Growing up in my part of the Canadian Prairies there weren't any Hutterite colonies in the area. There were some further away. Therefore I was aware of Hutterites but didn't know that much about them. For those of you who are not familiar with Hutterites, they are a communal people, living on hundreds of scattered colonies... Continue Reading →
The Real Takeaway from the Dr. Oz Show
Unfortunately, every day after work I arrive at the gym just in time for the Dr. Oz show. Why do I say unfortunately? Because I'm not a fan of Dr. Oz. His show is pure sensationalism. He overhypes pretty much every topic he addresses on the show and uses fear mongering simply to increase his... Continue Reading →
Taking on a High Challenge
SkyTrek Adventure Park is nestled into the giant old-growth cedars near Revelstoke, British Columbia. Recently, we decided to take on the park's High Ropes Course challenge. This is an outdoor adventure activity that tests your physical and mental strength, stamina, agility, balance and flexibility. The course is built using arborist approved trees and constructed with environmentally sensitive... Continue Reading →
60 years and counting: Happy Birthday to my best friend!
The more I grow, the more I realize that my mom is the best best friend that I ever had. PS, I love my mom I came across these words the other day on Pinterest and I thought it was very fitting for me and my mom as we celebrate her 60th birthday today. My... Continue Reading →
Come Hell or High Water – the Show Must Go On
"We will be hosting the greatest outdoor show on Earth come hell or high water," said Bob Thompson, Stampede president and board chairman. "In its 101-year history, the Calgary Stampede has never been cancelled, despite two wars and the Great Depression." And the show certainly went on. The 10-day Calgary Stampede wrapped up on Sunday... Continue Reading →
Pulling an All-Nighter: Volunteer Style
I pulled a caffeine-free all-nighter this past weekend. I volunteered for the night shift, from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., at an evacuation centre in Calgary - a city that is dealing with the devastating effects of flooding. Thousands of people have been forced from their homes and have lost their homes in parts of Calgary... Continue Reading →
My Next 31 Years
I officially survived my first year as a 30-something-year-old. Today I turn 31. Sometimes I find myself wondering, "where did the past 31 years go?" It seems like just yesterday I was living the idyllic life of a carefree farm kid. But those days are long gone. 31 years later I find myself living and... Continue Reading →
This is Not a Glorified Petting Zoo
I spent last weekend volunteering at Aggie Days in Calgary surrounded by kids and strollers. I did some people watching and couldn't help but notice how excited the kids were to see all the animals, machinery etc. These things are a novelty for city kids (the majority of Aggie Days attendees are urban folks). I... Continue Reading →
Building Brand Loyalty: Me and Civics
In the marketing world we talk about brand loyalty. This is when consumers become committed to a brand and make repeated purchases. Customers who are loyal to certain brands will make consistent purchases regardless of price or convenience. Last weekend I came across a great example of brand loyalty - myself and Honda Civic cars.... Continue Reading →
Raising the Roof
On Friday I had the opportunity to get out from behind the desk and swing a hammer outside on a beautiful winter day. Together with some of my coworkers I volunteered at a Habitat for Humanity build in Calgary. This particular build is supported by several agriculture companies and the project is referred to as... Continue Reading →
Rural Route Ramblings 