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!

grrrrr

yesterday was not a good day. it may be quite minor when i look back on it in the years ahead, but for me, yesterday, i was not happy. i am organized, it seemed that my organization just left. AND I HATE IT WHEN THINGS AREN'T ORGANIZED! he he he. ugh. then when i went to bed, all i thought about was the night and it kept circling in my dreams....leading to a not so pleasent sleep!

now, as i write this i hear my parent's voices in my head. "i can do this. we don't quit. it will get easier". others (like mark's) words of encouragement go a long way too as there are days, when i know that i am okay, but it helps when others believe in me too!

wow, this rotation is hard. now on to the next day, today! today is a new day! :)

love

today is a good day

why?

1. because its friday. that needs no explanation
2. because i saw miracle on 34th street yesterday on tv. the black and white natalie wood the best version. love christmas movies
3. because i have three weeks left till christmas break
4. because i have one more week till my birthday
5. because i am tired and exhausted, this rotation is HARD. but at least i am learning lots
6. because i have a date-day planned to the market tomorrow and it is suppose to have 63 vendors!
7. because i have a friend date tonight and those are always stupendous!
8. because i saw this trailer and it seemed romantic and cute and i really want to see it!

AND

i am just happy that its friday...said that already but it needs to be reiterated!

love

a girl and her flower

so although i won't be doing a christmas countdown, it doesn't mean i won't share some of my memories, thoughts, and more loves of the holiday season! :)

last year for christmas my parents gave both my brother and i digital frames loaded with pics from our childhood. i find it amusing, letting it run as you never know what picture will come up. well this was one (excuse the nightgown and i really don't know what jimi-jam was wearing) came up.

me and my amaryllis. my grammie gave it to me for my birthday to plant and see it grow over the christmas season. i don't know how eager i was of the gift but i look happy! i still remember it being up to my chest and had actually been thinking about that flower last year. so much so that i bought one! this time i know i was happy to see it inch every day and come to a beautiful bloom. it is especially nice when you rarely see things grow during our winter months!

if only i actually thought about it and kept the bulb to grow again this year....once again showing my lack of "plant knowledge!" he he he.

happy christmas memories!

love

its okay to cry

so this rotation has brought on a wide variety of emotions from me...and when i talk to my nursing friends (them, too). well maybe this will be interesting to them...its not totally our fault ladies! mark's mom was talking about this as there was a speaker on cbc. i don't know if i have the exact author but i found this interesting....

Kreamer contends that women naturally cry more:
Women, who produce higher levels of prolactin, the hormone that controls tear production, cry on average 5.3 times a month, compared with 1.4 times for men. Women’s tear ducts are also anatomically different from men’s--they are smaller, which means that when women cry tears tend to spill out and down their faces, whereas when men cry their tears merely well up.

So why fight it, asks Kreamer:
Tears are a biological phenomenon, and when they appear they should be regarded not as bad in and of themselves but as a message, like the check-engine light going off on the car dashboard. Tears at work signal that something’s not quite right. They aren’t necessarily a moral failing or a sign of weakness.

(Ann Kreamer, It's Always Personal: Emotion in the Workplace)

very interesting....so it is okay to cry! but i still want to hold it in if i can, because it just ain't pretty! :)

love

what to do when one is anxious

• have a support person (or persons) to talk to. this means they will support you, let you cry, tell you that first days are hard, and quit trying to be so darn perfect (because even if you feel you are perfect, you aren't and frankly sometimes that needs to be said). he he he
• scrapbook. i know it diverts from the part you are anxious about but sometimes that is needed!
• with that in mind just take a break: long baths, read, bake, watch movies....try to de-stress
• download les miserables on itunes and sing at the top of your lungs (or any other of your favourite music...my choice always reverts to broadway!)....really it works
• talk to others that are in a similar situation. some may not [but most will] empathize and be there to vent with. 
• know that "this too shall pass" and that once you get used to things, it will get better.

now i just need to read this everyday...he he he! four more weeks!
love

another week bites the dust

it's officially the weekend in one minute. so happy you are here! it has been a freakishly busy two days in clinical. ahhhhhh. even my computer was busy as it decided to freeze and delete half the research i did. ugh. note to self, back up and save! :) but i have learned so much in just two days. talking to one other person in my clinical was funny because we both wished we could just skip over all this part and be "good" nurses. someday...;)

on top of the official week of clinical is the first official week of winter with snow, snow and more snow. it has come! i actually have to say this time of year i never mind the snow. i enjoy it. reminds me of holidays, xmas carols, lights, festivities...

speaking of holidays...already have some christmas shopping done with. hopefully going to wrap up the last little bit this weekend when there is little to do at the moment! eek! i love christmas. but on a sad note i don't know if i will even be decorating this year because we are off to my parents home for the holidays. i know i probably still could but i don't really like coming home to all sorts of decorations when in my mind xmas is over....this also means no christmas countdown for this blog.

i think i will leave now. mark stayed up and i think i will watch a bit of a movie with him. have a great weekend all!

love

birthday wishes

i have been kind of bad with regards to sending out birthday wishes on this blog this year. last year i was on top of it! he he he. but considering i do wish the lovely people in my life a very happy birthday in person, and usually through other mediums i figure it is okay...

however...since today i happen to think about writing on the blog i would like to wish my momsie a very happy happy birthday! love you lots and hope you have a wonderful day! check out my countdown...i will be seeing you soon! :)

love

the countdown is on

1 more day and it is my mom's birthday

19 more days and it is mine

21 more days till my last assignment is due in this term

30 more days till my last day of clinical

36 more days till i fly to new brunswick

39 more days and mark will be there

40 more days till christmas

AND

45 more days till mark's birthday (i thought i would add that one for points!)

this is the countdown that i keep playing in my head. i have extreme anxiety right now as i am officially starting my new rotation for clinical tomorrow. i am pretty scared and may have had a few bouts of tears already, such a dork! ;)  i know i can do it, but it will be challenging, with many new skills to practice! ugh! so i keep playing this countdown in my head!!!

p.s. the cold fx, the sleep, the baths, the relaxing worked. i feel somewhat free of a cold! :)

love

i feel it coming

that being a cold. its the first big snowfall and i feel it coming.

i hate that pre-stage with the slight chills and the tingle in your throat. when you try to fight off the cold before it takes over your body for good. this is done by taking as much cold fx as possible. hoping, wishing, willing the cold to be gone by the morning. pummeling down as much fluids as would be allowed, bundling in warm clothes till you "sweat". taking warm baths to relax and let your body fight the evil germs that are lurking in your body.

and colds always come in the most inopportune times. but really when it is it opportunistic. i remember having one right before i left for new york city. another came during final exams. then two hit me during two music festivals, folk fest, and lilith fair. not to mention during the summer months when you are not suppose to be sick. this time around, my first week of my last clinical rotation, seriously?? (!!)

all this said in done i will tell you the result of this one. let's see if i can just fight it off! wish me luck...now back to the water!

in the meantime, enjoy this little video.


love

in remembrance

on this day i will remember my grandfathers. i love you both so very much!

love

its beginning to look a lot like...

the christmas commercials have started. i called mark from work in a fit of glee. the hype has started and i am buying completely into it! eek! also have been scouring sites in my downtime looking for "cute" ideas. i found tons of diy gifts that i am pretty pumped to make (let's just hope i have the time).

in school news, my last maternity shift is wrapping up tomorrow. i have to say. i actually really like post partum. this is something that once again surprises me as i didn't think it would interest me at all. who would have thought. maybe my mom is right, i just love every rotation i am in....although maybe not one (refer to this post). it is going to be very tricky figuring out what to do in my preceptorship....

with this rotation winding down i will get a bit of a long weekend to unwind, scrapbook (something i have been doing heavily this last week) and maybe review some of the material that i am going to be needing to know for next rotation. this last one is the one i am the most nervous about. but who knows...it will probably be for me...he he he. jk!

till then!
love

hibernation time

the season is upon us. not christmas, but pre-winter. this is the time where i just want to:

• make "hearty" soups or stews.
• meals heavy on the pasta.
• snuggle in warm blankets.
• have warm baths while reading really good books
• wear my mittens everywhere i go
• avoid going outside for anything

i can now see why when spring comes i want to start eating healthy again and going to the gym because all i really want to do is hibernate until the sun comes out in full fury! he he he

however days like today i can make a bit of an exception. snuggled under the blankets till 10 am, then mark and i went on a market date. its rodeo week so there happened to be some festivities at city hall. some "bad" miniature ponies (i say that, as they would be kicking the side of their trailer when their owners weren't looking...he he he). movies in a warm tent and coffee/apple cider/hot chocolate for only a dollar!! love it. not to mention fire pits and music entertainment.

sure glad i decided to put off my hibernation for another day!

love

time warp!

halloween is upon us once again. this year mark and i have been a bit lazy. i don't know if its being busy with school (mark) or procrastinating on papers (moi) or it could even be the sugar coma we fell into the past week eating little candy bars but we didn't do anything (well i guess we did buy some candy!)

regardless we have had our fair share of halloween fun in the years we have been together. whether it was dressing up in disco costumes and going rollerskating, attending parties (as a ninga and hippie...guess which one) or having a pumpkin carving contest (i still say i won).

i was even looking back at old blog posts made on this blog. it made me laugh at some of the things we were doing for halloween like this and of course rocky horror with a pregnant christine and very random outfits by all of us....he he he.

next year we will have to make a concentrated effort not to be halloween grinches. he he he

until next time i will give you this little video in honor of halloween. someone posted it on facebook and brought back so many good memories from halloween and not! :) happy halloween!

good friends

good friends are there when you need a to laugh
good friends are there when you need to vent
they ask questions
and they listen
in return you do the same for those good friends

good friends go out for dinner with you
let you "try" their ceaser salad and dessert
laugh at you when you try to order something that you hadn't ever before
and talk about topics that you NEVER though you would be discussing

good friends are there for after dinner
willing to do anything from bowling, board games or a movie
yet good friend are understanding when you cannot
because you (the other friend)
urgently need to go home due to an unforseen circumstance...
related to food not sitting well in you stomach
lol

thanks jeff for the wonderful evening and the understanding!

love

i am feeling it...

so i know halloween has yet to come, but i am starting to feel a little christmas like!! yes, i know, much to early for these feelings BUT:

• i am officially half way done the semester as of today. the hard part has yet to come but after all that is christmas joy so how can i not look forward to that???
• i will be visiting my family on said holidays. my mom already has our rooms ready. i had to laugh when she told me that, but after i started to get excited...even though it was on october 19th
• it is getting that slight chill in the air. the chill i love during the holidays but absolutely hate during the january, february, march, april, may (???) months
• i am starting to think of christmas presents....eeekkkk!!!!

i know its a little crazy but i just can't help myself. to focus i probably should buy some pumpkins and have a carving contest to concentrate on the actual holiday in front of us. or eat three boxes of chocolates (oh wait....).

have a good night!
love

lovely date night

you know what i love?
cheesecake. love cheesecake. so bad for you, yet so good.
indian food. mattar paneer, beef vindaloo, naan bread. can you really go wrong here?
bowling. so fun! gutter balls, strikes, spares, near misses, hitting the spot! so fun, silly, and competitive.

you know what i love more?
doing all this in one day!
lucky girl!

love

what i do in the mornings when i work in the evenings...

• eat eggs: because i love eggs for breakfast and he doesn't. because i have the time to do it in the mornings. because it seems like a sunday breakfast but during the weekday.
• glee marathon: because i love listening to singing. because i love watching dancing. because it makes me happy.
• write notes to mark: because i haven't seen him all week. because it is nice to be thought of. because i am thought of in return
• workout: because there really is no excuse why not. because i feel good after. because it is good for me!
• start the slow cooker: because i get tons of leftovers for more night shifts. because it is fall and i love fall comfort food. because it is just so darn easy to make!
• cuddle with a kitty: because suprisingly he is way more up for cuddles during the day. because he is needy. because he is kind of cute!

love

what do you think?

check out this link right here. do you think you could live in such tight quarters with your partner.

i know i could do it alone...but with another person??? it would so not work for me. i like retreating into my room to scrapbook, blog, do homework or just be alone.

but i am impressed with the people that do it....wonder what they do if they have visitors???
love

a new rotation and a new night!

ahhh. the new rotation has started. back to shift work, mornings and nights. this week is nights, something i am looking forward to having as sleeping in seems so very nice at the moment!

so far i have been in awe of the ever so experienced nurses and doctors on my unit. so much knowledge, skills, compassion and SO SMART. yet i know know know that labour and delivery is not for me! it is quite amazing to see a baby enter this world, probably one of the coolest things i have seen. BUT if i stay in this field for the long term i think i will be scared away from ever having children (as it is i have pushed it even farther into the future after being in this rotation for one week) !! ha ha. i don't know how to explain it but i just feel too much of their pain. there may be a reward in the end but i think i will hold a grudge on that reward as it just went to war on my body (p.s. sorry mom, never meant to do that too you)! i know all you mom's out there say you forget the pain, but let's face it, (you can ask mark) i don't forget. lol

in other news....tried out the enjoy center with a nursing friend today. very cool place. organic grocery store, organic food (i recommend the carrot cake, very tasty), and cool little shops through out (although a little expensive). definitely a place my mom would enjoy as it has a similar feel as salisbury greenhouse :)

AND speaking of organic, mark just "harvested" his feast this year. potatoes, garlic, carrots and many many herbs. so very lovely. i may have been slightly annoyed with him when he initially started "cleaning" his veggies as i had just finished "cleaning" the kitchen. but a mess is no longer lingering on the counter tops so my annoyance has faded. and better than that i am happy to have veggies. it is a fantastic experience to bypass the veggies aisle in the supermarket because you have your own grown goods at home! :)

i have been reading lots too. i am loving this library card. it is kind of like homework to finish these books before they are due back but so many good ones to read! i just finished one book "those who save us" by jenna blum. a little graphic in some chapters but i found it interesting (even though it was fictional). AND right now i am reading "little princes" by conor grennan, a non-fiction book about orphans in nepal. so far i like...

hoping to find time to scrapbook again. the assignments are taking over my life, and when they are not, i am just tired and want to veg out. we will see what this weekend brings!

love you all!

yummers

what a wonderful thanksgiving weekend!
full of:

1. turkey
2. stuffing
3. veggies
4. buns
5. salad
6. more turkey
7. pumpkin pie
8. chocolate pie
9. apple pie
10. more pumpkin pie

yum! plus family events such as card games, walks, joking around, and even fit in a football game! i heart long weekends! they are too good to me!

i think i am going to go make a pumpkin pie now ;)

love

randomness and thanks

one rotation is officially finished. sad to leave it as i had quite a few opportunities that i really enjoyed. i got to do a presentation to an elementary class and to seniors. this would normally not be my favourite thing in the world but getting feedback that (maybe) it would make a small difference was quite an amazing feeling. my new motto, "primary prevention is key!"

not only that but to go to people's homes and assist them was a privilege and something that i really loved. this was definitely something that i could see myself doing...i know i have said that already. but it is nice to really love something.

but alas, i must move on to more experiences...who knows...maybe another love??? he he he

in other news. a new arrival has come! jeaninne and dj's baby girl has arrived! she is a beauty. so excited for her toddlers and tiaras debut (he he he, joke). brought them lasagna on friday as that was something i also learned at my clinical: new parents need food! what a horrible friend i have been to my other friends that had new babies...BUT GUYS: I NOW KNOW! lol

lastly, thanksgiving is tomorrow so i must give thanks to:
mark: for everything but recently the flowers and chocolate doughnuts that came to my door while i was at work. you are pretty awesome in all ways!
my family: you are so far, but yet so close. i love you!
my lovely friends: such good listeners all of you. especially during my trials regarding never-ending assignments!
really i am just so grateful to everyone in my life. thanks for being there for me! :)

love

the last day of september

craziness to know how fast time flies. yet when you are in the beginning of something, starting it brand new, you just wish time would fly by faster...

almost done my first rotation of clinical this year. that means that the assignments are complete and just need to be presented! feels good. this clinical has been pretty spectacular. it really excites me to see where i could go with this. but i am also happy to see it end. the commute was an hour each way, and the much needed sleep and extra time will be appreciated in the upcoming ones. :)

because the assignments are pretty much wrapped up that means a weekend (pretty much) off! so excited. yoga and breakfast with my brother tomorrow, dinner with a friend on sunday and general lazing around the rest of the weekend. i am actually reading a pretty good book from the library called the "those who save us" by jenna blum. maybe i will actually finish it!

that is pretty much it folks. hope you have an amazing last day in september!
love

this is my life...

i must apologize from the lack of posts. i am in "stress" mode at the moment with two presentations that need to get done by the end of the week. so the anxiety i feel for this workload is reserved for the people in my life, rather than the web (they are so lucky, he he he and have been soooo ever amazing).

but i do have to say, with the stress that i have been feeling, i do LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my rotation. that definitely excites me for the future! so at least i am able to see the bright lining even if it does seem so far away right now.

been trying a bit to running but stumbled upon an injured knee. not quite sure at all what happened but it hurt quite a bit yesterday while i attempted to run. kind of frustrating considering we are having a most beautiful fall this year. it will have to be one of my photoblog photos for sure.

other than plugging away writing papers on the computer, i have been perusing youtube watching music videos. these are my favs this time around. kind of on a beyonce love fest. the amazing power in her voice.love it.

AND of course my glee is back!!! their music just makes me so happy. i'd have loved to put a video on here but they prevented it so....you will just have to watch the show!

till next time have a good one! i am on baby watch for a very good friend having her first one (hopefully soon) so their is some exciting things to look forward to!





love ya!