Getting There

I was cleaning up my desktop this morning, this is where I keep all of my sticky notes as reminders to what's due and when. Two weeks ago I couldn't barely see my screen, tonight it's down to this...

 

 

Not only can I see a light at the end of this tunnel, it's getting a bit brighter each day! Tomorrow one more of these will be gone, I can do this... I know I can. After all I didn't come all this way to fail now.

Ahhh, here's an awesome quote for tonight:

"Nobody trips over mountains.  It is the small pebble that causes you to stumble.  Pass all the pebbles in your path and you will find you have crossed the mountain."

  ~Author Unknown

Black and White

Our cities finest have reverted back to the old style black and white police cars, not all of them are switched over yet, some are still all white. I think this looks pretty awesome, reminds me of days long ago.

A Girls Gotta Do What a Girls Gotta Do

I've been sitting at my computer far too long today, I've been writing, researching, taking the odd break, then getting right back at it. Dinner tonight consisted of something I tossed in the microwave, it actually wasn't all that bad, or so I'll tell myself. I just doused it in hot sauce and brought the toss away bowl up to my desk and continued to work. 

The marks are hanging in there, in most courses anyways. This one was for a group project, 3 of us busted out butts to get this presentation done but it paid off. I'm finished one class, only 6 more to wrap up and it's a done deal. There's a very dim light at the end of the tunnel, as each assignment is completed it's getting a wee bit brighter.  

Thank goodness for microwavable food, it beats the heck out of a protein shake for dinner... well some days it does.

My Little Doll

Tonight my oldest son and his wife cooked up the most amazing meal, we had prime rib and was it ever tasty. It was my sons first attempt at cooking a prime rib roast but I was so impressed I had to have a wee bit more.  Great job Shayne and Sandy!

Not only was the food scrumptious I was blessed to spend some time with my little princess Elyssa, she's such an adorable child whom I totally love to bits.

"Well puppy, it's just you and me and one cracker, you want the first bite?"

I was playing around with some of the photos I took of Elyssa tonight and came up with this next one which I'll send to my son and daughter-in-law, I love the way it turned out.

Photo Equipment

My granddaughter is fascinated with my camera, I know she's a bit young but what the heck, I'm getting her started with her own camera this Christmas. I can spend time with her taking photos then I'll upload them to my computer for her to take a look at. I want to give this to her now to see what she thinks of it... but I'll wait. 

It amazes me the things they have for children these days, a far cry from the one doll I remember having as a youngster. For Christmas I generally got clothes, I always loved the new dresses I'd get; heck, I'd still love to get clothes, now I know where I get it from! Childhood memories.

The Catering Begins

Today I went to help a really good friend with a catering job; this friend used to be my boss and it wasn't until I was back in the apron that I realized just how much I miss cooking at the Club. Today we fed approximately 80 elderly people, the Ironworkers put on a Christmas dinner every year for their retirees and it's such a fun job to cater.

There's a few more Christmas catering jobs coming up that I'm going to help out with, I hope each one is just as much fun as it was today... mind you whenever I work with my friend we have a blast!

Much Better

I spent the day racing the clock, one which was ticking way too fast. I did however get a major essay written within this past two days and I managed to finally finish up a presentation I'm giving in the morning. I set my alarm for the time the essay was to be emailed in and had forgotten about the alarm...

I had sent my essay in well before the alarm went off, I must have been enjoying my hot bath the first time it notified me...

 

 Now I know it my alarm repeats itself. It's a good thing the paper was sent in before this reminder, anything after midnight wouldn't have been accepted. I feel much better and now I can grab a few hours of sleep, it's been another very productive day and I'm wiped.

Not Going Anywhere

It's been so cold lately that my son's car wouldn't start, we had to boost him. The sad part is I don't have a clue how to boost someone with my car, we never did quite figure out where my battery cables are so a friend of my sons came over and helped him get his car going. 

I love my little car, thankfully it starts no problem. It's supposed to warm up this week so I shouldn't have to plug in, or at least I hope not!

Waiting...

It was a close call tonight getting to my bus. I had the hotel call me a taxi at 5:00p.m., they said 10-15 minutes waiting time, no worries as my bus didn't leave until 6:15.  I had the hotel call the cab company back at 5:30, the taxi was on it's way they said. I called the bus at 5:45 hoping my bus was running late... no such luck. I was ready to freak out when this taxi driver comes into the hotel looking for Annette, well call me Annette, I was whisked off to my bus and got there with about 3 minutes to spare. That was too close for comfort! 

Before my stress level went through the roof I snapped a few photos, this reflection caught my eye.

Yup, a tad bit chilly out there (about -28c with the wind chill) and out comes the Christmas decorations.

And there were no other ladies waiting in the lobby for a taxi, so no worries, Annette didn't want a cab as bad as I did I suppose. If she did, sorry Annette, but thank you for calling a taxi!

Red Arrow and Student Sleeping Quarters

Well it was back to Calgary today for my final Integrative Seminar before this semester is over, I'm so glad I booked my trip down here with Red Arrow. With out winter weather upon us and the stress I'm feeling I sure didn't want to drive the 3 hours to get here. I haven't been on a bus in forever, the last time I was on a bus I don't think that I was even old enough to drive... ya, it's been a while. The Red Arrow allowed me to book a seat, I chose a single seat vs. a double, this way I could spend my time with focusing on studies. There's a plug in for my laptop, internet connection and they even have a movie playing for those who have the luxury of sitting back and relaxing. The bus is extremely comfortable, the driver funny and friendly... I'd give this company two thumbs up!

As for the sleeping quarters, I asked if they had a student discount, they do at the hotel on campus but you also get a students room. It's not what I'd expected by no means, but what the heck, tonight I'm so tired all I care about is I have a bed to sleep in.

Good nite. :-)

Let Me In

"Damn it's cold out here!"

Diesel

I found a new pair of runners today which I've fallen in love with. I'm generally not a big name brand type of lady, who can afford to be after being a student for this past 4 1/2 years? I tried these runners on and my feet fell in love, they were on sale so why not? My feet are well worth it, they've carried me around for this many years so I'd best treat them well so they continue to carry me for a lot more years. Now how's that for justifying buying Diesel's?

Maybe wearing these I can keep up to myself. ;-)

One Step

It's cold enough now and there's enough snow that I've put away the Reebok's and traded them for my mukluks. I love my mukluks, they keep my feet nice and toasty warm, well unless I get them wet that is.

One Step Towards the Future. 

One happy note...I've just finished one of my major essays, I've got a few more of them to knock off, a few more presentations and a few exams and that's it! Now to get from here to there, I will and when I do... hmmm what will I do? Oh right, go away for 5 months then get a job when I get back, an actual job after 5 years of studies, I can't even imagine that.

Stamped

I went to take a look at the book my friend gave me about Adelaide and lo and behold 3 stamps fell out of the book. I was curious how much it is to mail a letter in Australia as I noticed these stamps are for $1.45, on closer inspection along the side it says International Post. Thank goodness for email and Skype!

Another interesting thing I learned today, my great grandmother had a sister named Adelaide...now is it a coincidence that this is the city I'll be spending 5 months in or is it fate? BTW I don't believe in a coincidence. ;-)

Brrrr

'Tis the season...

We had our first snowfall, I'm grateful that it was late in coming this year as I don't like driving in the snow nor do I like being cold. One would think that I'd be accustomed to this type of weather living in Alberta all my life, I'm not. The older I get the more I detest being cold.

As you can see we didn't get a lot of snow, but it's snow nonetheless. Tomorrow it's supposed to be +1, this should all melt so I won't take out the snow shovel quite yet... I don't want to jinx us! lol

CFR - 11/11/11

A near and dear friend had two tickets to the Canadian Finals Rodeo, he had invited me to go with him about 6 weeks ago and I'm glad I didn't know how busy I'd be right about now or I would have missed out on this amazing opportunity. 

I love the way tonight's event began, it's Remembrance day, a day for us to pay honor to our fallen soldiers. First the cowboys entered...

 The cowboys were then joined by some of our soldiers and the bagpipes played Amazing Grace; I must admit it was extremely touching.

Because tonight's show was a "No Photos" event I wasn't able to get nearly the quality of shots I would have liked to, I only had my P&S but nonetheless I'll share a few of my captures. 

Ladies barrel racing.

Calf roping

The bucking broncs

...and there was so much more. The one event I don't much care for is the bull riding. Those have to be the longest 8 seconds of a cowboys life, either that or the few seconds it takes for them to get out of they way so they don't get stomped by the bull.

 The stadium was sold out, we had 6th row seats and it was an amazing event.  I'd forgotten just how much I love going to the rodeos... but when did they cowboys get so young? ;-)

What did you do on 11/11/11?

A Unexpected Day Off

Today I hurried to get ready and raced out the door to ensure I was to class on time, I got there with 10 minutes to spare. When I arrived I was surprised that I got a parking spot rather close to the building my class is in, not even questioning it I fed my parking meter and went to class. There was nobody, and I mean nobody, in the building. I went all the way down to the university only to find out that today was a day off!

The trip wasn't a total waste, I had set up a meeting with a friend who has been to Australia. I had to wait an hour and a half, I'm glad I had one of my books to read. When my friend showed up she shared with me some of her experiences of her travels and gave me this information booklet on the city I just happen to be going to.

  

... tomorrow it's off to the rodeo!

Stress

I found my stress ball tonight while I was looking for something else... funny how that works. It's a good thing I found this because I was getting stressed out about not knowing where my stress ball was. :-)

A New Day

I'm having blog withdrawals, I miss posting and I've decided that if I can't take at least a half hour a day for myself that I'm doing something horribly wrong. What's the point of busting my butt if I can't have a wee bit of "me" time during my day? I might not be here every night but I'm going to give it my best shot. So let the sun shine in, we have no white stuff on the ground yet, the sun was shining and it was a beautiful day... less the stupid test I wrote!

I Want My House Back

These studies are enough to drive anybody crazy, everywhere I look it's books, books, and more books! 

I've got a stack on my nightstand... a little late night reading when I can stay awake long enough to read. 

They're on my bed, I have to keep some off the floor so I can make it to my desk. 

Then there's the pile on the floor...

And my desk...

 

It's hard to prioritize, there's just way to much to do. Sometimes I feel like I'm seriously going insane, but thus far I'm not certifiable thankfully. The studies are immensely challenging, I'm in 7 courses, one is almost done, all I have to do for that course is write a final essay but who knows what the topic is going to be... arrrrgh!

Enough of this bickering, I'd best get back to knocking off whatever I can. I guess preparing for another exam on Tuesday would be a good place to continue on.

If you don't see much of me here, which I hope to still make it to post, now you'll know why. I'll be back though whenever time permits or I can sneak in a photo or two... for now I just want these studies done and my house back.

New Shoes

Generally at this time of year when I go out shopping it's for things like winter gloves, boots, scarves... you know the regular winter gear...well not today. I went out shopping when I dropped off my daughters car, she was busy and there's a shoe store really close to where she works so I went to check it out. 

It was so odd looking for sandals in November but I figured why not... I'm starting to prepare for Australia, why not start with new sandals? 

Sunshine and Pontiac's

The sun was shining down upon us today, looks can be deceiving though. The wind brought with it a chill but I'm not going to complain at all, it's better than what's about to come our way anytime now.

I was also driving my daughters car today, it's a G6. We switched cars last night, tomorrow morning I'm taking her car in to get a few things done to it and we'll switch back tomorrow sometime. Driving Michelle's car makes me want a new vehicle. Her car is so quiet, the stereo system is much better than mine and the ride is so smooth, the funny thing is my G5 and her G6 are both the same year. 

Michelle made a great choice when she bought her new car, I love it!

My Little Duck

Elyssa was feeling much better tonight and she got to come trick or treating to Grammy's house, she looked totally adorable! 

Elyssa LOVES ducks, she was the cutest wee duck I ever did see. :-)

One of Elyssa's treats was a sticker book of farm animals, little did I know there was a poster size picture of ducks in the book...such a wonderful treat for Elyssa.

Now the pumpkins can be put away, the few decorations I had up can come down and that's it for Halloween for another year, my precious little duck got to have her Halloween after all.