Sunday, April 24, 2005

All done... for now!

So I finally finished up my last two papers yesterday! It feels so nice to be finished this term. I can't wait to get the spring and summer terms started and then over with as well. Hell I can't wait to get the next year over with!

So I go to work this morning and I am not even scheduled to work, hell I am not even on the schedule. I think that my dip shit of a boss got a bit confused, so now I have to get up in early in the morning, pow wow with the union rep and then talk to my boss. Yeah, this should be interesting!

Max is starting to wind down his time in Montreal. He is finishing up exams next week and then he's off to Toronto for 4 days. I think he is just trying to get away from me bugging him about little details of the wedding!

But I think that I am going to get back to my reading because if I have a week off, I will be able to get about 4 books read and I have one whole shelf of books just waiting to be read!

Tuesday, April 19, 2005

One Down, Two To Go!

Well I wrote my final examination today for my stats class, I have no idea how I did and I am hoping that I passed because I don't want to have to take the course all over again. I still have two more papers to write for my Medical Sociology class, and I am getting on that as soon as I finish here. So this might be a long post because well I am not entirely keen on writing right now!

I can't wait to see what happens with my new job next month, but then again it is not as exciting as spending 11 days in Africa ( yes, I am just a bit jealous!).

Just got an e-mail from Max's older half sister Ulrika, she was giving me an update on Lilla Alina. She's almost two years old now, and she is mixing Finnish and Swedish words together in sentances. Just wait until she gets English into the mix!

An update on Max. He just happened to have a serious misfortunate incident with his razor the other day and had to shave all of his hair, so he is completely bald. I can't wait to see the pictures! I will try and get one up on the fotolog soon!

So I think instead of writing I am going to go to bed. Nothing like procrastination to get me in the mood for writing! One of these days I am going to rid myself of this horrible habit! Maybe! I think maybe I will put off this decision for a later time.

Saturday, April 09, 2005

So I've done it!!

I have decided to do it! I am going to drop yet another class. I am dropping my International Relations course because I well I am just too damn lazy right now to actually write the final paper and well hell if I am only two courses short of a minor in Psychology what the hell! I just have to figure out how in the hell I am going to pick up two more, it's not like my schedule is full or anything.

Thursday was my last day of classes for the term, and you know what it couldn't have come any slower!! Usually my winter terms go by so fast that you get to the end and think it was only a few weeks ago and I was just getting back from Christmas vacation. But anyways I did have a few drinks to celebrate, a few in Red Deer and a few in Sylvan Lake (damn it is expensive there!!) I did drive home but I had alot to eat and alot of water to drink before I even considered getting into my car, I think I was more tired than anything else because I was up late late late the night before working on a stats assignment and researching another paper!!

So other than that I still have a paper and a half left to write for my Medical Sociology class, and then the take-home final for that as well, and then I have my must have it done by monday morning paper or I die paper to write but that is tomorrow nights project and then I have my stats final and two computer modules to do and then I am done for what seems like a week and a half and then it starts up again. A course in Red Deer two days a week, a course in Calgary on Saturdays and then my two jobs. Yes I am a complete sucker for punishment, but I will make something like $8000 this summer to help supplement the cost of my very very expensive education, I don't even want to calculate how much I have spent in the last 7 years!!!

Anyways I found out that I could if I wanted to, I could buy a house in Saskatchewan in some little dirt water town for less than $10000! Hummmmmmmm, do I really want to cut myself off from the rest of civilization and live under a rock for the rest of my life??? I'll have to think about that one for a while.

God natt!!

Tuesday, April 05, 2005

So much going on!

Well! The last week has made watching the news three hours a day a little interesting.
To start off, here in Canada we have a little something going on called the Gomery Inquiry. To make a complicated story as simple as possible (without going into details about Jean Cretien showing off his balls (GOLF BALLS!)) a few years ago the Liberal government funneled a whole wack load of money to some ad agencies in Quebec, not to mention the Liberal Party of Quebec, but then again we aren't supposed to know that with the publication ban and all. Needless to say, it just might end up that Canadians will be going back to the polls again! Elections here don't really raise much of a heated debate here, you got the red neck hillbillies from the west and a bunch of french speaking blokes who think that they are something very special.
The death of John Paul II was not really surprise, the poor soul was just too tired. I am amazed everytime there are pictures from the Vatican. They estimate something like 3 million will attend the funeral, wow. Now I am not a Catholic, heck I am one of those people that declares that the state and chruch should be separate, but you gotta commend the guy for what he has accomplished in this some 26 years in the papacy. For me religion, or as I say the belief in something (whatever it maybe) is a deeply personal thing and no one should influence the beliefs of another person, and I think that is why people like me are turned off by the idea of organized religion. Coming from an area in Canada that is sometimes referred to as the bible belt it is hard to get this idea into some people's head. I think what also is scary is some of the beliefs these contemporary christians have. One girl I know thinks that by kissing a guy on the lips or gosh even the cheek is giving herself away. I wonder how many more steps it would take for Canada and the US to become a theocracy (and yes I have been told that there are steps and I have heard that the US is on step 12 of 23!!). But getting back to the Pope, it will be interesting to see who they will select as the new Pope, afterall I am a sucker for tradition.

Well I am supposed to be in the process of writing a paper for my International Relations course, um yeah right, I think I would rather have a labotomy right now, I am starting to get a little tired of all this writing! I still have two papers to write for my Medical Sociology course and a paper for my Sociology of the Body course, and then there are the finals, stats and International Relations. Playing hookey sounds like music to my ears!!

Speaking of music to my ears!!! I got the new Kent CD last week in the mail (Tack Erland och Beata!!!). I have to admit I am disappointed, it feels as though this CD was just slapped together just for the sake of putting something out. It does have some musical merit, but it is not my most favorite CD of Kent's to date.

Work is still work, we are at least getting the surgical stuff that is a month old now, but I am only getting two days a week. I think that is because I just told my boss that I am not going to work there much for the summer! Oh well! I am getting excited about starting my new job in May. I am looking forward to spending time in an office environment.

Oh and to finish off my little ditty for tonight, a little story about Max and his trip to Boston. So he gets on a bus in Montreal heading down to the states. He gets to the border and gets off ( afterall you gotta love procedure!) and goes through the necessary paperwork, but alas his passport has been flagged by the American authorities!!!! In 1997, Max, with a Finnish passport(he now has a Swedish one), is on a trip to Niagra Falls and he decides that it would be cool to get some pictures from the other side of the falls. So after getting the right forms (he was presented with forms in Finnish but seems he doesn't know much in Finnish so they finally give him an English form!), he is allowed through, but the border guard at the time didn't tell him that his little green visitors card needs to be given to the Canadian guard on his way back to Canada. So... one would think that the next time Max goes to the States he would incurr a problem right, nope, he goes through another two times and nothing. Then flash forward to now, in the post 9/11 era, and he gets stopped so he is stuck there for 45 minutes while this all gets cleared up, what does the bus driver do, he leaves him. But according to Max, the border guard was pretty reasonable which is good because I have had the odd experience with all sorts of border guards and the Americans can be pretty nasty when they want to be. But Max had a good time, and I can't wait to get my postcard from Harvard!!

Monday, March 28, 2005

Late Night Posting

Okay this is a typical thing for me staying up late at night during the months of March and April. I think it has something to with the warmer weather on the way (which by the way we are getting once again, but who knows what next week will have in-store. It's really amazing how quickly I have gotten back into some old routines since coming home from Sweden nearly 10 months ago. But some how I remain forever changed by it.

So what is new, well major drama in the laundry! Yesterday I was stuck with two "Barely Blooming 18's" (Ace of Base reference!!). Well one made the mistake of doing a major no-no and I put a little birdie into one of the supervisior's ear so hopefully in a way she gets repremanded for it or better yet fired for it. This particular girl, we think will end up with either a bad case of VD or pregnant within the next six months. Oh well what do I care anyways. Starting in May I am going to be working somewhat full-time elsewhere, that elsewhere is the place that I was working at Christmas when I needed some extra money, it just also happens to be the place that my mom has worked at for the last 12 years. Anyways, it shocked them the first time that I came to work there, ummmm maybe because I actually worked!! Well needless to say there is only one person that knows that I am coming back for the summer, and she is going to be waiting with popcorn in hand to watch the drama unfold. Working with women can be the shits sometimes. Working with men is much better, none of that psychological bullcrap going on.

Max is in Boston this weekend, and so is Sarunas! Lucky ducks! I have always wanted to go to Boston, afterall the Red Socks are finally champs after some 80 years, and well the Boston Tea Party!! I got an e-mail from Max the other day, he got there safe and sound, but the bus left him at the border, I can only imagine what stories he will have to tell me about this one. If the border guards are anything like the ones they have here, he will have enough to finish off the travel book that we have both discussed writing over the years.

Speaking of writing, I am seriously considering putting pen to paper and writing a little ditty about the whole story of the last 3 years of my life, hell I could have written a whole book about my 5 years of working in a country grocery store. Not to mention that there's a whole story about the wedding planning that is going to be taking place in the next year.

Max and I have set a tentative date of getting married in Sweden for Midsommar 2006. That is if Max's parents are ok with the idea. Then my mother (and this is going to be a serious pain in the ass for the next year) is also insisting that we have something here in Canada because that way we will get lots of gifts! As if! I seriously don't think so! I remember when I was younger and my mom told me that I was being too greedy at Christmas time. Well to me this is the same thing. Besides my family totally sucks anyways. My father's side is so bloody redneck that I would embarassed to be seen in public with them or even the though of associating with them makes my skin crawl. And well my mother's side isn't toooooo bad, except my grandfather, he works at a store in Red Deer and will virtually tell you my life story if you tell him that you know me. I won't even get started on the Rodeo Queen and the Drag Queen. That's right I am rather normal in all this!

And in all this kaos of home life, school and work, I am still longing for one thing and that is my little life that I had carved out for myself in Sweden. I can seriously say that I loved every minute of it (ok there was those two weeks in January! But who could blame me, I could have gotten another weeks worth of skiing done!). I liked that Max was there beside me every night, on his side of the bed! I loved the quiet of the countryside, not that it's not quiet here it just that there is a sense of unease here because there is a drug house right across from us and well there are some interesting things that happen at about 3 in the morning. I guess the only things that I love here is my car because at least if I wanted to leave the house I didn't have to have an excuse. I would have to some how smuggle my dog over there, because I missed the little booger so much. And well my mom because the thing is when she came to stay for the month that she did her cooking was so good that I am sure that Erland and Beata would have kept her there to cook!

Enough reminicing, I must get off to bed and dream about how I am going to learn everything that there is learn to do on Excel.

Wednesday, March 23, 2005

Getting tired of school!

Okay I think that I just finished writing my worst ever paper since an anthropology class I took years ago. It literally took every once of effort I could muster to write the stupid thing and to top it all off I didn't meet the length requirement. Which for me is a shock because I can blab on about anything!!!

Work is going well because I haven't been there in about a week, ha ha ha. But I am only going to be there for about another month and then I am going to switch to one day a week because I was asked by my mom's boss if I was interested in helping out for the summer for the same amount I was making at the hopital! Ah yeah! This means I can park my car for the summer and take my bike, after all gas here is almost $1.00/litre.

Back on the topic of school real quick, if I can get my shit together I can graduate in the spring of 2006. Which means something else... planning for a wedding. Max and I have pretty much decided that we should tie the knot, hopefully sometime in June 2006. Max still has to talk to his parents (surprise surprise!) So I should know when and where we are getting married.

So that is it from me, will update soon!

Wednesday, February 23, 2005

OOPS!

Well well, what a difference a month makes.
I just finally went skiing for the first time this season, a word of caution, do wear new boots all day!!! I am still having trouble walking!! My knee is still swollen, but thank god for Flexerol and anti-inflammatories because at least I can go to work!!!

It is less than a week now until Max comes for yet another visit. I am pretty excited about this visit because this time we are actually going somewhere and doing something! I just found out at work that I am supposed to work on Sunday, but so sorry screw that I am not about to do that. Eventhough I am giving up $15/hr!

Work is still like work for me, I have had to write up an incident report a couple of weeks ago, because well I am just too damn smart for my own damn good! There are a few new staff members which I question on how on earth they were hired, oh yeah I forgot my bosses hiring critieria: if you can walk, and breathe then you are hired. I guess that is why I am so frustrated with work, plus not to mention getting scheduled to work on Saturdays!!! So now I suppose that I am supposed to study in my sleep!

A friend of mine has told me about a parole officer program within Corrections Canada that I should apply for, hey if it is relevant to my degree and I get paid a whole crap load of money (not to mention it is a government job) then why not give it a try!!

School is going well, I am on reading week, which is nice because I am about ready to cry from all of the reading that I have had to do. And I am also in the middle of helping to plan a conference in March. So I have three papers to write after that and then I finished, until finals start up. I also start planning for next years courses within the next few weeks ahead, so I will finally have word on when I can graduate from University. OH MY GOD!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! I HAVE TO GROW UP!!!!

Monday, January 17, 2005

Out from the freezing cold!

Well it is finally a nice day here, it is actually above freezing for the first time in weeks! Seriously! It has been on average -25 degrees celcius for well over a week now, that's right we basically have recieved Moscow's weather and they have recieved ours!

Nothing too much new with me. I found out that someone that wasn't exactly qualified got a position higher than me at the hospital with is making me totally rethink this whole union job thing. I show up on time, she doesn't, I actually work, she masturbates Rover all day (yeah I thought that I was being rather kind about that one!) so hummmmmmmmmmm, YEAH!

School is going swimmingly! I am interested in all of my courses for the first time in ages, which right now is rather refreshing because I am getting to the end of this little journey and I never thought that I would have gotten as far as what I have.

We have a new neighbour now and I am not too sure whether or not I like him. The police have taken to doing more patrols here in the area, which is nice but I don't know what's going on. There was one night the police stopped there and it was about a good hour before they left with someone handcuffed. Nothing like making a good impression on the neighbourhood!

Oh and Max you ask??? He's doing well in Montreal, it is rather balmy there, which is rather rare for this time of the year. He got his results from his first term there and he's donne very well for himself, he happily told me that he could easily get a job working for some petroleum company out here, which is nice makes getting residency easier plus the bucket loads of money that he could make.

Anyways I should get back to reading, that is basically all the energy I muster right now, I have some funky version of the flu right now too. I might actually make all my classes this week which would be nice.

Thursday, January 06, 2005

Update

Okay so it has been a good month since I have written on this thing. Oops sorry guys!

Well what has happened in the last month. Well I finished two more courses towards my degree and not to mention I actually got fairly good marks for the courses that I did complete, which is nice because that means I am not going to re-do them, except I wouldn't mind taking human sexual behavior again. On the final there was one question that made the course totally worth it: What is the man above position also known as? Gotta love it when they ask you wat sexual position is which, it was a great class taught by a great instructor!!

I ended up taking a second job during the holidays to make some extra money, but I still maxed out my credit card anyways. It was fun, a different place to work at and definitely made doing laundry for $11.89/hr look like a step up in the world!! I also finally got sent upstairs to sort the dirty, yucky, stinky laundry on my birthday, you make something like $13/hr doing it, but there are also hazards like getting some funky diseases too.

Chirstmas was very nice, it started out by going to down to Calgary on Christmas Eve to pick Max up from the airport, and then fighting the traffic out of the city getting home. Christmas day was rather calm, I finally got to sleep in after working something like 16 days straight ( only had one day off in between to set up the Christmas tree and that took me something like 6 hours to do!). We waited until mom got home from work to open everything up. I got tons of perfume this year, I think people are trying to tell me something here, nah it's just that I have just about everything else!! I got a little breakfast table for bed, it is mostly so that if I decided to pull an all nighter this way I can be curled up in bed, or now I can watch DVD's in bed! Both Max and mom got spoiled too, but then again we all do this time of the year. Then came Boxing Day, both mom and I had to work so that put Max in charge of the turkey, he did a really good job too, he even did up potatoes too! Did I mention that I love a man that can cook??? So we had the usual company, mom's side and then the neighbors came over for some monoloply ( I can't spell today ok!!) That lasted until around 11 and then off to bed. The next moring I hit a deer on the way into work, I wasn't even one kilometer out of town when all I seen was the damn head. So there is $6300 damage to my new car! YEAH! UMMM! So now I am driving a rental car and hopefully by the beginning of next week I will have my car back.
My birthday was fun, I didn't get nearly as sloshed as I wanted to. I got a drunken call from Lanny which was rather interesting because I could only make out about every second word!
Other than that today I am starting a new term and already I know that I should have been able to sleep in for at least another two hours this morning! Oh well. But I should get going. Even though I don't have class for yet another three hours!

Wednesday, December 01, 2004

Questions of Immigration

So when I was visiting Max over the weekend the topic of Max actually making the move over here came up. I am beginning to think that the planets are going to have to be alined in order for this to go the right way!
First of all deciding which route to go under is going to be quite the undertaking. We could apply in one of two ways (I think): firstly, I could sponsor him to come over, which brings me to the first bump in the road, according the the definition of conjugate we cannot get married. But however if we get married before we make the application then we won't hit that bump! Now get this the Government of Canada wants to ensure the legitimacy of this relationship so they are requiring that we provide pictures and testimonials of our engagement party, the wedding, and the honeymoon! Not only that they want to know who proposed and where and what date! Yikes, I don't want to hand over my personal diary!! The second route which seems a bit easier is if Max were to apply for a residency permit on his own, he would qualify because he has the minimum requirement of "points", but has no work experience.
I am thinking right now that the easiest thing to do would be to hire a lawyer and get it done that way, I have heard that this process can take up to three years to complete!! Once Max gets his permanent residence he then has to wait three years and then he has to pass a Citizenship test to gain Canadian citizenship! Boy I tell ya if I didn't love the boy as much as I do, I don't think I would be able to handle all of this!!!

So Bush Was Here...

Yeah so Bush was here, he ate some Alberta beef and it didn't kill him. He went to Halifax to thank those who gave that trademark Canadian hospitality to those whose planes had to be grounded on 9/11, and then afterall that he wants us to supposed his missile program??? Sorry buddy don't think so, after we wasted all of out hardearned tax dollar on a few piece of shit submarines that the British army didn't want it's gonna be a bit hard to come up with some bling to support your stupid hair brained ideas!!
It took this idiot 4 years to come for a visit and it wasn't even official!!!


Speaking of idiots, Ralph Klein, the premier of Alberta was re-elected, ah shit not again! Unfortunately the Separation Party of Alberta didn't gain a seat, which would have made Alberta's political situation much more interesting. Let's face it this election campaign was a sleeper!
So there are two provinces in Canada that want to separate, and given my recent trip to Montreal and Quebec City, I think I know why!
So it will remain to be seen if whether or not public health care will be something that I will tell my grandchildren about!

Friday, November 26, 2004

Greetings from Montreal!

Well after a four hour flight where I edited my entire criminology paper at least twice I am here!

There are a few intial comments I would like to make!

- Taxi drivers here are nuts, I seriously lost count the number of bumpers we kissed while driving down the freeway at god knows what speed, afterall I couldn't see the spedometer!!
- I would love to see this place closer to christmas, it seems pretty so far!
- Max's apartment is something else, this place reminds me of a place where an old perverted man would live, plus it smells funny
- We have actually spent the night sleeping together on a single bed, a little cramped but it was nice to just have him next to me!
- For living in the center of Montreal it is rather quiet, even though the sound of police sirens ruins it everyonce and a while, usually in Innisfail you hear emergency sirens you usually follow to find out what is going on, here you really shouldn't!!!


So now it is time for breakfast, and then it's off to tour around the city and check out the sights, actually I think that it is mostly the Notre Dame. And just maybe a little shopping, just a little!

Thursday, November 18, 2004

Saturday, November 13, 2004

What tree did you fall from??

WHAT TREE DID YOU FALL FROM?
Find your birthday and then find your tree. This is really cool and somewhat accurate, also in line with Celtic astrology. Then send it to all your friends, including the one that sent it to you, so they can find out what tree they fell from, but don't forget to change the subject line to your tree.

Dec 23 to Jan 01 - Apple Tree
Jan 02 to Jan 11 - Fir Tree
Jan 12 to Jan 24 - Elm Tree
Jan 25 to Feb 03 - Cypress Tree
Feb 04 to Feb 08 - Poplar Tree
Feb 09 to Feb 18 - Cedar Tree
Feb 19 to Feb 28 - Pine Tree
Mar 01 to Mar 10 - Weeping Willow Tree
Mar 11 to Mar 20 - Lime Tree
Mar 21 (only) - Oak Tree
Mar 22 to Mar 31 - Hazelnut Tree
Apr 01 to Apr 10 - Rowan Tree
Apr 11 to Apr 20 - Maple Tree
Apr 21 to Apr 30 - Walnut Tree
May 01 to May 14 - Poplar Tree
May 15 to May 24 - Chestnut Tree
May 25 to Jun 03 - Ash Tree
Jun 04 to Jun 13 - Hornbeam Tree
Jun 14 to Jun 23 - Fig Tree
Jun 24 (only) - Birch Tree
Jun 25 to Jul 04 - Apple Tree
Jul 05 to Jul 14 - Fir Tree
Jul 15 to Jul 25 - Elm Tree
Jul 26 to Aug 04 - Cypress Tree
Aug 05 to Aug 13 - Poplar Tree
Aug 14 to Aug 23 - Cedar Tree
Aug 24 to Sep 02 - Pine Tree
Sep 03 to Sep 12 - Weeping Willow Tree
Sep 13 to Sep 22 - Lime Tree
Sep 23 (only) - Olive Tree
Sep 24 to Oct 03 - Hazelnut Tree
Oct 04 to Oct 13 - Rowan Tree
Oct 14 to Oct 23 - Maple Tree
Oct 24 to Nov 11 - Walnut Tree
Nov 12 to Nov 21 - Chestnut Tree
Nov 22 to Dec 01 - Ash Tree
Dec 02 to Dec 11 - Hornbeam Tree
Dec 12 to Dec 21 - Fig Tree
Dec 22 (only) - Beech Tree












YOUR TREE (in alphabetical order)

Apple Tree (Love) Dec 23 to Jan 01, Jun 25 to Jul 04 -- quiet and shy at times, lots of charm, appeal, and attraction, pleasant attitude, flirtatious smile, adventurous, sensitive, loyal in love, wants to love and be loved, faithful and tender partner, very generous, many talents, loves children, needs affectionate

Ash Tree (Ambition) May 25 to Jun 03, Nov 22 to Dec 01 – extremely attractive, vivacious, impulsive, demanding, does not care for criticism, ambitious, intelligent, talented, likes to play with fate, can be very egotistic, reliable, restless lover, sometimes money rules over the heart, demands attention, needs love and much emotional support.

Beech Tree (Creative) Dec 22 (only) -- has good taste, concerned about its looks, materialistic, good organization of life and career, economical, good leader, takes no unnecessary risks, reasonable, splendid lifetime companion, keen on keeping fit (diets, sports, etc.).

Birch Tree (Inspiration) Jun 24 (only) -- vivacious, attractive, elegant, friendly, unpretentious, modest, does not like anything in excess, abhors the vulgar, loves life in nature and in calm, not very passionate, full of imagination, little ambition, creates a calm and content atmosphere.

Cedar Tree (Confidence) Feb 09 to Feb 18, Aug 14 to Aug 23 -- of rare strength, knows how to adapt, likes unexpected presents, of good health, not in the least shy, tends to look down on others, self-confident, a great speaker, determined, often impatient, likes to impress others, has many talents, industrious, healthy optimism, waits for the one true love, able to make quick decisions.

Chestnut Tree (Honesty) May 15 to May 24, Nov 12 to Nov 21 -- of unusual stature, impressive, well-developed sense of justice, fun to be around, a planner, born diplomat, can be irritated easily, sensitive of others' feelings, hard worker, sometimes acts superior, feels not understood at times, fiercely family oriented, very loyal in love, physically fit. Good friend.

Cypress Tree (Faithfulness) Jan 25 to Feb 03, Jul 26 to Aug 04 - strong, muscular, adaptable, takes what life has to give but doesn't necessarily like it, strives to be content, optimistic, wants to be financially independent, wants love and affection, hates loneliness, passionate lover which cannot be satisfied, faithful, quick-tempered at times, can be unruly and careless, loves to gain knowledge, needs to be needed.

Elm Tree (Noble-mindedness) Jan 12 to Jan 24, Jul 15 to Jul 25 --
pleasant shape, tasteful clothes, modest demands, tends not to forgive mistakes, cheerful, likes to lead but not to obey, honest and faithful partner, likes making decisions for others, noble-minded, generous, good sense of humour, practical.

Fig Tree (Sensibility) Jun 14 to Jun 23, Dec 12 to Dec 21 -- very strong minded, a bit self-willed, honest, loyal, independent, hates contradiction or arguments, hard worker when wants to be, loves life and friends, enjoys children and animals, few sexual relationships, great sense of humour, has artistic talent and great intelligence.

Fir tree (Mysterious) Jan 02 to Jan 11, Jul 05 to Jul 14 -- extraordinary taste, handles stress well, loves anything beautiful, stubborn, tends to care for those close to them, hard to trust others, yet a social butterfly, likes idleness and laziness after long demanding hours at work, rather modest, talented, unselfish, many friends, very reliable.

Hazelnut Tree (Extraordinary) Mar 22 to Mar 31, Sep 24 to Oct 03 --
charming, sense of humour, very demanding but can also be very understanding, knows how to make a lasting impression, active fighterfor social causes and politics, popular, quite moody, sexually oriented, honest, a perfectionist, has a precise sense of judgment and expects complete fairness.

Hornbeam Tree (Good Taste) Jun 04 to Jun 13, Dec 02 to Dec 11 – of cool beauty, cares for its looks and condition, good taste, is not egoistic, makes life as comfortable as possible, leads a reasonable and disciplined life, looks for kindness and acknowledgment in an emotional partner, dreams of unusual lovers, is seldom happy with its feelings, mistrusts most people, is never sure of its decisions, very conscientious.

Lime Tree (Doubt) Mar 11 to Mar 20, Sep 13 to Sep 22 - intelligent, hard working, accepts what life dishes out, but not before trying to change bad circumstances into good ones, hates fighting and stress, enjoys getaway vacations, may appear tough, but is actually soft and relenting, always willing to make sacrifices for family and friends, has many talents but not always enough time to use them, can become a complainer, great leadership qualities, is jealous at times but, extremely loyal.

Maple Tree (the Mind) Apr 11 to Apr 20, Oct 14 to Oct 23 -- no ordinary person, full of imagination which can lead to trouble, can be ambitious at times, sometimes even proud of accomplishments, hungers for attention, sometimes nervous, has many complexities, selective memory, learns easily, complicated love life, wants to impress.

Oak Tree (Brave) Mar 21 (only) -- robust nature, courageous, strong, unrelenting, independent, sensible, does not like change, keeps its feet on the ground, person of action.

Olive Tree (Wisdom) Sep 23 (only) -- loves sun, warmth and kind feelings, reasonable, balanced, avoids aggression and violence, tolerant, cheerful, calm, well-developed sense of justice, sensitive, empathetic, free of jealousy, loves to read and the company of sophisticated people.

Pine Tree (Peacemaker) Feb 19 to Feb 28, Aug 24 to Sep 02 -- loves agreeable company, craves peace and harmony, loves to help others, active imagination, likes to write poetry, not fashion conscious, great compassion, friendly to all, falls strongly in love but will leave if betrayed or lied to, emotionally soft, low self esteem, needs affection and reassurance.

Poplar Tree (Uncertainty) Feb 04 to Feb 08, May 01 to May 14, Aug 05 to Aug 13 -- looks very decorative, talented, not very self-confident, extremely courageous if necessary, needs goodwill and pleasant surroundings, very choosy, often lonely, great animosity, great artistic nature, good organizer, tends to lean toward philosophy, reliable in any situation, takes partnership seriously.

Rowan Tree (Sensitivity) Apr 01 to Apr 10, Oct 04 to Oct 13 -- full of
charm, cheerful, gifted without egoism, likes to draw attention, loves life, motion, unrest, and even complications, is both dependent and independent, good taste, artistic, passionate, emotional, good company, does not forgive.

Walnut Tree (Passion) Apr 21 to Apr 30, Oct 24 to Nov 11 -- unrelenting, strange and full of contrasts, often egotistic, aggressive, noble, broad horizon, unexpected reactions, spontaneous, unlimited ambition, no flexibility, difficult and uncommon partner, not always liked but often admired, ingenious strategist, very jealous and passionate, no compromise.

Weeping Willow (Melancholy) Mar 01 to Mar 10, Sep 03 to Sep 12 – likes to be stress free, loves family life, full of hopes and dreams, attractive, very empathetic, loves anything beautiful, musically inclined, restless, capricious, honest, not easily influenced, not easy to live with when pressured, sometimes demanding, good intuition making a life long friend, suffers in love until they find that one loyal, steadfast partner; loves to make others laugh.

Just researching for papers!!

Well the time in amongst us once again, it is silly season!!! It is that time of year where all my time is devoted to writing papers!! Right now I am in the midst of researching a paper on barebacking. Barebacking is when two gay men engage in condomless anal intercourse. It is a really interesting topic and I have learned a lot so far. The paper is due on Monday evening so I still have lots more time to figure out what I am going to say.

I still have two more papers due in about another two weeks and then I am off to Montreal!!! Yahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

Work was drama drama drama on Friday!! We got a survey about our working environment and when they were referring to our supervisior I though it was some one else. Needless to say I made a BIG booboo. So I went and fessed up to what I did, and I think that won me some bonus points with the boss. I hope so, because it should be rather interesting within the next few weeks, one girl is on sick leave and one is coming back from stress leave. I have to keep remembering that patience is a virtue!!

Friday, November 12, 2004

There are some that are sorry that Bush won!

I saw something on CNN today that made me happy, there are people that feel bad that the other half of their country was stupid enough to vote for Bush. Check it out at:
http://www.boldlygoingnowhere.net/se/2.html

Tuesday, November 09, 2004

Oh please snow soon!

Okay so now that I have gotten all that political bullshit stuff out of my mind, it is time to write about personal pressing issues.

Well I did it I dropped one of my classes so far, I think that I might have to drop another one here soon, I am going to wait to see what my midterm mark looks like first and then I think that I am going to take this course in Calgary in the spring. It will be much less taxing on my system!!

So now we have snow in the mountians and it is that time of the year again, time to take my skis out of the guestroom closet, blow the dust off of them and take em out for yet another season of skiing. The only problem is the day that my favorite ski resort opens I have to work, you're probably thinking to yourself, so what call in sick and go. Not that simple, it is what we call here a satutory holiday, which means we get paid time and a half for being there. GRRRR As for having snow here it might be sometime close to christmas before we get any snow that sticks around. Right now it is raining and grey, which makes me think I would be better off in Goteborg right now!!! (Lanny don't you wish!)

It is also getting towards the end of the month which is really cool because I am taking a whole 5 days off to go to Montreal to see Max. I am really looking forward to seeing his new environment. I am thinking that he wishes that he could have gotten into some where like Simon Fraser University in Vancouver instead, that way we could see each other more, and going away for the weekend could be more possible.

So other than that I have been contemplating in getting a second job for the holidays. A little extra money here and there would be nice just to get through the holiday season. Plus with another tuition payment looming my finances are looking rather grim, too bad I couldn't just jet off to Sweden to finish my degree!!

Thursday, November 04, 2004

So... Bush did it again!

I think alot of us are still scratching out heads trying to figure out just how in the hell did George W. Bush won himself a second term of office. Quite frankly all of us are feeling like somehow the wool has been pulled over our eyes once again. I myself feel a little bummed for the people in the United States, another four years of an idiot war monger as the head of you state.


In news more pertaining to me, I finally went and dropped that class that I couldn't really wrap my head around. I also found out that I have only 7 courses in my degree to complete and then I will officially be a degree holder. Holy shit!!! I will be the most educated person in my family! Not bad for a bunch of redneck Albertans!!!

As for work... well it's work. There is a new thing that kinda has my goose and that is that one person who was hired after me was asked to go up to soiled laundry (which believe it or not is somewhat a promotion because there is more pay involved!!). But oh well at least I have a job to go to. I keep thinking it would be nice to go back to my old job at the Co-op, one advantage is it would keep me in a loop of gossip that would see me result in landing a book deal. They can't seem to keep staff around that place, they are already short three supervisiors, hmmmmmm. In all actuality if I am to work for some extra cash it would be at the place that I had my very first job. Innisfail Meats, which means the pay would be okay but I would come home smelling like meat and feeling all greasy! UGH!

So for those of you in the states that did get out and vote on November 2 good for you and for those of you who didn't you have no right to complain for the next 4 years. You'll probably just move to Canada anyways, because GWB will lose your job for you!

Tuesday, November 02, 2004

Will November 2, 2004 Go Down In History?

Okay this is pretty much judgement day down in the states. People all over the world have been looking forward to this day for a long time. I remember when they were having democratic primaries earlier this year and the coverage by Swedish television was something else, I didn't think that something like this would get some much attention, yes I know that America is dominerring to some extent here in North America but in Europe. But when I really think about it I think I know why we are all paying such close attention this time around, it's because we all know that old GWB rigged the election to win, there is so much controversy about it this day that you gotta wonder what the shady old bugger is going to do next.

I love the emphasis that people are making to get others to go out and vote. I saw Jennifer Aniston last night, so this is what you do when you don't have to go to work!! Now when I was in high school we talked about the Canadian electoral system, and we just barely touched on the American system, I think I know why, a person literally has to have a degree in political science in order to understand the american political system. In some cases one person, one vote, one voice does not apply. They have this rather fucked up system known as electoral college in some states. It is no wonder there is voter apathy is these parts, who would want to vote and not have their voice heard. One thing that mystifies me is that you have to register well in advance in order to vote, oh wait a second you can vote at the last minute, you can vote on a provisional ballot? What the hell is that? Well say you go to vote and you are not on the voters list but you still want to vote, you can use a provisional ballot, but the provisional ballots will only be used in cases where there is tight race yeah that is getting my voice heard loud and clear. In Canada all I need is a voter card which is mailed out ahead of time, and all I need to do is bring ID the rest is taken care of!!

Another thing that really gets me is this whole two party system, what happens if you don't like either candidate and you still want to vote, do you go out and vote for the lesser of two evils or do you go out and spoil the vote? Now okay I know that Republicans are right wing and Democrats are left wing, well what about some one in the middle, or what about putting some extremists in there, could you imagine communists in america? Scary thought for the poor communists, living in fear that they would get browbeaten by some crazy dumbass republican (cough Bush cough cough)

Why is it that these terms of office are either 2 years or 4 years?? Now what kind of legislation is going to get put through in that amount of time, not to mention if you're president for 4 years and you get your ass kicked, and the incumbent says that every piece of legislation that you put through was shit? What is going to happen now? Sounds pretty counterproductive to me don't you think??? Not to mention term limits!! Seriously Clinton could have done the states a hell of a lot of good if they were able to keep him in office a bit longer. Hell they wouldn't have gone to Iraq. Wow almost $2 billion saved there, you could have put that towards a national percription policy, wow!

So tonight I am going to sit at home curled up in my chaise and watch the results, hoping and praying that something better will come along in the future. Afterall we are still living in fear of nuclear anialation, Osama bin Laden, and the Bush Brothers. I am going to try and figure out all this confusion on my own and hope to make sense of all this in four years time, but then again will there be a vote in four years time, I guess we will have to wait and see!!

Monday, November 01, 2004

I think it's a sign!!

Okay I have had some interesting reasons for not coming into school on time, today I recieved a phone call from my mother. Apparently the overpass that is the access to the freeway has been closed because for the second time in some three years a dumbass truck driver has crashed his semi-truck into the overpass. So now I am religated to taking a small secondary highway to school, I think that I would be better off taking the back roads!!

So now I am wondering if this is a sign, that I am not actually meant to go to school this term. I get to see Max in 24 days!!! Goody!