She shoots...she scores!

After playing floor hockey almost every week for four months, and slowly making the move from all defense to slowly playing above the centre line, I finally scored a goal today! Made all the sweeter by the fact that I scored on my arch-nemesis. I also managed to walk out with a bruised pinkie finger (making this typing hard), and a whopping ball hockey ball sized bruise on my inner arm.

Jason and Melissa

Yesterday I went to my cousin Jason's wedding.

It was nice to see Jason and Melissa having such a wonderful day. The weather was good. All of their friends and family were there. The service was short but sweet. The reception was good...although the little tater tots saying knock-knock-jokes were a little less than awesome. The cake was beautifully done by Melissa's mom. I think my favourite part was watching Melissa whisper to Jason during the ceremony. Adorable.

It was nice because for once I'm in the same province as my family at the same time. I managed to see all my aunts and uncles from my mom's side, as well as most of my cousins.

Other points to note...apparently the trend in the family is to have the younger siblings get married before the older sibling. It's happened to Tim, Dennis, and Shaun. And if what my mom says is right, and my sister is thinking of getting married next summer, it'll happen to me too.

Jason and Melissa's first dance

Tracy, Christina, Shaunacey and I

Jaimie's little cutie Kamryn munching on some cardboard

Couldn't have said it better myself

http://fbofw.com/strip_fix/

Hi, my name's Erica and I'm a candyholic.

I hate how when I'm stressed I turn to candy. Or when I'm PMSing. Luckily today I'm both. I have already gotten my hands on a bag of Swedish Berries and Peanut M&Ms. Oooh boy.

In unrelated news...I won a $25 gift card for Applebees at TGIT today. And apparently I have somehow managed to piss off a friend so thoroughly that they won't even stand by me in line at the bar - even though I have no idea how. I'm trying to focus on the Applebees news.

hates when people say they heard something about you (often in a tone that implies it was not positive), and then say they can't tell you what it was or that it doesn't really matter

if that's the case just stfu

below average...

...turns out I'm not the only one who tries to throw tests with no success...

Running to me

Today as part of course we all had to go for a run...it was my second run in a week. It's been a long time since I've done that. I really miss it. I miss the feeling of awesome I used to get from my runs in the Soo. New plan...RUN again. And bike. And generally be active again. I really miss the feeling that comes after a fabulous workout.

No illegal immigrants on this train...

I've been in Borden since mid-January on career courses. At the end of every course you get to have an interview with your section staff member. Well, at the end of my first course (where I did pretty well) my staff said that people always try to bring down the people at the top and that I shouldn't let any illegal immigrants hop on my train to success. While the sentiment might not be worded perfectly, I really think I do understand what he was trying to tell me.

It's been pretty hard, but I think between the last course and this one has really helped me finally put some of the historical bullshit behind me. Or maybe it's just the sunshine. Either way, it's nice to be able to focus on studying and doing well again, since that is what I'm being paid to do here. I know that a P's a P (ie a pass is a pass), but if I'm being paid to be here to learn, should I really be happy with just passing? I know that I'm not happy in my regular work day with just doing 'ok' so why is everyone ok with that on course?

Enough of that now. It's time to go shower after my run and then head outside to study. Reminds me of exam time at uni.

c'etait bien fait

Friday my coworker invited me over for dinner last night with some friends. It was great to be able to get out of the house and socialize with people. And unlike almost all of my gunroom socializing, drinking and sex were not the main focus of the evening. Kind of nice.

The whole evening was in French! Aaaahhh. ah. That's right, 6 hours I attempted to have adult conversation on a wide range of topics, all in French. Topics of discussion included politics, growing up in the military, the differences between France and Quebec, violence in hockey, the rights of land owners, vacations with significant others and real estate. Oh, and am I single, and what am I looking for in a man. Like I can answer that one in English.

flirting with property

Today, for the very first time, I flirted with the idea of owning property. Now that I'm going to be here for another 3 years I was thinking, maybe it's time to buy a place instead of renting. Except the cost of buying in my complex starts at $330,000, and I don't have a down payment.

But for a little while I let myself dream that some bank would approve me for a mortgage to cover that, without a down payment, on my pay, as a single income household.

But...then reality kicked in, and I think I'm going to keep renting and hopefully start saving for the future.

time to plan...

Well, after talking to my boss today it looks like I might be staying here for another 3 years. This news is both exciting and terrifying.

It's exciting because I love the people I work with here, absolutely love them. It means that I would likely get a command position as an Lt, which is an amazing opportunity for my career. It's terrifying because I'm not really a big fan of Victoria. I find the city's a little fancy for me, and it's hard to meet friends. It's also always raining. But, I am a positive person so I'm pledging to look at this in a positive way.

Now it's time to plan. If I'm going to be here another 3 years I should probably start looking for an apartment with a bedroom. You know, like not a bachelor. I should also make sure that I start trying to meet people outside of work. Maybe I will get a pet. I will be joining the car co-op that exists just outside my building. I need to start exploring the city, province, and whole west coast.