Mental Health Day

Hey everyone!

So today was supposed to be my extra long day of classes. I was supposed to start at 1:15 in Archaeology of the Greek Bronze Age, then move over to Modern Canadian Poetry at 2:45 and then end the day with Hellenistic Greek History at 4:15. However, I decided that it would be more important to take a Mental Health Day and head over to my Mother's house to babysit my 2 year old cousin. And since I don't have any classes tomorrow, I'm spending the night and going to watch her again tomorrow too. The reason she is down this weekend is because my Aunt works for RDS as a runner and has to work some weekends at the Centre Bell. So since there are tons of sporting events this weekend, she's working and I get to watch my cousin.

Anyway so I spent my day in complete boredom attempting to study and take care of my cousin. I was supposed to bake this delicious Choco Peanut Butter Cake (Thank you Loads for the Recipe Athena :D It has become a staple for me and the fam! ) and I was also supposed to assemble a Black Forest Cake for my Aunt's bday. Neither happened because taking care of a 2 year old doesn't really allow time to do things like baking. Especially since both would mean that I needed to use the mixer and it's noisy D:

So yeah, no desserts for Rae D:   Maybe tomorrow.

What I really want to do is start writing because my Prose is looking very lonely just sitting on my desktop, and it's screaming "FINISH ME!!!!" But I have other priorities apparently. I need to prepare for my midterms that are happening next week ): and I have a Final essay due next Thursday and a small written assignment for Geography due on Wednesday ): So yeah, I'm really busy even though I so don't want to work on homework.

That's it I guess. Oh, I was told by one of my close friends that I should ask out my friend, because we would be awesome together. Which just proves the point that everyone has been making. o.O She just said that I should do it properly and privately. Which is what I was going to do in the first place but the thing is to find the courage and the time to do it at. AND then this morning, on my way out of the house, I was told by Amanda that there is no way on this green earth that she will allow me to date him. And if we ever do start dating, she will kill me and kick his ass. Apparently she is being a protective sister and only wants the best for me but w/e. I just think she's being a major Douche Hat. (yup, I invented a new word yesterday, well I thought I did until I went onto Urban Dictionary. It's a mixture of Douche and Ass Hat only, since they are combined, they are incredibly bad)

Is it right for siblings, younger or older, to be over protective to the extreme and set rules on who their sisters and/or brothers can or can't date?

Time to Catch Up

Salut everyone!

So this is the first time I've been on the internet in about a week. That's right, no facebook, no email, no twitter, no blog etc. I have not been on the internet at all in a week! I know, insane right? And you're probably thinking, Why Rae would you avoid the internet for a week? The thing is, I didn't do it on purpose. I've just been too lazy to open up my laptop this week in lieu of some reading, tv and studying. I've had a few quizzes that I've been studying for and some other things that have kept me from going online too. So yeah... It was hard to not go on facebook for an entire week, but not as bad as I thought it would be. :)

During this past week, I have been helping with the plans for my Nana's 100th birthday party. Well okay, I've been helping with the cake plans for the party because two of my mother's cousins that been planning it. They asked all the grandchildren to take control of certain aspects. My Aunt Kim has to find the balloons to decorate the bar with, another cousin buys the flowers, and my mom gets to make the cake. Mom, in turn, asked me for some advice and help in making the cake. So yeah, (I think it was her asking. It might have been her telling me to help her, but whatever Our relationship is rocky on a good day.) So this grand occasion will be taking place two days before her actual 100th bday (so Feb 20th instead of her Feb 22nd bday) and we're having it as a brunch (11-2pm) at a local bar....... 0.o

Crazy right? Why would anyone want to celebrate a 100th birthday at a bar?  Apparently Nana will love it, because she loves playing the slots and she loves the bar. BUT My grandfather and all of us on his side of the family tree believe that it is a stupid idea and that it would be much more enjoyable at a restaurant or hall or, heck, even the legion. BUT no. Whatever, we're going. Mostly because my grandmother told us we have to go, and make the most of it for Nana's sake.

Oh umm, my Nana is my mother's father's mother. So yeah, she's my Nana Reid :) and as old as she is, she is still filled with spunk and awesome sauce ;) From what my grandparents have told me, there will be a full page (or at least an article) in the Gazette on Tuesday Feb 22 about my Nana, and Laurie Graham (I think that's her name. either way it's the "hott blonde weather lady" on Pulse News. according to my grandfather) will announce my Nana's bday on Feb 22 during the lunchtime weather report. SO that is is really amazing. Yay Nana!

Creatively, I've been in a slump. STILL! D:

I know right, When will it ever end?!?!?! Well I've been asking myself the same thing for a long time, but I believe that I see the light at end of the tunnel and (this goes against all the Looney Toon cartoon episodes that I've watched BUT) I'm heading towards the light. I think, that if I were to be able to stop my dreams from confusing me and putting me into a fog that I'd be able to write something meaningful.

I have been thinking lately, with Valentine's Day coming up, What would be the best way to spend a romantic evening with your special someone? or, at least, What would be the best way to spend a first date?

For me, it'll be something laid back and chill. All I would need to make an evening romantic would be a Nice meal at a sports bar or restaurant (Like Jack Astor's or Le Cage or something) with a good game on (either NFL or NHL I'm not very picky) and some yummy drinks. (I'm thinking something with Vodka or Tequila) Of course, this would require it to be during football/hockey season. So during the summer time (only time where there isn't a game on) I'd like a Nice dinner and then a movie or a walk down around the river or the old port or something like that. Something awesome like that. Is that being too picky?

Oh and to update you all on the romance side of things. Nope, I haven't asked him own yet. I know, What am I waiting for right? Well the truth is, we're really good friends and I don't want to screw that up because, well who am I kidding here.I screw everything up. So yeah. As soon as I get out of my head and stop feeling like a completely useless p.o.s I'll most likely ask him out. One last time. Because I have done it before. But the other few times, I was totally drunk or an emotional wreck and he turned me down because he knew that I'd regret it later because I wasn't thinking clearly. Which is totally honourable. So I'll ask him out, one last time, completely sober and emotion free and if he turns me down again because our friendship is too important to wreck well then c'est la vie and that'll be the end of that. At least then I'll be able to have some closure and get over it. maybe.

So one last thing before I hit the hay; my song of the week is "Because Of You" by Kelly Clarkson. She is just amazing, I love her voice So powerful and yet so dainty at the same time, Quite honestly she makes me want to cry and belt out the lyrics all at the same time! This particular song is so powerful and really speaks to me esp. about my relationship with my parents. I suggest, if you haven't already heard it, that you go onto youtube and watch the video and actually listen to the lyrics. The song is absolutely amazing and PERFECT for this week!

Have a Great Week everyone!

So. Much. Snow!!!

So I woke up this morning, like always hitting the snooze on my cell phone alarm from 9am to about 10. All while listening to Virgin Radio Montreal and pretending to sleep. Since it's Wednesday, I know full well that I have to go into class for Environmental Geography. I was even excited when I heard that the Groundhog announced Spring is almost here! =D

So as I was getting ready to head upstairs to go onto Facebook before taking the bus and I get a phone call from my sister who had just left the house. Manda informs me that the snow is crazy high outside and that if I do not have to go to class that I should just stay home and shovel. Of course, any excuse not to go into Geography is an excuse I'll take. So I stay home and veg on the couch, watching some Doctor Who on Space =D and playing DC Universe Online (Such a good game btw!) 12pm I decide that I'm really hungry and so I put the oven onto 400 and grab some burritos from the freezer to have some lunch.

An hour later I am fed and not so eager to get dressed and head outside to shovel. But I figure that I have to at some point so might as well be now. And Oh. My. God. there was just So Much Snow!!! Don't get me wrong, I have lived on the South Shore of Montreal  all of my life and have seen more snow that what fell today. But I have an eight car driveway with no car port, or garage or anything PLUS I have to shovel the entire thing. Well not really, only enough for 6 cars but that is a lot of work for one person, believe me.

Standing on my stairs looking out towards the street.

After 45 minutes of shoveling, cursing, and tearing (I had my contacts on so I tear up a lot) I have about half of the drive way done. Just enough so that if my car was in the driveway, I could walk all around it and still have room behind it.

Standing halfway down my driveway looking back towards the house

My bedroom window & front of my house

 I also had to be very careful when shoveling on where I threw the snow because I sleep in the basement and my only source of natural light for my bedroom comes in from one window. The past couple of years, when Amanda shovels, my window has been covered with snow from the driveway. I had to move most the the snow from the driveway further from the house, so that it wouldn't pile against my window. Sadly it didn't really work out too well :s

So as I said, after 45 minutes of shoveling, I was completely frozen and looking forward to heading inside and vegging on the couch a bit and warming up. I technically could have stayed out longer and finished the driveway, But I couldn't feel my face. SO I went inside and enjoyed a bottle of water (mixed with Lemon-Lime Crystal Light) and did a few more quests with my Villian on DC Universe (She is awesome!  I made her look like a Erinyes from Greek Mythology)

3:30 rolls around and I figure that I might as well head back outside, especially since Dad will be home from work around 5:20. Which gives me plenty of time to finish the driveway. So I headed back outside, and to my dread, there is a layer of snow covering what I already shoveled. D=

So I quickly get ride of all that, and then get to work on the heavy stuff.  And of course, I take a few breaks along the way to shake my fist at the plow that barrels down three times each side of the street, and thus pushing more snow into my driveway! D= (Curse you Plow Guy!!!)

But then I get back to work.

My tree in the front yard. Covered in snow!

 I am proud to say that I was able to get down to the cement in several areas of my driveway. Removing huge thick slabs of ice from the drive.

D= THEY WERE SO HEAVY!!!!! D=

(I wish I had a picture of how huge these slabs were! It was crazy!)

I realize now, however, that the time I took scraping the ice off the driveway was a complete waste of my time and energy!

This pic didn't turn out too well :s  I'm standing at the street

 So after another hour and a half, and three passes of the plow. I am done shoveling. But I was concerned that my car (a Mazda 3) would not fit!

It did though! Thank Gawd! =D

At this point, I head back inside to warm up and play some more with my DC Universe, Villian! (Oh her name, because Erinyes was taken 0.o , is Epiphaneia)

Dad walks through the door at 5:20 and I give him the choice of Meatloaf and Onion Rings or Meatballs and Rice for supper. He, of course, chooses Meatloaf and Onion Rings. So I finish my quest (Epiphaneia had to help Trigon break Raven's mind and control her so that he can take over the world! hehe I had to defeat Donna Troy, Starfire, Cyborg, Nightwing and eventually Raven herself. I actually was a bit conflicted because I did the same quest line the other day, with my hero, and I had to free the Titans and get rid of Trigon :s Either way, this game is AWESOME!!!! =D I play on the computer, but you can also play on the PS3 ( I don't own one :s ) And you should try it, or buy it or whatever. IT IS AWESOME!!!! ) and start my meatloaf.

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What do I put in my Meatloaf, you ask?.... hehe well I'll tell you!

In a large bowl, I mix about a pound of mince meat with 4 extra hot pork sausages (out of the casing, of course) To this fab Meat mixture I had a package of onion soup mix, bread crumbs, Red pepper flakes, BBQ sauce, Worcestershire sauce and sometimes (not this time though) Montreal Steak Spice and Frank's Red Hot. Mix it all together and place it on aluminum foil in a pan and shape it into a loaf.

In another bowl, you'll want to make the sauce for on top of the loaf. I usually just take out my Ketchup, Mustard and Brown Sugar and go crazy mixing them together until I have enough of the mixture to cover my loaf all around. You'll want to have more Ketchup than mustard though, and about a tablespoon of Brown Sugar. Take the mixture and cover the loaf all around.

Place the pan into the oven at 375 for about 25-30 minutes. Have it rest for about 2-3 minutes once you take it out, and then slice and serve  =D

Now you might be wondering why I didn't put in any measurements. And that is because I never measure how much stuff I put in. I just go by what looks good and add more if I want. I usually end up adding more breadcrumbs though because I added too much BBQ sauce. Oh and if you'd prefer, instead of BBQ sauce, use HP Sauce. I don't like the taste, but Dad does. And thankfully I keep forgetting to buy more when I go grocery shopping so there is none in the house =) And for the Ketchup sauce for on top, just go with what looks and tastes right. If you don't want it, then by all means don't add it. But trust me, even those who dislike Ketchup (namely me) will adore this sauce when paired with the Meatloaf!

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So unfortunately, around 8:30pm I believe that I hear a plow passing. I promptly curse and inform my sister that I AM NOT going outside to shovel again by myself. So she pouts, explains that she was just on her way to grab a shower, gets a glare from my father and then stalks off to her room to retrieve her coat and scarf. Once we get outside, however, we realize that what I thought had been a street plow, was merely the neighbor with his snow blower and the driveway plow that several of the households on our street pay for. Not Dad though. o.O "Why bother paying someone to clear my driveway when I have two daughters living with me" D=    Grrrrrr..........  Anyway so we do a fast clear around the car and down the side of the hedge where the snow has piled up bad, and come inside.

Shivering, hungry and thirsty. I decide to grab another Lemon-Lime Crystal Light and some of my favourite store bought cookies! =D And write this post. All in all it was an OK day. Lots of Gaming was done! (Epiphaneia gained 6 levels today! ;)    )  I got in
a lot of exercise and I avoided a boring lecture in the blow freezing basement of FG. (How I hate thee FG C-070!)

I'm off to dream of hott men and beaches! Night All! And remember to dress in layers! It's cold outside and layers works better than dressing in a heavy coat.