No, not for the wedding. I have that many days until I write my exam to become a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) with the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Certification Commission. I feel mostly ready, I just have to review small recall facts, but I really feel that I am ready. As I was studying for this exam, I realized that this is the subject that I really am most interested in. I could definitely make a career out of training people and/or teams. With my Master's in Sports Administration, I would have the administrative side of things, and now with the credential, I will have the practical side of things. The only thing that I wouldn't use is my engineering degree, but I am sure I will find a way to tie that aspect in as well, sooner than later.
Geofford and I returned on Sunday from a (too) brief visit with his parents. We decided (quite ambitiously) to drive to their house on Georgian Bay after our marriage prep course on Thursday evening. Due to a few delays (i.e. Geoff wasn't packed yet...), we finally got on the road at about 10pm. I never realized that there is so much overnight traffic on the roads. We finally arrived at his parents place at around 4am. We had decided to do it this way so that we would be able to do somethings on Friday and not have to spend the day in the car. In the end, I think that it worked out well, because we did have a little more time at his parents house.
One of the reasons that we picked this particular weekend, was to attend a Vox Huronia concert. Vox Huronia is a Chamber Choir that is conducted by Roger Priddle, who is a good friend of Geofford's family. There are also a few familiar faces (to me) in the choir, so that makes it quite special. This is the second concert that we have attended together (or that I have attended). They performed a piece that was specially commissioned to the choir, and it was quite incredible. Listening to them sing is one thing, but to also be able to see their expressions when they sing is also quite fun. They really seem to enjoy themselves.
Geofford and I also stopped at the Cookstown outlet mall on our way home. He wanted to stop at the Nike outlet to look for cleats, and I just wanted to see what kind of wedding shoe selection they had. In the end, we went to the Nike store and there was a buy-one-get-one free sale, but unfortunately neither of us found anything that we really needed. We also looked at the Paderno store and fell in love with some of the cookware. We went to a few shoe stores, but neither of us found anything that we really needed. Finally we stopped at the Timex kiosk, and I bought a watch to replace the watch that I "lost" (but then found at the bottom of my ultimate bag...so now I have two!) and Geofford was browsing the watches. He found one that he liked, the Dress Ironman 54021, but didn't buy for some reason. He is now regretting his choice and wished that he bought the watch. So if anyone out there knows of a place in Ottawa that I can purchase this watch, please let us know!
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Silk Brocade
Tracy and I ventured to Toronto this week to try and find Chinese Silk for a cheongsam for my wedding. While in Toronto, I was able to have dinner with Courtney and Jen who I haven't seen in ages, so that was great. It was awesome to be able to catch up, and as Courtney was saying, although we haven't seen each other in a while, it just seems like yesterday the last time we hung out. I also got to spend some time with Cindy as we crashed at her place for the night.
After speaking to some of my aunts, we were given directions to go to Chinatown - near Spadina and Dundas St. W. My Aunt Anita also told us that she got the material for her dress on Queen St W, near Spadina. My Aunt Margaret directed us to a place on Queen St W as well (unfortunately I didn't get a chance to read this email until after our shopping expedition).
At first we went the wrong direction down Queen St W (east of Spadina), which was just retail stores. At this point, I was getting a little discouraged because we had been walking around and have only seen ready-made dresses, and no fabric stores. As we were crossing the street, we were given a flyer to go to a textiles shop on Richmond St. This store was a promising, but it only had a small selection of chinese silk. I was ready to settle on a red fabric, but Tracy urged me to check out some other stores, since we didn't come all the way to Toronto to settle.
Well, we went back to Queen St W, and found the places that we were looking for. We started on the south side of the street, and practically every textile store that we entered had chinese silk (which is called silk brocade...something that I learned). I couldn't believe the amount of selection available. Finally, we went into Chu Shing Textiles (440 Queen Street West), and found that the silk brocade was on sale for $12/yard, which was about $6 cheaper than anywhere else that we had looked. It had all of the silk that I wanted to buy (I would provide more description, but Geofford is very traditional, and wants to know nothing about my wedding apparel). I was very happy about my purchases, and Ronald, the owner, was very helpful and knowledgable - who knew that you had to put lining in a dress? We were also able to find the chinese frogs (fancy buttons) and a tiara at Sussman's Bridal Supplies (420 Queen Street West). Overall, it was a very good shopping trip.
I can't believe that is exactly six months until my wedding date...I can't wait!
After speaking to some of my aunts, we were given directions to go to Chinatown - near Spadina and Dundas St. W. My Aunt Anita also told us that she got the material for her dress on Queen St W, near Spadina. My Aunt Margaret directed us to a place on Queen St W as well (unfortunately I didn't get a chance to read this email until after our shopping expedition).
At first we went the wrong direction down Queen St W (east of Spadina), which was just retail stores. At this point, I was getting a little discouraged because we had been walking around and have only seen ready-made dresses, and no fabric stores. As we were crossing the street, we were given a flyer to go to a textiles shop on Richmond St. This store was a promising, but it only had a small selection of chinese silk. I was ready to settle on a red fabric, but Tracy urged me to check out some other stores, since we didn't come all the way to Toronto to settle.
Well, we went back to Queen St W, and found the places that we were looking for. We started on the south side of the street, and practically every textile store that we entered had chinese silk (which is called silk brocade...something that I learned). I couldn't believe the amount of selection available. Finally, we went into Chu Shing Textiles (440 Queen Street West), and found that the silk brocade was on sale for $12/yard, which was about $6 cheaper than anywhere else that we had looked. It had all of the silk that I wanted to buy (I would provide more description, but Geofford is very traditional, and wants to know nothing about my wedding apparel). I was very happy about my purchases, and Ronald, the owner, was very helpful and knowledgable - who knew that you had to put lining in a dress? We were also able to find the chinese frogs (fancy buttons) and a tiara at Sussman's Bridal Supplies (420 Queen Street West). Overall, it was a very good shopping trip.
I can't believe that is exactly six months until my wedding date...I can't wait!
Monday, March 13, 2006
More new babies
More of my friends have had beautiful babies, and both babies and mothers are doing well. As both families reside in Waterloo, I haven't had the chance to meet the bundles of joy, although I have been able to see some pictures.
Erin and John Schmidt had a baby girl named Jessica. Here are some pictures of her.
Christina and Rob Wood had a baby boy named Liam (I think?) on March 6. Here are some pictures of him.
It's hard to believe that we are all growing up and starting families. Well, I am just growing up and getting married. Hopefully I will find a job soon, so that Geoff and I can think about starting a family...:)
Erin and John Schmidt had a baby girl named Jessica. Here are some pictures of her.
Christina and Rob Wood had a baby boy named Liam (I think?) on March 6. Here are some pictures of him.
It's hard to believe that we are all growing up and starting families. Well, I am just growing up and getting married. Hopefully I will find a job soon, so that Geoff and I can think about starting a family...:)
Thursday, March 02, 2006
It's official...
We have put our deposit down at the Congress Centre, so we will be having our reception at that venue. I am quite excited about my wedding, even though it is a long way away, which is very good, because there are so many details left to handle.
The major things that we have to still tackle are:
-flowers
-dj (which Geofford is in charge of because he is more interested in that)
-my chinese wedding dress
-tuxedos for the boys
-Geofford still has to ask his boys! (he's decided, but hasn't asked them yet)
Things are definitely coming along. Stephan and Lisa have also set the date for their wedding in Honolulu, which means that Geofford also is getting the chance to start planning the honeymoon.
The major things that we have to still tackle are:
-flowers
-dj (which Geofford is in charge of because he is more interested in that)
-my chinese wedding dress
-tuxedos for the boys
-Geofford still has to ask his boys! (he's decided, but hasn't asked them yet)
Things are definitely coming along. Stephan and Lisa have also set the date for their wedding in Honolulu, which means that Geofford also is getting the chance to start planning the honeymoon.
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