Tis been good this week....

So, Monday was my birthday - woohoo, here comes 28!! Last year rocked, so hopefully the trend continues.
   And, it kinda has. On Monday, a bunch of good things happened! First, went to lunch with a colleague, then drove home to find a contract for me to sign (I am super-officially going to teach again lol). Spent time with family, got WICKED TICKETS! Well, I paid for mine, but still. I've heard many good things, so I'm excited. And, another milestone (numbers again) in weightloss world. Major milestone hopefully hitting soon :D
   Mom and I drove to Calgary on Tues. Again, family time with people in Airdrie (without too massive of an asthma attack from the furry friends), and some shopping. First of all, I'm going to have to totally share a POSITIVE retail experience (and since I've worked retail, I'm overly sensitive to customer service). My iPod I bought in 2009 - refurbished - has been acting up for a while. Considering I almost always try to get to an Apple Store when we go to Calgary, I booked an appointment.
   Right away, they offered me a replacement (same model, which works perfectly if I get an iphone this year) at a ridiculously discounted price. So I jumped at it - really, I couldn't find one at one of those liquidation places for that price. Just before we do the paperwork, he decides to run a battery test on it, and my battery has been used enough that I could get a BRAND NEW (again, same model) iPod for $89... we're talking the 32G model, not a Nano. The only catch was I had to go to their other location to pick it up (and it was basically on the way to IKEA). When I get there, the people I talked to were awesome - there had been a glitch and they didn't actually have it. So as "apology" they offered to ship me the iPod, which I thought was decent (I mean, I know inventory glitches happen - and they were honest about it)... but they also waived the BATTERY charge!? So, I get a brand new ipod for FREE delivered to my house as an apology - all for an appointment I was fully expecting them to upsell me to a new model. No selling at all - just honesty. I know that it's a PR thing - I will go back the store if satisfied, yaddayadda... but seriously, I WILL go back. Being polite and honest and not a pushy seller make a great customer experience for me, and they did it to perfection. Proves that Apple really is better :)
     Realized I don't like Calgary traffic when there are accidents: twice this trip, I've been stuck. The first time, we were stuck on Deerfoot for 1.5 hours to get where it only took us like 25, and today, there was an accident with the Ctrain, and I was an hour late getting to my destination. And it's always been on the way OUT of Calgary... as if they're trying to tell me to stay (and find a teaching job? Ya, right).
  Today was the Photoshop seminar. The presenter is the leading authority on PhotoShop, as in all the training online (and official magazine) is edited/run/founded by him. He set up different shoots with different models, took us step by step, from shooting to final product. I learned some, reinforced tons, and have some ideas for both myself and for students. And I got to spend time with a few friends from university, which I love to do :)

   Now, home tomorrow... and more adventures I hope. Maybe I'll remember to actually take pictures... I've been busy and don't have much proof! Guess I'll just have to change that :)

So, summer holidays....

First off, I do love a good SK thunderstorm. However, I do NOT love living alone when the power's out! Thankfully I have an internet stick that runs off cell phone signals and a charged laptop. Way too dependant on technology. It's either blog, or start playing crib by myself, and lose...

Summer has been great so far! I've done a little work on the cabin (staining all the wood on the outside, as per Dad's request) and that's paying off some of my rent for the summer. Also have gotten to see a whole slew of people this time around - almost like I have a social life! (No, the earth didn't just end, but I hear hell may be freezing over!) I have got to have coffee with people I keep 'meaning to,' and next week get to see a few more once I hit Alberta! So many of the people I work with are great to hang out with during the summer too, go figure :) Seriously, I continue to love the fact I got that phone call last August.

And, I know most of you are avid Facebook users, so you've seen this in my status. During the strike days of school, I had to cancel my Photo 30 class trip. Not that it was something huge - just a few hours at the Berry Barn (local attraction with gorgeous grounds to shoot) and take pictures and help out. Some of my former students - now that they've officially graduated - organized a minifield trip this week to the barn! It was pretty cool... they wanted to do this, on their own time. It was so laidback and entertaining. They continue to make me laugh, remembering my own Photo 30 craziness and just being at the time of your life where you're not sure about the next step, just that you're doing it... The four of us had a blast, and judging by the photos on FB, some of their skills have stuck with them :) I know there were some that couldn't make it, so hopefully another opportunity arises.

Heading to Calgary/Airdrie again next week. There is a PhotoShop seminar held by the guys who run Photoshop, and the price was great. I'm super excited about it - get some tips and tricks for myself... and maybe even a few lesson plans. And of course, that also means seeing some good friends, and family. I don't have a lot of shopping plans (I'm not about to buy school clothes when I'm inbetween sizes...grrr I hate this stage), and really, don't have a lot of money. I can't get EI because I'm going to have work in a few weeks, and no paycheck. Don't you just love teaching salaries ;)

I've decided I really need to travel again. So many of my new Guiding friends from India are in Scotland right now for the World Conference. Because we have sooooo many members that should have the opportunity to go, I will only go on one trip as an adult, and India was it. I'm thinking I should do a tour of Europe, stopping at GG people along the way. That would cover Ireland, Scotland, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, Slovenia, Belaruse, Austria... I'd say that would be quite the couch-surfing adventure! Of course, I'd have to spend time in London again, probably Scotland, maybe a repeat to Paris... Seriously, I'm percolating it in my brain - I was thinking 2012, but that might be a stupid time to tour the UK thanks to the Olympics. 2013 - that would be a hell of a way to celebrate turning 30.... OR, does anyone know someone who needs a travel partner that would pay my way?

... the pouring started up again. The house has shook a few times, and a couple cracks of thunder really made me jump. I'm thinking I'm not going to see any more TV tonight :) What else to do so my computer power isn't all eaten in one swoop... 15-2, 15-4, run is 7 and the right jack is 8...