Tuesday August 12/2008 -PM

Just arrived in New York and have settled into a hotel for the night. Pretty excited to be in the big city even though I won't have much time to check out the sights. All my luggage has made it so far and I found the hotel shuttle after taking the sky train around the massive airport -I cannot believe how huge it is!! So I'm feeling uber spoiled having my own room, a comfy bed, shower and my last dose of american tv shows before the island tomorrow. Everyone I've met so far have really obvious accents, very long and drawn out words FUN! I also met a really cool girl on the plane, she's a makeup artist for MAC cosmetics (my favorite!) and is on her way to New York for a course. This hotel even has breakfast in the morning and I'm getting excited to reconnect with friends. G'night and sleep tight!

Tuesday August 12/2008

Hello everyone… and so here we go again. Round two or SGU adventures. Surprisingly, it was a lot harder to leave this time. I had such a great summer and really tried to take advantage of the chance to reconnect with family and some really good friends. For those of you who remember my summer list, I got through most of it, with a couple that I hope to finish at Christmas –Cheryl and Anna I really hope we can go riding together and to all my camping buddies, I am booking at least two solid weekends for that next year, looks like you guys had such a great time. I know those memories are going to get me through any down times this term so thanks to all of you again for spending time.
So I’m feeling a little emotionally fragile at the moment –weird!! I suppose the first time, I was so excited about challenging the unknown and proving that I could move half way across the world. Most of all, I wanted to prove Saskatoon that they were wrong in telling me to pursue a different career. This time, as I just mentioned is different. I know roughly what to expect, I have made some good friends that it will be awesome to see and the beach is calling. However, I have barely left and I am getting homesick and missing Mom, Dad, Brett and Tom, Gromit, Fig and Chester.
Quick recap of the day so far.. Woke up early after a fantastic night last night. All my friends in Sherwood Park came over for a marshmallow roast and it meant a lot to me to see them all. Spent a couple of minutes around seen to see Melissa’s precious babies, 14 Great Dane puppies that are less then a week old! Next a few frantic last minute bag changes (How am I supposed to fit 4 months of stuff in two 50 lb bags? Ack!) A quick and difficult good bye to pets and Dad and a visit to Mrs Crowley and I was on my way. Luckily I had time for a cup of coffee with mom before having to go to the gate. The flights have been uneventful, had a bit of a runaround in the Vancouver airport trying to find my luggage to take it through customs but hopefully the rest of the trip will go smoothly. Right now, Saskatchewan is looking pretty good… and I’m looking forward to Christmas. Cant wait to get to New York so that I can get internet and get a little communication home.

Congratulations Mom and Dad on your 25th Wedding Anniversary

Pictures from dinner at the Hotel MacDonald with Mom, Dad, Brett, Tom and Lauren.

So I guess that sums it up

So sorry about the long string of new posts all at once.. I will try and be better at updating this term (it's a goal!) As for the present, I've been doing the waitress thing at Montana's Restaurant. I decided the summer was too short to work at the clinic and expect to make the money I need to afford school next term. I'm hoping that next year I may be able to do both clinic work and serving. I'll be done my job on wednesday which will give me a chance to catch up on the four online classes I've been working on this summer and hopefully get a chance to spend some time with family and friends before jetting off again. Hope y'all are enjoying your summer break!

Little Brother all grown up..

Tom graduated this year -hard to believe that my little baby bro is all grown up. Here are some photo ops from the big event..

Jessica was in town for a whole month and we took advantage of that fact and started our own little running group. We'd join up in the evenings and pick a destination, run for a bit and catch up. I LOVED it! I'm definitely going to have to find some running friends at school.. it is so much fun going with other people rather then just by yourself. Jess is unbelievably motivated and having her company kept me honest (no slacking off and walking!) Gromit came on the runs too and did a great job of pulling me up all the hills as well as over to any interesting smells...

At the start of a run at the Science Park

Jess grooving it up on the trail

Gromit, my running buddy on our way home

Horses

Started the summer break out right with a trip out to Hollyhock Meadows. It was really nice to see Peter and Terry and all the new farm additions. Couldn' t believe how much i've missed the horses, hopefully I will get more chances to hang with the few horses on the island because they've been sorely missed.
Me and the newest Hollyhock addition

Also very exciting news... I got to attend my first foaling at friend Steph's house. She had been expecting the new little one and invited me out for a foal watch. I didn't think we'd be lucky enough to see the whole thing but we did -too cool! Still waiting to find out what his name is going to be but he did an amazing job learning to stand up and eat all within just a couple of hours.

brand new baby

Just learning to stand up..