An Anthropological Link...

This For Better or For Worse comic struck me as particularly appropriate for what I study here at Kent. I believe in the theory that there is no such thing as 'race', we are all the same underneath, and we are only different based on how our bodies reacted to certain environmental factors millions of years ago. We are all the same...remember that!
xoxox

Happy (Belated) Birthday, Kayleigh!!!

On December 30th, our girl Kayleigh was 19! Unfortunately, we were all at our homes and couldn't celebrate. So, even though she's home for the weekend, on Sunday we'll celebrate her special day! (We'll go out soon girl!)

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY KAYLEIGH!
XOXOX

A Very Scary Concept...

Hey Y'all, I have a house for next year!!! I will be residing in Burbland of Canterbury in a pleasant little abode with Ed, my flatmate Tom, and Sue, a friend of his. Our original plan was to live in a group of 6: Dave, Gem, Kat, Ben, Ed, and myself. But that was quashed when A) all the 6-bedroom houses listed were actually taken, and B) some buggery bugger of person called up before we did on an absolutely gorgeous perfect house. At that point, we regrouped, and decided to split...ironic, isn't it? But fear not, the remaining 4 in the original 6 are not homeless. They live two doors down from us! Ideal isn't it? Which means we don't have far to run with the veg for the roast on Sundays :) This is an incredible weight off of my mind, but the gravity of it all sits in the drawer adjacent to me, with the words: "Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement" written on it. The best part...the kitchen colour scheme is sage green (that's not sage green, but it's the closest)!

XOXOX

Thanks Eddie for being so patient with me every time I say "I'm worried!"

"#35" Our little home....

WE GOT GOLD!!!

Congrats to the Lovely Ladies of the Ice! A strong game played against Sweden, resulted in a 4-1 WIN!!! USA for the Bronze, and Finland got the 'wooden medal' for 4th place. Let's hope the Canuck men have more luck in the near future!

WAY TO GO LADIES!

The food...Ed and I had a proper junk food fest! So worth it!

The handsome man himself (on the phone)! Taking a break from the essayage...I think I've convinced him that hockey is the most awesome sport!

Method of eating pickled onion flavour Monster Munch crisps:
1) Pick one, carefully.

2) Devour it whole.

3) enjoy, and repeat...just don't eat the bag!

XOXOXOX

hock·ey (hŏk'ē)

n. "A game played on ice in which two opposing teams of skaters, using curved sticks, try to drive a puck into the opponent's goal." Answers.com

A most basic description of a game loved en masse in Canada, among many other places. Despite the scars, stitches, patches, fights, 'jurseying', and other such disputess, this game is at the heart of 9.99/10 Canadians. The saying will forever remain true: "I went to a fight and a hockey game broke out!", but traditions such as: Hockey Night in Canada, NHL, Stanely Cup playoffs, Olympics, even those 5am practices you may have gone to as a kid, give this game a facet we treasure, and that is that it brings people together. I've dated a hockey player, and I always looked forward to those games where I met up with friends in the stands, and cheered on our boys!!! The Spirit is Strong, the hits are Hard, and the cheers are Loud! Tonight, though away from home-turf, I'm listening to the game online, eating loads of junk food (part of the traditionn, of course!), and rooting for the team of the founding country...CANADA! Lets go les girls!

Bonne chance a toutes nos joueuses!
Good luck to all our players!
XOXOXO

This One's for You, Thing!!!

My sister will appreciate today's For Better or For Worse
(She has cats.)









(click on the image to enlarge)
XOXOX

Online Radio!!!

I have discovered the joys of online radio. Bored with Radio One (listened to perpetually in the kitchen), I sought an alternative form of musical entertainment. Plus, I plan on listening to the Women's hockey final on Monday (CANADA for GOLD!!!) , so I needed to see if I could get the CBC's online radio feed. I got it loud and clear! My search did not stop there (cue evil laugh). I feel left out when all my friends talk about things that are happening in my Canadian home of Montreal. Songs, news, weather, the works. Plus when I'm back there in July, I want to hit the ground running. So, I went to the MIX 96 web site, and BINGO! I'm now listening to the MIX online.
Ed thinks it's kinda weird hearing adverts for "Brault & Martineau", as well as the French but he'll have to get used to it! :)

*sigh* I feel at home!
xoxox

Things Come in Threes!

The saying remains true! This week (tomorrow, actually) is the week our (now) group of 8 people are going to commit and sign for a house for next year. However, this is no longer for tomorrow, because of three misfortunes:

1. Dave, my flat mate fell ill Friday night (dodgy kebab, we thought) and is now in hospital until Tuesday.
2. Tom, another of my flatmates, is having to be available for the next couple of days, so the AA can come and tow his car to have it fixed, after he broke down off campus.
3. Ben, who was up in Carlisle visiting Ruth, hasn't been contacted, and so isn't completely in the loop. True, not exactly unfortunate, but it's a loose end.

So, with any luck, the agency will take pity on us and give us an appointment later in the week. Surely being in hospital is reason enough???
XOXOX

GET WELL SOON DAVE!
WE MISS YOU!

Welcome Baby Ella Grace!!!

The wait is over! My sister's family added little Ella Grace to their lives this morning. Both She and her Mummy are doing well, and will be home in the next couple of days!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
xoxoxoxoxoxox

Counting Down the Hours...

Attention! Attention!

For all who didn't know, my sister is expecting her third baby to make their debut appearance in a matter of hours. My thoughts are with her whole family, and I can only hope that everything goes as smoothly as possible, and that both she and the baby cross the finish line with full health.

XOXOXOX

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Despite our changing weather today, the sun is winning the battle. The birds are cherpitty-chirping, and the breeze is light and warming. Perfect for Valentine's Day. Some of my friends don't like this holiday, but I do. It's not just an excuse to legitimately eat loads of chocolate, or go out for meal. It's a chance to write sappy letters, and send heart shaped cards with huge great big smooches on them, to all our friends. All of which contain basically the same message: "I was thinking about you, and thought I'd let you know I care about you!" In elementary school, we sent loads of little papery cards with either Scooby Doo, or the Care Bears on them, to every person in the class. Nowadays, we send nothing more than a smile. I think we should resurrect the 'in class valentines'. It's not only 6 to 9-year-olds who can send a cheesy message with "Be Mine" on it; I did it this year. I made my own, with colours and sparkles, and tacked them to my friends' doors. Call me immature, or whatever...I enjoyed it! It made me smile.

I got the chocolate...

I've sent out the valentines...

And my nails are done!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY
XOXOX

Aunt Barbara's Casserole

One of the many traditions I'm trying to continue while living in my own hovel, is cooking family recipes. Last night, Ed and I wolfed down two very large plates of Aunt Barbara's . I did cheat a little, Mum made the sauce...:) There was another casserole dish the same size as this one. There's nothing like home cooking, so when you're not at home, bring the cooking with you! (Ma, do you recognize the weigh scales?)

(apparently, there were more cornflakes on top, but Dave ate them!)

2006 Winter Olympics Have Begun!!!


I am sorely upset that this year I'm missing out on the Olympics (no TV). Still in all my parents are keeping me in touch with the Hockey results (Go Team Canada!) I'm doing Olympic research for a stats essay for one of my courses at the moment, so I do get to look at all the sites. I suggest you check out the Torino web site http://olympic.org/uk/games/torino/index_uk.asp 30 years ago, Montreal held the Olympics. If you click on "Olympic Games" on the left of the page, you can see where all the Olympics, both Summer and Winter, were held. There are links with pictures and videos of all the games. I even watched the lighting of the torch from Montreal! I remember doing a project for the 1992 Winter Olympics when I was in Elementary school. I wrote about Myriam Bedard in the '94 Lillehammer Olympics. So lets hope that we have a recurrence of the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics: Double GOLD in the hockey!!!

Good Luck to all the Participants!

The opening ceremonies from Torino, 2006


If I save my pennies.....look for me in crowd!


The 1976 Montreal Olympics mascot...any name that we know of?

Happy Birthday Gilly!!!

Over the weekend, we celebrated Gill's birthday. A full out tea party, with Angel Food cake, flapjacks, fruit salad, tea or coffee, all served on the good china. Using the Bridal Rose is always an indication that's a special occation, and the rule remains true.

Have a great year Gilly!!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
xoxoxox

The Birthday Girl


Mummy the hostess, gracious as always. (Check out the cake!)


The Good China...enough said.
xox

The Birds....

Remember I said the birds were acting strangely? It's not just in Canterbury. I was on the bus heading back to campus, when out of my window I saw this:
I'm feeling a little stalked....!