We decided to head up to Banff for a romantic weekend.  We booked a room at a hotel and reservations at one of our favourite restaurants.

So on Saturday we drove out past Lake Louise to Bow Lake [So I had been planning to propose at Bow Lake for at least a month, and I had no back-up plan].  When we arrived, we discovered the lake was still completely frozen over and everything else was buried under 6 feet of snow.

My boyfriend was adamant that we go out to this bridge by the lake to “take some romantic pictures”.

As we started towards the path, another couple came by and warned us to stay on the path and that we should be “okay” but that otherwise we would “fall in”. 

We weren’t sure what that meant so we started on the journey to the bridge.  We quickly learned what the fuss was all about.  Along the path on either side, we could see deep holes where other people had sunk into the snow.  Looking to the bottom of the holes, we realized we were looking at the tops of bushes and the tree branches I was grabbing onto for support were actually the tops of trees!!!!!

We cautiously moved along the path with Neil ahead of me.. suddenly he went down… all the way down! [I had the engagement ring in my sweatshirt pocket, and I was absolutely terrified of it flying out or losing it]  He was ok and managed to pull himself out which was lucky because not too long after, my whole left leg was swallowed up by the snow. I couldn’t get my foot out so I panicked and ended up pulling out my leg with my bare foot out of my shoe!  My shoe was stuck!!!  So neil came over and lying on his stomach, managed to pull out my snow-filled shoe [and in the process gave myself frostbite on my fingers].

At some point, about half way to the bridge it was decided that we would give up and start to head back towards the car.  Had we made it to the bridge, we would then have to get back again..

On the journey back, we had more incidents of falling in. At one point my right leg was swallowed up much like the left leg before but this time, I wasn’t willing to lose my shoe.  Plus, Neil was getting himself out of another hole ahead of me so I was on my own to get my foot out.  So I sat there and wiggled and moved my leg in an attempt to get my foot out with my shoe on!  I eventually did, thank goodness!!

As we walked back, we started running out of places to step.  Each time Neil or I fell in, we created a huge hole that eliminated a place to step.  Eventually, I told Neil we should crawl.. and we did…  we crawled to a fairly stable area and then walked out.

Throughout our journey I can’t remember exactly how many times we both went in but it was a lot! As scary as it could have been and as cold as it was, I laughed my butt off and had a lot of fun!!!

So we were both just soaked.  At the time, I was wet from the hips down and my jeans were just dripping.  We got back into the car and Neil started banging his head against the car seat headrest [lol I was sooo desperately trying to come up with a back-up plan].  I couldn’t figure out what the issue was.. I mean, we had fun and it was an adventure.. [I needed to come up with a romantic place, there was no way I was going to propose in a car parking lot!!!!!]

As we drove, we pulled into  a couple look-outs so I could take some pics.  I saw a raven and another grey bird called a Clark’s Nutcracker but Neil wouldn’t get out of the car.  He was so grumpy [every place we pulled into just wasn’t suitable and whilst Pia was out of the car I was desperately running through different scenarios should I propose at the restaurant later, or should we drive to lake louise? Etc etc...] 

So we got moving again and headed down Highway 1a.. we found a place called Rock Bound Lake.. Neil pulled in there and suggested we get out and go for a walk to dry out our jeans [hehe].  So we headed into the forest up the path.  At the time I remember thinking about whether or not there were bears in that area.. then suddenly Neil decided to go off the path.  I asked him where he was going and he responded “exploring”.  So I followed him.

He stopped in a small clearing that was surrounded by trees and had a moss carpet and we hugged and kissed.  He told me how much he loved me and that we were Soul Mates and how he couldn’t imagine life without me.. and then he said he had something to say to me… I remember his face being suddenly really boyish and so innocent.  He seemed like a kid who just got the best ice cream cone in the world… He got down on one knee ( I don’t remember doing it but he said I started to spaz out saying “Oh my God Oh my God” and then he said “Pia Kerber, Will  you Marry Me?”.  My response was… “Yes, Yes, of course, Yes!!”

His hands were trembling.  I held out my hand and he put the ring on my finger.. I helped because with the trembling I didn’t want it to get dropped!

It was like a huge release though because the second that ring was on my finger, Neil was a huge bundle of excitement!  it was like all he had to conceal from me was released and he let it all out.  He kept saying “we’re engaged!”, “I proposed to you!” “We’re going to get married!” It was so cute. 

He then told me about all the things he thought I suspected because he was sure I knew he was going to propose this weekend [I was sure she had seen the ring box in my pocket even though I kept on making her walk on the other side of me!].  He also told me all about when he got the ring etc.. and that he had a bottle of champagne in the car [It was a bottle of Rose Champagne, as I knew Pia wasn’t too keen on white champagne].

So we went to the hotel and checked in.  After drying out a bit we got ready for dinner and went for a pre-dinner beer at the Magpie and Stump. After that we went to the Grizzly House for our dinner reservations.  It was so funny… all the tables at the Grizzly House have phones at them so you can call other tables.  As soon as we sat down, the phone rang and it was a bunch of girls at a bachelorette party asking if we had any marriage advice.  I laughed and told them that I had JUST gotten engaged that day!  They freaked out and were screaming and cheering.  When they left, they all congratulated me on the way out.

We had a great dinner!  We started with steak tartare and cheese fondue.  For our mains, Neil had the hunter hot rock (Buffalo, wild boar and venison) with an additional ounce of Ostrich meat.  I had the seafood hot rock (salmon, swordfish, halibut, prawns, scallops) with an additional ounce of beef.  We also had some cider.. Neil tried the pear and the apple and I tried the cherry. 

After dinner we went back to the hotel and shared a bottle of Rose champagne. Time to let loose and celebrate!!!

After the champagne, we then shared a bottle of white wine, followed by a bottle of red… Thats where things went a little fuzzy!  I can’t remember much past that point.  I remember laying down and having the room spinning around me but when I woke up the next morning, I was in bed and couldn’t remember how I got there. I was hurting!  Worst hangover ever!!!

But all the good stuff I remember clearly and we had so much fun!  We truly did celebrate!

I remember this now from when I was in a call centre working as a phone rep.  Everything had a place.. albeit a small one.. but things were orderly.  The occasional rep had a horrible mess for a desk but in general, things were tidy. 

I have been getting teased though.  Apparently by moving in my gumball machine and multiple photos of friends and family, I have made the place seem homely.  As I look around, I realize that no one else has brought their own flair to their cubicle… how sad.  I spend more waking hours at work than at home. 

I didn’t actually bring home to work… the things I have here  were acquired for work specifically or were given to me as a gift.  I want to make it clear that I am not making work my second home.  I am not trying to bring home here… I am just trying to make it a comfortable and enjoyable place to be!

I guess this all leads me to the fact that I have a new job!  I was transferred to a new role.. an exciting role.. a role that actually seems to be a perfect fit for me.  Most of all, I am going to be challenged which is something I have been missing for a long time.  I miss being challenged and I miss being part of a team.  I will get to experience that here.  I am in the same company but in a different department so even though the learning curve is steep, I have the advantage of knowing most of the members of my team.

All in all, so far so good!  Things are looking up!

I get this way sometimes.  I slip into a mood or phase or some other category yet to be defined and like Snow White’s kiss, only one particular trigger will snap me out of it.. the problem?  I don’t know what that trigger is.

I think what bugs me the most is that I have everything to be happy for and nothing to be grumpy for. Ok so I know I have a bad habit (unconscious) where I tend to absorb the moods of those around me.. but to my knowledge no one around me is overly grumpy today.  Who knows.. maybe I am channeling someone from a floor below me

I am changing jobs soon.  I have a new role that really suits me better than my current one.  I have an amazing boyfriend whom I love immensely and I have a wonderful family.  I am surrounded by all good things.. and yet here I am… practically sitting in a slump with my arms crossed and a scowl on my face that would scare small children.

I fake a smile as people pass me in the hallways and I am pretty good at responding “good thanks!” when people ask how I am.  Seriously, who wants to sit there and here me basically recite this blog about how I am grumpy and how maybe it is PMS or maybe its just that I am channeling the mood of the guy next door.. oh and by the way, I am just grumpy enough to tell you that I really don’t enjoy idle chit chat and would rather you not ask how I am..

I am sure that would go over well.

So here I am.. I had some sushi in an attempt to cheer me up.  It always seems to help when I am sick.. but then again its not great Kinjo sushi so I am not thrilled.  I also had some noodles.. forgoing my home made dinner from last night’s roast beef.  As delicious as last night’s dinner was, it wasn’t satisfying that need I have.. that little thing behind my right ear grumbling about how annoyed and irritated and bitchy I am and how I should try and fix it by employing every vice available… mmmm caffeine, mmmmm magazines, mmmm sushi, mmmmm noodles… hmmmmmmmmm car wash…

Yes, I did say car wash.  Its a valid vice!  Its pleasant and makes me feel like I have accomplished something, even if it only lasts 3 or 7 minutes or however long it takes… But there is something about going in dirty and coming out clean that is so satisfying…

Wow.. that actually cheered me up!  Thinking about a car wash actually just made the muscles in my face lift.. hmmmmmm…  I think its time to take Mizu in for a wash!

So here I am… a little less grumpy… about to run out and grab some form of caffeine or maybe just something carbonated but in general, annoyingly cranky for no reason whatsoever.. and that gets me even more annoyed!

So it was my birthday a month ago… almost to the day…  I organized a bowling/dinner event and shared the day with two very close friends of mine who are fellow Aquarians and were born very close to when I was. 

Everyone met at the bowling alley (lanes were rented by the hour) and the four lanes were filled with people bowling. Now I don’t know how I always end up in this situation and you think I would/should have learned by now but we pre-paid for the lanes at $35/hour (2 hours and 4 lanes) which was well over $200 for the day.  That included shoe rental.  Well somehow we ended up eating about half the cost because people who RSVP’d as a yes and even got their shoe rental didn’t “feel like” bowling.  Then, they left to hit the casino (half way through the event) So as a result, I spent the first half of my birthday evening frustrated and feeling annoyed that I allowed myself to be put in that situation.

The evening ended up being better…  even though we had issues with food service.  We got reservations for 20 people at the Brewsters in the Foothills Industrial Park. I like Brewsters a lot and even though I had spent the entire week leading up to my birthday sick and absent from work, I was excited to go.  I was the designated driver since my antibiotics prevented me from drinking but I think that worked out for the best!

Dinner was great.  I was able to spend time with everyone that was there and made the rounds trying to talk to everyone.  As much as I enjoyed it though, in light of the overall situation, I decided that next year, my birthday will be very different…

So as I mentioned, I spent the beginning part of February very sick.  I am well over it now and feeling great but I still need to get my mind back into the swing of things at home.  When I am sick, I tend to not feeling like doing anything and as a result, NOTHING gets done.. It sucks!

On a positive note, Neil urged me to start working on a project that I have been wanting to do.. another paper mosaic.  I will post the pics of past projects later on.

Even though I haven’t worked on it in a week or so (I am also taking several classes through Mount Royal University – see future post about that) I am excited about getting it done. 

I am also trying to work up my motivation to get my website built.  It is terrible, I feel like a 6 year old child when it comes to this but I really just want it done.. no hassles, no fuss… I just want to wake up one morning and see this really pretty, useful and complete website.  Is that too much to ask??

I’ve also become really interested in puzzles!  While I was in England, Neil’s sister had a Gordian Knot.  It was a really fun puzzle. I managed to take it apart without help but couldn’t get it back together without the help of YouTube.

Now, I own a new Rubiks Cube (vintage style), a Rubik’s 360, Perplexus and 4 Cast puzzles (Nut Case, Laby, The Ring II and NEWS).  I have also improved my collection of board games.  Yes it seems like I have regressed in age but I am learning that I really enjoy them and really, life is too short to not do what you love to do. I admit though, I use the Internet when I get frustrated.  YouTube is my friend!

I was thinking about all of the people I pass by on a daily basis in the +15  – which, by the way reminds me of a network of blood vessels connecting all of the major arteries.. each of us blood cells or in some cases, viruses… Anyway.. I got to thinking about how I occasionally see someone I recognize.. I started to think about the categories of the people I pass by… there are those I: 

1. have never met 
2. have met but don’t remember/recognize 
3. recognize but can’t remember by name 
4. recognize & remember by name but don’t care to talk to  and finally,
5. those I would consider a friend or acquaintance I know well enough to stop in the middle of the stream of people to say hi.

On my way back from grabbing my lunch, I actually did have the opportunity to stop and chat with the girl I knew from choir.  She barely recognized me which I expected (because of the weight loss), but she called me by name so I know she wasn’t just being polite.

So today, I decided to grab a smoked salmon and cream cheese sandwich at the deli near where I work (Marcello’s).  I won’t get into the multitude of issues I have with this establishment and how I only ever go there out of convenience/laziness…

I walked in and had a plan to try a new type of bread.  The last time, I had a multi-grain (which in my opinion is more of a light rye) and I have lost interest in bagels over the past year. 

I am standing 4 people away from the counter and I am asked for my order.  I have several issues with this and although I knew it may happen since this is how they operate, I had no one behind me so I didn’t think there would be a rush.

So there I am, too far from the bread to be able to get a good look, so I tell the woman I don’t want it toasted (because I thought that’s why she was rushing to get my bread order.. so she could toast it).  Then she gets an attitude, yells “You don’t want WHAT toasted?”. 

I am standing there behind a man in a very black and very tailored suit about to yell at a woman in an apron that I want a smoked salmon and cream cheese sandwich with capers and pepper. I end up opting for the multi-grain bread again since it is all I know and quite frankly, I was so annoyed at this point that I wanted to just get out of there.

By the time my bread is out of the bag, the line in front of me clears and I am able to see the bread options (how nice) and watch her build my breakfast.  Generous with the cream cheese, good.  Good amount of salmon, yum. Handful of capers, great. Another handful of capers… WAIT!  “One is enough”, I say. 

So then she adds the pepper (so I think) and wraps up my sandwich.  Here is where I get really picky and I apologize in advance for sounding like a high maintenance weirdo.. but any foodie out there would agree with me that presentation is important.  She stacks the top slice of bread opposite of the bottom.  as in the flat, bottom of the loaf is now paired with the rounded top crust.  So I am irritated, ready to leave.. I take my sandwich and for some unknown (likely Canadian) reason, I thank her. I pay.  I leave.

I get back to my office and unwrap my sandwich and begin to eat.  OMG SALTY!  So I think, ok smoked salmon can be salty, capers are salty.. fair enough… but the woman put BOTH salt & pepper on my sandwich.  I can handle a lot of salt and this actually made my lips feel like they were retaining water!!

So of course I finish the sandwich (and my bottle of water) and began to write this blog…

I suppose I shouldn’t be so quick to get annoyed… my boyfriend balances me perfectly for this exact reason.  He wouldn’t care.  He would say.. hey its good enough! And here I am, complaining the bread was put on backwards.  I do strongly believe in getting what you pay for (food-wise) but I also believe that service is part of that package deal.  No one likes to be rushed into a decision, especially not first thing in the morning.

Anyway.. that is my complaint of the day.. not a crisis, no one got hurt.. I’ll get over it