If I have a party for my car, will you come?

Song of the day:

I am going to find the song of the day by hitting shuffle on the ol' ipod. So, here we go... (I am now taking this moment to perform said task...)

So, the song of the day is "We might as well be Strangers" by Keane. Yes, thank-you Ipod, this is a fantastic song. It was featured on their first album, Hopes and Fears, which really deserves a listen if you have not hither-to-here fore...listened.

Here is a link to the song.

Story of the day:

After many 2 appraisals of my car, several phone calls to my insurance company, and some awfully weird and new sounds coming from my car, I found out yesterday that the damages were too great, and that my car is now a write-off. How sad is that? Also, how extremely ill-timed. I only needed the thing to last me until the middle of August, but that is apparently not to be. The insurance company will give me a pretty paltry cheque for the value of my car. However, it is more than I paid for it, so the joke is on them. Hah!

I do have a few options in the works for a car. Updates to come as soon as something more concrete is in the works. I will tell you what I will not be doing: I will not be renting a car from Enterprise for 5 months for $5000 dollars.

See you tomorrow for poetry day.

Town Day

Hello to you all from this most wonderful of Thursdays!! First (and most exciting) announcement of the day: I have been (almost officially) accepted to the University of Toronto. The department for Adult Education has accepted me as a...Grad Student (wow! I love saying that...), and they just have to send their recommendation back to the Registrar (hey, does anyone else still miss bureaucracy?) who will be sending out the official Acceptance letters at the end of March. When I got the email this morning, I read it a few times, because it kind of sounded like the department had only recommended me. However, upon several more readings and consultations, the fact that the email began "We are delighted to inform you", as well as the fact that I have been a assigned a faculty advisor, I have decided that it is real. I have been offered the chance to complete my Masters of Education in Adult Education and Community Development.

I am still going to wait to see if I am accepted at Mount St. Vincent in Halifax, but Toronto was my number one choice. I am just so unbelievably excited!!

Because it is Thursday, I couldn't leave you all without your weekly dose of poetry. I wrote a poem yesterday that is kind of in direct contrast with the sunshineness of today, but it is extremely topical for our week at work. So, sorry for the downer, but I really like this one.


Autograph

He speaks with his hands
his knuckles bear the marks of her face
Each one has taken something-
her fearless smile
every open expression
her brightly mocking eyes-
even the upward swing of her chin
is smeared across his skin.

All these pieces of her
weight his fingers like
championship rings.

He hits her with his mouth
every word dances
like a boxer's swiftest jab
that finds its mark every time
with vulgar accuracy-
darkening and shadowing her soul until
she is half again last year's woman
the palest copy of a long-ago girl.

In the good times
his silence is full of screaming and
his sweetness is a portent.

Opem your eyes, look up to the skies and see...

Song of the Day!!!!

The song of the day comes to you from one of the cds I scored in the exchange this year. It is "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen, and it was from Leinani's cd. Thank-you to her for the resurgence of this song in my life. This song also ties nicely into...

...Story of the (back in the) Day!!!!

The movie Wayne's World came out when I was in grade 9, and I went with my friends into Lethbridge to see the movie. Of course, I loved it and because "Bohemian Rhapsody" was featured so very heavily in the movie, I embraced the song as well. I basically thought I had invented the song when my parents let me know that no, it had been around for awhile. I never did get much into Queen, but as I listened to the song again this morning, I was reminded of an experience I had with the song and HMV at the mall. At the time the movie came out, the song had a huge comeback, and it was everywhere. I happened to be in HMV a few months after Wayne's World was released. The song came on over the speakers, and every person in the store started to sing it. When it got to the infamous head-banging part, everyone in the store (including me...I was about 15) started dancing. It was actually a pretty significant occasion in my life. I had never been to a concert before, and to see people come together through music was exciting. I felt so cool to be part of that moment.

So, if you get a chance, listen to the song. Take yourself back. Enjoy something truly campy and spectacular.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2omuoO_hIbQ

A truly great start to the week!!

Did I say earlier that there would be no cost to me for the repair of my car? I apparently forgot about the most hateful word in the english language : Deductible. Actually, I am getting off pretty cheaply as the deductible (yuck!!) is only going to be $250. Still, that is $250 that will never see my Visa bill. After I talked to my insurance lady (who was actually very nice!!), I had a dark few minutes where I cursed the unknown driver who is actually responsible for my predicament. Then I realized that he/she will probably have to foot the entire bill for their damages (hah!). I also came to the conclusion that as trials go, this one is pretty minor. Plus, I really do need some sort of distraction from the month of waiting I have until I get any acceptance (yes?!!) or rejection (no thank you?) letters from the Universities I applied to.
I talked to both universities, and they both said end of March, beginning of April is the earliest I will hear. Kill me!!

Anyway, I am going to leave you with an excerpt from an article in the National Post about the cost of the Olympics. Something to think about, anyway...

During the Games While 100,000 free condoms had been provided to the roughly 7,000 athletes and officials staying at the village -- about 14 condoms per person -- the Village ran out of prophylactics on Day 13, forcing an emergency restocking. Read more: http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=2626214#ixzz0gwsKGxyH

Thanks, Universe for the cosmic slap!!

One and all: I would like to address your attention to my post yesterday which literally dripped and reeked with sunshine. Now, cut to me today sitting in the back of a police car. How did I get there, you may well reasonably ask.

The story, I am sorry to say does not involve me committing any crime. (I will assume that there has now been a collective sigh of relief). It does include me coming out of my building this morning and finding that someone had hit my car in the night, and left the back left side all crunchy. I called the police and my insurance company, and then bussed it to work. When I originally talked to the police station, they requested that I complete a report online. I was a bit loath to do this, thinking that they really couldn't do anything for me anyway. However, one of my concerned neighbors called the police as well, so they could contact me in case I didn't know about the "accident". The police did call me, and because I had not moved my car and there was still "debris" around it, they sent a constable to come check out the scene. One of my co-workers graciously drove me home to meet with him, and I got to sit in the back of the police car. I felt a little dangerous...

Anyway, I am now playing phone tag with the insurance company, but it seems as though they will be able to fix it with no cost to me, owing to the fact that it was a hit and run. So, hopefully a happy ending.

Let's hope that nothing else too crazy happens today. I am very fortunate that it all seems to be working out quite well. Plus, it is even nice weather for when I am carless, so taking the bus and walking will be enjoyable.

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! Drive carefully out there...

The result of cup-cakes for breakfast...

I have had a wonderful morning today and it is due to three very important factors:

1. It was light as I drove to work today!! I cam so excited for almost Spring, and I can't wait for the ever-approaching days when I can wake up with the sun. Right now that privilege is only reserved for Saturday and Sunday mornings when I sleep in to the unholy hours of 8:30 or 9:30 am. There is something so magical about laying in bed with the sun streaming in your window. Add a great book to the mix and you have one fantastic morning.

2. My breakfast was a peppermint and chocolate cupcake that Denise had got for me at Crazy Cakes. While this is not a very healthy breakfast, it is certainly a sweet one! Thanks to Denise for getting the cupcakes...

3. Weekly staff meeting at work. These are always enjoyable, but today we found out that one of my co-workers and his wife are expecting a baby!

Today being poetry day (another reason to celebrate this Thursday!). I am going to include a poem by Yeats. I had read it originally when I was in High School, and it has been a favorite ever since. I recently became reacquainted with it when I attended Jessica's Ariose concert a few weeks ago, and their choir sang a beautiful choral setting of the poem.

I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,
And a small cabin build there, of clay and wattles made:
Nine bean-rows will I have there, a hive for the honey-bee,
And live alone in the bee-loud glade.

And I shall have some peace there, for peace comes dropping slow,
Dropping from the veils of the mourning to where the cricket sings;
There midnight's all a glimmer, and noon a purple glow,
And evening full of the linnet's wings.

I will arise and go now, for always night and day
I hear lake water lapping with low sounds by the shore;
While I stand on the roadway, or on the pavements grey,
I hear it in the deep heart's core.

-William Butler Yeats

Thoughts about school and other stuff

I was thinking the other day that the Lethbridge College was a lot like high school. There are a lot of lockers, it's a small campus, and according to some of the instructors, a lot of the students are about as motivated as your typical high school student. I found something today that only cements my theory. Some one had written on one of the tables in the Centre Core, "School Sucks!". My first response to that is, "Why are you here, then"? I would like to think that College students are more mature than your usual vandalizer, and that they are making the choice to be at school. Say what you will about the students in our program, at least none of them are writing all over the school.

Well, on a more personal note, today is poetry day!! I wrote a poem yesterday, but I am not really satisfied with the first stanza. It doesn't seem to go with the rest of the poem. Hmm. I am going to put the working copy here, so you can see the creative process (or whatever), and then next week I will include the edited, revised, possible totally different version. No title yet...but then again, I am really bad at thinking of titles.

Enjoy!

I haven’t written for days-
My paper is cold and empty
(like your heart)

I tried exploring there
Tried to excavate
beneath the cool exterior

I wanted to feel the beating
bleeding chaos that you
hide so quietly

But my search was futile-
The messes you’ve left
Lie deeper than even your heart.

You have buried them in the earth-
Reached into the dirt and
Pushed them down

An offering for her heart.

A day in the life

The other day a friend asked me if I liked my job because it was different all the time. I realized that this is exactly why I like my job. While working with a variety of different people (students, instructors, the other members of my team), there is always something new and different happening.

Sometimes they are frustrating or negative events such as a student who feels like he needs to yell at me every time I suggest he do some homework. This same student loses or forgets his keys at least twice a month, and so I am on excellent terms with the security and information people, which is where he inevitably goes to panic. (He knows that if he comes and lets me know, that I have an extra key to his locker, I won't get that upset or worried, and heaven help us all, he loves the drama!)

On the other hand, sometimes I have a really great conversation with instructors about how much they like having one of the students in their classes. Sometimes I get to sit down with the other people I work with and hash out a specific problem one of us may be having. I get to see our students when they finish a long and complicated assignment (one in which I have usually invested a lot of time and effort myself), submit it, and get some great feedback. The pride and accomplishment that this brings makes every day worth it.

I spent years working in retail where money is god, the bottom line, and the final goal. I always wanted to work in a job where I actually helped people, made a difference. Now that I am there, I find it extremely rewarding.

So, bring on the challenges. They may want to make me tear my hair out, but at least they keep things interesting.

Looking ahead

So, I think the New Year is shapin' up pretty good. Ashley's wedding is coming up in May, and we are looking forward to that. Denise has a job, so she can start buying work clothes and competing for most stylish in the office again. (I already know she will win!) My parents are planing a big move to the great white north which they have wanted to do for many years. Our friend Travis is in school, with plans for even more education. I myself have applied to grad school in far off places, and have also set a life contingency plan in place if I don't get in.

This is a year for positivity. This is a year for moving forward. This is a year of independence. I am pretty excited, aren't you?

Recently, Laura commented on one of my favorite songs from my 2009 Year in Review cd, "The Sun will Rise" by Brendan James. The words are extremely apropos for the 2010 outlook:


The sun will rise the sun will save me
The sun will change me change the way I feel
The day will make this heart a fortune from the fruit of a hundred orchards
From the water rivers bring

The sun will rise the sun will save me from the night the sun will change me
Change the way I feel
I've had enough of the hard and harder times are tough and I've drifted farther
Farther from myself

I won't dwell baby on my failures
It won't help baby it won't bring changes
I won't run baby when all I want is to run
I won't forget the morning's sure to come

The sun will rise the sun will save me,from the night the sun will change me
Change the way I feel
The love I want the love I need is sure to come is sure to lead me
Lead me home again

The light is low the night is burning, my head is still but my mind is turning
Turning round again
If only I can make it through this lonely night if I can do this
If I can drift away

Then the sun will rise the sun will save me from the night the sun will change me
Change the way I feel

I live only to amuse others

So, here is a story from yesterday:

I was leaving the library when I saw who I thought was Ed Stelmach sitting at a table in the Centre Core. I can tell you, I was pretty darn excited. I went back into the library and asked the ladies if they knew who the gentleman sitting out there was. They told me it was Glenn Secretan, who is an instructor here at the College. I told them I thought it was the premier, and they got a pretty good laugh about that. But, seriously. He looks just like him.

I can't decide if this is a failing of my eyes, my good sense, or my ability to recognize our esteemed provincial leader. It could just be my insatiable desire to see a celebrity, any celebrity.

Whatever the reason, I at least gave the librarians a bright spot in their day.

Stuck in the Middle...with you?

So, here is a story from the weekend:

I was convinced by some of the ladies in my ward to attend the 31+ Activity on Friday night. It was a Games night, and so I went with a positive attitude and my very cutest shirt. Unfortunately, the games turned out to be a 1965 version of Scrabble, a 1943 version of Tile Rummy, and a not so rousing game of volley-ball. Now, let me illustrate to you my feelings of the volley-ball: More horrifying than a trip to the dentist, but not as awful as basketball. I somehow ended up playing, and as per usual, embarrassed myself fully. The best part of the game, nay, the night, was the gentleman who was always right behind me on the court. Every time he served, he would almost hit me with the ball, then come up and apologize whilst touching me. (Coincidence? I think not.) I kept thinking that he looked familiar, but I couldn't place his face. It wasn't until later, when I heard his name, that I realized he used to be a good friend's step-dad. Not only that, but his marital hi-jinks make Charlie Sheen, Spencer Pratt and every other dead-beat husband look like a knight in shining armor. Yeah.

The other man I met told me that he and my mom were in Institute together (yeah, that's gonna win points) and asked me some pretty personal questions about her.

In case I have not said it before, I am saying it now. I am done with those activities. Like dinner, yesterday's news, whatever. I am not giving up, I am just taking a break. Focusing on other stuff. Going back to younger men.

Does anyone want to come over for a viewing of "17 Again"?

"No regrets, no looking back, no good-byes"

So here it is: my track list for the 2009 Year in Review cd. After much debate, personal struggle, hair tearing, and battles with computers / itunes, I finally have chosen the songs that reflect my life this year. Good news, chilins, there are hopeful songs as well as ones that just might make you want to kill your self.

I discovered a truism this time around: the music really does pick you. I had so many ideas of how I wanted the cd to look, but certain songs just held on and would not be ignored. Only now, as I am giving it a listen from beginning to end, am I hearing some lines that I never noticed before.

So, if you get a chance, take a listen to any and all of these songs. They are all-age appropriate, so listen without guilty conscience. Who knows, you just may find some truth yourself. At least you will discover some pretty wonderful music.

"The Later Years...
...time to put away childish things"

1. Don't Stop Believin' - Glee Cast
2. No Envy, No Fear - Joshua Radin
3. Everyday People - Sly and the Family Stone
4. Incandescent - Rob Szabo
5. The Underdog - Spoon
6. All we ever do is say Goodbye - Jon Mayer
7. Puttin' on the Ritz - Fred Astaire
8. The Sun will Rise - Brendan James
9. Sleepwalkin' - The Good Lovelies
10. A Place called Home - Kim Richey
11. This is the Last Time - Keane
12. Cathedrals - Jump, Little Children
13. The Great Collapse - The Zolas
14. Where we gonna go from here? - Mat Kearney
15. Eyes - Rogue Wave
16. Come Thou Fount - Sufjan Stevens

You might not want to read this one...

I spent the other night doing something extremely self-destructive. At fist glance, it didn't seem to be so harmful, more like a casual stroll down the yesterday road, but memory is a very powerful thing. (I really hope that you're interest is peaked with this ridiculous build-up!)

I was at my parents house about a week ago, and my dad found my "special box" for me to go through. As I pulled out various pictures and keepsakes, I was bombarded with memories and feelings. Some of the items included: a recorder I got from my parents when I was in grade three, my handkerchief that I embroidered for the Cardston Temple dedication, a large green bottle that I have no memory of purchasing, a stuffed raccoon that had Jessica's name on it (oops!), many report cards from elementary and junior high school class pictures, and the best discovery of all, my journals from junior high and high school.

I took my journals downstairs with me to read before bed. I hoped to have a good laugh at my angsty rants and endless descriptions of boys who I liked. I was not disappointed with the latter. Each entry from junior high was filled with Baby-sitter's Club-like descriptions of the boy that I was obsessed with. Yes, obsessed. The saddest part was that I would describe every minute encounter with a boy, especially the one in question, in great detail. Unfortunately, due to my crippling shyness with the opposite sex in junior high, the meaningful moments almost always went a little like this:

"Today I saw (boy in question, I am sure Andrea will know who I am referring to) and he looked at me." There was never much more that this. Maybe a prolonged look after which we both "flicked our eyes away", a la The Fascinating Girl. I also ended each entry by writing, "I hope (boy in question) likes me.

Really? Really?

While Junior High merely made me want to vomit, High School was a little more thought-provoking. By then, my writing skills were somewhat more improved, but I expressed a lot of feelings which I have hoped never to feel again. In High School, I spent a lot of time being jealous of friends who always seemed to have no trouble dating, and my feelings of being left-out and left behind came rushing back. As I look at myself today, I like to think that I am a somewhat successful and self-adjusted adult who feels fulfilled with the life she has chosen / been blessed with. Unfortunately, that self-conscious and disappointed girl is there, just under the surface. She usually stays pretty hidden, but as I read through my experiences from that time, she came to the fore-front, and I am having a very difficult time keeping her at bay. As much as I would like to be happy with being single, sometimes I can't let go of those feelings of everyone else moving ahead with their lives, while I am left behind.

I think the moral of the story is to keep the readings to a minimum, and remember that I had a pretty great time in High School. I had some amazing friends, and I started a life-long friendship with my sister, Andrea. How grateful I was for her friendship then, and throughout the years.

I am considering instituting a regular series here on the blog, which would include excerpts from the slightly less embarrassing Junior High posts.

Is anyone interested?

"I don't care what your momma says..."

"...Christmas is almost here!"

So , its my last day of work for 2009!! I should really be doing some paper work, but it will still be here when I get back in January. I have got to have something to do before classes start, and as all of the students are registered, have schedules made, and know where their classes are, there will not be a lot to do on the 4th and the 5th.

We have not been working very hard at all today, mostly having a pretty good YouTube party with Christmas videos, movie trailers and wedding pictures. I am also leaving early today, so I can enjoy the incredibly sunny day!!

This is the first Christmas in 5 years that I will not be working on either the 24th or the 26th of December. I actually get 10 days off and I can not wait. Never mind that I just got back from a week's holiday in Disneyland!!!! I am getting my pictures from Jess and Adam in the next couple of days, and so I will be doing a Disneyland post with pictures, lists, and general wishes that I was still there...

Merry Christmas, everyone!!

About time for a rant

Dear NBC,

I am sorry that because I am a Canadian you think my opinions are irrelevant. Remember how you sent me an email that encouraged me to complete a survey about your programming? I do. Remember when you sent a few more emails which encouraged me even more to express my valued words? I do. Remember how I started the survey and answered several questions only to be "politely" declined because I do not currently live in the U.S.A? Yeah, I do.

You may find this hard to believe, oh great peacock, but there are people outside your country who watch your shows. There are even some in Canada: the rumours are only partly true...our igloos have t.v.s, and some of us even speak English!! We watch "The Office" and "30 Rock". Just so you know, I have stuck with you through some pretty bad times. Remember "Heroes", Season 3? Or, how you pulled the plug on "Scrubs"?

So, the next time I apply for tickets to see one of your shows, check the address I have entered before you send me a hundred emails asking for my input. Or, have the first question on your survey be "Do you live in the U.S.?". Either way, it saves me and you the hassle.

Yours, most sincerely,
Jenny Olsen
Canada

p.s. I really hate "Deal or No Deal".

A hodge-podge

So, I have started to kind of get into Hockey. Well, I am not memorizing players, or buying stupid amounts of paraphernalia, or wearing jerseys, or even watching any games. I am checking the rankings of all the teams every day, and making some friendly predictions about who will win each game that is played. I was right about 4 out of 6 of the games last night - find me a bookie, its time to make some cash!!

Also, for your information, San Jose is #1 in the western division, and New Jersey is leading in the east. (New Jersey!!!)

Last week I had a session with a personal trainer, Kloe, at the gym here at the College. She had done up a program for one of my students, and she is really nice. I signed up, and she developed a program for me to work out. To prepare, I have been doing about 15 minutes of cardio for the 3 weeks. Now, my program is 5 days a week, an hour on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and 40 minutes on Tuesdays and Thursdays. I did my first hour long yesterday (20 minutes or cardio and 40 minutes of weights and core strengthening). I will tell you that it was ridiculously hard, but I got through it by sheer will and a lot of anger.

I was having a really bad day yesterday, pretty mad about a lot of things. I realized I was a bit out of control after I pulled a Jessica and threw the proverbial glass of apple juice (in the form of a strongly-worded facebook message) into the face of someone else who didn't really deserve my anger that day. (Well, he kind of deserved it). When I went to the gym , I channelled that anger, and after I was done, I had a most relaxing and peaceful evening.

Anyway, along with my gym routine, I have decided to change my eating habits as well, and follow the Canada Food Guide. I think it will be a bit of work at first, figuring out serving sizes, but its not really a diet, more a healthy lifestyle change.

Please wish me strength and will power. Heaven knows I am going to need it.

My case for forgiveness...

I am sorry that I have been away for so long from ye olde blog site. I wish that I had good excuses but, true to me and my laziness, I do not. I do, however, have a few paltry reasons for my absence…please peruse them thoroughly before you judge and hand down a sentence for my crime of neglect.
So, to plead my (somewhat flimsy )case, I will provide a list (are you surprised?) of my justifications.

1. I have been helping to plan the Lethbridge Mid-Singles New Years Eve bash. I have had to rely on a group of people to plan this monstrosity, and what I originally conceived as a classy New Years Eve party has now become a dance. So. Not really where I wanted to go with it. I really just wanted a party where there were lots of activities and people could dance if they wanted to. However, the vision of the elegant evening I wanted to create doesn’t seem to be shared by most. Heaven help them, they only want to dance. It is nice to have help planning an activity, and I just have to sort of wash my hands of the event in the sense that I will gladly not take the credit for an evening that I really wouldn’t have planned if I had my choice.

2. I have been watching “Heroes”. I borrowed the first three seasons from a friend, and I remembered how much I loved, loved, loved season 1. I have gone into a Heroes hibernation, the likes of which have only been seen in such episodes as “The great Scrubs disappearance” or “The day we watched an entire season of Angel”. I will emerge soon enough. I am currently watching season 2, and it is nice to just skip through the parts I don’t really care about. I am only watching it to get to season 3, which I have not seen yet!! So, if you don’t see me, you can just blame it on my deep love for Peter Petrelli and Mohinder Suresh!!

Ok, so the list is pretty short, but there are a few other things that I really don’t want to talk about, and a few that I am keeping under wraps for the time being. Stay tuned, things will hopefully get pretty excited in the next couple of months. In the meantime, I will try my best to keep you updated and entertained.

For those who love a good muffin top!!

Just found this today and I have only one thing to say...

LOVE IT!!

An alternative Poetry Day

I am living in a very interesting type of Hell today. I can not get my high-school grad song out of my head. Now, I am sure that some of you have a few questions, and so I will do my best to address them now.

1. Why, Jenny, do you have that song in your head? Gentle reader, I would give away almost everything I own (excepting my seasons of "Scrubs" and my time-share in the X-files DVDs...I need something to do with my time when I become a shut-in) to know the answer to that question. The song has dug its way into my brain, in true X-file fashion.

2. How is it that, Jenny, you remember your grad song when you graduated almost 15 years ago? Well, I was one of the two very talented members of the threesome who wrote the song (yeah, you read that right!)

3. What is the song like, Jenny? There is only one thing you need to know about this song: It is an absolutely terrible piece of music, and I take a small share of the blame for my participation. The story of how "Next Step to Forever" came to be starts on an evening in my grade twelve year at the Temple Street Chapel where 3 people met to create a song that would represent the class of 1995. The song started out as a pretty terrible instrumental piece by a girl in our grade, and it was to be adapted (lyrics and a melody added) for the grad song. Having no music writing experience, I was not a lot of help with the melody. However, being an amateur poet, I felt myself equal to the task of being a co-librettist.

For your enjoyment and mirth, I am going to give you some sample lyrics of "Next Step to Forever", a song that has been performed only twice. The first was a few selected classmates and myself, accompanied by piano (and, heaven help me, I think organ as well) with the utmost sincerity, in May 1995 at our graduation ceremony. The second performance took place almost 2 years ago, featured only myself and the Concert Mate, and was sung for the pure delight of Denise and Eric Garner.

You will see that the title is Next Step to Forever. There was much debate about which preposition to use, to or is. I personally still wish we would have titled it
Next Step: Forever

Next Step to Forever

Our time has come
and it's like we are one
We've made each step together
Our next step is forever

Our search is on
We must step to where we belong
Stand tall and let them see inside you
And show what we can do

Time will go on for us to dream
may our hearts be ever seen
Let us stand tall with esteem

Love's all around
We must step to where it is found
The best is right here inside you
Your heart will guide what to do

We will be strong as we ca--rry on
We'll meet each day that comes
Our next step is forever.

You're welcome.

Winter wonder

Announcement:




I am doing up Christmas this year...DOING IT UP!! I can't wait to decorate, sing, bake, eat, and generally annoy my roommate and work colleagues with an overload of Christmas cheer. To get all of you excited, here are some Christmas images that are bound to thrill...

Yes, this is a picture of my very favorite Christmas cd. I will be playing it quite regularly, but maybe I will keep it to my car as not to drive Denise too crazy!

O.k., picture number two. I like this one cause that beard is UNBELIEVABLE (I couldn't believe it!!) This is one Santa who looks pretty real. Awesome!

I love this one because Santa and the reindeer are really cool. (How cool are they?) They are so cool that they are wearing sun-glasses and they are doing the awesome poser rap-style fold arms and lean. Yeah.

So, I think that I have saved the best for last. Nothing says Christmas like a bunch of dolls in front of fake food that they wouldn't be able to eat anyway. They do look happy, though.

So, I invite you all to share in my endeavor which I have forth-with dubbed "Christmas Crazy". Unfortunately, at the College, I am not allowed to use the word Christmas which leaves me with two alternatives:

1. Say it anyway and risk offending all and possibly being reprimanded or fired

or

2. Come up with an alternate name like "Season's splendour" or "Holiday hub-bub"

Please let me know which one you think I should do...