ahhhh....friends.

Friends...can't live without them. They're the family you choose. They're people that you've chosen in one way or another to have in your life. There is no blood connection. There is no romance (at least not usually...). I've been thinking about friends a lot lately. I'm not totally sure why...but it's been on my mind.

I guess with me moving out in just over a month now, I've been re-evaluating my life in general. And for me, friends play a huge role. They almost are my life. With every fun story or "remember when" moments...I always, ALWAYS had a friend there. I don't know what I'd do without them.

Sarah recently wrote in her blog about friends...how some come in your life for shorter periods than others - and that's okay. And some are always there to support you and listen...even if you might not always realize this. Looking at your friendships every so often is important. If someone is constantly bringing you down or making you feel uncomfortable - why are they in your life? You get to choose your friends: choose people that make your life a better one. Here's what she wrote: http://spaces.msn.com/members/sarahowen/Blog/cns!1pAPCTinH6dU8YfslBuJIQ_Q!1986.entry

I've found that some of my friends aren't that excited about me moving out, or at least they haven't shown that they are. I might be sounding selfish, but that bothers me. I understand if some are jealous that they aren't - I know I would be! Just be happy for me. This is a really big time in my life. I've never moved. I mean, NEVER. The house I'm living in right now is the only house that I've ever called my home. And now I'm leaving it. It scares me. It makes me want to cry. It makes me remember all the amazing times I've had here....birthdays, Christmas parties, sleepovers, backyard parties, etc.

But. It also makes me BEYOND EXCITED! I want to jump up and down and tell everyone that "I'M MOVING!!! I'M GETTING MY OWN APARTMENT!!! I'M GONNA BE INDEPENDENT!!!" Okay. I'll also be just a *bit* poorer...but I'll have my own kitchen. I won't be able to go to as many concerts...but I'll have my own front door. My own living room. My own dish scrubber god dammit!!! It will all be m-i-n-e. (Well, some will be Meg's too...lol.)

Sigh. I'm not really sure where I'm going with all of this. I just know that some friends haven't been that fun to be around lately because of my moving. They're very "me, me, me" - at a time when I don't have the energy or honestly, the desire - to be all that supportive. It can be very frustrating. I'll say something about new dishes I've recently bought...and then they'll say "oh yeah...I've got dishes at home too." Right. Okay. That's nice. Except, you know what? You're NOT MOVING OUT! ARGH. I am. Not you. When you are, I'll be nice and supportive and jump for joy too! Just be excited with me right now.

Wow, I sound like a real bitch. I'm really not trying to be!! I'm just speaking my mind... Okay....moving away from the moving topic...back to friends.

I have this amazing group of friends. Some of them are from long ago...friends that have changed in the past few years as much as I have. I'm so glad I met them then...because honestly, I have no clue where I would meet them today! And if they weren't in my life...I wouldn't be the person I am. I owe them so much. We do have our differences...but we always find our way back to each other. Sometimes we're close and other times we drift apart - but that's okay. We always find a way to reconnect...after all - we have a history. That's something that nobody can ever take away from us. Then. There's these newer friends. They're a bit more on the wild side...they like to party it up a bit more...they're my bar friends. Hahaha. They're my band lovin' friends. I'm closer to some of them than others, and like all friends we go through phases! I almost always have a blast with these guys...and I can guarantee that 99% of the time when I've had too much to drink - these friends are there getting drunk with me! I love them to bits. Haha. Then there's the "church" friends, the "internet" friends (yes, it's true, hahaha) and my beloved "work" friends. It's amazing the places that you meet your friends. My closest friends come from the most eclectic mix of places. Maybe that's just the kind of person I am. Maybe I need that mixture...who knows.

All I really know, is that I love my friends. And I'm sorry if sometimes I don't show it or if I don't call you or if I don't act excited about seeing you (that's awful, haha). But I am. I'm only human and I get tired. I can be emotional. I'm almost always stressed out. My life is currently undergoing some massive changes...just let me be who I need to be right now, and I'll see you all at the end....whenever that may be...lol.

Ok. Rant over.

xo C.

ooooOOOoooo...the hellevator!

Metrotown was a success (for me). I bought black converse-style runners, a black corduroy sack, 4 glasses with pink roses on them, cool silver dangly earrings and a black zip up top. The greek food I had in the food court was yummy (not to mention the guy that was working there...).

Playland. OMG. SO FUN! I can't believe I hadn't been for SEVEN YEARS! That's so retarded. Katya, Candice and I went - and we had such an awesome day. I have found my new favourite ride: The Hellevator!!!! IT ROCKS. SERIOUSLY. Hehehe. Not such a big fan of the Corkscrew - my head hurt afterwards :( Log ride was fun as always - same with the swing. I can't wait to go again during the PNE. Heehee.

My mom and sister came home. They had many stories and adventures to share. The bought me a couple of cute lil' things. *grin* It was weird having people in the house again...I'd gotten so used to it being all to myself. Ahhh...not much longer and I WILL have my own (will, almost) place...:D (Speaking of which, I saw the cutest PINK vacuum today!!! I almost died!)

Last night after work, I went to the Vancouver Chinatown Night Market with my mom and her friend. It was alright. None of us bought anything, although I did see a couple of cute bracelets and purses. But I didn't like them or want them enough to get them. There was a cute guy selling movies (sketchy ones mind you, as in, not legal perhaps? LOL)....he totally checked me out. Mmmm. If I hadn't been there with my mom then I might've flirted more back. Ahem. (Not that I'm looking at getting involved with men doing shady business or anything....lol. Katya and Candice know what I'm talking about here...certain phone calls on Thursday, hahaha.

After the Night Market, we went to La Casa Gelato - where they have 230 flavours!!! Ooh la la! I got Granny Smith Apple sorbetto and Hedgehog gelato...soooo yummmmy! :P

I worked super early today - 7am. It was a crazy shift since we were short one person...ahhh! Gotta love the "Sunday church rush" while missing a person. OY! We survived though. Just barely. Haha. I'm opening tomorrow (NOOO!!!) and I've got the 6am shift on Tuesday. So no late nights anytime soon for moi! lol.

Well, just in case I don't post something tomorrow...

HAPPY 3rd BIRTHDAY ERIC!!! (I can't believe he's three already...he was born when I was in Newfoundland....that's just crazyness...!)

xo C.

vanilla stoli and living solo

Since Saturday at some point (before I got home from Candice's house), my mom and sister have been out of the house. They went on a little road...any excuse to go out in the new car. Hehe. My mom of course had wanted me to come too, but, well, I had to work...and honestly, the prospect of having the house to myself for a week...well. It was mind-blowing.

Since I don't drive, everyone at work has been great too - Katie drove me home after work last Saturday (it was 11pm) and Jenna picked me up for my 6am shift on Monday. My store rocks. That's all there is to it. :)

Mostly during these past few days, if I haven't been at work, I've been lounging at home. In the backyard with my book - getting some sun. Watching an always fantastic episode of Friends or Sex and the City...and of course, catching up with emails and friends. Life's been good. I even managed a mini-grocery shopping trip with Katya...I needed lettuce and tomatoes. I felt so grown up.

Today was awesome though. I woke up and decided to dye my hair. I dyed it the same colour I did about 6 weeks ago...but it had all but faded. It's very dark and a bit red. It's great. Then. It was time to pick my outfit. For what you ask? For a job interview. That's riiiight. I had one today! I picked out a great outfit (black flats, black strapless dress, with a fuschia button up shirt on top - and buttoned up...so it looked like I was wearing a skirt; hair in a low, loose bun) and called a taxi. Yes. That's right. I didn't want to arrive at the interview all hot and sweaty - it was at 1:30pm after all. Almost the hottest time of the day. The interview went good I thought...so hopefully I'll have some great news to share soon!!!

After the interview was done with, I walked over to Starbucks...sigh. I felt great, the weather was great, and well, I looked pretty good too. LOL! I undid the buttons on the shirt, and let down my hair....ahhh...summer! Got home and just chilled for the afternoon. Talked with Katya about her coming over tonight...

And she came around 8pm. We got take out from Moxies (the most brilliant idea EVER!) and watched 3 back-to-back episodes of Sex & the City. Oh yes. And we each had a drink: Katya - her mojitos, and me - my vanilla vodka and coke. MMMM. (I'm currently drinking the vv with 7-up...hehe).

After Katya left, I watched a few music videos....and two were fabulous: GBS' "Clearest Indication" - I almost cried. And a couple of hours later, U2's "City of Blinding Lights"!!! The one they filmed at GM Place!!! I almost cried again. It was the concert I was at. It was awesome. And now, as I'm typing, there's a Crush video on. Yay me!

In other news, Happy (belated) 1st Birthday to Sean!

Tomorrow I'm going shopping with my Surrey Girls - Katya and Candice. Heehee. We're doing the total 'burbs thing, and going to Metrotown. Oh yes. And Playland with them (& Kasha) on Thursday...WEEEEEEEEEE!

Hope everyone's enjoying this awesome summer...I've been loving it so much that I almost don't want it to end. I say 'almost' because this Fall will be one of the best ever. New job (or at least location), new home, new roommate...new life. I can't wait.

Really. When will October be here? Just like that Green Day song, "wake me when September ends..." hehe.

xo C.

Wise words by Maya Angelou

Photo: Meg, Di, Steph and me last October in Winnipeg....good times. ;)

*I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.

*I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.

*I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.

*I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as "making a life.

*I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.

*I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back.

*I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.

*I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.

*I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.

*I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.

*I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will NEVER forget how you made themfeel. Good or Bad.

how can it be august already? i don't get it...lol.

So the Highballs were lots of fun. I went with Amy, Katie and Andrea - me and Andrea went up and danced. SO fun. Must get those blonde sisters out on the dance floor. Hee hee. We ended up taking the night bus home, well, to Amy and Katie's, and we didn't get there till after 3am. SO late!! I don't think we got to sleep before 5pm either. They've got this huge California King size bed in their basement (bow wow chicka chicka bow wow, lmao), so the three of us and their dog, Doyle, spent the night there. HUGE bed. LOL. The next morning came far too early. My hair looked cool though. (It had been in a french braid the night before).

Let's see....worked a couple of times....met up with Katya....the usual....I did go out on Friday though...

I met up with Amy at Broadway Station and we headed down to W.4th. We walked down one side and up the other, stopping to do a bit of shopping along the way. Tres fun! After purchasing items such as fancy soap, rubber lobsters, sparkly bracelets and getting fabulous perfume samples...we went to Darby's pub. Supertonic was playing there, and they'd only just begun when we walked in. I hadn't seen them play for several monthes, so it was fun seeing the guys again. (c'mon...c'mon...lmao. inside joke...hehe). Katie joined us a few hours later once she was done work. I drank so much that night. Omg. It had been awhile too. Lol. I had...umm...a pear cider, a mango cocktail, a vodka seven, 2 vanilla vodkas and cokes and a shot of goldschlager (sp??)...oy!!! Didn't get home till late, but it was a fantastic evening. I absolutely love hanging out with the Elvidge girls. They just make me laugh and smile so much! Ahh! Love them to bits!! :D

I was soooo hungover the next day at work. Omg. I didn't even start until 2:30pm. Hahaha. I survived though.

Worked 8-something to 4-something yesterday and then met up with Katya after dinner...for, well, what else? Dessert! Hehe. Went up to Planet Java and had a fabulously long and girlie discussion. Talked about everything...and everyone. Ahem. Talked about boys in our life now, jobs, moving out, parents, siblings, boys that used to be in our life, and really, just life in general. We've been having some pretty deep conversations lately. I guess they just seem to flow when you've got important things to discuss....sigh.

Worked early this morning (yes, I'm working oodles lately. Over 30 hours a week....woohoo!), and it was a nervous day for me. I kept trying to tell a coworker of mine something and well, for some bizarre reason I kept clamming up and not knowing how to say it. Argh! I finally told her though and it feels much better now. And yes, it of course has something to do with a boy. And a crush. But that's all I'm saying! Heehee...*blush*...

Didn't do much after work...took a nap...woke up feeling icky...cancelled plans...made new, last minute plans...now I'm home...doing this...and going to bed shortly.

And it's now August 1st. How the hell did that happen? Sigh. This year is way more than 1/2 over now. Ahhh! Okay, okay. I'll stop whining now.

I'm going to go to sleep now. I work in the morning. And I feel like having a fabulous dream.

xo C.