HAPPY BIRTHDAY LUCAS!!!

Happy 21st Birthday Lucas

Last night we all went to the Marine Pub in Burnaby for Lucas' Birthday. It was an awesome time! Thanks to everyone who came for making it a great night!

All the boys: Alex, John, Lucas, Cam, Sean, and Phil

Christmas 2006

Christmas Morning!!

I got my favourite drink from Scotland in my stocking; my Irn-Bru with the tree in the background; Lucas and David tackle their lego; Mum and Lucas at their best

Candy enjoying the present opening festivities; Mum finishing the trifle with Lucas in the background; David still working on his lego; the Christmas ornament I got for Mum and pepsi hoping to be in the photo.

Christmas Dinner!!

Dinner was amazing! I love the look on Lucas' face upon his first bite of Mum's fabulous lamb; Me and Mum with the traditional cracker hats on; Brittany and David enjoying dinner conversation; Mum and Adrian laughing.

SCIENCE WORLD!

Lucas and I took his little brother Michael to Science World yesterday and we all had so much fun!! Lifting hippos, playing harps with no strings, sliding through garbage, and testing the abilities of the human body. Science World is so much fun, it actually gets better as you get older I think.

December Nights

December is turning out to be a great month. I love this time of the year for spending time with the people you love the most. Over the past few weeks I've done such fun things as having a night out downtown, a Christmas get together with my best friends, and wrapping presents with my Mum. I can't wait for the rest of December, it's turning into a wonderful Christmas time!!!

Lucas, Mandi & Me in gastown and at the Irish Heather, ooo good times (don't order the bread)

Thursday night I had a Christmas get together. Thanks to everyone it was a wonderful time!

Last night Mum and I wrapped presents, it was so much fun we've decided to make it a tradition!

Stop All the Fighting

I am unbelievably disappointed at the fighting and the anger I am witnessing this Christmas season. We are all taught from a very young age that Christmas is a season of joy, laughter, warmth, love, caring, generosity, and compassion. With just over a week until the big day, the apparent lack of all these things is quite troubling.
Last night Lucas, Mandi, and I were coming home from a wonderful night downtown sharing pints and a few good laughs. While waiting for Brandon to come and pick us up, a young man (no doubt very intoxicated with drugs or alcohol) came up to Lucas and proceeded to pick a fight with him. The reason? Lucas looked at the young man momentarily as he stumbled up the stairs of the station. I am still very proud of how Lucas handled the situation, staying very calm and responding with no anger or frustration to the young man's comments. This in turn gave the man nothing to be angry with and he eventually stumbled off.
Tonight, again, at the skytrain, Lucas and I witnessed a heated argument between a cab driver and young man on a bicycle. We don't know why exactly they were screaming at one another but it was unnecessary I'm sure. It ended with them both exclaiming that the other should return to "their country". I was shocked (and honestly at the same time not shocked at all, sadly) at their racism.
These examples are just two out of a hundred I'm sure. I've witnessed useless bickering in the malls. Unfathomable rudeness. Complete lack of consideration. No kindness. Utter unthoughtfulness. Hate. Racism. Anger. Stress. Scowling. . . The list could go on. And quite frankly I am disgusted. What has happened to this season?
Start switching the channels through the old Christmas movies on television right now and you see beautiful scenes of towns coming together to help a man in need, little girls realising that miracles really are possible, happy families laughing around a piano sipping eggnog, or hilarious families realising the true meaning of Christmas amongst a deranged extended family and enough Christmas lights to light a small town. What has happened to this Christmas that we love to watch on television?
I know that we all have our own ideas of what has caused this and for this reason I will not preach all of my beliefs. I only ask that you think about these things. And try to be one happy person in that store this week, a kind driver to people who are just as desperate as you to get to their destinations, or a smile that a grumpy old man may need in order to find it within himself. This season, do not be one of these rude, ungrateful people, realise what this season really means to all people of all races and creeds.

DONE for 2006

This week I finished my last exam and I am officially done my second to last semester ever! how frightening! Because this was my last winter semester I took my camera up and took photos of the trees that they decorate with lights every year up at my school. They look so beautiful! That night I went to the pub with Mel (that's us in the centre) to have a final drink which was always great fun. The other pics are of last night, when Lucas, my Mum and I decorated the house for Christmas with the help of our favourite Christmas drink!

Kid's Christmas Party @ Mum's Office

This past weekend my Mum's office had their Kids Christmas Party. Mum and I were there to work at the different stations, and Lucas brought Micael along to participate in all the crafts and games. It was so much fun! It was so neat seeing all the kids excited to see Santa and make different crafts. I was so impressed with the staff that had put the party together (Mum included!), this kind of this is such a wonderful thing to put together for the kids. I was almost in tears seeing all the kids react to Santa arriving, they were all so excited! It reminded me of when my Grandad used to take me to his work Christmas parties and Santa would be there, and I would have so much fun!

Clockwise: Michael decorating his loot bag; me sitting at my station, kids came to me and had to sing a christmas carol in order to get their ornament and some candy, it was so adorable watching little kids sing 'jingle bells' and 'rudolph' especially when they were too shy to sing and I would have to help them; Santa arrives with gifts for everyone; the kids sat patiently waiting as Santa went down his list of names.

Mum had a great time calling bingo numbers; Michael won a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle action figure from bingo; the three of us at the end of the party; Michael receiving his basketball from Santa, and good job Santa, Michael had actually asked for a basketball this Christmas!

Happy 1 Year Anniversary to me!

At this very moment last year I was sitting in a hospital emergency room with a growth the size of a baseball on my left ankle. I had been snowboarding that day and fractured my ankle. I will never forget sitting after my xrays waiting for the doctor to come and tell me that I would need a cast and that I would be going home some time that night. Unfortunately, instead of telling me this he came to me to tell me that I would need surgery as my fracture was a spiral fracture and would require a plate and 2 screws to hold it together. I laughed and asked if he was joking, turns out he wasnt and two days later I left the hospital with metal in my leg. And it is still there today. And it is still super annoying! Luckily the surgery is set to happen this month to take it out. Also lucky for me, I'll get to give my arms a wonderful workout once again with those wonderful crutches I loathe so much.
Anyway, the moral of the story... Snowboarding is not my thing, buy expensive boots, and cherish the fact that you can walk on Christmas and that you do not have metal in your ankle that feels like someone is holding icecubes to your skin in the cold!!!

The Last King of Scotland

In even just thinking about writing about this film I am at a loss for words. . . . It was simply incredible. The Last King of Scotland is a movie about Idi Amin, the genocidal dictator that ruled over Uganda in the 70's and his relationship with a young Scottish doctor that visits Uganda to make a difference and break out of his boring routine at home. They meet by chance and develop an immediate relationship due to Amin's love for Scotland. This scene is quite funny because originally Amin thinks the young Scot is British and Nicholas quickly corrects him by showing him a Scottish football jersey and Amin laughs and asks for the shirt for his son Campbell. Amin exclaims how he loves the Scottish, that if he were not Ugandan he wished he were Scottish (except for the red hair he says). The next day he invites the Scottish doctor to be his personal physician and with some reluctance Nicholas accepts the offer. The movie follows their relationship from the good moments to the very very bad moments.

I think what was most interesting and equally disturbing for me was seeing all these atrocities surrounded by Scottish traditions. Amin had two sons named Campbell and Mackenzie, he wore a kilt at times, had african choirs singing Scottish folk songs, and had bagpipe processions in Ugandan streets. I had heard stories about his fascination and love for Scotland but did not expect what I saw.

I also must talk about the acting in this film. I was in awe of Forest Whittaker who plays Amin. What a performance. Again, I am at a loss for words here. I was literally scared of him, not once was he out of character. I could have been watching Amin on screen. If he is not nominated for an Oscar I will be shocked; I'll be equally shocked if he doesnt win it. James McAvoy, from Glasgow, plays Nicholas Garrigan and also does a wonderful job.

I strongly suggest seeing this movie to everyone, all those here in Canada as well as in Scotland. It was a very difficult story to watch at times but the story is worth knowing. If you dont like watching these types of movies on the silver screen at least remember to rent it when it comes out in a few months. (Just for those who aren't familiar with it, this story is based on true events and people)

Papers & Exams

My friend Joseph sent me this wonderful photo in trying to describe how he's feeling with all the papers and exams at the end of the semester. I thought it was such a perfect picture to describe this that I had to share it. Luckily for me, the worst is over after today. Nevertheless, I know a lot of us are still feeling like this right now. Good luck to everyone! And remember (as corny as it may be) WW always wins against all these bad guys and we will too!

Casino Royale

Last night Lucas and I went to see the new Bond flick, Casino Royale. We were so impressed. We are both Bond fans and were looking very forward to seeing how the new man in the job would do, and let me tell you, he was AWESOME! We were so impressed with him! Daniel Craig makes the shoes look easy to fit into. He does James Bond proud, I think. He is handsome, rugged, smart, and funny, everything a man needs to be a womaniser and the most famous spy in the world. Who cares that he has blonde hair!

The movie was great, there was a lot of really entertaining action, the kind of action that is intelligent, that you're not sitting staring at and thinking "yeah right". The story line was also very entertaining. I loved the villain, he was everything a Bond villain should be, scary looking yet handsome with an eye that wept blood. And the Bond girl lived up to standards as well. She was beautiful and smart. I have to say I didn't like the heavy make-up on her, she looked far more beautiful in the scenes where she was wearing very little, more natural looking make-up.

One of my very favourite parts of Bond films is the opening. Casino Royale also delivered in this. Chris Cornell wrote the song (which Lucas and I have mixed feelings on) and the animation was great.

And of course, what is a Bond film without the cars!

Dion Takes Liberal Leadership!!

Today was the final day of the Liberal leadership race and Stéphane Dion has won. As a card carrying Liberal I was able to vote for delegates to attend the convention and vote on my behalf for the leader. I was supporting Michael Ignatieff and am sad that he has lost. I am however happy that Dion was the one to win over him. He was my second choice and I do believe that he can become the next Prime Minister and I look forward to that day and wish him much luck in the days to come.

Lazy Winter Days Studying

I was so happy that, despite the winter wonderland outside, Lucas made it to my house to get some studying done for our papers. It was a very warm day inside while the snow fell outside. It is days like these that I really don't mind being inside studying with tea and cookies and all that often mundane stuff that seems so special when it is snowing. The trees outside my window look so nice covered in snow. Even the construction site beyond the fence in not such an eye sore anymore. My school must be so beautiful right now, unfortunately no one will get to see just how beautiful as it is closed for the day...let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

ERIC CLAPTON!!!

I cannot believe it! He has said so many times that he won't be touring anymore and today I am sitting not so patiently waiting to buy tickets for his Vancouver concert. I AM SO EXCITED!!! To all those people who have been asking me to go to concerts, this is why I've been saying no. I heard he was touring and have been waiting and hoping with my fingers crossed that he would be coming here. I have been a big fan of Claptons since I was a very little girl. The smile on my face right now is ridiculous at the thought that I am going to hear all my very favourite songs LIVE. I just cannot believe it! He is what started me on the blues and I couldnt be more thankful for that. Also, I am so impressed at the price of his tickets. He could be charging a fortune and instead the best tickets are a mere $125!! Anyway, March 23rd I am BUSY!!

Lost Cell Phone/Vertigo

I haven't written here in a while so I thought I would write something to update all those who read this regularly. First note, I lost my cell phone, so if you are trying to reach me on my cell phone just leave a message as I am still able to check my voice mail.

Second thing, last night I spent almost 3 hours at Surrey Memorial because I was woken up that morning by severe dizziness and nausea. The nausea lasted all day and everytime I put my head to the side I felt as though the room was spinning. It turns out that I have what they call 'peripheral vertigo'. I thought vertigo was just the decription of a feeling you got from being at high elevations. It is actually more than that, it is also a virus like thing that you can get from having a cold amongst other things. It's caused by an imbalance in your ears, your balance centres in your ears are not sending the correct messages to your brain resulting in severe dizziness and nausea. Lucky for me it should last only a few days.

My Poor Cat!!!

Today, thus far, has been awfully traumatising. One of Pepsi's claws had grown over and was digging into the pad of her paw. A trip to the Vet was in order which is never fun for any animal. It was the first time that they have ever had to take her into 'the back' which was really difficult for me as well as her. They took care of the problem claw and brought her in to me, while still bleeding (!!!!!), to tell me that it needed to be bandaged (not necessary if you ask me). My stomach was turning!!! Seeing my Cat in pain like that is so hard! When we got home she was really upset because the bandage was not allowing her to walk properly or hop up onto the couch, so she did everything she could to take it off. I turned my back for 5 minutes and there it was, the bandage, laying on the bed. This was also very traumatising for me, the Cat however has been much happier ever since...I guess at this point I cannot complain about that!

Happy Birthday Mandi!!!

Last night we celebrated my very best friend Mandi's 24th Birthday. We had an awesome time playing Jenga! I haven't seen that game in years!! It was more fun than I remembered it. We also played an awesome game called 'Apples to Apples' which was really fun, we must have been playing it for 2 or 3 hours! Hope you had an awesome birthday Mandi!

Mandi & Jesse

The exciting game of Jenga!!

So much pressure. . .

We were almost Jenga masters, but unfortunately it fell at the 29th level hahahaha

You can't beat a night in with good people, good drinks, and fun games!!

Whistler Getaway!

Lucas and I spent the last 4 days at the most beautiful condo in Whistler (thanks to his most generous parents!!) We had such a wonderful and relaxing time sitting in the hottub and steamroom, watching movies, reading, going for long walks, and having a few drinks with some good friends. I highly recommend a mid-semester holiday to all students! Nothing like Whistler to relieve some stress and get some relaxation before exams and papers take hold.

 

Mum's 1st Craft Fair

Today my Mum participated in her very first craft fair! She is the most fantastic knitter!! (She knitted everything you see her and I wearing in these photos!!) The fair was held at a great little heritage house in south Vancouver. Despite the rain and wind some great people made it out, including the MP for the area, Ujjal Dosanjh. Mum was able to sell some of her stuff so bearing the cold weather was worth it and her first craft fair experience was a success!! 

'Borat' Review

Well, I'm going to start with saying that before going to see this movie I was not excited. It was not something I warranted paying $10 to see in the theatre but a bunch of friends wanted to see it and I thought, why not, I can keep an open mind. For those that do not know, the movie 'Borat' is about a man from Kazakhstan who comes to America to learn things about America and bring them back to his country. It is purely satire and meant to offend. In this sense the movie does not fail, it is extremely offensive if nothing else. In keeping my open mind I enjoyed the first 20-30 mins of the film before it all got a little old....
I find it extremely difficult to write reviews when I did not enjoy the movie. 'Borat' does nothing new. It takes every offensive joke that we know of and puts them on the big screen in a documentary like movie. I cannot understand how people are raving about this movie. It had its moments, I definately laughed a few times but most of the jokes made were purely looking for shock factor. And let me add as well, when this movie was in production there was a lot of negative reaction from the country of Kazakhstan and I can understand why.
Also, I can see how this movie would appeal to a male audience, so ladies, if your boy wants to see this movie, let it be a boys night and go and catch 'Marie Antoinette' or stay in with the girls instead.

Do not waste your money on this movie. Rent it. Or, better yet, wait until someone else rents it and watch it with them, then you never have to give a penny to this film.

Halloween Patry!!

This year I decided to throw a Halloween party and it was a great success!! I'd like to send out my thanks to everyone that made it out, I was so impressed with all the great costumes! Hopefully this is just the beginning of a tradition that will get bigger and ever more frightening every year. Thanks again everyone!!!

We had all sorts show up, from hicks to a sorceress! Even CSI showed up to examine the various murder scenes!

Mum and I kept it mystical with me as a fire fairy and Mum as Mother Earth!

Further example of all the great costumes and people that turned up! Thanks for the great tunes guys!

John received all the votes for best costume! Dressed in full (REAL) Ninja gear, who else could compete??

My full fire fairy costume, and just a note....wings are not a good idea!!

Lucas was dressed as a 'warrior' from the 1970s Movie 'The Warriors', if you havent seen the movie check it out, it's awesome!

Sean, John, and Lucas, all at their best :)

A witch, mobster, fairy, dead guy, angel, Mother Earth, and two dirty hicks all at one party, just one of the reasons why I love halloween!!

The Host and Hostess exhausted at the end of the night!
Happy Halloween Everyone!!