so take off all your clothes

old news is still hot news.

Cheeeeeese Whiz. Dang it's been cold lately and the weather channel has been giving bogus reports. "Oh yes there's going to be a high today of 20 degrees..." Yeah, at 7hpm for 5 minutes. Sheesh. Yark I'm complaining! I don't like to complain, complainers suck BT. (big time)  I am just really counting on tomorrow for some positivity and sunshine. I have a lot of nice shirts that I would like to not hide under a sweat shirt or jacket please. They're saying 21 in the morning and 29 for the afternoon. If this comes through with no chilly wind I am in for such a spoiled treat! Sleep tight Montreal and tomorrow wear sunscreen! (excited!)

I just wanted to announce that my bestest friend in the whole wide world got MARRIED! For the last week, almost two weeks now, she's been a wifey to some lucky fellar! I told you all about the wedding though. Remember?

I feel like I gave her away! Sniff :(

She looked absolutely amazing.

Congratulations to Megan Brittany Savage and Benjamin Bouffard. May your love remain youthful and full of the little things. I wish ever lasting strength and hope to your team and all the cute little additions you make ;)

It was a lovely wedding followed by a scrumptious dinner and a happenin' reception!  A great start to a great life together. 

Haha. The End.

Hey. Miss me?

Long time no see. I've been busy. Busy as heck. Working a lot. But I love it. Oh my love-life-happy-dance do I ever love it. It's not always easy to work with people who can't express themselves well, or at all due to vocal incapabilities, but it's rewarding. Last week, I worked with a woman who was blind, deaf and mute. We communicated through sign language, and I can't even tell you how special that is. It's a gift. I have an amazing job. I work on call right now but that's ok, I'll deal.

My best friend got married on Saturday and I promise to blog about that. I have breath-taking photos. Mother's Day was Sunday and my oldest sister Elise turned twenty-two today. I've been running around of late. I'm sure you didn't mind my absence. I've had some lovely days.

Anniversary, Anniversaire

I didn't blog yesterday because I was really busy celebrating two very special events including three very special people. Yesterday, my parents celebrated their 23rd wedding anniversary. I am so proud of them. Their journey is one of perseverance and strength. Their loving bond conquered their differences, their budgets, and everything else the world threw at them. When times were hard, they were hard but they never gave up. Instead, they braced themselves and stood side by side, holding hands, fingers laced with a firm grip. They made it :)

I look up to them with such pride and can only hope to have a love as strong last so long. They're my idols; they amaze me. And not only are they lovers, but they are best friends, and not only are they best friends, but most importantly of all, they're teammates. Way to go Team Maman & Dad. A french waitress and an english speaking Chef with some french phrases up his sleeve came to be and tested time. They won. Man they're cool.

May 3rd also marked the birthday of a very special person in my life. Somebody that I crossed paths with unintentionally but has changed my life drastically. I think we were destined to meet. He's in love with nature. More than me. His name is William Lee Shanks, but we just call him Lee. Lee makes snow in the winter at Owl's Head and scuba dives in the summer installing docks. He's amazing and I recently just inspired him to start his own blog. I can't wait until it gets started, until then I'll keep you posted. He has a really great outlook on life and I've enjoyed many thoughtful conversations with him. I rented a room in his house a year ago when my life was changing. His was changing too. We helped each other out, and our words still find us today. We stick together because we're two peas in a pod. He's pea 1 and I'm pea 2.

I had a wonderful and warm weekend. 

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.

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.

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

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!