All I can really say is: WOW. Amazingly enough, my parents can STILL Surprise me. (Okay... So the fact that i can still go shopping for MY X-Mass gifts with my Mom should tell me that but... shh!)
But back to the surprise part...
Maybe it's just me being oblivious, but, after planning a trip for my aunt and her hiking buddies for a month and a half, I was pretty shell-shocked to walk into their hotel room and find my parents sitting there *facepalm*
See, my parents take two different approaches to surprises.
My dad, he just shuts up and pretends he doesn't know anything (And, lets face it, most of the time, he doesn't.)
My mother on the other hand... is conniving, and pretty apt at throwing me off any trail I may have picked up. (I think I know where I get my aptitude for lying from...) The text early Monday afternoon, inquiring as to the date of my Aunt's visit was pretty sneaky... even for her.
But I really loved the week they spent here - though I almost wish it could have been longer (I'll get to that later.)
So, they show up Monday and I'm stuck at work until just after 8 (yay for due-out days...) so after work, I go home and change before heading to my Aunt's room where there is a real surprise (and Muffins!) waiting for me. Spend a few hours there before the 'rents decide to turn in because they've had an uber long day (Yes - I know what that one feels like... it was called moving to Jasper.)
Tuesday was an absolute BLAST. It was my parents silver anniversary (seriously... how they put up with each other for 25 years, AND managed 2 kids and 4 dogs... saints. Especially when those kids are Dev and I) so they went for a nice little walk in the morning then we all piled (and I do mean piled) into my Aunt's car and drove to HINTON (and yes, I was WAYYYY to excited.)
We hit up Boston Pizza (FINALLY) for my very belated birthday lunch, and I was quite content with my Martini and brownie dessert, because, I miss, I miss my BP dates with the bestie, and it was a bit of a throw-back to that. After BP I got some much-needed shopping done at Wal-Mart and Canadian Tire (Vacuum and Space Heaters anyone?) before we headed back to the Lodge to relax a little before dinner.
Dinner was fantastic.... though the restaurant was absolutely DEAD. Great Salmon though, I need to have that again - and soon!
Wednesday was an event all to itself. After embarrassing me by taking (cheesy) pictures in the lodge on the bears and in front of the Christmas tree, we spent the day in Jasper - and I didn't know you COULD spend 3.5 hours in town without going absolutely crazy, but we managed it. Lots of window shopping in the local boutiques and such... which all start to look the same after about 5 minutes.
Wednesday night turned into a mini-Christmas, because my PARENTS couldn't imagine not having me around for Christmas, and not being there when I opened my x-mas gifts. I wasn't too sure I wanted to open gifts A MONTH AND A HALF early, but... well, they wouldn't have lasted in the back of my closet that long, so opening a few little things did help tide me over till the actual X-Mas season. And I LOVE the Clarks rabbit-fur slippers Mom found for me in the states. SO COZY. It really was nice :)
We grabbed dinner at the Brew Pub that night, and it was amazing, though veryyyyyyy filling. (VERY. No need for apps there!!) and ended up saying our good-byes Wednesday night because they were leaving early Thursday morning and I figured I'd need a bar night to get my head clear. So, saying good-bye to dad meant I booked it out of there before he could start crying (and start me crying by default) and wandered around the property with Mom for a while... that's always a hard good-bye.
Needless to say, trudging home through the tears, I sent quite a few people 'We NEED to hit up Champs & 'Shoe tonight' texts, giving very few the option to say no.
Okay, so Champs that night SUCKED, and the quasi-creeper at the 'Shoe (who SEEMED nice, at first) did damped the mood, but meeting Drummer Boy (as he shall be refereed to) totally made up for the night.
So Mel (who is AWESOME) introduced me to this guy she'd been chatting up who offered to buy us drinks (which he did, even though we adamantly refused.) and we spent the night talking and dancing. So, I find out there just in Jasper for the night, because the driver could only drive so long and they'd been on the road form Vancouver all day, heading to Edmonton. So we're chatting and as Mel and Jon and everyone I went to the bar with are getting ready to leave, I was like, 'shoot me a text if you get board on the bus' and throw my number in his phone.
We're half-way back to the lodge and Drummer Boy and I have been texting a while and he invites us back to the hotel they're at for 'some drinks on the tour bus' which I'm not putting together at this point. So we decline, but keep texting. Eventually, I ask about the bus and everything... turns out, he plays Drums for 'a pop singer' (which is all he actually tells me) and they have a show in Edmonton the next night. Which is kinda really cool.
I just... don't even know. I mean, I'd always had this kinda idea that, no matter how nice someone may be, if you're any kinda famous, it's gonna go to your head and you'll be a total jerk. Although, I really should know better, considering David... but besides the point.
Its pretty cool to know your still in contact with some hot-shot drummer, ain't it?
Ciaoz for now!!
xoxo Kara
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Monday, November 7, 2011
Hallowe'en Hi-jinx... and more Shenanigans!
So QUIET.
The last week of October and first week of November were pretty dead at the hotel, and I really didn't do anything exciting - unless you count catch up on some sleep and let my body recover from all the crazy work/parting that goes on up here.
Hallowe'en was AMAZING. Jenna and I went out Saturday night to Tent City - the on-site bar for a staff Hallowe'en party just to get a feel for the weekend. I'd forgotten how much fun it was to glam with one of your girlfriends before the bar and have a few drinks before you head out! Deffinetly a must for future nights. A few of the new guys joined us for pre-drinks, and quickly learned that if you want a shot, you ask me what to try first, before (drunkenly) raving that I should totally be a bartender (love you too... now go sober up)
So, even if TC was pretty lame when we went at 11, and still not that great when we left at 12, it was totally worth it to see Jenna smash herself in the face with the cane for her costume, and was a perfect time to try out my Spider-Girl look (which went over great!)
Monday night was even more fun (and made even better by NOT having to work on Tuesday - yay for recovery days!) We once again got all glammed here before heading over to a party in New Staff (where it's more apartment-style rooms that college dorms) and then heading into the bar with a bunch of co-workers. The one thing I will say is never assume that leaning against a wall will keep you upright after a few drinks when the floor is slipery - more like than not, you`ll wind up flat on your butt with your shoes somewhere else. Not the most glamorous experience, but its definitely good for a laugh!
Hallowe'en at the B was awesome, because we got to hang out with a bunch of our supervisors and managers in a pretty chill setting, and we really got to see Logan let his hair down, making the night extra-memorable.
Tuesday and Wednesday were spent quietly, just hanging out and catching up on the sleep lost over the weekend. Thursday was a remarkably short day at work, and very uneventful afterwards.
Friday actually tried to kill me. We (Mel, Iris and I) went on a beautiful hike of Maligne Canyon which ate up the entire day. We got up bright and early, and grabbed a quick lunch at the bean before we left (Burger day... YUM!) and then hit the trail at 11:30 am. we took our time getting to the Canyon, and got some absolutely breathtaking pictures of the lakes on the way up. The views were very reminiscent of my time in New Zealand, even if the hike was 10xs more difficult than the hike around Mt. Doom. The trails wound around the side of a mountain, and were fairly slick at times, and always climbing up higher and higher. it was a great workout, and was totally worth it! Except for the whole trying-to-fall-down the mountain thing I did on the way back, but... What's a hike without a few scrapes and bruises? And a pulled shoulder and strained ankle...
At least no one can say I'm not still a Klutz in Jasper!
And finally... last night, we went into Town again, because it's Jenna's last weekend in town, and Matt's birthday, so we pulled out all the stops... and the night is basically one big blur.
So, no news there unfortunately. I spent most of the day in bed, nursing a nasty little hangover, and cursing the texts that kept coming into my phone though.
Tomorrow... well, tomorrow is another day, and a day with big plans!
So, you'll just have to wait and see!! ;)
xoxo
The last week of October and first week of November were pretty dead at the hotel, and I really didn't do anything exciting - unless you count catch up on some sleep and let my body recover from all the crazy work/parting that goes on up here.
Hallowe'en was AMAZING. Jenna and I went out Saturday night to Tent City - the on-site bar for a staff Hallowe'en party just to get a feel for the weekend. I'd forgotten how much fun it was to glam with one of your girlfriends before the bar and have a few drinks before you head out! Deffinetly a must for future nights. A few of the new guys joined us for pre-drinks, and quickly learned that if you want a shot, you ask me what to try first, before (drunkenly) raving that I should totally be a bartender (love you too... now go sober up)
So, even if TC was pretty lame when we went at 11, and still not that great when we left at 12, it was totally worth it to see Jenna smash herself in the face with the cane for her costume, and was a perfect time to try out my Spider-Girl look (which went over great!)
Monday night was even more fun (and made even better by NOT having to work on Tuesday - yay for recovery days!) We once again got all glammed here before heading over to a party in New Staff (where it's more apartment-style rooms that college dorms) and then heading into the bar with a bunch of co-workers. The one thing I will say is never assume that leaning against a wall will keep you upright after a few drinks when the floor is slipery - more like than not, you`ll wind up flat on your butt with your shoes somewhere else. Not the most glamorous experience, but its definitely good for a laugh!
Hallowe'en at the B was awesome, because we got to hang out with a bunch of our supervisors and managers in a pretty chill setting, and we really got to see Logan let his hair down, making the night extra-memorable.
Tuesday and Wednesday were spent quietly, just hanging out and catching up on the sleep lost over the weekend. Thursday was a remarkably short day at work, and very uneventful afterwards.
Friday actually tried to kill me. We (Mel, Iris and I) went on a beautiful hike of Maligne Canyon which ate up the entire day. We got up bright and early, and grabbed a quick lunch at the bean before we left (Burger day... YUM!) and then hit the trail at 11:30 am. we took our time getting to the Canyon, and got some absolutely breathtaking pictures of the lakes on the way up. The views were very reminiscent of my time in New Zealand, even if the hike was 10xs more difficult than the hike around Mt. Doom. The trails wound around the side of a mountain, and were fairly slick at times, and always climbing up higher and higher. it was a great workout, and was totally worth it! Except for the whole trying-to-fall-down the mountain thing I did on the way back, but... What's a hike without a few scrapes and bruises? And a pulled shoulder and strained ankle...
At least no one can say I'm not still a Klutz in Jasper!
And finally... last night, we went into Town again, because it's Jenna's last weekend in town, and Matt's birthday, so we pulled out all the stops... and the night is basically one big blur.
So, no news there unfortunately. I spent most of the day in bed, nursing a nasty little hangover, and cursing the texts that kept coming into my phone though.
Tomorrow... well, tomorrow is another day, and a day with big plans!
So, you'll just have to wait and see!! ;)
xoxo
Sit back, Relax and just have fun!
Jasper leaves little time for much but work and sleep, so even when I start to write something, I may not have a chance to finish it - or post it! Which is why I found this little draft saved from October 15th (Wow...) So we'll get this up, before another update :)
October 15th::
Whew!! Well, the craziness has subsided for a little while (yay!!) Which means I'll actually get some time off (Three whole days this week - what an awesome b-day gift!)
So, maybe I'll finally have time to see the sights before it get really cold and i have to break out the super-cute pink winter jacket!!
Wednesday, I FINALLY made it into Hinton. NBD - I mean, its just another small town about 45 minutes away but they have REAL stores and franchises. I mean... Boston Pizza, McDonalds, Walmart.... Seriously, real recognizable places! It is kind of awesome, and, even though I didn't find shoes (Darn...) I did manage to get some shopping in, to stay the addiction for a little while : )
Thursday was spent nice and quiet, letting my poor liver recover from last night. As the start of my 'weekend' and the first day of my 'birthday week' a bunch of us went out to Champs - a local bar - for wings and drinks before heading on to Horseshoe. It was a lot of fun with a lot of cool people, and more kinds of shots than I'm really sure what to do with... but we had a great time.
Although, you definetly remember to watch yourself when one of your managers is at the same bar... lol
Which takes me to my next story, and the department thanksgiving party last week.
SO MUCH FUN. The managers ran the event so we could all just relax and have a good time (yay!) And provided all the food and free drinks... which is a good idea, sometimes!
The night was fun - we spent a good four hours just relaxing and mingling and then dancing when one of the guys hooked his iPod up to the Bose system in the room, but it was the after party that really was memorable.
At 12:30 or so, after insisting I help my manager with the clean-up and tear down, we brought all the left-over beer (Probably 36 cans) to one of the Supervisors houses, where everyone ended up staying untill 4:30 when the poker game was done... And then showed up all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for work the next morning.
I spent my birthday pampering myself with an awesome pedicure. Seriously, I'd almost forgotten how nice it is to just sit back, relax and let someone ELSE do the work for a little while, while I de-stress!! Spent the night in with a good book, and just had a quiet evening all to myself.
We're going out again tomorrow... so it should be lots of fun.
Until next time!
xoxo
October 15th::
Whew!! Well, the craziness has subsided for a little while (yay!!) Which means I'll actually get some time off (Three whole days this week - what an awesome b-day gift!)
So, maybe I'll finally have time to see the sights before it get really cold and i have to break out the super-cute pink winter jacket!!
Wednesday, I FINALLY made it into Hinton. NBD - I mean, its just another small town about 45 minutes away but they have REAL stores and franchises. I mean... Boston Pizza, McDonalds, Walmart.... Seriously, real recognizable places! It is kind of awesome, and, even though I didn't find shoes (Darn...) I did manage to get some shopping in, to stay the addiction for a little while : )
Thursday was spent nice and quiet, letting my poor liver recover from last night. As the start of my 'weekend' and the first day of my 'birthday week' a bunch of us went out to Champs - a local bar - for wings and drinks before heading on to Horseshoe. It was a lot of fun with a lot of cool people, and more kinds of shots than I'm really sure what to do with... but we had a great time.
Although, you definetly remember to watch yourself when one of your managers is at the same bar... lol
Which takes me to my next story, and the department thanksgiving party last week.
SO MUCH FUN. The managers ran the event so we could all just relax and have a good time (yay!) And provided all the food and free drinks... which is a good idea, sometimes!
The night was fun - we spent a good four hours just relaxing and mingling and then dancing when one of the guys hooked his iPod up to the Bose system in the room, but it was the after party that really was memorable.
At 12:30 or so, after insisting I help my manager with the clean-up and tear down, we brought all the left-over beer (Probably 36 cans) to one of the Supervisors houses, where everyone ended up staying untill 4:30 when the poker game was done... And then showed up all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for work the next morning.
I spent my birthday pampering myself with an awesome pedicure. Seriously, I'd almost forgotten how nice it is to just sit back, relax and let someone ELSE do the work for a little while, while I de-stress!! Spent the night in with a good book, and just had a quiet evening all to myself.
We're going out again tomorrow... so it should be lots of fun.
Until next time!
xoxo
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