Weekend Update - a day late...

Since my last post, life has been quite busy with the new, new job. My life
still has some "Devil Wears Prada" parts to it, I no longer fetch coffee
for people, and act on their every whim. However, I do work for another
"strong female personality" and everything that entails. Luckily, I
have others in the office to balance that out. My new job puts me back
in uniform - hallelujah for not picking out a "work outfit" every
morning, and goodbye to bad hair days. Plus, my health benefits are back and
my pay went up, and I wear combat boots to work everyday (except civie
Fridays of course).... I love being in the military.

In non-work life, Pete and I have been busy visiting friends - more
people swung through Ottawa these fast few months, and a few repeats!
As well as been busy visiting family - all the in-laws came up and we
went down - more visiting to come at Easter :) We also started the
"house building" process. We meet this evening with the builder to
finalize our floor plan changes and then later on, another meeting to
pick out the finishes inside. We've been told several times how
flexible the builder is regarding moving walls and changing parts of the
house - for free! As long as we don't change the "structure" we are
good to go. Hopefully we'll end up with a house that has all we need
and isn't as cookie cutter as the others in the neighbourhood of the
same model.

This past weekend Pete and I were able to sneak away for a mini holiday to Mt Tremblant. I had visited once before with a friend from Montreal,
but hadn't spent much time seeing what they had to offer. This time, Pete was able to find a great hotel located right on the main square (at the foot of the ski hill - check the view). When we got to our room - read: condo suite - our living room windows opened to the square where they had a big outdoor concert happening. I felt a bit badly for telling Pete that I thought the room was even nicer than our apartment- then even make you a gourmet hot breakfast in the morning! ! If only we could
bring it all home with us! After exploring the ski hill shops, we ventured down on the other side of the lake to the "village" for dinner. We opted for Italian (can't go wrong with Italian) and ended up having the best Spaghetti Carbonara of my life! If you do go to Mt Tremblant, try the Resto Ital Delli!

Back in Ottawa, and back to reality we are dealing with overcast skies and thundershowers.... At least April showers bring May flowers... or at the very least, Tulip festivals :)

Weekend Update

Nothing too fun to tell for this weekend, mostly I worked... Friday night and Saturday - and wow, it was busy... people were a bit snarky, a bit impatient, that sucked, but whatever. Saturday night I saved lanster from being Bridgett Jones at a party, but in doing so I became Bridgett myself - we had a fun time though. Eleni and Crystal on the other hand had to stiff it out at the office Christmas party in kanaskis. From the stories I heard it was quite the evening, nudity, suggestive comments and the like... I'm not going to lie I am pretty happy I said no to the invite as I was really not into partying with the company that was going...

Sunday was Santa day as I made the rounds and chatted / dropped off presents to friends - which is always fun but I ate waaay too many Christmas goodies.

Now that brings me to my next point - eating too many Christmas goodies... I need to finish up my naval entrance stuff which means I need to do my fitness test, and of course get through basic training. In order to do this I need to be quite fit. I do go to to the gym and do as many sit ups and push ups as possible if I watch TV, but I need something more hardcore to be ready. So I've decided to join a co-worker in the UBC, ultimate body shaping course (aka kickboxing) for 10 weeks from Jan - March. The deal is every day you alternate between toning / resistance training and kickboxing, taking Sunday off. Hopefully all will go well and I'll be fit enough for basic. I am worried though that I won't be able to walk for the entire month of January...

So now I have to work in this new workout into my already packed schedule... I think I've got it figured though:

Mon - Toning
Tues (am) - Kickboxing
Wed (am) - Gym
Wed (pm) - Navy
Thursday (am) - Kickboxing
Thursday (pm) - Job #2
Friday - Toning
Saturday (early am ) - Kickboxing
Saturday (later am) - Job #2

having written it out I am thinking I forgot dancing... so maybe I shall slide that in on Monday nights, or maybe Thursday night and I'll work job #2 on Mondays... ahhh - i don;t know.... I just know that from now until July I will be ridiculously busy and I apologize in advance for being absent.. maybe we can do lunch sometime - call me.

The Weekend

Alrighty, I promised a weekend run down and here it is...

Friday - Worked, during the day, found out some unsettling news. Turns out that our law firm is being closed and even more people were laid off.... scary huh? Yeah, so we're all scared for our jobs - seems that the whole mortgage meltdown in the US is affecting us. Funny how if an American Title Insurance company owns your company then you are affected when their economy tanks - that's just super! Friday night I worked again, it was busy but the cleaner - funny thing, his name is Cam - decided that I needed a pick me up so at the end of the night so he fed me Starbucks leftovers...mmmm...

Saturday - got up went to work... it was very very busy... and I was happy to leave. Sad thing was that I had to rush home and fix up the house... I so do hate a messy kitchen... anyways, mad dash to clean, curl my hair and fix up the makeup, set up the booze, and start welcoming the guests. Oh, perhaps I should mention

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY RACHEL"

Everyone that came was great, we all had a great time but as the night wore on the party became decidedly french. I think it could have been because the entire Centre Francais
was there and thus the language shifted to French - with some English of course for those who weren't from the Centre. More and more drinks were had, in fact I broke out the 1.14L bottle of Gin that I won at work and I think I might have been the only one drinking and it seems to be only half full now... oops! In any case we chatted, played french games and chatted some more... 4:00 came and we dedcided to call it a night. I was in bed by 4:30 and....

Sunday - Was up for Dim Sum with Ronnalie. For starters Dim Sum is just plain yummy, Ronnalie is just plain fun, together, however, they are just great! We met up at 10:30, stuffed our faces, talked about life, wondered over to the Golden Happiness Bakery (part of our Dim Sum ritual) ate some more and then finally finished with a trip to the Gift shop in the Chinese Culture Centre... great times for sure! We parted ways there and I came home, freshened up and drove down to visit with a dear friend who was spending a spell in the hospital. After that it was back home, and quite honestly I cannot remember what I did after that... must have been exciting though, I'll tell you that much!!

Today however wasn't really that exciting, not much to report...

I'll leave you with a pretty funny youtube video... it's classic! (it's the post right before this one...)

Best News

I do think that this is the best we could have hoped for.

Other things that are wonderful - I just bought myself a lovely set of chocolate and cream plaid flannel sheets! I love flannel and I love plaid, how could I go wrong? I didn't - and that's why I was cozy all night long last night... in fact I can't wait to go back to bed (and it's only 7:45am!)

Oh, and I suppose I should recap the weekend for you all.... just in case you weren't there - Friday worked, saturday worked, saturday night I got to make a trip to the Casino to learn how to play carribean stub poker.. but as I am a huge wimp I decided to save the $ for the emergency meeting afterwards - which ps was held at the Atlantic Trap & Gill. A fun place, fun celtic music and fun friends were there - namely KQ, Eleni and Scott... and as usual KQ and I got the drinking going with a small contest... and from there it was just fun - conclusion: we should have more emergency meetings....

Sunday I woke up a bit later than usual (I wonder why) and proceeded to laze around on the couch for the better part of the afternoon... that was fun! My mom thought that I might need something to get my butt in gear and not spend the entire day in house so she took me for dinner - so nice of her! We ended up at Earl's, not a place I really enjoy but they do have the yummiest chicken and brie sandwich (with fig jam!) - so I was placated.. then there was the a quick trip to the grocery store cause I had no more milk... Eleni and Colin were there - that was hilarious - and then voila, I was home - just in time to catch Desperate Housewives...

Phew.. that was a weekend for the books.. now it's Monday, I feel like a grannie because my legs and back are still stiff from my workout and I must prepare for KQ's birthday drinks tonight.. YEAH!

Alright, hope you all had a lovely weekend, and an extra lovely Monday morning... Hasta Luego!

Weekend Update / Run for the Cure

I know this is a bit out of sequence, but I was a bit excited about my SPICE GIRLS news and I had to share - but here is a rundown of the weekend's activites...

Friday - work was ho hum, as per usual... but not to worry as I had a date night with my dear friend Ronnalie - we basically ate, relaxed and watched movies - Harry Potter 4 to be exact. I find that really Ronnalie is the sort of friend that I can chill with, talk about everything with and just enjoy life with - I love hanging out with Ronnalie...

Saturday I woke up early, cleaned house, arrived back at my house (I love my house by the way) and then cleaned myself up and met up with Michelle, whom I have not seen for about a year and a half. The funny thing is though, even though we don't see each other very often, we always seem to pick up right where we left off and have such a great time. Plus I got to ask her all the military stuff I could think of...awesome times - thanks Michelle for great day!!!! In the evening we (Michelle and I) were off to celebrate the birthday of a friend. Fun times and sangria were to follow...

Sunday I again woke up bright and early to make it to the annual CIBC Run for the Cure - for Breast cancer... a dismal turnout for team Walkers for Knockers, but FNF did better and I just hung out with them, plus I got a brunch out of it, and their my co-workers so there we go.

Sunday after the brunch Eleni and I visited Chez Katherine and hung out chatting for a while and then I was off to spend a well deserved afternoon on the couch. In fact, it turned out so well that there was a Colin & Justin Marathon on HGTV and I was quite content to sit and watch. Then after quite a few hours of that a quick cleanup and dinner was in order before Desperate Housewives - the season premiere. All in all a good weekend.

Now, I sit thinking of all the money I now need to pay for my weekend trip to Vegas to see Posh and the gang... I think I should probably get 2 part time jobs... yikes!!

Out Damn Spot, Out!!

There really is nothing better than relaxing on a sunday evening, drinking a lovely cup of tea, watching some quality programming on the television and getting ready for the work week. To further explain my delight I shall share my weekend plans.

Friday was suppose to be a girls night at the movies. As it happens only Rachel was able to come, which was fantastic in itself - but to make things even better we were able to see Becoming Jane. Now, if you know me, and I sincerely hope you do, you will know that I do enjoy movies of this nature - I am a huge "Period Costume Drama" fan, Pride & Prejudice, Sense & Sensibility and the like. Needless to say Rachel and I enjoyed ourselves immensely and the starbucks chat we had afterwards was fantastic.

Saturday was interesting - I worked. Now, I know what you are thinking... didn't she quit job #2, and the answer is yes, indeed I did quit, but I was asked back for a few weekends so I obliged them and thus was stuck working. I did, however have a nice time seeing the girls again. Saturday evening though was something special. Another Job #2 Alumni was in town from London (thats UK not ON) and we had the opportunity to take in a presentation of Shakespeare's MacBeth at the Shakespeare in the Park Festival. It was set in modern day - which I hope you are all putting together that I do not like - but nonetheless was presented well and in a fun and interesting way. The best part of the night though had to have been hanging out with Rupinder - I hadn't seen her since my impromptu trip to Europe last year and this was a well needed catch up session. While we watched the events unfold in a curiously non scottish environment (PS - for those of you wondering what I mean.... MacBeth is a play set in Scotland and the actors did not feel the need to exhibit scottish anything) we dined on a sumptuous picnic of pizza buns, Starbucks Vanilla Frapacinos, babybel cheese and a wonderful veggie tray. Afterwards we made our way (which took quite a while) through the Park back to my place and chatted away until midnight - parting on the promise of dinner before she goes back to the UK. All in all a great evening.

Today was also quite eventful. The day started with Dim Sum with my Dum Sum buddy Ronnalie, at the newly opened Tang Dynasty restaurant. We were so excited to go as the restaurant that used to occupy that location had been closed for renovations some time ago. This trip however was not to be as delicious as hoped for. In fact, the meal was rather disapointing. Despite reservations we were seated in the far corner of the dining room, almost no carts cam by our table and the waitress that we asked to help us did no speak any english. As it happens we were able to eat a few things, which were far below the standard of the previous restaurant. We made our way to the Golden Happiness Bakery in search of something sweet and then back to the cars to head to her house for a movie and later on a wonderful meal of Rouladen and Spitzlei...mmmmmmm.... So we grocery shopped, chopped, pounded, fried, baked and ate our delicious meal while we watched 300 (a truly awesome movie by the way) and then I was on my way home to clean, relax, and ready myself for tomorrow's 5 am wakeup.

So, here I am, finishing this post, feeling rather nostalgic while watching Harry Potter on CBC, making my sandwich and lunch for tomorrow wondering if I will be doing this for my children someday. I hope so.

Weekend Update / I want one....

Me and Mom

What a weekend I had....

Friday after work was officially girls night.... we ate some super yummy Vietnamese (when is it not super yummy I ask you???) and meandered over to the theatre to catch the latest installment of the Pirates Saga.... it was - of course - fan-freakin' - tastic!!! Because really, who doesn't a love a good pirate romance / adventure??? Action was good, script was good, Johhny was very good and Orlando did better in my eyes than normally... Keira was, well, Keira, but she's essential to the story, so I go along with it....

Saturday brought more work, fun work though as I got to chill with Miss JM and of course tell her all sorts of stories (we haven't seen each other for almost 5 weeks)... good times had by all.... and then I got to do some much needed Baby clothes shopping... not for mine (as you may have noticed I myself do not have any babies.... and am of course not expecting one...) but rather it was to fulfill my role as Auntie Linda to the cutest baby ever.... my little sweet bundle of Joy Samantha who lives down yonder in the Hat. Whilst on the phone with Mr. Cameron and shoping I couldn't help but exclaim my delight in the cutest tiniest baby clothes and shoes.... soooo adorable..... After making my purchases, I zipped home to watch some fun Taxi 3 action (loved the sylvester stalone beginning) and to bed I went as I had a big day on sunday....

Sunday morning, woke up at 7:30, threw on some clothes, some makeup, brushed my hair a bit and jumped into the car for a lovely 3 hour drive to the Hat.....

As I made my way south I got a phone call from Miss Rupinder in London (she always calls when I'm outta town... first Montreal and now the Hat... silly girl!!!) and laughed as we tried to make plans to talk while I was in town.... then I noticed something.... as I looked out the window of my car and then back again at the spedometer I thought to myself... " Is it bad that 140 km an hour doens't seem fast???" hmmmm, interesting, perhaps I should slow down a wee bit lest I get a ticket for speeding..... nevertheless I made it door to door, stopping for gas and snacks, in 3 hours... Upon my arrival the aforementioned sweetie was wide awake and ready to snuggle with her Auntie Linda.... soooooo cute,. I am officially in love and think that I need to steal her away for myself...

We spent the afternoon chillin' talking, eating ice cream and cherries and watching our fav Tristan and Isolde.. (I'm such a sucker for a good romance...) Then it was time for me to head back... this time I left at 6:32 and made it back to my apartment at 9:10.. stopping again for gas and snacks... that darn lead foot of mine....

Note that the Ice Cream is bigger than the baby!

Today, I'm back at work, wondering if I can ever get rid of my Tunisian Friend that I've nicknamed George... I'm going for blood tests this week.....

K. that's all I got for now - adios!

Once again...

I don't know why I do this to myself.....I book my weekend so full of stuff that I can hardly rest, but honestly who am I kidding?????? I LOVE it, and I would never change it. I have had such a lovely weekend.

Not only did I have a some drinks and a wicked games night with Trav and Andrea (fresh from Kiwi land) where I did my best to kick the boys' butts on Scene it (we ended freakin' tying with the buggers.....) but after work yesterday (where I sipped my wonderfully delicious Cinnamon Dolce Latte courtesy of Mr. McFebruary) I had a great visit with my wonderful friends Rachel and Colleen (fresh from Montreal) last night over some yummy starbucks, but today I have a movie with Mrs. Ronnalie, and tomorrow I have further dinner plans with my buddy Megs.....of the blog fame. Right now however I am in the midst of a complete apartment cleanup as it is a bloddy mess and I am sick of having such a disorganzied life....I should have made that another resolution.....PS - Miss KQ I loved your comment, you never fail to make me smile! Anyhoo, back to it, I've got How NOT to decorate (gotta love those scots, they do such lovely work) on the tele (brit talk for television) but I am still in my PJs and sleep socks, frantically putting together shelves, re setting up my computer, unpacking my suitcase, taking down the Christmas decorations and the like. Phew, I am tired just thinking of it all.......

Well, I suppose that is it for the time being, to those of you who have to go back to school tomorrow, I feel for you, I really do......Good Luck!

Fin de semaine d'action de grâces

What a weekend. Friday I loaded up on meat (jerkey and yummy sausages) with Ronnalie and then we watched Sliding Doors (an old obscure Gweneth movie)....very fun

Saturday was more work - quite boring, with laundry and Legally Blonde 2 in the evening.

Sunday was a) Starbucks to see Heather and get a lovely coffee, then wicked fun Dim Sum and a walk around chinatown with Ronnalie (what can I say, she's too fun for jsut one day) followed by a trip to Costco - note to self, never ever go the sunday before thanksgiving, it was wickely busy. Later on that evening I finished the aforementioned laundry, watched Desperate Housewives, took the best shower ever (at the hosuesitting house, they have a huge rain shower head, ahhhhhh)

Monday, more Starbucks (in preparation for the spectacular dinner I was about to make) and then cooking cooking and more cooking. In the end I made a bacon wrapped 15 lb turkey on the BBQ, a green bean casserole (I created the recipe), glazed carrotts, stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce (okay it was canned) and mashed potatoes - well I had lots of help from Cam, so props to him for the stuffing and potatoes.... Then we feasted, and it was a feast... in addition to all that food my mom brought the sweet potatoes - mmmmmm - and Cam's mom made pumpkin pie cheesecake - delicious! Afterwards I cleaned out my car and brought all sorts of goodies into the apartment - much to Heather's chargrin. in fact I was going through my grandfather's WWII stuff and trying on all his uniform parts as Heather sat on the couch and watched me like I was a lunatic - but meh, it was fun!

AHHHHHH, today I am still quite full despite my walks yesterdaay but happily I tried on my "skinny" pants that I bought in Avignon when I was in France a few years ago and hooray for me - they fit - even after that gigantic wekeend of eating.

Tonight brings job # 2 and a clean up of my messy messy room, then tomorrow I have Yoga / Pilates and dancing - thursday is Ionic detox session #3 and Blood donation - won't the lucky person who gets my blood be happy that I detoxed just for them! and friday - nothing, so far, thank god, I am a wee bit booked these days!