A Sad Farewell

Well, I am sad to say that this academic year has come to an end. 

This program has been my FAVORITE year in all the years (and there have been a few) I have been in school.

It's a sad realization that I won't be seeing the same 36 people every day. 

This year I have made some great friends, learned some valuable things, and will take with me some unforgettable memories. 

Thank you to everyone for all their help. 

Good luck to everyone in whatever comes next! 

Keep in touch and I will miss you all! =)

Krista... out. ;)

Under the Table and Dreaming....

Dave Matthews Band is without question, my favorite band! I have seen them live four times, and they never fail to amaze! Hard to believe, but I think they may be better live than recorded. Which could explain the fact they are the third highest grossing band for touring sales. 

Their songs seem timeless, I still listen to the old albums, and they never seem out of date. Some of my favorites: 

Ants Marching

Watchtower

Granny 

Crush

Everyday

Steady as we go

The band formed in early 1991 in Charlottesville, Virginia. It had five original members until last year, when saxophonist LeRoi Moore died of complications from a RTV accident. 

Their first album, Under the Table and Dreaming, went four times platinum within a year.

In their 18 years of producing great music, the Dave Matthews Band has released 35 albums,  10 recorded and 25 live.

 

Through immense success, the band still keeps to their organic, grass roots mentality. 

Their next studio album, Big Whisky and the Groogrux King, is due out June 2, 2009 and is dedicated to LeRoi.

Here's a sneak peak: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7iMjcnKzyQ

 

Dave Matthews Band will be at the Molson Amphitheater June 9, 2009. 

I'll see you there! 

Dry Hand Saviour

For anyone who has sat near me through this winter they can tell you... the cold weather is not my friend. I have tried many MANY different creams to solve the dry hand problem that those cold winter months bring. Sadly, many products fail to impress. They are either too greasy, too fragrant or simply don't do the trick. But rest easy... I have found a hand cream that will keep your hands looking soft and smooth all winter long! 

Bath and Body works has a line of products called True Blue Spa and they make a hand treatment called "Look Ma, New Hands". I have showed my mother and she agrees, this softening hand lotion does the trick! With paraffin as a main ingredient, it locks in essential moisture, with no greasy feeling leaving behind a subtle citrus sent. The best part... it's only $12 or 2 for $20. 

No need to hide your hands under the desk this winter, the solution is here!

Now that Bath and Body Works has come to Canada, this great product is practically at your finger tips. 

The Greatest Olympian of all Time

14 career Olympic gold metals.

Seven world records.

The record for the most gold metals in a single olympics.

The 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, was where Michael Phelps proved he was the greatest Olympian of all time. 

Despite his minor mishaps with drunk driving and the bong picture heard round the world, there is no question what Phelps can do in the pool is amazing. 

As a former swimmer, I watched every race in Beijing with amazement. A swimmer usually excels at one of the four strokes, either breastroke, backstroke, butterfly or freestyle... ONE stroke, not all.  

To give you an appreciation of exactly how miraculous his talents are, the way swimmers train usually is conducive to a specific stroke. If you are a breaststroker, you build certain muscles. That specified training means you shouldn't be able to excel at freestyle, because your body isn't built to move through the water that way. 

But Phelps' body isn't regular. His large hands and size 14 feet means he can pull and kick a large amount of water at once. Unlike the rest of us, Phelps' arm span is 6'7", three inches larger than his height, which gives him incredible pulling power in the water. 

His torso is long and thin which created low drag through the water, and his lower body is relative to someone only 5'10", giving him shorter, stronger legs. To top it all off, he is double jointed which lets him whip his arms, feet and legs through the water with larger range of motion than the rest. Oh and his heart pumps 30 liters of blood a minute to his muscles, twice the amount of the average person..... Superman in a speedo. 

Greatest Olympian of all time, and one of my favorite athletes!

Love is a wonderful thing....

Today I got a message from my friend Leah. 

Her and her fiance George are getting married this year and they have entered a contest to win a free wedding! 

These are two of my very favorite people! I met George, a chef, and Leah, a designer, while working at Wolfgang Puck in Oakville (when it was still there) many years ago. They are both such genuine and caring people. If two people were ever destined to be with each other, it's them. I was soo excited to hear they were engaged, and with a wonderfully romantic proposal to boot!

They are also probably two of the hardest working people I know and they deserve an absolutely beautiful wedding. Winning this contest would make their special day even sweeter. 

Leah and George were chosen from a long list of couples and are now among the final eight couples in this contest. 

If you can spare two minutes (that's really all it takes) please, PLEASE visit this site and vote for George and Leah. 

http://www.thenotwedding.blogspot.com/

Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

Sweet Treats

Thomas Haas

If you have a sweet tooth… this is a place you have to visit.

When I was in Vancouver someone recommended this place to me for a sweet treat. I went in search of a birthday treat for my friend, and I hit the jackpot. I left with miniature cakes and tarts, which was an excellent idea. We all got to taste a variety of deserts.

The store, located in North Vancouver, is no more than a few hundred square feet but filled with delectable treats. I went on a Saturday afternoon and there was a line up out the door. As soon as I saw that, I knew it must be worth the wait. It was.  I couldn’t get over how many people were stuffed into such a small space. Most people were in line to purchase, but some were crowded around the four small tables and tiny counter area having coffee and treats.

Thomas Haas is not only a talented in pastry but is an accomplished chef. He has worked across the world in Michelin star restaurants

in Europe and was executive pastry chef at the Four Seasons Vancouver. 

Winner of many competitions awards and accolades, Haas has been featured in many food magazines and appeared on Martha Stewart Living. In 2000, he and his wife opened their own store and have been booming in business ever since. They pride themselves on what they 

produce, handmade chocolates and pastries made with only the best quality, and most often, local ingredients.

Another testament to the notion… great things come in small packages, or in this case, small spaces.

https://thomashaas.com/

Good Eats

I have a new favorite restaurant... unfortunately its a 4.5 hr flight from Toronto. Yes, you guessed it, it's in Vancouver. Italian Kitchen is located downtown Vancouver and, since opening, has quickly become a hot spot. 

The two level restaurant has a 60ft white marble bar which splits between a serving station for 

 and an open kitchen so you can watch all the chef's in action! There is a glassed wall cellar that holds a huge variety of old and new Italian wines. We tried a couple different ones that night.. all great!

The menu has a variety of multi national italian dishes, all prepared with fresh seasonal ingredients. We had the pasta platter; spaghetti and spicy meatballs with truffle cream, agnollotti stuffed with squash and mascarpone pappardelle with lamb sausage, cabbage and potatoes, and penne pomodoro. FANTASTIC! 

This place is definitely worth a visit when out west! 

Visit their website: www. theitaliankitchen.ca