Africa Can

If you really don't like Obama, just skip the first 15 or so seconds... this short video is about the African success story that is the country of Ghana. Thanks to Obama's visit, Ghana is getting a bit of well-deserved attention today. Really makes me miss the place and my friends there a lot. Anyways, enjoy the video!

The Law

Me: "Annie, you're cute. It's illegal to be that cute."

Annie: "Noooooooooooo... it's illegal for kids to drive."

this week is NONSENSE!

When I moved here, I had heard that the city is very proud of its cowboy atmosphere, and that Stampede is the best time of the year.

Turns out that Stampede is the ONLY time of the year that this city even so much as resembles anything that has anything to do with cowboys. The cowboy image is such a facade! For one week out of the year, people wear jeans and cowboy hats to work, eat large scale breakfasts together, and talk about chuckwagon races. It is a huge act for all of the out-of-towners. It is so ridiculous. I hate Stampede! (But I like the free food... I think they should do that all year.)

Somehow Calgary even earned the nickname Cowtown. Now, I'm sure there were plenty of cowboys kicking around back before Calgary was such a big city, but nowadays there is nothing about the city that leads me to believe there are any cowboys anywhere, aside from a couple of bars that try to look like they are some modern sorts of saloons. Oh, and the sign that welcomes you to Calgary when you come into the city from the airport. Any real cowboys would have had to leave the city because there are now cows here, or adjust to city life.

Does Calgary make you think of cowboys, the wild west, or anything of the like? I just don't get it.

Oh Well

So, this friend of mine suggests new places that she and I should go on vacation just about everyday. I like to humor her (and myself) a bit because it really would be nice to get away, but the conversation usually ends with her saying something along the lines of, "you need to get a job that pays big money."

She will typically start off suggesting grand getaways. "Oooooh, let's go on this 10 day cruise of the Caribbean!" or "Let's fly to Greece and lounge around the Mediterranean for a week!" I don't even ask how much things cost anymore.

I counter this friend's incessant travel temptations by compulsively entering contests where the prize is a trip... somewhere. I don't really care where. Or what. One of the contests is for fans of some video game I've never heard of. You "get" to go see the studio where they make the games, which might be interesting for about 5 minutes. I'm so desperate that I would gladly travel.... somewhere.... to look at some video game studio.

Anyways, I really am itching to get away. Part of the problem is I can't even leave Canada until my study permit shows up. I'm channeling positive energy into the mailbox, hoping it will come today (I'm not sure what that means). I have trouble praying that it will come today, because I really just want the study permit to come when God wants it here, even if it psyches me out a little bit having to wait so long.

Opposites

Sam and I are SO opposite... she loves to bake treats, and I love to cook meals! It is amazing that we are even friends, really.

The Hair Update

I guess it's time to show you how my hair is growing in. More like growing up... it does not go flat, it just sticks straight up. But I don't mind, I like it. It is just now getting long enough that I will get a messy spot where my head touches the pillow when I sleep. 

Annie is IN LOVE with my head. She no longer gives me a hug and kiss when I leave. Instead, she wraps her arms around my head and gives it a little rub when it is time to say goodbye. 

I think Sam likes my hair more as it gets longer because then she can pull it easier when I am being annoying. Also, I think she was a little afraid of the dreadlocks. And after seeing all the dandruff that was stuck in their middles when we cut them off, I really can't blame her. (Overshare? Undershare? There are pictures of it, if you want.)

Sam's dad no longer calls me Sideshow Bob and no longer charges me a "Bohemian Tax."

I don't think my mom has actually seen either of my recent hair don'ts, not even in pictures. Also, I think she was so excited when I told her that I got rid of my dreads that she didn't quite catch on to the fact that all of my hair was gone, too.

Nasal Irrigation Cont'd.

I ran more saltwater through my nasal cavity today. 

Sam didn't even have to make me! She wasn't even there! She won't even know about it until she reads it right here on my blog!

I didn't even gag! Or cry! Or freak out at all!

Good for me.