Lace Making

One of my Mother's many talents, is the art of bobbin lace. Her most recent project is a lace border, in a very fine torchon motive, as a Birthday gift for me! The pattern is appropriately named "Sarah". This a photo and some video footage of the masterpiece at work:




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OOPS!

As my sister, Catherine once said: "I'm not dead!" So to all who gave up hope, you can call off the sniffer dogs, and search helicopters, because I have simply been at home. I've started my studying. As per usual I have a colour coded study plan marked onto a calendar, and everything is organized. I'm doing some DIY (do-it-yourself) work for my parents as I wait for my National Ins. Number, because without it ... I can work! True, I wont be working for long, but my position allows for coming and going. Perfect for someone who's only home for holidays.
To get up to date on what been happening over here, we've had a great visit from my Uncle Doug (UD) and Aunt Beth (AB), as well as Easter, which means making eggs, and lots of church; and lastly my Birthday, when Ed came to visit for the weekend.
1) UD and AB visit was a lot of fun. They are the first of my Dad's family to come and visit. Hearing their strong Canuk accents was so nice. We spent the majority of the week they were here, either discussing family and telling stories of the past, or in church - it being Holy Week. I also learned than my Cousin Jennie, and her husband Derek are expecting their first in October!

CONGRATS YOU GUYS!

AB was my designated my minion in Easter egg production. Every year my family makes their own eggs using Jell-o pudding mix, icing sugar and few other things; we then mold into an egg, and when they're dry we dip them in chocolate; then they're decorated with royal icing flowers. My Mum made them as a fundraiser for the church in years gone by, and I have inherited the family responsibility. So, over 150 eggs later they're done!
On the 15th of April, I turned 20! My parents are more worried, because they're not the parents of teenagers anymore. AB and UD were able to be here for my birthday, though they had to leave early. Ed had arrived in the early evening on Friday, so on Saturday morning, Gill and Sara came over and we all had a Champagne breakfast. AB made the "mother-of-the-Birthdaygirl-saver" (a whole breakfast on a plate), and we had fruit and coffee. In the evening, after the First Light service, we ordered in a Chinese! mmm...drool.
With AB and UD safely with AB's family in Kent, the rest of us had an eventful Easter day. With at least 46 kids in church, and a double baptism, it was very full! Ed and I handed out little sweetie bags at the back of the church for the kiddywinkies (I wore my bunny ears). For the rest of the day, we all slept, until Padre served up the gorgeous lamb he roasted.
On Monday, as my birthday gift, Ed took me into London, where we went to see the Bodies exhibition. It was GREAT! How many girls are won over with an anatomy show!? I couldn't take photos, but check it out online for some images.
That is a very brief summary of what's happened. I promise to be good and write more often.
Take care all, hope you're enjoying the warm sunshine!
xoxox

The Adults conversing in the kitchen.
Daddy, Uncle Doug, Aunt Beth, and Graham at Steeple Aston skittles night.
Aunt Beth, and Uncle Doug and skittles night.
Aunt Beth, dipping eggs.
Aunt Beth on "icing foliage" control.
Aunt Beth and Mum at the Champagne Breakfast.
The Champagne breakfast table.
The cake and candles...after I blew out the candles. They put trick candles on!!!
The Earls Court Exhibition centre, London.

This is my Hovel...

This is where I've spent the last scholastic year...
It's served me well., but I'm not too sure why they chose to have one orange wall, and a lime green door!?

xoxox

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It's Done!!! (For Now, of Course!)

Today, was the last day of classes for me. Now all I have to prepare for are my 5 final exams in May. They start 6 weeks from now, so knowing me, one week into holiday I'll feel as though they're 5 days, no weeks away...!
I got up today, 8:45am for a 10am Bio lecture. I handed in my last essay before class, so was very pleased! After seeing Ed off home (he had a job interview!!!), I went to computer labs to finish (hopefully) my computing project. I started at 1:30...finished at 6:30...and it was done. I finished the project one month and 5 days early. Now that's a record!
I've had an awesome year, what with classes, new friends, volleyball, and everything about UKC life. Everyone feels the same, they're looking forward to seeing people back home, but don't want to leave their lives here ... we've made our little homes.
Have a great Easter, all! Relax, enjoy the sun, and when you get a minute, do a bit of work ;)
xoxox

The Anthropology Building

Leading to the Anthropology Computer Labs
Still getting used to the MACs ... no buttons on the mouse!

The Computer Lab ... the active computer's where I spent 5 hours!!!

Now like these duckies ... I'm going to run away (for a while!)

Fun Things to Do in the Kitchen...

When I found out that Ed had never made cookies, nor had he eaten cookie dough, I nearly fainted! Who at our age hasn't done that!? The first step was tasting cookie dough, what better way than with Ben & Jerry's Cookie Dough Ice Cream!? This went down very well. The next step after this is actually making cookies. Luckily Betty Crocker was able to help us out with this by providing a mix. Mmmm...so good! Once he helped me get the ingredients sorted out :) we had no problem getting the rest done. A salivating Dave even popped his head out from his hovel door to grab a cookie! The next step will be for Ed to make cookies form scratch!
Our second little adventure, was making Pizza. Ed said he would make this himself, even though he was a little scared of making the dough. As you can see, though, he came through with flying colours! I've never had so much fun with flour!
xoxox

The materials...


The 'recipe'...

The Chef...


The Result! (There were more...but they're nice when they're warm!)
...

Making a mess! But doing it like a Pro!

He he.... Too tempting!

He started it!!! :)

Happy Belated Birthday x2!!!

I finally got the time to make a cake for both Jukka (b-day on the 8th of January), and Khaled (b-day on the 22nd of February) ... they had to share it though. I've done chocolate (both fudge and Devil's Food), carrot, white chocolate cheesecake, and rainbow cake ... this time, we had lemon drizzle! The pink icing, by the way is cherry icing, so it's not just pink (it's still manly!) Sorry it was so late guys, I hope you enjoyed it, none the less!

xoxox

Archie Malloch, my Godfather...

"MALLOCH, Archibald Edward. Died peacefully at the Montreal General Hospital on March 25th, 2006 in his eightieth year. Dearly loved husband of Barbara (nee Monture). Devoted father and father-in-law of Katie (Paul Cowan), Tam, Lesley (Francois Paulette) and James. Proud and loving grand-dad of Thaidene, Sophie, Alexina, Sadele and late K'aila. Dear brother of Joan (Bill Lord) and the late Edmund. Archie will be sadly missed by his nieces and nephew and other extended family in Canada, the United States and Scotland. Archie was a professor of English literature for many years at McGill University and was an active supporter of academic freedom. He was also a member of the Board of Curators of the Osler Library. He spent wonderful hours during his retirement as a volunteer at the Palliative Care Unit of the Royal Victoria Hospital. Our thanks to the nurses, volunteers and doctors at the P.C.U. of the Montreal General for so lovingly caring for Archie during his illness ... In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Native Women Shelter of Montreal (P.O. box 1183 station A, Montreal, QC H3C 2Y3)."

Published in the Montreal Gazette from 3/27/2006 - 3/29/2006.

My Father told me about Archie yesterday, and again I am frustrated that I can't be there for the services. I remember Archie from when I was little ~ We had a few banisters in out stairs at our house in Montreal, and he would pretend to be a bear, and that was always my hiding place. He told me interesting things every time we saw each other, for example, your skin's natural oils will keep a conquer (chestnut) shiny when you rub a bit of it on the surface. And every time he came to visit us at our Montreal home, he loved to 'chat' with Tabby, my sister Allie's cat.
My thoughts are with all Mallochs, direct or extended. I wish I could be there, but in my absence I'm sending my love.

UKC Volleyball ROCKS!!!

This past weekend was fantastic! We left on Friday via coach, and headed East! For the first time, I took the Chunnel train for cars. Who'd a thunk that a massive coach could squeeze into a train?! It actually didn't take as long as I thought to get into Lille. Before even getting to the Hotel, we stopped at the University caf for a little dinner. Sometimes, fancy isn't even an option. We just wanted sustenance. I had pasta with Carbonara sauce and a fudge sundae. Once we set off, for hotel and had settled in, we sat around in the hall way (some 'till the wee hours of the morning) chatting, having a few beers, and tossing the volleyball back and forth, without maiming the ceiling. I on the other hand decided to be very boring, and not drink, and go to bed at 10:50, France time (...yes that's right...9:50 GMT). Saturday was game day! Up at 7:30, and in the bus at 8:45, we were all ready to go. By this point my brain was slowly starting to get into French-mode. Due to the fact that we hadn't been staying in town, I kept forgetting where we were. My second language did come in handy, when the reffs were explaining the rules. I had a few people around me who would ask: "what did he say?!". There were 3 or 4 others on the team who spoke French, so I wasn't alone. We all came into this tournament thinking that these teams were going to wipe the floor with us. But once we got our groove on, it was all good. We stayed cool, and calm; remembered the basics, and remained undefeated in the prelims. Thanks to the guys as well, you make awesome cheerleaders!!! Despite the fact that some of our players were a little on the sleepy side, we all played to the best of our abilities, and came through! At the same time, the guys were putting up a hard fight. We were all proud to cheer for our teams, and were the letters UKC on our jerseys. The competition came down to a 3rd vs. 4th place game, and a 1st vs. 2nd place game. Both the UKC teams were placed first, and fought hard to keep it that way. Only having one judge, and having 10 people trying to cheer over at least 50 French supporters aside, UKC stole the show, and claimed 2 1st places. It's been a while since I've been on a team, and competed in a tournament, but I could still feel the adrenaline pumping hard! What a rush. There's no better feeling than knowing you've won a game, and rushing onto the court to celebrate! In the evening, after a quick shower (!), we had dinner and partied and Bacumbas, a very funky place, that certainly gave the day a great ending. By Sunday, of course we were more tired than ever. After a stop in a wine depot in Calais...(!?), we made our way back to foggy England, proud, and exhausted. We've been invited to Dunkirk in June, so I'm looking forward to that!!! Now...back to work. xoxox

A bit of warm-up at the border, before boarding the train.

Sandra, Ali, and Ana...enjoyin their time!

Chilling in the hall, at the Hotel.

The guys' team in their first game.

Ali...eating lunch (and Gretchen's legs!)

It was worth going in just to this brand of wine...!

The French country side.

The Campions!
(L-R) Gretchen, Spegg, Stephan, Me!, Luca, Ali, Kent, Ana, Kris, Sanra, Jacky, Steve, Tanya (missing River...or Sparky)

Volley Videos

Though my camera only take silent videos, these will give you the idea of movement on the court.
Enjoy!!!
xoxox


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Video Sharing at DropShots.com

Video Sharing at DropShots.com

Video Sharing at DropShots.com

We're Going to FRANCE!!!

We, the volley ladies of Kent, are taking on some teams from across the channel. I'm bringing my camera, so there will be photographic evidence!

Wish us luck!
Lets go les Girls!

Catch Up....

The following few posts are ones which I've been meaning to put up, but haven't had the time. I think you're pretty much up to date with all of my events so far.

xoxox

Heather on campus, infront of the Templeman Library

Playboy Bunny Night!

Every now and again, I like to get dressed up, and act like a girly girl.
Last night was Playboy bunny night at the Venue (on campus night club). I got gussied up, and went out with Kayleigh and two of her Law friends, Charlie and Nicola. We had a blast!!! Most of the girls were out with their ears and non-existent skirts on. My feet are killing me, and I can't feel two of my toes, but it was a nice treat!
xoxox

Le Petit Lapin!

The Vicarage Fire

After watching the awesome videos of two of my nieces dancing on my sister's blog, I had to try
it myself. I took this little video over the Christmas holiday. During Winter, the Vicarage isn't exactly a sauna, so the fireplaces are welcomed...warmly. (It does rotate at the end)
xox


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Beaver Tails!

On the 11th of March, Steve hosted a volleyball house part! As we are a very multinational team, we were all asked to bring a food from our homelands. I thought, what better thing to bring than Beaver Tails. A doughnut batter, flattened to the shape of a beaver tail, deep fried, covered with sugar and cinnamon, and often maple syrup. I made mini versions of these. I went to the part with about 45, and came home with about 6. Needless to say, I think they licked them. There was another Canadian girl at the party, and she could really appreciated them. Ed really liked them and has given me permission to make them again ;)
xoxox

Getting everything ready!

I had fun kneading this dough...so soft! (note: Great Tew tea towel)


The Beaver Tails themselves!!!

My Sister: St. Paddy Princess

Roll out the red carpet, pour the champagne, and get your camera ready...here they come! This year, my sister has the honour to be one of the St. Patrick's Day Irish Princesses in the Queen's court. At the United Societies of Montreal, you can see my sister with all the other princesses. Our family has both Irish and Scottish ancestry, of which we are equally proud. I think it's a great opportunity for my sister to demonstrate this pride publicly! Among other things such as school, and sleep, my Sister's been sporting her green fluffy cape at many social occasions: Balls, dinners, church services (where she sang the Bach/Gounod "Ave Maria"...knock their socks off, Thing!), and other such public appearances. She's met and mingled with mayors, and attended a press conference. I know how much this means to her, and besides the fact that she gets to legitimately wear a crown now, she deserves it! Good luck in the Parade, Thing, I'll have a pint in your honour!

xoxox

My Sister with the Irishman of the Year 2002, and her boss this past year.

My Sister (far left), with the court and the Queen (middle).
So beauteous!

...at the selection night.



...and finally, the entire court....
*sigh*


Teddy-Tew celebrating with a pot of Ben and Jerry's ice cream!

I'll Sleep When I'm Dead...

I think this week is over. Am I right? For those who have my MSN will know what I'm talking about. Here's the skinny:

1. Last Friday, had a meeting with the rest of my project group. Divided the work, and decided to meet Tuesday with our individual stuff done.
2. Tuesday came and went with no one having finished their work...except for me, the workaholic. "Almost" is a powerful word.
3. Wednesday evening, got together, decided how to finish up, exchanged emails and mobile numbers, and went to with vigour!
   
4. My work day, on Wednesday, finished at 4:50am (I know, technically, Thursday)
5. I was up again at 6:30am (yes, that's right...1 hour 45 minutes sleep)
6. I worked on the project until 9:40am, when I left to go play badminton at10am for an hour.
7. I then had to go for classes from 1 till 3.
8. Back at home, I proceeded to work, while helping out members of my group with miscellaneous stuff.
9. Once I'd proofread my work, I emailed my project to Ben to print, then ran off to lay in an inhouse volleyball tournament, from 7:30-10:30pm.
10. My Friday morning started at 8:15, when my alarm went off.
11. By 10am, I was sitting my Biology lecture learning about nerves.
12. By 11am, I was running back to Ben's because on of the files wouldn't open. (BTW, our project was due in at 12pm)
13. While waiting for Dave to print his stuff, I sorted through the different files.
14. Ben, Dave and I proceeded to do the mad dash from Parkwood (student accommodation) to the Marlowe building (Anthropology dept.)
15. 11:56am........that's when we handed in our stuff......
16. 'Tis the end of a hectic week, and I now need a nap.
    
    
    
    
    
    XOXOX