I sometimes think about moving back to the prairies in the Edmonton area but then I look at what I would be leaving behind and that is one the hardest things to do.














This is wishful thinking. We had to take this picture because is was such an opportunity. We were driving 2 years ago through Sidney and found the Whale Museum and this amazing mural. Couldn't resist it. This is when the Thomas' came to visit us August 2003. It seems like a long time ago.

The one that I really want is one from my recent Edmonton trip. It was so amazing. I loved every moment of that trip. Especially going to Cook County Saloon. I have such great memories of the night. If only we could have stayed longer.

Having just celebrated my 28th birthday, I am feeling more pressure to complete things that I have set out to do before I turn 30. I know some of them won't happen until God's time but there are a few things that I can get started, like having more of a social life. I can't really tell everyone that working a full time job and then a part time job keeps one from having any type of social life. It is horrible but sometimes one has to make sacrifices in order to get a head in life. That is what I am doing. It is really hard some days to see the progress that is being made but it is there, my friends and family are showing me and reminding me that it is there. I love it that they know me so well.
I worked my first midnight shift on friday night and it was a fun night. A lot more socializing going on then working at some points but you have to keep it fun when you work so late. I have no idea how those guys can work all night long. It would drive me crazy, by 10:45 I was wanting to crawl up on the counter and go to sleep. I even had a Peppermint Mocha at 7pm to help me stay alert and then at 10:15 my uncle brought me in an XL Cappacino from Tim's but that didn't work either. So, I clocked out early because I was allowed to and went home at 12:20. At least it wasn't a wasted night, we were fairly busy for the majority of the evening and they managers were holding draws that gave out certificates for movies, Tim Hortons, and Starbucks.
I saw an amazing movie last night "Pride and Prejudice". It was so funny. I don't think I have laughed the way I did last night ever. It made me think that I have to go to the movies more often because I had so much fun. We then went out to a little pub in Oak Bay and had some drinks. I was the DD last night so it was Coke and water for me. This pub is always busy so I was floored last night when we went in and it was very quiet and lots of seats to sit in, it was great. There are a few more movies that I would like to see over the next few weeks so hoepfully it can happen. I don't have a lot of shifts coming up at HD in the next two weeks so maybe there will be time to do it then.
Anyways tomorrow is a big day with parent/teacher interviews and I have a few that I need to look over, so I am leaving this place now.
Carrie

I need a holiday!!!!!

How many more days 'til Christmas??????? Oh I know, 4 more weeks this Friday will be the start of some wonderful days off!! Yippee. I am so tired of work, especially at HD. I just found out last night that my shift has been extended by 2 hours because of Midnight Madness. How can they do this too me??? Does my opinion not count???? Ah, the world of corporate companies where you are just a tiny speck amoungst thousands upon thousands of people. I think I'm ready for a change now!!!! If only I could really afford to quit. Not right now maybe in a few months.
It really is hard to believe that HD here in Victoria may have the number one turnover rate for employees in all of the HD stores in Canada. If so, it's pretty ridiculous. Anyways, this job gives me a social life when I can squeeze it in. It also provides some possible romances!!!! There is one or two who would be great and I know that one is returning the vibes but will see with more time.
I know I'm not getting younger and this turning 28 is really hard to do. I do not want to turn 28. There is so much that I have not yet accomplished and I'm getting discouraged that I won't accomplish those goals. Who would have thought that I would be a Montessori Teacher????? If someone would have asked me three years ago where I was headed, I would have responed "I'm training to be a teacher assistant" who at the time deep in the back of her brain was pondering re-enrolling back into the nursing field, but changed her mind when she moved out here to this Magnicifent Island and realized that I have a passion to teach children in a way that has the children developing at their speed and not the speed that current education systsem has them learning at. That is a whole other topic that I don't feel that I have time to tackle right now. I am pretty busy with finishing up the reports that I have due and getting ready for Parent/Teacher interviews on Monday. This is so exciting.
I was sitting and listening to the Country Music Association Awards tonight and was very excited to see my guys performing tonight in New York. Yes, that is Rascal Flatts. It's hard to believe that I just saw them last week. It is a night that I will never forget. It still get very excited about it.
If anyone is interested, I am placing on this site a few web addresses that interest me.
www.flickr.com/photos/bewhalewise. This is the group I went out with over the summer protecting our resident Killer Whales. There are some amazing photos on this website. I hope you enjoy.
Another one is www.orcanetwork.org/sightings/map This one gives you a weekly update on where there have been sightings of whales in the Victoria and area. I check this site faithfully every week. I need to know where my whales are.
The last one is about the school that I work at. It's address is www.west-mont.ca
Enjoy.
Carrie

I LOVE COUNTRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well what a week it has been!!!!! I was able to hear a Killer Whale specialist last Friday on Salt Spring Island and then this past Wednesday I went to Vancouver to see Rascal Flatts perform at GM Place. It was SO AMAZING!!!!!!!! I screamed the whole concert! It has to be the best concert I have yet to see.
That day started off with me trying to contain my excitement but it burst half way through rescess with the children when we found out one of the parents in our class had a baby boy at 8:30am so that was very exciting but I was so excited about going to the concert. We had to catch the 3pm ferry because I was so scared that if we caught the 5pm ferry we would not arrive on time. I was very glad we did because traffic was a backed up then we accidently took the wrong turn off and ended up heading towards downtown but I found the map a directed us to the exact spot. By the time we arrived there I was bursting at the seams, for the first time since my Edmonton trip I could wear my cowboy hat. We found our seats and they were fantastic! I was glad we were not on the floor because you wouldn't have been able to see much of the stage once the boys arrived. We were third row at the beginning of the curve and only about 40 rows away from the stage so it was great. The first opening act that came on was horrible. For all the country fans out there don't waste your money on Keith Andersons CD he was the worst artist I have seen. That's my opinion. Blake Shelton was amazing. He performed all his hits and was even joking with the crowd. Then it came time for Rascal Flatts. I knew exactly what their first song was "Here's to You". My mom sat down for most of the concert because it was very loud and she was between me and Clara. We were screaming so loud that she found it hard to listen the singing plus it was loud. I never thought to bring ear plugs to the concert. I did bring my camera and binoculars. The pictures are blurry because you couldn't use a flash and could only have a 50mm zoom, so mine went into a digital zoom to get closer shots.
As I write this I am still very excited about it. The only disappointing thing about the concert was that they ended the concert with Def Lepard songs. I didn't pay money to hear DL songs, I paid for Rascal Flatts, oh well. I would definately go to their concert again.
Then on Thursday another concert annoucnement was made, Terri Clark, Brad Paisley and Johnny Reid are coming to Vancouver on Jan 18. I'm still thinking about those tickets. I have about a week left to decide if I am going to go.
Anyways that's about it happening.
Carrie