In My Element

I probably shouldn't be typing right now. My wrist is somewhat out of commission at the moment.

You see, I unpacked boxes and BOXES of books Friday and Saturday, by myself (except for Keanan's help part of Sat. afternoon). I was very proud of myself, and I was lifting boxes of books, being all tough n' stuff.

But then, sometime yesterday evening, my wrist started to hurt a little bit. Didn't think anything of it. Then today, it definitely hurt. Thankfully, I wasn't lifting boxes today, just stacks of books. But by the end of the day, the pain was all the way up to my shoulder.

Thankfully, I had planned to go to my wonderful chiropractor this evening anyway. So I went, and he gently adjusted things (I held out my arm to him and asked him to be nice). My wrist still hurts, but I remember from similar experiences that it will feel better tomorrow.

By they way, I would like to thank Keanan for encouraging me to stay the whole day (and for doing my box-lifting). I was supposed to be in charge, and there I was, wimping out, wanting to leave early. But I survived.

Speaking of work, I LOVED today (aside from the arm pain). My boss called many people to come in and help, and it was like a factory in there. And I was in charge. :)

I co-ordinated, supervised, and organized about 10 people, unpacking boxes, sorting and stacking books, and cleaning them. I have never seen so much progress in one day. And I like putting my organizing skills to good use.

I realize that I may have come off as a bit serious today (I was in crazy work mode) but it blessed my socks off to see all those people working hard and helping out, and I really enjoyed myself (until about the last hour when the whining began. Probably not the best example I could set, seeing as I'm a leader and all).

Another small downer is that I had to say goodbye to my engagement ring today. They need it to fit the wedding band to it. My left hand feels so naked! This is what it looks like, in case anybody besides me cares. ;)


I get it back on July 10, at which point I STILL can't wear it, because it will be attached to the wedding band, and I think it would be a bit silly to wear my wedding band before the wedding.

The highlight of today? (Besides the chiropractor, who I seriously love). My sister and mom threw me ANOTHER surprise shower! Again, I had NO idea it was happening; I'm really clueless when it comes to these things. It's so easy to surprise me! It was a small shower, about eight girls. And, um....it.......uh..... here, I'll whisper it. It was a lingerie shower. Do you think any boys heard that?

I liked everything I got. And I'll leave it at that. Thank you to everyone who is so kind and supportive and encouraging!!! You don't realize how many people love you until you get married and move away. I have some pretty amazing people in my life.

Just One of the Many Reasons Why I Love Him

Art went to a wedding this evening.

He called me on the way, and asked if he could dance at the reception (not that he needs my permission; he was just being silly).

I said: "You can only dance with girls who aren't as pretty as I am."

He said: "Then I have to dance with all of them."


:)

Oh Boy

Yesterday it was exactly 4 weeks to the wedding. Am I freaking out yet? Yes.

People keep asking me if I'm excited. No offense, but isn't that a bit of a strange question? Like, who isn't excited to get married? And if they're not, they probably shouldn't be getting married. Sometimes I want to answer "No", just to see how people would react. I think that would be a bit of a funny joke, but maybe they wouldn't think so.

And for the record, I'm excited, and I'm also trying not to panic at how much I have left to do. I made a list about 2 months ago, and I'm adding more things to it faster than I'm crossing them off. This is not good.

I'm back at work again. The bookstore got in another four skids of books late last night, and I had the pleasure of unpacking them all by myself today. (BTW, a skid of books is about 35 boxes, and each box contains approx. 40 books. So: 5600 books. Not as many as last time, but still a lot). I didn't really mind being alone, unpacking all those books.

I don't mind being alone in general. And when it comes to unpacking and sorting books, I like to figure out my own system, so that when other people join me, I can just tell them what to do, and then it all goes very smoothly.

I'm also very proud of myself, because I thought up a different system than I used last time, and I got more boxes unpacked in one day, and also figured out how to make sorting even faster. Go me.

Ooh, and I cleaned my room. Now, I'm normally a very clean and organized girl, but when it comes to my room, I slack a lot. Right now, I'm blaming it on the fact that I'm planning a wedding, therefore, I have wedding-related paraphernalia all over my room. But I managed to get it all organized.

Now I just have to keep the clothes off my floor, and my room will look generally tidy all the time. So far, I'm not sticking to it. There are four t-shirts and a sweater on my floor at this present moment. Dang.

I just realized something: I like getting stuff crossed off my list, but it almost always means that I have to spend money. I dipped into my savings last week for the first time, and already, I've shelled out something like $2000. Don't worry, I'm not paying way too much for candles.

That amount encompasses three flights, our wedding bands, and my insanely expensive medical examination that I needed to have for immigration.

Speaking of immigration, I have AMAZING news: Our lawyer said that whole process shouldn't take longer than six months. There are a lot of forms to fill out and things to send in, and the last step is an interview at the US Consulate in Vancouver. I got the letter today. My interview is set for July 28. The day after we get back from our honeymoon. The LAST STEP!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

I think that's a scream of excitement. I'm just slightly worried about crossing the border before that happens, but we'll talk to our lawyer, and we'll also pray. God said He has a plan for me and it involves Washington, so He's WILL work it out.

I think possibly the reason why I'm not feeling only excitement for my wedding day is because I have so many other things to think about right now. I mean, this immigration thing is pretty much just as important as the fact that Art and I are getting married. They're connected. And then there were all those other things that I have to take care of as well.

Once I am able to relax and actually realize that this is all really happening, THEN I might get excited. Or at least, I'll be happy and content.

Speaking of long blogs, who actually read this whole thing?

I have to go make a salad.

I'm Back (With Pictures)

**Warning: Long post ahead (but mostly pictures).**

So. I've not blogged in a while. As you can probably guess by my last post, I'm still swimming in wedding plans (but not drowning). It hasn't necessarily gotten less busy, but I think I finally feel like I've got a handle on things.

Anyway, here's what I've been up to the past little while.

I went on vacation to visit Art in Washington.


(Art being manly)


(I had breakfast on a silver platter at the resort)


(These grow in Art's yard. Each bloom is almost as big as my head)


(This is the front of Art's house)


(Action shots of Art and his brother Joe playing frisbee in Birch Bay, at low tide)




(Cartwheels)


And that was my vacation.

Then I came home and had a birthday.


(I turned 23. I got cash, books, and a gift card to my favorite, expensive clothing store)


Then my mom and I got into an accident, backing off our own driveway.



Then I had a surprise bridal shower, where they made me dress like a retard Hawaiin Hottie.



(Kiera seemed to like it)


You can read more about the bridal shower here on my sister Elleah's blog.

I went to Grand Forks with my family last week, and boy, do I love shopping in the US. Just one of many reasons why I'm glad I'm moving there. Again, you can read about the trip here, complete with more pictures of me dressed like a retard fashionable lady.

And finally, I recently had a makeup trial. Now THIS is a pretty picture.

Like The Bee

- Wedding plans (that I'm behind on)

- Immigration paperwork (detailed and complicated)

- GST paperwork (there was a mistake that I have to correct)

- PIN number info amendment (there is a mistake that I have to correct)

- Autopac claim (cuz I was in an accident 10 days ago)

- Unemployment insurance (I recently applied - I hope I'm worthy)

I'm working almost full time.

I'm going to the US on Thursday for one night.

I'm supposed to be working for my dad right now.


Trying to fit in 2 chiropractor appts a week.

Then there's Youth Group and Young Adults.


And somewhere in there: Art.

Could my life BE any busier??!!??!?!!??!??!!!

Drop Dead Gorgeous

I am having a really great hair day today.

I'm also having a great skin day. I don't know when the last time was that my skin looked this great.

Great skin day and great hair day, all in the same day? I pretty much feel like a model.

A short model.

Sadness

I found out this afternoon that a former classmate from college died of cancer. Leukemia, to be specific. I didn't even know she was sick. She's actually had leukemia since September, and she died on Wednesday.

Her name was Brianne Tsavatewa. (Saw-VAW-tuh-wa)

She found out she had leukemia (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia) in September of last year, and despite agressive treatments, she never got well enough to receive her bone marrow transplant (which is the only thing that could have saved her. Chemo wasn't enough).

She died on Wednesday, June 4th. I only found out this evening.

I'm not going through a crisis of faith or anything, I'm not questioning God as to why bad things happen, and why it had to happen to her. And I know she's in heaven.

I just wonder why it's always the lively ones. The ones that really seemed full of life and joy and laughter. Okay, I guess it's not ALWAYS the lively ones. But Adam was so full of life. And Brianne too.

What I remember of her from college: she laughed a lot, and she laughed loud. Actually, she was just loud in general. And she often said inappropriate things, which got a laugh from everybody else. And she had that Southern charm that I had always heard about, but never known until her (she was from Georgia).

She was a straight talker. She said what she was thinking, or feeling. When she was moody, she was reeeeally moody. But when she was happy? When she was sweet? When she felt like hugging people? It was all the way.

She was also confident in own skin, even when she had to have her head shaved.

And she was completely at peace with everything, in the end.

Can't wait to see you in heaven Brianne. I'm sure it's a much happier (and louder) place because of you.