Life as a vagabond

I got a tattoo the day I graduated from my MBA.  My parents got in the car to drive home and I went to the tattoo parlour downtown.

I got "yes." tattooed on my left wrist.  There are a variety of a reasons for it - some related to the Beatles, some to life philosophy and outlook, but the main reason was to encourage myself to say "yes" to more things.  To embrace change and opportunity immediately and with open arms.  To stop analysing and considering every little pro and con and take the risk, leap into uncertainty.

I'd been thinking about it for a long time - I've wanted a tattoo for years and years and this tattoo pretty much since I was diagnosed last summer.  Having a health scare resets your priorities and, for me at least, was the shove I needed to take better care of myself.  That was not to say that I was going to let Crohn's control my life.  I went back to do my MBA, I traveled to South America, I spent times with friends and family... I went on steroids and went crazy for a little while (only slightly kidding... I was not the nicest person for a few months there).

I also made the decision to move to London, England for work.  It was offered and I started to think about the Pros and Cons and then stopped myself - I'd been asking for international work for years.  This IS what I want and has been what I wanted for as long as I can remember.  And yet, I was reverting to categorizing all these little things that were basically irrelevant.  I was being given the opportunity to go live, work, and play in Europe.  So I said yes.  I leave (hopefully) next Friday.

In the meantime, it's beautiful and sunny here in Bowmanville, Ontario.  I've been living with my parents and commuting to work when I need to since paying rent in Toronto seemed a bit silly for 3 months.  I've been loving it, but also needing to get back on the health track - while the steroids made me crazy, they also made me put on a significant amount of weight.  Hot and sunny, but no ice cream (not today anyway).  Not to worry - there are plenty of options, including one of my favourites below (no pictures because I ate it too fast):

Frozen Banana Almond Treat

1 frozen banana cut in chunks (I buy clearance organic bananas at the market and freeze a whole batch)
1 tbsp almond butter
2 tbsp almond milk
splash of vanilla
sprinkle of cinnamon

Blend all of the ingredients together in a Magic Bullet, food processor, or blender and enjoy.