I'm alive. Okay, well barely...got a darn freak'n cold overnite. Ack.

Other than that being at my parents house for the past while has been great! staying up late, sleeping in late, watching movies all day, playing games, skating at the local arena, and eating tons of chocolate :)

Today I'm gonna be out visiting my bestest friend Pam - going skating again, exchanging gifts and just some good ole girl talk.

On saturday after a family reunion on my mom's side I'll be head'n back to Uptown. Enough time to recoop from being home before head'n back to work :P

Anyways on my little sis laptop AND on dialup...not a very good combo.

Later loyal readers! I'll have much more interesting things to talk about once i'm back in the city and back on high speed!

Had a bit of an eventful day.

1. drop buspass/wallet* in mail box with letters

2. wait 15min on hold when calling canada post, submit retreivel request

3. waited 35min for the 1pm regular mail pick up

4. finally reunited with my buspass

5. find out pastor stopped by fully decked out as santa slaus to deliver my present and I wasn't here. apparently the story is that he walked around the office with jolly "ho ho ho" laughs, scare'n my coworkers and I MISSED IT! *sigh*

6. ex-coworker stopped by for a visit which was great, who needs to get any work done?!

7. awesome coworker drive me home early!

*bus pass consisted of my GRT pass/photo id, my debit card, credit card, HBC rewards card, rogers card, and $20 bill...eeek! so hoping for a wallet as a present this wkend!

And then on to tonite:

1. gym for an hour
2. dinner
3. off to the movies with Dee, Elisha and Jason

Also let's throw in present wrapping, bathroom/bedroom cleaning and packing into the mix.

It's nuts!

I gotta jet.

Freedom, freedom is coming,
Freedom is coming, Freedom is coming,
Oh yes, I know.

Great song...especially when I sang it with the praise team on Sunday. But I feel it needs some sprucing up so instead this is my version:

Christmas, Christmas is coming,
Christmas is coming, Christmas is coming,
Oh yes, I know.

And the countdown continues! Only 4 more days 'til Christmas Eve! :)

side note: apparently santa (aka my pastor and his wife) are dropping by my work on Friday. I'm dying of curiousity to know what the big deal is!

of work...

...and feeling high from all the fumes! The office currently reeks of varnish and paint from the next office over doing construction. It's beautiful, i just love this smell. They should bottle it!

At least it's a cheap way to get high.

I just want to get out of this life, for a moment.

To refill, renew

like water crashing over a cliff.

A life is worth living; not dying to life's monotony.

Just to dig a hole and pop down below, to breath in the earthy air and let out a sigh.

Days pass like a car blurring by, I keep seeing reflections but everything seems so a far.

Inside my heart yearns for some quiet.

All these committments, distractions and work. We toil so long for so little and forget
who we are.

So many times we leave out an element in the perfect equation, thinking long and hard
why we can't see to make it equal.

Just stand outside and stretch out your arms, look up to the sky and draw in a few deep
breaths while letting your face stretch into a smile.

Look, see that bird? The one who flys without a care? He lives free.

Forget all your worries and woes, push out some air and sing a few notes.

For now is your time, make it the most.

Another successful Gingiman Fest! A good time where you can dress your man and take him home ;)



















See more pics here.

cold snowy day (-15C yeah!)
+ Friday (best day of the week ever)
+ eggnog in coffee (mmmm...so good!)
+ dharma-ized office (treasure hunt anyone?)
+ chinese food (second time in my life)
+ semi-working outlook (thankgoodness for IT)
+ farewell awesome coworker (you know who u are)
+ ride home (sometimes missing the bus is a good thing)
+ christmas card (thanks Emily!)
=
a bittersweet day (best word to discribe it)

I hope that certain things in life slow down. Eek. 13 hrs of OT in just over a week. It's too much although I'm gonna take advantage of all that hard work and take a day off to go shopping! Who needs presents?

I wish I was a christmas tree, a pretty little pine:

I'd wear a star upon my head and ornaments that shine.

And If I were a Christmas tree, I'd dress myself with care

I'd have nice presents round my feet and tinsles to my toes,

I'd be all wrapped in twinkling lights with pinecones on my nose

(Nice Xmas - Amy Winfrey - Making Fiends)

"Arcade Marketing Inc., in tandem with the California Milk Processor Board, is putting up a new type of advertisement at bus stops that emit the smell of chocolate chip cookies."
http://au.news.yahoo.com/061205/2/11ny5.html





How is this wrong? Let me count the ways.

Right, let's make hungry bus riders even hungrier! Crazy people, if you're gonna make it smell like cookies, provide the cookies. It's like false advertising.

*shakes head*

Please think/pray for me. I don't know if I can handle this job transition so quickly. I barely have a grasp on what I'm supposed to be doing on top of trying to finish up the cycle presentation that was already due last week plus move all my personal files and .pst files over and clean out my desk. Oh and let's not forget that both of my bosses are gone for the next two weeks.

I'm so frustrated with myself that I don't remember everything I was told in my two days of training and that I don't understand the new tasks I will be doing? For example - I have the mail key, guess who already forgot that's a new part of my job?

I don't know if I should scream or cry. I'm having a hard time dealing with this.

What was I thinking?

*Update*
I'm doing better right now after a good lunch break... :)

Earlier this week we got the tree in the apartment decorated after it was left standing naked for a couple days. So here's a few shots:
















I think that's one of my christmas ornaments
















Cynthia and Yvonne diligently decorating while I photographed the process
















The attack of the village people.





















We just had to decorate the apartment mascot Kerby.
















Ivan and I posing after the tree looked all pretty.

Today I got the last bit of the decorations up - lights and garland now adorn the balcony! It looks so pretty in here now. Would Christmas come already? Although I haven't even started shopping yet? Yikes. :S

I'm in better spirits now. I took something way to personally today 'cause I was just overwhelmed with on-going events at the moment. It was a very interesting day to say the least.

Thanks goes to Pam and Heather for the nice comments on my blog. You guys rock!

Apparently my blog is a joke.

Uh thanks.

Remind me never to post anything about my life. I'll just write generic crap about nothing.

Friday nite:
















My sillouette against some crazy fog.

Saturday nite:
Christmas Fantasy at Victoria Park
































Very pretty lights but so hard to photograph without a tripod
















Joanna, Heather and I posing for a couple shots.
















And then finished off the night with Starbucks and "Stranger Than Fiction".

I love weekends.

(more photos here)

You are now reading the blog of a promoted woman! :)

Yes that's right - no longer will I be a lowly Brand Assistant - as of January 2007 I will be starting the new role of Publicity & Marketing Assistant! I'm super excited about this change of job and a little nervous. I was offered the job on the Wednesday of this week and I had until the next morning to decide and well, after weighing the pros and cons, talking to family, friends and my pastor - I accepted.

Amazing how fast things can change.

Altho on a sad note, 2 of my coworkers are resigning in the next couple of weeks - the office "mom" and Jerknuts (of who both I will really miss) but I'm not letting that get me down 'cause I got me a new job!

To quote my pastor - "Could this be God blessing you? OH MY GOD!"

cool beans 1. phrase used to indicate that something is very good, excellent; COOL. ("You got tickets to the game? Cool beans.")

Ha! It's actually a phrase used and I'm not weird for spouting it off on occassion!

Signed up for another delightful distraction on the internet:

Facebook me!

It's pretty rad! Last night I ended up chatting with an old friend from MWSR who I haven't seen/talked to since summer of '03. Sweetness.

at‧ti‧tude  /ˈætɪˌtud, -ˌtyud/
–noun 1. manner, disposition, feeling, position, etc., with regard to a person or thing; tendency or orientation, esp. of the mind: a negative attitude; group attitudes.

Something we all have but with some uniqueness which makes up part of your personality. The attitude we hold and show expresses how we deal with everyday life and situations.

Today at work there was a perfect example of how people can be blind to how their attitudes can impact the people around them and then witnessing the invisible "slap" hitting the receiver of the attitude...ouch. How can a person be so rude yet not even recognize it? Selfishness? Ignorance or arrogance? To me having a nasty attitude is directly related to the person's personality and lack of professionalism (especially on the job).

I think this quote pretty much sums it up:

“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, the education, the money, than circumstances, than failure, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company... a church... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice everyday regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. And so it is with you... we are in charge of our Attitudes.”
-Charles Swindoll

Happy Feet or Casino Royale?

How about both?

Yup, this weekend my friend Mike and I watched both movies in one evening! Happy Feet had more singing than I anticipated...had some funny moments but I don't think it will be on my list of fav animated movies. Casino Royale* was excellent! Lots of action, sweet cars, and of course the new Bond :)

----
Highlight:
Having a great friend who hooked me up with awesome things like season 1&2 of House.

----
Downer of the weekend:
The aftermath of a hard work out - so sore when trying to sit down or stand up or even walk any faster than a snails pace. Gah! Guess that's what I get from skipping training last weekend. :S




*Ever look for product placement while watching a movie? Apparently Casino Royale was brought to us by Sony and Ford. Whatever happened to subtle advertising?

Q."I've noticed you've been wearing your headphones alot. What have you been listening to?"

A:"Oh um, you know those cds you gave out last week and some other stuff...."

Today a coworker asked me that question yet I couldn't come up with an intelligent answer when knowing what I listen to is a very easy question to answer. I got thinking about this tonite...am I ashamed b/c the vast majority of my tunes are christian? Am I embarrassed that I like a lot of christian music out there and am afraid ppl will scoff and say there is no such thing as good christian music? Or that my music collection is small? Seriously! So for posterity sake and so I get over this silly rationalization here are the top bands on my iTunes/iPod:

Chris Tomlin
Coldplay
David Crowder Band
Derek Webb
Enya
FM Static
Grits
Insiderz
Jason Mraz
Jeremy Camp
Jody Cross
John Mayer
Josh Groban
Keane
Kosmos Express
Kutless
Lifehouse
Maroon 5
Relient K
Rex Goudie
Sanctus Real
Shawn McDonald
Switchfoot
Third Day
Warren Barfield

Bands not loaded on comp but should be:
Simple Plan
Everday Sunday
Pax 217
Todd Smith
Lindsey Minaker
Our Lady Peace
Billy Klippert
Brian Littrell

Can you see what else is the other most common theme between all the bands? (minus about 2) besides most of them being christian? If you guess correctly, I'll give u a prize!

I love shoes, especially shoes with heels. But after spending 13 hours in these puppies:















My feeties have rejected any such nonsense today. Running shoes it is!

In just 2 days the wkend has to end...oh too very quickly.

Highlights:

1. Shopping with my mom in Bayfield at the Annual Christmas festival - drank waaaayyy to much apple cider! (plus cookies make for quite the lunch)
Just look at some of my goodies:
















2. Spending time with my best friend Pam. I love girl talk.
















And look what she bought me for my bday:

















3.Running into an old friend {Fraser} of who Pam and I see rarely, it was sweet.
















And now after my parents being over most of the day, it's time to get some much needed sleep...oh crap, it's already 12:24am - so much for that :P

feeding your addiction. To tv shows like LOST with this tidbit:

"ATTENTION!
During the 13 week break, ABC will be airing the new show Daybreak. However, every week they are going to show 30 second clips of the Febuary premiere episode. EVERY WEEK. Also the premiere episode, feb 7, is julet's flashback - just interesting fyi for you"

13 weeks?!? How will i survive?

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Starbucks has changed to their Holiday menu! How can I resist the sweet aroma and spicy taste of an Eggnog Chai Tea latte? Just look at it:












Must remember the calorie count, must remember that I'm trying to lose weight not gain it, but it's so delicious...i WANT it.

*sigh* my Wednesday nite tv viewing will forever be incomplete. Well, until January with the return of LOST.

At least Kate finally picked her man. Now we can move on to better things...

-like what is the freak'n monster (aka black mist)?
-what's up with the new characters? do some flashbacks already!
-will Kate run and Jack die?
-what's going on with psycho Desmon?

ANSWERS please. :)

teach‧a‧ble  /ˈtitʃəbəl/ [tee-chuh-buhl]

adj : ready and willing to be taught; "docile pupils eager for instruction"; "teachable youngsters" [syn: docile]


Or so I've been told twice in two days by my pastor and my boss. Affirmation perhaps?

Weekend Highlights:

1. Grace Walk Conference





















Spent Friday and all day Saturday attending this conference, it was a nice refresher of what I've learned through bible studies and sermons in the past 2 years. I wish so many people would hear the amazing message of what the grace walk is all about.

2.Satsuma hand cream apparently smells like orange creamsicles but it doesn't taste like it. I've never had a guy ask to try my hand lotion before! I feel oh so special.

3. Chilling with Heather and having a girl's nite

















4. Given $5 to get myself a coffee before church - ending up at waterloo park enjoying the fall colours and some much needed quiet time.

5. Hearing awesome encouragement from my pastor. God bless him!

or make that 1 in 100 million!

Found this news article on [GAS]:

"According to this report, the Internet has finally reached the 100 million websites milestones. Incredible isn't it? The thing that really surprised me about this is that apparently, more then half of all sites are updated regularly.

There were just 18,000 Web sites when Netcraft, based in Bath, England, began keeping track in August of 1995. It took until May of 2004 to reach the 50 million milestone; then only 30 more months to hit 100 million, late in the month of October 2006."


I'm curious if this is just domain names or includes individual blog sites thru hosts like blogger?

"Shrek the Third doesn't even hit theatres until next May, but Dreamworks is already ahead of the game. The company announced this week that Shrek 4 is scheduled to reach the big screen in 2010. It will be followed shortly thereafter by a theatrical release for a Puss In Boots movie. The Puss movie has been planned, but was originally slated for a direct to DVD release." Credit: ComingSoon.net

Okay, the first Shrek was awesome! Number 2 was different and good but a 3rd and 4th installment? That's insanely stupid. Why ruin a good thing?

Ugh. In little less than 2hrs I will be strapped to the dentist chair flinching as a needle gets jabbed into my mouth and the sound of drills fill the air.

I can hardly wait. Oh and the frozen mouth part - that's what I'm really looking forward to!

But wait! Even better, this will be the first of two appointments in the next 2 weeks!

"Kami" Dress Pump
This tailored pump with patent piping and bow accent is perfect for work or play. Features cute round toe and 3" wrapped heel. Manmade materials. Choose from a flat black, faux suede brown or linen-look natural color.



*sigh* My Christmas wish list just keeps getting longer.

SNOW!
These pics were taken on Sunday morning at 8am. I was not expecting to wake up to this:




Actually, how about we let the snow stay away until at least November, honestly!

Today I wear her ring as a reminder...a reminder that life is too short.

Happy Birthday Dad!!

















I love you old man! :P :)

I have a new post up on my "deeper thoughts" blog.

Excerpt:

1. Life = risk
2. If you have not failed, you have not lived

Just two points from a sermon that hit me like a 2by4 to the back of my head. I've always been a low risk person - I don't like getting out of my comfort zone, I have a hard time doing something I've never done before, etc. Risk to me is letting myself be vulnerable and setting myself up for failure.

Wanna read more? Click here.

I know what I want for Christmas!

This:

















To quote the website for this product:

"This unique candle was inspired by the Bible verse Psalms 45:8 where it is written that the robes of Jesus shall be fragrant with the anciet spices of aloe, myrrh and cassia."
PLUS
"It is a perfect scent for filling your personal space with overwhelming scent of divinity while you pray, meditate, or simply surround yourself with divine essense."
ALSO
You can use the candle for you skin too since it's made out of soy.
AND
these are the reasons why I want this for Christmas :P

Tonight was a reminder of what it should be like hanging out with people - being real and honest. It's a little foreign to me that I'm being accepted into a group of which I don't know very well but am starting to. I know they all take me for what I am and I don't have to worry about being judged. I grew up with always feeling like an outsider and had a hard time being myself - this change is nice! I don't need to be afraid of rejection, life is too short.

Posting this picture is long overdue:












Emily, Myself, Elisha & Dee

It's so great having such awesome friends! :)

Update: now my gums decide to throb, how lovely.

Today's motto: If I can handle personal training, I can handle the dentist.

This is me after the dentist : :D

It was not nearly as painful and difficult as I thought it would be - the dental hygienist was super sweet and we yakked a whole bunch while she examined me. Unfortunately I came away with 2 more appointments for cavity fills...now that I am not looking forward to!*

Regardless of today's outcome, I still hate the dentist :P

*Insert story about how in high school I had cavities filled in the morning and came back to school in the afternoon (twice in a 2 wk time span) with half my mouth frozen in a crooked smile sorta way. Oh the relentless teasing.

A book that changed your life:
Messy Spirituality - Michael Yaconelli

A book that you’ve read more than once:
The Oath - Frank Peretti

A book you’d want on a desert Island:
All my books, need to do something on the island.

A book that made you giddy:
Mixed Signals - Liz Curtis Higgs (my fav book ever!)

A book that made you sob:
Rescued - John Bevere

A book you wish had been written:
Not sure.

A book that you wish had never been written:
There are some very mediocre christian fiction books out there.

A book that you are currently reading
Germ - Robert Liparulo

A book you have been meaning to read:
Coming Up for Air - Margaret Becker (I keep trying to read it but get side tracked)

Nothing could bring me down tonight.

Not the snow, working 3 hours overtime, stupid males, skipping my workout or that it's 12:06 am and I'm not in bed yet.

Nope.

What cheers me up is LIFE! Great friends, fresh air, christmas music (yep, can't get enough), family, photography, sleep, chocolate, weekends and great chats.

Do I have to go to bed? I don't want my stellar good mood to end....

It's snowing!! Must go buy a one-way non-refundable flight to Florida.















I don't want snow....yet.

It's a killer carrot, it could pounce at any time...just look at those eyes, all shifty and stuff. Run for you life!

i'm a geek, i subscribe to this blog...hey, it gives me a lot of info in the tech world and sometimes I actually read something interesting. Like this:

Google has aquires YouTube for $1.65 BILLION dollars!!

Now that's a chunk of pocket change!

I really dislike being ill, especially on gorgeous days like this. And to think a week ago today I was at fall retreat soaking in the beautiful surroundings.

*sigh*

I can't believe how fast time has been flying by lately and i can't seem to catch up. Only thing I've seem to catch is this darn cold (lame-o, I know). There are so many things I want/need to do but my energy is just zapped. Although I finished a book after a 6 week hiatus! Good ole chicklit.

Gosh, I'm really gonna take advantage of this weekend...catch up on sleep, read, enjoy family time, relax and get some me time in. Here's to hoping I'll be much better come Tuesday! :)

Here's a few pics from tonite, I'll post more later.

Ah, the price to pay for riding a bus with a ton of teenagers - germs!

I've definitely caught a cold.

Craptacular.

I love stumbling into awkward and uncomfortable situations. I live for it everyday and enjoy those moments immensely especially when it happens within my personal and professional life at the same time but two totally different issues.

This week is just going FABULOUS and I hope the weekend never comes.

...that I'm stuck inside on a day like this. I should take walks more often during work.

I love autumn. Just gorgeous.

One small moment that has turned my day around.

Well I'm back - alive and kicking...well barely.

I'm too old for these retreats, I need more sleep than that on a weekend.

But alas, it was a fantastic time and I will post later with more exciting stuff when I can actually type with my eyes open.

..I am SPECIAL! Second time in two days I've make myself look stupid. Ugh. I swear I'm not a ditz!

Ah *sigh*, nothing like listening to Christmas music at work. Unfortunately now I want it to snow, go caroling, and unwrap presents.

Someone slap me! It's only SEPTEMBER! Oh the influence co-workers have on my music choice!

I can't believe how fast time flies. This weekend fall arrived all wet and dreary, the trees are turning colour, the temperature has dropped and there's a fresh crispness to the air. Ah, autumn is here!

This weekend was a little crazy. Between regular errands, personal training session, Marmal-aid, church, having SAYWHAT lunch at my place and my parents stopping by - I've had little time to enjoy this time of year (or watch any more Lost episodes!)

Here I am starting another work week which is cut down to 4 days as I'm heading up north to fall retreat. Which I'm terribly excited about! I pray that things may go well during the weekend and that I may have an impact on people around me. Last time I was at MWSR was the fall of 2003 after working there that summer - I've changed so much since in many different ways. It's going to be a weekend of many things but most of all, memories of past times. I hope to come back refreshed and renewed.


Side note: I've achieved 35% of my fitness goal! 14 more weeks until I'm completely there!

The first ever video game console I played as a kid.















Bump 'n Jump - first video game I ever played.
















And they both still work!

Can anyone say WIRED?
Are people nuts today or what? First time I've entered the office and had to answer morning greetings with a yell.

Just awesome.

:D

(click on image for better view)











Invites for the Lost party my sisters and I are hosting in 2 weeks.

I've officially become a Flickr Pro!!

Now I got oodles of photos to sort (I can have more than 3 sets!). The $28/CDN will be totally worth it!

I've uploaded my recent weekend pics taken at the Maple Leaf's Blue and White Game. (Which was held at the Ricoh Coliseum in TO)

Click here.

Well my day is turning out just peachy!

My FREAKING goodness.

I'm right ticked right now for many reasons and all related to work.

Kinda feel'n like someone popped my balloon...deflated.

More pics of the Maple Leaf's Blue and White game coming soon!

R: "If anyone asks you about "Reclaiming Nick", say yes.
M: "Oh right! He's the hot cowboy!"

When I went to the beach as a kid, we dug holes and built sandcastles using just a pail and a shovel.

This is definitely taking it up a notch:









Life size version of what the next SmartCar is gonna look like. Crazy.

I have to admit, working out in the morning does have it's perks: more calories burnt, high attentiveness, energy, focus, improved verbal communication. Downside: early morning means early to bed at night, workout is harder, and hunger!

I so needed a booster juice with protein this morning but lo and behold, the store was closed!! (First time, ever!) To make up for the loss I've eaten a fruit-to-go, 2 apples and half a granola bar and I'm still hungry! Plus there is the temptation of the timbits on the kitchen table.

I'm craving a smoothie something fierce!

*UPDATE* The craving is still here. Booster Juice better be open after work otherwise I'm taking my business elsewhere.. *cough*starbucks*cough*

*UPDATE#2* Fixed craving. :D

Tonite I feel a change in myself but I cannot pin point it. It's like I finally realized something for the first time yet can't remember what it is.

All because I went to a Greekfest and watched a very real movie. My mind is provoted with such thoughts and introspect.

1. Immigrants such as Greeks know what community and family means and I realized that claiming that "if you ain't dutch, you ain't much" is quite incorrect. It made me remember how important my culture should be in my life - I want to know more about my dutch background. Maybe even pick up the language.

2. I really want to visit Greece someday

3. I like Gyros and Loukoumades.

I'm not getting sucked in. Self bashing is deadly and a deep dark hole, I will not enter with you. I'll let you fume on your own, mutter words deepening your wounds. Comfort will only come in actualization that tomorrow is another day and things will get better.

Take a moment. Breath deep. Close your eyes. Throw your fists into the air. Just let it go. Let your heart bleed out it's hurts.

Get away and let your mind wander. Talk to the emptiness but sit long and listen - in the stillness lies many answers and a peace - limitless.

Drink in the freshness of the air, let your eyes linger on what's in front of you. Take it all in...slowly but deliberately.

This is your life...but only for now.

the glorious new tv:


















Can you guess what show is on? Prize for the right guess!
(No roommates allowed to participate)

LOST Season 2 is now in my possession.

My social life is officially on temporary hold.

Please hold all my calls.

I finally made a decision.

I now own a new LCD television.

Specs and pic coming soon.

Crazy that purchasing something of this expense is so difficult - I can't imagine what it would be like when it comes to car shopping. :S

This is a shout out to my dear friend Bob!

One of those people you can just talk to about pretty much anything - even after a 9 month hiatus in contact. I forget how much I miss hanging out with him...high school seems like forever ago. Altho I really don't think I'd go back to the days of tp'n his Topaz, gravel running or locker sabatoge. :P

Oh the fun times we had.

Tomorrow we rearrange the office.
I'm sad.
I'm gonna miss the way it is now.
It just won't be the same.
:(

It just keeps getting better!

This evening I missed a bunch of calls on my cell (I should really put it on ring when I'm actually at home) and with it brought some fantastic stuff!

This week my friend Bob is picking me up after work so we can catch up over coffee or dinner (it's been 9 months since I've seen him). Should be a good time!

Then this evening I called my friend Steph back and found out she got engaged yesterday! AND she has asked me to be her maid of honour! I'm so excited for her and so happy that I'm gonna be a part of her big day! Although that day won't be here until September 22 of next year!

Congrats Steph and Jerry!


I love long weekends.

Friday was a fantastic day for me!
During work I received a ton of well wishes and my mom had a bouquet of flowers* and a giant chocolate bar delivered to me - talk about a surprise! After work Christina and I hit up future shop where she bought me a present - a webcam! Because of some fab sales I bought myself a uh, toy. I'm now a proud owner of an iPod nano*! Yup that's right, I've become like everyone else. Then we headed to the mall to go watch a movie and eat dinner (if you call popcorn a meal :P). We watched a great movie - Step Up, I really enjoyed it. I also got a coles gift certificate from my dad later that night to for $22 (how cheesy is he?!?)

This morning my sis and I headed out midmorning to the Farmer's Market. It was great! Got tons of fresh fruits and veggies (can't forget the smoked summer sausage). Ate some delicious food for lunch and came home to warm up with a mug of hot chocolate and watch tv.

For the first time in a couple years I really enjoyed my birthday regardless that it was pretty low key. It made my day just having people remember and spending time with my sister who has missed my bday for the past 5 years.


Tomorrow my parents are up to move my sister to the university here in the city and then coming to church with me. Should be an interesting day for my family especially since this is the last child to leave home. Now to see how soon the empty nest syndrome hits...

And who knows what is in store for Monday...

*Pic coming soon

This week so far has been fantastic! Most weeks disappear so fast or I just long for the weekend, but not this time.

Tuesday night I had the apartment to myself...yah for me time! (Although I couldn't sleep well with no one home, sad eh?)

Yesterday I received 3 birthday cards in the mail - from the president of the company I work for, my good friend Steph and my sweet older sister (who is currently in Las Vegas). I opened them even though it's not Friday yet but how could I resist? I feel so loved! :) (And a gift certificate for the Body Shop - love it!)


Then this morning as I was eating breakfast and perusing my inbox, I got an email from Kathryn - a friend of mine who I've lost touch with over the past couple years. I share a ton of memories with her thru youth group, high school, summer jobs, retreats, etc. Just reading her email sent a rush of things through my mind and I just grinned. What a fab way to start a morning!






And speaking of mornings, I need to get back to work.

Well that bites. I did not know that with my Flickr account I could only store up to 200 pictures! No fair! Apparently I didn't read the fine print :( I think I may just have to upgrade to Pro. :( :)

Sometimes I wonder why I take my birthday so seriously. For some reason it's a big deal to me if a close friends forgets to extend greetings. Why? It's just another day in a year with the small change to your age digits. So what's the big deal? I guess I want to feel that other people recognize who I am and that I do exist - the only day I can be truly selfish?!?

Although at the same time I make my birthday known by complaining about all the years I've had to move on that day. So for this year I am very grateful for that. Is it wrong to just want a fantastic birthday? That involves delicious cake, friends sending greetings and maybe presents? I guess I'm also not used to working on my bday....back when I was small everyone on my mom's side of the family came over to celebrate - it was the last event of the summer. I miss that and I miss Grandma and her dutch treats.

Anyways, there is my rant for today. Time to chill in the empty apartment...a nap sounds wonderful right about now.

If anyone is interested...I have created a Birthday wishlist which is located on the left side of the screen for your convenience.

Enjoy.

What's worse then..

Being awake because you can't sleep or dreaming you are awake?

This has got to be the weirdest week at work - ever. Between some upcoming changes announcements and addition to staff, the atmosphere in the office is just...odd.

And I also have a strange feeling that again my birthday is gonna suck. People are busy, I'm in charge of getting my own cake for the birthday bbq at work, a lot of my friends aren't around BUT the only thing I can be grateful for? Not having to move.

Seriously my mind is just so overwhelmed with so many strong emotions with recent happenings in my life. I asked God to challenge me and I think this may be the beginning of things to come.

Current song stuck in my head? Goes like this: "I just called to say I love you. I just called to say how much I care".

Odd. Everything is just so odd.

What a bizzar-o day.

Honestly.

Can I say rollercoaster?

There are some people in your life that you know you will be friends with forever.

Like me and Pam.













Just think in 50+ plus years we will be sitting in our rocking chairs knitting absentminded as we stare off into the distance thinking about the good ole days.

*grin*

I'm sad. :( My hairdresser is quitting at the salon I frequent. She's such a sweet girl and does such a fantastic job with my curly locks. Thankfully she likes me and my sis so much she is willing to do our hair at her house! Great eh? Glad I don't have to go salon shopping again.

I will never go back to that hair salon though. Basically the one lady has screwed up our appointments twice in a 2 week time span and then tried to blame us because we should know better not to let her write down the appointments (yet she answers the phone..hmmmm). Some people just don't have any professionalism...but let's not go there :P

*This is an actual name of a hair salon in my home town.

Cy is putting apple sauce cups in the cupboard:
Cy: Apple Banana? Eww! I won't eat that, I'd rather eat your arm.
Ch: A badger would.

"A spoonerism is a play on words in which corresponding consonants, vowels, or morphemes are switched. While spoonerisms are commonly heard as slips of the tongue (sometimes spoonerised as tips of the slung), they are considered a form of pun when used purposely as a play on words."

Try reading these:

Chilled greese is delicious (Grilled cheese is delicious)
It went at the lead of spite (It went at the speed of light)
That's a lack of pies (That's a pack of lies)
Remember, wave the sails (Remember, save the whales)
Know your blows (Blow your nose)
Go and shake a tower (Go and take a shower)
Bad news could make your socks stink (Bad news could make your stocks sink)
He slid into a sparking pace (He slid into a parking space)
She won't tolerate mad banners (She won't tolerate bad manners)
I went to mend the sail (I went to send the mail)
Crawling through the fax (Falling through the cracks)
I couldn't find the plaster man (I couldn't find the master plan)
Engine won't start with bat flattery (Engine won't start with flat battery)

I'm in some not-so-convenient pain. Saturday was another intense i'm-gonna-die workout which has left me with some pretty sore upperbody muscles. I wasn't too sore yesterday but after taking a tumble last night (off a sidewalk..yup, I'm blind)....my right shoulder area is extremely sore and I have a hard time using my arm for pretty much anything - even typing or clicking the mouse bothers me.

So here I sit in front of my monitor with a glazed tired expression, sipping on some chai tea and wishing I was still in bed.

I hate Mondays.

"It might sound like a chocoholic’s dream, but stepping into a vat of bubbling chocolate became a two-hour nightmare for a 21-year-old man this morning."

Read more here.

...back by popular demand!

F: "M!"
M: "Yes?"
F: "I just sent you anhemail..."
M: "An he-mail? So any emails from females are she-mails?"
*laughs*
---->
T: "What's the difference between chasing a car and being chased by a car?"
Girls: "What?"
T: "One you get tired and the other you get exhausted!"
---->
Co-worker#1: "Ahh! C has been reduced to a pile of photocopies and cds!
Co-worker#2: "If it were only that easy!"
--->
C&K discussing pig roasts...
C: "So M, when are you gonna hook us up with a pig?
M:"Why would I need to? You're already sitting over there."

~ ~ ~ ~
I feel like the weight of the world is all - crashing down on me
And some how I just don’t believe this how - it is suppose to be
And all this expectation on - the way I’m suppose to live
Becomes my minds distraction - with nothing left to give
You said your burden is light and your load - is no more
You said your ways are right and in you I will soar

I want to be free - free to dance and free to sing
Free to live and learn and free Oh, free to be me

I feel like my heart is being beat - down into the ground
In you I’m longing for some peace - to be found
I know the heaviness that’s - making me cold
Is stealing my youthful soul and - making me old
You said your burden is light and your load - is no more
You said your ways are right and in you I will soar

I want to be free - free to dance and free to sing
Free to live and learn and free Oh, free to be me
(Free-Shawn McDonald)
~ ~ ~ ~
Definitely in a depressed mood this afternoon...came across my late aunt rita's email address while I was searching for someone else's. *sigh* Almost 2 years ago and it still hurts.

My summer (2.5 months) at Muskoka Woods Sports Resort wasn't just spent in the kitchen, I did get 2 days off during the week and I spent the time doing many things such as...

Rosseau: Closest town to the resort, half hour walk. Small town with a post office, beer store, minimart/grocery store, coffee time and a ton of antique shops. My friend Kathryn and I would walk there on occassion to just get away, exercise and get some food to store in our cabin.

Outtings: Kathryn and I became friends with the Sous Chef (Eddie) in the kitchen and thankfully we did because he made our summer! His soon-to-be wife (Rhonda) at that time was my "one-on-one" mentor and they would both plan events for us.
1) Parry Sound: I went with a family (the son was a cook) to a beach in Parry Sound - what a gorgeous place! I'd love to back there again.
2) Burlington/Orillia: Eddie and Rhonda took us for a picnic, some shopping and the drive-in movies for a day. That outting was the best part of the summer.
Eddie was an interesting guy to say the least...which made for some light hearted fun during the days at work.

Alarms: Whenever a guest went missing - we had to be at a certain station within minutes of hearing the alarm. Kitchen staff were to cover a section of the lake - literally. We had to form 2 lines facing each other and wade through the water (waist high) back and forth until they found the missing guest. This happened on a weekly basis or more and most of the time we would be fully clothed (jeans, tshirts, socks and running shoes). Talk about fun! *rolls eyes* And for some reason this seemed to happen quite frequently on our break while we were napping. It was so annoying!

Fun Facts:
- I was nicnamed "Boss Lady" and "Princess"
- I had a song dedicated to me (there was on-site radio station) from someone in the kitchen on the last day of work
- the resort director rewarded my friend and I with free hoodies and t-shirts (he really wanted us back the following summer*)
- only time other staff would talk to us Kitchen staff: after our shift when we were showered and in summer attire....don't believe me? K and I tested this theory numerous times.
- on rainy off days we'd watch movies ALL day long
- our cabin consided of 20 females with only 3 showers, 5 toilets and 6 rooms
- some pics from my summer, click here.

Dispite having such a high stress job, working long hours and crappy pay - I came home a totally new person. I grew to appreciate my family, I learned to become a leader and my personality matured. I think that summer was one of the most difficult I've endured but it lead me to who I am now and I am forever grateful. Last but not least I discovered what hard work is and how much I hate dishes! :P

There are many other short stories and incidents that happened during that summer but this post is long enough! :)

*I never went back to work at MSWR for many reasons: 1)not enough pay for the amount of hours and work I put into it 2) do not agree with how "christian" the camp was 3) very cliquy and I never felt like I belonged 4) I was graduating college the following summer and needed a real job

You want an exhausting job? Let me recap a day in the life as a Kitchen Supervisor (at MWSR back in 2003).

6:00 - alarm clock
6:15- in the kitchen wearing standard gear*
6:30 - Kitchen crew comes for morning prep (10 ppl approx)

7:30-8:30 -- Breakfast is served in 3 dining halls
8:30-10:00 - Cleaning
11:15 - back in Kitchen for lunch prep
12:00-1 -- Lunch is served in 3 dining halls
1-2:30 -- cleaning
4:30 --back in kitchen for dinner prep
5:30-6:30 -- Dinner is served in 3 dining halls
6:30-8:00 -- cleaning
8:30ish -- back to prep snack

Gear: long pants, t-shirts, running shoes, ballcaps or hairnets
Prep: Buffet tables, replace boxes in juice/milk machines, salad bars, arrange chairs, clean pots and pans
Cleaning: dishes, sweeping entire kitchen and 3 fridges x2, vaccuming 3 dining halls, mopping kitchen x 2, crack tables, clean tables, pile chairs, wipe down hot cabinets and beverage counter, take out garbage bags, hose down dishwasher, etc.
Saturdays -
Outdoor BBQ from 4-6:
- fill canoes (6 in different places on the grounds) with ice and then have trays of fruit placed on top as well as juice containers. Ever tried carrying 2 watermelons sliced? Heavy.
- place out condiments
- help bring out buns and meat for bbq
- replenish trays constantly
- dining hall ready for staff to eat leftovers
- plus everything else we do on a regular day

Fun Facts:
- I was one of the only people that could carry the 5 gallon bags of milk (which were for the dispencing machines)

- We had weird things come throught the massive dishwasher, a thong underwear for example

- I would scrap plates with my bare hands since it was quicker than using a glove (I'm talking things like soggy pancakes, syrup, ketchup, spagetti, salsa, sour cream....the good stuff!)

- As a trick, someone switched the water dispenser with tonic water and I drank it (it was SICK!)

- Walk-in fridges were good places to cry (never do I want that kind of stress again)

There is much more detail to each of these tasks but I won't bore you all to death. But just think about it - we served 1000 people each meal! Plus prep and cleaning was done everyday 3 times a day - the kitchen had to be spotless and any discrepancies were my responsibility.
Originally when I first started I was a Kitchen Crew Leader in charge of 3 people - after 3 weeks I got promoted to Kitchen Supervisor - this make things difficult since I had to go from co-worker to boss very quickly and I didn't get much respect.

That has been the most stressfull and exhausting job I have ever had! So much work to do and the kitchen staff were ignored/treated like crap by all other staff. It was a really tough job but at the same time I came away a different person with developed leadership skills.

Part 2 - a day in the life outside of the kitchen! (a little less doom and gloom) :)

*I had maybe 3 pairs of pants with me for the summer - my employers failed to tell us that was the required outfit PLUS we couldn't send anything with spandex to the cleaners = hand washing most of my pants for 2 months

I have yet to finish a book in the past week - make that almost 2 weeks.

QUICK!

Someone get me a chick-lit novel stat!

#1
Leg presses are evil. They make walking downstairs very painful and awkward. Never give in to the seductive sounds of gym equipment - there will be much agony. Save yourself!

#2
Never find old tv shows u used to watch on www.youtube.com - unhealthy ADDICTION!

This morning my mom called asking for the building number of where I lived. I kept trying to give her my work address.

Is this a bad sign?

And apparently this morning I missed the memo on Green Shirt Day (4/7).

Doesn't that look delicious?

Brownie crust+
vanilla ice cream+
cream cheese+
caramel sauce=

*drool*





Want the recipe? Leave a comment*


*with contact info (even your own blog site will do)

You know you hear/see actors who try their talent in the music industry...but what about a figure skater?

Apparently Elvis Stojko is producing a CD that will hit stores at Christmas time.

Interesting.

I used to love watching figure skating competitions (who didn't after taking skating lessons* for 7 years)....he was up there with Kurt Browning as my skating idol. But to see him as a singer? No can do.

*I have a sudden urge to go home and burn all my skating carnival tapes....seriously, some of those moments are blackmail material. *

My life as a pedestrian can be quite interesting sometimes...running for the bus, being splashed by cars on rainy days, stomping through a couple feet of snow in the winter, dodging around other people walking dogs, avoiding collisions with bikers, crossing busy intersections, etc.

One of my big pet-peeves is drivers who on rainy/slushy days decide it would be most fun to see how wet they can get pedestrians. I'm serious, it happens quite often and it's hard to avoid when sidewalks are only so wide. There was this time my sister and I were walking downtown to go skating at City Hall and someone (I like to assume it's a guy) driving a toe truck decides to go as close as he can to the sidewalk to splash us with the slush. So here we were a block from the rink and my right leg is sopping wet and I am to be skating outdoors. Ugh. On rainy days it's the same type deal but has a greater effect when the wheel hits the puddle in the right place.

On to my biggest pet peeve. Pedestrian haters. These are the drivers that pay no attention to people on the sidewalks, especially pedestrians that have a Walk sign yet the driver will turn at the corner with no regard for the person(s) with the right of way. Great example was last friday when I was walking home from work - I almost got hit by an SUV (to find out today it was one of my coworkers driving a new vehicle). When I walk down the street I live on, I have the right of way and anyone turning off the street has to watch for pedestrians yet these drivers rarely do. Time and time again I have to dash across a sidestreet, or stop dead on my tracks or wave the driver on. It's kinda funny finding out it was a coworker because I remember being annoyed and muttering something like "jerkwad" outloud as I jogged across the street to avoid being hit.

Oh the life of a pedestrian...sometimes I wish people could (literally) walk a mile in my shoes, maybe they'd be a little more considerate. One thing I know for sure is that when I do eventually have my own vehicle, I won't become a "pedestrian hater".