What hotels DON'T tell you

Like I said, Warren and I went to Canmore this last weekend for a Christmas party. You would know this if you read my last post. Well, we got a complementary stay at the Radisson. When we checked in they told us they needed a credit card, just for accidentals. Which I knew this, because I worked at the best hotel in the world for 5 1/2 years. So I gave them my visa debit from the States since they didn't take the debit cards that Canada has. Plus it was the only one I had on me. In that account we only had a little over $150, we don't use that account much but we had to keep it open and valid because it's tied to our credit card, which we still have a balance on. The guy told me that nothing would be charged, and we signed the thing.. yadda yadda yadda. Well today, I got online to check my accounts, just to make sure everything was in check. I'm OCD like that. And guess what I found. A charge from the Radisson. Now, I knew I took the ONE bottle of water, which my understanding was free because there was no sign on it that said it costed anything. Guess how much my charge was... $430!! Needless to say it definitely overdrafted my account. I was so shocked I thought I was going to hurl right then all over the computer screen. So Warren called and they said it was just the deposit for the room, and that it should be refunded within a few days. Okay, Yeah... I understand how it would take a few days to process... I get that. I also get that it's no longer in the hotel's control since it has to go through the bank... but what I don't get it, is why no one told us about seeing a $400 charge. And that was just the DEPOSIT! Not only does this make me mad, but it makes it so that I can't pay my bills in the States... which is another reason why we left that account open and have been transferring money to it every month.
I just want to know, where in the world all the common courtesy has gone... They could have AT VERY LEAST told us that a charge would show up, but that it would be refunded so long as we didn't trash the room. In what world can people just drop money like that... and better yet, in what world do companies such as hotels think they can just charge people money like that without a conversation about it? Oh I'm so mad right now! You have no idea how much anxiety this will cause me tonight as I'm trying to fall asleep.

Nothing much to really blog about, but I'm bored, so THERE!

Well, we again, do not have internet. My really dumb neighbors upstairs don't really understand much, so they decided "heey... I cannot git zit to ah... work, so I'll ah... juist unplooge zit." (that's French, in case you didn't get it). But I'm not bitter.

Not much has really happened. I did, FINALLY get my Alberta drivers license, it should be coming in the mail this week. The guy who helped me at the registry place looked like Laurent from Twilight, you think I'm joking but I'm not. He was possibly the most boring person I've ever met... I was literally watching him fall asleep as he typed my information in. He had long black dread locks, and he had a weird hint of gold to his eyes. I should have taken a picture. Speaking of picture, my picture for my ID is going to be UGLY... I guess in Canada it's against the law to have a photo ID with a smile on your face. It sort of looks like a mug shot. Maybe they are looking for terrorists.

Graham is here for American Thanksgiving. Warren couldn't be happier. Over the weekend we went to Canmore, which is sort of a tourist place for skiing and outdoorsy things up in the Canadian Rockies... biggest mountains I've ever seen, BTW. We went there for Warren's company Christmas party. Christmas? In November? Yeah, I thought it was weird, too. But it was pretty fun. Some of the guys he works with snuck a keg into the hotel, along with multiple bags of marijana... I don't think I need to go much further on how their night went... We were the only two people there who didn't order drinks... I wanted to sell my drink tickets, but no one would buy them so I eventually just started handing them out to people who I could tell were desperate for another beer. Glad I could help spread the Holiday spirit. Warren won a dance compeition and got a portable DVD player. I had a sticker under my chair and won a $25 gift certificate for the movie theater... now I can go see New Moon for FREE! I haven't seen it yet, it is any good?

Even though I'm not currently working, I've been surprisingly busy this last week. Don't ask me where all my time goes, cuz I probably couldn't tell ya, but it seems that there are just not enough hours in one day. Monday and Tuesday I occupied my time by playing The Sims, building awesome houses and making them have babies... one of the families I've been playing for a long time, had twins... I was really upset because I just got him promoted so they could move into a house with a bit more space, and BAM! Out pops two babies instead of the planned, single baby. So that was a challenge. For dinner on Monday I made this pasta with tomato cream sauce... oh it was good. Tuesday I made chicken enchiladas. Again, another crowd pleaser. Wednesday was of course, Dungeons and Dragons guys night, where I spend my time on the O'Brien's computer looking at People Magazine for 4 hours. Thursday was the Relief Society Christmas dinner... where I was asked to preform with two other younger girls (we are the only 3 girls in our ward under the age of 30). It was a lot of fun. It was a good experience to be on the other side of the preformace wall for once. I loved the Hannah/Hilary/Megan trio, I really did, but I was glad I finally got my chance to be the one preforming instead of watching. It reminded me of why I love singing. So that was good. Friday, Graham came, and he had plans of course so we went and saw the movie "Whip It". I tried to make Chicken Parmesan for dinner, but it didn't work out and the cheese burned and my house was a little smokey, but Warren liked it and he ate it like I've never seen done before in human history. I guess that's a good sign.

Does anyone else have any good recipes to pass along to me? I've been trying to make really good dinners for when my hard workin' man comes home from work, and I've only got one more before I run out of ideas. Let me know if you do! Also check out the links in this blog to see some really easy and TASTY recipes!

thanks for reading! sorry there's no pictures.

I haven't decided on a name yet

These are some pictures of my new car, I mean, OUR new car... We are pretty excited about it. My only problem is that it's a Canadian car, and so the speedometer is in kilometers rather than miles, and I am really struggling with that. I also can't drive it yet, so why am I complaining? Speaking of not being allowed to drive... here's the story on THAT one... because, as we all know, if it's not one thing, it's another.
So, in order to be put on to the insurance up here, I have to have my driving record from both Idaho and Utah. The request form never made it to Salt Lake, so my mom had to re-send it a month and half later (after I called to find out what the heck was up, why haven't I gotten my record back...). Okay, so that's being handled. The next thing I needed in order to be put onto the insurance, was my Alberta drivers license. Okay, you'd think since I'm 21, almost 22 years old this shouldn't really be a problem since I have had my drivers license since I was 15. Wrong0-bongo! Here in Canada, they have a different system than in the States, when you are 16 you get a license, but it's sort of like being on probation, and when you are 18 or something, you get your 'real license. Well, because I got my Utah license when I was 20 after I got married (I waited till after for the whole name change ordeal) the date it says it was originally issued is 2008, so I've technically only been driving a year. In what universe is that even true, but whatever. So my options are A.) I can't drive alone for two years, and after I finish the two years I have to re-take the drivers test here in Calgary to get my new one or B.) get a 'certification letter' proving that I have been a valid driver and that my license is a valid license. So I picked B of course! Well, to my surprise (but not really) those letters don't exist in the States. The only thing they can issue me is... my driving record. Which, coincidentally, the license registry place wont accept. It's round and round I go, again, day by day, by day, by day. Ugh, on to the pictures!
well that's all, folks! thanks for reading! Sorry there aren't more pictures, the other two I have, have our address caught in the photo, so I didn't want to put those up.

Kelsey's Favorite's :) List

So, some of you may or may not know this little thing about me... but I'm against seeing movies in the theater unless it's at the cheap theater. Only exception to this rule is Harry Potter, in which the only way to see it is opening night at midnight. Other than that, it's the cheap theater all the way. So here is my cheap-movie-critic-without-the-criticizing-top-favorites.

On Saturday, we went and saw a movie. The movie we saw, is probably my favorite movie for the year. Possibly next two years. It was that great!
Now, I have to admit that I'm not a huge Sandra Bullock fan. About the time the movie "Two Weeks Notice" came out, is about the time where I started liking movies and paying attention to who's in what movie and figuring out what I liked and what I didn't like. I think I was about 14. And I saw "Two Weeks Notice" and I really didn't like it. So, there's a strike against Sandra Bullock right there. Next, when I was younger I used to get her confused with Shania Twain... and that's the number one country singer I just can't stand at all. Sorry for those of you who enjoy her music... she's just not my cup of tea.
So this movie I saw was a Sandra Bullock movie, and I now am a huge fan of her, I just might have to follow her on Twitter. It's called "All About Steve". Now, here in Canada the rating is 14A. I don't know what that means, but it translates to a PG13 in the States. Think what you will... we researched the movie before actually seeing it, since we saw it with my in-laws. And we all laughed our butts off! However, as much as I enjoy a good chick flick, and a good comedy... what I enjoyed more about this movie was it's plot. It's one of those movies that changes your perspective and possibly can and will alter your attitude. You think I'm joking, but I'm not. Oh, and I double dog dare anyone to watch this movie and not laugh. It's impossible. Plus, remember the cute hill-billy from "Sweet Home Alabama"?... mmm hmm... he's reason enough to see this movie! Uh huh! There's no sex, and no swearing. It's a good one, that you can watch... with your in-laws. Caution: this movie may entice you to want to go out and buy a pair of knee high red boots and a mini skirt.

My next favorite was actually a movie I didn't see in the theater. I saw it from a Red Box (note: Red Box hasn't made it's way to Canada yet, we have a divice similar but its official name is unknown). And it's, again, another Sandra Bullock movie! Who would have guessed?! Now, I'm going to admit, I didn't want to see this movie because of her, because like I said before, I wasn't a huge fan of her... it just so happened she was in this movie, that I was dying to see. I saw it because of my number one favorite male actor, Ryan Reynolds. How many of you remember watching him on "Two Guys, A Girl, And A Pizza Place"? He was also on Sabrina The Teenage Witch, once... ahem, moving on. Anyways the name of the movie is "The Proposal". At parts I was happy, at parts I was sad... I laughed, I cried. Every ounce in the spectrum of human emotion was felt in this one. And, to my utter surprise, my husband even enjoyed this movie, and I will be the first one to admit, he's not a chick flick watcher. This is definitely a movie I'm going to have to own. And you will, too. I'll even give you a copy for Christmas.

My third favorite movie, is one a lot of people wont see because of it's title. Which makes me so sad, because it's a great movie, and has a lot of depth. Remember the saying, 'everything I need to know, I already learned in Kingergarten'? This is exactly what this movie re-edifies. "House Bunny" is the title. Now, yes, it takes place at college campus and it does involve a sorority, and yes... its about a Playboy bunny... but please don't let that be your reasoning for not watching it... that's just as bad as judging a book by it's cover. Anna Farris is one of my favorite female actors... she's so down to earth and she can play any role, and plays it well. Again, this is another movie you wont be able to not laugh at. There's no sex, surprisingly, and only one swear word. This movie will teach you to remember that 'mean people are rude'. It will make you remember times in your life where you were made fun of... when you made friends with someone you would never think you'd be friends with... and now that friend was and is still your BFF. Not to mention it will make you laugh the hardest you've ever laughed. Hide the ranch dressing, it might just come out your nose! It's that funny!

Speaking of Anna Farris and Ryan Reynolds... my next favorite is an older movie... most of you have either seen it already or have at least heard of it... "Just Friends". This movie, holds a special place in my heart because it was the movie I watched all summer long while I was engaged, and my fiance at the time, was in Canada without me. Don't ask me how it helped me, it just did. This one, like House Bunny, will make you feel better after being a social reject in high school... and hopefully make you realize who you've become since graduation day. Lets hope in your case, you've become a better person. Now, Anna Farris isn't the main character, but she is definitely the comic relief... as if Ryan Reynolds in a fat suit isn't funny enough, right? Now, if you are one of those people who wont watch a movie with a heavy holiday theme during the opposite time of the year that that holiday lands on... maybe you should wait until Christmas to watch this one. I can remember the time when I was at Wal Mart at midnight, digging through the $5 movies... to find this great treasure... yes people, the best part about this movie is that is has now hit the Wal Mart bin of $5 DVD's. Best $5 I've ever spent.

Now, I don't have a #5... why? Because my #5 actually should be a #1 but since it's not a movie, per say, (actually, it's not even a 'per say' movie its a TV show), it's still getting recognition on the Kelsey's Favorite's :) List. Yes, the TV show 'Gossip Girl.' Now, I know that I'm not the only person who thrives on watching other people's drama... I'm a girl... it's part of our genetic make-up to be involved in others' lives... and I do love gossip... which may or may not have landed me a spot in the principals office once or twice. Actually it didn't, I just thought that sounded good. Do you love fashion? Do you melt when you hear the words 'Prada... Louis Vuitton... Jimmy Choo... Marc Jacobs... Chanel... Gucci'? Do you like New York? Are you fascinated with rich people and their snotty-ness? Do you like watching those shows where you know what's going on and the characters don't and you find yourself yelling at the TV as if to tell the characters what not to do? My friend, I've got a show for you! Now, I'm giving you a warning... it does have some mild, sex here and there... but nothing explicit, it's aired on prime time TV. But it's not in every episode, and it's not even the basis of what the show is all about, like that floozy show Sex and the City. These kids are in high school for goodness sake! The characters are hot, they wear good looking clothes and yes, you see them transition from being spoiled brats, to respected colleagues. You will fall in love with each person, as they all fall in and out of love with eachother. Speaking of which, it's on just 15 minutes! Oh I can't wait!

So, stop reading my awesome blog and go out there and watch these movies! Pronto!

Katherine

Please read this... this a relative of a good friend of mine... those of you in Utah, please keep your eyes open for her.

Finding Joy in the Journey

Some times I think that Warren and I struggle and face harder, and completely different trials than most young married couples do. Who thought that a simple thing such as difference in nationality would cause so much heartache? Neither one of us really know how to deal with it. Warren avoids everyone and plays endless amounts of Nintendo, while I throw a bit of a temper tantrum... clench my fists, and stomp around a bit, like a 2 year old. It really is just one thing after another, and once we finally get our head above the water, another title wave hits. I don't get it. We are good people. Where did we mess up? I guess it makes the journey more enjoyable, huh? You only live once, and if you live it right, once is enough! (I read that today).

Enough melancholy!

I'm so happy I married such a great guy. He doesn't buy me flowers, and he certainly doesn't randomly clean the house for me... but he is a hard worker, and can make me laugh at the dumbest things. It's never a dull moment when you're with us! We are definitely NOT your typical married couple! I'm glad I married a Canadian and moved to a different country and am going through all this junk... because later in life, at least I'll be able to say I did it! I just want to thank my friends for their friendship. It means a lot, and it's SO nice to know that I've got people out there who care. You all are such a great support! I wish I could thank everyone properly. Thanks for reading!

Karl

Karl and I have been best friends since the time I started high school in 2002. I have a lot of memories with my dear car. When my mom brought him home from the dealership, I was so excited to have a car... until I realized it was a stick shift. Blast! And so it began. I basically had to relearn how to drive in this car. In this car I got my first ticket. It was pretty dumb, but nothing too big, and now I know to never pull a left turn out of Borah High School after school. I wanted to give him a name, but I couldn't think of anything that really fit, so I just call him 'car'. Then it went to Car-l, but since my name starts with a 'K', his had to, too... thus 'Karl'. And the name has really stuck. When someone refers to my car, its not 'Kelsey's car', its Karl. At my mom's dealership even; people ask her how Karl is doing.

He has been a GREAT car. He put up with my teenage driving habits... showing off, going too fast... racing off the line at stop lights, the usual. He protected me from a lot of could be accidents, too. I think it was because he liked me back. I took good care of him. And sometimes when I would come home late from a friends house, or from babysitting, I would talk to him like he was a passenger. I know that sounds crazy, but driving him, and having the time alone to think about things and talk out loud was and still is very therapeutic. He got me through of a lot tough times. Boyfriends, breakups, parents, friends, drama at school. He really got to know me, or so I'd like to think so.

Karl stuck around long enough to go with me to college! I packed him up and off I went. He didn't much enjoy the cold Utah mornings... and he definitely wasn't used to all the snow. We found out quite quickly that snow tires were a must have. He never once gave up on me though. After two years of driving around to Salt Lake and home for the holidays, I got married! And Karl was very welcoming to my husband, who, shhh... don't tell anyone, isn't very good at driving a stick shift. Karl put up with him though. After a family reunion in Montana, we knew Karl would make it all the way to Canada. And he did! However, all those drives home to Boise and holidays in Colorado definitely took a tole on my beloved car. He put on a few miles, and with miles comes a lot of smaller problems which can make it difficult when importing a car. And that brings us to now. Karl didn't pass his inspection. I was a bit upset when I drove him home. For once I felt like maybe he didn't like me anymore, and I sort of feared for my life, as though he weren't going to protect me. Betrayal, if you will. When I got home however, I realized it wasn't him with the problems it was me, and my lack of caring for him in the last few months. I got so distracted with moving and getting a new place that I forgot to take time out my busy days to check up on him.

I know that it sounds really crazy that I think of my car as a person, but I got attached to it. Just like a child gets attached to a blanket or a doll. And that attachement is hard to break when all you've known for so many years is a '95 Mazda Protege. But I guess, just like the child attached to their Barbie's, the time comes when you have to move on. Karl will always be special to me. He was, in fact, my first car. Maybe he and my new car can be friends. Goodbye ol' Karl! I'll miss you!