One night at the Opera...

I promised KT a blog-worthy evening - and I think I succeeded! But - before I get too far ahead of myself, let's get us all on the same page...

A couple of weeks ago, I went to a fundraiser with my new Winnipeg friend AA. There was a silent auction and a live auction at the event, and a couple of silent auction items caught my eye. All of which, are items on my "Winter list": indoor, fun stuff to do this winter. Tickets to a hockey game, tickets to the theatre, and tickets to the Opera! So, I bid on each of these items, but only continued to bid on the Opera. And I "won"! The Opera tickets also come along with a night's stay at a really old (turn of century old) hotel downtown. So, I got a pretty good deal on the package.

I had invited a colleague at work to come along - she and I both have music backgrounds and we keep meaning to spend more time together - but she was unable to join me. I checked in with KT - and she was all for it! So, we made our plan and looked forward to our night at the opera!

However, there was some dramatic tension brewing... I'd made the arrangements for the tickets... but they being mailed to me... and I hadn't received them yet... It was with great anticipation that I checked my mailbox when I arrived home from work this evening (remind me to post about how freaking cold it is here!!!) - and found NOTHING! I had already sent a "just in case I don't get my tickets" email to the woman I arranged them through - but I didn't hear anything back! And then I called her at home... but she was going to be out all evening... I was hoping that meant she'd be at the Opera... Called those phone numbers... nothing. (She's going to get like 6 different messages from me tomorrow...)

KT arrived and I told her about the drama on the way... I figured we may as well go and see what happens.

The story within the story... more than 3 years ago in London, I bought a dress. A pretty, lacey dress that caught my eye (I believe I was shopping with LYo at Lolita that day). I could almost get it done up... but bought it anyway because it was so pretty and one-of-a-kind. Over the years, I haven't had a suitable occasion - that also matched with when the dress fit me... Until today... (dun, dun, dun...)

So, KT and I are in the front of the theatre in the line for the box office, when I notice a group of what looks like Opera employees. So, with little push from KT, I go over and ask if the woman I was dealing with was there...and was promptly introduced to her. I told her the situation, and in two seconds she remedied it for me! She gave me two tickets off this table that were saved for someone else - according to our ticket stubs... Steve Ashton... We quickly took our seats - which were well located in the Orchestra level just past 1/2 way back. (When my original tickets finally arrive, I'll have to check to see if I ended up with better tickets tonight...)



The Opera we were going to see: Tosca by G. Puccini. I had done my research so I could get acquainted with the plot, and be able to sum it up for KT in less than 2 mins (she already told me she wouldn't have time to do the background research). So, for those of you unfamiliar with the story: Italy, 1800 - Napoleon is trying to take it over, there's political unrest. This guy (part of the political unrest) is taking fugitive in a church, where the lead guy - Mario Cavaradossi - is painting a portrait of Mary Magdalene (based on the likeness of the fugitive's sister... it's a small world). So, Mario helps the guy out and takes him to his villa, keeping this all a secret from his lover, Floria Tosca, because she can't keep a secret. The Chief of Police, Scarpia, suspects that Mario is hiding the fugitive and decides to make Tosca jealous so she'll lead his spies right to Mario... which she does...and learns about the fugitive. Mario is taken into custody, fugitive is missing. Scarpia, who is a really bad guy, first tortures Mario for info, with Tosca being in earshot of Mario's painful cries, and tells Tosca to reveal the location of the fugitive...which she does... And then Scarpia tells Tosca that if she'll have to have sex with him (I believe it was phrased - give her lust to him), he'll let them go both go free. He threatens her and tells her to agree...which she does... He tells her that to protect his reputation he'll have to stage a mock execution, but once the guards are convinced he's dead, they can leave together. Tosca, being a smart cookie, asks for her freedom in writing. As Scarpia's writing this up, she finds a knife... He comes over to her and starts making advances - and she stabs him. He dies. Then, she goes to Mario in jail... tells him he's got to be convincing so they can be together... but Scarpia had told his men to go through with the real execution, not the fake one... And when Tosca sees that her lover is dead...and knows that she's soon to be arrested for killing the chief of police...she plunges off the building to her death. The end.

The sets were fabulous! And the singers were all very good! We really enjoyed Tosca and Mario. Didn't really enjoy the Chief of Police... his voice wasn't as bright as Mario's.



It made me want to go home and sing opera... but that's the thing - how do you just start singing along to opera?? It's so much easier to pick up musicals... So, I'm going to add "sing more opera" to my "Winter List".

Centennial Concert Hall - the venue for tonight's performance - was really big. It has a really great and interesting lobby! I loved that the centre was open, and that the areas for you to walk and mingle alternated on each floor - close to the theatre...close to the street... And - it featured some GREAT chandeliers!



All in all - great night was had by all - except for maybe Steve Ashton... This was an excellent kick-off of my "winter list!" Thanks for being such a great opera date KT!!

Cold cold snow

This morning I woke to LOTS of softly falling snow. It's steady, gentle and slow. Quite pretty. And every now and then the wind blows and it's CRAZY white!



It made me think of my younger brother's song "Cold Cold Snow" that he wrote several years ago. It's a favourite winter song of mine. There are some great lyrics in there...

Gently falling
Oh you're calling
Me to come and play
How can I say no to that snow
And ivory world that waits

Green, you can bury the (distracting) green
I don't need it
You can blanket it beneath you

Cold cold snowing
Better when you're blowing
I love you more than the rain
Drowned this place in cold embraces
I have no need for roads

~ PMBT

I've listened to it on repeat this morning more than ten times already...

Here are some shots of the snow so far... It started snowing Thursday, late afternoon, and it snowed constantly until late Friday afternoon! Quite the first snowfall! Yesterday, I don't think there was any snow that fell - it was sunny in the morning and then cloudy for the rest of the day. It was a great chance for everyone to get caught up on clearing their snow... or hopefully they did before waking up to more this morning! The superintendent of the building across the street has already cleared his walkways before 9 am. Shame that he'll have to do it again by noon... Oh winter, you think you're so funny...

This first shot is from my walk to work Friday morning - I took it with my mittens on!


And here's an artistic shot that I did mostly with my dad in mind... My camera had difficulty focusing in on the snow while seeing the Legislature in the back...but it still looks neat. I think.

Remembrance Day

Today is one of the most important days of the year to me.

Both of my parents are Dutch, and all of my ancestors are Dutch. So, the involvement of the Canadian Armed Forces in liberating the Netherlands in World War II is something for which my ENTIRE family is very thankful. Where would I be today...if they hadn't succeeded? Where would any of us be?

Today recognizes that one act and all of our acts towards peace - and the sacrifices made getting there.

When I was in London, I went every year to the cenotaph at the corner of Victoria Park. The first year I went, I was brought there by my aunt and uncle. It was great to share that with them. And, it was really great to tell them how much I value and honour Remembrance Day each year, when they had assumed I wouldn't have noticed or cared since I'm of a totally different era and I don't have the same memories or know all the stories that they do of those around them - parents, aunts, uncles, friends. It felt good to let them know the respect for Canadian Armed Forces has been passed down.

Last year, I got to share the ceremony with my sister. That was really sweet too. She has always had this fascination for World War II Jewish internment stories - it started with Anne Frank in high school, and she still has a keen interest when it comes to books or movies on the topic. So, it has an extra layer of interest for her - to remember all these people she has read about, mixed with our family connection.

This year, I did my research, asked some people for their favourite service and I planned on attending the "Winnipeg" service at the Convention Centre (there were several across the city for different troops, wars, etc). However, at the last minute I decided to attend the outdoor ceremony at the Legislature. This had been listed as a gun salute ceremony. And just in case you're planning on attending in the future - it really is *just* a gun salute.

I'm not going to lie, I was disappointed. I like the pomp and circumstance: the prayers, the songs, the veterans, the laying of wreaths... This was an "experience" though. And one that will stay with me.

They had three stationary, large shell guns lined up on the East side of the Legislature (between the Golden Boy and work, but not directed at work...). And, after walking around issuing several warnings about how loud it would be, they fired the first gun.

The gust of air from the firing moved my pants. The sound was HUGE. And it shook all of us. Everyone moved. Even those operating the machinery.

It was incredible to stand about 8 feet back from this gun and feel such a strong effect - and then to imagine it being amplified by several guns going off at the same time, or right after each other - and with the added fear of retaliation/attack. You can't read that sound in a book. You can't even imagine that sound in a conversation. You could see it in a movie - but it's not going to make your pants move.





After the guns had been fired 21 times, it was over. There hadn't been an announcement for silence at the start, nor was there a prayer or a moment of thanksgiving at the end. Just guns.

I took my time afterwards walking around a World War I monument that I see every morning, and then walking down Memorial Ave to stop and say thank you at each of the statues that have been erected - for the women, for the pilots and flight staff, for the peacekeepers, for World War II and Korea.





It was cold, and my feet were freezing, but the choice was mine.

Thank you for the freedom.

And thank you Manitoba for keeping Remembrance Day a holiday. I spent it wisely.

Reading...

Do you ever forget like you've forgotten how to read? Ok, not literally...

I seem to have forgotten how to read as a pastime. Since moving here, I have barely read. I have finished one short story - Metamorphosis by Kafka - and maybe four chapters of The Book of Negroes.

To help my pending illiteracy...I've set out a plan...

1. Get a library card
2. Set aside specific times to read - until it becomes a habit again

And I'm happy to report - I got my library card today!! I didn't get any books out...yet. But I've started a list. I still need to finish some of the dozen or so of unread books I have here first.

So, I guess I better read tomorrow!

While at the library - I needed change for laundry - so I stopped at the cafe there. And - they had a square there that my family has made for decades!!


It was good! Not exactly like my mom or my aunt H makes - but good! The interesting part is - they use honey in the base. It was really curious - and tasty.

For those of you who haven't had the opportunity to try one of these Oh Henry squares - they have an oat bar base with a chocolate/peanut butter topping.

Nice to have a bite of nostalgia - cross off a goal, and spend part of the afternoon roaming around downtown just for fun.

Sick

I'm getting over a cold. It's been a rough couple of days.

There are two reasons why I don't want to be single anymore - so that I don't have to go through a cold or a sunburn alone again. Well, the sunburn thing... that could also just read sunscreen application too... I know, some spouses suck when one is sick... they don't really do nursing bit well... But... I'm a good teacher. And, I can do a lot of things on my own - it's just that I'm a one-man-army... so, when I'm down, the whole company stops... The garbage...the groceries...the litter...the laundry... And to try to get caught up - while you're just getting your energy back... S.U.C.K.S.

However, there were some great things accomplished during this "wellness leave" -

- got to watch The Rookie and The Blind Side back-to-back
- made a GREAT pot of chicken soup
- took myself out for brunch this morning
- tried "green grape-eucalyptus" and "kiwi-green apple" Halls - both were really good!
- still managed to go to the movies on Friday with my new friend, AA, we saw "The Social Network" - all about the birth of Facebook - and the lawsuits that ensued.

The Social Network was good. Interesting. Although it was a tad long... the dialogue was great. I was all ready tipped off by MR about this being great. I just didn't know until the starting credits that it was all courtesy of Aaron Sorkin. Once I saw his name, it all made sense. Makes me want to re-watch The West Wing. That was a terrific show with fabulous - and fast - dialogue. I bet one of those scripts would equal an entire season of Desperate Housewives.

I just can't get past how much Facebook has become a part of my daily life. It's such a great place to connect and keep connected. I am still in awe of how well the idea was captured and executed. No wonder it's worth $25 billion...

The stand-up

So, as part of Operation Hibernation, I have been going on some dates. The first date - there just wasn't any chemistry...sizzle...interest... The second date... Stood me up.

Yes, I am surprised that I was stood up... and that someone wouldn't keep our date.

More than that - I am thankful. I love it when I'm protected from even meeting the people I shouldn't.

Last weekend, a new friend of mine went on a date and it went well. She was willing to see him again. That was...until she did a quick Google search on him. It was disastrous. There was a page of news links (all very credible sources) about a court case he was in. I won't put details in here, but even to be accused of a crime against multiple people (and in this case - children) - it's hard for me to take a not guilty verdict at it's word. So, there are definitely people I'd rather be protected from even meeting. I realize that Bachelor #2 was probably not as criminally tainted as this guy - but even if nothing was to come of it - I'd rather have my afternoon back so I can spend it how I wish!

This afternoon - I'm going to continue the apartment overhaul I started this morning, workout and go grocery shopping. All the while - enjoying the sunshine that's pouring through the windows!

It's making out to be a great Thanksgiving. A different Thanksgiving than usual - but a great one.

Personal challenge

I am in the midst of a big personal challenge.

In my office, the last birthday brings in treats for the next birthday (very kindergarten, really...) So, I had a co-worker bring in veggies for my birthday, because that's what I wanted... And Heather, who's birthday is on Saturday, has requested something good with chocolate...

(Besides the fact I have cut tons of things out of my diet - sugar, salt, dairy, wheat - I gave myself an additional challenge of not having any pizza or chocolate those rare times I do eat "off plan")

So, I decided to make one of my favourite recipes - "So you are the last one left to get married and have a baby Smores" from The Happy Baker. (I have made three recipes from this book and they were all fabulous). It's basically a graham cracker crumb base, melted marshmallow, chocolate chips, regular marshmallows, and a little extra graham cracker mix pushed down on top. This all gets baked together - and the marshmallows get all toasty and it's delicious!

So, this is what I made today! These are the first ingredients that are "off plan" that I've had in my kitchen! Crazy.

I'm proud of myself for keeping my kitchen "clean" for six months - and for not eating one of these squares I've baked! Now, I just need to put them away until Friday...

Everyday hero

(My apologies to KT - she's been waiting for a post - and I am posting a story she's already heard...go back to bonding with your parents!)

I finally made it to my first blood donor clinic at work since I started there (6 months ago already!?!?!). Now, I don't know if you donate - but if you can - do it. I have been donating for years, and this past January when my best friend needed three blood transfusions during childbirth - I was SOOO happy I was contributing to the blood bank - and so was she. She even mentioned it when I spoke to her the next day - "I saw the blood hanging there and hoped it was yours!" How much sweeter can one get when talking about blood??

Anyway, being a frequent donor, I know the drills quite well. I even knew what to say to my old Canadian Blood Services staff to remind them about my "special" qualities... I'm no ordinary woman...

A funny thing though this time - a few nights before, I was at a comedy club, and the comedian made almost the same joke I make when you're filling in the questionnaire with the nurse... you say "no" to so many things, it makes you feel like you haven't tried anything! Anyway... I warned the nurse that I have a low resting heart rate. And she just did a partial smile and went along with her business. And then the big ol' 47 came across the screen and she said "Oh my! You weren't joking!" Nope. That was after running down three flights of stairs...

Then my vampire nurse - the one who was going to take my blood - he was prepping me, and I gave him my usual series of warnings. I was already squeezing my hand and he said, oh there's no need for you to start yet... Me: If I want you to find my vein, yes... He checks... I then tell him - my veins run really deep, but they flow fast, so take your time finding it before you have the needle in there. He had almost the same reaction as the other nurse, the polite, 1/2 smile that is really saying, don't tell me you know your body better than me little blood donor... Well... Of course, he is going in for the vein (a little cocky) and couldn't find it. I know, some of you don't want to read these details - but when you have a needle in someone's arm it is not the time to go rummaging around looking for a vein. So, I told him that he had to find it or get out. So, he removed his needle. And then offered to try the other arm. And I said, OK, but are you going to listen to my warnings this time? This isn't the first time I've donated, or had a nurse who couldn't find my vein. He said he was going to call on another nurse. I warned her, she felt my vein and said, yep, I know exactly what you mean. And ladies and gentlemen, it was like butter. She was so smooth. I hope I get her every time!!

Best part - I donated with my left arm, my slow arm - and was done in 7 minutes! I think my fastest time with my right is 6 minutes! I was really impressed.

As I was leaving I passed the male nurse - Digger - and told him he can try again next time...

Morning rush...

Oh my goodness.

I think my cat and I are losing a life EACH when the fire alarm goes off. It just puts us both into a panic. This morning, the fire alarm went off at 5:40am, and my cat was huddled under the dining room table. I called him to me with his harness. He came running, then ducked into my room instead of coming the last two feet towards me, and hid under my bed. We finally got all organized and together, made it to the stairwell, and the alarm stopped.

We returned to my apartment, went to the balcony to make sure my other building-mates weren't still out on the sidewalk, and then I had to decide what to do. I made my bed, laid back down on it, and after a few minutes, my cat came for some reassurance, we enjoyed the new-found peace. And then the alarm went off again. It only lasted about 30 seconds. Another peek out over the balcony confirmed, they were all packing up.

I just wish I hadn't worked out before bed last night, otherwise, I'd probably have the energy/desire to do my workout right now instead of after work... I'll just go into work early now. But - it's definitely a day for a coffee!!

Oh - and - all of this is happening on a day that I wanted to get my "beauty sleep"! I have my first date in Winnipeg tonight!

Operation Hibernation is in full effect!

Add Lasagne to the list...

I have a list of items that seem to heighten my emotions - particularly feelings of sadness... The first item, and most potent item is Lemon Pudding Cake. Today, I've added a new one to the list - the smell of lasagne.

Let me first share with you the story of the Lemon Pudding Cake.

Once upon a time, I was preparing to leave my family home to go to a university three hours away. I was really excited to go... I just didn't want to go. You know? As the time grew closer for me to leave, I became more emotional. Near the end of summer, my brother was expected home from tree planting for a two week visit before he was heading back to university in Saskatchewan. We were all looking forward to this,and one day I got home from my summer job, and one of my family members teased me and said that B1 was heading home that day. I was all excited, and in the midst of eating a piece of lemon pudding cake when they told me they were kidding - he'll be home on the weekend. For the record, it's hard to joke with me or tease me when I'm emotional. With this news, I just broke down crying. And all of us were pretty shocked with my reaction to the "joke" - but it was like my body was looking for a release, and this was it.

Then, a couple of months later, my parents sent me a care package - and they included lemon pudding cake. It brought back all the sadness of that "joke" - on top of homesickness! Honestly, when I have a piece of lemon pudding cake now - it still makes me get a little choked up. I purposely avoid it, unless I'm at a funeral, and then who can tell the difference anyway?

So, this time it's a smell... not even a taste that has spurred feelings of homesickness... Someone on my floor has made lasagne for dinner tonight, and the hallway smells just like my mom's lasagne! Although, I'm pretty sure it wouldn't TASTE like my Ma's lasagne,(she makes AWESOME lasagne) so my feelings could just be turned to disappointment instead of sadness if I just invited myself over to the lasagne makers apartment (and I'd have to knock on about four doors to find them). But, I'm not about to do that...

There's actually a book out right now that RC is reading - I was hoping to read it at the same time as she was - but I haven't even got my library card yet! It's called The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake - and I'm not even the author! Maybe there is more to this than just me... I'll have to see what RC thought of the book!

In the meantime, I'll try not to breath in as I run down to get my laundry...

We did it!!!

Wahoo!

We got through race day. ...Wait, we didn't get GET through it - we CONQUERED IT!

KT, HS and I all ran better than we expected - and finished within 10 minutes of each other!

Here we are before the race:


At the start of the race, HS pulled out in front of us, not wanting to heed my warnings about slow starts = power finishes. She kept in front of us for at least the first couple of kilometers and then had a small walk break. Several times she passed us again, and then ultimately ended up running behind us.

Here are some pictures that we took while running... they're a little blurry... but are definitely action shots!






Like our practice run on Friday, my first kilometer is always the hardest for me. It takes a while for me to warm up I guess. At almost exactly the one KM mark, I always want to walk - but - I was committed to KT that we'd run the whole way - and now I KNOW it's just me warming up - I ran through it. The first lap went well. We all got settled in our places and enjoyed the sunshine. It was a gorgeous day for a run. A little cool, a lot of sun and a little wind.

Second lap, we got to pass by MT, KT's husband (former slurpee provider), and he did a great job cheering us on! He's usually quite quiet, but he was loud and proud on Monday! Thanks MT! Here's a shot MT took as we passed by:


During the second lap, I really started talking. I guess since it was a loop and I knew where I was going the second time, I was free to chat more. And interestingly enough, it slowed my heart rate down, without slowing my pace down. Talking = breathing for me. :) I got to tell some inspirational stories, like we were in a Disney film version of our run... I told her all about my friend Theresa's 100K run in June: www.onerun.ca And then we got to the 7KM mark (or so we think) and KT started to lose steam, and I got my second wind! Maybe after all of my running experiences of trying to be a regular 5K runner... maybe I prefer longer distances...? Could it be possible?

Here we are running just past the 8KM mark:


By the time we got to the 9KM mark, we were ready to strategize our big finish. Go big or go home... We were going to do a power sprint to the end. We finally came around the final turn, aimed for a green post about 1/2 way down the stretch and then took off towards the finish! (In my mind - the finish line was 10M before it actually was - so it was quite a surprise for me - and it threw me and my body off a bit - but I survived!)



Our goal time was 1:15 (based on our rough math from Friday night's 5.7km run) - and we finished in 1:09!!

And then shortly after we arrived - HS arrived too! Now, I need to call attention to something... Dear HS, who had just decided just 4 days before to join us, and who had never ran outside before Friday...was also in the midst of observing Ramadan... so, she had gotten up at 4 am to eat, and wouldn't be eating until sundown! What a great job!!



What a memorable day! I still can't get over our accomplishments - KT training and running the race balancing her blood sugars through it all, HS having very little training and fasting, and me, believing I'm not a runner for years now, and accepting that running a 10K was a blip that happened years ago, and wouldn't happen again.

Wow. We're awesome. :)

p.s. this photo didn't really fit into the story - but I think it's a really cute one of KT and MT!

One more day...then RACE DAY!

KT and I went to pick up our "race kits" on Thursday night... It was an interesting experience. KT is diabetic. KT is a great fundraiser. She's like Kenny Rogers in "The Gambler" - you gotta know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em, know when to walk away, know when to run... She doesn't fundraise a lot - but when she does - her "network" knows that she's really asking for support. This time is no different - she's surpassed her fundraising goal - which is WELL beyond what they're expecting her to raise at the Canadian Diabetes Association. Another note - this is the first time KT has raised funds for them - she has Type 1 diabetes, and CDA only devotes 10% of their support/research/awareness on Type 1 and 90% on Type 2. Anyway... I told the CDA guy who was organizing the race - you need to woo her. If you woo her - you can set NEW fundraising goals... He wasn't really listening to me. Just nodding. And then... we started unraveling details... about mine and KT's history of raising funds for diabetes (hello? over $20,000) and about how this race, she's already raised over $2,500... Then he started to pay more attention... It was kind of funny. Anyway, in the end they asked us to focus on getting 50 more runners signed up... I laughed with KT on the way out - "Could you imagine if we did??"

Part 2 of Thursday night... we went to an outdoors-y store in the same plaza so I could try on my dream coat... My friend AG lives in Ottawa and got this coat to survive the winters - protecting her warm Singaporian blood - and I've always loved it - but living in "warmer" London, didn't really provide enough of a reason to get it... So, I've figured that NOW is my chance! (Ok, I moved to Winnipeg JUST so I could get this coat...)

We went into the store and met Heather, salesperson extraordinaire. (We learned that she was moving back to Kenora at the end of the week - otherwise, she would have been added to our friend list). She walked us through the new jackets and the ones that I should consider...since they don't even have the Triple C in the store right now... They order them in. :( So, we tried on some coats...

The new favourite... The Arctic Parka in Moonlight


The shorter version to the Triple C - The Metropolis


Even KT got into the swing of things...


Here we are with Heather -


So, after all of our time in the store... I am now a little less set on my coat - especially since we measured it... and the coat on me would hit my ankles. For real. So, in order to walk, I'd probably have to have it unzipped to my knees anyway... I've written away to AG for her review and I'll try it on in person at another store before any decisions are made...

Oh my gosh...we haven't even gotten to Part 3 of the evening yet! I'm long-winded today!
We got back to my building to workout together... I let KT get a head start, I was only going to workout for about 1/3 of the time she was going to... And when I joined up with her - she had made friends with someone in my building.

When I've been in the gym - I have only worked out along side ONE person - and he did not want to make conversation. And here KT is, her first time in the gym, making friends! So, we started to get to know HS better - she's a Orthodontics Masters student from Saudi Arabia. She's really nice and wants to get out to see more of Winnipeg. (She met the right people!) The best part was - she told us that there is a 10K run going on Monday at Assiniboine Park. :) We almost dropped our weights. It was too funny that she chose that specific event to bring up! So - we recruited her! She's now going to run the race with us tomorrow!

See...?? If we'd tried, KT and I probably could have found 50 more people... ;) He should have wooed us...

Bee story continues...

So... I told my homeopath about my bee incident the other day... (yes, even the part about how I was drinking a slurpee - even though she's the one who has asked me to remove sugar from my diet...I'm an honest person.) Anyway... She told me that she was going to send me a little note in my next package of remedies...

She sent me a photocopy of a page from a book (page 31 to be exact). Here's what it says:
If a bee shows up, it means:
It's time to get organized and get to work on that idea that you want to implement and develop.
Approach your projects with commitment, diligence, and dedication, and you'll succeed beyond your wildest expectations.
Involve several others in a a cooperative and life-affirming venture, one in which everyone who participates will benefit - and if possible, one that includes the entire community.
Take the time to appreciate and enjoy the sweetness of life.
This is a very fertile time for you physically and creatively, one where you can bring your ideas into fruition.
This is a very productive cycle for you, so stay with whatever you're working on, and there will be a favourable outcome.

I think it's interesting that the bee appeared the same day I decided to run the 10K with KT... Here's to a favourable outcome! :)

Walking in the rain...

This morning - it was beautiful out. Bright. Sunny. Fairly warm. It was one of those mornings that made me want to dance and sing on the way to work..."Good morning Winnipeg...." (if you don't know the song "Good morning Baltimore" from Hairspray, that reference is going to be lost on you... sorry.)

Seeing as it's the start of September - but NOT the start to fall - I decided to wear white capris, a white blouse, a black/pinstripe vest and my yellow leather shoes. It was a great day to celebrate white clothes.

After work, I had a massage appointment. On the way there it was bright and sunny and I felt like I was stepping out of a JCrew catalogue...

On the way out of my massage appointment I was hit with a huge surprise: it was raining. No, it was pouring.

I ran across the street to the grocery store - I had to grab a couple of things anyway... Why not go in and let it all blow over?

Only it didn't. It got worse.

I was standing in line, and the girl behind me says - it's really pouring out there now! Me: Ha. It's the perfect day to wear white - and walk home in a downpour. She tells me that she lives a block away and drove there... then asked if I lived in her direction, I sadly shook my head no. And she goes, Oh, too bad, you don't look like a killer so I totally would have given you a lift...

Apparently I didn't look pathetic enough with my sad nod for her to feel bad enough to drive six blocks out of her way... I'll have to work on that.

I got to the doors, saw the rain REALLY coming down, and decided to take advantage of the convenience of the Starbucks located inside the grocery store (just for reference, there's a "full" Starbucks at the edge of the parking lot as well - but it was raining - and I didn't even want to run across there!). I grabbed myself a drink, sipped and watched the rain fall. Until I saw the rain slow down. Not stop, just slow. And I made a run for it. Ok, there was no running.

One of the things you have to learn to love about Winnipeg: the puddles. There are puddles the size of turtle pools out here. And cars drive through them. And pedestrians do not survive them. It was like running through a landmine on the way home. Protecting my yellow leather shoes, maintaining enough dryness to my pants so I wasn't revealing anything... It was a tough walk home.

And for most of it - I just laughed at the ridiculousness of it all. Until I noticed my shoes again... If it was safer to walk down the street barefoot - I totally would have today. Oh, what a girl will do to protect her cute shoes...that cleverly matched her umbrella...!

It's a back-scratching kinda thing...

So, my friend KT here in the rainy and cold city of Winnipeg, decided months ago that she'd like to RUN the Canadian Diabetes Association annual Run/Walk. She is diabetic herself, and thought this would be a great personal challenge. One of the first "events" she thought of us doing together when she found out I was moving here was running this race... At the time, we both figured that there was a high likelihood that I'd be home for the long weekend, so we both let it go.

Then, a couple of weeks ago, we were out hiking and the run came up in conversation. And I thought to myself, why am I NOT running the race with her? Yes, I haven't run in years. Yes, I don't have enough time to train. And yes, I'm not even signed up. But besides all of that - why not?

As you can tell from some of my entries - KT has been a very supportive and wonderful friend here. I can't help her move in, or drive her places, or even offer up my laundry machines - but - I can run beside her and cheer her on the whole way. See, she scratches my back, I scratch hers. It's that kinda thing.

Some extra information - KT doesn't listen to music when she runs and she's pretty asthmatic - so she doesn't talk while running either. So, I don't know if this is really me helping her out - or if by the 7th kilometer she'll just be running faster hoping to get away from me and my stories...

Love ya sugar!!

BEE careful this summer!!

This is my public service announcement...

If you are drinking sugary drinks outside this summer, take extra precaution before sipping anything through your straw - and don't leave your drink unattended.

Learn from my mistake! Please!

My friend KT and her husband MT came over for a "pool party" on Saturday. MT wanted it to be a "pool party" - but it was really just the three of us, some veggies, hummus - and his contribution - slurpees.

As some of you know, I've really changed up what I've been eating since moving to Winnipeg. I have cut out a lot of things - including sugar. So, the slurpee that MT brought me was the first one that I've had since moving to Winnipeg! We knew from the start it was a "special" drink... (Before we get to the trauma - I'd just like to thank MT once again - it was a great slurpee - and I really appreciated that he went out of his way to bring it!)

So, we went for a dip in the pool. Then we sat out on loungers catching some rays. (FYI - it was a REALLY hot weekend! Above 30 both days and full sun!) At this point, we were the only ones out on my terrace, just chatting away, and I went and grabbed my slurpee, which was pretty well melted at this point. And I thought it was curious that there was a clump of ice as sipped... but it wasn't. It was a yellow-jacket wasp. In my mouth. Fighting for survival. I flipped over - grabbed the wasp out of my mouth and spit my mouthful of slurpee across my deck chair. Quickly I asked MT if he could see the stinger and to grab it for me. (At this point I'm talking like I'm at the dentist...) He told me the stinger wasn't there - but my mouth was throbbing like it was there... So, I turned to KT...

A little background... Remember in my UH-OH entry... KT helped DS get a bug out of her eye... even though KT was NOT emotionally prepared for it... Well, that's exactly why I turned to MT first... thought I'd save her from the responsibility. But no luck, I needed a second opinion.

She took a quick look and saw the stinger - and we cooperated to remove the bug's butt from my tongue.


She's my hero.

Then we waited. We were very nervous about whether or not I would react. I haven't been allergic to bee stings in the past - but my mom was the same way - until one magic sting... And being that it was in my mouth - and SEVERAL stings - it was best to be under careful watch. We washed the deck chair. Made jokes. Went upstairs. Gave MT a tour of the place. And then when we all felt comfortable that I wasn't reacting, they left.

The bee sting totally wrecked our fun pool party! :(

And yes, I will continue to stay away from sugar. I got the message universe. Loud and clear.

(But I am quite thankful that I had great friends there to help me - and to bring me alluring sugary drinks - and that I am not allergic!)

Operation Hibernation

Launching a new "campaign" for the fall (I'm in sales, I can't help but think in terms of campaigns!)... Operation Hibernation.

Mission:
Meet as many people and get out to as many events as I can before the first snowflakes fall.

(Recognizing of course that indoor activities will be saved for phase 2 of Operation Hibernation - when I'm trying to tempt myself to venture into the cold)

Objectives:
It is hoped that by doing this, I will achieve the following:
- make new friends
- go on some dates (broaden my network to find dates)
- explore more of Winnipeg
- expand my overall network (which of course, could lead to many different opportunities)

Payoff:
When the weather gets colder, which it will, and the snow starts to fall, which it will - I want to have a "generator" going to keep me warm - socially. I'm hoping that if I do a bunch of leg-work now, it will start generating social activities throughout the winter - when I don't want to be hunting them down.

If you have any ideas on how I can best execute this - or if you have people you'd like to refer me to in the Winnipeg region - leave me a comment. All ideas welcome.

P.S. I saw Convenience Store Chris this morning on my way to work - he saw me, recognized me, smiled and said "Hi, Yoon!" So cute.

The new Don

In my old 'hood, I had my favourite convenience store owner, Don. I affectionately called him, Jackie Chan. Since he looked like Bob Dylan. Just kidding! (He seriously did look like Jackie Chan - I had others verify - and he did give me approval to call him Jackie Chan, he thought it was cool). Anyway, when I moved here, I met the new convenience store owner, he was alright. However, today I found out - he sold the place - and there's a new owner! Chris.

Chris is the new Don. He's so nice!

He's only been in Canada for a year. He was working at another store within a condo before this one - but it was only groceries. He's excited to take over this one.

We exchanged names and then he confessed that he wouldn't remember mine because it's not used in Korea. So, I told him that if I could call him by his English name, he could call me by a Korean name. I've renamed myself, for Chris, as Yoon. And he agreed, I am the only white Yoon he knows.

Welcome to the 'hood Chris!

Finally!!

Ladies and gentlemen - I finally got "picked up" at Safeway... Well, I kind of. Ha! Regardless, I at last feel welcomed to the neighbourhood!

I was busy organizing my groceries on the thing... oh my gosh, my brain is mush... conveyor belt, I guess... Anyway, I wasn't paying attention to the guy behind me - I was just trying to keep up with the cashier as she was ringing my stuff through so I could pack my cool grocery cart (trust me!) properly. And as I was just about to walk away, I heard the guy next in line speak to the cashier, and I thought, there you go... you were finally beside a guy in your age bracket and all you could think about was not crushing your peppers... As I was leaving the line, I stopped to unwrap my gum, which also provided me an opportunity to check out the guy. He looks to be about 5 years older than me, well tanned, good looking. Then I received a text from my sister - I texted her back. And by the time I'm done and ready to depart, he's about to leave.

While I was reading my sister's text, I had a funny thought - at Safeway, you can access your "Club Card" by using your phone number or presenting your card - and he rambled off his phone number. Could you imagine if someone "picked up" your phone number while you were shopping...? Maybe next time there's a cute guy beside me I'll use my number instead of my card and say my number slowly for him... and then ask if he got it... LOL.

Anyway, so, I leave the store. I get to the stop light, read and send a new text. He catches up with me - and passes me. All across the bridge he's ahead of me. Down the path, he's ahead of me... and then the distance closes. He slows down so I can catch up with him. So, I asked him if he was losing steam. And he said that at first he was trying to keep the pace up because he was worried I was going to attack, but then he figured he might as well risk conversation instead. He lives at the end of my street. He asked me several questions - I didn't get a chance to ask him much of anything. He did reassure me that there's still a lot to do from our location through the winter. We swapped names, but that's it. And we live about four buildings apart.

I just can't believe it took me this long to strike up conversation with a man at Safeway. I'll let you know if anything develops to determine if it was worth the wait...

Sunday rules DO apply

Here's the scoop today. It's Sunday. Like usual, I have a long list of things I'd *like* to get done - realizing of course that only a smattering (in no particular order, even though I've prioritized them) of them will get done. Today's second priority - prepare food for the week - sub priority (which you'll see, makes no sense) - buy groceries.

It was raining when I woke up. It was raining when I finished watching a movie on tv over my breakfast (seriously, having multiple movie channels available is the sharpest double-edged sword ever). It was raining when my friend CdC told me she'd be later picking me up for our movie outing. So, I asked her - could we stop by a grocery store on the way home instead - I don't want to walk to the grocery store in the rain. She said, no problem.

So, I continued to (half-heartedly) work on priority #1 (do the work I brought home).

We went to the movies. We saw "Eat Pray Love" - which deserves it's own entry. And then, near the end of the movie, Tess checked her phone for the time and a big realization dawned on her, which she shared with me as soon as the credits started.

"It's Sunday."

In Winnipeg, this means: the world shuts down at 6 pm. Everything. Even stores that are normally open 24 hours - they close at 6 pm. Convenience stores, coffee shops, restaurants and movie theatres are about all you have left. None of which are going to provide me with the groceries that I need for the week. Although, I am tempted to grab a dozen eggs from a convenience store to get me through breakfast tomorrow.

I just can't believe SHE forgot. Yes, I am actually putting this on her. As she said in the car on the way home - "I can't imagine living somewhere that has stores open on Sunday evenings. Isn't this the day of rest?" She knows no different. She's a Winnipegger. Me - I am still trying to come to grips with the logic. (Yes, I know, there are members of my extended family that can't believe stores are open on Sundays - let alone until 6 pm).

Foiled by Winnipeg and their by-laws!

Or... am I freed?!? What am I going to do now that priority #2 (including the sub priority) are taken off my list FOR me??

Oddly enough, in the distance, I can hear a construction crew working. How does that fit under the by-law?

Oh, Winnipeg, you are still a mystery that I marvel at while unfolding.

Silence is golden

Last week I was in Ontario for my summer holidays - and I had a great time! While I was away, I had a summer student from work take care of my cat.

She contacted me on Tuesday - and told me that my smoke detector was beeping. Once a minute. So, I told her, don't worry about it - I'll call my fix-it-guy! From Ontario, I called my fix-it-guy and told him what was going on - he told me that he'd stop by the following day and fix it.

I didn't follow up with her. I assumed it was taken care of.

When I was unlocking my door upon my return - I heard it beep. (The copy of the key that I had cut doesn't work smoothly - so I actually heard it beep at least three times.)

I did a little investigation - couldn't get it to shut up.

Then I called the fix-it-guy and asked him about it. He was planning on coming tomorrow. Uh... how does that work? It was supposed to be done LAST week...?!?! He wasn't available to come by today - so I asked him what I could do in the meantime - he told me I could take the battery out for the night.

Simple. Awesome. Let's do it.

So, I did it.

And it STILL beeps!

I tried to have a nap - but it was really distracting.

I saw "Inception" last night (don't worry, no spoilers) and at the start they're talking about how easy it is to get someone to think something - like elephants. Well, that's exactly what's happening here - all I can hear are beeps. My entire world has been refocused on this beeping! Oh my precious silence! How I miss you!

It better not impact my sleep tonight! I went to bed late last night, was up by 4:45am and I'm SUPER tired and run down.

Too much fun, not enough rest...

Beep!

Bus miracle

My sister, REMTS, and I have rode the bus at least 40 times together over the years... and we feel like we have it down to a science - what time to get to the bus station, when to get on the bus, etc... however, we don’t feel like our “resume” of experience had any bearing today...

I had spent the night at the apartment with her and RS - and as we’re getting ready, he called out to her “Are you still running around out there like your family always does??” And REMTS replied, “Oh, calm down, we have time.” Me, glancing at the clock, “Uh, actually, we better pick up the pace, we need to leave in less than 5 minutes.”

So, we finished up, got our stuff, and made the 6 block trek to the bus terminal (with my big suitcase). We were still making good time, and when we got into the terminal and there was one person in line - I made a joke to my sister - “Oh no, look at the line up...” Yes, we thought we were stars. It was a cake walk. Easy-peasy.

As I’m purchasing my ticket, the bus depot guy comes up to the ticket agent and tells her that there’s only 10 seats left on the T.O. bus - he’s going to fill the seats and then send the bus on - anyone left over will have to take the 10:30. And suddenly, out of nowhere - there were four people standing behind me who left the line and automatically went to get on the bus... And two people from the waiting area... I’m doing some quick math and figuring we’re still fine. We only need two seats, and I am seconds away from having my ticket...

We get out to the platform to learn there is only one seat left, he thinks. So, the bus driver goes on to check. My sister turns to me, “This totally sucks.” And of course me, the optimist, “He’s still counting, we can still get on.” And really, in my head, I’m thinking, I could have used REMTS’s student card (from a hundred years ago), but I didn’t - surely there must be some good karma in that...

And the bus driver comes back - and signals - two.

Phew!

So, I got on first, saw that the first seat available is beside a single older man, with a book (no carry-on) and so I asked him (tres politely) if he’d consider taking the other free seat on the bus so I can sit with my sister. And he (albeit reluctantly) agreed.

When my sister came on, she was shocked to see that we’d get to sit beside each other too. And her response was the best, “Have I told you yet today that I love you? Or did you do this just so you can have the snacks I’ve packed?” Me: “I forgot you had the snacks!!” Her: “You DO love me!”

We then decided - the timing, the availability, the seats together - were definitely a bus miracle.

Travel

So, here I am, semi-stranded at the airport in Toronto. I had my family reading pages of detailed plans that I had laid out - only for my brother's assistant manager not show up for work - and already my plans are being reworked. Thank goodness I didn't print them...or write them out by hand...

I love that this free WiFi thing has really taken off - YYZ now has free WiFi through the whole place - no longer offering that expensive pay-as-you-go coverage they had a couple of months ago. Very nice. I like what you've done here YYZ.

Especially since I have an hour to kill - missing my bus by 5 mins. I probably could have made it - if I'd known the schedule, but as it was, my luggage was in the first load off the plane, and I came here directly - so I would've only made time up by using my fast feet. (Contrary to the "vacation feet" I had on this morning).

I thought I was foolish this morning - packing myself a snack - since I was going to be meeting BT2 at the YYZ - but I am now QUITE thankful. My bag of veggies and turkey are really hitting the spot. :)

So, I've decided to write a book. It's still in it's infancy stage of development - but I think it's got some good bones. I just need to find "my spot" between fluffy chick lit - and interesting fiction... I want there to be real characters in here - which I think may be the most challenging part - getting a character in my head down on paper/screen - in a way that is capturing them - making them come to life. And there's the bigger fear - if I don't just run with the story right now - I may never write it - and I think it's about time I at least try. :) I'll let you know how the process goes. :)

Our first van

Ok... that title could also be... our only van. "Our van"

Way back in 1989, my family of 7 got a mini van. They were invented FOR us. None of this "we have two kids, we need a mini van" crap - we had a person to fill each and every seat - daily. (Yes, I know I have friends with two kids and a mini van...and I'm basically making fun of you - but even you can see the difference in between wanting storage space and REALLY NEEDING it...) Don't ask me what we were all traveling around in before that day in 1989, I don't want to incriminate my parents... :)

Anyway... that day... so long ago... is LEGEND in my family. We were SO excited about getting this van. My parents had poured over brochures, visited many dealerships, and finally decided on a white Mazda MPV. They were still "new" to the Mazda family... So, even as we were making our decision - we were looking for Mazda's on the road - there weren't that many! It became a new game to play on road trips.

So, my parents went to pick up our van one night after my dad was done work (it was all the way in Guelph...) and we got to wait up to "meet" the van. And I'm just realizing this now - we NEVER gave it a nickname. Ever. Strange.

When my parents pulled up, we jumped in the van. And a magical thing happened. First - the interior lights slowly dimmed - which we thought was REALLY cool - and then the seats we were sitting in became "our" seats for the rest of the van's life... FT in the driver's seat, ET in the passenger seat, in the middle row, with the least amount of leg room, the tallest kid in the family BT2, and with the most amount of leg room, the second tallest of the brothers, BT1. In the back row - the girls - me in the far corner behind FT and BT2, then REMTS in the middle (she is the baby...) and then ST at the other side, by the door. (ST is always the first to have to pee and the most urgent about it - so we're REALLY glad over time that she got that seat!)

Then, we went for a drive to Jackson's Point - and we listened to my dad's favourite song at the time - really loudly (on our factory issue Pioneer radio system) - "Healing Hands" by Elton John.

And that van served us SOOOOO well! We drove to New Brunswick. We drove back and forth to two separate high schools for millions of events/practices/meetings/missed busses...and most of us learned to drive in that van... Actually - I can't remember... REMTS - did we drive the van - or only the Saturn??? I remember driving the van - but I don't know if I was supposed to be... Ha!!! Just kidding - I just remembered - I drove to see a friend over Christmas holidays one year and I was in the van - so yes, all of us drove the van at one point. My mom and BT2 were the only ones to get in accidents in it... Unless we count the time that ST drove partly into the ditch of a friend's house...who we weren't supposed to be driving home... (That's a whole other story!)

Reason for this entry? I saw this same van drive down the street tonight. And, tonight, in London, my brother's family got to go for the first drive in their new family van... May they have as many wonderful trips and memories as we do from our beautiful white Mazda MPV!

The Winnipeg Folk Festival

So, on Friday night RC arrived in Winnipeg. We were both very excited to spend a day at the Winnipeg Folk Festival and see "The Swell Season" in concert. This is the duet from the film (yes, RS, it was a "film" not a "movie") Once

On Saturday morning, we caught a Winnipeg Transit Bus and traveled north out of the city to Bird's Hill Provincial Park. Now, I know you might be thinking this already yourself, but there's a type of person that goes to the folk festival... RC and I did our best to look the part wearing gear she bought off etsy.

We arrived at the WFF with only our experiences in London in mind... the London Folk Festival was always held in Victoria Park, downtown. We always enjoyed that festival, it was good times. This festival though had us out in the middle of nowhere. Nature and music. In the middle of nature. And tons of music. Got it? Oh, and dragon flies - everywhere. And birch trees, says RC from NB who hasn't seen them grown naturally since she left home. (Apparently the only birch trees she's seen in Ontario were bought and planted, not natively grown.) We walked through a forested area on a slim trail to come out into the WFF and see our first group - The Sojourners.

They're a gospel group - and were really great. It was a fabulous start to the day. We sat down on a duvet cover I brought and watched people walk by as they arrived at the festival. It was a great people watching spot and we couldn't believe the eclectic mix of people walking past. Young, old, conservative, very liberal... Ok, there were a lot on the liberal side... At about this point, I realized it was CdV's Mecca - all these people, the music, the mix of philosophies - he would LOVE to spend the weekend here. So, I sent him a text. He was very happy for me and wished he was there too.

Then, we set off to find the right stage for our big concert with The Swell Season. We were giddy! There were tons of great vendors that we walked past rather quickly, but promised we'd come back to... and we passed several other performance areas that were all busy. We found a great spot for ourselves - centre stage, just in front of the sound table (greatest sound spot in the place). It didn't take long for us to see everyone come on stage. It was a workshop session - so there was a host, John K. Samson, Jon & Roy, The Swell Season and Works Progress Administration. The best part was - each group would perform one song, and then the next one would perform... no "mini sets" within the session - so no waiting for set-up (thank goodness!) and it added to the dynamic because they were welcome to play with each other. At one point, Jon & Roy played their song "Any day now" and it has a great chorus. Those on stage joined in and the whole audience joined in - we loved it. The best part was - The Swell Season were to perform next - and he couldn't get THEIR song out of his head... it was hard for Glen to start singing what he was supposed to. It was awesome. I think we were all feeling a bit that way.

Here's some shots of the stage:




It was a great workshop. They did a lot of great songs - all of the groups on stage - and we loved when The Swell Season went from singing a Bruce Springsteen song (Drove All Night) into a traditional Irish wake song. (Very appropriate...???) It was great! We all sang along and felt like we were sharing something special. Glen explained that it was about thanking everyone, no enemies, no regrets, and wishing everyone joy. Here's a video clip of Glen and you'll even hear me singing along.


From Marketa's twitter
We played in Winnipeg the night before last, what a gorgeous festival. So relaxed and fun, our first gig of this tour. It's always nice to play after a break, everything feels fresh and new again.

After that concert, we walked through the vendors - bought some honey with raspberry in it (amazing!) and I also picked up a beeswax candle that smells wonderful. We walked past all the food vendors - a very interesting selection! RC couldn't believe all the vegetarian options! She was in heaven!

We were a little sore from sitting cross legged all day, so we went and found a place semi-close to a stage so we could hear music, but we could also totally lay out (the joy of bringing a duvet cover) and totally relax. ...Until it rained... Then we looked quite cute huddled under umbrellas sitting on the duvet cover eating veggie sticks and nuts.

Overall, the WFF was very much PEACE and LOVE. We joked that we were at our own version of Woodstock. Everyone was so happy, there were tons of tree-huggers, vegetarians, babies in wraps and barefeet! It was a fun day and a neat experience. Hopefully this can become an annual thing for us!

Sermons

I passed by a sign for a United Church nearby last week that was advertising their sermon - "The choice of good and great" - and I found that VERY thought provoking. Like new-self-help-book-title provoking.

I know there's a book on getting from Good to Great (Jim Collins) - but what about just asking yourself - why am I choosing good? Why am I not choosing great? There are so many times when we know the difference - I think about it every time I put my pillow cases away without ironing them.

My mom irons her pillow cases. She doesn't like to sleep on a wrinkled pillow case, and she loves the look of a fresh-pressed pillow case on a newly made bed. It's enough reason for her to choose GREAT. For me, it's not enough of a reason - not when I don't mind having my nearly wrinkle free pillow cases on my newly made bed (tip: fold them as neatly as possible as soon as they're out of the dryer).

Great isn't always best. But it's always a choice. Are you conscious of when you're choosing good over great? Or great over good? Should we all try swapping it around every now and then?

Communications

Living far from friends - and close to other friends - has revealed some interesting things about how we communicate.

The biggest challenge I am finding right now is communicating with those close to me! Especially with KT. She and I have always been in contact since she moved to Winnipeg 5+ years ago - but mostly over email with the occasional marathon phone conversation. Now that we're both local - we could talk to each other on the phone for short bits every couple of days or when making plans... Instead, by default - we still find that we're emailing each other - because that's how we always send quick messages. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that we shouldn't email - but more often than not lately - I'm ending my emails to her with "I guess I could have just called you..." It's always a second thought - not my first thought. I feel like I need to be retrained!!

Communicating with those at home is going well - for the most part, I'm still communicating with my friends/family "at home" in the same ways we were, like I'm still in London. And conveniently enough, I can call some of my maternity leave mamas over my lunch - which is now nap time thanks to the time difference. Some of those in London, we're still working out the kinks, but a couple of us have found the groove - either through email updates or through regular Skype dates. Hopefully MR and I can start connecting more - it's hard to replace grabbing dinner together after we've both worked late via something technology... ;)

Thank goodness for technology though! I am so thankful to all these various ways that we can communicate - iChat, texting, Skype, Facebook, Twitter, email, phone, telegraphs, Morse code...

My birthday

For my birthday I had one thing that I wanted: mocha cake.

I probably the whole world, mocha cake is my favourite dessert. A good fluffy, fresh white cake with lots of mocha icing. For my 30th birthday my sister bought me a mocha cake - now, she made a mistake when ordering it and instead of ordering enough for 30, she ordered enough for 60! Not that we minded... We all had cake at the party, and for breakfast, and for lunch, and then we froze some and had it later too... (Frozen mocha cake is also REALLY good).

But please note - if it's not a Dutch mocha cake, it is NOT in this category of excellence. Sorry, Italian bakers, you do some good mocha-like stuff - but you like to add little zests of this or that - and it takes away from the beauty for me.

(I told you, I love it)

Anyway, when I was preparing to leave London, my aunt and uncle (SS and LS) told me that there's a Dutch shop in Winnipeg that I have to go find. So, when KT asked me what I wanted to do for my birthday - I knew the answer - find The Bake Oven. On their site it said that they were open until 8 (perfect!) and I called and they had "mocha logs" (I didn't know what these were - but sounded like it was in the category). Looked like we were set.

Now before we continue on the mocha-hunt, let's pause for a minute and talk about why my aunt and uncle wanted me to find the Dutch store. The original owner of the Bake Oven was from the same village as LS in The Netherlands - and they had even helped each other immigrate to Canada. (Tons of these stories in all Dutch-Canadian families). Here's what SS wrote to me about the Bake Oven:

Marten Posthumus, who along with his wife, originally started the bake shop, grew up in the same village as LS. He now seems to be more or less retired and his son (s)? have taken over.

Beside being a baker he is a phenomenal pen-and-ink artist who has drawn many, many buildings in Winnipeg which are no longer there. In 2000 he also published a small book with stories and places of his childhood with appropriate drawings on every page. And besides that, he is a very engaging and likeable fellow to talk to.

The bake shop is now called THE BAKE OVEN and is apparently a great place to visit, have a coffee and buy Dutch specialities.

www.bakeoven.ca

So - after 1/2 a day of work and 1/2 a day of video chats with my best friend and my family - I met up with KT and we went and found the Bake Oven...


Setting my sights on mocha...



And finally...



Unfortunately - the two teens in the store weren't interested in my family history... So, I'll have to go back and see if I can meet any of Marten's family and connect them back to mine.

It was a great Dutch store - they had A LOT of cooking ingredients, meats, and desserts. They didn't have as big of a bulk droppe selection as Mike's Meat Market in London, but how often are my parents going to be here making use of it anyway... I also bought my self a yellow clompen key chain (wooden shoe) and a Friesan flag shopping bag (area where my dad's from).

After that - we went to a fondue restaurant - another "classic birthday" treat of mine. It was yummy! And, was of course - followed up with more mocha cake...since it wasn't really "mocha cake" I'd gotten, but a mocha log...remember? So... these are actually small cookies (like a digestive) with icing on top - not a full piece of cake. I had eaten the first one in the car, because I couldn't wait... (That's what birthday's are for - making up your own rules!)

It was a great birthday! Thanks so much to KT for taking me to the Bake Oven (it's FAR from my apartment!) and out for dinner! She rocks. And of course, thanks to the Bake Oven for making some delicious Dutch mocha. And to LS for helping them come to Canada to share their Dutch mocha with me, decades later... ;)