A Side I've Never Seen.

Factoid of the Day: First of all, let me start by saying today, I completely color coordinated my wardrobe today down to a tee. I'm sure you're all just dying to know what I wore today so let me enlighten you! I was wearing my brown and pink pumas, with my brown pants and pink polo shirt, with my brown and pink watch and my brown surfer bracelet with my pink 'faith' band. I'll give you one guess to what my favorite colors are...

Today involved what I thought was going to be a boring five hours waiting around for Sears to make a home delivery--now I say I thought it would be boring because really, what I thought couldn't have been more wrong! Although I wasn't impressed that Sears never showed as I sat my afternoon away, I did get to spend a better part of my day chatting with many friends--new and old alike. After I realized that Sears wasn't going to show--after my call to express my feelings towards their customer service, I changed into my color coordinated outfit (didn't mean to coordinate as much as I did) and headed out the door. I drove dowtown, which was an adventure in itself for as most know, I really never drive here--I usually stick to cycling as my method of transportation. After making my way to a shopping mall to meet Ryan for a Jugo Juice (and I didn't get lost!) we headed down to the river valley for an evening of talking, walking and taking lots of pictures (does this come as a surprise?). The evening then ended in Starbucks for a hot beverage of choice (Hot chocolate--hold the hot chocolate...hahahaha--you had to be there...) and talking there until they inevitably kicked us out at close.





This week has been incredible--so many smiles, laughs and memories...I can't wait to see what the weekend holds.

Four Days...

Eight Days a Week.

Note: You guessed it--the title of today's blog is a Beatles song, and a great one at that! If you haven't heard it, or can't place that 'tune' in your head--I definetly recommend it. It's catchy and the lyrics are cute.

I find the map and draw a straight line--over rivers, farms and state lines. The distance from here to where you'd be, it's only finger-lengths that I see. I touch the place...where I'd find your face...I'm miles from where you are, I lay down on the cold ground--I, I pray that something picks me up and sets me down in your warm arms.
~Snow Patrol "Set the Fire to the Third Bar"~

Counting down the days: Fourish days. I am so excited!

Today started this morning by the sleep button on my alarm being pressed five or so times before I actually decided it would be best if I rolled out of bed.

Note: Here I used the word, 'rolled' instead of 'got out of' or 'eagerly jumped out of', purposefully to show my state of awakeness. Nick's right, I shouldn't drink as much sugary beverages as I have been these last few days late at night! (Or that coffee out shopping yesterday...)

I was greeted by a smile this morning as I came out of my room into the dining room by Nick who was making himself some breakfast. I hate mornings--I'm sure it was really obvious by my bed head and my facial expressions. I quickly disappeared to the bathroom where I washed my face, did my hair and makeup which woke me up, or at least made me look woken up. After all this was done, we drove out to Best Buy and I bought a digital camera (as you can tell by the preious blog and online photo album--I went nuts with photos!). I feel like such a dork but at the same time, I've wanted a digtal camera for over four years now so the fact that I actually have one now is very exciting for me! ...once again, I feel like a dork.

Note: This afternoon I had a little nap without even meaning to fall asleep. All I remember is I put Holly outside for a break and I went back into my room to look at my camera and send that special someone a text message--the next thing I know, I wake up, my cell phone is open from sending the text message and an hour has passed. I look at my phone--several missed calls. I returned one of them right away (it was Rowan) and he was already on his way because he had phoned the house and talked to Nick. I rubbed my eyes (still in disbelief that I had fallen asleep--I never take naps like that) and got up and joined the boys in the living room. The night proceeded with epic action-packed movies. First up--Gladiator. Loved it. It's definetly a classic (and yes, all these years I've managed to somehow not see it). Secondly we watched Die Hard...it was okay, had some REALLY corny lines...

*Guy falls out window on 30th floor*
Cop outside: I hope that's not a hostage!

*FBI agents are killed when helicopter blows up*
Cop outside: Well, we're going to need to get more FBI agents down here.

I think those were just great because they were so horrible.

Alas, the four of us finished the movies and I am exhausted. It's 2:26 in the morning and I'm signing out and heading to bed.

Keep on smiling!

Favorite Pictures.

Just as I post a blog saying how easy it is to find my online pictures--(see previous blog), I find that picturetrail is temporarily down for forty-five minutes. Thusly, I have decided to post a few of the days favorite pictures here!


Rowan, making a funny face as we're walking to his car on my street.


The boys (Nick and Rowan) standing on Rowans car (as you can see).


Nick and I infront of Blockbuster as we are about to rent some epic, action movies as the boys attempt to educate me on the movies I've been 'missing out on'.


Nick and I outside the house!


Thumbs up!!!! (Alex (Unrau), Nick, Rowan and I)


Okay, there is a reason I am laughing so hard--let me explain :) Nick was pretending to be a photography and was snapping pictures of Rowan and just before he took this picture, he said, "You're a cheetah Rowan, a cheetah" in a very...well...you know what kind of way.


All Smiles.


Playing foosball--Nick...is...well...no idea.


I'm laughing most likely at something Unrau said--I laughed a lot tonight.


Me making some dinner. Yummy.

Click Once.

Note to all who keep asking me...

For those who are asking me now, or may ask me in the near future--all digital pictures will be posted on my online photo album.

www.picturetrail.com/Alexanda023

Click there. Just once. It will take you right to it!

A Day In Pictures.

Rowan and Holly. It didn't take Holly long to adjust--she is back to her 'usual', making out with friends.



Holly and I. She's my baby girl!



Holly. So this morning--I got too excited to sleep and got up at around seven this morning to shoot hoops. As for Holly, she hates mornings.



Nick. This morning, Nick and I get down to the business of getting his stuff moved from the basement into his room.



Katie and I. So here we are at West Ed mall in America Eagle. While waiting for Erin in the change rooms, we decided to get silly.



Katie and I. Being normal...ish.



Kevin, Katie and I.Again, just chillaxing in American Eagle. We're just that 'cool'.



Kevin and I. Going nuts with pictures in American Eagle (that's how long we were there)!



Nick and I. Nick and I tonight while taking random pictures of him around the house (for his parents), I decided to grab one of the two of us.



Nick.Made to look like I came in on him while he was using el toilet.

Below: Wow, do I feel klutzy. I just bugged Nick for dropping something on the floor (jokingly of course) and then I go and drop my glass of milk everywhere. Stay tuned for more stupid things, starring Alex...

Mission Completed.

Day One:
- Picked up twenty cement blocks that weigh approx one-hundred and thirty pounds each.
- Pull truck and trailor into alley where the fence was disassembled and cement blocks were loaded into backyard.
- Level dirt ground (not as easy as one would think).
- Fill basketball hoop base with 80% water (so that when freezing occurs in winter, the hoop doesn't crack).
- Stand hoop upright.

Day Two:
- Lay out cement blocks in creative arrangement to assemble something similar to a key.
- Measure nineteen feet out for the top of the key
- Fill in cracks between blocks.

Thusly the project was finished and I will be shooting hoops every spare moment I get!

Another Day.

In my heart, there's a fire burning--a passion deep within my soul. Not slowing down, not growing cold. An unquenchable flame that keeps burning brighter. A love that's blazing like the sun, for who You are and what You've done.
~"Filled With Your Glory"--Starfield

Warning: This is a longer blog in length but if you make it to the end, there are pictures! Stay tuned...

Today began far too early for my liking (then again, early lately has been a relative term--I've been staying up late, therefore sleeping in late gives me the same amount of sleep as someone who went to bed at a reasonable hour and woke up reasonably early). As I drug myself out of bed this morning, I found the more I did, the more likely I was to stay awake. As a result of needing to keep my eyes open I have discovered that my most productive time is in the morning.

Note: As of today, I only have one box left to unpack. Just one. That's it. It feels good. (I find short sentences intermingling with normal length ones provides emphasis to my point, would you not agree?)

After keeping busy and waking myself up, Nick arrived with his dad, aunt and cousin (a family reunion!). I've heard so much about his family that it was great to finally meet them. After a quick tour, they then proceeded to unpack as I ran off to Michael's to get four more LP cases for my four new Beatles vinyls. Awesome? I think so.

Note:Again the use of short sentences!

However I was distracted at Michael's and didn't just leave with four LP cases--I found myself tempted by a sale on tiki torches (laterns on wooden poles that you stick in the ground and often fill with citronella fluid to fend off pesty bugs). I mean, they were only two dollars each so logically, I grabbed two of them for the backyard! My inner pyro is currently thinking of all the things I can do with them. Anyways, I left with the cases and the tiki torches and headed to Ikea {insert scary music here}. Yes, the oh so dreaded store has returned in my life...don't get me wrong, I used to love it there, until I furnished my whole house in it. Can't say that I ever want to spend eight solid days again building Ikea furniture while making trips to outside the city to take back the pieces that don't fit or the pieces that weren't even given to us in the first place. Luckily, I have had a much needed break from this wonderous capitalistic, socialist (Swedish!) corporation and was able to return there today to pick up some fabric (Ikea does have everything). What my use for fabric was will be soon revealed--cliff hanger? I thought so haha. After getting home with these few items, I headed downstairs and joined Nick and his dad in painting his room a more appealing color than it previously was. After painting followed chinese food and after that of course came time for the use of the fabric. Here is what happened--we rented out the house to a family with a toddler over the summer and I'm sure to the toddler's amusement, there was food all over the chair cushions at the dining room table. So resourcefully instead of spending a ridiculous amount for drycleaning or replacement, I merely decided to learn how to reupholster a cushion!

This is me--learning the wondrous talent of using a staple gun and my own two hands! Please note the words dripping in sarcasm.


Four meters of brown fabric, eight chairs and two hours later--chairs that were originally white and stained...


Became like new!


Alas, the day of work ended with my dad and I out in the backyard leveling the dirt and laying cement blocks (that way as much as I do) to make a surface to shoot hoops on. So far, we have seven blocks layed and the hoop standing! Tis exciting business, I'll be shooting hoops in no time. The day concluded with a visit to Whyte Ave for dinner and dessert, I really shouldn't eat ice cream...

Note to Self: You're lactose intolerant!!!!!

To conclude...a cute picture of Holly that I took today when I collapsed on the ground after lifting twenty cement blocks that weight as much as me:

Remember When...

You know those moments when someone catches you off guard with a joke and you just laugh so hard you lose it? Well, a couple seconds ago was one of those moments...I was laying in bed half asleep and out of nowhere Nick cracks off a joke and I find myself on the floor (because logically I fell off the bed) laughing.

Then I remember back to one of the first times Nick and I hung out...

{screen fades to a black and white shot as if to signify going back in time...}

I remember this cold December day as if it were yesterday (having too much fun with this...), Nick had taken the bus through the dreary weather to come over and study for finals with me. It was an ideal Sunday afternoon to study--it was really too cold to be outside and with that came a sense of lazyness as I lounged around in my sweat pants. Anyways, Nick finally arrived after persuading him to make the journey via public transit through the cold to my house. I had a fire going (that I had going all afternoon to avoid turning on the heat of the house because of the ridiculous price of gas) and I was comfy in my sweats and these hilarious little slipper/socks (they were undecided...somewhat of a cross over). They were slippery as ever, especially on my hardwood floors. I had previously discovered that day that I could not dance and wear them at the same time because I bailed while singing and dancing (by myself) and sat on the hardwood in the spot that I fell for a good twenty minutes just laughing at myself. Anyways, so Nick knew about this and thought it was pathetic that I had fallen in them, so inevitably, I made him put on the hybrid socks. He ran and slid across the hardwood as if to say "See? No problem!", only as he came to a sliding stop, his left leg went one way and his right went the other...poor Nick.

This then brings me to my next thought...yet another memory of similar material...

Near the end of the second term, Nick, Unrau, David-Bob, Rowan and I were hanging out--bored with nothing to do. We decided to take my football (that was in desperate need of air) over to the park and throw it around. Due to the darkness that had already set in, we could barely see the ball flying through the air which made the game interesting to say the least. Let's just say the fun ended as David-Bob sent the football flying far and high into the air and as Nick ran forward to catch it the ball slipped through his hands and ... well...you get the idea.

Good times...

Moving In.

As of yesterday, I'm in Edmonton for the next eight months of my life. Now when I say eight months, I mean generally speaking for of course there will be the frequent trips home to visit a certain someone. So technically speaking I will not be here the whole duration of the time although a large portion of it will be spent in this very city. Okay, this is my cue to stop rambling. Moving right along...

Today I ventured outside of my house after sleeping in till almost noon (this was not what I meant to do, rather it was something that just happened after staying up till the wee hours of the morning unable to sleep). After crawling out of bed, I hopped on my newly tuned bike and went out for a spin around the neighborhood with a friend from down the block and his wife. I did avoid visiting campus today because believe it or not, this is all really overwhelming right now. As I said to Nick earlier on the phone, it's total deja vu. For example, yesterday when driving into the city, every street corner from about a twenty block radius of my house had a memory attached to it--something small that I had previously forgotten over the time span of the summer that was simply sparked by driving by a particular spot. The whole drive through the city to my house reminded me of everything that I experienced last year--both the good and the bad, all came rushing back to me. In ways it feels like just yesterday I was packing up to go home to Calgary for the summer and in other ways I feel out of place like I haven't been here for ages. Thusly, I avoided campus as a way of letting reality 'slowly' approach me, instead of having it jump me in an alley so to speak. After biking, I came home to join my mom for an afternoon of errands. I fully equiped myself for the next month with hopefully everything I need from Save On Foods and Shoppers Drug Mart. Seriously, some things I have so much of it's comming out of my ears (odd expression)! You see, when I moved back home for the summer, I left boxes of things here that I wouldn't need over the summer. Now, me being me, I wasn't fully organized and therefore didn't fully unpack today before going out for errands. I bought some things that I had previously packed four months ago. Thusly, I have a surplus of certain items.

After running out and about, in and out of the house, I came inside to start some more unpacking. This went quite slowly today due to my lack of attention span. I'd start something and while doing that, something else would catch my eye and I'd shift my efforts elsewhere. The result? A lot of things are half done!

Now I lay awake in my bed, waiting for a phone call while enjoying my tunes on my stereo.

Ever have a million people talking to you on MSN but the one person you want to talk to more than anything, isn't online?

Ich liebe dich.

"More than ever and forever babe"...

Reminder.

This is a reminder for Nick, Unrau and even myself (I tend to forget things easily, in case you didn't notice haha).

Remember when were driving through downtown second term at night and we decided we were going to create this list of crazy things to do? Well, I think we should start making that list (and remember what we had on it before) because as of this weekend, both Nick and I will be back up at university!

The only one I remember is playing Twister on the LRT. In my opinion, this was the best one :)

...If my memory serves me right, we had one about Nick answering the door in his boxers when the Mormon's come to the door...

Small Prayer.

I put my trust in you God, 'For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.' Amen.

Today began as every other day has, nice and early to get more done and as a result, be more productive. I woke up this morning and immediately took out my bike down to fourth street to pick up some replacement parts. After being shown by the guy at the shop how to do what I wanted to--I headed back home to fiddle with the brakes. To reassure myself that I did indeed do an adequate job (not a job that would send me skidding into a ball of pain across the gravel because my brakes failed me) I took my bike out for a spin around the reservoir. As as result of my inexperience, I nearly dove over the handle bars going down a hiking path that leads into the valley. My heart racing, I managed to skid to a stop, thank God that I didn't eat it horribly and start once again down the hill. A couple times early on the trip I stopped to 'tinker' some more (I made sure to put some of the essential tools in my backpack) and by the end of it, I may not have a permanent solution to my brakes (as I found today, I will have to spend the money probably second term to replace the brake pads) but I found a temporary one that should last me through the first term. After my adventure, I headed back home, showered up, cleaned a bit (I should have done more today that I did of that and packing), and spent time talking to a friend that it has truly been too long since we had a good chat. After a couple hours of talking and of course smiling, it was time to go out to pick up Mike. What did we do? Well we kick started with some slurpees for Macs (strawberry/banana/coke flavored!...basically tasted like sugar loaded coke (more so than normal)). We then proceeded to drive aimlessly around wondering where different roads took us. After driving in circles we decided to head quickly back to my place to get an article that I had kept for Mike earlier. After a short visit at home, it was time to pick up Sarah (alias's: Sars (Yes, Sars. And no, not the respiratory disease), Sars Bars, Sarbot Mathetron etc...) for as we all know, Sarah always adds humor to any situation. The three of us drove over to the mall where we proceeded to have three sets of photobooth pictures taken (I love these things, mostly because I love being a goof). After a snack and some pictures, Mike had to be dropped off at home, so back that way we went. The night then went on with playing around on several different playgrounds, 'oooing' and 'awwing' over this small child in a superman tshirt that followed us around, and a late night dinner at Moxies with Vanessa R and Vanessa M.

Priceless Moments:
- 'Psst, my myspace is in Dutch. Help!'
- 'I'll remember that when I wake you up in the wee hours of the morning and you're ready to kill me'
(Note: Am I really that bad in the middle of the night when woken up?)
- Mike's facial expression when I commented on a girls ____ walking down 17th. How could I not notice?
- The ever worsening conversation topics sitting in the food court at the mall in chinook.
- How my tiredness by the end of the night at the restaurant proceeded to give the facade that I was tipsy. I even slurred my words...Let it be known though that there was not a drop of alcohol in my blood stream, just the usual (and the predictable) Iced Tea! Go team free refills.

One Step Closer.

Up and down this one way street--black and white is all I see. For this moment time stands still, this illusion seems so real...

With each box that is filled, my room becomes more and more empty and with each box that is loaded into the trailor, reality takes one step closer.

In the back of my mind, I know I'm pretty excited to leave and go back to the life that I left in April. Right now, I am just waiting for everything to hit me--I'm warning you, I'll probably cry.

Goals for week #1:
- Introduce myself to at least a hundred people in frosh week.
- Make so many new friends that I forget my own name.
- Join three new clubs.
- Have a kick off the year barbeque party that tops last years.

Goal (already in mind) for the year:
- Stay organized.
- Earn a GPA in the high 3's.

I feel it comming--it's in the air...

Here With You.

It's 4:47am (again)...

Note: The movie "The New World" may have a heart-stopping, dramatic, climatic ending and I would never know. I watched the first half (maybe...or it could have been less than half that I watched; it was an incredibly long movie (or so it seemed)) and fell asleep for the last half or so.

Today, I went to a bridal shower and for those who have never had the privilege of attending one of these events--let me tell you what they're like! Add thirty woman to a living room type layout, then add a dash of sugared food, a side of coffee and tea, a dash of white candles and table clothes, and a scattered arrangement of flowers. The next addition would be the conversation--what is there to talk about? Everything, from the upcoming wedding, to the possibility of having kids--from the little flowery china (that looks straight out of grandma's house) that husbands and or sons do not appreciate to funny/embaressing/heart-warming stories about the bride. Usually a shower involves the closest friends giving a speech of some sort, most likely starting with one of those embaressing stories about their girlfriend, then moving to the influence that friend has had upon them, ending in their congratulations on the soon to be marriage. Overall, it's an overdose of estrogen that produces a room where you can barely hear yourself think because there are a million different conversations about a million different little things and no three people are laughing at the same thing. Sounds like a recipe for fun! (Sometimes I just crack myself up...)

Note: Don't you love how you can have something so perfect to say, but by the time the message translated from your brain to your CNS to finally your mouth--those perfect words get lost and what comes out is just...not what you meant to say? Today, I had one of those--in wishing the bride congratulations (in a speech layout similar to the one I mentioned before). It was after I made people laugh at my humorous story of the bride and even after I made the bride come close to tears with my heart-felt words for she has been like a mother to me over the years; after all of this, what I meant to say was, "This just goes to show that at any age, this stage of life can be just as beautiful, just as exciting, and just as powerful." Now, the difference between that and what was said is that I was interupted right after 'This just goes to show at any age...', with laughter. The bride while laughing insisted, 'Don't use the 'o' word! Don't use it!' (for the slower audience--the 'o' word would have been referring to 'old'). At that point, we all started laughing and by the time I finished my sentence it had lost it's 'momentum' and therefore most of its meaning. All in all though, it went rather well for nothing having anything in mind when they asked me to say something. For those considerate enough to ask--no, I did not studder. The scoreboard now reads Alex: 1, Studder: 0.

Another Note: Today I giggled more than I have in probably a year. (Most likely the last time I giggled as much as I did today was last summer when Vanessa and I camped out in a tent when she was...well...she knows what I'm talking about!!!! Haha.)

Anyways, it is now quarter after five in the morning and I have a lot to get done tomorrow...or later this morning, mostly packing and hopefully I'll get to painting before I spend the afternoon with Polish Mike. Don't ask what we're doing because we're both incredibly indecisive people. Goodnight everyone!

Keep Smiling!

Alive In This Moment.

"I am alive in this moment--in this moment, I am found. I am alive in this moment--in this moment, I belong."

I wish I could spend everynight like tonight, lying awake in your arms...

State of Mind.

It feels like I could touch the sky...

Psalm 40:1-3

I waited paitently for the Lord to help me,
and he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the pit of despair,
out of the mud and the mire.
He set my feet on solid ground
and steadied me as I walked along.
He has given me a new song to sing,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see what he has done and be amazed.
They will put their trust in the Lord.

When I find myself in this place--in space where I can't focus, where I'm too worn out from my day that I just collapse...when I find that the physical limitations placed on me as a human restrain my ability to carry on, I turn to the strength that the Lord gives me, for in Him I find my solid ground.

My day, to the average young adult could be described as painstakingly dull or kind of lame but to me, it was just what I needed (a day of doing nothing). I woke up this morning at noon...so I better reword that--I woke up this afternoon after a well needed rest. I spent my day finishing a couple things that I started in the last couple of weeks but never finished (sounds like me), packing, cleaning and doing laundry. After the exciting line up of chores I had to do, I rented movies with my parents--helped with dinner and then watched Inside Man. I didn't catch all the parts of the movie because I was multitasking between finishing my scrapbook and playing with the dog. Despite missing bits here and there, it was probably one of the best movies I've seen in a while and would recommend it! When the movie came to an end, I said goodnight to my parents and went downstairs for a relaxing steam shower and now here I am, in bed the earliest I've been in bed in a couple weeks (it's midnight).

Enjoy your Friday nights everyone! As for me, I am going to sleep now with a huge smile on my face. I feel so special.

Time Flies.

Good friends are hard to find, harder to leave and impossible to forget.
Saying goodbye to those who find themselves leaving home for the first time this fall...

Lisa--as you find yourself leaving home to pursue your dreams out East as you start your own life, I wanted you to know just how much you'll be missed and just how much we all believe in you. You are an amazing friend, a girl whose smile has I know brought joy to all of us. Keep on shining!


Liz--I know it can be nerve racking to leave home for the first time, especially when you're leaving to go somewhere so far away from home. I want you to know that if there is anything you need--I'm here to help you in any way I can! I know that you'll make us all proud--you've always succeeded at everything you've put your mind to. We'll miss you and look forward to seeing you at Christmas.

Dave Rees--I still can't believe that you're going so far East (I'm sure it will take a little getting used to). I know I speak for all of us when I say that we'll miss that magnetic personality of yours that always kept smiles on our faces. Your friendship will be missed this year but not forgotten! Can't forget one thing (I'm predictable)--What do you get when you cut Dave in pieces? Rees's Pieces!


Before I close my eyes and rest, I find myself where I do night after night--lying in bed, grinning from ear to ear, reading another passage in my bible, saying a prayer for those in my life and thanking God for His blessings in my life.

I love late night visits.

The Countdown.

At midnight tonight...in twenty mere minutes, it will be one week until I leave back to university to begin eight months of a different sort of life than the one I have here in the summer. As I said previously--I have mixed feelings, part of me is so excited to be back there while the other part will dig in my feet and resist the change as much as I can. Stubborn much? I think so.

Today was yet another busy day as I have begun to feel run off my feet. I got home at 9:30 this morning to quickly jump into the shower, do some laundry and get ready to head out the door again. At just after noon today (I'm always fashionably late! Those who know me always ask me to come ten minutes before the predetermined time, that way when I'm fashionably late, I'm actually on time. Pretty trippy.) I met up with a friend at Moxies for a quick lunch on his break. After eating, we hugged goodbye and I headed to the other side of the mall to the Telus store to (finally) get my caller ID fixed. Good news? I can finally screen my calls again (yes, I admit it--I rely on caller ID too much as a way of determining if I answer the phone or not)! After the Telus store, I came home to do some odds and ends around the house and wrap Lisa's birthday present. I had just a little bit of time left before Lisa arrived so I ran out the door, and drove to the Mac Store in hopes of getting a new IPOD case (my old one fell apart). You know what makes me an unhappy customer? That because I have a generation four (an older) IPOD instead of a generation five (the new video IPODs), I am royally screwed for finding a case that fits. Turns out, that they don't sell them anymore. So now, if I want one--I've been informed I have to go online and order one. Now I wonder, is it worth it? I add the costs up in my head, exchange American dollars to Canadian--then add shipping, handling and whatever else they want to charge and I begin to see that it's probably not a wise purchase right now. I came home exhausted--I nearly collapsed on the couch but the doorbell rang and Lisa's smiling face greeted me at the door (and as I know all too well, Lisa's smile instantly makes me smile). We then walked over to Starbucks, grabbed a drink, ran into my friend Calvin (who I used to work with at the golf course) and sat down so she could open her incredibly sentimental, kind of cheesy gift. I'll miss that girl. After saying our goodbyes, Caroline came over and we headed out to the concert hall to see the Glenn Miller Orchestra. It was an amazing concert and the guest appearance was perhaps the best pianist I've ever heard. At about 11:00, I finally got home...


Tomorrow I anxiously await my day of nothing. I plan on sleeping in, painting the fence, doing some packing, organizing and chores. I think it sounds rather relaxing.

Sweet Dreams All.

Wanna Be A Rockstar.

"Doubt thou the stars are fire,
Doubt the sun doth move,
Doubt truth to be a liar
but never doubt thy love."
-- William Shakespeare, Hamlet, Act II, Scene II

Current Mood: Complacent.
Current Music Selection: Rockstar--Nickleback.

Tonight I started packing up my room--I grabbed several cardboard boxes from the garage and began to place my belongings into these boxes which were then duck taped shut, labelled and placed in the garage to be loaded into the trailor. Part of me is really excited to be going back to Edmonton, to see the friends I haven't seen since I left in April and live back on my own and the other part of me is looking at the pictures of the faces I am going to miss here. I figure I 'can't win'--when I'm there, I'll miss here and when I'm here, I'll miss there. Just that simple.

So now I sit here, in the midst of boxes and stuff thrown everywhere as I sing to myself and plan out the mere week I have left. I'll do this for another twenty minutes before I head out to help out a friend with their studies.

Enjoy your last weeks of summer everyone!

Wonderwall.

Here I am--yet again. I find myself up late (or really early, depending how you look at it), laying in bed, writing in my blog and unable to sleep.

Warning: Due to the time and the lack of sleep in the previous days, this blog will randomly jump topics, have a lot of sidenotes and of course may not make sense together as a whole. Consider yourself warned.

Important Note: My good friend Nick has decided to join the bandwagon and start up a 'blogspot'; if you're interested in reading his blog or seeing his pictures click here.

Note to Self: Remember to add a link to Nick's blog on my page. Mental note made.

In other news...

Ever have one of those days that you're so productive that you feel like you could just sit back for a few days and still not feel behind? Well, today wasn't quite that productive but it was pretty close (I'll never be the master of sitting back and doing nothing--the less I do, the more anxious I get, I like to be busy). I woke up this morning just three hours after I closed my eyes, I struggled to get out of bed as I stumbled into the shower. However once I showered and had my typical 'oatmeal crisp' for breakfast, I was wide awake and ready to work. I headed on out to the back yard to start priming the fence while I listened and sang along to my IPod. The hours passed surprisingly quickly and I found myself with only a half hour warning before I was supposed to be ready for lunch with Auntie Edna and my mom. I ran inside and scrubbed the paint off my arms and hands as best I could and then headed upstairs to put on a skirt and polo shirt. After a nice lunch of catching up, I headed next door to South Center because I realized--as much as I've been avoiding spending money on getting new pants--new pants were needed. Now what does Alex mean by 'need'?

Note: When Alex gets tired--she refers to herself in the third person.

By need--she means, left it to the last possible moment in which she realizes that if she doesn't by a pair of pants, she will be simply pantless. I looked through my closet this morning and sadly realized I have one pair of pants in the closet for two of them are in getting alterations done (one of which are my old jeans in which after they get patched up from ripping them biking and playing baseball, will still look pretty worn out).

Note: If this was being marked for my correct use of the English language, I would be penalized for my use of two different narratives--first and third person.

Anyways, back to my story--I ended up buying a pair of silver jeans that (I hope) will last me the year at university. This is rather optimistic of me. After shopping for pantalons, I headed back home to finish some chores that I left previously unfinished. They were left unfinished as a result of A.D.D.

Note: Because I like to think everything through to the very last detail before making a final decision, I not only killed a rainforest today with the amount of paper I used, but I also killed my printer's ink. Even after killing a rainforest, spending hours reading through I'd guess a hundred pages of information and sending in a couple emails with questions to certain people with more knowledge than me in this area--I still have not come to a decision. I am not worried though--this is not a decision I want to make hastily. Although on the other hand--time is running out. Pressure is on.

After my killing of numerous trees (which will probably further the possibility of global warming), I spent a bit of time writing out the solutions to high school math problems for someone I am helping study. I then proceeded (because I am nice person...that and the household scanner isn't working) to drive over to this someone's house to drop off the solutions.

After all was said and done, the day ended in a gorgeous walk down the Elbow river with that special someone and Holly with a trip to Starbucks for a cold drink and the usual groceries from Safeway to make the predictable, Thai Peanut Chicken Fajitas.

I honestly feel so lucky that at the end of each day, I find myself praising God for the blessings in my life that He has given me.

I've never felt like this before...

Little Sidenote.

It's 5:09 in the morning and I have yet to go to bed. But before I close my eyes and drift away to sleep, I wanted to post lyrics from the innovators of Rock N Roll (drum roll please)...The Beatles!

Excerpt from The Beatles--All My Loving:

Close your eyes and I'll kiss you,
Tomorrow I'll miss you;
Remember I'll always be true.
And then while I'm away,
I'll write home ev'ry day,
And I'll send all my loving to you.

Rest In Peace.

Today--we place our roses in your coffin and say our goodbyes.
Today--we sit in the church and reminisce in the cherished years you spent with us growing up.
Today--we watch your coffin be lowered, we shed our tears and we find a sense of closure.
But most importantly, today-- we celebrate your life which has touched the lives of so many.

RIP Mary Caroline Baker (Grams)--August 4th, 2006

The Hardest Part.

Yesterday, I kept my dad company as we drove out to the cemetary to complete the details for my Grandma's 'celebration of life' on Sunday. It all seemed too surreal, walking through the parking lot, down the empty, beige hallways, to a little office where we sat down to organize our tribute to her life. I stared blankly at the wall--I felt a tear roll down my cheek, 'Was this really it?'. I noticed the kleenex lingering in arms reach--it was already preplaced on the table convienently in front of us. The problem was I didn't have the nerve to take one. I sat there, bit my lip and stayed strong--after all, I knew in my heart that the only tears Grams would want us to shed would be of the happy kind. She reached the gates of heaven and was welcomed by God--she returned home and was reunited with the love of her life--Grandpa.

...On Sunday--I will kneel by her coffin, place a letter in her hand, a picture by her side and my love in her heart...

{Insert transition for topic change here}

Can you believe summer is almost over?

Can you believe that I only have fourteen days left before I go back to university?

It really hasn't hit me yet. Keyword--yet.

Lately, I have been so busy that I haven't noticed the days fly by. When I got home from university--I was happy to be home, I was so relieved that finals were done and I could 'take a breather'. I would spend the days working landscaping and the nights (despite my exhaustion), I'd spend catching up with old friends. We'd talk about our experiences in our eight months apart--what we did or didn't do, said or didn't say, what we wished we would have done different and at the end of the day it felt like we hadn't spent a moment apart. The days passed and time slowed down as I strugged with my knee injury. I went from running everyday training for endurance running to not being able to get myself out of bed. This was beyond belief frustrating. I went from being so busy I could barely move at the end of the day (which is what I like), to being so bored because I was no longer allowed to be so busy anymore. Time once again passed and I got back into the routine of life, I started to recover and I began to miss university. I missed living on my own--everything about it, I just loved the responsibility of taking care of myself completely. I missed biking everywhere from campus, the grocery store and friends houses to the mall, rez and the river valley. I missed my friends, the house I lived in, biking in two feet of snow (or trying to)--I missed late night cramming sessions and bible study at Steep's Teahouse. I felt I was ready to go back about a month ago, but honestly I couldn't have been more wrong. I look around here at home and as much as I love having the responsibility of being on my own (which my mom won't let me have here because she doesn't want me to be independant), as soon as I go back I'll miss my family. I'll miss my friends here--the old ones and the new. I'll miss late night bonfires, girls nights out, trips to Melrose, card games on the trampoline, walks through the park and midnight visits.

...But most of all--more than anything, I'll miss that smile...

Save Tonight.

Factoid of the Day: Alex should not drink coffee under any circumstances.

Now I know what those that know me are thinking, "Alex, drink coffee? Never." Well today, I lost my coffee virginity as I explored into this caffienated beverage that comes in all sorts of forms. The afternoon started with a 'banana buzz' from Jugo Juice in attempts to keep my energy level high. The afternoon proceeded and I began to grow tired again--at this point I grabbed an iced coffee from Starbucks right by my house. I slowly made the transition to later having a Tim Horton's coffee at the airport while waiting for my parents flight to arrive. I never thought I'd live to see the day where I'd not only have one coffee--but three within a time span of five hours. By the point in which my parents arrived, I was wired and talking a 'million miles a minute' (to quote my dad). While both of them were shocked, my mom was quite proud that I had branched out my drinking into coffee--she was curious as to how it started. I told her that earlier I had tried a 'banana buzz' that didn't taste too much like coffee and it went from there. I could see them being addicting--thusly I will choose to go to Booster Juice over Jugo Juice to avoid the formentioned addiction.

Note: It's 3:32 AM and finally I am feeling my eyes start to become heavy. Next time I won't drink coffee before wanting to go to bed. That was 's-m-r-t' of me.

I will take advantage of this moment in which my body is starting to feel tired and call it a night. Tomorrow I am looking at a busy day from father daughter bonding time to bringing flowers to a recovering friend. Hopefully all goes well and at the end of the day, we can just sigh in relief.

Open Your Eyes.

Compliments of "Snow Patrol":

You made me happier than I've been by far.

All that I am--all that I ever was is here in your perfect eyes--they're all I can see.

Thank-You.

For starters--I really want to just send out a huge thank-you from the bottom of my heart to all my friends who have just sent out their love to me in these last couple of days. I've received so many emails, texts, phone calls and messages just relaying peoples sympathies to what my family is going to go through this week with my grandma's passing and the funeral. I am doing my best to thank-you all individually--but just in case I miss someone, know that your words of encouragement have meant the world to me.

Secondly, I want to take this opportunity to say Happy Birthday to two people in my life!

Barry--Happy 29th Birthday! May you never grow old at heart (afterall, I'm sure growing old is overrated). A pint of Keiths is in order to celebrate!

Jason Anderson (J-dot)--Happy 24th Birthday! I'll see you at your birthday bash on Thursday!

Alrighty--moving along...

Although this weekend has had it's harder moments between funeral homes and sorting out my grandma's things--it's definetly had it's 'ups' between girls night out and random walks down seventeenth ave. I can honestly say that I'm happier now than I've ever been. The highlight of my long weekend was without a doubt a gorgeous walk around Lake Louise with that special someone.

I don't have much time to write anything else, I have less than five hours till my parents come home early from their trip and the kitchen is full of dishes and the basements a mess. On top of that, I have to go out and visit a friend somewhere between here and there!

I hope everyone enjoyed their long weekends and this gorgeous weather! Catch you all on the flip side.

Fishbowl Anyone?

Note: It probably wasn't the best idea to drink fishbowls at Melrose not having eaten anything of substantial value yesterday. On the other hand, it did provide entertainment for those watching.

Yesterday was a busy day of doing things that I didn't really want to do but had to be done (don't you just hate those days?). I did a bit of cleaning and a lot of grocery shopping (so that my parents didn't have to worry about that when they get home) before I heading over to Andrew's house to drop off and pick up some things. Afterwords I went to my grandma's room to help sort out her things--it was just eerie being in her room without her. When I finally got home after eight pm, I definetly thought--I need to desperately do something that is fun.

A couple hours later of getting organized, the doorbell rang several times and everyone was ready to go out to 17th Ave (the usual place for us). At first, we thought we didn't want to wait in the line for Melrose so we walked down the street to check out a few bars before realizing that Melrose was where we wanted to be. On the way back we were sidetracked by gelato (it's not that hard to sidetrack us), so we all stopped and Dave Rees kindly treated us all to gelato. I had my favorite two flavours--strawberry and banana. While we were sitting around there, talking and eating, we ran into Perry and a group of her friends that stopped by and said hello. This is when I decided that we can't go anywhere without running into people we know. (Just earlier at the mall I ran into Caroline when she was on her break, and then when trying to get out of the mall, I ran into Roddy who now works at one of my favorite stores).

Anyways, after getting sidetracked by gelato, we went into the line for Melrose and were soon at the front and able to get in after not even five minutes waiting. This is where the fishbowls came in...a drink that costs $21.95 and literally is larger than a fishbowl. There is probably a reason on the menu why it says, "For two or more people". I should listen to instructions more often.

When we left Melrose the boys were entertained by Serena and I's staggered walk down the street trying to find "Lucky's Bar" all because we thought it would be have been funny to say, "We got lucky". After tripping over several curbs, giggling at everything and speaking our minds far too much, we finally got to Fraser's car where he drove us home and we crashed.

Now I Have an Excuse.

When I say stupid things without thinking--my dad always says to me, "Alex--maybe you should get more blonde added to your hair." Well--no longer can he say that because, as of yesterday, I became a blonde.

Here are some pictures I took with my webcam just a couple minutes ago, so far everyone absolutely loves it!

Surprise Visit.

I don't think...in fact, I know I've never been happier than I am now.

I begin to wonder what I ever did before...

Head over heels.

Fix You.

When you try your best--but you don't succeed...when you get what you want, but not what you need. When you feel so tired but you can't sleep, stuck in reverse...and the tears come streaming down your face, when you lose something you can't replace, when you love someone but it goes to waste, could it be worse?

Lights will guide you home, and ignite your bones. And I will try to fix you...

It's two o'clock in the morning and I am laying awake still thinking--remembering the happier moments spent with my grandma, reminiscing in my favorite memories that bring joyful tears to my eyes.

Did you know?
I've always been told that my big brown eyes and my big silly grin are inherited from my grandma. When you look at pictures of her you'll see that same sparkle in her eye and ever growing smile on her face.

I am feeling at peace with what has happened today. She went peacefully in her sleep--there isn't anything more we could have asked for. She didn't suffer, she didn't cry--she smiled right up to the moment she died. And now I know in my heart that she is smiling down at me from heaven with that contageous smile of hers.

Tonight I will pray for my close and extended family--I pray that they can find peace and look back and smile...

Horrible Irony.

It's just so ironic that just yesterday evening I wrote an entry about taking a moment to remember those we've loved and lost in our lives--realizing that there is just too much death in the world today. I heard my own words repeat over and over in my head this morning as the phone rang and I was the only one home to pick it up...

"Mary passed away early this morning...I am so sorry for your loss..."

My strength gave in as the tears started to roll down my cheeks, I could feel myself become choked as I realized that I had to break to my dad that his mother had passed away. I felt at a loss for words--I felt my own tears burn within me. The only thing I could think of was how much I love her and how much I'm going to miss her. This came as such a shock...

I took a walk at 7:30 this morning in the brisk morning air to clear my head--I knelt at the park by my house and just cried out to God. I miss her...

Today I prayed and found comfort in God's arms--I know grandma is happier now than she ever was here on earth. I just wish I could see that smile one more time...

RIP Grandma--August 4th, 2006.

Moment of Silence.

Each and every day that passes, someone loses someone they love--someone they deeply care for. In my opinion--that's far too many deaths, far too many people who die long before it's their time. So today, as I'm reminded of those we've loved and lost--let us all take a moment to remember those we love, whether they're alive to share this day with us or whether they're smiling down at us from heaven.

Today, I learned the sad news that my friend had lost someone he cared about. I wanted to take this moment as a moment of silence--a moment to pay my respects (even though I did not get the chance to meet her).

RIP Sylvia.

Thunderstorms.

Note: I absolutely love thunderstorms--I think they perhaps are one of the most romantic things on earth.

Today was an eventful and productive day for me--it felt pretty good to be so busy that I didn't have time to sit down (that's what I'm used to and I like it!). I woke up this morning bright and early and headed out to get working on building a deck for a friends family. After nearly six hours of decking, I came home to shower, change and get on with the day. I then headed down to 17th Ave some girl time with friends. We went into most stores and browsed as our jaws hit the floors over some of the prices. There was this one jacket that I tried on from "Purr"--it was 50% off and still at that discount it was too expensive for me. We all had a blast just trying on clothes and matching, everywhere we went Liz and I tried on matching jackets (a guy at one of the stores even noticed that we did this and commented on it). After shopping (as much as you can call it shopping when you don't buy anything haha) and getting hit on by this foreign guy on the street who could barely put a proper English sentence together, we headed over to Melrose for a small bite to eat. As we headed back to our cars at the end of the day, Liz pulled out a present for me--my first thought was, "It was her birthday recently...not mine..." Apparently a couple years back on my 18th birthday she said she was going to find me the perfect present (I have no recollection of this) and now, almost two years later, she found it. I unwrapped it to find a game titled, "Dirty Minds", it was funny but I didn't know if it was a good or bad thing that she thought it was the perfect present for me haha. Anyways, it's a game of dirty clues that have perfectly innocent answers. The trick is not thinking of the dirty answer and finding the perfectly clean one. I think I'm going to get some friends over this weekend to play it, I could see it being a good time.

Now here I am, finally home and it's hailing golf balls (no jokes--I can hear them hitting the roof hard). Looks like I came inside just in time! Anyways, here I am, changed out of my skirt into my sweat pants (it's the way to live) and going to have a relaxing night. As dorky as it sounds I'm going to catch up on some reading, work on a couple gifts and just relax (that is unless something else tempts me to go out). I look forward to it--especially because I have to get up to take my parents to the airport at 5:30am.

Enjoy the weather everyone!

New Pictures.

New Pictures Uploaded Successfully:

www.picturetrail.com/Alexandra023

(Serena--this will be easier than me sending the pictures to you individually via MSN or email--if you want a specific one that I didn't post, just let me know!)

Warning: We are not responsible for the content of the pictures...haha.

Beautiful Day.

Like the sound of silence calling--I hear your voice and suddenly I'm falling...lost in a dream.

Today--Rob, Mike and I took a trip down to the Zoo (we had to be careful that they didn't make an exhibit out of us) where we explored around seeing all our favorite animals (I must say--some where cuter than others). While adventuring around, Rob said something that had me laughing so hard that I was nearly crying--we passed the construction for the new area for the elephants and it was just a fenced in area with construction equipment and workers.

"Now ladies and gentlemen, if you'll notice on your right hand side behind the electric fence, we have the domesticated construction worker. Do not feed please, they are on a strict diet of booz and cigarettes."

I don't know if it was one of those things you had to be there for--but Mike and I definetly got a good laugh out of it.

After the zoo--the night consisted of dinner at earls (accompanied by Rob's inability to read the menu), and way too many refills of sugar loaded Iced Tea. I was laughing so hard at everything, an innocent bystander would have thought I was 'under the influence'.

Tomorrow brings a couple new jobs and finally--some money to save for the eight months I'm away back at university. I am building a deck at my friends house and I'm sanding and repainting the deck in my own yard! On top of that, I've been asked to tutor a neighbors daughter in mathematics. All much appreciated jobs.

As each day draws to a close, I look back and smile--I've truly been blessed. I honestly feel so lucky and so happy--I can't contain it. I just sit back at the end of each day with my big silly grin and just thank God for everything and everyone he has blessed me with.


Goodnight All.

It's 4AM.

If I lay here--if I just lay here...would you lie with me and just forget the world?

As the title to this blog states oh so clearly--it's 4AM and I'll be honest, I'm exhausted. Tonight I went out with friends to 'interview' a friends new boyfriend and let me tell you, he passed with flying colors. We used napkins as score cards and at the end we all held up perfect tens (yes, we are that silly). Afterwords, Serena and I hung out in her basement for a couple hours talking about girl things, while dancing around and taking goofy pictures. The night ended and again, I was reminded of just how much God has blessed me--you have no idea how lucky I feel.

That was my night, this blog--is rather boring. It (I guarantee it) is due to the fact that as I write, my eyelids are slowly closing making my ability to see harder and harder. With this ever growing need to cave into my need for sleep, my brain is slowly shutting off to the point where I am now just rambling about how tired I am instead of just going to sleep.

That is my cue to exit--goodnight and sweet dreams.

Prepping.

Currently, I am prepping questions that I (supposedly) am supposed to ask a friends new boyfriend. I think the more drinks that are ordered the more interesting these questions tonight will go. There is one problem--I have an hour and a bit before I have to be there and the only question I can think of is the typical--"What are your intentions?"

Anyways, I have nothing to write--I am just looking through my closet picking out my outfit (or deciding if I stay in the current one) and doing my hair. Wow, that sounded incredibly girly...

Note: I feel so special--Nick left a comment on a few blogs earlier! Awesome...

Give a Little Bit.

I am smiling--I think of you...

I spent all of yesterday talking about you...

What do you get when you take a group of completely (or so you'd hope) mature adults and put them alone together on a Monday night with nothing to do? Well, you get my group of friends running into Walmart just before close buying nerf guns to shoot each other with. Mature eh? Even Jordan, at nearly twenty-eight years of age agrees--it is good to be a child at heart. So what was my highlight of the event? After we had run around, screaming and reloading our guns, we headed back to Serena's house to ambush her mom as she came home with her new beau. Jackson, (Serena's adorable little brother) hid in the trunk of Serena's car as we joked that the neighbors would probably call the cops on us for placing a little boy in a trunk. Fraser jumped into the drivers side with the window rolled down and the seat reclined so he couldn't be seen. As for Serena and I, we crawled into the bushes and kept poking our heads up looking for the car to pull onto the driveway (for when it did, we had to give our signal to Jack to jump out of the trunk--Jack picked the signal to be "Tweet Tweet" to imitate a bird call). When the time came, the car pulled onto the driveway, Serena and I 'tweeted' and we all jumped out with nerf guns and shot them. It was a riot, I seriously laughed so hard that I had tears in my eyes.

The plan for today...

I know it's probably lame, but I have this 'tradition' that I do everytime my mom goes away for a longer period of time. I leave her a note on her door to remind her that she was missed (and to ultimately make her feel special) and I leave fresh flowers on the counter for when she comes in the door. I guess that's just my 'style'. So today, I have to get the flowers from a little flower shop just downtown and then I'll finish cleaning. Afterwords, I plan on heading down to the pool with a friend to tan the afternoon away. I then have to run home to cook dinner for my parents (just so my mom doesn't have to worry about doing that) and then later tonight I am supposed to head on down to the pub and 'interview' a friends new boyfriend. He even joked about having a dating resume prepared for me and my response was that I wanted to see his list of references haha.

Anyways, I better get started on my day. Enjoy the sunshine everyone!