I just got off the phone with James after an amazing conversation about life, careers, change, new opportunities.....

I sat down at my computer, looked out the window and saw the most brilliant rainbow.

There is something about seeing the most beautiful colours illuminate through a gloomy sky. A sign perhaps of bright colourful days ahead.

Pounding out the blues

About once a month I get a little down, a little blue...today happens to be one of those days.

I have tried to distract myself with as many things as possible, yet it seems to only be a temporary solution. As soon as the laundry is done, movie is over, book is done, work-out completed....my mind becomes filled with unpleasant thoughts. These thoughts seem to range from most recent events to ones that happened years and years ago. However, I take solace in the fact that I have experienced these kinds of days many many times, and it passes..usually within a day.

The most current event in my life that I have really been avoiding thinking or talking about is my best friend. In September-October her and her husband will be moving to Dallas, Texas. Chad got an amazing job offer that he couldn't turn down. I am super happy for him; both of them. This is a great opportunity for them and I know they are both looking forward to the change. I guess my sadness comes from purely selfish reasons, that being: I am going to really, really miss my best friend. She has been in Calgary for almost 9 years, and in those 9 years has wanted me to move closer. Now that I am finally here, she is leaving - poopy. However, it isn't anything that we can't overcome. We spent most of our adult lives living apart from one another and have still managed to keep our friendship strong. I am just thankful that she has been close by during these past few months; she has definitely been my rock.

I really love Jen, and I am going to really miss her (and Chad of course). :)

I must be down, I can't even write this without getting teary.

This should be interesting

It has been almost 8 months that I have lived in Edmonton...WOW! I can't believe it. My life has definitely changed over the last 8 months and I have been blessed with a number of exciting events in my life. Not everything has been super mega awesome cool, nevertheless, it has been exciting. I would definitely say my time here in Edmonton has been fantastic.

I think I finally have myself 'settled.' I don't think there are any more appointments I have to make, papers I have to sign, or accounts to set up. I have officially been a resident of Alberta for a number of months now, and it feels good. I've got myself a valid drivers license, Alberta Health Card, a permanent residence to call my own (yipee!), and an Alberta license plates and insurance.

And just to keep things interesting, and likely to ensure I am actively participating as a resident of Alberta, I received a Summons in the mail last week. Apparently, Alberta Justice wants ME as a juror. I am 'summoned' to appear in court in September for Jury Selection. It will be interesting to see if I am their 'type.'

I was quite ecstatic when I received the letter - James can attest to it. I think it is quite an honour to be selected. Also, I have been interested in law since I was about 7-8, so the fact that I may have an opportunity to become a juror and observe a trial is quite exciting and interesting to me.

I'll keep you posted on my status. However, if I am selected I will likely need to stay tight lipped.

What's a Video Game!?!

A wonderful time was had over the past number of days with James visiting. We managed to keep ourselves pretty busy, without spending too much money.

Movies we watched:

• Transformers - Extremely cheesy. Rating: Meh
• Black Moan Snake - Odd plot and no resolution at the end. It definitely needed a resolution. Rating: Weird
• The Number 23 - Intriguing enough to keep my interest. Rating: OK

Activities:

• Squash
• Worked out at gym
• Got James a ball glove and played some catch
• BBQ'd - I love those burgers from Prairie Meats
• Walks & talks
  
• St. Albert Farmers Market - Thanks for the flowers sweetie!
• Stroll on Whyte Ave - Discovered Lush & Planet Organic
• Shared stories
• Looked at photo albums
• Dyed Hair - Rich & Red
  

Ahhhh summer!!

Only a week and a half until my holidays and I am gearing up for the lake already. Lower Fishing Lake is the place, and we are going to be there with the whole family. I am giddy with excitement.

Random Things

I am so glad that it will be cooling off - somewhat, tomorrow and over the weekend. I have been anticipating the thunderstorms they have been forcasting over the past couple of days in hopes that it would cool off the house. However, it has been blue skies and 30+, so I am not sure the thunderstorms are coming. Hopefully the house will cool off, if only a bit, over the weekend.

I had another chance to play ball this evening with 'my' ball team. It was a good game, even in the warm weather. We won! It looks like I am going to get into next weeks game as well so that I can qualify for the playoffs mid-August. That should be a fun weekend.

My class on Monday and Tuesday rocked! Although it seemed quite introductory, I learned a lot of useful information that I will be able to apply at work. The class will help me plan needs assessments more formally at work, which is exactly what I was looking for. I was also able to reflect back on some of my past evaluations and assessments at work, and see where I had gone wrong and what I need to do to improve. I am also happy about the assignment I am required to do, because it will become the formal needs assessment plan for something I am already working on at work. All in all, an excellent class.

James is coming to visit for the weekend. We plan to get out and about this time. No sinus infections or colds to impede our activities. There are so many things going on this weekend, it is going to hard to choose. According to Andrea, I must go to the Farmer's Market in St. Albert. Apparently it is amazing. The Capital EX started today. Although it's not going to be that much different than the Stampede or the Saskatoon EX, I wouldn't mind finding a spot to view the fireworks. Not sure if either of us would want to go, but I found out that the Edmonton Grand Prix is on for the next three days. River City Shakespeare wraps up this weekend with Two Gentleman of Verona and The Winter's Tale. We have already seen Two Gentleman of Verona, together last summer in fact, so if we decided to go it would be The Winter's Tale. However, we might just decide to take a long walk down Whyte Ave or picnic in the park. I guess we see what suits our fancy.

And finally, 2 weeks until my vacation. I'm going to the lake. Wahoo!

Food Blog

Upon searching for quaint places to visit for coffee across the city, I stumbled upon this blog. She provides recipes, and reviews Edmonton eateries. And given how much I like to cook and try out new restaurants, I figured it was a good site to check out. I spent a good part of the afternoon reading some of her reviews and quite enjoyed everything that I read.

I think she'll go on my sidebar list. Looking forward to visiting Wild Earth Bakery and Coffee next Sunday.

Gunnin'

When Jacob Hoggard was on Canadian Idol a few seasons ago, I really took to him. He had a very different style and an amazing voice. I can't remember how far he got, but I remember listening to the songs he did on the show over and over again. I have recent come upon on of his songs that he did with his band Hedley. Although the lyrics don't make a lot of sense to me, I quite enjoy the song. I have been listening to it a lot over the past week. Check it out.

Sports & School

Since playing on our company slo-pitch team for Corporate Challenge, I had been asked to sub for a league team that has a number of my co-workers on it. I finally got to play tonight. Other than the gym, I have been fairly inactive in the way of team sports since Corporate Challenge. Even though it was hotter than hell outside, it was nice to be out playing with the team...in fact, it was nice just to be out. Because I don't have much of a yard or a fence there is no gardening to motivate me to spend time outside. My co-worker hopes to get me playing in a couple more games so I can qualify to play with the team in the playoffs. That should be fun.

In other news, I am back at school - well kinda. It hasn't even been a full year since I finished up my MBA, and I have already been tempted to get learning and developing again. Our company gives us money for external education, so I figured I might as well utilize it and take something to improve my mind and my job. It is a course that qualifies for CACE - Certificate in Adult and Continuing Education - which I have been seriously thinking about pursuing. I can take mostly all the classes during the evening or the weekends, and I can take up to 5 years to complete it. I think I will take a few here and there when I have the time over the next year and see how it goes.

The course I am taking next week is Needs Assessment in Training. I picked up the required textbook - A Practical Guide to Needs Assessment at the bookstore yesterday, and I am already onto chapter 3. It has got some great information for all areas in HR, not just training. I am really looking forward to the class. It should be quite interesting.

The next number of days are suppose to be 30+, and I am not looking forward to my house getting hotter and hotter as the days go by.

Weekend plans - clean house, organize pantry, read textbook, Andrea & Kory coming over for supper and movie. I am looking forward to just putzing around.

Health Kick

With my sinus infection finally gone (mostly) I am back on my health kick. I have been to the gym everyday this week so far, and I eating extra healthy. I am trying real hard to eat foods that are good for all around health like fish, chicken, nuts, fruits and veggies. I am also working at controlling my portions without depriving myself of anything that I enjoy. This isn't really any different than how I usually try to eat, but I am definitely putting a lot more effort into the portion control.

I am really not looking to lose a bunch of weight, but whenever I miss the gym consecutive days in a row and eat crappy I always gain weight right away. At least 5 lbs. It is really annoying. However, as soon as I get back on track I usually lose it right away. Plus, I enjoy working out and I would still like to work on toning my upper body.

I'll share one of my new favourite summer salads that I have been eating over the past couple of days.

neuba's Summer Salad

Fresh Spinach
One Banana
One Apple - I have been using Granny Smith, and it has been delicious
1 Tbsp of Raisins
1 Tbsp of Cranberries
1 Tbsp sunflower seeds

Dressing:
1 Tbsp Miracle Whip Light
1 Tsp Milk
1 Tsp Vinegar
1 Tsp Sugar

I miss afternoons like these

I spent the day with Ben, Furlak, Erin and Malcolm.

• a late breakfast at Phil's
  
• an afternoon of Lord of the Rings game - we won. Huzzah!
• supper with Furlak & Malcolm at Kensington's Pub
• great company
• stimulating conversation
• and the possibility of Furlak running a game for me, Malcolm and Bne (yes, Bne you are a required member)
  

The late drive home wasn't all that fun in the rainstorm I hit just after Red Deer. I had to pull over to the shoulder, as many other cars did to, because I couldn't actually see the road. For about 40km everyone was driving about 60km/hr with their hazards on. Kinda scary actually; especially with all the psycho Alberta drivers.

But I am home sweet home and don't plan on going anywhere for the next 4 weeks. Ahhhhhh!!

Stampede Review - OK

My Saturday was a full day of eating, drinking and visiting.

A hearty breakfast to start the day, and then it was off to meet my Uncle for lunch. My Uncle from Regina just got a job in Calgary. He has been here for a week and seems to be enjoying it so far. Although, he is somewhat confused in the driving department. That is understandable. However, once you get the hang of it, Calgary is pretty easy to get around. I am glad he has moved here, as I now some family members nearby. Plus, my uncle and I get along really well. I am almost as close to my uncle as I am to my dad.

After lunch I met up with Jen, Chad and Nicole at Classic Jack's, a local pub just down the street from where Jen and Chad live. I think it is their second home, well Chad's anyways. We sat in the sun and drank some beer before heading off to the Stampede.

Now for the review...the Stampede is OK. It was less impressive than I was expecting. I had a great time, but I guess I was expecting a little more than your traditional exhibition. It was much like the Saskatoon Ex, only a bit bigger. The rides were the same, along with the food and games. We mostly just walked around, and Chad left earlier than Jen & I. After Chad left, we headed over to the Round-up Centre to walk through the trade show area. It was huge. We saw lots of cool things, but only ended up each buying a pair of earrings. We took in the Superdogs show, ate some supper and were heading back home around 9:30.

Probably the best part of the evening was the busker we walked by. He sang a song for us...it was awesome. It kept me smiling the rest of the walk.

"Two lovely ladies, walkin' on by,
Ones usin' her cellphone, to call her guy"

I hadn't dropped any money in his guitar case, and actually felt a little guilty for not doing so considering I was enjoying his little song so much.

Our walk ended at Classic Jack's where Chad and his brother were having a drink. We decided to join in for some beers and visiting. Nicole eventually popped on by as well and Bne stopped off after work to firm up our plans for today. The beard looks really good on him. It is great to see him...god, I miss him.

Today's plan, breafast at Phil's with Furlak, Bne and Erin and then chilling for the rest of the day. Sounds perfect.

Off to Cowtown

I am off to the Stampede. It will be my first time, and I am fairly excited. I have always wanted to go, however it just never seemed to work out. Plus, the long boring drive from Saskatoon to Calgary isn't one I usually made just for a weekend. But now the drive is shorter and much more scenic.

I will be staying with Jen & Chad, and we will be heading to the Stampede for Saturday only. I have been booked by Chris, Bne and Erin for Sunday. I can't wait. I miss them all terribly.

That is pretty much all I've got for today. Watch for a weekend update early next week.

Extra Long Weekend

I really enjoy taking an extra day on long weekends. I did on the May long weekend, and again this weekend. 4 days seems like the right amount of time to take off. I feel like I have gotten a good break, and I am usually ready to go back to work.

It has been a relaxing and eventful weekend. I left work early on Friday, and managed to be on the road by 1:30. It was nice to hang out with James and Al at the Den all night.

Saturday was fairly lazy. We spent the evening with Brad, James' friend and watched The Venture Brothers. I had been introduced to the cartoon last year by A&R, so I was looking forward to watching some more.

Sunday was quite slow at the Den. After work we head out to Biggar for Canada Day with the family. Mom & Dad prepared a wonderful BBQ feast.

Monday, Dad took me, Lorianne, Kevin, and James out to the shooting range. Wow..did we all have a blast. We all had turns shooting the rifle, 22 semi-automatic and 38 revolver. Only Dad and James shot the 44 and 708 because of the kick-back. Dad definitely showed why he got many 1st places in tournaments back in the 80's, and James definitely out-shot the rest of us. I wouldn't be surprised if James went out on the weekends to go shooting with Dad and play D&D with Kevin. I can't wait until the next visit. I definitely want to go shooting again.

I think we are off to see 1408 today, and then it will be back to Edmonton for me.