New year, new features.
Blogger sent me an email about some of the new features they just launched. One of the coolest is the stats tracker which tells you how many people have visited your blog, from where, when and even what type of technology (ie. PC, Mac, Blackberry).
While most of it is fairly useless to me, one thing I found cool was the location of page views. Since September I have had 3,416 from Canada (woot!), 283 from the US (hello fine friends across the border, I just came and bought some of your wares last week), 13 from Hong Kong which is very exciting and I wish I knew who it was!, 5 from the Netherlands-again, exciting!, 2 each from Australia, Colombia and the UK *waves* and one from Russia! If Sarah Palin can see you from her backyard I must just be a hop, skip and a jump away too :P
Thank you to all my readers near and far for your readership and dedication this past year. Who knew anyone would give two figs about what I'm doing up North! I hope to continue to amuse in the new year and I can assure you that no matter where I end up, the blog will come right along with me.
Some shout outs to long time readers (that I know of): Michelle my sister who regularly pimps my blog on hers, my Mom (REAL MOM) who always comments and encourages and my Dad who reads along with her, Sasha who constantly poses as my mother in the comments field, my friend Jen who reads it to procrastinate at work, Christine who tries to save up the posts for the week but ends up reading it all at once, my friend and former residence don Julie who tells me how much she loves it, a former pizza pizza-er Christina G who loves to comment on the things I'm afraid of like the scary hole, my friend Andrew who will leave me a foot-long message on facebook about my posts, my Auntie Kim and Uncle Mike who read each night, my cousin Pam who keeps me 'phresh' with the kids lol, several librarians who I am told read my blog (that's why I always spell check) and probably many many more of you I am not thinking of or who secretly read my blog. Thank you to you ALL!
Also, if you wish to show your blog love, comment on this post with your name so I know you are reading along with me.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Home updates
I realized that I forgot to put up the results of the most recent poll:
Which Webequie life activity do you wish YOU could do?
4 of you want to...Ride a Ski Doo to work (26%)-Me too!
3 of you want to...Go to a sweat lodge (20%)
3 of you want to...Take in a mangey dog (woo! Muffin!)(20%)
2 of you want to...Bear watching at the dump(13%)
1 of you want to...(Play) Radio Bingo!, attend a pow wow, and make a dreamcatcher
Shockingly, NONE of you want to Pay $78 for 5 grocery items
***
Here is a list of things I am enjoying at home:
-Swiss Chalet
-Going to stores
-The fact that my mom buys groceries and then I eat them
-Having people to help out with Muffin (she can be tiring!)
-SHOPPING!
-Seeing my bunny
-Seeing friends
-Hanging out with my family
-Drinking alcohol!
Thing I don't like about home:
-Still having this damn IV :(
Which Webequie life activity do you wish YOU could do?
4 of you want to...Ride a Ski Doo to work (26%)-Me too!
3 of you want to...Go to a sweat lodge (20%)
3 of you want to...Take in a mangey dog (woo! Muffin!)(20%)
2 of you want to...Bear watching at the dump(13%)
1 of you want to...(Play) Radio Bingo!, attend a pow wow, and make a dreamcatcher
Shockingly, NONE of you want to Pay $78 for 5 grocery items
***
Here is a list of things I am enjoying at home:
-Swiss Chalet
-Going to stores
-The fact that my mom buys groceries and then I eat them
-Having people to help out with Muffin (she can be tiring!)
-SHOPPING!
-Seeing my bunny
-Seeing friends
-Hanging out with my family
-Drinking alcohol!
Thing I don't like about home:
-Still having this damn IV :(
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
All I want for Christmas is....Meningitis?!
What's that you say? You missed me? You want to hear about what I've been doing while I've been home?
Well, you're in for a treat...
Let me take you all the way back to Thursday December 16. I was at work when a fellow teacher came by and said "Hey Karen...do you know if meningitis is contagious?" I told her that it was and asked why. She said that a grade 1 had come down with it and had to be evacuated out of the community for it. I said "Oh wow, everyone should definitely be notified of this" and that was that.
On the morning of Friday December 17, I woke up around 8 for work, on hardly any sleep because my sore throat had kept me up all night. I definitely wasn't feeling great but plugged on as was necessary. We got picked up for our flight at around 11:30 and then proceeded to wait until almost 2pm at the airport for the charter. The plane held 9 people and we had to be very creative with how to fit our luggage.
I was feeling really sick on this little plane, but I assumed it was because the ride was a bit bumpy. When we arrived in Thunder Bay I figured some pizza and timmies would do the trick with filling my tummy so I headed there. While in line, though, my stomach started to be like "Oh HHHHeyy Ya'll! I'm gonna barf! Get ready.." I will spare you those details but we all know what happened.
I went to the variety store and chugged a tiny bottle of Pepto and got on my next plane. This is when the real fun started. I was piled in layers and the girl next to me was in a tshirt but I was literally FREEZING. I was sweating and shaking, praying I would not barf all over my neighbours lap. We touched down at Toronto Island Airport and I rushed off the plane, sure by this time that I had either the flu or the big M. MENINGITIS! Dum Dum DUM!! To add to the pleasure of this trip though, when we got to the ferry that has to take you across the small bit of water to get into Toronto, the boat was broken. Of course.
I sat/layed in a hallway in the airport for the next hour and 45 minutes feeling like I was going to die. Not to mention the fact that I was already almost 3 hours late to meet my friend who was picking me up and had no way to tell her, being a person of the North with no cellphone.
So I finally get across the water and to meet my friends, warning them that I might have meningitis. They are so nice that they still let me in the car! :D
I got home and within 20 minutes my Mom was taking me to Emergency at the hospital. It's truly funny that I explained how I had possibly been exposed to meningitis, had all the symptoms and yet they STILL made me sit in the waiting room dying for two hours.
They finally called me in to the ER to an isolation room. This would be my home for the next days. The best way I can describe this room to you is that it was a very clean, big white box. There was nothing in the room that wasn't medical equipment in order to keep it sterile. While this is a good thing, it did not lend itself to much entertainment for the next several days.
I answered all the doctors questions (I probably saw like 5 doctors that night alone) and each and every person who came into my room had to wear a face mask and yellow gown so as not to be contaminated by little old me. I seriously felt like I was on House, because they didn't actually know what was wrong with me and were just kind of treating me for stuff and seeing if I responded. I was waiting for them to tell me it was autoimmune!!!
I will not carry on too much more about the room and my stay in the hospital since it's mostly be sitting and staring, but I will share with you two highlights...rather lowlights, of the experience.
1. Lumbar puncture. Worst thing ever! It is where they stick a giant needle into your spine and remove spinal fluid to test it. As if it doesn't already sound shitty enough, I have some sort of freak spine that cannot be tapped. They tried two seperate times for twenty minutes each and got nothing. Eventually they just stopped because it was pretty much just torturing me. I now have a series of purple puncture wounds on my back, I like to refer to it as my Meningitis tramp stamp.
2. Toilet chair. Yup, you heard it. I'm 25 and I used a toilet chair beside my bed for 3 days. The isolation room didn't have a bathroom in it and I couldn't leave in case I was infectious, so they wheeled in this chair with brakes and a little pan and there it was. The most awkward part? Having male nurses change your toilet chair.
I was released from the hospital on Sunday though I have a nurse coming to my house twice a day to give me IV antibiotics. I have to keep a nasty tube in my arm and I can't wait for it to be done. Then I can also drink.
Sigh. Merry Christmas.
Well, you're in for a treat...
Let me take you all the way back to Thursday December 16. I was at work when a fellow teacher came by and said "Hey Karen...do you know if meningitis is contagious?" I told her that it was and asked why. She said that a grade 1 had come down with it and had to be evacuated out of the community for it. I said "Oh wow, everyone should definitely be notified of this" and that was that.
On the morning of Friday December 17, I woke up around 8 for work, on hardly any sleep because my sore throat had kept me up all night. I definitely wasn't feeling great but plugged on as was necessary. We got picked up for our flight at around 11:30 and then proceeded to wait until almost 2pm at the airport for the charter. The plane held 9 people and we had to be very creative with how to fit our luggage.
I was feeling really sick on this little plane, but I assumed it was because the ride was a bit bumpy. When we arrived in Thunder Bay I figured some pizza and timmies would do the trick with filling my tummy so I headed there. While in line, though, my stomach started to be like "Oh HHHHeyy Ya'll! I'm gonna barf! Get ready.." I will spare you those details but we all know what happened.
I went to the variety store and chugged a tiny bottle of Pepto and got on my next plane. This is when the real fun started. I was piled in layers and the girl next to me was in a tshirt but I was literally FREEZING. I was sweating and shaking, praying I would not barf all over my neighbours lap. We touched down at Toronto Island Airport and I rushed off the plane, sure by this time that I had either the flu or the big M. MENINGITIS! Dum Dum DUM!! To add to the pleasure of this trip though, when we got to the ferry that has to take you across the small bit of water to get into Toronto, the boat was broken. Of course.
I sat/layed in a hallway in the airport for the next hour and 45 minutes feeling like I was going to die. Not to mention the fact that I was already almost 3 hours late to meet my friend who was picking me up and had no way to tell her, being a person of the North with no cellphone.
So I finally get across the water and to meet my friends, warning them that I might have meningitis. They are so nice that they still let me in the car! :D
I got home and within 20 minutes my Mom was taking me to Emergency at the hospital. It's truly funny that I explained how I had possibly been exposed to meningitis, had all the symptoms and yet they STILL made me sit in the waiting room dying for two hours.
They finally called me in to the ER to an isolation room. This would be my home for the next days. The best way I can describe this room to you is that it was a very clean, big white box. There was nothing in the room that wasn't medical equipment in order to keep it sterile. While this is a good thing, it did not lend itself to much entertainment for the next several days.
I answered all the doctors questions (I probably saw like 5 doctors that night alone) and each and every person who came into my room had to wear a face mask and yellow gown so as not to be contaminated by little old me. I seriously felt like I was on House, because they didn't actually know what was wrong with me and were just kind of treating me for stuff and seeing if I responded. I was waiting for them to tell me it was autoimmune!!!
I will not carry on too much more about the room and my stay in the hospital since it's mostly be sitting and staring, but I will share with you two highlights...rather lowlights, of the experience.
1. Lumbar puncture. Worst thing ever! It is where they stick a giant needle into your spine and remove spinal fluid to test it. As if it doesn't already sound shitty enough, I have some sort of freak spine that cannot be tapped. They tried two seperate times for twenty minutes each and got nothing. Eventually they just stopped because it was pretty much just torturing me. I now have a series of purple puncture wounds on my back, I like to refer to it as my Meningitis tramp stamp.
2. Toilet chair. Yup, you heard it. I'm 25 and I used a toilet chair beside my bed for 3 days. The isolation room didn't have a bathroom in it and I couldn't leave in case I was infectious, so they wheeled in this chair with brakes and a little pan and there it was. The most awkward part? Having male nurses change your toilet chair.
I was released from the hospital on Sunday though I have a nurse coming to my house twice a day to give me IV antibiotics. I have to keep a nasty tube in my arm and I can't wait for it to be done. Then I can also drink.
Sigh. Merry Christmas.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Square dancing machine...
Happy Sunday ya'll! Just woke up from a nice dead-to-the-world sleep after being totally exhausted last night from the Christmas party. We got there at 5 and it wasn't over till 11:30. These Webequie people know how to party!
There was a HUGE dinner with a million different things which was delicious. I can't describe it all but I definitely got to bring home some leftovers. There were door prizes, bingo games, card games, balloon popping and the game I was CHAMPION of, the hot potato ball game. I was the last WOman standing of 52. We also played musicial chairs which was hillarious to participate in and watch. It's the only time you will be able to muscle your superiors and colleagues out of a chair and have it be okay. Hardest worked for 20 dollars ever! I also got beautiful homemade mitts from my secret Santa, which is great since it's always Freezing here now.
I also square danced like a champ (well, not really like a champ..) which is actually a lot harder than you would think. It was especially challenging because I didn't know what the hell I was doing. In the first square dance my dance partner eventually threw up his arms and walked away, giving up on me because i was so bad lol. One of my bosses played the violin for the square dancing. They also had some regular club songs which I felt much more comfortable dancing to. All in all it was a very fun night and I am still recovering today.
My Mom suggested that I start a list of things I have done up here that I never thought I'd do..so look for that on the side of my blog :)
It is officially 5 sleeps till home! FIVE! I cannot wait, I'm so excited!
There was a HUGE dinner with a million different things which was delicious. I can't describe it all but I definitely got to bring home some leftovers. There were door prizes, bingo games, card games, balloon popping and the game I was CHAMPION of, the hot potato ball game. I was the last WOman standing of 52. We also played musicial chairs which was hillarious to participate in and watch. It's the only time you will be able to muscle your superiors and colleagues out of a chair and have it be okay. Hardest worked for 20 dollars ever! I also got beautiful homemade mitts from my secret Santa, which is great since it's always Freezing here now.
I also square danced like a champ (well, not really like a champ..) which is actually a lot harder than you would think. It was especially challenging because I didn't know what the hell I was doing. In the first square dance my dance partner eventually threw up his arms and walked away, giving up on me because i was so bad lol. One of my bosses played the violin for the square dancing. They also had some regular club songs which I felt much more comfortable dancing to. All in all it was a very fun night and I am still recovering today.
My Mom suggested that I start a list of things I have done up here that I never thought I'd do..so look for that on the side of my blog :)
It is officially 5 sleeps till home! FIVE! I cannot wait, I'm so excited!
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Snowshoe-rrific
Yesterday I had my first foray into snowshoeing. A fellow teacher who happens to be the physical education teacher and often organizes field trips proposed the idea. The school has a set of 9 snowshoes which is pretty cool so it's an easy trip. We only ended up having 3 students go (it was pretty darn cold and windy) but it was a lot of fun. I honestly kind of wish I had snowshoes to wear to work every day. It makes walking over knee or waist deep snow MUCH easier. I fell a couple of times because it is easy to step on the back of your own snowshoe if you are not experienced (which I'm not) but no major injuries.
Today is the staff dinner up at the school. I am making cupcakes and it is a potluck for about 50 of us so I'm sure there will be a ton of food and selection. Unfortunately I first have to do every dirty dish in my house in order to bake :(
Muffin is doing good. A friend was over just a while ago and commented how she is looking much better than when I first got her, so I am happy to be being a good Puppy Mom. She is still keeping me very busy..she LOVES to eat my socks, any towel or dish cloth and post-it note pads. She also eats the tile off my floor which is slightly harder to control..sigh.
Only 6 more sleeps till home! :)
Today is the staff dinner up at the school. I am making cupcakes and it is a potluck for about 50 of us so I'm sure there will be a ton of food and selection. Unfortunately I first have to do every dirty dish in my house in order to bake :(
Muffin is doing good. A friend was over just a while ago and commented how she is looking much better than when I first got her, so I am happy to be being a good Puppy Mom. She is still keeping me very busy..she LOVES to eat my socks, any towel or dish cloth and post-it note pads. She also eats the tile off my floor which is slightly harder to control..sigh.
Only 6 more sleeps till home! :)
Thursday, December 9, 2010
A year in review. Took me about a year to write too..
2010 has nearly come to a close..and I googled around to try to find one of those 'year in review' notes but they were all lame and made by 14 year olds "How many boys have YOU kissed this year?!" So, I created my own! If you don't give two figs about my year then move along...
1. The biggest challenge I have had this year...was deciding whether or not to accept my job in Webequie. I am SO glad I did, but it was a scary decision to make, moving so far from home, all alone, having little idea of what I was getting into and teaching for the first time.
2. The scariest moment I have had this year...was walking into my new home in Webequie. Completely alone with no luggage (no sheets, no clothing, no shampoo!), no food except a granola bar and packets of sugar (and no way to get food for two days), barely any money and NO freaking idea of what I was going to face at work Monday morning.
3. The thing I am most grateful for this year...is my family as a whole, but in particular my Mom. It is rare to find a person who you can literally tell anything to, will never judge you, will always support you whether it's to listen to your stories about money troubles, annoying customers at Sears, a broken heart, fears, changes and joy. Thank you. I only hope I can be as good of a Mom to my kids some day, as you have been to me.
4. The most welcome change to my life this year...has been actually making a real pay cheque for once in my life. It's funny when I think of the position I was in at this time last year. A student living in an apartment I couldn't afford, struggling to find money to even buy a train ticket home for Christmas. While I'm not a millionaire right now, it's a HELL of a lot better. Money does not buy happiness, it's true, but it alleviates stress pretty nicely!
5. The best simple joys from this year...sleeping in, my bunny and my puppy
6. The things I've missed the most are: family, friends and Chester, stores/shopping malls, affordable groceries, the pool and hot tub from my old apartment, movie theatres, the ability to have a strong drink should I so choose, babybell cheese, living with others.
7. The things I have NOT missed at all are: commuting to work/school on public transportation, annoying crowds of people, dealing with rush hour traffic (here, rush hour is when people walk a LITTLE faster to get to the one store before it closes..), working for Pizza Pizza, being a student (assigning the homework instead of doing it is WAY better), having to do dishes before hooking up the washing machine every time, waiting for buses, being dirt poor, having a cell phone (oddly, it's freeing to not be attached to it up here), stupid men that make my life difficult (we're talking specific people here, I'm not hating on men in general)
8. The most important things I've learned this year are...that things can change VERY quickly, so don't dwell because you never know where you will be in a day, a week, a month or a year. Also, if all else fails, laugh it off and it will work out somehow. Don't stress.
9. The best memories from this year...are too many to list them all, but I have a few specific ones with certain people:
Andrew- completely sober 2 hour dance party in your apartment topped off with a disco ball light, moose tracks ice cream, keeping me up till 3am 'serious talking' because you were bored and drunk, the time your pants ripped at the museum.
Brendan- Two words: Hooker runs. Can't wait till next summer! Pitas at midnight. Show tunes in the car. Swimming!
Michelle M- Swiss Chalet lunches, calling you from Ottawa to hear the latest gossip, that time we found the karaoke channel at your house and sang songs without a microphone for like an hour, summer BBQs, ROCK BAND, that night at Slaintes you probably don't remember but I do, and when I came to your house so you could nap...:P
Devra- The cottage where I overcame my dark water swimming fear, singing Disney songs in the car, our 2 hour phone dates, Kindergarten cop and garlic dipping sauce
Amy Epstien- PB ice cream, take it to the grave..., EPIPEN!
Jen- The night we went to the EMPTY bar, sang Aladdin in Pizza Pizza and got followed across toronto by an Egyptian boy in a fedora hat, our boy talks in the pool, Pride!
Jess-when you worked your MAGIC and got us into that bar on St. Patty's day! Our drive to Hamilton/Boy chat
Jacq- keeping me sane with our complain-fests after class and parties in your sweet Ottawa apartment!
Kara- Our Lady Peace!
Sasha- Black. Dog. Relationship counselling chats. I still don't understand how it worked out that way, either.
Jane- My KILLER bunny, the time I found out you lived in my building after we had both lived there at the same time for two months.
Nikki-Your war museum tour guiding when those dudes were on strike, phone dates,your mad photoshopping skillz!
Kathryn-White water rafting weekend, that night we closed out Rok Bar- being 2 of a group of 4 dancing all night
April-parties at your house, boy talks in your room, watching you trying to find your tights that you'd lose pretty much every time we were going out
Christine- Your wedding! Dancing to Right Said Fred with you, msn chats
Michelle L- Gchatting while watching live award shows, seeing the penguins in Montreal, crying phone calls, your ever-reliable sister anger at men who wronged me, walking to that second cup on your birthday night and eating sugar cookies while watching the crazy montrealers on the street (was that this year? I feel like it was..), your hillarious stories about the ridiculousness that is Montreal, Hot tub!
Mom- Late night balcony talks in the summer, phone calls of me bitching about various things with your support, your general outrage at all wrongdoings inflicted upon me, watching you have a little too much wine at Grandma and Grandpas, your trip to visit me in Ottawa, you fitting my snuggie into my suitcase and insisting on the candles, our super lame new years eve toast while I worked till 3am for pizza pizza last year.
Dad- Big Dad hugs when other men in my life let me down, letting me 'talk' to Chester on the phone while I'm away, watching you crawl under the pick up truck like 15 times on my moving trip coming home from Ottawa to save my stuff, hearing from Mom about your awesome leprechaun Halloween costume
Uncle Wayne- watching you and my Dad drink beers and dance to 90's music at my apartment in Ottawa, saving the toilet paper on the highway, our on-going scrabble tournament
Auntie Kimmy- Wine!, life chats around the kitchen table
Pam- Margaritas in the basement, talking BTTF tattoos (someday...)
Paula- Puke bag on the plane, our bitchfests on facebook chat, talking boys, the christmas countdown
Trish-"It's the climbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb!" waiting for Radio Bingo at your house, watching you and Paula beg for quarters at the airport
Ryan- My time in your classroom RYAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!, bitchfests on msn, LEX!!, your "warnings" about certain things up here..
Shannon- Grey's dates!, doggie play dates, random visits
Eric- The canoe trip, your wealth of knowledge and honesty about teaching up here, "It's my day...It's Tuesday!"
Jennifer- Disney weekends!, the ridiculousness of trying to plan our trip, Cool Runnings, TRYING to play Ninja turtles, one last Mcdonald's in thunder bay.
Romeo- Your insight, your jokes, keeping me from going insane, letting me bitch about certain things and people..
***
Phew. That was a lot of memories! I should end here, if I haven't already lost you yet.
I'll leave you with...8 MORE SLEEPS!
1. The biggest challenge I have had this year...was deciding whether or not to accept my job in Webequie. I am SO glad I did, but it was a scary decision to make, moving so far from home, all alone, having little idea of what I was getting into and teaching for the first time.
2. The scariest moment I have had this year...was walking into my new home in Webequie. Completely alone with no luggage (no sheets, no clothing, no shampoo!), no food except a granola bar and packets of sugar (and no way to get food for two days), barely any money and NO freaking idea of what I was going to face at work Monday morning.
3. The thing I am most grateful for this year...is my family as a whole, but in particular my Mom. It is rare to find a person who you can literally tell anything to, will never judge you, will always support you whether it's to listen to your stories about money troubles, annoying customers at Sears, a broken heart, fears, changes and joy. Thank you. I only hope I can be as good of a Mom to my kids some day, as you have been to me.
4. The most welcome change to my life this year...has been actually making a real pay cheque for once in my life. It's funny when I think of the position I was in at this time last year. A student living in an apartment I couldn't afford, struggling to find money to even buy a train ticket home for Christmas. While I'm not a millionaire right now, it's a HELL of a lot better. Money does not buy happiness, it's true, but it alleviates stress pretty nicely!
5. The best simple joys from this year...sleeping in, my bunny and my puppy
6. The things I've missed the most are: family, friends and Chester, stores/shopping malls, affordable groceries, the pool and hot tub from my old apartment, movie theatres, the ability to have a strong drink should I so choose, babybell cheese, living with others.
7. The things I have NOT missed at all are: commuting to work/school on public transportation, annoying crowds of people, dealing with rush hour traffic (here, rush hour is when people walk a LITTLE faster to get to the one store before it closes..), working for Pizza Pizza, being a student (assigning the homework instead of doing it is WAY better), having to do dishes before hooking up the washing machine every time, waiting for buses, being dirt poor, having a cell phone (oddly, it's freeing to not be attached to it up here), stupid men that make my life difficult (we're talking specific people here, I'm not hating on men in general)
8. The most important things I've learned this year are...that things can change VERY quickly, so don't dwell because you never know where you will be in a day, a week, a month or a year. Also, if all else fails, laugh it off and it will work out somehow. Don't stress.
9. The best memories from this year...are too many to list them all, but I have a few specific ones with certain people:
Andrew- completely sober 2 hour dance party in your apartment topped off with a disco ball light, moose tracks ice cream, keeping me up till 3am 'serious talking' because you were bored and drunk, the time your pants ripped at the museum.
Brendan- Two words: Hooker runs. Can't wait till next summer! Pitas at midnight. Show tunes in the car. Swimming!
Michelle M- Swiss Chalet lunches, calling you from Ottawa to hear the latest gossip, that time we found the karaoke channel at your house and sang songs without a microphone for like an hour, summer BBQs, ROCK BAND, that night at Slaintes you probably don't remember but I do, and when I came to your house so you could nap...:P
Devra- The cottage where I overcame my dark water swimming fear, singing Disney songs in the car, our 2 hour phone dates, Kindergarten cop and garlic dipping sauce
Amy Epstien- PB ice cream, take it to the grave..., EPIPEN!
Jen- The night we went to the EMPTY bar, sang Aladdin in Pizza Pizza and got followed across toronto by an Egyptian boy in a fedora hat, our boy talks in the pool, Pride!
Jess-when you worked your MAGIC and got us into that bar on St. Patty's day! Our drive to Hamilton/Boy chat
Jacq- keeping me sane with our complain-fests after class and parties in your sweet Ottawa apartment!
Kara- Our Lady Peace!
Sasha- Black. Dog. Relationship counselling chats. I still don't understand how it worked out that way, either.
Jane- My KILLER bunny, the time I found out you lived in my building after we had both lived there at the same time for two months.
Nikki-Your war museum tour guiding when those dudes were on strike, phone dates,your mad photoshopping skillz!
Kathryn-White water rafting weekend, that night we closed out Rok Bar- being 2 of a group of 4 dancing all night
April-parties at your house, boy talks in your room, watching you trying to find your tights that you'd lose pretty much every time we were going out
Christine- Your wedding! Dancing to Right Said Fred with you, msn chats
Michelle L- Gchatting while watching live award shows, seeing the penguins in Montreal, crying phone calls, your ever-reliable sister anger at men who wronged me, walking to that second cup on your birthday night and eating sugar cookies while watching the crazy montrealers on the street (was that this year? I feel like it was..), your hillarious stories about the ridiculousness that is Montreal, Hot tub!
Mom- Late night balcony talks in the summer, phone calls of me bitching about various things with your support, your general outrage at all wrongdoings inflicted upon me, watching you have a little too much wine at Grandma and Grandpas, your trip to visit me in Ottawa, you fitting my snuggie into my suitcase and insisting on the candles, our super lame new years eve toast while I worked till 3am for pizza pizza last year.
Dad- Big Dad hugs when other men in my life let me down, letting me 'talk' to Chester on the phone while I'm away, watching you crawl under the pick up truck like 15 times on my moving trip coming home from Ottawa to save my stuff, hearing from Mom about your awesome leprechaun Halloween costume
Uncle Wayne- watching you and my Dad drink beers and dance to 90's music at my apartment in Ottawa, saving the toilet paper on the highway, our on-going scrabble tournament
Auntie Kimmy- Wine!, life chats around the kitchen table
Pam- Margaritas in the basement, talking BTTF tattoos (someday...)
Paula- Puke bag on the plane, our bitchfests on facebook chat, talking boys, the christmas countdown
Trish-"It's the climbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb!" waiting for Radio Bingo at your house, watching you and Paula beg for quarters at the airport
Ryan- My time in your classroom RYAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!, bitchfests on msn, LEX!!, your "warnings" about certain things up here..
Shannon- Grey's dates!, doggie play dates, random visits
Eric- The canoe trip, your wealth of knowledge and honesty about teaching up here, "It's my day...It's Tuesday!"
Jennifer- Disney weekends!, the ridiculousness of trying to plan our trip, Cool Runnings, TRYING to play Ninja turtles, one last Mcdonald's in thunder bay.
Romeo- Your insight, your jokes, keeping me from going insane, letting me bitch about certain things and people..
***
Phew. That was a lot of memories! I should end here, if I haven't already lost you yet.
I'll leave you with...8 MORE SLEEPS!
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Princess Muffin
Everything's coming up Muffin!
Today the flea shampoo and spray came in I ordered, so I just spent like 3 hours bathing her, combing out her fur, spraying her down and cleaning my house from top to bottom. The things I do for this dog! I really hope this can cure the lice because she will be so much happier and I won't have to worry about it all the time. I got the carrier to bring her in on the plane and it was basically a really really expensive duffel bag...but it's "airline approved", meaning it's the correct size so I won't have problems getting her on.
Today I brought her on a walk and I was tying her up outside the store, trying to ward off all the crazy, big dogs that were jumping all over her. An older man came out, looked at her, laughed and said, "OH, THEY SURE ARE GOING TO EAT HER! Bring her inside!" I thought I wouldn't be allowed to let her into the building since it's a grocery store, but he seemed to think it was okay, so I did it anyways. When I came out a lady from the store was there with him, I thought she'd be mad I brought Muffin in but instead she was petting her and had brought her out dog food from the store. My little Muffin's puppy dog eyes did the trick again! Then she wouldn't walk home because it was cold and dark and she's a wimp, so I had to carry her...AND all my groceries home. Good times. Next time I will take a walk just for walk's sake, with no particular destination so I can turn back any time.
On a non-dog note, I have almost completed making my first pair of mitts! They look pretty professional and actually were not that challenging to make. I am very excited!
Christmas has hit the school, hard. The walls are all decorated, christmas trees are up in the halls and the little ones have been doing christmas crafts all week. We also have a crapload of 'activities' coming up, the most hilarious of which is the christmas 'parade' which is going to consist of the teachers wearing santa hats, riding in the back of pick up trucks and throwing candy canes at the kids lining the sides of the road. FESTIVE right?!
ONLY 9 more sleeps till home! So excited! The party starts as soon as we get to Thunder Bay, where all the teachers plan to start drinking immediately upon stepping off the plane in the airport bar during our lay overs. Then I get free wine on my Porter flight so I can't complain. Needless to say, if anyone wants to come pick me up from downtown toronto on the 17th around 7pm...I will be grateful...and drunk...
My schedule is also filling up fast..I've got a Niagara falls trip planned, a trip to the states to shop, several swiss chalet trips, a Harry Potter movie date with my friend Jen (who so graciously has held off on seeing it for me! woo!), New Years plans and LOTS of shopping to do!
:D
Today the flea shampoo and spray came in I ordered, so I just spent like 3 hours bathing her, combing out her fur, spraying her down and cleaning my house from top to bottom. The things I do for this dog! I really hope this can cure the lice because she will be so much happier and I won't have to worry about it all the time. I got the carrier to bring her in on the plane and it was basically a really really expensive duffel bag...but it's "airline approved", meaning it's the correct size so I won't have problems getting her on.
Today I brought her on a walk and I was tying her up outside the store, trying to ward off all the crazy, big dogs that were jumping all over her. An older man came out, looked at her, laughed and said, "OH, THEY SURE ARE GOING TO EAT HER! Bring her inside!" I thought I wouldn't be allowed to let her into the building since it's a grocery store, but he seemed to think it was okay, so I did it anyways. When I came out a lady from the store was there with him, I thought she'd be mad I brought Muffin in but instead she was petting her and had brought her out dog food from the store. My little Muffin's puppy dog eyes did the trick again! Then she wouldn't walk home because it was cold and dark and she's a wimp, so I had to carry her...AND all my groceries home. Good times. Next time I will take a walk just for walk's sake, with no particular destination so I can turn back any time.
On a non-dog note, I have almost completed making my first pair of mitts! They look pretty professional and actually were not that challenging to make. I am very excited!
Christmas has hit the school, hard. The walls are all decorated, christmas trees are up in the halls and the little ones have been doing christmas crafts all week. We also have a crapload of 'activities' coming up, the most hilarious of which is the christmas 'parade' which is going to consist of the teachers wearing santa hats, riding in the back of pick up trucks and throwing candy canes at the kids lining the sides of the road. FESTIVE right?!
ONLY 9 more sleeps till home! So excited! The party starts as soon as we get to Thunder Bay, where all the teachers plan to start drinking immediately upon stepping off the plane in the airport bar during our lay overs. Then I get free wine on my Porter flight so I can't complain. Needless to say, if anyone wants to come pick me up from downtown toronto on the 17th around 7pm...I will be grateful...and drunk...
My schedule is also filling up fast..I've got a Niagara falls trip planned, a trip to the states to shop, several swiss chalet trips, a Harry Potter movie date with my friend Jen (who so graciously has held off on seeing it for me! woo!), New Years plans and LOTS of shopping to do!
:D
Sunday, December 5, 2010
We wish you a Merry Christmas...of sitting on your ass watching Christmas shows
Results are in on your all-time fave christmas movies/shows poll:
Tied for first are:
How the Grinch Stole Christmas cartoon)(5 of you, 41%)
and
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (5 of you, 41%)
*I fully agree with these at the top. Ain't nothin better than a little bit o' max and watching Mr. Griswold trying to get those lights on, year after year.
A close second place (also tied) goes to:
A Christmas Story (4 of you 33%)
and
Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer (4 of you 33%)
4 (33%)
*YOU'LL SHOOT YOUR EYE OUT! or, my personal favourite "I can't put my arms down!!!" and the flamboyant dentist.
Tied for third, all with 3 votes are:
Frosty the Snowman (Yeah! Karen in shorts!), Claymation (Yeah! California raisins!), A Christmas Carol (ohhh, Christmas life lessons!), Elf (Always fun!),
*Out of all these I'd have to say my fave is tied between Claymation (except that damn church scene skit Michelle ALWAYS has to watch) and Frosty. He's just plain fun. HAPPY BIRFDAY!
Tied for fourth with 2 votes are:
Home Alone and The Garfield Christmas Special.
*I am a little sad to not see more people loving the Garfield. It is my absolute all time favourite holiday special and you should definitely check it out!
Tied for fifth with one vote each are:
Miracle on 34th Street, It's a Wonderful Life (Mom...), The Santa Clause (really? I hated this movie..lol but I also really hate Tim Allen), The Grinch movie (COULD have been so good. Johnny Depp should have played the Grinch, Jim Carrey overdid it), Scrooged (classic Bill Murray cynicism, glad to see a vote here)
Honourable mention (from me, even though no one voted for them...) goes to the Chipmunk's holiday special "Meee I want a Huuuuulaaa Hoooooooop!" and to Jingle All the Way. I know it's an Arnold movie where he dresses up like an old tymey Iron Man, but it will always have a special place in my heart.
New poll is up!
Tied for first are:
How the Grinch Stole Christmas cartoon)(5 of you, 41%)
and
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (5 of you, 41%)
*I fully agree with these at the top. Ain't nothin better than a little bit o' max and watching Mr. Griswold trying to get those lights on, year after year.
A close second place (also tied) goes to:
A Christmas Story (4 of you 33%)
and
Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer (4 of you 33%)
4 (33%)
*YOU'LL SHOOT YOUR EYE OUT! or, my personal favourite "I can't put my arms down!!!" and the flamboyant dentist.
Tied for third, all with 3 votes are:
Frosty the Snowman (Yeah! Karen in shorts!), Claymation (Yeah! California raisins!), A Christmas Carol (ohhh, Christmas life lessons!), Elf (Always fun!),
*Out of all these I'd have to say my fave is tied between Claymation (except that damn church scene skit Michelle ALWAYS has to watch) and Frosty. He's just plain fun. HAPPY BIRFDAY!
Tied for fourth with 2 votes are:
Home Alone and The Garfield Christmas Special.
*I am a little sad to not see more people loving the Garfield. It is my absolute all time favourite holiday special and you should definitely check it out!
Tied for fifth with one vote each are:
Miracle on 34th Street, It's a Wonderful Life (Mom...), The Santa Clause (really? I hated this movie..lol but I also really hate Tim Allen), The Grinch movie (COULD have been so good. Johnny Depp should have played the Grinch, Jim Carrey overdid it), Scrooged (classic Bill Murray cynicism, glad to see a vote here)
Honourable mention (from me, even though no one voted for them...) goes to the Chipmunk's holiday special "Meee I want a Huuuuulaaa Hoooooooop!" and to Jingle All the Way. I know it's an Arnold movie where he dresses up like an old tymey Iron Man, but it will always have a special place in my heart.
New poll is up!
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Sweat Lodge
Today I had my first experience with a Sweat lodge. I went with one other teacher Julie who had been before. She was able to brief me a bit by telling me to bring 3 towels, one for my legs, one for my body and one to cover my head. She also told me to wear a skirt because it is believed that women have a great deal of power that flows from their 'lady parts.' All I could think at this point was, start your engines: SUPER VAG! Anyways, I got there and was greeted by the person holding the sweat. They were preparing the rocks and water on the fire.
The way it works is, a small, dome shaped structure is built in a garage using wood and is covered with various layers of different cloth. There is a fire pit in the middle where the rocks sit and once the door (which is a heavy blanket) is closed, it is pitch black. The lodge looks like this:
I watched as they chopped wood for the fire and prepared sweet grass to add to the water buckets and fire pit. In front of the garage there was a tiny fire where they were burning what I believe was sweetgrass and anyone who would bring anything into the lodge first waved it through the smoke to bless it. I brought fruit as I was instructed to do (blueberries) as it acts as an offering to the spirits and a refreshing snack after the sweat. You are also supposed to bring an offering of tobacco to throw on the fire for the spirits. Julie was nice enough to give me a few cigarettes to break up and throw on.
Once we were ready and all the men where in the lodge, we were asked to come in and take a seat. They then closed the door and told me: "Don't freak, Just pray." I liked that line, but wasn't quite sure what it meant. Then i found out...
They started chanting and praying aloud in OjiCree as I expected, and Julie told me to lean forward with my head as close to the ground as possible and put a towel over my head. I did this and stayed that way as they put more and more water on the rocks and the air got thicker. It was hard to not focus on how hot it was or how hard it was to breath but I tried to just listen to the singing and chanting and remind myself it only lasts fifteen minutes.
I was fine doing this until I felt a hand on my head guiding it upward. I wasn't sure what was going on, but I went with it (remember, PITCH black...could not even see my own hand in front of my face). The person took the towel off my head and as I was struggling to breathe, started touching my cheeks and forehead and speaking to me in what sounded like tongues or grunts, right in front of my face. Then the man blew hot air in my face several times and tapped me on the head with a large feather. He went around to the rest of the people as well but I think I got some special treatment, it being my first time. Finally, I heard those sweet golden words "Open the door" and light and cold air flooded in.
We sat around for a few minutes letting the cool air come in and recovering. They explained to us all that we should try not to look on the experience in a negative light and to not be afraid of what is going on. Then they made fun of me for jumping a bit every time they put the water on the fire and all I could think in my head was...how did you know?! Do you have owl-like night vision!?
Soon enough it was time to do another sweat so they closed the doors again and used a hand drum, singing songs in Ojicree. They had put new rocks from the fire into the fire pit and they were literally glowing and crumbling because they were so hot. The only way I can describe how it felt this time was to get you to think of the hottest, muggiest, mid-August, humid, 40 degrees Celsius day and then pretend it's 10 times hotter. You actually don't want to breathe because it's like being in an oven. You are drenched and dripping with sweat (hence the name of activity.) Just when I thought I'd have to get up and leave (while trying not to fall into a pile of burning rocks) they opened the doors. While I might be making it sound unpleasant or not worth it, it really was an amazing experience. I left feeling 'cleansed' in an odd sense, even though I was really sweaty and had to guzzle gatorade for a few hours after.
Before we left, the men who ran the sweat asked us if we'd like to learn more about it and we agreed. So tonight we went to my portable and two of the men who ran the sweat told us traditional creation stories. I learned that the songs they were singing in the sweat were actually telling a story of the first two people the creator sent down to earth (Adam and Eve type deal) and how they met a bear who helped them find their way. It all came together when I realized that the man who I thought was speaking in tongues was actually, in effect, channeling the spirit of the bear and was touching my face to 'discover' me as the bear did with the first people in the story. The bear was also said to have brought them berries to survive, which made it HIGHLY convenient that I went to the store before the sweat and randomly happened to buy blueberries as my offering without knowing about this story. Perhaps the bear spirit told me to! ;) We ate some of the berries at the end of the sweat too.
At the meeting tonight we sat on the floor of my portable, in a drum circle, burning sage in a casserole dish i found in my drawer and listening to an Ojicree song-story. This is an amazing experience I could probably never get anywhere else, but it did occur to me how much my Saturday nights have changed lol.
Here is a good article that helps describe sweats more if you are interested: http://www.aht.ca/sweat-lodge
In other news, my dog is still adorable and I love her so, but she is infested with some sort of bugs :( Luckily a vet friend is going to help me identify what the problem is so I can get her fixed up ASAP.
Next week there are a few festivities going on at the school, one of which is the staff Christmas dinner. I am looking forward to lots of different types of food including TURKEY! Woot!
The way it works is, a small, dome shaped structure is built in a garage using wood and is covered with various layers of different cloth. There is a fire pit in the middle where the rocks sit and once the door (which is a heavy blanket) is closed, it is pitch black. The lodge looks like this:
I watched as they chopped wood for the fire and prepared sweet grass to add to the water buckets and fire pit. In front of the garage there was a tiny fire where they were burning what I believe was sweetgrass and anyone who would bring anything into the lodge first waved it through the smoke to bless it. I brought fruit as I was instructed to do (blueberries) as it acts as an offering to the spirits and a refreshing snack after the sweat. You are also supposed to bring an offering of tobacco to throw on the fire for the spirits. Julie was nice enough to give me a few cigarettes to break up and throw on.
Once we were ready and all the men where in the lodge, we were asked to come in and take a seat. They then closed the door and told me: "Don't freak, Just pray." I liked that line, but wasn't quite sure what it meant. Then i found out...
They started chanting and praying aloud in OjiCree as I expected, and Julie told me to lean forward with my head as close to the ground as possible and put a towel over my head. I did this and stayed that way as they put more and more water on the rocks and the air got thicker. It was hard to not focus on how hot it was or how hard it was to breath but I tried to just listen to the singing and chanting and remind myself it only lasts fifteen minutes.
I was fine doing this until I felt a hand on my head guiding it upward. I wasn't sure what was going on, but I went with it (remember, PITCH black...could not even see my own hand in front of my face). The person took the towel off my head and as I was struggling to breathe, started touching my cheeks and forehead and speaking to me in what sounded like tongues or grunts, right in front of my face. Then the man blew hot air in my face several times and tapped me on the head with a large feather. He went around to the rest of the people as well but I think I got some special treatment, it being my first time. Finally, I heard those sweet golden words "Open the door" and light and cold air flooded in.
We sat around for a few minutes letting the cool air come in and recovering. They explained to us all that we should try not to look on the experience in a negative light and to not be afraid of what is going on. Then they made fun of me for jumping a bit every time they put the water on the fire and all I could think in my head was...how did you know?! Do you have owl-like night vision!?
Soon enough it was time to do another sweat so they closed the doors again and used a hand drum, singing songs in Ojicree. They had put new rocks from the fire into the fire pit and they were literally glowing and crumbling because they were so hot. The only way I can describe how it felt this time was to get you to think of the hottest, muggiest, mid-August, humid, 40 degrees Celsius day and then pretend it's 10 times hotter. You actually don't want to breathe because it's like being in an oven. You are drenched and dripping with sweat (hence the name of activity.) Just when I thought I'd have to get up and leave (while trying not to fall into a pile of burning rocks) they opened the doors. While I might be making it sound unpleasant or not worth it, it really was an amazing experience. I left feeling 'cleansed' in an odd sense, even though I was really sweaty and had to guzzle gatorade for a few hours after.
Before we left, the men who ran the sweat asked us if we'd like to learn more about it and we agreed. So tonight we went to my portable and two of the men who ran the sweat told us traditional creation stories. I learned that the songs they were singing in the sweat were actually telling a story of the first two people the creator sent down to earth (Adam and Eve type deal) and how they met a bear who helped them find their way. It all came together when I realized that the man who I thought was speaking in tongues was actually, in effect, channeling the spirit of the bear and was touching my face to 'discover' me as the bear did with the first people in the story. The bear was also said to have brought them berries to survive, which made it HIGHLY convenient that I went to the store before the sweat and randomly happened to buy blueberries as my offering without knowing about this story. Perhaps the bear spirit told me to! ;) We ate some of the berries at the end of the sweat too.
At the meeting tonight we sat on the floor of my portable, in a drum circle, burning sage in a casserole dish i found in my drawer and listening to an Ojicree song-story. This is an amazing experience I could probably never get anywhere else, but it did occur to me how much my Saturday nights have changed lol.
Here is a good article that helps describe sweats more if you are interested: http://www.aht.ca/sweat-lodge
In other news, my dog is still adorable and I love her so, but she is infested with some sort of bugs :( Luckily a vet friend is going to help me identify what the problem is so I can get her fixed up ASAP.
Next week there are a few festivities going on at the school, one of which is the staff Christmas dinner. I am looking forward to lots of different types of food including TURKEY! Woot!
Thursday, December 2, 2010
The Husky German Muffin
Well it has been one busy/ strange week. I should start by telling you the tale of my new puppy, or rather the tail. Ha.
So on Monday night after our choir practice (aka hours of practicing the same two songs for the christmas assembly...) my colleague Romeo who is very much a big dog lover comes over to me and says "I might have a puppy for you...and she's little!" I was clearly already pretty excited but I said okay, I'll have to see her. Her name was Hannah at the time which I don't think is a very fun name at all for a dog, and when he brought her over I exclaimed "Ohhh! Look at the little muffin!" All the teachers around mentioned that could be her new name. I was nervous at that moment, considering all the many responsibilities of owning a dog, both financially and time-wise, so I said I'd take her for a few nights to see how we did. It is believed she might be a Husky/German Shepherd mix, though I haven't seen any German Shepherd's on the island so maybe she's crossed with a wolf :P The first night was crazy, she was not used to me or my house and kept biting, pooping and peeing on everything in sight. I gave her a bath which she seemed to appreciate even though she didn't much enjoy being all wet. I set up the laundry room for her to sleep in because of the tile floor in case of accidents. She whined nearly the whole night, but I was instructed by all the dog owners here that she would and to just let her get used to it on her own. It's only 3 days later but I am absolutely in love with her and she is here to stay. It's amazing having a little friend to come home to and wake up to every day. While I have been bitten more times(puppy love bites) and cleaned up more poo in the last 3 days then ever before in my life, the good far out weighs the bad. She even had a play date with my friend Shannon's dog Bitsy and they were fast friends:
Today was also the third consequetive snow day which is just plain awesome. The first one was Tuesday and just the afternoon was cancelled. Yesterday the whole day was cancelled but we still had to go to work (for some reason..) and today was a pure day off! I went back to bed upon hearing this cheery news from my neighbour and then spent the afternoon relaxing and taking my puppy on a play date at Shannon's place. I think tomorrow we will probably be back at school but then it's the weekend already, woohoo! Needless to say all these days off are doing nothing good for me getting through all the curriculum expectations, but when the snow is up to your waist in some places, what can ya do?
Coinciding nicely with my time off was the arrival of my Wii. I have a few things to comment based on this:
1. If you don't have a Wii, get one. It's awesome.
2. Wii fit is actually quite fun and has some challenging exercises.
3. The New Super Mario is all pretty much all of the classic mario games COMBINED and is legit the best Mario ever! And if there is anything I know, it's Mario games.
4. The W in Wii actually stands for (time) Waster. I keep going to bed at 2am!
Now, if that list didn't satisfy you, you just know I had another one coming! Here is a list of observations about owning a dog:
1. Everyone will talk to you about dog care and/or your dog, and you will actually care, instead of being annoyed by someone talking about their dog too much (and don't you dare diss me for talking about my dog in my blog. It's my blog damnit!)
2. You can't leave old dishes around, or crusts of peanut butter toast because your dog WILL eat it and then shit on your carpet. So really, having a dog has made me a better housekeeper.
3.Puppies fart a lot.
4. Puppy farts smell. A lot.
5. Waking up and stepping in pee almost immediately is one of the most unpleasant things ever.
6. Having a puppy is like having a baby. With more barking.
Today we were also practicing for the Gospel Jamboree. I know, you SO wish you could come right? Anyone who knows me probably knows I'm not very religious, so there is something a little uncomfortable and artificial feeling singing a lot about Jesus. PLUS, they rejected any songs about Santa! Like...really? It's time to remember the true meaning of Christmas...The birth of Santa! For anyone missing that reference, it's from the Simpsons, I'm not trying to be confrontational lol.
It's getting closer to my home coming and I couldn't be happier! For now Little Miss Muffet and I need some sleep so I'll catch you again soon bloggies!
So on Monday night after our choir practice (aka hours of practicing the same two songs for the christmas assembly...) my colleague Romeo who is very much a big dog lover comes over to me and says "I might have a puppy for you...and she's little!" I was clearly already pretty excited but I said okay, I'll have to see her. Her name was Hannah at the time which I don't think is a very fun name at all for a dog, and when he brought her over I exclaimed "Ohhh! Look at the little muffin!" All the teachers around mentioned that could be her new name. I was nervous at that moment, considering all the many responsibilities of owning a dog, both financially and time-wise, so I said I'd take her for a few nights to see how we did. It is believed she might be a Husky/German Shepherd mix, though I haven't seen any German Shepherd's on the island so maybe she's crossed with a wolf :P The first night was crazy, she was not used to me or my house and kept biting, pooping and peeing on everything in sight. I gave her a bath which she seemed to appreciate even though she didn't much enjoy being all wet. I set up the laundry room for her to sleep in because of the tile floor in case of accidents. She whined nearly the whole night, but I was instructed by all the dog owners here that she would and to just let her get used to it on her own. It's only 3 days later but I am absolutely in love with her and she is here to stay. It's amazing having a little friend to come home to and wake up to every day. While I have been bitten more times(puppy love bites) and cleaned up more poo in the last 3 days then ever before in my life, the good far out weighs the bad. She even had a play date with my friend Shannon's dog Bitsy and they were fast friends:
Today was also the third consequetive snow day which is just plain awesome. The first one was Tuesday and just the afternoon was cancelled. Yesterday the whole day was cancelled but we still had to go to work (for some reason..) and today was a pure day off! I went back to bed upon hearing this cheery news from my neighbour and then spent the afternoon relaxing and taking my puppy on a play date at Shannon's place. I think tomorrow we will probably be back at school but then it's the weekend already, woohoo! Needless to say all these days off are doing nothing good for me getting through all the curriculum expectations, but when the snow is up to your waist in some places, what can ya do?
Coinciding nicely with my time off was the arrival of my Wii. I have a few things to comment based on this:
1. If you don't have a Wii, get one. It's awesome.
2. Wii fit is actually quite fun and has some challenging exercises.
3. The New Super Mario is all pretty much all of the classic mario games COMBINED and is legit the best Mario ever! And if there is anything I know, it's Mario games.
4. The W in Wii actually stands for (time) Waster. I keep going to bed at 2am!
Now, if that list didn't satisfy you, you just know I had another one coming! Here is a list of observations about owning a dog:
1. Everyone will talk to you about dog care and/or your dog, and you will actually care, instead of being annoyed by someone talking about their dog too much (and don't you dare diss me for talking about my dog in my blog. It's my blog damnit!)
2. You can't leave old dishes around, or crusts of peanut butter toast because your dog WILL eat it and then shit on your carpet. So really, having a dog has made me a better housekeeper.
3.Puppies fart a lot.
4. Puppy farts smell. A lot.
5. Waking up and stepping in pee almost immediately is one of the most unpleasant things ever.
6. Having a puppy is like having a baby. With more barking.
Today we were also practicing for the Gospel Jamboree. I know, you SO wish you could come right? Anyone who knows me probably knows I'm not very religious, so there is something a little uncomfortable and artificial feeling singing a lot about Jesus. PLUS, they rejected any songs about Santa! Like...really? It's time to remember the true meaning of Christmas...The birth of Santa! For anyone missing that reference, it's from the Simpsons, I'm not trying to be confrontational lol.
It's getting closer to my home coming and I couldn't be happier! For now Little Miss Muffet and I need some sleep so I'll catch you again soon bloggies!
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