T-minus 4 days

I've been horribly neglectful of this blog. I promise to try and do better when I'm back in school.

Speaking of which, I am moving on Monday. 4 more sleeps. That's insane to me! When did it suddenly become September and time for me to move/start school?! I've been trying to get most of my packing done before the weekend because I'm planning to barely be at home over the next 3 days (as well as tonight). Things to do, people to see! Tonight I have dinner plans, and then I'm off to poker night with some of my old coworkers. I've never been very good at poker but none of these people really play either so we'll be evenly matched! Should be fun.

I'm starting to get really nervous about leaving. I know I'll be fine once I get there and get settled but the in between part kind of scares me. What are my room mates gonna be like? What are my classes going to be like? Am I going to like Kelowna? And of course the big one, how am I going to afford this? I know it'll all work out and things will fall into place. But until then I'll continue to have freak out moments about how I'm going to do this!

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!

Roaaaadtrip!

This past week was my road trip to the kootenays. We visited Jaffray, Fernie, and Fairmont. I had a blast and going back to work yesterday was so hard. The first night we spent in Jaffray at S's friends cabin where we drank and were merry. The people I met there were hilarious and I hope they make good on their promise to come visit us soon. Fernie the next day was pretty low key. We saw a couple of S's friends, had a nap, and ended the night with a couple of drinks at the pub. A lot of the conversations revolved around deer heads and fist fights. Now I don't live in a big city by any means, I had never felt so 'big city' in my life! I can not explain to you the laughter I heard when I said I had once run over a squirrel. We grew up in different worlds, S & I. Then because I had never been to any hotsprings we decided to get out of Fernie and move on to Fairmont. On our way through Cranbrook we stopped for lunch and ended up meeting up with some people to go horseback riding. I haven't been on a horse since the 5th grade, but I had a lot of fun. And for the record my ass still hurts three days later.

On Saturday night after I got home I got a phonecall from my friend M and was pleased as pie to learn SHE'S ENGAGED! I'm pretty sure I broke her eardrum when she told me. She's been dating this guy F.O.R.E.V.E.R and it's finally gotten to be that time! I'm so excited!!

Getting out of the house

I am so tired. For the last two weeks I've basically done nothing but work. Yesterday I finally got out of the house for something else and it felt great!

First stop was the health unit to get my test for TB for school. I have to go back tomorrow before I leave for my trip to get it checked. Then I must remember to put my results in the mail because they're due next week and I'm gone for the rest of this week! I think this is the last thing I have to submit to school before my conditional acceptance turns into just an acceptance. Woot!

While I was getting injected, I got a message from my buddy G who was in town for the day and wanted to hang out. We ended up going for some food and then to a movie. By the way the little boy in Valen.tine's Day is THE CUTEST THING EVER. I just want to squish him. After that I went with my friend S to the pool for some swimming and some hot tubbing. I didn't get home until almost 10. I then proceeded to geek out and watch some I.max movies on space that my parents got us for Christmas. I've always thought it would be wicked awesome to be an astronaut. Oh and I finished knitting another square! I swear I'm going to be 30 by the time I get this blanket done.

Today I have to pack for my trip, make sure my car has everything it needs (oil, washerfluid, air in the tires), go to work (uggh.), come home and watch the bachelor with my mom (we taped it last night) and get some sleep! Tomorrow I leave for the Kootneys for 4 days! Yay roadtrip!

and time goes by...

I seriously need to put more effort into this blog! I guess I just feel like I have nothing interesting to talk about, so why bother? I find this when I go out with my friends, or run into people I know and they ask me how I'm doing and what's new in my life. I go to work, I come home, I go out for drinks/dinner some nights. But basically it's a big fat nothing. I'm not in school right now. I'm working at the same job I have been at for over a year. I'm not seeing anyone. I'm not going anywhere on vacation ... etc, etc. Life is kind of at a stand still.

Today I went out for lunch with a friend, washed my car, and soon I'm going out for an early dinner with some of the girls from work. It's M's last day and she's not old enough to go to a pub afterwards, so early dinner it is! I might have to go to the pub after by myself! Work on tuesdays is horrible. I hate it. I woke up today feeling miserable that I had to go at all. I know it's time for a new job but part of me wants to stick it out for at least another month because it's easy to get time off and I want to go on a little road trip with my friend S at the end of February. I can find a new job after that.

Hopefully.

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!

Nice to have a weekend off once in awhile...

On Saturday, a friend and I drove out to Kelowna for a day of shopping and good times. I spent way too much money, but really enjoyed myself! We even stopped for some mini golf before heading home. Boy was it hot outside! We were going to stay in Kelowna for dinner but a giant forest fire started while we were in the mall, and there were evacuations going across the lake. We decided to leave the chaos and have a nice dinner back home.

Sunday we got up early and went out for a nice breakfast before heading to the spa to get manicures and pedicures. It was my first time, and I really enjoyed it! It felt so good to get my feet pampered after spending the previous day walking on them! I thought my manicurist was going to chop off my thumb after I messed it up on my way out the door, but she just smiled and fixed it for me. Nice lady!

Today I got to play with my friend's new puppy. His name is Gus and he is adorable!

It's a Girl!!!

My very good friend became an Auntie today to an 8lbs 1oz beautiful baby girl!

Welcome baby Micaela! :)

Glad that's over!

I am officially done the class of death! The exam kicked my ass. I did really well during the practice exams but those weren't the questions put onto the real exam! Real exam was much harder! Oh well. It's over. Yay!

I still have one more exam which I will do on Friday morning. Friday night is celebration night! I'm going out with a bunch of people I haven't seen in awhile to celebrate the end of the semester (or the end of a degree in some cases!). I even took the night off work. I think I've worked every single Friday since I got hired in November! Should be fun!

Next week I have off from school, and then I start summer chemistry classes. Ugh. I hated chem in high school, and I can't see this being much better! At least it's only for 2 months.

Freaking Out!

I just made a list of every assignment, midterm and exam I have to do between now and the end of April. Shouldn't have done that! It's overwhelming. I have 20 assignments, 4 midterms, and 4 exams to do. In 2 months.

By the end of tonight, I'll be able to cross 1 assignment and 1 midterm off that list. But that still leaves me with A LOT of work to do.

On a lighter note, my friend is going to have her baby soon!! She's due in about a week. I'm so excited! I'm hoping to go see her the first weekend in April for her birthday, and I'll be able to see the little bundle of joy!

Changing Ties

At one time, and for a long time, my friend and I were really close. I knew everything about her, and she knew everything about me. Now, not so much. I got a message from her today about hanging out tomorrow (we made dinner plans a few days ago) and in it she mentioned something about me going to Mexico for New Years. Now I have hung out with this girl a number of times since my trip got canceled. Either I have never bothered to mention it (meaning we haven't talked about me), or she just wasn't listening. I could see it going either way. It just struck me how little she knows about me now. She has no knowledge or understanding of something that is so significant in my life (uncle's cancer, which in turn leads to cancellation of Mexico trip). I'm kind of sad about what our relationship has become.

I know relationships change all the time, but lately mine don't seem to be changing for the better. I have become quite distant from the people I had strong ties to at the beginning of the year.

And then there are good days

Today has been a good day. I went and picked up my package that I missed being delivered yesterday by 10 minutes (damn that to hell!). There was no lineup, and I was in and out in 2 minutes. Afterwards I went to work and I got to go home early because we were slow because of the snow. I am not the type of person that takes great pleasure in finishing out their shift. Need someone to go home? I am the first one volunteering! Especially when it's snowing. Now I'm listening to Christmas music and wrapping some presents. Oh and when I got home I had TWO PIECES OF MAIL. Real mail. Like the kind you actually want. One was a Christmas letter, and the other was just an everyday card from one of my friends who knows I've been having a rough time. It was really nice to come home to.

I just looked at my countdown and it says there is less then 2 weeks until Christmas! Yikes! That was fast.

Dogs and Drinking

It's been an interesting couple of days.

Sunday, I got home from work to find that my dog Mackenzie wasn't doing very well. He wasn't walking (seriously favoring one of his front legs), and when I went in to check on him he didn't even lift up his head or acknowledge me in any way. He couldn't even go outside by himself, we had to carry him. I was really worried about him.

On Monday, we brought him to the vet right when it opened. The vet wasn't actually going to be in for another hour so I sat by the phone waiting, and my parents went to work. I was in the mindset where we were going to have to put him down. It turns out he sprained his ankle and was in a lot of pain. Once he was given some pain killers he perked right up and was back to causing trouble. I can not even begin to explain to you how relieved I am. He's my baby. I'm so glad he's okay.

That afternoon, my brothers and I went golfing. We discovered there is one thing in this world that we do not excel at. And that is golfing. Good thing there was nobody behind us. It took us almost 3 hours to get through 5 holes. That's really really terrible! It was my brother G's birthday, so afterwards we met up with our parents at a Greek restaurant for dinner. There was so much food I nearly exploded, and had to take most of it home.

J happened to call while we were waiting for our food, but I couldn't really talk to him in the middle of the restaurant. I was bummed because I didn't know when I'd hear from him since he started working nights again. I got a message from him this morning, but haven't actually gotten to talk to him.

In big news, my friend is officially home from Afghanistan! He drove in last night. I invited him out for dinner tonight but he said he'd have to get back to me. A bunch of his army buddies want to meet him at the armories for drinks. Apparently it's a big deal or something that he made it home from war. *shrugs*
I'm kidding! Of course it's a big deal, but I want him to come get drunk with me! I think the decision is obvious. Which would you rather: Going out with a hot chick like me, or drinking with a bunch of dudes?

I know. I'd pick the second one too. ;)

Gloomy Monday

I apologize in advance for the less then cheery post I am about to write. I'm just in one of those moods.

First of all, I am going to call the weather people out on being big fat liars. Weather reports call for 29 degrees and sunny. My backyard is showing 19 degrees and cloudy. Hopefully the clouds will part and I will be apologizing in a few hours for my lack of faith in the weather folk. As for now, I am putting away my new bathing suit and putting on socks.

This past week I have spent a lot of time with my mom. It's been fun renting movies, shopping and baking. But it makes me miss my friends. And this weekend I've been thinking a lot about one in particular.

My friend and I have been very close since we graduated from high school. However she is not accepting of me having a boyfriend. She likes J, and was fine hanging out with him when we weren't officially seeing each other. But since then things have changed. We used to go hang out with J and his friends (sometimes by her suggestion) but I stopped inviting her after awhile because she would sit there and mope, and would act uncomfortable. She has then since told me she does not want to hang out with J and I.

About a month ago, I was asked by somebody at work why I was ignoring her. I had no earthly idea what he was talking about. I talked to her everyday at work. Also for the previous couple of weeks I had tried to hang out with her on numerous occasions abut she always declined because she either had other plans or no money. Apparently she had been telling people that since I had a boyfriend, I had no time for her. I certainly never did anything to give her this impression (in my opinion). First of all, I hardly see J! Secondly, I never invited J if I had plans with her, and I never canceled plans with her to hang out with him. I haven't seen or heard from her for weeks now. After my last day of work, I was invited by J to go camping with his friends. I decided not to invite her because she had made herself clear about not wanting to be included. I haven't heard from her since.

I miss her, but I know I shouldn't try and be friends with somebody who makes up stories about me to try and justify her own actions. I am going to be whiny and say I don't think it's fair how she can be like this with me, and be completely fine and charming to all her other friends with boyfriends. I don't get what I've done differently then them.

Maybe I'll suck it up and call her this week, but a part of me thinks I'd just be playing into her childish games. She lives for drama. Maybe it's time I stop being a part of it.