dreaming over the ocean

First of all, I just want to give credit for the other people who have taken these photos... Sean (with his fantastic new camera), and Kirsten (with her Iphone).  If I didn't have these two, I wouldn't have the chronicles. I am supposed to be writing my final paper for school right now, and instead, I am sitting in a French Quarter Coffee shop just replaying and replaying my weekend in my head. I can't believe it is already a week after I have raced NOLA 70.3 (well... 2.1+52+13.1=67.2)... the time has just flown buy.  And, most of that time, I have no idea what I was doing.  I remember monday, when Kirsten brought us around NOLA looking at Banksy's and blighted properties  and graveyards , and having yummy breakfasts.  And, during breakfast, my beloved said something to the effect of "Are you going to phone air canada, and change that ticket?  I mean... its an opportunity not to be missed." but, really, it was this past weekend that just rocked my w...

So... what can I say?!  I guess to start off, again, with the fact that I love this city. I love love love it.  it is so good to me.  It's so good to me, that I made a last minute decision, and skipped my flight today, and re-booked for next wednesday.  That is so that I can spend another 9 days, with an emphasis on taking in The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. because right now, I am crying a little, because life is so hard ;) anyway, back to the race. You may (or may not, because only people in the tri world, care about such things) know that NOLA 70.3 was changed into a duathlon this year.  For the second year in a row, actually.  It was changed, for the same reasons:  winds out of the north were causing Lake Ponchatrain to be un-safe for swimmers.  Honestly, I think that a lot of people are "not surprised."  That being said... there one of the biggest things that a race director cannot do, is change the weather.  The d...

Wednesday was crazy.  I had a paper due, i had to pick up stuff at a shop in montreal, I had to give school books to a friend, I had to pick up revisions for my thesis    clinical project manuscript, and I had to be out for the bus to the airport by 3:00pm. and, to tell you the truth, it was (what I think) is the closest I have ever come to having a panic attack.  no joke.  my heart was racing, there was one point that i was so "paralyzed" that I couldn't even write my references, despite know that was the only thing left on my ethics paper. but i made it. and, wow.  Here I am, once again, in the Big Easy. And, I have already seen Tim Robbins in a cocktail bar I was having a drink in.  and Mirinda Carfrae in a Q&A session for ironman.  and people in the street playing jazz.  Are you kidding me?  This place is awesome. I am so excited to be back in this city, where I did my first 1/2 Ironman ever  back in 2009...

every year and a half, or so, I come out with a music compilation CD.  They started because i friend of mine, Zach Mauss, used to give them as gifts to all his friends when we were in college.  I just LOVED getting the CD's, and I knew that any time I got a CD mix from a friend (including the music complilation Queen, Megan Orsini , who once sent me 6 CDs at once), I tend to love.love.love them. Since tonight I had a dinner at a cute little Mile End Pizzeria , where I ate WAY too much, with some of my closest "montreal people," I figured that it was a good time to put together another mix.   Amo's Hot Shots 3.0 has hit the shelves!!!   You can see playlists for Hot Shots 1 & 2 here .  Hot Shots 2.5 had a very limited distribution in December 2009, but, a fantastic play list as well.  And, since I didn't list them ever on my blog, here are the play lists for Amo's Hot Shots 2.5 and 3.0. 3.0 has a complilation of mostly Canadian music from 2...

There, being where?!?!!? there being New Orleans .  There being back home in Vancouver .  There being done my assignments .  Done being job searching.   There are so many things going on right now!  so, i am going to hit a few points: triathlon, Malawi, and school.   Triathlon:  It's kinda amazing, because the fact that I am doing a 70.3 in 8 days has kinda snuck up on me.  I know that I haven't talked much about triathlon this spring, because... well... sometimes I wonder how interesting it is to people?!?!?  I do  think that there is so much more in this world (and, consequently, in my life) worth talking about.  Not that it isn't interesting... but, it's narrow.  And, I wish that this blog can reach a large group of readers.  Not just people who do triathlon. that being said.... I am SUPER excited about this race.  Mostly, because I feel spot on.  Now, I have no data to back that up.  Not really...

was quiet for me this year.  No family around, which is something I normally like.  but, it was beautiful. I think easter is my favourite holiday of the year, and Maundy Thursday is my favourite day in the church calendar. so, I began easter celebrations on thursday with a dinner at St Stephen's, then I went to swim, and then I made my way at 11pm to go and pray for an hour at St John's the Evangelist (the Montreal Anglo-Catholic Church). Friday included a lot of paper writing, and Tenebrae at St John's again, with my friend Annie.  We then went to Benelux (and met my friend Leanna, who handing in her Master's Research project that day!!!)  where I had a 12-Beer sampler.  Which, was probably too much beer, but it was delicious.   Saturday included brunch with nursing friends, a long bike ride (100km!!!), and more paper writing.   Sunday included Sunday service at St Stephen's, post-service lunch, thanksgiving for the Presiden...

Last week, i had the chance to head down to the states, with the excuse of presenting at an education conference at NYU.  I have previously talked about my excitement in presenting in my very first international conference.  And, there were good things, and bad things about the whole thing.  but, overall, it was a very positive experience. I felt like my presentation went really well.  not to mention, the building that the majority of the conference was in, had this view. so.  not too shabby.  I was pretty excited about being able to be at an education conference... because, well, I believe in the clear link between health care and education.  And, clearly, educators must as well.  right? RIGHT?!!? Well, apparently, not.  I got to present to the other panel presenters (um, everyone was from McGill on my panel?), and all of 3 other people (including the discussant).  Bonuses of this:  small group=limited stress, increased conve...