Brad and I headed down to the big Magrath Celebrations last weekend and I was excited to show him what I grew up with. It's always a big event and lots of people come back to town for it so there are familiar faces around.
The day starts with a parade at 11:00 (best start time ever) and then there's beef on a bun for dinner. We skipped it as we were still on South Beach. There's also a program in the park and then in the evening there are fireworks. They close the weekend with a massive bonfire and an outdoor dance that is largely attended by high school students.
I think Brad was most impressed with the fireworks. You sit at one end of the football field and they set them off at the other so you're super close. As a result each firework is huge and louder than you've ever heard before. It makes for a unique experience.
Click on the slideshow for pictures and more info about the weekend.
L
Showing posts with label Memories. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Memories. Show all posts
Friday, August 1, 2008
Thursday, June 12, 2008
2004 - A Story from the Past
Yesterday I had this really random memory of the time I got layed off from my job. I realized I'd never shared it here and it was a pretty big event so I figured it was worth recording here. I had planned to find the entry in my journal (if I'd recorded it) and just type that up. Well I found the entry but the writing is terrible so I'll retell and hope age has made me a better writer.
I'd worked at Superpages for a number of years and I was really happy there. I was in a great department with a great boss and over the years had moved myself into a position that I loved. I worked with a woman named Dee who was incredible and my all-time favorite co-worker. She'd been with the company for roughly 40 years so she knew everyone and people talked to her, she was great source of info through the whole experience and most of what we knew was from her contacts. In the recent past our company had been bought, and then sold and bought again. Changes had been made but none of us really felt they were good changes.
On Tuesday my department started to hear rumors that the Ontario office was closed, everyone had been let go and told to go home (and if I'm not mistaken they were told not to talk to anybody about it until the following day). We had an old co-worker in the Ontario office so we tried to call him at work, at home and on the cell to no answer. Not a good sign. We'd also been told that there was a big, company wide meeting the next day. There had been an email saying the call centre would be on automatic answer so all the call centre agents could be there. They NEVER do that. They also hadn't told us the location of the meeting which was odd. We were concerned.
Wednesday morning I got to work at my usual time, 7:00am and there were already managers in, they weren't ever in that early. Dee talked to one who'd been layed off and found out another had quit. We all had emails waiting for us telling us where to go for our meeting at 10:00am, different departments were in different rooms. We found out that my department was in the same room as Ontario listings which is bad. By now we've confirmed that the office in Ontario had been closed. If there's no office there then there's no need for the listings group.
I take the opportunity to go through my computer and email anything personal to myself so I have a copy. I'm feeling prepared for what's to come.
10:00 comes and it's meeting time. As we walk to our room we notice there are people we don't know standing around, they wear badges that say Counselor & Security, they had brought in Grief Counselors. We later learned that at 10:05 every computer, company wide was locked down.
There were about 15 people in my room and we were all quickly layed off. Company wide they layed off about 500 people that day. 72 of those were from Alberta, 60 from BC. So we left the meeting, packed up our desks and started to say goodbye to everyone. Again, we found out later that in the rooms were they weren't layed off they tried to stall, hoping that we'd all be gone before they were adjourned to avoid awkwardness.
I'd prepared myself to be out of a job but not to have to say goodbye to so many people. It was really emotional for a lot of people, including myself. I knew I'd be okay and could find another job but there were a bunch who were seriously concerned about what they would do now, I'm not sure I've ever felt worse at work than I did that day.
On a brighter note, because I was part of a Union they had to give us 90 days notice or pay us for the 90 days. They also gave me an additional 6 weeks severance pay. So at least I didn't have to worry for a while.
As the final kick, I think it's time to mention that this happened 10 days before Christmas.
I found an on-line article about the event
Phone directory firm announces the job cuts just 10 days from Christmas
Some 500 SuperPages Canada employees lost their jobs Wednesday just 10 days before Christmas and barely a month since Boston-based Bain Capital closed a deal to buy the company.
Seventy-three employees at the Burnaby head office and approximately 428 more across the country were laid off as a result of a decision to cease publications of print directories in all markets accept British Columbia, Alberta and northeastern Quebec.
The company will continue to operate its online national directory SuperPages.ca and it will publish directories for 93 markets in B.C., Alberta and Quebec. It is ceasing publication of 32 directories, according to SuperPages Canada president Todd Millar.
While Millar said it is "an unfortunate time for employees," with the layoffs coming so close to Christmas, he termed it a "good news story," for B.C.
"From a B.C. perspective this is really a good news story for us as we come back to our roots and focus on what we do best inside British Columbia," Millar said in a telephone interview.
It is doubtless not a view shared by most employees, who were notified that they would be called to meetings Wednesday morning to hear the company's 2005 operational plan, only to learn the plan involved axing almost one-third of their number.
The company's phones were put on automatic answering so all employees could attend the 9 a.m. meeting.
Tears greeted the news and many employees left the building within an hour. The company's offices were closed for the day while its management remained behind, although refusing to talk to a waiting Vancouver Sun reporter.
Several former SuperPages employees gathered outside the Burnaby building hugged each other before getting into cars, telling The Sun that the layoffs came as a shock.
The job eliminations trim employee ranks across Canada to 850 from 1350.
Wednesday's news for employees was the latest in a saga that started when Telus sold its directory business and residential listing service to the U.S.-based Verizon Communications in 2001. Last September, Verizon announced it was selling its Canadian directory operations, SuperPages Canada, to Bain Capital for close to $2 billion.
At the time, Ian Loring, a managing director at Bain, termed SuperPages Canada, "a high-regarded, stable franchise with an outstanding history of service to its customers.
"Our firm has a track record of success in purchasing well-positioned, 'non-core' units of major corporations, and partnering with an experienced management team to grow the business and its competitive position in the marketplace," Loring said in a release then.
A spokesman for Bain said the company had no comment Wednesday.
Millar said laid employees will receive a fair compensation package as well as counselling. SuperPages Canada is the publisher of Telus white pages and classified directories in B.C., Alberta and eastern Quebec.
So there you have it, my Superpages experience.
In the end it turned out for the better, I make considerable more money where I am now, I miss my old department though, we had fun together and had fewer crazy people.
L
I'd worked at Superpages for a number of years and I was really happy there. I was in a great department with a great boss and over the years had moved myself into a position that I loved. I worked with a woman named Dee who was incredible and my all-time favorite co-worker. She'd been with the company for roughly 40 years so she knew everyone and people talked to her, she was great source of info through the whole experience and most of what we knew was from her contacts. In the recent past our company had been bought, and then sold and bought again. Changes had been made but none of us really felt they were good changes.
On Tuesday my department started to hear rumors that the Ontario office was closed, everyone had been let go and told to go home (and if I'm not mistaken they were told not to talk to anybody about it until the following day). We had an old co-worker in the Ontario office so we tried to call him at work, at home and on the cell to no answer. Not a good sign. We'd also been told that there was a big, company wide meeting the next day. There had been an email saying the call centre would be on automatic answer so all the call centre agents could be there. They NEVER do that. They also hadn't told us the location of the meeting which was odd. We were concerned.
Wednesday morning I got to work at my usual time, 7:00am and there were already managers in, they weren't ever in that early. Dee talked to one who'd been layed off and found out another had quit. We all had emails waiting for us telling us where to go for our meeting at 10:00am, different departments were in different rooms. We found out that my department was in the same room as Ontario listings which is bad. By now we've confirmed that the office in Ontario had been closed. If there's no office there then there's no need for the listings group.
I take the opportunity to go through my computer and email anything personal to myself so I have a copy. I'm feeling prepared for what's to come.
10:00 comes and it's meeting time. As we walk to our room we notice there are people we don't know standing around, they wear badges that say Counselor & Security, they had brought in Grief Counselors. We later learned that at 10:05 every computer, company wide was locked down.
There were about 15 people in my room and we were all quickly layed off. Company wide they layed off about 500 people that day. 72 of those were from Alberta, 60 from BC. So we left the meeting, packed up our desks and started to say goodbye to everyone. Again, we found out later that in the rooms were they weren't layed off they tried to stall, hoping that we'd all be gone before they were adjourned to avoid awkwardness.
I'd prepared myself to be out of a job but not to have to say goodbye to so many people. It was really emotional for a lot of people, including myself. I knew I'd be okay and could find another job but there were a bunch who were seriously concerned about what they would do now, I'm not sure I've ever felt worse at work than I did that day.
On a brighter note, because I was part of a Union they had to give us 90 days notice or pay us for the 90 days. They also gave me an additional 6 weeks severance pay. So at least I didn't have to worry for a while.
As the final kick, I think it's time to mention that this happened 10 days before Christmas.
I found an on-line article about the event
Phone directory firm announces the job cuts just 10 days from Christmas
Some 500 SuperPages Canada employees lost their jobs Wednesday just 10 days before Christmas and barely a month since Boston-based Bain Capital closed a deal to buy the company.
Seventy-three employees at the Burnaby head office and approximately 428 more across the country were laid off as a result of a decision to cease publications of print directories in all markets accept British Columbia, Alberta and northeastern Quebec.
The company will continue to operate its online national directory SuperPages.ca and it will publish directories for 93 markets in B.C., Alberta and Quebec. It is ceasing publication of 32 directories, according to SuperPages Canada president Todd Millar.
While Millar said it is "an unfortunate time for employees," with the layoffs coming so close to Christmas, he termed it a "good news story," for B.C.
"From a B.C. perspective this is really a good news story for us as we come back to our roots and focus on what we do best inside British Columbia," Millar said in a telephone interview.
It is doubtless not a view shared by most employees, who were notified that they would be called to meetings Wednesday morning to hear the company's 2005 operational plan, only to learn the plan involved axing almost one-third of their number.
The company's phones were put on automatic answering so all employees could attend the 9 a.m. meeting.
Tears greeted the news and many employees left the building within an hour. The company's offices were closed for the day while its management remained behind, although refusing to talk to a waiting Vancouver Sun reporter.
Several former SuperPages employees gathered outside the Burnaby building hugged each other before getting into cars, telling The Sun that the layoffs came as a shock.
The job eliminations trim employee ranks across Canada to 850 from 1350.
Wednesday's news for employees was the latest in a saga that started when Telus sold its directory business and residential listing service to the U.S.-based Verizon Communications in 2001. Last September, Verizon announced it was selling its Canadian directory operations, SuperPages Canada, to Bain Capital for close to $2 billion.
At the time, Ian Loring, a managing director at Bain, termed SuperPages Canada, "a high-regarded, stable franchise with an outstanding history of service to its customers.
"Our firm has a track record of success in purchasing well-positioned, 'non-core' units of major corporations, and partnering with an experienced management team to grow the business and its competitive position in the marketplace," Loring said in a release then.
A spokesman for Bain said the company had no comment Wednesday.
Millar said laid employees will receive a fair compensation package as well as counselling. SuperPages Canada is the publisher of Telus white pages and classified directories in B.C., Alberta and eastern Quebec.
So there you have it, my Superpages experience.
In the end it turned out for the better, I make considerable more money where I am now, I miss my old department though, we had fun together and had fewer crazy people.
L
Friday, May 23, 2008
You'll probably roll your eyes and think this is sappy
There was a time when I came to be known as the airport taxi.
It seemed that everyone I knew was flying somewhere, I made trips weekly to the airport and there's one thing I learned.
I love picking people up at the airport. I love standing at the gate watching the crowd of people waiting for someone they love. That moment of anticipation. I love the little children waiting for the mothers and the girlfriend waiting for her boyfriend. The welcome is so sincere, the hugs are long and tight and sometimes there are tears.
But last night I was there waiting for the one I love, and I was finally one of them.
He was coming home for me and I missed him.
L
It seemed that everyone I knew was flying somewhere, I made trips weekly to the airport and there's one thing I learned.
I love picking people up at the airport. I love standing at the gate watching the crowd of people waiting for someone they love. That moment of anticipation. I love the little children waiting for the mothers and the girlfriend waiting for her boyfriend. The welcome is so sincere, the hugs are long and tight and sometimes there are tears.
But last night I was there waiting for the one I love, and I was finally one of them.
He was coming home for me and I missed him.
L
Friday, May 16, 2008
My Nose Deceives Me
Yesterday, it being so nice out I decided to sit on the patio during lunch. I really enjoyed it but ended up being just the tiniest bit sunburned. I figured I'd make sure my skin doesn’t dry out so I put on some after sun lotion.
I cannot stop thinking about Puerto Vallarta!
On our wedding day while taking pictures my neck got a pretty good sunburn and then we went directly to our honeymoon in Mexico where it was super sunny and hot so we both ended up very red. As a result we applied after sun lotion multiple times a day. It's a lotion that has a pretty distinctive smell which has now become associated with the honeymoon.
I keep thinking about the beach and the ocean and the beautiful pool with the yummy drinks and the blasted air conditioning in our hotel room. We used to eat these homemade tortillas and I'd fill mine with crème fresh and guacamole and salsa. Coconut ice cream, pineapple juice and these incredible doughnuts with caramel sauce for breakfast. There was a gecko in the hall and looking out our room looked a bit like tropical heaven.
These combined memories are making my workday pretty impossible, that smell just keeps coming though.
L
I cannot stop thinking about Puerto Vallarta!
On our wedding day while taking pictures my neck got a pretty good sunburn and then we went directly to our honeymoon in Mexico where it was super sunny and hot so we both ended up very red. As a result we applied after sun lotion multiple times a day. It's a lotion that has a pretty distinctive smell which has now become associated with the honeymoon.
I keep thinking about the beach and the ocean and the beautiful pool with the yummy drinks and the blasted air conditioning in our hotel room. We used to eat these homemade tortillas and I'd fill mine with crème fresh and guacamole and salsa. Coconut ice cream, pineapple juice and these incredible doughnuts with caramel sauce for breakfast. There was a gecko in the hall and looking out our room looked a bit like tropical heaven.
These combined memories are making my workday pretty impossible, that smell just keeps coming though.
L
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Conference Weekend
Yay, it’s General Conference Weekend! That’s great for a couple reasons…
- I can sit on my couch in my pajamas and listen, all nice and comfy.
- I get to sleep in both Saturday and Sunday.
- Waffles are planned for Sunday with Jane and Ken, should be a yummy good time.
- I don’t have to teach a Sunbeam lesson on Sunday! Yay!
A few conference memories for you
I have this random memory that maybe my Mom can clear up. My parents went somewhere and so I (we? Were my siblings there? I don’t remember) stayed with the Barnett’s. Why the Barnett’s though? We weren’t particularly close to them… I never stayed with them again, it seems like a random choice. Why not the Todd’s or the Tanner’s? Anyway, so I stayed with the Barnett’s and we went to their Grandmas house to watch Conference and I was so bored! I actually had to watch! My parents weren’t super strict at making me watch Conference. Now I look forward to watching.
Cora and I used to host Pajama General. Those were good times! We’d invite tons of people over and you had to wear your pajamas and bring a waffle topping. We’d all squish in wherever there was room and eat waffles and hashbrowns until we were stuffed. Some favorite toppings include bananas, strawberry yogurt, mangoes and ice cream. Sadly that tradition died out when we no longer wanted to pay for cable.
One year Cora, Nathan, Peter and I road tripped down to conference and Nathan’s mission reunion. That was a great time! Nathan showed up with two girls and we did our very best to make him look good. Some notable events:
- The morning Nathan and Cora woke up grumpier than you can imagine, I tried my best to drive the car without making either of them speak but I don’t really know how to drive a standard. Once on the highway everything was fine and as the morning went by they both cheered up considerably.
- How ridiculously nervous Nathan was going through the border, for no reason.
The amount of food we ate at the Olive Garden. - The disgusting person we sat beside in the Conference Centre who kept snorting… so gross! I could barely concentrate on the speakers I was so distracted.
So happy conference, I hope it’s relaxing and you learn something new.
L
Monday, March 17, 2008
Green and Pinchless
I actually had someone ask me if they could pinch me because I wasn't wearing green.
Flashback to junior high. Remember the days you forgot, when you had to try to come up with something to avoid the terrible pinching? I would inevitably come up with some tiny speck of green to save me the pain.
Happy St. Patrick's Day
I wish you a pinchless afternoon.
L
Flashback to junior high. Remember the days you forgot, when you had to try to come up with something to avoid the terrible pinching? I would inevitably come up with some tiny speck of green to save me the pain.
Happy St. Patrick's Day
I wish you a pinchless afternoon.
L
Monday, February 11, 2008
Jane-Almus Day - An Anniversary
Sadly, no celebration was planned this year but I wanted to make sure that the day was recognized, if only by a blog post. I hope you eat Lasagna and think of last year.
Funny how much things change in a year isn’t it?
Thoughts from the weekend
Crying over salad... seriously? How old are you?
I’m so glad that’s done!
The carrots were cooked!
L
Thoughts from the weekend
Crying over salad... seriously? How old are you?
I’m so glad that’s done!
The carrots were cooked!
L
Monday, January 7, 2008
Highlights of 2007
- The best party I've ever thrown. It happened to be New Year’s Eve
- Bradley – Feb 14 (hand hold), Feb 17 (dating)
- Dinner / CPO / Ballet with Bradley – January 26
- Chuck E Cheese Group Date – January 27
- Candlemas – February 2
- First Temple Trip with Bradley – February 3
- Sweethearts Dance (Stake and IRC) – February 9
- Jane-Almus Eve – February 10
- Skating in Lake Louise with Brad – February 19
- Skating at Olympic Oval, double date – February 23
- Middle Name Pride Day – March 10
- Engaged! – March 23
- The Producers – March 27
- Dracula Ballet in Banff with Kim, Brandy and Jocelyn – April 7
- Snow Patrol, Mac Hall – April 9
- Boys Like Girls, The Hush Sound, Mac Hall – April 11
- Jann Arden, Jubilee – May 17
- Shuswap with the Wiebe’s – May 19
- Engagement Party in Magrath – June 16
- The Wedding! – June 30
- Puerto Vallarta, Dolphins, Canopy Tour, Coconut ice cream – July 1-7
- Picnic and Shakespeare in the Park with Ian, Jen and Cora – July 21
- Mini Golf with Dave, Naomi and Devon – July 25
- Global Fest Fireworks Competition – August 17, 21, 23
- Spruce Meadows Horse Jumping – September 7
- Jimmy Eat World Concert, Mac Hall – October 8
- Skating at Olympic Plaza, the first of the Season – November 30
- Baby Porter Forsyth born – December 4
- 6th Ward Christmas Party (the program was so successful) – December 8th
- Stake Carol Fest – December 9th
- Wiebe Caroling Party – December 17
- Christmas in Spanish Fork, UT – December 21 – 26
- New Year's Eve at Doug and Lisa's
This year turned out to be pretty life changing, what with the getting married. So many great things happened and I got to do almost all of them with my best friend. I hope your year was just as memorable and that 2008 is everything you want it to be.
L
Friday, October 12, 2007
Making Time
Okay so I know the blog has been super boring but I’ve been ridiculously busy these last couple of days.
There are a few things I’ve been meaning to write about. The Jimmy Eat World concert is one of them but it’ll wait, I have videos to add. The mother of a canker sore is another but it’s too gross to write about (thank me for leaving out details). There’s also the really really depressing movie Brad and I watched but it led us to nothing but super sad thoughts so I won’t dwell on that. Look forward to the video of the recorder duet and I have a few pictures coming.
So how about a story...
I went on a blind date once, it’s the only one I’ve ever been on. You hear horror stories about people’s blind dates so I was hesitant but when a friend asked if he could set me up with his other friend I said okay. So Pete (not his real name but since I don’t remember his real name I’ll call him Pete) calls me a couple days later and asks me out for hot chocolate, sounds fine. We go to this cool place in Marda Loop, it’s an old house that’s been turned into a coffee shop, you can choose which room to drink in as there are tables in the old rooms. We chose one with a real tree growing right in the middle, it was cool. If I remember correctly I had white hot chocolate and it was so good. After hot chocolate we decided to go back to my place to watch a movie but when we got there we discovered about 12 people sprawled all over already watching a movie. I was fine to nestle in and find a spot and watch in but it didn’t take long before Pete decided he’d had enough and left.
There was nothing specifically wrong with the date, just awkward. Disappointing that Pete couldn’t take the large group of people. I remember that Pete was tall... and that’s really all I remember. Never heard from him again and that was okay by me.
Here’s to more entries to come in the near future
L
There are a few things I’ve been meaning to write about. The Jimmy Eat World concert is one of them but it’ll wait, I have videos to add. The mother of a canker sore is another but it’s too gross to write about (thank me for leaving out details). There’s also the really really depressing movie Brad and I watched but it led us to nothing but super sad thoughts so I won’t dwell on that. Look forward to the video of the recorder duet and I have a few pictures coming.
So how about a story...
I went on a blind date once, it’s the only one I’ve ever been on. You hear horror stories about people’s blind dates so I was hesitant but when a friend asked if he could set me up with his other friend I said okay. So Pete (not his real name but since I don’t remember his real name I’ll call him Pete) calls me a couple days later and asks me out for hot chocolate, sounds fine. We go to this cool place in Marda Loop, it’s an old house that’s been turned into a coffee shop, you can choose which room to drink in as there are tables in the old rooms. We chose one with a real tree growing right in the middle, it was cool. If I remember correctly I had white hot chocolate and it was so good. After hot chocolate we decided to go back to my place to watch a movie but when we got there we discovered about 12 people sprawled all over already watching a movie. I was fine to nestle in and find a spot and watch in but it didn’t take long before Pete decided he’d had enough and left.
There was nothing specifically wrong with the date, just awkward. Disappointing that Pete couldn’t take the large group of people. I remember that Pete was tall... and that’s really all I remember. Never heard from him again and that was okay by me.
Here’s to more entries to come in the near future
L
Monday, August 20, 2007
Weekend of Fun
Every year Magrath celebrates it's anniversary and my favorite part of it has always been the fireworks. They'd set them off at one end of the football field and we'd lie on the grass at the other. The fireworks go off right above your head and occasionally you'd be lucky enough to be hit by sparks, you're that close!
There are few things I love more than fireworks, so I was thrilled to be able to go to the first night of the Fireworks competition. We were there to see Canada and I'm not sure I could have loved it more. Mom, Dad, Rob and Riley came up and Riley was so cute, he'd clap his hands and proclaim that it was "Awesome". We're lucky enough to have tickets for Tuesday and Thursday as well. While you aren't hit by sparks for these ones they do have the added fun of music, I love the music!
On saturday we went on a Zoo trip, check out the pictures.
It was such a great weekend! I look forward to Tuesday and Thursday.
L
There are few things I love more than fireworks, so I was thrilled to be able to go to the first night of the Fireworks competition. We were there to see Canada and I'm not sure I could have loved it more. Mom, Dad, Rob and Riley came up and Riley was so cute, he'd clap his hands and proclaim that it was "Awesome". We're lucky enough to have tickets for Tuesday and Thursday as well. While you aren't hit by sparks for these ones they do have the added fun of music, I love the music!
On saturday we went on a Zoo trip, check out the pictures.
It was such a great weekend! I look forward to Tuesday and Thursday.
L
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Anywhere But Here
One day at work, months ago, Kim wasn't feeling well, she'd had a cold for a while and had run out of tissues so she asked Betty if she could have one of hers. Betty cooly said while handing her the tissue,
"You know you can buy these at the drug store in 5th avenue place (across the street) for only a couple dollars."
Kim and I were a surprised at her stingy-ness... apparently Betty doesn't like to share her tissues. Later she made some comment under her breath about how it'll be difficult for her to live with someone one day if she can't even share her tissues. Kim and I wholeheartedly agreed.
Yesterday was Kim's last day at work. She's decided to go back to school and I couldn't be happier for her, the only drawback being that she no longer works with me. We've known for a long time that she was quitting so I've been preparing myself for her absence. I went into work today, ready to not see her and noticed she'd put her tissue box on my desk with the above post-it note attached. What a great way to start the day, with a good chuckle, I'd totally forgotten about that day. I'm sure she wouldn't admit it but she'll miss the crazy Betty experiences, you don't get those anywhere but here.
Good Luck at school!
L
"You know you can buy these at the drug store in 5th avenue place (across the street) for only a couple dollars."
Kim and I were a surprised at her stingy-ness... apparently Betty doesn't like to share her tissues. Later she made some comment under her breath about how it'll be difficult for her to live with someone one day if she can't even share her tissues. Kim and I wholeheartedly agreed.
Yesterday was Kim's last day at work. She's decided to go back to school and I couldn't be happier for her, the only drawback being that she no longer works with me. We've known for a long time that she was quitting so I've been preparing myself for her absence. I went into work today, ready to not see her and noticed she'd put her tissue box on my desk with the above post-it note attached. What a great way to start the day, with a good chuckle, I'd totally forgotten about that day. I'm sure she wouldn't admit it but she'll miss the crazy Betty experiences, you don't get those anywhere but here.
Good Luck at school!
L
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Stories too Embarrassing to Share
So I know that entries are few and far between lately but in my defense, I started an entry yesterday but it ended up being so boring I deleted it. Really, it was no good. It was about this site, it makes for a good read if your bored.
So I had thought that I'd share a story from a awhile ago and was trying to come up with something when I remembered I happen to have my journal at work. So I pulled it open and thought I'd find a good gem or two. Boy was I wrong! That thing is embarrassing! I think I must destroy it! It's all about what boy I'm interested and their every movement that could even slightly be interpreted in my favour... there's no way I'm sharing any of that. It's also become apparent that I only write in my journal when it's about boys. I think I'll make an effort to change that.
So Let's just say that I've grown up a lot. I was silly and a little boy crazy and clingy and needy... thank goodness I learned to be independent and much more mature. Sorry to all those boys I hung out with back then, I'm a much better person now :)
L
So I had thought that I'd share a story from a awhile ago and was trying to come up with something when I remembered I happen to have my journal at work. So I pulled it open and thought I'd find a good gem or two. Boy was I wrong! That thing is embarrassing! I think I must destroy it! It's all about what boy I'm interested and their every movement that could even slightly be interpreted in my favour... there's no way I'm sharing any of that. It's also become apparent that I only write in my journal when it's about boys. I think I'll make an effort to change that.
So Let's just say that I've grown up a lot. I was silly and a little boy crazy and clingy and needy... thank goodness I learned to be independent and much more mature. Sorry to all those boys I hung out with back then, I'm a much better person now :)
L
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
6 Weeks and Counting
When you were a kid what kind of vacations did you go on?
We went on road trips. Long drives that didn’t just get us to our final destination, they were part of the destination. We’d drive to California, camping along the way. Staying in KOA’s with freezing swimming pools, showers and electric outlets. We’d eat eggs, sausage, bacon, pancakes for breakfast and steaks for dinner. We’d hit up all the sites along the way, the Grand Canyon, Lewis and Clark caverns. Once we got there we’d see everything there was to see, after all, you may never make it back. Disneyland, Sea World, Universal Studios, Notts Berry Farm, Cotton Fields, Great Sequoia Trees, Venice Beach... you name it, we saw it. They were world wind trips, busy and scheduled so by the time we got home we needed a vacation from our vacation.
As I’ve grown up I’ve come to realize that these aren’t my kind of vacations at all. Now I love to go to Hawaii and sit in the ocean for days. I didn’t go to Pearl Harbour, I didn’t go to the Pineapple fields, I went shopping, I went for dinner and I sat in the ocean. Perfect.
I went to London, I saw Broadway shows, I shopped, I loved it. I went to one museum. I didn’t see the crown jewels, I didn’t see much of anything else... perfect.
This weekend I went to Shushwap lake, to a cabin accessible only by boat. We sat, we lounged we dipped our feet in the water (it’s much to cold to swim this early in the season). We cooked and napped and visited. Perfect.
Here’s to a week in Puerto Vallarta in 6 weeks, here’s to lounging on the beach, swimming with the dolphins, zipping through the rainforests and loving every minute of it!
L
We went on road trips. Long drives that didn’t just get us to our final destination, they were part of the destination. We’d drive to California, camping along the way. Staying in KOA’s with freezing swimming pools, showers and electric outlets. We’d eat eggs, sausage, bacon, pancakes for breakfast and steaks for dinner. We’d hit up all the sites along the way, the Grand Canyon, Lewis and Clark caverns. Once we got there we’d see everything there was to see, after all, you may never make it back. Disneyland, Sea World, Universal Studios, Notts Berry Farm, Cotton Fields, Great Sequoia Trees, Venice Beach... you name it, we saw it. They were world wind trips, busy and scheduled so by the time we got home we needed a vacation from our vacation.
As I’ve grown up I’ve come to realize that these aren’t my kind of vacations at all. Now I love to go to Hawaii and sit in the ocean for days. I didn’t go to Pearl Harbour, I didn’t go to the Pineapple fields, I went shopping, I went for dinner and I sat in the ocean. Perfect.
I went to London, I saw Broadway shows, I shopped, I loved it. I went to one museum. I didn’t see the crown jewels, I didn’t see much of anything else... perfect.
This weekend I went to Shushwap lake, to a cabin accessible only by boat. We sat, we lounged we dipped our feet in the water (it’s much to cold to swim this early in the season). We cooked and napped and visited. Perfect.
Here’s to a week in Puerto Vallarta in 6 weeks, here’s to lounging on the beach, swimming with the dolphins, zipping through the rainforests and loving every minute of it!
L
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Memories of You
I really liked this idea... Jenn decided to write her favorite memories of her favorite people... I thought I’d do the same (seems like all I can do is borrow others brilliant idea’s these day, I swear I’ll have an original one again)
Michelle
Remember that time you came to visit me when I first moved away from home? I had to go buy a knife so I could cut the bagel for the bagel Sandwiches. It's still my favorite knife. You brought your friends with you and they slept on that really uncomfortable futon my roommate had. Or how about all those time we ate popcorn, french fries or soda crackers with all the fixings... “I’m Mario”
Cora
Our trip to Utah stands out in my memory, singing the Future Freaks Me Out on repeat, or maybe London for New Year’s or just London in general.
Brad
I loved the Calgary Stampede last summer for my birthday. It was my first introduction to Whack-a-Mole (almost as good as Flaming Finger) and live Chuckwagon races. Those gross but good hotdogs and all the times I repeatedly beat you at Bomberman ;)
Kim
I often think of the Christmas gift exchange us girls had a couple of years ago. As usual there was some Buffy watching, some laughing, visiting and then the usual trip to Denny's in our pajamas. We all look awful in those pictures but they're some of my favorites.
Tonia
We went and saw the opera Lakmé at the Jubilee, it was so beautiful. Most of my memories of you are some sort of concert... the Opera, Jann Arden, the CPO. Thanks for being such a great theatre buddy.
Nathan
That time we played Gamecube, Mario Party button masher and I laughed until tears. We really should play that again. It still makes me smile
L
Michelle
Remember that time you came to visit me when I first moved away from home? I had to go buy a knife so I could cut the bagel for the bagel Sandwiches. It's still my favorite knife. You brought your friends with you and they slept on that really uncomfortable futon my roommate had. Or how about all those time we ate popcorn, french fries or soda crackers with all the fixings... “I’m Mario”
Cora
Our trip to Utah stands out in my memory, singing the Future Freaks Me Out on repeat, or maybe London for New Year’s or just London in general.
Brad
I loved the Calgary Stampede last summer for my birthday. It was my first introduction to Whack-a-Mole (almost as good as Flaming Finger) and live Chuckwagon races. Those gross but good hotdogs and all the times I repeatedly beat you at Bomberman ;)
Kim
I often think of the Christmas gift exchange us girls had a couple of years ago. As usual there was some Buffy watching, some laughing, visiting and then the usual trip to Denny's in our pajamas. We all look awful in those pictures but they're some of my favorites.
Tonia
We went and saw the opera Lakmé at the Jubilee, it was so beautiful. Most of my memories of you are some sort of concert... the Opera, Jann Arden, the CPO. Thanks for being such a great theatre buddy.
Nathan
That time we played Gamecube, Mario Party button masher and I laughed until tears. We really should play that again. It still makes me smile
L
Monday, January 29, 2007
Cookie Dreams
At Christmas time my roommate made these sugar cookies. She didn't want to ice them, but me being me, I refused to let her get away with that, you just have to ice sugar cookies. So she made me help her ice them :)
Helping myself to a finished cookies, I took one bite and was immediately 11 years old, sitting in my Mom's kitchen at the counter helping her ice, eat and package cookies to send to my siblings who no longer lived at home. This was one of the traditions her and I had. We did it every year. They had to be heart shaped and had to have pink icing piped on them, preferably in two different colours. I'm sure the cookies broke in the mail when they were shipped but it was the thought that counted.
After that one cookie at Christmas I knew I had to have heart shaped cookies on Valentine's Day. When the Bishop gave me my new calling as the Enrichment Leader my first thought was, Enrichment icing Valentines cookies! So that's the plan!
I'm thrilled to share my Valentine's tradition with those around me, if you're lucky I may even save you a cookie :)
Helping myself to a finished cookies, I took one bite and was immediately 11 years old, sitting in my Mom's kitchen at the counter helping her ice, eat and package cookies to send to my siblings who no longer lived at home. This was one of the traditions her and I had. We did it every year. They had to be heart shaped and had to have pink icing piped on them, preferably in two different colours. I'm sure the cookies broke in the mail when they were shipped but it was the thought that counted.
After that one cookie at Christmas I knew I had to have heart shaped cookies on Valentine's Day. When the Bishop gave me my new calling as the Enrichment Leader my first thought was, Enrichment icing Valentines cookies! So that's the plan!
I'm thrilled to share my Valentine's tradition with those around me, if you're lucky I may even save you a cookie :)
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Happy?
Dear Jann,
I thought we were done, over. I thought I no longer needed your music. That my tastes had changed.
I was wrong... tonight was a Jann night for sure. I was searching for the right music for my mood, had tried multiple bands. Nothing was right and then it hit me, Jann - the album Happy?
Glad to know we still have time together.
Thanks for being here.
L
I thought we were done, over. I thought I no longer needed your music. That my tastes had changed.
I was wrong... tonight was a Jann night for sure. I was searching for the right music for my mood, had tried multiple bands. Nothing was right and then it hit me, Jann - the album Happy?
Glad to know we still have time together.
Thanks for being here.
L
Monday, December 18, 2006
Christmas Time is Here
When I was about 15 or 16 my Mom found these Christmas sheets for our beds. She bought 2 sets, one for me and one for MIchelle. She made our beds and hung mini lights above the beds so when we came home there was this glow and fresh turned down beds with the sheets showing. There have been other friends over the years that Mom has suprised with this little treat. This has become something of a tradition. Every year on or around the first of December we'd put the sheets on our bed, sometimes we'd put up the lights, sometimes we wouldn't. Michelle and I moved away from home and made sure we took our sheets, every year we'd continue to put the sheets on. Not only a Christmas tradition but however cheesey you may think it, it's also a bit of a bonding thing... Michelle and I knew that both of us were sharing in our sheets, even though we don't live close anymore.
So last year I got this fantastic new bed, it really is the best bed ever. Let me explain the beauty of it... The magic starts with the upgrade from the regular twin to a grown up queen. Pillow top on the top and bottom. I have a heated mattress pad that goes underneath the sheets, no more cold feet. Then I have these really nice chocolate brown sheets, a quilt from Grandma (Grandma quits really are the best) and then to top it all off a lovely feather duvet with a pretty cover. I sacrifice a lot of space for the bed and it wouldn't fit down the stairs so it had to come in the window but all this is worth it. The only real downside of this bed is that I no longer have Christmas sheets that fit. Last year I just did without and figured it didn't really matter. I was fully prepared to do the same this year but in Michelle's blog she mentioned her sheets... Michelle got married so she also upgraded and doesn't have sheets anymore either but she at least has pillow cases. Her blog made me realize just how much I miss my sheets... I know this sounds stupid but they are the beginning of Christmas for me.
So last year I felt a little scrooge-ish, I had a really hard time getting into the spirit of things. That's unusual for me, I normally really love Christmas. This year I'd been making more of an effort, I've been listening to Christmas music and trying but something was lacking. I've been putting off buying presents and I'm not even putting up a tree. I haven't taken any goodies to my neighbors yet and I feel this overall stress.
Yesterday was our Institute Choir Christmas performance... my Mom really loves our director and our choir so Mom, Dad and Grandma came up to listen to me sing, and play the handbell (insert handbell arm motion here).
They got to my house at 4:30 ish, I'd made them dinner so we ate but I had to leave at 5 to practice so I left my parents at my house, they came to the church at 7:00. The performance went well, I played my bell (insert handbell arm motion here), did the usual visiting and went home. I was heading downstairs to change and there was a light on in my room... I was surprised I'd left my lamp on cause it's not very like me. I decend the stairs, face my room... and freeze! All I could do was stare, open mouth. While I was gone my Mom had made and turned down my bed with brand new flannely Christmas sheets (they have snowmen on them). The glow wasn't my lamp but mini lights hung above my bed! So she's pretty much the best mom ever :)
So I slept in my super cozy sheets last night and for the first time in 2 years it really feels like Christmas. Apparantly the sheets were vital to my Christmas spirit. I'm looking forward to making goodies for my neighbors (I'm still not setting up the tree though). I feel like I'm really ready. It very much felt before like I hadn't done something I was supposed to do so nothing else was in the right order. Well the order is right and now I'm ready for Christmas, bring it on!
Christmas time is here
So last year I got this fantastic new bed, it really is the best bed ever. Let me explain the beauty of it... The magic starts with the upgrade from the regular twin to a grown up queen. Pillow top on the top and bottom. I have a heated mattress pad that goes underneath the sheets, no more cold feet. Then I have these really nice chocolate brown sheets, a quilt from Grandma (Grandma quits really are the best) and then to top it all off a lovely feather duvet with a pretty cover. I sacrifice a lot of space for the bed and it wouldn't fit down the stairs so it had to come in the window but all this is worth it. The only real downside of this bed is that I no longer have Christmas sheets that fit. Last year I just did without and figured it didn't really matter. I was fully prepared to do the same this year but in Michelle's blog she mentioned her sheets... Michelle got married so she also upgraded and doesn't have sheets anymore either but she at least has pillow cases. Her blog made me realize just how much I miss my sheets... I know this sounds stupid but they are the beginning of Christmas for me.
So last year I felt a little scrooge-ish, I had a really hard time getting into the spirit of things. That's unusual for me, I normally really love Christmas. This year I'd been making more of an effort, I've been listening to Christmas music and trying but something was lacking. I've been putting off buying presents and I'm not even putting up a tree. I haven't taken any goodies to my neighbors yet and I feel this overall stress.
Yesterday was our Institute Choir Christmas performance... my Mom really loves our director and our choir so Mom, Dad and Grandma came up to listen to me sing, and play the handbell (insert handbell arm motion here).
They got to my house at 4:30 ish, I'd made them dinner so we ate but I had to leave at 5 to practice so I left my parents at my house, they came to the church at 7:00. The performance went well, I played my bell (insert handbell arm motion here), did the usual visiting and went home. I was heading downstairs to change and there was a light on in my room... I was surprised I'd left my lamp on cause it's not very like me. I decend the stairs, face my room... and freeze! All I could do was stare, open mouth. While I was gone my Mom had made and turned down my bed with brand new flannely Christmas sheets (they have snowmen on them). The glow wasn't my lamp but mini lights hung above my bed! So she's pretty much the best mom ever :)
So I slept in my super cozy sheets last night and for the first time in 2 years it really feels like Christmas. Apparantly the sheets were vital to my Christmas spirit. I'm looking forward to making goodies for my neighbors (I'm still not setting up the tree though). I feel like I'm really ready. It very much felt before like I hadn't done something I was supposed to do so nothing else was in the right order. Well the order is right and now I'm ready for Christmas, bring it on!
Christmas time is here
Happiness and cheer
Fun for all that children call
Their favorite time of the year
Snowflakes in the air
Carols everywhere
Olden times and ancient rhymes
Of love and dreams to share
Sleigh bells in the air
Beauty everywhere
Yuletide by the fireside
And joyful memories there
Christmas time is here
We'll be drawing near
Oh, that we could always see
Such spirit through the year
Oh, that we could always see
Such spirit through the year...
L
L
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Memories from My Youth
My 3 big brothers tickling me till I couldn’t stand it anymore (which is why I can suppress being tickled like you wouldn’t believe – except with Ian for some reason), the 3 of them fighting, and I mean fighting! There’s still a hole in the bathroom door to prove it. I remember Rob, Tae Kwon Doe chopping me and James and Mike ALWAYS fighting. I’ve seen all sorts of Manly movies thanks to my big brothers. Some memorable ones include Beastmaster and Red Sonya (which is actually pretty girly) and of course some wrestling. I remember sandwiches with Kraft cheese slices, Sonic the Hedgehog and Toejam ‘N Earl. Smelly boys coming back from Scout Camps and the time we all though James was about to be killed by Dad. When he says “Get in the Van” he MEANS it!
So things have changed a little. Somewhere through the years my 3 big brothers turned into some pretty great men. Two of them are fathers, all three of them are married. We had enjoyable conversations all weekend and there was no fighting. Some things never change... they did make me watch Ultimate Fighting Championship and there were still sandwiches with Kraft cheese slices but they’re such grown up, responsible men.
It was good to see the three of them together again.
L
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