Hurry Up Peter! Let the Poor Sods Go, Already!

The pic is from my power point to demonstrate what happens to any species that consumes high-fructose corn syrup regularly.
Here I sit, outside on UBCO Campus grounds. Just finished my last class for the spring. Waiting and waiting for Peter's class to end! His poor students--making them stay inside so late today! I peeked in--they're still doing class presentations. Anne-Marie and I did our presentation on The Omnivore's Dilemma this morning. We both dressed like farmers in overalls, hats and tank tops (we had to have some element of sex appeal!) The prof was most impressed it seems. We met with him after class and he only had glowing comments. I was nervous--more than usual for the start of the presentation-I don't know why--hormones perhaps? Who knows--however, I calmed down as the talk progressed. It is OVER! YAY! I just want to go home and get ready for the girls evening performance at the theatre. My mom is at home now with Pip--she dropped the girls off at the matinee performance at 1:30 (and helped get them all ready in costumes and make-up--AND made them pancakes this morning!) Yay Granny! Thanks Mom!

Mom and I went to "Two Lovers" last night at the down town theatre. It was entertaining. Although Joaquin Phoenix was hard to understand--he talked like his mouth was full of marbles. Mom thinks Gwenyth Paltrow looks like me--the lucky girl! I think she was just pregnant with her son when it was filmed. She was good in it. Although, I find both actors often play the same flaky characters.

I am hot, I am tired and I just want to go home! Hurry up Peter!

Work It

Mistaya and her friend Maddi--dressing 1980's aerobics.

A beautiful day today, although I feel a little yuck. A nasty head ache and stomach cramps/nausea. I think it is actually the same bug Tabs has although she has a sore throat and stuffy nose with it. Peter has had it as well and the Mist too. The headache is the worst of it.

At least it is not the swine flu. Epidemics are horrible. 

After reading "omnivore's Dilemma" it is no surprise that human/pig/bird viruses will start combining often. Feedlots and industrial barns create toxic environments. The animals are pumped full of hormones and antibiotics just to keep them standing long enough in such crowded, poor-feed conditions before they're slaughtered. And the drugs pumped into them find their way in ground water, streams and oceans. Yes, I knew reading this book would create a lot more work for me--no more buying any meat at the supermarket. Also, I only buy dairy that is pure milk or cream:

"modified milk ingredients and "milk ingredients" on the label means the product comes from powdered American milk which contains hormones that are illegal in Canada. And let me tell you--the ONLY real ice cream out there is very pricey indeed!

My new class isn't my favorite. I find the professor old style/ego maniac. Doesn't want class discussions, isn't interested in any one else's ideas. He is master. Collective Intelligence doesn't interest him. I wonder if he's even heard of the term!

With this headache--I won't be trying on any major hikes today. I'd like a country picnic tonight, after family photo's at the park.

Rather stressed over future travel. With Pip now 3, we need to book 2 hotel rooms. No one will allow us 5 to a room. This makes our Fairmont stays tres expensive. What shall we do? We must travel, we are a family of five--man life is expensive! 

Pete's PhD convocation is coming up at UBC in Vancouver. His mom, sister Grace and brother Rob are meeting us in Van for the event. And then in June, the five of us will spend 4 nights in Vancouver. The girl's and I will relax and play and Peter has meetings. 

I have soooo much reading to do in the next month. Book after book. I love to read, but making notes takes the fun out of it!

Panic Dance

Tabby, Pippi and friend Michaela at the school dance.

The girls had fun, danced all night....

I had a wee crisis during the night. Tabitha and her friend Chase, decided to go off together and suddenly I realized no one could find them! I looked everywhere: gym, hall, bathroom. I even went outside to call out on the school grounds. Apparently they were trying to find Chase's father. But on my second trip outside, I found Chase's dad returning from the parking lot and I asked him if he'd seen the girls. No--that is when panic seeped in. The place was so crowded and you hear it's often a person the children sort of know that kidnaps them. 

About 20 minutes had passed and no sign of them. I felt sick--like I was going to faint and puke at the same time. I ran back to the gym, thinking of stopping the band and asking if anyone had seen the girls.When out of the crowd, some child (I can't picture who it was) dragged Tabitha toward me. She claims she and Chase had only been to the washroom and then had come back to the dance. I am not convinced. They went somewhere they were not supposed to. I will get to the bottom of it later today. Tabitha is at a friends as I time this--a sleepover.

I presented yesterday to my class, sans my Tibetan prayer beads. I couldn't find them! My mom called later to say she'd found them in her purse!I presented and revealed my thesis project--I am always a little fearful that someone Will steal a portion of my idea when I reveal things before they are published. That is a risk. My Prof was very thrilled with my ideas and wants to discuss them more with me. I must e-mail him after I sign off today.

Felt horrible in class though. I had a body break down. I cannot say what exactly happened. Only that I felt so cold, my spine felt in a tight grip and I felt dizzy and a little disoriented. I believe it was a combo of adrenalin(from presenting) and hypoglycemia--I had not eaten lunch and had chocolate before I preformed.  I felt so horrible that at one point I thought I'd have to leave class early.

Today? Oh such a relaxing, sunshiny family day ahead of me! A hike through Okanagan wilderness with my troops (Peter will join us too) and a coffee out. Relax, relax, relax...I will meditate to ensure a true relaxing day.