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

Gone, Going , Gone

All of the engagement excitement came to a screeching halt, last weekend, as I was forced to say goodbye to 3 very important people in my life--Nicola, Shawn and Mark (in this order).

Nicola and I shared a special, yet blubbery goodbye friday night because her flight left early SATURDAY morning. She is returning for her 2nd year at the very prestigious acting program of U of A. 

Shawn is also returning for his 2nd year at U of T. I tried to protest his departure on SUNDAY night, by stubbornly sitting on the couch and not saying goodbye, but I soon caved knowing that he had to leave. 

This brings me to the most important part of my life and the most difficult of departures. Mark, (my fiance--I'm really going to milk this fiance business), left for a new job in Saskatchewan on the MONDAY. Knowing he is going to be settled in Saskatchewan for almost a year has been difficult to swallow, so I haven't. Instead, I think about the short sprints rather than the long distance. I plan to go see him in November when I have a 5 day weekend. Then I will see him at Christmas and then perhaps in April or May. I am sad not to be with him, but I have been focusing on how proud I am of him and this amazing opportunity, so this has made me stay positive. Plus, I have my practicum until Dec 4 and a WEDDING to plan!

I miss you all and I patiently (well maybe not so patiently) await your return. I love you lots!

We're ENGAGED!!!!

On THURSDAY, AUGUST 27 Mark Janzen asked me to marry him... and I of course accepted with much enthusiasm!

Mark took me on an incredible scavenger hunt through Vancouver where he had previously taken pictures of all of our favourite spots. We went to Pottery Barn, Granville Island Market, The Mongolie Grill, the Cupcake store (of course) and ended up at Jericho Beach.

I had hoped he was going to ask me before he left for Prince Albert, and I was fairly certain he was going to because my dad blurted to me that he had gone out for breakfast with Mark. I started asking questions to friends and my mom about a possible engagement and they all somehow were able to convince me that it was going to happen in December (which Nicola said would be a very romantic time!) Anyways, I had CONVINCED myself it wouldn't happen this summer and I was quite content with a December engagement.

As we walked toward the beach, I saw two lights through some trees. I still did not clue in at this point because I remembered there was a yacht club around this beach (and I also didn't have my glasses on). We got a little bit closer and I heard music-still not clueing in. We inched closer and around the corner of trees was a beautiful path of tee-lights. The path led to 100 more tee-light candles sprinkled across the beach and two tiki torches and a blanket. On the blanket was a bottle of champagne surrounded by rose petals. While I was soaking all of this in, I hadn't yet noticed Mark was down on one knee. He was holding my favourite cupcake and placed on the cupcake was a dazzling diamond ring!

It was such a beautiful night and I realize how much God has blessed Mark and I. We have such amazing friends, family and a beautiful friendship with each other.

Thank you SHAWN, AMANDA and GRAHAM for helping Mark create such a beautiful and memorable night. Thanks NICOLA and MOM for lying to me.. it truly made the night shockingly amazing.

Most of all, thank you MARK for all of your love and for asking me to marry you. I am so excited to start this amazing journey together.

Here they are hard at work. I was so impressed

to find out they raked the area!

Here is Shawn sprinkling the rose petals

(I love how much he is enjoying this!)

Again, Shawn adding his touch to

our very special night.

Our first pictures as an engaged couple...note

my very wet eyes!

IKEA- it's a party!

It was Friday night and Mark and I had yet to decide how to spend the evening. We began brainstorming and then got a call to go to a party. 

   I made myself a quick cup of tea...

                                          and read a book while I waited for Mark....

    to finish up in the shower.

I then thought it was in my best interest to iron my sweater since wrinkles are so last season.

        Here we are on our drive to the party.

                                    Here I am rockin' the air fiddle to "Home for a rest"

          Mark thought it was best that we stop 

  off at the hot dog vender for a quick bite to 

  eat before we got our party on.

  

     We finally arrived at our party venue.

Immediately, we began drinking...

But we soon found ourselves running dry.

But look what Mark found!

The night was wild!

But soon all the booze caught up to Mark.

I blame the hot dogs and the liquor.

What a great party! We had such a great night--even though the other guests never arrived.

Grab your running shoes

I know that I have promised myself before that I would get into running, but now I feel like I am in a "better place" mentally to actually commit. Here is a list of my motivations:

1. Wedding Bells: I would like to get married next summer, and what blushing bride doesn't want a fantastic figure? I have decided it is time to crack down and eat well and commit to 3 to 4 running sessions a week. I want to love the way I look in a wedding dress and feel confident lying on the beach in a two piece on my honeymoon. I'm sure Mark is very much on board! (in fact he is currently training for a triathlon)

2. Good Health: I want to have good health. I love the way I feel when I have been exercising frequently and eating well. I feel an overall sense of wellness. I also notice I am more energized.

3. 42k for 42 Kids: I have a friend who is trying to organize a team to run a marathon and get this team to raise enough money to afford sponsoring 42 children in Africa ( I believe Rwanda more specifically). She is running this October and I won't be able to get into shape for 42k that quickly, but I may make it my goal for next year. I am someone who needs a cause to run. I feel like this just may be the cause I need to stay motivated. If I know I am doing it to help someone else, that will keep me going. If anyone wants more info about the 42k for 42 kids here is the link:

http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=118463301864&h=uwgfg&u=8lupA&ref=mf

I have been diligent in my workouts the last two weeks. I will keep you posted on my success. Feel free to jump on the exercise motivation bandwagon!

Blessed

 I have obviously not attained my blogging goal since it has been quite some time since my last visit.  I will fill you in with at least one exciting part of my last few weeks.

Last weekend I participated in a walk-a-thon to raise money for water filter systems for people in African countries who do not have clean water accessible. We had about 20 people come out and we raised over $2300. It made me realize how blessed I am and how I take things like clean water for granted as I let my tap run as I brush my teeth, wait for warmer water to spew out and while I let it run while I wait for a more desirable drinking water temperatures. What a luxury it is to have the water we do have!

With this $2300, 23 water filters will be provided and installed. Families of 8 can use each water filter. So with one afternoon of walking and the small effort of friends finding sponsors, 184 people suddenly are given clean drinking water and the changes of diseases and sickness are drastically reduced.

I am looking forward to completing school so I can go to Africa. I have no idea which countries, but I so anxious to get there and start serving! 

If you are interested in donating to this cause it is through the Samaritan's Purse and it is called "Turn on the Tap: Safe water challenge". 

http://www.turnonthetap.org.uk/

picture from Google images

I Love Cupcakes

I am completely obsessed with the cupcake store. This delicious obsession was born a few years ago and quickly became a tradition for Mark and I. Every celebration Mark and I share always involves a trip to the cupcake store. In fact, I have a box under my bed full of memories from our 5 year long relationship and the majority of the box is full of partial cupcake boxes with the cupcake symbol and a handwritten date.  

I remember for one of our anniversaries I was living with Jill (Mark's sister) at Mike and Asha's apartment and I had left out the box on the counter. Jill naturally thought to throw it away since it was a dirty empty cupcake box that she was unaware had emotional ties to me. This resulted in my very first dumpster dive. I sifted through many people's garbage bags and saw the shiny cupcake symbol. Embarrassed to admit, I saved it and still have it.

Just last week for Mark's and my 5 year anniversary, he surprised me with a beautiful wicker basket for my bicycle. Inside the basket was a perfect white box with the cupcake sticker sparkling. The red velvet and sweet sixteen cupcakes were a fantastic choice. He knows me well!

The Start Of A Something Good! (and no...Not BC fresh eggs)

I have decided that I would like to follow in my cousins' footsteps with this whole "blogging thing". I have been inspired to start documenting memories and start reflecting more on life as I get older. My goal is to eventually get more in to photography and incorporate pictures into this safe of memories. I am going to set the pace at a few blogs a week (at best) as I know I need to give myself attainable goals.

Here's to new beginnings and fantastic memories!