Show Poppers

Every Wednesday I watch America's Next Top Model (yes, I admit it - and am proud of it!). During the show, they have contest - at some point during the show they'll flash a question about the show. To enter the contest you have to email the correct answer in to Breakfast TV (which is a morning TV program here in Vancouver, for those of you who don't know). Then you have to watch Breakfast TV the following morning - if your name is announced on the show at somepoint during the show the next morning (between 6-10am), you have until 10am to call in and claim your prize.

I've never entered this contest before, but last week, for some reason, I felt the urge to email n my answer (which, by the way was the "3 C's of modelling" - couture, catalog and commercial). So I did that, and then went back to watching the show. At the next commercial break I told Dan that I had entered, and we had a chat about what we'd do with the prize ...

Anyways, the next morning, guess what happened?! They announced my name on the show! I WON! Yep! I couldn't even believe it, but for some reason I just knew to enter - so I guess I knew I was destined to win. :D

Are you curious to know what the prize is?? Well, I'll warn you - it's a pretty sweet prize ...

A $1000 gift card for Metropolis at Metrotown!
(which can be used at any store in the entire mall)

So yep, this was my first time ever entering this contest, and I actually won. Ahh, I tell ya, life just keeps getting better. :)

I love my French Press!

Out of all the shower and wedding gifts we got in 2005 for our wedding, the winner of the "most used" award goes to ...

our French Press!

It was a shower gift from Sam & Paul, and I must say, it gets used sooo much. I love it! This little French Press has helped get me through many-a-mornings. :)

Another shiny new toy ...

Our old digital camera has been with us for a number of years, has travelled a lot, and gotten bumped and banged around its fair share. For the past while, we've found that we get blurry dots on our pics - our old friend is in desperate need of a good cleaning, as it's obviously got some dust particles inside. Well, we were going to take it in to be cleaned, but then we started thinking that maybe it's just time for a new point-and-shoot camera. So naughty me, I went out and bought one on the weekend!

It's the upgraded model of the one we already had, and have really liked. It's simple and takes great photos. Apparently this model is going to be discontinued soon, so we figured we should buy a replacement while we still can (as I don't care for the setup of the new Cybershots).

We're still going to check into getting our old one cleaned up. It would be great to have two cameras when we're travelling, so we don't have to pass one back and forth. :)

Now, in case you're wondering what's up with the camera I just bought a couple of months ago ... that one is pretty much for business purposes. It takes a great macro shot so it's perfect for taking photos of my designs - but it's a bit too bulky to stick in your pocket when travelling!

Sticking with it

I'm now on week 4 of my new exercise routine, and I'm happy to report that it's going really well! I spend at least an hour, 4-5x a week, doing cardio and strength training. To top it off, Dan & I have started walking again too (we go for an hour each time).

I've also been back on a much healthier diet, trying to be more aware of what I'm eating as well as how much I'm eating. Basically, gotta be aware of the calories going in vs. the calories that I burn in a day.

So far I feel waaay better and my muscles are back on track. Yay! Another bonus is that some of the random aches I was starting to have (such as waking up with an achey hip) are no more. :)

Exercise is good. Honestly, I never thought I'd actually enjoy exercising, but I have been. I miss it on my non-exercise days! I guess it might have to do with me having some fun with it - for my cardio, I dance! (well, a mix of dancing and aerobics). It's great, I put on my workout playlist and off I go. I totally recommend it. :D