Take our love into paradise.

I'm writing from the winter-wonderland that is Canada and it's been a crazy past 2 weeks. I'm a little sad to be leaving Saturday, especially after all the events from the past couple of weeks. I got into town on December 15th and my Grandpa passed away, somewhat UNexpectantly on December 20th. Ever since it's been so crazy.. It's been amazing to see the family but I feel like I'm in such a strange place. It's hard to find the motivation to see my friends from Calgary when I know there is so much going on with the family. It's been hard. I feel like I've been in a horrible friend but I'm physically so exhausted from all of this. I just hope they understand. It shouldn't be as hard as it is but it is. I'm so lucky to have spent some time with my Grandpa a few days before he died. And he went so peacefully in his sleep... exactly how he would have wanted to go. The funeral was beautiful with at least 300 people attending and 15 priests. Both he and my Grandma touched a lot of lives. I'm really going to miss him. I was also fortunate to be the only one in the family (next to my Grandma when they first got married) to hear "his story" -- especially about the war. He never talked about it to any of his 9 kids or 30 some grandkids but last summer he sat me down and asked me to listen and write a book about his life. I just hope I do his story justice.

From insects to jumbo jets.

I wouldn't consider myself as "one of those" people who always complain about exams and then end up with an A. But I am a little miffed, with my anatomy professor. Our lab final was ridiculously easy and she mortified me before the final by having us convinced that it would be a very, very painful experience. I memorized almost 100 muscles, their insertion, origin, and function in addition to knowing all the bumps and holes on all bones of the appendicular skeleton and what did she ask us?! Maybe 3 muscles (and your choice of describing the insertion, origin, or function) and identification of bones -- I better know what a humerous is by now! Alright, I'll end the rant and stop complaining that I'm a million time more knowledgeable about the bones and muscles than I need to be.

Paul's company party was this past Saturday and I quadrupled my "money" playing poker. They ran a fake casino and I played a few amazing games. It was a crazy, fun party with great food and thousands of people.

2 more finals and 5 more sleeps until Canada. Not much else to report here!

they say it's possible to me.

Wow, it's been awhile since I last wrote. I guess between Facebook & uploading pictures to Flickr, I figured anyone who wanted to could piece together the recent events of my life (with a little less bitching and moaning). But I got a very sweet compliment about my blog from a few friends this weekend which ulimately inspired the update.

(insert very random fact) Lately when I write - emails, even essays for school! - I've been starting many of my sentences with 'But' and 'And'. Growing up, I was taught that this was a cardinal sin. I'm not sure what inspired my recent naughtiness but so far, no one has complained. My English teacher (yes ANOTHER course in English - since apparently Canada's English is too far fetched) seems too "new school" to mind.

Right now, things are going well (what is there really to say to fill a YEARS worth of time since I last wrote). I am COMPLETELY swamped in bones and muscles for anatomy/physiology. I have a lab final on Thursday and I'm coming to accept that there's no humanly possible way for me to cram everything I need to know in my frontal lobe before then. It's actually quite sad that I don't get more time to really learn this material - it is interesting! But (see I did it again), a week isn't nearly enough time to learn the appendicular skeleton and the entire muscular system. (insert singing) The ichial tuberocity is connected to the ------- bone. The Pronator teres is connected to the ------- muscle and ------ -------- bones. Oh well, hopefully the exam won't be as nasty as I'm imagining it to be.

I finally received my student (f1) visa! I'm excited that the paperwork came through and I don't have to worry about having to deal with immigration papers for hopefully a long while. Although, I told Paul that if a certain politician becomes president in the next election I refuse to stay in the US... so we'll have to see.

2 more weeks and I'll be back in Calgary. Not so sure I'm as thrilled about going back since I heard it was -25 Celsius (-13 Fahrenheit). My bones seriously hurt thinking about it!

I better get back to the books. Thanks blog for the few minutes of procrastinating.