Friday, July 16, 2010

She Used to Be My Mini Me...


Growing up my sister and I have had our moments, between the sibling rivalry and the intense sisterly affection we’ve found ourselves stuck with each other for life. She was born when I was seven years old and as I danced in the hospital chanting “I’m going to be a big sister” I had no idea how drastically my world was about to change. I've been the guardian of her best interests since day one, starting with preventing my mother from naming her Chloe. Can you imagine one sister named Chanelle and another Chloe, like a set of French fashion design houses? My mom might have thought it poetic, but I stood firm in my resolve. I named her Channon, sticking to my mothers plan that we'd both have the same initials. We are now and forever CTS1 & CTS2.

I blame her for stealing my childhood, and she’s taken responsibility for that with a shocking level of pride and amusement. Fate dealt me the final blow when she turned 13 and measured in at an inch taller than me. It was then I became the little sis, even though she teases me that I’m now halfway to 40.

When I finally got my license and a full time job I saved up time working extra hours so that I could take days off to spend with her. We went on sister bonding trips: shopping on Queen St. in downtown Toronto, exploring the Toronto Zoo and hiking at Crawford Lake (an almost near death experience *ahem*).

Now we live in a new place, and we’re making new memories starting with shopping sprees in Georgetown to burn off the calories from the Georgetown Cupcakes we ate for breakfast earlier that morning.

We have a mantra we live by when it comes to our ‘I love you’s that goes something like: “I love you; I love you more; you couldn’t possibly; I love you before God even invented the earth; times one million googooplex; times infinity, ha!” (kudos to my calculus knowledge). She calls me the most embarrassing nickname – Chanelly Babelly McSmelly from New Dehli and despite that we’ve never been closer than we are now. For the record, I love her more!

That’s all she wrote... For Now

Monday, July 12, 2010

Viva España!

I woke up this morning and I wondered if yesterday’s World Cup final was all a dream, as I’m sure a few members of the Spain and the Dutch national teams did as well. It took 1 red card, 14 yellow cards and 116 minutes, but Iniesta finally scored the winning goal that propelled Spain to the title of 2010 FIFA World Cup Champions.

I love soccer (futbol or football), and the World Cup is probably my favourite sporting event, but there are a few things that irked my nerves in yesterday’s game. Let’s start with the rhythm, when a soccer game has rhythm it is a beautiful thing, artistic even, but up until overtime rhythm was practically nonexistent. As for the foul play, I don’t think I’ve ever seen that many yellow cards pulled out in a final, the referees went overboard, granted that De Jong should have gotten a red in the first half for kicking Alonso in the chest. Every time I saw the ref reach for a card my heart sunk to my stomach, praying that it wouldn’t be directed at Spain. The nil-all tie that went on for 115 minutes of the game had me biting my nails and at some parts almost nodding off to sleep but the first and only goal scored that had me shouting “España, España, España” for everyone within a mile to hear made up for it as the sound of the vuvuzelas filled South Africa’s Soccer City.

I got up bright and early to prepare my Spanish themed lunch and dinner complete with empanadas, paella and sangria. I painted my fingernails in “Can You Tapas This” from the OPI Spanish Collection, and sat in front of the television watching and waiting for that one beautiful goal that would seal the 2010 World Cup.

I can’t even begin to fathom what I would have done if they’d lost.

What did you think?

Do you know what Iniesta's shirt said?

Do you believe in the psychic powers of Paul the Octopus?





Friday, July 2, 2010

Today I:

Walked on a labrynth. Ate a Strawberry Lava Fudge cupcake from Georgetown Cupcakes. Met a guy with the most beautiful green eyes. Was tempted to steal someone's Vespa. Wrote in the Georgetown Waterfront Park Journal. Bought a vintage jacket, 2 completely opposite style dresses & a pale gray skirt. Ate yummy sushi.

Today I appreciated my blessings & all of the challenges I've been faced with.

Today I spent some quality me time.

Today I rekindled my love affair with myself.

Today was a good day, no it was great.

That's all she wrote... For Now