Pretty Standard

Although I'm usually a "winter hater", this year I've been enjoying the beauty of winter as it showers us with its frozen beauty. And beauty almost seems like an understatement. Think... snow and frost covered trees, sun shining through fog lifting off the kettle river, mountains covered in snow with the deep blue/green from the trees peeking through. And that's just the scenery in which to enjoy fun winter activities!! I've been holding off blogging about my winter so far because it just feels like I'm bursting with joy at all the fun stuff going on... more like a diary entry or something. However, these moments are too precious to keep to myself. Today is December 24th - Christmas Eve Day! This evening I've been invited to go to Franny's house for dinner with Maureen, Marius and Maureen's parents. Then we're going to the church for 10pm mass and I'll finally get to hear Franny's beautiful voice!! So excited. Getting doll...

Well... isn't this a silly idea. All people and their dogs have similarities! Here's what I can sum up as mine with my pug Jasmine. Things in common: -we're both super cute -we both hide our eyes at something scary... me at scary movies, her when her nails are being clipped -we're both very vocal when we get hungry -we'll both sleep in till noon if given the chance -will do tricks for treats -both equally happy when we get to see each other again after being gone -we both prefer when our buddies are around -we both eat lamb - except hers is raw and off the carcass -both very agile despite our... broad dispositions -morning snuggles/bed snuggles/sleepy snuggles make our day! -we're both drawn to heaters and heating pads -we both turn into hot water bottles when sleeping -we both shed pretty bad -we both love sun bathing -we're both stubborn. Sometimes we listen, sometimes we don't. -we both love our Mums soooo much! -we both like to try new foods Differe...

I am heading North, people. Real north. North-north, like Yellowknife-North. After feeling stagnant on Floor 1, I applied for a position with Health Canada to work with the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch as a remote practice nurse. Lo and behold, and despite the intense interview, they offered me a job and I am heading to the capital of the Northwest Territories on October 16th! For 6 weeks I will attend Aurora College and complete their Isolated Advanced Practice course, followed by a 6 week practice consolidation in Anahim Lake. BC. When I've passed the test and all is well and good, Brendan and I will head out into the BC barrens, Farley Mowhat-style. It must be noted that, despite acting blase about it in conversation with colleagues and friends, I am scared . And I am sad to leave my family and friends. And I sometimes feel like I am not smart enough for all the responsibilities entailed. But I know that this is the right step. I feel as ...

Friday night, 10:38pm. Been up since 5am... worked at Curves then 3 movies in a row at the Gem. Feeling pretty exhausted. Had chocolate covered raisins for dinner and MAN did I feel crappy after that. Had to solder on and finish the night though. I need to be more prepared for these long days so my only options arent to buy chocolate covered raisins or quiche where half of said quiche has 27g of fat!! Got home 945pm, stepped in spilt tapioca, fed the dogs, had a shot of Jameson with my Dad, and here I sit on my bed with my little angel Jasmine chewing a chewy. One of her favourite past times - same with me. I am feeling the urge to write so here I am, however due to my somewhat brain dead state at the moment I feel like I'm rambling. Congrats if you've made it this far. I'm sipping Pabst Blue Ribbon on ice which isn't actually that bad, and thinking in anticipation of my trip to Australia in 5mths. Growing ever nearer... So much to do in the mean time though... so much ...

162 days till Australia. 22 days till my 26th birthday. 120 days till Christmas. What I'm about to write about is the changing times of life... I'm somewhat hesitant, because it is fairly personal and feels "hush hush" although it is such a natural thing. I suppose my above countdown is an attempt at blog procrastination. I've fessed up to some important women in my life that I'm starting to feel more maternal, but now I feel it's time to share this fact with anyone else who gets intrigued by the title of this blog. YES it's true, the girl who was unsure if she wanted kids and completely FREAKED OUT about the actual process of giving birth is feeling the urge to have babies. It all started a couple months ago or so, when I started feeling a bit more warm and fuzzy around little people, but in the last couple weeks more instances of being around kids have created a longing for a family. Now, BEFORE I GO ANY FURTHER, I must say this... I will not be havi...

 I had a great vacation with Nicolarrr and experienced some pretty awesome things, but I have seriously been living my own personal nightmare for two days. Instead of pouring more of my energy into the nightmare, and because Nicola pretty much gave me a friendship ultimatum ("Blog or we're through!"), I present you with this: Found via Dooce  Thank you, dogs, for once again allowing me to see truly matters in life: hilarious things set to classical music. Is there anything better?

1045pm. Showered, and not looking forward to my 430am wake up. Kind of hurts to type because of my barnacle-shredded finger tips, but this is faster than typing on my iPhone. Jesse and I left Cortes Island this morning. We said our goodbyes to Rebekah and Sinan and left the cabin and yurt about 845am. Ferry was leaving at 950am. Missed the first ferry (apparently it's busy on Sundays!) so caught the 1150am ferry. -2hrs. Next stop was Quadra Island where we met up with Kim and waited for the next ferry. Should have caught the 1pm ferry, but again they were backed up. -1hr. Hopped on over to Campbell River, grabbed a bite to eat, and headed back to try and catch the 440pm out of Departure Bay, Nanaimo. While driving down the highway we see a sign stating that the next ferry available was the 905pm... sheesh - there goes that plan!!! So kind of a frustrating day up till this evening when I decided it would be best to stay the night and give'r tomorrow morning! So her...

1121pm, laying with Jesse in the cabin on Rebekah and Sinans property on Cortes Island. Simply beautiful here. Rustic, green, quiet, full of sea life and bustling in the summer high season. Tonight Jess, Sinan, Rebekah and I went to Hollyhock (a spiritual retreat) to listen to two authors speak about alternative science and medicine - it was very interesting!! Their names were Rupert Sheldrake and Andrew Weil - great speakers! Talked about the human genome, inheratibilty problem, precognition and much more! Left with lots to ponder. We started the day today with a trip to Mansons Landing during low tide. It is stunningly beautiful during high tide but quite marvelous at low tide too. We went for a walk, picked up some star fish, found some sand dollars and shells, and absorbed some sunshine. Afterwards we went for a little drive around Cortes - Cortes is only about 20miles by 5miles so doesn't take long to get around. Next stop was Hanks Beach....... A rocky beach wit...

Few little tidbits to report first off... I've been exercising and eating right for about 3 weeks now, and have dropped 15lbs... I am so happy and feeling great!! I've had the last few days off which has been fantastic. The start to my staycation with Kim set the next days in order! I've been swimming and running every day! Jazzy and Maggie have both been down to the swimming hole with me, but Maggie is undoubtedly the most suited for water! Jazzy likes to wade, then gets upset if we swim to the other side of the river! So a bit of a hullaballoo (sound it out...) to say the least. Dad and Michele came home today from visiting family in Alberta for the weekend. Nice to see them home - now I don't have to do as many chores haha. Mind you, it is nice to be alone on the farm. It gives you a really freeing, yet connected feeling. Kim and I are road tripping it to the coast August 18th - can't wait! So happy she can make the trip with me. We're parting w...

11:04pm Saturday night... Just had a beer at the Station Pub with my friend Kim. Now sitting alone in the miata waiting for Kim to restore her energy with a 15min Qi Gong session in city park... Today I have felt happy, liberated, energized, cleansed, renewed, eager, anticipation, frustrated, giddy,and hopeful. I try to remain balanced and settled with everything going on in my life right now, but somehow the universe still knows how to mix things up. I digress. So my ticket to Australia is booked for March 8th, 2011. This means I've got just over 7mths left in Grand Forks. A lot can happen in 7mths - I wonder what the future holds? Dad and Michele are going away end of September for almost 2 months to England and South Africa so I'll be looking after the farm again. I may have to shave down one job or something. Not sure how that will work out! Kim and I drank a cleansing tea this morning - lemon, Ginger and cayenne. It felt amazing! Then we did the chores and went ...

So I'm laying in bed, exhausted after 2 hard days of work, trying to fall asleep. It's a nice early night, about 1030pm. After moving the inherited Persian cat Asa into another building, I'm awoken from my gentle slumber by the pounding of horses hooves around me. At first I think it's Rio feeling frisky and running about (Rio is the old horse that goes where he wants), but then the hooves get louder and it's evident there is more than one horse running around. *sigh* Up I get, in my pjs and crocs, to investigate. There's a bunch of horses out, I'm not sure which ones, but I let Dad know and to recruit some help. I mosey out, grab some horse treats, and am greeted by the whole lot who are wondering what I'm up to out there with them. I manage to lure in Xena and Babycakes first with cookies, then Kelsey, then Coco and Teri, and my dad gets Annie and Missy. The midnight horse round up went pretty well! I think they had fun. Nicola Henderson S...

I couldn't not post this somewhere. It is amazing. Moments , By William Hoffman (Thanks to hula seventy for posting it)

Life is about exploring as much as you can. Pushing your own limitations, and seeing what lies beyond. Explore the caves, mountains, oceans and deserts. But do not forget to explore your own mind. Listen to the voice inside - follow your heart. Fill your heart with love and be lovely as much as possible. Do not be afraid of the dark places in your mind, or the dark days. We all have dark moments, but do not let the dark rule the light. The light is the love and the love is what keeps us going on through life. After all, we are all just pink fuzz crawling about this magnificent chance planet in the middle of a sterile universe. Let us use our energy - the most powerful force we have - to move through life with joy, love, truth, and daring curiousity - all in the quest to find true happiness. Follow your dreams and make a difference in the world. If you do what you love there will be no other result than success. The joy, love, and dedication that comes when doing something ...

1040pm Wednesday night April 21st... Got bread going, stinky Jazzy is gnawing on her rope, and it's a beautiful evening - a balmy 15 degrees! It's gonna be a HOT ONE in Jogas tomorrow where I will perform my first solo closing shift. :D I saw "The Last Station" tonight at the Gem Theatre - it was a good movie about Tolstoy and his movement in Russia. It was a beautiful love story I thought! One of my first nights here I remember looking up into the sky and noticing a certain star... I noticed it because it was twinkling. Visibly twinkling, like a diamond. I couldn't remember if I had ever seen a star really twinkle before, but then I looked around at all the other stars and they were twinkling too! Now every night I see them twinkle down upon us in all the universe's glory. Perhaps because of the city lights I didn't see a twinkle before... it's really amazing how you see so few of the stars when you're in a metropolitan area. The sky is ...

I like to play little games with horses. I stand at the gate and call out to the bunch and see which one comes first. Reward is oats and a brush! So far, they aren't playing along so I'm forced to walk out into the field (a hundred yards or so) to retrieve a horse to spoil. There is one very sweet horse here named Coco, half thoroughbred half draft. A few days ago I brought her out and fed her some oats. The next day, she hung out and waited to be let out for more oats. Third day, and she's hanging by the gate - waiting, expecting. Day 4 and I'm not around in the morning so she finds me later in the day for more oats. Coco is not stupid! Day 5, and I really want to get on her back, but father is preoccupied. The horses are not following along with my "come when called" game so off I march to see who will walk back with me without a halter or lead - it's Coco! I start to jog, she trots along beside me - im happy she's playing my game and wer...

Got dry hands? Run them through a sheep's wool and soak up some lanolin. Unfortunately my hands have gotten very dry with all the hot water they've seen in the last couple weeks, but fortunately for me there is a friendly sheep here named Bella that would love if I ran my hands thru her wool! Woo! Want a fine garden but inexperienced in the ways of the gardener? Plant everything in the sheep pen and watch your veges sprout like weeds! Sheep manure is the best! Want to see lambs spring and bounce around like the telus commerials? Carry a bucket full of grain into the sheep pen. Craving farm fresh food? Go to the neighbors and get eggs, and go to the freezer for a lamb roast. All natural organic lovely delicious grass/grain fed lamb roast. Can't beat it. Luckily for me, I have done all these things! I am very curious to see if this fascination wears off in 6 months.

Today was a productive day. Delivered a couple loads of manure to a greenhouse. Turns out the owner who my dad has known for 32yrs also teaches scuba diving so I will definately be taking my open water PADI course with him this summer and doing open water dives in Christina Lake! Hopefully I can set up some barter system. Haha I can be so cheap. I seem to make some funny happenstances with people while delivering manure with father. I digress... Whilst feeding the lambs, I notice Maggie is after some kind of rodent in an unused irrigation pipe next to the sheep's pen. Maggie is the Jack Russel and rodents are her speciality. I head over to the pipe to see what's going on, and try to shake it out. Shake shake, bang bang, scratch squeak squeak, and it's not gonna come out. I do feel kind of bad that I'm helping Maggie bring this rodent to it's end, but I guess I'm a little sick that way. I used to trap moles for money - farm girl. Long story short (be...

Well it's 1215am and I want to be falling asleep, but I have a feeling that raspberry latte I drank at dinner time is still coursing through my veins. My mind is going bing-bing-bing through everything I learned today. Today being the first day on the job at Jogas Espresso Cafe in Grand Forks. I feel very accomplished now feeling comfortable with the espresso machine - not very quick on it yet but that will come with time of course. I'm going to try making my first London Fog tomorrow for myself - yay! There is also a live folk band playing tomorrow night so I'm just going to work straight through. Should be a fun time!! Also something else very exciting - this is my first job with tips! I loooove tips! I have a feeling I'll really be hamming it up behind the Jogas counter hahahahha. Weather has been quite odd - raining on and off and sunny most the rest of the time. Rain is not so fun on a farm - very sloppy!! I work this weekend at the Gem for Crazy Heart ...

Woke up to 1 degree weather today April 2nd, with snow. I'm currently sitting in the car on the side of the street accross from Perly waiting for my dad to finish checking out a garage sale. I look out over the great mountain to my left admiring the distant rain falling, and wonder what lies beyond this great mountain. I have often wondered what is beyond the mountains surrounding Grand Forks - maybe my dad will know. I've managed to get 3 jobs plus some house/farm sitting part time for when the neighbors go away on holidays for a few weeks. All the jobs are part time which is a bit of a bitch, but as an old family friend Fiona said today - at least I won't get bored doing the same thing all the time. I've seen two movies this week at the Gem Theatre - An Education and How To Train Your Dragon. My Dad and I went to see the latter Wednesday night which was great - Mrs. Paquet spoiled us! I work tonight and may starting painting Fiona for the 4th Shrek movie showcase comi...

Not even a security enabled wifi signal to be found anywhere. I am certainly suffering the effects today of technology or lack thereof. Drove through the mountains from kelowna to grand forks with Dad and had essentially "no signal" the entire way. Laying here now reflecting on this makes me think that perhaps I should appreciate and revel in the fact that I'm completely alone out here and tough to reach. I'm just going through a bit of ontario home sickness. I have completed leg one - I made it to grand forks. Holy shit!!! Next things on my list, not exactly in this order: get a job(s), join the aquatic centre, go to local bridge/crib/euchre/poker games, join grand forks choral society again and pick up some reeds and sheet music for my clarinet! Man all these things make me sound unbelievable cool. That ones for you Jesse. I also want to link up with a few special people (sister Olivia, friends al/matt/Kim). These things should all get me in the groo...

I said goodbye to Andrew today. I knew this would be the hardest off all of the goodbyes, but you can't fully prepare for the moments. He is such a special man. Over the past weeks I've been trying to prepare myself for this day in the hopes of making it less painful and more matter of fact. But of course, it's near impossible to be matter of fact about leaving a loved one. I wrote him a letter a few weeks ago telling him how great he is and trying to give myself closure and to ease the pain of our final goodbye. I suppose it helped over the past few weeks but had no effect today. Today I felt heart ache. Heart break. The kind of feeling you only feel when you are losing someone close to your heart. I don't know if I've ever felt the feeling before, but I made mental note of it in the hopes of never forgetting something so precious. The best way I can describe it is that it feels like a bird is in your chest trying to open and spread it's wings but...

Well out of a bit of boredom I've decided to write about not much. I've spent the last week or so seriously preparing for what is drawing nearer every day... moving from Toronto back to Grand Forks. Moving is never easy, but it's even less "easy" moving across the country. Not that I'm complaining - I quite enjoy the challenge of reducing my belongings into as few bags and boxes as possible! It's extremely liberating, but I still find myself experiencing separation anxiety from such sweet belongings I've grown accustomed to over the last few months and years... ie: my lovely high thread count sheets and most comfortable pillows ever, fun plates and bowls from IKEA, wooden bed side table, swiffer... you get the idea. There are two things I've kept though - my Ziploc zipper seal bags and my non-stick frying pan. YES. Jasmine has been a bit confused and upset by this whole ordeal - she's been tooting something terrible for the past several d...

Howdy bloggers and blogettes! Welcome to a special edition of Pretty Standard where an enterprising young man has invaded his wife's personal space in order to deliver a mighty "I love you!" for the most holy of holies, Balentines Day! You may be asking yourselves, "Is it really a good idea for Jess' husband to figure out how to log into her blog and leave his message of love and happiness for all to see?" The answer to this and many questions of life and love (and loooooove) is indeterminate, but one thing is certain: Jessica is a pretty great lady and I am extremely lucky to have tricked her into marrying me. Jessica is quite the impressive specimen. She is a hard-working medical champ, she brews her own sparkling wine, and participates in the all-woman MMA tournaments around Canada with a record of 16 wins - 1 loss (she was distracted by the cries of a young infant in danger. After throwing the fight she rescued baby and got it back to it's parent...

I try my best to smile at people I walk by on the street if we make eye contact. I have showers with my dog. I stay up late. I eat chocolate almonds frequently. I make lists and follow them. I enjoy hand sewing up dog toys and socks. I enjoy hand washing. I paint my nails pink and red... at the same time! I drink the cheapest wine possible and enjoy it more for that reason. I love (sexy) romantic comedies. Probably my favorite kind of movie. Doubly good if Woody Allen is involved. I experienced Acupuncture, Reflexology, and BodyTalk on Friday and swear by all of them!! I get insane excited butterflies in my stomach when I think about traveling and where I'll be in 1-5years. I thank my family for being so supportive and loving. Thanks Mum and Dad. I feel a big connection with cards (both the kind you play and the kind I make), teaching, and helping others. Notice how I left out all the bad things... hehe. Well that's not what this blog is all about and that's not what ...

What do you guys think about Valentine's Day? I usually loathe it, mostly because it feels like yet another intrusion upon our most intimate relationships by "the man". Every personal moment we have in life has a corresponding Hallmark card to go along with it. Yuck. And we all know "the man" plays to the lowest common denominator. In Hallmark world, love is either nauseatingly romantic ("Your eyes are as blue as the deepest ocean, your skin the smooth sand...") or pithily funny ("Ball and Chain, blah blah blah...").  I think we all know a truer romantic sentiment would be along the lines of, " I still love you this morning, regardless of the fact you bathed me in your fart-air all night ." Alas, we are taught that our professions of love need to be more profound and incorporate metaphor and other literary devices (written by someone else, no less) to really express our sentiment adequately. Double Yuck. Notice how I started thi...

I am a bad, bad, blogger. To ease myself back into it, and to earn back some blogger karma, here is a nifty update for everyone. What Jessica is: Watching: OMAR!! Brendan and I just watched Aziz Ansari's comedy central special and it was fu-u-un-ny! I tried to find a youtube clip to no avail, and comedy central are a bag of dicks to Canadians so I instead offer you an equally hilarious Human Giant sketch. Of particular note: I am simultaneously adding the entire cast of The Wire AND Human Giant to my "List". Rick Mercer is out, Aziz Ansari & Company are in. Reading: Committed , by Elizabeth Gilbert of Eat, Pray, Love fame. 'Twas good. She is a rock star . Writing & Obsessing over: Emails to peeps about grad schools . Ugh. I am a master obsesser and procrastinator, which means I will wake up at 3 am and ream myself out about the day I wasted doing yoga and singing songs to the dogs instead of getting down to business. Tomorrow, people. For re...

When Jessica and I started this blog it was supposed to be about love and life and the beauty we find in the everyday.... well, as you may have read, it's been a bit deeper than that over the past few posts. However, now that I am steadily coming out of my slumpy dumpys, I can see that even the slumpy dumpys are beautiful. Because difficult times help us grow into wiser, happier, more self fulfilling beings. I'm not out of the woods just yet, but I am definitely getting there - closer everyday! I credit this largely to a very influential friend who helped me believe that life has a plan. There is so much more waiting out there for me - everything will be OK. I am now venturing on a more spiritual journey to help find my peace and balance. After all, I think Einstein was onto something when he wrote "No problem can be solved from the same consciousness that created it." That digs deep within me and gives me hope. It makes me excited to learn more about myself ...

Yesterday I was almost in tears - today I forgive myself. I forgive myself for all the things I've done that make me feel bad or wrong or fearful or unhappy. Today I'm still in the dumpy slumpys, but at least I've forgiven myself. Now I finally feel like I have the strength to get out of this rut. I believe this forgiveness has been the key to ridding myself of any negative feelings and thoughts. They all sort of wash away so you can have a fresh continuation in life. Amongst other things... I forgive myself for all my past sugar binges. Now it's ok to move on and not make sugar binges a part of my life anymore. I, Nicola, am forgiven for my old sugar-binging ways. You, Nicola, are forgiven for your old sugar binging ways. She, Nicola, is forgiven for her old sugar binging ways. Affirmations are a huge part in my book "the only diet there is" by Sondra Ray. The diet is a love diet. And these affirmations are the strongest way to get love flowing th...

I wrote a post in December about accomplishing 30 goals before I turned 30 . Well, cross number 11 off the list! I cut my hair above my shoulders for the first time in a. very. long. time. And I love it! (excuse the crappy photobooth pic- my digital camera is d-e-a-d) While I am not sure I will keep this length or style, having my hair cut has certainly encouraged me to be more creative and courageous with my hair. I don't mean to cause anyone to misread this as a sign of the coming apocalypse, but it must be noted: I've only worn my hair in a ponytail TWICE to work. That's right people, two times. That is a major WIN- Universe: 15, Frumpy Ponytail: 2! Anybody else making goals? Resolutions? I'd LOVE to hear them.

Having just gotten back from Ottawa helping Andrew install a couple displays, I sit here while he naps pondering my near future. Jesse, we ought to be ashamed of ourselves - Dec 1 was last post!! If not for Danielle bugging me to write in the blog again you all might not have had the pleasure of knowing my thoughts and feelings at this current moment. Lucky you. I have lived in Toronto since March 23rd 2009. I moved here on a whim - was leaving the house Katie G and I had in Woodbridge and going out on my own. It's been alright - I know that I really love living surrounded by all MY own things (since there is no "our") - something I've never felt before. Makes you feel more at home. But alas, work has been dodgy to say the least, and my self motivation is questionable. I am moving to Barrie to live with one of my special lady friends, Katie Kirk. She is lovely, adorable, hard working, positive, funny, outgoing, and motivated. These are allllllll good things...