25 Things YOU Didn't Know About Me

Yeah, well here is goes....

1. I used to be a BIG Mickey Mouse & Kids Incorporated fan when I was a kid. I was BFF's with Britney, Justin, Christina, Fergie, AND Keri Russell WAAAY before they hit it big
2. I'm a true Leo - strong-willed, strong-spirited. Don't mess with me!
3. My favourite drink at Starbucks is a Vanilla Non-Fat Earl Grey Tea Misto
4. I used to be a competitive Gymnast. Competed until I was in highschool. My mom made me quit retire though, cuz I was getting bad grades :S
5. I have been sworn off HOT DOGS for the REST OF MY LIFE! In junior and senior kindergarten, my babysitter felt it was her duty to feed me hot dogs everyday for lunch - boiled, and without a bun. Every single day, with only a wee bit of ketchup. Yep, I was lucky if I even got ketchup. Oh those days.
6. I am a shopaholic. I've got my favourite stores, especially H&M and Urban Outfitters
7. I work in television and I love what I do. My job has enabled me to work with the who's who of Hollywood and the Canadian music scene. I am very grateful.
8. I am a Pollotarian - not a vegetarian. I don't eat red meat or seafood; only poultry, lots of vegetables, and dairy. I don't think I'd be able to give up cheese and yogurt to become a vegan. That's just too much.
9. My favourite movie is Dirty Dancing. I watch it and turn to mush. It's the perfect love story.
10. I have danced with Tie Domi
11. My agenda is my life. 
12. And so is my external hard drive :)
13. I wish I had two to three more years of television news experience. That way, I'd be on my way to Vancouver covering the Winter Olympics. What a dream! I hope to achieve this one day and be able to say I worked as a reporter/producer during an Olympic Games in Canada (or anywhere in the world for that matter!)
14. I love living across from a huge park with one of the biggest off-leash dog parks in the city. It's my way of getting away from it all, and taking the dog out for some fun!
15. I learned to play Rummy this year (in Europe!), and am pretty damn good at it
16. I tend to choose chips over chocolate, but it depends on my mood
17. I have a bad-ass button collection from all the clothes I buy (especially when the clothes come with extra buttons!) My friends make fun of me. But really, you'll thank me later!
18. I have travelled to the West Coast of Canada, but never to the East. I hope to experience that one day.
19. If I had to choose my three favourite TV stations, it would definitely have to be TLC, HGTV, and Food Network
20. For news, it would be CBC News Network
21. I'm a lefty
22. Facebook or Twitter? Definitely Twitter :)
23. Blackberry or iPhone? Gotta say, Blackberry
24. I used to collect all the Babysitter's Club and Little Sister books when I was a kid. I don't know what ever happened to them though (hmmm.....?)
25. Although a pollotarian, I LOVE food. If I wasn't working in television, I would definitely go to culinary school and become a chef. 

And that is all.....

My Own Bucket List

Sounds like a lot of fun, especially after The Buried Life premiered, I found myself intrigued to want to accomplish the same thing - my very own bucket list, all the while trying to help other people. 


But can such a thing be done? Especially by someone who is incapable of leaving even the smallest dent in the world. Someone, like myself? Without any and all resources? 


Who knows....


But I know I'd like to try. 


I don't know what I'd actually put on my bucket list though. But there are things that interest me. For instance, before I die, I definitely want to travel alone to somewhere foreign, become a successful reporter/anchor, have a family, give back to my community (pay it forward), write a children's book, and rescue/adopt an animal. Wow! I guess the more I think about it, the more my bucket list is coming together!

10 Random Things That Make Me Happy

1. Working out
2. Playing with the dog
3. Shopping
4. Taylor Swift
5. Britney
6. Laughing
7. Bryan
8. Sleeping
9. Romantic Comedies
10. Success & Accomplishments.....

You Can Thank Me Later

Now that the holidays are over (waaay over), do you find yourself basking in an array of gift cards only to ask yourself, "What the eff am I going to do with a gift card from (insert company here)?"

Well, look no further! I came across an awesome website called CARD SWAP - a Canadian exchange portal where you can go buy or sell your gift cards! Like really, what would you do with a gift card from Canadian Tire or Hollister? Unless you've committed to a home renovation project OR are a tween who loves to shop at the store that depicts pubescent surfer dudes, then I really don't think you would be using any of it.

I got a gift card for the LCBO for $100 over the holiday, but sorry folks, I'm not giving that up. But I'd definitely check out the website if you're dying to get rid of one. And trust me, it's really legit. The peeps that hold down the fort at Cardswap.ca were featured on CTV, CBC, and the Toronto Star.....

....You Can Thank Me Later & take me out for a drink sometime :)

Don't Sweat the Small Stuff

I got an email from my bf the other day about a 90-year-old woman who wrote a column about the 45 lessons life has taught her. Her name is Regina Brett who wrote for The Plain Dealer in Cleveland, Ohio.

After I read the "list", I felt that her lessons were really intriguing and awe-inspiring - I felt grounded, humble - you name it. And I know life seems to be unfair at times, or you may sometimes feel like the world is against you. But after I read it, I felt somewhat refreshed - and realized that 2010 would be the time to turn over a new leaf. For what you ask? I'm not quite sure yet. But all I know is that whatever I do, I will learn not to sweat the small stuff and I will give 110% towards everything I do. That's all I ask of myself.

So what better way to kick off the new year than to share Regina's words of wisdom with my friends - YOU! 


I hope you enjoy this list as much as I did :)


"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught
me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written. My odometer
rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:"


1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will.. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.


21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24.. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words ''In five years, will this matter?".
26. Always choose life.
27. Forgive everyone everything.
28. What other people think of you is none of your business.
29. Time heals almost everything. Give time, time.
30. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.


31. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
32. Believe in miracles.
33. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
34. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
35. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
36. Your children get only one childhood.
37. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
38. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
39. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
40. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

41. The best is yet to come.
42. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
43. Yield.
44. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

WOW! It's Been Awhile

....Hello.

Allow me to introduce myself (again). It's been awhile, I know. But in case you forgot, my name is Gina. I live in Toronto, Queen West to be exact. I work in the wonderful world of television, as a freelancer - reality TV or news. I do it all. I love shopping, watching movies, going on romantic dinner dates, long walks on the beach...opps, sorry. Wrong topic....

It's been so long since I've blogged. Kind of got out of the routine of things over the holidays. But now that it's the new year, I found myself having to re-evaluate my priorities. So I've come up with a few new years resolutions.

MY NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS ARE...(not in any particular order)

1) To stay fit and healthy for 2010. That means hitting the gym at least 3+ times a week - no excuses. This week, I've gone 4 times, with a class tomorrow morning makes it 5! That's a record. Thank you GoodLife!

2) To find a non-contract, full-time job. A career....a big girl job. It's as simple as that! PLEASE

3) To read a good book. Several of them in fact. I'm a pop culture and news junkie, so I rely on the Internet a lot for my daily fix. Right now, I have 5 books that are waiting for me to crack open, and as depressing as this sounds, I hope I can get through them (in a year). Yeesh, that's pretty sad. Moving on...

4) To pick up a hobby and learn something new - whether it's learning to sew or knit, I want to learn how to do it. Even a cooking class would be a good idea. Who's in?!

Hopefully I can keep this up! I'll keep you posted on the findings :)

The Great Canadian Clothing Exchange

I recently attended my very first clothing exchange party, and let me say, it was a huge success! Who knew that one woman's trash could be another woman's treasure? It was a small intimate gathering with a few close work friends. We all managed to put together a big bag (or two, or three, or in some cases five!) of unwanted clothes to exchange at the party for someone else's unwanted clothes. Hence the name - The Great Clothing Exchange! And in the end, we all got to walk away with a new(ish) wardrobe. But it wasn't just clothes; purses, hats, and shoes we also thrown into the mix - we had it all!

So if you're thinking of hosting your own clothing exchange party, follow some of these tips to ensure your party will be a huge success!

The Plan


1) Send out an invitation - invite those who you know will have unwanted/unworn clothes that they would want to get rid of. Try to invite people with similar tastes and dress sizes. That way, everyone is sure to walk away with someone "new".

2) Encourage people to bring anything and everything (except the kitchen sink!) Hats, scarves, heels, jewelry, even a ripped up t-shirt (Flashdance styles) anything is fair game!


The Day Of


2) Have snacks and wine kicking around. Or better yet, make it a small potluck style gathering/BYOB.


3) Play music. It'll surely make your party a lively, and fun one!


4) Have a full-length mirror (or two) handy in the room so people can see what they're trying on.


5) Most importantly, have a camera standing by. Memories last a lifetime and you don't want to miss out on some great and embarrassing moments :)


The Exchange


4) You may wish to set some ground rules, but it's up to you. There are a few ways to conduct this party successfully and efficiently. Whatever you choose, make sure it'll fit the setting of the party and your guests.

Here are some options:


A) Have everyone divide their stuff into allocated, separate piles (t-shirts, sweaters, jeans, shoes, etc). Once that's all set up, divide people up into small groups (2-3 depending on size of party) and have them start at a certain pile, eventually moving on to the next pile. When everyone has had their chance to peruse through all the piles, people can start trying on their clothes. Remember to take pictures! If some of the clothes don't get taken, it can be put back in the piles for someone else to grab.

B) Everything in the pool! Once your guests arrive, have them pour all of their clothes into one big pile in the middle of the room. Your guests can begin to go through them, making sure they make their own small piles on the side of what they want to try on. Clothes can be put back in the main pile if someone doesn't want it anymore, which will be up for grabs again. People can then start trying on clothes.

C) If it's a small party, have everyone individually take out each piece from their bag(s) to show each other. If one garment is wanted, someone should yell "dibs" so they can have it. Otherwise, begin putting it all in one big pile. As I said, this should be done in smaller groups. It would take forever for everyone to individually take out piece by piece to show everyone, especially if there are TONS of clothes and TONS of guests!


The last option is what we decided to do, mainly because it was a smaller gathering. And let me tell you, there were a lot of laughs! Everything from ripped t-shirts, stained dresses, and hideous pants, we all had our fair share of making fun of each other. We posed and took tons of pics; it was definitely fun times all around!


The Aftermath


5) Whatever doesn't get taken at the end of the night should be given to Charity. Call a local Clothing Donation business so they can come pick it up from your house, especially if it was like our party - we had 7 full garbage bags left over from the party!

Girls, definitely think about planning a clothing exchange party in the New Year. It's such a great alternative that kills two birds with one stone (or should I say three birds) - you get to see your friends and party, you're able to get rid of an unwanted wardrobe, and best of all, you get to walk away with something new! What more can you ask for :)