I went to watch this Improv music class at the beginning of the week with a friend of mine.  A new friend was teaching the class, so he invited us to attend.  The class had five students, who each played different instruments in this fourth-year class.

I was expecting to be blown away by their music and they did really well. The thing is, I wasn’t blown away by their performances.  All the students were amazing musicians but they weren’t excellent.  My definition of an excellent performer is someone who has the abilities but also has the mental drive to shine and take risks.  It felt they were staying in the safe zone and not taking any risks.

One of the students even said they were insecure.

I know we all have busy lives, but we can take two minutes out of our day and remember the Veterans.

This is very dear to my heart as one of my grandfathers was a Captain in World War Two and one of my grandmothers was a nurse in the same war.  Also, members of my extended family have served either away or on the home front in past wars.  I also have friends who are currently serving.

Please show respect for Veterans by wearing a poppy throughout the week and thanking them for sacrificing their lives for us.   I ask you to think of the Veterans and their families and friends during the two minutes of silence.

"Do not let yourself be surrounded by people who will peck you to death like a duck" - Maya Angelou

I heard Oprah say this quote on her Lifeclass last week, and the message hit me hard.

When I heard the phrase, "peck you to death like a duck", I was brought back to my childhood and a situation I had witnessed at our local petting zoo.  I remember going into the barn and seeing four birds (I forget what kind they were) in a pen.

I have many different responsibilities in my life, which occupy a lot of my time.  I'm usually GO GO GO ( i.e., constantly busy).  However, I need to be reminded that it is good and well-needed for everyone's mental and physical health to stop and relax sometimes. There has to be a balance.

Taking a break, being disconnected, and listening has inspired me and allowed me to generate a whole bunch of new ideas that I may not have thought of, if I wasn't forced to take a break.

So I am actually very happy that my computer decided not to charge.  I encourage you all to stop, relax, and listen more in your life.  It really pays off and is good for your health.

I had an interesting experience on the erg (indoor rowing machine) yesterday that I have to share.

I came to the gym eager for a great workout and got on the erg.  It was going great, had my headphones on, and in a great mood.  Then out of nowhere, around the four minute mark,  my legs stopped.  It was the weirdest thing, I literally LOST my drive (in more ways than one, motivation and is part of the rowing stroke).

The drive in rowing is the part of the stroke where the rower pulls the blade through the water using their legs, back and arms to propel the boat. It is a fundamental part of the stroke, as the rowing is 80% leg muscle power.  Don't believe me - try rowing; you'll soon realize it's all about the legs.

I think I have had many whispers in my ear over my lifetime, I usually refer to them as weird coincidences.

I think every individual's life journey should be about finding your passion and being strong enough to go after it.

Kyle Hamiltons video all the little moments add up to the big moment - I think all the people that I have met over my journey and all my experiences had led me where I am today.

Such an important message:  Invest in a girl and she will do the rest.  

Many of us, however, may see this ad on the television or in the newspaper but not accept it as a reality, because this oppression isn't occuring in our everyday life.  Let me tell you, oppression of some kind is occurring in your life.  The whole world is connected.

The one statistic that really struck a chord with me was: 130 million children lack the opportunity to go to school!  Something that I took for granted.  That number is HUGE - it is almost four times the population of CANADA and half the population of the United States.

Many people say that you should visualize where you see yourself in the future.  Instead of writing out what I see myself doing in the future, I thought I would show you a picture, which you can make on the Oprah website.

Have you ever hiked up a mountain? Or driven up one?

It honestly doesn't matter how you got there (although, hiking is way more fun); there are many routes to the top. As a recent graduate, I feel there are many ways for me to get to the top of my personal mountain (i.e., achieving what my goals are in life).

In the last two years,  I have had four "weird coincidences" (my name for them) that I need to share. Life is full of these moments.  I think its funny because more I try to "plan" life, I feel as if I'm not really in control.  It got me thinking tonight of the value of significant unexpected and unpredictable events in my life and the importance of not trying to over plan.

I find some people in life like to complain about their situation (i.e., their relationships, school, work, sports, etc.).   I have heard the following complaints way too often:

• I’m not happy in my relationship.
• I’m really unhappy at work.
• I’m not enjoying my thesis, etc.
• I don’t like my coach or my teammates.

It seems like they are never happy, and there is always something that is bothering them about their situation.

Red is such a strong colour; when you wear it on your lips, you will stand out.

I had forgotten about that, as I have stuck to wearing neutrals and light pinks for a long time now. I'm not a fan of attention.

However, it became a realization when I went out with my friends this past weekend for a Ladies Night and decided to be bold and pull out my red lipstick.

My friend took the attached shot of me. Her first comment was, "Wow, you remind me of your mom with the rosy cheeks and the red lipstick." I took that as a compliment.  I have heard similar comments from other friends after they saw the picture.