This post has actually been sitting in my drafts folder since November of last year. I started to write it, and then wasn't sure if I wanted to post it or not. I am still not sure, so let's see how this goes.
Through facebook re-connects, work friends, friends through different groups, I have had so many conversations about life, loves, loss, hardships. One thing I can say forsure, is that the saying of the "grass isn't always greener" has never been so clear to me than after these conversations. I have always believed that, but it is clear as we are getting older and living our lives and different experiences.
I remember one year after I went on a med cruise with my aunt I was having dinner with a friend and showing her all the pictures. She was happy for me, and envious at the same time, commenting on how great it was that I could travel and see different parts of the world with no worries other than myself. I agreed, but commented, you are married, you are expecting a baby and you have just bought a house. I don't have any of that. At that time, I wasn't living in my condo at that time. She thought the grass was greener in my single yard, and I thought her grass was greener in her married with children yard. I am sure that either one of us was right or wrong. It all depends on what side of the fence you sit on.
I know I am very lucky in my life. I have good friends, I have a job, I have a great relationship with my parents and family, and being an aunt is truly the most rewarding part of my life. Not everyone I know has the chance to see their nieces and nephew on a weekly basis. I am lucky enough to have them close to me and now the girls are old enough to call me on their own and want to see me and their parents can drop them off. It is the great joy in my life.
I have had a job that has taken me around the world (literally) and back over the last 21 years. The industry hasn't been as rewarding as it once was, but I am still fortunate to have been and seen as much as I have over the years, and will always have that. Wherever my life may take me, I will always have my travels. What I have seen and learned over the years has been invaluable. I will never forget any of it. I consider myself very wealthy in the life experiences I have been able to have because of my job.
Never judge a book by its cover....we all learned that, didn't we?
Life changing....every day life is a roller coaster - some days we want to get off the ride and other days, we scream with excitement and want more. Tomorrow is another day - get back in the line to ride the ride again!
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Sally Vs. What a bagel
I am not a picky eater. I am not, but my mother thinks I am. Trust me, I am not. But...I do like what I like and if I am going to enjoy what I eat, just like the next person I want my food cooked a certain way. I don't like my steak well done when I go to a steak house, I don't like my yolks hard when I order eggs, and I don't like my wing burned when I go to Swiss chalet. I don't think that is too difficult, do you?
For some strange reason, when I go to What a bagel near my condo, there is almost always an issue with my food. I don't know what it is, but it happens there all the time.
Bagel World (also near my condo) has 'flagels' which are flat bagels. They use their flagels to make bagelinis. It is basically like taking a bagel, putting tuna, cheese, onion and tomato and putting it in the panini press and pushing it down into a yummy gooey sandwich of goodness. They have three or four different options of bagelinis to choose from. If you haven't tried one, the next time you are there, you should.
A few weeks ago, I made plans with friends to have lunch at Bagel World. Because the two bagel places are so close together, a mistake was made and we ended up at What a Bagel. I was VERY disappointed because I wanted my tuna bagelini from bagel world.
I look through the menu at What a bagel and see that they have a "tuna melt". Here is how the conversation went down with the server:
Me: The tuna melt - how is it made?
Server: it is an open faced sandwich.
Me: Is it possible to have it in the sandwich press as a closed sandwich.
Server: sure, we can do that.
Me: Can you put red onion in it?
Server: sure, not a problem.
Me: Great. That is what I will have.
So, the runner brings the food for the table, and she brings my tuna melt - an OPEN FACE sandwich with the tuna and then the crispy melted cheese on top. I look at it and say, "this is not what I ordered". She takes it away.
The server comes back with the same plate and I repeat, "this is not what I ordered, you said it wasn't an issue to put it in the press. And as well, there is no onion." She takes it away, and I look at my friends and say, "all they are going to do is close it and shove it in the press.
She brings it back and that is exactly what she did. and the raw onion in a bowl on the plate. I take one look at it and say, "that is not what I ordered and I don't want it." The reason why I didn't want it is because when you make a sandwich in the panini press, the cheese gets soft and melted and if the onion was "in" the sandwich, it would have been cooked. This sandwich the cheese was crispy and hard from being stuffed in the broiler and the onion was raw.
I wasn't trying to be difficult, but if I am going to pay $10.49 for a tuna sandwich, I want it the way I ordered it and the way you said it could be done. I hated sending it back, but I really didn't want to eat it the way it was cooked.
In the end, I ended up with a rye bagel and creamed cheese. A far cry from the craving for a bagelini that I wanted. I still haven't had my bagelini. If you want to meat for lunch and try it out, let me know, I would love it!
Have you sent back food at a restaurant, if so, let me know what is was and why, I am curious.
For some strange reason, when I go to What a bagel near my condo, there is almost always an issue with my food. I don't know what it is, but it happens there all the time.
Bagel World (also near my condo) has 'flagels' which are flat bagels. They use their flagels to make bagelinis. It is basically like taking a bagel, putting tuna, cheese, onion and tomato and putting it in the panini press and pushing it down into a yummy gooey sandwich of goodness. They have three or four different options of bagelinis to choose from. If you haven't tried one, the next time you are there, you should.
A few weeks ago, I made plans with friends to have lunch at Bagel World. Because the two bagel places are so close together, a mistake was made and we ended up at What a Bagel. I was VERY disappointed because I wanted my tuna bagelini from bagel world.
I look through the menu at What a bagel and see that they have a "tuna melt". Here is how the conversation went down with the server:
Me: The tuna melt - how is it made?
Server: it is an open faced sandwich.
Me: Is it possible to have it in the sandwich press as a closed sandwich.
Server: sure, we can do that.
Me: Can you put red onion in it?
Server: sure, not a problem.
Me: Great. That is what I will have.
So, the runner brings the food for the table, and she brings my tuna melt - an OPEN FACE sandwich with the tuna and then the crispy melted cheese on top. I look at it and say, "this is not what I ordered". She takes it away.
The server comes back with the same plate and I repeat, "this is not what I ordered, you said it wasn't an issue to put it in the press. And as well, there is no onion." She takes it away, and I look at my friends and say, "all they are going to do is close it and shove it in the press.
She brings it back and that is exactly what she did. and the raw onion in a bowl on the plate. I take one look at it and say, "that is not what I ordered and I don't want it." The reason why I didn't want it is because when you make a sandwich in the panini press, the cheese gets soft and melted and if the onion was "in" the sandwich, it would have been cooked. This sandwich the cheese was crispy and hard from being stuffed in the broiler and the onion was raw.
I wasn't trying to be difficult, but if I am going to pay $10.49 for a tuna sandwich, I want it the way I ordered it and the way you said it could be done. I hated sending it back, but I really didn't want to eat it the way it was cooked.
In the end, I ended up with a rye bagel and creamed cheese. A far cry from the craving for a bagelini that I wanted. I still haven't had my bagelini. If you want to meat for lunch and try it out, let me know, I would love it!
Have you sent back food at a restaurant, if so, let me know what is was and why, I am curious.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Support your local businesses!
I would like to share our donors contact details here in my blog. These are amazing women and services within our community. People are always asking on facebook, "does anyone know who makes custom cakes, or cake pops, or gluten free baking" I have the answers to all of those questions here in this post.
Little Bakers - Your Cupcake Makers
Haley and Chay Kerbel - Creators
Haley - 416-930-0094
Chay - 647-448-8985
Place your order at hc.kerbel@littlebakers.ca
M'or Sweets
Gift baskets, Nut-Free Chocolates and cakes
Mandi Ross - Owner
905-508-0690
Kake Kreations
"Your perfect Cake for your Perfect event"
Karey Anne Large - Creator
905-493-8855
Imagine - Custom Cakes
Haim Ben-Ary
416-949-4373
The Cake Bomb
A burst of flavour in every pop
416-627-8549
Cathy Alfano - Creator
thecakebomb.blogspot.com
Wheelie Sweet
Desserts and Catering
Karen Fleisher-Sheffer
416-428-2563
Custom Cake Creations
For any event, occasion or special celebration
Tali Nahmias - 416-738-4099
Sarah Bodnya - 416-358-0236
I hope that one of these amazing creative baking artists can make something for you in the future.
I also wanted to mention our amazing decorations that we had for the tea. We worked with Cody Party and they were amazing to work with and provided a great selection of supplies and donated some products as well. Here are the details:
http://www.codyparty.com/
1450 Clark Avenue West
Coulters Mill Marketplace (the Vibe plaza)
905-669-0060
thornhill@codyparty.com
Make sure you ask for Jacqui!
I also wanted to mention our amazing decorations that we had for the tea. We worked with Cody Party and they were amazing to work with and provided a great selection of supplies and donated some products as well. Here are the details:
http://www.codyparty.com/
1450 Clark Avenue West
Coulters Mill Marketplace (the Vibe plaza)
905-669-0060
thornhill@codyparty.com
Make sure you ask for Jacqui!
If you need any business cards, let me know, I have cards for all of the vendors.
Hadassah Tea and Fundraising event 2012
Last year I was asked by my friends to take over the fundraising chair postition of the Hadassah Chapter. They know that I enjoy volunteering, charity work, fundraising and event planning and thought it would be a good fit for me. I accepted the challenge and now was part of the exec.
I was in BBYO growing up and part of a chapter and it was a great learning tool as a teen to learn about how executives work, meet, plan, delegate and execute. As an adult, it is also more challenging, because you are now dealing with adults and every changing lives, families, situations. It certainly proves to be more challenging in adulthood.
So, our main fundraising event for the programming year was put into motion - a fundraising tea and purse auction. What is a purse auction you may ask? Well, it is easy actually - you ask everyone you know if they have gently used purses that they want to donate, and then you put together a silent auction to raise money (full post on executing to follow).
As fundraising chair I also asked everyone to ask people that they knew that were in the baking fields to donate baked goods and services to our tea. The contributions were OUTSTANDING and ABUNDANT. You cannot imagine the amazing aray of baked goods that were donated to our amazing tea. (Post to follow with all the names of the providers).
I am happy to report that our efforts netted out over $600 to CHW - Hadassah - Children Healthcare and Women - who have been helping in Canada and Israel for almost 100 years.
I know that this was the first and hopefully to become an annual event for our chapter.
Thank you to all of those who helped make the event a success!
I was in BBYO growing up and part of a chapter and it was a great learning tool as a teen to learn about how executives work, meet, plan, delegate and execute. As an adult, it is also more challenging, because you are now dealing with adults and every changing lives, families, situations. It certainly proves to be more challenging in adulthood.
I am happy to report that our efforts netted out over $600 to CHW - Hadassah - Children Healthcare and Women - who have been helping in Canada and Israel for almost 100 years.
I know that this was the first and hopefully to become an annual event for our chapter.
Thank you to all of those who helped make the event a success!
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Send me an angel
I was watching Whitney's going home service on Saturday night and Alicia Keyes was called up to sing. She was overcome with her own emotions, but somehow found it in her to sing the most incredible song to honour her friend Whitney, or whom she called Mema.
I found myself part way through the song really emotional and crying. Not for what you may think, but because the words in the song were all about sending us an angel, and that of course to her, Whitney represented that angel.
The angel for me, was not Whitney, but another angel. An angel that I know who helped me three years ago today.
Last night at dinner, when I reminded my mom that it was three years ago today that I had my car accident. She didn't remember. I am hoping that in time, I will forget as well. I am in the process of closing my claim with the insurance company, or maybe I would have let this anniversary start to become a distant memory for me.
But, not so much just yet. Maybe one more year I will remember to forget what today is.
But what I will never forget was the fact that I am pretty sure I am here today because of my angel, Aviva. I know that she was there with me that night, and that the two guys that helped me out of my car were there because of her. They had to be. One told me that he was a paramedic, which couldn't really be, because there wasn't an ambulance on the scene of the accident. Could it be a passerby who just "happened" to be an off duty paramedic? Possible. But what happened after I was pulled out of the car and taken to the tow truck, they were no where to be found. There was a police car, and the fire department arrived on scene, but no ambulance.
I think I will leave this memory with the fact that my angel made sure that it was not my time. I have seen and heard a lot of situations with brain injuries and so much worse that could have happened to me, but didn't.
Thank you my angel, you will never be forgotten.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Personal connection - what you can't get from the internet
True story - it happened on Monday:
A client called in asking about a Princess cruise that she saw on line on our website, but wanted more details about the ship, the itinerary, and the price. I told her I would put the package together and email her all the details. Great, right? Yes, of course right. So, I did the legwork, sent the email and then received a reply.
This is a direct quote from the email:
"Can you tell me if Carnival has any special rates right now due to the ship that sunk a few weeks ago?"
I thought to myself....how to reply to this question? I should say that the cruise price BEFORE taxes was $424 per person = about $61 per person per day. How much better of a rate can you get?
But, even before the price, this customer asked about Carnival, because she knew that the owner of Costa Cruise lines was Carnival Corportation. Carnival Corp ALSO owns Princess, the cruise line she was asking about, not to mention Holland America, Cunard, Seabourn, to name a few more.
This all leads back to the fact that she called my agency for advice on something she couldn't really get on line, but from a professional in the industry. Knowledge is power, and as much knowledge that is available on the internet, there is still a need for conversation.
The story actually gets better. The itinerary that she is looking at stops in Curacao. I advised her via email that from a historical perspective she really needs to stop at the Synagogue on the island. That is the oldest operating Synagogue in the Western Hemisphere. To which she replied via email:
"OMG are you serious about the Synagogue? That will totally convince my hubby to go. He is jewish and I know he woudn't want to miss that. Neither would I!!! Thank you so much for letting me know this. That is fantastic".
I believe in the internet, I use the internet, heck, I spent more than half my day infront of a computer every single day. I order online, Chapters, Amazon, Itunes, I used ebay for the first time a few months ago. It is a normal way to shop in the world that we live in today. But it doesn't replace the human conversation.
I was looking for a specific book and saw the price on line - $8.75. I was driving home from work and thought I would just go in and buy the book at Chapters. In the store, the book was $17.50 which was the price on the back cover. When I found the salesperson and asked about the price differential, her reply was "well, online we have to compete with Amazon". In the store, you can ask for help, guidance, someone's opinion, "did you read this, what did you think"....at home staring at the screen, you are on your own. I did end up ordering the book on line, because I ended up with 2 books for just over what it would have cost me for the one book instore.
Another true story:
About a month ago, I was at a family get together and the topic of travel came up. "We have a week off next week, what's a great spot?". Great question, I had recently been selling quite a bit of a name branded hotel in Punta Cana that has 15 pools, 11 restaurants, casino on site, huge spa and fitness facility, golf AND a $1500 resort credit you could use while you were there for a week.
This intrigued them, they went home and looked at the website for this resort, I provided them with dates and rates, and they booked.
I just followed up with them in a welcome home email. I received a wonderful long reply describing the resort, the food, the spa, the amenities. Now, they were travelling with an infant, so some of the amenities that they "may" have used if they didn't have their baby with them, they didn't use. But it sounds like they took advantage of what was on the property and really had a good time.
The real story is that they could have found this resort online on their own, of course...BUT they asked a professional their opinion and based on that, did their homework, made their own conclusions, and then decided to book.
Another direct quote from the email:
"Thanks so much or the recommendation and booking! We had an amazing time."
That is really what I needed to hear. It makes it all worthwhile.
Thank you for hanging around to read my stories and my life the way I see it. It really makes a difference to me!
Have a great day everyone!
A client called in asking about a Princess cruise that she saw on line on our website, but wanted more details about the ship, the itinerary, and the price. I told her I would put the package together and email her all the details. Great, right? Yes, of course right. So, I did the legwork, sent the email and then received a reply.
This is a direct quote from the email:
"Can you tell me if Carnival has any special rates right now due to the ship that sunk a few weeks ago?"
I thought to myself....how to reply to this question? I should say that the cruise price BEFORE taxes was $424 per person = about $61 per person per day. How much better of a rate can you get?
But, even before the price, this customer asked about Carnival, because she knew that the owner of Costa Cruise lines was Carnival Corportation. Carnival Corp ALSO owns Princess, the cruise line she was asking about, not to mention Holland America, Cunard, Seabourn, to name a few more.
This all leads back to the fact that she called my agency for advice on something she couldn't really get on line, but from a professional in the industry. Knowledge is power, and as much knowledge that is available on the internet, there is still a need for conversation.
The story actually gets better. The itinerary that she is looking at stops in Curacao. I advised her via email that from a historical perspective she really needs to stop at the Synagogue on the island. That is the oldest operating Synagogue in the Western Hemisphere. To which she replied via email:
"OMG are you serious about the Synagogue? That will totally convince my hubby to go. He is jewish and I know he woudn't want to miss that. Neither would I!!! Thank you so much for letting me know this. That is fantastic".
I believe in the internet, I use the internet, heck, I spent more than half my day infront of a computer every single day. I order online, Chapters, Amazon, Itunes, I used ebay for the first time a few months ago. It is a normal way to shop in the world that we live in today. But it doesn't replace the human conversation.
I was looking for a specific book and saw the price on line - $8.75. I was driving home from work and thought I would just go in and buy the book at Chapters. In the store, the book was $17.50 which was the price on the back cover. When I found the salesperson and asked about the price differential, her reply was "well, online we have to compete with Amazon". In the store, you can ask for help, guidance, someone's opinion, "did you read this, what did you think"....at home staring at the screen, you are on your own. I did end up ordering the book on line, because I ended up with 2 books for just over what it would have cost me for the one book instore.
Another true story:
About a month ago, I was at a family get together and the topic of travel came up. "We have a week off next week, what's a great spot?". Great question, I had recently been selling quite a bit of a name branded hotel in Punta Cana that has 15 pools, 11 restaurants, casino on site, huge spa and fitness facility, golf AND a $1500 resort credit you could use while you were there for a week.
This intrigued them, they went home and looked at the website for this resort, I provided them with dates and rates, and they booked.
I just followed up with them in a welcome home email. I received a wonderful long reply describing the resort, the food, the spa, the amenities. Now, they were travelling with an infant, so some of the amenities that they "may" have used if they didn't have their baby with them, they didn't use. But it sounds like they took advantage of what was on the property and really had a good time.
The real story is that they could have found this resort online on their own, of course...BUT they asked a professional their opinion and based on that, did their homework, made their own conclusions, and then decided to book.
Another direct quote from the email:
"Thanks so much or the recommendation and booking! We had an amazing time."
That is really what I needed to hear. It makes it all worthwhile.
Thank you for hanging around to read my stories and my life the way I see it. It really makes a difference to me!
Have a great day everyone!
Friday, December 30, 2011
Reflecting
I have been doing a lot of thinking lately about 2011, and how I really wanted this year full of ups and lots of downs to end. I even commented to a friend the other day that I was really looking forward to ending this year and moving on to 2012 and hopefully a better year.
This friend, who is very wise and highly respected by me, replied to my email and kindly kicked me in the butt with a reality check. I hope this person doesn't mind if I quote directly from the email, but I am going to do it anyways, because I think it has a purpose.
"The truth is, "years" don't bring us good or bad. Life is life. There will be bucket list moments. There will be deaths of those close to us. There will be medical diagnoses. This is all part of life. If you have diabetes on December 31, 2011, you will have it January 1, 2012. The year doesn't change that, and it doesn't change anything else."
The email went on to talk about all the amazing things that were part of my life in 2011 - an amazing trip in the spring to California and Vegas, and then another trip to Vegas and then of course my most recent bucket list trip to see the tree in New York city. And there are so many more moments that are not just travelled related, like having my niece sleep over at my house for the first time last week. My amazing birthday party, where almost 75 people came and celebrated on a very snowy February night, my 40th birthday.
I am putting all of that into perspective and thinking that maybe 2011 wasn't that bad afterall. I have had some experiences that have helped me learn and grow, personally and professionally. My full potential isn't even realized yet. I am just starting to realize my potential and hopefully see brighter lights in my future in 2012.
So, tomorrow I am going to end 2011 singing and dancing in my seat to Hair at the Royal Alex. Last year I ended my year singing and dancing with Pricilla Queen of the Dessert. I think it is a great new tradition that I have started...I wonder what will be in town for new years 2012? Who knows....next year has yet to be written.
Happy new year everyone. Be safe and happy and most of all next year...healthy!
This friend, who is very wise and highly respected by me, replied to my email and kindly kicked me in the butt with a reality check. I hope this person doesn't mind if I quote directly from the email, but I am going to do it anyways, because I think it has a purpose.
"The truth is, "years" don't bring us good or bad. Life is life. There will be bucket list moments. There will be deaths of those close to us. There will be medical diagnoses. This is all part of life. If you have diabetes on December 31, 2011, you will have it January 1, 2012. The year doesn't change that, and it doesn't change anything else."
The email went on to talk about all the amazing things that were part of my life in 2011 - an amazing trip in the spring to California and Vegas, and then another trip to Vegas and then of course my most recent bucket list trip to see the tree in New York city. And there are so many more moments that are not just travelled related, like having my niece sleep over at my house for the first time last week. My amazing birthday party, where almost 75 people came and celebrated on a very snowy February night, my 40th birthday.
I am putting all of that into perspective and thinking that maybe 2011 wasn't that bad afterall. I have had some experiences that have helped me learn and grow, personally and professionally. My full potential isn't even realized yet. I am just starting to realize my potential and hopefully see brighter lights in my future in 2012.
So, tomorrow I am going to end 2011 singing and dancing in my seat to Hair at the Royal Alex. Last year I ended my year singing and dancing with Pricilla Queen of the Dessert. I think it is a great new tradition that I have started...I wonder what will be in town for new years 2012? Who knows....next year has yet to be written.
Happy new year everyone. Be safe and happy and most of all next year...healthy!
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