Tuscan Afternoon Revolution

Today Susan and I decided to start a revolution. A Tuscan Afternoon Latte revolution. I'm not sure exactly what this will look like, but I do know this: everyone should try one of these. Yes, I have slid down the slippery slope to becoming a coffee drinker. Well, not any kind of coffee drinker. Particularly a drinker of lattes...and DEcaffeinated lattes at that (does that even count as being a "coffee drinker"?). Susan introduced me to the Tuscan Afternoon Latte and treated me to one today. It was delightful and I am forever grateful to her for introducing me to this world of wonderfulness.

Check out your local Kopio today...

I'm Published!

I, along with Inge Genee and Christie Nemeth, published an article in the Canadian Journal of Netherlandic Studies. Our article is called The Dutch language in Southern Alberta: An investigation into patterns of minority language shift. It's basically about how Dutch, as a minority language, has been maintained through the generations because there are a lot of Dutch immigrants in Southern Alberta.
We're actually published in the Fall 2005 issue, but I just received my copy last week!

Ethan Moreau.... my Oiler friend

Me and ETHAN MOREAU!!!

Those who know me well know that I loooove famous connections. Well, today I added another one to the list!
The Oilers Foundation donated $135,000 to Dr. Boliek (one of my profs) and her new lab. We (my classmates and I) were there to witness the big donation, and Ethan Moreau was there to represent the Oilers. For more information on the donation and what Dr. Boliek's lab is all about, please go here.

How did I meet Ethan you ask?? Well, I didn't really meet him per se at first, but I certainly did touch him and get my picture taken with him. Initially I was just trying to get as close to him as possible, just so I could say how close I got to him. But when Ryan and I were attempting this feat, I saw that my classmate Gabi had a camera on her that she handed over to Ryan to take pictures of her and some other classmates in the new lab. When I noticed this, I saw an opportunity. Ethan was having a conversation with someone, and I thought it would be a good idea to force Ryan to take a picture while I casually smiled right beside him.You'll notice in the picture above that Ethan is unaware that a picture is being taken of him (or he's completely aware and just humouring me). Sneaky I know.

A couple minutes later, when I noticed that other people were taking real pictures with Ethan, I saw a new opportunity. I touched his arm to get his attention and bravely asked if I could get my picture with him (I swallowed my pride long ago when it comes to approaching even remotely famous people). I could've acted all girly and crazy and actually displayed my excitment and giddiness at meeting him, but I kept those feelings at bay. I wouldn't want him to think I'm like every other screaming annoying fan (although I may be worse...) Anyhoo, he agreed (of course) and Lesley Ann took a real picture of us. You may not believe this last bit of information as I do not yet have a copy of this picture, but mark my words: as soon as I get a copy, you'll be seeing it!

I should also mention that this whole shindiggity was on the news, and who do you think was also on the news, casually walking directly behind Ethan as he was being interviewed? Ryan and I! (By the way, Ryan is my classmate and clinical partner for those of you who are confused by this mysterious Ryan). I think this story will be on the news again tonight on Global Edmonton at 11pm...and probably tomorrow morning too.

I'm so proud of me (and Dr. Boliek of course)!

Macbook Pro Fun

Lowell got a new Macbook pro, and we took advantage of it during our weekend in Lethbridge and Carstairs, as well as this weekend with Brad and Kendra. I think you'll agree that we're a very photogenic bunch!
We took a whole swackload more than this, but I limited myself to these classics.

C'est moi!

Kylie and I

Lowell (alien?!? Gollum?!? Plain creepy?!)

Carlynne in all her splendor

Dr. Spike (aka Marc)

Daniel

Me again (I've always wanted bigger eyes...but perhaps this is going a little overboard)

Lowell's bro Lando (mosquito?!)

Lowell's Dad (Mr. Incredible?)

Daniel again (Arnold?!?)

Lowell's sister Julie Anne (I think she'll really enjoy the fact that I posted this picture)

Kendra (hopefully her wedding photos turn out more attractive than this)

Brad (Kendra's fiance). Uhhh...nice nose...(he really is a lot more attractive in real life....really...)

For some crazy reason I don't have any crazy pictures of my parents! They won't be so lucky next time...

Honesty wins out

A couple of weeks ago, I made a rather large purchase from MEC. I got a bicycle trainer and a shirt for Lowell (for his birthday) and a shirt and gloves for myself. As the total was quite a bit, I didn’t notice until I got home that I didn’t get charged at all for a $70 shirt. I must admit, it was a bit of a moral dilemma at first, but when I actually thought about it, there was no question that I would go back and pay what I owed them. So on Friday Lowell and I went to MEC to pay up. The man at the customer service desk was surprised and pleased, and wrote down a code for me to bring to the cashier to pay. When I got to the cashier, I presented her with the receipt from the day that I made the enormous purchase, and explained to her that I wasn’t charged for a shirt and I wanted to pay for it. She was very confused because she thought she misunderstood me, so I explained again. Her jaw literally dropped and she exclaimed, “Wow. That’s very honest of you!” Lowell asked if there was a discount for honesty, and she regretfully said that she didn’t have the power to give such a discount. It was silent for a couple seconds after that and I could just see the wheels turning in her head. She then said in a very sweet voice, “I can buy you a chocolate bar…. with my own money.” I assured her it was okay, but I appreciated the thought. She was so cute. Even though I didn’t get a discount or anything for my honesty, it was TOTALLY worth it. The look on her face made it all worthwhile, and, if nothing else, I think I helped restore someone’s faith in humankind.

What was I thinking?

Let me give you a little background. I got these boots about 2 years ago, and I've worn them twice. In fact, they're the only heels I've ever owned, so I've only ever worn heels twice in my life. Until yesterday. I thought it would be a good idea to wear the boots on the 15-20 minute walk in the half-packed-half-ice-snow, wind, and cold through a very bumpy schoolyard to school (I had clinic and I was dressed up). I had no other shoes at school, so I was stuck in these for the day and for the dreaded walk home. Now my knees hurt, my ankles hurt, my feet hurt, and don't even get me started on my bunions...

From now on I think I'll be sticking to these types of boots:

Wonderful Weekend

So, this weekend was filled with family, fun, more family, and more fun. It was SO nice. Lowell, Dan, Carlynne, and I drove down to Lethbridge on Friday night. When we got there, Mom & Dad and Marc, Kylie, & Niko were there to meet us and the fun began....

Here are some pictures from the weekend:

Dan, Lowell, and Marc being boys when we took Niko on a walk through the coulees.

Us walking

Everyone's wiping the mud off their shoes before heading home.

I love my nephew Niko! He's a golden retriever/malamute husky cross and weighs 90-95 pounds.

Marc and Niko (If he's my nephew, he's Marc's son).

Mom Kylie and NIKO!

There are more pictures from home, but they are on Mom and Dad's camera. Anyhoo, On Monday afternoon, the four of us left Lethbridge and headed to Carstairs to see Lowell's family.

Lowell with his niece Carmen (and his Mom in the background).

Lowell's sisters and nieces. Lori holding her baby Charlotte, Julie holding Lori's daughter Carmen, and Janelle holding her little Katelyn.

Lowell's Dad has crazy tricks and trinkets up his sleeve, and here are Dan and Carlynne showing off some of his funky glasses.

Lowell got to see all of both of our families on his birthday except for Shareen & Craig and Dave Reid. What a lucky ducky.

Birthday Rap

CLICK TO HEAR BIRTHDAY RAP

(Thank you to Marc and Kylie for being the back-up vocalists)

It's LOWELL'S Birthday!

My all-time favourite picture of Lowell.

In honour of Lowell's birthday, I have prepared a rap song. This is best recited with at least 2 people: one person can do the "rap" sound with your hand over your mouth, while the other one raps it. It has the greatest effect this way.
Here it goes:

I have a fiance
His name is Lowell
Today is his birthday
Fun is the goal

He turns 25
He’s a quarter century old
I’m so glad he’s alive
He has a heart of gold

He is very talented
Sweet, fun and HOT
What can I say
I like him a lot

This is his last birthday
As a single man
So all I can say is:
ENJOY IT WHILE YOU CAN!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LOWELL!!!

Happy Birthday Nancy-poo!

Tis the season for birthdays apparently. Today one of my favourite people in the world is turning 25! Sooo... HAPPY BIRTHDAY NANC! You rock my world.

Pink Ladies: Kendra, Nancy, Alex, et moi

Happy Birthday Craigory!

Today is my brother-in-law's birthday. So this is a little poem I wrote in honour of him on his birthday:

Roses are red
Violets are blue
To my sister you are wed
Have a happy birthday you!

I do have a gift of poetry...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CRAIG AND HAVE A GREAT DAY!!!

Craig and Shareen at their wedding in June

I'M AN AUNTIE.....kind of...

Congratulations to to Lowell's sister and brother-in-law Lori and Dave who gave birth to a beautiful girl named Charlotte Catherine. She was born early yesterday morning and weighs 7lbs and 13 ounces.

That means Lowell (and soon to be me!) has three nieces now. Carmen was born to Dave and Lori a couple of years ago, and Katelyn was born to Lowell's other sister and brother-in-law Dave and Janelle on August 10th of this year. This family is bursting at the seams and I get to be a part of it all!! Yippee!

Dave, Lori, and Baby Charlotte

Baby Charlotte

Charlotte's big sister Carmen

Dave, Janelle and Katelyn (on Halloween...obviously)

Little Katelyn (born with all that hair)

I think the world should know...

I WROTE MY LAST MIDTERM EVER LAST NIGHT!!!

Midterms are (or shall I say WERE) my nemesis.

J