If My Heart Was a House…

I think one of the best things about Facebook is its’ ability to act as an open ended journal. I spent some time looking back at the last fifteen months and marvelling at the fact that I’m standing upright today. This has been, quite possibly, the most tumultuous, stressful, heartbreaking, trying , and weirdly triumphant year of my (almost) 24 years of life.

In the last year (or so) I: graduated. Said goodbye to my childhood home, my dog, my family. Was in a car accident. Went to Florida. Flew in an old war plane across the Caribbean Sea and navigated my parents with my half ass Creole through their first two weeks in Haiti. Was homeless. Was jobless. Spent my first Christmas ever without my family. Turned 23. Watched Haiti fall apart under an earthquake. Wondered if said earthquake took my family. Started a new job. Had two brutal kidney infections. Had my heart broken. Was absolutely broke.  Discovered truth that shattered a friendship. Said goodbye to some dear friends.  Moved to Drumheller. Said goodbye to my family again. Flew to PEI and back.

The list looks long. And as I look back I am amazed that I didn’t crumble. But..there are so many people that offered support and that stood behind and beside me. So in an attempt to not sound too corny… Thank you to: My grandparents. Who offered their home, funds, car and non judgmental support. I love you both so much. Holly Ertman… you are the bees knees. I haven’t been the friend to you that you’ve been to me. I love you. Glenda and Keanan Postman. I miss you everyday. You are the one thing I would’ve brought with me to Drum.Your house has been an oasis for me over and over and your friendship steadfast and fluid. Kathryn, Stephen and Allen: thank you for letting me live in your house while I was all over the map. Your house will always feel like another home. Cesar Uyeno: thanks for helping me move over and over again and for coming to visit me my first lonely week in Drum. Newshams: for giving me a place and a couch for when I need one. Thank you for giving me some semblance of normalcy for my first unnormal christmas. It was such a treat. And Mom and Dad: I know it hasn’t been easy but thank you for offering support from wherever you’ve been in the world, and for bailing me out of my poverty stricken spring. I love you.

And my new BP friends: you don’t know it, but you’ve given me a place to feel safe and belong again. Thanks for taking me as I am.

I am finally feeling whole again. And I am definitely feeling hopeful. I’m way stronger than I was a year ago and I am gearing up and ready fr the next big adventure that comes my way.  In the meantime dare I say that I’m content at this stepping stone? Maybe  And here’s to hoping for a better 12 months.

watch?v=OLkHCXjv6HI

Must Be a Full Moon

Okay really, I thought I should share this. It had been a day of just really randomly humorous events (Like the guy at Bell with a huge goober on his shirt. And overhearing a conversation between a guy and his wife about what wanker meant…). Either way, the best part came at the Postmans  home. Julies mom called in a panic because all the brooms in Stratton were standing…on their own. So we ran around and found brooms and called everyone we know because it works! Just find the right spot in the kitchen floor and the broom stands.

Heres a picture for proof.

And PS- to whoever is continually googling “Karis Pauly Lethbridge” I am still in Lethbridge and still working at Swiss Chalet. Come visit me sometime.

 

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Now What??

After a brutal last semester, I got to dawn the cap and gown and try not to biff it up the hill at the university.

And yes, I’m still at Swiss Chalet…putting my BA to real good use. lol. I’m sticking with it until I return from getting the parentals settled in Haiti.

I’m also homeless now. Again putting my BA to real good use. I can say it in several different languages. Ready? Sin casa. Sans un maison. Pa kay. Who says languages can’t get me a career??

So it’s a couple of months late but here are some pics from the epic (?) day.

Summer Nights

So a new Rascal Flatts cd came out. Yeah Baby! This is my new favorite song….

My choice to stay

What a crazy year it has been. My plans have changed more times than I can count. This year has been so much easier in some ways, and so much harder in others. School has gotten so much more difficult. I swear my french professors have forgotten what it means to be an undergraduate, but I am now able to sit down and write a research paper in french in one very very long day! I am thankful for what I have learned through my degree, but I gotta say, I will not, will NOT miss school. That  being said, I am taking my very awesome acceptance letter to do my Masters and putting my admittance letter on hold. I am going to stay in Lethbridge. I finally feel as though Lethbridge is my home, and with Mom and Dad gone next year, it will be so nice to be in my own home close to friends and family. That and I so need a break from academia. I could care less if I ever had to practice french relative pronouns again. I’m good.

So the plan is now to stay at Swiss Chalet for the summer,  take a TESL course with a very special study buddy, go to Haiti with my family for a couple of months and return to look  for a new  job: something a little more grown up. Ideally I would love to work for Lethbridge Immigrant Services. Only time will tell tho. OH! and I want a dog. Really bad. I’ll add that to my wish list.

It’s beautiful in Lethbridge. Me and my lovely roomie went down to the river bottom to enjoy the early spring. Gorgeous, hey? One of the many reasons why I am staying.

I heart the office

 

 

I LOVE THIS SHOW!

Who knew puppets could make you laugh THIS hard?!?

Okay, Holly sent these links to me and I laughed so hard I nearly peed my pants. And the “I almost peed” laugh is the best kind to have.

So enjoy. I will warn the faint of heart that these are fairly colorful.

 

How to Piss Off Your Server 101

After a night of TERRIBLE customers at Swiss I decided to inform those who are sadly misinformed. Read and LEARN and enjoy better service at your respective favorite restaurants! These things tick us off the most: pay close attention…

(Fellow servers, please feel free to add whatever may make you want to serve “sneezers”…)

1) Ask for something and when your server runs to get it, think about something else he/she can get. While they go to retrieve that, think of something else they could get for you. While they are getting that, think of something else he/she could get for you….

2) Leave a fifty cent tip on your debit purchase. AWESOME. Clearly you need it more than I do. Keep the change and slap us next time instead. That makes more sense.

3) Leave no tip. We make minimum wage. The tip is not “extra” it’s how we make a living.

4) I may be a server, but someday I will be better educated than you. Do not treat me like I know nothing. Believe it or not, I CAN print off a cheque and bring dessert at the same time. Who woulda thunk?!?

5) When I come to the table and greet you cheerfully, at least look up and acknowledge me. Most of the time my cheerfulness is an act, so if I can do it, so can you.

6) Do not, no matter what the circumstance, SNAP YOUR FINGERS AT ME AND YELL  “YO SERVER, THE FOOD IS WRONG”. I will ignore you. At this point I will not care if you do not tip me. My goal is to now get you out of the restaurant.

7) When standing at your table with four steaming hot plates of food which are burning my forearm, try to pull it together and remember who had what. Contrary to popular belief, I’m not a mindreader.

8) Eat your food and after you have cleaned every last speck of food off of it, complain that it was cold/gross/bad/inadequate and demand a discount.

9) I love babies, but I do not love it when they try to pull drinks off my tray. Please pay attention. Doubly so for babies that are screaming. When I can’t hear what you are trying to order, something isn’t right.

10) Demand attention when we are clearly busy with another table. Most of us have a routine and will get to you ASAP. In case you missed the first few years of your life, interrupting is very rude.

11) Come in five minutes before close, ring up the bill, perform the ten already stated faux pas, and walk out without paying the bill. I have to pay for that out of my own pocket, you know. It’s also a criminal offense. Just don’t do it. Makes sense, right? You’d think so.

12) When I am listing off the bizillion side dishes available to you, PAY ATTENTION. It ticks us off when we have to do that two, three, four times per table. And guess what? It’s in your menu!!

Basically, I am there to provide a service, but I am not a servant. It’s my job. So respect my workspace, respect my work, and I will give you the best service you’ve ever had at a restaurant. I’ll even crack a joke or two and bring extra chocolate for your table (candy for your babies, etc). And tip accordingly. My rule of thumb: tip two dollars more than you think you should.

 

End of Rant.

The Bible vs The Book of Mormon

“The word of our God stands forever” Isaiah 40:8

Yes, John Krasinski is my main motivation for watching The Office

As my search for my own Jim Halpert continues….stay tuned people.