Final Two Weeks in Alberta

The last couple of weeks have been full of a lot of fun activities, many laughs, and really great friends. Had the opportunity to go with Hollie, Mark, her parents, and Nicolle, out to the Northern Bear Country Club a couple weeks ago to see where Hollie and Mark are getting married next year. It was absolutely beautiful, and will be much more amazing once us girls get our decorating on! We had a lovely lunch there and toured around a bit, coming up with ideas for the wedding. That evening I was able to get into Castrol Raceway with a free wristband for the Rocky Mountain National Drag Races. Dad and Debbie had already bought me a ticket for Sunday, but it was nice to go that extra day. Dad has gone almost every year for the last 12 years, so it was nice to go do something with him that he enjoys so much. I’ve been to the street legal drag races on Friday nights before, and I very much enjoy the oval races in the dirt track, but this event I had only ever been to once, and that was because dad couldn’t go, so I went as Debbie’s date that weekend.

This past weekend I went with Dad and Debbie to Rocky Mountain House for her family reunion on her dad’s side. Rocky Mountain House is about 2 hours south west of Edmonton, and is where I used to go camp and quad a lot of the time. It was nice to see Debbie’s parents again, and meet some more of her family. Her cousin Judy, and her partner Colleen, were so much fun.

The rest of the time has been spent hanging out with a different friend or group of friends almost every night. Debbie and I have had a few movie date nights over the last few weeks too. Also, I have had a couple days off during the last couple of weeks to run some errands and get things sorted out at the bank, dentist, doctor, etc. Just getting all the last minute things lined up so that I can leave again for another year.

Some exciting news, my friend Trina had her baby yesterday morning. Little baby boy - Colson Dal, weighing in at 7lbs 4oz. She already has two precious little girls, so all of us at work were really hoping this one was a boy. I can’t wait to meet him in the next week or so.

More exciting news for myself, and some of you probably have read about it on Facebook, but I handed in my resignation this morning. It was with many mixed emotions, as I have been with Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development for 10 years, and a total of 12 years with the Government of Alberta. I have met some really amazing and interesting people over the years, gained some really great friendships, and have had so many opportunities to do different things while living and working in Alberta. Not many people can say they spent a day fishing on the job, or have had the chance to tour a Dam site, Tree Improvement Center, Wildfire Training facilities and warehouses, Bunk Houses, Lookout Towers, Junior Forest Warden training, even a few oil drilling rig sites. The list goes on. Alberta has been my home since June 2001, so it is a fairly big part of who I am. I’m definitely going to miss it, just like I miss Winnipeg, but I look forward to another year of school in the States, and whatever else may come out of this next year. So, here is to beginning another chapter in the unwritten book of life! As scary as things might be in the next while, with the unknowns, I am so glad to have Aaron by my side through it all. He has been so supportive this last year, and I couldn’t ask for a better person to share all my ups and downs with.