Sign In
RickGailBerry's Guestbook
Comments
Date: 26th October 2012
Welcome Back
Ditto to what Lynn said about your travel blog. It was good to stay in touch with you through your writings and pictures. So back in Canada and starting a new chapter in your life. Pat had a bit of a chuckle when he read about Rick and the early morning hockey games with coffee after!! Gail, let me know what books your book club is reading. Wishing you both a happy retirement. We'll keep in touch:)
From Blog: A New Phase
Welcome Back
Ditto to what Lynn said about your travel blog. It was good to stay in touch with you through your writings and pictures. So back in Canada and starting a new chapter in your life. Pat had a bit of a chuckle when he read about Rick and the early morning hockey games with coffee after!! Gail, let me know what books your book club is reading. Wishing you both a happy retirement. We'll keep in touch:)
From Blog: A New Phase
Date: 27th October 2012
Donna - our first book was "Olive Kitteredge' - by Elizabeth (Stout?) - I loved it. Second one is "A Time in Between' which I have read before and didn't like that much even the second time.
From Blog: A New Phase
Donna - our first book was "Olive Kitteredge' - by Elizabeth (Stout?) - I loved it. Second one is "A Time in Between' which I have read before and didn't like that much even the second time.
From Blog: A New Phase
Date: 26th October 2012
Hornby Island
I have to tell you this story. My sister and I went to Hornby Island. She was in charge of finding us a beach. Guess what beach we ended up on...I think it was the same one you ended up on:)
From Blog: A New Phase
Hornby Island
I have to tell you this story. My sister and I went to Hornby Island. She was in charge of finding us a beach. Guess what beach we ended up on...I think it was the same one you ended up on:)
From Blog: A New Phase
Date: 25th October 2012
Welcome Back to Canada!
Wow, where did the time go? I enjoyed reading about your time in China, and the pictures really added to the experience. Thanks for sharing your adventures with me. Now that you are back in Canada, I hope we will be able to meet up sometime for a visit. Beth and I met up with Linda Tutt in Banff in September at the Melissa Road Race. She ran the 10 k, Kelsey ran the 22 k, while Larry waited at the finish line. It was good to see her.
From Blog: A New Phase
Welcome Back to Canada!
Wow, where did the time go? I enjoyed reading about your time in China, and the pictures really added to the experience. Thanks for sharing your adventures with me. Now that you are back in Canada, I hope we will be able to meet up sometime for a visit. Beth and I met up with Linda Tutt in Banff in September at the Melissa Road Race. She ran the 10 k, Kelsey ran the 22 k, while Larry waited at the finish line. It was good to see her.
From Blog: A New Phase
Date: 26th February 2012
Glad to see the pics!
Hello to you both. I am glad that things are going well for you. The photos are beautiful. Thanks for posting them. Great news about Geoff. Are you back for the summer? Stopping by Abby? We would love to see you again. Blessings, Carrie & Jim
From Blog: Really, We do Work
Glad to see the pics!
Hello to you both. I am glad that things are going well for you. The photos are beautiful. Thanks for posting them. Great news about Geoff. Are you back for the summer? Stopping by Abby? We would love to see you again. Blessings, Carrie & Jim
From Blog: Really, We do Work
Date: 26th February 2012
WOW, great to hear from you!
Hi Gail and Rick, I love reading about your adventures and looking at all the pictures you post. Things are pretty much the same at GSS. Stephanie Dunlop is expecting this summer. Maureen is taking Amy's mat leave. A number of us are heading to LA for the Religious Education Congress in March. I'm looking forward to Victoria at Easter and heading back to NS for the summer. I hope our paths will cross sometime and you continue to keep us posted of what is happening in your part of the world. Take care.
From Blog: Really, We do Work
WOW, great to hear from you!
Hi Gail and Rick, I love reading about your adventures and looking at all the pictures you post. Things are pretty much the same at GSS. Stephanie Dunlop is expecting this summer. Maureen is taking Amy's mat leave. A number of us are heading to LA for the Religious Education Congress in March. I'm looking forward to Victoria at Easter and heading back to NS for the summer. I hope our paths will cross sometime and you continue to keep us posted of what is happening in your part of the world. Take care.
From Blog: Really, We do Work
Date: 23rd November 2011
Still in Chana eh!
Great addition to the blog. Love the photos.
From Blog: Heading into November
Still in Chana eh!
Great addition to the blog. Love the photos.
From Blog: Heading into November
Date: 20th November 2011
it has begun!
you're certainly taking it all in! wow! i'm so glad you're doing this travel blog. i love the pictures, and love the commentaries. this may be as close as i get for some time.... my chances of making it to China this year are less than zero. i can't afford a free lunch right now. and rumor has it that utility costs could double over the coming winter. but i'll travel vicariously with you. thanks! i sit in my little condo with the dog napping at my feet and the (electric) fireplace doing its best to cheer, the weatherman promises we'll go down to -29 tonight, and we already have 8 inches of snow. the increase in the paper of employment ads for tradesmen suggests we're heading for another boom here, going into winter. realtors and people in the oilpatch tell me that's where we're headed. Christmas lights are beginning to go up and the city puts on its festive face. Habitat for Humanity is moving towards a regionalized structure, instead of the current situation with 73 separate charitable societies across the country, so we're joining with Edmonton. seems like a good thing for us, though not all affiliates feel that way. they've even hinted at giving me a raise, which would be awfully nice. if not, i'm going to have to look for another job that pays better. i hope your (however short) holidays are blessed with good food, good friends and good times. hugs and blessings Diana
From Blog: Heading into November
it has begun!
you're certainly taking it all in! wow! i'm so glad you're doing this travel blog. i love the pictures, and love the commentaries. this may be as close as i get for some time.... my chances of making it to China this year are less than zero. i can't afford a free lunch right now. and rumor has it that utility costs could double over the coming winter. but i'll travel vicariously with you. thanks! i sit in my little condo with the dog napping at my feet and the (electric) fireplace doing its best to cheer, the weatherman promises we'll go down to -29 tonight, and we already have 8 inches of snow. the increase in the paper of employment ads for tradesmen suggests we're heading for another boom here, going into winter. realtors and people in the oilpatch tell me that's where we're headed. Christmas lights are beginning to go up and the city puts on its festive face. Habitat for Humanity is moving towards a regionalized structure, instead of the current situation with 73 separate charitable societies across the country, so we're joining with Edmonton. seems like a good thing for us, though not all affiliates feel that way. they've even hinted at giving me a raise, which would be awfully nice. if not, i'm going to have to look for another job that pays better. i hope your (however short) holidays are blessed with good food, good friends and good times. hugs and blessings Diana
From Blog: Heading into November
Date: 20th November 2011
it has begun!
you're certainly taking it all in! wow! i'm so glad you're doing this travel blog. i love the pictures, and love the commentaries. this may be as close as i get for some time.... my chances of making it to China this year are less than zero. i can't afford a free lunch right now. and rumor has it that utility costs could double over the coming winter. but i'll travel vicariously with you. thanks! i sit in my little condo with the dog napping at my feet and the (electric) fireplace doing its best to cheer, the weatherman promises we'll go down to -29 tonight, and we already have 8 inches of snow. the increase in the paper of employment ads for tradesmen suggests we're heading for another boom here, going into winter. realtors and people in the oilpatch tell me that's where we're headed. Christmas lights are beginning to go up and the city puts on its festive face. Habitat for Humanity is moving towards a regionalized structure, instead of the current situation with 73 separate charitable societies across the country, so we're joining with Edmonton. seems like a good thing for us, though not all affiliates feel that way. they've even hinted at giving me a raise, which would be awfully nice. if not, i'm going to have to look for another job that pays better. i hope your (however short) holidays are blessed with good food, good friends and good times. hugs and blessings Diana
From Blog: Heading into November
it has begun!
you're certainly taking it all in! wow! i'm so glad you're doing this travel blog. i love the pictures, and love the commentaries. this may be as close as i get for some time.... my chances of making it to China this year are less than zero. i can't afford a free lunch right now. and rumor has it that utility costs could double over the coming winter. but i'll travel vicariously with you. thanks! i sit in my little condo with the dog napping at my feet and the (electric) fireplace doing its best to cheer, the weatherman promises we'll go down to -29 tonight, and we already have 8 inches of snow. the increase in the paper of employment ads for tradesmen suggests we're heading for another boom here, going into winter. realtors and people in the oilpatch tell me that's where we're headed. Christmas lights are beginning to go up and the city puts on its festive face. Habitat for Humanity is moving towards a regionalized structure, instead of the current situation with 73 separate charitable societies across the country, so we're joining with Edmonton. seems like a good thing for us, though not all affiliates feel that way. they've even hinted at giving me a raise, which would be awfully nice. if not, i'm going to have to look for another job that pays better. i hope your (however short) holidays are blessed with good food, good friends and good times. hugs and blessings Diana
From Blog: Heading into November
Date: 18th September 2011
Hi Gail, I was just thinking of you guys the other day and wondering how you were because I hadn\'t seen a post from you, and here it is! Amazing how things work, eh? I was in Nova Scotia this summer too. To bad I missed you. I spent time in Halifax at the beginning of July and again in August before heading home. Hope you had good weather because it wasn\'t all that great this summer. We are back into the swing of things at GSS. GSS hosted this year\'s Faith Day, aka Religious Institute. It was a hit. Lots of preparation prior but worth it when it is all done. The leaves are turning yellow and fall is definitely in the air. I\'m hoping it warms up for another month. I\'m not ready for winter, just yet. Take care and enjoy your time in China.
From Blog: The Calm Before the Storm
Hi Gail, I was just thinking of you guys the other day and wondering how you were because I hadn\'t seen a post from you, and here it is! Amazing how things work, eh? I was in Nova Scotia this summer too. To bad I missed you. I spent time in Halifax at the beginning of July and again in August before heading home. Hope you had good weather because it wasn\'t all that great this summer. We are back into the swing of things at GSS. GSS hosted this year\'s Faith Day, aka Religious Institute. It was a hit. Lots of preparation prior but worth it when it is all done. The leaves are turning yellow and fall is definitely in the air. I\'m hoping it warms up for another month. I\'m not ready for winter, just yet. Take care and enjoy your time in China.
From Blog: The Calm Before the Storm
Date: 16th July 2011
Congratulatiuons/Hope all is well in China
Dear Rick/Gail; Rick, we met briefly in Whitehorse, Christmas 1978, when you and Gail were visiting Bob and Kayla. First off, congratulations on thiry five years together and the move to China. My daughters, Emma and Sara, 15 & 17, have been after me for some time now to get on facebook and track down my old friends from the Yukon. They are very interested in my tales of the Yukon, most of which (?) are true, sort of, kind of, in-a-way. I took their advice, and ended up in the Peace River Record archives, reading a story about you both retiring to teach in China. Great! I was about to teach in Vietnam in 1989 (ESL) after graduating from Simon Fraser in Burnaby, but got sidetracked with Canadian Press in Europe. So it goes. I was connected to the group, Vets with a Mission, a group of Vietnam Vets returning to Vietnam to teach, build schools, etc. They're still there, so if you go south, let me know, I can find you people for travel tips etc. Facinating to read your blogs, some envy there. Canadian Press picked up some stories of mine, written while a student journalist at SFU, and I had done some summer work for them on conservation missions in the North Pacific and Bering Sea in 1987. So I had a coin toss to deal with and ended up in Amsterdam in late June, 1989, then just missed out on the collapse of the Berlin Wall and the various revolts on down to the Adriatic. This really pissed my father off, as he had fought his way from North Africa to Berlin in 1945 with the Canadian Army (First Division)and wanted somebody in the family to take down the wall, or least watch somebody else take down the wall. I was told about the coming events in Europe, while in a bar in Amsterdam talking with American journalists, and couldn't convince my Bureau Chief in Vancouver what was about to unfold, then ended up in Florida. Too hot, even with the aligators eating hamburgers from your plate, but that's another story. So it goes, and enough of that. Wow! Thirty five years teaching in Peace River and now, China. Must be a welcome and shocking culture change/challenge. I have enjoyed your blogs, and was fun to see your sons visiting you, as my daughters have been after me to take them to sea with me to do the 'whale saving thing'. Your travels have re-ignited in me the travel bug,and I have signed back on for sea duty with a conservation group I worked with in 1987 and 1989 and now work with in Vancouver. Do you get the Discovery Channel in China? Check out 'Whale Wars'. My assemmbled offspring (as previously mentioned, girls, serious females, 15 & 17 and junior, 13, who lives to ride his dirt bikes and scare the hell out of me with his stunts,)are old enough now that with enough grovelling on my part, I should be able to do sea duty for the three to five months required to get the job done. Wife, Becky, spelled Becci, will be glad to be rid of me for the above mentioned time, us having been together since 1985, and she still doesn't know what peace and quiet is. Probably scare her. On another note, I am up to my eyeballs in courses now, perenial student,taking my Level Three Occupational First Aid, Marine Endorsement, after upgrading all my other Marine Qualifications,(Officer of the Watch, etc.)the others long since having expired, so if you are so inclined, I am studying at all hours, and am at 604 462 1618. Check out the time difference. I imagine you both have busy days leading to tired nights, so I will sign off now. If you have the time, drop me an e-mail line and bring me up to speed on everything else in the world, and again, congratulations on thiry five years together and hope your travels and experiences in China make you and your world a better place. May your God be with you, Jim Montgomery
Congratulatiuons/Hope all is well in China
Dear Rick/Gail; Rick, we met briefly in Whitehorse, Christmas 1978, when you and Gail were visiting Bob and Kayla. First off, congratulations on thiry five years together and the move to China. My daughters, Emma and Sara, 15 & 17, have been after me for some time now to get on facebook and track down my old friends from the Yukon. They are very interested in my tales of the Yukon, most of which (?) are true, sort of, kind of, in-a-way. I took their advice, and ended up in the Peace River Record archives, reading a story about you both retiring to teach in China. Great! I was about to teach in Vietnam in 1989 (ESL) after graduating from Simon Fraser in Burnaby, but got sidetracked with Canadian Press in Europe. So it goes. I was connected to the group, Vets with a Mission, a group of Vietnam Vets returning to Vietnam to teach, build schools, etc. They're still there, so if you go south, let me know, I can find you people for travel tips etc. Facinating to read your blogs, some envy there. Canadian Press picked up some stories of mine, written while a student journalist at SFU, and I had done some summer work for them on conservation missions in the North Pacific and Bering Sea in 1987. So I had a coin toss to deal with and ended up in Amsterdam in late June, 1989, then just missed out on the collapse of the Berlin Wall and the various revolts on down to the Adriatic. This really pissed my father off, as he had fought his way from North Africa to Berlin in 1945 with the Canadian Army (First Division)and wanted somebody in the family to take down the wall, or least watch somebody else take down the wall. I was told about the coming events in Europe, while in a bar in Amsterdam talking with American journalists, and couldn't convince my Bureau Chief in Vancouver what was about to unfold, then ended up in Florida. Too hot, even with the aligators eating hamburgers from your plate, but that's another story. So it goes, and enough of that. Wow! Thirty five years teaching in Peace River and now, China. Must be a welcome and shocking culture change/challenge. I have enjoyed your blogs, and was fun to see your sons visiting you, as my daughters have been after me to take them to sea with me to do the 'whale saving thing'. Your travels have re-ignited in me the travel bug,and I have signed back on for sea duty with a conservation group I worked with in 1987 and 1989 and now work with in Vancouver. Do you get the Discovery Channel in China? Check out 'Whale Wars'. My assemmbled offspring (as previously mentioned, girls, serious females, 15 & 17 and junior, 13, who lives to ride his dirt bikes and scare the hell out of me with his stunts,)are old enough now that with enough grovelling on my part, I should be able to do sea duty for the three to five months required to get the job done. Wife, Becky, spelled Becci, will be glad to be rid of me for the above mentioned time, us having been together since 1985, and she still doesn't know what peace and quiet is. Probably scare her. On another note, I am up to my eyeballs in courses now, perenial student,taking my Level Three Occupational First Aid, Marine Endorsement, after upgrading all my other Marine Qualifications,(Officer of the Watch, etc.)the others long since having expired, so if you are so inclined, I am studying at all hours, and am at 604 462 1618. Check out the time difference. I imagine you both have busy days leading to tired nights, so I will sign off now. If you have the time, drop me an e-mail line and bring me up to speed on everything else in the world, and again, congratulations on thiry five years together and hope your travels and experiences in China make you and your world a better place. May your God be with you, Jim Montgomery
Date: 11th June 2011
Wow! How time flies!
Hi Gail and Rick, I am glad to hear Rick made of good recovery and is doing the things he enjoys. That would have been scary, but thankfully he received the medical attention needed. We had snow here last Friday! Can you believe it? The day before the temperature was +27 and the next day it went down to 2 with snow. Driving to GP the next day, we could still see the snow on the sides of the ditch and trees. Crazy! We have returned to seasonal temperatures this week. PATs start next week. When will you be in Halifax? I will be spending another summer in Nova Scotia. Maybe we can hook-up? Otherwise, I look forward to reading your next blog. Take care and safe travels home.
From Blog: Year Two Comes to a Close
Wow! How time flies!
Hi Gail and Rick, I am glad to hear Rick made of good recovery and is doing the things he enjoys. That would have been scary, but thankfully he received the medical attention needed. We had snow here last Friday! Can you believe it? The day before the temperature was +27 and the next day it went down to 2 with snow. Driving to GP the next day, we could still see the snow on the sides of the ditch and trees. Crazy! We have returned to seasonal temperatures this week. PATs start next week. When will you be in Halifax? I will be spending another summer in Nova Scotia. Maybe we can hook-up? Otherwise, I look forward to reading your next blog. Take care and safe travels home.
From Blog: Year Two Comes to a Close
Date: 26th April 2011
Another year in China - good for you! I love the saying "borrowing China"...you'll be able to see even more sites and have more once in a lifetime experiences. You said you will be in PR for a visit this summer so just let us know when and I'll arrange the coffee at Tim's or at my house. I know there are so many GSS staff that will want to see you. Some of us were counting the school days left for this year and hard to believe but there's only 42 remaining. As always - too much to teach in too little time. We are finally getting spring weather here in northern Alberta. It was sunny today with a high of about +19. Hope it continues but we usually see a snowstorm or two yet in May. Congratulations to Geoff on his graduation. So nice that Chris can be with him on that special day. Take care Rick and Gail. We look forward to seeing you this summer.
From Blog: Our life in Jinshitan
Another year in China - good for you! I love the saying "borrowing China"...you'll be able to see even more sites and have more once in a lifetime experiences. You said you will be in PR for a visit this summer so just let us know when and I'll arrange the coffee at Tim's or at my house. I know there are so many GSS staff that will want to see you. Some of us were counting the school days left for this year and hard to believe but there's only 42 remaining. As always - too much to teach in too little time. We are finally getting spring weather here in northern Alberta. It was sunny today with a high of about +19. Hope it continues but we usually see a snowstorm or two yet in May. Congratulations to Geoff on his graduation. So nice that Chris can be with him on that special day. Take care Rick and Gail. We look forward to seeing you this summer.
From Blog: Our life in Jinshitan
Date: 22nd April 2011
Hello Friends
Thks. so much for the update Rick & Gail and congratulations on the new contracts. Boy, that sure didn't take long for the change. Looks and sounds like you have been very busy with work, and pleasure---good for you!! We are on Easter break right now so the week off was sooo very nice. I think we can make the last 9 wks. now. Time really does fly. We wish you both a Happy Easter and good luck with your next year. Keep the emails and pictures coming. I will say hi to all the staff from you. Take good care. Ken & Karen:)
From Blog: Our life in Jinshitan
Hello Friends
Thks. so much for the update Rick & Gail and congratulations on the new contracts. Boy, that sure didn't take long for the change. Looks and sounds like you have been very busy with work, and pleasure---good for you!! We are on Easter break right now so the week off was sooo very nice. I think we can make the last 9 wks. now. Time really does fly. We wish you both a Happy Easter and good luck with your next year. Keep the emails and pictures coming. I will say hi to all the staff from you. Take good care. Ken & Karen:)
From Blog: Our life in Jinshitan
Date: 6th April 2011
Imagine - found you in China!
Thought I would look you up and so glad I did. Enjoying your blog on China. Will keep reading it! Hope to hook up with you sometime. Beth
From Blog: Winter holiday: Xiamen, ChaoZhou, Guangzhou
Imagine - found you in China!
Thought I would look you up and so glad I did. Enjoying your blog on China. Will keep reading it! Hope to hook up with you sometime. Beth
From Blog: Winter holiday: Xiamen, ChaoZhou, Guangzhou
Date: 27th February 2011
Your writings and photos are a wonderful way for us to follow your adventures. I appreciate all the time you take to update the blog, Gail, so thank-you for sharing. Richard and Buff look great. It looks like every minute is full of either uncertainty, excitment or adventure so we marvel at the outcomes of your days. It all sounds so great and positive. We are continuing a cold and snowy winter here. We are preparing our travels to Israel and Jordan in a couple weeks. Egypt is put on hold. On a side note that you would be interested in, my sister and husband who have moved to Parksville have just experienced their 4th snow strom this winter so hang on to your winter duds!! We miss you especially last week on the Hento trails in PR.
From Blog: Winter holiday: Xiamen, ChaoZhou, Guangzhou
Your writings and photos are a wonderful way for us to follow your adventures. I appreciate all the time you take to update the blog, Gail, so thank-you for sharing. Richard and Buff look great. It looks like every minute is full of either uncertainty, excitment or adventure so we marvel at the outcomes of your days. It all sounds so great and positive. We are continuing a cold and snowy winter here. We are preparing our travels to Israel and Jordan in a couple weeks. Egypt is put on hold. On a side note that you would be interested in, my sister and husband who have moved to Parksville have just experienced their 4th snow strom this winter so hang on to your winter duds!! We miss you especially last week on the Hento trails in PR.
From Blog: Winter holiday: Xiamen, ChaoZhou, Guangzhou
Date: 27th February 2011
Your writings and photos are a wonderful way for us to follow your adventures. I appreciate all the time you take to update the blog, Gail, so thank-you for sharing. Richard and Buff look great. It looks like every minute is full of either uncertainty, excitment or adventure so we marvel at the outcomes of your days. It all sounds so great and positive. We are continuing a cold and snowy winter here. We are preparing our travels to Israel and Jordan in a couple weeks. Egypt is put on hold. On a side note that you would be interested in, my sister and husband who have moved to Parksville have just experienced their 4th snow strom this winter so hang on to your winter duds!! We miss you especially last week on the Hento trails in PR.
From Blog: Winter holiday: Xiamen, ChaoZhou, Guangzhou
Your writings and photos are a wonderful way for us to follow your adventures. I appreciate all the time you take to update the blog, Gail, so thank-you for sharing. Richard and Buff look great. It looks like every minute is full of either uncertainty, excitment or adventure so we marvel at the outcomes of your days. It all sounds so great and positive. We are continuing a cold and snowy winter here. We are preparing our travels to Israel and Jordan in a couple weeks. Egypt is put on hold. On a side note that you would be interested in, my sister and husband who have moved to Parksville have just experienced their 4th snow strom this winter so hang on to your winter duds!! We miss you especially last week on the Hento trails in PR.
From Blog: Winter holiday: Xiamen, ChaoZhou, Guangzhou
Date: 11th January 2011
Happy New Year!!
Happy New Year Rick & Gail. Hope you are having a great yr. Thanks so sharing so much news and some great pictures. Sounds like you two are keeping very busy. I think you might be on your Christmas break now, right!! We had a good 2 wk. break with the kids being home and away from work. Things are going pretty good---staying busy like everyone. We are off to Mexico next month for 20 days. We are getting very excited for that. The break away will be very good. The weather is suppose to get very cold this wk. so I hope it doesn't stay too long. I hate the cold but like the snow. Anyway, you take care and nice to hear from you and hope you are doing well. Hugs, The Zaitsoffs
From Blog: Christmas 2010
Happy New Year!!
Happy New Year Rick & Gail. Hope you are having a great yr. Thanks so sharing so much news and some great pictures. Sounds like you two are keeping very busy. I think you might be on your Christmas break now, right!! We had a good 2 wk. break with the kids being home and away from work. Things are going pretty good---staying busy like everyone. We are off to Mexico next month for 20 days. We are getting very excited for that. The break away will be very good. The weather is suppose to get very cold this wk. so I hope it doesn't stay too long. I hate the cold but like the snow. Anyway, you take care and nice to hear from you and hope you are doing well. Hugs, The Zaitsoffs
From Blog: Christmas 2010
Date: 30th December 2010
Greetings from Canada
Hi Rick and Gail, We both enjoyed your entries of Dec. 28 and 29. What adventures you're having!! The guy in the Maple Leaf Staff Party pic looks just like Santa and from the other pictures, it looks like you were able to enjoy Christmas in style! Gail - I love your red heels! Your blog allows us to follow your adventures and get a big helping of history with a personal "Berry" touch. Gail, this fall the book club read "Sarah's Key", "Pope Joan", and "The Thirteenth Tale" - high ratings for all 3 and good discussions too. January brings us "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" which I"m already half finished. I plan on reading the complete trilogy by Stieg Larson. Your name always comes up at our meetings - we really should arrange a skype visit of some kind?? We spent Christmas in Mexico - all 19 of my family from my mom and dad to my youngest niece - it was a great time and we made many wonderful memories. Please keep us updated via your blog - I always look forward to seeing your entry appear in my hotmail. Take care. Happy New Year! Pat and Donna Brennan
From Blog: Christmas 2010
Greetings from Canada
Hi Rick and Gail, We both enjoyed your entries of Dec. 28 and 29. What adventures you're having!! The guy in the Maple Leaf Staff Party pic looks just like Santa and from the other pictures, it looks like you were able to enjoy Christmas in style! Gail - I love your red heels! Your blog allows us to follow your adventures and get a big helping of history with a personal "Berry" touch. Gail, this fall the book club read "Sarah's Key", "Pope Joan", and "The Thirteenth Tale" - high ratings for all 3 and good discussions too. January brings us "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" which I"m already half finished. I plan on reading the complete trilogy by Stieg Larson. Your name always comes up at our meetings - we really should arrange a skype visit of some kind?? We spent Christmas in Mexico - all 19 of my family from my mom and dad to my youngest niece - it was a great time and we made many wonderful memories. Please keep us updated via your blog - I always look forward to seeing your entry appear in my hotmail. Take care. Happy New Year! Pat and Donna Brennan
From Blog: Christmas 2010
Date: 8th December 2010
Greetings from PR
Hi guys. It all looks and sounds so wonderful. What an adventure! Are you home for Christmas? We're in Calgary. Jacson and Michelle are expecting a baby boy on Dec. 24th...going to be grandparents - YEH!
From Blog: Hanhzhou
Greetings from PR
Hi guys. It all looks and sounds so wonderful. What an adventure! Are you home for Christmas? We're in Calgary. Jacson and Michelle are expecting a baby boy on Dec. 24th...going to be grandparents - YEH!
From Blog: Hanhzhou
Thanks for the armchair visit!
Hi Gail and Rick! It's so wonderful to get your blogs and photos--next best thing to your being here and make you feel so much closer than the thousands of km away that you are! I'm happy for you that your sister Barb made it over and cuts back on the loneliness for family. All is well here--still nice out but cooling down a bit. My family are back this weekend from Mexico for Diana and Jim's daughter's wedding. My boys went. ATA retirment do is coming up on the 29th--wish you were here to be with us. Donna W. asked if I would do the little talk for Salva. I could ask you a few details. Oh well, this way I'll keep it short! Eliana, Lynn and I have been having our "Early Interviews" this week and last--a new Pilot project to see if students/parents benefit from knowing how their child is doing--before report cards are started. It has been a hectic and busy start with so many new things to try to learn. many are getting the bugs ironed out still--such as Grade book. We have yet to see the new report card while the public system has already seen and done inservicing on theirs. Our PD day at the ranch on the 25th will be a workshop on the Write Traits and then Keri the leader, will work with students in individual classes similar to how Geri Lorway did the math teaching demo lessons. My children are all doing alright including Mark and Ashlea going through the divorce process. The grandkids seem to be rallying and doing the best they can with all the adjustments. I talked to Ashlea and Kaylie yesterday. Kole was in Red Deer with his volleyball team. They are one week with their dad at their house and one week with Ashlea at her apartment. I had Thanksgiving at Fred and Beth's with many others--Vinos (spelling?), Gel, a Newfie who is principal at Fairview and whose wife has been in Newfoundland since June, Ab, Fred's brother who has been out for the annual hunting expedition and myself. Ab stays at Dave Troup's and that's where all the hunting and follow-up activities take place. They have gotten two deer so far, I gather. Last evening Beth and I had a lovely walk down the Westbrook road and then wine, popcorn and the Sandra Bullock movie, "Blind Side" which I had seen before but enjoyed just as much the second time. A couple of weeks or so ago I went to the local theatre with Maureen to see "Eat, Pray, Love" with Julia Roberts. I had been reading the book but found it a bit slow going. However, I did enjoy the movie and will persevere with the book. As usual, I have about a half dozen other books on the go at the same time--both professional and fiction reading. My class is a very busy bunch but I am getting to know their individual personalities now and liking them despite some of their antics and behaviours that can be trying on the patience. I have two EAs -one two days and the other three days a week alternating--Kristine McGuinty and Joanne Crowley, so very lucky. I told my class about your having to do your own classroom cleaning and that they are lucky they don't have to help me with cleaning ours. So far Vern has trapped 7 mice. Mary-Anne is surprisingly nervous about mice in her room-especially now that one trap had only a front leg in it and she fears the rest of the mouse may be decomposing in her room or something.... I've seen Salva power walking in the hills and by ways and have seen her and Wayne at IGA a couple of times. Their kids all came home for Thanksgiving. Nicholas C. is still trying to find a job and thinking of raising his marks even further before going into Law School. Colleen Rotenburger was looking for a job but has now gone back to school and is studying linguistics to go into Speech Pathology. Darlene's baby shower was a school a couple of weeks ago. What a beautiful son Colton is--very fair and looks a lot like Nick. Darlene keeps in touch and goes for coffee with Mary-Anne, myself or whoever else is available. Mary-Anne keeps in touch with Rachel who has phoned her and e-mailed. I have not e-mailed so have heard nothing. It's been crazy busy--though no worse than for you--and I also have family to keep up with. Kathleen still writes letters--I had two last week! She is such a busy lady with her Home Care nursing which is being evaluated-not the right word, getting to move to new quarters, with the harvesting--which is finally done, her camer club, book club and keeping the men fed! She says that work gets in the way of her extra-curricular activities. She will have no problem enjoying retirement! Guess I should start the lesson planning and marking and get another mark or two on that Grade book! Wishing you all the best and hope you acutally see this e-mail! Love to you both and good luck in your teaching! As ever, Caroline PS Jean-Paul was in Africa and just back--going to start subbing here.
From Blog: Barb in Jinshitan
Yikes
You are adventurous! I would be happy being a vegetarian. Couldn't possibly think about chowing down my Shiloh, especially since he is a better companion than dinner.
From Blog: Barb in Jinshitan
Date: 17th October 2010
:0)
The two of you loiok so well! and happy! i'm still sulking at not making it to china for a hfh build anad to see you.... but such is life..... and there's no sign of it being any more possible in the coming year... i'll have to see china vicariously through you.... at least for now. be well.
From Blog: We're Back for year 2!
:0)
The two of you loiok so well! and happy! i'm still sulking at not making it to china for a hfh build anad to see you.... but such is life..... and there's no sign of it being any more possible in the coming year... i'll have to see china vicariously through you.... at least for now. be well.
From Blog: We're Back for year 2!
Diana Strid
non-member comment
:0)
welcome home! you both look wonderful! All the best in your newly refurbished costal home.
From Blog: A New Phase