New condo development

I just received an email from a builder for a new development of condo's released in my city for 2012. I am so tempted to go look and maybe even buy a place. I know this is totally out of line with my plans of returning to Germany but it is just a thought. I don't really have enough money for it right now but if push came to shove, I would raise the funds needed.

The prices are kinda steep but is the going rate especially for my city. The next city over is even worst in terms of pricing as it is pretty desirable and very nice, I must admit. The phase one rate for a 1 bedroom is $179k and 1 bedroom + den (which is what I would like) is $185k. Very expensive considering the size of the spaces but this is what is out there. Housing costs keep getting higher and higher.

I think I might go take a gander and look see though. Just to keep my options open. I might hate them on site but I doubt that. The other set of condos that this is currently building are absolutely stunning (from the same builder). I was salivating the day I went to view their model unit. I just love how the place is basically turn key. In any case, I will see what happens. I might go and not be interested as well as I might not go at all.

Thinking about Christmas in November

It is kind of hard not to think about Christmas in November when you see it all around you. As soon as Halloween was finished, out flew the Christmas stuff. I have to admit that I am excited about the holidays. Even in November. I love Christmas and most of what it entails. I love all the colors and the music and the smells and just the general feeling of happiness with the season. This morning while driving to work a commercial on the radio was playing some Christmas tune and I immediately perked up and visions of baking and shiny trees and smiling people entered my head.

Our new family tradition at home of Kris Kringle has repeated itself this year and I am already thinking, thinking, thinking of ideas. I think we are going to be giving out our wish lists very soon which will makes things that much easier but I have a few ideas already for the person I do have. I buy for a few friends also and I think I know what I will be getting for each. I have to also think about stocking stuffers.

Another small thing I have been pondering is the baking for work. Last year I made some cookie treats for my coworkers and they all really loved them. I loved making them. The whole process of pre-preparing, buying the ingredients and the actual baking and packing was so much fun for me. I really got into it but at the time I was in my own house, in my own kitchen and it made a huge difference. I was free to do what I wanted as I was master of my domain. Now that I am back home, I am not too sure if I want to invest in the time in baking treats. It just isn’t the same. I will keep thinking on this and make a decision by the end of next week but so far, I am leaning toward no more than yes. Are you excited about the holidays already?

Bike travel

Yes, this is another post on travel, well imaginary that is. For a few years now, I have been looking at all the cool ways one can travel but the most intriguing thus far, to me, is the concept of biking touring. I absolutely love the concept of biking your way around a country or an area during vacation. It sounds tiring but the possibilities of seeing more in-depth details of a county and/or city in a shorter period of time is very attractive.

I would love to explore this one day. At least one trip I would love to pedal my way around and take in the country. There are so many cool options out there and the range of possibilities that companies offer is outstanding. One thing I have always dreaded or been reluctant to sign up in group travel is the dreaded single supplement that is almost necessary for all the singletons. Well, it seems that more than a few of these bike tour companies offer tours specifically for singles or solo travelers without the pesky supplement. Of course, there is a time limit to book in order to avoid said fee but they are doable (if you are an book in advance type of person like myself).

I am not a fitness fanatic or anything and thankfully, most of these trips are geared (or seem to be) toward normally active people. This takes the stress out of such th concept where I wouldn’t feel I have to zip along at top speed to keep up with the other travelers. What’s the point of the trip and spending all that money if all the sites or beauty is blurry as you try to keep up with the others. Oh, how I wish I could take a trip like this soon. What do you think of bike touring?

Going raw

I am seriously thinking of moving toward the whole raw food diet lifestyle. My mother has this book, Fit For Life, that has been kicking around our house for as long as I can remember. I always liked the book because of its cover-fruit based and brightly colored. I absolutely love fruit and can’t imagine my life without it so I guess that is why I always gravitated toward this book, in a subtle way.

My mother redecorated my dad’s den a few months ago and during the purging process she asked us kids to go through our books and give/throw away what we deemed fit. There were a lot of sentimental childhood relics to go through. Of course the Fit For Life book was among the stack and I once again, picked it up and put it aside. It is my mothers book but it was on its way out so I decided to make it mine. I actually got down to reading the thing about 2 weeks ago and I am really fascinated about the concept of clean eating. Of course it is not for everyone but I think it might be for me.

I started to delve deeper into the whole fruit/vegetable/living food diet world and came up with the whole raw notion. I love this lifestyle (at least in theory as I have not put it to practice) plan but it looks difficult to actually implement in life. Imagine eating purely living, uncooked food for the rest of your days? Sounds so tempting but a might difficult in our fast-food/rush-rush society. But, I think I might implement this plan into my life as a sort of sociological experiment.

I am not going for the 100% raw diet but something along 70% (all meals but dinner). I am positive that I will enjoy this way of eating since meat is not my love, and fruits are so good. For me, the thought of eating mangos, pineapples, kiwis, strawberries, carrots, beet, apple etc. as pure juices and smoothies makes me smile. Honestly, so not hard.

So, in light of my big talk, I am going to go on a 70% raw diet for 30 days. I will start this November 9 and stop December 9 and report the changes. I can tell you already that my energy levels will be off the chain as I started eating as per the Fit For Life concept the ending of September (for a week) and I felt absolutely fantastic during those days. Almost immediately I was dropping asleep really quickly (I have sleeping issues) and waking up bright eyed and ready to run. At work, the afternoon “down” did not push me. This was only after 4 days of having only pure fruit juice (nothing processed) and fruit, salads and veggies for lunch and breakfast. Dinner was some sort of salad with some carbs and no meat (just because I didn’t want the meat). In any case, I am all ready to start. I have dusted off my mothers juicer she had stored in the basement, I bought huge bags of carrots and beets (only $2.00 each at Loblaws this week!) and am ready to go. I will let you guys know how my experiment went in December

Travel still on my mind….Peru

I have said on this blog numerous times that I have been fascinated with the Macchu Picchu since grade 10. I fantasize about Peru off and on especially when the travel bug hounds me. He has been on my back for about two weeks now, plaguing me and making me think of ways in which I can escape for a few days to…..basically, anywhere!

Things went from bad to worst for me last week after chatting with two friends about some U.S. trips we will take in early 2010. I thought that the bug would settle down after it got its fix but oh no, those piddly destinations did nothing to quiet its hunger. I have to say that I am now at a frenzied pace looking (dreaming of, of course) at Peru as my next big option of travel. This all came to a head when I was talking to my Peruvian coworker about his country. At one point he sat there laughing at me and I had no idea why. When I asked him what was so funny, he replied that he was laughing at the dreamy look I got in my eyes and the signs escaping my mouth as he explained about the wonders of Peru.

So, the fire is still burning and I feel I must take a trip there. I have been exploring a lot of sites on what they offer as I am not interested in a 7 day tour. I would like to do a 15 day tour full of everything Peru. Coincidentally, my coworker’s father friend owns a tour company right here in the GTA specializing in tours around Peru! I wish I could explore this option along with others. I don’t think I would like to explore this fascinating country on my own as I am kinda chicken of the rain forest and such so a group tour (smallish) is what I have in mind.

It is so funny because yesterday, as I was trapped in an all day training meeting, where my mind wandered a billion times to Germany, I was seriously thinking of giving up the part time job. As I looked around the room, I noticed that all the other women looked so posh and up to date with their glossy polished finger nails and beautiful clothing. My clothes weren’t bad but nails have seen better days. I was doing the old, the grass is greener on the other side crap. Well, I have retracted that thought and fast! If I want to keep up my vagabonding ways, I need (well, not really but extra cash helps) that second job to keep it going. In any case, I would love to look into going to Peru next year. This is a pipe dream of course since I have to save money to move to DE (hopefully), save for my own place and still fund retirement and living. Yeah, it’s all a dream but what a wonderful dream it is.

October challenges recap

Yeah, I am so very embarrassed but I did not even remotely come close to completing anything on my October challenge list. After I wrote the post, I don’t even think I glanced at it again. One because of time constraints and fatigue and two, because I was ashamed of myself for not getting anything done. Anyway, here are the results (as I hang my head in shame):

Goal: Save $1000.00 for condo fund – allocated money but not to this fund

Goal: Open a TFSA with work for automatic deductions starting November 1 - nope

Goal: Work out 5 days a week with the P90X program alternating cardio X & kempo X – that’s hilarious! NO.

Goal: Plan some sort of mini-get-away for myself this month – Actually, shockingly, I did plan it. it is not for months from now but at least I know where I will be going.

Goal: Run 3 days a week – Aw, how cute. No.

Goal: Shed at least 5lbs – I don’t think so, so – Fail.

How horrible! I have no words. I have totally skipped on the challenges for November as I don’t relish the fact in beating myself up and feeling bad about non productive goals so I will lay off this for this month. However, I am back on the horse next month. Come hell or high water I want to complete at least 75% of my next challenges.

NaBloPoMo

I’m going to attempt this NaBloPoMo thing. So far, I missed Nov 1 but I had no idea about NaBloPoMo so in my eyes, I can still enter. Anyway, here’s goes nothing. And, here's hoping I can find something to write about everyday!