I wish I could remember where I heard this quote, but it’s been on my mind lately.
When you’re eating an orange, eat an orange.
Or in this case, a mandarin.
It’s about focus.
My brain is a funny place. I feel like there’s a big merry-go-round spinning right in the middle of it. Some of the horses are on fire, and others are shrouded in mist. Some are dull – with chipping paint and sad eyes – while others are shiny and bright and ready to spring. But it’s not all GIDDY UP and go. There are abandoned cobwebs in the corners too. (Which is clearly where my purse/keys/wallet often end up).
When I wake up the horses are there, spinning, and they’re still there when I go to sleep, which is why I need to occupy my brain with fiction and Downton Abbey. (Gah. I just read what I wrote and I may sound like a crazy person. SPINNING HORSES. But there it is.)
I feel like my brain is working overtime, and I’m trying to calm it. I don’t think I’m doing myself any favours by multitasking either. Multitasking decreases focus and chips away at my attention span. I used to think multitasking was awesome. I was so efficient! Getting so much done! Go go go! But I’ve come to realize that it’s not good. When my brain is supposed to be resting it bubbles up. And heaven forbid if I’m in a forced resting situation, like standing in line at the airport. It’s almost painful.
So what’s a gal to do?
I have to bring my focus back somehow and do one thing at a time until it is completed… and slow down that merry-go-round. Hence the orange. When I’m peeling an orange, filling up the watering can, brushing my teeth, or walking the dog, I am trying harder than ever to focus on the task at hand. It has been a challenge. When I was peeling the orange in the photo above I actually ran to grab my camera and take the photo for this blog post. Sigh. I guess it’s two steps forward and one step back, right? Please tell me I’m not alone!
One of my favourite cold remedies is GARLIC. I’m sure my family is appalled, but it’s the one thing (other than slathering myself with Vicks Vapo rub) that seems to bring me relief when I’m down for the count.
This is what I do:
- Make rye toast.
- Butter it.
- Sprinkle with finely diced raw garlic.
- Repeat.
It’s my comfort food, and it keeps the vampires away too.
Anyway, I am pleased to be able to let you know that Shopper’s Drug Mart is sponsoring this timely giveaway, just in time for cold and flu season. (There is no garlic involved, I promise.)
Valued at over $150, the Shoppers Drug Mart Cold and Flu Defence Kit contains a $50 gift card to use at your local Shoppers Drug Mart. It also has essential items you should have on hand including Life Brand Hand Sanitizer, Vapo Rub, Digital Thermometer, Sugar-free cough drops, facial tissue, Vitamins D and C, a Humidifier and Simply Food Chicken Noodle Soup.
It’s basically everything you need to get through your cold! And the $50 gift card can go towards magazines to read while you convalesce, or a little something to celebrate your recovery once the worst is over with. It’s entirely up to you.
Sidebar: Did you know that in a typical year, up to an estimated 25 per cent or about 8.6 million Canadians come down with the seasonal flu?
AND (this is important) did you know that you also get your annual flu shot at Ontario pharmacies? You can just saunter in if you happen to be at your neighbourhood SDM, or book an appointment online at http://shoppersdrugmart.ca/flushot.
- In order for your entry to qualify, please leave a comment below.
- This giveaway is Canada-wide, but is void where prohibited by law.
- If you can’t post your comment for whatever reason you can email it to me for posting at andrea at quietfish dot com. Please note, I cannot be responsible if your entry is misdirected or gets stuck in my Spam folder.
- I will draw one name using Random.org at noon EST on November 13, 2013. I’ll contact the winner via email at that time.
That’s it! Over to you!
Yesterday was a first for me. I flew from Ottawa to Toronto and back again in one day.
It was a long day, but you know what, it was pretty satisfying.
- I woke up early – mind racing.
- I prepped and packed my stuff: laptops, cords, backups, travel documents.
- I practiced my presentation. Again and again.
- I drove to the airport.
- Got on a plane to Toronto.
- Ate dinner at the airport.
- Found a cab to take me to Oakville.
- Tried to ignore the fact that he was going 140kmph down the highway.
- Gave a presentation on behalf of MediaSmarts about raising ethical children in a networked age.
- Grabbed a cab and went back to the airport. Had a lovely chat with the cabby about the newspaper business, journalism, and Malcolm Gladwell’s 10,000 hours theory.
- Got back on a plane.
- Landed in Ottawa.
- Drove home.
- Went to bed.
There’s something about solo travel that is so empowering, isn’t there?
But now I’m back; just me and my fingers on the keyboard. I liked being away from home for the day, but I’m very glad to be at my desk again.
