So I'm back from Algonquin, back to work, and back to a life of insanity and Toronto smog. It was an unforgettable two weeks...some bad, some good, but definitely unforgettable.

So the course was "Behavioural and Physiological Ecology of animals" which was a lot more interesting than many of the other field courses such as "Biology of Plants" or "Ecology of Extremely Boring Things that no one Cares About" that I could have taken. Anyways, the day we got there, it was like 40 degrees and remained so for the next 4 days. Now, the research station was pretty rustic. By that I mean no AC, no TV, one phone, one bathroom complex, and the cabins were really spread out. I lucked out with the closest cabin to the bathrooms and lived with 4 other girls for the next 2 weeks.

Of course the day after we got there was the huge thunderstorm that knocked out the power...therefore no running water, toilets or light for 24 hours. The phone didn't work for 10 days until the day before I left. Luckily Nima's cell phone started working again after about 4 days. The storm was crazy, apparently someone even died in the Northern part of the park. And there we are in the lake holding nets with metal handles...

So the work part of the course was pretty hard, we had to go catch animals, do a lot of walking, the mosquitos were crazy...tons of presentations and discussions, but overall it turned out pretty well, now we just have papers to write. The downside to all of that is that the prof made some pretty racist comments to Nima and one of the other girls which of course puts quite the damper on the whole experience but I was so proud of Nima and how good his presentations were...considering he's never done powerpoint and never given an oral presentation before I was thoroughly impressed. Plus did anyone ever notice how people for whom English is not their first langauge are more gramatically correct than most people that grew up here?

The best part of the whole thing was the people...there were 11 of us from different Universities and we all did trips into town, and swimming, and each night we all sat up in the cookhouse, studying, talking, playing games, drinking beer...there were some awesome parties and campfires! That's what I miss most about being up there was just being with everyone, we were all so comfortable and it was fun having girl talk before bed, it was like being at a sleepover in highschool...but a lot more graphic, most people have done some wild stuff since highschool!!!
People did start to get on each other's nerves after 2 weeks but that was mostly stress from the final projects I think. I do hope I keep in touch with some people.

I will be posting my pictures shortly, my card reader crapped out so I'm waiting for a new one to get delivered today. Got a bunch of plans for the long weekend including studying for my GRE *sigh* but it should be fun. Have to figure out how to cook lobster also. Ok kids, catch ya later!

Quote of the day: "Good girls are just bad girls who don't get caught!"

I've learned...that life is like a roll of toilet paper: the closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.
I've learned...that we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for.
I've learned...that money doesn't buy class.
I've learned...that it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.
I've learned...that under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.
I've learned...that God didn't do it all in one day, so what makes me think I can?
I've learned...that to ignore the facts does not change the facts.
I've learned...that the less time I have to work, the more things I get done.

So hello guys and gals. Here I am stuck at my desk at work feeling like a drowned rat from the stupid rain. Now, don't get me wrong, I love storms. But not when you wake up and feel like it's still night...or when you're going up to Algonquin in 4 days for a 2-week field course!! Anyways, let me tell you...my weekend rocked. My family was away in Michigan, so it was like complete and total freedom for 3 days. Really, even when they're home they don't bug me and I pretty much do what I want. But I do miss having the place to myself now and then.

Friday Nima came over and we chilled for a while and then took my grandmothers out to Swiss Chalet...you would think they want to go somewhere nice...and different, but they like their quarter white with coleslaw so who am I to argue? Saturday we worked on our stupid projects for the field course and then went to see Pirates, finally. It was really good, although I didn't like it as much as the first, but I guess it's going to be like Lord of the Rings, where the first and last were amazing and the middle one just leaves you feeling unsatisfied because it's one of those cliffhanger endings. Johnny Depp, as always, made the movie...even as a dirty pirate he's so damn hot. I have a thing for scruffiness, so babe I guess I'm really going to enjoy this field course, especially if you don't shave for 3 days!! Sunday was amazing, got special tickets for Persian Day at Wonderland for $30, which got us in to the rides all day, plus a 4-hour concert at night!!! I was there for 12 hours, went on most of the rides by 2, then spent the afternoon at the water park...I think the most I waited in any line was half an hour. And as far as the concert...other cultures really know how to party, they actually dance, not just jump up and down like idiots, which was really fun since you all know how much I love randomly breaking out the dance moves in public settings (Canadian Tire, anyone?)

So I guess I should go and do something productive, like drink coffee. Definitely a 3-coffee day. Third season of the OC is getting retarded...it's like a soap opera, it's the same thing over and over. I miss my Grey's Anatomy!!!! LP folks, you better all be home for at least one weekend in August *shakes fist* I'm going to put up pictures from Dominican before I leave on Sunday so stay tuned!

Quote of the Day: "Did you ever dance with the devil in the pale moonlight?"

20 useful expressions for high stress days

1. Well, aren't we just a fucking ray of sunshine?
2. Not the brightest crayon in the box, are we?
3. A hard-on does NOT count as personal growth.
4. Do I look like a fucking people person?
5. This isn't an office, it's Hell with fluorescent lighting.
6. If I wanted to hear the pitter patter of little feet, I'll put shoes on the cat.
7. The aliens obviously forgot to remove your anal probe.
8. Let me show you how the prison guards do it.
9. And your cry-baby, whiny-assed opinion would be...?
10. Sarcasm is just one more service we offer.
11. Whatever look you were trying to achieve, you missed.
12. Do they ever shut up on your planet?
13. I'm trying to imagine you with a personality.
14. I can't remember if I'm the evil or good twin.
15. How many times do I have to flush before you go away?
16. You say I'm a bitch like it was a bad thing.
17. Can I trade this job for what's behind door #2?
18. Nice perfume, but must you marinate in it?
19. You look like shit, so is that the style now?
20. Aw, did I step on your poor, little-bitty ego?

In case you needed further proof that the human race is doomed through stupidity, here are some actual label instructions on consumer goods:

On Sears hairdryers: Do not use while sleeping. (Gee, that's the only time I have to work on my hair!)

On a bag of Fritos: You could be a winner! No purchase necessary. Details inside. (The shoplifter special!)

On a bar of Dial soap: Directions: Use like regular soap. (And that would be how?)

On some Swanson frozen dinners: Serving suggestion: Defrost. (But it's "just" a suggestion!)

On a hotel provided shower cap in a box: Fits one head.

On Tesco's Tiramisu dessert: (printed on bottom of the box) Do not turn upside down. (Too late! You lose!)

On Marks & Spencer Bread Pudding: Product will be hot after heating. (Are you sure??? Let's experiment.)

On packaging for a Rowenta iron: Do not iron clothes on body. (But wouldn't that save more time?)

On Boot's Children's cough medicine: Do not drive car or operate machinery. (We could do a lot to reduce the rate of construction accidents if we just kept those 5 year olds off those fork lifts.)

On Nytol sleep aid: Warning: may cause drowsiness. (One would hope!)

On a Korean kitchen knife: Warning: keep out of children. (Or pets! What's for dinner?)

On a string of Chinese-made Christmas lights: For indoor or outdoor use only. (As opposed to use in outer space.) (Or underground.)

On a Japanese food processor: Not to be used for the other use. (Now I'm curious.)

On Sainsbury's peanuts: Warning: contains nuts.

On an American Airlines packet of nuts: Instructions: open packet, eat nuts.

On a Swedish chainsaw: Do not attempt to stop chain with your hands or genitals. (What is this, a home castration kit?)

On a child's Superman costume: Wearing of this garment does not enable you to fly. (That's right, destroy a universal childhood fantasy!)

Knowledge for those who seek it:

I am not a vegetarian because I love animals; I am a vegetarian becauseI hate plants.

Why don't sheep shrink when it rains?

It is not possible to ski thru a revolving door.

Always remember that you are unique. Just like everyone else.

Booze is the answer. I don't remember the question.

Man with hole in pocket feel cocky all day.H

I'm not under the alkafluence of inkahol that some thinkle peep I am.

Sex is one of the nine reasons for reincarnation... the other eight are unimportant.

If you can't dazzle 'em with brilliance, baffle 'em with bullshit.

I generally avoid temptation unless I can't resist it.

I love work; it fascinates me; I can sit and watch it for hours.

Where is an elephants sex organ? In his feet. If he steps on you, you'refucked.

Of course you found it in the last place you looked. If you hadn't found it you'd still be looking.

Why doesn't the fattest man in the world become a hockey goalie?

I won't have a battle of wits with an unarmed opponent.

Flying is simple. You just throw yourself at the ground and miss.

A hangover is when you open your eyes in the morning and wish youhadn't.

He who laughs last thinks slowest.

100.000.000 sperm and YOU were the fastest???

If the police arrest a mime, do they tell him he has the right to remain silent?

Whoever said money can't buy happiness, didn't know where to shop.

Never argue with an idiot, listeners may not notice the difference.

What color does a smurf turn when you strangle it?

It is better to be hated for who you are, then to be loved for who youare not.

Sex is one of the most beatiful, natural and wholesome things money can buy.

Do not cut what you can untie.

If Barbie is so popular, why do you have to buy all her friends?

Don't take life too serious. You'll never escape it alive anyway.

Pizza is a lot like sex. When it's good, it's really good. When it'sbad, it's still good.

There are 3 kinds of people in this world, those who can count and thosewho can't.

Why is 'abbreviation' such a long word?

98% of all statistics are made up.

The beatings will continue until morale improves.

A mind is like a parachute - it only works when it is open.

I used up all my sick days, so I'm calling in dead.

Madness takes its toll. Please have exact change.

Proofread carefully to see if you any words out.

There cannot be a crisis today; my schedule is already full.

Ever stop to think, and forget to start again?

A conclusion is simply the place where you got tired of thinking.

I don't have a solution but I admire the problem.

If at first you DO succeed, try not to look astonished!

If one synchronized swimmer drowns, do the rest have to drown too?

If things get any worse, I'll have to ask you to stop helping me.

If I want your opinion, I'll ask you to fill out the necessary forms.

Help Wanted: Telepath. You know where to apply.

Budget: A method for going broke methodically.

Shin: A device for finding furniture in the dark.

There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.

So, I'm back. After one year of no updates, I finally got bored enough at work to start doing this thing again. Not that more than a handful of you care at all about what I'm doing, but for a few of us, this actually qualifies as fun! Really, a lot has happened this year but I won't get into all that. Let's start from now.

I just got back from the Dominican Republic, which was very relaxing, although I went with my family and we tend to drive each other nuts. Other than the lack of English speaking people and the delayed flight it was great though overall. I am taking 2 courses: one is the GRE, which is like the MCATs for graduate school, the other is a 2-week field course in Algonquin Park in which I will be doing interesting things like dissecting frogs and writing papers about salamanders *shakes head* At least I can pretend it's like going to camp, we get food, bunkbeds, campfires and a lake to swim in so it can't be all bad. I am working at Colliers, a Real Estate company, but I never have a lot to do so I am quite bored. The money is good though and I need it desperately so I can tolerate staring at the wall all day.

Right now, my life is chaos. I am furiously trying to study and finish projects for these courses while at the same time researching grad programs and emailing professors. There are a lot more Universities in North American than I thought, and all of them are very expensive. Mostly, I am tired of dealing with idiots at Western. First of all, I was wondering why, after the counsellor told me registration for 4th years was June 27th and 28th, and my time was July 5. So I phoned, and no one gave me a straight answer and said they couldn't do anything. By June 28th, classes were already filling up. Then I get back from vacation and find out they gave me a 3rd year registration time by "accident" so now I'm on several waiting lists. Can we say "oops?" As if that wasn't bad enough, they even screw up and "forget" to look at my special permissions for various courses so I had quite the time getting in because no one knew I was allowed to!!! Even for the GRE, the stupid people at Kaplan registered my boyfriend for the wrong course, so now he has to play phone tag all day. I have wasted 2 weeks of my time that I should have used to study, making phone calls, sending emails, rearranging my schedule 50 zillion times and checking to make sure they fixed all their stupid errors. You would think for such a big famous University that they could figure this shit out properly by now. It is not fair that people don't get into a course because they got a later registration time. As long as it's not your own fault that you register late, you should at least be able to get into courses in your own faculty!!! I got into other faculty's courses a lot easier than my own. They do this every year: courses fill up, then they open more spots and make you wait a month to find out if you're in or not. If they know that 300 people register for a course, why do they only have 50 spots??? I'm tired of dealing with people that were probably hired to be "fair" and wish somewhere would hire people that are "qualified" instead, meaning they can actually talk and write and understand simple sentences and not calculate your tuition wrong.

Ok that's enough of that...needed to get it off my chest. On the plus side, I have been having a very fun summer. Lots of going out and restaurants and beer and movies and FUN! I wish more of my friends were actually around, or that the ones that are would pick up a phone once in a while, but I know that everyone is crazy busy. This weekend I am going to Wonderland and definitely going to see Pirates of the Caribbean...haven't had a good dose of Johnny Depp in a long, long time. Does anyone else find it so sad that I have gotten addicted to the O.C. and download all the episodes on my computer at home? It's like a combination of Gilmore Girls, Dawson's Creek and the Young and the Restless, so why can't I stop watching? I am going to post some pictures when I get home from work today...now that I actually know how to do that!

Quote of the Day: "People only do things for 2 reasons: the good reason, and the real reason."