The big earthquake

There was a 7.8 magnitude earthquake at 9.22pm last night. I don't remember feeling it- but I was in bed early last night and something woke me up. I wonder if that was what it was. Others in Nelson felt it. My flatmate was at orchestra rehearsal where it interrupted their music- she looked up and could see the lights swaying overhead. There have been 4 aftershocks so far, I have not felt any of them from Nelson. This is one of NZ's biggest earthquakes in recorded history but damage has been surprisingly light so far compared to similar sized quakes. It hit Fiordland which isn't a populated area- and apparently also had a favourable motion compared to other types of quakes. Read more about it here: http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/2598128/Southland-hit-by-repeated-earthquakes

In other news I leave for Canada in 3 days!! Yay. Only one work day to go- and I'm counting down.

The countdown is on...

I leave for Canada in one week for almost four weeks- and I can't wait!!! My agenda includes some time in BC, some time in the Rockies, and some time in Sask. And I can't wait!!

I was just reading how my friend Heather felt when she got back to Canada having finished her stint of time working over here. I wonder how I will feel when I return on holiday. I am certain driving on the other side of the road again is going to be interesting- but at least the roads are wide enough that it should be somewhat easier than here in NZ. I'm so looking forward to family, Canadian food (perogies & poutine included), leaving winter and short days for summer and longer days, country music, shopping, and the like.

I fear I may be catching a slight cold again. Grr. I've been over it for a while but others around me have had one, and I feel a slight tickle in my throat. I really hope it doesn't develop. Flying with a cold and hence sore ears is never easy.

Oh say- in other news- the person I was covering maternity leave for has returned. I've finally signed my permanent contract. Time will tell what life at work looks like sometime after I return from holiday- and the new accounting team starts to sit together etc.

Sad news from home

It was with surprise and sorrow that I read of the passing of Dave Batters. I had the opportunity to volunteer with Dave door knocking when he ran for Parliament several years ago. In that short time, I came to admire him as a man who was a joy to work with. I wanted to pay tribute via this blog to him- the words expressed by others in this article say it better than I could have.

http://www.leaderpost.com/Health/Prime+Minister+Stephen+Harper+Regina+Dave+Batters+funeral/1763386/story.html

Canada Day thoughts...

I attended a Canada day event last night with a bunch of other Canadian friends and other friends. It was a good night for us all to be patriotic and wear our white and red. We listened to Canadian music, and there was brief discussion on what it means to be Canadian. My short answer: Being proud to be Canadian- but not generally shouting it.

I've been reading through a book on 100 Canadian destinations in light of Canada Day- those that I have visited so far include:
# 15- Land of Living Skies- SK
# 17- Lake Louise, AB
# 24- West Edmonton Mall
# 53- Moraine Lake AB
# 69 - Icefields Parkway AB
# 74- Stanley PArk BC
# 77 Niagra Falls and Wine Country On
# 89- Waterton Park AB

The top new ones that I want to go to are:
#6- The Badlands AB
# 13- Lunenburg NS
# 30 PEI National Park
#42 Peggys Cove NS
# 44- Canada Day in Ottawa
#50 Great Sand Hills SK
# 55 (My # 1 choice of places I want to visit) - Old Quebec City- Quebec
# 56 Louisbourg Nova Scotia
# 60 Skating on the Rideau- Ottawa
# 69 Rocky Mountaineer Train Trip (AB BC)