Insight Of The Week

"When you paint success pictures in your mind, you initiate an inner process whereby your attitudes, hopes, aspirations, and enthusiasm are elevated in response to an image of a more promising future. Every person who aspires must first sell themselves hope, the promise of a better life."

U.S. Andersen
1917-1986, Author of The Magic In Your Mind

I Promise Myself

A friend of mine posted this on Facebook the other day, and I liked it. So here it is.

xoxo

Adventures Of An Almost Camping Trip

Last weekend I was given the opportunity to get out of town (away from the G20 Summit) and head up north for some camping. Now, if you know me, you know I have never camped a day in my life. Pretty sure I could never even make it through a night in a tent in my own backyard when I was a kid. Well, I have grown up since then, and camping didn't sound at all like a bad idea to me. I felt like being adventurous.

To make this a little more spontaneous, I was not even at home when I was asked to go. In fact, I was laying poolside enjoying the sun with my mom and Nana. I had minimal things on me, so in order to go camping I ran to WalMart and spent a crap load on clothes and on everything I would need. I was having a blast! I mean I had never been camping, and to go for the first time unprepared?! My best friend had a good laugh at me. I believe her words were: "You? Camping??? Hahahaha!" Thanks! I love you too. haha.

To spare you all of the details, it rained. Hard. We decided not to camp after a 20 minute boat ride during a torrential downpour. I learned not to use the blue bag I had my clothes in as it turned my clothes blue when it got soaked. My hands were also blue. I looked like smurf. All I could do was laugh at my first attempt at camping. Despite the pouring rain, being soaked, and having blue dye everywhere, I was actually enjoying every minute of it.

Instead of just packing it in and going back to the city, 2 of us decided to stay at his mom's house (a very beautiful one I might add) on a nearby lake. The house was on Sturgeon Lake. This has meaning to me. My old family cottage was located on the exact same lake, and this is where I had spent many of my childhood summers. We drove through Bobcaygeon, the lovely, lovely Bobcaygeon. Just going through the town brought back so many memories. It was just how I remembered it. The locks where all of the boats would come in, my favourite candy store where they also had the best frozen yogurt...I was a little overwhelmed with emotion. I didn't realize what seeing this place again would do to me. I realized very quickly that I missed it. It had been about 10 years since I've been up there.

So, the weekend didn't turn out as planned whatsoever, but it was a great one. I really enjoyed being out of the city and somewhere so peaceful and relaxing. I definitely need to have that in my life again, even if that means just renting a cottage for the week. It's definitely worth it. So yes, I have made the decision that cottage life is going to be part of my life.

Maybe I'll even give camping another shot sometime! I'll just make sure there is no rain in the forecast first!

xoxo

Insight Of The Day

For the past several weeks I have been receiving "Insight of the Day" to my inbox from BobProctor.com. I really enjoy reading these every morning, so what I thought I would do here is post my favourite one from time to time. If you're unfamiliar with Bob Proctor, he is a contributor to The Secret (http://thesecret.tv/), author and leader in the Personal Development industry. In other words, he is amazing. Today, I am going to include a few on my favs since I have so many to choose from.

"Successful people decide how they are going to live; they are not victims of circumstance. In good times or bad times, they know where they are going and they know that they are going to get there."

Bob Proctor

"Don't concern yourself too much with how you are going to achieve your goal - leave that completely to a power greater than yourself. All you have to do is know where you're going. The answers will come to you of their own accord, and at the right time."

Earl Nightingale
1921-1989, Syndicated Radio Announcer and Author

"You must constantly ask yourself these questions: Who am I around? What are they doing to me? What have they got me reading? What have they got me saying? Where do they have me going? What do they have me thinking? And most important, what do they have me becoming? Then ask yourself the big question: Is that okay? Your life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change."

Jim Rohn
1930-2009, Author and Speaker

"Enthusiasm is one of the most powerful engines of success. When you do a thing, do it with all your mind. Put your whole soul to it. Stamp it with your own personality. Be active, be energetic, be enthusiastic and faithful, and you will accomplish your object. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm."

Ralph Waldo Emerson
1803-1882, Essayist, Philosopher and Poet

At the end of next week, I'll post my new weekly favourite.

xoxo

The Perfect Summer Weekend

On weekends that we actually get perfect Summer weather, it's essential that we take advantage of it. So that is exactly what I did!

On Saturday I opened my brand new book, "Eat, Pray, Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert, put on my bikini and went outside to read it. I never thought I would read this book, I mean I had seen it on book shelves for ages. But, when I saw Julia Roberts on Oprah last week talking about her role in the movie adaptation coming out in August, I was intrigued. Later in the show the author was also on and at that point I knew I needed to buy this book. I wanted to read about her year of self discovery in Italy (eat), India (pray) and Indonesia (love). I did exactly what they wanted me too! I am already hooked!

I made sure to slather on the SPF 30, but that wasn't good enough. I have some really weird looking burns! Welcome to Summer! haha

On Sunday I decided that it would be a perfect day to head to Toronto and go for a walk with some good company. That's one of things I miss most about living downtown, going for walks on beautiful sunny days. So we started out at a really nice little place in Bloor West Village (looooveee) for Brunch and then walked through the lovely High Park. We walked through the park until we were at the Lakeshore. So we got some ice cream and walked along the beach. I don't know who thinks its a good idea to swim in Lake Ontario?! But there was plenty of that going on!

My feet were sore and a little blistered by the end of the day, but I don't even care. These are the summer days that I live for.

Country Living

I miss living downtown Toronto. I miss my beloved condo. But, sometimes when I look out my window and see this...I can't help but love it here.

xoxo

Birds of Wales Music Video

Brand spanking new music video from Birds of Wales for the song "Uninteresting." I was lucky enough to get a chance to be in the video, I'm just there gazing lovingly in the background! Check it out!

The video is being a pain in the butt to post on this site, its way too big for my format even at the smallest size. So I have posted it over at www.twogirlsandablog.com

You can also check out their website: http://www.birdsofwales.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/birdsofwales
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/birdsofwales


xoxo

I love new Music!

I am loving all the new music hitting the airwaves right now! New music makes me excited for summer for some reason. Perhaps its all of the summer concerts? Here is a list of some of my current favs!

Lady Antebellum - Need You Now
Train - Hey Soul Sister
Michael Buble - Haven't Met You Yet
Tmbaland Ft. Katy Perry - If We Ever Meet Again
Taio Cruz ft. Ludacris - Break Your Heart
Jason Derulo - In My Head
Usher - OMG
The Script - Breakeven
B.o.B Ft. Bruno Mars - Nothing On You
Daughtry - Life After You

My Brand new fav this week:
B.o.B ft. Hayley Williams (of Paramore) and Eminem - Airplanes Part II

Those are just a few! There are so much more!

xoxo

Scerina's Recommendation

Birds of Wales
My good friends in the band 'Birds of Wales' have their album "Belgravia Hotel" hitting store shelves and iTunes Tuesday April 13th. I highly recommend you go out and pick it up. There are tunes that will make you wanna dance (Some People Tell Me) and tunes you just have to listen to as loudly as possible to soak it all in (Tin Soldier). This album has heart! You won't be disappointed! This has been a long time coming, I am so glad it's finally here!

They just came off a brief tour with electro pop band 'Dragonette' and they were nice enough to make a little video of their tour! If you look closely, you might even catch a glimpse of me on set of their music video for "Uninteresting." Check it out!



Xoxo

Last Chance Workout

I became a fan of NBC's The Biggest Loser during season 8 this past September. After the first episode I had to wonder why I never bothered to watch this show before. This is the kind of show I love. It quickly became a show that my family and I watch together every Tuesday night. Anytime that I think I can't do something like lose that last 10lbs, I just have to look at these contestants and see what they have overcome and realize that if they can lose hundreds of pounds, I can lose 10. Too bad the last 10 are the hardest haha!

First off I love the trainers, Jillian and Bob. They balance each other out well on the show. Bob has a tough but positive approach and Jillian is loud and tough and you just do what she tells you. As tough as they both are though, they both have hearts of gold. I see Jillian Michael's posts on Facebook, she is always helping people!!! She has a new show coming to NBC as well, it's called "Losing It." Don't know too much about it right now, just what I read from her posts, but it appears she travels around the US and helps out one family at a time.

So, as part of my 2010 fitness goal I went out and bought a Biggest Loser workout DVD. There were many to choose from, so after much debate I settled on the "Last Chance Workout" knowing full well I was going to get my ass kicked. Just how I like it!

The DVD is set up like this: It's broken down into 6 weeks. You do the workout 6 days a week, which I have yet to do, but I do get my regular gym workout in as well. Each day changes, Monday for example is the Last Chance Workout, and Tuesday is Toning and it continues just like that....until the last week or two when its combined. Its the perfect balance. The beauty of this is its not just cardio. Its actually a full circuit workout. 30 seconds of Cardio and 30 seconds of Strength. I got this from a review on Amazon. "It's a "HIIT" workout which is a model for highest calorie burn. Studies have shown that when you increase your heart rate with cardio then keep it elevated while combining toning and strength exercises and utilize some core floor work in modules, you get double the results. Cardio burns calories during the workout but you recover quickly and your heart rate recovers and lowers. However, when you add strength training with cardio, you continue to burn more calories long after the workout is over and also add muscle which increases your metabolism and allows your body to burn more calories even while at rest--although strength burns less calories during the workout. So, combining the two is always going to give you better results and faster results which is the entire premise of the workouts you see on the Biggest Loser."After the first workout I was sore for almost a week! Amazing.

What I also love about this workout is the cast. Its all Biggest Loser contestants, not people who are already ripped. Anytime I feel like quitting I just look at the contestants and when you see Danny for example, the winner of Season 8 and know he lost 239lbs (the most ever on the show), its real motivation to keep going. It helps me when Jillian yells "Don't you dare think about quitting! Do you want get skinny or not? Shut up and do your Mountain Climbers!"

Next Monday I start week 2-3 workouts. Yay!

A Wake-Up Call

I was on set of a music video as an "extra" earlier this week. There was 6 girls in total.

I have been doing a lot of thinking recently about my career goals and being in this video just proved something to me. I will always be the background performer. Never the talent. As a petite brunette I am constantly looked over. I am just not cut out for TV.

I was placed at the back of the pack and all of the blondes and a stunning edgy redhead were front and centre. That's what happens on set. I have been in several movies/TV shows/music videos in the past and nothing has changed. Now don't get me wrong, I had a blast and enjoyed every minute of being there, this was just a realization...a wake up call.

After they yelled "that's a wrap!" the first AD or producer or something walked up to the stunning edgy redhead and shook her hand and told her what a pleasure it was to work with her (for 30 minutes) and he just praised her hardcore. Then he looked at me and said "thanks." We did the same job. It was at that moment that I realized that things will never change.

Oh well, the video will still be awesome. I am so happy that I was apart of it.

That's showbiz!

Two Girls And A Blog

I gave www.twogirlsandablog.com a makeover! I also updated all of our Canadian Music Week Blogs. Check it out if you get a chance.

xoxo

Just a Dream

I had this dream last night...actually it was this morning after I woke up too early and forced myself to go back to sleep. That never really works by the way, I always end up more tired! Anyhow, the dream was about standing up to my childhood bully. I had several, but she is the worst, its her torment that sticks with me to this day.

In the dream I was walking down a hall, I had just been talking to someone, possibly on the phone and there she is standing there. "Shut up!" she says to me out of nowhere. I stopped dead in my tracks and for the first time in my life I stood up to her. I said 'NO! We're 27 and you're still acting like a child? Grow the fuck up!' She said something in response, but I don't remember that part. I should have written about this when first woke up, you know how it is.

If only I had that kind of courage when I was 12. Or 23, when she prank called my family home several times after she saw that I wasn't fat anymore...apparently she didn't like me skinny either. I always hope that karma will kick in someday....

I can honestly say that if someday our paths cross again, I will have the courage to stand up to her if the opportunity presents itself. At least one of us grew up.

xoxo

Gangsta's Paradise

So this past weekend I attended my first Bachelorette party...the first of many I'm sure. I had SO much fun! We all gathered at Charlene's to get ready and pre-drink. We just basically used her place as one big change room. We ended up all going with Black and Apryl, the Bride to be wearing only white. We all had on Fishnets and Fedora's, and we all looked damn hot!

After an hour of getting ready and drinking we headed over to Muzik. Now for anyone who knows me, they know I am not a club person. At all. I have to say though, I really, really liked this place. For starters, ladies free before 10:30, complimentary hair and makeup, a free glass of Champagne, and Strawberries and Chocolate! Bliss!!! The guy who did my hair was absolutely fabulous! He loved what he was doing to my hair so much that he said he wanted to "chew me like bubble gum!" hahaha I can only take that as a good thing. And he gave me a nice Rose when he was done. Another reason I liked this club was that it's 21+ for girls and 25+ for guys. Thank god for that. One of the main reasons I hate clubs is the 19 year olds!

The group of us wearing Fedora's really caught people's attention, we were a hit! It was so much fun!!! I just found it hilarious that so many guys came up and asked what was up with the Fedora's, we would say its a Bacelorette and they would ALL ask "Who's getting married?" haha yesss the girl in all white! Silly boys!



We passed out at Char's around 3:30 in the morning....what a good night! Gotta love a good night out with the girls. Doesn't happen often for me, so I really soak it up when it does!

Now we just have to wonder 'who's next?'Xoxo

Canadian Music Week 2010

March 10-13th was Canadian Music Week and I look forward to it every single year. Overall it was a great week...there was just some speed bumps along the way.

Some of the bands I checked out included, Joey McIntyre, Down With Webster, Low Level Flight, illScarlett, Birds of Wales, Our Lady Peace and The Junction. Two Girls and a Blog got a chance to interview Low Level Flight, Stereos, Rick from Finger Eleven, Karl Wolf, Tommy from Hedley and Morgan from Birds of Wales. Unfortunately, there were some planned interviews that didn't happen, illScarlett, Darren from The Salads, USS and Zack Werner. I'm sure we'll definitely be able to get those rescheduled at some point. We also handed out Two Girls and a Blog Condom matchbooks! Boy, those were a hit!

Be sure to check out www.twogirlsandablog.com for our video blogs!

Aside from all of the bands that I love checking out during CMW, there are even more reasons that I love this week so much. It's the environment. You're walking through the Royal York hotel and it's filled with Music Industry people, Musicians, Radio industry people, press from all sorts of media outlets. Everything that I love in one place! I just soak it in while I can, like why spend all day locked in a hotel room when I can be out talking to people and networking? You never know who you're going to run into.

On Thursday as I was heading back into the hotel to get my coat from coat check, I ran into my old teachers and classmates from college. Good ol' Fanshawe Radio! We spent a good hour talking and catching up. That is definitely a highlight of the week for me.

I also kinda learned some things about myself, or maybe it was coming to realizations, admitting things to myself, and showing more signs that I am in fact getting older...

I have never liked pushy crowds at concerts, but lately I really hate them. I don't enjoy being pushed around by drunk people while trying to watch a band that I love. I would much rather stand on the side, just out of the mob and enjoy the music! I injured my knee this week as well, so being in a crowd like that was out of the question. I would have been killed. Just sayin'.

In my job as a cell phone rep for a particular company I get asked all of the time why I don't use Blackberry. It's a simple answer really. When you're surrounded by Blackberry users you're not as important as the 5 other people you're friends are chatting with constantly on BBM, MSN and Facebook. You never ever have peoples undivided attention. I miss the days of real conversations without a phone vibrating every 5 seconds. I miss that like I miss the days of Entertainment Tonight being about Movie/TV stars and not the Gosslin's, Octomom and The Bachelor scandals. But hey, that's just me. (And Mary Hart, she feels the same :)

Music has always been a part of me. I have loved that more than anything my entire life. It's what gets me through the tough times and makes the good times that much better. I would be perfectly happy working in music for the rest of my life. That is where I fit in. Its who I am. I did a lot of thinking about that while watching Our Lady Peace at Massey Hall on Saturday. My love for music overwhelmed me. This is where I should be.

Speaking of OLP, I also learned that their fans are crazier than I ever imagined. It was fantastic!

I learned that it took 4 people to close an ironing board. We have video.

Xoxo