Christmas 2011

To say that the last few weeks in December have been hectic is truly an understatement. I finished my COMM 505 class by the skin of my teeth (Dec. 18th we wrapped up), I moved physically to a new office space (Dec. 19 & 20th) but on December 21, none of that mattered as I headed back to Saskatchewan for the holidays.

Christmas was different this year and I can't quite put my finger on what made it so. There was just so much going on that quiet time with friends and family was appreciated so much more. Thank you to my wonderful family who always welcome me home with open arms no matter how long I've been away or how short my stay may be. You have always been there for me and it is YOU that I love spending the holidays with.

All the best everyone for a lovely holiday season and wishing you so much happiness, health and success in 2012.

Santa brought me a new bike!

My aunt and mom checking on the turkey

My cousin and grandfather playing the Irma Jean Waltz (named after my grandmother)

Winding down at work

The holiday hijinx continued last night as I was MC for my own work Christmas party. Each year the Wellness Committee within my faculty plans a great final wind-up for professors, students and staff before we all disperse for the holidays.

There was trivia, there was Christmas carol-oke (public health themed, of course) and delicious, nummy food. Many of our students have finished their studies and will be leaving the faculty forever which means it's always a bit bitter-sweet for me but I wish them all the best with their future endeavours.

Happy holidays all!

Me with my Committee peeps! I'll miss them

Merry Christmas friends!

It was an evening to remember ~ Christmas at the Harper / Lauder residence. We trimmed the tree, we decorated the house and we opened our doors to our friends for an evening of food, drink, laughter and music.

Thank you friends for making 2011 an amazing year. So happy to have you all together in one place for a night. I look forward to what 2012 will bring for all of us.

Baby Beck

Yesterday I got to meet my new nephew. My friends Mike and Angie welcomed baby Beck Everett into the world three weeks early at the end of October. This was the first time I got to meet him.

And hold him.

I so can't wait to watch him grow. We can watch Roughrider and Oilers games together (you've even got the gear buddy)!

Best of all I love to see his mommy and daddy so happy (great work Mike and Angie ~ he's perfect).

Love you Beck!
Auntie Andrea

Another birthday weekend!

This past weekend saw me back down in Calgary to celebrate another favourite girl's birthday. Happy birthday Paisley (the number will always remain secret)!! I'm so happy to count you as a friend, you're an amazing listener, fantastic adventurer and true kindred spirit. May this upcoming year bring you much change but for the better!

I remember...

what Remembrance Day is all about. I remember my grandparents who grew up in the middle of the two terrible wars. I remember how it felt to stand on the edge of the de-militarized zone that splits North and South Korea. Remembrance Day still reminds us all of how things were not always so easy. On the morning of November 11, the prairie sunrise reminded me of all the freedom we enjoy thanks to those who served and still do. Thank you to the brave men and women who serve our country.

The coffee break of the new age

This post is inspired by my readings this week in my master's program and a thoughtful conversation I had last night with @matt_bisson. This week we had to digest the theory of Marshall McLuhan - of "the medium is the message" fame.

Our class has talked a lot about electronic media and how it's changed our society. Last night Matthew and I started talking about how more and more people are taking time during their work day to surf Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. He mentioned that studies were showing people need that time to disconnect from work, let the mind roam free and then they can return to the task at hand refreshed and ready to go.

What Matthew was saying makes sense to me, and it also made me think of YouTube'ing becoming the new coffee break for the new generation. Instead of taking 15 minutes away from the desk to go for a coffee with co-workers, are we now switching the rules by surfing the Net instead?

I'll leave you all with this - my MACT classmate @CarolynFreed did a YouTube mash-up for our readings this week. I find it hilarious! I would definitely take time out of my work day to watch this.