end of March

my blogging has been poor lately.

i would like to firstly say it might be due to my work. i sit at a computer for a great deal of the day (monday through friday) that come the weekend, i barely have any interest in consistently sitting in front of my own laptop to write about my life.

that being said - reading old posts is quite interesting. i should keep this thing more up to date.


it's 'spring'. by date. it is raining outside - and that's not very wintery. it has been mild through the week, which was actually really nice.


today is saturday, march 24th. i'm sick. i can't really figure out what i have -- but it's not fun. the good news is that it doesn't feel like the flu -- more just an extremely uncomfortable head cold and migraine (yay).

and yet, i'm very thankful this bug waited until the weekend to hit. Due to an unfortunate event, my boss Mike wasn't able to make it in to work this week. So I was alone in the post production office (well, in our office at least - there's still the boys next door -- the editing team). Mind you - i just started this job...oh, about a month ago. Let's just say this was a very interesting way to get my feet wet. I was challenged every day this week, and honestly learned a great deal. But in the end, I'm really looking forward to seeing my boss on Monday morning - I just hope I didn't forget anything important while he was away...

Brent was sick earlier this week, and i was really afraid that by mid week i would be showing signs - which wasn't an option when it came to working at the office this past week. Luckily, only Friday was affected by this head cold. I could barely focus on anything at that point. Very clouded mind. I was also pulling at least 14hrs a day at work though...so I was running low on fuel.


So catch up.

Facebook is like crack. I ONLY joined because I wanted to see these high school pictures that Brent's friends had posted of him. Then eventually, i caved under the pressures of the addictive site. It's actually a good thing (the site) - cause you can find old friends and it's an easy way to stay in touch and keep people in the know on your life.

Fun times.

So, facebook has been receiving more attention than my blog lately. my bad.

MEC last Sunday. Bought some poles, pole accesories, leg wallet and my daypack. I think that was it this week.

My show is going on another run of at least 13 episodes (could be 26). If it runs 26, i'll be here until the end of November. And at this point, it appears that i might be here until the end of this show's run.

I have mixed feelings. I've had numerous discussions about this with my parents and my boyfriend, cause i'm all over the place. This is a great working opportunity, so I don't want to leave. I can't wait to get to NZ. It's a toss up. I've actually grown attached to this show. Funny enough. I get a kick out of kid's shows. For some odd reason - like Zoey 101, don't even ask me why - but i would watch it every saturday morning when I had cable.

yeah - sad. But it was fluff. And sometimes, that's all you really want.

I'm excited for what will happen. If the show continues, and the company enjoys me, I'll stay on until the end of the show. Kid's show's usually run 3 seasons. We'll see what will happen.

No matter what - i will eventually get my butt out to NZ. HONESTLY.


Last Saturday was our 6 month anniversary. We spent it ordering my glasses (hahahaha) and waiting for them while watching a movie (Premonition - rent it if you really need to watch it). By the time we went to pick up my glasses, they weren't ready (so much for that 1hr rule). My frames 'cracked' the lenses apparently. They asked us to come back in like 10mins. We go back...same problem. Only this time, they had no more lenses to try for my prescription. So I still have to pick them up. They had to send my frames away to be fitted aparently.

At night, we went to the Keg. Yum. I haven't eaten there in forever. We had this great two person booth and a really great waiter (which truly makes a difference in your eating experience!!).

It was just a nice day. Oh - and I was able to get a personal guitar show. I've been bugging Brent about playing for a while now. I think i've heard him pluck away in his room once or twice, and before that only at Freek Out last summer.


What else is new. Not that much. I've really just been super busy with work (which has put some dates with friends on hold). Um...and sleeping...and trying to work out (although my knees have been really up and down lately - might be the weather).

Lent is going well. Even though i was sick, i still climbed up the stairs last night. But that elevator looked really inviting. But i would have felt horrible afterwards - being lazy about it. I have been dying for ice cream or candy or cake or deserts...so that's been super challenging. Interestingly enough, it's really shown me how much we as North Americans turn to sugar/food to cope with things. Cause when i'm having a hard day at work - i would love a nice bowl of ice cream to comfort me. Why exactly? I don't know.

I'm really looking forward to Easter in that regard. I think Brent and I will be breaking Lent together with a milkshake. He gave up everything to drink but water and i renegged the sugar side (which sadly included ice cream milkshakes). And a homemade milkshake would be sooooo lovely. Or dairy queen. Or something. On Easter day, there's no guessing what options will be open.

My parents leave for Rome soon. I'm excited about that.

My grandparents are coming to North Bay for Easter - so that should be fun. I'm bringin home Taboo and Mad Gab - at my mother's request. Apparently, i didn't kick their butts enough at Taboo at Christmas time. :p

I'm going to pay for that comment...

A week left until April. Seriously though...where does time go?

post it note blog

I thought this was funny and picture worthy when crossing the boarder on December 3rd to catch a Buffalo Bills' game.

You can get this Bills' sweater for $29.99 - what a steal.

EXCEPT - that the regular price is $.00

Anyway.



Post it notes up the wazoo

if you know me - even just a little - you might name me a slave to post it notes.

mind you - i blame my mother, who continues to supply me with an array of decorative sticky notepads.

My life is on post in notes. To clear my mind, I write things down. 1) So I don't forget about them. 2) So i am able to clear some head space for new information to enter.


They make me feel slightly better.

Bad thing is that i don't always re-visit the notes i leave myself. Sometimes, I'm just too busy - and then I simply pack them up into a nice box to deal with later - and then somewhere down the road - oh, like 3 years later, i find a box full of notes that were never thought of after being written.

So why keep them at all?

I have no real clue to this mystery. None the less, I have been working hard at getting rid of the old and clearing my life as I get ready to leave on my trip.

Sadly - i'm using this post kind of like a post it note. I was going to jot down notes i had written to myself throughout the last year of what i've wanted to post on my blog. They were like little reminders so that i could write a longer post once i caught a moment. And for some reason - i never found a moment. And now i have an excessive amount of notes that pertain to my blog.

I just don't have the energy to locate those notes right now.

sorry.

but they will come.


In other news. I've been thinking about starting up a third blog (i won't, but i often think about doing it) that follows my cooking experiences. Brent and I cook dinners together - and it's always a lot of fun - and I always bring out my camera to document the event. I have a lot of fun with it. Cause, I'm a nerd. And I'm proud of the dishes we've accomplished. The first part to this whole story is me conquering-ish my fear of touching raw meat. With the aid of latex gloves, i have re-discovered my love for meat dishes.

This past Saturday night - we, for some odd reason, decided that making home made manicotti would be fun. Trust me - if you think you will get away with this recipe in pristine shape - you are soarly mistaken. It's messy. My advice - Ziploc FREEZER BAG. We made Zucchini and Red Pepper Cheese manicotti. Yummy. With a side salad and garlic bread.

I have pictures. they make me laugh. But no additional blog.

I think it would be neat though - and then like 10 years down the line, you know if blogging still exists, I'll be able to go back and re-visit my progress in the world of cooking food.


Other news. Softball is on its way. So very exciting.


I'm a D.I.T. at Freedomize. That's what Brent and I have coined as our term. We were invited to join the Deacon's team at church - and as we get ready to become Deacons, we're in training. :o) I'm excited about this new opportunity to walk with God. I hope that I am able to serve this community in the best light, with a loving heart, and that I am able to present the community with strength and dedication. I love it here - and feel truly blessed with this opportunity.


Lent is almost done. Sunday i was FORCED to break one of my 'lentings'. All because of my stupid car. I have given up sugar/deserts for Lent (omg - so challenging when you get catered meals every day, a craft service area on the first floor, and only sugary foods in the production kitchen). That - i have been very good with. ie - have not yet broken yet. I also gave up the "Easy Way" for Lent. This means elevators/escalators. So on Sunday, after the service, what happens - i'm unable to access my car by stairs. I asked the 'security/information' personel of the building if there was an alternate access to the parking garage - and she basically told me unless i had a special access card, i had to take the elevator.

gah.

technically - so not my fault. technically - it was sunday, and 'breaking' Lent on Sundays is okayish.


The weather - is wonderful. Mind you - i love snow. and again, missed out on snowboarding. missed out on toboganning. and again, i am sadened by the events. But spring is such a wonderful time. With the time springing ahead over the weekend, i wake up before the sun has time to rise now and it's light outside until at least 7.30pm. Very nice. You can see the shift in people's attitudes all around. maybe it's more apparent in a place like Toronto. People are far more 'smiley'.


I found glasses' frames on the weekend. FINALLY. I think i'll get them this weekend.


I have joined Facebook. complete crack. how is something so small, so addictive?


I still have four swedish fish chillin' out on my bookshelf beside my bed. They're waiting for April 8th to be ingested.


Under six months to go. Crazy.


In four days, we celebrate 6 months. Where did the time go?


No swimming lesson last weekend. We try again next Saturday.


I would like to camp more this summer.


I think the hikes are coming back on Saturday. Strange knee pains have halted my jump to keep at them over the last month. I really should see the sports medicine clinic and follow through with my physio. But why is it so much money??? :(


I almost discovered a new food allergy a few weekends ago, after my throat started to give me problems with my breathing - like closing in on itself type problems. Kind of similar to how i discovered my basil allergy. Upon hearing the story, Anna gave me a power boost of reactine today - just in case that happens to me again. Dr. Anna, Medicine Woman.


Work's great. VERY BUSY.

I have a pirate ship sitting atop of my work computer. And a working plastic canon blaster. Such a great toy. Thank you Nick!!!


Um, i think that's it for now. Very random, my apologies.

I am suddenly very tired. It's 11.45pm. I still need to shower before going to bed.


Post it note blog to come.

good night.

In the last two months...

- … I’ve donated 6 viles of blood to testing for my own good. The very next day – got a call from the doctor’s office. (never a good thing) Follow up appointment. I’ve been declared HepA, Hep B, Rubella immune. (yay) My iron was singled out as being “low” – yet for the first time, to my knowledge, my iron levels were in the actual proper range for either my size or age. I felt like celebrating. The doctor none the less listed all the things I could do to continue to improve what I call ‘awesome iron’.

- … I’ve counted animals at the zoo. Saw a giraffe up close and personal. Saw a cheetah charge the plexiglass towards a tourist I can only imagine was taunting the poor animal in some way. Was locked out of the rhino exhibit. Climbed up and down this rock type stair case by some goat exhibit – that was covered in snow and ice and required full side rail guidance. Was completely amused by a little mouse that was eating a plant near a display. The mouse was not on display. Realized how FAR the zoo really is by TTC. Ugh.

- … I started a new job. Post production coordinator for “The Latest Buzz”. It’s great. Very busy – learning lots – love being back with the Decode crew. Like a filmic family. Back at manning. Fingers crossed that we go another 13 episodes…

- … I experienced the kindness of true friends. Anna. Love ya.

- … I was able to see Sarah. Back from Nairobi. Caught a glimpse of her in Toronto one weekend. Hope to do it again before I head on my adventure.

- … I watched some movies. Thank you for Smoking. The Prestige. Children of Men. Mortal Kombat (classic). Team America. Fahrenheit 911. American Beauty. Anywhere But Here. Brokeback Mountain. Ghost World. Waiting (boo). Slither. Meet the Fockers. Shawshank Redemption. You, Me and Dupree. Thinking there is probably a lot more – but I’m drawing blanks.

- … I spent some time with tony little and my gazelle. Lost major motivation after a week long knee problem. I should really smarten up and try that again.

- … I went glasses shopping, twice. Actually had an eye doctor’s appt. picking out frames as we speak.

- … I shopped at MEC. More than twice.

- … I drove around the city. The job has a big plus – a car. With a seat warmer. Very much appreciated during that cold snap.

- … I drove sideways down Bayview avenue after a heavy snowfall.

- … I got caught in a snow-fall downpour. All inclusive storm with thunder and lightning.

- … I had a lovely breakfast with the Trulls. Very lovely time.

- … I had a freedomize softball meeting – at the Sunset Grill (yum…)

- … I went out for breakfast and dinner probably too many times.

- … I spent some time enjoying the snow in the city. Sadly – no snowboarding this year after this weekend’s trip was cancelled (incl the car rental – which eliminated bluemountain – trust me, it hurt my heart). Still no toboganning. *sigh*

- … I have not started my swimming ‘lessons’ yet.

- … I have collected a pile of passport applications. I keep grabbing two, and misplacing them. And now they are all resurfacing.

- … I smiled a lot. Laughed a lot.

- … I shed tears.

- … I continued the NZ planning.

- … I started lent. Am currently in the process of lent. Gave up deserts and basically all sugar and overly sugary foods (and really unhealthy snacks…). Gave up ‘the easy way’ – so no elevators and escalators.

- … I learned that not defining the boundaries of your ‘lent’ – you can run into problems. Ex: can I eat maple syrup on my pancakes? Was that considered the type of sugary thing I was trying to give up.

- … I learned that walking up stairs is a more difficult task for far too many people…even really fit individuals. (why is it that everyone I know can’t walk up stairs without losing their breath?) And walking up with lots of bags in your arms – even more fun.

- … I started a one week hiatus. Staying in the city running around. Sleeping? Catching up on work.

- … I spent V-day with my brother and Brent at the Raptors’ game – where we mopped the floor with the NJ Nets. Also spotted chuck & anton sitting across the ACC from us in section 311. hahaha

- … I spent groundhog’s day doing nothing special. Don’t really know if people celebrate the day at all actually.

- … I went ice skating a few times at night. I suck at ice skating – but I love my skates. No laces. Boa technology all the way. J how is it that one can do better on rollerblades over ice skates – they feel like they should be the same thing.

- … I have been walking around the city a bunch. To B’s house. From downtown. Hiked with claude. Up and down Mt. Pleasant through Jarvis.

- … I have seen an increase in migraine headaches and vertigo ‘episodes’ (boo)

- … I spent some more time enjoying the snow. Walking in fresh snow. Catching snowflakes in my mouth. Enjoying the light weather that sometimes comes with a light snowfall. Walked home in 0 degree Celsius weather Wednesday. Enjoying the ‘crisp’ air – that tends not to collect the Toronto smog quite like the summer heat does.

- … I put contact lenses into my eyes when they were still frozen from those infamous yellow drops at the eye doctors. Very strange feeling – touching your eye and NOT feeling it. creepy

- … I went on a Casa Loma adventure. After taking an available staircase upstairs, we discovered an unlocked door that probably normally isn’t locked and ventured through the upper level of the stables. Reaching a dark room with winding steel stair case that lead up to the stables’ tower. 50% regret not going up the tower.

- … I witnessed the humorous weather patterns that God presents to us. Beautiful Wednesday to snowy afternoon Thursday, to freezing rain evening to rainy night, to sunny Friday and very wet and melting day.

- … I didn’t cook enough. But did enjoy yummy chicken stir-fry last night.

- … I was the recipient of a homemade Valentine’s day card. Probably the loveliest thing ever.

- … I entered a six month countdown.

- … I took lots of pictures.

- ... I missed my blogs.