Cruise: Day 4 Sea Day

So, after the Bahamas we had a Sea Day. We didn't take as many pics this day as other days, so I will tell you about it and then I might be nice and post Day 5 today as well, just for you :D

So, after a late breakfast and a little bit of a stroll around the ship we did a bit of karaoke in the main lounge of the ship. 

Then we headed back to the room to look at the schedule of things to do and see what else was up for the day. That was where I took this random pic that I thought was fun.






Then we noticed that there was ice carving on the deck, so we got our stuff gathered up and went out there. These are a few pics of the deck. The ship in general had 3 pools, 9 hot-tubs, a water slide, bars, night clubs, comedy clubs, and tons of other stuff.

Here is the guy who did the ice carving. It is a carving of an eagle, but it is kinda hard to tell. Just know that it took him less than an hour (we only caught the end of it) and it was amazing.











Later we headed over to name-that-song which was a blast (sorry, you can't really tell in this pic what is going on, but this was the only pic we got of it). Just so you know, we did this several times while we were on this ship, and it was always a blast - we always made friends with the people around us and we learned a new slogan which was "I will never see these people ever again in my life, ever" and we basically gave ourselves permission to act like idiots because  no one could make fun of us later. 

That night we also went to the 5-star restaurant on deck. We didn't get any pics, but it was pretty cool. I think that in general I learned that fine-dining is not my thing, but it was fun to do once in a while. Then we saw our friends from the day before in the comedy club which was fun.

 That night our little animal was a scorpion. It was a great day. Relaxing and fun.

Cruise: Day 3, Nassau, Bahamas

Okay, first off, I know I missed a few days in there. So sue me - I was working nights.

So, we pulled into Nassau while I was still asleep at 7am so I missed seeing the whole docking process. But after we did get up we went out onto the balcony and had the most amazing view!

We were amazed by the size of the ropes they used to tie the ship to the dock - so we took pics with it. 




We went on a tour of the town. We drove around for a bit and learned about how things work in the Bahamas. The buildings are all colour coded. Government buildings are pink and police stations are all green. I think there were other designations but I don't remember. The kids all wear uniforms to school too which is kinda crazy. School was out the day we were there because they were having an election to decide whether or not to make it legal for Bahamian citizens to gamble on the islands. They have these huge resorts for tourists but they aren't allowed to actually gamble in them themselves, which I thought was crazy. (I looked it up later and the results of the election was that they are still not allowed to gamble). It was interesting to learn all about their way of life.

They have these free water taps in low-income neighborhoods, but our tour guide made sure to point how all the houses in those areas still had satellite tv. Good thing they have their priorities straight! I can't say much though because it is like that in most places in Canada or the US as well.


 Anyway, then we went to this local fort called Fort Fincastle. It was built to defend the island from ships and so it was made to look like a ship itself. Actually, most of the forts we saw in all the islands that we went too were built like that which was interesting. Here is a few pics of of Fort Fincastle.

 

 And here is a beautiful soldier we met at the Fort.











He liked me! ;)













 This is our tour guide - his name is Marcus. He was awesome! He also liked Dr. Pepper.


















 
This is what Bahamian money looks like. It is worth the same as the American dollar and is pretty much interchangeable with it.








Next we got to go and see the huge, new(ish) Resort/Casino Atlantis. This is what Atlantis looks like from Fort Fincastle.

It was pretty spectacular. Here is Mom and I sitting on a beautiful throne, like the royalty that we are!

 This is us with the ship in the background by the water. Look at the colour of that water! It is spectacular!!

That night was formal night, so after going back to the ship (which left the dock at 3pm that day) and having a little afternoon catnap, we got all gussied up. Don't we look pretty? We were lucky that I brought a professional hairstylist in my luggage with me lol.

We got to see the captain and first mate's and even the Cruise Director, Josh (aka Big Sexy). It was like a brush with fame!

After dinner that night we went and hung out at karaoke a bit. I even sang a song! In my formal dress, which was a little bit strange, but still fun.













 After being there for a while we headed back to our room where this beautiful flower was waiting for us.

And that was it for the Bahamas. Come back tomorrow where I will tell you all about our first Sea Day!

Cruise: Day 2

Unfortunately, this day was not as exciting as you would think. We woke up after a nice, long, well deserved sleep. We killed some time just sitting around in the hotel watching tv, getting ready and re-packing everything. We checked out of the hotel by noon and had them call us a cab so we could get to the port.

The problem was that there was a big race in Miami that day (a 10k maybe? I don't know) so when the cabbie got there and we told him where we wanted to go he said that it was crazy down by that area of town and he said we should wait an hour. He said he would come back for us and we needed to remember his face. As we stood there trying to figure out what to do for an hour he pulled back up and said traffic had cleared and we should be good to go. We got our crap in the cab and headed to the port.

 This is us waiting for the cab. Yay for being in Miami! It was so warm.




We got to the port and got all through the millions of lines they made us wait in. First check-in, then security, then to get our little on board card things (that was the way we identified ourselves, unlocked our room and paid for anything on the ship). Then we got on the ship. This is us right in the main lobby of the ship right after we boarded.

 
After sitting in the lobby for a bit we decided to go find our room. This is the view of Miami from our room while we were docked. So nice.

Then we realized we were hungry. So off we went to find some food. We ate that first lunch at Guy Fieri's Burger Joint. Then we explore the ship a bit. Ship sailed at 4pm that day - goodbye Miami! We were finally cruising. We went to this one bar where they were having karaoke where you sing with a live band. I wanted to do it, but I was too chicken, so instead we just watched. It was fun though.

When we went to go to bed that night we found this little guy in our room!

Goodnight Glory! Tomorrow - Nassau, Bahamas!

Cruise: Day 1

Okay guys, I have had lots of people asking about my cruise and I have been saying "I am going to post about it on my blog ... just wait a little" but I still haven't posted anything because I am too busy doing nothing. So, without further ado, here is post number one of the cruise (and this one is all about our day traveling so it is boring anyway)

So, the thing that was stupid was I agreed to work a night shift the night before. I thought it would be a good idea since I wouldn't really be able to sleep anyway, and it was good for that reason, but oh my gosh did I end up tired.

I got off work at 7am. Then I showered and finished packing my last things and headed off to my parents' house (an hour away from my place). Dad had taken the car for a little drive when I got there so we had to wait a little bit, but soon enough we put all our stuff in my Mom's car and headed to the airport (in Calgary, 2 hours away).

We got to Calgary and parked the car in this Park 2 Go place. It was awesome - you just tell them when you are returning and they warm it up for you so that you don't freeze your butt off when you start the drive home. It was amazing. I digress. We got to the airport, got all checked in and through security and then we waited. Our flight was supposed to leave at like 2pm but it was delayed by about an hour (maybe an hour and a half). I tried sleeping in the airport, but I only managed to sleep for probably 20 mins. I kept waking up during announcements and all that crap. Here is a pic of me trying to catch a few winks.

So, after finally taking off we flew from Calgary to Dallas/Fort Worth, then from there to Miami. We were supposed to have a layover for about an hour and a half, but due to the delay, we basically just walked straight from one gate to the next (lucky they were so close to each other - it was the shortest layover I have ever had in my life so you know). The problem was that once we got to Miami we were STARVING not to mention I was still so tired. I tried to sleep on the planes but that didn't really happen because, again, excitement. Also, I was kinda loopy by then so I wasn't feeling tired, just funny. :D

 This is a pretty picture that I took from the plane. I think we were over Wyoming when I took this. By the way, that is the moon.

These ones were taken once we got to Miami. We were waiting for the hotel shuttle and we were sleepy. I had been awake for thirty something hours at this point (give or take 20 mins here and there that I slept on airplanes). But since we were starving, that took first priority. Luckily we managed to get the shuttle driver to go through the Burger King drive through for us. Then we went to the hotel, got checked in (it was so quick!) and then got to our room. We ate quick and then crashed. 

The hotel room was awesome. It was a little suite with a kitchenette, a little living room type thing, and a bedroom. Pics of that are below. It was so nice after all the traveling and stuff to get some sleep.

Tomorrow we board the cruise!

Going Cruising!

So it is all booked and now I just need to wait to go on my cruise! We are leaving Jan 27th from Miami. Then we have one day in Nassau, Bahamas, the next day will be at sea, then St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, then San Juan, Puerto Rico, then Grand Turk Island, Turks and Caicos Islands, and one more day at sea before heading back to Miami. Sooo excited! It was a one day sale today for Carnival Cruises so we got an awesome deal. Good thing there is a lot to do before then because I just want to go right now.

It is one more thing on my list of "Things To Do Before I Turn 30", so that will be good to get something else accomplished. I have a few more in the works, but it is slow going. But at least it is still going, right? That's always good news, right?

Okay, that is all for the updates for now. More to come. Yay for cruises!

Pending Write-A-Thon!

So, I just want you all to know that NaNo is starting soon, and since it is on The List I guess I am participating. I am actually really excited about it - except I really don't have much of a plot so far. I guess tomorrow I will have to spend the day figuring out a plot for my NaNo. I do have an idea from a couple of years ago that I started and then never worked on that is kinda niggling in my brain a little, so I might do that. I thought I was going to use this dream I had as a plot, but I kinda lost love with that idea so ... we will see what I write about. Maybe I will write an autobiography. Haha! You all know how boring that would be eh? Okay, fine, I won't. :-P

In other news I finally got my acceptance and signed the final papers for my course I am taking to become a Health Care Aide. Took long enough, right? I hopefully will be getting books soon so I can start doing the actually work for it and taking the tests and all that stuff. Yay for working on another goal.

Today I went and learned about cruises at a local travel agent place and found out more about that too. That seems like it will be an awesome adventure and I am way excited. I will let you all know once we book things officially. But, just so you know, we will probably be doing the Eastern Caribbean in early Feb. Yay for vacation!

Of course before that happens I will be going on vacation to Portland in December. Some good friends are getting hitched so I am heading down to the wedding. That should also be fun - I miss all my Portland pals. And I like seeing people I like get married to each other :-D

That is about it for updates for me. I am still working on the goals thing, don't you fret or frown. Not that you were, I know you. One of these days I will make a flurry of updates about several things that I have accomplished! You'll see. Until then, stick with me! Love you guys! 

Six Months

That's how long it has been since I moved here from Oregon. Almost exactly (I think we left on the 9th so I am a day off, but you will give me a break I think). I have always said that time seems to pass slowly and quickly at the same time (wibbly-wobbly-timey-wimey is right!) and I can't argue that that is the case now too. On one hand it seems as if I have been here in Lethbridge forever, when really I have only been living here for just over 2 months. And I feel like I have been at my job forever, and I really just started that like 3 months ago. And on the other hand, it seems like just yesterday I was having my going away party in Oregon and everyone was helping me pack up the uHaul very quickly (which my mom was so impressed with btw).

Things I have done since moving - I have moved (twice if you include the move here), I have made a list of things to do before turning 30 and accomplished 2 things on it so far (almost 3 - you will see soon), I have visited my family and friends in Utah (almost twice since I am leaving tomorrow to go again), I had 3 job interviews and one job offer, I did a six week training, I have worked a ton, I have spent more time with my younger bro and his family, I went to visit my older bro in Radium where he lives, had 2 visits from Oregonian friends - one for a day and the other visit was my two best buds who were here for a week. All in all I have been enjoying myself a lot. At the same time, I have also been missing my friends. I haven't had a chance to meet a lot of people here - I know that is mostly my fault for not putting myself out there - but it really does make me miss the awesome group of people I left behind in Oregon.

Enough with the melancholy, I just wanted to do a little update for how things have been with my since I have moved.

Also, I am now apparently obsessed with lists. Well, to be honest, I have always loved lists, but I haven't blogged as many lists as lately. Deal with it!

One More Down, Twenty-Eight More To Go ...

So, I accomplished another one of my goals on my list. Number 13 - Buy an SLR camera and (re)-learn how to use it. Well, I accomplished part of it. I bought a camera and I am in the process of learning to use it. Here is a pic of it (I know, it looks like I took it with a potato - I took it with my cell phone, gimme a break!)

I have been having great fun this last week playing with it and taking pics of random things. It was a good week to get it since this week was 'Whoop-Up' days here in Lethbridge so there were lots of fun things to take pics of - a parade, a fair, all kinds of stuff like that. Also, it was 'Corn Fest' in Taber, so I took pics of the fair there too (I am going to post pics on fb soon - keep an eye out!).

It has been fun shooting things with my new canon (see how punny I am? hahaha) Hopefully I will get some more goals accomplished soon. I will keep you posted!

One Down, Twenty-Nine To Go ...

So I accomplished one of the goals on my list - yay me!  It was probably one of the easiest ones on the list too, haha. I moved out of my parents' house. Now, it is funny that this was on my list - I think it makes me sound way lamer than I actually am. I mean, I have lived on my own before and I hadn't lived in their basement for that long anyway. I only moved back to Canada in the beginning of March and I ended up moving out at the beginning of July, so it was, what, 4 months? Not really that long at all. But it was something that needed to happen though, so I am glad it was the first goal I accomplished.

Actually my younger brother and his girlfriend bought a house in Lethbridge and it happens to have a basement suite. I needed a place to live and they had the room so that is where I ended up moving. It is a great place and they aren't charging me too much - and it is good for them too I think because it helps them financially as well. It is close to work which is nice, and I am getting to know Suzie better which is awesome.

It was definitely a great way to accomplish my goal and I am really happy. Hopefully you will be hearing soon about more accomplished goals!

30 Things To Do Before 30, And More Lists

So, I made my list finally. It is of 30 things I want to do before turning 30. I got some suggestions from people on fb and here, and I took some and I am keeping some as future references for goals, but this is the list. I want to mention that I reserve the right to remove any of these that I want as long as I replace it with something that I I want to do even more. Don't judge if that happens - you are here to support me, not judge. Without further ado, here is the list:

1.       Run another 5k – get a better time than before

2.       Run a 10k

3.       Re-read the BoM

4.       Re-read the Bible

5.       Go somewhere else tropical – a cruise?

6.       Go through the temple

7.       Publish a work of fiction (self-publishing okay if time runs out!)

8.       Be kissed on New Years at midnight

9.       Be healthier – exercise much more!!

10.   Get out of debt (or be well on the way)

11.   Get into PA school (or well on the way)

12.    NaNoWriMo – finish it again

13.   Buy an SLR camera and (re)-learn how to use it

14.   Watch the American Film Institute’s Entire Top 100 list

15.   Get CPR certified

16.   Learn to crochet

17.   Recreate a photo from my childhood

18.   Learn how to play the guitar

19.   Make (start?) a quilt

20.   Move out of my parents house

21.   Get HCA certified

22.   Take a dance class

23.   Go to a concert for someone I haven’t seen yet

24.   Write letters to Grandparents

25.   Go on an overnight trip by myself

26.   Take a yoga class

27.   Keep in better touch with friends – try at least once a month to communicate everyone

28.   Do a 30 day photo challenge

29.   Paint a self-portrait

30.   Write and send a letter to a favourite author

 

 While I was writing this list I started thinking about all the things I have done up until now in my life. I have done a lot of awesome things! So I made a list of 50 things that I have done so far in my life. This is probably not comprehensive - it is just what I have thought of, but I thought it was a good start. If there are any that you see here and want to know more about, let me know and I will write a post about it! (*EDITED - Jasmine noticed I had saw northern lights on here twice, I changed the second one - thanks girl!)

1.       Was born. (haha)

2.       Graduated high school.

3.       Received a Bachelor’s Degree.

4.       Ran a 5k (x3)

5.       Went bungee jumping

6.       Went skydiving

7.       Went ziplining

8.       Went to Disneyland (twice!)

9.       Went to DisneyWorld (twice!)

10.   Went to Costa Rica

11.   Went to Nicaragua

12.   Went to Las Vegas

13.   Went to Seattle

14.   Went to Vancouver

15.   Lived on a boat for a week – and helped run it!

16.   Was third author on a published paper

17.   Held a monkey (a lot of monkeys!)

18.   Held a bear

19.   Pet a tiger (I think this happened)

20.   Saw the Northern Lights

21.   Get kissed by a sea lion

22.   Knit an afghan

23.   Slept under the stars

24.   Won first in a costume contest (Co-won)

25.   Lived in a foreign country

26.   Drove over the golden gate bridge

27.   Touched a stingray

28.   Ski/snowboard

29.   Painted a picture – and won an award on it

30.   Lived by myself

31.   Sang karaoke in public

32.   Stand under a waterfall

33.   Plant a tree

34.   Been a redhead, a brunette and a blond!

35.   Met a famous person (actually, 2)

36.   Auditioned for a musical

37.   Totaled a car

38.   Move somewhere where I don’t know anyone

39.   Bought a car

40.   Played rugby

41.   Took a ballet/tap dance class

42.   Learned some French

43.   Learned some ASL

44.   Sewed a dress and then wore it

45.   Went rafting

46.   Jumped off a cliff into a body of water

47.   Gone swimming in the ocean

48.   Gone backpacking

49.   Rode on a motorcycle

50.   Been to West Edmonton Mall (twice)

     Okay, that's about it for this post today. I hope you are doing well and I am looking forward to updating you as I accomplish things on my list. :D

This Years Plans

Well, as you may know, yesterday I turned 29. It was a good birthday - I had a couple friends from Oregon here visiting for the week prior to my birthday so we drove all around Southern Alberta and they got to see the country and we all visited and it was fun times.

But, it got me thinking about the fact that next year I am turning the big 3-0. I decided I am going to make a list of things that I want to do/accomplish in the next year so that I don't just keep putting things off for the rest of my life. I have a few ideas about things I want on this list already, but I want some input from you guys - what do you think are good things to try to do in the next year or so. I am already planning to go somewhere awesome on vacation with my Mom again - somewhere tropical (not sure where yet - suggestions for that are good as well). I also have some health goals in mind - exercising and eating better and all that. But I want other things. Like specific books I should read or things I should make or learn how to do or places I should go (that are close - I can only go on one huge holiday you guys, I'm not made of money) or people I should meet or ... well anything! What do you think? I want all suggestions, nothing is too extreme or out there (I of course reserve the right to not put any of them on the list lol). Thanks in advance for your suggestions! Can't wait to hear what you all think I should do with the next year of my life.

Training is Almost Over

Well, as the title states, the training for my job is almost over. I am liking it a lot so far. I have learned all the proper techniques on how to be a Health Care Aide - how to use mechanical lifts, how to do proper cleaning and washing and a bunch of other things like that. Now I am doing buddy shifts - so basically I am learning more about the specific facility I am working at and that is going well. I am a bit scared to work by myself since I feel like I don't know enough yet, but I guess I will get there eventually.

Other than that I have been pretty boring. I spend a lot of time at home just chilling at watching tv or different shows or reading or whatever. My brother and his girlfriend are out of town for the next couple weeks so I will be sitting at THEIR home watching tv or whatever so that'll be a nice change of pace. Haha.

Also, my friends from Oregon are coming up this week to see me and I am WAY excited about that. We are going to travel around a bit of Southern Alberta and do some different things that are unique to the area and just hang out and have fun. It will be a good time I think. I still have a lot of stuff I have to get ready for their arrival - mostly cleaning stuff around the house since they will be staying here for a couple nights. I haven't had friends of mine come here since high school so it is a bit weird for me, but it'll be good. Most importantly, it will save them some money so that's good.

Anyway, that is about all that is going on for now. I should sign off so I can start my long list of things I need to clean. Luckily I have a few days to do it in, so I am not in a rush yet. Although I am a really good procrastinator, so I have a feeling that the day they are going to get here I will be like 'oh shoot, I still need to clean!' Oh well. Haha. As long as it gets done, who cares when, right? RIGHT?

Home and (Almost) Employed

Well, I did it. I moved back to Southern Alberta. It happened almost a month ago (see how good I am at keeping you all updated ... sorry). My Mom flew to Portland to help me pack and finish with things there, and then she and I drove a u-haul back home. It was a great trip overall. The u-haul got quickly and efficiently packed with the help of some great friends, and we got my roommate all moved at the same time. It only took 2 hours to pack all her stuff, unload it at her new apt, and then pack all my stuff in the u-haul – and we took about half an hour in there eating carrot cake! It was awesome. Mom was so impressed. Then we left on Thurs morning to come here. We made it to Coeur d’Alene in Idaho the first night and we stayed at a Motel 6 there, then we drove the rest of the way the next day. The border crossing was smooth – you have to have a list of all the stuff you are bringing with you and the approx value or everything, but I knew that so I was prepared ahead of time, and all went well. We were only there for about 10 to 15 mins total, which was nice. We made it back home around 6 or so that night. Then we used the u-haul the next day to help my brother and his girlfriend move some stuff to a storage unit before returning it and we still didn't have to pay for extra mileage!

Since then I have watched a lot of tv and movies and read a lot of books (7 in the last month!) and, of course, I have also applied to a lot of jobs. I have had 2 in person interviews and one phone interview. I got a call a few days ago and I got one of the jobs I applied for so YAY! It is to be a health care aide. I have to do a 6 week training course first and then I have to do a distance ed class, but I think most of that should be a breeze (fingers crossed I didn't just jinx myself). And then after that I will just be casual (which means I will just pick up shifts when people are sick or want vacation) but that should be pretty good money, especially over the summer. I am excited. It will be especially good because it will be the perfect thing to help me get into PA school - assuming that I still want to go after doing this :D lol.

I think that is about it for updates. I have been pretty boring. Oh, I do have a car now too. Thanks to my younger brother, who is awesome. He is lending me a spare car of his. It is a 1995 Honda Civic hatchback. It runs well and gets awesome gas mileage, which will be good since I plan to commute until I figure out where I want to live and until I have money to move into an apartment. I am excited to get started working and be able to feel like a real person again instead of just a slacker!

So that means I have one last week of freedom! Any suggestions on what I should do?

New Things!

So, things have been going on in my life that I have been reluctant to blog about because … I don’t know, I guess mostly because blogging about it takes time, and I am lazy. And also, blogging about it just makes it more REAL, you know? (Funny that that makes it MORE real ...)

Anyway, the basic thing is that my job is now over. Well, it will be very soon.  As in December 31^st was supposed to be my last day. And then it was changed to Jan 6 was my last day – the 31^st would still be my last day at work, but Jan 6^th would be the day I turned in my badge and stuff and then I would have just had that last week as vacation because I have so much vacation built up! SO MUCH VACATION! I digress. 

So, the 6^th was supposed to be my last day but then I was flying home for vacation and I got this phone call while I was in the air from my boss and she left a message saying that they had had some meetings about the project and have a few more things for me to do and would I be able to stay until mid to late Feb? So, now I am not exactly sure of my last day, but I know that it will be soon.

I am planning when I am done to move back to my original home, Southern Alberta (yeah, the same place where the photo in my background was taken). And I am actually really excited for the most part. It will be different – I have lived in the US for a long long time now (10 years) and it has been pretty much all my adult life, so that will be odd – but I just know that is the right decision for me. My other option was to move to Pitt and continue working for my boss, which would have had a lot of benefits (like I would have had a job) but I just didn’t feel right about that. And I might be crazy – I am moving to a place I haven’t lived in a long time and I want to get a job in a field I have never worked in before and there are moments where I am FREAKING OUT but I still feel like it is right, you know? I have felt for a long time like I needed something new and this is going to be the perfect way to get that - new place, new job, new friends, new Ward. Yay (yikes!)

Heh, my bishopric found out that I am leaving and they want me to give a talk before I go. So the day is Jan 29^th, the same day that a guy in our Ward is giving his farewell talk before going on his mission.

Anyway, that is the main reason I have been putting off posting for so long (obviously not the only reason since this stuff hasn't been going on for as long as I haven't posted) – I just wasn’t sure the best way to write about all this stuff and for a long time I was so unsure about what was even going on. Go ahead and call me crazy if you want, but I don’t care, I know I am and I still know I am right. Also, send good vibes this way. And if you know anyone hiring send them my way too :D

Halloween 2011

 So for Halloween this year Jasmine and I decided to be Betty and Veronica from the Archie comics. But we decided to be the versions with the Ben-Day Dots - the dots that always showed up on old comics. It was so fun! We won 'best costume' again (thank goodness - it took a long darn time to get ready!) Here is a picture of The Veronica Lodge, and then a pic of what I looked like dressed up as her. Fun right?


And here is a pic of the two of us together. Betty and Veronica. The unstoppable duo!

It was a great party, hosted by our friend Heidi again this year. She is such a great party thrower. Love that girl. I had a great time, as did everyone who went.

Other than that I have been keeping myself quite busy - so busy I haven't had time to write on my blog. Okay, I am not really that busy, but it sounds better than "I haven't written because I got distracted". Someday I will post full updates about everything - but today is not that day. I just wanted to do the Halloween update and say thanks for sticking with me!

Holy crap on a cracker! I am the worst blogger ever! Okay ... not ever, but I have been bad lately. I keep thinking "I should post" and then I get all busy doing nothing as usual and I don't do it. So, in no particular order of importance or chronologicality (I know its not a real word, just go with it) here is what I should have posted about but haven't.

1) Vancouver. Obviously I was allowed back into the country because had I not been you would have heard from me much much much sooner saying 'woe is me, I have to move back to Canada without a job!' Thank goodness that didn't happen - not because I don't want to move to Canada, but because I want that to be my choice if and when that ever happens. In fact, the border crossing this time was the easiest time I have had. They didn't hum and haw forever. They didn't make comments about 'how little they are paying me'. Nothing. We waited in line forever - 1.5 hours in the car and another 45 mins in the building (maybe I have those backwards - not that that really matters) - but that was the worst of it. We also stayed in the crappiest "Bed and Breakfast" known to mankind. Ugh. It was kinda scummy and gross. Oh well, that's what happens when you are poor and you wait too long to book a hotel I guess. Other than that it was fun - we went to a suspension bridge and we ate lots of fun junk food and basically just enjoyed ourselves.

2) The fourth of July was fun! Let me tell you about it! I ran a 5k for Cancer Awareness and Treatment in the morning. I was slow, but I ran almost the whole thing and I wasn't even too sore the next day! Then we went over to my friends sister's house to watch the parade and they fed us breakfast - waffles, bacon, eggs, sausage - perfect after race food! Then we watched a really long parade and then the same friends invited us to stay for BBQ lunch. It was soooooo good. Hamburgers, beef brisket, pulled pork, yummy cheesy potatoes .... *drools* Makes me hungry just thinking about it. Then we went home intending to nap but my other friend called and said he had free tix to the movies and did we want to go. We did want to go, so we showered quick and took a short short nap (only 30 mins - I wanted to sleep for like 5 times that!) and went to see Cars 2. It wasn't my fave Pixar movie ever, neither was the first Cars, but it was still fun. Then we went to St. Helens to watch the fireworks display there. Then we went home and slept. It was a great day. I love when those happen :D



3) Speaking of 5k's - I not only ran the one mentioned above, but I have now ran 3 so far! I did one in April for Earth Day, and then I did another one on June 21st for the Summer Solstice. It has been fun. The main thing being that since running them I have sorta (read: really!) slacked off on running regularly, so that is dumb of me. I should get back on that horse. But I do love the atmosphere and feel of a race. Good times!

4) My boss was in town a couple weeks ago. She said that we may have overspent our grant money (she wasn't sure but would know more after talking to the guy who deals with the finances more next week). That means worst case scenario is that if we have overspent and if we don't get our other grant funded then my job will essentially be over in like Nov or Dec. She assured me that I wouldn't be screwed - I could either move to Pitt with her or she would help me find something else either here or wherever because she thinks the world of me. I know that this has been a concern before, but it is so annoying. And it makes me feel like I can't ask for a raise even though I need and deserve one. My friend who used to work here recently contacted me and told me he knows of a job opening in Philly and I think I am going to apply for it. I may not take it, but I would rather get it and turn it down than always wonder whether I could have gotten it. Also, according to what he says it pays quite a bit more than I am making, so that'd be a huge plus.



5) Harry Potter! I went to a midnight showing of Harry Potter (this is not really special - I feel like almost everyone in the world went to a midnight showing - but it was still fun!) It was awesome. I enjoyed so much about this movie. Pacing was great, the actors were great, they cut things out but did a good job of tying it all together and not confusing the crap out of the lay person (used in this instance to refer to those who didn't read the book). I have been wanting to re-read the series but I held off so that I wouldn't sit there during the whole movie and just compare it to the book like I did with movie 2 - such a good choice! I think this helped me really get the most from the movie. I wasn't smart enough to go to a double feature of 1 & 2 in a row (I actually didn't know they were doing them until after I bought my ticket) so I think I will go see this again some day when I can watch 7.1 right beforehand, just for fun.



6) Sunday, Aug 14th, I taught Relief Society. (For those who don't know I am LDS and Relief Society is a church meeting where all the women get together and learn together and help each other grow spiritually) Anyway, we only have one teacher right now and it happens to be my friend who is in charge of assigning people to teach so she just had me do it this one time. It was about Family Roles. Not my first choice to teach a lesson on, but I didn't really get to choose so whatever. It went well I think. I am not really the best teacher - in my opinion I am not really even a GOOD teacher - but we made it through and I think I did a good job about not repeating things we have all learned a bazillion times and I didn't dwell on depressing topics for a singles Ward, we had good comments and I didn't end up talking the entire time so I am satisfied.

7) Well, there isn't really a 7 ... so there you have it. My life for the last little while. I am basically happy and the same as always. What a surprise, NOT! (yeah I think I was channeling the early 90's for a minute there, sorry). Well, I guess I should go be productive. I will update sooner (I hope ;D)

My Room

So, we moved into a new apartment. I think I mentioned this, but I haven't mentioned my new project in the house. I don't have a headboard, so I decided to do a 'faux headboard' of sorts. So I painted a tree branch on the wall ... kinda ... and then put some frames around it with the flowers on the frame and viola! Beautiful. I am going to post some pics of the process and the final results. It was fun. (Mom, aren't you happy I am finally posting these?)

This is the before shot. Ain't it boring?

 So I taped the tree branches on the wall. I wanted the branches to remain white and have the rest be a different colour so that is all blue painters tape.

 I painted it all. Golly I hope this works!

 It worked! What a shocker! (You didn't think I would post it if it hadn't worked did you? ... Well, okay, I would have, but I would have figured out what DID work before posting.)

 Then I painted flowers on the glass parts of some frames, put the frames on the wall and ta-da! Doesn't it look good? I am rather pleased with the results :D