We had two billets staying with us for 2 weeks. They're participants with the Katimavik program. They travel for about a year spending the bulk of their time in 3 cities across canada. The first in Quebec, the second I don't remember, and the third in BC...with us in Port Alberni.

Our billets were Teddy (21, from winnipeg) and Ashley (18, from Aurora, Ontario). They're great. Energetic, fun. Really awesome. I got to work with Ashley too because her work experience was in the center where I work. She's reallt fantastic with the kids. They just adored her.

For the weekend in the middle of thier stay we took them camping to Rathtrevor Beach. They've never been ocean exploring before. Ever! It was fun to watch. Their excitment was really contagious.

They're still in town but back at their big house where all 11 participants stay together except for billet time. They head back to their respective homes next week. I'll miss them.

Ashley and Teddy:

Waves. The ocean was a lil rough:

A view of the beach from the trail:

A crow drinking from the tap:

The beach, tides out:

Our last fire:

June's a busy month for me. Other than the work, I'm graduating (woohoo!), it's Dan's birthday, my grandmother's birthday, my nephew's birthday, my aunt's birthday and my good friend's wedding.

I'm going to have to enjoy those quiet moments whenever I can grab them.

That's the main reason I'm home for the weekend. I have monday and tuesday off work too. Monday I have to go up to the school to pick up my regalia and tuesday I graduate with my Bachelor of Arts degree! :) Double major in First Nations Studies and Liberal Studies.

I'm the first person in my family to go to University and get a degree. So, needless to say, my family are all bonkers about it too. My mom never missing the chance to tell someone. And add, "she's going to be a school teacher" with this big giant grin. lol

I had grad pics done and got them back, the proofs anyway. But I'm finding it hard to justify putting nearly $300.00 towards the photo package. I'm saving for the wedding! But they hold onto the files for awhile so maybe I'll just wait.

I'll scan the pics in! One sec...

There's a dozen or so but these are the 4 we like best and are having printed (with the package we chose you can choose 4 poses). The first my Mom wants done as a 16x20 framed portrait to hang in her office nest to my brother's high school grad portrait.

Or I might get just the first 3 poses. It's considerably cheaper. And really, I get a disc with all the photos taken on it so I can reprint them whichever and whenever I want later. Yeah, I've talked myself into it. Just three poses. I think I like the first 3 best.

Anyhow, dinner calls and I'm in charge of the salad which I've yet to even begin putting together. Ah well. lol 

Happy Sunday!

xo

Light the candles and bring on the cake!

Happy Birthday to me!

Well, I'm back to my 'summer' routine. Weekdays in Port alberni working and back home for the weekends when I can. This was my first week back into that 'summer' routine...more spring-summer maybe??...its a May-August thing. My first week was good.

I went early than usual so I could go celebrate with my family (my getting into my program for september) and I had some weekend plans. So that first week felt like it took forever. Weekend was good. Went for celebratory dinner and drinks witht he fam, friends bridal shower was good, candle party was cancelled, girlfriends' Signature Homestyles party was uneventful....and I'm forgetting something. I went to a workshop on monday and worked tuesday-friday. I was really only gone 8 days. lol

The workshop was on First Nations culture and awareness in the school systems. It was good but I didn't really feel like I learned anything. One of my majors was First Nations studies though so that could have been why.

They fed us a fabulous homemade lunch of soup (deer soup I later learned.*shudder*), bread, salads, lots of fruit, fish, and various shellfish. It was really yummy. Dessert was for me unedible, they put ice cream or whipping cream on everything. Sucked...

Oh, after I left on Friday, it...get this...SNOWED! Oh ya, snowed. We broke all kinds of records. Its never snowed here that late in the year before and we got almost 2 feet here in Nanaimo. And...I missed it all!

Port Alberni got a few flakes...a dusting really. No fair. lol

And to think we nearly peed our pants laughing at the weather channel when they were calling for 15-20cm. I thought they'd screwed some calculation up somewhere. The one time they were right...lol

And because I had the camera, Dan couldn't take any pictures. So I only got to see it in the occasional news footage shots. I think we need a second camera.

I haven't heard anything from the lady who hired me for my second job. First is my daycare position, second is this in-home care position. One is days, one is nights. It should work out pretty well.

Anyhow, she was renting a new place by May 1st and was wanting me to start then but I haven't heard from her. I think I'll have to call and see what's what. Cuz May first is just a few days away.

I picked up kinda a third job on Friday. Well, it more or less ties into my original daycare job. In addition to my regular days and hours, I'll be putting in some support time as well. About 4 hours a week working with a child with speech issues.

My school has been called Malaspina university College for forever and I got an email the other day saying that it will have a new name. It was granted full university status and will now be called Vancouver Island University.

I'm not too sure how I feel about that but whats done is done.

What concerns me now is how it will affect my graduating credentials. I really wouldn't mind being upgraded to having graduated from a Uni-college to a full University but i don't know if I want my diploma to say Vancouver Island University when I've identified myslef as being a student at malaspina for so many years.

It takes affect this May and graduation isn't until June so I guess I'll just have to wait and see.

Be right back...coffee cup needs a filling!

..there...much better.

I've lost another 1.5 pounds this week. Very excited. not so much by the number but because I didn't really get out and exercise this week so was expecting a gain.

Speaking of expectations...

I was expecting a low C- in my Math class...maybe even a D. Math and I do not get along. At all.

I checked my grades this morning and the last ones I was waiting for are finally in:

Liberal Studies -- B (my LBST grades are usually higher but I slacked in the attendance department and the prof changed things up a bit and made it worth 30% this semester. Oops.)

Math -- B- Omg...what?!  Yep, not only passed but got a decent grade too! I'm absolutely floored.

And thrilled!

Those feetie pictures for Eneventure:

The first is from a Hawaiian hotel website...

I think it appeals to me because we're heading off to hawaii in October for the wedding.

The second I can't remember which one but I think is from one of my facebook photography groups...

My sister has recently announced she's pregnant so I've been all about the baby thing lately.

I'm off though, I have laundry and a million others things to do today. And lunch...I'm starving! lol

Happy Saturday everyone!