My Mom Said To Have An Adventure, So I Did
Well, Well, I don't even really know where to start with this posting. Its been a crazy day. Today was my day off and my friend also had it off until three so we decided to go and rent mopeds and drive up to red rock canyon for a couple of hours. I was so excited. I had been waiting to do this for awhile so I was really pumped. We got the mopeds and started off. Coming out of the town is a large hill and at the top is the historic Prince of Wales hotel which sits on a bluff and has amazing views. We had planned to stop there and take some pictures. The moped doesn't go to fast, the fastest speed is about 40 km/h so we had to gun it to make it up the hill. I was still a little shaky when we got to the turn off and I took it a little faster than I meant to and I crossed into the other lane where there was a car coming. The car just honked at me instead of slowing down so I decided to get as far over as I could and consequently smashed my knee into the guardrail. It hurt so incredibly bad, probably worse than anything I have ever done so far. Somehow I made it across to the other side and my friend helped me get off the bike. The car, that caused me to hit the rail just drove away. So there we are, on the side of the road and I was incredible pain. I could see that it was bleeding a bit so we decided to check it out. I think both of us wished we hadn't. Where my knee used to be, there was a 3 inch deep hole, that was at least 3 inches wide. It was disgusting. We both almost threw up right there. My friend didn't know what to do because 8 or more cars passed and no one stopped to help. He didn't want to leave me but he had no choice so he ran to the visitors centre to get help and then ran back. Then the fun really began, because the ambulance came. I had my first ambulance ride today and it was not enjoyable. I was in so much pain but the EMTs were so good. They kept me awake and alert, and calmed me down. They looked at my knee and just said we are going to a hospital. So I was taken to the Cardston Hospital in the back of a speeding, siren blaring ambulance. I was freaking out the whole way there, I thought I had ruined my entire summer and my chance to make my tuition money. I was just praying that it was nothing serious. The EMT told me that worst case scenario I had broken my femur and would need to have surgery. I freaked out. I did not want to have surgery. It was horrible. The whole way to Cardston they were trying to get an IV started to get some fluids in my system in case I did have to have surgery but they couldn't find a vein on either arm. I personally will always believe that I subconsciously would not allow my veins out, and so I never got an IV!!
Cardston Hospital
So I arrived at the Cardston hospital and I was immediately taken for X-rays which hurt like crazy because they had to transfer me to the x-ray bed and then contort my leg. It hurt like crazy but the x-rays showed no broken bones or fractures of any kind so my many, many prayers were answered. However my ray did show the 6 dollars in changed I had in my pocket. Then it was time to sew me up. I had an excellent doctor, Dr, Taylor who was very kind and nice as he was sewing me up. The lovely waterton EMT ladies stayed with me the whole time and held my hand. It took about half an hour to sew my knee up. I have 19 stitches on the top and probably triple that many in the three layers below my knee. Apparently the EMT told the hospital on the way there that my knew wouldn't sew up nice at all, but it's going to be ok I think. My scar will be a perfect capital C. The doctor and nurse kept telling me that meant I was going to marry someone with a last name beginning with C because of my scar. So my summer short wearing is ruined because I'll have this nasty knee healing.
The End Jist
In the end, I was very lucky. I was definitely protected today, everything seemed to work out even if it was a little crazy. My mom was able to call some family friends to come and give me a blessing and I feel pretty good now. My knee is, of course, throbbing, but I'm home, and I'm alive and fairly well. However I did lose a pair of jeans because they had to cut them up to get to my knee. But I didn't want them anyway, because there was chunks of my knee in them. I had to ask the EMT to cover my pants up so I wouldn't see it. It looked like ground pork. It was so gross. Ugh! I'm thankful that I'm relatively ok, and off work for the next little while. I'm glad that it wasn't to serious. It was only about 19 top stitches and about triple that many in the layers underneath. I think the doctor said that there was three layers of stitching. So, now I'm on couch rest for the next couple of days until I heal up and feel better. In about two weeks I will have to go back into Cardston to get my stitches out and hopefully I will be as good as new, just with a wicked scar. So I hobble and gimp now, my friend calls me Terry Fox, but I'm ok, which is great. I'm lucky because I have some good friends that are taking care of me, they brought me dinner tonight and phoned in my health care information for me. So I guess I had my adventure.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Sunday, June 14, 2009
The Worst Day and The Best Day
Sunday is again my favourite day
This will be just a quick post, but I felt liking writing today. I just got back home from church, my first time attending here in Waterton. It was lovely, I mean I don't really think I realized how much I missed going to church each week. I felt like a fool because I had a smile on my face the whole time, and I was sitting all by myself. It was really nice though, an older missionary couple talked. They had just returned from serving in Ghana, (I hope that's spelled right). It was really nice to hear their stories and feel of their enthusiasm. Its funny how a couple in their sixties or maybe even seventies can inspire me, and captivate my attention. That's one of the things I love most about going to church, is hearing peoples stories, and how they learned from their lives and experiences. Every since I was little that has always been one of my favourite things about going to church. Its like the best story hour you'll ever get.
Life's Starting To Get Crazy
So, with the recession things have been a little slower here in waterton, than they normally are this time of year. There just hasn't been too many bookings at the hotel or anything like that. But this weekend it really picked up. Yesterday we had 59 checkouts and 54 stay overs to do, and at the start of the day we had three housekeepers. Our team eventually expanded to ten but that is still way to few housekeepers to get the job done. Somehow we did, but we were all exhausted at the end of the day. I ended up having to work from 9-6, and then head over and work at the chocolate shop at 7-9:30. It was a super long and hard day but I made it through. Hopefully we will soon be able to get more housekeepers so that our weekends are not so nasty. I'm off today, and if they coming knocking out my door for me to work I will not be there, I'm heading to the chocolate shop. It's funny, when I got to work at the chocolate shop yesterday my boss was stressed because it was busy, but it felt so calm to me. After housekeeping like that, any job seems like a piece of cake.
The Waterton Life
The only really sucky thing about living in Waterton is the nightlife. If you don't drink or go to the bar there really isn't a whole lot to do at night because that's all everyone seems to do. It's been driving me crazy and ruining my sleep. For the past three nights we have had stupid, drunk idiots screaming and swearing outside our apartment building every night at like three in the morning. Its so annoying, rude, and most of all pathetic. People ask me all the time why I don't drink, and you know what, even if I didn't believe what I believe I probably still wouldn't because I'm not willing to put myselfinto that kind of state for "fun." I think it is the most pathetic thing in the world. Its a simple as that. Sorry for my rant, I'm just really sick of drunks, and people telling me all the time that "I'm missing out." I'm not missing anything, in fact, they are missing their dignity.
The Rants Done For Today I Promise
I missed telling everyone what I am listening to at the end of the my last post. Well, with the current drunk idiot situation I've been turning my ipod on to some quiet music to drown them out and try (in vain) to get some sleep. Norah Jones is the girl to put you to sleep. I love Norah Jones, I love her voice and her instrumental arrangements. My favourites are Sunrise, Broken, Not My friend, Seven Years, and Those Sweet Words. Her music is just peaceful, calming, and wonderfully sad and melancholy. She is a great musician.
I'm Just really Grateful For Everything and Everyone That Loves Me, Thanks Guys!
This will be just a quick post, but I felt liking writing today. I just got back home from church, my first time attending here in Waterton. It was lovely, I mean I don't really think I realized how much I missed going to church each week. I felt like a fool because I had a smile on my face the whole time, and I was sitting all by myself. It was really nice though, an older missionary couple talked. They had just returned from serving in Ghana, (I hope that's spelled right). It was really nice to hear their stories and feel of their enthusiasm. Its funny how a couple in their sixties or maybe even seventies can inspire me, and captivate my attention. That's one of the things I love most about going to church, is hearing peoples stories, and how they learned from their lives and experiences. Every since I was little that has always been one of my favourite things about going to church. Its like the best story hour you'll ever get.
Life's Starting To Get Crazy
So, with the recession things have been a little slower here in waterton, than they normally are this time of year. There just hasn't been too many bookings at the hotel or anything like that. But this weekend it really picked up. Yesterday we had 59 checkouts and 54 stay overs to do, and at the start of the day we had three housekeepers. Our team eventually expanded to ten but that is still way to few housekeepers to get the job done. Somehow we did, but we were all exhausted at the end of the day. I ended up having to work from 9-6, and then head over and work at the chocolate shop at 7-9:30. It was a super long and hard day but I made it through. Hopefully we will soon be able to get more housekeepers so that our weekends are not so nasty. I'm off today, and if they coming knocking out my door for me to work I will not be there, I'm heading to the chocolate shop. It's funny, when I got to work at the chocolate shop yesterday my boss was stressed because it was busy, but it felt so calm to me. After housekeeping like that, any job seems like a piece of cake.
The Waterton Life
The only really sucky thing about living in Waterton is the nightlife. If you don't drink or go to the bar there really isn't a whole lot to do at night because that's all everyone seems to do. It's been driving me crazy and ruining my sleep. For the past three nights we have had stupid, drunk idiots screaming and swearing outside our apartment building every night at like three in the morning. Its so annoying, rude, and most of all pathetic. People ask me all the time why I don't drink, and you know what, even if I didn't believe what I believe I probably still wouldn't because I'm not willing to put myselfinto that kind of state for "fun." I think it is the most pathetic thing in the world. Its a simple as that. Sorry for my rant, I'm just really sick of drunks, and people telling me all the time that "I'm missing out." I'm not missing anything, in fact, they are missing their dignity.
The Rants Done For Today I Promise
I missed telling everyone what I am listening to at the end of the my last post. Well, with the current drunk idiot situation I've been turning my ipod on to some quiet music to drown them out and try (in vain) to get some sleep. Norah Jones is the girl to put you to sleep. I love Norah Jones, I love her voice and her instrumental arrangements. My favourites are Sunrise, Broken, Not My friend, Seven Years, and Those Sweet Words. Her music is just peaceful, calming, and wonderfully sad and melancholy. She is a great musician.
I'm Just really Grateful For Everything and Everyone That Loves Me, Thanks Guys!
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
A Sunburn, Snow, and A Human Popsicle
Though I'm Seven Hours South of My Readers, I'm actually in the North Pole
You know, I make such a big fuss about avoiding talking about the weather, but I do in almost every post so I should just get over my bias and move on from it. This weather news though is very exciting. June 5, 2009 is an important date here in waterton because its the first time in over forty years that it has snowed on that day. Yes snow, and not just a little, an entire foot of wet, cold, heavy snow. I was not impressed, esepcially considering it was my day off and I had just gotten a severe sunburn tanning for an hour two days before. It was not nice. The snow was absolutely miserable though on sunday night it cleared for about half an hour and I decided to go for a walk. It was really cool because the clouds were so low that they were covering the mountains and everything was crystalized. I got some really cool pictures by the lake of the cloudbank but the internet connection here is to slow to upload them. I had a great time though going for a walk by myself in the snow/rain!
It's Been Awhile
Honestly, I apologize for my lack of updating, I've been too busy. We recentyly had our hours changed from 9-5 and somehow that wears me out way more than 8-4, it just makes the day go longer. Not much has really happended in the past week with work, I just been a basic slave, cleaning rooms like crazy. They are trying to train us to get 10 rooms done everyday so they overload us with work and then push us to get it done. I'm getting much faster, but its still really hard work.
Party Hard, Or Go Home
So, I sort of made a commitment to myself to try new things when I got out here. Like climbing bears hump by myself (though that was not pre-meditated). One of the crazier things that I thought I would try was jumping in the lake. For those of you that don't know, Waterton lake is a glacier lake, so it is always freezing cold even in the summer but especially now. Last night it was probably about 22 degrees and after having dinner at my friends we went for a walk when I proclaimed that I wanted to jump in the lake tonight. Their roomate, is a crazy guy who runs 100 km races, and he jumps in everyday and has since may. He agreed to show me the ropes. So I did it and it was insane. As soon as I hit the water it was so cold it felt like all the air was sucked out of my lungs. All I remember thinking is surface and dock. My friend taped it on my camera and you can see me break and surface like two feet high straight out of the water and swin madly for the dock. I couldn't breathe even after I broke the surface until I was clinging to the dock. It was so fun and intense. The guy that jumped with me said the water was probably about 4 degrees warm. It was so cold. As soon as I got out though I started warming up, probably from adneraline. It was intense and I definately want to do it again. The best part is, that my very supportive friend invited to neighbouring tourists to watch, so two complete strangers saw me jump off the dock and climb back on. Luckily I was too busy, focusing on getting out of the water to care.
In other exciting news
I will be getting another roomate on the 25th and this time I will be sharing a room. I'm pretty excited because my other roomates were friends with her last year and they said she is alot of fun! Then are place will be offically full and we will offically have absolutely no room in the freezer!
I Haven't Written A Witty In So Long
So, as you have probably read my other witty stories (I just like to think they are witty) you know that I enjoy and recongize the need to laugh at myself regularily. This time is no exception. When we are cleaning rooms we do what is called stripping. You go in and strip the sheets off the beds and grabs the dirty towels. Then you tie this all together and make a sling type bag to carry it. It looks like a giant baby slinger bag that you see new moms carrying their kids in now days. Anyway I was cleaning at room at the Crandell which is a small hotel (only 18 rooms) that is more old-fashioned and quaint. Its supposed to be like a b and b. The room I was cleaning was a kitchenette suite with a double bed, two single beds, a double hideway bed, and six sets of towels. So my bundle was the size of three small children. I set it down my the table as I was finishing wiping out the fridge, and microwave. As I got off the chair I was standing on to reach the microwave above the fridge, I stepped right into my bundle. Most normal people would simply step right out but for some reason I turned and next thing I knew I was falling in slow motion to the floor completely tangled up in dirty sheets. When I landed I lay there for a moment, reflecting on my self-defeat and being grateful that I was working alone when I realized I couldn't get up because my legs were completely tangled in the sheets. It took me ten minutes to untangle myself. And they wonder why I'm slow at cleaning rooms.
I converted another ipod touch user.
For those of you that know me, you know just how much I love my ipod. Especially my ipod touch, which is really a mini computer and tens times easier to use than a pda or blackberry. Anyway I was singing the praises of my ipod touch and someone listened to me, my roommate. Yes, she proudly bought an ipod touch and so last night we set hers up and I and my other roommate watched as she played games for the next hour. Seriously, apple should reward me as a faithful consumer and promoter of their products!
Thats it for today!
You know, I make such a big fuss about avoiding talking about the weather, but I do in almost every post so I should just get over my bias and move on from it. This weather news though is very exciting. June 5, 2009 is an important date here in waterton because its the first time in over forty years that it has snowed on that day. Yes snow, and not just a little, an entire foot of wet, cold, heavy snow. I was not impressed, esepcially considering it was my day off and I had just gotten a severe sunburn tanning for an hour two days before. It was not nice. The snow was absolutely miserable though on sunday night it cleared for about half an hour and I decided to go for a walk. It was really cool because the clouds were so low that they were covering the mountains and everything was crystalized. I got some really cool pictures by the lake of the cloudbank but the internet connection here is to slow to upload them. I had a great time though going for a walk by myself in the snow/rain!
It's Been Awhile
Honestly, I apologize for my lack of updating, I've been too busy. We recentyly had our hours changed from 9-5 and somehow that wears me out way more than 8-4, it just makes the day go longer. Not much has really happended in the past week with work, I just been a basic slave, cleaning rooms like crazy. They are trying to train us to get 10 rooms done everyday so they overload us with work and then push us to get it done. I'm getting much faster, but its still really hard work.
Party Hard, Or Go Home
So, I sort of made a commitment to myself to try new things when I got out here. Like climbing bears hump by myself (though that was not pre-meditated). One of the crazier things that I thought I would try was jumping in the lake. For those of you that don't know, Waterton lake is a glacier lake, so it is always freezing cold even in the summer but especially now. Last night it was probably about 22 degrees and after having dinner at my friends we went for a walk when I proclaimed that I wanted to jump in the lake tonight. Their roomate, is a crazy guy who runs 100 km races, and he jumps in everyday and has since may. He agreed to show me the ropes. So I did it and it was insane. As soon as I hit the water it was so cold it felt like all the air was sucked out of my lungs. All I remember thinking is surface and dock. My friend taped it on my camera and you can see me break and surface like two feet high straight out of the water and swin madly for the dock. I couldn't breathe even after I broke the surface until I was clinging to the dock. It was so fun and intense. The guy that jumped with me said the water was probably about 4 degrees warm. It was so cold. As soon as I got out though I started warming up, probably from adneraline. It was intense and I definately want to do it again. The best part is, that my very supportive friend invited to neighbouring tourists to watch, so two complete strangers saw me jump off the dock and climb back on. Luckily I was too busy, focusing on getting out of the water to care.
In other exciting news
I will be getting another roomate on the 25th and this time I will be sharing a room. I'm pretty excited because my other roomates were friends with her last year and they said she is alot of fun! Then are place will be offically full and we will offically have absolutely no room in the freezer!
I Haven't Written A Witty In So Long
So, as you have probably read my other witty stories (I just like to think they are witty) you know that I enjoy and recongize the need to laugh at myself regularily. This time is no exception. When we are cleaning rooms we do what is called stripping. You go in and strip the sheets off the beds and grabs the dirty towels. Then you tie this all together and make a sling type bag to carry it. It looks like a giant baby slinger bag that you see new moms carrying their kids in now days. Anyway I was cleaning at room at the Crandell which is a small hotel (only 18 rooms) that is more old-fashioned and quaint. Its supposed to be like a b and b. The room I was cleaning was a kitchenette suite with a double bed, two single beds, a double hideway bed, and six sets of towels. So my bundle was the size of three small children. I set it down my the table as I was finishing wiping out the fridge, and microwave. As I got off the chair I was standing on to reach the microwave above the fridge, I stepped right into my bundle. Most normal people would simply step right out but for some reason I turned and next thing I knew I was falling in slow motion to the floor completely tangled up in dirty sheets. When I landed I lay there for a moment, reflecting on my self-defeat and being grateful that I was working alone when I realized I couldn't get up because my legs were completely tangled in the sheets. It took me ten minutes to untangle myself. And they wonder why I'm slow at cleaning rooms.
I converted another ipod touch user.
For those of you that know me, you know just how much I love my ipod. Especially my ipod touch, which is really a mini computer and tens times easier to use than a pda or blackberry. Anyway I was singing the praises of my ipod touch and someone listened to me, my roommate. Yes, she proudly bought an ipod touch and so last night we set hers up and I and my other roommate watched as she played games for the next hour. Seriously, apple should reward me as a faithful consumer and promoter of their products!
Thats it for today!
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Don't Shed A Tear, I'll Be Here When It All Gets Weird
Honesty is an Overrated Virtue
So, this update is a little late but in all honesty I haven't really wanted to update the blog quite yet. Everything that I have to write seems so much better tucked away in my head still and I haven't finished sorting through it yet. Normally when I write its because "I'm thinking like a cannon ball shooting out a cannon-Ryan Adams." As I've previously mentioned I've got to sort through things for awhile before I can get them out, but I guess I have some desperate fans.
Home
This past weekend was my aunt Cindy's wedding so I got to go home Saturday and Sunday. I was off work thursday and so my grandma picked me up and I got to spend a couple days in lethbridge before we headed down for the wedding. It was really nice to spend some times with my grandparents, aunts, and cousins. Its weird, but I haven't stayed at my grandparents by myself since I was twelve, and a completely different person. I guess its been awhile. Anyway we travelled to Edmonton on Friday and arrived in Edmonton at about 9: 45. It's a really weird feeling when you get on the Anthony henday after being away for so long, its weird to be travelling home. Anyway we arrived and I was assaulted with love by my puppy and siblings. Gus missed me and I know it because he slept on my bed that night. It was hilarious. Saturday was really busy, it started with breakfast at Haps which was amazing. Just another of the many things I miss about Edmonton, and then we got ready for the wedding. Finally I got to drive my Lumina, I missed it so much, so driving was awesome. The wedding was held at the Petroleum Club of Edmonton so we all made our way over there. It was a lovely ceremony and it was so awesome to see Aunt Cindy and Wally so happy and finally getting hitched. During the ceremony my sister was rubbing her eyes like crazy and I just thought she was crying but after the ceremony she really did start crying because her eyes were "burning from the flowers." And so we went on a quest for reactine, in downtown Edmonton. Fun times. The reception was tons of fun, it was great to be with my cousins and siblings even if a certain someone was a little too tipsy! We had a great time dancing and laughing. As the official "kids" we took it upon ourselves to decorate the honeymoon vessel (the Tahoe). Then the bouquet was thrown and I was outta there. I tried desperately after the ceremony to meet up with some friends but I didn't end up leaving until 10:30 so I never got to see them but that's alright, I'll be back in no time!
The next day I got to go to sacrament for the first time in three weeks and that really made my week. It was awesome and I feel much better this week than I have in awhile. And so, just like that my busy weekend was over and I was heading back to Waterton with my grandparents.
Home isn't where the heart is, its where your junk is, I guess
So, now I'm back in Waterton and I feel alot better. This week has gone way better than the week before I left and now that I'm back I feel stronger and more ready for the rest of the summer. It has been absolutely gorgeous here and today I even tanned on my friends roof! Not that I have any colour, but I absorbed some so a couple more weeks and maybe it will show! Nothing much has really changed here or at home. It feels kind of like I step in and out of two different versions of Maddy, the home version and then the Waterton version. They aren't that different I guess, just the surroundings they are in.
In more fascinating news...
I'm a spoiled brat! Seriously, I should have moved out years ago and started a blog because it seems to be working in my favour. I was handsomely treated to a wonderful surprise of a camera when I went home so next post I will definitely be uploading some pictures from an actual camera as opposed to a cell phone!
HMV is the place for me
I admit it, though I tried to avoid it I somehow managed to visit the world's biggest eyesore, annoyance, and shopping district the West Edmonton Mall. Of course, it would have been irresponsible of me to leave without visiting the HMV store! All I'm going to say is I picked up two amazing albums! Is It Ok By Serena Ryder and The Best Of James Taylor. Serena Ryder is amazing, she has an incredible and unique voice and she is THE voice of a woman scorned. I am not kidding, and James Taylor never did anyone wrong. And yes mom, I left Serena Ryder at home, its on my bookshelf, just don't scratch it please!
Love ya'll and I'll Be Back Before You Know It!
P.S. the explanation for the title of this post, Itunes is on shuffle again and its flogging molly, If I Ever Leave This World Alive, somehow that line seemed more than appropriate for this post!
So, this update is a little late but in all honesty I haven't really wanted to update the blog quite yet. Everything that I have to write seems so much better tucked away in my head still and I haven't finished sorting through it yet. Normally when I write its because "I'm thinking like a cannon ball shooting out a cannon-Ryan Adams." As I've previously mentioned I've got to sort through things for awhile before I can get them out, but I guess I have some desperate fans.
Home
This past weekend was my aunt Cindy's wedding so I got to go home Saturday and Sunday. I was off work thursday and so my grandma picked me up and I got to spend a couple days in lethbridge before we headed down for the wedding. It was really nice to spend some times with my grandparents, aunts, and cousins. Its weird, but I haven't stayed at my grandparents by myself since I was twelve, and a completely different person. I guess its been awhile. Anyway we travelled to Edmonton on Friday and arrived in Edmonton at about 9: 45. It's a really weird feeling when you get on the Anthony henday after being away for so long, its weird to be travelling home. Anyway we arrived and I was assaulted with love by my puppy and siblings. Gus missed me and I know it because he slept on my bed that night. It was hilarious. Saturday was really busy, it started with breakfast at Haps which was amazing. Just another of the many things I miss about Edmonton, and then we got ready for the wedding. Finally I got to drive my Lumina, I missed it so much, so driving was awesome. The wedding was held at the Petroleum Club of Edmonton so we all made our way over there. It was a lovely ceremony and it was so awesome to see Aunt Cindy and Wally so happy and finally getting hitched. During the ceremony my sister was rubbing her eyes like crazy and I just thought she was crying but after the ceremony she really did start crying because her eyes were "burning from the flowers." And so we went on a quest for reactine, in downtown Edmonton. Fun times. The reception was tons of fun, it was great to be with my cousins and siblings even if a certain someone was a little too tipsy! We had a great time dancing and laughing. As the official "kids" we took it upon ourselves to decorate the honeymoon vessel (the Tahoe). Then the bouquet was thrown and I was outta there. I tried desperately after the ceremony to meet up with some friends but I didn't end up leaving until 10:30 so I never got to see them but that's alright, I'll be back in no time!
The next day I got to go to sacrament for the first time in three weeks and that really made my week. It was awesome and I feel much better this week than I have in awhile. And so, just like that my busy weekend was over and I was heading back to Waterton with my grandparents.
Home isn't where the heart is, its where your junk is, I guess
So, now I'm back in Waterton and I feel alot better. This week has gone way better than the week before I left and now that I'm back I feel stronger and more ready for the rest of the summer. It has been absolutely gorgeous here and today I even tanned on my friends roof! Not that I have any colour, but I absorbed some so a couple more weeks and maybe it will show! Nothing much has really changed here or at home. It feels kind of like I step in and out of two different versions of Maddy, the home version and then the Waterton version. They aren't that different I guess, just the surroundings they are in.
In more fascinating news...
I'm a spoiled brat! Seriously, I should have moved out years ago and started a blog because it seems to be working in my favour. I was handsomely treated to a wonderful surprise of a camera when I went home so next post I will definitely be uploading some pictures from an actual camera as opposed to a cell phone!
HMV is the place for me
I admit it, though I tried to avoid it I somehow managed to visit the world's biggest eyesore, annoyance, and shopping district the West Edmonton Mall. Of course, it would have been irresponsible of me to leave without visiting the HMV store! All I'm going to say is I picked up two amazing albums! Is It Ok By Serena Ryder and The Best Of James Taylor. Serena Ryder is amazing, she has an incredible and unique voice and she is THE voice of a woman scorned. I am not kidding, and James Taylor never did anyone wrong. And yes mom, I left Serena Ryder at home, its on my bookshelf, just don't scratch it please!
Love ya'll and I'll Be Back Before You Know It!
P.S. the explanation for the title of this post, Itunes is on shuffle again and its flogging molly, If I Ever Leave This World Alive, somehow that line seemed more than appropriate for this post!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Chuck Norris Plays A Part
You May Laugh, But When This Summers Done I'm Gonna Take Down Chuck Norris
Ah, Chuck Norris. I saw a poster today at Wal-Mart and it just reminded me of all the great, amazing Chuck Norris jokes. My point is that my "candy store" job is seriously a chuck Norris in training job. I've continued working there on my days off and in the evenings after work. I did actually get some practice in the store ringing in stuff, and scooping ice cream but for the most part I have continued my worm and weed genocide, raking, and last night, hauling cords of wood onto the deck so they can be sold. Its tough work, especially when I'm already tired from working all day at the resort but I'm hoping that the paycheck will be worth it!
Work, Work, Is All I Do
I felt like I had to update this blog because its been a couple of days but I find that I don't really have an exciting news to report all I have been doing is working. Which is exactly what I am supposed to be doing. I guess I can report that I'm feeling pretty proud of myself today. On Monday I finished work at about eight and then went home. My friend came over and we went for a walk at about 8:30 and swung on the swings for a bit. By the time we were done at probably 9:30 I had a major headache and was feeling really nauseous but I figured it was just from the swings. Boy, was I wrong. I caught some nasty little flu bug and I felt completely horrible for the next 24 hours. Anyone who knows me, knows that I don't throw up. I hate it, and I just don't even when I'm sick. So I was in agony because my stomach literally felt like it was bubbling, and on fire. It was horrible, but I survived and preserved enough to made it through work the next day and evening. I went to bed super early each night and today I officially feel 100% better!
2 More Sleeps, and An Analogy
Maybe I'm feeling so good because in two more sleeps I get to go home. I'm so excited to go home and see everyone! I think that coming back from this trip home will be harder than leaving was. Leaving felt exciting because I didn't know exactly what was going to happen but this time around I know exactly what I am coming back to. I know that I have a purpose here, and I feel like I'm doing everything I can to accomplish that purpose but it still feels harder than I thought it would be. Just hang on with me for a minute while I try a little comparison type thing. Yesterday when I hauling wood I was thinking about how my actions were kind of how life plays out. I would lift one cord of wood, carry it up the three porch steps, cross the porch, go down the next three steps and then set it in the wagon. When I had six cords of wood in the wagon I would then pull the wagon around the front of the store and up the ramp to the deck where I would remove each cord of wood and stack it against the wall. I thought the cords of wood were like life lessons that we learn and the three steps were the trials we have to go through (because they always come in threes) then life seems to plateau for awhile before a couple of things beginning sliding or going wrong (next three steps). I thought loading the cords of wood and hauling them to the deck is us learning from our trials and realizing how we used those life lessons. Finally stacking the wood up on the deck is depositing these life lessons in our lives or recording them. Does that make sense? Maybe it was just my brain firing in the heat or from the work but I've been thinking about that all day long.
My Brain is Spinning
I'm feeling very pensive which if you know me is no surprise, I'm always thinking about something. I'm not a coincidence kind of person, because for me things happen for distinct reasons and purposes, so I feel the need to analyze why and how they happen and I guess this blog has become an arena for me to discuss what I'm thinking. I apologize if I'm abusing my blog privileges by filling it with my mumbo jumbo. If you're feeling brave check out Spinning By Jack's Mannequin, its a great hopeful song that perfectly describes where my head is right now.
Ah, Chuck Norris. I saw a poster today at Wal-Mart and it just reminded me of all the great, amazing Chuck Norris jokes. My point is that my "candy store" job is seriously a chuck Norris in training job. I've continued working there on my days off and in the evenings after work. I did actually get some practice in the store ringing in stuff, and scooping ice cream but for the most part I have continued my worm and weed genocide, raking, and last night, hauling cords of wood onto the deck so they can be sold. Its tough work, especially when I'm already tired from working all day at the resort but I'm hoping that the paycheck will be worth it!
Work, Work, Is All I Do
I felt like I had to update this blog because its been a couple of days but I find that I don't really have an exciting news to report all I have been doing is working. Which is exactly what I am supposed to be doing. I guess I can report that I'm feeling pretty proud of myself today. On Monday I finished work at about eight and then went home. My friend came over and we went for a walk at about 8:30 and swung on the swings for a bit. By the time we were done at probably 9:30 I had a major headache and was feeling really nauseous but I figured it was just from the swings. Boy, was I wrong. I caught some nasty little flu bug and I felt completely horrible for the next 24 hours. Anyone who knows me, knows that I don't throw up. I hate it, and I just don't even when I'm sick. So I was in agony because my stomach literally felt like it was bubbling, and on fire. It was horrible, but I survived and preserved enough to made it through work the next day and evening. I went to bed super early each night and today I officially feel 100% better!
2 More Sleeps, and An Analogy
Maybe I'm feeling so good because in two more sleeps I get to go home. I'm so excited to go home and see everyone! I think that coming back from this trip home will be harder than leaving was. Leaving felt exciting because I didn't know exactly what was going to happen but this time around I know exactly what I am coming back to. I know that I have a purpose here, and I feel like I'm doing everything I can to accomplish that purpose but it still feels harder than I thought it would be. Just hang on with me for a minute while I try a little comparison type thing. Yesterday when I hauling wood I was thinking about how my actions were kind of how life plays out. I would lift one cord of wood, carry it up the three porch steps, cross the porch, go down the next three steps and then set it in the wagon. When I had six cords of wood in the wagon I would then pull the wagon around the front of the store and up the ramp to the deck where I would remove each cord of wood and stack it against the wall. I thought the cords of wood were like life lessons that we learn and the three steps were the trials we have to go through (because they always come in threes) then life seems to plateau for awhile before a couple of things beginning sliding or going wrong (next three steps). I thought loading the cords of wood and hauling them to the deck is us learning from our trials and realizing how we used those life lessons. Finally stacking the wood up on the deck is depositing these life lessons in our lives or recording them. Does that make sense? Maybe it was just my brain firing in the heat or from the work but I've been thinking about that all day long.
My Brain is Spinning
I'm feeling very pensive which if you know me is no surprise, I'm always thinking about something. I'm not a coincidence kind of person, because for me things happen for distinct reasons and purposes, so I feel the need to analyze why and how they happen and I guess this blog has become an arena for me to discuss what I'm thinking. I apologize if I'm abusing my blog privileges by filling it with my mumbo jumbo. If you're feeling brave check out Spinning By Jack's Mannequin, its a great hopeful song that perfectly describes where my head is right now.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Answering Bell
I committed Worm and Weed Genocide
So, I started my first official day at Welch's chocolate shop last night for some part time hours. When she hired me I was told I would probably be working in the pie shop or the candy shop so I showed up prepared for those duties. But she had different ideas for me. I spent the evening raking, digging, mulching, and weeding the entire front of the store. I dug for about an hour and a half, raked the entire back and front, and then we got started weeding. I killed hundreds of weeds, and worms but that place looks so good now. She told me that on my weekday evening shifts I'll probably be doing similar work until they get the place looking the way she wants it to. It was tough work, especially because I had hiked bears hump that day but it felt really good. It felt good to get in there and do something so physical, I felt like I was actually accomplishing something. But I totally messed up my back, it was just aching last night and it is still a little sore this morning. It probably didn't help that I played tennis with friends after work until about ten. Well, I guess it doesn't really matter I'm only young once.
I have another roommate now
Another roommate arrived last night, she is from Quebec and is very nice. She is good friends with my other roommate so they share a room. Our place is filling up fast, its tiny so there is not alot of room for stuff. But its coming together and beginning to look like home a bit.
I Have to Say It
This is complete coincidence but I'm listening to my itunes on shuffle again and guess whats playing? Only one of my most favourite classic songs of all time: Highway To Hell, seriously who does not love this song? I may be a heathen but I don't care this song is just exactly what it says it is! Love it!
I'm Being Neglectful
It has been brought to my attention that I have not been paying good enough attention to this blog as of late, and my post for yesterday just dealt with Bear's Hump so I'll update you on whats happened since my last official blog post. We passed our room inspection with flying colours, (the banana bread totally worked, they said our place smelled super nice!), and I've just been hanging out with my friends mostly. On Wednesday night we walked around the whole town site which took about twenty mins (a little depressing) and then we played on the swings. Yes, the swings. They just put this new park in right between my house and the chocolate shop and I'm proud to say that my friends and I commandeer the swings regularly. Its so fun, they should install swings in office buildings people would be less depressed. Seriously, how could you not be happy when you are swinging? Its the best part of childhood.
The Dork in Me Can't Resist
I saw X-Men, The Origins of Wolverine. Its playing here in town so on Tuesday we went to go see it. It was pretty cool to see a movie here in Waterton. Its a tiny little theatre, you have to buy your ticket from the guy in the booth before you enter the theatre just like in old movies. The theatre is pretty cool too, its old so the seats suck and they are elevated but its got an awesome stained glass light above and a big stage for productions. It's very classic and cool. I loved that part of it. My friends were not so into the whole X-Men thing, in fact one of them didn't even know what X-Men was. The dork in me cried a little. But they came with me, which was awesome and even though they didn't enjoy the movie I liked it. It was a little over the top, and Wolverine was a little bit of a wuss for me but other than that I did enjoy it. Its never going to compare to the awesomeness of the first two X-men movies but its more along the lines of the similarly over the top, third movie. I still loved it though, but then again I'm a geek.
So For Now,
I'm officially caught up and I'll do my best to stay caught up. Today I go back to work at the chocolate shop at two and right now I'm baking some more banana bread because its kind of become my specialty here. I hope that anyone who reads this is doing well, I miss everybody but next week I get to come home for a few days! I can't wait!!
You knew it was coming
Favourite song of today? Answering Bell By Ryan Adams. Awesome little country/folk tune and completely true. I love Ryan Adams he is the absolute best at everything he does, especially his new stuff.
I'm Just Saying Hi To Your Answering Bell!
So, I started my first official day at Welch's chocolate shop last night for some part time hours. When she hired me I was told I would probably be working in the pie shop or the candy shop so I showed up prepared for those duties. But she had different ideas for me. I spent the evening raking, digging, mulching, and weeding the entire front of the store. I dug for about an hour and a half, raked the entire back and front, and then we got started weeding. I killed hundreds of weeds, and worms but that place looks so good now. She told me that on my weekday evening shifts I'll probably be doing similar work until they get the place looking the way she wants it to. It was tough work, especially because I had hiked bears hump that day but it felt really good. It felt good to get in there and do something so physical, I felt like I was actually accomplishing something. But I totally messed up my back, it was just aching last night and it is still a little sore this morning. It probably didn't help that I played tennis with friends after work until about ten. Well, I guess it doesn't really matter I'm only young once.
I have another roommate now
Another roommate arrived last night, she is from Quebec and is very nice. She is good friends with my other roommate so they share a room. Our place is filling up fast, its tiny so there is not alot of room for stuff. But its coming together and beginning to look like home a bit.
I Have to Say It
This is complete coincidence but I'm listening to my itunes on shuffle again and guess whats playing? Only one of my most favourite classic songs of all time: Highway To Hell, seriously who does not love this song? I may be a heathen but I don't care this song is just exactly what it says it is! Love it!
I'm Being Neglectful
It has been brought to my attention that I have not been paying good enough attention to this blog as of late, and my post for yesterday just dealt with Bear's Hump so I'll update you on whats happened since my last official blog post. We passed our room inspection with flying colours, (the banana bread totally worked, they said our place smelled super nice!), and I've just been hanging out with my friends mostly. On Wednesday night we walked around the whole town site which took about twenty mins (a little depressing) and then we played on the swings. Yes, the swings. They just put this new park in right between my house and the chocolate shop and I'm proud to say that my friends and I commandeer the swings regularly. Its so fun, they should install swings in office buildings people would be less depressed. Seriously, how could you not be happy when you are swinging? Its the best part of childhood.
The Dork in Me Can't Resist
I saw X-Men, The Origins of Wolverine. Its playing here in town so on Tuesday we went to go see it. It was pretty cool to see a movie here in Waterton. Its a tiny little theatre, you have to buy your ticket from the guy in the booth before you enter the theatre just like in old movies. The theatre is pretty cool too, its old so the seats suck and they are elevated but its got an awesome stained glass light above and a big stage for productions. It's very classic and cool. I loved that part of it. My friends were not so into the whole X-Men thing, in fact one of them didn't even know what X-Men was. The dork in me cried a little. But they came with me, which was awesome and even though they didn't enjoy the movie I liked it. It was a little over the top, and Wolverine was a little bit of a wuss for me but other than that I did enjoy it. Its never going to compare to the awesomeness of the first two X-men movies but its more along the lines of the similarly over the top, third movie. I still loved it though, but then again I'm a geek.
So For Now,
I'm officially caught up and I'll do my best to stay caught up. Today I go back to work at the chocolate shop at two and right now I'm baking some more banana bread because its kind of become my specialty here. I hope that anyone who reads this is doing well, I miss everybody but next week I get to come home for a few days! I can't wait!!
You knew it was coming
Favourite song of today? Answering Bell By Ryan Adams. Awesome little country/folk tune and completely true. I love Ryan Adams he is the absolute best at everything he does, especially his new stuff.
I'm Just Saying Hi To Your Answering Bell!
Friday, May 22, 2009
Adrenaline Rush
I Just Conquered Bears Hump!!!!
It's been lovely here today and yesterday. I am off today and tomorrow but my friends were off wednesday and thursday but I really wanted to do some hiking, specifically Bears Hump. I wanted to do it so bad that I went by myself. Stupid now that I think of it, but I glad I did it. It was Amazing! I'm so glad that I got to experience that on my own. The view is amazing and so worth it after all the effort to get to the top. Its not a very long hike but its pretty straight up. I loved it though, and when I got to the top I was completely alone. I completely lost my dignity and caught myself on camera doing it but I don't even care. It was an amazing moment. Bear's Hump is such a gorgeous hike, the trees are pretty dense but every once in awhile you get a break in the trees and you get a spectacular view. You can see the whole townsite at the top and everything looks so small. It's crazy!! This is from the top of Bears Hump, its the mountain off to the side.
Above is a picture of the townsite from the top of Bears Hump. Its a sheer rock wall so I had to lay flat on my belly to take the picture and even though I am terrified of heights I didn't even care, that's what adrenaline does to you I guess. The blog thing won't really let me move it around but its there at least for you to see! It was so amazing, I uploaded some videos I took with my cell phone to facebook so if you would like you can check those out there. I saw so many cool things hiking bears hump. When I got to the top there were some little chipmucks that were violently fighting one another. It was hilarious. On my way up to the summit I was also almost run over by a big horned sheep. You know, the ones with the horns that curl around their heads. I was walking up the trail when I saw two of them about 30 feet ahead. I stopped and held perfectly still. The big one looked at me, stomped his foot (i thought I was going to die) and then looked at me again and almost seemed to shrug like "oh yeah just another dumb human" and then ran right pass me. Right pass me. I could have reached out and touched it. It was so freaky and then the baby bounded up the hill the other way and I didn't see it. When I could breathe again I continued up the mountain. It was totally stupid to go by myself and take my ipod with me but I loved it, not that I will do it again. This has been the best experience for me so far while I have been here. It was amazing!
Way To Much Of A Cathartic Release
I was so excited on my way down, i was literally shaking with excitement. The whole hike down and into town I was smiling like an idiot or just randomly laughing out loud. It was so stupid but so fun. On the way down though a few awesome songs did play while on shuffle that perfectly suited my mood. Fortune By Great Big Sea. I learned this song in grade five from my teacher Mrs. Baggs. It's one of my favourite memories from gr. 5 and no matter where I am I always sing it, so yes, I sang it as I was walking down the trail! Then my ipod played Swim by Jack's Mannequin which was completely appropriate for my mood. But my absolute favourite song that played on the way down and that perfectly summarized how I felt was If I Ever Leave This World Alive by Floggin Molly. It just summed up that experience perfectly!!
I'm High As A Kite, Because I Just Did Bears Hump!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
.jpg)