Upon the return from my fabulous weekend away, I was, promptly, stricken with a cold. I swear, I am the only person I know who is plagued with a cold every summer. My throat is cut up, my nose is runny, I have a headache, a fever, have made multiple visits to the bathroom and up until an hour ago, I could do little more than lie horizontally, and complain to Rachael over IM.

Now, I am feeling quite a bit better. And here is why:

1. I’m sitting in my livingroom with a giant fan oscillating around me. The fan makes me cold, then moves away to prevent me from becoming too cold!
2. I’ve made some pasta and cheese! Pasta and cheese is one of my favourite foods. I finally felt well enough to try to choke some down, and actually enjoyed it. “Starve a fever, feed a cold,” they say, and I’ve decided to give that old adage a go.
3. I have a fizzy drink. BURN, THROAT, BURN!!!! I normally dislike pop. The carbonation makes my eyes burn, and gives me a headache (I often open a can of pop and let it sit for a day until it is flat. I love flat pop.). And, in general, they are far too sweet for me to handle on a regular basis. But, I definitely enjoy them when I have a sore throat. Long live the tingly burn.
4. I’ve put on a chick flick. I love girly movies! Tonight I opted for “The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants.” I’ve just re-read a few of the books from the series, in anticipation for the 2nd film which is coming out quite soon. I love this movie. I cry within the first few minutes– when Bee runs away from her mother’s funeral.

Obviously, I have my laptop as well, to provide a link to the outside world. My parents have gone off to the Sneek-a-Peek night at the Stampede, which is our 10-day rodeo/ carnival/ festival-type thingy. I’m quite bummed that I couldn’t go, but I’m pleased to be surrounded by some of my favourite things. Besides, it is unlikely I will miss out on the fun, I get to dress like a cowgirl for the next week and a bit at work. Check the Flickr for pics! Ha ha.

So, tell me, what do you do when you’re feeling under-the-weather?

One of my favourite games ever is Truth or Dare. I will play at any chance I get! Unfortunately, I am no longer 14, so I find it harder to find someone to play with me! Luckily, I have you guys as captive friends! So, here is what I propose…

This is a Truth or Dare game.

Here’s what I need from you:

1. Truth questions: ask anything you’ve wanted to know, no matter how embarrassing! No matter how silly!
2. Dares: you give me a dare, and I will do it. I will take a picture of myself doing said dare.

Obviously, there may need to be some limitations, if I get any dares or questions that are super inappropriate. But, in general, I am a very liberal and crazy girl, and will most likely do whatever you guys ask.

Feel free to ask questions or propose dares continuously! After I get a few, I will make a post with the answers and photos, and if there are any more afterward I will do another post.

Despite setbacks related to my status as a female, I had quite the fun weekend!

As you know, I left on Thursday afternoon, and we drove up to Pigeon Lake which is outside of Edmonton, toward the southwest. We set up our camp site, which was quite lovely. For my dog, Spice, it was beyond exciting! It was her first camping trip, and she loved it!

Friday was spent partially in the city of Edmonton, and about. We went to see my uncle, who is still in ICU at a hospital there. It was a tough visit. We found out some things that maybe we didn’t want to, and it was certainly one hell of a reality check. I don’t know what to say. I am so many different emotions when it comes to this. It’s all quite hard to work out, but we’re working on it, as a (large) family.

Our evenings were spent mainly with one of my sets of family containing my auntie, uncle and cousin Kayla. Which was fun. It’s great to catch up with everyone, and eat snacks. Yum yum, snacks.

Saturday was the big event! After some shopping, margaritas at 11.30am (Hey! It was noon SOMEWHERE!) and getting quite burnt at the beach, we got ready and headed off to my other auntie and uncle’s (My mother is the youngest of 7) wedding vow renewal. The ceremony was quite nice, except for the vows that outlined “submitting,” and “obeying,” ones husband. No thank-you. Please be reading me the man vows when I get married, ‘kay? I’ll obey nobody (and neither will any of my aunts for that matter), mwahahahaha.

The dinner was fantastic, as was the dance party following. If I ever have a wedding, I’m thinking a small thingy, involving the signing of documents (no church necessary) then a big dinner and dance party. Dinner shall be pasta and cheese, chicken and bacon, with a desert of cupcakes and a sundae bar. Nothing fancy, just things I love. You can find pictures here.

The last two days were just filled with relaxation, and queasyness for those of us who are prone to heat stroke (i.e. me). Currently, I am roasting from the insides due to 30C temperatures. Awful. Someone please move me to somewhere with regular temperatures, okay?

Overall, it was a nice trip. I hardly disagreed with the parentals. It was nice to see everyone. And I am definitely looking forward to our trip to Penticton in early August, although it will be 2x as long, 2.5x the driving, and 10x the heat.

When asked, yesterday evening, my mom said she most enjoyed sitting around, relaxing and reading with us and our dog hanging around as well. My dad said… well, he just continued snoring from his chair, which I’m going to interpret as a big thumbs up.

Well, I best be off to feel dizzy for a bit, and maybe watch the thunder and lightning currently raging outside. July 1st is Canada Day, so Happy Canada Day to all, especially the Canadians, obviously!