My Family goes tobogganing

Is this incredible of what?  Mount Seymour, just out of Vancouver a few miles; in fact, in part of greater Vancouver.

And the Journey Begins

One more sleep and then off to Hong Kong. I am looking forward to work, but not really sure I am ready to hit the schools with the pace that seems to be in place. The mentees are not ready for us, I just dont understand why the higher ups think they are.  They are just getting into the school year so how on earth can they be ready to learn from the rest of us too?

Guess I will find that out soon enough.

Today - tobogganing on Mount Seymour.  Brrr.  Taking part or just watching is all the same to me. You are still on a mountain; you are still freezing.  

I am kind of thinking that tobogganing is in the same category as going to a circus.  Been there, done that, do I really need more?

The Tutu

Nana brought Kolly a tutu and fancy frilly socks. Kolly wore her new tutu to school the other day.  She has a little friend at school who always wears a tutu and clearly this little munchkin wanted to do the same.

The face says it all.

Merry Christmas from Canada

I will upload the buildup to the big day later. For now, here is the view of the adult table at our gathering and the kids after they dined at their own table and then settled in for after dinner entertainment (kids new movies)

The feast was incredible - everyone was almost drinking the turkey gravy.

Romers and Shopping

Last night I think I sated the appetite for western food.  We noshed on great eats at a burger place that served incredible food.  By the time we got to the actual burgers, Jennifer was wise enough to suggest we share a burger. I was leary about doing this. I really wanted to indulge myself to the max. However, I followed her lead and we shared. Thank God.  After smokin' hot wings, edamame, yam fries and all else, there was little room in the tummy for the main course.  But what a treat!  Gluttony reigned. We came home and watched some saved show on television while finishing off the night with vanilla ice cream with rosemary caramel sauce.  Nice.

Today, after depositing the munchkins at play school, Jenn and I are power shopping for the rest of the Christmas things that need to be picked up and then having lunch with an old friend down town.  Should be fun.  Jennifer and I have not really had a day together without either her work pulling her in one direction, or the kids in another.  Now is the time for the grownups to bond.

Vancouver in the Snow

This morning Jenn braved the weather with her kiddos and dropped them at playschool.  On her way home, she had to find another route due to 3 buses and a semi fishtailing on the hill.  Then, like an angel, she got back in her car to take old Nana to acupuncture in the afternoon.  Thank God she did.  I don't think I would have found a bus to take me, and taxis were not answering calls.


On our way home we decided we would pick the kids up early. No one wanted to go out in this crazy weather yet again.  Here is a wee video I took while she mastered the roads in her 4 wheel drive vehicle, as we watched others try to chink the blocks of snow that embedded their little cars into the road.  This guy was pulling chunks of snow out from under the car and then using his little window brush as a shovel.  It was amusing.  The voices you hear are Jenn and her husband discussing who is closer to the school to pick up the kids. We ended up closer than he was so gathered them up while Marc went home to shovel snow.  Sweating in Malaysia is looking pretty darn good.  Today I wore every sweater and t shirt I brought with me.

Holy Snowflakes Batman!

I dreamt all night about being in Calgary.  I might as well have been there considering the snow I found on the ground and falling from the sky today in Vancouver.  We don't do snow here.  What happened?

This is how the munchkins looked as they headed to school  in Mom's car.

This is what I saw outside my room this morning.  More snow is falling, so we will likely build a very nice snowman later today.

Kolly Roars

Kolly thinks it is fun to roar at Nana because she is sure she is scaring her every time she does.

Here is a video of her doing just that.

Kolly Roars at Nana

Look What We Woke Up To Today

This is the back yard view from my room. Brrrrr

In the front far, off in the corner is the little tree all decked out with baubles and snow. Brrrr again

The Tree is Trimmed

Mom hung the lights, and everyone joined in to trim the tree. Levi figured out how to hang the baubles high so Kolly could not remove them.  Many still in her reach are being carried around and rearranged on a regular basis.

The big decorations are our Chinese lanterns all the way from Malaysia

Our new angel all the way from Vancouver Island

The tree complete in all its splendour with all the decorations Nana has gathered from her journey here.

2012 Christmas Tree Choosing

Today was perfect for shopping for a tree. We arose to white feathers floating through the air.  No, they were not feathers, they were snowflakes.  Brrrr

Donned in our winter garb, off we trod in the SUV to get the perfect choice.  Levi, the lead picker was dispatched to the patch of trees as we awaited his decision.  Kolly lingered on in the rows of trees, happily so, because some nice man brought candy canes to all good children who were shopping.

Levi, with the weight of a good decision weighing heavily on his slight shoulders,  made his choice.  The family gathered together for Nana to snap a picture of their happy faces standing in front of the one going home with us.

With the perfect location chosen while little people slurped on candy canes, Kolly decided she would look best on the tree skirt, and took up her post. Stay tuned for the trimming - tomorrow.

Nana in Charge

Being the mother of the mother seems to have some perks when it comes to babysitting.  Last night I was given the privilege of babysitting solo because mom was going out to dinner with the girls and dad was not going to get home in time.  No interview questionnaire, no reference check, no samples requested in role playing.  Guess when you raised some children yourself, and one turns out to become a parent, you pass the test.

We had fun. Nana is still producing presents every day, and yesterday was cars and hello kitty colour/sticker/scenery books with crayons.  Kolly could not believe she had her own crayons and Levi could not believe she should have them.  But once they got over that, both were happily drawing, colouring, and admiring their work.  Nana was even dispatched to test her own staying in the lines on some of Levi's pages.  She passed there as well. whew

The keeper of the crayons doing a random count to be sure all was in order.

During and after colouring time, we dined on pizza.  Little Kolly kept pace with her big brother and chomped down 3 pieces.  In fact she probably passed him.  He, like his Nana, leaves the crusts. She, on the other hand, leaves nothing.

After the dining and colouring were complete, we returned to the dining room to get back into our dradle match.  After completing 1 and 1/2 games, Levi walked away from the table with one win and a possible loss (once we finish the game today).  I wonder if we can get some cradle Christmas tree ornaments?

Now That I am Here, and Not There

Being away from SE Asia helps me to understand why I am there.

I love the work I do.
I love the people I work with.
I love the difference I am making there.
(insanely) I love the heat.  But maybe I only love it enough to admit it when I am not in it.
I love feeling 'tall'.

But, that does not mean I don't love being here.

Photo of a Photo

I managed to snag a photograph of my family visiting sea world or whatever they call it here.  Maybe - the aquarium.

In any case, a lovely view of the clad smiling broadly is my gift.  Now to find a frame to keep this treasure.

It appears like Ry is either a crab or has one around his head, looking much like a halo.  Very Christmasy indeed!

One Week - a Lot of Territory Covered

Back in Vancouver after a whirlwind tour of the island and sunshine coast.  I managed to visit with many friends and spend a day at the university that proved to be extremely productive.  It was so good to catch up with everyone along the way. It was so good to see so much of the island in such a brief time.  I even managed to take in the shop that sells trinkets, toys, tenderloin, and tofu with a roof made of grass where goats keep it groomed without need for mowers or clippers.

With various amounts of indulgences of foods, I would say that the island tour was perfect in that regard.  Lamb shanks, bbq steaks, fish and chips,and even ferry food got me through a week that also produced some more muscle cramps and aches.

Now I sort out the outcome of the university visit.  Getting my application to the Malaysian university in order I look forward to more learning in an arena that I love.  This latest endeavour should take me back to Canada, once completed, with an insightful understanding of Asian culture so that I can possibly teach that intercultural communications program with some true understanding.  Immersed in the cultures has definitely made me realize how egotistical western culture is.  We from the West seem to think we can teach other westerners how to effectively communicate about and with Asian cultures with a book and some learning - but no real immersion in the culture.  I will be back with all of that and more.  My return may be slightly delayed, but return I will.

Now it is time to sell my latest adventure to my family.  Wish me luck.

When I am not doing this

I will be doing this

                               

Departure Bay Bound

After spending a delightful visit with my friend at the Sunshine Coast, I am now headed for Vancouver Island via Nanoose Bay where I will spend some time with another friend for a few days.  Travel around here is not something that is speedy.  Island Time comes to mind.  Just accept that it will take a bit of time and enjoy the journey.  I took a ferry back to the mainland which allowed me to watch the ferry that I would have liked to be travelling on for this next junket, but nope - I am spending about 1 1/2 hours in Horseshoe Bay terminal as I await the next sailing to the bigger island for the visit there.  What the heck - it is my vacation - so enjoy the slow pace and continue the cool air on my face and the warm cashmere sweaters that are necessary for this like of life.  Last night I thought we would be dining on munchies and bits and bites. To my surprise, Jan produced a feast of lamb shanks and polenta.  Holy crow, I was completely indulged in my love of that food. She is amazing - always remembers what one likes and produces it with a flair.  We sat up until midnight and even sat on the deck looking at where I was heading today, seeing the twinkling lights of Nanaimo.

For my Malaysian friends who are reading, here is a photo of a Totem Pole outside the Horseshoe Bay terminal.  Totem poles are everywhere in this part of the world, and sadly, the locals walk past without acknowledging them as they rush past.  Each pole tells a story. This one tells a story of the great bear.

I wonder what kind of time will be spent catching up with the Irish connection I am visiting now. 

The Drama Queen

Jenn's friend was the kind man who took me to the dentist yesterday.  He told me he wished he had taken a video of me after the ordeal.  Apparently I was just as funny as this little girl whose mother did do a video.  So, just note that she had her wisdom teeth out - I had my teeth cleaned.

Maybe I am a drama queen, but one that is glad I chose the drugs.

What's in My Mouth?