The One Where The Parents Leave

Yup. My parents are off to Ontario for three weeks and I'm living the lonely life...again! It's weird, I mean, I lived by myself for 7 months when I was in Sextown but living here in the city is just something totally different. Sure, there's my dog here and nothings ever happened in all 19 years we've had this house, but still...it's just creapy! Annelise and/or Stephanie might come stay with me for a few nights and I am working shift work right now so it's not like I am home all the time.

On a lighter note, things are going pretty good here. I mean, I live my rents and we are all still alive! It's been three full months now of not being in school and I AM HAPPY!! For a while, I've been trying to figure out what I want to do with my life...maybe I am suffereing from a mid-life crisis lately or something but I just feel like I should be doing something. I dunno, I've considered going into nursing (2yr LPN Program here at the Uof A) but then I started thinking about being an Au Pair. Holly went to Switzerland before she got married to Matt and she loved it. Right now it's a little tricky to find a good place to go and to find a good family. There are tons and tons of websites on the internet for Au Pair-ing but it's really something to take seriously. If you go through an agency you are protect (ie: If the family turns out to be crazy or something the agency will pull you and put you with a different family INSTEAD of when you go through the automated internet service you aren't protected). It's a pretty sweet deal you can get in different countries and there are some really nice (and rich) families out there looking for good Au Pair. Being a Christian is also something many people are looking for because they know Christians have morals that they stick too. I am really excited about it and mostly because I have never really been the person to make dreams for myself and now I finally have a plan! I hope to leave August of 2008. There are a few places I have preferenced but I am open to suggestions!

The One With The Resturant Politics

Oh, the joys of serving has just returned! I love SERVING!! Today was my first day back in the act of serving! And boy and boy, have I ever missed it! I really enjoy serving and I would like to think that I'm an alright server! After 3 days of long drawn-out book training, I finally got my shot at the tables! It's very different serving in the Olive Garden than serving at the Hut. Let's decifer the differences here between the two.

Positives and Negatives of the OG
+ You can only have three tables at a time, allowing your cutsomers the attention they need.
+ The tips are way better because the service is top-notch
+ Managers assign the sections
- You have to tip out
- You do not have an ending time on your schedule
- Don't really know anyone, but I guess that will come...

Positives and Negatives of the Hut
+ I know EVERYONE
+ You don't have to tip out
+ You can leave when your shift is over
- You can be stuck with 20 tables and no one cares
- The tips aren't the greatest
- I had to assign all the sections and everyone fought over them all the time

So, the joys and frustrations of serving have returned, but don't get me wrong...I love it! Serving is defintely something that you either live for or hate. My advise, don't get into it if you can't take people yelling at you for others mistakes!

The One Where Spring Has Sprung

You know it's spring when people are outside! This weekend I made a random trip up to GP again and ended up staying with Matt and Holly for Saturday night. Then on Sunday morning Holly and I decided we needed to get outside so we went out to the driveway and started chipping away at the foot thick ice on their driveway. Okay, it's not a foot but it seriously was so thick! You know when you are just having fun and not thinking that you are really 'working'. Well, I definitly am feeling the pain of that Sunday now! I am sore EVERYWHERE! It was really entertaining though. For awhile I was the 'foreman' of the operation and the Katelyn babysitter, but then Holly decided she wanted to be the 'foreman' and put me on ice chipping duty. It was really fun but now I am in some serious pain! My forearms, and my abs are so sore! I blame Matthew for that. He was such a 'drill-sargent'! "Oh come on, we only have half the drive-way left", "We're almost done...(NOT)!" Either way, the weekend was awesome and we have quite the drive-way to show for it! Love you guys!

Aside from the Hildebrants...I hung out with many people I haven't hung out with in a while, so that was so sweet! Thanks for all for a great weekend, yet again!

The One With The Olive Garden

Update ALERT! I no longer work at the insurance place but am currently a waitress at the OG (AKA Olive Garden)! It's so rad. Sure I've only had one day of orientation and one day of book training, buit it's sweet! Here's the deal. I started at the OG on Saturday and watched the videos that everyone has to watch (you know the secruity, food safety, etc.). Then on Monday I went for my first official paid day as a waitress at the OG! Basically the OG is a a classy family resturant. It's not a really formal place but it's quite professional. As the saying goes..."When you're here...You're family"! We did extensive menu training last night. It's intense! I basically have to learn the Italian language and the Italian accent. It's pretty neat though. It's crazy because the customers don't really know the correct way to say the menu items and so you have to correct them with the proper Italian way! It's sweet though and the people there are really funny and goof-balls. Love it! Hospitaliano!

The One With Grande Prairie

Yeah, that's right! I just returned to Sexsmith for the weekend but it was much to short of a trip!! Here's the weekend in a quick run-down...

Thursday - Annelise and I arrived in Sex-town at about 8pm. We hung out at Matt and Holly's house until about 10pm when we went into GP to drive Annelise to Mel's house, where she was staying for the weekend. We picked up Doug and Sam along the way and went to good 'ol Tim Horton's for some ROLL UP THE RIM adventures! After that we headed home to Sex-town for beddy-by!

Friday - I hung out with Holly for the majority of the morning and made a quick stop in the DH for some good ol' catching up with some friends. Then I went back to Holly's and Annelise and Doug came over for some good ol' chick-flick Session. Yeah, that's right. Doug likes chick-flicks!

Saturday - Came way to soon considering I met up with Danielle, Marc and Shawn for breakfast at 8AM!! After that I went to Doug's and bummed around for the day. Then we headed into town for supper, went to the Storm's game and watch 'The Good Shephard'. (VERY SLOW)

Sunday - Instead of going to church like a 'good-girl', I opted out to chill with Matt and Holly and Dr. Mario (of course). And just like always, I GOT MY BUTT KICKED. In all fairness, I'm pretty sure that Holly and Matt don't do anything BUT play Dr. Mario so that's okay that I loss. After the Dr. Mario session, I headed into town for lunch (PIZZA HUT!!!) and then came back to Doug and Shane's for some good ol' quality time session!

The One With The New Years

Yeah, yeah, yeah. These are late but there are some really cute pictures in here!! Stephanie and I went with Shannon and two of her friends out to Joey's for supper (so good but so expensive) and then went to watch the non-existant fire-works. Here's what we did. We really wanted to watch the fire works from the top of these towers and yet we dind't want to be with lots of people. We were on the top of the parkade about 20minutes before the fire-show started and we thought that we were SOOOOOOO lucky because we were the only ones on the blue side of the towers. There were two towers, the blue one (dead as a door knob) and the yellow (over-populated). We were geniouses!! Alone and able to enjoy the show! WRONG!!!! Because of the distance we were from the actual fire-show...WE COULDN'T SEE ANYTHING! None-the-less, we still had a ton of fun and here are the pictures to show it!

THE GANG

YEAH...WE'RE IN A BOAT!

ME AND SISTER-BEAR

The One With The Engagement Party

The One With The Engagement Party

There isn't too much to say about this day. The pictures do most of the talking but one thing I do want to comment on is Adam and Stephanie's future children. Now, if you take a look at this picture you will see that Stephanie barely reaches Adam's shoulders. Their children are going to be insane! Either...


Short, little midget kids with huge heads

OR

Tall, built kids with small heads


I know, my poor little "Boble-headed" nieces and nephews. But that's okay, because they are going to be the most loved and spoiled little "Boble-headed" children.

The One With Kickle

Oh my goodness. I've discovered the joy of GAMING! I was at Annelise's house, she does homework and I play games, and she taught me to play the WHICKEDEST game EVER!! It's a game where you are this little guy and you need to freeze these little slugs and then KICK them into the water so to build a pathway to the money bags. Yeah, I know, my description doesn't do justice to the game but if you want more details let me know. Here's the sad part of being a 'new-found gamer'. I started playing KICKLE at 8:30 Saturday night and didn't go to bed until 3:30am Sunday morning. For all those out there who will make fun of me for being a 'gaming nerd' here's my comments....I DON'T CARE!!! I LOVE KICKLE!

The One Where Two Tires Blow

Yeah that's right. I'm afraid to say it folks, but the City of Edmonton has let me down once again. I was on my to bring Steph's little sister Ruth home, (read next blog to discover what we were doing...) and we were just having a gay ol' time when..BAM BAM. No word of a lie. TWO TIRES!! Both on the passanger side were blown. And, yes, I am going to blame this on the city! A pothole, large enough to pop TWO TIRE should not go unnoticed by the City of Edmonton. Let's be honest here people, sure there are a lot of potholes in the city but if you look at the pictures you will see my front tire and my back tire place nicely back in the hole. As you can see, it's HORRIBLE!! My brother, God bless him, came to save the day and get me some new tires but when I went to pick them up the guys at the Kal Tire were like 'What the heck happened to your rims? We had to pound them back into a circle!" Yeah, that's what happens when you don't fix POTHOLES! And you can be sure that I will be giving the city a nasty little phone call. But, I will OF COURSE be Christian about it.
FRONT TIRE IN HOLE








BACK TIRE IN HOLE

The One With The Waterpark

$7!!! Yeah, that's right! West Edmonton Mall Waterpark for only $7!! Annelise and I, along with my bro and his fiancee and a bunch of other "Dutch People" all headed to WEM to cash in the cheapest night ever! Not only did we hit the waves but we went on the slides with our tubes and almost died. I swear, the sides on those slides are not high enough. While on the twister, I could totally feel the edge of the tube on the top of slide. Let me tell you....I WAS SCARED! I used to have a Super Summer Attraction Pass when I was a little bit younger but ever since cockroches were discovered in the waterpark, I haven't been able to bring myself back to that place. Annelise was hilarious about making sure we didn't walk around without shoes when it was possible. Aside from the adventurous waves, Annelise tried to flirt with one of the lifeguards so he would open the other tube ride. Yeah, it didn't work. Nice try though!

Tonight was also Bethany's 19th birthday! She had a bunch of friends with her so we didn't get to hang that much, but lets be honest, she's been here for the last 3 weekends! You might as well move here DEAR! Well, I still love you and I hope you had a kick butt birthday weekend! Man, her and her friends stayed at the Fantasyland Hotel for the night...I'M JEALOUS!!

The One With The Calgary Flames

!!!!GO FLAMES GO!!!!

Yeah, It's true. Until the arrival of Ryan Smyth #94 back in Edmonton (WHERE HE BELONGS...) I will be a Calgary Flames Fan. I know, it's unbelievable but let's be honest here...without the help of #94 (AKA: The Heart and Soul), we are doomed. I will return to my post as an avide Edmonton Oilers Fan the day Ryan Smyth returns, whether as a part of the team or on the rafters. I regret my desicion to those who are Anti-Calgary fans, but this is what it has comes too. Feel free to comment on the Ryan Smyth deal...or just pay your respects to the Edmonton Oilers dream of a Playoff Spot.

!!!!RYAN SMYTH, AN OILER FOREVER!!!!

"The Islanders have given me that opportunity . . . and I'm going to go there and do my best to make the playoffs and win that Cup, so I can bring it to Edmonton - because that's where my heart is." ~ Ryan Smyth, #94

The One With The Rascal Flatts Concert

Hey there devoted readers! Oh my goodness! I don't know if I can put into words what this last weekend was like. Here's a quick summary and I will include some photo's with captions once I recieve them.

Friday - The One With The Arrival

After attending a seminar for work, I returned home and anxiously awaited the arrival of Marc and Meaghan! They finally rolled in around 10:30 am and the party began. After unloading the truck and venturing inside we soon found our respective beds and ventured into LALA-land so we could be well rested for the next day's adventure.

Saturday - The One With The Shoes and Flatts

Morning came with quite the bang at 9:53am as Marc decided it was time for us get up and header to the mall, West Edmonton Mall! We were on a mission to buy Meaghan a pair of shoes. Black, heeled and closed toed. Simple one would think?!?! NEGATIVE! "Those have bows"..."$200?!?!?"..."heels too high".."not enough heel"...and the list goes on, and on, and on, and ON! We started at Payless on the Westside of the mall and guess where we ended up, after looking at 50 different shoes stores. You guessed it: At Payless at the Westside of the mall. And to make matters worse, the final chosen pair of shoes were the same pair looked at in Grande Praire the week before. After spending three hours shopping for shoes, after which I wore out my shoes looking for shoes, I now need a new pair of shoes.

We were off to Ikea (The Happy Place)...but not without our bouncy balls which we found at Old Navy for 25 cents! I just have to go on a rant here about the deal on Hot Dogs. Here's the deal...TWO HOT DOGS AND A POP FOR $1.75. Sounds like a great combo deal, right? WRONG! Hot dogs cost $0.50 each, and a pop is $0.75. Upon doing the math we discovered 2 Hot Dogs @ $0.50 each equals $1.00 and 1 pop @ $0.75 equals $0.75. Total that together you get...$1.75!!! Not a deal at all! Okay, back to the point...IKEA! After trying out all the showrooms (toliet and bathtubs included, pictures and captions included later) Marc was sentanced to "holding onto the cart", Meaghan's order! AFter our adventure at the "Happy Store" we were off to pick up Jordanna and header to the concert!

Oh the concert! My description of the concert will not to justice to it so I will leave it at this...KICK$%^ Best concert I have ever been too, only been to two (Shania Twain when I was 15 but none the less.) It's just too bad they didn't plan "Moment's" (you know that one with the guy on the bridge?) eh Meaghan?

Sunday - The One With The Copy-Cat Day

Okay. First I must ask. Have you ever heard of French cereal?!?! Because this morning, Meaghan (oh sweet Meaghan) had, for the first time, Frech Alphabits! (Yes, this is an inside joke and to spare Meaghan the imbarrassment, I will not devulge anymore information) Yesturday we did the whole mall and Ikea thing. Today, it's the mall and Ikea all over agian! This time we did different adventures. Here's a list of what we all did...Sea Cavern Adventure, watched the Sea Lion Show, drank Bubble tea (WIERD!!!) and went on the Santa Maria to take pictures. Much fun was had!

After the mall it was back to Ikea so Meaghan could buy a bunch of stuff for her future house!!! As tradition goes, (a new tradition begun the day before), Marc and I headed to the hot dog place to get the "sweet deal combo". After our quick visit to the Happy Place we headed home to pick up Chinese Food and then Marc and Meaghan had to header home! By far one of the best weekends since I moved down south!!!

The One With Some Friends of Bear

Doug

He's the type of guy that will allow you to come into his house, bawl your eyes out and then leave. Then after you leave he calls you a "Basket-case" and tells you he "Loves your butt"! Not the literal butt, but it's some sort of saying he's developed.

Jon and Jordanna

Jordanna and Jon. They are adorable!! Just look at the way they Smile! So happy together and just the cutest EVER! If we could vote on the most adorable couple, THEY WOULD WIN! Jordanna came to PRBI from Manitoba! She's a crazy girl but a heart of gold. And Jon, well his just CRAZY! Man, I love these two and can't wait to see where God will bring them together!

Bethany

The world's greatest cousin. When Adam and Stephanie got engaged, I think she was more excited than me (if that's possible)! She's always been a little sister to me, and don't worry Bethany...now that Steph's in the picture, there's still room for you to be the "Little Sister I Never Had".

Kevin and Lauren

The new couple around PRBI but still super sweet. I discipled Lauren for a semester while I was still up at school and Kev, well, he's a kickbutt soccer player! These two are adorable and I can't wait to come see you guys again!

Chelsea

Ah Chelsea. What can be said about Chachi? Well, she's a loyal friend that I love so much. There is nothing in the world that I would trade for her friendship! Words don't do justice to you Chach! I LOVE YOU!

Sam-Ho

As one of the originators of putting the "FACE" at the end of Bear...what more could be said? We did stats together for a year and had the greatest time of our lives! I love you SAM-HO and can't wait to see you again!

The Hildebrants

Ah, the Hildebrants! Holly, the best friend anyone can ask for...Matt, the husband of the best friend anyone can ask for...and Katelyn, the best fake-neice anyone could ask for! You guys are the greatest and I love learning from you two! You are a huge blessing to me. I can garuntee that Katelyn will be mentioned in every blog of mine, I love her so much!

The One With The Tribute To Moms

Well, this is day two of my blog and I can't believe how many people posted comments on my blog ALREADY! I love you all! It's so awesome to come online and see that people have commented on your blog! It can almost be compared to getting a page-long e-mail from a friend you haven't talked to years. The blogging world is AWESOME!

So, today was full of wedding plans, not mine but Steph and Adam's! Stephanie and I have been talking wedding NON-STOP! It's so awesome to get to be involved and help with the planning. We are in the process of searching for a a place to have the wedding and also a photographer. OH MY! Stephanie found this guy that she wants to be her photographer and he is AMAZING! Man, his portfolio is so sweet and he does such crazy photo-manipulation it's UNREAL, but so sweet. I didn't know how much you can do with digital pictures, it's going to be wicked! Here's a link to his website! Check out his pictures, http://www.harmsphoto.com/index.html I told her about this wedding invitation I saw once with those black and white pictures you take in the photo-booths. They were so simple and so original. If any of you have avid readers have wedding ideas feel free to pass them on. It's pretty crazy how much really has to be done. I still can't believe my brother is getting married! I mean, that's forEVER...no looking back! So final, but so sweet.

Lately some things I've been learning is just to be content with where I'm at. I had the weirdest experience the other day that really hit me to appreciate where I am at in life. I was walking through the mall with Holly and holding Katelyn when Holly needs to use the facilities. So, being the greatest fake-auntie I can be, I tell her I will watch Katelyn. So I'm sitting there, playing with the cutest child EVER, and it hits me. What a job it is to be a parent! I mean, sure I can watch Katelyn for five minutes, maybe even for a few hours, but when she starts to cry (which never happens when I hold her because I'm her favorite fake-auntie) I can just hand her back to Holly and PRESTO - my job is done. Think about this. When you’re a mom, you don't get to hand the baby to anyone, you are the one that had to deal with the crying baby. Sure, you have that special touch because you are the babies mom, but still it's got to be tough sometimes. I mean, it's something that you have to full devote yourself to. I just have been thinking about this a lot lately and I've realized that being a mom isn't the easiest job nor is it always fun to have to put your life on hold the second the baby cries or wets itself. Being a mom is such an honorable job that I just wanted to bring attention to those who are moms and just to remind those of us who aren't moms to encourage those who are.

The One With the First Post EVER

Hey everyone!! I've finally joined the world of BLOGGING! It seems anyone who's anyone does it so i figured, "WHY NOT?". So let's start by explaining the address to those who don't konw me as "Bear". Back in the day, about 2 summers ago I went to a camp called "Sunnybrae Bible Camp". This was the type of camp that had 'nicknames' and, long story short, I got the name "Bear" because I working at a Bible camp called "Bear Lake Bible Camp". Funny eh? Well, ever since then I have been referred to as "angry bear", "sad bear", "dirty bear" (thanks for that one doug), "crazy bear" and really any other adjective you could put in front of a name. I really have fallen in love with the name and I call myself that all the time! It's really entertaining and totally fits my personality. So sweet.

Here's a quick review of my life in the last two months or so. I left Sexsmith (I know! I know! No one ever thought the day would come, but it did!) I am now a receptionist for an Insurance Company, well a Broker anyways. I really love my job and there are some really fun people that I work with! I attend a church on Sunday nights called "Millwoods Pentacostal Church" and its really sweet because there are so many young peope there. I think they average like 300 people a week. It's a great place to meet people but sometimes the emphasis is to strong on the "meeting people" part. Oh well I guess you will never find a "Perfect Church", but if I did, i would be the pastor that's for sure!

The biggest news in my life if the engagement of my brother, Adam, to his girlfriend, Stephanie Stewart!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Man, it was such a sweet weekend I almost can't explain it! Adam called me at 6:30am just to tell me that he was going to ask Stephanie to marry him. HOW SWEET! They went to Jasper for the day and while overlooking the Athabasca Falls he popped the question and OF COURSE she said YES! That was when the jumping and screaming started and I'm not sure when it going to end. The wedding is in October on their one year anniversary, the 27! I can't wait. And yes, I am a BRIDESMAID!!! I can't wait! I am so happy for them I can't put it into words! Stephanie is the most amazing chick I have every met! I couldn't think of another girl more suitable for my BIG BROTHER!!

Well, I guess I should start announcing my blog to my peeps so everyone can post lots and lots of comments! Love you all and I hope to hear from you soon.