- the team has raised $10 530.00
- I followed an endurance spin with a one-hour massage (thanks, Sonia!). Massages>>>>>>>>>>>>yoga. I need them in my life on a regular basis.
- Joannie Rochette definitely made me cry. I want to give her many hugs. I'm sure Stace will touch on this at a later point.
- Academy Awards fundraiser next Sunday. If you want to come/want details, ask me.
- I really want to be an Olympian. 2018? Curling?
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Week #16 Roundup
New this week:
Friday, February 26, 2010
Life is like a basket of fruit?
At work, I get to interact with a lot of different people, some younger, some older. Today I was speaking with a woman whose husband is currently in a palliative care unit with cancer. She said that the head understands, that the head can accept losing loved ones, can recognize that we don't have forever, and when it's our time, it's our time. However, it's the heart that poses the problem. I always thought that was kind of funny - how we associate feelings with our heart even though all it does is pump blood. Theoretically, it has nothing to do with our emotions. And yet, where do you feel those pangs of sadness, grief, or conversely, excitement and joy? You feel it in your chest, don't you?
At one point, the woman told me that we're all like fruit: we start out undeveloped, we get ripe, and then one day we're beyond ripe and then that's it. I found this incredibly amusing. What a pleasant and interesting idea - much better than that box of chocolates concept. It got me thinking: what kind of fruit are we all? There's no question that dad was a tomato. While I jokingly made some comparisons between him and my stuffed tomato (Tommy) in my tribute, dad was truly alllllllllll tomato. He had the appearance of being firm, but he was a big softy on the inside. The perfect sidekick to any meal. In fact, dad loved tomatoes just as much as he loved chips, steak, and chocolate. Ketchup was his favourite condiment. He would put ketchup on everything, like...wait for it...rice (grossssssssssssss!). He would even add it to spaghetti sauce! We'd say, "Dad, it's already tomato sauce. Why do you need to add ketchup?" It was that simple, he just loved tomatoes. Perhaps here is the explanation for his affinity for Tommy.
And me? Am I a pineapple? Prickly on the outside, but sweet on the inside? Then again, I'm not very tropical. Would mom be a coconut with a tough outer shell? Is Stace a bunch of grapes? Extending everywhere and ready to burst at any moment and squirt you in the eye, annoyingly and obnoxiously? What are you? And more importantly, are we ripe yet?
At one point, the woman told me that we're all like fruit: we start out undeveloped, we get ripe, and then one day we're beyond ripe and then that's it. I found this incredibly amusing. What a pleasant and interesting idea - much better than that box of chocolates concept. It got me thinking: what kind of fruit are we all? There's no question that dad was a tomato. While I jokingly made some comparisons between him and my stuffed tomato (Tommy) in my tribute, dad was truly alllllllllll tomato. He had the appearance of being firm, but he was a big softy on the inside. The perfect sidekick to any meal. In fact, dad loved tomatoes just as much as he loved chips, steak, and chocolate. Ketchup was his favourite condiment. He would put ketchup on everything, like...wait for it...rice (grossssssssssssss!). He would even add it to spaghetti sauce! We'd say, "Dad, it's already tomato sauce. Why do you need to add ketchup?" It was that simple, he just loved tomatoes. Perhaps here is the explanation for his affinity for Tommy.
And me? Am I a pineapple? Prickly on the outside, but sweet on the inside? Then again, I'm not very tropical. Would mom be a coconut with a tough outer shell? Is Stace a bunch of grapes? Extending everywhere and ready to burst at any moment and squirt you in the eye, annoyingly and obnoxiously? What are you? And more importantly, are we ripe yet?
Monday, February 22, 2010
Week #15 Roundup
The team has raised $10 430. 00, which means that we have gone our first week without raising any money. Sad. Please keep those donations coming!
Today I had to order more contacts and so I called my optician who, along with his business partner, have known me and my parents since I was a baby (I must have been the youngest one and half year-old to wear bifocals). Every time I talk to a doctor/optometrist/dentist/etc., they ask how I am and then, always, "How's your dad?" This exchange was no different. There are still so many people who probably don't know, and how could we have possibly told them all? You don't think of these things at the time. Telling people is the worst part because you relive it all over again.
I was glad to see snow this afternoon and evening. Large, fluffy snowflakes that settle into your hair. Snow makes Toronto slow down, and that's always nice.
Today I had to order more contacts and so I called my optician who, along with his business partner, have known me and my parents since I was a baby (I must have been the youngest one and half year-old to wear bifocals). Every time I talk to a doctor/optometrist/dentist/etc., they ask how I am and then, always, "How's your dad?" This exchange was no different. There are still so many people who probably don't know, and how could we have possibly told them all? You don't think of these things at the time. Telling people is the worst part because you relive it all over again.
I was glad to see snow this afternoon and evening. Large, fluffy snowflakes that settle into your hair. Snow makes Toronto slow down, and that's always nice.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Flo-rider
If someone told me that my first ride on Florence was going to be on a beautiful and sunny Sunday morning, I would not have been surprised. If they had said it was going to be on February 21st, I would have pointed my finger straight at their face and labeled them a liar. However, this was the case. The day looked too wonderful to pass up. It also made me wonder how anyone could deny the existence of global warming.
Opting to pass on testing out my road shoes, I was decked out in F-troupe boots, baggy lulu pants (with the right leg tucked into ridiculous knee-high thermal socks, no less), two sweaters, and a neon green windbreaker. What a sight I must have been. I kept the ride light and limited to about 50 min, but I do think all my spinning paid off: I was able to keep my shoulders down and relaxed, as well as tackle a couple of hills that I previously would have been inclined to walk up.
Most importantly, now, I get it. I totally get it. When I was a driver, I was guilty of statements such as, "Does that cyclist have to take up THAT much space on the road?" and "I don't drive on the sidewalk!" The sides of Toronto roads are in poor condition, and it's much easier and safer to ride a bit further out and make yourself visible. I can't wait until my next ride, but I do regret not picking up some thermal leggings that I was thumbing through at Racer Sportif yesterday. Cycling is right up there with a book you can't put down, a song that you always have to listen to from beginning to end, and a Wallace.
Opting to pass on testing out my road shoes, I was decked out in F-troupe boots, baggy lulu pants (with the right leg tucked into ridiculous knee-high thermal socks, no less), two sweaters, and a neon green windbreaker. What a sight I must have been. I kept the ride light and limited to about 50 min, but I do think all my spinning paid off: I was able to keep my shoulders down and relaxed, as well as tackle a couple of hills that I previously would have been inclined to walk up.
Most importantly, now, I get it. I totally get it. When I was a driver, I was guilty of statements such as, "Does that cyclist have to take up THAT much space on the road?" and "I don't drive on the sidewalk!" The sides of Toronto roads are in poor condition, and it's much easier and safer to ride a bit further out and make yourself visible. I can't wait until my next ride, but I do regret not picking up some thermal leggings that I was thumbing through at Racer Sportif yesterday. Cycling is right up there with a book you can't put down, a song that you always have to listen to from beginning to end, and a Wallace.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
No-ga
As regular readers know, I am addicted to spinning. It borders on an obsession, really, as Stacey will affirm with a hefty amount of disgust. It has come to the point where no other kind of exercise will do. Treadmill? Dull. Swimming? Ruins my hair. Skating like little sis? HAHAHA. As a result, when super-duper friend and fundraiser Alyssa suggested trying out new types of exercise, I was game. We took to the computer for a little Internet research: boxing? Expensive. Kickboxing? Just as expensive. Pilates? Whoaaaaaaaaaaaa who can actually afford to do pilates? As a result, we settled on going to yoga together.
While my first yoga class was okay, I noticed a pain in my back for the rest of the week. Today, I gave it another shot after an endurance spin class. In theory, yoga + spinning sounds like the perfect combination - a chance to relax and stretch out those tense muscles and quieten the mind. After today, I am convinced that yoga is not for me. I do not doubt the benefits of it, but I'm willing to let go dreams of having a yoga body and improved flexibility. Holding tough poses, too much pressure on my palms, heavy breathing, chanting, and bare feet (bare feet gross me out) are not on my list of favourite things. Moreover, it is not recommended to practice yoga on a full stomach. This did not work out for me so well. I like to eat on the hour, every hour, and this class was an hour and a half in length. Right off the bat, you can see how problems might arise. Overall, I think I am better suited for intense cardiovascular activities with blaring music. Looks like I'll be sticking to my spinning, which is also quite mentally-consuming and spiritual in its own way. I truly believe that if I hadn't started spinning in November, I would have needed some serious therapy right now. Brain cancer is one of the most horrific things you could ever witness.
To close, can anyone recommend other fun activities to supplement my cycling training? 'Cause right now, yoga is a big no-go.
While my first yoga class was okay, I noticed a pain in my back for the rest of the week. Today, I gave it another shot after an endurance spin class. In theory, yoga + spinning sounds like the perfect combination - a chance to relax and stretch out those tense muscles and quieten the mind. After today, I am convinced that yoga is not for me. I do not doubt the benefits of it, but I'm willing to let go dreams of having a yoga body and improved flexibility. Holding tough poses, too much pressure on my palms, heavy breathing, chanting, and bare feet (bare feet gross me out) are not on my list of favourite things. Moreover, it is not recommended to practice yoga on a full stomach. This did not work out for me so well. I like to eat on the hour, every hour, and this class was an hour and a half in length. Right off the bat, you can see how problems might arise. Overall, I think I am better suited for intense cardiovascular activities with blaring music. Looks like I'll be sticking to my spinning, which is also quite mentally-consuming and spiritual in its own way. I truly believe that if I hadn't started spinning in November, I would have needed some serious therapy right now. Brain cancer is one of the most horrific things you could ever witness.
To close, can anyone recommend other fun activities to supplement my cycling training? 'Cause right now, yoga is a big no-go.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Happy birthday to me
Today I am 22. I feel both young and old and wonder how that can be. I also feel like that song that goes, "it's my party and I'll cry if I want to." Birthdays are rough when you can't spend them with the people that you would like to. I don't think dad would want me to be sad, but it's hard.
I will be seeing some special people who will brighten up my day, but I think at some point I will try to visit dad and cuddle with my pup. Sometimes cuddling with a pup is all you can do.
I will be seeing some special people who will brighten up my day, but I think at some point I will try to visit dad and cuddle with my pup. Sometimes cuddling with a pup is all you can do.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Week #14 Roundup
This entry will be a mishmash of things.
The team has raised $10 430.00! Woo!
We now have somewhat of a set lineup for our April 22nd fundraiser at the El Mocambo: BF Soul and FOXFIRE. DJ TBA. Doors open at 8pm. The cover is $10 and a canned food item. More details will come out when we have a poster put together.
Today we had a family Family Day potluck lunch. Family alerted us to the fact that fresh roses had been put on daddy's grave. We don't know who did it, but it is very nice all the same. Nevertheless, I still would like to know who did it and consequently, who to thank.
I miss watching Olympics with dad.
Tomorrow is my birthday. I opened a card from mom tonight and she noted (and I noticed) how the card is now signed "Love, Mom" instead of "Love, Mom and Dad." This makes me sad and I am not looking forward to my birthday.
The team has raised $10 430.00! Woo!
We now have somewhat of a set lineup for our April 22nd fundraiser at the El Mocambo: BF Soul and FOXFIRE. DJ TBA. Doors open at 8pm. The cover is $10 and a canned food item. More details will come out when we have a poster put together.
Today we had a family Family Day potluck lunch. Family alerted us to the fact that fresh roses had been put on daddy's grave. We don't know who did it, but it is very nice all the same. Nevertheless, I still would like to know who did it and consequently, who to thank.
I miss watching Olympics with dad.
Tomorrow is my birthday. I opened a card from mom tonight and she noted (and I noticed) how the card is now signed "Love, Mom" instead of "Love, Mom and Dad." This makes me sad and I am not looking forward to my birthday.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Coffee continued
I've been traveling 'round the city looking for really great coffee. As Stace noted in a previous post, Dad was always game for a good cup of coffee. Heck, he was always game for a bad cup of coffee. He used to start drinking coffee, leave it sitting on the kitchen counter, and then return to it hours later without even bothering to heat it up. Gross.
Today I have been to two coffee bars and have consumed two Americanos. I am wired. I had such pleasant walks around the city, which reminded me of all the walks dad I used to go on. We'd take out Wallace and have a stroll through the park. Together with our feisty and furry friend, we'd tackle two evils: hills and humidity (dad ALWAYS wore too many layers in the summer, and we all know about my deep-seated aversion to heat). Still, even on hot summer days, I used to go on a run (without Wallace...as if I could ever get Wallace to run with me) and dad would enthusiastically tag along - me running a few hundred feet ahead and then doubling back to check on him. And there he would be, walk walk walkin' along at his slow and steady pace. And then we'd have a coffee. Maybe a Booster Juice.
While it would've been nice to show dad my favourite parts of Toronto and do endless coffee crawls, I realize that where he is, dad probably gets as much of that liquid gold as he wants. Andddddd he probably doesn't have to deal with windchill in the process. Dad: 1, Dana: 0.
Today I have been to two coffee bars and have consumed two Americanos. I am wired. I had such pleasant walks around the city, which reminded me of all the walks dad I used to go on. We'd take out Wallace and have a stroll through the park. Together with our feisty and furry friend, we'd tackle two evils: hills and humidity (dad ALWAYS wore too many layers in the summer, and we all know about my deep-seated aversion to heat). Still, even on hot summer days, I used to go on a run (without Wallace...as if I could ever get Wallace to run with me) and dad would enthusiastically tag along - me running a few hundred feet ahead and then doubling back to check on him. And there he would be, walk walk walkin' along at his slow and steady pace. And then we'd have a coffee. Maybe a Booster Juice.
While it would've been nice to show dad my favourite parts of Toronto and do endless coffee crawls, I realize that where he is, dad probably gets as much of that liquid gold as he wants. Andddddd he probably doesn't have to deal with windchill in the process. Dad: 1, Dana: 0.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Week #13 Roundup
I think my bike's name is Florence. The more I say it, the more it feels right. Stace named her bike Harold. Harold and Florence. Cute couple.
This week, the team is up to $10 130.00. Donations have slowed, but hey! Valentine's Day (the 14th) AND my birthday (the 16th) are coming up. If anyone wants to show their love for me or any other member of the team, I wholeheartedly encourage you to do so with a donation. Nothing says "I love you" or "Happy birthday" like a donation and a tax receipt. Think about it.
I think I need to find a new hobby - one that doesn't involve spending money. When dad was in the hospice, I didn't have a whole lot of extra time on my hands, and needless to say, I didn't have time to be overly social. Now I still don't feel like being social and so I spend a lot of time shopping, which has become my coping mechanism of choice. Actually, I think it's how the three of us feel better. I didn't realize it until recently, but one month after dad passed away, the three of us each went shopping for clothes, even though we had work/school/other things to do. I can't really figure out what I should be doing or what I want to be doing. I'm probably crazy for saying this, but I miss being in school. I miss having papers to write and books to read that I probably wouldn't have instinctively picked up. At the same time, I pick up a book now and my mind wanders. Where? I couldn't even tell you.
Friday was the 40th day of dad's passing. I don't know if it's a Filipino thing or a Catholic thing, but my mom's side had a get together to commemorate the 40th day. Apparently, a person's soul travels the earth for forty days and on the 40th day, they decide where they will go. As such, we went over to my grandparents' place with a bunch of other relatives and there were prayers and lots of food. I don't know about you, but I would like to think that when I go, I'm gone. None of this wandering soul business. Stace and I were talking about it - where we think dad is - and we hope that he's somewhere happy, in a place where we will see him again. Maybe in an ever-expanding space. Wallace could come, too. That's my idea of heaven.
This week, the team is up to $10 130.00. Donations have slowed, but hey! Valentine's Day (the 14th) AND my birthday (the 16th) are coming up. If anyone wants to show their love for me or any other member of the team, I wholeheartedly encourage you to do so with a donation. Nothing says "I love you" or "Happy birthday" like a donation and a tax receipt. Think about it.
I think I need to find a new hobby - one that doesn't involve spending money. When dad was in the hospice, I didn't have a whole lot of extra time on my hands, and needless to say, I didn't have time to be overly social. Now I still don't feel like being social and so I spend a lot of time shopping, which has become my coping mechanism of choice. Actually, I think it's how the three of us feel better. I didn't realize it until recently, but one month after dad passed away, the three of us each went shopping for clothes, even though we had work/school/other things to do. I can't really figure out what I should be doing or what I want to be doing. I'm probably crazy for saying this, but I miss being in school. I miss having papers to write and books to read that I probably wouldn't have instinctively picked up. At the same time, I pick up a book now and my mind wanders. Where? I couldn't even tell you.
Friday was the 40th day of dad's passing. I don't know if it's a Filipino thing or a Catholic thing, but my mom's side had a get together to commemorate the 40th day. Apparently, a person's soul travels the earth for forty days and on the 40th day, they decide where they will go. As such, we went over to my grandparents' place with a bunch of other relatives and there were prayers and lots of food. I don't know about you, but I would like to think that when I go, I'm gone. None of this wandering soul business. Stace and I were talking about it - where we think dad is - and we hope that he's somewhere happy, in a place where we will see him again. Maybe in an ever-expanding space. Wallace could come, too. That's my idea of heaven.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
(Belated) Week #12 Roundup
Team Hendy has cracked the $10 000 mark! At the start of this, I never thought we'd be able to raise that much money. Clearly, I underestimated the generosity of so many people. Still, the team has to raise another $2500 for Matt, so if you are still interested in donating to our Ride, please support him!
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