Lizzy McFly

I had an amazing experience yesterday – I was invited to Toronto to give a presentation on mental health.  I was presenting at 11:00, so I left St. Catharines just after 7:00.  I bit the bullet and decided to take the 407 highway, to avoid any traffic issues.  Maybe the cameras missed my license plate and they won’t send me the bill?  It was a relatively uneventful drive.  I think the best part was when I was just a few blocks from the Toronto North Tax Office and saw a bus in front of me with the digital sign that said “GO Transit….Not In Service….Sorry!”  You know you’re in Canada when even the buses are apologizing.  I arrived at the office before 10:00.  I wasn’t too nervous, despite the large crowd I’d be presenting to (about 80 people there and they were Web-casting it to another six offices).  However, I was a little tempted to hit this in the parking garage:

After parking, I wandered up the stairs and out to the main doors:

The room I was headed to was on the 19th floor.  After using the little girls room, I took this pic of the view.  I didn’t notice the reflection of my hands in the pic while I was taking it….oops:

I sat next to someone I knew from my office.  It was nice to have someone familiar there.  I was really happy to see how interactive the group of folks was.  The previous presenter was great – so engaging.  After her, it was time for a break and then my presentation.  I actually felt so comfortable and wasn’t nervous at all.  The only thing I forgot to do was watch the time.  I have no idea if I went too long or not.  Everything went great.  The only thing I regret is breaking down at the end of my talk, as I brought up something very personal and hard to talk about.  It wasn’t planned and I feel really silly and a little disappointed in myself for getting upset.  Other than that though, my talk about dealing with depression, MS, the good and the bad in life, went very well.  I had pictures throughout the whole talk which I think people enjoyed.  I wish I could have stayed and listened to the next presenter, but I was getting so fatigued.  Still dealing with the insomnia so hardly slept the night before, plus I was a little stressed about the drive and giving the presentation.  So, after bidding everyone adieu, I went back to Lola Corolla and started the journey back home.  I took the 407 again, but didn’t stay on it as long so it wouldn’t cost as much.

I met some really great people yesterday.  I’m so lucky to have had this opportunity.  They also sent me on my way with some nice gifts, such as this decoration, which goes great with my 10 year service award, (a glass polar bear):

I also got a nice mug, thank you card and a chocolate bar.  I don’t have the heart to tell them that the chocolate they gave me is defective:

I got it home and the package just suddenly fell open.  Then, to my shock and horror, a piece of chocolate flew off of the bar and landed in my mouth.  Strangely enough, this same thing keeps happening every time I go by the kitchen.  I’m not sure if it’s possessed or what….mind you, I don’t think I’ll have to worry about it anymore by tomorrow.  (Slurp)

For the rest of the day, I just chilled with the kitties.  I need to have a talk with Boo though – she’s turning into a bit of a bully.  She loves it when I turn the tap on for her, but Mya decided that she would have a drink first:

Jealous little Boo just couldn’t be patient and let her finish, and jumped in the sink with her:

I sat Boo down on the couch and gave her a little chat on how she has to share with her sisters and to be a little more patient.  She found the talk truly enthralling:

Yup, my cats are dorks.  Right Abby?

I decided to take today off to recover from yesterday.  The excitement wore me right out.  Totally worth it though.  I would love to be asked to give my presentation at another office in the future.  Hopefully I don’t get all choked up again.  It’s still really bothering me that I did.  However, I’ve received some amazing emails and messages from a few people that listened to my presentation.  Their words and kind thoughts were amazing and made me feel so good.

Today’s symptoms: Just felt really drained and I have a bad headache.  I plan on getting an amazing sleep tonight (paws crossed!) and will feel better tomorrow.  I’m also having crushing pains in my hands today, which is a little annoying.  Those too shall pass though!  Life is good.