In the last 2 weeks I have:

1.   booked my wedding venue (the fort national historic site in fort langley,bc)  http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/bc/langley/index.aspx

2. hired our wedding planner

3.  gone to 3 wedding shows
 4.made the invitations and rsvp cards (just need to be printed) at 

5. gave our first deposit to our wedding photographer

6. looked at 4 townhouses for sale

7. started taking up yoga (did 3 classes this week) at http://www.exhalestudio.com/

8. Managed to drag Johann with me to a yoga class last night (zen candle-lit yoga) AND he loved it! 

9. celebrated my nephew's third birthday

10.  scheduled pre-marital counselling and arranged the same http://www.younghipandmarried.com/  to officiate our wedding

Life's happenings

It's been a while since I've posted on here. Here's the latest in my life: 1. I got engaged in August to a wonderful man- Johann. He popped the question on a gondola ride in Whistler. Ever since I've been planning the wedding mostly in my head- but I'm going to start writing down all my plans- date is planned for Sept 7, 2013. MY idea so far: family ranch near kamloops,bc (closer to chase) it's a house on a private lake with acres of land to have fun adventures on. We plan to rent ATV's for our guests, put up a volleyball net, have boat rides for the kids (battery-powered it;s a small lake). PLanning to have a bbq after the vows and possibly some live entertainment (we can make as much noise as we want as we are in the boonies! We plan to ask our guests to bring tents, sleeping bags, ect and we'll put up a few tents in the yard- there's 3 bedrooms in the house and only one bathroom so i think we'll rent a couple honey buckets for our guests. Also on the to-do list is to reserve some hotel rooms in nearby Kamloops. I plan to made my own cupcakes and have a top layer of wedding cake. I wanna get several long tables and have 2 or 3 rows on the front lawn

The location....

overlooking the lake. 2. I'm stilling living in Vancouver and working at VGH. It's expensive to live here but Johann's family is here and my sister and brother-in-law and my nephews live here and I spend a lot of time with them. just the other day Oscar said his best friends were "aunty Kee and uncle JOhann" so cute! Max is just over 2 months and as cute as a button..... 3. speaking of buttons I'm still working on my button jewellry. I have several wire button rings. I have a ton of buttons and jewelry courtesy of my aunt judith who passed away last fast (2011) she enjoyed and was talented at making eclectic jewelry. Every-time I make something new I think of here. I miss her very much. 4. We are living in the top floor of a house in south van- we love our neighbours, the quiet neighbourhood close to groceries, parks and bus and skytrain. I'v been taking the skytrain to work- I stopped biking to work in oct when it started raining everyday. The commute is great for me for getting to work, downtown, to see family. We own a car but JOhann uses it and I prefer transit. As much as we love it here it's expensive and we want to own our own home/house and it's cheaper to go to the fraser valley for that. We'll see what happens- our lease is up next september.... 5. Johann is working on getting his crane operator certification- tho he's been operating for over 10 years it's required- so lots of studying, paperwork and money to do this.....but his passion is developing his business for uav (multirotor) aerial videography business- his dad is helping him get a business plan going and to generate interest. We'll see what happens because once it becomes a successful business we can live anywhere!

Me and my nephews In just over 2 weeks I leave for honolulu with my family for 10 days.....and I have a whole month off!!!

What's new in my zoo

Here's some fun random things that've happened to me: I got to participate in Nurse's appreciation week (well I was on days off) but I came to get my bag of goodies, learn about nursing opportunities in my hospital and ran into lots of work colleagues. I'v been biking to work everyday for the last few weeks (rain or shine)! I now bike from near UBC at our new house. I love it- biking allows me to get to work exactly when I want to get there (not relying on public transit). i was biking down 10th ave and this guy on a motorcycle called out to me " You know how fast you're going? 25 km/hr" vrooooom and sped off! Ha ha love it I found a store in kits that exclusively sells Trader Joe products- I love it- it's called Transilvania. The people that work there are so nice- they even sell bread from Portland! I've been busy making wire rings- selling some to to co-workers. Working on getting an Etsy account. Coming to a mailbox near you!

Johann and I with our dogs (we just borrowed them for this shot)

My cute nephew- he loves getting his picture taken!

Buttons buttons

I've been making buttons earrings lately- so easy and they look amazing. I like to shop at a store in Gastown called Button Button it's a charming little store filled with- you guessed it: lots of buttons (glass, wooden, hand-painted, retro, gangster/bad ass, pearl, ect. you name it they have it. I was looking for smaller wooden buttons and they didn't have the size I wanted so I headed to Dress Sew on west hastings. That is where I hit the buttons jackpot- and so much cheaper/better deals. I got my most recent earring posts from Michael's craft store.

I'm trying to market these to co-workers and friends right now. My goal is to make at least one pair of earrings to suit/please all of my pierced-ears colleagues and friends. Got any suggestions/ideas about what you like? Leave your comments here and tell me what you'd like. Maybe I will start making other button jewellery too- necklaces, rings, ect.

My inspiration comes from my aunt Judith who was a crafter in many things including: woven items with the loom, button jewellery, broaches, knitting, ect. She passed away in fall 2011 and I was left with many of her antique buttons and her old jewellry making kits (organized in a huge tackle box). I hope I continue to experiment with various craft projects.

You look familiar...

Has anyone ever mistaken you for someone else? i get that- a lot. Not because I'm an identical twin (I think we look pretty much alike) but in my everyday life as a nurse. I get a lot of "you remind me of my neighbour/cousin/friend". i have people tell me I remind them of people they grew up with- one of my friends Kim said I looked like the grown up version of girl from Elementary school in Cloverdale "Kiki" I think her name was. I take these recognitions as a compliment. I like that I remind people of someone familiar from there life, or the goofy kid from school, or their family member. It's a conversation starter as I share that I already have a twin but now I I have multiple twins!

Anyone else ever have this happen to you? Please share your comments below!

http://youtu.be/y0LO6v43YCo

the latest

View from our apartment in New West
it's been way to long...so what has life looked like lately?

I'm excited to be going to Maui for the first time ever in Dec with Johann and his family! We leave right after my night shift on Dec.18th. I have visions of dinner cruises, scenic drives, playing tennis and getting tanned somewhere along the way. I already got a new bikini top!

I've been getting massages every two weeks and recently had physio. My body has been in some form of pain as long as I've worked in health care and it wasn't getting any better. Today I tried Bikrim yoga for the first time and - WOW- my back feels so good. There was a lot of nausea, head pounding and quivering muscles through it all but I'm going again tomorrow! Another nurse encouraged me to try it as she had a chronic injury that never felt better with physio, chiro and massage and since doing the Bikrim yoga she feels much better. I look forward to listening to my body as I try to give it what it needs.

I'm trying to cook more lately. it's so easy to get lazy and eat snacks/eat out, but it ends up being more costly and unhealthy. Some recipes I've tried:
1. Squash soup (made with squash, bartlett pears, cream and bacon)

2. chicken quesadillas

3.pumpkin bread (the muffins turned out better than the loaf which was uncooked in the middle.


At work I got to go to an education session about promoting change in the work place. We learned about different ways of going about it and did lots of brain storming and it was very eye opening, fun and high energy! There are a few of us who want to facilitate how to make something better on our unit (possibly improving our hand hygeine numbers). One of the phrases that stuck with me was "Please Do Something Anything- DSA (plan, do study, act) getting together with other nurses with shift work is proving to be the biggest challenge.

Compassionate people

I recently took an 8 hour plane ride from Seattle, Wa to Iceland. The seats were cramped, but people got themselves settled in and made the most of it. About 4 hours into our flight I hear call bells ringing. No, I was not hallucinating I was at work, they actually have call bells on the plane; flight attendants "attend" to your needs when you use it. I realize how helpless one can feel on a long plane ride, as I was one of the passengers too. There are times when you hear unsettling sounds and experience unwanted feelings of fear, anxiety along with the uneasiness of breathing in about 100 people's recycled air. So you press that button, and in comes a calm attendant telling you it's alright, everything is under control. Offers you a drink when you're thirsty, and shows compassion and empathy when you complain that it's too hot in this airplane.

Over the years I've had good flight attendants and out-right rude ones and let me tell you: a friendly calm face is what you need on a long journey. You're overtired, feeling out of place and unsure of what to expect and all of this makes you feel that much better when you know they have your back and will do whatever it takes to help you get through the long trip. I couldn't help but compare what flight attendants do to what nurses do. On a medical journey there are bumps along the road, but knowing there are trained, compassionate professionals there with you to answer questions, to sooth any symptoms that come and to be with you as the journey happens helps pass the time. In the end you leave the plane, the hospital and move forward to your next destination. Who knows, you may even be back. In the hospital you rarely choose to be there and you certainly don't get to choose your nurse. It's a gamble as to how your journey will.

Maybe you are a nurse reading this, or even a patient/passenger and I wander what you think as you read it? Does it make you want to be a better nurse? Does it make you feel good or upset about our health care system? If you have someone in your life whether a professional or not, and they try to make your life better than thank them for it. We need more decent people in the world out there.

Here's some things happening in my life lately:

I got into the perioperative program (OR training), then just a few days ago found out that I didn't pass the online portion to move onto my full-time practicum. I was sad and upset as I didn't reapply for a position at VGH because I thought I was leaving. I also put on too much pressure on myself and never really got into the content- and doing an online course while working full-time is challenging! After the day I found out I just felt content, and that everhing would work out. So- now it seems I get to keep my current job (same line) and get to work with the most amazing staff at VGH! Who knows where the next path will take me...maybe homecare nursing or public health?


I think I may have to move. My allergies have been terrible and I get sick often. Johann seems immune to it all. We had a leak from a tub in the suite next door to us and the carpet got soaked- everything got fixed, just waiting to get the carpet cleaned (big water stain). I think living with carpet is not good for my health. So, since I won't be immersed in this program we might be looking for a new place to live. Possibly in a different neighborhood.

I do love my neighborhood- I live close to my sister and brother-in-law (Jamie) and my nephew plus close to my good friend Meliss and her husband. JOhann is now sharing a warehouse space to use for his model planes/blasting his music with Mel's husband and his brother (both of them are Jamie's brothers). I have been reconnecting with a friend I hadn't seen in 10 years who lives close to the hood. I also love the local library and community center- it's brand new and amazing!


I have decided to both buy and make christmas presents for everyone this year. I haven't really got into the gift aspect of the season, however I did decorate for Christmas back in November!

Johann and I are going to the Okanagan for Christmas! Two nights at the local ski hill with my friends Hil and Adrien. Then one night with my parents...

New season

the scandinave spa we retreated to in whistler...



It's been a while. Summer has come and gone and we're into my favorite season:Autumn. The brightly colored leaves, the chill in the air and the sunshine...something is different in the air: a new season of those starting school and new phases of life. My life is shifting as Johann is officially moving in! He has decided to get a storage locker for his model plane stuff, tools, extras as the one bedroom we share is not huge though I am a fan of the many closets.

I have been trying to make our place into a happy home- we have Johann's computer now, my mac tower I was using died so I decided to purchase a refurbished macbook! it arrives sometime this week and I am desperate to have my own computer again:) I am officially addicted to netflicks.com loving my first month free: favorite shows include Intervention, Hoarders, Drop dead diva....who knows what show I will watch next!

Joahnn and I just got back from an amazing weekend trip to Whistler where we ziplined, went to dinner at Araxia and on sunday we took in the Scandinave spa. What a nice refreshing end to our weekend.Picures to come later!And now I am at work working the first of 3 night shifts.

Looking forward to two turkey dinners next weekend: one with Johann's family and one with mine. Rach and Kris are hosting this year in their brand-new town house! Should be fun- baby Oscar (My nephew) and Oliver (rach's weiner dog) and all the husbands/boyfriend will be there.

Been a while...

10 things I've been up to lately:

1. Spending time with my adorable nephew Oscar.





2.Spending Lots of time with my new boyfriend- he's Icelandic and I love that he's a crane operator who loves adventure. We've been zip lining in Whistler, on a ropes challenge course in Revelstoke, with plans for paragliding in August...perhaps I will ride on the glider with him once he's recertified...So- life is never dull with Johann. My parents love him, and I spent some time with his family at a cabin outside Kamploops last week: so much fun!

3. Went on a solo trip to the Olympic national park- saw several rain forests and hiked to some natural hotsprings.

4. Went to sasquatch music festival- had to get 4 stitches on the first day ( my little pinkie was bleeding from a knive wound when I was cooking at my campsite. Got the hospital bill: $1,071!! Filling out insurance paperwork now one month later!

5. I went to Denver,Co on my birthday to a Univera convention and got inspired, had fun and saw the Corporate team including the Korean founder! Danced at an 80's party that night.

6. Planting a garden- then Jen and jamie moved leaving our garden behind for the next tenants.

7. Been biking to work everyday- but I need to start doing it for fun- 10th ave everyday is nice but I need more. I need a sport: tennis anyone?

8. Had my first preceptorship student for 2 months. Learned lots about leadership and got to share my knowledge with her and learn from her as well.

9. Been doing lots of baking! Jennica gave me a cupcake cookbook for my birthday.

10. Using skype a lot-saving $$ on long distance charges. thinking of getting the new i-phone- face to face skype on it! Okay this is a lame number 10....

pics from the Atlantic house during Olympics

So I ventured to Granville island and enjoyed the Atlantic house to celebrate PEI day. I met one local from summerside, PEI (Jordan) and his friend Erik from New Brunswick. They'd met at U of A in Sacville, NB. We waited in line at backstage lounge, shared some beers, appies and then we had a Screech together (a famous east coast shot)

badgentina play

What I've realized so far....

Went to see my mom's family in Tacoma,Wa this past weekend. I realized some things:

1. I am so much like my aunt Judy. I love to make jewelry; in the past she used to make decorative buttons, used a loom on a regular basis and she still knits. She is an adament recycler; I remember her yelling at us as kids if we threw out a can or bottle. Today I recycle nearly everything I consume and I cringe every-time someone chucks paper or a bottle in the trash. Yikes! She has traveled around the world and tells me she has no regrets. I am starting to get the travel bug and am thinking of teaching nursing as a volunteer in Bangledesh, India. Judith is currently on radiation and chemotherapy for her brain cancer (tumor removed in December) she has fiestyness and fire in her eyes to experience life in all it's fullness and I believe I am following suit. Judith and her Bill


2. I keep on having dreams about Alaska. I watch Northern exposures old dvd's every chance I get (from the library).One night I had a vivid dream I was on a cruise there with my close family and friends and the band "the be good tanyas" were playing. One of my visions for my life is that I end up there to visit. Well, my grandpa and my uncles have all fished in Alaska multiple times, they say the fishing is unbelievable. Grandpa subscribes to Alaska magazine and they have fond memories of the state. Grandpa and Uncle Steve

3. I am so lucky to have my amazing family in the US. I love each of them. My cousin Callie owns and operates her business with her mom (My aunt Pat) in Tacoma:
www.callalilydesigners.com Aparently gay men love their store.. Callie and aunt Pat on Sat in their store...

Jake, Judith Jennica and I at Jude's house

from another blog....

Whatever you give a woman, she will make greater--give her sperm she will make a baby, give her a house she will give you a home, give her groceries she will give you a meal, give her a smile she will give you her heart. She multiplies and enlarges what she is given. So if you give her any ......crap, be ready for a ton of sh*t.


Love it

rain rain please go away

Lately it's been raining so much that I feel like it's literally dampening people's spirits. Even up in the ski hills they are getting rain, turning the snow to slush. Not good considering the Olympics are coming next month. But you know what, I'll bet you that come Feb the sun will shine, the air will be crisp and there will be fresh snow on the hills! People will come from all over the world and see how beautiful the west coast of Canada is. The music will be amazing, and there's going to be world class athletes in our city of Vancouver! The hospital will be busy (keep those broken bones and head injuries to a minimum athletes:) and on my days off I will be heading to a transformed David Lam Park (used to be all grass but they've put in bricks for the many feet to tread on it) I hope they restore the grass back we need our green space!!

On an other note we need the rain to keep the ground lush and green (but we don't need this much!)

A friend of my roomate and mine is staying with us for a few days to work at a Starbucks venue...

Oh and another random moment I ran into Henrik Sedin on the sea wall with his little son. I didn't talk to him I just gawked. Funny I don't even watch the Canucks but I know who the twins are (cause I'm a twin). Now I am paying a little more attention to the Canucks lately, thanks to Henrik:)

2010

2010: Happy new year everyone! A time to start off fresh, a time to reflect back on the past year. 2009 I feel like I experienced some new things and along with that I feel I am a changed person. As of now, 2010 I am content with my group of friends and family around me but I am hoping to meet more people from Vancouver. I am starting to spend more time with people from work. I actually spent new years eve with one of my co-workers, his roomate and a few friends of theirs. It was a great time- a 2 year old was even included in our celebrations. I even got 5 new year's kisses on my cheeks from 5 gentlemen. In the morning the boys even made us all breakfast- bacon and pancakes! They were considering doing the polar bear swim but reconsidered after it was pouring down rain and windy.

I started a new book that I love so much I was already in tears by the first few pages. "the history of love" by Nicole Krause. It was recommended to me but 2 good friends of mine and reading it makes me love them even more!



I am going to do either a hip hop class and/or a pilates class starting this month- there's a new community center that just opened in my neighborhood. I am loving being in Vancouver- excited for the OLympics to come!!

I love having a roomate- tho she's hardly ever home always at her boyfriends place. She's a good friend who I love and she knows me well.

I am going to be an aunt in March! my twin sister is pregnant.

I am loving being at VGH- i will be doing some courses hopefully starting this month. I am starting to think about specialties and what I want to do. I applied to do travel nursing as I am hoping to spend a month in the east coast of Canada working this summer. The ocean, neat accents, great shows to check out, and fun people to meet!

Here's some pics from christmas:

My "food belly" and jennica's is the real deal

Getting older

"Basket" by Dan Mangan

We are young
We have years ahead maybe
We might fall in love
Fall apart
Fall apart
Before it ends
Well we should try to start

So I'll go but I'm telling you I don't wanna go
Could be stuck here and happy

So there's a puzzle I work on endlessly
And I've got the sides and all the corners
But there's a space
Yeah there's a space
Lost some pieces I can't replace

So I'll be but I'm telling you I don't wanna be
Just a wasted puzzle piece

We are old
And our son took the dog away
And fair enough, guess we're tired all the time
All the time
And you know dogs they need ample time outside

So I'll stay but I'm telling you I don't, I don't wanna stay
So I'll brace myself against the wall and hope to God that I don't fall
My bones are worn, my hip won't hold
I used to be so young, how did I get so old?
Won't you take my cane and hold my hand
You're holding onto all I have
Just a basket full of memories
And I am losing more each day it seems
But if I can make it to the street
I'll steal a car or a bike whatever there is to steal
And it might get cold I just don't care
I'm going 'til I'm getting there
I'll ride my steed all through this town
'Til I have looked and I have found
Your peaceful memory
Won't you return to me?
Won't you return to me?


Getting older: it's something we all dread/fear. I look forward to aging with grace. How can one do that in a world where we have dementia, arthritis, memory lapses and revolked licences taking away? Well, I want you all to check out this website= http://keegansuttie.univera.com from a company called univera. It's a company I strongly believe in; I am on the products which I know are scientifically sound and they work. I have partnered with this company and I want to share what it is with you, my friend, family and those who have stumbed on this blog.