Sept 24, 2009
14:41 AST

  Does anyone still read this? If so, I'll continue updating this. Email me at kakeuke 404 at hotmail dot com (replacing the relevant punctuation and removing the spaces); I've essentially moved onto Facebook, which I realize not everyone uses, and Livejournal, which not everyone can access. I kind of lost track of who had access to this page after I got back from Europe, so please let me know, and apologies for the lag. xo!

Aug 26, 2008
12:21 EST

  YES, I realize I haven't used this in awhile, I'm sorry! School, work, yada yada, I suck. Thru the new boy (Damian), I've recently been introduced to some new coding languages, mostly CSS, which I will learn presently. Writing my MSc thesis at the moment, which I really can't put off for much longer, so that will have to wait.

  Other quick and dirty updates: I started running (did the Ottawa half marathon this past May!), got a new road bike, started real dating again (no more flitting around for me...for now), kinda learned how to fix bikes, and am moving into a new place (still in Kingston). Aaaand essentially injury-free since last post. Whee!

Oct 18, 2007
17:51 EST

  Well, it has been awhile, hasn't it? I don't even know if anyone reads this anymore, but I'm bored out of my mind so I figure I'd update everything. I'm currently bored out of my mind because my face seems to have had an incident with a ski hill this past weekend in London ON, and I came out of it with a 3rd grade concussion...middle of the road, as far as concussions go, not the best case but definitely not the worst. My instructions for the next few weeks are to skimp on the exercise and avoid mental stimulation, which would include school and pretty much everything else. Who would've thought that mountain biking could be so dangerous? :-P Either way, my mtb season is over now, and both tri and hockey are on hold, pending disappearing symptoms.

  The Master's (yup, still at Queen's) is trucking along, but I didn't realize quite how much I hated genetics till now...like staring at static, I tell ya. Ah well, just a few more measly months, right? The plan after involves enlisting in the navy, a super-duper fun plan that is the only thing motivating me to finish this cursed degree. Besides, I think I'll look hot in uniform...and guys subscribe to the uniform fetish too, don't they? Anyway, depending on how recovery goes, I may just be updating this a bit more in the coming weeks. Cheers for now!

Oct 7, 2005
09:43 EST

  I rule. More pics to come when I have time to code and update properly, but Rob and I finished 3rd of 20 at the Storm the Trent last weekend - we did the North Kawartha hike course on Sunday, and we were hoping to finish, but we ROXORED the field! This pic was taken after we recovered a little from the 3-hour ordeal, but as you can see, we're still in good spirits. This weekend is Thanksgiving, so I'll be heading home, hopefully to get some work done and post more pics - w00t! And Lauren, who moved to Saskatoon to do her PhD, is in town visiting Heather in Niagara, so we may perchance meet up! For my Ottawa peoples, I'll be in town next weekend (Oct 14-15) for a speedskating meet in Kanata - anyone interested in getting together???

  That's the end of this post, but for the record, I am thankful for:  my quirky amusing dad because he's, well, quirky and amusing; my new living arrangements; Rob, his support, and his hawtness; my continued health and general mobility and coordination; this job because it's allowing me time to figure out my future and letting me wean myself off of Kingston properly; all my awesome friends for just generally being awesome (and quirky and amusing); this laptop because it makes life easier despite the inconvenience of having to lock it down every now and then. The list would go on, but I need to get to work. :P Have a great weekend everyone!

Sept 14, 2005
17:10 EST

  No updates in SO LONG! I've been visiting this page every now and then to find stored Pics and stuff, and to prevent everything from getting lost, of course...I think Brinkster's trying to convince me to just give up and buy an account. Soon, soon, but for now I'm still a student. So now I've graduated from Queen's (B.Sc.H., Biochem, woo!) and I'm working with Dr. Peter Hodson, doing research on oil toxicity to fish. I'm living north of Princess (for the Kingstonians), with a great group. I just started speedskating this morning. I left my hockey skates at home for the first time in ever. Rob, my current boyfriend still rules (not Grant anymore). I started karate in May 2004, and I just received my blue belt two days ago (the actual belt, I got the grade in July). I'm taking a physiology course (PHGY214) to qualify for various dental schools, to which I'm applying, along with medical schools, this year. And my dad is still nuts. Oh dear god, has it really been two years since I've done anything on this site? I miss coding so much, and all my pics are lying around in useless photoalbums, not being seen. I have yet to put away the Florence pics, and a good chunk of the Freiburg ones too. I'll update soon again, I promise, just have to get some of these applications done and in the mail. My email address has changed too, check out the link at the bottom of this page, and please, if you've been idling around waiting for an update, I'm SO SORRY, please email me!
XXOO

Oct 13, 2003
12:58 EST

  Happy Thanksgiving! Despite the mid-midterm timing, this weekend has proven quite relaxing. I know I haven't updated in awhile, as there always seems to be something else to do - tut mir Leid an die, die nicht in der N�he sind! I think I've finally settled back into the swing of things here, even if not everything has been going my way. Courses have been fantastic (read: interesting), as have my profs and friends been. I actually haven't seen anyone from last year much - MC a few times - nor have I gotten around to speaking much German or Italian, but the leaves are changing colour, the temperatures are sunny low-20s, and my bed is big and comfortable. I guess you could say I have lots to be thankful for.

Sept 17, 2003
23:38 EST

  Birthday, woo! Nothing big, just a cake tonight (go DQ!), and dinner was put off till Friday because I had a geology lab tonight, but no complaints. My wisdom teeth are aching and I just got cut from the hockey team, but still, I think I'm doing pretty well - my courses make sense, I have two cats, and I'm back home! I like where I am right about now....

Sept 14, 2003
21:50 EST

  Wow, time flies when a lot of stuff is going on.

  Now what has gone on in the past two weeks? Quick recap:  I moved into my lovely and cozy room in Kingston and unpacked despite the lack of furniture. This problem has been remedied, with a little help from garage sales, friends with extra stuff, a quick drive from TO, and other people's garbage heaps. I now have everything, bookshelves, lights, and a $10 desk that actually doesn't look too bad. All I need now is stuff to cover my empty walls, but this is to be a year-long project. Classes were registered for and began last Monday, and work is mounting already. Hockey tryouts have started and despite the punishment, I actually really do want to make the team this year, though I doubt the two year break from this level have helped (hence the muscle pains in my midsection). This weekend was spent almost entirely on the ice and despite my best efforts, I'm still not doing too well, but at least I have a few more days to prove my worth.

Aug 31, 2003
3:13 EST

  Yes, it's quarter after 3 in the morning and I'm in the midst of packing...understandably, seeing as how I started when I got home at midnight. This is the most elaborate packing I've done in awhile however, as much of the stuff I need had been reorganized from the pile in the basement (from the end of 2nd year) into a very scattered series of boxes and bags, all of which had not been touched since I moved back in May 2002. I'm still looking for my printer and stereo, I'll be sure to report when I find them. Aside from that and the laundry I had to do twice due to a detergent overload, it's not going too badly. We're supposed to be leaving in 5 hours and while I don't want to sleep, I think I'll have to, especially if I'm supposed to be driving part of the way. I really have to learn how to start packing earlier. I hate to think what it would've been like had I not moved all the other stuff up to Kingston already.

  I spent today in a flurry of shopping and hanging with people - lots of money has burned its way out of my pocket, but at least I have some nice stuff to show for it, including a replacement watch and my first real bras since grade 9.  ^_^  Despite having only been here for a few days, I'm quite excited to get back to Kingston, there are people to see, things to do, and plans to be initiated. Methinks I need a nap though....big day ahead.

Aug 29, 2003
15:25 EST

  I'm ba-a-ack....and I'm loving it! I arrived as expected last Friday night at around 11pm, delayed only slightly by a short but heavy thunderstorm passing over Charlotte NC. I headed out for Ottawa 5 hours later and landed in the arms of a certain boyfriend that afternoon. Phil's wedding was just beautiful and we all ate and drank and danced late into the night. That was almost 3 full days of no sleep, and I think my body's finally feeling it now. Grant and I spent Saturday in Ottawa and I finally got back home to Oakville by Sunday night and it has been a frenzy of school shopping, food shopping, packing, and moving since then. I ran up to Kingston yesterday with Grant and the first load of stuff for the apartment and I was reminded again just why I love Kingston so much. Basically, it's been a great time since my return and I am very very glad to be home.  ^_^

  I have to admit though, it is weird to be back. When I first saw and hugged Grant last Friday, it didn't seem real; it didn't sink in that I was really back till yesterday or so...actually, I don't think I can really believe it still. When I drive around (and I'm still getting used to that too), the first thing that pops out at me is the sheer number of Canadian flags: waving in front of businesses, hanging from bedroom windows, whipping at the tips of car antennae, pinned and sewn to backpacks, stuck into the corners of windows, embroidered into clothing, engraved into appliances and coins. I like it. It's the good kind of nationalism I've not encountered in awhile, that Canadians are so proud to be just that. Yes, things are different, there's no denying that, and I have indeed been hit by a touch of reculturation shock, but I can identify it for what it is and warn my friends about it and besides, it's not as bad as everyone makes it out to be anyway. Just a little sadness at seeing how everything has changed without my noticing or being there for it, geography and people both. I'll keep tabs on it.

  Aside from this, the week has been busy. Need to sort out bank issues, move out, move in, figure out various licences, renew things, see people, and get to know the country again, and I'm sick in the meantime. At least I can keep my wisdom teeth for another month or so, I was supposed to get them out today. Personally, I'd rather lose the teeth and keep my voice, but it's too late for that now.

Aug 20, 2003
18:01 CET

  T minus 24.25 hours and counting...

  I haven't packed, my postcards remain unsent, I'm still getting souvenirs, I have an exam tomorrow that I really do need to study for, and of course, I'm going out tonight. 'Tis the life. This week, despite the countdown, has flown by, and I still have no complaints. Florence is great, but I'm going home. I just picked up my pics from Siena, San Gimignano, and Pisa...my camera is scheisse. Remind me to add that to my Christmas list, along with that plane ticket to BC. I'm off for dinner now, then we're watching a Germany vs. Italy soccer game in the Shot Cafe - I am therefore out now, but I will literally see you all soon, if not Friday night then Saturday morning...und vielleicht naeschte Jahr fuer die Deutsche...sorry! Ta....