Where Did the Year Go?

Darwin, Australia
Friday, December 31, 2010 to Saturday, January 1st, 2011

Well another year has come to an end and another year has begun. Not sure where the year went and I know people normally take this time to make a list of their top"whatever" moments from the past 12 months but don't worry........I'm not going to do that.

Scott finally got the lights strung up just the way he liked. They actually provide a lot of light to our eating area.

As expected, the faithful gathered on our rooftop to ring in the New Year. As expected, I still felt horrible so once I got home from work, I took a nice long nap, woke up in time to eat and then watch some fireworks before taking another nap so I could be awake for the count down. Being in Australia meant that unlike most years where I am in one of the last time zones to welcome the new year....I was actually one of the first.

Watching a few of the fireworks that were down on the water front. Lasting about 17 minutes, we only saw the higher ones but they weren't bad. Ok, not the 4th of July in NYC but nothing is really. Apparently the ones we couldn't see were also very good.

No, they don't just appear out of nowhere......there is a rooftop in the way. There were actually 2 more shows that night, all at least partially visible from the rooftop. One was a ways out of town in Palmerston so really it was more like long distance bursts of light. But at midnight there was also a show at Mindil Beach which we had a perfect view of. I should mention the few fireworks that some people from a neighbouring building set off as well. So I guess you can make that 4 fireworks shows for the night.

Debi was well prepared for the night with streamers and sparklers and noise makers so when the clock did strike Midnight we were able to make a lot of noise. Here are a few pictures from the night.

Debi with a noise maker......just like when we were kids.

Stef with a few of the streamers on his hat. Not sure who end up cleaning those up. Perhaps they just got washed away in the rain.

Yes, I am holding my Blackberry (it's shocking, it really is). Just sharing the New Year with my BBM friends back in North America.

Jimmy, Debi and I.

The group on the rooftop. I think Streven and Benny are watching the Mindil Beach fire works. They were awfully excited.

I don't think these guys realize how disheveled they look at this point. And it was only just barely after midnight. That's Tommi, Streven and Benny.

So New Year's Down under was mostly a complete success. It really was fun being a day or so ahead of everyone else. I hope where ever in the world you were on December 31st you got to spend it with friends and family.

Julie

Taking a Final Bite Out of the Big Apple.....For Now

New York, New York

Thursday July 1st to Sunday July 4th, 2010

Happy Canada Day!!!!

Happy Fourth of July!!!!

Happy Long Weekend!!!

Happy Summer!!!

I think that about covers it all.

So as my time here in the United States Quickly comes to an end, I decided I would spend one last weekend in New York City....for several reasons. One of those reasons being.....it is seriously my favourite city of all time. Another being that I had a few people to say good-bye to. And of course it corresponded with the Blue Jays first visit of the season to Yankee Stadium.

So I am sure I have bored you all with all the pictures from all the ball games I have been to over the last few years. Well I have tried to limit them from this weekend posting and I assure you this will be the last time....for a while.

So my final weekend started on Thursday.....CANADA DAY, with me making the short drive from Albany to New York City. I had all kinds of plans over the weekend. Baseball and beer and friends and fireworks. Once I got checked into my hotel (weird to have to pay for accommodation in the city after living there) and I went to find a Canada Day Party. Once again Google was my friend because after a short little net-surfing trip I found one....just a few blocks from my hotel. So off I went in my Canada clothes wearing a flag as a cape to join some other Canadians in celebration of our Birthday.

The chef of this little place is from Montreal so I assure you there were also beaver tails and poutine on the menu. Those draft and bottle beer...Labbatt Blue and Moosehead.

It was fun to hang out with some other Canadians on Canada Day again. Funny story though. I'm standing there wearing a flag as a cape and this guy asks me what's with the flag. When I try explain Canada Day to him....along with saying a bunch of other ignorant things he goes "well that doesn't sound like a real holiday. I think you made that up". I have to tell you the place was totally covered with Canadian flags and it said Happy Canada Day everywhere. Not sure if he was trying to be funny or if he was just a jerk. Either way I quickly walked away and found some Canadians to talk to.

Once I left there is was off to have a few drinks with a friend.

Soshini.......who I worked with a Sloan Kettering. She introduced me to Energy Kitchen the first day we worked together. I will thank her for that forever!!!!

Once Friday hit was mostly ball games for the rest of the weekend. Holiday weekend in the USA meant afternoon games all weekend long. The first game I actually met up with a few girls I worked with at Metropolitan. They were sitting in the bleachers and well I think we all know I had closer seats than that but I decided once I got there I would sit with them. I got booed for being a Blue Jays' fan as expected. I then got threatened for having a Canadian flag. Other than that though it was a lot of fun. I can't really complain.

The view from the bleachers. Almost totally opposite to where I was actually suppose to be sitting.

Hazel and Theresa. So much fun. I miss those girls.

Look random boys....imagine that.

Hazel was sad...because the Yankees lost. I was happy because that means the Jays won!!!!

After the game it was out for food and drinks and meeting up with people and then I went to bed and woke up Saturday to repeat the process (game, drinks, food, meeting up with people).....and then I went to bed and woke up Sunday to repeat the process.

This is from the 3rd game in the series on Sunday.......The 4th of July. Sitting in my real seats was so much better than those bleachers.

Jose Molina.....playing back in Yankee Stadium for the first time since signing with the Blue Jays (he's a former Yankee).

Two rows in front of me. Too bad for these guys but they were in the sun the entire game......and it was hot (about 38 C or close to 100 F).

Once the game was over it was back to the hotel to get ready for some 4th of July Fireworks. If you remember last year when I live in NYC I avoided the fireworks. This year I decided it would be a great way to end my time here.

A few of those fireworks.

Yes there is a building in the way but you have to be pretty important to get seats on the other side of the building. Plus it isn't my holiday so the view was perfect for me.

And with that, my time here ends. Come Monday I start the long drive back to Canada.

Julie

Canada Day, Some Baseball and Apparently some big American Holiday

The Bronx, New York
July 1st and July 3rd, 4th and 5th, 2009

So Canada Day has come and gone. Happy Belated Birthday Canada. Not nearly as many visible Canadians this year as there were last year and I have to admit I missed the embassy party in DC. Not to worry though, there was not a single person I encountered on the streets of New York (or at work for that matter) who didn't know where I was from and that it was my country's 142nd birthday. I did manage to find some Molson Canadian to celebrate with (I can't wait to get home so I can grab some Keith's though) but would have enjoyed some fireworks to go along with them.

Some Canada Day Fireworks as seen from Mom and Dad's deck in Vernon.

Can't have a birthday without a cake. No, I did not take this picture somewhere in NYC. My friend Sam (who claims to be half Canadian and she loves Tim Hortons so she must be) sent this to me.

Of course Canada Day lead into the holiday weekend here in the US. Yes, how I could forget that Independence Day....the 4th of July, was just around the corner. Was it all the American flags that appeared on the lamp posts on 3rd Ave? Maybe it was the increase in Red, White and Blue coloured cupcakes in the windows. Maybe, just maybe it was everyone wishing me a "Happy 4th". No, actually I think it was the arrival of a baseball team from north of the border. Ahhhh yes...it's baseball season and nothing can overshadow that.

Outside Yankee Stadium.

So the Blue Jays have made their first visit of the season to New York. Seems like the season is half over already (it almost is). Hard to believe I am just getting to watch them now for the first time this season. They were in town for a 4 game set and I ended up catching the first 3 (we lost all of them but some good games). Now it may have been the 4th of July weekend but I did spend most of it wearing a Canadian flag as a cape (thanks for bringing that down for me Heather) and I was quite disappointed, I rarely got hassled for it.....or my vintage Jays jerseys for that matter (you're losing your touch Yankees' fans!).

Baseball and beer and probably a hot dog. I love summer.

My view of game number one. A close 4-2 loss for the Jays. Remember when we were the best team in the league.....you know in May? Trust me, Jays' fans remember.

See Blue Jays' pride and Canadian pride all at the same time.

Of course one cannot survive on baseball alone so after Friday's game I met up with my friend Sam (as in Samantha not Samuel....don't get excited) on the Upper West Side where she introduced me to the greatest places on earth, Harry's Burritos and Magnolia Cupcakes. And yes those things do go together surprisingly well. Some of you may remember Magnolia Cupcakes from Sex and the City (yeah I had no idea either..... I never watched the show). They are top-notch cupcakes. Almost more like cornbread and as it turns out really, really yummy. I am very glad the closest Magnolia to me is a good 10 blocks or so away or I might have some problems. Nothing like $3 cupcakes to shrink your wallet and enlarge your ass.

Anyway, it was back to more baseball on Saturday. An excellent extra innings game. Once again we did lose but it was some great, great baseball. I can hardly be mad when the baseball is good.

My view for game two. Also a loss. This time 6-5 in the bottom of the 12th. Not Doc's best outing.

Doc Halladay. Didn't have his best stuff today, but he can't be perfect all the time. Still the best pitcher in baseball.

Brandon League....very quickly becoming one of my favourite relief pitchers.

Yes, I am wearing a new jersey. A very recent purchase. It is a replica of the Jays' 1987 home uniform but the team now wears them on Flashback Fridays (Friday night home games when they bring back former players and stuff like that.) I'm still not a fan of the new uniforms...although their black alternate jersey is starting to grow on me.

After the game.......well I should have taken myself to some 4th of July fireworks but my last interactions at Yankee Stadium involved some drunk Yankee fans (they make all Yankees' fans and Americans proud I'm sure) chanting U-S-A in my face. I guess it was because their team comprised of American and Latino players had just beaten my team comprised of American and Latino players (oh and one Canadian but we will get to him later) in a very close 12 inning game. It was at that point that I knew there was no way I could handle being in a crowd of a few million flag waving Americans while watching fireworks cleverly choreographed to music telling me why everyone is proud to be an American (it's the gun laws right?). So I did the next best thing.....I ordered Chinese and watched them on TV from the comfort of my air conditioning. Chinese food and Canadian beer.....it's the American way....ok maybe not but it should be.

That's rookie pitcher Dirk Hayhurst carrying the blue backpack. I prefer the pink and purple one they made Jesse Carlson carry last year. In case you don't know, most teams force their rookie relief pitchers to carry gum and sunflower seeds and all the things the boys need to keep themselves entertained in the bullpen, in some kind of a child's backpack.

Now Sunday's game I was really looking forward to because Canadian pitcher Scott Richmond was scheduled to pitch (he's from Vancouver). Of course he was put on the DL a couple days before (that's the disabled list......and it is where the rest of our starting rotation is so I shouldn't have been surprised). The move was retroactive to July 1st (that's Canada Day all my American friends) ironically enough. However, all was not lost because I did manage to get myself on the big screen. Yes, during the national anthem I was plastered across the screen for everyone to see......just me and my big Canadian flag. Totally worth it.

My view for game number 3. Once again a loss, 10-8 this time. We actually had a lead for a while but it didn't last. But I got to sit in the sun, have a few beers and I met some nice Yankees fans (there are a few out there) so it was ok.

Ahh Brandon League. Pitching pretty well for us these days.

Yes this did get me on the big screen. You would have put me up there too. Of course I wasn't wearing the Blue Jays' hat during the anthems.

So all in all, it was a great, great weekend. Of course the one game in the 4 game series that the Jays did win was on Monday.....while I was at work, but whatever. The weather was good, the baseball was even better so I can't complain.

Julie

Another Bodden in Washington.....what are we to do

August 27 – August 29, 2008

Well as my days in Washington came to an end, Dad came to visit me (and help me pack) before we made the move back to Canada. Of course before we left we had to take a tour around and check out a few things.

Georgetown University and the hospital I just spent the last 3 months at. Very old and it looks very gothic.

Dad got to experience one of the things I have certainly noticed over the last year or so. As Dad said, it shouldn’t be a surprise but it is weird to be in an area like Virginia where black people are the majority not the minority. And trust me Alberta becomes whiter the longer you stay away. A person’s surroundings certainly affects their perceptions on things.

Anyway, the first night dad was in town he found out how I had no food and I still had a lot to pack. So Thursday we got up bright and early……at 11am (dad let me sleep in) and then went to run some errands. After that we decided to check out a couple of things. Believe it or not there actually was a monument I had not been to yet (although I drove by it every day on the way to Georgetown). We checked out The United States Marine Corps War Memorial (the Iwo Jima Memorial). Now there is not one picture or video or anything like that that would have given me an idea of its true size so you can imagine our surprise when we drove around the corner and got a first glimpse. I hope the picture with dad will give you an idea. It is almost 24 metres (78 feet) tall.

The Iwo Jima Memorial and dad with the memorial. He looks very, very little next to it.

Dad with the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument and the US Capitol. There are not many places where you can see all three of these sights but we found one.

Right next door is the Netherlands Carillon. It is a large bell tower that was a gift from the People of the Netherlands to the People of the United States in gratitude for American aid after World War 2. The stairs were locked so we could not walk up to the top (which I am sure dad was very happy about a few days later) but we did learn that every Saturday during the summer they give bell concerts. I wish I had known the early because I totally would have wandered over to hear that one weekend.

We then headed down to the Alexandria waterfront…...a place I had also never been. The water level was a little high, there was some flooding and as the tide came in the water flowed a little higher up the streets but we checked it out anyway. We also had some ice cream at an old ice cream shop. Old Town Alexandria is a very neat place. Most of the buildings have been there since the 1700’s when Alexandria was first founded. Most of the stores and homes have changed hands several times and their new tenants may not resemble the original tenants but still fun to hang out. Lots of little restaurants (including a Cod shop that sells good English style fish and chips and Cadbury chocolate products), antique store after antique store and lots of cute little clothing stores and other shops (which I cannot afford to shop in but I always like to take a look).

You can normally walk right up to this but the high water prevented me from seeing what it was a memorial for. I am guessing it had to do with ships and sailors though.

We were just walking down the street, eating ice cream and there he was.

The next day dad and I did get up nice and early and headed into Washington DC. Of course we stopped for breakfast since I had no food in my house and coffee since I don’t drink it and then we hopped aboard a Double Decker Bus to take a quick tour of the city. I learned very quickly (as did Dad) that I have spent too much time touring the city and that I should now get a part time job as a tour guide (seriously, I could give you a full commentary tour of the city and you know that if you have read this blog). If I ever decide to leave nursing I think I know what my next career will be. Anyway, the tour gave us a glimpse of most of the major memorials and let Dad decide what he wanted to see. Of course since I had already seen it all I just let him lead the way. The one thing that did suck was that the final clouds from tropical storm something- er –other were going through DC and I think the only rainy days I have seen all summer happened to fall when dad was in town. Good thing about DC though is that rain doesn’t actually drop the temperature…..it just makes things hotter.

Dad hanging out on the bus. These are some seriously old buses. Apparently some of the original double deckers. A great way to see the city.....even with a little rain.

Not sure how I never saw this before, but I didn't miss it this time.

Dad standing on the steps of the US Capitol. In the background you can see the Mall on Washington and the Washington Monument.

Hey look a black man with the White House. Just think in a few months there could be a black man living in the White House. We could be that lucky.

Me with the World War II Memorial. Not sure how Dad did not notice my eyes were closed but whatever.

The FBI is celebrating a big birthday. We celebrated with them a little bit.

So Dad and I made stops at the Capitol, the White House, the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, the FBI Building, and the Air and Space Museum.

Dad walking up the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. He would be feeling all the walking a few days later.

I must say I am not use to being in museums with this many people but it was worth it. Of course I had visited the museum before but I know very little about planes so lots of things were lost to me but Dad does know some stuff so he could answer some of my random questions.

We topped our very long day off by hitting a Washington Nationals game. My friend John met us and the 3 of us enjoyed a great ball game. The rain held off all night and it turned out to be a great night for baseball. The Nationals won which was great as well.

Me with Teddy. He is one of the four racing Presidents (the others being Lincoln, Jefferson, and Washington). You can watch the video of the race later. Teddy has never won a race in the history of the Washington Nationals.

The Race of the Presidents.

Dad overlooking batting practice.

The line score. Even though both teams have no chance in making the playoffs, it was a great game.

Dad and John. I got them both to smile.

Dad and I waiting for the fireworks to start.

Through it all dad was very cooperative and allowed me to take a lot of pictures. He even smiled in most of them for me.

Saturday morning dad and I finished packing up the car and started our drive back to Canada. Day one would see us travel through 6 states to Chicago. A very long day but so worth it.

My very last night in DC ended like this.

Julie