"Home is wherever I'm with you" Edward Sharpe

Well as promised, here are some pictures of our quaint, little home. During our first month, home was not so sweet. We slept on the futon for too many nights as I had serious allergies and breathing problems from what we think was a vent problem in our bedroom. I was worried we were going to have to move, but our landlords had the vents cleaned I'm good as new!

I had always wanted to live in Kits, but we found a place just off of Oak and it is very central. We are in walking distance from lots of great shopping, Starbucks and a beautiful park with a community centre. It was actually the first place we checked out. We thought it would be good to look even though we hadn't considered the area. Actually if I'm being honest, I was really hesitant and Mark was the one who thought it would be a good idea--he is rather convincing... not just a hat rack. Anyway, we walked in, chatted with our now friendly landlords and left with the agreement that we would talk it over and call them the next day. I knew it was home for us as soon as we walked in. Not even 10 minutes after leaving, Mark calmed me down from my hysterical excitement and I called them to express our enthusiastic interest in the place. They were just as excited to have us as tenants as we were to have them as landlords. It was the perfect fit.

Even though it does not have a bathtub or a dishwasher, is not much bigger than 690 sq. ft, has a slanted floor and incredibly low ceilings (Shawn, I hope your head is alright), I love it and I am excited for this to be our first home together. I am excited for all the wonderful memories we will make here; especially our first Christmas!

Kitchen:

Do you think we have enough cups or wine glasses?...Don't worry, we have 12 more wine glasses in the cupboard and a cabinet stuffed with tea cups!

My family really doesn't believe I can cook... is that obvious?!?!

Bedroom:

Bathroom:

Note the Jesus bobble head. That is ALL Mark (and a little bit of John)

Here is Mark cleaning the bathroom. He's hot and he cleans. How did I get so lucky?!?!

Living Room:

Dining Room:

We're so grown up, Mark, with our healthy chicken/vegetable dish and asparagus for dinner!

Reuniting with my blog!

It has been so long since I have last updated my blog. So much has happened...

A graduation...

A trip to Japan with my best friend, Jenelle....

Lots of wonderful wedding showers, parties ....

A successful triathlon....

A girl's getaway.....

A WEDDING! (my personal favourite)

A honeymoon....

A new job... Vancouver TOC

And a new home.....

(pictures to come)

Mark and I have settled in nicely into our new Vancouver home. We are still without internet, cable and a phone line, but I will be more committed to my blog once we are all hooked up.

I'd Rather Be With You-

The LOOOOOOOOOOOOONG wait is over. I fly to Saskatoon to meet a "packed up" Mark, and we will begin our road-trip home back to Vancouver in his trusty ol' truck.

I have been thinking back to September when I first had to say goodbye to Mark for what I thought was going to be almost an entire year. I was optimistic about our time apart and thought the business of my practicum and last semester of school would help make our time apart more bearable. To some degree, it was a helpful distraction. I spent some time with some wonderful friends and enjoyed some time to myself to get organized with different aspects of my life. I think the time apart had some positives...

But, Mark, I realized, I'd rather be with you. I am looking forward to our ROAD TRIP and being able to walk through the path to your house! I'm ready to take you back.

Finally see you naturally

The one to make it so easy

When you show me the truth

Yeah, I'd rather be with you

Say you want the same thing too

-Joshua Radin "I'd Rather Be With You"

And so it begins...

It has been 2010 for almost a week and I thought I would create my official "New Year's Resolution". I know it is so cliche, but I don't care. I see it as creating realistic and obtainable goals for myself and publishing them puts the pressure on so that I will be more motivated.

This year I would like to...

1. Drink more water: I want to keep my body healthy, and I have never been one to drink nearly enough water. I figure I owe it to my body to drink up!

2. Love: I want to put in more effort to show love and give more love to others. Love makes the world go 'round. I want to focus more on the good side of people and attempt to bring joy to some people's lives. I also want to show more appreciation to all those special people in my life.

"Everybody wants to love. Everybody wants to be loved. Everybody heals with love. Everybody votes for love"- Ingrid Michaelson

3. Get married: Mark, what do you think? I say, why not! Are you free August 7?

4. Spend less: This one I am stealing from bosom friend, Jenelle. I think spending less and saving more is a FANTASTIC plan.

5. Play the guitar: I have a bea-u-teeee-ful guitar sitting in my room begging to be played. I got it for my birthday almost 2 years ago. I was dedicated for the first few months, but life happened and school happened, so I put her down. I think Mark, Jon and my dad would all be supportive of this goal. With my school schedule as crazy as it is, I believe I will have to wait until April to get serious about this...but hey, it's on the list!

6. Buy a camera: I have been wanting a digital SLR camera for eons and I am so antsy to buy one. Mark encouraged me to wait until we have some sort of money flow... this is never going to happen, so after we get married I plan on buying one.. don't tell him!

7. Exercise: I want to continue my healthy eating and exercise regime so I can finally put on the two bikinis I own that sit on my dresser as motivation.

I think that list will keep my busy enough.

* Love picture I found on flikr and the rest of my pictures were on google. Mark-this is EXACTLY why I need a camera so I can stop STEALING other people's pictures!

Free-ee-ee-ee

"Here comes corner winds and the changin' tide"

And we'll be free-ee-ee-ee-ee

Free-ee-ee-ee-ee

Free-ee-ee-ee-ee

Feels so good to be

Free-ee-ee-ee-ee

Donovan Frankenreiter/Jack Johnson

As my last day of my practicum approaches quicker than I had ever expected, I have been contemplating how I will actually feel when the clock strikes 2:40 this Friday. Last December, I had assumed I would be anxious and relieved to be free at the end of my practicum, but I have come to realize that I am going to be incredibly sad. I have immensely enjoyed my practicum experience. Those Kindergarten students have touched my heart in more ways that I could have ever imagined. On those mornings that came too quickly, I would picture my class and the fun we have and suddenly I found that extra push to get up.

Some days my patience metre runs closer to the lower end, but it is incredible how a hug, a smile or a picture of Ms. G with purple hair in their journals would change that. The joy of children is they keep you smiling, they keep you honest and they hold you accountable (including today when I was told, "Ms. G. remember no gum in school"). I had snuck a piece under my tongue after lunch, but they are too smart for my own good!

I feel such satisfaction knowing that teaching is what I was meant to do. I am going to have many years of hugs, sticky hands, funny portraits drawn in student journals, giggles, smiles and learning ahead of me... and that is freedom to me.

Lists

I have 25 days until I get to visit Mark in Prince Albert. We have been apart for far too long (roughly 7 weeks) and I miss him way too much. So I have decided to come up with a list of things I hope to do when I am visiting him.

1) He tells me there is a really cute coffee shop that he frequents, so I hope to sip on a London Fog to warm up from the minus temperatures. (Hopefully as cute as this coffee shop)

2) I am excited to meet his neighbours (upstairs neighbours) and visit with them. I also plan to play with their 3 year old and baby whose names Mark has finally figured out.

3) I have this itch to go bowling in Saskatchewan? I feel like this is the hot spot of PA because what else is there possibly to do in this blessed town?

4) I want to go to the pizza parlour that is "famous"... Mark's parents used to go to the same pizza chain on dates.

5) Check out the Mark's office.

6) Eat one of Mark's famous dinners served right from the sauce pans. (Mark, can we please eat more than just broccoli??? Maybe you could even splurge by purchasing some feta cheese for my visit?)

7) Check out the local shopping. I am curious what they have to offer in Prince Albert.. I am not counting on much. Let's hope I am pleasantly surprised.

9) Watch an Office episode with Mark. I has been far too long. I miss laughing with Mark.

10) I would like to watch "The Proposal" with Mark. It was a really good chick flick and yes I have already watched it 3 times, but I want to watch it with Mark. Mark reminds me of Ryan Reynolds.

I am sure my list will grow. But I feel this is a pretty good start.

Mark- the countdown continues. I am VERY excited to see you! Love you.

Dan- if you are reading... I specifically left "getting a pa peircing in PA" OFF my list...sorry to disappoint.

* coffee shop picture from https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsQOO8WSAosprdK3M5lFhogOQI1rPAHdpvIJ0_w4iOJ3WI7wEenfGaxU0gFB_wxJsaTx2c8kpWoEboOCcp81f5jxl1KBqyFyZYjhtV17g3c2IoPysLg_q8dG7nEnAa8PKqiJIEHMyTEQg/s1600-h/coffee+shop.jpg