Weekend in a nutshell

Cancun watch out...we'll be there in 2 weeks and counting!
So who's to say that the birthday girl can't have a couple of good friends join her in her birthday celebration? NOBODY! And thats why this past weekend, we took it upon ourselves to celebrate with Jaya, aka: Yaya, her 25th birthday.

Jaya, Reetu, Jeevan, Shiz

Alma, Tanvi, Jaya, Jeevan and Shiz

Nothing spells out a good nite like beginning with a round of sociables at her place and then steppin' to Suite 69 on Whyte Avenue. But not before some serious glass breaking in the Stolli's parking lot - thanks Pooj, getting Mr. Gurjar to see if Desiree was okay to drive by walking the straight line - although the girl was seen slammin' back that Diet Gingerale, and last but not least, a lil' more predrinking in the car on the way to Suite. Again, it was no 900mL water bottle like Vancouver but we managed.

Nicknames: in one round of sociables I went from "flower-girl" to "resident-h***"; I was quite shocked to hear that one, but it was priceless. Jaya's friend, Jeevan - became black jesus, Jaya retained her Yaya and Tanvi became TV again.

the pictures say it all
http://ca.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/almamaria6/album?.dir=9bd9&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//ca.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/almamaria6/my_photos

Saturday morning - not so pretty. I figured out why the alcohol hit me hard, lack of food. Friday was intense and super busy throughout the day, so I didn't even realise I had not eaten a full meal all day. No worries, I have learned my lesson - always have a full meal during the day when you plan to party at night. I must high-5 myself, cuz I survived the amazing brunch that Mrs. Gurjar put together on saturday morning. But, I am not gonna lie - it was tough!

Saturday night - we were all outta commission. We had an impromptu BBQ at Pooja and chilled. It was nice and alcohol-free. Com'on now, have you seen those pics from the previous night?!?

Sunday - all day. checked out heritage days with Jaya. Worked on our tan and ate some yummy food! http://www.heritage-festival.com/home/index.php the website is there, check it out...its pretty cool!

Monday - rain or shine, GAP stores gathered for a baseball tournament that lasted 4 hours in the rain! After all, we are troopers. Money raised went to an amazing cause: Stollery children's hospital. In the end, downtown beat us (Kingsway) by one run! Good games, good laughs and tonnes of hilarious moments.
Quote of the game comes courtesy of B.
Jackie: "ok B, your gonna play rover"
B: "huh? i don't see a puppy anywhere, A.Lo do you?"

Guess you kinda had to be there, but all in all, it was a great time!
Jeffy - u make a great cheerleader btw!

And now, i am spent! Time to rest up for the grueling week ahead!
Till then...i'm out :D

I am sooo busy!

lets see...what have I been up to that has kept me from blogging: absolutely nothing! Well thats not all true... i have been working like a mad woman, gearing up for B2S: Back-to-School, hittin' the gym and still having time for a social life. Oh! the sacrifices I make ;)

Last week, the girls and I participated in a fundraiser for the Arthritis association; then it was movie and dinner followed with a briefscrap with some wanna be gansta' girls at Iron Horse. Seriously, who starts a fight on the dance floor? Have some respect people, theres a time to dance and a time to do everything else, dancing is a serious thing! Who knew friends from high school were scrappers....Viv, i totally woulda kicked her ass, you took the high road :)
Saturday was spent at work, house party and family party. All I can say is damn we can drink. The adults out did the kids....ah, family parties rock!

Well, next blog will have Jaya's birthday pics and summary....get ready for some more scandalous pictures ;)

365 days ago...

Think about it...where were you 365 days ago?
Are you in the same city? country? continent? A year ago today, I was traveling throughout Cameroon: Kribi, Yaoundé, Bamenda, and of course my base city: Douala.

on the road in Bamenda Yaoundé in front of the house
The Crew: Landry, Sandeep, Alpesh, Sripad, Andres, Alma and Steve

I started to think of how much my life has changed within a year. I have met new friends, managed to keep contacts from Cameroon near and dear to my heart, new directions towards my career and aspirations, and all the while still living in Edmonton.....at least for now.....

Nigel and Maria Wed!

Nigel and Maria Soon

The coolest center pieces ever!

So after 3 or 4 years (sorry guys, I can't remember) Maria andNigel officially tied the knot on Friday, July 15th, 2005! Ceremony was amazing, held at Mackay Avenue School, you guys made everyone cry; in true Maria nature, there were still some moments to laugh about. The reception was fabulous too, at the Royal Glenora club. Speeches were fun and tearful, and the bride said it best: "I am just so happy that everyone I love is in one room at the same time."

Tears, laughs, plenty of drinks and even a dance-off (I had nothing to do with it, ok fine maybe I did!) were shared throughout the entire evening. Thank you Maria and Nigel for sharing your special day with everyone! We love you both! Although still in E-Town for the next year or so, you both will be greatly missed when you embark on your journey to Australia.

Follow the link to see pictures of the ceremony, reception and shinanigans from last nite:
http://ca.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/almamaria6/album?.dir=/eb5a&urlhint=actn,ren%3as,1%3af,0

Mr. & Mrs. Soon!

Over and done with. Maria is now a Soon. And a good wedding it was... what?! open bar.... hmmm. Mia: need i say more? posting pics soon - no pun intended ...i know, lame ;)

thanks guys for letting us all be a part of it ... luv ya both!

Quince años de juventud!

Happy "Xth" Birthday Zairy! (the one in the middle)

Yes it is true, mi prima pero tambien slash-tia is turning a bliss....ay dios mio, she might cut me outta her will if i say the number; entonces, we leave it at: feliz cumpleaños quinceañera!

Accents - hot or not?

Is a person of the opposite sex considered to be hot when they have an accent?

How about if it is someone who has been in Canada for a year and still has an accent, is that still hot? Or is that pardon-moi the politically incorrect term, fob-ish? I don't get it. What about those of us that travel and find accents in visiting countries hot, but then come home to hear the same ones and claim: oh they've got an accent *negative tone*. I am just as guilty. AND as a language teacher to be this really irks me ...

Why the topic, why not?! Actually no, it happened at work today. Guy had an accent, we thought he was cute. But then in convo (what?? we build customer rapport), it turns out that buddy has been here for 4 years! It was quite the spectical show, thats what you get when you have an all female staff.

PS: 3 more days till the wedding!!

Blogging Phenomena?

So apparently, I have just caught up to this bloggin' phenomena! woops...talk about SLT: Standard Latina Time.

Although i am not taking any huge trips this summer, ok ok, 1 week in Cancun mid-august (its still no Cameroon like last year) I feel the need not to be left out and post blogs. hehehe. I know, w-i-n-n-e-r!

BUT don't be fooled, my life in E-Town is just as exciting! BBQ Gone Wrong happened on Friday night: lets me sum it up: 3 girls, 2 - 40s of Vodka and a round of SOCIABLES....let me see if i can figure out how to post the pictures up.

http://ca.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/almamaria6/album?.dir=/f909&.src=ph

Warning: some of these pictures contain an absurd amount of .......ENJOY!