c'est la vie

Haiti

2011-03-25T21:05:00.000-06:00

This was my Haiti trip!

we flew to Dallas and then Miami and spent the night in the cold airport with a very loud announcement telling us the time every 15 minutes, and so needless to say, very little sleep was had. We left the next morning and flew into Port-au-Prince and Brad our leader's sister met us there. We went through some sort of security which was a complete joke, and as soon as we left the very small airport we were flogged by people trying to help us with our bags and a quick culture shock of poverty. Thank goodness Brad's sister lives there and knew what she was doing. We got in a taxi type thing and drove to another airport and took a very very small airplane (5 passenger + 1 pilot = 6 people) to the town of Pignon and sat in the back of a truck to get to La Jeune. We stayed in a compound that missionaries have stayed at since the 80's. We had a cactus fence intent to keep people out and the side of an old boxcar as the gate. We stayed in the house that had holes in the roof, concrete floors, cockroaches, 2 toilets - one of which was plugged and the other only sometimes flushed, and the potential for tarantulas. We basically from then on, hung out with the community kids. On Saturday I went with only 3 others from my group to go help build a church in Pignon. So we were out in the hot sun building the peaks of the roof and there were tons of kids just watching us and I was able to use my french and hang out with one of the girls that was there watching. They speak Creole and French. Someone went, climbed a tree, and cut us down some fresh coconuts which was awesome. We would then debrief every night after dinner and the generator went out at 9:00. I would wear LOTS of bug spray. Saturday night I was sick with water diarrhea, not sure if it was a bug, or dehydration mixed with the new food, and heat exhaustion. However I skipped the first church service on Sunday to sleep and get better. We then went to the second church service which was up the road. Now the roads in La Jeune are extremely bad. Potholes to the extreme and large rocks jutting out everywhere and motorbikes honking and zooming passed and people everywhere on the road. Fun times. At the church there was a lot of singing, we sang for them, did a skit about Jesus walking on water and calming the storm and then the sermon was on Proverbs 31 (I think) and the entire sermon was this. Find a good wife. They are hard to find. Once you find her. Don't let her go. If you have a good wife you will have good children. There was lots of singing and it was really cool. Tithe was the biggest impact on me, as I saw adults walking up to give offering which seemed to just be a couple coins and it was so amazing to see how they give to God first, not from what they have left over. And this one lady who seemed to be partially blind and had a very hard time walking came up to put money in the offering plate and that had a big impact on me. Each day we had 3 meals - mostly rice, goat, chicken, some pasta, and juice. It was good at the beginning and slowly got worse...haha oh dear.

Then for the week we went up the street to the community soccer field and hung out with the community kids (as opposed to the church kids) we would perform a bible skit, sing songs, and then either play soccer with the boys or do hand games with the girls, or bubbles, skip rope, colouring etc. That was a lot of fun and we got to know quite a few kids. The older boys would just come up and ask if you had a boyfriend and want to get your number or e-mail or both. I would say right away that I had a boyfriend and they would proceed to call him my husband and then ask for my phone number. I learned to make sure I was always doing something with the kids so I wasn't free to have those boys approach me. Haha. So we did that each day, and a couple of the days we would walk back to the church where the school was held and we played with those kids, and gave them out some gifts. The second day we were at the school we taught the girls to play duck duck goose and they were SO excited, squealing and screaming and cheering each other on, it was so so cool.

I was the only person on the team who knew french and I became the teams unofficial, official translator. That was really sweet to be given a leadership role. It was actually really awesome. We really got to know the kids and that was really exciting. We never did an alter call but we did act out the skit of Jesus dying and rising again and we directed them to the local church. Because of the language barrier we didn't want something to be misconstrued if we did an alter call. We had a translator who went around with us...he was doing it for school.

One of the days we went to an orphanage for a tour, we also gave them gifts and played with them for a bit, but we didn't have much time there. The orphanage is Haitian run, so the Haitian ladies run it, the kids have to do chores and are in the Haitian culture and they go to school and they keep to the Haitian culture. I appreciated that so much from these American Missionaries who support the orphanage. They ensure it's completely Haitian run, they are the missionaries behind it and make sure it stays legitimate, because there are many that aren't, but they are so bent on not Americanizing the orphanage and I appreciated that a lot.

There were lots of UN contingents in Haiti and I learned that the Haitians call them cholera butts because a Nepalian contingent was in Haiti and they are carriers of Cholera and they dumped their septic tanks in the main river and therefore Haitians got cholera. That was a little disturbing.

On Thursday night, our last night. We had a market inside the compound where the community came and set up merchandise for sale. That was the most difficult thing because it was parents of the kids who we had gotten to know really well and it was so difficult having them all come up to you saying your name and saying "don't forget me", "you promised", with their puppy eyes. And that was just so difficult because I couldn't buy from everyone. And in the end money is what makes the world go round. But I am convinced we ministered to the kids and our impact can be multiplied by Christ. I can't underestimate His power.

Also so many of us got sick. I was sick Saturday night, then Brad and his son Leif got sick on tuesday and Leif was treated for cholera then his other son Billy got sick, and then his wife Candi got sick and then Rachel, Krissi, Nancy got sick and Justin was feeling sick. and Erin was also hospitalized in New York. It was either diarrhea, puking, or both. Yuck.

On Friday we drove into Port-au-Prince and we were caught in traffic at a standstill and realized that there was a political rally going on and the UN and cops weren't letting us go down certain roads. It was the hottest part of the day and there was no air in the car and we were on the phone with someone saying the airport was closed because the former president was coming to the country and we couldn't get out. We discovered that he meant the roads were closed to the airport so we parked the car and had to walk to the airport with all of our luggage. I was so scared, I was shaking and stressed, because we were in such a scary political situation (cops tear-gassed the crowds apparently) but we made it to the airport and it was not actually a very long walk, and i didn't even notice the heat. Mostly because I was focused on Leif (8) who had grasped my hand with his tear-stained face and focused on quoting Psalm 23. We got out.

Also on the last day I saw a tarantula on the wall of our house and it was gross. The showers sucked and i was afraid of worms getting into my feet.

But that was my trip, I learned that I am a leader in certain circumstances where I always thought of myself as a follower and i learned about self-less love. Still processing it all, but I loved my trip and I had a really great time.

I don't feel called to full-time ministry in that way, but I do want to be involved with short-term missions.

faint not

2011-01-20T17:46:00.000-07:00

I got to go into the mountains over the weekend with my family and boyfriend! It was so much fun! We went for lunch and a walk! The entire walk I was tossing snow at Jason and my Dad and I should've known they'd get me back. The entire walk they barely (if at all) fought back as I tossed snow and then right at the end. Jason took a very large snowball and planted it into my face. and held it there. and as i chased after him to get back at him. my dad trips me. and i fell face flat into the snow. oh man. good times!!! Then we ended up in the Banff Springs hotel just to walk around.

It was a lot of fun!

So I'm trying to apply for University right now - and I am just finding websites to be completely un-helpful and confusing and this entire process to be ridiculous. and expensive. it better be worth it!!!

2010

2010-12-30T22:49:00.001-07:00

last year my brother told me "2010 will have some major transitions, so it's not going to be any less exciting". I remember reading that comment and trying to look ahead into this year after such a wonderful year in 2009, and having a hard time seeing how this year could top the last. However 2010 has been so good to me! I could even say it's been my best year yet!!!

January

In January, i finished up my first semester of grade 12, studied big time for exams and began my second semester. My family was getting excited for the upcoming olympics and watched some finals and semi-finals here in Calgary

I also got to go watch one of my best friends perform in a rather funny play called Seymour the Stegosaurus.

February

My family got to go to THE OLYMPICS in Whistler! So much fun and what an amazing experience!!!

women's curling was one of 4 sports i got to go see! The others were - nordic combined, cross-country skiing and arials!! pretty amazing!!

March

in March i got to go on a trip to Ottawa with Forum for Young Canadians. It was such a cool experience and i had a lot of fun!

this is one experience I won't forget! I loved learning about the government and meeting so many cool people from all over Canada!

This month i also got my wisdom teeth removed..., saw Alice in Wonderland! and saw a bunch of my friends perform in the school play The Canterbury Tales. My best friend Teaghan came for a 2 day visit with her family!

April

This month my best friend Teaghan came for a solo visit, which was awesome! We made it a Jane Austen week, buying Jane Austen books, reading Jane Austen and watching nearly all the Jane Austen movies.

Also bought my grad dress!!

I got my first kidney stone this month and if you would like to go and read my agonizing story you make click here.

May

This month i went with my sister to a reading by Yann Martel author of Life of Pi and Beatrice and Virgil. it was so amazing and so much fun!

this month i also went to a Holocaust symposium with my school which i enjoyed as sad and heart-wrenching as it was. My school also went to Theatre Calgary and i got to see The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. it was hilarious and oh i loooveee the theatre!!! I also got accepted to Rocky Mountain College!!

June

This month i Graduated from High School!

I was so happy! I got hired on at Mark's Work Wearhouse and at Butterfield Acres as a day camp leader! I got my new computer!!

July

my parents bought two new cars and i became CPR/First Aid certified for my new jobs!

I turned 18!

and went to the zoo!

the stampede was in town and i saw One Republic and fireworks!

July was superb!

August

august was pretty relaxed with work and a personal day into the mountains

i also went to visit my brother and sister-in-law in Edmonton!

i watched glee! and got all inspired by rachel's wardrobe and implemented it into mine :)

September

this is where i really started to get lazy with my blogging...sorry friends! I started school at Rocky Mountain College, went on a retreat to a camp! enjoyed autumn and met my boyfriend!

October

October was filled with Thanksgiving and school and work.

November

November I went to Vancouver on a sort-of missions trip with my school!

also observed Remembrance Day!

went on a youth retreat with my church!

December

December i finished my first semester of college! and had a wonderful christmas with my family!

The other night! I went to see The Wizard of Oz on Broadway here in Calgary with my sister! It was so much fun! and so well done! I dressed up and had a really good time!

Looking back over 2010 i had some really awesome experiences and I`m blown away that all of this happened this year!! I can`t wait to see what 2011 has in store for me!!

secrets to my business

2010-11-12T22:08:00.003-07:00

school.
travel.
boyfriend.
piano.
youth group.
friends.
family.
food.

my heart

2010-11-02T17:37:00.002-06:00

Still my heart and hold my tongue
I feel my time
My time has come
Let me in
Unlock the door
I never felt this way before

And the wheel just keeps on turning
The drummer begins to drum
I don’t know which way I’m going
I don’t know which way I’ve come

Hold my head inside your hands
I need someone who understands
I need someone, someone who hears
For you I’ve waited all these years

For you I’d wait 'til kingdom come
Until my day, my day is done
And say you'll come and set me free
Just say you'll wait, you'll wait for me

In your tears and in your blood
In your fire and in your flood
I hear you laugh, I heard you sing
I wouldn’t change a single thing
And the wheels just keep on turning
The drummers begin to drum
I don’t know which way I’m going
I don’t know what I’ve become

For you I’d wait 'til kingdom come
Until my days, my days are done
And say you'll come and set me free
Just say you'll wait, you'll wait for me
Just say you'll wait, you'll wait for me
Just say you'll wait, you'll wait for me

october bliss

2010-10-12T16:35:00.002-06:00

I feel like such a bad blogger! but i am so ridiculously busy! i can't say for sure when i'll be blogging again...i miss it!!!

are you aware the shape i'm in?

2010-09-22T16:19:00.000-06:00

I am really enjoying school. I'm getting to know lots of people. I am being challenged and I feel myself growing. I am so busy though! There is so much reading! And juggling work and school and a social life and piano is not the easiest thing, but it's worth it!

I love Autumn. The crisp cool air, the lingering warmth, layers, fall colours, scarves, fall jackets and the smell of knowledge. I love it.

Skirt|H&M|Shirt|Superstore|

Sorry I've been seemingly ignoring my blog. But I haven't I've just been needing to get into the flow of school. I hope all of you are enjoying your autumn season!!!

college life

2010-09-13T19:20:00.000-06:00

Ahh, the college life. It's pretty exciting! I just got back from a 4 day retreat to Crowsnest Lake Bible Camp here in Alberta. It was a really good growing and connecting experience. Sadly, my batteries died the moment we got to the camp and I had no extras. So there are no pictures. However I can tell you a bit about what we did. We climbed a mountain, Turtle Mountain to be exact. We went down a skri run, did some wall climbing and some rappelling. If you want to find out about the last time I went rappelling, click here. It went normally this time :)
I had a lot of fun and I really feel I have grown up a lot in such a short period of time! haha.
My first day of school was just a lot of orientation and reading of syllabi's and trying to learn people's names. I'm pretty excited for all my classes. Already I have tons of reading to do...which reminds me...I need to be doing that and not wasting (?) time writing this blog post.
Also thank you for all your lovely comments!

long time...no post!

2010-09-07T22:32:00.000-06:00

I know it's been so long. But I have been crazy busy! and it's only going to get more busy from here on out!
Here's some pictures of my first time with polaroid film! My sister took them (thanks!) they're a bit blurry but we were just so excited!

And so I have started school! It's a bit crazy! I mean as a kid i always dreamed about being older. Going to college and being on my own...no parents (haha) and now I'm at this stage of life and i'm not sure i want to grow up! I know it's a good thing, but honestly it can be quite scary!

I also got a new cell-phone. It's so exciting, because I've never had a cellphone before. I'm a texting maniac. haha. not reeely. but almost....haha.

Tonight my sister and I took a little relaxation break and went to starbucks for some pumpkin spice lattes and some harry potter reading (in preparation for the 7th movie coming out this november..so excited!) it was really nice and relaxing and my sister (again thanks!) and I got an outfit picture squeezed in...we're in the kids section of chapters :)

So I'm quite excited to get back into a routine, but I'm going to be quite busy. So I can't promise often updates but I'll try to write more often. I quite enjoy it!

MIA

2010-09-01T23:48:00.002-06:00

So I'm really sorry I've been kind of MIA...but i've just been really busy with work and getting ready for school. I promise i haven't quit on you (the few) that read my blog :) i'll be back shortly!

find colour in the dark

2010-08-26T17:29:00.000-06:00

Today was just absolutely beautiful outside. And I had the day off!! So i took advantage of the beautiful day. And took my polaroid camera out and tested it! I had to get used to it at the beginning, because this was my first time using a polaroid camera and the film is super light sensitive! but here's some pictures of my day of fun in the sun with my polaroid!

Seeing them in person is so much better!

Thanks again for all your comments. I love getting them and I get so excited reading every one.

excited

2010-08-24T13:29:00.000-06:00

I finally found some time to look at my schedule for school. I'm actually getting quite excited to start school again, but also to just start life. haha. But you know though? I feel like i've been waiting for this time of my life for so long. I've been waiting and waiting to get out of high school and it's here. It's so exciting.
Here's an outfit I wore a couple days ago. I need to find a new spot to take pictures.

Skirt|H&M|Shirt|Superstore|

One of the best things happened to me! A friend at work was at the "camera store" the other day and I asked him if he'd pick me up some polaroid film and he did. And now it's sitting in my fridge just waiting to be used. I can NOT wait. But I can not waste it. but man I'm just so excited.

smoke on the horizon

2010-08-22T09:30:00.000-06:00

I wore one of my new cardigans! I love it. I love H&M!
There's lots of smoke moving into Alberta from the Forest Fires in BC so it's actually quite smoky outside. Which makes it kind of look cool. It looked like we were on the edge of a cliff this morning.
My sister took my pictures today. They are super nice. Thanks Michelle!

I went to the park last night with my family for a bbq. It was really nice. and somewhat relaxing! We saw some 'artistic' orbs float down the river which was really pretty. But I forgot to take my memory card out of my computer so I couldn't take pictures. Which was really sad. But my sister took some.

Also my sister and I saw our neighbours cat try to jump into their pool. We thought it might fall in but it ran away.

Anyways! I can't wait to debut all the different things I bought the other day. But there is also so much you haven't seen yet! haha.

candle in the window

2010-08-21T11:38:00.000-06:00

Yesterday my shopping day was successful!! I can't wait to wear what I have bought!
Next week I'm working an insane amount! Around 52 hours for both jobs. Crazy but I need the money for school!
My neighbours had a wedding out in their backyard this morning. It looked really cute. It was just immediate family of both. We peeked out the window verrrry discreetly.

I wore socks with my flats! I totally got some weird looks. But I didn't care. I was so comfortable. And I really liked it!

Tonight I'm hanging out with my family for a bbq at the park and we're going to watch some 'artistic' orbs float down the river. I'll take pictures!

So a few blogs that I read, Kara Haupt and Maggey are both moving away to go to college. I haven't even really looked at what my classes are that I'm taking next week. I really need to get organized!!! But I'm super excited for both of them. I'm staying at home while going to college for one year and after that I"m leaving home. I'm really excited for it. But I haven't really thought much about actually leaving home and all the responsibility you take with you. Anyways both those girls are leaving and it's got me thinking I need to start thinking about this year at school! I'm super excited for them and I can't wait to hear about all their adventures. Good luck girls!

Rachel Berry

2010-08-19T10:11:00.002-06:00

as i am a self-proclaimed gleek, I just finished watching the first season for the second time today. i love almost everything that Rachel Berry wears in the whole season. I love that she wears skirts nearly every day. I love that she wears socks with her flats and can totally pull off the knee high socks. i love her geeky sweaters and i don't really care what others on the show say about her obsession with animals on sweaters. seriously - i love what i wear and i don't really care what other's think necessarily because it's my own personal style that can develop and change over time. I think if you wear something that you love and wear it confidently it will work.
I also love that the actor who plays Rachel is short because I too, am on the short side. One of the biggest things that Rachel does is wear ruffles on her shirts. But more than that she has shirts that have detail. not necessarily a pattern but shirts that aren't just plain with no material detail. and if she does wear a plain shirt on top she'll wear a patterned skirt or for sure a patterned cardigan.
Here's some of her outfits that have inspired me and how i have incorporated that a bit into my wardrobe.
*disclaimer* haha these photos are not great because they are from the internet so i am sorry for the awful quality

This is for the ruffles and cardigan

Although I could never pull of an outfit like this...notice the solid plain (no detail shirt) but with a patterned skirt and so it balances out

I'm still trying to build up the courage to wear full socks with flats. I love it!

more ruffles!

Converse sneakers!

I have so many other photos i wish i could show you but i have them in a word doc and not saved as a photo file. Normally i wouldn't follow such a formula but it's good to look at inspiration. I'm just getting so excited as I'm finding inspiration for what i want to wear and developing it as my own!

Here's my rachel inspired outfit from yesterday! (there will be more in the days to come I'm sure!)

These are my ruffles!

This is me getting wet by the sprinkler unexpectedly. I don't think i normally look like such a ditz but i was still trying to look nice for the camera i suppose.

I'm going to go 'back to school' clothes shopping hopefully tomorrow. any excuse to go buy more clothes eh? haha.

I think i succeeded in writing one of my longest posts ever.

edmonton

2010-08-16T21:53:00.000-06:00

I had a great weekend! It was really nice to just have a weekend off and go on a mini-vacation!
I was visiting my brother and sister-in-law - so they took us downtown Edmonton and gave us a bit of a tour and we went out for dinner, went to a baseball game, went to a park and played some Boccie ball and went for a walk, got some ice cream, had more great food and we got to see their famously talked about (and very cute) cat.

The river valley view in Edmonton

My sister and I

On the drive up!

The beautiful art gallery

The legislature

This week I have off from working at the farm with the kids - which is nice (minus the fact i'm not getting paid). And I only work two more days this week! So i foresee relaxation and nice weather outside!

Thanks so much for your guys' comments - they are just wonderful!

personal day

2010-08-11T13:12:00.000-06:00

yesterday I had the day off work. So I headed into the mountains. It was so nice and relaxing. I didn't take an outfit picture because my batteries died. But I will be posting one soon!
I am loving that I'm building my own little 'blogging community'. It makes me very excited!

Today is my last day at my afternoon/evening job for a while! (I go back monday) I am headed away this weekend to visit my siblings!!! I'm so excited. It should be a super fun weekend!

come in

2010-08-06T14:44:00.001-06:00

Tank Top:|Winners| Skirt:|H&M|

I love that I can wear this to work. I'm as comfortable in skirts as I am in pants. I love it!

Yesterday was a really tough day working with the kids but I made it through the week! I'm so glad it's the weekend!

I don't have any other plans right now other than working. but that means surprises will happen! (but i should really really clean my room)!

Next week, my sister and I are hoping to go to Body Worlds. I am excited for it - especially since I studied the brain this year in Biology.

and yes I am headed off to work!

04 Aug

2010-08-04T16:37:00.000-06:00

I went and saw inception again for my friend's birthday. It was so good the second time. I completely understood everything. I'm sure there's more that I could catch on to. But I feel I understood completely what was going on. I'm super glad I saw it again!
Today I had to go get my police check done for work. It was seriously not worth it. Obviously I'm not a criminal. And by the time I get it in the mail. I'll be finished my job that needs it. AND it cost 30 bucks!
Is it seriously already August??? I hate that about the summer. why?? does it have to basically last only 2 months. It's sad!

soy un perdedor

2010-08-03T14:30:00.001-06:00

Dress:|Winners| Cardigan:|Suzy Shier|

My flash was on randomly so some of the photos aren't that great.
I haven't been up to too much. This weekend I watched a few movies. I watched Mystic River, Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure, The Painted Veil, Shakespeare in Love. They were all pretty good movies. Mystic River was the best though.
I've been managing to see my friends fairly regularly. I miss seeing them every day, but at least i'm still seeing them, considering how much i'm working!
Any ideas for a good book to read?

30 July

2010-07-30T08:15:00.000-06:00

wow! i love it when people come and comment on my blog! Thank you!! this giveaway by lifesizepaperdoll is super sweet! she's giving away five dresses that are absolutely beautiful! I don't even think i care if they don't fit. i'd make it work haha cause it's a pretty sweet giveaway.
but i got to get going to work!!

workaholic

2010-07-29T22:26:00.000-06:00

i work. all. the. time.
but it's good! i just get up go to work. come home. shower. eat. go to work. come home. go to sleep. do it all over again. but it's really good that i love my jobs. and my coworkers.
i just wish i had a bit more time to see my friends! i miss seeing them everyday. and knowing that some of them are moving away and then i won't be seeing them for a long long time is really sad. i mean it's hard to stay in touch now. i can't imagine it in the fall when i'm going to school. have a job. and have new friends. crazy!

gleek

2010-07-25T23:20:00.000-06:00

I'm completely hooked on the show glee.

My birthday was on saturday the 17th but my sister and I kind of made a weekend celebration out of it.
on friday my sister and I went to the stampede here in Calgary. We went and saw Elvis Stojko!!!!!!! and Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir (who won GOLD in Ice Skating at the olympics this year)!!!! It was so amazing. They appeared on a little ice show that was free. It was kind of lame, but at the same time it was the best thing EVER!!! haha.

Then we went to the One Republic concert. Then we saw the fireworks from the Grand Stand show at the Stampede!

Saturday I worked but my co-workers were really sweet, all wishing happy birthday and they got a very yummy chocolate mousse cake and i got to blow out the candles. My sister and I went out for dinner which was fun!

On Sunday we went to the zoo!!! i LOVE the zoo. i just do.

It was a really sweet weekend!

Work is still going good! I'm really busy!

it's my birthday

2010-07-17T18:48:00.000-06:00

It's my birthday today!!!
I had to work, but my co-workers got me a cake and sang me happy birthday. it was really sweet.
i'm going out for dinner tonight with my sister!!

here's to being 18!!

*photos to come :)*

lulu letty

2010-07-12T11:02:00.000-06:00

So a new blog i've started to read Lulu Letty let me know of this new thing called Poladroid. It's super sweet. I can make any of my pictures look like it was taken with a Polaroid camera! I have a polaroid camera, but no film. So this makes me super happy! i can take photos that i would want to take with my polaroid camera, turn it in to one on my computer and it's like I actually took it with my polaroid. YAY!
i think i could get quite obsessed.

These are all pictures from my previous vacations. I'm really missing vacation right now. Nostalgia is overwhelming.

now my feet won't touch the ground

2010-07-08T21:45:00.000-06:00

I finished Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows yesterday. I really really enjoyed it. I feel like it's been a while since i've read a good book. The last one i read was Beatrice and Virgil by Yann Martel (which was so good) but i feel that was a while ago. I guess finishing up with school, and exams kept me from being able to read. It was so refreshing. I love reading and it was so good.

Tonight I had coffee with a friend of mine, it was so good to see her, i just love going out for coffee and seeing people and talking and being open, and honest. Those are some of the best times. It was super good! I also used my free drink from Starbucks...it was a rather large drink. I won't be doing that again :)

I've started reading The Outside Boy by I don't know. I hope it's good, i've heard nothing about it!

This weekend a good friend of mine is getting married and i'm road-tripping it out! I'm super excited! This weekend should be good.

Have i mentioned i really enjoy work!? It's weird to me, because it's a summer job, but it's quite sweet. Last summer each day i had to work i just had a sick feeling in my stomach, because i hated it. I seriously hated my summer. But i don't dread going to work and the whole time i'm there i'm not fantasizing about what i could be doing. yay!

emuse yourself

2010-07-05T16:36:00.001-06:00

today was my first day on the job as a day camp leader! it was a pretty good day. I think it'll probably get better too -- just cause today was a first. So now I know more of what's going on.

This is my uniform. It's kind of fun. The lighting in my room was awful...it's supposed to be a purple shirt. haha.

outside the cars are beeping

2010-07-04T17:56:00.000-06:00

I finished my First Aid/CPR course. I'm quite happy. Tomorrow I officially start my job! That's also exciting!

I'm recently obsessed with watching the TV show Freaks & Geeks. It has James Franco, Seth Rogen, Jason Segel in it...this is basically where they got their start! It's such a good show. I love it.

We have two new cars at my house -- which is really exciting. I should post some pictures of them! but today I feel kinda crappy, lazy, and gross (that sounds wonderful!) just cause I've been on the floor, putting my mouth on a dolls, giving fake CPR all day. So i don't feel like much and certainly not doing much!

Happy Independence Day -- if I have any American readers!

the high road is hard to find

2010-07-03T22:57:00.000-06:00

my jobs are going great. I don't officially start until Monday as a day camp leader, but I'm taking my First Aid/CPR course right now...as you can see from the picture :)

I'm really really liking my job as a Customer Service Associate at a clothing store. YAY!

Canada day was really uneventful around my house which was really sad, but we did go see Toy Story 3 -- which I absolutely LOVED. It's just so good. Toy Story sega is so wonderful.

I got a gift car for Chapters from a family I babysit for and Chapters was having a buy 3 get one free 'sale' so I used the gift card and grad gift money from my bro and sis-in-law to buy some books! YAY!

I bought:

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

Sarah's Key by Tatiana De Rosnay

The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton

The Outside Boy by Jeanine Cummins

I'm really excited to read them!

Well, I just have to make it through tomorrow's First Aid/CPR training class (8-5) and then I feel like the summer might officially start, as both my jobs will be going and I'll get into a bit of a rhythm.

Next week one of my good friends is getting married, so I'll be off to the wedding...I love weddings! and my birthday is coming up...YAY!

Grad 2010

2010-06-27T16:07:00.000-06:00

What a wonderful day!! I had such a great time. But being me I'd like to go in chronological order.
I woke up at around 9:00 and took this picture.

Then I went for my hair appointment. It was quite stressful. The consultation went well but this time around she seemed to be doing things quite different and my hair didn't turn out exactly the way I wanted it to, but I think it still turned out pretty nice. After that was over I picked up my corsage.

After that I basically went home and got dressed and ready to leave!

We went to the ceremony I got in my gown and the ceremony commenced! I really enjoyed the program and the valedictorian address.

Then I went in a LIMO! with my friends! It was so much fun...I had never been in a limo before so it was a super cool, new, experience!!!

After the limo we arrived at the church for the banquet. For the banquet we had a delicious dinner and a fun program. They handed out awards to each student some silly, some serious. I also gave the toast to the teachers!

The MC's were two of my best friends and they did a comical dance to Lady Gaga's Alejandro. Which was quite hilarious. I had such a good time the whole day, my whole family was there to celebrate with me which was super awesome and I really don't think the day could have gone better -- well maybe the hair appointment could have. but what can I do?

After that I went to a after grad party that was a lot of fun and today I got back from grad camping. Where I also had a really good time, however the roads out to the campground were awful and I got a flat coming in which sucked but luckily some guys were able to change the tire for me. Thank goodness.

Grad is over and I'm sad. It's sad to think that there will be people I may never see again or not see until our 10 year reunion. I had an awesome weekend but I'm super ready to take a nice, long nap!

new computer

2010-06-22T23:05:00.001-06:00

I got my computer in the 'mail' today. I'm so excited. It's absolutely beautiful. I'm still learning the ropes and moving files over, but one of the best things is my camera works!!! I can finally put pictures on my computer myself...without having to go vicariously through my father's computer.

skirt:Old Navy|Tank Top: Wal-Mart|Cardigan:H&M

skirt:Suzy Shier|T-shirt:H&M|Cardigan:Suzy Shier|Shoes: Wal-Mart

These are some outfit posts from the last week. I'm so excited to have my computer!

My bio exam went well today and tomorrow is my last exam...english part B.

I feel really busy in the next few days so i though i'd share my schedule.

wednesday: I have an english exam and a meeting for work in the evening

thursday: i have grad rehearsal and i'm babysitting that evening

friday: i have a hair appointement, i need to pick up my corsage, do my makeup, go to grad ceremony, limo ride, banquet, after grad party

saturday: leave for grad camping

sunday: return from grad camping.

job #2

2010-06-21T14:25:00.000-06:00

I just got another job at Butterfield Acres, as a day camp leader for kids aged 3-4. It sounds like it will be super fun and exciting. I know I'm super excited about it! I have to take a First-Aid, CPR course, so I signed up for one on July 3-4. Today is the first day of summer -- I still have my 2 exams, and then I'm done and grad is on Friday and my computer should come sometime either tomorrow or Wednesday. YAY!

summer...almost

2010-06-18T16:48:00.000-06:00

I have a job! I got hired at Mark's Work Warehouse for the summer. It's a part-time casual position, and it's basically really sweet. It seems like such a nice, relaxed environment and I'm really excited to start. My summer is looking to be so much better than last summer.
I am studying, although I'm finding it hard to be motivated just because I'm so close to be completely done done done!!! and grad is so close it's hard to think of studying. However, I am managing to study and am logging away useful biology information.

Finished High School

2010-06-16T11:18:00.000-06:00

I am done high school!! I have 2 exams left, but I am done with classes and teachers and high school homework. It feels really nice and really good.
Next week is my grad -- which I am so stoked for! I am doing the toast to the teachers at the banquet. I'm excited and quite nervous all together.
I have kept up my running for a while now and for the first time last night I ran my whole circuit!! including hills! sweet accomplishment for myself.
I had my piano recital June 6th. It went really well, and a couple of my friends came to see me -- including my family! It was pretty awesome. I played Chopin's Nocturne in C# Minor.
I ordered a computer!! YES! i'm super duper excited. and I'm thinking that with this new computer my camera might work!! That would be the cherry on top.
I think that's all for my latest update!

i speak because i can

2010-05-31T20:49:00.000-06:00

This weekend I didn't do much at all. I babysat quite a bit. I got my grad dress fitted and I picked out a wrist corsage. The weather has not been nice. I've started "running" but it's been snowing and pretty cold. Maybe I'll try to go tonight...it's not raining or snowing for a change (but it's still cold). We had plans to go to the Ukrainian Festival this weekend but it didn't work out so we went out for lunch instead. That was still nice.

Dress:H&M/Cardigan:H&M/T-shirt:H&M/Tights:Superstore/Shoes:Thrifted

I've started applying for jobs too, so hopefully that goes well! Things are starting to wrap up around here in high school...and I'm loving it.

Listen to this song: what he wrote by Laura Marling

the long weekend

2010-05-28T15:03:00.000-06:00

So this is a bit late in coming, but I was pretty busy this week.
On the weekend I hung out with my sister on the Monday off and we went to the Glenbow museum. They had some exhibits on Painters being the Printmakers. It was quite interesting but I definitely enjoyed the exhibit on Riopelle the best. I had a great time.

Skirt: H&M/Cardigan:H&M/Shirt:H&M/Shoes:Payless

This week I finished up my senior project by presenting it to my teachers and having the showcase night on Tuesday. That was a lot of fun, and I really enjoyed myself.

This weekend is pretty mellow. I am just babysitting and starting to get ready for exams. I can't believe I'm almost done school.

that you would never be my fool

2010-05-16T17:33:00.000-06:00

Both are great movies.

but i woke up in fear

2010-05-15T14:54:00.000-06:00

I went and saw this movie with a couple friends last night. It was quite funny and I enjoyed my time.

beatrice and virgil

2010-05-11T17:01:00.000-06:00

This is the book that Yann Martel did a reading of a few weeks ago that my sister and I went to. I started the book just a couple of days ago, and I really couldn't put it down. It was a very very interesting, complex and well written novel. I really think that if you enjoyed Life of Pi you would enjoy this novel. It has more blatant animal metaphors, however. But this book was really good. I definitely enjoyed it. and I recommend it to you!

leave me my name

2010-05-09T21:25:00.001-06:00

good movie.

i could deny anything if i liked

2010-05-07T22:45:00.000-06:00

Tonight I went to a really sweet drama night. It was my friend's senior project (To graduate from my school we have to do something that serves the community using our talents and gifts, thing we are passionate about and things that we may want to do in the future.) It was a night of drama. There were many excerpts, monologues and a movement piece. It was all done so well, and I just love watching drama, and seeing my friends doing what they love best. It's all very awesome.

So I have been accepted to Rocky Mountain College. I will be going for one year and it's all becoming very real to me, very quickly.

frustrated

2010-05-07T14:43:00.000-06:00

i wish my camera worked on this computer. it doesn't upload photos. so i have to upload them to my dad's computer, on to a flash drive, and then onto this computer. it's too much of a hassle. and it frustrates me!!

Yesterday I went and saw the play: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee with Gavin Crawford. It was really funny and entertaining. I love Theatre Calgary!

I finally finished my independent novel study for english. it's handed in and now i have no more worries about it. That feeling is great.

Tonight I'm going to a drama showcase at my school. 3 of my friends are in an excerpt from The Importance of Being Earnest. So i'm excited for that. tomorrow i'm going garage saleing. love it. and i have a coffee date with an old friend. it should be good!

an act of rememberance

2010-05-04T16:53:00.000-06:00

Today I had the ~~opportunity~~ privilege to go to Mount Royal University's Holocaust Symposium. I kind of weaseled my way in and joined the Social Studies class.
We had a professor of history give us an overview of the Holocaust. The presentation was really well done. We watched a movie which was good, and then heard a survivor's story (live). This particular woman, Fanny Wedro had escaped the ghetto's in what is now known as Ukraine and lived in the forest for 18 months. We didn't have time to hear the whole story. Something like this is very hard to relive and tell in 45 minutes, but it sounded like she was with a few other people and was liberated by a 'Gypsy' soldier in 1944.

"Let it be an act of remembrance, for that is what the victims wanted: to be remembered, at least to be remembered."
Elie Wiesel

literature is true

2010-05-02T16:28:00.000-06:00

This week I did some pretty cool things. For one my sister and I went to the Central Library here in Calgary for a reading by Yann Martel of his new book Beatrice and Virgil (he is the author of Life of Pi and Self). This was so amazing! he read a couple excerpts from his new book and then answered questions. He has been sending Stephen Harper a book every two weeks I believe since he got voted in. Martel has sent him about 80 books of a wide range. He does this because he believes that to understand the human condition, and human nature you have to read literature. He doesn't believe Stephen Harper does after hearing his response that his favourite book is The Guinness Book of World Records. He also repeatedly declines to answer journalists questions about what he reads. I think what he's doing is really cool. go to the website! and read about more of his reasons!
Yann Martel is so brilliant which is completely apparent in the way he talks and in his ideas. This was by far one of the coolest things i've ever done. I then met him and got my picture with him and got my books signed.
After handing Yann Martel my well worn copy of Life of Pi he inscribed it with a more personal inscription
"May you reach the coast of Mexico"! that was really sweet.

My sister and I with Yann Martel

On Friday my sister and I went to a CBC book sale here in calgary...they had tables and tables of books and it was really sweet. and sweet prices!! I was in heaven! I also got myself a few books.

I am done my senior project!! On Friday I "taught" the grade nines. I gave a presentation of my time in Ottawa and the proceeded with a mock election that the kids did. I had a basis for four political platforms, I had the kids expand on it, present the platform and then vote. It went so well! and they all had unique and great ideas. It was so comfortable up there and I'm totally excited for when I get to be a teacher!

jiggedy jig

2010-04-25T20:47:00.001-06:00

I'm home from a short trip to saskatchewan where my sister graduated!!! i'm so proud of her. and i'll post pictures soon, just wanted to give a small update :)

timeline

2010-04-18T20:58:00.003-06:00

Friday April 9 -- while babysitting I get extreme pain in my abdomen. I go home and end up at the doctor's by myself and am diagnosed with a kidney stone. I get some prescription pain medication and take it for the next 5 days.
Tuesday April 13 -- take only one pain med because i'm feeling good, no pain since friday and i have to pass the kidney stone on my own
Wednesday April 14 -- feeling strong pain even with my last pain med, go to children's hospital as instructed (around 6:30). Wait and get assessed by doctors and they give me another prescription for pain meds and a referral to a urologist.
Thursday April 15 -- at school at 1:00 pain hits hard and strong (agony) take pain med prescribed and phone dad, he takes my to the children's hospital again get there around 2:30. wait some more all while in excruciating pain and get further assessed by doctors, pain medication and antibiotics in case it isn't a kidney stone and maybe an infection. Take an X- Ray nothing is seen. Schedule an ultrasound for the next day.
Friday April 16 -- go to hospital at 10:00 am. Go for ultrasound, get admitted and wait for results. Results come back and there is evidence of a kidney stone. And they schedule surgery for me hopefully this night to take stone out. (doc said this has gone on too long). After waiting for the bed situation to clear up because i'm going to a different hospital we drive over to the other hospital. Confusion!!! they weren't expecting me. but i get admitted, get a bed, in my gown and waiting to have the surgery this night, while not eating since 12:00 noon. Come in. No, surgery will be tomorrow morning. go ahead and eat. Have something at 10:30. Sleep at hospital. Badly.
Saturday April 17 -- wake up and wait, can't eat since midnight and the no eating or drinking continues long past the morning until 10:00pm. I get to go for my surgery. a cystoscopy. get all hooked up. surge done in 10 minutes. so relieved and thankful. not at all groggy, feeling great. I get to go home tonight??? no, pain comes back ~~very strong~~ just as bad as before (agony), freak out/breakdown. Given some morphine and another night at the hospital.
Sunday April 18 -- wake up pain free after a fairly good sleep and get 'released' at around 9:30. very happy to be home and much more healthy.

So i'm okay now!! they are taking the stone in for tests and i'll find out what kind of stone it is and some things to prevent this from happening again. This tops my awful hellish experience with the chicken pox when i was 16.
I'm quite tired, so i'm just working on getting through this week with energy.

anticipation

2010-04-12T16:50:00.000-06:00

I have a kidney stone. Super unfortunate and weird. My family doesn't have a history and there isn't really a known cause for getting them. So i'm just waiting. I'm no longer in pain! I have pain killers for that.
I'm back at school after a 3 week absence. I missed school. I like having projects and things to work towards, but there is always that sense of just wanting more vacation time. Maybe if I was travelling but sitting at home not doing anything of importance is kind of bland. School keeps me very busy.

This is my first outfit post! I wore this to Theatre Calgary a while back. Ignore the messy room.

Dress: The Gap
Blouse Shirt: H&M
Shoes: Wal-Mart

spring break

2010-04-07T13:15:00.000-06:00

i am still on my spring break. no complaints!! i got back from ottawa and had a few days to relax, sleep and do some homework, then i had a friend come to visit me and now i have just a little bit less than a week left in my spring break. happy happy happy. but i'm sick.
i have a grad dress! i'm really excited about it. it's ordered and on its way. i got it at basically the second store we went in to. well not basically. literally.

it's not as metallicy in real life. now some may not be happy that i've posted this up online, but i think it's going to look quite different for the people who get to see me in real life, and the pictures will look different to when my hair is done and i'm wearing all those accessories.
this is the first thing i've done that has made graduation a reality. the second thing...i sent in my application to Rocky Mountain College. third thing...i sent in my application for the Rutherford scholarships. EEK! i'm graduating!

jane austen week

2010-04-06T11:58:00.000-06:00

My best friend came out to visit for about 5 days. We had a really good time. We watched a lot of movies, a lot of Jane Austen movies, hung out with friends, talked, shopped. It was nice and relaxing and maybe too relaxing cause i have a cold now. Which is not fun or relaxing at all.
We watched:

Meet Me in St. Louis
Pride and Prejudice
Northanger Abbey
Double Indemnity
Emma
Sense and Sensibility
Becoming Jane
Wayne's World

We went shopping on 17th Ave. which I haven't really ever done before. I really like it down there! and we stopped for some tea and cheesecake at Steep's Tea. We hung out with some of my friends and actually met up with a friend I met in Ottawa for a couple hours. That was fun.

Now i'm just working on catching up for school and getting myself better.

Olympics

2010-03-30T11:48:00.001-06:00

So I thought it would be time to post about my trip to the olympics! It was so much fun! I got to go with my whole immediate family which made the experience that much better.

some good Tim Horton's!!!

I got to see Nordic Combined Team Pursuit with my parents and sister. So the teams started out ski-jumping and their distances determined their times for starting at the cross-country relay part. Austria won and it as so exciting! We were cheering really loud which resulted in the Austrian turning and looking at us!

(the cross country ski part)

this is the woman's aerials which was so neat to see! Australia won with China in 2nd and 3rd. It was really exciting because we were standing beside some Australians and it was so exciting for them. We got such great standing room in part thanks to my brother who booked us one of the earliest buses to get us to Cypress. Definitely paid off!

The womans bronze medal curling game was awesome! There is something about seeing curling live. It was actually a pretty exciting game contrary to the score which was something like 12-6. It was tied at one point after the swiss were behind i think about 4 points.

my sister and I got the chance to go into the Vancouver Art Gallery for free and see a Leonardo da Vinci exhibit. It was really neat.
I also got to see the womens 30km mass start Cross-Country ski which was really cool, but it was so wet and cold that day i didn't take any pictures.

I had an amazing time, I think something that can't ever be repeated and I really realize how lucky i was to be able to go!

Forum for Young Canadians

2010-03-26T20:21:00.000-06:00

Wow! I had a really good time. It was different then I expected...not as much about how government works but I still learned a lot. We had a lot of sessions with speakers including, Ministers, MPs, Journalists, and different government workers.
Highlights of the week:

meeting so many cool people from all over Canada.
Touring inside Parliament
sitting in on the House of Commons question period. This was so cool, actually being able to see how our democratic system works and hearing the debates and different stabs at each other. As well as seeing (not allowed to take pictures) Stephen Harper, Jack Layton, Michael Ignatieff, Gilles Duceppe, Peter Mackay, Stockwell Day, and others. I saw SH, MI, PM, SD walk by us as we were waiting to enter QP. Michael Ignatieff acknowledged my presence! he waved at the group, and i waved back, he gave a nod and waved again!!!
meeting Justin Trudeau. I got my picture, autograph and asked him some questions! He seems really smart (obviously) and he's Pierre Trudeau's son!!!

So i had a super fun time, and now i know a career in politics is not for me, but i'm excited to be a social studies teacher!!

Pierre Trudeau Painting.

Justin Trudeau!

In Stephen Harper's chair in the House!

number 2

2010-03-18T22:40:00.000-06:00

Oh second post of the day.
On the Waterfront is my favourite movie. I don't remember ever having an all time favourite movie except as a kid when all I watched was Wizard of Oz. But after a few years of loving film and watching a wider variety of films, I re-watched this movie, and I have come to the conclusion it is my favourite.

There are a few reasons

it's by Elia Kazan, my favourite director. (such films as: On the Waterfront, A Streetcar Named Desire, East of Eden, Splendor in the Grass, A Face in the Crowd...)
It has Marlon Brando -- with arguably his best performance (he did win an Oscar)
It is method acting at it's best, complete with improvisations from the actors.
It has Karl Malden. A great actor (such films as: A Streetcar Named Desire, Boomerang, How the West Was Won, Baby Doll)
The character of the bishop is played so well (by Karl Malden) and epitomizes in my view what a preacher should be. Representing the Christian-view of Jesus so well.
It is powerful, beyond words.

Watch it.

forummmmm

2010-03-18T20:23:00.000-06:00

I leave Sunday! oh, i hope i'm ready. freaking out slightly. ooo and i still want to tell all about the olympics. it will come. i just never realized how much there is to do as a gr.12 student.
i'm feeling kind of french...i'll go do my french homework.

my face

2010-03-13T20:43:00.000-07:00

i am recovering from surgery to take out my wisdom teeth. it's not fun. even though i get waited on hand and foot. ( i feel guilty) even though I get jell-O and juice, and soup and popsicles. i'm really not enjoying myself. So here's to hoping that by next week when I plan to leave for Forum I'll be me again.

The plan is..

2010-03-09T21:22:00.000-07:00

yes the plan is:
- tomorrow get my hair cut
- attend youth group tomorrow night
- thursday: No school: start college applications (umm yeah i haven't done that yet) hang out with Michelle's friend that's visiting. Prepare for Forum. (research wise). Watch The Office.
- friday: No school: wisdom teeth surgery...sending nice comments of sympathy would be nice :) watch a movie and sleep.
- saturday: recoup from surgery. homework? piano...etc. maybe go to a concert?
- sunday: be all better and ready for Forum and ready for another week of school.

and sometime in there I will get pictures up of the olympics. cause i want to see them too!
Today is my Mom's birthday. Happy Birthday Mom!!! I love you!

Olympics

2010-03-06T11:16:00.000-07:00

So I got back last Sunday from an awesome trip to Vancouver/Whistler! It was so awesome and fun! I have pictures sitting on my dad's computer so I'll have to get those from him and start posting!
I have been extremely busy this week catching up on what i missed in school, but I'm caught up! Today I'm going to see Alice in Wonderland and shop for some Forum clothes!
Last night I watched Splendor in the Grass by Elia Kazan. Elia is my favourite director, he has directed such films as East of Eden, On the Waterfront, and A Streetcar Named Desire. It was a really good movie. Caught my emotions and was deep and thought provoking. Love movies like that. However I MAY NOT BUY IT! i have a weakness for instantly buying movies I like. I have made up my mind to not buy it. That should be enough.
Also this weekend, my best friend from Manitoba! is coming to visit!! Tonight! Her family's passing through and I get to see her! And then she's coming for a week later in the month. So excited!
Sunday are the Oscars, and I will be watching. I just wish, as a I do every year, that I had seen more than just one or two oscar nominated films. I haven't even seen The Blind Side! or Up! !. crazy me.

Whistler in 2 days!

2010-02-19T11:40:00.000-07:00

So my family is leaving for Whistler in 2 days, and I'm very excited. Having a tough time deciding what to pack, but I got a sweet e-mail this morning --
"The packing limits on the Elford Whistler Express are one suitcase and a carry-on item (backpack, briefcase, carrying bag, etc.). Don't forget bathing suits--pool & hot tub. Rain gear will be necessary."
I thought it was great!

I would love to post some pictures from last weekend where I went into the mountains, but my camera will never work with this computer, so you'll (or I'll) have to wait!
I just finished reading Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, I liked the movie much better--the characters seemed to be more dynamic whereas the play was quite static.

Go Canada Go!!

Great day

2010-02-08T21:58:00.000-07:00

Today was a great day for getting work done! I finished writing some letters that were needed for my Senior Project/ Forum for Young Canadians.
Finished some good English homework. All in a days work!

My sister and I went to one of my favourite places Fair's Fair. I love books!! and somehow I managed to walk out without buying anything. (which is a good thing...I have no money)

This is my latest entry in my card journal!

**I don't know how to rotate!!

a few goals

2010-02-07T21:30:00.000-07:00

i've made a few goals for this year. It's still a working progress!

Read 24 fiction novels that I haven't read before
Read 4 Non-fiction
Learn 3 new piano songs (really well)
Watch 30 new movies
Do my deck of cards journal
Graduate
Buy a Grad dress
Apply for University/College

I have more, but will remain undisclosed.

funk

2010-02-07T14:53:00.000-07:00

I'm in a funk. I need some inspiration. I'll post once i'm out of this funk.

January 31

2010-01-31T18:17:00.000-07:00

So I finally uploaded some pictures from my camera. It's really tough for me to do it because my camera does not cooperate with my computer. Too bad.

Back before Christmas my family went skating at the Olympic Oval. This is me and my sister.

Before Christmas I went to zoo lights with some friends. And I've always wanted a picture with this great statue. and I got one!!

This is a new craft I have begun. Inspiration from my sister, who had inspiration from different blogs. I took an old deck of cards and I'm making a journal out of it. I journal on one card about what I did for one week. So 52 times. (52 weeks in a year :)

Last night my family and I went to watch some Snowboarding at Canada Olympic Park - World Competitions. It was quite cold and good to get an idea of what I'll need to wear in Vancouver. Which is only a few weeks away now!

The other night I rented (500) Days of Summer with a friend and I really liked the movie. I like watching movies that are a little bit different.

I started my second semester (last semester of high school!) on Thursday. I have Geography, French, Bio 30 and English. It's a little too soon to tell what the classes will be like (two different teachers are marking diplomas so I have a sub) but I'm really excited about French class.

Later I'm going to post some goals I have for the year.

...when you've got a library card

2010-01-22T16:39:00.005-07:00

So obviously I've been studying quite a bit lately. Good news! I am done math. For a really long time. (I'll probably have to take a course in University). One more exam to go!

Tonight I'm attending a play entitled Seymour Stegosaurus.My friend is one of the stars! I'm excited for that!

So lately I've been thinking about that Arthur episode. Who hasn't seen it? Or at least heard someone sing it? (don't feel pressured to watch the whole thing...but it's fun!...watch at least until the famous Jekyll Hyde song).

So yes. I would love to make a goal this year to learn new things! So I'm thinking I'll take out books from the library on how to make something. And then I'll do it. For example this week I'll take out a book on how to make paper planes. And I'll make some. And post about it. I think it would be sweet. And it could be anything from paper planes to learning a new piano song (that i got from the library).

I've been getting a lot of music from the library. While studying I've been listening to a wide range of music. When I listen to new bands I always feel cool. haha. Right now I'm liking some free songs I got from Starbucks.

Pa Pa Power - Dead Man's Bones

(Bit Part) - The Wooden Sky

And I know like Feist.

A few days ago I watched Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid. I really like that movie. of course it has Robert Redford.

For Christmas from my brother and sister-in-law got me a Chapters giftcard. (yes. I love books).I love non-fiction books too. So I got a book titled. The Greatest Movies Ever: The Ultimate Ranked List of the 101 Best Films of All Time. It's sweet. It has taken from tons of different lists ( such as: American Film Institute, IMDB, Roger Ebert's Top 100, National Society of Film Critics...to name a few.) and compiled their own list of 101. It has sweet, extensive information on each film. And I'm excited about it.

Well this post was longer than meant to be. But I'm in a good mood!

...

2010-01-21T17:20:00.000-07:00

I want to go to a thrift store. I want to read. I want to watch a movie. I want to watch TV. I want to play outside. I want to practice the piano. I want to sit in my room. I want to clean my room. I want to clean my bathroom. I want to do anything but study. Studying just really isn't fun.

Exams

2010-01-19T11:34:00.001-07:00

Lately I've just been studying for exams. I have three. And one of them includes math, so I won't be doing anything but studying for math, in the next two weeks.

2009 and 2010

2010-01-01T10:02:00.022-07:00

2009 in review was a pretty great year!

In January I brought in the new year while babysitting and watching new movies! I studied for exams. Barack Obama became the President of the United States.

In February I had the chicken pox...for the first time! One of my worst experiences.

In March I went to Caronport to visit my sister and I read a really good book called Blue Like Jazz. My mom turned 50! My sister and I bought tickets to see Coldplay in June!

In April my best friend Teaghan came out to visit me for a week.

I finished another excellent book called A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.

In May I travelled to Toronto with my school choir. I had a great time.

In June I finished my Grade 11 year by studying for exams. On June 17 my sister and I went to a Coldplay concert and won some front row tickets!!

We also spent a week at a timeshare in Canmore which was really relaxing.

In July we finished our week in Canmore

and I got a job at Calaway Park for the summer.

I turned 17 on the 17th and Michelle and I celebrated by going to the 6th Harry Potter movie.

In August my family and I travelled to the states for a wedding in the family.

I started my grade 12 year on the 31st.

In September I went on a 3 day camping trip with my grade to Frontier Lodge where I went rappelling and white water canoeing. And fell off a cliff.

I also said goodbye to neighbours who had kids I babysat for.

In October I travelled to Portage to visit my best friend.

In November I hung out with friends quite a bit on weekends. I enjoyed another Remembrance Day service.

In December I got accepted to Forum for Young Canadians and I had a nice Christmas in Calgary with family and brought in the year 2010 with friends.

New Year

2009-12-31T19:07:00.002-07:00

So another year has come and gone! I had a great Christmas, relaxing and fun spending time with family.

I watched quite a few movies over the break, which is always a fun time.

I'm going to have to think of some new years resolutions. I haven't thought much about it at all. So we'll see! I'll have to reflect on past ones as well.

Happy New Years!! I hope 2009 was great and lets hope for a better 2010!!

quotes

2009-12-18T16:56:00.003-07:00

Okay I am obsessed with Criminal Minds. One of the things i like about the show are the quotes they have at the beginning and end of each episode. I have collected them in a notebook and i want to share. HA! i hate cheese, but this isn't the bad cheese.

"In order to learn the most important lessons of life, one must each day surmount a fear." Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Tragedy is a tool for the living to gain wisdom, not a guide by which to live." Robert Kennedy

"Nothing is permanent in this wicked world. Not even our troubles." Charles Chaplin

"Better to write for yourself and have no public than to write for the public and have no self." Cyril Connolly.

"He who does not punish evil, commands it to be done." Leonardo da Vinci

"Don't bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself." William Faulkner.

"We are so accustomed to disguise ourselves to others, that in the end we become disguised to ourselves." Francois de la Roche Foucald

"You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do." Eleanor Roosevelt

"The most authentic thing about us is our capacity to create, to overcome, to endure , to transform, to love and to be greater than our suffering." Ben Okri

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters copared to what lies within us." Ralph Waldo Emerson

"All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for all I have not seen." Ralph Waldo Emerson

I'm working my way through A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens and I really like this quote:

"It is required of everyman, that the spirit within him should walk abroad among his fellow-men, and travel far and wide; and if that spirit goes not forth in life, it is condemned to do so after death. It is doomed to wander through the world... and witness what it cannot share, but might have shared on earth, and turned to happiness."

Gr. 12

2009-12-18T16:53:00.003-07:00

I have really been enjoying my grade 12 year. This year I wanted it to be all about "stepping out of my comfort zone". This, I believe I have embraced quite well.

Last night I went to my first high school dance. I had so much fun...there are side stories, but probably not fair to post them on the internet. I wish I had gone to them before this year!!

I think this whole stepping out thing is going to help me a lot for next year when i graduate.

Anyways. It's Christmas break! and i'm happy...it just has to sink in still.

!!!!

2009-12-14T16:53:00.001-07:00

I GOT ACCEPTED TO FORUM!!!! I"M GOING!!! MARCH!!!! :D

Christmas Time

2009-12-10T17:14:00.002-07:00

So Christmas is coming, and I'm very excited!
I am done all christmas shopping and wrapping....very exciting...
Right now i'm starting to feel the stress of school, and i can't wait to relax at Christmas.
My sister comes home next weekend and my brother and sister (in law) are coming for almost a week next weekend. Also, not this weekend but next i have my piano recital.... and i think some of my friends are actually going to come...so i'll be actually performing! scary!!
we have lots of snow here and it's cold, and the bus comes late every morning. I am defnitely looking forward to christmas.

Forum for Young Canadians

2009-12-01T17:15:00.002-07:00

Forum for Young Canadians is an opportunity for me to travel to Ottawa in April for a week and sit in Parliament and learn everything there is to know about Canadian Government. There are dinners with MP's where you ask questions, you sit in mock parliament and meet tons of young Canadians from across Canada. This is something that is SUPER exciting for me...ESPECIALLY cause I want to be a social studies teacher. I am so excited...and this is perfect for my senior project...i told you what a senior project was before...

"I'll tell you what a senior project is. To graduate from my school we have to do something that serves the community using our talents and gifts, thing we are passionate about and things that we may want to do in the future. Mine definitely fits with wanting to be a Social Studies teacher."

I am sending in my application this week and i will probably find out soon if i get to go!!! when i get back from the trip i will teach a social studies class what i learned. AHH! i'm so excited!!!

craft fair 1.

2009-11-23T21:41:00.003-07:00

Yesterday my parents and i went into the mountains and stopped at a craft fair. I love photography.
I found some amazing photographs done by amy victoria wakefield. they are beautiful! i bought one of her photos, cause i love them. you must check out her website! i had a bit of a conversation with her too, and she went to Alberta College of Art and Design and she's travelled to some sweet places. the picture i bought from her was taken in Tawain.
so i can't copy her picture so here's the link to the one i bought. http://avwakefield.carbonmade.com/projects/2172719#30 anyways it's exciting.
been reading lately and watching some movies again. i love watching good movies on my list :)

I watched All the President's Men, and i enjoyed it - it's about the Watergate Scandal and follows the two reporters who discovered it.
Dial M for Murder - good ol' Hitchcock
East of Eden - again
The Best Years of Our Lives- actually quite good, about 3 soldiers who come back from WWII and have to adapt to their lives again.

I read The Pianist by Wladyslaw Szpilman, true story of a Polish Jew in the Warsaw ghetto during WWII, haven't seen the movie. the book was excellent.
also read Breakfast at Tiffany's - interesting book! i liked the movie so i liked the book.

not sure what to read next...ideas?

Lest We Forget

2009-11-11T14:16:00.002-07:00

The service that I went to this morning was really good. It's good to remember.

strange dreams and piano songs

2009-11-09T21:17:00.004-07:00

Lately I've been having strange, and sometimes very depressing dreams lately. I think I'm really starting to miss my family! Can't wait until Christmas!!

Self-taught myself this song on the piano this weekend. I have it memorized too!! And i can actually play it like this video :D

my trip

2009-10-27T16:41:00.004-06:00

This scan of my photo booth pictures with my best friend that i went to visit last week isn't very good but you can see it.

I had a really good trip. I had so much fun! We didn't do too much, we just hung out and talked and watched some movies. We also went to a Portage Terriers game which was a lot of fun.

The movies we watched were

Sabrina with Audrey Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart, it was good, but a dissapointing end.
Psycho which i really enjoyed i thought it was really good and one of Hitchcock's best. It was pretty scary though!

We had a really good time, and it sucks being back home! haha.

Teaghan took me out for some McDonald's
I had a little photo shoot with my old playground haha.

I planted this tree and it's bearing fruit!! :D

This was the Terrier's game!

This is from Thanksgiving! yum...This is an oldie from Thanksgiving. I got my hair cut!

next year

2009-10-19T16:42:00.002-06:00

So after some inquiry I decided I'd better blog more specifically about next year and my plans to go to Rocky Mountain College.
There is a one year program called The Edge, and it's a spiritual discovery type program. There are a few opportunities, at the beginning you head off on a retreat that sounds quite similar to my Frontier Lodge experience. I will be taking 4 classes (i think) each semester as well as meeting with a small group every week and attending chapels. Then you have 2 opportunities to serve in the City region. One is working downtown and the other is helping at a Native Reserve teaching kids and helping out. Which sounds so cool and something i'm totally excited about. There is also the opportunity to go on a Missions trip to Vancouver and work with the homeless. and an opportunity to go to Central America (i forget which country) for a missions trip which includes helping in orphanages and prisons! This sounds like a really sweet starting block for me in entering College/Univeristy life and I'm really excited about it. My dad also works at the school which brings my tuition to half price which is awesome. I think that's mostly everything about the program, but if you want you can look at the website. www.rockymountaincollege.ca

winter came too early

2009-10-17T08:29:00.006-06:00

So i've been having a sweet few weeks. A lot has been going on and I've been putting off blogging, but i don't know why.

a couple of weeks ago my dad and i went down to the public library (downtown branch). I had been there once in grade 7 and it was pretty sweet and i've been really wanting to go see it again. It was a lot of fun, we just browsed around on every floor.
In grade 6 my class made a father's day present in class and it was a loon piggy bank kind of thing. We put loonies in the loon and save up money to do something together. So anyway, my dad and I used our loonies and went out for lunch at Tim Horton's. That was sweet. bonding times are fun.

We talked about college and stuff. and my official decision is this. After i graduate i'm going to Rocky Mountain College for one year, after that i will be going to the Univeristy of Lethbridge. So i'm getting super excited about leaving high school and experiencing college/university.

Then i believe the next thing i did was the following week (last week) a few friends and I went to see Dracula at the Pumphouse Theatre put on by Liffey Players Drama Society. It was a lot of fun hanging out with friends and doing something kind of different then normal. The play was alright. The acting could have been quite a bit better, but it was interesting!

Last night i hung out with friends, a different group that i haven't hung out with for a while. I had a lot of fun. We first of all went to my friends house to wait for one friend to finish work and we watched a bit of TV and then we picked our friend up from work and went to Zellers to look for halloween costumes and that was fun. haha, and then after that we went out for some food, and then we went and met up with 2 more friends and watched Where the Wild Things Are, it was a pretty cute movie.

Then the 2 friends we met up with went home and the rest of us went to my friends house and had some tea, played some Who Want to be a Millionaire (board game) and then played some intense Mario Kart on Wii. So i had a pretty sweet time.

For Thanksgiving last week, we had my aunt and cousin come over and it was fun! we played Scattergories and that was sweet.

Now for news. This week Wednesday i am leaving on a jet plane to go visit my best friend!!! for the weekend. I have a couple days off of school and so i am so excited. I've been really missing her and I just can't wait.

I have this opportunity for my senior project and it sounds pretty awesome, but i'm not sure i'm ready to tell you about it. ( i want to tell my friend that i'm visiting in person :).

I'll tell you what a senior project is. To graduate from my school we have to do something that serves the community using our talents and gifts, thing we are passionate about and things that we may want to do in the future. Mine definitely fits with wanting to be a Social Studies teacher.

Today i'm going to watch Toy Story double feature in 3D with some new friends from my Bio 20 class.
School is alright. I'm not doing well in Math and i'm really trying to work on that. Social is a bit boring this year, we just had a test that was really hard, but i think i did okay on. Bio i just had a test that went well.

and have you been watching The Office!!! IT'S SO AWESOME! i love it.

books

2009-09-27T11:42:00.003-06:00

so i finished reading The Great Gatsby on Friday and i really enjoyed it. I thought it was an excellent book, and i read along with coles notes, just so i could fully enjoy it.
last night i read The Importance of Being Earnest, i also enjoyed it and found it to be funny.
Now i'm reading Native Son by Richard Wright. Intersting so far. About racism in Chicago in 1930's.
I've been kind of sick the past two days, i've had a soar throat, so i cut out work yesterday and it helped me not to get more sick, and i think i'll have stopped it before it becomes a full cold.
yeah, i'm sick all the time.

autumn

2009-09-22T21:23:00.002-06:00

No pictures. sadly. cause i adore pictures.
school is keeping me really busy. I have homework every night, which is a switch from...all my years of schooling.
i've started the 30 day shred, i got it in the mail last week! and i also got a package from my best friend...with George Orwell's 1984. I love it!
I've been doing a lot of reading. i refuse to give that up. I finished A Separate Peace by John Knowles. Not so great. I read The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time by Mark Haddon. So good! from the point of view of an autistic child, and it was so well written, it was just really really good. Now i'm reading The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. We'll see how that goes!

frontier lodge

2009-09-13T14:44:00.014-06:00

So I got back from Frontier Lodge on Friday night. I had an AMAZING time!!!

I got to go Rappelling and White Water Canoeing. Both things I've never done before. I'm not an athletic person in any way, so i was a little nervous to go. I went with my grade 12 class and it turned out to be an awesome time. I want to go back. I think what made it great was that a lot of people hadn't done things like this and it wasn't just another 'let's play soccer and field hockey' camp. This was fun.

This is my cabin that I stayed in. "Shunda Lake". I had 5 other girls in it, i wasn't in the cabin too much, but it was fun, and i got to know the girls that much more.

This was the cliff i rappelled off of. and it was so scary. leaning into nothing was very scary, as i focused on my fear and what the heck the rope was supposed to do and if in fact the skinny rope would hold me i fell off the cliff. i was hanging upside down for a bit. and it was so scary. i had to pull myself up so that i was sitting kind of and i was right up against the rock and felt like crying. The guy who was instructing us was SOO nice and i felt completely safe, cause after that i took both hands off to push myself away from the rock so i could continue. after i righted myself i continued down and even got a few professional hops in there. that was awesome. but i only got to do it once. i also got a neat perspective of the waterfall from upside down.

That was wednesday. On thursday I got to go white water canoeing!! Wednesday we went out on the lake and practiced some strokes.

Thursday morning i got into a wet suit (which i now have a rash from, cause they don't wash them between wears...GROSS) and went out onto the North Saskatchewan River for 28 kilometers.
after some miscommunication and frustration with my partner (which turned out all okay. no flips, no tips and we are still great friends :) ) we got into different canoes so that i was still in front but had a leader in the back. this leader was also SOO nice. we got along great. communication was so much better, and we had great conversation, and good laughs. We went over some great rapids and i had so much fun i could've gone on longer. Now i'm so stiff from paddling and hanging upside down on a cliff i have a few bruises, but i'm great and i had a great time.

We went home friday after going down to the falls where i rappelled and looking at a view point. It was great to bond with my class, and has totally helped me to step more out of my comfort zone. i'm so excited.

The cliff i rappelled off of.

random nature shot!!

Last night was my last night babysitting for the previous talked about kids. Sad night, but i'm so happy for the time that i have been a part of their lives. This week is a full week of school.

I'm almost done reading Pride and Prejudice, and then i think i'll continue The Book of Negroes. Piano lessons start and i'm getting a couple packages in the mail this week. I LOVE MAIL!!

no flash drive but...

2009-09-05T22:07:00.002-06:00

I got my school supplies. I love new school supplies. so i took pictures! novel idea...my sister and I went to a park near by and sat for while. It was really nice, but the mosquitoes came out and were pretty bad.This is my new polaroid!!! i'm so excited about it. I have to give it a name!These kids are 2 of my favourite people. They are moving in less than 2 weeks. and I'm super sad. I've babysat them for 5 years, and i'm gonna miss them a lot.This was a campfire that we had out in our backyard with said people above. It was a good time! So i suppose overall my summer was alright. but it was not the best summer i've had to date.

So no flash drive, but we figured out a different way. I love pictures!

Work today was work. and i'm beginning to not like work. but i'll live.

september

2009-09-05T09:45:00.002-06:00

so i was waiting to blog because i had some sweet pictures i wanted to post up here, but my camera does not function right with my computer and so i put them on my dad's but his flash drive has been misplaced. so no pictures. but maybe in the future i'll put them up and explain them.
school started on monday and being in gr. 12 it felt like i had never left, cause the first day was certainly not a slack day. it's weird being in grade 12 and i'm still trying to figure out if it's a good weird or a bad weird. leaning towards good.
my sister left yesterday to go back to school, so it's a little different without her, but she comes back at christmas so not too far away.
piano lessons haven't started yet. i really need to start practicing.
next week, my grade 12 class is going to Frontier Lodge a wilderness camp in northern alberta. i am actually kind of excited for it! i signed up for rapelling, lake water canoeing and white water canoeing. so we shall see.
i was reading the Book of Negores, but i've put it down for a bit, cause it's quite a 'heavy' book to read, and too many of those in a row is tough for me to read. but i think i might pick it up again. not quite sure.
hopefully that flash drive is found soon...

today

2009-08-27T10:09:00.002-06:00

today i have a small list of things to do.

i really need to clean my room. you could say this is what my room looks like. i am going to get my school supplies, do my laundry, and i'm resting and reading because today is my last day off until school begins.

death by cotton candy

2009-08-25T10:44:00.003-06:00

i feel this to be appropriate to how i feel after i work a cotton candy shift at work. photo titled: death by cotton candy.

insert title here

2009-08-25T10:15:00.003-06:00

so now that i have this polaroid camera, which i got for 2 bucks, mind you!! i can't wait to start taking pictures, however they stopped making polaroid film and have only recently begun to make it again, and hoping to have the film available early 2010. I could get some film off of amazon.com, but they don't ship to canada, and i really wish i knew some people in the states that i could ship it to them and then they could ship it on to me, if i paid for everything of course.

On one of the blogs i follow...rockstar diaries is having a giveaway of photos and i've chosen this one, if should randomly happen to win.

one of my goals this summer was to find a way to make work fun. i've been working now for a while, and i'm really looking forward to work shifting to just one day a week. and then ending around thanksgiving. i'm working again today, and hopefully something will come along to make the day super fun...i can wish can't i?

i'm finding myself stressing for time a little. school starts on monday! and it seems there are so many little things that i need to do before school starts, or they will never get done. 1. i need to buy school supplies, and i have no idea when i'll have the time to do that. this also includes going through what i have and deciding what i need. 2. i need to CLEAN my room, because if this doesn't get done my room might just stay disgusting. for the whole school year. 3. i need to find time to start practicing the piano, i think my teacher has better expectations for what i did over the summer than what i have done. which is nothing. 4. do my laundry, or i'll have nothing to wear for the first few days of school. not a good thing.

pictures!

2009-08-24T21:52:00.003-06:00

These photos are from the trip this weekend!

Rest Stop!
Lake Ponderay

weekend

2009-08-24T19:49:00.003-06:00

so i just got back last night from a weekend trip down to idaho/washington. we went to a wedding which was a lot of fun, and a beautiful wedding as well. i'll try to post some pictures of the trip we took, i'm not sure i actually have wedding photos!!! :O

on the way back we stopped at a sweet huge yard sale, and i bought a first edition book by Betty Smith, she wrote one of my favourties A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. I also got a Polaroid camera, and i'm super excited because they have just decided to start making polaroid film again! and i can still get it off of amazon! sweet.

i went to work today and i was super tired. I am working every day this week except thursday and sunday and i go to school on monday. I need my school supplies.

It feels a little weird to be going back to school, because it's my last year, so i'm thinking it will be a bit bitter-sweet, but i'm thinking mostly awesome. haha.

the book i finished over the weekend was Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen. It wasn't great. it wasn't even that good. I found it really interesting becasue it's all about circuses, but there were a few moments in the book that made me almost not continue. i don't recommend it. now i'm reading The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill, and i've heard great things about it so i'm looking forward to it!

park

2009-08-21T16:58:00.004-06:00

today i was able to go to the park! it was so hot outside today and it was super nice. i enjoy not working. i also enjoy good conversation with great company.

i finished the book Night last night...and it was an extremely powerful, sad, heart and gut wrenching book about the holocaust. i finished it super quickly, but it was very good.

my next book is The Wars by Timothy Findley. It's interesting so far!

this weekend i'm going to Idaho for a wedding, driving up tomorrow and coming back sunday! i love road trips, and i LOVE boarder crossings. i'm not sure i know why, but i always have.

list: plays i've seen

2009-08-20T11:48:00.003-06:00

i finished Persuasion by Jane Austen for the 3rd or 4th time, i'm not exactly sure which one. But this book is awesome. I absolutely love it, and i finished it quite fast. I now have a whole new stack of books from the library. I am starting to get a lot better at asking people for help and not being embarassed. example. yesterday i went to the library and asked someone for help finding a book. the book was checked out but she helped me find like 10 other books. sweet.

last night with my family i went to broadway's The Lion King. It was amazing, so well done! It was also just being there for the experience that was great.

list: plays/musicals i've seen

The Sound of Music

Broadway in Toronto at the Princess of Wales Theatre

Little Women

Pumphouse Theatre in Calgary

Annie

School play

Little Women

musical school play

Fiddler on the Roof

school play

Anne of Green Gables

musical in Charlottetown

Quiet in the Land

school play

The Sound of Music

school play

Anne of Green Gables

school play

Big River

musical story of Huckleberry Finn
Dahlonega, Georgia at The Historic Holly Theater

The Lion King

Broadway in Calgary at the Jubilee Theater

Today, my sister and i may set up a blanket at a local park, read some books and take advantage of the sun. I am not working!!!!! :D

list: favourite actors

2009-08-09T21:42:00.002-06:00

Marlon Brando

On the Waterfront
A Streetcar Named Desire
The Godfather

James Dean

Rebel Without a Cause
East of Eden
Giant

Keira Knightley

Pride and Prejudice
Atonement

James Stewart

for all the roles i've seen him in

Christian Bale

Little Women
Batman
Swing Kids
Pocahontas
The Prestige

Vivien Leigh

A Streetcar Named Desire
Gone With the Wind

Gene Kelly

for his role in Singin' In the Rain
NOT for his role in An American in Paris

Orsen Wells

Citizen Kane

Greg Kinnear

You've Got Mail
Little Miss Sunshine

baking

2009-08-06T13:40:00.001-06:00

baking is not one of my favourite things. I don't mind the process but when i have to make into balls and put them on the cookie sheet and do that like 3 times while waiting for them to cook. i don't really like that. But this morning i put some MGMT on and made my mom's delicious Butter Tart squares. Man are they good.

lists: obervations (about myself)

i must eat breakfast
watching the office at any time makes me super happy
playing the piano is something i should do everyday because it makes life so much better
i should read and never stop
studying my school notes/work everyday just for a bit, will pay off in the end
i must travel and get out of my canadian city
i'm excited to graduate
i must live by the ocean, my soul longs for the ocean every second i'm not near it
planning my trip to europe makes me extremely happy
getting dressed before noon, helps my outlook on life, my attitude and helps the day to just be better
i can not talk about chicken pox. when my child has them, i will move out of the house for the time that said child has them. not really, but for me the pain and scars of chicken pox are still too close to me.
i really do exaggerate a lot, i should stop.
i need people to talk to, but i also need my space and alone time

list: favourite movie directors

2009-08-05T17:33:00.000-06:00

Elia Kazan

On the Waterfront
A Streetcar Named Desire
East of Eden
his movies are deep, moving and thought provoking and i love that he used method actors.

Steven Spielberg

Catch Me If You Can
E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial
Jaws
his versatility

Joe Wright

Pride and Prejudice
Atonement
i love his artistic style he puts into his movies

Alfred Hitchcock

Rear Window
Vertigo
North by Northwest
Rope
Suspicion
he's great at making a wonderful thriller/mystery

Billy Wilder

The Apartment
Some Like it Hot
Sunset Boulevard
Double Indemnity
his movies are quite funny, a bit controversial, and interesting, and Double Indemnity is the best film noir i've seen

list: my favourite things

2009-08-04T09:21:00.002-06:00

musicals
green tea
cherries
finding a jug of juice in the fridge
my sister
smell of a new book
smell of an old book
smell of a book
airplanes
breakfast at tiffany's
you've got mail
campfire with jiffy pop
christmas morning
the office
the ocean
italian soda
quoting movies
lists
thunderstorms
knowing a piano song by memory
made for tv movies
coming upon a wedding party taking pictures
the sound of a train going by

list: moment i wish i could relive

2009-07-30T20:21:00.000-06:00

Coldplay Concert - June 17, 2009
My days in New York City - summer 2007
My camping trip with my dad - summer 2001
All the days i babysat for J&E - summer 2004 to summer 2009
My days in Washington D.C. - summer 2007
My grade 6 year - 2003/2004
Disney World trip - november 2001
Reading Harry Potter for the first time - 2009
Meeting the Queen of England - 2002
My spring piano recital - 2009
My social studies class gr. 9 - 2006/2007
Having my best friend visiting me, spring break - 2009

listography

2009-07-28T10:30:00.007-06:00

For my birthday, since most people know i love lists, my parents got me a listography book which is essentially my life put into lists. I thought i'd share some of these lists with you, because i find this to be a marvellous way to get to know someone.

books (my favourites)

Harry Potter 1-7
Pride and Prejudice
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
Persuasion
Atonement
Life of Pi
Little Women
Jennie McGrady 1-15
Anne of Green Gables 1-6
The Kite Runner
The Giver
The Lion, the Witch, the Wardrobe
Q&A
Black Beauty
To Kill a Mockinbird
Lord of the Rings 1-3

Most of these lists that i'm making are on going and i like to add to daily.

Summer

2009-07-14T12:23:00.002-06:00

So i haven't actually had my first shift yet for my new job, that is happening on Thursday, but i've been having dreams about it, like last night i kept screwing up the cash register and i couldn't work out how much money the person owed me and the change i owed them. So i just want to get the first shift done and out of the way.
Tomorrow i am celebrating my birthday, however my actual birthday is on Friday. My family and me are going out for dinner and then my sister and I are going to go see Harry Potter. I'm super excited!
I'm hanging out with a friend today and i'm going camping this weekend. Summer is treating me well.
I also love the movie Breakfast at Tiffany's.

Summer Job

2009-07-05T16:19:00.003-06:00

I got a job for the summer! I'm working at Calaway Park here in Calgary and I'm super excited. It sounds like it will be a sweet job and I'm looking forward to it. I start on Wednesday.

I am fully enjoying Harry Potter right now. I'm on the 6th book, and I will be done by the time the movie comes out so that I can go see it in Theatres! I'm very excited.

I just got back from a week in Canmore, where i hung out at the pool, went for a couple bike rides, went for a couple hikes and watched some Canada day fireworks in front of some gorgeous mountains. It was a really nice week.

I am fully enjoying the summer, because i felt that school was dragging on and on, and i'm so glad it's here!!!

So i'm taking full advantage and loving it.

June 25

2009-06-25T22:59:00.003-06:00

So today Michael Jackson died, and I'm sad. I have come to really like his music in the last couple years and he was the king of pop, and i'm just a little shocked and saddened.

Last week my sister and I went to Coldplay for a concert, and we ended up with some sweet tickets at the front on the floor. We were so close and i'm afraid nothing will ever top this! haha

It. was. amazing.

It is finally summer and I'm so excited!!! It feels like i've waited for forever and i'm so glad it's here. I've been doing this 30 day shred thing that my sister introduced me too, and i just finished day 15. pretty sweeeet.

I am into harry potter now, I'm reading the fourth book right now and i am loving it!!! O MY WORD! this just happened, i almost absent mindedly watched the harry potter movie trailer on TV. I can not let that happen.

Nothing on the job update, i'm kinda losing hope, but i'm waiting for a couple job opportunities. I don't know what i'm going to do if i can't get a job....

Happy Summer! (hopefully i'll start blogging more...)

June! almost..

2009-05-31T20:08:00.002-06:00

It's almost June, which means exams and the end of the year. I've applied for some summer jobs, and I really hope I get one, with good hours. I really want to travel after school ends. I haven't been up to much, but Coldplay concert countdown has started, but i believe it has begun. 18 days and counting!!!! I'm so excited. I only have 2 exams this semester which is nice, but they are big ones, so i'll probably have to do just as much studying. I haven't had too much to blog about, I realize i used to blog a lot, cause this became like a journal to me, but now i write in my journal almost every night and so i feel like i've written it down and i don't need to write it here. Hopefully my life becomes more interesting and i can write something here.

I'm officially 41% done my AFI list! my goal this year was to reach 40% so i for sure did that! :) I have some homework i need to do now, and i can't put it off much longer.

a little about me

2009-05-07T17:41:00.002-06:00

I posted this on facebook a while ago, but i'm not sure everyone got to see it. It's just 20 facts about myself, that probably anyone should know about me if they want to know me.

1. I love to read, but it actually takes me a while to read a book, because i'm not that fast of a reader and i'm always reading at least 5 books at one time, so i rarely sit down and just read one.

2. Travel for me is a huge passion and goal. I have been to all 10 Canadian provinces and 46 United States. Knowing i'll be able to travel in the future keeps me going half the time.

3. I love movies. I"m following about 5 different movie lists laid out by different film critics and institutes. Most of the movies are older and i love older, classic movies.

4. I have a huge thing for lists. Almost everyday i make a list of things to do. I love lists of every kind. I have made lists of the books i own, movies i own, things i want to do before i die etc. I just love lists, it makes things clear for me. Lists are a passion.

5. I love history. I own history books and asked for them for christmas. My dad is a huge history buff, and his influence has passed on. I love Russian history and World War II history. That's why i want to be a social teacher when i graduate

6. The piano is next to my best friend. I play a lot and have taken piano lessons for 10 years. I play the piano when i'm bored, stressed, angry, or any other time. It calms me down and has a way to just bring me peace. I love it and one day i must own a grand piano or at least an upright piano. No more of this "weighted keys" electric piano stuff.

7. Snail Mail makes me super happy. i rarely get it but when i do, my week is made. It shows me someone cares for me to actually take the time to write a lettter and send it to me.

8. I love music. I need music to play almost everytime i'm doing something. I can't drive without music, it's too quiet and the only times i can't listen to music is when i'm reading. Music keeps me focused and happy, it often keeps me sane

9. I love kids. I babysit maybe way to much for my own good, but seeing kids and how carefree
they are and how trustworthy of everything and the cute things they say and do is such a blessing to me. I love kids and i will have some of my own eventually. Kids keep me young haha.

10. I like hiking. I always make a huge deal about it, but i love hiking. Especially the end of the hike and getting to see the sights. I love being outside and smelling fresh air. Even though i make a huge deal about hiking before we actually start, once we start i enjoy it.

11. I'm planning to go to England Capernwray after i graduate high school, ever since i was a little kid i've been fasinated with London and England. Even as a little kid i wrote an essay on london, even though it was just copying out things from all the different books i own on london. And now i'm planning on travelling with my sister to Europe!!

12. I love cooking. I wish i could do it better but serving people is something i love.

13. I have moved 4 times in only two provinces but the place i really want to live is the West Coast.

14. The Ocean does something for me. It's so big and so beautiful i absolutely love it. The smells and the sound of the ocean are just beautiful. It does for me what mountains do for most people.

15. When i start something, i can rarely not finish it. I don't like to leave things unfinished and i will do what i can to make sure the project gets finished.

16. I hate being late, one of my biggest fears/anxieties is being late for a movie at the theatre. I can't stand to be late and so i make sure i'm always early or right on time. I have never handed in an assignment late unless i have talked to the teacher before hand. Being early for my classes is a huge thing for me too, even though it bothers nearly everyone around me.

17. 17 is my favourite number and is the date of my birthday in July. I have had very very few birthdays at home because we are always on holidays when my birthday swings around. Having a birthday at home is boring.

18. I love my family. Spending time with my whole family is something i love a lot. We always have so much fun playing games, talking and just being with eachother. My sister is my best friend.

19. I'm scared of doing new things. If it's listening to a new song or band or trying a new food or just doing anything i haven't done, seen, heard, felt, tasted before scares me. I'm not scared of it in that sense, but i'm just really hesitant to do new things, though most of the time i love the outcome. My sister tries to get me to watch new movies and listen to new music that she knows i will love but i always try to get out of it, i'm not exactly sure why, but maybe making room to like something else puts a wrench in my system although i never mind it when i realize i love something new. So maybe scared isn't the right word, just hesitant for new things.

20. In reality i don't know 20 things about myself, i'm still working on that.