Picture Day

It's getting close to grad time, I will be graduating on May 17th. Today it was grad picture day, they were in a rush to get as many students through as possible so I wasn't able to take a better photo. As you can see the lady was getting that grad cap off my head in a hurry so I just snapped the photo and went on my merry little way.

Reflections

Today, while I was stopped at a red light in the downtown core of Edmonton, I spotted this reflection of a building on a building and thought it might make a cool photo. I love reflection photos for some reason... practice, practice, practice! 

And the Wait Begins

Today I dropped off my application for University. It's unreal all of the steps one has to go through to apply. First there's the online app, then there's the physical application, references, two essays, and an appointment to see the student adviser. Now that's all done and all that's left to do is wait and see if I get in. What is meant to be will be.

Lovely

Yesterday when Michelle, my beautiful daughter, came over to come with me out for Shayne and Sandy's birthday dinner she brought me a wonderful, colorful, aromatic bouquet of flowers. I was shocked, I can't remember the last time I received flowers... I think it's been over year at least. It's been so long that I don't know where my vases are so they sit in a sealer jar but the jar adds character. :-)

Today I had a tough time picking just one photo, I took tons of pictures of my flowers. I decided on this one because yellow is one of my favorite colors.

I love my flowers, thank you ever so much Michelle!

Happy Birthday

My oldest son and his wife both have birthdays coming up in the near future so tonight we went out to celebrate. Sandy, my beautiful daughter-in-law, is due on May 5th so we didn't want to put the birthday celebration off for to long just encase my granddaughter decides to make an early entrance into this world . Dinner was wonderful, the food was finger licking good, the service was pretty darn good and the company was fantastic.  

I want to say a very happy birthday to you son and to you as well Sandy, you are both extremely special to me, I love you both.

Enough

I have done very little today in the way of writing even though I have a proposal due on Monday (15pgs) and an essay due on Tuesday (12 pages). I am having problems getting motivated. I'm tired, I don't feel like writing, all of my research looks like a blur and I've had enough. I sure hope to get up tomorrow morning and be full of positive energies, tonight I'm going to watch some TV and go to bed at a decent hour. A decent hour to me is midnight, unless I fall asleep on the couch and if I do, oh well such is life. 

I feel that I deserve a break, the last essay I did, which was in Political Science,  I found out yesterday that my mark was 100%. I am extremely pleased with myself and my essay. I came home and read the paper once again because I had forgotten what I had all written about, I sounded smart... too bad I don't know what I was talking about! ;-)

Joseph, the rolling pin will have to wait for a rainy day! :-)

Mistaken Identity

Today I spent the afternoon with my middle son, one of our stops was at the Registries where he was going to renew his license. I was waiting in the car and my sons girlfriend came out to explain to me what was going on, Derek had to call long distance due to an unresolved incident of a seat belt infraction, the problem was the ticket was issued in Medicine Hat and he's never been there.

To make a long story short, there is another man out there with the same birthday, the same name and the same middle initial, thankfully the middle name is different. The problem of mistaken identity couldn't be rectified today and I sure in the heck hope the government doesn't take too long in resolving this. 

I feel it is so pathetic when the government makes a mistake, one careless person on the other end types in the wrong information about an individual and it's going to take God only knows how long to rectify this. When the government wants something it's yesterday, when they make a mistake it's five years later it's rectified without so much as an apology. Gotta just love the government (insert sarcasm font here).

Teddy

After class today I went to visit my daughter at her office, I couldn't help but notice this amazingly cute painting she had in her office up high on her desk. My daughter painted this cute teddy bear, she is extremely talented and very creative. I had her move this painting down so I could get a decent photo of it, there was way to much glare high up out of my reach... mind you anything more than 5 feet is out of my reach!

Wonderful painting Michelle and I love your office, very nice.

Sunshine on a Cloudy Day

Today I found some sunshine. I know that when I choose to look hard enough when the weather is bleak, it's overcast with nothing but gray skies and trickles of snow and rain, that if I look hard enough I can find sunshine somewhere, somehow. Sunshine is a matter of perspective, not how the weather is and it's about time I finally figured that out in life. Life's such an interesting journey, never a dull moment in my world. 

Spring?

I woke up to this nonsense this morning and the first thing, well almost the first thing, I thought of is that one saying which goes like this:

"Spring has sprung,

the grass is riz,

I wonder where,

the flowers iz!" 

 

Somewhere beneath this snow is spring, just waiting to surprise us with green grass and beautiful flowers... I just know it's there and I'll keep the faith that one day soon it will be arrive and stay. No more snow... enough already!

The Yellow Rose of Texas

While I was going through the various photos I captured today I fell in love with this particular photo... me and my roses. The song "The Yellow Rose of Texas" popped into my head so I googled the lyrics. I wanted to see what the song was all about, here it is for those of you who don't know it....

There's a yellow rose of Texas
That I am going to see
No other soldier knows her
No soldier, only me.
She cried so when I left her
It like to broke my heart
And if I ever find her
We never more will part.

She's the sweetest rose of color
This soldier ever knew
Her eyes are bright as diamonds
They sparkle like the dew.
You may talk about your dearest May
And sing of Rosa Lee
But the Yellow Rose of Texas
Beats the belles of Tennessee.

Oh, my heart is feeling weary
And my head is hanging low
I'm goin' back to Georgy
To find my Uncle Joe.
You may talk about your Beauregard
And sing of Bobby Lee
But the Gallant Hood of Texas
He raised Hell in Tennessee.

 

 In my dreams my ideal man would compare me to a rose and not a black one neither! A girl can dream. :-) 

My First Rally

Today from 12:30 - 2:00pm I was a part of a protest. This was at our legislative grounds and I was impressed with the amount of people who showed up to protest the recent cuts to our education and our services. It's just not right that our government continues to make cuts, especially here in Alberta. We are the richest province in Canada and many of our children will go hungry tonight, many people will be sleeping in the streets and  many students will not get the education they require due to post secondary cuts... I could go on and on but don't want to bore you the reader!  It's unfair that there's so many concessions for large corporations while the people without a voice are the ones suffering.

Yes, today I was at my first rally and I can see many more of these in my future as a social worker. I will be there if I believe in what is being protested, you bet I will. I have found my voice and I'm no longer scared to use it.

On that happy note, after two days of this conference, which was extremely informative, I am exhausted and now I'm going to challenge myself and see if I can keep my eyes open for one whole movie... homework can wait until tomorrow, I've learned enough for one day!

Time Out

Today my day off of classes consisted of an all day conference hosted by ACSW (Alberta College of Social Workers). The conference was held at the Shaw Conference Center, at lunch time I was over at Canada Place taking some time out. I love waterfalls and this one caught my attention. The sun was shining through the the skylights, the water was trickling, people were rushing to their destinations and I was enjoying this brief time out. I gathered enough positive energies to get me through my afternoon.

Tomorrow is round two of the conference. This is quite the experience for me, 1300 social workers under one roof, approximately 10-15 seminars going on at once and tomorrow a rally to protest the latest round of cuts. Yup never a dull moment in my world!

Oliver School

I couldn't resist taking a photo of Oliver School today, this school is now 100 years old and still open for classes. There have been some new additions yet the old part of this school remains open for students to learn.

I was thinking that 100 years ago if people were fortunate to have a horse they must have rode their horses to school, or if not they'd just have had to walk. Today I hear the kids complain that it takes too long on a bus. I wish some days I could set these ungrateful children back in time for one day, just one day... and then see how much they have to complain about!

Refinery Row

Today has been one hectic day. It began with a morning class, one which I had to do a presentation in, immediately after class I had to pick up my niece from her school for a few appointments. On our way to one appointment we ended up on the outskirts of Edmonton, there is this one road which has been called Refinery Row for as far back as I can remember. Needless to say there are refineries along this road. It is quite the sight to see, one that I would rather be out somewhere where there are not so many people but I imagine these were put up before this city grew to the size it now is. 

I've now finally ended my day. I had a paper to finish up to hand in tomorrow and this weekend it's a conference. The conference should be will be interesting, I'll meet tons of social workers and get to hear a variety of speakers. Thankfully this is for my own knowledge, I don't have to write a paper on any of it!

Awesome Sewing

This is my niece Cheryl, last year she began to sew this dress in her sewing class. The dress got tucked away and forgotten about for some time and this year Cheryl has taken up sewing once again, her new teacher allowed Cheryl to finish her dress.  I am so proud of this young lady, she is so close to finishing her dress, only the hem and a hook and eye on the back and it's a done deal. 

Way to go Cheryl, and I think that this dress looks fantastic on you... maybe you can sew me my grad dress? ;-)

Time Change

Today I didn't leave the college until about 5:00pm, I have a group presentation to get ready for Wednesday and we stayed behind to get it together. The drive home today was amazing! It was beautiful out, +16c when I got in my car. With our recent time change I really love is that it was this light out still. Longer days and hopefully green grass is on the horizon.

Last year it was nasty this time of year. I really love this photo blog, here's my link for our weather on March 6th, 2009,  I can compare what it was like and know that it's not a figment of my imagination. 

Sisters

My mom gave me this plate quite some time ago, she said it reminded her of my sister Marilyn and myself. I don't think that we were ever dressed this fancy nor do I believe I remember a house this divine. What I do know for certain is that I wouldn't trade the love I share with my sisters for all the frills and fancy teas in the world. Things are just that... things which can be replaced, love is something which lasts a lifetime. I do love the plate and smile when I really look at it, it was given to me by my mom with love.

To each one of my sisters, I love you all dearly for exactly who you are.

My Favorite Flower

I have been seeing a lot of flowers posted here on blogger and seeings we don't have any popping up as of yet I went and found some today... in the grocery store that is. I love flowers, the fresh scents and beauty astound me. My all time favorite, call me old fashioned, is the red rose. 

Here in Alberta our provincial flower is the wild rose, when they are in bloom I shall take some photos and post them here, in the meantime grocery store flowers will have to suffice.

A Birds Eye-view

  

"Be like the bird that, pausing in her flight awhile on boughs too slight, feels them give way beneath her, and yet sings, knowing that she hath wings." 

                                                                 
                                                                                  ~ Victor Hugo

Aboriginal Art

While stopping off at one of the offices at the college today I spotted this magnificent piece of art. I love the vibrant colors and would like to commend the artist for a job well done! (I added the black border for posting this wonderful art.)  I just never know what's around the corner at my college, I just know that I'd best discover all that I can with only a few short months left at this college. Mind you I can always go back to visit on occasion, camera in hand!

Country Furniture

Today I went out shopping with my boyfriend for new furniture for out at the farm, this is what the final decision looks like. Herb bought the sofa, the loveseat, (which is pictured here), and the arm chair.  I just love this set and I think that it's going to look fantastic out at the farm. Once the living room is finished being painted and the new furniture is moved in, a new area rug and a few odd things, the living room will be so comfortable. I'm looking forward to getting out to the farm again to see how this is all going to look.

Happy Birthday Son

Tonight we celebrated my son Derek's birthday, it's hard to believe that my middle child is going to be 26 in two days. With all of our busy schedules we managed to all have time tonight to come together to celebrate this special occasion. I had asked Derek what he wanted to do for his birthday and he asked for his favorite which is santa fe chicken, so that he got. I love our get togethers, laughter is abundant and nobody leaves my place hungry!

Happy birthday Derek. Thanks for the love, the laughter and putting sunshine into my life.

RCMP

Today I learned something new, well a few new things but this one is of particular interest to me. I will require a Criminal Record Check to go out on my practicum, the last one I required I went to the city police and had to wait until it came to me in the mail. If I go to the RCMP detachment I can go in and receive my record check on the spot. This is going to save me the hassle of waiting and wondering when the heck it's going to get here.

Hmmm I hope that they don't keep me, I'm pretty sure I haven't done anything illegal since my last record check.

Get Your Motor Running...

I've been meaning to stop off and take a photo of this motorcycle for some time now. Today I thought that I'd best get out of my house and away from essays before I go stir crazy. So out I went camera in hand and this is where my car gravitated towards. I bet that the owner of this machine can't wait until this snow is gone. I know that I'm anxiously awaiting spring, soon enough it will be here and the essays and finals well be done... ahhh soon enough.

I Looked Up...

... and what did I see? A whole bunch of essays and assignments starting back at me! One down and three to go, then comes the completion of this round. A few finals, a practicum and then it's time for big girl's school in the fall if all goes well. University here I come!

New Pencil

Today I went to buy myself a new mechanical pencil and some pencil leads, somehow I ended up browsing through the camera section. Not only did I buy my new pencil, I also bought this new filter. I'm going to chalk this up to a great salesman. I had also purchased a battery for my new Sony point and shoot, I have since returned it after I found the same thing online for $50 less, I couldn't believe the difference! 

Now I really must learn how to use my Rebel, I have a purchased a few extras for my camera and I don't even know how to really work my camera yet. I am not going to buy another thing for my camera, ok... I'm going to TRY not to buy another thing for my camera until I learn more about it!

Family Ties

"When you look at your life, the greatest happinesses are family happinesses."

                                                                                     ~Joyce Brothers

In With the New

Today I had to replace my old keyboard, half the keys were worn off and the batteries died within no time at all. I bought the same type of keyboard, the old one served me extremely well and has seen me though many essays, emails, and all that I do on my computer. 

There's a certain feel to the Microsoft keyboard, I guess that maybe I'm just used to it. Whatever it is I hope that this new one gets me through this next bought of essays and it had best get worn in real quick, two of these essays are due next week!

Patriotic Snowman

On my drive home today I had to do a trip around the block when I spotted this patriotic snowman to go back and take my photo. Even though it's lost it's shape with the wonderful weather we've been experiencing it manages to hang onto it's Canadian flag and a red hat which says Canada on it... now that's patriotism at it's finest! 

Lights Are On...

I was driving by these city lights today and managed to capture this shot. I got to wondering, does the city leave a few lights on all the time or were they just coming on?  

It was a beautiful sunshiny day, I believe we reached +7c which is wonderful for this time of year. The old saying goes though "In like a lamb, out like a lion," so I don't think that I'm going to put away my winter gear just yet.

I just had a thought... me and my thoughts.  While I was viewing my photos from today I noticed that these lights are pretty darn clean. I know that when I wash my car it seems to attract bird droppings so this leaves me to wonder now if the birds avoid city lights or if the city spends thousands of dollars in keeping the lights clean? I have never seen anyone cleaning them but yet somehow there's no dirt or anything on the lights. Interesting... in my mind anyways.