I have a very good reason for the lack of posts. I have been traveling. Lots. But now, oh sweet now, I am in one place. And it seems to be a thing that will last longer than a week or so. So that's good, no? I sure think so!
That place is Abilene. And we are here, getting our stuff sorted, packed and ready to move to Austin. Where we have already signed a pre-lease for our apartment on Oltorf street! Hooray! So, come the beginning of August, we'll be settled for at LEAST a year in one place and at least 4 years in one city! Hooray!
More later.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Prince Caspian...
I don't know exactly how, but the more I listen to this song that comes at the end of the latest Narnia film, the more I know I'm going to use it to inspire some of my book. This YouTube video is JUST the lyrics...which is fine by me..I like the lyrics plenty good. Isn't it pretty?!!
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Notes from SPI...
Yay for South Padre Island! The sun is shining right now so I'm headed out to take some pictures of the beach soon. It feels so good to have the sand in my toes and the waves rocking my body! We've been here since Wednesday and enjoyed ourselves thoroughly. Tomorrow we have to leave, though! Sad puppies.
Mom found a lovely 3 bedroom condo where we're staying - Scott & I have the biggest room but the smallest 2 person bed (although we can choose between 2 full-size beds...they are both full-size.) We've played much foosball, much Settlers of Catan, much Wii and much 42. Oh...and we've been playing in the waves every day. Today I discovered the amazing feeling that is bobbing just further out than where the waves break - you really feel the motion of the ocean!
Next week we're gonna get our BMW ready for the driving around. I still need to learn to operate the stick shift - so that's going to be fun! I'm looking forward to seeing both my Abilene friends and soon my Dallas friends and my Wichita Falls & Oklahoma family. Lots and lots of good times ahead, that's for sure!
I'll post pictures when we get back home - no camera connector here.
Cheers!
Mom found a lovely 3 bedroom condo where we're staying - Scott & I have the biggest room but the smallest 2 person bed (although we can choose between 2 full-size beds...they are both full-size.) We've played much foosball, much Settlers of Catan, much Wii and much 42. Oh...and we've been playing in the waves every day. Today I discovered the amazing feeling that is bobbing just further out than where the waves break - you really feel the motion of the ocean!
Next week we're gonna get our BMW ready for the driving around. I still need to learn to operate the stick shift - so that's going to be fun! I'm looking forward to seeing both my Abilene friends and soon my Dallas friends and my Wichita Falls & Oklahoma family. Lots and lots of good times ahead, that's for sure!
I'll post pictures when we get back home - no camera connector here.
Cheers!
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
To-Do List (Updated and really for my own information anyways)
Okay, so I'm just now realizing how much I have the ability to forget...and how much needs to be DONE before we leave the country! So, the best solution is a To-Do list...and I thought I'd put it here, so I couldn't forget where it was!
- Go by the Walk-in clinic and get "Well Woman Check." (That sounds so much less awkward and painful than it actually is!) (Done.)
- Purchase prescription for full year based on said Dr.'s visit (Done.)
- Get re-imbursed by the ISC for health insurance money refund (this requires Scott and the "leaving the country documents" package) (--> Will do on Friday)
- Create said "leaving the country documents" package (Done & copied!)
* Airline tickets
* Passports with visa
* Acceptance letter from Texas
* Rejection letter from Toronto
* Rejection letter from OSAP
*Application for University of Texas Apartments
- Cancel Phone & Internet (LTC docs req.) (Done...except for paying the bills they will send)
- Purchase additional suitcase (bring scale to weigh options) (Duffel bag purchased!)
- PACK!!
- Go to Awesome Thai Restaurant one more time
- Set up bank account for remote administration & closing (Done. Except for closing accounts.)
- Give forwarding address to Kelly Services & TSI for next year's tax docs. (Letters written & mailed.)
- Visit Corinne @ Bimm for lunch (12:30PM, Thursday May 8)
- Don't forget to call the Canadian Tax People from the US (maybe during Dallas layover?)
- Clean the apartment
- Set-up car insurance to start on the 18th of May (when we return from our vacation)
- Set-up temporary health insurance
- Write list of "books to read on the beach" to have Lynna pull from the box at home
That's all for now...but I KNOW there's more that I'm forgetting...this is why I need to make this list! Because I forget things!
- Go by the Walk-in clinic and get "Well Woman Check." (That sounds so much less awkward and painful than it actually is!) (Done.)
- Purchase prescription for full year based on said Dr.'s visit (Done.)
- Get re-imbursed by the ISC for health insurance money refund (this requires Scott and the "leaving the country documents" package) (--> Will do on Friday)
- Create said "leaving the country documents" package (Done & copied!)
* Airline tickets
* Passports with visa
* Acceptance letter from Texas
* Rejection letter from Toronto
* Rejection letter from OSAP
*Application for University of Texas Apartments
- Cancel Phone & Internet (LTC docs req.) (Done...except for paying the bills they will send)
- Purchase additional suitcase (bring scale to weigh options) (Duffel bag purchased!)
- PACK!!
- Go to Awesome Thai Restaurant one more time
- Set up bank account for remote administration & closing (Done. Except for closing accounts.)
- Give forwarding address to Kelly Services & TSI for next year's tax docs. (Letters written & mailed.)
- Visit Corinne @ Bimm for lunch (12:30PM, Thursday May 8)
- Don't forget to call the Canadian Tax People from the US (maybe during Dallas layover?)
- Clean the apartment
- Set-up car insurance to start on the 18th of May (when we return from our vacation)
- Set-up temporary health insurance
- Write list of "books to read on the beach" to have Lynna pull from the box at home
That's all for now...but I KNOW there's more that I'm forgetting...this is why I need to make this list! Because I forget things!
Saturday, May 03, 2008
Math!
Okay, so in some ways my blog is turning into what Scott is calling my "extra brain." What this means is that I'm putting things in here that are sometimes more for my information than anyone else's...as I would in a journal! We've done the math for our driving this summer and it's surprisingly good news. If you're interested in the nitty-gritty, here it is: (I'm going to try to get one of those "jump" things that I can add selectively...but for the moment, no such luck.)
Abilene to Wichita Falls:
Wichita Falls to Plano:
$30
Plano to Possum Kingdom
Possum Kingdom to Wichita Falls
(Not sure how going to Oklahoma is going to work...but we're toodle-ing around with Ginger...so shall not be driving all the time. Uncertain still at the moment.)
Wichita Falls to Abilene
Total for visiting people: $200
In addition, we have the following:
Round Trip Abilene to Mansfield to pick up our couch (Dad's truck): $125
Each RT to Austin from Abilene: $125
Each Truck RT to Austin: $175
Total budget for trip gas:
$750
Wow...most of that is moving expenses! Ah well...c'est la vie. More math to come as I figure out the rest of the summer budget. I'm sure you're soooo interested!
Abilene to Wichita Falls:
- 143 miles
- 7.25 gallons
- $30
Wichita Falls to Plano:
- 138 miles
- 7.25 gallons
- $30
$30
Plano to Possum Kingdom
- 123 miles
- 6.25 gallons
- $25
Possum Kingdom to Wichita Falls
- 83 miles
- 4.25 gallons
- $20
(Not sure how going to Oklahoma is going to work...but we're toodle-ing around with Ginger...so shall not be driving all the time. Uncertain still at the moment.)
Wichita Falls to Abilene
- 143 miles
- 7.25 gallons
- $30
Total for visiting people: $200
In addition, we have the following:
Round Trip Abilene to Mansfield to pick up our couch (Dad's truck): $125
Each RT to Austin from Abilene: $125
Each Truck RT to Austin: $175
Total budget for trip gas:
$750
Wow...most of that is moving expenses! Ah well...c'est la vie. More math to come as I figure out the rest of the summer budget. I'm sure you're soooo interested!
Oh! Oh! Those Summer Nights!
I've realized that, while it feels like I've been telling everyone everything it's just not so! So here's the full scoop on our coming back to Texas and the summer plans we have made and will make...
Scott's accepted a position at the University of Texas PhD program - he'll get a TA'ship, which pays for tuition and adds insurance and a $13,000 stipend. We'll live in Austin and hopefully I'll get a job at the university. We're also planning on "living green" - doing eco-friendly things like taking the shuttle (heh...nevermind that it is also quite stress-friendly and wallet-friendly!), drying clothes out in the warm Texas sun and being conscious of what we have plugged in and why. Eventually (hopefully in a year's time) we'll buy a house and be able to put some of the more lasting changes and ideas I've got into motion...but that's really another blog post.
Anyways, we'll move up to Austin in August...or when I get a job, whichever comes first. If you know of good, friendly companies in the central Austin area, let me know - right now that University is my main focus, but I'm open to alternative suggestions.
The beginning of the summer is chock full of adventure - we'll fly in all the
way to Abilene (due to using AAdvantage miles for one ticket, this costs less than the gas my folks would have used to pick us up) on the 13th of May (wow, less than 2 weeks, yay!). My mom has planned a family vacation, so we're going to immediately hop in the car and head to South Padre Island (see picture of our SPI bungalow on right) on the 14th. I won't even have time to pack for that trip! I'm trusting the Momma and the Swissa to do all that for us!
We'll get back from SPI on the 18th, spend most of that week getting Scott's car in shape and inspected. Possible side-trips include seeing Prince Caspian with friends, playing Super Smash Bros with friends and generally, hanging out with awesome Abilene friends. (But there's lots of time for that later, too!)
The following weekend is the 23rd - 25th ...my birthday is the 23rd, we're heading to Dallas to celebrate. Mom hath reserve'd the earlier parts of the Birth-Day for celebrating with family, depending on Dallas plans, we might even decide to head there on Saturday...but I don't know about that...I anticipate late night shennanigans and I want to be on top of my game...i.e. not stepping right out of the car to go see the movie!
Right now, the Dallas plans are looking to happen on that Saturday, the 24th, I think we've got some
friends who may cook some good grilled foods (cross fingers!) and we'll gather a group together to go see Indiana Jones at the matinee (being penny pinchers). We may also plan random $2 movie on Sunday or random playing of Wii...or watching of Dr. Who...or whatever, we'll see. I think asides from Saturday, we'll be playing it by ear. We have a place to stay in Dallas (thanks Heidi-chan!) and lots of friends to party with...the good times, they shall also roll.
There's a slight chance we'll f
ind enough people with money that we'll go to Scarbie on the 26th, but probably we'll be headed up to Scott's folk's lake house at Possum Kingdom (my heart just shivers at the money we'll be spending on GAS!)
After that, we'll spend the rest of May with Scott's folks in Wichita Falls and the first bit of June is reserved for visiting his family in Oklahoma. Then back to Abilene to live, pack and begin a job hunt.
Once I get some interviews lined up, we'll move the job hunt to a friend's house in Austin. We're really hoping to be settled in Austin before our 2nd anniversary - the absolute dream would be that I got a job at the University starting some time in July and the University Housing would come available at that same time.
We are decidedly psyched about moving down to Austin - we have lots of friends there and the town is so pretty and interesting. We also have lots of friends in the Houston/College Station area...so, time and money permitting, we'd love to go to CS sometime at the end of the summer. And if time and money run out, that'll definitely be our first weekend trip of the fall. Mmmmm Texas fall.... I am SO looking forward to Texas weather. I have missed my sunshine to a dreadful degree!
So, that's the full scoop, my friends! If you have any input to put-in, then do let me know! We are definitely looking forward to spending fun times with all of ya'll - whether in Abilene or Dallas or Austin or wherever!
Scott's accepted a position at the University of Texas PhD program - he'll get a TA'ship, which pays for tuition and adds insurance and a $13,000 stipend. We'll live in Austin and hopefully I'll get a job at the university. We're also planning on "living green" - doing eco-friendly things like taking the shuttle (heh...nevermind that it is also quite stress-friendly and wallet-friendly!), drying clothes out in the warm Texas sun and being conscious of what we have plugged in and why. Eventually (hopefully in a year's time) we'll buy a house and be able to put some of the more lasting changes and ideas I've got into motion...but that's really another blog post.
Anyways, we'll move up to Austin in August...or when I get a job, whichever comes first. If you know of good, friendly companies in the central Austin area, let me know - right now that University is my main focus, but I'm open to alternative suggestions.
The beginning of the summer is chock full of adventure - we'll fly in all the
way to Abilene (due to using AAdvantage miles for one ticket, this costs less than the gas my folks would have used to pick us up) on the 13th of May (wow, less than 2 weeks, yay!). My mom has planned a family vacation, so we're going to immediately hop in the car and head to South Padre Island (see picture of our SPI bungalow on right) on the 14th. I won't even have time to pack for that trip! I'm trusting the Momma and the Swissa to do all that for us!We'll get back from SPI on the 18th, spend most of that week getting Scott's car in shape and inspected. Possible side-trips include seeing Prince Caspian with friends, playing Super Smash Bros with friends and generally, hanging out with awesome Abilene friends. (But there's lots of time for that later, too!)
The following weekend is the 23rd - 25th ...my birthday is the 23rd, we're heading to Dallas to celebrate. Mom hath reserve'd the earlier parts of the Birth-Day for celebrating with family, depending on Dallas plans, we might even decide to head there on Saturday...but I don't know about that...I anticipate late night shennanigans and I want to be on top of my game...i.e. not stepping right out of the car to go see the movie!
Right now, the Dallas plans are looking to happen on that Saturday, the 24th, I think we've got some
friends who may cook some good grilled foods (cross fingers!) and we'll gather a group together to go see Indiana Jones at the matinee (being penny pinchers). We may also plan random $2 movie on Sunday or random playing of Wii...or watching of Dr. Who...or whatever, we'll see. I think asides from Saturday, we'll be playing it by ear. We have a place to stay in Dallas (thanks Heidi-chan!) and lots of friends to party with...the good times, they shall also roll.There's a slight chance we'll f
ind enough people with money that we'll go to Scarbie on the 26th, but probably we'll be headed up to Scott's folk's lake house at Possum Kingdom (my heart just shivers at the money we'll be spending on GAS!)After that, we'll spend the rest of May with Scott's folks in Wichita Falls and the first bit of June is reserved for visiting his family in Oklahoma. Then back to Abilene to live, pack and begin a job hunt.
Once I get some interviews lined up, we'll move the job hunt to a friend's house in Austin. We're really hoping to be settled in Austin before our 2nd anniversary - the absolute dream would be that I got a job at the University starting some time in July and the University Housing would come available at that same time.
We are decidedly psyched about moving down to Austin - we have lots of friends there and the town is so pretty and interesting. We also have lots of friends in the Houston/College Station area...so, time and money permitting, we'd love to go to CS sometime at the end of the summer. And if time and money run out, that'll definitely be our first weekend trip of the fall. Mmmmm Texas fall.... I am SO looking forward to Texas weather. I have missed my sunshine to a dreadful degree!
So, that's the full scoop, my friends! If you have any input to put-in, then do let me know! We are definitely looking forward to spending fun times with all of ya'll - whether in Abilene or Dallas or Austin or wherever!
Thursday, May 01, 2008
Futuure sewing projects
Isn't this dress cute? I really like it. Unfortunately, it costs $100. However, I have a solution! I shall sew a look-alike! I mean, if I can take a picture and then find a pattern and modify it and sew it myself, then I can get it for much less than $100, right?
This is the plan. There's another dress, not quite as awesome...but as long as I'm sewing....
Wow, I really miss sewing. I know that this tailored dress is a bit of an ambitious project (it'll have to have a lining, for one thing...that'll be a new step for me!) But I think I'm ready...hopefully, I'll end up with a dress that I'll be happy to wear to work and church. If I don't...well, then where would I wear it?! It'll just HAVE to be that good!
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Furthermore....
Okay, as many of you know, we're headed back to Texas on May 13th - 2 weeks from yesterday. I'm still working at the MBA program at the U of T, gaining both experience and money. Since the plan is for this money to last us the summer (along with free rent and food ala parents (yay parents!), every day of money earned is a good day. On the other hand, I have so much to organize...I don't want to leave it all 'til the last minute. It's a dilemma alrighty.
Lately I've been listening to a lot of Tom Lehrer. Very whimsical guy, Tom Lehrer.
I packed up 50 lbs of clothes in a bag...actually, it was 41 pounds of clothes and 9 pounds of bag...why does the bag have to weigh so much?! And this was the bag we purposefully bought for it's lightness! The others weigh a full 10 pounds. I wish I could find a 5 pound bag for my "fourth bag purchase." I also wish Scott didn't have to take his guitar as his carry-on...that truly limits our options. It means all the electronics have to fit into my carry on. And, while I don't regret having Ginger bring up my blender, it's been awesome to have, it weighs 10 lbs! I look at everything around me and I see lbs and $$...it's sad but true.
We'd like to bring back our laser printer - but are prepared to not. When we bought the printer, we knew we might have to leave it here. So, it's okay if we have to.
Anyone know any cheap ways to ship anything from Canada to the US? I sure wish I did.
I'll be missing the street meat - or maybe not. Maybe Austin will have it's own variation on this theme...it'd be nifty. Oxford had Kebabs, Toronto has Sausages...who knows what we'll find in Austin.
I wish I could get back to writing more. I love to write and haven't been doing it enough lately. Hopefully our South Padre Island vacation will give me time to relax with my notebook and a frosty beverage. Maybe in a hammock. Hmmm...I should also prepare a list of "books I own that I want Lynna to pull from the boxes and pack for vacation reading."
Lately I've been listening to a lot of Tom Lehrer. Very whimsical guy, Tom Lehrer.
I packed up 50 lbs of clothes in a bag...actually, it was 41 pounds of clothes and 9 pounds of bag...why does the bag have to weigh so much?! And this was the bag we purposefully bought for it's lightness! The others weigh a full 10 pounds. I wish I could find a 5 pound bag for my "fourth bag purchase." I also wish Scott didn't have to take his guitar as his carry-on...that truly limits our options. It means all the electronics have to fit into my carry on. And, while I don't regret having Ginger bring up my blender, it's been awesome to have, it weighs 10 lbs! I look at everything around me and I see lbs and $$...it's sad but true.
We'd like to bring back our laser printer - but are prepared to not. When we bought the printer, we knew we might have to leave it here. So, it's okay if we have to.
Anyone know any cheap ways to ship anything from Canada to the US? I sure wish I did.
I'll be missing the street meat - or maybe not. Maybe Austin will have it's own variation on this theme...it'd be nifty. Oxford had Kebabs, Toronto has Sausages...who knows what we'll find in Austin.
I wish I could get back to writing more. I love to write and haven't been doing it enough lately. Hopefully our South Padre Island vacation will give me time to relax with my notebook and a frosty beverage. Maybe in a hammock. Hmmm...I should also prepare a list of "books I own that I want Lynna to pull from the boxes and pack for vacation reading."
Right Here Right Now
Attempting to find blogging inspiration through a one word meme...we shall see...
1. Yourself: planning
2. Your spouse: reading
3. Your hair: braided
4. Your mother: anticipating
5. Your father: reading
6. Your favorite item: Wii
7. Your dream last night: lake
8. Your favorite drink: DP
9. Your dream car: convertible
10. The room you are in: yellow
11. Your ex: wha?
12. Your fear: overweight
13. What you want to be in 10 years: mother
14. Who you hung out with last night: Scott
15. What you're not: ready
16. Muffins: tops
17: One of your wish list items: book
18: Time: dinner
19. The last thing you did: pasta
20. What you're wearing: pjs
21. Your favorite weather: sunny
22. Your favorite book: many
23. The last thing you ate: pasta
24. Your life: momentum
25. Your mood: content
26. Your best friend(s): distant
27. What you're thinking about right now: paradox
28. Your car: nonexistant
29. What you're doing at the moment: relaxing
30. Your summer: busy
31. Your relationship status: wedlock!
32. What's on TV: commercials
33. The weather: cold
34. The last time you laughed: moments
1. Yourself: planning
2. Your spouse: reading
3. Your hair: braided
4. Your mother: anticipating
5. Your father: reading
6. Your favorite item: Wii
7. Your dream last night: lake
8. Your favorite drink: DP
9. Your dream car: convertible
10. The room you are in: yellow
11. Your ex: wha?
12. Your fear: overweight
13. What you want to be in 10 years: mother
14. Who you hung out with last night: Scott
15. What you're not: ready
16. Muffins: tops
17: One of your wish list items: book
18: Time: dinner
19. The last thing you did: pasta
20. What you're wearing: pjs
21. Your favorite weather: sunny
22. Your favorite book: many
23. The last thing you ate: pasta
24. Your life: momentum
25. Your mood: content
26. Your best friend(s): distant
27. What you're thinking about right now: paradox
28. Your car: nonexistant
29. What you're doing at the moment: relaxing
30. Your summer: busy
31. Your relationship status: wedlock!
32. What's on TV: commercials
33. The weather: cold
34. The last time you laughed: moments
Friday, April 25, 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Today is better by far
Well, last night a literal load was lifted off my shoulders when our lovely landlady Virginia offered to mail books for us from the states (Media Mail being inexpensive). We took her up on the offer and packed two boxes with a total of 55 pounds of books! These are books we now do not have to pack, do not have to carry to the airport and do not have to pay overage fees on! YAY FOR VIRGINIA! God has truly blessed us with a wonderful landlady this year. I can only hope our next year's living arrangements can be equally friendly.
Also, things seem to have cooled down at the office. My co-worker who was mad at me yesterday has been quite amicable today. I think more in her life is stressing her than just this job and she kind of let that stress out on me yesterday. It's okay...I just wish I'd known now what I know then - would have made my life a lot less miserable.
Finally, I brought a fan from the house (again, thanks to Virginia, The Great Landlady) which makes the temperatures in our office much more bearable. It's not really hot here - just very, very stale. And they've said they're going to turn off the heat...so we should be dressing for A/C in about 2 weeks time. Yay!
I also got a good night's sleep with pleasant dreams. Even though we went to bed late last night (due to packing boxes with books, so a good late!) I slept almost 8 hours and felt rested when I woke up. I could have easily slept more...but I was okay with the amount I got.
God is good to me. He takes care of His daughter. He loves me. It's amazing how quickly I can feel His love when I need it - I just wish that I could feel it even when the outward situations are not so conducive as they are at this moment. Them's the hard times.
Also, we can has tickets! Flying in to Abilene at 8:30PM on Tuesday, May 13th! It was not terribly more expensive to fly in to Abilene - so we'll catch the puddle jumper from Dallas and save my folks a trip. See ya'll soon!
Also, things seem to have cooled down at the office. My co-worker who was mad at me yesterday has been quite amicable today. I think more in her life is stressing her than just this job and she kind of let that stress out on me yesterday. It's okay...I just wish I'd known now what I know then - would have made my life a lot less miserable.
Finally, I brought a fan from the house (again, thanks to Virginia, The Great Landlady) which makes the temperatures in our office much more bearable. It's not really hot here - just very, very stale. And they've said they're going to turn off the heat...so we should be dressing for A/C in about 2 weeks time. Yay!
I also got a good night's sleep with pleasant dreams. Even though we went to bed late last night (due to packing boxes with books, so a good late!) I slept almost 8 hours and felt rested when I woke up. I could have easily slept more...but I was okay with the amount I got.
God is good to me. He takes care of His daughter. He loves me. It's amazing how quickly I can feel His love when I need it - I just wish that I could feel it even when the outward situations are not so conducive as they are at this moment. Them's the hard times.
Also, we can has tickets! Flying in to Abilene at 8:30PM on Tuesday, May 13th! It was not terribly more expensive to fly in to Abilene - so we'll catch the puddle jumper from Dallas and save my folks a trip. See ya'll soon!
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
I didn't realize how the day had worn me down until now...
Sometimes I think it would be good to work all by myself from home - because the politics and the people can get on your nerves. It's almost like a prison some days, locked in a room with the same people all day every day for a whole week. If you don't build a REAL rapport with your coworkers, then you're doomed for not good days. Many not good days.
So, pray for me you guys. Because one of my coworkers has decided that I'm trying to edge her out for a job that I don't even need to keep past the end of the month. It just sucks. Because my days are not going well...and I'm trying, I'm trying to be a good Christian....they know I'm a Christian...but it's a hard thing. And it's all these subtle things...people intentionally going into other rooms to talk away from me...snide comments...it's just hard. I'm facing a bad situation and I need to make the best of it. Pray for me. Because I need strength tomorrow. Strength I don't know I have.
So, pray for me you guys. Because one of my coworkers has decided that I'm trying to edge her out for a job that I don't even need to keep past the end of the month. It just sucks. Because my days are not going well...and I'm trying, I'm trying to be a good Christian....they know I'm a Christian...but it's a hard thing. And it's all these subtle things...people intentionally going into other rooms to talk away from me...snide comments...it's just hard. I'm facing a bad situation and I need to make the best of it. Pray for me. Because I need strength tomorrow. Strength I don't know I have.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
A Glorious Day!
Hmm, it seems that I shall be using this blog for it's most stereotypical purpose - to tell about my day. How very normal of me.
This morning was highly successful. I woke up at 9AM and yawned, turned over, went back to sleep for a little bit. Then, come 10, I got up and hauled the Reluctant Husband out of bed as well. Setting him on the task of laundry & dishes, I proceeded to clean other parts of the house. Together, we have made our small apartment MUCH more habitable, with novelties such as a cleaned off coffee table, mopped up floor and clean laundry hung in closets not in piles on floor. YAY!
Then, we headed out, taking the TTC to Chinatown to purchase some fruit for our fun times planned for the afternoon. After acquiring fruit, we TTC'd down to the Eaton Centre where we waited for our friend Sybila at Lush (after a brief pit stop for a VERY TASTY lemonade for me and a quite good Raspberry Tea for Scott.
We then went out to the Toronto Island, where we really just meandered around, appreciating the amazing weather and lovely scenery. We'd hoped to be able to take the little trolley they offer there, but it was closed for "winter" (even though it was 70 degrees today). Ah well. It was amazing just to be out in nature, walking among trees and to look out at the beautiful lake and just talk with Sybila, who is a truly unique, wonderful and interesting person. (And no, I don't think she reads this blog, so I'm not playing to my audience.)
Then, Sybila took us to an AMAZING Thai food restaurant. Not only did I have some of the best food I've had in Toronto, but I also discovered how to use my sticky rice - it requires mangos & coconut milk to make instant amazing! mmm mmmm nom nom.
Then, completely unexpected, Sybila offered to treat us to a movie. We went to the nearest theatre, which was playing only things none of us had heard of. We were willing to give it a shot, though and signed up for "Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day." Awesome. Movie.
This is the movie I will be showing to my in-laws and EVERYONE from Ginger to Terry to Taylor will enjoy it - all for different reasons, but all, I think, sincerely & equally. I'm not AS sure that my family would enjoy it...but if they could get past the "1950's pin-up" moments, then I think we'd all be enjoying ourselves greatly. (See Scott's blog for further review of this movie.)
THEN we take the train home and, literally 6 minutes after we walk in the door, as I'm pulling on my comfy sit-around-the-house PJs, Kent calls us. And I proceed to have a rip-roaring conversation with him. Such fun! I am really looking forward to being able to enjoy my friends on a regular, not-so-long-distance basis in the near future. And, while I will miss my Toronto friends, we will be able to host people at our house again with ease...and THAT, my friends, is something I am truly looking forward to.
Now Scott is talking to Kent...it nears 11PM...and the day has been terrific. Thank you God, for this wonderful, beautiful day!
This morning was highly successful. I woke up at 9AM and yawned, turned over, went back to sleep for a little bit. Then, come 10, I got up and hauled the Reluctant Husband out of bed as well. Setting him on the task of laundry & dishes, I proceeded to clean other parts of the house. Together, we have made our small apartment MUCH more habitable, with novelties such as a cleaned off coffee table, mopped up floor and clean laundry hung in closets not in piles on floor. YAY!
Then, we headed out, taking the TTC to Chinatown to purchase some fruit for our fun times planned for the afternoon. After acquiring fruit, we TTC'd down to the Eaton Centre where we waited for our friend Sybila at Lush (after a brief pit stop for a VERY TASTY lemonade for me and a quite good Raspberry Tea for Scott.
We then went out to the Toronto Island, where we really just meandered around, appreciating the amazing weather and lovely scenery. We'd hoped to be able to take the little trolley they offer there, but it was closed for "winter" (even though it was 70 degrees today). Ah well. It was amazing just to be out in nature, walking among trees and to look out at the beautiful lake and just talk with Sybila, who is a truly unique, wonderful and interesting person. (And no, I don't think she reads this blog, so I'm not playing to my audience.)
Then, Sybila took us to an AMAZING Thai food restaurant. Not only did I have some of the best food I've had in Toronto, but I also discovered how to use my sticky rice - it requires mangos & coconut milk to make instant amazing! mmm mmmm nom nom.
Then, completely unexpected, Sybila offered to treat us to a movie. We went to the nearest theatre, which was playing only things none of us had heard of. We were willing to give it a shot, though and signed up for "Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day." Awesome. Movie.
This is the movie I will be showing to my in-laws and EVERYONE from Ginger to Terry to Taylor will enjoy it - all for different reasons, but all, I think, sincerely & equally. I'm not AS sure that my family would enjoy it...but if they could get past the "1950's pin-up" moments, then I think we'd all be enjoying ourselves greatly. (See Scott's blog for further review of this movie.)
THEN we take the train home and, literally 6 minutes after we walk in the door, as I'm pulling on my comfy sit-around-the-house PJs, Kent calls us. And I proceed to have a rip-roaring conversation with him. Such fun! I am really looking forward to being able to enjoy my friends on a regular, not-so-long-distance basis in the near future. And, while I will miss my Toronto friends, we will be able to host people at our house again with ease...and THAT, my friends, is something I am truly looking forward to.
Now Scott is talking to Kent...it nears 11PM...and the day has been terrific. Thank you God, for this wonderful, beautiful day!
Friday, April 18, 2008
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
My cup runneth over...
Take a look at these cool robes. Now imagine Scott wearing them. (I know, the excessively perky girl who is wearing them at the moment makes this difficult. I LOOKED for a different picture and we had one last night...but I cannot find it at the moment.) Quick! Take away the wooden stick of doom! Such things are dangerous for Scott to carry for too long. He is bound to swing them dramatically or, at the very least, get "ideas" about how it lends to his "dignity."
Okay, that's better. Those are some pretty cool robes, no? They make Scott look very cool, no? I sure think so. I wish I got a cool velvet tam hat like that. Maybe I'll buy one. Only green. And no tassel. Yep, then I will have a cooler hat that Scott. But he will still win the regalia contest. Because in 4-6 years, my friends, he will have those robes, wear those robes and receive a doctoral diploma in those robes. (Well, not the exact ones said perky girl is wearing...what would she wear then, poor thing?!)
Now gaze at this gorgeous skyline. Yes, it is the skyline of a big city. But it IS the folk music capital of the south. I mean, Flight of the Concords came here! Cool, no? Plus, the countryside around Austin is beautiful. And the hills, the old trees...Austin has some of the loveliest landscape in all of Texas. Somewhere in that skyline, hiding on the edges...somewhere near campus, in a nice neighborhood, a house has been neglected by it's owners. It is up for sale. And it will be mine. Mine to love, mine to appreciate, mine to remodel and improve. Also Scott's. But mine. Ours. In a way that no place has been mine or ours before.
Also somewhere out there is a job for me. The Right Job for me. Maybe working for the Faculty of Music or for the university library. Maybe somewhere else. But it is there, waiting for me to find it and claim it. And this job will not be like all the other temporary positions I have held. It will be, in fact, PERMANENT. I cannot tell you how much this thrills my heart. But the amount is large. And if you've read my blog for a while, and read how hard temping can be on me, then you know a small portion of my jubilation.
Now this, my dear friends, this is not a cowboy hat. It is an IMAGE of a cowboy hat...and as such, it is a symbol of all the "Things Texan" that I shall be reclaiming.-- Warm weather and sunshine in the wintertime.
-- Enchiladas, Tex-Mex, burritos, beef from my parent's cows, REAL salsa (not this fake sweet
not even hot stuff), mom's Lasagna...
-- MOM and LYNNA and DAD and MATT and all my family! FRIENDS! Garbacz Family!
-- Bathtubs & baths taken in them. Our lovely sleep number bed. Our blue/green couch. All the wedding presents we had to leave behind and all the books.
-- Central time - which means an earlier bedtime during the weekdays.
But don't think I will be turning away from Toronto without regret. On no. Toronto has given me much and I am grateful. I am so very thankful for:
-- Grace Toronto & Grace Toronto Friends! You will be missed but we will stay in touch via Facebook, I promise! Come and visit us in Texas anytime! It's WARM there even in winter! (Usually. But if you don't like the weather, wait a while...it'll change.)
-- Mass Transit. Hopefully we will be taking enough advantage of the UT shuttle system to remain a 1 car family. (Also to not have to pay for parking at the university!) But I shall miss you, TTC.
-- Chinatown. How I shall miss you...the bun shops, the produce, the awesome bargain hunting.
-- Our very fun landlady Virginia, our lovely little apartment.
-- The Granite Brewery - you are expensive burgers and good brews - but both are super tasty and worth the trip.
However, all in all, I'm very glad to be going back to Texas. I have missed so much and gained so much...but, all in all, the South is my native land. I am glad to be returning. I am glad Scott got accepted to UT. I am super glad he gets a progressively better paying TA-ship. I can't WAIT to see all my friends and family again. The Good Times, they shall roll.
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
WANT!
Okay, I was looking on Amazon.com for the book on buying/contracting repairs that Mike Holmes is supposedly writing/has written. And I came across this shirt. Which I want. In black with white letters. Ah...for the days when I worked for a T-Shirt company.
Least Favorite & Most Favorite...chore?!
Okay, so occasionally I go over to my LiveJournal and one of their "Writer's Block" tips really catches my interest. Such happens today. The prompt was: What is your least favorite chore?
So, what is my least favorite chore? Cleaning the bathroom. Funnily enough, this is not because I really mind the gunk & dirt...when you grow up on a quasi-farm, you get used to nasty dirt and know how to deal with it. No, it's really the big, gigantic process. Bathroom cleaning, unlike other cleaning, requires you to get out paraphenalia. You need special scrubbers, special disinfectants, special everything! Plus, you have to section off a big block of time. Because no bathroom cleaning task is short. You're scrubbing a toilet or a bathtub or shower or mopping the floor...no short tasks there.
This year, it is made even more difficult by the fact that my bathroom is TINY. I mean, literally, there is barely a place to stand...which makes the prospect of trying to manuever a mop around the floor rather daunting.
I wish I was better at this. I really do. But at the end of a long week of indeterminite work and frustrating lack of acceptance letters, the last thing I want to do is spend an afternoon in a 2x3 box filled with cleaning fumes.
On the other end of the spectrum is my most favorite chore. I love to chop vegetables. This has shown forth in our preferred eatings as I tend to favor stir fries & pastas...things that let me chop, chop, chop away. I chop in front of the TV, watching Holmes on Homes or Star Trek: Voyager. Life is good.
And now. . . . .you know.
So, what is my least favorite chore? Cleaning the bathroom. Funnily enough, this is not because I really mind the gunk & dirt...when you grow up on a quasi-farm, you get used to nasty dirt and know how to deal with it. No, it's really the big, gigantic process. Bathroom cleaning, unlike other cleaning, requires you to get out paraphenalia. You need special scrubbers, special disinfectants, special everything! Plus, you have to section off a big block of time. Because no bathroom cleaning task is short. You're scrubbing a toilet or a bathtub or shower or mopping the floor...no short tasks there.
This year, it is made even more difficult by the fact that my bathroom is TINY. I mean, literally, there is barely a place to stand...which makes the prospect of trying to manuever a mop around the floor rather daunting.
I wish I was better at this. I really do. But at the end of a long week of indeterminite work and frustrating lack of acceptance letters, the last thing I want to do is spend an afternoon in a 2x3 box filled with cleaning fumes.
On the other end of the spectrum is my most favorite chore. I love to chop vegetables. This has shown forth in our preferred eatings as I tend to favor stir fries & pastas...things that let me chop, chop, chop away. I chop in front of the TV, watching Holmes on Homes or Star Trek: Voyager. Life is good.
And now. . . . .you know.
Friday, April 04, 2008
Knut is going to kick butt!
see more crazy cat pics
I know, I know...this is probably not my favorite German baby polar bear. Heh, it might not even be a polar bear. But still...I heart K-Nut and his Song! I will gladly e-mail it to you if you have not heard it.
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Looking forward to heading back to the states!
As I lean back in my plush pink swively rocky chair I think about the various things that I will leave behind when we leave Canada. Scott and I spent about 30 minutes yesterday talking about the things we plan to take with us when we go home, the things we'll leave and those few things we will really miss. It's an interesting cross section of our life here in Toronto.
Things we'll be taking:
Our rice cooker. We love our rice cooker, we love its non-stick surface, we love its size and its efficiency.
The legs from our Ikea desk/table. This is a "if we have room" item, but I really hope we have room. These are red Ikea legs that will go on any Ikea table top. We can't afford the weight to bring the table top, but I figure, it'll be fun to pick out a new one, perhaps a rounded one...and this'll be my craft table/desk.
Our Pom glasses. We started this year by buying 2 glass containers of "Pom" pomagranite tea. Mine has a little color on it, Scott's has the Pom logo in relief. These glasses have been our individual water/juice/ginger ale/chocolate milk glasses all year long and will always instantly evoke memories of this year.
Our pillow top mattress cover - I bought this one in a queen size intentionally so that we could use it later. I mean, we can't leave all our $100 purchases in Canada, eh?
Things we'll be leaving with much regret
Our beautiful swirly red lamp shade. Well, maybe if I can fit it in somewhere...it doesn't weigh much!
The bookshelf we spray painted red. It's pretty - but not pack-able.
The aforementioned tabletop.
My black boots - they've served well, but their time is slowly becoming past.
Our Goodwill overcoats - they have served their purpose and will be retired...probably back at a Goodwill somewhere.
Things we miss...and are looking forward to reclaiming
A bathtub...any bathtub. 'Nuf said.
Our couch...with the bed and the relaxing for a movie...it has not been the same without you, green/blue couch!
Many, many books. We had to leave so many good friendly books behind!
My sewing stuff! I hadn't realized how much a part of my life I'd made sewing...until I didn't have it for a year!
Summer. I miss summer. I miss the sunlight. I miss the heat. And could do without the bitter wind.
My craft & scrapbooking stuff. This is really more about the space to lay it all out and DO crafts and scrapbooking...I brought some stuff with me, but haven't really been able to use it for lack of space.
Things we'll be taking:
Our rice cooker. We love our rice cooker, we love its non-stick surface, we love its size and its efficiency.
The legs from our Ikea desk/table. This is a "if we have room" item, but I really hope we have room. These are red Ikea legs that will go on any Ikea table top. We can't afford the weight to bring the table top, but I figure, it'll be fun to pick out a new one, perhaps a rounded one...and this'll be my craft table/desk.
Our Pom glasses. We started this year by buying 2 glass containers of "Pom" pomagranite tea. Mine has a little color on it, Scott's has the Pom logo in relief. These glasses have been our individual water/juice/ginger ale/chocolate milk glasses all year long and will always instantly evoke memories of this year.
Our pillow top mattress cover - I bought this one in a queen size intentionally so that we could use it later. I mean, we can't leave all our $100 purchases in Canada, eh?
Things we'll be leaving with much regret
Our beautiful swirly red lamp shade. Well, maybe if I can fit it in somewhere...it doesn't weigh much!
The bookshelf we spray painted red. It's pretty - but not pack-able.
The aforementioned tabletop.
My black boots - they've served well, but their time is slowly becoming past.
Our Goodwill overcoats - they have served their purpose and will be retired...probably back at a Goodwill somewhere.
Things we miss...and are looking forward to reclaiming
A bathtub...any bathtub. 'Nuf said.
Our couch...with the bed and the relaxing for a movie...it has not been the same without you, green/blue couch!
Many, many books. We had to leave so many good friendly books behind!
My sewing stuff! I hadn't realized how much a part of my life I'd made sewing...until I didn't have it for a year!
Summer. I miss summer. I miss the sunlight. I miss the heat. And could do without the bitter wind.
My craft & scrapbooking stuff. This is really more about the space to lay it all out and DO crafts and scrapbooking...I brought some stuff with me, but haven't really been able to use it for lack of space.
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