Where to begin...?

Well, it's been nearly 2 months since my last post, and LOTS has happened!!

To follow-up on my last post, the GBS concert was great!! So much fun!! Since then, I've also been to see Rick Mercer, thrown a suprise "welcome home" party for a friend who went to BC for a week, a fair-well party for a friend who has headed back to England for school and the waterpark at West Edmonton Mall. I'm pretty sure I'm missing stuff. Oh, I was also at Music Camp in August - that lots of fun.

I am continuing to take various training courses for work and the certificates are starting to pile up. Over the next two weekends I will be taking the Amateur Radio Licensing course.

Seeing as I am not doing very well posting, I figure I'll include a bit on my plans for the Thanksgiving weekend. That weekend I'll be in southern Alberta with Susan. We're going down to Banff/Canmore/Calgary for that weekend. She hasn't been south of Red Deer yet and never out to the Rockies, so that's where we'll be. So, people in Calgary, make sure you're around so I can catch up with you!!

Here's a picture that I took on Tuesday at a "Crash-On" exercise at the Edmonton International Airport. You can see the Salvation Army's EDS Canteen in the foreground with the Stars Air Ambulance taking off just behind.

They just might make an Edmontonian out of me yet...

I am absolutely loving living in Edmonton!!

I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD EVER UTTER THOSE WORDS!!

I have thoroughly enjoyed my first month in Edmonton. My job is great!! I've made some new friends. I'm getting out and seeing more things than I have for a long time. Life is just really great right now. Since moving here I have been to an international soccer match, a picnic in a park, a day at a plant conservatory, the Taste of Edmonton Festival, the Edmonton Street Performers' Festival and just been out and around. There are pics on facebook for my friends with accounts.

On Monday I am headed to Calgary for a day and a half for work. My hotel is booked and I'm looking forward to the trip, just for something a bit different.

Still alive...

Well, I have now been in Edmonton for 3 weeks, or very near that. And it has been just under one week since we moved into our house here. I am really starting to feel more settled.

I am loving my job!! I am excited about the opportunity for me to learn and grow, as well as the potential for ministry and partnerships. I have just finished my first training course - Standard First and CPR (scary thought - I've spent 3 summers at camp and however many more years working with kids and I've never taken a First Aid course before now). So now, instead of not knowing what to do, I'll simply not remember what to do...(joking...really...)

Yesterday I was at Edmonton Temple for church. It was the installation of Captains Don and Donna Bladen. They have 4 children (they must be nuts!!). I also had my first cell phone call during Don's sermon (the phone was on vibrate - not ringer mode). I was sitting in the band and had to leave the service for a bit...kind of awkward on my first day up there. I was also back in the trombone section for the first time in years...that was interesting...I remembered my slide positions luckily enough, but dropping down and switching back to Bb was a bit awkward for the first bit...it'll take some time.

I'm definately feeling positive about all of this!!

Counting down the hours!!

Well, almost all my belongings are packed (minus my computer - that goes in the box tomorrow). Either my things are in boxes to be shipped in a couple of weeks or in suitcases to go with me next week. All that remains is some cleaning.

Tomorrow evening I head for Salmon Arm for the weekend and won't be back until late Sunday night. It should be a fun weekend. I always enjoy these weekends (at least when I don't get sick!!).

Monday morning I'll head for St. Albert where I'll be staying until the end of the month. Then I get a couple of days down time before I start work on Thursday. So - my next post should come to you from north of here.

Move date pushed ahead

I will now be moving to Edmonton a couple of weeks before my parents and ahead of schedule. I have accepted a position in Edmonton working for The Salvation Army which requires me to be available as soon as possible. So, I have given my two weeks notice at my current job and am trying to find a place to stay in the Edmonton area until my parents move up later in June.

I will be coordinating the Army's Emergency & Disaster Services for the northern part of Alberta. This is another fantastic opportunity for me to learn new skills and grow personally and "professionally" in preparation for officership. I start in the office on June 14th.

This has come together very quickly. It was only last Tuesday that I got a phone call to setup an interview. I had my interview on Friday and was offered the position yesterday.

This means that this upcoming Sunday will be my last at my church since I will be in Salmon Arm, B.C. the following Sunday just before I move north. I only have 7 work days left in my current job. It all seems very fast, but I feel great about it!!!

2 weeks in Calgary

Well, it's been a couple of weeks since I moved back to Calgary, so I thought that I ought to write a post to keep things updated...

On April 2nd I had an interview down at the Centre of Hope (a facility operated by The Salvation Army in downtown Calgary that provides residential and additions services, as well as other services that are open to the community at large). The interview went well, and I started work there as a Client Services Worker on the 13th. I'm working the night shift (8pm to 8am) during the second half of the week (alternating Wednesdays, Thursday, Friday, Saturday). So far I've only worked two shifts, one of which was during the day for orientation. This job is great, not only am I enjoying the work, but I was also able to have my personnel file transferred, meaning that I won't have to wait the 3 months probation to get benefits, etc. There is a chance for overtime since the Centre is, like most places in Alberta, short staffed. For now I'll stick with my 40 hours though.

In the two weeks between my interview and starting work I was able to just spend some time with my parents helping with a few things at the church.

It is good to be home though. I am enjoying my mother's cooking, having at least a bit of a social life, and being involved at church again.

No more puddles

Well, last week the temperatures rose and allowed puddles to form in Peace River...the puddles are gone...or where they do remain they are frozen ice. We received another good batch of snow over the weekend. I've got pictures below that I took on Monday.

I'm making a bit of an announcement: I'm moving back to Calgary at the end of this month. After about 10 months in Peace River I am leaving. I've decided to give up my job here and return home to make it possible for me to save up the money I need to go to college in September of 2008. I'm a little disappointed that things didn't work out up here, but there have been many, many positive things over the months I've been here and I am glad that I've had this experience.

Chocolate Egg Cream

Well, the second half of this week has been sort of on and off. My shoulder has good days and bad ones. Yesterday was pretty bad, so I decided that it would be best if I didn't work this weekend at Boston Pizza, which sucks cause I won't get paid and my boss sounds pretty unhappy with me...hopefully things'll get worked out.


A special word of congrats to my parents, who are celebrating 28 years of marriage today!

To think that it has been 3 years already since their big Hawaiian themed party to mark the big 25!! Of course this year they will actually get to spend a week in Hawaii - somewhere they've drempt of holidaying since they had their honeymoon in a small cabin in the middle of winter.


This week in some browsing around I found a recipe for a New York City drink that intrigued me, so today I decided to attempt it - the Chocolate Egg Cream. Of course I didn't have the "authentic" chocolate sauce or the seltzer cylinder, but it didn't come out too badly. I might have to play with the amounts of milk and club soda that I use, but I will be making it again. If you like trying new things, I'd suggest this one! It's easy and is something of a unique experience to try. Here's what most people online seem to agree is the "authentic" recipe.

Time for a break...

Well, I finally have a bit of real quality down time. I have worked without a day off since the 14th. With 2 jobs I am working 7 days a week now and I'm still adjusting to the pace of work at Boston Pizza. I must say that I really do enjoy both of my jobs, but I do need a bit of a breather from time to time. So I have this afternoon and tomorrow off (with pay). The Army owed me a bit of time from Christmas, so I'm collecting on some of that today and tomorrow. Hopefully this'll give me that chance to catch up on some school work, cleaning, laundry and (hopefully) some rest.

Earlier this afternoon I was at the dentist getting a couple of fillings...the freezing still hasn't worn off...it is the weirdest sensation. I've never had freezing in my mouth before. The whole experience was decidedly unpleasant, not to mention expensive.

I've been enjoying reading several blogs lately, and one that I have found particularly interesting is that of Graeme Smith, a Salvationist who lives in Latvia (but is from the UK). I'm adding a link to his blog to the sidebar. Check it out, it is definately worth it!

Anyways, I should probably go and do something productive with the time I have.

Take care all!

The longest short week

The week seemed like it went by so quickly, and yet it seems like ages ago since last weekend!! The relative perception of time can be so odd at times.

Well, this past week has been full of enjoyable moments for me. Nothing particularly remarkable at work, but it has bee enjoyable. I spent an afternoon earlier in the week visiting local businesses encouraging them to sponsor one or more children to go to the Army's summer camp in July. The response is very encouraging so far, and I am very optimistic.

Away from work (well, in some respects), I also received back my first three assignments from my course that I'm working on. The marks and comments were encouraging and I am pleased with my results so far. Tomorrow I will complete another component when I will be preaching and evaluated.

Also, after church tomorrow is the monthly pot-luck!! I'm taking perogies!! I'm thinking that I'm going to bake them...normally I would fry them, but I enjoy baked perogies.

Today was my first day working a second job. I have been hired at Boston Pizza as a serving assistant (which should lead to being a server). I worked from 9-5 today. It wasn't a bad first day. I'm utterly exhausted...my desk job has made me a little soft. My legs were killing me while I was walking home after work. I've taken the job so that I can meet my budget objectives for the next 6 months. I'll likely be work 20-24 hours a week at BP's.

Highlights...followed by an indepth story

Okay, here are the highlights of my life since my last post:

Dad breaks Methuselah's record!!

Phil spends Christmas in K-country.

The Turtle visits Calgary.

Outdoor staking New Year's Eve.

Youth Pastor nabbed at checkstop on Eve of New Year.

New driver runs stop signs, jumps curbs.

Okay, that's the abbreviated version for those who don't particularly care. For those of my friends who more concerned with the happenings of the past few weeks, here's what I've been up to.

December 22nd, I flew down to Calgary via Peace Air flight 708. The plane was a little 9 passenger deal. A very different experience than a 737 or 747. It was a strange sensation to feel the plane being pushed around by the wind. I enjoyed it!!

The 23rd I completed my Christmas shopping 45 minutes after starting. Most of it was done at Chinook Mall. Normally going to Chinook on the Saturday right before Christmas is not on my list of things to do, but I didn't have a lot of options. The mall was suprisingly quiet, and I was out of there fairly quickly. I also got my hair cut. So far I have not got a hair cut in Peace River - I just get it done when I'm in Calgary. With my next visit to Calgary not scheduled until July, I think I will have to find somewhere in town to get a hair cut or two.

December 24th was my father's birthday. Man is that guy getting old!! The Christmas Eve service at Glenmore was wonderful (as usual). I ran the MediaShout during the service, which projects the words for songs, readings, etc for the congregation to see (kind of like PowerPoint - only better). That service proceeds unannounced, so congregational participation is cued by what is shown on the screen...such power no one man should wield!! I enjoyed the evening.

It was different this year at Christmas, as it was the first time that our family has not been together on Christmas Day. My brother, Phil, spent Christmas at Camp Horizon in Kananaskis with the Easter Seals. We did have my Grandma Waters with us. A couple from the church who immigrated to Canada from Columbia also joined us, along with their children.

I can't really remember what happened on Boxing Day...so I'll skip that one.

The evening of the 27th I was able to visit with my friend Jackie. She has become a very dear friend of mine over the past several years and it was fantastic to spend some time catching up. Then on the 28th I spent some time with Kyla, another fantastic friend. We went to see Casino Royale, the latest James Bond film. I also finally tracked down the one Bond film that I did not yet own. It's an older one, but one I have been unable to find in at least 4 years of searching. I know own 20 out of 20 "007" films on VHS and DVD, and have the 21st in theatres.

On the 29th a bunch of us who hang out together got together and Mr. and Mrs. Decker's house (aka Michael and Lindsay's) for a few hours. We watched the fireplace channel, discussed hockey, and just had a good time. Myrtle, one of the Australians that I went to school with joined us. She had arrived in Calgary on the bus from William's Lake, BC earlier that day. She was staying with Alicia for a bit before heading back to Australia.

On the 30th I had an eye exam and got new glasses. I had been wearing the same glasses since 2001. Last time I had an exam (in 2004 I think) my prescription had changed so little that I decided that instead of getting new glasses I'd get prescription sunglasses. Unfortunately the finish on the lenses has been pealing for a while now and it has been very irritating. But now I had nice new glasses!! After that I met Myrtle and Alicia for lunch, and then we went to the Museum of the Regiments. We had supper at Peter's Drive-In. After we finished supper Alicia couldn't get her parents' van started and we ended up having to get a boost from a nearby man. Very kind of him to help us with that.

Sunday dinner on the 31st we had a full table. Here's a picture (taken by my father):

Pictured are (going clockwise, starting on the left): my Mom, Myrtle, me, Kyla, Amanda (Phil's girlfriend), Phil (my brother), my Grandma W.

New Year's Eve was spent at Glenmore. Michael, Linds, Kyla and I were the "old" people. At least that's how we felt standing in the kitchen drinking hot drinks away from the noise in the other room. We had a good time though. We took some of the kids skating downtown Calgary at Olympic Plaza. We also played volleyball, "terminator" and watched some movies. Linds made waffles and Michael made sausages for breakfast. The waffles were great, but my stomach couldn't handle anything that morning.

I slept most of New Year's Day. Our family went to the Russell New Year's dinner that evening. The food was great as usual and a few of us had a good time playing Scattegories for a while.

Then it was off to the airport at 5:50am on January 2. My flight left Calgary at 6:50am, and after a stop in Red Deer and a delay in Edmonton I was back in Peace River by 10:30am.

I was back to work January 3rd to start cleaning up from Christmas. Now it's time to move forward with some other projects that have been on hold over Christmas. Two big ongoing projects plus planning and fundraising for a couple of things in July. Oh, and a volunteer appreciation gig to plan. Lots to do still, but definately a slower pace...I'm not sure if I'm glad about that or not...

Another Day Off

Well, tomorrow is another day off. I've worked a little over one half-day in the past 4 days, soon to be 5 days. I'll get in two hours in the evening to go visit with the fire fighters for the weekly drills.

I got EXCELLENT news today!!! I received news that Katimavik, a national youth volunteer service sponsored by Heritage Canada is coming to Peace River, after it had looked for a long time like they wouldn't be able to because they couldn't find anywhere to live. But things are looking up. The participants arrive in town on Wednesday and will begin work a week later. The Salvation Army is going to have two of these young people with us. This is absolutely fantastic news for us!! It will boost our available human resources significantly. We had been told quite some time ago that the group wasn't coming, so I had stopped working on the planning, so now I've got some last minute work to do, but I am more than happy to do it.

Wednesday morning is my dentist appointment - ouch!! Not the dentist...the bill!! O well, whatcha gonna do?