My Public...I'm Back!!!!

Thats right folks I'm back!! Sorry for my absence but allow me to explain, after I try to think about where to start. Last Thursday I went to an Edmonton Oilers game. Loads of fun!! Josh and I left the school around 3 pm so we could hit a restaurant first as we were starving so after finding the Mongolie Grill (a very cool restaurant where you go through line, pick out your vegetables and then they grill them for you on this huge grill thingy) and yes after we made our way to the hockey game. There is something exciting about sitting in the crowds watching as the players skate onto the ice then the hush as the national anthem is played, its seriously the only time you will hear a Canadian become patriotic and scream after the anthem is played. Then Minnesota takes the lead in the first period but Edmonton ties is up, the crowd roars!! You could scream at the top of your lungs and not be heard, its seriously a loud stadium. By the third period Minnesota was ahead 4-2 and ya thats the way the score stayed for the rest of the game. It was still alot of fun and since I was with an American at the game, who just so happened to be voting for Minnesota and it was also his first time at a hockey game, it all worked out ok...I suppose...but next time!! Edmonton will win! After the game we hit Timmy's and as we were leaving the parking lot a cop began following us, yes we got pulled over because she said the vehicle was not registered!! After about 15 minutes or so it was all figured out and we were free to go. Dad thinks it has more to do with her checking for alcohol which is probably true. Friday was just another Friday, school, work, shopping and vespers then bed as we had to get ready for a big day. Little did I realize it was gonna be a bigger day then I had wanted or bargained for. Sabbath morning arrives. I notice my left truck tire is slightly low, which isn't new because the valve was leaking anyways. So I take it to the husky and put FREE air into it, no I did not spend 25 cents on Sabbath for air, its free out here. Then Liz, myself, Josh, Steve, Danielle and Carl jump into two vehicles around 9am and start the drive to Banff for an amazing day of hiking. Yes its cold outside but thats where layers come into play. Around 12:30 we reach Banff and head to Lake Mannawanka where we hike for the next few hours. It was fun, snow ball fights, eating junk food (its all we brought, no one thought to buy anything healthy Friday). Liz and I were wearing just hoodies while the guys were wearing layer on layer and yes so Liz and I decided to show them up. So off come the shoes and socks, pant legs go up to the knees and into the mountain lake we go. We walked around for a while then after our feet dried off we reshoed and headed up to another lake where we spent the day hiking and just chilling. By 4:30 we decided to drive up to Banff for the evening where, after Sabbath, we ate at I think it was called Athna but don't quote me on that, it was just really good pizza. We then walked around Banff, the snow was falling, the air crisp and cool and we were all eating giant jaw breakers that Liz decided we needed. After this came the choice, should we follow the other car home through Calgary or go through Airdrie, which is in the country. I opted for following the other car in case something happened we would have help. Josh and I in my truck and Liz, Steve, Carl and Danielle in the other car, me following them. We reach Calgary, all is well until we reach the intersection of 16 Ave and 19th Ave. We approached the intersection going around 40-50 kph, the light turned yellow, they were through, I figured to stop now would put me in the middle of the intersection and why bother burning brakes...I went. Scanning the intersection carefully I continue, then suddenly Josh utters one word, I look left and its too late. I see the car turning left and coming straight at my side. The sound of brakes resonates through my head, the sight of their car coming closer and the realization that I am helpless. Then it happens, that sound, that crunchy sound of metal on some cheap junk that they make cars out of now a days. I am slammed forward, I feel pain in my shoulders and back as the seal belt digs into my shoulder and my body slams into the steering wheel. We stop. The other car drives off quickly but due to extreme damage they stop a bit up the road as there car dies. I restart my engine (good ol' Toyotas) and move it to the side of the road and out of the way. The realization of what has just happened slowly fills me. I sit, staring at my crumpled hood, my hands are shaking, my head swimming. Josh was ok, the other people were ok, my truck suffered more body damage then anything, other then a flat tire and all in all it worked out ok. We stayed at the scene until the tow truck got rid of my truck as it was not safe to drive it back to Lacombe. We waited until 12:30ish (the accident happened around 9:30) until Michael, Adri and Brian came to get us. Thankfully Carl, Danielle, Liz, Josh and Steve were still there as it helped a lot to have them around. Thus Saturday ended with a crashing finish. All in all it was loads of fun but I don't want to do the ending again. I'm gonna try and upload some pictures in my next post of the day, banquet and the accident. Ah yes, speaking of which...Sunday. The girls side of the dorm was a mad house as girls ran around like mice trying to get ready for banquet. The guys, well, they are never stressed. It was a really good time though and yes I will post some pics sometime! Anyways, Auntie Faith, I have written, sorry for the lapse of time. The last few days have been crazy calling insurance companies and trying to get this mess sorted out. Thankfully they are at fault. Anyways mom, I hope this is more then 5 words. Have an awesome night!!