The Underdog

Yesterday we lost. We lost our opportunity to win the league championship. We lost to a team that we made fun of. They are fatter than us, uglier than us, less skilled than us. They wanted it more than us.
We had a six point lead in the first half. Six points.
They scored 17 points in 5 minutes.
Seventeen fucking points.
We finished second in the league.
I cried over a rugby game that day.
I cried over it today too when my coach yelled at me while we were watching the video from the game.

We still have an opportunity to win provincials, but we are the underdog.
This Saturday we will play the defending provincial champions. They have not lost a game, and they score an average of 50 points per game.

Being an underdog means you have all the odds stacked up against you.
F*ck the odds.
Being an underdog means you have an opportunity for greatness.

I have never wanted something so bad in my entire life.
I will show how great I can be.
WE will show how great WE can be.

Here's the thing that makes life so interesting. The theory of evolution claims that "only the strong shall survive". Maybe so, maybe so. But the theory of competition says, "just because they're the strong doesn't mean they can't get their asses kicked". That's right. See, what every long shot, come from behind, underdog will tell ya is this: the other guy may in fact be the favorite, the odds may be stacked against you. Fair enough. But what the odds don't know is, this isn't a math test. This is a completely different kind of test. One where passion, has a funny way of trumping logic. So before you step up to the starting line, before the whistle blows, and the clocks start ticking just remember: out here the results don't always add up. No matter what the stats may say and the experts may think and the commentators may have predicted, when the race is on, all bets are off.
Don't be surprised be if someone decides to flip the script and take a pass on yelling "Uncle". And then suddenly as the old saying goes, "WE'VE GOT OURSELVES A GAME".

Rugby Has Taken Over.

My life right now is rugby. 

Best looking team.

What I'll do if you try to get past me.

Scrum down. 

SHOOT THE BOOT!

Quitting is easy.

I first met Coach Boyd when I was about 15 and playing for OIRC during the summer season. I have honestly never met anyone with the same intensity as her. She won't stand for anything less than excellence in practice and  certainly not during a game. 

When I was 17 she invited me to go Ireland to play rugby with Ashbury College. Not only was the team on a three year OFSAA championship winning streak, but I was going to travel and play in Ireland!!

We played some games, went to some pubs, and saw everything that Ireland had to offer. 

There was one moment that felt like it was a scene from a movie. It was right before a game, the weather was awful and rainy, and Boyd was off in the distance leaning on an old wooden fence with her back to us. She screamed for us to go over to her and as we got closer we realized she looked as though she had been crying. 

"Look where you're standing" 

We looked past the rain and fog, there was a drop right after the fence. We were playing rugby on a cliff. Now I can't remember the speech she told well enough to quote her, but not one girl was left with dry eyes afterwards.

When I found out she would be coaching the Algonquin team, I was excited and terrified. Excited because I knew we wouldn't lose a game, but I will always be a little terrified of her intensity. Practices started 2 weeks ago, and it's been unbelievably amazing so far! Intense and hard, but still so much fun. I can't believe how much I missed hearing her yell FRANCO at me (she prefers calling people by their last name).

Today was an especially hard practice of tackling and fitness. Push ups, burpees, and tons of core work.

"I'm about to get cheesy" she said as we were doing core work. 

I knew right then that it was going to be another moment that felt like a movie scene.

"There's a quote the marines use 'Pain is weakness leaving the body' and it's true. You wont get stronger if it doesn't hurt. 

You can always give up.

You can quit.

Quitting is easy, quitting is always an option.

Humber, Seneca, and every other college is sitting on their asses watching TV right now, but look at where you are right now.

When you feel pain, when you hurt, you become a better rugby player, a better sister, friend, daughter, or anything. You become a better, stronger person.

November twelfth at 3pm. That's when the season is over, because the championship game is at 1pm. I know I'll be there, because we're sure as hell not going to lose a game, but you wont be there if you quit. 

On November twelfth at 3pm, when you drink your 'juice' or go for a victory lap around the field, it will be because you didn't give up. You didn't quit."

I really want to

Get rich, so I can buy everyone in the world a pair of shoes, and maybe a jacket as well.

I want a baby girl.

Not now, but when I'm married and absolutely in love.
I want to name her something pretty, like Lily, Rose, or Ella.
I want to play dress up with her, sing with her, and play sports with her.
I want her to live and learn, to love and be heartbroken.
I want to teach her how to do her makeup and look natural.
I want her to play sports and be healthy.
My daughter will have a 50% chance of having PKD.
I will drag her to the doctor for testing every two years.
She will have to drink more water than her bladder can handle.
She will hate it.
We will fight for our cause.
She wont take life for granted.
She will be beautiful.

Polycystic Kidney Disease is one of the most common life-threatening genetic diseases. It affects an estimated 1 in 500 people, including newborns, children and adults regardless of sex, age, race or ethnic origin.

A normal kidney is the size of a human fist and weighs about a third of a pound. However, with the presence of PKD, cysts develop in both kidneys. When many cysts develop, the kidneys can increase in both size and weight, sometimes weighing many pounds each. There may be just a few cysts or many, and the cysts may range in size from a pinhead to the size of a grapefruit.

There is no cure for PKD.

http://www.canadahelps.org/gp/13951

The battle against addiction

Now I'm a pretty healthy girl, I don't smoke and I hardly ever drink.
My addiction is caffeine. I've watched myself grow dependent on it to a point of extremes. I work at a very popular coffee chain, where caffeine is the solution to all of life's problems. On a day with a full 8 hour shift, I have caught myself drinking over 6 cups of coffee. Yowzers.
I decided that a three day weekend was a good time to start my detox from caffeine. I started on the Saturday and found myself not really being myself for the weekend (although it was still a really good weekend). I`m on the fifth day right now and I`m noticing that I`m slowly becoming my cheerful self, without coffee!!
They say it takes 2 weeks to fully get over a caffeine addiction, so I`m really hoping I can stick to this!

My friends have talent.

Three posts in one day? Whaaaa
My best friend Rebekah has been making headbands for a little while now, and I must say, she's getting pretty damn good!
She calls her company Balthazar and Eliza, and her headbands are all vintage inspired. I bought two headbands this weekend, one of them was a custom request.

For the girls who think it isn't worth it to work out

I passed a soccer game on my run and was asked by some cute guys to join in. Seriously girls, start running!

An update on the 'Summer Bucket List'

Ah the infamous bucket list!

Right now, I have done 6 out of 16, and with only a few weeks left of summer, I'm in action mode!

Here is what I have done so far:

2. Run 10km

- I didn't really specify how I was going to do this, but I cheated a little and did a little speed walking for 2 minutes after the 6 km mark. I would still call it a success though. I get so bored when I run.

4. Ride a motorcycle

- I just did this one on Saturday actually! My best friend had asked a friend of hers who has a bike, and he was kind enough to give me a ride. He didn't really give me any instructions so it made for a terrifying first ride, but it helped that he was cute. We had just been swimming, so my bikini top left 2 wet boob marks on the back of his shirt while he was in a grocery store. Unless he's reading this he will probably never know why we were laughing at him.

8. Run on the canal

- I did this as soon as it got warm outside! I ran for about 35 minutes and probably looked crazy because I had a smile on my face for most of the duration. I couldn't believe how beautiful it was and how easy the run was. Too perfect.

9. Swim in Jill's pool

- We talked about it every summer, and every time we set a date it would rain, or something would happen. This year I've been twice! One of the days it was 46 degrees with humidity, so I was very thankful!

11. Get another tattoo

- So I really cheated on this one. I have to pay for a lot of expensive things this summer, so I opted for a henna tattoo of an owl. On my way home, Jill and I found one of those mini water parks where you press a button and water comes out of fun objects (I'm so descriptive huh?). Water + Henna = Smudged henna. Fail.

12. Rugby Rugby Rugby

- Playing with Irish and Algonquin. NBD.

So much left, but I'm hopeful!

Style renovation

When it comes to style I'm a little bit all over the place, and a little bit lazy as well.
When I found a blog called The Sartorialist over a year ago, I was intrigued. All of these everyday people with effortless  simple, style.

I`m finding myself re-inspired, wanting to have that effortless style. I gave away three bags of clothing a few months ago, and I think I`ll be getting rid of some more.
I`m going to start focusing on buying more timeless investment pieces.  Oxfords, polos, chiffon tops, quality denim, etc.
I`m going to try to stay away from Forever 21 and second hand stores.
This will obviously take time, but I`m confident in this change.

This is the image that really inspired me. The perfectly messy hair, the casual put together outfit. Perfection

Plan for this week.

This weekend I did nothing productive. I went to yoga, biked a lot , and trampolined. Now I'll be prepared for the coming week.

Hot yoga at least every other day.

Rugby Tuesday and Thursday.

Sunday Bike Day! (parkways are closed for bikers every Sunday of the summer)

Work 30+ hours

Go Job hunting

Clean my room

Pool parties

And maybe set aside some time to read in the sun

We'll see how much of this gets done...

No longer an insecurity

A while back when I did the 30 day challenge, I had to tell what my biggest insecurity was. I picked my skin, which used to have a mind of its own. Dry in one place, acne in another, and I would get really bad underground pimples sometimes.
A few months ago, a new manager started working at my Starbucks. He used to work for Lush, which I always associated with weird smelling stores and bath bombs.
One day during my lunch break, I went across the street to the nearest pharmacy and bought some face moisturizer. When I came back, my manager went on this huge rant about the moisturizer I just bought and what it's really doing to my skin. He started quizzing me on my skin type and two days later I had a bag full of samples from Lush.
I noticed right away how amazing the moisturizer was, it left my skin feeling just the right amount of moisturized, and the cleanser was heavenly. I went in to Lush as soon as the samples ran out to buy full sized versions. While I was in the store, a sales associate recommended a toner to me as well. This was where I started seeing a real big difference! I was at about 2 weeks into the new skin regimen and I was already seeing a huge improvement on the amount of acne, and my skin was no longer dry, ever! Once the toner started to really kick in a week later, I couldn't stop smiling! I actually could not believe it! My skin is the best it's been since before I started wearing makeup!
Right now I have 2 pimples, which to me is freaking incredible. Today I spent the entire day wearing no foundation, and it felt incredible. I love my freckles, but I always had to cover it up along with the acne.

I think the second best part is that the products I have are completely vegan friendly, and SO natural!

What I use:
Cleanser : Angels on Bare Skin
Toner : Breath of Fresh Air
Moisturizer : Imperialis

I'm about to try out their hair care as well, so I'll let you guys know how that goes!

Movie Star

It might be because I just went to see the new movie Bridesmaids with some girlfriends, but lately I can't help but feel like I'm in a movie. The beginning of a movie though, where the main character is single, with the best girlfriends just going about her average life. Nothing special is happening to her yet, but the audience knows that something good is coming.

I know something special is coming. I don't know what it is, but my movie will have a happy ending.

Summer Bucket List

Let me know if you can help me achieve any of these goals, if you want to do any of these with me, or if you have anything to add!

In no particular order, here is a list of the things I want to do before the end of the summer.

1. Go horse back riding
2. Run 10k
3. Go to a strip club
4. Ride a motorcycle
5. Drive to Montreal
6. Go to Petrie Island
7. Go to Mooney's Bay
8. Run on the Canal
9. Swim in Jills pool (Every year we talk about it, but we never actually go in her pool)
10. Play Bingo (until I actually win a game)
11. Get another Tattoo
12. Rugby Rugby Rugby
13. CALYPSO!!!
14. Visit at least 2 museums
15. Go to a metal or punk show and mosh (is that what they still call it?)
16. Go to a comedy show

VEG VEG VEG

Today I had the ultimate veg day! It started with an awesome TRX session, followed by a quick shower, then a perfect trip to VEGFEST 2011! An event where people don't look at you funny when you say you are vegan, and all of the goodies and treats are vegan friendly. Man, momma bought the family soo many cupcakes!!
I finished off the day by making a big pot of quinoa (keen-wah) for my dinner tonight, and leftovers for the rest of the week.
Perfect perfect perfect!!

Customer Service

The next time you go shopping, or out anywhere really, pay attention to the customer service. How fake/real are they being, are they real good at being fake? Be careful, and be appreciative.

Or you could try this - Treat the employee like the customer. It sounds weird, but ask them how their day is going, or smile at them.
What's that? free samples? a free latte? a new friend? NO WAY!

Carpe Diem

When I was in high school, any excuse to get out of class was a good opportunity. So when professional speakers came to give assemblies, it was mostly seen as an hour to not be miserable in class (because life was so hard right?).

One year I remember a man who came in and spoke all about living your life, doing the things you want to do, and how every second counts.

He wore a shirt with big bold writing.

'Carpe Diem'

Now my 15 year old self absorbed this and I lived this for all of 1 hour. I then went back to my regular teenage life of missed opportunities.

When I started getting sick I watched my life pass by me. I felt like I had lost months of what could have been spent laughing with my friends. Well technically I did.

I try my best when I'm feeling really tired to think about what I could be doing at that very moment, and that often gives me encouragement to actually go ahead and do it.

Now I'm trying to work on seizing the moment when it comes to relationships. When I think about all of the people I could have told my true feelings to, I realize all of those special moments I could have had.

Well thats my midnight rant on a Friday night. Big day tomorrow.

Carpe Diem.

xoxo

Random Thought

I'm not ashamed to say that I am guilty of watching MTV religiously.

Watching The Real World today made me want to throw out a suggestion to any males taking the time to read this, and now that I think about it, for the girls too.

Sunglasses are to keep the sun out of your eyes right?

So why are you wearing them in the club?

Can you even see?

Do you realize it's douchey to call them your 'Stunna Shades' and not be joking about it?

Wear your sunglasses when it's sunny.

Just saying.

I'm a Cheater.

I cheated on my vegan diet yesterday. I wasn't having the greatest day at work, so for some reason that justified eating bad foods. I did not eat meat though.

I slept for 12 hours last night because I had a headache afterwards and I was feeling so lethargic.

I've definitely realized that I need to think of food as FUEL and not comfort.

New Things Coming

New Tattoo, new things, and new news. All coming up soon.

I'm waiting for the tattoo to heal to take pictures.

So for now, Carpe Diem.

XOXO

And my new saying which is kinda the opposite, il dolce far niente.

Ew. You're a Vegan?

Two weeks ago, I made the decision to challenge myself to become a vegan for a month. It's something that has always been on my bucket list, but I just never got around to it. It was my love for cheese, and other various products containing milk or eggs that was stopping me for so long.

At some point in the seventh or eighth grade I decided for seeming good reasons at the time to become vegetarian, and kept up with it for a good 5 years until it became difficult to keep it up. I was working long hours at a pizzeria that definitely had few to none vegetarian options. I did keep away from red meats though.

about 5 months ago I made the decision to go back to being vegetarian, it just seems right for me and the lifestyle I live. I don't even know what triggered myself to suddenly decide to become vegan now. I think it's between the fact that I've been hitting the gym more than ever recently and that I really need to keep my renal system healthy with my PKD.

Well the past 2 weeks have actually been a lot easier than I imagined. I have way more energy than before, I'm eating food that actually does good for me. This could be a permanent change, or I'll at least be able to cross off my 6 month vegan challenge from my bucket list!

Crossing my fingers

Carpe Diem

Dear YouTube, I like the way you roll.

One of my favorite things to do with my spare time is watch YouTube videos. While there are a ton of vlogs that I watch, I wanted to bring your attention to some pretty cool YouTube musicians.

Here they are:

Social Networking

Some people hate it, but I absolutely love it.

I've discovered tons of bands, quotes, videos, tattoo designs, and much more.

Now each site brings something different to the table.

FACEBOOK

The home base. All my friends, family, pictures, favorite things, etc. Everything you need to know about me is on here. Most of it is set to private though...

TWITTER

140 characters of random thoughts that pop into my head.

TUMBLR

A blog that takes a lot less thought or effort. I see something I like and I post it.

DAILYBOOTH

Photos taken on a webcam with a comment about my day and then sent out to the magical interwebs.

MYSPACE

Discovering cool bands. I don't really post anything on here, I just look at tour dates and listen to new music.

CHECKOUTMYINK

Checking out cool tattoos

Click on the name of the site to go to my page (ooouh how FANCY!).

Carpe Diem