11/11/11
11 Nov 2011 Leave a Comment
in Canada, Daily Life, NabloPoMo Tags: 11.11.11, 11/11/11, November 11 2011, poppies, Remembrance Day
Today is the 11th day of the 11th month of the 11th year. Who knows if something special will happen today? A lot of people put some credence in numbers, in the alignment of stars. Heck, a couple coworkers and I are even going to try our hand at the lottery today, playing, of course, with numbers derived from today’s date.
But besides the strangeness of today’s date, it is also Remembrance Day in Canada, and, I believe, in the UK. Every year I put up a post about Remembrance Day. This is because, like Thanksgiving, it is a tradition that I don’t want to forget. Even though I can’t wear a red poppy today, I can still take a moment to remember all the people that have died – especially at a time when the world is rent with strife, violence and disasters of all sorts. Let’s take a moment to hope for some peace.
Giving Thanks
09 Oct 2011 2 Comments
in Canada, Daily Life Tags: Canada, Thanksgiving, turkey
Original can be found here: http://www.zwani.com/graphics/thanksgiving/
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving in Canada, and as I always do, I organized Thanksgiving lunch today (because tomorrow isn’t a holiday here). I searched high and low for sweet potatoes and after one fail (white sweet potatoes!!??) I found what I was looking for, nice orange beauties, and a butternut squash thrown in the bargain!
Saturday morning saw me struggle up the hill with the “smallest” turkey I could order and then making the mistake of placing it on Honey’s favorite chair as I looked for a way to make the Beast fit into the fridge. I heard strange noises and crinkling sounds and knew that the blonde beast was up to no good. Yes she had her paw on the bag trying to get to the turkey! Luckily I saved both the cat from being crushed by a 4-zillion-pound turkey and the turkey itself from getting gnawed on…. but I digress.
This morning I made the whole fare: squash, sweet potatoes, stuffing , roasted veggies, gravy and cranberry sauce. Not to mention the desserts! And I gathered around with my good friends and laughter filled the house as wine flowed freely. And I realized that I am truly lucky to have so many wonderful people in my life, and am so happy that I have this day to take the time and reflect upon it, and remember that no matter what happens, we are all in this together.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!
I Can Fly!
09 Sep 2011 2 Comments
in Canada, Things to See Tags: air view, cessna, flight, Fraser Valley
This trip home was one of the more adventurous ones for sure. One of my friends works at the Langley Airport, which just so happens to be a flight school, and she just so happens to have been able to get me on a flight!
Waiting for takeoff
No, I didn’t fly the plane, but I was a shutterbug passenger, and it was pretty amazing to see the land I thought I knew so well, from up high.
Colorful cars
Not that I haven’t seen Vancouver and BC from the air before, but, let’s face it, a commercial flight flies a lot higher than an unpressurized Cessna, and you are usually so exhausted that the only thing you want is to get off the bloody plane anyways.
On-ramps and off-ramps
Flying over the rivers and valleys at a lower altitude is amazing. You can still see the details that you miss out on in a jet, and you move much more slowly, giving you time to savour all the details.
The Abbotsford-Mission bridge
We left from Vancouver International, sandwiched between Jumbo Jets on the runway. We then flew along the Trans-Canada Highway east to Chilliwack where we landed for lunch, then back out to Langley, where I got off to pick up my car.
The Corn Maze
It was probably one of the best moments of my trip, and I feel so lucky to have experienced it – turbulence and all!
Fort Langley
07 Sep 2011 Leave a Comment
in Canada, Things to See Tags: British Columbia, Canada, Fort Langley, fur trading, fur trading outpost, historic site
Fort Langley is located in the town of….you guessed it – Fort Langley, about halfway between Mission and Vancouver. Some parts of it are original, but mostly it is a replica of the trading outpost that was built there during the colonial period.
Furs
Furs were one of the first exports that Canada ever had, most especially beaver furs which were used to make felt in England.
The trading post was run by the Hudson’s Bay Company which ran everything back then, and as could be expected, with the outpost came people and a small town grew up inside the fort.
The fort as it is today shows and excellent interactive replica of the way life was back then. You can see how to make horseshoes, barrels and even fire a musket.
Loading the musket
Ready. Aim. Fire!
I remember the last time I had gone there I was still in elementary school, and for some reason I had a craving to go see it, so we did!
You can go into all the little houses and pick up things and test things out to see how they were – it is a really great place for kids. And of course, no fort would be complete without a mini farm, including chickens, goats and sheep.
Where the names of our towns come from
Apparently, it can even be rented out for weddings, as there was a wedding going on while we were there! It was pretty beautiful and the day couldn’t have been better!
Feeeeeedddd meeee!
The Abbey and Heritage Park
02 Sep 2011 Leave a Comment
in Canada, Things to See Tags: British Columbia, Fraser Valley, Heritage Park Mission, Mission, Westminster Abbey
My little town of Mission is known for many things…some good, and some bad, like all places. One of the “touristy” things in Mission is Westminster Abbey. It is probably one of the only Abbeys in the area and was founded in 1939 by the Oblates. At Christmas, you can actually go see a sung mass.
The Abbey
The Abbey is also on some amazingly beautiful grounds and they are open and free for walks. An air of contemplation pervades the area and it is beautiful to be walking along in the shad of the trees, with dragonflies buzzing around you. Oh, yes, there is also a small quiet pond as well.
A dragonfly rests on some grass near the pond
Another often overlooked place in Mission is Heritage Park, which has recently been very developed. It used to be much more isolated and as children we used to go mountain biking in the trails. Every summer the park is home to the Mission Folk Music Festival, which I missed this year.
View of the Fraser Valley
The park has an amazing view of the valley, and is a great place for a picnic. It also has a lot of bunnies that come out of their briar bushes early in the morning or at dusk. This is also one of the best places in Mission to see the sun rise.
Bunny with a view
Heritage Park is called “heritage” for a reason, albeit a creepy one – if you are afraid of cemeteries, that is. It is home to the first cemetery the town ever had, and some of the first settlers are buried there. Now, only the Abbots are buried there.
Tombstone
If you don’t get creeped out, it is nice to walk around the rows of tombstones, some are illegible, a=others are in disrepair, but it is a part of Mission’s very short (compared to Europe) history.
Centennial Park
30 Aug 2011 3 Comments
in Canada Tags: British Columbia, centennial park, Mission
Centennial Park is a small park about a block from my mom’s house. I used to go there all the time when I was a child, as it was the closest park (the next one being a whole FOUR blocks away! So far when you are little!). One thing I love about Canada is just how many parks there are. No matter what the size of the town is, a park will always be found. Some are better than others, but you are never far from a tree anyway.
Birch
When I first went back to the park, my mom and I took the dog for a walk. The poor old man hadn’t gone for many walks recently and was overjoyed when he saw the leash in my mom’s hand. Arthritis or not, I swear he was leaping for joy! Mind you Mission is hilly and so is the park – he was pretty beat after about 10 minutes and we had to take a little break for him to rest.
Sable
It had been raining for a long time before I got to Canada, and everything was lush and green, and the flowers were a bit behind on their blooms this year.
Hydrangea Crown
Also, an amazing smell permeated the air at a certain point, and I looked up. Three trees with amazing white trumpet shaped flowers and broad leaves were the cause of that. And so, yet again I find myself with another mystery tree. When I have time, internet will tell me all I need to know 
The new mystery tree
Vancouver Zombie Walk 2011
24 Aug 2011 Leave a Comment
in Canada Tags: crazy cat lady, parades, Vancouver, vancouver zombie walk 2011, zombie cat, zombie costumes
Saturday saw me pulling out all the stops.
- Want brains?
My cat obsession got the better of me.
- Zombie friends and family
My cat turned into a zombie and bit me.
Who ya gonna call?
I went crazy as I saw myself enter the world of the undead,
but then it was too late -
Free Hugs
All I had a craving for was ... BRAAAAIIIINNNSSSSS!
- The crowd gathers
Apparently I infected a lot of Vancouver too, about 5,000+ zombies
invaded the streets and we didn't stop until we'd had our fill!
- Follow the leader…
They tried to stop us...
But failed.
To boldly go where no zombie has gone before...
Nowhere is safe!
Seduction
11 Aug 2011 1 Comment
in Canada, Things to See Tags: bird, British Columbia, Harrison Hot Springs, plover
Last week, my mother and I took a mini vacation only one short hour’s drive from home to Harrison Hot Springs. Harrison is a small touristy town located on a lake (a normal one). Where it gets its name from is, of course, the sulfur “scented” hot springs nearby, a short hike from the town. For those too lazy to hike (i.e. my mother) there are the public baths, which pipe in water from the hot springs…at a price – $9.00! So, needless to say, I have yet again gone to Harrison without going into the hot springs. Maybe one day…
However, the weather was FABULOUS, just the right temperature, the sun shining down on us (no humidity!) and a slight breeze. So, towels in hand we lay down on the beach getting burnt, um, I mean, tanned…
We then enjoyed a delicious dinner of local foods, a walk along the lake front in the dark, with the illuminated paddle boat on the water and a nice soak in the hot tub in our hotel (our room even had a jacuzzi!).
The next morning, saw us back on the beach (hey, the weather was nice!) and I decided (of all times) to leave my big camera in the room, only bringing my little one with me. As I lounged around, I noticed that there was something moving behind a rock. Upon closer inspection I noticed a striped little face appear from behind.
Can you see me?
After our first mutual check-out session, my little friend, the plover, decided to come out from hiding and do a little dance. He peeped and then dipped his head. I took a step closer. then he ran back, and turned his bum to me. Then he looked across his shoulder, peeped again and ducked his head. And I took a step closer. This little dance continued for about ten minutes as I took pictures and a little video.
The Seducer
Then I sat back on my towel, and received a few more little peeps and head-ducking. I needed no more, I was in love. I would have scooped him up and taken him home with me if I could have! But, alas, some kids came running by and scared my beloved away. It wasn’t meant to be, I suppose…
72 Hours
02 Aug 2011 2 Comments
in Canada Tags: canada visit 2011
In 72 hours I have:
- Eaten a whole bunch of food, including real bacon
- Slept the sleep of babies, and believe I have gotten over my jet lag
- Learned how to jump start a car
- Taken the dog for a walk in the park around the corner
- Played mini golf and came in second last
- Went to visit some friends
- Been through a road block
- Watched a majestic eagle soar above me
- Driven a golf cart, taking pictures while my mom and stepdad played golf
- Had three different kinds of soups
- Washed the car
- Used a microwave for the first time in years
- Texted with hubby multiple times and skyped with him, missing him more and more each time
- Enjoyed a glorious sunny day
- Enjoyed a cloudy rainy day
- Done a translation
- Enjoyed life.
The Voyage Home
01 Aug 2011 4 Comments
in Canada Tags: Canada, flights, planes, Travel
Well, here I am safe and sound, at 7am typing out my adventures to you people! I am actually pretty amazed at how well my jet lag has gone so far…thank you melatonin!
Anyways, my trip here, was of course adventurous (as it seems everything must be with me!). Now, I know I complain about Italy’s lack of organization, but complaints where complaints are due…Toronto Pearson = Airport from Hell. Now first off the fault is of two other people:
1) Air Canada/Lufthansa, who have dared to schedule a domestic flight with an international flight from that particular airport with only 1.5 hours to get from one to another.
2) Mine, because I have been through that airport before and should have known better than to buy that ticket.
But putting all blame aside, needless to say that the plane arrived from Munich 30 min late. We then disembarked, waited in line for passport control/customs, got through that, and then had to wait at the BAGGAGE CLAIM to pick up our bags, go through customs again and give our landing card, run to another conveyor belt, wait in line again, only to notice that yes it is now 345 and your flight is at 4 so, you think it is now all over. As you mumble and are told o shuffle forward, you discover that the guy beside you, the one after you and in front of you….are all going to Vancouver. Hmm, we are a big group…maybe, just maybe… Then the call came out, and airport guys yelled, anyone going to Vancouver? The amount of people raising their hand that were in that line made my heart soar, a lot more than I thought were possible!
We were told to put our baggage on another conveyor and run to the gate. We obeyed and started running, except for two things. No-one knew where the gate we were running to was, until one of the group took a second to find a board, and before we could get to the gate…there was a security check! Another long, long line and a request to be able to be expressed though being ignored later, we slowly trickled our way through the security check. Then the nice security guy told me that the gate we were looking for was at the far end of the corridor (of course). I was one of the first to get through security and I started running (thanks to all those hiking trips, I actually managed to run, although I did feel like I was having a heart attack!) and I got to the gate out of breath and saw no one there. But then I spied a stewardess and said, can I still get on? There are about 20 of us. Actually, she said there are THIRTY of you. We were waiting. Thank God, I gasped as she checked my passport and boarding card. I got on the plane sat down, saw my fellow companions get safely on board, heard all the sounds of the plane locking up and getting ready to go and then. Nothing. Questioning looks began to be cast around, and at long last an announcement from the captain. The passenger loading arm was stuck. The plane couldn’t move until it was fixed. Thankfully 10 min later, we were liberated and thundered off the runway in a hurry – one hour late.
The flight was uneventful. The entire prairie rolling out below me in the sunshine, seemingly identical yet so different. I read, i watched TV, I went to the bathroom a million times (much to the dismay of my fellow passengers), and then on the horizon I saw, the first sign of being home. The majestic Rocky Mountains, loomed out of the prairie and soared towards me. I eagerly started putting things away, and looked out the window, and looked and looked and the mountains kept coming. I had truly forgotten how wide the Rockies are. And how beautiful. As we finally passed over them and the beautiful Fraser River unfurled below me, and I could see Vancouver approach, tears of joy caught in my throat. Because no matter how much I enjoy living in Italy, this is still my home, and every time I see it, I remember how much I love it.
We landed with only a thirty minute delay, disembarked, I got my suitcase (one of the first ones, a record!) And saw my mom, step dad and bro all waiting for me, smiles on all our faces.
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