The Six Foot Canasian

With the majority of news programs putting a negative lens on the world (i.e., mass shootings in schools and concerts, Donald Trump's actions in the White House, the environmental crisis, etc.) it's easy to adopt a skeptical view on things. At a time where I, myself, was faced with tough choices and feeling uncertain about my future, one company helped me believe in the power of people and human kindness (again) ... lululemon.

Losing someone to cancer is (sadly) common. Until a few months ago, I was in complete denial of cancer's impact on my own life and the lives of many of the people around me. Considering 43 people hear the words, "You have cancer.", every day in Alberta, and 1 in 2 people in their lifetime receive a positive diagnosis, it was time to face the facts. It wasn't until I met Delores DeSousa ("Lori"), who lost her battle with this terrible disease, that I came to terms with what cancer truly means to me.

From its humble beginnings, thousands of years ago, the marriage of rice and fresh seafood has evolved beyond a means of preserving fish for a quick, Japanese snack. For many of us born and raised in the Western Hemisphere, our exposure to sushi is limited to a short list of sliced raw seafood (sashimi), handcrafted rice topped with fresh fish (nigiri), rice rolls (maki and uramaki), and hand rolls (temaki), each with the expected soy sauce, wasabi and pickled ginger on the side. Much like our dependence on the Heinz Ketchup bottle when we order up a serving of fresh cut french fries, we have also become reliant on a side dish of soy sauce (and accompaniments) with our sushi. At a recent visit to Goro + Gun, for Chef Tomo Matsuna's "Omakaze Sushi Experience", the select group of "foodies" in the room were truly enlightened as each participant was introduced to the true artistry of sushi ... one that didn't need the support of any sauce or side dish!

Something special happens when people come together, sit down, and share a meal (just ask Laura Coatsworth and Nicole Jackson).

Every day we make thousands of decisions that ultimately change the course of our lives. Wake up when the alarm clock goes off or do we hit the "snooze" button? Blue shirt and black pants or pink wrap dress? Answer the phone or let it go to voicemail? Order the greasy fries or the healthy salad? Smile back when a cute guy at the coffee shop smiles at you or look away? Take the regular way home or try a shortcut? Say what's on your mind or stay silent. Accept an invitation to go out or stay home?

For most people, memories from early childhood are difficult to recall. You may remember images from old photo albums, or even moments from a birthday party or holiday gathering, but most times the details fade away over time. I honestly don't remember much before getting into sports in junior high, but the story of the Phoenix, the majestic "bird of the sun", has stayed with me since a Greek mythology project in grade school (yup ... incredibly "nerdy").

In the past, when people would ask me about Calgary I would give the typical response, "It's famous for the Calgary Stampede, as the host of the 1988 Winter Olympics, and is the home of three professional sports teams ... the Calgary Flames (National Hockey League), Calgary Stampeders (Canadian Football League), and Calgary Roughnecks (National Lacrosse League)". I would recite things that people would see here and what made us visibly different from other cities. Two years into the Six Foot Canasian project, with all of my experiences getting reconnected to the city and it's many wonders, my response now is VERY DIFFERENT!

MONEY. We spend our whole lives wanting it, figuring out how to get it, working hard to earn it, thoughtlessly spending it, wondering where it went, stressing out about not having enough of it, and worrying about not saving it for the future. Considering how important money is to living a happy life, it’s unfortunate that most Canadians carry some form of debt, primarily because they don’t know enough about their finances.

2016 was a rough year for some of us, like Groundhog Day for others (the same old thing repeating itself year after year), and incredibly fortunate and prosperous for the rest. Regardless, the year has come and gone and we get to begin anew! That means new hopes, new dreams, new challenges, new hardships, new lessons, and new realizations that make us better and more valuable to the people around us.

Don't let my six foot Canasian appearance fool you ... I'm pretty sure I was Italian in a previous life! I can't live without pasta (and can do without rice), I talk with my hands (A LOT), family is pretty important to me, I will drive across the city for a well-made, handcrafted cappuccino, and I have a secret obsession with fashion (although I spend 80 percent of my time in Lululemons and sweatpants). And, when the weather gets chilly or I seek comfort and solace, I crave authentic Italian food!