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".

A Monday morning pick-me-up:

"Yer crazy and great! Love your honesty. SO cool to see God at
work in you!! We’ll have to do coffee before the end of august..."

Now there's an email to put a smile on my face!

You can now chat to me when you visit my website! Take a look to the left colum under my profile information - you will see a chat window. If I'm online, feel free to leave me a line! Isn't this soo cool?






Credits to discovering this nifty widget, click here.

A headache like this needs a drill...what I wouldn't do to release the pressure in my noggin. Even more fun is having this pain and having to stare at a comp screen all day. Just love it! Great way to spend a Friday.

It's crazy to think it's already August when the temperature is currently sitting at 40C. Along with the new month has come some new colour on my tomato and bean plants! So far I've been able to harvest 3 beans and 1 Tiny Tim.















Sad I know, like what do you do with 3 beans? There are more coming but slowly. Next year I'll have to plant more and with way more soil! I also have 3 normal sized tomatoes on the way and 6 tiny tim's. I'm mostly impressed that the plants have lasted this long....been thru some rough wind and rain so far.

On another note, I just checked my camera and I've taken 1300 plus pictures! (well my sister has taken a bunch too) Can you wear out a digital camera? Is there a number in which the camera implodes and disintegrates?

I need to find some things to photograph..I've got enough self-portaits, like this one I took the other night: (one of the only pics I like of myself)
















Lately I haven't been inspired to take any pics....besides the above. Hmmm...I need to pick a subject..
*UPDATE: Ended up taking a bunch of pics tonight at Whole Lotta Gelato in Uptown, click here for photos.

...it's so hot, just sitting makes you sweat?
...you are torn between sleeping and reading?
...it's way past your dinner and you are hungry?
...you have the aparment to yourself but it's too hot to do anything?
...the feeling of summer ending hits you?
...starbucks/coffee becomes an addiction?
...friends aren't around to hang out with?
...the bus drives by without you in it?
...lightning strikes and thunder rolls in?
...you have no hobbies?
...thoughts of envy swirl in your mind?
...you are so bored yet you don't want to do anything?
...the feeling of quarter life crisis hits?
...._______________________ {fill in the blank}

So got my other sister/newest roomy hooked on LOST! I'm now watching the first season for a second time in less than a year... :D Can't wait to get Season 2 in the mail! (I have to wait until September?!?)
{insert picture of which Blogger won't let me}

The other night my sisters and I went for a late dinner at the Fox and Fiddle in Uptown. It's a cool looking place with some good pub selections for a decent price. We were having a good night and we were in the mood for some drinks. I was adventuous (with some persuasion) to try the new Smirnoff drink - Fire.

I didn't know what to expect. It's not fruity like the Twist versions and not so sweet..I mean I couldn't even figure out what it tasted like..weird combo of flavours and my initial response was Dimetapp, Dr. Pepper, and Grape Crush soda. Odd you say? Apparently other people say the same - "It's got a bouquet of cough syrup, notes of grape C Plus and root beer and a provocative Dr. Pepper finish."

Looks are definitely deceiving! :)

This is definitely worth another taste!

After lunch I came back to this as my desktop on my computer:
Thanks Kel.
It will match well with my poster and cd collection. And for more information on Lance Bass, check out my personal fanblog here.

My sister is the sweetest.

She walked to the gym with an umbrella so I didn't have to walk home alone in the rain.

Say it with me..."awww!!!"

*hugs*

She's cooler than your sister... :D

DUBLIN: The accidental discovery of an ancient book of psalms - found last week when a construction worker drove the shovel of his backhoe into a bog - has been heralded as a miracle by Ireland's archeologists.
The book, of about 20 pages, has been dated to AD800-1000 and is the first discovery of an Irish early medieval document in two centuries, according to Trinity College manuscripts expert Bernard Meehan.
Never before has such a document been discovered buried in the soggy earth of Ireland.
"This is really a miracle find," said Pat Wallace, director of the National Museum of Ireland, which has the book stored in refrigeration and facing years of painstaking analysis before it is put on public display.
"There's two sets of odds that make this discovery really way out," Mr Wallace said. "First of all, it's unlikely that something this fragile could survive buried in a bog at all, and then for it to be unearthed and spotted before it was destroyed is incalculably more amazing."
He said an engineer was digging up bogland last week to create commercial potting soil somewhere in Ireland's midlands - he would not specify where because a team of archeologists was exploring the site - when, "just beyond the bucket of his bulldozer, he spotted something".
"The owner of the bog has had dealings with us in the past and is very much in favour of archaeological discovery and reporting it," Mr Wallace said.
Crucially, he said, the bog owner covered up the book with damp soil. Had it been left exposed overnight, "it could have dried out and just vanished, blown away".
The book was found open to a page describing, in black-letter Latin script, Psalm 83, in which God hears complaints of other nations' attempts to wipe out the name of Israel.
Mr Wallace said several National Museum and Trinity College experts spent Tuesday analysing only that page - the number of letters per line, lines per page, size of page - and the book's binding and cover, which he described as "leather vellum, very thick wallet in appearance".
It could take months of study, he said, just to identify the safest way to pry open the pages without damaging or destroying them.
"That is certainly going to be the nightmare, trying to separate the pages," he said, ruling out the prospect of using X-rays to investigate without physically moving the pages.
Ireland already has several other holy books from the early medieval period, most famously the ornately illustrated Book of Kells, which has been on display at Trinity College in Dublin since the 19th century.

Kicked back and watched a good movie tonite - Spanglish. The grandmother made me laugh so much and the random lines that are yelled...ah, good movie..

John Clasky: Worrying about your kids is sanity, and being that sane... can drive you nuts.
---
John Clasky: Just do it or I'll light my hair on fire and start punching myself in the face! [Walks away, reconsiders]
John Clasky: That probably wasn't the best way to get make myself clear, was it?
---
Gwen: I admire you for your feelings, and hope to adopt them as my own.
---
Deborah Clasky: [upon hearing John's car pull into the driveway] Do I need to put on make-up?
Evelyn Norwich: You need a hose, but we don't have that kinda time.
---
John Clasky: [after hearing that his wife's been cheating on him] I couldn't hear you. There was a crack in the planet. WOW... that was noisy!
---

Girls Night Out @ Conestoga Mall - randomly decided to sign up and attend tonite. I definitely got more than I expected. The theme for tonite was "Delicious No-Cook Summer Dinners" led by a well known local chef and bartender.

I usually have crappy luck when it comes to winning door prizes, well tonite I proved that wrong. I got chosen to be one of the three women in the audience who got to sit at the Chef's table!! I was a little nervous at first but with all the delicious food, it was easy to forget all the people around me.

This was the menu:

~ Fruit Cocktail (Strawberry Banana)

~Guacamole with Tomatoes, Cilantro and Jalapenos

~Summer Gazpacho with Frozen Olive Oil

~Mexican Chopped Salad with Honey-Lime Dressing

~Frozen Strawberry Mousse Cake

I'm not a big guacamole fan but since it was only a spoonful on a black corn chip, I could deal. My fav main food dish of the night was definitely the Gazpacho - which is basically cold soup - had a very refreshing cucumber taste. Of course my ultimate fav dish of the evening was the dessert. *drool*












Unfortunately none of us had had supper yet (except at this point I was full from all that food!) so we decided to hit Uptown. Ended up at the Fox & the Fiddle - great place with some good eat'ns. I only ordered a drink and an interesting one at that. I was feeling a bit adventurous so I picked a new cooler to try - Smirnoff Fire. Ever tried mixing grape soda/cola with dr. pepper? That's basically what it tasted like...odd but tasty.

Now at 11:50 I am ready for bed...busy night! Hoped to hit the gym and go early to bed but I had tons of fun with my sisters!

10 days out of city was busy!

From the 7th-9th we kept busy by attending Grey Township's 150th Anniversary which included: talent show, fireman's breakfast, beef dinner, church service, parade, and fireworks.

Monday to Friday (10-14) was spent at Point Farms Provincial Park camping! It was a fairly relaxing weekend dispite a few incidents such as:

• 10 hours of constant downpour of rain - were told we got 2 inches overnite. Lots of water = mess of mud and use of all towels on hand! Both tents leaked a bit, guess i'll need sealent next time!
• Burn - decided not to wear sunscreen on an overcast day...regretfully. Had probs sleeping and being exposed to any sun for 3 days.
• Stubbing my toe - so hard that i cracked my baby toe nail which eventually got ripped out. Surprisingly enough it didn't hurt for very long. Now I'm just short a toe nail.
  
• Having half my parents church camp the same week and in the same area of sites.
• Allergies kicked into high gear...stupid hay and tasseling of corn. I swear my allergies have gotten worse in the past year. Thank goodness for Aerius the miracle 24hr pill.

Highlights:

• Swimming in the lake and throwing around a frisbee (bright pink one we've had since I was knee high to a grasshopper)
• Mini-golf and ice cream just before the rain hit! Dad won by a measly 5 points.
• Going on bike adventures with Yvonne, my tailbone has yet to recover.
• Sunsets
• Sleeping outdoors and walking up without an alarm.
• Spending time with family
• Campfires and playing cards (mom cheats at Dutch Blitz!)
• Lying on the beach catching some rays and reading
• Biking with my dad along the beach shore - coolest thing ever! The walk back up to camp is the toughest part.

Cheesest quote:

Me: "We need to get these 2 tents up!"
Dad: "I know what your problem is! You're too tense! Get it? Two tents!"
*rolls eyes*
And people think I'm cheesy! :P















For more pictures:
www.flickr.com/photos/chel84

I'm finally back in Uptown!
It was a busy but relaxing time away from the city! Unfortunately I gotta work in 7 hrs and do need to sleep so a post with pics will be coming soon this week! I have stories and moments to share! Until then...

I'll leave you with one pic:

Gone on my vacation from now 'til July 17.

Don't be sad - upon my return I will have lots of stories and pictures to share!

Just think while some of you are working, I'm out on the beach catching some rays!
Or reading a book.
Or hiking the bluffs.
Or playing mini-golf.
Or on a bike ride
Or roasting marshmellows.
Or....

:) Farewell!

Look at this weather prediction:













No seriously, look. I could not ask for better weather for this coming week.

theweathernetwork.com, you better not let me down *shakes fist*

It was only a goldfish for crying out loud! I thought I'd like a fish as a pet but I was sadly mistaken - if anyone is appalled by how my fish died, I'm sorry but I couldn't keep him anymore and I wasn't going to give him the Royal Flush while he was still alive. I'm not that cruel of a person and again, it was only a goldfish!!! (available at your local pet store for mere couple of dollars).

At least I didn't freeze a live fish and then put it back in the tank! *cough*brad*cough*

Of course I'm never gonna live this one down at work...

Officially "resigned" from being a Sunday School teacher. A big thanks to my pastor for understanding and being appreciative.

I'm gonna miss the kids though! :)

Had a fantastic weekend hanging out with Pam! Swimming and "blindly" ignoring no diving signs, watching a girly movie, pretty nails, fresh berries out of the patch, gorging on fruit, eating the best homemade burgers ever, hanging out with her family, chatting, lying on the grass reading, being wacked by rhubarb stalks. lighting up sparklers, sitting on the swing watching backyard fireworks and a hug good bye.
















One of the best long weekends I've ever had! :P
















Also spend some time at home...outside taking pictures, going for bike rides, cutting up my huge haul of rhubarb, and pitched tents in prep for next weekend.




















See here for complete compilation of pics.

Nothing can prepare you for the impact this movie will have upon your out look on Mother Earth. Just seeing the evidence, the stats, charts, lies, myths, melting ice caps, disappearing lakes, ice shelves breaking apart, drought, massive floods, hurricanes growing into distructive masses....

What have we done to this planet so graciously given to us?

Forgive us for our ignorance.

My older sister Christina has moved back to Ontario! The twins are reunited! :P This afternoon dad moved her into the apartment - this makes 3 siblings living together, crazy we know!

Welcome home Beaner!

It's been a while since I've blogged - here's a photo to tide you, my readers, over until a "real" post.

Tonight(Friday) was a blast!

Laserquest is sooo much fun! I am so going to do it again! Maybe part of a birthday bash in September and we'll be doing the Ironman - 1/2h of running around and lasering people.

Good times with Elisha and Alex or should i say Parthos, Aramis and Athos? Now to rest my sore muscles..

"Just think,you're here not by chance,but by God's choosing.
His hand formed you and made you the person you are.
He compares you to no one else.
You are one of a kind.
You lack nothing that His grace can't give you.
He has allowed you to be here at this time in history to fulfill His special purpose for this generation." Roy Lessin

_____________________
Came across this quote in a new book soon to be released (Called- Lisa Jefferson).

Now here's a memory I miss people would forget:

Me barfing into a garbage can at Canada's Wonderland. Got a nice mental picture? Good. I have a story for you.

Back in Sept '01, I went with a bunch of people to Canada's Wonderland - 5 boys and 2 girls (including me) to be exact. Dustin, Mike H, Mike P (and his date), Kris, Dave and me. At one point of the day the boys got a brilliant idea of dragging me onto Drop Zone. The ended on a happy note - i thought it was so awesome!
Then we went over to the Bat. I had already said that last time I went on a rollercoaster like this 2 years ago I felt quite icky. But i thought I could handle a backwards rollercoast the second time. Oh how I was wrong! I felt very sick when we got off, pretended to be fine then finally confessed I felt sick. So I sat a ride out, watched as they went round and round and round and round on a ride....*mad scamble for garbage can*

Me: *stand up after emptying stomach*
Dustin: "You call that barf?"

Let's just say I will never live this moment done, was reminded of it tonite and being back at Wonderland on Saturday. I'll never forget that place because of that one memory.

Although I wasn't the only one to have a rough day that day - Mike P got a bloody nose after the one ride.

What a memory to cherish! Or not...

Spend my Saturday afternoon with my friend Jenn at Canada's Wonderland taking in the sounds from a couple christian bands - TFK, Kutless and Jeremy Camp.














It was a fantastic time and I really enjoyed Jeremy Camp's performance - out of the 3 we heard today, he's the reason I wanted to go. This was his first time having a concert in Canada. What an amazing artist!














I also purchased a couple tees which are pretty sweet.

More pictures will be posted later here.

T: "How to make the rest of your life, the best of your life!"
M:"Stop working here."

*grin*

Ah, gotta love comebacks!

Got my hair cut, highlighted and temporarily straigtened on the weekend:

Friday nite - at 'rents place




















Saturday nite after a day at wedding




















I am a girl of many looks :P I'm really digging the straight, such a nice change compared to constant frizz! :) If only I could get the hairstylist to do my hair for me everday....

a girl can dream!

"Alfie and Daisy Fish passed away peacefully today, Wednesday,
June 14th, 2006, in the early morning hours. Survived by Bubbles and Mason
Fish of the same residence. Lovingly remembered by Bubbles and Mason, and by
Joe, Linda and Pam Smith of Wingham. Special friends of Fabrique of
Waterloo, Michelle DeWit of Waterloo, and Arlin and Joanne Dreise of
Guelph. Fondly remembered for their playful demeanors and big
appetites.
Visitation is today from 1-3 p.m., with burial services taking place at at 4 p.m. Resting at "The Garden" cemetery, Wingham. Donations to the "fish tank fund" of Pam Wingham would be greatly appreciated as expressions of sympathy."

Aww poor little fishies...and here I'm the one that didn't feed Fabrique for days! :)

Joanne and Arlin were married on Saturday






















What a beautiful day!

Pam and I also got to hang out a lot and chat it up!



















(I'd post the pic of both of us but I really dislike it)

For more pics - check out photos here.

Lesson #1 of the day: Don't take neo-citron at work, causes (a) great diconnection between mind and body (b) randomly nodding off while typing (c) glazed look and absolutely no ability to focus (d) would pay anything for a snooze...

Dunno how I'm gonna make it thru the rest of the day :S Although come 4:30 I'll be wide awake - always happens.


*Will post about weekend soon

Back from wedding of my friend Joanne...will post more later..pics too (the few that actually turned out..grrr..)

You know that saying?

"Dance like no-one is watching?"

well I do that...

in the elevator! :)

(tonight's silent song in my head - "river of babylon by Booney M", don't ask!)

M: "Believe it or not, I can drive"
R: *snort*

Why does no one believe me that I can drive?

First car I drove and dad showed me how to drive:
(1984 Chevrolet Caprice Classic)
We just gave away this car this spring - it's still in running condition, just not exactly safe to drive anymore












Second car my parents owned that I drove when I came home on weekends from college:
(1996 Mercury Grande Marquis)
This was my grandfather's car of which he upgraded to a 2001 edition and we got this one












Third car my parents now own since their accident 2 years ago:
(1995 Ford Crown Victoria)
Parents wanted another big car after accident since that's pretty much what saved them










My dad's old delivery truck I drove only a few times:
(1998 Ford Econoline 350)
I didn't drive this truck very much but rode in it a lot when I helped my dad during the summer













My dad's current truck:
(1991 Ford Ranger)
I drive the truck when I need to get around on weekends when I'm at my parents place

Co-worker was humming this:

Links are now restored! Transformation complete!
(except for the small prob with my profile pic and the text semi beside it)

Enjoy, more posts to come.

Hint: Egg-beater. elementary school, phys. ed.

Dollars to donuts?

why not:

Toonie to timbit?