RIP Nyac

Nyac was made famous by being rescued from the Exon Valdez oil spill in 1989, giving birth at the aquarium and of course for the YouTube video of her and Milo rafting.

When Brent and I got memberships to the Vancouver Aquarium for a year we immediately fell in love with the otters. They are so adorable and I think what I like about them the most is that they do things that are so "human-like" in their little furry cute way! Sometimes for fun (go ahead and laugh), we pretend to 'raft'!

Unfortunately, Nyac was already sick and was being monitored behind the scenes so we never got to see her. Brent surprised me one day with an "Animal Encounter" with the otters where we went behind the scenes and learned more about them, prepared the gucky seafood gut meal, and fed Milo. I just loved how he held his food in his little hands and ate off his chest! Brent's favourite are the Sea Lions. Their barks sound "burpy".

Brent's concerned rant over Milo:

"Poor Milo! What is he going to do? He is going to be so lonely now with no one to raft with. He can't go in with the other two otters because he doesn't get along well with other males. They need to find another Nyac for Milo! He is still young... so that would be a lot of time alone without her."

This part was kind of poignant as there is a little parallel between Milo and I. Nyac was sick and away from Milo for most of the summer and on September 23, she passed away. Tonight, (because it is a weekend night) some girlfriends and I are doing our annual (and goofy) 'tribute' in an undisclosed body of water at an undisclosed time doing one thing by which every man (and otter) wishes he were remembered. This one is for you two!

Happy Birthday, David!

I still miss you.

My Acceptance Speech

First, and foremost, I would like to express my gratitude to Tim. After weeks of pleading for a chance to win, he finally saw it fit to grant me my wish. At first, I joked about winning a chance to try again, but the humour wore off quite quickly. It took a lot of coffees, and a lot of trips to the bathroom, but after 3 weeks of buying a coffee almost every single day, I rolled up the rim and saw not "PLEASE TRY AGAIN/SVP ESSAYER ENCORE", but "WIN/GAGNE UN BEIGNE/DONUT"! Mr. Horton: you may have been an alright hockey player, but you are a champion in my books.

On another note, I wonder how he would feel about having donut holes names after him? Bits of Tim? I am not sure how I would like to be remembered: pieces of Karen? I might be uncomfortable with that. I would just like to say that the "widow dip" was a tremendous commemorative gesture wasn't it, Krista? Next September we should eat Timbits afterwards with our hot chocolate/tea. It sounds almost sacramental....

Goofy Smiles

This morning on the bus, I noticed a woman with an incredibly goofy smile on her face while and in between checking her phone for text messages. It was the kind of smile that can only be brought on by a "boy". It made me smile right back (it is really contagious) and think of all of the times I find myself curling the corners of my mouth in a rather goofy smile.

1. When I get a flirty text message (preferably from a boy-- sorry, Krista.)

2. When I smell fresh baking, a BBQ, or just about anything foodish.

3. When I see a toddler trying to run, swaggering and stomping their feet.

4. When I catch myself having done something rather clumsy and foolish and I figure that no one caught me.

5. Just about any song on my ipod, especially a Jimmy Buffet song about a smart woman in real short skirt.

6. Bubbles and balloons.

7. Cookies. Duh.

8. When I remember something funny or sweet. Usually something said to me (my love language), or done for me (my secondary love language).

9. When I finally get the punch line to a joke.


Oh, there are probably a gazillion reasons why I would smile goofy and slightly mischievious... I am always thinking of something.

Things that I Have Learned This Week

1. The act of potting plants takes about 10-20 minutes. THINKING about potting the plants, can take much longer.

2. Sometimes the transplant is not successful and the new pot rejects the plant. This made me very sad.

3. Sometimes being a designated driver means that one can end up with jiffy marker "henna" on their right hand while driving said drunk home.

4. Permanent marker means it is hard to completely wash off one's hand, but it can still transfer to the face while sleeping.

5. Designated drivers can look like they are recovering from a rowdy drinking binge, even after staying quite sober all evening.

6. Craigslist is AWESOME.

Cat and Rats and Coffee-- OH MY!

When I let the cats in last night, they brought with them a mouse. ACK! Not in either of their mouths, though. He just scooted in! Aries got right on it and started chasing him. Cyan just sat in the middle of the floor and started cleaning himself. It all happened so fast, I couldn't be sure if the mouse ran into one of the shoes on the shoe rack, or if it ran back outside. I grabbed the mop and started poking and Aries got in there and sniffed and searched. Really. I was amazed that this cat who runs away from me, was actively seeking out this vermin! I cheered him on from my perch on the couch to KILL HIM DEAD! Cyan looked up once or twice to see what all the fuss was about and went back to cleaning himself.

I never did find out if the mouse had escaped out the door again, or if it is still hiding somewhere. I nearly took all of A's shoes and threw them outside. Nearly. The thought of the mouse jumping out of one of the shoes and crawling down my shirt held me back. Not that I don't think A would mind having his shoes thrown outside.... Besides... I wasn't feeling too well yesterday.

I was trying to figure out why my head felt so fuzzy and I felt so off in the morning, and then it occurred to me that I drank a bottle of wine the night before. I may have been hungover. BUT. I started feeling worse as the day wore on and I began to fear that I have contracted the flu bug that my office has been incubating. I seem to feel OK this morning, and I am hoping that it stays that way until Saturday and I am all moved into my place.

On another note: on my way to work today I counted 1 Tim Horton's, 2 Artigiano's, 3 Blenz, and 7 Starbucks. There may have been 8, but I wasn't sure if I should count the one in Pacific Center because I couldn't actually see it.

Over the last week...

I know... MORE about cats. I am a little fascinated by these four legged fur balls. Like why do they crap on the floor next to the litter box? (OK, maybe it needs to be cleaned) AND why do they cover it up with a receipt?

Why are they OK with me waking up at 6 am every other day of the week, but on SATURDAYS they wake me up at 4:30 or 5:00??

For someone who isn't a cat person I am loving these guys anyways. When I get home, Aries runs to the bedroom, hops on the bed, and meows until I come to cuddle with him.
At night, both of them curl up by my feet.

Krista and I had our RTE (Retail Therapy Expedition) to Bellingham on Saturday night. SO FUN. We had burgers at Bob's and absconded with a few jam packages from the table cuz they looked cool. We karaoked, found some new candies, took pictures, and made each other gag. GOOD TIMES. Made it through the border with over $300 worth of Hershey's kisses, jeans, tops, bottle of wine, and gifts for her nephews. AND we actually CLAIMED it all ('cept maybe the wine, but they didn't ask)and they let us through without paying duty!!!

Monday, I had my Marketing class and our group got together after class to do some "research" for our project at the pub. Our project is on the marketing strategy of Granville Island Brewery. Since the BCIT pub doesn't serve Granville Island, we had to do a comparison analysis. My group ROCKS.

Yesterday, I set off the smoke detector doing my hair. I felt so bad, that I called upstairs to apologize and tell them that everything was OK. But, I woke them up a second time by calling them. YAY ME.

Got some help packing last night and that made me happy. There just seems to be too much too much to do and so little time to do it. So I bought J some pizza and he showed me his new dance moves while he packed. I scraped my magnetic poetry off my fridge-- SO weird that it STUCK to the fridge the way it did. I have to figure out how to get the black marks off.

I think that about wraps it up.

Happy Vomit Day!

I woke up a few times last night to Cyan wretching and then hopping on the bed to stick his nose to mine (UGH!)... so it came as NO SURPRISE that I had to make a few leaps to the bathroom in the morning to avoid stepping in the puke ALL. OVER. THE. FLOOR.

Happy Valentines Day from the cats.

I feel a little responsible, though... I mean, I ran out of the good cat food so as a backup I fed them the cheap back-up stuff until I could get some the next morning. I think I remember Cyan puking last time A fed them that. NOW I know. SO poor cat. POOR ME.

THEN

There was a "police incident" up Hastings today so the buses were redirected and my bus conveniently didn't stop at my bus stop. So I had to take a different bus that got me as close as the Courthouse. I had a walk a ways to work. It was OK.

A is away for another week and won't be home until NEXT weekend now, so I will get my valentines day on another day. I am OK with that. I bought a case of beer on my way to my accounting mid-term last night. I only made it half way there, and then turned back and decided that I have taken on too much this semester and I want to succeed at my Marketing course so Accounting will have to wait until next semester. I am burnt.

The beer was good.

I went upstairs last night and enjoyed watching Isabel (A's niece) make valentines day cards for her classmates. That is what the day should be about. Homemade valentines day cards and cookies. Why did it get so complicated?

Adventures in Feline-Sitting

I have never been a cat person. I like dogs. Chocolate labs especially. Maybe I have never cared much for cats because they make me not breathe well. I am so allergic. Since lately I have been around two hairballs a lot, I went to see my doctor about what I can do about it. She shook her head when I told her what happens after a few hours with cats and prescribed me antihistamines, steroid nasal spray, and an inhaler. It has certainly made it easier to cope. Especially since I volunteered to sit on the cats for A while he took off to film a movie up the coast. It was really a scratch my post and I'll scratch yours kind of arrangement. I am only a 15 minute bus ride to work from his place, so I live here during the week while he is gone, and then I go home for the weekend to pack up my house (oh yeah, I am renting a place in Vancouver starting March 1st).

Cyan is a Burmese cat who TALKS, and TALKS, AND TALKS.... Aries is a VERY timid tabby who runs if you come too close to him. He will come to you when he wants to be pet. Cyan misses A the most. He loves being mauled-- and I don't do that. Probably why Aries loves me so much. Last weekend, when A was back he noticed that Aries runs to the door when I come over-- he says that Aries has NEVER done that before.

So every night, I hear a rustling paper noise when I turn out the lights. It stops when I turn them back on again, so I couldn't figure out WHAT THE HECK Cyan was up to! So one night, when I heard it I managed to catch him in the art room where he had crawled into a paper bag on the futon. Weird cat.

THEN

On SATURDAY MORNING, when I was looking forward to getting a little extra sleep, they start taking turns walking on my bladder. Cyan walks around me on the bed in circles: head to toe. Oh yeah, did I mention that this was at 5 AM?! GEEZ.

They crap on the carpet, too. UGH. I refuse to touch the litter. That is A's job when he is back.

But here is the weird part: I have fallen into a bit of a routine every day after work. I take my antihistamine, and lie down for a little *ahem* cat nap. Aries comes as soon as I lie down and curls up next to me and I scratch his face, belly, and behind his ears. It is so CUTE! When he naps, he curls up and twists his head so that he is resting the TOP of his head on the blanket.

I didn't think that I was becoming a cat person until I went to a movie last night and I couldn't WAIT to come home to cuddle with Aries.... Maybe I just miss A.

Lil' Country Girl in a Big 'Ol City

Day 2

Prologue (cuz some 'splainin is needed):

In December, my face broke out something fierce. Yes, at 28 I found myself battling an upward unrelenting battle with acne. Blame it on the stress, environmental factor, or maybe stupid 'ol hormones... either way it was getting harder and harder to cover up. I tried a skin care product recommended by a friend (it worked great for her!) but it aggravated my skin even more. Finally I went to my doctor and said uncle about the whole situation. He stuck a prescription for two creams in my relinquished hands. I was advised that I would experience a little redness and a slight burning sensation immediately following application-- no problem. Oh, and it would dry my skin out and might peel a little-- no problem. NO PROBLEM. But after two days, the peeling was out of control, the redness was accompanied with a little swelling, and the burning! The stinging! OH MY GAWD. Monday night, I applied the night time gel and with a shriek I promptly washed it off. Like acid. My poor face. My poor INSANE face (THANKS, Sarah...!).

On with it...

So this morning, I gingerly washed my burning face and sucked back the tears as I tried to apply makeup to cover up the redness. It felt so good to walk outside in the cold. Oh yes. And it snowed. A lot. And it was still snowing. I didn't have my boots with me so I walked to the bus stop in my little loafers. By the time I boarded GBD's (Grumpy Bus Driver's) bus my hair was soaked and a mess, With a flourish, I showed him my new-found skill of inserting my bus ticket into the reader/stamper thing.

His bus was so hot, I wanted to cry. But no. I decided that I would smile. Did you see that? That was a smile. Did you miss it? Here, let me smile again for you.

GBD was in fine form today. I guess the snow added to his standard grumpiness. At one point, he opened his door to give someone the finger and he colourfully gave the unsuspecting driver feedback on his left-hand turning skills.

On my way to the nearest coffee shop (and I had the pick of three, so I chose the one with the shortest line), I learned the importance of keeping away from the curb (common sense maybe, but sometimes a little reminder of HOW deep those slush puddles get helps). Oh, and on the corner we have our very own fatalistic-sandwich-board-toting-conspiracy-theory-chicken little. He is concerned about the CIA stealing his mind and he is beseeching assistance from the general public of the downtown Vancouver core.

After work (Left to the bus stop), I made it back, popped an antihistamine, took a puff from my inhaler, and curled up on the bed with the cats.

Lil' Country Girl in a Big 'Ol City

Day 1

I survived my first experience of commuting into downtown Vancouver. What for? For my *new* job, of course!

The day started off being introduced to GBD (Grumpy Bus Driver). I couldn't figure out which way to insert the fare ticket into the reader/stamper thing. After a couple of tries, the driver says, "NO. follow the picture!". So I try again. And again. And, ever so irritated, he says, "There are only two ways it could go in." (Four, actually). Flustered, I say desperately, "I'm SORRY!!! I'm trying!!" Finally, I get it and I make it to the back with the standing commuter hostages and grab a pole. Hmmmm... Dancing was the farthest thing from my mind... but I will surely think of it tomorrow now that it just came to me.

I got a little turned around once I got off the bus. I walked one way for a few minutes, and then turned and walked the other direction until I saw something familiar but I forgot the address because I figured that I would recognize the building when I saw it. I *always* remember places after I have been there once before... but it became slightly different when I found that all of the buildings looked a lot like the others: Big, tall, and architecturally non-descript buildings.

I, no doubt, found a coffee place for my break. There are a lot of choices here! And after work, I had memorized the directions given to me by my co-workers. Right to buy bus tickets, and left to get to the bus stop, Right to buy bus tickets, and left to get to the bus stop, right.... to the bus stop? I walked left to buy the bus tickets. After a minute or two, I thought better of it and started in the other direction; I sheepishly ran into a co-worker. "I know, I know... RIGHT to buy the bus tickets."

I am more comfortable stopping people to ask for directions than they are at giving them. But, most of the people I stopped turned out to be tourists and no more lost than I. They were probably reciting in their heads, "Right at the Starbucks, Left at the pizza place...." and I messed them up.

By the time I got off the bus and stood at the cross walk, I wished I had a hat to fling in the air while I sang that I was "going to make it after all!"

(Oh yeah, and I like my job so far-- but it is not nearly as exciting as the adventures of commuting down town!)

Three Tiers of Diapers

A Picture Story

Our dear friend Cory has a dinner roll in the oven so Chrissy and I decided to do something different for her baby shower: roll up some diapers and make a cake! Here is the picture story about our creation from ex-nihilo to three tiers of environmentally- unsound- landfill- bound- absorbent- garments.

Chrissy rolled the diapers.

I stuck them in the elastic. The bottle will make sure that the layers won't shift.

We rolled blankets to wrap around each layer as the "icing".

....And I mixed it all together....
(But we used the wooden spoon to hold the top layer on... Cory can also use the spoon next time she puts one of hers through the blender)

We found a duck that says a prayer as a cake topper. He needed a diaper so we gave him one.

The finished product!!!

Taa-daa!!!

Please, baby? One little kick???

A little caffeine will help.

There it is!!!!

The three and 8/9ths friends!

**THE END**

PS..... I Love You

I was going to go to see "27 Dresses" tonight. Every once in a while, I like to go on dates with myself. At first, I will admit, that wasn't the intention and I sought for someone to come with me. But I am so glad that I had this little date with myself.

In fact, I didn't go to see "27 Dresses"-- I saw "PS. I Love You" instead. *sigh* I should have known to bring a big box of tissue because I ran out of napkins from my poutine half way through and my sleeve was getting pretty disgusting.

I walked into the theater for the late show and it was empty. I actually laughed out loud, feeling slightly loser-ish. I had the pick of the theater for a seat. A couple people trickled in before the movie started, and wouldn't you know it: these three girls come in just as the movie was starting and sat. right. behind. me. This would have been okay if they weren't occasionally kicking my seat, talking really loudly, sucking on candy loudly, and THEN. Oh MY gosh, one girl's phone rings-- and she ANSWERS IT.

"hey.... how are you?.... I'm just in a movie right now....yeah....Really?! She said that?....."

ARGH. Having a personal moment here with my poutine, soggy sleeve, and BASEBALL BAT.

Singing (loudly) Anyway

I rediscovered a favourite way of regrouping: turning up the radio in my car and singing at the top of my lungs and sometimes --if the music moves me to do so, bust a move or two.

It clears my head.

Yesterday I needed some good head clearing, so I had a slightly embarrassing session of yelling the lyrics to some 80's song. I don't even remember which song it was, and likely couldn't remember half the lyrics, but dang, it felt supah good.

Why hang your head, when you can let your hair down and shake it?!

Just a rhetoric question (I think I know the answer to it): Why do hurting people hurt people? I won't deny my own guilt (having been no stranger to pain, myself), but when I was ready to wave the white flag, the hammer got dropped on my foot. I hate being misunderstood, and accused for things that I never had a chance to do or not do.

Bottom line: Regardless of how long I was married and whatever struggles we had, we had a life planned together. We loved each other deeply. His heart weighed a solid 490g and he gave it to me on May 14, 2005. We vowed to follow each other to the ends of the earth. That just happened to be sooner than we had expected. I don't care anymore whether my in-laws supported the marriage or not (apparently they didn't), and I won't try to defend myself any longer. I give up. And I pray God's blessings on them. And I offer nothing but forgiveness.

Romans 12:14-21
14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.^[c] Do not be conceited.

17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"^[d]says the Lord. 20On the contrary:
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."^[e] 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Now, all of that aside. I am going over to my stereo to gonna bust several moves and raise my voice:

POUR SOME SUGAR ON ME.....!!!!! C'mon fire me up!!!!

Suggestions Schmuggeschtions...

So Gmail is a web-based email provider that you can only have if you get an invitation from a current user. Quite elite, eh? So I am a member of the unlimited sized inbox club, which means that I never have to clean up my inbox. It's kind of like my closet.

Anyways, I am introducing Gmail (TA-DAH!) to explain a feature that daily baffles me. It picks up on certain words in my emails, and using a suggestive advertising marketing approach (see? I am learning stuff) it lists some web site suggestions. I get most of these-- they make sense... but SOME... seriously? What have I been SAYING?

These ones I get:

Dragon Boat Net - www.dragonboatnet.com - The ultimate web site for paddlers New Movie: When the Dragons sleep DUH.

Hawaii Airfares Sale - www.CheapoAir.com - Very Cheap Tickets to Hawaii Save 65% on Next Trip, All Airlines If you know that I went to Maui on my last vacation, then this one makes sense.

Sofa Slipcovers - www.TheSofaSite.com - Free Sofa Slipcovers info Find what you're looking for!
Not sure about which email this one came from, but I am a furniture geek.

Baby Gender: Boy or Girl? - www.choosethesexofyourbaby.com - Conceive a Baby Boy or Girl at Will in 3 Simple Steps with 94% Accuracy I have pregnant friends, OK?

Red Lion Hotel - www.redlion.com - Don't Miss This Red Hot Deal! Stay At Red Lion Hotel & get 15% off! My FAVOURITE US hotel chain. They have Bath and Body Works toiletries!!!

Apple pie recipe - www.canadianliving.com/recipes - Tested Till Perfect recipes Fast, easy and delicious! Angela, you will understand this one. We like apple pie, don't we?

These ones, I really don't get:

Photos: That's in my Gut? - www.BlessedHerbs.com - This site guarantees to remove really gross stuff from your gut. I only eat pretty stuff. Right.

Blackheads Removal Guide - Blackheads-Removal-Guide-web.com - Get Rid of Blackheads and Have Shiny Healthy Skin OK, OK, my skin isn't as clear as it could be... Let's not make a big deal about it. (Maybe it is from the stuff that is or isn't in my gut?)

www.DateACougar.com - Female Cougars On The Prowl. 100% Free. Join Now
Mm-hm.

www.peterpotty.com - The only flushable toddler urinal. Easiest way to train boys!
This one and the one above wouldn't have anything to do with the little boy who feeds me brownies, would it?

Funny Redhead Tee Shirts - www.realmofredheads.com/store - Funny, sassy t-shirts for redheads. Cool unique gift for any redhead. Hello! Cute brunette, here.

The Answer For Tall Girls - www.longlegs.ca - In Style Fashions For Tall Women The Latest Trends In Longer Lengths *Ahem* Cute, short, brunette.

Debbie Does Dalls tees - 80sTees.com - Check out great tees from classic Debbie Does Dallas!
No idea.

Free Fart Videos - AmazingFartVideos.com - 10 Farts That Shook The World Captured On Video! Really. Haven't a clue. (Krista, shush)

Update 01/18/08:

Dangerous Kissing Tips - DoubleYourDating.com - Powerful Kissing Tips To Make Him/Her Melt In Your Mouth & In Your Hands! I LOVE THIS ONE!!! Watch out!!!

Kissing the Boys and Making them Cry

Now that I am back in school, I am back to procrastinating doing my homework. I have some marketing reading to do, and some accounting to hit myself over the head with. Why, oh why, does it not BALANCE???

I have to tell you about the cute guy I met! He is blond, has blue eyes, is about 2 and a half feet tall, and at the ripe age of three. His name is Kade and he is my friend's youngest son. We really bonded in the summer at Ambleside, and I didn't realise how much of an impression I made on him, until I went over to his place for a game's night and he sat down beside me, put his arm around me, and said, "I missed you, you know!". He makes such a great date! He fed me his brownie, and gave me a kiss goodnight-- boys, take notes. Apparently, after I left, he cried. I have asked his parents if I can take him out on dates, and they (happy to get the kid off their hands for a few hours) agreed.

I am pleased to be his first crush! This little guy will break many hearts once he gets over the fact that I have a boyfriend. :-)

New Years Goals: She shoots! She....

This is the year that Karen loses 30 lbs. And apparently talks about herself in the third person. So there. I said it. You can all hold me to it, and I can tell you my excuses of why I am not there yet. To actually help me stay accountable, I have a contest going with a couple of friends. Every time we lose a pound we drop a loonie into the jar and whoever has the highest percentage of weight loss after *blank* amount of time wins the pot. Starting Monday.

So yesterday I decided that my first shopping of the new year should reflect my resolve. So I filled my basket with fruits and vegetables. And soy milk. And two bars of dark chocolate. Hey, I need a reward. I found these little mini rice cakes with a little chocolate drizzled on it that would make great little snacks. AND it said in BIG. BOLD. LETTERS. that they are only 90 calories each little bag! Suffice it to say that this morning when I went to grab a snack, I noticed that there was only one left. Out of the 6 that were in the box. But they are only 90 calories each right?

I don't like to set resolutions... no one keeps them longer than a week, and it is unmeasureable. Immeasureable? Whatever. Gyms get their most business in January, so I don't really want to go to one until February when most people have broken their resolutions and are lamenting at home with a bucket of Ben and Jerry's. Or Light Ice Cream. Or 6 90 calorie bags of mini chocolate drizzled rice cakes.

I think goals set more of a target to shoot for. Like I want to read more. I want to get A's and B's in my classes-- oof! I want to drink 8 glasses of water a day-- so back to having a post-it by my monitor to count the glasses of water I drink. We know about the 30 lbs.... I should probably weigh myself sometime soon, but I don't keep a scale in my house. For obvious reasons. It is a household hazard. I used to always stub my toe on it. And my excersize ball! Don't get me started!

Most importantly, I want to get my life right with God. He gave me life-- twice. I owe him more than I can give him. This year I have been doing my own thing and it clearly hasn't sit right with me given my last few really deep and thoughtful posts.... So here we go!