nothing to do

And it is a good thing...

I am up in Nanaimo, have been since Wednesday night. I am having an excellent time doing absolutely nothing at all. After the last few months, this has been a welcome respite. Because of my various health issues, and the fact that Liz and Chris' town house flooded out in September, I haven't had much of an opportunity to visit with them, so I have been happy to be here. We've watched movies, drank wine, and are heading out to the pub tonight with a bunch of people. Good times had by all!

I am feeling a lot better about myself in the last few days than I have been. Just taking things in stride. My mouth feels tonnes better now after the wisdom teeth, and my persistent, constant headaches are gone. It's a good thing. And I have a lot of fun to look forward to tomorrow. Drinks & a Christmas soiree at a coworker's house, and then off for a Christmas movie night with friends. Then back to work on Monday. My friends are destressing now that exams are winding down, so my social calendar is getting quite busy.

Here's to fun times in the coming days!

how green is my life?

Claire's recent post about the green-ness of her workplace made me think about how green I am at work, and how green I am in general. The thinking process was good, the result was bad:

UNGREEN

- I print numerous emails, and hang on to the digital copy as well. My manager is a "paper person" so there is no way around this.
- My water at lunch is always served in a styrofoam cup.
- The pitcher of water that is kept in the fridge tastes bad, so I get mine from the tap... I run the tap for about 45 seconds before it is cold. That, I can fix.
- My printer frequently malfunctions, spewing sheets of paper and envelopes with one single character on them.
- I drive 32kms to work in my car alone, then another 32kms back at the end of the day.
- I specifically use an incandescent desk lamp - the fluorescents hurt my eyes.
- I pack my lunch in a plastic bag every day, and throw it away when I am done.
- I use two caustic chemicals in my bathroom - the biodegradable ones don't work well enough, and I am lazy, so I use the nasty stuff instead.

GREEN

- When shopping for a new car for my 64km/daily commute, I got the most fuel efficient car I could afford.
- I do all of my errands on the way to/from work, so that I am combining trips.
- I signed up for SPUD.ca to have vegetables delivered to my door every week in a reusable container. The veggies all come from with 800kms of here, so they are relatively local.
- I use biodegradable cleaners when I can.
- My lights at home are all low-energy fixtures.
- I only launder once a week, and only with full loads, and a biodegradable soap.
- I try not to buy individually-packaged things like yogurt.
- I am very conscientious of recycling. Paper, plastic, glass, all that is recycled, both at home and at work.
- I take short showers.

I am sure that this is nowhere near a comprehensive list. I know there I things that I have forgotten from both sides. I applaud any and all efforts to minimize ones impact on the earth.

And Claire, as far as New Year's Resolutions go, I applaud that you make any, even if you do feel like you do not accomplish them. I don't even try. Maybe I'll see what I can do this year. Maybe 2008 will be different.

and I'm out.

weekend of social

whew! Big weekend! So much happening, now I am tired. I'm having breakfast for dinner... yum.

Sat: Computer lab working, then off to see "Glorious!" at the Belfry with Liz. It was an amazing play. So funny, and very well executed. Look it up. I love going to the theatre, and I haven't seen Liz since September, so it was nice. After that, off to Cheryl's house for a Christmas get-together. I had a lot of fun, and I am sure everyone else did too. The potluck was great.

Sun: Slept in, then went a Christmas party at a co-workers house, and that was a great time. One of his guests is a professional chef, and he did the food, so it was all amazing! And the drinks just didn't stop coming. I met a lot of people, and had a lot of great conversations. Then I was off to the lab for more work.

And here I am, at home now, realizing the weekend has drawn to a close, and it was good.

I'm out.

omelette

Went work today, and finished prepping all the Christmas cards that we have to send out. No small task, let me tell you. 368 cards, with varying quantities being signed by up to seven different individuals. Hundreds of envelopes printed. Most of the cards are signed, so I can start sending them out tomorrow. But before they can get mailed, they have to folded and stuffed into their envelopes, then sorted as domestic, US, or International for postal reasons. AHHH!!!!

In other news, I ate my first semi-solid food that required chewing. Best omelette ever, with little chopped up, pre-cooked veggies in it. It was yummy in my tummy. However, I have started to develop a dry socket (no pain) so I have a dressing that tastes likes cloves. All the time. All day. Every hour. Cloves. I am already sick of it.

Wrote my final, it went okay, but as per my previous post, I don't really care. I bought some Christmas lights today, and put them up in my apartment. And I have also busted out the Christmas music. 'Tis the season!

puffy face and funny colours

I went back to work today. Man, this fall has been an absolute whirlwind. I am most definitely looking forward to the end of 2007! That being said, don't wish your life away, right?

Last Wednesday, I had my wisdom teeth removed. I only had three to begin with, so I guess I got off 'easy.' No dry socket, and an amazing doctor to do the procedure. I just have to say, thank god for extended health benefits, or I would still be trying to dig up the roughly $1,300 this procedure will cost! What are you supposed to do if you don't have money, EHB, and your wisdom teeth are causing you pain? Answer me THAT, healthcare system.

The procedure went okay. For the first time though, coming out of a general anesthetic, I was very disoriented, and had a mild panic attack. I calmed down after a few minutes, but I am man enough to admit that I was bawling when I woke up. I was confused, in pain (until the put something in my IV), and all of the events of the past few exciting months just seemed to sort of pile on me all at once, and I lost it. Had a good cry, talked to a very sympathetic nurse, and then went home. I feel so much better for having had these teeth out though, both mentally and physically. Having them out has been weighing over me for about 2 years now, and it feels good to have it behind me. Not to mention, my persistent headache... is gone. And, since my diet is restricted, I have already lost 5 pounds! That being said, my kingdom for chicken strips right now. I am tired of canned/pureed goods. Hopefully at my follow up tomorrow I will get some more advice re: diet.

I am writing my one and only final tomorrow. Then, this horrible course that I have been hating will be OVER! For good. I still don't know any of my grades in the course at all, and frankly, I don't care either. Que sera sera!

Anyways, to bed with me. It is late, and I have a lot to do tomorrow!

And a quick welcome back to Claire. It's nice to have another blogger re-born to join us.

Christmas Party

Went to the Butchart Christmas Gala last night. Had a good time. However, this is the first gala where I haven't danced. Not one dance. I felt weird, and kind of old...

Many thanks to Hannah for the companionship!

Pictures below:

when will it stop?

My god, this has been quite the stretch.

Sat down for lunch yesterday, having bought myself a chicken caesar wrap, and a bowl of soup. I took a couple of bites of the wrap, then ate my soup. Went to continue with the wrap, and out of the corner of my eye, saw some pink. I thought "gee, that is some awfully pink chicken" then realized that I was currently devouring a shrimp wrap. Not good for me at all.

I threw the wrap down on my plate, told my co-workers to give the cafeteria heck, and called emergency first aid. I spent an hour in first aid, had a mild reaction (instead of anaphylaxis), and went back to work, so drugged I could barely stay awake.

How did I get a shrimp wrap, you ask? They were wrapped in exactly the same tortilla as the chicken, and on the same shelf where the chicken wraps have been for the last 2.5 years! The girls in the cafeteria gave the kitchen heck, and the kitchen said "We told you there were some shrimp ones in there with the chicken." Not good enough. No labelling, absolutely no indication that these wraps were different at all. They should have been cut in half so it was completely clear what was inside them.

While I was in first aid, one of my co-workers told the director of Food Services what had happened, and his response was "If it would happen to anyone, it would happen to Dave." I then saw him myself on two separate occasions later that afternoon. Not one "I'm sorry" or "How are you feeling?" or "That was awful!" It was business as usual.

This is the second time an unlabelled substitution has caused me grief... On Monday, I am going to go to the Food Services director and just be polite but firm: What is going to change? What can I watch for? Because, quite frankly, this shouldn't happen. Yes, the onus is on the allergy-bearer to be careful, but a wrap on a shelf labelled Chicken should not be full of shrimp!

Anyways, the Christmas Gala is tonight at work, so that is something to look forward to.

I'm out. Off to the clinic!

morning

My throat really hurts, a lot. More than it has ever hurt. I grimace every time I swallow. I have to try and convince the clinic doctor to talk to me about it today. You are only allowed to see one physician a day under BC Medicare, and I use that visit every day for my dressing change. Perhaps, the doctor will be able to cover off on two issues.

My wisdom teeth are coming out on Wednesday. My research paper and project are due on Tuesday. I start every day lined up outside the walk-in clinic 30 minutes before opening.

I want company.

And yes, I am feeling a little bit melodramatic lately.

happenings

Things that have happened to me this year:

- Met Eric
- Got great new job
- Travelled to London and Berlin w/Eric
- Took a Web Design Course and did well
- Moved out of a house and in with Eric
- Went to Edmonton for Eric's birthday present, saw Eartha Kitt Live!
- Developed medical problems
- Medical problems turned into cancer scare (briefly)
- Cancer scare turned back into medical problems
- Waited 5 months for surgery
- Spent the equivalent of days at the doctor's office
- Bought new car
- Stretched my credit cards
- Joined the pension plan
- Moved out of Eric's place to my parents
- Moved into my own apartment
- Got into car accident
- Started payments on my student loan
- Travelled to Kelowna with Liz, toured wineries, and visited friends in Nelson and Vancouver
- Went back to school
- Taking a history course that I absolutely loathe.
- Got my surgery date
- Surgery failed, must go to clinic every day.
- Wisdom teeth acting up, must come out NOW.

I am not sure what kind of year this has been... and it isn't over yet!

fragile

So here I am. Lindsay and I made a commitment to each other to restart our blogs, vowing that we would keep it completely separate from our Facebook lives.

I feel really fragile right now. The last few months have had a lot of good, and a lot of challenges. I am definitely looking forward to the year being behind me. To get back into the blogger groove, I have been looking back through my previous posts... and I miss me. Does that make any sense? I look back, and I seemed so much more, stable or level, a little while ago. I don't know.

I think I am going to have to think for awhile.

My new car!

HMCS Ottawa

Hi all,

As mentioned in one of my previous posts, here are the pictures from my day aboard the HMCS Ottawa last week.

HMCS Ottawa

the week goes on

so I moved last weekend. I now share an apartment with Eric. Not that he is ever here... he is busy shooting a movie in Vancouver monday through friday, and so he is away all the time. But now the apartment looks like it exploded. Stress levels run high.

The job is super stressful right now. Really stressful. Like, missing sleep stressful. I don't know what happened this week. But work is definitely work right now, if you know what I mean. But each day is a new one, and so thing should be fine pretty soon.

I spent a day at sea on board the HMCS Ottawa on Monday. It was pretty freakin' sweet, if I may say so. Those boats can MOVE! A huge frigate that can go from zero to thirty knots in 30 seconds, and then stop in it's own length. Carving figure eights was definitely cool. Pictures will follow pretty quick.

Anyways, that is the latest update. I am off to Vancouver this weekend to see Eric, and so it should (hopefully) feel like a minivacation. Here's to relaxing!

And i'm out...

man, i feel like crap

So, you know how I was bitching about upholding family obligations that my parents planned? Well, the obligation was to transport my Grandma Anderson to the last youth orchestra concert of the season, which I didn't want to do, and wasn't planning on attending in any case.

The good news was that I didn't have to do that. The bad news is because Grandma Anderson had a massive stroke at some point on Friday night/Saturday morning, and passed away early this morning.

I feel like such a selfish scumbag. I mean, she wouldn't have been able to go to the concert anyways as a result of the stroke, but I still feel crappy for not doing something differently, even though there is nothing that I could have done that would have affected anything.

Luckily, she went quickly, and she was comfortable. Now, we wait for news from her son about funeral/memorial arrangements.

Geez.

family responsibility

I don't where my responsibility lies with regard to my family. My mom called and wanted me to go to the Youth orchestra concert. But I don't want to go. She needs me to run to the carehome and ride back with Grandma Anderson in the HandyDart. The home is not well staffed enough to actually make sure that she gets on the right HandyDart. They simply park her in the office.

I feel really selfish right now. I don't want to go to the concert, I don't want to ride in the the HandyDart, and it isn't up to me to cover the staffing shortfalls of the provincially-funded carehome.

God, I feel like such a loser right now. I am just tired of having to help the parents cope with plans that they make and expect me to help them fulfill on some level.

Ah well. I am off to bed. I start the Corporate Rowing challenge tomorrow, and I must get my stuff lined up.

the blog

Between Facebook and my blog, I don't know what to keep updated. Each has it's advantages... so stay tuned.

That is the extent of my blog creativity at the moment.

Berlin

Berlin

London

London

Exeter

Exeter

organic cotton

So, I am feeling a little bit better this morning. I think the fact that we are finally getting some sunshine is helping loads. I am so tired of dreary days. I mean, it is cloudy today, but at least it isn't dark. I got so sick and tired of it being dark all the time. So yay for good weather!

For the first time, about a week ago, I was able to open the sunroof on my car. A true sign of warmer weather. And higher spirits. But allergies, good lord! 'Tis the season. My hayfever has been going nuts for about 10 days. It is pretty annoying. Having to stop and sneeze when driving because you can't stop sneezing is pretty annoying.

But I love having fulltime work. I have to watch my expenses, but not as tightly as before. And I can try and save some money too. I am thinking about purchasing property in two years, and so I need to be responsible AND take care of my student loan debt.

I went to MEC the other day and bought some great new polo shirts. They have released a line of organic cotton clothing. I know, we've all seen it before, but it is pretty cool that MEC has priced it so that they are accessible. Organic cotton Polo shirts for $19? Tshirts for $12? That is pretty darn good for ANY shirt, never mind organic. Not mention, I really enjoy the colours. :-)

I have been trying to be a little more aware of my 'cunsumptiveness' with regard to the environment. That being said, I drive to work everyday in a single-occupant vehicle. I could take the bus, but I am LAZY. I would have to get up much earlier to catch the bus, and my laziness/desire to sleep overrides my environmental sensibilities. But I do what I can.

Speaking of the environment, in the last week I have watched An Inconvenient Truth and Who killed the Electric Car? Both are excellent films, and I would reccommend them both to everyone. An Inconvenient Truth is by far the most depressing of the two, but who every claimed that climate change was supposed to be uplifting?

And those are my thoughts for the day.

life just keeps rollin'

I had a really bad day at work today. I mean, like, crawl under a bush and die kind of day. But all ended okay, and I headed off to the Brentwood Bay Lodge for a drink with Dave, which was great. Both of our work days were less than stellar, so it was nice to have a couple of pints to relax. Then I spent 30 minutes arguing with VISA about my card... and got treated like garbage by the rep. Long story.

I was feeling a little pissed at this point. Bailed on my parents, and headed back to Eric's house (he's away in Van for the next 3 months). I thought that I would take it easy, do some tidying, laundry, and assemble the bookshelf he bought at Walmart.

Trust Walmart to sell a book case where the screws strip the allen key. What the fuck is that? So now there is a half-assembled (not even) bookcase sitting on the living room floor, and I am angry!!!!

And drinking beer. Beer solves all problems... which is mildly concerning. I miss Eric...

I want him to come home.

But life, keeps on rollin'

gah

and gah to the world too.

Geez, social engagements at the parent's house are so stressful.

Always.

last minute change of plans

Off to Poco tonight to hear the Creddence Clearwater Revival band with Eric and his dad... I love being spontaneous! This weekend is looking up!

and yes, I know this band is really me.

kinda

So, I feel kinda like I've checked out a bit. I have a lot of good in my life right now, and a lot of promising perspectives. But I don't know why I feel so detached from all of it. I really don't like where I live. The house smells, and we ran out of heating oil, so the house is always cold, and smells really dank. I never see my roommates, no body ever cleans, and I am tired of living with people. I haven't prepared a meal in months. No joke. The fanciest thing I have produced in my kitchen is tea. But I also don't feel much like doing anything about either, since we are all moving out at the end of April.

I have to find a place for May 1. Which seems like a really daunting prospect. I don't even really want to get together with friends. Everything feels like an effort. Since I got back from my trip I have been so exhausted all the time. It is starting to worry me, that I am so tired all the time. I'm told that it can actually take your body a couple of weeks to get over the westward time difference, but I dunno.

Blah. I just feel a little bit blah.

But like I said, I have a lot of good. I really like my new job, and am finding it pretty rewarding. Definitely a steep learning curve, but enjoying it nonetheless. Eric and I are getting along famously, and just celebrated 2 months together this past week (no small feat for me, conidering I have never been in a relationship).

Anyways, I'm just ranting. Things will look up. Maybe some sunshine would help. Cause good lord, I am SICK and tired of it being grey here all the time. It really blows balls.

I think I'll go to Nanaimo this weekend and chill at the sister's place. I dunno.

i'm out...

blah

Samara left today... moving back to Nelson.

Dave is sad now.

whew...

Well, after bring up for 24 consecutive hours, I am home. I think next time I would plan the flights a little differently. We left Berlin at 1pm (4am PST), then had a layover in London for 3 hours before getting on the flight to Vancouver that left an hour late at 5:45pm GMT (8am PST), then were on the plane until 6:45pm PST when it landed in Vancouver. We had a semi-long wait at passport control, and kind of got grilled a bit (Eric more than me) and then a really long wait for our bags. So we missed the PCL coach from the airport, and we had to take a taxi to the ferry ($$$). Then we caught the 9pm ferry. Simon and Kira met us at the ferry terminal, and we drove Eric home and then I got home, at 12am PST, which is 9am Berlin time, precisely 24 hours after I woke up.

I think I would have a longer connection maybe. Either at least a day in London, or perhaps a connection in Toronto. I know it sounds crazy, who actually asks for connections? I do. I spent far too long on an airplane yesterday.

But I had a great time over there. I saw a lot of sights that we don't have over here, ate some different foods (some of which disagreed with me, but all of which tasted good). I even saw an English-language version of "The Queen" in Berlin. All of our hosts (Hannah in London, Miriam and Tara in Berlin) were very gracious, and full of good sightseeing ideas, as well as some more obscure, not-quite-on-the-map sights, like the East Side Gallery in Berlin.

Anyways, I have more then 700 pictures to look through, so I will have some to post shortly!

and I'm back.

enough

The trip has ended...

Almost. We are just about finished here in Berlin. And I have to say that I am ready to go home. I am craving my own things. My bed, my pillow, my food... I am kind of tired of having to 'figure out' everything, you know? I got a little bit lost on the transit systems today (Berlin has three different kinds of trains operated by 2 different bodies, but one schedule) and I had a little freak out when I couldn't find a map of the system in the largest station on the network.

But that aside, I have had a good time. We went out to Sansoucci today, which is the Versailles of Germany. It was beautiful, it is this huge park with 5 palaces in it. The park itself was beautiful, but it was kind of cold and windy too. Eric and I went to Potsdamer Platz on the way back for dinner, and ate an Australian bar. I had a burger, but I could have gotten kangaroo meat if I wanted to! Eww!! I couldn't imagine eating a little kangaroo!

It is Sunday night here, we are planning to watch the Oscars tonight (live, which is 2am-6am Berlin time), and then Eric and I have Monday in Berlin before flying out Tuesday afternoon. 1pm flight from Tegel Airport, we will layover in London for 4 hours, and then back in Vancouver at 6ish on Tuesday night. 9pm ferry home, a gracious ride from the ferry courtesy of Simon and Kira, and then off to my own bed.

I'm out for now!

Ich bin in Berlin!

Hi all,

I am in Berlin now, and have been since Monday night. But internet access here isn't as cheap or frequent as North America, so here I am at Tara's place, finally catching up on email and dropping a note to the bloggers.

I had a good time in London. I really enjoyed spending time with Hannah and Eric while we were there. I will admit though, that I had a little breakdown on Monday. Hannah had gone back to Exeter for class the previous night, and Eric and I were spending our last day together in London. We went out to Madam Tussaud's Wax Museum, but it was too long of a queue, and the admission was £25.00, which is too much.

I wasn't feeling well, kind of nauseous. I went to a chemist and got a drug that I had never heard of, and then got nervous about taking it. So I decided to get some food. I saw a Subway (I know, we can get Subway at home, but it really appealed) and I got lunch. Eric left me there and walked up the street to see where the Sherlock Holmes museum was. I decided that I wanted to talk to Liz, so I called her, and got the answering machine. I left the weirdest message ever, and then hung up. I don't know what did it, but all of a sudden I just had the uncontrollable urge to cry. I kept it back for a little bit, then the floodgates opened. So I had a quiet little cry sitting on Baker Sreet in London, and Eric came back and found me weeping into my sandwich. Well, I had realized that I was a little tired and overwhelmed by the city, and a little bit homesick. But after my little cry, I felt a lot better. My nausea was gone, and I have been enjoying myself since. Even the language barrier in Berlin isn't really bothering me that much.

But I must go. We are going to watch a movie and drink Radlers. It is this gross-sounding drink that it half-beer, half-orange Fanta, but it is freaking delicious! Everybody here drinks them.

We are seeing the sights, and I have tonnes of pictures to show when I get back. I will try and post again before I head back.

Tschuß aus Deutschland!

from the UK

Hi everyone,

I arrived in Exeter late last night. Travel was a little bit of an ordeal, but here I am. I STILL don't feel like I have arrived though... Exeter looks a lot like Victoria. I mean a lot. For one thing, there are seagulls. Another thing: it is pouring rain, grey, and overcast. Third thing: everyone is carrying an umbrella. Fourth: the university architecture is almost identical. I could be writing this on a grey, rainy day in the Craigdarroch residences at UVic.

But, I am sure that will change later today. Hannah has her Chaucer class until noon, and then we are off into Exeter itself to see the cathedral, and the rest of the sights before catching a train into London tonight. I think when I get to London I will really feel like I have gone somewhere.

Travel: Flight leaves at 8.30pm. Must take 1pm ferry to ensure we are at Vancouver International soon enough. Get there early, at 3.15pm. 5 hours before our flight. Wait one hour before the check in desk even open. Check in. Discover the plane was late leaving London, so our flight is delayed until 9.35pm. Clear airport security. YVR has embarked on a massive reno project, meaning there are 3 cafes, 1 duty free, and a pro shop open. Can't even buy a book. Waste many hours sitting in terminal, getting increasingly cranky (sorry Eric!). Plane arrives, excitement builds. Then all of a sudden "British Airways is paging the following passenger: Would David Ross please report to gate D52 for a message." Heart leaps into throat. Go to D52, turns out that they were concerned they had lost my bag: both of our bags were checked under Eric's name. No problem. Finally board aircraft. Oops, they have to run tests. Sit on the tarmac for ten minutes. Finally take off, at 10.40pm, more than 2 hours late.

Flight over OK. Dinner and drinks served after takeoff. Chose a movie, fell asleep. Got woken up at 5am PST for breakfast, which was nasty. Delays at Heathrow. Holding pattern for 15 minutes. Land. No free gates. Wait ten minutes. Finally get off the aircraft. I feel like garbage, and my cough is coming back at this point. Get through Passport Control pretty quickly (20 minutes) then off to the Arrivals level. Bags claimed no problem. Take Eric to the Heathrow Express station to get him settled on his way to London. I go the National Express desk to pick up my ticket for the Bus to Exeter. I pick it up at the Terminal 4 desk, as instructed on my online confirmation. The lady says "The bus leaves from the Central Bus Station at Terminal 1. Go take the Heathrow Express (no charge) but you will probably miss your bus." Run back to Heathrow Express. Run down the esclator. Run into Eric on the platform. We get on the train. Train gets to Terminal 1 at 5.15, bus leaves at 5.25pm. RUN down the worlds longest corridor. Follow sign to Terminal 1. Take a long escalator ride. Get off escalator. Go around corner, another escalator. Ride it. Another corner, another escalator. RUN up it with my bag. Go around corner: long hallway. Start running. Completely don't see the travelator, so ran next to it. 5.20pm. Arrive in hub where 4 corridors meet, no more signs for the Central Bus Station. Finally spot an elevator with a paper sign on the door "Temporary Lift to Central Bus Station." Take it. Get to bus station. 5.23pm. Run to info desk, go to platform... Bus is 30 minutes late.

Got on the bus, and slept, slept, slept. 3.5 hours later, arrived in Exeter. Hannah met me, we walked back to her flat at the school, and was finally able to relax. Took the best shower of my life, and went to bed.

I suppose it could have been much worse. It actually isn't that bad. I just wanted to document that part of my trip before I forgot.

I can't wait to get to London tonight!

and I'm out for now!

Europe, here I come!

I'm off to Europe tomorrow! I'll see you guys later!!!

here i go...

I am enjoying my last two days off before I leave for my trip. Today is Saturday, and I leave on Wednesday! I am getting very excited. But my goodness, I have had a lot of work to do in the meantime.

Every time I do something to get ready for the trip, I am reminded of just how close it actually is. Today, I went to the bank and bought some pounds sterling so that I have a little cash when I land in London. I asked for £50, and it cost me $116 Canadian! But I am trying not to think about the expense of the UK, I'll worry about the VISA bill when I get back.

But yes, preparations abound. I need to make arrangements to get to the ferry terminal on Wednesday, go to my parents to get the suitcase I am using, I need to do laundry, get my carry-on bag prepped with the bare essentials (apparently British Airways has been losing a lot of luggage lately...) I have so much to get done!

But it will all happen. Speaking of which, I need to go. I'll try and post another update before I leave!

and I'm out...

more info

Okay, for those of you who were not in the know on things, the aforementioned position that I got hired for today was:

Administrative Assistant to the Director of PR at Butchart Gardens.

Yes, it is a full time position. Yes, I have had to drop out of school. Well, not completely. I have dropped three of the four courses that I was taking. The schedule at this job is such that I can continue with my English 401 Web Design course.

I am not quitting school. I want to make that clear. What I am doing is restructuring my education. Right now, I am a third-year English student with two years left, and $25,000 in debt. And so, I have decided to get a job and PAY my way through the rest of my degree with real money, not student loans. Yes, it will take a little longer, but this was an opportunity that I could not refuse. So I took it.

And that is all. Tomorrow, I have an appointment with a financial advisor to determine the best bet for my pension benefits, and then I am off for a fantastic haircut. To that end, I am posting a 'before' picture tonight. I will post an 'after' picture tomorrow... And yes I know I look like a creeper...

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAA!!!!!!!!

I got the job!! WOOT WOOT!!!

Not really able to communicate how happy I am right now... not at all...

Just imagine me jumping up and down in excitement at the bus loop at UVic when I found out... perhaps that image will help you!

weeping...

AHH!!! So MacBooks are supposed to be indestructible, right? Right? I even double checked on Apple's website, and found this direct quote:

"And since MacBook is sure to become your constant companion, a durable polycarbonate shell keeps it ready for the rough and tumble of everyday life."

So since my MacBook IS my constant companion (it goes to school with me every day), how in god's name did THIS happen?

And Apple wants my computer for THREE WEEKS to repair it?

Did I drop it, you ask? Throw it across the room? Oh no, I was simply typing merrily along, when I lifted my wrist and this little plastic edge started to peel away. So now my beautiful MacBook has a piece of scotch tape holding it together...

Boo...

academia

To loosely quote Eric, I feel like I am losing my passion for school. I don't know what it is, but with each passing week, my courses become duller and duller. This semester, I am taking four courses: Conversational German, Early Victorian Lit, Copy Editing, and Web Design. I am only enjoying one of those courses. The others just feel like work.

I am disliking German a LOT!! It seems like no matter what I do, I am incapable of succeeding in that course. There is homework due every single day. I hate it! And with Copy Editing, I just don't care, I really have no desire to go an sit in that classroom and listen to a lecture on the construction of adverbial phrases. Several times I have been in WebReg for one reason or another, and it has struck me that with two mouse clicks, that course could be out of my life forever. Really. It would be that simple. Web Design is okay, except that we are moving at a snail's pace. Early Victorian Lit, on the other hand, is amazing! Dr. Surridge is so passionate about her subject. Her lectures are engaging and varied, and really promote discussion and questions from the class. I would definitely take courses from her again.

One of the reasons that I feel so discombobulated lately is that I have an incredible employment opportunity that has come my way, which I applied for. I got shortlisted and interviewed (today, actually), and think that I have a decent shot. I should find out by Friday whether I got the job or not. Monday at the latest. I just kind of want to know, you know? I have so many projects coming up in the next 10 days, but do I need to apply myself to them or not? If I get the job, the answer is no, as I will be dropping those courses. But I need to apply myself in case I don't get the job.

Why is life so complicated some times? lol

But ah well. Life is not so bad! School aside, I feel a little more 'balanced' of late. Maybe Eric has something to do with that? I dunno! And yes, Eric, I know you are reading this too. But I really enjoy spending my time with Eric, and thinking about him, and waiting to talk to him at night, and becoming a clingy, overly-obsessed boyfriend. I just hope I don't scare him off!

On that note, I am going to bed. I have finished reading Wuthering Heights, and now I need to start reading Cranford. Yay!

sitting in the computer lab...

life goes on...

so much homework to do...

and i don't want to do any of it.

laid off

I got laid off at the Gardens again...

Little does Payroll know, I start there tomorrow in a different department! AH-hahahahahahahah!!!!!

Take THAT, unnecessary paperwork!

I can really be an ass sometimes!

Eric

Here it is, as promised. A picture of Eric. I hope this works out!

a BIG update!

Well, this update isn't big in quantity, but it is big in substance.

As some of you know, I have had myself out there on a few online dating sites, inspired by the success of Claire. Well, after a few coffee dates and some odd moments, I think that I have finally met someone. I don't mean to be cliched, but we really clicked when we met the other day, and have been spending a lot of time together. We are very similar in nature, and both enjoy each other's company. I am very happy, but also very cautious. You know us virgos, there always has to be a barrier of some sort!

Anyways, his name is Eric, he's 29, and a boom operator (he holds the big fuzzy microphone over actors on tv sets). I'll post a pic later on when I get a chance.

That being said, I am off to school (and lunch with Eric!!)