Daily Posts...
Sunday, May 21, 2006
An update from NewfoundlandIt's amazing how fast the weeks are going by. Already we have been home for three weeks and have only a little more than two months left before heading back to Ontario. They say that time flies when you are having fun. But, I would like to also say that time flies when you are keeping really busy.
For sure working is keeping me on the move. The typical work week is Monday to Friday from 7:00 to 5:30. But, let's just say that my work weeks will probably not be so typical. More than likely the days will end up going beyond 5:30, and include a few Saturdays. But, that is the life of a construction worker, labourer, concrete finisher, gardener, painter, carpenter and landscaper. Let's just say that I'll be the jack-of-all trades for the rest of the summer, and it's keeping me busy.
What else is happening in my life besides all the hours of working. Well, my sister and her family came home from Alberta last Thursday and are home for two weeks. It's so exciting to see them again, and to spend time with the cutest niece and nephew ever!! They are so adorable and growing up so fast. They meant to surprise me and show up at the house Thursday morning, but Riley (my nephew) leaked it out. Too funny. We all went to the cabin yesterday and spent the night. Trouting, sitting around the camp fire, relaxing, watching my little niece dance her little heart out (she is not even two and she is quite the little dancer!) and taking in the great Newfoundland outdoors. Good times, good times.
Also, last Thursday I went to have an eye examination because I have realized that my eyesight is not so keen as it use to be. Well, let's just say that I'll be coming back to Ontario wearing glasses!! Oh well, that's life.
I must be going to take in the rest of the movie that all of us are watching. If you haven't seen the Ringer it's a must see. You would laugh your socks off!! Take care and enjoy the rest of the May 24th weekend. It's off to the pond again tomorrow for me to do some trouting with my dad and nephew. Gotta love it.
Sunday, May 07, 2006
Driving, Driving, Driving....Home.The first week back in Newfoundland is just about finished, so I’ll have to give an update of what has been happened since I left. Let me begin from the day we left Hamilton...
First, we ran into a slight predicament. We had figured that we might run into this problem, but we were still hoping that it could be avoided. However, Saturday morning soon proved us wrong. All of our luggage couldn’t fit into the car!!! (Just to let you know, Shauna-Lee’s mom and dad were also traveling with us so we were a little pressed for room!) But, being such innovative Newfies we raced off to Canadian Tire to buy a cargo rack and bag for our little Corolla so we could pile on what luggage couldn’t fit. Well, we probably could have squeezed it all in the car, but I wouldn’t have been able to bring my guitar home. For sure I couldn’t let that happen, so I opted for the cargo rack. We ended up leaving a little later, but nevertheless we were off!
We had planned to stop in Montreal to do a little shopping, but because of the delay the stores would have been closed by the time we got there. One way or another Shauna-Lee was going shopping with her mom, it just had to happen or else.... Therefore, we were not even outside of Toronto before we made our first pit stop, that’s right, we hit the Yorkdale Mall for a few hours. As if we didn’t already have enough stuff in the car with us!!
If you know anything about Shauna-Lee, then you know that she is a second cup addict. Decaf caramel carretto made with skim milk, topped with whipped cream, drizzled with caramel sauce and sprinkled with chocolate. That’s her favorite (so if you ever want to get on her good side you know what to get her, lol!). So after shopping we all indulged in a Second Cup, a great way to start of such a long, long drive and put a smile on Shauna-Lee’s face.
Then the driving began. I took the first leg of the race, driving from Hamilton to just outside the Quebec border. I couldn’t handle it anymore so I handed the car over to Allister (Shauna-Lee’s dad). We drove and drove and drove trying to get to the other side of Quebec before stopping for the night. I was napping, and not really paying attention to the time, only waking up to hear Allister say that the hotel was only another ten minutes away. Yeah right! We ended up stopping at the Hotel in New Brunswick (Edmunston) at around 4:30 AM (we lost an hour because of the time change). Up again at 9:00 to get breakfast and keep on driving.
All day Sunday it was driving, driving, driving. Shauna-Lee drove from the hotel to Moncton and then I took over again and drove the rest of the way to the ferry. By supper time Sunday we were getting hungry so we had planned to stop at Smitty’s (Canso Causeway) to grab a bite to eat. We got there and it was closed! So we decide to go right to North Sydney and get something to eat at Pizza Delight. We arrived there and it was about to close! What luck, what luck. So we had to settle for Tim Horton’s and Wendy’s, but it’s all good.
The ferry ride was great seeing that we crawled in the bunks and slept the whole trip. It was a well needed rest. 6:30 AM our feet were back on Newfoundland soil, and we kept driving and driving some more. You got to love the drive though. It was a beautiful sunny day, a great day to take in the beautiful Newfoundland scenery (if you can stay awake!). Finally, at around 4:30 we arrive back home in our little community of North West Brook, just the way I remember it.
Now it is taking me a little while to adjust back into the relaxed life of the rural setting. I must admit that it is going to be a little different after living in Hamilton for two semesters. I’ll have to keep myself busy, busy, busy so that I do not suffer from severe boredom. Just joking, it’s not that bad! I will be starting work tomorrow so that should keep me on the move. As if the change was not enough I have been dying from the flu all week. What a welcome back gift! Contac, halls, and cough medicine have been my best friends this week, ha! However, it is still great to be back home for the summer and see all those familiar faces even though I miss all of you guys in Ontario. Yet, I’m sure that this summer will fly by and before I know it I’ll be starting that 2800 km drive all over again. What joy, what joy floods my soul (I’d rather get a kick in the rear end!!).
That’s all for now. I'll post some pictures later when I go to Shauna-Lee's house. I am using dial- up connection right now and it takes an eternity to load up the pics. Fortunatley, Shauna-Lee has high speed.
Greetings from the Rock, the only province where you can experience four seasons in one day!
Take care everyone!!