Love is the answer, at least for most of the questions in my heart.

Just wanted to wish a very HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to my beautiful mom and to my fantastic step father John. I wish nothing but love and happiness to the two people that taught me what love is supposed to be!

Addison Felicia Marie Dolhan

My God Daughter Addison fought H1N1 pretty hard early on in the winter. She managed to kick it's butt, but while in the hospital they discovered that she has a heart problem that will require open heart surgery. She has a hole in her heart that they are going to be repairing. Hard to imagine this girl with a hole in her heart, since she is the happiest most loving little girl I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. While they assure Ortal and Thomas that it is a low risk procedure, it is still open heart surgery. When they learned this, Ortal was 7 months pregnant with Hyleigh, how these two find the strength to do all that they do, I will never understand. They are defiantly an inspiration. The whole thing really puts things into perspective about what matters in life, and what we waste our energy worrying about or being upset about.
Anyway, I thought I would post the song that Ortal wrote about Addison, because it is beautiful, just like they are.

Addison

Her dump truck rolls back and forth
My heart melts, despite all the hurt
I pray to G-d that there will come a day
When my baby won’t have to play, all alone
When I won’t be waiting by the phone
To hear about the inevitable day
She calls me ‘mama’, I smile, and I turn away
I look at her and wonder what she would do, if she knew
A mother lost in doubt, a child she cannot live without

Happy Addy never knew until I told her the news
She never heard me ask my lord for strength
Give me the hurt; tell me there is reason for hope
Don’t take it all away, give me one day, day after day
She was your child first but now she is mine, and all I ask
Is you keep her that way.

Happy Addy never saw the tears flowing down, as I asked you
For forgiveness as I asked for your compassion, and I know that
I don’t have the power to make it all go away
The power is all in you, and all I am left to do
Is give in to your plan, for reasons unknown
I led me a stray, and somehow you never let me go

Happy Addy makes my home the home I never knew
Brings me back to all that is true
The heart of a lion with a face of an angel
An angel here on earth
Let the sins of the ones that love her keep her near
So that I shall never stop to not fear.
Happy Addy laughs and giggles
In a world with so much pain & sadness
With a smile that lasts forever, I hold her tight
And ask you G-d to give my Addy a new life

The Lovely Bones

Since it was pouring all day yesterday, we grabbed our umbrellas and hit up Rainbow for a matinee playing of The Lovely Bones.
I read this book a little over two years ago and fell in love with the heartbreak and rich detailing of this story.
The movie had a lot to try to accomplish, mostly involving things that are not tangible - heaven, your personal heaven and emotions. I have to say that overall this movie was not nearly as good as I had expected, it seems to be the movie that ALMOST made it.
Let's start with what I didn't like: The "in between" scenes, drag on way too long, and are not nearly as descriptive as they need to be, to have relevance to the movie, having the scenes last so long, make the movie seem too long and ruin all of the good work the movie manages to do.
The things I did like: The actors, every single one, was a perfect match to their character and did it supreme justice. The way they visually show her death and the way she was murdered was simply spectacular. A scene with her younger sister inside her murder's house, was slow, detailed, and so suspenseful, you felt like you were in fact the one invading his home. Every sound, every breath was extraordinary.
While there are only a few things I didn't like about the movie, unfortunately those details cost the movie a great deal.
All in all, if you have read the book, you will appreciate what the movie does accomplish. If you haven't read it, you will be bored, and likely find the movie too weird for your taste.

“If you live to be 100, I hope I live to be 100 minus 1 day, so I never have to live without you.”

Have I mentioned how much I love weekends? And Spending those weekends with my best friend, who also happens to be the love of my life?
(don't worry Jenny and Mom, I still consider you my best friends too!)
Didn't do a whole lot this weekend,we made a beautiful french toast breakfast yesterday, watched some movies, hung out with Darcy and went grocery shopping. Today we had planned on doing a little skating after our banana pancakes, but since it is raining out, I think we may nix that idea...I'll keep you posted.

Kissed my neck with a crooked, cracked fang.

Last night Colin surprised me with a movie date. We decided on "Daybreakers". I have always been a huge fan of vampire based story lines, way before the whole Twilight phanomanon, so I was pretty excited to see this movie.
Unfortunately the movie was pretty terrible. To start, the main Vampire's name is EDWARD and he doesn't drink human blood (really we couldn't think outside the box on this one?) if we are going to borrow characters, we might as well steal ideas too, they have the whole amber eye/red eye thing happening.
I have to say, I am a little bit of a Vampire purist. While I can accept different ideas on certain aspects of the Vampire lore, one thing I can't stand is making them BORING and with no real background. The thing about the Vampire, is that they are supposed to be sensual. The whole point behind them, is that they lure their pray by being irresistible, and even when they are drinking their blood, it seems sexual not dog/banshee like and messy. So basically what this movie brought to the table was boring typical American's that drink blood instead of McDonalds - no passion, no deep and bruiting hot vampires in search of a soul; then they added just enough cheese, to make your roll your eyes at the most "scary" moments we are talking slow walk while hair blows in the wind, awkward "funny lines" by the humor relief character, and Ethan Hawke dressed like Harrison Ford in his Star Wars Days, and then ended it like a 12 year old's wet dream minus the boobs.
Basically this movie was trying to send the message that once a resource is used up, we are screwed (in our world water, oil etc) but because of the Twilight madness, instead of creating a movie that discusses just that, they decided to cash in on the hype of Vampires.

However, the date itself was a blast and I loved the surprise movie idea! In the future, I am going to have to stick to the older Vampire stories and be wary of anything put out AFTER Twilight - and even Twilight is pushing it.

To cut or not to cut?

Lately I have been pretty bored with my hair. It has grown super long, and I am just bored and annoyed with it. So I have been considering doing the unthinkable....CUTTING IT OFF! I want something a little bit more polished and elegant looking, instead of my wild long hair that I never do anything with outside of flat iron. Here are some pictures of what I am aiming at... I really want something I can actually style easily, not just hang there...Thoughts? Ideas? Should I or shouldn't I?

I'm hooked on a feeling, I'm high on believing, That you're in love with me

This weekend was our 10 month anniversary! We kicked off the celebration by watching Speed, I don't think I have seen that movie from start to finish since it's original release on VHS. I have to say, it is pretty great. Saturday we had a pretty great sleep in, french toast breakfast and our first DAY skate at Victoria park! Saturday evening my friend Paul came down from Guelph for a great Pad Thai dinner and a few drinks at winks. Colin and I came home and watched Kill Bill 2, which Colin had never seen, being my favorite of the Kill Bills I was more than happy to share the experience with him!

Sunday Brianna and I went to Smitty's for brunch, which was inexpensive and delicious - my favorite combination. After brunch we came back to our apartment so I could open Brianna's world to The Jersey Shore. After wasting about two hours we went to Silvercity to see Avatar in 3D. When we got there, we ended up having to kill another hour, as Avatar at 3pm was sold out!
I hadn't even planned on seeing Avatar, I had no idea what it was about, and thought that I wasn't nearly nerdy enough to see it, but I have to say it was pretty incredible.

Sunday night, Colin and I watched the sloppy mess that was the Golden Globes. I am not sure where everyone bought their dresses, but I am pretty sure that they were all second hand from a used bridesmaid store.

All in all the weekend, was everything I like it to be, filled with fun and hanging out with my favorite person in the world.
On the one hand I can't believe it has already been 10 months, but on the other, I can't remember my life before this amazing man came into my life. I have said it before, and I will keep saying it - I am so happy and so lucky to have Colin in my life!

and I could be your favorite girl, perfectly together...

I seem to have been really good at not procrastinating and now have nothing to do. In this event the best plan is to steal a survey and do it...oui?
Jenny I stole this from you...

♥ What are your middle names?

Martine and Daniel.

♥ How long have you been together?

10 months, but it feels like 10 years (in a good way of course!)

♥ How did you meet?

We met on the day he interviewed at GoodLife, I walked him out, and told them they wouldn't call him back ha ha. On one of his first days he sent me a picture of John Stamos and we immediately became best friends.

♥ How long did you know each other before you started dating?

4.5 months, but remember we spent 40 hours a week together talking NON stop and then worked out together and joined a dodge ball team together.

♥ Who asked who out?

There was a moment during a discussion where I realized I could stop trying to make myself believe I wasn't interested and then we just clicked and never looked back.

♥ How old are each of you?

24 and 25

♥ Do you have any children together?

Nope!

♥ What about pets?

Ella. She is mine, but since we live together, she is "ours". Some days Colin counts her as his, other days she is my dog - days when she barks a lot or pees on something she shouldn't.

♥ Did you go to the same school?

Never.

♥ Are you from the same home town?

Not even close. Both small towns though.

♥ Who is the smartest?

We both have different strengths, I would argue Colin is overall though.

♥ Who is the most sensitive?

Clearly that would be me ha ha.

♥ Where do you eat out most as a couple?

For dinner out it would be Ben Than's for Pad thai, for bar related food it would be Winks and Crabby Joes. Pretty refined pallet we have I know.

♥ Where is the furthest you two have traveled together as a couple?

Ha ha, probably my parents house. We have big plans though.

♥ Who has the worst temper?

Me. Colin doesn't have a temper period.

♥ Who does the cooking?

We share the cooking. Since we started dating I have lost my touch in the kitchen, so Colin takes over and rocks it.

♥ Who is more social?

We both are. Colin is louder though.

♥ Who is the neat-freak?

Neither of us thank god. We keep this place pretty tidy and organized though.

♥ Who is the more stubborn?

That would be a toss up. I think we would both stand our ground that we are the most stubborn.

♥ Who hogs the bed?

Me, but not on purpose. I have no understanding of space while I am sleeping and if you let me smoosh you off the bed, then that is your own fault.

♥ Who wakes up earlier?

During the week Colin generally. Neither of us really gets out of bed without the other during the weekends, but if someone does, that someone is me.

♥ Where was your first date?

Black Shire St. Patricks day, it was the first time we saw Chance's band "The Bad Ideas" which probably explains half the reason we are so obsessed with them.

♥ Who has the bigger family?

Colin. Good Lord. 100% Colin. 9 Siblings 20 nieces and nephews.

♥ Favorite memories?

Impossible to pin down. We have had some great trips, and events, but literally everyday is so amazing. I couldn't even attempted to pick a few.

♥ Do you get flowers often?

Ha ha no, but Colin spends every day doing little and big things that make me happy, I don't need flowers.

♥ How do you spend the holidays?

We have tried to split them up where we can. Mothers day and Fathers day were spent here with his family. We spent Thanksgiving with my family, and most summer holidays (because they have a pool ha ha), Christmas we spent separately with our families and it was THE WORST EVER. We plan on never being apart like that again, so holidays are going to get split up next year.

♥ Who is more jealous?

I am going to go with me.

♥ How long did it take to get serious?

About 5 seconds. ha ha. We tried to play it cool the first week we started dating, making it seem like we didn't want to centre our lives around each other. That literally lasted less then three days.

♥ Who eats more?

Portion size, Colin...he is nearly a foot taller for Christ sake, if he didn't I would be concerned.

♥ Who does/ did the laundry?

We usually do it together. If not it's pretty balanced.

♥ Who’s better with the computer?

Colin. Hands down. I know the general stuff, but my response to a problem is to shut it off and hope for the best ha ha.

♥ Who drives when you are together?

Colin, mostly because I don't drive. But if I did, it would still be Colin, I always find it weird when a girl is driving with a guy in the passenger seat.

♥ Who plays an instrument?

Colin plays the Bass. But I am pretty awesome at all air instruments.

♥ Do you share the same taste in music?

We have some pretty different tastes, but fortunately for the most part they bleed together and we both enjoy what the other listens to.

♥ Who exercises more?

Used to be me, but now 100% Colin.

♥ Who eats better?

Probably me, only because I need to incorporate some sort of vegetable every once in a while.

♥ Who's more romantic?

I would say that I am more of A romantic, but when it comes to gestures, probably Colin.

♥ Who wears the pants in the relationship?

Neither of us, we are equals, so I guess that makes us nudists.

♥ Who snores loudest?

Jack Daniels. That is, Colin only snores with the influence of his friend JD.

♥ Is there anything you both share/enjoy?

Pretty much everything you could think of, we enjoy everything together even just the simplest things like, sitting together. Wow does that ever sound LAME.

♥ Who takes more pictures?

I would say I take the most "real pictures" Colin spends a lot of time taking pictures of me and I am generally unimpressed since I am usually not wearing make-up, in my pjs or not paying attention. ha ha.

♥ Who cries the most?

Not even a question, I cry at everything, good things bad things. Commercials. I thank my mom for that one.

We're not at the end but we already won ...no one is as lucky as us.

This is the part in winter when we start to get excited when the temperature falls with only a single diget under zero or maybe even suggests a possible warm up of plus one! It is that little glimpse into the coming spring, to start to shake us out of our winter blues and let us see some sunshine, even if we are sure that we will likely have a deep freeze in a matter of weeks.
That being said, this is one of my favorite parts of winter, because there is very little going on, so it gives you the opportunity to replenish after Christmas, and get all the little nagging things that you have been putting off. All the little tasks that build up, you now have lots of time to complete, knowing that in a few short months your free time will again be booked solid.
That being said I have spent a lot of my free time this week, doing random chores that I have been putting off and let me tell you, it feels pretty great.

Since the demise of our laundry facility in the building, we have had to make use of a laundry mat, which I have to say, I enjoy a lot more than I thought I would. There is something about being able to do multiple loads at one time, and not spending your entire day doing laundry that is rather liberating. ha ha. Yes, this is the excitement that comes with January.
I also, have stepped back in to hot yoga. For a little while I was having a hard time feeling dizzy and like I might pass out, which was rather disheartening since I had never felt that way before. But I picked it up again this week and had no trouble. After class this week, I decided to drop into a introduction to meditation class. It was interesting, and parts of the teachings make a lot of sense, I don't necessarily agree with everything it teaches, but I enjoyed what I learned and trying out something new again.
This week has flown by with all the procrastinating put to an end (for now anyway) and filling up the spare time with new home made dinners, yoga and ice skating.

This weekend, we are celebrating our 10 month anniversary with another skating date (like we need an excuse to skate) and a pad thai dinner with a friend from out of town.

Oh and have I mentioned lately outstandingly lucky I am to have Colin in my life?!? Seriously the longer we are together, and the more time we spend together the better this guy gets. I am so lucky and love him like CRAZY!

Well, You, are, the only exception

So last week Colin and I finally made it out to Victoria Park to go skating. I have to say I was really impressed with Colin's skills, when I found out that he hadn't been skating since the 6th grade, I was pretty worried that we would spend the evening with his butt glued to the ground. But true to Colin form, he rocked it. I am looking forward to spending a lot of time on the ice this winter!
This weekend was pretty wonderful, we managed to strike a great balance between relaxing with Coffee and rocking out to our new record player and getting a lot done! Not to mention having some pretty spectacular times with our friends.

Friday night we watched "Fever Pitch" which I have seen, but this was before I was dating a red sox fan, so this time it was more of a learning tool ha ha. I enjoyed watching it with someone that was so excited by it.

Saturday we spent most of the day sleeping in just hanging out around the house and then went to Rainbow to see "Up in the air", which I would say is one of my favorite movies of the year...even if it is the second week of 2010. Saturday night, I got to lose myself in the new book I am reading "Second Glance" by Jodi Pilcot (author of My Sisters Keeper). This is about the 8th book I have read by her, and was pretty delighted when it wasn't soaked in depression, like the majority of her books. I am pretty deep into the book right now, and jump at the chance to lose myself in it. So when Colin went to Darcy's to watch the hockey game, I was thrilled to spend the evening lost in the story.
By the way, I am ok with the fact that I am a huge nerd.

Sunday after Colin and Darcy realized there was not going to be any chance of road hockey the three of us, hit the town to find some skates for Darcy. While out searching, we found some size 13 skates for Colin. (he currently had a 12.5 which were a little too small for his left foot. Yep just the left). We went to McDonald's to hunt down an "Alvin" for Andrew, but came up empty handed, and got some grocery shopping done!
Afterward I met up with Tina, Jenny and Leslie for a wonderful sushi date at Wonder Sushi! The entire meal was filled with inappropriate conversations, and jokes that had us all literally crying with laughter.
I am not sure how thrilled the people around us were, but we had a blast, and lets face it, that is all that maters.
All in all a pretty great weekend.

One last word about 2009

If I haven't already shoved this down your throat, you are missing out. This is by far my favorite album of 2009. I was never a huge Norah Jones fan, sure she was talented, but it just wasn't my thing. The Fall on the other hand is a total reinvention on her part, one that you shouldn't spend another moment missing out on. Seriously stop reading this and go get it, buy it, download it, however you find music do it now.
Oh and you are welcome.

2009 was a Mixed Tape

I feel that it is necessary to do a year wrap up now that my holidays have been carefully blogged about. I will run it back to the beginning.

I started 2o09 off the best way possible, with good friends. I rang in the new year with Kelli and Andrew and Andrews roommates, and I couldn't have imagined a better time. I think what they say about the way you spend new years eve is how you will spend your year, I spent my year weeding out the people that no longer had a place in my life and those that were wasting my energy existing in my world. With all of this weeding out, came an embrace of those around me that matter most, and making it clear who those people are and how important they are to me. By the end of 2009 I had developed a clear understanding of who and what is important in my life and surround myself with those things on a daily basis. Understanding the importance of these things in my life is a highlight not only in the year, but in my life.


The year was all over the place, and went in a direction I wasn't expecting. The start of 2009 marked my promise to try new things, and just say yes, when I would have said no before. Who would have imagined that making that choice would start the foundation for my relationship now. It all started by going to the gym and then working up the nerve to try a class, and then try one of those classes in the co-ed side, and asking a certain work associate to join me on Thursday nights. Which would lead to playing on a dodge-ball team and hot yoga Sunday's! Going into these things I did not have any idea that they would lead me into the love of my life. I say everyday how happy I am that Colin and I met and grew as friends with no thought of a romantic involvement, because we ended up falling for each other as real people, the people we are at heart. With that came an incredible amount of love and support that made anything life threw at us nothing, but a small annoyance.

The year had a ton of highlights, more than I can even begin to list. 2009 was a year that flew by and a year that I was able to end just as I had started it -happy. I celebrated the end of 2009, beginning of 2010 with family and the love of my life. All in all 2009 was a pretty epic year and I can't wait to rock 2010.


I don't have an resolutions but I have a few goals. But those are going to stay inside my head for now.

Chhelloo 2010

To ring in the New Year we headed out to my step brother Quentin's Wedding! I honestly can not think of a greater way to ring in the New year than with family celebrating one of the happiest days of their life! It was also the first New Years I have spent with my mom since...I don't even remember! The wedding was beautiful and the reception was a blast, complete with Chinese food and a little Mylie Cyrus (for Colin and JJ). Colin and I did what we do best and tore up the dance floor like it was our job, I mean it, we only left the floor to refuel!
Here is proof it happened ha ha.

Angie showing off their new marital bling!

This was a pretty sweet shot that my little brother caught of us during one of the first dances.



Slappin' da bass!

Q and A had this really unique idea for their guest book. Everyone was to take a picture holding the head of Quentin and Angie with themselves and that picture would go on one page of the book, and on that page is where you filled out your well wishes etc. This is one of my favorite pictures. This is my nephew Brady (who is three) holding Quentin's face over his own, I just think it looks so creepy.


We brought out the bass slappin a lot, also seen that night was the "dice roll", "the fist pump" "the lasso" and Mike's brilliant "iron pump". We are gathering quite an amazing repertoire of dance moves.


I am not too sure what mom and I are singing here, but we are clearly enjoying it a great deal!