So, it's obvious to me that spring is here. Not only is it a bit warmer (as in, I put my coat in my bag, just in case it rained, but it was warm enough to just wear a sweater warmer), the flannel sheets have been banished until next fall, flowers are starting to grow. And the Vancouver spring garb has hit the streets!
I was waiting at the bus stop for what felt like an eternity this morning. That bus is never consistent. Either it's there when I get to the stop or I wait fifteen minutes for it...and it's a bus that is supposed to come every 2-3 minutes in the morning. There is an effective way to make the bus come though, and that is to randomly see a friend you haven't seen in a long time. Then the bus will miraculously appear over the crest of the hill to whisk you away before your conversation progresses much past "Hi, how are you? It's been a while." Anyway, the bus is not the point of the story.
The point of the story is what the above friend was wearing, which to me is as much a sign of spring as the buds blooming and the rains retreating. While he refrained from the favoured West Coast footwear of leather sandals and wool socks, he was wearing shorts. I thought it was a little chilly for that, but then I'm always cold. He's a walker and often grows a beard in the winter to protect him from the evil wind that blows across the Burrard Street bridge. While he wasn't in full beard mode, there was definitely more than a few days growth on his face. But what made the outfit the quintessential Vancouver spring outfit was the toque....where else would you see that!
Anyway...spring is here, I got to have a brief conversation with a friend I haven't seen for ages, the sun is out, it's Wednesday so we're half way through the week...it's going to be a good day!
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Sunday, March 25, 2007
There's only one explanation: he's a traitor!
According to Alex's theory of team loyalties, you should only ever cheer for the team in the town where you live...even if you're new to town and already have your own "home team."
But today, I caught Alex wearing this:
And the logo you can't really see says this:
And we don't live in Kelowna....hmmm....
Kelsey and Rebecca will be happy to see their Christmas gift is being put to good use. Alex even wore it out in public!
But today, I caught Alex wearing this:
And the logo you can't really see says this:
And we don't live in Kelowna....hmmm....
Kelsey and Rebecca will be happy to see their Christmas gift is being put to good use. Alex even wore it out in public!
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Sunny Reflections
After moaning and groaning for days about the rain and after the torrential, Noah's Ark flood-like downpour all morning, the sun graced us with its presence around 6:30. And there was blue sky.
And sun. There was sun. And clouds. But nice fluffy white ones, not evil grey wet ones.
Oh the sun...
LOVELY...
And sun. There was sun. And clouds. But nice fluffy white ones, not evil grey wet ones.
Oh the sun...
LOVELY...
All-night reading pleasure
Okay, so by now I'm sure it's apparent that I like books...And lately I've been reading books at a ferocious pace. It's a good thing I've rediscovered the library or my book diet would have failed dramatically!
Anyway, last night, for the first time in a very long time, I actually stayed up past 11:00...I even stayed up past midnight...and all because of a book.
I gave my Mom Suite Francaise for Christmas this year and she brought it with her when she was here looking after me one of those times in January or February. She left it for me to read when she went home and I really just picked it up this week. And haven't been able to put it down. Until about 1:15 last night when I read the last page, sighed because there wasn't MORE, and picked up the next book in the pile on the bedside table - Clan of the Cave Bear - also a book I've been trying to read for a while...and I breezed through a few chapters before deciding that even though today was Saturday and I could sleep in, I should really go to sleep.
I anticipate another late night ahead tonight. It's a good thing it's miserable and raining and I don't need to go outside today...I have a book that's demanding my attention.
Anyway, last night, for the first time in a very long time, I actually stayed up past 11:00...I even stayed up past midnight...and all because of a book.
I gave my Mom Suite Francaise for Christmas this year and she brought it with her when she was here looking after me one of those times in January or February. She left it for me to read when she went home and I really just picked it up this week. And haven't been able to put it down. Until about 1:15 last night when I read the last page, sighed because there wasn't MORE, and picked up the next book in the pile on the bedside table - Clan of the Cave Bear - also a book I've been trying to read for a while...and I breezed through a few chapters before deciding that even though today was Saturday and I could sleep in, I should really go to sleep.
I anticipate another late night ahead tonight. It's a good thing it's miserable and raining and I don't need to go outside today...I have a book that's demanding my attention.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
Main Library
When I was seven my Mom took me to UBC to see the libraries. We saw Main Library and Sedgewick (which no longer exists). It was a sunny day that day, unlike today when we have a rainfall warning, and that was the day I decided this place was where I *NEEDED* to go to university.
That's right, at age seven I'd already decided where to do my post secondary education. I didn't have a clue about high school, heck, I was still in awe of the "Intermediates" (also known as all those cool students at my little elementary school who were in grades four through seven), but I darn well knew where I needed to spend four years learning...something.
I was taken by the huge library, with its stone front and dark entrance hallway. There were more books in that one library than my little brain could fathom. As a student, I even discovered the old children's books hidden deep in the stacks. The basement of the stacks, in the very back, by the window was my favourite studying place. Level 6 was home to the cleanest bathroom on campus, probably because no one could find it. I got lost regularly looking for it and I knew where it was. I spent hours in that library. It was my refuge between classes when Gage Towers seemed too far from Buchanan to walk in the rain (hello, three blocks), it was a quiet place to study and sleep the year I had a room over the boiler room and something was wrong and it emitted a high pitched whine at all hours of the day, and it was a good place to go when I just couldn't get motivated. I loved it!
When I started working on campus, the north wing of the building had been torn down and they were building a modern structure. I mourned the loss of the computer lab with the high ceilings and soaring windows where I spent hours researching on the internet and sending email to my high school friends scattered around North America (this was the dark ages - my personal computer, an unheard of laptop, did not have the ability to browse the internet using a browser with fun stuff like graphics and colour...I only got text).
The new addition is kind of cool. It has a big archive room where everything is stored in boxes and retrieved by robots. It is somewhat mesmerizing to stand outside and look in while the robot does its thing. I will admit, I have not yet set foot inside this lovely building.
Once the north wing had been torn down, the east and south additions were removed and new glass structures are being built. But they kept the main part of Main Library. My beloved stacks might be gone, but the part that first drew me to the university is still there...
When I walked past today, I couldn't believe the progress. And the clock tower was playing music. I've heard it once or twice since I started working on campus, but only once while I was a student. I was trying to write an exam in Buchanan B Block and I couldn't concentrate on my exam because the tower was playing Christmas Carols!
Oh, Main Library....
That's right, at age seven I'd already decided where to do my post secondary education. I didn't have a clue about high school, heck, I was still in awe of the "Intermediates" (also known as all those cool students at my little elementary school who were in grades four through seven), but I darn well knew where I needed to spend four years learning...something.
I was taken by the huge library, with its stone front and dark entrance hallway. There were more books in that one library than my little brain could fathom. As a student, I even discovered the old children's books hidden deep in the stacks. The basement of the stacks, in the very back, by the window was my favourite studying place. Level 6 was home to the cleanest bathroom on campus, probably because no one could find it. I got lost regularly looking for it and I knew where it was. I spent hours in that library. It was my refuge between classes when Gage Towers seemed too far from Buchanan to walk in the rain (hello, three blocks), it was a quiet place to study and sleep the year I had a room over the boiler room and something was wrong and it emitted a high pitched whine at all hours of the day, and it was a good place to go when I just couldn't get motivated. I loved it!
When I started working on campus, the north wing of the building had been torn down and they were building a modern structure. I mourned the loss of the computer lab with the high ceilings and soaring windows where I spent hours researching on the internet and sending email to my high school friends scattered around North America (this was the dark ages - my personal computer, an unheard of laptop, did not have the ability to browse the internet using a browser with fun stuff like graphics and colour...I only got text).
The new addition is kind of cool. It has a big archive room where everything is stored in boxes and retrieved by robots. It is somewhat mesmerizing to stand outside and look in while the robot does its thing. I will admit, I have not yet set foot inside this lovely building.
Once the north wing had been torn down, the east and south additions were removed and new glass structures are being built. But they kept the main part of Main Library. My beloved stacks might be gone, but the part that first drew me to the university is still there...
When I walked past today, I couldn't believe the progress. And the clock tower was playing music. I've heard it once or twice since I started working on campus, but only once while I was a student. I was trying to write an exam in Buchanan B Block and I couldn't concentrate on my exam because the tower was playing Christmas Carols!
Oh, Main Library....
Emma's baby arrived!
On Sunday morning Emma and Craig welcomed the newest addition to their family, Kaden!
CONGRATULATIONS to all three of you from me and Alex! Kaden sure is a cutie! Can't wait to meet him!
CONGRATULATIONS to all three of you from me and Alex! Kaden sure is a cutie! Can't wait to meet him!
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Go Canucks Go!
This has to be the cutest NHL ref ever!
As Alex says, she's better than almost all the NHL refs combined!
I guess it's time to get ready for the playoffs!!!
As Alex says, she's better than almost all the NHL refs combined!
I guess it's time to get ready for the playoffs!!!
Monday, March 19, 2007
For Heddy...
who also has no microwave...Well, I guess I can't belong to that club anymore because we finally caved and bought our fancy-schmancy microwave yesterday...
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Happy Birthday Fraser
Yesterday was Fraser's birthday, so today we had brunch with Alex's family and then went back to the house for some cake and family time.
Seems we're too loud (or maybe too off key) when we sing Happy Birthday!
blowing out *the* candle
Seems we're too loud (or maybe too off key) when we sing Happy Birthday!
blowing out *the* candle
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Roadtrip to IKEA
We decided the perfect way to spend a dreary, wet Saturday was to pile into the car, go to IKEA, have hot dogs and ice cream for lunch and then buy stuff. So that's what we did today.
We went with a list and I only put two extra things in the buggy...a picture frame to immortalize baby Alice and a coffee butler, something I've been promising Alex I'd buy for weeks. Not bad, not bad at all since IKEA usually lends itself to impulse buying. On our list was a kitchen cart to hold the microwave we're going to purchase tomorrow so that we don't lose any of our scarce and coveted counter space. I don't know if Kelsey stuck to her list, but she got some cool pillows for her new digs.
Check out the twin expressions...not sure if they're "I'm done with IKEA, let's go home" expressions or "Shannon, put that dang camera away" expressions, but they match!
PS See the nasty rain hitting the car windows.
We went with a list and I only put two extra things in the buggy...a picture frame to immortalize baby Alice and a coffee butler, something I've been promising Alex I'd buy for weeks. Not bad, not bad at all since IKEA usually lends itself to impulse buying. On our list was a kitchen cart to hold the microwave we're going to purchase tomorrow so that we don't lose any of our scarce and coveted counter space. I don't know if Kelsey stuck to her list, but she got some cool pillows for her new digs.
Check out the twin expressions...not sure if they're "I'm done with IKEA, let's go home" expressions or "Shannon, put that dang camera away" expressions, but they match!
PS See the nasty rain hitting the car windows.
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