Bald Eagle

WHAT a day! I had my med calculation exam and sadly I will have to re-write it. With a couple calculation errors, I am ready to kick this test in the butt and be done with it. Have no fear; I’m still a good nurse... I just might over dose you, no big deal though (at least you won’t feel a thing)! Ok, now that probably isn’t the best thing to say, but in all reality over ¾ of the class didn’t get 100% so I’m not the only one who’s re-writing!

Doing this blog has made me realize the beautiful pictures I don’t capture when I’m lazy and leave my camera at home. A prime example was when I passed by a BEAUTIFUL Bald Eagle that was perched in amongst some trees yesterday morning! As usual, I spent the entire day, kicking myself for leaving my camera at home. This morning, I grabbed my camera bag and I figured I’d take the same route to school just in case the eagle was waiting for its photo op. I’m not going to lie to you, I was a little disappointed as I drove past an empty tree this morning. For the rest of the drive, I kept my eyes peeled and sniffled my tears away. As I was 5 minutes away from school, I jumped for joy as I saw not one... but........... TWO Bald Eagles sitting side by side (WHAT are the chances)? Not letting a moment pass, I pulled over on the side of the road and took a couple pictures. You should have seen the grin that was on my face for the rest of the day, for it stretched ear to ear!  So here are a couple pictures of the eagles! One thing I’ve always wondered about them is why are they called Bald Eagles, when they aren’t bald? Anyways, here are some facts you might find interesting in regards to bald eagles:

• Bald eagles are believed to mate for life. A pair constructs an enormous stick nest—one of the bird-world's biggest—high above the ground and tends to a pair of eggs each year. Immature eagles are dark, and until they are about five years old, they lack the distinctive white markings that make their parents so easy to identify.
• Bald eagles remain most abundant in Alaska and Canada. These powerful birds of prey use their talons to fish, but they get many of their meals by scavenging carrion or stealing the kills of other animals.
• They live near water and favor coasts and lakes where fish are plentiful, though they will also snare and eat small mammals.
• Diet: Carnivore
• Average life span in the wild: Up to 28 years
• Size: Body, 34 to 43 in (86 to 109 cm); Wingspan, 6 to 8 ft (1.8 to 2.4 m)
• Weight: 6.5 to 14 lbs (3 to 6.5 kg)
• Did you know? The largest bald eagle nest on record was 9.5 ft (3 m) wide and 20 ft (6 m) high. It weighed more than two tons.
• Size relative to a 6-ft (2-m) man:

If you liked the facts about the Bald Eagles, here's the National Geographic website I used! Hope you learned something new today!

http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/bald-eagle/

  

Take a Seat

Confession: I am a horrible PERSON! I can’t believe I never did my blog this weekend, but I have a legitimate excuse. This weekend was busy with Preload, catching up with the BF and studying for my calculation exam.

Now that off my chest, I can finally breathe again! For those of you who don’t know, IT’S SNOWING OUTSIDE! As I drove home from school this morning, I watched as it pathetically attempted to snow. Hopefully, it starts to stick and STAYS! I haven’t even made a snowman yet!

Anyways, enough about snow... I’m so EXCITED and happy it’s Monday! For those who don’t know, Monday nights are one of my favourites and I look forward to it every week. We have family night dinner, which my sister and brother in law grace us with their presence. TONIGHT we are eating chicken pot pie, mmmm one of my favourite, especially when it’s homemade (WHICH IT IS)! Not only is dinner with the family great, but it’s also BACHELOR night! My sister and I got into the show a couple seasons back and watch it religiously. I’m looking forward to watching drama that I.... for once did not create.

Confession: I played Kinect with my boyfriend yesterday, I’m sad to admit this, but he beat me at the dance master. You would think, that I.... having many experience and years of dance under my belt, would excel at such a game. Turns out my hip swaying and moves were just not up to par with that of Jamie’s! Then again, I swear he’s up till 2am, practicing to Poker Face and Man Eater.

Today’s picture has nothing to do with my blog, but I thought it was a pretty cool bench! Hope you all have a wonderful evening and fantastic day tomorrow! Happy Monday Everyone!

Weekend Mistake

I can’t believe I didn’t get around to doing my blog this weekend! It seemed like time flew by fast. I decided to explain myself a bit more in my next post, but here are two pictures I took a while back with a friend. We experimented with our shutter speeds and aperture settings. This is what became of it. 





Vancouver, Gas Town





Shutter Speed 30 sec, Whiterock



Family Portrait

Pre-Load Day 1 --- COMPLETE!

What a day! I’m so excited and happy to be back into the Nursing Program. Somehow, I managed to wake up at 0600 and make it out the door by 0740. I even had breakfast (that’s a first). Usually I am racing out the door, forgetting my lunch, pens, binders, etc. But NOT today!

I definitely learned a lot during the 8 hours we were kept hostage in our lecture room. Thank goodness we had a lunch break and many bathroom visits. If not, my transitional epithelium would have stretched, WAY too much! The only homework we were assigned was to study for our medication exam, but also to draw a picture of our family! I can’t remember the last time I took out pencil crayons and coloured.

The thing that excites me the most about Pediatrics is being a goof. I can’t wait to have fun with the kids, playing with bubbles, stickers, balloons. Yes, I know... not every kid will be full of smiles and happiness; some will scream and cry..... But any smile that I can put on a little face will make my day!

I wanted to post my “family” picture I drew this evening... just understand I am no artist, but at least I tried! “A” for effort..... right? I’m so excited about tomorrow, for 20+ kids are coming to the school so we can play with them and practice vital signs! WISH ME LUCK! J

Prodigal Shoes

They've returned!

I’m going to be honest tonight, this post was definitely rushed and last minute. Having arrived home only 30 minutes ago, I’m frantically attempting to put a post together. I’ll admit, this blog is talking some hard core dedication. Hopefully I can keep up at this pace once school starts back up.

For those who don’t know, tomorrow is my first day back (preload), so I’m excited, nervous, anxious... all of the above. I can’t wait to get back in the groove of things. I’m not looking forward to getting up super early tomorrow, for I’ve enjoyed the wonderful month off for Christmas. Besides that, my mumzie (aka mom) bought me a new scrub top today as a surprise! This is sadly, another addiction of mine. I have over 20 scrub tops and 12 pairs of pants! Ok... ok..... I need therapy... BUT it’s fashion baby! What girl doesn’t have a shoe, scarf, purse, hoodie addiction?  Like COMMON!

Before I sign out for the night, I do apologies regarding this post, for it is short ... but wait, tomorrow holds many new adventures, which I am excited to tell everyone of you about!

The picture of today is one I took a while ago (sorry I’m kinda cheating). It’s of my FAVORITE pair of shoes. The funny story behind it is I FINALLY GOT THEM BACK after 7 months. Way back last June... my girlfriend got married. Unfortunately with the scramble to get ready at a friend’s house, my shoes were left behind. I just can’t believe it’s taken me 7 months to get them back! My babies have finally come home! So, if you see me in the next couple days, those shoes are not coming off my feet! They are staying on my feet until they rot their way off! ANYWAYS! Have an awesome night!

Dutch Blitz

Today has been an interesting day! Not only have I felt like a drown rat coming to and from home in the pouring rain, I laughed myself silly when I almost ate the curb while walking to work. I definitely did a little free style dance to regain my balance. I ended up working this morning, and let me tell you, it was a gong show.... for I’ve never seen it so dead in all my life (the restaurant, not the hospital – just to clarify). While waiting for tables, my buddy (Melissa) and I thought I’d be fun to wear antlers hats while we attempted to pierce our nose with toothpicks. I will admit, I love the people I work with, never a dull moment... that's for sure! Not to suck up or anything, but our managers are pretty amazing as well!

This afternoon I had a great time catching up with a friend over tea. I felt like a true grown up being so mature and wise. After dinner with the family, I had a wild time at our Young Adults group playing some rounds of Dutch Blitz. Zach (my brother) and I were paired up, and not to boast or anything.... but the Bennett’s always WIN! It’s not that we cheated or anything, but I do believe the 14+ cups of coffee he drank may have had something to do with it! All I can say is good luck sleeping tonight Zach! I might warn you now, that if you’re ever around Zach while he’s high on coffee, you’ll hear some strange sounds/words come out of his mouth. Not only will he do his mating call (Chewbacca)...but my favourite quote tonight was when Zach hand whistled at Reuben and said “I just sicked the Indians on you.”

All in all, today was a great day! I’ve never laughed as hard as I did tonight; therefore, my picture of the day is a game everyone should play (young or old).... except if you’re color blind (I definitely had my moments)!

Toby

Good Afternoon Ya’ll!

I hope you were able to survive the first day back to work and school. I kid you not; I’ve been lounging around the house all day (doing chores of course)..... while watching the Bachelor. Besides being lazy, I’m starting to get the nervous gitters as school slowly approaches. I’ve been looking forward to this semester since my first day in 2007. For those who don’t know me, I am completing my third year in Nursing and have LOVED every minute of it. Back last January, I decided to take a year off to complete other requirement courses (which I did during the summer and fall semester last year). Besides the annoying calculations exam that’s done on our first day back, I will be joining a new group of ladies, many who I’ve never met before. It’s time to put the nerdy glasses away and step up my “A” game to show them the cool kid in back in the program. The best part about all of this is it’s my Paediatric rotation. I’ll be doing my clinical at BC Children’s Hospital; my ultimate dream job!  

My picture of the day is one most of you will recognize! Toby, our PomCHI (Pomeranian cross Chiwawa) has kept me great company today.... reminding me that his tiny bladder needs regular attention. If it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t move off my couch for anything; talk about LAZY! Just when the house grows quiet, I’ll hear a little snort come from his bed, indicating that he’s having a wonderful dream. Sometimes I question about his.... type. Every day that passes, I get a little more suspicious, wondering if he’s a cat in disguise. With the occasional hair ball, his love for dairy and his desire to rub against you, he’s really got me worried. Before you know it, there’ll be a new case of “mad DOG.” But who’s to judge, we all have our quirks, some more than others. Regardless, he’s full of life and enjoys barking at anything that moves. He really is a “MAN’S” dog! He’s a killer... 100% hunters dog, no doubt about it!

ANYWAYS ... If there is one sentimental message that I can leave you with today.... it’d be that, we shouldn’t judge others for the way we look or act... even if it’s “cat” like!

Mr. T

What am I?

What am I?

Happy Monday EVERYONE! I hope you all enjoyed the stat holiday.... because I didn’t! I was a little depressed this afternoon, thinking that MOST of you will be returning back to work or school tomorrow! I know you can’t physically see me at this moment (if you can, that’s a little creepy), but know my heart goes out to you as I wipe this single tear from my eye. While some of you dread the return to your regular routines (waking up before the sun does, receiving homework etc), I’ll have to suffer a couple more days off... Bahumbug! Personally, I can’t wait to get back to the hair pulling, stressed out nights where I begin counting down the days till graduation. Oh well...I guess I’ll bite my tongue and pretend to enjoy sleeping in.

The picture I chose to represent today was taken just under a month ago. I’ll admit, a normal person wouldn’t take a picture of this; especially on a Monday! I actually thought about giving you hints like 1) its got sharp edges, 2) it’s found in the kitchen, and 3) it’s used to grate cheese..... BUT realized that’d be way too easy for you to guess it was a cheese grater.... so I decided to let you guess on your own! GOOD LUCK ;)

I hope you all have a marvellous day tomorrow! Until then, LIVE LONG AND PROSPER!

Samson

 

Post Whistle (Sexy Face)

SAMSON

 As I sit here, in my hello kitty onesies.... I couldn’t help but notice that today is almost over. I’m not going to lie; I feel a little cheated when the sun decides to set at 4:30pm, making me feel extremely sleepy. I donno about you, but it seems like everyone is passing on this new sickness called the “contagious yawn.” Or.... maybe we are all lacking in Fe+ (am I am Chemistry Geek or what?) Whatever the case may be, we need to act and look more alive. If it means we hook ourselves to coffee IV’s, take a cold shower, or listen to my dad sing, we need to wake up from our “turkey coma’s” and enjoy the most out of our days.

Beside the point, I thought I should let you all I know I was super embarrassed when I was whistled at this afternoon; nothing like having your heart skip a beat. NOW now, don’t think I’m just saying this to make you all jealous, I should give you a little back ground to the story. After having lunch with some friends and siblings...  we decided it’d be fun to visit the local pet store nearby. Being smart and thinking ahead, I brought my camera. After snapping a couple shots of Samson the "parrot", I turned my back for a brief second.... and before I knew it, SAMSON of all things was whistling at me! I could feel my cheeks burning as they changed three shades redder. I stood there, frozen in the moment, soaking up the compliment; nothing like a boost to your confidence. So if you're ever having a bad day, I can promise you that a quick visit to my pal Samson will make all your dreams come true. He brought a smile to my face, so I hope this brings one to yours!

Addictions

MY ADDICTIONS

Scarves




Hoodies



First off, I’d like to say HAPPY NEW YEARS to everyone who is reading this blog!! I am so thrilled and excited to see all of my “followers.” You’ve done me proud!

I can’t believe another year has come and gone. It feels like yesterday that we were all crowed around our TV’s watching Canada win Gold in Men’s Hockey. While I was sitting around this afternoon, I reflected on the challenges and memories I endured this past year, some that brought laughter and joy, others with sadness and tears. Here are a couple of my favourite memories:

-          Being re-admitted into the Nursing Program after taking a year off

-          Purchasing my first DSLR camera

-          Family Vacation to Hawaii

-          Celebrating my parents 25^th Anniversary

-          Attending my friend’s wedding

-          Finishing Statistics (Math J YIPPY)

-          Becoming “friends” with John Choi

With some New Year Resolutions in mind, I realized it’s time to get my butt into shape and follow through with my list. My initial top 3 resolutions were as follows #1: Eat Healthier, #2 Get AMAZING grades and #3 Follow through with this Blog! Obviously, we all reach for the stars; dream big, you know.... We do GREAT for the first week, and then before we know it, we’ve pigged out on junk food, we’re tanking on our midterms and get bored of writing blogs. Therefore, I came up with an entirely different list; something more realistic. They are as follows: #1 Get famous, #2 Meet Justin Beaver and #3 Become a Doctor!

I’ve hummed and hawed over what picture I should post, seeing it’s the START to my picture a day challenge. If today is a glimpse of what everyday will look like, I GIVE UP now! I finally came to the conclusion to post a couple of my addictions (scarves and hoodies). For those of you who’d like to know, I have a grand total of 41 hoodies and 35 scarves. I know it’s not a lot, but it’s a slow progression! So, if any of you are thinking of getting me a gift, JUST CAUSE, you can never go wrong with these two options!

I hope you all had a wonderful New Years and good start to 2011!

A Picture A Day

HEY THERE!
Thanks for checking out my “AMAZING” blog... if one can call it that. If you don’t know me at all, let me share with you a little secret. Blogging isn’t the first thing I think of doing on a regular basis, if ever. Over the years, I’ve tried keeping diaries and journals, but never succeeded. English was never my favourite class, for I’d find writing poems and papers tedious. I latched on the idea that if I didn’t have to write, I wouldn’t, resulting in my failed attempts and empty journals.

Starting this blog is a new chapter for me, which is exciting and nerve wracking all at the same time.
This year, I’ve decided to challenge myself, to step out of this “uncomfortable bubble” and open up my thoughts and ideas to all of you. Don’t get me wrong here, I’m not about to pour my heart and soul out to you, but I’d love to share this journey of “A PICTURE A DAY.” This is a challenge I want to see happen during 2011.  As a new photographer, I want to explore and capture the art that is around us daily, that we take for granted. For the next 365 days, I will post pictures I capture each day and hope to write a little blurb about it. I’m not promising an essay every time, but I hope this is something you may look forward to... and even enjoy!

So for the next year, I hope you can take this journey with me and see the beauty I see daily!