so, how was your day?

In lieu of our typical “Currently” posts, Samantha and I thought we would switch it up by following the template of the blog “So, How Was Your Day”. We are both huge fans of the blog, and love reading about people in different capacities and how they organize their days. I was also a huge fan of Design for Mankind’s “Dailies” series—I love reading how people live!!

This was what my (Gabi) Friday looked like, and the questions at the end are what Sam had for me.

On their website, they get people to post a photo of themselves on their bed. Here's one from when I was home for the holidays at some point—when my hair was all one colour!

 So, How Was Your Day?

Breakfast: Cinnamon raisin bagel with cream cheese. Water.

Lunch: Scrambled eggs with cheese and salsa.

Dinner: Butternut squash risotto and wine.

Morning: I am so not a morning person. I am slowly learning to adapt into being one, but since our Fall reading break came along my routine was kinda shot down. I’m working at bringing it back though. So this morning my alarm went off at 9am, and I rolled out of bed around 10. Typically one of the kitties has burst into my room (they’ve been fed at 730 when my roommate leaves for work) for some attention, and that’s a sign that I’ve been in bed too long. I quickly get ready (check the weather and pick an outfit, and listen to the radio while I attempt to do my hair and makeup), and then eat a bagel while one of the cats (Wilbur) watches me in hopes I will drop something. This morning I went to drop off a plant at work on my way to meet a friend.

Noon: The friend I met this morning does Reiki (which is a type of energy work that balances your chakras and energy) and I met up with him and we came back to my house. He did reiki with me, and I came out of my little meditative trance feeling super calm. One of the cats was super intrigued by what was happening and while I was laying down having reiki done, the cat came and jumped up all around me and absorbed some of the energy too. Apparently animals are super in tune with the energy and Sheldon was super calm this whole afternoon/evening. Very cool. After my friend left, I had lunch while catching up with some blogs, and left my apartment for an appointment.

Night: After, I met up with a former roommate/really good friend and we went and got a coffee and ran some errands. This also included a trip to Chapters to look/ogle all the things we want, as well as make some purchases (a book on American Sign Language for her, and the game Jenga for me). After a couple hours, I went to meet another friend I met through volunteering for a beer to catch up and chat! Val (my current roommate) came and joined us, and then once we were done there, Val and I went to the grocery store to pick up goodies for dinner. She made a trade with me: Val cooked dinner (risotto) and I cleaned/polished/sprayed all our shoes and fed the cats. After eating, I Facetimed with Sam and we talked about dogs and cats and pets and just overall being silly. Now I am writing this post and will have a relatively early night as I have to be up early tomorrow for a volunteer shift.

This was a really nice Friday for me. The last month I have been totally booked up on Fridays; but since training finished up for one of my volunteer gigs, I now have my Fridays free. It’s really nice that my weekend starts on Thursdays! Also, in response to my mom’s comments from my last post: I am having some wine now, and I already had a beer. No, I am not an alcoholic :)

1. Now that your Fridays are freed up, what does your ideal day look like?

Hmmm… I am still learning what an ideal day in general for me looks like. I am still learning how to balance work and play—what too much or too little of each means to me. But for right now? It’s likely to include a relatively early rise, but still a bit of a sleep in. Breakfast, time with the kitties, possibly a volunteer shift, and then spending some time with friends. Ideally with no school work to be completed… I like to take Fridays off.

2. Tell me more about this reiki stuff.

Well… Reiki is basically an “alternative” therapeutic treatment that aims to balance your energy and to restore you into your body’s homeostasis. At least that is my understanding, anyway. It is done by a reiki practitioner who transfers energy to you through their palms. Basically you enter a meditative state and the reiki practitioner balances you out by “hovering” their hands over various areas of your body and placing their hands on others. It was pretty neat, non-evasive, and I felt really refreshed after. I’m interested in having it done again.

3. What are you favourite shops (clothing, coffee, misc) in Ottawa?

That’s a really tough question! I have so many! For coffee… I am a Bridgehead fan. It’s an Ottawa-based coffee shop that has many locations across the city and a couple years ago they opened up their own roastery (which also has a coffee shop inside) and they do a great cup of coffee. I also love Planet Coffee (which so happens to be conveniently located next to my work) for their pastries and food. Food wise… I love a La Bottega sandwich, indian from Basmati on Somerset W, Pho in Chinatown; as well as the many local restaurants we’ve tried out (Town, Sidedoor, Cafe Absinthe…)… there are just SO many to choose from. Clothing… I love all the local shops in the Byward Market and on West Wellington. OH and my favourite used bookstore: The Black Squirrel on Bank past Flora. Gems. Pretty much anything that can only be found in Ottawa, I like to frequent. There’s a big “Support Local” following here, and I am definitely a fan.

Check back soon to read how Sam’s day was. How was your day?