#61 - Dye My Hair Black

So, there isn't much to this post other than I got my hair died black.

And here is a picture to prove it.

But aside from the black hair, isn't the hat so cute?! SO in love with the hat right now =)

And that's all.
Lady S.

#19 - Flight of the Dragonfly

While I was visiting my parents in Calgary (August 1-18), we hit up Costco cause... well we love Costco. I headed for the book section to see if I could find a particular book (can't remember the name right now) and came across "Flight of the Dragonfly."

At first, I walked by it, but when I walked by it again, I decided to read the synopsis and read that the story was a true story about a mother whose two girls are kidnapped by their father to Lebanon. Now, I would not have been interested in the book at all because it's not my type of story, but when I read that the mother was from Calgary, I just had to read it. And, quite frankly, I'm glad I did!

The book tells the courageous story of Melissa Hawach, the mother of her two girls, Hannah and Cedar, and her journey to Australia and Lebanon to find her two daughters. It explains her marital history to Joe Hawach, the deceit of her husband, and the dangerous adventure she goes through to find her daughters. It's not a great piece of literature, but I still enjoyed reading the book, especially through the intense moments she lived through in Lebanon.

There is something really important that she emphasizes in the book and which I believe is important for everyone to know - even though her husband, of Lebanese origin, kidnapped the girl, she made a point of not stereotyping the Lebanese people; in fact, in her book, she mentions that a lot of the help she received in Lebanon came from Lebanese. For some reason, I felt that to be very important to say!

Anyway, if you get the chance to read the book, I recommend it.

As a side note, it's been a month since I last posted; however, I was away for an entire month, sooooo I have an excuse ;)

Loves,
Lady S.

#92 - Host a BBQ

So, I'm like a week late on updating this event, but it happened! And it happened on such a hot day as well. Imagine bbqing outside when the weather is at least 28 degrees and the condo you're at has no air conditioning? Plus the kitchen is turned on because your roommate is cooking there too? Yeah - not so much fun when you're dripping sweat.

Regardless, it was still fun! Part of the BBQ was to play board games (yes - I'm old that way!) and I successfully kicked ass at Clue and Cranium (with the help of my teammates, of course.)

Aaaaaand that's all I really have to say about the BBQ! All I need now is to host one more BBQ and I can scratch #92 off the list.

Oh, and I fly out to Calgary today and leave the 18th to Toronto from Calgary. My next 101 things to do? Explore downtown Toronto. Pictures will be posted =)

Love,
Lady S.

#62 - The Office

Here is the second new restaurant that I have tried in Victoria. Honestly, I was not that big of a fan and was rather disappointed in the food. Granted,I only tried one dish, but that one dish can throw off any encouragement to go back to the restaurant and try a new dish.

I went there today with a friend to catch up since I had not seen him in awhile. To start, the menu itself was pretty interesting - it was in a duotang (trust me, sooner or later they will realize that it's a big mistake since duotangs can get ripped up pretty easily... and there is no lamination to any of the papers in side!) The menu didn't have a huge variety (salads, burgers, and pasta - the usual in any restaurant), but the salads and pasta were set up a little different; for the salads, you had a choice of two greens, one dressing, and two veggies. The same concept for the pasta applied.

Overall, not really impressed. The salad was *so* boring (mixed greens, arugula, avocado, cucumber, grilled chicken and avocado vinaigrette) and the price seemed unreasonable for a salad that I could make at home that would taste much better! I'll probably return sometime later to try one of their pasta dishes and hopefully it'll have a better taste.

Lady S.

#19 - The Kite Runner

Wow.

Absolutely, wow. This is one of those books that everybody needs to have on their shelves, pages worn out because it has been read over and over again. I was skeptical at first when I started reading the book because it was a little dry and part of me felt that if I wasn't into it after the first chapter, I would have a hard time trying to get into it. I'm glad I waited, though.

I can't begin to describe how this book is not only entertaining, but illuminating and inspiring at the same time. The lives of these two boys that live in the same country yet live completely different lives under one roof just... makes you realize the discrimination that is present everywhere. Granted, I may take more out of this book than the average reader who just reads for sheer pleasure, but this book provides a real life account of what life is truly like in Afghanistan.

I enjoyed reading The Memory Keeper's Daugher, but this book, by far, is just so much more amazing. And the ending - so inspiring. I hope every person gets a chance to read this book.

Next? A Thousand Splendid Suns by the same author.

Love,
Lady S.

#19 - The Memory Keeper's Daughter

Number 19 involves reading 5 books before the 1001 days are up (however, I might change this number since it seems too small.) The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards is the first book that I have read in a long time (other than scholarly books, of course) for just sheer pleasure. Everyone that has read the book has told me that is was a must-read and as such, I followed their advice.

Personally, the book is great! The way the other changes the point of view for each chapter enables you to get a sense of what each character is going through because of this one life-changing decision. It also gives insight to the complexities of society and families and love and relationships, all of which, of course, apply to each individual. The ending, however, is disappointing. It was quick, almost as if though the author was tired of writing and she wanted to finish up already. If I had to rate the book out of 5, I would say 4, just because the ending did not justice to the entire book.

Next on the list? The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini.

Lady S.

Happy Birthday, Canada

Well, Canada, you've been around for 147 years and thankfully I've been a part of this great country for about 23 years now and so far, you've treated me pretty well. Only 3 more years and then the big 1-5-0 will be here.


So, cheers to you Canada! Have a great day today.

Your Canadian friend,
Lady Sovereign