How little ones brighten your day!

Well, I made some decisions this past week. I have dropped one of the university courses I was registered for - Intro to Financial Accounting. Found it overwhelming among other things. So right now, I have kept the Health Care Systems Part 1 for this semester. I think as I have never done university classes before, I am going to do one per semester so I don't get that overwhelming feeling again. I am making one more move before the FINAL move into my new home. When my lease is up March 31, 2006, I will be moving in with Amanda James and her family along with Andy and Char James in Chestermere until the house is ready. I expect it will be done by end of June, but it is basically day by day as everywhere people are facing shortages in supplies and labourpeople. The commute to Foothills Hospital will be about an extra 10 minutes of what I will be doing come June/July from the new home in Coventry Hills. So it will give me time to get use to the driving to work - been fortunate living within walking distance to the hospital for the past year. So all these changes plus I seem to get headaches when those lovely chinooks hit down so I actually called in sick this week and took it easy - slept mainly. Rest of that day - took it easy and actually started packing up some of my things that I don't need and took advantage of the other tenants on the floor being at work and did my laundry. I did feel better afterwards. Today at church I got lots of love from Sierra, Ocean and Ethan. When the Patersons arrived at church, Sierra wanted to sit on my lap, well then Ethan wiggled his way on my lap too. Then Ocean came over and snuggled with us (ran out of space on my lap of course). Char tells me later that Ocean told her that she wanted to go over and sit with Laura and Sierra. Well, doesn't that just make your day? It sure did make mine with all three wanting to snuggle. Thanks Sierra, Ocean and Ethan for making my day great!!!

Getting to know your car

Another sunny day here in Calgary - it has to be above zero too. Very nice - what a constrast compared to Thunder Bay. I had heard/seen on TV that it is important to maintain good air pressure in your car tires. It prevents the wires/rim from being damaged and eventually eroding, which would ruin your tire itself. Paul J, one of the Youth leaders at my church (I've know Paul and Dale way back at Dorion Bible Camp when I was a camper and a staff member), taught me this morning how to measure the tire pressure as well as filling the tires as well. He showed me on the outside tire the measurements I needed to remember on what level to maintain (the PSI - don't ask me what that stands for). Once the ground is a tad drier - he will show me how to change my tire (how to use the jack and all). He would show me how to change my oil too - but with the new car I have - I get 3 free oil changes per year for as long as I own the car - Thanks KIA! It is nice to know "people in the know" for certain things like cars and how to fix things around the house. I just thought it might be wise to educate myself more about cars being female and on my own - it will only benefit me in the end right?

One reason for a cellphone!

Tonight, my friend Marilyn and I went to go see the movie, "Memoirs of a Geisha". It is based on a book set in Japan around World War 2 and a few years before that. It was in a smaller theater and we didn't arrive earlier enough to sit in the main section of the theatre - ended up on the top row of the front section. Luckily, it was english speaking and not in subtitles. I didn't have to concentrate on the words and watching the film at the same time. I haven't read the book so I can not tell you if they followed it closely, but it was a good drama. Our excitment came after the movie. We were going to meet up at Tim's for tea on MacLeod Trail, just down from the theatre. I remembered it by Wendy's - well that "Tim's" is now called Kinjo Restaurant. I am now in a pickle - how do I get a hold of Marilyn to see where she is? Keeping it short - after leaving messages on each other's voice mail - we finally connected back at her place. I had ended sitting in my car in front of her house for like 25 minutes praying that she would come home soon safe and sound. I wonder if any neighbours were wondering what I was doing. Well, two people could not be happier to see each other - gave each other a huge hug in her driveway making sure we were really and in one piece. Marilyn and I went into the house and had our tea. As we told each side of the story of trying to meet and have coffee at Tim's - we had plenty of laughs. Thank goodness we can laugh about - I am sure we gave each other heart failure worrying about our safety. What is that saying (modified) - Your not in Thunder Bay anyone! Calgary is expansive and getting more so by each waking moment - it is time to get with the times and get a cellphone. It is a good idea esp for day trips to the mountains or drives to Three Hills or times where I am alone driving and something happens. Have a good weekend everybody! (ps. Haven't taken any recent photos so that is why it is more journalling than photos lately).

You are now all up to date!!

Well that is all the photos from my trip to Europe last Spring. I hope you enjoyed them. Despite my first day of the tour pickpocketing incident it was a good trip. My only challenge was being the oldest one on the tour by some 5-10 years. So I remembered from my last Contiki tour to bring tour guide books from Chapters before I left. What a Godsend that was! It was perfect and with those hop-on/hop-off tours I was able to see alot of sights in a short amount of time. Contiki tours are semi-structured allowing free time to just explore so it is a great balance for us single travellers. It is now normal bus tours in the future as I reached that famous 35 year mark making me too old for Contiki tours. Finding that bus tours are realizing there are solo travellers out there and are accommodating to us. It is nice to see. If I had to make any recommendations from this tour - definitely add Southern France/French & Italian Riveira to your list of places to see. It is absolutely beautiful and totally worth it. This was one of my last big trips for a while, as I bought my first house of course. Not to say this will stop my future travelling about, but it will spread them out. One of the next places I would like to go is Moscow, where I now have friends living there. I am halfway there with my Visa points to fly there free (excluding the cost of airport and gas taxes of course). I have wanted to go to Moscow since my dad came back in 1974 (that would make me 4 at that time) from an education exchange conference he went on. I still have the two russian dolls he gave me with their customary clothes, along with my sister's doll too. That was the beginning of my doll collecting years. His recent visit to St. Petersberg in 2004, he gave me the wooden doll that fit multiple dolls within, with a ballerina doing a scene from Famous Swan Lake ballet on the outer side of the doll. Happy Travelling far or near to all my family and friends!!

I thought your birthday was in September?

Here is a photo of our group with our maitre. He was wondering what we were doing. Lindsay said we were celebrating my birthday. And what did our maitre do - gave us all a glass of champagne!!!! How cool was that? He had put me in the spot though asking me what zodiac sign I was. Played dumb saying I don't know the zodiac signs. He seemed fine by that answer. Nice guy too as he literally gave his shirt off his back - as Kristen was cold (she's wearing his swat shirt!) - she did give it back when we left the restaurant. 

Last night in Rome

Here we are in our last night in Rome. Tabitha, Fatima, myself, Lindsay and Kristen enjoying our last meal in Rome before going our separate ways. It was a fun evening - plenty of laughs for sure. 

A Bistro in Rome

After another hot day in Rome, it was great getting under some shade for lunch. A group of us found this little bistro near the Coliseum. Here is Tabitha and me enjoying the coolness. 

The Palatine Hill

 

Arch of Titus

This way one of the passageways commemmorating Emperor Titus' conquest of Judea in the Jewish wars in Jerusalem. 

The Colisum Ruins

It was our last day in Rome (we basically had one day to explore before leaving for Canada the next day), so we were running out of Euros, so we didn't actually go inside the Coliseum - but here is a view of it from the outside. 

Pope Benedict

We were fortunate enough to be in the Vatican on one of those Wednesday mornings to see Pope Benedict - well sort of courtesy of these large screens. Though I am not catholic, it was amazing to be a part of this experience with others who have travelled great distances for a moment like this. 

Basilica Di San Pietro

The famous St. Peter's Basilica of Rome, where people had gathered months earlier to say goodbye to one of the most well-loved popes - Pope John Paul, the Second. They have seen chosen a new pope - Pope Benedict. On Wednesday mornings at 10am, Pope Benedict speaks to his people (and tourists) in the Basilica. 

Vatican Museum

With the throwaway cameras, the photos that I was able to take, did not turn out here at the Vatican Museum. The one thing you will notice when you travel Europe is the pride they have in their history. There is a room in this museum where no pictures are allowed due to the delicateness of the art work - depicting Jesus' life. It is also quite sacred - so when I was in this room - you heard people hushing others so there would be silence, so you could appreciate what is around you in the room. 

Looking up the Spanish Stairs

Jesse, Pepe and me front of the Spanish Stairs. The building at the top of the stairs is called Keats-Shelley Memorial Muesum named after John Keats (the site of his death in 1821). We were even sang too while we were there but a group of visiting school teenagers. 

The gals on The Spanish Steps

Here is a group of our gals at the bottom of the Spanish Steps found in Rome's Piazza Di Spagna. 

Tower of Remembrance

In Rome, I found there are plenty of statues to see. This one I found on our walks - each row depicts a war that had occurred. Once again - in awe of the amazing detail made. 

Karoke Cheering Squad

Here is our table front and centre of the Karoke stage to cheer on our tour mates. 

More Singing!!!

Laura, Lisa and Carla having some fun belting out one of their songs. 

The Singing Trio

Here are three of our gals singing out their hearts. Must say we had some great vocals from our tour. Way to go gals, show us how it is done! 

Karoke in Florence

On our last night in Florence we all went to a Karoke bar - along with 3 other Contiki tours. Our gang was great in participation - me I was in the cheering squad - I am a terrible singer - so off key. Our tour manager, Emanuela was the only manager to join their tour for a night of fun. How cool is that? She is a good singer too. 

Leaning Tower of Pisa

The famous Leaning Tower of Pisa - the tilt came when the soil beneath it suddenly shifted. June 2001 and for many years after that, a re-stablization occurred to ensure the building was safe for visitors. It just recently opened to the public. Only 30 visitors at a time can ascend the 294 steps every 30 minutes to ensure this landmark remains open for us to enjoy in years to come. 

Pisa

On a quick stop in Pisa first thing in the morning on our way to Rome, our final destination. 

The L's from Canada

Here are the Canadian gals - Laura, Laura, Lisa. Lisa was my roommate throughout the tour. 

The Newlyweds

Here I am with Farrah and Nazaree from Singapore. This was their honeymoon, just being wed 3 weeks previous. At our last dinner together in Florence, we joined three other Contiki tours and they had all the newlywed couples and another couple from our tour who found out before coming that they were expecting their first child, to come for "their first dance". They were all very graceful. 

Palazzo Vecchio

The statues in from the Palazzo Vecchio - left is one of King Neptune and the middle one is a copy of the Statue of David (Michelangelo's famous statue). As you can see a popular meeting place. Just to the right of this building is the famous museum call The Uffizi - house of some of the finest art collections in the world. The day I was there - the queue was over 4 hours long. Best advice - get there when it opens (8am) so you won't have the wait. I am told it will take you a few hours to explore the collections - just in time for lunch in a local bistro. 

Ponte Vecchio

Florence's oldest bridge is daily full of bustling tourists and locals visiting the various jewelry stores lined within the bridge 

View of Florence

Another stop on my hop-on/off city tours. Here I am standing at Piazzale Michaelangelo with a great view of the city behind me. Behind me is the oldest bridge in Florence - Ponte Vecchio. 

Cattedrale di Santa Maria Del Fiore

Also called The Duomo found in Piazza del Duomo, Florence. It is something to see in person. It still amazes me how these structures stand the test of time (built in 1418) and the unique detail knowing they did not have the tools of today when it was built. Awesome craftmanship indeed. 

Tuscany region

A little taste of Tuscany for you. Lines full of Vineyards growing their crop. I am told that they did some filming of the movie, Under The Tuscany Sun starring Diane Lane around here.