stoned

I woke up and was in the washroom when the phone rang. I was figuring my mom would pick it up but then I heard the answering machine go off and her voice on the other end. I quickly ran to the phone and found out that she was in ER with my dad since 4:30 in the morning. She had a lot of pain on her left side and there was blood in her urine. I went to work and worried about it until I heard from her near noon. Kidney stone. Trapped in her urine duct. They had put her on IV and when the pain went down, they sent her home. Thank goodness it wasn't anything major...now it's a waiting game of when this stone will make its way out. Their upcoming trip is of course in question.

chocolate wisdom

however
pleasant the wild
flavour might be, we cannot
imagine eating just one single
flavour all the time, the reason
being that we have been created
with taste buds, a delicate
sense of smell, and a sensitive
appreciation of and
response to texture
and colour.

- edith schaeffer

Both my birthday cakes were delicious! I actually prefered the pear one as it was not so heavy. I did save some for tomorrow. And yes, I did share them too. :)

a year older, perhaps wiser?

A sunny b-day to me! Too bad I still had to drag myself out of bed and go to work. Alas...it's sunny. Sister's off in Europe and will be coming back to the states at the beginning of the week whereupon my folks will be off on a cruise on the Diamond Princess. As luck would have it, the agent or Princess overbooked 20 cabins and therefore offered a June 20th or 27th sailing on the even newer Sapphire Diamond. What a perfect opportunity as they had only paid for a 4 night cruise and would be getting a 7 day, outside cabin with $100 shipboard credit. You can't beat that! Except that they did. My aunt and uncle were also going and responded too slow so that all of these were taken. Well who wouldn't given the chance? It's the peak of summer with the midnight sun but I guess things are meant to be. No point crying over spilled milk...

I went out to lunch with one of the guys who works at the train. Had a nice crepe and then I went to Sen5es to pick up some dessert/cake for me tonight. Were they ever expensive! $5-6 per piece of mousse cake. I bought a chocolate pear walnut mousse cake and couldn't decide between the raspberry chocolate mousse or the pear caramel mousse but opted for the pear so that it was a bit lighter. Though the raspberry chocolate one looked awesome too. They packed them individually into their own boxes and then I headed back to work. D. and I were discussing shows around town and got to talking about Cirque's Quidam. I said I wanted to see it but I wouldn't because it was really expensive, around $80 or $90. He then asked if I wanted to go on a Sat. or Sun. (He has a girlfriend on the island.) I said yeah depending on the cost and asked him to find out the cost of the tickets and what was available. He said he'd take care of it. I said no way! I couldn't. It's too much. I said I'd look into the cost also and we could discuss further.

Spoke with two of my ex-es. T. called from his office. I was trying to connect the phone number with the person I thought it belonged to since I semi-recognized the number but it had been so long since we'd spoken on the phone. He called to wish me a happy b-day. Didn't suggest we go to the aquarium as we normally do each year. Hmm...maybe he's still not over the fact that he missed his b-day invite from me last time? Regardless. He's headed over to Disneyland, a wedding, and a mini-cruise on Carnival's Ecstasy with his girlfriend in mid-June. W. and L. are going as well. I had talked with W. about possibly going when we had our last dinner a few months ago but he had hemmed and hawwed about it like it would be better if I didn't go along. Oh well. They are skipping the cruise bit. Then I called my other ex to find out whether I could catch a ride with him to J's wedding in May. He hemmed and hawwed a bit and said yes. Then I asked whether he was bringing anyone. Yes. Aha. The awkwardness of it. So I couldn't help but be nosy and ask who it was. He said my friend 'C' asked if I knew her. I said no. But I couldn't help thinking, is this normal? To invite friends to weddings? I know J. said we could bring a guest but I always assumed it was people who were close - girlfriends/boyfriends, husbands or wives. So I asked B. to get back to me as he was waiting for her response. I said I didn't want it to be awkward.

carmina burana

The funeral took up most of the day yesterday that I forgot to write about the ballet. A. and I ended up going to Joe Fortes for a good seafood dinner before we walked a bit of Robson and headed to the theatre. Surprisingly, it was quite packed and our seats turned out to be good (close) and also bad (side view was limiting). We were in row 8, on the Left side of the theatre. We totally lucked out as there was a few empty seats in row 7 Left Centre. There were a couple of people in front of us who moved as soon as the lights dimmed but we were unable to go since there were people sitting to our right and blocking the seats. So I waited until intermission and then moved. Those two ladies also shifted over a bit so I was the 3rd seat into Left Centre. Man, the view was much improved!! A. came over to and then another girl a couple of rows ahead of us in our old seats also came over. So it worked out quite well. The ballet itself was interesting - no pointe work, and quite modern, but overall, I haven't been to the ballet since I saw the Nutcracker when I was six so this was nice. I don't know if I'd go on a regular basis though - I still find it too difficult to understand the story without reading it in the programme!

Today is a beautiful sunny day but I'm home, inside, trying to get a ton of stuff done. Mom asked what I wanted to do for dinner for my b-day and I suggested fish and chips. I need to finalize plans for Boston and haven't done that yet either and have been still a bit unsettled about my godfather. I knew he was a nice guy, but didn't know to what extent except yesterday there were about 100 people in attendance and they were all mostly friends. He was an only child. Now that is a life that has touched many.

burial rites: the last sacrament

It's been a long day. Arrived home last night around 11pm and saw that I'd received a birthday card from D. I gave him a call, waking him up since it was already 1am by the time I called. We ended up chatting an hour and a half before I went to bed. I didn't really want to sleep though I was tired. I was anticipating and dreading the funeral mass today.

This morning, I woke up and as I was about to change to leave, I get a call from H. He somehow has a knack for callingat the most inopportune times. *sigh* I had to rush him off the phone so we could actually get to the church on time. My dad was one of the pallbearers so we had to be Our Lady of Good Council early. I went in with my mom and we sat down in some pews. Unfortunately, a few men came in behind us and were yakking quite loudly and rudely over the organist. They just didn't seem to get it.

It was quite sad a mass. The priest said some blessings at the front of the church before the coffin was wheeled to the front. A soloist sang Amazing Grace and the tune was so sad that I started tearing up. It was like that on and off through the mass but at least I was familiar with much of the proceedings since it didn't vary that much from a typical Sunday mass; (same hymns, readings, and communion). The priest was amazing too, an old fellow who looked to be in his 90s but he had spent 43 years in China and that would have been a hardship. Some white guy speaking Chinese during some non-typical mass parts. Quite amazing.

Outside the church, we stood around while the coffin was placed into the car and taken away. My godfather was to be cremated today and the burial is next Friday. I gave my godsister an extra long hug, just holding each other. We both started crying. It's hard when so many people mill about and as soon as you make eye contact with the family, the reality hits and I think - they lost a father, a husband! How awful. At the same time, my godfather had been suffering and was never one to complain - such strength, such spirit, and I feel glad that he's no longer struggling.

Lunch was a long 2.5 hour affair at the Pink Pearl downtown. We didn't get home until almost 5pm. It's hard to say goodbye.

dance away my troubles

I'm going to see the ballet tonight. It's Ballet BC's performance of Carmina Burana. I only wish I could dance and get away from all of this! It's been SO hectic lately that I have barely had a chance to breathe. Took work home last night for fear that I wouldn't be able to do it all in time for today.

They had a staff appreciation breakfast this morning. Was quite good...am off to go have dinner and do some shopping before the ballet! :)

creatures of the night

Along the lines of darkness, I was closing the blinds to my bedroom window last night around 10:30 when I saw a flash of movement or a shadow out of the corner of my eye. I continued to twirl the stick to close the shades when I heard footsteps across the roof. I continued to stare out my window and saw what I thought was a cat or a coyote but it was a racoon that was crossing my window!! It continued to make its way by and then paused and turned to my other window pane and raised its paw (the right one?) before continuing on towards my sister's window. I am thinking it was the movement of the blinds (due to my closing them) that made it try to paw the blinds. I was a bit spooked. I mean, I've heard noises of things running across the roof before and in the past, thought it may have been the neighbour's cat but I woke up one morning to see various birds like the woodpecker, stellar jay, and crow all having some sort of a bash on the rooftop. Anyway, that was enough excitement that I had a bit of trouble falling asleep. Note to self: don't open the window too wide in the summertime! This was a scrawny racoon but they are SO resourceful I'm sure it could force its' way through an open window crack.

The funeral service is set for Saturday. Burial is by cremation the following week.

do not go gentle into that good night

Death comes all around. My co-worker went to the funeral for his great-aunt (97!) on Wednesday. My mom says death comes in threes. Well, tonight after the Costco incident, we got home to have my dad tell us that Uncle Victor had passed away around 6:30 this evening. The last time I saw him in the hospital, he had brightened up considerably and though it was a long road, I thought he had such a great spirit but I guess he was really too weak.

The head guy at the firm came to have a chat with me today. I thought it was really kind of him; he seems to be a genuinely nice guy. We spoke for 20 minutes or so in my boss' office about her job and he encouraged me to put my best foot forward. He offered his no. saying I could call him anytime I wanted and that our conversation would be confidential. I thanked him. He offered support and gave me examples of himself going for a partner position when he was 28!

Then I went to Costco after work with my mother and when we came out, we heard a car alarm go off. We saw a white truck with the driver door open and 1 of 2 guys parked across from us went over and then came back saying, 'I wouldn't go there.' jokingly, I thought. I figured he meant that no one likes being near car alarms when they go off since it looks like you are the one who's done something, even if you haven't touched th car. Anyway, I headed over to return the buggy and my mother asked, "What did that woman spray?" All I saw was an old Honda speeding off. Well, as I walked closer, I got hit with a strong stinging sensation in my lungs and throat. Pepper spray. Then I heard this faint cry, "Call the police!" And saw a woman standing there looking. I waved back to my mom to cover her mouth and saw a big guy pinning a smaller one to the ground of the parking lot. Apparently the guy was trying to break into the bigger guy's truck so he was holding him back. The girlfriend of the thief was driving the car that sped off and had pepper-sprayed the men. There was a friend of the truck driver wandering around too; he'd been sprayed but I wasn't sure why he wasn't helping the guy hold the thief down.

The Costco staff were slow moving. Mom grabbed a bottle of water from the trunk and I ran over to pour it on the big guy's eyes because they were stinging and red. I poured some on the other guy too (the one standing, not the thief). I ended up using the whole bottle on the two guys and still they were stinging. I can imagine considering I had been quite a few feet away when the original spray had happened.

fruit diet

I went to see the doctor about my allergies and after some testing, she found I had cleared 80% of my reaction to onions (from my last appointment) but now we had to work on other things and this huge list includes none of the following for 24 hours:
medication, veggies (including onions), beans and legumes, eggs, wheat, grains, dairy, coffee, caffeine, chocolate, potatos, tomatoes eggplants and peppers.

So that leaves me with... fruit?? She asked if I had any cravings and I said for chocolates/sweets and salty stuff like chips. Damn. I almost think that those things were thrown in precisely because I had said that! Anyway...I've already eaten a banana this morning with some peanut butter and made my way through almost my whole orange. So I'm thinking I may drop by the drug store to see if I can get myself some canned fish. How appetizing. *sigh* Previously when I went to see her, because it was so early in the morning, I'd even skip breakfast but now I don't because I normally have to cut out foods for 24 hours. At least I've smartened up.

eagle spotting

Another majestic one this morning...high up in the grey clouds. I was looking towards the little bit of sunlight that was around this morning when I saw it. Decided today was the day I should ask one of the research partners to be my reference. Ended up being a good idea to talk with her. Apprently the boss has told her I had the credentials (3 year degree). Don't know if this was from way before or recent. But anyway, she suggested I take the boss out to lunch and ask for advice so that's what I did! I guess my boss was happy to hear I was taking her out to lunch til I added that I wanted to pick her brains - not in those exact words of course. So we'll be going next week before she leaves on holidays.

On another note, one of my high school friend's father just passed away yesterday. He'd been fighting cancer for over a year now. It's terribly sad.

wedding music

Went out for a swim this morning - great, great workout! And another hot sunny day...just like summer. Then came home and treated my parents and grandparents to lunch. Came home and did some prepping for the interview and then Jay came over with Natasha and we went through some music for their wedding. Ate dinner and now am sitting here trying to read some more books on interviewing and typing this up. The interview process is stressing me out a bit. Hopefully will be watching a movie later tonight to take my mind off it! Thank GOODNESS there is one more day off. Now wouldn't it be nice if we always worked 4 days and had 4 off??

day at the park

It's supposed to be a great weekend weatherwise. Woke up this morning to sunshine and went to the local park for fish and chips at Pajo's. They have awesome chips and fish. Not fish that are wearing heavy coats of batter but flakey good stuff! Doug met me there and we chatted and walked the pier. It was really low tide so I suggested going out to the mudflats but ended up sinking in mucky mud and so we turned around.

During dinner, Karin Yeung phoned. She's back in town; it was great to hear from her! We talked a bit about our plans for summer and then I watched Gosford Park.

post no bills

If only it were just as easy. My boss pulled me into her office right before lunch and told me that the meeting had been held earlier this week and that they have decided to do a 'search'....meaning this position will be posted externally. Which means, extra harsh competition for me. Extra stress. She said it wasn't really unexpected but that still sucks for me.

house hunting

Spent a hot sunny afternoon condo-hunting with Agnes. She's sold her place downtown (sob) and now is looking for a new place so I thought I'd go along to see what's out there in my neighbourhood and to get some sticker shock. Some places were nice but too narrow and had too many steps. I prefer the flat, one-floor layout. Looks like I'll be living at home for a bit longer yet...