A Short Vacation....Mostly in Mom and Dad's Basement

Mostly Vernon, British Columbia
Monday July 12th to Sunday July 25th, 2010


My short time at home was mostly spent unpacking my stuff from the US and repacking my stuff for my big trek across the world. Of course I did try to find some time to do something fun and visit family as well.

The nightly view from Mom and Dad's deck. So nice and no matter how many times you see it.....it doesn't get old.

Of course I cannot leave out that my second day in Vernon I was in a car accident. Yes, that is right. I managed to drive like 4 thousand kilometers across the country without getting a scratch on my car but I get to Vernon and I have some little 89 year old lady come through a stop sign and hit me. Don't worry I only had some minor stiffness and pain as a result but my car will be in the shop until long after I leave for my vacation. I have a loner from the body shop but it just isn't the same. But it could have been worse and I am thankful for that. And it wasn't my fault (she got a big ticket) so I have nothing to worry about

No time to dwell on the accident though because there was a lot to do (mostly shopping and packing) and people to see. I am happy to announce that my friends Crystal and Doug (whose wedding I attended last summer on Vancouver Island) are expecting their first child. Don't worry they have already made the Facebook announcement so I am safe to announce it here. So a big Congrats to them!!!!

I also had a chance to take a Haunted Walk through Vernon. Mom and Auntie Faye had taken the Ghost Tour last year and were eager to share it with me this year. It is lead by a local actor who donates half the proceeds he collects (there is a fee) to local arts programs and theatre companies. It was a lot of fun.

The leader of the walk. He basically just walked up and stood there. Everyone got real quiet and was waiting for him to say something. That's when he told us we still had a few minutes before the tour would start so we were free to talk amongst ourselves. He was fun.

The top of his walking stick. Spooky I know!!!!

The walkway into the Caetani Cultural Centre. The story of this haunted house and grounds surrounds the Caetani's daughter, Sveva. When she was 18 her father died from cancer in 1934. Her mother Ofelia suffered both physically and mentally from the loss and chose a reclusive life, forcing Sveva to join her. Sveva was effectively housebound,being only allowed to walk the grounds of the house, from 1935 until 1960 when her mother passed away. It was only after Ofelia's death that Sveva was free to pursue her own interests. Art was one of those interests and when she passed away in 1994, she bequeathed the house and the grounds it sits on to the City of Vernon. Who now haunts this house and it's grounds.....who knows. It could be Svena, or it could be her mother Ofelia, still so distraught over the loss of her husband that she can't seem to bring herself to leave the house.

One of the local parks and fountains in Vernon. Not haunted but looks seriously creepy in the dark.

Thought to be the most haunted building in Vernon, this is the Towne Theatre. Lloyd, a former projectionist, is said to be the resident ghost. I was kind of hoping he would pop his head out the window and say hi.

The trip wasn't all Ghost Tours and packing though. There were also dinners and picnics and all that fun stuff. We had a great day at the beach. Pretty much everyone made it....even Auntie Gayle and Uncle Bill who drove out from Calgary. It was good fun.....the water was a little cold but we did some swimming anyways.

Dad seemed to enjoy this spot out on the sand under an umbrella. It was very nice.

And really that is all I accomplished while I Vernon......ok I also packed a suitcase......and a backpack. It was great to see everyone before left and very nice to have some home cooking before I head off on my next adventure.

Stay tuned.

Julie

Temporary Digs.....Good Thing Too

Albany, New York, USA

So I have arrived here in Albany and have settled into my hotel. Yes, my hotel. A 6 week contract means I am living in an extended stay hotel for the next little while as rental management companies do not seem to like to sign 6 week leases (can't say I blame them.) So I can't say anything too bad about the place but I can't really say anything that great either so I'm just not going to say much. I get weekly maid service, the Internet is free (really slow but free) and it's bigger than my last place in Manhattan (but I really grew to love that apartment)......and let's just leave it at that.

Basically this is it. Not too much but it'll do.

My kitchen. Do you notice anything missing? Yeah there is no oven. I know, I don't cook that much but the few things I do make........I need an oven for. Looks like I will be needing to get a little more creative for the next little while......or eating a lot of microwave dinners.

My closet. Yes, when you look at it from here 8 pairs of flip-flops does seem excessive but I wear them all.

My view......I guess it could be worse.

Anyway, I have given the place a few personal touches and I've dressed it up to feel more like home.

Yes, I was watching the Olympics when I took this picture.

Julie

Wasn't I just here?

Friday, November 27th, 2009

New York, New York to Vernon, BC

Watching the sunrise from 30,000 feet.

Yes, yes I was just here. Seems I have been racking up some frequent flyer miles lately and I can tell you I am really wishing Vernon and New York were closer together. I really hate that cross country flight. However the fact that there were only about 15 people on the direct flight from Newark to Vancouver was quite enjoyable. Apparently nobody flies on Black Friday (because they are all shopping) so I spent the entire flight stretched out across 3 seats fast asleep.

See there was enough space that even Teddy had his own seat.

At one point I actually looked around and one of the fight attendants was asleep in the row behind me. There were not a lot of people awake for the 5 hour flight. The fact that I was running on only a couple hours sleep, had been at the airport since 5am and that there would be family reunions on the other end of the flight kept me sound asleep until they kicked me off the plane.

Lots of snow in the mountains. Always a beautiful sight.

Anyway, I eventually made it to Vernon and that is when all the fun would begin.

Julie

Back in the New York Groove

New York, New York

One of the bridges in Central Park. It is about 5 minutes from my new apartment.

Well I am back in the city and moved into my place. I do really like my new place......even though it is so small. It is half a block from Central Park. Actually from close to the centre of Central Park. I am right at the Jacqueline Onassis Reservoir. It really is very nice. But back to my apartment.

No, you cannot see my building in this picture but it only takes me about 5 minutes to walk here from my building. It is just down the path from the bridge in the first picture.

When I first arrived and starting loading my stuff inside, I wasn't sure I was even going to be able to get everything in. I had a few small panic attacks yet some how I still ended up at Bed Bath and Beyond to buy more stuff. Eventually I got everything put in it's place. I seem to have stuff stashed everywhere but it works......somehow it all works.

The old US Mail chute that you can still find in my building. It isn't in use anymore, but you can't get rid of something like this.

The building is....well it is old, like so much of New York, so of course I am intrigued by that. However, my apartment and a lot of the building has been recently renovated (no one has lived in my apartment since the renovations were done.....it is nice) so you don't really feel the age of the building that much.

My apartment from the door......and that's about it.

Watching TV from my bed. That door in the corner is my bathroom.....which is surprisingly large but I really couldn't get a good picture of it.

Looking across my bed from the window sill. Yes, that is my kitchen. No counter or cupboard space but the appliances are brand new so I gues it all evens out. Plus I do have a table that moves very easily and doubles as a counter top when it isn't being used as a desk.

Watching TV (well not right now) from my couch.

Looking out my window. Not a bad view. I could be on the other side of the building and look out over the road. In case you are wondering, this looks north.

And well that is about it. Not a lot of space but I am making it work. It is in a great part of the city and has a 24 hour doorman (they are all really nice). The hospital I am working at is on the Upper East side so I literally have to go across town to get there, however I have worked out that I can still walk there in about 30 minutes. Plus there is a bus almost right outside my door that gets me pretty close too. I really can't complain.

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

My trip home to Canada: Stop #1

October 27th to 30th - Regina Saskatchewan

The Saskatchewan Legislative Building

So my arrival in Regina was relatively uneventful. I am not going to lie. I did find it a little bit cold when I got off the plane (it had been very warm when I left Virginia…even with all the rain) but the weather actually cooperated and it turned out to be quite warm.

Mom and I at the airport in Regina. A reunion almost 14 months in the making.

Of course the reason for the trip to Regina was to attend my brother’s graduation from Depot (that’s the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) Training Academy for those of you who weren’t sure). It was a very exciting weekend for our family. It seems like October 29th, 2007 has been about 10 years in the making. I cannot imagine Steve being anything but a cop. I don’t know how many times I’ve had to follow some vehicle on the highway so Steve could write down a license plate number because some driver was doing something stupid. Now Steve gets to do that for real and I know he will be great. For those of you who don't know, Dad has been in the force for just over 37 years now so it made the weekend extra special since he was involved in many if the ceremonies. The highlight was when Dad got to present Steve with his badge.

Me with the Mountie Moose at the RCMP Heritage Centre

The list of those who attended was quite impressive. Let’s see there was Me, Debi, Mom and Dad, Heather, Heather’s parents, Gramma, Auntie Gayle, Uncle Bill, Stacey, Leonard and of course Steve.

Before we actually got to Steve’s graduation we had a few days to kill. Saturday we had an amazing dinner (Alberta beef baby, oh how I have missed that) with the whole family, and Heather’s family and a few other recruits and their families. Oh and I have to mention appearances by the Little Mosque on the Prairie crew and a few other Canadian TV personalities including everyone’s favourite George Stroumboulopoulos (unless you are from Canada and watch CBC you will have no idea who I am talking about.)

Sunday afternoon we visited the RCMP Heritage Centre (you actually think I would go all the way home and not go to at least one museum!!) It was quite fun. We played dress up and tested our skills as investigators and of course got to look at the amazing and proud history of the RCMP.

Yes that's me.

Heather playing dress up. For some reason I don't think this is the last time she will be seen in one of these hats.

Sunday night we celebrated Stacey’s 19th birthday. For my American friends 19 might not seem like an exciting birthday however legal drinking age in Saskatchewan (and several other provinces) is 19 (in the others it’s 18 by the way) so now she is legal in the entire country.

Stacey celebrating with some gifts.

The whole family gathered for some food and drink (imagine that)

Monday of course was the day we were waiting for. Here are some pictures from the day. Sorry no pictures of Steve (at his request for many reasons including safety) but the rest of us have no problem posing so enjoy them.

Debi, Dad, Mom and I awaiting the start of the parade.

Dad posing with a duck. There was a nice girl who was on a road trip and wanted to get this duck in as many pictures and situations as possible and dad was more than happy to take a picture.

Stacey, Gramma and Uncle Bill awaiting the start of the parade.

Troop #5 (Steve's troop) marching on the parade square for the last time.

Debi and I at the graduation banquet. I know what you're thinking, we looked far too good to waste on a Monday night in Regina but hey anything for our big bro on his special night.

Julie