December 3rd, 2013

Hey Everybody!

Sorry for no posts for a while. Life has been super busy with school and when I don't have school, it's sorority stuff, and in my rare moments of free time I'm usually with Loring. Right now however, it's a snow day here in Lethbridge and classes have been cancelled.

So an update on what's been going on! I've sent off my Entry Visa application to the Belgian consulate in Montreal. I've purchased my plane ticket (for a decent price too I might add, before tax, a round trip flight with only one stop from Edmonton to Brussels is $450!). I'll be taking 6 classes over in Belgium in order to qualify for 4 courses back here. It's not too bad but I'd rather they all transfer back. Because of this I'll be 2 courses short of graduating Spring 2015 (which was my goal) and if I take a Co-Op Internship to get some work experience before graduation that'll push that date back a bit further. So I think I'm going to aim for Spring 2016 now; completing a 4 year degree in 5 years isn't that bad and that way I'll have work experience and international experience. Plus I goofed 2nd year on my TD loan and can get another $10,000 for that "5th" year as well.

Right now I'm beginning my finals so I've been attempting to study when I can. Although my marks throughout the semester have been so good that I can basically just show up (only write my name) and pass the courses with a minimum of 62% (which is all I need for it to count in my degree). This takes away from my stress load immensely! I'm still studying, don't worry, but I'm not freaking out about it as well.

I've started packing up my room. I'll be moving out on the 19th of December. I have a storage locker in West Side Storage waiting for me so that's wonderful, I won't have to lug everything back up to Stony and attempt to find a place to put it all there. It's weird because there is now nothing on my walls or my shelves. My room feels very empty.

I'm sorry to say but Ashley (my biological little sister) lost her rabbit a week or so ago. Butterscotch was 9 and she was a lovely rabbit; although little skiddish. Ashley also turned 18 November 18th. It was her champagne birthday (turn the same year as the date you were born) but I doubt anyone knew.

My friends and sorority sisters are having a "going-away" party for me this Saturday. We are going to Moxie's for dinner then to Essies (one of the clubs in town that play some country music) for some dancing.

Loring was down last weekend. We went to Catching Fire (the 2nd Hunger Games movie), and we watched the 50th Anniversary Special of Doctor Who 3-D in the Cineplex. He is coming down for a final visit here in Lethbridge December 15th. We're going to celebrate his champagne birthday because I'm going to be missing it. I'm going to make him a nice supper and dessert and then we'll probably go dancing or watch movies or something. We'll be celebrating both our birthdays together sometime early January before I leave though. He's also coming up to Stony Plain on the 20th -24th for an early Christmas and I'll be driving down to Medicine Hat December 27th - January 2nd for New Years. Unfortunately I'll be missing Uncle Les & Auntie Jean's Christmas dinner again, which I'm upset about.


Nothing much aside from all that really. Life has been super busy and I haven't really had a chance to do anything.

November 9th, 2013

So this weekend I'm in Medicine Hat for Loring's grandparents 60th Wedding Anniversary and his grandfather (same one)'s 90th birthday. This is also the grandfather he was named after. It was a busy weekend and I was only too happy to help out (which apparently made a very good impression on the family). We all went to the church to set up the night before, then Loring, Victor (Loring's younger brother) and I met up with one of Loring's friends from high school and his girlfriend and we all went to Thor 2:The Dark World. It was opening weekend but we got good seats and didn't have to wait too long in line.

His grandparents had a "come-and-go" tea for the Anniversary. We served sandwiches and squares for lunch, and ham and scalloped potatoes for supper. There was also a beautiful cake! I met most of the family that I hadn't up to that point which was nice, but basically after introductions it was obvious that everyone wanted to know how Loring & his siblings were so I went back into the kitchen and started on dishes with Rachel (Loring's cousin). I also made sure the square trays were well stocked. Apparently this made a really good impression on his aunts and the rest of his family, including his older sister who never fails to make me feel included.

When they were taking the photos, Loring's older sister Jen (who's going to be having a baby here shortly), came into the kitchen and basically told me I had to be in the family photos and she wouldn't take no for an answer (and I'm smart enough not to argue with a pregnant woman).

Overall, it was a beautiful Anniversary Tea. I got to meet a lot of family and I was able to help out without being told what do to. Their church is set up a lot like ours so I felt comfortable in the kitchen and clearing the plates and cups with the carts. It was a lovely day and I was very honoured they invited me.