It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

I Love Christmas!! Love Love Love it! This year through my calling my Christmas season started off with the Festival of Nativities. What better way to start this wonderful season than being surrounded by Nativities, participating and listening to beautful choir and music arrangements and witnessing the Wards & branches in our stake come together and serve the community groups throughout the day. The Spirit was a welcome companion throughout all of last week. What a blessing! I was also able to have some discussions on church to some people at work, turns out that one of my co-workers has distant cousins that are LDS and live in Salt Lake. Fun! Last night was the work Christmas party and Al & Cassidy were our DJ's, everyone loved
them and some people couldn't believe that they were married and had babies at home. At one point I thought that a lady, who was inebriated, from work was trying to hit on them but she was just requesting music...crazy! The party ended at 1pm and when I left near the end, there were still about 10 people there. hahaha, it was fun to watch some people dance, especially when the Macarena came on...I didn't realize that it was soo popular amongst the asian female population at work.
This year for Christmas I am going to Calgary to spend it with my sister, niece, nephew and my mom. My brother may show up but it'll be last minute if he does. I am the designated "Christmas Planner" this holiday so I hope they are prepared for good times! I know I am. It will be great to see them, I saw them in Feb but Christmas time is more special.
I went to a Seattle SA dance...shiver...actually it wasn't that bad but getting asked to dance by 50 & 60 yr olds is not my idea of a good time. I was soo tired and I was only there because the next day I was going to the Temple in the morning and my ride was going down friday for the dance and then the Temple in the morning which worked well for me because I had to go to my Christmas party @ 5pm Sat. I think I am going for the New Years dance dec 30th but hopefully mehgan will forget about that.
Okay, this wraps it up for now but all is well with me. I just need to get fully settled into my place and then all will be great!!

Sorry:(

Hi All, sorry for not posting in a while but this is the reason why I didn't want to start...too much of an obligation to keep my peeps satisfied. haha. I just used the words "peeps". Things have been changing in my world. The job is the same and I am the same..I think but my living space will be changing. I am going to move into Candace's place, $500/month everything included, except the phone. Nikki and I have been called to Stake Activities and Shelley Murley is the chair. She is wonderful, very organised (on paper) and is so creative and loves this calling. Needless to say, we are very busy because we have The Festival of Nativities to plan...it will be on from Nov. 30-Dec. 2nd. Too Soon if you ask me. I like this calling. Nikki will be moving into Kyla's one bedroom (Kyla is moving for her practicums) and she will be literally a block away, just around the corner from me. Yay! I won't be in New West alone. I have been thinking about changes in my life and when and what should happen. Next year I have a great desire to travel to Europe. I won't be doing it alone but who knows, so if anyone wants to come or has a plan already and would like some company, let me know and I'll do me best to be there.
I was able to visit with my friend Lee early October, he is one of my good friends that I haven't been in contact with for a while and the visit was soo great. I really miss some of my good friends in life that live far away. Or, some of them are married and it's just not the same to visit...I'll be able to understand more when I am married I guess.
Things are changing, I really want a car and was almost going to settle for a beater for my first car but I can't do it. I need something reliable and roadtrip worthy and I know that I deserve something like that. It'll happen, maybe not right away but I am going to get a car sometime. I will be living on my own basically while Candace is away on her practicums for three months and then she'll be moving to Calgary, so I'll really get to know if I like living on my own.
Lately, I have been able to have some great hang out sessions with Mehgan and Nikki. Mehgan is so awesome and it's great getting to know her. Nikki, well I know her but we haven't been hanging out much since we became roommates in New West but now that we know that we won't be roommates for long, it has gone back to the way things were. Happiness on both sides.
I have been having some good conversations with my Mom and that's really nice. Her and I are going to Calgary for Christmas to spend it with my sister and her two children. I miss them, it will be great to spend time with them over the holidays.
Kaisha is in Costa Rica for three months and I miss her too because we would go do things together, like various activities and now my buddy is gone:( But she is having suh a great time and I would rather that she experience this because it is such a great experience to go livein a different culture...I was in Dallas for a month, so I know. Totally kidding.
That's it for now, my favorite authors right now are Maeve Binchy and Michael Crichton. Fav tv shows, Gilmore Girls, Veronica Mars, CSI las Vegas, How I met your mother, The Class, LOST (too bad i have to wait until feb), the OC, ER and Slurvivor. Amazing Race is on Sundays this season...very disappointing. Anyways, love y'all and check back later...I will try to post some pictures up.

More Long Awaited Vegas Photos

Hi All, Better late then never...Enjoy.

Las Vegas Photos...better late than never:)

Hey all, so I finally decided to add the Las Vegas Photos...it takes so long to upload that I have been putting off adding these in but here they are..enjoy.

Tofino Surf & Camping Pics

Hi, it turn out that I can't add the photos into my earlier blog without difficulty so I am going to post them here. Enjoy!

Surf Sister aka "Spud"

I am finally writing about my Tofino Trip!! It was soo great and I am so excited that Gab, Stephanie & Jenn were willing to go. I have been wanting to learn how to surf for a looooooong time. Let's just say...most of my life but recently in the past years I have had opportunities to go but then last minute the plans changed and thankfully, this time they didn't. I went to Tofino or Vancouver Island, the very night that I flew back from Vegas. Nikki was nice enough to take my suitcase home, and she brought it inside...sweet. Anyway, I drove from the bellingham airport with Sarita and Nikki and once we were over the border (the Canadian Border cracks me up..they are so not interested in security measures...they just ask the questions and that's it....but maybe it's because they see that we are good girls anyway...which is good because I am) Gab, Stephanie and Jenn were waiting for me to head to the Ferry terminal. My other adventure had begun.

Jenn, Stephanie and Gab started talking about the water shortage that was happening in Tofino and they were already planning a trip to Victoria for Sunday and Monday. I was a little flabbergasted because I really wanted to go surfing and camping didn't understand all this talk. The water shortage would not affect us because we would be camping nor would it affect the surfing because the ocean is always there...so how it would affect us?

Friday night we arrived late to Kurt's Mama's house in Parksville. Her and Her husband have a beautiful home that they are using as a Bed & Breakfast, which explains the wonderful bed we given to sleep in, the bathroom was just as nice as the one in the Mandalay Bay Hotel, seriously...if her home had a pool, i would have stayed. In the morning we visited with them and I made German Pancakes while Gab and the girls prepared the fruit feast for breakfast. Kurt was coming with us to Tofino and his mom let us use her van for the trip. This was wonderful because Winston was completely full and that was with all of our stuff. How could we fit Kurt in?
By Eleven -thirty we were completely on our way and it takes three hours to get there. Good times. I didn't make reservations for surfing because I didn't know when we would be there and didn't know for sure that we were really going until the day before I left for Vegas. By the time we arrived in Tofino it was 2:30 and we chose "Surf Sister" to do our lessons, well, okay I chose it and they didn't have a preference. I found out that the last lesson at 4pm was full and every other surf shop had their last lesson at 2. So we made an appointment for Monday @ 10am. So this meant that we had to stay til Monday..haha suckers! I was happy. After that, we headed to the beach and pulled into one of the parking lots that was full but then we saw "the Bezooyen's" they were there surfing...how cool and random is that? Thankfully someone was leaving so we got their parking spot...blessed day! We just hung out on the beach for a couple of hours and then headed to our campsite. This "free" beautiful campsite that Gab keeps talking about that has a sandy beach on a lake....I had my doubts about the beauty and the sand. So we travelled more than 13km on a pot-holed gravelly road but in the end it was soo worth it and it is free...Yay. Here are the pics....

We had such a great time, even travelling to church for a little over an hour to Port Alberni on Sunday was worth it. They all complained but were good sports about doing things that I wanted to do. Like having to camp the whole time and driving to Ucluelet for potatoes...seriously, who doesn't want potatoes camping? I knew they were essential so I insisted and was unpopular until we ate the potatoes that night with chili...my peeps apologised and loved the potatoes!! Hence, my nickname is now "spud". We met some cool people there, like Mushroom Man who makes a living out of telling companies where to find the best mushrooms on the island. He was living on the beach for three months...isn't that the coolest..that's his job. Some other people we met were from Mexico and France. Matthew (avec a french accent), loula (lola) and Lallo (the mexican). Matthew and Loula are a couple that is on vacation, she is here for a year and he is here for a month. Lallo, has been in Canada working for a while now and they all met three days ago. He picked them up while they were hitchhiking. Haha. Anyway, the best time was Kurt trying to correctly pronounce the name of Lallo and Loula. He would say, Lala and lee lee, hahaha....to their face. It was hilarious watching them correct him all the time.

The day of Surfing had arrived! Yay!! It was foggy and cold but that meant not a lot of surfers were out on the beach ...yet. We were hardcore and although it takes a long time to get into a wetsuit...it is so worth it. We had about a 1/2 hour to 40 min lesson and then we were in the water. How fun! Our instructor had us draw our surfboards in the sand and practise getting up on the for about 15 min. but when were actually todo it on the board in the water...it's soo hard! You have to think of all the steps until it becomes routine...by the time I would actually get up..the wave is done. I love surfing, I want to do it lots and just getting on the board is exciting, anticipating the next wave....Priceless. Now that I know how to surf, I can rent a board and wetsuit for 2 hours in Tofino but I may want to try somewhere warmer next time. Here are some photos but they aren't close because Kurt was too cold to get closer...lame!

9/11 - 5th Anniversary

Today marks the 5th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center. Since that day and every year since, my heart has grieved for those lives that were taken too soon all because of senseless terrorism. I call is senseless because what has their act gained them besides a war on themselves? Has it made them any richer? Are they a more powerful nation because they killed thousands of people and ruined a nation's landmark? I have such disgust towards those terrorists and their "suicide missions". Terrorists are merely bullies who can't stand to live civilly. I'm sure their parents are proud. I cannot fathom people's disgust at Pres. Bush's reaction by starting a war, a war to combat terrorism. He has shown these people that you can't attack a country and kill their people without consequence. If this happened in Canada, would we want nothing less than a leader that leads? Isn't this the reaction that Captain Moroni had when they were attacked by the Lamanites? They fought for liberty, they fought for the preservation of life and the safety of their family. This was the reason they took up arms.
I support the war on terrorism and always will, I believe that this is a great way to honor those that died. A lot of people say that this isn't our war but how is it not? Terrorist acts do not happen only to the States or London or India. Terrorist acts can happen anywhere, anytime and this is what this war is about, to prevent acts as horrendous as 9/11 in the future towards all countries. I was sad when I started this blog now I am angry. I am angry at the injustice that Bin Laden is still out there, I am angry towards those men that flew those planes into the World Trade Center and I am angry that I cannot do more to help in some way.

There is beauty in all of this too. The heroes on Flight 93, that willingly gave their lives to prevent an attack on the White House. The uniting of the world for a time, when all planes were landed and cities opened up their hearts and homes for those that were stranded. When the world mourned together and truly loved one another.

Thanks for listening to my rant and reflections. Thank you, this is a day for comfort.

Viva Las Vegas

We embarked on our grand adventure Sunday August 27th. Let me tell you that that was one of the longest days of my life. The week leading up to it was torture too, work was very slow...having an office job with not a lot of work tends to make the minutes seem like hours. But finally, the day to leave for Vegas has arrived and we left our house with Karey at noon-ish. The border line up was a 15 min. wait...good thing we left with plenty of time to spare so that we wouldn't miss our flight. One time, I took the quick shuttle down to SEA-TAC airport for a flight at 1pm. The bus left downtown Vancouver @ 7am and we arrived at the border at 8ish. Due to a great number of other tour busses there, we didn't leave the border until 10am and we had also waited for a couple of passengers to show up for 20 min...they simply disappeared and so they got left behind. The quick shuttle is not as quick as it makes out to be, we had to stop at the bellingham airport and then downtown seattle. We finally arrived at the airport at 12:25pm. I was able to check in...go through security and be at my gate with 20 min. to spare (running a lot of the time). So, when I heard that everyone was very concerned about not getting to the Bellingham airport in time and making the flight and wanted to leave extra early for a flight that was at 7:50pm...I was less than enthusiastic. I cannot stand waiting around for things, I hate it! I knew that the only thing that we might have had to worry about was the border wait but even I knew that wouldn't be very long. What could I do, I was a passenger and only one against 5 others. Also, if anyone has seen the bellingham airport you know what I am talking about...there is no way you can miss your flight..checking in an hour early is even recommended i heard from a friend who recently flew out of there. Okay, so enough about the longest day of my life. The random driving around the Washington countryside was fun and so was playing mad lib in the state park there. I can't remember the name right now. Karey and Nikki are good times.

Vegas!!! We stayed at the Mandalay Bay hotel and karey, Randy, Scott & I went to the Mandalay Bay beach. It has a wave pool, where you can body surf and it has a lazy river. Scott and Randy both brought their tubes and so we used those, or floated without them. It was soo fun and relaxing. The four of us went to the beach every morning and that is how we started our day. Except for Tuesday, Randy & Scott were on their way to the Grand Canyon with Sarita & Nikki. The groups were like this, Nikki & Sarita most of the time, Karey & I, then it would be Karey, Nikki & Sarita and Scott, Randy & I. Mostly because the boys and I have been to Vegas plenty of times and we wanted some new adventures..mostly shopping. I hope Randy & Scott didn't feel like tour guides. They did a lot of the same things that they have done the many times they have been there. I was able to do some new things, like go shopping in the Aladdin, saw the Thunderstorm in the Desert Passage with Karey. I also went to two outlet malls on either side of the strip. I took the Deuce for the first time. The Deuce is the bus on the Strip that is a double decker bus that announces "Have fun, get out of the sun and ride the Deuce! $2 for a ride or 5$ all day" That $5 gets you a 24 hr bus pass and I used two of those when I was there. The Deuce only let me down once but I forgave it the next day. The northside of the strip is a little ghettoish and even in the daytime it doesn't seem safe. I went to the Coca Cola shop and the M&M factory I had bought some gifts for people..and I was so tempted to drink a coke...they make it look so delicious but I settled for some clear cards instead. We went on the gondola at the Venetian and were serenaded (well i don't think I can call it that) with "That's Amore". Ahh, the life of a venetian..or a tourist at least. We went to the Bellagio for dinner (the buffet..al we could afford in that hotel). Soo yummy. I have eating at the buffets down! I was able to sample everything...the seafood is disappointing there though. What can you expect living on the westcoast with fresh seafood anytime I want it. All the water in Vegas is heavily chlorinated and the taste and the smell permeates everything you eat, you wear, etc,. The seafood tasted like chlorine water...gross. But everything else was fantastic!! I also ate at the Aladdin Buffet (supper) and the Excalibur buffet (lunch) and Mandalay Bay Buffet (breakfast). Not all on the same day though.. i like to eat but not that much. The Paris had these Eiffel Tower plastic cups that can hold about two litres of liquid. I got a virgin Pina Colada in one (you get to keep the Eiffel Tower cup) and seriously, the guy poured in one litre "milk" carton of ready made pina colada mix into the "tower" and that is what I had to drink. It was heavy, delicious and by the time I drank to the top of the base...i was done. I never wanted to see another liquid again. I was able to keep the cup and experience something different, et voila...I did. There are a lot more things to talk about but I think I will just add some pictures later and let them tell the story. The Bellagio fountain is soo beautiful and just watching those, sets my mind at ease. I love water...I love it, love it, love it! We also went to the Temple. A little bit of the good to wash out the evil..haha kidding. I love Las Vegas, I still haven't seen it all.

Squamish Adventures

I love camping. I love it, I love it, I love it! On Friday, after a boring week of work, Karey and Sarita picked me up at home and that is when my weekend began. I was a thoughtful friend (kudo's to me) and bought a cinnamon bun for Sarita, Karey & laura. Unfortunately for me, I didn't get one for myself because I didn't feel like eating but I sorely regretted it later as I gave Laura hers, about an hour after I bought it and I realized I was soo hungry. Karey, Laura & I went to the RS Retreat out in Squamish and on the way we had some good times of just some good chit chat. We didn't get out to the campsite until about 8ish and before that we went to Subway in Brackendale because karey and I were soo hungry. I knew that there would be food at the retreat but I wanted something now! Anyway, we went to the campsite, Paradise Valley Campground, it is sooo cute and perfect. The drive out there is very beautiful, trees are on either side of the road and create an overhang, so it looks like you are driving through a tunnel. It reminds me of pictures I have seen of roads like this in New England. I took a picture of it and I want to go back and take a picture of the trees in fall, winter and spring. I know that those will make great pictures. For some reason, everytime I go camping, I think that a miracle will occur and somehow I will end up positioning my sleeping bag over the softest part of the ground and am a little disappointed when I lie down and realize it wasn't to be this time. I even had a camping pad and an extra sleeping bag to cushion me from the ground but it felt like I was sleeping on a cement floor. That night, after we set up our tent(s) (we had an extra for our change room...hehe so clever) we drove to the church for the activities and food. There were some ladies cleaning the kitchen and then we walk in and pull out the leftovers and start putting food on our plates..when they found out we hadn't eaten supper yet (well the retreat's supper) they couldn't stop trying to pile food onto our plates. Do you need this? do you want that? Oh you must have this...and on and on and on. One of the ladies, gave me a half of a baked potato even though i said I didn't want a potato but she gave it to me anyway. I ended up eating, the potato, two pieces of BBQ chicken breast and this yummy layered salad tat Sister Rolfson made. Then, Laura and I got some ice cream afterwards.
As I am reading this, I realized...not very interesting is it? But the most important parts is playing Rook by two lanterns and a flashlight with Chandra, Karey/Niki, and Laura. We ate cherries and had a great time just playing and chatting. There were some asian sisters that were up all night talking and guess who they parked their tent beside...that's right, us. I think they got only a couple of hours of sleep but whenever we passed by their tent...yak yak yak. Also, a couple of sisters had an inflatable mattress (queen size i think) and they were trying to push it into the door of a two-three person tent. A little later, I looked back at the tent and noticed that the mattress was inside but that's all that would fit inside. The tent conformed to the mattress shape it was so small compared to it. Amazing. Karey, Laura and i went to Shannon Falls and karey and I hiked up the creek a bit. We walked on the rocks..i love rock jumping, so fun, turns out Laura does not. Karey followed the rocks a little more up towards the falls but I didn't feel like it and it took me a while to find my way down without getting wet.
I'll edit this later and add in our Murrin Provincial park swim...fun

Moon Lika Pizza and the Ocean lika glass

On Friday night, Laura & I finally did the Full Moon Paddle. It was amazing. I wore my white zip up sweater so that I wouldn't freeze but it turned out to be such a beautiful day that I could have worn shorts & a t-shirt and had no problem. The water was so calm and the night was a perfect summer night, with no breeze, warm and you couldn't hear anything but the sound of the paddle breaking water. Paddling up the Indian Arm is so peaceful and I usually take time out to reflect on life. I always mean to paddle with Laura but I end up getting ahead of her and if possible, everyone and just think about life and also take in the view around me (I don't mean the million dollar homes).
That night Chris was bugging me saying that I'm going to meet someone out there and I just laughed. And then I get into my kayak and am getting prepared when this one guy gets into the kayak beside me and asks,"how do you put the skirt on?" He wasn't an experienced kayaker like myself and then he forgot his paddle and when he was asked if he wanted one, he said, "Well I've gone kayaking before but I have never used a paddle before." There were a couple of other guys on the other side of me (I chose the best kayak;) and they started making fun of him for that remark. This guy was not attractive to me but he was nice and after I told him and demonstrated how to put the "skirt" on the kayak he introduced himself. After that, he tried to paddle near me all the time, it was during one of those peaceful times that I was in the front by myself, way ahead of the lead guide, which, apparently was a no-no (see Laura's blog) when this guy glides into the right side of my kayak. I then told him to start using his rudder so he can steer better...I'm quite the charmer. He was saying how he was from California and him and his friends always choose to vacation at different places annually. He mentioned that he has gone to Utah and of course I mention that I love Utah and what did he do there. After telling me he goes skiing and hiking, etc., I start thinking...hmm, missionary moment and so I asked him if he ever gets to Salt Lake City but then we were interrupted by the guide saying, "We are coming up to Lone Rock!" and I piped in with "aka Danger Bay house" and then conversation went on about the Danger Bay tv show and how the house is so beautful and after that, he didn't really paddle near me again. I guess it wasn't his time to learn about the church. Haha. Okay but there this was this other guy that I was "rafted" up next to at the beginning and he was nice to look at. I forgot to smile with my teeth though and never had another opportunity to talk to him during the rest of the paddle...sad times.
We saw Biwwy, Mawge & Fwank...never together though...they will soon find each other though..I can feel it! Laura believed that this girl that was always paddling near us was competitive and really liked to paddle in the front at all times..well, I showed her...and always tried to paddle in front of her..so basically, I became that girl.
I felt so powerful that night because everyone was paddling so slowwww. I loved it, I felt that I could enter a race and win many many times. I don;t want that feeling to end but I know that the next we go to the Women on the Water (W.O.W) for short, I'll be back to beginner Barb:(
I love Kayaking!!! I love it I love it I love it. Anytime you want to come out with us..let us know, you'll love it too..guaranteed!

Happy Canada Day Eh

Yesterday was Canada Day and it was a pretty good fun fulfilled day. Nikki and I went to IHOP for, as she puts it, "Breeho" ....means breakfast in Nikki speak. Chris, Amy, Nick & Pete showed up there too but close to when were finished our "breeho". After that Nikki and I went home, Randy came over and they watched France beat Brazil at the World Cup Soccer. So France is moving on up. I did some laundry and was playing on me computer when I should have been cleaning me room. Anyone will support that statement. Chris & the gang, and us we all went to Cate's Park before the EQ BBQ for us RS @ Pat's house. I first went shopping to pick up a couple of sleeping bags for kaisha & I (2 for 40$) and then I bought two pairs for capris' and one pair of shorts. So, I arrived a little later than the rest. I was driving Nikki's car and I put in one of my old mixed CD's (made 2005) and oh my heck, that is one good CD. I put on all these songs that are great to sing to and just make you feel good when you listen to them. Not a church CD though. When I get to Cate's Park, I had to find the group and walked around for a bit and finally found them. What a beautiful day it was. We played some catch, 500 up and Rook. My softball was out on the beach and this german shephard sees the ball, picks it up and starts playing with it and the owner is trying to get it back from the dog but his dog would not give it up, so they starting playing fetch. He threw it in the water and the dog went after it. I told the owner he can just keep the ball it really didn't belong to me in the first place (Jay S. gave it to me after he lost my baseball and he found another one as a replacement under a bush). After a while, they just left leaving the ball in the sand...needless to say, I left it there for the next dog. It was my Canada Day present to them.
The EQ BBQ at Pat's was really well done. There was a white sheet strung up to make the giant screen and Mark C. was making the dinner. So delicious and the dessert was soo yummy, it was strawberries layered with whipped cream with pineapples. A group of us went to see the fireworks at Ambleside rather than watch the movie. The fireworks were good but we didn't have a great view so every once in a while, when they were high, we could ohh and ahh like everyone else. We tried to get a rendition of Oh Canada going but someone actually said no, when nikki said, let's sing o canada. haha.
Had a very full day up until midnight, needed to buy some more TP so we went to 7-11 by Pat's and it was 11:55. I had my purchases rung up and pd by 11:59. Nikki's was right @ midnight. Good Times!!

Ah, La Vita E Bella

Things are going really well in me life. At work, no more drama because I am no longer in training and also, after that "session" she has taken more time to listen to me when I ask a question and so therefore..no more frustration on my part. The work is pretty easy and I, of course, have some questions every now and then but all is good. I still miss my old work and my other co-workers sometimes. I was in the lunchroom and saw one of my old co-workers, Georgina, she is one of my closest friends there, and she told me...I miss you. It broke my heart because I miss her and my area so much, even though one of the co-workers there can't stand me. Personally, I think this one co-worker feels/felt threatened by me because I wouldn't believe everything she said to be right...which it wasn't, so I would question or find out the right answers. Anything I would say she would refute...like for example, a group of us were talking about grocery stores across the border in Blaine - now I know Blaine because I go there a lot- and she was trying to think of the name of the store in blaine and I said Cost Cutters. She said, "No. There isn't a cost cutters Blaine, I know because I go there all the time." I just left it because she would have kept refuting and giving me the "I know more than you" tone. Well, that weekend I happened to be going to visit Jenn in Blaine and what do you know...the store is called "Cost Cutters". So, what I think is that she just hates to find out when I am right and hates me for it. Ah well. such is life....but I would never once take a tone like that with her because it wasn't worth it. Other than that, life is good at work. I am pretty busy with the social committee and work...I love it!

The weather here is sooo beautiful and our home is perfect. If you have the windows open you get a cool cross breeze and because we are on the lower level/ground level, if you will, it is just cooler. Our old place....sooo hot! You would just want to live in the basement the whole summer. I would love to have more storage place like I did in the last place but I wouldn't change the look of this place at all. It is perfect. When I walk to & from work I am walking towards the sun, so I will be getting a great tan this summer on me face, without going to the beach.

Las Vegas is coming up pretty fast and I am getting more and more excited. I finished watching the last season's CSI: Las Vegas and the opening scene of the city is so wonderful! I always try to spot Mandalay Bay. Did you know that Bats come and fly in the Luxor beam of light every night? I used to think those were moths but this time I go down, I'm going to bring some binoculars and see for myself. How fun! I have a good shopping trip planned, I need to make a list of clothes first though, so that way I won't be wandering around aimlessly. I love the desert and I am so glad that we are going on a roadtrip to the Grand Canyon...it will be so beautiful. Even if it's rainy or cloudy, it will only enhance the red-orange beauty of the rock. I could live in a desert city/town for a long while, mainly Kanab, Utah. Who knows, when I sell my first book and am able to say that I am a published author...I may. (That is one way to live in the states is to be a published author, so that you can prove that you can make a living without their help).

I have a new laptop and Jacky gave me her old desk, basically, a little piece of heaven right here. I was able to make a birthday CD for my niece and send it off. I hope she loves it! I hope it makes her happy. I called it "Happy Tunes for Makayla". I love that girl. I love making short little statements. I was rereading this last paragraph and in three lines there are four sentences, I really need to work on my english & writing again. I mainly bought this patop for writing but the closest I have gotten to that is this blog. How am I supposed to realize my life dream if I don't start now? There will always be excuses but only one chance to live in today. So I best get started. Later.

Laptop Heaven & Training disaster

I finally bought me a laptop! I love it, it is exactly what the doctor ordered...or something like that. I bought it mostly for writing but the only thing I have written on this so far is this blog and some emails. It is a 14" compaq model, silver with 80 gb which is an obscene amt of space for what I need it for. I thought that 40 would suit me fine. it's such a relief to have bought it and not stress about it anymore. I did so much research on the type of laptop that I want that I know that I made a great choice, also, I have a 3 yr stinkin' warranty from Future Shop so there is some peace of mind right there.

The training disaster is poor communication breakdown between me and my trainer at work. It is so bad that I don't want to go to work at all on Monday. She told me off on Friday in front of all of our co-workers (close quarters in our office so everyone hears everyone's conversation). The problem began when I asked her a simple, specific question regarding a "funding" i received and she proceeded to explain the whole thing but I didn't ask how to do it, I understood that, so I said, I understand that part but I am asking about this sentence here...well apparently she took that to mean that I think I know everything. I understand that I sometimes get a "tone" in my voice when I get frustrated or I think that someone isn't really listening to what I am asking. Also, she made a lot of unfair statements about me, to me which when I am confronted hostily (does that word even exist?) my reaction is fear, shame and anger all at once. I cannot express myself at all ...my mom would do the same thing and I could not nor still have an adequate reply. I know I haven't written all that could be written here but hopefully on Monday we will have spoken with our team leader and come up with a solution, it's just so maddening. The fact is she is not listening to my questions and will proceed to tell me what she thinks I am asking about or should be asking about and when I tell her that that is not what I am asking about and try to clarify she gets upset and takes that to mean that I don't need her help. Also, when she asks a question, sometimes it's not what she means to say and so I am answering what she has asked but she is not satisfied with the answer because it's not the right one, and proceeds to ask me again regarding something and I tell her that I've already told her the answer and then she is upset with me. I can't read minds! Okay, I know that we can both be clearer in our communication with each other but how she treated me on Friday was inexcusable. Okay thanks for reading my vent. Later....I am going to watch "An Inconvenient Truth"...I'm excited.

Well Looky What I Got Here!

This is a little late but I don't have a fancy digital camera like some of my friends so my pictures are going to be shown a bit later;) Ahh, me birthday, what a wonderful day it is! I love celbrating my birthday and most importantly, I love celebrating on the day of. I had a lot of friends come bowling with me and we had a great time! Karey brought these white stickers that you had to stick on your person if you got a gutterball...Looks like she didn't bring enough:) It was cosmic bowling so they glowed like nothing else...Papa says, They glowed like nothin' else! We all had such a great time. I challenged the people that came bowling that whoever got a higher score than me, out of two games, I would make them dinner. I owe Drew, my home teacher, a dinner now out of that but I have to admit, I was pretty scared that CFOX and Fatty McFatty (JS) were going to beat me as well but it turns out that their best game was the first game only and then the second..well, let's just say, they don't ever want to remember that night. Totally kidding.

The next day, Karey, Laura & I went to Whistler and had the opportunity to go snowshoeing and relax in this cabin for a bit. This is a refuge type area from the cold elements but on that day it was very warm & extremely sunny. I say, extremely because I forgot to bring a hat and was unwilling to pay over 20$ for some sunglasses and I seriously thought I was going to suffer snowblindness. We were sitting out by Lost Lake (We Found it!) and the snow was so bright that I had to put my hood up so it would give my eyes some relief. This is what living down in the Lower Mainland has done to me...made me forget how bright snow can get when it's sunny. But I have to admit it was quite magnificent. We spent a lot of time on the porch of this cabin taking pictures, finding the perfect poses, etc. It was blissful! Whistler was great to walk around and see the shops. I was looking for the perfect sweatshirt..hoodless and not a zipup but I was only successful in the last shop we went into. The problem with that one was the writing...I also did not want huge writing over me chest. I already have a couple of sweatshirts like that already...you don't really care hey? Okay, I'll go on. I had the best pizza from the Steakhouse brewery there...it was a vegetarian one with bocconcini cheese (buffalo mozzarella cheese) & roma tomatoes. It was sooo good and it was free because in my entree they had left a pice of tinfoil in my sauce, yumm! We had quite the adventures that day! Karey & Laura are so good to me!


This was the most recent adventure that Karey, Laura & I went on and that was to the Tulip Festival in Skagit County! It was Laura's birthday weekend and she wanted to go and so we went! What better place to see Tulips than at Tulip Town, which is where this picture is from. It was an overcast day but it made the colors stand out all the more. I was trying to get a picture of tulips without people or sheds but I like this picture, it shows depth. Tuliptown was an experience and one that I enjoyed for the first and last time. What it comes down to is, been there done that and have the pictures to prove it. It got really cold and rainy while we were looking at the flowers and then before we completely left the "town" we ate some overpriced hotdogs/hamburgers and curly fries. They were good but seriously 6$ for a hotdog & curly fries? Afterwards, we went to the outlets and I bought an orange polo shirt from the Gap..I love it!! then we went to Costco and got ourselves a 'Neutered bar" so yummy. That's what the man calls them if you get the ice cream bar without the nuts. When I went to the window to receive my chocolate covered ice cream bar i heard, "Hey Barb" and then I said, what? and the guy repeated himself and said, well you probably don't remember me and then I saw his nametag and recognized him from bellingham stake, Mike! (well I saw his nametag otherwise wouldn't have remembered his name), apparently he has been working at the costco for over a year. What do you know..small world when you're in the church! Karey & laura were amazed that someone knew me in a random setting like Mt. Vernon's Costco, which I have to admit, surprised me too. Well, this is what I get for my years of socializing, friends & acquaintances everywhere. Good times!

well these are some of the adventures that I have been on and the one consistency has been Karey and Laura. I love those girls...what will we do when Karey goes away? New adventures in Alberta!! There are so many things to do in Southern Alberta, the Raymond Parade, Calgary Stampede, Spruce Meadows, Waterton, Crushed head buffalo jump interpretive centre (or something like that). More good times to be had with my girls from the westside;) Love ya!

Hey Remember me?

I forgot to mention that we are now living in our new digs! haha..what a lame saying. We are living in our new two bedroom main level "BSMT" suite. Most of it is now all organized mainly due to my procrastination tactics for getting my room organized. My room = disaster still. I have the important things up, like Stereo, Mt. Timp Poster, Bookshelf & books but there are just random things that I have no idea where to put them. I still have to put pictures up on the wall, CD's to put away, etc. I love my room. It is definitely bigger than my last room and nicer. Nikki keeps offering to switch rooms once Amy leaves but c'mon, nikki's bed would take up the whole space...she is just being nice but I know and she knows that she wants to stay in the master bedroom. So that is where she will stay. My room is plenty big for me. Having my own room makes me happy, the size (well a little) does not matter. The gas stove is beautiful, I bought some silverware from Ikea but then I saw the cutlery I really wanted in Winners, last Friday and just had to buy them. I know that I would regret not buying them and hey why not, I love them a lot. You have to see them, they are beautiful, but I also forgot them in Meghan's car on the same night I bought them but when I get them back again, Happy Day! Our place is pretty. We have a beautiful backyard to look at from the living room, there is even a place for a BBQ to sit. We have a big fridge, so much so that it isn't even packed after we all went grocery shopping on Thursday night. I love it! Our bathroom is wonderful and pretty. Our home has a homey feel to it. No longer just a place to live but a place where you can live comfortably, peacably and quietly. I now walk to work in fifteen minutes and I love it! Such good exercise and I walk by a park, smells so fresh! Truly blessed in my life and I am grateful.

It's about time, they say!

So, last night, Karey pointed out that I have not written in the Blog for a loooong time! Well, ya, that is why I didn't start one for a long time...i get uninterested in writing about me and my somewhat boring adventures. (Well they are boring to me at least...you know, been there done that;) So let's start with Last Tuesday...Nikki's Birthday!

The night before I was complaining to Nikki that she had an easier time getting a birthday gift for me because all she had to do was pay for my driving but I am having a hard time because I have no idea what she wants. So she told me, Barb, I want the Family Stone movie. One of the things I love most about birthdays/Christmas...basically anytime you get gifts, is the surprise aspect. I had already bought Nikki a one day pass to Playland (So if anyone wants to go with Nikki to Playland, let me know because I can get you a great deal through my work) so there was one surprise for Nikki waiting for her on her Birthday morning. Yay!! After work, I went to the video store and got her the movie she wanted and also got free Lindt chocolates with the purchase. She can't eat chocolate nor sugar so I didn't feel the least bit guilty in eating them all myself, I thought about sharing with Amy but there was only three in the package...swiss chocolate and restraint, are not partners I'll have you know. Okay back to the story, I bought the movie and as I got home I thought, how am I going to present this so that she will be surprised? So I kept the movie wrapped up in the bag and put it on the TV and told her that i rented a movie for us to watch before Veronica Mars & Gilmore Girls (Season Finales...these are TOP Priority). She asked me what movie I rented and I said, the one with Owen Wilson but I can't remember the name because I have been trying to repress this desire to watch it. So, she says, Wedding Crashers? and I said Ya! She was surprised that I would rent that movie and that there is a bit of a bad part in there but she kind of wants to see it too. I walked over to where the video was and said, Oh, I didn't even look at the rating and walked over and sat down on the couch, as Nikki was watching me I pulled the movie out of the bag and said, "Hey, this isn't Owen Wilson, this is Luke Wilson, silly me." She then saw that I was holding "The Family Stone" DVD in my hand and was soo surprised and happy. How fun!! I love surprises and being the one that gives them. That night we ordered Chinese Food, Ang came over and we all watched the movie together...it's really good and Luke Wilson = hot. Then afterwards, Nikki and I watched the Season Finales of Gilmore Girls and Veronica Mars and all I can say is "What!!!????" The Season Openers are soo far away!! so that was Nikki's Birthday low key and good, just as she wanted it. Good Times!

I Got the Internal Job!!

Hey, I got the Commercial Loan Accounting job that I applied for earlier last week. This job is in a new location, across the hall from my current job. I will have way more responsibilities but will be dealing with only commercial loans. The interview went well and she asked me every single "tough" question and most of the behavoiral questions. I wasn't sure if this was something that I should be applying for but when I look back I can see how Heavenly Father had made everything possible, from the time Jelena approached me about applying for this, during the interview and afterwards when I found out that I got the job. I didn't feel excited or nervous/anxious because I knew that whatever happened it would be fine. With this position it means that I am now a Full-Time permanent employee with TD Canada. I was permanent before but on a casual status which meant that if they needed to cut my hours from the full-time hours I was working, they could no problem. Also, I have full benefits but I now get two weeks paid vacation and a little more money towards my health spending account. What a blessing! There are a lot of changes happening in my life and I think this is heavenly father's way of keeping me around in the Lower Mainland a little bit longer. I will go, I will do, the things the Lord commands. I know the Lord provides a way. Yay!

Change is to birds as singing is to karey - Often!!

Haha, I hope Karey appreciates the little tribute I have made re: her karey-oke confession. Since my last confession, I mean post, I have gone to the driving range with Robert Mowat (possibly related to farley). Everything was dutch so don't you all get any funny ideas. It was a good time except for his attempt at trying to give me golf tips. Why do guys think that because I am a girl and am not a pro-golfer must mean that I really want their advice on how to improve my swing? I can safely say that out of 60 golf balls, I had only sliced about 2o of them. I heard him say, I want to see you swing...I turned around and said, what are you doing? then he restated what he said and let me tell you, first strike flashed before my eyes. When I swung and hit the ball, he said, wow, that's straight. After that, he just focussed on his own swing. Sheesh!

On Monday, Nikki and I spontaneously went down to visit jenn. I was having jenn withdrawals
:( I love visiting her and her girls! Abbey is talking up a storm and loves saying my name because its Barbi. I had called on Sunday and was speaking to her on the phone so she could tell me all about her ear piercing. Apparently, someone told her Barbie was on the phone and she thought that she was speaking to the doll "barbie". While we were at the dinner table on Monday, she exclaimed, "You're barbie!" and I said yes, that's me. Now she always says to me "Hi Barbie" and waves to me. So CUTE!! Visiting Jenn is an event. I say that because we told them we had to go at about tenish and by 12:45 we were finally in the car saying goodbye. I love it! I love visiting with her and klif. Thanks Nikki for indulging my whim!

Tuesday an internal job posting went up around the office for a Level 3 Commercial Loan officerand all full-time and part-time/casual staff could apply. This meant that if accepted then you would move to across the hall and be working with a whole new team doing entirely different work. I thought nothing of it because I was not really interested in moving but it would be an opportunity to move from casual status to Full-time status. My team leader came up to my desk later int he day and asked if i noticed the posting and then said that if I was interested to let her know. She said that this would be a good way to gain full-time status. So I said I would think about it. I discussed it with my co-worker who sits across from me and she said go for it, so I told my team leader that i was interested. We went into an office to discuss my qualifications and she said that she would put a reference in for me and stated that getting this position would be really good for me because they are finished with their cut-backs over in the commercial area and in our area they weren't. Also, who knew when a full-time position would open up in CAS (where I work now). She is really rooting for me to get this job and it gave me some confidence to hkeep going in my application process. She told me that if it comes to the point that I get to the interview process then she will go over the questions with me so that I will be prepared going in. What a great leader! So, who knows if I'll get the job but at least I know that my supervisor has confidence in me. By the way, I am a Level 3 Credit Administration Officer right now so I wouldn't be changing levels.

Well, how did I do at boring you? I'll try harder next time!

The Temple, a true Treasure beyond Measure

Howdy y'all. Yesterday i went to the Temple with Scott & Pete. I think I had Pete convinced that I set him up with a girl i knew from Oregon and she was meeting us at the Temple but who knows...i 'fessed up before we entered Temple grounds. I have to go in with a clean conscience;) In the morning Scott found out that the waits at the border crossings were two to three hours long, except the Sumas crossing which was 10 min..then the closer we got there, it kept getting longer. We chose the left lane which was slower than, of course, the right, Murphy's Law! When we finally reached the entrance, our lane split off into three lanes..so why did it take so long to get there? We, soon found out...lucky us! Scott chose the middle lane, I wanted the right lane (the one we were already in) and I said, "Just remember, I wanted the right lane." In the middle lane we were behind a truck with a tinted cab/truckbed cover (i have no idea) and I said, "I don't want to be behind this truck." So Scott moved into the left lane and we waited. Scott, Pete and I decided to time who chose the best lane to be in, border games are so fun. Anyway, so the right lane was going at a good pace, the middle lane, we were ahead by one car and our lane was tied with the right lane. Suddenly, it was our turn to go and then we see another border guard join our lady guard and as were are driving up, they put the red light on and signed for us to stop. So here we are in the middle between the stop sign and the border guard, waiting. As we waited, both the middle and right lanes surpass us and so do a lot of other vehicles. When we were finally given the green light again, we found out that the computer to scan the passports was not working and as they were still trying to figure it out the border guard asked us the same questions three times. Where are you from, where are you headed? When Scott said that we were going to the LDS Temple in Bellevue, the other lady border guard asked, so are you going to worship at the Buddhist temple? Then the other guard said, they said LDS, they're Mormons. Sweet hey? Our border guard knows the good times! Nice! After asking us the same questions she let us through, all the while playing with the computer. Needless to say, the guys blamed me for us being in the left lane. I didn't tell anyone to choose that lane. I specifically chose the right lane. Sheesh.

We got to the Temple about 1:15 (we left Pete's at 9am) and then had a little snack and went to a session. Thankfully, there wasn't a lot of people in our session which did not make much of a difference...they let the people sitting in the back rows go first! haha suckers! (Can i say that about people in the Temple?) It was nice being able to sit and ponder life in the Celestial Room, I never want to leave but alas, I must eventually.

After the Temple we went to Walmart (Due to a lot of rubberneckers a 1/2 hr drive took an hour or more but we got to see some sweet vehicles) and Scott picked up a couple of items, went to the Nike Store where Pete and Scott spent a few dollars. The cashier really liked Steed so he got a further discount what a charmer hey? Then we went to the Golden Corral. This has got to be one of the best buffets outside of Las Vegas. Friday was shrimp & seafood day! It was packed! We went in and went straight for the meat, potatoes, and fish. I ate my money's worth of course. I had a grilled salmon steak, deep fried crispy battered shrimp, mashed potatoes (made from scratch) with the best gravy..yummm, green beans, medium rare steak, catfish, sauteed mushrooms, steamed cabbage, yeast roll, and banana bread pudding. The last time I went up I notced they had taco's but I seriously couldn't do it. They had fried chicken, I tasted some fried okra too, and chicken fried steak. I need to go back, that's all I know. But here is the bad part...so many people...some are bigger and are a little backwoods...therefore the restaurant done begun to stink bad! by the time we left. gross. We left the restaurant by 8, listened to some good tunes on the radio and we were back home by 10ish. The border back into Canada was quick because we took the truck crossing. Anyone who took the Peace Arch had about a two hour wait..haha Suckers!

It was a long trip but a good trip. Glad to do it again anytime!

Upstaged by Management..Arrggghhh!

We were upsatged by Management today! Not a good thing when you are trying to make a good word for the committee. Management also put a chocolate on the staff desks (out on the keyboard) and then later, they sent a PM (our E-mail) to the staff stating that they also hid eggs all over the unit! I sent an earlier PM to the managers asking them to send out our message to the staff letting them know what we did, which was hiding two chocolate eggs on everyone's desk (they are called "pods"...lame hey?) and then randomly around the office. But they didn't send it out. Seriously ticked me off. So, I had everyone on my team let their team know or send it to their supervisors to send out. I personally think that some of those chocolates will never be found, I did me job well. Next Wednesday, I'll send out another PM letting people know where to look if they hadn't found their chocolates yet. Fun!

I never thought that we would be upstaged by management but then again, I should have asked...I should have asked.

Thank Goodness for the Long weekend!

I got my own Tag Board!

How absolutely wonderful! I got my own tagboard after days of wondering how karey's and laura's got one. So I went to the site, signed up, copied the html format and pasted it in the template. Easy peasy...not so much but let's go with that.

So, today I, along with a few other people, received an invitation from one of the managers to attend the Volunteer Awards banquet that takes place in vancouver every year. He is on the Board of directors and was able to invite some staff where I work (mostly because TD donates to these awards and so it has a table). It will be a gala dinner and the presenting of the awards, on April 24 at 5;30. I have only been actively involved with volunteering with work since Sept or october last year and already I am getting noticed at work. Good Times! I think it is mostly because I am the Social Committee chair but I'm not complaining. This will be one of the best events I could attend.

As a Social Committe at work, we are placing chocolates on everyone's desk for a little surprise and a little easter egg hunt, why should kids have all the fun hey? My vice and I want the staff to be able to have fun and have the staff associate the committee with giving them fun activities, not just things that they always have to pay for. I hope that everyone has a little fun tomorrow finding hidden chocolate eggs on their desk.

I do like my job. It's fun because I am making it fun. It isn't drudgery...only before a long weekend or a vacation because then the days draaag.

Okay, I'm rambling a little but it has been a good day and I can't wait until tomorrow morning to hide the eggs. I love creating surprises for people and then seeing the looks on their faces. That is truly what dreams are made of...making people happy.

It's like I'm becoming a new person

So, Nikki and I were able to find a place after hours of searching for a place. Actually, I am being a brat. We were blessed to only have to look at 4 places before we found that one we wanted. We looked at three more after our dream place but that was more out of curiousity than necessity.

This place is fantastic! My secret desire was that we would be able to find a place that we both liked, that had a gas stove. My dreams have been fulfilled. I saw this place on Craig's list, it was for a good price, the place was described as being on a ground level, and there were two pictures, one of the living room and one of the kitchen. The kitchen showed that it was spacey, which is a definite plus for me yet, I could not see what the stove looked like but I decided to email the person so that we could see the place. The location is in New West and that was one strike against it but it was close to the bowling alley we like...no pun intended;) The home is a duplex, really nice, pink stucco, new look type of house and when we walked inside our place, everything was in good condition and up to date. There is a lot of natural light, which is also one of my favorites when looking for a place, and space. The kitchen has a gas stove, right when I saw it, I said, "well, I'm sold", the lady kind of laughed but I was serious, I didn't need to look further I liked the kitchen and knew this was the place for me! Nikki felt the same way about the rest of the rest of the place. The bathroom is great, the livingroom is nice and there are patio doors to the backyard (nice backyard too) and the rooms are a good size. Nikki's thing is to check the closets. She likes to have good closet space and rightly so!

The walls are all painted with warm colors, the kitchen is a butter yellow, the bathroom is a sage green and the living room is....some color but it's nice.

The owner's liked us right away but she had to show it to others that had made appointments and was going to call us after church on Sunday, we saw it Saturday, to let us know if we had for sure gotten it. Well, she ended up calling me before church and said that it's ours if we want it, and of course I said, I sho do little lady! - no I didn't but it would have been great if I had.

So, we are officially on our way to a new life, of sorts. Nikki, Amy & I will be embarking on a new adventure in New West! I hear the air is better there anyway, right? Fraser river...Good Times! The Riverboat Casino, good FHE activity. Ahh, this is the life!

I can now walk to work and get a little more exercise. Fun Fun Fun!!
Okay, I'm going to stop bragging now, so you won't hate me out of jealousy:)

I Done Gone and Done it

I done gone and done it. I got me a blog site. I done seen karey & laura's and i thought to myself, "Self...i need to get me one of them fancy blog sites too." You know, I have to keep up with the Jones's, even if I don't know them personally, I got an image to start.

Well, now that I am as hip as them young hipsters, let's see if this is worthwhile. I gots things to do and publishing my thoughts on this blog thingy done waste my time.

Well, I gotsta go now because the grits is ready. I'll be back and let you all know what my thoughts are. Right now I gotsta have my grits, it sho' makes my belly feel good.