Sunday. Bobby and Krista make it to Toronto. We're all stuck inside...what to do? Put on 20 shirts, LJ's, toque and gloves and WALK TO GET MOVIES/PIZZA etc etc...essentials for a snow day!

...I think it's almost my favourite song...Neil Young 'Harvest Moon'.
I don't know exactly what it is that I love about this song so much...maybe the ebb and flow of the rhythm. I heard it first as a teenager and I've never stopped loving it...

With Christmas fast approaching, so are many exciting things...
I get to see my Dad. I haven't seen him in well over a year!! Not only that, I get to spend Christmas with him, Marie, Val and Keisha!
I also get to see the scemo, in Italia, que felicidad! Looking forward to meeting his family and friends, andando por la calle con el and even hearing his karaoke. I must be crazy (!). My Aunt Marina seems to be on to what my friends are thinking as in a recent email she posed the question....you didn't give me the return date from your time in Italy....you are coming back, aren't you? jajajaja

I'm going to miss my Mum this year, but we are gonna have our own Toronto post-Christmas celebration which will be great!!


"Bring what has made you who you are and bring it, neither in pride nor in embarassment, but in order to offer it as a gift. It's possible to say to God, 'Use what my experience and my mistakes and false starts have made me in order to let your transfiguring love show through' ".
-Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury

As a kid, when my Dad was home from work, he loved to prepare breakfast for me in the mornings (I used to be a morning person, and my mood still cooperates with the morning...my body, not so much!). He would ask me what I wanted for breakfast...and before I could even respond, he would say, Oatmeal? Of course, I love oatmeal...so the answer was often, YES!
We would get the packets of brown sugar oatmeal, incidentally my favourite, and read the quote on the package...sort of like a fortune cookie experience, but at 8:00 am.

When no one was around to see me doing it, I would often empty out the box of oatmeal packets and read all of the quotes then, shove them back in the box and wait to see what i would get when I next had oatmeal.

Why am I writing about oatmeal??? This morning, I had oatmeal. It was disappointing. THERE WAS NO QUOTE ON MY OATMEAL PACKET. Hmmph. I will be certain to tell my Dad this in a week and I am sure that he will also be astonished.

I'd be putting a comment in the oatmeal comment box if I knew where it were or that it existed.

But enough about that, I like oatmeal...boiling water, mix, splash of milk and brown sugar drizzled on top!!

yo recibi un
soneto de ti en el
alba mi amor

...que gusto sentirte y descubrirte al despertar...

FELIZ CUMPLEANOS FERNANDO!!!!!!

Querido Padre Espanol,

En mi cuarto tengo una foto de la familia en frente de los piramides, pero en el salon tengo una foto de ti con Iris y yo en el balcon de la casa de Santa Cruz del Retamar...nosotras vestidas con la ropa de Belinda de cuando era joven y tu, con tus ojos brillantes, riendote de nosotras.

Ojala vuelva a verte prontisimo, con esta sonrisa tuya tan contagiosa, para decirte yo misma cuan feliz haces a todos a tu alrededor.

Me encanta recordar como nos harias a cada uno un vaso de zumo de naranja fresco cada manana. Yo me decia, cuanta suerte pueda tener un hijo en esta vida como para tener un padre que se le cuida a la familia con tanto carino. Vaya.

Felicitaciones Fernando y gracias.

Te queremos todos.

Put your heart, mind, intellect and soul even to your smallest acts. This is the secret of success.
-Swami Sivananda

Leave it to Woody Allen...the man has talent.

"If Jesus came back and saw what's going on in his name, he'd never stop throwing up"
Woody Allen, Hannah and Her Sisters

"Let you alone! That's all very well, but how can I leave myself alone? We need not to be let alone. We need to be really bothered once in a while. How long is it since you were really bothered? About something important, about something real?"

Fahrenheit 451...I remember reading it for the first time, turning every page with fervor...

Yesterday, during an interview, a woman told me about how she posted for community prayer that people pray for those who want to pray but aren't able to. Later she was approached by someone who thanked her and said that it meant a lot to him because one of his parent's had alzheimer's and probably wasn't able to pray anymore alone given the mental status taken by the disease.

Tears were filling my eyes as she told me this. My Mum lost her Dad to Alzheimer's and my last memory of my Grandpa was from a time when we visited him in the hospital. He had such a sweet, gentle smile. I remember my Mum saying, Dad, it's me, Diana.

I later thought about my Grandmother's funeral service. It was held at the Lutheran Church in Norquay, just down the street from my Grandma's house. Everyone came. The Church was filled and I felt so much love and concern for her. She was so soft and lovely. I was happy thinking about how she'd finally see my Grandpa again after so long without him.

Once, on the phone, she said to me...Kate, all of my grandchildren are talented and beautiful but you are the only graceful one. I'll never forget hearing her compliment that because I always felt that it was a quality passed from her to my Mother and from my Mother to me.

It's simple what this woman asked of the congregation and at the same time it is extremely thoughtful...those people who would like to pray but perhaps aren't able to, given circumstances, that we pray for them, that their thoughts, voices and prayers are heard.

I really appreciated that this woman shared this story with me.

Here you are Mum, as per your request, some pictures of Enrico. I decided to show you a variety since sometimes his hair is short and sometimes he has a beard...

I remember the day that my Dad told me I was going to have a sister.
It was just 2 hours before my 20th birthday.

I thought he was calling to say happy birthday. I was driving, snow was falling and he said....

"I have a birthday surprise for you....remember how you always wanted a sister? Well...you're going to have one."

Then the phone disconnected.

I was in disbelief...confusion, I even cried, I don't know why. Then, I became overwhelmed with joy.

A little over a month later, my sister, Keisha Stefanie, was born in Port-au-Prince Haiti.

I spent that Christmas with my Dad and my Grandmother in New Brunswick. He brought me a picture of Keisha at birth with the details of her weight and length.

As I looked at her picture, I knew immediately...we will be the best of friends and I will love her always. Even though I am 20 years her senior...I will be involved in her life and I will beat the crap out of the first boy to break her heart. JUST KIDDING....anybody who knows Keisha KNOWS that she will first break a heart, then have her heart broken....regardless, I will be available on the phone to tell her that it all gets better.

The news of her existence was the best birthday present I've ever received.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KEISHA! Love you.

DEBI y ART...felices en Mexique
TQM Debra

OK, I know, it's too much but...I have another song....I had a motown moment last night before freezing my @ss off in the snowstorm and I needed to share it.

Because my hometown is right next to Detroit, and Detroit = motown...I love motown tunes.
Yesterday, Smokey Robinson came on the radio at Lena's friend's place and I busted out singing "I second that emotion" only to look over and see Stefan's friend Tim, also rocking out. Love that song! You can't hear this song and not want to move, just a little...

IGNORE the weird star trek video...just listen to the song...you know you wanna lip sync it...

Last night, while Lena and I were out. Improperly dressed. A snowstorm hit Toronto. As we tried to make our way home by any means of transportation possible, our feet were quickly becoming popsicles and icy snow encrusted our pants legs...we finally got on a streetcar after an hour of walking and waiting...dodging in and out of office buildings. I've never been so glad to get on the TTC in my life.
Welcome back to Canada and canadian winters Kate Price.

---

Yesterday I reflected on how, as a person, I sometimes complicate things a lot. When I feel something, I feel strongly about it and it's not that I feel too much, rather, that I feel strongly. That's when I remind myself, as my Dad use to tell me, think before you open mouth and enter foot...(as Joy used to joke with me, said in a british accent..."I have no inner monologue").
I also think it's good to feel a certain level of insecurity because if you take the time to evaluate what makes you feel that way and then why it shouldn't, you can learn a lot about yourself. I believe that overall, I'm a confident person...the things that come into my life and shape it do so because I work for them, allow them to, choose them, am surprised by them and even leave space for them to grow on their own.

'change is inevitable, growth is optional'

Right now, i'm ecstatic about / mildy afraid of (but am embracing) life and love.

Ok, so anyone who looks at this blog with any regularity might question, is kate turning this into a lyrics blog? NO. I just happen to be noticing lyrics lately for different circumstances. Am I making a soundtrack to my life...no, not yet. It's not that. I know other people think this too though....sometimes there is a song, on the radio, stuck in your mind, in the grocery store...and it fits your moment or someone perfectly.
I listened to a cast from NPR/this american life once about this too...it was great.
Today I was coming home from a Spanish lesson and on the radio is Ms. Whitney Houston with a way back song and I immediately thought, whoa, this is going to make a great dedication as last night, I was 'sentenced' to a punishment...

Whitney Houston

I hope that you realize baby, just what you mean to me
Hey you where I run for cover, your loving shelter for me
And when I find myself needing some lifting up
One night with you and that always is enough
Hey you make being in love, a true rare affair
So take me Im your prisoner

Chorus:
Will you sentence me to be your lover for life
Your lover for life
Will you sentence me, I want to be you lover for life
Your lover for life

I just want to hear you say
Youll be my lover, lover for life
Capture, there's no getaway
You're my lover, my lover for life

Under your spell or under my own power
It really doesnt matter to me
See I fell in love the first time I saw you
And have been falling in love ever since

You heard my testimony, youve seen my evidence
Hey, its a crime of passion, in every sense
And justice wont be served, till you stay here in my world
Take me Im your prisoner

No me cayeron bien las horas de este dia. Me hubiese gustado estar contigo.
Asi que, pongo la letra de Claudio Baglioni, stai su, como reverse dedication...


Che fai in quest'ora bella
che suona il suo notturno
io mi giro attorno a far la sentinella
che non ho sonno e faccio il primo turno
tu qualunque cosa fai stai su...

Anche se sei distante
e se la voce non arriva o è disturbata
penso di parlare a te in ogni istante
perché per me lo sai sei sempre stata
tu l'altro capo di un filo
un unico profilo
quando guardiamo su...

Se anche tu vedi
la stessa luna
non siamo poi così lontani
se credi ancora un po'
a un giro di fortuna
gioca tutto su domani
dovunque tu sarai stai su...

Forse e se tu lo domandi
domani ci troviamo
all'incrocio delle tue braccia grandi
per correre a gridarci ti amo...

E cosa ci vuoi fare
se tutto questo non è ancora un paradiso
se non c'è abbastanza notte per sognare
e stai cercando pure tu un sorriso
ti basta entrare in memoria
di qualche buona storia
e poi cliccarci su...

Se anche tu suoni
lo stesso accordo
non siamo poi così lontani
se ti rimetti su
l'ultimo mio ricordo
sei già pronta per domani...

Non siamo un mondo a parte
siamo parte del mondo
rimasti un po' in disparte
un secolo o un secondo...

Non siamo un mondo a parte
noi siamo parte del mondo
rimasti un po' in disparte
un secolo o un secondo...
Se anche tu senti
la stessa ebbrezza
non siamo poi così lontani
se del domani no
nessuno ha la certezza
io sono nessuno e tu Domani...

Da domani
chiunque tu sarai
comunque tu starai stai su...
su... stai su...
stai su

I watched the flaming lips documentary 'fearless freaks' tonight...a friend of a friend lent it to me because one night at their house, it came to be my turn to pick music from their wall o' music...yeah, the whole wall is covered...crazy...and I picked the flaming lips. I wanted to hear 'Ego tripping at the gates of hell'. This song affected/improved my mood for the better many a cool morning while driving to work in Atlanta. I had the version that the postal service mixed and it has a wicked beat that picked me up...i still listen to it frequently but now just for the pleasure of the song. The flaming lips doc was wild, they've been through a lot. Certainly unique. Who would've thought that they were from small town Oklahoma.


'Ego Tripping at the Gates of Hell'
The Flaming Lips


I was waiting on a moment
But the moment never came
All the billion other moments
Were just slipping all away
I must have been tripping
Were just slipping all away
Just ego tripping

I was wanting you to love me
But your love it never came
All the other love around me
Was just wasting all away
I must have been tripping
Was just wasting all away
Just ego tripping

I was waiting on a moment
But the moment never came -
But the moment never came -

Brennan, I can't wait to meet you one day and tell you all about how your Mom was an awesome Spanish student! Amanda...seriously, es tan bonito que le quiero comer a besos!

It was morning. Cold and rainy...kind of miserable. Coming back from a spanish lesson...I'm sure I wasn't even smiling, just walking along. Then I catch something out of the corner of my eye...I turn my head and across the street I see a large umbrella, I mean a seriously big umbrella...a golf umbrella. It's dancing back and forth, really close to the ground. I look around the umbrella and I see a woman talking with another woman and some kids. Well as the Mum was talking, she had given the umbrella to her young son (about 5ish) to hold and it was so big, it just dropped on his head! It was so adorable, I was laughing out loud...almost crying!!

My cousin says that I am prudent. Interesting. I'll take that and run.

haikutime....

late for the shower
sin tocar, siento tu piel
i need a ticket

About a month ago, I found out that the Anglican Church of Canada was facing a potential schism partly over same-sex union. I also thought I had found a Church to attend...it is a great Church, really nice people and I really like the Pastor...but I was saddened to discover this particular Church in the throws of Church Politics and swaying towards a literal interpretation of the Bible, english translation...same-sex union is not to be honoured.
As a person, I believe that individuals have the right to love and come into their identity and be loved, regardless of sexual orientation.
As a believer, in God, I feel that the God that I believe in loves all people, regardless of their sexual orientation.
I realize that this may be in conflict with what the Bible states...and I don't know how to answer all the questions surrounding same-sex union...but I know that my God loves.

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another as I have loved you"
John 13:34

---

When my Mum called me this morning, she was telling me about how some of the younger nurses wanted to leave their jobs because they didn't like the atmosphere (short staffed, mismanagement etc...oy yvay, government jobs) and they would do so as soon as they came into something else.

After my Mum was called back into work one time, having already worked a shift and been on her days off, one of these younger nurses said something to the effect of, you're back, and she said, well yeah, we're short staffed, and this person said, sure, you're here for the money. My Mum said, no, actually, I'm here to help.

My Mother, she loves her job. Sometimes she needs (and deserves) to complain about it...but she loves her job. What's more, she loves helping people...whether it's a patient or filling in for someone who's called in sick.

The best thing that my Mother ever taught me and that I know she truly believes, was the 'golden rule'. Paraphrased, do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

In this life, competition motivates us a lot, but so does a kind act if you recognize it, appreciate it and return it, to someone.

Yeah, my Mom's pretty freaking awesome. I'm lucky.

I found a Willie Nelson CD the other day and picked it up for my Dad, thought he could listen to it in Africa while he works...turns out I'm going to have to send it to him in Canada or he may never get it, and it has all of his favourites...so he said, listen to it and see what you think...well, truth is, I like a little Willie Nelson in my life. Yeah, that's right. My Dad's favourite song is 'Nothing I can do about it now'...the lyrics are probably just as good a sign as genetic proof that I am my father's daughter...


I've got a long list of real good reasons
For all the things I've done
I've got a picture in the back of my mind
Of what I've lost and what I've won
I've survived every situation
Knowing when to freeze and when to run
And regret is just a memory written on my brow
And there's nothing I can do about it now.
I've got a wild and a restless spirit
I held my price through every deal
I've seen the fire of a woman's scorned
Turn her heart of gold to steal
I've got the song of the voice inside me
Set to the rhythm of the wheel
And I've been dreaming like a child
Since the cradle broke the bow
And there's nothing I can do about it now.
Running through the changes
Going through the stages
Coming round the corners in my life
Leaving doubt to fate
Staying out too late
Waiting for the moon to say goodniight
And I could cry for the time I've wasted
But that's a waste of time and tears,
And I know just what I'd change
If I went back in time somehow
But there's nothing I can do about it now
Running through the changes
Going through the stages
Coming round the corners in my life
Leaving doubt to fate
Staying out too late
Waiting for the moon to say goodnight
And I could cry for the time I've wasted
But that's a waste of time and tears
And I know just what I'd change
If went back in time somehow
But there's nothing I can do about it now.
I'm forgiving everything that forgiveness will allow
And there's nothing I can do about it now

PS- The old school pic is from one Christmas out in New Brunswick visiting my cousins, Paige and Chris.

A prayer by Paulo Coelho

Lord, protect our doubts, because Doubt is a way of praying. It is Doubt that makes us grow because it forces us to look fearlessly at the many answers that exist to one question. And in order for this to be possible…

Lord, protect our decisions, because making Decisions is a way of praying. Give us the courage, after our doubts, to be able to choose between one road and another. May our YES always be a YES and our NO always be a NO. Once we have chosen our road, may we never look back nor allow our soul to be eaten away by remorse. And in order for this to be possible…

Lord, protect our actions, because Action is a way of praying. May our daily bread be the result of the very best that we carry within us. May we, through work and Action, share a little of the love we receive. And in order for this to be possible…

Lord, protect our dreams, because to Dream is a way of praying. Make sure that, regardless of our age or our circumstances, we are capable of keeping alight in our heart the sacred flame of hope and perseverance. And in order for this to be possible…

Lord, give us enthusiasm, because Enthusiasm is a way of praying. It is what binds us to the Heavens and to Earth, to grown-ups and to children, it is what tells us that our desires are important and deserve our best efforts. It is Enthusiasm that reaffirms to us that everything is possible, as long as we are totally committed to what we are doing. And in order for this to be possible…

Lord, protect us, because Life is the only way we have of making manifest Your miracle. May the earth continue to transform seeds into wheat, may we continue to transmute wheat into bread. And this is only possible if we have Love; therefore, do not leave us in solitude. Always give us Your company, and the company of men and women who have doubts, who act and dream and feel enthusiasm, and who live each day as if it were totally dedicated to Your glory.

Amen

In the last month I've been showered with good company from Joy to Enrico, Nadia to my Mum, Lena to Shanesya and Paul & Eric...what a great time we've had.

Wow, the only way this visit could have been any better then the awesome that it was, would have been with Alberto's presence...but he and Joy will come together on the next trip for sure and then we will go to the esplanade, drink beer, and stay there...until Alberto says so!

This Thursday past, Joy came to Toronto!! We walked all around the city, she met most of my closest friends, she saw Violeta and met Nestor, saw Niagara Falls, watched a little tv snuggled up on the couch, and had lunch with my Mom. If I could do impossible things, I would squish Toronto and Atlanta together so that we could live close to each other again.

Joy achieved her official visit to Canada, completing her inductee status, now it's Alberto's turn!

Thanksgiving in Priceville, NB

A few things I've enjoyed lately...

1. Nuit Blanche and the midnight picnic with my friends
2. Getting calls from my Mum, at any time of day...
3. Taking care of my sister and brother (even though it will probably put me off having children of my own for 5 more years...)
4. Indigo Girls "Last Tears"
5. Chocolate desserts and my friend Paul's company
6. Driving out east, alone.
7. Prayers
8. The fall leaves

What I haven't enjoyed so much...

-Missing Joy and Alberto

While out today...walking...I felt something...you know, compelled to look around. As I look to my left....I see a person looking at me from inside a bus, waving. I get confused...I know him, that's my friend, I wave back and frantically mouth words of confusion...."Seriously?!"
I haven't seen him in person for a while, just emailed and talked on the phone...which makes it all the more entertaining to 'meet' randomly...on the street...separated by street/bus....it was hilarious!
Oh Toronto! good times.

Listening to npr today... an old cast of a girl who is writing a song about her break-up with her ex...but she doesn't actually write songs....and so, she wants some professional advice. seeing as phil collins has significant meaning to the now broken-up couple...she decides to cotanct phil collins. thiss achieved, she and phil have a real heart-to-heart..there is mention of how the only way to still feel 'that strongly' about something is to not let it go...and that is what she is doing with her song, so says the girl and phil. her song, thanks to some help from friends, actually turns out not so bad...phil likes the line "You do me no good, in fact, you do me bad".

Three years and I'm finally home...

1. Is everything amusing when you combine liquor and a camera?
2. Can you guess which leg is mine?

Andreia's b-day!!

Yes Mom, I went to Vegas with 7 men and I did nothing that I wouldn't tell you all about!! Awesome eh?!

I love these ladies...

During Patricia and Shasta's visit I did not sleep, I did not stop dancing and I did not stop talking...maybe that's how I got the flu the following week...but who cares, it was awesome.

Sushi. on a conveyor belt. YES. fun and confusing.

Moody is a dedicated fan...we were late to dinner so as not to miss the end of the game...go gators...ok, and hoyas.

Attempt 1 and attempt 2...I heart law proms!

I walk down to the laundry facility at Joy and alberto's tonight and there is a guy doing his laundry...i thought he saw me...i enter the room, the door SLAMS behind me...he turns, looks at me...then screams...but in a slow, false-like scream and says 'you scared me'...so i tell him as i giggle, 'shoot, you scared me!'
and i've been reenacting the scream ever since!!!! turn.pause.ahhhhh.pause. story best told in person, probably.

VIVA EL FUTBOL!!!! I'm playing with a co ed team in Atlanta...tonight's my first game....
LENA: this is all in preparation for our gran viaje!!!!!!