poopy dooped

is exactly what I am right now. Today I had my first integration with the clients of the CRDI. Did you read the post about the new job I started? Everyone was so great, and I had so much fun. I can feel it in my bones already, I'm going to love this job. I love people so much. 

I felt a little negative on the road today because I was stuck in traffic for an hour and a half. I don't like that feeling and as if by some mind-reading force my maman called. So, I let it out and I cried a little bit and not just because of the traffic. I've been tired of late and after a long shift (8h30-17h30) and not seeing Mike's car in the driveway, well, I wanted some positivity- and love. She made me feel all better and I can talk to her about the job because she's been working there for 23 years. She's my ever-lasting support. Thank you maman. Je t'aime beaucoup.

Put on your coat and don't frown yo!

It was chilly-ish today. A week ago we were ecstatic to have 15 degree weather, but since we had that summer-hot Saturday & Monday, 15 degrees sucks? Com'on folks, quit complaining. It's annoying and negative. Surely it's nippy, but don't cuss about it. It's April!

I looked fly this morning with my white-as-snow blazer cruising down Taschereau sporting my favorite pink aviators. Took me forever to find those babes. Searched high and low and could not find these shades. Finally found them being sold by a dude in the subway. Paid five bucks. He had two pairs left. I bought both.

Something about white makes me feel fancy. I dryclean this jacket to keep it crisp, which makes me feel fancy too.

I liked my hair today. Au naturel. My lip gloss matched my lenses.

here I walk

along the curb

the traffic is thick

the mass is moving quickly

slowly I follow

dragging my toes

sauntering

my drive is just a little dusty

my confidence a little rusty

I'll merge when I trust you will yield

then you won't pass me

anymore

you will find me

when the time is right

Le Pont, Le Pont Merveilleux!

Every morning I drive to work, which is only part time right now because I am temporarily working on call, I see a structure that fascinates me. For the longest time now I've wanted to share it with you, but by the time I think of it, it's too late; I'm already under it, more than half-way through.

This morning was perfect. I remembered on the best day. By now, if you're annoyed with my daily blogging of the sun, take a hike! The sun makes me happy and today it was shining all over the city.

So my secret gem? My favorite part of Montreal is The Champlain Bridge. The Jacques Cartier Bridge is sweet too but I never take it. It's spectacular, I love driving under it.

Just to calm the peeps freaked by the driving and cell phone usage. No worries. At no time was I looking into the lens. Eyes on the road at all times :) I like to drive with one hand and I pretty much always do. Holding the phone was like holding an apple or anything really. Twas safe!

I am so proud I remembered today! Awesome, isn't it? I think it's heavenly.

inside my head.

It was rainy today. I would say yuck but I had marvelous luck. As I ripped the sheets off my legs this morning I realized the sun was shining brilliantly through my open window- is it going to be nice today? I wondered. I checked the mac to see if the stats had changed but no, thunder showers were still expected in the afternoon's forecast. Damn I thought. Now I have to wear a jacket.

The sun shone lovely this morning. I got lost on my way to a new location for work today. I was ten minutes late which was such a bummer because had it not been for getting lost mixed with traffic (deadly combination) I would have been early.

During a 15 minute breather from the board room I went outside to check the weather. It was barely drizzling and it was warm. I stood in the freckly rain and it felt good on my skin.

Work finished early- yes. The rain was up, gone-zo. Hmm, cool I thought. I was stuck in yuck traffic on the ten when all of a sudden...

Sorry, I know the pictures and the clip overall is of poor quality- as in blurry. But want to know a secret? The making, editing and trimming of this video was all done on my Sony Ericsson Walkman cell phone. Yes, text, everything. While roaming my cell's different devices, I discovered a little application called Video DJ. Amazing how far along technology has come. I'm amazed anyway.

crazy, wacky, tasty and nasty

I decided to come home for lunch after a long apartment hunting session this morning. My sister needs a new joint for July and what a perfect day to walk the sunny streets with the temperature at a current 24 degrees. Mind boggling.

John and my sister Alexa went to the deppanneur to pick up some stuff and and came back with Bean Boozled Jelly Beans by Jelly Belly, a small box contaning "weird & wild flavors".  The teeny box held a variety of ten different colors, but twenty different flavors. For every color you can either pick a wonderful tasting jelly bean or a nasty, disgusting, revolting, gag-inducing jelly bean. The catch, if you haven't yet caught on, you cannot tell the difference between the jelly beans. Example: Pencil Shavings and Top Banana are the same color. No telling which flavor will invade your taste buds until you actually start to chow down, so you basically have a 50/50 shot of picking something good or bad. It's fun, gross, exciting, funny and narsty, but mostly just funny, and a little scary.

Ok, be prepared to laugh until your sides split. Seriously, I would even go as far to say that you should maybe get some Depends.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA times infinity.

late night ramblings

It's late but I don't want to sleep. I really have to soon though. I have to get up early and go look at an apartment with Alexa. I went to the corner store to buy cola and chips. I'm not even eating the chips. I don't know why I bought them. I'm not hungry. I'm waiting for you. I sorta dressed up to go to the store. It's one in the morning and my sister said what does it matter, nobody's even gonna see me but it does matter. It matters because I feel like I look good and I don't try and look good by other people's standards. I have my own style thank you very much and I don't care if you think I look like a Grandma because I do wear my Grandma's old stuff sometimes and I don't think anything is wrong with that. I think I look cool as heck. I wore flower prints. Where in the world are you. Oh, speak of the devil you're unlocking the door.

1 + 1 = 1

Dear Earth: I love you

Wednesday was Earth Day. I told myself I wouldn't turn any lights on or buy anything but I didn't entirely succeed. I bought lunch at The Eaton Centre because I was really hungry and I flicked the switches on in my apartment a few times accidentally. Thanks to my sister who was well reminded of my goals-of-the-day. I enjoyed a quiet candle-lit evening in my illuminated apartment. It was awesome. I could do that every night. 

Work is swell. I'm still in school (training) but I love it. I'm learning so much interesting matter. Next week is my first integration (as a hired employee) with the clients. I can hardly keep quiet about it :)

Man I love this earth. Ever just look at the sky and get lost in it? Or stare at a tree? I mean, really look at it? Identify every detail? Imagine how it must feel? I really feel so close to nature, we're friends, for sure. I was driving on the ten the other day and became consumed by the sky. The sun was playing hide and seek in the clouds. It glowed on my skin then it hid, tickled my nose and then hid again. Silly sun.

How about that sun? How about this crazy warm even HOT weather? It was 26+ yesterday! I was outside sweating. In April? It's exciting but scary. My arms only started to chill around midnight last night, but up until then it was still warm enough for me and my tank top. I think I got a little sunburn.

summer dresses bare feet sticky neck summer heat straggly hair dirty nails bathing suit tan lines warm sand cool breeze humid air sandals bermuda shorts tube tops ice cream beach sun

wear socks you stubborn mule

whenever the wind 

licks the inside of my toes

I am cold

how come you never warm me?

oh

I am the one to blame.

first day on the job

I can't believe that I've been unemployed for almost two months now. That's nuts! I definitely took advantage though and appreciated that I could more-than-afford the time off. It was sad to realize, however, that my free days were over. Did they ever do me good though.

Monday was my first day of work clocked in at CRDI Monteregie Est. My maman has been working for this company for about 23 years now. My new job title is "assistante en readaption". As it entitles, this position consists of aiding and assisting in the re-adaptation of people with mental and physical deficiencies. The end result is very rewarding. Ps- check out the link and read a few paragraphs. just a few :)

When I was a little girl I used to travel with my mom to work all the time; I loved it. I like people and I like interacting, and  I felt very comfortable communicating with these people. I helped with meals and activities; it all came so naturally to me. I could look at them and see them as my equal, understanding that they were human beings just like me with thoughts, emotions, wants and needs. I am still just as passionate about people, all kinds, and especially the wonder and challenge of conversing with someone who cannot verbally express themselves. You have to go the extra mile to comprehend the needs of the person. It's amazing, and the bond is unique. 

I can't wait to get started! Before any real hands on can begin, a mandatory training is, well, required. Today was my third day of training. Today I learned self-deffense tactics. It was really fun learning, but I'm expecting a few bruises tomorrow :)

Monday and Tuesday was like one long lecture. Don't get me wrong, I am very excited to learn how to approach, understand, integrate, assess and aid our clients, it's just a lot of information to absorb in such a short period of time. I am extremely keen on learning the symptoms and causes for certain behavior's, outbursts, attitudes, mannerisms and conditions. I am even more eager to apply my knowledge so that I may assist the clients in overcoming their problems and issues. I want to help make my clients' lives better, I want to help them adapt to a better lifestyle.

I can't wait to be a pro! I can't wait to get my hands dirty! Oh boy, and I will. Literally..... If only you knew some of the horror stories I've heard! Don't you know some clients need help going to the washroom? And many also need to be bathed? Dear adventure, please try not to give me too many unpleasant surprises!

on another note:

My maman is adorable. She comments on my blog posts from Facebook because she knows how to log onto my father's account and click on my notes. (I authorized automatic imports) Even though I saved the URL to her favorites and showed her how to access it, she hasn't quite caught on yet. I'm sure she'll read this too... not making fun Maman! Kiss!

I sure miss my older sister, Elise. It feels like I haven't seen her in a while. She's a McGill student in animal health technology. She's really busy with exams at the moment, and last weekend old roommates vacated as a new one moved in. Hopefully I'll be able to reach her tomorrow.

IN BREAKING NEWS! I just got off the phone with my best friend. I've known her since elementary school. Through thick and thin, our friendship has survived bumps, jumps, failures and victories. I could spend a year telling you about every detail of our intimate and shameless bond. She's the reflection of me, except taller and blonde. Oh- and she's a Jehovah's Witness.

No it has not been easy. I took a lot of time, effort and sincerity to understand and gather a fair knowledge about her religion. As her best friend, not only was it written in the invisible code of friendship to respect it, but also be familiar with this belief; something that played a bigger role than being a part of her life. Being a witness was her life and still very much is.

I've attended book studies and assembly's and have had endless midnight conversations lying next to her in the same single bed, or cabin, or wherever our adventures took us. I am telling you, this is my hometown homie, my partner in crime. We celebrated Christmas and Halloween for several years together as children, back when her faith was less strong. But as high school ended she came to a realization of sorts and started studying passionately so that she could become baptized as a true Jehovah's Witness. I have never seen her happier, healthier or stronger.

Her baptism was unbelievable. There, before me, she walked down the steps of the in-ground pool until she was waist-deep. A few words were spoken before the priest slung one arm behind her back and placed one on her forehead, forcing her to trust his grip, sending her backwards underwater. Whether you believe in any religion or none at all, nothing could take away from the magic as she emerged, drenched, eyes closed and mouth open, gaspig for air. A moment I will never forget, I thought to myself, as tears rolled down my cheeks.

@Amberely's wedding

My heart is beating like crazy as I write this, but my best friend, Megan Brittany Savage, is getting married in two weeks. Yes, married. I am excited and nervous and overwhelmed all at the same time.  I can't help but ask her repeatedly- are you sure that this is right? Do you have any doubt at all? I just want the best for my most favorite girl! And that's the breaking news- a hometown-infamous, inseparable team duo is facing the final test. Ok, so  it's not really a test, it's more like a fairy-tale... the fairy-tale we've always dreamed of!

Stereotypically, best friends become each others' maid of honor. Unfortunately, this fairy-tale does not end as perfectly as we had hoped. To everyone else: a minor glitch, to us: devastation. I cannot, due to the fact that I am not a baptized Jehovah's Witness, be Megan's maid of honor. We tried for it, but alas, no go. I have had nine months to come to accept this, but even now, mere weeks before the ceremony, I find myself sad. After all the efforts and the distances travelled to be as supportive as possible, I find myself rejected. Also, I was not invited to the surprise bridal shower thrown by her Aunt, or the suprise lingerie shower thrown by her cousin. I felt excluded.

@ Amberely's wedding

Of course Megan did not have control over who came to her surprise parties, and I'm sure that I was unintentionally forgotten, especially since I am not close to her aunt or cousin and they do not know me well either. As for the maid of honor dilemma, that's a rule we didn't manage to bust. So instead, Megan and her husband-to-be decided not to have any groomsmen or bridesmaids stand next to them at the alter. I know, big move. I was so flattered by the motion, she really is my best friend. She told me, "If you can't stand there, nobody will." The bridesmaids and groomsmen will sit front row however, with me :)

also @ Amberely's wedding (her sister)

I love Megan and I could never imagine a life without her. We've been there for each other, for everything. I am so excited for her special day!

while Boys work, Girls play

Check out the last post, you'll know my good friend Lee temporarily fixed my junker. Looky at what me and my sister did while we waited and chatted with him :)

Funky Chicks

Groovy Baby!

Stayin' alive!

Imagination. Play time. Creativity

Alexa's pebble art

As it set...

we're "do-it-yourself" kind of folk

On my way back to the city I decided I was going to drop by Foster, QC, a town occupying a couple hundred residents. Lee Shanks lives there, and before my move last year to Montreal, I lived there too. 

I stayed in his comfy, country home on a dirt road. He has a chunk of land I used to love to play soccer on with his two son's Cameron and Dawson. I take the liberty of calling them my nephews. I am in love with those kids.

Turning into his driveway that late Sunday afternoon, my muffler decided it was going to crap out on me. I marched right on inside and said "Lee, come jimmy rig my station wagon, it broke.", and that's exactly what he did.

We're rednecks, country folk. We jimmy rig our cars with wire and bungee chords as the sun sets. I love you Lee.

when I was a younger writer.

I had breakfast with my maman Sunday morning. She's an angel. I swear.

Abide by the rules

she would always say

She never lived

it seemed

to enjoy the day 

But I do feel inside of me

A fault, a guilt

A crippled tree

For she never wronged 

And she always cared

With a heart full of love

Beyond any compare

And though I truly

Loved her too

I never abided

By the rules

Today:

She's my best friend. I love her. She's cute. She's beautiful. She's wise. She's my idol. I aspire to have a heart as big as hers. She is so amazing and her love is so powerful. She moves people. She changes the world.

Emma Stevens: Vintage Lover

This weekend I retreated to the country with my little sister Alexa to visit my folks. My daddy was painting the kitchen with his friend Kirk. Kirk's cool, he used to be in a band. Got out of the house though.  The oil primer smelled like shit.

I went to Emma's. Emma is the founder of my hometown's theatre; Theatre Lac Brome. Knowlton, my town, is also known as Brome Lake; it's within the Eastern Townships. Emma is sweet: an artist. She's done a lot of work in the arts. She is an exceptional actress and is a part of ACTRA. Thanks to her, we're with the same agent. Experienced and exceptionally talented; she's been in the business a long time.

She also has a love for vintage. She opened her own joint in the downtown village: Grandpa. She named it in memory of her Grandad. His cane hangs on a wooden beam by the cash box with a small piece of paper that reads "Not for Sale".