Fantastic Friday, July 31, 2015: once in a Bluemoon

New and fun:

1.  Wore pink shirt and pink pants today :)

2.  I got to finally experience getting a piece of Uncle Tetsu's Japanese cheese cake! 

Over a month ago, I walked by this very small cafe/bakery andI noticed the long line-up out the door. It was on Bay St. near the northwest corner of Bay and Dundas in Toronto.

At first I just walked by, but I was SO curious about what could be attracting so many customers waiting out the door, I walked back and peered into the glass watching people prepare why looked like tarts.

Soon after, I found out that my sisters had already tried this. One of my sisters had waiting two times and got one 10 dollar Japanese cheesecake. One time she waited 1.5 hours. Another time she waited 2 hours.

So I was really CURIOUS. Why makes it worth the wait? Furthermore, one customs is allowed one Japanese cheesecake. Wow! Have you ever heard of a business that is SO popular that they have to limit each customer to ONE cake?

So last week I discovered food booths outside Union Station. This morning I noticed a line-up as a booth was setting up at 7:40 am. 

Could it be??? Sure looked like it. I decided I would go back there at lunchtime just to test my luck.

At lunch, I actually got a 1/4 of a cheesecake!!!! It was for 4 dollars, and every customer is allowed only to but ONE piece.

See how surprised I was that I actually got a piece?

Here's me on the train savouring the smooth, soft, rich cake.  It was interesting. Not too sweet, extremely moist - my curiosity was finally put to rest.

It was unique. Now I can continue on with my walks past Dundas and Bay having experienced it.

2. It's apparently a blue moon today, when I deliberately looked for the moon just now outside my house, I did not see it.

3.  Had lots of good food at a potluck. I tried an oxtail dish prepared by a co-worker from St. Kitt's. 

Although I have been eating a lot of ice cream and other foods contains cow's milk, it's still on mind about the way animals are treated for me to be enjoying an ice cream.

So I must get clear. What are my boundaries? When I know where I stand, I will be able tell people.

Looking forward to sleeping and dreaming. I wonder what fantastic places I will go in my dreams.

How about you?

In light and love,

Kim

Thursday, July 30, 2015: summer blooms

New synchronicities:

1. Yesterday I wondered when the birthday of a friend was.  Today, someone told me without me asking.  And I even got to carry her flowers for her!

How awesome is that?!

2.  Yesterday I massaged my MIL's shoulder and back of her neck with An essential oils lotion. I concentrated on helping her stress spot relax. This morning, I woke up with very stiff sore neck and shoulders. 

Although I mush prefer feeling well in my body, I do appreciate having discomforts so I can so much more be grateful for when I am feeling good :)

3.  Listened to the Richest Man in Babylon then a recording of Jim Rohn talking about using a journal for personal development.

I have kept journals since I learned how to write. A couple of years ago I made the decision to make space in my life for a happy and abundant future.

I had a dusty few boxes full of notebooks and binders upon binders of my journals that I had kept as a child and teenager. 

My life was pretty rough back then... So that was the story that I had been telling myself.

Anyway, in listening to Jim Rohn's advice on keeping and using a journal, I felt some regret about having torn up and recycled ally journals in for the early period of my life.

Now I kinda wish I had some entries that I could allow my daughter to read for amusement and for life teachings.

Well, it is what it is. I have what I have. I know why I did what I did, so really no use in feeling regretful. Instead, what can I do moving forward? What do I remember that I can write about now.

The past is in the past. It's here and now where my power lies, in the present.

Jim Rohn answered a question I had posed many times in the past judgementally "what would anyone spend thirty dollar or even more on an empty notebook?!" It never made sense to me.

His response is "because I'm going to very something very valuable in it."  I really suggest listening to him about the journal writing. This answer was an eye opener to me.

Thank you.

I love you.

Wednesday, July 29, 2015: hot and sweaty

New and good:

1. Despite the hot and humid weather today, I still got myself to walk and hour outside during lunch. 

Feeling the sweat sticking as my inner thighs rubbed against each other cause me to be grateful that I do not usually experience such discomfort. It also allowed me to appreciate how uncomfortably fat, hot am sticky I used to be in my teenage and early adult years.

I appreciate the journey I have taken to improve my health and the thoughts that I entertain.

2. I received a Thank-you card from a sweet co-worker today.

3.  A learning opportunity presented itself to me at work.

4. Nice having my daughter back and having my MIL spend the night.

5. Looking forward to continue listening to Motivational Legends tomorrow!

CHOOSEday, July 28, 2015: practising self discipline

New and good:

1. Story of personal development - this morning, a French speaking client made some remarks to along the lines that if he asks for French service, he expects French  service. He then started to speak to me in his second language of English to me in a pretty direct way.

At the end of his sentence, I asked him to hold in French.

Voila! It was a opportunity to see how much I had grown and personally developed my character and can-do attitude.

After consulting with a helpful colleague in how to resolve the situation without escalation, I took a few deep breaths, sent out some positive vibes to the client on the the other end of the phone line, then went back on the phone speaking to him in French.

I explain the options clearly, at which point he also took action on my advice. The situation was resolved, and we thanked each other before ending the call.

In times past I would have taken this really hard. I am not a francophone (English is also a second language for me), but I really wanted to master it and use it PERFECTLY so that no one could tell that it was learned as a second language.

Well, now through the last few years of personally development, I have come to appreciate my unique accent and way of speaking French. Yes, I always look to improve, but I also appreciate why my strengths and current abilities are with the language.

YOU have the power to choose your response to anything other people throw at you.  Acting with love and compassion (for both yourself and others) inevitably is the best way.

2.  Went to allergist today.  In doing so, I explore a part of Toronto I was not familiar with. I had a nice long walk back to Union Station from Sherbourne and Bloor. The neighbourhood as I walked down Welsley and Church reminded me of Montreal. And as I passed certain landmarks like restaurants, it triggered memories of certain reunions with friends in the past.

Although more testing will be required to further investigate what triggered my face, neck and shoulders to swell up and itch for days at a time, I did find out that I am testing to be allergic to dust mites and tomatoes.

As I drew closer to the train station, the dialogue inside me grew more heated over whether I would get myself a green drink, something to eat or even an ice cream cone.

The inner dialogue went on like this:

"No thanks. I am self disciplined, and I don't need to eat or spend money."

"But it's really hot. And you're all sweaty."

"I am a very disciplined person. Imagine why I could do with $1.45  saved up over the course of a year each time I craved an ice cream cone but did my cave into it."

"It's hot. You're hungry. And you have tried the food in this neighbourhood."

So many people were smoking too by the time I was walking on Bay St two or three blocks from Union Station that I just somehow decided I would get the cone.

3. Buyer's remorse - yes, the ice cream was nice melting in my mouth on a hot summer's day, but as I locked and as the ice cream made its way from my hand to my stomach, thoughts of inhumane methods of taking milk from a cow ran around in my head. Then thoughts of breaking my word to myself with respect to self discipline. Then the after taste just lingered... Then I was so fatigued I almost modded off before arriving at my destination.

What can I learn from this?

1. Continue mind mapping out how to strengthen my self disciple.

2. Practicing self care will roll out into all areas of your life. Make sure to practice every day!

Monday, July 27, 2015: decision of discipline

New and cool:

1. I noticed when getting out of Union Station today there there was a section of food stands as well as a nice sitting area just in front. When I used to work there years ago, there really wasn't much other than pigeons, smokers and a few hotdog vendors.

It looked so good that I convinced my friend Carolyn to join me at lunchtime.  

I guess the Pan-Am games brought about a facelift to many places in the Toronto area.

2. In listening to Brian Tracy, I am convinced that discipline is key to success in reaching goals. So I started making a list of goals, list of what I am willing to pay to attain those goals and a list of why I have not reached my goal yet.

So for example, if I want to be thin, I would ask the question "why aren't I thin?" Then I will make a list of the reasons (or even excuses).

Then I will find someone with the same reasons or excuses who DID attain the same goal. 

3. Got pics from of my daughter having fun in the lake, eating s'mores for the first time ever and just playing board games. So glad she has this time to grow and explore with her Nana, cousin and Papa.

Very funny and priceless:

My three year calling my sister and getting her outgoing voice message: "who's that?!" 

Alas, you would need to hear it in order for it to be funny :) fortunately I have that pleasure of listening to his little loud sweet voice.

Tomorrow is CHOOSEday! What would you do if you didn't need to work for money?

Kim

Weekend, July 25-26, 2015: pain of discipline or pain of regret

New and good:

Saturday:

1. Went to Metro and got two cream and strawberries filled croissants for a reduced price to share with my daughter after her swimming lesson.

We both agreed thy we wouldn't get it again as it wasn't all that great, and did not make our bodies feel full of energy.

That was a dual learning experience.  Now we can hold each other accountable.

Then we went to play on the outdoor exercise area by the lake. At first she refused to get out of the car. She had reverted back to her strong-willed self putting on an attitude of non compliance.

And my fake English accent was not helping much. So I asked really nicely: well, Mommy really wants to play on the bars. Would you do it for me, please?"

"Oh, fine," came her response. It was her who was spun me a favour, no longer me telling her or convincing her that she wanted to go play in the outdoor exercise area.

Of course when we got there, she totally didn't want to leave.

I got to flip a few times on the chin-up bar as well as practice some negative chin-ups.

It was fun, and today my arms and upper body are feeling quite sore :) love that feeling of my muscles growing and getting stronger!

2.  Got to harvest my raspberries right before a thunderstorm. Also shared the first ripe tomato of the season with my father-in-law.

3. Tried Indian takeout from a local restaurant. It was tasty. My eldest son and husband also enjoyed it.

Sunday:

4.  My friend Dana came over to visit in the late morning. Then my friends Shelley and Chrissy came over with some new Play-Doh in the afternoon. It was a wonderful time sitting together chatting while the boys played with the Play-Doh. Incredible how simple and fun things can be!

Lesson of the week:

As Jim Rohn said, there are two kinds of pain in life: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. 

Every moment of every day, we make decisions whether consciously or unconsciously.

When I chose to overheat by virtue of habit, I felt the pain of regret. "Why do I do this to myself?" As the stomach better, the emotion also subsides a bit. The pain and lack of energy ought to motivate me to do things differently.

I resolve to be disciplined and living fully in the present. 

How will I do this?

I am not going to answer that now, but I will keep asking it so that the answer comes to me naturally.

Most interesting new thing of the week:

The spider playing dead with me. See more in Friday, July 24 post.

Thank you.

I love you.

What so you resolve to do today?

Friday, July 24, 2015: fruitful Friday

New and amazing:

1.  Went to an Asian Vietnamese-Thai food   boothin the PATH under the Lonestar restaurant on Front St. And Simcoe.

The lady who served me spoke to me in a dialect of Cantonese serve me a nice portion of glass noodles, mango/cabbage salad and tofu with mushrooms. 

It was nice I go back to a place a really eating at when I worked in a building nearby over ten years ago! Amazing that the booth is still there.

2.  Chatted with a Portuguese man with a few teeth on the GO Train.  He told me about growing up in a small Island of Portugal. He told me that Madeira was a very expensive place to go, but he went there when he was in the army.

In his accented English, he told me the story of overlooking the ocean as a boy, and the fishmen would call out early in the morning when people were still in bed "fresc peche" - I am nt sure if the spelling, but in translation it means "fresh fish. I went along with him imitating how the fishermen would have yelled out.

I am glad to have the opportunity to listen to this man speak passionately about his life in the TRain going home.

3.  Playing a made up game with Little S called "what's in this room?"

4.  Having a nighttime walk around the block and chatting with my mother-in-love (mother in law). Awesome seeing pictures of her first great grandchild with my brother-in-law.

My mother in law is so inspirational. She takes care of herself, is grateful for all she has, and has a vision board to guide her to reach her goals.

4.  In taking spiders out of my room and putting them outside, one little spider played dead.  I gently grabbed the little spidy with my index finger and thumb by the web or leg.

This little spidy suddenly went from all legs out running to all legs together and shrinking an falling limp.

"I am so sorry!" I said from my heart. I nudged the limp thing but it didn't move.

So I took another spider out by the leg.

I was hoping that by the time I would come back, the spider would be alive again.

It was still in thy dead form, so I swept it with my broom apologizing at the same time.

Well, that spidy all of a sudden explodes back onto his or her running legs. As my thumb and index finger dove down to grab a leg, it began to play dead again!

It was the most interesting interaction I had has with an arachnid in my life.

Eventually, I managed to take him or her my a led and free them on our running juniper bush outside.

5. Yesterday on the GO train a baby bird had flown into the coach I was in as I walked into the area. I tried to let it jump onto my finger so I could release him or her back outside to freedom.

The little bird fluttered a bit but only to fall several places as a few passengers including myself tried to grab him before the doors would shut.

One lady passenger had just got off at the Pickering Station waited by the doors, took the bird with both her hands. The birdie dell again, and I saw the lady pick up the bird ever so gently stroking its head.

Aww how loving. It was so sweet to see.  

I love keeping this blog. It's showing me all the daily newness and amazing mess a day presents; it just takes us to notice.

What has been new for you today?

Lots of love,

K

Thursday, July 23, 2015: thankful

New and good:

1. Bought local apricots from the Metro Hall Farmers' Market. Feeling good supporting local farmers especially chemical free ones.

2.  Nice chats in the GO Train with a gentleman I met last week on the train as well as with a co-worker friend.

It's not new for me to chat with people on the train, but the topic and content is new. I also had a bag on wheels for my food from the farmers market with me.

3. Little M stripped ally pea pods of the peas, put them into a bowl then poured green smoothie into it. I didn't tell. I was not upset. I let him play a bit and cleaned up.

I find myself more and able to relax in situations where I would have yelled a few years before.

Precious moments:

1. Running round and round the basement with Little R and Little S. 

2. Watching Little M sleep in his bed. So angelic, so peaceful, so perfect.

3. Getting a call from my mom at night time after foot massaging little R with essential oils. She wanted to make sure I had the pot of soup she had made from the beautiful overgrown zucchini in our garden packed away. 

She told me that my sister had come to pick her up, and whole she was here, the two young ones played happily with her! 

Little S has been happier the last three days since we started the oil massage before bed.

Thank you!

Wednesday, July 22, 2015: fake English accent success!

New and fabulous:

1.  I learned a technique from my friend Melanie with regards to dealing with my daughter and undesirable behaviour such as yelling "bad mom! Stupid baby", etc.

She calls it the Shock reaction.  This will probably make a lot more sense in a video than in text, but it's like this...

It was after supper, and I knew that Sophia's hair was greasy the day before already, so I matter-of-factly said to her "shower time."

"No," she answered without taking her eyes of her tablet as she was watching some show on YouTube.

<<shocked look>>

"Sophia!"

She quickly looked at my reaction.

"Wha-at?!" She was taken by surprise and did not continue with her pattern of anger and disrespect.

I interrupted our pattern.

With a fake English accent I went on, "sweet little Sophias don't stay dirty. Where is the real Sophia???"

"You're weird," she took her eyes off the tablet and cracked a smile at me. She was a little confused and a little amused.

I took advantage of the newly sparked humour. "This is the dirty Sophia speaking! We must scrub this dirty Sophia to rescue the clean Sophia!"

Within a couple of minutes, she turned off the tablet and demanded I piggyback her to the shower so that she may be cleaned off.

Bingo! No fighting. Success :)

After taking a shower and washing her hair, she came out of the shower, "get my clothes!" It was her habitual mean tone. 

Then she cracked another smile. "Just joking!" She asked sweetly for me to massage her back and feet with  fractionated coconut oil as well as wild orange pretending she was at the spa.

Bed time was delightful this evening! 

Thank you, Melanie for such a rich suggestion! And thank you, essential oils!

2.  I worked together with a co-worker in a different department to resolve a very important issue for a client. The client was very grateful as was I.

3.  I felt stomach discomfort within minutes of eating almost two Chinese steamed buns. This was a very vivid experience for me. The discomfort was not very great but subtle. I believe I am more in tune with my body, and will listen to it better each day.

Thank you for reading! And please do share your comments below.  What is new and good for you today?

Tuesday, July 21, 2015: grateful to be alive

New and good:

1.  I got to take my daughter for piano lessons.  She learned a whole note, 'E' note and three more small songs.

2.  Spoke with the music director who had been living in pain for over 27 years due to accidents he survived. Although in pain, he wasn't complaining. In fact, he was grateful to be alive. Love these conservations! His talking of Chinese bug juice to numb his body of pain also grossed my little girl out ;)

3.  Tried a roasted red pepper, garlic and eggplant boureka from St, Urbain Bagel, and it was pretty tasty :)

New and Good for Monday, July 20, 2015

1. I had the experience of not having my Prestocard with me in the GO Train. 

It gave me the opportunity to respond to the new situation. Was I going to let myself get passive aggressive with my husband for forgetting to give me back my card? No, instead, I took responsibility. I decided to wisely choose my response. It helped us both figure out a way to remind him to give me back the card no matter how late and how fatigued we get from the weekend.

2. Bonded with my daughter over drawing fruits for a pretend market stand. Then have her a back and foot massage with wild orange essential oil before bed. She was one happy little girl :)

3. Received some very liberating and positive news from a friend today regarding mortgages!

4. Left my keys at home so I was not able to open my cabinet at work resulting me being creative with my notes and figuring out alternatives as well as figuring out a back-up plan in case my key is my available.

A lot of new problem solving opportunities today :) it keeps my brain active and vibrant!

Thank you

Lots of love,

Kim

Living the Charmed Life: July 19, 2015

New and good:

1. Listening to Jillian Michael's weight loss story.

2. Staying in control of my own emotions and responses even in theists of mayhem with the three kids... Especially the girl.

3. Rubbing all three kids feet with essential oil at their bed time.

4. managed to out them all to bed and shower myself by 9:15 pm! 

Weigh-in:

Kim:  160 pounds

Remy:  125 pounds

Living the Charmed Life: July 18, 2015

New and good:

1. Took My three year old for the first time to watch his sister take a swimming lesson.

2. Played 'Land of the Silver birch' on the keyboard, and my daughter interested in it.

3. Surviving my daughter kicking me with her big toe in my eyeball!  Thankful that  the body is resilient!

Living the Charmed Life: July 17, 2015

New and awesome:

1.  Starting this blog again!

2.  Went to Metro Hall Farmers' market with Melanie, learned about two mushrooms "lion's mane" and something else that is smokey

3.  Dream with my eighth grade teacher encouraging me to go forth and speak