Bring on the snow...

Hi-de-hi campers – how are we all? Those of you in the southern hemisphere busy basking in the sun and working on your tans I imagine…

Things with me have been going along pretty well. Let’s start with last weekend – we had a three day weekend to commemorate Remembrance Day. I say we but actually only public servants and banks have the day off. Kids have to go to school and all other businesses operate as normal – little odd but hey a day off is a day off right?!?!

I spent a lot of the long weekend in my bed because I wasn’t feeling too well but did manage to drag myself out to a Remembrance Day service and an ice hockey game. The Marlies lost (again) but it was a really good game and held at the Air Canada Centre, which is where the big boys normally play, so a fun experience nonetheless. I am probably going to see the Marlies again this weekend but to be honest if they don’t start winning soon I may have to find another team to support!!!

Tuesday was a great day because not only was I feeling better but I got a parcel from home (HURRAH!). Now getting mail is always pretty excellent but this was particularly good because I had been feeling a bit lonely and forgotten over this side of the world so very nice to get some reminders of home. I had milo, marmite on toast and perky nanas for my tea and all were excellent! Thanks Mum and I promise to try very hard not to open the Christmas pressies until Christmas!

During the week I started feeling a bit better so went along to a free comedy night on Wednesday, which was really pretty good. Lots of Canadians laughing at themselves, for example about the way Canadians like to have fun but not show it in case the government takes it away!!! I also went out on Thursday night with Sharon (who I work with) and a couple of her friends. We grabbed some dinner and a couple of drinks and then I went and joined the hostel crowd for the Thursday night pub-crawl. I didn’t stay out too late but did manage to pick up a new nickname… KIWIETTA… hmm…

Friday night I joined in the pool competition and shockingly made it through to the second round. I didn’t even disgrace myself at the second round so was quite chuffed about that – a return to the dodgy days of university and afternoons drinking jugs of export and playing pool perhaps? What do you say Megan? Gillian? Feel like going back in time a bit?

Saturday I had a truly Canadian experience and went curling (there will be photos I promise!). I was truly expecting to take at least one good tumble on the ice, and a little more terrified of it all when something called a slider went on my foot. The point of the slider, as it may sound, is to enable you to slide further on the ice and as you all know I am slightly challenged with staying upright at the best of times!!! I am very proud to report, however, that I did not fall over at all, managed to throw a few useful rocks, and met some really nice locals. There was a lot more to curling that I had imagined but I sort of got the hang of it and it was really great fun – especially the beer and pizza afterwards!!

Yesterday I picked up a few more Christmas presents and actually got some wrapped, ready for sending on payday. I watched a little bit of the santa parade but the screaming children got to me after a while so I retired to the hostel to watch rubbishy TV and to talk rubbish with the gang.

Before I sign off I just want to say a big congrats to Karen and Dion on the arrival of Johnathan… can’t wait to see the pics that Aunty Zoe will be surely taking!

Hope you are all well. Please keep the emails, texts and comments coming – it is always great to hear from you.
Cheers,
Clare