Tuesday, February 28, 2006

Freak out

Well, right about now in my life, i'm approaching the "oh sweet jesus what am i going to do in the fall" moment.

I'm impatiently waiting to hear from the University of Ottawa to see whether I got accepted into history honours. I'm also tearing my hair out while pouring over my finances...praying I can scrape enough by to pay for school in the fall. After all, I've already had to fall behind one semester to make enough for going back to school. I would die if I had to do it again. My third problem arises from a housing situation. Living on campus is expensive enough, but the problem with that is paying all my housing up front, instead of the monthly rent i would have living off campus. Having all that money up front plus tuition and books just isn't going to happen! So, I must resign myself to living off school property. Here again, there are problems. Living by myself, ain't gonna happen. WAY too expensive. Living with strangers: Not my cup of tea, we'll call that plan 'if nothing else happens and i'm absolutely desperate then i'll do it'
Now, I had contemplated living with 2 friends of mine. Alas, they haven't quite gotten back to me on the whole housing issue, and now one of them is planning on living in Australia next year, so unless i'm moving down under, i won't be living with her.

All in all, I find my university experience has been severally warped by this non stop nagging fear over money, housing, and other such stupidities. This was the same last year, happened this year, and next years woes leave me awake long into the night. Is this really fair? All this, just to get an education and get ahead in life. It seems like the only way i'll be going is further in debt, at this rate. I had hoped to avoid another student loan, but if i must take one out for housing...
I wish I was in Germany, where school is free, and chocolate can be found on every street corner....eep, I've been on weight watchers for a week, i'm starting to go nuts.

For everyone out there with even an ounce of sympathy for me, please pray for me, for patience, and that I will find a way to achieve my goals, no matter the obsticles.

Friday, February 24, 2006

I know when I'm wrong

Well, its been 2 days since Canada was annihilated in mens hockey. Its taken this long for me to build up the courage to respond to this humiliating defeat. You know, some people in Canada are still freaking out in fits of rage and despair....however could this have happened, they cry. I'm not one of these people. Sure i was disappointed. With the team we went there with, we should have seen much better hockey out of them. But the truth is, we were out worked by other teams that wanted it more than we did. We played some very talented teams. The problem was that we probably thought, hey we're Canada, this'll be a sinched. Players kept promising: no worries, we can afford to lose this game or that game, we'll bring it when we need to. We didn't. We deserved to lose with the cocky attittude we went to the games with. It wasn't a question of coaching, or the right players being chosen, it was the attittude and air we took to the tournament, as if it was ours to lose. Obviously, it wasn't even ours to win.

With that said, I can only hope for a Finland/Sweden gold medal game, and with Sweden for sure there, and the Fins winning 3-0 as I write this, it looks likely.
The only reason Im cheering for these two teams would be due to the Canucks players playing on those teams. One of my favourites, Jarrko Ruutu, is playing for Finland.

But, of course, I'm gunning for Sweden. Not only because the swedish chef is my favourite muppet, and because I do so enjoy those swedish berries and fish, but because Sweden has four Canucks playing for them, Ohlund (favourite hockey player ever! tied with Carter, of course) Naslund, and the Sedin twins. I'm a big fan of the twins, they can be such an asset to a team with their skills and amazing play coordination. So I'll be cheering for the swedes on sunday morning, feeling only a little choked that my boys didn't manage to make anything happen out of these olympics.

Wednesday, February 22, 2006

Trash talking Time

Ok, time for a meaningless blog!

Some members of my family, aka my mother, have this thing with watching American Idol. Therefore, everyone else in my household must endure the 2 hours of bad vocalists. This is how I came to discover that Paula Abdul most definitely judges the show drunk. Tonight, her entire behaviour, facial expressions, and pretty much every word that came out of her mouth could only come from an alcohol enduced stupor. Not that she was mean or said anything dumb to the contestants. She just acted like a very drunk individual. Mayhap she was high as well. But something was definitely off, not right, messed up.
Anyways. I'd just like to know who the heck lets these messed up crazy people on tv to make total asses of themselves, and annoy all the viewers at home....i wanted to throw the tv out the window just to make the mad lady stop!

On a completely different note, I'd just like to announce that me, the biggest Fantasy fan in the world, have finally gotten around to reading, or starting to read, Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time series. So far, its a pretty indepth read, complicated to get into, but the first book, The Eye of The World, is absolutely fascinating. Now you all know what I do when I'm not mcslaving around.

Sunday, February 19, 2006

One more purpose

I just wanted to quickly explain the posts preceeding this post: all the art work. You may think there is an over abundance of oil pastel works to be seen, and may think, wow, kels is giving up painting all together! That couldn't be farther from the truth! Actually, the pieces i chose to display are ones I've sketched in my art book or on loose leaf water colour sheets, then scanned on to the computer. Believe me, if I could fit my canvases on the scanner, I'd show them! You know, for the sake of exposure and so on. But there will one day be canvas portraits displayed! i did receive a nifty digital camera as a birthday gift this year, and I will soon find the time to capture my pieces with it and post them.

So, enjoy my recent experiments with Oil Pastels...it was a painful process, and i do hope there will be some appreciation.

Fall: I love this drawing! Last fall I spent the afternoon on a friends property, having a picnic. We sat on a hill over-looking a creek and farmers field, and off in the distance you could just see a forest changing colours. I snapped a few pictures, and spent the evening re-creating the scene using my mastered skills (hah) in oil pastels.

This piece is a recreation of an oil painting by Claude Monet. Though no where near the original, this piece in oil chalk is one of my favourites, if only because it took me hours to complete.

Saturday, February 18, 2006


More art: This was my first attempt at using my new Oil pastels. I hope with a little more use, My skill with them will improve.

Recent art work: This is a picture of the Coastal range in BC. I drew it with Oil Pastels.

Friday, February 17, 2006

Sportsmanship

I just finished watching the Sweden/USA women's hockey game.
I have to say, I was cheering hard for Sweden. A swedish win would mean they would play Canada for the gold. And seeing as I'm pretty tired of the US Canada rivalry, its nice to have a new opponent. So Sweden wins in a shoot out 3-2. And I can give one more reason to be glad they one: USA player Ruggerio and her unsportsman like comments against team Canada. It seems these games are riddle with disgruntled athletes making negative comments against others. I can only relate a few comments made against the Canadians. One such moment comes from Mens Skater Brian Joubert of France, saying the Canadians should never have been at the olympics because they couldn't land their quads. Funny thing is, karma came round and bit Joubert in the butt, cause he didn't land his quad during the long program, and didn't make it to the podium, where Canada's Jeoffery Buttle did, and got a bronze.

I just wish people could shut their mouths and compete, without all this negativity.
Congrats Canada on a clean, good conduct.

Thursday, February 16, 2006

The future store of Kelsey and Sarah Schmitz

As some of you may have noticed, my sister in-law posted a far fetched dream of us going into business in the book/coffee retail, and making big bucks. You may laugh, you may shrug it off.
But what do I do in response to this post?
I propose to one day accomplish just that: open this store my sister in-law has dreamt up in her fanciful and delightful mind.
It may take some saving, and some collecting of used books and other items we'd place in our shop, but it will happen! Hey sarah, what do you say? are you game? We could even sell some of my aunts stain glass, and local art work. It would be awesome. We could bake stuff too!! and sell it!! Frappes and Italian Ice in the summer, Mochas and cappuchinos in the winter....I'm thinking a japanese theme decor, you know, dark wood, cream walls, orchids abounding...a fountain! and tons of comfy chairs and couches....a bar stretched along one wall with stools all up to it for homework to be spread out on. We could do mossaics on all the tables with tiles.

Not to worry world, We'll be brain storming, and get back to you on when opening day will be...and where for that matter.

Wednesday, February 15, 2006

Our Domination Begins today

I just wanted to remind the world that starting today, Canada will conquer the world...of hockey. Today, our men play their first game against Italy. If they perform anywhere near our women's hockey team, we'll be seeing double diget scores.

To the rest of the world: Throw the towel in, no one is better at hockey than the ones that created it, live it, eat it, breathe it....GO CANADA GO

Tuesday, February 14, 2006

Passions

I believe that every person in existance is passionate about something they enjoy. For me, its reading. I feel incomplete if I go a day without reading something. I get my day going by reading the paper, and sometimes feel out of sorts if I miss this ritual. I read hundreds of books a year, dozens a month, several a week. It is rare to see me without a book, whether in my hand, in my coat, or the several i carry around in my purse. Some series I read I enjoy so greatly, I've been known to read them up to 6 times. I can never be tired of being wrapped up in the worlds reading leads me to.

Knowing all this, I have one goal, one secret little desire: to have a library in my home. You know, the whole desk, comfy chairs, fireplace, and floor to ceiling walls covered in all my favourite books. I think I've known I wanted this from a young age, seeing as I've always insisted my mother was never allowed to give away or throw out my kids books from the age of 2. I have boxes and crates of my old books in my closests. I've been known to sneak into my siblings rooms to remove beloved books from their grubby floors, to squirrel away into my collection. Most recently, I've taken to carrying a notebook around with me to keep track of authors and titles of books I want in my collection. This has expanded to 3 full notebooks, most of these being books i remember reading. I stalk the library stalls in children, youth, and adult sections for favourite books and authors, reminding myself of all hours spent reading on my bed, in trees, in the car, in the majority of my classes. I can become so engrossed in my reading, that i'll go to bed, planning to read a little till I feel tired, and finally look up at the clock and realize its 6am.

Some may believe me crazy, but a few of you will recognize a fellow obsessor, and will understand exactly my insanity.

But you can be sure that a visit to my future home will find you getting a tour of my growing library.

Friday, February 10, 2006


Clearly, Eva takes after her matante...not even one in this picture, and she's already reading.

And of course Micah takes after her matante....because i so often wear buckets on my head. Its true.

Me!! Posted by Picasa

Friday, February 03, 2006

New Tunes

I might not be the music guru my bro Tim is, or my friend paul, but I do know a thing or two about music I like these days...For those of you living under a rock, a new band called ArmChair cynics is just making their presence known on the music scene, and though I've been aware of them for a while, its nice to give them a little attention, seeing as everyone on earth reads my blog. Their new single, coal mine, is really something...me likes! Here are the lyrics:
It's been a tough year for all it's worth
Still keep my phone number at the bottom of your purse
Between your sticks of gum and all the
Reasons why you don't call me anymore
Just in case you change your mind
Hang a right at the lights, I get off work at five
I'm a song away on your stereo
So just get in your car and drive
I think it's high time you find
Diamonds in this coalmine called me
And there's reasons to prove I can change
If that's what you want me to do
That's what you want me to do
Four years I kept so clean
December came and I broke last week
Now there's a message on your machine
That I wish I could erase
In a coffee shop, behind menu's
Into a porcelain cup you broke the news
When you said there's nothing here left for you
Well I guess you meant me too
But it's high time you find
Diamonds in this coalmine called me
There's reasons to prove I can change
If that's what you want me to do
If that's what you want me to do
If that's what you want me to do
There's a tattoo
On your shoulder
And it reminds me
We get a little older (we get a little older)
We get a little older (we get a little older)
Here I am
Washed up on your shore once again
For reasons even I don't understand
I'm drawn into your flame
It's high time you find
Diamonds in this coalmine called me
There's reasons to prove I can change
If that's what you want me to do
I think it's high time you find
Diamonds in this coalmine called me
And there's reasons to prove I can change
If that's what you want me to do
If that's what you want me to do
If that's what you want me to do
Well, it's high time

So ya, i think you should check them out...they also since Bang Bang, which i believe a few of you will be familiar with.
Also, I'm having a My chemical romance craving of late: The Ghost of you, Demolition Lovers, Helena to name a few of their songs. I'm tres impressed...and supposedly the Ghost of you video is pretty killer...i'm not much a music video fan, well besides watching video on trial, and all those artists getting trashed..hahaha...but anyways, aparantly its pretty good.

So I've dabbled a bit in music suggestions...next, I will attempt to blog about my Canucks, and their season so far. Most everyone won't care that I'm talking about them, but its my blog, and I care, therefore, I get to talk about the canucks till i'm blue in the face...or my fingers fall off and i can no longer type with my nose.

Thursday, February 02, 2006

Movie Review: The New World

Well, I just returned from a late viewing of The New World starring Colin Farrell, Christian Bale, and Q'orianka Kilcher, a 15 year old girl with amazing presence.

The movie is the story of John Smith and Pocahontas, as well as the settlement of Virginia in the very beginnings. This movie isnt' the typical historical romance. The manner in which it was filmed is hard to describe...the land itself, the forest and rivers and rain seem to be the main characters, with the humans as merely a small part of a vast world. I definitely enjoyed this film, with little speaking by the actors...they spoke with movement, as Kilcher's character portrays the movement of life.
This little girl stole the movie. I love Christian Bale, and thought he was supurb, but had a very minor role as John Rolfe. Kilcher was so vibrant and made the movie for me. Farrell, on the other hand...All i have to say is thank God he had very little to say in this film, otherwise, he would have ruined all of Kilcher's art and skill. He spends half the movie looking like a deer caught in the head lights, with this look of totally fake sadness, like he's going to fake cry every 13 seconds. At one point, he's seen wearing a fur coat made of skunk hides, and looks like a total moron. I must say though, i much prefer colin with long hair, it suits him....but the face pelt has to go, he looked like someone had painted a beard on his face.

Just not a huge fan of colin farrells acting abilities in general, and i think someone much more talented could have filled the role of john smith. Eric Bana is always a good choice, and would have been great! lets see who else...hmm...well, once upon a time i might have said heath ledger but he just annoys me after brokeback mountain, and he's blond, and it would have made the film too disney esk. I could say someone silly, like Johnny Depp...its been awhile since i've seen him in a more serious role, and i think he'd make a perfect pioneer captain.

Anyways, I still think this film is worth seeing, even with Farrell, just because its so different. I give it a....B+ verging on an A-

Smashing Pumpkins Return?

Short post tonight, since I'm on my way out to see The New World, which I will follow up with a movie review.

I just wanted to speak out on some rumours i've heard....Does anyone else know whats going on with the smashing pumpkins, and a possible comeback?

Let me know...Im hearing Lulapalooza in the summer in Chicago, and them headlining it

Wednesday, February 01, 2006

Top 5 things I love about the USA

Recently, my sister-in-law sarah wrote a post about her top 5 favourite things about Canada. So in honour of my American sister, I am posting my top 5 favourite things about the states.

1. Taco bell is so cheap there! I LOVE taco bell...the only disappointment, would be the lack of fries on their menu. I know you agree sarah

2. Driving through North Dakota, and all the sun flower fields. Probably the best part of my trans north american drive.

3. George W. Bush. Right about now, a few of you are thinking, I believe Kelsey is suffering from a brain hemorrage; stay calm, do not panic, I am ok. I love Bush for probably the stupidest of reasons: the comic relief he provides my life. The man is so easy going, and funny. I have a poster of all the funny sayings he has. Its my firm belief that he purposely screws up and mixes up sentences, has his aides tape his speeches, and then goes home and laughs his ass off at all the messed up things he said, just so he can screw around with peoples heads.

4. Talk shows: Be it ellen, montel, or conan o'brian i am addicted to watching american talk shows. We don't have any canadian talk shows, cause you can't really count comedy shows about our politics and world politics. We should get some....I think Ellen would be up to moving up here. And conan was in toronto for a week, did his show up here...hilarious, by the way.

5. Dairy products. It may just be all the chemicals talking, but i love american cheese and ice cream and milk. There's this farm, just on the south side of the border, that has the best ice cream and chocolate milk for sale ever. I'll go south just for that reason....oh, and to go to the old country buffet...Or ponderossa steak house.


But my all time favourite thing about the USA is my sister in law. Sarah, you inspire me in every area of my life, and no matter what fault i may find about my southern neighbour, I can always say the U.S. gave me an amazing sister, and friend.

I love you!