mango + pear

Starbucks & MacBooks.

Working from Starbucks this morning. A caramal latte, a MacBook, wireless internet, and cool people to watch... does it get any better than this?

days wih my father.

I came across this site today as I was reading someone else's blog.

I cannot even find words to describe it or do it justice. A story of joy and heartbreak. A reminder of how very precious life is.

the broken road.

Another great song from the movie. This one has been a favourite of mine for awhile now.

God Bless the Broken Road by Rascall Flatts 

I set out on a narrow way, many years ago
Hoping I would find true love along the broken road
But I got lost a time or two
Wiped my brow and kept pushing through
I couldn't see how every sign pointed straight to you

Every long lost dream led me to where you are
Others who broke my heart, they were like northern stars
Pointing me on my way into your loving arms
This much I know is true

That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you
Yes He did

I think about the years I spent, just passing through
I'd like to have the time I lost, and give it back to you
But you just smile and take my hand
You've been there, you understand
It's all part of a grander plan that is coming true

Every long lost dream led me to where you are
Others who broke my heart, they were like northern stars
Pointing me on my way into your loving arms
This much I know is true

That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you

But now I'm just rolling home into my lover's arms
This much I know is true

That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you

That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you

The climb.

I never thought the day would come that I would be listening to music from Miley Cyrus. This song was at the end of the movie... and I really like it. The message is a good one for everyone, young and old.

Here are the lyrics:

The Climb by Miley Cyrus

I can almost see it,
That dream I’m dreaming, but
There’s a voice inside my head sayin,
You’ll never reach it
Every step I’m taking,
Every move I make feels,
Lost with no direction
My faith is shaking, but I
Got to keep trying
Got to keep my head held high

There’s always going to be another mountain
I’m always going to want to make it move
Always going to be an uphill battle,
Sometimes I'm going to have to lose,
Ain’t about how fast I get there,
Ain’t about what’s waiting on the other side
It’s the climb

The struggles I’m facing,
The chances I’m taking
Sometimes they might knock me down, but
No I’m not breaking
I may not know it,
But these are the moments that,
I’m going to remember most, yeah
Just got to keep going
And I,
I got to be strong
Just keep pushing on,
cause

There’s always going to be another mountain
I’m always going to want to make it move
Always going to be an uphill battle,
Sometimes I'm going to have to lose
Ain’t about how fast I get there,
Ain’t about what’s waiting on the other side
It’s the climb

There’s always going to be another mountain
I’m always going to want to make it move
Always going to be an uphill battle,
Sometimes I'm going to have to lose
Ain’t about how fast I get there,
Ain’t about what’s waiting on the other side
It’s the climb

Keep on moving
Keep climbing
Keep the faith baby
It’s all about
It’s all about
The climb
Keep the faith
Keep your faith

Hannah Montana... seriously?!

So... here's the story. Matt cam home for Easter weekend. I met him in Belleville to do a little shopping. He informed me that we only had a little time because he was taking me to the movies at 2:30. "What movie?" I asked. He looked at me with a silly smile on his face and answered, "Hannah Montana." Seriously?! Hannah Monatana?! My brother is a 6'5", 26 year-old accountant... and he wanted to go see Hannah Montana! Seriously.

I thought, why not?! I needed a good laugh... and to seal the deal Matt even promised me extra butter on my popcorn!

And well... I am somewhat reluctant to say that I actually quite enjoyed it. It was a little silly... and totally predictable... but it was cute and happy and it had a couple of really good songs.  So, yes... I can admit... I did see the Hannah Montana movie... on opening weekend... and I liked it!

Two great music videos to follow... and yes, one of them is Miley Cyrus.

P.S. Matt... I sent this out to all of your buddies at Deloitte and pretty much everyone else I know... I hope that was okay ;)

Coca-Cola: Encounter

Best of you.

Foo Fighters - "Best of You" lyrics

I've got another confession to make
I'm your fool
Everyone's got their chains to break
Holdin' you

Were you born to resist or be abused?
Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?
Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?

Are you gone and onto someone new?
I needed somewhere to hang my head
Without your noose
You gave me something that I didn't have
But had no use
I was too weak to give in
Too strong to lose
My heart is under arrest again
But I break loose
My head is giving me life or death
But I can't choose
I swear I'll never give in
I refuse

Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?
Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?
Has someone taken your faith?
Its real, the pain you feel
You trust, you must
Confess
Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?
Oh...

Oh...Oh...Oh...Oh...

Has someone taken your faith?
Its real, the pain you feel
The life, the love
You die to heal
The hope that starts
The broken hearts
You trust, you must
Confess

Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?
Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?

I've got another confession my friend
I'm no fool
I'm getting tired of starting again
Somewhere new

Were you born to resist or be abused?
I swear I'll never give in
I refuse

Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?
Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?
Has someone taken your faith?
Its real, the pain you feel
You trust, you must
Confess
Is someone getting the best, the best, the best, the best of you?
Oh...

Who doesn't love Dave Grohl and Taylor Hawkins?

Journey to the heart: April 1

Learn to Clear Your Path 

I met a woman at the mineral springs in Ojo Caliente, New Mexico. She had a gentle, open way. She talked to me about rituals, about miracles, about change. “My husband and I badly wanted a child, but I couldn’t get pregnant,” she said. “One night, I decided to go to a mikvah, a Jewish ritual bath. My decision felt powerful. But every obstacle you could imagine happened when I tried to get there. I could barely get out of my house. Then when I did, I got lost and had to go back home for directions. When I finally got to the bath, it was just beginning, but I knew I needed to be there. The night was electric. The air felt as if it were charged with lightning. It was a full moon. I went through the ritual and returned home. That night, my daughter was conceived. She’s now seven years old.”     

        There are often obstacles on our path. Roadblocks, barricades, detours. Things to go over, around, or under. Sometimes, the roadblocks are telling us no, this door is not opening. Find another way. Other times the roadblocks are telling us that the road we have chosen is very special. If we want to go down it, we will have to try. We will have to focus. We will have to muster our energy and show the world how badly we want it. We will have to overcome each and every obstacle, one by one, as they appear.

        What do you want badly? Are you willing to go through an obstacle course, if need be, to achieve it? Are you willing to be tested by the universe? Are you willing to focus, push forward, go the distance?

          

            Sometimes, the road ahead is blocked,

            but clearing the way becomes part of

            our journey. Learn to tell when it’s time

            to let go, to surrender, to search for

            another road, a different path, another

            dream. But also learn to tell when it’s

            time to move forward, through obstacles,

            if need be, because the dream is electric,

            charged by Divine energy and love.

Maybe.

"Doesn't matter how tough we are, trauma always leaves a scar. It follows us home, it changes our lives, trauma messes everybody up, but maybe that's the point. All the pain and the fear and the crap. Maybe going through all of that is what keeps us moving forward. It's what pushes us. Maybe we have to get a little messed up, before we can step up."

SUPER BOWL XLIII

I have officially become a football fan! And, yes, I will admit that this newly enjoyed sport does have a little something to do with a certain special someone in my life. However... it should also be noted that my original introduction to football was thanks to my "little" brother, Matty, and a summer full of Ottawa Renegades games, several years ago.

For the past few months, most of my Sunday afternoons have been taken over by football... and I do have to say, it is a routine that I have fully come to embrace and even look forward to. And really, what's not to love? We put on our comfy clothes, whip up a yummy snack, get snuggled up on the couch, and open up a bottle of red wine (or sometimes a Heineken, depending on our moods).

I was actually a little sad to discover that Jeff was going to be out of town during the Super Bowl this year and we would not be able to watch the big game together. Nevertheless... dad and I placed our bets (we took the Cardinals to win, Matt took the Steelers)... filled up our plates... opened our beers... and settled in to watch this year's largest event in football.

And what an event it turned out to be! A game that many predicted to be a sure bet for the Steelers to win, kept us on the edge of our seats the whole way through. Jennifer Hudson killed it right from the start with the American national anthem, and Kurt Warner and the boys from Arizona were definitely out to prove that they were not going down without a fight. I'm a little ashamed to admit that didn't quite make it to the very end of the game. Sometime during the beginning of the fourth quarter, my eyes finally started to close and I slowly found myself drifting off into dreamland. Of all the times to fall asleep, I know... I missed the grand finale and the game winning catch that will now be a permanent part of football history.

It is with a heavy heart that I must say so long to my new friend, football... it has been a great season and you will be missed. I look forward to seeing you again next fall!