Excitement

Oh, so much excitement... where to begin??
First, May is almost here. And I'm seriously hoping there will not be any snow in May!! We were doing so well here too. I even had a tan from reading outdoors in the mornings. And the herbs had just started staying outside overnight... and now there's been almost no sun and all precipitation! But the herbs are on the step now soaking in whatever sun comes their way! And of course May 1 is Beltane so there's fun stuff to celebrate with my Pagan friends.

Second, all my papers are in for the term and I finished grading 120 essays last night. Now I get to start reading for a summer course. So I'm not quite done. I do still have 3 years left...

Third, and this is the best part, Robin and I are house hunting!! We've got an appointment with an agent tomorrow and we've been browsing online listings. Many good options... Now we just have to start visiting these places! Ideally we'd like to move by June. I'll be sure to keep you updated. I can't wait to be away from these walls, literally. I hate the paint (or really, it's just primer) here - hate the colour and the texture and the fact I can't wash it. I hate the "bomp-bomp" noise at the base of the stairs. I hate the carpets, yuck. And I hate having the living room with my work computer and Robin's XBox all together! Oh, and I hate that we don't have a yard or anywhere to plant a garden or let a dog run. Otherwise I like this place :) It was a great starting point, and a very good option for grad students. And of course, my friend Monica is just down the street... Moving will make it difficult to get together spontaneously as we usually do. And then there's the proximity of the university, but I don't have to be on campus that often.

And a related fourth - once we have a home we can open it to a dog! But we won't do that until July when we return from Winnipeg. Then Robin will have his pet and a reason to get out of the house (read out of my hair) and go for a walk. :) And I've told Jenny that the dog will keep Gryphon busy, but I'll train it to leave her alone! I'm not sure she's buying it.

As for new events: went to a surprise birthday party Tuesday evening for Laura and it was a great success, ie, we REALLY surprised her. But poor thing, she'd been sent up to her apartment on the pretense that her cat was sick and not moving on the floor. So she was freaking out and then we yell "surprise!" Of course, she still had to find the cat and make sure he was okay :) Robin and I were the decorating committee and hosts for arriving guests. And Robin spent a lot of time preparing yummy foods in the kitchen - some M&M party pack stuff and home made antijitos (VERY good!!!! Better than at Montanas!)

And I just learned that one of my friends in Newfoundland is engaged. Congratulations Sabrina.

I think that's about it for now.
Blessings,
Mandy

Spring Cooking

One more thing...

It seems I forgot to mention that we got the BBQ a while back - a couple days earlier then expected even.  So, everything is cooked on the BBQ - from Pizza to Quesadilas (I have no idea how to spell that) to good ol burgers.  Already had one couple over for BBQ, but it's an open invitation friends. Robin will fire up the grill without hesitation.

We may not have gotten around to the full spring cleaning - but we are well into the spring cooking.

Robin Multitasking - for Corey

This one is for you Corey. 

Here is Robin talking on the phone with you while playing Halo 2 with his friends. (Boys, if you were wondering why he was playing poorly now you know.)  At least he took his head set off.

You can see Griffin in the back at the window. He's taken to playing outside while I sit in the sun and read. With all the bugs flying around he gets a good workout - and then sleeps off most of the day. It's great: Keeps both cats out of my hair/lap for the day!

So for anyone wondering what's new, I have to give the standard answer of not much.  The sun is shining, the herbs are growing (we can now leave them out overnight, saving us a lot of hassle moving pots around), the cats are meowing, Robin's at work/playing XBox/watching TV and I'm here at the computer...  Except during the mid-day when I like to sit outside and read school texts.

Friends

Here we are at brunch.  The two behind me are the token Americans, including the token fellow PhD in Religious Studies student.  Across from me are the token Brazilians (they're here to bring on the sun!), including another PhD student and a Fool. And in the corner is the token family member.  (The token dogs are in the truck outside the window).  All in all, I think everyone is represented.

Happy Birthday to Me

Thank you to everyone who left me messages for my birthday. They were much appreciated. I spent most of the day out with friends (and thank you as well):
Did brunch with Robin, Chris & Laura, Monica & Denis, Natassia & Collin (the special was designed for me... apple pancakes!).
Dropped Robin at work and joined my fellow Fool-witches at Luci's Mudhouse to paint pottery (Now I have to wait a whole week to pick up my piece being fired).
Then Monica and I found the perfect dessert house and savoured divine cake. (We happened upon it by chance. Luck was my lady this afternoon.)
A wonderful way to celebrate my 25th birthday.
I'll definitely be back for more at all of these places! Especially desserts... You know, Robin didn't get to celebrate eating birthday cake with me... maybe we'll have to return Tuesday on his day off... ;)
Mandy