eeeeek!

So I did it! I sent in my tape… “what tape?”

As previously discussed in my last post; I’ve been working at becoming a Group Step Instructor at my gym. After taking the 2-day training course you are required to attend 5 rehearsals and then submit a tape of you leading a class of at least 5 people through the whole routine for grading, to see if you PASS or FAIL.

I taped mine yesterday and whoa man! Was it ever nerve racking, I was a mess the whole day… I know I did little mistakes here and there. But like the 2 senior instructors told me, “You did fine!” and that “they don’t expect perfection… so just submit it, AND DO NOT watch it… just submit it! If you’re a perfectionist then you’ll want to re-tape it”. It was like they were peering into my soul… because I am a perfectionist. It took a lot for me to talk myself into not watching it, I’m glad I did because now I can move on learn the new release that coming out and get to tandem teaching so that I can get better at being in front of class. Everyone says I have the personality to do it. I’m not sure when I should be expecting my grade, I’m praying it’s a pass so I don’t have to do the whole taping bit all over again! Wish me luck and keep me in your prayers!!!

oOoOo and the cutest thing ever… Derek knows how to make me smile after a long and stressful day… actually I laughed out loud for this one.

So, NO, Derek didn’t leave me. We were watching some sort of TV programming and I jokingly said, “babe, if you ever lose a leg or I have to tend to you 24 hrs a day because you cannot tend to yourself… I gotta leave you. sorry. I’ll put you in a live-in 24 hr care center… but I gotta…”.

So, yesterday I got a call from Derek, after his doctor’s appointment. Apparently Derek coming off his crutches was a bad idea, he was only on them for a few days and then we rented him a cane… and then after a few days on that he started just hoping around with no support. Yup… again BAD IDEA he just made it worse. He messed up his MCL and ACL, he now was to wear a full leg brace and can’t play any sports that calls for rotational movements for a year and a half! Crazy right!!! And we play on a Recreational Soccer League! Any ways so when I got home after my taping I found that, picture above, I laughed… found my husband… and planted a big kiss on him.

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

Dream Job

I was never really active when I was younger… nor in my young adulthood. One of my good friends actually started to encourage me to go the gym, and I got a lot of motivation once Derek had proposed to me… actually to this day, I still have image issues, but I’m the way that I am and I’ll have to learn to appreciate it.

Recently, I’ve been looking at obtaining a part time job, as everyone cannot complain to a ‘lil extra cash here and there. While in my search I considered various points that would help decipher whether or not I would apply such as; hours - part-time/casual, minimal weekend hours, I have somewhat of a life… and I would like to continue working on my health being able to work out, location - it’s all about convenience, pay - anything over minimum wage would be perfect, and finally attire - being able to wear whatever I like and not having to wear a uniform is ideal.

Well I think my search has ended - I’m taking a course this weekend to become a group exercise instructor! It only made sense, it meet all or most of my requirements; hours – super casual, and hour here and there to teach a class and I’m killing two birds with one stone… getting paid and meeting my healthy goals! Location – I can teach at all clubs across the city including at their affiliates. Pay – not sure what this entails… but I’m pretty positive that they’ll pay for my gym membership which is a bonus considering prices went up just recently. Attire – ultimate! I could totally live in my gym clothes!!!

So wish me luck, it’s gonna be an intense weekend… I’m super nervous, but this is definitely something that I want to do and to top it off I’ve gotten a push from two wonderful godsisters… they believe in me, so I believe in me too!

WEEKDAY UPDATE:

* My first ever RUN - we did GREAT!!! I’m super proud of my girlfriends considering we only had one practice run the Monday prior to. Amanda and I teamed up and Sarah and Theresa were buddies… it took Amanda and I 30 mins to complete… unfortunately I didn’t check my watch when Sarah and Theresa crossed the line… oops! My bad… but they did wonderfully! So proud and I can’t wait to do it all over again… when’s the next one?!?!

* Met my quota for goals in soccer on Tuesday night… got what I call and incomplete hat trick – scored 3 goals, but it doesn’t qualify has a hat trick because I scored ONE goal during our first game of the night vs FC Shinkickers and TWO goals in the second game against the Finger Puppet Mafia. ** New personal goal - get a hat trick this season**

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.

Rapid Relief

Oh - site life - how I will miss you… as you have shown and taught me sooo much!

What’s this?!?!? Another notch to add to the love of site life…

Derek and I have recently joined a local co-ed recreational league for outdoor soccer; the team compromises of family friends that I’ve grown up with and extended friends of friends. When our captain tried to enroll us they notified her that we were the odd team out, so if a team didn’t join in time we would either have to (1) wait for next season or (2) find enough people to make a SUPER team - splitting us up into two groups… or like hardcore’s like my husband and I, play both games. The league made it easy for us by scheduling our teams’ right after each other - one team plays at 6:30 and the other at 7:30.


I’ve never been part of a team before and nevertheless played soccer, so I was a little skeptical at first, our first two games were last week and it was AWESOME I never came off the field once and we won both games!!! This week, however, my right quad muscle was a little tight/sore before the game I tried to just work through it, but I couldn’t run… it hurt! So at half time my husband told me to sit it out and stretch otherwise I’ll just make it worse. Well as soon as I stopped moving it got worse and moved throughout my whole upper leg causing my hamstring to tense up. This, was not a nice time… it actually was hurting so bad that it was making me feel nauseous. After rubbing some tiger balm and stretching until the end of the second game I went home to do the whole cold/hot treatment at home. This morning, it felt a whole lot better as it felt the evening after so I thought after my shower I would practice the cold/hot treatment again. I grabbed the ice packs threw in the good ol’ magic bag for a few minutes, thinking it’ll be just at the right temperature by the time I finish drying my hair, as I was staring into my closet to find a top to wear to work… I paused… what’s that I hear?... oh eff! The microwave was still on! I hightailed my little bottom to the kitchen as fast as I could only to find a heavy smoke wafting on the first floor and a very burnt… BADDDDLY burnt, magic bag in the microwave. I somehow set the microwave for 30 mins instead of 3 mins -- oops!


* I blame this mishap, on the fact that it was 3:30 in the morning… had to get up to drive Derek to the airport… he’s in Vegas, remember!?!?!*


I, of course told everyone, all my friends here out on site about the calamity… our project is slowing coming to a close and they started to pack up files, supplies and such today for the downsizing. As they were going through the first aid department they came across some items that could have really helped me yesterday… I know this, because they are sure helping me out right now!

Best things ever!!! Totally gripping some of these and keeping them in the soccer bag... next time I'll be prepared.

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!)