Raquael's Ramblings

Leggings are NOT PANTS!

2012-11-23T17:25:00.001-05:00

Preach it sister!

Click image to read blog post

Christmas List

2012-11-17T11:41:00.001-05:00

Picture from orkutscrap4u.com

I know this is cheeky of me but here is my Christmas List.
Number One on the list is Money for Paris :)

Thank you in advance

Update for November

2012-11-17T11:31:00.000-05:00

He is amazing and wonderful and I just love him so :) Haha.
So we went to the Ottawa Cat Show thinking we would finally hae the opportunity to talk to a Burmese breeder, after sending off many emails and not getting any responses. Not only was there a breeder but they had a kitten for sale. After getting to hold him we were pretty much hooked so we ran around getting things together and brought him home that afternoon.

He has been a lively addition to the family. He is very playful but also cuddly. His favorite toy is a pink ribbon (thanks Aunty Anna and Aunty Rachel) and his favorite thing to do is sleep right in the middle of the bed at night. Really though, how could you resist that face?

In other news (how can there be other news though apart from him?) Steve has formally applied to Audiology at Western University, which is very exciting. This would for sure mean a move to London Ontario in 2013. We are looking forward to being closer to Steve's parents and family.

Little Miss M is up and walking around which means more on the go for me. She is still a delight and I am thankful for the job. Right now I am looking into full time opportunities for the new year but we will see how that pans out.

Steve and I are swimming once a week at Carleton which has been alot of fun. We do about half an hour of solid swimming which is very good for me so I keep hearing. I even have a very stylish one piece. When you swim laps this is an essential as you cant stop every 10m and adjust. The facilities are very civilized and even have hair dryers.

Q is now jumping all over the keyboard which is his way of saying it's time to play. Steve is worried about him turning into an obese child so I had better go play. That's all for November (even if we're half way through).

The Parra Family

2012-10-09T14:35:00.000-04:00

On the first weekend of October my Family (on my Mom's side) was included in the Imperial Valley Pioneer Museum in California. My Tio, (Great Uncle) Emilio Parra and Members of the Agricultural Board formally recognized our family as being one of the founding familes of the Valley in the late 1800's.

I designed the information plaque below that is now in the Museum.

Well done to my Mom and Tio for all the hard work they put into making this happen.

Update for October

2012-10-09T14:23:00.002-04:00

There isn't really anything exciting to report over the last month.

Though Thanksgiving weekend has just been and gone and there sure is a lot to be Thankful for. I am Thankful for my family, my health, my wonderful friends (especially Anna who invited me to the Holmes Family Thanksgiving for the second year in a row), for my spectacular husband and his constant hard work at school, for our Church and all it's support, for Canada and our home.

Now if only I could add my puppy or kitten to this list of things I am Thankful for :)

P.S I like to write Thankful with a capital T cos I am Really Thankful!

My Vitamin K Intake

2012-10-09T14:21:00.000-04:00

So I thought I would post this up for anyone who is on Coumadin/ Warfarin. The Adequate Intake for Vitamin K established by the Food and Nutrition Board of the U.S. Institute of Medicine is 120 mcg for men age 19 and older and 90 mcg for women age 19 and older. This is the amount for Women only and would need to be adjusted for men.

Simply go to the link below to view the spreadsheet.
Google Docs Spreadsheet

Update for September

2012-09-07T11:08:00.001-04:00

Hands down favourite moment of the Summer

Well Fall is here which I am glad and sad about. Let's make a Pro/Con List to outline these shall we.

Pros

Cooler temperatures mean I will be more comfortable.
I will be able to take the little girl I nanny for out to more places
Fall temperatures also mean I can wear the favourite pieces of my wardrobe
Christmas is coming

Cons

Steve is back at school :(
Winter is coming, which mean snow is coming, which mean ice is coming. I like the snow but I can't handle the ice and the extreme cold.
The Summer is over, no more swimming in the outside pool.

We had a lovely end-of-Summer holiday in London, ON, with Steve's Parentals. This was a nice relaxing get away for both of us. While we were there we also had the chance to tour Western and attend a Harvest Bible Chapel London Service. Melissa and Shannon (my brother-in-laws sister and her husband) are connected with this church so that is another plus.

The tour was great because it gave us something to dream about. It gave me a point of reference for where things are and showed us some of the residential areas we will start to look into for housing next year. Attending Harvest was great because I think we both felt as if we could be at home there. Nice to know that making this big move next year will not mean isolation. We will have family and church family to come to.

As for here in Ottawa, Steve is, as mentioned above, back to school for the final year of his undergrad. Whahooo. So proud of the hard work he continually puts in. As for me still nannying for this little girl and helping out at church. Nothing new to report there. And with that Summer is over and we move on to Fall.

Yeash

2012-08-14T15:43:00.002-04:00

This scared me...

Update for August

2012-08-09T12:47:00.000-04:00

It may be a wee bit late but it is here never the less.
Firstly thankyou to everyone who came to my Heartiversary Party.
I had a great time and the food was delicious. I also want to thank the doctors, nurses, surgeons, specialists and orderlies who looked after me a year ago while I was in hospital. I received nothing but the best care while at the Royal Victoria in Montreal and I am forever grateful for the extra attention and allowances that were given to myself and my family during my stay.
I am thankful to God who kept me here. I try to remember that there is a plan for me. I am not done yet and I am meant to do great things. I know that nothing is coincidence and it is all by his hand and grace.
August is bringing cooler temperatures and more rain which is fine by me. But this also means the days and getting shorter and the water in the outdoor pool a little colder. I feel like Christmas will be here before I know it then we will be onto 2013 and who knows what next year will bring.
Not really much to report this month. No big changes or things coming up. Trying to be healthy and thrifty. This month I would like to make a special effort to Skype with my Bucklands Beach Babes. You know who you are. Let's get organised and do this thing!

We can all learn from Monkeys

2012-08-09T11:52:00.001-04:00

A recent Article in the NZ Herald drew my eye today. Especially this quote:

"While observing the monkeys, the three researchers have noted the tree-dwelling monkey's distinctively amicable behaviour, including hugging each other to avoid tension and anger"

To read the full article click on the link below

Laina Walker

2012-07-13T13:09:00.001-04:00

Love this girl!

Beware Makeup Gurus

2012-07-13T11:03:00.001-04:00

So in watching these Make-up Gurus and others like them I have noticed something shocking...

Most of them have no idea what they are talking about. In the last week alone I have watched 3 videos that told viewers in make-up tutorials to do things that I know are big no-nos in the actual beautician/make-up artist world. I know this because for years I was lucky enough to have an Aunt who loved to do my Make-up for all major events in my adolescence. This Aunt wasn't just someone who liked to do make-up, she was someone who had trained in how to do make-up. See, herein lies a vital difference. There is a difference between a Make-up Guru and a Make-up Artist.

Things I have noticed being promoted that you SHOULD NOT do:

Apply foundation and concealer after doing the eye make-up (start with moisturiser, then primer, then foundation and concealer, then eyes, cheeks, lips)
Use fingers to apply foundation/ many other types of make-up (fingers have natural oils, use brushes instead for longer-lasting looks)
Curling eye lashes after applying eye make-up (eye lashes should be curled first other wise you risk messing up make-up you have just put on)
Wear too much make-up for a statement look (too much make-up is too much make-up, lets be honest)

I am thankful to live in Canada. A country where I can leave the house with no make-up on and not be pointed at and laughed at in the street. In fact no one looks at me twice. Because no one cares! That's the most important thing. If you are wearing make-up because you think you have to, take another look at your motives (unless you live in most of the States, in which case you are right). I wear make-up because it is fun to sometimes do but I feel no social pressure to do so and I hope you do not either.

Makeup Primer

2012-07-13T10:42:00.003-04:00

I have never understood what the use of makeup primer is. Then while watching one of my guilty youtube beauty videos I heard over and over again how amazing they are and what they actually do.

What do they do? I hear you ask. Well make-up primers go on after your moisturiser and help your make-up from melting, smudging or creasing. Now it should be noted that primers are not miracle creams that keep you looking exactly the same as when you looked in the mirror after finishing your make-up first thing in the morning, but they do go a long way to helping maintain the look throughout a busy day. Especially a busy Summers day.

So which ones are the best? Well I don't know, I'm no beauty expert. I haven't used a primer except for one time and it was a sample tube and then I threw it away and can't remember what it was, but it was amazing. But I have entered into the world of eye primers.

My first attempt was Revlons Photoready Eye Primer. I wanted something cheap and easy to get the feel for it. I used it a couple times and noticed a definitive difference although I do not like the tube dispersal. After doing some research I bought the Laura Mercier Eye Canvas. It comes in a pot and can be applied with a brush which I think I like better. I have yet to use it but will update this when I do. Not that anyone cares :)

Update for July

2012-07-06T16:02:00.000-04:00

That's right people, three months down nine to go for my New Years Resolution. Man I'm good!

We just had a lovely trip down to London, ON to visit the Joneses. This included not one but two BBQ's as is only fitting for the Canada Day Long Weekend! We missed the fireworks but did get in some competitive puzzle doing, chocolate parfaits and all-you-can-eat sushi. An all-in-all success I would say.

Great to see the family and think there is potential for us to be moving there in about a years time. Yes that's right we are looking at London for grad school for both of us come September 2013. Steve would be studying Audiology and I would be doing my Masters in Educational Psychology. That's if I can get in with my 3 year, non honors degree. We will pray!

Work is good. I am wrapping up a week off which has been nice, though quite busy. Running errands and doing all those things you otherwise put off really takes more time then you imagine it to. The summer has been a scorcher all ready so I will have to plan lots of nice air-conditioned and water activities for the little one.

That is all for now. Hope things are too cold at home and that those in warmer parts of the world are keeping hydrated. As for me I will be here watching Pregnant in Heels my latest fix :)

Guilty Pleasures

2012-06-16T21:51:00.001-04:00

Here is a list of things I probably should not admit to liking but I do:

Justin Bieber. Only after I saw the movie
Watching Real Housewives of Vancouver
Peeling the paper off butter
Listening to the Dixie Chicks
Eating real butter. The kind WITH salt
Eating the fat on steak. It's too good
Watching Glee
Reading the occasional Romance Novel
Going too long between cleanings of my bathtub
Subscribing to multiple "Youtubers" including missglamorazzi, juicystar07 and allthatglitters21

that is all.

Birthday Week

2012-06-16T21:40:00.000-04:00

Birthday Week is an important tradition yet many pepole do not celebrate it. I am flummoxed as to the reasoning behind this. Why have one day when you can have multiple?

For those of you who do not know here are the The Rules of Birthday Week.

Birthday week can start or finish either side of your actual birthday but must be 7 days long
Great things should happen all week, but not necessarily every day
During B.W you are allowed to eat cake every day and even for breakfast. Personally I choose to have two cakes, but that's just me
Gifts and cards are welcomed but should be opened as close to your actual birthday as possible
Things such as diets, cleaning, walking, getting up to get things instead of asking others to get them for you and bathing suit shopping should all be avoided during B.W. You do not need the stress during this week of joviality
Birthday Week is about YOU and others may need to be reminded of this (Stay on task people!)

Latest Favourite Things

2012-06-01T22:01:00.002-04:00

The fact that I finally managed to hook up my Google Calendars with my Week Cal App on my Ipod Touch (Seriously the BEST Calendar App out there)
Eating Cadbury Dairy Milk Dream Bubbly Block (Even though it's nearly gone)
The good Summer movies coming soon: Dark Knight Rising, The Intouchables and Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.
Watching the new episodes of Sherlock while snuggled up in bed with the husband
Finishing "Bloodlines" by Richelle Mead (A guilty secret). Looking forward to "The Golden Lily" out the day before my birthday!

Update for June

2012-06-01T21:13:00.001-04:00

Well I promised once a month updates and here we are. So month 1, check! That's a 100% Success Rate :)

June is upon us and it has bought with it some of the coldest weather we have had in over a month. When we arrived back from out trip home it was super warm. Shorts and tee-shirts warm. Now its cold and rainy. Will be like this for the next few weeks. Meh. Better then the stinking hot I suppose.

Anyways, Updates. That's what's it's all about after all. Started the new job. She is adorable and sweet. Though she does enjoy using her teeth on my shoulder a little more frequently then I would like. We are working on being told "No" without losing our shit. Being a single child does that to one I suppose. She loves the park and the swing and is super easy to entertain which makes my job easier.

Last week I had a belated 6 month check up with the Cardiologist and was given the all clear from the latest MRI, praise God. Looks like everything internally is trucking along nicely. Now if I could only shed this pesky Summer cold I seem to have picked up I really be kicking butt.

Steve just celebrated his birthday and mine is soon to come. We will be going down to Niagara Falls for a friends wedding so thought we would also take the time to celebrate our birthdays/ reminisce about our honeymoon while we are there. I say Brasa Niagara Steakhouse, but Steve thinks we should revisit the Watermark Restaurant. What a lovely problem to have. I really do lead a blessed life.

We recently took part in a relationship study at Carleton. We saw the advertisement at the bus stop and what really drew me to it, besides the large hearts, was the promise of $60 upon completion, half at the start and the other half at the end. So we went in for the first session and dutifully filled out the questionnaires. However half way through the computers we were using had problems connecting to the server. The assistant tried everything but couldn't get them to work so she paid us the first half of the money and sent us on our way. A couple days later I got an email inviting us back to finish the first portion of the study again. We went back and were surprised that when we finished she gave us another $30. Now we wait two weeks, complete the new surveys and we will get the final $30. That's right for about 3 hours of our time we have $90 for filling out surveys. That's going straight to the Paris fund.

Remember it's never too late to contribute! Don't forget that I had a heart attack and that I have Marfans.... visit

Famille Jones vont lancementon à Paris

Surfin Portugal

2012-05-11T20:05:00.002-04:00

P.S This is amazing!

Update for May

2012-05-10T21:10:00.002-04:00

So in the spirit of my new resolution here is the May Update. We have just got back from NZ which was an amazing and extremely busy trip. Cities we visited included Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Rotorua, Ngatea, Hastings, Darfield, Oxford and Waihi Beach. More family then I can name.
Great time was had by all and photo's will follow. Shout-outs to all those who made a went out of their way for us including, but not limited to The Bradleys (who drove us back and forth to the airport multiple times) my Nana (who is still going strong at 80-something), Linda (who came all the way from America to see us) and Pip (who's continuous generosity knows no bounds).
I ate more then my fair share of NZ food including tonnes of feijoas, squiggletops, lamb and cherio sausages. Now that we are home Steve and I are on a collective health kick to work off some of the added pounds. Steve is working at a new lab at Carleton over the summer and I start a new job next week. Nannying for a one year old little girl who lives a 12 minute walk away from me. It is only 3 days a week and coupled with my hours at the church for Kids Ministry will make for a nice transition back into the workforce.
I can feel it already. May is going to be a good month!

Blogging

2012-05-10T20:50:00.001-04:00

I've been reading the hilariously honest posts of The Happy Mamma and they have helped me come to the conclusion that I shouldn't put so many restrictions on this whole blogging thing.

Usually posting for me is a proccess.

Making a list of a few ideas of things I want to post about/news to share with friends and family
Waiting till I'm in the 'mood' to write
Writing a post that is thought out, has pictures and/or diagrams and of a certain length (usually around 150 words+)
Re-reading said post and editing

All of this takes time and, as mentioned, the right mood. Hence me going months without posting. But reading The Happy Mamma I realised posts can be short and succinct while still interesting.

So here is another NYR Post twice a month. That's all just twice a month. One life update, one interest piece. Easy and simple. I can do this!

To be pornographic, or not to be

2012-05-10T20:40:00.001-04:00

I love how this

has caused an uproar...

but this

was somehow considered non-pornographic.

New Years Resolutions 2012

2012-01-17T18:26:00.000-05:00

If I post them do you think I will keep them?

1) Get to ideal weight
2) Swim twice a week
3) Start awesome job I love
4) Look into getting Health Insurance so Steve can go to an Ivy-League school
5)Don't have another heart attack

hmm I think that's all for now.

Rustle, rustle, rustle

2012-01-17T18:21:00.002-05:00

What's that Winds of Change? You say change is coming?
.....

Christmas Shopping

2011-12-09T21:17:00.000-05:00

Well it's that time again. The mall is open till 10pm/11/2am. People are maceing (is that how you spell it) each other for that 'perfect' gift. Me? Well not only am I completely done my Christmas shopping but all my Christmas cards were sent out about 3 weeks ago.
Do you hate me? I'm just that organised. For those of you who have met Brian you will know where I get it from :)
Speaking of gifts check out my Wiishlist (see button on the sidebar) if you are stuck for ideas for me. I know it's a shameless plug but a girls gotta do...
To those travelling/ coming home (Laura Mordaunt and Katie K) over the holidays, safe travels and see you all in 2012, which according to the Mayans is doomsday. But who believes them anyways?