Taking Flight

On Saturday Adam flew into town and my mom and I got to go flying with him! We flew up over SunPeaks, around to Chase, and back to town. It was freaking awesome. I thought I'd be scared in the little plane but it really wasn't bad at all. Adam passed all his tests and is just waiting on graduation and paperwork before he can go off and get a job. I'm really happy for him, he seems to love it. I think it would just be sweet to be able to say, "Yes, I am a pilot."

Grandma

My Grandma died this morning. She hasn't been doing well for the last few months but this past week she had what they think was a minor heart attack and a stroke. My dad flew out on Wednesday to be with her. I wish I had gotten to know her better. I haven't seen her since I was 6. I'm sad obviously, but not in the same way I was when my Grannie died. I wasn't close with my Grandma but she was still a part of my life and I'll miss her.

June?

It's June. When did that happen?

This year is flying by. Maybe it's because I'm constantly busy. Between working and making time for my friends/family I hardly have time for sleeping! It's hard and leaves me exhausted but I think it's worth it. I laughed recently when somebody told me about this person who doesn't have time for anyone because they only have one day off a week. I have had 2 days off in the last 32 days. I still try and see my friends. I still make time for my family. Yes I'm tired, but I am happy.

My friend M is coming this weekend from Alberta and I'm super excited! I'm working 2-10's all weekend but we'll work in lunch and socializing around that. Her niece (this one) is turning 1 next week. It seems like it was just the other day we were all waiting around for her to make her appearance and now she's one! It's crazy.

I can't believe all the people popping out babies these days. I feel like I missed the memo about producing offspring! My friend S and I were joking the other night that we're going to be sending her first born (who is 5) off to college while I'm shopping for maternity clothes. At the rate I'm moving it's not too far fetched! My mom has begun talking about adopting grandchildren since every one of her 4 children is single. She's so funny. I just am not ready to get on that boat yet! I can't even find a guy I like enough to even bother calling let alone have a baby with! I've got time and other priorities at the moment. Like sleep. And getting through this summer.

Sanity is not necessary for survival, right?

April Showers

This past week/weekend was pretty busy for me. On Thursday I went to Kelowna to do a school tour. I'm glad I went because now I won't feel so lost and confused in September. Just a little lost and confused! I go back next month for a program orientation to meet the staff and other students starting in the fall. Afterwards I drove to Penticton to pick up my oldest brother and bring him home for the weekend. He had a late flying time so I ended up staying the night and hanging out with his roommate (she's really awesome).

Yesterday, I picked up my friend S and we went to watch our new friend compete in the dirt bike races. I'd never watched dirt biking before so it was a neat experience for me. He ended up coming in 4th out of 40 so I would say he did pretty darn good! After the race S and I grabbed her kids and went for an Easter egg hunt at a friends house. Somewhere the wires got crossed and we missed the actual hunt, but a super nice guy went out and bought some more stuff for her kids so they could have their own hunt. Major bonus points for that guy. It was really sweet of him.

From there we went on for Easter dinner at my house. I loooooove holidays and their big meals. Yum!

Oh did I mention this whole time I've been sick with a really nasty cold? I made it through swine without so much as a sniffle, but now I manage to pick up every single cold that's going around these days. Not cool. Oh and it's been raining for weeks now. April showers indeed.

Tomorrow I go in to see a lady about a job. We were playing phone tag for a bit, then I ran into her at work and she told me to just come in and see her on Tuesday. Talk about multitasking. Working and getting a job at the same time!

2009 in Review

1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?

I never seem to have an answer to this question. Nothing important enough to write down.

2. Did you keep your New Year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I never got around to making any last year. I think this year mine will be to learn to let go of things I can not control, paying off my credit card, to take more chances, and to go on a nice trip somewhere.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

My oldest friend in the world had a little baby girl this last March. My friend’s brother and his girlfriend also had a baby girl in June.
4. Did anyone close to you die?

Fortunately nobody close to me, but my brother had some friends pass away.

5. What places did you visit?

I made a couple of trips to Kelowna, for shopping or to visit my Aunt. I honestly don’t remember going to Vancouver this year, which is strange for me. I’ve been to Vancouver every year since we moved out here.

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?

A better paying job!
7. What day from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

Christmas, because it was the day I got my first car! (1999 Honda Civic sedan)

8. What was your biggest achievement(s) of the year?

Getting an A+ in chemistry, and an A in biology!!

9. What was your biggest failure?

I didn't really have any big fails this year, that I can think of.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Nothing major. In fact I think this is the healthiest I’ve been in years! Surprising since there is the big sw.ine flu scare.
11. What was the best thing you bought?

I didn't really make any big purchases this year, aside from school (books, parking pass, etc)

12. Whose behaviour merited celebration?

My good friends and family
13. Whose behaviour made you appalled and depressed?

Some of my extended family, some people who I used to be close to but am no longer, and sometimes my own!

14. Where did most of your money go?

School, nights out with friends
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Getting my car for Christmas. I have never been so surprised in my life!

16. What songs will always remind you of 2009?

Lady GaGa – Bad Romance
Cascada - Evacuate the Dance Floor
Black Eyed Peas - I Gotta Feeling

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: a) happier or sadder? happier
b) thinner or fatter? I think about the same
c) richer or poorer? Probably about the same. Broke is broke, no?

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Road trips, camping
20. How did you spend Christmas in 2009?

Very similar to last year. I had to work at 3, so we opened presents and stockings in the morning, had a turkey lunch, and I drove my new car to work!

21. Did you fall in love in 2009?

Nope. I didn’t even date anybody this year!

22. What are your three favourite photos of 2009?


1: my new car!
photo 2: me and my friend's niece at A&L's wedding
photo 3: bringing in the new year with the girls





















23. What was your favourite TV program?

Say Yes to the Dress, Cake Boss, Greys Anatomy (on DVD)

24. What did you do for your birthday in 2009?

The night before I went out, but ended up coming home early after my friend and her boyfriend got in a fight. My actual birthday was spent mostly lying around watching movies.

25. What was the best book you read?

The Time Traveller's Wife

26. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Loving Lady GaGa right now.

27. What did you want and get?

A car!

28. What did you want and not get?

My sanity back! peace in the extended family

29. What were your favourite three films this year?

The Hangover, Star Trek, Avatar

30. Did you make some new friends this year?

Yes I did. In fact the person I’ve seen the most lately I only met a couple of months ago.

31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

Having more money so I can afford to do the things I want

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?

Jeans, sweaters, tall boots

33. What kept you sane?

Caffeine.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?

Nothing in particular. In fact I can’t think of anything that happened right now.

35. Who did you miss?

Some of my old friends that I don’t see anymore.

36. Who was the best new person you met?

My new friends I guess, since they’re the only ones I’ve really met.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.

Watch what you say: Some things can not be taken back

Beginning of the end of the year

How the heck is it December already?

Needless to say, this year has flown by! I can't say that the year has been full of crazy events, but day to day I've been pretty busy between work and school.

It's the last week of classes. I have quiz tomorrow, and then my final exam next Thursday. I'm not looking forward to this final AT ALL. The midterm did me in as far as acing this course, but I can still walk away with a decent mark if I study study study. So final exam, and then what? Well, I'm still waiting to hear from OC about getting into the TA program. If that happens I'll find a second job and hope to earn the moola to pay for this endeavor. If that doesn't happen, well, we'll cross that bridge if it comes. I don't really have a backup plan!

I've been doing a lot of thinking lately. Some thoughts about what's going to happen in the future, but mostly about what's happening right now. There's some family stuff happening right now that's really got me thinking about relationships and ties. Bear with me, as I haven't really thought this out on paper (err...screen) yet! Basically what I've come up with is that family and blood ties basically mean nothing if you're not willing to put in the effort. I think that just because you are "family" doesn't mean you can treat people like crap just because they're "required" to love you. I don't think you're required to love anybody. It's not love if you despise a person. It's not love if you don't respect a person. It's not love if you do hurtful things towards a person. Why not just call it what it is? It sure isn't love.

I think more often it is your friends that become your "family" as you get older. These are the people you choose to make an effort to hang out with. Even then, your "family" will change through the years as people's priorities change, people move, or you just loose touch. What should be important is enjoying the time you have together, and making a conscious effort not to make each others lives miserable! I don't want to be surrounded by negative people anymore. I'm tired of it. It's not worth it. I need to learn to let some of my relationships go. Life is short and I want mine to be happy!

Fall in a nutshell

Holy smokes I'm horrible at updating:

School is going okay. I didn't do as well on my midterm as I would have liked so I am trying to make up for it with my assignments and quizzes.

Today I applied for the TA program and signed up for my first aid course. Tomorrow's a holiday so on Thursday I think I will be calling about getting my TB test done as well as my criminal record check. Busy busy busy.

I've started going to the gym. A week in and I already feel better. Except today where I did something to my lower back. I didn't notice anything was wrong until later after my muscles had cooled down. I hurt my back there last year, so I probably just pulled it the wrong way. It's just a little stiff so hopefully with some stretching it will be all good!

Extended-family life is stressful. Not really something I can discuss here, but let me just say I can't wait for it to be over!!!

The sw.ine flu has finally hit here at the McVicar household. It looks like Adam has it. He's home for a week from school (fall reading break?) and picked it up his first day back. I'm staying away from him. I don't even have a cold! *knock on wood* My cousins in Vancouver have it pretty bad. One had to go to the hospital because she couldn't breathe, but she seems to be doing better. Thank goodness.

That's about all I have time for. Off to work I go. No rest for the weary!

Flight School

I am so excited for my brother! We just found out Adam got accepted into flight school! So in about a week he is moving to Penticton! I'm really happy for him since he's always been interested in flying. It will be weird not having him around anymore, but I'm glad he's finally getting out and doing what he wants.

Bullet notes

Been awhile since I did a real update on here.

• My summer has been pretty uneventful so far. It seems like my days consist of work, movie watching, knitting, and pool time (when the sun is out). I have plans next weekend that consist of a day in Kelowna and a trip to the spa. I'm excited for the break in routine. My days have gotten pretty predictable. I'd like a bit more spontaneity in my life.

• Yesterday my mom and I moved the furniture around in my room. I've had it laid out the same way pretty much since we moved here 13 years ago. It's a nice change without too much effort involved. I still have some boxes to go through before that room is totally in order, but it is getting there! I thought it would take me a couple of days, yet here I am 2-3 months later, still hacking away at it! I'm not sure if it's the vast amount of work involved, or the turtle pace I'm working it. Combination?

• My glasses are fixed. I was able to pick up my new frames the other day. It's nice to not have to worry about them breaking every time I take them off. My darling mother has also offered to pay for contacts for me, so I have an appointment next week to get my eyes measured.

That about sums it up. Tune in next week.

Movie Making Master

I am so proud of my little brother!

Last night we all went down to the downtown theatre to watch the film competition put on by the local film society. Allan entered a short film he made with a couple of friends. And guess what. He won!!! (I guess I should say they won)

It was really neat seeing one of his creations up on the big screen. And it was pretty great to see him recognized for his work.

Yay Allan!

He doesn't have his movie online yet, but you can find some of his photos here

Holiday Spirit?

I've decided to decorate my blog and get into the holiday spirit, even though I haven't had much to be cheery about lately.

My family is no longer going to Mexico after Christmas, due to family reasons. An uncle of mine has been diagnosed with cancer, and my Aunt Crazy has gone off and outdone herself. I'm pretty bummed, but I totally understand why we're not going. I just hope my uncle is okay. As for my aunt, well ... that's a long story.

I haven't heard from J in over two weeks. He left for work without a word to me, and I haven't heard from him since. He was supposed to come home 2 days ago. I haven't tried calling him. I guess I should try doing that today. I don't really know what I'm going to say to him. I'm not even really sure what happened to make him go AWOL. I am so mad/hurt, yet indifferent at the same time. I'm tired of his excuses and empty promises.

Work on the other hand has been good. I've been told by most of the managers that I am awesome, and they're really happy with me. Yay! The Christmas party is in a couple of weeks, and I'm looking forward to it. The people are all really great (well most of them), so it should be fun hanging out with them outside of work.


ETA: J and I just broke up. He referred to it as more of a break, but I can't see us working things out in the near future. I'm not sure how I feel about it. I knew it was coming, but I'm still kind of surprised. I know I'm going to miss him, no matter how mad he used to make me. We had a lot of fun.

Ever just have one of those days...

So much for my stellar lunch plans. Our restaurant is closed on Sundays! I wanted to cry. We ended up going somewhere else but it just wasn't what I wanted. We ran into my parents on the way out of the restaurant. They were on their way to dance lessons. My parents are so cute learning how to dance after 30 some odd years of marriage. I guess the people they knock over don't think it's as great, but I love it!

Work today was awful. It was one of those days where at the end of your shift you just want to slam your head into something. Uuuuuuugh. However, my boss did stop by to tell me I was doing a good job, and that she really likes me! Yay for me being awesome!

J might or might not be going back to work tomorrow. His other option is Friday. I hope he waits until Friday because then I get to hang out with him more! With me being a morning person and him a definite night person, I'm surprised we even see each other at all when he's home. But just wait until ski season starts! pffft I'll be lucky if I see him before spring!