So this is life

So, Adrian and I have been busy with the new apartment, friends, school/work, etc., and I've neglected this blog for a while. Sorry!

( In news ... )

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So!

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So! My four courses from this past term are over, and I've got three grades in - A-, A, and A+. Missing the fourth, but it should be an A. :)

( More school, more wedding ... )

Well, it's been just about a week since I posted, and a lot has happened! ...

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Cheers for now!

So, April 1st tomorrow! Which also means, I'm heading home to California :D Yay for warmth, boy, and kitty!

( Read more, about school, wedding, etc ... )

So, not that anyone really reads this! But here's an update on various things so far:

Wow, time is flying fast!
On the school front:

• Countless group meetings, usually 2 + each day, Friday - Monday
• Two group projects and another paper finished
• Another group project and, say, 6 more papers or so due in the next 3-4 week ? Nearly there, but it's slow going!

( (Read about wedding plans, and more ...) )

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So I turned around and realized it’s March 7th now, and it’s been like, two weeks since I posted. The only avid reader of my blog that I know of was visiting sailorfrag last week, so I doubt anyone has noticed my lack of posts. But just in case, here’s a post!

( Learn about the Craziness of planning ... )

 I’ve also done some updating on Tink’s site. I posted some new pics (20 or so? taken within the last two weeks) and a new video.

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Posted by Crystal on February 21, 2009

So my last post was the first of February, and now it’s almost the end of the month. I’ve been busy with wedding plans and with school.

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Posted by Crystal on February 1, 2009

So a new month has begun. This one begn with my mother turning 47. My goodness, it’s hard for me to believe she’s actually getting up there in age. I’d swear she’s still in her 30’s. She’s still so young to me, so happy and jolly, and … well she seems active to me, but I suppose she isn’t really.

In other news, sailorfrag and I had a good evening, went out to dinner with phaseburn  and few other ofsailorfrag, aside from the few days for skiing.

Wedding plans are going well! Bridesmaid dresses and shoes are figured out :D 

Other news … Is there any? Ah yes, sailorfrag  and I have changed out internet from Sonic to Comcast, so we now have much faster internet! We’ve also watched a few movies this weeked, like the Prince and I. Hopefully sometime soon we’ll head out and see the new Underworld movie. Excited for that one 

All for now! Cheers!

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Posted by Crystal on January 26, 2009

 Hey all! 

Soooo, I’m in BC :). Very pretty with the mountains. Hence my 700 (ish) pictures so far on FB. And the lack of my posting is also due to the fact that, oh, right, I’m in BC!

I forget when I last posted … 

Sorry, I tried to cut it here, but it so is not working for me.
 

sailorfrag  had Monday off (MLK day), and still … no cleaning got done. But sailorfrag  did get his taxes finished on the weekend. On Tuesday, I tried to get homework done. On Wednesday, I tried again. Neither day was successful. But Conrad arrived on Wednesday, so yay :). I made him brownies, and chicken, and all was numminess. (Or so I assume, he didn’t say much).

Sooo, I got here on Thursday. Got into Calgary airport at 2:30, asked at information for where to find my dad when he arrived. Went to that location, jumped online (yay for free wifi) and asked my mom for my dad’s flight info. Found that out, went to the flight info board, and discovered that dad’s flight was not arriving at 4pm, but instead at 5:15pm. Yay.

So, I played on my computer, answered some emails, talked to sailorfrag and Conrad, and finally decided to have a nap. I woke up at 4:50, and with 20 minutes to wait, my hunger ran out and I bought a banana at the Max’s Convenience that happened to be right there. 75 US cents for a single banana. Yeah. Eventually, dad walks out, we get his luggage, the rental car, and are on our way to Chantel. (Stopped for dinner on the way). We arrived at Panorama shortly (?) after 10pm, and were in her apartment around 10:30pm.

That night, we met Aaron, talked, etc., and went to bed. Friday we went into Panorama for brunch, went shopping for shoes for Chantel and for groceries. Several hours later, we arrived home. Of course, we had to try out the hot tubs right out front of Aaron and Chantel’s place. That night we ate steak for dinner before Chantel had to leave for work. Aaron, dad and I went to the Jackpine Bar (halfway to summer party), and had some drinks and Aaron and dad had some fun playing pool.

On Saturday, we got up and sort of had lunch. We hung around for a while, and then Chantel, dad and I went to Radium (hotsprings), but Aaron had to work. We really enjoyed the hotsprings. Lovely, lovely hot water, outside in far below freezing temperatures. Neat, and awesome  Check FB for pictures.

Today, Sunday, Chantel had to work. Aaron, dad and I were thinking of going to the town of Golden to see the grey wolves that live in a sort of preserve? But we sort of ran out of time just sitting around the apartment. So, we headed into town instead to pick up a few ingredients. We got home with plans of heading to the indoor hot tubs, but again, we ran out of time. So, we had dinner here, and a few friends of theirs came over to visit, and we watched Aaron and Chantel and Jay play some Guitar Hero. 

Tomorrow, we have no plans, except for my finishing an assignment that is due tomorrow. Both Aaron and Chantel have to work tomorrow evening. On Tuesday, the plan is to head to Calgary for some shopping, and on Wednesday dad and I fly out.

 

Good catch up ? Hope so!

Cheers!

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Posted by Crystal on January 16, 2009

 I don't feel too poorly about going on vacation (?) without sailorfrag , seeing as how:

1. He can't afford the time off of work, with the wedding and the honeymoon, and
2. He gets a free ski-trip from Google in February ... one that 'significant others' aren't invited for. So! Oh, also, it's planned for a Thursday-Friday, and doesn't use vacation days as it's a "team building exercise"

So Pthhhht. 

:) No, I'm not jealous. I'd like to go, but it's a great trip for him, especially since it doesn't count as time off. (That's right, that means he's being PAID to ski. Poor guy eh? Man, work sucks in this downward spiralling economy huh? :P ;))

 

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Posted by Crystal on January 16, 2009

So this week definitely hasn't been as productive school-wise as it should have been. Crap ...

On the other hand, I think things are well on their way planning wise for the wedding, so yay :) More recently I've looked into planning a buck and doe as well. Fun stuff, let me tell you! No, not really actually. Dad's been helping me out a lot with it, phoning and visiting various venues, bakeries, flower shops, etc. Very helpful, considering it seems like a lot of places don't have websites, or email addresses, which is my preferred method of communication.

I've been having some trouble with my eyes of course, but also a fair bit of trouble with my back. The new chiropractor thinks I'm still having problems from September, when I threw my back out by simply bending over when I apparently wasn't supposed to.



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Posted by Crystal on January 10, 2009

So my first week of school has come to an end. Whew. Let’s see:

Sunday: 1.5 years exactly(ish) together 

Adrian and I relaxed mostly. We went to dinner at IHOP, very much looking forward to some strawberry crepes for dinner. Lo and behold! They’re bloody well out of cream cheese. So, they charge us for crepes ($7), and we get omlettes ($10) with the stuffed French Toast (stuffed with cream cheese, might I add…) with strawberries on the side ($6). Not bad, but not at all what we wanted.  After dinner we went to the AMC theatre there in Sunnyvale (or Santa Clara?) and saw 7 pounds. Not bad. Very different for Will Smith, I think, and it was fairly good. Lots of people on IMDB seem unhappy with it, but complaints mostly seem to be that they kept waiting for the punchline … and it’s a drama … so, no punchline.

( for more on Sunday, and the rest of the week ... )

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Posted by Crystal on January 3, 2009

Hey all.

So, New Years was fairly uneventful. Our neighbour Richard came over, and I made a huge ham for the five of us, and there was nothing left! No potatoes, corn, nothing. So I guess it was tasty :).

Yesterday we did a bit of shopping, including heading to Target in Sunnyvale as they’re closing down for the next 11 months for renovation. We figured there might be some decent deals to be had, as there were before, but we also wanted to buy a Peticure, which we had seen there on Tuesday for $20. Well, we didn’t get our Peticure. Instead … I got a camera! A Nikon D40! :D:D Guess my upgrade into the SLR world happened a bit sooner than I expected. We managed to the get the Nikon camera (regularly $500), an extra lens ($200), and an extended 3 year warranty, for less than $400, including tax.  And to top it off, Adrian was approved for a Target visa! so we got an extra %10 all the stuff we bought that day.

After that we came back to the apartment for my parents to finish packing, and around 3:30pm we noticed that my right eye was really messed up. It was fairly dilated, and wasn’t changing. I had a hard time seeing (reconciling the differences really between my left eye, which was acting normally, and my right eye). My mom, and the people I was talking to online at the time, wanted me to go to the doctor, but my dad was convinced it was nothing, so instead we went out to dinner at UWink around 5:30. Dropped my parents off at the airport around 7:30-8pm.

Adrian and I came home and watched some TV. Yet another friend thought that we should find and call some form of 24 hour nurse help lines. Adrian found one for our insurance company (Blue Shield), so I called. After describing everything, she said “So, my advice is … you need to go to the emergency room, now. Have someone else drive you.” Thus, we went to the emergency room. We waited in the lobby for about an hour before they called me in to find out what the problem was. Unlike others, I wasn’t sent back out to wait, but directly to a room. A nurse came in and looked at me, and then a doctor. His reaction was … um … yeah, it’s not supposed to do that. Luckily we also had a picture that Adrian had taken earlier (around 4pm) to show him what had been happening. I will post that below. He gave me a few scenarios of what be causing it (frankly they all seemed very confused when I told them that no, I have not smashed my head against anything in the past few years, let alone the pasty 24 hours), which included: brain tumour, multiple sclerosis, optic nervitis (?), inflamed nerves behind my eye, etc. None of which sounded good! So, he ordered a full bloodwork up, and a CT scan.

They sent me to a different room after the doctor left, and the nurse from before came in and jammed a needle into my forearm. Holy crap, did that ever hurt. I’ve had blood taken before, but oh god, never has it been that painful. She used an IV, took like 5 vials of blood, then taped the iv all over my forearm. It hurt like hell, did I mention? Then the CT tech came in, had me remove all of my earrings, and gave me the CT scan. He was very nice, and put a very warm blanket on top of me, and a lead radiation apron thing on top of that, because he said the room is rather chilly because there are so many computers in there. When finished (5-10 minutes), he said it would be about 1/2 hour until they would have the results analyzed, and took me back to my room. I laid down on the bed (my back was killing me at this point), and Adrian and I started waiting. We drifted into sleep a bit, me on the bed and Adrian in the chair. After 1.5 hours, I asked Adrian to find out if in fact anyone was going to come. He went to the nurse’s station (or whatever it was), and asked. The one nurse said they were waiting for blood work to be done. Another nurse looked over, read the chart, and said it was already done. The nurse then said (#1) that they were waiting for a CT scan to be done. Nurse #2 again noticed that it had also been done. Nurse #1 then said that they were waiting for the results. Nurse #2 again noticed and said, they were already in. Then, both nurses were baffled as to why I hadn’t been seen by the doctor again, and said they would tell him to get over to me. 20 minutes later, no doctor. 15 minutes after that, he showed up.

He said he had talked to the neurologist on call, who had said he didn’t think it was any of the things the doctor I was seeing had suggested. Instead, he thought it was Adie’s Pupil, and gave the doctor a test to do. So, he turned out all the lights, gave my eyes some time to adjust, explained that all to us, and then shone a very little bright light into my left eye for 5+ minutes. After a few minutes, he asked Adrian to go over and see too. Apparently, my pupil was very slowly contracting (so slowly that Adrian almost couldn’t see it), and then it would sort of ’seize’ and jump back in size (i.e., very quickly dilate back). The doc said it looked like 2 steps forward, 1 step back, and that my pupil almost looked like it was seizing. He said that seemed like Adie’s pupil, and told me to see an opthamologist, and a neurologist, asap. to confirm the Adie’s pupil diagnosis. So 5 hours in emergency, and finally they took out the IV, and I got to leave!

Yay …. 

 

Cheers!

PS - did I mention that between dropping my parents off at the airport and going to the ER, my neighbours finished moving out, and gave us a very comfy leather loveseat? :D

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Posted by Crystal on January 1, 2009

Sorry it’s been a few days! On the 28th we continued our drive to San Diego, stopped in Orange County for lunch and did some shopping just south of San Diego. We stayed just north of San Diego and finally got our Jacuzzi! It was good. On Monday we drove home, and went to Frankie, Johnny, and Luigi’s for dinner with some neighbours.

Tuesday my parents and I did some shopping while Adrian was at work, and I got some nice new sweaters and things. Tuesday night I made rotisserie chicken for dinner, very yummy.

Today we did a bit more shopping and dad got himself a new pair of shoes he’s been trying to find for a while. We also went to see The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and it was actually pretty good! After that movie, I can see why so many women like Brad Pitt  (Something I didn’t really see before). After we picked up ice cream from the grocery store, and introduced my mom to Ben and Jerry’s cinnamon bun ice cream :), very tasty!

Tomorrow the plan is to have a ham for lunch/dinner with some of the neighbours. 

As of the coming Sunday, Adrian and I have been seeing each other for 1.5 years  (so it will be nearly two years in May). We’re thinking of heading to Six Flags for the day, as we have season passes for 09, and also have a car for a few more days yet. 

Don’t know what else to tell you! I imagine I will load some photos to Facebook sometime soon, when I have some time to do it in, if you’re interested in seeing pics of the trip to/from San Diego 

Cheers!

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Posted by Crystal on December 27, 2008

We all had a very not-Christmasy Christmas this year. I made up the turkey, stuffing, etc., and it was all tasty, but didn’t feel much like Christmas. But, always a good excuse to get presents!

Yesterday, Boxing Day, my parents and I went into San Francisco. We started the day early at Muir Woods (do you know if you get there before 9am, you can get in for free?), then went to Sausilito, then took pictures of the Golden Gate. Next we went down Lombard Street, and then to Fisherman’s Wharf where we ate lunch at the Rainforest Cafe. After that it was fairly late already, so we went over to pier 33 to catch the boat and tour group to Alcatraz. My parents enjoyed Alcatraz (and of course the rest of San Francisco as well). And, as I took the tripod they brought down with them, I got some great pictures of San Francisco at night from the island. I shall post pictures below.

Today, we left the house around 9:30, and headed for the Panoramic highway (#1). We saw some great scenery on the highway, and also managed to stop at one area and see some Elephant Seals. The baby we saw was quite insistent with his mother! I will also post videos of them below.

After driving for a while longer, we pulled into Santa Barbara around 6 for dinner at Denny’s, then found a hotel with a jacuzzi (also a cheap hotel) in Ventura, which is where we are now. We arrived around 8:30pm (it’s 9:45 now). Of course, we got here and walked down to the jacuzzi in our bathing suits (outside, very cold), only to find it locked and the desk girl without a key. We are not impressed! So we’re relaxing in the room and watching the Golden Compass. 

 

Update: internet here sucks. I will post a new entry with more pics as soon as I can. These pics are small but are linked to the original file.

 

 

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Posted by Crystal on December 23, 2008

Yaaaaaay. My parents made it down from dtw safe and sound :). Note* It does not feel like Christmas for Adrian and I, even though tomorrow is Christmas Eve …

We picked them (my parents) up from the airport, managed to get home fairly quickly considering traffic, got pizza for dinner, and got them settled in. Tink was quite pleased with them, after approving of them as her subjects and then finding out that as such they were quite willing to pet her and give her treats.

We talked for a while, watched some House, and my parents wanted us to open a present each that they’d brought with them (person-specific candies, Ferrero Rocher for Adrian, and some Maynards Swedish Berries and Fuzzy Peaches for me, there goes my diet. So my plan is to eat them now, so they can’t tempt me when I buckle down in the new year). After they went to bed, Chantel called (yay!) so we talked to her for a while, and then my parents when to bed again.

I’ve been trying to figure out all the ‘things to do’ while in San Francisco so my parents and I can figure out a plan of attack tomorrow. We’re doing SF, including Muir Woods and Alcatraz, on Friday, and then on Saturday dad wants to drive down to San Diego using the coastal highway (pretty I hear ). Then of course it’s New Year’s, and my parents fly home on the 2nd. Not really all that much time when you think about it actually.

Yesterday Adrian and I buckled down and did some more cleaning in the apartment, to be in readiness for my parents’ arrival :). Sunday was pretty much the same, except our neighbours (as I mentioned) took us shopping in the afternoon, yay Stef and Lai! (pronounced ‘lie’), and then went for dinner at UWink with Chris. I think we’re going to take my parents there sometime too, just because their menu is an interesting experience. Other than that, I think I’m done with visiting there for a while. Oh, and interesting. Adrian and I bought some gift certificates for UWink online, which apparently expire in a year’s time, unless you’re in California, where they are not allowed, by law, to have expiry dates. Yay for California!

Anyway, sleep for now, bacon and eggs for lunch tomorrow, pick up the rental car in the afternoon, and then we shall get some shopping done! Then it’s Christmas, and I will make a turkey with yorkshires, and jello, and potatoes, and cheesecake .. mm mm good!

Cheers!

 Yay! This morning … er, afternoon, yes …, Adrian woke me up to tell me I had more marks that had been emailed to me. 92.5% on a group project we did in November!! Sweet eh?! I did the website design for that (http://etec512.sailorfrag.net). Now if I can just get all my other marks that are missing, grrrrrrr for lazy profs.

In other news, Adrian and I went to Gilroy to the outlet mall yesterday with his friend Chris, aka Bruce, from Waterloo who has been working down here for Filemaker. Adrian spent a bit of money  (because of me of course, but you should see the bags I got!!). After that we headed to San Francisco for dinner (where it seems the driver didn’t notice many signs, and we ended up on the Bay Bridge all the way over to Oakland, turned around and came back and then found our way to Fisherman’s wharf). We went to the Franciscan for dinner where I had a French Dip sandwich for dinner (and the prime rib in it was only half edible due to ridiculous fat content) :(, while Adrian and Chris had Clam Chowder in a sourdough bread bowl, and James had Clam Chowder in a cup. Then the three of them split the sizzling sampler (?) which included mussels, shrimp, and crab for $35, and they couldn’t finish it. They did however say that everything was entirely delicious, and were very disappointed that they couldn’t persuade me to try it.

After we got home, Adrian realized he’d left the quarters from the bank in the car, so we borrowed from a neighbour and had a very exciting (hm…) time doing laundry until we fell asleep.

Friday wasn’t very exciting, I’m sad to report :(. But we did have a fun (?) time biking to the Safeway at 11pm to do some grocery shopping in preparation for my parents’ arrival on Tuesday.

Today we’re off to get a tripod for my camera!

Update after shopping with neighbours: Got a tripod at bestbuy, and an additional sim card for Adrian’s phone. Oh, did I mention Google gave their employees the developer version of the Android phone for their Holiday bonus, Nice eh? ($400 to buy, which Adrian nearly did before I talked him out of it! Glad I did now!)

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Posted by Crystal on December 18, 2008

 BOO. I've been trying to get a hold of places in Brantford/Paris/Simcoe/Delhi since like, Monday. Apparently email? not so good. So I got up early today so I could make sure that I could call them before they left for the day. Well, that doesn't work anyway, because OF COURSE! Everyone took today off. Except for secretaries, who told me that everyone took the day off. Blagh

In other news ... is there other news? The present I got for my mom came in, that's good news. Our cat is being cuter than ever ... and Adrian's getting better at Dr. Mario. I'm having issues with Facebook chat, in which it is ohhh so easy to start a conversation, and ohhh so easy to comPLETEly forget about seconds later.

Hrm ... other than that .. oh yes, Does anyone like photography? I should ad a boolean search term - AND is good at it ? Photographers for wedding seem to start at $1000 for the absolutely most base package, and range up to about $3000 from there. And we don't have that kind of money. Adrian's dad likes photography, and has the equipment, but I imagine our parents will be rather preoccupied on the day, soooo ... any other takers? :) I am willing to send websites of the galleries of other photographers so you can get ideas about nice pictures to take! :)

I don't know what else I could tell you, really! So, cheers!