Haribo Goldbaeren

Haribo makes the best gummy bears. Ever. I remember growing up my parents tried hard to convince us kids to like "North American" gummy bears. You know, the kind you can buy from Wal-mart, Superstore or the other local grocery store down the street. I think the Wal-mart version costs around $3 for 700 grams. 700 grams? You really think $3 for 700 grams is a good deal? It's not. I know we're supposed to be in a recession and careful with our spending but really, if you're going to spend money on gummy bears, don't cheap out. It's not worth it! My parents can attest to that. No matter what brand they tried, my siblings and I weren't swayed.
Where I live I can often find Haribo Goldbaeren (the best, most flavourful, healthiest gummybears) at London Drugs. (Ok, I made up the 'healthiest' bit, but think about it...eating ten satisfying Goldbaeren is much healthier than eating 700 grams of artificially flavoured chewy junk wannabe gummybears)
Anyways, the point is, don't waste your money buying the "North American" gummybears...you'll regret it.

Debra Benton

Today I had the privilege of attending a lunch session with Debra Benton. Who's Debra Benton? Well, let me paste part the bio from her website below:

Debra Benton is an effective, charismatic and powerful speaker/consultant/author. In 1976, she founded Benton Management Resources, and has since been in business successfully for over 30 years. She has helped professionals worldwide design subtle changes in their presentation, attitude and leadership style that increased their personal and professional effectiveness – and subsequently their financial status.

Her client list reads like a “Who’s Who” in successful business today. Benton's style and ability to influence positive change has put people “in office,” made companies millions, accelerated career advancement and created a beneficial ripple effect throughout numerous organizations.

Benton coaches corporate executives, politicians and business leaders on their organizational impact in every industry imaginable. Every Week Fortune, Forbes, Fast Company feature one of Benton's previous or current clients.

What an incredible experience. The best $40 I've spent in a long time. I took a number of notes, but clearly a 45 minute presentation can't convey all her insight. I'm planning on buying one, possibly two of her books.

One of her first comments was on inadequacy. So often we treat people based on how inadequate we perceive them (and ourselves!) to be. Her comment was that God does not make inadequate people, why do we keep treating them as such?

Congratulations *shiningstar*

Wow. I can't believe you're getting married tomorrow. I remember sitting in our favourite little cafe and talking about all our dreams and plans for the future. Education, Travel and Real Estate. I don't remember there being much talk about men. Oh yes, we did talk about our current crushes (as well as our arch-enemies who often happened to be our secret crushes...or at least in my case they were). We talked about meeting men throughout our adventures, but I can't say I remember actually talking about settling down and getting married.

Fast forward a few years and here we are. I've been married a year, you're just about to get married. Hmnm. Interesting where life takes us eh? I can't say I saw this coming. Did you?

Come to think of it, it's probably good we didn't see it coming. I don't think we would have been to know where we were going to be. At least, I know I wouldn't have been ready.

Speaking of ready, I have a speech to give tomorrow and should write out my final notes. Please don't start crying. I'll loose it too.

I admit it, I'm obsessed.
From clothes, to cars, to chocolates, to fragrances, to furniture, to footwear. How can you go wrong with European?
As for the music? Don't get me started. Simply superb. Magnifique.

Hey,

Sorry it's been so long. I keep thinking of great things to write about and then get busy with life and forget about writing.

Here's a little music for you to enjoy. What does this remind you of?




It reminds me of flying down the Autobahn.

Congratulations!

Little Markus has arrived. Yay :)

Revelation in the 'hood

We don't have much contact with our neighbours on one side. Other than the "Good morning", "Hello" and occasional "How are you?" I can count on two hands the number of conversations we've had with them.

When they're not around we talk about them. About the way she's always the one shoveling the snow, painting the fence or hanging laundry. About "his" tomatoes that she always seems to be tending. About the grandma who sits on the front step and keeps watch over the flowers and the neighbourhood. About the boys who stride across our parking spot and acknowledge our presence with a cursory glance. About the number of male inhabitants compared to the number of females who seem to be looking after the place.

Today I caught a glimpse of something else. One of the house-work-challenged, always-running-off-somewhere sons was out by the basketball nets...without his brother or his friends. I blinked. He was out with his grandma, coaching her on how to shoot hoops. I watched for a while. His patience and quiet respect were evident - even from a few hundred yards away.

Although I can't vouch for his work ethic, clearly I've been too hasty to assume the worst. Instead of the usual arrogant, demanding, self-absorbed behaviour, I caught a glimpse of something more - a young man who loves his grandmother.

I'm leaving on my first international business trip tomorrow - ten days, London and Aberdeen. Yes, I am excited.
And also rather nervous. One of my gf's pulled me aside on Sunday for a little pep talk. Thank you. I needed that.

Look out world, here I come....

It's been a while. Things are going well though.

- I'm keeping busy at work. It looks like there will be a major opportunity opening up in March so I'm excited to see how that pans out.
- We celebrated our six month anniversary this past weekend. I can't believe the time has gone by so fast.


That's the latest. Hope you are all doing well.