A Saturday afternoon shop

I have been avoiding stores like the plague with the lack of funds these days. Plus, I am not a huge fan of shopping to begin with. However, I desperately needed some warmer sweatshirts to wear. Besides the fact that it is getting a little bit colder outside, our classroom at school is freezing, and it doesn't look like it is gonna improve. I swear the college has avoided turning up (or on for that matter) the heat due to the nice weather we are having.

Just an aside: I can't believe that it is already Nov. 26th, the temp. is wavering between -10 and +10, only one light snowfall, and no snow on the ground. It is pretty awesome. I am sure the weather is just playing with us, and will remind us what winter is really like in Saskatchewan come Jan. and Feb.

I noticed a sale on fleeces at Old Navy in this mornings paper for a pretty good price. I ended up heading out to preston crossing with Brennan, Jolan, and Ril. Everyone seemed to need something, so it was a good trip to make together. I did manage to pick up a couple fleece sweatshirts for $15/piece. Great deal! I should be set.

Of course with us getting closer to Christmas, the parking lot was horrendous. Again, another reason I don't particularily like to go shopping. I am glad that I am gonna be able to avoid the malls, and shopping centres this Christmas. Jeff & I just can't afford gifts for the family. We are gonna try and make sure we get something for the neice and nephews though.

5 Class Days to Go

There are only 5 more actual class days for me before this term is over. Whewh, what a semester. We get our final group assignment next Wednesday, and then make our presentation on December 7th.

Our final exam consists of an individual case analysis that we have a week to work on. All of the case analysis' we have been required to analyze, report on, and present on, have been in groups. So, I am looking forward tackling this one on my own. I guess I will see what I am really good at, and what I suck at. It is to be handed in on the 13th, and then I am done. Yipee, 3 weeks off for Christmas. What am I gonna do??? Bake, perhaps?

In analysing a case, you look at the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the organization; determine the key issues; identify recommendations; and then discuss implementation. Generally you look for marketing, human resource, business strategy, international, and financial issues. I am not real hot with the numbers side of things, but I have been attempting them in my groups, and I seem to be doing ok. It is important for me to work on the more challenging areas, that is what is gonna make me successful in business in the future.

I am looking forward to term 2. I start taking my specialization classes in International Business, and learn about Research Methods and Info Systems. I am thinking of picking up one of the bioTech classes, as it looks like my research project might be in that area. The second term is much more like an undergrad's schedule, so it looks like there will be sleep-in days, as well as days with no school at all. Sweet!

Good Game

Hockey was back on this Monday, after a Rememberance Day break last week.

I thought I played pretty well....I even managed to get a goal...on T-ass of all people. Woot!

I think I need a shower, I am pretty stinky thanks to a dripping sweaty someone..and I need to hit the bed....so tired.

80's Weekend

Besides a pretty uneventful party, I was pretty lazy all weekend and watch a bunch of old movies. Some of my classics that I enjoy watching on a regular basis.

I never get sick of The Princess Bride. I don't think there is one character I don't like...well perhaps, Prince Humperdinck, heh! One of my more favourite quotes:

Fezzik: You never said anything about killing anyone.
Vizzini: I've hired you to help me start a war. It's an prestigious line of work, with a long and glorious tradition.
Fezzik: I just don't think it's right, killing an innocent girl.
Vizzini: Am I going MAD, or did the word "think" escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic land mass.
Inigo Montoya: I agree with Fezzik.
Vizzini: Oh, the sot has spoken. What happens to her is not truly your concern. I will kill her. And remember this, never forget this: when I found you, you were so slobbering drunk, you couldn't buy Brandy!
[turning to Fezzik]
Vizzini: And you: friendless, brainless, helpless, hopeless! Do you want me to send you back to where you were? Unemployed in Greenland!

It seems as though I am similar to Miracle Max...doesn't really surprise me.


Which Princess Bride Character are You?
this quiz was made by mysti

I also watched Ghostbusters. I don't think I will ever get sick of this movie. I good watch everytime.

And finally, Jeff and I watched Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Again, another classic that I will never get sick of. Then again, I don't particularily like the feast with the Maharaja..snakes just aren't my cup 'o tea. Blak!

What's in a name?

Marcia

Belonging to Mars, martial one : Latin

You are fairminded, wise and peaceloving and are always willing to help others. Your mental capabilities and creativity are well marked with wonderful and original ideas which you need to bring to tangible fruition. Perceptive and understanding of others your positive approach to life and influential nature means that you have leadership qualities. There is great potential for success both financially and spiritually. via

Minto

Scottish: habitational name from a place near Denholm in the Borders, originally named with British minit (cognate with Welsh mynydd ‘hill’), with the later addition of Middle English ho(e) ‘ridge’, ‘hill’ after the original meaning of the first element had been forgotten. via

Richardson

English: patronymic from the personal name Richard. This has undoubtedly also assimilated like-sounding cognates from other languages, such as Swedish Richardsson.

Richard
English, French, German, and Dutch: from a Germanic personal name composed of the elements ric ‘power(ful)’ + hard ‘hardy’, ‘brave’, ‘strong’.

Friends, what would I do without you

For those of you who hate email forwards, I won't punish you...unless you feel punished by now reading it on my blog...ah well.

You've Got A Friend...

Are you tired of all those sissy "friendship" poems that always sound good, but never actually come close to reality? Well, here is a series of promises that really speaks to true friendship:

1. When you are sad - I will help you get drunk and plot revenge against the sorry bastard who made you sad.

2. When you are blue - I will try to dislodge whatever is choking you.

3. When you smile - I will know you finally got some.

4. When you are scared - I will rag on you about it every chance I get.

5. When you are worried - I will tell you horrible stories about how much worse it could be and to quit whining.

6. When you are confused - I will use little words.

7. When you are sick - Stay the hell away from me until you are well again. I don't want whatever you have.

8. When you fall - I will point and laugh at your clumsy ass.

This is my oath...I pledge it till the end. Why? You may ask, because you are my friend.


Remember: A good friend will help you move. A really good friend will help you move a body. Let me know if I ever need to bring a shovel.

Group Work

Argh!

Such a headache.

Early to bed...

Bake, Bake Bake

In the last two days I have made...

5 dozen hermit cookies
2 dozen chocolate chip cookies
2 loaves of Amish Cinnamon Bread

Yummy!

Two Wins in One Weekend....Whoa!

I had the pleasure of curling againg this evening....and once again it was a lot of fun.

A few of my friends are in fun curling league every Sunday night, and they have asked me sub-in when one of them can't make it. Tonight, T-ass was still not back from Vancouver and Sky had a family thing to attend to so it was just Ril, Ferlak, and I.

I wouldn't say that I did all that well, however my teammates seemed to feel differently. I had a couple of good shots, and felt like more of a contributor by the last end, however the first few ends weren't anything spetacular. Nonetheless, we won. Kudos to us!

I hope to sub-in again over the winter.

Good times!

One Word

An email I received this morning from Al:

Here are the rules:

One Word

Describe me in one word - just one. Send it to me (only me), then
forward this email to your friends and see how many strange things people think about you.

Reply it's fun! It's harder than you think !

Sorry if you hate me for this but it seemed ok.

Some of the responses that I have already received:

Giddy
Confident
Fun
Normal
Upbeat
Host
Sextastic
Cute
CRAZY!
STUBBORN!!!

And of course, from my best friend:

I can't just do one word! That's too hard! I have one word for each of your moods/personalities. Here are some in no particular order:

-gifted
-perverted
-loyal
-creative
-stubborn
-caring
-hilarious
-genuine
-generous

This is probably one of the best 'forward me' emails I have received. Sorta a 'feel good about me' - at least all of the responses made me feel good.

We Won!

(Elaine is missing)

I can't believe we won!

Our MBASS curling event was this afternoon, and it was so much fun.

Most of our team was comprised of newbies, except Ril (the pro). Jeff & I had each played once or twice before, and Elaine (fellow MBA'er) had never played before...so I think we did not bad.

I had had some bad memories of slipping on the ice when I first played at the age of 12, so I was a little skeptical at how I would fair today. However, after the first end, I pretty much figured out how to slide properly while sweeping, and wasn't doing to bad with my shots. However, I am pretty sure my shots were all a fluke, as some went exactly where they were suppose to and others didn't even make it past the hog line.

Ah well, it was fun! And we got trophies!

(a few more pics)

Starting to feel more like a shield than a player

I had an ok game of hockey last night - incurring yet another large red circular mark....this time right on my collar bone. Last weeks hit was on my left leg on the inside part of my knee. It is currently black and blue, though the yellowish discolouration that appeared on Tuesady of last week was pretty cool. Both marks have a prominant small white circle in the centre. Not sure if that is indicating that the hit was fairly hard. Though the fact that it hurt like hell when I got hit is a good indicator that it was pretty hard.

The bruise on my leg doesn't really hurt anymore, however my collar bone is still pretty sensitive. I am patietly waiting to see if the mark on my collar bone is gonna bruise.

I am sure I will get even weirder looks at the gym once it starts to turn black and blue.

getting older??

I really don't think about age other than a number. I have always considered myself young at heart, even though a number of my friends call me an old hag most of the time. I really do believe it the saying, 'you are as old as you feel.'

I think the realization that I am getting older comes when I notice my parents getting older.

I received a unsettling call from mom yesterday, telling me dad was in the hospital. He had had a black out spell at the Fireman's Ball Saturday night. It really scared the heck outta mom, bro, and sis-in-law when they looked at him and saw 'a sitting dead man' (mom's exact words). They got him on the floor and were all ready to do CPR when he came to, claiming that he was fine. However, they got him to the hospital regardless for an overnight stay.

I talked with dad later on yesterday afternoon, and he assured me that he was ok. Not sure if I feel ok about the whole thing, in fact I am pretty worried. The doctors didn't find anything out which worries me even more. I certainly don't want something like this to happen again, or something worse.

I don't like getting older.

tgif

It has been a long, slow week.

Our discussions on Strategic Human Resources Management have been long and drawn out; and for me, repetitive. I kinda wish there would have been more application of ideas over the past week. Our HR prof talked for about 90% of every class. It isn't that we were discouraged to comment and ask questions, it is just our prof *really* likes to talk; perhaps too much.

The readings for next week are fairly light, so I plan on cleaning up the house this weekend.

fur elise

Recently I have been sitting down at the piano and tinkering.

I didn't always love playing the piano, and that was mostly because I felt that I was forced to do it by my parents. Once I got older and decided what *I* would like to play, (not Royal Conservatory) I was somewhat happy. However, an interesting thing happened once I quit taking piano lessons - I actually sat down MORE at the piano, and played MORE often. It is amazing what can come out of a kid when you don't force them to like something. I realized at that moment that I truly loved piano.

I rarely play in front of others, and usually quit playing with others enter the room. Not really sure what that is all about, but that is the way I am with my piano. People can listen from afar, but that is about it.

So, the piano playing I have been doing recently is out of a Royal Conservatory book that my mother used when she was a little girl. I have only really played one song out of the book - fur elise. I love this song. There is something very emotional about the song. The base of the song is fairly simple and I usually only play that part of the music. However, since my recent tinkering I have decided to learn the entire piece, and play it well. I am even planning a couple of practice times for each week and focusing on the weaker areas so that I can get better at it. Boy, sounds like piano lessons. :)

Check out this link to listen to a nice, yet fast rendition of the classic piece. I don't have high hopes of ever playing it *that* fast, but I will do my best. Plus, I like it a little slower.