Thursday, April 29, 2010

Goodbye, Farewell, Au Revoir, Arrivederci, Adiós, Auf Wiedersehen, Adjö

However you say it, it doesn't make it any easier...

I knew this was coming...... tried to prepare myself, but you can't escape it; the rush of fond memories, the feeling of disconnection to loved ones fastly approaching, the final moments before I leave and all the farewell's are said. Super sigh.

When my brother went out west, he bought a one way ticket, not sure if he would come back, so he didn't say any "goodbye's". I'm sure that was hard, but this seems worse. I can't just pick up and go, I have to say my goodbye's because I know once there, I'm staying.

Even after the goodbyes, it still hasn't fully sunk in yet. It will prolly hit me when I'm somewhere in Saskatchewan looking over and over and the endless flat landscapes and I suddenly gasp and say to myself that this is actually happening.
People ask me if I'm scared or nervous or excited. I'd say 85% excited, 10% nervous and the latter scared. I've always been full of guts and had enough confidence to make it happen. Most people recoil at the thought of change, I on the other hand, do not, because I love and embrace change. I think they have a diagnosis of this; ADHD.

Tonight I am having my "last supper" with my mom, friends, aunts and cousins. Hopefully more laughter than tears will be present, if all fails they can use me as comic relief because I am sure to do something silly, like mistake a lettuce leaf for a napkin (true life).

Friday, April 23, 2010

The Result

Well that was certainely a memorable night!
The whole night was foreign to me and it was a lot of fun!!
We arrive, not sure what to expect, but once there even our uncertainties didn't qualify.
Complete silence. Massive hall. Old people everywhere. Intennnnnse. I managed to suffocate a laugh.
We find a table right at the back and desperately ask the veterans (old ladies running the show) for help. Thank goodness for them because I was under the impression that if you got a line- it was bingo. So I nearly yelled it out, when I was informed that you had to follow the pattern on the screen.... X M Y 2 lines...etc....

I dont' know how to describe this, but I will do my best. Picture a big hall, that echos. Add 1960's decor. About 150 elderly, another 50 people overweight, pure silence except the bingo guy (his story is coming) and nacho's where the cheese comes from a machine. Imagine that !! Machine cheese !!! Its like a different planet.

The bingo guy was almost too hard to handle. I couldn't deal. Every time he said "B 2" I laughed. he sounded a mix between Mr. Garrison from Southpark, a character from Little Britain and a dopehead. And then to make matters worse, there was another game that involved balls (that we didn't know about) and everything was quiet, and intense. Then some old guy yells out "Balls".
Kelle and I lost all composure at that point, and then to top it off the Bingo guy says "Balls are called" in his dopey voice. Tears streaming down my face from (almost) silent laughter.

None of us won anything, however Allie was 1 dab away from winning $350. Overall a fun filled night !

Thursday, April 22, 2010



















My 2nd creation: Peep.



My first creation : Lawrence.

Sock as a Verb

Not exactly sure if I should screen this post, however, I'm going to post it anyway.

Myself, Kelle and Allie have found a new passion; sock puppets / dolls.
It all started with Allie. She was feeling all maternal one night and wanted to knit a baby blanket, she texted me letting me know she googled "how to knit a blanket" and was going to the store for supplies. Once there, she discovered a "how to construct a sock doll" book, intrigued, she opened it and then abandoned ALL thoughts of the baby blanket. Her new addiction took shape.
Next thing i know, she's texting me asking me if I want to come over and make puppets. I know my best friend, she's a weirdo, ( why I love her) but I couldn't help but tactfully deny her invitation..... until I saw the photo album.
After that I was hooked. It was absoloutely hilarious. So for the past few weeks, we have been getting together at regular intervals to "sock". I think she has made about 5-6 dolls now, each one unique and each reflecting what mood she's in. There's one she made where she was "in a dark place" and its actually really funny and she felt much better after she created it. LOL
I've made 3, I will post pics now....
Kelle has 3 as well, all of them are hilarious -- i'm actually quite sad that I am leaving this new found activity to spend with girlfriends, we're always laughing about it !

Bingo Banjo

So its a friends 25th birthday today, and she wants to go play bingo.
I haven't played bingo since I was 8, and it was when I was camping with my grandparents, but I do fondly remember the thrill of excitement I got when my number was called and I was proudly able to stamp my bright pink dabber on my sheet.

So, the venue for this event was to be at "the delta bingo" on King street Hamilton, possibly the sketchyest (sp?) area in southern ontario. (we later changed the venue to burlington). So myself, Kelle (the bday girl) and Allie all went to Value Village in search for animal shirts. Specifically "wolf howling at the moon" and "cats sitting and playing in wicker baskets" shirts. The only wolf shirt we could find was a xxxL :( . So I opted for a lion/ lioness shirt, pretty badass still. Allie is 8 months pregnant and got a "Save the gorilla's" shirt which is hilarious because the face sticks out. (I still think she should have gone with the small "I LOVE MCDONALDS" shirt, but her belly stuck way out. Funniest thing I've seen in a long time, i thought she was going to go into labour she was laughing so hard). Kelle hasn't found one yet, she is currently looking through her dads closet for "wolfy".

We are pre-gaming at Kelle's place and then strolling in, caravan style, to find the best seat in the house. Pics will be posted along with updates as to how this event was.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

The Big Decision

It's the year 2010 and a lot of changes to my life are about to happen.
I've decided to start a blog, to keep my friends and family updated, because I know how hard it is to stay in touch with everyone all the time. This will give me a means to keep you all connected in my not-so-boring-life.

For years now I've wanted to move out to BC, I've pondered it and wondered how I would make it happen. I'm usually a planner and like to meticulously organize things, but this time around, I've done quite the opposite. I'm winging it. And I'm terrified.

Dad gave me the "talk" about room and board (totally reasonable) but i'm 26 and DESPERATELY want to move out. Not that I don't have freedom, or a great family that I live with. I just want my own space, a place that I built myself. I thought about moving out around Niagara, but I knew that would seal my fate and I'd never be able to save up to make the big move to the West Coast.

So here I am. I've saved every penny possible during the past 2 months, and planned as far ahead as having a place to stay once I'm out there (my brothers)
But beyond that, I don't really have a plan. My philosophy on life is this: do what makes you happy and things will fall into place. I know that I am in my element when i'm out west. I LOVE the outdoors, I love cooking, I love culture and a sense of adventure. Every time I've been out there, its harder to come back to Ontario. I know that the West is where I belong.

Today I started packing my car, I know I don't leave for another 2 weeks, but I'm excited, ok?
Plus I might have to part ways with more items that I think I will, so I guess this will give me an idea of exactly what.
So far my trunk is FULL. Kitchen stuff (pots, pans, utensils, etc) hangers for my clothes, my "file box", cookbooks, spices, pictures, decorative pillows, curtains, 2 lamps, most of my shoes.

I haven't put a single article of clothing in there yet. I have bought vaccuum bags to seal them and create more room, but I honestly think I have to get a rooftop carry case. I still have my pasta maker, more kitchen stuff, toiletries (all my skin care, makeup, hair stuff....bcuz that's expensive to buy) sheets, blankets, all my clothes....etc. Plus I have another person coming with me and she'll need some room.

What scares me the most is actually getting my own place; I haven't done this before (college not included). This is my next life. I won't have ANYthing except my small possessions. But again, I do have confidence in myself and I know that if I want something bad enough I will acquire it. And the fact that I don't have a job yet. I'm literally going there with my resume, determination and high hopes.

This next part is hard.
I'm slowly preparing myself for my goodbyes; grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins, friends, best friends, my new little brother and sister whom i've come to love and adore..dad and danielle.....and mom.....and everything that goes with it. Family dinners, hugs when I need them, reassurance.... this is going to be hard. I know this, but I also know there's this intangible element that is drawing me out west.
As the weeks draw on and May 1st gets closer, I allow myself to think of these goodbyes a little more, It would be easier to ignore but I have to come to terms with the reality of it.

As I drive out, I will update as much as I can on my adventures, photos and text included.

Once I'm there, the first person to come visit me gets a 3 course meal and a high 5 !