Just NB

Just over a month ago, I wrote a post about me joining a 6 week online bootcamp. Well, the six weeks are up as of Sunday...but I've only managed to do five weeks worth of workouts. I'm debating giving up the last week....but I don't want to give up, even if it means I'm a week behind. I've seen some physical changes, I've noticed a significant difference in strength (burpees anyone? I can now do them with a push-up included with ease. That's a toe push-up, not even an "on my knees" push-up!), but failed to see any results on the scale.  Sometimes I'm pretty bummed about that (ok, A LOT of the time), but others...I'm indifferent. Yup, I need to lose weight. But...if I'm making healthy changes to my diet, excercising, while going through a fairly erratic time in my life...does it matter THAT much? Well, sometimes yes. Other times I think I have my overall well being to take into account...and then it doesn't seem like the end of the w...

I have quite a few posts in "Draft" mode...but they never quite make to be published. Mainly cause I think they are kind of on the complainy side...and I think the world has enough complaints. And really...my life is super, super, super boring. I'm thankful we have the girls 2 out of every 4 weeks, super thankful we have a dog that continues to confuse/frustrate/amuse us, and thankful that we're slowly learning how to live in Quebec, with one another. We are both far from where we want to be but I'm leaning that doesn't mean it's a bad thing. For now.  Job wise - aih. I don't expect a lot of action for the next couple of summer months. It sucks. 'Cause, if there's one thing that I really know? I'm good at my job. I'm not being cocky or anything...and those who know me know I'm super hard on myself and don't often give myself a compliment. But I'm good at my job....and I could be fixing tons of problems for a plethora of c...

A couple weeks ago, I wrote a post with a general update on Le Quebec , with my general "To Do List". To Do List remains as: Find a job Plan Meals Work Out Adapt to Quebec Life Do whatever I can to be happy Lose Weight 1. Find a Job Well...no real update on this one. I was waiting for a call back for a final interview with one company, but they decided they would go another route with another candidate. Part of me is kinda bummed...the other part of me thinks I was just ready to take the first job that may have been offered... I'm still on the job hunt, I've had a couple phone calls but nothing has materialised. I'm not really expecting a lot of activity in this area for the rest of July. It's holiday time and well, there just isn't anything out there right now. One new news on this front to report is...I'm sick of talking about it and if asked, I probably won't say much. It's boring. 2. Plan Meals Well, I'm getting bett...

In honor of Canada Day, I thought I'd write a post about some Quebec facts that I've discovered during my short time here that I find kinda odd. 1. SLURPEES I've written about this before. But the Slurpees (7-11) or Frosters (Mac's) that one can normally get just do not exist here. There are some "slush" like drinks, but they come in flavors like cherry, grape, or something neon-looking, and are extremely sweet...and just don't have that same texture. It's like...soooo frustrating. Yesterday, it was +31*C, which doesn't include the humidity factor that brought it up another 7*C to 38*C. I actually like the heat (because we have central air conditioning and I can escape from time to time), but...it would be nice to have a normal slurpee from time to time. 2. ST JEAN BAPTISTE DAY This is the Quebec version of Canada Day. ALL STORES, including grocery stores are closed. There are fireworks and celebrations and all kinds of Quebecie goodness. ...

It's been forever since I just sat down and wrote an update of what's going on. I guess living the Canadian life is a little less exciting than living the Expat life. Or...maybe not? The last year or so of the Expat life was pretty blah (apart from the travelling) (ok, and having a job) (and a cool boss). (Okay, maybe it wasn't that blah after all). In no particular order (well...maybe except #1), here's my current Life To Do List Find a job Plan Meals Work Out Adapt to Quebec Life Do whatever I can to be happy Lose Weight 1. Find a Job I have a job interview today (interview #2!!!) for a company that I really, really want to work for. Of course I have questions about the role...and I'm not hired, but if the role is what I think it is, I really, really want this job. Otherwise, I have a potential interview and another position sort-of-but-not-really in the interview process (I'll explain later) going on. Not too much action. 2. Plan Meals I to...

Hello again. I haven't had the best couple of days lately. Sometimes my brain just works TOO much and I forget to take a step back, remember that I'm dealing with some big changes, and that things will take time. Last night I went to bed feeling pretty lonely, pretty homesick, pretty tired of Le Francais, and pretty cranky. It's great that Louis and I are here together and can finally give a domestic life, but we need friends too. Something that I don't have here (yet). I need to do a better job of keeping in contact with my Edmonton friends...which I haven't been doing like, at all. Anyway, even though I've been a bit blue, last night we had a few hours of pure hilarity. Claudie had brought up the idea of having an "English Night" where everyone must speak English. Wow. First, they are all really good at speaking English, and second, they are really good at speaking slang/trash talk. Obviously I haven't set the best example. Normally, I...

I'm still going through my "I hate French". I'm still speaking it most of the time (today when an insurance broker called speaking English but he was so hard to understand that I started to reply in French), still around it most of the time...it's just all around me and it isn't going anywhere. I usually understand what's going on, but I miss the subtleties that really make up the entire conversation or whatever is going on. I'll stop and ask for clarification (unless I'm at a grocery store!!!), but it's sometimes...well, I'm just kinda going through a phase where I'm easily frustrated, which isn't helping me. I go to our room sometimes to watch something on-line rather than hang out with everyone if something French is on. I find at the end of the day, I'm just tired of asking for clarification, and sometimes my frustration gets the best of me and I give up instead of saying, "Hey guys, I don't know what the hell is go...