Wednesday, February 23, 2011

The Haley and Bailey Duo :)

I love Haley Claire Brooks. There's no better way to say it. Most people don't know this little secret about Haley and I, but our friendship started with a piece of zucchini bread. Lucky for us our Grandparents own cabins at Echo Lake right next to each other. Also lucky for us Haley's mom made Zucchini bread when we were six and our friendship grew from there. Somehow every year after that we always ended up at Echo during the same weeks, and every year I would look forward to being able to play with my friend Haley. This year at Echo Haley's dad took Haley, my sister Maddie and I for a tube ride. I think this is the most air we ever got.


 It pales in comparison to the terrifying ride my uncle gave us the next day. We considered bailing but were to mortified by the oncoming waves. Every time one of us fell off the others just jumped off so the person in the water had some company. Were kindred spirits.

My family moved to Cardston when I was in grade five and the next year in choir Haley and I were reunited! Mrs. Burwell even let us stand beside each other in the back row although Haley was obviously a lot taller then me. During festival we were clad in our blue "robes" that may or may not have been a little bit to long for me. We sang a song called "Heida" that had a little choreographed part to it. Basically just a couple hand claps and a turn around. Just by knowing me most of you can already guess the outcome. A couple claps, stomps and turns later I fell right off the back of the risers. Bewildered I looked to Haley for help. Of course she was laughing but she helped me up and we finished the song before we burst out in uncontrollable laughter.

Last summer I had the privilege to spend almost every day with Haley. We lived and worked together at Subway in Waterton and I loved every minute of it! We would even switch shifts with the other girls just so we could work together. When we were lucky enough to work together our eight hour shifts flew by. The Berta Bay hike was our favourite and after hiking it in the morning one beautiful day we started an eight hour shift. All the sudden the words "Hey Haley, wanna be my best friend?" came flying out of my mouth. She smiled and said " Of course!" and we continued doing jobs that one person could easily handle together.




I wish i had a picture of us in our Subway uniforms but this is a picture of us on our hike up Bertha.

 Haley, Sydnee, and I somehow managed to get three days off together so we ventured into the big city known as Calgary. We had a G.P.S and were pretty certain that we could find Haley's sister Abby's house. I put the address in and we found it quite easily. I always made Haley sit in the front so she could help me navigate and weave through Calgary crazy traffic. After finding her sisters house we decided that we needed to go out to dinner. We stumbled upon a unique little place called Jack Astor's. (For some reason I can never get the name of that place right?) Haley ordered Peppercorn Pasta that was divine. I ordered something gross so she shared hers with me. That was the birth place of our idea to make peppercorn pasta. Little did we know that they use special peppercorns. NOT the ones you find in a pepper shaker. After eating we tried finding our way back to Abby's, which should have been easy but Haley typed the address in wrong and we ended up downtown on one way streets, and in china town on a street that I don't think was meant to be driven on. During all this confusion James called. From what I pieced out of the only side of the conversation I could hear was James got something that was black, and his parents were going to kill him. Immediately my mind thought tattoo and I started freaking out. We had a really good laugh when he told us it was just an Xbox. Suddenly an Xbox didn't seem so bad. Eventually because I pulled over and typed the address in myself we found Abby's house, which presented us with another challenge. Parallel parking. I haven't even thought about parallel parking since my drivers test which was a year and a half ago then. Keep in mind that I had just been lost for an hour, and the emotional damage from driving in Calgary for the first time had me preoccupied. The curb wasn't even one with a side walk that you can drive up on if you need to. It was a cold, heartless curb. There was an middle aged Asian man across the street sitting in his perfectly parallel parked car laughing at me as I tried about fifteen more times to park. Finally Haley got out and directed me. What a Saint. The next few days were spent making memories that I hope I never forget like when we did a photo shoot in a random back alley. Haley is super talented photographer. Just another reason to love her.




Haley and I decided that we were going to start the Sadies madness that comes along every year around October. Girls go crazy over this kind of stuff. Friendships are broken, and words are said that aren't really meant just because someone says their asking so and so to Sadies. The High School is a mad house for a month before the dance. During a home football game secretly we decided that that night was the night to ask our boys. We had even planned on asking them way back in the summer. After the football game we raced to Haley's house where we scrounged for an idea. All the sudden Haley comes out of her garage with two matching frozen chicken breast boxes and says, "Don't be a chicken, come with Bailey and Haley to Sadies!" It was PERFECT! Shikari helped us put the secret words in the box and we set off into the night to deliver our "packages". The boy Haley asked lived in a remote area so we thought it would be easy to do his first. Unfortunately that night every person in his house decided to wait by the front door and it took Haley three tries to get to the door, drop the box and ring the doorbell. The theme for the dance was "Time Warp". Haley decided that this is exactly what I'll look like in fifty years. 



Whenever we have the chance Haley and I always have a sleepover. We both had single beds in Waterton so we had to wait till the older girls left to college to sleep in a big bed. One night we were laying in bed reading her first blog post and for some reason we both found it HILARIOUS! Not the ha ha that was funny kind of hilarious, the rolling around, gut retching, not being able to breathe hilarious that brings you to tears hilarious. As soon as  we calmed down one of us would start giggling again and the process of trying to breathe started over. This lasted till the wee hours of the morning. It might have been the fumes drifting up from Subway that made it so funny, but maybe it was just because we were both with someone we genuinely love.

If you don't know Haley, get to know her. I am so grateful to have her as my best friend. She's the kind of person that makes you want to sing when she walks in the room. She's so talented in so many ways. She's an awesome volleyball player, baller, and athlete in general. But don't be fooled. This girl has a lot more to offer then just athletics. She has a killer voice, she's freakin gorgeous, she's smart, funny, and can keep a secret. She genuinely cares about people, plays the piano and I think our mutual dislike of bananas is worth mentioning. She has the cutest style ever. She knows how to clean, and can always tell when something isn't quite right. She has a rockin testimony and isn't afraid to share it. She's an amazing photographer, and can always make me laugh and make me feel better about anything. Haley is one of those friends you dream about having when your a little girl. She's one of those people you can tell anything to and you know you wont be judged, and that it's only between the two of you. Haley is one of the people I will miss the most when I move. Lucky for us Skype was invented and lucky for us we already devised a plan to be room mates again. Lucky for me my mouth blurted out seven little words one day at work...









Thursday, January 20, 2011

Surprise!


The FIGHT or flight instinct is an unusual one. I would LOVE to say that I possess the FIGHT portion, but that would be a lie. Because under all my spunk, stubbornness and "character", I'm a flighter at heart. Unfortunately I found this out yesterday the hard way.So here's the story.....
My boyfriend Reid was supposedly in Denver with his band. He left early
Saturday morning and got as far as the border, where they were denied access into the U.S. Him being a master at the art of deceiving decided to keep it a secret and surprise me after I had written most of my diplomas. Most of you are probably thinking " what a little darling " right now, just wait it gets better. I spent the day at Shikaris house while we waited for our friend Jessica to get to Cardston. Jessica is also Reids best friend in case you were wondering. At 3:30 when Jessica got to Shikaris's I felt like I should call my house, so I did, thinking nothing of it. My 7 year old brother was at home alone so I told him I would come pick him up, me being an awesome older sister... As I make my way up the stairs Jessica and Shikari were acting weird, but then again that's nothing out of the ordinary. I walk outside and there leaning against my truck, was Reid. I couldn't think of anything other then how much I had missed him for the last few seemingly endless days. I would also LOVE to say we did the slow motion run into each others arms like you see in the movies but I blame that on my inconvenient flight instinct. Ironically I took off in the opposite direction down the middle of an icy road, my boots have zero grip and their about 3 sizes to big so i didn't get very far very fast before he had caught up to me. I cant even imagine what was going through his head as his carefully planned out scheme fell apart with every step I took. Maybe my flight instinct just wanted me to recuperate after being totally surprised, BEFORE I saw the boy who never leaves my thoughts. This is how I would do it if i could go back and do it all again. Obviously I cant but I can always imagine right? :)
It kinda even looks like it could be us! Isn't it lovely?

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Skittles


My very first encounter with candy in the states was horrid. Fun dip + my super sensitive stomach = 1 failed hiking trip + 4 unhappy cousins + 1 livid Grandpa + 1 freezing cold river. Needless to say my love for candy has grown since then. Have i mentioned that I'm in LOVE? In love with Skittles that is.
They're possibly the most delicious candy to ever be created! Im going to miss Skittles an unbelievable amount when I move to the states. The candy there just isn't the same.

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Paper Weight


Secrets...
Up until yesterday I was quite positive that secrets tear people apart. I was mistaken. Although most of the time secrets are the cause of anger,contention and lies, they also have an unbreakable binding affect. Sharing your inner most thoughts, desires,fears, ambitions, and secrets liberates you. Its refreshing.
I think its like walking in to a dark cave with a lamp. Everything can see you,your flaws, your short comings, your insecurities. Your not quite sure where you are, or where your going but the excitement of the unknown pushes you forward. Finally you find that person on the other end, holding a lamp. You can see them, for exactly who they are. No shadowy disguise, and they can plainly see you. They take your hand and lead you safely back to the outside world. Its exhilarating to completely trust someone, and have them trust you back no questions asked. I L.O.V.E Secrets.


"Every word you say, I think I should write down. Don't want to forget come daylight." ~ Joshua Radin


Thursday, December 30, 2010

deck the HALLS

HALLS: A delicious little candy that makes you feel better.
What more could i ask for?

Thursday, December 9, 2010

The Music In Me

Just in case you didn't know choir is my secret weakness. My love for music started when my mom used to sing me to sleep at night, or so I'm told. Our little family drove to Raymond from Medicine Hat every weekend and every second of the 2 hour trip there and back was filled with Jesus Wants Me For A SunBEAM, and every other primary song I could ever think of. I'm sure i drove my dad crazy, but i belted it out regardless.

When i was finally old enough for choir my mom signed me up and we sang all kinds of songs! My favorite one involved kazoo's and i just went to town with that thing! Every once and awhile i get a little sentimental and dig out the old home videos just so i can watch myself. weird i know.

When i was in grade 5 we moved to Cardston and of course i signed up right away. Mrs. Burwell is a music magician! I still remember most of the words to every song i ever sang in senior choir. In fact i went to Kades choir concert tonight and most of the songs were the songs I sang! I LOVED singing along! It brought back so many memories! In senior choir i met my long lost best friend from echo lake. I found my love for the alto section. I learned french. I got to test make up out before i turned 14. I discovered that secretly I do not like make up. I fell off the back of the stands at festival while singing Heida. I'm telling you the short people should never be allowed in the back row! I soon found my perfect spot in the front row, second from the edge when i moved up to Cardston Girls Choir.

I don't know how many of you know this but Leslie Dittmann is also a music magician. The Cardston Girls Choir is fantastic because of that woman. Ive never seen someone put so much stress on detail. She taught me that the big picture is so much more beautiful because of the details. She taught me that every sound is beautiful, if it comes out at the right time and is the right sound to be coming out of you. She taught be that F sharp is tricky and that E Flatt is my favorite note to sing. She taught me to be on time, most of the time. She taught me that Vus Vet Zayn is my favorite song. She taught me that giving birth is beautiful in its own strange way. She taught me how to work a kilt and look stunning in it. She taught me that pasta for 3 days in a row is totally fine. She taught me to have "quiet time" on the bus. She taught me how to be a leader. She taught me that i have a rockin voice and that i should share it. Not only did she teach me theory ad quite plainly how to sing, she taught me so many things that apply to regular life. Choir has helped shape me into who i am now and I'm so thankful for my mom who instilled the love of music in me right from the start. Music is not going to be left behind when i pack for college.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

December

And It begins.

This Blog is an account of ALL THE small THINGS that I am going to miss next year when i move away. I want to start with December. I'm sure everyone does the same thing as us on the 1st day of the month, but our December 1st is special; well at least to me it is. I was quite upset this year when it happened without me. I came home and the tree was up, the stockings were out, the decorations proudly displayed and the smell of CChristmas hit me as i walked through the door.
The smell is my second favorite part of Christmas. My most absolute favorite part of Christmas is that the closer and closer we get to December 25th, the nicer and nicer people get. People smile and wave at me, when if it was a normal month they would usually drive on by. Neighbors, who really aren't that close of neighbours stop by and give presents galore! EVERYONE donates non-perishable food items to the food bank. Boys shovel walks, girls sing carols (with the exception of a few talented boys) and grumpy old scrooges usually take the hint to be a little less well, Scroogy.
December is definitely one of the many small things i will miss when I'm gone. Hopefully December wont be all that different wherever it is that life decides to take me.