Nico Space

Hello family and friends,

My teacher asked us yesterday to start up a blog but he doesn't want any teenage ramblings. I think this blog consists of his definition of teenage ramblings. It's ok with me though, because it is meant for people I know and curious onlookers, you know who you are.

So, I am going to start another. He expects one post a week for the next five weeks starting next week. He'll give us the topic then. Before ya'll start rushing and pleading with me for the link, I will give it to you in due course, ok?

Now, what I need you to do is criticize it. Please, be ruthless with me. Have a freakin' grammar rodeo with me! Tell me I am wrong, tell me you agree but for goodness sakes say something. I know, Kim, you must usually hold back from unleashing your editing skills on your fellow blogger friends but I am begging you, please do!! (That is if you have time, of course)



I tried to go to aerobics for the 2nd time in a row tonight but it was full. Stupid people with their stupid New Years fitness ambitions!

I went to Des’ last night. He had the usual spread and I almost completed a crossword! I also managed to get one of his mind puzzles apart but couldn’t get it back together again. I think going to Des’ is good for my brain.

I laughed very hard at this. Maybe I am tired. I got it off of Beth's link from her latest blog:

Prelude to an asskicking.

e: Come here Mustard.
me: Why are you calling me mustard?
e: You said last night that I could.
me: No I didn't.
e: Yes you did. Think back, Mustard.

What a difference a day makes! I had a fantastic day today and a pretty good one yesterday as well. I went to aerobics yesterday at 12 and my favourite instructor was there. She is very motivating and encouraging. I could really notice the change in me. Christmas did take its toll. I often had to do her slower versions of exercises. Oh well, I'll be back up there with strong arms and bouncy feet in no time. She always yells, "strong arms, girls! Strong arms!" Everyone gets fierce expressions on their faces and punch the air like they never have before. I met up with Annie at aerobics. She misses her boyfriend too.

Afterwards I came home and talked to Mariona on msn and she told me that her and some other girls from school were going to see Mrs. Potter, so off I went. It was a nice afternoon. I had tea after with them at a local bar. How civilized! Mrs. Potter is a pretty good movie although it's a bit of a love story and the relationships are undeveloped.

Today I had a great day at school. We did a radio programme in the morning and a TV programme in the afternoon. We all had to take turns doing the different jobs. I really like the behind the scenes stuff as much as I like being on camera or on the air. It gets super stressful sometimes but I love the energy and my prof yelling out, “5 seconds…cue!!, Cue!! Everybody has to be concentratin’!! Look at your run down!!” He is just as stressed as we are and it adds to the excitement.

It is such a great feeling to see someone do something that you never think you’d be able to do and then to sit down and semi-successfully do it and know that you have the ability. Wow. I really like it all. I like running the teleprompter just as much as I like doing the sound. It’s a real power trip and a real team effort. If there is anyone not doing a job right the whole shebang falls apart. I clearly like TV better then radio. Radio is a little boring on the technical side.

When I went to read the news it felt like opening night of a play. I am sure the feelings of my heart pounding and palms sweating goes away but I am sure enjoying the rush at the moment.

I woke up early this morning to see if Elaine was on the Stratford bus but both our names weren't on the list. It's for the best since I was severely jet lagged today.
Cardiff has lots of interesting smells. It really smells like the Atlantic. Saskatoon has all of its smells hidden by snow. Cardiff is stinky and sweet and full of life. I was feeling really positive today walking through the streets and taking in the atmosphere. I miss my family and friends and my Luke but I am happy to be here for this time. It's a really interesting place when I take off the negative blinders.
I found out today that I have Fridays off. That would have been nice last semester but a little more then I want this one. I may not say the same in a few weeks. I may take a few bartending shifts to help out with rent. Abi told me it's really fun during rugby season.

I am here. Yes, I made it. It was a really quick trip. Going through Calgary is so smooth and simple. I sat beside a 40 something who was in Canada working for some oil company. He was a metal specialist.
After the movie (Little miss Sunshine, my third time seeing it!) I moved to the back of the plane cause I was uncomfortable. I found 2 free seats together so I could stretch out. I tried to sleep for a bit but it didn't work.

A lady in her 80's came over to me and started telling me about her life. She thinks her husband may die soon of cancer. He is quite irritable these days and is not as positive as he usually is. They were on their way to visit their family in England and Wales because they don't know how long he has left. She has four children and definitely has her favourites. Her daughter in Wales is very domineering. The lady called her daughter up before the trip and told her she wasn't going to deal with her crap anymore. She had enough with dealing with her husband and other deaths in the family. She also got her son to call this daughter and tell her to leave their mom alone. According to the lady, her daughter's only good quality is that she is an amazing seamstress. She told me tons more and had tears in her eyes when she left me. She said it was so nice to talk to someone about her problems. Maybe I should be an in-flight social worker.

My transfer to my bus in London went well. I slept all the way to Cardiff and got a taxi from there. My roomates came home soon after. It was good to catch up. Unfortunately I found out our house was broken into this past Monday. Luckily all my expensive stuff was with me. Jo has been gone on placement so she only got her dvd stolen. Abi and Bryony lost quite a bit, however. A few laptops, dvd player, family heirlooms etc. I feel really sad for them. The only thing I left here was my cell phone and it is gone. I'll buy one this weekend. It's creepy to think someone went through my stuff. I am not sure if I just left my room messy or if they messed it up. My drawers had definitely all been opened though. The cops seem to be taking it pretty seriously and tried to get fingerprints. They are going to send a detective over soon as well.

I have no way of contacting Elaine to see what is happening with Stratford. Hopefully she checks her e-mail. If not, i'll just show up there tomorrow.

My laptop had been fine all through christmas and now the screen just flashed. I wonder if it has something to do with voltage.

Thanks for your thoughts in your blog, Kim. I sure wish I could be in Saskatoon. There are no friends like Saskatoon friends. I was pretty sad to leave but I am trying to think positively. I feel as though I am doing the right thing. It's just that sometimes the right thing is really challenging and a tad depressing at first glance.

Mom had the day off today so we went to dim sum and shopping for my b-day present. I wanted a curling iron and a travel mug an we found both at London drugs. I was really excited to try out my new hair tool when I got home. It got hot really fast, which is a good thing for a curling iron. I curled a bit and it wasn't curling very well so I thought I would leave it in a little longer. Suddenly what I thought was a little vapour turned to smoke and my lovely curl came right off. Luckily, it is in a place that can be well hidden. Luckily, my whole head of hair didn't catch on fire.

It must be disturbing losing all your hair quite quickly. I was a little disturbed by one little section. I can't imagine having to go through chemo. I suppose there is always something shocking about something drastic happening to your body quite quickly. Humans need time to digest change and even sometimes that isn't enough. Like people suddenly trying to fight their age even though it was constantly happening. Maybe they hadn't noticed. A lot of people say: "one day I just looked in the mirror and I was old." The moment of realization is all those slow gradual years hitting you all at once.

I noticed at christmas that a lot of my friends have wrinkles around their eyes now. They never used to. Maybe we've all had a few experiences that made us deserve them.

Here is my mom's villain. I would also like to announce that Breakfast Club will be held at the Zeller's restaurant, which is inside Zeller's at the Circle Centre Mall. David said I could pick cause it's my last week in Saskatoon. I thought it would be funny...

See you at 12.

Your results:
You are The Joker

The Joker 59% Mystique 44% Mr. Freeze 43% Poison Ivy 42% Riddler 40% Dr. Doom 37% Green Goblin 32% Apocalypse 30% Lex Luthor 29% Kingpin 28% Magneto 28% Venom 27% Dark Phoenix 23% Catwoman 23% Juggernaut 20% Two-Face 16%

The Clown Prince of Crime. You are a brilliant mastermind but are criminally insane. You love to joke around while accomplishing the task at hand.

Click here to take the "Which Super Villain are you?" quiz...

I was walking back from downtown today and saw all the sculptors working away by river landing. I love to see art going on in the city and with Saskatoon as the 2006 Capital of Culture there seems to be quite a bit that has and is going on.

As I was walking I was listening to my new handheld radio, which is really funny because it has a really long antenna. We are supposed to listen to the radio a lot for school. It take a 1/2 hour to walk there so I figured I mind as well be more productive on my walk.

I am working very slowly on my literature review. I hope that it will be enough when I get back. I am not too worried about it though. I talked to some people from school on msn and they didn't even know this litterature review was due in mid february. I think there will be some mega scrambling going on when I get back and maybe I will just do a mini scramble. I will need something to keep me busy in the beginning.

Chris made me think of checking my site meter and someone from Texas checks my blog fairly regularly. Who in Tar Nations are ya?

I walked into McNally Robinson today and to my surprise Jack Layton had the same idea! There he was sitting on a chair doing a book signing. Unfortunately I didn't talk to him. I saw him walking to a car after and I am just so impressed by how Canadians treat well known people. A US politician could never just simply walk to his car after a book signing with little to 0 security and drive off. Incredible. He didn't even have tinted wondows. I know he is not crazy famous like Beyoncé but he is well known and people have the respect to give him space. Maybe most people don't care much for him. Know that I care about you Jack.

I bought a book with critical thinking exercises in it today. I have a class in Critical thinking at school and I find it pretty difficult. I am under the impression that if I can become a master critical thinker I can take on anything. It is so key to look at arguments from an unemotional point of view to see if they are logical or not.

Last night mom, Patrick and I went for supper at the Ryalls kingdom and it was absolutely fantastic. Diane made these really tasty meatballs and brussel sprouts!! She also made strawberry and rhubarb crêpes for dessert with whipped cream! Yum. Yum.

I called to see if there were any tickets for the Sadies left and there were none. That's too bad. I will have to check e'm out another time. They tour often enough anyway.

Your results:
You are Poison Ivy

Poison Ivy 75% Mystique 64% Kingpin 64% Juggernaut 64% Catwoman 61% Dark Phoenix 57% Green Goblin 56% The Joker 56% Dr. Doom 55% Apocalypse 53% Lex Luthor 50% Magneto 49% Venom 48% Riddler 46% Mr. Freeze 46% Two-Face 24%

You would go to almost any length for the protection of the environment including manipulation and elimination.

Click here to take the "Which Super Villain are you?" quiz...

blizzard

Claudia took some photos in our backyard. It was about -30 so we took them really fast. I am happy it is warmer today. We might be able to go skating at some point this week. One photo is of me, Claudia and Cindy and the other is of me mom and Claudia. Her english is really improving. Maman and I have rarely seen someone so dedicated.
My dad left yesterday for India again. He cooked us up some really good curry the night before. I probably won't see him until the end of summer now unless he takes a trip to the UK. It does make me miss home a little less when I am away to know that not everyone is there. I miss people a tad more then places. I want to be where my family and friends are.
Yesterday was very relaxing. Luke and I went to Daniel's birthday brunch at the yard. He says that now that he is 25, breakfasts are in order. After brunch I went for coffee with Viviane, Elyse, Erica and Catherine. It's fun when you don't notice that 3 hours just went by.

I am just watching the news and it is plastered with news of Beckham. I agree this is a big story but to take up half the hour???

The US bombed Islamic courts in Somalia this past Sunday killing at least 19 people who were not even all the al-Qaeda leaders the US claimed it was targeting! I think we are getting too used to the US bombing people that we are at the point of not caring any more. I am upset that people are not protesting in the streets but I have not exactly been the leader of mass protests so I have no right to get angry. Why are we so apathetic???? I realize at some point you have to go on with your own life and not get completely consumed, but…..

LOL!!! David Beckham had a grand announcement and the audio and video isn't working!!

The media can direct to a certain extent what we think and talk about. Right now I am thinking about David Beckham and how his move to the US will be seen. I am also thinking about Posh and if maybe the paparazzi will be easier on her in the US.

If it was not on TV for so long this news hour I would not be thinking about it so much.

So what needs to be done?? I don’t know. I do know that I should shut the TV off and maybe read something I actually think is important. At least with magazines, books, journals and newspapers we have more choice.

It's snowy out there!! Winds at 70 km/h. Mom and I have a new student living with us from Brazil who is really, really nice. She seems to be taking the weather in stride and says she absolutely loves winter! I tried to call her a taxi this morning but the lines were jammed so I accompanied her on a wild blizzard adventure because it was her first time taking the bus to school and I thought it would help to point her in the right direction. After reading Dave's blog I see classes are canceled at the university. I wonder if hers were too at ESL.

blizzard 3

blizzard 2

saskaton blizzard 1

As I write this blog I pause every once in a while to relish in my favourite activity. Eating Brussel Sprouts. I don't remember when it happened but I believe it was sometime last year. I got absolutely obsessed with Brussel Sprouts (yes, they deserve capitals). Everytime my teeth sink through the many delicate layers something happens and I feel almost as though I am floating. It must be some vitamin I am lacking...but I hope my need keeps up just for the pleasure of it.

Last night I treated dad and myself to a supper at the Samurai for his christmas present. It was really quite fun. We walked there from the house where he is staying. The little sips of rum on the way helped me forget the cold. We shared a bottle of sake and had a pretty delicious meal. It was a little less impressive then what I had imagined. The cook didn't do any tricks and the food was pretty basic but the experience of sharing a table with folks you don't know and the warm glow we got from the sake was fun enough.

After the Samurai we sipped our rum back across the bridge and went to Calories where I had a glass of port and creme brulee. Boy, is their creme brulee yummy. Then we went across the street to the Yard, where Luke joined us, and we topped off the night with a scotch.

It's no surprise my Brussel Sprouts are feeling so good today.

Everything in moderation, including moderation.

Hi
I went out this morning and took a few photos of my house. I thought it would be interesting for those who read this blog from some warmer places. Although, this winter has been very warm so far. It was super cold before I got here but has often been warmer then -10 since I arrived.

My dad and I are going to the Samurai tonight! I have always wanted to go there. Nice warm Sake!

Today I am going to try and write more of my litterature review. I like not having class and just work but I would definitely be doing more if I as in Cardiff because I would have classes and work even more after. I really hope next semester is jam packed and interesting because I am pretty comfy here in Saskatoon and it's going to be really hard to leave.

Today mom took me out for dim sum at Yip's. My, am I treated these days!
I went right after a longish walk with my dad, so didn't feel too horrible.

Last night Luke and I went to watch Little Miss Sunshine at Jacqueline's house. It was the second time I saw it. I love the dancing scene at the end. It seems like every good movie has a good dancing or singing scene....or the ones I like anyway. When we went to Luke's house after they were watching Mountain Patrol. I got that it was about Tibetan antelope poachers and people trying to save them (just caught the end). I couldn't get the image of one of the characters sinking into quicksand out of my head. I looked up some stuff about quick sand and I guess it's not as dangerous as movies make it out to be but can still be quite scary. Most quick sand isn't more then a few feet deep. I sure wouldn't want to get stuck in it, anyway.

I sent off one of my assignments today and finally contacted some rat expert in Cardiff about my news story on the issue. I had been having a lot of trouble getting a hold of him!!! Rat people are very busy.

Well, I am still in Saskatoon but I have to get to work. There is no better time to start blogging again then when I actually have something to do.

It has been a really good christmas, one of the best really. I really don't want to go back to Cardiff yet, so it is good I have a few more weeks here. Time flies so fast though.

Dad, Patrick and I went to eat at the Park cafe, a little restaurant on 20th, today. I had been there with Gilles before when we were practicing for the play. Everything is homemade and vey good. I had homemade perogies and homemade farmer sausage.I should try and eat as much food as possible that I can't find in Cardiff. Saskatoon has a really good restaurant selection, or maybe it's just that I know them well.

I am a teeny bit stressed cause I have a lot of work to do before I go back but hopefully I get a good chunk of it done. I think the trick is to do a little a day, which I have been, so that's good.

Luke has been showing me a few things on his drum set at home. It's super fun. I didn't realize I could play the drums at all. So I have been having a little liking the drums fling.

I hope there is breakfast club this weekend. I feel like I haven't seen some good BC people in a long time. Anyone have any suggestions?