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)

A wee update...

I got a letter in the mail today and it was addressed to "Kelly K. CA". It was from the NZ Cas. I'd completed the study requirements to be a reciprocal member, and now I am. Yay.

I'm also dangerously close to having a contract signed with work for permanent employment.

The days are getting longer, but definitely not noticeably so. I'm finding it a challenge to get outside in the dark for exercise. Soon- soon the sun will be back a bit earlier and later in the day.

Happy Canada day tomorrow- all you Canadians!

Of ice and hoar frost...

It's been cold here by Nelson standards. We're talking the coldest in 20 years, according to today's paper. There have been 8 and 9 degree frosts over the past few nights. Overnight air temp lows are forecast at about -1 for the next few nights and it even dipped to -2 recently. I'm still toasty warm in my nice apartment. At work, however, it is freezing unless we keep the heat pump on the go. I did manage to find some winter sweaters on sale on the weekend so I don't have to go to work and sit in my puffer jacket all day long.

I went for a walk on the weekend up the Aniseed Valley (near Nelson) and it was absolutely delightful. Hoar frost, big icicles on the creek, and frozen over mud puddles. It reminded me of spring in Saskatchewan when we'd jump on the ice and fall through- and then eventually get into the garden in rubber boots with hefty amounts of mud. Ah it was so very nice to walk in the "white" of the frosts. I so should have brought my camera. I'll have to try again another time and share some photo evidence of how very lovely it is to have a bit of frost without all the snow!!

There have been amazing sunsets in the last week or two. I'll try and post some photos next time I do a download. They've been SO stunning. It's hard to beat a beautiful sunset, but a beautiful sunset over water does it.

A new experience

I've had my first insurance claim in New Zealand. I went to drive my car Monday morning and noted a large crack down the windshield (or windscreen as they are known here). Most likely a stone chip caused crack- caused by changing weather conditions. I called my insurance company Monday night, their repair-er contacted me yesterday- and I dropped and picked up my car today- and I have a shiny new front window. A + for the ease of the insurance claims process.

There is going to be a referendum in New Zealand about smacking. The question is a loaded one (Should a smack as part of good parental correction be a crime in NZ- or something like that). - It is citizen initiated, but non binding, in response to public disapproval over the new anti smacking law introduced last year. The news just indicated it will cost $9M. And in response to the referendum there is now going to be a private members bill wanting to limit citizen initiated referendums.

Another new thing for me this week- I've just bought my first ever Big Wednesday ticket- I had to take a chance for the $25M possibility. Hopefully I'll be lucky. :) Ha.

Car history...

My flattie discovered this really cool car website in NZ. Here- read up on my car:
http://www.carjam.co.nz/car/?plate=DSG91&search=Check

All you need to do is enter the number plate.

I can see when my warrant expires, and how many kms between warrants.

Very cool... I don't think anything like this exists in Sask.

An email forward...

Mom sent me this link. Read on: http://www.bellsouthpwp.net/c/o/couchmt/cardofweek/today.html

A pretty good message- it's easy to get stuck in the detail and forget to step back and remember the big picture. Carpe diem.