Snail's Pace

Been in a strange state of 'surreal' lately. As many of you know, school finished last Monday, so I haven't been going into Carleton every day. I've been working at Coles and Counterpoint, and it's going well. But it seems that I'm just in this suspended state, waiting for something to happen.
I suppose, I have my History of France final on Monday, which is 'something'.
What else?
Last night, on my way home from work, Rachel called, and wanted to know if I could go shopping at the Rideau Centre with her.
Well, of course I said yes, even though it was 4:00 and I had been out of the house since 8:00 that morning.
Because of the weather (and because she drives like a snail**) it took her almost an hour and a half to get to my house.
It then took us an additional hour and twenty minutes to get to the Rideau Centre.
We looked around, went to Chapters, came back to the Rideau Centre...I spilled my completely FULL Starbucks all over the Yogen Fruz counter (I felt terrible....not necessarily for the mess, but for the $5.00 coffee that was wasted. If I had a straw, I might have sucked it up) and then we went to the Body Shop.
Now, we were looking around - Rachel's friend Sarah needed a gift for her fiance's sister. We were wondering why the salespeople were watching us so closely. It was bordering on bizarre.
I stood there, at the counter, and finally asked what time the mall closed.
"At nine," the girl said.
Yeah. It was nine-twenty.
I felt evil. Especially because when people are browsing through my store when we're CLOSED I get very angry.
Then it took us an hour to get to the Boston Pizza in Barrhaven, where we ate dinner at 10:30.
I got home and crashed.
But I got a new book!

**not that snail driving is a bad thing, Rach. You know....it just....takes awhile.

Personal Assistance

So, as you know, I work at Coles bookstore. My catch-phrase of choice is "Hi, is there anything I can help you find?' or "Hi, is there something specific you're looking for?' Generally this is met with 'Yes, I need_______' or 'No thanks, just looking'. Occasionally, it's met with a 'Do I look like I can't find my way 'round a damn bookstore?' To which the answer is always 'Obviously, or else I wouldn't have asked you.'**
But last night, I received a much different response.
So, I was on break. Walking through the mall, cup of coffee in hand, rocking out to the Christmas tunes. As I rounded a corner, I saw a lady looking arund confused, as if trying to locate something. Before I knew it, my favourite catch-phrase fell out of my mouth.
"Hi, is there anything I can help you find?We have lots of great promotions on tod-"
And then I froze. I was in the middle of the food court. The lady was deciding what to eat. We WEREN'T in Coles.
I smiled. "You know, uh, looking for a particular store?" Nice cover, Alicia. Real smooth.
"No," she snapped.
I ran away. Quickly.

** I''m not actually allowed to say this, believe it or not. So usually it's a 'All right, well, let me know if I can help'. I promise.

Snow Day

Yesterday marked the very first snow day of my university career. I woke up, all set to go to my last day of classes (before the Christmas break), and there was 24 cm of snow on the ground. Now, in Barrie, this wouldn't faze anyone. But here, it seemed like the city shut down. Buses were cancelled, there were millions of delays, and nothing seemed to be running properly.
So, rather than attend class from 10-4 and work from 5-11, I stayed home, cozy in my pyjamas, baking cookies and muffins, and writing like mad.
Today was much the same. I ventured out to work with Leo at Counterpoint, but other than that, I've been warm and snug in the house.
Only twenty days until Christmas.
And it's my boy's birthday tomorrow.

Family 'Hair'Loom

The streets are filled with Christmas cheer
At least it's only once a year...
I heard those lyrics in a Barenaked Ladies song, and was terribly disheartened. There are actually people out there who dread the coming of Christmas? Who are you, and why are you so sick?
I realize that it's not quite December, but working in a bookstore as a seasonal employee has me in the Christmas spirit. Even the fact that I'm seasonal - meaning I'm employed for the Christmas season - ergo, it must have started already.
Saturday marks December first, or what I like to call ADVENT CALENDAR DAY! Heck yes, I still get an advent calendar. And it's a home-made one: Mama (and her minions) fill it for me every year. Lucky, you say? I know. And Emily, who has the opportunity to likewise receive one of these calendars, chooses the ninety-nine cent calendars full of waxy chocolate from Shoppers. Yet another sick child.
I am decorating my room this weekend - my new Christmas tree, and my Christmas house (from Maam and Bamps last year) and my snowmen **. I'm pretty stoked.
I also work a ridiculous amount, which is nice (as well as tiring) because I get to wish everyone a 'Happy Holiday' - unfortunately, 'Merry Christmas' is bound to slip out. Hopefully I don't get fired - stupid political correctness. I'm sure a Jewish person wouldn't take offense if I wished them 'Merry Christmas'. It truly is the sentiment that counts.
Merry Christmas, all.

**PS - Mama has since notified me that she didn't give me a cob web snowman, she gave me the family 'hair'loom - haha get it. Cause its hairy. Yessssss. And you wonder where I got my wit.

Birthday Week

Since my last post, my nineteenth birthday has come and gone. I've taken the bus to Barrie and back, and am now in the same place as I was a week ago; on my bed, laptop on my knee, listening to country music.
My birthday was great. Monday night, Auntie Ro and the girls, Maam and Bamps, and Aunt Janice all came over for cake and icecream. It was awesome. Got some very exciting new things. Tuesday I worked - both jobs - and then went out for dinner with Kyla, Ashley, Rachel and Jess - once again - very exciting new things, including a half-pound chocolate bar, and four Bacardi Coolers( what am I going to do with those? ;))
Visiting home was WONDERFUL - lots of quality time with Mama, Dad and Emily. Jordan was working all weekend (sad) but I saw him for a while on Thursday. Oh well - only a month until I go and visit again. And then it will be CHRISTMAS.
Mama bought me a two-foot Christmas tree and decorations for my bedroom. She also snuck a few snowmen into my suitcase. Put up your hand if you're aware of Mama's snowman fetish. Know the one made out of cobwebs, that's super ugly? Oh yes - I have it here, with me, in Ottawa (it was hidden in my purse - yessss)
That's all for now. I work like crazy this week - Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday.
Wow. Hopefully I SURVIVE until Christmas.

Time Flies

So, recently, I have been eaten alive by work. Not homework, which is always a good thing, but work in general. My hours with Leo at Counterpoint have been upped to 1.5 hrs a day, and Coles is scheduling me for a minimum of 20 hours a week (part time, I understand, but STILL...it's a lot to handle).
On the upside, I'm enjoying being busy. Today I sat down and did nothing for the first time in two weeks, and I realized that I DIDN'T REALLY MISS IT that much. Not saying that I'm purposefully becoming sleep-deprived, but you know. It's always good to be occupied.
My birthday is in two days, just in case you didn't know. I work both of my jobs that day, but then a bunch of friends and I are going out for dinner. If you are a) my friend, and b) in the Ottawa area, and I haven't invited you, I'm SORRY. Please come. It'll be nice.
If you are c) not my friend or d) not in the Ottawa area, then I promise I will not hold a grudge if you don't show up.
Especially if you're not my friend.
Going home to Barrie on Thursday. I am VERY VERY excited - it's been a while since I've been home. I miss everyone!
That's all for now, I think. Going to finish studying for my history exam tomorrow, and then read "Pour Your Heart Into It: How Starbucks built a company one cup at a time." Yessssss!

MINOR Panic

So, even though I'm halfway through my second year of university, I am ALREADY thinking about tecaher's college. I know that I want to end up as a teacher, but I'm not quite sure how to get there. Recently, I've been looking into requirements and things, and I think that, as much as I enjoy working with little kids, I might want to be a high school history teacher. I mean, there's little that I love as much as history, and I honestly think that without a great high school history teacher, I would have hated it. Seems to be true of most people: good teacher, good experience; bad teacher, they hate history forever.

There must be something I can do to get more people interested in history.

So, I'm looking at what I need to get into teacher's college to be a high school history teacher. I need six credits in one teachable, and three credits in another teachable. Easy, you say? Well, I've already chosen classes for last year and this year, which gives me two years to fit in enough courses to complete my major, my minor, AND three courses in some completely different subject!

I hear you all say "Duh....why not English?" Yes, I understand that English is the logical choice. However, that means that, on top of my FOUR history courses next year, I'll need to pick up an English or two.

Yeah. It's a good thing I don't HATE ESSAYS....because that will be my entire life.

So, in short, I'm thinking about taking a course via correspondance this summer. That way, I can work at day camp, be at home, and still maintain my sanity by getting one English course out of the way.

Any thoughts??

Rings True

I was walking to the bus stop from Auntie Ro's yesterday, and the high school on the corner had just let out. I was in my grown-up clothes, because I was going to work. There was a group of four or five boys standing right in my way, in the middle of the sidewalk. As I walked by, one of the guys stepped out and said "Hey baby, what do you say? You and me?"
Trying my very hardest not to laugh (he had to be maybe fifteen or sixteen), I held up my left hand (which has my silver purity ring on the ring finger) and said "I don't think my husband would like that very much."
The boys all laughed and punched the guy who used his extremely witty line, and I walked away. I started laughing as soon as I was out of earshot.
You gotta wonder who actually responds positively to "Hey baby, you and me?"
Yeah, that;s right.

Busy Week

I know I haven't updated in awhile. There's a surprising amount of news, however, it's all OLD news now.
Last Wednesday, Jordan came to visit. It was a blast, I really miss having that boy around all the time. He keeps reminding me that Tyndale (his school) also has a history program. And I keep reminding him that Tyndale costs $12,000 a year. Yeah, not thinking so.
Last Wednesday, Grandpa Joe had a heart attack. I found out on Thursday, when Mom called me and told me that she was in Ottawa. Grandpa Joe's okay, I'm sure you all know more details than I do.
Thursday and Friday Mom AND Jordan were visiting. It was great. Wonderful. I love visitors.
Saturday, I started my new job at Coles bookstore in Chapters. It was wonderful as well.
Sunday I did not much, other than homework.
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday - I've been at Auntie Ro's, staying with the girls while she was away.
Tuesday I worked both jobs.
Wednesday I went to school.
Today I worked, and went to school.
Tomorrow I work, and work, and go to school, and work again.
Absolutely the end.

Visitation Rights

I have some exciting news. My boy is coming to visit me! Tomorrow!!
That's right. He is taking the train here, to Ottawa, to stay for two days.
I am so excited!
In other news, I've finally finished the first draft of my essay on the French Revolution. I am planning my nineteenth birthday party. I have gotten half of my Christmas shopping finished.
Um, that's all.

Grade-A

I know I've been writing a lot recently, but it's because I have a lot to say. This is just a short post to let you know that I'M EXCITED.
I just got marks back on my History of the United States paper, and I got an 82%.
I just got marks back on my History of the United States test, and I got a 93%.
Hooray for good marks.

No Witty Title

Got a phone call last night, asking me to come into Coles (bookstore) at Bayshore for an interview. Scheduled it for today, and went in at three.
Small segue here to detail my adventure getting TO Bayshore.
Those of you who know Ottawa understand just HOW SIMPLE it is to get to Bayshore from my house. You take Greenbank, turn onto Richmond, and you are THERE.
So, I take Greenbank. Check. Get to the lights. It's some bizarre three-way, no-turn, where-do-I-go type intersection. So I did the logical thing, and turned right.
Fifteen minutes later, I check a street sign, and realize that I'm NOT ON RICHMOND ROAD. No, it has turned into Wellington. And it's a really nice area (the kind of cute shops I love), but it WASN'T Bayshore.
I call Dad, he doesn't answer. I text Ashley, she doesn't answer. So, I turn around, and decide that I probably should have turned left onto Richmond. No problem. I get to Bayshore, an hour early (instead of two....I had wanted to go shopping).
Now, the interview.
I go in, talk to the lady, and she's super-friendly. Asks me all sorts of questions about myself (what I like, my favourite book, my favourite colour). Nothing pertaining to the job. Then she asks if I have any retail experience. I said no. She said, ' Okay. I'll just skip the interview questions then. Tell me about your work experience'.
Just like that, shrugs off the interview questions. Asks me a few key ones like ' How would you react under stress?', or 'Tell me about a time you've gone above and beyond'. I answered. It was good.
Then she asked how I made decisions. I told her about my pro-con lists, and said that, if it was a split-second decision, I'd go with my gut.
Then she said, "Well, I have a decision to make, and I'm going to go with my gut, and hire you right now."
Oh yes, I got the job.
$8.10 an hour, 30% discount, and a STORE LENDING SYSTEM ... I get to borrow books from the store!!
I start next Saturday. I work for the Christmas season.
I'm so excited.

Final Conflict

Final exam schedules for December were posted today. Good news - I only have one final! Bad news - it's on December 17th. So, like last year, I finish class on the 2nd of December, and have two weeks off. This means that it's up to my family to decide: Should I come to Barrie December 2nd to 17th, or should I stay in Ottawa until the 27th and then come home? This question is directed generally towards Mom, Dad, Jordan, and anyone else who will be in Barrie for Christmas. If you're staying at home (in BC......), then your opinion doesn't count.**
In other news, I applied for a seasonal job at Chapters/Indigo. If I get it, then I can work just for the Christmas season, and make money, and be able to relax (a little) next semester, when I have SIX COURSES.
Give me your feedback. I'm a glutton for comments ;)

** Well, it counts, just not this time.

Stark Raven Mad

Went to my first Carleton basketball game tonight. Rachel, who has a mad crush on one of the players (and also likes basketball), convinced me to come with her. So I did. And, while the first quarter consisted of me staring, eyes glazed, at centre court, I was soon enthralled. The Carleton Ravens are actually pretty good (ahem...5 time CIS winners....). I enjoyed the game, the Ravens won, and Rachel and I had a blast, as always. Perhaps I've found a sport I could actually get into.
Or perhaps, it was a delayed sense of school spirit kicking in.

Rollercoaster Ride

So, my self-proclaimed wanderlust turned into something amazingly more substantial. After deciding first to transfer to the University of Guelph-Humber, and then deciding against it in a matter of two days, I thought my desire for change would be quelled.
Apparently not.
As of six hours ago, I was all set to co-sign a lease with Rachel for a one-bedroom apartment on Riverside Drive.
Don't believe me? Oh yes. Last night, we searched, and called, and emailed and visited apartments all across the central Ottawa area. Our last stop, Riverside Towers, proved successful when we both fell in love with an adorable apartment on the fifteenth floor. The kitchen had all new appliances, the bedroom was BIG, the livingroom was gorgeous, and the balcony had an awesome view. It was (almost) affordable....$795 a month (divided by two), and we were going to go back on Saturday to take pictures and sign the lease.
Had a nightmare last night that I fell off the balcony because all of Rachel's things were filling up the apartment.
After some persuasion (Dad, Mom....) I called Rachel and let her know that it was a no-go.

Things are (almost) back to normal.

Turkey-Give

I figured I would edit this post, because it really didn't express the activities of the Thanksgiving weekend.
Friday morning, Grandma and Grandpa Joe and I drove from Ottawa to Barrie, and when we got there, Mom and Jordan were waiting for us. Had a good dinner, played cards, went to DAIRY QUEEN (would you believe that they had a Pumpkin Pie Blizzard? That's right. It was incredible).
Saturday we went up to Jordan's aunt's cottage in Minden....it was a blast. Cottage on an island....which means it involved a boat ride - fortunately, I got over it.
If you've ever seen Gilmore Girls, chances are you've experienced 'A Deep Fried Korean Thanksgiving' (episode something, season something....Ask Emily). And if you've seen this episode, you know that after a few beers and some fancy cocktails, the residents of Stars Hollow begin throwing EVERYTHING into the deep fryer - turkey, vegetables, pie, shoes....
Now transport that image to a cottage on an island, take away the fancy cocktails and shoes, and make everyone there a member of the same family.
That was pretty much Thanksgiving dinner at the Van Velsen cottage.
Needless to say, dinner at my house was slightly less eventful. Mom and Grandma made an AWESOME turkey (Dad would say he made it, because he sliced it...) and Grandma McLeod brought pumpkin pie and pecan pie.
Episode Two in the Pumpkin Desserts saga*** was Mom's attempt at pumpkin mousse. Jordan and I pretended to enjoy it for all of one bowlful - Grandma and Grandpa Joe weren't quite so tactful.
All in all....great times.
*** hands up if you remember the Episode One of the Pumpkin Desserts saga - Mom's infamous pumpkin squares, that had the texture of steel wool, and the general size and heft of a brick.
No offense Mom....pumpkin just isn't your forte.

Wanderlust

Being struck with wanderlust. Typically, I should have been hit with the desire to travel the summer between high school and university; you know, done the typical 'backpacking across (insert country here)'. Instead, just as I'm getting settled into a routine, with jobs, a new major, and somewhere to live, I'm developing this intense desire to be SOMEWHERE. I've been looking at something as local as switching to Ottawa U (no point in that) to something as far-off as volunteering at a preschool in Swaziland for a year. I really have no clue why, where, when, or how I want to travel; I just know that I do. Does anybody have any suggestions??
In other news, I got a job at Counterpoint Academy, as a behavioural therapist for a little boy with autism. I'm pretty stoked. Start on Tuesday morning.

This Is Why It's Hot

Has anybody noticed how hot it's been?
I'm not kidding you. It is September 20th, and the current thermometer reading is 25 degrees. I don't know if you realize this, but today is hotter than the last two weeks of the summer. All is fine, but for those of us who were really looking forward to breaking out our new sweaters and beautiful (grey, tweed, stiletto-heeled, ankle) boots, it is somewhat disappointing. Don't get me wrong, I love the warmth. But I left all of my summer clothes in Barrie. So either the weather starts acting like September, or I melt.
On the positive side, there's no snow.
That is all.



PS. For those of you who don't get the pop-culture reference in the title, don't worry about it. You're probably better off not knowing.

Give Me a Boost(er Juice)

So, a few weeks ago, on one of my rare trips to Booster Juice, I submitted a ballot for a contest. I couldn't, for the life of me, remember what the contest was for. So, imagine my surprise when today, I get a phone call from Goodlife Fitness, saying that I won a membership. That's pretty exciting, even though I'm not crazy about exercise.
So, I went, to the Goodlife Fitness overtop of Loblaws, and had my orientation. I got a week-long membership, and can go to any class, use any of the equipment, and I get free tanning for a week. That's exciting.
Went to my first class tonight. It's called Body Flow (does that sound rude to anyone else?) and it's pilates, yoga, and tai chi. Unfortunately it was more yoga and tai chi than pilates; it was all 'become one with the earth' and 'feel your soul float into your lower left calf', etc. etc. So, there are a couple of other classes that I might want to try out, but it's too expensive to bother with a permanent membership.
So I'll stick with my Aquafit, and relish the fact that I WON SOMETHING!

Freedom!

Thinking that perhaps it would be interesting, I signed up for LALS 2203 - or, Linguistic Theory and Second Language Acquisition.
After precisely one week, I have been assigned one paper to write A WEEK from now until Christmas.
Add that to the four other courses I'm taking, which also require mass reading/writing.
Plus, I don't even NEED Linguistics (PS. I switched my major in April).
So, condemning myself to academic stress (I picked up an extra class next semester), I dropped LALS 2203.
Now, I have reclaimed my Tuesdays, and have time to eat dinner on Thursday nights.
I don't have two papers due this week. I don't even have ONE.
And, I only have 12 hours of class a week from now until Christmas.
And only 2 exams.
PARRRRTAY!

The Saddest Bus Ride

So, as you know, I spend a great deal of my free time on the bus. Well, this weekend, on my way home from work (PS. I got a job), I saw the saddest thing that I have ever been privy to on the bus.
Saturday was cold. VERY cold. So, it made me smile when the bus driver stopped at the side of the road to pick up a little boy (maybe 12) who was flagging the bus down. He stepped onto the bus, and held out his hand. This is what happened.
"You don't have enough," said the bus driver.
"I know, sir, I dropped a dollar." The boy was clearly distraught.
"Sorry," the driver said, opening the bus doors.
"Please, I'll get money from my mom when I get home." The poor kid.
I was digging in my bag for a dollar, when I realized that I have absolutely no cash. Maybe a penny.
Much to my disdain, the bus driver motioned to the doors, and said. "You don't have enough."
The little boy got off the bus, and stood back on the side of the road.
Sad. Sad sad sad.

Back in the Ott-Dot

Once again, the summer has flown by, and I'm back in Ottawa. My schedule isn't terrible; though I no longer have a single day of the week off...one class on Fridays, one class on Tuesdays...and numerous on the other days. On a positive note, I have time for Aquafit three times a week, time to hang out with friends (I have some!!) and ample time to do my homework. The bus isn't terrible either this year....seems a lot shorter. It probably is. Felt like I should update quickly, but there isn't a whole lot to report. It's my cousin Natalie's 15th birthday on Sunday, so I'm off to their house for the weekend. Tomorrow night is the THIRD ANNUAL PEPPERRALL CRESCENT BLOCK PARTY!!!!!! See last year's post for exactly how I feel about this event. It involves a terrible tribute band, many MANY loud kids and adults, and a whole lot of festivities that we avoid. Hence my weekend at Auntie Ro's.
I'll update next week, once I find out about my job (if I got it) and my school (if I like it.)
Ta!

Miss Meka Mischief McLeod

After eleven and a half years of companionship, loyalty, and endearing (but sometimes annoying) habits, Miss Meka Mischief McLeod, known to friends and family as 'Meka', 'Flufferbelly', 'Puffer', or 'hey, dog!' has left us, and gone on to doggy heaven. She is greeted with open paws by all who have gone before her, and the treats and belly rubs are in abundance. Whether you were a close friend, relative, or acquaintance, Meka probably touched your life; regardless of if you liked her or not.
Topping off at a staggering 10 pounds, our slightly-obese puppy struggled through degenerative disc disorder, diabetes, and Addison's disease. While her habit of eating ANYTHING left ANYWHERE (especially undergarments or chocolate) was a nuisance, her adorable face was enough to make us forgive her in a second.
This obituary was lovingly written to gain some closure...for the family, as well as myself.
We love you, Meka...your life touched us all.

Prom Pics Part Two

Prom Pics Part One

Jordan's prom was this weekend, and rather than write all about it, I'll show you some pictures.

Knock Knock

Haven't updated in a while....not because I'm terribly busy, just because I haven't. Job's great, home's great, s'all good.
Mama and I went downtown the other day, and I found an awesome Jessica McClintock dress for $45....not quite vintage, just old. Old enough to not be in the catalogues anymore, anyhow. I'd post pictures, but I think I'll wait until after prom so you can see it in all it's dressy glory.
Can't think of any funny stories, probably because other things are occupying my mind (unfortunate for all looking for some humor). I'll tell you a joke, though!
A man was drowning in the sea, so he prayed "God, please save me!" Five minutes later, a boat went by. "Do you need help?" asked the captain. "No," answered the man. He continued to flounder in the water. "Please, God, save me!" he yelled. Another boat went by. "Can we help you?" asked the captain. "No, God will save me," said the man. Then he drowned.
When he got to heaven, he asked God "Why didn't you save me?"
To which God answered, "I sent you two boats, dummy."

Another one? Okay.
Knock knock.
(Who's there?)
Nobody.
(Nobody who?)
...... /silence/.....

Grown Up Job

Summertime, for all intents and purposes, has begun. Don't tell me that it's only April, because I know. But my SUMMER JOB started today, and I am in a post-school bliss. It'll get hectic soon enough, but for right now, we're concerned with decorating our NEW OFFICE....and sorting out deadlines and things that are much more crucially important (but not as cool as 'shunking'.....)
I am a full-time employee with an office and a real live grown up job. Maybe i'll get a power suit and wear it to work EVERY DAY this summer.
Not thinking the drywall dust would appreciate that too much.

*note to those who aren't quite up to date. I am the new preschool coordinator for Willow Creek Day Camp....which means I'm half in charge. A grown up job. With rules.

Freshman Fifteen

So, now that I'm back in Ottawa after a lovely 5-day jaunt to Barrie, reality is slowly setting in. I have six days and four exams left of my first year of university. And I'm gorging myself on Easter candy, realizing that the freshman-fifteen might choose to manifest itself all in this week. Just so you all know, I'm going to be back in Barrie for the whole SUMMER starting April 24th...that's in nine days!
Who's excited?
I AM

Mexicali Madness

Last day of classes, just so you all know. Had a last day of class party last night with the fair Rachel- Mexicali Rosa's and a few hours of shopping. Funn y I'm living the "rez life" on the last day of first year (okay, relatively last day).
I will be home in eight
I will be home for good in 16
And that is pretty much everything.
A.

Chimes of Freedom

So, tomorrow morning marks the last week of my first year of university, and I'm hopelessly pumped. In a word, I am.....finished.......all assignments and papers and tests. All I have left is the ever-elusive exam schedule....four days of nightmarish testing in which I will have to recall useless knowledge about everything from psychosomatics to sociosemantics....
On the bright side, in 10 days I'll be in Barrie
On the other bright side, in 22 days I'll be in Barrie for the whole summer
And, since my metaphor is triangular, on the other other bright side, my research paper is completely finished.
Hooray.

Change the Channel

So, classes are done in exactly 6 days, and I can't help but be super excited. I've finished all of my assignments for the rest of the year, except....
dun...dun....dun........
The Killer Seminar Paper!
For those of you who haven't heard about this nightmare, let me fill you in.
It is a linguistics research paper, based on the theory of critical discourse/linguistic analysis. This probably sounds like a whole lot of nothing. Basically, CDLA is the analysing of communication, to find out what hidden messages are there. The unfortunate thing about CDLA research papers, is that there has been VERY LITTLE RESEARCH DONE. So, instead of finding a few good Internet sites, and making jot notes, and writing a paper,
I HAVE TO CONDUCT THE RESEARCH MYSELF.
This is all well and good, because I'm analysing teen magazines. My research is finished.
What's not good about it is the fact that it needs to be 20 pages long.
And I haven't started writing.
Stay tuned for the next episode of:
"Killing Me Too Damn Fast: One Girl's Journey Through CDLA."

Freudian Slip

Want to hear something wonderful? Tomorrow, I'm going down to Toronto to see Phantom of the Opera with my boy.
Want to hear something exciting? Tomorrow, I'm getting my new glasses.
Want to hear something hilarious? No?
Well, too bad.
Psychology class, in case you didn't know, is a large lecture of 450 students. Needless to say, comments are not encouraged, unless of course it is a pressing matter that needs to be dealt with. Unfortunately for one boy (known as Idiot-Stab-Wound Boy, for reasons you shall soon discover) this principle is NOT common sense. He feels the need to interject with every question in the book...
Yesterday, we were looking at ink-blot tests (the splotches that resemble things, only they actually don't...). This boy puts up his hand, and says "What if you don't see what you're supposed to see ***. The professor stared this boy down until he quivered, and said "You should stab yourself in the forehead for asking that question."
The boy looked astonished, and stammered "Um, maybe, should I rephrase the question?"
"You damn well better. Have I taught you nothing?"
The other 449 people in the class died laughing, including the camera man who was taping the lecture for CU TV.
*** in case you didn't know, ink blots are merely blots of ink on a page that aren't supposed to resemble anything. It is what you interpret the ink blot to be that tells a psychologist something about you. Get it?

Staples

Poor Auntie Ro,
Woke up Monday morning, went to the hospital, got her appendix out. I've been staying here for the week, and it's been a bunch of fun, other than the fact that she has 25 staples in her stomach.
Going home this weekend, I'm actually really excited. Phantom of the Opera with Jordan is on Friday, and I can't wait.
Absolutely exhausted-stayed up past midnight for the last four nights in a row, which, for me, is extremely late.
Trying to get all of my homework done, two major essays, a quiz, and my final exams. Gosh, will this ever end?
Actually, it will....three weeks until class is over.
Yessssss.

It's Minus 42.

So, I'm back from a lovely Caribbean cruise, and entering my second week of post-spring-break classes. You know what this means? Three weeks of class left and I'm DONE! Talk about a quick year! By April 2, I will be finished class, and by April 23 I will be completed all of my exams. And then I get a nice, relaxing FOUR MONTH holiday.
On the other end of the spectrum, we got a call yesterday saying that Auntie Ro was in the hospital. Turns out she has an abcessed appendix, and if they hadn't removed it last night, it could have been fatal. Unfortunately, Auntie Ro and the girls have a Dominican Republic trip scheduled for Saturday....she needs your prayers to get her into the sunshine.
Well, other than that, and a whack of midterm exams, I'm doing just fine, thank you!
Maybe I'll write more later.

Ottawa Adventures!

So, there are these photos....that I felt compelled to share with the world!

No matter how much makeup you put on, kid, your face still looks like that! (kidding....)

Wow, I'm not one to talk about faces...

High tea at the Chateau Laurier...

Frozen at the bus stop - on the way to the Museum of Civilization

Jordan, after we escaped from the scary dancing French man

Inappropriate Dinosaurs

So, in reference to the comics that I posted yesterday, I was not aware that the arms, legs and body of the Atkins-hating dinosaur were made entirely of ....ahem....adult novelty items. This was brought to my attention after the posting, in which I immediately deleted said cartoon, and instead posted "Satan's Bakery"..... If anyone else noticed, then I apologize for my naivete.

PS. I hate Jello....but it's sugar-, carb-, and fat-free....

Atkins Diet

After a full week on the Atkins Diet, I felt the need to express myself. These comics have been lovingly taken from toothpastefordinner.com and nataliedee.com.

photos

So, I recently stole pictures of this summer from Amy's Facebook, and I decided to post them, because they are funny. The End

Pictures of Maeghan and ...my butt?

Oh my word.

What a happy family.

I'm not actually crying, I don't think

Now I'm dead. Officially.

Smile! More presents!

A Superpower

It's not a problem....it's a superpower!

www.nataliedee.com

Shared Bathroom

So, I walked into the bathroom that I share with Thomas, and instantly noticed something was wrong. I was ankle-deep in water. Taking off my slippers [the poor ducks have been desecrated], I grabbed towels and dumped them on the floor, hoping to soak up the water. I then realized that the toilet has not just overflowed, but was making odd chugging noises, and continuing to spew ice-cold water. Looking around the bathroom, I couldn't seem to find a plunger (not that I would have wanted to....I wasn't the one who clogged the toilet, I just got home!). I grabbed the closest thing, one of those bristly toilet brushes. Wrapping my hand in a facecloth to protect me from the germs, I shoved the bristly brush into the toilet...where it promptly got stuck in the pipe-hole thinger. Since the handle was so short, my hand was now submerged in gross toilet water. And I couldn't, for the life of me, get the stupid brush out. I started wiggling it, hoping that the bristles would move. Then things started coming out of the pipe. FLOATERS.....remnants of what I'm sure was somebody's supper.
I gagged, numerous times, wrapped a new facecloth around my hand, and wrenched the sucker out of the toilet. A few more gurgles, and the water-line receded. I think it's cured...
There isn't a soap strong enough to make me feel clean....