So it has been four weeks since I post something. I guess life is kinda boring so nothing really to post. A couple of things happen since I last post. Blake and I did the 2009 paws for a cause recently. We didn't make our goal which was $400.00 however we still raised about $360.00 which was more than last year. Thank you to all who donated.




Last week I attended the Vancouver Spark festival. Basically the highlights for me was seeing Coraline presentation. I got to hold and touch some of the puppets that were used in the film. Still to this moment I can't believe I touched them. I would rank that momemt very high in great moments in my life. I forgot my camera but I took some pictures with my phone. The other day I also found out Henry Selick will be at Ottawa giving a presentation on Coraline. I don't think I never been so excited to see something in my life. Henry Selick, for those who don't know him, basically directed Coraline and Nightmare before Christams. He is big idol in my life, so you can bet that I am excited.






On a not so good note, my health has not been good lately. I have been feeling nausea and then vomit most mornings. Not only that I am feeling tired and sometimes light headed. (I am not pregnant ). The doctors still can't figure out what is wrong with me, however I am doing some ultrasounds in the next few weeks which could explain what is going on. Currently, I am on some medication that help with the sickness but makes me feel really tired so some days its hard to do stuff.

Blake is doing good. He's busy with work like usual but has also been working on his novel lately. I am proud of him and I hope he finishes it one day. He is a very good story teller so I think he will actually publish a book one day. A couple of weeks ago he was feeling dizzy again so he went to the doctor and found he has an inner ear thing. So when he gets dizzy he takes this medication and then it goes away. Thankfully he doesn't get dizzy very often. The doctor did some blood tests on him and we found out his Cholesterol is a little high, so now we are both eating even better plus he is working out four times a week. I am proud of him.

We saw some movies recently. We saw the movie "9" which was alright. Visually it was amazing however the story kinda lacked. But I admire the film still because the film was on a low budget and a short deadline. Yesterday we saw "Ponyo" which was amazing. The story was great and the animation took your breath away and it was so cute. I think "Ponyo" is my second favorite animation film this year. Coraline of coarse is my favorite film this year.




Blake and I entered a contest you can check it out at my other blog

Well that's all for now. In three weeks Blake and I will be in Ottawa so I will have lots to talk about until then talk to you later!

This is a really cool video. Please Watch!! Anyone who has cat will understand!


In other news, well not much other news because life has been boring lately, I've been working on my film and Blake has been writing a lot. The other day, we hand in Blake's Permanent Residence papers which was a big day for us. I hope he gets it, I don't know what we will do if he didn't get excepted. Last Monday, my medical tests came back, all came negative, however I still feel sick so now I have to go in for a abdominal ultrasound. Last weekend Blake got a couple of days off so we hanged out. Thursday we saw District 9 which was a very good movie that made you think. I think those movies are the best. I love coming out of a theater and find you can't get the film out of your head because It meant something to you or was a great film. I recommend this film to many people. That day we also tried the new Canadian line. I have to admit its nice that it takes only 11mins to get downtown. We may go downtown more often now. Last Saturday, Blake and I and our mom took my dad out for dinner for his birthday. We went to the pub and then took him to this dessert place called Sweet revenge. He fell in love with the apple pie. It was funny seeing him enjoying it so much. It was like watching a kid eating apple pie for the first time. I'm pretty sure he enjoyed himself. On an excited note, 7 MORE WEEKS till OTTAWA!!!

Take care

Half way through August.

Blake and I can't believe its half way to August all ready. Since our Anniversary, Blake and I been working and just hanging out. I have been sick a lot recently therefore I finally went to our family doctor. I had to do many blood and urine tests. I even did this breath test that I had to fast for four hours prior to it. The doctor put me on this medication that helps reduce acid in my stomach because the doctor thinks it could be ulcers. We will not know for sure until the test results come back. So until then I wait. Two Fridays ago we hanged out with Blake's old Friend from Germany. We had a good time just hanging out at Queen Elizabeth Park and discussing issues such as Health Care *Cough America Cough*. (Its bit of a sore spot because American's just don't understand. however I won't get into it on this blog.) The German friends are here for couple of months traveling in Canada. They were pretty cool people, I Hope they have fun on there trip. We might even meet up with them in Ottawa if we time it right. Last weekend, particular Sunday was cool. The day started by getting Blake a new Xbox 360 because his broke and we got one by trading in four games. It was an awesome deal!!! I bought a lotto ticket and won five bucks. So I gained a lonnie which was awesome. I spent the other four dollars on another lotto ticket. I hope we win heheh. We saw actor Tyler Labine getting off a bus on main street. We went downtown to get some art supplies and it was the same day as the zombie walk. We walked by the Cambie, for the people who don't live in Vancouver, its a cheap bar with a huge outside patio. Anyway, on the patio was several people in zombie outfits. It was funny and I wish I had my camera that day. In other news I am in the Canadian Animation Directory, you can check me out at Canadian Animation Directory website and search my name. Well this post is kinda boring, so I apologize. Blake and I have some days off soon together so hopefully we will do something cool and worth while talking about. I saw this pic and thought it was cool. Enjoy and have a good week!!!

Happy Anniversary and Other News

Two weeks ago, Blake and I celebrated our 1st wedding Anniversary in Whistler. We rented a room for a night and basically hanged out in the village and re-acted our honeymoon by having cheese, crackers, grapes, apples and wine in the hotel room. Blake smoked his first Cuban cigar. What can you say Blake is a bad boy! It was Blake's first time up there and I forgot how beautiful it was up there. It was a short but relaxing time.








Other news, Blake and I started a graphic novel. Basically Blake is writing the story and I am doing the illustrations. We are both excited for it. I won't get into details but I will update illustrations on my blog so check that out. Besides, the graphic novel, I have been working on my film as well. Its nice to be done school now because I have more time on my hand to work on stuff. Today, Blake and I purchased our plane tickets to Ottawa for the Ottawa International Film festival. I am so excited for that!!!!!! I've been wanting to go for years and I finally can go and with the one person I want to go with. All we have to do it find a hotel and we're set. The rest of the week seems to be boring. I start work tomorrow and is working all weekend. The only thing I'm hoping to do this weekend is to watch Coraline this weekend.

Wow, Its been a long time!!!!!!

Hello, Its been really busy the last couple of months, so sorry for not posting. Where to start....... Well I graduated from vet assistant school and got hired where I did my practicum. So I am working at Cambie Animal Hospital now and I am really enjoying it. I am still working freelance animation as well. Actually, work has been flowing in, which is nice. Blake is still busy on his game at EA, however the team is close to finish so he has been less busy. We adopted a cat back in March, her name is silver and she is very cute. However she likes the outdoors and escaped last week. Blake came home early from work and we looked for her all day, finally 13hrs later we found her. Thank god!! Two weeks ago, Blake and I went to Kansas. Blake's father Ben, had a stroke a month previous and was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. However, we both think he looks great and is walking good!! Therefore, to bring his spirits up we went to visit them.



We had a great time, it was nice and relaxing. We celebrated Blake's 30th birthday in Kansas, and was my first fourth of July celebration. That evening we watched fireworks. Besides Blake's birthday and the fourth of July celebration, Ben and Linda adopted a three legged dog named dutch. I found the dog online a week before we went to Kansas, and thankfully Dutch was still there. There was defiantly a connection between Dutch and Ben!



However, his name is Red dutch because they already have a dog named dutch. Red Dutch is a sweetheart and I already miss him. We saw Greensburg, for people who don't know, two years ago the town was hit by a tornado. It was weird being there, because we were there a year before the tornado and everything is different.



So basically they built the town up since but as a greener town. Even Discovery channel did a reality show on Greensburg. The town built a really cool art center that is called The 5.4.7 Arts Center (the number is the date of the tornado). The whole building was Eco-friendly. It would be cool to have an art show there one day. In all, it was good trip, we both wish we stayed longer but we both had jobs we needed to get back too. Maybe one summer we can stay for a month.




This Saturday is Blake's and I first wedding Anniversary. We both can't believe its been a year since the wedding. To celebrate we are going to Whistler. So I bet I will be talking about the trip. Well even though its been months, this is a good summary of what happen in the last couple of months.

Sorry it has been awhile.

Life is pretty busy lately so we apologize for not posting anything. We barely have time to breath. As said before we are both busy, I'm busy with school and Blake is busy with work. In other words, Blake comes home late every night and I'm studying until bedtime. I am sure both of us are getting sick :( I will try to sum up what has been happening as best as I can.

To start things, Jake (our special dog) had an allergy reaction to something. It was either due to the biscuits my sister got the boys or some dog food we got over the Christmas break. I think its the biscuits but you really can't figure out the cause. So the vet asked us to give him ear and eye drops. Just to let you know, giving eye drops to a dog is very difficult. No matter what, you will struggle and he will be mad. Its been 10 days and he's looking way better. I think we need to take him to the vet this weekend and make sure the allergy reaction is all gone.

Last week I bought first and second season of the National geography show Dogtown. Oh my god....I want to work at a place like that. I can only dream. Basically the show is based on a no kill animal shelter and basically helps dogs and other animals and the problems they may have. Its a great show if anyone is interested. Well Blake and I love the show and can't wait to finish the DVDs. I think next we shall buy the dog whisper, even though I am currently reading one of his books right now called Cesar's Way.



Last weekend, Blake took me to see Coraline. The stop-motion film directed by
Henry Selik was awesome. I could talk for hours of all the things I love about the film, so I will just say it was great and we recommend it. It was unique and fresh. The animation was great and true to the stop-motion style. They weren't trying to be cg looking like Corpse Bride (even thought that is a good movie) The movie was pretty close to the book and when they changed something it didn't ruin it. I can't wait to see it again.



School is going well, I'm getting good marks. Generally I'm loving it even after some of those days you think you can't do it. I did a presentation last week on the Newfoundland and it went well. I would also like to thanks Ben and Blake for helping me with the grammar on my essay. Thanks Guys!!! Blake is doing good but busy with work. Really can't talk to much about what he is doing but just working hard. Thanks Hun for all your hard work :) On a final note, I got another animation contract in march. So I'm looking forward to that however life is going to get really busy.

Well Valentine's day is coming up and my Birthday so I think I will we will have stuff to talk about soon. The boys are doing good as well. Until then talk to you later

Married for 6 months today!!!!!!

It has been awhile since we post but I just wanted to say Happy Anniversary. Blake and I have been married for 6 months. Six months ago Blake and I were getting our groove on, living some of our greatest moments. Blake bought me some flowers and we went out for lunch. It was a pleasant day.

Life is busy but I will try to update what is happening later this week.

take care,
the standards

2008 in Review

Hi!! 2008 is finally coming to end and what a roller coaster it has been. 2008 has been way more eventful then 2007. If we had to describe 2008 in one world I think "change" would suit it.

Blake and I had several memorable events and some disappointments throughout this year. We started the year by falling asleep before midnight (yes we are nerds). January, Blake and I officially become vegetarians. In late January, I went to Victoria with Erin. Eating and Shopping would sum up the trip. Blake stayed home with the boys and played video games and ate stir-fry all weekend. February, I entered a bumper contest with a friend for Mytoons and was in the top 10 bumpers. The Spring was a disappointing time for me, because I seemed to almost get work and at the last moment would be cancelled. (It seemed like that all of the year). In March we moved into the basement suite in the house and had to put a lot of work into it. In May, I finally got my first contract work for the year, working on "Crash Bandicoot: Mind Over Mutant". We went to Washington State and even got in a car accident . In June, Blake and I helped at the first annual breath of animation festival in Ladner. Also in June, I had my wedding shower at Erin's parents house. June was also a stressful month because Blake's contract was ending and we were not sure if he was getting full time. We weren't sure if we were going to stay in Vancouver or have to move back to the states after the wedding. A couple weeks before his contract ended we got the great news of Blake getting full time. I even got another contract job until September. In July, Blake and I both lost a bit of weight. Blake and I both lost 25 pounds each. We also saw the best movie of 2008 Wall-e. On July 25th around 4:30, Blake and I got married. The wedding turned out great!!!!! It was the best moment of 2008!!!!! I saw my grandmother and uncle first time since 1998 and met Blake's aunt and cousin for the first time. It was also the fist time Blake's parents came up in the summer. Couple days later, Blake went to Victoria for the fist time. He really enjoyed the city and all the bookstores. Later that week, Blake and I went to our honeymoon to Harrison Hot spring. We had a relaxing trip. After the wedding my friend gave birth to adorable little girl named Annabelle Maeve Whitehead. In September, I went back to VanArts to take the 3D animation program but sadly it didn't work out so I had to drop out at the end of September. However, turned out to be a good thing because I rediscovered myself. I started volunteering at the BCSPCA shelter downtown and reconnected with a love of animals. I made a huge decision and is going to become a Veterinary Assistant. In January, I will be attending Granville Business College for five month course. However, I am not giving up on my art, just going to have two careers. The fall was full of historical events, Blake and I watched the first black man be voted into office. We watched the Canadian government almost crumble. We watched our world slip into recession. In December we celebrated our oldest dog, Jake's, fifth birthday. This Christmas was the first ,hopefully the last, Christmas that Blake and his parents didn't celebrate together. We also experienced some of the worst weather conditions snow snow snow!!!! We end the year by going to the the main for some drinks and food.

It has been a roller coaster of a year and we are looking forward to 2009. Happy News Year

Blake and Nicole Standard