the Bonn uniform!

THE BONN UNIFORM!

Thanks to a very generous gesture from some long-time IPSF supporters, this year's Exec have these SUPER snazzy All-Blacks Rugby shirts, complete with nickname, to sport during crucial Congress events (ie when we're all making fools out of ourselves on the Karaoke soundstage ;)

I think I may just have the perfect shoes to go with it...

electrical impulses

(ProBlog: as can be noted from the previous entry, yesterday, or very early this morning rather, I discovered how to instert PHOTOS into the Blog! OH the endless possibilities...especially with the week to come, tee hee)

They say that "memory", when boiled down to its fundamentals, is merely a specific yet unique series of electrical impulses made relevant and put into context within the hippocampus, or some other equally small and complicated part of the brain. The same can be said for some of the events of this last month, which has been punctated with the metaphysical equivalent of short, unique, intense, electrical impulses whose relevance is in no way doubted (and for that matter, are perhaps more and more relevant to the Blogger than at first thought) but whose context **meaning, implications, hopes, fears, past, present, future, people, places, alone, not, decisions, confusion, truth, words, believe, wait, see, wonder** remain in the cards. Which can also be summed up in yet another word, if you boil it down: life

At any rate, I am thankful for it all, all it was and all it will bring in all contexts, as it will all be relevant.

Have not had Breakfast yet this morning so am still free to fully engage the imagination in what could (but ultimately won't, let's be honest) a super ultra lekker breakkie:

Definitely, susbesuqent to last night's dessert, PORFITJES are MOST in order! Mmmm, definitely a treat to be savoured again. Like a fresh little teeny hot doughnut, but OH so much better...

for my #1 (and only?) Blog Fan...

for my #1 (and only?) Blog Fan...

using the power of the internet for gooood, not eeeevil

Although the evening was very low key and quite solitary up until about an hour ago, I thoroughly enjoyed it, as I allowed myself some non-work time browsing though your friend and mine, the WWW, and began to replace all the music and internet files that were lost in the Great Computer Crash of '04 (and has this taught me to back up? Nooooo of course not...) Everything from Sesame Street to Queen to TV shows to Keane is back up and running on my media player. To celebrate, Tana and I did a gut-wrenching rendition of Bohemian Rhapdosy that brought the house down. Ok, there wasn't anyone else actually in the house but had there been, we would have KILLED! Even managed to replace my coveted Saturday Night Live NPR Schweaty Balls file, one of the funniest SNL skits of all time. Good times...good times...

AND was very pleasantly reminded of a site that I had tucked away in the back of my mind - Top 10 Worst Album Covers of all Time, Part 1. Not only do the covers themselves make you want to keel over with laughter, the Blogger providing the running, extremely-politically-incorrect-yet-so-funny-your-sides-hurt commentary should be given some sort of award for enlightening us all. Sent the link to some friends. We'll see if they share in my humourous enjoyment or whether I am shunned from the inner circle forever. Hehehehe would be worth it anyway, those album covers are FUN-NY, CAPITAL F! Check it ou for yourself: http://porktornado.diaryland.com/albumcover.html

As an aside, I think something is wrong with our washing machine. It has been going for over an hour now. Maybe it and the fridge should team up and take their broken down appliance act on the road.

Tomorrow, or rather later today, will necessitate productivity. Countdown to Bonn is on and I still have 2 presentations and a report to write. SO looking forward to dinner out tomorrow night though, have lots to catch up on and am happy at the prospect.

*yawn* I think I need a nightcap. Mmmmint hot chocolate barkeep....

bullet dodged

In the immortal words of Homer Simpson, WHOO HOO! For reasons that I don't even care of (is that callous? Am I not being nice? This week...DEAL with it!) we will NOT be infiltrated with squatting exchange students who I'm sure are very nice but whose laundry and upkeep generally fall in my hands at the end of the day. Ahhh can relax. Although Tana now seems to think we can spent the whole day at the office prepping for Congress. I am inclined to disagree...

But IPSF Congress does start next week and I really should be focusing on it although having just spent the better part of a year dedicating 12 or more hours a day to all things IPSF, I am ready to be done and conjuring up effort to do yet another presentation and write yet another report is a monumental task. What I AM looking forward to is the inevitable GOOD TIME that Congress always is...many favourite memories are the children of such events.

Speaking of children, although I am completely disinclined and unable to relate to such beings past a well meant compliment on a pint-sized yet well chosen outfit, I have to say I am getting quite gibbled, as one of bestest friends Meghan and her hubby Greg are expecting their son AJ (Alexander John) in TWO WEEKS!!! Which of course means any day. My phone is on HIGH ALERT and I jump at it every time it rings. The whole process is alien to me (literally, if you watch those Alien movies where that goo covered creature emerges from Sigourney Weaver) but I am anxious to see the little guy, and with any luck he will have Meghan's insane sense of humour (I laugh with no one like I laugh with Meghan, pharmacy school would have been a mere fraction of the enjoyment without her yelling me things from the back row and vice versa) which will mean a handful for them but pure delight for us!

I hope the Gap bunny outfit and Khaki pea coat I sent him compliment his colouring...hee hee. The boy now needs a pair of the teeniest cutest Puma sneakers I saw the other day...I hope to stop and see the New Arrival outside of Toronto en route back to Winnipeg in October.

Alrighty have self-distracted long enough. FIP calls. FIP/IPSF/BPP/PR/BPS/RC/WHO/XCO ARRGGH all of them are giving me ADD.

OH almost forgot...let's just call it BREAKFAST: Mmm something salty today, ahhh yes. Leftover thin crust pizza, cold, complete with congeled mozerella, ham, onions, extra mushrooms, peppers, onions, feta, and spinach. My mouth is watering...

blog neglect

It was a "nose-to-the-grindstone-I-have-NO-patience-for-9.5/10-things-and-or-people-today" kind of day, so the Blog has been somewhat neglected. I'm sure the authorities have already been dispatched.

What I Wish I Had HAD For Breakfast Today: Really gooey and moist chocolate cake - a piece the size of my HEAD - still warm with gooey chocolate icing melting over the side, accompanied by a GIGANTOR steaming cup of chocolate truffle coffee.

Yeah, it was that kind of day.

And NOW 4 (FOUR!) exchange students want to crash here Saturday night, LORD HELP US ALL. Just when we were getting the flat back to ourselves. Hopefully I will as previously planned be occupied in the early evening anyway, so exposure will be limited. No one just better be in my bed when I get home.

Wow, could have used that endorphin-releasing chocolate more than I thought...kind of Ms. Cranky-Pants today....as if you couldn't tell.

It's 05h30, do you know where your Tanning Salon is?

Not much else to do throughout a sleepless night than let your mind wander to, amongst other things, Tasks That Need to be Completed Before the Next Trip. And seeing as how I am reverting to the lighter shade of pale I was before Brazil, a trip to the solarium makes the top of the list. Will stop en route to work so as to embark on a rigorous schedule before Bonn. Again...hard work..dedication...RESULTS! *snicker snicker* Must also remember to start deciding which shoes I want to take...

BAH...too late to allow myself to fall back to sleep and to early to actually feel like getting out of bed for Tae Bo. A peek outside the curtains reveals another rainy day that is urging one to stay under the covers and watch Bridget Jones. Yes, it's going to be one of those days, if only in spirit as there is no way NOT going to the office is remotely feasible.

And on that note might as well just suck it up, get outta bed and get the trainers on...

BREAKING NEWS!!!

SWEET ONION CHUTNEY!!! THIS JUST IN FROM Q94FM:

According to Q94FM.com, favourite Winnipeg radio staion which broadcasts to me live online every day, Starbucks is featuring a BRAND NEW tasty delight for the summer: GREEN TEA FRAPUCCINOS!!! Being a fan of both green tea AND frapuccinos, the concept is more than intriguing.

OH THE PAIN, THE PAIN OF IT ALL that I am not in any reasonable distance to sample such fare....DENIED!

They certainly were NOT featuring these new treats for the palate in Edinburgh....

retraction

After spending 40 minutes walking in it I have to say that I do in fact mind the rain today. Curls are back, points are all but non-existent, feet are wet and muddy and I now have a chill.

HOWEVER, after just having "enjoyed" the real breakfast of grapes and yogurt, it's time to playyyy.........What I Wish I Was Having For Breakfast Today!

I think the rain today has once again steered me to my place of most loved comfort food, Stella's, this time for a spinach mushroom egg-white omelet with a side of hash browns and dry rye toast (EXTRA Stella's jam!) And a chai tea latte, because that's another thing you can't get over hear and I have a hankerin'

Work beckons.

takin' it a smidge easy this morning

Thanks to a necesssary trip to the bank, which of course wouldn't even dream of opening a second before 09h00, this morning has been dreamily relaxing, especially as it is a day off Tae Bo as well. My stomach has well enough recovered from The Thai so as to allow me to enjoy a (several) cup(s) of coffee and I even don't mind the rain.

Okay, not entirely true. The incessant humidity in the air combined with the new (shortish) haircut thanks to Fatima and Fred have caused my locks to resort to their true nature, and I have had unruly curls springing from the side of my head despite extensive product use. After a prolonged session with the straightening iron, however, I have managed to at least direct the curls in a direction complimentary to that of the points. Which just goes to show, with hard work and dedication anything can be accomplished if you put your mind to it. *snicker snicker*

Hmm, suppose it is time to actually put on socially acceptable clothes and head out. Very looking forward to this evening, as long time IPSF friend Miyuki (hmmm, she as well is Japanese/Dutch...I wonder if she knows Fred...) is coming by and bringing with her (...wait for it...) SUSHI!! Ahhh, I haven't had a good Spider or Baby Godzilla roll since Wasabi in Winnipeg. Domo arigato Miyuki, will be most lekker I'm sure.

Will get back to you on the new Feature, haven't quite decided What I Wish I Was Having for Breakfast Today...

New Blog Feature!

Let's have some fun!

After finishing Tae Bo this morning and being hungrily faced with the same, redundant, "Canada Health Guide" breakfast of 2 servings of fruit (grapes), one serving if high fibre carbs (bran) and one serving of low-fat dairy (125mL 0% "vet" milk) I have decided to start a new feature on The Blog: What I Wish I Was Having for Breakfast Today! This will be a fabulous opportunity to let the imagination run wild and BEYOND the boundries of Healthy Living Guidelines, Canadian or otherwise, to go where no (wo)man has gone before in the realm of free-willed guiltless eating! Let us embark.

So, What I Wish I Was Having for Breakfast Today:

(Actually to be quite honest I can't decide between two very high profile choices, so this being the inaugurual entry to the Feature, let's go with both, shall we? Good.)

1. A giant Nutella and cinnamon crepe, from nowhere other than Paris, from my favourite crepe stand on Rue Mouffetard. Mmmmmm, hot and fresh and gooey with Nutella-y goodness, so much so that it squishes into the bottom of the flimsy wax papery crepe holding-in thingy. Ahhh, let us savour it...

2. French Toast from Stella's in Winnipeg. Hold the butter, and a half-order will do (no need for the gargantuan North American portion size of literally half a loaf of French bread), as long as it's covered in orange-sugar and the hot maple syrup is ready to be poured on the side. HEAVEN!

*sigh*

Alright, back to work and my sugar-free-low-fat-espresso-hot chocolate concoction....

if anyone knows where July went maybe they can fill me in...

Woke up this morning and realized it has been a month since I was in Brazil (and almost a full month since I got back). Crazy month. Crazy month to come methinks. Also realized that it was this week last year that I LEFT The Netherlands for the first time, not knowing if I was coming back and secure only in the fact that I was going to be sub-staff at FIP in New Orleans and that the rest of my fate could, if wanted, lie at a Shoppers Drug Mart in Winnipeg. ARRGGH. RUN FORREST RUN.

Thankfully, I am getting more and more secure in the idea that my fate lies elsewhere. Where, what, who, how, remains to be discovered, as this month has also taught me there are plenty of surprises yet to be.

Off to Tae Bo.

Payment for Pleasure

Some religions are based on the fundamental principle that if you derive pleasure from anything other than that deemed of a holy nature you will surely suffer; if not in this life, then most certainly afterwards. Well, if by pleasure they meant gastronomical delight in foods of the Pacific Rim and if by unholy they meant a plate full of sweet green curry and if by suffer they meant the presence of extreme fires akin to those in the pits of hell in your stomach then, yes, it is all true.

BURN, BABY BURN, HEARTBURN INFERNO!

I can't take it anymore. Going home a smidge early to get on the loungewear and attack the rest of the FIP News from the comfort of my own couch, accompanied by a lovely bottle of antacids.

This Blog has been brought to you by The Trammps, bringing you cheesy disco catchphrases since 1976.

Thai-tastic

Alternative Title: LOSEC STAT! The Sequel

OOOOOOH THE INJUSTICE. It can be very truly said that Myriah loves The Thai, but The Thai does not reciprocate. The Thai (and The Curry, and The Mexican, and any other cuisine that brings about sweating as a coping mechanism) is in fact The Enemy, and a cunning one at that, so deliciously disguised in coconut milk and eggplant.
Seems as though the only thing I succssfully produced today was stomach acid.
Am still sitting here staring at an article entitled "Community Pharmacist-Child Medication Communication: Magnitude, Influences, and Content" (which no doubt has your heart pumping now) and at the same (FIRST) line of the article I am supposed to be writing on it. I fear, however, that the hour draws late and as I sit here sipping hot chocolate my eyes are drooping and any attempt at professional literature will be in the rubbish bin at Edit Review tomorrow anyway.
Anyhoo I am TUCKERED. And all this after getting up three hours later than usual?? Something is wrong with this picture.
And, although the week will be as busy as a one wing-winged honey bee, I am reserving just a SMIDGE of thougt to my latest prospect: A NEW FLAT FOR ME!! As things seem to be going quite well at the office, and it has been hinted I will be around for some time, can allow myself the flexibility of considering such thoughts. I now just need to decide where I would like said new flat to be. As they say, "location location location". Although "they" may also say "amenities amenities amenities" being faced the option of a REAL bathtub, hehehehe.
Must go to bed...falling asleep at keyboard...

4 hours later...concentration at an all-time low...

Well apparently the sensory-elevating properties of the coffee bean are of ill use to me this morning as it has been a general GONG show of productivity around here. Forgot to eat breakfast a reasonable time and now have major heartburn, made a point of putting the mobile charger in a certain place to be SURE to charge the mobile later (needless to say have not one FREAKING clue as to where that is right now) and my attempt to make a dent in the week's upcoming work has been thwarted by my inability to maintain concentration on anything except the fact my DVD player on the laptop is not working and I am currently unable to partake in the most enjoyable of Sunday rituals (aside from "the drinking of the coffee"): lazing around in jammies watching Sex and the City reruns.

This week pleasure must be mixed with business however as I need to compile 5000 words on pharmacy related news issues from the past month by Wednesday...CURSES on FIP NEWS!

I hope Alexie and Olaf have something smashing planned for tonight in Leiden....mmm good Vietnamese place there...

The Natives are Restless

UGH the one day of the week I dismiss myself from the 05h30 wake-up call and the traumatization of an hour's worth of morning Tae Bo and everyone in this flat has felt it necessary to AWAKEN with renewed ENERGY at this glorious MORNING earlier than they even do during the week. GRUMBLE I say!

Apologies to the masses...have yet to partake in that glorious morning ritual of "the drinking of the coffee". Funny I am more grumblesome at 08h30 than 05h30...

how do you say "touch up my roots and take a little off the top" in Dutch?

It's a mute point, at this stage though, as when I needed them, the words just weren't there. Perhaps I shall explain.

Thought I would treat myself to a nice little root touch-up (to avoid looking like PWT any further) and hair trim at the very lovely Aveda salon here in The Hague. I arrived to find that my stylist of the day, Fatima, was fluent in Dutch and Spanish (Yo quiero ir de compras, pero no puedo, yo tengo que estudiar!!) but unfortuntately not in English. I sat down, explicitly explained how I wanted my roots to be blonde to match the rest of my hair and a VERY slight trim around the edges, to make the points just a smidge pointier. The next words that come out of her mouth are "so what for the colour" . DANGER WILL ROBINSON *arms flail arms flail*. So I tried again.

And off we were to the "colouring station" where the owner/operator of the salon, a very small Japanese man mildly resembling Siegfried Fischbacher (of Siegfried and Roy fame), if that's at all possible. with hair styling degrees from Paris and Hong Kong and a Swedish last name pranced over to oversee the colour selection. Well, apparently there was a vast misunderstanding and instead of making my roots the same colour as my hair she made my hair the same colour as my roots. AND was WAY too scissor-snippy happy for my liking - have lost some "behind the ear" wisps that I had grown rather fond of. Points are still all systems go, thankfully.

However, the colour is kind of growing on me. It's a rich but light brown akin to that of a good carrot cake. Mmmmcarrot cake.....cream cheese icing....argh craving massive amounts of junk food today.

All in all it was a great afternoon though and even stopped for lunch at Dudok, a cafe crammed with ExPats that I consider my replacement Stella's. Not NEARLY as good (in food, service, OR atmosphere....Lord HELP me find a fruit parfait and Garden Buger in this country) but they do make a mean salad with roasted chicken, pine nuts and pesto. And their apple pie is reputably the best in the city, although have yet to partake.

Tonight was lacking in socialities but work needed to be done, and that was that. Tomorrow night however it off to Leiden to converge with two of the funniest people I know. Looking forward to rockin' time!

the best gifts are caffeinated

I am truly lucky. After spending last weekend never more than 5 minutes from an accessible Starbucks, I arrive back to the office to discover my most wonderful friend Candy has sent me a most wonderful care package: my replaced Armani lip gloss, and COFFEE! Not just any coffee either, but tried and true Canadian made Second Cup Chocolate Truffle and Soho Blend "ground-for-a-French-Press" coffee. These blends, when brewed properly and mixed with just the right amount of warm milk and cocoa, provide one of the ultimate Myr comfort foods, well, beverages if you will, and my cup runneth over with caffeinated appreciation. Not too much though, wouldn't want to waste any ; )

And after this week let me express the need for both caffeine and comfort. Things at the office and with IPSF have reached unimaginable heights of Congress detailing. And although IPSF comes first with the dawn of my 11 day stint scheduled for August 3rd and the hours between 19h00 and midnight devoted to preparation I am most worried about Cairo. I have said this before. No need to dwell. Let me just say that if this all goes off without a hitch that doesn't leave me living in a cardboard box I will be MOST thankful, and relieved.

And what of comfort? I would give 10 pounds of previously mentioned coveted coffee for a bathtub in which to soak with some steaming hot sudsy bubbles. And since this is fantasy anyway, (the IPSF Welfare Flat just less than a year ago acquired a functioning shower never mind bathtub), hot sudsy bubbles, candles, and a glass of chilled champagne; never a better forum for sorting thoughts and digesting the week's unravellings.

I miss people this week. I mean I ALWAYS miss people, but this week quite a lot; the "comfort people" if you will, like Mom of course, my biggest fan (embarrassingly enough!) and Siyao and Candy and Jackie and Ruby and Teresa (who is closest yet still far at her spa in Spain!) who have the uncanny knack of coaxing back reminders that all risks, past, present, and future, are worthwhile, even when things are crazy and don't go as hoped and you question yourself, and that sometimes, the crazy doubtful questionable things really have nothing to do with you.

Let us all remember this at the Press Conferences in Cairo when lunch is late, the reporters leave, the speakers forget to show up and the disco ball in the Sharazad Night Club doubling as the Press Room falls on someone.

IPSF @ Bonn is 10 days away, and it will mark the end of my IPSF days. What a YEAR - over 19 cities, many more than once, and a REAL job in the end! There will be hard work, frazzled people, and schedule-obsessed Germans, but most of all, GOOD TIMES, and I am so looking forward to the place and even moreso the people, however bittersweet. I can only hope that every year is as rich in experience, adventure, and fulfilment as this one.

takeachancetakeachancetakeatakeachancechance

Ahhh am happily reminded of this long standing ABBA favourite tonight, having completed the trip to Scotland close to unscathed, as this was the standard issue karaoke favourite of Scott (from Scotland) and myself at the beginning of the IPSF Exec year....makes for a GREAT duet if you can manage to get your head around the words and the "takeatakeatakechancechance"-es in the background plaguing your concentration. GOOD TIMES! This of course led to much ABBA Lyrical Analysis which in turn led us to believe that tall lanky Swedes in furry boots should be thankful that Eurovision was kind that year. Although wasn't Bjorn the lyricist? Maybe it was Benny. All in all ABBA is hot, disco is cool, and I am getting "mycket uppeggad" for the next Karaoke night! (see Swedish translation site for details...)

Upon further revisit thanks to http://www.abbaplaza.com/pages-english/lyric.asp?LiedID=127 I have discovered that these lyrics hold far more significance today than first thought....subconscious? Coincidence? A fatal smoothie blend of both? Who's to say. Whether the good-natured poignancy falls under notice will remain to be seen ; )

VERY optimistic news at work today. If current suggested involvement proves to be fruitful I may be in store for more than just 6 months at FIP. Meaning...meaning...SETTLEMENT! A place of my own within which to hang my framed European residency card! Jitter jitter jitter. Hesitate to be less than cautiously optimistic, my new standard modus operandi for pretty much everything. Hope without expectation.

But as work has put some of those expectations on me, must grab a cup of midnight coffee and plow through some files. (S)He who snoozes, loses, as they say...

EpiBlog: Tonight, being tired and less inclined than usual to prepare dinner, the Editor indulged in what used to the standard "Myriah Pharmacy School Dinner": green beans with side of whole wheat soda crackers. YUMTASTIC! This one's for you Michelle...ahh the memories...

Edinburgh a Go-Go..gogogo

Ahh busy times here in Edinburgh with the meeting of friends and the moving of flats and the arduous daily task of deciding where to dine on any given night! But have managed to squeeze some moments into the Blog while waiting for the Irish friend Jim to decide it is time for us all to finally meet up.

Scott from Scotland, host and friend, is his usual self and despite this (Scott I KID! I KID 'cuz I LOVE!) we have managed to have a good time scoping out the trendiest of Edinburgh's bars and restaurants and making our way across the city in overpriced cabs due to shoes that do not allow for easy walking (mine, not his). Man, that is one disadvantage to the UK, the 'grab your ankles' prices of just about everything. And I have fallen into the unfortunate habit of converting to Canadian dollars which makes me wonder if a champagne cocktail is in fact WORTH half an hour of work in a pharmacy. Ah well, it is not every day you pay $25 for a drink. THANKFULLY.

To be perfectly honest however I am looking forward to going home and getting back to work. Plus Scott's sofa has got me twisted into a pretzel of sorts so will be nice to stretch out on my small but slightly more adequate bed at home (PLUS just received word that my fabulous mum is shipping over some stuff from home guaranteed to make the sleeping experience even better. NO not meds...FLUFFY DUVETS AND FEATHER BEDS!)

OOOH Jim has messaged, time to get the day rolling (READ: first day trip to Starbucks!)

The Tally!

Edinburgh Log, Stardate 16-07-15:

After arriving approximately 24 hours ago must confess to using the available resources in this fine city to their utmost extent in the following manner:

Caramel Macchiatos: 2
Mint Mocha Frapuccinos: 1
Trips to Boots: 3
Boxes of oral decongestants purchased at Boots: 2
Trips on double decker buses: 2
ENGLISH books purchased at Waterstons: 3
Packets of Splenda pinched from restaurants: 6
Visits to Marks and Sparks: 1
Enlgish movies seen for under $15 CDN:1 (SEE MADAGASCAR!)
Drinks in Scottish pubs: 3
Number pairs of shoes purchased at SCHUH: 0 (very very difficult)
Lunches with friends from Winnipeg: 1 (FABULOUS!)
Visits to EasyEverything Internet Cafe: 1

And the afternoon is YOUNG!

Comedy vs Tragedy vs Anglo-Analysis

They say that if a play ends in marriage it is considered a comedy, and if it ends in death, a tragedy (well, according to Bill S. anyway) What of all else in between? These two disctinct categories fail to come even moderately close to the myriad (hehehe) of possibilities that exist for endings of plays, or beginnings of stories, or any of the mish-mashed situations one may find themself in at any given time of life.

And really, are they THAT descriptive? I mean, yes, it is a tragedy when someone dies and yes, some may consider marriage the epitome of comedy, but again, what of everything else? I mean, you are running to catch a plane and the heel breaks off your favourite stiletto, is THAT not a tragedy? Some would say yes. Or you are trying to hang up curtains on a bunk bed ladder and fall through the French Doors. Is that not comedy? Depends on whose point of view you are considering I suppose.

And the POINT, you ask, after reading through this perhaps incongruent paragraph from English 101, is that sometimes there is crossover, where no label fits and you are there and now and the moment evolves into something without category. And you take the moment and make it your own, for what it's worth then.

Às vezes vida é fácil, e às vezes vida é difícil (those categories again!), mas se são muito afortunada vida tem bons tempos e a maioria de todo, amigos muito bons.

LOSEC STAT!

Ugh...BBQ food, BBQ drinks, office politics, up all night, too much coffee, too much Tae Bo, too little breakfast, furrowed brow, racing mind, churning stomach - PASS THE ANTACIDS.

(In an ironic coinicidence the chaps on Virgin Radio UK have just spent 10 minutes going on about Immodium [a sponsor, methinks] which isn't really personally applicable but I find it quite bizarre so many people are focussed on GI upset this morning)

Ahh will all be ok. Will scrounge through Myriah's Home Pharmacy and come up with some biochemically manipulative concoction bound to set the mind and body at ease.

It is a smashing day outside and the possibility of visiting the beach later for good food with good company will make the day seem long. AND even moreso as this is the last day before what I like to call Extend-a-Weekend; a long weekend, but because it is bound to be SUPER ultra fabulous deserves a designation of its own. Are my expectations too high? Nahh....how can it not be great? British Golf, Canadian Friends, Scottish Host, and Irish Visitors, 'nuff said.

Have also considered that Starbucks is not the only commercial institute of yore I will come across in Edinburgh...how could I forget The Gap!! Okay okay, admittedly an establishment aimed to quash individuality by supplying khakis and button-downs to the global masses, but as the key contributor to my wardrobe I must say there is a twinge of excitement at stepping into a store that could very well be at Polo Park in Winnipeg.

I really really really must not buy any shoes. I have v. limited luggage space but somehow that never seems to deter the decision to furnish the feet in some new digs.

Countdown to Extend-a-Weekend starts NOW: 6 hours 48 minutes....

it's the final COUNTDOWN (da na na naaa, da na na na naaa)

3 HOURS 24 MINUTES! Cue MUSIC!

TALL-NON-FAT-HALF-SWEET-DOUBLE-SHOT-EXTRA-FOAM-CARAMEL-MACCHIATO STAT!!

This, my friends, will be the standard breakfast order when I escape the black hole of coffee take-out that is The Netherlands and spend the weekend in Edinburgh, a place that has adopted the general strategy of the UK (and all civilized coffee drinking nations) and placed a Starbucks on virtually every corner. I AM SO PUMPED! The mere promise of caffeine in delicious and take-away form has already sent a surge of adrenaline through the veins!!

And !GASP! sudden realization: it's summer, that means FRAPUCCINO SEASON! MMMint chocolate frap in one hand, caramel macc in the other, life will be good...

(much better than the office gastronomy I am experiencing at the moment which is involving some very sad carrots that fell victim to an overzealous refrigerator)

Today is playing host to one of the modern workplace's most enigmatic events: The Staff Barbecue. Don't get me wrong, it is greatly appreciated to have an afternoon off while chowing down on some free "food", but the thought of numerous small children (colleague offspring) loudly verbalizing their discontent with everything from each other to the selection of beverages is not something I am too keen to partake in this afternoon. Just give me a nice martini (or a lovely chilled Muscadet, to enjoy in the heat) and some barely-grilled tuna and I would be so incredibly happy. Even (moreso? not necessarily) in pure solitude.

Day by day I am striving to improve my Portuguese, which will be greatly aided by some extra special new resources. Would love nothing more than to dive right back in to Portugal and immerse myself until it all clicks into place, but for now, this must suffice.

Work is aggravating my ulcer.

Thoughts turn to upcoming dinners and trips to the airport and seeing friends (from Canada too!) for what will no doubt be a super ultra fabulous weekend. Will try to keep the Blog posted.

so the Frenchman comes and bakes a pie, quel cliche

Ahh the funness of the weekend continued with a visit from my friend Axel from France. Fresh from a trip to see his girl in Lithuania, he was in good spirits and we had a great couple days catching up and hashing out IPSF plans for the up and coming year (his plans, that is, as my IPSF days will be over in less than a month. More on the mixed feelings accompanying that later).

I do not know if I have expressed my lack of interest in cooking and/or baking before, but let's just say subsequent to the arrival of my guest I had the grand total of some maple syrup (how Canadianly ironic, I know), ketchup, and grainy mustard in the fridge. Not even a bag o' salad. And then Axel shows up and decides WE NEED TO BAKE A PIE. Okay. Sure. This to someone who isn't even quite certain her oven can support the baking of a pie.

(Note from the Editor: Just because I DON'T, doesn't mean I CAN'T...have been known to come forth with many a tasty treat for friends and neighbours. All in the name of more than adequately providing for guests during a festive soiree...)

So, at any rate, within one hour Chef Axel had whipped up une tarte au citron très délicieux. To make things interesting we paired said tarte avec des Turkish Pizzas. A forum of Internationalism if there ever was one.

So that brings us to Sunday. Thoughts are pre-occupied....O que acontecerá no futuro? A mente doba, o coração bate, o estômago faz sacudidelas. www.freetranslation.com has become my link to language expansion (for the time being, working on that one). Jitter jitter jitter jitter.

Down a completely different vein of thought, I think I have identified in myself a serious addiction to summer footwear. Yes, my name is Myriah, and I am a strappy-sandal-aholic. Meh, whaddya do...get a pedicure and go with it.

SUNSHINY day, off to preserve the tan.

SUNFLOWER plants, 1 EURO!

Well, if there's one thing that I love about The Netherlands it has to be the abundant wealth of beautiful, amazingly inexpensive flowers. There I was, innocently walking down the street towards the pharmacy, and there they were, staring up at me waiting for me to take them home: potted sunflower plants, 12", one euro. I furnished my office and several others.

Now, what to say about the week so as to convey the right message without giving away all the surprises, hehehehehe. I will say this, it has been very very busy. Arrived back in Rio on Sunday and have not had a night in since. V.v.v.v.v.v.v good times. I look forward with cautious optimism to more in the near future.

V. worried about Tana in London. V. worried about everyone in London. Tana get your teeny tiny Tana self BACK, ASAP : S

One week from now, Edinburgh...

long live legal addictive stimulants

Very interesting few days it has been, with less and less sleep as the week goes on. Every second 100% worth it however, although I have become quite accustomed to my continuous infusion of caffeine. However I have the wrong grind for my French Press and alas, am faced with gritty java. Coffee should not be lumpy.

Not much to Blog about today other than I should be working rather than Blogging. Am out every night this week....OH WHEN to do the Annual Report, WOE WOE.

Might have to stay in one night. *stifled laff*

from Rio to rain in one heavily sedated piece

As the rain pours down outside here in The Hague, Rio seems like 10 000 miles away (oh wait, it is....) and I can't help but wish I was back on the beach with a coconut popsicle (not only am I back from Rio but I'm back to carrots and cup a soup...mmm lekker >P )

The trip back was fraught with angst at the Sau Paulo airport, personally considered to be the most REDICULOUSLY INEFFICIENT airport on the planet (even worse than Toronto, AKA the Black Hole). It was one customs and immigration and security line after another to reach someone who didn't even glance at my passport and told me to HURRY as the flight was boarding. I smoldered with irritation but held my tongue lest I be held in some Brazilian immigration detainment centre.

But once on the flight I settled in nicely (um, okay, after spilling red wine on myself, and my unimpressed row neighbour) and thanks to the wonders of modern pharmaceuticals woke up 10 hours later in time for breakfast and landing.

And then me and my 11 pairs of Havaianas (not ALL for me) finally made our way back home to tackle laundry and other assorted post-trip necessities.

The week is already filling up, should prove to be socially engaged more often than not. Although the raging thunderstorms will reek havoc on pointy hair...

Coconut popsicles - heaven incarnate

These are just one variety of tasty treat I have come to know and love here in Rio, and have tried to cram as many of them in as possible this morning. Guarana Diet, little balls of bread with cheese in them, queijo quente...MMM!!

My last morning in Rio was spent in the sunshine at the pool then at Ipanema beach. The Ipanema area is a much, oh, shall we say, more upkept area of the city and not as run down as Copacabana. Meandered through the shops and ended up enjoying a coconut on the boulevard before bidding it farewell.

Have just gathered all things and am ready to check out. Let me just say that the Orla Copacabana ROCKS THE CASBAH!! The location, staff, and (wait for it) SHOWERS have swayed me to stay no other place, if and when I return. Kudos to all.

Rio is beautiful, and am very much looking forward to visiting BRASIL again next August. The only thing I missed was a sunset under a palm on the beach...will have to work on that next time.

Adeus!

Canada Day in Brazil

Well, it´s ironic really. Here it is July 1 first and I am celebrating Canada Day in Brazil (birthday shout out to my Mom, too). What is more ironic is that in my entire 20-whatever years I cannot remember a Canada Day when it didn´t rain. And now, just as I was enjoying a lovely day at Copacabana, the greenest-haziest-hugest clouds I have ever seen have moved in an completely obliterated the sun for the time being. You can´t even see the top of Sugar Loaf anymore. Methinks some interesting weather is about to surface...could be a great show.

This afternoon I am contemplating a tour, perhaps even a Rain Forrest tour if said tour does not require of its participants too much trekking or things of the like. Ideally it would lead on a gentle trail through a well flora and fauna-ed area ending at a tikki bar under a waterfall. We will see what options are available.

Must go de-sand. Thinking tomorrow I will stay by the pool. Is much less gritty and is in close proximity to indoor bathroom facilities...