dreaming over the ocean

Its now Boxing Day, an Christmas has come and gone, just like that.  I have had a lovely couple days with Sean's family, a great Christmas Eve mass, and fun Christmas party with our neighbours last night.  All the things thy Christmas should have: family, god, food, friends, love, walking and relaxing.  Not necessarily in that order. I have sent our Christmas cards and newsletter early this year (shocking) and now it is time to have a solid six days of off work time.  I present to you our Christmas card and newsletter, for all of you out there in blogger land.  I appreciate you all, and please keep in touch!

Oh boy, this time of year is a bit of a struggle... I have been wishing and waiting for holidays (err.... 5 more work days until a week off?!), and everyday seems a little bit behind. Today, I was to pick up a package from FedEx.  Because they only deliver during the day, I had to get it from the depot.  I also needed to drop something off to be shipped (My wedding band lost a stone.  Boo...).  I was super disapointed to find out that I was going to pay another 20$ on the package to pick up: the GST/PST (fine, ok, I forgot about those) and an unknown 10$ processing type fee.  Isn't that what I paid shipping for?  ARGH!  but, is the time and mental strain of arguing with customer service worth the 10$ potential refund?  I dunno. Last week was my first "all green week" in training peaks.  Essentially, what that means is that I did every workout, when I should be doing it, and for the right amount of time.  This is the first time this y...

Its been a while since I have posted.  It has also been a great month, with lots on the plate of things to do. I have finally started getting back to exercising on a pretty regular basis and anticipating the next year of training for Challenge Penticton in August.  It has included talking and seeing and loving puppies, in the anticipating of our family growing in the new year with a new little munchkin.  It has included going walking in the woods for a lovely spruce tree in anticipation of our first christmas as a family.  It has included the initiation of a small group in our home every 2 weeks, in anticipation of growing community among the "Gen X's and Y's" at St James Anglican church.  It has included a christmas party or two. It also includes a contest...  Our fabulous wedding photographers have an "I like it the most" contest;  we aren't in first place, but on a good go for second... maybe we can do a last push to first!!!  Please go ...

HURRAH!  IT IS 2012! I celebrated the new year by taking a ferry on New Year's eve, from Victoria to Vancouver (i know, amazing, right?  but... it was only 5% full, which is shocking...).  I have been in Van-city since then, and will be returning to montreal on Friday.   Coming back to canada has been better than I thought it would go.  Only about 2 break-down-and-cry moments.  I think, that the reason why it has been easier than planned is that I have been able to spend time with my beloved, and also his family~  his parents live part time in Laos, which makes talking about international-work & living & differences in cultural aspects very easy.  nice to transition with.  also, it has been filled with fun things.  Like going to the Kinsol Trestle.    and going on my first bike ride since august 20th (um... can we say sore butt and legs and back and hands?).  and drinking good coffee and ...

I know that it has been FOREVER since I have posted... I apologize. there is not much excuse, other than the fact that the last few weeks in Malawi were busy.  I wanted to drink it in, and enjoy my time.  The final week was spent in an escape~ a place that I could just reflect on the four months, and slowly re-integrate into environments with more white people.   (seriously.  it takes a bit to get used to us again.)   but, during that last week, my computer also started acting a little fishy.  Glad it happened at that point, and not 1/2 way through my time there. I arrived back in Canada last thursday (the 22nd).  It has been nice to be home (despite not being 'home'), and spend christmas in Victoria with my new "family to be."  For the last 10 years or so, they (my beloved's parents) have spent much time working in South East Asia... so, they know what it is like to come back to North America.  To transition back into life here...

there is something about having people you love, meet people that you love. Christmas was amazing, and relaxing, and so lovely. Santa brought me running stuff, and lots of chocolate, and a hand died scarf from Laos. Christmas has brought me laughs and good people and good food. it has brought me a time that i am very happy to be having. and, yesterday, the holiday brought me back to Whistler-Blackcomb to use up my last day on my "Edge card." I am quite sad that I am not able to be riding more out here, but alas, Quebec calls. And, i can't ride Whistler, if I live in QC. but, I *can* use my card for a discount at tremblant, which is nice. Today was so different than my two days of riding prior to christmas. There has been so much snow in the last few days (200+ cm), and it is those days between christmas and new years where everyone and their grandma decide to come up and ski. The lines going up the gondola were insanity. On whistler it was quite awful, and if it...

And yesterday I didn't write thrive thursday, but, I have been thinking about it. So, Here it goes. But, first, hit the play button on the video to have a christmas song playing while you read! This is a on going series that is posted on thursday's, to answer the question: "What helps you to thrive in your environment?" The series is written by myself, and a variety of guest Contributors. This week, I want to comment on Christmas. Christmas to me has been a time of year which is generally not very consistent. the only consistency is that I know that I am able to spend time with people that I love. and, to me, that is one of the most important things about this time of year. spending it with people you love. so, let me reflect back on the christmases past: 2010: Victoria with the Birch Family. 2009: Missisauga with the Patterson Family 2008: Road Trip with Anya to Georgia and Florida. 2007: Whistler with Christina, Zach, and Ben 2006: Down to Tacoma with my Dad....

so, i wish i had a few photos to post from the last two days, because it was fab. as soon as I get my friend to send them my way, you will see the delight. one of the great things about vancouver is the proximity to the mountains. And really, to me, that is one of the best things about the city... it is just so dang easy to take off to the mountains, for a snowshoe, a snowboard, or just a little hike hike. and, as you know from the large sporting event that recently took place in the city, last feburary, the other close attraction is Whistler-Blackcomb. You may remember that a few years ago, I spent christmas up there with some of the people I love the most in this world. it may actually might have been the best christmas I have ever had. Now, I have not been able to spend much time snowboarding at whistler in my life, just because it is expensive. but, I LOVE snowboarding. so, friday morning, I hopped on the greyhound and got myself up to the mountain. It was a bright clear, ...

so, in anticipation of my return to Vancouver, i was ridiculously excited to get on my bike, run on the seawall, get back to my regular exercise routine. The month of december was a little ridiculous in some aspects. mostly food. i felt like i went backwards from all the gains i made in nutrition in the fall. and, my holiday in Florida lead to a lot of lying on the beach, and walking around bare feet, and not doing much working out. and, im not beating myself up about it, but i was ready to get back to normal eating and training. upon my return to vancouver, i realized that "normal" is not going to be quite normal. far be it for me to be pessimistic about snow, 'cause i love snow, i am quite dismayed about the amount of it currently in Vancouver. I am not sure it has stopped snowing since I left, back on the 20th. we are talking, like, 2 feet of snow lying on peoples front yard. the streets? well, the side roads have grooves where a few brave cars can get through, and hav...

so, on saturday night, i went to our christmas party for work. try putting fitness professionals into high heels, on a boat through false creek, wearing dresses. add snow and wine and too much food. this is what you get. me and my roommate, erika. the mandatory by the christmas wreath photo! me and hot mama, joanna, and her baby in her belly.... The girls from the front desk, and their favourite trainer! This was the first time that carolyn (in the middle) has ever seen snow. she is from Perth. and, i made her walk outside in tiny little heels. can't forget riding african style with too many people in a car! joanna drove. we made the pregnant lady drive in the snow. safety first ;) and, two photos from being up all night long in seattle, with Sam and Gretchen. I was pretty stoked to see them, and am more impressed that after only getting about 5 hours sleep in the 48 hrs previous to this, we do not look so bad! friends, let's do that again sometime :)

so, reasons i am happy today: t here is snow on the north shore mountains. finally!!!! a client gave me 10 pounds of frozen blueberries. i have a fancy boat party tonight, courtesy of body and soul. and, i have a smokin' hot dress. there are so many people out there right now driving around with christmas trees on the tops of their cars. I almost bought one today, and biked with it attached to my backpack. but, i wasn't sure that would be safe. i got amazing christmas cards in the mail yesterday to send out to friends. Petara Panabaker has amazing art. i highly suggest you order some. i got, from my aunt, a recipe for my granny's shortbread cookies. I don't think that i have had some of those since before she died, about 5 years ago. they are amazing!!! :) 1 pound butter 1/2 cup white suger (berry sugar is you have it), 1/2 cup brown sugar, well packed 4 cups of flour pinch of salt roll out, cut, cook 20 minutes @ 300 degrees F.

for visiting friends. apparently. This month of december, I have more days that i have friends from out of town, who are in town, than days that I do not have. the thing that give me great joy about this is that i find it amazing when you do have to see someone frequently, to still be close to them. For instance, Kevin, I had not seen for over 2 years. yet, he is still among my best guy friends. My friend Terry left on tuesday night, after being here for 8 days. This was amazing. becasue, i have maybe, *maybe* seen him 5 times in the last 5 years. Terry Lui is an individual who was a really close friend of mine in grade 12, and for a number of reasons, we weren't really in touch. and, it is really neat to be able to re-connect with someone that you know, but haven't really known. for instance, i knew general things about him, like, what he was doing in school, that he likes cars, and listens to alternative rock; but now i know what his favourite snack is, and that his boots lea...