I have decided that FOB MSG is the location

FOB MSG is where I have decided that Tom is hiding out. Looking at pictures of some of the soldiers over there via the Combat Camera and based on the Satellite phone conversations I have had with Tom, my deduction is that he is located in this place for Christmas.

I guess he will be getting everyone's Christmas packages when he returns to the Kandahar Airfield (or KAF) in Tom's new profound Army language that I am having to learn. I guess he forgets sometimes that I am out of an Army environment, so I have no idea what he is talking about at times. But, as Tom says, all I have to talk about is Engineering things and then he gets a little lost because he has been detached from the evolution of technology for a while...so, I guess it is a growth curve for both of us!

I know that he will appreciate gifts from all and I think he said that he will take pictures of opening them. So, hopefully he will send them to me and I can post them on here!

Happy New Year!

4 Months of University LEFT!!!

Done! That's it, that's all. I am DONE!! Soon it will be "Peace the Spork out Waterloo!" That will be the day. Man, best feeling ever right now. I can actually start to get into Christmas!! Yay Christmas!! I won't be glaring at people being cheery in the malls, now I can actually be just as annoyingly cheerful back and be sincere about it. Well, semi-sincere.

Oh, and it has been confirmed: Tom is officially going out to the FOB's/is out at the Forward Operating Bases (FOB's) and I am not too thrilled about it. I mean, it is true that the ripped mooo-scles will be intensified by the fact that there is nothing to do out there but lift heavy things to get rid of stress, which makes complete sense to me. Why eat ice cream and agree out loud with Dr. Phil after you made a trip to Sobey's and bought $30 of junk food, salmon and sushi when you can lift heavy things and make grunting noises?

Tom will be sending pics of the 'stan that will be posted up on here so we can appreciate Canada that much more. Who knew that Ontario (the important part) and Afghanistan (the Tom part) would be having a green Christmas? When I told Tom this, he was disappointed because Canada is supposed to be cold. That is why he was glad the tour was during the cold time. When he found out that it has been warmer in Ontario than in Kandahar, he was thrilled that now global warming was conspiring against him by making our continent warm and his cold, like it is supposed to.

I think you can find some sort of fault with this aforementioned belief, I just chalk it up to Tom logic. Like, wearing cool driving shoes in a car makes you a better driver. Not just driver shoes, but cool ones. There are multiple examples, and if you know Tom, you know how darn cute he is and how he makes my insides melt when he reasons in this way.... (nerd internet heart symbol) <3

Preemptive Merry Christmas and have a great holiday season! Time to start thinking of that New Year's Resolution that I will break within the month of making it!

Almost done this term.....

The countdown is on!! I am almost done this term. The exams are coming, 4 in total, and then I will be officially done this hellish term of 4A-ish. Thank god, because I definitely don't recommend doing 2 terms, let alone 3 terms back to back....tres sucky.

All of les proffesures are inquiring about where I am going to work in the summer and reference letters and blah blah blah and yadda yadda yadda. I feel like they were more excited for my life to start than I am. If only I was older and cynical, such that I needed to live vicariously through my young students...

I have come to the crossroads and I am standing on the threshold of leaving my student life and slowly becoming an adult....to me this is slightly depressing, but exciting in the same sense. But tending to linger on the more depressing side. I mean, I have to grow up and be responsible and be in charge of things and accept the consequences to my actions. No more "Gee, I am tired and lazy, maybe I will lie here and miss my class for fun and watch Holmes on Homes." Not that this has ever occurred (yesterday....and the day before that), I was just speaking figuratively.

Tom's Christmas package in underway. A whole bunch of Christmas v1.0 themed candy and chocolates and a few gaudy Christmas v1.0 decorations should tide him over until we celebrate Christmas v2.0 in Tremblant! Ya for french snob weekend in the Laurentians!

I am just getting through exams, and that is all I have going for me right now. That and guacamole. I may not get 100% on my exams, but I make a mean guac-o-mole!

Back to work. I will update more later. Tom is supposed to be going out into the countryside, so I will be confirming that and appropriately commenting on it in the future!

*mwah*

Getting excited for Spring Break...

Hopefully Tom is back for Spring Break....that is what I am hoping for....because we were planning on going somewhere warm. Well, he wants to go somewhere warm because Afghanistan is FREEZING and I am pretty much going to tag along....which I definitely don't mind doing. I will have to start to expose my skin to a tanning bed. I know the risks associated with this, but they recommend doing it so that your skin doesn't go into shock when you are down there. They also don't want you to get blistering skin. I know that I am going to have to haul out the SPF 70 (You better BELIEVE I own some!) and put it on during high sun.

I remember when we went to the Dominican during the school year in high school, and it was so hot, you couldn't go outside during the peak sun hours. We ended up going in March, but I think that it still will be super warm! It is amazing how much planning has to go into one of these things. I was looking into the TwinRix vaccine because it protects against Hep A and B. Since I am susceptible to infection, I thought it would be a good preemptive action against the possibility of getting ill.

So, in leu of this new information, I have been looking at bathing suits. Because I only have one suit, I felt it appropriate to look for another one. I sent Tom an email with bathing suits that I liked and the black ones on this page are the ones that he picked out. They are not the super expensive ones, so that makes me happy. I have to go with the one piece bathing suits because of the scar on my stomach, but I think they are still pretty nice!!

I like the silver and pink one, but I guess it wouldn't hurt if I got more than one? So maybe that is what I will do. I mean, it is a week and then there is the honeymoon that will hopefully be in Bora Bora, so there is another beach scenario.

Back to studying and writing an email to Tom. Only 4 months of University left!

I solemly swear....

It's official: I have no patience left for Tom being overseas!!! It is coming up 6 weeks since I have last seen him, so it is starting to weigh in on my nerves.

I am officially: grumpy, impatient, aggressive, snappy, intolerant, sarcastic in a bad way, judgemental, and anything else that would qualify as an unbecoming behaviour. It just seems that the life has been sucked out of me. I don't want to do anything...I just want to sit and sulk! Because that is going to get Tom back here faster!

I think that it had just hit me that Tom is not going to be here for Christmas. And that is why this rush of emotion happened. I guess it was a reality I did not want to face. Ahhhhhhhh welllllllll.....it won't be that bad, right? I think it will be sad, that's all. What I am going to do is book a teleconference with Tom through the PMFRC which will be a nice Christmas gift for him. I just have to call them and book the time.

Just thinking about it has made me all nervous and bubbly! Yeah, I think I will call them and book a time for it. I am sure that Tom will like me talking to him. I think there is a 3-6second delay, but it will be so nice to see him. And I think it would be one of my better Christmas presents...now, if I can only make it work.

Well, I guess that is one way to get rid of a terrible mood, to type it out and each dark chocolate at the same time. AMAZING!

AHHHHHHHHHH.....breathe.....AHHHHHHHHHHH!!

It is down to the wire. I am at 1 day of classes left and I have too much to do. Too toooooo much to do!! I will be so happy when this semester is over. Yay to breathing a little easier. Yay to being able to be calm every once in a while.

In other news, I am almost done 4 A, which means that I have 4 months of school left.....and then it is time to start my life!! My favorite part of the whole me done thing is that I can finally get to spend time with Tom. And, quite frankly, IT'S ABOUT TIME!! So the life plan with kick in and all will be well.

Except for the fact that the ARMY is posting me to Gagetown in May 2007. Ummmmmm.....yeah.....I am going to have to figure that one out. I know that I won't be going to Gagetown, as I am unfit to do my job in the military, but I am not sure as to how everything is going to work out. Maybe I have to live their for a few months, but I won't be working, I will just be sitting doing nothing. That is why I am planning on going on sick leave for the entire time. I can cite that I need to get everything figured out. All I know is that this recent posting message is almost too much stress for me to handle. Not what I currently needed!!

And Tom? Well, he is doing GREAT! He is excited about getting his Christmas Stocking parcel. And I am equally as excited about putting it together. All I can think about is that the faster I get through this semester, the faster I get to see Tom.

So that is my focus. To get him back here safe and in my arms.

Apparently, people miss me? Oh, and I am famous...or something...

I was walking through the Engineering halls today, just dropping off payment for my parking ticket (I tend to get a lot of them) and I ran into one of my friends I have not seen in quite a while. We stopped and chit chatted for about 30 mins and she told me that she really missed me and that I have to come out to events next term.

So, this was really nice for me. I think I tend to distance myself from people and things and I forget how much I actually enjoy to be around them. The reason why I was told I need to go out for events is because tonight was pot luck (bring your own food for everyone to share at the Engineering Society meeting) and I was going to miss it. I didn't realize that people enjoy my company that much.

And, in other news, I am featured in Engineering Dimensions, the PEO magazine, in an article for the November/December issue. The article is on page 19 and 21 and is called "PEO forging new links with Engineering Students" and I actually got cited in the article!!! I was a little excited by this. It's weird to see me in a magazine and to be cited in the magazine is even stranger. I mean, I guess I never thought I would be good enough to be quoted? I don't know.

So, with all of the cruddiness that is swirling about, I guess I just have to remember the happy things that are so easy to forget. There are two more happy events in the future: Christmas and Tom is home. Time is starting to go fast, and I am really starting to like this.

4 MORE DAYS OF CLASSES!!

So Tired I am MAKING myself SICK!!

In all honesty right now, I feel like "the dog's breakfast." And, yes, I stole that from the grandparents. I am to the point now that I am so incredibly overtired and so exhausted that it is making me feel ill. And not just any old ill, I am consistently nauseous and my head is dizzy. Or I feel like I am spinning around the room as I am writing this.

Effectively, one would recommend sleep to remedy this. However, since I have not been getting this thing everyone calls "sleep," I am slowly starting to fail. And I don't mean classes, but I mean concentration-wise and conversation-wise and all of that stuff. So, it is hard for me to type this, as I am to the point, I have no idea what I am saying by the time I finish the sentence. So, fun stuff.

Oh, and I think I am reacting to my CT Bone scan. They injected me with radiation, and now my arm with the injection in it is killing me, I am getting chest pains, my bones are aching, it hurts when I type, walk, do anything, I can't keep food down because of the nausea and I have had a migraine for 3 days. I googled the scan, and it said that there are no side effects but with how I am feeling, I am not sure. After the test, my Crohn's went nuts! Attack after attack after attack, and then once that was done, my chest started to tighten. So, the predicament is do I go to health services and get them to tell me I am crazy once again because I feel symptoms. I am "oversensitive" and I tell them I have a weakend immune system, so this stuff really knocks me out....well, I guess I will see how I am feeling tomorrow. The trend lately is that I am getting worse, so we shall see how it goes. And now, changing to something happier, like the future.

I am almost done this thing they call school and I will be off to the wonderful world of work. That makes me excited because I am going to begin a new chapter in my life. And this new chapter fully includes Thomas, yay!, as well as all of the other dreams that I have been thinking about over the years (dogs, gardens, vacations, etc...). The Tom and Chrissy life plan will be revving into 6th gear (that car reference was purely for Tom....).

But, I have to get my head into reality and I have to focus on what I have at hand: nausea and stress and dizziness...not as much fun, I can vouch for this! In sadder news, Tom knew the Cpl that died in Afghanistan. He was in the control office the morning before he was killed. Tom talked to him that morning, so I think this is hitting him a little hard. The WO had just gotten back from Canada and from visiting his family.

Man, if that was Tom, I don't know what I would do. I think freak out!!! Or die a little myself.

I feel so much sympathy for those families and my thoughts are with them. I think when something like this happens, it levels you and grounds you and makes you realize that your problems really are not that bad. But then people tell me what I have to go through is bad.

I guess it is all relative.

Tom is cute, and this is my newsflash!

Tom and I like to entertain each other. Because we are separated by a great distance (he is actually almost 1/2 way around the world), all entertaining is done by email or by mail packages. One thing we tend to do is send pictures to each other to give that little burst of happiness via email. I usually send him pictures of silly things that I do, or funny activities that I have participated in over the time that he has been gone. I get treated to pictures from Tom doing Afghanistan stuff, or just being cute in general. And, as you can see from his picture, he is being extremely cute and I love when I get pictures of him.

Tom and I have officially started the countdown until he is back. It is pretty much 77 days until he is back here. I think the day that he is back in Canada is the 13th of February. I am really excited because he will be here for my birthday, Iron ring day and for reading week. I am also excited because Tom and my dad will be there for the Iron ring, so that is pretty cool, methinks.

I am also getting excited because we are going to have a "Christmas in February" celebration for Tom when he comes back in Feb. I am super excited for this. I get to make invitations for everyone to come and we are going to go all out!! Well, as all out as one can go, but there will be decorations and Christmas smells and a little tree and everything. The plan is to get a chalet in tremblant and have a wonderful weekend. Yay! It will be a weekend of family and fun. So, I am really looking forward to this.

I am really excited and I cannot wait for when Tom is back. Then it is back to normal, sort of! And then Tom and I can entertain each other until we drive one another crazy!

Ugh (That's all I've got)....

I love how I give up so easily. To my dismay and utter disappointment, the jobs that I was applying for at Chalk River are now taken down and, therefore, by extrapolation, are filled. So that means that I did not get them and I am sucking majorly at the moment.

I guess it is a big blow to the gut and ego. So, this is something that I have to deal with. Really, the thing that is freaking me out the most is that I need a job to pay for my medication. I need the medication, so I need the job and money to pay for it. There is no real floating time for me. I have to make sure that I have something lined up, or else.

So I guess that is why I am freaking out. I need that stability because without it I freak out.

Yuck.

And that's that.

Uneasy Angst

There is this weird, uneasy feeling that I am currently experiencing. And I am not too sure where it is coming from or what it is, but I can sense this weird karma unbalance. So all of you reading this, be warned!!

I also think that there is a little stress in my life at the moment, so that could be part of it. The whole "2.5 weeks left of class and too much to do" is starting to take it's toll, methinks. I am also beginning to become concerned about my 4th year project, as well as an individual research project that I am doing. The project is moving along quite well, I am getting my ASPEN models in order, so that our group can start to optimize them for what we are doing, but for my individual, that is another question. I will have to work my butt off to get all of the papers read that I need to. It is neat because it is dealing with micromass transfer in mediums under pressure and corrosive conditions. I can take this and run with it, I think. It is also really good because the microtransfer can be related to body systems and to what I am trying to get a job in up at Chalk River. So, I hope that it pans out. The problem I am having is that now I have picked up this project, so I need to change my electives around, and I have ABSOLUTELY NO CLUE what I want to take. I am going to chalk this up to another stressor.

I guess these are times when Tom and all of his wonderfulness would calm me down. *Le Sigh*

And a lot of weird things have been going down at school. People getting in fights, breaking up with long time girlfriends....the works. So, I am not sure what is in the air, or water, or food at the Engineering C&D (our little cafe where we get discounted food), but something is amiss. Hence the uneasiness.

I am going to keep this under the random file and not to try and find a clustering illusion our of this (thank you Philosophy 145). I think that this will all blow over. At least it better, because things can't get too much worse.

Afghanistan makes me think of the Moon, or Earth after extreme global warming has set in.

I was so happy to receive more pictures from Tom. As per normal, they have a subjective beauty about them.

I think the reason that they are so beautiful is because they are so foreign. In most of the pictures, there is just grey rocks and dirt piled in corners and swirling in the air. I think that is why they are so beautiful. These are images that are so far removed from anything in Canada that they draw you in. If you CLICK on the pictures, it will show you a larger one. I would suggest this, so you can see the full detail of each picture. Please enjoy!


Looking at the scenery. As I said and as Tom has said multiple times, it is almost moon-like in appearance.


Looking out at the hills of Afghanistan. To me, it looks like a giant quarry with no trees or green in sight.


A small town and a little bit of green amongst the brown-grey backdrop.


CAMELS!! And their herder far away in the picture.


How the locals get around in Afghanistan. This is on one of the main highways.


The cutest soldier over there. I love this picture because you can see the road in the reflection of Tom's glasses.


Traveling through the streets of Kandahar. As you can see, it is quite tight and hard to maneuver through the streets.

I hope that you enjoy the pictures. I think that they are very beautiful and I am glad that Tom shared them for all of us to enjoy. Some of the pictures seem like they could only be made on a Hollywood movie screen. At least, that is how I am relating to them because of their foreign nature.

It's neat that Tom is experiencing this, as I think it is a once in a lifetime experience. And, I think, in some small way, he is making a difference.

Post-"Tom"actic stress made me do it!

Yes, I realize that the title is very corny, but it does relate to the whole "me becoming professional" thing.

I was tired of going into rooms and conferences and seminars with people that I did not know and have to break the barrier of being a blonde. That is, I would have to dispel the insinuation that I was a stupid barbie who could be an office assistant instead of an Engineer. So, to stop it before it occurs, I went to the extreme and darkened my hair to a brown!!

Why is this so big? Well, my hair is a dirty blonde. So that means that I have darkened it significantly. In fact, I have never made my hair this dark before. Also, I am extremely disappointed with most people who feel that they have to lighten their hair to get attention, or to get noticed. What I mean is females who are obviously not close to being blonde, demonstrated by the blackness of their eyebrows, are dying their gorgeous dark hair to blonde in order to stand out, or to be different, or to gain confidence....etc. The sad thing about this is that you stand out as someone who is not happy with your look and that you don't have enough confidence to embrace the natural colour of your hair and work it. You have to be like all of the Playboy Bunnies and become blond so that you are accepted into society by males. I know that this is extremely biased and that not all males are like this, but I am becoming increasingly concerned with females who are changing their exterior appearance to become accepted and to gain that feeling of confidence.

So, this is my going against the grain angst. I did not get low lights to make me dark. Like so many women who dye to become blond, I have dyed to become brown. And I like it. It's darker than my natural, so I have to colour in my eyebrows to make it work. But I want to show women that you don't need to be blonde to make it. And, as strange as it sounds, some of the girls I have talked to are listening. They are throwing off the "chains of the peroxide nation," so to speak. I know that once the dye comes out, I will be back to the normal colour that I have: blonde. The thing is, if I can inspire women to just be themselves, than I am happy. I realize that me changing my colour is me not being me, but I think it takes one person to go against the grain to get people to snap out of the societal norms. And from what I have seen, I think that this may be successful.

I think that we as women need to be true to us. And to me, it is just hair. People have asked how could I do this. Well, it is hair and it will grow and it can be cut again and changed. It's just hair. I think that has resonated with some people, and my hopes are that they will give up the facade of the blonde and be dark. You are only dark for the first part of your life, then everyone goes blonde because of the grey. So, I say embrace it!

And finally, I think this came on because before Tom left, he kept talking about how I should try making my dark blonde hair into really light blonde hair, almost a platinum. And see, I did the opposite. Which, of course, is something I usually do. I think I did it because going blonder when you are young is what everyone does to fit in and be sexy and hot and bombshellish. No thanks. I choose brains and confidence. Hence why I decided to make the statement. I feel that there are too many Paris Hilton's in society, so I am trying to reset the balance.

Enjoy the pics!!

Tom est gone = back to reality

Back to the heavy work loads, the school thing, the learning thing, the alone thing....this is what I am feeling at the moment.

I currently have 1 month left of school, so I have to get my self together here and get going. I am definitely beginning to feel the stress. But the good news is that I only have 5 months total left of university. And THAT makes me REALLY happy!!!! Then Tom and I can get on with the rest of our lovely lives. Tres Bon!

The best part about Tom's visit was that he was here. I think that was the best part. Sure we did things....toured around here and visited there....but the best part was having him here and having the human contact. That is something that I loved the most about the entire visit. And now it is back to lonely, critical, grouchy old me.....le sigh.....

Another thing I am currently doing at the moment is applying for jobs. Boooo, not the coolest thing in the world. I really do not enjoy it. I would rather be doing killer partial derivatives than making a resume and applying for jobs. Blech.

Ok, that is that. I am missing Tom and I will most likely be posting more info from him as it comes in.

till then, toodles.

Too Excited to Work!

Tom is coming home ASAP. I just have to get through Thursday and then he is here. I was deliberating amongst myself as to how to welcome him. There were options that included a sign with balloons, but I think it will be with a Bridgehead/TH's coffee and a chicken shwarma!! He has definitely fallen under the delicious shwarma curse that occurs once you bite into the morsel they call a sandwich.

I am more than sure he will completely flip when he takes the first bite of the nummy sandwich/wrap.

And the last conundrum I have relating to Tom's return is figuring out what to get him for his 25th Bday???!!!! This so called bday is a milestone, so should I treat it as such? Should I get him something timeless, relating to becoming a man in this world...or something like that, or should it be utilitarian in nature...that is, something he can use in Afghanistan? Sheeeesh, I hate making these sorts of decisions. Or maybe a man-spa day so that he can relax and get a nice massage? Who knows!! We shall see as to what he will get.

His return to Canada means that I am working like crazy so that I can spend time with him and enjoy his company. I have a midterm on Monday (16th); because of this, I have decided that I will lay a little lower on the weekend so that Tom's parents can visit with and so I can get some study time in. I know that this will be almost next to impossible to achieve, but everything is worth a try.

Needless to say, I am in a "glass case of emotion" and I don't know what to do with myself. (And for all those wondering, Ron Burgundy was an inspiration for the quotation).

Mr. Man is in Dubai....only 10,751 kms to Ottawa!!

It's OFFICIAL. Tom is in Dubai! Yay! It means he is that much closer to Canada and Ottawa. I am extremely happy. And, as most people would be, insanely envious that he is there. I decided to Google "Dubai" to see what all the fuss was about, and wow, it seems like it would be a really neat place to go!! The architecture is what really got me. I guess, where there is money, there is architectural innovation!! This mantra seems to be overbearing in the case of Dubai.

I also decided to investigate further as to what is Dubai, actually? I found a Google Earth image, as well as a map to show where this neat little place is located.
I am really excited to see Tom. Friday is coming faster and faster, but not quite fast enough!! He is definitely missed and I can't wait to have Thanksgiving-Take 2 as well as 25th Bday all in one swoop. I think in this case, excited is an understatement. I think the biggest toss-up I am having is regarding what to get him for a 25th Bday present. Should it be practical because of where he is working, or should it be timeless, marking the fact that he has hit a milestone?

I feel that this is a lot less complicated than I am making it. I guess I just want it to be almost perfect, because, as Engineering has taught me, perfect never exists. So, almost perfect will do just fine.

There is a definite excitement in the air. It feels like the day before Christmas, or the first snowfall of the year, or the first shooting star of the year...or something related to these smilies that are not working to express how I feel.

Oh well, using James Brown as a model, I think I feel good (and you can see it!!).

CIBC Run for the Cure

I recently participated in the CIBC Run for the Cure. It is in support of Breast Cancer research and awareness. Myself, my friend Andrea and my other friend, Shannon, all participated in the Run. We were running in support of Shannon, who currently has a family member with Breast Cancer.

It was probably one of the most moving days I have had this year. We were all given white t-shirts for participating and the survivors were given pink t-shirts. This intermingling definitely swelled emotions that I did not realize I had. I was moved by how strong all of the women at the event were and how each person was supporting those around them. It was a truly positive experience. I think it was a nice change from all of the negative that seems to circulate on the news.

The participants were given a pinney with a number on it or it was blank and said "I am running for" at the top. Some people had "in memory of" and others had lists of people that they were supporting. One man, walking with his wife, who was wearing a pink t-shirt but was still obviously going through chemo, had "my love" written on his pinney. I think that was one of the many moving moments of that day.

And all I kept thinking of was all of the people I know who were touched by cancer. It is a scary phenomenon, once you begin to bring it into your perspective and world. I was reflecting on each person I knew while we did the 5km trail. At times, the girls and I were talking, but I think most of our thoughts were with those people that cancer has touched. It definitely made me snap out of the "school-work-till-you-drop environment" and realize that there are people out there with situations that trump each little daily stress bubbles.

The moral of the story: I was wondering how I would maintain my community involvement after I graduate. I think that raising awareness about a cause to promote a greater good is something I would like to uptake. But we shall see.

ESSCO Thunder Bay

I volunteered for a VP Financial Position with Engineering Student Societies Council of Ontario, or ESSCO. I was up in Thunder Bay for our ESSCO President's Meeting. It is where all of the presidents and VP External Relations from all Engineering School's in Ontario come to meet and discuss ideas that will shape ESSCO to be a better organization.

The pictures are of our executive: Our Old Skool Cool team. We call ourselves this because we are all graduating this year. So, that makes us old, in terms of the other people who represent their respective engineering schools (typically, they are 2nd or 3rd year).

The red head is Phil. Phil is our VP Communications and takes care of the ESSCO website as well as anything else that revolves around communication and order within ESSCO. Kris is our President. He is the taller one with dark hair. And, as one can imagine, he takes on all of the respectable presidential roles. He provides us with direction and a vision. I think that he has distinctively important role. And, finally, Steve, is the shorter person with dark hair. He is our VP Services and Development. Basically, he does what the name communicates. His role is quite large and he definitely makes ESSCO function externally as an organization.
So, that's the team. The first picture is us standing outside the Thunder Bay airport. It was a "Proof" that we were there.

I do have a funny story: for all of those Great Big Sea fans out there, they were on our plane down to Thunder Bay. They were all sitting in front of us. Once we figured out who they were, it was awkward glances and stares at them to see if they recognized that we recognized them. So that was quite awkward. Mostly because they used to be big, and their only hit was "It's the end of the world" and some of the other people on the plane were humming it....it was just a strange situation.

The weekend was good!! A lot was accomplished. We have another conference coming up at Queen's. It is the Professional Engineers of Ontario Student Conference. This will definitely be a worth-while event, and I am really glad that I am going.

There is nothing wrong with making solid connections to industry and the professional world this young in my career. I'll also have to look for Tom....if there is something car related, he's sold.

Finally an Afghanistan Update

I have not updated my posts due to the insatiable urge to become too busy to have time to blog. Therefore, this post may end up being terribly long.

Tom is working on staying sane for the remainder of his time before he returns to Canada for a break. Apparently the days cannot come quick enough. He sent me a picture of him over in Afghanistan because he had won the Golden Hammer award one day.


I have not edited it, for I feel it would wash the army from it. So, please enjoy the full-on army man post that was sent to me. The story goes like this: "This weeks Hammer Award winner is none other than our Maint O, Tom Moir. He had the dubious distinction of not knowing his ABC'’s. The story goes:.. Once upon a time their was a young Maintenance Officer who after being dropped off by the big yellow bus from school, he ran in to tell the ET how he was now leaning the alphabet. So to reward the cute young fella, the ET took him out for lunch, where hanging on the wall of the high-class eatery in KAF was a sign. Tom decided to show off his new found skills but thought he should read it to himself first to ensure accuracy and then all of a sudden he screamed out loud, "“OH NO”." He started yelling, "ET, ET, I have to get rid of all my DVD including the Little Mermaid!" Of course the ET was a little perplexed as to why this would have to happen, and he laughed when young Tom showed him the sign and it read DVD'’s Maim and Kill. He finally told him he had gotten his letters mixed up and that what he thought was a V was really a U. So for all it was a happy ending with Tom not having to get rid of his Little Mermaid DVD and learned a valuable lesson to pay attention when at school. Congrats to this weeks hammer award winner Captain Tom Moir."

A few spelling mistakes never hurt anyone.

This is how the guys stay sane over there. And I must say that when I saw Tom in the picture, I was more than pleasantly surprised to see how beefy he looks.

And I CAN say that. :o)

Air-Conditioned Vehicles for Colonels are Important

In other news, Tom was instructed that some of the most important vehicles that needed to be fixed were the air-conditioned ones for the higher up officers. Meanwhile, some of the troops basic protection vehicles are in dire need of being fixed. So, Tom being the amazingly wonderful gentleman that he is put his foot down and told the higher ups where to "stick-it." Politely, of course.

He is finding lots of things that were not done properly the first time around, so he is making sure that he does them properly. He is very busy, but I think he is starting to cope and manage the business. I know this because I actually made him laugh and cookie-monster on the phone (the intimate giggle of Mr. Moir). So I know he is ok. "Stressssssssss-d to the max" but I know that he is ok.

Tom has also been drowning his tiredness with coffee, thanks to the Tim Hortons that is on base, so I feel he looks like the picture I posted, as I know what he is like on caffeine. He is more like that picture than one can imagine. I know that once he is back, I will have to treat him to coffee in bed. That is, I will go to Tim Hortons and buy it. I tried to make coffee once. And then I learned my lesson. So Tim Hortons it is.

Or if we are in Ottawa, Bridgehead Coffee is where it's at! It's the organically-produced, shade-grown, fair-trade coffee that attracts crazy types like Tom and I and other Environmentalists and Global Sustainers. Yeah....no more hippies. That's what we are called now-a-days. Our poor kids....they are going to be a messed up brood.

Revenge of the Nerds or Geeks, or both->Neeks

I live with two of the most unfortunate people in the world. Albeit they are intelligent folk, they have progressed socially to the acceptable standard of a 14 year old, and that is pushing it. I enjoy cartoons and the occasional Kindergarten Cop humor. However, I do not enjoy it continuously. I do not enjoy analyzing cartoons to the point of where you think they are real. And I really do not enjoy the snickers about the words "bag" "sack" "hard" or anything else. You may laugh once or twice, but (hahha...butt) it is only acceptable once in a while. Not each time you say it. I also hate how they stay up until 4am playing video games in opposite rooms against each other and then talk about how great their army conquest was. That really irks me because Tom is doing that for real, or is at least in that real environment.

Mr. Thomas Anderson Moir is holding up well in Afghanistan. I have been making sure that he is keeping up his homeopathic methods while over there to prevent the scrumtrulecent EColi from having a party in Tom's digestive tract and lungs. I know I say this every time, but I will be soooooo excited when he is back for a bit in October. I seriously cannot sustain my excitement for that long. I think I may just explode when I see him...*poof*...well, maybe not, but I am sure that's what it will feel like when I see him coming out of the security area.

Other than that, things are ok. I am seriously sick as a dog. I can't kick this latest infection. It's been around for a month now and my body is craving antibiotics. But the problem is that I get them, and then something else goes wrong. Apparently it is a multi-layered infection. Which is something I am sure everyone is excited to hear.

It means that a lot of my systems are in jeopardy at the moment. I have a meeting with my specialist on the 29th in Ottawa. He called me to set it up as he is "extremely worried about me." It's always a good thing to hear I think. So we shall see what that brings....I am going to assume that it will be: more medication, invasive tests and a possible surgery.

The scariest part is that I am really loosing weight. I really don't feel well and it hurts my stomach when I eat, so it is really light and soft foods, which do not fill you up. So, we shall see what the future holds.

For the meantime, I am going home to sit on the dock and relax. I will bring a book, drink lots of non-waterloo water and try to enjoy myself before next Tuesday rolls around.

I'll show you Professional Engineer-ing

I have a meeting tomorrow morning with the Professional Engineers of Ontario (PEO). This is the governing regulatory body of the Engineers in Ontario. Unlike other provinces, we have two divisions to our Professional association. We have the PEO and the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers (OSPE) who is the lobbying and action-oriented side of the association. Unlike Alberta that has one entire governing association (APEGGA) we had one that split into the two defined above. So, yeah, we are meeting the regulators tomorrow. These are the people that keep Engineering pure. They are the ones that fine people who are misusing the word Engineer and fine people who are malpracticing. Tough crowd, methinks.

The reason why I have a meeting with the PEO at their HQ is because I was voted as the VP Finance for Engineering Student Societies Council of Ontario, or ESSCO. We are the representatives of all the other Engineering University Councils in Ontario, hence our name. My job is to manage the finances and keep the entire executive accountable. I am kind of excited for this meeting because we can actually give feedback to the PEO directly on what the students in the universities are feeling and thinking about mandates that the PEO has introduced. I have questions related to funding, as well as the feeling of the PEO on ESSCO becoming a "non/not-for profit" organization. So, that should make for an interesting conversation.

As of right now, I am still trying to decide what to wear. Business-casual for a guy is a lot easier than for a girl. So far, I am leaning toward dress pants and a summer 50's style shirt, mixed with open-toed shoes. I painted my nails, so it should be ok. I think I will have my hair up, as it looks more professional.

I am excited because this will be the first thing that I have done since I have been ill. I think it will boost my confidence a bit...or something like that, I hope. Personally, I think it is kind of cool to go and meet these guys. I mean, I am just a student, but they are going to be talking to me like I am an adult. So, it is neat. And I am excited.

RCR in Afghanistan equals No Deaths so far

Wow, I am so glad that Tom is over in Afghanistan with the RCR (Royal Canadian Regiment). There has been a long standing rivalry between the PPCLI (Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry) and the RCR's. Each would brag about who is better and who is more efficient. To the rest of the military folk, we really couldn't care, but we each had our own opinions as to who is better. Tom and I both decided that the 1 & 3 RCR were better units, both from Petawawa. The reason for this preference is because the RCR's bring a lot more maturity and precision to their methods.

This recent post is a response to the mission that went down in Afghanistan in which 10% of the Taliban forces were destroyed. Crazy, and really sad in the same sense because I am sure that these people had families and jobs and feelings and thoughts as well. They are not the monsters we make them out to be, I think. They are just at the other end of the spectrum of this war, and that is all there is too it. It's a sad reality.

Anyhow, back to the PPCLI vs. RCR debate: Edmonton (PPCLI base) is like a training base, constantly "jacking people-up" (<--that is, correcting their faults verbally) whereas Petawawa (RCR base) is the real deal. They expect you to know your stuff and to "get into the game." Tom would be so proud of me for using so much army jargon. Petawawa is the real world, whereas Edmonton is the training world. And that is just how it is.

Needless to say, I am happy that he is ok and that this latest offensive went off without a hitch...or no casualties on the Canadian side. Even though he is over there wth the best of the best, I am still worried. Of course I would be...I think anyone would be.

Regardless of the unit, even though I picked a favorite, I am glad he is over there with a group of such upstanding soldiers. It makes the Tom-is-coming-home count a little less urgent.

Missing Him

Time apart definitely make you realize how much you miss your significant other. I am definitely thinking this right now as I am watching Flight 93. It is the movie that follows the American Airlines flight that was headed for Washington, D.C., and shows the courageous passengers and crew members on board. I didn't really want to watch it because of how I thought it glorified the American citizens and culture while they were bombing Afghanistan and Iraq.

It actually turned out to be really good. There was no heart thumping Americanism in it. I really began to feel the same emotions that the people on board and the families were experiencing. It was a good movie to watch. It humanizes 9-11 instead of Americanizing it. The reason why I missed Tom so much during the movie was because I was getting all emotional and he usually makes me feel a bit better about it.

I guess it is the little things that you notice the most when someone is away. I guess those are the things that mean the most.

The Subjective Beauty of Afghanistan

If you can describe where Tom is as beautiful, be my guest. He sent me pictures of the compound where he is, and beautiful was not the first word that came to mind. I was thinking desolate, dingy, grey from the gravel and dusty, very dusty!! The two pictures show in detail the conditions in which Tom is living. The first picture, shown left, details the work compound in which all of the vehicles that Tom is responsible for. His guys, or troops, also fix vehicles in this location. What I noticed primarily from this picture was the amount of dust that is in the air. Everything seems to be covered by a fine layer of dust. It looks very far away. Definitely another world away.

The second picture that Tom sent to me was of the sunset his first evening at the Kandahar Airfield (KAF). You can see the swirling dust in the picture as the sun is setting. If you click on the pictures, it will open up a larger version, so you can see the detail.

But Tom was right. Even though the situation over there is so dangerous and the living conditions are not what we could imagine over here, he has stepped outside of that world and has found something beautiful. It creates a slightly surreal image that I can only imagine from the picture what it is like.

I don't think there is anything over here that can compare to this type of environment, especially with the sound of rockets and rounds going off in the distance. Conflict is so foreign to people in Canada, it seems as though it doesn't actually exist except in movies, books or on television. I guess this is the one time when we can actually peer into the everyday real lives of the people in Afghanistan that are being aided by this mission.

I guess beauty is subjective. And I agree with Tom, that even though there is a terrible conflict going on and he has restricted himself to the base, which is prison-esque in his mind, there is still beauty around him that he can take a minute or two to enjoy. That's a very happy thought.

No news is good news?

I have not heard from Tom in a couple of days and there has not been anything in the news about Afghanistan. So, I guess that means that no bad news is good news? There has been nothing in the news and nothing on any of the army chat sites, so I am going to assume that everything is hunkey dorey over there.

As long as Tom is ok, then everything is ok with me. I think that is how a lot of us feel that know and love him. It's hard, but he is making a difference. I will just be happy when he is very, very far away from there and is back here. Then I will know for sure that he is safe. On that note, the Tom-is-in-Canada-again count is now down to T-6 weeks and still T-5 months.

And yes, that is Tom doing one of his more flattering faces. See, you would think it is cruel of me to put it up here, but he actually asked me to take it!! It's a very accurate view of his softer, more silly "snuggle-bear" side. "Snuggle-bear" is also a technical term used to describe his snuggle style: he's a lot larger than I am, so his body can envelop mine and make me feel safe. It's very nice. And yet another reason why I am the luckiest girl in the world.

Pugs, pugs and more PUGS!

Tom and I want to get a dog, or dogs...eventually, after we get married. At first, we really wanted to get Weimaraners. The problem with them is that I might get too sick to be able to take care of them. After researching breeds a bit and talking to some other people that have Crohn's, it seems as though the PUG is the resounding choice for a dog.

I think that they are really cute, and Tom has decided that they are soooooo incredibly ugly that they are cute. They might be a more sensible pet, especially if Tom and I start off in a small house with a small yard. In that situation, it would be unfair to have a larger dog.

The best part of having a small dog is that all of the dog clothes are cheaper (like the t-shirts, jackets, and booties) and it will be easier to paint their toenails. After telling Tom this, he seemed less enthusiastic about a small dog, for some reason!! I can't wait to start buying them Halloween costumes, like the hot dogs in the picture!! Most likely, they will be turned into little people, like all dogs seem to become.

It is a long way off for us, as Tom and I will have to get settled with everything in the future before getting a dog, but it is still fun to think about. I can't wait to see Tom walking a dog that is wearing a sweater and booties. Maybe that is why I want a little dog more....for the comedic situation that could stem from Tom and the dog!

Sneaky Bugger

I got a surprise this morning. Tom emailed me and told me to look in the glove compartment of my car. I had been talking to him about what to send over to him in a care box, so I assumed that it would be something pertaining to this. To my surprise, he had hid a card in there. The cute puppy card shown here was what I found in the glove box!

"Sneaky bugger" was the only ting I could muster when I looked at the card. As you can see, it has dogs on it, which are my favorite animal. It was a nice treat and I giggled because he stole my idea. I wanted to do this with his kit that was sent over to Afghanistan, but by the time I was able to visit him in Petawawa, his bags were already gone. So, it was the best treat I have had so far. I definitely have to make it up to him!!!

On a different topic, I have been speaking to Tom over email for the past day and a half, as he has been fairly busy. He liked the blogspot that I have set up as it allows people to keep up-dated on what is going on over in the " 'stan."

He had one thing to say about the picture that I posted with the Tim Horton's trailer: "I would also like to point out the Americans who are in the photo of Tim's. There are always TONS of Americans waiting to get coffee and doughnuts there, so hopefully Tims will extend its strangle-hold on coffee addicted people south of the border!" Hopefully the American army will be as coffee-addicted as the Canadian one.

He is doing well. He keeps bringing up the dust in Afghanistan and how it makes the sun separate into beams when it descends to the ground. He is going to try to get pictures so we can all experience the "God Light," as he calls it.

And we still have a count down going on. We are at T-7 weeks before Tom is home for a break, and T-5 months before he is home for good. It seems a lot closer than if you count days. Well, let the countdown begin!!

Pre-6 Month Tour Engagement Dinner

It seems as though it was ages ago, but the last time I got to have dinner with Tom was when we had an informal engagement dinner between his parents and mine. It was a really nice evening, full of wonderful conversation and delicious food. We went to Saffron Bistro in Pembroke, Ontario. The restaurant is fairly new to the town and is definitely worth going to, if you have the time.

We got our waitress to take a picture of the "too excited" family. It was the first time we were all together since Tom and I had announced that we were engaged. It was a really nice evening to spend with our new family and I know that Tom and I couldn't stop talking about how special the evening was.

The ambiance was highlighted with music by James Blunt and Portishead that was playing in the background while we were eating. I think that the best dish of the evening was a mushroom bruschetta that was, to steal my own words, "to die for." It was nice to spend quality time with everyone before Tom left for Afghanistan.

It was a nice way to say "see you soon" to Tom. It was definitely an emotional dinner and an emotional send off. But I think it was one of the best ways for all of us to show our support for him. You know we all miss you Tom and can't wait to see you in October.

Thinking of you ;o)

Luxuries of the Kandahar Airfield

Every day I take for granted the fact that I can get in my car, walk, or bike to my nearest Tim Horton's. Granted, it is no Starbucks or Second Cup, but it is still something that is comforting and is a synonymous Canadian symbol. Sometimes, without a Tim Horton's in my system, a crankiness awakens that fellow coffee addicts can feel sympathy towards. So what happens when you are a coffee addict, grouchy from no sleep and are living in the middle of a desert valley? Ask Tom this one, and he will answer: "I get myself a Tim Horton's!"

That's right. Our very own Timmies is ready for consumption in Afghanistan. Is there anything more Canadian than being in 40C heat (or more) and desiring the sweet nectar of an old hockey legend's coffee chain? This is the little bit of home that Tom and the rest of the soldiers in Afghanistan can look forward too.

What says home more than a double-double served with a doughnut!! Personally, I think it is great that they have this for the soldiers over there. It gives them a break, even if momentarily, from the air of hostility that seems to dwell around the Airfield. Another exciting addition to the normal military palette is the delicious looking trailer that contains Burger King!!!!

Nothing says "mmmmm-mmmm dead cow," like the Burger King trailer. No, actually, that is my own personal bias and vendetta against the Beef industry. I am sure that it must taste like heaven compared to some of the food that could potentially be served in the military mess.

Of course, Tom is an officer, but I am not sure if they are all eating together, or if the messes are separated. Sometimes they separate the "ranked" men from the officers, which results, in my opinion, better food for the officers. I think I will have to wait for an update form Tom on that one.

The good news is that Tom is ok. He is working hard, doing a great job, and is taking care of his troops and himself. The bad news is that the airborne E.coli has finally taken a toll on his system. Not only is the air filled with dust, but it is also contaminated with aerosol E.coli. As one could imagine, this can do a number on your body systems. However, he is overall healthy and is looking forward to coming back to Canada in October.

I am also looking forward to this "vacation" as well. It will be nice to make sure he is ok. For some reason, it seems that you can only really be sure that someone is ok when you see them in person and get to give them a huge hug.