Heel pain

I woke up this morning at around 4:30 pm and had heel pain. Whenever I walk a lot, I end up overusing my right foot in some way. I ended up with heel pain.

It took several hours for the pain to subside. I was supposed to go to a work bowling events, but ended up not going because I was tired. I needed a nap.

I'm doing a lot better now. Luckily, it doesn't happen all the time. However, when the pain arrives, it does take a while for it to subside.

Snow doesn't seem as much as predicted

The snowfall so far hasn't been huge. We had our first wave last night. The second wave is happening now.

I just realized that I have a drive-thru event later on this evening. Here's hoping that the snowfall isn't that bad as what's being predicted.

I went out briefly yesterday to fetch something from my car. It was a mix of ice and snow on my windshield.

Busy event and perks week

This week is shaping up to be a busy, exciting one full of events and perks. Later on today, I'm going to Beyond Monet. It's an immersive experience held a day before its official opening day. I am heading downtown, so it'll be interesting. I haven't been in this particular part of the downtown core in a decade!

I am currently planning my weekend. I'm getting free ice cream and beer in two different cities. I hope to hit a rib festival midway between these two cities. I will be doing lots of driving!

Fabulous lunch, wine-tasting, and good deed

I had a fabulous lunch on Thursday. I went out with my department to a new restaurant and had a vegan pizza with lots of mushrooms. It was delicious!

Later on in the evening, I went to a wine-tasting event. I got to try three different white wines, followed by three different red wines. We also had food to nibble on. I loved it.

I said hi to a person at the event. We have crossed paths for a while. She rarely talks to folks. I decided to break the ice. It worked.

At the end of the event, she asked me if I could drive her to the closest intersection, so she could catch a bus. I said yes.

After talking to her in my car for a bit, I found out that she doesn't live too far from me. I offered to drive her home. She was so appreciative that she said that she'd buy me a coffee next time.

It pays to be nice and do something nice for someone, to make that person's day and yours.

Day off from work on Thursday and finding cheap eats

I had Thursday off from work. We had a summer work event. It was nice to kick back and have fun.

After this event, I found a small restaurant that has prices from the 60's. As an example, I had an orange ice cream float for $2. Insane!

I should go to bed. I was so tired after being out for the day that I took a fifteen-minute nap.

What top goes well with palazzo pants for a black tie gala?

On Tuesday, I was asked to be a part of a black tie gala. The main reason? I am a finalist for at least one award.

Here's the weird thing. Apparently, I'm not eligible for this award if I don't go. It's odd to me. I would like to think that it was worded this way because it would look weird to win the award fair and square, and not be in attendance.

Anyway, there is never a guarantee to win anything. I should just go, have free food and booze, and be thankful to have been nominated. However, I have a good feeling that my hard work all last year has paid off.

The bigger concern is what to wear. I don't go to such formal events.

I have two items of clothing that are chiffon and look fancy: a black skirt and a pair of dark brown palazzo pants.

The black skirt is too large on me. I have lost weight since I last wore it a good eight years ago. The palazzo pants fit perfectly and I like how it flows on me.

Here's my question: What top to I wear with palazzo pants? A nice, slightly fitted black sweater? A cap-sleeved sweater with a blouse underneath? I haven't got a clue.

It's the main reason why I didn't jump on being a part of this event. I am not fancy. I like wearing jeans and a t-shirt. I like staying at home, in my pajamas, snacking and drinking pop.

It's only for a couple of hours. I will be okay.

Concert, food, and sleep

It has been a busy couple of evenings. I went to see Jann Arden in concert the other night. I love her music so much!

I just came back from a food event this evening. It was a ton of fun. I'm now trying to learn how to wind down for the day. It's tough!

Happy weekend, everyone!

Botox

I would classify myself as low maintenance. I don't wear makeup all that often. I am very much a tomboy, except that I like doing my nails, and shopping for clothes now and again.

I did something different on Wednesday. I am an elite member on Yelp and decided to take part in an event at a beauty place. It provided your choice of a facial, filler (for lips), or botox for free.

All of these selections are so foreign to me. However, it would be a good introduction to any of them. I have never done any of these services in my life.

Both my guy and I have full lips. So, the filler option wasn't for me. I decided not to do a facial. The last thing I need is for my oily skin to break out because my face has been massaged more than usual.

Yep, I did botox. There is a first for everything.

For the longest time, I have had this fairly deep crease on my forehead. It is probably due to working with folks who possess either poor judgment or lack common sense. So, I probably raise my eyebrows a lot and end up saying, "Huh?"

I wanted to see whether my deep creasy line could be faded in some way.

This event was wonderful. I was greeted promptly and given a bottle of water. I filled out forms and waited until my technician was free. She was knowledgeable. She is a registered nurse. She explained the procedure and answered all my questions.

Sure enough, my deep forehead line could be faded away. She administered botox on my forehead. The needle didn't hurt. I just felt small pricks here and there.

It has been a day and I am seeing a difference. My crease line is shorter. It's pretty neat. And, yes, and I can still crack a smile and my forehead still moves.

Botox is expensive, though. My treatment would have been $300 had I not been invited to this special event. I am grateful for being invited. It is effective and I had a good first experience.

Reflections of 9/11 from a Canadian living in the States

I am a bit late with my reflections on 9/11.

Where was I on that day? I was a Canadian living in the U.S.

I lived in Minnesota for two years. I had already been there for more than a year when the tragic events occurred on September 11, 2001.

Back then, I was a pure night owl. I went to bed late and woke up at 07:45. I eventually got to work by 09:30.

I was listening to the local radio station when the first plane had crashed into one of the twin towers of the World Trade Center. I thought that it was a freak accident and hoped that everyone was okay. Moments later, it was reported that another plane had crashed into the other tower. I knew then that it was deliberate.

I fixed myself breakfast, sat at the table, and watched the horrible events unfold on ABC News. I felt sick to my stomach.

I managed to drive myself to work, which was a close five minutes away. I walked into my office where my officemate and our fellow colleague (we were all Canadian) reflected on what had just happened.

Things changed after that day. The technology company that I worked for implemented strict security policies going in and out of the parking lot. At the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport, I could no longer go through security and meet my mom at her gate like I had done a few months earlier. 

My parents were concerned about me. They called that evening. I told them that all was okay. I wasn't exactly close to the Big Apple, but I was stateside and only a timezone away.

It was a dark day. I may not talk or write about it much, but the day is still fresh in my mind.

I disliked how the local gas stations immediately hiked up gas prices. Price gouging is wrong to begin with, let alone capitalizing on such a tragic event.

However, there are always good stories, like good samaritans helping others after the twin towers were hit. That's what I would like to focus on -- the good.