Sarah’s Scene

Yes!

2010-03-21T14:38:00.002-04:00

It's incredible how one simple word can have a profound impact on your life.
Are you saying yes enough in your life? I know I haven't been. Starting now I'm going to be making sure that I say it more often.
Yes to a drink after work, yes to meeting up with a friend, yes to opportunities, yes to adventure, yes to being an active participant in my own life.
It's funny how these things creep up on you. One day you can wake up and decide to make a change. Today I woke up and thought: "wow its been a long time since Ive been in charge of my life. It's time to stop being part of a routine and time to start shaking things up".
And so I will....by saying one simple word.
Ask me, I dare you, because I'm going to say yes!

What if?

2008-06-01T01:42:00.003-04:00

'What if' is a question that we ask ourselves when we don't know what else to do.
It can open our eyes or it can lead us into following the fantasy of what could have been.
It's a hard question to avoid.
When things aren't going the way we thought they would or should, out of nowhere the 'what if' sneaks up and smacks us straight in the face.
What if.
So many possibilities laying in those two little words. So many directions our lives could have taken. Maybe we chose the wrong door, maybe we should have done or said so many other things. There's no way to measure or to be sure that the right decision was made other than to know that we feel settled, secure, content. Yet there it is... the 'what if'
Even when we think we have all the answers, and the path is clear, laid out before us, in darkness the 'what if' is waiting.
Is it something we will learn to shake, to live with, to avoid. Or are we stuck facing these doubts for the rest of our lives?
What if.

A great quote

2008-05-04T12:23:00.001-04:00

I heard a great quote the other day.

"Life is an occasion....rise to it"

Spring update

2008-04-14T19:08:00.002-04:00

Okay okay, so I haven't written on here in a long time and to tell you the truth I don't know who still checks it. But I guess I will write to the invisible audience out there who are actually interested in my life, for some unknown reason.

Well as of now I got a new contract and I'm teaching grade 3. It's a big change from my grade 5 class that I miss terribly! However I have to give it to this grade 3 class...they are a great 2nd place class. The school is much further away and I have been shoved head first into becoming a commuter, which I am not fond of. Although I do like the 'quiet time' in the morning drinking my Tims on the way while singing to myself. It puts a nice spin on the fact that I have to leave my house almost an hour earlier than I did before!

Otherwise life is peachy. Nothing special going on, not much has changed. Just happy to see the sun again and to get some fresh air.
The Toronto summer plans are in the works and I'm ready for a great adventure this summer....anyone have any ideas?

Risk, it isn't just a game.

2008-02-18T13:44:00.005-05:00

"To live without risk is to risk not living."

Worth remembering dont you think? You know, I always thought I had a soundtrack running for my life. Like in the movies, music plays while I walk down the street or depending how I feel, or when Im singing in my car the song goes into stereo for those around me. Once in a while I would like these little quotes to get thrown in there, somewhere. Just as a reminder to not be so scared of the risk. I mean, I have nothing to lose other than not making my bill payments on time. So why worry right? Right. Now I just have to keep telling myself that!

Creating... nadda

2008-02-03T13:46:00.001-05:00

Okay so my life as I create it has been going at a full stop lately. Now I'm feeling back on track and thinking too many crazy thoughts about what I can do in the future. I've been still for far too long now. I need to figureso many things out; money, job and life. Which I know is a huge task, but it's time I take it on head first. I'm flirting with so many ideas right now. Some being big changes, but it all matters on what may happen in September. If I get full time then I may just keep chipping away here. If not...maybe I'll try somewhere else. I don't know. It's all just ideas right now. What I do know is something needs to give, and my life is going to come back into the limelight. Maybe I'm not cut out for settling down and getting things right? Maybe I'm suppost to be on the move, meeting new people never staying anywhere long enough to get attached. And maybe, just maybe Im so full of it I dont even know when I'm talking nonesense. Who knows? But there's been a fire lit and Im going to do something about it.

So True!

2007-11-13T19:06:00.000-05:00

THE HAPPIEST FAIRY TALE EVER!!!!
Once upon a time, a guy asked a girl "Will you marry me?"
The girl said, " NO!"
And the girl lived happily ever after and went shopping, dancing, camping, drank whole bottles of wine, always had a clean house, never had to cook, did whatever the hell she wanted, never argued, didn't get fat, travelled more, didn't save money, and had all the hot water to herself.
She went to the theatre, never watched sports, never wore fricken lacy lingerie that went up her arse, had high self esteem, never cried or yelled, and felt and looked fabulous all the time.
THE END

New Classroom

2007-10-03T17:23:00.000-04:00

I moved into my new classroom today. The kids were super excited the whole day. It was a lot of work to move from the portable to the new wing. I think we are almost done, all the boxes are unpacked and its just a matter of putting it in the right place.
Maybe tomorrow we will get back on track and Ill actually teach a lesson!

Im running for the cure!

2007-09-20T22:02:00.000-04:00

https://www.cibcrunforthecure.com/html/personal_page.asp?preview=true

Please help me in my race and donate to my cause. Ill do the running and you do the paying!

Wish me Luck!!!

The Black Hole

2007-08-15T00:27:00.000-04:00

Between facebook (the black hole of free time) and summer holidays I haven't written in ages. Not much has happened this summer. Some cottage time, some nights on the town, and a whole lot of house sitting. I'm ending my stint at the gym for now as I do need a full break before I head back to the classroom. I'm doing the Mat leave again until Christmas and from there I have no idea career wise what will come.
So I hate to leave you in the dark...but that my friends is where I am living right now, in the dark.
Hopefully some kind of plan will come soon, because this waiting game is starting to wear thin.

argh!

2007-06-12T23:20:00.000-04:00

A 14 hour day,
in an oven that they call a portable,
writing report cards,
behaviour issues all around,
lack of sleep,
and its garbage night....
enough said.
How was your day?

The race...

2007-06-03T19:37:00.000-04:00

So my class and I ran the 5km Bread and Honey race today. I brought up the end with one of my girls and going slow as turtles we crossed the finish line in 46 minutes....not bad at all, it's actually our 2nd best time!
I’m going to sign up for one in August to do myself so I can see how I would do on my own. But I must say I loved the race aspect of it. It was really fun.
However then, I came home and took both the dogs for a walk through high park and wouldn’t you know it (because I took my pedometer so I would know) the loop we do is 5km. So the grand total today is over 10km, needless to say I'm tired and enjoying a few Caesars, Brenda is getting me hooked, before bed tonight.
Thanks for those well wishes....they came in handy. Ill post pictures soon as I can.
P.S my bib number was 1144. I LOVED the bib!

My race

2007-05-30T19:50:00.000-04:00

Im doing my first 5km race this weekend. Im excited to wear the little bib with a number on it.
Ill for sure get a picture of myself and post it for you.
My class has been working really hard trainning for it too.
It's going to be heaps of fun!
Ill fill you in after the weekend.

ps my interview went REALLY well. Ill let you know if i hear anything.

Interview

2007-05-28T21:53:00.001-04:00

I have an interview tomorrow. It's for a grade 2/3 split. Wish me luck, I want it and need it!!
hmmmm what should I wear?

Colleen and Ed

2007-05-10T20:21:00.000-04:00

Well they got engagged! Ed did an amazing job picking out the ring. And I actually LOVE it. Im not usually one to like the traditional rings, but this one is really nice and normal and sparkley!!
So far they are just enjoying the moment. Grandma is over the moon as you can guess.
Lots of fun to plan and dream right now.

Dog sitter expert

2007-05-04T21:05:00.000-04:00

My week with my sister's dog Mercy has been a good one. She and I have been in training for my race coming up in June. I'm doing a 5km run and today I did 3km with Mercy in tow. She's getting really good on the leash with me, it takes a lot to keep her focused on running a straight line without her jumping every 2 feet or stopping dead right in front me. Colleen and Ed come home tomorrow and I know they are going to have great tans and not only that they are coming home with news....yep the beach, sun and vacation has managed to put a ring into the mix...a wedding will soon be in our futures.
I can't wait to see the ring.
Ill fill you in when I know more.

Found New years pics

2007-04-21T23:39:00.001-04:00

Dog Days

2007-04-18T21:35:00.000-04:00

So I’m home alone with 2 crazy dogs. Every little noise they think their owners are home so its a whole production at the door with toys and socks or whatever is lying around in their mouths howling. I’m telling you, it’s been 3 in the morning and they do it. I’m woken up at least 4 times a night.....and you fully know I love every second of it.
Its soooooooooooo nice to live on my own, even if it’s just for a week.
It's totally making me want to move out and get my stagnant life moving, however being stuck with no cash is a huge draw back.
At least Ill enjoy the days now, while I can.

It's been a long week.

2007-04-06T15:43:00.000-04:00

After a week of teaching puberty, dealing with stealing in the classroom and tons of 'talks' I could really use a weekend off but nooooooo, Now I'm sick. A big bad sinus cold has attacked me and Ive now been in my bed for close to 15 hours. I hate being sick, i turn into such a baby...so now you know the exciting news of me...See what you're missing!

hmmm, not sure

2007-04-01T21:50:00.000-04:00

Your Birthdate: July 10

Independent and dominant, you tend to be the alpha dog in most situations.
You're very confident, and hardly anything ever shakes you.
Mundane tasks tend to drain you - you prefer to be making great plans.
You are quite original. When people don't "get" you, it bothers you a lot.

Your strength: Your ability to gain respect

Your weakness: Caring too much what others think

Your power color: Orange-red

Your power symbol: Letter X

Your power month: October

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

Tom's 30th

2007-03-18T23:41:00.000-04:00

Yep it was messy, fun and messy!

Shopping in the Grove!

2007-03-15T01:46:00.000-04:00

Yep it's march break and I went shopping in the states with Keri, her Mom and another friend. Needless to say we had a great trip and i spent much too much money and drank too much wine. But hey that's the point of a shopping trip, isnt it?
Plus the vodka was only $15 for a 26'r, that is just not normal!
The drive was easy and the weather was amazing! It was 21 degrees and sunny yesterday, that alone was worth the trip.
Good times.

Tom is officially 30!

2007-03-12T07:31:00.000-04:00

We all took off for the weekend and kidnapped Tom to Peterborough. (He went to Trent for uni) There were around 15 of us that came, stayed over right and enjoyed a night of
Re-living the good old days of bar hoping and the apple juice glasses of beer at the pig’s ear. Tom was happily surprised and we enjoyed a nice little hangover the next day.
I’m off to the States today for a few days of holiday. Its going to be short lived though because I need to come back to planning madness, yah march break isn’t what it used to be now that I have to plan during it!

Grade 5

2007-03-03T23:24:00.000-05:00

So it's official, I'm teaching grade 5 until June! That means no more flopping around different classes and now I get to do all the marking and planning too!!
It's a great class and the kids are amazing so its actually a really lucky spot I'm in. Wish me luck in the coming weeks, I think I'm going to need it for all the planning I have to do.

110 to 88

2007-02-23T23:18:00.000-05:00

The Raptors won!!!!
It was such a fun game, I was clapping and yelling in all the right places and by the end of the game i think i understood what I was cheering for. But man there are a lot of destractions going on isnt there? Lights, music, dancers, and the raptor guy that dances (he was funny as long as he came no where near me!)
I think Im going to try and see if I can get more tickets...it was too much fun not to go again.

Game Night!

2007-02-22T21:20:00.000-05:00

Im going to my first Raptors Game tomorrow night, and Im so excited about it. Im going to get lots of beer and a big foam finger and our seats are soooo good they have to serve us the beer, serve us!!!
I'll let you know how it goes, and by the way yes i know who they are playing....the Pacers, they are from Seattle.....right? JOKING - I know they're from Minnesota silly.
Ha ha, got you, Im so good at this now (for those of you who dont know im actually joking its Indiana) Ill post pics when I can and I have to make sure I look good cause baby im going to make it on the big screen!!!

When does it stop?

2007-02-19T22:36:00.000-05:00

Blog, emails, myspace and now facebook, let alone all the millions of other things Ive signed up for over the years. I thought that all of these things were suppose to make life easier, so why is it so much work to stay in contact? I can barely remember my pass-words to all of these things. Maybe someday when i get a full nights sleep ill figure it out. Job #2 is about to come to an end and Ill get a whole 6 hours of sleep before I start job #1 again tomorrow morning. Night, night zzzzzzzz

SNOW DAY!!!!

2007-02-14T20:58:00.000-05:00

I had my first snow day today...except I didnt know I was getting the day off so I got up, showered and got ready for school before I found out all schools were canceled! So I put on my pj's and jumped right back into bed, watched tv for a while and relaxed. I could have really used the sleep in though.
Anyway the world looks as it should when you live in Canada, high snow drifts and lots of shoveling to be done....I cant wait for spring!

Kindi

2007-02-13T21:13:00.000-05:00

In kindergarten today the funniest thing happened. As many of you know kindergarten-ers say whatever they want to whomever they want (Parents be warned now!) So today Jaydon, a gorgeous little black boy, was sitting in the big comfy chair because it was his turn to read to the class and in the middle of his story he stops and tells everyone that sometimes he likes to wear his mommy's lipstick when he plays at home. Then he promptly goes back to reading his story about puppies. I almost burst out laughing and the other teachers cracked up at my reaction. I guess I just wasn't expecting a comment like that. Made for a great day, I'm still smiling from it.
Thought I'd share the fun.

Phew!

2007-02-12T22:36:00.000-05:00

I'm working so much right now all i can possibly think to tell you is...phew!
I'm so tired.
I'm working at the gym nights and weekends still, while i pull full days at Brookmead supply teaching. I'm so looking forward to March break, and that's a month away!
Something fun and exciting better come along to entertain me or I'm going to lose it!

Interview

2007-02-05T22:18:00.000-05:00

I had an interview on Friday for an LTO (grade 5 until June)
Friday I was teaching in kindergarten and the principal came in at 3pm to ask if I could stay and chat after school. Of course I said yes! After about 5 minutes of chatting I figured out it was an official interview and I hadn't prepared anything!! My mind went totally blank of all teaching terms and phrases went flying out of my head at once and Im pretty sure I said everything wrong. It was like I had a running commentary in my head about how I was answering all my questions wrong and how none of it made sense. However, I know she likes me and Im pretty sure she is officially going to offer me the job because she gave me a bunch of resources to read through and get acquainted with.
Hopefully it all works out because this school is totally up my alley. It's actually a great school that is really into research and new teaching techniques. I'll let you know as soon as I know anything. Although because she has to contact my teachers in Oz and NZ it might be a while before I find out if I got it or not.
Cross your fingers for me!

I didnt write it, but i believe it!

2007-01-30T21:31:00.000-05:00

I got this forward from Julia, so OF COURSE i cut out the part on me and will post it for all to see....Its so true to life though, i thought it deserved the post!

CANCER:. The Cutie
MOST AMAZING KISSER.
Very high sex appeal.
Great in bed!!!
Love is one of a kind.
Very romantic.
Most caring person you will ever meet!
Entirely creative.
Extremely random and proud of it.
Freak in bed.
Spontaneous.
Great at telling stories.
Not a Fighter, But will knock your lights out if it comes down to it.
Someone you should hold on to.

See? Isn't it so true about me???? Especially the telling stories part - grin

Tales from the trenches

2007-01-20T15:24:00.000-05:00

Phew, it’s been a while since I wrote anything. I know, I know sorry for keeping you all in the dark. I know how desperate you all are to read about my life and what’s happening in it. Let me see if I can relive some stress and anxiety for you about my life because I know you have all been soooo worried.
I’m teaching now, supply, and so far I'm loving it. It’s actually nice to move around and hang out with the different classes for the day. I thought maybe I wouldn’t like moving around and not having the same kids each day but I’m looking on the bright side of it all and that, my friends involves the pay cheque. February 2nd is the magic day where I will get to pay some bills that I’ve been “forgetting” about for the last month or so.
Also I have a lead on an LTO (long term occasional) where I would be covering a grade 5 class until June so the teacher can have a baby. So cross your fingers and toes and Ill let you know what happens. Although I wouldn’t mind moving about the board more and getting to know other Principals.
So here are some funny classroom stories for your enjoyment.
This week I was in a grade one class and all dressed up in my sexy teacher clothes (well at least I think they are sexy because they are not jogging pants and a polo that I have to wear at the gym) Anyway I had on a long beaded necklace with my shirt and jacket, when a little girl came up to me and began stroking my necklace and started talking to me…”what’s your name? Are you our teacher today? You’re pretty, what are we going to do? Where did you buy your necklace? Is purple your favourite colour?” and on and on she went all the while stroking my necklace and gazing up into my eyes. Cute as anything. So needless to say I’m a hit as a teacher and love the complements the little ones give so freely, and yes I believe every word they say. I am pretty you know!

Kenny's 30th Birthday

2007-01-06T17:20:00.000-05:00

Finally!

2007-01-04T21:16:00.000-05:00

Finally, Im on the supply list. Im hoping someone is really sick from the holidays and I get to start supplying right away (is it wrong to wish for that?) What do you think my chances will be since my track record with the board is sooooo great so far. Yah i know, highly unlikely but at least the chance of it is there now. Hello pay cheque!

Happy Christmas!

2006-12-27T12:24:00.000-05:00

Happy Christmas Everyone!
I hope Santa was good to you all because I raked it in this year. I was so bloody excited about all the presents under the tree I didn't even care if they were for me or not. I have pictures to prove it! Its been years now since I was home for a Christmas where I got presents! 2 years ago when I was home I was heading to Oz so i got a plane ticket and some sunscreen or something like that. No big presents with lots of wrapping paper. So this year my child like love of presents came out in full force.
Its was a fun morning to say the least.
I'm heading to Kingston tomorrow for a visit and ill be back for new years at Tom's. Its going to be a good night!!! Cant wait. I love being excited for nights like this.
Eat, drink and be as merry as the drinks let you...xoxo

One of those emails

2006-12-20T23:02:00.000-05:00

1. Where do you work? GoodLife Fitness Clubs, waiting not very patiently for a supply teaching job
2. What color are your socks right now? White
3. What are you listening to right now? Coldplay, who is in charge of this music at the gym, oh right its me, ah well its late maybe everyone will get tired and leave early.
4. What was the last thing that you ate? Pad Thai…gotta love the Thai food!
5. Can you drive a stick shift? I’ve been know to drive one…but I wouldn’t touch the A4.
6. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Pink, Blue, Yellow…anything bright!
7. Last person you spoke to on the phone? My sister…as always.
8. Do you like the person who sent you this? Silly question, Erin is the mother of my kids so of course I like her!
9. How old are you today? 29 going on 30 heading for a mid-life crisis
10. Favorite drink? Volka…or coffee depends on the time of day
11. What is your favorite sport to watch? It was Rugby when I was in NZ, but really it's anything live. I don’t like watching sports on TV
12. Have you ever dyed your hair? Hell yes! Who remembers of the days of the Bleach Blonde pixi?
13. Pets? Other peoples dogs who I think are mine, and Mao (I still call him ‘our’ cat)
14. Favorite food? All food…anything homemade, or Asian if Im eating out.
15. What was the last movie you watched? Taladayga Nights…tooo funny
16. Favorite day of the year? Hmmmm, my birthday I guess, if im having a good birthday.
17. What do you do to vent anger? Yell? No maybe not yell, vent for sure. Bitch more like it.
18. What was your favorite toy as a child? My big wheel, oh and Barbie cant forget her!
19. What is your favorite fall or spring? Fall for me
20. Hugs or kisses? definitely hugs, which lead to kisses, which leads to a lot more of my favourite things
21. Cherries or Blueberries? Blueberries for sure.
22. Living arrangement? The folks are putting me up for now….when I have some money to pay rent in about 5 years maybe ill move out on my own- sniff sniff
26. When was the last time you cried? Just now when I thought of living with my parents for the next thousand years
27. What is on the floor of your closet? Christmas presents
28. Who is the friend you have had the longest? Gee, let me think….Amy is by far my longest friend ever, we met when we were one and played together ever since.
29. What did you do last night? Had dinner and lots of red wine with Tommy Boy.
30. Favorite smells? Coconut, and the skin of someone I love
31. What inspires you? life
32. What are you afraid of? life
33. Plain, cheese or spicy hamburgers? Did someone say cheese????
34. Favorite dog breed? Any dog that loves me!
35. Number of keys on your key ring? 1 Parent house, 2 car, 3 gym, 4 colleen’s house, 5 Tom’s house (notice how none are my house)
36. How many years at your current job? Good god not even one and I hope it doesn’t have to be much more than that
37. Favorite day of the week? Any day Im not working night shift or morning open.
38. How many states have you lived in? Man, here we go. Canada 2 provinces, 4 countries and traveled to many more
39. Favorite holiday vacation? Thailand with the girls
40. Ever driven a Motorcycle or heavy machinery? Yes, both in Canada and abroad, love those scooters

Yacht Rocks!

2006-12-11T22:35:00.000-05:00

Geoff had a great party the other weekend...all in Yacht attire love boat styles. Aubrey and Brad had big news for us too - yeppers she's preggers!

And this stage of our lives begins...

Im sure Ill have more to say about all this later on, for now only congrats are in order.

Well its happened!

2006-12-04T22:13:00.000-05:00

Yep, snow!
There is snow on the ground and I dont know if its going to go or stay but i dont like it one bit. Its not like i can even get excited about skiing, or becoming good at skiing...there is no where to go around here.
Nope now its just about scraping the car, warming the car up for a half hour before you drive 3 mins down the road, boots which i dont have yet, hats, mitts, scarfs which i need to buy. I am not prepared for this at all. grrrrr. Ah to be in 30 degree weather with sun and beach and surf again. I should have stayed in Oz and kept warm.
Yep, snow!

5 in 40

2006-11-24T15:53:00.000-05:00

I'm getting better at this running thing. Ive managed to shave 10 minutes off my time and I ran 5 km in only 40 mins. Much better than the hour it took me my first time - grin-
Ken's 30th Birthday is Saturday night. I cant believe the 30's are here. I don't think I'm ready for mine. I swear Ill have a melt down if I'm were I am now on my 30th....look out loony bin here I come!

Kingston, again.

2006-11-17T21:39:00.000-05:00

Just spent the last day at the hospital again. Grams is doing great. She actually looks good, for as good as you can look lying in a hospital bed. But we played cards and she was spunky as ever yelling at Colleen and I about how she is sick and we should be nice to her! And people wonder where I get my spunk from...ha you don't know spunk until you meet an 88 year old who is determined to beat her grand kids at cards.
So we had her up and standing, she is sitting in a chair and no longer has tubes attached to her. So all in all, she is doing really well.
Mom is going to stay with her for the next week so Ill be off duty and able to relax now that I know she is back to normal.
Alright...I'm burnt out from the drive. Time to lay down with the sheep.

Grams

2006-11-14T22:27:00.000-05:00

So its been a busy and stressful few weeks. Grandma finally went in for surgery and after a very long couple of days she is in ICU and is off the wires and tubes and such.
I don't really want to talk too much about it all, its hard to see someone lying in a hospital with everything sticking out of them. Too much to deal with. But I wanted to let those of you who were worried know that Dorothy is on the mend and I'm hoping when i drive back to Kingston Thursday she'll be able to talk and be entertained by me again. Ill be happy when she's home and I don't have to do the drive with all the stress and worry of, well, of it all.
Ill write again soon, when I'm in more of a cheerful mood and I've actually been able to sleep a whole night straight through. I'm just happy I could be home for all this, for her.

Halloween

2006-11-01T20:18:00.000-05:00

Man, I didn't do anything fun for Halloween this year. Not one party or even going out. That's not like me at all! I love Halloween. I even dressed up at work and stood all night letting people into the gym looking like a freaking fairy!! Although I did look cute and lots of people said how great my costume was...so of course it wasn't all bad *grin*

I ran another 5 km in only 50 minutes. I'm getting better at it too. I think ill go again tomorrow and see how i do. Its going to be a long one i bet and I'm going to die thinking i can do it.
Ah well at least it will give me something funny to write about.

Not too much else to tell. Still waiting for anything to happen. I hate this part of life...just waiting. Im thinking I should have gone back to Asia and made some money since nothing is happening right now. At least then i wouldn't be as broke as I am now.

ah life.
I guess i should just shut up and enjoy the free time.

6.6 km

2006-10-25T11:18:00.000-04:00

Well I sort of made it, 6.6 km yesterday. It was cold and windy and we went down a big hill and then slowly up a major road that is one large gradual hill (Mississauga Rd then up the Collegeway for those of you who know it) I walked, quickly mind you, almost the whole way up the last lag. I mean I had already ran 5 Km before that! Everyone was walking by that point, I even caught up with the 'running mommies' who were in front of me the whole way (a group of stay-at-homes that make up most of the running group)
I finished the whole loop in 45 mins. Not bad considering my last run was only a 3 k'er. I guess I'm getting better at it, but I think i need to practice more, another run on Thursday is in the cards for me I think.
My muscles aren't nearly as sore today as they have been in the past which is a great sign, but it could have something to do with the amazing massage I got at work from the the massage therapist, thank god for Allen!
Enjoying a day off today and staying as far away from the gym as I can.

You Beck-cha!

2006-10-17T11:54:00.000-04:00

Last night we went to the Beck concert at the Ricoh Coliseum (exhibition place) Such a good concert! We were dancing in our seats, in the isles and of course singing at the top of our lungs. Wherever you go you gotta have fun!
They had little mini band puppets; which creped me out a little bit, but they were funny. Each band member had a puppet that dressed like them and there was a mini stage that they had on camera; so as the band sang you watched the puppets sing too. But besides that, they had dancer boy. Just a guy who did nothing in the band but dance. I want that job! How great would life be if you just had to dance for a band at every concert? I wonder where you apply for jobs like that?

Good times.

I'm a Graduate!!

2006-10-10T21:40:00.000-04:00

Yes it's true. Saturday they actually gave me my masters degree! It was SUCH a good night. We had the ceremony at the metro convention center where Rubin “Hurricane” Carter was the guest speaker as he has a Phd from Griffith. Then we went for dinner at the CN Tower 360 restaurant. AMAZING food and what a view! We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day weather wise. The skies have never looked so clear over Toronto, a beautiful sunset with an even better full moon rise. Then, the night out with all my classmates….just pure fun. I haven’t seen these folks in over a year and it was so good to catch up with everyone. All in all, it was perfect, seriously, perfect.

Canadian Thanksgiving

2006-10-06T18:36:00.000-04:00

I thought those of you away from home for thanksgiving (and not having me to cook for you) I could at least post some pics i took up at sunridge farm. I forgot how beautiful fall is, all the colours and the smell of chrisp air. The air actually has a smell to it, and its amazing. I was so happy to be able to go to the farm and see all the colours of the trees. *Sigh* Its great to be back here and to remember all the things I missed about Canada

5km!!!

2006-10-06T18:32:00.000-04:00

Well I ran 5km today. It tooke me 50 minutes...but i did it, with some walking breaks inbetween the spurts of running. Now i just need to work on my time and running the whole thing without walking.
Tuesday Im going to do 3km again and see how that goes. Maybe Ill be able to run the whole thing!

Vroom Vroom

2006-10-06T17:52:00.000-04:00

My car....isnt it great? Cant you just picture me driving it?
Im sure ill post lots of pics of it...because I love it so.
If youre around ill take you for a spin...you know you wanna!!

3 km and counting

2006-10-03T21:41:00.000-04:00

So I started today. On my way to running 5km! I started at 9 am and ran 3km, my legs are killing me now, but I guess I shouldn’t complain. I’m actually really excited about the hope that Ill be able to run 5 km before snowfall so I can train all winter for a 10km race in the spring. I really just want to wear a bib and cross a finish line. Trust me I know I wont be WINNING any races, I just want to be in one. That's not too much to expect is it?

alright already!

2006-09-23T12:29:00.000-04:00

Okay so someone complained that I haven’t posted anything in a while...So sorry my life is too boring for anything worth a posting! Hear the sarcasm? Anyway, here’s what’s been going on...

I had another interview, that totally bombed!!! Well really, they had already picked the person they were going to hire because the questions they asked me were really dry and the principal just listed the question wrote one comment about my answers and then moved onto the next question. They had no interest in getting to know me or what I had done in the past. They hadn’t even looked at my resume. So that was a big waste of time, although I did get to practice my interview skills which is always a bonus.

Last night I went to the blue jays game. Amazing seats, 12th row from the field. All the fowl balls were flying over our heads; we were worried that one was going to hit us. But I must admit after my two giant game beers I wasn’t really worried about anything! I just love going to live sports events, the beer somehow tastes better when your watching a sports game, doesn’t it?

Also today Pops and I are going to check out some used cars that his buddy is selling. He owns a car dealership and is selling all the cars off cheap! I’m hoping I can find something to suit me for now. I just need wheels to get me around for supply teaching (when that gets started!) and then in a year or two, when I have an income of some kind, I can afford to get the car I want. But this is all talk as of now, so I'll find out this afternoon if there is anything worth test driving. Ill keep you up to date on it all.

Grad is coming up soon. I’m getting excited to dress up, put on a cap and gown and see all the people from my program. It’s been awhile now since we’ve seen each other. I think I might have to buy a new dress too *sincker* poor, poor me.

So that’s it as of now.

Stevie

2006-09-04T09:49:00.000-04:00

Did you hear? Yep it's true. Steve Irwin died this morning. Incase you didnt know Steve was a passionate conservationist and wildlife advocate in Australia. He was killed when a stingray barb went through his chest off the great Barrier Reef while filming a new documentry. Its a saaaaad day for the crocks!

Im Baaaack!

2006-09-03T23:28:00.000-04:00

Okay so Im back in the land of the living and my little stint into insane-ville is over. Yes I can go down hard...but lucky for me I have padding to bounce back with.
So new attitude and a new blog look. Im done with it all. No more living less. I want to live MORE. Live the most I can while I can, when I have no real commitments. My life should be fan-freaking-tasic, and so it shall be.
I am on a mission. And by the little hair on my chinny chin chin no one better stop in my way. Of course unless they are stopping in for a visit, you know how I love visits, all kinds of visits.
The least I can say is thanks for the sock pulling Jar, Te extraño.

And so today's quote is in honor of your visit and your leaving...again.

A true friend never gets in your way unless you happen to be going down

xoxo

Babes!

2006-08-28T12:42:00.000-04:00

Janet and Karl (I was in their wedding in the Yukon 3 years ago) have had a baby boy! Seth, I just love that name! He was born Thursday Aug 24th at 7 lb 13oz.
I have their new email address if you want to wish them well, just email me and ill pass on the address.

I can’t wait to meet him; I can barely believe they are parents now, where has the time gone?

Maybe it would help

2006-08-27T16:48:00.000-04:00

Okay so maybe a hug would help. I feel like I should reply to what I wrote yesterday. Not to worry there is no serious depression happening...just vague not happy in my life right now depression, you know the normal, almost 30, what the hell am I doing, kind of depression.
It’s just so strange not living my own life and trying to figure out what I want that life to be. All in all, a work in progress. Sometimes I guess I hit the bumps in the road and the feeling of having no control of my life right now intensifies those bumps to the point where I see them as mountains and I’m alone trying to climb up and over them.
metaphor, metaphor, metaphor blah. Whatever, I’m just trying to say that is life is messy, and when you need to work out what the hell your doing sometimes it hits you hard that you have no idea, clue or plan of where it’s going.
I like to at least have a bit of a plan and right now...I’ve got nadda.
That’s why you need to have friends fly in (literally) to save you and to help you talk it all out. Jaret arrived yesterday and I must tell I’ve never been so happy to hear from someone. It was a total surprise and it couldn’t have come at a better time. Ill keep you posted on my life plans, once I come up with some!

Single....sucks

2006-08-26T12:33:00.000-04:00

I’m most likely having my last weekend off for a while and I’m sitting at home wasting it. My friend that lives around here goes away on the weekends to visit her boyfriend. If I want to go downtown to hang out I need to crash there and that causes couch surfering plans which seem too difficult to plan out, plus I have to get there somehow. And besides if I do go out with the girls downtown they all have boyfriends that they are more interested in hanging out with and I end up being the tag along single friend, which I am starting to HATE being.
God who would have thought coming home would lead to a decline in a social life. I was always thinking I was coming home to a great group of friends that I couldn’t wait to see. But in reality, people have lives; they have busy lives and most of the time I’m just crashing in on them making their lives my own. Living with the parents and working this stupid part time job feels like I’m living a non-life. I’m in such a weird, unfriendly, lonely, unwanted part of my life right now. Nothing I do is what I want to do. I don’t have friends that I can play with whenever or that are willing to go on adventures. To tell you the truth I am just so damn bored with it all. I never do anything fun. I work, I sleep, and I live at my parent’s house. Doing anything on the weekend means I do it alone as there is no one that lives near me, on the weekends at least.
God I sound depressed don’t I? Well I guess I am. I’m in a rut and I hate it. I’ve been living someone else’s life for too long now. I wish I could get out of it...but it’s hard to get out of when all you have is yourself and your mom's car. Blah...Ill be in a better mood next time I swear, I hope. See what Mississauga does to a person! Man, I need to get out of here.

Did you call?

2006-08-17T17:51:00.000-04:00

What's that you're sick? You need a supply teacher? Here I come to the rescue...dum da da!!!

Yes yes, no need to cheer, I know its exciting. You have heard right. I had an interview and I am now at the very least on the supply list. Who knows there are still 2 weeks left before school starts so I could still get a full time or at least a term of full time. But my god I'm just happy to be on the supply list.

And before you ask, yes I'm still working at goodlife too. Hopefully that will only be for part time come Sept. But as for now things are pretty sweet.

A little less stress on my shoulders that for sure.

Sarah and Lisa

2006-08-09T22:54:00.000-04:00

Sarah and Lisa
Originally uploaded by Sala.

Another great girls night out on the TO town!

Our lives as kids

2006-08-09T22:17:00.000-04:00

TO ALL THE KIDS WHO WERE BORN IN THE
1930's 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's !!

First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they carried us.

They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can, and didn't get tested for diabetes.

Then after that trauma, our baby cribs were covered with bright colored lead-based paints.

We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets, not to mention, the risks we took hitch hiking .

As children, we would ride in cars with no seat belts or air bags.
Riding in the back of a pick up on a warm day was always a special treat.

We drank water from the garden hose and NOT from a bottle.

We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE actually died from this.

We ate cupcakes, white bread and real butter and drank soda pop with sugar in it, but we weren't overweight because......

WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING!!

We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on.

No one was able to reach us all day. And we were O.K.

We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem .

We did not have Playstations, Nintendo's, X-boxes, no video games at all, no 99 channels on cable, no video tape movies, no surround sound, no cell phones, no personal computers, no Internet or Internet chat rooms..........WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!

We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents .

We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us forever.

We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays,
made up games with sticks and tennis balls and although we were told it would happen, we did not put out very many eyes.

We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just yelled for them!
Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!!
The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law!

This generation has produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers and inventors ever!

The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas.

We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned
HOW TO DEAL WITH IT ALL!

And YOU are one of them!

CONGRATULATIONS!

You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as kids, before the lawyers and the government regulated our lives for our own good.

Aren't you proud that we actually lived through it all?
Kind of makes you want to run through the house with scissors, doesn't it?!

Got it!

2006-07-28T11:19:00.000-04:00

I got the job. I’ll be working reception at Good Life Gym. Free gym membership, hot guys, and no responsibilities, sounds like the perfect job doesn’t it? I’m really only excited about the free membership perk and the fact that this unimportant job is going to be fun and easy. They wanted me to take a sales position and then move up through management (god knows why) But I turned them down and said I really only wanted reception where I could greet people and take it easy and the two managers that interviewed me were fine with it. I think they were just excited that I wasn’t 16 and I had a ton of experience, both work and life. They even gave me $1.00 raise before I even started. Tuesday is my start date - training day really, so after that I’ll have an idea of what I’ve really gotten myself into.

So this is my last weekend of freedom I’m sure, I'm hanging in TO and my flat mate from oz is coming up to visit. Then on Sunday I'm going to hit the Beaches Jazz festival with Ken and some friends. Last night I went to a charity art auction and then had drinks at the Drake hotel. The Drake is definitely a cool place, I didn’t see anyone famous but it was fun people watching anyway. This is going to be a weekend of Toronto fun, just the way I like it!

Janet's Babes

2006-07-23T14:33:00.000-04:00

Janet is due in about 2 weeks. Still waiting to know if its a boy or a girl, but whatever it ends up being its a fun thought to know another Janet will be in this world!

Life as I know it!

2006-07-20T17:08:00.000-04:00

Phew, a lot has been going on for a girl like me, with no job and living with the folks.

Life is picking up pace and I’m happy to be running in it. I have a job interview on Monday with Good life. Can you believe it? Me, working at a gym? I’m mostly happy about the free membership perk. Hey, Ill even work for free if I get a membership. It’s worth the cost of the dame thing. So I'm guessing I’m going to be super hot and majorly in shape come Sept when my new life starts *grin*

So I hope this job pans out, not that I can offer them many hours or anything but hey who could resist me? Besides if my hours wont work for them I have another job I’m going for at a clothing store (50% off for employees would really help with my new teacher wardrobe that I have to buy!)

And, I have a lead on a fab apt in High Park, although I think the landlord is a real jerk (only joking Tommy boy) so maybe that would work out and my life would be happy and fun again. Plus, I’m trying to get a good deal on a car.

So lets see if I can sum up this weeks events for you……

1. Job interview at gym to get great new in-shape hot bod (oh, and make a little cash)

2. Possible apt in the west end - which I love - with my best bud

3. I got a NEW phone for $58, to buy it at a store is $250, thank you weird guy in Waterloo! He wanted $120 for it but I got it for $60, however I only had $58 on me so he took that! What a bargain - we just have to unlock it so I can put in a sim card and get it working

4. I need to get my new car sorted so I can actually make it to the west end!

So nothing has happened yet, but I have a major drive to make some cash now so I can move out, and get the car, and pay for the new phone!
All I need now is a job for September teaching with a huge salary and ill be happy as a peach. Everyone cross your fingers for me!

They say its my birthday

2006-07-10T15:14:00.000-04:00

Well it's happened. 29 years old and living at the parent's house. One year to go before I shrivel up and die as a spinster.
It’s strange being home for my birthday this year. When you’re living away from home birthdays and such feel like such a big deal. Then when you are home, they, well they aren’t as important.
I miss the parties being thrown for me, and tons of people coming to them who are just happy to have an excuse to party.
Ah well, Happy Birthday to me. Spinsterhood here I come!

Circus Time

2006-07-02T13:10:00.000-04:00

Colleen, Eddie and I went to check out the Shrine Circus on Canada day. It was fun minus all the sacry old man clowns. i dont know when or where I developed a fear of clowns but my heart starts to race and I jump a foot in the air if they come near me or Lord help me they TALK to me. So besides me hiding behind Eddie all night I had fun. Something a little different to do when your stuck in the 'Sauga.

Pride Week

2006-06-27T15:03:00.000-04:00

I went to my first ever pride day. God what fun! Tom and I went down and enjoyed the people watching...I mean parade watching. Then we met up with Dave, Kenny and well a bunch of people including Sarah and Gus from Taiwan. We had a number of drinks and headed out to Church Street. The beer gardens were wonderful darling! Lots more drinks and dancing and watching the make-outs happening around us...."Red card, You're outta here!"
All in all a fun, crazy, different day. Im glad I went.

Tom showed me how it was done!

2006-06-16T16:32:00.000-04:00

Im Having TOO Much Fun!

2006-06-16T10:52:00.000-04:00

Dont hate me beacause Im beautiful.
MAC photo booth, my new FAV thing to play with!

Hanging in the Big City

2006-06-16T10:07:00.000-04:00

Since I’ve finished my thesis, and all the school work is behind me, I’ve been REALLY busy, doing nothing!

No really, I’ve been getting my applications together, working on my resume and trying to volunteer. But mostly, I’ve been trying to catch up with friends I haven’t truly hung out with in ages.

I’m in the heart of the city right now and got the full T. dot tour yesterday. I mean it, I’ve traveled around a ton of places in the world, mostly where English is not the first language, and yet I still have drama on the subway here! The street car driver actually got out of the car and walked me to where I had to wait for my transfer, then he told the guy where I needed to go and said he would take care of me. (grin) I asked him how he knew I wasn’t from here and the guy laughed and said “honey your smile gave you away as soon as you got on, you’re too nice to be from here” I just laughed at the fact that I’m 28 and 11 ½ months old and this guy was walking me up Queen to be sure I didn’t get lost. I even crack myself up at the stuff that happens to me.
So this mission I was on last night, I made it from the west end, to the east end for dinner, to right downtown for drinks with another group of friends, to back in the west end knocking on the door at 1 am to let me in to crash! What good friends I have to put up with my wanderings!!!

I still need to see a couple more folks and I feel like I’m slowly getting back into it. My fav part of being back here is the fact that I never have to say goodbye to people again…I can truthfully say “Ill see you again soon”
I can’t tell you how good that feels.

Im done!!!

2006-06-05T16:45:00.000-04:00

Sweet relief, the thesis is done! My shit is all over my parent's house, and i have been sleeping for the last 2 days straight. God stress really takes you for a spin doesnt it? 2 weeks of not sleeping and working on this paper has worked me over so now my body has shut down.
But now, now i have a new mission...work!
i need cash, i need a plan, and i need to get out of my parent's hair. There isnt even room for me to unpack, Im living out of my suitcases which are in the middle of the living room!
It amazing how much space a person needs. Well we will have to see what happens. Im thinking a car should be high on my list of needs right away. There's so much to do when setting up a life again, but this time im doing it with no money...hmmmmm this is going to be interesting!

Sarah's Welcome Back to Canada Cross Country Tour!

2006-05-27T12:14:00.000-04:00

My cross country tour started in Vancouver and stayed with Gus and Sarah, my friends from Taiwan. It was so great to see them and to see Gus finally in Canada! We had a great weekend of hanging out and catching up. I managed to do a bit of work on my thesis and Gus and Sarah continued going to school/work. Later in the week I went to my flat mate from Oz. Katie picked me up from Sarah & Gus' and I moved onto my next friend for some chill time, more catching up and a lot of laughing. Again I did more work on my thesis.

THEN...the trouble trio drove in and shook things up. Laura flew in from Toronto, Mel flew in from Alaska and Cathy drove up from Whistler. The weather was beyond gorgeous so we jumped in the jeep and drove out to Whistler. However Cathy thought I was still a tough outdoors girl and we went for a small hike on top the the mountain called the chief. Well, it was nice, all up hill because we were hiking a mountain! There were stairs, ladders, logs anything and everything you can think we had to climb it. I was doing good until i thought we were at the top and it was only our lunch break! So another hour up. Flat rock we shuffled up with chains to pull ourselves and once we reached the peak...my god! it was so beautiful. You could see all the mountains surrounding you, the ocean to the right, bright sunny clear blue sky and the gasps of breath from everyone around me, they were trying to steal the oxygen I so badly needed!

Heading back down was another story and my legs were shaken so much, although it was hard I was laughing the whole way which of course made it tons easier to breathe!!!
Back down and heading to Whistler, Cathy lives in a 1.2 million dollar log house which is nicer than any hotel Ive stayed at. We made dinner and had a great catch up. The rest of the weekend was full of canoe trips, hikes, and sun bathing...I'm telling you it was the nicest sunniest days Ive seen in about 3 months! It was almost 30 everyday!

Saying goodbye to those girls was hard knowing it might not be until the first wedding that I see them again (of course i don't think the weddings are too far off now) I got back on another plane and have landed in Calgary. I walked in the door said a quick hello to Erin and went straight for baby Jane. My god, she is so cute! Erin is an amazing Mom, as if I had any doubts, and Jane is just the nicest, cutest, happiest kid ever. Tim is very pleased with himself that he made such a cute baby and whenever he walks in the door from work Jane's face lights up. I cant even imagine how big she will be the next time i see her. I'm guessing she will be walking and talking! I almost don't want to go just because I'm going to miss everything about her growing up! (I know its not my baby....but i can at least be the crazy aunt who smothers her in kisses and presents cant i?)
Well I got a lot done on my thesis here, I think my Lit review is done. Now i have to move on to the other aspects of the paper. Only 6000 more words to go!
Ill be in contact after June 4th (D-Day) Oh and trust me Ill be posting tons of pics after that.
If your in Southern O, ill see you soon
xoxoxox

Baby Jane

2006-05-21T14:46:00.000-04:00

Erin and Jane in the UGG boots I brought her....she is soooo cute!

So Funny

2006-05-12T22:04:00.000-04:00

I swear, too funny. This guy follows me to the clubs and steals my moves!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMH0bHeiRNg

Somthing to think about

2006-05-10T17:43:00.000-04:00

As we grow up, we learn that even the one person that wasn't
supposed to ever let you down probably will. You will have
your heart broken probably more than once and it's harder
every time. You'll break hearts too, so remember how it
felt when yours was broken. You'll fight with your best
friend. You'll blame a new love for things an old one did.
You'll cry because time is passing too fast, and you'll
eventually lose someone you love.
So take too many pictures, laugh too much,
and love like you've never been hurt because
every sixty seconds you spend upset is a minute of
happiness you'll never get back

Leaving on a Jet Plane

2006-05-01T19:04:00.000-04:00

My bags are packed and ready to go, I'm standing here outside my door, I hate to wake you up to say goodbye....

But I will!

Right, so I'm outta here and I'm signing off now as I travel Canada for the next month. I might be able to put up an update from here to there but we will have to see the access I can get to a computer.

2 weeks in Vancouver, 2 weeks in Calgary and then home to Toronto.
Canada are you ready for me again?

I hope to see you if I can on my trip and wish me luck with all my flights.

Goodbye NZ its been well worth it!

If you know me

2006-04-30T07:48:00.000-04:00

If you know me at all you know how much I hate goodbyes. I don't deal well with them at all so I usually always avoid them, but when you are leaving a country for good and you know your not coming back, then the 'goodbye' is inevitable.
I've started my goodbyes this week and I know now that when I say goodbye to someone its forever, a very unsettling feeling. You would think I would be really use to this leaving people thing...But Im not.
I cant believe Im here already, its come and gone so fast.

2 years of school-check!
Head home to get a job-check!
Finally grow up and get back to the reality of real world- don't ever want to check that off.......

This week is going to go by so fast and my suitcases aren't even close to being packed yet. *stress*

To Catch You Up

2006-04-30T03:27:00.000-04:00

Lets see, a lot has been going on. Last weekend I went away to Lake Bruner. It was an awesome weekend however it piss poured rain the entire weekend and on top of it all the boys’s broke their boat. We never got to go out on the lake or go water skiing (which secretly I wasn’t going to do anyway) but everyone else was really bummed about it. I was just sorry we didn’t get to go for a speedboat ride!

So we sat around, drank a million bottles of wine and played cranium (my new fav game, Im an expert at humdinger!)

As you can guess, pretty much a dream holiday weekend for me! There were 6 of us, 2 couples, a baby and Greg and I the singletons, although Im pretty sure Greg had other ideas! Ill tell you more about that when and if I see you.

Check out the pics in my photo album link. I know they are not that exciting but give me a break; it was raining the WHOLE weekend.

Too Funny

2006-04-26T18:06:00.000-04:00

David Gray!

2006-04-20T19:12:00.000-04:00

Let me just say....

Front row center. David Gray was amazing...truly amazing.
Plus I have a new boyfriend, Pete Murry. He opened for David and he is from Australia and Im in LOVE!!!
awesome awesome awesome concert!

More to tell you but im out the door for a long weekend away in cottage country!

I swear this country is trying to kill me!

2006-04-18T20:39:00.000-04:00

That’s it! I’ve had it! I swear!

Since I have been in NZ I have
-Fractured my arm
-Had a severe cold for almost 3 months
-And now.... now I have officially thrown my back out.

I spent the morning at the chiropractors and I have an inflamed joint or something.
The doctor had me all over the table: sitting, standing, and bending, everything. This sucks. She said that all I can do is rest and ice it. But resting is the problem, I can’t rest, I can’t sit and I can’t lay down, basically Im an old woman that is falling apart.

I need to get back home where my body might act normal for once. Im so sick and tired of being, well, sick and tired!

Rugby Girls!

2006-04-17T07:59:00.000-04:00

As it was Karen's last night here we all went to the Rugby game. Jacqui also joined us, because she knew we would be causing trouble and that means fun!
Ive actually been able to follow the game and I really like it. This is one sport that makes sense and it moves fast so there is always action. Plus the guys arent bad looking either!
Our seats were so great we were only 2 rows off the grass. Everytime the ball was kicked through the goal post it would land in the crowd. We were ducking balls all night. Never got hit though thank god!
The Christchurch Crusaders (black and red) creamed the South Africian Cheetahs 53-17. It was awesome!
After we went out to the bar and had pizza and drinks. We of course went to the rugby bar and low and behold half of the team showed up! And we didnt reccongnize them so we just kept staring at them saying I swear he should be on the team he's huge. It wasnt until the next day when we watched the highlights of the game did we see the guys from the bar on the TV. Yep huge fans we are. Didnt even know it was them. I mean I could have gotten an autograph or something!
It was a fun match no matter, and our seats were awesome. A great way to end off a weekend in NZ. Anyone up for a match when I get home? I can explain it all to you.

Schooools Out for Everrrrr!

2006-04-13T18:32:00.000-04:00

That's it. School is done. The kids are off driving their parents nuts now and I am free to sleep in until noon if I could!
Now I only have a Thesis to write, a house to pack up and my luggage to ship. Life is busy but good. Sometime in doing all that I am also heading out the Muskoka of Christchurch Lake Bruner. It will be a sweet weekend with lots of drinking and relaxing on the deck.
I can’t wait.

Time is flying by

2006-04-07T23:27:00.000-04:00

Okay everyone,
Here is the low down on my flights home.

May 4-16 Vancouver
May 16-27 Calgary
May 27 Toronto.

Any questions?

You Spin me right 'round baby right 'round

2006-04-06T05:50:00.000-04:00

Did my first spinning class today. Oh My Gawd! Okay i was told it was a great workout, I dont know what is wrong with people but they are messed up if they think this is the most fun class. I was puffed out within the first 3 minutes and then I had to keep going for another 40!!!! By the end of the session I couldnt feel my toes and my legs were so tired they were shaking. I loved it!
Hopfully this will take me through to the end of my time here. I need another class to pump me up so Im going to start getting right back into them all.
Ill keep you up to date, but man is my butt sore already, I dont think Miss Downes will be walking upright tomorrow. Time to rest these bones of mine.
Sleep, ahhh good good sleep. zzzzzzz.

My pills

2006-04-04T18:44:00.000-04:00

These are my herbs that I have to take. This is one day's dose! I can't wait till I get better!

Just Hanging Out

2006-04-03T04:21:00.000-04:00

A weekend trip to a local town that is famous for.....um, well maybe the ocean and cafes. Im not sure now that I think about it. But they did have nice cafes and lots of shopping.
Anyway it was a nice day and well worth the long drive. Its only an hour and a half away and everyone we talked to couldn't believe that we would drive it there and back in one day. They think things are so far away here, an hour and a half, ha! That's nothing in Canada.

Easy Breasy

2006-04-03T03:29:00.000-04:00

How does a work week like this sound?
Saturday off
Sunday off
Monday teach all day
Tuesday off
Wednesday off
Thursday Teach all day
Friday Teach all day
Saturday off
Sunday off
Monday off

Sweet as! Only 2 weeks left and my working for free is finished, Jolly good!

Nothing like a good weekend

2006-04-02T05:42:00.000-04:00

There's nothing like a good weekend out with good people to get yourself sorted again. Its funny how sometimes it takes a stranger to remind you of all the things you want in life, and why your doing it, and what you are aiming for. Sometimes you need someone, anyone just to say it like it is and to think its great.
Right, so into my 2nd last week. Man it has flown by. Before I know it ill be on a plane home, and I don’t even have a ticket yet. Priorities Sarah!

What is in the air?

2006-04-01T02:41:00.000-05:00

So in the last few weeks I have found out that one of my best friends is pregnant, another got in engaged and Faye (if you know her you know her, if you don’t she was one the girls I went to Taiwan/Thailand with) well now she is engaged!

Oh and me? Yah well, I have $60,000 in debt.

Im so excited for everyone and all these life changes. But Im also so gutted that Im missing it all and that its not happening to me.

Jealous anyone?

Right, okay

2006-03-27T02:50:00.000-05:00

Right so I have given up on modern medicine for now and I headed to the naturopath. Miss Vicki was my consultant and she spent over an hour chatting with me about all my symptoms, my diet, my body functions, everything! I am now on a bunch of pills and a liquid form of herbs, which I might add is the worst tasting thing I have every tried to drink. Actually it reminds me a lot of the anti-cold herb vile I use to take in Taiwan, but worse, much much worse.
However she does promise me it is all to up my immune system because I’ve had this cold/cough for almost 2 months my immune system is hugely weak. We shall see how well it works but at this point Im thinking....it has to work, it just has to!

Wish me luck swallowing it all down!

Camp life or just life

2006-03-25T00:17:00.000-05:00

Was at camp this week with all the year 6's. There were 100 kids and 20 adults, both teachers and parents. It was a lot of fun but it totally wore me out. Im spending the weekend watching a stack of movies and chilling out on my couch. My flatmates have gone on a over night trip and I have the house to myself for the better part of 2 days. I feel like I need a lot of me time lately. I don’t know what it is really. Maybe it’s the impending doom of my beautiful little bubble bursting. Travels over, love lost, fantasy finished, time for the real world to creep in. I know I’m excited for whatever happens next all the new adventures of career, money, house, life but in the same breath I'm worried, scared and pretty much freaked out that it may not be as good as I’ve had it.
It’s silly to think like this I know, and Im so young and there’s so much more to happen, I’ve been given the speech a million times. But until you hear it in your own head it never really sinks in. I think it’s just the ending of something that is getting my heart racing and making me hold my breath, the beginning of something new is always exciting but closing off a piece of my life, letting it go and moving on that is a different story. It was really, really hard the last time I did it. Wounds I don’t think will ever heal are still here and now I am about to move onwards, another step. It feels a lot like a step backwards but yet it is still a step in my life. My life. Deep breath Sarah, good things will come.....one can hope.

Argh!

2006-03-20T23:09:00.000-05:00

Travel agents -grr!
Trying to get my plane tickets together and Im hitting a few snags.
So Im at least heading to LA...
Ill be in North America now on May 4th, Then Ill be heading to Vancouver to hang with Sarah, Gus, Tory and Chris (the gang from Taiwan) After that fun adventure, which i cant wait for, Ill be taking a few days in Calgary to play with Erin and her baby. Then Ill be home around the last week of May.

Now all I need is a travel agent in Canada to book my ticket!
haha, not as easy as it sounds trust me.

Ill let you know how it all goes.

Thesis Part 1 - DONE!

2006-03-12T01:30:00.000-05:00

Thank God, after weeks of working on it, the first part of my thesis is finished! Now I can move on to actually starting my research in the classroom and attempt to make my ideas actually work. Its only 3000 words but man it took a lot to get done, and it doesn't help much that I work full time hours during the week.
Next thing on my to do list is to actually apply for work for next September. Is there anything else anyone wants me to do for them, because I have a ton of free time right now (Grin)

Ink Blot Test

2006-03-05T16:34:00.000-05:00

I did a ink blot test on line and this is what they said about me....Very scientific I know - grin -

"You have a deep desire to be kind and fair to others. You are preoccupied with finding kindness in the world around you, far more than you may realize on a conscious level. This makes you unusually empathetic and very sensitive to other people's feelings.

Your kind nature makes you an optimist at heart and allows you to see the best in the people around you. Because you're not judgmental, others seek you out when they need a friend.

Your psyche is very rich; the more you learn about it, the more you will understand who you really are."

Baby News

2006-03-04T22:15:00.000-05:00

Janet and Karl MacDonald (Janet is one of my oldest friends, I was her maid of honor at her wedding in the Yukon a few years ago) they are expecting!!!
Janet is about 16 weeks along. Im so happy for them both, they're going to be amazing parents.

What the?!?

2006-03-03T16:04:00.000-05:00

Okay no joke, they told me the other day that it was the last day of summer. And my god they were right! The temperature has dropped almost 10 degrees, its been raining and hailing and everything since then and I haven't seen a nice sunny day since the last day of summer. Feb 21 is my new hated day. And their summer weather wasn't even summer. I think the hottest day was 30 degrees and that only happened once. Now I have deal with cold and wet. So unfair!

228

2006-02-28T04:21:00.000-05:00

Today is 228 day in Taiwan, Peace Memorial Day.
Happy day off to everyone in Taiwan!!

This is too funny!

2006-02-28T04:16:00.000-05:00

If you didn't see this on the Tonight show, I hope you're sitting down
when you read it. This is probably the funniest date story ever, first
date or not!!!
We have all had bad dates, but this takes the cake. This
just tells you how tough it is to be single nowadays. This was on the
"Tonight Show" with Jay Leno. Jay went into the audience to find the
most embarrassing first date that a woman ever had. The winner described
her worst first date experience. There was absolutely no question as to
why her tale won the prize!

She said it was midwinter... snowing and quite cold... and the guy had
taken her skiing in the mountains outside Salt Lake City, Utah. It was a
day trip (no overnight). They were strangers, after all, and truly had
never met before. The outing was fun but relatively uneventful until
they were headed home late that afternoon.

They were driving back down the mountain, when she gradually began to
realize that she should not have had that extra latte. They were about
an hour away from anywhere with a rest room and in the middle of
nowhere! Her companion suggested she try to hold it, which she did for a
while. Unfortunately, because of the heavy snow and slow going, there
came a point where she told him that he had better stop and let her go
beside the road, or it would be the front seat of his car. They stopped
and she quickly crawled out beside the car, yanked her pants down and
started. In the deep snow she didn't have good footing, so she let her
butt rest against the rear fender to steady herself. Her companion stood
on the side of the car watching for traffic and indeed was a real
gentleman and refrained from peeking. All she could think about was the
relief she felt despite the rather embarrassing nature of the situation.
Upon finishing, however, she soon became aware of another sensation. As
she bent to pull up her pants, the young lady discovered her buttocks
were firmly glued against the car's fender. Thoughts of tongues frozen
to poles immediately came to mind as she attempted to disengage her
flesh from the icy metal. It was quickly apparent that she had a brand
new problem due to the extreme cold. Horrified by her plight and yet
aware of the humor of the moment, she answered her date's concerns about
"what is taking so long" with a reply that indeed, she was "freezing her
butt off and in need of some assistance!"

He came around the car as she tried to cover herself with her sweater
and then, as she looked imploringly into his eyes, he burst out
laughing. She too, got the giggles and when they finally managed to
compose themselves, they assessed her dilemma. Obviously, as hysterical
as the situation was, they also were faced with a real problem. Both
agreed it would take something hot to free her chilly cheeks from the
grip of the icy metal! Thinking about what had gotten her into the
predicament in the first place, both quickly realized that there was
only one way to get her free. So, as she looked the other way, her
first-time date proceeded to unzip his pants and pee her butt off the
fender.

As the audience screamed in laughter, she took the Tonight Show prize
hands down... or perhaps that should be "pants down." And you thought
your first date was embarrassing.

Jay Leno's comment...
"This gives a whole new meaning to being pissed
off."

Give up?

2006-02-28T04:15:00.000-05:00

Australia is the top one and NZ is the bottom one.
Do you see a difference, I dont see a difference, do you see a difference?

(the stars in-case you were wondering are the southern cross)

Seriously!

2006-02-26T18:43:00.000-05:00

Okay seriously, one flag is Australia and one is New Zealand. Don't you think they would try and make their flags a little bit different from each other? And they get as upset about being called Aussie as we do being called American. Its almost too funny.
See if you can guess which one is which. Ill let you know later on.... Just to keep you guessing!

Big News!

2006-02-25T22:01:00.000-05:00

I went to the doctors again for a check up and he said im healed! Last time i was there he said my flexability was only at 30% and now im at 100%. I still cant hyper-extend it but that will come in time, and he also said that I can start punching again soon.
Punching you ask, yes, punching. I want to do boxing with my trainer at the gym and it was the first question i asked the Doc. You should have seen his face, it was too funny. He said i should wait a couple of weeks then i can punch all I want.
only a couple of weeks left to wait...look out!