God Bless My Visa

The last time I was a US resident I wouldn’t have been displaying the American flag with any sense of pride, excitement, or at all – it was in 2005-2006, during the Bush regime… we all know how that turned out – but with Obama in the White House this country has newfound hope – a heightened sense of patriotism…. And most importantly, we’re no longer a worldwide laughing stock.

I get mixed reactions when telling people I’ve moved from Toronto to LA – most Torontonians think it’s cool, a few people have asked how they can do the same. California has the obvious draw of great weather and a healthy lifestyle. I recognize the celebrity focus of LA isn’t for everyone – but it’s hard to argue with ~350 days of sunshine a year. Of course, with this comes the infamous LA smog (you can actually see it as you’re landing at LAX) - so like any city - it’s not perfect, and the smog serves as a daily reminder that we need to be good to our planet. The LA natives I’ve told about my move seem to question why I’d ever leave a place like Canada!! With the US facing a national healthcare crisis, obvious economic turmoil, and California being so ridden with debt the State recently issued IOUs to citizens in lieu of tax refunds (and our best bet out of this is our beloved Governor - The Terminator?!) - I can appreciate how Americans admire their neighbors North of the border. Canada is undoubtedly the best place in the world to live - the quality of life is unparalleled. I’m incredibly proud to be Canadian. That being said – I’m THRILLED to renounce my status as a Canadian resident and to formally beginning this 3-year (plus!!) journey – legally, officially – I live in LA.

k

"Money doesn’t buy you happiness,"

"But it buys you a big enough yacht to sail right up to it."

- Johnny Depp as quoted in the July issue of Vanity Fair.

Living in LA for the past two months, it’s hard not to get caught up in the media / celebrity- buzz of tinsel town. The most prevalent of course being Michael Jackson’s unexpected recent death. I was actually in Toronto when it happened – but I can’t say the aftermath has subdued much at all since. Michael Jackson’s life, his legacy – and the criminal investigation of his untimely death – has been the top story in entertainment news for several weeks now. The latest twist being federal investigators raiding Jackson’s Dr’s office – Dr Conrad Murray, who was with him at the time of his death.

Famous from age 5 – Michael Jackson lived in the spotlight for 45

years – dying at age 50 on June 25, 2009. Sadly, his life and death show that even in the world of celebrity - money doesn’t buy happiness. With Thriller topping the charts as the best selling album of all time - estimated with as many as 110 million copies being sold worldwide (still going strong). It’s been said that Jackson was chasing it's success since the 1982 release – never being able to top or even match his own greatness. Fighting the verge of bankruptcy in recent years, while still wearing couture with jackets in the tens of thousands of dollars, it's clear he was deeply troubled.

It reminds us that too much of anything isn’t good – excess of fame, money, attention, or power seems to have the opposite effect of what you're hoping for in attaining them. Let his death be a lesson to us all and let's let the King of Pop rest in peace - after all, we are the world.

k

I am Zen

There are many benefits of living here in The Palazzo – free apples (hey, shopping at Whole Foods they add up!) and Starbucks tea & coffee in the spa – wireless internet in the common areas (pool, business centre & lounges) - and the location – but tonight I experienced by far the best yet - a 90-minute private yoga class. This is the second week no one else showed up for Thursday's 7:30pm class. I’ve worked with trainers and done yoga regularly for the past 3 years, but I’ve never had a private yoga session. One word - intense. Tran tailored it to what I wanted and what he thought I needed – which was an intense stretch and leaning exercises. Because I had his UNDIVIDED attention, he corrected all of my bad habits and cheating. We also concentrated on breathing. Tran pushed me so hard that he said I needed a sauna after – uh, OK - check!! The result - I’m more relaxed than I have been in a long time – so relaxed that I almost didn’t write this entry (sorry!!).

Relaxation seems to be a new theme in my life. After last week’s exciting visa news I took the weekend off – I did Runyon and yoga Saturday and then spent the balance of the afternoon with my best friend at our pool. Sunday we went to Manhattan Beach – as much as I love Beverly Hills and our complex, I’m pretty sure this is where I want to live next. I can already see Everest and I in a beach house – going for walks and runs along the beach. The beauty of a home office is I’d avoid the number one complaint about this highly sought after location – it’s out of the way in comparison to Hollywood, downtown and other key LA attractions. It has a great community feel and you can get anywhere in about half hour depending on traffic (nothing under an hour is even remotely considered a hike by LA standards) – we love our cars.

I’ve had a few more star sightings – Monday I was working in our leasing office lounge, taking advantage of sitting at an actual desk and not just working on my Target patio chairs, and a girl sat right across from me. I didn’t look up – it took me about an hour until I did, and I realized it was one of the stars from the show Privileged: Ashley Newbrough (left).

I’m featuring the show on whataretheywearing, although sadly it was cancelled late last year – it’s still on in syndication and the clothes are fantastic!! She was in our building visiting the show’s other star – Lucy Hale (right) – who I’ve seen in the gym twice, once just tonight. How embarrassing would it be if she was on the treadmill beside me and I was watching her show?! !

Alright – that’s it for this week. Time for the best sleep of my life!

k

Five years!!!!!!!!

Today is a great day. It's a big day, HUGE really. After getting home to LA late last night, I received a VERY exciting email this morning - from the US consulate to schedule my visa approval interview. My lawyer confirmed this is only a formality and it means I’ve successfully gained legal entrance to work on whataretheywearing.com in the US for the next 5-years. I called the number given right away, taking the first available appointment - and in a matter of weeks I’ll be making a quick trip to Toronto to have a proper goodbye and reenter the US legitimately. For a process that started 7 months ago in January (sorry RH), I’m thrilled to see it coming to fruition. Thanks to everyone who’s helped along the way (there are too many of you amazing supporters to name) – it’s truly taken a village – and so far, it’s very worth it!

A very wise, insightful, talented & accomplished woman gave me the card at the top of this post – I feel in love with the quote instantly. This same person made me the creative framed picture above (it says whataretheywearing over and over) – I’m going to hang it along with some other inspirational cards I’ve been given over my desk in my new home office. The best part about today's news is once I have my visa I can get my car, look into getting my little puppy (Everest August Duncan) and the balance of my belongings (furniture!!) can be shipped here from storage - the trip across the continent is scheduled to take the truck about 3 weeks... so it looks like I'll have an extra special birthday delivery (August 22nd)!! I'll be able to start enjoying my home office (with a desk and chairs) - and get ready for all of my visitors.

My sister sent me this link - I've already passed it along to a few of you... it's worth a watch - very inspiring! Stay hungry, stay foolish.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1R-jKKp3NA

It all starts here.

k

Canadian heaven

After a 2-week hiatus to the East Coast I have to say what I’m going to miss the most about Canada (people aside) is Muskoka. I’ve been lucky enough to spend summers there since I was in the womb (being a late August baby I was essentially born up there, with late-stage pregnancy meals for my mom including corn on the cob & Webers). If you’ve been, you love if - if you haven’t, you should make the trip. If it’s good enough for Kurt Russell, Goldie Hawn, Kate Hudson, Martin Short & countless NHL players, it’s good enough for me!

So in the spirit of my last day in the country for I’m not sure how long… (I head back to LA tomorrow until I can come back for my visa approval – ready and waiting!!) I’ve decided to do a tribute to all things Muskoka – a few personal favorites from those I know and love:

Don’s Bakery in Bala – their Chelsea buns have a cult following, and with good reason.

Bala Falls – breathtaking!

Webers – it's so good it’s worth mentioning twice – last Friday I actually drove an extra hour just for their veggie burgers & fries – and even for an impatient person like me, it was worth it!

Antique boats – you may be lucky enough to catch a crew of these heading to a boat show in Port Carling or Gravenhurst – there’s something historical, peaceful & outright beautiful about them. If you're really lucky, you may also see the Lady Muskoka or Seguin.

Waterskiing – I can’t say I can make it all the way around Acton Island like I used to… (or even close) but it’s still great to get up.

Frozen Yogourt – whether it’s a quick stop in Bala, Port Carling, Minett, or Bracebridge… it always hits the spot.

Sunsets – almost every day is killer, I can't remember a bad one – this time of year is great, it’s light out late so you can maximize the day.

Marty’s Butter tarts – if you’re ever within a one-hour radius of Bracebridge – MAKE THE TRIP – these massive tarts are so gooey your mouth will thank you. They may be the sweetest thing you’ve ever tasted… I have it on good authority that Dorset has some killer tarts as well, if you’re closer to the Lake of Bays /Hunstville area. A good friend of mine had some at her wedding last summer, a different take on the cupcakes for your wedding cake trend and oh-s0-yummy.

Weekends with friends - priceless. Memories to last a lifetime, and a lifetime left to create.

The Wildlife - we caught these guys crossing at the narrows just a few hundred meters from our cottage a few summers ago.

Boat rides – I can hands down say my FAVORITE thing in the word to do is drive a boat, or go for a boat ride. I spent 2 summers in University doing the Muskoka Lakes Marine Patrol – yes, it was just as amazing as it sounds… driving the 3 lakes all day. Heaven.

Muskoka, I miss you already!

k