Sarah Castille launches new website!

My sister-in-law has just launched a new website (www.sarahcastille.com) to support her growing career as an author. There is not much there yet, but be sure to check regularly for news on her competition results (3 finalist positions so far) and when her first book is to be published.

www.sarahcastille.com

Grandma's Funeral

Well, the Friday following my last posts Grandma passed away. She had been 'less than 100%' for the entire time that Mum was over here, but not in pain or extreme discomfort. She had requested that doctors not intervene.
The funeral was on Thursday last week, and was a beautiful occasion. Sharon and I both attended. All us direct relatives had a little something to read, and I cried a lot, though I'm not sure why. I wouldn't say I was particularly sad; it seemed a natural end to a long and wonderful life. I guess the event was deeply _moving_ in a way that is not reflected in such a simple concept as 'sad.'
Many other relatives came and gave their condolences, we had a general lunch for mourners and then many came back to Janice's for a final chat.
On Monday, for the first time, the Residence where grandma spent her last months (over a year!) held a Memorial for Elsie, run by Gwen, an ex-vicar and fellow resident. We were honoured that they chose to do that for Elsie, and for that and many other contributions I heartily thank the wonderful staff of Cedar Lawn for their patient and generous approach to their work.
Now I'm starting to get emotional again.
So goodby Grandma, I'll think of you always, and hope you rest peacefully in your beatiful corner of the cemetry with your loving husband Ken.

Bachaelor Weekend

So Sharon was away Saturday to Wednesday - lots of nerdy television (Lexx, Scrapheap Challenge), games (Metroid Hunter) and books (Short History of Progress) to keep me entertained... a 'guilty' delight, but only because it's so rare that I can partake :)
And then last night I got to teach Capoeira again! Yay.
Sharon was at a conference. She had an up and down time - one of the ups was going to a Calidh, or K-lee, which is a scottish dance. It sounded pretty good, and I'll admit I am somewhat jealous. But we are going to see if we can attend one in London - I do love a good organised group dance.

Just some fun...

Pure Nerd 69 % Nerd, 34% Geek, 26% Dork

For The Record: A Nerd is someone who is passionate about learning/being smart/academia. A Geek is someone who is passionate about some particular area or subject, often an obscure or difficult one. A Dork is someone who has difficulty with common social expectations/interactions. You scored better than half in Nerd, earning you the title of: Pure Nerd. The times, they are a-changing. It used to be that being exceptionally smart led to being unpopular, which would ultimately lead to picking up all of the traits and tendences associated with the "dork." No-longer. Being smart isn't as socially crippling as it once was, and even more so as you get older: eventually being a Pure Nerd will likely be replaced with the following label: Purely Successful. My test tracked 3 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender: You scored higher than 77% on nerdiness You scored higher than 43% on geekosity You scored higher than 40% on dork points Link: The Nerd? Geek? or Dork? Test

Went to Tallinn

So the other weekend (9/10) Sharon and I headed to Tallinn to check out the various venues... and what a great time we had. Again it was wonderfully relaxing to wander around this medieval town, and even though we were there for only 1.5 days, we were reassured that it will make a fantastic wedding setting.
We checked out the reception hotel - where we will be staying, but probably not too many others. Jonathan, the GM, was ill but we met the Head Chef whose food astounded us on that night when we dined there.
We also went to the Brothers of the Blackhead where the ceremony will be - a 14th century building with magnificent ballrooms. The only problem might be having to few people....
We checked out another place too, but it was more expensive and not as good.
Starting to become a reality

Surprise Party

Wedding planes are coming along in a stop/start manner. The Medieval Restaruent proved to have unimaginative management, so we are not going there for the wedding, but have found some nice hotels who are helping us get everything together.
We just booked our flights 'round the world today - very exciting! So no matter what we'll be in Vancouver and Brisbane in May next year - woo hoo!!!!
Our project is starting to hit milestone season, but I'm still enjoying myself when I have real work to do. Nice, long honeymoon I have to say!

And the biggest news was my surprise birthday/congratulations from all my mates back in Brisbane. Mark had the idea and then he and my family (thanks Neeka!!) got in touch with all my old friends and had them around to my parents place where they rang me and we had a 2hour over the phone party (as it were).
Thanks to everyone involved, it was fantastic and made my heart yearn for BrisVegas.
Loves yous all

Capoeira this, Capoeira that

So last week my Caboclin, my Capoeira master, got me to take the warm up, and teach the beginners class! Have to admit I felt very chuffed with myself :)
My sister has decided to start ringing all my friends to let them know I'm getting married. I am not sure if this is becauses she wants to show me up as the great big slacker I am, or help me out by making me pull my finger out.
So this weekend is my 'let everyone know who I haven't told yet' weekend. Thanks Neek, I think :)

Also this weekend I'm heading up to Birmingham to see Grandma and My Auntie Janice. Khaled (her husband) is over too, to Sharon and I are going to go to dinner with them, and stay in a nice hotel (with no cats...)

The plans for Estonia seem to be going quite well, and Sharon might get her wedding dress this weekend (and we might order the ring too). I have got my credit card expanded to 7.5K so I should be able to cover those two expenses...
see you next week.

Engagement Party

Saturday just past was Sharon and my engagement party. We had an absolutely fantastic time with pretty much everyone we invited turning up; including my old flat mate and two people from work - much appreciated as I know how hard it is to go to a party where you only know the host...
We also had dinner before hand and Jo and Brad got us a little cake with 'congratulations' written on it - thanks Jo! In fact it was also Jo who suggested that we play Guitar Hero - the guitar simulator that Sharon got me for my birthday. While I had hoped it might come out at some point, I didn't know how quickly it would make an appearance! It went down a treat, with a good 2/3rds of the guests giving it a go :)
The last train home came and went, and still half the people were there - a great sign in painful to navigate London. But a sign that we are all a little older and more mature - the cleaning up was almost effortless - organise the bottles together, wipe down a few surfaces and b-dang we were finished.
Anyway, a huge thanks to everyone who came, I had an awesome time, and I hope you did too. Hopefully this is an indication of how the wedding will go!

Small piece of news about my life...

...and Sharon's
The other weekend (of the 14th) Sharon and I celebrated our 1 year anniversary of 'going out.' I took Sharon to Paris as a surprise (though she somehow managed to guess that...).
We had my usual experience in Paris (see previous posts) but at the end of the Saturday I took Sharon out for a good dinner, after which we headed up to Sacre Coeur. While looking out upon the city lights of Gay Pari, I proposed, slipping a substitute engagement ring on her finger.
(Sharon would like to add that it did take me _quite_ a while to perform the act, but I was nervous!)
Sharon said 'Yes'!
So we are madly trying to organise a 3 contintent wedding. If we can, then this is what we'll be doing.
England (Stratford Upon Avon?) 5th May
Canada (Vancouver) 12th May
Australia (Brisbane) 19th May
We'll be spending various amounts of time in various places so will hopefully catch up with everyone - sorry, no New Zealand in this trip :(