Post-Christmas

After Christmas/Boxing Day, I headed to Parksville (also on Vancouver Island) to hang with my friend Melissa (plus her hubby Tyler, 2 year old Noah and bubs on the way...) We headed up a mountain and after some intense driving through the snow, arrived at a tobaganning (?) spot. Cranked up the camp fire for some defrosting of feet and cooking of wieners. Not to mention the hot chocolate in Starbucks cups. So beautiful...and completed my wonderful 'White Christmas' experience. So yip, that's what I've been up to these last few days. Am going to the Nutcracker ballet tomorrow with Leah - such a treat! And then to Kelowna for New Years before coming home for a frantic day of packing and preparing before hopping on the plane and heading home (via Auckland). Maybe see you soon...:) See you next year!

Christmas

Belated Merry Christmas to everyone. For Christmas morning, we opened up presents - stockings even - (yes, I was spoiled by Leah and her family!) at Leah's parents house. Then we caught the ferry to her aunty's on Vancouver Island to celebrate the season with a huge turkey (two huge turkeys, actually) dinner. Hung out playing board games and what not in Victoria. The standard family Christmas...but without my family and in Canada. :)

Pre-Christmas

Hiya,

Since I finished school...it's been great...just hanging out and enjoying my last few days of Canada, friends and all a Canadian Christmas entails. Before Christmas, there was a bit of shopping to be done and hanging with the girls viewing the sights around and about town - mainly a major, major display of christmas lighting everywhere one looked. We went on a super cool Christmas train which was a zippy little train that played Christmas music while riding in the dark through a forest all lit up with heaps of cool lights and Christmas paraphenalia. Yes, I have been Christmasified (yes, that's a word I made up). In fact, Vancouver (currently under a lot of construction in preparation for 2010 as well as various developments) even adorns its cranes and concrete trucks with Christmas lights, as you can see in the pics...

Charmayne (my sis) and Chris...proud Jayden...Aunt T (my sis)....and Taua (my mum)

Lukas David

I have a new nephew! Lukas David Vincent, born December 16, 2006 at 8lb. 14oz, 55 cm long (I think I've got those dimension right!). Congrats to Charmayne and Chris! No pics yet...but am excited to get home and see Jayden's new little bro! Wahoo!

Who wants not to be a millionaire...

Happenings

Hmmm...howdy y'all.

I'm aware it's been a few days since I last wrote...but quite frankly, don't know what to write! Have had the weekend off from study before 'going under' for another week (paper/exam)...then my study here is done...'til I hit home and start work on my final paper due Feburary 01st. It's so monotonous to keep you informed of my SCHOOL work! But pretty much that's a lot of my life at present. The end is nigh!

So, my weekend-off was great. Went to a Christmas banquet on Friday night which was super slick. Very yummy food, some fun dancing and hanging with the girls. The only photos that were taken were mega posey ones...so yeah, didn't really manage to capture the event on film very well other than our faces...and you already have a fair idea what I/we look like! Saturday night Sarah and I went and saw a most enjoyably funny movie. It took 45mins driving around to find a carpark in downtown Vancouver amidst the horns tooting, glaring Christmas lights everywhere, limousines and crowds. The experience really confirmed for me...I'm not a city girl that's for sure! (By the way, apparently the story I did have in here doesn't make sense...so I've edited it :)).

Last night, went to a Dicken's Christmas church service (Bah, humbug!). Then a movie night at Sarah's watching 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas' with Jim Carrey. Surprisingly enjoyable and apparently a 'must-do' Christmas tradition. Yes, have never been so 'Christmasised' in my life as I have whilst being in North America. In fact, let me take a pic of our Christmas tree. :) Haven't had one of those for many a year either! Quite fun really. Oh, did I mention the 7 spoons and tub of Mars icecream too? (That's just a girls night tradition not a Christmas one).

Tim tells me he's doing well in Bangladesh amidst the crazy driving and copious amounts of rice and curry. Wind is howling and work to do. Hope you're all doing well.

Sonya

Evolution of Dance

Still snowing!

Hi all,

Today was fun. Second to last day of lectures, although with the snow storm at the moment, Uni may be closed tomorrow...either way, my degree is nearing to an end!

It was snowing hard out today. I walked to the bus stop amongst it all. Now I can really say I've had to walk to school in the snow! It was so quiet and...'reflective-like' walking in the winter wonderland. Everything was so white and yummy looking. I was singing and dancing and thinking how cool life was (and probably how cool I was). Haha.

But really I wasn't as cool as this girl at law school with the matching pink toque (beanie), mittens and pink gumboots! I mean seriously, was she just waiting for today when she could bust out that outfit...on call! Seriously wished I had pink gumboots!

Tim left for Bangladesh today. Will be back on Christmas Eve. Three weeks to get all my work done before Christmas :). Yay for getting all my work done!

Comments have been kinda quiet of late, which makes it kinda boring for me...reading my own blog! What's everyone doing in NZ or elsewhere???

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

Super cool snow storm! Here are some pics...pretty self explanatory. Been snowing for 2 days/nights...am hoping it will reoccur around Christmas so I can get the White Christmas I came for! Yay! Then again, there have been the dangers of heavy-laden trees falling (everywhere) including one accompanied by a powerline at the end of the street. Cars sliding, power outages and what not. But if we all just stay inside in our pjs/trackies in the heat sipping eggnog...it's quite an enjoyable experience - and quite the study weather! (Except I'll pass on the eggnog - just sounds cool). Uni was cancelled today as a result. How's the weather in NZ at the mo???

Dedicated to Izzy Jane

This is at Miranda Stewart's house, or is it Nigella Gray?

Boring things like weather

By the way, I forgot to mention earlier in the week some actual current events of real significance due to my ramblingsThere were major storms for a day or two this week. Mega winds and rains. A tsunami warning on Vancouver Island as a result of the Japanese earthquake. Trees falling, buildings and windows crashing. I wish I had had my camera the day I ventured to Uni in the storm. There was a huge rubbish bin with numerous umbrellas sticking out of it. So windy they were ruined. As a result of all the rain and land slides, the city has a ban on drinking water from taps for a few days. Have to boil the water. Fortunately we have high-tech filters at home so we don't have to ingest murky water. The funny thing was that Starbucks was unable to sell coffee or tea as a result of the ban because the temperatures weren't hot enough to kill the bacteria. Some irate customers indeed. And the city sold out of bottled water (apparently...and obviously after this photo was taken :)). Fights broke out in Costco requiring police intervention...over bottled water.

And on the study note, one paper down...2 to go. The end is nigh! Have a great week!

Santa Parade

Yip, it's November...but the Vancouver Santa Parade was today. Pretty hi-tech and most enjoyable with lots of chocolate give-aways and handy first aid kits (from St John). Did you know Cadbury have a new chocolate out...it's dairy milk with that popping rocks/candy in it? Wonder if it will make it to NZ (if it hasn't already). Oh, and Coke have a new drink out called Coke Black. It's Coke and coffee mixed together in an energy drink. Double the caffeine. Whatever will they think of next?

Here are some self-explanatory pics of the parade and today. Oh, except for maybe one. These guys with the shovels...they got to scoop the poop from the Vancouver Royal Mounted Police on horses...for the entirety of the parade. Full credit to them.

Went with Sarah (in the pic with Curious George). So many highschool marching bands too. Just watched the movie 'Drumline' tonight. Anyone seen it? The plot is to be desired but the drumming was pretty cool.

And these fur protestors actually managed to force closure of the store they were protesting against.

And here's some Starbucks action on the streets of downtown Vancouver.

Broom Ball

Leah's sister Shena came and stayed the weekend. Lots of fun. We went out for Philipino food with the fandamily Saturday night. Yum. Leche Flan (Kinda like creme caramel) and corn or purple yam icecream brought back so many reminiscent moments of growing up in the Phillipines. Then it was off to a local arena for a big church bash of broom ball until midnight. Basically, there are no rules other than chase the ball around the arena and try and get a goal using your 'broom-like but plastic' stick. Oh yeah, and its on ice....with only shoes not skates. Super fun. Was priding myself on having stayed upright the entire night...only to get a bit overconfident with my running and sliding skills...kabam. Feet flying from under me. Tail bone then hair clip. But no damage done. And y'know what they say.... :)

Remembrance Day

Saturday, November 11, 2006 was Remembrance Day in Canada. This meant a public holiday on Monday - which seems to occur with quite some regularity in Canada (public holidays, that is).

I went along to the 10:30am service with Nate and Leah. It was a very patriotic, stirring Service. Singing of the National Anthem (thankfully I had a programme at hand...'O Canada'). Prayer. The Last Post on the Bugle (absolutely moving!). Minutes of silence. In Flanders Field by the choir. Troops marching. Laying of wreaths. And so on. There was also a Commemorative Flypast of Warbirds.

I have to admit I shed a tear or two. Partly because of my own ignorance. In fact I don't remember attending an ANZAC Service in New Zealand (maybe something to do with the fact it's at dawn, but no excuse nonetheless). And I knew so little about the New Zealand soldiers who fought - even despite the fact my Poua fought in the Maori Batallion. So I made some resolutions - to attend services, educate myself and be ignorant no more. Yip, it was a moment.

Quiz

Apologies in advance to Miranda...I mean Miranda's friend! But...this is some light entertainment for those who are not vehemently opposed to non-fair trade coffee (And if you are, you might feel more comfortable on Tim Hart's blog). Anyway, yes, yes, it's Christmas time since the beginning of November and so Starbucks now serves coffee in red cups with green cup holders. Don't get me wrong, I only have about one every now and then...but certain people are always asking about Starbucks...(Shelley and Jane to name a few...who secretly want to throw their law degrees away to don the green uniform and serve the American addiction...anyway this post is for you guys!) So...if you're at work and sneakily perusing the blog community...here's something slightly more entertaining than clock watching...

What is this particular drink? There is a prize for the winner. But I don't think anyone will ever get it...so probably don't need to confirm what the prize is.

Disclaimer: This blog is not an expression of opinion in any shape or form as to the plight of the Ethiopian farmer. Neither is it condoning of poor work ethics.

Halloween

Yip, exam over. Yay.

Whilst studying for exam, I missed joining all the Halloween festivities. Seriously it is huge over here - much to the candy industries' delight. I was reading in a book today that candy makers pushed (and succeeded) for a change in the original day light savings time because when it was BEFORE Halloween, there would be one hour less of day light to go trick or treating...a lot less candy corn don't you think? Hmm...interesting.

And adults take great amusement in scaring the day light out of little children - be it dressing in zombie outfits, creating haunted houses, putting coffins in their front yard, hanging ghosts from trees and so on. I don't get it.

The cute thing I did see was a preschooler dressed as Tigger on his way to preschool. So cute.

And there are heaps of parties - apparently it's the biggest Law School party of the year. Everyone goes hard out on their costumes - which is a pretty cool aspect. But yeah, missed most of that because I was studying. Leah and Sarah, however, went to the church (that's right) halloween party and dressed as grapes (that's right). Random but original. So here's a pic. And here's a pic of a teenage mutant ninja turtle hitting Sarah with a tennis racket. Fascinating...especially since I wasn't even there. But I did need some pics for this blog! Haha.

A dozen roses from Tim

Wow! Today I received a delivery of a dozen roses from Tim. It was such a huge surprise and I am overwhelmed and feeling so special! Now I just need to concentrate to study for this exam...but not sure if I can. So blown away right now! He he.

And Tim, if you're reading this (which I know you are!)...thanks again! They are beautiful! You're amazing.

Trip to New York

Hi everyone,

Well...thanksgiving came and went...will have to put some pics on the next post (perhaps) due to a few technical difficulties. Was a super great weekend cruising to Kelowna (5 hours) with Sarah and back on the bus. Three thanksgiving dinners in fact. (Sat, Sun, Mon) with different friends/families. That's a lot of pumpkin pie. You gotta love it.

Last night I stayed at a pretty ritzy hotel downtown...in fact it was where the Queen stayed during her visit. Was staying with some friends who were attending a Cardio Conference of about 3,500 Cardio delegates/nurses/doctors/whatnot from around Canada. It was super fun as we were literally seconds away from the hub of it all happening - shops, cafes, art gallery, anything really. And so much fun living it up. Went to a halloween party too...interesting indeed...but the free food/fruit was delicious. :). There was even a movie being shot outside the doors of the hotel this morning...The pics attached look like I was in NY...but actually they were prop taxis, buses and dog walkers to give the impression of being in Central Park (look closely!!!). Fun, fun, fun.

And that's enough fun for now...because there's an evidence exam coming up and so a major crash course and cramming to complete before then! Am doing a group presentation tomorrow on child soldiers...the fun part about that is I get to wear my suit. :).

Vircom...are you still out there? Haven't heard from you guys for awhile...must be far too busy working, eh? (Yeah right!). Lovely to see all the support we've been gathering for Miranda's friend. Perhaps she should consider starting up her own blog! Nah, great to hear from everyone (of course!) and hope all is good in your hood - wherever that may be. Take care, Sonya