annual report
I've known that it's been a long time since I've posted anything, but I just realized it's actually approaching a full year. So perhaps a teeny big of blog activity might be in order.
The last 12 months have been interesting, to say the least. A few curve balls have come my way, a chain of events of which I understand only a fraction. It would be a lie to say that I'm not still confused and frustrated. Just when I thought it was impossible to be further disillusioned, guess what? It isn't! Anyways, as Gump would say, "That's all I've got to say about that." I must keep within my tagline - all the Snaudrey that's fit to print.
So what's new? Everything! New apartment, which I'm loving. It suits me very well, the landlords are amazing, and the best physical aspect of the place is the "yard" (it seems a far inadequate word...perhaps estate? acreage?) which I have yet to see in all it's glory. Come spring, come summer, I may find I have an outdoorsy side buried within. It seems like it will take forever for the snow to go away, but at least for the time being allows me to investigate the various tracks outside my door and imagine what creatures visit me while i'm unaware.
Job...new! Still with FHR, but now in an admin position, working primarily with our travel agent education and loyalty program (
http://www.fairmontfamous.com/). I don't know that I want it to be my final destination with Fairmont, but I'm really enjoying it for the time being.
In other new developments...the sibs have come to town! Actually, it's been about six months since Tim & Aneke started calling Moncton their city of residence, but most of these things are old news in real time. In the past, my brother and I have not been the closest of siblings. Not candidates for Judge Judy or anything, but we mostly co-existed. Over the past six months, I've seen my relationship with him & Aneke become something completely unexpected and they are my most frequent hang out buddies. Shout out to the sibs!
What else? Well, my job has afforded me the opportunity to expand my personal frontiers of travel. Visited Vancouver/Seattle in late October for educational purposes. But don't get me wrong, exhausting amounts of fun were had despite the fact that it was a business trip. I absolutely loved it! Then in early December I packed my bags again and ventured out, this time with the rents in tow, for the middle of the Pacific. Yep, Maui. Beautiful. Had a blast, despite the lack of co-operation from mother nature. We had a tropical storm like they'd not seen in two decades or so, which resulted in a loss of power for a couple of days, and also the cancellation of many activities we had planned. It would have been nice if everything could have gone as planned, but we figured there wasn't anything to be done but make the best of it and that we did. And it was still an amazing trip!
I guess that's most of what's new. Will I post again before March 2009? We'll see. I'm non-committal at this point. :o)
Shopping Venture
How is it that my life seems too busy to be able to blog, and yet at the same time, too boring to have anything to blog about...
So Feb. 28th I woke with a sore throat. March 1st I went to the Dr. It's almost like going to a favourite diner and ordering up "the usual." Not that I go to the doctor very often, or enjoy it as much as a "favourite" anything, but almost every time, it's the same. Strep throat. Prescription written, thank you very much...off I go.
I made one stop before the pharmacy. I was feeling rotten, and knew I'd be down & out for a bit, so there was only one stop more urgent. Blockbuster. I carefully spent my last few ounces of energy selecting half a dozen award-winning titles to take home. Coming out with my rentals, the end was in sight. I just had to pick up my pills, and then home to pj's & popsicles. But there was a slight uneveness of the sidewalk, which brought me down with such lack of grace...before I knew i was tripping, I was down. I looked at my palm and saw bits of dirt & rock embedded in the now bloody surface. I looked further down and to much further dismay found that my ONLY pair of "presentable" jeans (without rips) were no longer so. And I'm now required to go home, clean up, change my clothes and go BACK out to get my prescription. Arrgghh.
It was not my day. March 1st was also my first day with a brand new supervisor, whom I'd not yet met. So my first conversation with said new supervisor is me calling in sick. Love that.
If you thought that was the story, it's not. It's quite lame on it's own. Not that I can promise what follows will NOT be lame, but that was just the precursor. So we'll fast forward nearly two weeks. I get healthy, yaddiyaddiyaddah. Go to work, come home, repeat. All the while, I'm still needing some new jeans. And shoes, because the shoes I'm currently wearing to work do not have a 1.5" heel, and therefore are a violation of the dress code. My career has not yet come crashing down, but I'm not wanting to push it. So March 12 was the first juncture at which shopping was made possible by simulaneously having the time, energy and cash (aka the Axis of Evil). Paulette said she could use some jeans too. So off we went.
First stop, Costco. Mostly because she had a return to make, so we might as well look while we're there. I find nothing. She, on the other hand, finds a fun pair of beige pants that work well. I think about picking up some other less-exciting-than-clothing items, but decide against it and end up at the cash empty-handed. That's okay. The night is young.
Paulette 1.
Audrey 0.
Second stop, Old Navy. Now I don't go to Old Navy all that often, but have found it to be very fruitful when I do, so this was exciting. Costco was kinda like pre-game.
We get to the jeans section, and it's on. Both of us are pulling multiple pairs from the shelf to try. As I'm looking, I notice on the endcap a cute canvas purse. I look for a moment, but then tell myself that I don't NEED a purse, but I do NEED jeans, and I'm on a mission, so I cannot get sidetracked. But I really like it and make a mental note to consider coming back for it once other more-urgent matters are taken care of.
My focus is promptly back on the jeans. But as i'm pulling different ones to try, I'm noticing that Paulette's pulled some of the same. So I kinda go off on her about how we CANNOT buy the exact same pair of jeans because we are seen so frequently together, it would no doubt be noticed on multiple occassions that we were wearing the same clothes, and that's just not something I'm going to take lying down. I also inform her (as a side note but because I thought of it in that instant and felt it was something important to establish then and there) that the day she and her husband start to wear matching jackets/tracksuits, etc, is the day we can no longer be friends. Fortunately, I don't think either one even own one tracksuit, so it does not seem imminent.
We decide that it's best to first take our selections to the change room to see how things work out, and then cross bridges as we get to them. Come what may, if you will.
As we work our way toward the change rooms, I notice something in her hands that is not a pair of jeans. It's a cute canvas purse. No FREAKIN' way! But I hadn't even verbalized my affinity for said purse, so "I saw it first" would ring empty. We have a discussion regarding the purse. She offers to let me have the purse. But I know that this would in fact ruin the joy of the purse, because the cuteness would no longer be seen through the guilt every time I looked at it, knowing that she wanted it enough to take it from the shelf, and I then took it from her. She shrugs her shoulders, "Okay." Apparently, she has no such guilt issues. I briefly consider the same purse in a different colour, but that would be just like having the same pair of jeans in a different size.
So many dimensions contribute to the fit of a pair of jeans...waist, hips, butt, thighs...and each pair I try is wanting in one area or another. Paulette has at least a couple of jeans that fit well and she could purchase, but she leaves behind with casual indifference. The one pair that is close to passable for me is about 2 inches too long. They could be hemmed, but that's a pain, and they weren't on sale. So back to the rack they go. I'm starting to get frustrated with this endeavour.
So we both try on a few tops, none of which are satisfactory for either of us. As a $7 consolation purchase, I decide to pick up a package of underwear. After I have a brief discussion with P regarding the difference between camo and commando, we are at the cash and out the door.
Paulette 2.
Audrey 1.
(and a cheap one at that, like a run scored because the pitcher walked a batter with the bases loaded)It's now 8:47. Payless Shoes is just down the street, and we decide we have time for a quick perusal before they close at 9. I'm regrouping, thinking that maybe it's just not my night for jeans, but it is for shoes. I want something plain, something black, something with a moderate heel. Something practical, functional, & inexpensive.
We enter the store. I make my way to the size 6 aisle, and she to the 8's. It takes me all of 42 seconds to see that they have NOTHING close to what I'm looking for. Paulette, on the other hand, I can hear cooing over a pair she is trying on. I turn the corner and see her wearing THE shoes. The ones mentioned above that are plain, black, practical, functional, inexpensive with a moderate heel. In a size 8. This shopping trip is starting to feel like a 1996 Alanis Morrissette song.
So I find myself another consolation purchase. A $5 pair of pink furry slippers that need to be seen to be believed. Slippers that are fun, but slippers that I cannot wear to work. The clerk tells me that they do have the same pair of shoes that Paulette is purchasing in size 6, but they're brown. However, I already have a pair of plain, practical, inexpensive BROWN shoes with a moderate heel. If I purchased another pair, my brown shoes would outnumber my brown pants.
Paulette 3.
Audrey 2.
Barely.It's 9 pm. Shopping options are narrowed to Superstore & Wal-Mart (or as Gram would say, Wal-Mark). I know there's a few things I can pick up at Superstore that I'm needing. And I'm convinced that it would be successful, given that it is mostly jugs of water and toilet bowl cleaner that I'm looking to get there. But then Paulette tells me that she had purchased a crazy-cheap 4-pack of toilet bowl cleaner on her penultimate visit to Costco, and I am welcome to have one. Do we go buy water and go home? Nope. Let's go to Wally's. I'm swinging for the fences.
As we pull into the parking space, Paulette is looking for something in her purse. I jump out and make a mad dash into the store, determined to get a head start. When she catches up with me inside, she assures me that she is done shopping for herself, and she is there purely to ASSIST me. Right-o.
So we head straight to the shoes and find two slightly different styles of shoes, both of which meet my criteria. One pair is available one half size too small. The other is available one half size too large. I must admit, my ambition is withering. I'm starting to sense that some cosmic shopping force is displeased with me and working against my every attempt to lighten my wallet.
I head to the clothing section, with my "assistant". As we browse, I make conversation telling her about how Jenn & I would sometimes scan the clothing section of Wal-Mark, looking only for the $3 clearance racks, and what treasures we would sometimes find there. Not many minutes later, I find myself alone, digging through disheveled piles of denim. Then, Paulette reappears, a wide smile, and 5 or so pairs of jeans draped over her arm that are HER size, not mine. The other arm is holding up a cute grey shirt, again HER size. "Three dollar rack." she says. I'm counting backwards from ten and breathing deeply. Why did I bring her?
We head to the change rooms, once again. As we are being shown to our respective rooms, I notice a sign on one of the doors that says "Out of Order". I glance at P and she's mirroring my incredulous look... "What the..." How in the world can a FITTING ROOM be OUT OF ORDER?!?!? There are hooks, mirrors, a stool, and a door. Not much opportunity for malfunction. Did someone have a violent reaction upon discovering just how their butt looked in the $10 capris and take it out on the truthful but undeserving mirror?
I guess it indeed is always darkest before dawn. As I try on the jeans, it is now clear that the cosmic shopping force wanted only to teach me delayed gratification. I have to CHOOSE which ones to take, and I select my favourite two. Meaning I am leaving some there that I COULD purchase. Such an abundance, unexpected.
Of course, Paulette's $3 shirt looks great, especially with the yet another pair of pants that she's taking home. Some seem to live in perpetual harvest. But in my contentment, I no longer begrudge her success.
On our way out, I pick up an FM tuner for my CD player (my TAPE DECK in my car just died. Plus, I'm thinking about getting an ipod once Canada Revenue Agency soon returns what is rightfully mine...). Paulette grabs a lint-roller and Easter candy. We chat with a friend we see at the check out, and then we head home.
Paulette 7.
Audrey 5.
But who's counting, right?
Opinions Solicited
Your reaction to this:
Humans are not born with an internal gage that tells us what is right and wrong, good and bad.
Proof: Suicide bombers sincerely believe they are doing something good & right.
Firsts & Lasts
Taken from facebook...
FIRST REAL BEST FRIEND: Sarah Steeves
FIRST SCHOOL: West Riverview Elementary
FIRST PET: cocker spaniel Jody
FIRST BIG TRIP: Grade 6 trip to Virginia...but I was in Grade 5...apparently there were some seats available.
FIRST FIGHT: 2 yrs old...my cousin took my tricyle so I bit him in the back
FIRST CELEBRITY CRUSH: Michael J. Fox
FIRST TIME OUT OF THE COUNTRY?: Virginia, summer '88
FIRST JOB: Money counting & deposit prep for vending company, then Wendy's
FIRST FACEBOOK FRIEND: Matthew Rose
LAST PERSON YOU HUGGED:
KRISTI BENSON (my bad, K-Dog.)LAST CAR RIDE: Tonight coming home from Fairmont
LAST TIME YOU CRIED?: Sunday night
LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED: Empire Falls
LAST FOOD YOU ATE: Pizza
LAST ITEM BOUGHT: Tim Horton's coffee
LAST SHIRT WORN: Black cotton shirt w/ white & beige stripes
LAST PHONE CALL: Aunt Dale
LAST THING YOU TOUCHED: Black cotton shirt w/ white & beige stripes
LAST FUNERAL: Grandad's
LAST TIME AT THE MALL: December 22
LAST TIME YOU WERE EXCITED FOR SOMETHING: today, excited for teens going to Ukraine & NYC
LAST PERSON YOU SAW: Supervisor Kim
LAST THING YOU DRANK: Tim Horton's decaf
LAST PERSON THAT BROKE YOUR HEART: skipping this one
LAST TIME YOU WERE REALLY HONESTLY HAPPY?: today
I Heart Jo
It's been over two years since I've seen Joanna in person. I had the opportunity to spend several hours with her this weekend and it was fantastic! Good conversation, many laughs, yummy food...and more than a couple stops at Tim Hortons. May it not be another two years before I get to enjoy the company of my fav Iowan.
Mexipino Night
It's been a very busy month, with not much to blog about. Sleep (when i'm fortunate), work, eat, work, and repeat. That sums it up. But it's been good. It's busy at FHR and there's always interesting people that, although often exasperating in the moment, make for a good laugh afterwards. It's busy at the church too as another season of Tuesday night outreach gets underway and as we prepare for 3 missions trips within the next 3 months. I'm loving it.
My schedule doesn't allow for an extensive social calendar, but Thursday night I was able to have three of my favourite young ladies to my place for dinner and it was heaps of fun.
Andrea...
Drew...
and Ashley...
The menu was a bit of a Mexican/Filipino theme. We had nacho dip as an appetizer. The main course consisted of Pancit (a noodle dish with beans, carrots, garlic, chicken, and soya sauce) and Lumpia (kinda like a spring roll, but different). Making these dishes made think of Ruth with much fondness.
So here they are learning how to wrap Lumpia. They were kinda weirded out by the use of egg whites as an adhesive.
In the end, some of the Lumpia filling was overcooked, but otherwise it seemed to turn out. For dessert, we returned to Mexican with a banana/marshmallow/chocolate enchilada-type structure. For some reason, most of the pictures were devoted to dessert.
Carruthers Christmas 2006
Our Christmas this year was like no other. It's funny how the holidays seem to punctuate major transitions in life with a big exclamation mark. Our family has seen so much change over the last two years, and nothing reiterates that like Christmas. Having lost two significant loved ones in 2005, we still feel the loss more deeply at times when we know we would have been together. But while other changes are good ones, they still require adjustments and new ways of doing things. My brother is now married. My parents now live in NS 80% of the time. I live somewhere different. My brother and sister-in-law would be spending the 24th-26th with her family. I had to work the 24th, 25th and 26th. My parents didn't get home in December at all until the 23rd, and so there was no time for decorating the house or setting up a tree there. Given these various factors, we planned to do our Christmas at my place on the 27th.
I was out shopping with Dad on the 23rd when he told me that there was a snag. Tim & Aneke had to work on the 27th and couldn't get out of it. Dad absolutely had to be back in NS for work on the 28th...he was pushing it to take the 27th off. Right there, in Mark's Work Warehouse, I could have cried. "So we'll plan to eat our turkey dinner early in the evening on the 27th and then open gifts afterwards...?" He says. I think to myself, what other option do we have?
I'll be honest. I was having quite the pity party on the morning of Christmas Eve. I was missing Carter & Grandad. I was angry that I had to work. Mom & Dad were planning to go to Fredericton the next day to visit with Grammy & Grampy but I couldn't go because of my schedule. My adopted family upstairs was heading out of town so I was going to be in a quiet house for 3 days. And the only time that my family could possibly carve out to spend all together was a few hours in the evening, two days after Christmas.
Then, suddenly, another family crossed my mind. A family who suffered a tragic loss this year. They likely had all kinds of time to spend together, but how difficult it would be, missing the one who was now gone, so unexpectedly. My tears of self-pity were replaced by tears of empathy. I offered a prayer of solace for this family, and a prayer of gratitude for my own.
So the following days were different, but good. When I wasn't working, I was spending time with Mom & Dad, at their place and mine. They didn't end up going to F'ton on the 25th. We visited back and forth with the north end Carruthers (aka Jenn & parents). It was quite nice. Usually, there's so much busy-ness and stress leading up to the date, and then you're tired and a little strung out and everything is over before you know it. We had a couple days after the hectic preparations but before the festivities where we had not much to do but relax together when I wasn't at work.
The 27th was nice. It snowed, so no one else in the area had a White Christmas, but we did! While the turkey was cooking, we dug out home videos of Christmases 3-4 years ago, which we'd never watched before. Seeing Carter & Grandad on video, we so missed them but yet enjoyed the memories and it almost made it feel like we spent this Christmas with them. We had our turkey, opened our gifts, and laughed so much...I don't know when was the last time I'd laughed so hard.
I would never have planned it to be that way, but if I could go back, I wouldn't change a thing. (Well, I might have had us start a couple hours earlier so that we would have had time for dessert after the gifts.) It was perfect.
