Ugh...

I suck at updating this. I admit it. I am mostly on pinterest nowadays. Are you on it? if not, you need to be!! leave a comment with ur email and i'll send u an invite! :)

Amen Tina Fey.

I love tina fey. In fact, I love all smart, funny, sassy, intelligent, brassy women. This quote means a lot to me right now.

I can't tell you..

how many times i have been this girl.

I've traveled alone for 95% of my traveling career and when I do travel with others, I usually meet up with them at our destination. There is nothing like the anticipation of landing in a new city after a long flight. I love the colours outside the window in this picture. To me, it just represents all of the possibilities and exciting adventures and experiences that take place at the other end of a plane ride. It is magical.

I miss traveling. Last year I visited 5 countries. We are six months into this year and I've been Dubai-side for the entire time. I think that's a record for me. I am going a bit stir-crazy. Also, I just started a new job, so it makes traveling difficult.

I would like to go to Asia next. Maybe Thailand. Maybe the Phillipines. Or ya never know, Canada just might be my next destination. I need some Swiss Chalet pkg's anyway.

I LOVE THIS MAN...

He is absolutely inspired and extremely talented aaaand about a million times sexier than any other male musician on the market today. I've seen him live 3 times and will go again when the opportunity presents itself. My personal fav album of his is his first "Room for Squares". I identify with every single song on there. However, this song has spoken to me tonight. I think because it's sung in a register that I can actually handle. I have quite the Tracey Chapman voice (another singer I love). So for now, enjoy "I'm on Fire" (which I actually just learned is a Sprinsteen song!) from John's latest album - Battle Studies.

Aaaand then my life changed.

after I watched this!!

When I was in Ireland last year, someone told me my ancestors were gypsys... I didn't really understand the significance of the comment until this little gem came into my life. Oh, deary me. I was hooked after the first 30 seconds. I'm not sure what I love more... the accents, the fact that they all look like they have implants, the skettelley, scandalous clothing, the little boy using "JC" in vain on the way to his first communion, the larger than life weddings/dresses/accessories or josie's hiddeeeouuuss wedding dress that shows her legs but is 8 miles wide in the back. It is FASCINATING.

The entire culture is shocking. It's hard to believe this kind of lifestyle exists in the 21st century.

This is Paddy Doherty. He is large and in charge. He would never have to ask me something twice because even through the TV screen he scares the living crap out of me. There is something very mafioso about him and the rest of the gypsy lifestyle. Like I said... FASCINATING.

A definite MUST-WATCH.

True, right?

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 12 - Explain the Name of Your Blog

"Nowadays" comes from the musical CHICAGO aka one of the best plays EVER and the movie was done so amazingly, I've seen the movie like a million times.... SO SO SO good...

Perspective

Yeah, I am slacking on the 30 Day Blog Challenge! Things are busy for me! I will catch up but I wanted to share a story that just happened to me. A few weeks ago, during my blog stalking, I was just randomly surfing different stranger's blogs and I saw someone who said that they actually LOVED the show "Sister Wives" and I was completely appalled. How could someone actually watch and condone that lifestyle? A lifestyle that is centered around patriarchy and allows young children to be essentially raped and abused and just.... ugh, that whole thing seemed so fanatical, disgusting and disturbing.

Then, I actually ended up watching the first episode of "Sister Wives" and during the first few minutes I was totally judgmental and disgusted and then by the end of the episode my heart sort of softened towards this family. Well, let me clarify, my heart softened towards the women - the "wives" and their children. I think the husband is a total tool, a bit of a douche and kinda creepy (he actually reminds me of harry from dumb and dumber) . Now, I know this is a TV show and it's edited and mixed together to present the family in a certain light but what I saw during this episode was NOT at all what my prejudiced view of polygamy had previously been. This is NOT the Warren Jeff's child slavery, abusive cult of polygamy. This is a man with three wives that choose to live and cohabitate together and create a family.

I am a firm believer and supporter of equal rights for gay marriage and marriage equality. I believe that a family is not just a family because there is a mom and a dad, or because the parents and children share the same blood and genes. I believe that LOVE is what makes a family. Whether you are adopted, you are gay, your parents are gay, you are a single mom, you HAVE a single Mom, single dad, whatever the case may be, I believe a family is a family because the people involved share LOVE and are comitted to EACH OTHER. Personally, I have the family that I was born in to and I also have family that has "adopted" me into their own. I love each of them and am committed to them. SO I guess my point with all of this is, if gay people want to be married and have families, I believe they have the right to do so and if polygamists choose to live their lives co-habitating with other women and children (so long as the women and children are not being sexually abused) then why not?

I am, by no means, saying that LGBT's and polygamists are the same. I am just saying that I had my perspective broadened and was enlightened to a different type of lifestyle that I had previously unfairly judged.

That is all.

Oh, also, I tend to hate crazy Utah names that are "unique" and "creatively spelled" so I rolled my eyes at most of the kid's names but by the end of the episode, I actually kinda liked the name Mckelti.... has a certain ring to it.

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 11 - Write a Letter to Yourself at 16

Dear 16 year old Klaa,

Enjoy the energy and enthusiasm and passion and optimism you have now because in a few years, you will struggle daily to find even a tiny remnant of those very things. Life is going to hand you some curve balls that will change and shape and mould you for the absolute better.You will do things you never dreamed were possible. You will see things and experience places and people that will positively change you for the better. You will learn how to love yourself, how to accept the very things you hate about yourself, YOU WILL BE OKAY. You will be better than okay. Don't sweat the small stuff, I got your back!

Love,

28 year old Klaa. xoxox

ps - don't ever dye your hair blonde again, it's not your colour!!

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 10 - "What do you call..."

What is it called when you throw toilet paper on a house?
T.P.ing. Or "Our house got T.P.'d"

What is the bug that when you touch it, it curls into a ball?
Potato Bugs!

What is the bubbly carbonated drink called?
Pop!

What do you call gym shoes?
I call them running shoes but most people call them sneakers.

What do you say to address a group of people?
Hey Guys

What do you call the kind of spider that has an oval-shaped body and extremely long legs?
Daddy Long Legs

What do you call your grandparents?
Grandad for my Mom's Dad and Grandpa for my Dad's Dad. Grandma on both sides.

What do you call the wheeled contraption in which you carry groceries at the supermarket?
Shopping cart.

What do you call it when rain falls while the sun is shining?
Umm.... nothing?

What is the thing you change the TV channel with?
Remote but we used to say convertor.

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 09 - Your Favourite TV Show

Man.. this is a hard one as I am a TV addict. I love television. It's an art form. I would say I have two favourite. The first is... GILMORE GIRLS. It is witty, smart, quick, heartfelt, genuine, hilarious and has gotten me through a lot of hard time. I know that's lame, but TV was my babysitter growing up, so it's only natural that I turned to it in later years. I love the creator, Amy Sherman Palladino, I would love to sit down for a convo with her for an afternoon. She is GENIUS... and Lauren Graham is my hero in this series. Check out the pic below and see how I look when Lorelai'd. :)

My second favourite TV Show would have to be, Six Feet Under. It is brilliant, ahead of its time, funny, dark, REAL while hyperbolic, interesting and spiritual. Yes, spiritual. It is probably the best television show ever made. The last episode is trans formative. I swear, I'm not being dramatic.

Here are some of my other favourite TV shows:

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 08 - Your Celebrity Crush

John Freakin' Corbett

Mmm mmm MMM! I love this man. He is so sexy.

I've loved him since before he was Aiden on SATC. He actually reminds me of a guy I used to date. DANG. He is FINE.

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 07 - ABC Survey

a - attached or single: single
b- best friend: I have a grand collection.
c- cake or pie: cake. unless it's rhubarb/strawberry pie.
d- day of choice: friday.
e- Essential item: macbook, blackberry (previously iPhone), dental floss, perfume, sunglasses
f- favorite color: blue.
g- gummi bears or worms: worms.
h- hometown: richmond hill, ontario, canada
i- indulgence(s): trashy tv, american politics (same thing)
j- january or july: January.
k- kids: none.
l- life is incomplete without: self esteem.
m- marriage date: rub it in, why don't ya?
n- number of siblings: 1. Greg
o- oranges or apples: Apples. And ORanges.
p- phobias of fears: cotton and death.
q- quote(s): "It takes courage to grow up, and become who you really are."
r- reason to smile: there are others out there who are like me.
s- season: fall. In Canada. Before the snow.
t- tag three: Janet. Devo. Amanda.
u- unknown fact about me: My date dumped me the night before my high school prom.
v- vegetarian or oppressor of animal: I love meat.
w- worst habit: eating.
x- x-rays or ultrasounds: depends on the purpose.
y- your favorite food: mexican. cafe rio mmmmm... or swiss chalet of course.
z- zodiac: Capricorn

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 06 - Your Favourite Book

This book is my saving grace. I identify with every page. I love every story. Anne Lamott is funny, irreverent, honest and real. Here are some of my favourite quotes.

"Again and again I tell God I need help, and God says, "Well, isn't that fabulous!? Because I need help too. So you go get that old women over there somewater. and I'll figure out what to do about your stuff."

"I do not understand the mystery of grace -- only that it meets us where we are and does not leave us where it found us."

"Here are the two best prayers I know: "Help me, help me, help me" and "Thank you, thank you, thank you."

SIDE NOTE!

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 05 - A Picture of Your City

Here's a picture I took over a year ago and the opening of the Burj Khalifa. I composed it this way on purpose because I felt like the Burj was such a massive structure that I wanted to give it the enormity it deserved! I must point out that Dubai is definitely my city BUT, I'd have to say that Toronto is home.

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 04 - A Song that Makes you Cry

This song is very near and dear to my heart. It ALWAYS makes me cry. My Mom chose this song to play at her best friend Joanne's funeral. I think it was written as a love song but it describes Joanne and how we all feel about her perfectly. The most poignant line for me is, "Because it feels good even missing ya" because when I think about all the moments with Joanne and start to miss her, I only remember the good ones and missing them so much. Joanne was like a second mother to me. When my parents moved overseas, she let me stay with her. I remember saying "Joanne's house is the only place I would feel comfortable living in." She was loving and kind and strong and a hard worker. She was hilarious and was as much of a pop-culture junkie as I am. I remember watching the VMA's with her and her cracking up at Jimmy Fallon impersonating Enrique Iglesias with a huge mole on his face. When I was a kid she taped all my favourite movies for me (Steel Magnolias, When Harry Met Sally - she always had the good channels) and once she even taped a NKOTB concert. She loved music and was amazing at game shows. Her house was always so cozy and welcoming. She passed away very quickly after battling cancer. Some days it is still a shock to me that she is not here. It seems wrong in so many ways.

I miss her everyday.

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 03 - A Picture of Someone you Miss.

This is Cecile. Isn't she beautiful? This was on her wedding day. She is one of my very best friends. I miss her greatly. She is always loving, caring, giving and most importantly HONEST. She can tell me anything straight-up and likewise, I can do the same with her. Did I mention, she's also hilarious? She makes me laugh. She has been there for me through good times and bad and I hope that I have done that for her. She really is a lot like an older (not by much!) sister to me. When I am around her, I can be myself 100%. She's the least judgmental person I know. She is hardworking. She is determined. She is consistent. She is charitable. I love knowing that at any time I can go to her and she would open her house, arms, schedule, you name it! She is the absolute BEST. Oh! Also, she has an amazing voice. This girl puts her heart into all that she does. She is incredible!

Here are some fun pics of us:



This is me doing a last minute alteration on her wedding dress. I'm glad she trusted me to do such an important job! :)



Here's us on her bachelorette night. This was taken of all of us at shopper's drug mart... that one girl on Cil's right is the cashier.... ha ha ha! So much fun!



I took this picture. Pretty nice, if I do say so myself! :) So to my girl, Cil, thank you for always being there for me! You have taught me so much (maybe a little too much?? wouldn't you say? ha ha!) and I love you.

30 Day Blog Challenge - Day two: Things that I Stress About

Hmm, well I struggled with day one of this challenge to say ten facts about myself. I struggled so much, that I changed the title to "five facts" instead. I struggle with low self esteem and that is one of the main things I stress about. I've been "stressed out" for most of my life. Even as a young child, I was always worried about very adult problems (bills, parent's health, tasks, morality, appearances) and I'm pretty sure that, that contributes to my low self esteem. Currently, my big "stress" item is money. Working as a freelancer is TOUGH. If you are not motivated to go out there and hustle, you can let yourself get extremely discouraged (see self esteem issue above). So while I am making money, I am not making near as much as I used to when I was working full time, which leaves me with a lack of security which also turns into stress. So, now I stress about, going back to work full time/working for "the man" vs. pursuing something I truly enjoy but am not reaping the financial benefits.

I also stress about injustice. On ANY level. I hate to see people hurt. When I see people suffering, I morph into Saviour mode. It is a blessing and a curse. A blessing because I really do have love for other people and their children. I know some people who are great with their own kids but can't stand others. I really do love all of my friend's babies and children unconditionally. I've never tried to get pregnant so I don't know if I can even have my own children but I can totally picture myself adopting. In fact, I plan to, one day. That is a blessing. The curse comes in where I get too emotionally involved in other people's lives and drama and I tend to allow myself to be taken advantage of. Sometimes my heart is just like an open punching bag. I can't stand to watch or read something about child or animal abuse. It just makes me sick to think of defenseless creatures being tortured. Even writing this now, I can feel myself getting upset.

I stress about death. Morbidly.

I stress about pleasing people.

I never wanted to use this blog for a diary but I feel like these things are factual and I am sharing them in the spirit of honesty. Not soapbox'ing. SO There. That's as honest as it gets.

30 Day Blog Challenge: Day 01 - A Picture of Yourself and Five Facts.

1. I am a blog-stalker. I have a bookmark tab of probably 50 blogs, written by people I've never met (and some I have:) that I follow daily. It's an addiction.

2. Diet Coke with a slice of lemon is my drink of choice.

3. Anne Lamott is one of my favourite writers. I think everyone should read "Travelling Mercies" it is the ultimate!

4. I visited five countries last year. Jordan, Ireland, Holland, France and Dominican Republic. I miss traveling.

5. When I get depressed, I look at house listings in Canada on mls.ca and dream of owning my own home there one day.

Recognized

HOW FREAKIN EXCITING IS THIS?!?!??!

These are a few of my faaavourite things!

In the spirit of Oprah's last season, here are a few of my favourite things as of late. Best of all, I have an imaginary gift basket of all of these items, waiting for you at the exit of the internet... YOU GET AN IMAGINARY GIFT BASKET and YOU get an imaginary gift basket! EVVVERRRYYBODY gets an imaginary gift baaaskeeeet!!!

Was that Oprah enough? I tried to elongate the vowels as much as I could. Anyway... on with the show!




I've always been too much of a cheap-o to spring for the good stuff - the body shop's body butter, so I've resorted to using the imitation ones from boots and even bath and body works... but my friend Farrah brought me some of the good stuff back from Canada and now I can NEVER go back to the old stuff.... In case you're wondering, the difference between the body shop stuff and well.... everything else is the texture. The stuff from the body shop has the actual consistency of butter and massaging it into your skin is heaven. The other kinds, are just lotion in a round tub - nothing buttery about it! Anyway, my skin is happy.




Ahhh.... this shampoo is the best and worst thing to happen to me. The best because it really is the most incredible shampoo on the face of the planet... literally, every time I use it, my hair looks like it was just cut and it's also the worst because of its quality, it is also insanely expensive... but this product line is by far, the best salon products I've EVER used... EVER. Kerastase... remember it.




Kathy Griffin. This funny lady has gotten me through a couple of rough weeks. I literally watched every episode of "My Life on the D List" on youtube after listening to her entire audiobook. Hilarious and inspiring - who knew?






An equal opportunity offender, this man is simply genius. His show, is so smart, quick and witty. He is a lovable a-hole and that's what I love about him!





I eat this like it's pudding. Like it's going out of style. Like I've never tasted yogurt before in my life. Rhubarb and Vanilla... it's like eating a pie without actually having a pie! mmmmm.... delicious.


And finally - this is one of the best documentaries I've seen in a while. It's about Banksy and the art that is street art and the different players in it around the world. It's pretty cool and makes me question my entire purpose in this life.

Once Upon a Time...

... I was a cosmopolitan city girl. Well... as close to a cosmopolitan city girl as I'm ever going to come. For eight glorious months, I shared a freakin' sweet apartment with some freakin' amazing girls. (Here's one of them. She's amazing. Trust.)


Here are my roomies on the day Lisa left us for Sask (and then eventually Ireland, where she ended up marrying an Irishman! See post here.)





But that's okay, we trotted on without here (literally, trotted... Devo and I did a lot of trotting... and a lot of other crazy, weird, and HILARIOUS things during those eight months, I'd say "don't ask" but most of it is on Facebook.) Here is one of our more refined moments with some other lovely ladies.



I did a lot of fun things during my time as an official Torontonian. Like "entertaining":





I also spent a fair amount of time talking on my lime-green cell phone on our massive balcony/patio.



I loved this cell phone.



I also went to the Toronto International Film Festival and saw the Dixie Chicks... I'm pretty sure Carrie Bradshaw would have stood in the pouring rain and waited across the street for them to exit their limo, only to have them turn around and wave... right?



Check out our building.. can you see how massive those balconies are? That's a big deal in the T.Dot. We had a couch out there. And tiki laterns. And ash trays. And devo had plants. And Mr. Miyagi had a litter box. Who's Mr. Miyagi you ask?




THIS. THIS is Mr. Miyagi. aka Mr. Boo.


Once again, the ladies who made my time as a city girl so memorable.




And a special shout out to this lady:



How can you not look at this picture and not laugh at the sheer ridiculous-ness of it? Devo! In all seriousness, I love you. You taught me a lot during that 8 month period and I am forever grateful.

Here's to you:

LOVE THIS...

There's something so special about this video. Makes my heart happy.