Adventures in Alberta

Dancing With The Wiggles - Video post

2009-05-03T18:35:00.004-06:00

Here is some snippets of the kids dancing. (Mostly Jas and Sim) They love dancing with the wiggles. And it's really cute to watch them!

Wow It's been awhile.

2009-04-24T21:25:00.002-06:00

Okay it's been forever since I wrote on here. The more I wanted to the more daunting it seemed to do. To fill all my readers...all like four of you...about my time out here in Alberta.

This update will have very little chronological order, but it should update you.

I am very much enjoying myself out here. I adore my kids and every moment I spend with them is amazing.

Sim - who turn two yesterday. Is a little genius in my opinion. She never ceases to amaze me. Like this morning, without being prompted, Sim said "Morning Sawah!" or that she can count to twelve (minus the number five which seems to slip her mind) or when she mimics what you've said. She is constantly discovering things and exploring things. We go every Thursday morning to story time, which she adores. Sim loves the library and books in general. It's really cute.

Adrian - the little man. he is so funny at times and trying at others. He has this gift of pushing his sister's buttons just to get a reaction. But there are times when he'll turn to Sim and say "Sim I'll help you." or want to make Jas a card. I guess your typical little boy. Right now he's really in to fire safety, fire fighting and all that other stuff. He even makes forts that turn in to fire stations. I enjoy moments we have one on one because I know he thrives on the attention and laughter we have. He really is a great kid.

Jas - I spend the least time with Jasmine since she's usually at school during the day. But last week she was off school and we've had a lot of afternoons together lately because the other two are napping. She's a smart little cookie and really funny at times. There are times I can see the little tiny teenager bursting out of her, but most times she's a sensible and adorable little five year old. We talk about a lot of things and she's always up for a challenge or a craft.

Mom's Visit - My mom came out on good Friday and we drove out to Jasper and spent two days there before she came to Okotoks and came to work with me on Easter Monday. The drive up there was amazing. It will never cease to amaze me how beautiful the Rockies are. They are awe-inspiring. I drove in a little tiny rental car named "Bob". We stopped at Lake Louise and countless other times to see things. We arrived Friday in the late afternoon, checked in to our hotel, did dinner, hot tub, then bed. On Saturday we got up, and ate some breakfast before booking our tour of the Maligne Canyon. We did some shopping before going back to the hotel for lunch. We packed a backpack, and we're then off to be picked up for our tour of the Canyon. Our guide was fantastic. We were with a group of eight others (plus our guide); a French couple, and a family which were made up of two teenage daughters, parents and grandparents. We had a lot of fun and it was just amazing to walk on the ice. Our life saver (and totally worth the money) were our boots and cleats that we rented with our tour. They were a life saver. It rained about half way through, but it was still amazing. We then napped and then drove to Maligne Lake, Maligne Lake itself was disappointing but Medicine Lake (which we passed on the way there) was beautiful. On Sunday we went to church, shopped a bit, got new sweaters then headed out around 1pm. We picked an Aussie hitchhiker and dropped her off at the ski hill before officially leaving Jasper. We stopped at Athabasca falls then at Ice fields. We went on the ice field explorer and stood on the Athabasca Glacier. It was blue, blue, blue and all you could see was snow and ice. it was awesome. We finally hit the road again around 5:15pm and just drove straight through to NW end of Calgary (minus a stop in canmore to pee) did dinner, then arrived in okotoks by 10:30pm. The next day Mom met the family and we hung out in the morning before taking the kids out to Cora's for lunch. And then nap time and then I drove mom to the airport. It was a tearful goodbye. I had a great weekend and it was a nice dose of home. <3>Friends - I'm making friends. Slowly and steadily out here. It's been nice to go out for coffee, or explore a mall, or go swimming with people. I have a few friends who are stay at home moms who I'm close to (playgroup plus the other kids' activities) and I've also finally met up with Courtney who is an Australian nanny in Calgary.

Swimming - I took 6 lessons and I've got seven more coming up. It still sucks that it is at 8am and Darren laughs at me every time we talk about it. But it's been a lot of fun. And they'll be at least four of us from the first session in this session. Which will be nice. I'm trying to find a place close by that I can get my lifeguarding certs without being in classes with 16 year old boys. But that's a whole other issue.

I'm gonna call it a night. Hopefully that gives you a little peak in to my life. I'm going to try and do a few photo posts, of build - a - bear, zoo, photo shoots with the kids, mom's trip. So hopefully that'll be good!

-s.e.

Long Weekend!

2009-02-16T16:31:00.003-07:00

So it's a long weekend. YAY family day. And Albertans have had this weekend for awhile so pretty much everyone gets it.

So the weekend began with Adrian's fourth birthday, that's right Adrian's birthday is February 14th. And it was great. He had four friends over, plus Jasmine. They made pizza's and decorated cup cakes as well as Mugs to take home. It was a lot of fun and the kids are all super cute.

Sunday brought a day trip to Banff (yes Janis, we really can day trip to the mountains from here) it was an early start with lots of talking and snacking and asking "How big do they(Mountains) look now?" "ENORMOUS!" we walked the town before lunch and then walked some more after lunch. We went up on the Gondola, which was amazing with the kids and walked on top of Sulphur Mountain. And then we went to the hot springs, which was a nice treat. The trip home was tiring, mostly cuz I was feeding the kids tons of snack and trying to stay awake. But it was an amazing day!

Today I slept in late, which I didn't mean to do, but it was nice. And then I went to see Hotel for Dogs. LOL. great movie if you like dogs. It's really predictable but so are most kids movies.

Anyways just watching Friends and hanging with the cats. Hopefully early bed tonight since I need to be well rested for the week, Jas has it off school. So I have all three kids for the week. I may take them to the zoo. But I'm not sure yet.

A Small Update.

2009-02-09T21:11:00.005-07:00

So last night I had a rough time sleeping, I think I made myself overtired since I read an entire book between the hours of 10:30pm and 2am. It was a good book. It was "The Missing Girl" by Norma Fox Mazer. It was really good. You should all read it.

Anyways the real update is I signed up for swimming. It's Adult Stroke Improvment Class. It's 8am on Saturdays, but I think it will be nice to have some excercise and it will help me keep to a more regular sleep schedule I think. (Even if it means a nap Sat afternoon) It starts the weekend after next. And I even picked up a simple bathing suit from walmart for $25. I also think I'm gonna buy a pass for the rec centre so that I can go swimming durring free swims / lane swims. I miss swimming, so this should be fun.

Anyways, here's the video from the Science Muesm with the kids. Enjoy

Cheers!
-s.e.

Look! An Update!

2009-02-08T16:09:00.007-07:00

Okay....so here's an update it's been a long time coming.

I've wanted to update but every time the thought of not updating got to me and there was just too much to update. But I figure those of you out in Blogger Land deserve something. So here's an update of the last couple weeks. It may not be in order, but hey it's an update.

So I've been here and working over a month. And at times it feels like I've been here forever and at times it feels like I have only been here a few days. I really think I am getting the routines and the tricks of the trade down. Its work out well and the kids and I are adapting to one another. And as bad as it sounds, I'm starting to use the "I'm not joking" voice on them when I need to.

So a few weeks ago on a Wednesday I took Sim and Adrian to playtopia. It was a lot of fun. It's like a HUGE McDonald’s playground with a jumping castle, three little slides, one huge slide, a small climbing wall, a ball pit and a special play area for kids 2 and under. The first little while we were there Adrian and Sim had the whole place to them. And then when other kids showed up both made friends.

Adrian, Sim and I have been venturing to the library on Fridays. Adrian goes to story time and Sim and I venture throughout the library. It's a lot of fun and it’s been forever since I've been in a library looking around. It's nice. I finally got my own library card and have been taking out books (PS. its soooo nice to be reading for pleasure).

Last week was a busy busy busy week. Darren went out of town from Tuesday to Friday, Adrian had no school Thursday and Jasmine had no school Thursday and Friday. So things ran a little different.

Monday was a normal day, Adrian went skating, and we hung around the house and did our normal stuff. I think I also taught Simone and Adrian the Crocodile song either on Monday or Tuesday. (See video). We were eating crocodile crackers and I started singing it and then I sang it with Adrian a little more. He caught on fairly quickly and was filling in blank words when I left them out/singing with me. Adrian was taped on Wed. evening when I realized he could do this. Then I started singing it around Sim too. And figured out that she too knew the words. She was taped on Thursday. They both know it even better now (except both are convinced it's not "down the Nile" but "down the aisle."

On Tuesday I took all three kids after we picked Jas up to the library, just to have something to do. And on Wednesday we made pizzas and had a pretty down day.

On Thursday, however, we headed to the kids museum / science museum. It was sooooo much fun (I have a video of that too....but I figure one vid per post is pretty decent) We brought a lunch and did snack and food breaks quite frequently and that kept them nice and fed. It's smaller then the Toronto one, but it seems it's a lot more geared to kids and their learning. The kids had so much fun. Sim was a little cranky at one point but she cheered up when we went back to Wow town (a place made specifically for kids under 7) and then on the way home I got her out of her winter wear so I could just carry her inside. (it worked like a charm) and even Adrian got about 20-30 minutes of sleep in the car.

On Friday I had all three kids again, and I took them to the library. Jas joined Adrian at story time and Sim and I wandered the library. All the kids go books (including Sim who got a HUGE copy of "monkey puzzle" one of her favourite books.) and I got one too. Then we came home followed by lunch then nap. And then both Darren and Jacinta came home and spent the afternoon with the kids.

So yeah, that's my life. LOL. Plus the last three weekends I've been going to see movies. It's actually soooooooooo nice to see movies in theatres again (no matter how small they are). I've seen Bride Wars, Ink Heart and Mall Cop. All really good movies. And see them if you can!

Anyways, I'm going to finish the book I am reading and hang out with Boo who has decided my bed is quite comfy and then join the family for dinner before an early bed tonight.

-s.e.

My Second Week!

2009-01-16T21:02:00.003-07:00

So it's been a week since I updated, not for any reason other then I've been super busy during the day and super tired at night. But tired from good stuff and fun times.

Okay lets see if I can do this week in review....

Monday
We started the morning by taking Adrian to skating. He's really cute when he skates, so focused it's scary. And when he gets off the ice he's soooo proud of his lesson. And I've made friends with one of the Moms there, whose daughter also is in Adrian's preschool and has a son Sim's age. We spent the half hour lesson making the two younger siblings try and find their older siblings on the ice. It's quite funny sometimes because the little ones couldn't always see the older ones. And Sim is actually quite funny when we play "Where is ...." game. When she finds the person or the object she goes "there it(she) is!"

At lunch we made pillow sandwiches, which sound weird but are actually quite cool. Basically you flatten the bread with a rolling pin and then spread whatever you like on it. Then roll it up and cut it in to small pieces or as Adrian called them "pillows". Adrian adored them and ate lunch up....Sim was iffy but ate.

In the afternoon I gave the kids some birthday cake before going outside to the park to play for a bit. It was a lot of fun, and not to cold. But the kids defiantly burnt off energy which was amazing!

Tuesday
Was absolutely beautiful. It was the first day the chinook really took effect (which everyone has been saying would be coming for ever.) And the kids and I did a lot of walking. Sim and I walked Adrian to his first day of pre-school, there was some tears(which surprised me) before we went in to the school, but once he was in he was fine. And then Sim and I walked home, had a snack and then walked back to to the school, picked Adrian up and then walked home for lunch. We walked to pick Jasmine up (Sim slept the entire wat there).

That night Darren gave the two older kids some toboggans, and I took them sledding for half an hour or so. It was so cool to be sledding with the mountains in the distance. They had a blast.

Wednesday
I decided to be adventours today. And I took Sim and Adrian to a mall in Calgary. There were kids event going on and I registered the kids with the kids club, and we got free gifts and such to get updates and such. It was a lot of fun and I liked getting out with the kids.

Sim napped in the car, and Adrian not at all. So the afternoon was pretty hectic. But doable. Jas got ready for gymnastics and dinner was rough, I was glad that it was just Jacinta, Adrian, Sim and I. I crashed that night, beacuse I was so tired.

Thursday
We started the morning by walking Adrian to preschool. Although it was warmish, there was a wind that was picking up. Sim and I had a nice walk home from the school. Had a snack and then went to wal mart to check out whether or not there were pillow making things (every since pillow sandwhiches Adrian wanted to make real pillows) I found some kid kits and such and Sim made friends with the greeter. We picked Adrian up and then went home for lunch. Both Sim and Adrian napped untill AFTER I picked up Jas, which was really nice, beacuse both of them are a lot more chipper when they have good naps.

That night Darren took the kids sledding while I cooked dinner. It was almost a disaster beacuse the rice wasn't picking up enough water, but once I figured out that was problem (after talking it out with Darren when he came in) I added more water, and the rice turned out great.

Friday (aka Today)
We started the morning with some Wiggles. (Adrian loves the Wiggles) and then we went to the library. Adrian went to French story time, while Simone and I played around and read books and such. Then we headed to Wal Mart to get pillow making stuff before heading home.

Adrian and Sim slept again, and I picked Jasmine up from school, in a sweater I might add. We came home, started pillows and then decided that it was to beautiful outside to just waste it. So I took the kids, and thier neighbour friend sledding. It ended when Adrian started to get a little frantic and so I decided to bring them home for a snack. After snack we all went downstairs (Darren, all the kids and I) and watched Dora. It was nice to have kids actually watch and listen to the show. Then dinner. Then I spent like three hours picking out a new layout for the blog (still not completely happy) and then over an hour writing this and watching criminal minds and flash point.

Now after I say goodnight to my crazy my mother it's bed time.

cheers

-s.e.

One Week!

2009-01-11T19:05:00.006-07:00

Ello out there!

So I've been here one week officially. I came in one week ago, and wandered down to unpack about this time last week. And so far so good.

Jasmine's birthday went over pretty well. She turned five, and her cousins and aunt came over for a family birthday time. We had cake and presents and such. Jas and I worked on a k'nex fly. It turned out pretty cool. She also got this spyrograph machine thing, which takes forever to work properly, but is pretty cool. And she also got a really cool kid digital camera, which both Sim and Adrian seem to like as well.

Overall Thursday and Friday went over well for me. I mean I am still figuring things out, as are the kids, but we're learning and getting better. Adrian and Simone and I headed to the library on Thursday and we got some books and signed Adrian up for story time. On Friday I got to spend some one on one time with Jasmine after school. She's done at 2:15 on Fridays and so we spent about an hour together playing with K'nex and talking.

On Saturday I headed to Calgary. I took the C-train. Which although is called an LRT (think the RT in Scarborough) is more like a GO train, until you get down town. And then the train turns in to a street car like thing. It's very cool. I hoped on and off and got a few things I needed and figured out where the zoo and the science centre were by train. I was going to go up the Calgary tower, but decided to wait for another day. I also ended up with a new cell phone. (so if you want the new number, let me know) from Koodo.

Today was a real lazy day, I hardly left my room. Not because I have anything against leaving my room, just cuz my room is comfy. I did go up and hang out and help out with Jas' birthday party. Which was cute, everything was butterfly themed and her friends are quite cute as well.

Well here's a picture of each of the three kids, so you all know who I am talking about.

This is Simone (or Sim) She's 20 months old.

This is Adrian he's 3 years old...but he's gonna be 4 real soon.

And this is Jasmine, she's five.

Anyways, life's not overly exciting, but it is def. interesting! I'm still having a blast!

-Cheers!

First Offical Day!

2009-01-07T20:22:00.007-07:00

Yes, yes, yes. I know. I've been here since Sunday, so how can this be my first official day? Well, today Jacinta went back to work, Jasmine went to school at normal time and I was on my own. I was nervous, but I was ready.

So yesterday there were a few meltdowns and some getting to know things, but it ended really nicely with a walk with the three kids and Jacinta and Darren.

Anyways, today. I ate breakfast and then wished Jasmine a good day at school and the hung out with Adrian and Simone. We built stuff, watched the Wiggles, went on hunts for Twist Twist (Simone's name for Twister the cat) and overall had a good day. There was a little bit of a meltdown from Sim after nap, but I managed to take both Simone and Adrian with me to pick up Jasmine.

It was actually after Jasmine got home that things got a little hectic. I've noticed (and Darren pointed out) that after school is a hectic time, and it is. Nothing bad or anything, just all three kids and hyperness and overtiredness and such. And then Jas went off gymnastics but it was hectic so Darren stayed with her and I watched Sim and Adrian until 6:30 or so. It was fun and I kept feeding the kids grapes. But there was still a melt down from Adrian, he was tired and hungry. But then I spent the time after dinner with Jasmine playing with stickers.

Tomorrow is Jasmine's fifth birthday. And she's gonna be "a whole hand old"! I told her that a couple days ago, and she said it tonight. It was cute.

Anyways, here's just a little vid of some photos of Adrian and Simone I took tonight when we were waiting for Jasmine and Darren to get home.

hope all is well with everyone!
-s.e.

First Day!

2009-01-05T22:06:00.005-07:00

I'M HERE!

Okay so I've been in Okotoks a little over 24 hours and so far so good.

Let's start at the very beginning of the trip. After doing last minute errands before leaving, Mom and I got to the airport, where Dad and Carol were waiting. Found out that my luggage was overweight. No surprise, I was kinda thinking it was. (Thanks Dad) And had juice/coffee with the parentals and chatted before having my melt down goodbye at security. It wasn't that I was sad to leave, well I was, but it was a whole mix of emotions really.

Anyways, got to my flight, it was on time, unlike the other flight to Calgary (air canada flight to calgary suppose to be leaving at 12:30 was delayed until 2:30 our flight was scheduled for 2:00 and left at 2:10...both planes arrived within minutes of each other in Calgary) And got my seat. I was between two people, I had switched so that I was not in the row before the emergency exit and therefore gave up a window seat. But the seats were fairly large, enough leg room and personal tv.

I watched Big Bang Theory (thanks paulie and other slcers for that) and Little miss Sunshine as well as some other shows and such. The flight was a little over 4 hours but landed early. During landing I talked with the people on either side of me and we complained about how hot the flight was, but that was the only thing to complain about and talked about what Calgary is like. One had been there for 14 years the other had lived there for twice that. So I got the inside scoop.

I got off the flight and grabbed some cute little stuffed animals for the kids, last minute thinking on my part. And headed to baggage. Unlike Toronto, baggage is on the other side of security and very near to the exit, so Jacinta and little Simone were there waiting for me. It was great to finally meet them. And everyone's doubt and such flew out of my mind. After a few minutes I met Darren and Adrian and Jasmine as well. And then we waited for my luggage. Jasmine helped search for what I described as the huge brown suit cases. And we spotted them after awhile and were on our way.

The ride to Okotoks from the air port was uneventful and I got to talk to the kids a little and then the whole family when we ate dinner together. That night I called my mom via skype, and talked for a bit, and then actually fell asleep afterwards. Before I knew it it was a whole hour later and i got up, set alarms, brushed teeth and went back to sleep.

I awoke, with no issues might I add, at 6:10am. And kinda lounged in bed for an hour before joining the family for breakfast. And this is when I began to be shown the ropes.

Darren drove Jasmine to school, and I went with him to figure out where the school was. And I met her teacher. Jasmine's school is pretty awesome, nice and cute and small classes. And then I came back in time to get Adrian and Simone ready for Adrian's skating lesson. Now, let me tell you, everything is really close. Almost all within walking distance, but because of the snow and the cold, the van is easier and quicker with kids at times.

I watched Adrian skate for awhile and met a few other parents who would be there for the next little while. And then I got shown the library, which to Adrian's disappointment was closed. Then we came home. We played and danced, and painted for a bit. And then ate lunch before attempting to put the kids down. Adrian has a mandatory 30minute rest time. And he was up after that and today Simone apparently learned how to open her door and let herself out. So she didn't nap. So the kids and I played lego and cars until we left to walk to pick up Jasmine. It was a 30 minute walk with a stroller, and that was going the long way, so not to bad. And Simone actually fell asleep in the stroller, so she got her nap in.

We picked up Jasmine and then walked back home where I painted with the older kids. And then built lego towers with Jasmine. Dinner came and went and then Jacinta and I went to a mall in calgary. I bought some things and walked around. Before heading back.

I'm exhausted. But so far everything is pretty good. And I'm really happy with my decision. Miss you all, but I wouldn't trade this for the world.

Tomorow, I leave!

2009-01-03T23:20:00.002-07:00

Well, actually I leave today. In like 12 1/2 hours i'll be on a plane on my way to Alberta! SO exciting! Yes, I'm nervous and kinda sad to be leaving, but excitement trumps.

New Years was spent with SLCers, which was nice. I wasn't as emotional as I thought I would be. These people are like my rocks, and it's scarry to think i'll be a few provinces away. But they support me, and that's the main thing. Also I Spent new years Day with Kellie, and Erin and Paulie caught up with us and we watched a movie. It was a great way to just relax.

Yesterday I had dinner with friends, all SLCers (yes you guys really make up my entire life) at the Mandarin and I was really good until dropping Ning off and it kinda hit me that it'll probably be about a year until I see them all again. But again, I know that they support me, and I just so happen to be the first one leaving. Everyone else is going to do it one day too.

And then tonight was dinner with my adult friends, if you will. Family and friends who have been there since I was little most of them. And it was really touching their words and their support. I broke down after my Mom's speech and she made me say something. But it was more of a OMG i'm so nervous and overwhelmed right now cry. And then I used the new purple mirror to wipe the make up away.

Sooooo I can't wait to go, I really can't. I'll miss everything about here, but I am ready really and truly for this adventure. It'll be exciting and awesome, I just know it.

Okotoks! Here I come!

-s.e.

Happy Holidays

2008-12-27T14:41:00.004-07:00

Just a quick entry to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

I've had a great Christmas season. I spent 7 glorious days with my Mom in Punta Cana, Dominican Rebulic. It was a great time, great spot and I got a great tan. I've got some photos up on facebook as well I've got them printed. So I'll be happy to share.

Christmas with my Dad and his side of the family was pretty awesome. It was nice to catch up with people and hang out with the family.

Other things, are up in the air. I'm getting real sad about leaving, but real excited too. I can't wait to go. Tying up loose ends here, or trying to. And figuring out what to pack, and how to pack it all.

I am sooooo excited! (and a tad nervous)

-s.e.

Bravo. Yankee. Echo. North Bay

2008-12-13T11:40:00.003-07:00

Thanks to Abby from NCIS for the Bravo. Yankee. Echo. (Bye). It's been a new obsession started here. One of many, most of them tv or movies.

Anyways today is the day I leave North Bay. That means I am one step closer to being on my way to Alberta. I've got a check list (not just a mental one, a physical list) of everything I need. I did it while packing from North Bay. Mostly it's a list of clothing I want to bring with me. But every thing's got to be washed and reorganized and some of it has to go to the Dominican first. So it's not even like I can pack from here. But a list is def. a start.

Well Bravo. Yankee. Echo. North Bay. It's been fun!

-s.e.

The Beginning of the End. No, it is just the Beginning.

2008-12-06T09:48:00.006-07:00

Yesterday (well early this morning) was the first day I realized that all of this is actually happening. That in less then a month, I will be on a plane on my way to Alberta to start, what I am hoping will be an adventure of a life time.

Let's start at the very beginning, a very good place to start.

I started looking for something to do when I finished school in December. A few of my friends had made the decision to look in to au pairing and I thought hey what a neat idea. (Small definition on the side. Or check here for a full definition) And so I signed up for a few sites, and I really fell in love with the idea got some responses, but none that really jumped out at me. I ended up paying some fees to get better views and more options. And I ended up sending an e-mail out to a few families I really liked. They spanned from living in Canada (just a few cities away) to as far away as New Zealand. And I had a few families who I had an interest in.

But, I got a message back from this family in Alberta, well they weren't there yet. They were in the process of moving to Alberta from Ontario. And they said they'd get back to me. I had heard that before, and decided to continue the search. I got so far that I even had an interview and almost a placement before the other job fell through. And then I got an e-mail back from Jacinta saying, that they were conducting interviews and would like to have one with me. So I thought hey why not. And I talked with both Jacinta and Darren over Skype (computer phone line basically) and they sounded nice.

A few days later, after the right numbers for my references had been given and contacted Jacinta and Darren offered me the position to be an Au Pair in Okotoks, Alberta. And I was ecstatic. I didn't want to take the job right off the bat, I needed to talk it over with someone. And after talking it over with my Mom I was ready to except. This was October 8th, and I was headed home for Thanksgiving that weekend. And slowly I told our neighbours and the few family members I saw, that this looked like it was going to be the plan. I also told a few close friends, but it wasn't until a week later that I officially announced it to everyone.

Now people have been supportive, very supportive. Everyone thinks I'll have a blast and gain some great life experience. And I agree greatly. But everyone keeps saying how much they will miss me. And I agree with that too. I will miss them a lot too...but hey that's what the Internet and airplanes are for!

Now, I've been busy preparing. Getting the last minute doctor appointments it. Finding things I need. Finding homes for things I don't. Buying a ticket. Making plans to say so long (not goodbye) to friends and family. But yesterday it hit me.

An old friend, Laura, invited me over for a friends night a few weeks back. So I scheduled it in to my schedule and planed to go for a few hours after work tonight(which almost didn't end up happening because of work but I explained I had already made plans). But, when I walked in to the apartment, there were people there when I arrived, and I got the whole "Surprise" yelling and everything. Janis, Pam, Lacey, Heather, Amy and of course Laura were all there. That's right, a surprise going away party! We hung out, played rock band, ate food, did a shot in my leaving, played not one but two games of life twists and turns, talked, caught up, talked about plans and had an AWESOME time.

I couldn't believe it. I have never in my life felt so grateful. These people have been there for me for some part of my school life up here, and mostly all of them have effected it in some way. Laura made me a scrap book of all my friends up here, and got everyone who was there to sign it and everything. I'm actually really touched by everyone. And actually makes me think how much of an impact on my life North Bay and these people have made on me. I will truly miss them, not the snow and the city, but the people I will miss.

So in one month minus two days (January 4th to be exact) I'm going to be on a plane on my way to Alberta to start the journey of a life time. And I can't wait. Before then and now I have to finish my finals, go to the Dominican Republic with my Mom, have Christmas with my Dad and family, a few more Doctor and Dentist appointments (my insurance runs out Jan 1st), New Years with SLC, dinner with friends, dinner with family and oh my goodness I have to pack!!! So I'll be busy.

But remember, it's not goodbye. So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, adieu. Check here, for updates on my adventures. Contact me via msn or fb or drop me a note!

I'm standing at the edge of adventure. And I can't wait!
-s.e.