Vampires and witches and ghosts, oh my!

Aaah...October! That wonderful time of year when Halloween rolls around and you get to play make believe and play dress up like a kid again.

As kid growing up it was all about how much candy you could score and stuff in your face successfully before bedtime. For the bonafide country gal that I am...a pillowcase full meant it was a good year.

Now as an 'adult' it's all about who has the most creative costume and can stay in character while funnelling beers.

Last year when I was in Taiwan, working on Halloween night (yuck!), I realized that the differences in culture mean HUGE differences in Halloween culture. Over there on that tiny island, costumes were all about the guts, gore and blood. One of the teachers had a REAL pig's heart on a platter as part of their costume...in an elementary school. If that isn't dedication, I don't know what is.

I have noticed there are generally 3 types of costumes that pop up.

1. Traditional Halloween (scary and/or bloody)

2. Sexy/Slutty Halloween (the more cleavage, leg, or skin, the better)

3. Funny Halloween (creativity and orginality rule)

Now I'm not saying the 3 are mutually exclusive, they can overlap. Everyone loves a slutty, bloody undead bride right?! What I would like to know is...when did it become appropriate to go out in public wearing lingerie or underwear while sporting some bunny ears and calling it a costume? Halloween can be a chilly time of year...cover up, or at least keep warm with a good flask.

I tend to lean toward the third costume trend. Keeping in mind comfort and the ability to dance with drink in hand. Happy costume hunting!

Health care obivously isn't their forte.

Giving Thanks

At this time last year I was on the other side of the world teaching English in Taiwan. I did not spend it with family, I did not eat turkey, I did not have a holiday. So, being present for this year's Thanksgiving, I felt very lucky to be with loved ones. Of course, there are so many other things that I am thankful for.

I am thankful to once again have a working oven. I like to cook. It was very hard to be creative with a toaster oven.

I am thankful for Tim Horton's. There is one just around the corner from me now. Tim and are in a relationship. I think I may be in love.

I am thankful for the beautiful season of fall. I love fall. The changing colors. The crisp weather. The accessories are endless - scarves, jackets, boots...oh the possibilities.

I am thankful for OSAP. The savior of students.

I am thankful to be within driving distance of most of my family and friends. Planes become a bit pricey.

I am thankful for my friends. The old ones, the new ones, the ones I have yet to meet. I am happy to say that I am pretty sure I will forever have company on each continent.

I am thankful for my family. They are loveable crazies always good for a laugh. Even if they do try to set me up with 40 year olds. Thanks D.

And last, but certainly not least, I am thankful for leftovers. Because, well, I am a starving student. There's nothing like a turkey sandwich during lunch.

So, happy Thanksgiving! Annnnd...a very happy birthday to my Dad! Love you!

If you'll excuse me, the tryptophan is kicking in.

More heavy gravy?

Shake This!

I've only recently seen an advertisement for this workout product. I wouldn't call it revolutionary. Men have been participating in this workout for years, perfecting it for the masses. Women have occasionally participated as well. It even comes with an instructional DVD, but no instructions are necessary. You can do it alone. You can do it with a partner. You can do it in the car. You can do it on the go. You can do it with company around. It really, truly is versatile. Now we can all get "jacked."

Check out the women's here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXHUdvvHTkw

Check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbsSeVr5NSI



If it was as effective as the ads say, I think we'd be seeing a lot more toned men around.
I'm also pretty sure most men would be able to finish this workout in less than 6 minutes.



Warning: Overuse of this product may result in blindness.