Kelly Spice

This may be a story Dubai-ans may only be able to appreciate but I will try to describe accurately. The receptionists at my gym are obviously instructed to try and remember our names. I've had a few encounters of these types of instances but this one takes the cake. These women are all skinny filipinas who are dying to be the next American Idol (the literally sing top 40 hits at the top of their lungs while walking through the gym, in the bathroom, change room, etc).. some of them are cute, some are way annoying. Guess which one this was.



Receptionist: "Hi... Kath.... Kathy??"
K (smiling politely): "No, it's Kayla, actually"
R: "Kerya?"
K: "Kay-luh."
R: "Kayla"
K: "Exactly.. hehehe"

We exchange polite giggles.


Okay so, I go into the gym, get my ass kicked by the Bulgarian monster... just kidding, she's really sweet.... I grab my stuff and go to leave and as I"m leaving the same receptionist calls after me...


"Bye Kelly!!!!"

OMG ARE YOU KIDDING ME! From now on, my name is Kelly. That's it.

Yes Please.

I used to be crafty. I came across this on a DIY-blog-binge. I am inspired. I am also homesick for Autumn. Waaaaaahhhh........ I am totally a four-season kinda girl... none of this year-round sunshine crap!

Canadian Women

As a child, I was OBSESSED with all things Lucy Maud Montgomery. Well, make that, Kevin Sullivan's interpretation of Lucy Maud Montgomery's work. My favourite movies were the Anne of Green Gables ones (the first and the sequel, the continuing story didn't come out until I was in high school) and I never missed an episode of Road to Avonlea (except as the show got a bit older and I did as well, and Gus lost his eye sight and it became like a soap opera??) but essentially, these works of Canadian art were a stabilizing force in an often shaky childhood... I won't go more into detail about that but lets just say that these series were some of the things my Mom and I enjoyed together. Not only that, but they showcased an extraordinary amount of Canadian talent. From Sarah Polley (met her when I was 13, best day of my life) to Mag Ruffman (saw her at second cup on yonge street near silver city in high school) to many, many others I could go on and on about but for now I will just mention two women in particular. The first is, Colleen Dewhurst.




She passed away when I was in grade 3 and my Mom likes to tell the story of how I wrote a letter to the newspaper proclaiming "The World has Lost A Great Canadian Actress" I loved Colleen. To me, she was always Marilla, the hardened lady with the softened heart who gave second chances while maintaining stability. She was no-nonsense, deliciously sarcastic and had an ironic sense of humour (as most true Canadians do). This week, another "Great Canadian Actress" was lost by the world. Jackie Burroughs, also known as Aunt Hetty on Road to Avonlea passed away in Toronto at the age of 71.




Even though she was born in England, she was very much a Canadian actor, dedicated to Stratford and starring in a number of Canadian films. To me, she will always be strict, sarcastic Aunt Hetty, rough around all edges, choked by the slightest emotion which conceals the most tender heart. A fighter, a protector and a pillar of good values and morals.

These women are a part of something so very special to me. These women make me proud to be Canadian. Their work and legacy will never be forgotten.

Love Lift Me

Okay so...

I met someone in Ireland a while back. Totally not my "type" but a very interesting person at the very least. I really enjoyed his company at the time and the conversation was so smooth and we were totally in sync. Even so, it was a bit of a surprise when I came back to Dubai and he struck up a very, shall we say, flattering conversation (ie: telling me how amazing I am and how attracted he was). Fellas, let me tell you, if you want this girl to pay attention, all you need to do is bust out the "b-word" and I am all yours. In all honesty, I wasn't interested when I first met him, but only became interested once I found out HE was interested (I'm being honest here!) Anyway, our little flirty-tango went on for about a week, facebook messages back and forth, compliments and semi-innuendos here and there.... and then all of a sudden it stopped. I wasn't offended or upset... just curious. So I messaged him "Hey, where did you disappear to?" No response. I see him updating his status online so clearly he saw my message. Strange. So anyway, that was the last of that but it got me to thinking.... I must admit that as much as I enjoyed our flirtation and as much as I DO want to share my life with someone... I have to say, I am SO FREAKIN GLAD I am not married or tied down to anyone right now. I know that for some, marriage is great and wonderful and works well but for others, it has been disastrous. I've seen some friends recently just crash and burn and it makes me so sad for them, especially since there are kids involved. I guess what I'm trying to say is, I'm glad I haven't rushed into anything... I think of myself a few years back, just wanting, yearning and seeking for marriage like it was a destination I was trying to reach. I am so happy that I didn't go down that path and have taken my time to get myself right within myself (not that I'm 100%, to quote John Mayer "I am in repair, I'm not together but I'm getting there") I feel like when the time comes and I meet that person, I will be so much more complete and secure in myself that that relationship will have a strong foundation upon which to build. Hopefully, I will recognize the same qualities in the other person and together we can make something beautiful, healthy, productive and real.