Welcome to TGIFJ!

It is the week of May 12th and thank GOD It's Friday Junior! Thursday is my favourite day of the week and it is when I am in the best mood. It carries big excited for the weekend energy, and if you work a 9-5 like me, you are motivated AF to get through your work efficiently. I am very protective of my weekends, and it is truly amazing how efficient I can be when there is a threat that work may threaten my weekend plans.

I would like to say that I do not hate Mondays. I do not hate any day of the week. I think it is actually really sad that so many of people trudge through our week days and then only live for the weekends. In a previous job I had I was definitely living that mentality, and the Sunday Scaries were next freaking level. If the Scaries are that bad, it's time to look inward and assess if a job and / or lifestyle change is needed. In the job I am referring to, my anxiety would mount like crazy through Sunday and then unable to sleep. I would be a mess come Monday, and truly not set up for success.

I am also not a lover of Mondays, let's be real, a mimosa is likely frowned upon for most of us on a Zoom call (or I guess, depending where you work?) at any time of the day, let alone before noon. Maybe if my coworkers were similar to the below I would feel different.

Anyways, I digress. The purpose of this weekly TGIFJ is to highlight a few things that may be newsworthy, what I'm reading/watching/listening to, perhaps a recipe or wine that Nick and I enjoyed that week, a local business shout out, and of course an update on the personal front.

Reaction to Roe v Wade

Those of us who have a uterus are watching the news in horror after the Supreme Court leaked documents last week in the Roe v. Wade case showing that there was a vote to overturn abortion rights. This would limit a woman's right to a safe abortion, which is already a challenge in many states and makes it even less accessible for young or poor women in underserved communities. Education on where to go for a safe abortion is already hard to come by. This makes me extremely angry to see that by the vast majority only women are expressing frustration and fear, while men truly continue to benefit access to an abortion for their partner. Everyone knows someone who has had an abortion, and in my friend's case, I am glad she had access to the choice to have one, and a safe one at that. I hope men understand this impacts them - their sisters, mothers, future children. What's next? Not being allowed to get a hysterectomy for medical reasons? It is already hard enough for young women to fight for this when it is causing debilitating symptoms.

It's not all roses up here in Canada, by the way. What happens south of the border often influences our Canadian politics, and that scares me. Sure, abortion is legal here, but it is not accessible for everyone, which is the reason why some women pursue unsafe abortions, if at all. In more populous cities and provinces there are more safe abortion clinics, but that is not consistent throughout our country. Those that do not live close to the south of the border and are in more remote rural areas have to go greater distances to obtain an abortion. 9 out of 11 abortion clinics in Ontario are in Toronto. In New Brunswick, there are funded clinics at three hospitals in Moncton and Bathurst. I found this article very helpful: https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/abortion-is-legal-in-canada-but-is-it-accessible-1.5892397

What I'm Reading, Watching and Listening To

I am finishing Gloria Steinam's "My Life on the Road". As you may have gathered from the above, I am absolutely a feminist, and I cannot get enough of reading and learning about Steinam. She is inspirational and makes me want to do more for my community, be better. In one chapter Steinam states that she cries when she gets angry, something I personally struggle with containing when I become frustrated. She states "Later I would discover this was endemic among female human beings. Anger is supposed to be "unfeminine," so we suppress it - until it overflows". Women are twice as likely to be depressed, yet play so many roles in society, often times thanklessly. The stores Steinam shares about what she has learned during her travels is heart breaking, a reminder how far we have come, and not (ahem, Roe v Wade) and at the same time uplifting. We have to continue to tell our stories, like Gloria Steinem.

Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty is on Crave and Nick and I loved it. My brother, Patrick, and my Dad are also watching it. Seeing John C. Reilly in a role that is not slapstick comedy like Stepbrothers or Talledega Nights (two movies I love btw) is really interesting. He does an incredible job playing Lakers owner Jerry Buss. The cast is so believable, Quincy Isaiah as Magic, Solomon Hughes as Kareem, just as two examples, wow. The cinematography takes you back to the 80s and makes you feel like you are there, even the introduction showing what LA was like at this time. Jeanie Buss, Jerry's daughter, is characterized well, and in a way that a lot of women can appreciate. She clearly understands the assignment when it comes to making the Lakers iconic and a successful money-maker, and she isn't even invited to the finals by her dad. I'm hopeful we get more seasons from this show to demonstrate her road to success as the now controlling owner and president of the Lakers.

Heibein Haus Meal of the Week

Our super easy (and tasty) chicken caesar salad that we make once a week. This takes around 10 minutes to make, depending on how thawed your chicken is. Feel free to substitute your protein, but this version is our fave, and let me tell you, the ingredients will shock you! This is a judgement-free zone, right?

• Head of lettuce, we prefer romaine or Boston

• Chicken breasts (1 per person)

• Bacon (2 strips per person)

• Half of a lemon to squeeze

• Parmesan cheese to be grated

• Renée's Mighty Ceaser Dressing For Garlic Lovers (that means Nick and I)

• Hickory Sticks (yes, queens, you heard me)

• Ground pepper to taste

I don't think anyone here needs a lesson on how to assemble a salad, but what I will say is the Hickory Sticks instead of croutons really make it. Living that gluten-friendly lifestyle over here. A restaurant in our neighbourhood does their caesar with the Hickory Sticks and it is a fan favourite with our friends, or perhaps they are just humouring us...

Local Business Shout Out

Queen West Animal Hospital is Simon's veteranarian, located on Queen West right across from the Trinity Bellwoods entry gates on Shaw. We had a scare with him just over a week ago that resulted in an emergency surgery, and I'm glad to report he is on the mend thanks especially to Dr. Ng. I was an absolute mess the morning when we brought him in, and they were able to take him in and operate that day. 8 teeth removed later, Simon is back to his saucy self already.

I would not bring Simon anywhere else and highly recommend them. Nick and I have have developed such trust with the team at Queen West. Thank you to the doctors, techs, and admin team who were able to take care of our sweet fur baby. This vet is award-winning for a reason.

http://queenwestvets.com

On the personal front, I'm feeling better all the time. Still working through some lower abdominal pain which I am hoping goes away soon so I can start working out again. I got another Lupron shot yesterday, and hoping to meet with my doctor in the coming days/week to discuss my progress which includes the latest imaging, pathology results from surgery, and return to work plan. I have been off since mid-September 2021 and am anxious how my health is going to hold up. I am still working through the trauma that I experienced over the past 7+ months but I know I am surrounded by love and support.