Okay, so remember when I said that I would get back to my promise of posting about the books I was reading in my quest to read 52 books in 52 weeks?
Yeah, I lied.. I failed to post.. SO, with must delay (aka known as 25 books behind.. uggggh) I will post about some of the books I have read (and for the record, I am on 51 of 52 in LESS than 52 weeks!!)
27) Incognito: The Secret Lives of the Brain - David Eagleman (Oct)
***** out of *****
http://www.amazon.ca/Incognito-Secret-Lives-David-Eagleman/dp/0670063924/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330559593&sr=8-1
The product description from Amazon.ca:
If the conscious mind—the part you consider you—is just the tip of the iceberg in the brain, what is all the rest doing? In Incognito, neuroscientist David Eagleman plumbs the depths of the subconscious brain to illuminate surprising questions: Why can your foot jump halfway to the brake pedal before you are consciously aware of danger ahead? Why do strippers make more money at certain times of the month, although no one is consciously aware of their fertility level? Is there a true Mel Gibson? What do Odysseus and the subprime mortgage meltdown have in common? How is your brain like a conflicted democracy engaged in civil war? Why are people whose name begins with J more likely to marry other people whose name begins with J? Why is it so difficult to keep a secret? Why did Supreme Court Justice William Douglas deny that he was paralyzed? This subsurface exploration includes diversions into brain damage, drugs, infidelity, synesthesia, criminal law, the future of artificial intelligence, and visual illusions—all highlighting how our perception of the world is a hidden and awe-inspiring construction of the brain.
Very interesting read! I REALLY loved it!
28) My Stroke of Insight - Jill Bolte Talyor (Oct)
*** and a half out of *****
http://www.amazon.ca/Stroke-Insight-Jill-Bolte-Taylor/dp/0452295548/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1330559821&sr=1-1
This is an autobiography of a Harvard-trained brain scientist who experienced a massive stroke and her experiences. Very amazing read. Some parts tended to get a tad too much into the medical side verses telling her own story, but still wonderful.
29) UnSweetined - Jodie Sweetin (Oct)
** and a half out of *****
http://www.amazon.ca/unSweetined-Jodie-Sweetin/dp/1439152683/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1330559940&sr=1-1
Yes, I read the autobiography of Jodie Sweetin (aka Stephanie Tanner). It WAS touching to read the struggles she went through trying to fit into the Hollywood world, but not the best read.
30) A Thousand Sisters: My Journey Into the Worst Place on Earth to be a Woman- Lisa Shannon (Oct)
***** out of *****
http://www.amazon.ca/Thousand-Sisters-Journey-Worst-Place/dp/1580053599/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1330560105&sr=1-1
A true story of a woman and her firsthand accounts of experiences visiting the Congo, and of the the women she's met and helped. IT truly makes you appreciate living in North America and the freedom we have.
31) God's Behaving Badly - Marie Phillips (Oct)
**** out of *****
http://www.amazon.ca/Gods-Behaving-Badly-Marie-Phillips/dp/0307355934/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1330560282&sr=1-1
A fiction novel about the Greek gods and Goddesses living in a rundown house in modern-day London. Very amusing read!
32) On the Outside Looking Indian - Rupinder Gill (Oct)
*** and a half out of *****
http://www.amazon.ca/Outside-Looking-Indian-Childhood-Changed/dp/0771035934/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1330560570&sr=1-1
A non-fiction novel/memoir about an East Indian girl who sets out to relive the childhood she missed out on growing up in a strict Indian household. Very sweet and amusing!
33) Left Neglected - Lisa Genova (Nov)
** and half out of *****
http://www.amazon.ca/Left-Neglected-Lisa-Genova/dp/1439164657/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1330560734&sr=1-1
A fiction novel about a woman who suffers a brain injury and her recovery. Interesting read, but not greatly written in many parts.
That's all I will post for now - more to come shortly!
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
I'm trying.
This is not going to be a happy one. Feel free to not read this.. I just need the space.
I'm trying very hard to be strong..
I've been smoke free for over 2 months.. I can proudly say that while it still isn't EASY, I feel like I am more in control of the situation than it is over me..
However, I cannot say that for other areas in my life.. In other areas, I feel horribly out of control. And by that, I mean sobbing uncontrollably at times.
I've been trying very hard to 'keep it to myself', as no one wants to hear about it... How crazy is that? I partly started blogging again to have an outlet for these times... now I am worried about what other people will think? Funny, isn't it?
I just wish I could understand WHY I can be SO strong in so many aspects of my life, and yet, in others I am weak.. I can relate it to the previous addiction to smoking - I KNEW how bad it was for myself, yet I still did it.
Why do people do things in their lives, let certain people in, knowing all the while that the situation is not going to end well?
I half brought up the subject with a co-worker today, and their answer was this: "Sometimes you need to return, and stand on the edge of the cliff to realize how dangerous it really is.."
I do realize how insignificant my problems are compared to what others are going through..
We had a major snow fall (which we haven't in about a month) in the city overnight/this morning.. As expected, the roads were in pretty bad shape, and many accidents occurred throughout the city. One of these accidents resulted in a woman in her early 50s being killed. She was brought into the hospital I work at (which is a bad sign to begin with, as we are not a trauma center - but she was not stable enough to make the further distance) barely hanging on, and despite the best efforts of the staff, she passed from her injuries. The hospital had a difficult time id-ing her as the vehicle was in such bad shape the jaws of life had to be used - her purse with ID was not in reach. A co-worker was in the vicinity when the family began to arrive - some in shock, some in hysterics. Their mother and wife was gone in a heartbeat, taken too young.
Someone lost their loved one. They could not prevent this pain. I COULD prevent mine, but I am choosing not to. Why? I just wish someone could tell me WHY.
I'm trying very hard to be strong..
I've been smoke free for over 2 months.. I can proudly say that while it still isn't EASY, I feel like I am more in control of the situation than it is over me..
However, I cannot say that for other areas in my life.. In other areas, I feel horribly out of control. And by that, I mean sobbing uncontrollably at times.
I've been trying very hard to 'keep it to myself', as no one wants to hear about it... How crazy is that? I partly started blogging again to have an outlet for these times... now I am worried about what other people will think? Funny, isn't it?
I just wish I could understand WHY I can be SO strong in so many aspects of my life, and yet, in others I am weak.. I can relate it to the previous addiction to smoking - I KNEW how bad it was for myself, yet I still did it.
Why do people do things in their lives, let certain people in, knowing all the while that the situation is not going to end well?
I half brought up the subject with a co-worker today, and their answer was this: "Sometimes you need to return, and stand on the edge of the cliff to realize how dangerous it really is.."
I do realize how insignificant my problems are compared to what others are going through..
We had a major snow fall (which we haven't in about a month) in the city overnight/this morning.. As expected, the roads were in pretty bad shape, and many accidents occurred throughout the city. One of these accidents resulted in a woman in her early 50s being killed. She was brought into the hospital I work at (which is a bad sign to begin with, as we are not a trauma center - but she was not stable enough to make the further distance) barely hanging on, and despite the best efforts of the staff, she passed from her injuries. The hospital had a difficult time id-ing her as the vehicle was in such bad shape the jaws of life had to be used - her purse with ID was not in reach. A co-worker was in the vicinity when the family began to arrive - some in shock, some in hysterics. Their mother and wife was gone in a heartbeat, taken too young.
Someone lost their loved one. They could not prevent this pain. I COULD prevent mine, but I am choosing not to. Why? I just wish someone could tell me WHY.
Friday, February 10, 2012
The one with the massage..
Several years ago, I was in a car accident. More specifically, I was stopped in a yield waiting to merge onto a highway when someone not paying attention came roaring up behind me and rear ended me. For whatever reason the safety mechanism in the seat belt that 'locks' it didn't deploy and my turned head bounced around into the steering wheel (I'm short, I have to sit close) and back.... So yes, whiplash it was.
This was about 8 years ago, but I still suffer from neck pain. Couple this with physically demanding jobs and you have a gal who needs massages. Luckily, my main job has great benefits and massages are covered 80% up to a certain amount. That means I can go for a massage for a cheap price every few months)
While I do think a nice relaxation massage is wonderful - I NEED a deep tissue massage to work out the kinks.
The first place I had went for a 'deep tissue' massagesucked wasn't what I was looking for. A) The therapist was chatty. She talked THE ENTIRE TIME. A little bit of talk is okay, but I am not there to hear your life story. Sorry. That may make me sound rude, but just the way it is. B) This was no deep tissue massage. I hadn't known what to expect as this was my first 'real' massage ever, but this was a relaxation massage. No pressure C) They charged me for a laser therapy.. which I did not get... or ask for.. I didn't notice this until I was sent my insurance statement. All in all, just not a great experience.. it did NOTHING for my aches.
I decided that I wanted to find a different clinic that was close to home and offered deep tissue massage. An online search (What did we DO before we all 'owned a Google'?) brought me to a clinic about 10 minutes away from home that direct billed to my insurance company AND gave you the option to BOOK ONLINE. Hello!
I chose to book with a male massage therapist as I figured I could use some good man hands to pummel the knots outta my back. To summarize my past massages: No word of a lie, one time I was actually gripping onto the side of the table as I was rather certain he was using so much pressure I was going to roll off the table. DO you remember as a kid when you would pick dandelions and 'pop' off the flowers with your fingers... well, I was almost certain my head was going to do just that one time. I am also not so sure he wasn't dancing on my back at one point..
And no, I am not a masochist. The massages MAY be painful at times, but I leave there feeling better than I have in weeks.
Anyhow, I ended up with a rare day off this week and seeing as my neck/back have really been bothering me lately, I jumped at the chance to book a massage.
SO, this morning rolls around and I get a phone call from the clinic. Odd, they called YESTERDAY to confirm my appointment. Man hands is away sick! Uggggggh. The next time I could rebook would not be for quite sometime due to my intense work schedule.. HOWEVER, they offered me up an appointment around the same time with another therapist. Fiiiiine... I guess... I took it.
Like a nutcase, I decided to Google (Again, what did we do before I owned a Google?) the gal. Why? I don't know. Well, she turned out to be a tiny gal. I rolled my eyes and was imagining a non deep tissue massage in my future.
Boy, was I WRONG. This tiny gal packed a MEAN punch. She asked where I wanted her to focus (neck, shoulders, mostly left and SI joints area) and how much pressure I wanted (DEEEEEEEP). Well, I will also add when mentioning the SI area she asked if it was okay to work the glute area. I tried to play it alllll cool and be all: "Yeah, no big deal.".. I wasn't expecting the panties I left on to be to be pulled down one cheek at a time and to have my left leg moved into yoga like positions as apparently I have ONE tight glute that just 'won't release'. I think the conversation in my mind went a little like this:
"She is tucking the blanket into my underwear.. Okay... OH! THAT WOULD BE SO SHE COULD YANK A SIDE DOWN"
"It's just a butt. She sees a dozen butts a day, I'm sure. Everyone has a butt. Yours is no big deal. YOU see at least 4 butts a day at work.. You don't judge or look at it in any way besides "It's a butt." Why would she?"
"Don't giggle. It's just a butt. She's being professional here."
"Hollllllllllllllllllllly. I never realized how much I needed this"
She dug into my shoulders like no man's business (I also apparently have small scapulas.. I said: "Oh!" I am not sure if "Thanks" was what she was going for). also having me position my arms in different ways to REALLY get in there. I am also 90% sure she was up on the bed at some points REALLY getting her weight into obliterating the knots.
She warned me I may be sore later today as a massage that intense causes a lot of inflammation.. So worth it..
Painful? Yes. Good? Yes.. BEST. MASSAGE. EVER.
The moral of the story? Never judge a book by it's cover. I think I may have found my new massage therapist..
This was about 8 years ago, but I still suffer from neck pain. Couple this with physically demanding jobs and you have a gal who needs massages. Luckily, my main job has great benefits and massages are covered 80% up to a certain amount. That means I can go for a massage for a cheap price every few months)
While I do think a nice relaxation massage is wonderful - I NEED a deep tissue massage to work out the kinks.
The first place I had went for a 'deep tissue' massage
I decided that I wanted to find a different clinic that was close to home and offered deep tissue massage. An online search (What did we DO before we all 'owned a Google'?) brought me to a clinic about 10 minutes away from home that direct billed to my insurance company AND gave you the option to BOOK ONLINE. Hello!
I chose to book with a male massage therapist as I figured I could use some good man hands to pummel the knots outta my back. To summarize my past massages: No word of a lie, one time I was actually gripping onto the side of the table as I was rather certain he was using so much pressure I was going to roll off the table. DO you remember as a kid when you would pick dandelions and 'pop' off the flowers with your fingers... well, I was almost certain my head was going to do just that one time. I am also not so sure he wasn't dancing on my back at one point..
And no, I am not a masochist. The massages MAY be painful at times, but I leave there feeling better than I have in weeks.
Anyhow, I ended up with a rare day off this week and seeing as my neck/back have really been bothering me lately, I jumped at the chance to book a massage.
SO, this morning rolls around and I get a phone call from the clinic. Odd, they called YESTERDAY to confirm my appointment. Man hands is away sick! Uggggggh. The next time I could rebook would not be for quite sometime due to my intense work schedule.. HOWEVER, they offered me up an appointment around the same time with another therapist. Fiiiiine... I guess... I took it.
Boy, was I WRONG. This tiny gal packed a MEAN punch. She asked where I wanted her to focus (neck, shoulders, mostly left and SI joints area) and how much pressure I wanted (DEEEEEEEP). Well, I will also add when mentioning the SI area she asked if it was okay to work the glute area. I tried to play it alllll cool and be all: "Yeah, no big deal.".. I wasn't expecting the panties I left on to be to be pulled down one cheek at a time and to have my left leg moved into yoga like positions as apparently I have ONE tight glute that just 'won't release'. I think the conversation in my mind went a little like this:
"She is tucking the blanket into my underwear.. Okay... OH! THAT WOULD BE SO SHE COULD YANK A SIDE DOWN"
"It's just a butt. She sees a dozen butts a day, I'm sure. Everyone has a butt. Yours is no big deal. YOU see at least 4 butts a day at work.. You don't judge or look at it in any way besides "It's a butt." Why would she?"
"Don't giggle. It's just a butt. She's being professional here."
"Hollllllllllllllllllllly. I never realized how much I needed this"
She dug into my shoulders like no man's business (I also apparently have small scapulas.. I said: "Oh!" I am not sure if "Thanks" was what she was going for). also having me position my arms in different ways to REALLY get in there. I am also 90% sure she was up on the bed at some points REALLY getting her weight into obliterating the knots.
She warned me I may be sore later today as a massage that intense causes a lot of inflammation.. So worth it..
Painful? Yes. Good? Yes.. BEST. MASSAGE. EVER.
The moral of the story? Never judge a book by it's cover. I think I may have found my new massage therapist..
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Things that make your day..
I was discussing something with a patient (a gal in her 80s) at work.. I mentioned to her that I would have to look up this topic on the Internet when I got home:
Her: Oh! <so and so> looked it up at home on their Google. Do you have a Google at home?
Me: <smile> Yes, I have a Google at home. I'll use that.
Her: Good!
:-) Props to her for knowing the term Google anyhow
Her: Oh! <so and so> looked it up at home on their Google. Do you have a Google at home?
Me: <smile> Yes, I have a Google at home. I'll use that.
Her: Good!
:-) Props to her for knowing the term Google anyhow
Monday, February 6, 2012
Today.
"We never live so intensely as when we love strongly. We never realize ourselves so vividly as when we are in the full glow of love for others."
To understand things and people, we must love them... It doesn't always mean we can fully grasp their motives...
Today was not a good day... I don't want to get into it... it just wasn't.
Author: Walter Rauschenbush
To understand things and people, we must love them... It doesn't always mean we can fully grasp their motives...
Today was not a good day... I don't want to get into it... it just wasn't.
Friday, February 3, 2012
What I've Realized
I quit smoking about a month and a half ago..
It is getting easier, BUT I would still LOVE to light up. It's psychological at this point, as from what I read it takes 3 days for the nicotine to leave your body, and 10 to 14 days for most 'symptoms' associated with nicotine (aka the "I HAVE A LOT OF ANGRY ENERGY TO GET RID OF - PUT ME TO WORK!!!!" mode I experienced) have disappeared.. Ugh.
I am still not drinking at all (as recommended when taking Zyban - and for my own fact drinking tends to trigger the wanting of cigarettes), which is not a huge deal to me as I was not a big drinker before... BUT for some reason, I would love nothing more than a shot of Baileys in a cup of coffee. I shake my head sadly every morning when I have my (non alcoholic) Irish Cream coffee creamer wishing it were Baileys... I mean, other than the fact drinking at 7 am would be troublesome and probably get me fired..
The girlfriends that I went to Mexico with last year and I are planning another trip down there this April! Wooo hoo!! Anyhow, I decided to shop for a new bikini... and as everyone knows, bathingsuit shopping can betorture interesting. While I don't need to lose weight at all, my munching on junk since quitting smoking has led to a little more... uhmm.. not such firmness into my belly. SO, I have vowed to cut sugary junk out of my diet and up my exercise to tone up. (And sadly ate a bag of carrots at the movies Tuesday night)
So, I am not smoking, drinking or eating unhealthy food (minus my creamer which I refuse to give up).
So basically I am anti-fun.
Or so I feel. It's somewhat disturbing to me that since quitting the above, my social life has dwindled slightly. I get invited out less often when it's "Let's go for drinks!". Uhm, hello? I am simply not drinking but I still enjoy socializing and am perfectly happy to have a soda instead..
Such is life, I guess!
It is getting easier, BUT I would still LOVE to light up. It's psychological at this point, as from what I read it takes 3 days for the nicotine to leave your body, and 10 to 14 days for most 'symptoms' associated with nicotine (aka the "I HAVE A LOT OF ANGRY ENERGY TO GET RID OF - PUT ME TO WORK!!!!" mode I experienced) have disappeared.. Ugh.
I am still not drinking at all (as recommended when taking Zyban - and for my own fact drinking tends to trigger the wanting of cigarettes), which is not a huge deal to me as I was not a big drinker before... BUT for some reason, I would love nothing more than a shot of Baileys in a cup of coffee. I shake my head sadly every morning when I have my (non alcoholic) Irish Cream coffee creamer wishing it were Baileys... I mean, other than the fact drinking at 7 am would be troublesome and probably get me fired..
The girlfriends that I went to Mexico with last year and I are planning another trip down there this April! Wooo hoo!! Anyhow, I decided to shop for a new bikini... and as everyone knows, bathingsuit shopping can be
So, I am not smoking, drinking or eating unhealthy food (minus my creamer which I refuse to give up).
So basically I am anti-fun.
Or so I feel. It's somewhat disturbing to me that since quitting the above, my social life has dwindled slightly. I get invited out less often when it's "Let's go for drinks!". Uhm, hello? I am simply not drinking but I still enjoy socializing and am perfectly happy to have a soda instead..
Such is life, I guess!
Saturday, January 14, 2012
I've been neglecting you
Eeep. I have been neglecting the ol' blog this year..
Iam just really lazy, really do not have any excuse why.. It isn't like I am horribly busy in the evenings.. What have I been up to?
I am on book number 45 of the 52 books in a year deal with over 16 weeks left to go.. 52? Pffft childs play! heh. It is on my 'To-Do' list to sit down and blog about the books I have read... aaaaaand I apparently left off at number 26 so I have a few to write about. Egads!
For no reason in particular, I have decided to teach myself to speak Spanish. Si, Spanish! What is my approach? I downloaded an audio book of basic Spanish for travel and burnt it onto CD to listen to on my commute to work. Smart, no? Well, I am proud to say that if I were lost in say, Mexico I could now communicate the following in Spanish to save myself:
Basic greetings - hello, goodbye, good morning, good evening. How are you? I am so so. I am fine. What is your name? My name is.. Counting to ten. Asking where the bathroom is. Pointing out that a car is large (and why THEY decided this was important to add to the course is beyond me). Mentioning I am vegetarian and don't eat chicken. Ordering beer. Saying "I need..." (will saying "I need.." and pointing frantically work?)... and some random other sayings/words.. So yes, nothing terribly useful to save my hide. Aye dios mios!
I have a few Spanish speaking patients at work, but have been too bashful to try any of my learning out on them... In time! Also on my To-Do list is to make a written word list with proper pronunciations of words.. I am loving the audio book, but for bigger sentences I just cannot keep up with how fast the speaker is talking to actually absorb it. I am serious about trying to learn Spanish, so I will try my best to find a way to learn..
The no smoking? It is going. I am still on the right track. It is getting EASIER, yes... However, at times, it is painful and I would love nothing more than to light up a cig. I had a drink on New Years Eve and man, did having that ONE drink make me want to smoke. I am not sure THAT will ever get easier...
The holidays (and few weeks after) were busy with a few friends in from out of town - it was wonderful to catch up with them. One of the highlights for me was finally meeting a girlfriend's new baby. She lives out in England, so we are not able to see each other that often and really rely on FB to keep in touch.. I really cherish the times we are able to get together in person.
So, that is about it.... I really will try to keep up with the blogging.. Honest!
I
I am on book number 45 of the 52 books in a year deal with over 16 weeks left to go.. 52? Pffft childs play! heh. It is on my 'To-Do' list to sit down and blog about the books I have read... aaaaaand I apparently left off at number 26 so I have a few to write about. Egads!
For no reason in particular, I have decided to teach myself to speak Spanish. Si, Spanish! What is my approach? I downloaded an audio book of basic Spanish for travel and burnt it onto CD to listen to on my commute to work. Smart, no? Well, I am proud to say that if I were lost in say, Mexico I could now communicate the following in Spanish to save myself:
Basic greetings - hello, goodbye, good morning, good evening. How are you? I am so so. I am fine. What is your name? My name is.. Counting to ten. Asking where the bathroom is. Pointing out that a car is large (and why THEY decided this was important to add to the course is beyond me). Mentioning I am vegetarian and don't eat chicken. Ordering beer. Saying "I need..." (will saying "I need.." and pointing frantically work?)... and some random other sayings/words.. So yes, nothing terribly useful to save my hide. Aye dios mios!
I have a few Spanish speaking patients at work, but have been too bashful to try any of my learning out on them... In time! Also on my To-Do list is to make a written word list with proper pronunciations of words.. I am loving the audio book, but for bigger sentences I just cannot keep up with how fast the speaker is talking to actually absorb it. I am serious about trying to learn Spanish, so I will try my best to find a way to learn..
The no smoking? It is going. I am still on the right track. It is getting EASIER, yes... However, at times, it is painful and I would love nothing more than to light up a cig. I had a drink on New Years Eve and man, did having that ONE drink make me want to smoke. I am not sure THAT will ever get easier...
The holidays (and few weeks after) were busy with a few friends in from out of town - it was wonderful to catch up with them. One of the highlights for me was finally meeting a girlfriend's new baby. She lives out in England, so we are not able to see each other that often and really rely on FB to keep in touch.. I really cherish the times we are able to get together in person.
So, that is about it.... I really will try to keep up with the blogging.. Honest!
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