Bring it! (It's already been brought-en!)

Well, tomorrow I'm going to try out a new class at the rec centre. It's a step class, which isn't anything new for me. I've been taking these types of classes on and off since grade 12 (scrunchy socks have been burned though!). I thought about taking a pilates class but figured that I have dvds with that on it, but no room in the house for a step thingie, so the decision was made.

I really hope it's not the crazy 6-packed nazi instructor that teaches classes at the rec centre that's closer to the house. I'm purposely going farther away to avoid her. *shudder* Fingers crossed she doesn't have a monopoly on the rest of the city.

(I will say that I have had many good step instructors, particularly one in New West who, I think, was gay and had the greatest sing-songy voice when he taught a class. Right Cynthia? LOL! Sev-en!)

...and step 1-2-3-4...

Update: Vic's a playahhhh

LOL! The ladybug empire is growing by the day. Last night, Trevor came home with SIX ladies instead of five. They all moved in comfortably (meaning, they all ran for the grape buffet). I've had word today that another FIVE roomies are on their way to the new compound tonight. *Phew* Vic is going to be one busy man!

Day 3: Epcot and all things worldly.

Both of us have never been to Epcot before, but we had heard that it was a large park with an international area showcasing different countries. We woke up early (of course...the 6am running and yelling starts around then), had a small breakfast at the cafeteria area at the hotel (the faster you're in and out of there the better) and hopped on our bus to Epcot.
Why look, it's the big Epcot ball. This is what you see when you enter.

We also heard through brochures and other people that it takes about two days to see Epcot properly...they obviously have never travelled with us! We were going to do everything in Epcot in one day.

We grabbed a Fast Pass for 'Soarin' over California' and walked through the Epcot exhibits (think of it like a big science center, although most science centers that I've been too are a bit better) then walked to a refreshment pavilion to hunt down the Cokes of the world machine we had seen pictures of. You'll know when you get to the right place because your shoes will tell you. You won't be able to take a step without sticking to the floor from all the spilled drinks. Not that it was dirty, but the cleaning there must be an all-day thing. The Coke sampling is free (well, not really, you paid to get into the park). You take a little cup and just try the different drinks that are popular in other countries.There were a few that were good, I liked the 'Kinley' from Israel, it was nice and lemon-limey (stronger than Sprite). There was an energy drink from Japan that a lot of people were scared of trying--it wasn't horrible like 'Beverly' from Italy. It's supposed to be a palate-cleanser (or digestion aid) that you have with dinner. Let me describe it like this: you know when you throw up you get that nasty acid taste in your throat? Well add a little fizz and that's Beverly. NASTY.

The International Pavilion is over two miles long to walk through and has countries like China, Japan, Morocco, Italy, Germany, Norway, England, Canada and... USA? I didn't quite understand why the USA was there (wait, I do, there would have been an uproar if it wasn't included), I mean, aren't we already in the USA? Each country's 'area' had a recreation of famous landmarks and architecture along with goods and foods that each country is known for. For example, Canada had totem poles, waterfalls, a hotel, a trading outpost (from what I can remember) and this in their store:I've never even seen these before. But they had other things like Smarties (I know...odd), maple syrup, smoked salmon, beaver hoodies, beaver soap, moose t-shirts, bear baseball caps (you see where I'm going with this). There was no restaurant in the Canada area, I suppose poutine trucks haven't caught on yet...

We had lunch in the French pavilion. Oooo was it good. And the waiters were snooty to boot (made you feel quite uncivilized in your shorts and t-shirts). But the food...oh the food was good. Trevor had a french onion soup that was BEST I've ever had, and I had a really good quiche as well.Way better than park hot dogs, for sure!

After lunch we wandered to Italy, China, Japan and the rest of the pavilions.St. Mark's Square, Florida.
China, Florida.

We then hit up Mission: Space to see what all the fuss was about.It's a fairly new ride there, and you have the choice of being on the green (less intense) or red (mega intense) team for the ride. I chose green and Trevor went red. I've heard a lot of good and bad things about the ride (the bad: people sick for the day and even longer from the motion, and even a few people have died -- the good: it's supposed to be fun). It's not for anyone who is in ANY way uncomfortable in small, confined spaces. They lock you in this little pod with 3 other people and shake you around for a bit like you're part of the first mission to Mars. It was so-so for me, not something I'd have to repeat.

One I would repeat would be the Test Track. FUN!! You get put into a car and driven through a simulated test track that curves and bumps and then speeds up to end your test. It was a blast and we would have gone again had the line-up not been another 40 minute wait.
In the evening we had dinner in the China pavilion and ended the day with our fortunes from our fortune cookies (which were nasty for some reason...they tried to make the cookies two colours and managed to ruin the taste by doing it).

Next up: Day 4: The Magic Kingdom Day

A new side project...

This started at the end of December with a new addition to the family...

His name is Vic!

When we were visiting my sister at the hospital, there was a ladybug in her room that we caught in a cup and were going to release outside. Well when we got outside I knew it was far too cold to let the then nameless Vic free. So one ferry ride and a long car ride later, he's home with us in a semi-terrarium (glass cake dome!). I did some research on ladybugs and found out that they can live for around a year, but in the winter, if you catch them and keep them, they need to be in an area that has water and some sort of food. So there's a wet paper towel square and a cut up grape in the 'terrarium'. They need to have a moist environment and some low-acid food source so that they can keep their fat reserves up until the spring. Ladybugs are smart, too...we've watched Vic come for a drink and to eat some of the grape!

He was named for the hospital he came from (Victoria General), and we think he's a boy (he's small). But in the off chance it's a girl, well it can be Victoria or Victor, LOL. Got all the bases covered!

There's news this morning that Vic will be getting FIVE new roomies this evening. Trevor's got loads in his office that he's caught (yup, that's why I married him...you have to keep a guy who will take time out of his work day to catch bugs!). He says they're bigger than Vic, so that might mean there's a bunch of girls coming to town. LOL. We've already got names picked out: Chilli, Wacky, Chill, Wack and Illiwack. I'll give you one guess which city they're coming from....LOL!!!

Tupper-worn-out!

*The photo above represents my Tupperware purchase! (Okay, maybe only a fraction of that...)

This past weekend I went to my first ever Tupperware party. For me, the domestically challenged, I realized even more how much I am in need of organizing things around the house (and if it means organizing things in containers that make a *pthhht!* noise, well then so be it). My pantry is out of control. ( I think it may be genetic though, LOL.) The party came at a good time as the pantry area in the basement is ready for shelves to be put up (this week's project). I'll take some picture once that's all done (and yes, eventually there will be pictures of the rest of the basement!).

Other than that, we spent the weekend taking down all the Christmas decorations and finding a new storage solution for our tree. The cardboard box it came in was not cutting it anymore. So we hit up the Canadian Tire and got some flexible laundry baskets (BIG), and have the tree bits in it now. It's not perfect, but at least it's a bit more compact and the ratty cardboard box is gone. We also did a big cardboard run into Langley yesterday (2nd this year!) and ditched more office moving boxes. Things are starting to look a little more civil in here now.

The worst part of clearing things away is that I now see things that I can't stand, such as the entryway linoleum. Yuck, it's days are done. But that's just another project for when the giant list of projects is a little smaller. *Sigh* Let's just call the whole house a work in progress.

Day 2: The Animal Kingdom and Sparkly Lights

After a crappy sleep in our separate beds (even with a 3 hour time difference, trying to fall asleep around 11pm is impossible) we woke up with the goal of hitting two parks in one day. The first was the Animal Kingdom, which has safari tours (never did that) and a water-tubing ride (soaks you to the bone) and a freaky deaky rollercoaster that takes you up a trek to 'Everest' (then sends you back down the track BACKWARDS).This was the snackwagon just before the Everest ride. Better hit it up before you go on it, because you won't be doing it afterwards.

We're usually not into things like zoos and wildlife parks, mainly because we feel sorry for the animals. So many of these places are in it just to make a buck, and really, the animals come second. With the Disney park, they go out of their way to inform people in the park that the comfort of the animals are priority. They try to make the enclosures as close to their natural habitat as possible, and unlike other parks, provide enough shade and cover for the animals so that if they want to go and slink off for a rest and not come out they can do that. Other wildlife parks down there (Busch Gardens is one) takes away most of the brush and shade so that the animals are forced out on display, so that people don't complain that they didn't 'see' any tigers or whatnot. Disney puts it out there saying that you might not see anything, and that's just the nature of the animals. Another good thing is that Disney keeps the rides far away from the safari area (which, if I were an animal, would drive me bonkers to hear the screaming all day).

On the other hand, you're at the mercy of the wildlife. Literally. We went to have lunch under a shady tree next to a lake area and we thought, 'why this is a perfect little spot with dapples of sunlight, perfect!'. Well perfect until the mass of birds on the trees above you (which we didn't see) decide to POOP right on your lunch. We barely had the tray on the table when a BIG nasty poop splattered all over my lunch (and just MY lunch of course, Trevor's was untouched). My lunch, sans bird poop that came 4 seconds later.

I ended up having my lunch replaced (yay), but we spent the rest of the lunch warning people about their lunches being pooped on. And some people didn't listen to the crazy woman (me) warning them, and sat down anyways. And their lunch was pooped on too (well, more specifically, right in this one woman's drink). I will say one thing, Disney portion sizes are CRAZY. I barely made it through half...and the dining plan we were on gives you dessert with lunch. Phew...you would have to be an eating machine to get through it all.This is the 'Tree of Life'. Think of it as the castle in the Magic Kingdom...but more woody and leafy.

Next, we hit the Disney MGM park, which was fun. I was most looking forward to the Osbourne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights show that happened in the evening. I think I spent most of the afternoon willing the sun to set early! We went on a few rides and saw a really fun stunt show with cars (from the Disney park in France). But finally, the sun started to set, and the lights came on. I think this was the only time I felt really Christmassy down there. They even pumped out fake snow from the rooftops (strange chemical I think, lol!).Everything was covered in lights...ahhhhhh.
The lights would 'dance', but I preferred them just staying on, much nicer!

We went for dinner after that at a fake drive-in movie theatre at the park. We got to sit in little cars and eat our dinner in the seats while watching old cartoons on a big screen. And then we went back to our 'value' hotel and attempted to sleep for our next day...Epcot!

Next up: Day 3: Epcot and all things worldly.

An outlook on 2008...

For some reason, this year feels like it will be different. I mean, really different. Other years have been and gone and I've never quite felt like I do this year. So what's in store? Beats me, just a gut feel! I don't have any giant resolutions and I much prefer to set goals during the year rather than on January 1st.

This year will be different for a few reasons, right off the bat:

- I'm finally working in my new office, with NEW furniture and it's almost set up! This is a big one for me, because this will be my first year working alone in the home office. It almost feels just right (organizing the space will make it feel even more just right, lol!).

- I'm thinking about looking at taking a class at the rec center. That one popped into my mind last night before I fell asleep and I'm still pretty keen on it today. Maybe a pilates class? Maybe something else? We'll see! Something to add a bit of routine to the week without it being work (nice!).

- It's my last year of being in my 20's. Scary how time flies there...better make this one count!

- And I'm going to be an auntie. Love that! (Although I don't necessarily think it makes me more grown-up yet...) :)


So just a few bits and pieces to start with, but not bad! I still have to post all our fun photos from our vacation last month (yes, Day 1 only gets a little old after a while, burned out quick on that one!). Now if I can remember to write '2008' on my cheques I'll be even more happy!