Gummy Bears to the Beach

They actually looked a lot better in person.

These were made for a bake sale at the University of Western Ontario to benefit the first and second year graduate Physiotherapy students.

Dear Mr. Garbage Man

I'm writing you for a few reasons.

The first being, why do you come to my house so early and insist on waking me up? This morning I woke up to the persistent beeping of the garbage truck going in reverse at the end of my street. Not only did this wake me up but terrified me because I remembered for the THIRD week in a row not to put the garbage out and the garage was getting rather smelly.

The second being, I'm sure your very lovely and all, but dealing with other people's trash wouldn't be my cup of tea. It's rather smelly and doesn't really suite my fancy!

So my dearest Mr. Garbage Man thank-you for collecting my garbage, but next week, could you be a little quieter?

Third Year

I'm not sure how many people still read my blog, I've kind of fallen away from it this summer with work. But were back to school for another year and the work is already piling on!

I'm currently working on two projects for my writing classes, but on a high note I don't have any final exams!!

I hope that this school year is starting out well for everyone!

I will continue to write and up date everyone on my life - Stay tuned!

My latest Creation

Elliot From The West

Have you ever heard music you just couldn't stop listening to? I would like to take a minute to introduce Elliot From The West a folk/acoustic/glam type artist with some amazing tunes! There are three songs listed on the Elliot From The West myspace page. click here to be taken to Elliot From The West myspace page. 

The music is out of Dundee/Belfast Scotland in the UK, you get a hint of accents in the music which I find to be refreshing, they add a certain something to the songs that wouldn't be there without it. 

I find that the music from Elliot From The West is something I can relax to. I feel like picking up a large mug of tea and just listening to it ALL DAY. 

I hope you all enjoy this music as much as I do. 

Congrats go out to John Kyle for putting such amazing-ness into the world! 

Butterfly Cupcakes

Have you ever been asked to do something really cool? I was asked to make cupcakes for a cocktail hour hosted by Bethany's Hope Foundation. Among those attending is chef Michael Smith which, to say the least is...exciting and nerve wracking! I just hope that people like them, I think they are cool, mainly because I have been working on them for a really long time! Hope you like them! I think it is some of my finer work! 

2412 Blogger of the Week

CONGRATULATIONS to PAUL SHAM of Post Script for being 2412's blogger of the week! 

Great job Paul, remember to nominate your favorite blogs for next week and then pick your favorite blogger! 

Dear Friends

Dear Friends,

I would like to write an apology for you all, I am sorry that I have not been posting regularly this week. I have three essays due this week that I am frantically working on.
I will be sure to post heaps next week to make up for this week.
Again I am sorry.
I have taken up residence in Weldon library, however, its not really working with all the noise... imagine that noise in a library... I think I will head home to finish up my essay due tomorrow and by finish up I mean finish the research so I can start writing it.
Thank-you for your understanding and if anyone wants to go out on Thursday night I am feeling it will be a must after all this week.
Great job MITers!
Now I must get back to the essay STRESS.

sincerely,

Citizen 19

Orillia bound

Have you ever just needed to get away? Away from everything that is stressing you out?

This past week, I was so stressed out. My housemate Sarah, was headed up to her parents house to watch the dogs while they were away. I invited myself to go with her and let me tell you, this was exactly what was needed. I got lots of reading done, drank plenty of orange juice with melon liqueur (or peach shnapps, depending on how I felt), and watched movies; tropic thunder, love and other disasters, how to lose friends and alienate people, and Australia. 

Here is how the weekend went:

I was stressed!

We went for a 4 1/2 km walk with Molly and Maple

Watch movies 

Then we came back to good ol' London!

Bust out the Bug Spray!

Do you ever get woken up in the middle of the night by a noise? I tend to sleep with my window open to get a little 'fresh' air at night. Last night I fell asleep like a log, however, I got woken up around 3:45 because I heard a buzzing noise. I hate the sound of buzzing, it drives me CRAZY! I turned on my light because I HAD to know what was making this annoying noise, and what did I find? 

Yes, a MOSQUITO. I thought it was too early for these little pest, I guess not! Well, at least this is a sign that spring isn't too far away, and while spring is being sprung, I am sure summer is excited to follow, I know I am super excited for summer to be here, with shorts, flip flops, long days, SUN!! 

Here's for hoping, now put on your bug spray! 

2412 Blogger of the Week Nominations

Attention one and all since I was blogger of the week this past week, it is now my task to nominate three lucky and very deserving members of Blogging 2412. 

Drum roll... or you can just pretend I did one right there....

Paul Sham with Post Script

Reason: What can I say about Post Script? I can tell you that sometimes while reading I have a little chuckle out loud! How else can I put this, well you see if a blog catches my attention and I constantly check the blog for updates it means I like it. Well done Paul! 

Emily Innis with Emilove

Reason: Em is constantly commenting on my blog which in turn made me start reading her blog I do read a lot of the blogs in the class but I am more attracted to the blogs of people who take the time to read my blog and comment. 

Ariane Klassen with Keep it Fresh

Reason: The other day while reading this blog I was introduced to a site called Etsy.com, the site was so brilliant and awesome. I am now addicted to going on the site just to see what new creations people have. 

Although I love these three blogs I would still say my favorite is Single Betty, however, being nominated by her last week, I don't think I can vote for her again! 

Good luck to the runners up! 

The End...

This week in blogging 2412 each class member has to do a video review on CBC.ca the end. There are three different videos, each discussing the end of either radio, television, or print. Each video was saying that the internet is taking over these three areas of media. 

I agree in a way. Let me explain. I believe that in a way the internet is stealing away from the original forms of media, however isn't it crucial that things evolve as they always have. There is always a change, something new, a different way of doing things. 

The end of television? I don't think so, there are so many people that all they do is watch television, isn't this the idea behind the Wii exercise, it forces people to get up off their bums. Alright, yes television is being viewed on the internet, but some people still sit down and watch television on a television. I personally like watching it on my computer because there are no commercials. But the end of television... I doubt it. 

No more radio? ARE YOU CRAZY? I love the radio, yea sure there is new satellite radio, but come on, in the car (for those of us that are cheap) I listen to the radio, country radio to be exact. My housemate listens to the radio when she gets up and when she is going to bed, my father listens to the radio in the car all the time (talk radio I might add...). Radio is part of the essence of me, and I love it. 

Print? We still have books? Oh that is what a news paper looks like? Who knew! Print media going out of style I can find a little more believable. At the same time I don't read the paper, I don't buy magazines, I would rather find my article online than go to the library and search out a book. However, even though I'm not into print media, think about how large the reader base is. The fashion magazine business ALONE is a multi-billion dollar business. TAKE THAT INTERNET! 

Overall I think that as internet is creeping in there is still the three main medias holding their own and CBC does discuss the good, the bad, and the ugly. check out the videos and let me know what you think! 

go to www.cbc.ca/theend then scroll down to the bottom and you'll see on the left: watch this program online, watch: CBC: The end of print; the end of radio; the end of television

Check It!

WOOOOOOT! Guess who won the MIT 2412 Best Blogger of the week? Oh yes thats right... ME! Thank-you Single Betty @ singlebetty.blogspot.com. 

I am very passionate about my blog and the people that read it, I find it a great way to say whats on my mind. I feel like there is only one place for me to freely say what I want. 

Thank-you for reading! 

I will be posting my nominations for March 25-31st tomorrow. Good luck MIT 2412 Bloggers! 

Summer Lovin'

Have you ever wanted to know how people feel about summer? Probably not... I think we all feel relatively the same way. Summer is FANTASTIC. I wanted to know what people enjoyed most about summer. Meet the contestants;

Flip flops: this was my personal favorite, I can't live without my Sanuk Yoga Matt flip flops

Vote: 4

Walks

vote: 2

Windows Open

vote: 5

Long Days (depicted by sunny sunflowers for no real reason at all!!)

Vote:9

Out of an overall 21 votes, long days won with 9! 

CAUTION... Avoiding the Homework Zone

Have you ever procrastinated from studying? I am the master of distractions, I always find someway to NOT STUDY. 

TGIM (thank goodness it's March!) ladies and gents, the weather is getting nice and sunny, it's getting warmer, and the snow isn't accumulating on the ground. As I was saying, I get easily distracted from studying. Today, a beautiful Friday with sunny skies lulled me to take pity on my poor poor car. My car is really one of the greatest loves I have in my life, sad, yes I know, but true. 

I decided to wash Bessie. Bessie is my 2000 ford focus wagon, she's red, manual transmission, and great for drivin! Taking pity on Bessie, I washed, and then WAXED the car. To recap my day for you view below:

Meet Bessie: 

Turtle wax is really the only wax to get for your car, there is really only one reason I am so set on turtle wax (besides the fact that it actually works, and the sign below is AWESOME), my Grandpa always uses turtle wax, and when I had his car I would always go to his house and we would wax the car together. 

It was so beautiful today, I can't even believe how gorgeous it was! I met some more neighbors today it was pretty exciting. Since I don't live very close to the University of Western Ontario, I live about 10 minute drive or so, I live in a neighborhood with more families. My house is the only student house, which is pretty cool I guess! Anyways (I did mention I get distracted easily right!?), LOTS OF SUN... YEAY

I also had to get a hot chocolate for all the work that I was doing, it was just tuckering me out, the hot chocolate kept the fire fueled!

Well that was my exciting day of not doing school work! 

Handimals

Have you ever seen something so AWESOME? Of course you haven't! 

I signed into my facebook as I do almost every day, I found that I had been invited to join a group called Handimals. Curious I decided to take a look. My friend Stephen Carlson who I have known for sometime now, has become a genius. He has created creatures with human hands incorporated into their design. 

Stephen says that "One day I decided to draw animals with some of their body parts as human hands. I don't think it has ever been done." 

 I find that Stephen's talent is overwhelming, and these creatures are a display of his creative genius. 

To view more of these amazing creations click here, you will be taken to the facebook group. From here if you would like to purchase a handimal Stephen is selling them. 

These creatures are truly amazing, congratulations for creating something so incredible Stephen!

What's Your Baking Personality

Today while in class I received a message from Single Betty.  She posted me a link to Baking Bites this site has a quiz for you to find out your baking personality. Thank-you Single Betty for sharing this awesome quiz! 

1) When I bake, I typically:

a) Opt for one of a handful of very familiar recipes that I make all the time.
b) Pick a recipe and follow it step-by-step.
c) Tweak the ingredients of a recipe to cut down on fat or sugar.
d) Go all out and create impressive, professional-looking delicacies.
e) Rarely use recipes as written and like to experiment with ingredients and flavors.

2) Some of my favorite ingredients are:

a) Chocolate, butter and vanilla.
b) Flour, eggs and sugar.
c) Applesauce and brown sugar.
d) Scratch puff pastry and browned butter.
e) Herbs and edible flowers.

3) In my free time I like to:

a) Visit with friends and family with baked goods in tow.
b) Organize the house and clean the kitchen.
c) Exercise or take a fitness class to burn off those extra cookies.
d) Read cookbooks or take cooking classes.
e) Watch cooking shows and read food blogs to stay ahead of the food trends.

4) My favorite things to bake are:

a) Classics, like chocolate chip cookies and brownies.
b) Cakes, because there is a lot of variety in the flavors, but the technique is always similar.
c) Recipes that include whole grains, or cut down on the added fat.
d) Breads, where I can try to achieve the perfect crumb.
e) Ethnic sweets and desserts from other countries.

5) Other people describe me as:

a) Really friendly.
b) Diligent and methodical.
c) Health conscious.
d) Intense and passionate.
e) Curious or innovative.

Which letter did you choose most often? Don’t worry about overlap - most of us fall into more than one category, and the quiz is just for fun. Here’s what your answers say about your baking style:

a) Giving: Friendly, well-liked and enthusiastic, giving bakers seldom experiment, love baking and like to serve tried-and-true family favorites that they know are crowd pleasers, rather than risk experimenting with the unknown.

b) Methodical: Talented bakers who rely heavily on recipes because baking is considered to be a science for a reason! They know that they’ll get the results they want that way. And usually, their creations look just like the picture in the cookbook.

c) Healthy: Healthy bakers love to be in the kitchen, but worry about the side effects of eating too many treats. They experiment with alternative ingredients to cut down on the “unhealthy” parts of recipes, usually white flours, sugars, eggs and fats. Health comes first, even if it means making a few compromises with taste and texture.

d) Competitive: Pros do it, so there is no reason that the competitive bakers shouldn’t be able to do it, too. Competitive bakers have dominant personalities, are perfectionists who are always trying to improve their own skills, and love to impress their guests.

e) Innovative: Creative and trend-setting, innovative bakers seldom use recipes and like to experiment with ingredients, cuisine styles and methods.

What is your baking personality!? Share in the comments below! 

Summer lovin'

Have you decided on your summer plans yet?

I am trying to decide when to go on vacation, should I go the beginning of summer, middle, or end? Right now I am set on the end of summer, one big shabam before I get back into school. This summer I am staying in London and working as a lifeguard, as well as a cashier at Heeman Greenhouse and strawberry patch. 

I am excited to see what the city is like in the summer, compared to the month when there are thousands of students flooding campus, the bars, and clogging up the streets. 

Remember to pick your favorite thing about summer on the side bar and I will let you know the top choice when the voting is up! 

Spring...

Have you ever been really excited for an event that you knew to be inevitable? Each year around this time, I can't wait for spring, for the flowers to start popping up, for longer days, flip flops, windows to be open, and Spring jackets!

Look what I found:

Yes, I do believe I can now say...HAPPY SPRING! There is sign of life popping up around the city and this is prime example of this lovely phenomenon. Is anyone as excited as I am? 

Next thing you know its going to be summer, shorts, swimming, sun till 9pm, SUMMER! I can't wait I am so excited, especially because I get to lifeguard here in London all summer long! 

Hope your all as excited about Spring as I am! 

German Cereal.

Do you have a favorite breakfast food? My favorite is Musli from Germany, it consists of oats, chocolate chips, and little coco puffs. This cereal is absolutely amazing, its really easy to buy the ingredients here in Canada land. By far the Germans make it better. 

When I was 5 my family went to Germany for our vacation, this is when I was introduced to this delicious cereal and I have loved it ever since. 

If you want to enjoy this fantastic cereal, but aren't heading to Germany you can make it (it wont be as good but still superior to most cereal). 

Here is what you do:

1 container (about a cereal box size)

1 cup mini chocolate chips

1/2 box coco puffs

1/2 box quick oats

Mix together and....EAT! 

More Unexplained Art

In addition to my post yesterday I wanted to show you this:

I decided to go for a walk downtown London this morning before meeting Man on the Moon at the library (in the Galaria) to study. As I was walking down Queen (near the intersection at Talbot) I came across these sculptures. There was absolutely no explanation in sight to tell me what these were. I stood, I pondered, I got closer...

Even getting closer I couldn't find out what this was supposed to be. I've been in the library for about 2 and a half hours now, thinking about what this could possibly be, and then it struck me. It looks like rocks piled on top of rocks in a random pattern. Thank-you ladies and gentlemen, I feel I should become an art critic! 

The only one that I wouldn't be able to explain as being a rock piled on top of a rock would be this one:

 

If only rocks could look this way! 

When all is said and done I kind of liked this little area with the fun rock like sculptures. At least I found out who the artist was of this one, unlike the giant colon I saw on Friday! 

If you know what the sculpture is supposed to be, let me know, I am rather curious! 

The Oddities of Art

Have you ever seen a sculpture and thought to yourself...what is that!?

The other day I was walking downtown London with my sister and niece. We walked from Warncliff to Richmond and Dundas. While we walked we went down Talbot between Queen and Dundas, the above photo is what I saw. It looks like a large colon, piece of intestine, or an oddly shaped worm. I had to go back last night around 10PM with my housemate Sarah just to take a picture so that I could share this with you all. 

Does anyone have any idea what this is?

Starbucks, How Do I Decide?

Have you ever had a time where you were unable to choose between one thing and another? My problem happens to be when choosing between drinks at Starbucks...
There are many different options when it comes to Starbucks, my favorites are as follows

1. Strawberry Lemonade Blend

2. Vanilla Latte

3. Raspberry Mocha Latte

4. Hot Chocolate

5. Marbled Hot Chocolate

What is your Starbucks love? Are you indecisive with your Starbucks choice? 

Today while I was at Starbucks, I decided to get a strawberry lemonade blend, it was tasty and delicious. If you haven't had it I would highly recommend it! 

I Love Scrubs, here's why

Have you ever found a tv show that you love to watch and just can't get enough of? 

This would be me and the way I feel about scrubs! This show is absolutely fantastic, it's full of humor that is - I feel- designed for me. Recently a ukulele girl has been added to the show, and she increases the hilariousness of the show. 

Perhaps I will tickle you with a little background of the show, it's about a group of interns in the first few seasons, and then they become attendings. This show is filled with stupid funny humor which is oh my goodness I have no idea how to explain it your just going to have to watch the video clips below:  

Space Invaders


Brilliance!

Now you know why I LOVE Scrubs! 

Roll Up The Rim To Lose...Or Win at Country Style!

Have you ever rolled up the rim and thought... if only I could win that $10 000, or the car? Well haven't we all. I am so tired of going to Tim Hortons and them saying 1 in 9 win and having like 20 hot chocolates and not one of them has won!

I recently found out that Country Style has decided that if you take in your loosing Tim Hortons cup, you can get a free coffee. It's kind of cool to see how we can actually benefit from losing. 

I am still set on winning with roll up the rim, but I mean if all else fails, there is Country Style - no Tim Hortons, but what ever...

You'll still see me wishing I would win with roll up, large hot chocolate here I come! 

BBQ Queen

Do you ever feel that your the best at something? Between me and my two housemates, I feel that I am the BBQ queen, Sarah would be the best at reading directions (we all know we need it!), and Lynn is definitely the best at studying. 

Yesterday, Sarah and I decided to have dinner together, and come on there was no snow on the ground...meaning... BBQ! There wasn't snow, but there was rain, and for feeling a little sick, I went outside in the rain, with an oreo cookie milkshake, and BBQed my little heart out. This is possibly the reason I woke up all sniffly. However, the chicken bacon cutlets that we had were absolutely what the doctor called for! 

As I worked outside preparing the meat, Sarah was inside, watching. In all fairness she did do the sweet potato, but still. We had the door to the back patio open a crack so the cat wouldn't run out, and had a conversation about how cold it was.

 

The reason I am wearing the oven mitts, is because 1. my hands were freezing from that delicious milkshake, and 2. we have no handles on the BBQ and need the oven mitts to actually be able to use the BBQ (there is a handle in the photo...but it falls off as soon as you touch it!!!)... Oh the life of a student, isn't it wonderful!?

Crunch Time

It's down to that time of year again, classes are over in five weeks, you've got assignments coming out of who knows what, and your down to your last $100 for the year. What is a girl to do? Here is a break down, 

Groceries $40 every two weeks

Cell phone bill $50 a month

Gas $30 every 20 days

Now how is a girl going to survive on $100 for the rest of the year when the expenses are clearly more than the money I have? 

My solution may be a little easier than most but this is what happened. I called my mom and asked for a loan, and as soon as I make the money back this summer, it goes straight to the parental-units! 

Heres to the parents who bail you out...

THANKS MOM AND DAD! 

Anyone else feeling the crunch time?

Rain...

Do you ever find yourself having a mellow day? 

Mellow as in, listening to really chilled out music, with your bedroom window open, having your music and the rain falling become synced? 

I find there is something relaxing about the rain, it has an effect on me that I didn't know rain could. Rain makes me feel peaceful, and calm. I remember when I was younger, and I would be at the lake with my parents I loved the rain and watching it fall on the lake, I still think its one of my favorite things to do. 

I believe that the weather has a very large effect on the way I feel, and what mood I am in. If it's sunny I am usually energetic and up for anything, the rain, make me want to sit and watch it fall, preferably at the lake with my feet in the water getting soaked! Cloudy with no rain make me feel like a hermit, just staying inside and doing nothing but napping and watching movies.

While in my mood of peacefulness I found some great music, Joshua Radin happens to be the artist of all things good. I also like, Kate Voegele, Lisa Hannigan, and Emmy Rossum, but just for the rainy days! 

Here is one of Joshua Radin's songs called Today, hope it makes your rainy day better! 

What is your rain mood?

ALERT: Facebook Poke

Have you ever signed onto your facebook and noticed some random person has poked you? Here is the scoop on that... my housemate brought it to my attention that instead of paying these dating sites to find your perfect match, you can search him out of facebook. 

Attention ladies, to find your perfect man simply go into profile searches on facebook, type into the categories specific things you want in a guy. Say you want a man who likes volleyball, attends Western, is in third year, single, and they are liberal. You can simply type in all these things, and your perfect man will appear.  

From this point all you have to do is poke him (if he is what your looking for),  which allows him to see your profile, if he likes what he sees than he has the option to either poke you back, or just ignore. 

My housemate did this and found a wonderful guy and they hang out all the time. I thought this was brilliant. One thing to make sure of is that you don't have any friends in common, as well as not having friends of yours poke the same guy as you. 

Guys, if a girl pokes you, and you don't know her, now you will know why ;) This also works for guys, feel free to poke the ladies you find suitable, you never know what could happen. 

Happy poking ladies and gents!

Butterfly Conservatory

Over reading week I got the chance, with my parents to go to the butterfly conservatory in Niagara Falls Canada. Since, I love making cupcakes, I felt it necessary to go to the conservatory to find new butterflies for inspiration. This post is mainly to show the amazing photos I got to take. Enjoy!