Grand Adventures

Goldie Lockes in the Middle Kingdom

2007-06-13T06:14:00.000-07:00

(now if only I had blonde hair...)

Yes, yes...life is settling itself here in "middle country" (more commonly known as China). After being here just a little over a month I have finally settled back into life and some sense of routine-ness is beginning to develop.

I have decided to rent a "service apartment" for the next 5 months. I tried to find a place I wanted to live in that was a normal flat, but nothing made me feel like I was "home". After having spent the past 8 months with Jean, Jen and Nina in a house, all the spaces and places here lack character. Everything I looked at just seemed to be too ... well ... too. Too small, too big, too dirty, too fancy, just too... This, compounded by the fact that Mike is still inBeijing so there is just me and my 3 suitcases (and a bicycle) means that I don't want too... I want just enough (not too big, not too small, not too hard, not too soft, but ... just right).

Service apartments are great if all one want is a place to sleep, shower, eat, read and watch a little DVD from time to time. Plus, the one I am in is less than 15minutes walk from work, close to the lake, close to a starbucks, close to a supermarket and close to the football stadium ... all the important things in life.

I have finally been able to unpack my suitcases ... we shall see how long I can sit still for this time.

D'boyz Conquer D'Wall Again

2007-05-24T07:19:00.000-07:00

May 19th, 2007 - after a 5 hour journey that should have taken three the night before, and a meal of now cold pasta, we were back on The Wall for another year. It was hard to sit and watch all the runners prepare for the challenge as I very much wanted to be amongst them ... but a painful shin splint has me grounded. So, I attended as an avid support of D'boyz, Kat and Angus.

It was a gorgeous day and after a bit of warm up and stretching they were off...

Sarah, Marissa and I cheered on the masses under the blistering sun and watched in amazement as the first full marathoner flew down the stairs - it was incredible. Gravity was very much in his favor, not to mention training. He finished in just over 3 and a half hours which is an incredible speed on The Wall.

Mike and Andre were both happy with their finishing time, but it was the company of good friends was the best part of the memory.

VAN MARATHON

2007-05-24T06:50:00.000-07:00

It has been some time since I last wrote and so much has occurred. Between packing up life in Victoria, heading to Vancouver to run the marathon, flying to China, starting to get settled and flying between Hangzhou and Beijing life has kept me hopping.

The Vancouver Marathon was a challenge for a number of reasons - though I had aimed to try for Boston Marathon qualifying time there were some obstacles in training in the last few weeks and so this became unobtainable. I was doing well running at under 4hrs which was still good, but by the time I reached the 30k marker the drive to push was dissipating.

It was then that I met Charlotte from Seattle. She was struggling with an injury and was weary of finishing so we made a pact to get her to the end. It was so very worth the journey. Yes, it could have been done faster - but the memory would not be as rich as it now is. And, in the end, we got the t-shirt - haha. I wish I had better pictures to share, but these are the best I can do ...

SO PERFECT

2007-05-03T21:28:00.000-07:00

Given by Marty and Shirley Jay - Thank you

Do what makes you happy.
Look upon what give you joy.
Listen to what lifts your spirit.
Speak to those who warm your heart.
Surround yourself with sights and sounds and people
who make you smile!

THE GATHERING

2007-04-29T17:47:00.000-07:00

Today was an absolutely gorgeous day and it was also the gathering of the Huot clan for Grandma Huot's 80th birthday celebration: aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great grandchildren and the most important guest, grandma.

It was quite an honor to be given this chance to celebrate with people whom I am a blood relative of, but am only just beginning to get to know and it is an amazing memory to carry with me as I head back to China.

The 5th Roommate

2007-04-24T18:20:00.000-07:00

Pussy-cat, pussy-cat,where have you been?
I've been to London to see the Queen.

Pussy-cat, pussy-cat,what did you do there?

I frightened a little mouseunder the chair.

Though the lovely Dina has never met the queen and the mouse would probably frighten her under the chair, she has be a loveable addition to the house.

Over the past 8 months she has timidly crept down the stairs stealing herself in and out of doorways until she made the house her home.

In just a few short days she will be whisked away to a new life in Alberta with her chosen Jen, but I have enjoyed her company as she hops up on the table to bath in the sunshine while I work on papers, runs after my shoe-laces when I prepare to head out for a run, and bats at my hand when she is certain I have not given her enough attention.

Thank you for picking me as your friend Dina!

JENNY'S GRAD RECITAL

2007-04-22T18:43:00.000-07:00

WAY TO GO GIRL!!

Today was Jen-girls final recital and the last step of her academic journey thus far. She did an amazing job! Proud of you girlie-girl!!

Another Thoughtful Thought

2007-04-22T17:51:00.000-07:00

Comes the Dawn
(thanks Aunt Rita)

After a while you learn the subtle difference between holding a hand
and sharing a life
And you learn that love doesn’t mean possession
and company doesn’t mean security and loneliness is universal

And you learn that kisses aren’t contracts
and presents aren’t promises
and you begin to accept your defeats with your head up
and your eyes open with the grace of a woman and not the grief of a child.

And you learn to build your hope on today as the future has a way of falling apart in mid-flight because tomorrow’s ground can be too uncertain for plans,
yet each step taken in a new direction creates a path toward the promise of a brighter dawn.

And you learn that even sunshine burns if you get too much,
so you plant your own garden
and nourish your own soul
instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.

And you learn to love,
true love always has joys and sorrows
seems ever present, yet is never quite the same
becoming more than love and less than love
so difficult to define

And you learn that through it all you really can endure
that you really are strong
that you do have value

and you learn and grow with every goodbye you learn.

-Joy Whitman-

Thoughtful thought

2007-04-22T17:46:00.000-07:00

Be patient with all that is unsolved in your heart...
Try to love the questions themselves...

Do not now seek the answers,
which cannot be given
because you would not be able to live them.

And the point is,
to live everything.

Live the questions now.

Perhaps you will then
gradually
without noticing it,
Live along some distant day
into the answers

Rainier Maria Rilke

Blossoms Galore

2007-04-08T12:18:00.000-07:00

They are just so gorgeous that I had to add a few more photos (if you click on them you can sometimes get the full version).

D'boyz Run Again

2007-04-07T12:10:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago the boyz ran yet another Marathon/Half Marathon in Xiamen. It was HOT and HUMID and...did I mention HOT - but they all made it their respective distances without passing out.

(David, Andre, Mikael, Pete, Mike)

WELL DONE GENTLEMEN!!

SCHOOL IS

2007-04-07T11:26:00.000-07:00

OUT

After 7 months the first stage of my PhD studies is wrapping up. April 5th was the last day of class and, as I tie up the loose ends to my final policy paper, I am taking a moment to reflect on what I will have accomplished by the time I depart for China on May 8th:

15 papers - written
4 powerpoint - designed and presentation
3 modules - designed and wrote
3 scholarship applications - submitted
1 scholarship - won
3 conferences - presented at
2 social presentations - given
2 trips to Beijing and
1 trip to Hangzhou and
1 trip to Omaha and
1 trip to Prince George
3 trips to Vancouver
1 marathon - trained and ran
2 half marathons - trained and ran

It has been a very interesting and rewarding journey the success of which has been dependent upon a number of key things:

hours spent on msn and skype with Mike
more hours spent on the phone with Dad
laughter and the building of memories with Jean, Jen, and Nina (and Dina-the cat)
the amazing friendship of my cousin Michelle, and friends Dirk and Gigi, Ron, and Dwayne
inspirations and running support from James, Katherine W., and all those in China (Andre, Peter, Mikael, David...etc)
the incredible support of my supervisor Jessica
and the faculty and staff (Katherine and Sandra!!)
finding the humor in statistics with my 4 colleagues
the knowledge that others were enduring similar challenges balancing life, work, school
(David B. - good to know you were out there too)

late, late, late nights
copious amounts of coffee
a very comfortable chair
the reliablity of my Dell

From wondering what I was doing here to a renewed excitment in academics, this has been a journey with much to be remembered.

HERE COMES...

2007-03-27T21:38:00.000-07:00

Marshmallow Cottonball???
(It's all about the fuzzy bunnies)

This one goes out to MR. Cottonball (you know who you are). As Easter approaches I thought it would be a nice idea to capture images of some of the lovely bunnies hopping around the UVic campus. For those of you who have attended UVic, you are well aware that the bunny is the true mascot of the institute. There were more rabbits before but their overabundance means periods of catch and release. Soon there should be numerous little baby bunnies bouncing around and I shall try to share a few photos of them when I can. Until then, I shall continue to wonder how Easter Bunnies lay eggs (it is all a little mysterious, don't you think?).

Spring has Sprung.

2007-03-25T17:19:00.000-07:00

Victoria is an absolutely beautiful place to be in the spring (unless of course you have allergies - then you may disagree). However, school gets so hectic that, at times, it seems almost impossible to stop long enough to notice that the trees are budding and the flowers are in bloom. It is on the days that I run that I notice the season is changing - but then I don't have my camera with me. I tell myself to get back out and take some photos, and then life gets busy and I forget. So today I had a "stop and smell the roses (and other such blossoms)" moment to share with you!

JEN'S 1ST 5K!!

2007-03-25T16:56:00.000-07:00

Sunday, March 25th has been an absolutely beautiful day. I was on the road by about 20 after 8am for a run up to the University to meet up with Jen at the SUB for the start of the AVP (anti-violence project - on-campus sexual assault centre) 5k run. Jen started running just a few months ago and the goal was to complete the 5k today. AND SHE DID!! I am so very proud of her accomplishment - she made it all the way around, without stopping, with a little kick at the end to boot! WELL DONE JEN!!

Next up - through the village to the ocean's edge and back!

MIKA

2007-03-01T22:51:00.000-08:00

I was deeply saddened today to learn that my other kitten, Mika, passed away during the night. It is a struggle to come to terms with how quickly the lives of both Mika and Sammy ended. As much as one can comprehend a viral or parasitic infection, that it can have such a devastating effect in such a short period is heart-wrenching. It is to Paul and Kat that we owe the greatest debt of gratitude as they made such great efforts to care for the cats but, in the end, were the one's who had to endured the blunt end of this tragedy. Mika was a little spitfire. Born as an orphan she made it through the first weeks growing into this tiny little furball that was determined to survive. I first saw here in a cage at a pet food store only weeks after she had been born and, at 5 weeks, was given permission to take her home. Placed in a box, she bounced and jostled along as I peddled my bike as speedily as I could to my flat. Once there, the small bundle of fluff had to endure the wrath of Sammy's distaste towards territorial intrusion.

It only took a few days of hissing, spitting and a few good swats by Sammy before she decided that Mika was not a threat and could stay. Within the week they had become siblings. From tearing around after to curling up with, they were inseparable.

With such similar coloring but a distinct difference in size, many thought they were mother-daughter. Whatever the connection, it is clear that one could not live without the other.

Mika will be remember as the most loveably independent little orphan and the mysterious bump-under-the-blanket.

Forbidden City

2007-02-27T00:36:00.000-08:00

(except to the corporate concubine)

During my latest trip to China Mike and I took an afternoon to walk through the grounds of China's Imperial Palace. Though both of us have seen temples, palaces and ruins before, the company made the adventure so much more memorable. We were not in a rush, we had no where we had to be, we weren't on a tourist trip - it was more like going for a stroll in the park.

With a stop at the Forbidden Cities own Starbucks (think what you will of this...) we meandered through gates, up stairs and across courtyards while taking in the not-to-polluted air (the next day had a visibility of less than zero so were were lucky).

We had a chance encounter with some HZ friends and made new acquaitances with some foreigners visiting from NY. Unfortunately, we were frustrated at the lack of respect shown by whomever decided to let their child defecate on the palace stairs. However, all-in-all, the small adventure was grand.

Here is a site where you yourself can take a 360degree interactive tour of one of the courtyards in the palace - enjoy. http://www.thebeijingguide.com/forbidden_city/forbidden_city_virtual_tour.html

For HIM

2007-02-26T05:15:00.000-08:00

It was a dark night (hehe) and I had ventured out to Kana's for a bit of socializing when I first met HIM. Blonde hair, blue eyes, dazzling smile. But, me being me and it being a bar, I pretty much ignored HIS friendly banter. Weeks later I would realize that we had met before and I would shake my head that I had not been more friendly for HE was a kindred spirit with whom a lifetime friendship would be developed.

In the 2 years that I was to spend in HZ with HIM, we share the joys of birthdays and christmas' as well as the pains of leaving parties and broken hearts. HE was always there as a support, but more than that, he made me laugh...that deep hearted laugh that lasts so long and strong it brings tears to the eyes.

Memories of sushi dinners ("I cooked it myself you know"), the contortionist ability of dogs ("if only I could do what she does, imagine how happy I would be"), and "the wheels on the birthday bus go round and round" brings a smile to my face every time.

Today we now live in separate cities, in separate countries, but we always seem to be able to find each other for those few moments every once in a while and it helps keep us real ("OMG...I've been around the sun...").

So, this one is just for HIM and as a wish for all others that you too could have a HIM in your world too.

LUV YA HUGE, CLIFF!!

1st Time 1st Class

2007-02-26T05:01:00.000-08:00

Having flown around the world a number of times, it is starting to pay off. This past trip to China I was able to reap some rewards and flew 1st class both directions. It was my first time at the front of the bus and, as they (whoever "they" are) say, it will be hard to return to economy seating. For those of you who have flown 1st class before, you may find my experience to be a bit amusing. For those who have not, you have something yet to look forward to as it is an adventure.

In1st class you are provided with a pillow that is just a little bigger and a "duvet" instead of a blanket. There is definitely more leg room and the reclining seats are much wider.

When you arrive on the plane and are settled you are offered your choice of juice or champagne, and it is served in a glass glass, not paper or plastic. Appetizers are served as well as salads with little individual oil/vinegar dressing and salt/pepper containers. There are several choices of bread that are served warm (as opposed to that cold, hard bun in economy class), you have your choice of 3 entrees and then comes the cheese and fruit cart followed by the desert cart. An individual table cloth is provided for each passenger and food arrives on real dishes which are cleared away in stages as you finish.

Customer service is at a much higher level in this section with small pouches filled with eye covers, extra socks, earplugs, toothbrush and paste, and shoe deodorizers. Not to mention, the headsets provided are far superior at eliminating noise.

Though I usually find travelling in economy class to be fine, I can definitely see the appeal to flying 1st class for long hauls. I shall have to find more ways to accomplish this in the future.

SAMMY

2007-02-25T10:14:00.000-08:00

It was July 2005 and I had been chatting with my colleague, Kat, about wanting a kitten - preferrably one that needed to be wanted when she called me one evening and said that there was a small cat wandering around her complex yallowing. I decided to go check the kitten out - she was great! Though skinny, slightly injured, and obviously starving - she had a feisty little spirit.

At the time we didn't know if she was a boy or girl (not so easy to tell on kittens you see) and so we named her Sammy. Turns out she was a she, but the name still stuck - it suited her.

There was a bit of uncertainty as to whether she would survive, but survive she did. She grew from a scraggely, big eyed, big eared kitten into an incredibly loving and beautiful cat.

We believe that she had been trapped by something which had caused her back leg to be slightly crippled, though it didn't impair her in any way, and she had lost a one claw and a tooth - but these injuries healed well over time.

When we brought a new little homeless kitten in, Sammy detested her for the first few days. However, once she decided that Mika could stay they became insparable with Sammy meowing if she couldn't find Mika.

Unfortunately, a week ago Sammy took ill. We may never know what it was that caused her to become so sick, but on Friday Feb. 23rd, in the loving care of Paul and Kat, Sammy passed away. She will be missed.

Extra! Extra! Read all about it...

2007-02-07T11:06:00.000-08:00

WELCOME TO THE WORLD ELIJAH!!!

On Jan. 29th - so excited to get into the world that he came 6 weeks early, little Elijah Arthur was born to VERY proud parents Vicky and Ben.

Coming in at just over 5lbs, his dad says that he is doing well. Though exhausted, Vicky was also doing well.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Application Journey

2007-02-03T13:03:00.000-08:00

I talk alot on this blog about applying for scholarships and awards. It seems like a simple idea - fill out application, put in envelope, seal, stamp and mail. I wish it could be that easy. A few weeks ago I completed my application for the Canada-China Scholars' Exchange Program (CCSEP). Though must applications are not this complicated, I thought I would share what it took to put this particular one together.

First, there is the application itself. Though often applications like this one are generally clearly laid out, it takes time to fill in all the blanks and ensure that all information is accurate, clear, and error free.

Next, most applications call for either a statement of research or, in this particular case, a study plan.

Then, there are the recommendation letters that must be collected from 2-3 professors.

In addition, one needs transcripts of all post-secondary education and for me this means 3 institutions. The requests take approximately 2 weeks, so planning to complete an application must start well in advance.

For the CCSEP I was also required to complete a medical and have a chest x-ray done (not normally done for an application, but China has a few variations).

The CCSEP also requires that 5 copies of each document be submitted and all must be official - this requires the applicant (in this case me) to either request 5 official copies or to have 4 copies of an original notarized. I can only thank my stars that my landlady is a police officer and was kind enough to notarize all the copies for me, otherwise the cost of the application goes through the roof.

Once all pieces are obtained, it is necessary to check and double check that nothing has been missed and that all components are completed to their fullest. It then is possible to saunter over to the local post office and send the package off with a sigh and a cross of the fingers that all this work will actually lead to an award being granted.

Though there are variations to each application, all are complex and time consuming. So, the next time you read about me working on a scholarship or award application you can share in the challenge of what such an event means.

INTERNATIONAL ICFB DAY

2007-02-03T12:46:00.000-08:00

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL
ICE-CREAM FOR BREAKFAST DAY!!!

What, you ask, is International Ice Cream for Breakfast Day?

It all started on a snowy February day in Rochester, NY back in the 1970s. Florence Rappaport's youngest two children were bored, it was too cold to go outside and play. So what did their Mom do? Served them ice cream for breakfast, that's what! On that weekend morning, little did she know that her creative attempt to make a slow day exciting would in fact become her legacy.

Mrs. Rappaport's kids grew up and went to college, taking the tradition with them. They told some friends who told some friends, each making the day their own.

Almost forty years later, ICFBD has spread worldwide. The Rappaports, their six children and 13 grandchildren traveled to as far-flung places as Israel, Honduras, Namibia, England, Nepal and even China, sowing the seeds of Ice Cream for Breakfast Day wherever they went and making it a truly international festival.

Local media got a hold of the story in the 80s and shared the holiday with their readers on the front page. Even today ICFBD still makes news in newspapers and magazines around the world. Last year, ICFBD was introduced in a calendar for the first time!

Mrs. Rappaport is no longer with us, but the holiday she created grows yearly.

So, how does one celebrate ICFBD?

It's simple.

Eat Ice Cream
For Breakfast
On the first Saturday in February

In the Empress Ave. household we could not let the day pass without also participating in this important international event. As such, Nina, Jen, Kelly, and I celebrated with a grand pancake and icecream breakkie!

If you missed out this year, be sure to mark it on your calendar for the years to come. It is definitely worth stopping for a morning to share with your friends and family!

School Thoughts

2007-02-01T23:32:00.000-08:00

The journey of my PhD is being made with 4 other women. Starting from left are:

Catherine (from Edmonton), Ahna ( from the Kootney area), Jolly (from Uganda), Me, and Cole (from Fernie).

We survived the first semester together and it was a process of growing into each other.

Following the Christmas holidays we have become a much stronger team in learning. As we plough through a course in statistics we have learned to depend on each other's strengths and realize that we function better as a collective of minds. This has made each class that much more enjoyable and profitable.

When April arrives we will finish our residency and some of us will head out to different areas of the world to continue pursuing our research. Though I look forward to returning to the opportunities in China I will miss the environment of school.

Hello February

2007-02-01T19:31:00.000-08:00

New month and a change to go with it. I made an appointment with Shawn at Maison George and went there at 10am for a haircut. Shawn was fabulous. While he cut we chatted and 2 hours later I had left my locks on the floor and walked out the door just a little lighter. It was fun. Shawn's Thursdays are relatively free so he didn't have any clients waiting and it gave us time to just hang out while he re-designed my hair. What fun!

Buzy buzy bee

2007-01-25T23:17:00.000-08:00

I had great intentions on keeping up with this on a weekly basis...it was a nice idea. Since my second semester began the calendar has begun to fill up at an incredible pace. Not only is there the need to wrap my brain around Public Poicy and Statistics (fun fun), but then there are the meetings with this Prof and appointments with that one, as well as award applications, prepping for presentations and trying to train for the marathon in May.

Sigh...I think I need a holiday.

On the fun side, I had the chance to watch a production from the music department that was based off Dr. Seuss' "Lorax". It was great. I am waiting for some pics from it to share with you all.

Though this past week has been crazily busy, I feel that there is very little to write. Most of the business is of little interest, just life type stuff necessary to move ahead in the academic field. Some of the fun stuff to come though will be presentations about China to different community groups - a little light entertainment.

I will keep you all up-to-date as it happens.

Tidbits from 2006

2007-01-11T20:48:00.000-08:00

Jan - Feb was spent in Argentina (with my lovely nephew C and family) and Germany

Then the Gala (ooh lala K&K)

Then it was the GWM (M, K & A),my B-day

my trip to Thailand (happy b-day to me with Nat and Two), and the World Cup

This was followed by A. and X.T.'s leaving party,

a charity event (Helping Hands) and...

my leaving party

PhD life begins in Victoria with M visiting Canada

F and T had their second little girl, Courtney, on Oct. 26th- - isn't she cute.

W.Z. had an adorable little girl, Diandian, in Nov. Congrats new mum.

my younger brother, C, had his first little girl, my niece Quinn Violet, born Nov. 14

while my older but still younger big brother, K, and C of Kamloops were married in Cube in Nov.

D had his first baby girl, Francesca, on Nov. 28th - a beautiful British-Chinese angel
K and C of Calgary were engaged at the beginning of December
M and L had their first babyboy, Matthew, born on Christmas eve - what a gift!!

Mrs. L. sent along the holiday photo taken just before New Years- aren't they all cute, too

And, finally, my "upstairs roommate", J, and her boyfriend K were engaged on New Years Eve!!

A New Semester

2007-01-11T20:37:00.000-08:00

Today was the first day back at school for me. Though I have been working off and on with the Project I have yet to complete I haven't had to be in class this past week. I have found the week to bounce a bit with regards to direction. Determining how to balance economics, scholastics and relationship is a challenge - particularly when all three will be in different places come May.

There is little that I can do at present on any of those aspects so the goal is to focus on this semesters course work and the preparation that needs to get done with my work in China while my supervisor, J, and I slowly work together on the thesis direction.

The courses for this semester are Quantitative Methods (Stats) and Public Policy. Today it was an introduction to the latter and the dynamics in the course were very positive as well as the course itself lending to opportunities for scholarly growth. Basically - it looks good.

The stats course begins next Tuesday with a number of us feeling quite shaky about the whole thing. It has been 6 years since I have had to look at numbers and data analysis tools...eeek. However, the courses are designed for our success so this keeps me positive about it.

C and I are already in a count down to reading break ... probably shouldn't be "wishing our lives away" like this (quoted from friend at NWP), but seeing M will be the highlight of this semester.

2007 Underway with Thanks

2007-01-05T23:08:00.000-08:00

So, I had some plans. The plan to start writing this on day 1 and stick with it. To find something to take a picture of everyday. To put together a scrap book. To be proactive and avoid procrastination. To keep to my running schedule starting on the predetermined date of Jan. 3rd. To watch my food intake in terms of eating healthy foods. To Yup...I had plans. I didn't have resolutions - just plans.

Of all the plans, plans number 5 and 6 are the only one that have actually been put into action. The runs were good. A bit slow, but it is the start. The healthy food intake started well with a visit to supermarket for salads, salads, and salads. I have cut out caffeine completely and have a bit of a headache, but am working to stock up on water. I find my concentration level is a bit off and so other aspects of what I was hoping to focus on are falling by the wayside. I hope this is temporary.

I have several challenges in this new year. Challenges in terms of choices. The great part is that I have choice so I certainly can't feel bad about that. I found out that my SSHRC scholarship application didn't make it out of the school and that was a bit frustrating. But my Trudeau Scholarship application was forwarded to the national level - if I can get to the interview stage at least then I will feel that I wrote well.

The balance between wanting to do research and having the economics to do it is always one of the greatest challenges. I do have the opportunity to return to work in Hangzhou, but then I have the chance to study in Beijing. I can't do the latter if I do not have the funds - what to do?

So, as we continue to move through this new year I express thanks at all the things that are wonderful, healthy and happy in my life and seek the courage to handle the bumps that are inevitably intertwined in life.

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference (all with thanks).

Adventuring in Omaha

2007-01-05T21:56:00.000-08:00

Though stuck in Vancouver, unplanned for and a bit frustrating, meant that I had an also unplanned opportunity to visit with DC. It would have been great to have a longer visit before he headed off to visit the fam in 'loops - but any amount of time to share with friends is always valued.

With a scheduled flight out on Christmas morning I didn't sleep a wink...fear of missing my flight I would guess -- any one who knows me knows I am not a fan of early morning flights. I was at the airport by 4am. Then I found out my flight was delayed by an hour. This meant a lot of waiting which always provides time to read - except when one is exhausted.

Finally I was on my way. It was a little over 2 hours to Denver, then another wait before an hour flight to Omaha.

When I landed I had butterflies in my stomache...as I walked up the arrival ramp, there was M. Sigh...my M. It was so good to be in his space again.

We drove directly out to Fullerton which was about 2.5 hours away to meet some of his relatives for their regular Christmas day dinner. Then another 2.5 hours back to Omaha for my first sight of his home. Though I slept most of the way (M was sooo sweet, he had brought me a pillow and blanket) we had half an hour of Christmas Day left so it was time to open gifts. His family spoiled me and I was so excited when he opened his gift. He had to crack many walnuts open - ones that I had opened the night before, cleaned out, put strips of the flight ticket for February as well as other little notes into and glued back together - and he doesn't even like nuts.

We spent the next week doing a number of things from visiting sites in Omaha and Lincoln, watching M paly football, going to the aquarium, going to the movies, and visiting M's friends.

On New Years Eve Day it snowed so M and I headed out to play in the snow. For the evening we were going to go out to dinner but wound up having pizza at D and L's along with J and L and the Mann. It was a fun night of "intellectual" games (hehe).

The first day of the new year was all about Shmores!

With all the excitement it was definitely difficult to prepare to leave the next day. But, alas, all things change - learning how to work with that is the challenge. But the memories from this holiday are incredible!

Finding the Funny Bone

2006-12-23T12:04:00.000-08:00

hehe...on my way to increasing my humor...

The secret...

2006-12-23T11:45:00.000-08:00

"...to happiness is a good sense of humor and a bad memory!" I read that on someone's MySpace page ... it holds some truth to it. So, as I learn to to find my humor and lose my memory the world is starting to look brighter.

Stuck in the Big V

2006-12-23T11:15:00.000-08:00

random thoughts spewed across a screen for no particular purpose and no one's particular interest, save my own I guess. Blogs are great if you send out the address so that others can read them...I seem to have trouble with that step though. I think maybe a whole 5 people have access to this...

At any rate, here is sit in D & G's apartment on Dec. 23rd...2 days before Christmas...and I sit. Snow storms in Denver made it impossible to fly out the day before yesterday and the cancelled the morning flights, my flight, yesterday. Now all flights are running as normal (why but of course they are). So, due to the backlog of travellers and the overbooking of flights I am stranded in Vancouver until at least Dec. 25th. Yup...Christmas day.

I get to get up before Santa even finishes his rounds and head out to the airport to catch a flight that will take me to Omaha by 2:30ish pm. I want to complain. I want to yell, scream, and be frustrated. At least, I think I do. But, then again, whenever I think about how selfish my actions for not getting what I wanted are, I think of all those who are so much less fortunate than I. The fact that I can even afford to get on a plane is so much more than most. I have the time and freedom to travel and all I can think about doing is complaining. Good Grief.

I must be a real headcase. So, today I shall try to do some work and will hopefully have a chance to meet up with DC before he flies off to 'loops and then tomorrow it will be lunch at Naan with SS. Monday morning, bright and early I shall make my way to the airport and begin the journey. It shall all be but a distant memory to recall in a later year as something funny that happened on the way to Omaha.

Good ol' China ways

2006-12-08T20:02:00.000-08:00

I have been working on preparing an application for the Canada-China Scholar Exchange Program. The process is more complicated than any of the other applications I have done so far. It would be wonderful to get as it would mean I could come and study in China for 4-12 months. However, I am required to have notorized copies of this and that, 5 copies of everything, a guarantor here in China, a medical check, and and idea of which school to study at, why and with whom. All this is do-able...except for anything that has to do with China.

It is the age old struggle of first finding the information then, once found, convincing the school officials that what you are asking can actually be done. I contacted ZJU and was told that I needed to have HSK 6 to enter the program. I responded by explaining that I didn't want to enrol as a grad student but would be under and exchange and would like to get in touch with one of the professors from the department of Sociology with whom I might be able to arrange something. I was again told that the key professor in the department could not speak English and, hence, HSK 6 was necessary. I responded again by requesting anyone within the department who could speak English and, if this individual was unable to assist me I understood and would ask for assistance from my Chinese colleagues in Hangzhou. Funny enough, the next message provided me with the name of a professor from the department who had written an article in English that I might be able to speak with.

When the answer is "no" here you can't stop pushing because you know that it really means "this is complicated and I would prefer not to deal with it so it is impossible".

PKU was slightly more helpful in that they responded positively. However, the email address to the Sociology deparment didn't work and I was told to get in touch with the webmaster (who may or may not be able to understand my request). ACK!

And now we know why everything here is "manman lai" (it will come slowly).

Beijing

2006-12-05T20:41:00.000-08:00

I have arrived!! I flew in on Saturday afternoon and M met me at the airport with a beautiful long stemmed rose. Sigh...my perfectly perfect. We had dinner at a great little Spanish restaurant and just enjoyed being in each others space again.

I have yet to get my bearings in this city. It is unfamiliar to me and it is huge. I have a Sbux - which is fundamentally important - and I can find food. Tonight I will get to see M's office and we will find somewhere in the area to eat.

I still have a paper to finish and a project to keep working on ... motivation - 0%. Requirement 100%. Hmmm...the yin and yang of life.

1 More Sleep

2006-12-01T00:18:00.000-08:00

It is 12:18am. In a little over 12hours I will be on a plane about to take off for Beijing. YIIPPPEEEEE!!!!

Last night was a short night after having put together some materials for the research project I was working on, heading to bed at about 2:30am and then rising at 8:00am so that I could make my way up to the Uni to drop off some Xmassy giftos, fax some docs and mail some cards and a package before getting back to the house to grab my luggage and head to the PCL bus depot for the 1pm ferry sailing.

Once on the ferry, I settled myself into reading a good book (though I probably should have been working on my final paper - but I keep saying that). I bussed into vancouver, took a taxi to D&G's place and spent the afternoon chatting with G till D got home. We had a late dinner (9ish) and then D headed to bed around 10:30ish as he was exhausted.

Now I sit, writing this and preparing to try and find sleep. I will read a bit which may help. G has offered to drive me to the airport tomorrow morn (what a sweetie) which means a 9:45ish departure (not a bad hour). I think I am ready...whatever hasn't gotten finished will just have to not be done.

Sigh...1 more sleep, 1 more sleep, 1 more sleep...

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow

2006-11-27T15:32:00.000-08:00

Oh, the weather out side is frightful

But the fire is so delightful

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow....

Yes, Victoria has been hit by the white stuff. Not that there is much of it. But for a city that isn't used to it - well, let's just say that school has been closed (now if only it would stay that way for tomorrow I would have no more classes ...)

I headed out this morning to brave the wintery wet stuff for a haircut (which, I might add, I am very pleased with). After a quick stop at London drugs I trudged home. Having the great foresight that I do (and we all laugh at this) I actually took my camera with ...

There is nothing quite like a beautiful snowy day. As I now sit in the warmth of the house drinking my hot cup o' joe it is easy to admire its beauty.

Wind, Rain, Cold

2006-11-26T03:01:00.000-08:00

The weather just isn't letting up. I don't remember it ever being this stormy during the winter before. I mean, there has always been rain. Sometimes even a little snow. But this winter has been filled with winds strong enough to stop the ferries from sailing. Crazy.

It is Saturday night (Sunday morning actually) and I am about to try and find some sleep. My night hawk time table from days of old has returned and I find sleep hard to find.

I finished the Trudeau Scholarship application. What a feat. I am very happy with what I finally wrote for my personal statement. Though I am certain it could use some tweaking, it is pretty good for a first/final draft. It might not get me a scholarship, but it is important to me that I have produced something I am happy with. Now it is just a waiting game.

I went to a movie on Friday night "The Inconvenient Truth". Very interesting. It is strongly visual and I appreciate that the objective was not to politicize it, but rather to share the images so that individuals could determine for themselves what impact the photos would have.

Tonight I went to listen to the Chamber Choir as the girls who live upstairs sing in it. It was at St. Andrew's Cathedral and the sounds were incredible. It was a nice way to spend a few hours. I only wish that M could have been there to share both last night and the night before. I want to be able to talk to him about it ...

I also worked on writing up some Christmas cards today. I am trying to get ahead of things. I have bought almost all the gifts I need to buy this year and will send off those that need to go somewhere this week. There is much to do before next Friday - busy is good though as it will help to make the time go by faster.

I finally received some photos from the UBC Fall Classic and so have attached one. That is one more run under my belt. I have now set up my schedule for the Van Marathon and solid training starts Jan. 2nd. 2007 is going to be an good year.

17 pages

2006-11-22T21:21:00.000-08:00

So, the application for this scholarship is 17 pages long. I am on page 15 - 2 more to go and 24 hours left...whew...is it possible?

So, the whole "free hug" thing is catching on. When I was in Vancouver there was a whole row of people looking for free hugs. Apparently China is on the “Hug” bandwagon. From Changsha to Hangzhou… http://www.heroguo.com/index.php/2006/11/09/free-hugs.html

But, then again, maybe they aren't quite ready for it all.http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2006-11/06/content_725199.htm

Motivation?

2006-11-22T13:28:00.002-08:00

With so few days left before I head out I am having a great deal of concentrating on what needs to get done. I am still staring mindlessly at the blank page of the computer screen. I have a 750word statement to write for a scholarship but it isn't coming to me and I need to have it done by Friday - ACK. I have all the other components for the scholarship with the exception of one transcript. I hope it would arrive today - but it didn't. If it isn't here tomorrow morning I am going to have to find a way to get an unofficial copy so that I can hand something in.

What am I doing instead of writing. 1) I spent time looking at RVM pics 2) I started planning my training schedule for the Van run in May 2007

My legs have pretty much recovered from the UBC Fall Classic. I am still waiting to see if there are any pictures from it - if yes, I will put some up. If no...ah well. I will get out and run this weekend, just to keep at it. When I am in China I am hoping to join a gym for a few weeks so that I can keep running. JAN 2nd....that is the first day of scheduled training. It is going to be a hard push to make Boston time in May...but I must!

...I should stop procrastinating and get back to work (though I will probably find something interesting to write again later.

Single Digits

2006-11-22T13:28:00.001-08:00

....9 more days before I fly!!! Need I say more.

MIDNIGHT...again

2006-11-21T00:27:00.000-08:00

And so I sit....

Yesterday I ran the UBC Fall Classic half marathon and today I prefer to sit...my legs are too sore to move. I did not train well for it and it was a cold, wet, windy day. I decided to run the entire distance without stopping - I figured if I stopped I would get cold - and I hate being cold. I don't think I have every run 21.0975 km (~13 miles 193 yd) without stopping. Usually I walk somewhere along the line. Not this time. I did not finish well (1hr57min), but it has kept me running through the fall - and that was the point.

I was just doing some research and it turns out that I am a beginner runner. If I can run a half in about 1hr45min then I would be classified as an intermediate runner. Though, out of the 159 women who ran, I came in 59th. I am not first, I am not last...

Only 10 more days and I get to pack my bags to head back to China. I am already losing a great deal of motivation ... I need to stay focused but it is difficult. I have a scholarship application to complete and can't seem to find the words that I need to get it done. Frustrating.

I guess I shall take a break from it and work on another project that needs to get done. This way at least I will be moving ahead on something instead of spinning my wheels in the mental mud.

Rain Rain go away

2006-11-15T16:28:00.000-08:00

It is yet another rainy day here in Victoria (surprise surprise). I feel exhausted - no known cause, no known cure. It could be the after effects of the stress that arose when Mike called to say he was in a vehicle accident. I am SO thankful he was uninjured! Being thousands of miles away is hard enough without moments like those.

4 more days to the UBC Fall Classic Half Marathon. I am not ready to run in the cold and rain so I keep my fingers crossed that the sun will find its way through the clouds even if only for that morning.

I must work on another paper and another scholarship application. I am looking very forward to the holiday!

Balance

2006-11-12T18:14:00.000-08:00

Funny that I should have just written about procrastination. A dear friend popped up on MSN and, though I did not chat with her, the little message attached to her name said "excellence is a habit". I like it. Funny though - in considering this I wonder how much of me would become a work-a-holic if I were to drive for pure excellence. It is the whole yin-yang idea. There must be balance in life. This is probably my major issue right now - that I lack it. Maybe i should start to meditate. I tried yoga but it seemed to mess with the balance of my body and challenged my running. Once I qualify for Boston that might be a good time to start yoga...more to chew on.

Procrastination

2006-11-12T17:50:00.000-08:00

Etymology: Latin procrastinatus,
from pro- forward + crastinus of tomorrow, from cras tomorrow

transitive verb : to put off intentionally and habitually

hmmm... this seems to be an aweful lot of what I do lately. Everyday that I feel I "waste" I always strong arm my mind and swear that the next day I will get up and be "productive". It isn't that I do nothing. Today I had a bath, did laundry, walked to the market and picked up groceries and am now sitting here getting ready to (procrastinating) work on some papers and a scholarship application form. I just know that my time isn't nearly as productive as it could/should be.

Maybe it feels that way because I am used to interacting with people. Now, my primary interaction is with the computer. When I am not working on it I feel like I am not working. While others would go out for coffee with friends or putter about on other life tasks I read cnn, look up scholarships, surf general info...but don't really "work" on the tasks I need to get to.

I find that my mind is not really here. It isn't that I don't do well. I finished my first course (theory) with an "A-" which is ok. But I feel that to be here I should push harder. I find that I am rather a lazy person.

I could read a lot of "self" help books on motivation - but maybe I don't want to be that motivated. Maybe this stage of what I am doing is just not that interesting to me and, hence, there is a lack of drive. If I reflect back, I wouldn't say that I am generally lazy. I have worked incredibly hard on certain things - but they were usually things I wanted to be working on ...

These past few months have been quite the challenge - I am having to learn about my"self" and trying to find my feet (not literally) to determine where I want this journey to take me.

Introducing "M"

2006-11-10T01:57:00.000-08:00

Since I am still up I thought I would introduce M. We have been together for half a year and, since I am in Canada right now, we are loving each other across the miles. It isn't the most fun, but we both know that it is a finite amount of time ...

So, he is a US American ... yes, yes we have heard all the jokes. He is from middle America - Omaha, Nebraska to be exact, and he is my perfectly perfect - intelligent, intelligent, intelligent, kind, honest, atheletic, romantic...did I mention intelligent.

At present he is working in BJ for FIFA as the Women's World Cup will be held in China next year - which is rather exciting. Hopefully once that contract is up he will have made some great contacts and something just as incredible will come along for him.

Only 3 more weeks and I get to jump on a plane and fly back to be with him for a month so I am VERY excited about that...I just need to stay focused for 3 WEEKS....sigh.

MAJOR Storm

2006-11-10T01:46:00.000-08:00

It is now 1:38am and as has been standard for the past several days I am STILL awake. Tonight I have a very large storm to accompany me. The wind is picking up speed and the rain is going to come down in buckets. I hope it will taper off before morning so that I can get my weekly Friday run it. The UBC Fall Classic half marathon is in only a week and a bit. Not feeling 100% ready for it, but it is keeping me out there running so that is great.

Turns out there might be a huge crew of us running the Great Wall next year!! Can hardly wait! Though M and I weren't really thinking of running it again this year - with a big group going it should be a lot of fun.

So, tonight, for the first night in several, I don't have to do any homework - though I have lots to do - so I went out for a nice dinner at spinnakers (highly recommended-BTW) with LB. It was a very nice shift. LB was my prof and mentor during my undergrad and this is the new shift to LB the colleague and friend. It is very nice to get to know her as a "real" (whatever that means) person.

Once I returned home I sat and watched some of the braindrain box until J came home. Then, together, we drained more of our brains until she headed up to sleep. Now here I sit, and type, and chat with M....and the wind blows.

Marathoning

2006-11-08T00:57:00.000-08:00

So, this past weekend was big in the world of Marathoning. Most people know about the New York Marathon - particularly with Lance Armstrong running it this year. Friend's Paul and Kat Strous were able to run in it as well and made it through to the finish line.

Not so well known is the Hangzhou Marathon held in Hangzhou, China - my home of 5.5 years. Last year only a handful of us were out to run it, but this year many more jumped on board and I am soooo proud of all of them. Pete, Mikael, David, Marissa, Katherine, Jen, and Sara!! Well done all. Sorry I missed out but I will see you all in 2007 ON THE WALL!!!!

Rainy Day

2006-11-06T13:50:00.000-08:00

I am arriving late to the blog scene, but have decided to get started and see what I can share. I arrived in Victoria two and a half months ago and it has been a tumultuous ride. After living in China for more than 5 years, I have struggled to find my feet in N. America. Not to mention starting a PhD. I am still here though - which is a good sign, I think - and am only 3 weeks away from finishing my first semester.

The 30page papers have been killer. I didn't think I would make it through the first one and I am now struggling to figure out the second one - but I have time and anticipate that, at the end of the day all will be done.

When I first arrived in Victoria the weather was gorgeous. I started training to run the Royal Vic half marathon. With that over (early October) I have since been training to run the UBC Fall Classic half marathon. Unfortunately, the weather has not been so cooperative. There was slight break in the rain yesterday and I took the opportunity to run my long run. However, today it is pouring yet again.

I like the rain - it is very relaxing - just not condusive to running. If it was just a light drizzle it would be better - but it is coming straight down.

It works in my favour for getting school work done...so back to the books for me.