Kelvington, Saskatchewan

We had a day and a half off then back on the road.  On friday I checked out a new restaurant.  13th Avenue Coffeehouse.  Funky little place.  I suggest checking it out if you end up in Regina.

My view from the restaurant and my red thai coconut curry. Delicious!

Saturday morning I woke up at 8 and ran 8km with Denise.  I think I need to nickname her Denise the machine.  That woman is superwoman.

After the run I headed to Dance Plus to attend a Zumba class. Needless to say, after all this and another stop at 13th Avenue Coffeehouse for lunch, this gal took a nap.  Spent my Saturday night watching "How I met your mother" and chatting with my good friend Lanna on gmail chat.

This morning I ventured to Yoga Mala.  A beautiful studio in the cornwall mall and enjoyed an ashtanga class.  So great to do yoga again.  Plus BONUS, they have a special. 25 dollars for your first 2 weeks!  I'm gonna yoga up a storm.

Jumped into the van and headed to our next stop. Kelvington, Saskatchewan.  Passed through Wadena where Grampa Fisher was born.

Would love to live in a place where everything is named after the town. 

Had a bit of an adventure once arriving in Kelvington.  Was greated at our guest house by a farmer with a shotgun.  Guess he had no record of us coming to stay there and thought we were trouble.  The guest house, which was booked with his wife who was no where to be found, was a mess so we headed to a motel where they offer COLORED TV.  Looks like a motel out of a horror film.  Each of us got our own room. Luckily the walls are thin enough to hear each other incase we have to yell for help.  

successful day!

Today we drove about 40 minutes to Bethune.  The air was extremely foggy and it looked as though Zombies were going to appear at any given moment.

The kids were a dream at this school.  If they remained like this for the rest of the tour, no problem mam!

Went for a run with Denise.  6.9 km.  New record! Felt great! My knees were fine!  I felt I could've ran maybe 8.  Me thinks my dream of running a 10k may come sooner than later.  We will see how I feel tomorrow...........

Reading a book called "I'm here to win" by Chris McCormack.  A triathlete.  On the back he says:

A goal is a dream with a plan.  The question is, what is my dream?  Kinda lost.

How the tour was won

For those of you (my mom) who are interested as to where we are going, here it is.

Tomorrow we drive to Bethune.
October 13th: Lindale school, Moosejaw
14th: Empire school, Moosejaw
15th: off
16th: Drive to Kelvington
17th: Kelvington High School
18th: Robert Melrose Elementary, Kelvington (stay the night in Saskatoon! Katie let's go to Zumba!!)
19th: Langham Elementary
20th: Greenall School, Balgonie
21st: Punnichy School21st: Punnichy School21st: Punnichy School
22nd: Off
23rd: Drive to Paradise hill
24th: Paradise hill School
25th: Ecole Oman. Swift Current25th: Ecole Oman. Swift Current25th: Ecole Oman. Swift Current
26th: St Dominic Savio, Weyburn26th: St Dominic Savio, Weyburn26th: St Dominic Savio, Weyburn
27th: Assiniboia Park School, Weyburn27th: Assiniboia Park School, Weyburn27th: Assiniboia Park School, Weyburn
28th: Esterhazy School
29th: Off
30th: Drive to Kamsack30th: Drive to Kamsack30th: Drive to Kamsack
31st: Kamsack School31st: Kamsack School31st: Kamsack School
1st: Queen Elizabeth, Weyburn DRIVE HOME AFTER!!1st: Queen Elizabeth, Weyburn DRIVE HOME AFTER!!1st: Queen Elizabeth, Weyburn DRIVE HOME AFTER!!

Today I taught kindergarten, grade 11, grade 1/2 and grade 3.  The kindergarteners and grade 1/2 were really cute.  At the end of 1/2 I said "I want to thank the grade 4 class for being such great dancers" and they were like "We're grade's 1 and 2!" They were so proud that I thought they were older. (note: Didn't think they were older, just having fun.)Today I taught kindergarten, grade 11, grade 1/2 and grade 3.  The kindergarteners and grade 1/2 were really cute.  At the end of 1/2 I said "I want to thank the grade 4 class for being such great dancers" and they were like "We're grade's 1 and 2!" They were so proud that I thought they were older. (note: Didn't think they were older, just having fun.)Today I taught kindergarten, grade 11, grade 1/2 and grade 3.  The kindergarteners and grade 1/2 were really cute.  At the end of 1/2 I said "I want to thank the grade 4 class for being such great dancers" and they were like "We're grade's 1 and 2!" They were so proud that I thought they were older. (note: Didn't think they were older, just having fun.)

The grade 3 class were a bunch of mexican jumping beans.  Maybe it would've helped if I told them to run around the gym 20 times before starting class.  Hmm.The grade 3 class were a bunch of mexican jumping beans.  Maybe it would've helped if I told them to run around the gym 20 times before starting class.  Hmm.The grade 3 class were a bunch of mexican jumping beans.  Maybe it would've helped if I told them to run around the gym 20 times before starting class.  Hmm.

Saw the eiffel tower today.  Yup! Check it out!

Monmartre eiffel tower

la ronge

Oct 5th

Does it help my day if it starts out with a 7 year old boy telling me I'm pretty?  Maybe.

Ile a la crosse school.  The kids were all pretty much a dream.  Loved it.  If this is what it is like for the rest of the tour, It'll be smooth sailing.  I also had a grade 6 boy say that was the first time he's ever danced and he liked it.  And they all had such natural rhythm.

Funky Modern High School

                                          Went for dinner at Costas and had fresh lake pickerel.

Yummy!

Delicious.  Hour long skype with Adrienne, phone chat with Dougie, then bed.

Oct 6th

Cool School with Canoe Roof

Churchhill school La Ronge

Thinking that teenagers can smell fear. Very uncomfortable when the bell rings and I'm swarmed by kids. Taught Grade's 12, 9, 8 and 7 today.  Grade 7's seemed to have the most rhythm.

Went to the golf course for dinner.  Had Cajun Trout.  Again very delicious.

Golf Course Top of the Hill

After dinner Kelly, Leon and I went for coffee and I introduced them to the game of Dutch Blitz.  Such a wonderfully addicting game.  Hope we play more of it on the tour.

Leon having a kiddie cone at the coffee shop

Casper's Ghost Boat

Ile a la Crosse?? Am I spelling it correctly?

Day 2 of tour, day 1 of schools.

Wow.  So I'm really going to do this for a whole month?  Ok.........

Woke up at 7. Had continental breakfast which was a choice of cereal or toast. Opted for the second.

Got to the schools quite early so sat and read an Instyle and then Chatelaine.  Me thinks I should bring a book next week.

Class one: Grade 3/4's.  Not too shabby, a bit chatty but overall respond well to square dancing and robot moves.

Class two: Grade 9's.  I start the follow along warm up and one person half asses it.  Everyone else stands with there arms crossed with an "Are you kidding me?" look on their faces.  I quickly can that idea and move onto something new.  I barely survive the class but thankfully lunch is coming up.

Lunch: Provided and consists of chicken tomato soup, bannock, lunch meat and veggies.  I have homemade bannock (2 pcs) lots of veggies and some honey dew melon.

Class three: Evil, smelly, whiney, noisy, uncontrollable children who can't stop grabbing on to me with their germ infested, grubby little hands.  Anytime I look at the teacher for help she just looks back at me with a "deal with it yourself" kinda look.  End the class 5 minutes early.  (technically we only have to do 50 mins but I've been doing the full hour and so I stopped at 55 min)  I thank the teacher and she responses with a "yeah"

Class four: Grade 8's.  Surprisingly a pretty well responsive group.  They keep asking to learn more and do the dance again.  Afterwards 4 girls ask for my autograph.  Well I'll be. The day wasn't a total loss.

Jump in the van and drive 10 minutes to the beach.  Beautiful.

Jump back into the van and drive 40 minutes to Ile a la crosse.  Staying at the Northern Sunset Motel.  Room smells like cigarettes.  Little afraid of bedbugs but even more afraid to check for them.

Dinner consisting of deep fried fish, boring iceberg lettuce salad and fries.  Don't eat much.

Internet.  Back to the drawing board a bit on classes to make them cooler for older students, maybe a little T.V. then bed.

Exhausted. 29 days til the end and 19 days of schools to go!

Day one of Artist Teaching Tour

We've arrived at our destination today.  Buffalo Narrows, Saskatchewan.  Pretty little place.  It seemed the further north we went the more vibrant the fall colours were.  We also saw 3 black bears all at different times.

Now it's time to introduce the "characters" into the story.  Each one is probably 'google-able.'

Leon Willey- (pronounced willy) tour manager and actor.

Adam Willey- Leon's brother, same Father different momma, don't really look alike. Nice.  Musician

Ann Versall- Film. Older. Interesting. Would for reasons I can't explain, fit well in the Yukon. 

Kelly Anne Riess. - writer. my roommate tonight so will most likely get to know more. Seems nice. 

Going to be an interesting month.

Time to work a bit more on my classes, dinner god knows where but apparently great fish (will report back) more work on classes and then bedtime!

This is the view from our motel room window. Churchhill lake. 

My day

Woke up. Talked to my dearest friend Elly who gave me a new perspective on life.
Had breakfast with Katie and her new puppy George.
Deposited money in the bank.
Picked up photos from Peabodys. (Old fashioned photos we took as a cast)$
Got a Thai massage. $
Picked up a chick flick with Courtney from Jimmy's Place.
Bought year end cards and card for Doug from Mac's. $
Bought a new 2012 agenda book from Aurora office. $
Wrote in cards to cast and Doug while eating Brazilian Bean soup and sipping on green tea at Riverwest.$
Bought groceries to make a salad for dinner party. $
Bought organic wine and beer for dinner party. $ (Single beer just for me)
Talked on Skype for one hour with dear friend Jenny of India while making salad and drinking beer.
Showered and Beautified.
Talked to Doug while falling asleep on the couch.
Went to dinner and had a grand ole time.  Sat on the same side of table with 4 other women and we were ALL lefties.  CRAZY!
Witnessed some bad ass northern lights dancing from green to purple.
Watched "Someone Like You".  A fantastic chick flick/rom com with Hugh Jackman (hubba hubba especially in this one) and Ashley Judd, whilst drinking chai tea.
Wrote To DO list as I've got just over a week left in Dawson with much to do.
Wrote this blog. ($ signs shows all the dough I spent today, that's why I keep busy. The wonderful thing is all the places were walkable from one to the other. Beautiful BRISK, fall day.)

Tomorrow: Kate's at 9 am, Zumba at 4, Show at 7.

Spent alot of money today but overall, it was priceless. 

The darkness returns

I just biked home from the show and it is so crazy how quick the darkness comes back.  The long days of summer are now long gone.

Only 10 nights of shows left, 7 Zumba fitness classes and about 12 shifts at Kates.  Lots to do before I leave.

Just spent a wonderful weekend in Whitehorse with Doug.  I will tell you more in the morning.  Bedtime for this gal.

Getting into the outdoors

Today I plan on going canoeing with Courtney and her boyfriend Chris.  Tomorrow is hiking.  I haven't done anything "Dawsonlike" since I've been here besides some mild hikes so I'm going to cram it all into my two days off!

Mom and Dad canoeing on the river during their visit

Life has been pretty uneventful.  Go to kate's, have a new co-worker by the name of Adam Terpstra who is a very wonderful, openly gay man who entertains me from the beginning of the shift until the end.  

I stole this picture off his facebook only to add him as a "visual character in my story"

Zumba has been great.  I've had over 12 people a class recently and I'm hoping it continues.  One woman who will remain nameless, did the whole class in her granny panties and a tanktop.  At first I thought maybe she got changed and forgot to put her pants on but nope, it was intentional.

Gerties has been alot of fun.  Last night Helen some how got both her legs in one of her short holes and almost went on stage with her ass hangin out.  She noticed about 20 seconds before we had to go on and I couldn't help her as I was laughing too hard.  Reminds me of when Ambrielle tried to put her own panties on when she was younger.  

Last night was spent at a bar called The pit in the New Westminister hotel.  Not sure why it is called the pit but in my opinion it's because it is a pit.  But in a good way.  Amy, Travis and a few other friends from town have a band they put together that plays on Wednesday nights called Amy Soloway and the Mid-weeks.  Great tunes to dance to.  My two favourite songs of the night were Tina Turner's "Rollin on a River" and Prince's "Purple Rain".  Purple Rain always makes me want to dance with my eyes closed but usually I feel insecure about it.  

Outside the New Westminister Hotel

I must mention a situation that happened last night.  Steph was telling us about a game that the local boys play called "Party Foul".  How it works is, if you drop a beer, someone calls party foul and you then have to drink a beer out of that persons shoe.  I thought it was extremely disgusting but last night I called it jokingly on my friend Jjay and I 'presented my booted foot to him, he took off my boot and drank out of it."  Not sure who it is more gross for, I did dance last night but then I had a soggy sock afterward.  My friend Dave Harris was saying it was such a disgusting thing so Katie, Jjay's boyfriend, knocked Dave's beer out of his hand but instead Jjay drank out of my other boot to 'even things out for me'.  Funniest part of the night is one of the local boys came over to Jjay and said "Hey!, I want a sip of that" and proceeded to take the boot from Jjay and have a sip.  It was hilarious and disgusting all in one!

Jjay and I from Music Fest '07

Now I am going to attempt to wax my own eyebrows.  

Coming soon to Michelle Fisher's blog near you:

A visit from my dear friend Emilie Fortin, HOPEFULLY a visit from Doug, and a visit to Whitehorse!!

helicopter ride

Our missing link, Katie Pearse, also known as Kitty Fierce, has finally arrived meaning I get two days off a week! YAY!

My schedule will now be as follows:

Saturdays: 10:30-2:30 Kate's, 4-5 Zumba, show at night (arriving at 6:30-7ish)
Sundays: 10:30-2:30 Kate's, show
Mondays: 11-3 Kate's, 5:30-6:30 Zumba, show
Tuesdays: 10:30-3 Kate's, show
Wednesdays: 10:30-3 Kate's, show
Thursday/Friday: My weekend!!

Dad standing in front of Kate's (the restaurant I work at) while visiting in 2007

This past weekend was the commissioner's ball which friends of Doug's came up to visit.  Pat, Lisa and their two daughters, Sophia and Emily.  On the Friday night the girls watched the show from backstage (as you have to be 19 to get into the casino and they are both under 13) while Pat and Lisa watched from the front.  The next day the girls sang at the ball and as we go and visit inbetween shows to mingle with the folks, I had the opportunity to take a picture with them.

Emily in Red, Sophia in Blue

I did get the chance to watch a bit of the stanley cup finals with my brothers, but as we all know, it didn't end well.  Poor Canada.  Not even one goal.  

Watching the game at the Billy Goat Pub

Had a lovely day off yesterday.  Went out for lunch with friends, biked home in the pouring rain which was miserable until Travis suggested we make up songs as we bike.  Mine went like this, you'll have to choose your own melody.

My hair is wet, my legs are gettin wet, my hands are cold, oh yeah!
Look at that guy in his green coat, I hate your green coat!  

Green coat guy happened to be wearing a rain coat.  It really did help though to sing.  I suggest it next time you are caught in the rain and have no choice but to get from one place to the next uncovered.

Matty and Travis after our bike home

Maybe Matty should invest in some fenders for his bicycle.............

After arriving home and tossing our clothes in the wash, the three of us cuddled up to watch the final episode of this seasons "The Office" on Matty's laptop and sipped tea.  It was the perfect past time for a rainy day.

Luckily the sky cleared up and the sun came out as I had to fly in a helicopter yesterday.  Yup! Myself, Steph, Tracy and Helen suited up in our costumes to be flown by helicopter to the golf course, take pictures with Military folk from over 30 countries then flown home.  It was really fun.  

Fireweed, the helicopter

"I'm getting excited to take off!"

Stephy enjoying the view mid flight. 

Today I plan on baking alot, prepping for Zumba tomorrow and watching the Tony Awards on Colleen's Tivo tonight whilst hanging out with her three legged dog Minnie and Minnie's friend Keko.  Tonight is my Sunday, back into it tomorrow morning!  

Until next week, keep fit and have fun!

Zumba hits Dawson

I have now finished my first full week of Klondike Kates serving 5 days from Saturday to Wednesday.  I have also taught my two Zumba classes and they were a success! 11 people at the first class and 15 at the second which is really great for a small and very busy town like Dawson.  It felt really great to be teaching it again and I will be twice a week until the end of summer! It is also nice to be bringing in extra money besides just from the show.  I've started a change jar of quarters, loonies and toonies and I've decided to not touch it until then end of season then use it to by fall and winter clothes.  I have many a summer clothes as that was always when I was making money but barely any sweaters or pants.  I had ordered a sweater and leggings from american apparell and now I'm done shopping for the summer.

The shows have been going well.  People have been recognizing me at the casino from Kate's and vice versa.  Eric,  a very kooky guy that I work with at Kate's, said I'm like a little celebrity.  Only to the old people.  I had one couple see the show Saturday, come for Brunch Sunday, see the show Sunday and come for Lunch Monday.  It was like a had another set of grandparents.  Darryl and Jackie.  Except they came in separate on the Monday as they had lost each other.  No worries, the story ends well, they do find each other in the end.

Today is my first official full day off in awhile so I plan to get many a thing accomplished.  Refresh my zumba classes, tidy room, bake and cook for the busy days ahead and end the day watching "Beaches"  Yup, I rented Beaches.

Speaking of food, I recently made an avacado smoothie which I thought was quite yummy.  More like a milk shake if you ask me.  It takes half an avacado, tbsp and a half of sugar (that's lots I know but I used sucanat which is natural sugar and a bit better for you) 1 and a half cups of milk (soy for me) and a tsp of lime juice.  Very rich but lovely.

I am also happy to say that I might have a gang of saskatonians up here.  4 people by the name of Holly, Pat, Graeme and Evan came over to say hi between shows as they heard that I was from Saskatoon and all of them came up from toon town for the summer.  They all went to bowman and when I asked what year they graduated I found out that they were all about 5 years younger then me.  To make myself sound even more like a granny I said we should all get together for saskatoon berry pie.  So lame.  Hope it happens though.

Ok, time to go be productive!  Signing off!

-

Vegan day 4

Is that a chick with a hairy back? Nope it's Konrad in Amy's dress for the tea party.  I think he enjoyed it a bit too much.

I have to say, I feel fantastic.  Not exactly sure if it's my new chosen diet, but I feel good, I knew that would now, So good, So good.......:) Just see for yourself.

Ok so I may have downloaded the app fatbooth and have had ALOT of fun with it.  It's my new party favor.

I started working at Klondike Kate's yesterday and for a first day, it was not too shabby.  The fella that trained me whom I'll be working with quite abit, is very OCD when it comes to organization and cleaning.  It's fabulous.  The food is tasty, the patio is covered so come rain or shine we will have costumers so overall, I think it'll be an excellent summer job.

The days leading up to my first day were spent hangin out in this guy.

Life is so easy in sitting in a hammock. 

I have this evening off and my plans are to make a gluten-free, dairy-free pizza with my dear friend Robyn.  Haven't decided on a chickpea curry crust or or sweet potato sesame.  This is about my hardest decision of the day and I am a-ok with that.  

Robyn at her tea party birthday

Veganism here I come!

I've just finished reading (for the second time round) the book "Skinny Bitch" and it has inspired me to be vegan for 30 days.  Just give it a whirl.  Really all I'm giving up is fish, seafood, yogurt and eggs.  I was pretty much on my way to it anyhoo but this will give me a kick in the butt.

Life has been good. GORGEOUS weather we've had as of late.  I've got some new freckles coming to town.  A while back Matt, Konrad, Amy, Travis, Courtney and I went on the ferry across the river to the shipwrecks.  They were boats that were abandoned at the side of the river back in the goldrush days.  Pretty nifty.  No pirates though. :(

Us travelling on the ferry to the shipwrecks

I do look very white in this photo as this is pre-great weather

On Wednesday I start my second job at Klondike Kates for lunch.  Looking forward to making some extra cash.  Even more exciting is Zumba on Saturday! The buzz has begun!  Here's hoping I deliver what the peeps want!

Another very lovely afternoon was Sunday as my dear friend Robyn had a tea party.  All the ladies were in sundresses and the boys were in shirts and ties.  It was so wonderful. We had iced and hot tea, dainties, fruit, sandwiches with the crusts cut off and my favourite, hummus and guac.  I made Gramma Leier's Soda Cracker Dessert and it was a big hit!  Funny when people ask what is in it. I'd rather keep it a secret!

Off to bed now as tomorrow Courtney and I are heading to the thrift store, making homemade salad dressing and I've got to deal with Silver Bullet as she got a flat. :(  Poor girl.

Driving to Alsek

This week has really flown by.  Still not working my second job yet but soon I hope.  Got the town all Zumba postered up.  Starts next week!

Yesterday Amy, Courtney, Konrad and I drove 3 hours to a silver mine to perform a 15 minute show (within this show Courtney and I danced for about 2 minutes of it, the rest was Amy singing) then we drove 3 hours back.  It was a well paid gig but quite the drive.  Our driver, Dennis, was a young guy from Ontario up for the summer to work in the mines.  We had this joke for the day that he was not actually taking us to a show but was going to send us off into the woods in our show outfits and hunt us.  Random I know but you've got to entertain yourselves somehow driving 3 hours each way.  The reason why I bring this up is at one point along the trip we were saying we were quite hot in the back so Dennis turned on the air and instantly the van was filled with dust from outside.  It was funny enough in itself but Courtney shouted out "He's cooking us" which made us laugh (and cough from the dust) even harder.  Fun times on our road trip.

Outside of our 'trailer'

Goofy day for all

White Sangria Saturdays

Yesterday the whole cast had a day and night off together so starting at 3 in the afternoon, we whipped up a batch of White wine sangria, turned on some tunes and danced around in the sunshine.  What a glorious day.  My skin is a bit pink today (a sunburn in May in Dawson?  Crazy) but WELL worth it.

A few hours and a few batches of sangria later, we went to "The Drunken Goat" for a delicious greek meal with the cast.

  Following dinner, we proceeded to the casino for "The Jillian Campbell Show"  The woman is 80 years old, had basically lost her voice the night before so she was speak singing, but still managed to get everyone to hold hands, sway, stomp their feet and she received a standing ovation at the end.  Now that's talent.

Feeling a little worn-out today so I took 'er easy. Best part of my day: Laying in the hammock reading my book "The Happiness Project".  I think if I could only own one "piece" of furniture, I would choose a hammock.  Life is so easy when you are laying in a hammock.

Off to the show!

Productive Day

Wednesday May 18th:

As I sat in the hammock this morning eating my oatmeal with strawberries, bananas and grapes, basking in the sunshine, I had one of those moments where I thought, I don't wish to be anywhere else but right here.

Following this moment after gobbling up my oatmeal, I jumped on Silver Bullet (my bike) mailed off a letter to Doug, checked in at Klondike Kate's to when I start (last week in May) returned my movies, took out some cash for an after show drink tonight, set up my Zumba classes for the summer and bought groceries to make dinner and cookies.  The wonderful thing about Dawson is that everything is so close.
I was able to lock up silver bullet at the bank as I headed to the KIAC (where I will teach Zumba) and next to the Grocery Store.  I really think I could live in a small town. (Except for the fact I could use a costco close by)

Almond Butter, dark chocolate cookies
They were a hit!!! Only 6 ingredients

My silver bullet originally belonged to Emma Sheppard

Backstage with homemade chocolate mustaches made by MaryAnne for Amy

 Thursday May 19th:  I attempted to get up early and ended up getting up at 11.  Oh well.  Still managed to make granola (with the help of Courtney watching it as I went for a run with Amy) and also a Salmon Citrus Coucous Salad (pictures to come) that was given a thumbs up from both Steph and Matt.  Now it's chillin time before the show tonight.  Oh and the picture of the mustaches is explained in the caption.  Maryanne made chocolate mustaches for Amy.  Apparently you can buy the mold at Michael's.  Pretty nifty.

Prepping for a run with Amy She called me Richard Simmons due to my bright outfit

Tomorrow we open for good!!

Flowers from Doug!

 Tomorrow (Wednesday) is the first day of our season.  YAY!  It has finally arrived!  Last Friday and Saturday we had what is called "Soft Opening" where we perform the show for the Klondike Visitors Association and the town before it opens for the tourists.  It went very well aside from the fact we opened on Friday the 13th!  Mic batteries went dead, shoes fell apart, a few costume malfunctions, but all in all it was a great show!  And what made up for everything as well is Doug sent me this beautiful bouquet!  It was so, so sweet!

Here I am in my open costume for show #1

This is my opening costume for the third show. Me thinks I need a tan!

Tonight is our last night off altogether before we get into the swing of things.  The weather has been beautiful the last two days so we spent the first couple of hours soaking up the sun and sipping on what we like to call "Lazy Woman's Sangria" Ingredients are: Red wine, gingerale, cut up strawberries and some frozen blueberries.  Delicious!  Won't be the first time we make it this summer!

Steph and Courtney sitting on the picnic table enjoying sangria!


Time to go visit with friends!  Until next time, I leave you with the quote of the day:  

                       “Our essential purpose is to become the best version of ourselves.”
                                                   — Matthew Kelly

Sore Muscles and Chick flicks

I have not been a very good 'blogger' but I believe you need to have the internet to post a blog.  It has been a fight up here to get internet in our house.  We FINALLY (after 2 weeks) got a modem hooked up yesterday but when I went to plug my computer in, it didn't work!  Jeepers!  The problem is we are in  remote northern country with only one internet company so it's not like we can say we will take our business else where.

Aside from fighting with the internet 'bad guys' we've been hiding out in the casino rehearsing for opening night on Friday the 13th.  Yup.  Most days are spent waking up, eating breaky, packing a lunch for the day, stretching out our sore muscles, dancing the day away and leaving around 7 to go home feeling mentally (from remembering all the steps) and physically exhausted.  I have spent most my evenings by soaking my sore muscles in a nice hot bath and cozing up to a chick flick with my pal Courtney.  I guess I should mention that I am living in a house with 3 guys and two other chicks.

 Roommate #1 is Stephanie Foster.  She is the chickypoo beside me in the photo.  This is Steph and I's third summer together.  Sometimes we get along great and other times we fight like sisters.  

Roommate #2 is Courtney Deelen.  She is the redhead next to Steph.  This is our first summer together.  She is my tea drinkin, vegetable eating, chickflick watching partner in crime.

 Roommate #3 is Matt Amynotte.  He is the dude in the plaid shirt.  He is the same age as me and a Woody Allen fan.  YAY.  Matt plays the piano and will also sing as the swing male in the show.

Roommate #4 is Jon Bailey.  He is our drummer.  He cooks up a mean garlic mashed potato.

 Roommate #5 is Travis Ferris.  Ferris like the wheel.  He is the dude in the middle being hugged by Conrad our musical director.  Both are really nice, cheeky fellas.

 And that's the entire family who lives in one house.  6 of us.

Vancouver, Whitehorse, Dawson

After flying from Vegas to LA and LA to Vancouver, I missed my last leg, Vancouver to Whitehorse BUT it gave me 2 extra nights with Doug! YAY! Cost me almost 400 dollars for a new flight, but, it was worth it!

Finally it gave us a chance to watch "Black Swan".  Those who know me, know that I'm a pretty optimistic person in life BUT when it comes to movies, I choose to be pessimistic. I've been disappointed too many times when someone has said "Oh this film is Uh-Mazing!  You GOTTA see it!" So "Black Swan", watched it and.........."It's UH-Mazing! You Gotta See it".  Apparently it has been getting very extreme raves from I didn't like it at all to I love it!  Watch it, get back to me and I'll tell you why it's so great.  Natalie Portman was very deserving when it came to the Oscar.  Well played ole Nat!

So after two extra glorious nights, I ended up in Whitehorse and into the arms of my old soul pal Emilie Fortin.  We worked together last summer at The Klondike Rib and Salmon and became bossum buddies right off the bat.

Whitehorse was spent running around doing errands, lunch at Burnt Toast (the hottest new restaurant in Whitehorse which I would give the Prawn Thai Salad a 4 out of 10) a beer at the 98 with Becky (the 98 is an old hole in the wall bar that weird enough is very cozy) and dinner at sanchez with Tara (roommate from last summer) Hickman (college buddy and soul sister for life) Ambre (dear sweet friend) and Becky joined us again.   Finished off the night with Emilie and two charming homosexual males drinking wine talking India and showtunes.

Now I'm in Dawson with Helen working on some choreography for the show and getting used to the slow pace of Dawson.  (Slow for now until the town fills up for the summer, work begins and life as we know it is AWESOME!)

Highlights of the past few days include: Watching "Dinner with Shmucks" with Helen and re-creating my burrito bowl.  YUh-meeee!!

≈  Get used to seeing many pictures of food this summer!  I think I need to work on my food presentation as this kinda looks like I enjoyed it then threw it back up into the bowl! HA

Vegas!!!

What a whirlwind this last week has been! I left Saskatoon on Thursday April 14th with Mom and Dad taking me to the airport.  Moms comment on the trip was "I thought we were done with this"  (This being taking me to the airport, with many a luggage in tow, to ship me off yet again)

Arrived in Vegas and into the arms of my love.  We ventured to Freemont St. to downtown Vegas known as the old Vegas.  We spent our first three nights at the Golden Nugget which is one of the oldest hotels in Vegas.  Friday morning was spent finding me the brightest running shoes possible.  I ended up with two pair, one fushia and one bright blue.

And then the time finally came for Doug and I to FINALLY go see Celine Dion.  Our tickets for Celine were bought even before the flights and hotel were booked.  The show opened and I had tears in my eyes.  Here voice IS amazing.  But then I sat and waited patiently for the dancers to enter.  I waited, and waited and waited and finally Doug says to me "It's not like they are hiding them in the back".  She had NO dancers!  I was SOO disappointed.

Oh well, we've got our Sintara Dance with Me for the next night.  It was going to be ok.  We spent another day shopping around, enjoying the beautiful weather and eating at the Chipotle Mexican Grille for the second time.  (Anyone going to vegas that likes Mexican, hit up the burrito bowl, its magical)  Finally the time came for us to go to the show. I study the program.  Many of the dancers have performed in Celine's previous show "A New Day", in Twyla Tharp's "Movin Out" (amazing Billy Joel musical) or both.  I'm stoked.  We are 6 rows back smack in the middle.  I'm super excited!  The curtains open and the general manager steps out to tell us due to a black out the show will not go on this evening.  Are you f*%#in kidding me!!!! I sat in shock for about 5 minutes before I realized that life needed to go on.  Oh well, better luck next time VEGAS! Geez!  We walked all the way home from the strip to downtown and almost made up for it by having a red tiger roll at RED SUSHI.  (shrimp tempura, spicy, tuna and avacado, DEEE-Licious!)

Day Three of vegas.  Doug went on priceline.com the night before and we gambled for a new hotel.  (Only gambling we did in vegas besides Doug on 2 slots waiting for me outside the ladies room)  We got the PH hotel. What the heck is the PH?  OOOOH Planet Hollywood.  Ok.  Westgate towers.  Pretty nifty.  More comfy bed and funky little mall attached where we enjoyed RED Mango frozen yogurt.  Pomegranate to be exact.  Guess we only eat at places that start with Red???? It was our last night to see a show so we opted for "Absynthe" which was suggested by a woman with a New York accent infront of us waiting for Sinatra.  "Oh you just gotta see Absynthe, it's fabulous"  And it was.  I mix between burlesque and cirque.  Funny, sexy, thrilling, great.  We left feeling as if our wounds had healed from the last two nights of shows.

Over all I give Vegas about a 7 out of 10.  Favourite parts: The bellagio fountain.  The food (burrito bowl, red tiger roll (both of which we had twice) binnions cafe, Forever 21, the absynthe show,  the weather and of course being with Doug.

Next stop. Vancouver (after missing my flight, oops!)