One more thing

Seeing how this guy lives in Moose Jaw -

I'm really putting myself out on a limb this time......For the St. Andrew's Ball I need a date - anyone game?

A Bonny Day in the Rockies!

Well well well, what a lovely lovely day! I reapeat myself because yesterday was really excellent. As it turns out it was just Rachel and I that went to the games, but we had such a blast. In fact we stayed out there all day but sadly didn't stay for the Ceilidh as it was sold out and we needed to be able to drive the 107km home!

Anyhoo, back to the games. There we were amongst many many - perhaps even hundreds of brawny men, of all ages, kilted and resplendid. Honeslty I think I fell in love several times, but as Rachel soon found out I am a huge wimp and have absolutely no confidence in approaching men - even to take a picture - needless to say Rachel is the one who asked Tyson (the highlander I am with in the above photo) for a photo. He was truly excellent, not quite my type, but certainly one of the best dressed there...if you can see my right elbow is being blocked by his sword! - just fabulous!

But also, so many people were there with their highland jewellry, or goods and it was so fun just to browse around and chat with people. In fact Rachel and I will soon be quite proficient in Highland dancing, courtesy of our monday night lessons in prepartion for the Ball we are attending November 18th and the Robbie Burns Night January 13th put on by the St. Andrew's Caledonian Society (we are soon to be members) as well as any event that the Clan Cameron puts on, as I am also a member - I joined yesterday when I found out that MacPhail (my Nana's maiden name) was a sept of the Cameron's.

In any case next year we have planned on making it truly an event not to be missed and will stay for the evening's festivities, drink wiskey and have fantastic time with our bonny bonny scots.

The start of a great weekend

AHHH, almost finished with work (illegal blogging here!), going to pick up a movie - housesitting with a stocked fridge, and some visiting with a good friend.

Tomorrow is the Calgary Highland Games, I'm going to see if I can't a bit before job #2 and even some afterwards if I'm lucky (and drive real fast!)

Sunday however is going to be really fantastic - the Canmore Highland Games are on all day and I have 2 friends to chill with whislt scoping out the beauties in their kilts - I am sooo excited, I can't even tell you.... Maybe if YOU are lucky I'll post some pics of my new scottish friends - maybe I'll have some other news to tell come sunday night...hmmmmmm - I hope!

Anyhoo, I should pretend to do some more work before the bell chimes for 4:30 - Happy Long weekend everybody.

Hey - next weekend is my 25th - that's right a quarter of a century baby! We should do something, maybe a hosue party or another great evening at Original Joe's - they have the yummiest drinks! (I like the cold shower). Any ideas?????

I spoke too soon

I swear 2 hours after the cable dude left my internet went down - for the whole bloddy night! You can't imagine the frustration (unless you're Heather of course)

Anyways life goes on and thus I am still here. Tonight, night of all nights, is a sort-of Grey's Anatomy marathon, well actually it's 2 episodes in a row. I'll take it! But yes, I am watching my marathon sipping a white hot and eating west jet cookies, mmmmm- after my dinner of yummy yummy vietnamese, this is the end to a very nice and relaxing night!

Oh, PS there is a women at work whom I have now dubbed "dragon lady". On the first day I worked with her she was telling me that she is "very abrupt" and that it doens't mean anything...then she proceeds to tell me that she makes people cry and she "doesn't understand why..." oh, my, god, I work next to the dragon lady. Today after I full on asked someone how to do somehting and proceeded to do that to a "t" I might add - she beraded me in front of the whole office - I had to shut her down though. I can't suffer that humiliation..... I told her that "I was told to ignore it as it was her job!"

Hahahaha, take that dragon lady - Ronnalie you know what I'm talkin' 'bout!

Great Service!

Wow - the shaw guy came today and helped me with my internet / tv connections. The service was so great that it pretty much makes up for the fact that the actual feed into the apartment has been crap since we moved in. In fact the guy (I didn't even get his name) was soo nice that we had a fabulous conversation about travelling and languages. Also, he fixed my computer - and made it so that the computer recognizes the modem. Wow, I am just blown away with the service.

Earlier was not the best - I spent almost 1 1/2 in traffic. I left work early to get home for the cable guy, and I was 1/2 hour late - every road had construction / stalled vehicles. I was so fed up that I admit my road rage was showing. I even yelled at a guy - albeit it was in french and I'm sure he didn't understand, but it made me feel better!

A lovely evening

a summary of my evening/day...
a) went to work - all was well, did lots of entering and lots of asking questions.....got cool land admin assignment from my boss (he's great!)
b) saw Cam's office - nice - had a great earl grey latte with him, bought newest OK magazine and some yummy scottish toffee....mmmm
c) walked home from eau claire in the heat with a velvet blazer on - not so smart
d) picked up the BSD bitches' and went for some drinks at OJ's
e) drank some gin and ginger on the way to OJ's (from a perrier bottle - how classy indeed!)
f) had more drinks at OJ's - too many in fact
g) remembered why I enjoy drinking so much
h) walked home in a drunken state
i) vegged on the couch whilst watching teeny bopper drama on family network
j) took drunken shower
k) wrote a very ridiculous blog entry whilst still tipsy...
......my evening summed up.....
All in all it was nice to chill with the girls - I miss it quite a bit.
Now it's time for bed - work @ 8:30 and I should be somewhat alert.
Night!

David Blaine

Holy crap - he is amazing - I have been watching him all night, he just pulled a chicken's head off and re-attached it. Among other things he's been reading people's minds, and pulling card tricks, even levitating - he even guessed MY card!

I can't even comprend the level that he operates on. Oh my god - I am beyond amazed.

Oh, and for all of you who read thursday's post and think that it was Cam that emailed me - it was not.

Another move?

Today was no better. I decided to wear some nice heels to work to lift my spirits - it backfired. The now infamous Steve noticed I had worn heels and asked why - my response (aimed at making him feel badly for his previous day's comments) was "They make my legs look skinnier" .....his response..."No they don't!"

I know he was joking and I realize that I shouldn't be so offended, his intentions were not malicious, but really this past week has sucked, almost everthing that happened made me feel like s**t.

I need a change, a big change - calgary just isn't doing it for me anymore. I am seriously considering enlisting again - I've got my degree, I can enter as an officer, and perhaps I will be stationed in europe somewhere. I'm definately feeling the europe vibe right now - and doesn't Lt. Spencer have a nice ring to it? I sure think so.

I've always had a feeling that the military was for me - a fascination if you will. I am often times drawn towards all things military. But, it will take time to sort it all out, I won't make any rash decisions - I promise... and I'll keep you posted.
L

Moving day

well it was moving day at the office, my part was quite easy, I didn't have a whole desk load to move as I have only been working there for 1 week. I did however sit in my new chair, position my 2 computer screens and my phone and rearrange the file folder holder thingy on my desk - oh and help everyone else move - did you think I just sat there and watched while everyone else lugged their stuff up/down the stairs??? I'm not that mean....

After work I came home ate dinner, had a shower, cleaned my house a bit, and watched tv while I waiting for my "date" to show up - he hasn't and I think I have officially been stood up - wow, today is sooo much better than yesterday....

What I learned about myself today......

Today was just awful - awful! It started out quite well, good hair, a great starbucks caramel macchiato, then somewhere womehow it turned terribly terribly wrong.
First I got a very hateful email from a certain someone whom I will not share the name - let's just say it was not very flattering and I don't think I quite deserved it. Afterwards I had almost eveyone in my new office ask me questions about myself. Which in itself isn't too bad, they do need to get to know me as I will be working with them for quite some time. However it was the nature of the questions that really wasn't all that fun - but I'm sure they didn't intend it to be that way. Anyways, almsot everyone asked me the dreaded "do you have a boyfriend?" question. Why? Why? Why does this matter??????? Plus their reactions didn't help - they basically told me not to worry that I would find someone. After that email this was not the thing to be asking me. Furthermore my lunch leaked a bit and made a mess in my lunch kit - gross!

So the day progressed, I finished job #1 and drove to job #2. The traffic was not so bad and I thought my day was getting better. I was sooooo wrong!!! the worst was yet to come. I arrived at work and was putting my purse in the lunch room where Dr.M was eating her dinner and staring at me in a weird way. After I told her about the gorgeous 1965 red mustang convertible with the 3 really cute guys in it she proceeded to ask me in a very quiet and sympathetic voice if
"Linda - did you break off your engagement?"
to which I replied (a little stunned) - "Well, sort of yes"
and she said "Are you okay?"
and I said rather quickly, "No, I'm not, but that doesn't really matter... " (what the hell else was I suppose to say????)
and she replied - "I'm really sorry to bring it up..." which I thought to myself - well then why the hell did you?
and I promptly left the room.

Fighting the overwhelming urge to break into a fit of sobs at work I resumed the duties of an optometric assistant and continued on with my shift. Then in conversation with Steve, who is a guy I work with, I mentioned the nasty email I received that morning and he replied (his exact words I swear!)

"Well, maybe he just dates skinny girls!"

HMMMMM - then he proceeded to stick his foot further into his mouth and insulted me a bit more - now I know he wasn't TRYING to be mean or malicious, it just sounded that way.
After listening to his tyrade and after closing my mouth, which had dropped to the floor with his comment, I suggested that he replace the word skinny with something else as it was what was insulting, he replies

"well Linda you are an attractive girl" - getting better - however, his next comment was not a good follow up.... he said and I quote "I guess you are average"

If there was ever a day in which transpired made me want to slit my wrists - it would be this day. Now I am sitting here watching sad and terrible music videos after missing almost the whole episode of Grey's Anatomy and feeling quite sad with myself.

Let's recap shall we...I learned that I am a) not very nice (according to the email), b) a pathetic loser without a boyfriend c) also sad and pitiful because my 10 year relationship / engagement has fallen apart and finally d) average and not skinny

Why don't I drink more? I desperately need to start I think.

more and more

I had to wear my glasses today at work - starring at the computer for 8 hours a day is not so good for my eyeballs....after monday I felt like my eyes were going to fall out.
But as for the hour long lunch hours I am LOVING it - today I got loads of errands finished, and I got to eat the leftovers from my italian dinner last night (the morrocan restaurant was closed so we went to La Viena).
After I got off work this afternoon I had to race over to my other job, for a further 3 hours of work. AHHHH, it reminds me of my days in university - 2 jobs. It wasn't really that bad, in fact I felt quite refreshed upon arriving at job #2 - plus I got a $25 gift certificate from our Complete rep! - I think I might get someone to buy me H& M from Montreal the next time she is in town....now I am home drinking my earl grey tea misto that I made with my fancy coffee espresso machine (well, actually Heather's) and watching JAG in my pj's.....tomorrow - laundry and thursday is basically a repeat of tonight but with fireworks instead of JAG.

First day

Well my first day went well. First thing this a.m. I was asked to read a writeup on the Alberta Land Titles office and it's procedures and history. Afterwards I had to take a test to see if I am able to remember things and also tosee if I am worthy of working in the office- which I am, in fact I'm pleased to report that I did quite well on my test! Anyhoo the rest of the day also went well, I learned all sorts of things about mortgages, and even had a nice 1 hour lunch. However, the drive home was ridiculous. I have officially decided that I really really disagree with driving home in rush hour - the c-train is going to be my mode of transport as much as possible.

The really really crazy (and honestly - very scary) thing is that my boss' wife, who also works in the office was asking me about someone I took spanish classes with. She asked me if I remembered a guy named David (last name omitted) - she described him as "mousy". I was racking my brain to think of the person she was refering to. I said to her I wasn't quite sure who it was, to which she replies "Well he sure remembers you!". Apparently he was staking out her house as the BBQ guests arrived - and of course saw me as I exited my car. Then when he was chatting with her about the incident Sally replied that I was new to the company. Anyhoo, it suddenly donned on me that it wasn't "David" that she was talking about, but rather "Steve" as in "Creepy Steve" - HOLY CRAP!!!!! - my stalker is her neighbour!

Naturally I was really shocked and told her the whole story about him stalking me, changing his major to mine etc etc etc - she promised to tell him that I no longer worked for her company and she doens't know where I am -

Phew! that was close.

Maybe tomorrow will be not so shocking - now I'm off to experience the lovely cuisine of the local Morrocan restaurant near chez moi! Adios!

AHHH Brenda and Dylan

So in order to replace my BBC Canada's Footballers wives (I don't have Bell Express Vu) I seem to be addicted to TVtropolis. This morning whilst cleaning up my "flat" I watched with trepidation as Brenda went through a pregnancy scare (wow! - quite scary indeed) and then proceeded to breakup with Dylan... really tragic. I know I was pretty upset - it's really too bad. Perhaps next week I'll find out that they get together.

Now, before you start to remind me as to what really happens, I'll stop you right there...back when we were all little elementary kids and glued to the tv when the gang was on - I was out playing cops and robbers. That's right! I never watched this show, nor did I love the NKOTB - I'm just playing catch up now!

Finally....a Post

What a month.....first of all I finished my last week of fulltime at SHEC , and on monday I start my brand spankin' new job....well I am a bit worried because I have no clue what the hell I am doing but what the hey - I'll give it a try....

Monday was super awesome, I had my first roadtrip in my car - to Drumheller! I saw the hoodoos and the giant T-Rex, spent a lovely afternoon in KQ's garden and had a really yummy dinner with the family - hilarious day!

Tuesday was okay, nothing much to note, except the fact that I purchased 6 dozen roses, hey at $5 a dozen wouldn't you? I gave 1 dozen to each Mrs. B and my mom and saved the rest for my place, plus it was a nice touch for Heather's special day...

It was Heather's 22nd Birthday this week - and I did what any good roomy would do - I made her breakfast in bed (her mom wasn't here to do the job) and then I had the most delicious dinner at her father's house - honestly, I have never had a real dinenr party with proper courses, 5 of them to be exact...and wow, it was spectacular.

Anyhoo then it was a pretty ho hum thursday at work- afterwards I spent a great evening with Eleni and Denise, wicked shopping at the cutest store by 12th street called Honey B's (it is like they emptied my brain of all my lovely ideas and created a store out of it) followed by some ultra delicious pita pit, and get this - we shared a crave cupcake 3 ways because some crazy person bought all but one cupcake at the store - who does that I ask you? WHO?
I recieved some really lovely housewarming gifts, a gorgeous lily plant and a great decorating book... (entitled Royal Palaces of Britain) afterwards my evening was marked with some really awesome Grey's Anatomy season 1 action. AHHHH - Dr. McDreamy

Friday was lovely, it was my mom's birthday, she's 25! So I took her out for an evening in Kensington - dinner and some gelato - plus more dinner next monday - I love to spoil her!
Saturday was a boring day at work - not so much fun but I was invited to a BBQ at my new boss' house - and it was catered! mmmmmmm, it was really really delicious.

Anyways that was my week, next week I was thinking of perhaps having a gathering of sorts - maybe friday or saturday, a housewarming perhaps - does this work for you guys? drop me an email to let me know......

Holy Jesus!!!

In the last 2 days I have seen....2 mustangs (I believe they were 1966 and 1968), one convertible one hardtop, a bear driving a car (well, he was wearing a bear suit!) a girl with wings, and get this today I saw a man with a snake just casually chillin' outside a store....and I swear the snake was eyeing my up, perhaps I looked raher tasty.....anyhoo, the point of this is that it has been a rather bizzare 2 days together with my marathon shopping trip to find a certain someone a b-day prez anddthe lovely dinner I had at Ikea with Denise and I am exhausted.
Tomorrow I have a Dr.'s appt where I will most likely learn that I have some huge problem with my thyroid (aka my meds are not working) and that is why I a) can't wake up in the a.m., b) am ALWAYS (and I mean always) cold, even when others are sweatin' up a storm, and finally c) there is a reason why I have huge bruises all over my body (unless Heather beats me up in my sleep). Anyways I shall keep you posted in case I do have something terribly wrong.....let's hope not!

The Bolivers

SO I'm housesitting right now, it's going well but I am sooo addicted to BBC Canada, which means that I am currently in the "know" of footballers wives... I think I should be a footballers wife - I wouldn't be all bitchy and evil like some of them, but more like Posh, glamorous (I'd try) and aloof....hmmm I think I'd have to move to the UK or europe to find my footballer however.....

Anyhoo, back to the Bolivers (the kitties) and my BBC Canada....

If only!

So I just found out that the home that my dad grew up in is for sale - actually it's quite nice - too bad I don't have 2.2 mil to buy it!

Perhaps I'll play the 6 49 tomorrow!

Oooh I almost forgot

I think miss Hez and I should have a joint graduation / got a new apartment / got a new car / got a new job / birthday party - most of you (hahahaha) are invited so I'll keep you posted as to when it may happen.

Drinks will be the order of the day (my new hobby p.s.) so feel free to bring some stuff to create those aforementioned drinks. I promise to try all your concoctions - as long as I'm still standing...

What to do....

So the last week has been interesting - no real internet for the most part. We had a small problem with the connection and then miraculously it started up again.....

In other news - nothing, seriously - oooh except for the fact that I got a new job.... so I should be getting some more moolah and perhaps that means that Heather and I can have a really great espresso machine - more all that nice starbucks coffee we will be having around the house.

My SEXY SEXY new hair!

HAHAHAHA...I LOVE getting my hair done, I am such a girl sometimes but who the heck cares? I would love to upload some pics but unfortunately I can't get my computer to connect to the net and I'm not sure miss Heather wants me to be adding randomn weird hair pics to her computer...so I suppose you'll just have to wait - I'll try to fix it I promise.

But, I digress....back to the hair - it is mostly quite dark with loads of RED (and I mean red) highlights and of course a few blond ones that are left over from the previous few hair sessions. I guess the thing that I forgot about was the fact that when my hair is darker I look soooo pale! Now for anyone who knows me knows that I am the world's whitest person - ultra pale and cannot for the life of me get a tan - but with my new hair I am WHITE! I honestly thought that perhaps I was getting a wee bit of a tan, but sadly no. Also, my baby blues really stand out now - I think I prefer this look, it is more, how do you say?...striking, in that my whiteness is accentuated a lot more.

Anyways to finish off the day can I tell you that the crazies were out in full force...the two people that started my work day off were completely unbelievable. First I had a lady who - get this - had a raging eye infection for 3 weeks - 3 WEEKS! - and who full on admited that she a) didn't finish the eye drops rx that her GP gave her...b) took someone else's steroid drops (I can't even begin to tell you how wrong that is).... and c) seriously thought she did nothing wrong!

Then, the next girl came in and also full on admited that she had been wearing her MONTHLY (as in can only wear for 1 month MAX) contacts for 3 MONTHS!!!!!! and she honestly thought I was going to let her leave my office without garbaging them - I cannot believe her eyes didn't fall out! Not really, but you get the jist...

I'm not sure if you all understood the lunacy of the day but meh....

So this weekend I will try - for your benefit - to a) upload pics of my wicked hair.... b)upload pics of my apartment.... and c) upload pics of my fancy dancy new car..... I hope.

Some randomn tuesday thoughts...

First of all how much do I love having a great room-mate? Lots! This morning she wakes me up and says.... "Linda - I made coffee if you like" ....ahhhhh the smell of coffee first thing in the morning can't be beat. Plus, soon, very soon my house will be filled with the delicious aroma of fantastic Starbucks coffee.....I just love Heather....

Secondly, I don't like dating - the whole nervousness, the unsure of what to do next crap - seriously I've had a 10 year hiatus and I am NOT enjoying the transition - supposedly it will get better....

Thirdly, I get my hair done today - I am forgoing groceries for this so it better be good. I think we'll take the blond out and put in some dark with some red - we'll see.

Fourthly, (is that a word?) I love my shower....it has a lovely window in it with a shelf - don't worry it's high up so I'm not exposed to my neighbours - but honestly it is really nice and I like the tile too!

I guess that's it for now....

My Apartment

My apartment, I think, is finally really feeling like home. Because I house-sit so much and have lived everywhere the past little bit (Europe, my mom's, the Bowman's, etc etc) I haven't really had "a home", however now I can really chill and do whatever I want, it really is quite nice. Oh, and I seriously do feel like I am living alone with an occasional house guest - Heather is rarely home.

Anyhoo I tried to take some pics of my new place - well the kitchen to be exact (complete with a back door!) - it's the only room (with the exception of Heather's room) that is clean. Well, not really the place is clean per say but MY room is a wee bit messy. I have A LOT of ironing to do and I need to hang all of my pictures....Oh yeah pictures, the photos are a bit blurry as I am still getting used to my camera. I'll post them anyways so you'll have to forgive the clumsiness..... oh and please note the newness of everything..hahahahahha (PS - all of the shoes are property of Miss Heather - mine are in my closet and are equally as abundant...)
















Tomorrow is a fun day I hope, my mom and I are going to the Salsa fest in Kensington - see ya there?

Yum!

More free dinner tonight - this time at the Hadock & Hoof and courtesy of my boss. As per Teila's recomendations I had the fish and chips - apparently it was to be the best I'll ever have in my life! It was quite good, and I am very very full. Oooh, also I had a mussel, a scallop, some crab and some calamari - pretty good for a prairie girl huh?

Oh yeah - almost forgot to tell you all....tuesday I got a phone call from the catering manager at the Fairmont Palliser Hotel - she wanted to confirm my booking for dec 21 this year. I politely declined - ouch!

Creepy Creepy Italian Man

EWWWWWW... Heather and Megan and I had dinner at a randomn italian restaurant ('cuz the one by our house strangely didn't have any available tables hmmmm). The food was really nice....the staff however was a wee bit creepy. Firstly, I have almost no idea what the hell he was saying most of the time even though I pride myself in understanding not so perfect english (being a languages major). Secondly he seemed to have a real affinity for miss Heather....I'm not so sure that she liked that so much. (PS - He's no Big Fat Pizza Man B, but he was quite the man!)

Then we went to our gelato shop (of course) and the guys at the shop were all flirty and ridiculous with us - ahh Italian men, whata group!

All in all a good evening was had by all. Tomorrow I get to go for dinner again 'cuz we had a record day at work and dinner is our reward...mmmmm free food. Wicked, I just love it.

Now that I have my Tombstone DVD (well it was nicely upgraded to a DVD from a VHS by a certain Cam) back I can watch some of beloved Doc Holliday.
"I've got two guns, one for each of ya..." and or course who can forget.."It would appear that the strain was more than he could bear" or "I'm your huckleberry!"

Excuse me - Doc is calling..

Why, oh why?

Why do I seem to attract all the crazies? It seems as though I bring out the weird talkativeness of some people. They tell me all sorts of stuff, about their medical history, their love life, their adventures etc... Today I must have sat there and listened to some lady drone on for near 45 minutes. Seriously, some how I got roped into a chat with her. First it started out about airplane travel, then crashes, then vegas, then weather and architecture and jewelry, then all of the sudden she launched into her medical history and that of her elderly husband. She continued to explain all about her husband's caregivers and how she nearly ran away with one on account of his charisma and how it so closely matched her's (which by the way if you are wondering is equally as amazing). THEN she blabbed about how her mother was such a tremendous beauty with a quick wit and - you guessed it - fabulous charisma. Honestly, she went on and on. After that she switched to the topic of intelligence and how her mother was super intelligent and (it turns out her mom used to live in the Beverly Centre, where I used to work in High School) how she passed this amazing intelligence down to her younger sister and then onto her son who turns out - get this - is a double Einstein!

Whatever the hell that means!!!!!!!????? He apparently started university at the age of 11 and is refered to as a boy genius. Oh puhleez....

No one at work seemed intent on saving me from this women - I was seriously sick of hearing about that wonderful fabulous bragging that she had to do about her family and herself....But thank god her husband needed her help with his glasses and I could escape.

I'm not sure if she was just lonely, but this seems to happen to me quite often and I have no clue as to why - perhaps I have some sort of magical talking powers and people are just compelled to tell me intimate details of their lives. Geez, what a power, I would rather have something like flying or invisibility. One can only dream , right?

Black is the new Black

Hot damn - finally a fashion trend I can really put myself behind! It seems as though the designers are using the "newest" colour in a monochromatic, very structured style. So for the fall and winter, let's all take notice, black on black with black shoes and black accesories...wicked!

I could have blown up!

Call me ridiculous but the whole time that I have been living here at my place I always noticed a natural gas-ish smell coming from my storage room where the furnace and the hot water tank are. Today however I probably spent something like 15 full hours in my apartment. The smell was getting stronger and I had a headache plus I was getting a bit light headed, so I called the gas company emergency line. They sent out a guy to check it out, now this guy was no spring chicken but he knew his stuff. He said he couldn't smell anything, but checked anyways for me. It turns out that I did indeed have a small leak - which he said was probably there for years without anyone noticing it. So why did I smell it? He said that women have a more sensitive sense of smell - HA! Anyhoo all is fixed, gas leak is no more and I feel a whole lot safer now. Weird that no one else (except Heahter, my mom and my old neighbour Karen, all of whom are girls by the way) could smell it, or did anything about it until now.

PS. I actually made it to the Stampede tonight, I ate my mandatory mini doughnuts and cotton candy, I even had that special barrel root beer. No word yet as to whether or not I won the dream home - I'll post something if I do...wish me luck!

Ode to Bertha... the Very Best Grandma

I am the worst grand - daughter ever.

All week long I was thinking about my Grandma's birthday, I even told people about it 'cuz I am super proud of her. I get my scottish heritage from her, I have some of her dishes in my kitchen, I have a fascination with the military because of her husband, and I will never forget playing with all her tupperware on the kitchen floor when I was little. All in all she is a super huge role model to me. Anyways, Friday comes around and I forget to call her, saturday comes and I forget to call her, finally today I realize my enormous mistake and I call her to wish her a wonderful (but belated) 92nd birthday. 90 freakin' 2 years....she is amazing. She lived through the depression, lived through 6 (almost 7) years without her husband (he was in WWII) while raising my uncle and then has lived for 37 years (thus far) as a widow. I cannot tell you what a great lady she is...all that she has seen and done for low these past 92 years, and she still drives!!!!! (not in calgary mind you, but still)

So Grandma if you are reading this (although I'm not sure she knows what a blog is)- Happy Birthday, I love you lots and lots.

A good day

So today my friend Ronnalie and I had a lovely day...first we got together and took her dog Max for a walk, then we went to this great meat shop - it was awesome, I bought some fabulous beef jerkey (that Woody Harleson apparently loves!) - 3 kinds- and some yummy sausages and wicked steaks. The best part is that the meat is all super top quality, almost no fat, the sausages are made from chicken breats and the jerkey is made from rump roast. I'm telling you it is awesome. Then we went shopping and I spent $175 at Aldo on shoes and purses - I don't feel nearly as guilty as I should just because a) my shoes from Nice (from 4 years ago) are falling apart and b) I'm a grown up and a university graduate and so I should have grown up purses and shoes, thus the spending of the money.

Anyhoo afterwards we had a great lunch - with yummy yummy melted brie on Naan bread - and then we hit my place to watch the first volume of Kill Bill - it was a cool movie - violence, just what I needed.

Plus we had another walk - and some more beef jerkey. Next stop is Costco for some perrier and "pantry essentials". Slowly but surely I am making up my grown up life.

I know that I have promised to post numerous photos, but when I get my computer up and running - I'm using Heather's now (thanks Heather) - I'll post some photos.....

I'm not sure what to do just now - I feel quite empty, which I suppose is to be expected. Some days I think I revert back to how I went about things when he was in school, other days I feel the full impact of what has happened. I feel devestated, empty, alone, humiliated, like I want to die.

I sound like someone has died, but that is just it. For 9 years I was blissfully happy. No matter what happened with my family, with school, with work - whatever - I still had him. I had my "rock", I had the one thing in my life that above all else I could absolutely count on. I may sound a tad dramatic, but really - I venture to guess that you would feel the same. Countless times I have heard people say to me that I was so lucky to find the love of my life so early - and so easily. We were truly (although with trepidation of soundy quite corny) soulmates. Some people go through life never finding the one person that they can feel so free, so comfortable, so at ease and happy with - some people are not destined to ever find that - I however, always thought that I was one of the lucky few. Beginning from one month into our relationship, I was 15 - he 16, we knew that we were to be together, we planned our wedding, picked out children's names and the like. Then without warning I was hurled into this, this depth of sadness and betrayal. The best way to describe it is that I feel my very soul is bound to his - even now after all that has happened. I feel that I cannot move on until that connection is broken or disolved. Maybe it is the denial stage, maybe I can't face the truth right now. All that I know is that this is too much to bear. That I am experiencing such heartache and pain that I get through the day in denial and I fear that it will be this way for a time.

I am humiliated to admit this, at times it is all I can do to not break into heart wrenching sobs at work, at the store, alone. I know that I am not in fact alone, time and time again I hear my friends assure me that they are there for me - and I honestly am thankful for that, I truly am. But, in reality I'm not sure anyone can really understand this, unless they have been in a relationship for as long as I have been and have had this sort of thing happen to them. That isn't to say that I am not grateful for the support, I am - even from his parents - whom I secretly think love me more than I know.

I'm not sure why I wrote this - I think I shall regret this tomorrow and the next day, but I had to get it off my chest without saying the words outloud - if that makes any sense at all.

Avec un coeur gros / Apesadumbrado

Apres tous, c'est fini. J'ai auncun idée ce que je peux faire, comment le réparer. Je suis totalement au désespoir. J'ai essayé pour 10 mois pour éviter ceci, mais malheureusement mais dans la fin il se révèle inévitable.

Aunque tengo algunas cosas en mi vida con que debo ser feliz- como un coche nuevo, un apartamiento nuevo con una amiga asombrosa y otras amigas igualmente asombrosas - es complentemente terrible. Son las tres por la mañana, pero yo no puedo dormir, ni comer. Necesito ir a trabajo en algunas horas (y por el resto de la semana) pero no se como puedo trabajar con esta tristeza.

Alors, je sais que avec un peu (ou beaucoup) de temps, ce sera meilleur, mon coeur réparera. Cependant, pendant ce temps je suis détruit. La tristesse est presque écrasante.

Lo siento para este "post" bastante triste y lleno de melancolía, pero creo que es realmente impossible der ser de lo contrario.

Bravo!

Yesterday someone VERY near and dear to my heart underwent breast cancer surgery and has since been pronounced 100% Cancer Free!!!!!!!
SOOOOOO - I am exstatic with this news, in fact she did so well that they released her today (less than 24 hours after surgery).

To support this I have put a lovely and beautiful pink ribbon breast cancer ribbon magnet on my car - I encourage all us of to do the same (I got mine at compasionate beauty salon south of Mt. Royal College).

Now I have a support the troops on the right and a breast cancer one on the left - I'll post some photos soon of my gorgeous car!

SHOPPING!

As you may have already read on Heather's blog - we went on a small shopping trip to Ikea. Now, I'm sure we all know about Ikea, and we definately should all love it as much as I do. In fact I love it so much I went back today and bought some more stuff (curtains and roman blinds for my room and more picture frames). Followed by a small shopping trip on airmiles.ca to order a really nice pots and pans set and a steamer (for rice, veggies, chicken /fish etc).

Yesterday however, we pretty much cleaned up during our shopping trip, Heather and I, we bought chairs (with cushions) for our kitchen table, some kitchen textiles (aka a table runner and some tea towels) a Tv stand, curtains (+ rod) for our living room, a rug for the living room, and I got some picture frames for all my french prints - in addition to all Heather's bedroom stuff. Plus, it all fit in my new car (seats folded down of course). Now all that is left is bathroom stuff, towels, bathmat and what have you.

Also yesterday I had a tea party with my grandma - she is amazing this lady... 6 years without her husband (he was away fighting for our country in WWII) whilst raising my uncle, and this Bastille day she turns 92 - plus she still drives! I love her! Not to mention all the cool stuff she gave me from her cabinet - I'll treasure those dishes forever.

Today I went to Pauline's and had a great chat, then I had a lovely starbucks iced latte, THEN I hung out with my friend Jenn and her great kids (her 6 week old baby is perfect, I just love her!).

All in all a great start to my vacation from work, Tomorrow I start to house-sit until the 4th and I will probably spend the days lounging on the deck surrounded by flowers and sunbathing whilst reading some great books / daydreaming about my new apartment - what could be better I ask you?

My mother pointed out something to me the other day - this year alone I have:

1. Vacationed in Europe
2. Graduated from University
3. Bought a new car
4. Got my own place (in a trendy part of town)

And, it is only the end of June - holy crow! What next I wonder? In any case my point is that I must have doen something really nice to please the fates to have such good luck. Thus, I am very thankful.

OPA!

What a weekend - friday was pretty much uneventful, work was well, work - thankfully I was out of there by 5:30, followed by a relaxing evening. I drove (in my new car) down to my mom's and we stopped by our old neighbour's - Karen's - house. While there we skulked around our old house peering into windows etc seeing what they did with the old place. It was the oddest feeling, I felt as though I wasn't looking at the house where I grew up in, but rather a stranger's house. It was quite dissapointing, what a shame.

Saturday was a bit of a gong show at work. We were grossly understaffed, and I didn't get out of there until 4:50 (quite late I can tell you). Thank god I have a weeks holliday! In the evening my mom and I went to the Greek Fest and ate some delicious delicious food...mmmmmm... followed by some fancy dancing and a tour around kensington to show her the house that Hez applied for - it turns out we did not get it. However, my mom (she brings me such luck!) spotted another apartment for rent just in the next block. It turns out to be AMAZING! Beautiful...it is completly renovated, new everything and - get this - right in between the #264 legion (a sign no?) and the gelato shop.

Everything is coming up Linda (and Hez of course)! (did you get that?????)

Anyhoo, I have decided that I should volunteer at the legion and hang out with some vets whilst eating gelato..... I am stoked.

Updates, and party dates to follow...

THANK YOU!

I just wanted to say a big thank you yo all of you guys who emailed, called, gave cards / flowers, or shared a meal with me in celebration of my grad. You guys are just wonderful and I am so happy to have you all as dear friends.

A heartfelt thank you to all!

Keep your fingers crossed!

So here's the update - we've applied to 2 places in the Kensington area, both houses, both 3 bedrooms, but I think one of them thinks it has 3 bedrooms but in reality it is 2 bedrooms plus a large closet. It would be nice to get the 2nd one though (smart Hez - she worked her cute young women routine with the elderly landlord man). Hez tells me that the place is in need of a clean up - 3 guys live there right now, beer cans and crazy posters everywhere....... I think I can clean it up nice - plus Ikea is having their summer sale so I can get pretty curtains and things to accesorize and make it a wee bit girly-er.

The other situation is that it is a bit expensive for only the 2 of us - so Hez might post the extra room at the WJ hanger and recruit someone to live there with us. This is excellent for me because living with 2 flight attendants is awesome, they are there only 1/2 the time and pay full rent. It's like living by yourself with an occasional guest.

Furniture is also coming along nicely - Hez has a couch, I can get a couch plus a love seat(??) and the best part is - it's plaid (which although hidiously tacky - I think we all know I really love). My desk and her kitchen table plus my coffee tables are going to look a bit mismatched, but after all I can't get a new car AND new furniture - that will have to wait. By the way - does anyone have any extra furniture they would love to donate to the "Furnish Linda's house" Camapign?

More updates to follow - stay tuned!

HALLELUJAH!!!!!

Hot damn they did it - they LOST!!!!!

I am soooo pumped that the Oil did not win the cup - as a born and breed Calgarian it is my DUTY to hate the aforementioned Oilers, as well as the Maple Leafs and also the Canucks. To those of you who decided to "jump on the band wagon" to cheer for those cretins up north you deserve to have any property held in Calgary revoked and given to a TRUE Flames fan - which by the way in essence means that you must ALWAYS cheer for whomever is playing the Oilers.

I suppose that is enough words in all caps - but I think you get my point even though it is a little late in coming. I have been occupied driving around as of late - no pics just yet, but I did however put a beautiful yellow "support the troops" ribbon magnet on my car in addition to a Flames sticker. My decorating job is coming along nicely thus far.

PS - I still love Commodore! (and Stillman) - they will always be Flames to me.....

HM Queen Elizabeth II

After having watched the program aired on CBC this evening, I realized just how much I really love the Queen. I love her pearls and her hats, I especially love her corgi dogs and love of horses. Her unending stamina and kind words, she is every bit what anyone would think to be a Queen. Over the past 54 years she has reigned over the Commonwealth, and through my 24 years alive I have been proud to have her as my Queen.

Upon re-hearing the speech she made during her trip last year to our fair land, she remarked that during a visit years ago her mother had proclaimed that Canada has always felt like a home away from home, and 60 some odd years later the statement still rings true. Her exact words...

"Ladies and gentlemen, six decades later, it still does, and it is good to be back."

Call me ridiculous, but honestly I had tears in my eyes.

In my life I have had the good fortune of seeing her in person twice. Once when I was only 8 years old. She came to Calgary and was of course staying at the Palliser Hotel. Being that my mother also loves Her Majesty we were able to skip school and be at the hotel for her arrival. My sisters and I were of course dressed up with our hair curled and in ribbons (my mother LOVES her ribbons). We watched in awe as Her Majesty walked through the doors and made her way to the elevators, pausing to accept flowers. A while later she descended the stairs to the lobby on her way to the Oval room. As my younger sister Amy was only 6 at the time, she was tiring quickly and was sitting on the floor playing with her cars, her ribbon was falling out of her hair and her pretty pink dress and petticoats were spread out about her. As she passed us where we stood in the front row, me standing quietly beside my mother and Amy on the floor, she (I'm serious here) gazed at the two of us, winked and smiled. That sealed it for me, I was starstruck. The other occasion was last year at the Saddledome. Although I wasn't as close to her as previsouly, still I saw her.

One other thing that I hold near and dear in my heart, "Raised and trained by the RCMP in Saskatchewan, Burmese was given to the Queen in 1969. It's said that after the horse, which she rode during official events for 18 years, was retired she attended celebrations in a carriage."

Often time I get an email asking who I might have lunch with if I could have it with anyone, past or present. Without a doubt it would be her.

I'm not sure if I have been as eloquent as I could be in this posting, but I'm sure I got my feelings across.

God Save the Queen.










Me at Windsor Castle Feb 2006 (w/ Rupinder)

Dissapointment City!

SO, I went to see "The Breakup" featuring Vince and Jennifer, after work tonight. I had heard that it was quite funny and cute, thus I went.

- However.... anyone who really knows me knows that I am a sucker for a happy ending, a PROPER happy ending. SOOOO needless to say I was very very dissapointed in the end of this movie - and no matter what anyone says, that doesn't count as happy.

I just don't know quite what to say - first I can't have my car until monday, @ 6 pm mind you, then this pathetic ending on what could have been a stellar funny movie. My whole week is shot I tell you! I'm not sure what can possible happen now to repair it........ maybe I'll try folding some laundry (confused? see previous post)

Wicked Video!

This is wicked amazing - I am sooo praticing this every laundry day - Amazing

Vrooom Vrooom - Surfs Up!

So as some of you may have guessed - I am now a car owner..... It's true - Linda has bought her first car - and it's new to boot! And I did it all by myself - no parental help needed!

I wanted to wait until I had a sweet picture of me chillin' in my new ride, but alas some holligans decided to WALK over my hood and put a dent in it - so the dealership is now replacing my hood. Originally I was told friday but now it seems as though I must wait until monday. HMMMMM - BOO-URNS!

Anyhoo its a small, black, and quite european looking Pontiac Wave and it's very very fuel efficient, perfect for a first car for a new grad. Plus, I got a sweet gas card, 20 cents off per litre for a year (although I doubt I'll ever max out the 2500 L limit). So next time I'm with you and you need gas perhaps you can bribe me to get you 20 cents per litre off. HAHAHA

PS - it's a huge surprise for my mom - soooo SHHHHHHHH!

Cool (and corny) pics of me to follow.....

News

I have some news - fun news - but I can't tell just yet..... stay tuned.......

My biggest fan!

I just couldn't resist - she's just too cute!

GRAD PHOTOS!

Please forgive the weird formating....

After my historic walk across the stage

With Cam

With my Mom

With Cynthia and Aaron

With Claudia

The BA Span Class of 2006

Linda and Cynthia!

Ladies and Gentlemen....It's official!

So, I have now entered the cult of the U of C Alumni.

Yeah for me - I did it and I am now an official U of C graduate. The ceremony was nice - a great big surprise that I didn't in fact have to shake the hand of my old buddy Harvey Weingarten - I did get to shake the hand of the Chancellor instead - who by the way was wearing a great kilt! Plus one of my favorite profs ever - Mme Lohka - was there to give me a hug and some "félicitations" and "bravos".

My mom and Cam's parents along with Cam and Cynthia and Aaron were there to witness my convocation, and as well my friend Pauline made it - and although we never actually got to meet up, the thought was there.....

One thing that was slightly creepy was the fact that my stalker creepy Steve was graduating with me, which normally would have been alright but as there were only 6 of us there from my department, it was slightly awkward.

Afterwards we went and had a lovely yummy lunch at Santorini's - mmmmm Greek Food - plus I treated myself to some Baklava!

Anyhoo, all in all the day was fab.

A cuppa'll do ya

It is said (often by me I'll admit) that a good cup of tea will rouse your spirits.

Tonight however it just isn't happening.... maybe I need new tea.

For Gertrude

I just love this commercial - the mosters are sooooo funny

- For Gertrude indeed -

that's freakin' hilarious

Scotland here I come

No seriously - I have this incredible desire to move to Scotland. I don't know why, but all I know is that I NEED to go.

SO, this is my plan. To all my friends in the Uk and Europe - do any of you have any connections that I may utilize? Preferably ones who live in or near a really wicked castle.

If I could go for just a few months I think I could be happy. I'll keep you all posted with my progress......

My first lulu

AHHHH - to be in the lulu club - all the BSD bitches would be proud I think.
Today after my lovely experience with donating my blood - They DID have cookies, and they were goooood - I went for lunch with Megan - very yummy- then onto shopping at Southcentre which yielded some fun lulu lemon-esque pants (bought at La Senza - for 1/2 the price) and a really beautiful lulu lemon top - the whisper tank infact (mine is black - of course)- very very perfect. I swear I look 10 lbs lighter and really great in my new shirt. Maybe I can try to create an entire wardrobe of lulu - wouldn't that be nice? Let's all think of that for a minute, how comfortable would we all be....... mix that with our very own Jamies and voila - heaven.....

Anyways back to my day..... after our shopping trip we went to see a movie in the cheap theatres... Failure to launch. It was really quite cute, I was surprised - and as my mom put it, Matthew was delicious.

Tomorrow promises to also be very exciting - Dim Sum with Ronnalie and some realxing in the pm - perhaps we can attend the Lilac Festival - hope it doesn't rain....

Another week....

Ho hum, another week. Nothing big happened, had to unpack my crap - it still is in a suitcase, more or less, and I think I finally got the stale smoke smell to somewhat dissipate.
Oh, well there is one thing.... my friend - from the good old DB days who now works with me here - and I have decided to do a mission (not the religious type) to a deserving country to dole out free eye exams and glasses. This is somehting I have wanted to do for many many years and I think it may finally happen. We have contacted both the CVC and VOSH - and are awaiting the replies.
Now everybody cross your fingers!

This weekend I have absolutely nothing to do - for three days - nice - but really, what am I going to do? I do have an appointment tomorrow to give blood, another thing I like to periodically do - plus they have cookies - it's a win win sitution.

Anyhoo, this was a very randomn and weird entry - sorry I'll try to be more interesting next time........

My Life is Over!

Oh dear me - my as of this morning my life is seriously over. I had the WORST day EVER and honestly I dare anyone to try to make it worse. I shall explain....

First - I woke up a wee bit late - that always sucks
Then I went to get a coffee to relax and try to amke my day at work some fun and lo and behold when I walk into the Signal Hill Second Cup I discover that in my absence they have redone the menu and GASP left off my beloved Crème Brûlée Ristreto. I frantically look over at the barista and ask with a sqeak in my voice "Um, exucse me... do you still have the Crème Brûlée Rsitretto?" to which she replies... "well yes but (to my horror) we are discontinuing it!"

HOLY HELL and GREAT SCOTT!!! - (this went though my mind as I tried not to cry)

Upon further investigation I discovered that they still have some syrup left and can therefore make me one for today - but that will run out soon - I even tried to suggest that they hide the syrup and only to be used if the customer produces the correct code password, something like "the crow flies at midnight" would be good I think... I'm not sure I convinced her....

Anyhoo, when I arrived at work I made the mistake of answering the phone - all morning - and to my surprise it was problem after problem - which sucked - but to make it worse - all off the problems were for patients that I had nothing to do with.. but since I answered the phone I was now the person that had to fix it and therefore took the brunt of their frustrations. GRRRR.

What the heck... now I sit in my housesitting house with my kitties and almost all of my clothes strewn around me trying to pack them up somehow so I can move them.... plus there isn't any yummy things in the house and TV sucks tonight - BOO-URNS!

Perhaps tomorrow will be better - no wait I have to work (for the 6th day in a row) and its the long weekend and I am stuck in Calgary.

Well at least yesterday was good - I got a postcard from mi amiga Teila who is in Europe, I got a really funny letter re: my course in the fall which read and I quote:
"Most courses will provide you with enough time to complete any assignments with the time designated for that class. If you do not complete assignments in the provided time, you will be REQUIRED to so so outside of class time."

NO WAY! I have to do homework outside of class time - Crap - there goes my social life!(this is sarcasm if you weren't sure)

Give me a break, is this a joke?

OOOH - also I won a camera from the Foothills Hospital Home Lotto - WICKED it's a samsung 4.0 MP digital camera

Ahh Summer

The past 2 days have been uber-fun. First, friday was a day off for me (yes, yes I know what you're thinking - day off???) and I went and got my hair done - not just cut, but with fancy colours - red and very blond to be exact - yeppers, loads of highlights (and lowlights), plus she crazy curled my hair with a straightening iron - cool! Then because I looked so hot with my new hair I thought to myself -

"Hey self, you should go out for lunch and show off your cool hair"

- but unfortunately I don't have anyone's numbers as they are all trapped inside my cell phone which is at the moment sans batteries so I settled for putting my hair in super cute pig tails and painting the fence - wicked!

Anyhoo I painted the fence, polished my shoes - and did a darn good job, like mirrors I tell you, MIRRORS! (the military was good for something!) and had a nice cup of tea - two actually.

Then today I got arrived at work with a super yummy Crème Brûlée Ristretto - of course - and as it was saturday it was quite slack and casual , and then, THEN my favorite aunt came to visit and take me to lunch - free lunch mmmmmmm.

Tomorrow I get to do another airport run - love it - and then some relaxing time -

OOH , almost forgot - my fabulous friend Jen and her hubby Chris had a lovely baby girl - what a great thing to happen on such a great weekend - HAPPY MOTHERS DAY MOM and Jen and all my friends with little kiddies!!!!!!!!

Gotta love ebay

AHHHH, so as per my plans of maxing and relaxing I have motored my way through many of my romance novels (yah yah, I know I should read REAL literature), and I have decided to become addicted to eBay. This way I can complete my collection of Julie Garwood novels (that's right Denise, I'm following in your path and I'm proud of it!).

Currently I am winning on 2 aucitons that would in fact complete my collection, as well as waiting on a delivery for another book in my Julia Quinn collection - wicked!

After this little marathon I think we all know what I will start on next - Outlander of course, that is if I can manage to scrounge up all my copies, I do believe that most of the 6 book series is out on loan - but I'm not complaining. If I can spread to love of Jamie around I'm a happy girl!

Day 4 and counting

Alors, so today marks the end of day 4 sans mobile phone. It seems as though Cameron has absconded with my cell phone charger and I am now forced to be cellphone-less. Can I tell you how nuch it sucks? Silly Cam, mistaking my charger for his. The worst thing is not being "in touch" but rather the fact that all my numbers are stored in the phone and silly me I don't have then written down elsewhere - OOPS!

Anyhoo, sunday is the glorious day when I shall have my phone back and my life will be in order - except for that whole moving out thing... Oh did I forget to tell you? It seems as though I must find an apartment to live in - now there is some confusion as to exactly where I should live, down south or downtown / kensington - I'm still undecided but really I think it's about time that I made up my mind...... don't you?

PS..... This also means only 4 more days to the fantabulous H&M / Bath and Body Works Lotion fest I will be having on sunday afternoon. Aparently he spent a "while" in the store (H&M) with 4 salesgirls finding an outfit for me - all together now AHHHH!

BOO-urns!

Brutal - that's all I can say!

BRU - TAL

In other news - I am super jealous of my Cam - he gets to spend the week (and a bit) hanging' in the NE US, Boston, NY, DC and the like - but I think we all know what that means - lotion (I think this time I'll go for White Tea & Ginger) and H&M stuff for me - wicked!

No seriously - I hope he has a blast, this really is his dream trip, Fenway Park (the Green Monster), Yankee Stadium (Go Yankees!), and just hangin' with the boys.

BON VOYAGE!

Lady of Leisure

So now that I am officially fini with school I seem to have quite a bit of time on my hands and have therefore become a Lady of Leisure. This means, of course, that I get to socialize! - and work.

Since sunday I have had a lunch or dinner date every day except one, celebrated a birthday, schmoozed with a contact lens solution rep, watched several movies, read approxamitely 5 novels and worked 3 times. Not to mention the girls night tonight, and the grad dinner tomorrow - Wow! - and I thought my life was hectic at school.

In any case I would much rather be chillin' with my friends than being stuck in the classroom any day. I have to get it all in now though because come september Katie and I will be cruising the halls once again - but this time, there's no doubt as to whose the smartest - We've decided to pull a Heather! (aka not kill ourselves studying and still get the highest grade)

PS - GO FLAMES GO!

Holy Crap - It's Johnny on the BIG SCREEN

So - my fabulous friend Maya just informed me that in fact my wrinkly old buddy JOHNNY HALLYDAY has his own film out in France -

FAN - Freakin' - TASTIC!!!

Apparently the film is called JEAN-PHILLIPE and it's about.... (I am quoting Maya on this!)

"a parallel universe where johnny did not exist, or he did, but he never became famous, so he works in a bowling alley (and during the eightites he did a stint in a sex shop)... and then one of johnny's fans searches him out and tells him that really, he's this massive star (at least in HIS world he is) and he HAS to start performing 'cos the world needs JOHNNY!"

A parrallel universe without Johnny?

NOOOOOOO!

Hot Damn - I might just have to move back to france..... or maybe it might just comes over here some time soon! - Could I be so lucky?

Oh My GAWD! - Becky look at her ...... DEGREE

HAHAHAHAHA - I am finished, fini, finito.....

Seriously though, I handed in my final SPAN 571 and SPAN 505 paper, returned my last library book - and as I walked out of Craigie Hall for the last time I took note of my suroundings, the way the air felt, the trees around me, the blue of the sky..... how freakin' awesome I felt leaving that god foresaken hole of a building (aka Craigie). AH, to be free - a Lady of Leisure if you will.

I feel bad that some of my amigas (and amigos (novio?) too - you know who you are) are still in the throws of final exam week - I'm thinking of you all and sending out my good vibes for you! But it does feel darn good to be finished.

To all who care to rejoice in their new found freedom- or for those of you who need a blessed break from the stress of finals - Party this saturday!

Wondering what the pic is in reference to? I just thought it looked good - darn good!

GO FLAMES GO! (Lincy I just love your idea - I like my Duck FLAMMIN')

PS - To all mis amigos (et mes amis) in Europe and elsewhere - miss you lots! I hope that everything is going well.....

Oh Jon,

You know who I love? Jon Stewart that's who..... he is awesome.

I'm telling you this because I just finished my retched SPAN 505 exam and am quasi-relaxing / editing my papers and watching the comedy network, which is re-airing the Daily Show from last night....

The reason I guess why I love him so much (I'd marry him if he wasn't married with two lovely children) is that he combines the things I love the most... funny, intelligent and cute - yes I think he's cute - but it's mostly the funny intelligence.

Also, I really like Stephen Colbert - but he's not as cute, still funny though....

PS - I am THIS close to finishing my unviersity career - watch out!

PPS - Breakfast was great chicas (& Rod) - thanks for the last minute study session!

HAHAHA - it's finshed

Well, well, well I am finished with my horrible SPAN 505 essay - it's 1:06 am and my eyes hurt from staring at the computer for a long long time - but it's finished. All that is left is to re-read it tomorrow evening and make sure I didn't make any sort of ridiculous mistakes. Awesome!

I think I am well on my way to really being finshed on tuesday, even though this essay and the SPAN 571 on Impresionist Spanish Art are not due until later on this week. (sorry to all mis amigos who have other crap to do - I feel for you guys...) I just need to be finished with the U of C (I think we all knew that!) and get onto relaxing for the summer.

Sweet, I think I'll read a few chapters of one of my romance novels and the go to bed - see you girls mañana.

More free dinner

AHHH, just back from a lovely with the Mr and Mrs B - in one word it was "delish". I got to dress up again, put on my pretty new skirt and my fun jewelry and dine in a charming and cozy atmosphere. Can't get better than that can ya?
So I'm in the middle of my huge 15 pager SPAN 505 essay - right now I'm on page 6 - uhhhh - and I am very sick of writing it. It's not really that hard it's just very monotinous, blah, blah, blah. Hopefully I can finish it off before I go to bed, that way I can start to study for my 505 final exam (advanced spanish grammar - ouch!) on tuesday..... We'll see how it goes

In the meantime, you know what I want to do right now?

Read trashy historic romance novels that's what. Now, I can justify it - give me a chance before you write me off as a lunatic. I figure that during the academic year I have to tailor my reading to that of academic merit - not really that fun. Thus during my downtime I think I am entitled to a little bit of fun, not to mention that I am a hopeless romantic (no kidding!) I am convinced that perhaps I was born in the wrong century - seriously. Don't get me wrong I love the modern conveniences of today's world, my second cup crème brûlée ristretto, a hot shower, cars etc. But there's a part of me that LOVES the idea of brawny society men who act very gentlemen like and /or are scottish warriors (they're my fav). I also like to thought of tooling around on horseback and taking tea in the salon - or wearing really intricate beautiful dresses, with really fun long hair. But I digress, there is no way in which to travel back in time, and I certainly don't think that this kind of man still exists - did they ever - or just in my romance novels...

Anyhoo - I'll just have to settle for watching period romantic films and reading my trashy novels.... too bad I have soo much work to do, otherwise that's what I would be doing right now - it'll have to wait until tuesday night.

I can hardly wait....

Thought du Jour - Good Friday

Wednesday after my mad dash to finish my SPAN 437 paper some friends (K and H) and I ditched the homework / studying for my maudit french test to accesorize their BSD uniforms (sadly no BSD for me, I was working...).

We ended up at Canadian Tire looking for rubber boots and tool belts - which was quite fun actually, however it turns out that we need to buy like 8 pairs of boots and 4 tool belts. Picture this - 3 girls laughing hysterically whilst walking around Canadaian Tire with - as Katie put's it - "Armfulls of rubber boots!". It was ridiculous, everyone was staring / laughing at us - I even heard a few guys exclaim laughingly as we passed them - " Did you see the boots?" Not something that I would really want a guy to be saying as I passed by, but I digress...

So it's Good Friday, I'm sure I am suppose to fast, or do something today - not quite sure what - but it'll have to wait, I've got papers to write... and in my books that constitutes a complete disregard for calories, rules and anything that might interfere with getting all of my work finished and off my mind (sadly, chocolate is still the exemption to this).

Anyhoo - it turns out that I got a A- in FREN - not bad, not bad, but at least that's a good 3.7 to the old GPA - it should average out my SPAN 505 Advanced Grammar mark that sure as heck won't be an A- (PS - that's like a 92% or somthing stupidly high for those of you NOT in my ridiculous faculty).

That's it, thats all - no more academic french for me - give me 4 more days and I can say the same about academic spanish - wicked!

Pre-test update

On my way from the library to my maudit french test...
Creepy Library Man gave me a chocolate egg - ahhhh, how sweet - too bad I can't eat it - but wait, is this a sign - should I eat it - It's a Lindt you know!

Hot Damn - Felicitaciones Amiga!!!!!!

Okay so I just got the best call ever on my cell - my fabulous friend just got the job she was sooo looking forward to.

That's the best news I've heard all week, that even beats the 95% I got on the "yellow" death test.

FREAKIN' AWESOME!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ah to be finished

So I am forever finished with classes at the University of Calgary - almost - tomorrow I have French class, except in lieu of a final exam we are writing an "in-class" test - well actually it's on the computer - which sucks, but at least I will be officially finished with french forever. Wow, after majoring in physics for the first year, moving to Switzerland, coming home, changing my major to FREN / SPAN and moving to France for a year I am truly finished - very hard to believe.

Last night I frantically tried to write my Borges paper - after 4 nights of trying to come up with something interesting to say about my favorite latin american writer (my voice is just oozing with sarcasm!) I typed the last words at around 1:30 am., and early this morning Claudia proceeded to hack it to shreds - no seriously, thanks for the edting skills my dear!

It seems that I really need the "pressure" of a last minute session to shine. Thus the late late nights, plus the notorious early mornings. Oh, by the way the purple "death" test really was a purple "death" test - when will Sanchez learn that students don't like the death test?

Anyhoo - Enough of the updates I should actually get going on studying for that darn french final.... watch me go

PS - if you are actually keeping track that means after tomorrow's FREN 333 test I have SPAN 571 paper, 505 paper and 505 final - wicked....

PPS - don't forget to watch GOOD EATS tonight.... Dr. Strangeloaf!!!!!!!

I'm so darn Jealous!

I think we all know how much I love going to europe, so in the spirit of travelling I would like to wish my lovely amigo TEILA and her hubby a wonderful, fabulous trip. You two have the opportunity to travel to some of the most beautiful cities in the world and I am so jealous, but also super excited for you both. Have loads of fun, be careful of all those darn gypsies and take the time to soak up all that culture - you won't ever regret it.

BON VOYAGE -and don't forget to call 'Pinder in London town.... be advised she may kidnapp you and not let you return to Canada.....

PS - Jeez - instead of going on a fun trip I get to stay home and write my darn SPAN 437 paper - curse you Sanchez!!!!!

The purple "Death" test

So I didn't get the purple test of death as did my good buddy Heather.... but I did get the yellow test which was equally as hard this time - last time the yellow was a relatively smooth ride compared to the aforementioned purple death test. I'm talking about my SPAN 437 test which was ultra ridiculous.

Allow me to explain.... the test consisted of 2 questions on "theory" from 2 different readings - not really crazy, but we had to link them in an abstract manner to some cuentos that we read. Then we got to pick 3 questions from 6 about some more cuentos (aka short stories in spanish) - still it's an okay (slightly crap) test. The next 2 sections were really stupid though.

- Before I continue with the description let me ask you - What grade am I in???? I was pretty sure that I was graduating from university..... however, the notorious Sanchez must not realize this. Instead she must be under the assumption that we are all in grade 3 and therefore must be treated accordingly. -

The next test section was matching - that's right, matching! Since reading break we have been listening to endless (33) individual presentations about short stories. Now, these stories were not assigned readings - basically we had to listen to the presentations and memorize the 3 or 4 questions (3 or 4 x 33 presentations = over 100 questions!) and their answers at the end, then on the test we were given 7 questions from these 100 and pick 5 to answer. BASURA!!!!!! I tell you - it was ri-di-cu-lous!! We also had to memorize the names and authors of these stories that we have never read (this was the matching part).

I am soooo glad that this day is over - I neglected to mention that I also had a SPAN 571 presentation about Spanish Impressionist Art and a SPAN 505 essay to had in - all in all a stupid long and crappy day - thank god it's over........ now all I have to do is write an SPAN 437 paper (again - for the notorious Sanchez) and a SPAN 571 paper and a SPAN 505 paper and study for an advanced spanish grammar final exam. UHHHHHHHH!

Sunday's thought

Taking a break from my essay writing / studying I found this link (the canadian petroleum hall of fame). As I am overcome with a wee bit of pride because my family (aka my grandfather) has actually contributed to the world I started to think of my ancestors. Most of you know that I do enjoy learning about history (why didn't I do a degree in that I ask you?). So in speaking of heritage, I thought I would share with you all a little piece of my background. One very boring day whilst in France I had a fun conversation with my mother, we decided to figure out exactly what heritage I had, and thus we came up with:
25% Scottish
25% Norweigan
44% English
6% Blackfoot (native)
However, upon returning to Canada and chatting with my aunt I found out that she has in her possesion a copy of a very large family tree - dating back to the 10th century - wicked! Soooooo, we looked all over it and found that in reality it isn't 6% Blackfoot, but rather 3% Blackfoot and 3% French (aka Metis) which means that I do in fact qualify for Metis status. It really doesn't do much now, except tax free gas on the reserve,which with today's oil prices isn't a very bad idea. Anywho back to the family tree. We also found that way back in the 11th century or somewhere near that time we had a Scottish King - so I guess I do descend from royalty - I knew it!

Why I hate people sometimes

I work almsot every saturday - for being a student, this is my punishment. I also work tuesdays and thursday, but that isn't the point of my post for today. My point is that people, in general, are stupid. Now, I think I am allowed to say this because I have to deal with people a lot. Most of you may not understand my rantings - unless of course you work in the eyecare / healthcare industry.

• First - I hate people who are late for their appointments - furthermore, I really get pissed off if you come to my desk pretending that you aren't late and whenI tell you that you are - you don't apologize. What is wrong with you people - I am not here to wait for you forever and when you do finally arrive you must ASK ME NICELY if you can see the doctor - don't assume that we still have space for you.
• Second - I hate people who don't say PLEASE when they ask me to do something. I am more than willing to help you, but if you don't say the magic word I say screw off! This is my most hated quality in a person - these people disgust me.
• Thirdly - people who try to scam me - I have a record of all your purchaes, I know when you were last in , what you bought, who you saw etc - so don't tell me that you were made to pay for something when you didn't and then demand that I discount your purchase that amount.
• Fourth - People who try to come in as I am closing - or better people who after the doors have been locked, the lights are being turned off, we are all wearing our coats, who try to open the door and peer into the store when we are clearly closed yet uses his cell phone to call us and talk to us through the glass - so he claims he's just picking up contacts - easy stuff - but it turns out it was a lie just to get in - he doesn't have contacts on order - he isn't even a freaking patient of ours - what an ass!
• Fifth - if you are a contact lens wearer: when you put in your last pair of contacts - does this not signal to you that you need more????? Do NOT call me 2 days before you leave the country for months and ask me desperately to get you some more cls. Then when I apologize (my first mistake) you get upset with me because you left it to the last minute- You are an idiot, you should be meant to pay for your ignorance. This is not my problem!
• Sixth - If I am helping you find a frame and we have tried on I swear 30 pairs and you say "NO I don't like it" please, please give me something to work with - you don't like WHAT? the colour, the shape, the corners, the arms??????????
• Seventh - why or why do you think that if you call me late in the day or on a saturday in the afternoon, that I will magically have an appointment for you. When I don't you get all upset and huffy- they are called appointments for a reason. We are not a walk in clinic - make a darn apointment.

I didn't have a bad day at work or anything, but seriously I think that most of the time I am a courteous and nice person and some people I think forget their manners.... I am a stickler for manners (as you can tell)

Dejo las cosas para más tarde... again!

Alright, Alright, I know I should be writing my excruciatingly painful SPAN essay - but I am soooo not motivated to start. So I decided to bake some cookies (that's right CYNTHIA I am a HUGE hyprocrite!). Oatmeal cookies to be exact. I found all the proper ingredients chez P's, thus I am procrastinating some more. MMMMMMM - only 6 minutes left 'til cookie time.

Anyways I have some more stuff I thought I would chat about. Kate Winslet - I am a big fan - she is always so cool - and I really like her hair. Thinking of that I am reminded of her movie Sense and Sensability, which I thought was very cool - and on that train of thought I think it is time to another girls old school movie night (aka stories from the 17th 18th etc centuries) So Denise are you free say around the end of the month -say the 21st?

Furthermore - I just tasted one of my super delicious cookies (won 3rd prize at the orange county fair!) and they are delish. So anyone who might see me tomorrow - look out I might have some tasty tasty cookies for you.....

Hasta Luego chicos - and hey Emeril Live / Bob Blumer why don't you reveal your true identity to me - I'm not sure I like this anonymous business.....

Great Scott!

You know what I haven't seen in a while....

Back to the Future, that's what. Usually it airs somewhere between 50-52 times a year (aka once a week, or thereabouts), but alas, it is no where to be found as of late. Any of the 3 will do - seriously, although I have a special place in my heart for both #2 and 3 - I especially like the hoverboards. Why don't we have those yet? I thought we were suppose to be almost to the flying car stage by now. Hmmmm.

As Cam says - these movies are so near and dear to Canadians hearts that they issue us a copy of each when we are born. Alright, he doesn't quite say it that way, but you get the picture.

So seriously - what do you say Cam, Macleod, Nickler etc.... - shall we have a marathon when you get home?

PS - I still love that darn Delorian!

House

Did anyone else see House tonight?

It was damn funny - Wilson filed through half of his cane so right at the end it snapped in half and sent House sprawling all over the hospital floor. Priceless

I ask you - Am I wrong to laugh when someone falls down?

Ahh Tuesday

One of my jobs I neglected to mention to all of you is that I am a serial housesitter. I have a host of people who regularly leave the city / country and entrust their homes and little kitty kats to me! Normally this goes quite swimingly - with the exception that my usual home cooked dinners magically turn into salad and anything else that I can cook in record time. Now, don't all go and jump to conclusions - I AM a good cook - I did win the food studies award in High School (no dig on you Devo, I'm sure you can kick mine, and Mrs. Kupsch's ass! ) but I seem to be bombarded with school crap - assignments, essays, presentations, exams and the like, therefore I have very little time left to actually cook something yummy. Not to mention that every few days/ weeks I am ushered into a new kitchen with completely different appliances / lay outs / yet no real food to cook with, usually only sauce. This not only impedes my cooking, but is frustrating as hell when I cannot find a freakin' fry pan, or a gd salt shaker!

Some days I wish I could just have my own place, with my own kitchen , my own groceries.

Anyways, the point of this rambling message is how happy I am that people are in the habit of buying me dinner lately. Tonight I got to rush out of work to dine with a cousin I haven't seen in 20 years and a wonderful uncle whom I love dearly, in addition to last night's dining success I have so far had a fabulous week.

What shall tomorrow bring I wonder?

Mmmmm Crème Brûlée

Tonight's posting courtesy of my dinner:


So I just came from dinner at The Ranche with Cam's parents and Cam's cousins visiting from Ontario. Dinner was excellent, conversation was lively and I had a wonderful time. The highlight of the night was without doubt the fabulous dessert that I savoured over several minutes. As most of you may have guessed already, it was Crème Brûlée, however - this specific concoction was flavoured with some delectable Bernard Callebaut White Chocolate (I'm thinking of you Denise!) and hazelnuts - ¡Que delicioso! Plus I had a huge bowl of café au lait to top off the evening. My entrée of sablefish was not as spectacular - although still quite delicious.

Lately I have decided that my dining experiences should consist of plates that I believe I could never a) get anywhere else and/or b) not make myself with any relative success. So far it's going quite well.

Conclusions: Yummy dinner and a break from homework - plus I got to wear pretty clothes and fun earings! Free diner and dress-up, my kind of night!

Thanks Mr. and Mrs. B! (yep that's right - after 9.5 years I still call them Mr and Mrs..... its different - I know - but meh)

PS - Has anyone see Jamie Oliver's new show on the food network? - as expected, it's lovely.

Hot Damn - we're good!

In homage to my fav hockey team - an update on the game last night -

FLAMES 4 - OILERS 1

BOOYAH!

Stickless and still makes the save (25 of them to be exact) - Mikka you are a hockey god!

PS - Kristian Huselius (2 goals in period 2), Daymond Langkow and Andrew Ference (1 goals 1 assist a piece), Regehr and Iggy (1 assist each) you all rule!

Oh my!

I'm just been perusing my inbox and found this old email from Cam - it is a link to an entry on Rick Mercer's Blog about my very own MP - Jason Kenney

- it is in one word HILARIOUS. How can a man so nonsensical be my MP? How I ask you?
Anyways - read it for yourself.

My own Mother

Last night my mom came over to my current housitting locale and as she isn't uber technologically inclined I had to explain what a blog is and show it to her so she could read all about her crazy daughter. Upon reading the posting about my potencial carreer choices and she proceeded to break out in hysterics. Honestly, she laughed so hard I thought she was going to stop breathing. Her explanation as to what exactly was so hilarious -
"well when your job description is written down like that in black and white (refering to the "I help people pick out glasses" part) - it just looks so stupid! Why don't you go to safeway, become a personal shopper and help people pick out lettuce!" Her exact words!

Then when I asked her about what she thought of all my options she said (you guessed it!) - "I think you need more options!"

All the while laughing - she thought I underestimated my abilites at work, that's all. She wants me to emphasize that it is a real job and not a quasi-job as I have previously described it.

Ah, my mother - she's awesome! (really, she is - I'm not joking about that)