Just Another Monday Night

It's been a mellow day. I wrote, I read, I sipped my coffee. I picked up enough fresh food to keep me fuelled for full work days - I find many small snacks work best. On the menu for tomorrow: salad with roasted chicken breast, organic vanilla yogurt, sliced peaches, walnuts and a Granny Smith apple.

Tonight I listen to the game on CBC.ca. Spezza just scored Ottawa's second goal with less than a minute left in the third. I just finished planting heirloom tomato seeds Mom collected from last year's crop. It was soothing to play in the dirt. The timing falls well; I can watch them grow as I do the same in my new job.

My lunch is ready, I've laid out my clothes for tomorrow and gathered colourful pens, paper clips and sticky notes to fill my cubicle with good cheer. A cold Stella is waiting for me in the fridge. All is good.

Sabbatical Reflections - Part V

I thought I'd spend my last weekend off going out with a bang: dancing at Gracie's on Friday, housecleaning Saturday and a good long hike Sunday. My body said "Not so." Instead I felt achy, tired and sick to my stomach, and for a good portion of the two days experienced shallow breathing and chest pains. Perhaps a bit of back-to-work anxiety? Perhaps indeed.

I'm finally facing the fact that I'm anxious about going back to work. Good. Now I can deal with it.

Montreal - A Rich Experience

I've so many things to say about my last-minute escape to Montreal I don't know where to start. Do I talk about what I did? About how I did it? About travelling slowly? About travelling solo? And what about Maurice Denis, Marguerite Bourgeoys and the Blue Morpho butterfly that landed on my hand?

The trip was full of new experiences and discoveries, interspersed with a few very emotional moments brought on by the colours and words of French painter Maurice Denis, and the vision and courage of Montreal co-foundress Saint Marguerite Bourgeoys.

I suspect a series of posts describing some of these experiences will be forthcoming. Thoughts and insights are floating around in my head in various states of completeness. It might take me a few days to craft them into legible text.

Such a rich experience in only a few days ...

Auberge Les Bons Matins - The Breakfast Experience

The food: freshly squeezed orange juice, mini-croissant with soft cheese, french toast with maple syrup, western omelet with fresh fruit, coffee, coffee, coffee

The decor: bright yellow dining room walls opening to a lime green kitchen, twisted wooden pillars, metal lantern light fixtures and tiled bistro tables - perhaps lending the room a Mediterranean feel?

The ambiance: fresh Gerbera daisies gracing the table, book-filled shelves flanking the hearth, Edith Piaf crooning in the background, sun and cool air floating in from the window, smiles, smiles, smiles

With a full belly and highly caffeinated sense of discovery, I'm off to enjoy my second day here in Montreal. I haven't decided what to do yet. Do I catch the Musée des Beaux-Arts then go to Old Montreal? Do I explore rue St-Denis' eclectic shops? Who knows where the day will lead.

An Urban Travelling Experiment

I've decided to take an impromptu trip to Montreal. I think it's my way of fitting in one last adventure before my return to work. Although I'd been mulling it over for several months, it was truly a last-minute decision. I booked my train tickets and accommodations last night and at 6:23 this morning, I was chugging East to Montreal.

A few things inspired me to do it:

• D. suggesting that I counter my "I don't wanna go back!" outburst by planning something fun this week,
• a few interesting temporary exhibits at the Musée des Beaux-Arts and the Montreal Botanical Garden, and
• an Auberge I've been wanting to visit for at least 3 years.

So I write to you from the Auberge's lobby, sitting at a weathered wooden table. Techno beats play in the background. The colours give the place an urban bistro feel: lime green, blue and tangerine orange walls; wall-sized artwork with deep shades of red; a white marble hearth. The ornate ironwork, rich woods and cacti insert a flair more akin to that of a hacienda.

My suite is warm and energetic with brightly-coloured walls, a working fireplace (for sub-zero temperatures only) and oodles of natural light. Did I mention the jacuzzi? The extras make this place special too: two PCs offering free high-speed Internet access, a shared kitchenette in each housing unit - the Auberge owns several on the street - complete with microwave, kettle and fridge, and a cookie jar full of cookies that melt in your mouth.

The Auberge is close to René Levesque Blvd, Peel and Sainte-Catherine streets and central to major métro routes. My only complaint is that the street connecting this one to the main drags is a little shady for my taste. I wouldn't feel comfortable walking it at night - but I've always preferred erring on the side of caution when it comes to those things.

For tonight, I'll be content curling up on the couch catching up on a little HGTV, sipping on a complimentary hot chocolate and eating a few more cookies that melt in your mouth. And did I mention I have a jacuzzi? :)

Sabbatical Reflections - Part IV

I don't wanna go back!!!

I knew this stage would come sooner or later.

Earth Day Weekend

Happy Earth Day Weekend!

A few events of note in the capital to help celebrate Earth Day this weekend ...

• Eco-Stewardship Fair at the RA Centre (April 21st)
• Earth Day Forum at the Ottawa International Writers Festival (scroll down the schedule to Sunday, April 22nd)
• Earth Day Wake Up Call for the Climate and Environment (April 22nd)

Wherever you are, take a minute to appreciate Mother Earth this weekend. Don't you think she's worth it?

Sabbatical Reflections - Part III

As I contemplate my return to work for the federal government, I'm sometimes afraid my level of intolerance for bureaucratic environments full of red tape and CYA tendencies ("Cover Your A--", for the uninitiated) will get the best of me. What if my cynicism takes over again? What if I get caught up in it? What if, in a moment of insanity, I lose it and storm out?

Enter a book by James H. Boren called Fuzzify! Borenwords and Strategies for Bureaucratic Success. How timely! Intrigued by its title and 25 cent price tag, I picked it up.

Boren writes:

"Fuzzify (fuhz'-ih-fy): v. To present information in a manner that seems to be clear and precise but which is characterized by optimal adjustivity of interpretation. ... By fuzzifying, a person can gain acceptance of a statement or set objectives, because others will interpret the fuzzification to mean whatever they want it to mean. ... Fuzzification is particularly useful when the fuzzifier does not know what he is talking about, or when the fuzzifier wants to enunciate a non-position in the form of a position."

Full of such idiotic yet familiar concepts, maybe this book is the comic relief I need to approach my return to work without going insane. Guilty of the odd fuzzification myself, instead of getting frustrated, what better way to embrace it than going in with a sense of humour?

Besides, being in the know may help me avoid impleflopping, incomprehaggles and bladderations. Oh please let there be no bladderations!

Sunny Sunny Days

Mirrored shades, flowing pitchers of ale and smiling faces ... it must be patio season. :)

Sabbatical Reflections - Part II

My sabbatical leave is winding down. I've decided to spend the last few weeks as I did the first three months: doing only what I feel like doing, whether it means attending my writers group, cleaning my office or spending time with friends and family.

For the next few weeks, my focus will be to minimize perceived obligations and pressure to allow myself the freedom to enjoy and experience life on my own terms. It's what I did when started my leave last June - I think it's fitting to come full circle.

Snow Day

Happy Snow Day!

We woke up to a blanket of 5-10cm of snow this morning and no electricity, after Eastern Ontario and Quebec were hit with a major storm. Luckily my appointment to switch my winter tires for summer ones is only on Wednesday.

Ottawa International Writers Festival

The Spring edition of the Ottawa International Writers Festival will be held from April 15th to the 22nd. I'm particularly intrigued by three talks offered as part of the Earth Day Forum:

• Keynote Address on Climate Change by Dr. David Suzuki,
• Solutions for Sustainability with Bill Kemp (author and local guru on renewable energy), and
• Silence of the Songbirds with Bridget Stutchbury (professor and author of a book by the same title).

There's a lot more. Check out the Web site for more information.

Sabbatical Reflections - Part I

"To fill the hour and leave no crevice ... that is happiness."
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

This is how I feel about my sabbatical. Happy. With my official back-to-work date of May 1st fast approaching, I've been reflecting on the past 11 months:

Did I meet my original goals of trying contract work? No.
Did I rest and play? Yes.
Did I travel? Not very far.
Did I create a home - a foundation in which I can heal, love and grow? Yes.
Did I make money doing work I love? A little.
Did I rack up more debt than expected? You betcha.
Do I have any regrets? None.

It still amazes me that I've never once felt bored during my time off. I'm sometimes overjoyed and overwhelmed by a strong feeling that the past 11 months were good and true to my life path - not always easy - but good and true.

To plagiarize and put my own spin on Mr. Emerson's quote above: "To fill the year and leave no crevice ... that is happiness."

Travel Mugs and Timmy's

I brought my travel mug to Tim Horton's the other day and was told they couldn't mix the coffee in my mug for contamination reasons; they had to use one of their cups and pour it into mine. I understand that. I also wonder, do they always use the same cup or do they use a new one each time someone comes in with a mug? I think I'll ask the next time I'm there. If it's the latter, wouldn't that defeat the purpose of bringing in a reusable mug in the first place?

Marble Rock Hike

(Thanks again to D. for the pictures!)

Another Saturday, another hike. This time it was at the Marble Rock Conservation Area, north of Gananoque. Maintained by the Rideau Trail Association, this trail consists of two loops, a few connector trails between the loops & to the trailhead, and a few short trails leading to lookouts that are well worth the extra trek. In total it's about 11km. We did one loop plus a few lookouts for a total of about 7km (a little over 4 hours).

After a steep climb about 3km into the hike I thought I was going to keel over and have D. carry me the rest of the way, but thankfully a good rest at one of the lookouts combined with water and an internal pep talk gave me energy to move on.

It's always fun to discover a new trail. This one has a bit of everything: rocky climbs, wetlands, ponds, beaver dams, fields and amazing views. It was challenging, but worth it. I tried to do it justice with a sampling of pictures above but it was hard. D. should have more pics on his site shortly. Unfortunately my camera's batteries - both of them - died about 500m into the hike. Grumble.

I look forward to doing this one again. It'll be interesting to do it on a clear day or when the leaves are in. It would be gorgeous in the fall too. And to think ... there's a whole other loop to discover! :)

On Building Peace ...

Words from Bob Luitweiler, founder of Servas Open Doors:

"We don’t have to become saints. While still retaining our natural passions - sometimes angry, sometimes loving - we can build a peaceful society. The view of those pacifists who think that a truly peaceful society has no conflicts is a mirage. Only dead things have no conflict. Living, vital societies constantly change like growing trees in the forest that ever struggle for growing space in their roots and between their branches. So too do dynamic societies have frequent conflicts. The difference between peaceful and violent societies is in the way they resolve their conflicts. When justice and respect are the basis of a settlement, then - and only then, are they on the way to a durable peace."

What's Your Theme?

Themes come and go in my life. They might stay for a week, a month, or leave after a day. Sometimes they're set consciously from the get-go, sometimes they just percolate in the background then become.

Last year's prevalent theme was Community. It started out as a whisper and gradually became visible as I opened myself to new connections, new circles and new friendships. After several months it became integrated into my everyday life through awareness, and specific actions taken to nurture these new connections and rekindle those already there. The result is a network of loved ones, friends and support I never could've imagined a year ago.

This year seems to be shaping up to be a year of Discovery - discovery of self, possibility, surroundings or even of the world at large. The word pops into my mind as I ponder life's big questions. It appears when I read travel guides or look for the next trail marker on a hike. It comes out when I write in my journal or ask questions when I don't understand. It's woven itself through so many facets of my life that I'm starting to entertain it as a theme. Hm. I think I'll let that percolate for a while and see where it takes me.

National Capital Region Wildlife Festival

Did you know we had our own Wildlife Festival right here in the National Capital Region? To help celebrate National Wildlife Week, this annual festival offers an array of events and activities ranging from environmental awards to birdwatching to wildlife conservation forums.

The Ottawa Public Library is joining in on the fun too by hosting a series of related slide shows and presentations. For a full list of festival events, click on Events 2007 on the festival's Website (on the left-hand side of the screen).

Events aside, my favourite part of the festival's offerings is a user-friendly list of 50 hiking trails, parks and conservation areas in and around the area. On the site's left-hand side menu, click on Nature Trails Legend & Brochure; once on the screen titled On the Trail of Mother Nature, click on printer friendly brochure or colour trail brochure to view the list.

I like the idea of celebrating National Wildlife Week in my own backyard. Don't you?

A Saturday Afternoon on the Trails

(Thanks to D. for the picture)

Armed with cameras, binoculars and a healthy serving of chicken wraps, veggies and water, D., Cassie (my favourite golden retriever) and I set out to discover the Old Schoolhouse trail in Ottawa's Marlborough Forest. What a great find!

Consisting of three loops, it runs about 10km in total with the option of completing only one or two of the loops if a shorter hike is preferred. We wandered around portions of the two northernmost loops, but had to backtrack due to water. Used in the winter for cross-country skiing, I believe the trail is jointly maintained by the city of Ottawa and the Rideau Trail Association, but I'm not sure.

At the trailhead, there's an old schoolhouse that's been converted to a shelter housing tables and a woodstove. Its white walls are covered with colourful posters of local trails, flora and fauna. It was much too nice to stay inside so after signing the guest book we found a makeshift bench outside and enjoyed our wraps in the sun, letting ourselves be entertained by the sound of the wind, the birds and the frogs. It felt good to be back out.

After the hike, D. wanted to scout out some crown land along the Rideau Trail in the Port Elmsley area. I'd heard of the Rideau Trail but never paid much attention to it. Now I can't wait to explore it! But I'll keep that for another post - this one's getting long. :)

All in all, it was a perfect Saturday afternoon on the trails. I can't wait to do it again.