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Published: February 28th 2010
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Rocky Mountains
One of the first peaks we saw was Ha Ling Peak. It used to be called Chinaman's Peak because Ha Ling (a local Chinese person) used to love to climb it. I didn't have a problem with the old name but the new name is probably more appropriate. Just one of many beauties in the Canmore area. We are now back in China after a great month at home seeing family and friends even though we couldn’t get to see everyone we wanted to.
This trip, we started in
Alberta visiting my sister and her husband (Mary and Bernie) who were visiting Canmore from London, England. We grew up not that far from here but had never been in this town at the same time. It was fabulous to see the Rocky Mountains on such a glorious day in the winter. After our trip to Harbin it seemed odd to consider this winter!
We also visited Dianne’s parents who are getting ready to celebrate their 92nd birthdays. We enjoy a family tradition of playing card games at every opportunity and this trip was no different. I have introduced some of the games we play to my English Club here in China. The boys enjoy the games as much as our family does.
When we arrived in
BC, the weather wasn’t great for kayaking so we spent our time on Pender cleaning up and clearing out so the place will be ready for us when we come back permanently. It was pleasant to just enjoy the
Local scenery
Just across the street from where we were staying was this creek. Imagine having to look at this every day! cottage and touch base with the folks who will soon be our day-to-day neighbours.
The highlight of the trip was, of course, seeing the grandchildren. In Mission, we were lucky to be able to celebrate Claire’s 9th birthday. Another family tradition is Grandma, Lise and Claire decorating cup cakes for the family party. This year, we brought back a birthday candle that is supposed to open up when lit and play a tune. All it did was sit there and melt. Claire’s Dad took it apart and found some strange powder. When he tried lighting it, it generated a large flame and much excitement. Unfortunately, we didn’t get that on video.
Travelling to Cedar, we got to see Steve and Tara’s new house near their restaurant. The younger grandchildren change so fast it is really good to see them as often as possible. Dianne tells the story of Jamie (2½) who said “Thank you Grandma for changing my diaper”. How often does that happen? (The thanks, not the diaper change). Lots of walks, playgrounds and stories. Great fun.
Back in Victoria, we visited Russ, Heather and Kyle. Kyle had broken his right arm at the park not
Easy living
Four tourists enjoying cappuccini in the sun.
We wouldn't be doing this in Dalian! too long before we got there. It was interesting to watch him cope with his inability to pick things up with his right hand. Eating is also fun when you can’t get your hand up to your mouth. He started walking very early and is really quick. He hasn’t figured out limits yet, like you can’t just step off the ledges on the playground equipment. He hasn’t started speaking but has an amazing sign language “vocabulary”. It makes life a lot easier when a child that young can actually “tell” you what he wants.
After a quiet couple of weeks on Pender, we started wending our way back to China by revisiting the kids. It was sad to say good bye. Thank goodness for Skype.
We overlapped a few days with the Winter Olympics but managed to avoid any problems. My biggest concern was possible problems at the airport the day we left. They tell you to be there three hours (or more) before an international flight. Combining this with the normal late morning rush hour into Vancouver and the hour plus trip to the airport, we decided on an early departure time. Our son-in-law/driver, Greg, always says
Lise and Claire
Lots of fun with the oldest granddaughters. We were out for a walk to the duck pond when we took this. "You can be late when you get there". We were not late when we got there... In fact, we were sitting at our gate, luggage checked in, boarding passes in hand more than three hours before the flight left. The peace of mind was worth it. We even had time to shop for Olympic souvenirs to take "home" to China. Thanks, Greg!
We have been back in
China for a week and it has been quite a week. A new program was sprung on the ESL department but no new Canadian teachers were hired to teach it. There was a huge reshuffling of staff required to make it work. But they did it and, starting Monday, the new program is in full swing.
Included in this shuffle was the announcement that the three coordinator positions would be phased out for next year. We don’t know what the three coordinators will be doing but Dianne was told there would be something for her next year. There will be some negotiations over the next few weeks but it does look like we will be back in China next year.
Coming to a computer screen near you: In reviewing the
Please, sir, I want some more
Kyle doesn't speak Mandarin. In fact, he doesn't even speak English. But his sign language skills are remarkable. Here he is, cast and all, telling us he wants more supper. blog files, I noticed I have never blogged about our first September National Holiday Week. Yes, September 2008. We were so busy (not too busy to go on the holiday though) that I didn’t get a chance to write up our first major Chinese trip. So now I am busy reviewing the hundreds of pictures from that trip and sorting them to put together with the notes. Lots of good memories to share.
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