Resolutions and Goals

I once read somewhere that successful people plan and make goals of varying timelines.

Having direction is so comforting for me that I have done this for the last several years and it's always satisfying at the end of the year, to review that list (ooooooo list) and see the progress or places for improvement. I'm already late this year so I better just get this thing posted:

PERSONAL/ACADEMIA/CAREER

My plans remain the same, to finish this semester brilliantly and then spend the summer and autumn working and gaining more experience then applying to the OVC.

• Reading for leisure has majorly been put on the back-burner after I finished reading a handful of books during the Summer of George. I want to get back to reading books for interest and fun. Let's see what happens after exams.
• I elected to partake in 2 semesters before applying for vet college and I'm working on the second one. I did well enough for the first semester so I am going to keep working hard this semester. This semester also sees me revisit my old friends statistics and cellular biology so I best pull myself together for those!!
• Take a first aid/CPR course.
• I want to make my OVC application stand-out so I am planning on diversifying my experience with large animals, emergency clinics and other opportunities.

HOUSEHOLD

I think that owning a home usually means your list of projects tend to shift more heavily in that area. This is certainly true for me...

• The big project this year is the backyard. We put in a chain-link fence to close the yard but at the expense of cutting away the segment of bush in the back. Now things are feeling a little exposed. Plus, I want to plant the strip that is outside the fence so I don't have to mow it anymore. I've got plans to create a perennial garden to provide some privacy, rid myself of some lawn and to ensure a way to keep drivers from driving over that lawn and dog walkers from neglecting to pick up after their pets.
• The other partial yard project is to help +ADW put together the frame of his vegetable garden and let him sort out the rest.
• There is also a section of the front lawn that I need to clean up to look presentable because after I was forced to remove the shrub there, it's become a wild patch.
• The sun-room should also start its transformation into a kitty sanctuary reading/working room.
• Consider re-painting the outside doors.
• Clean out basement (junk removal service) and then pull out the useless shelf and purchase and sort out hanging bike hooks (x3).
• Fix the tiles I broke in the kitchen.
• Hang at least 3 images/frames in the house.
• Look for that central piece over the fireplace... this one might take some time.
• Organize the shelves above the fridge and 2 hallway closets.

HORSEY/RIDING

If someone asked me what I wanted to do for a living, regardless of skill level, financial means/need and pretty much anything else, I would probably tell you I'd want to ride for a living. But, #adulting means being realistic with one's goals.

• Summer of George really put me behind. I intend to start riding again after exams have ended. I would like to increase my riding to 2x/week if it's feasible to do so.
• I also want to see if I can get a part-time gig on a trail ranch.
• The only aim I have in terms of skills is to get back to last summer's abilities. I think that's ambitious enough considering everything else.

FITNESS/WELLNESS

It's time to get re-involved. Being immobile for ~8 weeks really took a toll on my waist-line!

• Physiotherapy my leg back.
• Yoga practice to loosen all the stress tightened areas.
• Cycling is coincidentally the best thing for my leg at this point. I've set up the bike in the basement.
• Regulate sleeping hours! This one is tough when I have had a stretch of being diligent due to school or the like.
• Keep blood sugars stable. I bring nutty snacks with me as often as possible.
• Make food more often. Find good non-muscle meat recipes (I'm looking into all those wonderful innerds I get from the farm) and just eat cleaner without compromising my love of tastes.

FAMILY

I always put this one in because I want to keep myself accountable. I'm one of those types of people who can just disappear into my little world if I don't keep one foot out not because I don't care, but I can get sucked into other things (like hobbies) really easily.

• I haven't been doing too badly on this front and will make more efforts to have various family members over for Sunday brunch or something of that nature.

SOCIAL/VOLUNTEERING

It's good to surround oneself with good company and good conversation. It's even more important to give back. I believe that many of us in North America lead privileged lives and so it is inconsiderate and irresponsible not to give back in some fashion; at some point, someone helped me.

• See some old coworkers who are good peeps. Take the opportunity in the spring/summer to do something!
• Make a regular (not necessarily frequent) effort to meet up with low-maintenance friends b/c we each seem to get sucked into our respective worlds and then forget about hanging out.
• Foster kittens and cats if it works out.
• Some of the veterinary experience will fit into the category of volunteering too.
• Review engagement with the community sports club and see if it's something feasible to continue working on. I am considering to simply cut out of the board and just continue doing some ops and logistics. It can be seasonal so that works out nicely.

It looks like I've got quite a year ahead of me. I am looking forward to it! I suppose I'm the last one of the blogisphere to put something like this together (and the inspiration board is still to come!) but if I'm not, I beseech you to consider it :)

Clicker Games

Those of you who've been following along for a longer time know that I clicker trained my big cat Buckingham. My rational for training him was to ensure that I could get him back to me if there was an instance where he dashes out the door. This cat is the cat that has been the recipient for all my new fangled dedication (or obsession... call it as you will :P) with doing better than the last.

Some background... my family had two cats (you'll see them in the "In Memory" section on the right hand column) that we lost too early due to what I would consider, avoidable illnesses. The elder, we put down because of her advanced state of cardiomyopathy--something we were expecting at some point but were still happy she managed to tough it out for as long as she did; she was the one who got me hooked on the feline species. Then there was my parents' favourite and my rival sibling whom I spent his life at some sort of odds until the end where we did make peace before he left us too.

Even reflecting about it now, I still get really sad and there is not a day that I don't think about them. When Buck unexpectedly appeared in my backyard after a long mourning period and wondering if I could ever let another cat back into my heart, I knew that (it sounds a bit nutty) he was brought to me to try again.

For a year, Bucky became my project cat and I worked really diligently at learning to communicate with him and understanding what his needs are. My mom would tell you that the two of us are probably inseparable and the best of friends. Without much further ado, I post the game we play in the back yard where he disappears into the bush and I would call him back out.

Bear With Me...

Those who come by regularly (thanks!!) will notice the upgrade to the appearance of the blog template. I've been working with Trina of Pish & Posh Designs to get things together but like all good things, they take time to hone and perfect. At this time, the bulk of the template has been laid out and the colour schemes are more or less decided but minor things like the right side column and some of the headers have yet to be sorted out. I also noticed that the hyperlinks aren't as clear as they could be and it's tough to see them compared to the regular font colour used.

Thanks furr your patience! =^..^=

Thank you in advance for coming out and for your patience with all the changes that will be coming along in the next little while.

A Review: Reaching the Animal Mind

I picked up this book with the intention to better understand the positive reinforcement branch of operant conditioning. Operant conditioning was coined by the behaviourist B.F. Skinner. Skinner believed that internal thoughts and motivations could not be used to explain behaviour; basically his theory explained how we acquire the range of learned behaviours we exhibit daily. It's insightful to see these theories applied to creatures big and small.

Karen Pryor's ethological expertise gives her an edge to train animals, that is traditionally out of reach from the "old school" trainers. She understands basic biology and behaviour of the animal and is able to leverage that information when training. It's interesting to read her experiences with dolphins of varying species, fish, octopi, dogs, ponies (presumably horses too), cats and even humans. The chapters are made up of mini stories and exhibit examples of what she is trying to convey in both detail and a particularly honest tone; she lays out her thinking process as well as her outcomes--successful or not. She gains a reader's attention and trust quickly... as if she's telling you the story directly!

Her subject is, as the title outlines, reaching (deep into) the animal mind; humans included. Her initial foray into the training is kind of accidental and developed based purely on her innate scientific mind, if you will. She doesn't have a formal graduate degree in animal behaviour or the such but she's keen and observant and thinks critically of what she perceives. The concept of her training is derived through the animal's natural behaviours and then positively reinforced, to encourage those favourable behaviours. Her story telling method builds through small blocks (much like clicker training!) and aids the reader to understand. To further enhance the stories and observations, she has a website that lists references and resources about the chapter topics as well as videos of exactly what happened.

The best part about it? You can take something away, after completing the book and start your own clicker training. And if you don't, you have a renewed insight into the mind as well as animals as thinking, reacting and feeling creatures. The training success is incredible; animals learn at an astonishing rate. I have enlisted Buckingham on my clicker training trek and we are working on a few novel tricks and "good behaviours". Yes, Buckingham is a cat; and he's completely trainable. Most cats already have many desirable behaviours but when you want to have some fun with the little guy, clicker training is by far the best way to teach a cat. After all, when has punishment ever worked on a cat? Good luck to ya.

Clicker training goes beyond just telling an animal to do something because you said so... you develop a teacher and student relationship where you are asking him to think about what it is that you want of it and then associating a cue with that behaviour. He is happy to do it b/c he successfully learned it on his own and received something from it--he's basically playing! And what creature doesn't enjoy playing and then getting treats from it?

Karen doesn't just stop at how to accomplish this technique through plenty of examples but she looks into the science/biology behind it. She seeks out members of the academic arena to better understand the way the clicker training works and you have proof that this isn't just some whacky hippie science based on anecdotal observations. In my opinion, the only way to be sure that you're not just imagining things.

Onwards into 2014

When I started this blog, I wasn't sure exactly what I wanted to write about. I did know though, that this would be an outlet for things that interest me and projects that I undertake to improve myself. I had just turned 30 and decided it was time to take control of my life beyond what I was doing the last decade; it was now or never. We're on year 3 now and upon brief reflection, I realize that my blog subjects focus around a few primary subjects: equestrian, travel, photography, and facts and stories (through books or otherwise).

I think I've done well for myself so far but this isn't close to being a lifetime of information yet! So, onwards to improving, growing and learning. I have made a series of resolutions and goals for myself that will continue to push me in my journey of things that help me drive this blog. As well, with an audience, I'll be much more likely to be held accountable for my promises as I do hate to break them... more out of pride than anything else. So, here goes:

• Plan my fitness regimen for the week and execute as expected. One of these must be yoga.
• Practice my piano diligently daily so I am able to play at a deeper level and excel at a level that I never accomplished previously.
• Sleep at designated times daily, as per my weekly plan.
• Take more pictures of people. Get out of my comfort zone of standard landscape. Seek to find the 'mesmerizing' and 'beautiful' in people (a difficult feat for someone like me!).
• Read more. And not just the types of books I'd tend towards or are already comfortable with. Always be reading something and learning. Get bold!
• Back off from over-eating... this is tough because I love to eat a lot. The main reason that comes up for this one... I don't waste food and I don't waste my time having to work off the excess caloric intake.
• Stay positive when the worst (or annoying) looks imminent or likely.
• Even though I'm very much the perfectionist when I do things and am not likely to "get out there" until I deem everything to be perfect, I resolve to enroll in the in-house horse show if there is opportunity to do so.
• Get proficient and confident enough to get out on a hack this summer.
• Start 2 lessons (or bi-weekly restart) per week once Old Man Winter decides to retreat for the next several months.

I sure hope that I'm able to follow through without too much of a struggle... already the first few have been posing a real challenge. But, as my title, onwards!

A Review: The Cat Whisperer

We've been out of internet at home for almost a full week now. I spend all day at work in front of a computer and have full internet access for over 8 hours a day; which is what I suspect, explains why I'm not clawing at the walls yet. I spent the weekend finishing my unexpected read: The Cat Whisperer by Mieshelle Nagelschneider.

You may or may not remember that I have a new fur baby and I'm relearning how to effectively care for your cat. Some of this new found knowledge is attributed to the fact that I volunteer with The Annex Cat Rescue for the past 2 or 3 years. And, it's very true that you can take the wildcat out of the jungle but you can't take the jungle out of the domestic cat. Buckingham is a well-mannered gentlecat just like his tuxedo outfit would suggest. But, he's still got those feline urges that make him unruly and silly, every now and again. I've picked-up a lot of practical knowledge about cats, but have yet to master some of the finer nuances of feline behaviour.

If you have a cat (or want to get one) and are keen to better understand the way they think, and make your life a feline heaven, you'll want to pick up this book to read. I remember when I was that kid when I could do nothing more than beg ask for that family pet and Mieshelle recounts her own experiences with cats (and other animals) to help others who are having trouble in their feline paradise. Mieshelle is a thorough writer about her subject of expertise; she has a life-time of experiences with cats and the way they are and her knowledge is based on experience and intense observation. The thing that many city humans miss out on (and modern humans in general) is that we have lost touch with working with animals. I see dogs dragging their humans down the street choking on their collar or humans who inhumanely declaw their cats, thinking only about what suits them or people who think their meat didn't deserve to be treated well before ending up on their dinner tables. But all the while, these people think this is normal or that this is the way it should be. Like the horse that has helped humans build history, cats and dogs played a significiant role to getting us where we are. But now, we're generally so far removed from them that we've all but forgotten how to listen to them and read them and build a real relationship with them.

The book is broken into sections that a reader who is desperate for relief from their inappropriate urinating/defecating cat or the multicat household which has become a battle zone, can immediately zip directly to that section and read the subject in its entirety. She addresses common problems that cat owners have dealt with or are dealing with. And, if you decide to read the book from cover to cover, the flow in which she's laid out is logical and builds on the previous one and is appropriately chapter referenced where applicable. The writing style is casual and easy to follow. She uses plenty of examples yet inserts many detailed scenarios that might come to mind while the reader is reading. She also has plenty of papers and references footnoted throughout the book for those who wish to do further reading/research. Her primary objective is to help us humans better understand our feline friends and adjust the environment appropriately so that our cat can do what we want in a humane and practical manner without resorting to drugs. Many of the procedures are lengthy, repetitive and require a great deal of patience but that's exactly what modern humans are missing... real patience and let's face it: animals are great teachers for this.

But, there are few things that are perfect in this world and I found that as detailed as she often is, it felt like sometimes I was being told that I wasn't doing things the way they should be done. Things that in my personal practice, have not caused me any problems currently or in the past. I felt invisibly attacked--yes, a little sensitive on my part. She also had a lot of shameless self promotions peppered throughout the book about checking out her product page or her personal consultation page, to which I've just added to... hahaha. But, upon reviewing these sites, I think they are worth looking into because she has some very solid products which I'd seriously consider purchasing and her consultation practice is one which I'd also seriously consider if I was having unresolvable issues of my own. Most pet stores don't come close to providing any real substantial items like these and products are often cheaply made or poorly designed. Perhaps I'll do another review in the future when I purchase something (like that timed feeder!).

My opinion? The book is written simply and substantially complete with relevant content that the average cat owner could easily put into practice. Any new-to-cat-ownership humans should definitely pick it up for a read so that they can better understand their new feline friends. Simply put, get her book as a reference piece in your home if you have a cat because she's quite thorough and basic cat behaviour will probably not be changing significantly in this lifetime so unlikely any need for an updated edition. Otherwise, check it out at your local library and take it for a reading test-drive before you make a conclusive decision to purchase it.

“It is what you read when you don't have to that determines what you will be when you can't help it.” --Oscar Wilde

Our world is filled with all sorts of diverse subjects, themes and stories; there are so many that I want to immerse myself and just take it all in; I thirst for knowledge and new experiences. I'm sure you can tell through my blog posts, that I have a wide range of interests with a few key focuses that I could easily devote my entire life, if I was allowed to. The main one is certainly my equestrian activities but reading helps me get into the heads of other people to know what their lives are/were like.

My mom always said that the best thing to do for yourself is to read. When you read, you're taken on an adventure that is far away; be it a fictional or non-fictional read. I am inspired by Amb to read more and to allow others to have an idea of where I've gone, with my reading. In an effort to accomplish this, I am going to undertake a new project called the "Book Club 2013" and I'll be posting a list of books I will be reading and subsequently reviewing.

A new page has been created to keep track of this new project and I hope that you will join me in suggesting good books to read! :)

A Review: The World According to Garp

I'm not a heavy fiction reader. In fact, my requirements for a good fiction are generally high and typically, I bore quickly from a fictional read that doesn't catch my attention right away. This was my initial thought about The World According to Garp. I received the book (along with others) from ADW 5 years back when we first met. I suspect it was his way of trying to impress me with his bookworminess; frankly, he had a better chance of wooing me just by donning his glasses. The pile of books sat on my desk until I decided that I need to read more.

I didn't know what to expect from The World According to Garp; the cover gives nothing away and I've never heard of the author, John Irving. Wikipedia summarizes the major themes: death, gender roles, and sexuality. I was skeptical considering the dark subjects it focuses upon and wonder what Mr. Irving would do, to draw his reader in. The Wiki article goes on, to mention that this book is Mr. Irving's best selling title: I decided it was worthy of a chance.

Like much of our media now, there is a lot of sex in The World According to Garp; used as both a noun and a verb. The act of sex, getting it, wanting it, forcing it and the implications or expectations associated with being a specific sex. You could say that Irving sold the book like most marketers do now... with sex; a whole lot of it. But, he doesn't glamorize it like those CK billboards. He makes no attempts to hide anything about the "real deal". The implications of the act of sex as well as what it means to be associated with a specific sex. Irving really messes with the reader's socially conditioned version of sex as both a verb and noun. We're made to feel uncomfortable and out of our natural comfort zone of understanding and what's "normal".

Complimenting this theme of sex, he displays the dualities in virtually everything. Where there is life, there is a moment where death becomes the dominant leader. Or where there is bliss, there is great sorrow and sadness to contrast. The reader is never allowed the opportunity to just be happy for Garp and his family/friends. There is always momentary happiness which is usually followed by a great deal of sadness. But, isn't that the way life sort of is? I found the book's subjects to be very real. Surprisingly, several of the people in my life have read the book and have generally provided a somber or dire perspective on the plot. They have even gone as far as to tell me that the book is "heavy" and "they wouldn't read it again".

Although the story is thoroughly speckled with unusual (and uncomfortable) situations and characters that the average reader might consider to be too crude or even offensive, the reader is always reminded that the world isn't a pretty place and that the theme of sex seems to seep into everything somehow. I find myself not the least bit offended by Garp's actions as I keep a similar realistic (?) view on the world and its people. None of the bizarre cirucmstances seem too far fetched in my mind. So when I finished reading The World According to Garp, I was neither strongly opposed to the subjects he talks about or the characters Irving creates. I felt like Irving represented people with  experiences of disappointment, sadness, disappointment, anger/rage, jealousy, joy, desire, anxiety and happiness. I'd say he got well into the minds of people in general and just decided to make up an interesting story to "put it out there", if you will.

I know Irving has written some other books--not only this one has been adapted to the silver screen--and they all seem to address unconventional themes and issues; so certainly a "heavy read", but one that is real enough to keep us grounded in the reality of the world and its people.

Earthy Updates

I haven't written about my little wormy friends in a while now. Seems appropriate time for a quick update! I've moved the worm bucket outdoors at Captain Obvious' suggestion (worms creep her right out) and I've moved them to a shaded area in the car port away from sun. I have to admit, with my summer schedule in full swing, I have less and less time to regularly monitor the bin. So, I end up periodically going in there. They're not thriving, let me tell you. But, they're not dead either. Some baby worms are being born but I'm not "swimming" in the wormies.

I have been loosely monitoring what I put in there and seeing what's eaten quickly and what sticks around for a while. Here are some things I've noticed about my worm bin:

1. Peels are eaten at a much slower rate. And it makes sense since skins are meant to protect the fruit/plant from the outside
2. Root vegetables are not the favourite food of worms
3. Worms love leafy vegetables
4. There is no such thing as having too much newspaper bedding because they'll happily go through it quickly for you
5. If it's too damp, add dry shredded news paper and close the top--the moisture is absorbed by the dry paper
6. Regular feeding is preferred but you can easily overdo it if you're not careful
7. Daily feeding isn' really necessary and if you have a pile every few days, that's really ok
8. Chop up what you have--especially if it's fibrey. The worms seem to have a better time when things are in smaller pieces

Possibly things people already know but I'm still learning about what's acceptable to put in there and what isn't so it's all still new to me! At least I didn't kill them this time so I'm in good shape. I'll need to check in about egg shells because I was putting them in whole but I read that worms need some "grit" to help them digest their food and that egg shells are really only good if they are added in a fine powder. Who has the time for that?! I've done it before but it's rather time consuming.

My next major goal with this project is to increase the population of worms so that I can dig my hands in and pull out actual worm castings and worms. Right now, I'm still getting recognizable pieces.

Spring's Sprung!

How was your weekend? Did you get the chance to head out, today? I live in Toronto and Sunday's weather was a great introduction to our long-awaited spring! It finally felt like I could bring out my spring jacket and shed my Canada Goose parka. And, with this much improved weather, it's only natural for me to start thinking about the garden and all it's glorious garden-y goodness.

The past 2 years I've had 4 boxes to work with on the south side of the backyard and we've been growing kale, swiss chard, chinese chives, tomatoes and carrots. Some vegetables have been more successful than others but I did some research about rotating the different crops and based on the veggies I planted, the next best thing to plant into the soil are beans and peas.

Beans and peas can be planted directly into the ground but since the ground's not ready, I started some of the other seedlings that I plan on putting out there this season:

Seedlings warm and cozy in the mini green-house

My make-shift seedling box :)

I feel like vegetable gardening should cost minimally or there isn't really a point... It doesn't make sense to pay more for a tomato that you grew in the garden than picking one up from the grocery store, right? I'm all about local and sustainable but like anyone else, I've got a budget and I make compromises. Seedlings typically cost $1-5 and a packet of seeds costs around $2 with several dozens of seeds. You do the math. So, needless to say, I didn't feel like paying for coconut coir pots and thought to make the seedling pots with toilet paper rolls and a round tofu container. I prepared potting soil and filled the half toilet paper rolls and then planted as usual with a good misting over the top. Now, just wait.

Creating Purpose

I was reviewing my posts with Amber and I realized that I've been either slacking off because I have nothing relevant to write about, or I write something that is a less than stellar performance. Usually it's one of those entries that make you cringe a little when you read them sometime in the (sometimes, distant) future. That can't be good. It's worse than junk food... it's filler! And nobody likes filler. If McDonald's can use real chicken and cut the filler in the chicken mcnuggets, then so can I! I mean the filler crap on this blog...

I thought of unifying the whole blog to something that inspires me and something that can create some form of direction or purpose. I started thinking about something that could fit this role... I like to learn about different aspects of our world. I want to "know it all". Of course, certain topics whet my appetite more but this is certainly a good start in the right direction.

I'm committing myself to the next post topic: big data. What is it? What does it do? Exploiting it.

I'm Gonna Keep on Rollin'

For the last few years, I've been complaining about my age being a cause of the symptoms I've been experiencing... slower healing time, aches and pains, needing more sleep and possibly caring less about what others think of me.

While most things are tolerable to a variable degree, I've started considering the additional aches and pains to become a hindrance to my daily activities and disruptive to my necessary periods of focus while at work... or listening to friends talk to me about their troubles or how the day went.

I decided to up my medical coverage so that I would have the benefit of massages and I started to incorporate more stretching while nobody's looking. Even basic core strengthening is something I try to incorporate regularly while I'm standing about.

I suspect that my poor posture (which used to be perfect, like Seven) and aches and pains are caused by my lack of physical activity--particularly yoga and a sedentary work-life. It doesn't help that my desk set-up should seriously be shot.

I was watching Dragon's Den one Wednesday evening and one of the pitches that came out was called the "Travel Roller"; click here to watch the pitch.

That's Arysta Bogner-Wood, one of the owners/creators of the product.

I've heard of foam rollers for tight IT bands, hamstrings or even calves and thought, if physiotherapists are recommending/prescribing patients to use these to help loosen these muscles to reduce/eliminate pain caused by tight muscles, there has to be some use to doing all this. My brother who is far more active than I ever was, has a similar product and said that it helped him when he was running more. (I should mention that I have been testing his for the last week and don't find it particularly well designed and too many bobbles and bits)

There was a special price being offered and Arysta herself was answering my online inquires with patience (I'm really slow, and indecisive) in a very timely manner--good customer service is a big deal to me. I submitted my order late last night for an order of the "truth blue" roller with acupressure balls.

In about a week's time, I'll start using my new truth blue roller and it'll be the start to body without pain. I hope to incorporate a regular (20-30 min, daily) routine of self massaging with the balls (ha) and roller. I'll be sure to let y'all know how this goes.

Coupon Squirreling

Have you ever taken a walk along Bay Street to check out the buildings of the various banks? There's a lot of history there. The most prominent building in my mind is Commerce Court North (CCN).

History lesson!
Commerce Court North was built in the 1930s in an art deco style as the headquarters of the Canadian Bank of Commerce (now, CIBC). The driving factor of the major financial players in essence goes, image builds consumer confidence and increased consumer confidence means more clients and more clients mean bigger bottom line. I mean, would you invest/bank your money with a financial institution that was operating out of a trailer? I didn't think so. So as the history goes, each bank was trying to out do the other one by building the bigger, more impressive building (some things in finance still haven't changed). If memory serves me correctly, CCN was built in response to BMO's impressive neoclassical style structure out in Montreal.

It is notable that the building was the tallest building in the British Empire/Commonwealth for three decades. At the time, it was "one of the most opulent corporate headquarters in Canada" (Wikipedia).

When it came down to the Canadian Bank of Commerce to erect their headquarters, they wanted to project the strength of the bank as a sound financial institution which gave confidence for their customers to bank/invest with. One of the motifs you'll see along the entrance way (and I'll consider getting a photo for this in a later post) on King Street is the Squirrel. The epitome of thrift and savings!

I like to collect coupons from people and places I frequent and squirrel them away. This coupon clipping fanatic actually isn't new. When the neighbourhood paper arrived (my brother also used to deliver this paper), I'd grab the stack of flyers and go through each one, reviewing sales, news and potential coupons. Then I'd make the list for my mom and tell her about the deals for meat or produce (or the junk food that I wanted her to get--can't blame a kid for trying!).

Since most of my resolutions/goals pertain to me improving myself and making me more efficient and better rounded overall: become better at taking photos... figure out what I want to do with myself... get on the trainer regularly... finding better ways to do things etc... I decided it was time to organize myself and get those coupons together; enter the poly expandable folder--exclusively FOR COUPONS! I don't have a lot of coupons in there, but I welcome any of my readers to suggest or send me coupons to use. And who knows, I'll probably link up some good coupons on here if I get any!

Oh, and if you get the chance to head out that way, go into CCN and check out the main foyer... look up.