Red and White All Over Again

Friday, October 24, 2014
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Well it is that time of year again.....time to buy a red dress, get my hair done and head to the Canadian Embassy for the Annual Red and White Ball. Last year was a lot of fun so I was very much looking forward to the event this year. I decided I would go with a long dress this time around. The Embassy is undergoing some very delayed renovations so the usual spot around the pool and on the tennis court was unavailable. However, the CCOR (Canadian Club of Riyadh) were able to decorate the front lobby and entry of the Embassy up very nicely ( I helped) and it looked great. Of course only a few pictures (so no pictures of those decorations) but certainly a view of the dress.

Pretty simple dress.....but went with red again.

I really liked the back.....and the little train.

One of the groups of us heading to the ball. A lot of Canadians in this group but a few imports as well.

Lola was my date again. This was actually her last ball as she was heading back to the UK (for good) in a couple weeks. Thanks for the photobomb Omar.

With the hockey boys. They do clean up pretty good. So left to right is Bashir, Chris, Jason, Derek, Bruce, Darren, Chris, Happy, Bruce and Darryl. And that's me and Omar in the front.

As always, it was a fantastic night at the Canadian Embassy. Sometimes I wish we had a ball 2 times a year.

Julie

Sadly Another Goodbye

Friday, June 13th, 2014

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Well I think I have said it before but the only thing in Riyadh that is guaranteed is that your friends will leave. And this week is no different....except we were saying good-bye to 2 friends. Alex and Pete were active members of the Riyadh hockey community so we managed to "borrow" the Maple Leaf Club at the Canadian Embassy for the night for the good-bye party. Here are a few pictures from the evening.

This is Tim, Me, Eric, Omar, Lynn and Poja. 

Most of the group who made the party: Matt, George, Chris, Poja, Lynn, Me, Omar, Pete, Joel, Eric, Darryl, Tim and Steve.

Poja, Me ,Pete, Rachel, George, Lynn and Alex. Always a special thanks to George (and Darryl and Joel) for hosting us for the night. We can't have a Maple Leaf Club Party without the support (and active participation) of the Embassy staff.

 The boys enjoying a few drinks.

Alex and Pete with some mementos to go home with......or in this case, they will both end up in Australia (totally a coincidence......they are not going together....they just both happen to be married to Australians.) Two great guys who will be missed.

It was a great night. Just always too bad it had to come at the expense of losing theses 2 guys. Good luck in Australia boys.

Julie

Hockey Day in Riyadh

Canadian Embassy, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Thursday, April 4th, 2013

Finding things to keep busy here in Riyadh is not always that easy but last fall luckily we got invited out to the Canadian Embassy to join hockey night. Every Wednesday evening (well Friday afternoons in the winter) for the last few years, a group of guys have gotten together to play some ball hockey. In September a group of girls from King Faisal managed to garner an invite...not to play with the boys but to actually stage our own game after the boys. It's turned into a really fun activity. We get to play some hockey and then enjoy a few beers. For me it's as close to being at home as I could possibly get here in the desert.

In the Spring the guys actually host a day long hockey tournament. Guys come in from all corners of Saudi to play (just for information sake, there is a ice hockey rink in Damman where Aramco has a big compound. Lots of those guys come out for the tournament). As it got close to the tournament they were in need of about 4 extra players so a few of us girls got an invite. I was happy to say I made the cut and was more than happy to head to the tournament for the day.

The tournament started at 1000 and went until about 1700.  All the teams were named after Canadian beers (very clever of the boys....I was on teem Kokanee) We played a full round robin and on a goals for and against tie breaker, my team made the playoffs. We did hit a bit of a wall and finished 4th.....but that's nothing to be ashamed of since there were like 16 teams.....and it was a long hot day.

The tournament was followed by some food and drinks....and a limbo contest (don't ask) and in the end was a really great event.

Of course hockey continues throughout the year. The days are getting hot so we'll move back to Wednesday nights soon. It's a great evening and like I said, a little bit of Canada while so obviously not in Canada.

Of course it is an Embassy function which means no cameras allowed so you'll just have to use your imagination

Julie

A Few Days in Milton

Milton, Ontario, Canada
Monday, January 3rd to Thursday January 5th, 2012

I made it to Toronto. My bags some how gained a pound at the airport in Calgary (not sure how since they contained the exact same things but whatever, I moved a few things around and they let them on without excess fees.....other than the extra bag fee that I expected). My plans in Toronto we pretty simple, rest, relax, do a little shopping and catch up with Steve and Heather. Well, mostly Heather since Steve was working most of the time I was there.

So Heather and I did just that, we did some shopping, watched some movies, ate some things I won't be able to get once I'm in Saudi Arabia and just had a good time. Yes, we watched some hockey as well......that Canada versus Russia semi-final game was very, very exciting (I'm sure you all saw it).

It became obvious while in Milton that I had hurt my back one of those times I picked up my very heavy bags. Lucky I was still in Canada and able to get some very good muslce relaxants/pain killers for my long travel days.

And that about sums up my days in Milton. On Thursday, Heather left work early, (she had been off until then) to take me to the airport. There I had a brief struggle with the Continental airlines people about baggage (managed to get all the extra bags on for only about an extra $200 CAD....which was pretty good) and then sat down to have a beer and watch some more hockey.....once I got through security which is a pain when wearing extra layers of clothing and boots and with 2 lap tops.

Heather and I before we left for the airport. Yes, Heather is indeed pregnant......due April 15th. Of course the whole family is super excited and she has allowed me to share this picture with you all.

My trip to Saudi was long.....and long......and a little bit longer but I will get to that in my next post. For now just imagine me on a 12 hour flight over the Atlantic heading to my new home.

Julie

New York to Canada and Back

The USA and Canada and Back
October 12th - November 1st, 2009

So this is how it went. It was coming down to my last week at MSKCC (that’s Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center) and I still did not have my next assignment yet. I was not panicking too much (well maybe in my head but not out loud) because I have been here before and it always worked out. My file was out to 2 NYC hospitals so I figured something would come up. I spoke to the manager at one hospital and kind of interviewed but she had not looked at profiles yet so did not really know who I was. I called my recruiter to tell her that I had left a message for the manager at the other hospital and she told me that I had already been offered a job at that hospital…..without an interview. Well that sounded good but I really wanted to at least talk to the manager before I accepted that job so I gave her a few hours to call me back and then when we finally talked, I accepted the job. So that was Thursday…..and my last day at MSKCC was Friday. Nothing like leaving things to the last minute.

So now that I had a job I needed to do some quick re-packing. I had been preparing to head home and had put things in boxes that I could mail home. Now that I was returning to NYC I needed to put things in storage. Did I mention that my job did not start until November 9th but I had to move out of my current apartment by October 12th so was going to have a month to kill? You're right, I didn’t mention it. Anyway, I got my apartment packed, stuff put into storage, plane ticket booked and eventually I made it back to Kelowna (it is amazing how much more I get done when I have a deadline).

Not sure where this is but I feel like it is just as I was leaving NYC.

A shot of the mountains from the plane. A little bit more snow than my last flight.

So my plan upon return to Vernon (I know I said Kelowna earlier but that is just where the plane landed) was not that much except visiting people. I wanted to head to Calgary, I was thinking maybe a trip to Tisdale, maybe a trip to Seattle and maybe a trip to Vancouver. A couple of them happened anyways. I found out quickly after I returned that I was going to have to be back in NYC a week earlier than originally though due to the hospital’s pre-start screening requirements so that put a bit of a damper on a few plans but I did make it to a couple of those places.

Mount Rundle near Banff Alberta. I know I normally like to take pictures while I drive but don't worry.....I actually stopped before I took this picture.

My first stop was Calgary (after a few days in Vernon of course) and Le Chateau McMikey (that’s the home of my friends McKinnis and Mikey). I am not sure Mikey knew I was coming or how long I was staying but I assure you McKinnis and I had it all planned out. So I think I spent 4 days eating because that is the easiest way to meet up with people and visit and not everyone was available at the same time but I managed to fit a lot of people in. I also happened to hit up a movie with Mikey and a few of his friends while McKinnis was working. We saw Paranormal Activity. It was scaring but not keeping me awake at night scary. It was really good though and I did enjoy it….maybe not as much as walking back to the car with 4 guys who were completely freaked out though (seriously…they were worse than girls).

From Calgary I made my way to the bustling metropolis of Tisdale Saskatchewan. I have to tell you, if you have never done the drive…. Don’t. It was seriously the most boring drive in the history of my life. At first I was like “this won’t be so bad” and then the road straightened out and flattened out and seemed to become longer. I did have to dodge some skunks and a couple porcupines and some seriously gigantor tumbleweeds but other than that…..NOTHING. On a positive note I did get great gas mileage. Thank goodness for cruise control.

Some of the nothingness I had the pleasure? of looking at as I traveled.

Yes I took a little drive by my old stomping grounds. Didn't have time to stop in to see anyone and other than the trees being a little bigger and a few new signs.....the town hasn't changed much....at least not from the highway.

Naturally.......

So in Tisdale there was hockey and baseball and Wii (you know that Nintendo game console….so fun) and more hockey and some great meals (I have told Steve and Heather that if they ever leave Tisdale I may have to move in with them). I checked out all the local tourist attractions and even spent a few hours hanging out with Steve at work (he showed me how to get the shot gun out of the car…you know, just in case. Although, I would have had no idea how to get the safety off if I actually had to use it). It was a lot of fun. Once again nice and relaxing. Good way to spend a few days.

Yes.......you are reading that sign correctly. For those of you not sure "rape" refers to rapeseed, also known as canola.

Minor hockey in Saskatchewan......standing room only in the penalty box.

Main street Tisdale. It was a busy Saturday.

This is the Brent Butt hole at the mini-golf course in Tisdale. In case you didn't know, Tisdale is the home town of Canadian Comedian Brent Butt.....Corner Gas.....so funny.

That's me with the Tisdale Bee (I know you can just barely make me out in this picture but I am there). Can't have all that honey without a bee.

In some places you head to the Club, or the Bar or even the Saloon but here in Tisdale people head to the Beverage Room.

Eventually I had to head home to Vernon. There was a little bit more snow on the roads than on the way out, but at least the second half of my drive was more exciting. I drove to Calgary the first night, had dinner with Auntie Gayle, Uncle Bill and Len, borrowed a bed for the night and then headed off to Vernon. The roads were actually really nice however they were not that nice the night before. I past several big rigs in the ditch but they all went in overnight.

A little bit more snow on my way back to BC. Snow always makes everything look so pretty.

Once I got back to Vernon, I started the process of packing and getting my new address and getting my mail forwarded and setting up my cable/phone/Internet hook-ups and well you get the idea. Of course I was looking forward to one of my favourite holidays......Halloween. I wanted to party in NYC for Halloween. Apparently it is just crazy here but I guess I have to wait for another year. But I did put all my effort into one of my favourite Halloween tasks....carving Jack-O-Lanterns.

The finished products. So happy with the results. This is what 5 hours of my day before Halloween looks like.

My pride and joy. It took a good 3 hours. I had to take a break to eat and relax the muscles in my shoulders and neck but so worth it.

Of course my trip home did have to come to an end and unfortunately it had to come to and end a week earlier than I was planning so instead of getting an extra week in Canada I had to head back to New York. I guess it will just give me an extra week to get settled into my new apartment and neighbourhood and all that kind of thing. I will probably do some shopping.

Watching the sun come up from the plane on the way to Seattle.

I am almost positive this is Mount Rainier in Washington State. Also taken from the plane. This was the best part of my trip. My flight from Seattle to NYC was delayed by a few hours and then when we actually made it to NYC air space we ended up circling the airport for about 45 minutes. Apparently the Vice President flew into Newark so all the security delayed planes into the place. We were also told there was just a lot of air traffic. Who knows......I got there eventually.

So I am back in New York, excited about being here for the holiday season. Of course I will miss being with the family but I guess I will just have to enjoy all the lights and sounds of the city this Holiday season.

Julie

Baseball and Hockey and Shopping, oh my

March 31, April 1, 2008

So another ball season means another trip to NYC, this time for the Yankees' home opener. This game was special for a couple of reasons. Number 1: my beloved Blue Jays were in town, Number 2: It was the first game of the season (hence opening day) and number 3: this is the last year the Yankees will play in Yankee Stadium (a new one is being constructed right next door scheduled to open for opening day next season) so it was the last opening day at one of baseball's most historic ballparks.

Opening day did not go at all how any of us planned though. My plan was to head to Yankee stadium, spend 3-5 hours watching baseball before getting back on the subway, heading back to Times square and Madison Square Gardens for the Rangers/ Penguins game later that night (baseball and hockey in one day....I tell you if they sold Keiths in NYC it would have been a perfect day......a true double header). However mother nature was no cooperating and decided that it needed to rain on opening day, thus the baseball game was postponed.....until the next day.

The game might have gotten rained out but I still took the opportunity to check out Monument Park. My 3 previous trips I actually did not go so thought I better this time, since there will not be that many opportunities left. The first picture is of course for the retired number of Jackie Robinson. No he did not play for the Yankees but 42 is retired in all of major league baseball (except for one day that I will talk about later). The second is of course Babe Ruth.

So naturally I headed back to my hotel in Times Square, (did a little shopping along the way), changed into some dry clothes and headed to the hockey game. What a great game it was too (although the second period did drag a little but once the Penguins tied in up again they started to skate a lot faster). The Rangers eventually won in overtime.

My view of Henrik Lundqvist from my seat

Sean Avery getting in a fight with someone....I don't think it matters to him who he fights just as long as he gets to hit someone.

I actually had a pretty good view from my seat. Was not too bad at all.

So the next day I got up nice and early so that I could head to Soho (which stands for south of Houston.....which is the name of a street) to do some shopping. This time I ventured off Canal Street to see what little shops I could find. I learned very quickly to avoid any store that had a professional security guard out front because real security guard means the average person cannot afford to shop there. There are lots of other affordable stores around though and did buy some stuff (and Debi you will be happy to know that not everything is black...some of them even had some colours).

After spending more money on clothes than I have in a good long while it was time to head backup to Yankee Stadium to "Opening Day" turned into " Opening Night". It turned out tuesday night was a perfect night for baseball. I met some very nice Yankee fans from New Jersey (who felt I was very, very brave to wear my Blue Jays Jersey in Yankee Stadium (a comment echoed by many on the subway was well). It is too bad that the Yankees won, but hey I will given them opening day. Reggie Jackson was even on hand to throw out the first pitch. The weather was great, the baseball was good and it actually didn't start raining until the game was over and I was heading to my car.

During the national anthems. I was expecting opening day to be a little bit flashier but I guess I am not surprised by the lack of fireworks and the focus on tradition.

The view from my seats. Very similar to where I sat last year.

Me after the game.

Of course the late night tuesday meant getting back to Pikesville a little bit later than originally planned. I rolled in around 2:30am and quickly fell asleep on my couch. Work the next night was not so good but the lack of sleep was totally worth it.



Julie

Some Hockey Too

November 24th, 2007

Of course no visit to an NHL city is complete without a trip to a game (especially since hockey coverage is extremely lacking in this corner of the US). I was very lucky to take my friend Lakesha along. She is a nurse from South Carolina and had nver been to a game before but was excited to check out something new. We finally found a night that we were both not working and managed to catch a game when the Carolina Hurricanes were in town and although they are based out of a different Carolina, they are as close to a home team as Lakesha will get.

Lakesh and I at the game.

A little bit of the game. It actually was a great game and Lakesha was really into it. She was not quite sure why the Hurricanes didn't pay a little more attention to Ovechkin (or as she referred to him Mr #8...he really was all over the place) but did agree that hockey is much faster when seen live than on TV.

The final score. It was very nice to see the home team win. Made for an excited crowd (although I must say the arena was pretty empty). The team had just fired their coach and this was Game #2 with the new guy. Although the Capitals are in last place (in the entire league) atleast on this night they didn't play like it.

Julie

The Game

Of course I had to include a few pictures from my visit to the world's most famous arena...Madison Square Garden. Why is it called Madison SQUARE Garden when the building is so obviously round you ask? Because the orginal Madison Square Garden use to live at Madison Square Park. Of course it doesn't now but still holds the name. So now you know.

The game itself was really good. Had everything you would want to see in a game between two rivals (of course I mean the New York Rangers and the New Jersey Devils). I got to see 3 great periods, a fst paced overtime and then the ever exciting shoot-out (and I don't care what people say...the shoot-out is great). It is too bad for the home side that the Rangers lost (and really in need of the points if they hope to make the playoffs) but it was a good game none the less.

I also got the opportunity to watch Travis Zajac play (#19, white sweater, centre of picture, just took the face off). I know what some of you are thinking..who is Travis Zajac. Travis played Junior hockey for the Salmon Arm Siverback (that's out in BC Canada for my American friends.....you can google it). My big brother (Steve) happened to be a coach for the team and I am pretty sure that I saw him play a couple games before we was big NHL player so it was kind of neat.
Much closer score than the Flyers-Penguins game I attended.

Julie

Just a couple more...

Ok, so here are just a couple more pics. I did not spend all my time in Philly hanging out in 200 year old buildings. I also took myself to a hockey game. While the Flyers officially suck (I totally feel for all the Flames fans back home because I notice they are not playing that well either) but I did get to see Sidney Crosby’s first NHL hat trick. It’s going to be a long year for flyers’ fans but at least the future of our men’s Olympic team looks bright.

Julie