Let The Blogging Begin….

Every year the students and male teachers finish off the Dong Bei tournament on a Friday and that night everyone and anyone is welcome to go to the after party. It was good times as usual… and a little more tame than usual too… which was good. I was not really in a condition to take any pics that were A. all that good or B. appropriate to post (haha) so here are a few that made the cut for, being deemed appropriate for all audiences ;)

I mentioned the hockey tournament at our school in a previous post known as Dong Bei. We just had the final games this week and the big party last night to close out another year of this fantastic hockey tournament.

For the women’s side of things it was The Blu Renegades pitted against The Red Scarlets.

I wasn’t too sure about the match up initially, but it proved to be a great battle. The blue team came out on top after 3 games: 4-2, 5-5, and 4-3.

I don’t think we could have asked for a better three games. The weather was perfect, the intensity was high, and the skill level was at its best. Every year the skill increases making it a better game… I am thankful that there are so many women here who love the game as much as I do and that we are able to have this tournament… it is something to look forward to at the beginning of each year.

I am so proud of the progress and teamwork that my team displayed over the course of the past month in practicing, preparing, and playing. I had so much fun with them and although we didn’t win the tournament, we definitely made team blue work for it.

It is ridiculous how much I love playing this game…

The Pre-Game talk…

“The Wall” - Susan Colorado… I peppered her with shots all tournament and she only gave up 4… I thought maybe with our friendship and all she would let a few more sneak through… but when you got this kind of skill, it is hard not to use it…

As time winds down in the school year there is a mixture of feelings: a healthy helping of excitement, a good dose of anticipation and a little dollop of sadness on top.

At this time of year there is ALWAYS something to do… and every weekend there is something going on… whether it be grad, dong bei, a birthday party… there is certainly never a shortage to choose from. These activities serve a dual purpose… they help time pass faster, but they also allow for some good quality time to be spent with the people you work with day in and day out.

It is actually surprising to me how we coexist all year round in such tight quarters; we work together, compete against each other, party together and hang out with each other… it is definitely not happy times everyday… we all have our moments… but on the whole we manage to bring out the best in each other whether that be in work or play.

With time moving faster there is the knowledge that our flight home gets that much closer with every day that passes… and although this is a great day in our lives here… there is also the knowledge that some of those who we have become so close to, do not return on the flight back.

One of the people not returning on the flight this year is Bobbi. Although we didn’t really get off to the best start in my first year at Maple Leaf, I slowly wore her down and after four years here I am thankful to call her a friend. She motivates me not only in work but also in life in general. She is that tiny voice that helps me make smarter choices, she is that guiding influence that has made me a better teacher and she is that friend who has made me a better person.

I will miss her energy, smile, laughter, and advice next year.

Love you tons.

My sister sent me some pics the other day asking if I would photo shop them a bit so that I could put her and her friends face onto the picture below. So I fiddled around a bit and here is the finished product. Anyone know who they were before?!

Was searching through/organizing some of my files the other night and came across this poem that I wrote in 2005 while I was traveling through Bangkok. Once in awhile I am inspired to write a poem… and this was one of those moments.

A Juxtaposed Culture

The movements show a lifetime of perfected efficiency;
A well seasoned goldenness invoking the essences of time
Few words are spoken for few are needed
A nod of the head; appreciation on both parts
Against the backdrop of western infiltration lays a simple smile;
A simple life
Amid the steady movement stands a silence tasted.

Across the street lies excess in all its grandeur
An abyss of visual stimulus displays rapture in its many forms
And one finds them self thrust deeper and deeper,
Flirting with the numerous levels of sin found within.
Alas, amongst the extravagance
A choice is made.

With expectations that will never be met
I watch while others search for contentment and satisfaction.
If it is found, there demeanor does not betray them
Once desire is consumed, they are left in a trance like state,
Only triggered back to reality after a few seconds
By the realization that it is all over.

And so, among the clashing of cultures
A courtship emerges;
Where the lasting impression of the foreplay,
Leads to a consummation of decadence.

Bangkok 01.05

The citrus soda 7-UP was created in 1929; “7″ was selected because the original containers were 7 ounces. “UP” indicated the direction of the bubbles.

Clans of long ago that wanted to get rid of unwanted people without killing them used to burn their houses down — hence the expression “to get fired”

One of my favourite times of the year… the sun is starting to shine more brightly, the near death green colour of the trees is starting to see more life, and the hockey sticks make their out of the closets and onto the court. Dong Bei has begun. The weather has not been very kind (as it seems to be every year around this time) and prevents us from playing every now and again… but we have some hard core ladies here who are willing to head out on weekends and stay late after school to get a good run around in and play their hearts out.

This year we have The Red Scarlets captained by Shannon Hawkey pitted against The Blue Renegades with Susan Colorado at the helm. We have played one game already with team blue coming out on top 4-1. Our three game series starts on the 11th and I can’t wait…

Here are some pics from the draft night (when we found out whose team we were on) and the first game.

The Red Scarlets

Pre-game faces…

I remember in the spring of my first year at Maple Leaf School I started hearing the murmurs of a hockey tournament known simply as: “Dong Bei” (meaning North East - since that is where we are in China). I quickly became aware of the culture, dedication, determination, competition and passion that went into this tournament at our school. This competition takes over not only our school, but our community for a good half the year with talks of players and teams beginning sometime in October, if not earlier… and progressively builds in fervor until May when the tournament officially begins. Its originator is none other than Commission E himself, Craig Engleson… he has been the man behind the wheel of this endeavor and it has grown to include student and women’s teams as well.

Loving all things active and competitive, I knew that I had to be a part of it… in my first year here and year’s since, including the present one, two female teams battle it out for the bragging rights of champion. It is great being able to get out there and release some energy, rough it up a bit and just have some fun. It is definitely one of those things that I will miss when my time in Dalian comes to an end… (still have one more year in me here for those of you wondering).

Here are some pics of years previous… can’t wait to post up some new ones from this year’s showing…

Year One:

Year Two:

Susan practicing her positioning on the court… haha…

I have been off the grid a little lately due to circumstances at work. Took on an extra class which has rendered me to a life of all work and no play… well, I do manage to still get in a little play, but not the kinda that would allow me to sit down, upload some pics, and type out a little blurb… until tonight that is…

This is kind of what I have felt like lately:

Okay, that might be a “bit” of an exaggeration, but you get my point… as my wise friend stated last night: “There is a reason you are not supposed to teach this many classes at once… ” I am not liking the teacher I am becoming right now, it has been two weeks of me progressively getting more impatient and snappy… it is not good for me or my students and it is getting out of control. One more week and then it will be back to my normal work day. I can’t wait!!!

Coming back from the Chinese New Year Holiday has it pros and con…

Con:
We have to go back to work after a glorious 5 weeks off.

Pros:
The weather starts to get warmer and warmer everyday (other than the random snow days)
Hockey starts up again
Ultimate starts up too
We can take our PE classes outside without freezing our asses off
You feel like you are on the last stretch

I believe there are 113 days left in this school year and it is nice to see the joy on people’s faces when they realize this…. since that means it is less than 90 teaching days… WOO HOO!

Don’t get me wrong, I love my job… but I love summer’s in Nelson more :)

I have never been much of a swimmer, I can do it… just not something I like to do for exercise. I remember being in swimming lessons when I was little, specifically a time when I was supposed to be learning how to float on my back. The instructor had her had under my back to help hold me up, then all of a sudden without warning she took her hand away and I started to sink. Suffice to say, I started screaming… my mom had to come in and get me out of the pool and I don’t think I ever went back. However, there comes a time in ones life where you need to put all anger aside and just jump in.

Due to my fubar’ed right knee I needed to do something other than running on land that would give me a cardio workout without the impact. My good friend here, who trains for marathons, iron man’s ect.. suggested I start going with her to the pool and try running in the water. With nothing to lose, I went and bought my first one piece bathing suit in about 15 years, a “very cool” looking water belt and of course the water cap (you can’t go in the pools here without one). My first day was alright… more a honing of technique day, rather than a workout… but I have the hang of it now and am quite enjoying it. The water is very relaxing and it is something completely different and new. It is amazing how the resistance of the water gives you such a good workout… my hamstrings are thanking me.

I also like to think of it this way: At least I will fit right in when I hit up the old folks home down the road….

I think this women might be taking it to an unnecessary level…

I just couldn’t get enough of this lil’ one while I was in Holland. She is a reason to smile.
She is 14 months here and has quite the personality. She could already high five and although Jill didn’t completely like it, I taught her how to “punch it” as well… haha…

…or at least I say they are cause I now have some. I am talking about rain boots…. gumboots…wellies…whatever name you know them by, they are a fantastic addition to anyone footwear repertoire. You all remember wearing them as a kid to go jumping around puddles in… well I have recently purchased a pair of this brilliant invention and am already loving them. Not only do they keep my feet dry, but they are pretty darn comfortable AND come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and colours. I highly recommend them to anyone and everyone who never again wants to have water soaked shoes or have to ever walk around another puddle… you shouldn’t have to!!

Made it home safe and sound today and couldn’t wait to get some pics up…..was out of touch with the internet world for some time due to the fact that the friend I was staying with moved… Let’s see, what was I been up to… Jill and I had quite the routine established… we did the morning thing of breakfast, Lennox would have her nap and we would hang out, maybe play some cards or do one of jill’s craft projects, which always freaked me out but seemed to turn out fine… then we would head out for a coffee and a walk… we hit up the same coffee place everyday - Bagels and Beans - it has delicious coffee and muffins… we were such loyal customers that one day they gave us drinks on the house… nice touch.

The afternoon usually entails browsing in stores while Lennox falls asleep and then another walk.  Ensued by dinner, bathtime, bedtime for Lennox… then our dinner and a movie.  It is simple, yet satisfying.  

Jill and I took a little day trip down to Amsterdam last weekend.  It is a great city - easy to walk everywhere you need to go, or just take a tram… and beautiful.  We walked through the red light district… quite the sites… I felt like I was in a movie, it didn’t really feel real… until Jill and I saw a guy actually walk into one of the rooms… haha…  Speaking of men…that is all you see there… just large groups of men everywhere… there are even this toilet things set up for them all along the canals… that just mad me thing of where all of that is going… yuck.  This picture is a bit blurry, but you can still see them.

It was a gorgeous day and I managed to take quite a few pics… here is just a little taste of them: (click on them to see full size)

Although I didn’t venture outside the confines of this country, I am quite content with that. I know I will back over to Europe at some point in my life and I will take in the sites, sounds and tastes of other places then…. this trip was all about the people and keeping it simple - and I did just that.

Here are a few pics of the houses/buildings in the area I am staying.  The first few are from a little trip we took to Delft, about 15 min. drive away from where Jill lives… It is a very quaint little place, reminds me of Nelson in some ways.  The last couple are from Jill’s city (Den Haag).  I love how all of the buildings each have their own unique style.  All the different doors, windows, details… it is just fun to walk around and look at them.  Am going to helping Jill and Marius move to a new place this weekend and then I am going to pick up a last minute deal down to the Canary Islands for some beach and sun… then back here for one more week before I head back to Dalian.  I am having a very, very relaxing holiday… it is all in the simple things: delicious coffee, brisk walks, yummy food, a good friend. 

This girl is go, go, go… she never stops… and when she is doing one thing you can see her little brain thinking about what she is going to do next.  She has a very healthy appetite, probably because she never stops moving… and she loves helping her mom do anything and everything.  She is 1 year and 1 month… and just learned how to "cheers" her glass… too cute.  She also loves reading… as you can see below.

I love food.  It is as simple as that… and having a home base here in Holland with Jill we can make some yummy-ness on a daily basis.  As I have mentioned before, there is a coffee shop in Nelson called Grounded that I go to practically everyday… it has the best coffee and scones… so Jill and I decided to re-enact a "Grounded" morning… here were the results…

The Stroopwafel is possibly one of the yummiest treats ever. 

A stroopwafel is a waffle made from two thin layers of baked batter with a caramel-like syrup filling in the middle.  It doesn’t get much better than that.  They can be enjoyed at any time, day or night… it really doesn’t matter.  Alone, with a coffee, perhaps with a little dollop of ice cream… my mouth is watering just typing about it.

I have had one daily since I have been here… should probably cut back before I start looking like one, but that isn’t going to be happening any time soon. 

straight with no sleep…

 3 flights…

2 trains…

…but it was all worth it…only on day two but loving it here…Jill lives in a neighbourhood that is  very aesthetically pleasing to the eye…will take some pics soon, right now just enjoying walking around with the crispness in the air and taking in all the individual styles of every single building.

a side note……if you are going to be on a layover, the place to do it is at the new terminal in London’s Heathrow airport.  It is an amazing airport…such a good energy to it, calming, and comfortable.  They only do final calls so that there is not the incessant announcements over the intercom and there are so many places to lounge and areas for kids to play…   

Got a hair cut today…feels so much better…I will not get my hair cut in China…they don’t cut hair…they massacre it…so that feels good.  

In the process of planning a few day trips…not set plans, I like it that way on vacation.

One big perk of this job is that we basically get two “summer” vacations…and for the past three years I have used these five weeks off to head south for the winter and hit up the sunshine and beaches of Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. However this year, as I have mentioned in a previous post, I am going to head north to Holland (Netherlands) for a continued winter. I have been a bit jealous at moments listening to all of my colleagues and friends discussing their plans to meet up in warmer climates….but then I remember that I get to go to the land of delicious cheese, perfect coffee, and of course, my best friend.

Doesn’t get much better than that.

Since I will have a home base I will continue with regular updates of my travels…so keep checking in :)

Looking forward to a much needed break from the day to day of China…

Relaxation and rejuvenation here I come.