Sunday, August 30, 2009

Random things...

Another weekend has come and gone. Yesterday I farewell-ed my flatmate of the past few months- the lovely Erica. She has returned to the US for a 5 week holiday- and when she returns it will not be to sunny Nelson but to a new position in Auckland. I'm going to enjoy the solitary living for a wee while- but then I must decide about whether I can justify the cost of continuing to live here alone, or whether to look for another flatmate, or whether to move somewhere else cheaper. I'm not at all sure what I'll decide-but nor am I an a real hurry to decide- so stay tuned on that decision.

When I was in Canada I brought back a few of my favourite travel purchases- a small watercolour postcard from Venice and a pretty one from St Paul in France. The glass and frame for Venice survived, but not for St Paul. After carefully measuring the thing to see what size of frame I needed to buy- and concluding I wouldn't find one with a matting that would fit, I decided I had best go with an 8 X 10 and the white matting I'd used in the last frame. I went to the Warehouse and picked up a cheap frame that advertised to be 8 X 10. When I tried to slip in my photo- it didn't fit. A measuring revealed both the external and internal dimensions to be smaller than 8 X 10. And not a recognizable size either- no 5 X 7- but some obscure dimension. I'll have to storm back with my receipt and tape measure sometime soon and get a refund to look for something that will fit.

I tried another run this morning narrowly beating the storm. I have real problems with my 2nd toenails- even in 5 kms, they get pretty sore. When I did the half marathon back in 2007 they fell off. Last year when I did my 10kms they got really thick and yucky. Today I ran with blister plasters on 2 nasty blisters I obtained when walking to work in new shoes on Friday without any pain. I wonder if these wonderful blister plasters would help alleviate my second toe problems that come from running.

Ooh- and some interesting news that I can't believe I missed. (I'm sure it was announced when I was in Canada). From November you will not be able to talk on a cell phone (unless hands free, I believe) or text when driving.

Monday tomorrow. Boy the weekends seem to whirl by much more quickly than the equivalent amount of weekday.

Friday, August 28, 2009

A carrot diet...

I returned from Canada about 10 lbs heavier than when I left. Yikes. This week I started an attempt to eat slightly healthier, snack less, exercise more, etc. Certain days have gone well- and certain days (like today- with a morning tea attended) have gone worse! I went for only one run this week and walked to work one day. Next week I'm into month end again- always a busy time at work and with extended hours I've found it difficult to make time for other things, but I'll need to make an effort!

I notice I mis-labelled one of my photos from last post (the danger of only looking at the thumbnail size photo when posting it). It is not Peyto Lake, its actually the view of Lake Louise from the Big Beehive- that gives you a sense of how far uphill the walk was...

I am so thankful to have had the Canada trip. Not only because I was so desparately in need of a break from work. I had an ongoing cold that lingered for about 3 months- but it disappeared my first week in Canada. It was also nice to get some 30s plus weather, spend time in the mountains (such a special place), and of course have time with family and friends.

I'm feeling slightly strange upon returning to NZ. After my family visited several months ago I felt strangely lonely- the most lonely I have felt- pretty much in my time in NZ. I feel a same sort of that sense yet again. I'm here, I live here- but I'm not grounded here. And that feels a little bit strange. It's hard to explain what I mean... I feel a bit torn between two places- a little of each, but fully none of either.

I went to the optometrist last week to finally replace my quickly declining spectacles. I brought some home from Matthews to think about but nothing jumped out at me at all - and when you're spending that sort of $, you want to like them! Eventually I tried another place, and found the pair I wanted at OPSM. It's been about a week and a half since I ordered them (cost at a 25% discount- $628)- can't wait for them to arrive! The perscription is different than my current one- and the coating on the current one is coming off so bad that they look permanently dirty. Hopefully- I'll be wearing the new ones soon.

I've now been a permanent resident in NZ for more than 2 years. This allowed me to apply for my indefinite returning residents visa- which would allow me to come and go as I please without any requirements to stay here for certain amounts of time each year. It'll be good to finally get that process completed. This visa application fee was $140. One of the cheaper parts of the process.

Monday, August 24, 2009

A strong majority vote that smacking should not be an offense

87.6% of NZ respondents voted no to the question "Should a smack as part of good parental correction be a criminal offense in New Zealand"in a recent citizen initiated referendum. Although the results are non binding, the government has indicated that although they don't intend to change the law, they are looking into an appropriate response to factor in people's opinions.

A few photos...






Peyto Lake, Horseshoe Lake, Takkakaw Falls

Friday, August 21, 2009

I'm back...

And my holiday was fab. I've already worked a whole week after getting back.

I felt like I had a few lucky moments on the trip:
1- We drove my brothers car from Saskatoon to Regina, then back to Mom and Dads, and then all the way to and through the Mountains. When we arrived at Vernon, it stalled once- but started up again and took us to Kelowna and drove us around there. When we went to go on a day trip- it stalled again- and didn't want to start- but we were only about 2 blocks from Canadian Tire at that time. If there was a good time for a car to break down- that would be it.
2- We wanted to do the Consolidation Lakes hike. We arrived and saw a sign that it was mandatory to hike in groups of 4 due to high grizzly activity. Moments later a really nice couple from Rochester, NY arrived looking for a pair to hike with. Good timing, and great nice people.
3- The 5 day forecast when we left for our camping trip was rain, rain, rain, rain, rain. All in all, it rained cats and dogs the first night but our tent didn't leak. We tended to get mostly only showers for the first few days- and it was usually a case of get in the car the showers started- get out they stopped. And then the sun came out! How stunning the mountains are in the sun when you can actually see them.

A brief overview of the camping trip- we stayed the first night at my brother's new home in Lloydmister, and then journeyed to Edmonton for half a day of shopping before proceeding past Hinton and into the park to pitch our tent before the rain & darkness hit. The next day we did a big walk up the Bald Hills which offered a great view of Maligne Lake. A deer and a bear were spotted on the drive. We stayed that night at Whistlers camp group near Jasper. We then did the Edith Cavell short walk, spotting a hoary marmot- and then we journeyed on to Athabasca falls and then my FAVOURITE spot in the mountains- Horseshoe Lake. That night we stayed at Waterfall Campground (my favourite that I've stayed at in the Rockies). The next day started in cloud- we visitied Peyto Lake but couldn't see the lake so instead we went to Bow Lake and did the walk up to the waterfall- by which time the cloud had lifted and we could return to Peyto and see the Lake. We also went to Stanley Falls before arriving at Lake Louise where we checked out the shopping. We also did the Consolation Lakes & Moraine Lake walks. We then proceeded to the Lake Louise tent site where we waited in line for an hour and were lucky enough to get the 2nd last tent site for the night. The next morning we did the strenuous Lake Agnes teahouse & then Big Beehive walk. What a view!! We then drove to Banff and checked out the town- and ate some tony romas for dinner. Yummy baked potato soup. Saturday we did a few easy walks around Banff- Tunnel Mountain & Stoney Squaw Lookout (although we got off the trail and took the more difficult one before backtracking!) Sunday we started our drive to BC after a short stop at another Banff waterfall. We then stopping at Yoho to see the cool ingenous train system (spiral tunnels) in the Kicking Horse pass. And we also stopped at the very magnificant Takkakaw Falls as well as Emerald Lake. We found some poutine to eat in Vernon and finally arrived at my sister in laws parents in Kelowna Sunday evening.

It was a good few days in Kelowna. We floated the channel in Penticton, I went for a horseback ride on my sis in laws horse, checked out the tressles, did one last shop, hung out with the family- and ate way too much!! Plus we played a lot Rockstar on xbox. I had fun on the drums, although a little tricky.

Friday my bro & sis in law dropped us at the airport in Vancouver for our big flight home- and we arrived back here on Sunday morning.

More photos of the trip to come...

Sunday, August 02, 2009

A Canada update











Departing from Nelson on an Air New Zealand flight via Auckland, we arrived in Vancouver mid afternoon on Sunday the 16th of July. My first task after clearing customs was strolling through and finding an A&W to order poutine. Ah, poutine. How I'd missed it. Then we located a shuttle to the other terminal, near where the float planes depart and strolled over to catch our float plane flight to Nainaimo- this was my first visit to the Island. We spent most of the next day wandering the waterfront and took a ferry to a small island to go on a nature walk. There we spotted a black tail deer in the bushes. The next day we took the bus to Victoria on a day trip. We spent hours in the museum- especially admiring the exhibit from the British Museum with lots of old stuff from various regions- including a mummy. We also wandered around to the Fishermans Wharf, and a bit through town. Victoria was beautiful... The next day we caught the ferry over to Vancouver, found the very cheap hostel that I'd booked, and then caught a bus to Stanley Park to visit the Aquarium. I'd always wanted to visit, thanks to the great old TV show, Danger Bay. It was interesting- perhaps not as great as I'd expected from my Danger Bay memories, but worth a visit nevertheless. Then our next stop was the Capilano suspension bridge and the treetop walk. I'd pass on that next time- it was overpriced. Then we took a bus to the seabus and headed back to town to find some supper- ending up at an italian/ greek place. Ah, I love greek!!! The hostel was HOT, HOT, HOT!!! I recommended them leaving fans in the rooms. Boy was it ever hot...

Up the next day we found a place serving perogies (I can't recall if it was hungarian or polish), and had that for breakfast. Man I never realized how many food places there are in Vancouver. I wonder how they all manage to survive. It was then time to catch the bus to the airport for our flight to Saskatoon where we visited with one of my old university friends. We then departed early the next morning for a flying visit through Regina, catching up with as many friends as we could squeeze into in such a short visit. It was great to see them all. Then back to Saskatoon on Sunday and home to mom and dads. Here it has been a quieter paced week visiting and catching up with family, going through heaps of my stuff, etc. We've seen a bit of wildlife including several deer, rabbits, gophers (of course), a bunny, and a squirrel. We spent several nights at the cabin. I went for a swim today- brrr the water was cold.

Tomorrow or Monday we'll start our journey by car back west. The agenda includes West Edmonton mall, and the Rockies and Kelowna before flying back to NZ on 14th of August.

This holiday is going WAY too fast...

A few more from the balcony shots... 3 different nights