I'm alive, I just suck at bogging.

As usual.

No more promises to post more, because I don't like breaking them.

Christmas is coming. So is my birthday. I wish it wouldn't, but alas. It's the only thing I can count on every year. Christmas is awesome though. We might even get a white Christmas this year! Here's to hoping.

I've been bitten by the travel bug again. I really, really want to go somewhere. Anywhere. It doesn't matter, as long as it's not here. Costa Rica, California, Italy....I don't care. Anyone want to donate a quarter to Sarah's Travel Funds?

^_^

Sunday Mornings.

So relaxing, especially when there are people tromping all over the roof re-doing the shingles. Good thing they knocked over the satellite too, I mean, who wants to watch TV? TV is so overrated.

SIGH. So much for my nice, Sunday morning. Oh well. Hopefully they'll be done by the time Church is over. And at least Carl can come to Church AND choir practice today, cause he's on his four day weekend :D Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday off. We're going to Calgary to see people and do some Christmas shopping on Tuesday, BUT! If all goes well, I'll get tomorrow off and we'll head up tomorrow. I've got to head down to Montana to pick up some car parts for Kate's car that Uncle Tracy is going to fix up for her. This will be the first time I go across the border by myself. Hopefully Carl's grandpa Holland will come with me.

Yay for colds.

They're awesome. I have today off and was planning on going out for lunch with a friend, maybe do some Christmas shopping, and just have fun today, but alas! I have come down with this stupid cold, and I might not even be going to work tomorrow either. UGH. So much for enjoying my day off. *grumblegrumble* So here I sit with my NeoCitran (The only good thing about being sick) and an already half empty box of Kleenex attempting to fold clothes.

I've had an interesting last few days. Yesterday when I woke up I KNEW I had to work at 1:30, but for some reason unbeknownst to me I left my house at 10:30am and headed to work. I got as far as the Starbucks on Mayor Magrath and then I realized "Wait a minute, what time is it? What the heck am I doing??!?" So I popped into Starbucks, got a Caramel Apple Spice and headed home. It was the strangest thing ever.

Also. I found out on Sunday night that a boy I dated back in the day from Pincher Creek is now in prison for killing his father. WTF. YEAH. He wasn't psycho when we dated, but he did have some issues. It's so hard to grasp. It's just been a very weird last few days. O_o

Hah, I forgot about this thing.

So yeah. Since my last post, I discovered I was not a nurse, we moved down to Lethbridge and we have a new kitten named Gypsy! Will post pictures at the end of this Blog.

I miss Calgary. I really do. I miss my work at Pisces, I miss my work friends, I miss Beth and Britt, and especially Alex. But I know that this move was something that had to happen. I do however, have landed a great job. I work at Sport Mart, and my boss is awesome and hilarious. He just had his first kid a few weeks ago, so lately he's been pretty scatterbrained.

We survived our first Halloween in the new place, and wayyyy overestimated the amount of Trick-Or-Treaters we would get. We had 24 kids come to our place, and we've been eating the leftover candy ever since. I took a bag to work and it disappeared pretty quickly, so that was good.

The season quickly turned to Christmas, even before Halloween. I'm planning on making my own cards with some scrapbooking stuff this year, well some of them anyway. I just got into scrapbooking a few months ago, so this should be interesting. Too bad it's such an expensive hobby, or I'd be doing it wayyyy more often. It doesn't help that a Scrapbookers Paradaise store is right around the corner from my work. The LDS book store is also just around the corner of work too, which is highly convenient for those days when I need to wait for Carl to get off work. It's very nice.

We're still driving the old Mazda 626, although it needs a new clutch soon, so instead of wearing it totally down to the bone we have it parked and are now driving the old black thing, which I refuse to drive. Hopefully we get the Mazda fixed soon. I sometimes long for riches so we'd never have to worry about transportation, but then I remember that we're really still sort of newlyweds and have a long time to live and buy many more cars later on in life. And also walking to work it healthy. Cold, but healthy.

Speaking of healthy, Carl and I have been going to the College gym since about September! It's great, I've never really had a routine work out program until this year, and I'm loving it. We try to go three times a week, and usually do. Maybe by next summer I'll have a bikini-ready body! Here's to hoping.

Well, my plan is to keep this thing updated on a more regular basis instead of one massive blog every six months. Until next time! Enjoy some pictures of Gypsy :]

How to Wash a Cat.

How to Wash the Cat...
1. Put both lids of the toilet up and add 1/8 cup of pet shampoo to the water in the bowl.
2. Pick up the cat and soothe him while you carry him towards the bathroom.
3. In one smooth movement, put the cat in the toilet and close both lids. You may need to stand on the lid.
4. The cat will self agitate and make ample suds. Never mind the noises that come from the toilet, the cat is actually enjoying this.
5. Flush the toilet three or four times. This provides a "power-wash and rinse".
6. Have someone open the front door of your home. Be sure that there are no people between the bathroom and the front door.
7. Stand behind the toilet as far as you can, and quickly lift both lids.
8. The cat will rocket out of the toilet, streak through the bathroom, and run outside where he will dry himself off.
9. Both the commode and the cat will be sparkling clean.

Keeping my Internet in Check

I'm cutting off my internet use. I've deleted almost all of my profiles in social networking sites. I need to focus on my schoolwork a bit more. If you need to get a hold of me, my email is vccharisma@hotmail.com.

Stake Conference.

What a wonderful Conference this has been. Last night the talks were mostly about being prepared, provident pantry stuff, yada yada. I did enjoy it, but the Spirit of today's talks were absolutely overwhelming. There was a talk be a lady in the Panorama Ward about her journey finding and (finally) joining the Church after about 6 years of investigating. She was such a wonderful speaker, and her story touched me quite a bit, and made me think of my own experience with investigating, and my own two awesome elders, whom I still love and keep in touch with today. Another story from a man who received a letter from one of his converts 28 years later also made me reflect on the past few years, and made wonder about the years to come.

The Spirit felt this morning was amazing. It's hard to put my feelings and emotions into words, but I felt a connection of some sort with each and every speaker there today. I don't know what it is, or how it works, but I just love it. To feel a very personal connection with someone who I've never met, someone who doesn't even know I exist is truly a feeling to behold. And the really awesome part, is that I'm sure I'm not the only one! This happens every day in the Church, with thousands of members I'm sure, in every corner of the Earth. It's what brings us together as members. It's a feeling of "one-ness" under God. I feel at home in this Church, and these people really do sometimes literally feel like my brothers and sisters. I love it. <3

I'm not quite sure anymore.

Ever felt like you had to live up to some sort of unspoken expectations that your family and friends have set up for you? Yeah. That's been me, ever since about April of 2008. I kind of rushed into picking a career, because I thought I had a deadline before all of the money that my grandparents had invested into this Heritage Fund would vanish. I mean, don't get me wrong, I'd really like to be a nurse and all, it's just not this dream that I've had for years or anything. I did not expect this course to be so tough when I first enrolled in it. I knew it would be tough, but I didn't expect this. People keep telling me that "Oh you're so smart, Sarah, you're so smart, blah blah blah," Of course I am! And is every other person out there.....at their own pace. This whole course is insanely condensed, it's so much information to absorb in such a short time. I know I could do it, if these classes didn't come in 5 week increments. I could do this, if it were more spread out. I'm just not that booksmart. Sorry everyone.

I already have to re-take my Anatomy course, and I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to take my Patho course over again as well. We don't have the money to do that. I don't see how I can go on without being at least a semester behind. I have an appointment to talk to my course coordinator tomorrow to see what my options are, and just to tell her what's going on.

SIGH.

My life in a nutshell. Hate it right now.

x_x

Do you ever...

..wonder how things would be today if you had chosen one little thing differently in your past?

Well, today is one of those days.

What if I wouldn't have accidentally left my journal open for my parents to read?
What if I wouldn't have offered?
What if I insisted and demanded an explanation?
What if I had left you alone completely?
What if I had completely and openly rebelled?
What if I hadn't kissed you at the soccer game?

Guess I'll never know.

Hm.

Christmas is in two days. It doesn't feel like it :/ Christmas lights are up....trees are up...I've done al l (most) of my shopping...there's even a foot of snow outside!! Which never happens around this time of the year! I guess I've just been so busy with school AND work I haven't really had time to get into the feel of it...yanno? And last year Carl and I were doing the Pageant down at Heritage Park, so that definitely helped the Christmas Spirit along. It's just different this year, for some reason :[

*ALSO*
If you haven't noticed already, I added my playlist here at the bottom of the page, so you guys can listen to my awesome music ^_^ Hehe.

100 things about me (stolen from Crystal :P)

100 things about me ... bold what you've done.

1. Started your own blog

2. Slept under the stars

3. Played in a band

4. Visited Hawaii

5. Watched a meteor shower

6. Given more than you can afford to charity

7. Been to Disneyland

8. Climbed a mountain

9. Held a praying mantis

10. Sang a solo - discovered I like non solos better!

11. Bungee jumped

12. Visited Paris

13. Watched a lightning storm

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch

15. Adopted a child

16. Had food poisoning

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty

18. Grown your own vegetables

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France

21. Had a pillow fight

22. Hitch hiked

23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill

24. Built a snow fort

25. Held a lamb

26. Gone skinny dipping

27. Run a Marathon

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice (Haven't actually done that, but I've been to Venice!)

29. Seen a total eclipse

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset

31. Hit a home run

32. Been on a cruise

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors

35. Seen an Amish community

36. Taught yourself a new language

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied.

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

39. Gone rock climbing

40. Seen Michelangelo's David

41. Sung karaoke

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant.

44. Visited Africa

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight

46. Been transported in an ambulance

47. Had your portrait painted

48. Gone deep sea fishing

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling

52. Kissed in the rain

53. Played in the mud

54. Gone to a drive-in theater

55. Been in a movie

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business.

58. Taken a martial arts class.

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen

61. Sold Girl Guide Cookies

62. Gone whale watching

63. Got flowers for no reason

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma

65. Gone sky diving

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp

67. Bounced a cheque

68. Flown in a helicopter

69. Saved a favourite childhood toy

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial

71. Eaten caviar

72. Pieced a quilt

73. Stood in Times Square

74. Toured the Everglades

75. Been fired from a job

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London

77. Broken a bone.

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person

80. Published a book

81. Visited the Vatican

82. Bought a brand new car

83. Walked in Jerusalem

84. Had your picture in the newspaper

85. Read the entire Bible

86. Visited the White House

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating.

88. Had chickenpox

89. Saved someone's life.

90. Sat on a jury

91. Met someone famous

92. Joined a book club

93. Lost a loved one

94 Had a bay

95. Seen the Alamo in person

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake

97. Been involved in a law suit

98. Owned a mobile phone

99. Been stung by a bee (wasp, actually)

100. Read an entire book in one day

Nix that.

I went to the school nurse during my break in Anatomy & Physiology. She took a look at me and said that it was the flu, she gave me a few notes to give to my teachers excusing me from class, because the flu is highly contagious. It wasn't overly horrible when I got home, but right now my head is killing me and I have a fever of 101.9, my body just aches so much, and I can't stand up without my head throbbing even more. x_x I haven't had a fever like this for more than 2 years. SIGH. Enough whining from me, I'm going to go take a hot shower. TTYL, fans ;]

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT.

Sarah has tonsillitis for the first time in her life! YAY!!!!



..... x_x

I'm such a sharing person.

Carl's sick now too, and he's got it twice as bad as I did. I'm THISCLOSE to being over my cold, but I think he might have the flu :( At least it's Sunday so we can just relax. And at least finals are over, for now.

I bought some new shoes yesterday, for work. After September we weren't allowed to wear open toe shoes anymore for work, so I started wearing my black 2' shoes that have been around forever. They used to be Kate's, and she gave them to me when I was in grade 10 or 11 or something. Anyhoo, normally even after a 4 hour shift, they are hurting, but I had a 8 hour shift yesterday and my feet were absolutely dyeing. I mean, it was intense. Soooo I decided right then that I was going to get some new shoes, because the hurting was ridiculous. So we went to a place called "Sole Comfort", and I tried on about 6 pairs of shoes. I actually ended up buying some flats, they're really light and comfortable. I've never owned flats before, and I remember once I vowed t myself that I would never own any. I crumbled :/ Oh well, they're su[er comfy and I'll only wear them for work.

...wait. Why am I blabbing about shoes? Seriously Sarah, no one cares about your dumb shoes, lol. ANYWAY.

We're going down to Fort Macleod on the weekend of the 28th to see the parade, and also to have an "Early Christmas" of sorts. I haven't seen the Christmas Parade for about 3 years, I'm freakin excited :D Haha. And Carl hasn't seen it ever! So it should be awesome. Seein' the fam-damily, the kids...I might get my hair cut and coloured while I'm down there. Hopefully. Anyhoo, we're watching The Fellowship of the Rings, and it's really distracting when writing, so I shall leave you for now. 'Till next time!

And also.

I've had a cold, ever since I started studying for finals. They just love me, I tell ya. Anyhoo, so I'm all stuffed up, and I stumble upon this great website, and it says it has a cure for my ever stuffed nose! So I'm all like YAY! and give'r nuts reading it. WELL. In 8 ounces of warm water, mix a 1/4 tsp of salt, and 1/4 tsp of baking soda (to counteract the salty flavour). And squirt it into each nostril until desired effect. Now, I haven't been able to really breathe out of my nose for the last...oh, three days or so, so I'm all over it.

Weirdest. Feeling. Ever. Swear to Allah. But it worked like a charm! Although there was one drawback, it dried out my nose like a beached fish on a hot sunny day with no clouds. SO here I am, smearing my friend's "All Naural Bees-Wax Based Lip Balm For Naturally Soft Lips" all over my nose. Not to mention the great depths therein. Feels weird, but not as weird as the salty-bakingsoda-ish water. And it's raspberry scented, so it's not too bad either.

So all in all, I would consider it a success, and I give this home-remedy for stuffy noses 4 stars out of 5.

Just some pictures I've taken :]

Yikes.

School is getting hectic. I've got four finals/midterms, a ton pf papers, and two presentations all due next week. Almost quit my job yesterday. UGH. At least I have a desk now, to do my homework on, instead of the little tiny laptop table infront of the TV. I really hope I can cram all this in and still maintain my grades. We'll see.

Well, it's official.

I suck at blogging regularly. And also, Carl and I have been married for exactly one year today, and it's Thanksgiving today! We're going to go to the zoo, and go to my Moms in Airdrie to stuff our faces with turkey. Hopefully the weather gods will treat us well. I could reflect on all aspects of our marriage this past year in this entry, and I could analyse it, and blah, blah, blah. But there are wonderful smells wafting from the kitchen, and I just feel like enjoying this beautiful morning with my beautiful husband, as we start another year together. It has been quite the adventure, and things are only going to get bigger and better from here on in. I'll try to keep updated in here a little more often, but for those of you who are, or have ever been, students on post-secondary, you know how much life it sucks out of you. I'm sure I'll be able to find some time. <3

And the cycle of life and death continues...

..my grandfather passed away today at the Lethbridge Hospital. It's been a long night. His funeral is the same day as my cousins wedding on Saturday. Thats going to be a very emotional day. Sigh.