the corner

i have talked about this for sometime now but i really have to say how happy i am the fishtank is gone. not just mark's but mine as well. they were taking much needed space and both were completely unused so it felt good to ship them off! before my parent's left they gave us a couple of items. now the said items have an official place and we are not living in as much clutter. so here is the wall now. i do realize we still have quite a bit of stuff (i.e. hiking/camping supplies under the desk) but i think we are getting by nicely with the space we have like behind the screen i hid the christmas decorations, vacuum, kitty kennel and storage-like items.

so there you have it mom. because the rocking chair needs a bit of tweaking to hold human weight i thought it could hold some scrapbooks instead. on a sidenote: when jimi saw the monky/bear he started laughing hysterically, i can't figure out why...*wink wink*. also note the lamp. yup that is what you gave to me but i spray painted it silver (try not to shudder) and bought a new lampshade. i think it looks great with grammie's desk. finally the ugly (but sooo sooo comfy) orange chair that we bought at a garage sale. we put it in the corner by the window. kind of a reading/study area. note the pillow: mama b gave that to me on my last visit...she is too cute!

so that's it. have a great monday!

love

shopping

i went shopping a week ago with jeaninne and jeff (that's right you read that correctly, jeff went with us). it was a quick trip of shopping, and talking that we later took to case's house. overall a great night of friendness that does not happen as much as it used too with all of our busy lives. hence it is lovely when we do get together.

on the trip, however, i got a skirt. now i do go shopping with my friends quite a bit but i used to go with my mom regularly. since she cannot be there now on my trips, i thought i would show her what i bought on this trip. so here you go mom. p.s. jeaninne, although didn't say it, thinks it looks like a grandma skirt because "it is so busy and flowery". he he he. but i don't care because i love it and i like the tie up on the waist.

love

let's talk about movies

since i talked about books recently....let's talk about movies. these are just a few i have rented (or gone out to see) recently:

- going the distance: to me, i found this movie quite good. i was going in with some expectations but it turned out to even surprise the ones i had. it was really funny (some inappropriate humor but not enough for complete raunchiness). at one point i was in hysterical laughter and could not stop. seriously love it when that happens (i don't know if anita does...wink wink). cute chick flick film.

- babies: a documentary on how babies are raised (and developing) all around the world (sometimes many similarities and then you see some vast differences). cute movie. the babies are pretty cute (obviously don't see it if you don't like children, he he he). the only thing i kind of wished for was some narration but all and all pretty cute.

- prince of persia: i really loved this movie. i was pleasantly surprised with the story and the actors overall. action packed (which i love in an escapism movie) with a couple of little twists but not to grotesque as it is disney. also brought be back to the movies i enjoyed like indiana jones and the mummy. very good. if you don't like snakes be forewarned...right jo?

ones that i have seen but really wasn't an overall fan was losers, remember me, letters to juliet and the back up plan. they were alright overall but really not my thing.

there you have it. the movies i have seen this past bit. seriously if you have seen a good movie tell me! i love movies and anything funny, quirky, action packed, or a really good documentary i am usually interested in... :)

love

and the band played on...

ahhh. a free moment in my life

guess what??? one assignment is done: a presentation to the staff at our location.
how did we do? in all honesty this was one of the best experiences i had doing a presentation. in terms of our presentation i think (for the first time) i spoke at a slower pace with a bit more ease than i have ever before. we worked hard and i think it showed. BUT best of all...people asked questions AND WE COULD ANSWER THEM!! :)  how much better can it really get than that? overall it felt fantastic. one assignment down, and more than half way done my first clinical rotation.

now for a few moments of things to do this weekend.

- call my parents. i have tried to make a point to talk to them once or twice (sometimes three) times a week. unfortunatley i got caught up in the work load this week and failing miserably in the phone call department. its tough when a girl works best at 4-8 and then ready to chat. then the realization hits her that her parents are probably dreaming.

- hang out with this pretty swell guy that i live with. sometimes i wonder how he can put up with my stressing. he always seems to be around to listen to my rambling, give me a hug, or rub my back. most of all he just appreciates me for me, even when i become a crazy school girl! he also calls my parents to deliver messages about me. could i have it any better??? thank you!

- destress with some fellow nursing friends or what i would like to call gourging 101, what not to do when diagnosed with cardiac discomfort. that should be a fun night!

- get back into the work out routine (how easily i fell off, he he) AND (hoping with all hope to have time) scrapbooking! :)

that sounds like a fab weekend. school will just have to fit in another day! :)

love

pictures

now that the fish tank is gone i have room to put many things where that spot was once occupied. what i put will be in a blog soon to follow however i did realize as i was organizing that there were really no current pictures of mark and i...anywhere. we did have a couple of family photos back in 2008 but that's about it. so i took matters into my own hands and developed a few frame-worthy pictures and scattered them around the apartment (mainly the living room and my office). here they are...like??

from top left us fighting off bugs in the backcountry ha ha ha,
top right is a picture of us all dressed up for mark's cousin's wedding.
bottom left is us on the north coast trail.
the right us at hopewell rocks.

have a good night. off to celebrate a special hope lady's birthday. research for a paper and maybe (fingers crossed) fit in some glee!

love

harvest time

yesterday was the first time i went grocery shopping and didn't buy a veggie. no, i didn't go to the market. mark's veggies are full grown and ready! potatoes, carrots, beets, green beans, celery, garlic, lettuce, and multiple herbs...its really quite amazing. looks like his first year with his garden was a success! :)

a snapshop of some of the veggies...little did i know more would be
appearing the next week...interested???

love

guess what i am talking about

i thought i would do a fun post today on something that i love. hint: i don't do it as often as i like. i really love doing it. and the best time to do it (for me) is when i am in a hot bath. guesses???? READING!!!

here are a list of some of my favs (whether i have read them long ago or recently)

1. i know this much is true by wally lamb. i love love love this book. i cannot say enough about it. i haven't read it recently but when i did i couldn't put it down (that's when you know you have read a good book). fascinating story about mental illness and the life long journey of two brothers...so good!

2. harry potter series by j.k. rowling. i am a complete and utter fan of these reads. the movies just do not do justice of this author (although they are fun and exciting in their own way). it amazes me how a kids book could evoke such emotion (yes, i have teared up on many occasions reading these). a fantastic way to escape and yes i really do wish i got my letter to hogwarts.

3. atonement by ian mcewan. again about the movie thing, if you have seen the movie this book will leave little to the imagination. yet i enjoyed the book so much more (isn't that really what everyone says??)

4. water for elephants by sara greun. quick before the movie comes out pick this up! i read this while i was on vacation and adored it. it kind of gets you thinking (a bit) about aging, the process, and if you all are nurses...nursing....plus it talks about the circus!

5. book of negroes by lawrence hill. fascinating journey of a girl (turn women) in the slave trade. i am currently reading this (so don't tell me what happens!!) and have yet to put it down at night so addicting....that is how i know this is a fantastic book!

6. finally i will mention an older one that i haven't read in quite some time. power of one by bruce courtenay. i don't know what drew me to this book but i am glad i was. i never really knew much about other parts of the world (and although fiction) it was beautifully written and gave me things to think about and furthering my research into africa and the apartheid.

i think i will stop there. yes there are tons of others but i have my own personal readings to do for school so i must get back to work! :) till next time.

love

what's going on?

so i have officially done 2 weeks of my first rotation...all i can say is man oh man time is flying by. i already have a presentation due next friday and a care plan to complete the next week and then i am done! its crazy. it usually takes me a good month to settle into a new job but by that time i will be gone! :) so far, i think i am doing okay as i am pushing myself out of my comfort zone. can i ask for anything more? after all this training i think i will settle into jobs a lot faster! :) overall the experience has been pretty good. i did have one bad day and that was regarding an assignment. really this would be a fabulous rotation, if i didn't have to do anything for grades. BUT, i am a student! ;)

i have started my work-out routine once again as well. it is slightly hard to get back into it as i like to work out in the am(s) but finding hard to balance that with my rotation. i have been told that as a student, your own mental health is the one thing that gets put on the backburner. so i am trying to make a conscience effort to try fitting in atleast a couple of my lovely leisure activities in one week (seeing my friends, scrapbooking, reading, working out, etc.) its a challenge to find the balance but (thus far) it is working. i guess i will see how it works with other rotations! :)

i managed to visit my old job on monday. i think i made a special grey cup friend very happy! it was nice to see everyone and prank anita. ahhh good times...why did i ever decide to leave that job???? :)

everything else is okay. mark was sick this week with a cold. unfortunately i have now caught a bit of that bug. so hopefully i can squash the worst of it this weekend! :)

other than that,
love

no blog

or not really.
the stress has started.
but not really.
had a sort of complex day.
but not really.
must gather all my thoughts.
really! :)

love

let me tell you about kitty

so here is our cat (really, its mark's by choice, mine through relationship). we didn't get off to the best start. myself being raised around dogs and kitty having a life of bachelorhood with no crazy women trying to clean up after him. BUT after close to four long years we have come a long way. he no longer runs away when my squeaky voice enters the building. i no longer get annoyed when he refuses to cuddle with me. when mark and i are causing a commotion (i.e. snowball fights or water fights), kitty no longer feels the urge to attack me. while i no longer kick him off the bed when he wants food (he is smart, he meows straight at my face now) ahhh it really is a harmonious relationship we have. in all fairness, he is quite funny and i officially have become a two-woman cat person (jingles, my brother's cat, gets my affection as well). let's face it this cat does have a personality. don't just take my word for it...take hers.

love

sushi sushi

yesterday, unfortunately for us, jimi did not come over for a sunday night dinner. he is busy either working up north or prepping so i cannot complain as i am super excited for him (congrats again dude on the union news!!) but let's take a little flashback at what we did last weekend. before i had left on vacation, jimi and i had talked about having a sushi dinner so on this following sunday i bought the ingredients to make it happen!

on the menu for us was (in one) crab, cucumber and avocado.
the other had green onion, cream cheese and smoke salmon (my favourite).
of course on top we had to have a little bit of wasabi and ginger....so awesome!

needless to say it was awesome. jimi, apparently being excruciatingly hungry did not want to wait for them to chill in the fridge (and from the picture, till they were made) so we did have some early....still good. mark was pretty hilarious too. him being a person who is not a fan of fish chose a veggie one of cream cheese, cucumber, avocado, and green onion. he thought we were ridiculous when we would eat the sushi with wasabi and get "hot brains". as it was going up our noses and into our brains. trying to prove a point he "delved" right into it. as he sat their with a motionless face we both new that it would hit him any moment....and it did! :) but as he likes to say, he took it better than the rest of us...;)

this is the finished product.
doesn't it look great.
some, i see, is falling apart but once its in your mouth it hardly matters! :)

 great fun...ready to do it again.
love

booking up

seeing friends every week

one at the market
one with a burger and a movie
one with mexican and doing various errands
two for a dinner party
two for a girls night (sushi included)
many at a drop by at an old job

great chance to catch up
lots of catch up is needed!
i love friends
especially mine!

love

let's talk about food

and now onto one of my favourite topics. food. really its what my family lineage is all about so i must take the opportunity to discuss it. while in tofino we got our fill of wonderful seafood delights: fish and chips, mussels, smoked salmon, etc. NOTHING and i mean ABSOLUTELY NOTHING compares to the greatness of this place.

Tacofino Cantina located at the back of a parking lot is a large orange bus that serves the most delicious mexican delights. mark, when researching tofino, caught an article similar to this that mentioned their delicacy of the fish taco. although the mere idea of a fish taco sounded revolting (to say the least) we went to it knowing there would be little opportunity to have it back home. well, as you can tell by this post, i am glad we made the trip. along with the fish taco, we had the beef taco, the chili cookie, and the beef burrito (we were really hungry!). overall my vote goes to the beef taco. not only do they use just sliced avocado (so fresh) directly into the dish but they make a wonderful homemade salsa that contains mango. now how can you really go wrong with that?? this is the one thing that i seriously could go back to have again (especially during the northcoast trail as i really couldn't stop thinking about it). so if you make the trip to tofino...don't forget to trek to the back of the gravel parking and seek out the orange bus. it would be unfortunate if you missed out! :)

love

happy birthday

just one thing this early morning. i would like to make a shout out to my dad because its his birthday!! so happy birthday!! hope you have a fabulous day (of hard work, i am sure) and actually try to relax and atleast eat some birthday cake! :)

love you lots and thanks for always being there when i need a little help...even when it comes to catching fish.

love

beachlife

what i love about the beach:

surfing

running

finding some warm water to soak in

and my absolute favourite thing about beaches is:

the sunset

love

school is now in session

so i am now back into the swing of things once again. that's right people: school is back in session. i must admit this time around i was a little disappointed seeing the calendar at september 7. don't get me wrong. i love school and i love my school friends (who it was really great to see) BUT my summer was fabulous. really it was more than fabulous but i just don't have an adjective that could put those four months in the highest threshold of greatness. regardless i am back at grant mac this time with a full semester of clinical on my plate. what lays before me you ask? my first rotation is mental health where i will be working with addictions, abuse, or mental illness. that is as far as i am willing to delve. next is my surgery and then medicine. so it seems that a busy 4 months is ahead of me. i have been told that a life will not happen but i see light at the end of the tunnel. mainly because i plan. and i mean plan...like everything down to my laundry and shaving my legs (ha ha). so i think i can plan a life in there too. i guess i will soon find out!

on a sidenote: i will have to find a little bit of life somewhere in the next two days regardless because we sold our fishtank (YEAH...finally) so i can finally organize all the stuff my parents gave me into our place.

till next time
love

north coast trail

since i have exhausted myself talking to various people about this place i thought i would do a little collage in pictures of our hike (click on the actual image if you would like a better visual...MOM) AND if you would like to learn about this hike click on the title of this blog as the link gives a fairly detailed version of what we did (minus the lighthouse portion as we skipped it)

okay here it goes...hopefully this can be followed. starting in the upper left corner of small pictures: 1. sand on the beach 2. mud (we got up close and personal with lots of this) 3. bear prints on the sand (and back to the left again) 4. seagulls 5. writing 6. myself on a happier day...must not have been the first two ;) going to the right is 7. me...looking happy but i am pretty sure that i wasn't: having just finished bushwhacking through a fake trail and no where near the end point with bogs and mud galore! 8. crabs...one of the many tiny sea life we saw. 9. back to the left is myself reeling in the cable car to get us across the river. 10. a view from our starting point. 11. mark using one of the many ropes on this trail to get us to our destination. this one was by far the steepest we had to climb down having just finished climbing up. 12. the tide is in leaving us "beached" 13. three hours later we can finally cross 14. a happy couple 15. a little bit of nature 16. on the beach for a nice pose. this was some of my favourite hiking. 17. just look at all that mud 18. walking through the seagull swarm...that was quite fun! 19. ahh see you can even see how much i love the beach walking 20. mark doing his share (or maybe more) of the cable car pulling.

hope you enjoyed our hiking vacation! :)
love

memorable moment in vancouver

so on our trip we went to visit my cousin jon in vancouver. with extremely short notice he set us up on his futon and we set off for a thai restaurant. shortly after he showed us the sights of the city in his own "jon" way with each statement having little comical throw-ins. my personal favourite moment was when a biker came up to jon's unrolled, driving, car window and asked to be pulled up a hill as he was in the middle of a race and was quite tired. jon laughed, pondered for a second (asking if any trouble would be had...the biker assured us it was okay) and proceeded to drive him up the hill. i had to take a picture, as this would never happen to me...only a godbout (or a jimi).

love

vacation part deux

well i am back. it was an absolute fabulous vacation but it is always good to be home.

this sums up my trip:

-long drives
-saw two carnivals (one small, one big)
-passed by numerous fruit stands, then actually decided to go to one!
-saw a cousin
-visited a large city for a bit
-went to two very small cities (much more my pace)
-lived on the beach, surfed on the beach, walked on the beach, ran on the beach, goofed around taking pictures on the beach
-went to a naturally occuring hotsprings, saw humpbacks, grey whales, seals, and otters
-had seriously the best beef and fish tacos in the whole world (no exaggeration from me *wink, but more on that later)
-saw a really big forest and noted how little has changed since visiting it 15 years earlier
-went on a fairly challenging hike where two poles were broken, pulled a ligament in the shoulder, bruised the shin bone and came out with far too many mosquito bites
-saw bear footprints, heard a bear, saw a bear itself, saw some ducks, snails, crab, starfish, wolf prints and countless other wildlife creatures and creations
-camped out in some fairly funny places
-attempted to hitchhike for 5 hours on a desserted logging road
-met some fabulous hikers who saved us in our hitchhiking disaster
-travelled a long way back to get to our home

great memories to last a lifetime...it really was a great vacation.
love

my summer holidays

what i did on my summer holidays:

-worked
-and worked some more at night
-yoga: hatha, hot, power, and yin...all helped in so many ways for both body and mind
-ran, ran some more and then did a half marathon
-my parent's moved and the never ending calling commenced
-saw the big apple
-went on numerous shopping trips, musicals, museums, historical monuments at said place
-saw the west coast
-did some surfing, went to naturally occurring hairsprings and had the BEST fish tacos anyone could ever make.
-went on an extremely difficult hike and survived. both life and relationship are still intact (although it was touch and go at times * wink *)
-went to a wedding, then a second one. both had stunningly gorgeous brides with daper grooms
-went to a football game
-enjoyed two musical festivals. one devoted purely towards women's strength, the other had an earthier feel
-had a tremendous amount of water fights
-enjoyed the summer festivals with friends, co-workers, clients...
-at said summer festivals had MORE than MY fair share of green onion cakes
-made my own said green onion cakes
-scrapbooked past trips with the passion i had when on them
-said goodbye to a job and people that i loved with all my heart for a job that i hope will love me in the future
-spent a grotesque amount of time with the person i love. knowing that i have a lot more time to do this but refuse to take for granted the time i have now.