J'ai reussi... Niveau C!

Finally... some good news in the French department.

Two weeks ago from yesterday, I wrote my comprehension exam ... and have since been patiently waiting for the results.

This morning, when I arrived at school early (that's right, I said EARLY... toot toot!), I was greeted with the good news, I obtained my level C in comprehension!

Words can not express what a relief this is... I only have my oral interaction left to do, and my preparation for the interview is coming along nicely. I am hoping to be finished in April... so I am in offically in 'the home stretch'.

Anyways... I just wanted to share the good news, with my faithful readers who have had to listen to all my trials and tribulations over the past year. Hopefully I will have more good news to share in a few months!

Expelled at the age of 10... from UNIVERSITY!

This world never ceases to amaze me! Today I came across the Ottawa Sun story on two twin boys, aged 10, who were expelled from Ottawa U after being issued student cards, and invoiced for their tuition.

Now, I have deep admiration for the institute who gave me my degree in communications, but to be honest, in this situation, I don't necessary agree with the course action the U of O has taken.

Its a bit bizarre to think that two 10 year olds would want to be part of a course called 'Activism'... but in today's Sun, the one boy claims, 'I wanted to enter this course because I want to make a lot of decisions ... and I get to express my opinions a lot more in this class'.

Okay... so I will admit that University courses do allow for more opinion seeking participation, but still the twins are TEN - T. E. N.! I am torn on which way to lean on this story. I don't necessarily think that 10 year-olds should be participating in University classses, they should be be enjoying their childhood... there will be enough time for learning down the road, but on the other hand, the University issued them student cards, permitting them to enroll in the course... which makes this entire story confusing.

What the University didn't expect was the mother to go to bat for her children after the explusion... hence the attraction of the media now.

I like the thoughts of the young genius story-line... in 15 years time, journalists will be reporting... Sebastien XYZ, creator of such-n-such, who at the age of 10 attended the University of Ottawa... yida yida yida! I can see it now!

Oh, Ottawa U, you have gotten yourself into quite the dilemma. What do you think is the proper course of action... ? Should the twins be allowed to have credit for the course, after all they did complete the final exam, even after being expelled? Or are you simply wondering, what in the heck are the parents thinking...?

Purging Old Electronics

I have taken the 'get organized' approach to the month of January, and in my true procrastination fashion, since January is near-over... I am racing to get everything accomplished before Wednesday.

Tonight I was tackling some old drawers in our office/spare bedroom. I didn't think this task would be too difficult until I came across all of our non-used/old electronic equipment.

Take for example my bass boosting Hitachi Walkman from ooh 1989. I remember the day I got it, I was so excited... but now 15 years later, its still hanging around, I don't use it, but I don't like tossing it out in the trash... it seems like such a waste because it still works (and who knows maybe they'll bring back the tape as form of modern technology in 5 or 10 years)!

Then... there is PC's old film camera (I love it... OLD film camera - LOL!) its in perfectly good condition, only 4 years old, top-of-line (imagine), but we don't use it. The film camera happened to be in the drawer located right beside our first digital camera which we also don't use (we have since upgraded to bigger memory, better zoom model). These cameras are still in great working condition, but the Coleman's have out grown them.

In the third drawer, I came across our extinct MP3 players... since PC and I were spoiled with ipods this Christmas, we are not using the old MP3 players... but again, they are in great condition. One I think I can probably pond off on my Dad (that's an offer Dad, if you're reading).. and the other... well, I will have to search for a home.

All these items brings me to my point for this evening, how do you purge your old electronic equipment? I just don't know what to do with it... I guess eBay is an option, but I don't have the time for that, let alone worrying about the shipping, handling, etc. I know my Mom is probably reading thinking YARD SALE YARD SALE... but I am just not that type of person... again, I don't want to bother with the hassle, although I know there is money to be made.

Along with the cameras and MP3 players, I have an old printer, a DVD player, a VCR, and a disc-man... all of which could be used by someone, but I just don't know who.

A few years ago I contacted a company which recycled old computers which were then donated to schools and/or under privileged families in the area... but now I can't seem to locate that business. Does anyone know a good place to donate these items... or a non-profit organization that could use this stuff?

Any of suggestions would be worthy at this point... as I only have until Wednesday to finish organizing!!!!

Deepest sympathy

Today, PC and I learned of a death of a young woman who lost her battle with cancer. She leaves behind her husband and her two young children. Our thoughts are with Terry Hobor and his children today, as they prepare to say goodbye to their wife & mother, Michelle.

Words can not express how unfortunate I feel about this situation. Although I only had the pleasure of meeting this young woman a few times, she seemed to be a very outgoing and vivacious person. She was taken far too soon from the lives of her loved ones, and only our deepest sympathies can be with her family during this very difficult time.

Its stories like these that make you really take a look at your own life and appreciate those around you. Its gives support to the fact that we should never take anything for granted, that each day we should be thankful for our own lives, and that although we may experience challenging times throughout life... things would be much more difficult without having our loved ones along side us to help us through those difficult times.

I hope you will take a moment today to remind yourselves just how lucky each one of us is to have the chance to embrace life - while at the same time remembering the unfortunate circumstances which Michelle was recently faced with.

Thank you.

The Sleeping Dog

Oh, sweet Canadian government, how I love to hate you.

While I generally love my employer of choice, there are times when I hear things in the media that make me want to scream.

Take for instances a news piece I heard earlier this week about how the government is encouraging Canadians who are nearing retirment to work longer, in order to avoid a shortage of personnel in the workplace.

Excuse me if for some reason the potential of a workplace shortage in the coming years is actually a news-worthy item.

It seems to me that this shortage of employees could have been foreseen since say... ohhhh, the 1950s? It annoys me to no end to think that the government is treating this shortage of personnel as a CRISIS situation, when in fact we have known since the baby-boom years that there has been the potential for this to occur.

The government has played the role of sleeping dog for years on this issue, and now they are slowing waking up to the fact that valuable employees with years of experience and expertise are walking out the door, and no one has thought of creating a knowledge transfer plan to help utilise these sacred resources.

In typical government fashion, we are waiting until there is 10 seconds left on the bomb, to try to figure out whether or not to cut black or red.... its ridiculous.

I think this little plea for help from the government goes hand in hand with their recent decision to allow citizens over the age of 65 to continue working 'if they wish to' - it seems more like they are encourgaging it but spinning to it to sound like its a personal 'choice' for each individual (got love those folks in government communications!).

To all the near-retirees out there, I say... take your pension and run, if Stephen Harper and the conservatives are just now hatching a plan to deal with this shortage problem, its not your fault... and you definitely do not need to be working well into your 70s just to help Mr. Harper get through his little crisis period.

I would also like to believe that the young pups of today are smart enough to fill the vacant voids in the workplace... and who knows... maybe this would even be an opportunity for the government to ... (dare I say it), discover news ways of doing things... or heck, even get a little creative?

(Is it just me or I am sounding like bitter public servant who has been stuck on language training for 12 months?)

Cards for Shane

I don't often use this blog for promotion purposes but this was a story I couldn't resist.

While station surfing this morning on my way into Ottawa, I came across a really feel good story that is happening here in Ottawa, that you (my faithful reader) can participate in.

A little boy named Shane, who is 7 years old (turning 8 very shortly) ... is currently a patient at the Children's Hopsital here in Ottawa (CHEO). Shane is battling a cancer called Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. He was diagonosted with this type of cancer at the age of 5. He has been in CHEO for over a year now, and his dream is to break the world record for the most cards received for a birthday.

KISS FM has teamed up with Shane to help make this happen. You can join Shane's battle by simply sending him a Birthday Card. It may seem like an overly-simplistic gesture, but to Shane, it would mean the world.

The world record is something close to 33 million cards, but to Shane its just a number, and anything that would brighten this young boy's world at this time in his life, is something I want to be apart of.

KISS FM has offered to get the cards to Shane if you mail a birthday card (or any card for that matter) to the address below:

SHANE

C/O KISS FM

2001 Thurston Dr.

Ottawa, ON

K1G 6C9

If you live in Ottawa, visit the KISS FM web site for a list of FREE card drop-off locations. For everyone else outside of the Ottawa area, I think this small task is easy to accomplish, all you need is a card and a stamp... and you will definitely have made a difference.

Now... I've presented the challenge to you, let's see how many cards we can get to Shane!

To spread or not to spread?

So... as you know I had the stomach virus this weekend... that one that comes out of you both ends (hope your not eating), and doesn't let you get an ounce of peaceful rest for about 30 hours.

I thought I was on the road to recovery yesterday, but somehow in the middle of the night I was re-attacked twice... and was a pretty pitiful white looking ghost this morning at 6 am. However, I am up now and feeling a little better (obviously I'm blogging) ... but I am not convinced that this stupid bug is gone. And frankly, I am little scared to leave my bathroom for an enitre 20 minute isolated ride in a car that doesn't happen to be equipped with a porte-a-potie.

I have mixed emotions about being sick and spreading sickness.

I absolutely hate those people who come to work with a cold, cough all over everyone and spread their germs, so that in 2 weeks, I become the person doing all the coughing and disgusting everyone I know.

I think I encountered this stomach bug from my French school (I always knew the French would get me one way or another!), so I am a little leary of bringing the bug back to the classroom if its not infact out of me, as I do have some concern for my fellow prisonners.

However, the more I stay chained to the bed/bathroom, the more likely I am to contain the germs within my house, and next thing we know PC will probably have it.

Ahhhh... what to do?

To spread the germs to other unknowing candidates or to contain the deadly (okay not deadly) virus to my own family members....?

Tough... I will think on it over a cup a tea, and perhaps try to make my way into the capital for an afternoon of Franglais... or, I could take one more full day here, really try to get it out of my system and then be back at it tomorrow... (hopefully).

God... I hate decisions... especially ones that involve moral obligations & public duty... grrr!

TLC Weekend

Being sick is no fun, as I am sure everyone knows... but nothing makes a weekend on the couch more enjoyable then the television network TLC (The Learning Channel).

Friday afternoon I was pretty much a write-off... sleeping and spending a precious amount of time near the my friend the toliet bowl. However, Friday evening I seemed to be more awake and coherent... so nothing to put the evening in like a few episodes of What Not to Wear (fashion experts Stacey & Clinton find a person in desperate need of fashion help, give them $5000 and trip to New York to buy a new wardrobe, with hard-hitting fashion advice).

Then Saturday rolled around... and while I couldn't bring myself to get out bed for the most part, I spent the entire day watching more TLC. The day started with consecutive episodes of Clean Sweep... (I absolutely love this show... it declutters everything and everyone by bringing in a team of experts to organize your mess). Then... around noon I think I moved onto Trading Spaces (another good one... one couple works with an expert designer to makeover a room for their neighbours, while their neighbours do the same for them) ... love it love it love it.

The late afternoon was all about Moving Up & Property Ladder... and finally it was an evening filled with Flip That House (all these shows are renovation shows... that take old, rundown homes... where someone buys them for a relatively low cost, throws in a bit of money for renovations and usually sells them for double or triple their money)... its down right ridiculious but inspiring at the same time and addictive to say the least.

This morning, while I was feeling much better... I got into While You Were Out & Take Home Chef. Take Home Chef made me hungry for the first time in 3 days, which meant I was feeling better, so this inspired me to take a shower, make something to eat, and post an entry!

TLC... simply fabulous... you don't mind being sick with a channel like this!

Sick Kid

Just a short note to say that I contracted the stomach flu in the middle of the night ... so I am low on energy and don't have enough juice in me for a co-herent post today.

Hopefully this will pass, and I will be back bloggin next week.

Face it... I've forgotten people!

So... late last week I joined the ranks of a site (actually a network) called Facebook. I was lured in by a friend (who I met in university) that sent me an invitation to join the party. Normally, I wouldn't do this, but in this case I had heard bits and pieces about the site, so I took the bait, signed up, and since then have become completely addicted to this little network of people.

The way the site work is that you create a profile (I know I know... all the anti-internet information sharing folks out there are shakking their heads right now... but just bare with me). So... you create a profile: name, education details, current employer... etc, and then through the search function, or other friends in your network you can search for people that you know.

Once you discover someone, you can invite them to be added to your friend list, then you can see their profile, photos of them, and just basically get the low down on their life. But the addictive part comes when you find someone new, they usually have a network of their own, and you can see their friends... and then their friends have a network of friends, and the friends of the friends of the other friends have friends... it becomes a mad cycle that will have you browsing profiles into the wee hours of the morning, if you're me!

I have been truly fascinated by this little site... I mean seriously... every free moment I have I am just browsing through lists and lists of people. Its actually become a great way to keep in touch with people.

However, what I have come to discover is that although I think I have a great memory... I have clearly forgotten oodles of people who I went to school with: elementary, secondary, and university! Its ridiculous... I mean, some people I really forgot existed (and I mean that in the most sincere way possible). But in all seriousness... I haven't thought about some of these people for ages... so just to see a pic of them or read a little blurb on their life brings a smile to my face. Afterall I like to think I am person who likes to keep in touch with people.

Take for instance my very first friend ever... Dana Louise Seabrook. We played together in the playpen back in the early 80s, we reunited at another friend's wedding back in 2004... but haven't seen each other since. Somehow I discovered an email address for her... she joined facebook, and VOLIA.... we are chatting again... she is engaged... and its looks as though life is going really well for her. She inturn was able to catch up on my life... and now it feels like we never lost touch.

CRAZY, I tell you... down right crazy.

I am surprised I even have time to blog lately with all the commotion over on Facebook... (but don't worry faithful readers... you were here first, I could never deprive you for too long)!

If your bored, and looking for something interesting... join facebook, and you will definitely see what I am talking about... but if you get addicted like I am, don't forget to come back and see me every once and a while!

Facebook me!

Memorable Moment!

I am a little short on time today, but I couldn't let this date pass without mention of one of my favourite memories!

Two years ago to this very day.... my life changed forever! PC took me to a little skating pond at the base of Mont Tremblant and proposed....!

Awww.....

Since then... life has seemed so much more exciting, and worth while!

Thanks PC!

(As Laura from the Morning Hot Tub says 'Oh, I just love LOVE'!)

The BIG 2-7!

Yes... it's finally arrived... the day of my 27th birthday... its here and its almost over!!!

A rather relaxing day.... that I spent studying for my (insert swear words here) french test coming up on Tuesday morning. Nothing to ruin a birthday like a damn french exam looming over your head... but my husband did spoil me with gifts to try to take my mind off of it (so that was the upside of this french thing... the pity factor)!

The day was filled with numerous phone calls (thanks to everyone who racked up a few minutes on their phone bill... it really meant a lot, and of course to all my local peeps too... I loved hearing from everyone.... one long lost caller from Australia... and even a couple suprising messages from a few old friends in back Northern Ontario)!

This evening, the in-laws came over and brought my favourite... DONAIRS!! My MIL makes the best donair meat in Eastern Canada, and the creamy garlic sauces tastes even better the third and fourth time you burp it up after dinner. It was a real treat... I loved every bite.

Of course there was the ceremonial birthday cake... and the presents.... ooooh how I love thee presents!

My family sent my birthday gifts back with me at Christmas... but I was patient enough to hold off on the unveiling until this evening!

I loved everything....!

I am kind of looking forward to everything that 27 has to offer me. I hope that is its a helluva lot better than 26... I was ready to kiss 26 goodbye 6 months ago... but was patient enough to wait until today.

I no there are no guarantees in life, but I am guaranting that at the tender age of 27, I will try to relax a little more, take life one day at a time, and for the most part just enjoy being in my LATE TWENTIES (let the record show that when I hear 27 outloud, I start to freak out a little..... it has just started to sink in that I am one step closer to being considered OLD).

The task at hand now is to devise a 3 year plan of all the things I said I have wanted to accomplish before I turn 30.... which if I do the short math correctly, its a mere 3 years away... time to get crackin... any ideas??

My First Sushi Experience

Yesterday, a former colleague of mine (my hero when it comes to French training) took me out for lunch to celebrate my upcoming b-day. We frequently go for lunch... so I can bitch about French and she can recall all the bumps in the road she had before acheiving her C levels in French (which I may also mention to commemorate the occasion of passing she put the Quebec fleur-de-lis... where it belongs (behind her)!!).

At any rate... she had the idea to take me for Sushi... and since I was a Sushi virigin, I was all for this, as I have always want to try it, but never really knew what I would like, or what I should order. I thought it would be a great experience to go with a Sushi specialist for the first time.

So... off we went... to a little place on Bank & Slater... and within in 5 minutes we had our so-called orders!

This wasn't the identical platter, but it came out something like this. We grabbed the necessary chopsticks (usually not so good with the chopsticks), and then selected a small table near the window.

She carefully explained what everything was... and how to go about digesting the stuff.

I was literally fascinated. For one... the food looks so darn beautiful that you really don't want to do a thing to it, but just look at it. However, I watched in amazement as she dipped a piece in some wasabi & soy sauce, and flung the entire piece into her mouth and swallowed (with a bit of chewing of course!). All this was happening while people on Bank street are standing on the street corner, carefully watching you chew with your mouth full... perfect!!!

Now it was my turn... suprisingly the chopsticks were a breeze to handle... the sushi is so thick that it was rather easy to man-handle with these weapons... and the texture was pretty good. My worries about Sushi in the past were always that the texture would make it non-edible for me, but this was not the case at all. If you can handle the texture of some sticky rice... the rest is a breeze.

My combo was shirmp & saamon mostly... and while I absolutely loved the shirmp pieces, the larger pieces of saamon weren't doing it for me. A little too squishy for me, but one or two pieces wasn't bad at all. It was all very tasty and filling... I was stuffed by the end, and that was one thing I didn't expect!

All in all, the experience was amazing. Last night I was craving another platter of it, and was trying to convince PC that he needs to try it, but I think we are along way off from that! He will always be a meat & potatoes guy, and the fact that I brought home Thai food on Wednesday was probably pushing it for him in the new foods department, so perhaps I will have to hold off on the Sushi experience in this house for a while!!

However... I will be going back soon, it was a great experience, and a few more visits to that little place on Bank street, and I know I am going to be hooked!!!

Has anyone else had a good/bad sushi experience.... ? Please share!

Paper Paper Paper

In attempt to meet one of the items on my 2007 to do list, I have been actively working at coming up with a new filling system (thanks to a suggestion from one of my readers)... and along with the new filling system comes the need to purge my records from previous years. Since I have never purged any records, I had to start back at 2003... the year of my first full-time job.

I thought this task would be pretty easy... I would quickly scan through the records, toss what was no good, and file what was necessary for our income tax records (as you know the CRA requires you to keep records which pertain to your income tax return for 6 years... and everyone knows how important it is to follow the regulations outlined by the CRA... to avoid having PC show up on your doorstep unexpectedly!).

However, I couldn't just toss the old bills and documentation in the trash will all of our detailed information still on them.... no no no. So, I got out the shredder and began building a very large mountain of recyclable waste.

HONEST TO GOD.... I did this for two consecutive nights, and by the end I had filled 6 kitchen garbages FULL of shredded paper. Thank god today was garbage day... I made PC take the garbage to the curb last night, to avoid all the looks the neighbours would give us if he did it in the morning... as I am sure each of them would have been wondering if we use to work for ENRON, or if we were trying to cover up some government scandal!

This leads me to the meat and potatoes point of today's post... why is it that we utilize so much unnecessary paper in today's world?

In the case of bills, its ridiculous. I know that as a customer if I have to pay for a service, I want to see exactly what I am being charged for, and in order to record all of this info, it requires a lot of paper... but why can't businesses get more electronic, and send bills to their customers electronically, sans paper (... that is to those who want it! If you are my parents my Dad wants it electronically, but my Mom still wants the paper verison... however, that's a post for another day)!

I know the business world is trying to become more electronically efficient... but take for example TD VISA... each month I receive the bill electronically through e-post... but I also recieve a paper verison in the mail three days later. When I called to have the paper option removed from my account, they tell me that in the cardholder's agreement they are required by law to mail me a statement each month... ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

Every month when the bill comes, I flipped the bird to the envelope and curse the legal team who came up with the wise idea to put this regulation in the cardholder agreement. It is such a waste of paper.

Moreover... Bell Mobility (for corporate users) is another paper waster... they can't legally send our bill electronically because we fall under the corporate side things being government employees. They bill us each month, 10 pages long because our plan includes detailed billing... and by detailed they me every damn number you dialed in a month is on there, every text message you sent is on there, every time you farted is on there. They record everything... and I have asked them not to do this, but again, its part our preferred customer plan... which we are legally obligated to follow until the end of the contract.

THROW ME A FREAKIN BONE HERE... I am trying to help out the environment as much as I possible can on the paper side of things. I sign up for every electronic service going, I don't print my electronic bills unless I absolutely have to, and furthermore, I recycle every envelope, every notice, every piece of paper I can.... but I am still amazed at how much paper is being wasted in this world.

When will it end... ?

Now... go on with your day, if you haven't had time to read this post thoroughly... PRINT OUT A COPY and take it home for later.... KIDDING!

The Last Ten Years

Yesterday I was whinning about the last year (shout out to Boyder, Dal, Mom & Dad for the motivating comments... thank you!)... but I really have nothing to whine about when I hear the new song by Kenny Rogers called: The Last Ten Years.

I am not much a Kenny Roger's fan (although I like the Gambler... and Islands in Streams with Dolly), but I do have to admit this song is a good indication of just what has materialized in our society in the last decade.

Below are the lyrics... Kenny sums up many important news making events, mostly from an American perspective, but I still think this song is a good little review of just how much we (as a North American society) have been through in the past decade.... as the song says... hell we even lost Superman!

I really like the song... if you get a chance to listen to it... do it!


THE LAST TEN YEARS

Oh, the last ten years, it's been quite trip
Over thirty-six-hundred spins around without a cosmic slip
But within the realm of our atmosphere
We're 'bout as out of whack as we've been in a million years
We watched the Y2K scare in a panic
And we watched as time proved Nostrodamus wrong
And we watched as Mother Nature shook the planet
And cellular replaced the telephone

We lost Charlie Brown, Ray Charles and Johnny Cash
We even lost Superman.

Well, the last ten years, look at the hills we've climbed
The best golfer's black, the best rapper's white an' it's about damn time
But we best beware, there's a brand new fight, you see
And I hate to say we might be our own worst enemy
We watched Oklahoma sifting through the damage
And we watched a US President get caught
We watched shareholders watched their savings vanish
We all cried when we watched those towers fall

We lost Minnie Pearl, Ron Reagan and Sam Ahan
We even lost Superman.

Expensive gas and free downloads
The dot-com boom, and reality shows
What's gonna happen next is anybody's guess
Satellite radio and hybrid cars
Hand-held computers and a trip to Mars
It's all become a part of who we are
In the last ten years.

In the last ten years.

We lost George Harrison, John Paul and June Carter-Cash
Hell, we even lost Superman

Gonna miss you Chris...

Reason to swear like a trucker

Today... marks 365 days since I began my French training nightmare.

DAMN, SHIT, F%$&.

That would be:

One whole year of my life that I will never get back.

One year that I will never be able to account for.

One year that I could have spent contributing to the improvement and well-being of your government.

One year that I spent mostly in tears over my inability to grasp the second official language of this country.

If that doesn't make you swear at yourself, I don't know what does.

These last 365 days have been pretty damn depressing.... I have felt sorry for myself more times in this year then I have in my entire 26.96 years of existence. The crying that ensued over trying to learn this damn language these past 52 weeks was ridiculous... even I can admit that, but you just don't know it feels until you've been there.

Speaking of tears.... excuse me while I shed a few more:

...

.....

.......

.........

I promise to be back tomorrow in better spirits, but for today I will bathe in my own self-pity... and swear like a trucker to cope with the significance of this sad day!

My Ambitions for 2007

Every New Year, I go through the same list of ambitions... I constantly think about things I want to accomplish before the end of the year... and everyday in January the list grows longer and longer.

Half my problem is that my so-called list, is a mental list... so for the first few weeks of January it seems to grow, but once I hit February it gets down to manageable size because I tend forget the grand majority of my fresh ambitions!

So here I am ... the 8th of January and I've done the little things... such as: clean out my cosmetic drawer.

This task may not seem so rewarding, but for the girl who has carted around two boxes full of slightly used make up from her university days... the two grocery bags that I threw in the garbage this weekend were definitely a huge weight lifted off my shoulders.

I have been wanting to sort my make-up for about a year now, but just never do it. I had a ton of bronzing powder, bad coloured foundation, blush, eye shadow, nail polish, etc. that has been clogging up the main artery in my cosmetic bag for quite sometime now. Every time I would think about throwing something out, I would say to myself: I might use that colour again... if I was wearing bright yellow and purple at the same time (ya never know what I might need around Halloween time).

At any rate (enough rambling)... the task took about an hour, and was well worth my time. It is definitely something I wanted to do before the year was out (although I did have this on my mental this last year, but we won't go there... everyone who knows me knows I am a procrastinator!).

As well I managed to get around to organizing my tupperware drawer this weekend. What an out-of-control mess it was... but thanks to my Mom who bought me the stackable storage tupperware (you know the three different size containers, one size lid fits all kind)... things are very well organized (Martha would be so proud of me)!

Now I have moved onto some of the bigger ambitions on my list... such as painting a second bedroom in the house... oh the stress involved in choosing paint colours. I can see why interior designers make so much money (they are paid to make the hard decorating decisions for you)! The thing about paint is that you never know if its going to look good until its on the wall... and I think this is where my fears come in - however I want to tackle this soon... good colour or bad, it will be done.

Another thing I would like to do is come up with some super-dooper filing system for my bills and records... every year at this time, I try to think of ways to improve the current system, but then time expires when I have a stack of papers staring me in the face and I end up going back to the same old system. However, this year, before the month is out, I want come up with a new and improved system (any ideas?).

Other things on my mental list include starting to finish the basement... I wish I was more handy, such as someone who could install drywall, do some electrical work, plumbing, etc. - with skills like that there is no telling what this place would look like in a few months. PC has the skills, and the resources to do the work, but during hockey season, I am lucky if he cleans the bathroom, let alone even thinks about finishing an entire basement - but once May comes around, all the those tools he had to have will come in darn handy (or so I like to think)!

And top things off, I would like to start planning a trip to Europe... hopefully for 2008! This one is a long shot... but I figure if we don't do it now, then the probability of having kids after 2008 will increase (settle down Mom C!), and once the kidlets come along we'll be screwed have less time on our hands! As I said, this is definitely a long-shot... but hey... a girl can dream!

So there you have it, a temporary (very temporary) list of 2007 ambitions. I have come to realize that most of my ambitions require two things in order to be accomplished: TIME and MONEY.

If only these were two resources available to everyone.... wouldn't the world be a happier place!

I'll work on finding some TIME and I will hope that the MONEY part finds me!

First order of business of the New Year!

Take Down & Put Away Christmas Decorations: þ (check)

What a job... I dreaded doing it for a 4 days, but finally I got around to it Friday night. Yesterday was spent doing last minute touch ups for normal everyday life... and trying to find a few everyday items that I put in that special spot for storing over Christmas.... I am sure I will come across them eventually (I am sooo my mother's daughter)!

Now I sit back and look around at the place and it looks a bit empty, like it needs something... but I dunno what! I think this is where husbands start to hate their wives... when 2 months ago, the place was completely FINE the way it was with the same decorating style & furniture, but now... miraculously it NEEDS SOMETHING!

I have had the urge to paint another bedroom for a while, I have a few paint chips on the wall... and soon, very soon, I will choose the perfect colours, but until then I like to sit back and stare at the rest of the place, dreaming of what I would loooooooove to do to my house (as the list is very long)!

Does anyone else get like this after Christmas?
Why must we women want to change our houses all the time?

Shuffle, Shuffle!

I have received a few different verisons of this little ipod game on email... and since I finally have an ipod... I thought this would be a good post!

My bloggy inspiration friend DaniGirl who writes Postcards from the Mothership has also posted another good verison of this game on her blog today... check it out!

So here's the game:

Put your ipod (or MP3 player) on shuffle, and then answers the following questions according to the songs that come up each time you hit next button!!

Try it.... without cheating... its kinda like a prediction!
This is what honestly came up for me... scary at times.

How am I feeling today?
When I Get Where I’m Going – Brad Paisley & Dolly Parton

I had a long thought about French, work, and my career path today.... this is very appropriate!!!

Will I get far in life?
When You Say Nothing At All – Allison Krause

*laugh* - maybe this is why PC is always sayin': YOU SHUT YOUR MOUTH!

How do my friends see me?

Red Dirt Road – Brooks & Dunn

Algoma Street wasn't exact a red dirt road... but I lived there all my life... and I learned a lot of lessons on that little street!

Where will I get married?
Like a Prayer - Madonna

Well... it was in a church, and I am pretty sure I said a few prayers that day!

What is my best friends theme song?
Every Mile A Memory – Dierks Bentley

Kristy Shaughnessy... this song is definitely for you... you've travelled the world and have a good story to go along with every mile!

What is the story of my life?
Don’t Stop Believing - Journey

Never have, never will!

What was University like?
Keg in the Closet – Kenny Chesney

*gasp* - as if this is for real! Ain't that the truth 130-O ladies!!!

How can I get ahead in life?
Before You – Chantal Kreviazuk

Funny! PC has a t-shirt that says: "I don't have to outrun the bear... I only have to outrun you!"

What is the best thing about me?
Not Ready to Make Nice - Dixie Chicks

This is suppose to be a good thing? -- I do hold the odd grudge every once in a while.

How is today going to be?
The Good Stuff – Kenny Chesney

Seeing as I wasn't feeling well this morning and had to stay in bed most of the morning... I am not sure it was the good stuff Kenny was talking about.... although Team Canada did win gold today!

What's in store for this weekend?
Get Drunk & Be Somebody – Toby Keith

Lucky 7, downtown Embrun... here I come!

What song describes my parents?
You’ll Always Be My Baby – Sara Evans

Awwww.... to some extent this is true, afterall my Dad's MSN says I am his favourite daughter!

What song describes my grandparents?
Born to Fly – Sara Evans

Interestingly enough I like to think all of my Grandparents are in heaven... so I guess this one works!

How is my life going?
Right Where I Need to Be - Gary Allan

Minus the French nightmare... !

What song will play at my funeral?
Ring of Fire - Johnny Cash

*laugh*

How does the world see me?
Wide Open Spaces - Dixie Chicks

Definitely... I need my space... I like to live and learn (especially things on my own time), so if this is how the world sees me... this is good.

Will I have a happy life?
Better Life – Keith Urban

Not happy, just better... GOT IT!

What do my friends really think of me?
Mississippi Girl - Faith Hill

Small town girl, forever and always!

Do people secretly lust after me?
Man Eater - Nelly Furtado

Is that a yes?

How can I make myself happy?
Everything I Own - NSYNC

*laugh* - I had no idea this song was even on my ipod - but fitting for this question!

What should I do with my life?
The Night Pat Murphy Died - Great Big Sea

Get loaded... ? Really?

Will I ever have children?
Push – Sarah McLachlan

I take that as a YES!

What is some good advice for me?
I Love This Bar – Toby Keith

Perhaps I really should go to Lucky 7 tomorrow!

How will I be remembered?
Hate me - Blue October

Nice.

What do I think my current theme song is?
I Walk the Line – Johnny Cash

*laugh*

What type of men do you like?
Fast Cars & Freedom – Rascal Flatts

The Mafia Car & freedom = P.C.

What does your man love about you?
Mud on the Tires - Brad Paisley

Here, I thought 'scratch my back' or 'fold my laundry' would have come up!

What song do you secretly love?
Faithfully – Journey

True.

What do you want to do tomorrow?
Days Go By – Keith Urban

You got it... NOTHING!

In the dark!

It seems to be increasingly harder to get out of bed in the morning.

This morning when the alarm went off, I had to go to two different rooms to check the clocks because I didn't believe it was 6:30AM ... it was pitch black outside. I even peeked out the window to see if the neighbours we up and at 'em already, and much to my misfortune... they we're.

Honestly... how can we as human beings be expected to function if we are asked to do everything in the dark?

I really hate this time of the year... you go to work in the dark and you come home in the dark. Since there are hardly any windows where I am, I don't see much daylight between 9 & 5... and its depressing.

I am not sure who I should be talking to about this, but if that person is listening right now, I am presenting a motion to shorten working hours during the (so-called) winter months. The less time I have to spend dragging my butt out of bed in the dark, the more happy I will be at the office/school, which inturn means more production for you upper management. (I believe some guy named Elton Mayo came up with this theory many years ago... but its a keeper)!

Its a win-win situation for everyone involved! Of course I will still need to be paid 37.5 hours a week, but I am willing to bet I can do more between 10 & 3:30, then I would ever do between 8:30 & 4:30! Perhaps I should give it a try, and if its a success for me, we could implement it nation wide!

No worries higher management... really... I don't mind being test bunny on this one - I'll take one for the team, no problem!

Simply the best!

Happy New Year... I have been a little slow out of the gates this New Year... we spent most of the day in the car New Year's day... and yesterday was pretty much a write-off... getting myself organized to take-on 2007!

But today I'm back... and last night I couldn't help but be moved while watching Stevie Y's no. 19 be retired at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. What an accomplishment for the Ottawa native!

I can't possibly imagine what it would be like to have a career as successful as his... but when Tina Turner's: Simply the Best started playing, I had tears in my eyes! That song really sums up his career.

What really got me was the fact that even after all that he has accomplished in his lifetime he is still a very humble man. He couldn't possibly thank enough people last night for all of his success. And still... he thinks he has been made out to be a bigger celebrity than he really is! Amazing!

Through his words I could see that he was and still is a great leader, a role model, and a very down to earth person that so many players and fans can relate to! He deserves all the recognition he has received thus far... and retiring his number is only a small piece of recognition for such a decorated career!

Way to go Stevie Y!

FIGHT!

Since I'm back in the capital... I was able to get the fight I caught on video on You Tube!

Here is the footage from December 29th... Soo Greyhounds vs. Sarina Sting!
Enjoy!

PC is no.49 in the jailbird suit!