WHOO HOO LET'S HEAR IT FOR IMMIGRATION!!!!!

We just checked Max's on-line file for immigration and found out that he has been approved in priniple for permanent residence!! This is a huge weight lifted off of both of our shoulders! Now if Max pulls the cranky act on me I can be as mean as I want to be.

It's going to be a busy week next week!!

Tomorrow can't come fast enough.

I am excited! Max is going to start test driving cars tomorrow. I think that mom and I have convinced him that we should just take the leap and buy a new one, that is if we can get a new one at the right price!! But then again mom is coming with us, we should be in good hands, plus we've got our trusty car salesman, with us as well. If you got any hint or tips for me, leave a message!!

Rain rain go away!

I woke up this morning and looked at Max who just happened to be standing over me and asked him if it was still raining this morning, unfortunately yes. We both said this morning that this reminds us of weather in Sweden. I told Max it's the one thing that I wish that he didn't bring this with him and that he could have brought something better!! Oh well Monday actually looks good and that is all that counts!

I think we've got a house!!

Well given recent developments, ie: immigration getting fire under their feet... things are moving along at a good clip. Max and I are going car shopping on the weekend to see if Max can find a car that he will like that's not a Ford Focus wagon. Last weekend entailed us going for a car trip around the area looking at houses. As it turns out one of my friends from University might have what we are looking for... her mom is thinking about selling her house. Awesome!!! It's a huge house and it could be sold privately!!! There's tons of potential... the basement isn't finished!! Now the only way we can get this of course is if Max is able to get some full time employment!! Soon we hope, very very soon!

What a cluster-fuck of a day!!

I know that I need to come up with a better term.... Max, a swedish equivalent?? Drama popped up all day at work. I think it was more of the likes of "Let's see how the rookie will deal with this one!!" I hate it. I wouldn't treat someone new like that but it's amazing how many fat white men get off on something like that!!
I am amazed at the human ability to thrive on such a disgusting habit. Oh well at least now I have a week off to heal some of the scratches that I have incurred throughout the day!

It's getting closer!!

Immigration updated their site today instead of their usual Tuesday update, to reveal that they are about 10 days off processing Max's application, which in turn means a flurry of activity for us!! We are in the process of looking for a car for Max, we go test driving on Friday. Yesterday we went to a couple open houses in Didsbury and Carstairs, it was fun to just walk around and look. Actually if we would have had the money for one I would have insisted that we got it. I am pretty impressed by Carstairs. I didn't think that it was as big as what it is. And the thing that Max and I find most surprising, there's no fast food places!! Which basically means a craving for something would have to be pretty serious in order to drive all the way to Olds or Airdrie!! The thing we are a little perplexed about is that in some neighbourhoods you have manufactured homes mixed in with regular homes. The search will continue for the time being... mom says that we might be able to find something here soon because once the kids are out of school people are more likely to put their homes up for sale.

What a process!?!

So Max and I were taking a sneek peek at cars today and we got cornered with by salesman, so we were nice and just said that we were looking and that we would be back in a few weeks time to test drive a few, I want mom with us because she this amazing capacity to bring car salesmen to their knees. Getting the car is not a problem... it's getting the driver's licence that is the most difficult. Apparently Max has to write the learner's permit test, then surrender both is Swedish drivers licence and his International Drivers Permit, wait to see what the government says and then he might or might not have to take the drivers road test!! Oh my!! The stuff that you learn!!

I love Calgary....

or at least it appears that way!! Mom and I are headed down to Calgary yet again... we were there last weekend! We decided that we would do something different this time instead. We're going downtown! We have to make a stop on 8th Ave for a friend and I think that we are going to the Stephen Avenue walk to see what we can find. I want to go over to Kensington if we have time but you never know what's going to happen.

Tomorrow is hump day!!

I love working! I like the fact that this week I only work three days. Tomorrow is hump day! Yay!!

In other news, Immigration has got a fire under their feet! We are getting closer to the key date. Hopefully by Midsommar Max will be full employed. We are also thinking that building a house will be the better option for us. So if anyone knows a good builder in the Cental Alberta area (Red Deer to Didsbury), leave me a message!

Recent Interesting International Visitors

Helsinki Finland (Nokia server….. Andreas???)

Reston Virginia… you must really like me because you show up often!

Anchorage Alaska… Nice!!!

Argentina…. Nico I miss ya man!

China

Germany

Barcelona, Spain

Philippines

Bolivia

India

Panama

I am a bit bummed but not the slightest bit surprised!

The flames didn't maker! I knew that they would have a tough go, Detriot is a tough team and given the Flames on the road record they had an insurmountable challenge ahead of them. Have fun golfing this summer and better luck next season guys!!

Mikka... you rock!

I have a new favorite store!

It's called Daniadown in Chinook. I fell in love with about 5 different duvet covers, and I would have gotten them too had a certain individual wasn't with me because they don't like when I use my credit card. Other than that there were deals to be had. I scratched and won 30% off at Addition Elle which was pretty sweet but would have been sweeter had they had the jeans that I was looking for in stock. That was the whole reason why I wanted to go to Calgary in the first place. And also I wanted to get out of town for the day instead of watching the snow melt off the trees across the street. Max also benefitted as well. Eddie Bauer had a big sale, he got a complete outfit for $200! We saved almost $100! He was pretty happy about that. Now he has a new outfit to wear when he finally gets a job!

Must get some sleep!!!

But I can't pull myself away from the computer. I found a new game on CBC Kids called Train Trax. I am addicted!! I was doing really really well, I got to Saskatchewan and one wrong move on my touch pad and POOF! Gone!!! GRRRRRRRR

Oh well! It's a good day to stay in and hang out. I had plans to make a date night tonight for Max and I, it's not going to happen. We were thinking of going to Calgary tomorrow as well but I don't think that is going to be an option. Darn it! I wanted a change of scenery, even if it is going to IKEA for an afternoon!

I am seriously questioning the whole global warming theory!

Really, does it exist. Looking outside this morning I highly doubt it. Listening to the weather forecast in the background I doubt it even more. THIS IS APRIL!!! I always joke about the May longweekend being our last chance snowstorm of the year, but this is getting absolutely ridiculous! The only small comfort in this is that I have to work the next two days. It's a very very small comfort!

It's getting closer!!

Immigration just updated their website this morning... they've moved up to August 1!! Yay!! Let's hope they really get into a groove and get through the month of August FAST!!!

Max and I were discussing buying a house yesterday. We realize that we have to get going here within the next year or we will be completely priced out of the market!! There's speculation that with further approval of the ethanol plant near here house prices are going to be going through the roof. With that said my latest internet compulsion (besides Facebook) is mls.ca! There's two we are looking at... a handyman's special in Bowden (problem is Max and I aren't nearly as handy as we should be for that project) and something that doesn't need the work but won't stay on the market long enough here in Innisfail! But then again the earliest we could consider buying a house would be at the end of summer... I don't think it would be a good time, but then again I could be surprised!

Getting prepped for nights!!

I am up early.... really really early. I am trying to get my body set for working nights this week. It's only after 8 and I am already wanting to go back to bed. Trouble is that if I do that now, I am going to be crying for my bed at around 5 in the morning!!

Maybe I should go shopping!!

That's just shady!

I know who you are!
I know what you did!
I am pissed beyond belief!
Forgiveness is not an option right now!
I wasn't the one who burned the bridge it was you!!
Stop being pissy and suck it up!

YOU BETTER NOT FUCK ANYONE ELSE OVER!!!!

Ohh look at me! 500 posts!!

I started this blog waaaay back in the day of September of 2004. I had just come back from a 10 month stint in Sweden and wanted a way for my friends overseas to keep in touch. Who would have thunk that this would be my way of dreaming or thinking out loud!! Thanks for all who have contributed, or have just simply stopped by!!

It's an instinct and it's kickin in!

I spent the day yesterday with one of my old university friends. We bonded over our love of the good old rock and roll. She just had a baby about three weeks ago and I finally got a chance to see her and meet her new little arrival. Oh my gosh! All I could think is that I want one! So far out of our little group of friends... I am the only one who isn't even substantially close to such a prospect. We got chit chatting over some Booster Juice about some of our former classmates. One girl who got pregnant about two years into her degree is now finished and is one hellva devoted mom! I just spent over an hour checking out her blog. She makes the most beautiful clothing... oh my! I think I just found my niece her birthday present (her mom is going to love it!!). My other girlfriend just found out that she is pregnant, she's in law school and is undoubtibly the most ambitious girl I've ever met. She's 23 and is planning on returning to school in the fall and giving birth sometime in that time frame!!! An intervention might be needed. She's crazy!! And then there is me. The most unlikely career oriented person in the group!! Two years I keep telling myself. I wanna get pregnant before I am 30!

To all the mamma's with babes, I envy you all! I can't wait to be a mamma! I am so happy to have a group of friends who take motherhood seriously! I can't wait to join the club... even if I am a few years late!

A guilty pleasure moment!

I won't go into a wide array of details of the whole story because it's an old one and well I've been up since 5 yesterday afternoon... I'm tired! Anyways this morning I seen a girl that basically stole one of my closest friends (brain washing was involved). Anyways, when I see her she usually takes every opportunity to tell me (brag) about my old friend... rubbing salt into an old wound (eventhough it is well healed these days)! Well this morning was a different story. I picked up breakfast on my way home. I was wearning my uniform and she seen me. She wouldn't even talk to me... hummmmp!

I kinda liked that moment. I know it's evil and meanspirited, but in the end she got what she deserved and I am finally getting somewhere with alot of hard work!

How much is too much???

I heard something interesting on the radio this morning when I was driving home from work. The British government wants to play the part of big brother in the homes of dysfunctional families.

I say it's a little late... MTV captured it years ago with the Osbournes!!

But really... is it necessary for the government to step in and tell you that your family is dysfunctional and is affecting the community around you?


AH...... LABELLING THEORY comes to mind!

Oh this is interesting!!

I got an e-mail the other day at work from some of my colleges wishing the group of us a Happy Easter. So to be nice I wish everyone else a Happy Easter as well. A plain and simple greeting, just playing fair in our little sandbox so to speak. And I sign the bottom with Regards... nothing else. Well... the next thing I know I get an e-mail back from one of them... is saying Regards another way of saying "kiss off"? Ahhhh no, not that I know of. In Canadian terms it is a rather original way of signing off an e-mail. I do it all the time with my in-laws, but then again they mostly do it to me... a habit dare I say.
Then... I get in shit because I am not divulging details on my new career!

Too much!!
Too little!!!

The Swedish answer.... lagom!!!

Of course I do!!

I was asked this morning if I am still liking my drastic career change. Yes I am, when I come home at the end of shift and I am still just as chipper as when I left for the shift, that's a dramatic change. I was prepared for an interesting evening... luckily it proved to be quiet and just a bit entertaining!! I like the fact that I can come home at the end of shift and have something interesting or funny to tell Max and mom... how many jobs do you know that have that small perk??

At the rate I am going...

the shelf of unread books is going to get smaller... exponenitally!!! I finished a book in two shifts. Wow! I seriously don't remember the last time I finished a book in that short period of time!! I think I was in elementary school at the time!!

I like working nights!!!

You gotta love it when to kill time you're allowed to read at work... I read over 150 pages in about 8 hours. I gotta feeling Chapters is going to love me and so is the local book exchange... the place where I give away all the books that I don't want to read again.

Oh and Ikea might benefit as well if I find more books that I love to read!! I can't wait for Harry Potter in July!!

Nice and quiet morning!

I was signed up for overtime today, but with it being a holiday, some have priority over me. That's ok, my bed and I got reacquainted. I got some reading done and I am happy because starting Monday night I am going to be on a night shift whereby I am able to get some reading done!! YAY!!!

But as for what I am going to this afternoon... mom has got the afternoon off for the next 4 days so that could mean anything!!

Right now we are still deciding on where to go.
I've come up with 4 possible itineraries:
"A Little The Old and A Little The New"
"The Green Tour"
"The Mediterranean Banana"
"I've Got A Serious Case of the Muchies Tour"

I might have to get rid of them and start a new if we decide each to come up with two cities!! This is going to be interesting!!

Who could blame me for getting ticked off!!

I got called in yesterday for what would be termed as a double double, double shift, double the pay, which is great, gotta finance that trip to Europe somehow right?? So anyways last night before I left to go home I checked with no less than two supervisors to see if they would need me for more over time today. I was told a very very slim chance because they had hired extra people... no big deal. I came home a little beat because there was lots of stuff going on. I figured seems that I wouldn't be needed for today that I could wash uniforms later. I GOT A CALL AT 7 THIS MORNING!!! WTF?????? Now I'm cranky!! Oh well!

Whoo hoo! I am excited!!

A discussion came up tonight... going to Europe!!! That's right packing what I can into a backpack and taking to the friendly skies and rails. I made a photocopy of a map of Europe and told mom today that in two years time we're going. I figure if I work overtime shifts when I can we can do it! The only problem in deciding on where to go. Max has already come up with 13 possible itineraries... but to me no thought process involved with that so for me I am going to come up with 5 to choose from including airfare, trains and hostels... although planning hostels for something happening two years from now is a bit of a stretch. The only thing that's a given is a week in Goteborg and a week touring Finland.

But here's a list of places that we are considering (in no particular order or preference):
Edinburgh
Glasgow
Dublin
Valencia
Madrid
Barcelona
Montpellier
Nice
Florence
Milan
Rome
Venice
Ljubljana
Salzburg
Innsbruck
Zurich
Geneva
Munich
Budapest
Krakow
Warsaw
Amsterdam
Brussels
Berlin

Half way there to a week off!

Ahhhh, after a busy day like today I can't wait till Monday night, a week off!!! I was everywhere!!! I am plain tuckered out right now. I am surprised that I have enough energy to type. The nice thing is, is that mom gets to sleep in tomorrow which means I don't have to get out of bed and make coffee for her and I can sleep in an extra half hour, which also means that I am going to have great difficulty getting out of bed Monday morning.

I finished yet another book!

I love having all this time off for myself. In the last month I have finished reading two books, one of which was a doozy, which I started reading when I was Saskatoon wayyyy back in November. I finished reading Shopaholic and Baby last night, I am quite proud of my self because it took me less than a week to read too!Probably becuase Sohpie Kinsella is such a good writer. I get to a point that I think ok I am going to read just one chapter and then go to bed. The other night I had to go to bed before 11 because I had to get up for work the next morning, I read until 1 in the morning because it was so funny and because it was to the point I just wanted to know what was going to happen next.

So now I have started Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin, I also have Something Blue as well. I also want to get Baby Proof as well. No my thoughts haven't turned to a bambino yet!!! I still have another year for my beloved sisters-in-law to lose their bet!!

Max and I are going to Chapters this afternoon so anything is possible. Although I think that he will get more lucky than myself!!

Gotta hand it to Ticketmaster and the Government!!

Yeah yeah sometimes dealing with Ticketmaster isn't nice... like for instance $18.00 for convenience charges on two concert tickets... but it's nice to get a surprise like your concert tickets that were supposed to arrive in May arriving only two weeks after paying for them!!!

Then again it's nice to check you bank balance online and find that you have more money than you thought!!! I got my tax refund directly deposited into my account yesterday. I am pretty surprised about that one too because of the technical difficulties that they had earlier this month with the e-file system. Time to pay off the credit cards!!

Working a double overtime!

This is the part of my job that I enjoy, the fact that I can make even more money than I already do! Right now it's going into savings, because quite frankly I have no idea what to do with it all. I figure it will come in handy for when we finally move into our own house. From what I understand... if you're called in on a overtime shift, they give you a pretty good day too. I could go for a nice quiet day... yesterday was pretty hectic.

I have been asked by many people now if I like where I am. I say yes. I am in a position where I can go somewhere because of my degree. I feel as though I am appreciated. It's not that I don't miss my old job I do. It was somewhere familiar, and I knew everyone. It's a shame that things happen the way that they do sometimes.

Am I the only one!!??

I just found out today that my friend Lanny from overseas in Sweden is now pregnant too! I should be used to this by now anyways... I've always been the late bloomer!!

YAY!!!!!

I just got an e-mail from Amy, one of my closest friends from University, she had a girl!!! YAY!!! I told her the other day when we were chatting on the phone that I wanted to buy for a baby girl so she better have one!!! I now know what I am going to do on my day off!! :)

Whoo hoo three days off!

That is if I don't get called in for some overtime!

Election time??

Possibly! With the results of the Quebec provinical election chances are high that Stephen Harper is going to call an election. Not again!!!

Happy 10 Years Honey!!

It was 10 years ago today that my husband said yes to my proposal to date. I come home today from a very busy, very hectic and slightly stressful 12-hour day at work, and here's my husband with a cute little card.... awwwwwwww!

I think it's pretty cool that we have been together for this long, and now we have our 10-year high school reunion coming up. Awesome!

Chinese food bad for you???

Ah yeah!!! As if we didn't know that already but the food police had to just remind us! But then again I would love to eat ginger beef than three chicken burgers and a coke to McDonalds!

Oh and did you hear that McDonalds uses meal worms as filler in their burgers. Apparently there was a story on W5 a few weeks ago. But honestly you didn't have to tell me that. I was turned off Mickey D's after reading Fast Food Nation and moreso after watching Super Size Me!

How do we deal with homelessness?

I have often thought about this. Recently however it's gained some media attention. There was a thing on Oprah the other day, it was about a homeless guy who was given $100000 and a documentary was made. And just tonight on CBC's The National, Mark Kelley spent 7 days in Montreal homeless. There was also that gentleman who lived in a tent city in Toronto for a year and wrote a book "Down To This".

The question of how to deal with homelessness is not easy. It's complicated by mental illness, substance abuse/ addiction, and finances.

The scary to thing is that alot of us are on the brink of being homeless ourselves. I think that it is even moreso these days where the gap between rich and poor is widening and deepening.

The working homeless is a common thing in Calgary. I have often thought that if they were given the opportunity to get affordable housing whether these individuals would be able to pass that on to someone else. It makes me wonder if it was possible to come up with a program that would give someone who is working but is homeless the opportunity to buy their own housing, one chance to make it. I think that's all that some people need... one chance.

I have had people walk up to me and ask for money out on the streets, sometimes I ask them why. Usually when they say it is for food I take them somewhere to get something to eat. It makes me wish that I could do more. I am very lucky to be where I am at. I think it's because I have had alot of chances. I'd like ot be able to give someone theirs!

Can't wait to buy a house!!

With starting my new job and Max setting out soon on the look out for a job for himself, thoughts have turned ot home ownership! We love living here with mom, but we are married now and well living here doesn't really give us the whole benefit of married life. So today with a little time on our hands we went and looked at showhome to get an idea of how much exactly it would cost to build a house. It's not bad but we would have to wait a year... a whole year of payments and no house to live in... hmmp! But we thought ok lets go take a look at Springbrook, wow oh wow! It's really reasonable, lots of houses with character and lots of new ones being built! I can't wait till the summer!! I'm getting excited!

I'm so tired!!

I'm now on days off which is nice!! Working the night shift for me is interesting because I have never worked later than 10 before. Eventhough for the most part I am a self confessed night-owl I find working nights is something of a love hate relationship.

I love working night becuase at my job who wouldn't, it's quiet and nothing rarely happens at all. I hate them because for 3 or 4 days at a time my life gets pushed to the side. Max gets to see me for a total of about three hours if he's lucky. I love them because I am sit around with co-workers and chitchat and not get into trouble for being to conversational. I hate them because when it gets to be around 4 in the morning the radio stations here have a nasty nasty habit of playing commericals for pillowtop mattresses!!! How cruel is that??

But I am especially tired today because I waited around for someone. I got 2 e-mails in the last two days from my supervisior who needs to talk to me about my schedule. So anyways I thought well it's 7:30 he should be here by 8:00, so I waited!! Turns out the guy is sick today!! GRRR!! Oh well!

Now it's too late to go back to bed! But it's never to late to start drinking!! Yummmm vodka!

Baby boom!

I just got an e-mail from one of the girls that I went to University with... she's having a baby!!

That leaves only me.... oh this is going to take a while!

Congrats Renee! Hope you're having a girl!! I wanna buy for a girl!!

At 4:30 this morning I was crying for my pillow!

I am not too sure if working night is actually a good thing for me!! At around 4:30 this morning I would have actually severed a limb in order to feel the comfort of my pillow. I got home this morning and I had a massive headache, such that one of my ears was ringing. Is that normal?? Hope not! I am just up for a bit and I still have a hint of a headache. Oh well 1 down 3 to go and then it's three days off for me!

I seriously have to start using spell check!

I am reading some of these posts and I have become absolutely appalled at how bad my spelling has become. I sincerly apologize!

A new must see show!

It's called The Riches. Now the only problem is that it's on a channel called FX which airs in the states. However I was surfing around this afternoon (instead of sleeping!!) and found a link to the full first episode. It's pretty funny, entertaining and has a bit a drama to it as well. I hope that MSN will put other episodes up as well because I can't wait to see the second episode.

AND now it's off to bed!!

Pledgin purity doesn't work!

Duhhhhh!

I was watching the Today show early early this morning because I am trying to get my clock set for working midnights. Anyways the showed a story twice this morning about these father daughter purity balls that are being held in the states. There was one statistic that had me on the floor laughing, it was so funny that I had to show Max when he got up this morning (thank you Starchoice and TimeShifting!!) Here's the statistic: 88% of those who pleged purity until marriage had premarital sex! Saying and doing are two differing things aren't they!!

But think about it, when I was 15 I didn't want anything to do with my dad. I didn't want to be caught dead with him in public. Plus it was one of those things if he showed any interest in my life whatsoever I would think that he switched his mind altering drugs. So the idea of pledging my purity to my father was not a happening thing. I am statistic anomally. My father was not a emotional part of my life, he was there physically and yes we fought like cats and dogs. But I was not the one to fool around, I left that to the Catholic girls that I went to school with.

The thing is in America there is literally no sex education in the schools. The religious right is making sure that it's the parents who teach their children. Most of the are so frigid that the thought of talking about sex to their children is a definite no go zone. But here's the thing that most parents forget, children are curious creatures. They want to know about the world around them. The will get their information from anywhere!! ANYWHERE!! To them, their friends are experts.

So here's some advice to parents out there who are scared shitless about talking about sex to their children. Which would you rather have, a child who is well-informed (who will then likely inform their friends) and knows risks associated with sexual contact. Or would you like to be young grandparents or worse yet a child who has syphillis or gonorrea, because that stuff is out there and Murphy's Law, shit does happen.

P.S. The fear of god doesn't scare most children!!

They're crazy in Quebec!

Not to dis my own heritage, and not that I can't say much because I don't speak much french (i'm way better at swedish). But I think that they have gone nuts in Quebec. The provinical election has turned into a competition of who can be the most extreme and downright bizarre! I don't think that Quebec should separate infact if anything they should get a little tough love. Most teenage girls need this... Quebec has 25 million of em! It just might do them some good.

I'm getting hit on!!!

I got home from work tonight and decided that I would float on over to statcounter and see what's new! WOW!! Here's a small list of recent visitors!

D.C.
England
S town... Shout out to big Saskie!!
Finland .... one word.... SAUNA!!!
Standford University (I love love love education!! Sociology anyone??)


I think that I have figured out the whole statcounter thing now. At least I hope. I am a cut and paste kind of girl.

By the way thanks for the attention!!

Immigration has fire under their feet!

I just checked the immigration website to see how far away they are from processing the first part of Max's application for immigration. At the rate they are going they are processing a month's worth of applications in about two weeks time. This is absolutely fantastic! We could be moved out by the fall!! Yay!!

What to do, what to do??

I never ever thought that I would be left with this dilemma after graduating university. I hate to even admit this!! I'M BORED!

Oh well. I am sure that I will get over it! Soon!

It's Saturday and I'm up at 7?

I was laying in bed this morning and I was wide awake at 7. What the??? Last year I couldn't possibly imagine such a thought. Now it seems rather natural to rise, and take traquility in some literature, before starting out on the quest for my dream kitchen!!

Whoo hoo! I got Incubus tickets!!

I ended up getting in on a presale thing, the tickets aren't exactly where I want them to be but for $30 what the hell! So does anyone wanna go?? Max isn't really into this kind of music. Although I mean really?? It's some good stuff!

Other intersting visitors!

Jakarta, Indonesia
Georgia, USA
Trinidad and Tobago (ohhh sounds warm!!)
Ireland (I can't wait to go!)
The Univerisity of California Santa Barbara!!
Bejing China
The CIDC???? What the...?
United Kingdom
Dubai (ohhh 7 star hotel!!)
Tunsia
Austrailia... Hello Rachy!!


Thanks for checking me out!!!

Reston, Virginia??

Someone from Reston, Virginia thinks I am interesting... they checked me out for a while 10 minutes and 21 seconds! Cool... thanks for stopping by!

Trying to fill the void

I miss my pillow. I miss how it caresses my head and supports my neck, I need to go to bed!!!

8 days off!

How great is this?? I have worked a total of 9 days and have had 16 off!!! And yet I am bringing home double what I did last year! This doesn't include all sorts of little bonuses here and there. Yes I am working 12 hours a day, and yes it seems like I am never home for 3 or 4 days at a time but when I am off I am off, and work doesn't follow me around.

So what am I going to do with 8 days off?? Well let me see.
Friday:
Gotta phone the bank, I gotta deal with all this cash, and gotta get rid of the debt in order to buy a house.
Gotta go and check out M&M meat shoppe, I am curious to see what they got for stuff that I could take to work
Or I could say to heck with it all and go to Calgary for the day and get a certified copy of my degree and some proper retail therapy... I haven't had a chance to grieve the loss of my beloved dog yet!

Saturday:
Red Deer Home Show
Gotta go and get tickets to see Incubus in May in Calgary, I am so excited!!
Check out M&M Meat Shoppe
Lounge around Chapters for the day with a good travel book in one hand and a cup of Starbucks in the other.

Sunday:
THE day of rest of course!!

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday:
Possible overtime shift(s)... double the money

Thursday:
Bowling night!!!

Friday:
SLEEP!

I just don't know what to do with myself!

I have 4 days off and I am lost on what to do with myself!! Don't get me wrong I love the fact that I have 4 days off, I just don't know what I am going to do with all that time off. Before I was going to school fulltime and working almost fulltime. I rarely had a day off where I would get up and simply not know what I was going to do because I had nothing planned!

I would love to be able to volunteer, the only problem is that with me I would have to be consistent with it. I would feel bad if I had to miss a day here and there because I had a work committment. Grrr.

Another thing that I was disappointed in is that I was preparing to leave last night and I got asked if I would like to work an additional 4 hours. I would have loved to but the thing is I am not too sure what all I am entitled to. Would I be entitiled to a meal or would I get paid double time for work that 4 hours?? Those questions were being put forth to me very easily so I gave them up.... oh well I am sure that there will be more to come.

It's 8 in the morning and it's "Friday Night" for me!!

Have I mentioned lately how much this career change was needed in my life!!

It ain't so bad being on the payroll again!

I have just gotten home from work, and I love it. Tonight is my Wednesday and tomorrow is my Friday!!

I like it, I like it, I loooooove it!

One more day of rest.

I have one more day, and then it begins. My first official day at my new job. I am excited but yet I can't help but be a bit nervous.

Oooohhh I wanna win!!!

My mother and I have struck a deal. If she wins the Red Deer dream home prize in the STARS lottery she will give it to us under some conditions. We assume her debt, buy her a new car, and take her to Europe again! Sounds like a pretty sweet deal!

It's a sad sad day!

This morning we had to put down my number one guy. He was 16, and quite possibly the best dog that ever lived.

Schizo weather!!

Oh my! What the hell! This morning was nice then like 15 minutes ago I looked out side and there was tons of snow pellets falling... almost like hail, then the next thing I know... the sun is shining again!

I guess it goes to show that if you don't like the weather here in ALberta wait 5 minutes!

My word!

Chinooking is a good thing!

Having to work outside late at night can be a pain in the ass when it's -30 out. However you thow one of those beautiful chinooks into the mix and being outside can be bearable!! The only problem is now I really really have to wash my car and it is most likely that every other joe wants to do it as well!

Did I mention how much I love the snow??

I haven't had to shovel the driveway once this winter!!! I love snow!!!

I think one of the next tattoos that I am going to get will be a snowflake! The only thing that would make this winter much better would be if I could go out skiing. Right now I think that this season is a write-off, oh well, there's always tobagganing!

A Mormon running for president?

Oh man I think that I should go back to bed!!!

I'm loving it!

My career change had indeed proved itself to be the change that I needed. And as it stands I am not the only one who is in need of a change of scenery. My mom has decided to say farewell to 16 years at one of her jobs for something just a bit different. Oh well!

Learning lots of new stuff. I never thought that the ODC factor would be as substantial as it would be. I am learning about human nature and that's what I wanted. I get paid to watch people interact with each other. I get to see the darker side and enjoy the brightest side of life!

People are interesting!!

I love my new job. I get to watch people and watch them interact with others. I am amazed at people's ability to do some of the strangest of things. I guess that is why I went to school so I could be able to study this. Imagine that!

You gotta love people who are downers!

One of girls that my mom works with has pretty much the same degree as me and both of us have taken different paths with it. She didn't use hers, while I am in the process of using mine. She works for mommy and daddy, I don't. So now that I am have found a job that encompasses all that I have learned, she gets jelous. How is that? I remember we talked once and she told me that she looked after university for a job but couldn't find anything that she thought that she would like. Well then why on earth did you take sociology when all you ever wanted to do is lock yourself in a back office somewhere crunching numbers for your mommy and daddy? I took sociology because I like the interaction with different people. So before you tell my mother that I would get laid off (when I most definately know that I am not otherwise) in the next six months, you better look and see first. I will in all likelihood, never ever be without a job!

WOW!

Cool stuff. Cool stuff all around. It's about to get cold and frosty. I love it!

So this is when life begins?

Tomorrow is a big big day. After three months of training, alot of tears, frustration and challenges I am here. I can't believe it. I don't have school to worrk about anymore, the biggest challege right now is trying to find a house that fits both Max and I. We figure that in about a year's time we will be looking at moving out and into our own house.

I honestly thought that it would take me forever to get a decent job after graduating from school. So even though tomorrow is going to be like the first day of school with all administrative stuff, it's going to be interesting being in a totally different environment!

So glad to finally be home!!

Ahhh, it's so nice to sleep in my own bed! The 6 hour drive home was interesting... Max experienced his first Canadian whiteout. As we came west the weather got progressively worse. How does that work?? Isn't it supposed to be the other way?? Oh well we are home safe and sound. I was nice to sleep in my own bed, eat my own food, and do what ever I want. AHHHH.

I have come to a few more conclusions about Saskatchewan, the further away from the city you get the worse off the road conditions get. Saskatchewan is indeed Ford country, and the bigger you are the faster you drive. Saskatchewan was fun for the most part but it is so nice to be home!

I'M DONE!!!!

All exams have been written, practical skills have been learned... now for my on-the-job-training!! Yay!!

I am going out for supper tonight!!!

I PASSED!

Everyone passed. Only a small amount of relief though, still have one more exam tomorrow!

30 minutes and I was finished!

I just got out of my exam. It took me a whole 30 minutes to do it twice over to make sure that there were no mistakes made on the sheet. I get my results at 11. This is so absolutely nervewracking. I need a week in Mexico for sure!

So nervous I could puke!

I am so nervous. I didn't sleep well last night. Kept having weird dreams! Well here goes it, at least I can't say that I didn't try!

I am glad that I didn't stay in a dorm during university!

We are a bunch of zombies! It's to the point that none of us can focus. I know that being at home during university we very beneficial for me becuase there is no way that I would be able to study with people banging and clanging about in the halls.

So here's to Part A! I have done the best that I can.

It worked!

Wow! It actually worked! Just reliving the days when I was back in Sweden and I was appreciated for being outgoing and allbeit just a little bit crazy!

Trying something new!

One day I will figure out how to put statcounter on here!

But in the meantime...

Must find the motivation to study!

I have one of my most important exams tomorrow. I have no motivation right now to study. I didn't sleep well last night which is a total letdown compared to the sleep that I had last night. I even went as far as driving to the outskirts of town for some Timmy Ho's and that still hasn't given me the motivation yet! If I don't pass this exam, the three months that I have spent here in ahhh ummmm Saskatchewan will be a total waste of time. I am fighting with words again. This is not a good sign!!

Fyucking hell i'm bored!

There's nothing to do! I don't even have any knitting to do either!
Saskatchewan sucks!

With that over, I am happy now that I've got a coffee buzz on!

After reluctantly dragging myself out of bed, I got dressed and went to Starbucks. I guess am trying to enjoy the last few days of city living!! At least Red Deer is only 20 minutes away!!

I don't need anymore fucking sugar coating!!! It's making me sick!!!

I was delivered some real truths tonight. It was from a drunk person, but in a sense it was truth nonetheless!

Apparently my personality is as big as my ass. It potentially doesn't vouch well for my chosen profession as well because I wear my heart not only on my sleeve but also everywhere else. Wow.

It's all really to hard to digest right now. The last month alone has been absolutely mindblowing. I never thought that in a million years that I would concieve of this.

I am having a really hard time restraining myself from packing every last stitch of this room up and leaving... with two crucial days left.

The thing that bugs me the most about all of this is that I completely set myself up for all this. I wanted all this, in a sick twisted way.

Apparently I am not educated enough for my in-laws!!

Yet another crushing blow!

Oh man! Get me home!!

I am in the homestretch now!!! I only have 4 days left!!! I will be back in my own bed!!!!!!!!!!

Another reason why I want to go home is because my dear old puppy dog is old and sick. My cousin insisted that my mother take him to the vet before she comes to take care of him for one night. So as a result, we have a $200 vet bill and the knowledge that he's got cancer, a dislocated shoulder, arthritis, and infected tonsils. Now you're probably thinking oh my god put the poor thing out his misery!! He's gotta be suffering! The thing is he isn't!! He still struts around the house, he still likes to go out side when it's cold!! He's happiest when he all snuggled up with someone! I can't wait to get home to see him. I know he will meet his fate soon, it's just a matter of time, he's 16. But I want to be able to make him happy for the time that he has left.

There is only one thing that remains in my mind... where do I get him creamated?

Come on abuse me more, I like it!

Sounds like a Silverchair song doesn't it! Yeah, but you know what it is soooo true!! I found out my examination marks, and I passed. But the mental abuse leading up to it nearly had me in tears! So with that relief I thought that I could calm down, nahhh not in the slightest! I still have a whole wack of tests within the next week and a half. That I can handle.

But the thought of having to go through 4 performance reviews in a year! HOLY SHIT!!!! Oh well... it's friday. I can party! I passed Part B!!!

It must be Friday tomorrow!!!

Oh my god am I ever cranky! I swear, people have just simply looked at me today and I could have screamed so loud in their face. I haven't felt like that in a very long time, and in a way I feel guilty for it. I just don't know in what way.

I am looking forward to tomorrow because maybe I won't feel as stressed as I do right now. I left my hotel for three hours hoping that I would be able to feel better. And I sort of did... I got back and I was fine, I was going to head back to room and enjoy my Subway that I bought. Yeah, my bliss was slightly tarnished. That was okay, I could handle that. But now I'm black again. The one person who annoys the ever living daylights out of me here, just had to call, ugh!

Why does January always bug me???

Yet another wait begins!!

I had a VERY VERY big exam today. I think that I did well. Found out the problem, gave some options to which would help solve the problem, came up with a plan for solving that problem and then presented a follow-up. And now I wait, I wait until Friday to hear my results and also to go through my merit rating board to see if I get approval. I am glad that I got to go early. I just hope that I can keep my mouth closed enough not to get me into trouble... that should be intersting. I am doing so good already!

It's Sunday!

I'm hungover yet again! UGGGHHHHH

I need some warmth!

Wow! I seriously don't have a good memory when it comes to weather events. I seriously don't ever remember how cold it was last year!! I went outside the other day and thought that wow... this is fucking cold!

In Saskatchewan they are a hearty bunch, and they are freakin crazy!!! Driving around the city on Thursday I've come to (ohhh finding a word my vocabulary... not necessarily appreciate, not really admire???) fill in approprate word here...! I now know that I do move to Saskatchewan, I am buying a 4x4!

Oh my!

Well after the events of Wednesday, it was time to brave the city again and see what I could find. I somehow ended up making two different trips around the city today, which was nice. I need the change of scenery! The walls of my room seem to haunt me right now. Did laundry this morning, it felt good to be so productive that early in the day. Even had the opportunity to do a little retail therapy which does do my soul good, but it doesn't fix everything, especially the bank balance! I got back, had lunch, was contemplating on getting productive and get ready for an exam that I have coming up the week after next. But somehow that didn't work out. Retail therapy was calling me again. So away to Mark's and Wally-World. I behaved myself in Wally-World and my bank account breathed a sigh of relief!!

I come back and decided that what the hell I am going to start preparing for an exam that I have on Monday afternoon. It's nervewracking!! I could go home early if I don't pass! And to top it off there are other things mounting. We cannot discuss how we thought we did with other classmates until Friday after everything is all said and done. I haven't been feeling well. I am tired, and feeling sick the last couple of days. I have been getting abdominal cramps after I eat (no it's not that time!!!). I am really wondering what is going on!?! I just keep telling myself that I can do this, I enjoy the challenge that this has given me. I just can't wait to get this all done, go home knock 'em off their feet and get going with this whole life plan thing.

I was in the blizzard of 007!

What a day yesterday!! Wow, I haven't seen a blizzard like that since I was a kid! The entire city of Saskatoon shut down yesterday. It took people hours to get home. There were lucky ones that got stuck in Walmart and Costco yesterday, which begs the question: which one would you rather get stuck in??? I think I'd have to go with Costco, especially if the demo people are in! They come up with the neatest stuff!

It kinda sucked though, I was planning on getting my car from the dealership yesterday, kinda glad that I didn't. I guess I will have to get it today. It was only $250 and it was some kind of gasket mechanism in my fuel tank, I just hope that I can get some better gas mileage!!

Ohh and class starts late today! Yay! I wish I would have found out if I was still in bed, I could have rolled over and gone back for another hour!!

Oh well, it was interesting to say the least!

Dunk, so very very dunk!

OOOOhhhhh!!! Please someone please tell me how to make the room stop spinning! Oh and I see double!

Finally Friday Is Here!!

Didn't so much this week, but oh my am I ever glad that I get to sleep in tomorrow!! Just gotta remember to put the do not disturb sign on the door so that housekeeping doesn't wake me up!

Back in Big Saskie! Back at 'er!

Wow that was a fast drive!!! The roads were absolutely fabulous. I was able to keep a good pace and I got here in about 5 hours. The only bad part was I just got out of Rosetown and my service engine light came on. I don't think that it's a really big deal, the only thing is now I have to go and find a Chevrolet dealership to get it reset.

I even got my old room back, which I am sort of happy about... it's nice to have the big bed and the big shower, but I think this room had mould in it. Wait and see. The nice thing is that it's warm enough that I can have both windows open... wide open! Only a month left in Big Saskie... I better make the best of it!

Ah 2007!

Hope your new years was fun! Mine consisted of eating a substantially large brunch prepared by my beloved mother. Going out to my mother's best friend's house (who's the closest thing to an aunt/grandmother I will ever find, because she's always been there for me, or usually has an opinion for me or, a good piece of advice or encouragement for me!

I brought along one of my dearest friends of over a decade now (jeesh. we're getting old now!). We reminiced (i'm a little hung over and right now I don't give a shit about spelling!) about old Co-op times, trust me... there are many! That... and things don't change a whole hellva lot around there either. Which is nice and ass backward at the same time! But I think that she had fun just learning how to play Texas Hold'em. No matter how hard she tried to go out, she just kept on winning. She won the whole shebang!

So here's to the promise of a new year. There are alot of things in store for myself and Max. This could be interesting, either trying to get Max to pick a paint color or watching Max paint a wall.

Things that could prove interesing in 2007:
- My job
- Moving out of my mother's house
- Buying a house (especially one which isn't on oak overload!)
- Fixing up the house (trust me there isn't one house out there where there isn't one thing that I would like to change!)
- Max getting his permanent residence visa (only 6 more months to go!)
- Max getting a job
- Max getting a car
- Buying a puppy (this is the precursor to having children... if Max and I can take care of a puppy without any major trips to the vet... I CAN FINALLY GO OFF THE PILL!)
- Buying furniture for our house. I have already come to the determination that we are going to need a king size bed... that and I was sort of hogged out of the bed at 7:00 this morning. Not good! Oh and that home theatre thing... he he he he he... it will be mine!

Oh shit... I think that I need to go back to bed!

Happy New Year!

2006 is almost over!!!!!!

Wow what a year! I finally finished my degree. I am taking the first step towards a career that I think will prove itself to be both rewarding and challenging. Max is here, although on a temporary residence visa, the permanent one should be showing up by the beginning of summer, which means that he can actively look for a job, which means we will be able to start looking for our own house. My in-laws finally made it over here, to see that yes, this isn't such a bad place afterall. I think they fell in love with it here. They each took a little something interesting home with them. For my brother-in-law it was a crockpot.

So I guess for all the times that I thought this year that I was going no where, or waiting too much, things are starting to happen. 2007 should prove to be interesting.

You know something is wrong in the world...

when I can't get birthcontrol at the pharmacy!!!!

Steven Harper and George Bush have something to do with this don't they!?!

Christmas is over, countdown to the b-day!

Well with all the craziness of the holidays it's safe to say it's over for another year! It was a nice quiet Christmas. No real drama, which is nice. Boxing day was fun for mom and I. Got some new shirts for school. Mom got some new sweaters. Now I prepare for my birthday. This could be interesting!! I am looking forward to it!