Wisps of Thought

My Bookshelf

2011-03-14T22:37:00.003-06:00

Last summer, I bought a new, six foot tall bookshelf. I am really proud of my bookshelf, as it is not secondhand, or old, or cheap, and is super nice. I thought it would take me ages to fill it. I was wrong.

There are six shelves. The bottom shelf is half full of DVDs (CSI Vegas, Miami, New York, should have Gilmore Girls, but it disappeared) and the other half is full of hardcover books. The shelf above is filled with DVDs (Friends, How I Met Your Mother, Bones, Office, Pushing Dasies, Veronica Mars, Modern Family, Glee, Chuck, and assorted movies). The shelf above that one is full of hardcover or full sized paperback novels, and the two above that one are filled with pocket sized paperbacks. The top shelf has a few picture albums in it, but if it gets too full, the cat will flick everything off of it.

When I first got my bookshelf, I collected all my books from the nooks and crannies of my house, got very creative, and managed to fit everything in. Since then, I have had to get increasingly more creative. In the last couple months since I last reorganized the bookshelf, I have probably bought an extra thirty or so books that are not going to fit on the bookshelf.

I am quite unapologetic about liking romance novels- I am guaranteed my happy ending, and most of the authors I like are guaranteed to get me to laugh. Some recommendations from my bookshelf:

Lisa Kleypas: I own her entire backlist. She writes funny stories and her female characters have minds of their own. Most of her novels are set in Regency England, though her contemperary series is super good and each book explores a different issue (Sugar Daddy, Blue Eyed Devil, and Smooth Talking Stranger). Her Wallflower Series is excellent (all four titles have seasons in the titles), followed by the Hathoway series, which I think is better than the Wallflower series, but to have the timeline in order, read the Wallflower series first. The Hathoway series titles all have times of day in the title. Dreaming of You is also excellent.

Julia Quinn: I also own her entire backlist. She also writes funny stories set in the Regency timeperiod with strong female characters- the Bridgerton series is excellent. When I read her books, I am often laughing out loud.

JK Rowling- Who doesn't love Harry Potter? (And here you thought it would all be romances.) I love the detailed world and funny side characters and journey that Harry takes through the books.

Robyn Carr- The Virgin River series, while perhaps needing some editing to cut out some excess detail, is enjoyable, and always an autobuy for me. This is a series about a small northern California town and the romances often have the townspeople being side characters.

Kristin Hannah- While she is a midlist author and it is hard to find any of her books that aren't recently out, I enjoy her contemperary stories, usually set in a small town with characters that are deeply attached to their (often dysfunctional) families.

Diana Gabaldon- LOVE LOVE LOVE her stories. It requires a certain amount of committment to read- it usually takes me a few days to get through one when most take me a few hours, but the main characters are so likeable, and the historical details so detailed, and the supporting characters just as likeable, and a story that doesn't shirk from the unhappy side of life. Not recommended for people who don't like long stories or people who don't like reading about bad things happening to good people. Recommended to everyone else.

Nora Roberts- I don't have her whole backlist. However, her stories are always enjoyable, and but I especially love her Bride series (easily recognized by the bridal themed covers) about a group of friends who own a wedding planning company together.

Candace Camp- Another funny Regency era author with strong female characters (sense a theme yet?) Definately an auto-buy for me.

Sabrina Jeffries- Very well written characters and well developed plots, and also an autobuy for me. Her School for Hieresses series is very good, I am in the middle of collecting that one now.

I also have a bunch of Linda Lael Miller and Susan Mallory books. I have also just been introduced to Anne Gracie and Celeste Bradley who I am enjoying very much. Laura collects Karen Kingsbury novels and I want to get Dee Henderson's O'Malley series.

See why we lack the space? Most of these authors we buy every book for and have their entire backlist. Next time I arrange the bookshelf I will have to get super creative.

2010

2010-12-31T18:56:00.002-07:00

I haven't been very consistant in my blogging this year, but I think 2010 is a year that deserves some sort of written retrospective. It was a pretty good year, even if there was a lot of changes. Highlights include:

Graduating university and finally being done my Bachelor of Social Work!!
Being more financially independant
All my travelling- I was on thirteen planes this year, three of them today. I really took advantage of being able to travel and went to all the camps this year and was in Carolina for the first time and saw the Atlantic Ocean for the first time.
Even though I had a lot of job uncertainty this year- my awesome social work position ended- I was never unemployed and have a really good jobwhich allows me the flexibility to do the things I wanted to do this year.
A year which while it included challenges (such as flu (my vomit free streak ended), or when my dad was sick) finally did not include a tragedy for me personally.
I love my family, friends, and pets. :)

Looking forward to 2011? I want a social work job. I want to get a reliable car. It would be nice to develop a relationship, though if that isn't in God's plan, I am happy without. I'd like to get a Wii. I'd like to do more travelling. I'd like to reduce my debt.

And now there is a survey for year end that I will add at the end.

1. What did you do in 2010 that you’d never done before? I went to Carolina and saw the Atlantic Ocean. I finished my degree.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I did keep my resolution- to finish university. I have goals, but nothing I would call a resolution.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Yes, everyone seems to have a baby.

5. What countries did you visit? The United States. In fact, I was there today.

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009? Hmmm.... I have had some form of everything I want for next year- social work job- had one. Car- have a not-so-reliable one. Relationship- well sure, but I am fine without.

7. What dates from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? July- Going to Carolina Camp

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Graduating university.

9. What was your biggest failure? Nothing huge.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? I had the flu a couple times and threw up in a flower garden once.

11. What was the best thing you bought? Scores of airline tickets

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? Babies and their cuteness- there are so many cute babies!

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? No one.

14. Where did most of your money go? tuition and airline tickets.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? Seeing the Atlantic Ocean

16. What song will always remind you of 2010? Possibly Beautiful Disaster or Love the Way You Lie. I like sad songs

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer? a)happier. b)fatter. c) poorer

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?risk taking

19. What do you wish you’d done less of? bubble town maybe

20. How will you be spending Christmas?we spent it at the condo with my mom and dad

21. Did you fall in love in 2010?no, though I fell into several crushes

22. How many one-night stands? none, that's wrong and disrespectful to me

23. What was your favorite TV program? How I Met Your Mother and Chuck

24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? no

25. What was the best book you read?I have read hundreds of books, so no idea

26. What was your greatest musical discovery? Glee

27. What did you want and get? a degree and travel

28. What did you want and not get? a dishwasher

29. What was your favorite film of this year? Tangled

30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I was 24 and I went to Saskatchewan for church camp so did not have a celebration. Watch out for 25 though!

31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? more

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010? Show off your assets, and dress professionally.

33. What kept you sane? my extensive DVD collection

34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? none, I cannot do celebrety crushes since the James Blunt debacle

35. What political issue stirred you the most? municipal election

36. Who did you miss? my dad and grandpas

37. Who was the best new person you met? do not know

38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010. Sieze the moment!

39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. You sing a sad song just to turn it around

Friends and Careers

2010-12-17T21:44:00.002-07:00

Gosh, I have been terrible at blogging.... However, I saw I had a comment and that encouraged me to write the next post so here we go...

During the ten years that Friends ran, all six main characters faced many professional dilemmas, and in some cases they also faced the question of choosing work or personal life.

Rachel's character underwent the most transformation throughout the series. In the pilot, Rachel ran away from her own wedding to an orthadontist, and from her plan of becoming a housewife. She had not yet left the home and her father's funds, and was planning on having her husband then supply her with funds, never being independant. However, when she left home, she began working as a waitress and learning how to be independant. She and Ross began their relationship when she was at that job, and though there was some discussion over her lack of a professional job- "just a wiatress"- they seemed to be fairly happy with this arrangement. Joey and Chandler encouraged Rachel to pursue her dream of a career in fashion, and Rachel gets a job as an assistant at Bloomingdales, which takes a great deal of her time and energy. Ross is disturbed by this, and is jealous that Rachel spends a lot of time with her male coworker Mark, which eventually leads to their breakup. I find it interesting that Ross and Rachel's relationship problems only begin after she finds a job that she cares about. After some time, Rachel's department is dissolved and she once again has an entry level position. She then interviews for a position at Ralph Lauren, which she gets. Rachel's experiences at Ralph Lauren provide an interesting illistration of gender and sexuality in the workplace- she worries she only got a second interview because of an accidental kiss in the first interiview, she is excluded from decisions made during smoking breaks, there is a flurry of workplace gossip on whether or not Rachel is sleeping with the boss, Rachel crushes on and then dates her young male assistant, Rachel ends her maternity leave early because she worries that the man who has taken over her duties will be preferred above her, and finally she is fired when she is overheard interviewing for another job. I really have to wonder if these storylines would have been considered funny or relevent to women's experiences if the gender had been reversed. Finally, Rachel is offered a job in Paris, which she accepts, but then decides to stay in New York when Ross asked her to- eventually choosing personal life over career.

Pheobe's career and personal life first intersected when she was fired after she was caught making out with a client during a massage, and it was thought she was doing it for money. There are many gender stereotypes involved in this situation, and none of them are particularly complimentary to Pheobe. Pheobe eventually meets and marries Mike, and career was not particularly involved in their relationship, though Pheobe did worry that she may not make a good impression on Mike's upper class family.

Monica was a sous chef in a classy restraunt when the show began. She was eventually fired when she accepted gifts from a vendor, which she did not realize was againt the company's ethical policy. After a period of unemployment, including a job interview with an inappropriate man with a food fetish, she began working at a 50s diner which was a very derogitory workplace where the staff wore wigs, roller blades, and stuffed their chests to at least quadruple their real size. Se was quite offended when a billionare came to the restraunt and left a $10000 cheque. She resisted his attempts to date her until he offered her a job as head chef at his new restraunt. She was willing to take the job provided his feelings were professional- at that time they began dating and she did not take the job, thus choosing personal life over career. Eventually Monica and Pheobe are running a catering business together, when Monica criticizes a restraunt and is offered job as head chef. Monica and Chandler's relationship and marrage did not interfere with Monica's career until fairly late in the series, when Chandler gets a job across the country. Monica quits her job, choosing personal life over career, but is offered a job as head chef at a very elite restraunt in New York, which she accepts, choosing career over personal life. Fortunately, Chandler is very understanding and this does not interfere with their relationship.

Joey is an actor, and as such is constantly looking for work and working at poor jobs. In the duration of the show, Joey's best job was as Dr Drake Romorai on Days of Our Lives, for which he had to sleep with the casting director to get. Joey also never has a long term relationship- he did once fall for a fellow actor in a play, but she left to California to act there (choosing career over personal life) and he also fell for Rachel, but they were friends more than romance partners. Joey shows a third alternative to choosing career or personal life- choosing to have a variety of experiences without committing to one thing. The only constants in Joey's life are his family and friends- not a partner or career.

Chandler has one of the most successful careers on the show- he is a manager in a large corporation. Chandler loathes his job, but appears to make one of the better salaries of the group. His job does not interfere with his personal life until late in the show, the ninth season, when he is told to move to Tulsa for work. Chandler does choose to move, choosing career over personal life, and commutes back and forth to New York for weekends with his wife. He quickly tires of this and quits, choosing personal life over career. He then has a period of unemployment while he pursues a career in advertising, taking an unpaid internship to get a foot in the door, which looks at the idea of age in the workplace. Chandler is offered a position with the company he interned with, so he eventually gets to have it all- career and personal life.

Ross is the most highly educated one in the group, with a PhD in paleantology (dinosaurs). Ross is deeply involved in Rachel's story of career and personal life, as her emerging fashion career eventually led to their break up. He worked at a museum until the stress of his personal life (the dissolving of his second marrage and loss of his home) interfered with his interpersonal skills in the workplace. He was put on leave until a second incident culminated in his dismissal (or further leave, at any rate, he wasn't working). Hegomonic masculinity, or ideal masculinity, involves the idea that men should be able to comparlimentalize their emotions and not express their feelings- Ross's deviation from that gender led to his dismissal. Ross began teaching at the local university and actually dated a student for a time. At the end of the series, Ross received tenure at the university, and asked Rachel to stay in New York so they could be together, which they did. The show did not involve the idea of career versus parenting in Ross's story, which could have been very interesting, as he is a parent through almost the entire series.

Work vs Relationships in the Media: How I Met Your Mother

2010-10-13T18:18:00.004-06:00

I was zoning out in class as we were discussing media analysis this morning, and thought of a great variety of television shows that touched on the question of how one chooses between work and relationships. What is more important? In particular, several shows focus is on women and work. I was planning on putting it all in one post, but I realized it was getting terribly long, so I am going to focus in on one show at a time. Note that I am (so far) not adding in any analysis- I am merely collecting the stories. Also note that my TV watching experience, while extensive, is biased toward comedies, and tends to exclude workplace dramas.

How I Met Your Mother has two female and three male leads. Barney and Ted, both single men, have never had a situation on the show where their careers and their personal lives interfered with each other. Marshall, the married man, did have this kind of situation. He had gone to school for many years to become a lawyer, with the goal of using his career to help save the environment. This field of law wasn't very lucritive, but it was his passion. He is offered two jobs- one is his dream job for little or no money, and the other is as a highly paid corporate lawyer working for a company that damages the environment. His wife has accumilated an excessive amount of credit card debt, so he chooses the highly paid job.

Both female leads on How I Met Your Mother have faced simular circumstances. At the end of season one, Lily, a kindergarden teacher and aspiring artist, is offered an an opportunity to go to art school on the other side of the country over the same period of time as her wedding to someone she had been with for ten years. She ultimately decided to call off the wedding and go, and she and her fiance broke up. In the subsequent season, Lily returns after a terrible summer realizing she has made a mistake, and eventually she and her fiance get back together and are married.

Robin, the other female lead, has faced this question several times. She is a reporter; however, her career has not been terribly successful- while she usually has work, the programs she is on are not as high quality or well rated as she would like. Robin has had three serious relationships throughout the show. Robin and Ted broke up when her aspirations for travel and career did not match Ted's dream of suburban life- this is one of the examples of Robin's usual pattern over chosing career over relationships.. More recently, Robin and Don broke up when Robin was offered a great job in another city. In the choice between career and love, she chose love and turned the job down. The same job was then offered to her boyfriend, who chose career.

Hopefully once I have posted on the examples I have come up with, I will be able summarize some trends.

Next up: Friends

Camp 2010

2010-07-12T20:20:00.002-06:00

I got home from camp last night. I am so exhausted from shortchanging myself on sleep and overdoing it on activity for so long, but it was a great time. Highlights included:

1. The services, available online.
2. Talking in the girls dorm.
3. Talking to the guys we talked about in the girls dorm.
4. Speedboats.
5. Naps.
6. Pink toenail polish.
7. Cats.
8. Road trip home with Ky. Best road trip ever. I recommend her for road trips. Or for silliness.
9. Robots.
10. Young Married Couples and Not Quite Young People Anymore evening- best night ever!
11. Getting walked back to the doms two nights in a row. I haven't been walked back in years, so it was great.

Survivor Application

2010-06-12T18:16:00.002-06:00

I am not applying to Survivor. They wouldn't consider me because I am not American, I wouldn't consider it because the thought of living in my swimsuit for a month makes me want to throw up, and I don't even qualify because you have to be able to swim, which I can't because of my control issues with the water. However, they do have an interesting batch of questions on their application form, so I thought I'd give you my potential answers. I's skipping all the identifying information, and the physical descriptors section.

1. Current occupation in two words.
Currently, admin asistant, but really social worker. So I would write social worker.
2.What do you do at work, or what is your major in school.
I am earning my social work degree. I help people reach their goals.
3. In what other occupations have you been employed? Last three.
Admin assistant, nanny, cleaning lady.
4.What is your level of education and how many instituations did you attend?
I have a college diploma and have one term left until a degree. I have attended three or four instituations (depends how you define attend. I have cards from four.).
5. Are you in a fraternity or society?
Gosh no, that would be so embarressing.
6. Do you hold a leadership position? Describe.
Officially, no. However, I often take a leadership role in my youth group and recently planned a weekend youth retreat.
7. Name three of your favorite hobbies.
Reading (primarily romance novels), travelling (usually road trips), and social networking.
8. Not including where you currently live, what other cities and countries did you live in? Why did you live there?
I lived on a farm outside my current city when I was growing up. I lived in Winnipeg for two months after graduating college for a church mission.
9. List three adjectives that best describe yourself.
Oh boy... ummm..... kind, optimistic, loyal.
10. How do your friends describe you?
I'd like to believe they would concur with the above descriptors, and add in funny and smart.
11. What are your pet peeves?
When someone is left out, people jumping on the apartment floor, drivers that make poor passing decisions.
12. If you could hold any public office, what would it be and why?
I think I would enjoy being an MLA or provincial cabinet minister. Most of my interests in the political arena lie in areas covered by the provinces- health care, disability, elderly, social assistance, education.
13. What is the accomplishment you are most proud of?
There are lots of things I am proud of. I will be pretty proud of earning my degree. I am proud of being a good friend, being able to hold it together in a crisis, some influence I have had as a social worker.
14. Do you have pets? Name and type. I have two cats, Felix (2 years old) and Kenzie (20 years old). Felix is very funny and has lots of crazy antics. Kenzie is a bed hog.
15. Vegetarian or meat eater?
Meat eater.
16. Favorite TV show?
This is hard to pick! I really only like shows that have some element of comedy... Chuck, Bones, Friends, Gilmore Girls, How I Met Your Mother.
17.Favorite movie?
Most likely A Walk To Remember.
18. Favorite music to listen to?
Also hard. I like country and soft rock- Taylor Swift, Kelly Clarkson, Lady Antebellum, Kenny Chesney, Five for Fighting, Daniel Powter, Switchfoot.
19. What magazines do you read?
ReadersDigest and People, though I will look through a fashion magazine once in a while.
20. How much Survivor have you seen?
There have been a few seasons that I have watched obsessely (usually all star seasons) but I try to avoid it so I don't get sucked in. Plus, I pick Bones over Survivor.
21.Which Survivor contestant do you most relate to?
Not sure. My favorite is Boston Rob, though I am not much like him. Maybe Jerri, in the latest season.
22. Who would you choose for your loved ones visit?
My mom or sister. Of course, neither of them has a passport, so I'd likely have to pick someone else. Ummmm...... I'd get a friend.
23. Describe your perfect day:
I would slowly wake up, with the sun making my room nice and bright and cheerful. I'd cuddle my cats before breakfast. I would spend the morning and lunch with my family- maybe do some shopping. In the afternoon, I would get dressed to kill, and go out with my friends for supper, and then maybe go play games at someone's house. I would have a man to flirt with and we'd go for a walk in the evening, and then just before bed I would catch up on Facebook.
24. Applied to any other shows, been a performer, or been in a TV show or ad?
Nope.
25. Know a reality show contestant?
No.
26. Do you belong to any affiliations or organizations?
My professional organization, my union through work.
27.Body art?
No.
28. Favorite sport?
To watch? Hockey. Go Oilers! To play? Does bowling count?
29. Who is your hero and why?
My parents are my heroes, because no matter what kind of struggle comes their way, they buckle down and get done what needs to be done. And they have had struggles. Throughout their struggles, they are always able to find the positive side, the light moment, and I really hope I am like them in this regard.
30. 3 non survivor items you would take and why.
-Bible- I would need strength in God to get through the experience.
- Allergy medication. Self explanitory.
- Glasses/sunglasses. I want to see.
- If any of the above items is a survivor item and doesn't count on the list, then I would take a deck of cards to pass time with.
31. What would be the craziest, wildest thing you would do for a million dollars?
Swim. Run. Climb. Any kind of jumping out of a plane thing (with a safe landing of course).
32. What past Survivor would you play most like? Why? I actually have no idea- I don't know how I'd respond or what situation I would find myself in. I would definately not give away my immunity or lie about who I am (that Katrina story, really??)
33. What would you not do for a million dollars?
Wear a bikini in front of a camera.
34. What is your favorite topic at a dinner party? What's off limits?
I'd be willing to talk about anything at a dinner party- it all depends on the attitudes of the people in the conversation.When the attitudes get bad, then its off limits.
35. What skills do you bring to Survivor that would make you a useful tribe member?
I am pretty good at keeping the peace. Before arriving, I would research and practise wilderness survivor skills- I'd relay on my brains and heart, not my brawn.
36. If you were stranded, who would you most want to be stranded with?
A man who has some wilderness knowledge, is fairly strong, and is easygoing. Not someone high maintanance or fussy or anxious. Why a man? I figure he'd be physically stronger than me, which would be more useful than another me.
37. Primary and secondary motivations for being on the show?
Not applying to the show, but if I was, it would be first the money, and secondly, doing something so wild and crazy to prove I can.
38. LAst outdoor experience you had?
Well, I was just on a walk outside. Camping? It's been a few years.
39. What sports do you do regularly?
Once a year I play Prisoners Base. Once a year I play three legged kickball. Once a year I play British Bulldog pick up.
40. What's your swimming ability?
Not at all.
41. Any serious physical or mental illnesses in last two years?
No.
42. Allergies and treatment:
I haven't been tested but I am pretty sure dust, mildew, pollen, freshly cut grass, fur. I take an allergy pill every other day.
43. Arrested? No.
44. Why do you believe you will be the final Survivor?
I don't. But were I sending this in, I would say something along the lines of being nice and gaining confidences.

And Done!

Rather personal meme

2010-06-03T19:01:00.002-06:00

I put this up on Facebook, but thought I'd post it here too.

Ten Things I Wish I Could Say to Ten DIFFERENT People.
1) You are smarter than you are letting on. Don't patronize yourself anymore, and maybe people won't patronize you.
2) You are the best and you do more than most people ever could. You are my hero.
3) As hard as it's been for me, it's been so much harder to be the one it happened to. Your patience and determination are remarkable.
4) Thank you for simply always being there.
5) Things aren't always about you. Friendship is give and take. Maybe I gave a little too much, but a good friend wouldn't have let me. And also, who do you think you are kidding? Don't you notice the same thing keeps happening? It isn't them, it's you.
6) Get over it and look around you and see what else is out there.
7) I wish I could take the risks you do and let down my guard. You found everything you wanted early because you opened yourself up to it.
8) Listen to the wisdom of others around you. Don't be in a hurry.
9) I wish we were closer.
10) Make a decision to be an optimist. Look for the happy moments in life. They are there, if you choose to see them.

Nine things about myself.
1) I just bought my first piece of "grown-up" furniture that I plan to never replace or get rid of. It is a bookshelf.
2) I have two cats that live seperately.
3) I like being characterized as cheerful and friendly.
4) I love getting pedicures.
5) I collect TV on DVD.
6) I prefer to drive a standard.
7) I find sudukos difficult to do and am teaching myself how to do them this summer.
8) I rely on my dayplanner for everything. I don't know how other people get by without one.
9)Grapefruit is probably my favorite fruit.

Eight ways to win my heart
1) Be a friend to people that usually get left out.
2) Flirt with me.
3) Love God.
4) Choose to spend time with me.
5) Be encouraging and find the enjoyable moments in life.
6) Make me laugh.
7) Help me to relax and be silly.
8) Know how to do housework.

Seven things that cross my mind a lot.
1) Family
2) Travelling
3) God
4) Housework
5) Friends
6) Work
7) Goals

Six things I do before I fall asleep.
1) brush my teeth.
2) Feed the cat
3) Have a drink of water
4) pjs
5) Convince the cat to let me have half the bed
6) lights out

Five people who mean a lot.
1) you
2) know
3) who
4) you
5) are

Four things you're wearing right now.
1) Dress pants
2) dress shirt
3) socks
4) glasses

Three singers/bands that you listen to often.
1) Kenny Chesney
2) Kelly Clarson
3) Five for Fighting

Two things you want to do before you die.
1) Figure out what success means to me
2) Take more risks

One confession.
1) I donèt take enough risks.

Endings

2010-03-29T14:15:00.002-06:00

Change opens up new possibilities, but it also finishes up portions of your life that are ending for you. Endings kind of suck.

Sometimes endings happen without your knowledge, like at the temp job I had where they decided they didn't need me to come in the next day anymore. The last time I left that place, I left some crossword books in my desk drawer and a beautiful rose paperweight that I received as a gift on my desk. The ending was so sudden that I never got a chance to get my rose. I don't miss the job, but I miss the rose.

Sometimes endings are a relief, like the time I quit a horrible job right after a staff meeting. That ending, there was nothing I wanted that was left behind. The only thing left behind was chaos, intimidation, and power struggles. That ending was really an opening into choices and the realization that I would rather have a meaningless job than an oppressive job.

Sometimes endings happen fast, like the time my grandpa died in a car accident. No time for goodbyes, no time to stop it from happening, no time to dread it. All I had was pictures, letters, and the last phone call when I was glad I told him I loved him. From then on, I always ended conversations with I love you.

Sometimes endings are eagerly anticipated, like the time I moved out and started college. It didn't feel like an ending at all- it felt like a beginning. There were still ties to the past, I could go home to the farm whenever I wanted, so it did't feel like a loss. Instead, it felt like a gain.

Sometimes endings are dreaded, like the time my grandpa died of cancer. There was time to cherish each moment, time to hope, time to dread it from happening. Time to grieve. Just lots of time.

Sometimes endings mess you up for a while, like the time my dad fell. Every little change is grieved, every bit of improvement is celebrated, every day revolves around the hospital, and every day you try to convince everyone you have it all together, except on those days when it just becomes too much and you have to rely on someone else to comfort you while you try to put the pieces of your composure back together again. In that ending, I learned how to be dependant. At the same time, I became more independant than I have ever been before.

Sometimes endings linger, like letting go of the farm right now. It took a long time for us to realize we had to let the farm go, it didn't fit our family anymore. It took more time to prepare everyone for the change. Even when we moved off the farm, we weren't off it completely, and now the ending is dragging out. April 15 will be the final day on the farm, and then that much beloved chapter of my life will be closed. And I will miss it very much. At the same time, it will be such a relief, the burden will be gone, the responsibility will be gone, and a load will be off my mind. There is lots of ambivilance.

Sometimes endings are a time to put a good face on, like my job ending right now. Wednesday is my last day, and these last few days pretty much suck. I love my job; it will likely be a long time before I find a job as good as this one. But no one wants to feel bad- so I put on a good face, and talk about my exciting travel plans- Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Calgary, North Carolina, Spokane... and my exciting school plans (5 correspondance classes are not exciting, but once they are done, not doing homework will be exciting). I talk about taking time to find a good job, but the honest truth is I wish the powers-that-be had gone out of their way to allow me to keep my job. But I am not sure what the-powers-that-be are thinking, so instead I am putting on a good face and keeping my dignity.

Why locksmiths are heroes

2010-03-05T12:43:00.003-07:00

Laura and I keep the knob on our door locked. When Laura got home last night, I heard her messing around with the key, a pause, and then she knocked. I went to let her in, and the doorknob wouldn't turn, so I told her to stop holding the doorknob on her side. It turned out that when she had put the key in the lock, the knob had fallen off into her hands. She was locked out and I was locked in.

So I tried opening the door with a hanger and she tried fitting the lock back on. We tried having each of us turning the doorknob- nothing worked. Laura went to go get the apartment manager while I quickly tidied the house. Manager wasn't home, so I googled 'Edmonton locksmith' and called the first place that came up and they agreed to come up and do an after hours call. I was understandably panicky and clausterphobic about being locked in, so Laura and I sat on opposite sides of the door and talked until the locksmith arrived (I would never survive in jail- I never thought being locked in was something I'd get panicky over, but I so totally did).

The locksmith quickly opened the door and changed the doorknob. He was there 15 minutes, and when you do the math, he made in 3 minutes what I make in an hour.The manager is still gonna have to have a locksmith come to change the knob, cuz it is just a knob, not a lock (we still have our chain and deadbolt). I am also going to submit a bill to the landlord, which I really hope I get re-imbursed for.

It was an interesting night.

Added: To the chicken who showed up on my blog, called me names, said I was stupid, didn't leave a name, criticized the work of the professional I hired, and claimed I was disrespecting your profession: You are an arrogant jerk. You may have noticed I deleted your comment. That's because no one is allowed to insult my on MY BLOG. If you have concerns about the professionalism of another locksmith, feel free to state your concerns in a polite, informative manner, hopefully including links to a reputable site to give credence to your concerns. I refuse to be insulted and deal with your long rambling rant that did not have any references to back you up. Like I have said before, feel free to state your opinions, but do so in a respectful manner. Because of the manner you chose to state your concerns, I have utterly disregarded your advice. I feel confident that my safety in my home is exactly the same as it was before this incident. So, REAL LOCKSMITH, you might want to think about your professionalism instead of my supposed naiviety.

Risk and Effort

2010-03-04T15:01:00.004-07:00

A couple of months ago I was talking to a friend that had hidden themselves away from society for months at a time. I was telling this friend that it is important to get themselves out there, to socialize, to put in the effort to be around other people.

I then went on vacation to my double camp adventure, the friend moved and hopefully has been taking my advice, and I have been remarkably unsociable. It has been two months, and other than church, I have been out socially only five times (one lunch with a friend, one appetizers with people from work, young peoples that turned into watching tv, and one bachalorette party, one baby shower) and there are friends that I have not talked to in that entire time. This lack of socialization has not been good for my mental health (see previous post).

You know what happened? I didn't put in the effort. I got in adequate social time over lunch with my coworkers and adequate compainionship with my sister and cat in the evenings. Church on the weekends kept me up to date on the biggest news, but no socializing beyond the commen niceities (hi how are you, i'm fine how are you, doing good enjoying work, i'm enjoying work too, good service eh, ya definately good service). Effort isn't being put into young peoples, so I know I am not alone in this.

Sometimes, I get grumpy, cuz I know that other people are still maintaining their friendships and still socializing. But you know what? I haven't taken the risk. I haven't called anyone up and invited them out for lunch, I haven't tried to organize board game night at my house (mainly because that would involve cleaning my house- too much effort), I haven't even called anyone to catch up- heck, I haven't even been starting facebook conversations. I regularly am on facebook, appearing offline, because I get annoyed when my bejewelled blitz gets interuppted. Isn't that sad? and lame? See? No risk. When I don't risk anything, I am not rejected, no one says no, I don't have to suffer through an awkward conversation or risk planning something and being stood up. No risk.

You know what else? I have never had a boyfriend, never been kissed, and never had anyone who actually knew me try to persue me- and I am about to turn 24. I am starting to wonder if it isn't something simular- no effort, no risk. There are a couple times I can think of that if I had put in the effort or taken a risk it may have turned into something, but now it's too late. A couple times when I was too quick to reassure someone I was happy with the status quo, or 'casually' mentioned this other guy I was talking to, or maybe didn't recipricate someone else's risk. The few times I took a risk it didn't pay off and maybe that was cuz I only took a risk inside my own head and never took a risk anyone else but my best friends could notice.

And I still don't know if anything would be worth the risk. It's much easier to stay at home and comfortable with my sister and my cat and my weekly dates with How I Met Your Mother, Chuck, Big Bang Theory, Glee, Modern Family, Bones, Office, AFV, Friends, What Not To Wear, bejewelled blitz, and my ever growing collection of romance novels.

But I don't want to be forty and still doing this.

Midwinter Blues

2010-02-22T21:53:00.004-07:00

May and June is my favorite time of year. Spring is arrived, there is lots of sunlight, everything is bright and cheery, and you know what? It all combines to make me outgoing and energetic and productive. Road trip season is in full swing, flip flops are back, windows are open, and the morning sun lovingly and gently awakens me.

January and February? They suck.

There is nothing to look forward to, the weather sucks, I wear a parka and touque all the time- even when I am out somewhere, guess what is tagging along? The parka and touque! It is dark and I am always wearing socks. It all combines together so that I am bummed out and unenergetic. I can only really manage enough energy for one thing, so that is work. I get home and basically do nothing- no energy- so I don't socialize, my house is messy, schoolwork is super slow, and I feel guilty about all the stuff I am not getting done while I watch How I Met Your Mother and read Lisa Kleypas books and eat ice cream and Michalena's.

Ya so this winter I discovered How I Met Your Mother and Lisa Kleypas. Both are fabulous, and I recommend them.

Anyways, I am looking forward to Feast. Sure, it will be my 24th birthday and it will probably be my first day of unemployment, but it will be a road trip, forced socialization, and I will look good. If I haven't eaten up another pants size by then.

Added: I fixed the Twitter thing! All by myself!

Moving in a Blizzard

2009-12-07T13:32:00.002-07:00

A word to the wise: If at all possible, avoid moving in a blizzard.

The tale begins on Friday night. I had to wait around to meet the realtor to get the keys, which took forever with the weather and traffic (left the city 4 hours later than planned). That was the day I got STUCK. I was stuck for a solid half hour in the middle of an intersection. Hundreds of people were watching me. They went around me, parked around me, got stuck around me, and kept me from moving. By the time I had been there for 20 minutes, I was nothing but a ball of RAGE. I was screaming, shrieking, bawling, and generally making no sense. Finally, a wonderful woman walked up past thirty or so cars and asked me if I wanted help. She then loudly called everyone around us something I won't repeat now that I am calm and guilted some people in to helping, and then hugged me while I tried to pull myself together and while the other people got me unstuck in short order. The good news is that all the FURY warmed me up quite nicely- my feet had gotten wet first thing in the morning and had been cold all day, but after that, even my toes were toasty.

Then I went to the farm and we defrosted the freezer and found 17 chickens under the beef we didn't realize we had. :) They were left over from butchering, so we don't need to buy a chicken for Christmas anymore.

Saturday. Our house was not bad, but several of our helpers spent hours shovelling out of their driveways/crescents and couldn't make it. However, we still had lots of help. We got the U-Haul loaded super fast and headed for the city, slowly and carefully. We had time for a liesurely lunch, got all our vehichles unstuck from the parking lot, headed for the condo, got all our vehichles unstuck and parked, and started unloading. We had even more help arrive their. We had one group moving stuff from the truck to the lobby and into the elevator. One person operated the elevator. Several people carted everything down the hall to the condo. Mom held open the door and directed where things went inside the condo. It was a smooth operation, and went really quickly. we then returned the U-Haul, visited my dad, and got some groceries. All told throughout the day, the U-Haul got stuck 3 times and I got stuck 6 times. Other people got stuck a bunch too. Turning corners was so much fun, cuz you could just swing the back end around on the snow- driving was pretty much controlling your skidding. I then helped my mom unpack for a few hours before going home. We discovered the dishwasher was remarkably loud and no longer mocked rules about the hours in which you could run your dishwasher.

Sunday. This was the day the cold arrived. We all went to church. Laura and I went and bought cat carriers and new kitty litter containers and stuff. We had lunch at the church, dropped Laura off at work, and showed my dad the new place. He still thinks it's too much money. He seemed to like it, though I think he was mainly sad about leaving the farm. He enjoyed watching my mom and I unpack. We took him back to the nursing home in time for supper. We had supper. We unpacked for a few more hours. Things are really falling into place.

Monday (Today). Mom went out to the farm and got the cats and took them to the vet for their checkup. These cats don't like each other, but their claws have been trimmed, and they are going to share the condo. We are hoping that they will eventually get used to each other. Mom will likely keep unpacking tonight- it is fun.

Tuesday. Furniture delivery! Laura be at the condo all day to help unpack and accept the furniture if it doesn't come in the morning. New TV, TV stand, reclining loveseat and chair, coffee table, 3 bookshelves, several lamps, futon....

Wednesday. Mom's gonna buy herself a computer.

Thursday. Normal day. Likely unpacking.

Friday. Shaw arrives! Cable, Internet, Telephone all hooked up! Buzzer to front door working!

And that is the week of moving and settling in.

A month

2009-11-18T11:42:00.002-07:00

It's been a month since I have posted. It has been incredibly busy, and lots of major life changes have happened. Big stuff makes me feel I should write, but it is honestly the nonsensical stuff that is the most fun to read.

In the last month:

My Grandpa was in a car crash and passed away. That prompted me to make a spur of the moment trip to Victoria. There were two funerals, my family made it to the Victoria one and not the Saskatchewan one.
On the way back from Victoria, there were five Debenhams on a single plane at the same time, which I think is some kind of record.
I saw the end of a rainbow. No pot of gold.
Went to a Halloween party as... something... and played Dance Dance Revolution.
We sold the farm.
We bought a condo. Takeover date in two weeks. (Yipes! Two weeks!?!?!)
I drove to Spokane and back by myself. Went to church camp, and it was wonderfully relaxing.
I cleaned my apartment totally clean. It is now dirty again.
I bought and had marathons of How I Met Your Mother and Big Bang Theory.
I barely touched my schoolwork. I am now trying to pick it up again.
I realized something I didn't want to know. Sometimes ignorance is bliss.
Bought a bunch of suits from Ricki's including one super-awesome suit, which I am wearing right now.

Boo Costco!

2009-10-17T21:36:00.003-06:00

Today Diana Gabaldon was in Edmonton for a book signing. She was in Costco, and I put it in my dayplanner ages ago.

Unfortunately, I lack a Costco membership, and you can't use Costco without one. I had thought one could look around in the store before buying a membership and assumed this would not be a problem. Nope! Apparently Costco members are supposed to buy their $55 memberships sight unseen.

I got stopped at the entrance, and ushered into the membership line. I wasn't particularly enthusiastic about paying $55 for a signature, so my friend that I was with went to see what kind of security they had at the checkouts. Security seemed lax (and there was probably an easy couple thousand people in the store- no exageration) so we decided to go for it. We made it through the store, found the book signing, spotted Diana Gabaldon, and found our spot at the back of a line with an easy 300 people in it.

Just then, an awkward looking 16 or 17 year old in a Costco uniform came up. He told us that his manager told him to come tell us that we had to be members, and he either had to escort us to the front of the membership line or to the exit. The poor kid looked so embarressed!

I quickly decided the $55 wasn't worth it and left. I laughed so hard- mainly cuz the kid was embarressed to have to enforce Costco's stupid rules.

And I have decided that I am officially anti-Costco. I cannot believe they are THAT successful when they won't even let anyone in the store before they buy a membership. For example, a book signing is a good opportunity to get people in the store that would never normally go and get them to realize the awesomeness of their store. By limiting it to members, they did not expand their consumer base at all.

And this is why I say boo Costco.

High Expectations

2009-10-14T13:45:00.003-06:00

I typically (actually never) talk about politics on here, but I am getting annoyed at all the insults and whining that is neither productive nor insightful on the internet. You probably won't like what I have to say, and that's okay. Freedom of speech lets us both say what we want. Feel free to comment, but be warned that if your comments are insulting in nature, I will delete them (cuz insults annoy me and this is MY space. Should you want to insult me, do so on your own space)- feel free to disagree with me, but do so respectfully.

The internet has been flooded with a lot of talk about President Obama. I guess I should preface this by saying that I am not American, I am Canadian, so I am seeing the situation from the outside looking in.

A year ago, when Obama was campaigning for presidency, he made a lot of promises about change: Ending the war in Iraq, promoting greater diplomacy with other nations, universal health care, lessening the dependance on oil, and economic stimulus. There was a lot of talk about a time of change, and people bought it- he won the presidential election.

There were high expectations when Obama won the election- almost like Obama was a savior or a revolutionary. Many Americans expected the president to turn the economy around, to end the war in Iraq, and provide some kind of better life for them. Expectations were so high that no human being could have actually met those types of expectations.

And even though I didn't think he would be able to meet those promises, he has been steadily working away at them. He has been fufilling his campaign promises- something that is more rare than it should be amungst politicians.

But the expectations the public had burdened him with were so high that the naysayers soon came out. I have many Republican friends from the States, and I am increasingly annoyed by the amount of Anti-Obama stuff comes up on their Facebook statuses and posts. Too much change. Democrats say he isn't doing enough- the economy hasn't yet fully recovered.

Well guess what people? You should have seen it coming. For those who say there is too much change- Obama has not done anything that he didn't promise the American people while campaigning. To those who say he isn't doing enough- you are majorly oversimplifying the complex factors working here and need to give it time. Obama is a man, not a miracle worker.

And for all you complainers that didn't vote- do you think you honestly have the moral right to complain without voting? I know you have a legal right to complain, so I'll put up with your views, the same as you'll put up with mine (yay for freedom of speech), but maybe this experience will teach you to go to the polls.

I am a firm believer in voting- in recent years there have been many many many elections where I live (not exagerating at all) at a federal, provincal, and municipal level. And I have voted. Even though I am tired of elections, I vote to have my voice heard. If I don't vote, I've silenced myself on the day when my voice actually means something- so why would I waste time talking politics where the impact is slight- when I haven't used my voice when the impact is large?

And lets all have realistic expectations of Obama.

After mulling it over... Another Echo in the Bone review

2009-10-07T14:42:00.002-06:00

I have been spending much of my time reading other people's reviews of Echo in the Bone and while I can understand people's contentions, I heartily disagree with them. I have mulled over the book and am now ready to give a more in depth review of the book, rather than just my initial reaction to the plot points.

Personally, I loved it.

I definately wish the book had gone on for longer so that some of the stories had been wrapped up, but that is small potatoes. I mean, sure right away I thought the world would end if I didn't find out what happens next, but in a couple years the next book will come out and then we will know. What all of the readers have to remember is that these books are not stories about a single problem or life event that got resolved- these books are a story about a life and a family. In real life, problems are not all wrapped up at the end 900 pages of writing. I look of the Outlander books as a continuing story that keeps going. Sure, we are frustrated for a short time because we are left with a lot of burning questions, but for one, we will gain distance from the story even before the next book comes out, and for second, when the series is eventually done we will be able to put down this book, and pick up the next. What's a short wait in the whole scheme of things if it leaves us with a better story?

Some people are frustrated because we see less of Claire and Jamie in this book. I think it is great that we have expanded whose views we are seeing things. We see so much more of the story and see it through so many viewpoints. I think it makes for a richer story. William is now an awesome three dimensional character instead of just a flat character. Why would we complain about having more well rounded characters that change? We are getting more, not less.

Personally I can't believe that people are frustrated with the surgury and other healing scenes- people, it was in ALL the previous books!!! Personally, that is some of my favorite parts of the series! The same thing goes for the details about the armies- it was in all the previous books! This is what Jamie and Claire are good at, what they do, what their purpose is- she is a healer, he is a 'bloody man.' They are both trying to change the world for the better. Focusing on la-la-la we love each other doesn't move the story along- focusing on we-love-each-other-while-we-support-each-other-on-our-life's-work- THAT is the story of a marriage, moves the story along, and makes it real.

A Breath of Snow and Ashes

2009-09-17T15:11:00.004-06:00

OK I am warning you now- this is an amateur's version of a book review. SPOILERS ABOUND. If you do not want to know what happens, STOP READING NOW.

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OK, I have only read the book once, halfway through the night, and the book is no longer with me and I am tired. I will complete my review using characters.

Young Ian- I am so happy for him!!! I had begun to wonder if Ian was destined to remain alone, lost in his own head, mellowing in regrets. I was glad to see him go back to face Emily and to be able to put aside his regret for the disapointments of his hopes that he had had with Emily. Him going back to Scotland to visit also helped him reconcile the different pieces of himself- he had never said goodbye to his family or country, had not had a choice, and was gone from it before he knew it had happened. Rachel and Ian are seemingly such opposites- Ian having lived his life by violence, and Rachel having avoided violence. Ian is definately one of the characters to have gone through the most radical change through the course of the series- from the happy-go-lucky youth to the violent brooding man tinged by grief and now hopefully he will be able to reconcile the two sides of his personna more. I am continually shocked that I don't find more people talking about Ian.

Rachel's brother- I am so happy that there is now someone that Claire can pass her medical knowledge along to- he was so accepting and even ecstatic about the ether- he accepts what Claire says, because he sees the results. After it was revealed that he had fallen for Dora, and she was converting, I understood why he had been so understanding of Rachel's confusion.

Lord John- The political intruge in the books went way up once we got inside of Lord John's head! As William found out, Lord John has lots of connections and he isn't afraid to make use of them. At the moment we left Lord John though, his connections aren't doing him much good- he is about to tell Jamie that he married Claire when he was presumed dead- understandable for Claire's safety- and then ahem?? That is going to be one long and tense horseback ride ahead of them.

Fergus and Marsaili and family- For all that we don't see too much of them in this book, their influence was profound. First of all, Fergus fighting off the attempted kidnappers- so funny and such a difference from the person he was in the 6th book, when Fergus was battling depression and didn't belive in himself. It would also be interesting to know more about what the final straw was that made them move to Philidelphia (better for their descendants though for during the Civil War). The kids seem to be remarkably resourceful- carrying messages between home and Fergus when he was in hiding, and Henri-Christianson's little performance was so cute. Marsaili's devotion as a mother was obvious in this book- as well as the children's devotion to their brother- staying awake at all times to keep him breathing. Wow. Of course, that also served as a plot device to have Jamie and Claire cross the Atlantic seperately.

William- I was glad to see the friendship that developed between Ian and William before William knew of their kinship. I laughed when Ian told the Indians they were kin, and William was all 'whew they won't bother me now' when it was actually truth. I was so surprised that William still carried the rosary under his shirt. William's reaction to the truth was quite volitile, but then he has the Fraser temperment where a volitile reaction can be expected. I have high hopes that in the next book William will be able to come to peace with all of his parents. Additionally, I hope he didn't fall for Rachel too hard.

Ian and Jenny- Poor Ian. I am happy though that Jenny finally left and decided to travel- if she had never been 20 miles from home before, she sure is now.

Jamie and Claire- The whole commandeering a ship thing? Awesome!! The whole mucking around with the army? Not-so-awesome, though of course, thats where the story was. For people who had built up so much at Fraser's Ridge, they borrowed a bed through the entire book. I'd hate to think what a chiropractor would have to say about the states of their backs! I was so disraught when Claire's marriage to Lord John was no longer platonic... I really hope they can patch that up quickly! I wish that they had been able to be together and have those issues worked out when the book ended. They are feeling their age, and the whole getting-spectacles thing was awesome, and they are pretty consistant together. Stable, no- always moving- but consistant- yes.

Roger, Brianna, Jemmy, Mandy- OH. MY. GOSH. How COULD we be left hanging like that?????????? This kept me awake for hours after finishing the book. William showing up- fine- what to do with him, but fine. Jemmy getting kidnapped to the past by a random dude in town? Not fine. Roger going to the past with William to rescue Jemmy? Made sense. Random dude from town showing up, evidently not in the past? NOT FINE!!!! Jemmy in the train, heading for the time warp when the portal was open in the middle of the mountain? HORRIBLE!!!! So at the moment- it is all up to Brianna- she has to rescue her children from random man from town and Jemmy from the time-warp; then she has to figure out how to reunite with Roger- whole family go to past? Just her go to the past and leave the children in someone's care? You can't send messages to the past without going there yourself!!! And this is where the book is left off? I can't wait three more years to find out what happens!!!

Day of Grace: Day... Randomness

2009-09-17T15:07:00.002-06:00

1. Stores who put out books a week early by accident. I love you .
2. Hair long enough to make good ponytails.
3. Good report and meeting at nursing home.
4. Being able to have the car tonight and for the rest of the weekend.
5. Having a full day at work tomorrow with the ever mysterious retreat that has been planned for us.

How much longer?

2009-09-17T14:59:00.002-06:00

I am at work.

At work, I have a caseload as well as some projects.

Both projects have meetings next week for which I am fully prepared, and cannot do anymore on until after the meetings.

The caseload is really quiet. The person I took over for has been off intake for a while. The rest of the people either: a) don't need me and won't call me OR I am awaiting other people to finish their tasks.

As such, I am bored.

The sleepiness is a different story. I stayed up late last night reading until 3:30 and then I could not sleep until 5ish. My alarm was for eight. I think I am gettting old. I used to be able to do this no problem and now my eyes are crossed and I see double. Hopefully that is due to my sitting in front of a computer, mind and body not being excersised.

Was supposed to be on FB but it is going here

2009-09-08T22:22:00.002-06:00

Can you fill this out without lying? Be HONEST, now!

To do this, copy this entire message, then go to “notes” under tabs on your profile page, paste these instructions in the body of the note, delete my answers, and type yours. Easy peasy!
Next, tag 8 people (in the right hand corner of the app). Click publish (at the bottom). Have fun! :)

1. What was the last thing you put in your mouth? Dilly bar from DQ

2. Where was your profile picture taken? My blogger one was taken in Winnipeg 2 years ago

3. Can you play Guitar Hero? not very well- I prefer Rockband

4. Name someone who made you laugh today? Did I laugh??? Oh yes I did at the staff meeting.

5. How late did you stay up last night and why? 10ish? I was tired

6. If you could move somewhere else, would you? not immediately, but depending on where it was and the reason for moving, it would be considered

7. Ever been kissed under fireworks?no

8. Which of your friends lives closest to you? I live with Laura

9. Do you believe ex's can be friends? It depends on how serious they were

10. How do you feel about Dr Pepper?yucky

11. When was the last time you cried really hard?I don't know if it was really hard, but I cried yesterday

12. Who took your profile picture? Angela

13. Who was the last person you took a picture of?Darryl.

14. Was yesterday better than today?hmmm....

15. Can you live a day without TV?yes, but I would miss it before long.

16. Are you upset about anything?yes

17. Do you think relationships are ever really worth it?of course!!!

18. Are you a bad influence? usually not

19. Night out or night in?out. I need socialization

.20. What items could you not go without during the day?cell, food

.21. Who was the last person you visited in the hospital?dad

22. What does the last text message in your inbox say?it has a phone number

23. How do you feel about your life right now?tired but hopeful

24. Do you hate any one?Nope

25. If we were to look in your facebook in box, what would we find? no juicy gossip

26. Say you were given a drug test right now, would you pass?well of course, thank goodness!!

27. Has anyone ever called you perfect before?yes but they didn't really know me

28. What song is stuck in your head? too tired for that"

29. Someone knocks on your window at 2:00 a.m., who do you want it to be?No matter who I want it to be, it would be a creeper standing on a ladder, so no.

30. Wanna have grandkids before you’re 50? no,cuz either my kids will be teen parents or I wll hae babies really soon

31. Name something you have to do tomorrow?work, visit my dad. day gone

32. Do you think too much or too little? too much

33. Do you smile a lot?yes

Packing

2009-08-01T11:35:00.003-06:00

There is a definate drawback to flying to Spokane rather than driving.

Luggage restrictions!

I bought a new luggage set last weekend and thought "there's a ton of room in this!" Well, I am in the middle of packing and starting to panic.

In the luggage set I have completely filled up the main part- only the outside pockets are left. So far I have packed a couple of board games, two towels, my miniture iron, and all my clothes.

I still have to pack:

All of my shoes
All of my shower stuff, lotions, and the rest of the stuff that is in bottles.
My makeup and hair stuff.
My laptop.
My purse with all of its stuff.
My purple pillow that I sleep with (for my crooked arm. Otherwise it keeps hovering in midair.)
Bible, pen, paper.
A can of Tim Hortons coffee grounds, some ketchup chips, and some Smarties.

Okay breathe. I can do this. The shower and makeup stuff will all fit in the outside pockets (that stuff isn't allowed on the carry-on). I am allowed one piece of carry-on, plus one personal item (laptop or purse). My laptop carrier has a bunch of outside pockets, so I can put all my purse stuff and Bible in there. That means the carry-on will have all my shoes (I guess my boots will have to stay at home. Oh well, it is supposed to be hot.), the purple pillow, and the Canadian food.

What size is may carry-on??? 10X17X24 inches. Okay. I will go start measuring my bags.

Stephanie

2009-07-16T20:23:00.002-06:00

I now answer to Stephanie. There is a woman in the office, perfectly nice, I'm sure I would like her a lot. She is one of those people that always likes to use people's names in a conversation, as it makes people feel important and respected, blah, blah, blah.

I used to know her name, back when I thought she knew mine. I didn't forget her name on purpose, it just naturally happened as I realized she didn't know mine.

The first time she called me Stephanie, I thought it was just a slip- it happens to people all the time. I mean, most of the time my mom mixes up mine and my sister's names, and she named us. So I am used to things like that happening.

But now it has happened many times. How long can something like that go on before it goes past the point it can be corrected? Because I think it is past the point of no return now.

I mean, I can re-learn her name anytime I want. Her name is on her office door! Mine isn't. Which is worse do you think? And what can be said the day when we are in a meeting together and she calls me Stephanie?

Especially if Stephanie happens to be in the meeting?

Hair

2009-06-30T18:03:00.002-06:00

In the past couple months, my hair has gone through a lot. I am growing it out, and so I went in a couple of months ago to have it trimmed, because I was getting a lot of split ends (it was bad). I told the guy this, and he added layers (which I don't mind) but he didn't touch the bottom layer so I still had split ends. To top it off, the prices had doubled since the last time I was in, so I wasn't very impressed.

About a month ago, it was time to trim my bangs again. I didn't want to go back to the same place (I've been going there for years, but as I said, I wasn't impressed) and I was too lazy to go out and get it done. "How hard can it be?" I asked myself. (Famous last words). So I got out my scissors and made the first cut. "Hey! That went well!" Onto the second cut... a solid INCH shorter than the first cut.

It was devestating, but what else could I do but finish it off? Lukily, it didn't get any shorter, but it was bad and I knew it. It was at least halfway up my forehead.

Fortunately, my hair grows fast. It had grown out to a nearly-reasonable length, so I figured it was a good time to fix it. Additionally, I am going to the lake and to camp in a few days and want to look good. Lastly, I got on the bus that drops me off at the mall instead of going straight to my house, so laziness wasn't an excuse.

I went to a different hair salon this time, and walked in and told the girl about my split ends on the bottom layer problem. "Okay," she says, "but what happened to your bangs?"

Wow. She's good- one look and she knew what had happened.

Anyways, I now have great hair (for the first time in quite a while). She fixed the bangs, fixed the split ends, improved the layering job, and softened the hair around my face. And she sternly told me to never cut my own hair ever again.

Another Day of Grace

2009-06-08T18:54:00.002-06:00

1. My cat is really really cute. In the early morning he likes to come and finish his sleep with me. His antics, as annoying as they are, are really funny, and it is so nice to not ever be home all alone- there is always someone around.
2. I introduced my mom and sister to the Mongolie Grill and they enjoyed it. I always enjoy competing with myself to see how much food I can get for the lowest prices.
3. I am hosting a bachalorette party on Saturday, and have begun cleaning for it. My house is really messy, and I really only like having guests when it iis spotless, so I have to get an early start.
4. TV on DVD. I mean, really, I could watch all my favorite TV shows and never stop, with ust what I have here. Between us, Laura and I have all of CSI (Vegas, Miami, NY), Office, Bones, Friends, Chuck, Veronica Mars, some Corner Gas... You get the idea.
5. Being debt free. It was pretty bad a week ago- my student loan was delayed, I had rent and bills and tuition due, and my credit card was maxed. Now that is all paid off and I feel so much better. I suppose I am not actually debt free, as I still have student loans, but that doesn't count (yet).

Expect the unexpected

2009-05-12T18:32:00.002-06:00

Yesterday I was at the hospital visiting my dad, watching him do occupational therapy (which looks like the funnest job ever- play with blocks all day) when my phone rings. It is the same place where I had my practicum, where I had applied for a job, but it looked like the funding fell though because of the recession. At any rate, they called and told m that my job had started that morning, and obviously no one had told me because I was not there. Typical of government.

Today, I remembered how warm it was yesterday, so I just wore a cardigan and no jacket with flip flops. My office is in the middle of the building (I am close to everything I need but no windows). I happened to be in someone else's office at 3ish and looked out the window, and it was snowing. I wasn't really surprised as this is Canada, and it always has to snow in May just to prove it can, but Ibegan to dread the cold bus trip home.

I was freezing at the bus stop, looking through my purse for change for the bus (still haven't found time to get tickets) and realized that I was way short in change. I did have a five, so I asked a fairly cute guy near me if he had change and gave him the flirtest smile I could muster. He didn't have change, but he gave me a bus ticket.

Stolen from May-B

2009-05-04T12:53:00.002-06:00

What are your current obsessions? Road Trips, Viva La Vida by Coldplay, getting rid of junk, and Bones

Which item from your wardrobe do you wear the most often? my favorite bra. if you see me, odds are I am wearing it.

What's for dinner? no idea. I will probably find something with Coral

What is your greatest fear at the moment?That my plans will all fall apart and next thing you know years have gone by and I am doing what I am doing right now. All alone.

What are you listening to?The fan I stuck in the window to get some fresh air in here. It is a windy day, but none of that wind is helping my windows out at all.

If you were a god/goddess what would you be? Hmmm.... maybe of cats. I could cuddle cats all day. soounds good to me.

What are your favourite holiday spots? Anywhere that I can hang out with friends.

What are you reading right now? I am never in the middle of a book unless it is in my hand. I read all my books in one sitting. I can finish a typical romance novel in under two hours.

What are four words that describe you? Compassionate, intelligent, silly, extroverted

What is your guilty pleasure? chocolate. fast food. anything unhealthy.

Who or what makes you laugh? my cat

What is your favourite spring thing to do?stretcvh out on a blanket in the sun

Where are you planning to travel next?I am going to Saskatchewan for May Long

What is the best thing you ate or drank lately? I had a pretty good wrap for supper last night

When was the last time you were tipsy? I have never been tipsy

What is you favourite ever film? I cannot choose

What is the biggest life lesson you've learned from your kids?I do not have kids

What song can't you get out of your head?I dont haveanything in my head right now and I want to keep it that way.

What book do you know you should read but refuse to? Lord of the Rings

What is your physical abnormality/abnormal physical ability?I have a crooked arm- not enough to be wierd, but enough to make me lousy at sports

Random bits of nonsense

2009-04-15T22:21:00.002-06:00

Feast was great- there were lots of people there this year. Highlights included holding the babies (so many babies! and pregnant ladies!) including the highly memorable moment of getting peed upon. I had a new dress, which (I don't think I am bragging too much when I say this) I looked great in.

I am done at PDD. For now at least. I can easily see myself back there in the future. I went to have the dramatic moment of wiping myself off of the sign in board and- I was on there with permanent marker! How awesome is that?!

Today, I was all about productivity. I drove Lyn to the airport, went to the gym for a couple hours, and cleaned house. My house was a super horrible mess before I started, but it is so much nicer now (dishes and laundry done, everything s tidy, garbage is taken out- I even dusted the living room!). Tomorrow is gonna be all about floors and cleaning closets.

I dug my cat's toy mouse out from under the couch today. It is his favorite toy, but he rarely has it because it is under the couch so much. I tied the mouse onto a shoelace that he likes, and he can't believe how awesome it is.I was swinging it around for him, and he lept halfway across the living room after it, and at the tallest point of his leap, was about as tall as I am. Too bad I didn't get a picture of it.

The Five Love Languages

2009-04-03T14:47:00.002-06:00

Many people have heard of the book The Five Love Languages. Though it is aimed for married couples, it is a good read for self-awareness and to apply it to other relationships in your life. Several years ago I took the quiz at the back of the book that tells you which one you are. I forget which one was highest, but all five love languages were close together except for gifts, which was subsantially less. I thought I would write a short reflection piece on the love languages in my life.

Quality Time
This one is important to me because I can't spend a lot of time by myself. Sure, some quiet alonetime s good for reflection, but I am energized when I am in social situations. Being around people helps me to not get too caught up in my own head. When Rebekah lived here, we would hang out in the mall or talk to each other when we were getting ready for bed. My friendship with Robbie is based on quality time- we hang out. I gained a new friend in Samantha in the past couple months through having quality time each week.I take time to spend with my family- us girls are all going out for supper tonight and while growing up we would eat supper together every night. When I am with someone, I feel close to them.

Words of Affirmation
This one is very important to me in the workplace. I have a need to feel apreciated. Positive feedback is what motivates me to excel in the workplace. Without words of affirmation, I feel uncertain if I am doing something right or if I am getting in the way. When I feel appreciated, I am excited about going to work and I enjoy work. Without it? I am just putting in my time. In friendship, it isn't quite as important. I figure if someone chooses to spend time with me, that is an affirmation in itself. I freely give out word of affirmation to my family and friends- I tell them I love them and am quick to give a compliment. At the same time, I am much less likely to give words of affirmation to a man, but I am not sure why that is or if it is even something that rquires changing.

Physical Touch
This one is one that I am becoming a lot more self-aware on. I am very much a physical touch person with my family, I frequently give hugs and touch family members. My moods are a lot more stable now that I see family members each day and often receive hugs and other affectionate touches. I enjoy having a cat that is free with his affection (when he isn't hyper). I give lots of friends hugs- usualy hello and goodbye type hugs. Some of the younger girls that look up to me I give lots of hugs to. Other friends I don't hug that much considering how close we are. And that is all before we even start talking about men! Other than the hello/goodbye hugs I mentioned earlier, I usually do not receive much physical touch from men, and that is okay for me right now. In my head I know that I don't want to be receiving physical affection from someone that doesn't belong to me- and as of yet, no one belongs to me. But when I do get physical touch- a massage or a snowball fight or being tickled- it just is so nice and I realize how much I miss it in everyday life.

Acts of Service
This one is not that big in my life right now. Growing up, my dad was acts of service and I always felt loved when he would wait for me to come home (he always waited up for me, I never came home with him already in bed) and looking back I know that was a big part of his life. A week before he fell, my dad helped me out for one last time when he took care of the broken window on my car for me. However, now I do acts of service, though for me it isn't as much an act of love but ecause who else will? When I lived with Rebekah, I knew that this one was a big one for her- to make sure she was in a good mood I would clean the kitchen before she got home. For Laura, that wouldn't mean anything other than extra clean dishes.

Gifts
Intellectually, I can understand giving gifts. For myself, gifts aren't that big of a deal (though if a future boyfriend gave me anything householdy he would be getting an earful from me). I prefer the things that come along with the gift like quality time or acts of service, whether it be taking me out for lunch or getting and changing a lightbub for me. Those I would probably find more loving then just the gift card for the restraunt or the light bulbs.

100th post

2009-03-20T18:08:00.002-06:00

This is my 100th post on this blog. I have had two previous blogs, here and here. The first one gave up the ghost when I had technical issues with google and passwords and whatnot. The second one ended when I got sick of Livejournal and switched back to Blogger with a new profile. I haven't always been the most frequent blogger, but I have been blogging since 2005, when I had just finished high school but before I moved out. Since then, I have moved out, had some great roommates, gotten my diploma, worked a bunch of sucky jobs, and generally grown up a lot. Every once in a while I amuse myself by reading back over my old posts and kinda remember the way things used to be.

2005: Years later, snoring neighbors still keep me awake nights. This post attracted more traffic to my blog than anything else I have written. Those were the days when not only did I keep up with my readings, I wrote out notes from them.

2006: I wrote the best waiting-for-the-bus song ever, which I actually sang today. I still enjoy memes far too much. I have many many many creepy old men hitting on me stories, which are excellent for amusing younger girls in the dorms with.

2007: I gave myself advice, and I still agree with every word. I pulled an occasional prank. I attended a lousy conference with terrible food. I went on a crazy awesome road trip.

2008: I had the suckiest job of my life, let go of something I'd been hoping for for a long time, tried to pick it up again, went through tragedy, got a cat, and went back to school.

Changes and Day of Grace

2009-03-13T12:31:00.003-06:00

I have changed the template on my blog, along with some of the sidebar links and colors of text. Now, the template flows more smoothly (color wise) with the picture on top. Some of the links on the side were a little outdated for my interests, so I changed those around a fair bit.

After all, if Facebook can change AGAIN I can certainly change my blog.

1. We got a bunch of good news at the case conference yesterday! Instead of talk of which nursing homes are nicer, we got a referral for more rehab!

2. I got to sleep in my own bed last night.

3. I wrote the best cover letter of my life yesterday. Addmittedly, it wasn't for me, but it is a good cause for my mom. Hopefully, that talent will stick with me. I usually suck at cover letters.

4. I figured out the computer question that was plauging me yesterday and today! I was editing a document and needed to fix the formatting- it kept shoving the document into the top right corner of the page. I tried everything and finally I randomly hit markup and it magically fixed itself.

5. I applied for a summer job at the same place my practicum is at. Here's to hoping that I get it!

Picture Meme- I really like mine!

2009-03-05T22:51:00.001-07:00

Here are the instructions:

1 - Go to Wikipedia. Hit “random”or click: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random

The first random wikipedia article you get is the name of your band.

2 - Go to "Random quotations"or click: http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3

The last four or five words of the very last quote on the page is the title of your album.

3 - Go to Flickr and click on “explore the last seven days”or click: http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days

Third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover.

(Side note: You will have to click on the picture to view it larger and then hit print screen. In most cases, you cannot just save the image to your own computer. Then when you are in your program to mess with the pic, you will have to "paste" the image you saved when you hit print screen. Clear as mud?)

4 - Use Photoshop or a similar program to put it all together.

Here is mine!

Day of Grace- twice in a row!!

2009-03-01T14:46:00.002-07:00

1. Short black skirt, white v-neck t-shirt, and black swearter vest. With boots. I do so enjoy my sweater vest.

2. Warm temperatures (well, for March anyway). Minus tenish with no wind.

3. You tube because anytime I want to hear a song, I don't need to but it- I merely have to You tube it.

4. Hugs and knowing that even when people leave you will still see them again.

5. Grapefruit- really is there a more enjoyable fruit. Plus, when I eat grapefruit my cat is hysterical. He mooches for food it and so I get a bit of juice on my finger and offer it to him. The moment he gets a whiff of my finger he backs right up and won't let me get within an inch of his nose! So funy, and he does it every time!

Day of Grace

2009-02-27T23:02:00.003-07:00

Another edition of a Day of Grace:

Olive Garden's Soup, Salad, and Breadstick meal- unlimited of everything!
Having people other than me fight over who to pay the bill.
Getting dropped off at home at 2:30 just so I wouldn't have to take the bus, which gave me three bonus hours in my day.
Felix the cat. Because there is nothing better than waking up to someone who is delighted to see you.
Pyjamas to change into the minute you get home- love my green pj pants.

Surprise in church

2009-02-23T12:02:00.003-07:00

There is a ninety-two year old man in my church (Peter). He is very active and spry for his age, and if you didn't know him, you would guess he was in his seventies. He has been alone for a very long time, longer than I have been alive.

This week in church he gets up and tells a story. Sixty some odd years ago, he had a girlfriend in some town in the middle of nowhere and then he had to move away and they lost contact. He had not heard from her or seen her in sixty years, and had had a life and kids and whatnot. His son asked him to meet a relative of his wife's at the bus station, so he goes down to Greyhound, and guess who he is supposed to meet? That is right, his ex-girlfriend from long long ago got off the bus! This was Sunday.

On Wednesday, he proposed and on Thursday they bought the ring.

His fiancee was in church- she is a cute lady, and really friendly. She showed me the ring, and they are getting married in July and still deciding to live here or Saskatchewan. He was getting all the older ladies from the church to meet her and showing her off. It was so bizarre to see him as a part of a couple, but so cute. I have never seen him this happy.

They are totally smitten.

I was an ENFJ.... it changed

2009-02-12T19:25:00.000-07:00

You Are An INFP

The Idealist

You are a creative person with a great imagination. You enjoy living in your own inner world.
Open minded and accepting, you strive for harmony in your important relationships.
It takes a long time for people to get to know you. You are hesitant to let people get close to you.
But once you care for someone, you do everything you can to help them grow and develop.

In love, you tend to have high (and often unrealistic) standards.
You are very sensitive. You tend to have intense feelings.

At work, you need to do something that expresses your personal values.
You would make an excellent writer, psychologist, or artist.

How you see yourself: Unselfish, empathetic, and spiritual

When other people don't get you, they see you as: Unrealistic, naive, and weak

What's" Your Personality Type?

Questions from May-B

2009-02-02T20:56:00.003-07:00

May-B from Reality Check has given me five questions to answer. If you would like your own set of personalized questions, do let me know and I will hook you up.

1. If you could only wear one outfit for the rest of your life what would it be?

Ooh this is a hard one! Would I be able to change my accessories? I hope so. I think I would wear my little black dress. I get lots of people checking me out in it. Hopefully I could switch up my shoes and hairstyle to make it more or less dressy. It is already pretty dressy, but it is better to be slightly overdressed for life than terribly underdressed. Also, it is all black so unlikely to go out of style.

2. What is the website that sucks the most time from your life? Why?

Facebook. Hands down, facebook. I have to check it at least four times a day, and can easily do stuff on it for hours at a time. I lurk on people's pages, and there are so many games to play! It is one of the best timewasters out there.

3. Where did you see your life going by the time you hit this age? Are you where you thought you'd be?

In some ways I am about where I thought I'd be. I am finishing up my degree- maybe a little later than I'd like but not too bad. I am living on my own. There are only a couple of things that would have been nice- I have never held a job for a full year- lots of going back to school and last year was a gongshow. I have also never had a boyfriend, which would have been nice, but I don't think I need one to be a smart successful woman. Though it definately would have been nice.

4. Name the best comfort food and the best reason to eat it.

Ice cream is the ultimate comfort food. Hands down. The reason why I most commonly eat it? Another Friday night by myself. Feeling rejected. Rebekah would say she could tell when I was upset cuz I would be watching friends with a spoon and tub of ice cream. The best reason to eat ice cream of course, is celebration. Celebrating anything really- birthday, party, achievement...

5. What is your best attribute?

Well... :) Physically? I have an excellent figure- curvy in all the right places. But more importantly is character attributes- It is hard to pick- I am a good listener and quite funny (though not in large crowds). I am intelligant. I am opinionated and good at expressing my opinions in appropriate ways. I have to say, I like myself a fair bit.

2008: In Retrospect

2009-01-02T17:31:00.005-07:00

Well, after a good night's sleep (it was marvelous and beautiful) I think I am better able to articulatre my thoughts then last night. 2008 was not a good year, particularly if you look at the broad and general things, and don't look at all of the specific moments that made it bearable. However, as the last post, upon rereading was not optimistic, I shall try to focus on all the positives about the year.

Grant and Rebekah's wedding was awesome. I loved being maid of honor, and I was so happy that Rebekah chose me. They are a wonderful couple and sure, maybe I lost my speech, and the bridesmaid dresses were a gongshow, and maybe there were too many speeches, but at the end of the day they got married, we made a lot of great memories, and we all looked beautiful.

The support of everyone has been so overwhelming. People are so generous we can't even manage to thank them all. Support has not fallen off- people are still praying and still doing things for us.

I did this year in retrospect thing at the end of 2006 as well. Back then I still felt like I was playing at being a grown up- just going through the motions. Now I feel like I am an adult. I have gone through some hard times in the last year, and even if my house is nowhere near clean anymore I have managed to hold myself together through unemployment, debt, people moving, my dad's injury, visiting the hospital, being back in school, and my constant need to manage my mental health. I am keeping the balls in the air in this juggling act of mine.

I met James Blunt this year. Sure, he was a letdown, but I had a great time with the friends I went with, and I learned a lot about fantasies- they just ain't true. I got a cat- Felix is amazingly cute, but such a brat, but I love him anyways. I am not at home anymore on Friday nights when everyone is out on their dates. I have my cat. And I don't care if I am setting myself up to be the old lady with the cats.

I got over a crush I had had for a couple years. I learned that just because you can talk online does not mean you can do so in person. I learned a lot about boundaries in relationships. I went through several flaming attractions this year, some of which I never could figure out the reasons for. I became more and more proficient at rejecting men- not good looking, fine upstanding Christian men- I am talking about old creepers and drug dealers.

I went on a fair few road trips this year. St Louis along with the points along the way back to Edmonton; Winkler and back, and then fly to Winnipeg and drive back a few weeks later; Rosetown and Grande Prarie; and Calgary, Saskatoon, and North Battleford a few times each. I went on my first airplane ride.

I became a lot closer to my family through the trials we went through. Not that we weren't close before, but now we are so much closer. I also learned how to lean on others and to open up to others instead of only having others lean on and open up to me. I learned to find the ridiculous, the funny, the happy, and the ironic things amungst the hard times.

The last night of 2008 was the banquet night and watchnight service at New Years. Banquet was fun, I wore my bridesmaid dress and Graison was my escort. We had a good visit, shared in the awkardness of figuring out what the assigned seating meant, and he took our gross juice (REALLY watered down lemonaide), dumped them down the sink, and brought back water. It made up for no flowers and almost made up for no compliments, but we cannot expect everything. Service was really good, and God really showed me (and a lot of others too I think) a lot about myself and my shortcomings. I have a lot of changes to make, but I suppose that isn't something one should write on the internet.

So I guess my general conclusion is that even though the year sucked, it was still worthwhile. Oh and also that I sure hope next year is better.

2008: In Hindsight

2009-01-01T18:38:00.002-07:00

As seen on QOWP

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before? I went down the waterslides at West Edmonton Mall! (That was a week ago- I overcame a fear.) I also cleaned houses for a living.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I didn't make any resolutions. I didn't make any this year either- while I do want to start making some changes, it is mere coincidence that it is at the New Year and not at another point of year.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Yes- Amanda did. Baby Anthony is adorable!

4. Did anyone close to you die? yes, my grandpa did.

5. What countries did you visit? The United States. Exactly a year ago I was in St Louis.

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008? An excellent field placement! Possibly a boyfriend. (It would be a nice addition.)

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? May 11- my dad fell. September 29- Grant and Rebekah's wedding.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? Getting into university.

9. What was your biggest failure? Not getting a social work job.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? No, I had good health

11. What was the best thing you bought?My seven dollar dress from Suzy Shier. So pretty!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? Grant and Rebekah got married!

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?a few, but I shouldn't gossip. Especially on the internet.

14. Where did most of your money go? credit card, student loans, gas, tuition.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? The James Blunt concert. probably a little too excited.

16. What song will always remind you of 2008? I do not know

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:a) happier or sadder? b) thinner or fatter? c) richer or poorer? a)sadder. b)fatter. c) richer, oddly enough

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?I don't know

19. What do you wish you’d done less of? Minesweeper and Spider Solitaire

20. How will you be spending Christmas?we spent it at the hospital and Smiths

21. Did you fall in love in 2008?no, though I fell in and out of several crushes

22. How many one-night stands? none, that's wrong and disrespectful to me

23. What was your favorite TV program? Bones

24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year? no

25. What was the best book you read?I do not know

26. What was your greatest musical discovery? itunes on Facebook

27. What did you want and get? into university, a cat

28. What did you want and not get? my dad is still in the hospital. I also did not get a job.

29. What was your favorite film of this year? Hancock and Enchanted. Or was Enchanted in 2007?

30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? I was 22 and a bunch of us went out to Moxie's

31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? See the things I did not get

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008? Show off your assets.

33. What kept you sane? having a social life

34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? James Blunt, but that is so over. Meeting the object of the crush really destroys the crush

35. What political issue stirred you the most? The coalition thing

36. Who did you miss? my dad and my grandpa and Grant and Rebekah

37. Who was the best new person you met? Veronica

38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008. Sometimes life sucks. Keep finding something to smile and laugh

39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. I don't want to

Grandpa

2008-12-15T23:13:00.002-07:00

My grandpa H passed away today. We are happy that he didn't suffer any pain, right up to the end, which was a real miracle. My grandma says she is doing okay, concentrating on the details I think, and the same with my mom. As coping mechanisms go, it is a fairly good one.

Grandpa was a real craftsman. His garage was his woodshop, and he made lots of neat little jokes in there. His favorite was the quarterpounder- a block of wood in the shape of a hamburger with a quarter in it. He would make little toy trucks for the Santa Christmas drive. He made each of his granddaughters a beautiful wooden jewelery box for Christmas one year. It was lined with felt. I still use mine, it is one of my favorite items. He got into model trains. The rec room of their old house got changed into his model train display and collection. When they moved, he convinced everyone to start a model train club. By the time it got started, he was too sick to attend much, but he was proud of that. He would always have a funny story or a joke ready to tell- after all, he was Irish. He and Grandma would play Skip-Bo or Tile Rummy every night, so to beat him at it was exciting. He would often get up to say stuff in church- I lived in another city, so wasn't there much, but from what I can tell, he usually whelled up and tried to encourage everyone.

Of course, we had our differences- very different political and personal ideologies, more different then I think he realized, but I always knew that Grandpa loved me. He was a very earnest man and always took his responsiblities seriously. He shovelled the snow from the front of the church. For years, he took care of the plumbing needs at camp. Often my grandparents would have out of towners stay at their house because they were close to the airport. For like thirty years my grandparents helped at Park Valley camp, right up til a few years ago.

I will miss Grandpa.

Day of Grace

2008-12-11T17:06:00.002-07:00

I am having a difficult time coming up with good blogging material lately, so I thught I'd try something that May-B has been doing lately. Each day (though I will probably not keep up) you are supposed to list 5 things you are thankful for that day.

My cat. There is nothing as content in the world as a cat asleep on your lap, purring. His contentednesss rubs off on me. Admittedly he is a total brat, and really annoying sometimes (all of our kitchen cuboard doors are tied shut because he likes to get into the cupboards and eat the spaghetti), but he is so cute, and I adore him.
It was a really nice day out today. No wind, and sunny. I almost missed the bus, and ran outside without my touque and gloves, but I wasn't cold.
My clean kitchen and cupboard full of clean dishes! Laura and I did that this morning, and I feel so much better... I do enjoy cleanliness, even if I am really lazy.
There is a new Office episode on tonight! Apparently Merideth's hair is going to catch fire... Gotta feel sorry for Merideth- everything bad seems to happen to her. She has been bitten by a bat, hit by a car and broken her hip, and now her hair... so sad.
I threw out a ton of my school papers today! I kept my assignments I did and the course sylubuses. The rest of it is gone!

December 13

2008-11-16T22:17:00.002-07:00

At the moment, the day I am looking forward to the most is December 13. Why? I know, it isn't Christmas, or New Years, or my birthday, or anything suer-exciting like that.

If it can be believed, December 13 is even more exciting than that. December 13 is the day that term is over!!! No more assignments after that!! At the moment, assignments are the bane of my existance. They plaugue me. They are like a parasite, no, multiple parasites.... Of course before the assignments are done, I have to do them... two creative assignments, half a dozen journal entries, three papers, one annoted bibliography, one book club project, one test, and likely a bunch of other stuff I forgot.

I am grateful there is only one test. :)

Although this week I have another really exciting thing to look forward to- I am going to the JAMES BLUNT concert!!!! Oh, and Bones season 4 comes out on DVD.

And then I have Christmas to look forward to, with Rebekah's visit, and New Years...

And then a gross block week course. But I guess we can't have everything in life.

Dressing up for Homework

2008-10-31T16:03:00.002-06:00

It is Halloween today, and as my grand Halloween plans got smashed like a pumkin last night (alas, no road trip), I was busily feeling sorry for myself rather than working.

So I decided to dress up anyway, even though nobody will see me. Now I am a decked out witch complete with wierd and wacky makeup (not face paint. Makeup.). I feel much better but now I don't know what my distraction is.

Anne and Gilbert

2008-10-30T00:14:00.004-06:00

I have just finished reading the first three books in the Anne series- I borrowed them from Lynn yesterday, I'll have to switch them out for some new ones tomorrow- and I know it is late and I have to get up early for school tomorrow, but I am not quite ready for bed yet.

I postively adore Gilbert Blythe. He was so patient and persistant with Anne, and loved her even when she treated him like garbage or discounted his love. He taught her that love is not being carried away into the sunset to a castle, but that rather love is walking through life together, enjoying the simpleness of everyday life. Whenever I am unhappy or sad in the next few days, I shall simply think of Gilbert, and that'll make me smile.

I'm afraid I haven't got Anne's charming way with words though. Nor her imagination. I don't imagine people or faries out of flower gardens and brooks. My imagination has to do with ridiculous scenerios that I am mystically plopped into and how I would use my wit and practicalness to figure my way through them.

I do think I have some of Davy's talent for jumping from topic to topic. I usually don't let the randomness of my thoughts out of my head too much, unless I am tired. I was tired yesterday afternoon, walking around campus with my friend Mark, and I was chattering away and topic-jumping. I was a bit worried that he'd think me crazy, but to his credit, he managed to keep up with the randomness of my thoughts. Not many people can do that when I really get random and chattering. I know when other people do it I certainly can't keep up.

I am trying to pick out who my favorite character would be, other than Anne and Gilbert of course. I really identify with Phil, and Davy is so cute, and Marilla and Rachel are both such rich characters under their stern facades. Oddly enough, I am not too fond of Miss Lavender, it is though she is just a bit too good and sweet. Reading about someone that ridiculously sweet... it is like eating a whole plateful of Death by Chocolate... Sweetness is good in small, portioned doses in a person, but too much is just... to much.

I'm glad I borrowed the books. I definately needed it after the paper I wrote tonight on such a sad topic... I really should have done two papers, but the other one was just as sad, so I decided to be done after writing just one paper.

I think I sense a bit of randomness coming on. I might be getting tired.

If I could invent one thing, one crazy-out-of-this-world-thing, I'd invent a teleportation device. I'd only make one though, and not tell anyone the secret of it, for that isn't something you'd want just anyone getting their hands on. I know in theory, it doesn't seem crazy and out of this world, but in practice, who would ever try it out the first time? I wouldn't! Anyways, I would wear it like a watch, except I don't like watches. Maybe it would be on the inside of a beautiful locket. At any rate, I would use it to keep up with friends that don't live here. There are ever so many people that I could be best friends with that live thousands of miles away, and then there are best friends that do live thousands of miles away. Plus imagine all the time I'd save never having to take the bus anymore! I would miss road trips, so I would still take them, because most of the places you see you see on a road trip.

That's the kind of imaginings I have, not the sort that Anne has. But I really enjoyed reading about Anne's imaginings. It was very good for me, so hopefully I shall be able to stay composed in church this week. I have a terrible habit of storing everything up all week and distracting myself very well, and then at church there is no distracting myself and I end up all emotional. Likely everyone at church thinks I have mental health issues. I'll admit to not taking quite as much care of it as I should, but I certainly would not diagnose myself with anything. This week I will be at church in Calgary, so I had better not get emotional there. Oh well, if I feel it coming on, I shall just play with Taliah and thus continue distracting myself.

I have to get up in six hours and a bit. I really ought to go to bed. I hope you enjoyed my rambling again.

Conehead

2008-10-22T11:00:00.003-06:00

Yesterday, Felix the kitten got nuetered. I brought him home and he was still a little high off of the drugs- I have never seen such a clumsy cat. He would try to jump ono my lap, and he would fall short. He would try to walk under the coffee table, and his plastic head cone would band and he couldn't do it. He was backing everywhere, trying to get rid of the cone. He was even tripping over things!

This morning, Felix has figured out how to get the cone off. We put it on him three times in five minutes, and each time his hate for us grew. We called the vet and they explained how to make a harness out of shoelace. We ut that on him, and he hated us so much, and he promptly got it off. So we redid it tighter, and he hated us even more. He has ran off to hide from us. I'll go check...

It's still on! We may have won this round.

It is supposed to be on for at least four days though. It is unlikely that we will win the war.

Random late night ravings

2008-10-11T23:34:00.004-06:00

I really should be going to bed, as it is past 11:30, and my cat NEVER lets me sleep in, and I have read late into the night most nights this week. However, I don't want to be left alone in my own head, so I am going to stay up until I am so exhausted I will not have time to think before I fall asleep. Instead, I am exposing all of you to my randomness:

My hair is finally long enough that I can put it into a ponytail. I know that my hair is long past ponytail length, but do remember that I have no skills in this area. I have been growing my hair out for over a year, since I cut it really short and then decided I wanted long hair.
My favorite moment of Grant and Rebekah's wedding was after they had been pronounced husband and wife, when the dads were praying their blessing, and Dan called Rebekah his little chubby cheeks. She hit him! Right in the wedding. Most people missed it, but I did not, as I was right there. AWESOME wedding by the way.
Speaking of the wedding, I have never seen (OK, yes I have, every camp, but go with me on this) so many gorgeous women in one room! Rebekah was stunning, all the bridesmaids were hot, even though we were dosed up with with cold medication, and the Amundson sisters were drop-dead gorgeous. Many of us had our hair done by this amazing woman (I never could have accomplished what she did), but my prode and joy is that I did my own make-up and it was awesome. Some close up shots will be coming on Facebook soon.
My dad's therapy is not going well lately. He is not making progress, and is in fact losing a lot of ground. He is supposed to have surgury next week to put the shunt in. He is getting quite depressed, as he knows he is getting worse, and he wants to go home and get back to work. Visiting him is hard work, because most of the time he just screams, and when he is coherant, it is impossible to cheer him up.
Every person needs to manage their own mental health. I have always said this, and always will say it- it is like managing your physical health- eat right, excersise, go to the doctor when sick... I've been having a hard time managing my mental health lately. Don't worry, no voices, but I cry far to easily, I have such a hard time getting out of bed and doing stuff- especially when I don't have school. I am having a really hard time being positive lately.
But I will get through it. I just need to manage my mental health more effectively.
James Blunt is coming to Edmonton in November!!!!!!!!!! I have tickets!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
School. Writing papers. Visiting my dad. Trying (and failing) to keep my house clean. Trying (and failing) to eat properly. Trying to keep a social life and keep my friends. I was crazy to think I could fit a job into the mix. Luckily, I figured that much out before I tried (and failed) that.
My cat is psycho. He has three moods: 1. Sleep hard. He could dangle from the ceiling and sleep. This morning he slept for four hours on my shoulder. Another favorite spot of his is on top of my moniter. 2. Feed me! meow-meow-meow-meow. He will purr if he sees you going to get his can of food. He is also a terrible mooch. 3.Hyper-crazy-I-think-I-can-fly-bounce-off-the-walls-tip-over-chairs-bounce-off-people-run-in-circles-hyper.
But I still love him. But mostly when he sleeps, or chases the mouse on the moniter.
It is tomorrow. But I am still not tired. I should get some food. I really should wash my pots.
Now that I have retired my car and am riding the bus again, I am once again being hit on by creepy men at bus stops.
I am not going to wash my pots after midnight. I am not that crazy.
The cat is watching the letters appear on my moniter. He loves my moniter.
Maybe I am a little sleepy.
I borrowed Ironman (love that movie!) and 21 (want to see that movie). I made myself not watch them tonight. My cat just attacked my hand
goodnight

Leaders Debate

2008-10-02T19:38:00.002-06:00

I am watching the English language leaders debate for the Canadian election.

Duceppe (leader of Bloq) hates Alberta. He views Alberta as the anti-thesis of Quebec. Is his view shared by most Quebecers? Of course, to be fair, us Albertans scorn Quebec for their previous attempts to leave Canada. We think Canada is too great to threaten to ditch.
Elizabeth May is holding her own. Of course, this may be due to the fact that none of the other leaders are targeting her at all.
Everyone is picking on Stephen Harper. Of course, this is because he is really the only consertative ideoloigy minded person there.
Why are they bickering like children? Though to be fair it is much tamer than others I have seen in the past.

Workload

2008-09-11T14:05:00.002-06:00

I have now had each of my classes at least one, and I have to say it- I am disgusted by the sheer number of group projects we have to do- there are six different group projects this year! I belong to six different groups! Do you know how rediculous it will be to juggle meeting up with six different groups?

The reading is a lot, but I don't mind that. A lot of assignments are based directly off of the readings, so it is not a complete waste of time. Although that also means that I can't just forgo them- they gotta get done.

In a week I am leaving for Manitoba. I will be down there for about ten days, and it looks to be lots of fun! While everyone is at work, I will do schoolwork and wedding related stuff. And then we will have ourselves a wedding!

2008-08-01T21:46:00.002-06:00

Go to this site and find five postcards that describe you.

Jen Loves

2008-07-28T20:46:00.002-06:00

Type your name followed by loves into Google and record what comes up.

Jen loves lyrics.
Jen loves her Chris!
Jen loves me!
Jen loves 2 knit.
Jen loves homeschool.
Jen loves Stuart.
Jen loves strippers. (Yipes!)
Jen loves Jen.

Two months is embarressing

2008-07-16T23:04:00.003-06:00

Okay when my blog said "two months" on May-B's blog, I decided it was about time to have an update. Because two months is simply embarressing. It goes beyond the "oh she is stressed out" or the "she is never busy" though both of those statements are true. Two months reaches the point where people will take you off their blogrolls. And we cannot have that, otherwise I would be sending my thoughts out to nobody except internet stalker werdo persons (who are hopefully lurking on other people's blogs. Not mine).

In basic life-news, my dad is still in the hospital. Improving, but still going to be in there til the fall at least. He is supposed to get into rehab right away, though they have been saying that for weeks now. I got into school for the fall, to finish my degree- two more years, and even more debt. My roommate moved away and my sister moved in with me.

I went on vacation last week to church camp, hoping to relieve my stress, however, it did not work. I am still incredibly stressed out. In addition, my work hours are becoming more and more irregular and unpredictable, thus my debt is unlikely to get better. I feel terribly guilty when I don't make it out to see my dad, and when I do see him I feel guilty for wanting to leave and not knowing what to say because he isn't him anymore. I saw him on Sunday and he was just in this awful daze. I can occasionally talk to him on the phone, but it is really frustrating for everybody as it is nearly impossible to understand him.

Yesterday I worked two hours. Today I worked thirteen. Tomorrow I work none at my regular job, though I will clean the church so that is a bit of work I suppose.

We got a kitten on Sunday night. His name is Felix, and he is adorable, and playful, and thankfully he now cries less.

Perspective Changes

2008-05-13T23:02:00.002-06:00

Our family has turned into one of Those families. You know the ones. The ones that spend their whole days at the hospital, their lives revolving around visiting hours and doctor's rounds.Going in to visit about once an hour, just for a couple hours, alternating between hoping they are more awake than the last time you saw them, or more zonked out, when at least they are peaceful and not anxious, confused, and afraid. Every little change is analyzed, then reanalyzed. Every shred of information gained deserves a new round of phone calls.

The meaning of the phrase "have a good day" has changed. Sunday was a good day because he didn't need brain surgery. Monday was a good day because he was off the ventilator and out of the induced coma. Today was a good day because he was on more drugs and able to rest more. Monday and Tuesday were good days because he recognized us.

And then there are the ways we try to keep ourselves going. We have "our" spot in the waiting area- under the middle rose trellis, across from the library, where we can see people come in and see him go by when he goes for another CAT Scan. We like it because the foilage of the roses is peaceful and makes us feel somewhat semi-private. Every day we pick another puzzle out of the library to do. So far we have done three puzzles, with pictures of each completed one. This is what gives us stability.

We have also been reaching out to others. We have requested, and received so much prayer. We have encouraged visitors- not to visit Dad, but to visit us. New ears to hear us rehash all the details and to provide us with details of what is happening outside of our rose trellis.

We try not to think about the future- everything is so uncertain and no one will be able to tell us what the future will look like for a long time. We have no idea what changes we will have to make in our lives, or if he will even be the same man as before. That is why we ask for prayer. Even when we can't pray for anything more than just the "please, God", we know that there are others out there with the faith for a complete healing petitioning for it to happen.

Your perspective on life changes- what used to be problems fade in importance. Who cares about the trivial?Other changes are less apreciated- the loss of stability and familiar surroundings in my home leaves me feeling unsettled. Like there is nowhere that remains safe and familiar. I have to find new coping skills- usually when I am feeling this uncertain and unsettled, I go and I talk to my dad. I can't do that this time.

At the same time though, I can feel God close by. He had seemed so far away for so long, but now that I know He is my only hope, I have opened up and am feeling Him close to me. This helps give me peace.

What a day

2008-05-11T00:11:00.003-06:00

This has been such a trying day, but there have been a lot of blessings in it. So many people just came in around us, just being there to talk, being there to hug, being there to pray, being there to distract. That was awesome and really helped so much. And so many people have sent us quick notes of encouragement. That was just so thoughtful.

The security guards and the nurses all knew who we were today and were all so helpful. The doctors were kind and calm. Actually, they must have been flabergasted at the number of people coming through but they were all needed to keep us sane.

And all we can do is pray and hope for the best.

The Office

2008-04-25T09:38:00.002-06:00

I don't know how many of you watch The Office, but many of us here in Edmonton do. I have all the dvds, and compulsively follow the show.

I don't think most offices have as many love triangles as Dunder-Miffilin does:

In the first two seasons, Jim loves Pam who loves Roy. In season three, Pam loves Jim who loves Pam but Jim is with Karen who loves Jim.
Now Jim and Pam are finally together. However, Toby loves Pam who loves Jim who loves Pam. Poor Toby is getting more and more heartbroken every week, as demonstrated on last night's episode.
Dwight loves Angela who loves Dwight but Angela is with Andy, and Angela and Andy are both unhappy in their relationship. However, last night Dwight appeared to be moving on slightly.
There was the whole Carol-Michael-Jan thing going on. Then it was Michael-Jan. However, Jan seemed to be more jealous of Pam than what seems appropriate, however, this cannot be taken seriously as Jan was and is all kinds of crazy.
Kelly loved Ryan who, well, was a jerk. Then she moved on to Darryl. I am not sure if that is still on, but she sure is vindictive now. It is better than the blathering mess she was before.

Another thing: There are very few men in that offive who have not shown an interest in Pam. I will demonstrate. Proof of the men interested in Pam:

Roy was engaged to her and worked hard to win her back after the engagement broke. "You never know what you have til it's gone"
Jim is madly in love with her: "Ya, I have the ring. (Shows it to the camera) I got it the week after we started going out."
Toby is also madly in love with her. After he gets caught stroking Pam's knee by Pam, Jim, and everyone else. "I have an announcement. I am moving to Costa Rica. I have been thinking about it for a long time and I am going to do it. I am going home to pack. I'll just jog home and leave my car here and jog to work tomorrow." (Runs out of lobby, hops fence, and runs away.
Michael tried to kiss Pam at the Diwalli celebration. Plus he also makes lots of suggestive remarks to Pam.
Kevin: "Did you hear Pam's on the market again? I'd so hit that if I wasn't engaged"
Creed: Peers down Pam's top. She buttons it up to her chin.
Ryan: "Wow these sketches are really good. Do you want to go out to dinner tonight and talk them over?"
Andy asked Jim for advice on how to attract her attention, and fallowed it to every last banjo playing, falsetto singing, pig latin speaking detail.

Therefore, only Dwight (who loves Angela), Oscar (who is gay), Stanley (who is married), and Darryl (who is great friends with Roy and would never take Roy's girl) have not at least hit on her. Three of them are madly in love with her, Michael has a fair-sized crush, and the rest hit on her at least once.

There you go.

2008-04-23T22:01:00.002-06:00

So lately I have not been the most cheerful or most optimistic Blogger. Why? Well, I have been quite effective at distracting myself from my problems (I am very good at it. Even though I recognize it for what it is, which is a somewhat ineffective coping mechanism.) It is ineffective because it does not get dealt with and stockpiles until I have nothing to distract myself with- which usually happens during prayer meeting.

At least my dad is there to give me a hug. That helps.

So I decided to try journalling it, which is a very effective therepy tool. I also refused to allow myself to use backspace (unless it was to correct spelling in the word I was on). I helped. My conclusions were:

I am having issues dealing with my grandpa's illness. Yesterday we got yet another round of bad news. I am planning on calling my grandma tomorrow to send out another e-mail with her.
I am suffering major stress regarding my finances. Major major stress. I have only worked three days this month, and it is showing.
I am spending too much time alone in my apartment. Thus, I wish I had a more active social life. In particular, a social life that does not include eating out. I had to stop that, and now I have no social life. It really is a lose-lose situation, this whole no eating out thing.
I wish I had more stability in my life. In particular, job stability.
I am facing a big change in my living situation, which is very stressful for me and everyone else involved- the whole not knowing what is going to happen thing.
I am tired of spending Friday nights alone. I am also tired of not touching anyone in the week. I know it sounds wierd, but if babies need to be held and touched, I don't think that need goes away as an adult. So I want either another single friend to that likes hugs and hanging out on Friday nights or I want a boyfriend. I am leaning toward the boyfriend thing though. Though that could just be an additional stress, so who knows there?
I wish I felt closer to God. I wish I could pray more. I know the onus is on me (distacting myself with TV is not conductive to this goal), but it is really hard to do for some reason, and I wish I knew why.

In short... I am stressed out. There you go. Sorry for the morbidness of this post.

The best laid plans of mice and men...

2008-04-22T11:00:00.002-06:00

I thought I was set. I had finally managed to scrounge up a job. Admittedly, I hurt like I had never hurt before, but at least I was doing something, making money.

And then the snow came. It has been snowing for four straight days, and is showing no signs of letting up. The long range weather forcast is not hopeful, the snow is likely going to stay through to the end of the month and possibly even longer.

This means that any and all gardens in Edmonton are under snow. Thus, I cannot work. Thus, my current state of being broke is not likely to improve.

So yesterday I bought myself another batch of newspapers to check out the classifieds. There were a ton of landscaping jobs, which does me very little good. There was a nanny job, which I could have had, but the pay worked out to less than minimum wage. And then there were two maid services jobs. One with a $1000 signing bonus...

I wouldn't mind if it was simple upkeep. But I really don't want to be cleaning up poop. So I think I am still stuck.

The food and the pruning

2008-04-15T14:48:00.002-06:00

On Sunday, my mom gave me a huge pot of the afore-mentioned soup on Sunday night. I invited a handful of people over and it all got eaten up on Monday! Yay! Then we played a game of Killer Bunnies which is one of the most awesome games ever.

I started a new job this morning working as a gardener. I am pretty good if I do say so myself! I learned how to prune today and I have honestly never seen prettier bushes. All I am hoping is that it only rains on evenings or weekends this summer, as work is rather weather dependant.

Nine Hours Later, and I am Still Full

2008-04-13T21:42:00.003-06:00

Yesterday all the young people went out to my parents' farm and my mom made us food. I arrived full, as I had come directly from a baby shower where I had eaten all afternoon, and I then proceded to eat a huge meal. I repeated my efforts at Sunday dinner today where we worked on the leftovers. I was so so so so full that I felt sick.

I spent my afternoon stretched out in the sun at the park. It was exceptionally nice, and it totally felt like summer.

I still can't eat though. Too full. And I have leftovers of my own to get through. Oh boy.

An update...

2008-04-09T21:43:00.002-06:00

I am sorry that I have neglected this blog in the last week or so. It isn't like I don't have the time. I have not worked in two weeks. The ever-so-handy temp agency didn't have any work for me, so I have been looking on my own. I actually applied for a couple of social work jobs, though I have not heard back from them (none in a group home). I have had interviews for a couple office jobs and a phone interview for a gardening job, so hopefully one of those will work out.

Not having a set schedule or something to do every day is not good at all for my mental health. I spend too much time with just myself, spend hours at a time playing solitaire, getting nothing done, and just getting generally bummed out. I am also dreading when my credit card statement comes, and when the student loan companies get on my back. I really need a job.

Twenty-one

2008-03-31T23:12:00.002-06:00

I am down to only having a few moments left of being twenty-one years old. I thought I would mark the occasion by looking back over the year and condense some of the moments for you.

This whole year has been spent broke. I have had a great variety of jobs, and none of them were particularly good, but most have not been particularly bad. I graduated from college this year, moved three times (once across the hall, once to Winnipeg, and once back to Edmonton). I have had a lot of people phase out of my life, have had a lot of people pass through, and have managed to regain old friendships.

I have had more job interviews than I can count, and have finally stopped taking the bus. Having my own car has (fortunately) reduced the numbers of creepy old men hitting on me, though it has admittedly provided less blog material. I also finally relaxed my prejudice against bangs, and got a haircut- with bangs. It turns out that this was a fabulous move. I also went on several great road trips, and discovered... I love road trips. I need to have road trips; they are a part of me.

I learned a fair bit this year:

That you can't depend on everyone. There are a handful of people you can count on no matter what, and a great deal of people you can count on for empathy and support, but there are also people that are fine to hang out with, as long as you remember that they are fair-weather friends. And that is okay.
It is okay to let people leave your life.
It is wonderful to meet new people and have meaningful encounters and relationships.
I am gutsy. Anyone who knew me even three years ago would not have pictured me going through the streets talking and praying with prostitutes.
That I deal with problems through distraction- by watching Friends or The Office or Heroes, or reading stories, or playing World of Warcraft... This is how I distance myself from problems and hurt.
I also learned that I am amazingly blessed. Even through all the unstability of this past year, God has always provided for all of my needs. I have people around me who support me and laugh with me and don't mind that I am sometimes a little random. I am smart, and beautiful, and funny. I'm a nice person, and people like me. I live in a country and in a time where people are free- and so often I take it for granted. Jesus died for me and He saved me! That is a lot to be thankful for.

So to everyone who touched my life in some way during this past eventful year- thanks. And I hope I touched your life too.

Guess Who Licked Me?

2008-03-30T22:20:00.002-06:00

Ian.

No, not Ian G., though that would be some story, and a lot more wierd and funny than this one. Ian S., a preschooler in my church. He had just finished eating some cheesy doritoes, walked up, stuck out his tongue to show me all the food caked to it, and then licked my butt (which was all he could reach), leaving behind a bunch of goop. It was a borrowed dress.

I was shocked. I sincerely hope I never licked anyone as a child.

Oh well. Now I have blackmail material for when this kid is a teenager.

Photo-blogging

2008-03-27T13:42:00.003-06:00

Here’s how it works:
1. Go to http://www.photobucket.com/
2. Type in your answer to the question in the “search” box
3. Insert the picture into your Blog.

What is your relationship status?

What is your current mood?

(Just so everyone is aware, I said bored and tense. Not druggie.)

What is your favorite movie?

What kinds of pets do you have?

Where do you live?

Where do you work?

What do you look like?

*Hint: Never ever type "brunette" into any type of search engine, especially a photo one. Especially at work. Not a good idea. Especially combined with the word "hot".

What is your favorite tv show?

Describe yourself.

What are you going to do tomorrow?

What is your name?

It is all my fault

2008-03-26T14:39:00.004-06:00

I had been complaining about how bored I was at work with nothing to do, so I suppose I deserve this.

I came back from lunch to find an eight inch high stack of paper on my desk, waiting for me. Since that time, I have gone through a very dull process in the computer- H, R, down X3, enter, enter, Y, enter six invoice numbers with a Shift Backslash between each one, enter, escape, start over.

The point of that was to print out a three inch stack of papers.

Now I have to go through both stacks of papers and match all the invoice numbers together, remove any extra staples, and restaple them all together.

I prefer boredom.

Later: It is the end of the day, and I am about half done combining the stacks. I will finish off tomorrow, and then I have to put the entire stack in alphabetical order.

Next Day: That project took me all afternoon yesterday and all morning today. I also filed them. Seven hours. That's how long it took me. And is anyone going to look at them ever again? No. They will not.

Names

2008-03-26T09:35:00.002-06:00

Why do people at work assume I know their names? I know the names of people who work here, from the phone list I have. I know the faces of people who work here from everyone saying hi when they come in (after I get here) and when they leave (before I leave). But there are no nametags. There are no names on the doors or cubicles. No one introduces themselves to me.

And then people wonder why I don't know if Chuck or Bob or Jane is in. How should I know? This is not World of Warcraft, where everyone's name hovers above their head. Though that would be awesome.

Long Weekends

2008-03-24T11:44:00.003-06:00

In general, the Monday after a long weekend I am slow and tired and falling asleep and cannot perform the somplest tasks, as I have usually travelled a lot over the weekend. This weekend is no different, as I went to North Battleford. I had a great time, and if I do say so myself, I looked fantastic. In fact, I received many compliments- however they were all from girls. No matter, as I appreciated each and every one of them (thanks!), and it gave me confidence, but it still would have been nice to get a couple from guys. That is okay though.

It is quite likely that I will be travelling every long weekend this year. There are a lot of camps, and there is Red Deer this summer, and we will want to go to Saskatoon as often as possible.

I guess it is shaping up to be a busy year.

Oh Dear

2008-03-20T08:56:00.000-06:00

So I had put Minesweeper, Spider Solitaire, Solitaire, and Free Cell all on my desktop here at work. Unfortunately, the girl who usually logs me on isn't here today, so another girl logged me on, and... I lost them all!!!!!

They are there, I know they are, I just can't get to them! I even searched Windows for them, and found them, but I could not open it up. I am so sad now.

It is going to be boring.

May Long

2008-03-18T13:15:00.002-06:00

So it turns out that no one is planning May Long this year. Calgary planned it last year, and we planned it the year before, so in Edmonton, we were all thinking that Saskatoon was hosting it, and Saskatoon thought when they had done it that it was a one time thing.

So what does this mean? It means that unless there is some major stepping-up-to-the-plate, May Long is threatened.

So what does this mean for you? When you come to camp, bring ideas!!!! I am hoping to organize an emergency planning session (I'll call it something else though). Hopefully we can get the ball rolling and get it pulled together.

365x14: Mr Fleming (as part of the mini series: "the teachers")

2008-03-17T10:07:00.002-06:00

Mr Fleming was the science teacher and definately the best science teacher one could have. He knew what he was talking about, did practical demonstrations, and didn't just have us read the texbook aloud in class. The had a great sense of humor and allowed the class some freedoms.

He did make us write a lot of notes though. My hand still hurts thinking about it.

There is a perk

2008-03-14T15:13:00.002-06:00

So I may not get free parking, or work, or a radio here. BUT the major perk to this job is flirting with the cute, and I mean cute, UPS guy.

He comes twice a day. Once in the morning to drop off parcels, and once in the afternoon to pick up parcels.

It is seriously the best part of my day.

Edit: He is married. I looked and there was a ring. My work-crush has been nipped in the bud. Now it is back to plain old tedium.

The Water Situation

2008-03-14T09:51:00.002-06:00

You would think I wouldn't have a water situation in a high rise, but I do. Yesterday it was manageable but since I made the coffee this morning it has gotten out of hand.

The cold is not just warm. It is hot. Yesterday I compensated for it by using the hot water, which was cold. Even when I first got here this morning the hot was cold. However, once I hade made the coffee and went to water the plants, the cold has been hot and the hot and been even hotter.

I liked it the way it was. Why must the hot be hot? I want the hot to be cold!

365x13: (Mr. Hummer: As a part of the miniseries "The Teachers")

2008-03-13T16:12:00.002-06:00

Mr. Hummer was the English teacher for grade ten and eleven. He retired when I went into grade twelve, which depressed our class to no end, though the days that he would come back and sub were great. It is hard to say what made him such a great teacher, except that he believed that each of us was capapble of greater intelligence then we were showing, and would inspire and/or mock us to it. He would call us by our last names... "Miss Brown or Mr Johnson".

In addition, he made Shakespeare interesting. We would all read the play aloud, and he would explain to us what it all meant, and point out the dirty jokes. (Shakespeare was a dirty old man, there were a lot). And yet when we watched Othello on VHS (those were the days) he ran to the library, stopped the movie, and fast forwarded past the love scenes.

He would always joke that as he was retiring, he didn't have to bother to teach us anything, as he could not be fired. He was the one who mocked all the vally girl lingo (like) out of my vocabulary.

He was our favorite teacher.

Hey, look, there is filing!

2008-03-13T14:00:00.001-06:00

I kept myself busy for an hour and a half doing filing- all without leaving my desk. Now I am enjoying the rich goodness of Cookie by George's carrot cake. Mmmm....

I got lost

2008-03-13T09:13:00.002-06:00

Very rarely do I get lost in Edmonton. OK, if I am going to Castle Downs, the odds are more likely to favor it, but I got lost this morning. I could not find work. I wondered around in circles for forever... I simply could not figure it out. Then, just as I was about to give up all hope, I stumbled across it and now I feel like an idiot.

I also don't feel very safe. I mean, what if a fire starts? There is only one exit in this building, and I am twelve floors up. I guess I will just have to trust others for my safety.

So now I am back to amusing myself all day for pay. Occasionally I will answer the phone, but that is it.

One nice thing is that this job is downtown until the end of March. There are so many handy things close by- for example, I am right above a mall right now. I will save on gas because I can carpool to work. I will also not be driving to find lunch every day... unlike when I was in the industrial section.

I will still be bored though. Just like at home. Except here I am paid to be bored, plus I get to dress up all nice.

365x12: Southern Woman At Gas Station

2008-03-07T10:32:00.002-07:00

Dear Lady,

Why did you stick your nose in my business and critisize my choice of clothing? I am not a proper southern lady, and frankly, if I want to wear pyjama pants in a gas station, that is my own business. I can tell you that I was far more comfortable on my roadtrip in my pyjama pants than you were in your linen pants and pantyhose.

If that is what your culture is like, all I can say is that I am glad that I am Canadian.

Sincerely,

Shocked Girl At Gas Station

Four Things Meme

2008-03-06T14:05:00.003-07:00

4 Jobs I have had:

Temp worker- doing general reception usually, it is very boring- essentially I am paid to warm a chair.
Group Home Worker- Yeah, and that one didn't literally blow up in my face.
Zellers- I actually enjoyed this one. Unfortunately, I could no longer afford it.
Youth Worker- Definately my favorite job. Kids are so cute!

Four Movies I can watch over and over:

Four Places I have lived:

(good thing they aren't asking for five...)

Four TV Shows I love:

Four Places I have vacationed:

Four of my favorite dishes:

lasanga
perogies
a burger and fries
sunshine chicken (I tried to find the recipe, but could not)

Four Sites I visit daily:

Hotmail
Facebook
Blogger
Google

Four Places I would rather be right now:

Home
On a road trip
at the mall
anyplace warm

Four Bloggers I am tagging:

You
Yes you
Yeah, I actually meant you
No, not them. You.

365x11: Raimey

2008-03-06T13:40:00.003-07:00

I went to elementary school with Raimey. I didn't like her- she was one of the popular and snobby girls in my class, and she got to wear jeans to school long before me (I wore chords of various bright, bold colors until I was in sixth grade). She didn't like me either.

She did teach me one important lesson though- people aren't always what they seem. After years of disliking each other, March of my sixth grade year, her and her best friend Michelle decided they were suddenly my best friends. And I was a niave girl who fell for it hook, line, and sinker. The friendship blossemed and we hung out all the time, biking around the neighborhood together, and they came to my twelfth birthday party.

Right after the birtrhday party, they were back to being their old selves. I never did figure out why they played with me like that. It may have been ten years ago, but it sure made me cynical.

Ah, the drama of preteen girls. I am glad we only have to go through it once.

365x10:Taliah

2008-03-05T09:16:00.002-07:00

Taliah is my baby cousin. She makes the funniest faces. She is super friendly and content. She rarely complains at being passed around to a ton of relatives. She is a very pretty baby, and oddly enough, when she was born, looked like both her dad and her maternal uncle.

I'll get to see her at Feast! Wow, Feast is only a few weeeks away.... crazy...

Temp Work

2008-03-05T09:11:00.003-07:00

I have come to the comclusion that most temp work is not as interesting as the temp work I did in Winnipeg. The work I did in Winnipeg was interesting and kept me busy. I am finding that most temp work I am getting lately is either sorting faxes or, like today, answering phones that never ring.

I find it hard to believe that they pay more for this than at Zellers. I worked HARD at Zellers, and here I am making way more doing nothing than I was there.

I guess it goes to show that it doesn't pay to work retail.

And that tomorrow I am bringing a book to work.

365x9: Guy At Gym

2008-03-03T18:45:00.003-07:00

Dear Guy at Gym,

You are just about the perfect convince-people-to-buy-gym-memberships person. You are hot, but in a cute way, not in a I-lift-600-pounds way. You are funny, have a great smile, and a European accent. In short, you are really attractive and can inspire girls to daydream.

But why did you have to ruin our image of the perfect guy by smoking at the door as we went outside? Our daydreams, as well as your lungs, has been tarnished.

Sincerely,

Girl at Mall

Updates and the gym

2008-03-03T18:38:00.003-07:00

After blogging SO SO much while being bored I needed to give it a break. So I am back to normal blogging now (in other words, not every couple hours).

I have a job interview tomorrow. Four months ago I applied for a job as an employment councellor, and they just phoned me back. It would be so aweome to get it, but if I don't, that's ok, as I wasn't expecting it.

I signed up for a gym membership today. I know that I had a gym membership before and never used it, but this time will be a bit different. Here's why:

It is cheaper this time!
It is in the mall. I always go to the mall. Therefore, it will not be out of my way to go.
Rebekah got one too, so now I have someone to go with!
They have a hot tub!!!
I have a car, so I will not need to walk or brave the cold to go.
It is still being constructed, so by the time it opens I will be thinking about looking good in my swimsuit and not about adding layers.

Gah

2008-02-27T18:24:00.002-07:00

So I am unemployed. Just cuz I didn't immediately commit to the job, they sneakily went behind my back and fired me.

I am not happy.

Below is where I rated my life:

This Is My Life, Rated
Life:	5.9
Mind:	6
Body:	7.7
Spirit:	7.1
Friends/Family:	5.3
Love:	2.1
Finance:	4.8
Take the Rate My Life Quiz

365x8: Zac

2008-02-26T09:31:00.005-07:00

Okay, I have run out of Mikes that I know enough about to say something about with out resorting to stereotyping and I really don't want to do that. It is rude. So I guess I will start doing random people until another miniseries occurs to me.

I met Zac in the first day of ninth grade. There could not have been two people less likely to be friends- at first glance, we appeared totally different. However, underneath all of the differences (mainly that I was a good girl, and that Zac was determined to, well, not be the good guy), we looked at life much the same way. We both scorned the typical high school pecking order system, we both enjoyed randomness, we both enjoyed debating, and we both cared deeply about our friends. We hung out with the same people all through high school, and I always insisted to see the positives in him, and he was one person that, even though he didn't know it, was always able to see right through me. I alsways appreciated his blunt honesty with me.

He watched when someone snapped by bra and it undid, and they had to put it back together (one of the top embarressing but funny moments of ninth grade). He told me when to pull it together during a laughing fit. He and I were the same personality type in eleventh grade. We spent hours napping on the grass in front of the school during spares in twelfth grade. He was always good for a compliment on the occasional times that I didn't look like a scruffball in high school.

I haven't seen Zac much since high school. Our lives went off in completely different directions. That's okay, though I always keep hoping he'll turn his life back around.

Eights

2008-02-26T08:48:00.003-07:00

8 Things I’m Passionate About

Being confident on your own merits
board games
road trips
I wish I knew.... I am leaving this one open.

8 Things I Want to Do Before I Die
Get married
Go to Europe
Spoil my grandchildren
Have the perfect dance
More road trips
Something creative
Find a passion
Make a difference at said passion

8 Things I Say Often
Toodles
Sick
What's up?
Teen burger, no pickles, mustard, or ketchup.
thanks
Hello, , Jen speaking.
I hate technology
Technology hates me

8 Books I’ve Read Recently
The Marriage Spell by Mary Jo Putney
A Distant Magic by Mary Jo Putney
Stolen Magic by Mary Jo Putney
A Kiss of Fate by Mary Jo Putney
Lucy Gets Her Life Back by Stef Ann Holm
The Prince Kidnaps a Bride by Christina Dodd
Twist of Fate by Mary Jo Putney
March 2008 Reader's Digest

8 Songs I Could Listen to Over and Over
Tim McGraw by Taylor Swift
I Really Want You by James Blunt
Bad Day by Daniel Powter
Leaving by Paul Brant
1973 by James Blunt
Goodbye My Lover by James Blunt
You're Beautiful by James Blunt
Happy Girl by Martina McBride

8 Things That Attract Me to My Best Friends
sense of humor
friendliness to everyone
quirkiness- both an appreciation for and of their own
intelligence
wit
not caring what others think
being opinionated
caring about others

Updates and Randomness

2008-02-25T08:53:00.002-07:00

So after a weekend chalk full of visiting with little old ladies in my hometown, winning a bottle of brandy as a door prize (I traded it away for a laptop case), mood swings, and Mission Fests, I am back at work.

Four months ago I applied for a job as an employment counsellor, and on Friday I got a call back for an interview. Four months later is a little late, but I will go to the interview and see what it is about. I know I can do this job- I did it before at one of my field placements.

I also discovered that if you make a bunch of posts up beforehand, and you publish them later, they all show up on the date you wrote them. Interesting....

Decisions, decisions

2008-02-22T10:37:00.002-07:00

Okay...

So I got an offer to be hired on a full time permanant basis here. I would be trained to do more stuff (to alleviate boredom) BUT

I'd have to agree to stay for a lengthy time period. Meaning that if I go back to school in September they would not want to keep me.

Also meaning that if I want to get back into social work that I would be breaking faith with this company.

I think I am scared of committment. The idea of staying tied to one job, any job, really scares me off. But then again, surely stability is a good thing.

I had given myself two months with this job to figure out what I wanted to do. I really hate that I am being pressed to cut that time short. I really don't think I am ready to make that sort of a commitment or ready to make those sorts of decisions.

I am SERIOUSLY commitment-phobic.

More work whining

2008-02-22T09:25:00.001-07:00

I have no been doing my filing for the last two days, hoping that it would take me a couple hours to catch up once I did it.

It took me half an hour.

Boredom is a dull, slow, and painful way to die.

Machines Hate Me

2008-02-21T16:34:00.002-07:00

I broke the printer. Not once, but three times. Every single time I try to use it, it breaks again. Other people can use it, but not me. Whenever I print something, it suddenly thinks it is out of paper, and it is not out of paper.

Finally the salesmen banned me from printing so that they can get work done.

x7: Mike: The Neighbor (as part of the miniseries "the Mikes")

2008-02-21T14:04:00.004-07:00

Mike is a really good guy. He is engaged to my old roommate, and I couldn't be happier for them. Mike is one of the more easygoing and hospitable guys I know- he can generally be counted on for a favor. For the last couple years, he has hosted a camping trip at his parents' cabin right before camp. He is also very creative, and most of the creative things that the Edmonton young people's group has done in the last year have been his ideas. For instance, Mike organized a whole weekend of activities over Halloween.

Mike and his fiancee are getting married this summer. Eventually, they are not planning on living in Edmonton. I know that when they do eventually leave, they will be missed. A lot.

x6: Michael (as part of the miniseries "the Mikes")

2008-02-21T13:48:00.003-07:00

Michael was my older brother. He may not have been able to do a lot, as far as the world goes, but he had a happy spirit, a loving nature, and so much courage. Even though he was always in pain, he had a beautiful smile and he would giggle a lot.

There were some things that could always make him laugh- rumble strips on the side of the road were his favorite. His favorite songs were "Praise Him" and "Because He Lives." Bouncing beside him on the couch would usually make him laugh. He loved wrapping paper. Not in the rolls, he would rip it apart after the presants were opened. He had some favorite toys- plushies that squeaked- and a pullstring owl that would play a song- it was tied to the ceiling and after it was pulled, he would swing it around. Oddly enough, he liked beets. My mom would make him beet juice popsickles (I know, it sounds nasty), and he loved them.

x5: Mike: The grad escort (as part of the miniseries "the Mikes")

2008-02-21T13:36:00.003-07:00

Mike started coming to our church a fair number of years ago, when he was in his midteens. I have to say, it must have taken a lot of guts to break into our group without having someone in the group already to introduce him and invite him to things. I mean, we have gotten better in recent years, but it is still very easy to exclude people.

At any rate, Mike was my escort for grad. He was a great escort, lots of fun, brought me a corsage, and was a perfect gentleman. He was exactly what I needed, as I am pretty certain that classmates were taking bets to see if I would either show up with a cousin or (horrors!) an uncle (I wasn't all that confident, so I didn't appear very attractive). Luckily Mike was a good age (couple years older, points for me), not related, and attractive. (I had forgotten how stupid high school could be, with this whole rating people thing.)

As of now, Mike is happily engaged and working as a pilot. And to this day, I still cannot spell his last name. It is all the vowels. I can't handle vowels.

x4: Michael (As part of the miniseries "the birthdays" and bridging into the new miniseries "the Mikes"

2008-02-21T13:22:00.004-07:00

This is the last person for the birthday miniseries. Next I thought I would write about anyone I know named Michael, as there are a lot of them, and so this post belongs in both.

I met Michael when I was volunteering as a tutor in Redwater. I was fresh out of high school, as was he. He was doing some upgrading, so we met while I was helping him with his calculus. Not only were we birthday buddies, we were born on the exact same day in the exact same hospital. A little crazy, eh?

Michael was the first person to ask me out. I was so flabbergasted that I probably did not handle it as well as I should have. At any rate, we never did go out, though we talked a lot that year, and to his credit, he never stopped persisting.

You know when someone is attracted to you, and you aren't attracted back, but you still develop an interest in them because they are interested in you? Well, it was like that.

I stalked him in the library. Okay, not as bad as that, but I made a point of going to the library when I knew he was there and we would chat for a while.

He was planning on going into the army after that year. I have no idea if he did or not, but he likely did.

I doubt we would even recognize each other if we met again. Even still, it is nice that the first person to ask me out wasn't a creepy old man. The curse didn't strike that early. :)

x3: Helen (As part of the miniseries "the birthdays")

2008-02-21T13:14:00.003-07:00

OK, to be honest, Helen does not have the same birthday as me. Her son does though, but as 90% of the time I cannot remember his name, I will substitute his mother.

I first met Helen when I was sixteen, when I had my first job ever, working at the library. She would come in with her two children- one about twelve who shared the same birthday as me, and one beautiful little four year old girl.

Helen had recently been widowed, and as I came to know her better over the next couple of years, I admired how well she raised her children on her own, and started her own business by herself. She has a lot of courage and strength that I don't think I have and sincerely never want to find out if I do.

Plus she has awesomely long hair. It is really thick and goes past her waist.

x2: Pam (As part of the miniseries "the birthdays")

2008-02-21T08:24:00.003-07:00

Another person with the same birthday as me is Pam. Many of you know her, she is very bubbly, athletic, and funny. I have always admired how seemingly confident she is at interacting with and dealing with people. For a person like myself with a natural distaste for social situations, Pam always seems to pull anything off with confidance.

Pam is definately one of the most beautiful and nicest girls you could ever hope to meet.

Something else to look forward to

2008-02-20T14:58:00.001-07:00

The writer's strike has been over for a few days now, so announcement are finally being made of when we can expect more new TV shows. Thus....

The Office returns the beginning of April!!! Yay!!

x1: Bonnie (as part of the miniseries "The birthdays")

2008-02-20T08:51:00.002-07:00

To kick myself off, I am going to go with themes for a while. It saves having to think up new people and wondering what sort of subliminal messages I am sending myself. (I really do wonder about that).

Most people don't know many people with the same birthday as them. I happen to know quite a few, partially I think because my birthday is on April Fool's Day. So this will be my first theme.

Before I started college, I needed to do some volunteer work. I volunteered with Bonnie, and it eventually evolved into a full time job until I started college. She was one of my first examples of what a social worker was like, and a really big influence in my professional life. She taught me that the most important part of your work with clients is the relationship you have with them, that a social worker has to be willing to work in a variety of roles, and that paperwork is one of the hated but necessary parts of the profession. One of the things I appreciated most about her was how quick she was to show her appreciation for a job well done and how she managed to make everyone feel included and special, no matter how apparently insignificant their job was.

When I worked with her, I was excited about social work. I didn't know a lot, but I was excited about it. I miss that.

x365

2008-02-20T08:43:00.003-07:00

Actually, it is a leap year so I suppose it will be x366. But to keep in line with everyone else, I will refer to it as x365. As I have gads and gads of unused work time, I will be following in May-B's footsteps and giving the x365 project a whirl.

I will have to sign up later, blah, blah, blah, because this computer at worked blocked the page because it is "entertainment". Thank goodness it doesn't block "social" pages (AKA facebook).

The idea of this project is that each day you write a few lines about various people you know/have met. It is that simple.

Now let's see if I can pull it off.

My weekend in Saskatoon

2008-02-19T14:29:00.002-07:00

I was in Saskatoon, this weekend, visiting my grandparents. It was actually a very lovely weekend. I stayed at my aunt's and uncle's, taught my mom and grandma how to play Settlers of Catan, hung out with friends, went out to eat at Grainfields, watched a soccer game, played floor hockey, played Sardines in a school in the dark (eventually we all got our cell phones to use as flashlights), and had a generally good time. And I slept the entire way home.

What I have done today

2008-02-19T14:25:00.002-07:00

So far at work today I have:

Taken the mail over to the mailroom twice.
Thrown out a lot of junk faxes.
Taken new coffee filters to the cafeteria.
Put labels on the filing cabinets.
Put boxes of file folders in the storage room.
Read the Reader's Digest.
Read the newspaper.
Checked e-mail, Facebook, and blogs.
Posted a bunch of surveys on my notes on Facebook.
Had lunch with my mom.

This is really slow.

So exciting!

2008-02-14T13:31:00.002-07:00

Not only will Diana Gabaldon be releasing Echo in the Bone, which will be the seventh book in the Outlander series, in 2009, but she will also be releasing a graphic novel that starts with Murtagh waiting for Jamie to return to Scotland just before meeting Claire!!!

Life as a receptionist

2008-02-14T13:19:00.002-07:00

Seriously, people, there is nothing to do.

I did about an hour of filing. I answer the phones, which has only rung once. I fill up the paper trays and make coffee in the morning. I put faxes in people's mailboxes.

And that is it. I need a hobby. Maybe I should take up knitting? Who am I kidding? I don't have the patience to knit.

I have a feeling I will be blogging a LOT.

Some things you may or may not know

2008-02-12T00:32:00.000-07:00

I have been tagged by May-B of Reality Check.

The rules are as follows:

Link to the person who tagged you
Post the rules on your blog.
Share seven random and/or weird facts about yourself on your blog.
Tag seven random people at the end of your post, and include links to their blogs.
Leave a comment on their blogs so that they know they have been tagged.

Seven Bits of Randomness About Me:

I swallow loudly. Even a teeny-tiny sip sounds like I am chugging a can of pop. The littlest trickle down the back of my throat sounds like a tidal wave. I also hiccup loudly.
I have a reputation for reading a lot. When one has this reputation, people usually assume that I read intellectual sort of books, like Wuthering Heights or Lord of the Rings. This is in fact not true. It is true that I read a lot; however, my taste runs more towards trashy romance novels. Give me the classic and comfortable predictableness of a trashy romance novel and I am comforted. I like how reliably the same they are. Sorry. But it is true.
One of my goals in life is to be the grandmother with the house full of cool stuff. Like the closet full of puzzles. And the walls cluttered with pictures and paintings and knick-knacks. And the cupboard full of board games. And the doilies on everything. And lots of awesome plaques everywhere with awesome sayings.
It took me twenty years to learn how to operate the hair straightener. I am positive that I will never manage to become friendly with the curling iron. I just can't do it. I am incompetant. Every curl I make is totally different.
I absolutely love having guests. I think it links back to living on the farm, so far away from everyone, and we never had guests, so guests were really special. I love having people over. I mean, it is almost one o'clock, but were someone to pop by unexpectadly right now (maybe just out-of-towners, anyone in town should have come during the day) I would be estatic. I love having a house full of people.
I have a bit of a thing (more like a major thing) for superhero movies and/or TV shows. I love them all- Heroes (love it, own it, don't tell me about season two), X-Men, Spiderman, Superman, The Incredibles, even Inspector Gadget (not the movie, it sucked, just the cartoon). I love them all.
I'm going to add a bonus, just for fun. For my entire life, until I was about nineteen, I mispronounced the word diaper. Instead of pronouncing it d-I-per, I was pronouncing it d-A-per. Eventually, the habit was mocked out of me (by Kelly). Actually a lot of speech patterns were mocked out of me. "Like" and "Sick" are two of the most famous examples of those (they were mocked out by Mr. Hummer (high school English) and Elisia, respectfully).

I tag:

Maryanne, Janice, Steph, Ang, Meghan, Marcus, Gina