to you with love

i know i have been so concentrated on our honeymoon that i really never put into focus what got us there in the first place. our wedding and the day we officially got married. so in honour of that wonderful day, i thought i would put some very important words up here that we wrote to one another. he he remember this. i actually did write (and re-write, and re-write again) a speech that day and within the following weeks, about my now husband.

here it is:

I am not one for speeches or public speaking for that matter (ask a few of my nursing buddies that are present). So I thought the easiest way to write a speech was in the form of a letter. Obviously a public letter but it’s addressed to mark. So here we go:

Dear Mark,

We have reached another milestone in our 5 years in counting together. Although we have always sworn to each other that we would be partners for life and all that it brings we have made it official with government documents and all! Plus there is that added perk of making our families very happy!

Because of this happy occasion I thought I would look back at some special memories that I have of you and what got me to this point of speaking publicly.

I first met you when we were volunteering at the mustard seed. I have to admit, I thought you pretty cute. I remember very distinctly Casey CONSTANTLY pestering me to ask you out. But I was shy, and knew nothing about you. Then one fateful day I gave you a ride home and asked you why you decided to volunteer. Your response was that people had done a lot for you when you needed help, and you felt it was your time to give back. Well you sure knew how to hook me. I think at that moment I was yours. You have such a big heart that has an even bigger capacity to care, love and always think of others in need. This never ceases to amaze me.

That first year there were many moments that you “entranced” me. One involved a special gentlemen by the name of Hieu. He bared witness to our new relationship as we had been going out just under 3 months and happened to be sitting next to him at a hockey game, much to my dismay. Hieu began the grilling with endless questions to you and you passed valiantly. Probably you both having a passion for hockey helped! I must say that I was equally impressed at both of yours and his ability to accept one another, as you are both tricky men to impress.

With the many years that have passed you still amaze me. I discovered the passion you feel with everything around you. Mark you tackle life with such fervor. You refuse to look at things in black and white and always see the gray in everything you do. This is something that always makes Jeaninne laugh as she says; “It must be hard being Mark sometimes.” Maybe this is true, but your ability to think beyond the rules and structure makes things exciting, challenges me and others to look at the world differently, and I think it is what makes you an exceptional in your work and family life.

You have provided me with endless support and fabulous pep talks. As well as cupcakes, lots of cupcakes. Thanks for those, as they have come at the perfect time during school when I have just reached my peak in stress. And just a heads up, those cupcakes and talks may need to continue. I am starting my career in January. It’s not going to be pretty! I am glad now that we are now married so you really can’t escape me.

I have had so much fun these last five years. You are the one person that can make me laugh harder than I have ever laughed before. Your spontaneity has lead us to having pillow fights in hotels, snowball fights in the kitchen and dancing under the night sky. I love your ability to seek joy and be happy. I can’t wait to see what other trouble and adventures we will get into in the future.

Lastly I just want to say that I have never been more proud of you than this year watching you achieve your dream of being a teacher. Sometimes it was tough but you worked so hard to be a good teacher to your kids. I think that they are lucky to have someone that invests in them the way you do.

That’s it. That’s all I have to say. Except I love you,

Tracey

and his to me:

You know, its funny how having to write a speech like this can get you thinking. There I was lying in bed last night, all ready to start writing my speech, when I realized that there was a million reasons to toast Tracey this evening. I just had to figure out which things I shouldn't say and then I could go from there. I also figured that a list of adjectives just wouldn't do as not everyone here knows Tracey as well as I do, so I though some examples might help.

Tracey is smart and kind. For example, when I run into a problem that I view as insurmountable and am feeling pissed off at the world about it, she often solves it and then waits to gloat until after I am feeling better. 

She cares about others. This example was tough to pick because I had such a large number of options to choose from. The most meaningful example for everyone here tonight was that she wanted to reduce the number of speeches about how wonderful we are so that everyone could get to having fun.

She's a terrific organizer. Now this one was easy, she was already preacticing her toast before I had even started writing mine.

Tracey is fun. When Tracey and I became an item people would always be asking us what we were laughing at. After the first couple of explanations I realized that it wasn't what we were laughing at that was so funny as no one else laughed. It was that Tracey and I were involved in it that made it funny.

Tracey is fun. Okay I already said it but this one deserves a few more examples. I have been in more water fights in the last 5 years since I met Tracey then the 27 years before meeting Tracey. Once when Tracey was in the shower, I pretended to leave the bathroom and absentmindedly shut off the light on the way out, as I often do. Only this time I didn't actually leave the bathroom. I sat there in the dark and waited for 30 seconds for her to stop calling me to come back. Just as she was about to get out of the shower and turn the light on herself. I whipped open the shower curtain with my left hand. Turned on my blindingly bright headlamp with my right and yelled. I would have killed someone that did that to me, but Tracey was laughing about it in under 10 seconds and even complimented me on it later.

Tracey is forgiving. No new examples needed for that one. 

Tracey is wise beyond her years. My mother once told me that everyone should have someone they love stand up in front of a big group of people and say good things about them at least once in their life. She had a lot of reasons for saying that and I thought it was a pretty wise thing to say. To my knowledge she never told that to Tracey. Yet when we were planning this wedding Tracey thought we should give the toast to each other for many of the same reasons.

Tracey, you are smart, you are kind, you care about others, your a terrific organizer, your fun, your forgiving and you are wise. I love you.

we both are pretty lucky!
love

they are back.....

remember this....

well the fruit fly traps are out again...as they are back with vengeance...

its not going to be pretty...

we will see who survives this battle

love

stonehenge

i really don't know if i can say very much about this place other than i fell in love with its mystique.

when we had first decided to come to london this was the one thing that was on my list. even though it wasn't in london at all. ha ha. but mark as always (the fabulous trip guru that he is) came through and found us a tour that would take us to the fabulous stonehenge.

truthfully when you look at the pictures, this is it. but i loved it. i loved listening to the many theories of what got these rocks in this position. and i love it more that it continues to be clouded in so much mystery as people today (although continue to speculate) do not the exact purpose of these rocks. i love that they have stumped us as a whole. and i love that people gather around, circling the whole structure, and continue to wonder what went on before.

oh stonehenge. i really love you.

love

when one gets sick, one must find an opportunity

it is officially september. this is the month i have been dreading as the beginning of school is so close. mark and i recently joked that we really should have concentrated on not having one of the most brilliant summers of our lives as maybe we would want to go back to our routines...sigh.

i know i will be done soon, but these next months are going to be hard and challenging. it seems a little daunting. i just keep repeating my mantra, one step at a time, so i don't get too ahead of myself (and start to freak out, ha ha).

today is also a day that is quite chilly, a little rainy and all around the beginning of fall. i thought it was a good time to reminisce about some more happy honeymoon memories. london! there is no way that london was as chilly as it appears today, however it was chillier compared to all the other warm places we went to.

but why did we go to london exactly. this was never part of the plan. everyone knows it as it was in our program at the wedding. london was our "spontaneous" part of the trip. before leaving mark, much to his dismay, had a four day gap where we had no where to be or go. i found this part kind of exciting.

"we could just hop on a train, and go," i would tell him.

he really wasn't having this. mark plans vacations and he is most excellent at doing this. he plans what we do, where to go, how we will get there. all things are in place. the idea of being spontaneous was not according to the plan....but neither was getting sick.

we were just leaving paris on our way to the hike when mark started to feel sick. the previous night he did not feel great, coughing a great deal. then we got to chamonix and he started to run a fever. this was extremely unfortunate due to the circumstances as the next day we were suppose to start our hike. luckily, we could take a bus from chamonix to argentiere. which is just what we did, seeing if we could ride our this cold and get some hiking in...

then i got sick. ugh. regardless, we decided the next day we were going to do the hike (another time and post to talk about that). but overall, it was obvious to both of us, that hiking may not be the best thing to do when trying to get better from a cold.

so because we were busing (instead of hiking to hotels). AND we would spend the majority of our time in our hotel room watching the olympics, we thought, we might as well join them. hopping on a train, then another train, another train after that, then the chunnel we arrived in london!

AND IT WAS FANTASTIC! something that we never realized was how much we missed fluently talking to other people. we could understand what was going on around us. we could respond. it was lovely. AND we were greeted with volunteers handing out maps of london and offering plenty of advice on how to get where we wanted to go. we traveled to london at the best possible time as the olympics was set up for foreigners to visit the country.

so thank you london. you helped us get well as we could ride your tube, with no troubles. we could rest our weary bodies in hyde park, watching the olympic games. we could check out sights, sounds, and flavours without hiking monstrous heights and worrying about running out of water. london you were grande! and we got better. most would be upset about being sick on their holidays. but it was a minor blip and we thank you london for healing us!

love

the downright "dirty" of travel

i sometimes worry what people may think of my blog. not that i am writing it for people in particular as it is just some random writings to remember the positive aspects in life. however, i do not want people to think that my life is all "sunshine and roses".

i think i have made that plainly so when i am in school. i know i have complained frequently of how tired, stressed i am and just wanting a break from the assignments. however i don't know if i portray it so in my personal life. however, i do think that my personal life is just that, personal. sure there is bad, i think anyone would be lying to say that they have never had an arguement, or stressed on the person they love. however, sometimes i think we concentrate too much on the negative (which mark says is very easy to do) instead of striving to see the positive light, what one has learned and what to prevent the next time.

so in light of this, i am going to talk about the down and dirty (literally) of an experience that happened to myself in europe. this will show how my life is not roses and can (literally) stink!

mark and i used a wide variety of transportation while we were abroad. planes, trains, automobiles, boats and legs. what we enjoyed the most (as we do not get the same experience here) was train travel. trains were cozy, but still had room, air conditioned and we got the added bonus of gazing out the window checking out the different country side (i know, it sounds like kittens and puppy dogs).

then we boarded a train in italy. now i am by NO means insulting the transportation in italy as my scope is quite limited. BUT i will say that this train in particular was a little more rustic compared to what we had encountered in previous countries.

a little background on what got us to this train. we took a train from cardiff to london, where we were to meet a reserved airport taxi. unfortunately our train was late leaving from cardiff and the taxi left. mark (thankfully being assertive) got the taxi to come back, but wasting precious time as we needed to be on the plane boarding for italy at 11:15 am and we were in the taxi at 10. ugh. we managed to get to the airport at 10:45 (we may have been in panic mode, especially when seeing the monster lines to check in). however they called final check ins for pisa and off we went onto our plane. once in pisa, we caught a bus to the train station and caught our train with a mere 5 minutes to spare.

now you may ask, why is this important? well. with all the time constraints it left little in the way of a bathroom break for either of us. this brings us to the current train. as we were on our way to the cinque terre we rode in this train. it was okay although nothing to be exciting about as it did lack certain amenities like spacious seating and air conditioning that we praised about before. i had decided i needed to take a bathroom break. so off i went in search of a toilet on this giant train.

going through two train cars i found it. as i readied myself, sitting on the seat, i found it strange that i felt a gust of wind come up my back. i then proceeded to "relieve" myself, and mere moments later sheer panic came.

"omigoodness, omigoodness," i exclaimed as i felt tiny droplets come whoshing up, spraying my back.

stopping midstream i looked down and saw a giant hole in the toilet leading directly down to the ground. and yes by ground i mean the railway tracks. i just found out i was attempting to pee all over italy but they rejected that idea and the train gust brought it right back up to my back! not believing my luck (and yes, you think i would have learned) i attempted again. same result. stopping midstream again i slightly freaked (and oddly laughed at the complete absurdity of the situation) and attempted to work the tap of the sink.....yes you can believe that that did not work either (but it did as i found out from mark later on. apparently there was was a foot pedal that i couldn't see in panicked attempt for cleanliness).

out of the bathroom i left, a little smellier (that is an understatement) and i proceeded to tell mark of my mishaps. all this as i bathed in hand sanitizer. i don't think mark stopped laughing until he decided he needed to check this bathroom out. out he came, smug, strutting back to our seats, laughing again.

"what," i asked.
"the bathroom is obviously built for a man," he replied

grrrrr. so what is the lesson here folks as i strive to be positive.

LOOK BEFORE YOU PEE!

love

let her eat cake!

one of my favourite places that we visited was one that i had never considered even going to. this was all mark's doing as he was interested in taking a trip down to see versailles. i was even more inclined to say let's not do it as it was quite a debacle getting there in the first place.

that morning we were suppose to get up early to catch the metro that would take us to a train station that would get us to versailles. alas, with the late nights in paris we may have slept in a little. that mistake would cost us later on.

presently we got dressed and headed down to the metro from our place. that was when we found out the metro wasn't working in that area. signs posted said to take the bus. when we stopped at a bus stop it looked like it wasn't in service on the day we wanted. alas. by then we had acquired some friends from montana who were there for a photography class for their school. as we tried to figure it out, mark just thought, hey we have done it before, why don't we just walk it. the girls were not as inclined as they really wanted to wait for the bus. as we walked along the seine mark spotted a specific bus available just to take people down to the train for versailles. we gathered up the girls and off we went.

after all that hoopla we get there only to find the most extraordinary palace followed by the most extraordinary lines! AHHH. not only was there an hour and a half line up to get tickets, but there was a two hour line up just to get into the palace. hence we should of got up earlier! lol. this came the point where i kept silent but in my head was thinking, why does mark want to go here so bad, will this really be worth it? i am glad i kept it silent! he he he.

as we were in the first line-up two ladies came up to us and another man and wondered if we were together. we said no, but inquired and they proceeded to say that they had three tickets that they would sell us for the same value as they purchased them by mistake. done. the three of us went to the next line. then as we were in that line for roughly a half hour a young boy asked us if we would switch places with him and his mother who were quite close to the gates. asking why, the boy replied that his dad was waiting in the first line trying to get tickets. we agreed only if we could take the gentleman that went with us in the first place.

then we saw this:

the amount of gold, art, and just shear opulence was amazing. AND i know marie-antoinette did not have a role in everything but i decided to give her all the credit because it was amazing. mark just rolled his eyes at me. he he he. and even though there were swarms of people in the hall of mirrors it still held an awe factor. my favourite thing in the palace.

but little did we know the best was yet to come as we went outside into the gardens:

it was the lovely. here you could take rowing boats and paddle through out the whole lake (which was huge, we never even got to finish walking it!). drift over to marie-antoinette's personal headquarters (because on top of a palace one needs their own house). or just wander around (like we did) enjoying the flowers, swans and music playing in the background.

i enjoyed the music so much so (from the water fountain show):

that i felt the need to dance. it was lovely.

that was our versailles experience...
till next time!
love

lets talk italian

ciao.

i really don't know where to begin but since i started this blog with the idea of talking about travel, i feel i need to go into all of the types of travel we have done. we really did have a trip of a lifetime thanks to my brilliant husband who researched and planned this whole expedition. really, it was fantastic! because of this i am going to do blog posts devoted to certain parts of the trip that created fantastic memories for both of us.

first off is italy. in particular, the cinque terre, along the italian rivera. this encompasses the five villages starting from riomaggiore, manarola, corniglia, vernazza, and monterosso (where we were staying). this was the "vacation" from our vacation part of our journey. to elaborate, mark and i love to travel. and when we travel we don't stop. we go from museum to monument to landmark from early in the morning till late at night. cinque terre forced us to slow down, and it was absolutely lovely.

our days consisted of waking up, going for a hike or kayak to the next village. due to the 40 degree weather we were "forced" to take a dip into the mediterranean. This part was cool as you could access the sea from many areas around the coast. There were many people just diving off the cliffs, although that was a little to adventerous for my blood.

then we would have some pesto pizza or fresh pasta. life really can't get any better can it?? ooo wait, it does! we would stop nightly at this local cantina where a gentlemen took us under his wing to teach us all about the local liquors made in monterosso. i wish i got a picture of him as he was quite fantastic! our nights ended usually on our balcony, overlooking the sky and listening to the music from the streets, drinking the liquors we bought. too mushy!?? he he. well it was our honeymoon.

but lets get the honesty train out here too. there was quite a few jellyfish and unfortunately mark fell victim to one of them. the little rascals. after that we took on jellyfish watch when we jumped into water.

and the amusing antidote was all the "openness" in europe with the topless sunbathers. i can always count on mark to take to a place with nude sunbathers (wink wink).

here are a few pics of our journey...

this is just a few of our beach adventures. note the jellyfish and mark's marked hand (that by the way still has a mark). one of the towns, vernazza can be seen at the bottom, on one of our small hikes. and at the bottom corner is mark doing what he did everytime we took a dip. the starfish. apparently he thought it was amazing how much he could float in the water because of the salt content.

this little bit is of our lovers walk. hence all the hearts and such. it was quite an easy pathway containing "locks of love" and in a shelter enclosed area tons of writings of people expressing their love for each other. very cute!

here are some last random pics. kayaking, swimming, having gelato (we may have had gelato taste testing twice a day, purely for scientific reasons...and because it was hot....and because it was delicious!). the little kitty at the bottom was eying the seafood being cooked in the restaurant while the next girl found fantastic acoustics in a square and starting to sing phantom of the opera. at the bottom on the right hand side is a pill box. mark was pretty pumped to see that as they were made in the war years.

that's all for now.
love

we wed

okay so i lied...i am writing on here before i leave...but i was thinking of little moments about the wedding that i feel i need to write about before i forget them. so here they are (plus a few pics that i have acquired, once organized, i may post them in a better format):

• little children dancing
• decorated cars
• listening to dance music prior to walking down the aisle
• spitting out gum and hiding it where no one will know, except the bride and father were witness to it
• best ladies "all in" with a chant prior to walking down the aisle
• wedding party doing another chant prior to entering the reception
• mom's tears 
• mom and loy dancing to "marry you" through out the house
• love wall
• amazing mc
• family speeches
• our speeches
• seeing people i haven't seen in so long and others that i saw just the day before...all together
• the grass growing
• feeling at ease with everything and not worrying about anything
• officially saying i love you to the man i love
• saying husband for the first time
• old fashioned maritime fun with a lot of old fashioned western fun too
• tequila shots with cousins, uncles, aunts and moms
• seeing everyone come together to make the day as smooth as possible
• walking home with just each other, so we could be alone for the first time the whole day

there are so much more but these are a few. we both had an amazing day and couldn't have asked for anything to go any smoother. thanks to all that helped out! we love you so much and could feel all of your love to us! you are all so amazing.

love 

the last post for awhile

so this will sadly but happily be my last post for a bit. things are starting to get slightly hectic and i really can't think i am going to have much more time to write this lengthy blog till we get back from our fabulous trip.

first off i have to say that i celebrated this last weekend with a fabulous bang! my ladies and i headed to a spa for some glorious treatments. really, living a life of leisure does seem pretty fab at times. we started the morning lounging in our robes in hanging beds, drinking sparkling wine. then off to get some treatments (mine was a hot stone massage, facial and pedicure).

after that we headed to julios where we had quite a few bulldogs...more than a few. it got a little rowdy and ridiculous i am sure! :) the end was a sweet surprise and i feel the need to gloat about a pretty special guy.

anita had previously given mark a pretty rough time about how messy the car was. this was a big deal as mark agreed to be the designated driver for all of us (and this is no exaggeration) the car could only fit two passengers (even though it is a 5 passenger car). needless to say as we were at the bar anita continued the texts about her expectations of the chauffeur (all joking of course). well he sure came through...mark pulled up in a suit, hand delivering roses, with cheese, crackers, fruit and non alcoholic champagne in the clean car. he really is a keeper. sigh.....

OKAY that is all the mush i promise!!

overall i have to say that this process of planning a wedding has been pretty amazing. not so much the planning part (unless its crafty, he he) but to see all the people that you truly love and adore come together to show their support, love and help you every step of the way. i don't know what i could of done without so many of you. not only our immediate families, and friends but extended family and even co-workers! we both are tremendously blessed and lucky and hope to return the favor for all of you in our own little way!

so that is it. next is the big day. and the honeymoon. let the final celebrations begin! :)
love

summer lovin'

some things i must take time and appreciate. one of these "things" is the nice sunny weekend that we had (and it looks like it may continue). in appreciation i went out on each day. love. and with that appreciation i saw some of my favourite people in the world.

friday evening involved a walk down whyte, pizza, gelato, and crazy laughs with my two most lovely and crazy friends. cut to the corner left picture.

saturday involved a beach day that was a little slow to start (i killed the battery in the car...thank you to dj for coming to our rescue and putting the key in the ignition...SURPRISE, it started again, lol. oh dear). but it was well worth it once we go there with cute little babies and a sand castle making toddler LOVE THAT WE HUNG OUT IN THE SUN!

and sunday, really it was full of errands but who cannot appreciate how hot it can get for a poor little kitty who likes to hang by the fan. poor little guy. AND one cannot forget having a garden vegetable dinner and bbq by wendy and david....YUMMY!

ooo summer don't ever go!

love

challenge completed

Let's give a toast to Mark. He is okay. :). He he he.

For the real one we will have to see if I go through with it.

Love

challenge on

on this rainy canada day i am going to attempt to write a speech about a person i love. which brings to question, how you can sum up everything in roughly 5 minutes...what does one talk about. what does one say?

challenge is on....next up...actually getting up the nerve to say it! :)
love

Hot days

What does one do when the sun is out.

One could sit inside. Hang out by the air conditioning. Do some crafts. Watch a movie. Take care of a special lady.

Or one could go outside. Have some deep fried goodness. Look at the art exhibits at city hall. And hang out with a special lady and a equally special man.

Or even better. One could do both.

Love these summer days!
Love

the end of a "school year"

well we have both now officially finished our school years as of today. i know mine was awhile back but i feel it is cause for celebration as mark has officially finished his first year of teaching. woooo hoooo!! congratulations, hon.

i know that i have said that my year has been a tough one plenty of times. i think of the first semester and wonder how i got through it. BUT then i look at mark. i was in a fit of tears many times, mark was there for me on more than one occasion to listen to my tears, offer me cupcakes and tell me i am going to be okay. yet during all of this he was going through his own changes.

he worked harder than anyone i have ever seen, pushing himself to be better for his kids. AND i know his kids will have gotten a reward from it. both mark and his kids were lucky to have each other! AND if that was not cause for celebration his continuing contract was! so proud of you mark for all the hard work you have done!

this will definitely be a summer of well deserved rest, relaxation, partying and celebrating. i have to say mark deserves it....and so do i! *wink wink*

love

What happens when...

A bunch of girls get together to find shoes for the wedding? This is what happens.

They find fascinators and long white gloves and many more hilarious things to have fun with. Naturally I encouraged all of it but alas they would not go through with it.

So then the girls find beautiful shoes (that I absolutely adore by the way and am so glad they picked them). What happens after that?? More shopping of course plus spending time with a little wee one that is very dear and near to my heart.

All and all a fabulous way to spend a weekend!
love

a review of fun

wow...where have i been again? he he he. it has been an amazing week. starting with tons of babies and ending with some showering and love.

casey had a little boy last saturday. eek! that is the first little man in our small little amazing group. he is small, and ever so tiny. he he. jeaninne, and i went to her house on thursday and man oh man is it busy! he he. kudos to both the parents as they were holding up pretty well! AND the little sis sure showed tons of affection to her little bro. you will be a great big sister hon! :)

mark and i also took our hand in babysitting a cutie one night. although a babe she is just how we like them as she has full head control and can sit upright. thanks jeaninne for lending us your sweet one. we all had fun, except when it came to eating...he he he.

then i went to a shower thrown by those two amazing women plus one other...anita! i won't go into many details and will only show a shot of the four of us but know that it went well. i may have sweated a lot and got embarrassed slightly...he he he. those girls worked hard with an amazing spread full of sweets from an edible arrangements, to brownies, trifle, macaroons, and tarts....with some very bachelorette decorative gummies....

and it was sooo nice to see so many of my friends come together for a night of ridiculous girly fun. i love you all. these things truly make me feel overwhelmed with love and i cannot stress enough how much i appreciate everyone who showed up last night and to the previous showers i have had. especially to all of the women that have worked hard on those said showers to make them so special for me. it is truly remarkable. xoxox

so i guess the countdown is officially on now....mark will be coming home from his bachelor festivities late tonight...and it will soon be under a month that we will be getting hitched!

love

A week in my life

I love love love my summers. This is going to be the one thing I will miss once I start really working again. Although I guess I am still working now but it's different. Only cause I know what it feels like from before. He he. But anywho, summers are always the time I do many things. Mainly not caught up in a studying or researching. Frenzy.

Like this week for instance. I worked and worked another job. Then I ran and to increase my endurance a bit more I ran again with some strength training in between. I even got a chance to scrapbook! Eek I have missed that. And of course had to do one wedding thing, that license.

In between all that stuff I get to hang out with my wonderful and beautiful friends. Whether going out for dinner to some homemade Nepalese food or having a hot dog at a stand and going to a fun tiny candy store. Even attending a birthday party of someone you don't know and getting hilarious images of Borat at that party. He he he.

I love summer and what a wonderful week.

Love

love you till the end

i seriously love this song...it was what i kind of wanted our first dance to be but i had another one too and mark picked the other...he said these guys had weird voices...lol. but i seriously i love it!

so maybe if you are thinking of a first dance you should consider this one....



love

wedding happenings....

Well what can I say on the wedding front. I have to say I am at the point where I am enjoying it. Why you ask? Because its craft time! Something I love doing.

The cricut and my scrapbooking skills have taken on double duty. With the fabulous help from my mom, and absolutely fantastic bridesmaids we have done the invites, favors, banners, and other little things. This part I have to say has been fun. Especially the favor bags because I went a little wacky with the paper choices. He he.

It seems to be little things now. RSVP's are coming in daily. While Mark and I have to get our marriage certificate and refine some small details. Probably will be refining those details till the of the wedding.

Fun girlie stuff is coming up for me. An adult bridal shower. Tee hee. And getting my hair, make up and dress fitting. Love being a girl.

All of it is getting rather exciting I have to say!

Thats all for now.
Love

will me make so happy for the rest of my life...let me sleep on it

i don't know what this says about me but this is one of my favourite meatloaf songs...he he he


love

city chase

so i did something this weekend that i have wanted to do for the last five years. yes that is right...FIVE. when i first started dating mark we met up one time on a saturday in the summer time. we went for a walk around the city from mec, to an ice cream shop back to churchill square. during that said walk i saw many many many people running around in shirts looking for checkpoints. i didn't know then that it was the city chase...basically an amazing race in edmonton.

cut to me finding out about it three weeks ago. i was pumped and determined to do it. it took a little convincing on my part to get mark to do it but we did. AND IT WAS AWESOME! we found mark's cousins there and thankfully they were as we would not have been able to do it without them. their smartphones, knowledge and their buffering effect to prevent us from having a fighting meltdown proved useful. PLUS THEY WERE FUN! :)

what was it that we all did?? mark ate a worm, i held a snake, we climbed twelve flight of stairs, sculpted, did sit ups, played jack and jill with a bucket of water, rode segways, canoed to a quote, found a stranger to give a wagon ride, and i directed mark in the right direction blindfolded in a pool. it was fabulous and fun. perfect day, perfect weather AND i can't wait to do it next year! seriously it was awesome.

hope your weekend was just as fabulous!
love

grandfathers

with the wedding coming up you start to think about some of the people that won't be there. i have talked about my grammie often and it does make me sad that she never got the chance to meet mark. but two other people in particular that i have been thinking about are my grandfathers. both died before mark even came into the picture but both meant the world to me in some very different ways.

first there is grampie with the pipe, or grampie. he was my buddy and i was his. i loved him so much. he was always around to spoil me with strawberry pie, ice cream, or other sweet treats. when we went to visit them over the summer he took us to a local swimming hole in tay creek. he was always there to give me some penny money for candy or buy the family some doughnuts to eat with jam at the small conerstore. he read me stories, or just gave me cuddles when i was not in the right frame of mind like below. 

 

some of my favourite moments that always come to my mind when i think of grampie is sitting on the veranda at night. we would just sit, talk, watch the lightening bugs and listen to the night creatures. sometimes there were crickets, other times their were moose calls that would be made...but not by the moose, by my grampie. of course other memories included the tickle fights that would ensue when i sat in "his" chair, or having breakfast with just him when i was 18 years old. but the veranda moments were special and something that i will always treasure.

next is grumpy. i named him this after grumpy the care-bear. i don't know if many would have been offended but he was not as the name stuck with all the the other grandkids that followed me. he he. what comes to mind when i think of him is boundless energy. he seemed like he was always on the go, gardening, going to the market, chatting up a storm with anyone that he met (seriously there are videos of a train ride to prove as he met every single passenger). the off chance you would see him sitting he would be knitting. and he was an amazing knitter. i still have the last sweater that he made that i got a christmas time.

 

there are many stories of grumpy. apparently i ate his prized tomato when i was just three. but my favourite memories of him was when he came to visit us when i was around 15-16. he took the train up and we had an amazing week of fun. we played boggle and introduced him to spoons. a game that still gets us laughing as he loved it and loved the competition between jimi and him. he also took time out to look at my sketchbook. i think about it now and love that moment even more as he was legally blind and really couldn't see very well. BUT he made sure to compliment each and every drawing that i did. it still makes my heart go soft thinking of it.

those are just a few memories of two very dear men that i loved. i will be thinking of you...when i say i do...*wink wink*!
love

a shower of fun

last month i was lucky enough to have another shower thrown for me by mark's auntie jane. it was incredibly sweet of her to do it AND it was nice to see so many people come out to have some fun with games, food and such. it was nice to introduce my mom to a lot of mark's family, since she had rarely met any of them. it was a really great time.

here are a few of the happenings of the shower....from toilet paper wedding dresses, to bridal hats, to a fun drawing game!

 

thanks to all of you that came out. you really know how to make a girl feel special and loved! :)

love

how will i know...

its almost over for the season so of course i had to make a little shout out of this one....



love it

the image....

wow...some intense blog posts as of late...this will probably be my last one as i am all thought out for the time being and i really need to de-stress from the "school" studies....

the issue i want to talk about is something that has been bugging me for awhile. it started in first year and has progressed to now. i am sure many other careers have the same issue...it is none other than the image of nursing. a few months back a fellow student posted on facebook: "what do you think nurses do?" one response hit me hard. it was simple really. nothing to get mad about, as this was their perception, but basically the reply was "to follow physician's orders". argh.

it then got me thinking what i thought nursing was when i first went to school. many of my impressions were the "skills" they do, the giving of needles, the operating equipment. i didn't have a good perception of what the hospital was like...i had some ideas of what a nurse was...but it was vastly different to what i ended up studying. obviously i was very ignorant.

with that said rant mark mentioned today that the same things i get frustrated about regarding my career choice is something he has experienced with his.....like i said others are surely feeling the same.

so what can be done to change it?? i think to truly understand something one must educate themselves on the "said" issue. when it comes to working all the jobs i have had, i have gained a vast amount of experience and knowledge on the "said" work. for instance many people will have no idea what it means to live a "whole life" when working with the population that i work with. they may not understand them, while i know how valuable they are to the people and society in general. people need the education and understanding to further grasp what this population needs (and they do need so much yet so little).

with that being said...i hope and wish to see the image of nursing change just a little while i am working. i believe it will happen and i hope i am part of that change! :)

love

my philosophy, my tangents, my message

i found this years theory involved a lot of thinking. what are my views, what are my beliefs, what is my personal philosophy and how do they coincide with what my potential career will be. although sometimes it left me wondering why the heck we were doing the things we were doing...it was valuable.

one particular course that i found fascinating, although didn't know it till i was in the midst of it was philosophy and philosophy with regards to healthcare. 8am was hard to get up to, but i always loved the debates that would occur when listening to how others think and articulate what they value.

AND a particular topic was the right to adequate care. it seems quite obvious, yet i find i can wander off into tangents as really what is adequate care and what is adequate in our society? it seems that as people become used to not having certain things, then it seems to be "adequate" enough to not include them. i remember hiking last year and staying in one town that didn't have drinkable water. the expectation was that everyone was to purchase it. my hiking companions wondered why i was so upset by this. however i don't think it is reasonable to make people purchase for such a necessity. i mean its WATER! :)

it then makes me consider other things as really the people that get this "adequate care" are the people that speak up, make themselves heard. what about those that are not heard. i have worked with one of the most valuable populations. this is a population that contributes so much to people, yet are completely taken for granted. this population cannot really voice their concerns. they do have advocates, and believe me, those people work hard to make sure their concerns are heard, but it is sometimes a hard process. some people do not know the political ropes to write to, protest to, make themselves heard. they fall though the cracks. their right to "adequate care" gets determined yearly, as certain medications are deemed no longer necessary for their ability to function, or certain supports are now extra money. it is disheartening in my eyes.

philosophy has helped me discover my views and my passions. i am going to be a great advocate for the people i care for. i can say this with certainty. i feel i have done things already, not even knowing i was doing it, and i will continue to care. especially for those that are who i truly feel are oppressed and in need of so much more than me. i am such a lucky person to be here, have the opportunity for education not just once but twice, to live in a home full of warmth and love, to be able to be frivolous at times with regards to my spending. i think i have it too good sometimes. 

with the election coming tomorrow, i really would love to implore to anyone that may come across this, (whether you have an election or not) to vote (when the opportunity comes to play). it really is important. get involved in politics. it really isn't hard. if you have a complaint OR words of encouragement just right a simple letter to your political representative. it is how we can make change and i really do believe that we can do this! just think of your own philosophy and what you deem as important to yourself and those you love around you, and even those you don't know because everyone deserves "adequate care"

love

thanks kony, i have learned many things.

i know you have all heard it. the story is probably as good as dead. with the success of the kony videos, came the truth of the kony videos. then the downfall of a producer. it is all quite sad but i still have some positive thoughts on this whole thing...and now i have the time to say them! it may still be an issue as the upcoming "painting the town red" may still occur (and i will state it now i will not be participating in)

i first came upon it on facebook (like many others). i watched the video. the story didn't seem very original (sadly) as i have heard this kind of thing many times over in many different countries. little was known. but i found the video remarkable, not for its message per say, but how it inspired others. with that i mean, i was impressed so much by the youth backing this cause. going to washington, getting leaders signatures. for people that say that our youth is apathetic and doesn't care, this message seemed to contradict that very thought. this is especially prevalent in the days of a provincial election, when we need the youth so much more! it touched me and i thought whats the harm...so i passed the video on, on my facebook page.

then came the many others who passed on the facebook message. then came the media. then came the onslaught. "it was an old message. more money was being used to promote rather than to do. etc. etc. etc." BUT i think that kony showed us so much more. as previously mentioned: youth care. i know people think that it is wrong for them to care for such a message that is wrapped in american values and looks to be a propaganda piece but they do care. and with this they will learn, become more aware, and advocate with a bit more responsibility in the future. it was like this kony video ignited a spark. i had a similar kind of spark when i was young. i wrote a letter of protest (it really isn't important regarding what it was about). but after that letter i became more informed and i still believe i will make a difference and that i can be a true advocate.

another aspect that i found remarkable was how powerful social media like facebook has become. maybe others knew this, but i for one, did not realize the great power of it. for people trying to change the world, make it better, facebook can be used. videos, pictures. this opened my eyes on how we can captivate audiences in a whole different way. i for one, would love to change the image of nursing, something i believe has many different perceptions to many different people (another blog post, i know). why don't we as collective base unite others like the people in the kony video???

so really this is to say thanks. i know kony isn't what people hoped it would be. some were sorely disappointed. others may become jaded. others may find a passion ignited in what they saw. i for one am grateful to see two very positive things that came out of this very controversial video! :)

love

a little youtube fun

so, here she is again. i really enjoy this girl. always seem to laugh at her stints like from here. and now this. silliness that seems to make me laugh when i need it the most.



and if you want to check this clip out. it made me laugh so hard that i cried. what i do during my schooling breaks....

love

the hunger games

so i jumped onto the crazy fan base of the hunger games. i don't know about the movies but the books are most excellent! it has an interesting premise with people fixated today on so much reality television (i most certainly can fall in that category with certain shows). that along with war, power struggles, PTSD, and politics, it is definitely worth the read. especially for teen fiction! wow. definitely like this verses the others out there.

of course there is the tween romance component. but mark (who i forced, but who then loved the books) saw the romance differently. there are two men; one is a representation of peace, another is a representation of war. something i never thought of when reading about them, but it is true. needless to say, she picked....I AM NOT SAYING.

but i will say that i am totally a team peeta gal!

he he he

pick them up. they are worth it!

love

marriage counselling

so at the beginning of the month mark and i embraced (this is my sarcastic voice talking) premarital counselling. our thoughts were along the thinking that we had been together for five years. we have talked about a lot of issues within those years, i.e. having kids, not being able to have them, budget planning, where we see our future, etc. frankly we thought we knew it all! he he he

well we were wrong. isn't that kind of the nice thing about relationships. i mean, to realize that we don't know everything about each other and there are still plenty of surprises to unravel even now?? AND hopefully we find that continues in our lives. :)

basically it wasn't the what stuff on what we have communicated on (we actually do talk a lot). it was the how. in particular, what we both enjoyed was our communication strategies AND what kinds of affirmations make one another grateful and happy. i can honestly say that i enjoyed it a lot! some of it was hokey, and some of it we may have to really practice (we both can already be set in our ways). BUT some of it was extremely useful!

it was also not just about our relationship in particular. what i got out of it was about the people around us too. i think that when you spend your life with people you tend to take them for granted. you always think they will be there and you just let life take over. however, when you start to reflect on those people, you truly appreciate what they bring to your life, how they enhance it and make it brighter. i think we are all guilty of it. sometimes people like to dwell on the bad, no good, down right ugly things in life. just twisting that focus to look at the happy things can make a world of difference not just for the people in your life but you as well.

after the session we agreed that we should think of doing a communication class (or another type of focus) atleast every five years in our life...just to keep on track. i think we will do it and hope it is possible. i like the idea.

that's it.
love

2 weeks and one semester till

it is hard to imagine because it is almost done. i am three presentations, two reading responses, three evaluation assignments, two finals and one paper away from being done my last year of theory. i am only (hopefully...fingers crossed), half a semester away from graduating. AND i have to say. it has been a long haul. i love learning, i love school, but i am defintely getting tired of it. i actually want to work and (possibly) never look back.

this month has sure put a damper on my social life . if it wasn't for my ipad and social networking i don't think i would even have contact with my friends and families. so sad! lol. but i have gotten a lot done too. i have worked hard and (i know i have said it) but i will really be glad when this semester is over.

one little indulgence i have had this month are the books by suzanne collins. i am sure everyone knows about this because the movie, the hunger games, is out. well the books are fantastic. totally teen but i totally love them. my mom and mark even got hooked on them too! too funny!

so that is my little share. i actually have a couple of posts coming up that i really want to talk about. but right now i will save that passion towards the assignments...because those are what need to get done!

love

kitty love

i find this pretty amusing! :) sometimes a cat just wants some love and will do anything to get it! :)

movies

so i started this post way back when...like really way back...in december. when i now look at it i can see the movies are quite old but here are some that i have enjoyed quite a bit. check out the trailers and then if you feel so inclined check out the movies themselves!

larry crowne: i loved this movie. so cute and fun!



friends with benefits: chick flick with some girlies. i love the kriss kross references.



the way back: an extreme hiking movie...if you are a prisoner. we both liked this one but then read up on it some more and was kind of disappointed that it may be pure fiction.



the help: loved this movie and now trying to forget it as i want to read the book because i hear it is busy! so funny!



one day: mixed feeling on this one. loved it but so sad too...sigh.



my week with marilyn: i really liked this movie. i don't really know very much about marilyn moore but after this movie i was slightly intrigued. hence my new addiction to the broadway musical smash...



and the last one i will show is one i loved! moneyball! watch it!



love

My goodness

My blogging has certainly taken a hit this semester. Maybe it's the ton of papers that need to be written that decreases my motivation to write more. He he so far I have done three and I think I have 6 more by the end of March. I say think because it's so many that I really must take this one week at a time.

Between that and applying for jobs I kind of feel like a ball of nerves just waiting for things to happen but not wanting to rush it either. Lol. Life really isn't all that tough, but I know that sometimes I sure can make it tough for myself. Lol.

In other news, kitty has been going on continuous visits to the vet. After a physical, blood work, urinalysis, ECG, and an ultrasound (seriously, I wish I wasn't joking) he can officially get dental surgery. He he, I am sure he is thrilled.

I have been reading a bit more leisurely and have finally gotten the Hunger Games from the library. Casey says its good and with the movie coming out, it intrigues me so I am pumped to start. Also rented a couple of movies (Erin Brockovich, Iron Man, Iron Man 2, and Wit). I will see if I get to watch them.

Hmmm what else? I have been continuing to work out but this week has taken a bit of a downturn. I am slightly sick with just a chest cold. And really who wants to work out when they are sick?

In wedding news, one of my best ladies found a dress which I am so very excited about. When we went shopping a week previously she was expressing some hilarious interpretations of what she will wear. Lol. But I heard this dress is not hilarious but very pretty. So excited to see it and kind of love that it's a surprise for me.

My one tiny regret that i haven't been doing (besides blogging) is scrapbooking. Sigh. And it looks like I may not be doing any till April. Well I guess I have many things to look forward too. But let's not rush it!

I think that's it for now folks. Enjoy the week and hopefully I will talk to you soon either in person or on here!

Love

a little bit of oscar fun

so i didn't watch this year but i found this little clip. love her. too funny!

Yes I am here!

It has been awhile. Valentines has come and left. I recycled the anniversary gift I got Mark as the balloons are still thriving. He he. Just joking. But, a sidenote, seriously these balloons make my day every morning I wake up! They are still high in the sky!

Our valentines day was good and fun. Since then I have written a midterm and am preparing for about a billion papers that are going to occur in March.

But it's also reading week for me as of right now. Time to see friends as some are going to far off places for a month! So excited for you gals!

Mark has been exceptionally busy this week. Report cards, coaching and committees. Craziness. He works really hard, and I have to say that I think he is doing a good job this year. I know for me starting something new is always so scary but for Mark he just does. Good job, hon!

And that is about it. I know I am one boring chick. Especially since last years reading week was so exciting (believe me I keep thinking about it). I guess I will just have to make summer more memorable ;)




Love

love them!

At one time, Pumpkins were recommended for the removal of freckles.
i found this fun fact in the fun fact application in itunes.
i don't know if its credible.
but if it is.
WHY?
people love your freckles.
i know i do!

love

it has happened

we were doing remarkably well. people talk of it always happening but i was wondering when it would actually occur. you know the fights that happen between couples regarding this subject....wedding planning.

sure mark and i have had a few disagreements. in the very beginning when this was very new and very overwhelming, there was more stress and panic of how are we ever going to do this? okay probably more stress and panic from me. the biggest fight we have had yet was regarding our honeymoon as i didn't want to hike and he wanted to hike...A LOT. compromising did work in the end. but all and all, it has been easier than i thought....

for instance in the beginning my mom came. she helped me become bridal as we picked out dresses to try on. it was actually lots of fun. and who knew a girl could go into one store and find the one dress she wanted???

then mark and i embarked on the adventure. we found our church and venue. that was really easy. everyone was so helpful and nice that we couldn't think why this was so hard.

next came the photographer and dj. check and check. again everyone was full of information and so accomodating to what you wanted. this planning thing is a cinch.

then it happened. where you may ask? shopping for the:
tuxes.
yes you heard me right....
we went shopping for tuxedos.
first mistake: communication misunderstanding. i thought we found the place and were going to actually rent them. mark thought we were going to many and price shopping. (this was just the beginning).
once in the store i ask mark which one he likes. mark picks one, but its the wrong one. how do i know this? its not the one i want him to wear. yes i have become that person! that bride! yuck!
a different approach was taken. "how about you pick the colour." thinking to myself, how hard could that be?
 "i want the blue one." (okay apparently it is hard.)
"blue isn't even one of our wedding colours."
"you asked me to pick what i wanted".
sigh "i wanted you to choose the colours from our wedding or some neutrals".
"then why didn't you just tell me what you wanted and then i will choose that"
"because i want you to choose, what i...er, i mean you want!"

i am sure you can see how the conversation eventually went. tuxedo shopping part I was not as successful as i hoped. round II a neutral person will be accompanying us to ensure it goes more smoothly. this neutral person may also be a friend to both of us to ensure that the "deliberation" process can go underway and we can move on to the next step....

sigh...wedding planning...

A little bit of mush

Sometimes I think we take people for granted. Not intentionally. It just happens through out the day without a notice. When a family member tells you they love you, a lunch in the fridge waiting for your work day, a smile from a stranger, or classmate helping you out.

Last year I made a conscious effort to notice daily things (trivial to some) but appreciated by me. I directed my target to the one I in my life on a day to day basis....Mark. It was really fun to do and allowed myself to feel even more grateful for him.

Why am I getting so mushy. Because sometimes you just have to be. I am no longer doing the list (although I may go back to doing it again). But sometimes you just have to share. For instance just a few minutes ago i was overcome with happiness. I felt not just the one in my life but the many. Family, extended family, friends from all corners in my life and even things.

I heart you and appreciate you!

Love

Going to the fair...the bridal fair

So with the new year comes a new year planning for our wedding. Once again it felt slightly daunting as there were so many little things to do and I didn't know where to start. Anita suggested going to bridal fair. She said that even if I got nothing out of it it's still fun to hang out with friends. So it was set.

Unfortunately something came up for Anita but the other two girlies were there. After brunch we were off. Boy I felt so much better after going. I was pleasantly surprised of how much we really do have done. AND for those things that we don't I managed to get plenty of cards plus massive assurance from my darling friends of how to do things and how they will help. It helps to have married friends.

Plus we even got to have lots of fun and I got to live through Jeannine's fantasy dream planning. Seriously already cant wait for her daughter to get married. Best wedding ever! AND we got to see plenty of tables full of candy and test out the photobooths!

Thanks for helping out girlies. All of you from the ideas, support, and the encouragement! You guys are amazing friends!

Love

When it's time to celebrate your anniversary

Balloons and sweet sediments go along way.

As does food, in particular a couple's favorite of Indian goodness topped with chocolate cupcakes

To end the wonderful celebration dedicated to the beginning of "them" as a pair they went wild. AND by wild they played a game of scrabble.

Happy five years!

Love

You know what is fun?

Spontaneous nights involving games. They can be games of strategy. Games that require no thought. Games that involve cards and a board. Or trivia based

Two weekends in a row I have enjoyed this gaming activity. With groups, with one, and sometimes with just me. Regardless which way they are played I always have fun.

Love

My brother

I have said it before and I will say it again, I love my brother.

Who knew my parents would have been right. As we fought when we were young. As he tormented me when my friends we're over. As I would beat him up and as he got bigger would take me on. As he mocked my teenage drama-ness. And later I mocked his.

Who knew we would become such good friends. We go to movies, play board games, go to yoga, have dinner and talk regularly together. We laugh and laugh some more, chide our parents, and have so much fun together.

Who knew such opposites would get along. Jimi the out going to my shy. The quiet to my loudness. The person who takes his time to express what he means to my outright blurts. The liberal who "really could care less what anyone thinks" to my "I wish I could have that same attitude but don't."

I guess the only people who knew were my parents as they are the same with their siblings. They always said that we would be good friends some day and when our family departs, it will just be us together. I just have to say I am glad they were right.

Love you Jimi

I am going to do

Absolutely nothing today.

I had plans.

I was going to make something nutritious.
But instead I ordered Indian.
I was going to do some readings.
But chose to watch television, call my mom (twice), and hang out with Mark.

BUT
I was going to go to school today.
And I did.
I was going to work out today.
And I did.

All that nothing sure adds up to something.

Love

Avoidance

As I look at this upcoming semester I just want to lock myself up in my scrapbook room and do just that. And avoid :) All I see is discussions, presentations, and papers. Ugh!

It's true that I just have exactly one year left. And I know it will go by so fast (once I look back) but it will go ever so slow while I am in it, until of course I need that time! He he.

In addition we need to start fine tuning the details of the wedding and our honeymoon (so pumped we bought our tickets!) Yes this year is going to be full of hardwork and planning. Not to mention fun as the rewards are endless for each of these things!

But I still just want to curl up on the couch, watch a movie, and avoid. Reality starts tomorrow!

Love

My secret

i have a little secret. it's not huge or very exciting but i have been keeping it for a long time. some people know about it as they have been following my secret for quite sometime. but i did keep it from others as i didn't want to ruin more secrets in return. it is this.

pinterest! its a site to bookmark everything you could possibly imagine from fashion, trips, food, to wedding planning and (my personal fav) crafts but set up in a visual format. when i saw this site, ideas began to emerge right in front me. wedding planning seemed to be a little easier and diy projects created much more excitement (hence the secret).

so its out. i have a love love relationship with pinterest. it made christmas for me quite a bit of fun since i didn't decorate i could work on projects instead. i loved it and got to return to people what they have given me as i have gotten some awesome homemade presents in my life (mom's quilts, dad's soapstone carvings and jimi's welding pics).

take a look at some of projects and go over to the site and pin away...but once you start you can't stop!

top left: pin cushion/mason jar, canvas, bottom left cookie cutter christmas ornaments and pre-canvas work.

love

A new year with new possibilities and new adventures

Happy new year! Not only that but this is the year that is projected to be the last (you know what i mean: after the last projection didn't work out). Better make this one count!

In all honesty January is probably my least favourite month. I have never been a fan of new years and new beginnings (contrary to my title). I usually like the year I was in very much (I thrive on change can't you tell?) he he. Not only that but the hype of the Christmas season is gone and it makes me a little sad.

This year was particularly tough, the end part I mean. It was really hard saying good bye to my parents as i had so much fun with them over Christmas. Not that i wasn't expecting to have fun, but it was more than i realized was possible! Sigh. Accolades go to Mark as it was his idea to go in the first place. Good thing coming home I am welcome by another fun family (that being Mark's). It makes the transition easier.

What i tend to do so i don't dwell on the January blues is that every year gets better. It may not but I seem to always perceive it to be as life continues to get better and better.

I looked back at my old goals from last year and I was proud to see I accomplished them all (some better than others but does that really matter).

With scrapbooking I managed to finish two projects for two very special people. I got all my 2009 and 2010 pictures in an album. It feels good and just makes me want to keep on doing it.

Traveling lead us to some very fantastic places this year. It's been talked about before so why dwell but I really couldn't ask for anything more!

With regards to reading, thank goodness for my library card. It put more incentive for me to read as I knew they would come due soon. Who knew? He he

In terms of eating and exercising I think both have been done pretty well. Of course I still love my sweets but cooking is overall more healthy with loads more fruit and veggies being eaten. And I couldn't have been more happy with my running this year. Just need to get started again!

I don't know if I will even start some goals this year but rather continue the same as last year. With a wedding to plan and finishing up my degree it is going to be a very busy year. Thus no more photo blog, BUT more pics on this blog again!

So here is to new beginnings, possibilities and adventures! I will make my best effort to welcome them as really this could very well be the end ;)

Love

Happy Christmas baby, sure hope Santa treated you right

I hate to say it as I know my mom dreads it but our visit here is almost complete. It's been a very busy, crazy, fantastic-ly awesome week and a bit with tons of family, tons of food (seriously this is what you work out all year for!), and tons of fun. Some highlights include:

Day one: finally coming into the airport after a four hour delay and seeing the house for the first time. So much work. It looks so great over here. From the renos upstairs to the bathroom and kitchen, a lot of hardworking was done by my parents and it definitely paid off! The place looks amazing.

Day two: utter vegging around and eating all the Christmas goodies. Not to mention decorating cookies as per tradition and watching movies (polar express, white christmas, and muppets family christmas).

Day three: shopping, visiting my nan (before the unfortunate fall), and just general hanging out. Inside jokes starting emerging with cox the electronic store and items found in value village.

Day four: walking with my dad through the woods. Kind of cracks me up that dad talks about the same things mark does. That includes the different types of trees to how to grow and space them. He he

Day five: picking up mark from the airport(he made it!) and visiting nan in the hospital. Plus going to the Christmas eve ceremony at the old Anglican cathedral in Fredericton. Met up with my aunts, uncle and cousins on dad's side. Plus going home and getting our Christmas eve pajamas. What the boys got were my favs.

Day six: Christmas. Presents, love, laughter, family, dinner, games. It was tons of fun. I think we had twenty two people in this house. Certainly the biggest Christmas I have been a part of with my family. I saw cousins that I haven't seen in atleast seven years. Great day. Plus being in the kitchen with my crazy mom and aunt, and cousin gave me constant giggles at their hilarity.

Day seven: the parties continue on as great aunts, second cousins decided to come for a little fun.

Day eight: their boxing day started as I gathered my ingredients to make sushi, mom got a case for her iPad and Mark and dad came along for the ride. We fit in a visit to see my nan who is as spunky as ever. He he. I think she is going to recover quite nicely with her fighting spirit.

Day nine: right now. A great vegging day until my dad's family comes by for dinner. Dad is downstairs making beef Wellington. Plus their is an additional surprise for an upcoming birthday coming up. He he.

One more day of I am sure many more memories that may seem insignificant to many but are so significant to one.
Happy holidays!
Love,

So what did Jimi learn today

1. When they say that no lotion over 100mL should go on the plane, they actually mean it.
2. vitamin water even the unopened kinds are not allowed past security.
3. Don't wear a coat with many pockets as you tend to lose things like boarding passes, id, or velvet cases.
4. Don't sit and watch the people board, actually board the plane or miss your plane.
5. Remember to pack your Advil as headaches are imminent.

More may come, I will keep you posted.
Love

clinical: a semester in review

So I thought before I start my Christmas celebrations I would do a little review of all the happenings this semester. Actually I got part of the idea from my last seminar instructor. She said to write a list of all that was accomplished this year and how good we should feel about it. He he. Obviously there are some things that I did not feel great about but I shall not dwell.

Community: I loved! This is something that I really hope to do in the future although I do realize the importance of experience. So many parts of it were fantastic from guest stints at schools or conferences to working home care or wound clinic. I found so many areas that I enjoyed.

Maternity: this challenged me on so many levels (not to mention my fear of labour). Well lets just say I won't have those images erased from my mind anytime soon, but I did enjoy the little ones post labour. Plus the teaching part was lots of fun! Who knew?

Surgery and other things: okay...now that it has been done for four days I can honestly say...it was HARD! He he But with all seriousness I learned so much and did so many skills. Even on the last day! It challenged me both physically and mentally but in the end I completed it and came out learning so much more. I know what it takes to b e a good nurse by watching those around me and definitely have something to aspire to. Really can you ask for more?

So that is it. Next up is fourth year. One more year to go... I am sure much more is to be learned....

Love

Do they know it's Christmas?

Another little something about glee. Really enjoyed this video! Happy Christmas! Love

weekend of christmas festivities

i am always sad to see a good weekend end. especially one that involves christmas festivities. this year i have been trying not to think too much about the holidays as i don't want to get to excited (and there is that need to concentrate on school). BUT with my last assignment handed in this week i gave myself a break and did something i haven't done in so long.....

...shopping! friday night, i took mark to the butterdome craft sale (i know what you are thinking and guess what...it was a bad idea). but after we got used to the crowds all was well. mark even found some things for his co-workers.

i went out again to pick up some last minute things at west ed on saturday. met up with anita. i started off similar to how mark did the previous night as the crowds were in full force...but in the end all was well as i got quite a few things, not to mention deals! AND later that night we all went to the keg....best way to end a day crowds and traffic!

AND of course you have to watch some christmas movies....even if you do talk through out the whole movie. went to jeaninne's and worked on a christmas present, while watching love actually and playing with little penny lane. PLUS ate lots of chocolate and popcorn....great girly day!

last week of clinical this week. i will be glad to be done. i think my body is finally shutting down as i am feeling another attempted cold taking over my body....

till next time,
love

Birthday love

Birthday week continues...let me count the ways. We left off on my actual birthday. The mini celebration consisted of skyping my parents, Indian food, presents and five pieces of cheesecake (individual size I must say since my parents tend to think I am capable of eating that much, he he he).

Then Monday comes along. What could possibly happen you ask? Well left over birthday food and cake! Something that continued on for Tuesday! He he! Love it! Then Wednesday I got a lovely present in the mail, furthering my week (Mark eat your heart out).

And now it's Thursday and I am sitting here eating some birthday chocolates from my mom. Ha ha!

Hope your week is going well!
Love

little fun

I have a new addiction. It's the iPad. Plus Mark's dad put up our Christmas lights so I thought I would share.

Love

birthday week

i heart birthdays...so much! he he he. and i drive mark crazy with my insistence on having a birthday week. for some reason he thinks you should only have one day (what a crazy thought??!!). lol

this is how it works. something always comes in the mail a little early (like right before my birthday) starting the week off. this year: an anthropologie birthday card came on the friday (YES, that is right my favourite store knows my day...he he, i thought mark was going to hit the floor!). then saturday came around: mark's parents gave me a gift a little early as they thought they may not see me (see, it just happens...its like it is kismet, omigosh...mark is going to freak at this post!!). they gave me a lovely...most fantastic who-ville tree! seriously love it. now today: my actual birthday there will be a mini-celebration to be had! BUT because i have one serious assignment due on tuesday, along with some research i can't see my friends till next weekend for a mini-hangout/not really my birthday/but really good excuse to see each other/so i will call it my birthday so we can see each other celebration! :) he he he hence the birthday week continues!

it's genius really! now back to work.

have a good week,
love

i'm a survivor

with another week winding down i thought this was fitting....he he he. only two more weeks...and i won't lie. i can't wait! :) he he he. mostly because i am resentful how i will be spending this weekend working on a paper vs having a little fun! lol. ugh, like i said, two more weeks!