Allergies

I'm allergic to cold temperatures.

No, it's true! My skin has an allergic reaction when it comes in contact with cold things and I break out in hives! This is not unheard of... In the medical world it goes by the term Cold Urticaria.

Well, today it flared up exceptionally bad! I had to wait for the bus for a good 20 minutes in -30oC (which feels like -38oC due to the wind chill) temperastures! The hair that was poping out of my scarf (that I was breathing) on literally turned into an icicle! I was scared to touch it, because I thought it might just SNAP off! My feet were popsicles when I got onto the bus, my fault for not wearing my Sorel's, I guess... And when I finally did get on the bus, the hives didn't let up... I was even hiving up underneth my jacket, on my shoulder where it was touching the bus window!!! (And let's not even talk about my hands! My joints are finally getting their mobility back now! 1 hour later!)

I kinda forgot how bad this condition can be when it's REALLY cold out... I'm glad it only flares up sporadically! If I felt like this everytime I went outside in cold weather, I'd have lost it by now! If that were the case, I'd definitely be moving to Hawaii! ;)
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Snow Day!

I took a snow day today, I just don't think it's worth attempting to fight the snow drifts and freezing temperatures (-32oCelcius, but -44oC with the windchill!!!)
I don't have too much pressing work to do at work anyways... But I will check my email from home! (Working??)

I was given a book from my friend called "Maui Revealed" which is a guide book of the island of Maui written by the locals. It's great, and chock full of so much useful information (and maps!) This will be a great resource for planning our days activities!!!

(And trust me, with these temperatures I am SO ready to sit on a beach!!!)
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Facking Freezing!

The temperature today is -31 degrees celcius
(but it feels like -48 degrees celcius with the windchill)

Why didn't I decide to work from home today?
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Snowboarding and SNOW!

I had a pretty busy weekend!
Ken (my bother-in-law who will be staying with us for the next few months) arrived on Thursday night and my friend B. was in town and wanted to hang out this weekend. So, on Friday night, B. and I drank some vino (Fetzer Gewürztraminer, it's the BEST!) and had a really good visit. Saturday morning I had to teach my class in the AM (which I took B. to) and in the PM we'd planned to go snowboarding. (It was going to be Collin's first time on a snowboard!) We went to Nakiska, because it's only 30 minutes away from the west side of Calgary. The snow conditions weren't the best for learning to snowboard on though because it was fairly hard packed. (And Collin fell A LOT!) We only managed to get in 3 full runs before Collin threw in the towel and called it a day! (I was really proud that he managed to complete all 3 runs though without much complaining!!) And he will improve, we just need to go out to C.O.P. for a few evenings in February!
Today I went to GNC to pick up some Whey Protein powder, Active Woman's multi-vitamins and some Udo's 3-6-9 Oil. Hopefully, once my body get's used to all this goodness, I will start to loose some of my Christmas fluff. I just want to feel leaner for Maui. (I actually went in to GNC to buy a Fat Burner suppliment, but the lady who helped me, talked me into going this route instead. I do think it's probably the safer way to go, it's just a LOT more work!)
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Everyone's doing it, why can't we?

So, I found out that an old friend of mine from Edmonton is going to be in Maui the same time as I am!?! And we are staying on the same side of the island!?!?! Seriously WEIRD!

I asked her what her plans were for her holiday... (they are going to be there for 2 weeks though... we are only going for 1!) It turns out we have very different itineraries for our holidays, but hopefully we can meet up one evening for a bite and drinks! (or maybe the Luau!)

Back to planning!.....

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Maui, it is!

After doing a bit more research on flights and activities, I decided I really wanted to go to Maui! Nothing else seemed to have the activities we wanted to do (Our second choice was The Mayan Riveria but under the "Things to Do" section in the guide book it listed "club hopping, The Mayan Ruins, Shopping, swimming with the dolphins and the night life"... I mean the ruins and swimming with the dolphins sound like fun, but the rest I could live without. I don't plan on drinking or shopping my holiday away, that's for sure! (Ok, maybe a little bit of each ;)

Anyways, our trip is planned and MAUI, it is! I can't even believe it's true!
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Holiday! Celebrate!

I am FREAKING OUT right now! Collin confirmed to me that he's allowed to take a week off of his holidays (paid) in February! So, we're going to MAUI!!! I'm so excited!!!
(OK, I thought we were going to Maui until I found out how much Maui costs! Holy crapola! The flight alone would be around $1700 per person! WTF? I had no idea Hawaii cost so much to get to! )

Currently, we have about a month to get all our shizz in order, so hopefully we figure out where we want to go and what we want to do by then... I'm thinking a Travel Agent is required for this trip, especially since neither Collin nor I has ever gone on an over-seas trip yet.
Anyone got any advice on travel agents?

Where ever we end up going, I know this is going to be a Bon Voyage!!!! :)
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Learn to love 'em!

Diamonds, that is.
I was talking about my birthday gift to my friends at the gym today, explaining how diamonds aren't really my thing. One of the girls said "I used to be like you too thinking "Oh, Diamonds are too expensive! No Thanks!", but now I'm like "Bring it on! I love them now!" She then said "You'll learn to love them!"

I don't know. I think Diamonds are probably the most boring of the precious stones... I mean, they are clear... how b.o.r.i.n.g! I would much rather have a beautifully colored synthetic stone, one that I absolutely LOVE to look at on my finger... rather then a clear, boring diamond in my engagement ring!
Am I being naive here? What's the big deal about diamonds anyways???
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RELAX, people!

I had to tell the people trying to get on the bus behind me today to "Relax!"... They were pushing to get on the bus like it was going to leave without them if they didn't. F*CK!!! I can't think of a worse way to start my day! ... well, at least I got a good seat once I was on.

I have to bring my car in for some minor body work tomorrow (remember the little fender bender I was in?). I was told the work should take 3 days to complete. So I get my car back on Thursday (or Friday) which is not a big deal since I don't have anything pressing to do this week anyways. (Except tonight, but that doesn't really matter.)

Collin and I are having a "2 and a Half Men" marathon these days. He bought me seasons 1 and 2 on DVD for my birthday. I really like that show... Not that I can relate to much of it, but it's just hilarious to watch! (Speaking of my birthday, Collin also got me a pendant similar to this one!) I'm spoiled! :)
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Beauty Blossoms

Love him or hate him... Tom Cruise sure has a beautiful wife!!!

Katie sure has come a long way from her Dawson's Creek days!
(PS... I LOVE her hair in that bob! I think she stole the look from her daughter, Suri! Sooo cute!)

*UPDATE* January 14th, 2008... Katie was on "The David Letterman Show" tonight... and I've decided that she's only this pretty when she smiles without her teeth... They are a bit gangly in reality!! (Well, if you consider televison 'reality' LOL)
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busy beader

I've been busy with my beads lately. I made a small drop pendant a few weeks back and decided I'd try to make it again, but BIGGER. This is what I came up with:

I used 6mm faceted pearl glass beads and size 8 seed beads.

I'm not sure what to hang it from yet... It's got 4 beads inside of it, so it's quite substantial!
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Math/Bead Geek? What's the connection?

My mom found this website, that had me HOOKED for a long time Sunday night.
I am an avid beader and if any of you have seen my work, then you know I like to make small beaded bead type objects. Well, this website has taken making beaded beads and created a mathematical formula to making a beaded bead with a certain symmetry, or reflection about it's central axis. (I'm also a total science/rock geek, so this approach to my craft is very interesting to me! It actually reminds me of my University Mineralogy class, when we had to look at the crystalline internal structures of the different minerals we were studying.)

I am totally in LOVE with the pattern for what they call the "Double Rose Window" bead! (But I can't stomach paying $30 dollars for the pattern alone!) My mom and I think we've figured the patterns out, but we still have yet to apply what we think we have figured out! LOL
In due time.

Oh yeah, Sunday was my birthday, and I really wanted to get out Cross Country skiing... Collin and I finally made our way out to Kananaskis for our first ski of the year! (better late then never!) It was the perfect day for skiing... -3oC was the temperature. My wax worked perfectly! It was a really great day! (Anytime I can get Collin out moving is a great day! haha)
To view the pictures, click here!
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Sucking the teat!

Collin and I rented the movie on New Years and I found the funniest scene ever!
If you want to understand my Title you might want to watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qJPs1_IAkw

Have you ever seen Ryan Seacrest so frazzled! Or swear so much??? OMG, now I can just see him once he cameras go to commercial on American Idol... all cute on camera, but off camera... straight up BITCH! :-P I love it!!!
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New Years Wishes!