Stuck in Amazement

Photo - op with Sadie

2010-09-02T14:01:00.002-07:00

Miranda wrangled me into a photo op with Sadie.... and then it turned ... manly?

Oh man what eye liner and news paper can do

It's been a while... yet again.

2010-06-10T00:11:00.002-07:00

It has been quite a while since my last post.
So here is the last little while crammed into a smallish post for now :)

I will start after my little cutest niece Sadie was born. She has me wrapped around her little fingers already. I love her to bits and to spoil her seems to be what I am meant to do. I love being the auntie. I get to play, wake her up and dress her, give her baths, and when she cries she can visit her mommy or daddy. When she farts or poops (which I never knew little babies could have such gas...) anyways, mom can take over. I like this deal so far.

Besides that change in my life, I am getting ready to go back to school (finally).
I have been accepted into the LPN nursing program at the university here for September.
Boy oh boy it is coming so quick! Scarily quick. I am excited and so nervous at the same time. I haven't been in school in 5 years now and now I wonder if I will remember what I had learned
and if I can be as good a student as I was back then. I am hoping so!

Just by telling friends and co-workers that I am in the program I feel so very supported. Everyone I talk to seems to be such an encouragement. I hear from nurses and co workers that they are proud of me and so excited that I will get to be a nurse soon! I never realized how much people did care what I did for my work, or what I would do in my life. People actually care! I am somewhat overcome with how many people have been rooting for me for these past couple years working in the hospital. It's exciting, nerve wracking, but encouraging.

Now here comes the hardest year of my life yet (probably). I am finally going forward somewhere.

Happy Birthday Sadie!!!

2010-05-15T20:39:00.006-07:00

Here are some pictures from the BIG DAY!!! (From early this morning... 2:42 am)
Miranda had been in labor since early the morning before, and Sadie is finally making her grand appearance!

Tony in scrubs ready to hold Miranda's hand in the OR and see his new girl.
Baby was a bit blue to start but that is ok now.Sadie and her daddy.

Doting dad.And here she is! Sadie Alexa wide eyed and wonderful! All 7 pounds and 14 ounces of her.Happy Birthday my little niece!

Wareniki!!!

2010-05-02T20:30:00.005-07:00

Today I was in the mood to make something yummy that I could share with Miranda later on.
Wareniki it is!!! It's another of my grandmas recipes which is awesome in my opinion.
Wareniki is the Mennonite equivalent to a perogie. Fillings can be anything from cottage cheese, to potato and onion to fruit (like the plum ones I just made)
My favorites have always been Plum. Yum Plum.

Easy recipe, just time consuming.

The Dough is simply 3cups flour 1tsp salt mixed.
Then add your boiled cup of milk, 3 egg whites whisked a bit, and 2 tbsp. oil.
And you mix it all together and form in a ball of dough.
Plums from the freezer...Roll it out quite thin and you are almost there!!
and 2/3 cup sugar + 2tbsp flour mixed. (one tsp. per square 3x3)
Pinch sides and ta da! Now all you gotta do is boil them for 10 min. and of course make the sauce.
It's just not the same without the sauce!

oh and I put some aside for my expecting sister :) Double recipe for this house that's for sure.

The Sauce the sauce. Rue up the 1/2 cup margerine + 2 tbsp. flour in a saucepan.
Add your milk. Dash a salt, dash a sugar and dun dun dun.... killer sauce.
(My mama showed me the sugar salt bit (for fruit ones), but without it is my grandmas original bit :P )

It sounds odd but it's the best. I love them to bits.. well until they are gone. Some call them dessert wareniki or other names but to me they are the best ones of the bunch!

B

2010-04-29T00:55:00.003-07:00

I am on letter B of my itunes library.
I tried it a while ago but then my computer crashed and it all starts at square one again. Oh well.

I am going through my music and rating it and deleting the junky songs. So far I am about 272 of 3700. Letter B! Maybe if I do a letter every day (or so) I will get through it in a month or two.

Right now I am listening to The Beach Boys
Sloop John B
and now

Wouldn't It Be Nice?

Beach Boys always remind me of when we went camping on the island with the family. Just plug the cassette in the player and *sigh*

But there are a couple BB songs that remind me of Full House..... hehehe

Goodnight/Morning! I am going to bed.

I leave you with the song now playing...

Baking Day

2010-04-26T16:08:00.005-07:00

Today was Baking Day for Aria. I was planning on making some buns and muffins for Miranda and Tony since baby is on her way shortly, but I am thinking I will have to make more later since they are being eaten too easily right now.
So to start it off, I needed a zweiback recipe (double bun in High German says my recipe book)
It's a huge favorite in my family, and a rarity when I make them so needless to say I need to make more later for Miranda's family.

Anyways, I was searching through my great grandmothers cook book and having a fun time searching. It's the 1960's version of the book and it's great. On the recipe the check means my great grandma tried and liked this version so I thought I would take a chance and try it too.

Worked like a charm, and It was so simple too (as buns go).

I also found another oldie of a cook book in the cupboard and found advertisements like this:

even found some coupons (too bad it expired before I was born) and news paper clippings from 1960 something.
So off I go! One part of the recipe told me to blend.... On automatic I reached for my egg beater.... and I think I could have heard my great grandmother turn in her grave. I thought, no wait, and used my spoons instead.

kneading kneading kneading to my tunes, it was good stuff.

Next. "To Die For Blueberry Muffins" which really are the best ones I've made. As soon as I finished I wanted another one... So bad yet so good!

I will have to post later some of the helpful butchering tips also in the recipe book, as well as recipes for hmmm head cheese, tongue, and sausages (after fixin the intestines of course!) Yikes.
I like the heritage of it though. I wouldn't eat it, but to read the stories of my great great grandparents time is neat. (It brings the geek out of me! :D )

What's Your Favorite _____________?

2010-04-20T23:57:00.007-07:00

1. Favorite hobby?

Baking

2. Favorite tv show?

3. Favorite restaurant food?

Most things chicken - and spicy!

4. Favorite thing to shop for?

Coats

5. Favorite animal?

Tigers

6. Favorite song?

Death Cab For Cutie - Bixby Canyon Bridge

7. Favorite word?

Bungalow

8. Recent favorite youtube video?

9. Favorite movie?

Pride and Prejudice

10. Favorite childhood memory?

Hide and Seek at the farm house

And like my sister, my images are from weheartit

Wanna play along? Answer the 10q's with photos and link to it in the comments of this post :)

1. Favorite hobby?

2. Favorite tv show?

3. Favorite restaurant food?

4. Favorite thing to shop for?

5. Favorite animal?

6. Favorite song?

7. Favorite word?

8. Recent favorite youtube video?

9. Favorite movie?

10. Favorite childhood memory?

Worries of the week

2010-04-19T21:31:00.003-07:00

Tomorrow is my Monday, and I am thinking it will be a doozey of a week. I am a little nervous about how it will turn out.
Wednesday the new Emergency area will be opening, and I expect it to be somewhat chaos filled - why?
Moving all patients, all staff not knowing the area well, and of course curious patients that might just have a 'sudden onset illness' or 'boo boos' just to check it out on the first day..... whoo hoo!..... not.
Why must I care? ER is where I work, I will be one of those staff who barely knows where they are going, working with new people, in an area 3x the size of the one I am used to, new systems, new everything. I am a tad worried but I know it will go on whether I am worried or not.

Plus, I am not sure I will have the day off on Saturday for my cousins wedding. I booked it off a while ago, though I am not sure since this new ER opening + I work lead hand + they (the bosses) tend to be slightly forgetful.

So there are the worries of my week, though I am not even going to think of what to wear to the wedding if I pull in all my favors and get the day off....That's another issue right there. ah.

Anyways, I just have to keep going and take it one step at a time. I am truly thankful God is with me with all these steps I will take this week.

Well well well who is a mac now...

2010-04-15T23:45:00.005-07:00

I never thought I would see the day I would own a mac. Let alone a macbook! I seemed to be a jinx whenever I was around them. In school mine would be the one that freezes, mine would shut down, and be royally screwed up.
I thought PC all the way.... until my laptop was having a brutal time -- viruses that the computer guy I had couldn't fix without deleting everything and reinstalling windows... and then the back light went kaput and I couldn't see my screen. I have had enough.I did love my laptop before... before it got worse and worse and worse - and of course this all happens the month after my warranty expires...I have to admit though, I wasn't as careful with that laptop.You see, I had this super uber awesome warranty. I could do anything to it and it would be covered by the warranty, as long as it was accidental. So in turn I think it took a beating, unintentional of course, but still a pretty rough go at life as a laptop.
It lasted plane rides, stuffed in a suitcase for 3 months, stuffed with as much junk as possible in my carry on, tripped over, and I paid for it. It probably would have lasted longer if I didn't batter it as much. Though secretly I wanted it to pack it in earlier and get a whole new laptop for free under the warranty.
oh well.So no more viruses, no more light problems, no more scratches, no more mouse issues, and no more windows.
Hopefully this thing does the job right (and I don't screw it up)
So here's to macs (and photo booth). Everyone who's been near a mac should do photo booth...

Easter! (from last week?)

2010-04-10T10:12:00.005-07:00

I am actually posting on my blog!

Last weekend was Easter (Happy Easter by the way) and it was busy and wonderful! The family was over - the whole family including Tony and Miranda (+ unpopped baby), my grandma, and two of the cousins came as well. It was a blustery day that day and a very Springish one as well. Stormy one minute and sunny the next.... oh boy! I really do love spring.

Anyways, started off that weekend with Paska making. I have never made it before and it worked out perfectly (the second try..... after finding I had less than half the flour... but that's another story). My grandma is recovering from minor surgery so she wasn't able to make bread this time (which is a tradition for her) so I stepped up and found a good recipe from Mennonite Girls Can Cook.

(^making paska on Friday morning)

Saturday came with Miranda and Tony (+baby) + decorating eggs in the morning. It was lovely. Coffee sitting beside me as I went haha. Miranda and Mik also went after some sugar cookies with icing. (Miranda made them earlier...and they were delicious mind you.... and now I need that recipe...), and I went after my breads with some icing and 'hunderds and millions' (no Paska is complete without 'hundereds and millions' says my mother).

(^yummy chick cookies (minus the eyes... opps))

(^Paska decorating above + final product)
(^colouring eggs with my sisters + only a few of the finished ones)

(^dun dun dun... the menu of the mega meal)

After that it was time to set the table and have Easter lunch with everyone there and The Food was fantastic. Good job mama!

(^An essence of Easter? hahaha)

So with a huge monster meal in our bellies, the cousins - Matt and Katie, along with Miranda, Mikaela, and myself, we went to the nearby park on a walk. It was a blast! To top it off we were at the farthest end of the park from home and we could see the rain coming in. It was getting very dark and windy, we started back for home. It wasn't long before the winds were gusting and the rain reached us! Pouring and blowing the rain in our faces and soaking us fully. Matt, the chilvrious one, ran all the way to the house and hopped in his truck trying to find us between short cuts. With no avail he ended up home without us. But we had made it - soaked but throughlly happy. The crazy weather added up to a very fun day :)

Can't wait for next year when there is a new one to have fun with as well.

just to post something

2010-03-03T22:05:00.005-08:00

The last few days the parents have been away and I have been looking out for the younger sister. It's been pretty good. Have been walking a lot lately which is lovely.

(not my picture, but it is the very same Hope Slough)

The weather has been a bit wet out but I don't mind, the flowers are blooming and there are touches of bright purples, yellows, whites, and greens everywhere I look! I especially love walking along the river (which is lucky for me since I live right near it).
It makes me take in the colours and things around me without being in such a rush by car. I would never notice the little miniature daffodils, the snow drops, or spring crocuses. I love spring! The magnolia trees are bright in colours and the cherry trees are blossoming (and have been since the last week of February).
Today was neat because the clouds were dark blue and ready for rain yet the sky so bright. It made the colours pop even more.
I wish I took pictures!

While I was walking I had music on random, old songs from when I was in middle school popped up and ah brought back some good memories.
I love when songs play and you are reminded of a specific memory.

Anywho, blabbing is over now. I am going to bed.

Superbowl + Olympic Torch + Amazing Cake

2010-02-08T15:39:00.004-08:00

Yesterday was a great day! I went to church and heard a sermon of science vs. Christianity which I found interesting.After church we went to the store for some supplies and lo and behold the torch run was running past the IGA we went to! We waited like 20 minutes but still it was neat. There were crowds of people waiting for a glimpse of the flame that ran across Canada. I snapped a couple pictures with my cellphone before my battery died :)

Then came Superbowl Sunday! First game I actually watched and enjoyed. The commercials are awesome (and one of the best ones is up top).

Half time instead of watching geriatric rockers sing and dance (The Who was up this year) I was making a bunt cake. I never tried to make one before yesterday. I saw the recipe in a magazine at work and ripped it out and brought it home. It looks and tastes great and here are some pictures!I also had a bottle of champagne from Christmas so I thought aw why not?!

Enjoying this while watching Twilight was the end to a lovely day.

Scary Clowns

2010-02-04T13:15:00.001-08:00

I was killing some time today before vacuuming and I came across this video...
It did make me really Laugh Out Loud so I thought to share it with you all :)

New music!!!

2010-02-01T13:13:00.002-08:00

I heard this song on the radio today and it intrigued me. Vince Vaccaro. I am thinking one of my newest favorite artists!
I am now listening to a bunch of his music on myspace right now (I haven't been on myspace in over a year but now I found his music on there? yay!)

I am a huge fan of new music and finding unique stuff out there. Today I found out some of my uniquest of unique stuff I downloaded from a blog I read is gone. My computer needed to be fixed the other day (and it was pretty much wiped). I thought I put all my music on my external hard drive but I guess it didn't all go? I am missing all my music folders after 'S' and that is a whole heck of a lot. At least 3gb are MIA at the moment. I am going to search later through my hard drive and here's hoping I find it!
Oh and tonight it goes back to the shop (I have encountered yet another virus).
This is all a week after my warranty of accidental damage ran out... other wise I am sure I would have had a major accident with this thing... perhaps involving a bath tub, car, or rooftop, and cement. Oh well. Better luck next time I guess.

Anyways, give it a listen! Up beat cool rock - All by a local from Vancouver.
So listen up! and turn it loud :)

brownie cake! and babies!

2010-01-18T13:38:00.007-08:00

Today I am making 'brownie cake' like Miranda did. So I link to her she links to another and that person linked to another site. Who knows. It will go on forever!

I would usually make the brownies from my mom's recipe but today I thought I would try something new. Lately I have been trying new recipes from the recipe site I usually prowl (All Recipes) instead of the cupboard full of cookbooks that want to be read. And instead of my favorite go to recipe site I go blogging?

hm I keep finding chocolate on me. Second time where I lost my train of thought and I have barely written a paragraph. oh my. first on my knuckle and then on my arm?
I am definitely not a tidy baker.
Ok so I found more after linking those two sites too. this time on my shirt. oh boy. I need an apron next time.

Anyways, back to recipes?

or links?

well anyways, 15 minutes to go and they this cake is pouffing in the oven like crazy. I hope it doesn't flatten >_<
Right now I am procrastinating. I should be cleaning because it is my last day off until next Sunday. I seem to have to clean up or go crazy... or spend little time in there as possible. For instance, right now I am upstairs instead of down in my basement. No need to see my mess now :)

In other news! I AM GOING TO HAVE A NIECE IN MAY!
This I am so stoked about! Hard to believe but I get to be Auntie Aria or something. Maybe crazy Aunt A.... I have already bought cute little baby clothes to match this cute little baby. I am thinking about going every couple weeks and pick out something nice and cute and useful.

Here are a few outfits I bought when learning baby is a girl! :D The colour is a bit off thanks to a stupid camera/ bad lighting .. oh well.

Resolutionist!

2010-01-04T22:47:00.002-08:00

I am not usually a New Year's Resolutionist, but this year I have some things I need to do

1. Finish reading the Bible - I started a checklist thing in YWAM but I think I need to pick it up again and finish it off. I am not an avid bible reader but maybe just maybe reading the whole thing would be good. ;) I have read about 3/4s of it so far so hopefully I will finish it this year

2. Delete from the precious itunes. I know I have some stupid music I don't listen to on there, so now I think I should purge it. Just hard! Perhaps I am a music hoarder? I think 'oh I might want to hear this song one time later' or 'someone else might want to hear it on the lappy...' well I should do that.. later

3. And like everyone one else - exercise more. I have an elliptical I bought for ten bucks at a garage sale and I need to use it more. I've used the excuse 'my job is active enough' for too long. It's true I am active there but elliptical wants some attention I think.

Oh and if anyone knows me well, they know I am a procrastinator. I hope I don't wait until December to do these >_<
wish me luck!

fun with a 3 year old

2010-01-04T09:33:00.003-08:00

Yesterday was a fun day. Mikaela was babysitting at our house, Ethan, age 3 and a half. I haven't babysat anyone his age since Mikaela was that age herself. So needless to say I forgot all about how fun it was. I mean I knew it would be fun having him over - I see him at church running (and only running) up and down and around the church.
We were having dinner and all of a sudden he starts blowing bubbles in his cup. My family just sits there staring with smiles on their faces. Like complete idiots (including myself in this too though). As you can tell it's been a long time for all of us to be around a 3 year old. After he blows bubbles he looks down and says 'what's that in my cup?' haha gross. He also randomly called bad things 'stink bug'...
Ethan is one cute kid - has a great vocabulary, understands a lot considering he's 3 and ah he's just fun.
It will be interesting to see how my family is around an infant come May. I'm stoked :D

Bird Hater?

2009-12-31T18:40:00.003-08:00

I just found this online and thought of Miranda and Tony's crazy bird 'Killer/Bird'...
Hammer time?

Being in America !

2009-12-27T15:10:00.004-08:00

This has been one big ol' trip so far! Right now we are in Santa Clarita, California. It's a lovely 18 degrees outside on December 27th. At home it's a not so lovely 6 degrees and not sunny for very long.
We've been to Disneyland and 6 Flags in the last few days, the Sunmaid Factory/ World Headquarters, and The Blue Diamond Almond factory last week. It's been great being in the sun! But so weird at the same time. Christmas day should be cold but we got like 20 degrees! Next year we won't do this again - we miss being at home with the friends and family over Christmas. It just didn't feel like Christmas no matter how big Disney decked their halls. Oh well next year will be at home :)

But anyways, being in America, we've come across some very, uh... interesting ones.
The first story comes from a girl from Washington (who lived in Salita CA when we saw her)
The girl at the till told my mom that when she first saw a BC drivers license she thought the BC meant Before Christ....

The same day we went to a McDonalds - McCafe - Tony asked how many shots of espresso they put in their lattes? The guy asked 'what? what was that you called it?' ... espresso....
It came out of a spout depending on the size and flavor of the drink I guess.

It's been great here so far but I am happy we are starting our slow meandering up north back home.
I couldn't imagine living here really, so many slight differences. Makes me love my country more.

Plus I want some nibs and pop. ;)

Wonderful Sights

2009-12-16T01:25:00.006-08:00

These pics are from one of my all time favorite sites for background images: Interfacelift

I was looking up a blog posting ideas (note: there are 111,000,000 pages worth of 'blog post ideas' on google). So I meandered through a couple pages and one thought was to post pictures that go along with your blog.
Since mine is 'Stuck in Amazement' I though hmmm... relate my picture site (of amazing pictures) to blog. Click click done and good.

So here are a few pictures that make me, well, stuck in amazement. God is good and he has created such amazing sights to behold.

snow?

2009-12-03T21:35:00.002-08:00

Unlike my sister I could really go without the white fluffy stuff. I am not much of a fan of the snow. I mean it's nice to look at once in a while, but it gets wet, heavy to shovel, and much too cold on my toes.
When it's fresh, coming from the clouds in big pouffy flakes its a lovely sight I must admit, but I hate being cold.

When I am old and gray I think I may have to become a snow bird. Flying south for the winter sounds so appealing to me.

Hopefully this year we get snow over the Olympics and that's about it. None of this couple feet of snow business of last year thank you very much.

...though I do have to admit I love my winter coat and scarves.

Today I met a man from Rwanda/Burundi in our -1 degree (Celsius) weather and yep poor guy was cold too. They were wearing scarves and hats in like 20 degree weather so I can't imagine how this felt to him.

Oh well I at least have to be happy I don't have to live through prairie cold.

Stuck in an Elevator

2009-11-28T19:11:00.002-08:00

Today, five minutes into my shift I am in the elevator on the way up to start my day. Someone gets off on the third floor and I am alone going up.
But no.
The elevator makes some strange noises, bounces a little bit and I hear nothing. None of the usual noises it makes to move. I am stuck. By myself. In an elevator.
Thinking quick I press the open door and close door buttons, the other floors, anything. Even pressing the one that looks like a bell. Nothing is working. Lucky for me I had my cell phone in my pocket so I call the work number and tell them I am stuck and to tell my supervisor to get me out!!

Well after that I think, maybe I can open the doors! So a shove with adrenaline and they are open. I see the landing a few feet below me and jump down. I am pretty freaked out at the moment and a nurse is waiting for another elevator and sees me pop out and is 'Oh my gosh! Are you okay?!'
At that point I was completely shocked and freaked out from being stuck in an elevator.
First things first I call the boss and say I'm out, second I stand there looking at the elevator I just climbed out of, and third tell the flabergasted nurse I am okay.
Taking the stairs to my floor :) I tried calling the maintenance department but nobody is there. I go past there two hours later and the elevator is still how I left it. Makes me wonder if I could have been stuck in there if I wasn't thinking clearly.

The whole thing was only minutes (I think) but still freaky.
I can't imagine being stuck in there much longer, I'm sure I would have cried or gone into hysterics.

So this my story of the day!

Christmas time is near!

2009-11-27T19:20:00.003-08:00

Our tree is up! It is getting trimmed!

Here is Smiff sitting beside the lights very content now, but later she will be sitting under the tree when it's all finished being fussed over. As our tree is getting decked out, Frank is crooning in the background. It's quite nice.
My dad calls this CD "the three stooges of Christmas" (Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, and Nat King Cole). They sing my favs in Christmas music.
Yesterday I had a lovely Christmas song stuck in my head that I annoyed my co-workers with. "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" is such a nice song. Not necessarily sung by me, but still a nice song.Here's the manger scene (set up yesterday) it is older than me and I do love it. Can't wait for next year when we get my Aunt's full life size version of this to put in our front yard, though that will be a challenge and a half.

Also, mom's holiday favorite:

Anyways, on a non-Christmas note, two weeks from now I will be working the shift that will give me no 'life' at all. 3-11pm in Emergency. Tuesday to Saturday. This means I won't get out much at all. Mornings are nice and all but the afternoons is when I get things done. Oh well if it doesn't work I will go casual like I would be if this position didn't get posted last week.

Happy Decorating People! And do it soon!
Though I actually have the excuse of not being here over Christmas so I can do this early to enjoy it just as much.

Pretty look!

2009-11-15T17:56:00.004-08:00

I am liking this new blog look.
There are some things I would change but I can't so I will leave it alone.
:) So pretty!

So this whole week I have been sick at home. I couldn't go to work very well with a nasty cough and soar throat. It wouldn't be good to give more germs to people at the hospital, let alone my immunity being as it is now.
Going into a place to give others more germs, or to get more (and worse) ones myself.
So I have been home.

In my down time I've watched loads of movies and tv.
Yesterday I was in the mood for a tear jerker so I hooked up 'My Sister's Keeper'
I read the book a few months ago and wow I was surprised by the movie.
The book was good, well written and so moving! The movie was moving but I was too distracted by my annoyance to get all emotional. They changed the movie!
The ending was completely different from the book, I won't give any spoilers but I was right ticked. I mean you can't simply kill off whoever you like in a movie! At least follow the plot of the book!
(if you do want to know the differences here is a link)
Grr.

Well I will just leave with saying that the film was a huge disappointment after reading the book. I've seen plenty of films based on books but this was by far the worst one yet.

Happy Halloween!

2009-10-25T21:48:00.001-07:00

Mix CDs!

2009-10-25T19:04:00.002-07:00

I found some old mix cd's today while I was helping Mik re-do her room.
Conclusion: I have a weird brain thinking some songs will mix with others without it sounding like junk. From Joel Kroeker (I had to look him up to find the right artist) to Enya to Styx? What was I thinking?

Joel Kroeker - The Wind

Enya -May it Be

Styx - Sail Away

So this is almost embarrassing to post. I went through this weird 'I love old music' phase + other weird music too!

That was just one CD... I found one I won't touch with J-LO label + other music too. Oh so there is another random post for ya :)

oh the spices!

2009-10-19T13:52:00.003-07:00

I am making chai pumpkin bread right now. It's in the oven and o la la! I am excited! It has seven different spices though I had to omit one since I didn't have it. Cardamom. Not typical I guess?
Miranda sent me a link to another cooking/baking blog yesterday (28 Cooks) and I found this on there linked through it. It smells divine. I hope it tastes just as well!

Two days ago now, I tried making Cornish Pasties. Earlier that day I went to Dickens' Sweet Shop and oh it put me in the mood for one. Not as good as the ones with puffed pastry but I tried it and it turned out pretty good.

The only bad thing was that it was a tad less moist as I would have liked, and that I burned three of my fingers! The oven mit is an oldie and I figured out that, oh, it doesn't work very well anymore. Two fingertips and another finger with blisters on them. Thankfully they are almost better, all but one are good now.

I seem to go very domestic when I am off for more than two days. Cooking baking cleaning. If only I was able to do this more often. Ah well, such is life.

P.S. I will try and post pictures later

Motels from Hell?

2009-10-08T19:11:00.002-07:00

Thank goodness for tripadvisor.com.
The fam is planning a trip to Disney Land this Christmas and we are looking into places to stay along the way. Finding good deals and searching can be quite hard if you don't know what you are looking for. I remember finding a few of the dodgiest places ever in hostels and a few motels here and there.
I think this comment from the trip advisor takes the cake though.
It is for the Howard Johnson in Redding -

"My wife and I stayed there only because we were locked into it by making reservations by internet. We knew we were in trouble just by driving into the neighborhood. Then when we checked in the attendant made a comment about people sneeking into the hotel to party and if we had problems to call him. He put us into a room right below the stairwell. I went back and negotiated a "better room" on the second floor above the pool. We resigned ourselves to making the most of it. He was right about partiers and they congregated at the pool. Luckily the air conditioner was loud enough to drown out some of the noise though not all of it. Around 11pm a police helicopter came around and hovered over the motel for about an hour. It seemed as though it was only about 100 feet above the roof ! I wasn't about to go outside and check. I thought we would be on "Cops" for sure that night. Don't make the mistake we did and purchase any room before you check the reviews!"

I have stayed in dirty places, ones that make your socks black when you step on the carpet, ones that have brown/black areas on walls from dirt or the ones that smell like vomit and mold, or better yet, waking up with bug bites all over your body...*makes me shudder remembering*. And then are the adventure ones. The places where we have had the door knob jam and you are locked in (and the owners can't even open the door), the crazy pot smokers beside you, or a group of crazy Irish. This trip will most likely have its own adventures but hopefully no dirt n bugs.
Here's hoping!

For Miranda and Tony

2009-10-07T21:15:00.002-07:00

This shall be your kid some day.

Postal Service Reincarnate?

2009-09-15T17:02:00.000-07:00

Postal Service - Such Great Heights

Owl City - Fireflies

cute song but soo much like the postal service is this a rip?

New Layout

2009-09-15T17:00:00.001-07:00

I needed a new look for this blog.
Here it is.

New Moon Trailer!!!

2009-09-12T09:47:00.002-07:00

So I was looking up some stuff today and I admit, I am a twilight junkie.
I found a leaked trailer that is going to be put up for the mtv awards this year.
Must see!

TRAILER

Amazing Cakes

2009-08-13T16:28:00.002-07:00

I was lurking on some blogs today when I came across this Threadcakes. It is pretty amazing what people can do with just cakes!

I want Miranda to test out some fondant recipes now.

P.S. Miranda here is a very very fat cat. Not that smiff isn't fat, but when the cat can't even reach its ears to scratch... harsh.

Top Songs

2009-07-27T22:25:00.002-07:00

As I was browsing through the blogs I found a link to one where it shows you the #1 Song the day you were born.
Mine is unfortunate.
Shakedown by Bob Seger.
I had to youtube it to actually find out what it was.
And I am not a fan. ah well.

Linkz to that page!

Thunder and Lightening and Video? Oh my!

2009-07-27T14:08:00.005-07:00

Hey I found something to blog! Yay!

Two night ago we had a fantastic lights show in the sky. Lightening storms from Hope to Vancouver going through the valley, making a racket and lighting the sky. Fantastic.
I love lightening storms very much.

Today while lurking on a blog here and there I came across this video. It is a time lapse video of Vancouver. It is a lovely video of the day including the lightening storm and the fireworks that were taking place that night as well.
Simply put - It's fantastic.

It reminds me of camping a few years ago in Edmonton in the middle of a giant storm. Biggest storm I have ever seen. I think it made me love the storms even more. The pure energy created by them is unfathomable. It put me in awe of how God can create such storms with so much power.
Being in a tent, middle of a prairie, more than 2 hours of lightening all the way around you. Frightening yes, but even more amazing to see.
In the morning we found out that the lightening even struck in the camp grounds that we were staying in. Here's a pic I caught of it that night as well. I was taking video of the flashes and wow it was impressive!

(it's from sitting under our tarp (which we were the only ones to bring being from bc and all haha)

2009-07-26T17:11:00.002-07:00

I am not much into blogging these days. Perhaps it is because there is nothing very interesting to post.
Here is an interesting site that I found recently.

Name Voyager

Type in the name and see when it was most popular and even where it was popular.

Anywho, just thought I would post at least SOMETHING since it has been so long.

later!

time to post?

2009-06-15T15:48:00.002-07:00

I was looking through a folder in my email of "good stuff" and I came across this
:the egg song
I have no idea why it is in that folder, I don't remember ever seeing it before.

Oh and boredom is here. I have just watched a whole bunch of commercials on youtube. joy.

haha punching small animals....

ok time to do something else I think!

the horror!

2009-06-08T19:28:00.003-07:00

So I have realized I am not one for horror movies.
I watched this tame movie on a plane once, but I never got to finish it.
So the other day I picked it up and started watching again.
By the part I stopped watching it got a lot freakier!
I was expecting a suspense movie with a happy ending - meaning they would find the person alive and save her and it would all be happy and the kidnapper would go behind bars.
Not.
The girl they saw was a dead body, and then the main character falls into a pool (in a secret part of the house) and it was fully of rotting corpses.
AHH!
So by that moment I was holding my knees going 'AHH!'
The only good thing about it was that the guy was taken away by the cops in the end.
I mean I am usually okay with movies - even freaky ones - if I know what I am getting into.

So the unexpected horror movie was freaky. But then again, aren't those movies supposed to be freaky? Mission accomplished I guess.

Cat Humiliation

2009-05-26T18:06:00.001-07:00

Found this site today, made me cringe and laugh.
Humiliation

Yeah Yeah Yeahs

2009-05-20T21:43:00.002-07:00

It's Blitz!
I am liking this new music.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Dull Life

At first I didn't like it very much, but now I am loving it

Workman's Compensation

2009-05-12T20:56:00.003-07:00

Screwed over and over again it seems.
At first I thought it was a good thing - I get off work, they pay me.

Backtracking ---
In December, right before Christmas, I slipped at work and my knee went in a wrong way.
At first I thought it was a sprain. I finished my shift, with pain killers.
Next day, I went to work popping pills and was -okay- at best.
Day later, I couldn't walk up the stairs without a load of pain.
Needless to say I didn't go to work that day.
That was the day I went to the Doctor.
Sitting in the stupid walk in clinic (not getting to see my real Doctor until 2 weeks later with appointment) and this was taking hours. About 2 hours of sitting, I couldn't move my knee but an inch without gasping in pain.
By the time I saw the Doctor he finally saw I was in pain, checked me out, wiggled my knee in awful ways, and then said it was just 'soft tissue damage'. Sounds pretty pathetic but it really did hurt like hell.
I got prescribed t3's and another bit and that finally made me feel better.

----

Enter Workman's Compensation.
It was fine at first, they were nice, accepted my claim. I got a letter telling me that I got a sum of money to be paid through my employers... The employers checked the wrong box for the paper work and then said they wouldn't pay me money.... this lasted a whole 2 months until I finally got through to one of the bosses that I wasn't getting any money! Talk about frustrating!
I am so lucky to be living at home right now. I can't imagine being without pay for a month while I could not walk very long.

Ok so come around to March... still haven't seen a penny. I call them every time I can - though since I work the same hours they do it was just answering machine tag.

April I finally got a cheque in the mail. Took way too long, too many problems.
Not to mention now, my newest frustration - after I thought it was all over and done with.

I got my income tax back today. The guy from the workman's compensation claims specifically told me that it wouldn't change my tax return. WRONG. I get my mail today and the government says I don't get as much money as I would have thought.

Workmans compensation did send me a t4 thing to send in yet I didn't. Thinking I would not say that I got money (when I hadn't been sent the money until after I finished my taxes (the very last week mind you) ).

So there is my anger. bitter perhaps?
It may be around $70 less than I thought to have gotten. But that's still $70!

Aria is angry. But getting over it.
Thanks for the rant!

Days off!

2009-05-11T21:27:00.005-07:00

Today was my day off and wow I was very productive if I do say so myself.
I started by making buns from grandmas recipe and they turned out beautifully.
It was my first time making buns to boot! Beginners luck perhaps?

I quite liked punching my dough.... haha I can throw a pretty good punch too.
Then I cleaned up that and then my room, and bathroom.
After dinner I sewed on a button on my purse that fell off, and fixed the button on a pair of pants.
I don't think I have ever been so 'homemaker-ish' before in my life. Cooking cleaning and sewing in one day.... creepy.

And my weekend has gone by too fast and work comes tomorrow morning.
ah well another day another dollar.

Oh and I bought an ipod! It is getting shipped to me and since it came with the option of free gift wrapping that's how it should arrive! Happy Day to me! I can't wait! My ipod (now) is one of the ipod mini's from when I was in high school. They don't make them anymore. Haven't for years. It has a black and grey screen and scratches all over.... and a couple dents.... and a warp in the plastic on top... it's high time I get a new one and I am so excited! Now I can fit all my music on it! :D

vs.

ooops.

2009-05-04T21:48:00.003-07:00

So yet another thing to add to my list of broken objects by Aria
The stool in my room --- used by my lappy and table... ok so now I know why there is the rule of '4 on the floor' and no leaning!
It's not even mine.
Good grief I need to go to Ikea!
Better luck next time?
You'd think that I was going through that awful awkward phase where the arms and legs are all gangly and such. No. That is not it, just so ya know.

weird

2009-05-01T18:58:00.003-07:00

I was searching for a new display picture for msn a couple minutes ago and found this...

Accidental- Prone Aria

2009-04-29T22:04:00.003-07:00

Lately I have been so very accident prone. I find bruises, scratches, and bumps and not know where they come from. I mean I am used to it by now but ah well, I needed someone to blog on.

I have broken my favorite lamp - it was a globe with cherry blossoms on the outside of it and it glowed so nice! This one was a couple months ago. I think I broke my laptop before that... I tripped over the cord connecting my speakers to my lappy and BAM it flew off my table... Well that's repaired now which is nice.. oh nice warranty...
anyways, I have discovered lately my other lamp *I have two in all* both I love. and now I see that it is broken in one place. Still usable but still! One little metal hook is broken (this one is a square paper one).
Oh and my cell phone is finally returned to me! the number 3 popped out on me one day. Though this couldn't be all my fault! So what if it suddenly likes to fly out of my hand occasionally.. Or jump out of my pocket. It's a flip phone so how did the 3 run away?

Oh me and electronics are like accidents waiting to happen.

Today I was leaning against the wall sitting on my bed... I reached for something and the glass of water I had beside me wanted to drench me so BAM. Sploosh. Aria is wet, So is her cords to her computer, cell phone, and lamp. Thankfully I took most of the water on me I guess? Oh and my lamp fell down again with me. Thankfully it's durable!

It's a wonder how I am not shocked, electricuted or maimed.

ANTM vs. Stitch

2009-04-26T10:59:00.005-07:00

okay I know this is kinda strange and perhaps a tad mean, but I am wanting to actually compare the two in pictures. While watching ANTM my mom and I realized that this girl lovely girl looks like a cartoon alien creature when she smiles...

Very pretty girl on America's Next Top Model (ANTM) - Teyona featured in the middle....

She reminds me of Stitch.... form Disney's Lilo and Stitch

And here's to crappy photoshopping!

Anyways, just thought I would get this off my mind.

ouch

2009-04-10T18:52:00.004-07:00

ah today was okay. Work as per usual, even though it's Good Friday.
I walked to work today ..
sunshine + river + birds - bugs + lovely music = peaceful and happy.
(this was one of the songs I listened to and it's been growing on me)
Then after walking 45 min, I get to walk all day at work. Yippie.
I also made it my goal this past week or so to take the stairs every time possible...Quite the challenge for myself, I work on the 4th floor in two different buildings. It's hard work! and boy oh boy my knees are killing me now.
I didn't think that walking to work would affect me so much but I guess it did. physically, though emotionally I was happy all day.

So bye for now from the tired happy person.
~~~~

Oh and Happy Good Friday everyone!

On this day Jesus was nailed to the cross. The ultimate sacrifice for humanity. It is through Him that we are saved indeed!

New Season New Layout!

2009-04-06T20:30:00.002-07:00

Well It's time for flowers. I am so excited for Spring - and it's finally here.

So here is a new layout - my favorite flower - Frangipani/ Plumeria.

I am so happy that there is sunshine and warmth! I have this strange fear in the back of my mind that it's going to snow... but I don't think so anymore.

So hope I will like this layout in the morning, or else more tinkering and changes happen.

Adios!

Scariest Moments

2009-03-30T12:58:00.003-07:00

So I was thinking yesterday what my scariest moments in my life have been. This was brought on from watching Amazing Race (oh I love that show), there was someone that fainted from like over heating or exhaustion or something. OH SUSPENSE! haha. Well this put me in memory of a few times I have blacked out etc.
Top Freakiest Moments in Aria's Life:

----- India. Over there I got sicker than I had ever been before. Not to mention being in a foreign country, hiking, and crazy jeep rides to make things a whole heck of a lot worse when you're sick. I am pretty sure I had a horrible fever - (I had I think a quilt my sleeping bag and all my warmest clothes on when I got to my room.) I started getting stomach pains like no other, cold sweats and shivering.
I can remember it all too well - lying in my bed praying that I wouldn't die here. Never prayed that prayer before... ah well. this is my post from when I was just getting well again. I did journal but it's burried in a box right now, and that gave more detail on what happened.

---- Near drowning. I remember swimming in the pool near my grandparents trailer up by Cultus Lake. Mik was there with her friend and they thought that it would be hilarious if they held me under water and not let me up. (Mik was like 4 or 5 so she obviously didn't know better) So anyways, I remember being held under by my head and flayling my arms around trying to get lose. Running out of air. Trying to actually hit them so I can move, then finally finally I get out. Freaked me right out.

Anyways, those are two of my scariest moment that I can think of off the top of my head, I don't think I have any suppressed ones or anything but then.. who knows.
Anyways, time to go help with dinner.

conversations

2009-03-26T21:08:00.003-07:00

I find myself apart of the strangest conversations lately.
well perhaps not lately, usually would be a better word for it.
It depends on the company of course. Since I work in a hospital the grossest conversations can come up as a common occurrence - topics include - vomit. bowel movements. blood. needles. psych patients (that one is a fun one). surgical procedures. super bugs and diseases. the list goes on. and on.. and on..

Then at home, the same conversations happen. (Though different and sometimes just to bug Mik.) But for the most part its the highlights and lowlights (?) of the day.... which usually include the work topics. (Oh but no worries there are other conversations besides these)

When the extended family gets together they usually end up talking about medications.. the different ones that they are on, the ones their friends and family are on.... Is this normal?

I am not phased in the least anymore by most topics. The other day a girl at work started talking about her sisters endometriosis (and hers), describing bowel movements, scopes, surgery, and on and on.. This was over lunch. It all started when I asked how she and her sister were knowing they were sick lately.

I also like to go for the shock value... Mik being in middle school is learning new words. Biology is one of my favorites to tell her words and not tell her the meanings. She has been teased about her last name lately too. Siemens... So I call her Mik Siemen. just to get her going. See, I was never teased about my last name (unless I somehow blocked it all from memory), I was mostly teased over my first name. ah well, I get a kick out of teasing her and seeing her reactions. I caught my mum off gaurd so badly the other day by blurting out a biology term to Mik over dinner, that my mum almost had some food or something come out her nose from laughing so hard.

Anyways, time to go to bed or something like clean my room.... getting too messy for me.

Australia!

2009-03-20T22:01:00.003-07:00

Oh I just finished watching Australia! I really enjoyed it - at first thought it comical but I was so absorbed.

I am all alone tonight so I flicked off the lights, cranked the new sound system and watched. The surround system I think is pretty fantastic. Makes the hooves thunder all around and oh so fantastic.
This movie has been waiting for me to watch it for a while now, I was waiting, waiting, waiting for someone to watch it with me, but tonight just seemed so perfect to watch it. plug plug click and woo I had a lovely evening by myself. That never happens.

Do you ever catch yourself watching a movie and then some how finding your hands over your mouth in shock? or at a crazy part holding them over your face? I actually found myself doing this. I think it's a 'only watching movies alone' moment but strange. oh well

Oh and Hugh Jackman? He's ya know, pretty awesome.

So right now I want to go fly back to Australia and travel some more. Shucks.

This is why you are fat. and where dreams become heart attacks

2009-03-10T20:18:00.001-07:00

This is why you are fat.

Teenager?

2009-03-08T21:52:00.002-07:00

I have stolen this from Them Lytt Girls

"Clicking the play button below will produce a tone that is generally only heard by people under the age of 25."

Take the test!

Are you under 25 or just young at heart?

fbook friends... srsly.

2009-03-08T21:21:00.002-07:00

A couple things on facebook here. Mostly the friends part of it.
Don't you just hate those people who add as many people as possible to their friends list that they don't even know?
For a little bit I was one of those such folk.. this is when I first got on fbook and thought it was cool.
Now it's getting annoying. Now I went through my list and started deleting people I don't know very well or anything.
You know those people who you know as acquaintances and just ask you 'hey how are you?' in a message and never respond again? Well maybe it's only me... ah whatever.
Or in my travels meeting loads of new people and them all adding you, you think 'heh maybe we could meet in another trip' ... hmm ya maybe not. Right now I have too many of those people on my list who I rarely talk to and more than likely never will remember me. Time to purge. Delete. Delete. Delete.
But then for those lazy people (like myself) you just leave them until you look and say 'who the heck is that?' and then click on something else. haha

Anyways, enough rambling. The other day Mik posted one of those ' tag the funny pic' in her pictures, and sure enough someone I had no idea who he was added me as a friend.... Mik's friends ex boyfriend (who is about 13 years old).
Seriously?

A few days back I got a random 'friend request' add... some guy from Egypt. It made me laugh as soon as I saw it. Cause you know... who doesn't know someone named Ahmed Arafa?
This persons picture was pretty awesome and I will try and hope it links for you.

Okay I know it's not very nice to laugh at that picture.... but it is hard not to? And come on.... asking for it?

ah well I am 'such a meanie-bonk-head' as someone has once called me.

Today's Playlist

2009-03-03T18:06:00.003-08:00

My mellowish folky(?) music of the day:

Alexi Murdoch - Orange Sky

Lenka - Don't Let Me Fall

Band of Horses - Is There A Ghost

Bon Iver - Skinny Love

City and Colour - Waiting..

Ryan Adams - Come Pick Me Up

Aqualung - Brighter Than Sunshine

subliminal messaging?

2009-03-03T11:37:00.005-08:00

Well I woke up this morning thinking of Malcolm in the middle. This is because upstairs my family was watching an episode bright and early. The very episode I thought of watching. Though, I don't remember even waking up and hearing it.
This late morning, my lovely day off, I was sitting in the living room playing some game on the internet and listening to all my music on the lappy on random. The Lord of the Rings soundtrack being part of my library played. My mom, not knowing what it was, was suddenly inspired to watch a Lord of the Rings movie today.
Out of 4 movies that we ended up picking, LOTR was decided upon by means of 'eeny meeny miney mo' (not sure of the spelling)
and right now we are in Hobbiton, it just makes me smile thinking of it.

Long time no post

2009-03-02T09:28:00.002-08:00

I think I have had that as my title quite a few times before now. Oh how unoriginal of myself.
Lately, my life has consisted of work, go home, eat, sleep. sometimes popping in a 30rock episode or two. In the past month I think I went shopping like twice, besides the 'run in the store and grab a loaf of bread' shop. Ah so boring.

hm new stuff....

I love to go to starbucks if I have time before work and sit, enjoy a cup of coffee, and read my book (whatever book that may be)
I especially like it when I have more than 30 min there. My time to relax and read. and try not to think.

oh well.
Today I am going out for coffee with a pastor at our church. In about 20 min.
I woke up earlier than I planned today - I don't know what I was thinking, but up I am. The power flickered and messed with my clock so I fixed that at ten to eight this morning, and then I don't know, thought my coffee was at 9? meh who knows.
anyways, enough of my ramblings.

I do this right now to make it look like I blog more often than once or twice a month, even if it contains nothingness.

code black

2009-02-09T21:14:00.002-08:00

Story of the day:
Today was starting out like most days, I get up, get ready, go to work. ( I work at the hospital btw)
On the way to work I talked on my phone to my friend and she was telling me that the hospital was on lockdown... This being unusual I thought heh I work soon enough I am just going to grab a coffee and go like normal. Also thinking that this friend usually exaggerates so no big deal.
So I get to the starbuck near work and aw what a lovely coffee is cafe verona... anyways, time to go to work. I get there and see lots of cops and a crowd at the front entrance. They weren't letting anyone in (or out?) So getting closer to the entrance I see a van load of housekeeping friends and they tell me the scoop about this code black ... in other words bomb threat. This didn't seem to phase them at all so I didn't let it get to me. So I stop and chat and then go towards the entrance and join the crowd.
There was a security gaurd and a police man at the front along with my manager, she was asking when her people can get back to work, and then points at me and says 'Oh Aria can come in now' and before you know it, I am walking into this uncleared building while it is still being searched etc.
I guess it seemed safe? I mean it wasn't being evacuated or anything right?
Ah well, about an hour later the PA came on and says ' Code black ended' or something or another. The end.
There is my story of the day. Safe and sound and still not knowing if my life was in real danger today or not. Thinking to myself was I stupid to enter? I don't know.
But suposedly these happen ever few months or so?
Ah well, no blood guts and gore today.... though yesterday in maternity.... hahahahahaha never mind.

Fruity?

2009-02-04T14:21:00.007-08:00

Am I a food oriented person? Perhaps. Fruity? likely.
but I do love these pictures I found years and years ago.

iTunes!

2009-02-02T22:13:00.002-08:00

How many songs total: 3516
How many hours or days of music: 10.2 days
Most recently played: California - Phantom Planet
Most played: 9 Crimes - Damien Rice
Most skipped: Hater Walk - Khia

Sort by song title:

First Song: a- From The Corners Of The Earth - Starfield
Last Song: 9th Symphony - Beethoven

Sort by time:

Shortest Song: [STEF] - Linkin Park (0:10)
Longest Song: Fake DJ Set #2 - Rob Vanmega (1:04:40)

Sort by album:

First album: [A--> B] Life - mewithoutyou
Last album: 9 - Damien Rice

First song that comes up on Shuffle: I Write Sins Not Tragedies - Panic! At the Disco

Search the following and state how many songs come up:

Death - 61
Life - 124
Love - 182
Sex – 15
Hate – 17
You - 467
Me - 1027

snow snow go away. go visit california.

2009-01-27T12:34:00.003-08:00

I am not a fan of snow anymore. Today I woke up thinking ooo maybe it will be sunny like the last week! no.
Snow everywhere and coming down in heaps and bounds. Oh well, I can't change it, the only thing I can change is where I live, but I can't even do that right now.
So I will live with this snow I guess.
At least it's pretty?

I go to work today but first is a stop in starbucks for a nice coffee. I got a couple cards that you can redeem songs through itunes from there, right beside the counter where you get the coffee. It's lovely. I love new music so hey! let's get some.
I also love having friends that work there. The other day I came in and my friend was working behind the counter. She wondered what I was up to and my mentioning physio and then work, she said 'ooh! this one's on the house today!'
Ah that made my day for sure. The day went so well ah I think about it and sigh. hahaha

So on the to do list this week -
Paperwork for work
Contact workmans comp and tell them I am being screwed over at work.
Call Dell and tell them I screwed up my lappy.

But today!
Go by bus to work
Sit and drink some coffee while I read a lovely new book (not sure what yet though)
then walk another block to work
until 11pm
then watch something, maybe 30Rock before sleepy time.

Sounds like an okay day... hope it goes as okay as it looks if not better.

Personality Quiz!

2009-01-25T20:19:00.001-08:00

I took a personality quiz and it is interesting.

View Full MyPersonality.org Profile

0 50 100	%
Openness	75%
Conscientiousness	69%
Extraversion	56%
Agreeableness	81%
Neuroticism	50%

Music of today - Jon Foreman

2009-01-25T19:16:00.004-08:00

I bought a new cd. It's been ages, but it's good to to.
Jon Foreman (the lead singer from SwitchFoot) made a CD called Limbs and Branches.
Here is a song

The Cure For Pain

I quite enjoy this type of music. The mellowish folky indie kind of stuff is what I listen to a lot a lot.

Behind Your Eyes

Moby

2009-01-23T22:26:00.002-08:00

Moby was playing on shuffle on my laptop just now. I like it occasionally. I remembered seeing the video ages ago so I thought I would post it. There are two songs and it seems a continuing story through the video.
First is In This World

Second is Sunday

music

2009-01-23T22:03:00.002-08:00

New Song I like today:
Lullaby
by
Priscilla Ahn

Someone made the video, I just put it on for the song.

New layout! once again!

2009-01-22T13:48:00.002-08:00

I've been wanting to do a new layout for a long time now, and I finally got to it. I googled an image of a coffee cup and voila!
The past couple days I've been looking for a new layout/ template but couldn't find one I really liked - the premade ones you can just google -blogger template and there are a bazillion but no not one that I could find that would work for me.
So I had to make my own.

One question though, pink or brown?
this blog vs. this blog

lol I just looked at my blog again and it made me laugh... all those random pictures with such a pretty looking layout.... hahaha so random.

Swish!

2009-01-20T23:35:00.002-08:00

I happened across this today while reading some random blogs.

Ooooo Swishhh!!!!

Random pictures

2009-01-12T19:53:00.001-08:00

This picture just made me go :O oooh! freaky eh?

Oldies

2009-01-11T19:15:00.003-08:00

Today I was looking at some old folders on my hard-drive and I found some pictures.
Some made me laugh, and then cringe, and then change the picture really fast hahaha ... the horror of school years and braces...

Here are a couple good ones though :)

A very memorable sleepover... we were slugs. I have video to prove it.

My two best friends on their moving day. Moving from Vancouver back to Chilliwack back to school and all that jazz.

A day at Value Villiage with Miranda and Tony.

I love these map things

2009-01-04T13:13:00.000-08:00

I like skype and webcams

2009-01-01T16:22:00.003-08:00

Lovely picture eh?
Skype is so very handy. You can see, talk, and type at the same time and it can be so much more personal than the phone. Yet the only problem is that you can't take it with you everywhere. Whatever.
The three siblings on Christmas ^^

Happy New Year everyone!
It's that time of year to buy that year gym membership and use it once!
It's that time to lose half my body weight too!

Bah humbug to new years resolutions, I don't like them very much and I don't really have any.

2008-12-19T14:28:00.002-08:00

I've been tagged by Miranda.
The name of the game is to open the 4th picture folder on your computer and post the 4th picture from that folder on your blog.
Then you need to describe it.
Then you get to tag 4 people to do the same.

This is from California Adventure Park - across from Disneyland.
I was taking pictures with the 'aria' in 'California', and here is one of the A's.
It's now on my wall along with a bunch of other pictures.
I will now tag Meredith, Katie, and James.
(and you probably are already tagged but I needed to tag someone!)

Christmas Kitty!

2008-12-17T14:30:00.001-08:00

Simmfy the happy Santa cat

blog much?

2008-12-16T22:06:00.002-08:00

I haven't blogged much lately, mostly because I just didn't feel like it at all.
But I should have, mostly because I've been sitting around the house lately.
And I have been sitting around because I screwed up my knee badly at work last week.
The Doctor gave me some pain killers and anti-inflammatory meds.
Then since the anti-inflammatories felt like they were ripping my stomach apart, in two, and then stomping on it, I went back and got another pill for my stomach.
But no, it doesn't work at all, and neither does the pain killer for my stomach.
It's plain awful so I have been very cranky lately.

It doesn't help that the nursing program ends the application period in January for the September 08' year. This means - Aria doesn't have her full driver's licence so cannot apply (as well as an up to date first-aid)
So, this ticking me off, and realizing all that procrastinating screwed me over.
I keep saying 'this year is school' but things come up and I put it off, or problems come up and it's out the door with that plan.
Hopefully this year all my ducks will be in a row and I can apply with peace of mind.
Well that is all for now, I am going to bed, or to read.
Later days.

Miranda vs. Killer

2008-11-17T19:02:00.003-08:00

While talking to Miranda on skype I snapped a couple pictures.

Still 6 days!

2008-11-05T02:48:00.002-08:00

well it is still 6 days left... I just realized that "oh... it's not 2 minutes... it's now less than an hour..." so I will write some more

The other day we were in the same room with a French Canadian Separatist- Quebecois, and a Newfie. My oh my there are many varities of Canadians out there. The newfie accent made me cringe actually at first. It was just so shocking. I haven't met anyone from there before with such an accent!

Yesterday, I went shopping. I haven't really let myself buy anything big at all this trip because I am carrying it all which sucks. But yesterday was the day I was waiting for. The place I was waiting for... Primark. oo la la!

Super cheap clothes, lots of them, and it is the end of my trip so I think I can suffer at carrying a heavier pack for a little while longer.
Yesterday I got £6 jeans, £6 shirt, and £1.50 tee.
Yay for cheap clothes. like 30 whole dollars!

Today I hope to hit up a market but Susan is a party pooper and doesn't want to come so I may just go alone if I get there in time

Anyways, it is time to book our last hostel!
Salut!

6 whole days!

2008-11-05T02:28:00.002-08:00

Well, it is 6 days until I go home.
Today is Guy Fawks day, (I don't know if I spelt it correctly or not btw). We (we means 2 aussie girls from our hostel that we made friends with (both named Laura how convienient!), and Susan and I) are going to go watch some fire works and go to a bon fire tonight to celebrate.

Remember remember the 5th of November....
Any excuse to light fireworks and fires is a good excuse.
Hopefully we will get some marshmallows.

Yesterday we went on a big-ol-free-tour and saw the sights of London.
Today we are headed to the Royal Museum and Art Gallery. To see the London Bridge, the platform 9 3/4 and Paddington Station (those are the hopefuls)

Yesterday we saw.... dun dun dun BOND. James Bond. in theaters. In London. It was cool, but the only theater we could find cost an arm and a leg. yikes, but still, it was cool seeing it here.

Ah 2 minutes warning. bloody computers! will have to go now.
Later

Here I am!

2008-10-30T11:44:00.002-07:00

Right now I am sitting in Paris.
Yesterday I was in Rome.
The day before I was in Corfu.

The last couple days have been travelling straight and I am pooped. Home is coming up soon and I am looking foward to it.

The past couple days have been well, pretty brutal. I am soo tired. First off, the ferry, not bad - but it was over night and we pretty much slept on the floor (us and a few others from our Corfu hostel). The next day we were on a train to Rome. That took ages.
That night we were on a train to Milan.
This morning we were on a train to Paris.
Finally I am here.

So I haven't updated this in ages, probably because Susan is finickey about her lap top and doesnt want to use it all that much.

Corfu was amazing. We met some pretty awesome people (two kiwis and two aussies) there and travelled with them until we went seperate directions (we went to Rome they went to Sorrento)
So yes, we swam in the ocean, tanned, played on the beach, ate Greek food, my oh my I will gain weight over here.

Anyways, it is on to update yet another thing/ email mum and tell her where I am.

Later days!

Naples!

2008-10-21T07:25:00.002-07:00

Well I made it. First we got off at the wrong stop off our high speed train. Then we got on the wrong platform to get on a different train... it switched so that part wasnt our fault. Then we find our bus, find our stop, ask random people for directions (our directions to the hostel were about 2 sentances long haha) so we get here and ahh cool!
The hostel staff are cool (very Italiano), they got all our info and all that then they tell us which trains to catch out of here tomorrow, what place is best for pizza, ah so much info! and that was before we even asked anything (except pizza)

we went to pizza and it was awesome. The place was loud, very busy, and had awesome pizza. North America butchered what is known as pizza. I had a Coke Light and a nice pizza.
Nobody shares their pizza here. They eat the whole thing... that is like a small (or even medium pizza depending on where you go) and oooo I almost had to roll all the way home.
They eat so fast here!! like BAM and they are already finished the whole pizza and out the door.

Anyways, I am off to figure out a hostel for tomorrow in Brindisi (to catch a boat to Corfu in the morning after)
Hope it goes alright, we are winging a bit of this part and it makes me anxious.

Ancient Rome!!

2008-10-20T07:42:00.004-07:00

ROME IS AWESOME!
I know I am a super geek, and here is a teeney inside joke video for the family.
Lately I've been taking a lot more video since I have been convinced by mum that she loves it. haha makes me laugh just thinking of it. So here is me being the uber geek I truly am.

We have spent the past 3 days in Rome, I've been loving most of it. Aside from the place we are staying... It was supposed to be a lovely cheap BnB but ended up beeing some manky hostel. Can't use the kitchen, no towels, there are some bed bugs, two bathrooms for 16+ people... no hot water last night so I was wide awake right after my frigid cold shower that's for sure. The dude at reception is a creeper so I stay away, it seems like someone just took a few rooms from an apartment building and shoved like 8 bunk beds in there. Oh ya, we are sharing a room with 10 people... I mean I am used to it to a point (minus the bed bugs and the cold showers) but my expectations from the website to being here were shattered. I came in and was like what the heck?! ah well, it's getting better because we have one day left here. oh and it is sooo not clean. It freaked me out how nasty it was when we got in, and I saw the bathroom...

what I thought it would be: http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/italy/rome/37615/ vs.Reality:

Frienze!

2008-10-16T09:32:00.002-07:00

or Florence in the English boring way to say things.
Today I woke up with bug bites - mosquitoes have been eating me alive in my sleep.
Today I felt like a tourist very much - mostly because it was a 20+ day and everyone was out in coats sweaters and boots and all that... where I was wearing jeans and a tank and flip flops!

Tomorrow we head to Piza and then Rome. I am soo stoked for that.
Also took some more 'stealthy' pics today!! Will have to post them later though because I don't have a memory card on me right now.

I've been making dinner for us lately, on a hot plate and using a kettle to boil water faster. haha
I miss having a real kitchen. A real kitchen with food in it and the usual spices - not so much after chili flakes and ketchup as staples.
I make due though.

I made tortellini last night and lingiuini tonight - loving the pasta in Italy. Though probably won't want too much when I get back home. hahaha

Any ideas on simple meals with like basic ingredients? Like buy your meal in the store and make it in a jiffy? We've had lots of sandwiches and pasta lately.

arrrgggg stupid itchy bites!!!

Anyways, I have to get off here and start packing.

Later!

For Mikaela

2008-10-15T10:26:00.003-07:00

We have been trying to be stealthy in taking our photos, mostly because we get very dirty looks from the security gaurds, and it is cheesey. But we have made an almost game out of it. Taking pictures over our shoulders and trying to just be stealthy.

Hope you enjoy them Mik!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-10-14T07:01:00.002-07:00

Since the last time I posted I've been to Munich, Venice, and Florence (which is where I am now).
Prague was simply amazing. I loved it there, it was beautiful, met some aussies that continued with us to Munich, oh it was very good. The hostel we stayed in was pretty good as well. I met two people from Chilliwack there on my last day and one of them knew of Miranda from school. It was sooo strange.

To a lot of people I say I'm from Canada... then if they go further and ask 'where abouts' I say around Vancouver... if they ask more then it gets strange and I say Chilliwack. haha and if they know it it's just so funny.

I have found that for the most people that you meet, there are the 'backpackers questions to anyone'

1. Where are ya from?
2. Where are ya going?
3. Where have you been so far?
4. How long you've been travelling?
5. How much longer?
6. What do you do at home?
8. How old are you?
7. What's your name?

That's pretty much the order of it as well.

Anyways, I have to run, we need to find a grocery store and then see a lot more.. there is too much to see here and so little time!

I made food!

2008-10-07T09:02:00.002-07:00

day two in the kitchen in the hostel was a success! I love cooking and being able to.
today I made spaghetti with a creamy garlic sauce.
I made a roux and everything! I am so proud of myself
I found some spices...some marj something, and some salt basically haha, some packet from a chinese soup mix thing (it actually had sea weed in it - found that out after it expanded... I told Susan it was spinnach.), and we bought a garlic today and put in a few cloves.

now I have dragon breath but it was so nice to make something to eat without buying it directly or just adding water.

Today was day 1 in the city of Prague - it was beautiful considering the rain in the morning, but it got nicer and I am looking forward to tomorrow.

This morning I woke up with a severe cold and it suckkked! I went to a second pharmacist and got basically halls. this is the second time I've gone and got something that would probably not work.
Anyways, I am off to go to upload some pictures on facebook. and maybe add some on here

Berlin Dresden Prague!!!

2008-10-06T04:31:00.003-07:00

Well I am here - safe and sound (just so you know mom) no problems really in getting here which is nice.
The last place we were at was in Dresden (Eastern Germany)... it was .... interesting... It looked freaky - like run down and graffiti-ed when we got in - mostly people in trench coasts and combat boots roaming around too - but in the day it's lovely.
We met up with a Canadian girl in our hostel and went around the city the next day. Had a nice time exploring - it was beautiful with the old statues, buildings, and parks. aww it was so nice to talk Canadian again too. I think I have even been saying things in American lately too... yikes.

We were in Berlin for 're-unification' day which was awesome. Our last day there, and there was a fair, carnival type thing. I ate bratwurst and had a berliner pilsner (shared with Susan since I didn't like the pilsner very much)

Berlin was a very cool city. I loved going on this free tour all around eastern berlin and seeing the wall, the buildings (mostly all of which are rebuilt since the war - and to look ancient) It was very interesting and now I can't wait to go to Munich and see the history there as well.
We stopped in a Mcdonalds there (a piece of home where ever you go!) and that was like the only place they didn't understand me - thinking I wanted 3 mcroyal meals.... umm not. Finally I got the word through and ate my meal - and then felt sick after.

Back to Dresden... Yesterday was our lazy day/ sleep/ slug day. It was very good. Afternoon we went shopping - I found the equilivant to side-kicks - and made pasta for dinner - found some olive oil and balsamic vinegar and made susan try it with some toast - aww it was delicious. I also had some tomato on the side - which Susan hates so more for me!

Cheese out here is great - I love gouda and we get it cheap.

um I may post some later but for now, I think I will have to get going.

OOh and here is a random fact I found heard:
neo-nazi people wear combat boots with white laces. *I never saw any just so you know*

Anyways, I am safe, happy, excited, and hungry. bye for now!

I love Gouda

2008-09-28T06:56:00.004-07:00

yummy yummy cheese.
Right now we are in Holland - more specific Delft. We got in yesterday afternoon and went to the beach. had lunch on the beach and enjoyed some sunshine! Oh I loved it. Then we met up with some of Jedi's friends in the city and went to this arts festival. It was very cool.
We saw many different sections of the city- started with in the train station hearing a music mix of just train sounds. Very loud but 'interesting' which was the word of the night which one of Jedi's friends said everyone had to say haha.
Then we went past a building where they had lights on it and it showed the illusion of the bricks moving in and out and diasppearing.

They had people dancing on ropes along the side of a building - like circus preformer type things. After that was a lightening show - we saw lightening rods and things used and made the lightning jolt to the beat of this techno-ish music. I loved it. it was about 15 minutes worth of it too. haha even had the music from the super mario brothers in there.

This morning we went to an international church - where the pastor had a translator with him that translated from Dutch to English for the whole sermon. Worship alternated between English and Dutch songs as well. even some ones I'm familiar with were in Dutch. It was alright there. A tad boring but still alright.

Anyways, just thought to post a quickie. Hopefully post some more tomorrow or so.

I'm Alive in Belgium

2008-09-26T01:04:00.003-07:00

Right now is our last day in Belgium - we have spent around 2 days here so far, and so far it's pretty good. Brussels is an interesting city. There are not many people in the hostel that speak english - but we did meet an Irish guy and another from Vancouver yesterday. Yay english! haha. I think that people in even a mcdonalds would have to be bi-linguial. A shop keeper yesterday told us that he speaks 8 languages. I can't even imagine to comprehend that much.
Two days ago I had a belgian waffle with chocolate sauce on it.... that I think will be my lunch today as well haha. I love it.
They have a beer over here that I had a sip of and it was made with water from a river that flows underground. They covered up the river in the 19th century because it was a sewer system... It has a sour taste because of the "good" bacteria in the water. Kinda freaks me out but I had to taste it because it was once in a lifetime chance.. not very good stuff though if you ask me. It's also called Geuze... hahaha sick.

Today we are going to puts around and I am going to try and bring back some chocolate, and grab a post card.
Tomorrow morning we head out to Holland to visit with Jedi - we will be there around 4 days (including the travel ones). We arrive in Den Haag in the early afternoon and I can't wait.

The closer we get to France the more people tell me it's nasty... I am a tad worried. So I think we will stick ONLY to the tourist attractions because otherwise it gets dodgy.

No pictures from these last couple days - the net cafe here doesn't let you plug in anything into a computer. That sucks.
It's getting harder to post and keep in contact.. susans's compy is crap in my opinion but don't tell her that.

Anyways, I need to be going now, time to check an email and run.

Pictures from Susan - mine are still on my camera

2008-09-22T03:09:00.005-07:00

Yorkminster

Clifford's Tower

York

2008-09-21T07:56:00.003-07:00

Today is day 3 in York. Yesterday we went all around the city and it was great - from castles to cathedrals to cornish pasties. It was quite the experience. It was a beautiful sunny day. We started in Yorkminster and then went all through the city. Took a walk on the castle walls - went to a bakery it was great.

Yesterday evening I went to a pub and had 'black sheep' beer - a good english ale supposedly. It was a little too bitter for me but it was fun.

Anyways I will upload more pictures later. the computer is being a beast.

London day one pics

2008-09-19T01:14:00.005-07:00

The River Thames
Hanging out in the park

new and old... what a lovely car right? it's a lotus by the way.

Chillin with this dude in the park.

York!

2008-09-19T01:14:00.004-07:00

Well, we arrived in York England today. It's so good to be with two great friends again. We took the bus up to York from London which took quite a while - around 6 hours I guess. Lots of music time, lots of sitting, but it wasn't half bad.
Going past the country side we saw lots of steeples (yes I know I can't spell worth a hoot) and many many brick buildings.
Tomorrow we are going to check out York while Shane is at work. The cathadreal here is amazing - tomorrow we will see it - as well as some dungeons and a castle wall still surrounding most of York.
Today we went to this restaurant called ASK and it's a franchise - quite cheap from what we've seen - but the place it was in... WOW.. it had marble pillars in the main room - seemed like an old fashioned city hall or to me even a ball room type look - chandaleres and everything. The prices were like 10 dollars (5-7 quid a plate too)
Yesterday we were in London and we went to Pizza hut with some people from the hostel - 4 french guys Susan and myself. It was very interesting, had a very very interesting discussion about faith with two of them after dinner. My oh my did we eat late though - I am going to have to get used to it when we get there.

Anyways, I need sleep now and to brush my teeth. I will try and post tomorrow but who knows.
Later :)

this is a quickie

2008-09-19T01:14:00.002-07:00

Right now I am sitting in a London hostel on Susan's lappy. I am here! At last eh?
Well today we are heading to York for a few days to visit Shane (yet another ywamer).
Susan is uploading pictures so I will try and add some in a little while.

Just thought to post a little one. I am off for now - catching a bus and going to see the country side.

On the flight here btw I sat beside 3 babies.... how great is that! and the one beside me was very poopy.

Anyways, going now, hopefully today there is no freaking out babies today!

New Look New Adventure

2008-09-14T14:34:00.002-07:00

Tuesday is the day! It's almost here! It's been a long time coming with a bunch of bumps in the way, but heh what can you do?

I am quite looking forward to this new adventure - something completely different than before this time.
Makes me a little nervous but excited at the same time (of course).

mum gave me the idea to make a new layout for this trip so here it is! ah I think the last one was better, but this will do for now.

Anyways, I am off to go figure out some more stuff.

work work work

2008-09-12T11:53:00.002-07:00

yesterday was my last day at work before my leave.
It was actually a good day - I don't have to worry about getting sick with this norwalk virus going around - which is freaky - and I don't have to deal with the nasty gossip, angry people, and hicks.
It was quite funny actually - the last week or so my boss (she's German FYI) has been telling people that I am going to 'the motherland' and that she hates me because of it. hahaha

Yesterday before I left - right after I signed out she came out of her office with arms out and gave me a big hug. Not such a good thing if people are already calling you 'princess' and 'spoiled/brat'. So what if I save all my money and don't go to school yet? I am okay with it but they don't seem to be.
Ah well, it was funny because as soon as her arms were out, out of instinct I looked around to see if any co workers were around.

I know that I am well liked by my bosses and that the workers don't like the bosses -and anyone they do like is no good and gets special treatment - which can be - it depends.

Anyways, just gave me a chuckle.

Today I am off to Vancouver for the night with my two best friends :) Must run now and get my stuff together since I am leaving in about a half hour. Goooten Tag! (yes I know it isn't spelled like that)

reminiscing

2008-08-24T22:12:00.002-07:00

((In the picture - Ribs = okay... liver/kidney... heard of.... intestines and lungs?.... makes me cringe))

Lately I've been going through my pictures from India and making a list to print out and I came across this one... *sigh* so many memories.

This place was so disturbing that I don't eat beef anymore.

Laughing

2008-08-14T12:04:00.002-07:00

I think this baby will really sound like this when it is maybe 90 or so.

Or this one say at 50 ish?

ah who knows.

2008-08-12T23:44:00.002-07:00

34 Days until I am flying away.
I'm pretty stoked but at the same time nervous.
Is it wise to travel/backpack in the fall?
A little late for the questioning myself but still it's going on in the back of my mind.
A good and bad thing might be that it is off season.

Well, I know I will be fine and all, maybe not the best timing, but it is the only way to do it with my friend Susan.
I guess I will just have to wait and see :(
I hate waiting though.

2008-08-07T10:25:00.005-07:00

Well I've been pretty lazy and a tad busy the last couple days. Here are some more pictures of my vacation that ended on Saturday.

The Prison of Azkaban! DUN DUN DUN! hmmm nm it's Alcatraz. Not as cool as Azkaban but still sound similar.

Paul Bunyan and his OX. Pauly wiggled his hand in a wave and he spoke too.

San Francisco!

2008-07-28T20:11:00.002-07:00

Today we went to San Francisco and it was really cold - it's July in California - 19 degrees without the wind blowing colder.
well we went shopping for a while - lots of little shops along the piers. I went into this one with lots of bags/purses. I went in just looking around, and then heading to the back of the shop this Asian woman says ' oh come here come here...' and opens the door to a back room and says ' we have lots more back here! take a look!!!'.
So I went in and looked around and lo and behold - a room full of knock offs. Everything from Coco Chanel to Louis Vitton. There were no knock offs in the front of the shop but in the back room! woo hoo!! Knock off kingdom! haha I got such a kick out of it.
It is quite illegal to sell knock offs right? aw it made me laugh so hard when I left the shop.

Today I also had a 'bubba birthday'.
We went to Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. today for a late lunch/dinner and it was great. I had a bit of lobster for the first time ever, some shrimps, some Cajun fish. It was called 'Boat Trash' and it was served in a bucket. haha it was great.
When we finished eating a whole group came around and started singing/yelling happy birthday- more like a cheerleading song thing - like someone yelling and the others repeating... haha made me laugh so hard. They were going to make me stand up on the chair but I said heck no.
lots of people clapped when they announced it was my 21st birthday. there were at least 5 others who had birthdays here too, but hahaha I got the most applause. go me.

To cons to today though - I had a rough sleep last night with hearing snores by some un-named people, and I realized this morning that the shirt I was saving to wear on my birthday is missing - and I think it might be at the last hotel we were at... so I most likely will never see it agian. :"(
I only wore it once too! Makes me so sad.

<3 Beaches + Flowers

2008-07-26T20:37:00.008-07:00

From a rose garden in Santa Barbara. I was playing around with my digital camera.

These are dad's pictures - he does a lovely job.
He made friends with the pelicans.