Yesterday I called my mom in the morning, as I sometimes do. This time rather than having a regular chat and catching up, she picked up the phone and after the usual exchanges she said "Sergie's mom passed this morning".
Sergie is my stepfather. He is the exact definition of a Russian man. I respect him very much. He keeps our family safe.
I had no idea how to respond to this. I am not very good in these situations, no could I remember what Russians say in cases like this ("I'm sorry for you lose" doesn't sound the same in Russian). I hung up shortly to give them time. Even though I did not know her I was deeply saddened by this news and my day did not get better from here on.
He couldn't even go home for the funeral because they were having it the next day.
Lose is such a big part of our lives. We lose our pets, our friends and our families. It is just what happens, it is nature. We really should celebrate life. As hard as it is at first.
Today was not much better than yesterday.
I am frustrated with my research (statistics specifically), I have due dates coming up and I have already been rejected twice for two programs that I have applied to (where both of my lab mates for into a program). I haven't felt this low in a very long time. I want to give up so badly. I have no idea what to do next, I am lost and I just want to give up.
Sorry this wasn't a very happy-go-lucky blog.
Have a great weekend.
Friday, 28 February 2014
Sunday, 23 February 2014
OMW=On My Way
On my way back to Ontario, home city and school. It is a wonderful sunny day while I sit her in Starbucks enjoying my favourite Chai Latte.
On our last day in Alberta my boyfriend and I decided to go to the Science Center to visit the Harry Potter Exhibition. I am a HUGE Harry Potter Nerd.
It was funny my boyfriends first question was "So have you seen all the movies". HAVE I SEEN ALL THE MOVIES? Was that supposed to be a joke question?! Not only have I seen all the movies (3/7 in movie theatres and on opening nights), but I have also read all the books and have a Slytherine-like tie. I was like a little kid in that Exhibition. I got goosebumps as I heard the Harry Potter opening theme music, saw the videos and the items they had on display. Even the obviously fake British accents that the staff had didn't bother me! Only down-side was we were forbidden to take pictures in the exhibit. How could would it have been if I had a picture holding my hands with a petrified Colin Creevy or me sitting in Hagrids huge chair! Oh well, it is the experience that counts anyways. After the exhibit we decided to explore the rest of the Science Center. The body exhibit was my personal favourite. So much to smell, see, touch, hear and balance on! It was more hands-on than I expected.
And then came the time for goodbyes.
Waking up at 4:30am was no piece of cake. Not only were we upset that these were my last few glances of Alberta and my boyfriend, but also waking up early sucks. We made it to the airport with a couple of minutes left to say our heart-felt goodbyes. The mean security guard in the line wouldn't even let my boyfriend stand with me! [He has been allowed to stand with me every time I've flown before, I seriously don't know who hurt her that morning that she wouldn't let him stand beside me, it's not like he'll get through security with no boarding pass.] Her aggressive "no" made me so upset and the water works began.
All alone, I finally made it to the security conveyor belt thing. My stuff went through smoothly, my body was a whole different story.
I beeped. But I beep sometimes it happens. What they usually make me do is go back through again. Assuming this I turn around to walk through. The security guard *yells* at me saying "If you went through once you don't need to do it again". Jesus, that fine. I don't mind, no need to be a bitch.
And then the aggressiveness continues. She frisks me. But this was no usual frisk. She checked every inch of my body, with the metal checker thing as well as her hands. I've travelled a couple of times now within Canada and never have I been treated so poorly by security. She didn't talk to me through anything, she didn't ask me whether she can STICK HER HANDS DOWN MY PANTS. WTF LADY! After doing things to me that were extremely intimate she faces me and asks "Did you want to be frisked by a female or have the body scan?"... Wait a minute I thought you covering my entire body with your hands was called frisking. Bitch I am a security guard too, I know exactly what frisky is and you just did it to me, being aggressive and rude the entire time.
I was livid by this point, but of course I couldn't talk back/be rude/ be anything but nice-ish to her so I don't get kicked off my plane, I just spoke a couple of words "I don't care, just give me the body scan".
She shouts over the entire damn airport about needing a person to do a body scan for me. I turn to her and I'm like "I'd like to get my stuff first"... bitch because if I lose my laptop and phone and every other essential I have in my carry-on I'll try my best to get you fired.
At this point comes a MUCH kinder and definitely more people-friendly security guard. She asks me to take of most of my lose clothing and step into the machine. SURPRISE SURPRISE I did not have crack up my ass, nor anything else! She told me to have a nice flight and I was on my way.
The airplane ride was much more comfortable and pleasant than the airport itself. My seat was upgraded to the "Plus" section (this is similar to business class in international flights). I got tons of space and complementary lunch!! It was wonderful. Usually travelling in economy you only get pretzels and a cup of refreshments. It was nice to have an actual sandwich considering I was starving.
During my flight I met a lovely old lady from Pakistan. She was sitting in the same row as I and during the flight she needed help with english and her belt. She proceeded to tell me about her Islamic religion and how I should consider converting (after I told her I was Russian Orthodox). She was so happy that I was so respectful and still listened to her talk no matter how different (or in some cases similar) our religions are. At the end of the flight she said, in her thick accent "I will call my son and I will tell him what a wonderful flight partner I had". She was just so sweet.
My dad picked me up from the airport, he fed me and drove me back to my home city. During the trip we listened to my "hip" music and then he requested I transfer most of my music over to him. I wonder how he'll feel about my music after he hears all of it.
Anyways it is nice to be home. Just under 2 months left of school and research. I can't think of where life will take me next.
I apologize for my language in some of the areas. I guess I shouldn't be so angry, but I really am. I felt the way I the situation was handled at the airport was very inappropriate customer service.
On our last day in Alberta my boyfriend and I decided to go to the Science Center to visit the Harry Potter Exhibition. I am a HUGE Harry Potter Nerd.
It was funny my boyfriends first question was "So have you seen all the movies". HAVE I SEEN ALL THE MOVIES? Was that supposed to be a joke question?! Not only have I seen all the movies (3/7 in movie theatres and on opening nights), but I have also read all the books and have a Slytherine-like tie. I was like a little kid in that Exhibition. I got goosebumps as I heard the Harry Potter opening theme music, saw the videos and the items they had on display. Even the obviously fake British accents that the staff had didn't bother me! Only down-side was we were forbidden to take pictures in the exhibit. How could would it have been if I had a picture holding my hands with a petrified Colin Creevy or me sitting in Hagrids huge chair! Oh well, it is the experience that counts anyways. After the exhibit we decided to explore the rest of the Science Center. The body exhibit was my personal favourite. So much to smell, see, touch, hear and balance on! It was more hands-on than I expected.
And then came the time for goodbyes.
Waking up at 4:30am was no piece of cake. Not only were we upset that these were my last few glances of Alberta and my boyfriend, but also waking up early sucks. We made it to the airport with a couple of minutes left to say our heart-felt goodbyes. The mean security guard in the line wouldn't even let my boyfriend stand with me! [He has been allowed to stand with me every time I've flown before, I seriously don't know who hurt her that morning that she wouldn't let him stand beside me, it's not like he'll get through security with no boarding pass.] Her aggressive "no" made me so upset and the water works began.
All alone, I finally made it to the security conveyor belt thing. My stuff went through smoothly, my body was a whole different story.
I beeped. But I beep sometimes it happens. What they usually make me do is go back through again. Assuming this I turn around to walk through. The security guard *yells* at me saying "If you went through once you don't need to do it again". Jesus, that fine. I don't mind, no need to be a bitch.
And then the aggressiveness continues. She frisks me. But this was no usual frisk. She checked every inch of my body, with the metal checker thing as well as her hands. I've travelled a couple of times now within Canada and never have I been treated so poorly by security. She didn't talk to me through anything, she didn't ask me whether she can STICK HER HANDS DOWN MY PANTS. WTF LADY! After doing things to me that were extremely intimate she faces me and asks "Did you want to be frisked by a female or have the body scan?"... Wait a minute I thought you covering my entire body with your hands was called frisking. Bitch I am a security guard too, I know exactly what frisky is and you just did it to me, being aggressive and rude the entire time.
I was livid by this point, but of course I couldn't talk back/be rude/ be anything but nice-ish to her so I don't get kicked off my plane, I just spoke a couple of words "I don't care, just give me the body scan".
She shouts over the entire damn airport about needing a person to do a body scan for me. I turn to her and I'm like "I'd like to get my stuff first"... bitch because if I lose my laptop and phone and every other essential I have in my carry-on I'll try my best to get you fired.
At this point comes a MUCH kinder and definitely more people-friendly security guard. She asks me to take of most of my lose clothing and step into the machine. SURPRISE SURPRISE I did not have crack up my ass, nor anything else! She told me to have a nice flight and I was on my way.
The airplane ride was much more comfortable and pleasant than the airport itself. My seat was upgraded to the "Plus" section (this is similar to business class in international flights). I got tons of space and complementary lunch!! It was wonderful. Usually travelling in economy you only get pretzels and a cup of refreshments. It was nice to have an actual sandwich considering I was starving.
During my flight I met a lovely old lady from Pakistan. She was sitting in the same row as I and during the flight she needed help with english and her belt. She proceeded to tell me about her Islamic religion and how I should consider converting (after I told her I was Russian Orthodox). She was so happy that I was so respectful and still listened to her talk no matter how different (or in some cases similar) our religions are. At the end of the flight she said, in her thick accent "I will call my son and I will tell him what a wonderful flight partner I had". She was just so sweet.
My dad picked me up from the airport, he fed me and drove me back to my home city. During the trip we listened to my "hip" music and then he requested I transfer most of my music over to him. I wonder how he'll feel about my music after he hears all of it.
Anyways it is nice to be home. Just under 2 months left of school and research. I can't think of where life will take me next.
I apologize for my language in some of the areas. I guess I shouldn't be so angry, but I really am. I felt the way I the situation was handled at the airport was very inappropriate customer service.
Monday, 17 February 2014
Last published... December
Shouldn't people begin listing their "New Years Resolutions" sometime in beginning of January. I have clearly been off the radar for a while. I have no excuse. But I am thinking rather than trying to catch up on everything that I may have missed I will be posting (SOON!) a "Year in Review" blog post of 2013. I think that would be interesting. I will try to post more of course this year. Hopefully at LEAST once a week.
Anyways back to business.
Currently, I am back in Alberta. Combining this post with my previous post it seems like I never left. This time around I have not gone skiing but I did visit a wine tasting. I am so glad I went (even if I was awfully sick after and puked up almost my entire body weight...TMI?!) Visiting some kind of tasting was on my bucket list so I am very glad to have experienced it this past weekend.
This past weekend was also Valentines Day, and I just happen to be in Alberta, where my boyfriend works and lives. What are the chances??! We had a lovely dinner at an Italian restaurant with an extraordinary amount of food. Interestingly enough their menu portions were for either 2 or 4 or 6 people. Imagining third wheeling this dinner.
Anyways back to business.
Currently, I am back in Alberta. Combining this post with my previous post it seems like I never left. This time around I have not gone skiing but I did visit a wine tasting. I am so glad I went (even if I was awfully sick after and puked up almost my entire body weight...TMI?!) Visiting some kind of tasting was on my bucket list so I am very glad to have experienced it this past weekend.
The wine we tasted was wonderful. Big winners were of course the Europeans: France, Germany, Italy, Spain.
Note to people who plan to go to a wine tasting: EAT! Eat lots. And also if you don't like the wine, dump it! At first I felt bad for the people in the booth serving their wine, but after I realized it is just an impossible amount of wine to go through and there is no point wasting your sip on wine you do not enjoy.
I will be jumping right on the writing soon! New post to come in the *near* future.
Friday, 20 December 2013
A winter wonderland.
No matter how cold or snowy it is, I love going outside. This weekend was one of my favourites so far in Edmonton. We didn't do anything extravagant but it was so much fun.
First we went for a walk in a near-by park and this happened:
First we went for a walk in a near-by park and this happened:
I got really close to this chickadee to take these pictures, but then there was a lot of standing like this:
BUT THEN:
To say the least I was very excited that the chickadee finally landed in my hand. It was a pretty wonderful moment.
Then there was a day of skating. Can't say I enjoyed it THAT much. This is because I'm not the strongest skater so the whole time I was just terrified of falling down. Still it was a nice day to spend an evening.
My boyfriend is clearly more fabulous than I am.
Today we leave to Calgary to see friends as well as go skiing! I am very excited. I love skiing. I am much better at skiing than I am at skating.
Monday, 9 December 2013
Why?? Why did this have to happen???
So I am not sure whether it is the large change in temperature that my body was just not able to get accustomed to, or the soccer game I played yesterday (stupid exercise!); but I have managed to get sick.
And this isn't the winter sniffles with occasional coughing. No. My body hurts, my joints ache and every time I cough I think my rib cage is going to break. To add, I also have an ongoing headache.
But still I avoid taking tylenol and ibuprofen with any sort of fancy name (i.e advil). I have tried to stick it out with garlic tablets, vitamin C and tea. Yes, yes, this is probably stupid of me, but I just really want to avoid taking pills for now.
This is also a very inconvenient time to get sick. Not only am I on a "vacation"/ holiday getaway as I like to think of it, in Alberta; but I am also supposed to go skiing in the mountains this weekend.
Stupid cold! I don't even know why!!! I have been so good with bundling up, and wearing several pairs of tights under my pants etc.
Well at least I have my playstation here and I borrowed a bagillion games from my boyfriends friend. First up Last of Us, or perhaps Uncharted 2. Hmm so many choices!!
Hopefully things will get better soon.
And this isn't the winter sniffles with occasional coughing. No. My body hurts, my joints ache and every time I cough I think my rib cage is going to break. To add, I also have an ongoing headache.
But still I avoid taking tylenol and ibuprofen with any sort of fancy name (i.e advil). I have tried to stick it out with garlic tablets, vitamin C and tea. Yes, yes, this is probably stupid of me, but I just really want to avoid taking pills for now.
This is also a very inconvenient time to get sick. Not only am I on a "vacation"/ holiday getaway as I like to think of it, in Alberta; but I am also supposed to go skiing in the mountains this weekend.
Stupid cold! I don't even know why!!! I have been so good with bundling up, and wearing several pairs of tights under my pants etc.
Well at least I have my playstation here and I borrowed a bagillion games from my boyfriends friend. First up Last of Us, or perhaps Uncharted 2. Hmm so many choices!!
Hopefully things will get better soon.
Wednesday, 4 December 2013
Patience is a virtue
If anyone out there would like to be a researcher, the thing you should know: there is no place to be shy. You must always be prepared to talk with you co-researchers, interested colleagues, supervisor, potential networks and of course the public. Just 2 weeks ago I had to present my research, so far, to a class of fellow undergraduate students, graduate students, committee members and supervisor (who actually wasn't able to show). I practiced the ENTIRE week; this is no exaggeration people. I was in a room with a projector every single day that week, including the Friday of my presentation day, just practising. I harassed my friends and lab members to come and listen to me several times to make sure my presentation was perfect. In the end I think it went really well! I was happy with the final presentation and I nailed the question period.
After the seminar I was fini for the year. I had a week to sit and wait until I get to go on a plane and visit my boyfriend for 3 weeks in Alberta, Canada. Now I did do work for that week, research never rests. I also had several performances to part take in:
After a 5 hour wait in the airport, a 30 minute delay and a 4 hour flight, I finally landed in Alberta. Let me just say it is FREEZING. I went from -2/0 to -24 degree Celsius!
After the seminar I was fini for the year. I had a week to sit and wait until I get to go on a plane and visit my boyfriend for 3 weeks in Alberta, Canada. Now I did do work for that week, research never rests. I also had several performances to part take in:
Ballerina living her dream, doing a piece from the Nutcracker
Singing my heart out. If you'd like to check out my rendition of "Forget you" by CeeLo you can on mu YouTube channel (I hope to post one that is better quality soon!):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMhixlsGUrs
I just spent the entire day alone (my boyfriend works 8-5), so it gets pretty boring. But I am sure I will have some adventures to share soon.
Oh also because I now have no more frog photos here a picture of me using the "Frog" effect, see what I did there.
Happy Holidays!
Monday, 4 November 2013
Winter is coming and so are deadlines.
It is hard to believe fall is upon us. Time has gone by so fast since we were in our short shorts and bathing suits travelling in that pick up truck to the beach. Not to mention IT IS FREEZING! Like in the negatives... already. Daylight savings times was just this past Saturday, come on mother nature!
In other news I've been dealing with so many things: friends problems, boyfriend problems, even friends of friends problems (I have no idea why I got dragged into that... awkward). Don't forget about school. Although I feel like I have the best handle on school than anything else. I've finished most of my writing projects way ahead of time. I just have to start planning out my seminar presentation for my thesis. I love presenting, so hopefully nerves won't be my biggest problem.
Masters applications are still going(ish). I've talked to my supervisor about doing research with him. News was mediocre: He wants me; he may not have money to take me. Great, thanks. I've also started looking into jobs in my field I may be able to take as a back up plan in case something falls through with Masters. Still the future scares me, but at the same time it is so interesting to explore the unknown.
This past week(end) was Halloween. I was able to enjoy the day on Thursday, and got to work the rest of the weekend. I did not regret this one bit. Working was fun AND I got no hangover in the morning.
In other news I've been dealing with so many things: friends problems, boyfriend problems, even friends of friends problems (I have no idea why I got dragged into that... awkward). Don't forget about school. Although I feel like I have the best handle on school than anything else. I've finished most of my writing projects way ahead of time. I just have to start planning out my seminar presentation for my thesis. I love presenting, so hopefully nerves won't be my biggest problem.
Masters applications are still going(ish). I've talked to my supervisor about doing research with him. News was mediocre: He wants me; he may not have money to take me. Great, thanks. I've also started looking into jobs in my field I may be able to take as a back up plan in case something falls through with Masters. Still the future scares me, but at the same time it is so interesting to explore the unknown.
This past week(end) was Halloween. I was able to enjoy the day on Thursday, and got to work the rest of the weekend. I did not regret this one bit. Working was fun AND I got no hangover in the morning.
Please tell me people understand that I am a mermaid. Some guy asked if I was Jasmine... *facepalm*
Then this Sunday my friends and I went to a prison museum which was very eery but still so
fascinating. The stories were very interesting, definitely an experience I am glad I had.
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