it's friday, I'm not required to think

Got this from Kelly. Mwah.

1. What is your current obsession? Sims3. And looking at my very pretty sparkly ring!!

2. What is your weirdest obsession? Collecting different versions of Monopoly. So far we have 3.

3. What do you see outside your window? Straight out: the other highrise in our complex, trees, buildings, blue sky and a highway. If I look down I can see the parking lot, grass and the pool.

4. What is your favourite colour? Yellow, Orange, Red, Silver, Blue.

5. What is your weakness? Books. Gah.

6. What animal would you be? GROUNDHOG! haha. Seriously, wtf?

7. What would you like to learn how to do? Be patient.

8. What do you want to never happen in life? Not sure.

9. What is on your bedside table? My rhiny horno, table lamp, phone, Dsi, book, a couple stray elastics & bobbypins, ring box, purple pen, a tub of mango body butter, two remotes, probably a couple of empty Sprite Zeros.

10. What's the last thing you bought? Little Pink Slips by Sally Koslow.

11. What do you think about the person who tagged you? I worry about her - she doesn't seem to be in a good headspace lately.

12. What was your favorite children's book? The classics - Hungry Caterpillar, Goodnight Moon, Love You Forever, etc.

13. Who do you want to meet in person? Keith's siblings! Damn them living on the other side of the country!

14. What did you want to be as a child? Writer/Journalist/Lawyer.

15. What did you dream about last night? I didn't.

16. Which do you prefer, day or night? Anytime I'm not tired.

17. What's your favourite piece of clothing in your closet? It's a tossup between my enormous black hoody that I've worn everyday (or close to it) since getting it last October, and my new purple tank top with lace at the top.

18. What's your plan for tomorrow? Finish nitpicky things on assignment, class, submit assignment, pay bills, look at my pretty ring, buy food for Elvis, play Sims3, read a book, play Dsi, listen to country music, take a nap & go to bed late. My life is hard eh?

19. What would you like to get your hands on right now? A RIDICULOUSLY ENORMOUS WAD OF CASH.

20. What is your must-have of the moment? My phone. Where the HELL is it?

21. What's your favourite tea flavour? Sugar. And milk.

22. If you could go anywhere in the world right now, where would you go? Europe.

Are you blind?

The whole story really starts at about 4pm on Thursday....I was napping and all I heard was "Hi sweetie, I'm home." He then kissed my head and announced, "and now I'm off to school." In my half-awake state, I thought this was really weird as he usually has an hour or so between work and school, but it didn't stop me from sleeping another hour.

I got up at 5 and checked my bank account - and I saw the transaction from the jeweller (my account has the higher POS limit) and I immediately screamed and got very, very shaky. And then I was half-mad at myself for looking; but really? That's me. It's not that I hate surprises, it's that I'm so impatient that surprises never last long around me.

This was at five. Keith had school until at least 9:30. The next four hours passed by agonizingly slowly - although Keith called me twice, emailed me once, and we had a mini-conversation on Facebook about my status. I also thought that weird, because we're adults - we CAN go 4 hours without speaking to one another, believe it or not. I just chalked it up to him getting a new cell phone the day before.

The next part of the story is really, really embarrassing. He got home at 9:30, like usual. I actually started patting him down looking for the ring! (I can't believe I did that!) Needless to say, I didn't find it - and he explained the transaction away by saying they had made a mistake and the ring wasn't quite ready, but since he was there he just paid off the remaining balance. (He really knows how to deal with me, huh?)

Ahem.

My mood immediately went from nervous excitement to, well, I think you can imagine. I was disappointed, and yet chiding myself because it was silly to be disappointed - I wasn't even supposed to know! I was really tired at this point (about 11) so I decided to call it an early night. I went to bed and finished reading July's issue of Cosmo. I'd like to note here that he had me totally convinced that he didn't have the ring yet.

Keith followed me into bed and we just did normal stuff - watching TV, playing on the Dsi, talking - you know, just stuff. Then we started cuddling and slightly making out, which was really nice since we haven't done that in awhile. I was laying on his chest when he remarked "Are you blind? There was something on my desk the entire time."

I sat up and gulped while my stomach did a nervous flipflop. "What?" I asked. I'm not going to lie, it honestly felt like he was lunging at me while his hand came out from underneath his pillow and suddenlythere was this object in my face. It took me a few seconds to realize what that object was and it was as if his voice was coming from very, very far away - "Will you marry me?"

It was the most surreal experience of my LIFE. I managed to choke out a yes (obviously), but it felt like everything was like when they dub something and its a little off - his mouth was moving but I didn't hear them until a few seconds later. So surreal.

The wedding won't be for a couple of years yet. We've both decided that the focus right now is on our schooling and - let's be honest here - neither us nor our respective parents are in a financial position to host a wedding.

But that's okay, honestly. Just knowing I will marry him (and that it's official) someday is enough.

life-changing

I'M ENGAGED!!!!

I'll tell you the story in a day or two. Right now I want to just savour what happened.

(oh, and PLEASE click to enlarge, these don't do it nearly enough justice)

bang bang

• I LOVE unexpected money. In all forms! Like unexpected cheques, a bill for half the amount you planned on, or even just a kind salesperson that says they'll waive the connection fee for both cellphones.
• Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons. Sigh. "Walk Like A Man," "Big Girls Don't Cry," "Beggin'," "Can't Take My Eyes Off You," "Who Loves You, Pretty Baby?" "Swearing To God," "Oh! What a Night," "Grease," "My Eyes Adored You," are all on instant replay in this household.
• Getting very, very fustrated with this whole losing a half pound to a pound a week thing. Although it did take 9 years to put on, so perspective & patience are needed.
• I don't think my Mom will EVER stop working. I mean it. On her vacation this summer, she's headed to China to teach ESL for a month. WORKING. On her VACATION. Intense.
• I can't believe its nearly been two years for Keith and I. Every day I look at him and feel so, so incredibly lucky.
• Our trip was great. We really did tons - Ontario Science Centre, BlueJays game, CN Tower, the Zoo, Jersey Boys, ROM, Casa Loma. We were complimentarily upgraded to a queen suite, which was massive - 430sq ft. I got a wicked sunburn, a huge blister on the bottom of my foot and won a full game of Trivial Pursuit. I wore very impractical shoes and then limped very painfully through 3 hours at the zoo and 3 hours at the CN Tower on Friday, and at Casa Loma climbed so many stairs that until yesterday my legs felt amputated from the thighs.

(see that tower? Yeah. Climbed that to the top. Ouch).

(Favourite room in the entire castle - The Observatory)

gems

new trick

We're packed and counting down the hours until we leave. The one thing I absolutely HATE is having to put Molly in the kennel when we go away, so a couple of nights before, she gets absolutely spoiled with treats and cuddles. I'll miss her so incredibly much :(





(For those interested: weight loss: 3.5 pounds, 1 inch. Totals: 28 pounds, 5 inches)

new & old

Meet my new sexy phone:

It's a Blackberry Pearl Flip 8820
in PINK. (it's okay to be jealous)

My new toy; the game I got for it was Brain Age 2.

And because you haven't seen them in awhile (and they're still incredibly cute):

Can I start packing yet?

Keith's on vacation for the next week and we're off to Toronto in 3 days! Keith and I are SO excited - the last trip we took was in November for his birthday. It was a loooong winter, let me tell you. Sheesh.

The day after we get there, my bestest friend is coming down from Blyth to spend two days with us and oh, I can't WAIT to see her. And on Saturday, my mom is driving from London (after a teachers conference, no less!) to spend a day with us. Mom & I are going to see Jersey Boys on Saturday night and then the three of us are going to the ROM on Sunday morning/afternoon. I haven't seen my mom since Thanksgiving. That's WAY too long, if you ask me. But the trip to Stratford - Ottawa takes a day (literally) and its hard to find the money & time; it's not like you can just 'pop up' there for a weekend.

Because of my diet there's some logisitics to the trip that I've never had to think about before - like realizing last night that we have to bring along dish soap. DISH SOAP. How weird is that? But I need something to clean my shakers out every day.

Other than that there's just the usual to do before we leave anywhere - namely make sure the house is clean and the laundry is done. Which I should be doing now instead of typing this. Ahem.

Trip:
Thursday: Peggy arrives 8:10am at Union Station, then Hockey Hall of Fame, Ontario Science Centre and CN Tower (at night).
Friday: Toronto Zoo! Peggy leaves at 10pm *sad face*
Saturday: Jays Game at 1pm, Mom arrives at 5pm, show at 8.
Sunday: Checkout at 11am, ROM for afternoon, then catching the Greyhound at 6:30. Get into Ottawa at midnight.
Monday: Keith calls in sick? Maybe?

mystery

Next week is going to be the longest week of my life. And what kills me is I don't want to say anything because I want it to be this BIG! SURPRISE! when it happens.

I can't wait to show you pictures.

It's going to be beautiful.

8 things + results

Loss: 7 pounds (3.2kg)
Inches: 1 inch
Blood pressure: 120/80
Totals: 27 pounds (12.3 kg) and 4 inches.

Also, Mrs. E from The Marvelous Mrs. E tagged me today.

8 Things

8 Things I'm Looking Forward to:
vacation in a week
eating again
getting engaged
finishing my diploma
going to bed
watching the 90210 season finale
getting weighed next week
seeing my dad this summer

8 Things I did yesterday:
Watched Harry Potter movies #3-5.
Watched some Sex & The City.
Slept
Stayed naked all day
Did some wedding research
Snuggled with Keith
Went to the bathroom every 20 minutes (damn liquid diet)
Did some homework

8 Things I wish I could do:
Speak French fluently
Eat
Start actual wedding planning
Fit into a size 10
A cart-wheel
Get an A on every exam and assignment
Save money
Afford name-brand cigarettes.

8 Shows I watch:
90210
Grey's Anatomy
Flashpoint
Friends
Sex & The City
Criminal Minds
Say Yes To The Dress
18 kids and counting (don't judge)

8 Tags:
Heather's Daily Life
The Well Written Kitty
Dustyn & Kamie
Patiently Waiting
FiveBlondes
Empty Uterus Syndrome
Weedze - That's Me

something else

The wind is blowing so hard today. It's making the newly-leaved trees swish back and forth as if they were waves, crashing onto the sand. The sound through my open windows is intoxicating; I wish I could stay in bed to prolong the fantasy that the sound actually is water against land.

Too bad I have class in 45 minutes. F*$king school.

caution: F bombs ahead

What IS it that makes me so irrationally angry when my laptop is fucked up?

I JUST got it back today from it being repaired for a week. I had to re-install Windows on it myself, so that took 2 hours. I noticed it was getting really hot on the left side, but I went ahead and starting installing stuff like MSN, Office, Sims2, and it crashed on me (and it won't re-start). It was only on for THREE HOURS! That's gotta be a world record or something. ONLY THREE FUCKING HOURS.

I'm so incredibly fucked off right now. I know I shouldn't have done it, but I called the place that repaired it. I distinctly remember ending the message by yelling "I don't know what you did to it, but it's FUCKED."

Ooops.

Something tells me they won't be a hurry to return my call.

Why I love Keith: numbers 15, 16 & 17

Every morning before going to work, he puts 4 shakers filled with water in the fridge for me to mix later.
He re-sets the alarm to whatever time I need to wake up.
He asks if I'm ready for the dog and doesn't let her in the room until I say yes.*


*Molly isn't allowed to sleep with us during the night due to his allergies & bed size, but when he leaves for work in the morning he lets her in so I don't have to wake up alone.

the day started out aggro and turned into good

I didn't do any of the workout stuff I had planned yesterday, so that's a fail.

Did you know that Wal-Mart sells bridal stuff? Like veils/tiaras, cake toppers, even favour kits and invitations. Wow. I already planned on getting my shoes there, now I'm probably going to get my tiara and they have these cute little wine glass candles that would be perfect for around the centerpiece. Who cares if the headpiece costs 20$ or 200$? And more importantly, who actually notices? I know I don't care, and I don't care if people notice! 20$ is CHEAP, people!

My laptop is broken AGAIN. This makes it the third time in about as many months - the last repair only lasted a week and a half. I'm going in to drop it off tomorrow and I've already stated quite firmly that I WILL NOT be paying for whatever's wrong, because shelling out 70$ each time in 2 weeks is NOT acceptable.

School starts tomorrow...my evening class (Civil Procedures II) was canceled on Friday. I get a reduction in tuition, of course (making my tuition only 688$), but if I can take it during the day right now, then that's preferable. The situation with Civil Pro II is that they are doing a complete overhaul of the Rules of Civil Procedure in January of 2010. And guess when the course is offered in the day program? January 2010. So to avoid having to re-buy new textbooks and also to avoid having to re-learn all of the damn rules, I want to get it done now.

Grades are in! Keith got a B, which qualifies him for a CGA (stands for Canada General Accountant) exemption.

Basically, the way it works is if you take these courses now, and achieve a minimum grade of 70%, then you are exempted from writing that test later on to qualify to become a CGA. You can qualify for up to 13 CGA exemptions. That's Keith's plan - so it puts a little bit of pressure on him to make sure he gets at least a B- to qualify. There's really no room for failure (anything lower). I'm so happy for him! :)

And myself, I don't know if saying 76.05% is the same as saying 76.5%, or even if they round up final marks. If the first one is true, then I got a B; if the second one is true then I got a B+. Either way, I'm very very happy with my mark, especially after such a shitty start (64% on a midterm worth 25% - YUCK). And for participation I got 70%; I did miss 3 classes so that makes sense.

I also got 75% on my final (worth 25%) - I wrote it in TWENTY MINUTES. I'm not even kidding you. Me a happy Sarah!

Um, that's about it, I guess. Off to watch Family Guy! :)

Actual - Saturday

Saturday - Light housework, 20 minutes of treadmill, some weight-machines (8 x 15 reps x 3 x 2), 20 minute swim, 40 minute walk (due to crappy shoes and a blister on the bottom of my foot).

Added: 29 minutes of DDR and a 30 minute walk.

My upper arms are very much hurty right now. And Keith said he would make me a shake half an hour ago and he's still sitting so close to his screen I fear it'll swallow his head.

PS: GO CANUCKS! awww shit; chicago just scored to tie it up.

PPS: If you're wondering why I'm writing this all down, every week I have to write it down and give it to the doctor; if I don't put it here I'll forget/lose it.

Actual - Friday

Friday - 25 minutes of DDR, 20 minutes of treadmill, some weight machines (15 reps x 3). This didn't happen, I did a 30 minute walk instead.
20 30 minute swim, 25 29 minutes of DDR.

There. I did it (sorta, kinda, maybe?)

Now I'm off to snuggle in bed and choose a movie off RogersOnDemand as my reward.

Workout

Monday - did nothing except sleep, read and enjoy my first day of unemployment.

Tuesday - also did nothing; weigh-in revealed a loss of only a pound and a half inch. Bummed. (Totals: 21 pounds and 3 inches)

Wednesday - Light housework+, 30 minute power-walk, 20 minute swim.

Thursday - 40 minute walk*. In the rain, no less.

Friday - 25 minutes of DDR, 20 minutes of treadmill, some weight machines (15 reps x 3), 20 minute swim, 25 minutes of DDR.

Saturday - Light housework, 20 minutes of treadmill, some weight-machines (15 reps x 3), 20 minute swim, 40 minute walk.

Sunday - Light housework, 25 minutes of DDR, 20 minute swim, 40 minute walk. Keith plays ball-hockey.

Monday - 20 minute swim. Keith plays ice-hockey.

Up until Thursday, this list is truthful. We'll see how I do over the weekend, but that's what I want to accomplish. Let's hope that all my hard work this week will result in a good-sized drop in the scale on Tuesday!

* when I say "40 minute walk" that usually means a loop around our neighbourhood with the dog. She's loving this new exercise regime. On the days that we don't go on our walks, we try to take her out for a good 20 minutes of fetch.
+ Yes, I count housework as exercise. Anything helps. I actually do half-lunges when I'm vacuuming, believe it or not!

(oh, almost forgot to mention; it stopped on day 13, thankfully! I asked the doctor about it on Tuesday, and she said that if it happens next month, then to DEFINITELY go for an ultrasound. She thinks I might have had a cyst that burst, based on the amount of cramping I had. GulpGulp)

Big Bang Theory

I love this song, the band that sings it, and I absolutely adore the TV show it's a theme song for. (I seriously sit there and giggle for a straight half hour. It's that good).



In other not so great news, this makes it day 11 and I'm starting to freak right the fuck out. *sigh* And the pain is unbearable - today I took 12 extra-strength tylenol just to get through my 8 hour shift. Not good.

Speaking of that, ONE MORE SHIFT, BAY-BEE! I'm going to be so bored next week, but I picked up a few books - The Hour I First Believed by Wally Lamb, Certain Girls by Jennifer Weiner and Comfort Food by Kate Jacobs (which I've already finished).

I'm never good at conclusions, so I'm just going to say - watch the video, hope you enjoy it - I'm off to download some music because of course I lost it all when my harddrive crapped out. Ugghh.

I'm in love

This is my desktop - isn't it just flat-out cute??

Seeing green.

I'm talking to my cousin right now and I'm trying my hardest to squash these feelings of complete jealousy.

She's a year younger than I am and I just found out she wants to be married in 2011 - either August or September. And that her dad will probably foot the majority of the bill.

Contrast that to my situation; I want to be married in 2011 too, in October, and Keith and I will be paying for the entire thing ourselves.

She just seems to have it so easy in everything. Her parents are paying for her university, while I have to borrow from the government. Her fiance just sold his house and so they plan on building an entire new house in a year or so.

God, I sound so petty. And don't get me wrong, I AM genuinely happy for her. I AM.
I just wish I wasn't so jealous of how easy she has it. And I wish I wasn't the kind of person TO get jealous about it all.

Sigh. I'm a horrible, selfish, petty person. And jealous. Don't forget about that.