Happy Halloween... I just saved some kids LIFE!

Happy Halloween!!!

So I’m pretty sure that Derek and I saved some kids lives today… but before I get to that story I must tell you the sad tale of how I know my nephew is getting older and TOO COOL to hang out with me :(

So I’ve been taking my nephew trick or treating, ever since I first met him… when he was two, if that sentence confuses you – I’ll have to fill you in another time – year after year it’s something I look forward to, especially now that the kids are a little bit older and we’ve been hitting the neighbourhoods rather than the malls. I’ve been in residency for the past couple of days and not really answering any texts or phone calls, that’s neither here nor there, so I as I’m receiving my marks from my papers and presentations I noticed I had a ton of missed calls and voice messages. There was one from my eleven year old nephew, Justin, which sank my heart a bit…

“Hi Auntie, I was just wondering if it would be ok if I went to a party tonight, Ace invited me over… there’s no sense in your picking me up from there… so yeah.”

Oh GAWD!!!!

I didn’t want to be that aunt, that’s a kill joy… “No, sorry Bud, I don’t think you can go to that party... you have to come with me, around the block and trick or treat…” yeah highly unlikely. You’re probably wondering, ‘what about Angelika?’ yeah she’s got the flu and has been at home from school for a week! So what do I do? I call Justin and tell him that I’m SAD, but he can go to the party and that it’s ok, then… I call Derek crying… I couldn’t help it! I’m an emotional person… ca’mon you didn’t know?!?!? Derek of course made fun of me and went over to my brothers and the trouble maker that he is, told Justin that he made me cry. Meanwhile; I’m still at home on the internet, with my phone still on silent from residency, Justin’s been trying to contact me on my cell phone then decides to just come on over and talk to me, apparently he asked his mom to drive him over. He walks into the living room and as I’m greeting him he says…

“I’m sorry; I don’t want you to be mad! But I’ve never been invited to a party before…”

I gave him a huge hug… and started to cry, just a little bit this time and said, “it’s ok Justin, you can go… it’s just your growing up now, and that’s something I need to get used to” with that he got up and left for his party.

I later got a call from my niece telling me that she’s just a little bit sick and that she would really really REALLY like me to take her trick or treating, inevitably I took her up on that offer.


So… back to the highlight of my Halloween. My parents are ultimate Filipinos that don’t like wasting anything! When we were kids that candy we didn’t like they would hold on to until the next year and would give it away to some poor unfortunate soul. The little kiddies started to come around our ‘hood as I was getting ready to leave to take Angelika trick or treating, mom ran to the door and handed out so candy to the first bunch then went back into the kitchen. I know how my parents are, so after coming upstairs I decided to check out the goods (or is it that bad?).

On top of newly purchased, unopened box of Doritos chips; there were some random mints from restaurants, candies from recent birthday party give a way, and candies I’m pretty sure were from last year… oh and how can I forget chocolate liqueurs!

Me: “MOM!!!” Rushing in to the kitchen/family room (where Derek was watching TV), “You can’t give these to kids” while passing it to Derek… Derek’s face priceless.

Mom: “What?!?!”

Me: “mmmm these Chocolates have liquor in them…?!?”

Mom: “Oh really!?!? That’s ok…”

Derek: “You didn’t give these away did you?”

Mom: “No… oh well, I can give them to the parents!”

So as Derek and I are, literally, walking out the door, three little girls walk up to the house; I opened the door to greet them and Derek frantically broke open the box of chips and hooked them up!!! As they were saying their thank you’s, I said underneath my breath,“we just saved your lives”.

I think the best part is Derek gripped some candies and stuffed his pockets, as we’re driving away from home he shows me his stash; one pack of twizzlers – rock hard, a chocolate that was smushed oozing from its package, and funny Filipino candy’s ube flavoured... Derek likes to think he saved a few more children ;)


I hope your Halloween was as memorable as mine.

simmer down summer…

Well, we’ve been getting some decent weather now that summer is coming to a close… shame. One more day of work for me and we’re off to the Thunder Lake Provincial Park, the first and final camping trip of the summer.

I recently started on a new project with work… back to site life, oOoH how I love it! Jeans, jeans, jeans everyday of the week! The only sucky part is when this project is in full swing and we get transfer to the wonderful trailers on the actual site… the commute will be the only down side. Right now we’re out at the satellite offices by the U of A. It’s all gravy right now, so I’m trying to take it all in, come November it will be a sweet 45 min commute to and from work! Oh heavens!!! I got a few months… so let’s try and not think about it, plus I’m really enjoying the area that we’re in right now. So many things with in the vicinity! Yesterday had me some Booster Juice and today went down the street to Leva Café, I’m not really one to try something new; I like sticking with what I know… you know, to avoid bad experiences, bad food or bad service. But lately taking the leap and trying a new/different establishment has been quite rewarding!

Leva Café – is a quaint little space in the university area, very modern and has some very tasty food! The price was reasonable as it complimented the food portions; I had ordered a grilled Panini and Greek Salad w/ a Large Chai Latte.

As you may or may not know, my parents are WORLD TRAVELERS; they recently got back from a Mediterranean Cruise which passed through Istanbul, Turkey. It just so happened that it was my pop’s birthday last month on the 30th and they wanted to try out a new restaurant… and just by chance the restaurant is called “Istanbul Mediterranean Cuisine“. I passed by this restaurant everyday while going to and coming from work. I must say that I was a little leery about going there… I’m not sure why, I think it was more of uncertainty of what the food was like as I have never eaten at a Turkish restaurant before nor have I had Turkish food… well that’s a lie, kinda, my mom had brought back some Turkish Delight from her trip… it wasn’t that good, so I expected the food to be somewhat the same.

Istanbul Mediterranean Cuisine – blew my mind away!!! Another quaint little space in the Delton area. Their decorating needs some work, in that it could give the space a little bit more of an authentic feel. The food makes up for the pricing… because it was absolutely amazing!!! I have forgotten what I have ordered as it’s been quite some time since we’ve been there… but I do know that I ordered something similar to my brother but he got the spicy version… so get that!!! Check out this article written about the joint here.

Just a Girl

I’ve been a busy bee these past few days… er weeks! So to keep you in the loop here’s what’s been going on the past couple of days.

I got my results back for my video assessment - - I PASSED!!! Yipppeeee for meeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Went to see No Doubt in concert… Gwen Stefani, how I love thee! I can only wish I too could look as stunning as you after having my two kids… my planned two kids in the future, don't get it twisted people.

And I must mention the biggest jack move of all time, happened to one of my closest and dearest friends Cristelle. It’s a story that must be told not written for the full effect… make sure to ask me about it, next time we meet!

Like every other year, I took the kids to Capital Ex… but this year I had taken the day off because the weekends are too crazy for lines and such. The kids went through all the rides in the first 2 hours that we were there but as the day went on the lines got longer and longer. We took a break from the long lines and went inside to check out the butterfly exhibit, I think it’s been a good 2 or 3 years that they started having this exhibit but this is the very first time that we actually went in.

This year I thought the kids a valuable lesson in financing… unlike previous years where I let the little buggers empty out my pockets for all I got, I gave them both $40.00 to use for food and games and told them, “… this is all you get. Use it for what you like, when you like but once it’s gone we’re going home.” The kids still had money left over but the bigger kid I had with me (my husband) had enough of all the fun that Capital Ex had to offer, so we head ’er home.

This is why I take the kids year after year…

it's been so long...

Well it feels like it anyways…

It’s been kinda slow at work and my New York vacation fell through so I’ve jumped on a few committees to help plan and execute a few functions.

July 11th we are holding a Hockey Tournament, August 8th is my Districts Family Picnic, and August 12th is our United Way Pancake breakfast.

On a personal level, I’ve been working on my Step Class Instructor program, starting my own business and planning our friends camping trip.

As you can see I’ve got my hands full and to top it all off… I’ve got a handicap husband! Bahahahahaha I know it’s not suppose to be funny, but I always laugh when Derek gets hurt, it’s just what I do :)

He got injured last week during our first soccer game, causing us to lose our first and our second game… just kidding! But on a serious note, he was on crutches up until this weekend when we rented him a cane, and had gotten his knee drained as there was blood pooling behind his knee causing it to swell. He is scheduled to see the doctor again on July the 2nd when they will inform him if he needs surgery. Eeeek! On the lighter side Derek will be attending our games this evening to yell profanities from the sidelines.

With that said I’ll try and keep you posted throughout the summer with the happenings in and around Edmonton… OoOoOoO I almost forgot! My Godsister Celeste just started doing standup, she’ll be performing tomorrow (June 24th) at the Laugh Shop at Londonderry Mall. I’ll try and secretly tape it and post something on here… She’s really good!!

Till next time, keep fit and have fun!
-Hal Johnson and Joanne McLeod

Oils New Coach

The buzz around here is the recent announcement of the Edmonton Oilers new head coach

- Pat Quinn -

I’m still surprised that they let Mac T go… oh well. I guess we need some reorganization, adding someone that is as seasoned as Pat Quinn will hopefully get us closer to the Stanley Cup. Here’s hoping this coming season will go better than the last.

So far…

My friends and I use to do this a lot; going so far with a topic it would end up hurting my face and perhaps causing tears in my eyes (from laughing so hard)… last night Derek and I went so far, check it!

I saw on a friend’s facebook status that the winning ticket for the 49 million 649 lotto was purchased in Edmonton…

The sole winning ticket of an almost $50-million lottery payout — believed to be the second-largest jackpot in Canadian lottery history — was bought in Edmonton.

The winning Lotto 6\49 ticket for Wednesday's draw was purchased in the Alberta capital, the Western Canada Lottery Corporation said in a release on its website.

The jackpot is worth $49,851,871.
No other details — including the identity of the winner, or the exact location where the ticket was purchased — were immediately known.

The winning numbers are: 4, 22, 26, 29, 39 and 48.
The bonus number was 31.

cbcnews.ca

So of course I pulled out my trusty blackberry to check these numbers, Derek had mentioned that he was going in on some tickets with a few guys at work, and myself, I had purchased one while filling up over the lunch hour… funny story; the local Shell station ( 5x the air miles w/ $30 or more fuel purchase) was super busy! The attendant was extremely rude while trying to serve all the customers… As I was paying for my gas I had asked for a lotto ticket… he said, "649? or what? what do you want?", Being so flustered with the way he was speaking, and considering I thought the big pot was for super 7, that’s what I asked for. STOOOOPID!

So now we're hoping, wishing and praying that Derek’s tickets would pull through so that we can retire at the age of 26(k)/28(d).

No luck.

As were climbing into bed we start talking about the numbers that were drawn;

Four – omigawd, April! That’s Justin’s birth month

Twenty Two – That’s my cousin Nicks birthday! May 22!!!

Twenty Six – geez, that’s MY birthday! August 26!!!

What the hell!!!

Twenty Nine – the age Derek is turning next year!

Thirty Nine – 3+9 = 12 : twelve is the age my nephew is turning next year!

Forty Eight – 4+8 = 12 , twelve again? MY nephew is turning 12 next year!!!

Thirty One - that’s New Years Eve… the turning of the year…hence the importance of everyone’s birthdays next year!

Bahahahahahahahaha – this is an example of soooooooo far

In light of this situation, it makes you think what you would do with all that $$$... for myself, especially with that insane amount of mooola I would give my immediate family a couple million each, donate to local charites often, and do what most people would do buy a private jet and take friends and family on trips around the world, buy houses/condos/villas in exotic and well known places... oh the things I would do.

What woud you do?!?!?

I did it!

I did it! I did it! I DID IT!!!
Oh my, I signed up for my first ever run this year and in my life…

A family friend of mine blogged about the Little Big Run

The good thing about the Little Big Run, which started back in 2007, is that the Little Big Run is a non-profit event that encourages physical activity and healthy lifestyles with all proceeds going directly to kids' programs throughout the capital region. If looking after your personal health is not a good enough reason to keep and active lifestyle, then I don't know what is.

This is something I’ve wanted to do in forever… well basically since I’ve started becoming active, and considering that I just enrolled 13 days before the event I’m happy I don’t have to fundraise! I don’t mean to sound like a biotch but I just don’t have time… I got corporate challenge events this weekend, a research paper that I must complete by next Wednesday and life!

I’m a little wary as it is my first run and my family friend has already started training… he’s doing the 10 km, so naturally I’m only doing the 5 km.

Wish me luck!!!

I heart Team Alberta – Kevin Martin is da MAN!!!

I thought that I would do an honorable mention to this men’s team, not only because my blogspot is in reference to Timmy Ho’s but also because, duh… team Alberta!

So, in case you missed it team Alberta won the 2009 Tim Hortons Brier; the game was pretty much over by the 4th end, as the A-team was in the lead at 6-1… and to top it all off our hometown team was undefeated (11-0) and putting Kevin Martin in a 26 game winning streak!

L-R: Kevin Martin, John Morris, Marc Kennedy, and Ben Hebert

Makes me proud to be an Albertan... I wish the boys luck on their upcoming events and especially at the Roar of the Rings - to see who will represent Canada in the 2010 Olympics.

*****
Did you know?

Kevin Martin in a local Edmonton entrepreneur – Kevin’s Rocks n Racquets is located on 6501-115 Street, aka The Saville Sports Centre (@ UofA)

John Morris is super sexy and wait for it… icing on the cake… a firefighter!!!

Marc Kennedy is an M&M Meat Shop Franchise owner

Ben Hebert is not only celebrating his win at the brier, but I imagine, is also celebrating his 26th Birthday (today March 16!)