For the first time in 956 days...I am in the same building as ALL of my belongings. Can you believe it?

I unpacked some of my stuff Friday night then collapsed onto my bed...not into bed, I had no sheets, no covers and it wasn't on the frame. Just me, a lap quilt and the bed. It was so cozy. Saturday morning I headed North and East to Vegreville. Never heard of it? Funny that.

My friend C lives there. We met up North. I needed to go to Edmonton to pick up the rest of my stuff. I had shipped out 7 pieces on my last day in Iqaluit and it was MUCH cheaper to ship to Edmonton than Calgary. And I knew it would be a great excuse to do some visiting.

When I finally arrived at C's mid afternoon we immediately hit the high way back to Edmonton. I wanted to wander around the mall. (The West Edmonton Mall!) and relive some childhood memories. I did. It was nice. And I can't wait to go back and hit the water park. I spent many a Saturday there when I was in JR high and frankly it looked everybit as much fun on Saturday as it does/did in my memories. After the mall I made C drive me to Spruce Grove. That's where we actually lived. As we entered town I saw my old school and then gave perfect directions to my old home....not bad considering it was 20 years ago. (Yikes! I'm getting old) A quick loop around the block, a call to my folks to tell them where I was and I was done for the day.

We had supper at a Mongolian grill type place in Edmonton and then a quick visit with one of C's friends. Then back to Vegreville to join a backyard bonfire and then I called it a night.

Today I had a tour of the town (and outside of town) got to see the giant Pysanka. For those of you not in the know, that is a giant Ukranian Easter Egg. It is pretty impressive. The write up on how it was developed and the computer technology that went into it is really neat. Then we went to see some buffalo and an old grain mill(?). All in all a great day. Then I hit the highway again back to Calgary.

I am not sitting in my living room avoiding unpacking by updating the blog. LOL. I may attempt to locate my sheets tonight and put the bed together. Monday is a holiday and I plan to spend it unpacking...and then if I am really feeling adventurous...a trip to the grocery store. I am looking forward to the grocery store...and am a bit nervous. I get excited at the prices, the selection and the sheer size of the stores I may go overboard. A suggested I only take a basket so I don't over do it...I don't think I can. LOL. My cupboards may be full be the end of aisle 1.

Here's some pics from this weekends mini trip. (Oh, my new job starts on Tuesday...wish me luck!) Photos are in wrong order...but you won't care likely...

Can you guess what this is?


Fountains in lovely park by giant egg.


Giant Egg


Buffalo.


Grain Elevator...not mill as previously mentioned. Not in use anymore either...too bad.



What I am doing the next time I am at 'the mall' roller coaster!


Before the screams...see above photo for screams.


My JR High School in Spruce Grove....now a French School.


Part of my trip down memory lane....our old house.


Which came first?


West Edmonton Mall...pirate ship


No, it doesn't belong to the Canadian Military....LOL


Water park...where I will definitely need to spend a full day.


Ice rink. We watched the Oilers practise here a few times when we lived in AB.


Giant Flag.

Friday morning I finally got the call...I got the apartment. I had to push the unpackers back an hour so I could get the keys, but it is all good. My stuff is in the apartment...some of it is even put away but the majority is scattered in and out of boxes across each room.

I'm off to Edmonton today to pick up the last of my belongings and hang out with a friend...then back to my new pad Sunday night.

More on the apartment upon my return.

Why iqaluk? Cause that means fish in Inuktitut. And frankly I feel like a fish out of water here in the 'big city'. A lady I met today laughed when she heard me call Calgary a big city...she just moved here from New York City...so it really is all about perspective.

Today we went down to a part of town called Kensington. Had our tarot cards read and had a wonderful lunch. According to my reading I will not be finding a cowboy anytime soon. I need to work on me first. Which I have been doing, but apparently I still need some work. The move to Calgary was a good move and will bring me what I want/need....but...I need to figure out what that is first. I am suppossed to make a list of my talents. I don't have many so that won't ruin the environment with the paper I write it down on. I also need to decide what I want. What kind of apartment I want, where I want it, what kind of job I want to have, what kind of life I want to lead and once I have figured all this out I will have it. Easier said than done isn't it.

The guy that did my reading wasn't impressed with the fact that I said that 'home' was wherever my shoes are. He said it should be in my heart. I didn't want to explain how much I love my shoes. And he said that until I erased the negative thoughts from my mind I wouldn't get anything I wanted...like the apartment. He said I need to picture myself living there and enjoying it and once I was able to do that I would get it. Cause really all I can think about is that I gave a cheque for $800 to a total stranger who promised to take all my personal information...give it to someone else, have them do a credit/reference check on me and then give me a home. I keep thinking...should I cancel the cheque. Is this a scam? Are they going to jack up the rent on me? Why won't they let me sign a lease? Why is it taking so long if they are so anxious to rent? Do I need to keep looking.

Honestly, once I found this place Monday night I stopped looking. I was happy (thrilled actually) that I had found the perfect apartment for the price I wanted to spend (read: could afford). It is gorgeous. Has old style hardwood floors, is within walking distance of my office, is in an amazing part of town and has everything I could ask for...including a hunky building manager...who is headed to Whitehorse later this year. I don't want to look anymore. I tried to take the tarot readers advice and decorated it in my head this afternoon...it didn't help. Maybe tomorrow I will get word.

After lunch we bought these HUGE cupcakes that are probably illegal in 50 states and went to have pedicures. It was relaxing and very nice. After that we headed to a pub for supper and a few drinks. Overall a great day.

Tomorrow my BFA needs to go downtown (a possible job change is in the works) and I am going to head to my new office and meet my new boss. I should probably have called ahead, but it was an after hours decision. I went to the uhaul and have pulled out my suitcase. I figure I should meet all these folks at least dress half professionally. Instead of my walmart t-shirt and jeans I will be wearing a nice dressy top and jeans...but my feet will look gorgeous....pedicures really are worth the money!

This fish out of water is going to read and hopefully get to bed early. Big day tomorrow!!

Alright...it's here...it's ready. It's the new blog. I have nothing to say yet...but this is where you can catch up with me. Welcome.

I will no longer be posting on my old blog. It is now just wonderful memories and something to read when I miss the North.