darn them!

Darn Starbucks for calling a 12oz coffee a "tall"...darn them!!

This past weekend was the Regent Retreat (a retreat held for the students and family's of Derek's grad school). We had a blast! Though it cost a little more than we would have liked to have paid, we had a great time. It was fun not to be new and awkward but to be comfortable and to have friends all over the place. It was a good feeling. And who knew you could have so much fun tossing tiny pigs on the table! Oh, the laughs!

Anyway, the past two days I have work 12 and 14 hour days and I am so tired and my body hurts. even this mornig I woke up with a hobbile headache and a huge knot in my kneck. It's a pain. Tonight after work, Derek and I need to go grocery shopping (long awaited) and then I am hoping to sit and relax and go to bed early. We'll see how this all pans out later. As for now, it is 6:30am and I need to get going to work...

I am sitting here at The Well (at work) waiting for Derek to get out of class. He is out of class at 4:00 (I am off work at 3) and he has another class at 6:30. He has not started the paper and therefore does not want to "waste" time riding the bus home. So I am ever so graciously waiting for an hour for him to be done with class. Audrey doesn't mind though because I am keep her company while she is working.

Our trip on the train went well. The train ride was ever so long, I don't reccomend it if you are only going for a day. My back is still sore from sitting and slouching for 10+ hours (each way). But they do play movies on the train (a fact I was unaware of) and I did get to watch Herbie:Fully Loaded three, yes THREE times! Goodness. The wedding was sweet and it was great to see friends and fam while in Oregon for less than 48 hours.

This weekend we are off once again. We are going to the Regent retreat. Besides the fact that it costs money and too much money, I am very excited. I think this year will be even more fun that last year considering that fact that we know a lot more people and I just think it will be great. But this is hopefully our last weekend away for a while. We're tired.

off again

tomorrow morning Derek and I leave for yet another weekend trip. We are headed back to Oregon to go to Adam and Katy's wedding. My sister is also having a housewarming party so it works out that we will be ther. We are taking the train from bellingham tomorrow morning and it is quite a long ride. About 10 hours. However, it will be a nice break from driving and the train should be fun. It will be crazy though because we arrive to Eugene tomorrow evening around 8pm and we leave Sunday morning at 10am. So we are really only there for Saturday. We have a housewarming party, a wedding and all the stuff in between. My whole family will be in town for my sister, which will be great. But who knows how much time I will get to spend with them. I am thankful that we get to go though and I am really looking forward to it. Won't be quite like Victoria...but who's comparing ;)

Victoria

Victoria was....amazing!!!! I can't even describe how wonderful and beautiful and fun it is. Check out my picture blog within the next day or two for pictures. We had a fantastic and romantic time, I don't think we will ever forget it. Yay for vacations!

See the pics here!

2nd Anniversary

Tuesday, the 6th, was our two year anniversary. Wow...2 years. It sure does go by quick. On a side note, it was also the 1 year anniversary of us moving to Vancouver. Besides waking up an hour late, Tuesday was a normal day. Work work work. But when I came home Derek told me to sit and relax and he was going to make dinner. 3 hours later he was done. We got all dressed up and had a nice romantic dinner (he made manicotti-my fave!) accompanied by a taylor made bouquet of flowers, candles and wine. It was great! Though Tuesday was our actual anniversary, we are actually having our big celebration this weekend. We leave today and we are going to Victoria. Just for 2 nights and 3 days, but I cannot wait! We have been planning this and looking forward to it all summer and now it has arrived. We will stay at a cute little Inn, sleep in, see the city and have a nice fancy dinner (compliments of my boss). I hope it will be a relaxing weekend and that Derek and I can just enjoy each other. Yay for anniversaries! Off to Victoria...

Last night

We had a party last, it was pretty stinkin fun if I do say so myself. It was Derek and I and all our close married friends. There was about 14 of us total. I think we had a blast. We hung out and drank a lot and then we played the "newlywed game" that Derek and I created ourselves. It's hilarious to see the couples interact during this. Robert and Michele were the winners by a coin toss. They tied with the Sartors originally. And boy were the prizes great ;) Yeah...we got them from the dollar store. Anything we could find for a buck or less. We had a raffle and that is how we gave the rest of the prizes away. I'd say the party was a hit! Now school will be starting up in a week and it's back to the life of no fun while all our husbands study study study. bleh...

Katrina

The events over the past week that have occured due to Hurricane Katrina have brought up a lot of feelings and emotions in everyone. Words can't explain the sympathy I have or the feeling of helplessness that overwhelms me. I hope we can all keep those people and their families and all the volunteers that are invloved in this horrible disaster, in our prayer and thoughts. Don't let one day or even one hour pass without giving some thought to those who are in trouble and suffering. May God bless them.

Go ducks!

It is so refreshing to be back in Eugene, Oregon. We will be here about 2 1/2 days and it will be the longest time we have spent here in a year. It is so nice to see the University or Oregon stickers and the Duck icons all over. Really brings ya back :) Soon, and very soon, we will be sporting a bumber sticker of our own (and so will the Cramer's!). Go Ducks!

Tomorrow we get to go to a wedding of a friend of ours from undergrad. It will be like a big reunion with friends we haven't seen in a whille. We are very much looking forward to it. It has been a crazy busy trip with not a lot of sleep. So though it is nice to be away and on "holiday" it will be kind of nice to get home and be on a normal sleep schedule again. It's amazing that you actually get less sleep and relaxation when you are on vacation sometimes, it's a little ackwards I think. But, we will be home to Canada Sunday night and it will probably come too soon.

Clothes Swap

Quite possibly the best idea (especially if you are poor and a girl). Gather up your friends, have them bring all the clothes they don't want and then you pile them on the floor and go at it! You walk away with "new" clothes and it's a whole lot of fun doing it. Espcially after it's over and you are all just sitting around chatting or whatnot and randomly you see something you may not have noticed earlier in the pile. It's all very exciting. Oh, and don't forget the alcohol!

Mexican food in Vancouver?

side note: I have decided to change my font back to "normal size" instead of "large size" (sorry Grace) but it's just so big!
I swear there are like 3, maybe 4 mexican restaurants in Vancouver. It is a rarity indeed. However, you can walk down any given street and see about 100 sushi restaurants. Now, if you are into sushi, that's great for you! As for me, I would rather have myself a big burrito...mmmm! The other night Derek and I decided we would splurge and go out to dinner (another rarity). We were both craving mexican food. We looked up the 4 existing local restaurants and decided we would drive by them and see where we wanted to go. We found this great one called Las Margaritas on West 4th. It looked fun, it was packed and the appearance of it was pleasing to the eye. We parked a few blockes away then walked up and decided to check out the menu that was posted outside the door. Our hope was quickly shot when we saw that it ws around $15 a plate. Then you add drinks and tip and tax...you're looking at $45 bucks, at least. That was a no go. We decided instead that we would just walk down 4th and see what else there was. Alas, another mexican place..and it's upstairs..and it had a special going on that night for like $9 a plate. We were in! It was not quite the mexican food experience we had hoped for. Let me set the scene, we walked in, there were 2 employees and about 2 of the tables were full. The place looked old and Sex in the City was on the TV (hmmm?). We decided to give it a try. We ordered drinks (i think my Pina Colada type drink had been sitting in the fridge for a few hours) then we got our food. It was okay, but I could have done way better making it at home. Needless to say, I was kind of disappointed. Our big night out to dinner was a flop. However, the company was pretty good, so I guess I can't complain ;)
If you ever come to Vancouver...go for Sushi...apparently it's pretty good here.

Working at The Well

Working at The Well Cafe is an interesting thing. It has it's ups and downs...that's for sure. Mainly, I would say it is the people. The customers, that is. They really make or break a day for you. And honestly, all it takes is one person to be rude for no apparant reason and you're done for. You might as well go home and start the day over cause the day officially SUCKS! I don't understand those people who are rude for no reason. I imagine they must have had some experiences in life that have made them bitter and they deicde to take it out on the world. Somtimes...it hurts...and really makes me mad. I wish I could depict the stories exactly as I experience them, but writing them would not do them justice. You'll just have to trust me...I see some amazingly crazy people pass my way each and every day. I swear the Lord is testing me in EVERY way.
Honestly though, if it weren't for my great staff (of 3) there would be no reason to get up in the morning. I can't even call them "my staff" cause they are my friends and my source of entertainment that keep me from going insane each day. There's Audrey, Dane, and our new addition Jeff. Jeff hasn't started yet since his wife (ex-manger of the well) had a baby yesterday-yay! But I know he'll add to the team quite nicely. Audrey is my right hand, I am not joking. When we work together, not only does the time fly cause we are having so much fun but we are like a machine and communicate without even talking. She's also crazy and I love her. She is probably one of the funniest most sarcastic people I know and she has a story for everything. It's greatly amusing. Then theres Dane...silly Dane. He's freaking hilarious and I think his goal in life is to make people laugh. We have loved having him around and all I have to say...is our store is better than that other store over there on Dunbar. We ROCK!!! Yay for great people to work with.

Way too long...

Whoa...it sure has been a little while. I am so sorry to those of you who sit at your computer daily waiting for my next entry. Finally you get some excitement! Lucky you. Anyway, all is going well here during our first Canadian summer. We have been very much enjoying the sunshine and the beauty here. Today we went to China Town with our new southern friends, Chad and Ansley. It wasn't all it's hyped up to be, but we had a good time. Plus it was a beautiful day, so you can't go wrong.

What else is new? Well, I did go to L.A. last weekend for my sisters graduation from her Masters. I had a blast with the family. We were only there a couple days, but we did a lot of eating out, a little laying by the pool and a lot of time laughing and enjoying each other. It was a mini family vacation that I am sure to remember. Annie graduated from Azusa Pacific with her Masters in Psychology. Her and her husband have just recently moved back to Oregon and are now living in Eugene where Tony will attend University of Oregon and get his masters in Psychology.

As far as Derek and I, we are still puttin along. Derek is currently finishing up some papers fro summer school and I am just working my little tail off and enjoying the beauty of Vancouver. We've really been enjoying our friends a lot and have actually found lots of open times where we are all in town on the same days. It's been fantasic. Well, that's the little update. Sorry I don't have a more exciting life. But hey...what can I say?

By the way...I hope you have all had a chance to read Harry Potter 6 or least started reading the series. Since I finished reading the 6th book, I have become completely addicted and maybe a tad bit obsessed. I am rereading the book and once I get all my other books in the series back (they are loaned out at the moment) then I will reread the entire series. Oh man, I get excited just thinking about it....

HARRY POTTER!!!

Today is the day, it has finally come. July 16th, the day that Harry Potter and Half Blood Prince (the 6th book in the series) is released. Months ago I would have thought that at this very moment I would be curled up on my couch reading the long awaited book. But, just weeks ago Derek and I realised that if we bought the book in Canada it would not match all of our other books. So alas, we are waiting until next weekend where we are going to Seattle for a wedding. We will then get the book and dive right in. Though the next week will be tough and it will be hard to avert my eyes from online articles and news broadcasts about the much anticipated book, I know it will be worth it to have my fresh American Harry Potter book. Despite the controversy that is going on, I really don't care. the controversy is that the U.S. version is not printed on recycled paprer whereas the canadian version is on 100% recycled paper. But what can you do? I must have my U.S. copy of the book. For the last couple of months Derek and I have been rereading all of the books in order to prepare for today's release of the 6th. But instead of reading them, we have been getting them on tape from the library and have very much enjoyed listening to them together. We are still working on finishing up the 5th book on tape. So all in all it is a good thing that we still have one more week, cause we still have a little ways to go. Though it is fun to listen to it (actually it is amazing!) it takes a bit longer to get through because we have to coordinate our schedules and set aside "Harry Potter" time. But, if you get a chance, I highly reccommend listening to them on tape-or CD. They are perfect for road trips and you can check them out from the library. The guy who reads the books is positively wonderful. He is a delight to listen to, he does all the voices and has won numerous awards for his work reading the series. It's great! I hope that everyone now has their copy of the 6th book in hand and is enjoying it greatly. And, if you are still yet to get into the Harry Potter craze, I very much urge you to give it a try. Pick up the first book and just start reading, it is an easy read, very fun and interesting and is good for the imagination. You will soon know what all the fuss is about and once you get through the first 5, you will be on your way out to pick up your copy of the 6th. If you begin reading and you are not as into it as you thought you would be, then at least give it to the end of the 3rd book and if by that point you are still not convinced, then I guess it's just not for you. Which is sad and depressing, but I guess could just be the case. Hopefully you have not gone and seen the movies before you have read the books, it's just not the same to see the movies first. The 3rd movie sucks anwyay. Okay Harry Potter fans, what are you doing reading my blog when you should be reading your new book. Off you go...

Babies everywhere

Everywhere I go...babies, babies and preganant women. There must be something in the water here. One of my friends here just had a baby 2 days ago. A baby boy named Noah. So precious. It was long awaited (well 9 months) and now he's here. It's a pretty crazy and incredible thought that he is now out in the world experiencing life for the first time. There are a few more friends who should be giving birth within the next couple months. So litterally, there will be new born babies all over the place. With their new proud, glowing (yet tired) parents. I love it all. It's fun to oooh and aaaah over them but then know that at the end of the day you get to go home and sleep the whole night through. One day that will be us though and that is fine by me. I think it all seems fun and exciting.

Enjoy the sun Vancouver (yes it finally is here)!! Pray it lasts.

Long time

Wow, I have just noticed that it has been a while since I have written anything on here. What a slacker I am. This full time job thing sure keep ya busy, eh? That and the fact that my husband and I are now having to share a computer. All those things take a toll. So first off, let me just tell you how wonderful the summer here in Vancouver has been. Oh wait, did I say summer? Cause I think it must be fall eventhough the calendar says July. Yeah, it has been pretty crappy. Rainy and not too warm. Our first summer in Vancouver has so far sucked! I just want to go to the beach and get a tan. Is that so much to ask? We did have one nice day on Saturday, that was fun. My mom and Helen were here so the whole day was a huge blessing. We had a great time.
So, I am coming to a realization in my life that I am not getting any younger and really need to start focusing more onmy health. I need to eat at least a little healthier and need to do a little more physical activity. My question for you is this...how? How can I eat healthier but still be on this tight budget and cook in my tiny kitchen? And how can I get myself up off my butt and be motivated to workout when I have to be fully self motivated (no one will run with me)? That's my challenge for you all...to help me ;) Any encouragement, words of advice or nice healthy recipes would be greatly appreciated.
Okay, I have to work in just 8 hours so I guess I should at least start thinking about getting to bed (I guess I shouldn't have drunk that coffee). Goodnight world.

A quick thought

You know you are getting older when, eventhough it's your birthday, you are still ironing your husbands shirt while he plays video games. Hmmm...

P.S. I got a digital camera, so my photo page will hopefully have more pictures on it now. Be sure to check it out www.kbpics.blogspot.com

Hanging in Oregon

Here I am, at my parents house in Bend, Oregon and for the first time in a few days I get to actually sit down and have nothing to do. Feels good. After I got off work on Friday we drove straight down to Portland where we arrived around 10:30pm, we got to see our niece, Sophia (yes she was still awake) and we got to see our new nephew again who has grown about double in size since the last time we were there about a month ago. It was amazing. Anyway, Saturday morning we woke up and drove down to Eugene, we had not been to Eugene since the day we left over 9 months ago. Oh how we miss it. Our first stop when we got into town was, of course, ROMA!!! Derek was in heaven. It was nice to be back on the U of O campus where the sun was actually shining...for about 10 minutes. For lunch we met some friends at the North Bank McMenammins where we both had the ever famous 'Wilbur Burger' and Derek had a Terminator Stout. Again...in heaven. That evening we went to the wedding that we had actually come down for. Our friends Ben and Deanna got married. It was a sweet wedding and we litterally got to see ALL of our Eugene friends while we were at the reception. It was awesome and socially draining. We loved every minute of it. We couldn't quite get enough so after that we went again to McMennamins (this time it was the one on 19th) with about 8 of our friends. We got to catch up more personally and it was glorious. Needless to say, we were exhausted. We set it up, so we were able to stay out in Cook's Cottage at Camp Harlow. This morning we got up and went to breakfast (it just so happens to be counselor training right now) and again we got to see all of our camp buddies and close friends. Breakfast lasted a little longer than anticipated but we eventually got out of there, hopped in the car once again and headed to Bend. But first we stopped at Roma once again for some coffee for the road. Side note-we checked out 'Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire' on CD to listen to in the car and we have pretty much listened to it every chance we have gotten. Needless to say, we are flying right through it and hope to move on to 'Order of the Phoenix' soon. We got here to Bend around noonish and just knowing that we will not have to be getting in the car again anytime in the next 12 hours felt good. It is Father's Day so we have just been spending time with the fam. We went to a BBQ and it began to get a little chilly so we went inside and not even 2 minutes after we moved inside it began to hail like I have never seen before. It was coming down like pouring rain and lasted for about 20 minutes. It was insane. It is the middle of June and it's hailing. Who would've thought? I kind of enjoyed it. So, I am back at my parents and we are just resting and waititng for mom to finish her big surprise Father's Day gift for my dad. And in about 2 or so hours we will get to see our good buddy David Beach, so excited! On Tuesday (my big 22nd!) we head back over to Portland where we will get to see Derek's fam again and then Wednesday we head back home to Vancouver where we get to breathe :)

Craziness

Isn't life just crazy? I have to say so. Especially when summer hits, lives just fill up and more and more things are filling the day planner. I thought summer was supposed to be a relaxing time of peace and quiet. I guess we just take advantage of our so called "peace and quiet" and we fill our schedules with trips, guests and fun activities. Therefore ultimately summer is just as busy, if not more busy, than any other part of the year. It's all craziness I tell ya, just craziness. Take time to stop and enjoy what we all hope will be a beautiful summer. Congrats to all my graduating friends from U of O and of course OSU too. I am so happy for you all!

Stupid moment

So last week I was making....something with ground beef. I had let the ground beef thaw that day but it did not thaw all the way so I put it in the microwave for a couple minutes to defrost. Anyway, when it was done I took 1/2 of the ground beef to cook with and put the other 1/2 of the beef back in the freezer...though I thought. A few days later, litterally a few days, I went to cook something in the microwave and it turns out that I had put the other 1/2 of the beef into the microwave instead of the freezer. Needless to say we had to throw that out and it did not smell too good in the microwave. Silly me!

P.S. Derek got a job...woohooo...but he works all day Saturdays, so we had to change our coffee shop hunt to Sunday afternoons. We went to a place called Higher Grounds on Sunday and it was alright. Cute little place, okay atmosphere, small seating area. But they serve Cuppa Joe coffee, so that's always good. :)