Thursday, December 28, 2006

Cloud of Self Pity


So, last night (and perhaps this morning again) I was feeling very bumbed out over the fact that I think all the c.d's I own have officially gone missing. Well, all except for the few Christmas tunes I've had out the last couple weeks. Years of collecting...and one might say refining... gone. We'll say I was in a cloud of self pity.

That is until I started to read from this blog, http://teampyro.blogspot.com/ talking about people with real problems. Yes, you heard it, real problems. Losing hundreds of dollars worth of "stuff" is nothing compared to losing feeling in your face or entire body for that matter. This entry talks about a woman who survived an attack where she was almost beheaded because of her faith in Christ. I mean, come on... what I have I really got to complain about here??




Wednesday, December 27, 2006

Christmas at Home

Just some of the things I loved about Christmas at home this year:
  • Singing Glory To God (Ere Zij God) in dutch on Christmas Day in Church... it sounds heavenly to my ears.

Glory to God! (2X) In the highest!(3X)Peace on the earth, peace on the earth to the people who have God’s favor. Glory to God in the highest! (2X) Peace on the earth. (4X)To the people, to the people who have God’s favor. To the people who have God’s favor, who have God’s favor!Glory to God! Glory to God! In the highest! In the highest! In the highest!Peace on the earth, peace on the earth to the people who have God’s favor.Amen, amen.


Dutch (use the repeats shown in English):
Ere zij God! In den hoge! Vrede op aarde, vrede op aarde, in de mensen een welbehagen. Amen, amen.
  • Watching the Eagles D.V.D on the big screen with my dad
  • Making countless batches of croquettes, rolled to perfection, and then eating them on Christmas Eve.
  • Watching Michael open his gifts, getting equally excited about each one, but then abandoning all but one.
  • My dad getting excited, like a little kid, about his presents.
  • Eating my chocolate letter... my parents are still trying to figure out if I prefer Milk or Dark Chocolate.
  • Shooting the kinder surprise containers at each other after finishing off a delicious meal.
  • Dropping fruit in the chocolate fountain, forcing the chocolate to take alternate paths.
  • Having late night conversations with Emily during our sleepovers.
  • Baking with mom (which generally leads to me asking 20 questions)
  • Walks around Henderson Lake... or if you are Emily, ON the lake.
  • Sitting in the hot tub listening to Christmas tunes, drinking cheap (and smelly) wine.
  • Listening to James and David tell random stories.
  • Eating MORE croquettes and buttercake
  • My family tickling me... although, this one really is a love hate thing
  • Kisses and hugs from Michael

Sunday, December 24, 2006

Yes we do work, sometimes...

Nicole, Leah and I at the Haworth Christmas Party.... yummy Gelato!

Me and... the Evil Dead

Leah sporting her new D.V.D
It was the season of parties... which I was generally impressed with . Although, it does get a little overwhelming at times, and it seems that too often Christ gets kicked out of Christmas.

There are a handful of really great people that I work with. We got together at a very quaint coffee shop with two girls who used to work for Haworth. We did a cheesy movie exchange and I ended up with the evil dead, while others did not fair so well. I think my friend Perry ended up with New York Minute.. the great tale of the Olsen twins. How appropriate for a 30 yr old guy? Not very. But humorous I might add. These guys are all great, and we always have a good time hanging out.





Stormy Weather


Another day on the slopes at Sunshine. Here is Alida looking her best in probably close to 6-7 layers. It was an extremely cold day. But, never-the-less, a day off work and the board under my feet!

Kilmorey Lodge




Eric and I Before the Dinner...


During dinner, I guess we clean up good!

Last weekend was Eric's work Christmas party at the Kilmorey lodge in Waterton. The food was again, fantastic. You know what they say... quality not quantity... but there were after all, seven courses. After our amazing 7 course meal, we had a gift exchange. I swear that no Christmas event is ever complete without one of these. Especially when you've got people randomly offering $50 to trade numbers for the $10 gift. Craziness. And I saw Eric's competitive side come out one again while trying to fight off a couple for their gift. I ended up with a fleece blanket... a fair trade I would say.

All this was followed by a fire outside, which was maybe not big enough to warm everyone. But it's always sweet to be outside in the winter with a hot chocolate... especially while surrounded by the mountains! So, it was a very enjoyable evening, and I am very glad that Eric decided to brave taking me along with him again this year.

Monday, December 11, 2006

Big Comfy Couch



My Mom and Dad brought up my new couch with them tonight, and it now proudly sits in our living room. We found this couch at the Bibles for Missions Thift store in Lethbridge over the weekend for a super good deal. I can forsee many good naps and movie marathons taking place on this comfy couch. And I know the girls are already pretty excited about it too. You are welcome to come and test out our newest addition!

A Pirate Christmas







I do realize this is not really being recorded in order... but you'll all just have to keep up some how. This past weekend I was in Lethbridge, spending some quality time with my family. It was my dear mother's birthday on Friday, and so the whole family (signifigant others included.. of course!!)got together for some dinner. I was tried and found guilty yet again of my single status... which my family so willing points out and jokes with me about. It's a good thing I love them so much or I would probably not take it so well. So, yes, that does mean if you're not family... keep you mouth shut please. I mean that in the nicest way.. really. Anyways, we did have a great time celebrating my mom, the amazing, amazing woman that she is.
Saturday night, more good times were had. Josh and Emily let me tag along to the E-free Christmas banquet. We got all dolled up and Josh came to pick us up. The theme for the night was pirates... and the church did an amazing job of setting everything up. They had the Rubber Chicken man (comedian/ magician) come and perform after the dinner. He sat with us at dinner and provided some great conversations there. I found out that he is also a photographer for Humanitarian stuff... talk about two totally different worlds. Anyways, all of us who had recently shared a dinner with him, felt some connection and found him hilarious. Judging by the reaction of the rest of the crowd, they didn't seem to find him so funny. The banquet ended with Josh and I taking on Nathan and Jon in a game of 2 on 2 basketball. I'll just say that I think I faired well enough wearing a dress and nylons.

Teddy Bear Toss










On Sunday I went to see the Calgary Hitmen play some hockey. This particular game also included 15,000 flying teddy bears after a goal in the first half. That was pretty amazing seeing all the bears flooding the ice, and then all the trucks coming to collect them after. I think it took over an half an hour before the game got under way again. That's when the Hitmen proceeded to spank the Cougars 4-0. Who knew you could have so much fun sitting in the nose bleed?

Thursday, December 7, 2006

Painting Party





Is it really a party when there is work involved?? My friend Dan had a bunch of us over to help paint the basement in his new place. I have to tell you, it was a little discouraging to paint. We were just covering over every surface imaginable... including velvet wall paper. As you can imagine, every fiber of my being was screaming "this is sooo wrong" But Dan just wanted it all covered up, so cover it all up we did. After painting, Dan treated us to beer and pizza. The tree... well that was the product of Dan's creative juices flowing. Not quite my idea of a dream tree, but he got all too excited over the blinking coloured lights. Is it better to have no tree then a plant decked in holiday cheer??
This picture has been deleted as per Nicole's request... and I'm thanking myself as well. As per my previous comment... it was really not a good picture. I hope you will forgive me Nicole!!

Yummm... Indian food. For some reason it looked like a good idea, until after I ate too much. And now I don't feel so good. But, as always, the company was grand. Isn't Perry a great photographer? I mean, I don't think Nicole and I have ever looked better than on this day!

Tuesday, December 5, 2006

And so this is Christmas.




This is how Christmas is done at work. It's such an exciting time for me, going around to various places to see all the wonderful Christmas displays. I haven't had time to set up anything at home yet, which feels really strange. But, I am so glad that the folks at Haworth are so dedicated to making the office into a winter wonderland. We even have giant snowflakes hanging in the cafiteria. There is all this talk of Christmas parties and gift exchanges. And then there are the infamous discussions as to when it's okay to start playing Christmas music. I say... December is here, bring on the tunes! I love this season so much.

In You To Give...




A couple days ago the Blood Clinic came to Haworth. They come right to work, so I really have no excuse not to give when it's that convenient. And any employeer that is still going to pay you while you have a little break to get some blood sucked out... is good in my books. I must say that I was a little disappointed with my donating perfomance this time around though. Usually I take pride in my fast flowing blood, coming in around the 4 minute mark. However, something went wonky this time and when 7 minutes rolled around, my bag was still only half full. Given that I am already fair skinned, I usually give the nurses a good scare and get bombarded by questions regarding my state. I can't say that giving blood is a particularly pleasurable experience, but it's very cool to think that through the process 3 lives could be saved. Or so they tell me... I guess for all I know they could be doing something completely wacky with it... Hmmm. But if you ever have the opportunity to give blood, I highly, highly recommend you do so. Blood. It's in you to give!