget so hard and have a good income and a partner with a good income but somehow it isn’t enough. Ugh. I even stopped drinking to support my dedicated budget. Who is this person that has replaced me? I wore a pencil skirt and tights to work today. Really. Who IS this person that has replaced me? (I looked really good by the way).

Wheels

I have a beef with wheels. As in, I wish everything had wheels. I would pack my Calgary life into one long convoy and truck it across Canada so I could be closer to my family. Especially my condo – I never want to live anywhere else. But Mr. Leah pointed out that if it had wheels, then it would be a trailer. You know what? I lived in a trailer for the first few years of my life. And my Dad maintains that those were the best years of his life. Simple. Uncomplicated. Six people, one trailer, the front yard of my grandparent’s house. I could handle it again.

Now I almost feel better. Thanks for listening, blog.

What are you ranting about right now? It feels good to get it out, so rant away in the comments. Really, I want to know.

Filed Under: Calgary, life, Opinionated

Literature Classification

February 16, 2010 By 20 Comments

Back when I only had one friend in Calgary, and a lovely one at that, we used to go to popular, fun bars together in the hopes of finding our new best friends. Unfortunately, this didn’t work – but we did have some great conversation while at those bars.

Mostly, we talked about books. We are both insatiable readers, and can be a bit snobby about the books we fall in love with. Really, during those conversations we bonded over our mutual hatred for Twilight. In searching for a way to describe to each other just how much we hate Twilight, one of us blurted out something along the lines of “it’s like the Sirens of retail stores” and out of that comment a new hobby was born. We spent a lot of time discussing our favourite books and comparing them to retail stores.

Obviously we’ve already agreed that Twilight = Sirens (or Stitches) and we figured that out using the amount of class we deem the novel to have. Twilight is a terribly written, overly popular, easy book to read and we view Sirens in a similar way. The clothes are easy to wear because they are so inexpensive and trendy, but they are not well made and will fall apart quickly.

Clearly this is a very subjective way to classify a novel, but I’m quite biased and, as I mentioned earlier, snobby when it comes to novels so really, I’m okay with that.  Another favourite novel is Time Traveler’s Wife, which we have decided is comparable to Banana Republic. Classy, well made/written, and quite popular.

What is your favourite book, and which retail store would you compare it to in terms of this classification idea?

P.S. To all of you Twilighters- I apologize.

Filed Under: books, Calgary

Three syllables

February 4, 2010 By 16 Comments

Vay. Cay. Shun.

Since the last time I took a vacation day was in August, I do believe that I am ready for a trip. (Although does it count as a vacation when you are going to your homeland to visit family? I have promised myself that my next vacation or trip is for the sake of an adventure, not to see family.)

I’m going to the Farm for 10 days to stare at my niece be a good Auntie, meet Hailey for the first time, help out in the barn, be a good maid of honour, meet up with this girl and this girl and hopefully plan a date with this girl (oh, did I forget to tell you that, Nancy? Le’ts hang out!), and pretty much just be really cool.

Oh, and I get paid to go on vacation. That is the best part of a full-time with benefits job – I go on vacation and they pay me as if I am working. Can you tell I am new to this whole “career” thing?

I’ve planned my next vacation already. Well, my next two vacations. First vacation is to Panorama for some snowboarding in a few weeks – I’ll do some reading by the fire, drink more than some beers and swim in hot pools. The next one? Well, my girl friend Nat and I are going to book time off and decide the night before where we are going. It’s like I’m channeling my Halloween costume – I’ll be all “Where in the world is Leah Carmen San Diego?” Could be Vancouver, could be Mexico, could be Turks & Caicos. Who knows, but it’ll be fun, that’s for sure. (There is a slight chance this ridiculous vacation was planned over a few pints at the pub with a snowstorm swirling around outside…)

Vacation time! Do you have any vacations coming up? Are you as in need of a vacation as I am right now?

Filed Under: Calgary

25 Before 25

February 1, 2010 By 21 Comments

Back in November I turned 23 (remember when my Mom surprised me in Calgary?) and after reading an amazing list of “25 Things to do Before 25″ on a blog that I can’t currently remember the name/address of I chose to do one as well. Goals are important, and while some of these are quite frivolous and some may seem small they are all very important to me.

I have a year and ten months to go, and here is my list.

1.) Run a half-marathon

2.) Take a road trip with the boyfriend

3.) Become a morning person

4.) Go horseback riding in the mountains

5.) Have at least $7000 saved for a down-payment for a home (obviously the purchasing of a home will not happen in the next  two years…)

6.) Buy new snowboard gear (board, boots, bindings, coat)

7.) Sit on the board of an organization

8.) Hold a full-time position that utilizes my Gerontology degree

9.) Own a diamond (before you all get too excited – this can be in the form of a necklace, earrings or a ring. And maybe I will buy it for myself – who knows!)

10.) Travel to Vancouver

11.) Get a tattoo

12.) Gain a professional mentor

13.) Grow a garden

14.) Learn to play the guitar

15.) Acquire a piece of vintage furniture and re-create it

16.) Wear more dresses

17.) Go surfing

18.) Give myself an A+ for budgeting for three months straight (I grade myself biweekly on how well I stick to my budget)

19.) Take my time – with everything. This includes being a calmer person, being prepared in advance (whether for a date or a presentation) and becoming more aware of my surroundings

20.) Donate blood as often as I can

21.) Encourage Mr. Leah to start a cooking blog, or have him do a regular guest blog feature here

22.) See Simon and Garfunkel in concert

23.) Take a trip with girlfriends

24.) Decorate a room to my taste

25.) Model in a fashion show

Last night a girlfriend and I read our lists on the phone to each other (she has 100 before 50) and it is a great way to keep yourself in check. Little did she know that she had accomplished about 15 items on her list in one short year! We were surprised at how many ideas on our list were the same and will be doing some of our items together.

Filed Under: Calgary, dreams, leah, life

#yyc4haiti

January 17, 2010 By 8 Comments

One thing I have really loved and appreciated since moving to Calgary is the wonderful Twitter community that exists here. Which is why I was not surprised when I saw a tweet formed into an idea which quickly turned into a plan of action with regards to the earthquake devastation in Haiti (all in a matter of minutes).

yyc4haiti

Coined with the hashtag #yyc4haiti (yyc being the airport code for the Calgary International Airport and also the common way for Twitterers to refer to the city of Calgary), the single tweet has become a huge fundraising event for the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. All of the proceeds will be going to the Red Cross, and the Canadian government will be matching donations up to $50 million dollars.

Some of the women involved in the planning are @that_angela, @C_DIG and @alex_ruiz.

What you can do to help:

1.) Add a “Twibbon” to your twitter profile photo

Twitter Picture2.) Follow the @yyc4haiti account on Twitter

3.) Come to the actual #yyc4haiti event on Thursday, January 28 at Flames Central

4.) Visit the website for information

5.) MAKE A DONATION!! If you can’t come to the event, you are able to make a donation financially, or if you own a company or know of a company you think would be interested in donating a silent auction item go to the Facebook page or contact @that_angela

6.) Write a blog post, retweet on Twitter, and invite friends to the event.

Links and Articles

The Calgary Beacon – Calgary media personalities use Twitter to organize Haiti relief event

Wild Rose PR blog – YYC4Haiti : Spread the Word!

Filed Under: Calgary, charity, twitter

Bloggy friends and big days

January 9, 2010 By 15 Comments

Before any rumours about the status of my relationship go flying around, I would like to start this post off by stating that this question is purely out of curiosity and no, I am not getting married (anytime soon).

I think about weddings a lot, both my own and my friends and family (I have been a bridesmaid three times and am currently an ecstatic maid of honour for my best friend’s wedding next Spring). I pretty much have my wedding planned out and pages in my diary strictly for jotting down ideas for when my times comes.

The thing I am certain I will stress out over the most is the guest list.Though as I get older this happens less and less, in the past I would have classified myself as a people pleaser and spent way too much of my time worrying about what other people think. I am worried that when it comes time to invite people to my imaginary wedding I won’t be able to draw the line on people who don’t need to be there.

Over the years of blogging and tweeting I have made many friends over the internet (as I am sure many of you have as well). These are people I talk to almost every day and develop wonderful, supportive friendships with. People like this girl and this girl. People who I tell some of my deepest secrets to and people who are there for me when I am upset or having troubles.

My question is: Do you invite these friends to your wedding? Do you invite your bloggy friends to your wedding? What if you have an anonymous blog – do you invite them and make up a story of how you met? Do you invite someone to your wedding who you have only met in person once but talk to almost every day? Or do you have to put this huge part of your life aside when it comes to your wedding day?

I for one know that when it comes time to mail my invitations you’d better believe that Reggy and Michelle will find one in their mailboxes. And I would be delighted if they chose to attend.

Filed Under: Calgary, friends, Wedding

Wanting to be wanted.

January 8, 2010 By 11 Comments

The boyfriend just came back to the city after a two week party well-deserved vacation in the homeland (where the good boy visited my sisters and hung out with my brother-in-law). Last night we were coming home from the pub out for a lovely evening stroll and I asked him about every detail of his trip home when he told me the cutest thing. His brother’s girlfriend asked him if I was the one and he had responded with yes, she is. My heart skipped a beat and I managed to find many different ways to get him to tell me that story over again without sounding too crazy.

Now this doesn’t mean there has been a ring in discussion at all, but I’ll refer to a tweet I posted last week talking about not wanting to be engaged or to be married right now but just wanting to be wanted. This conversation satisfied that wish. And to hear the person you love more than you ever thought you were capable of loving another human being ever so nonchalantly tell you that you are the one? Amazing.

As I laid in bed last night beside him my mind kept coming back to a poem I had found when we were first falling in love.

The Masks of Love.

I come in from a walk
With you
And they ask me
If it is raining.

I didn’t notice
But I’ll have to give them
The right answer
Or they’ll think I’m crazy.

-Alden Nowland

Filed Under: Calgary, love

Being kind and gentle to my soul.

December 29, 2009 By 16 Comments

I once had to do a volunteer training group when I was working at a sexual assault centre. The group ran on Thursdays from 6:00pm-10:00pm during my fourth year of University and I can’t even tell you how much I thought it was going to cramp my style. I dreaded it, but it turned out to be one of the most inspiring, moving experiences I have ever had and I looked forward to it every week. It was more of a group therapy session and was run by an amazing woman who consistently told us to be kind and gentle to our souls.

In learning to be kind and gentle to my soul, I became my best friend. By following this idea and maturing in general, I find that I love myself more and more every day. I don’t mean that in an obnoxious, narcissistic way but rather in a happy, comfortable way. The parts of my body and personality that I used to find ugly and frustrating are now some of my favourite things about myself.

For example, my feet. I used to think they were too long (size 9.5),  too skinny and too bony. Also, I have bunions on the sides of my big toes. I would always wear socks, or try to hide my feet or somehow try to make them look smaller. Now? I think my feet are quirky and fun and absolutely perfect. My feet have helped me to win races, and they fit into beautiful shoes withot complaining too much. I love my feet.

 feet

Left, my feet. Right, Nat’s beautiful feet.

What is one thing that you absolutely love about your awesome self? Tell me in the comments. You can’t imagine how great it feels to write it down and share it with others. Be kind and gentle to your soul today!

Filed Under: Calgary, leah, life, love

A Year in the Life of Leah

December 27, 2009 By 2 Comments

I recently completed my Decade in Review, and now that 2010 is fast approaching it is time to do a review of my year. Last year, we combined all five yearly review surveys in one post, which you can find here. Enjoy!

1. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I think I did a pretty good job! I wanted to go to the mountains more and to find more fun, cheap and sober activities for my best friend and I. I went to the mountains a ton to hike, eat, snowboard, visit family and hike more. With the addition of yoga and board games into my life, that brought in the fun and (relatively) cheap activities. As for resolutions for next year, I really want to get into personal finances and really start a savings fund (likely for a down payment for a house … someday).

2. What date from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

The day that Kate told me she was pregnant. I don’t recall the exact date, but I will never forget the way I felt when she told me. I dropped the phone, yelled for Tim and cried. It was magical, and from that day forward I stopped living for myself and started living my life for the little, tiny baby growing inside my sister.

3. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Getting a raving review and growing immensely at my full-time job and also picking up a part-time job on the side, planning for my future. Becoming closer to my family in Calgary. Really communicating my needs to the boyfriend and keeping in touch with my best friends. Becoming the maid of honour for my best friend’s wedding. Making friends.

4. What was your biggest failure?

Beng very, very messy.

5. Whose behavior merited celebration?

I want to say the same as last year – the boyfriend, Natalie (my best Calgary friend) and Stef and Leah (my best Ontario friends), but though true, that doesn’t challenge me. I am going to say my cousin, Emily (see her beautiful mug here). Em and I have gotten close since I moved here (she lives in Calgary) and she not only excelled at school, she got two amazing co-op jobs that will both help to propel her to greatness. I have seen her become this amazing, intelligent and smart young woman, making great life choices. Plus, she reads and comments on the blog regularly. Bravo, Em!

(Also – all of my visitors, Including Mom and Micaela.)

6. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Erica’s wedding, Micaela’s wedding and  Raspbaby. Though the weddings seem like a lifetime ago now.

7. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? Happier, though a wee bit apprehensive for the future.
ii. thinner or fatter? The same.
iii. richer or poorer? Richer.

8. What was the best book you read?

Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistlestop Cafe, by Fannie Flagg.

9. what did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I turned 23 and had an amazing birthday. My Mom surprised me and came to Calgary for the weekend, I had a birthday party at my house, and all of my friends came and celebrated with me. I drank champagne and wore a really sparkly shirt. It was perfect.

10. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Being able to see and touch Kate’s belly and watch it grow in person, not just through pictures.

11. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?

Casual, lots of boots, leggings, and a lot of sequins. I acquired a lot of colourful, statement shirts which make me feel like a million bucks. I bought a lot of secondhand and vintage clothes.

12. What kept you sane this year?

Blogs and budgets and therapy.

13. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.

That not only do I have personal boundaries, I have energy boundaries. My energy boundary can have a positive effect on other people, but is impermeable by other people’s energy. I don’t know how much sense that makes to everybody, but it is how I keep myself and my anxiety in check when dealing with high stress situations at work.

Filed Under: answer, Calgary, leah, life

Merry Christmas

December 25, 2009 By 6 Comments

Merry Christmas everybody! I filmed a Christmas vlog, because it was 7:00am, I was all alone, and had nothing better to do. If it does not work below, then go to my (new) youTube user page and watch the video from there.

Filed Under: Calgary, Christmas, Vlog
« Older Posts
Newer Posts »