I'm a sucker

**Update July 31, 2011**
I found a display of the old packaging at Walmart. Now you understand why I was attracted to the new advertising campaign!

Shopping for feminine products is not only about personal taste but about wisely picking your preference. A wide assortment awaits on the store shelf, each enticing you to choose their product...overnight, regular, long, heavy, light, super absorbent, medium absorbent, light, super thin, super thick, Kotex, Stayfree, Always, OB, Tampax. The list goes on! I'm not sure if men understand that picking out feminine products is like picking out a new car. Well maybe not quite the same!

I have used the same brand for YEARS but decided I need a change. While browsing the aisle at my local supermarket, I was immediately drawn to this Kotex box! Kotex has changed its marketing strategy I see. They used to be geared to "older" ladies! I LOVED the colour and creative design leaping out at me from this box!

I couldn't wait to get home and see what was inside. This is what I found...


Funky design! Now the true test is yet to come. Do they work as well as my handy dandy, tried and true favourite feminine product? I'll keep you posted! I am a sucker for creative, colourful design! Hey, if this marketing strategy works to help make our monthly cycle more bearable then bring it on!

How about this hairstyle ?

I am enjoying my week long March Break thus far, but knew I needed to post these pics I took on my mobile phone the last school day before break. As I walked into this student's class that day I was immediately in awe of her new 'do!



I LOVE the creativity! It was even more funky and cool in person! Isn't it AWESOME! I wish I could do this with my hair! Enjoy your day.

posted with permission by student!

Streetstyle Photographer J'adore...

J'adore French photographer/journalist/illustrator Garance Dore! Do you think this look would attract the streetstyle photographers?!

"Ode to Bruce!" Dressed up in 80's garb for an 80's party with friends in the 'Shwa!

Chocolate Milkshakes

"Happiness" on Mary Lake

Today, one of my students in grade 5 said the following to me when he heard I was going to McDonald's for lunch:

" Miss W, are you going to McDonald's for your birthday too? You should go to Kelsey's and get a chocolate milkshake. It is like... TASTING HAPPINESS!"

Guess where I am headed tonight?!

My December Happenings...

...FROM an 80's party, visit with best friends, walking in the 'hood, seeing famous celebrities at a taping of the "Battle of the Blades" tv show ( hockey players; Theo Fleury, Val Bure, etc., figure skaters; Jamie Sale, Katarina Gordeava, Shae Lynn Bourne, Kurt Browning, etc.' Ron McClean host), sleeping in my favourite plaid flannel sheets, singing jingles in our church's Christmas production set in the 1940's (I tried to put my hair in pincurls like they did in the '40's but it was a disaster!) , dog/cat/house sitting, walking the dog in the old Cullen Gardens and Minature village which is now overgrown but turned into a lovely park with some of the old pathways and buildings, taking some of my students Christmas carolling at the local Starbucks, Christmas shopping, eating yummy Christmas treats, TO spending time with family celebrating our Saviour's birth. I love December. Now on to embracing the rest of the winter! (click on photo collage to enlarge the pics)

Finally....

Finally I am posting my last two days of the "1o day challenge" over at Feathers of Inspiration. I'm a little late but like someone once said, "better late than never!"

Day Nine: Two smileys that describe your life right now.

Well actually I am posting three because I just couldn't decide.

The way I look after eating "pizza lunch" with my students!

The way I look after spending all day helping my students with their maths!

Wondering what I would look like if I were to wear this fabulous designer scarf!

Day Ten: One confession

I sleep with ear plugs, a retainer, "Breathe Right strips" ( An amazing product by the way!) and sometimes a face mask for good measure. I'm a sight for sore eyes!

That's me at the Hyatt Hotel, Yorkville, Toronto attending a conference. I don't normally stay in such high class hotels so I was mesmorized!

** All pics are courtesy of google images, except for the one directly above this message. **

10 Day Challenge

My friends over at Feathers of Inspiration are taking us on an unique 10 day challenge. I am just joining in on the fun. Why don't you!

Day Seven: Four turn offs.

1) Bad breath.

2) Extremely tight jeans on guys.

(I found this pic on google images!)

3) Guys that don't pay for coffee on the first date.



4) Conceited people.

questions

I love asking unique questions. I'm not sure why but suspect it has to do with my interest in finding out more about the people in my life. Over at this Feathers of Inspiration blog post you will discover they like asking unique questions too! What are your answers? Here are mine:

Six things I wish I'd never done:

1) Taken grade 11 and 12 math in one year.

2) Not standing up for that "misfit" in my high school who was teased frequently. Her locker was beside mine. I wish I would have had more guts back then.

3) Transferred to YFC Brockville. Although the difficult time I encountered there made me stronger, introduced me to some beautiful people and led me to a healing place at GCC, which in turn allowed me to meet more beautiful people.

4) Walked away from that moment where I should have kissed Freddie the farmer(my ex boyfriend) on the corner of Calgary Trail and Whyte Ave., Edmonton, Alberta many years ago!

5) Crashed my dad's brand new 1983 Cutlass Supreme into the side of the hospital parking garage where he was being treated for an ulcer! I made it worse that day. I was 16 years old and had recently gotten my driver's licence. But, I received the best advice from the police officer that day...he told me to get back into that car and drive it home or I would never want to drive a car again! I must also add that as the accident was occuring, our close family friends were parking their car in this same garage, as they were on their way up to see my dad in the hospital! It was a God-thing for sure. They were a great help to me and still are to this day!

6) Permed my hair! For years I never realized I had naturally wavy hair and didn't need a perm because I always permed my hair!

is it really the end of summer? back to work already?

Saturday August 21, 2010 Tommy Hilfiger, Outlet Mall, Niagara Falls, ON

I am grateful for my job and grateful for the holidays we receive. I must confess, and this may sound strange, it is hard to go back to work (September 7th, my birthday!) after having the summer off. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining, but I wish I could retire VERY early! Since that isn't an option, I am anticipating the arrival of my cousins from Northern Ireland tomorrow. It will be a great way to end my fantabulous summer! Cheerio for now!

summertime dilemma...

...poolside at "kiddie" therapy pool where we have access to our "cabana boy" bringing us strawberry daiquiris?

Or...poolside at "adult-sized" pool surrounded by peace, quiet and gorgeous country scenery with no access to a "cabana boy?"

Dilemma solved. I did enjoy the "kiddie" therapy pool with my friend John! However, both options have been heavenly this summer. We have been having hot, humid sunny days. I am having a relaxing summer during my "staycasion," doing an odd assortment of activities close to home. I don't want to think about going back to work in one month! My cousins from Northern Ireland arrive on the 26th for a few weeks, which I am greatly anticipating. My mind is in such a relaxed mode I haven't been blogging much. But, I have a few stories brewing. I trust you are enjoying your summer wherever you are! Peace out!

What I saw today while out riding my new bike...

... isn't she cute! I love her!

We woke up to the work of graffiti "artists" in our neighbourhood...on the wall of the school...

...on the bus shelter...

...on the garbage can...

...on the emergency exit at our apartment building. Our superintendent has now repainted the door so it is as good as new!

In spite of the graffiti, spring is in the air...

Enjoy your Easter weekend!

"Christ the Lord has Risen today....Hallelujah!"

Tutoring for the technically challenged individual

Look at this adorable 2 year old I encountered at church on Sunday night while rehearsing with our band. I couldn't believe he knew his way around this...







... Yup, an iPod touch! This two year old who can barely form sentences I understand actually taught me, a technically challenged older young woman, how to use this device! It was priceless. And look how adorable he is with his snazzy headphones! I think he should start his own business for the technically challenged!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

"May you always have a clean shirt, a clear conscience, and enough coins in your pocket to buy a loaf of bread."

"May you have the hindsight to know where you've been, the foresight to know where you are going, and the insight to know when you have gone too far."

"May I see you grey and combing your grand children's hair."

"May your morning bring joy and your evenings bring peace, may your troubles grow less as your blessing increase!"

"May you have all the happiness and luck that life can hold-And at the end of all your rainbows, may you find a pot of gold (how about an Ulster Fry instead)!"

I am hosting a wee St. Paddy's Day party tonight. Looking forward to good friends, good food, good Bailey's, good craic, lots of laughter and hot-tubbing!
Enjoy your St. Patrick's Day holiday my fellow Northern Irish family, friends and descendants. And cheers to my other friends who will be celebrating!

eternal youth

That's me, a youthful, 19 year old in Pisa, Italy, December 1986, eating bread, cheese and wine on the steps of the "Leaning Tower of Pisa."

I love people watching. I also love eavesdropping in on the conversations of strangers. Last night was no exception.

I took the GO Train into Toronto to see my friend perform in the "Latin American Music Ensemble" at Uof T's Faculty of Music. As usual, I had quite the adventure on the train.

Sitting behind me were a group of rambunctious teenage boys excited about their trip to the motor cross event at the Skydome , which is now called "The Rogers Centre." But I prefer to use the original name because it describes the unique domed stadium.

Anyways, I had no problem tuning into their gossip. No surprise it centered around farting and sex. I was most interested in one lad's dilemma with his girlfriend. He seemed quite upset, even seemingly remorseful, over the fact she was mad at him. I thought to myself, "wow, this guy has a sensitive side." My assumptions were farther from the truth. His words, " yea, her being mad at me last night meant I didn't get laid," told the whole story!

He continued to deliberate the liabilities of unprotected sex speaking at length about abortion. This topic sparked a naive (in my opinion) dialogue amongst the lads which went something like this:

Lad 1: "My girlfriend and I are prepared. But, if she gets pregnant it is free to have an abortion anyways."
Lad 2: " No it's not free."
Lad 1 and Lad 3: "Yes it is."
Lad 4: "No, it costs $70."
Lad2: " That is only if you have a health card." (my thought here: doesn't everyone, especially these teenage boys living at home and in Ontario have a health card)
Lad 2: " It costs $300 without a health card."
Lad 1&3: " S. had an abortion in Toronto last week and she's okay."

The conversation quickly switched to another topic.
Ah, *sigh* the life- and mind- of adolescent males!

On my way home, I had equally exciting conversations going on around me. A 60 year old drunk, polite, special needs man was discussing with his buddy about this "cougar who hit on him tonight!" She must have been like 80 years old! The entire train car got a play by play.
Then, a drunk 50 year old had the entire train car singing Chicago tunes! But I wasn't interested in these conversations.

Why you ask.

I was busy catching the eye of the train ambassador. He was sooo cute and kept staring at me. We kept making eye contact. Eventually we spoke snippets of wisdom to each other. I thought he was flirting with me!

Once again, my assumptions were farther from the truth! Just as I was about to exit the train at my stop, he spoke to me in his deep, sexy voice,
" you remind me of a former high school teacher of mine. She was great and I loved her."

WHHAAAATTT!
I thought he was going to ask for my phone number! I thought I still looked young enough for this hot, train ambassador to hit on me. What a fool I am! Cougar I am not! Maybe I should have made eye contact with the 60 year old drunk special needs man! I chuckled to myself, and told him I actually work in the education sector as a Teacher's Assistant (Educational Assistant is my formal title). He thought that was great! At that instant, we bid each other farewell.

In my mind, I still feel I am basking in the glory of the fountain of eternal youth and that is what matters!

Survival, Birthday Cake and TIFF

Survived my first week back to work- a feat in itself, especially with the intense humidity! My new schedule is crazy busy, along with my fellow EA's, but I am enjoying the students I will be working with this year. No doubt, I will have a few more student "yarns" to share here on my blog.

I am celebrating my birthday all weekend - why not, eh?! I am heading down to TIFF (Toronto International Film Festival) tonight with my sista's to stalk some celebrities - hopefully Brad Pitt and George Clooney, and ya'll know how I feel about my George! You know I'll be posting pics of my adventure!

On Saturday, I am heading up north to a friends cottage with my folks - you know the ones with no inhibitions!

Then on Sunday, my actually birthday, I am having some friends pop on by for some of my mother's AMAZING chocolate torte - which is our family's traditional birthday cake!

A fun-filled weekend...for more, stay tuned!

George Clooney....still more...

You can imagine my excitement when I turned on "Breakfast Television" ( a City TV morning news program based out of Toronto) this morning and they informed the viewers about this article in the National Post.... So I definitely decided I needed to go and get myself a copy on my way to work. The article reads,

"Why just read about George Clooney and Sarah Larson's breakup-People magazine broke the story yesterday-when you can actually live it? To activate this innovative feature of your National Post, simply follow the instructions below and watch celebrity news come alive before your eyes!"

I am GREAT at following instructions....

Here's one for my George-ey!!