So, I'm off to Brazil for my fifth time tomorrow. Almost finished packing. Never before have I taken three times as much stuff for other people than what I am taking for myself! I hope it isn't over the weight limit.
Obviously I haven't blogged in ages. There has been a lot going on for me this year--pretty much all rather depressing. I am largely looking forward to this trip; even though it is technically work, getting away is just what I need. I look forward to times of refreshing, whilst sitting in my hammock on a boat in the middle of the Amazon.
Maybe I'll manage to take some pictures this time.
Saturday, 12 July 2008
Wednesday, 6 February 2008
Giving curling a whirl---ing.
This evening I tried out one of Canada's national sports (I'm assuming), curling. Maybe you've watched it on tv specifically for the Olympics. Or, if you're in Canada, maybe you've noticed Curling Clubs around towns. Interestingly, I can distinctly recall two occasions where a Curling Club was used as a venue for an event I attended. One was MxPx's first Eastern Canadian concert in Collingwood in 1996 (that we hosted!) and the other was a YWAM conference in Ottawa where we were fed at a Curling Club. But maybe like me, you still really had no idea what it's all about. I've tried to figure it out by watching it and I remember my friend's mom trying to explain it to me when I was about 14, but I have always found myself confused by it. Hearing certain curling lingo like "skip", "rock", "go hard, hard!" and seeing these people sweeping like maniacs on ice!
A couple weeks ago, I got an email in my Laurier account from the school inviting students to come out and learn how to curl for $10. What caught my eye, was this tag: "Think curling is boring? Consider this: curling is now considered "winter's golf" and many companies host curling bonspiels for their employees. Come out and learn how to play this sport that is quickly gaining popularity in the professional world."
I decided to go for it and it was a lot of fun! Now I know even more lingo: "double take out", "hog line", "sheet", "burning the rock", "hack", "blank end", the list goes on! It's like another language!
I think I'd like to do it again! Now if it's really like golf, one should be able to rent equipment and go to the Club. Hmm...We'll see. At least I know how to watch the sport and stuff. I certainly need more practice.
Isn't it interesting how both curling and golf have origins in Scotland? I have origins in Scotland.
Anyway, if anyone wants more info on this interesting game, here's some links:
Canadian Curling Association
Curling Basics
A couple weeks ago, I got an email in my Laurier account from the school inviting students to come out and learn how to curl for $10. What caught my eye, was this tag: "Think curling is boring? Consider this: curling is now considered "winter's golf" and many companies host curling bonspiels for their employees. Come out and learn how to play this sport that is quickly gaining popularity in the professional world."
I decided to go for it and it was a lot of fun! Now I know even more lingo: "double take out", "hog line", "sheet", "burning the rock", "hack", "blank end", the list goes on! It's like another language!
I think I'd like to do it again! Now if it's really like golf, one should be able to rent equipment and go to the Club. Hmm...We'll see. At least I know how to watch the sport and stuff. I certainly need more practice.
Isn't it interesting how both curling and golf have origins in Scotland? I have origins in Scotland.
Anyway, if anyone wants more info on this interesting game, here's some links:
Canadian Curling Association
Curling Basics
Tuesday, 15 January 2008
Post-Europe Trip Reflection #12: In Conclusion.
What a whirlwind! I am certainly proud to say that we traveled over 3000 km (actually I don't even remember what the number was now and that number seems low seeing as how I drive 4000 km every year going to New Orleans) and got to drive through five countries! What North American gets to do that?! And it was very affordable. Getting to see friends who I hadn't seen in a long time, was wonderful. Perhaps too short. The girls I have lived with and met over the years through YWAM are people who will always be close to my heart and even though it had been so long, we were able to pick right back up and it was sad to leave so soon.
The way that our accommodations worked out and the fact that we got to leave those types of things until the last minute and they still worked out without stress, was so fun! Exactly how I liked it to be. Being able to make decisions about where to go and where to drive through next was our perfect way to explore Europe. For this time.
It certainly was a trip with its share of exhaustion and that was why spending those final days relaxing in rainy Liverpool was the perfect finish.
I probably wish that I had more time to take in more of certain places, such as the Louvre and other artsy things. Maybe a little less time shopping; but we had fun and it was a great bonding time for the four of us.
Italy was my favourite country out of the list although Italian bread was the worst! Overall food (if you couldn't tell) was a highlight. The cost of Europe definitely is alarming for a Canadian although the way we did transportation worked out well and none of us were particularly wanting to do the backpack thing this time around. As always happens in my travels, I am inspired to return to places and explore further. We'll see.
(Yay! This post-trip reflection is officially finished.)
The way that our accommodations worked out and the fact that we got to leave those types of things until the last minute and they still worked out without stress, was so fun! Exactly how I liked it to be. Being able to make decisions about where to go and where to drive through next was our perfect way to explore Europe. For this time.
It certainly was a trip with its share of exhaustion and that was why spending those final days relaxing in rainy Liverpool was the perfect finish.
I probably wish that I had more time to take in more of certain places, such as the Louvre and other artsy things. Maybe a little less time shopping; but we had fun and it was a great bonding time for the four of us.
Italy was my favourite country out of the list although Italian bread was the worst! Overall food (if you couldn't tell) was a highlight. The cost of Europe definitely is alarming for a Canadian although the way we did transportation worked out well and none of us were particularly wanting to do the backpack thing this time around. As always happens in my travels, I am inspired to return to places and explore further. We'll see.
(Yay! This post-trip reflection is officially finished.)
Post-Europe Trip Reflection #11: Flying and Fish & Chips.
18 July
One final drive in our VW van from Versailles to Charles de Gaulle airport. Catching a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower one final time through the morning mist was nice and video taping the motorcyclists who would drive on either side of us BETWEEN the lanes was a wonderful way to end our time in France.
Got ourselves to the airport and then decided to drive back to a gas station since the rental company would penalize us if the tank wasn't full.
Many hours later, the four us were reunited in Brighton, England. Coming from different terminals in Paris, different airports in London and different trains and buses, we still somehow managed to arrive to Sharon's granny's in two different cabs driving behind one another! Bizarre!
Spent an evening together, enjoying fish and chips at the Brighton Pier. Here are the others in their Italian leather jackets at the pier. We were very thankful at this point for warm and weather resistant clothing.
Being in England again was really nice. I hadn't been there since the week I spent in Derby and Liverpool en route to Canada from India in December 2000. After living in England for nine months in 1998 and 1999, I am certainly critical of many things in England (ahem. the weather), but having any chance to visit people who mean a lot to me is largely embraced! And the opportunity to feel at home in another country and to look fondly on things that are uniquely English is a great privilege.
19 July
After one night in Brighton, we said goodbye to the ladies who were heading off to do the tourist thing in London (been there, done that) and headed for the airport again! Flying again. This time to Manchester. Being met by Sharon's parents was nice and for the four days, we were finally able to rest from our holiday! :) Being taken care of by mum was awesome and enjoying family meals and seeing old friends...that was a holiday!
One final drive in our VW van from Versailles to Charles de Gaulle airport. Catching a glimpse of the Eiffel Tower one final time through the morning mist was nice and video taping the motorcyclists who would drive on either side of us BETWEEN the lanes was a wonderful way to end our time in France.
Got ourselves to the airport and then decided to drive back to a gas station since the rental company would penalize us if the tank wasn't full.
Many hours later, the four us were reunited in Brighton, England. Coming from different terminals in Paris, different airports in London and different trains and buses, we still somehow managed to arrive to Sharon's granny's in two different cabs driving behind one another! Bizarre!
Spent an evening together, enjoying fish and chips at the Brighton Pier. Here are the others in their Italian leather jackets at the pier. We were very thankful at this point for warm and weather resistant clothing.
Being in England again was really nice. I hadn't been there since the week I spent in Derby and Liverpool en route to Canada from India in December 2000. After living in England for nine months in 1998 and 1999, I am certainly critical of many things in England (ahem. the weather), but having any chance to visit people who mean a lot to me is largely embraced! And the opportunity to feel at home in another country and to look fondly on things that are uniquely English is a great privilege.
19 July
After one night in Brighton, we said goodbye to the ladies who were heading off to do the tourist thing in London (been there, done that) and headed for the airport again! Flying again. This time to Manchester. Being met by Sharon's parents was nice and for the four days, we were finally able to rest from our holiday! :) Being taken care of by mum was awesome and enjoying family meals and seeing old friends...that was a holiday!
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