UhMuhriCuns

I give Americans a hard time. I really do. In my mind especially. I think that I'm a product of very proud Canadian upbringing and that has caused me to 'hate-on' Americans probably more than I should.

I've had really good interactions with Americans (holla to my American friends in Romania and Casablanca!). They were always nice to me and I like them.

Why is it then, that whenever I expect to come into contact with my buddies to the south that I automatically put my guard up and expect rudeness? Have I watched (and hysterically laughed at) “Talking To American's" one too many times?

When I was on my disasterous trip to the States earlier this week, and my plans got thrown to the wind, and I was stranded in a pretty crappy city, I was doing my best to hold it together. Trying not to imagine being beside a hot pool as I slogged through miserable weather in an unfamiliar city as I searched for the items required for me and Bethany's survival in a foreign land (calling card, apple juice, and soda crackers). I was overwhelmed with caring for my sister (who BTW had food poisoning), being in a country I don’t fully appreciate, in an unknown area, with no cell phone. I was frustrated, overwhelmed, tired and trying to be the strong independent woman that I am. As I searched for my items I anticipated rudeness and bad attitudes and no help.

As I searched all around the Bellingham WalMart I started to get dismayed because there were no international calling cards. At all. My cashier was super friendly, helped me look for one (which they didn’t have) and Dr. Phil’d me (that’s right, I verbed Dr. Phill) and I spilled my whole story about the sickenss and the cancelled plans and the being from Canada. He got a manager to try to track down a calling card for me and when there wasn’t one in the WalMart he suggested another store, gave me excellent directions, told me some good soup broths to feed my sister and as I was leaving he slipped me his phone number as a personal security guard in case I needed help with anything. That is the type of kindness I needed that day. All week I’ve been thinking of, praying for, and praising God for Big Mike Sheri.

So Americans, I apologize to you. Especially the girl at store number 3 that didn’t have a calling card and I almost bit your head off in a panic. I’m sorry I think so badly of you. I still believe we won the War of 1812, and I still hold that you are not as awesome as Canada, but you are decent even if you did give us Lady Gaga.

Why TARGET is not really that great.

I mentioned earlier this week that I would blog about TARGET and why it's not really that great.

Here is why:

It's Walmart. With a different logo.

The end.

Border Control

You know what job must suck?
Being a Border Control Guard.
Let's think about it. First of all they are trained and paid to be suspicious. Secondly they work in a tiny little box. Thirdly they never get to have actual conversations with people, just question and answer periods.

I really dislike crossing the border. I avoid America whenever I can, partly because crossing the boarder is stressful and partly because the good ol' U S of A is not really that amazing. My country invented insulin, nuclear weapons, hocky AND Ryan Renolds, so I'm sorry, but it's pretty hard to beat that list.

I have to go to the USA twice in two weeks, one for my vacation that never happened, and again next weekend to pick up the Kamloops Christian School Guatemala Missions Team from the airport in Seattle.

Going through the border bugs me because I am the LEAST suspicious person on the face of the earth. I wear Jeans and hoodies, I work in a church and Christian school, I'm a small town girl that does'nt do anything remotely dangerous or questionable. And yet... every time.... somehow they just don't like me and I get asked way more questions than I think are necessary. Am I really so shifty that you have to ask me 36 more questions than you asked the guy in front of me? Or is it just that I am so fascinating that you want to get to know me better?

It also stresses me out that they ask the questions so fast so they can try to get you to make a mistake.

Usually the problem arrives going into the US. One time in college on the way to a wedding in Philedelphia, the guard was so suspicious that a group of 7 friends all knew the SAME person and were going to the SAME wedding, and that one of the boys played the cello, that we almost had to get the cello out and play it to prove that everything we were saying was true.

This time the stressor was coming back into Canada. I hand the guard our passports.
Where's home? Kamloops
How long were you in the US? About a day and a half
Purpose of visit? We were supposed to fly to Vegas but my sister got sick so we couldn't go.
Where were you going? Vegas
Where did you stay in the US? Bellingham
What hotel? Holiday Inn
How much did you spend? About $100 between the two of us.
What hotel did you stay in in Vegas? We DIDN'T go to Vegas. We couldn't get on the plane so we stayed overnight in Bellingham. Now we are going home because our trip is cancelled.
Did you have reservations in Vegas, at what hotel? The Tropicana (By this time I'm wishing we still had that bag of barf in the backseat and asking him to throw out to prove the sickness excuse)
Do you have your airplane tickets? I have our boarding passes, will those work?
Yes. Let me see them. (I pass them over and our story is proven)
Have a nice day.

If I were in charge here is what my standard question list would look like.
Can I look at your passports please?
Canadien EH? Welcome home!

My 'Trip' to Vegas

Yesterday I got kicked off an airplane.
That was a first for me. I can honestly say that I have never, in my life, been kicked off an airplane. I've traveled a fair bit around this world, but never have I ever been close to getting kicked off a plane, let alone be the one that the stewardess comes over to and says, "you're going to have to get off this plane, grab your carry-on and follow me please."

So what did I do?
Let me tell you the whole story.

It all started about a year ago when Bethany and I got it into our heads that we really wanted to go to Las Vegas. It just looked like such a fun place. We don't gamble, but we like to see and try new things. We decided that after she graduated from university, we would find a cheap trip online and go. I found an *amazing* deal at Bing. com (great prices, great website, excellent telephone customer service minus the ridiculous wait times). $309 for four nights in a hotel and flight from Bellingham. How can you say no to a deal like that? We booked it.

We spent 3 weeks researching all the really cool things to see and do in Vegas, rented a car for one day so we could drive around, looked up free things, exchanged money, got music ready for the drive, picked out a trip theme song (Cha Ching by Hedley), we packed, bought new running shoes, cleaned out the car and talked about nothing except our trip.

Sunday afternoon we drove to Abbotsford through a wicked snowstorm - which made our vacation plans that much better. (Ohhhh those suckers in Canada, with the snow, this time tomorrow we will be hot and by a pool. YESSSSSS score one for vacation time!). We stopped at Swiss Chalet (Kamloops looses 900 cool points for not having one and making us drive to the coast to get a quarter-chicken-dinner-white-meat-and-fries), and then went over to my friend Robyn's for the night.

Had a great time with Robyn. Who is hilarious. We met in college and after a brief lapse in friendship (she disappeared and then I did), we randomly met again at the ACSI Teachers Convention in October. Anyways. I love Robyn. And I love that we got to stay at her place, and hang out and laugh and look at old pictures, and laugh. Did I mention that we laughed?

Bethany and I went to sleep in good time so that we would be up and ready to leave for Bellingham by 6am. (Which to my body was 5am because of the recent time change).

At 3:30am I heard Bethany throwing up in the Bathroom.
At 3:45am " "
at 4:00am " "
at 4:45 am " "
at 5:15am " "
at 5:50am " "

We drove to the airport in Bellingham (pulling over 6 times), and I waited in the ticket line while Bethany slept on the bench. As we went through security I made her fake being ok so that we would get through. We got all the way on to the plane and *just* before taxing down the runway (literally, within 1 minute - the seatbelt sign was on and the stewardess had the seatbelt demonstration ready in her hand) Beth threw up again. And they kicked us off the plane.

We had to make a decision - try to take a later flight, or one the next day, or postpone indefinitely. Bethany (who by the way hasn't been sick since infancy) was in no state to travel, so we postponed indefinitely. The thought of driving anywhere, let alone back to Kamloops just about made Beth have a meltdown, so I got us a hotel in Bellingham and while she spent the day barfing (literally 30 times), I kept myself occupied finding cup-of-soup, soda crackers, apple juice and an international calling card. I cancelled our plans, walked to Barns and Noble, went in the hot tub, watched tv quietly and felt bad for my sister whom I love a lot.

Bethany slept for 20 hours straight. STRAIGHT. No waking up except to puke. In the morning she was better (not 'better' but comparatively better than on Monday). We drove back to Kamloops. Where it was snow-raining. :(

I should be more disappointed than I am. It does suck that I'm in Kamloops, in March, in the rain. But really, travelling is not relaxing. Now I have an extra week of just kicking back and doing whatever (starting my garden seeds, painting a picture, practicing music, church work, sewing, hobbies, letters etc.). AND I have a fairly strong sense that God really didn't want us to go to Vegas this week. I had a nightmare about going earlier this week (and I really believe God speaks to me in my dreams), and I just really have felt peace about not going. Peace and 'ok-ness' about not going, when I should be really sad, disappointed and angry. As I was thinking about this when we were driving back into Kamloops there was a massive rainbow going over the hills and the valley. Rainbow are a sign of promise. God will never leave me, or forsake me. He has a plan. Which reminds me that while Beth was being sick, I was watching Criminal Minds and Dr. Spencer Reid quoted "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." Maybe these were all signs. Who am I to know what might have happend there? Good or bad? Or what might happen here that I need to be around for?

Anyways, that's the basic story. Look forward to the next few posts:
Americans
Border Control
Why Bellingham Sucks
Why TARGET is not actually that great

As a teacher it is in my hypocratic oath/contract to not have a favourite student. But seriously, with things like this being put on my desk, how can I????


A Poem for Miss. Gerrits

Miss. Gerrits is my teacher,
As great as can be,
She is a hard worker,
As straight as a tree.

She teaches us things worth learning,
And gives us lots of “A’s”
She leaves us all yearning
To learn something cool today.

She is the smartest teacher,
And a Christian too.
She is a great teacher
She always pushes through.

The TV Game

The other night we were bored. So very, very, very bored.

It was too late to do anything for reals, but just a little bit too early to go to bed. That means it was 8:30pm, because we are lame and go to bed at 9. But what to do from 8:30 till 9? We could not think of anything. And there was nothing on tv. Nothing except a documentary entitled something like 'How Our Earth Was Formed by Athiest's.' That's a lie. It did not say 'by athiest's' But they definitely were not Christians.

Was it an interesting watch? Not so much.
But it's great when you and your sisters can make ANYTHING funny, even boring things. Like lame documentaries that are most likely made up.

We've recently been introduced to a new 'tv game.' Basically, the goal of the game is to ask someone who is really into a show, the stupidest, most annoying questions. For example, if I'm watching Criminal Minds, the line of questioning will go something like this, in very rapid succession. No pausing between questions.

Who's that?
Is Derek Morgan a bad guy?
What's going on?
Why do they have guns?
Where's Grissom?
When is Sue Thomas going to have a scene?
What kind of car is that?
Is this the show with Zoey Busak?
My favourite character is Horatio, who is yours?

Those of you who watch Criminal Minds or any other cop drama will realize that Grissom, Sue Thomas, Zoey Busak and Horatio are from different shows, that's why the line of questioning is so funny.

Here's our line of questioning for the documockery 'How The Earth was Made Over The Course Of 80 Bajillion Years And Dinosarus Survived All Natural Disasters and Plagues Including Cancer And Aids"

Wow! Is that true?
What kind of Dinosaur is that?
Where's George of the Jungle?
How did they get that live footage of the dinosaurs?
I wonder if the cameraman is scared...
How could they POSSIBLY know that?
It's amazing that the cameraman just happened to be there when that stumpgrasauras attacked that poor tollifigiopalentolosaurus! Talk about luck! Do you think he gets paid more for getting unique shots?
I'm worried, they just said "Dinosaurs are taking over the earth," do you think they are on their way to Kamloops too?

Play the game.
It's REALLY funny.
Especially if the person you are with loves their show and flips out at your non-stop questioning.

A Bafflexing Graduation

Yay for Bethany!

This post is a shout-out to my little sister who graduated university yesterday!!!! Wahooo!

If you have ever been past the seventh grade, you have probably been to a graduation. If you have siblings or cousins or friends, you probably have been to more than one graduation.

Agree or disagree with me, but graduations are b.o.r.i.n.g. And I'm not going to lie. I only went to Bethany's because a) I love her, b) she begged me and c) I was promised free cake afterwards.

As far as graduations go, Bethany's was the same as all the other ones. The professors talked too long about boring things while the audience pitty laughed politely when they tried to make jokes. Bethany was the first one to get her diploma and in order to liven the run-of-the-mill ceremony, me, Vanessa, Jane and Louise shouted, hooted, and hollard for an obscenly embarrassing long time. It kept us entertained, embarrassed Bethany to no end, and made all the other cheering sections for the other graduates look weak.

Because Bethany was first, there was really nothing else to look forward to (except the cake obviously). Listening to the names of the other graduates and watching them take their sweet time going across the stage (was it really necessary for each graduate to hug each professor before the next name was called?), was ... well.... boring. Vanessa and I had some hilariously hushed discussions about thongs (and yes, you CAN tell if someone is wearing one graduate number 7), and about how it was gravitationally impossible for graduate number 47s boobs to be that perky! I'm not saying it to be a jerk, or to be judgemental, or to be mean. I'm just saying: How do you get them that high?????? I'm baffled. And perplexed. I'm bafflexed.

Anyways, I sat there, I got my free cake, and was proud that Bethany completed her program.

Titanic 2: The Epic True Saga Continues

I'd like to dedicate today's post to a movie review. I feel that it is important to share opinions, thoughts and critiques of movies with friends and family so that they know what to watch (or what not to watch). Today's critique is of a movie I saw on the shelf a few weeks ago. No one wanted to watch it with me, so I waited for a quiet 'alone' night to spend some time just chillin' and watching what I want to watch. My plan did not quite turn out that way as a friend came over and convinced me to wait till later that night to watch it with him and my sisters.

I'm going to give you a completely exhaustive review of the movie "Titanic 2"

Yes. That is right. Titanic 2. As in Titanic the Sequel. Those of you who have known me since high school know that I have a passion (obsession - passbession) with the original Titanic. I loved Leonardo Dicaprio. I even had a Leonardo Dicaprio pin that I wore on my jacket. I've probably seen the movie over 50 times. So when I saw Titanic 2 on the shelf, I knew that I had to see it.

Obviously I was first drawn to the title "Titanic 2" and the catchphrase caught my attention too, "100 years later, lightning strikes twice." Which in an of itself is not very good grammar.

The back continued in bold red letters, "The Epic True Saga Continues."

Now, I've done some resarch, and pretty much the only true part of the movie was that the boat sank. Despite that, this comment made me think that this movie was continuing the true story of the Titanic. Here's their description:

"On the 100th anniversary of the original voyage, a modern luxury liner christned, "Titanic 2" follows the path of its namesake. But when a tsunami hurls an iceberg into the new ships path, the passengers and crew must fight to avoid a similar fate."

YUP! A tsunami and an iceberg. I knew right away that this would be a great Friday night movie. And it was ('nt?)

Long movie short, a tsunami hurls an iceberg at the boat. And then, just when you think things can't get worse, another even larger tsunami hits the boat.

It wasn't so much that the story line was a bit on the cheesy side, this movie was so bad because the filming of it was terrible. Unbelievably terrible. Here is my review.

a. The 'stud' character - you know, the one who owns the boat, spent time in the coast guard, is the hero etc. was sleezy. Not in the movie, in the movie he was a decent guy, but all of us girls agreed that he was totally greesy and skeezy and disgusting. He was a cross between all three of the Baldwin Brothers and T-Bag from Prison Break. And yet he was the hero.

b. The main character (who was so memorable I can't remeber her name) was a terrible actress and I'm pretty sure she only got the role because she looks like Reese Witherspoon.

c. I'm no cinematography expert, but I'm pretty sure the entire movie was filmed in a gymnasium and a locker room.

d. In the scenes where bodies were floating and/or asking for help when in the water... yeah... you could see the bottom of the pool.

e. The movie only had about 20 extras. If that. It wasn't so much a big deal in the crowd scenes, but during the panic scenes, the same 4 people ran by the camera. And did the same actions. Apparently the only thing people do when in a panic is run and trip over their own feet and fall down.... six times in a row. Seriously. The same people. The same scenes.

f. They used the same 'stock' shots for everything.

g. There was one seriously distracting actress. I don't know what her name was, or what her role was, but everytime she came on screen I would yell out "look! Boobie McBooberson is back!" Wanna take a wild guess as to why she was distracting?

h. This is my favourite: In one scene, main character 1 and sleezy hero man are looking for main character 1's friend. They find her in the infirmary (read that again - infirmary as in first aid/ nurses station). She is trapped under a filing cabinet and bleeding from her upper chest. Heroman - because he was in the coast guard, and main character 1 (who works in the infirmary as a nurse) put their thinking caps on and show off their crazy first aid skills to stop the bleeding of friend number 2. Main character 1 gets some medical tape, and heroman pulls out a credit card. They then proceed to tape the credit card over the injury to stop the bleeding. Call me crazy, but I'm pretty sure you are IN THE INFIRMARY. Most infirmary's, and correct me if I'm wrong, have things like.. oh I don't know... bandaids... gauze... maybe some paper towl.....

i. Just when you think things can't get any worse, heroman, character 1 and character 2 get stuck in the elevator and heroman uses his 'muscle' (???) to open the roof. As he is pulling himself through - get this - you notice that he is wearing WHITE SOCKS! Black shoes, black pants and white socks!!!!! Seriously people! If you are making a movie, and have to cheap out on wardrobe, at least get someone to look up major fasion faux paus on the internet!

j. After they climb to the top of the elevator the next step is to climb the elevator shaft. How could this go wrong? I'm glad you asked. You know how when you climb up, gravity makes your hair/clothing go down? Well in this masterfully crafted scene hair and clothing fall forward - toward their bellies. The scene was shot so you think they are climbing up, but gravity is telling you that they are just crawling along a ladder that is on the floor. Clever.

k. The final most awesome thing was at the very end. When the movie ended. With no resolution. Or ending. Or conclusion. It just stopped.

In conclusion (because I know how to end things properly), I think that maybe I do suggest you rent this movie. Because it was (in the words of Barny Stinson), "Awes..ful"

And I Screamed Like a Girl

The following event was the most awesome and least awesome part of my day/week/month - all rolled into one.

It all started last week when a friend of mine was over. Let's call him 'Jon' (coincidentally that is actually his real name.) Well, Jon loves all things to do with the forest and fishing and the outdoors and he knows that I am currently teaching a unit on forestry so he was asking me about that and giving me lectures about how Smoky the Bear is the anti-christ etc. I mentioned to him that this week I was going to be teaching about forest pests like the Mountain Pine Beetle and the Tussock Moth etc. Jon was very excited about this and offered to loan me a bug project that he had done for a forestry course last term. The project had about 60 different forest bugs in it. It was a great learning tool to show my students so they could physically see all the different forest pests I was teaching them about.

I was very excited about him loaning me this project. When I went to pick it up last Thursday he gave me strict instructions not to ruin it. If you know 'Jon' at all, you know that he is.... a little anal. A total perfectionist. A neat freak. He really cares about his stuff. His truck, his jeans, his house and his bugs. I gave him my word of honour that I would take care of his bug project and that none of my students would touch it or wreck it.

Today was the big day. The lesson on Forest Pests. Before I left my house today I checked the box and prepared to transport it to school. I opened it up and was a little shocked at the condition of the interior. Some of the wings had fallen off, and the legs were all over the place and it really looked like I had totally shaken up the box and wrecked the project. All these little tiny bugs were falling apart. My shoulders slumped and I realized that I was going to have to tell Jon that somewhere between walking to my car and walking into my house that his project had gotten jarred and it was no longer in mint condition.

Let me fast forward a bit to after school today. I had Jon call me and this was our conversation:
"Hey Jon... It's Nikki.... Uh.... I have some bad news.... and some good news...." I stuttered.
"You wrecked my bug project didn't you?" he was quick to place blame.
"Well... it is wrecked, but in my defense it was not me!" I defended myself, "but wait! Before you get mad, let me tell you the good news! The project is wrecked, but I did not do it! And you have a new bug for your collection! Really! A new bug. A massive bug! The 'dead' coccoon that was a part of your project... it hatched!"

Now you are probably thinking a few things.
a) you said 'dead' cocoon. yes. DEAD. As in DEAD. Like Jon had it in his freezer for 2 weeks DEAD. Checked by his professor DEAD. And yet.... not so much.
b) awwww a moth! How cute. Don't be deceived. I have long held that moths are the most disgusting things in the universe. I hold to the theory that if Satan were to reincarnate himself into a bug it would be a moth. (Think about it - 'the light' spazzes them out... obviously my theory is solid).

I'd like to take you back to 8am this morning. When I opened the box to clean it out. When I opened a box expecting to see 8 rows of tiny little bugs with pins stuck through their back with a nice little scientific lable beside it. And instead I found this looking at me, pointing its horns and nasty furry feet at me, gnawing on one of the helpless little dead bugs.


I put a dime in there so you could understand the scale. It is approximately the size of a fist. It's slimy and crusty and furry and just having that picture up there while I type this is making me dry heave and gag.

I screamed. Loudly. Like a girl. Then I had my boss PJ double check to see that I wasn't imagining a large, live bug in a box full of dead ones. It's nasty.
Tell me that is not a massive bug!!!! It's disgustingly large! All the other bugs were the size of 'nerds' (you know... the candy) and then this thing all slimy and gross and crusty. EW.

The Life of Pi

This is a really good book:

Those of you who know me, know that I pretty much stick to one genre of literature. In my opinion it is the best genre: Historical Christian Romance. I love it. I love the cheese and the predictibility and the covered wagons. Make fun of me if you want, suggest other books if you want, I'm solidly set in my opinions and you most likely will not change them.

Unless you suggest a book to me that is as good as the Life of Pi.

I always read before bed. And one night, lo and behold, I was shockingly out of Christian Romance Novels. (Well... I mean I did have some, but I've read them all a hundred times). I pulled Life of Pi off the shelf and started reading. And was hooked. It is a great story. It has brilliant writing, a unique plot, is clean, is humourous, has adventure and good morals. It was a really good read and I totally reccommend this book. It has my seal of approval. Just like Justin Bieber. And Christian Romance Novels. And Macaroni and Cheese.

Bieberliscious

Today I am thankful that I have an 11 year old friend who legitimizes my presence at the Justin Bieber movie. I'm not saying that it is wrong for a 28 year old woman to go to the Justin Bieber movie, but I will say that it is wierd. I'm not going to lie. I did kinda want to see this movie. I've keep up with the Biebsters career since near the beginning of Biebermania about a year and a half ago. I have a heart for this kid. Partly because he's from my old stomping grounds in small-town Ontario, partly because he's actually talented, partly because my sister is OBSESSED with him, and partly because I think he is a decent kid.

After spending two hours in a theatre with him (it was after all 3-D), I'd like to re-iterate my standing that J.B is a decent kid. Now I know how movies work. They can edit things, and script things and make people look good or bad. But a kid and his mom who throughout the movie pray numerous times (including during sickness, before concerts, and while out with pizza with his buddies), he gets my vote. He doesn't swear, is not man-skanky, dresses appropriately, dances well, and learned to play music at a church.... I don't know about you... but that, combined with his small town upbringing make him legitimate. And dag-nab it, regardless of your choice of lyrics and style - his songs are catchy!

One time after leaving a Miley Cyrus movie (and singing and dancing to one of the songs), someone asked me, "Nikki, don't you think it's a little pathetic that you are a grown woman and you know all the words to all the songs in that Miley Cyrus movie?" I thought for a quick second and then responded, "No. Not at all. Honestly, as part of my calling as a teacher and a youth pastor, I need to keep up on what is relevant. I need to be able to connect to 12 year olds. And if that means I can sing along with Miley, or Justin or the Jonas Brothers, than that’s what I’ll do.” The quick witted someone remarked, “Does being relevant mean you have to know all the dance moves too?”

Anyways, the purpose of this post was to give my teaching-pastoring-researching-Christ Following- seal of approval for Justin Bieber. I like this kid. And I sincerely pray that as he grows up he won’t turn into another one of those talking the talk but can’t walk the walk Hollywood Teens (and yeah, that’s right, I’m pointing at you Katie Perry).

Happy Valentines Day

The World's Greatest Love Story?


http://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/dailybrew/toronto-holocaust-survivors-may-world-greatest-love-story-20110216-124033-658.html

Why So Funny?

Why are the following things funny?

People falling
People getting kicked in the junk
Stupid animals
Drunk animals
People flying through the air accidentally
People getting punched
People falling in mud

Why are those things so funny? Why has America's Funniest Home Video's been on tv for 25 years? Why is Wipe-Out SO hilarious?

I'll tell you why we laugh so hard.

Because it's not happening to us.

Dutch Blitz

I don't know if you have ever had the painful experience of playing this game with me, and not to toot my own horn or anything, but I am REALLY good at this game. I am "jump back" unbelievably good. (If you got that Kevin Bacon quote give yourself a pat on the back). And it seems to me, that whenever I tell someone that I'm really good at Dutch Blitz they go off on a tangent about how good they are. How they dominate at Dutch Blitz. How they totally kill, are awesome, amazing, crazy good.

Then I say to them, "No, I don't think you understand. I'm actually REALLY good. And I'm not being rude, or mean when I say this, but you will loose."

They scoff at me, laugh even sometimes, and then we start to play. And about halfway through the game (as I'm kicking butt), some excuse will come out of their lips explaining their lackluster performance. It never fails. In the past three years I have had many people challenge me. And they all have lost.

Last Saturday night was no exception. Me, Bethany and "Gus" (his name has been changed to protect his identity - give yourself another point if you can guess where I got the name Gus from). Final Score: Nikki 103, "Gus" 44, Bethany 1. Slightly embarrassing for him after talking his game up so much. Not quite as embarrassing as 10 minutes later when he found a 'feminine' product on the kitchen table and it took him a second to figure out what it was...

Top Five Things of Awesomeness

These are my top five things of awesomeness for the week of February 7.

#1 Turbo Snake.
It is AMAZING. I should have videotaped the amazingness of this $7 infomercial buy. Love it.





#2 Boy Meets World Season One.
I'm seriously re-living my childhood this week. Oh Cory. Oh Shawn. Oh Topanga. Oh Mr. Feeny. From jean vests and plaid arms to the plastic bubba juice containers and the Duck-Hunt gun. From the references to Full House, Punky Brewster and all the random actors who later went on to bigger things (ahem Shane West & Jessica Bowman). I love it all. And it is very funny. Laugh out loud funny.






#3 Canon SD1400.
My first digital camera ever - the Canon A560 died two weeks ago. it was a fantastic little camera. After a lot of research and deciding what I needed and wanted, I chose the Canon SD1400. It is amazing. Clear shots. Easy to use. Great Features and just enough do-dads and extras to give you a camera with cool options, but not be overwhelming to use. I strongly reccommend this camera if you are looking for a camera that takes great pictures, but doesn't take up a lot of space.

#4 Missoula Children's Theatre
A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.
This professional children's theatre company hails from Montana. They bring the directors, the sets, the costumes, the lights, the sound, the make-up, the script and the music. You just provide them with 60 kids to put on a fantastic show with. They group auditioned 113 kids for 2 hours to find the 60 kids that would work for our production. They proved to me that students can stand on a line for two hours without talking unless pointed to and told specifically what to say. Our production is this Saturday at 3pm and 5:30pm at the Kamloops Christian School.


#5. Rabbit Ears
I cancelled my cable in December. Heck! I'm not paying $40 a month to watch tv shows I already own on DVD or on the internet for free! It didn't bother me until this week. When GLEE started again. There's something about watching Finn and Puck on the tv from the comfort of my couch with my sisters. So I brought out the tinfoil and scotch tape and miraculously found myself a channel. And that channel is Global. And that channel plays GLEE.

The Importance Of...

Cutting your toenails
'nuff said.
Although, in her defense, they are painted nice.

Top Ten List #1. The Grumpy List

I'm grumpy today.
Usually I'm happy and perky, but today is a grumpy day. I thought I'd share with you my most recent top ten things I hate list. And yes. It is in a specific order.

1. Bell Canada
2. The phrase 'you should join E-Harmony'
3. Not having cable
4. The fact that in Canada in order to get a decent job you have to have a university education and you have to pay a million dollars to get it, and then be in debt forever so that you can have a good job to pay back the education you were forced get in the first place so you could have a good job to pay of the education you needed to get it. (See the cycle?)
5. Mornings and alarm clocks
6. The Kamloops Centre for Irrational Thought. Seriously. Leave us alone already. (I know I know, I should be preaching love, but you irritate me. Jesus got irritated too)
7. Tiersa being in Mexico. I know she's being a good missionary, but I need a friend here too!
8. Never getting a snowday.
9. Mushrooms and anything from the ocean. It's all gross.
10. Changing the toilet paper roll. I've always hated doing it. I always will.

Anne with an E

I think that in another life (the one where I wasn't Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman) I would have been Anne of Green Gables. It just makes me happy. The books, the original movies, the third (albeit semi-lame) movie, the pre (not very good) quel, the Road to Avonlea spin off, all of it. It makes me happy.

I can imagine living in a pristine small-town. Working in a one room school house, writing a novel (Christian Romance obviously) Having great hair and pretty dresses and imagination and adventures.

And... Gilbert Blythe, who although is not particularly 'manly,' is still beyond awesome in his down-to-earth, doctoring, nice-boy, great-hair, way.

GLEE

Unless you have been living under a pop-culture rock for the last 18 months, you have heard about this show. If you have never seen an episode, and have strong moral convictions, are an adult and can discern between right and wrong, you should watch a few episodes of this show.

I put the disclaimer 'have strong moral convictions, are an adult and can discern between right and wrong' in there because if you are none of those three things, you probably shouldn't watch Glee. Although it is hilarious, it does at times cross the line, but as an adult, who has convictions and knows the difference between right and wrong, I don't let it influence how I live my life. I also say watch a few episodes because sometimes they are hit or miss although lately they have gotten back to the early season one roots of good music, funny, clean humour. Season 2 begins again next Tuesday and I'm very excited. I'd be more excited if I had cable and a tv, but I do have stolen internet from my neighbours so all is not lost.

Everytime I watch it it re-inspires me to turn my life into a musical. The muscial would star me and Zac Efron would be my love interest. The rest of the players in my life would be as follows;
Aunt Linda (Sandra Bullock)
Pastor Dave M (Wentworth Miller)
Pastor Harry (Bruce Willis)
Fields (Dr. Jack Shephard)
Tiersa (Amanda Bynes)
Bethany (Cameron Diaz)
Vanessa (Amanda Syfried)
Dad (Tim Allen or MacGuyver)
Mom (Meryl Streep)

Which person should play you?

Score one for the Teacher!

So, I guess the rule is: in order to be a good blogger, you have to blog every day. I don't know that I agree, but I think a few times a week is sufficient.

Today I took my grade five class to Harper Moutain for a day of skiing and snowboarding. I promised them that if they chose to ski, that they would be skiing by themselves by lunchtime and be having a great time. I promised them that if they chose to snowboard for their first time, that they would not have fun or learn how to snowboard by the end of the day.

I'm a snowboarder. I like it a lot. But you have to be willing to invest some serious time into learning how to do it. At least three to four days of falling down and figuring out how it works. Every year there is one student who does not heed my (may I say expert) advice. Not to rub it in or anything (well... not too much anyways...) but he/she did not have fun snowboarding and switched to skiing after lunch. Bwahaaa. Score 1 for the teacher! Seriously people/students/everyone, sometimes (just sometimes) I actually do know what I'm talking about and you should listen to me.

I had a great day with myself and my students and the parents that came along. I got in some excellently wonderful runs, enjoyed being outside, didn't get hurt (too much... I mean I am pushing 30 now and am not as young and spry as I used to be). It was awesome to hang out with my students and help them learn a new skill and see their joy at their success. It was also awesome to have a free day skiing - that I got paid for. :D

Back Again

So...
Three years later, I'm starting it up again because of the persistence of a few key people. AND luckily for them/you, I never, ever change my password so I was able to get back onto my blog. I'm actually really impressed with how far blogspot has come since I last used it. It is so easy to update and change and make look good. I started blogging before you could just 'click' on things. Back in the day when blogging was big (2005) you had to manually type in the commands for everything. Colours, locations, pictures had to be downloaded from a different site. It was not so easy.

So... back to the theme of my original blogs, it's simply going to be a digital version of me. Things I think are funny, stuff that happens, pictures, my life. I'm anti-anything boring, so my goal (as always) is to be amusing if not interesting.

As a welcome back to you ... my faithful three readers... I've put together a tribute to my favourite thing to do. Dressing Up. Most people stop dressing up at some point in their life. I don't. I think it is fabulous to dress up and pretend you are someone or something else.

Enjoy. Laugh. Comment.

Come on, I'm really cute!

This was when I went through my 'I want to be a real woman' phase. It lasted about 5 years. Then when I became a 'real woman' I realized that 'they' are not actually that exciting. Or handy.

This is the start of my 'Dr.Quinn' phase. It lasted 6 years. Wait. I can't lie... the truth is that I'm still in that phase.

The 'wanting to be Indian' phase.

I only vaguely remember this day. But it was fun.

Jacob Moon Day in Dorm 8. A LOT of Krispy Kreme Doughnuts were involved in the decision to behave like this, and willingly get our picture taken.

Decade Dance

Banquet

Cherry Creek Disco Party

Old Fort Langely

Value Village. I was contemplating starting a new teacher wardrobe that consisted of massive gaudy broaches and tacky/awesome sweaters.

Christmas Party Tacky Sweater Contest

80's party. I love this outfit and will keep it forever.

Murder Mystery Dinner

This past summer in Barkerville

Why I love Fall.

I just love fall. A LOT. It is, without a doubt, my favourite season. Look at these pictures I took and tell me that fall is not amazing!