Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Mom's Home

These are all pictures taken in my Mom's yard... Lucky lady I know!








I must say that I am proud of this picture.




These gorgeous yellow birds managed to eat all that seed in a matter of days!  

Victoria has no lack of beauty that's for sure.  It wasn't super warm while I was there,  but when you see these sights every day you can't really complain.  Besides...you gotta love that ocean breeze that smells oh so delicious!




Kayaking in Victoria

Hooray I am finally catching up with my blog...

I was in Victoria visiting my mom at the beginning of the month, and we went kayaking together for the first time!  It was a great experience.  I love the ocean, and it was so peaceful to paddle through it and take in all the beautiful BC scenery.  It's also quite a workout let me tell you!  

Without further ado, here are some pictures:







We were lucky to get really close to this one seal.  My kayak even touched his rock at one point!



Look at that fatty! lol



At this point I was a little freaked out.  He had been lying on his side the whole time we were around, but then he sort of stood up in a "this is my rock!" dominating gesture.  Whoa...we will leave, we swear!

I should note that we had a guide/teacher with us.  He rode in the double kayak with my Mom.  Just in case we perhaps got too close... we didn't know! 



Some other seals we saw on our expedition.  Notice the adorable little baby on the left.
We also saw a baby raccoon, a deer, and some jelly fish.  Sadly, there are no good pictures of them.  Taking pictures on a kayak is tricky.

Also, my dream of encountering a pod of killer whales while kayaking did not happen either.  Maybe next time!





And thus our first kayaking adventure came to a close.



Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Melt Into It

Take a deep breath, clear your mind, and melt into this amazing song...



I'm in Victoria right now, and this is the perfect song for gazing out at the ocean and thinking about the simple things.  It just gives me that 'ahhhh life is beautiful' feeling.

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Nerd Alert

Ok...so after much deliberation I have finally put together my schedule for my first year at U of C.  I was interested in about 26 classes, but seeing as I could only take 10 (although I will register for 12 on Steph's wise suggestion just in case I don't like one of the classes) it took me some time to narrow it down.  My enrollment appointment is on Tuesday May 25th, and my shopping cart is already full and waiting.

Below are the classes I want to take in each semester.  I pray to the flying spaghetti monster that none of my classes and time slots for said classes get full over the next 10 days.


Fall Term:

Art History 201 - Prehist to later Middle Ages
A chronological examination of art and architecture in relation to significant historical and cultural events from Pre-history to about 1300 C.E.

Spanish 201 - Beginner's Spanish I
Self explanatory.

Archaeology 205 - Ancient People's and Places
An overview of Old and New World archaeology; the emergence of humans; development of humans and culture from hunting/gathering to agricultural and ancient urban societies.

Religious Studies 203 - World Religions Eastern
Introduction to Eastern religions such as Jainism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism.

Anthropology 201 - Intro Primatol and Human Evolution
Introduction to evolutionary theory and processes, with particular reference to the primates. Topics include primate taxonomy, distribution, reproduction, locomotion, diet, social organization, and evolution, with special emphasis on the path of human evolution.

Astronomy 207 - Intro to Astronomy I, The Solar System
A comprehensive, descriptive overview of the solar system covering how ideas have changed from ancient times to today. The latest discoveries. The electromagnetic spectrum; telescopes and detectors; laws of planetary motion; planets, asteroids, comets, and the Sun. Formation of the solar system. Extra-solar planets and the possibility of extraterrestrial life. Field trip to the Rothney Astrophysical Observatory.


Winter Term:

History 200 - Events and Ideas that Shook the World
This course introduces students to the historical craft through a series of short lecture sequences that 
focus on specific events, ideas, and individuals that changed the course of world history.

Spanish 203 - Beginner's Spanish II
Self explanatory.

Linguistics 201 - Intro to Linguistics
A survey of basic linguistic concepts, including: universals of language; articulatory phonics and phonology of English and other languages; words and meaning; linguistic rules and the formation of sentences.


Greek and Roman Studies 209 - Classical Mythology and Literature
An introduction to Greek and Roman myths as presented in classical literature and art, and to their cultural context.

Art History 203 - Proto Renaissance to Neo Classicism
A chronological examination of art and architecture (with some reference to the other arts) in relation to significant historical and cultural events from about 1300 to about 1800

Religious Studies 201 - World Religions Western
Introduction to Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

And, if I able to get into it:  Psychology 205 - Principles of Psychology.  I have to wait until November 21st for this one though as I am not a psych major.  So we will see.  I can also take it in the Spring if need be to see if psych is something I would like to pursue or if I'm more interested in Architecture.

I also have back up plans just in case I don't like more than one class or the class becomes full in one term.  Yes, yes I am nerd.  I am ok with this.

I think that the Fall term classes will go really well together.  Especially the art history, archaeology, and religious studies class.  And the Winter classes should go nice together as well.  The art history class should go nicely with the religious studies.  And I'm really excited to take the art history class in the Winter term as an old neighbor of mine is the teacher and I have heard really good things about him.  Apparently the teacher of the art history 201 in Fall is good, but gives some pretty intense exams where you have to memorize basically everything he has ever said *cringe*.  I still think it will be a good class though, and most definitely one that I really need to take.

Ok enough about that.

I am also starting a new job as of tomorrow.  I will be working at two golf courses this Summer which should be a really nice break from being in an office 5 days a week.  It's going to be crazy busy, but it should be fun and I should also be able to make some good money.

I'm also trying to get a job during Stampede as apparently you can make $3,000-$10,000 in those 10 days!  Insane I know.  I guess people do like to get their drink on during those days.  Not me though...  I tend to avoid the Stampede like the plague for the most part.  I like to go maybe once for a few rides and some mini donuts, maybe catch a good band on the coca cola stage, but other than that, not so much.  So if I can benefit from this yearly madness, perfect.

It will be a busy Summer, but it will be worth it.  I want to get an Apple laptop for school, and put some money into my tuition as well.  Plus, I'm planning to go to Europe for a month next Summer.  So ya...cash is good :)

I am so looking forward to being out of my office and getting to be outside more this Summer.  No more freezing in the dark basement while it's +22 outside.  No more dealing with all the ridiculousness that was my job.  Hooray!

With the new job will come new craziness, but that's ok.  Changing things up is good.

I hope everyone is enjoying the lovely weather this weekend!  I plan to enjoy it as much as possible in between working.  Monday it is supposed to be +27 and that is my one day off, so I'm stocked.

Ahhh Summer...How I love thee.

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Face Lift

I decided that my blog needed a face lift for Spring.  What do you think?

Speaking of face lifts...has anyone seen the new Heidi Montag?  Good grief.















What was so wrong with her body in the first place?

I understand wanting a slimmer tummy, waist and thighs...but what is with her face revamp?  And her boobs!  Ridiculous.  They are size E or F apparently *shakes head*.  Who wants boobs that big?  According to the mags, Heidi has said that she can no longer go running for exercise (gee I wonder why) and she now feels weird hugging people.  Oh brother.  Maybe think about that before you get gargantuan breasts.

I wonder how much all those procedures cost... enough to feed all the starving kids in Africa?

Her and her husband are such attention whores.

Heidi:  You new nick name is Pamela Anderson-Playboy-Barbie Wanna Be.

Heidi Montag's new anthem (melody of "Wannabe" by Spice Girls):

If you wanna be Heidi Montag, you gotta get plastic surgery
Make it last all day, there's no end to the possibilities
If you wanna be Heidi Montag, you have got to be
Self obsessed and crazy, cause that's 'celebrity'

'Why can't the English teach their children how to speak?'

On a daily basis I laugh at the emails I receive at work.  How does a person get through high school and come out not knowing basic grammar and punctuation?  I mean, in the span of 12 years, I could have a doctorate for goodness sake.  Can you not learn your own language in 12 years?  And does no one read through their emails before hitting the send button?

Here is a good example:

"Attached is my thoughts for the basement.  Let me know with and thoughts or suggestions on my design,"

Correction:  Attached are my thoughts for the basement.  Let me know if you have any thoughts or suggestions on my design."

I also have people who add extra spaces into their sentences randomly, and use double punctuation (either repeat punctuation like double or triple questions marks, or like below):

"did we lose them. ?"

And of course, typos abound.

"We're  a bit concerned about storage room in the kitchen (panty stuff)."

Hilarity.  Obviously the word pantry was meant, but I still had a good chuckle.  You store panties in your kitchen?  Kinky.

I don't expect people to write perfect, 'Linguistics honor student' emails, but seriously people...is it that difficult to put a teensy bit of effort into the written language?

It seems like ever since letter writing has become virtually extinct, so has proper grammar.

I know Professor Higgins was referring to pronunciation, but I still think it applies.


*flounces off to look up Linguistics classes at U of C*

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Ramblings of the Week

I have decided that I need a nice quiet weekend to myself.  I work Saturday and Sunday, so it should work quite well.

I plan to curl up with a good book, and watch a few documentaries.  I still need to finish Food Inc, and I also want to see Sicko, Taxi to the Dark Side, The End of the Line, No Impact Man, Meat the Truth, and Capitalism: A Love Story.  Of course, not all of them this weekend...  I seem to just keep adding to my list though...

I'm also really in the mood for some Planet Earth or something nature-y.  Imax Under the Sea looked pretty good.  Although I'm sure watching it on my TV or lap top would not be near as great as seeing it in the actual Imax theater.

Speaking of the ocean...I miss scuba diving.  And surfing.  And the delightful smell of the sea breeze.  Why do I live in Alberta again?

In other thoughts...I would really like to go to the Farmers Market again one of these days...  I wish they were open Mondays.  Last time I was there I had some extremely tasty perogies.  Yum yum.

And tonight I am making spaghetti!  Mmmm...I have been craving it all week.

Oh and I talked to Clairvoyant Kim on Vibe 98.5 this morning.  Let me just say that it definitely did not convince me to believe in anything paranormal or supernatural.

The end.