Motivation.

Well school may be over but I have to keep reminding myself that life isn't. I still have my piano students, my own lessons, working 4 +/- days a week at Montana's, and planning for Europe, although I find myself quite listless with nothing to study.

I had to start reading something, it was driving me crazy not learning anything. Turns out I'm half done the book and none of the characters have or will predictabley connect in any way. I just don't know what to do with myself when I can't learn about the Alabama Claims or write a paper about Hobbes' Theory of Human Nature.

Luckily, this will all be fixed in a few weeks! I'm starting a 4th year seminar on Comparative Public Policy that I'm trés excitée for. I've definitely needed a bit of a break, I've finally gotten done all the things I've put off doing for the entire semester, but I'm ready to get back into things. I've been trying to keep up with my politics, but nothing beats a good class discussion about the effects of the conservative government on current public policy. I'm definitely motivated to learn by more than a pretty poster and hopefully my job, whatever I decide to do, will never be taken over by robots. Some might argue that politicians are easily programmable, but I think this is one of the few jobs that machines will never be able to do! I still am thinking about law, but with the result of this past semester's marks, I'm just not sure if I'll make it. And that might just be alright. Considering my love of travelling, my ultimate perspective job would be to work in a foreign embassy or consulate. I'd probably do a masters in political studies hopefully studying abroad for some of it, and work in some fabulous foreign country!

I think a lot of the motivation has been coming from my Europe planning. Only 43 more days until I leave! We've gotten our Eurail passes, booked flights from Rome to Athens, found hostels in Prague, and hopfully in opera in Milan. My backpack is bought, Canadian flag sewn on, and passport is already packed! I've got a cute new bathing suit, SPF 50 sunscreen, and a 1 carat quartz engagement-esque ring to fend off all the creepy Italian guys. Before I know it, I'll be walking the cobblestone streets of Munich or hiking through mountains in Switzerland. And before I knew it, I traded in my wedding day for Schloss Schönbrunn in Vienna.

Song of the Day: Overboard - Ingrid Michaelson

The Juno Awards

Oh how I wish I could actually sing/play on this stage someday!

Holy Flying Nellie...

City and Colour

Me and Mama!

The Junos were fantastic! I was super impressed with how well little ol' Saskatoon presented itself to the rest of the country. The show was complete with performances by Nellie Furtado, City and Colour, Billy Talent, and loads of other fabulous Canadian performers. It had a bit of an impromtu feel, and it wasn't always as professional as it maybe should have been, but the enthusiasm for Canadian music was so encouraging!

It was also a nice night to spend with mum. She and my dad had taken a 6 week tour of Arizona, New Mexico, (real) Mexico, and Texas and this was her first day back! So after coming home to find the house in a state of absolute disaster, this was something to look forward to.

Song of the Day: Anything by anyone Canadian!

On the Road Again

Ok, well maybe not on the road. On the rails is more like it!

I'M OFF TO EUROPE! again (tehehe)

Yep, I'm taking off and going exploring this summer. Me, a backpack, a Eurail pass, and a camera. Oh yes, and Nicole!

It will be so nice having a travelling comrade this time. Nicole is my piano teacher Heather's neice. We'd kind of known each other through recitals, but not much more than each others' names. The day of Heather's Christmas Recital, I saw Nicole at the gym and popped my head around the corner to ask what she was playing that night. It turned out she wasn't taking lessons anymore, but we got talking about everything and then some and finally an hour later decided we should get going. Interestingly enough, she picked up on the point that I was an aupair in Belgium and looked into it herself. She found two really good offers, one in Spain the other in Germany, and called me to ask my opinion. I definitely said Germany, so she accepted that one. Things ended up falling through with the family but the idea of travelling was so stuck in her head that she was ready and willing to go!

We'll be flying out of Calgary July 5th and landing in Munich the next day. From there, we're off to Prague for the weekend, before we come back to Munich and tour through southern Bavaria. We're going to the castle they modelled the one in Sleeping Beauty after, eating lovely German baking in Fussen, and hiking through the Bavarian mountains.

Which will be alive with the sound of music by the time we get to Salzburg! Numerous symphonies and concerts are on the agenda between Salzburg and Vienna. Along the way, we plan to stop in Linz and go to Mauthausen - one of the Nazi's biggest concentration camps during the holocaust. Hoping the combination of joyful music and gruesome history will balance each other out, we're off to Italy!

Venice is our first proposed stop, and then Verona - this city may sound familliar if you've read Romeo and Juilliette. From here, we're undecided if we take the train down the Italian coast and the short ferry ride over to Greece (19hours- free), take the ferry straight from Venice (31hours - free), or fly (3 hours - $270CAD return). Either way, we're somehow getting to Greece.

We will tour some of the mainland and try to find some Greek and Biblical history in Corinth, Mount Olympia, Delos, and Athens. From Athens, we're taking a much needed break on a few Greek islands! We thought Mykonos, Naxos, and Santorini, but Mykonos is rediculously expensive, so the third one is still up in the air. Once we have wonderful tans and have had enough mopedding around the islands, we're back to Italy.

Again, ferry (19 hours - free) or fly (2 hours)?

Come air or high water, Rome is next! From there, spend a few days popping into and out of the little cities of Florence, Pisa, Cinque Terre, and cross through Milan on the way to Switzerland.

If this is a little much, we'll take a day's rest in Switzerland's Italian lakes. Imagine palm trees with mountains in the background on a gorgeous sunny day! This is southern Switzerland, but Grindlewald, central Switzerland is where the hiking is.

YodellleyyyheeeeHhooooOOO!

And once we hike up the mountain, we're jumping off it. Seriously.

We're going paragliding in Interlaken! Imagine floating down seeing a little town in the valley beside a lake between huge, beautiful mountains. After finishing Swtizerland in Lucerne, we're headed back to Munich to catch a flight back to Calgary.

Can you imagine all this will take 5 weeks!

It's so perfect that we hit it off right away and we're going to have so much fun travelling together. Our personalities are totally compatible - we're two young, energetic, ambitious girls who love the arts, history, and God.

And you thought prayers were never answered?

Song of the Day: Who Wouldn't Want to Be Me - Keith Urban

Definition of Wife, Definition of Life

How to Be a Good Wife (Attributed to a 1950's high school Home Economics textbook)

1. Have dinner ready. Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal on time. This is a way of letting him know that you have been thinking about him and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they get home and the prospect of a good meal is part of the warm welcome needed.
2. Prepare yourself. Take 15 minutes so that you’ll be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your makeup, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people. Be a little gay and a little more interesting. His boring day may need a lift.
3. Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives home, gathering up school books, toys, paper, etc. Then run a dust cloth over the tables. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order and it will give you a lift too.
4. Prepare the children. Take a few minutes to wash the children’s hands and faces. Comb their hair and, if necessary, change their clothes. They are little treasures and he would like to see them playing the part.
5. Minimize all noise. At the time of his arrival, eliminate the noise of the washer, dryer, dishwasher or vacuum. Try to encourage the children to be quiet. Be happy to see him. Greet him with a warm smile that says you’re glad to see him.
6. Some Don’ts: Don’t greet him with problems or complaints. Don’t complain if he is late for dinner. Count this as minor as compared to what he might have gone through that day.
7. Make him comfortable. Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or suggest he lie down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him. Fluff his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soothing and pleasant voice. Allow him to relax and unwind.
8. Listen to him. You may have a dozen things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first.
9. Make the evening his. Never complain if he doesn’t take you out to dinner or other places of entertainment. Instead, try to understand his world of strain and pressure, his need to be home and relax.
10. The goal: Try to make your home a place of peace and order where your husband can renew himself in body and spirit.


How to Be a Good 21st Century Wife

1. Have dinner ready: Make reservations ahead of time. If your day becomes too hectic, just leave him a voice mail message regarding where you'd like to eat and at what time. This lets him know that your day has been crappy and gives him an opportunity to change your mood.
2. Prepare yourself: A quick stop at the "LANCOME" counter on your way home will do wonders for your outlook and will keep you from becoming irritated every time he opens his mouth. (Make sure to use his credit card!)
3. Clear away the clutter: Call the housekeeper and tell her that any miscellaneous items left on the floor by the children can be placed in the Goodwill box in the garage.
4. Prepare the children. Send the children to their rooms to watch television or play Nintendo video games. After all, both of them are from his previous marriage.
5. Minimize all noise: If you happen to be home when he arrives, be in the bathroom with the door locked.
6. Some Don’ts: Don't great him with problems and complaints. Let him speak first and then your complaints will get more attention and remain fresh in his mind throughout dinner. Don't complain if he's late for dinner; simply remind him that the leftovers are in the refrigerator and you left the dishes for him to do.
7. Make him comfortable: Tell him where he can find a blanket if he's cold.
8. Listen to him: But don't ever let him get the last word.
9. Make the evening his. Never complain if he does not take you out to dinner or to the other places of entertainment; go with a friend or go shopping (Again, make sure to use his credit card.)
10. The goal: Try to keep things amicable without reminding him that he only thinks the world revolves around him. Obviously, he's wrong. It revolves around you.


Both of these from my friend's Sociology class, Module 10 "Family Issues".

Song of the Day: Ain't Nothin' Gonna Break My Stride

Resolution Updates

I donated blood for the first time on the 16th and it was fabulous! Not only do they give you free pop, timbits, and other yummy snacks, I may have just saved one or more peoples' lives. I encourage anyone reading this to take an hour to go and donate blood. They ask a lot of personal questions, but pretty much as long as you don't have AIDS you're eligible.
The next donation station on campus will be in the Physical Activity Complex - January 31st, 2007 from 10:00am-3:00pm. It's all run by nurses, super clean and professional, and the most painful part of it all was taking off the bandaid after!

I still get the emails from Rees' College and Career group and it's interesting to read what they're still up to. The one I got this week was about a Youth For Christ missions trip needing suppies for their trip to an orphanage in Nicaragua. Check http://www.yfcsask.com/programs/ps07/ps07.html for more info. Nicaragua is the second poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, so I felt it was the least I could do with the tip money I'd earned that night. This had really been on my mind for the last week so when I got off work early I went to Superstore, raided the dollar bin, and picked up underwear, toothbrushes, hair elastics, a puzzle, and crayons. I was a bit nervous to just show up at a group I hadn't seen since September, but it went really well. They were really happy to see me and it felt really good knowing these things will be used and loved by kids half way around the world in just a few weeks.

Song of the Day: She Will Be Loved - Maroon 5

I Have Reached the Age of Wisdom!

This is what I spent most of last weekend doing: nothing. I watched a ridiculous amount of useless t.v., read "Shopaholic Ties the Knot", and slept. It was fabulous! I may look like I'm not happy about it, but I'm literally unable to produce any kind of joy or happiness in a facial expression - my cheeks were so swollen. Aside from the pain and mouth full of stitches, the swollen cheeks, garbled words, and being unable to eat solid food, I had an incredibly relaxing weekend. This was also partly because of the "potent narcotics", as Dr. Lanigan liked to refer to them, that I was on.
Friday at 1:00 I went to have my wisdom teeth out. Not just one or two, no, all four of the had to go. My top left was exposed and poking into my cheek, the top right was fine but I figured that while I was there it might as well go, and the bottom two weren't coming in upwards but forwards and therefore cramming all of my nice "I-spent-$5000-and-two-years-in-braces" teeth together. I think they're slowly starting to re-align themselves, but after quite an ordeal!
The last thing I remember is talking about my degree, the IV going into my hand, and then waking up and having someone helping me put my shoes on. I honestly have no idea what they did in my mouth for an hour, but I'm missing 4 teeth, so I'm assuming everything went well.
It's three days later, the swelling has gone down, and I still prefer liquid food, but I'm definitely all caught up on my sleep! One of the best parts about sleeping, aside from clean sheets and my room being rearranged is that I've stopped dreaming about Rees. This may seem kind of trivial, but that means my inaccessible, subconscious thoughts have gotten over him to - and just in time. Our one year would be on Saturday.
But, as always, God works in wonderful ways. His name is Andrew, he's in my French class, and he looks very Aryan - blonde hair, light skin, German. Super nice guy, great at grammar, I may need to take advantage of. I'm better at conversational French because of my summer in Ottawa, so I've emailed him and asked for help with our quiz on Wednesday! There are also a new group of guys at Cornerstone which all seem outgoing and interesting. So, I'll wait, be myself, and see what He has in store for me!
Song of the Day: Love Soon - John Mayer

New Years Resolutions

Selflessness

If you think about it, most problems really come down to being selfish: lying, stealing, cheating, greed, etc. I figure, if I fix this one thing, the rest of it will automatically sort itself out!
Something I've always wanted to do was to sponsor a child. If you click on the link, you can see her. Her name is Krame, she's 5 years old and from Mauritania. It's a fairly large country, just above Senegal, on the North-West coast of Africa. http://www2.worldvision.ca/sponsorship/app?service=external/Show&id=ff8080810f70f5b5010ffe9b31e400fe&lang=en
My next step was to volunteer to take notes for diabled students. I have two classes - Canadian Political History and Political Philosophy - in which students need help with getting notes. I figure, if I'm there anyway and it's as simple as emailing them over, why not! It's the least I can do.

Purity

This sense comes in both body and mind. After a Christmas of wonderful baking, home cooked meals, and not a lot of exercise, I need to make a change. Not only how or how much I output energy, but when kind of energy I intake as well. It's kind of hard living at home and having little-no control over what kind of food gets bought and served, but in order to stay healthy I need to start being consious of what I eat. Presently, I'm the heaviest I've ever been in my life. Now, this changes very easily - I can lose 3 pounds in a day, or gain 2 in just one meal - but I need to make some permanent changes. Both sides of the family have history of heart conditions and diabetes and I don't want that for myself. I just don't understand how these severely overweight people are willingly killing themselves yet do nothing about it. This is your only life! Make the most of it in as much time as you possibly can!

Christmas Break in Christopher Lake

Since I started going to Cornerstone again, I've been introduced to a whole new group of friends. Jessica Luross and I started catching up and found that we both had one huge thing in common - a called-off engagement. But, we found we have many other things in common (music, religion, etc) and get along so well! She introduced me to her friend Jenna, who introduced me to her boyfriend Brett, who intoduced me to Travis, Shayne, and Evan. So, a group of us got together and headed up to Brett's cabin at Christopher Lake for two nights! Complete with 5 bedrooms, bath, living room and kitchen, we were hardly roughing it. We ate all of our Christmas leftovers, played progressively more agressive games of Dutch Blitz, snowmobiled on the lake, went for beautiful walks in the snow, and curled up with wine and movies. What a fantastic way to spend Christmas and what an awsome group to spend it with.

Jessica, me, Travis, Brett, and Jenna

A Blonde, A Brunette, and a Red Head

I like long walks on the beach ...

Another feast courtesy of Blonde-Brunette-Red Inc.

Song of the Day: My Tourniquet - Evanescense

Christmas 2006

It's the most wonderful time of the year! The family all gathered, presents under the tree, everyone groggy from the midnight candle-light service at church the night before. As tradition, we always get up and pull apart our stockings to find chocolate, a mandarin orange, and cans of clam chowder chunky soup. (I know that's kind of random, but hey, it's tradition!) We spent almost two hours opening presents and Gramma always comes over to join in. My gifts consisted of very random, but very lovely things, including 150$ in gas gift certificates, a wireless iPod speaker, a steering-wheel cover, an iPod car charger, Pirates of the Carribean 2, a surge protected power bar (?), a gold ring, and a 250$ cheque from my Gramma!

Even Oreo has a stocking!

Ughhhh ... it's so early .... but we can't resist the presents and chocolate!

PRESENTS!!!

A yellow gold, diamond, and opal ring from my mum.

Well, that was fun!

After we finished opening presents, we took our time getting dressed, having lunch, and decided since it was such a nice day we should go toboganning! We got all bundled up (my dad complete with his new buffalo coat) and walked over to the hill, and spent an hour running up and riding down.

.... You're sure?

Following the snowy adventures of the afternoon, we came back, took the turkey out of the oven and had a feast! Complete with the usual stuffing and cranberry sauce, we included some unconventional new dishes like samosas, Colleen salad, brushetta, and shrimp. Accompanied by wine and girly coolers, Ryan was even able to test out his new key-chain breathalyser (compliments of a loving/teasing sister!).

My famous brushetta!

Song of the Day: Holly Jolly Christmas - Burl Ives

Birthday, Dinner Party and Pre-Christmas Celebrations

Just too much food in general! (You will see through the following pictures what I mean, but what great times it helped to accomplish!)

As per tradition, I'm always the one who decorates our Christmas Tree. My dad sets it up, Ryan and Mum bring up the ornaments and I put it all together. If it were up to me, I would just leave it plain with about 500 lights on it, but my mum insists we jazz it up a little - and I didn't even use a fraction of the ornaments we own! (At least I'm slowly phasing out garlands and beads)




I'M 20! I feel so ... old ... Too bad my birthday always comes the night before my last final, as it did last year, and so there were no huge birthday bashes with rediculous amounts of alcohol. Instead, we ordered 3 XL pizzas from Leah's pizza place and got a fabulous deal, ate way too much of it, and finished it off with carrot cake that had way too much icing! And then I went back to studying...






This is a not-so-glamorous picture of me, but sums up the entire month of December - studying for finals! This one in particular is for my last one, Canadian Government. As hard as I worked, the time and effort and even tears, I'm only completely satisfied with one of my marks. Not that any of them are terrible, I just expected myself to do a little better. If I need an 85% average to get into law then I've got about 7% to go - on average. My next term seems like it'll be a little easier so I'll have more time to devote to school and piano. I thought I was always giving excuses to Heather about why I wasn't practicing piano as much as I should be, but when I was cleaning out my binder and decided to count the number of papers in the things I'd handed in (labs, term papers, essays, research), it amounted to 97! That's almost a master's paper! I'm sure looking forward to doing very little over the Christmas Break before I get into French, English, Political History, Political Philosophy and Canadian Politics.

Another year, another dinner party. Everyone looked fabulous and had such a great time, complete with way too much food, not enough wine, and the perfect amount of company (or at least as much as my basement could hold). We were introduced to a few special significant others and I was reminded that Rees and I met over pizza dip left over from last year's party. I also wore the dress that was intended for our engagement pictures, but I think I had way more fun in it tonight - and looked way better. That morning I'd had an hour and a half piano lesson, went for a massage, tanning, and got my hair cut and styled. I suppose all those yoga classes and weights lifted this past semester helped a little too!

Now who couldn't love those two?

SO much food!

The Cook!

(Most of) The Lovely Ladies

Good food and even better friends! What a night!

Erika - always the centre of attention!