Songs In Blue

7Jul10 64

Yesterday was my Dad’s birthday. He turned 39 for the 25th time, at least, that’s what he tells people!

We went out to Cloverdale to have dinner at a place called The Vault. It was awesome! I had steak and prawns then cheesecake for dessert – so yum! I’ll be going back there for my birthday, for sure!

My Dad’s been doing a lot of travelling lately. He went to Mexico and Vegas last year, a cruise back in January and left for a 2 week road trip this morning! He was telling me of all the places they plan on going (Calgary Stampede, Winnipeg, Mt Rushmore) and I thought about letting him borrow my camera. Then I had an even BETTER idea and got him one for his birthday! It’s a simple one but it takes really nice photos and is waterproof too – I’m even thinking about getting the same one for myself!

Anyway, he really liked it and I’m looking forward to seeing the pictures he brings back!

This isn’t the best photo, but never mind. Meet, Amy!

We worked together in Wellington and became fast friends. She just started an epic 5 month trip and decided to come visit me for a week! We got up to a whole bunch of fun stuff while she was here, but I’ll talk about that in my next post…when I’m finished editing all the photos

1 Comment Posted by Dayna in Birthdays, Dad

1Jul10 Little Things

There are a lot of little things I want to do over the next few months but I haven’t taken the time to write it all down. Aly inspired me with her post a couple weeks back so I thought I’d do a similar list.

Cross Stitch

I got this for Christmas back in 2007 or 2006, can’t quite remember. Either way, it was a long time ago and I still haven’t finished it! It’s the biggest cross stitch I’ve ever attempted and I lack patience at the best of times. I usually work on it for a few weeks then give up, only to start again a few months (or a year) later. I reckon I can have it done by the end of July. Hopefully.

Blog
I want to post. I really do! It’s just been hard finding the motivation to write my thoughts down. I’m going to start with a nice, easy goal of at least one post per week. Maybe that will get the ball rolling…
I also really need to find new blogs to read, so if you have any suggestions let me know! Otherwise, you’ll see me stalking your bloglists over the next few days

Get Fit
Yeah, major FAIL in this category. I got pretty close to my goal weight a little while ago but with everything that’s gone on in the last 6 months, I’ve lost the routine and gained back the weight. My friend and I have been going to the gym together, which is good, but not nearly at the rate I would like. If she can’t come then I don’t go. Not good.

I want to go 4 days during the week plus Saturdays.

The rec centre I go to has boot camp and spin class both of which I’ve always wanted to try. Once I get back into a routine of going, then I’ll add in these classes.

Read
I’ve never been a big reader but I started the Sword of Truth series (not my typical choice of genre) and am really enjoying it! I signed up to Goodreads.com (you should too, add me!) and listed all the books I’d like to read. It’s an awesome site for keeping everything organized, which I love!

Irish Passport
I posted about this before but being in New Zealand made it hard for me to get all the paperwork together. Now that I’m back, it’s made things a little bit easier. In researching it further, there’s still A LOT of things I need before I can send in my application. It’s probably going to take me at least another month to get everything together. Once I do send it in, it could take up to TWO YEARS (!!!) to process. TWO YEARS! Have I mentioned that I lack patience?

Photos
I’ve charged my camera battery ONCE since I got back. Really just need to start taking my camera everywhere I go…

Learn Piano (Again)
Rock Band 3 is coming out this Christmas and they’ve added a keyboard! And Pro mode! So it actually teaches you how to play! Pretty sweet, eh?

Plan a Trip

This goes without saying, cause I always seem to be thinking of the next trip I want to take. Las Vegas was an option for my birthday but I found out some friends from NZ will be up at the same time and I’d MUCH rather hang out with them.

Vegas can wait.

I reckon New York will be my next trip. A couple friends have mentioned it as well so I might meet them there. Spain, Greece, Scotland, and Ireland are also on the list…

New Recipes
I love food. Like, I could be 400lbs if I let myself eat uncontrollably. If eating good food means I’m 5 or even 10lbs over my ‘ideal’ weight, that’s ok! Yes, we should strive to eat healthy blah, blah, blah…

Healthy shouldn’t equal boring and food shouldn’t be something that causes stress. Eat healthy most of the week (Zig) then have a Zag day! Balance, people.

That being said, my menu is pretty limited. I love that you can get really creative with food and cooking so I’d like to try a new recipe each week. Maybe I’ll even post about it…

Grouse Grind
Call me crazy, but I’ve always wanted to give this a try. Looks like I’ll get the opportunity to do so tomorrow!

Find an Active Hobby
I’m thinking either Roller Derby or Volleyball…

1 Comment Posted by Dayna in life, lists

25Jun10 Umm…Nevermind!

Leave it to me to write a nice long post about my next step only to do a 180 in the other direction.

I called the bank this morning and told them I wasn’t taking the job. I’ve been agonizing over whether I should or shouldn’t take the job ever since I said yes. A lot of that time was spent attempting to convince myself it was a good idea even though I didn’t feel it was. Gut feelings should always win out! Luckily, mine did. I feel like a weight has been lifted so I’m taking that as a very good sign. My logical side wants to give a detailed list of all the reasons I decided to not take it but the truth is, it just didn’t feel right.

So, I may not have a regular job but I have been getting a lot of temp work and I kinda like the idea of doing that for a while. The hours are good, the assignments are usually full time and they pay surprisingly well! If I decide I don’t want to work for a week or something then I can just say no…makes for an awesome summer job!

This also means I’m staying in the city! With my Dad! And I don’t have to pack!

1 Comment Posted by Dayna in decisions, job hunting

23Jun10 Packing! Again! Always!

I seem to get the motivation to blog whenever I have other things I should be doing, like packing. For someone who travels as much as I do, you’d think I would enjoy packing at least a little bit. I really, really DON’T! Maybe I should invent something to make packing bearable.

Anyway, I mentioned in my last post that I (FINALLY!) got a job. There are a lot of pros and cons that go with it, but I made the final decision to take it due to the fact that I could find NOTHING else. I’m not even remotely kidding. It’s bleak out there, yo! Well, at least it is if you’re like me and don’t have some sort of degree….

So, it’s a Mobile Teller position at a bank, which means I’ll be working at two locations, on the Coast. Yep, I’m moving back to little old Gibsons (hence the packing). Needless to say, this was on the list of Cons. Don’t get me wrong, I love Gibsons (for VISITING) but the idea of living there just doesn’t sit very well. However, I’m in no place to be picky so I’m gonna take what I get!

The job itself does sounds awesome and I’m looking forward to starting next week! I get a lot of perks and discounts for my accounts and loan (great for paying that back) and the pay is decent! There’s also a lot of opportunity to move up if I want to and when I decide to go overseas again, I can work in a bank no matter what country I’m in (depending on visas, of course)!

I’ll be moving in with my mom to help with the ‘whole saving money/paying off debt’ thing. I’m looking forward to it because I can spend time with her and my sister, Courtney, which is pretty much the whole reason I came back! Family time!

My friend, Marissa (who lives on the coast), decided she was going to get married this summer so I’ll be around to help her plan/organize/execute last minute details! I’m also her Maid of Honour (my first time ever!) and have planned a most excellent Hen’s Night, which I wish I could talk about but can’t cause she reads my blog. Trust me, it’s gonna be GOOD!

I am sad to be leaving Dad’s though – I’ve had a great time living here. Him and Gail have been so generous for letting me stay with them. I really appreciated everything you’ve done for me, Dad!

More than anything, I’m looking forward to having a regular income, setting up a routine so I don’t feel so scattered, and working toward the next step -whatever that may be.

4 Comments Posted by Dayna in decisions, job hunting

8Jun10 In One Place (for now)

I called my Grandma the other night and she was concerned that I hadn’t updated my blog in a little while. I’m sure she’s the only one but I figured now was a good a time as any for a quick update!

Speaking of Grandma, I spent a week with her after writing my last post. It was actually the first time I’d ever had a solo visit with her! Usually I have at least one sibling or my Mom in tow.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, my Grandma is AWESOME. We had many good chats and I learnt so many new things about her that made me respect her so much more. She’s been through so much in her life and I’m just in awe of how strong she is. She also gave a lot of good advice and wisdom that has helped me a lot.

I hope to be like her when I grow up.

****

My next big trip was to see my sister, Angella, and her family. The last time I saw the kidlets, Emily was 18 months. She’s almost FOUR now!
Angella and Matthew went to Las Vegas for their 10 year (!) anniversary and I had the pleasure of looking after the kids for them! Even when Emily woke me up at 2:30 in the morning just to tell me she had cracked her toe, or when Graham was up for hours with a sore stomach, or when Nathan asked me questions I had just answered, I had SO MUCH FUN looking after them!
In fact, they’re more like 3 miniature friends than kids. They’re all old enough that you can proper conversations with them, and they said so many crazy things I’m sure I spent the majority of the time laughing til I couldn’t breathe.

I was a bit of an idiot and accidentally deleted most of the pictures I took while there, but I’ll post the ones I do have later on.

Also while I was there, I played Rock Band for the first time. I got pretty hooked and would stay up til midnight playing it even though I knew I’d be getting up at 6am. Lance pulled the plug one night when he noticed that my eyes had gone red from playing so much. Fair enough.

****

So now, I’m back at Dad’s. I finally got work as a temporary receptionist for 2 weeks! I answer the phone and send out packages (heh) and that’s pretty much it…
At least it’s given me a lot of time to think and work on my spreadheets (which look awesome btw)!
In the (almost) 2 months (!) I’ve been back, I’ve sent out hundreds of resumes and had ONE other response besides this temp job. I knew it was going to be hard to find work, I just didn’t think it would be this bad.
That other response has resulted in a job, but that’s a whole other post in itself…

9 Comments Posted by Dayna in All Things Awesome, Canada, Catch up, family, travel

26Apr10 TequilaCon and Other Shenanigans

This will just be a quick update as it’s REALLY late and I have to get up REALLY early! I’ve been so busy seeing everyone I haven’t seen in about 2 YEARS that I haven’t really had the time to document it all. Starting next week, I have a whole! week! of nothing planned so I’ll post again then!

I went to TequilaCon on Saturday which was a bunch of bloggers getting together to hang out, meet new people, wear mustaches, and have (in my case) one tequila shot. But the main reason I went was so I could see my sister, Angella, for the first time since coming home! Needless to say, we were a little excited to see each other!!

I actually ended up going home around 8:30pm because (I’m a nana, and) I had a late night the day before (by late, I mean midnight). Since I (stupidly) didn’t bring my camera, you should take a look at Angella and Kerrianne’s posts/photos to see me rockin’ the ‘stache more than a few times!

Tomorrow, I’m catching the ferry to go see my Grandma on the island. I’ve talked about her Awesomeness before so I’m really looking forward to spending a week with her!!

One last thing, the hockey game tonight? Was brilliant! And the Canucks are going to Round 2! (More hockey for me!!)

6 Comments Posted by Dayna in All Things Awesome, Catch up, family, friends, travel

23Apr10 One week On

I’ve been home for a week now and it’s been a roller coaster ride to say the least. I think I might break this post up into a few sections to keep it somewhat organized.

Travel

The 22 hours of travel were mostly uneventful besides the handful of flight attendants asking me if I was ok. As, I guess, you do when you notice a girl who has been doing the ugly-cry since she stepped foot on the plane.

I did, however, sit next to Nick Carter of Backstreet Boys fame during my flight from LA to Vancouver. It would’ve been a childhood dream come true IF he hadn’t been shorter than I thought he’d be and a heck of a lot greasier. I didn’t take a photo cause he just seemed too ‘normal’. But Chad and Courtney saw him when they were meeting me so at least I have some proof!

Family

I now know how people feel when they are introduced to my family – OVERWHELMED! After being away for almost 2 years, I’m used to having my quiet little life. Not the case anymore! It’s been awesome to be with them, don’t get me wrong! But after an hour of us all being together, I’m exhausted!

We’ve had some fun since I got back tho – Dinners, hockey games and chats. My Aunty Kathy is also here from Ontario so it’s been nice to see her too. Once I get a job, I hope that we’ll be able to do a lot more things together – I have a feeling this summer will be awesome.

Friends

When you leave the country for a long time, you really find out who your friends are. I knew that from before, but this time around even some of my good friends are so different. I hope it’s just another thing I need to adjust to and not something that will potentially end more friendships.

Matt

I cannot even describe the feeling of saying goodbye to him at the airport. His mom drove us to the airport and they both stayed with me until I boarded my flight. Before security we hugged and cried and it hurt but nothing could prepare me for what happened next. There’s glass separating my gate from where Matt was so I could see him the whole time I was waiting in line to board the plane. Just as I handed my boarding pass over he blew me a kiss goodbye and I burst into (more) tears and my heart broke into a million little pieces. Even now, I’m reliving it and oh yes, here comes the ugly cry.

It hasn’t got much better since then. Everytime he comes up in conversation I start to get teary eyed. I went out to dinner with my mom and siblings and told them I felt like I had made a huge mistake in leaving and my mom asked me the all important question, “Do you see a future with him?” To which I, of course, answered “Yes” and in the middle of the restaurant (yet again) burst into tears.

I keep telling myself (and so does Matt) that I did this for a reason. There was no way I would make a decision like this without knowing in my gut it was right. I also know that Matt and I will be together again, whatever that looks like, when the time’s right. I’m usually pretty good at putting my feelings into words, but Matt leaves me speechless. My Aunty Jill’s comment really struck a cord with me, and I just hope it doesn’t take Matt and I as long to find each other again.

1 Comment Posted by Dayna in Canada, Matt, family, friends