Education for the city folk:

















Picture 1: May 6
Picture 2: July 29
As my dad always said on hot humid days - "you can go outside and hear the corn grow".

I am going to miss the property something fierce. If only the trees could talk.

(More posts about my parents move coming soon....)

Lately I've been inspired to write poems and I have been posting them on "Contemplations r us" but tonight (I should say morning) I am changing that. Below are a couple poems that came to me randomly from walking home from the gym to sitting in front of my computer.

======
I'm tired.
Take this burden from me.
Lift my spirits
because I'm feeling crushed.

I NEED you more than I need life.
carefree, wind swirling,
laughter bubbling out of my mouth like a stream.

Floating, tip toeing across the sky,
Soaring above the world, absent of thought.

Slowly dropping back to earth,
please catch me before I fall.

(written tonight)

=====

Inhale. Warm sweet summer air.
A hand reaches up palms facing the heavens.
Head tilts up, eyes close.

Jesus, my Saviour.
You pick me up out of this grave.
Your life breaths into me.
Beautiful, beautiful is my image of you.

You are everything.
What my heart longs for.
What my heart aches for.
Fill me Jesus with your love forever.

I will run to you with arms open wide
Sun beaming, breaking through the clouds.
(Written on July 17th, 2007)

=======

Gut wrenching sobs. Tears streaming down, soaking into her skin.
She cries.

Love so deep, unconditional, everlasting. More than compromising, it's a sacrifice.
She cries.

Longing to breath deep, reaching beyond just to grasp on to the edge.
She cries.

Forgiveness, acceptance and respect is all she longs for.
A place, safe and worthy to be warrant trust. To be herself, to feel a sense of belong. To be pushed, grow and mature. What must it take? How much must she give?

To hold her heart out and have it stomped on?

A rut she doesn't want, heartache she keeps feeling.
She cries.

Soft words and a gentle heart, a peace settles like leaves slowly falling from a tree.
She looks up.

Honesty, compassion and encouragement flow out. Soaking it all in.
She smiles.
(Written on May 29th, 2007)

I am going to go read some Harry Potter before I go to sleep. Yup, I'm aware of what the shows of my eternal salvation.

Never judge a book by it's wizards.

Spider pig, Spider pig.
Doing what a spider pig does.
Can he swing from a web,
no he can't he's a pig.

(Courtesy of the "Simpson's Movie" trailer)

Short end of it #1:

I finally realized why I miss a certain ex-coworker and friend so much lately and it has me thinking. Dang I miss the witty banter and jabs at each other. Comebacks? Ha, haven't had to use on in a while and that makes me sad.


Short end of it #2:

Never "rib" your pastor the night before church about something that can be brought up in his sermon. Oh gosh, talk about wanting to throw something at the pulpit. Revenge will be mine.
(Check this link to check out the recording - "Don't Look Back Part 2. About 6 minutes into the message)


Short end of it #3:

Want to make swimming a regular activity - I miss it so much.


Short end of it #4:

I feel guilty about not going to the gym. MUST. GO. TONITE.

and I feel out of sorts. Suddenly.

Why must my brain psycho-analyze everything?

Some people go out on a Friday night and some people stay home and work on redesigning their blogs.

Look what I did! It's not the awesome-est template and I'm not terribly fond of the pink flower but my collection of photos lacks just the perfect one right now. There is still some tweaks that need to be done and lists to add to the column but other than that all my blogs are now connected!

I've recently started a book blog and am going to start reviewing/listing the books I've read so far so if this turns your crank - check it out!

Random tidbits:

1. Currently my bedroom door stopper is a high heeled shoe, sad.

2. Tomato sandwiches are delicious

3. I can't seem to get over my chocolate craving

4. I love earrings

5. Seriously, who isn't getting married this summer?

6. My love for Switchfoot is back...but only the material before they were "discovered"

7. I've read 6,500 pages year to date, that's about 31 pages a day so far and I'm still behind my reading competition opponent!

8. The strawberry season is over and I frown.

9. I want rhubarb!

10. Another relaxing weekend ahead, I'm loving it!

Casino Royale - What can I say? Strangely alluring Bond and a couple of sweet cars.

The Engagment Ring - A movie you find highly amusing at 2am...it was like My Big Fat Greek Wedding meets a cheese harlequin movie (I could give you the plot but then it would be admiting the fact that I have actually watched such said movie)

Walk to Remember - One very simple question - why? I'm not sure what possessed me to pop in this DVD and I suffered the consequences....*sniffle*

Ratatouille - Very cute and amusing animated movie! I left the theatre wanting to go home and cook a gourmet meal since "anyone can cook!" Definitely a re-watch.

Blood Diamond - I just finished watching this tonite and it has left an impact. Just crazy insane what people are capable of doing for one diamond. We get caught up in such trivial matters in life when there are such more things in life to be concerned about...*sigh* I think this movie deserved Academy Awards for such outstanding performances and the reason alone that it's a movie about a social and economic issue.

I think I'm a little movie-d out for a while. Still so many to see this summer but I'm taking a break!

Seriously, I think I might be ill.
I got up by 9am-ish on a long weekend!! And especially on a day like today that I have absolutely no plans yet I'm ambitious enough to get up and shower, do two loads of laundry and make french toast before noon. For some reason lazying around in bed all morning has lost it's appeal to me.

I know, careful now, don't fall off your chair in shock.

The more I think about it's probably old age creeping up on me. :P

I finally have somewhere else to buy clothes in the city! Or I've just been slow and had no clue that Old Navy carried clothing in my size! They just build a new store at the local mall and I stopped by earlier this week and tried on a bunch of stuff! Of course I couldn't leave without buying anything....even something I normally would never wear (I hate not having sleeves and cap sleeves don't count!):

A good book.
Right now I have about 4 books on the go that I can't seem to get through yet I'll randomly grab a book and whip through it before I can get the other 4 done. Crazy. I'm also legging behind in my book reading competition...I like like 700+ pages and at this rate I'll need to read two books a week. So not happening. I still think work should allocate 1 full day of reading as a "product awareness" program. :P But I can dream.

Blended creme Tazo Chai Frappuccino. Soo darn good it should be illegal. :P

Photographing flowers:

Johnny Fresco's.
It's a new-ish restaurant in town the serves up mouth watering burgers, tasty pitas with many filling choices, crunchy onion rings and a bunch of other delicious good fast food choices.

My sisters and I frequent the place, probably too much but we go because it's different then fast food, healthier and generally on the regular route to and fro work. I've talked about this place many times with high praises! I took my Pastor there last week and he loved it! And today a couple co-workers went and gave it a two thumbs up!

Favourite menu item: BBQ Steak Pita and a side of onion rings

Check it out!
(You can't miss the place either - beside DQ on Weber/University)

Camping:














A beautiful picture I took while camping at the Elora Gorge - camping is definitely a favourite hobby for me. Can't wait to go to Port Burwell in August!

I'm not usually the type of girl that "swoons" over hollywood actors but...after watching "At the World's End", I'm totally in love with Orlando Bloom.

Just look at him:















Smok'n hot. It's not just that he's gorgeous but traits of his character, the lengths he goes for love. My heart just ached watching the movie - the sacrifices each character makes due to love....*sigh*

Then again, it's just a movie, not real life. :P

"I tore my heart open and sewed myself shut.
My weakness is that I feel too much."

Anybody else ever have this thought? Dangit! I sometimes think being emo is a handi-cap.

"And she's staring at his picture hanging in her locker,
She's telling all the girls about all the things that he bought her.
I saw what really happened all those time he went for water,
When we were at the movie theatre
Watching Harry Potter.
He had his hands on
Every single girl he laid his eyes on.
Hate to break it to ya,
He's a pylon.
And even when he kissed her,
He was looking over staring at her sister."

Best line in a song, ever! I think I'll add it to my insult vocabulary.

It's quiet. TV free. Lake side. *sigh*

The Port has been a nice retreat from the city noise. And my dad's apartment is super cute! It's like living in a cottage - bright sunny kitchen, beautiful gardens outside, a lawn that looks over the water. Last night we had a pre-dinner consisting of homemade ice cream on handmade waffle cones..."peacan sigh sundae". Mmmmm. Also spend sometime water side listening to the waves lap in and the birds singing and of course the odd fireworks bang. Silly cottagers.

Now I must go, time to steam roll a sib out of bed and go walk around town.

I hate when people make me feel stupid.
My heart just drops and I immediately feel guilty.
Why didn't I do it that way? How could I assume?
Definitely a mood killer.
Just lovely.

As most ppl know I'm in a semi so called "book reading" race with a couple friends. Yes, I'm that much of a nerd but hey! it's a hobby I'm good at. Also throw in a work book club (of which I won last month) and you get me reading a pile of books! So far I'm read almost 1 book per week = to 4,756 pages to be exact.

The book I'm currently read - "From the Corner of His Eye" by Dean Koontz. *gasp* It's not chick-lit! Somebody stop me! This book has reminded me that many Christian books lack the intensity of most mainstream writers such as Koontz. Except for such others as Dekker, Robert Liparulo and Robert Whitlow. Chick-lit/brain-less books are good for a time but sometimes I need a book with meat and that requires some brain power.

Now I'm off to bed to of course read, pretty much the only time I do have to read....could explain that 12:30 or later bedtime.

I 'm sorry that our fun time has ended but look forward to hearing about ur great progress. I know u can do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Keep up the great work. You should be really proud of how far u have come. You're an inspiration !!!!

I have officially cancelled my work outs with my personal trainer. Sadly. Unfortunately time and money are an issue and I think I can handle things on my own now.

My trainer was awesome! I'm going to miss her! If anyone needs to get their fitness level into high gear I know who you can call :P

I'm still around, just going through a blogging slump.

Until a couple days when I was introducted to Tumblr.com.

Now I'm back in the game with of course, the newest blogging trend (well once everyone else catches on to this :P ). Feel free to check out my tumblr page! I will be blogging at both locations for now.

Also I posted another entry in contemplations r us - caution, it's my rant blog.

That is all for now!

Good 'nite and farewell.

"I hope someday that someone sees you the way I do"

Thank you Cyn, I'll never forget those words. You fill my heart with love.

"Don’t give up
It’s just the weight of the world
When your heart’s heavy, I
I will lift it for you
Don’t give up
Because you want to be heard
If silence keeps you, I
I will break it for you

Everybody wants to be understood
Well I can hear you
Everybody wants to be loved
Don’t give up
Because you are loved

Don’t give up
It’s just the hurt
That you hide
When you’re lost inside, I
I’ll be there to find you

Don’t give up
Because you want to burn bright
If darkness blinds you I
I will shine to guide you

Everybody wants to be understood
Well I can hear you
Everybody wants to be loved
Don’t give up
Because you are loved

You are loved

Don’t give up
It’s just the weight of the world

Don’t give up
Everyone needs to be loved

You are loved"

This is why I heart Josh Groban!

I like my boss. She gives me chocolate. Truffle chocolates! Raspberry, Hazelnut and Caramel. Mmmmm...it pays to be a hardworking employee :P And who scarfed them all down in meer minutes?

Thanks Ellen! :)

I've discovered over time that boys suck at making plans.

Should I honestly be suprised? Ha ha.

Okay so I want to hang out with my friend Mike yet it takes us like 14 facebook messages to get something figured out then oh, right, he can't make into Uptown that soon. Cripes! So now we are back to about square 1ish. Gah! :P

I dislike having to make the decisions all the time but I can't handle a person's indecisiveness. Just choose!

Like those people in front of you at Starbucks that stand there for ten minutes trying to figure out if they want a grande vanilla latte with extra foam, wait, and extra hot too. Oh and then desserts? So many choices. Word to wise, know what you want before getting in line or feel the wrath of me! :P I just want my grande non-fat tazo chai latte with a double shot of almond thanks.

I bought myself a birthday present tonite.

Yup.

Almost 6 months early.

It doesn't come in a box,
nor is it gift wrapped.

It can't fit inside my car
nor my apartment.

It could make my days hot
but rainy days dreadful.

I can sit, stand, sleep on it
but I can't lick it.

It has many elements
of which all I can enjoy.

It could make me dirty
and burnt.

It makes many noises,
sometimes even soothing.

What am I?

"Anti-stupid drivers

Submitted by Michelle (not verified) on Thu, 2007-03-29 09:48.

I'm learning very quickly how ridiculously stupid some drivers are! Let's see yesterday I almost got side swipped by a lady changing lanes as she entered the middle of the intersection. Oh, oh and I had 9!!! cars flash their lights at me on a long drive last night. Apparently I have my brights on ALL the time.
I think I'm developing road rage."

*Update*
I went home this past weekend to hang out with some people but especially my bestest Pam! (I've been trying to get home for her bday for the past 2 months and finally did!). It being St. Patty's day and all on Saturday we decided to hit up the local establishment to enjoy the spirit of the "holiday". And what fun we had! Eating Irish food, throwing some darts, running into old high school friends...it was fantabulous.

The tshirt pics below are courtesy of my sister Cynthia who designed both my shirt below and Pam's of which we made last year (mine is just modified to reflect my good ole dutch roots).

Also earlier on Saturday I went out for coffee with my friend Bob - always an interesting time of chatting up and reminising about high school days. Next time I'll remember to bring money...(you can tell I frequent Starbucks too much when I show up at Timmy's without anything but my plastic)

--------
Fab weekend, it's bedtime but I will take a moment to upload 2 pics..

I discovered a few things this weekend.

Point #1:
Dress shopping is like swimsuit shopping - horrible and humbling. Yes, I'm not skinny, I get the point but please stop rubbing it in with all your itsy bitsy sized clothing! Ha, ha. The first store we went to was craptacular! Such bad service and selection for me! Then we found a fab store and immediately after giving the sales lady my stats she had her hands full with dresses. I came away from that store (only in there for half an hr!!) with better spirits and a couple fav dresses. (Click here to see my fav dress, mind u the colour will be cinnamon, not "bride" white.)

Point #2:
Thai food is good! Saturday for lunch Cynthia and I hit up Thai Sun in Uptown and it was delicious! I had the Ultimate Chicken meal and jasmine tea to drink on the side. Mmmm, yum. We got some great pics at the restaurant:



























































Point #3:
Just because a movie wins an Oscar doesn't mean it's any good. Seriously I'd like to rename "Departed" to "Retarded". There was some good scenes and lines but the ending ruined the entire movie! So many loose ends! Ugh. If it weren't for Leo and Damon that movie would have been a total waste.

Point#4:
Thai food twice in a weekend is fabulous! Especially having lunch with my totally awesome friend Heather....why do ppl have to move away? *sniff*

Point #5
Daylight Saving Time is only great in the fall - when you gain an hour of sleep, not lose it.

Point #6
Weekends are always too short.

So here I sit and I am alive! Yup, yup! And I'm back to the world of blogging...finally, I know, to the relief of all my readers out there and my mother. (Hi mom!)

This blog will be short but feel free to read my recent post on my "deep thoughts" (yes I have those...once in a while) blog - miracle grow, it isn't just for plants.

Later dayz,

Uptown Girl

Gone is the beautiful blue skies, swaying palm trees and the warm breeze. The sun on your face...

*sigh*

Florida was absolutely awesome! There are many things to tell and tons of pics/videos to share but alas I have not summoned up the energy to do so. All weekend I was in denial that my vacation was over but monday morning at work was a slap back into reality.

It was a trip I'll never forget and long to do again! Maybe not Walt Disney World again but definitely back to the sunny state!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

On another note, I'm super excited about having my own car! The novelty has definitely not worn off yet! There is so much more freedom to my everyday life and is making an impact on how quickly I can actually get errands done now. (Oh and how much more do my sisters love me? Right Cyn? Ha, ha. That's right, the only reason I bought the car was that I needed to be loved more :P)

Farewell GRT, you were good to me and will always be my backup.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Hopefully tonight I will get some pics uploaded to Flickr and upload some vids to Youtube so I can share 'em. And after a while I'll be gett'n more pics from the friends I went with so keep checking back!

This time tomorrow I'll be in the beautiful state of Florida! :)

So I'll be think'n of all you loyal readers in the next week while I'm running around in Walt Disney World :P

(Oh, and I love my car!)

So much to be happy for right now!! :) *insert enormous grin*

1. a CAR! Only 2 more sleeps until the keys are dropped into my hands

2. Cynthia's fundraiser dinner on Saturday! Please come support her upcoming missions trip to Tanzania. (www.cynthiagoestoafrica.blogspot.com)

3. My trip to FLORIDA with some good friends of mine! Last year we went to NYC, this year - we're gonna big - Walt Disney World here I come!

4. Fitting into clothes I couldn't 2 years ago.

5. All the BEAUtiful snow!

6. No work for a week

7. Tons of "firsts": plane, florida, Disney, car

8. New role as Elder at church

9. Maybe a tan in February? That would be another "first"

10. TAKING A VACATION in tropical weather while it's -20 zillion degrees here

I hope that my life stays so exciting....

Called the Toyota dealership - because my paperwork isn't all filed yet and I need a co-signer - I won't be seeing my car until Saturday! :( That means I'll only get to drive it for 2 days before I head off to Florida for a week.

I sad but excited 'cause I want to drive it now! :) Ha, ha. I'll try to stay patient, try.

*Update!* Pics are now of the real car! (taken by the dealership and on their website )


Today marks a milestone in my life!

I. Bought. a. CAR!

2003 Toyota Echo

I can hardly believe it and I think I will forget many times when I wake up in the morning since taking the bus has been engraved in my mind since forever. Seriously I need to pinch myself.

Here is the beaut!






























Apparently the previous owner's were an older couple so the car is in mint condition with only 55,000 clicks on it. I even got a "recent grad" discount for finishing school in the past 4 years - insane eh?

I still can't believe I own a car. Wheels. No more buses. Groceries.

This is gonna be so sweet! :)

This is what happens when you give a big beefy tattooed man a needle:





















Ha ha, just kidding. I've wanted to get my upper ear pierced for years and finally got it done on Friday nite. Mind you it's a tad more painful/more of a hassle then I expected but I like it :)

Right now I am baking for the first time since sometime last spring. It's kinda nuts because I've forgotten how much I love to bake! Finding a new recipe, changing some things up to add a bit of kick, beat'n the eggs like mad, throwing a dash of this and that and the smell! Oh the smell of baking is like a comfort for me. It's like a warm blanket of happiness.

Why I stopped baking for so long? I have no idea but I've got the taste of baking back and I like it!

I can't wait 'til sister walks into the apartment door and is greeted by the sweet aroma of baking apples and cinnamon.

This is the best bread ever:














Focaccia Bread preferably Rosemary.

There is just something about taking a bite of fresh bread and that tastes so good!

Thank you Ace Bakery! :)
(Available at many local groceries stores including ValuMart and Zehrs)

Useless fact:
The sandwich commemorates the Earl of Sandwich, a famous gambler whose logic was that a slice of meat between two slices of bread could be eaten without having to leave the gaming table for a meal.

Rangers hockey games are awesome! Especially when you get fab seats.....prime ticket holder seats without paying for them :P (I'm talking front row seats at ice level!) I've forgotten how much I love watching hockey live.

I miss Saturday nite DNHL games.

I really hate that I'm getting sick, again. I think I had about a 2 week break without any illnesses - what a record! *roll eyes* Seriously annoyed I am getting. Especially since I'm finally getting back into the grove of this new job and my new program at the gym.

The last couple weekends have been busy but awesome, work is excessively busy (which there seems to be no end in sight), and there are so many things I would like to do but lack the time to do them unless I don't want any down time.

And the only thing I can think about is how many days until I'm going to the sunny state of Florida.

This is seriously awesome. I found this pic in a book a coworker had called Cookies Sensations.



















Anyone else grow up playing with the Fisher Price farm set? Remember when the barn door opened it 'mooed'? Or filling the silo with some sorta feed? (we used rice krispies). Oh goodness this brings back memories...

I really should be in bed right now - personal training at 6am tomorrow. Ack. Why do i torture myself so?

Anyways, I did some updating with my blog! Check out my Twitter badge - it's pretty sweet, it has now replaced my MeeboMe 'cause I really don't have time to chat with ppl on there anymore. Also I'm again listing all books read and all movies seen during the year. (I'm in a reading competition so it'll be interesting to see how last year compares to this year - so far I'm slacking!)

Eventually I would like to revamp my blog...anyone have suggestions to improve my page? I love the colour scheme but...

Ah, good times!














Friday nite was out with a bunch of peeps to celebrate Heather's bday. I have never danced that much in one night...ever.
(And the Corral is so much more fun then the Ranch any day :)

Went to a movie tonite and now I can't stop thinking about it. It was insanely depressing and intense for the entire length of the film, seriously there wasn't a part you could just breath and be like "good, everything will work out and they are safe". No such luck. Thus I give you "Children of Men".

I can't imagine a world that dark, dirty and desperate. Women no longer able to bear children, countries controlled by militia, "fugies" taken to camps to be tortured or killed, polution so thick the sun hardly gets thru, grimmy streets filled with homeless people...a world without hope.

Interesting things my friend Dee and I picked up was that animals could still reproduce, apparently human cloning wasn't happening and that nature was still fine. The grass was still green, lots of vegetation, bails of hay....except there was a lot of dead cattle around (of which I don't quite get). So in some ways the movie wasn't that "realistic" but sadly some ideas are definitely close to what could be in our future.

I really dont' know what take from this movie, I really don't.

I found a sparrow lying on the ground.
Her life I knew would soon be at an end.
I knelt before her as she made a sound
And listened as she said, “My friend…”

“Take these wings and learn to fly
To the highest mountain in the sky.
Take these eyes and learn to see
All the things so dear to me.

Take this song and learn to sing.
Fill your voice with all the joys of spring.
Take this heart and set it free!
Let it fly……….. beyond the sea!”

I found a another sparrow on the sand.
A tiny bird whose life had just begun.
I picked him up and held him in my hand.
I smiled at him and said, “My son…”

“Take these wings and learn to fly
To the highest mountain in the sky.
Take these eyes and learn to see
All the things so dear to me.

Take this song and learn to sing.
Fill your voice with all the joys of spring.
Take this heart and set it free!
Let it fly……….. beyond the sea!”

Such a sweet yet sorrowful song. For some bizarre reason this song popped into my head this morning. It's a little weird since it's a song I have not sung since grade 6 or 7....but it was always my fav. Now that I think of it I may even still have the sheet music for it...hmmmm.

Ugh, I am not impressed. My personal trainer said I'd feel the pain of my workout the next day...but how about the day after that? I still can't walk properly and I'm getting quite annoyed. It's like I pulled a charlie horse a couple times over. If I sit for more than 5 minutes my calf cramps right back up and I can hardly walk. And I'm supposed to work out tonite and every nite this week but how can I do anything if I can't stand? Hmmm.

Yah, not happy about "phase three" in my personal training.

'Body for Life' you say? Yah, but please don't kill me in the process.

Ever feel so overwhelmed with everything you do nothing instead?

That's me right now.

I'm getting frustrated because today I started a new program/phase at the gym that I'm not sure if i can committ to but I need to go to the gym to get back the energy I need to get everything else in my life in order. All I want is to get everything organized so I can feel more relaxed about life. Then add the element of a new job in there and some church things going on....

My life "balance" is just sitting a tad crooked momentarily.

:(

I've been memed by Brad's Book Buzz.

The instructions:

Grab the book closest to you
Open to page 123, go down to the fifth sentence
Post the text of next 3 sentences on your blog
Name of the book and the author
Tag three people

Here’s mine:
"Still a dozen empty study tables surrounded by bookshelves packed with books. Above the tables, two stories high, several thick wood beams for ceiling support. A railing ran the perimeter of the second floor. No sign of a killer."

(so I cheated an added an extra line but who can blame me? That'd be one terribly boring paragraph)

Skin- Ted Dekker

Tagged:
Whoever reads this blog and feels like doing something semi fun. :)

I am beginning to hate mondays. Last monday I spent all day sick. This monday I come to work and right off the bat I was oh so nicely reminded that I already screwed up with a task I was supposed to do weeks ago.

UGH.

There are some things about this new job that I am loathing - lack of understanding. I have no flipping clue what I all need to get done on a regular basis! The only training I had was on the huge projects I do, not everyday duties and timeline of other tasks. I want to do this job well but I still can't wrap my head around what I prioritize and what comes next.

So yes, my head is still spinning and I really wish I had some guidance right about now.

...so much to blog about!

i've got a million and a half entries saved as drafts, I have a zillion things I want to blog about, i want to rework my page a bit, i want to review the past year of things related to my blog, i need to have deeper thoughts for my contemplations blog, i have oodles of blogs I want to read

...so many things to do!

like getting back to the gym on a regular basis (stupid flu screwed that all up!), do some HDR photo shots, a reading competition to at least start (other competitor has already read 500+ pages in a week!), a scrapbook to do after 1.5yr hiatus, shopping for a bridesmaid dress, reorganize my disasterous room, planning SAYWHAT events, start my new diet, go shopping for new dress clothes, calculate how many books/pages I've read this year

...so much to think about!

life, work (and all that fun stuff involved like reorganizing 4 years worth of files, streamlining current processes, and learning some new programs....why did I not pay more attention in Access class?!?), time management, friends, upcoming wedding, vacations (so want to go camping again), buying a bike, church stuff, family relations, how much I love contacts and have forgotten!, how much I need a haircut, i'm bored but i have tons of things i want to do, facebook is way to addictive, i'd kill to spend a week on a beach front property doing whatever I wanted, how much I love writing but don't think I could be cut out to be an actual writer, the weekend is over, my eyes are dry and I should put on my glasses

...so I'll leave it all for another day for tomorrow is another day.

This has got to be one of the neatest gifts I got this year for christmas, see for yourself...

exhibit one:

















exhibit two:














exhibit three:















It's called a Zip It Fling - a purse held together entirely by one super long zipper!

Now this is a fab way to start the new year - get the flu! Yup, that's right. Currently I've been stuck in my apartment for 2 days battling this wonderful bug on top of a sinus cold. I feel like crap. First time in 2.5 yrs I've taken a sick day and may have to tomorrow as well....so not liking this. And I have so many things I want to blog about...

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!