*pokepoke* Does this blog thing work? It's been so long, I can't remember...
First - Friday was my two year BC anniversary. Yay for choosing to move back. My current job is incredibly fabulous and nothing like it existed at my old company. The family thing is good, the friends thing is good, I love my apartment. I love that I can go hiking in the woods in the morning and kayaking in the ocean in the afternoon. Still a good decision, no regrets.
As for the rest - I had an amazing day yesterday! Rod's getting married in exactly 4 weeks so we had a micro-mini bachelor activities day, just him and me. My original plan had me flying us out to Edmonton and meeting up with the guys, going to WEM, playing mini golf, bowling, having dinner at Julio's, and getting drunk on Whyte. Once I priced it out though, my wallet informed me it was a no go. So, instead I planned a similiar day out here. The theme of the day: Things we used to do in Edmonton. We started out by going into Vancouver to see a matinee of X-files (used to watch it EVERY Sunday, and I even flew out to Edmonton to see the premiere of the first movie) and, in the bizarrest move of the day, got caught up in the annual Zombie Walk. Yes, that sounds like it is - a parade of zombies walking down Granville, moaning and wanting brains. Some other person's pics are posted on flickr. So weird. So cool. After the movie (I give it 3 stars, if you were a fan. Less if you weren't), we went to play laser tag. We played three games, and the first was the best as it had 35 players including other adults. The last game only had 5 other players, all kids, and they basically ganged up on us. Rod placed 2nd in the second game, 1st in the last game. I did not. Only problem with laser tag was it was DAMN HOT in there - thankfully I had specified a change of clothes because we both needed it. After laser tag, we had dinner at a thai restaurant that a friend had recommended. Excellent. Tiny little place, great food. We then went to Bankshots and played 5 games of pool. Rod = 4, Jette = 1. As per usual. Afterwards, it was off to Xcalibur for some Xtreme bowling (kind of like cosmic, but not with black lighting) and air hockey. Bowling - Rod = 4, Jette = 1. Woohoo! I won one! Air hockey - Rod = 2, Jette = 0. Although I got two goals, if you count the one Rod scored on himself, and I do. We ended the evening at a sports pub in New West that I like, sharing a giant plate of beef nachos (Julio's - how I miss you) and watching both the Olympics and UFC. Rowing on one screen, men pummeling each other on the second. Fun times! Actually, it was. Awesome day. 12.5 hours of funness. :)
It was lots of driving though - According to google, and not including the drive to and from my house, it was about 74kms and 2 hours of driving. Rod only got nervous once that I noticed and it was on the way to Vancouver, so that doesn't count *L*
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Sunday, August 17, 2008
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
The Summary
Long time no post. Which is a bit odd since lots has been happening. So in point form, the following has occurred:
* Fancy and I briefly checked out Best Man dresses and I tried on one that made me look smokin'. You may or may not see it next year, we haven't decided yet.
* I had a housewarming tea at my not so new apartment for my family followed by a housewarming dinner for a few friends. Things went well - except where my cousin's gorgeous red corduroy jacket leaked dye onto my tan couch (got it out with much Folex and scrubbing) and where S and I spilt 3 times between us on my white tablecloth (also came out with bleach).
* Rod came back from Australia and brought me a super cool hat!
* I went to a conference in Merritt for work (and where I wore my super cool hat to a barn dance). It was pretty good. Attended various seminars, mostly on transplants and forensics, and made some contacts. I also drove the Coquihalla Hwy for the first time.
* Cooking lessons with my grandma continue and we held Thanksgiving dinner at her house. I made cranberry sauce from scratch and actually liked it. So much better than the stuff from a can.
* Lori and her family came to visit! Had lots of fun playing with the babies and visiting with her. We even had a board game night at my house - first time since January. Roddie got his fix. Pics.
* Birthday Festivus commenced on Oct 27 (I took the week off work) and Angie and I went to Rocky Horror at the Ridge theatre. Both of us dressed as Magenta, from different scenes in the movie. Had a blast.
* Angie and I went to Buffy the Vampire Slayer Sing A Long. Two episodes of Buffy, with the second one being a subtitled version of Once More With Feeling. And yes, the whole theatre sings a long. I love geeks like me. Angie only went because she knew I wanted to go as part of Birthday Festivus and she was quite surprised by how fun she found it.
* Hallowe'en! Woohoo! My favourite holiday. Dad decorated the house and this year we dressed up as Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein. I handed out candy and Dad scared medium sized children. My fav moment all night was when a neighbourhood kid, about 3 yrs old, took a half hour to come up the driveway because he had to look at absolutely everything (including the 11 jack o'lanterns from the pumpkin carving party). Pics.
* 30th birthday. arghblah. It was less painful than I thought. Actual birthday was spent at a family dinner, followed by drinks with Rod and Fancy. The next night, S threw me a party at her house. I discovered I lurv raspberry vodka and seven.
* Somewhere in here, I applied for a maternity leave position at my company in the business dept. I land an interview and then a short list interview and then the job! Starts December 10 and is all days. First time in nearly 8 years that I'll be working days. I wonder how I'll cope..... It will be pretty weird though - totally different than my last few positions that's for sure.
* Roddie and Fancy gave me a Buffy calendar (ymmmm, Spike....) and a ticket to the Oilers/Canucks game. The other ticket became Rod's Christmas present. The game itself was a bit slow (unlike the one in Edmonton tonight!) with a 0-0 score. Ends in a shootout, and ends badly for this Canuck fan. Yes, that's right. I converted!!
* I went to speed dating again - and had a blast. This story continues, but trust me, I'm having fun.
* Fancy and I briefly checked out Best Man dresses and I tried on one that made me look smokin'. You may or may not see it next year, we haven't decided yet.
* I had a housewarming tea at my not so new apartment for my family followed by a housewarming dinner for a few friends. Things went well - except where my cousin's gorgeous red corduroy jacket leaked dye onto my tan couch (got it out with much Folex and scrubbing) and where S and I spilt 3 times between us on my white tablecloth (also came out with bleach).
* Rod came back from Australia and brought me a super cool hat!
* I went to a conference in Merritt for work (and where I wore my super cool hat to a barn dance). It was pretty good. Attended various seminars, mostly on transplants and forensics, and made some contacts. I also drove the Coquihalla Hwy for the first time.
* Cooking lessons with my grandma continue and we held Thanksgiving dinner at her house. I made cranberry sauce from scratch and actually liked it. So much better than the stuff from a can.
* Lori and her family came to visit! Had lots of fun playing with the babies and visiting with her. We even had a board game night at my house - first time since January. Roddie got his fix. Pics.
* Birthday Festivus commenced on Oct 27 (I took the week off work) and Angie and I went to Rocky Horror at the Ridge theatre. Both of us dressed as Magenta, from different scenes in the movie. Had a blast.
* Angie and I went to Buffy the Vampire Slayer Sing A Long. Two episodes of Buffy, with the second one being a subtitled version of Once More With Feeling. And yes, the whole theatre sings a long. I love geeks like me. Angie only went because she knew I wanted to go as part of Birthday Festivus and she was quite surprised by how fun she found it.
* Hallowe'en! Woohoo! My favourite holiday. Dad decorated the house and this year we dressed up as Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein. I handed out candy and Dad scared medium sized children. My fav moment all night was when a neighbourhood kid, about 3 yrs old, took a half hour to come up the driveway because he had to look at absolutely everything (including the 11 jack o'lanterns from the pumpkin carving party). Pics.
* 30th birthday. arghblah. It was less painful than I thought. Actual birthday was spent at a family dinner, followed by drinks with Rod and Fancy. The next night, S threw me a party at her house. I discovered I lurv raspberry vodka and seven.
* Somewhere in here, I applied for a maternity leave position at my company in the business dept. I land an interview and then a short list interview and then the job! Starts December 10 and is all days. First time in nearly 8 years that I'll be working days. I wonder how I'll cope..... It will be pretty weird though - totally different than my last few positions that's for sure.
* Roddie and Fancy gave me a Buffy calendar (ymmmm, Spike....) and a ticket to the Oilers/Canucks game. The other ticket became Rod's Christmas present. The game itself was a bit slow (unlike the one in Edmonton tonight!) with a 0-0 score. Ends in a shootout, and ends badly for this Canuck fan. Yes, that's right. I converted!!
* I went to speed dating again - and had a blast. This story continues, but trust me, I'm having fun.
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Best Weekend Ever
Spent the weekend camping in Elaho Valley, which is past Squamish. Something like 20 miles on bad road, plus 27 miles on gravel/pothole road. My car never would have made it, so I'm very glad S and C were willing to give me a ride. Got there quite late on Friday night, about 1030pm. Put my tent up by headlamp which was a first for me. Right on the sand, by the river. Spent the nights hanging out by the bonfire and the days just lounging around. Skipped some rocks, froze my hands washing dishes in the river which killed any possible ideas I had of swimming, took some naps, read a bit. I took some of those peanut butter blossom cookies with me, and they were quite popular. A dozen was not enough. Really, it was the perfect weekend. Got back around 7pm Monday and was just hated the whole work return thing. Pics if you are interested
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Recipe post
1) Had a really good time during my weekend in Shuswap. Spent most of Saturday on White Lake, sitting on a barge. I'd swim in the lake, dry off on the barge while reading my book, and swim in the lake. The drive back was loooonnnggggg. Construction, plus rain = argh. And I was a sleeping passenger so I had it easy!
2) Dating. I've gone out with several guys as of late, but the only thing I have to say about any of my recent dates has been - "It's fine." Fine. And I don't mean, woohoo, he's fine, I mean, it didn't suck. They were all nice, easy to talk to, seem okay. But...... Something lacks!
3) I baked like crazy last weekend and froze most of it for the housewarming/tea party I plan to have in late September. And before you mock my tea party, most of the invitees will be family members and it's an afternoon thing. There will be the odd beer, but mostly Coke and cookies. And the whole point of this point is the following recipe, so amazing! It's on the back of the hershey mini kisses bag. And apparently it's warmer in my apt than I thought because I just got out the bag of chocolate and it's slightly mushy.
Peanut Butter Blossoms
* HERSHEY'S Mini Kisses
* 1/2 cup shortening or butter
* 3/4 cup creamy Peanut Butter
* 1/3 cup granulated sugar
* 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
* 1 egg
* 3 tablespoons milk
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* Granulated sugar (for rolling at end)
Directions:
1. Heat oven to 350°F. 2. Cream together shortening, peanut butter in large bowl, granulated sugar and brown sugar. Add egg, milk and vanilla; beat well. Stir together flour, baking soda and salt; gradually beat into peanut butter mixture. 3. Shape dough into 3/4 inch balls. Roll in granulated sugar; place on ungreased cookie sheet. 4. Bake 5-6 minutes or until lightly browned. Immediately press a chocolate into center of each cookie; cookie will crack around edges. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely. About 9 dozen cookies.
4) Going camping again this weekend. Probably the last trip of the year. Should probably get organized tonight, but I sense I won't.
2) Dating. I've gone out with several guys as of late, but the only thing I have to say about any of my recent dates has been - "It's fine." Fine. And I don't mean, woohoo, he's fine, I mean, it didn't suck. They were all nice, easy to talk to, seem okay. But...... Something lacks!
3) I baked like crazy last weekend and froze most of it for the housewarming/tea party I plan to have in late September. And before you mock my tea party, most of the invitees will be family members and it's an afternoon thing. There will be the odd beer, but mostly Coke and cookies. And the whole point of this point is the following recipe, so amazing! It's on the back of the hershey mini kisses bag. And apparently it's warmer in my apt than I thought because I just got out the bag of chocolate and it's slightly mushy.
Peanut Butter Blossoms
* HERSHEY'S Mini Kisses
* 1/2 cup shortening or butter
* 3/4 cup creamy Peanut Butter
* 1/3 cup granulated sugar
* 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
* 1 egg
* 3 tablespoons milk
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* Granulated sugar (for rolling at end)
Directions:
1. Heat oven to 350°F. 2. Cream together shortening, peanut butter in large bowl, granulated sugar and brown sugar. Add egg, milk and vanilla; beat well. Stir together flour, baking soda and salt; gradually beat into peanut butter mixture. 3. Shape dough into 3/4 inch balls. Roll in granulated sugar; place on ungreased cookie sheet. 4. Bake 5-6 minutes or until lightly browned. Immediately press a chocolate into center of each cookie; cookie will crack around edges. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely. About 9 dozen cookies.
4) Going camping again this weekend. Probably the last trip of the year. Should probably get organized tonight, but I sense I won't.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Two in a row
1) I saw my first real skunk today. I tried to get a picture, but it ran away, and I do know enough to know not to chase anything that has the potential to stink that bad.
2) I mentioned I joined a new gym. Got in a couple of good workouts and did weights yesterday. Apparently overdid it as the muscles connecting my arms to my body HURT and so do my quads. Turns out I lift my arms a lot at work. A lot.
3) My grandma is so cool. I really mean that. I love hanging out with her. Tonight, my family had dinner with her and she told the following story (it's about 1942, England, and my great-grandfather was a policeman): On Saturdays, my little sister Gwen and I would go into town to attend the village dance. After the dance, our two soldier friends would walk us home and it was just walking. No funny business! In fact, I think they were married, but they liked to dance. One night as we were walking home, Gwen whispered to me, "Father is behind that tree!" I looked over and there he was! My Father, the bobby, was on duty and following us home! That night when I got home, I wrote in my diary that Spy Number 1 had followed us. The next day, my diary disappeared and it was never returned.
She laughed so much as she recalled that story. I love hearing stories about her growing up, working during the war, living in London during the Blitz, meeting my grandfather, moving to Canada....
4) Weekend!
2) I mentioned I joined a new gym. Got in a couple of good workouts and did weights yesterday. Apparently overdid it as the muscles connecting my arms to my body HURT and so do my quads. Turns out I lift my arms a lot at work. A lot.
3) My grandma is so cool. I really mean that. I love hanging out with her. Tonight, my family had dinner with her and she told the following story (it's about 1942, England, and my great-grandfather was a policeman): On Saturdays, my little sister Gwen and I would go into town to attend the village dance. After the dance, our two soldier friends would walk us home and it was just walking. No funny business! In fact, I think they were married, but they liked to dance. One night as we were walking home, Gwen whispered to me, "Father is behind that tree!" I looked over and there he was! My Father, the bobby, was on duty and following us home! That night when I got home, I wrote in my diary that Spy Number 1 had followed us. The next day, my diary disappeared and it was never returned.
She laughed so much as she recalled that story. I love hearing stories about her growing up, working during the war, living in London during the Blitz, meeting my grandfather, moving to Canada....
4) Weekend!
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Happy Move-iversary!
Wow, it's been one year to the day that I moved to Vancouver. It doesn't feel like a year, it feels like forever. My ten year hiatus in Edmonton is kind of dream sequence really.
So was this a good decision? Yes, clearly. I like my job (most days anyway!), I love love love my apartment, I like being near my family (dinner with Grandma tomorrow), and it's been great picking up where I left off with my high school girls. Am I 100% happy? Of course not. A certain something (someone) is lacking from my life, but this was the same situation in Edmonton (I'm working on it though, perhaps there will be good posts in the near future. Lots of "learning experiences" though. Although this will most likely only be a revelation to me, turns out I'm not at all attracted to guys like me, by which I mean techno/science geeks. If at any time on a date, I think "wow, we have a lot in common", it pretty much seems to mean he's doomed.). Am I happier than I was in Edmonton? Yes. I have trees and mountains and frequent hugs.
Do I miss Edmonton? No. Except sometimes I dream of the mall. And I do miss certain people and certain things. Post workout Booster Juice with Erin and Kim (Oh hey, I joined a new gym, more like WHC. Open late and only 2 blocks from work, so no more excuses.) Chats over tea at Cargo and James. Game nights at Lori and Rob's. Pool at BPs. Julio's nachos and margaritas. Anytime Jay tells me I missed pie night, I get wildly jealous - which is odd since I never went when I lived there. I think Edmonton people should roadtrip to Vancouver. I have a sofa bed!
This weekend is a big birthday party fest for 2 friends. I think I'll pretend it's an anniversary party for me!
So was this a good decision? Yes, clearly. I like my job (most days anyway!), I love love love my apartment, I like being near my family (dinner with Grandma tomorrow), and it's been great picking up where I left off with my high school girls. Am I 100% happy? Of course not. A certain something (someone) is lacking from my life, but this was the same situation in Edmonton (I'm working on it though, perhaps there will be good posts in the near future. Lots of "learning experiences" though. Although this will most likely only be a revelation to me, turns out I'm not at all attracted to guys like me, by which I mean techno/science geeks. If at any time on a date, I think "wow, we have a lot in common", it pretty much seems to mean he's doomed.). Am I happier than I was in Edmonton? Yes. I have trees and mountains and frequent hugs.
Do I miss Edmonton? No. Except sometimes I dream of the mall. And I do miss certain people and certain things. Post workout Booster Juice with Erin and Kim (Oh hey, I joined a new gym, more like WHC. Open late and only 2 blocks from work, so no more excuses.) Chats over tea at Cargo and James. Game nights at Lori and Rob's. Pool at BPs. Julio's nachos and margaritas. Anytime Jay tells me I missed pie night, I get wildly jealous - which is odd since I never went when I lived there. I think Edmonton people should roadtrip to Vancouver. I have a sofa bed!
This weekend is a big birthday party fest for 2 friends. I think I'll pretend it's an anniversary party for me!
Friday, August 10, 2007
The Camping Post
My only excuse is that I was on vacation. Well for part of the last month anyway. To make up for it, a Friday post!
Edited entries from my camping journal
July 28 - Got to the campground early, but our site was ready anyway. Tents went up fast, but the tarp was difficult as the trees refuse to cooperate. After lunch, we explored the trails around the campsite for about an hour. Dad and I went for another walk in the afternoon through the interpretative area (with no signage) and the Trail of the Fallen Giants.
July 29 - Officially a family camping trip now as it rained. Walked from the campsite at Gold Creek to Lower Falls, wearing our rain ponchos. Basic trail, fairly popular, the falls were nice. Probably about 6.5K return. Back by lunch. Went for another afternoon walk with dad to the Tiarella Nature Trail, about 1.5 hours.
July 30 - Hike planned to Lake Beautiful today, starting at Mike Lake. First part of the trail called Incline Trail - 1.2K UP. And up and up... We then walked along fire access roads and short cuts through forest, including old growth. We got to the final turnoff to Lake Beautiful, after about 2.5 hours of hiking, to discover it was completely overgrown. We had lunch in a mosquito filled clearing (quickly!) and headed back. About 12K since we didn't go all the way up.
July 31 - Dad and I went kayaking in Alouette Lake in the morning. I had serious steering issues on the paddle out, and zigzagged my way along. It was way easier on the way back, even though it was into the wind and waves. Ended up with blisters on both hands! We walked back to camp via the Alouette Valley Trail and Menzies Trail. About 6K.
Aug 1 - Last full day. Did the East Canyon Trail from the Lower Falls parking lot to where it connected with Gold Creek. Very pretty. Had lunch on a rock/sand beach. Decided to go wading and discovered it's glacier fed! Managed to slowly work my way up to my knees over a 30 min period and it didn't seem so cold anymore. So I went swimming - for about 3 seconds. It was so cold, I practically forgot how to make my limbs work. Dried off in the sun and hiked back to a connecting trail (ie goat trail) that linked up with Lower Falls. Until today, had only seen a couple of people on the trails, but when we got to the Lower Falls trail, there were lots. We had only been spared them on the first day by the rain.
Had a really good trip. Couldn't believe how close to the city we were (about an hour from my parents' in light traffic), and yet it's all 80 year old forest. Beautiful.
So if this works, you should be able to click this link and see all my photos (44).
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=11483&l=efe6b&id=551746582
Edited entries from my camping journal
July 28 - Got to the campground early, but our site was ready anyway. Tents went up fast, but the tarp was difficult as the trees refuse to cooperate. After lunch, we explored the trails around the campsite for about an hour. Dad and I went for another walk in the afternoon through the interpretative area (with no signage) and the Trail of the Fallen Giants.
July 29 - Officially a family camping trip now as it rained. Walked from the campsite at Gold Creek to Lower Falls, wearing our rain ponchos. Basic trail, fairly popular, the falls were nice. Probably about 6.5K return. Back by lunch. Went for another afternoon walk with dad to the Tiarella Nature Trail, about 1.5 hours.
July 30 - Hike planned to Lake Beautiful today, starting at Mike Lake. First part of the trail called Incline Trail - 1.2K UP. And up and up... We then walked along fire access roads and short cuts through forest, including old growth. We got to the final turnoff to Lake Beautiful, after about 2.5 hours of hiking, to discover it was completely overgrown. We had lunch in a mosquito filled clearing (quickly!) and headed back. About 12K since we didn't go all the way up.
July 31 - Dad and I went kayaking in Alouette Lake in the morning. I had serious steering issues on the paddle out, and zigzagged my way along. It was way easier on the way back, even though it was into the wind and waves. Ended up with blisters on both hands! We walked back to camp via the Alouette Valley Trail and Menzies Trail. About 6K.
Aug 1 - Last full day. Did the East Canyon Trail from the Lower Falls parking lot to where it connected with Gold Creek. Very pretty. Had lunch on a rock/sand beach. Decided to go wading and discovered it's glacier fed! Managed to slowly work my way up to my knees over a 30 min period and it didn't seem so cold anymore. So I went swimming - for about 3 seconds. It was so cold, I practically forgot how to make my limbs work. Dried off in the sun and hiked back to a connecting trail (ie goat trail) that linked up with Lower Falls. Until today, had only seen a couple of people on the trails, but when we got to the Lower Falls trail, there were lots. We had only been spared them on the first day by the rain.
Had a really good trip. Couldn't believe how close to the city we were (about an hour from my parents' in light traffic), and yet it's all 80 year old forest. Beautiful.
So if this works, you should be able to click this link and see all my photos (44).
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=11
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