Happy National Cupcake Day!

No seriously.
NO! SERIOUSLY!
Oh my word. Pure joy has wrought my day.
Who knew that there was a day set aside for the celebration of the wonderful cupcake? Do you think I could pass this off as a religious holiday? Maybe? Possibly? I do show mass amounts of devotion towards these cakes in mini bitable, portable loveliness. I think it's entirely possible. Well since it is National Cupcake Day (or as the Brits call them fairy cakes) I feel like we need Random Trivia.. Oh yes.
-Cupcake were first mentioned in 1796 as part of an American cookbook.
-Also, during the 1800's cupcake meant two different things. Either a mini cake baked in ramekin dishes (muffin tins weren't a hit yet) or a cake that's ingredients were measure in a standard cup volume. I.e. any little cup around the house, usually a tea cup.
     - Side note: I actually already knew about the cup cake measuring cup thing. I used to work at Heritage Park where they bake goods as part of their experiencing How The West Was Once. When we made cake, we always used the tea cups to measure everything instead of measuring cups. Let me tell you, first day baking no one told me. I rummaged through that whole dang house and was so about to use the antique ones until one of the girls came into my exhibit and was like. "Duh, the tea cup". Oh. Should have read the site binder. I'm an idiot.
Anyways! Moving on!
- Cake balls are a deviation of cupcakes. No really?
Apparently they were all the rage back in the day because they were less expensive than pound cakes. Now they're all popular again because of the "nostalgia" (as wiki tells me). Really, I think it's just because they're good. And convenient. I mean, come on, it's a mini cake in your hand! Omnomalicious!
It's kind of funny it's National Cupcake Day though. I should have saved my bragging about my sister for now, because it just so happens...

They are tots her forte!
My hips don't lie people, they are delish.
However. It would be totally bias of me to just post pictures of her cupcakes on here. So, in honor of cupcake day. I give you sinfully blissful pictures that are going to make you want to destroy your diet!
(I'm on the "sea-food" by the way! Hurr hurr I crack myself up)


Oddly enough, from National Geographic. These cupcakes come from the Atlanta Cupcake Factory, it was on their list for Best Cupcake Bakeries!


They're cupcake headphones from Semk. Um, hello. Delicious awesomeness delivering tuneskys? I'm sold.

Now would you believe me if I told you this was a cupcake? Because it so is.

Finally, no these aren't my sisters. Actually my cousin made these, she's quite talented at making cakes. These were for her daughters birthday. Fresh strawberries with strawberry meringue icing. So awesome!

May we all go out and make our tastebuds happy today in celebration! My waist line can get over it later. Nygah.

xoxo
杯形餅

And suddenly they all broke out into Queen

Well. That was just my lunch hour.

Now, what jersey's they are wearing I have no clue about. But today I'm standing in line at Subway (I lurves it) when I realize the Scaramouch-ing I can hear isn't just my head playing Queen. Which doesn't happen often which is why I was wondering in the first place. So I grab my lovely perfected sandwich (hey it took my whole life, it's perfect) and look over the +15 railing to see these guys. Rock Band-ing it out in the lobby of the PetroCan Tower. Let me tell you, the guy singing had some serious guts, because there were a lot of us watching. And laughing. Mostly laughing. I have no clue what it was for, but you can see the camera guy there filming them, so I'm sure it'll show up on CityTV or something.
Also. Holy two days of blog posts?! I'm so proud of myself :)

xoxo
怯懦者

*Shoo Shoo*

So good news. My headaches are starting to go away!
Bad news, they're abruptly replaced by a huge headcold.
>.> You think you're funny body don't you...
But yes, cough cough, hack wheeze and all that fun stuff. This weekend was lovely though, I sat around and did practically nothing! I like weekends like that. Where I can flop down and just play video games for ridiculous amounts of time, yaaaays. Also, saw Harry Potter this weekend. Woah, dark. I went with my friend Helena and my boyfriend Owen, and we were all like "Uuuhhhmm, so not a kids movie"
And may I point out, thats what I like about it.
My generation is the one that grew up reading those books. They came out when I was like, 11? 12 maybe? And people my age grew up reading the books and watching the movies. So as my generation got older I noticed that the movies kind of grew up with us. They didn't stay being some diddly kids movie, they actually started to get serious. And I like that, I enjoy that they continually progressed as it's beginning audience got older. So that's why when I hear parents with young kids complain "it's not a children's movie" or "it's to dark, it's scaring the children" The chiiiiiiiiildren!!! I kind of want to say "it's not supposed to be for them! you're daughter was probably still crawling when I was standing outside of Chapters at midnight freezing my butt off so I could buy the new (shiiiiny) book."
 But that would be rude, so I don't. But I think it. *nygah*
Anyways /end rant, today's picture is something I constantly brag to people about. Like, constantly. I know.. I'm such a sinner *hangs head*

My sister's epically, awesome, fantabulous baking skills!
Seriously, her stuff is to die for. To diiiiiiiiiiiiiie fooooor!
She made this cake a while ago, and I personally love this cake because it's so dang adorable. She made it for her not-nephew on his first birthday. Hence, the giant "1". The little caterpillar around the edges just gets me every time. I wish there were a close up of it, but this is all I got. The icing is all fondant, she works miracles with that stuff. The cake itself was chocolate, pretty sure. And can I say, her chocolate cakes are like "Oh my word, my mouth has never had something so awesome." She's good at making them rich and super moist and chocolate-y *nom nom* But yes, okay, my mouth is watering and my bragging is done. I shall post more of her work. Nerdi (my little sis) went to SAIT for they're Baking and Pastry Arts program, before then she just did it as a hobby. She's cool like that. :)
Well, I'm off to hug my Kleenex box. Happy Festivus!

 巧克力
Andi

Behold! The Archnemesis!

The headache...
*fnaaarrrrr*
And curse it back to the very depths of the ninth circle of hell. Until then, it's pounding away on my frontal lobe like a poorly timed mariachi band. Nygah.
However, in case anyone hasn't notice. What with the big city light ups, and the rushed shoppers running you over, and the large volume of traffic circling parking stalls like vultures on a carcass, it's Christmas everyone! Yay! Let us all be caught up in consumerism and totally forget the real meaning. Mk?
Well, okay. Not everyone. I really wish I had caught a picture of this today, but dang it all I left my camera at work and my phone camera is pure terrible. Point being, today whilst out doing my little shopping thing at lunch break; I found myself in the throng of shoppers in the downtown Core Mall. Between dodging sales people, bags, children and other shoppers I finally weaseled outside. Granted it was still just as rush-full of people, but more space to weave. As I walked down the closed streets on Stephen Avenue I happened to spot a homeless man sitting on a little crate with a small empty cup in his hand. I actually recognized him, because I see him everyday on my way to work. And just like other people, sometimes I've dropped a couple of spare coins in my pocket into his cup. Well, it was a bit chillier out today and as I walked up the street I noticed a business woman walking in front of me stop next to the old man.
She was carrying a large cup from Starbucks and I saw her hand it to him. I could hear her say "It's hot chocolate. Merry Christmas." And then she just walked away.
Please let it be noted, as much as I say I hate crying. I so get choked up easily, so I was a little teary when I walked past the man. But he was perfectly happy as he yelled out "God Bless you" to the woman. Then went back to his drink, which I'm sure really was a Christmas treat. For just a moment, between the humming of traffic and the screeching of the train and the bustle of people. I'm sure I was one of the few who stopped to notice a small piece of Christmas right there on the street. May we all be a little kinder, a little merrier, and shine our lights a little brighter this season.

A month ago I found myself leaving the Calgary Highlanders Centennial Gala. Exiting onto Stephen Avenue I just had to snap this shot, it just looked so pretty. Add some snow to the picture and this is what downtown Calgary looks like now. I adore the icicle lights ^_^
xoxo
Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have no charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth.
-Moroni

Nihao

*pokes head up*
>.>
Sooo.. Hi. Yup, I'm still alive. Surprise?
*hangs head* yes I know I'm a terrible blog author. In my own defense between NaNoWriMo and work I hath had no time! Honest. Okay my excuses aren't that wonderful.
So I was looking over my blog a couple of weeks ago thinking.. I've done a lot over the last while (not just this blog, but a few others I have), anyways I realized for all the kinda crazy stuff I've done I haven't really documented to much on it. I write a bit, but I'm a picture person, so why am I not sharing them?*shrugs*
Life is getting more hectic, I have a full time job now at an Oil Company, trying to do school and graduate, I'm permanently living in the big city, I still volunteer with the old and musty, I run around with other crazy people. So with all this rampant activity I thought that sometimes I just wanted to share the craziness.
That being said, I have hoped a band wagon people.
I'm turning my blog into a picture/bucket list project ^_^
Call it an epiphany I had, but there's things I've done and things I wanna do and needless to say I'm a sharing person. Maybe it'll spark crazy ideas for other people.
Today's first pic.

While in Banff this past weekend, I was in the candy store and spotted this! He's so cute ^_^ Owen said it reminded him of Helena. Yeah. I could see it. Maha.

xoxo
許多愛

Happy November!

Yes. I am aware I don't write in here anymore. Don't worry that'll change. I've been ridiculously busy with a new job, figuring out schooling and a whole halabalooza (it's a word..now) of other stuff. However, since it is almost Remembrance Day, and now is that time of year we see all the lovely poppies pop out (heh) I have a little announcement.
I know I myself love wearing a poppy, but it tends to fall off constantly and I always. Always. Loose the dang thing. Remedy? I know a certain someone who happens to be selling pin center's.

See?
Problem solved!
Actually they're really adorable, and handy since now I won't be rifling around in my car at Remembrance Period looking desperately for an extra poppy because mine fell off somewhere. A portion of the proceeds goes towards the Veterans Food Bank. Poppies aren't included with the pin, we encourage everyone to make a generous donation to your local Legion and other community groups.
Anyone who is interested either email me or facebook me (for those who see this posted on my wall)
Each pin is 5$.
Have a lovely Remembrance Period ^_^


"The darkness might conquer, but it could never extinguish hope, and though one candle, or many, may flicker and die, new candles would be lit from the old. Thus hopes flame always burns, lighting the darkness until the coming of day.”


-Tracy Hickman & Margaret Weiss

I Come From A Home...

...Where the walls are yellow, and I come from a town where you always hear hello.
And that's where I have always felt most comfortable. Living in a tiny little town where you wave to everyone who passes you by and it should only take you an hour at most to walk the town but it takes almost all day because you stop to talk to everyone. It's a small town, friendly place and you never feel like a stranger where you go and you always feel welcome. It's home for me. Even when I went to school, I went into the 'city' of our area, a half hour away from home. You still see everyone and you haven't really left. All my family was down south, and my friends and school and all the crazy awesome plans I had for summer. I had friends coming home I hadn't seen in years and it was going to be the best summer of my life. I was going to go bridge jumping everyday, get a good job at the local museum, set off fireworks, buy a car, rollerblade everywhere with my friends who were all going to be back.
But, life is a funny thing, and it never turns out how you think.
My life has always never gone as planned really. Not to say it hasn't gone well, because I have a good life, but the last year had been a tumultuous one to say the least and I just wanted an easy summer to coast through and be relaxed and laugh. But I found myself dropping my bags in front of my aunts house in the big city wondering how on earth I ended up here.
Truth be told, The Military Museums was a job I didn't really think or care about when I applied for it, I didn't even know where it was. I thought I botched the interview too and was busy trying to find a new job when they called me. Part of me really wanted to say no to their offer and just find some other job here so I could stay, but I found myself saying yes and moving to the "Big City".
Now, I'm a close knit kind of person. I'm close with my family, close with my friends and my town. I'm used to living in a place where I know everyone and feel safe. I can walk the streets at 1 am and not worry about anything. So moving somewhere where I don't know a single person I walk past and I can't go out after dark in most places, little unnerving. Not to mention when I found out I was working for the Department of Defense, and read my job description finally. I nearly tossed my cookies. I realized I had just signed up for a job with a lot of responsibility, a lot of stress, and I was in a city where I knew 1 person; my aunt who I was staying with, and that was it.
But first day of work came around and I was there. Ready for anything. Or, at least so I thought. I thought I knew something about the military. We have an army, an airforce and a navy right? I'll be good. Uh, no. There's different regiments, battalions, service cors, etc, etc. I was absolutely overcome with all the things I had to learn in a short time. I had no clue what CADPAT was. Wasn't camo just camo? It's green, brown, black and more green, right? I didn't know what a corvette was. It's a car right? And all the things I thought I knew from University classes on World Wars, well they obviously don't cover enough because I found myself saying "What battle?" or "We did what?" or, my favorite "I don't even know what you're talking about." I was working with two girls who already knew what they were doing, they had been working there already. My bosses were smart, but I found myself working with a boss with a personality I had never encountered before. Someone with military background who had high expectations and I was feeling very sink-or-swim. It had to be the most intimidating job I had ever had. Ever. I had no clue what was what, what to do, where anything was and by the end of it I was getting home and flopping on the floor wondering if I was going to make it.
By June 6th, the huge D-Day Celebration, I was almost at wits end. And that day, nearly put me over the edge. So many people, so many questions, such a rush to get everything done and it felt like a very strange organized chaos. Kids would ask me if their uniform was WWII or Cold War and I just had to say "I have no idea, you guess" practically. By the end of the day, I was literally ready to quit my job and move home. My friends had just flown in from where they had been, they were partying back home and I came home to an empty house and just sat down and cried. I had no idea what I was doing. What on earth was I thinking, I could not do this job! I didn't know anything and it was so high stress I felt like unraveling. 
But, I went to work the next day, because my parents didn't raise me a quitter.
And that was probably, the best thing I could have done.
Because you see, though I came to this job knowing nothing. Thinking it would be just another tough summer job and I would leave at the end of it, wave and hug goodbye, get a few facebook friends and promise to visit again. It turned out different than I thought, like everything else this summer.
It was going to end up like that, but life kinda went sideways. My department at school filling and my without a school to go back to. For days afterwards it bothered what I would do. Everyone at the museum was trying to help though, and I was amazed at how much at home I was feeling. My family was far away and only on the phone, giving their love and advice. And I could have felt alone with only phone calls, but I had these crazy people I work with caring too. I was still thinking about leaving back home and staying and living there, the thought of staying in Calgary crossed my mind too, but it's a city where I don't know anyone. I have never felt welcome in a place where I don't feel at home.
I finally realized how wrong on was one day though. I can't even remember what was going on, truth be told. I was getting something from the Collections cages, probably a screwdriver, or ruler, or tape measure or something. As I left I called back saying something like, "I'll be back to bother you later" as a joke when I heard Tucky reply "Don't worry, you're always welcome here."
I work at a place with crazy people, who I honestly adore. Most people think I'm weird for how much I talk about it and love it, but it's hard not to. My contract may be over, and I may get lectured that I need to a find a new job and move on but really, no job is going to measure up to that. I find for once, there's a job I can't seem to leave. Granted, Lydia has told me that if I tried she would tie me up downstairs and never let me go! Hmm, yeah.
Because really, it's like I have an entire other crazy family at the museum (as it one wasn't enough!) But it's okay, because you love them even if you don't know what to do with them half the time.
In one way this summer did turn out how I thought it would.
It was probably one of the bests summers I have ever had.
And it isn't over yet.

"The kids at the museum, they're really like my grandkids..." - Lynne
“In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years” – Abraham Lincoln