Natural Club Camp Out

Brrrrrrrrrr.

Our natural club had our first outing of the year this weekend at Point Roberts, Wa. The natural club is responsible for recycling at our school as well as supporting other environmental initiatives such as the anti-idling campaign. We plan for fun outdoor activities such as snowshoeing, whale watching, canoeing etc.





After school, Ms. Philpotts and I took thirteen (multi-grade) students camping. Her husband, an RCMP sergeant, joined us as a guardian for the trip. Actually, I'm fairly certain that he didn't have a choice in the matter but regardless we ended up having a lot of fun. We sat around the campfire and told ghost stories and other personal traumatic events. Overall, it was quite a bonding experience for all of us. It was refreshing to spend time with students that are intelligent, interesting and socially responsible. I was surprised with how much they knew about current events and important issues that affect us all. (Remember, most of my students hate school and could care less about social issues.)

Although the students were in their tents by 11pm there was a lot of giggling and overall giddiness going on for quite awhile. I couldn't convince Jan to come so I was solo in the tent. I planned on bringing Jersey but I didn't have room for her because of the camping equipment. Despite being a little weary from the stories, cold and alone I managed pull off a few hours of sleep.

Holiday Blog #1 - Parliament Hill

Wow, am I ever behind in the blogging. But then I thought can you even be behind? I'm the one that decides what to blog anyways. It's not as though it's a class I have to do homework for! Anyhow those that know me well will understand my angst (or is it OCD??). Since I've been too crazy at work to take any photos I have a rare moment to go back in time to my summer vacation to Ottawa.

Although I have been to Ottawa many times I finally took the tour of the parliament buildings. As a history buff this was an exciting adventure for me. I never tire at looking at the exterior and thus was excited to venture beyond those stone walls. It was especially wonderful to meet up with Jennilyn, Bob, Marin and Calli and even the Cheek family.










After a rather rigourous body cavity search, eh em...body search, we were granted access to our government in action. There were a few memorable stories that I fell in love with. The most charismatic Prime Minister, Pierre Trudeau, was known to slide down the banister stairs on his way to parliament. Ahhhh Trudeau. Can you believe he dated Kim Catrall?





There was another tale of this painting of Queen Victoria and how it was painstakingly saved from a few fires. I also loved how the architecture, detailed stonework, and artwork all captured the multiculturalism of Canada.

However, there was one room that was simply astounding....the library.





There were no cameras allowed so I lingered as long as I could to imbibe its majesty.

Ottawa Invades Whistler

Jan and I drove up to Whistler on Saturday to meet up with Kim, Lee and Wyatt (from Ottawa) for the weekend. It's where Jan and I are lucky enough to spend most weekends but it's especially wonderful when we can stay overnight. We arrived early afternoon and it was a drizzly cold day. By the time we were actually ready to ride it was three pm and the hill closes at five. Not much time unfortunately. As it was quite cool, foggy and slippery I didn't expect much of the day, however, I had one of my best riding days and we were able to cram five runs in before the hill closed. Very impressive. We ran into Jan's friend that he went to grade school with along with four other Ottawians. I wondered if eventually every biker from Ontario moved to Vancouver to ride.



Here's little Wyatt itching to learn to ride.

Obsessed!

Sorry that I have been so behind in blogging. I have so much of our Ottawa trip to blog still! I wish I could blame my indolent behaviour on being back to work and trying to get organized for school. However, that would be a lie. The real reason is that Jan and I are obsessed with the T.V. show Prison Break and have been renting the last season and watching it every night. Normally one would assume that one episode a night would be enough. Ah... not for us. We watch at least three! (In our defence there are no commercials so it's analogous to watching a movie.) While that might seem like quite a bit of T.V., I've actually been obsessed with a book I just finished reading called "She's Come Undone" by Wally Lamb. I was actually reading while I walked the dog and walked to school. God I'm such a nerd!

Cottage Feast

To carry on from my last blog, Jan and I spent the night at Andy's cottage on Sand Lake. Jan's friend Brad whom we haven't seen in three years was back in Canada and joined us for the weekend. It was really wonderful to be with old friends again.



We had a ridiculously good time catching up and reminiscing over a few drinks. Well maybe a little more than a few...

Andy and Dominique picked up some lobsters and amazing steak for dinner. We cooked the lobsters right over the campfire. As most of you know I don't eat seafood but I can appreciate all the fun one can have while eating a lobster. (See photos...)





After a quick visit from Andy's parents (who have a cottage on the other side of Davis Lock) we all decided it would be a brilliant idea to go for a swim sans clothing. Brad missed out on most of the swimming as he tumbled down the bank into a pile of brush and injured himself. This had everything to do with how dark it was and nothing at all to do with rum....



The next day we spent touring the cottage site and dreaming of where the new cottage will be and all of the crazy things that we can do every yearly visit. We also got to spend some more time with Logan, the littliest Milne. He's quite a good little camper!