Paris: Day 1, no wait day 2!

After a night of flying and attempting to sleep as a contortionist with a pillow the size of a large wallet, we arrived in Paris.  EF Tours were easy to find and the transfer to the bus and hotel was easy and simple.   A nice touch considering our French is poor and our cognitive ability even worse. We dropped off our baggage, washed our faces and hit the ground running!

Our first lesson was a quick session on how to use the metro in case we got separated, followed by a quick ride to downtown Paris.  While our hotel was outside of Paris proper, in Nanterre, it was a short 5-10min metro ride to downtown Paris.  Up the stairs and Voila!

We had an excited Dora and some amazing architecture in sight!  In fact, we couldn't help but pose for a quick photo with the standard landmark in the background.  The weather was cool but comfortable as we made our way West to another famous site.

Directly to the West of the Concorde, the largest open plaza in Paris was the Louvre, that famous art museum that used to be the residence of the king before he moved to Versailles.  The size of the building is hard to comprehend, especially considering the size of some of the other buildings.  With some quick instructions we were given about 2hr to explore this monstrosity of a building filled with some amazing pieces of art.  To say it was overwhelming would be an understatement and combined with our sleep deprived state, much of the tour was like a foggy wonderland.  We did of course, see the famous Mona Lisa as well as the wedding feast of Cana, a 20ft x 30ft painting.  While the Mona Lisa was an impressive thing to see, the large format portraits, the paints that took up entire walls were more impressive to me as well as the building itself.  Dora was quite amazed by some of the tapestries as well. Too much for 21 day, never mind 2hr.

At this point we came to realize that we were starving!  So at 5:30 we were off for another quick metro ride to dinner.  The restaurant was this quaint spot that appeared to be out of the way in Paris, the food was good, but left me wanting to explore the culinary options more.  We had planned on heading back to the hotel after dinner, but an espresso later and the offer of a trip to the top of the arch de triumph resulted in a change of plans.  

This was probably my highlight for the day.  The night enveloping Paris and the lights shining bright.  284 steps later and we had much of the city in our sights.  The Eiffel tower was an obvious focal point with may other landmarks in sight.  The arch itself was an impressive site to see at night with a warm glow of light covering its sculptures and art reliefs.  What a day!

Back at the hotel we weren't sure if we were tired, exhausted or on our fourth wind... regardless, we'll try and get some sleep.

Special thanks again for those people that made this trip possible, it's been such a treat to travel with Dora again.  Family... we love you and miss you.  See you soon!

Read More

Paris: Day 1

Well as luck would have it, Dora and I managed to squeak out a trip to Paris this holiday without kids.  5 DAYS OF PARENT-LESS BLISS!  We have to thank the grandparents for making this possible and the brother and sister-in-law for watching the dog.  We were already in Calgary, so the drive was quick and painless.  With time to spare after we cleared security, we relaxed and waited for out flight.  No chasing kids around the airport or making silly faces to keep a kid from crying...  Weird.  Well after 3.5hr flight to Toronto and a 7.5hr flight to Paris, we were off.  A little jet lagged, and a lot excited.  Bienvenue Paris!

Read More

Christmas 2010 the sequel of the sequel.

Well another Christmas has come and gone, with too much excess and a gut that is starting to show some wear and tear.  Every year I seem to have a harder time dealing with the excess food and beverage and then I come to realize that I'm actually partaking less and suffering more!  On a plus note, the company is getting better in some We spent Christmas eve out at the folks in Raymond which was a nice plus.  No driving on the morning and an easy walk to the tree.  The boys were very excited with all the toys, a good haul of Toy Story items, "Ride like the wind Bullseye!  As were the words from Logan!"  After that day of excess food and fun we headed home for a short rest, to head up to Calgary the next day.  The other side of the family were waiting for more fun.  We opened more presents and went sledding too.  As for the parents.... we get to start our Christmas present tomorrow!

Read More

My Manordinary Day

Like Dora, I recently had some time to myself.  While in Whitefish with the family earlier in November, I acquired a new pair of used skis.

From 2010.12.Xmas tree

The skis were a decent upgrade from my previous pair and the bindings were super sweet!  Hammerhead binding, an expensive pair of telemark bindings with some nice features, like a flexible pivot point and step in cables.  I was pretty excited to get them out and as luck would have it, Clay had his annual boys trip.  I refer to it as annual, but considering it's been dry for the past 2 years, once in 3 years isn't really an annual trip!  Regardless, we were off for some skiing!  We ended up with 5 man-child's in total for a weekend of stellar snow!

From 2010.12.Boys Ski Trip

It was nice to visit with Earl again (in red) having not seen him since the last annual boys trip 3 years ago!  A good work friend also came along who knew Clay from way back in Jr. high!  With the 5 of us ready for a new season of snow, we were welcomed with a big dump of fresh POW and the opening of Hell Roaring Basin for the first time this year.  I opted for the snowboard for the start of the day to take advantage of the snow and some actual skill.  I then spent the last 2 hr. of the day on my telemark skis.  It took about that long just to get comfortable on the skis again.  After the 2 days of skiing, I can say my legs were dead and my appetite was back.  Hopefully I can get Dora out the next time!  Here are a few more snow shots!

From 2010.12.Boys Ski Trip

From 2010.12.Boys Ski Trip

From 2010.12.Boys Ski Trip

From 2010.12.Boys Ski Trip

Read More

An Extra-Ordinary Day

So just another day, kinda. Just another girls day. Except that great stuff and crazy stuff happened all day. Maybe it was just my mood, or the fact that I'd been couped up with 2 boys for too long. Started innocently enough, with a bit of a sleep in as my alarm clock (read: Evan) slept in. In fact he didn't wake until Logan woke him with his yells for me. So, grateful for the wake up call, I headed into the boys room to see what was wrong. Of course by this time, they were both yelling "Mommy!" though not in unison. In response to my question of "what?" Logan replied, "because I was lonely for you. I wanted someone to snuggle with." Perfect logic, perfect plan. So while Evan entertained himself with the aquarium crib toy, I got to snuggle. Nice.

But because I started my morning early, I didn't have time to eat with them, but that also means I didn't have to clean it up. Nice. So dressed and presentable, I loaded myself into my car and hit Tim Horton's where the van in front of me bought my breakfast. Sweet! I didn't recognize the van, so thanks to whoever you are. The coffee was delicious. I picked up mom and we headed off to Vulcan for a quick visit with Grandma June (doing well, thank you) and my cousin Debbie popped in while we were there. Nice treat. Then we continued on to the big city to get our hair done. One stop on the way for a Taco for lunch (thanks mom) and we were at the salon. Didn't even get lost. Amazing!

Now I don't know about you, but I have a hard time finding and keeping a hairdresser. We are SO lucky to have Rachelle in the family for more than this reason, but let me tell you that girl can cut hair - and colour it, but I just stick to cuts. She gives us the family rate and we catch up on various family gossip. It sucks to have to drive to Calgary for a haircut, but let me tell you, she is worth every minute. I do not spend time doing my hair - ever. She doesn't understand how I can not make time to use a blow drier, and I don't understand how she does. But somehow, she gives me a modern fun look, that takes very little effort to maintain. AND she walks me through step by step how she wants me to style it. All this and a scalp massage for the family rate, so great!
She was particularly proud of the profile that this hair cut gives me. "It makes you look like you have a great shaped head, hon." Makes me wonder how weird my head shape was looking before...

After cuts and a colour for mom, we headed back south with a few stops for shopping and supper with Eric. I found some black dress shoes to replace the ones that I bought during my first student teaching practicum about 15 years ago. We tried all the shoe stores in Chinook and wouldn't you know that the last store that we tried had the shoes I was looking for in a 6 and they were on sale. Fate.They are just like these ones but black. And SO comfy. I am looking forward to being on my feet all day in these. Though of course in my quest to find these Clarks, I fell in love with a few others. Namely these ones. I liked the Castoro colour the best, but then they didn't have the Brandy or Red colour in the store, or my size in any colour. Bummer, though did save me some cash.
Eric took us out to Joey Tomatoes and it was really good - except for the drink. A Caesar that was all Tabasco and vodka. As the ice melted it was better. But the burger and company were great. Thanks for dinner Eric.

The crappy/exciting part was learning that my car can drive from Granum to Coalhurst on fumes. We had to hurry back so that Marco, who was selflessly single parenting at home, could head out to Tron. Dad met me at the curb in front of the house with a jerry can of gas (thanks Dad) and mom hopped out while the tank got filled and I was off. I had been joking with mom that if Marco didn't make it to his movie I would have to try to reenact it with my new reflective running tights. He didn't think that it was as funny when I told him. Too bad that Liminal isn't here earlier, I'm sure we could've whipped up a short film "Tron in Lomah". But he's watching the real thing right now. It's probably pretty good too.

Read More

100

Well this is number 100!  The first time in 5 years of posting to this blog that I've reached 100 posts in a year.  In fact, I've posted something like 326 posts in those 5 years.  It's a bit weird looking back over some of my posts and seeing what's changed in the past 5 years.  I can think back to even yesterday, having someone ask me what's changed and me replying "oh, not much".

I can't believe how many moves, marriages, kids and changes have occurred in these past 5 years.  I thought to celebrate this 100 posting I would post 100 pictures from the last 5 years.  You tell me if things have changed!

Read More

Xmas Time

Well the time of christmas cheer, egg-nog (oh how I dream of the "Gom-nog"), presents and xmas trees is here.  Like most Christmas we have a tradition of tree hunting, "A.K.A., spend 50 bucks in gas to stand in the snow and chop down an inferior tree."  The funny thing is we prefer the Charlie Brown trees and actually like to stand in the snow!

Last year with Evan being so young and the cold weather, we didn't venture out to cut down our tree.  This year we made a triumphant return with success!  Not only did we find a great tree, but the weather was great and the kids all had a good time.  We finished the day with some sledding and a meal of tube steaks.  Kevin, Rob and the respective spouses came  out too for a nice group and a good collection of trees.  You can see our results below.

Lastly, I was told of this rather fun site, the portable north pole.  You can customize messages from Santa here.  I did one for Logan and you can check it out here.

It was such a fun process, I made one for Dora.  You can check her's out here.

Read More

Halloween - not quite a month late!

Well I should have posted this way earlier, but I was stuck working my way through a case of spam and you know.... that takes awhile.  Funny side note... apparently Spam, Velveeta, honey and maple syrup have an infinite shelf life.  I think we should all stock up now!

Halloween this year was a bit of a roller coaster this year with costumes and kids.  I decided to buy a costume this year, as I was tired to lame costumes and felt that I should give the tinfoil a break.  Logan ended up in a home-made Woody costume from Toy Story (a Kijiji score by Dora) and Evan was stuck with a hand-me-down, the monkey costume.

After dressing up we headed to Raymond for Trunk-or-Treat, an event where everyone shows up at a parking lot and the kids go around to the different cars for treats.  Kinda lame, but kinda perfect too!  For Evan and Logan is would have been perfect... except Logans started to not feel well.  NO CANDY YET HONEST!!  As a result our candy haul was pretty light and Logan slept for most of it.  In addition, we did this on the Saturday, gotta love the LDS!  Sunday we tried again in Lethbridge, but again, Logan wasn't up for it.  I felt like a bride!  All dressed up and nowhere to go!  Dora was kind enough to take our pictures so I didn't have to feel like a bought a costume for nothing.  Enjoy!

Read More

the Top 2

So here are the last 2.... took me a few days.

4. Family, big and small.
Family is always something I feel is important and easy to neglect.  Heck they're family right!  With my family so close it seems to easy to focus on other things and the next thing I know, it's been a week, a month since I've seen them last.  While I know to them it's no big deal, I really do need to make time for them too.  Heck I should even take the time to let them know how important they are to me, but that would be too emotionally exposed for me.  Need to keep that rigid Japanese persona right?
We use to meet up at each others for a dinner every now and them.  I think we need a family dinner about once every two months.  Not a hard expectation, I hope?
5. No Regrets.

This is a hard one.  Mostly a mind game I think.  Everyone knows thinks don't work out right.  In fact I'm pretty sure at this point I expect something to go wrong and it's more of a miracle if things actually work out.  I'd like to think this one is possible, but it isn't.
Even so, I'm not giving up so easily.  Whatever your mantra, glass half full, lemon and lemonade or some other optimistic quote, you simply need to keep moving.  I really do have a talent for wallowing in my own self pity.  I'm so good a sulking!  As Dora, she can confirm.  It's that ability to be stagnant that kills.  I know I can be more positive, let the little things be just that little.
The hard part is getting everyone on the bus with this one.  You can't run this play by yourself, you need the support of those around you.  I don't care how motivated you are, it someone is gonna try and drag you down, they will.
When I look at my list, It's funny how the first item is so easy to achieve as it's mostly independent of others, while the last item is the hardest because it relies on others.  Here's hoping for success.


Well that's the last 2!  I think this will be a regret someday.  At least it's not mine.

Read More

Ugly October

October was a rather ugly month as far as school goes and was filled with some unexpected events.

We were suprized with two unexpected deaths on staff, the boyfriend of a new staff member this year and a staff member who I've worked with since coming to Stirling who was quickly diagnosed with cancer and passed away within weeks.  Needless to say, October sucked at school.  I was lucky enough to come home to a loving family who was supportive, which got me thinking of course about life, death and the parts in-between.

I've had some time and have come up with my top 5 things to do so live a happy life.  These aren't those what if dreams or once-in-a-lifetime hopes, rather daily or yearly goals that I will strive for.  I'll post my first 3 now since I need to get back to bed!

1. Good Health - Good Life-Good Husband
Is it just me or has being healthy fallen to the bottom of your list?  I know things like metabolism and youth have it's merits, but I seemed to spend a lot more time/weekends doing stuff.  Now I do cleaning and errands and fixing.  Here's my goal.  Do something.  I've been lifting weights after school fairly regularly this year and it seems to help both my mindset and happiness.  So simply put, I need to keep this a priority.

Also, regular blood work/check ups.  I use to go in every year after 30.  Are you?  My bro is a nurse and he told me they need this base-line data to monitor changes and to see it things are up.  I think over the last 2 years I only made it in for 1 check-up.  So this is also part of my good health priority.

2. Friends are better than Gold
I love my friends.  They are there after years of neglect, still shiny and ready to go.  It's like pulling the dust cover off a treasured car in your garage.  Your always suprized how well it works.  I had the opportunity this year to witness a good friend become a dad, to visit with friends on the coast three times this year and truly enjoy the benefits of a batcave/trailer.

I priced out a trip to Victoria today and it came to $384.  If I were to times that by 3 I come up with a grand, a number that really isn't excessive if I consider the rewards.  I think this is a feasible goal for myself.  So all you west coast LOMAH expatriates, hope you keep a spot in your hearts and house for me!

3.  Date Night - Man Night - Woman Night
Marriage is tough on a relationship.  I honestly think that it's more work than I or most people realize.  I'm not gonna rant about some vision quest that I had, but rather a simple idea that came from another friend who got it from another friend.  3 nights a month.  One for the man, one for the wife and one for the couple.  People need some time for themselves.  I think I could take my time more easily than Dora, but we need to make time for ourselves.  One evening a month we need to get out and stay out doing something for ourselves.  2 or 3 hours a month isn't much to ask for and in fact should be mandatory!

Also date night!  Dora and I have gotten real good that this child rearing thing over the last few years, but if you consider the fact that you still have the same 24hr in a day, things fall off the table when your getting things done.  Date night seems to be one of those.  I'm making it a priority!  One a month, no excuses, we need to get out.  And here is the other kicker.  Not just a movie!  I think the dinner/drinks part is more of a priority.  I want us to talk more, about things we don't know.  We've been together for I don't know how many years and there are a ton of things I still don't know. "What would be your dream trip if money was no obstacle?", "what was your most embarrassing moment?", "what do you like most about me?".  I think each date night we need to ask a question we don't know to each other.  Crazy or Brilliant?  Not sure which, but it's now a priority!


Well that's 3 of my top 5 and it's friggin' late so good nite!

Read More

Poop

It's been one of those days... As many of you know, Denali is getting up there in age, 12 I think was her most recent birthday.  Sadly, at times she could use a pair of "Depends" to get her through the day, usually when she eats people food now.  Well for some reason, we came home to a rather disturbing "Event" that required about an hour of my attention.  I'm not sure what to do at this point, but to transition her to an outside dog when Dora and I are both out for the day working.  If any of you out there in LOMAH have any brilliant ideas, I'm all ears!

Read More

Belated Birthday

With October being a rather crazy month, I didn't hit my monthly quota and missed an important posting so I thought I would start my November posting with a belated birthday post.

Dora posted her birthday extravaganza, so I figure I should post Logan's.  My big boy turned 4 this year!  The years have screamed by and each year has brought more fun and joy to Fatherhood.  Hard, but fun.  I really can't imagine life without kids now, something you truly can experience through the eyes of an uncle or aunt.  I highly recommend it, not just to drag others into the life-long commitment that cannot be bartered, sold or traded away and is forever yours, but because I'd love to drag others into the cult called "kids".

Dora outdid herself again with a sweet-a$@ cake that was stellar!  Logan has been getting into Lego so we did a clutch powers cake (that's the lego movie character) that looks kinda like han solo, an equally cook cake idea!

From 2010.09 Victoria Trip

I've got to also mention that the black icing was also a nice touch and it seemed to go well with everyones' ouftits!

From 2010.09 Victoria Trip

From 2010.09 Victoria Trip

From 2010.09 Victoria Trip

The rest of the party was a super hero potpourri of batman, spider-man and superman.  It seems that we've moved beyond the cute Disney phase and onto the land of DC and Marvel!  Time to pull out my comic collection!

Read More