Almost time

Leaving for Newfoundland on Thursday morning. Only 1 day of work left before the trip! And, my boss won't be in the office tomorrow, so he won't be able to leave me a hige pile of work to do before I leave; I will have a hard enough time getting all my work done.

I am seeing Star Wars tomorrow with the guy. I wasn't going to bring up seeing each other again since I was getting the feeling like it was always my idea to get together, but he brought it up, so that's cool. Guess that means I'll have to tape the season finale of Lost and watch it when I get home. Then I have to get up at 5am to leave for the airport, so I'm guessing I will be tired, but oh well, hopefully the date will be worth being tired the next day for ;)

I had a good weekend, even though the weather wasn't the greatest. I still had a very relaxing time at the cottage. My brother brought his new girlfriend for the day on Monday, so we all got a chance to meet her. She seems quite nice, so that's cool. It's good to see my brother happy because his last relationship was the whole on agian off again roller coaster ride for years.

That's about all I have for now. Loved the finale of 24 last night, I just hate having to wait until January for the new season! But, I must say, it was nice for them to just show the entire season without any repeats, so I guess that's the trade-off.

I'll have to post all about my trip when I get back!

Let the weekend begin!

Yay! It's the first long weekend of the summer. And what a way to kick it off! I just spent the afternoon sitting on a patio suckin back a few cold ones. It was really nice. My group at work went out for a celebratory luncheon for the afternoon to celebrate our efforts over the last few months. It was so nice to sit in the sun and drink a few beers. Afterwards, I showed one of my co-workers and one of my other friends my new house. I think they were impressed. I mean, the house needs a lot of work, but it's all cosmetic stuff. The house is very structurally sound, so the rest is just details. I am getting super-excited. I have an appointment with the lawyer in June to get the legal stuff set up for the house.

Tomorrow morning, I am heading out to the cottage for a few days. I really hope the weather is okay, it looks like it may be okay. I will relax regardless of the weather, but summy weather does make it better ;)

1 year anniversary!

Of my job, that is. I have been working at my current place of employment for exactly 1 year today. Hard to believe it's been that long! It doesn't seem that long ago that I was in school.

The guy got back yesterday from his Dominican trip. I invited him over last night to show me his pictures from his trip. That brought back memories of lj, the exaggerator, and me in the DR. That was so much fun! With Tony Thrust, Jeffrey almost free, the disco, pyjama fanas, the gorgeous beach, and the awesome food! I could go on an on about how much I loved that trip. We should do that again sometime, girls. It was awesome!

Speaking of trips, I am leaving for St. John's on the 26th, getting excited about that!

Woohoo!

I was approved for my mortgage! Yay! And without a co-signer!

And I got an awesome interest rate. I did my research and found the ING direct rates (which were the cheapest I found), which were at 4.8%. I was all prepared and when I went to meet with the mortgage specialist at my bank, I was going to ask them if they would beat that rate. But, she said "I don't like to play games, so I just give my clients the very best rate I can, which is 4.79%". I didn't even need to negotiate! And it's even better that ING direct! Yay! I am so happy that I was approved. So, the next step is to go to the lawyer and have an offer to purchase drawn up and then he does all his lawyery stuff like a title search, land transfer, etc., etc., etc. So, I think I will meet with the lawyer sometime in the next few weeks to get it all straightened out. I'm getting more excited since it's getting all finalized and stuff. Not just talk anymore. I can't wait!

Good weekend all around.

Except my bum feels differently. I went for a 28 km bike ride today and I borrowed my brother's bike, which doesn't have shocks below the seat like my mom's does. My bum is killing me now. I may have to get my own bike because my mom and I want to go for a bike ride together every weekend, and there's no way I can handle any more on my bro's bike! It even has a special ladies seat on it, but every little bump you can feel. I switched bikes with mom for a bit so I could feel the difference, and I don't think I should have doen that because her's was so much better. Didn't know what I was missing until then.

Last night, I had date #2 with the new guy. I took lj up on her bowling suggestion and it was a blast! I hadn't bowled in years, what a good time. I was glad that we did something a little more interactive for our second date because we had a lot of time to talk. I took him to my new house after the bowling as well to show him around. The funny thing was, since the house is going to be empty for the summer, my mom had the electricity turned off, which I didn't realize until we got there! And of course it was dark outside. But, strangely enough, one light worked, so I was still able to show him around...in the dark for the most part. It was funny.

I had a really good time on our second date. It was even better than the first in my opinion, and the first one went really well. I really enjoy spending time with him, he's really funny and makes me laugh, which is cool. And he's also quite cute, which is never a bad thing either. Hard to say whether this will go anywhere or not, way too early to tell. He left today for a vacation in the Dominican, and I miss him. What's wrong with me?!? I miss a guy that I have only been on two dates with?!? Hmmm, I wonder if he misses me at all. This is one of those times I wish I could read minds... I really wish I knew what he thought of me. It's this whole gray area when you're first dating someone and you really wish you knew what they were thinking. Meh, oh well, I guess I'll find out when he gets back. Either he will want to hang out again, or not. I just hate all this not knowing business. But, I guess I should tell myself, if it doesn't work out with him, plenty more fish in the sea. I've been telling myself that for 10 years now though, but I guess it's true. There will always be other guys, I shouldn't stress over it.

I am now a proud Zeke-owner!

Zeke is my 2001 Toyota Rav4 and as of today, he's all mine. His lease was up today so I went in and wrote the largest cheque of my life. Mind you, I used my line of credit to cover the cheque, so I'm not free and clear yet. But, I am Zeke's owner. Now, if I could only get him paid off before I move into my house...

So the date went pretty well, i think.

So last night I met up with "the guy". It went pretty well in my opinon. I wish I knew what he thought! It was the first time we met and it felt like we'd known each other for awhile. It felt very comfortable and he was super easy to talk to. And there were no awkward silences, so that was good.

He's heading to the Dominican Republic for a week of fun in the sun, so I likely won't see him again until he gets back.

I went to my house today! I didn't have enough time to take pics, but it will be empty for the summer so I will have lots of time to go back. And, if any of you come to visit in the summer, I will have to take you down there and show you around. The house is getting a little run-down, but, with some new paint and re-finishing of the hardwood floors and some yard work, I think it will be lovely. I'm excited! I can't wait until all the papers are in order and such. Then it will be a done deal!

Well, today's the big day!

Date day, that is. Tonight, I am going to meet up with the guy I have been talking about recently. I'm a little nervous, but I think it will be fun. Not entirely sure what we're doing yet, we're gonna talk on the phone to figure it out this afternoon. He has told me he is a little shy until he feels confortable, so we will most likely do something totally non-threatening like go see a movie and maybe go for coffee afterwards. If that goes well, then maybe date #2 can be something a little more interactive.

So, of course I had to go shopping yesterday for some stuff to wear. I got a bonus this week, and I think I pretty much spent as much as my bonus, so that worked out well. I got new shoes, a new coat (it was only $25 at Reitmans), and I also got a new purse. I am heading up to the mall again today to see if I can find some dark jeans. I really want a pair of dark jeans.

So that's all I have for now. I am heading to the gym for BodyFlow (so I will be all relaxed for the big date) and then I'm going to bottle wine (so I will have something to drink right before the date). Just kidding. I am going to bottle wine, but I'm not going to get hammered before my date, not a good idea.

I will be sure to post tomorrow to let y'all know how it went.

Oh ya! Tomorrow afternoon I am going to my house to look around and take pics and stuff! I am also really excited about that! My friend Leigh is going to come with me because he just bought his first house last year so I am going to pick his brain about first home buying stuff. And he says he really likes home renovations, so I'm sure he'll give me some feedback on ideas for my new house.

Should be a good weekend!

Well I'm glad that's overwith...

I am FINALLY done with the Professional Practice Exam. I studied a total of 56 hours for a 3 hour exam...doesn't seem worth it, does it? But, I'm glad I studied so much, because it went pretty well. I would be incredibly shocked if I didn't pass it, I think I knew most things. And where I didn't know, in keeping with my university career, I made stuff up! It was a fairly easy exam. No big tricks or anything like that. I'm SO relieved to have it overwith, now I can have my life back! Hello life, glad you're back, things weren't the same without you!

Thank you for all your great suggestions for first date activities! You girls came up with some great ideas! Thanks a bunch! I haven't talked to him in a few days since I was studying like mad, so there's nothing new on that front right now, but I will keep you updated on developments.

Hey Ladies!

I need your advice! There is a new guy in my life. We started corresponding because our mothers are friends and I guess they thought we have a lot in common. A little embarrassing, but hey, whatever works. Anyways, over the last week, I have been getting to know him on MSN, and I think we are at the point now where we would like to meet up. This is where I need your advice. What are some good things to do on a first date? I think we are both a little shy until we feel comfortable, so ideally I would like to do something more involved than just going for coffee or something. I think actually doing something would be better because then at least we will have that to talk about. Any ideas? I'm sure he may have an idea as well, but I would like to be able to contribute a suggestion or two.

Well, tomorrow is the big day. Exam day. I took the day off work today to study, so I guess I should get to it!

Boourns, gay boys went bye-bye...

and such ended my Amazing Race pool winning streak. I had Lynn and Alex and they were eliminated. Through no fault of their own either! The stupid cab driver took them to the wrong spot after saying that he knew where to go! No fair! But, I guess I shouldn't make excuses, they lost, and I'm mad. I was hoping I could extend my Amazing Race pool winning streak to 3, but no dice.

I was so proud of Joice for shaving her head...that must have been hard. I can say I would do that for a 1 in 4 chance and a million bucks, but I think when you are actually faced with the decision, it's a whole different ball game. And she looked to beautiful with a shaved head! I think it she is one of those women who can really pull it off (or shave it off, less painful) ;)

Not too much new here. I am gearing up for the big day: D-day as I like to call it. Ah yes, the big exam day. I will be so glad when Saturday at 5:00pm rolls around! I will have so much less stress in my life! I say that, but in reality I am buying my car in 2 weeks (end of lease), I am buying a house this summer, and I am a new project manager at work. So it doesn't sound like my life will be less stressful! But, at least I should have more free time. I really miss my friends, it has been too long since we've gotten together! Must get together soon!

I hate being cooped up inside when the weather is so nice!

I have been studying all day and I think I will soon go crazy. I will be SOOOO relieved when this exam is overwith...only a week to go! Then my stress level will be significantly reduced and I can concentrate on more important things....like finalizing the house stuff and spending time with my friends whom I have neglected in the last few weeks because I have spent almost all my weekend time studying.

I am starting to learn the ropes of the project management stuff. I now know how to open a new project, set up inviocing templates, and I have reviewed the proposals so that I know what we said we would do. I think things will get complicated because there is so much I have to keep track of all at once! I have to keep track of all the aspects of all these projects...yikes! I think that I need to spend some time getting acquainted with the sites. We are doing spring surveying at some of the sites in a couple weeks, so I think I will go and be the "Rod man" so that I can at least see some of the sites since there are still a few of them that I haven't been to. That's the plan anyways.

I am considering doing a triathlon this summer. I have always wanted to do one. There is one in Peterborough on July 10. It is a 750m swim, 20 km bike, and then a 5 km run. I think that's do-able! I think the swim should be no problem, the bike should be okay, it's the run that will be hard. I can run 5 km, but I have only ever done that by itself, not after a long swim and bike! At least the good news is that if I am pooped by the time I get to the run, I can walk for a bit to catch my breath. Since this will be my first time, my goal is just to finish, I don't care about my place or time. Then, if I do another one later on, I can try to improve my time. I really need to get back into shape, and I think this just might be the kick in the butt I need. Plus, when my exam is done, I will have way more time for exercising.

Me? A Project Manager?!?

Yes, that's right, I am now the project manager for 14 waste disposal sites in Eastern Ontario. I had a big meeting yesterday with my supervisor and two other colleagues, and my boss thinks I'm ready to be a project manager, so woohoo! What a HUGE leap in my responsibility level at work! I will be in charge of managing 14 waste disposal sites, so I will look after the budgeting, invoicing, making sure all ministry deadlines are met, making sure all monitoring and compliance work is done, attending meetings with the client, etc. I can't believe it! I didn't think that after only a year of working there I would be a project manager! It will be quite challenging, especially in the beginning while I am learning the ropes. I hope I do a good job! If I succeed and show that I am good at this, I will get a pretty substantial raise too! It's weird though that here I am, just 24 years old, and I will be assigning tasks to people who are way older than me and have been with the company for way longer. Seems a little strange, but I'll take it!

Not much has happened on the house front lately. I write my Professional Practice Exam in two weeks, so after that is overwith, I will get the mortgage stuff set up. Man, I can't wait until it is finalized! I went to Ikea last weekend to look around, and I was quite impressed with a lot of the stuff! I found a really nice couch for $499 and a sweet dining room table that has 2 extra leaves to put in (so it can go from seating 4 to seating 8) for only $239! I was sooo impressed! I think I will be getting a lot of my furniture there. They have such good prices! I'm just not a big fan of their beds. I think I will get my bed at like the Brick or Leons because then I will have like a year or something to pay it off. Sounds good to me! I'm just trying as hard as I can to keep my mind off the house stuff until my exam is overwith, but it's so hard! Speaking of which, I should get studying... Just when you thought school was over for good, you find yourself spending most of your free time studying...Funny how that works...

Winter just had to hold on...

Man, I guess spring isn't here yet! I was driving home from lj's place last night and it was fine until I got to the 115, then it was like hitting a wall: snow everywhere! Cars were all over the road, in the ditches, there was one point when traffic was completely stopped because a stretch limo had spun out and was blocking both lanes. That stopped traffic completely for about a half hour. I did not move an inch in that time. What I found amusing was there was a large 18 wheeler truck and pulled up on the sholder next to me and pulled out his guitar and started playing to pass the time! I had to laugh at that. It took me almost 2 hours to get up the 115 (when normally it would about about 30 - 40 minutes). It was nuts. I was so glad to get home safe and sound. I guess spring isn't here after all. Boo to that.

I really need to get my act together with studying for the PPE. I have only spent 24 hours studying so far, they say you need at least 40, and the exam is in less than 3 weeks. I am finding it hard to get motivated. Hopefully I will get my butt into gear and push through some more studying over the next few weekends so that I can pass. I can't wait until April 23rd at 5:00pm (that's when the exam is over)!

Yes, another amazing race pool!

I am in yet another Amazing Race pool at work. The way we worked this one was we drew numbers from a hat and then got to pick a team in the order of numbers so each team was only picked once. I drew a 4, so 3 teams were already gone when it was my turn to pick. But, I still got my second favorite team, so it's all good. I have Lynn and Alex (the gay guys). I think they will do pretty well since they seem to be one of the stronger teams. If I win this pool, it will be the third Amazing Race pool in a row that i have won!

I am also in a Survivor Pool as well. We got to draw two names (I drew Ian and Wanda) and then we got to make 3 picks as well (I picked Katie, Bobby-Jon, and Gregg). We made these draws before the first episode and the picks before the second episode. I have yet to wina survivor pool, so maybe I'm due this time! Unlike with the Amazing Race pool, the survivor pool has more than one person on each survivor contestant. So, even if one of my contestants win, doesn't mean I am guaranteed the money. I would have to fight for it "Survivor style" (whatever that means, eating worms, maybe? or trivia? who knows) with the other people in my office that have the same pick. I find it makes the shows a lot more fun to watch when you have certain people you are cheering for.

Thanks for all your comments on my soon-to-be-mine house! I am soooo excited! It makes it really concentrate on studying (I am writing the PPE on April 23rd). After I write the exam, I will have more time to devote to researching mortgages, gathering decorating ideas, etc. I am trying to remain focused on studying, but it is so hard! I wish I could just put the house stuff out of my mind for the next month, but that's impossible! I have already spent about 22 hours studying, so I am well on my way. I think it will be fine; I will just be so relieved when April 23rd is over!!! Then I can really concentrate on my house! It will also be really exciting when I can go into the house to look around. I'm planning on doing that in the last week of April.

Wow, I must be growing up!

I have some incredibly exciting news! Now, before you all get carried away, it has nothing to do with a new man in my life (I am still single)...it is way better than a new man! I am going to buy my first house!! So, for those of you who are not interested in reading all about my house, you might as well stop reading now because that's all this post is going to be about.

I have been thinking about getting my own place for a few months now. I went into the bank to meet with a mortgage specialist just to get a ballpark idea of how much I could afford to spend on a house. I was a little disappointed with the amount, but I guess I have to realize that I only have one income, so I can't expect to get a killer house. So, over the last few months, every saturday when the paper comes, I would take out the real estate section and read it. And I was getting a little more discouraged because it seemed like all the houses that were within my price range were either tiny little bungalos or townhomes. I really wanted something a little bigger so that I could build an apartment in a portion of it so I could rent out the apartment to make money to help pay the mortgage. And I really wasn't finding that anywhere.

Then, on Sunday, my mom said "Why don't you buy our rental property?". What an amazing idea! I would love to live there, I just never thought my parents would want to sell it!

My parents own a house just around the corner from where we are now and have rented it out for about 14 years now. My family lived in the rental house from about 1982 until 1991, so I spent a lot of my childhood there. The truth is that my parents could really use the chunk of change from the sale of the house to get out of debt. Selling the house and getting out of debt would be a real answer to prayer for them. Owning my own house is a dream come true for me. I will get to buy this gorgeous house with 4 bedrooms, it's two floors (plus basement and attic), has a huge backyard, detached garage, and it backs right onto the Rotary-Greenway trail, which is where I do a lot of running and walking Koby. And, the house has a walk-out basement, so the plan is to convert the basement into an apartment to rent out! My dad is a master carpenter, so he's going to do all the renovations for me! Yay! The house is getting a little run-down since it has been a student rental for so long, but I know how nice it can get, because it was beautiful when I lived there, it just needs a little work here and there.

Oh wait, it gets better, my parents have offered to let my buy it for $25,000 less than the appraised price!!!! Otherwise, I would never be able to afford such a large house, but they offered it to me for a good deal! My Oma gave my mom a lot of money towards her first home, so I guess my parents want to do the same with me! I'm so excited I can barely sleep at night! My mind is running wild with all the possibilities!

Okay, there is one down side. There are new tenants moving in as of May 1st (they just signed the lease a couple weeks ago). So, I can't move into the house until May 1, 2006 even though the closing date of the sale will be August 1, 2005. So, I will own the house for 9 months before I can move in. Bummer, eh? But, that just means I will get the $1200 a month from the rental income to pay the mortgage and I can save the rest for the renovations and furniture and such. Legally, I can kick the tenants out since the house will be mine and I will need it for personal use, but they are friends of my brother's and I don't want to leave them without a place to live. And an extra $1200 a month will go a long way. That should cover the mortgage payments, property taxes, home insurance, other house expenses, etc. with a few hundred left to save. I think having some time before I move in may be a good thing because then I can really plan what I want to do in terms of painting, decorating, furniture, fixing things up, etc. It will just be soooo hard to wait! I've drove by the place tonight to look at it (even though of course I know that house inside and out because I lived there for 9 years). And something inside me said "that's gonna be your new home".

Another plus side is, if (or shall I way WHEN) I get married and have a family, this house has plenty of room. 4 bedrooms on the upper floor and 1 in the basement (but that will be part of the apartment). One of the bedrooms upstairs is quite small, but the other three are a good size. I will be going down there sometime in the next few weeks (once the current tenants move out and before the new ones move in) to take some measurements, notes, and pictures.

So, in the next few weeks my job is to do some shopping around for mortgages. I want to get the best rate possible because even a percent difference in the interest rate will save you thousands. It's all about negotiations!

I really hope I will be approved for the mortgage. The only problem I see is coming up with a down payment since all my money in the last year has gone to student loans (all paid off as of yesterday - yay!) and my car (I am buying out the lease May 1st). I may have to ask Oma if she can loan me a few grand for now. Mortgages really are a lot easier now than they used to be. You used to need to have 25% down, but now you can get a mortgage for as little as 5% down.

Anyways, that's my exciting news, be prepared that a large portion of my blogs for the next little while will be about the house and keeping people updated on the status. And if we get together, be prepared for house talk. But, I will try to keep it at a minimum. That will be hard because I am so excited I'm almost bursting at the seams! I will try not to bore you though. I will feel much better when August 1st rolls around, because then at least it will be mine! (even if I have to wait 9 months to move in). I will be a homeowner before the age of 25, which was a goal of mine. All I can say is....thank you Jesus!

Woohoo! Going to see U2!

I was able to get tickets for the U2 concert at the ACC on monday, september 12th...yay! What made me kinda annoyed tho is that they originally only had 2 shows planned: on a Monday and Wednesday. I figured the Monday would be better and then I'd just take a long weekend. But, after I bought my tickets and those two shows sold out in about 2-3 minutes, they opened up another two shows: on a friday and saturday! I would have much rather gone on a saturday than a monday! Oh well. I am just happy to be going at all because all 4 shows are sold out now. Not a single ticket left. They have quite a following I guess. I got general admission floor tickets, so I hope to be able to get pretty close! Should be a load of fun! Yay! I'm excited, now I just have to wait 6 months.

Thanks JetsGo....thanks for nothing!

I was one of the thousands who have paid for JetsGo tickets and will not be receiving the services paid for. I was planning to go to Newfoundland in May, bought my tickets during a seat sale in January, and now am left with no tickets, yet I paid for them. I MAY be able to get a refund from the credit card company that I purchased the tickets with, but when I phoned them last night, they said they cannot assist me until the date and time of my flight has passed. Herin lies the dilema. The next cheapest flight I found was with tango. The only way I could afford to still go on vacation as planned is if I get a refund for the JetsGo tickets I have already purchased, but I won't know that until May. See the problem? I don't know what to do...I guess I will just wait a little and see if any more details on refunds are made available once the dust settles. I just hate having everything up in the air (or NOT up in the air, bad joke). Grrrr.....

Okay wait, I've changed my mind...

I am no longer a closet Kalanadian (see previous post)...I am an "I don't care who knows it, Kalan rocks" Kalanadian! The concert on friday blew me away. I mean, Kalan was good on Canadian Idol, he definately has a good voice, but I thought he was lacking a little in the stage presence and personality. Well, he must have gotten some major coaching or something, because he had amazing stage presence at the concert. I also had no idea of his musical telent because on Canadian Idol they just sing. He is sooo talented! He is an extremely gifted musician, he incorporated his violin music into most of his songs, which were rock, so it was a very unique mix. He played a few cover songs and they were better than the originals! He played alot of his own stuff too. So, if any of you have the opportunity to see him, you definately should - you will be surprised! You should come to Peterborough for the free concert here at the festi (see previous post)! I've been to quite a few concerts, and he was by far the most talented musician I have seen and he's quite a good singer too. I'm sure he'll be the next Mick Jagger, just give him time. Okay, at the risk of sounding like a star-crazed obsessive lunatic, I guess I should stop gushing. You just HAVE to see him, end of story.

I got the major report that I have been working on out today. It felt so good! 1 down, 17 more to go before March 31st...yikes! Good thing I started almost all of them back in the fall. Otherwise I would be freaking right about now!

Studying for the engineering licencing exam is going well. There's sooooo much to study! It's nuts! I'm glad I started 8 weeks before the exam. Definately not the type of exam you can cram for. So, until April 23rd, I am pretty much going to be anti-social, which really sucks ;( But, after that, I will have my weekends free and clear - that's excellent news!

Okay, so I'm a closet Kalanadian...

For those of you who are now very confused, I am a fan of Kalan Porter (winner of Canadian Idol). I am going to see him in concert tomorrow. I will have to let you know how it is; I'm sure I'll be surrounded by screaming 14 year old girls. Sigh, I think I may be getting to old for this.

But, I'm not too old yet! I just found out that Kalan is performing at the Festival of Lights (aka "the Festi") this summer. For those of you who don't know what this is, it's a free festival that runs on wednesdays and saturdays throughout the summer in Peterborough. It is outside, completely free, just bring your own lawn chair, and it's followed by an illuminated boat show and fireworks. It's actually quite cool; people flock from far and wide to Peterborough for it. They've had some big names, I saw Great Big Sea awhile ago. This year, the only bands of interest to me are: Kalan Porter, Thousand Foot Krutch (who I have loved for at least 6 or 7 years, I have all their albums and they are from around Peterborough but live in California now), Tom Cochraine, and Beatle-mania. If any of you want to come up for one of the events, you totally should! http://www.festivaloflights.ca/