Festival of Trees

Last night I attended the Festival of Trees Black Tie Gala. It was the 16th annual fundraiser festival in support of the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia, a foundation that is striving to "change the way people think" about mental illness. It's an important cause for me to support as menal illness is in my family.

The Black Tie Gala is the most lucrative part of the weekend festival. I don't know how much tickets are for a table (I was invited by my Senior Vice President as our CEO couldn't make it as he was sick) but I think our table of 10 was $2000.00. It was a sold out night, with 820 people in attendence. In addition to a silent auction, they also have a live auction. Premiere Executive Suites donated a one week stay at our luxury villa in Barbados (valued at $3500 without food and flight) and a gentleman at the table next to us purchased it for $14,500!

The painting you see pictured to the right is one I donated to the festival back in 2004 and it fetched $430!

Week is Over!

I am so happy that today is Saturday and I am sitting at home sipping on a Tims, because this was a crazy week. Work was extremly busy, in addition to two evening events, worked late one night and in early one morning for a meeting. Don't get me wrong...I'd rather be busy that sitting around twidling my thumbs, but it's nice to have some down time.

More Bathroom Renovation

Stephen went to Toronto yesterday to go tile shopping for the bathroom floor. The tile we both wanted is pictured to the left. It's a marble basketweave and looks classic and stunning in a black and white bathroom, which as you've seen in an earlier post is what we are doing.
Anyways, he went to other stores to see if he could find something similar and didn't, so he got this stuff ordered, shipped and it should arrive today. Now all we have to do is call the contractor to give him the go ahead and he should start as early as next week for what will be about a 10 day job. At least it will be done before Christmas, which will be nice!

Random Thoughts

It's hard to believe that Christmas is only 5 weeks away. I still haven't started my shopping, even though I promised myself this year as I have in previous ones taht I would have it all done by November.
Stephen is going t0 Toronto today to look for floor tile for the bathroom, even though we've pretty much decided on one and regardless of it's outrageous price we are getting it anyway because once the job is done we won't think about it.
I am feeling very excited today about the possibilites that are soon going to open up for me, as things are changing right before my eyes every minute.
I had a dream last night that I went to visit an old employer because she owed me money and she was having a drink of whiskey on the rocks in an old 7-up glass, even though she can't drink because she's an alcoholic.
I saw on the weather channel yesterday that Canada could be in for a colder and snowier winter from to (and inclusive of) Ontario due to the presence of La Niña in the South Pacific, (which is the effect it's supposed to have) even though the last 7 years ago caused the opposite effect.

I'll keep you posted.

Roman Temple in Evora, Portugal

The Roman Temple is also called, and more frequently known as, Temple of Diana. This temple dates back to the first decades of the 1st century. It was built in Évora’s Acropolis and it is Corinthian style. It is one of Portugal's few remaining monuments from the Roman occupation. The temple perahps owes it's survival to it's continuous use down the centuries. In medieval times it was used as an execution site while later it was used as a slaughterhouse. It is the best-kept Roman temple in Portugal, therefore it is very popular and well known all over the country. The top of the columns are very beautiful and very well-kept.

It was as hot as hell that day (mid to high 30's) and I had a sunburn from the day before, so I was in a long sleeve tee and jeans, trudging up hills to get to this temple. But it was worth it!

Dominican Trip

This is a photo that I took on the resort when I was in Dominican a couple of weeks ago. I thought it turned out well considering I am a very amateur photographer.

The trip was a lot of fun. It was my first all inclusive vacation, and we stayed at a beautiful resort called Catalonia Bavaro, located on Bavaro Beach on the south east coast of the Dominican in Punta Cana. We went with some friends and had a wonderful week of fun, rest and relaxation. The resort had 7 restaruants; 4 where reservations were required; the main buffet, the beach buffet and a crepe place. All non-motorized water sports were included as well, so myself and Stephen went sea kayaking and catamaran sailing. We also went on a deep sea fishing trip. It was a four hour tour with a very colourful captain, and in the shallow waters on the way in, Stephen & our friend Sharon caught a blue fish. It was the weirdest fish I've ever seen, and a hell of a lot of fun.

My Life

I was reading my sister in law Kirsten's blog the other day (see the link to the right to read her blog) and she compiled a list of 100 things to do before she dies. I have a similar list that I started in a journal years ago and it inspired me to revisit the list and finish it, in addition to blogging about it (it's a great blog topic!)

One item on my list is to visit every continent before I die. This a very feasible reality for me, and the third continent is coming up for me in 2009 when we go to New Zealand (or Australia) with some friends of ours (as I live in North America and have been to Europe). Then I can take something else off my list, which is riding in a water zorb! It's a big ball that you climb inside of and roll down a hill. There is an air pocket in the centre to keep you from hitting the ground, and you can put water inside for added fun! I can't wait to do that!

As for other items, I am going to try and blog once a day, so I'll keep you "posted".