merely talk

Just thought I'd drop a line to let you guys know I made it to Edmonton safe and sound. I don't have convenient internet access yet, but maybe Telus will start to pick up it's phone one of these days and that will change. Hopefully at least.

Anyway I'm currently hanging at Anick's cool apartment after yummy dinner, being very rude and typing. Just thought I'd let you all know I'm not dead, my apartment is pretty, my room is lovely and my job is fun.

And I'll tell you all about my adventures when I know longer have to rely on libraries and kind friends for the internet.

This may be the last post for awhile. I'm heading to the big TO tomorrow and will be heading to Edmonton mere hours after I get back to Vancouver.

Wow that last sentence makes me feel like such a jetsetter.

I've spent the last few days packing. Why do I have so much stuff?There are space limits in the Honda Element my mom and I will be driving, so I really can't have more than four boxes and two suitcases (plus PC and plants). But I have a lot more stuff than that, so I've been trying to cheat the space limits using plastic garbage bags. We we'll see what happens.

Anyhoo I should be back on line with my adventures in 10 or 11 days. Hope you guys don't miss me too much.

Love and kisses!!

I pushed the button and my big ass essay is currently electronically flinging itself to E-town. It's done and handed in. There is nothing more I can do. It's a lovely feeling this being done and free. No more chaining myself to the desk, with the beautiful weather outside. Now I'm free!

Well free to stay indoors and pack up all my stuff. But at least I don't have to stress about writing my paper anymore. Now I get to stress about how bad it is and what a horrible mark I'm going to get on it.

Lovely.

Hey kids!

Sorry about the lack of updates. I've been writing a stupid paper and would feel guilty if I was sitting at the computer and not trying to plow through it. So no blog updates. Fortunately the first draft is actually done, and while it sucks hard and is very badly written, it is done. And the hard part is now over. Thank the sweet lord.

I've also been busy. I've started to pack/curse all my possession, had a goodbye party at the beach with my nearest and dearest, had my parents take away my car and said goodbye to my babies (also known as my kids).

On Thursday I had a last day with one of my kids. The mom started to cry as I walked into the door. Which of course got me to start too. It was hard to say goodbye to this kid. He is non-verbal and we couldn't explain to him that I wouldn't be back next week or the week after. I hope he doesn't think I abandoned him. We decided to have a fun day for my last day, so the mom, daughter, my kid and I piled into the van and went to Maplewood Farm. It was pretty awesome. We saw some 5 day old goats, feed some bunnies and sheep, and ran around with some chickens. Other than the bunnies, sheep and goats thinking my straw purse was food, it was a great time.

But then I had to leave. And that was hard, yet only the beginning,

I had my last day of work today so I said goodbye to my last family. It was much harder than I thought it would be. The two older kids in the family drew my pictures and the parents gave me a picture in a frame of my kid making one of his favourite faces. This family has always made me feel so welcome. My job really isn't just a job to me or to these families. You become part of the family, and the job becomes less about how many hours you logged or how much money you made and more about actually helping. Sometimes I forgot I got paid to do what I did. Which defines the best jobs I think.

Both the parents were teary as I left, and I cried as I walked down the street to the bus stop. I think it may be tough to adjust to life without this job and these kids. To get used to being a full time student with a slacker retail job again. I may never work with kids again, it's quite the tricky job, but I guess this year has taught me that I am in the right field. That I feel right when I'm helping people. Of course spending my days playing at the park or with lego felt pretty awesome too.

Now to change gears completely. I saw March of the Penguins on Wednesday. My brother had a date and wanted to make her dinner, so I needed to make myself scarce for a few hours. Anna and I headed downtown to Granville and after a little unsuccessful shopping, took in the flick. Man, was it good. I've always thought Penguins were cool, but now they have raised exponentially in my esteem. And the babies? So adorably cute. And noisy.

Go see it. You really won't regret it.

I challenge a fear yesterday. I had to meet my mom downtown to see if we could find me a dress for my cousins wedding is a few weeks (we couldn't find one...sigh), and since I'm cheap I decided to not use a bus ticket and walk. This involved going over the Granville Street Bridge, which I have been terrified of since I moved to Vancouver. It wasn't as bad as it could have been. I walk over the Burrard Street Bridge on a regular basis, but it still isn't something I love doing. As I walked over I kept imagining different ways I could fall off the bridge or fall into the speeding traffic. But I did it. So that says something.

At the last minute last night, I headed out to see Aimee Mann with my cousin and a mutual friend. It was a beautiful experience. I'd never had the pleasure of going to the Commodore before and I wasn't disappointed it really is a lovely venue, and the staff were fabulous. The bouncer complimented all of our ID pictures and all the bartenders and security and roadies were great.

The show itself was amazing. We had managed to be right at the stage so I had the best view ever. And was even able to make eye contact with the lead guitarist and Aimee herself a few times. We also got to meet the band after the show, which was very cool.

If anyone ever has a chance to see her, I highly recommend it. Her music is just amazing. I almost lost it when she sang "Save Me", and then did lose it when she followed it with "Wise Up".

I'm just so glad I went.

So the fact that I'm moving is finally sinking in. I started packing yesterday and my mom moved some stuff back to the cabin. It's freaky. And one of the families I work with reminded me that I only have one week left of work. Which is just crazy. I can't believe how fast a year can fly by.

I went blackberry picking with Amanda last night. We hit up under the Granville street bridge and both got some major loads. I also have about a million little scratches on my arms and hands from those little bugger's branches. But man are they tasty and free.

We then hooked up with Anna and went to Lou's. I munched down on some yummy nachos and drank a reasonably priced beer.

All in all an excellent evening.

In other news I've started a photo blog. Who knows what'll appear on there. It's linked on the side of the page, or you can find it here.