Pura Vida

Logo Design

2011-02-11T21:57:00.000-08:00

These logos look "simple", but logo design can be one of the most challenging projects. Check out these clever designs....

Finca Bellavista

2011-02-11T21:34:00.000-08:00

Now here is a place I would love to see. A beautiful treetop village in the rainforests of Costa Rica.

Miniature City

2011-02-11T21:18:00.000-08:00

Absolutely fascinated by this

Black and White Photos

2011-02-11T21:03:00.000-08:00

My love of photography grew from many sources. Classic Ansel Adams high contrast black and white photography was one of them. I find myself drawn to this type of photography combined with the element of human nature, where all distractions are stripped away and what is left is the bare soul of the image. This site caught my eye today

2008-10-27T08:36:00.000-07:00

talking to my best and describing how I was feeling a little cranky. Her response was "I must be oblivious because I never notice when you are cranky" then she paused thoughtfully "....or maybe I just assumed that was your normal personality"

change of plans

2008-09-30T10:03:00.000-07:00

before I even had a chance to be employed, I am now unemployed again.

I called my credit card to ask them to up my limit so I could pay off some debts from school...the first question they asked was "are you presently employed?" I laughed and said "no....I guess that means you won't give me more money!" (I suppose I should have thought of that before I called, but you if you never ask....)

anyway..getting back on track....I will not be working at LD afterall.

Get this..we are moving to Harrison..as in the hotsprings...where the old people live!

I am opening a store with my sisters (and father). Crazy!

a glowing reference.

2008-09-16T20:06:00.000-07:00

So, as you may have heard...I am now employed. Yes, it is true, I applied at the old standby...London Drugs.
This is where my sense of responsibility overrode my sense of pride. Don't misunderstand, there is nothing wrong with working at LD as a photo chick. It's just that when you complete a year long intensive design program only to be transported back 4yrs ago...well, you know.

Okay, but really it's not so bad. I am actually truly thankful. It's no secret that I had a pretty rough time last week as the enormity of the situation hit me. And I couldn't sit around waiting for paid freelance design work to come my way...

So I gave it all up, my employment, my trailer, everything. I believe God gave me the LD job b/c it was something I was comfortable with and it would allow me time to focus on The Pura Vida Project (what is that? you may ask....you'll have to wait)

I also have no idea what how many hours it will be or what days it will be...but I will take it b/c it has been provided for me....and that is a very good thing.

I was also flattered to hear that my former employers gave a glowing review and told LD to snatch me up! So I don't even have to go through the hiring process...they simply called and offered me a job...without even meeting me.(see that kind of stuff happens to Liz, not me...)

There are bigger things yet to plan for and to pray for...I will update that later.
But right now, I am very grateful for extra income!

playing tourist with my favourite person.

2008-09-06T21:39:00.000-07:00

after a year of Saturdays filled with homework, Andrew and I were able to spend the day together. Andrew chose Gastown as the destination. he has a love for cheesey souvenir shops (he inherited that from Pama.

Even though the skytrain was not necessary to get to our destination...it was a day of fun, so I couldn't say no.

after gas town we headed to canada place, and decided we needed a vacation

and oddly....while the passengers were boarding, and the captain was welcoming everyone onboard over the loudspeaker....this was going on.....

while putting away my favourite perfume

2008-09-06T21:35:00.000-07:00

in the cabinet above the toilet, I felt it slip out of my hands and was horrified at the ker-splash that occurred soon after.
It had fallen in the toilet, the toilet that had not been flushed.

And I had no choice but to retrieve it.

the best laid plans

2008-09-01T18:48:00.000-07:00

I had a perfect plan.

I would move to Vancouver, go to school for a year, sell my trailer this summer to my renters (who had said they wanted to purchase it), pay off my student loan, pay my good friend who continually bails me out, thus allowing me to spend time being mom again, taking Andrew to school, picking him up, and freelancing during the hours he is gone.

It was my perfect plan.

my plan.

key word..."my"....

all was trucking along fine. until my renters decided not to buy and then moved out. yikes!
so now I am in a financial pickle, paying for rent in Vancouver and a mortgage in Deroche...holding a trailer that is not selling.

hmmmm.....how did it all go so wrong??

there is one thing I have learned in my life, that no matter what plans I make..there is someone making their own plans.

And oddly, it always seems to work out..

hard to say really..

2008-07-30T18:56:00.000-07:00

was it when my nose ring came out when I sneezed?
or when I tried to put it back in and it got stuck halfway.

now it won't come out or go in....

nice

sheer inspiration

2008-07-24T21:52:00.000-07:00

I have two weeks left of school.
hard to believe...2 weeks and too many projects. So much so, that I am completely blank when it comes to creativity...like searching for water in a dry well.

On top of the projects, I also agreed to take on the task of designing a logo for a church in Ottawa. Seeing as I'm stressed out from school and have less than a week to build my personal website..this may not have been a fabulous idea.

They are expecting the logo proposal tomorrow morning.

So this week, as I struggled with the logo....I handed it to God...and waited. I was mildly concerned when at 5pm tonight I still did not have a solid concept.

it's now 10pm...and I am thrilled to say that not only is it complete, but I am oh so happy with the result!

I'm not sure why God likes to do this to me...push it as far as it can go, just before I freak out. Probably to teach me a lesson on trust or something.....

2008-06-21T20:05:00.000-07:00

scott's post

festiny

2008-06-10T22:09:00.000-07:00

my friend Matt describes festiny as when fate and destiny collide (followed by a lengthy lecture of you can not deny festiny). I may not believe fate in the traditional sense, but I do believe that things happen for a reason.

last month I finally got my place organized after almost a year of being here. As soon as I could see my bedroom floor for the first time....I had the thought 'I'm going to move soon..'

it seems that whenever I settled in, get comfy, get attached, things take a turn and I am packing again!

what amazes me is how it always seems to work out. Last time it was the german ladies out for a walk on 54th ave, this time it was running into an aquaintance on the corner of Broadway and Ash.

And it all fell into place....

the start of a really great project

2008-05-15T13:23:00.000-07:00

mom mentioned awhile ago about an idea to raise money to build houses in Amparo out of concrete blocks.
And so, after giving it some thought, I have decided we need to jump in and just do it. I am excited that I am able to combine some school projects with this campaign.

Today I received an email for our contact. He and his wife have been trying to figure out how to get their house built, he feels we are an answer to his prayer, which only confirms that this is something we need to do!

So the official financial word is: the monthly average family income is $155 cdn
new house is $10, 000 cdn for materials and labour.

I won't lie....it's a daunting task. But I'm pretty excited about it!

this very crazy interface...

2008-05-07T19:54:00.001-07:00

http://www.wefeelfine.org/

finding a 4 sided pyramid of TP rolls in the middle of my bathroom

2008-03-14T08:58:00.000-07:00

it seems my son views himself as a sculptor of sorts and is constanly rearranging the TP into intricate works of art.

What have a learned this week? 1) my body is not as resilient as it used to be 2) Tylenol 3's are way over rated......

finding time to blog!

2008-03-09T14:54:00.000-07:00

Ben Franklin is responsible for alot of great things....

Daylight Savings is not one of them.

I didn't have too much trouble getting up this morning, I pushed the snooze button a few extra times. Andrew didn't fair so well. He was a lump on the living room floor, responding only in grunts to my queeries about breakfast.

I had one of those walks this morning where I was aware of my legs moving, but couldn't perceive making any actual progress. Normally by the time I reach the main campus I pick a vehicle travelling west on 49th and attempt to beat it to Cambie St. It's this little bit of competitiveness that gets me to pick up my pace in the mornings.
This morning I hid under my umbrella and trudged along in my own little foggy world.

I didn't pass any of my usuals...the jogger, the supermodel, the fake smiler or the kid who rides his bike with no hands.... leaving me wondering if I was late or early (although my late is still 10mins early instead of 20). At the pace I was travelling, I was pretty sure I was late......

more to follow

2008-02-14T18:49:00.000-08:00

receiving canucks tattoos and a terry fox bookmark for Valentines Day.

The other good thing was the utter relief of finishing the worst project in the history of stupid projects.....

2008-02-04T20:03:00.000-08:00

finishing my video project just in time.

And my other favourite part of today was the care package I received from "home". MMMMmmm...yummy.

2008-02-02T22:35:00.000-08:00

not finishing....oh wait, no...not even starting my video project that is due on Monday.

Hitting a creative wall...big time.....

This must be what writers feel like....

Probably how reality tv started....

I got nothin'......

2008-01-29T18:33:00.000-08:00

hearing that Shirley passed away yesterday. That sounds like a terrible thing to bring a smile to my face but I couldn't help but picture her in Heaven, complaining about the food. I am excited for her, I suppose that is a weird response, but after all she has been through, what a homecoming that must have been!
She will be missed downtown, yelling at cars and walking her cat...her smiles and hugs....
I can't wait to meet up with her again.

2008-01-15T15:43:00.000-08:00

the illusion of summer that graced my morning walk.

2008-01-14T19:31:00.000-08:00

while walking to school in the pouring rain, my pants soaked up to my knees, my fingers chilled to the bone and my back aching under the weight of my backpack. I stood at the crosswalk, after being splashed by a bus, and eyed the dry, warm commuters sipping their lattes in their heated leather seats. I thought to myself.."I am 30yrs old, I had a house, a yard, and nice new warm car to drive to work in, and I gave it all up for this?"

And then I smiled.

"Yes, I did."

And it was worth it.

2007-12-15T16:01:00.001-08:00

the sale at the art store.

2007-12-14T20:23:00.001-08:00

was the all-you-can-eat sushi and good company.

2007-12-05T17:45:00.001-08:00

sitting down with my instructor to have my work critiqued. He started by saying, "I opened your file and had alot of problems....."
I knew it wasn't a stunningly great layout, but I didn't think it was that bad.
After a very lengthy pause (in which I re-evaluated my decision to uproot my whole life, move to the city, sell my house and get rid of my car) he finished his sentence
".....coming up with something to critique."

Whew.

2007-12-05T17:43:00.000-08:00

when I was talking on the phone to my friend RR and I said "I have the worst taste in men". There was a long pause on the other end, followed by "Notice I'm not disagreeing".

back to the blog

2007-11-11T17:08:00.000-08:00

it's been a busy two months.
projects, assignments, midterms...it's constant.
but it's fabulous.

my brain is being constantly crammed with useful information, most of it I fear will fall out before the semester is over.

we love the city life, perhaps more than we expected. our home is cozy and we can walk or bus to anything we need. so far, so good......

2007-09-29T17:51:00.001-07:00

Walking to the elementary school last week I looked up to see the mural that had been painted on the outside of the gym wall. It was of 6 children all side by side, each a different nationality wearing there native dress. The canadian child had a touque, a parka and snow boots.
I thought to myself, is that really the customary dress in canada? I thought it was Gap jeans, a hoodie and an ipod......

2007-09-10T20:09:00.000-07:00

Being thoroughly prepared the night before, with lunches made and backpacks packed, Andrew and I casually locked up the suite and headed out to the babysitters, enjoying the warm morning air. We sauntered carelessly up the front walk and down the tree-lined sidewwalk.

After a a hug and a quick goodbye, I picked up the pace and made my way to the bus stop. It was here that I stood with 2 others waiting for the 49.

I saw it coming and got my ticket ready.

As it drew near it didn't slow down. It was packed with morning commuters. I waited for the next one, it too passed us by. I glanced at my watch and knew that I had a choice to make right then. I could wait for one more bus and hope it had room, if it didn't I would certainly be late for class, or I could start walking.

I chose to walk.

About halfway, the bus passed me, it was moslty empty. The street was busy with construction and soon I was passing the bus. Traffic picked up and the bus passed me, a few moments later I passed the bus. We played cat and mouse for the next 5 minutes. The bus arrived at the corner about 10 seconds before I did.

It was then that I discovered that the bus isn't always quicker in Vancouver.

I made it to school in 25mins, although i was really moving b/c I didn't want to be late.

I found my class, there were 5 people who had arrived before me, they all sat in silence staring at me as I entered. Jenny introduced herself first, then Matt, Jas (pronounced Yas), Alex and Christina.

Then we all sat. In silence.

This is my family for the next year I thought...I was missing my family at the MEC at this point.
Then came Nina, she is about 15yrs older than me. She repeated our names over and over in an attempt to memorize them. Nina apparently isn't her real name, but she was reluctant to share her birth name with us.
Weave was the next to wander in. He's a big guy with shoulder length blond hair, denim shorts and a white puffy shirt (you know, like the seinfeld episode). He sat beside me, I was kinda scared of him.
The room slowly filled with classmates and we all sat in silence.

After a 3hr "chat" about the industry with one of the instructors, we were all ready for lunch.
I found I starbucks across the street and set to work using up my gift cards.
After lunch we found ourselves again sitting in silence staring at each other until Jas pointed out that we had just spent 3 hrs together and haven't even gotten to know each other, so the introductions began and the stories about how we all ended up in the program followed.

We were interrupted after my schpeal by the arrival of our laptops. Then the fun began!

What we learned during the proccess of handing out laptops was that Nina's real name was Bernice and (surprise) Weave wasn't Weave's real name either...it was Lesley. I could tell by his face he really didn't want us to know that.

On the way home I decided to take the bus as my backpack was significantly heavier after acquiring the laptop. Again, the bus drove by with people packed in tighter than Britney in a bikini.
So I walked home, tired and sore, but feeling good.....

2007-09-04T09:42:00.000-07:00

One of the most impulsive (yet ironically thoroughly thought out) things I have ever done.

The impulsive part was when I called Langara and set up an interview to see if I could get into one of it's programs. It was a whim....I had no idea where it would lead.

It was not without it's obstacles....
I had to quit my job.
I had to find a place in the city.
I had to find renters.
I had to find money.
I had to find a school for Andrew.
I had to find childcare for Andrew.

Quitting my job was easy...the rest was a little more difficult.

I found a place, it was small and in an area farther than I wanted to be, but it was affordable and clean.
I didn't get that place.
Somewhat discouraging, and when i looked at other places in my price range, I was even more discouraged.
Then came the German ladies, and I am now in a wonderful suite in a good location....

Renter/buyers was tricky as well, but thanks to my hard working sister, in the end I found both!

My student loaned hinged on me getting rid of my car, which I couldn't do until the end of August (kind of pushing it, i realize) Thankfully, my loan took 5 days to process and we are in the clear! (yeah!)

Andrew was on the waiting list for public school - we were told we would know what school he would be in by Sept 7th (I start school on the 10th) Not knowing where he was going to go to school was making finding childcare somewhat difficult!
We got the call on Friday that he would be attending the school around the corner (again more cheers!)

But then childcare.
Less than a week to go, and I finally clue in that the reason the afterschool care program isn't calling me back is b/c they are on strike! Yikes!

But today...today it all came together....I met a mom who was willing to take Andrew until I get it all figured out!
Wow...with only 5 days to spare!

So that's it...it all came together......

But now I think I need a vacation!

2007-09-02T18:25:00.001-07:00

You can fit alot of things into a blue rubbermaid bin.

10,000 marbles
25 textbooks
14 stuffed animals

or a childhood full of memories.

Liz and I grabbed our blue bins, each neatly labled with our first names, and eagerly pulled open the lids.
There were baby clothes, baby shoes, baby combs, but what drew our attention the most were the journals buried underneath.

The journals spoke of the 39 animals we had on our farm, birthday parties with friends, thanksgiving dinners at Grammie's, playhouses, imaginary friends. Dreams for the future (I was going to tame birds, I was planning on having 10-20 birds).
There were awards and newspaper clippings, report cards and cards made for mommy.

We were engrossed for almost an hour, captivated and brought back to a sweet time, where we played, and imagined and dreamed........ bigger than the rubbermaid bin.

2007-08-26T21:05:00.000-07:00

What I have discovered through this, is that you can not underestimate the power of true friendship. Old friends and some surprising new friends....and they have all supported me. Thank you.

2007-07-12T19:16:00.000-07:00

The air was hot, right from the moment the sun peaked over the mountains.
We started out on our daily pilgrimage and as we rounded the corner to the bustling
street, it became apparent that we were the minorities here. We passed the sweet shop and the tall, lanky man with a long grey beard and white turban arranging the produce in front of his shop. Two men with bad comb-overs sat at a table in front of the small barbershop, speaking quickly in a language I didn't understand, inside a radio loudly played Punjabi music and it spilled out into the street.
I smiled at each of the Chinese ladies I passed, they stood solemn faced in their sunhats waiting for the bus but avoiding eye contact.
We followed a beautiful young east indian woman as she turned off the mainstreet and strode under the towering chestnut trees. I eyed her enviously in her green and blue sari, the ribbons of fabric around her neck dancing with the wind. I was dressed in suffocating denim capris and a thick t-shirt. It was stifling and I longed to float in the breeze and feel the coolness of the shade.
We passed a house still in the beginning stages of construction, Andrew commented that it would make a fine museum. He pointed out he large curved wall at the front of the house that would soon hold a multitude of arched windows. A museum. I smiled, enjoying the wonderous workings of his young mind.

This morning the air was cooler than yesterday and that was a welcomed relief.
We had finished the day before with a trip to Granville Island in hopes of finding a most beautiful gift, and we were successful.
This morning we started chipping away at our daily 38 block trek. I paused to wait for a sprinkler to move off the sidewalk, Andrew, feeling uninhibited, chose to run right through it. I laughed at his exuberance.
As we neared the church he began singing "Oh Canada". I instantly "sshhhhed" him, and then wondered why I had. I told him never mind and he carried on all the way to the steps of the church.
On the walk back I savoured each piece of shade on the tree lined sidewalk. I turned north and headed towards town. This was my neighbourhood now, my neighbours, my street. I was comfortable.
The old brick schoolhouse stood three stories high and in the arched doorway stood two teenagers. A boy and a girl, facing each other with their arms wrapped around each other whispering secrets. Through the window on the second floor, a man in shorts and a tank top taught summer class to uninterested students.
A man in a wheelchair asked if I wanted some reading material and tried to hand me a religious pamphlet. I politely declined and thought I should bring this man a bottle of water, it was sure to get warm sitting on the sidewalk.
Regretfully, I did not bring him any.
The last stop was to Starbucks. As I walked in I noticed a familiar face. Tamara Someone-or-other, perhaps from the news? She was very obviously pregnant and an older woman stood next to her giving what she felt was very useful advise on pregnancy and childbirth. Tamara was gracious and chatted politely, then put on our sunglasses and slipped out the front door.
I was grateful for my anonymity.
As I reached for my frappucino, the young girl behind the counter handed me a second. She explained that she had made it by accident and asked if I wanted it. I told her I wouldn't know what to do with it. She smiled and said "give it to a friend". I don't actually have many friends here, I thought. My face must have given it away because she continued with "make a new friend."
Unfortunately my house is less than a block away and the only people I came across were older men with stern faces who would not make eye contact. So I popped the frap in the freezer and opened the front door to let a cool breeze blow through before the afternoon heatwave hit.......

I guess we are leaving.......

2007-07-09T14:15:00.001-07:00

I have been in the process of packing the car and cleaning all morning. I intended to leave in a few hours.
As I was sitting in the office, I could hear the slamming of the car doors and went out to check. It seems Andrew had been putting all the boxes piled by the front door into the car.
He like to go back to Vancouver.......NOW.

So here we go.....

3 days and 3 nights

2007-07-05T21:27:00.000-07:00

We loaded up the car on Monday, it was jammed full so the computer and the microwave (as well as alot of other important items we discovered later) had to stay in the trailer.
First on the list after unpacking was exploring our new neighbourhood. Andrew was thrilled that Gelato could be found at the end of our street (less than a block away he exclaimed!). After gelato Andrew counted the number of banks he saw on the way to the grocery store -seven in all, which will make it difficult to decide which he should trust with his money!
The next day included another trip to the grocery store and the park, and of course Starbucks!
Wednesday we found the library and checked out some books.
Three days, no TV, no internet, no microwave, no car. It was fabulous!
I finished a whole novel, and then some!
I was so excited to sleep in my own bad again! AND there are NO mosquitoes in Vancouver!

We are back now for the weekend and to tie up some loose ends. Then we will load up the car again and head back to our big city adventure!

newness

2007-07-02T08:18:00.000-07:00

I was up at 6am this morning, my mind swirling with lists of things to pack. There is no way I will be able to cram all my remaining belongings into my little car, so I am deciding what is essential and what I can leave for a week.
Tonight I get to sleep in my own bed and I am so excited!
We will need to go grocery shopping when we get there tonight, and I can't wait to show Andrew all the markets and shops. It's going to be quite the adventure, and it starts today!
So many new things...new home, new town, new school, new.....

2007-07-02T08:17:00.000-07:00

2007-06-28T20:14:00.001-07:00

cat still needs a home.....

wow she's good..........

2007-06-26T17:56:00.000-07:00

haven't even listed it yet, and she already booked a showing....sweet!

For Sale

2007-06-26T15:55:00.001-07:00

The manager of the trailer park informed me today that he doesn't want renters. He can't actually enforce that b/c I never signed anything to that effect, but I have a feeling if I did get a renter, he would make my life difficult next year. So......
time to sell!
I hope it goes quickly, and I make enough to pay for school!

moving day

2007-06-25T17:18:00.000-07:00

Moving day went well, the sun stayed sunny, that made me smile.
The suite is smaller than I remembered (so the bar had to come back...) But it's clean and new and sunny...so we'll make it work.
I found the Starbucks, the sushi place, and the community centre, all very important places.
My landlords are great, and the neighbourhood is not that scary - so we will be just fine!
Meanwhile we are living in a house with only a couch and a small TV. We are sleeping on the pullout as our beds are at the new place. I remembered why I hate this couch, it's really not comfy, and I can't find my earplugs. By friday I will be very tired and cranky. But come Sunday, when I crawl into my own bed again, all will be right with the world!

renters

2007-06-25T17:17:00.000-07:00

they didn't call back.
that's okay.
something else will come up.

1st showing

2007-06-20T11:18:00.000-07:00

Just showed the house to the first couple of the day. She loved it, even said she would take the cat if she moved in. He didn't look convinced.
So we wait...

Swimming into deeper waters....

2007-06-17T08:17:00.000-07:00

The significance of Friday took awhile to really hit home, and still hasn't fully been realized. 2 weeks from now when I wake up Sunday morning and walk to the Starbucks for my morning coffee I'll be realizing the full effect of my actions.
Friday was my last day of work.

I am officially unemployed.

I didn't really have time to think about it, I had spent the week, cleaning and organizing to prepare my trailer for renting, and on top of it all studying for my exam (to become certified in a job I would quit 5 hrs later :P)
After writing the exam and finishing a day of work (alright, I didn't work much, I just toodled around....) We headed down to the Springs for what was supposed to be a congratulations on writing your exam party for everyone - but was turned into a combo party with Dr. S. lifting his beer and proclaiming "Here's to Carolyn leaving...."
The girls bought me a grill...which I can't even begin to express how excited I am about it! And the doctors gave me gift cards. I was pretty blown away!
I managed to hold it together until the end of the evening, that's when Jackie got a little teary, and then I followed.

I know I am not wired up for my job, I'm okay at it, but it's not something that comes natural, there are others (superwoman) who are much better at it than me. But there are 6 girls that I spend 35 hours with each week in a fishtank. 6 girls who have had to grow together and learn together and have been amazing friends. Come monday morning I will be missing them.

So here I sit unemployed, weeks away from the next great adventure. It's real now, can't go back. I'm scared out of my mind! But I'm also excited. I'm going from an average size suckerfish in a small tank to tiny sized fish in a big ocean.

Thanks girls for kicking my fins out of that tank...I wouldn't have the guts to do it if you hadn't had formed the optometric-assistant-wall-of-support behind me!

Love you!

Moving day......

2007-06-12T17:44:00.000-07:00

is scheduled for June 23rd! So...we need hand on this end (Mission) at about 10:30/11ish and then some more hands on the other end (Vancouver) time to be announced - I would imagine around 3pm?
E-mail if you can help! Thanks!

The Cat

2007-06-11T20:04:00.000-07:00

dear, sweet Molly needs a home for a year..... let me know if you are interested!

2007-06-08T19:45:00.000-07:00

Gave my notice........ 1 more week of work, 3 weeks til we move!

the long and the short of it........

2007-06-06T18:21:00.000-07:00

This is my long story of how I found my new home
(although Jen B's version is longer, with more hand gestures and a german accent).
As I began to tell this story today at work my coworkers made me wait until they got their coffees ready, and then they all pulled up a chair (apparently they are all used to my story telling, so they settled right in for the long haul)
Many (or maybe just some) of you heard my previous long story about the girl I went to camp with when I was 15 and how we had a cabin reunion and stayed at her place in Vancouver, then a few weeks ago I had a dream I was living in her basement. Soon after, I reconnected with Jen who said she knew of a suite available, and it turned out to be the parents of this girl I went to camp with. It sounded like it was meant to be....

it wasn't.

I took tuesday off to meet up with Jen in Vancouver. We walked to her cousin's house to pick up the classifieds, on the way she pointed out where everyone she knew lived. (I swear Jen knows or is related to everyone!) Then we hit craigslist and made our own list of places to call. I hate calling strangers so Jen took over and arranged for us to view a place later that evening.

We then headed to Langara for a tour and lunch, we followed up on a few places and arranged to meet a fellow at his suite right away. It was.....less than desirable, so we drove by the place we were to view that night. It was okay, but on a rather busy street, but I agreed to view later anyway. (at this point I was somewhat discouraged that I wasn't going to be able to do any better, I had really pictured myself on a tree lined street with a sidewalk and cute houses, but that idea was quickly fading)

We decided to head back to Jen's to email a few places, when Jen spotted the German Ladies. One was Jen's neighbour, the other was...????.....well, I don't know, but we pulled over anyway with Jen declaring "let's ask the German Ladies! They'll know, they know everything!" We rolled down the window and asked if they knew of any suites available. One piped up "I do!" and began to tell us how Edwin and Annie had a suite but she wasn't sure if it was still available. Jen whipped out her cell phone and handed it over. The arrangements were made and we headed right over to meet Edwin. The house was on a tree lined street and was practically brand new! Edwin met us and gave us a tour, he talked about how he was getting the carpets cleaned (even though they looked like they were just put in yesterday) and I could move in whenever it was convienent..... I asked what the rent was, he told me and then said he would take off $50 b/c one of us was just half a person.
Now most places make you fill out an application and then make you wait while they screen through the applicants. So I asked if there was a form to fill out. He said "you can do that when you move in, you call when you are ready to come, and we will have the keys for you!" He even offered to help move - until I mentioned where I was moving from, then he just offered to help me unload!

And so it was mine!

And, it turns out Edwin is never home that time of day, he just happened to call in sick that day!

How's that for a story?

Your exam will be $95, we need 24hrs notice if you need to change or cancel your appointment and please leave all dogs at home.

2007-05-31T20:50:00.000-07:00

This new trend of sticking your dog in your purse and heading to the mall, is really getting ridiculous.
I usually refrain from sharing too many clinic stories b/c this is such a small town. But I'm quitting soon, so.....
I should preface this by saying that all of us in the clinic are against people leaving a dog in a car in hot weather, in fact I'm sure most of us would be more inclined to break the window and rescue the dog if we had to choose between the animal or the patient. However....

Today a woman came into the clinic to pick up her glasses. The girls at the front counter directed her to have a seat at one of the dispensing desks. I was in the lab and I happened to look up through the window to see her sitting there patiently waiting while we got her glasses ready for her. It's right about here that I do a double take and notice a dog sitting beside her. Not a poodle, or a chiuaua, but a fullblown dog, like a collie or something. I'm thinking "that better be a guide dog that forgot to wear it's guidedog jacket..."
It wasn't.
So we told her it would have to leave the clinic.
That was followed by a snotty response of "I can't leave it in the car....." She was appalled that we wouldn't allow her dog in the clinic.

I think my jaw hit the floor at this point. We don't expect people to leave their dogs in cars, but you also can't bring them into clinics!
When did this become acceptable?

The strange thing is, this is the third time this has happened in the last year.

I just have to shake my head....

Confessions...

2007-05-31T20:39:00.000-07:00

I'm 30 yrs old and I've only been to 2 concerts.

Sad I know.

(I should clarify that I am not counting all those christian concerts from youthgroup days...'cuz, well they don't really count)

X always wanted to take me to a headbanging concert and see me in moshpit. Not quite my style. I'm somewhat claustrophopic...

So I was pretty excited to go see The Police last night.

I realized though, that I think I know more Sting songs than Police songs...but none the less there were still plenty of songs I knew. And of course the whole crowd knew them too so it was kind of like a sing-along with Sting (okay, not really.....)

Things you won't find in the city

2007-05-23T18:22:00.000-07:00

I was headed to bed last night at about 10pm. My bedroom wall faces the street. Just as I was turning on the lamp I heard "clip clop clip clop". Odd, I thought, and I listened closer. Yes, it sounded like horses.
I headed to Andrew's room to peak out the window. And there they were, two horses, taking a leisurely stroll down the road.
And no one in sight.

Why God made Moms

2007-05-13T07:55:00.000-07:00

WHY GOD MADE MOMS
(Answers given by 2nd grade school children to the following questions:)

Why did God make mothers?
1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.
2. Mostly to clean the house.
3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.

How did God make mothers?
1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.
3. God made my Mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.

What ingredients are mothers made of?
1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.
2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.

Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?
1. We're related.
2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's moms like me.

What kind of little girl was your mom?
1. My Mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.
2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.
3. They say she used to be nice.

What did mom need to know about dad before she married him?
1. His last name.
2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?
3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?

Why did your mom marry your dad?
1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my Mom eats a lot.
2. She got too old to do anything else with him.
3. My grandma says that Mom didn't have her thinking cap on.

Who's the boss at your house?
1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goof ball.
2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.
3. I guess Mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.

What's the difference between moms & dads?
1. Moms work at work and work at home and dads just go to work at work.
2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.
3. Dads are taller & stronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friend's.
4. Moms have magic; they make you feel better without medicine.

What does your mom do in her spare time?
1. Mothers don't do spare time.
2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.

What would it take to make your mom perfect?
1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.
2. Dye it. You know her hair. I'd dye it, maybe blue.

If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?
1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.
2. I'd make my mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister that did it and not me! .
3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.

calling

2007-05-12T19:48:00.000-07:00

I was reading Darla's blog the other day, about how she truly felt that nursing was her calling. I think it's wonderful to know where you should be and enjoy what you are doing.
The optometric field is certainly not my calling. I don't hate it. It's a good job (save for the people who feel the need to yell and make a scene in the clinic). But I can not say I am passionate about it.

One of the things I remember most about about my interview at Langara was when the interviewer asked me what career I was in now, when I told him I was an optometric assistant, he looked at me and said "oh...no...that's not the right field for you". I chuckled to myself and thought "if a perfect stranger can see that, why can't I?"

So now they've replaced me at work, if I want I can quit in as little as two weeks (don't freak out Jackie, I won't be going that soon). It's a good thing they did. It's easy to take the comfortable, safe road....which is what the clinic is to me.

Unless everything blows up in my face, we will be moving and (hopefully) renting out the trailer. Taking the scary, uncomfortable, unfamiliar, road to the unknown.

I'm a little freaked out.

But pretty darn excited.

2007-05-08T20:59:00.000-07:00

I'm so over this whole flood threat thing.

2007-05-02T21:26:00.000-07:00

Happy 30th Birthday!

2007-05-02T21:25:00.000-07:00

they replaced me...

2007-05-02T21:23:00.000-07:00

it happened so quick. they put out an ad. they interviewed. they hired. so....
it looks like now I really will have to leave!

I'm okay with that.

Life planners..

2007-04-24T17:14:00.000-07:00

I'm thinking someone should start a business just making plans for people who are to busy (or overwhelmed) to it themselves! I would definetly pay for that right about now....

Someone I could give a list to, detailing the area where I want to live, how much I want to pay, have them find childcare and afterschool care, transportation schedule....all that stuff....

So much research to do...not sure how to make it all come together.

Facebook

2007-04-24T17:12:00.000-07:00

Couldn't figure out what the buzz about facebook was.
Then I signed up.
Found a friend from highschool, sent some emails and recieved a long-overdue call from Montreal!
Very Cool!

2007-04-21T16:33:00.000-07:00

sadly, the beast just returned, I guess it was too good to be true...

boys and their toys....

2007-04-21T09:25:00.000-07:00

My neighbour's truck has been a thorn in my side for the last year and a half....

It's large and it's diesel, and it is parked about two feet from my bedroom wall with the muffler pointed directly towards my house.

Everymorning at 7am I am woken up to BRUMMMMMM-RMMM -RMMM -RMMM -RMMM -RMMM. The pictures bang against the walls, and the whole bed shakes, it's like an earthquake. NOT a nice way to wake up.

Two days ago I noticed he moved the truck back about 10feet or so, so it was against the kitchen wall. It still woke me up but it wasn't as bad. That was nice.

This morning (Saturday), at about 8am I didn't hear him start up his truck, but.....what I did hear was him talking to the neighbour right outside my window, describing the old truck ..."BRUMMM-RMMMM-RMMMM...." he yelled like a 3 yr old.

I just can't win!

Or so I thought.

After I got up I looked out my kitchen window to see a brand new Dodge Dakota sitting in his driveway! I was so excited! (insert happy dance here!) No more diesel waking me up everymorning!!

While in the mall....

2007-04-16T20:28:00.000-07:00

I almost ran over a squirrel in the underground parking, he was finishing off someone's fries.

I almost got run over by a 3yr old riding her bike to the food court (full on two wheeler with training wheels, helmut and all....seriously, who lets there kid ride their bike IN the mall?)

The girl in the dollarstore called me sweetie, I looked around to make sure she was talking to me, she was. She then called the 80yr old lady behind me "hun". The girl had to have been 19. It was weird.

on second thought...

2007-04-10T17:22:00.000-07:00

my family is going crazy. they have had to endure the never ending saga that is my major life decision. One minute, I'm selling the trailer and uprooting and moving. The next I'm staying and commuting, or maybe taking distance ed through BCIT. Or maybe I'm renting out the trailer and moving to Vancouver for year.....

I even did up my budgets and some extensive flow charts plotting out all 5 options, with lists of pro's and con's.

I made Liz read them this morning while she waited at the clinic for Jenn and Gracie.

She read them over and said "well, none of these look like they will work".

Yep, it's true, none of the plans actually work. I just need to pick one...and go with it......and make it work.

I think we all agree, I should keep my trailer...right? after all I just bought a vibrant pink flowering tree for the garden (I have to stay out of the gardening stores....they are nothing but trouble...)

2007-04-06T07:21:00.000-07:00

The local newspaper has a section where churches can advertise their service times. It was in this section that a found an interesting article by a guest colomist. The article was entitled something to the effect of "don't let your blessing be a curse".

The author describes a recent trip to a gas station - he makes certain to note it was NOT a pay before you pump station. So on his arrival to said gas station he can't figure out why the pump won't work. Annoyed, he goes inside and inquires. The attendant responds that when she is on duty it is a pay first pump. He replies that there should be a sign to this effect on the pump. He returns to the pump and pumps his gas, but is again annoyed because the pump is going quite slow. He goes back in and complains about the situation. The attendant says "yeah, that pump has been slow for the last few days" so he feels the need to say "there should be a sign stating that on the pump".
He notes that the attendant is taking his complaints personally, and when she hands him back his change she looks at him and says "God bless you, sir". But he could tell that is not what she meant...and so he launches into a sermon about not using blessing to in fact curse someone. fair enough.
But...is it just me or did he completely miss the message of the story (his own story). It seems to me the man was being an ass, it would have been a great opportunity for him to extend some grace. Be humbled a bit by the attendants response. But in our self centered, me only world, I guess we shouldn't really be surprised ...

2007-04-02T07:48:00.000-07:00

Like cottonballs falling from the sky......

2007-03-28T21:42:00.001-07:00

Found my new home.....http://vancouver.craigslist.org/apa/301737083.html

Keeping the groupies posted....

2007-03-25T18:07:00.000-07:00

Thought I would let everyone know what the desicion is so far.... since Annette and Lori have been planning my life (thanks girls...)

We will be moving to Vancouver in August.

I have decided not to keep the trailer. Very hard desicion since I am growing attached to it....my new floors, my garden etc.

But it makes more sense financially to sell it.

So, that's the latest.

New Starts...

2007-03-24T22:18:00.000-07:00

Encouragement comes from unlikely places sometimes.

Had coffee tonight with an old friend...because really that's how we started, and now we've come right back around to being friends again.

It's a relationship that I think I will always treasure....it's disfunctional, it doesn't fit in a box....it just is what it is.

And though we have both moved on...it's nice to know, if I ever do a faceplant in the middle of the road he will be there to support me.

2007-03-22T20:49:00.000-07:00

To all my family, friends and co-worker(who, when it really comes down to it are friends I get to work with everyday...I just want to say, I think it's great that we can work in a fish tank and still like each other...: ) to Taneane who spent countless hours teaching me things in photoshop and then countless more reteaching me when I forgot, and especially to Jackie, who gave me a huge kick in the butt and started this whole mess! (this is starting to sound like an oscar speech...)

5yrs ago John bought me my first camera (and despite the whole divorce thing, has been a big supporter of my work since) it was one of the best gifts I ever recieved! Alot has happened since then and I have recieved so much support from everyone. The thing is, when your family and friends and husband all you you have talent, you tend to take it with a grain of salt.

Today a commercial photographer and director of the media design program said he was "blown away" by my presentation. Can you believe that? I sure can't!

So...I made it in! And the thing is, even if it doesn't all work out, to hear those words totally made it worth it!

So to all of you...Thank you!

the cat's out of the bag...

2007-03-20T18:35:00.000-07:00

You know when you are in a relationship, and it's pretty good, you can't really complain, but you know in your heart it's just not right. You find you have to talk yourself into staying there b/c it's not really a bad thing?

That's how I feel about my job. It's a good job, can't really complain...

But it's just not right.

So..I have taken a HUGE leap.

I have applied to Langara. For a media design program.

Freaky.

Risky.

Scary.

I have an interview there on Thursday. And it could turn out to be nothing. Or maybe it won't. Maybe it will open so many doors. Or maybe I'll fall flat on my face.

But I have to try.

So I may need a place to live and childcare...so for all you Vancouverites...put out the word.... Here I come!!

(aside to Darla - I thought they would use a gun, like they do with ears......)

St. Patrick's Day

2007-03-18T19:23:00.000-07:00

Spent some of St. Paddy's day in a conference, some of it slogging around Vancouver in the rain and some of it in an Irish Pub drinking green beer. Well....to be fair, I tried the green beer, but it wasn't my drink of choice. Next it was off to the tattoo parlour....

No worries....just a nose ring! No permanent markings of any kind.

Did you know they use a needle for piercing your nose? I was not aware of that and no one thought to mention it.

I hate needles.

Well hello there!!

2007-03-15T21:51:00.000-07:00

Hello to Auntie D, Grandma Gracie and the rest of the family in the east! I was surprised to see you read my blog - but it's a nice surprise!

To answer your question - CCOA, stands for Canadian Certified Optometric Assistant. Kind of a mouthful, so I'll just stick to the abreviation.

How is everyone out there? Glad to hear Grandma Gracie arrived safetly.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Love Carolyn and Andrew :)

2007-03-11T17:03:00.000-07:00

I really didn't need an extra hour of daylight today.

Daylight savings should be optional.

Scary...

2007-03-07T07:58:00.000-08:00

Apparently Jesus has returned to earth and says there is no sin.....

POOF!...

2007-03-06T18:42:00.000-08:00

....that's the sound of my brain exploding. The last 3 days have served to remind me why I never finished university.

I just got back from a three day "workshop" for the course I am taking to become certified ( I get to put CCOA behind my name, how exciting, start printing the business cards)

See, the word workshop has such a positive feel to it, like "Santa's workshop".

This was 3 days of the anatomy of the eye, and math...... definetly NOT Santa's workshop.

For example, Prentice's Rule (I'm begining to hate whoever this guy named Prentice is) states that the amount of prism induced in a lens is equal to the distance in millimeters x 0.1 x the diopter of power, fairly easy...unless the lens has more than one power in it, than you have to figure out what the power would be on the 180 degree axis, and if the lens isn't on the 180 or 90 degree axis then you have to figure out the spherical equivalent of the perscription, but that only applies if the lens is at 45 or 135 degrees...

Did you follow that?

Exactly.

POOF!

2007-02-25T16:27:00.000-08:00

The guy who caught me off had a superman symbol on the back of his car, not sure how to break it to you man...but "dude, you are not superman!"
yeesh.

It's a boy!

2007-02-24T10:32:00.000-08:00

Congratulations Steve and Taneane!!!

How you know girls night is over...

2007-02-23T22:19:00.000-08:00

4 girls, 3 glasses of wine, 1 movie, and 1 pregnant woman.
It's all fun and games until someone's water breaks!

2007-02-22T07:50:00.001-08:00

No time to blog this week, working the late shift.
Waiting for inspiration to hit.
I got nothing.

Sound familiar girls?

links to people who have pics from the wedding...

2007-02-13T17:56:00.000-08:00

http://www.beckas-blog.blogspot.com/
http://www.theloewens.blogspot.com/
http://www.miss-buggy.blogspot.com/
http://www.jarsgirl.blogspot.com/
http://elizabethjfield.blogspot.com/
http://shariloop.blogspot.com/
http://causeihaveascanner.blogspot.com/

countdown to the big event...

2007-02-11T19:36:00.000-08:00

Garter toss

2007-02-11T19:29:00.000-08:00

this is a very cluttered shot, so let me direct your attention to a few key elements. The garter has just been thrown and is lying right out in the open...fair game...one would think the fellow on the left there would just reach down and grab it, but no....the only one making a move is Mitch. Look at him spring into action, literally jumping over 3 other guys who are taller than him to claim the prize! Meanwhile, Jil (who is standing just off to the right) is finding this all so funny that she is brought to tears!

whewww

2007-02-10T22:20:00.001-08:00

it's over.....

2007-01-24T20:31:00.000-08:00

As I unzipped my tall black boots, the barely audible gasps bounced off the walls of the clinic, and echoed through the lab. This was quickly followed by hands clapping over mouths in astonishment. The tension was soon broken by fits of giggles and even some tears. The all important timing of waxing my legs to coincide with a weekend away and a wedding two weeks later had resulted in this unfortunate incident.
Five minutes earlier my coworkers and I were discussing my upcoming waxing appointment. Comments like "they can't be that bad" and "this is how mine look after a month of not shaving" preceded the display of soft fine hair you had to use a magnifying glass to see. I assured them all they had not seen anything like what was hiding under my boots. But they insisted. And so.....I lifted my pant leg and unzipped my boot. The reaction was one of the funniest things I had ever seen. They could not hide the horror in their eyes. "No I'm not Italian ......or Greek..."

Happily my legs are now back to their silky smoothness :)

And so it seems that you can appear polished and coiffed on the outside, and no one will never know what's lurking under your boots......

2007-01-14T17:24:00.000-08:00

"Congratulations!" my lawyer's secretary exclaimed over the phone "Your divorce order has come through today, and we will also need you to pay your bill".
"Um, thanks"
Later that night I sat with co-workers and friends at the Springs. Teresa paused as our food was put in front of us. She lifted her beer and said "Before we start we should raise our glasses in a toast" We all obeyed and lifted our drinks. "To...." pause "....divorce?"
I couldn't help but giggle. Really, it's not much of an occassion to toast, but I admire the thought.

I wasn't sure what to expect from the day my divorce was final. It turned out to be pretty uneventful. There weren't any tears or fond memories. Pretty much the same as every other day this year. I think I grieved for this marriage along time ago, this was just paperwork.

So if any of you know any single 30yr old men...... (kidding.....)

I got an email asking for toilet paper....

2007-01-01T08:38:00.000-08:00

Really Terry, get some control over your wife....

inspiration....

2006-12-29T08:42:00.000-08:00

Inspired my sister's demolition, I've decided to rip out my front hall closet in the hopes of opening up the livingroom a bit more! can't wait!

Oh, what a sale!

2006-12-26T19:35:00.000-08:00

I was lured in by the sign that said 80% off, now I have curtains that are gorgeous but not quite right for my living room and I can't return them. I'm a little frustrated with myself right now :(

Living my dream...puking in Africa...

2006-12-24T22:09:00.000-08:00

My friend Carmen has found herself in Africa for 5 weeks. This blog is of an Australian med student she has met there.
It changes your perspective abit.....

2006-12-12T17:03:00.001-08:00

See what I didn't know was, tofu is made out of soy....

I hate soy.

I just want to be a girl!

2006-12-07T18:20:00.000-08:00

I recently got a new dishwasher, complete with a 5 yr warranty, in case it should malfunction someone will come to my house and fix it. Sweet.

It malfunctioned.

The day of the "big" party.

So my friend Peter called the appliance store and they said they would happily send someone out that day.

But it was my party and that stressed me out so I declined and said I would call back next week.

So I called tonight. Hoping someone could come on Saturday.

The man on the other end was somewhat reluctant, he told me to disconnect it and check to see if the pipe was clogged and then call him in the morning and if needed he would come out next week.....

Now it should be said that I own my own power tools and am not too afraid to use them. I am fully capable of disconnecting the dishwasher and unclogging it.

But sometimes, I just don't want to.

Sometimes I don't want to get dirty, sometimes I don't want to crawl under the sink.

Sometimes I want to be a girl and protect my manicure!

Sometimes I want to use the extended warranty and have someone do it for me!

But sometimes the dishwasher just needs to be fixed.

So that's what I did.

2006-11-30T11:24:00.000-08:00

It's interesting that as soon as you get settled, back into routine after a storm, the wind kicks up and life changes again....

2006-11-28T18:26:00.000-08:00

Mom and Terry braved the icy roads to get me a new tree from superstore!

I didn't want to put up the big tree as it takes up half the trailer, so I opted for a 4 footer instead.

Thanks Mom and Terry!

feeling a wee bit guilty

2006-11-28T10:59:00.001-08:00

my car is under 2 feet of snow, the highway has not been plowed and the wind is causing near white-out conditions.
I decided not to risk the drive into work.
So I phoned in and discovered everyone else made the trek. 2 girls from Abbotsford, 1 from Maple Ridge, 1 doctor from North Van, the other from White Rock, and all the patients have showed up.
Huh.
Feeling like a wimp....

kids never seem to care how cold it is outside....

2006-11-27T14:41:00.000-08:00

So who's all coming to this thing?

2006-11-17T22:12:00.000-08:00

send me a quick email if you can make it....it started as a boy/girl party, but the boys are dropping like flies...so we might be having a girl's night!

Don't forget...

2006-11-16T21:28:00.001-08:00

more about my fridge...

2006-11-10T20:37:00.000-08:00

I made Andrew KD for dinner.
He didn't eat much of it, and I wasn't about to touch the stuff.

Andrew hates leftover KD and I don't blame him.
But I couldn't bring myself to throw away 3/4 of a box of perfectly good KD. So I sealed it in some tupperware and put it in the fridge.
I know full well that it won't get eaten.
So I'm waiting until it goes bad, then I'll throw it out and it won't seem like such a waste.

I'm wondering how many of us have tupperware filled with stuff we should have just gotten rid of in the first place, but instead are just letting them rot.....