Merry Christmas - Joyeux Noël!!!

Merry Christmas 2005!
I hope all your Christmases were as eventful in your homes as it was in the Vicarage. Our Christiann" Christmas was filled with church. The three services at Little Tew, Great Tew, and Over Worton were allbeautifull in their own right. I think we had about 30 kids at the Great Tew service! (A lot of communion helpers). There were drinks afterwards in OverWortonn, then home. A well deserved snooze was taken after the Christmas-Morning-Wife-Saver (prepared by Mummy). In the evening we dined on tortière and watched Dr. Who. Today, however, I was a kid again. Upon hearing Jingle Bells played on the piano by Daddy, I, followed by both my mother and Martha (house guest) went bumping down the stairs. A time honoureded tradition. We opened stockings, and gifts as we always have done; savouring the moment. We've had tea with Karl and Hugh of Little Tew, and now I sit here smelling gorgeousness coming from the kitchen, as well Christmas in Elora. Daddy's basting the turkey in home brewed cider made with vicarage apples.
So to all whom I can't see over the holidays, I send all my love. I got a new digi cam from Mum and Dad, so I can now put up my own photos...coming soon!
With Love
xoxox

Christmas Time is Nearly Here!

I survived my first term at University. I handed in two essays, one lab report, and did an in class exam for biology. It was a lot of work, but thankfully our little network of friends we have here, was working hard, but always will to help or listen to your stories of how your brain is leaking out your ear!
The main thing I kept my eyes on as I tried to motivate myself through the work, was the though of my house decorated for Christmas. I come from a land of snow, and so it's what's comfortable to me. I am a snow baby. Unfortunately this country's answer to snow is rain ... but decorations are one thing that are always the same: The tree ( a really one!), decorated with decoration you made as a kid (messy globs of glue, glitter, and pom-poms), and the smell of the spruce or pine needles when you turn the lights on; the nativity scene, of which we have a beautiful one. The little diorama, representing why we celebrate the season at all; Christmas cards adorning mantel pieces, strings and filling baskets. Every year, even if you haven't written them all year round, you always have an excuse to write to people at Christmas. The candles burning, the carols and hymns that are sung, then there's the small of all the wonderful things being baked cooked, and prepared.
Christmas can be stressful, what with all there is to do in such a short period of time. To get around this, in our house we celebrate two days of Christmas... one Christian (the 25th, we go to church, have a family meal and relax), and one pagan (the 26th, we open gifts, have out traditional breakfast, and finally the turkey dinner). It works for us.
As term time came to an end, and I couldn't see the light at the end of any tunnel, I kept in mind the piece and calm of my living room, fully decorated, light off, tree lights on, carols playing, and a fire in the fireplace....
I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas, surrounded by friends, family and loved ones.
Take care!
xox

The Carol Service

I totally forgot about the bets laying whether or not I'd sing in the Carol Service! Well, all was well. Miraculously, my throat was better by the time Saturday rolled around, and my head wasn't swimming. Divine intervention??? Could be. The service on a whole was great. Ed filmed as much as the battery would allow, but this I have yet to see. The choir sounded great, and the kids were magnificent! It was a great night, and of course the mulled wine and minced pies were well appreciated. I am now in the midst of working on my last essay before Christmas break. I handed in my lab report, and I'm done one of my essays, but I still have another. When all is done...I am going to sigh a great sigh of relieve, then sleep for a day! XOX

4 Days left!!!

Hey Y'all, I have four days of school left...who'd a thunk that Christmas is next weekend! I just finished my lab report, but I still have 1 and half essay to write....no worries. Yesterday, Ed and I went to my Volleyball social dinner at Pizza Express in town. Good Pizza! I'm still munching my way through my chocolately secret Santa gift. I'm still awaiting snow, but I've now put some paper snow flakes on my window. I haven't made those in years! Must go and attempt to make a Webpage...it's for a course...I wouldn't torture myself out of my own free will! Hope y'all are well! xoxox

Having the Flu Sucks!!!

Imagine the most inconvenient time when your throat could get sore...(singing a solo for example)...Because this is the predicament I find myself in. Since Monday, the most I've accomplished during the days is getting to make more HMS, or more squash. Not very earth shattering stuff. I'm supposed to sing the "Once in Royal David City" solo on Saturday...Bets are laying whether or not I make it! GGGggggrrrrrr...
I feel I can relate to poor April in this FBoFW strip...Most appropriate.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MORGAN!!!

I can't believe that you're 5 years old today!!!
I hope your birthday is as much fun this year as it was last year.
Here's sending you Ooodles and Ooodles of hugs and kisses for your special day!!!
All my Love Miss Moo-Berry,
Auntie-Sarah

I Haven't Died!!!

Alright, I realize it has been some time since my last update. One main reason is that my digi cam's run out of battery...I'll get a new one. The other is that I'm at University....I have to do some work sometimes! I will give you various updates (Hallowe'en, Volleyball, etc.)...you might have to wait though.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAVE!!!

This past Wednesday was Daves' (one of my flatmates) birthday. As much as he'd like to think, 20 isn't old. 20 is when you become a young adult. People don't think of you as a "teenager" anymore, they see you as someone so young, and full of potential they envy you. I won't be 20 until April. For me this is something to lookforward to, and when I get there I will then be looking forward. It's as though me life will start at this point. Sure I'm living on my own, however there's an unconscious element of independence that's granted you, I think when you get to the big 2-0.
Despite Daves' reluctance, we celebrated his big day in style. As my mother would have done, I bake two double-decker chocolate cakes (at the bequest of everyone), and served it in our kitchen to all out friends with ice cream while they sipped their drinks. Then it was into town. Dave said pub-crawl and we did. 6 different pubs and 6 different drinks....great night. You'd think the rain would be a put off...ha! Walking up through the bike path back to campus in the pouring rain can really be quite satisfying. (I highly recommend it to anyone.) Back up at campus, drenched and cold...I couldn't resist, really...the puddle jumped on me! Needless to say the soakage increased as we made our way home puddle hopping. Did you know it takes a whole day to dry a pair of jeans??? After a well deserved hot chocolate/tea/coffee, we called it a night.
Happy birthday again, Dave. We should do it again sometime.
Ps: I would have had pictures, but I'm still working out the mini digi cam...sorry!

They Have Arrived..........!

My knee pads for volleyball have finally arrived! Now I can mame my knees as much my forearms. I can't help it, those balls aren't exactly soft, nor do they drift gently over then net! Coach has made me a blocker. Which basically means I get to be at the front of the net and potentially get the ball in my face. It all good...I can take it.
We have out first "internal" match against ourselves on Thursday. This really just gives us the oppertunity to actually play a game before we have our tournament in Reading on the 30th. We are strong players, so it should be good.
Now all I have to do is remember that I have knee pads, and not to be a wimp when taking on a low amd fast spike.
Wish us Luck!

Happy Sweetest Day

What is Sweetest Day? It started back in 1922 and is now celebrated every 3rd Saturday in October. Herbert Birch Kingston, a philanthropist and candy company employee living in Cleveland, Ohio decided to give out candy and small gift to under privileged people: Orphans, shut-ins, and the forgotten. Famous actresses and public figure joined in the gesture, and also went around the streets of Cleveland distributing over 1,000 small gifts at a time. This tradition, though mostly celebrated in the Great Lake Region, and the Northeast is spreading fast by either word of mouth, or by people moving away and bringing the tradition with them. I personally think it's a great idea! It's like Valentine's day for those you don't know. More people should celebrate it and carry on Kingstons' ideas. Who knows, I might make a few friends on campus!

For Better or For Worse
(A comic by Lynn Johnston)

This is my favorite comic in the world. I sure every Canadian and most Americans know if it. The Brits however, skeptical. The Patterson's- the family the strip is following- are growing up over the years. Older and bigger. The life like situations everyone can relate to: we've all been children, we've all gone through school and had problems, we've dated, had messy houses, owned pets, lost loved ones, made crucial decisions about our lives never knowing exactly whether or not it was good one at the time, it goes on. I personally love this comic because it talks about Canada and it's heritage. One of the characters, Elizabeth is a teacher on a Reserve. I highly recommend you check our the website (link below). That link brings you to the "Strip Fix" page, but there's lots to look at.
This comic features Michael and Deanna. I read as Michael went through his University studies...as I am now. Today's comic is particularly poignant and "relateable toable".
Enjoy the site!

Volleyball Chick!

I just got back from my thrid volleyball practice...
My first practice I was wheezing from being so hopelessly out of shape. The second my arms looks like an abused girlfriend's arms; not very attractive! Now the thrid practice, I'm more in shape (thanks to going to the gym every day), and my bruises are almost gone. The only thing left is get my knee pads and to stop being such a huge wimp when it come to balls flying at high speeds in my direction....I did have an excellent hit of a smash though. My redeeming action!
We'll be having a tournament shortly and if there's room enough for me to go, I'll give you the skinny!

My sister recommended we do this:
The google image search. You search for these 8 different things with google Image:

1. Where you grew up
2. Where you live now
3. Your name
4. Grandmother's name
5. Favorite food
6. Favorite drink
7. Favorite song
8. Favorite smell

Here goes!:

1) I grew up in the gorgeous Burb of Baie d'Urfe. One of the oldest established towns of Montreal. (It turned 300 years old in 1986). Out beatiful yellow house with blue shutter was a perfect home to grow up in.



2) I now live on the UKC campus which is in Canterbury, Kent. This is what I often look out onto as I walk between classes







3) I typed in my name, and got a sketch of woodchips (?!?), so I went with this one. She's the ancor for the St. Jospeh's Uninersity in Pennsilvania, relay team.


4) I chose "Jessie" as my Grandmother's name.
















5) My favorite food is and always will be Chinese Food.....mmmm....drool








6) Favorite drink has got to A&W rootbeer. You just can't find it over here!!!






7) Favorite song at the moment if "Flying High" by Jem....I'm also learning it on piano







8) Finally, my favorite smell is a strange one. I love the smell of a sports hall with a swimming pool, hockey arena, and gym in. I also love the smell of chlorine....don't ask.








Now you try it!

Commiserations to the Habs....Next time we meet the Senators on the 27th we'll beat them.

HAPPY 25TH ANNIVERSARY TO MY MUM AND DAD!!!
HAVE FUN IN SCOTLAND

My computer is finally working properly! It took 3 hours in the computer help centre on campus, but we got rid of loads of junk so now it doesn't 15 minutes to do one task. Sometiemes I wonder how much these hot boxes actually help us!
Took apart the chickens today. I can tell what I'm going to be eating for the next little while...plain chicken, chicken pie, chicken soup, chicken stir fry.....the list could go on!
I imagine you'll hear all about it.
Now i have to read a whole book for tomorrow and find a journal on a primate of my choice. Will my flatmates do? (Only joking guyes! :) )

Go Habs Go!!!
I'll be listening to the game live tonight!!!

He he he he!!!!
It was a total and complete utter success.
Present at our table were: myself, Jem, Catherine, Ben, Dave, Khaled, Tom, Martin, Ed, and Jukka....there were supposed to be two other people! Kayleigh and Michelle: sorry you couldn't come!We had everything on the aforementioned menu, plus stuffing ( I gave in and got a box). My search at Sainsbury's grocery store (store/try #6) didn't have pumpkin pie either, but that was alright cause my cherry pie was an absolute winner (you'll see pictures)! Ben whipped the cream to perfecting (Thanks Ben!)...there's nothing like warm cherry pie.
Ma, Padre: thanks for the last minute recipe. We had a great time. I have taken photos, and will post the, asap.
My sister Catherine nemed her turkey Hubert. Suffice it to say that my chickens also had names: Chicky-Chick, and Birdy-Bird. Both roasted to perfection in bags. We are all very full now...
Thanks to the guyes for helping me do the dishes (even though I know you only wanted to roll around on the chairs in the kitchen).
Ha-ah! Roast a bird by myself...check! What's next???

Hey All!!!

Happy Thanksgiving to those who celebrate, and to those who don't:
you're missing out.

I have decided to cook a Thanksgiving meal for some of my fellow dorm inmates. I'm cooking two large chickens, a whole lot of broccolli, some colliflower, corn and mashed potatoes. I have NEVER done anything like this all by myself....ever!!! Last year I was living on my own, but I had a turkey dinner with friends on the Monday. (I made veal for myself on the Sunday.) Hopefully all will go well tomorrow, though. I belive my sister Catherine is going through the same thing, only she has the luxury of not having 10-12 hungry students waiting for cooked meat.
I do however have one quam with the grocery stores around here....they don't sell tinned pumpkin!!! How can't they??? I can't make pumkin pie without it! I've settle on cherry pie, though. There still will be no custard on our table.
I did buy a mim digi-cam, so hopefully I can post some photos later on and you can see the choas for yourself.
Take care and have a good one!

Hey Y'all,
As of the 19th of September I have lived in a dorm room sharing a kitchen with 5 other guyes (though luckily not a bathroom). I'm studying Anthropology at the University of Kent (UKC) and will be doing so for the next three years. Everything's going great so far. I survived Fresher's week (out every night!) and the first two week sof actual classes. I haven't been late so far (knock on wood) and I've bought many ludicrously expensive books. One must choose between buying food or books....mmmm......
My goal is to keep you all posted with my antics and crazies from this end of the country.
Take care all- till next time!