8 Items or Less, Please

I don't know if any of you have been to Superstore since they started renovating. I just popped in today and was saddened to see they have changed some of the signage. I specifically went to the far end just to get a giggle over their health food aisle because one of the signs used to read "Glutton Free". Now its back to just plain ol' "Gluten Free". Guess those celiacs are allowed to eat as much as they want again.

Sneak Peek

Last night was Roarin' success! The only downer? My camera batteries were DEAD!
So as I am currently up waaay too early, this is all you get for now.
Can you see me?

Carrying a Torch

As you are most likely aware, the Olympic Torch came through Kamloops the other day.
I didn't realize that it started in Valleyview, and had come to the conclusion that I would be working at its time of arrival, and therefore would miss this most exciting event.

Little did I know I had a date with destiny.

My mother was the one that informed me I would have a chance to view one of the runners before work, and she dragged myself and my brother off the couch to witness it.

We drove out through all the traffic, parked, got a hot drink, and arrived at the sidewalk in front of Valleyview Seconday just as the festivities began.

A few decorated cars were slowly going by, blaring music, with runners handing out flags and tambourines. (Tambourines?? Whaaat??)

Mom was rather exited, and got right into the spirit of things, clapping and doing a jig and such. Me? I wouldn't be caught dead doing what these people were doing.
Then it happened.

The coca-cola truck approached.
Whatevs, right? I mean, come on I don't even drink coke, and if given the choice, I'll drink Pepsi instead (please don't throw things at me).
But this was different.
I had my rooibus latte in one hand, and because I am an addicted blogger, I had my camera in the other. I focused in on the shiny red truck thundering by.

One of the runners turned.
I thought, "He wants to be in my picture. Isn't that nic-"

He started running towards me.
He smiled.
He thrust a coke bottle at me.
I juggled my belongings, to accommodate the new arrival.
I smiled.
Our eyes met.
This was IT.
And then he was gone.

Leaving only a token of his love for me to cherish forever.
I don't know your name, or where you are from, but I will never forget you, Mr Coke-bottle guy.
Love like this doesn't happen every day...


Oh ya, and we saw the torch bearer too.

She Knows Me Too Well

I used to be a pretty organized, schedule-loving, list-making, give-me-a-weeks-notice, kind of girl. But somewhere near the end of my teens (perhaps under the hippie influenced air of Quadra Island?) I began to let go of my uptight ways, and morphed into a more spontaneous, adventurous, "you-want-to?-ok-lets-go!" me.
Especially while living out in the boonies this past summer at Strathcona Park Lodge, where internet access was sketchy and cell phones get no reception, I became the person that would call at 9AM and say "Hey its my day off, and I'm driving into Campbell River now...wanna hang out?", or even more likely, 9PM, "Hey I just got off work and tomorrow is my weekend...wanna hang out?"
It was sort of a running joke between my friend Karissa and I, so I laughed when I received this birthday present in the mail.
Its perfect.

I Feel We've Had Breakthrough Today

One of my earliest memories is a scary one. Until today I wasn't even sure it was a real memory, or just a nightmare I had once.
Every so often this memory comes to me, and I think, "Man, that is so freaky..."
It is scene that plays in my head, where a tall male mannequin magically comes to life in a department store. That's all that I remembered, but when I was little it scared me SO much, that I can still picture the mannequin quite clearly in my head, and for years I was wary of mannequins when my mom took us shopping to The Bay.

Well, oddly enough while Kate was writing "Today's Special" on the chalkboard menu, one of the instructors walked by and said, "Wow! That's what that show was called. I was just talking to someone and trying to explain this old 80's tv show to them, but I couldn't remember the name. It was called 'Today's Special!"
I asked him what the premise of the tv show was. He told me it was about a mannequin that came to life at night.

It was a turning point in my life.

At last I can be assured that this sick and twisted vision was not of my brain's own making. Instead I was only traumatized as a young child.
Here is a youtube clip of the show. Its so weird seeing this after all these years....maybe now I can begin to piece my life back together.

Stagette

Poor Rishelle...
She didn't suspect that when we made her wear an ugly sweater and plaid pajama pants in public, it was only the beginning of the embarrassment.
Andrew G. watches from the safety of Starbucks, probably very glad he is male.
The beauty treatment begins...back-combing, hairspray, makeup....
Dang, she still looks good :)
But she's not too happy with her new style...or her assignment.
A shopping list of about 10 veeerrrrry embarassing items.
The "M.O.H", Kelsey is enjoying this a little too much. Does she realize this is all going to come back and bite her in the-
"But I can't do that!"

In her own words.
Haha! Your friends will always honk for you.
Party afterwards! Great gifts, like this pair of used Granny Panties from Value Village!

Liz, consider yourself lucky we were unprepared for yours! You got off waaaay too easy :)

When Common Sense Isn't

It took me a sec to get it, but this really cracked me up!

Culinary Quips

I didn't make these stories up. They either happened to me, or I overheard them.

~*~

Student: Where can I get an elastic band?

Teacher: Follow me, I'll show you.

Teacher leads student to the very back freezer.

Teacher: How much?

Student: How much what?

Teacher: Glace de Viande!

They claim after working in industrial kitchens for so many years, their hearing is effected.

~*~

Male Student overheard during class:

"Girls in the culinary course look totally different than other girls. Say, like, if a girl is doing like...sciences...or something...she will have her make-up perfect, be like...totally skinny...whereas in our course, the girls look like they really enjoy food, and like to eat, ya know?"

Flattered, I'm sure!

~*~

Student to teacher:

"Should I cut the cheese to order?"

~*~

Teacher 1 to Female Student: And when you line the lamb bones in the pan like this...there, you have a nice little rack.

Teacher 2: (chuckling) well that's a nice little compliment for you.

Female Student: OH MY.

Welcome to the world of culinary humor!

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!

Yesterday afternoon 6 good friends of mine and I went up to Robbins Range hills and spent a couple hours "tobogganing" in the snow! Thing is...we had two GTs between us.
It didn't take long for us to ditch the GTs, and step into the new latest thing: Garbage bags!
We poked holes in the bottom for legs and wore them like diapers! It was seriously the best! However we were slightly ashamed of our garb, especially in front of the large groups of snowboarders/snowmobilers gathered around fires at the bottom, so we found a great spot up behind the first hill, where we were mostly hidden from view. It was great. The most fun was when we would all join up in a train...the speed we picked up was amazing!
Whenever the odd snowmobile or snowboarder would come by, we would all flop to the ground and laugh SO hard, hoping they wouldn't notice our, erm, unorthodox sleds.
Later on we became more creative with our bags. Soon it turned into a full-out fashion show! We had tube-top, halter, and off-the-shoulder styles that were so hot the snow was melting...
After much fun and laughter, it started to get dark and we decided to head on back home. We decided on a grand finale: we would make a train slide down the big main hill in front of everyone.
We would prove to the world that we were not ashamed of our garbage bags; they are obviously a superior method of sledding. Ok, maybe SOME of us were ashamed, but we were peer pressured into it.
It would seem that our embarrassment was meant to be. Our train would NOT slide. We inched down the hill, laughing SO hard. When we finally reached the bottom and were packing stuff into the car, Rebekah couldn't get her backpack off-- her clip had frozen shut! Then, as we were about to drive away, a girl knocked on the car window and offered us a glove that had been dropped. And THEN we almost got stuck in the snowbank trying to get onto the road again!!!

Nevertheless is was a lot of fun, and a great memory!
Moral of the story: Garbage bag sleds are awesome. You should try it sometime!

Jill: Through The Ages

I think my brothers and I went trick or treating maybe 3 times since we moved to Kamloops. After that, I never had an outlet for my weird fascination with costumes and "dressing up".
Maybe that is why I was suddenly driven to www.yearbookyourself.com tonight. I needed to have a good laugh at myself ...

I bring to you, Jill Coulter, age 20, year 2000 AD.
Those bangs are amazing. The curling iron definitely belongs to my mom though.

1998: this isn't even too bad. I always wondered what I would look like with a little bit of curl in my hair.
Stepping further back in time now, to 1996...I distinctly remember my mom looking like this when we were kids. Scary.
I could be McGyyvers girlfriend with hair like this. Its 1994, and I've just had my weekly perm done. The resting-chin-on-hand is one sexy pose. I'm also a fan of the padded jacket.

Back in 1990 I was still getting into my perm routine, so this is mostly just the work of a curling iron and hairspray.
Ahhhh....the '80s. Those were the days. Shoulder pads were THE thing, I tell ya.
I'd like to forget 1984 ever happened. Please.
Now THIS is hot stuff. Gotta love 1980.
Not sure what's going on here, guys. After all, this is 1978.
A personal favorite. I think I would have done well in the '70s. Particularly '78.

Or maybe not. '74 wasn't good for anyone though...right? RIGHT?

This is more like it! Look at that saucy grin. Look out world, its 1972!
1970: Someone please strangle me with those fake pearls.
Wowee! I had a neck in 1968!
Oh boy...OH BOY. We need to bring '66 back, guys. Who's with me?
'64...an atrocity. What the heck was going on.
The best thing about this 1960's photo is the collar.
Yup, I was definitely meant for the 50's. It doesn't get any better than this.

I think I will go weep now.

Beans on Toast

It was in the early days of my arrival that I first learned of this 'miserable vomitous mass', also known as a common British "dish". I don't remember exactly how it came about, but everyone was amazed I had never heard of Beans on Toast...absolutely amazed.
It is a staple over here. Everyone eats and, and even stranger....everyone likes it.
There's no trick to it. It is simply your choice of bread, toasted, and doused in the contents of a can of warm Heinz baked beans. YUCK.
I've even seen it on cafe menus.
It is primarily served at breakfast, but it is also eaten as a snack. Or, like Mark you may have "lived" on Beans on Toast during the 'starving student' university years. (and he still likes it.)
I can't quite wrap my mind around how this...stuff...could appeal, especially in the morning hours.
Since I've voiced my opinions on the subject (as politely as possible) its been a running joke for quite some time that I will "have to" eat it before I leave.
I've evaded it for months.
Last night was Emma's birthday sleepover and after a long sleepless night on a tiny couch, I sat down to breakfast....and with a huge grin and a camera on hand, Sue handed me my plate:
Beans on Toast.
"Ooooh nooooo!"
Since it WAS Emma's birthday, I am leaving soon, and I'm such a good sport, I did manage a mouthful or two.
They all giggled and snickered and snapped my picture (I looked absolutely stunning by the way).
The fans were satisfied, but I still don't like Beans on Toast.
I still think its absolutely awful.

Oops!

This week I had the pleasure of enjoying the Kilworth community children's drama performance. My two little friends, Kerry and Lee, had a few bits to perform each and I recognized a few other kids from here and there as well.
The evening was entertaining (to say the least) and afterwards I was chatting with one of the mom's from our mothers & toddlers group, and since I had only met her youngest who wasn't in school yet, she started pointing out the others.
"I think I saw your oldest on stage," I said gesturing at a rambunctious 9 year old with long blonde hair, "She looks a lot like you."
There was an awkward pause.
"'She' is a boy." Miriam said finally.

Ah.

Three Reasons I Shouldn't Be Allowed...

To live on my own:

1. Eating out at places called "The Humble Spud" sounds SOO much more appealing than cooking for myself!
2. I might have died, cold and wet, trapped in my shower when the door sealed shut and no matter how much I pushed it wouldn't open.
3. I lost my house key within 48 hours of receiving it.

I'm surprised really, that anyone has ever taken me seriously after all the ditzy-ness I come up with! After all the embarrassing and stupid things I've done, its a wonder that I've survived to be 19. Much less that I've somehow managed to travel across the world, and live on my own...

That's right folks...this weekend I moved out!

I'm living in a little boarding house on the main stretch of road through Fermoy (I'll put a picture up later...for now, here is my room). I have a nice bedroom & ensuite to myself, and I share a living room and kitchen with the other boarders. There are 3 single boarders upstairs, and a Polish couple living in the suite down the hall from me. I haven't seen any of them yet, as I am home most mornings, and out most nights...the opposite of their hours I guess. I've heard evidence of the Poles though...loud Polish techno, and some Nelly Furtado :P
It sounds like people are always coming and going, and they are all "foreign" like me, so who knows- if I ever meet them face-to-face I might make some travel buddies!
So far independence suits me pretty well, even dealing with the little disasters like getting trapped in the shower! :P
I did my first big Grocery Shop today, and it was kind of fun. I tried to get practical, healthy things, but I did succumb to buying nacho chips and hummus. It could be worse.
Also I FINALLY got my whole laptop fiasco sorted. I think/hope. First I had the wrong converter. So I bought a new one. Then it was no internet, and I got my wireless thing. Then my converter died. So I bought a new one. Then that one died. So I returned it. That was last week. Today I went to the computer place and a nice Canadian guy (ahhh, the sweet North American accent....never thought I'd say that.) told me all I needed was this wire with a different plug end on it. So that is what I have now, and it seems to be working just fine. So hopefully my technology troubles are over!!! I'm back in action :) So hopefully I can catch up on emails/facebook this week!!

I'll be working on my huge Sunday School projects as well, and doing the usual stuff...also going on some more walks, hopefully to a place called Glenabough Forest. Sounds nice. So that's me.

Here's the rest of the stories:

1. The Humble Spud has appealed to me from the moment I laid eyes on its vintage little sign. Today I stopped in after grocery shopping, and I did eat a chicken burger there. It was good. But the cashier was grumpy...so its a toss-up. I might go back, or I might make myself some rice with sweet n' sour chicken.
2. After about 10 minutes of alternate hysterical laughing and panic, wondering if I was ever going to get out, or if I would be found dead, sprawled on the shower floor in a week, I pulled at the rubbery siding thing in the middle of the shower door, and it popped open. I don't think I will ever be brave enough to close it all the way again...
3. There I was standing at my door with a huge bag of groceries, my shoulder bag of misc. items, and my purse, going through them all a million times thinking "OH NO! How am I going to tell her that I lost my keys already?!", and after standing around like a fool for 5 minutes, I remembered I had put it in my wallet. Yay.

Made Me Laugh

So I was looking around the Internet for some fun t shirts (since I can't find any in the mall grumble grumble) and when I was browsing through one site I saw "Christian" as one category.
And I thought to myself, what would a funny Christian T-shirt look like? Would they all be really lame or cutesy?
Admittedly, some/most of them were...
But there were a few that made me laugh! Check them out...







I think those last three were my favorite!
ps. please don't be offended...its all in good fun!