I didn't set out to be a high school tutor. Initially I offered to help a friend's little brother with his algebra and it all spiraled beautifully out of control after that. Never underestimate the power of word-of-mouth marketing in a town with one high school. At my busiest I seem to recall having seventeen … Continue reading day 19/40: #4oshoutouts40days
Month: February 2016
day 18/40: #40shoutouts40days
"Elissa, we need to talk." I ran frenzied circles around my manager. She was the eye of the storm standing tall and calm. I was spinning about trying to get my shit together and start work on time. "Elissa, we need to talk. You're late again." "Sorry - you're right. I'm so sorry. I was … Continue reading day 18/40: #40shoutouts40days
day 17/20: #40shoutouts40days
This is the first of several shout-outs to people whom I've had the pleasure of working with over the years. After all, we spend one third of our waking life at work five days a week. I spent more time with my coworkers than I did with my husband before motherhood happened. I have chosen … Continue reading day 17/20: #40shoutouts40days
day 16/40: #40shoutouts40days
It was a Saturday night. All was still and quiet in our home. I was wrapped in my cherry red dressing gown, ready to blowdry my hair (because I actually had a shower!) and my husband sat in the living room chipping away at his thesis. All I could hear from the comfort of our … Continue reading day 16/40: #40shoutouts40days
day 15/40: #40shoutouts40days
Because I'm shifting gears into another category of people to thank, I would like to mix things up a bit before carrying off on another trajectory. To the fresh-faced barista at Taste who blared Lauryn Hill's MTV Unplugged 2.0 album on Tuesday morning, you are my hero. Two reasons. One, I learned not long ago … Continue reading day 15/40: #40shoutouts40days
day 14: #40shoutouts40days
For this 40-day initiative, I've been intentionally seeking to encourage people whom I am not in close contact with. There are several reasons for this decision but the weightiest is this: forty days is simply not enough time to accurately represent my gratitude for all the people in my life. That said, I will break … Continue reading day 14: #40shoutouts40days
day 13: #40shoutouts40days
Dear Ashley Rodriguez, I knew you were talented long before I became a fan solely because of the way Jono talked about your bacon caramels. His wife, my precious friend Aimee, easily gets excited about pretty much anything but not Jono. I think that's why they are a perfect pair. Jono is a critic. Jono … Continue reading day 13: #40shoutouts40days
day 12/40: #40shoutouts40days
Located on the perimeter of Vancouver's Granville Island Public Market is a charcuterie paradise known as Oyama Sausage Co. Even the name is delicious, isn't it? Oyama! How you have spoiled me, Oyama. I don't dare estimate how much I have spent on your glorious pâtés and cured meats. I am a blubbering fool when … Continue reading day 12/40: #40shoutouts40days
day 11/40: #40shoutouts40days
Dearest Bobby, I know I should address you properly as Father Robert or R.F. Capon, or at very least Mr Capon, but now that I am intimately acquainted with your work, I feel as though we are chums, you and I. I'm sure you would also want to abandon courtesies and instead call me Liss. … Continue reading day 11/40: #40shoutouts40days
day 10/40: #40days40shoutouts
Last spring we met up with my husband's parents and sister in citrusy Sorrento. We scheduled seven glorious days of quality time along the Amalfi coast. On our first evening, we decided to venture into the hills for dinner. Our host enthusiastically suggested a restaurant. We were clueless and curious. It was a bit of … Continue reading day 10/40: #40days40shoutouts