1. FOOD
At work we have a professor from Switzerland, who is visiting Canada with his family. He arrived back in April and has been indulging our lab in his treats, as baking is his hobby. At least three times a week we walk into the lab for "coffee time" and there is a new cake or pastry or bread sitting on the table to be enjoyed. We have been lucky enough to also have two students from Switzerland come and visit. The one PhD student brought with him cheese. So last night after work our group sat down to a night of eating Fondue and drinking wine. Unfortunately I am allergic to cheese, but it was so entertaining to watch the passion in the preparation of the Fondue. I ate pickles and drank wine while I watched my coworkers dip piece after piece of crusty french bread into the smooth melted cheese. Our conversation ended up in a discussion about the food culture in Europe compared to Canada. I had two major observations as I sat on the side lines and watched.
One: The passion in the preparation and discussion around food was inspiring - there did actually seem to be a difference between the Europeans and the North Americans
Two: There was such a different sense of community within the group as we ate and drank together.
This has sparked a number of feelings - mainly to get back into the kitchen and try some new recipes with passion and pleasure! Perhaps I will even write about these adventures!!
2. MOVE
A quick update on how the learn to run clinic is going. On Monday was our second last clinic and we managed to run 5km! It was awesome to see the ladies that didn't think they would be able to run 5km when we started out, celebrate the accomplishment at the end. Monday I think was my best run, I felt strong and steady - I felt like a jogger. I counted the intervals and helped our instructor pick the course and make adjustments as we determined how far the group could go. I enjoy having a bit of a leadership role in the group! I was even asked last week if I would consider leading a learn to run clinic. The answer is - YES, just not yet. I want to get a bit stronger in my technique and feel more confident before I inspire others on their journey. I have really enjoyed the learn to run clinic, especially since it has motivated me to get moving even on the days when I have wanted to stay home on the couch.
3. FLOW
I felt completely overwhelmed last Friday and although the jog with my group helped, Saturday morning I was not feeling much better. So Saturday morning I grabbed my flip flops, an apple and a granola bar. I jumped in my car, filled up the tank and headed West towards the mountains. I was debating heading to my regular spot - the place in the Foothills where I feel most at home; however, the journey took a different path and I found myself down a path with no one else around. I sat down next to the river and watched it rush past me and flow downstream. This made me think of some great advice I came across during my Master's program .....
Advice from a River
- Go with the flow
- Immerse yourself in nature
- Slow down and meander
- Go around the obstacles
- Be thoughtful of those downstream
- Stay current
- The beauty is in the journey!
BY ILAN SHAMIR
This is exactly the reminder I needed. I just sat there and watched the water flow by and allowed myself to relax, feeling completely at home in the quiet little natural spot I found. I cannot believe how quickly time has been passing this year for me. I am so happy that I managed to find time to sit down and write about some of the neat things happening in my life as I reflect back on the topics of Food, Move, Flow!
