Yum Yum, On my way home, Canada

shana10214
shana10212@gmail.com

Posted Mar 4, 2008, 1:48 am
Hello!
Today I was found by Andrea in her mailbox. I was rescued by BunTraveler and adopted by shana10214. I was so happy to be at my new family's home. I am also happy about being a toyvoyager. I believe in good karma and I want to travel all around the world and do good deeds.
Yum Yum
shana10214
shana10212@gmail.com

Posted Mar 8, 2008, 2:01 pm
Hello,
My first stop will be to visit more of Florida, in Miami with Carlissa. Before I left, I needed to find a shirt. I dont have to wear it during my adventures, I just always want to have one with me in case I get cold. It is the most PERFECT shirt for me.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3001/2318744258_e0d668764a.jpg

It says "Deliver the Dream"


shana10214
shana10212@gmail.com

Posted Mar 10, 2008, 6:44 pm
I am still home. Andrea says I will be leaving soon.
Today a new toyvoyager arrived. Her name is muumipeikko.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2397/2324891364_39fea4310f.jpg?v=0

Next to her is Chip, my brother who is also a toyvoyager.
Yum Yum
carlissa


Posted Mar 19, 2008, 10:00 pm
Hi Mommy,

I am in Miami, Florida!  My host met me at the Post Office and took me home with her.  I was greeted by some other Toy Voyagers that are also visiting here: Prince Charming, Tiger The Best, Billy Goat, Ronnie N Hammie, and a little cow that is a rescue like me!  The little cow will be going to New Zealand soon.

Here I am with my new friends:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2267/2346424820_3641f265cf.jpg

Love,
Yum Yum
carlissa


Posted Mar 21, 2008, 10:22 pm

Our host took us on a bike ride through Larry & Penny Thompson Park today!

Here we are in the bike's basket:
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We stopped at a picnic area to get a better view of the lake.  Too bad we didn't think to bring a picnic basket!
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Some ducks came over to visit:
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We rode the bike some more, then we stopped at this bench for a rest:
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I had fun today!

carlissa


Posted Mar 23, 2008, 1:40 am
I went to the Miami Seaquarium today!  I saw lots of fish, sea lions, dolphins, manatees, and a killer whale! 

Here I am with an eel and some fish:
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I saw a Florida lobster (the natives call it a crawfish):
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This is Lolita, the killer whale:
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The dolphins playing ball:
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Then it started to rain, but I had fun anyway.

carlissa


Posted Mar 23, 2008, 4:03 pm
It's Easter Sunday! 

Last night I helped to color some Easter eggs with Prince Charming, Billy Goat, Ronnie N Hammie, Tiger The Best and Ossa:
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This morning, we woke up and found out that the Easter Bunny filled up our basket with lots of candy and a little bunny rabbit:
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Look at what I got!
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Happy Easter!

carlissa


Posted Mar 25, 2008, 4:03 pm
Today is my birthday! 

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My toy voyager friends gave me a beautiful card:

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And we had a party!

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carlissa


Posted Mar 31, 2008, 9:27 pm
I went to Emerald Acres today with Ossa to look at the pretty horses. 

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Here I am with American Pie:

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carlissa


Posted Apr 3, 2008, 2:52 am
I went on a nature hike today with Ossa and Cool Jules at Matheson Hammock Park. 

Here we are sitting on a log:
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We had to climb over this big boulder so we could continue down the trail:
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We found a little cave!
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carlissa


Posted Apr 6, 2008, 1:31 pm

Today I helped my host clean one of her bookshelves.  We boxed up 2 boxes of books and 1 box of CDs which will be donated to Goodwill, which is a non-profit organization that provides of education, training, and career services for people with disadvantages.


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carlissa


Posted Apr 6, 2008, 2:26 pm
Today our host took us on a 15-mile bike ride through Shark Valley in the Everglades National Park!  I didn't know this park was so big, and we only saw a very small part of it!

First we rode the bike about 3/4 mile to the Otter Cave Hammock Trail where we read a sign about the trail:
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Here I am with Cool Jules and Ossa.  We are looking down into holes in the rock and there is water underneath!
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We rode on for a few miles and then stopped to take a picture of the Everglades.  There's not much out here but grass and some bushes!
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About half way on our bike ride, we stopped at this observation tower and had lunch:
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After lunch, we saw some alligators:
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carlissa


Posted Apr 8, 2008, 6:13 pm
Today is my last day in Miami!  Before I left, I stopped by the Goodwill Store to drop off the books and CDs that I boxed up a few days ago.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3245/2399095484_1337fd36a4.jpg
carlissa


Posted Apr 8, 2008, 6:18 pm
After dropping off our donations, my host took me to the Post Office so I could catch my flight.  I'm off to visit MissMelissa in West Virginia!  I am on USPS Flight # 0307 1790 0003 9307 7408.
MissMelissa


Posted Apr 11, 2008, 7:50 pm
Wow. I had a great time in Miami. On my little trip, I had plenty of time to imagine where I would go and what kind of things I would do on my next stop.

The first night I fell asleep in my shipping box, I dreamed of swimming with dolphins.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2349/2405343335_653770459c.jpg

After a brief stop somewhere (I'm not sure where I was, I was in a box!), I fell back asleep, and I remember dreaming of sailing the high seas.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2159/2405343585_20e8cd3a84.jpg

Then I took a short nap on a doorstep for a little while. This time, I was on the cover of a gossip magazine. I don't know why I always dream of myself naked...

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Then I woke up and realized I was being carried somewhere. Oh! I hear something!

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Okay. So I don't see any dolphins, viking ships or celebrities.  I need to stretch my legs!

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What kind of wild beast is that???!!! Goodness, he's getting closer. Oh no! He's coming in for the kill, I'm sure of it!

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Okay, so maybe not. He's coming in for kisses! Gross!


So what have I gotten myself into? I don't see anything too spectacular so far. A slobbery dog. When are we leaving? I wanna go outside.. .  .  . Oh.


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2371/2406092278_a485c84221.jpg


It's RAINING! I suppose I'll just take a nap.


XOXO
YumYum


MissMelissa


Posted Apr 13, 2008, 2:21 am
Hello again! The rain cleared up today, so we got to go out and play outside a little bit. I'm thankful for that because Strider and Carl were bickering like..ummm.... well cats and dogs is a little cliche...fighting like an old married couple!

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Here we are on a picnic table at the park. Hopefully the leaves will pop out soon and it will look less dreary.

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Here's a cute little picnic shelter.

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We found a little caboose. It seems like a strange place for it. And I didn't see any tracks. How did it get there?!

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And a plane! How bizarre! It's at a playground. Aren't they worried that little children will fly away? I guess that's what the barbed wire is for.

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Then we rested on the tennis courts. There wasn't anyone there, so Melissa let Davey run around in there without his leash on. He was very happy about that, but then he got a little drunk on independence.

That's all for tonight!

XOXO
Yum Yum
MissMelissa


Posted Apr 18, 2008, 8:11 pm
Hello, hello! Melissa had a very test-full week, so we haven't had much time to do anything fun. But today, we got out for a little bit and visited Parkersburg.

Here is a picture of me at the Parkersburg flood wall. It says: Parkersburg, WV.A.  "Let's be friends..."

Which really bugs Melissa because the abbreviation of West Virginia is WV, not WV.A. She thinks it's silly. I thought it was kind of funny that this wall says "Let's be friends..." it happens to face the border of Ohio. Do they think that Ohio doesn't like them? Hmmm.

MissMelissa


Posted Apr 18, 2008, 8:24 pm
Anyway, I continued exploring Point Park. Point Park is where the Kanawha and Ohio Rivers join. They're doing some construction on it right now, so it was muddy and not as nice looking as it usually is. But we got a great view of the river!

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This is the Ohio River, the same as before. Only this bridge goes from Parkersburg, WV to Belpre, Ohio.  This is also where you take a ferry to Blennerhassett Island, but it doesn't open until May.

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Here's another picture of the other side of the river. Sadly, there was nowhere to stand that didn't have caution tape or cones (on account of the construction project) without getting my paws all muddy. Can you see the barge coming down the river?

Here's another pretty portrait of me and the barge up close...

MissMelissa


Posted Apr 18, 2008, 9:07 pm
We also went to Riverview Cemetery to take some pictures. Melissa goes there from time to time to take pictures of the statues. It's really pretty there despite being, you know... a graveyard.

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Here we are on the path around the perimeter of the cemetery. Look, the leaves are popping out!

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We played in the ivy and Carl was almost completely covered!

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This is a gravestone that is really creepy. There are stories that sometimes the statue cries. I didn't see anything, but I certainly didn't stick around too long!





Then we just followed Melissa along while she took some photographs. Here are two of them:

MissMelissa


Posted Apr 26, 2008, 3:28 am
Hello again! We had a little bit more adventuring today.

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This is a bird's eye view of Parkersburg. We went to Quincy Hill park today and stayed there until a tree fell down and scared the crap out of Melissa.

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Can you see the river and all of the bridges we've visited?

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Apparently, in 1909, there was a terrible disaster on this hill.

Quote:
At 5:10 a.m. on March 19, 1909, Parkersburg's two reserve water tanks, sitting atop Prospect Hill (now Quincy Hill), burst and sent two million gallons of water cascading down the side of the hilll and into the streets of the city. Each tank, made of iron and sitting on a stone foundation, was 40 feet high and 60 feet in diameter. They were pumped full every night from the city water works located at the foot of 12th Street. Apparently one of the 26-year-old tanks broke first, and the gushing water smashed its bottom plates against the companion tank, ten feet away.

A cottage on the hillside above Avery was washed away and carried down Tenth Street to Market, killing the young newlyweds who lived there. A couple of other houses were shattered, and St. John's Lutheran Church on Avery at 9½th Street was nearly demolished. Trees were washed through the walls of Sumner, the city's black school, and several streets were choked with the debris of other trees and lumber from the destroyed houses. A barbershop in the basement of the Blennerhassett Hotel, six blocks to the south, had two inches of mud on its floor. In all, three people died and several were badly injured.


So I am standing where the tanks were, and everything down below me was flooded and destroyed. That's kinda scary.

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These stairs go from Quincy Hill all the way down to Avery Street. Melissa says people run up and down them to train for all the marathons they hold in the summer. Those people must be nuts!

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Here's a tank in the park. Melissa had no explanation for the tank or why people here put weird vehicles in playgrounds. Bizarre.


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Then I climbed this pretty tree for no particular reason.

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Goodbye, Quincy Park. It's been lovely.


XOXO,
YumYum

MissMelissa


Posted Apr 26, 2008, 2:06 pm
I think after crawling around in that tree, my allergies are kicking up a little. Every morning, Melissa's car is covered in pollen. It's a really bad place to be for your nose.

Yesterday we went a few more places.

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This is the gate to the Julia-Ann Square Historic district. We were just passing through.

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This is the Chancellor house in the historic district. Melissa says if it wasn't so boring in this town, she would storm this house and claim it as her own and live there forever. She would probably die of boredom at age 30, though. Isn't it a pretty house?
MissMelissa


Posted Apr 26, 2008, 3:00 pm
Hello again! We made one more stop before we came home and passed out from exhaustion.

We went to the Blennerhassett Museum in Parkersburg.

Quote:
Harman Blennerhassett (8 October 1765 – 2 February 1831), Irish-American lawyer, born in Castle Conway in County Kerry, Ireland to Conway Blennerhassett and Elizabeth Lacy. He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin, and in 1790 was called to the Irish bar. After living for several years on the continent, he married in 1796 his niece, Margaret Agnew, daughter of Robert Agnew, the lieutenant-governor of the Isle of Man.

Ostracised by their families for this step, the couple decided to settle in America, where Blennerhassett in 1798 bought a (now-eponymous) island[1]in the Ohio river about 2 miles below what is now Parkersburg, West Virginia. Here in 1805 he received a visit from Aaron Burr, in whose conspiracy he became interested, furnishing liberal funds for its support, and offering the use of his island as a rendezvous for the gathering of arms and supplies and the training of volunteers. When the conspiracy collapsed, the mansion and island were occupied and plundered by the Virginia militia. Blennerhassett fled, was twice arrested and remained a prisoner until after Burr's release.

The island was then abandoned, and Blennerhassett was in turn a cotton planter in Mississippi, and a lawyer (1819-1822) in Montreal, Canada. After returning to Ireland, he died on the island of Guernsey in 1831. His wife, who had considerable literary talent and who published The Deserted Isle (1822) and The Widow of the Rock and Other Poems (1824), returned to the United States in 1840, and died soon afterward in New York City while attempting to obtain through Congress payment for property destroyed on the island.

The buildings on his island have since been restored and the location is now Blennerhassett Island Historical State Park, a popular tourist attraction.


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Here is an old car and some gas pumps. I wish we could take this car around, it's much more fitting of me than Melissa's busted up Jetta.

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Look at this old farming machine! It's for shelling corn, the sign says. It's so strange to see machines made of wood.

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The death mask of Aaron Burr, the treason scoundrel.

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This is a painting of a lady from a prominent family in the early days of the town.

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Here are a whole lot of paintings of a whole lot of important people from a long time ago. Don't the metal chairs add so much flair to this exhibit?  :rolleyes:

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Here is an exhibit of wedding dress styles that went all the way from Colonial America to the 1980s. The 80's were not a good time for clothing...

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All aboard! The railroad was very important for this area.

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Ooh! Native American Petroglyphs. I have no idea what it's trying to say. Maybe depicting the earliest form of wrestling!

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Then Strider, Carl and I watched a short film about the history of the Blennerhassett Island and their shocking scandals.

Until Next Time,
YumYum
MissMelissa


Posted Apr 26, 2008, 5:22 pm
Hiya! I left Melissa's house at 10:52:36 AM in Vienna on my way to Malaysia!
aliah


Posted May 8, 2008, 11:45 am
I arrived at my host's place today, together with Aquila which also happen to be adopted by shana10214 too. I'm so happy to meet him. We're taking a rest right now and chatting about home.
I missed home...
aliah


Posted May 18, 2008, 2:38 pm
I am now in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's capital city. We (Aquila, Yuki & I) tagged along as our host has something to so here today. We just see a little part of Kuala Lumpur but I am all excited since this is my first time here. I saw Kuala Lumpur Tower & a Hindu Temple called Sri Mahamariamman Temple.
aliah


Posted May 29, 2008, 2:01 pm
I'm in Port Dickson and this is my first time at the beach.
I'm enjoying the breeze (^-^)
It's almost dusk when we arrived.
AbbyB


Posted Jun 11, 2008, 6:35 am
I have arrived in Canada!

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/June-9-2008-002.jpg
AbbyB


Posted Jun 11, 2008, 6:49 am
Today a package arrived for Abby.  What could it be?

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/June-10-2008-001.jpg

It's Abby's new TV, Synapse!

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Abby's cat wanted to meet Synapse too.

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AbbyB


Posted Jun 12, 2008, 9:48 pm
Tonight I went to the athletic banquet at Abby's school.  They were presenting awards to twenty-eight teams.

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Abby was a little upset that she wasn't recognized for her cross country coaching, but her rugby team made up for it by giving her flowers; the entire team also received medals for doing so well this year.  I got to try it on.

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And what pretty flowers!

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There was also a barbeque, but there was so much going on that Abby forgot to take a picture of me enjoying my food.
AbbyB


Posted Jun 14, 2008, 4:54 am
Today was the last day of school before summer break at Abby's school.

Of course, there were grad pranks, pulled by the grade 12s who are graduating.

This smashed-up car was placed right outside the front doors.

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This car was TP'd

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There were balloons everywhere

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And there was this in the office (we all know who did it, but we're not going to say who, only that AbbyB wasn't a part of it)

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There was a party in one room to celebrate a group of people who completed a specific academic program.  Abby was a part of it, so we joined in.

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There was lots of pizza

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And cake! (IB are the initials for the program; the other two cakes said 'IB Finished' and 'IB Outta Here')

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I got the 'I' from the pink cake

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I had a really fun day!
AbbyB


Posted Jun 14, 2008, 4:59 am
Later in the day, we went to the hair salon, where Abby's best friend was cutting a bunch of her hair off to donate to an organization that makes wigs for cancer patients.  Look at how much she cut off!

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AbbyB


Posted Jun 15, 2008, 11:08 pm
Today I got to attend a very special event, Abby's commencement.

We went for dinner first, at the Old Spaghetti Factory, in Gastown.  The menu at each location is different, and has historical facts about the area on it.

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These are all the locations.  Abby says that one day she'd like to visit all of them, but she's only been to five so far.

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Then, we went to the Orpheum, where the ceremony was to take place.  The Orpheum was opened in 1927, and when it first opened, it was the largest theatre in Canada.  It was bought by teh city in 1974 and refurbished, and is now the permanent home to the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.  Abby forgot to tell anyone to take pictures of me in the theatre, but her sister was kind enough to do it.

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Finally the ceremony started.  There Abby is, with the choir.  She's actually out front singing.  She doesn't want to toot her own horn, but she's very proud of herself, and you can watch the YouTube video here.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Last%20day%20of%20gr12/Real%20last%20day%20of%20gr12/Commencement/IMG_7213_2.jpg

Here I am with her graduation certificate, composite photo and hat.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/June-14-2008-013.jpg
AbbyB


Posted Jun 16, 2008, 11:02 pm
Today I got to see Abby's gardens.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/June-16-2008-002.jpg

Abby said that this year was a really good year for rhododendrons, and that they were everywhere a few weeks ago.  They also ahve some lilac-coloured ones, but they are not as pretty as they were.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/June-16-2008-011.jpg

Look at the size of these leaves!

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/June-16-2008-020.jpg

Oh hello.  These gnomes are all over the front garden, and apparently every single one is named Smedvik.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/June-16-2008-021.jpg

Can you see me?

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/June-16-2008-029.jpg

One solitary daisy

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/June-16-2008-033.jpg

Poppies

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/June-16-2008-040.jpg

Strawberry plants

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/June-16-2008-045.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/June-16-2008-063.jpg

I climbed lots of trees.

A maple

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/June-16-2008-014.jpg

A ginkgo

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/June-16-2008-048.jpg

An apple

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/June-16-2008-054.jpg

And a fig

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/June-16-2008-051.jpg

Abby's family grows vegetables too, but it's a little early in the season for much.  This is their assorted lettuce patch.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/June-16-2008-061.jpg

Help!  I'm being eaten by a fish!

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/June-16-2008-058.jpg

Haha, just kidding.
aliah


Posted Jun 17, 2008, 5:10 am
This morning, we woke up early to see the sunrise. Unfortunately, it was cloudy because it was raining heavily earlier :(
Time for group picture  ;)
aliah


Posted Jun 17, 2008, 5:28 am
Melaka is known for its historical prominence and its cultural appeal. In the 16th century, Melaka enjoyed a reputation as the foremost maritime trading center in the region. So coveted was Melaka by the European powers that it was ruled successively by the Portuguese, Dutch and the British until the Federation of Malaya was formed on 31 st August 1957.
aliah


Posted Jun 17, 2008, 5:31 am
This museum located in Bandar Hilir is filled with artifacts related to Admiral Cheng Ho who sailed to Melaka from China in the 15th century. There are about 2,000 historical items related to Cheng Ho and the Ming Dynasty being displayed at the museum, including crockery, coins, the Cheng Ho Well, clothing and a replica of Cheng Ho's ship.
AbbyB


Posted Jun 19, 2008, 9:51 pm
Today we discovered a book about Canada that mysteriously appreared on Abby's kitchen table.  We brought it to her room to read it.  Unfortunately it was completely in French, so Dolly read it to me.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/June-19-2008-001.jpg

This page is about the origin on the name 'Canada' which is adapted from the Iroquois word 'kanata', which means village.  Next is the history of Canada from Confederation in 1867, and how all the provinces and territories joined.  Then it talks about their queen, Queen Elizabeth II, her monogram, the crown and the flag.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/June-19-2008-003.jpg

On the next page there is information about the 'royal flag', more about Queen Elizabeth, how she fits into Canada's constitution, then about the Governor General, who is the Queen's representative in Canada.  It also includes the words to God Save the Queen (the scroll at the bottom)

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/June-19-2008-004.jpg

These are all the flags of the Leftenant Governor Generals.  They are representatives of the Governor General and there is one in each province.  The next page begins to talk about official symbols of Canada: The coat-of-arms, the flag and the motto.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/June-19-2008-005.jpg

More symbols.  On these pages are the official colours, the maple tree, the national anthem (in the scroll at the bottom), the beaver, the Canadian national horse (bred for use by the Mounties) and the official sports, lacrosse and hockey.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/June-19-2008-006.jpg

Even more symbols!  These pages talk about the maple leaf, the official seal, the official tartan (the book says that Canada doesn't actually have one, but they've adopted this one based on it's colours), the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police, or Mounties) and the parliament buildings.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/June-19-2008-007.jpg

This page is all about the different flags Canada has used up until the creation of the current flag in 1965.  The first two were not official, but used by English Canada and French Canada respectively.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/June-19-2008-008.jpg

Then, there were pages about each province and territory.  This is the one about where I am, in British Columbia.  It says that it was given the name British Columbia by Queen Victoria.  It mentions the dominant native tribes of the area, then talks about BC's symbols.  The official tree is the western cedar, the official bird is the stellar jay, the official mineral is jade and the official animal is the spirit bear.  Abby told me to pay particular attention to the last one, because this spirit bear is endangered and they are making an animated movie about it down in Hollywood to raise awareness.  The flag is a Union Jack to symbolize British origins, and shows a setting sun over waves representing BC as being the Western-most province.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/June-19-2008-002.jpg

At the back of the book were a number of pages testing knowledge on Canadian symbols, as well as encouraging the reader to design their own symbols.  On this page are some noteable stamps and the different coins.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/June-19-2008-009.jpg

That was really interesting.  It was good to have something to do while the weather is terrible.  I bet Synapse would have enjoyed this, but he has decided to learn some of it firsthand in Montreal for a week.  Lucky Brain cell.
AbbyB


Posted Jun 23, 2008, 4:34 am
Today I got to see Twelfth Night at Bard on the Beach in Vanier Park.

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(I was in the shade when these two were taken)

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There were no pictures allowed, but I can assure you, the play was very good, and very funny.  It was set in the Roaring 20's era, complete with costumes and music, but was still the same old play.

At intermission, we had ice cream.

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I checked out all the cast.  There are four plays put on every year, divided onto two stages, the main stage, which generally holds comedies, and the studio stage, which generally holds tragedies.  The other plays are Titus Andronicus, King Lear and The Tempest.  King Lear is on the main stage this year because the artistic director of Bard on the Beach is playing King Lear.  There are two casts, one for each stage.

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Look! There's the bard himself over the gift shop

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After the play, we went for a bit of a walk through Vanier Park.  It is right at the edge of Vancouver.

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There is lots of art in the park

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It is very windy in the area, because it's right on the ocean, and it's perfect for sailing.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/June-22-2008-017.jpg

Sea meets sky (and mountains).  The two really big boats (next to my head) are giant barges.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/June-22-2008-021.jpg

More mountains.  The dark area is Stanley Park, the largest park in Vancouver.

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Here is a little docking area.  Seabus also stop here.  The Seabus are small boats that take foot passengers from one side of the little inlet, called False Creek, to another.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/June-22-2008-023.jpg

This is the plantetarium.  Vancouver's Maritime Museum is nearby, but we didn't walk over there.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/June-22-2008-029.jpg
AbbyB


Posted Jun 25, 2008, 9:21 pm
Today a package arrived.  Who could it be?

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Lemmy/June-25-2008-001.jpg

It's Lemmy the fox!

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Lemmy/June-25-2008-002.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Lemmy/June-25-2008-003.jpg
AbbyB


Posted Jun 28, 2008, 7:32 am
I rode the train today.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/June-26-2008-001.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/June-26-2008-006.jpg
AbbyB


Posted Jun 28, 2008, 7:35 am
I saw a tiny bit of Maple Ridge today.

This is the infamous Maple Ridge clock.  There's a legend that goes with the clock and the horse.  The horse represents a beast that fought for Mother Nature against those who were hurting the environment, but was gravely hurt in the process.  Mother Nature set up the clock as a reminder to not hurt the environment.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/June-27-2008-010.jpg

This is the ACT Theatre.  It's relatively new and is apparently very nice (Abby said she has both performed there and been in the audience)

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/June-27-2008-011.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/June-27-2008-014.jpg

Across from the theatre, an art show is being set up in the park.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/June-27-2008-015.jpg

Look at those mountains

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/June-27-2008-018.jpg
AbbyB


Posted Jun 28, 2008, 7:38 am
Abby is learning how to drive (finally, she says), and I thought I would try too.

Hmm, I can't quite reach the steering wheel...

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/June-27-2008-020.jpg

That's better, but now I can't reach the pedals!

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/June-27-2008-021.jpg

Oh well, I guess driving is not for me. 
AbbyB


Posted Jul 1, 2008, 6:31 am
Abby's driving took us out to Stave Lake and Hayward Lake this evening.

This is in Stave Lake Park.  The lake is behind me.

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A little further to the left of this picture and back a bit (no good vantage point, sorry), is the Stave Lake dam.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/June-30-2008-011.jpg

Then we drove to Hayward Lake and its dam, which is part of the Stave Lake dam.

This is the crane they used to lift the flood gates of the dam before there were electric motors to do so.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/June-30-2008-015.jpg

The top pf the dam we drove across.  In the wooded area behind me we saw a deer, but there was no safe place to pull over and take a picture of it.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/June-30-2008-018.jpg

Hayward Lake and the mountains behind it.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/June-30-2008-022.jpg
AbbyB


Posted Jul 2, 2008, 2:40 am
Today is Canada Day, Canada's 141st birthday.

In celebration, Abby gave each one of us a little Canadian flag pin to wear for the day.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-1-2008-019.jpg

We all settled down to watch the Canada Day celebrations in Ottawa, the capital.

The Prime Minister being interviewed

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-1-2008-004.jpg

The Governor General arriving with her Mountie Escort

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The Royal Salute

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Singing of the national anthem

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The Snowbirds, which are part of the airforce and perform all over North America in air shows.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-1-2008-012.jpg

Blue Rodeo played a few songs.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-1-2008-018.jpg

Abby tried to take a patriotic shot of me with the flags in her front yard, but it wasn't windy enough.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-1-2008-020.jpg

Then we went to the local celebrations.  There was food, face painting, entertainment and many people promoting local business and events.

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There was also a farmers' market, with a special sign just for today.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-1-2008-047.jpg

After that it was time to cool down with a smoothie.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-1-2008-055.jpg

Happy Canada Day!

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-1-2008-048.jpg
AbbyB


Posted Jul 8, 2008, 6:50 am
Today I checked out the local community gardens.  Community gardens are a plot of land, where anyone may sign up to grow things on.

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http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-7-2008-005.jpg

This centre also educates the public about things like composting.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-7-2008-008.jpg

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Afterwards, we decided to go on a bit of a heritage walk.

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We walked along part of the Trans-Canada Trail, a trail that stretches thousands of kilometres across the country.

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I decided to climb an apple tree.

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The sign reads:

In 1876 Thomas and Ann Haney came West to Maple Ridge from Ontario.  Thomas Haney had trained as a brick-maker, so he sought out land with clay suitable for brick-making.  In 1876-77 Thomas and Ann Haney purchased 160 acres of land for $1000.  Here the Haneys built their home and raised their family on land that stretched from the river to Dewdney Trunk Road and from 222nd to 225th Street.

Thomas Haney opened the first brickyard in Maple Ridge, running it for eleven years, after which he began a livery stable.  He became a municipal councillor and a land assessor in 1877.  Thomas Haney also drew up the first town plan and soon the townsite came to be known as 'Port Haney'.

The Haneys were a generous family, often helping newcomers to find land and settle in Maple Ridge.  Visiting priests were invites to hold mass in their home every Sunday.  The Haneys served breakfast to all those present.  In 1881, when the congregation grew too large, Thomas Haney built the first St Patrick's Catholic Church on his property, donating both land and money.  Descendants of the Haney family lived in the home until 1979.  It was donated to the municipality, along with the acre of land it stands on, as a heritage site for the enjoyment of future generations.

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This is just outside the fence.  It reads:

Port Haney was one of many communities whose life depended on the river.  Take a walk to the Fraser River and the wharf.  Just follow the trail through the highway underpass and across the tracks to the Fraser's banks.  For many years the centre of the town was by the railroad tracks and the river.

Log Sorts, the Haney Brick and Tile Company, and other industrial activities took place on the banks of the Fraser and Pitt Rivers and Kanaka Creek.  Riverboats stopped at the wharf unloading passengers and freight.  Prior to construction of the Lougheed Highway, this was one of the main loading areas for livestock and raw materials, such as wood, to be taken into New Westminster and eventually, to Vancouver via the CPR (Canadian Pacific Railway).

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In order to get to the wharf, I had to walk through this tunnel...

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And cross the train tracks

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There was information here about the Japanese population before World War II:

Japanese settlement in Maple Ridge began by 1896.  These early settlers worked in labour positions and farmed.  By 1911 over 75 families and 300 people of Japanese descent were living in the District.  By the 1920s the Japanese community had built their own Buddhist temple, school, community hall and the Berry Growers Co-op.  They were involved in all aspects of the Maple Ridge community, including local politics, sports, festivals and fairs.

From Maple Ridge to Manitoba - During the early years of World War II the Japanese Community of Maple Ridge took part in community relief projects and fundraised for Victory Bonds to support Canadian soldiers overseas.

On December 7, 1941, Japan bombed Pearl Harbour, bringing themselves and the US into WWII.

This action brought out divisions in the community, turning neighbours into enemies.  In January of 1942 Prime Minister Mackenzie King authorized the RCMP to register all Japanese people, including those born in Canada and Britain.  The local Japanese community was shocked.  Some received the news after spending an evening volunteering for the Canadian war effort.

The Japanese were soon ordered to leave for interment away from the BC Coast.  On April 24, 1942, the Maple Ridge Gazette reported that the last of 118 Japanese families had left the area, most heading to work the sugar beet farms of Manitoba.  All their property and many of their belongings had been sold with proceeds to Federal coffers.  In 1949 the District of Maple Ridge voted to disallow their return.

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The view upriver

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-7-2008-040.jpg

Abby would have taken a few more pictures, but we were sidetracked by an old, drunk Finnish man on the wharf who decided to tell us his story.

After our walk it was time for some gelato.

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http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-7-2008-004.jpg
AbbyB


Posted Jul 11, 2008, 4:46 am
Today we said goodbye to Dolly.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Mausi%20and%20Dolly/July-9-2008-039.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Mausi%20and%20Dolly/July-9-2008-040.jpg
AbbyB


Posted Jul 11, 2008, 4:48 am
We played frisbee in the park with Abby and her sister.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Lemmy/July-10-2008-001.jpg

It was fun, but tiring, so after a while and I sat in the shade and watched the humans make fools of themselves.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Lemmy/July-10-2008-002.jpg
AbbyB


Posted Jul 12, 2008, 2:22 am
Abby needed to buy some things at her new school, so she took us along.

Simon Fraser University is a fairly new school, only 43 years old.  It was designed by Arthur Erickson, one of Vancouver's most famous architects.  It's on top of Burnaby Mountain, and so it's often quite foggy, and in the winter if it's particularly snowy, then there is no bus service.

Abby didn't stay long enough to give me a grand tour, but I saw some of the more interesting sights.

This is the convocation mall.  Graduation ceremonies are held here, as well as many student gatherings.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-11-2008-001.jpg

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Behind me, you can see the academic quadrangle.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-11-2008-003.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-11-2008-005.jpg

And here is inside of it

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-11-2008-007.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-11-2008-008.jpg

On the roofs you can see some of the mountains to the north of Vancouver.  It it hadn't been so smoggy, Abby would have tried to take a picture of Vancouver on the other side of campus.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-11-2008-013.jpg
AbbyB


Posted Jul 16, 2008, 3:01 am
I helped Abby wash the family van.

I got the hose ready...

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-14-2008-010.jpg

The soapy water...

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-14-2008-012.jpg

And the scrub brush...

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-14-2008-015.jpg

Wait a minute?  There's a chance that I might get wet?  Um, I think I'll just supervise with Lemmy.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-14-2008-016.jpg
AbbyB


Posted Jul 16, 2008, 5:56 pm
Today I woke up to find that Abby had moved Lemmy and I from our cushy place in one of her bags, to the kitchen table with a darning needle in front of us.  Turns out that the needle had nothing to do with either of us (phew!) and Abby was just returning it to her sister.  It also turns out that Erin was taking us to an unknown place for a bike ride while Abby was off earning money to pay for her toyvoyagers habit.

Maple Ridge and the next town, Pitt Meadows, have a lot of farm land; in fact Maple Ridge is fairly well-known for its horse breeding and berry crops.  Pitt Meadows is rather flat, and so there are dikes around all the rivers to prevent flooding.  They are very scenic and we visited a couple today.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/IMG_7281_1.jpg

This is one of the dikes.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/IMG_7282_1.jpg

This is one of the farms in the area

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/IMG_7286_1.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/IMG_7288_1.jpg

Also, some of the horses

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/IMG_7290_1.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/IMG_7291_1.jpg

Erin also showed me the South Alouette River.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/IMG_7292_1.jpg

Here is another dike we biked on.  Not all of the dikes are this well maintained; some are very overgrown and a little difficult to walk or bike on.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/IMG_7294_1.jpg

It gave us a nice view of the river again.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/IMG_7297_1.jpg

Thanks Erin, for taking me on a bike ride :)
AbbyB


Posted Jul 17, 2008, 8:28 am
Abby's sister found a Travelbug, and decided to leave it on Burnaby Mountain, where Abby and Erin's university is.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-12-2008-001.jpg

Abby forgot to take pictures of me at the university itself this time, or eating lunch (you missed the dropping a piece of sushi into soya sauce, which then splattered and ran all down Abby's legs fiasco, sorry), but I was in on the geocaching experience.

We had to walk down a trail to get to the one that we were looking for.  Lemmy was particularly excited because he was accomplishing a life mission by going for a walk in a forest.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-16-2008-001.jpg

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Eventually the trail led us to this field.

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And we found the cache!  We left the Travelbug inside.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-16-2008-022.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-16-2008-024.jpg

A little further on, there was this large park, right on the side of the mountain.  Apparently it's very popular for tobogganers in the winter.  The trees are fairly high now, but behind them there is a view of Vancouver.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-16-2008-026.jpg

Here it is closer up.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-16-2008-027.jpg

I found a fire pit.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-16-2008-029.jpg

Erin was looking for another cache, so Abby picked salmonberries for us to try.  Because there are nasty bugs in the first, neitherof us felt like leaving her bag.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-16-2008-030.jpg

On the other side of the park, we discovered what looked like partially constructed totem poles.

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http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-16-2008-048.jpg

Above them were three stones explaining the art.  The first one said:

Kamui Mintara - Playground of the Gods

This Burnaby Mountain setting inspired the carvings entitled, 'Plarground of the Gods'.  It is the story of Japan native peoples, the Ainu, and of the gods who came down to the earth to give birth to them.

In the large foreground sculpture of bound poles, those with animals on top represent the Ainu gods, while the smaller poles represent the people.  On Earth the gods assume the shape and spirits of animals, such as the bear, the owl and the orca.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-16-2008-053.jpg

The second one said:

These sculptures were dedicated to the citizens of Burnaby in 1990 to commemorate twenty-five years of goodwill between the Sister Cities of Kushiro, Japan and the District of Burnaby, Canada.

The exhibition was created by Noburi Toko, a renowned modern sculptor of the Ainu, and his sone, Shusei Toko.  The Ainu are the aboriginal people of Japan who inhibit the northern island of Hakkaida.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-16-2008-055.jpg

The third one said:

Ainu Mythology tells us of a culture closely connected to the water.  The sculpture to the lower left with the four supposrts symbolizes the ocean.  To the right of this three pairs of poles and a single pole represent the orca god of the sea.

The sculpture on the far left points ot the west symbolizing a bridge of friendship that connects the sister cities of Kushiro and Burnaby.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-16-2008-057.jpg

After a long day of hiking, it was time to go home.  I was so tired that I went straight to sleep.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-16-2008-059.jpg
AbbyB


Posted Jul 21, 2008, 6:40 am
We went to the Maple Ridge Fair today.  Abby's family is not really into the country thing, but they entered some things into the fair for the heck of it, to see if they'd win anything.

The fairgrounds

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-19-2008-004.jpg

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http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-19-2008-007.jpg

We made a beeline for the showroom...

Look!  Abby's crocheted birthday cupcake won first prize!

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-19-2008-019.jpg

And the scarf that Erin made for their mom won first prize and a best in show rosette!

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-19-2008-020.jpg

And their rhubarb won first prize and a best in show rosette for nits, fruits and vegetables!

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-19-2008-041.jpg

In addition, they won two more firsts and three seconds for various herbs, and a first for a felt mask in the toy category.  Yay, Abby's family!

After that, we wandered the showroom to see what other categories there were that people had entered.  Our happiness was soured somewhat by a man who was very rude to Abby after she accidentally brushed past him, but not for long!

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-19-2008-029.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-19-2008-032.jpg

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http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-19-2008-037.jpg

This year the province is celebrating its 150th birthday, and so all the theme categories had a birthday theme.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-19-2008-043.jpg

After the showroom, we watched some of the cow judging.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-19-2008-050.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-19-2008-056.jpg

Then, we went to go see some of the animals.

The pigs

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-19-2008-059.jpg

The goats

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-19-2008-070.jpg

The sheep

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-19-2008-072.jpg

The cows

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-19-2008-086.jpg

We paused for a minute, because it was very hot out, on some hay in the cow barn.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-19-2008-089.jpg

Here are some more sheep.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-19-2008-091.jpg

We watched a sheep shearing demonstration.  The sheep didn't seem very happy.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-19-2008-095.jpg

Look at the size of this ox!

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-19-2008-098.jpg

2200 pounds!?!

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-19-2008-101.jpg

See this fuzzy thing?  It's actually a rabbit.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-19-2008-104.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-19-2008-110.jpg

Then, we went to the room that was all about yarn and weaving, and spinning wool.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-19-2008-115.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-19-2008-116.jpg

After that, there wasn't much else to see, except for the quilters' room, which cost $2 that Abby didn't have.  We went home.
AbbyB


Posted Jul 21, 2008, 6:51 am
I saw another Shakespearean play today, Titus Andronicus, at Bard on the Beach in Vanier Park. 

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-20-2008-004.jpg

There's Vancouver's planetarium.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-20-2008-005.jpg

Abby's family had ordered lunch in advance to eat before the play.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-20-2008-008.jpg

Abby took pictures of me while she was guarding the food and waiting for her family to get back from picking up tickets.

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http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-20-2008-013.jpg

She couldn't go very far, so you can't see the ocean from here, but it was very picturesque.  Lots of sailboats out today.

Finally, we were able to eat lunch.  Whole wheat pasta with artichokes and sundried tomatos, balsamic roasted vegetables, vegetarian samosa balls with raisin chutney and a small apple pie.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-20-2008-014.jpg

When we went inside the tents, we found out that there was a Starbucks coffee tasting.  We found seats and hurried over.  There were three types of coffee to choose from, with a corresponding snack sample, and a coupon for a tall oder of the same coffee.  How thoughtful of them to make the cups toyvoyager sized!

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-20-2008-016.jpg

Recording devices are not allowed in the tents, so there are no pictures of me enjoying the play.  It was very gorey and I had to hide my eye a few times, but it was very well done.

At intermission we ate ice cream.  Did you know that it is National (not sure which one) Ice Cream Day?

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-20-2008-018.jpg
AbbyB


Posted Jul 21, 2008, 9:29 pm
Lately, Abby has been crocheting non-stop.  Seriously, she comes home from work and crochets.  It's kind of annoying, because we could be sight-seeing and going for drives instead (fat chance, she says, of finding anything interesting to do in this town), but to make it up, she crocheted a flower and took a picture of me with it, so I could 'offer' it to anyone I wanted.

So shana10214, this flower is for you:

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-21-2008-001.jpg
AbbyB


Posted Jul 26, 2008, 8:41 pm
Abby felt bad for not taking us out for a few days, so she showed us her garden.  I have already seen her garden before, but it changes every few weeks, so there were new flowers for me to see.

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The lavender smells really nice :)

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We picked some blueberries to share.

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Abby's family has some interesting garden ornaments.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-26-2008-028.jpg

Here, we were posing on the grass, and Little Lou decided to join us.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-26-2008-038.jpg
AbbyB


Posted Jul 28, 2008, 6:40 am
Today I saw a little bit of Vancouver.  It was obvious that we were gonig somewhere, but nobody would say where.

We started off at the Architectural Institute, where we parked.  They have a small gallery.

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This looks like a normal bench, but it's made enturely of wood, even the cushions.

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http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-27-2008-005.jpg

This is Victory Square, Vancouver's war memorial.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-27-2008-006.jpg

Across the street they were getting ready to film a movie in the alley next to Abby's mom's work.  The alley has been used in many movies (the only one that comes to Abby's mind is the chase scene in Air Bud), but is also the poster child for homelessness and drug use in Vancouver.  We were able to walk through the set twice (they weren't filming), but we didn't have time to stop and take a picture down the alley.

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Far off down the street you can see the beginning of Chinatown.  The orange structure is the Gate of Thousands' Happiness, which was built in 2000.  On the right, the building with the copper roof is the old Sun Building.  It was originally owned by the Vancouver Sun, the local newspaper.  When it was built it was the tallest building in Vancouver.  The offices were up top and the printing presses were down below.  There are nine statues of women around the building, symbolizing the nine Muses of Greek mythology, and the roof is made of copper.  It has been climbed by Harry the Human Fly and Houdini escaped from a straightjacket suspended from the roof.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-27-2008-010.jpg

This is Vancouver's main sorting station for Canada Post.  All the mail for BC goes through here.  The last time I was here I was in an envelope.  A little known fact about this distribution centre, is that there is a tunnel leading from here to the waterfront.  Back when the mail arrived on trains it was the easiest way to get the mail to the building.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-27-2008-012.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-27-2008-017.jpg

This is the main branch of the Vancouver Public Library.  The architecturue was influenced by the Roman Colliseum.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/July-27-2008-014.jpg

Finally we reached our destination...

SPAMALOT!

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Obviously there wwas no picture taking allowed, but I can assure you that it was very funny.

During the intermission, Abby bought a new toy.

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Eek!

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Will it ever become a ToyVoyager?  Abby says no, because she wouldn't want to lose it.  Shame.

After the show, we went for dinner, and who did we see there?  Esther Stilwell, the Lady of the Lake in Spamalot.  She agreed to have her picture taken with us.

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AbbyB


Posted Aug 6, 2008, 2:52 am
I'm on my way to Victoria, British Columbia's capital.

Abby and her sister did not go with their parents because both had to work, so we took public transportation.  Victoria is on Vancouver Island.  It took us four buses just to get to the ferry terminal!

Here's the receipt of our tickets.  They took the tickets away before Abby could take a picture.

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To pass the time, we played cribbage without a board.

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And of course, we went outside.

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After we got off the ferry, I was disappointed to hear that we were nowhere near Victoria.  What, another bus?  At least this one was a double decker, and we had the good fortune to be sitting on the top, right at the very front.

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Passing through Sidney-By-The-Sea.

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There are lots of farms on Vancouver Island.

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What you can't see here is that the field is being shared by cows and Canada geese.

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Ugh, when will we make it to Victoria?
AbbyB


Posted Aug 6, 2008, 5:22 am
We made it to Victoria just in time for dinner.

On the menu there were interesting facts about the building we were in.

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Across the street was this native longhouse.

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I noticed some information on James Douglas, the first governor of both the British Columbian and Vancouver Island colonies, before they joined Canada.

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Next, we came upon an old schoolhouse.

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And then Helmcken House, the oldest standing house in Victoria.  John Helmcken was a doctor.

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Next is the Royal Museum of British Columbia.  We are going there tomorrow.

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This is the bell that stands outside of the museum.  As you can see, it was a gift from The Netherlands.

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Also outside the museum was this area where you could pose with famous British Columbians.  It's part of BC's 150th birthday celebrations.  Can you see me?

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AbbyB


Posted Aug 8, 2008, 7:30 am
Next, it was off to the Legislative Buildings.

First, we visited the local war memorial.

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And then to the buildings themselves.

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In front of the buildings was a statue of Queen Victoria, who was Britain's monarch when BC joined Canada.

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We wandered around to the back of the buildings.  There was a garden in the back, with an old sundial.

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This is the library.

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On it are many carved figures.  This tells us who; various explorers and founders of British Columbia.  There are also heads carved in relief of famous philosophers and writers.

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Next, we went on a tour inside the legislative buildings.

Here, out tour guide is explaining the coat of arms.  The shield in the centre is a smaller version of the flag.  the two animals represent the colonies of Vancouver Island (left) and mainland BC (right).  The crown at the top symbolizes alliegence to the British crown.  The motto is below, with dogwoods below that, the provincial flower.

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The motto, Splendor Sine Occasu, means Splendor Without Deminishment.

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This is where the Premier and the Members of the Legislative Assemby meet to debate.

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This window was made to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II's golden jubilee in 2002.  She visited here to unveil it.

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This window is to commemorate the diamond jubilee of Queen Victoria. 

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The tour ended and we wandered down to the waterfront.

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If you look on this map, I am standing about where my right ear is.

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There are a lot of buskers around.  This man was playing the bagpipes.

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On the sea wall there was a statue of Captain James Cook, one of teh men who explored the West Coast.

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Along the sea wall there are many small vendors selling things they have made and art they have created.

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Across the water you can see the Empress Hotel, the grandest hotel in Victoria.

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There are many organizations trying to take advantage of the crowds attending the BC 150 celebrations.  This display was put on by BC Hydro, the main power supplier to BC.

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I showed off my power-saving smarts and won Abby a lanyard.

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On the way back to the car, I noticed this mural on the side of a building of Vancouver Island.  Victoria is right at the bottom.  At the top right where the skyscrapers are painted, that is Vancouver.  The lower part of Vancouver Island, where we are, is the only part of Western Canada that is below the 49th parallel.

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On the street, this man was creating famous masterpieces with chalk.  Abby said that he was here the last time she was here a year ago, in the exact same spot.

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Finally, we stopped at Rogers Chocolates.  I tried their ice cream at Bard on the Beach.

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Everyone bought a Victoria cream.  Mine was wild cherry flavoured.

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AbbyB


Posted Aug 10, 2008, 4:06 am
This is the view from the motel room:

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Now, before you think that Abby's family were being cheap, they chose this motel for a reason.  The singer Nelly Furtado used to work here.

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Today we are back at the Royal BC Museum to see the BC 150 special exhibit.

These 'postcards' were on the walls all over the exhibit.

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This is an old aboriginal whale bone mask.

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There were a couple people in costume who were telling stories and singing songs of miners and people searching for gold.  This man was telling us about a man who owned a mine who carried his employees through the Depression.

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An aboriginal canoe

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This teddy bear is over 100 years old!  Probably a little to delicate to become a toyvoyager.

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Some examples of aboriginal clothing

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The piece of gold in this case is worth $50000!

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This is some information on the man who designed the Legistlative Buildings that I visited yesterday.

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This button is from BC's 100 year celebration in 1958.

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There was a little bit of information about Emily Carr.

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This is what the chief of police used to wear.  Things have sure changed.

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There was a display similar to the one outside the museum, only it was circular, of famous British Columbians.  How many can you recognize?

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This is a Kermode bear, BC's official animal.  It is only found in a small part of BC and is endangered.

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These things belonged to people who were famous in early BC.  The jacket belongs to Colonel Moody, who was an engineer and founded the city where the original end of the Canadian Pacific Railway was, before it was extended to Vancouver.  The picture towards the left and the wig are and belonged to Judge Begbie, BC's first judge.

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This is the document proclaming British Columbia as a colony.

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After the exhibit, we checked out what else was on that floor.  There was a small, but very informative exhibit on climate change in the area.  Then it turned into the ice age.

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After that there were displays on local wildlife.

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There was a lot more museum to check out, but we had already spend three hours there and it was time to leave.
AbbyB


Posted Aug 11, 2008, 8:18 am
Abby's parents had gone on an architectural church tour the day before, so they decided to show those of us who hadn't been able to go some of the churches.

This is Christ Church Cathedral, the only Cathedral in the province.  An interesting fact about it is that the roof is made entirely of brick.  It is also the tallest church in Victoria.

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As you can see, Winston Churchill laid one of the stones as the church was being built.

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This church is no longer a church, but in fact a conservatory of music.  We slipped inside for a moment and four violinists were practicing onstage.

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This church has burned down twice before and all that was saved from both were three small windows, the baptisimal fountain and their cross.

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Don't be fooled by the rose window on this church, it's actually a synagogue, and the oldest standing place of worship in the city.

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After the church tour, Abby persuaded her family to take us to see the more touristy parts of Victoria.  This street here is permanently closed to traffic and people set up tables and sell art.

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This is Market Square, which has many interesting shops.  Unfortunately, we were only passing through and we didn't visit any of them.

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This fountain stands just inside the gates.  It's a water fountain for humans now, but used to be a place for horses to drink.

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We paused for a moment to watch a belly dancer.

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Here I am at Fan Tan Alley, the narrowest street in North America.  At its narrowest it is only three feet wide.

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This is the gate to Chinatown.

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In Chinese culture, lions symbolize luck.

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In the evening we went to a free concert in the harbour.  Victoria's symphony was playing on a stage floating on the water.  As you can tell, it was very popular and therefore hard to see.

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A lot of people came to the concert.

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People were talking through the concert, so we left after the first half.  Anyway, Abby's family had a few more places to show me.

This school is famous just because of it's name.

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Then, we visited the birthplace of artist Emily Carr.

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AbbyB


Posted Aug 11, 2008, 8:39 am
Today we visited Craigdarroch Castle, home to The Dunsmuirs, the richest family in Victoria around the turn of the century.  Apparently it's haunted.  It is now a bit of a museum and there are tours through it, but we didn't stay for one.

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This lion was sitting near the back door.  As I learned yesterday, lions are supposed to be good luck.  Apparently not for this family; Dunsmuir Senior died before the manor was finished and his children quarreled amongst themselves and parted ways.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/August-4-2008-013.jpg

Next, it was off to Hatley Castle, built and owned by the son of the Dunsmuir who built Craigdarroch Castle.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/August-4-2008-016.jpg

This is the view from the balcony.  What a pretty place.

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The main entrance of the castle.  The castle now belongs to  and is on the grounds of Royal Roads University, a military college.

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In the basement there is a small museum.  Here is a model of the castle.  A little too small for toyvoyagers, unfortunately.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/August-4-2008-022.jpg

Next, it was off to Government House, the residence of the Leftenant Governor of BC.  When the Queen visits BC she stays here.  Because it was BC day, part of the house was open to the public.  It has burned down twice before, roughly every fifty years.  It has been 49 years since the last fire, so everybody keep your fingers crossed.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/August-4-2008-021.jpg

And what a pretty view from here too.  I guess you have to be rich or famous to get these kinds of views.  The mountains you can see in the distance are part of Washington State.

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This is the main dining hall.

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Lastly, we visited the bathrooms downstairs meant for guest use when there are balls and state dinners.  I was nearly blinded by the chintz in the ladies' powder room.

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AbbyB


Posted Aug 11, 2008, 8:43 am
The ferry back to the mainland was uneventful, and Abby didn't take any pictures because the trip was exactly the same as the last one.  However, we took the long route home and ended up taking another ferry.  Two ferries in one day!  This trip was much shorter, only fifteen minutes, across the Fraser River.

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AbbyB


Posted Aug 12, 2008, 10:31 pm
Today I said goodbye to Lemmy, who is on his way to Finland.

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AbbyB


Posted Aug 15, 2008, 4:51 am
Today Shirley Sheep arrived.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Shirley%20Sheep/August-14-2008-002.jpg
AbbyB


Posted Aug 20, 2008, 5:38 am
I went to Abby's school today, Simon Fraser University.  Abby was meeting some friends to run some errands.

These flags are right next to the bus loop.  There's one for every province and territory of Canada.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/August-19-2008-002.jpg

This is a new building, the Arts and Social Sciences building, commonly referred to by its acronym, which I won't repeat here...

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/August-19-2008-003.jpg

Here is the view from the criminology department in the same building.  On Sundays they do yoga in the courtyards.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/August-19-2008-005.jpg

It was time for lunch.  Yam rolls, gomae and iced tea, mmmm.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/August-19-2008-014.jpg

We passed the recreational areas.

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On the track that you can just see, that is where the great Terry Fox, who tried to run across Canada on one real leg, learned to run again on a prosthetic leg.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/August-19-2008-022.jpg

This road is the only one leading to the school, as the school is on a mountain.  In the winter when the road is snowed in or becomes too icy, the entire campus is shut down because it is to dangerous to drive up and down the mountain.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/August-19-2008-024.jpg

After all errands were run, everyone found themselves back at the Criminology department.  One of the professors asked if we would help her with some sorting, and, because we had time to kill before Abby's friend's mom could give us a ride off the mountain, we agreed to help.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/August-19-2008-027.jpg

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AbbyB


Posted Aug 21, 2008, 4:32 am
Time for a little sight-seeing in Downtown Vancouver.

This building doesn't look particularly impressive, but when it was built it was the tallest building in the British Empire.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/August-20-2008-001.jpg

This building behind me will be the media centre during the 2010 Olympics.  It looks completed, but as you can see in the second picture, it is still under construction.

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Across the inlet, you can see North Vancouver.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/August-20-2008-008.jpg

This is the float plane dock.  For a fee you can fly to various islands on the coast.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/August-20-2008-009.jpg

Behind me is Stanley Park, the largest park in Vancouver.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/August-20-2008-012.jpg

This is Canada Place.  Underneath the sails are lare large rooms where conventions are held.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/August-20-2008-013.jpg

Here is Vancouver Shipyards.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/August-20-2008-014.jpg
AbbyB


Posted Aug 21, 2008, 4:38 am
This is Waterfront Station, Vancouver's original train station.  It still is a train station, as well as a bus stop, Sky Train station, and Sea Bus station (a foot passenger ferry that travels across the inlet).

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/August-20-2008-018.jpg

Down the street is Gastown, essentially the oldest aprt of Vancouver.  Now it is full of tourist shops.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/August-20-2008-019.jpg

This is the Gastown Steamclock, the first clock to ever run on steam power.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/August-20-2008-022.jpg

This is a typical alley in the downtown area, though this is one of the cleaner ones, as it is close to the Downtown East Side, which is known for its homless and drug users.  Behind it, you can see Harbour Centre, which is partially owned by Abby's school; many classes are held there.  The spaceship-looking thing is a revolving restaurant.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/August-20-2008-023.jpg
AbbyB


Posted Aug 21, 2008, 4:41 am
We got on the Sky Train and I thought the tour was over, but Abby had a few more things to show us.

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This will be the Olympic Village in 2010.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/August-20-2008-027.jpg

The white building behind me is BC Place, where the local professional football (American football) team plays their home games.  The opennig ceremonies of the Olympics will be held there.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/August-20-2008-028.jpg

Behind me is False Creek, which is actually an inlet.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/August-20-2008-031.jpg

This is Science World; it was built for Expo 86.  Most of the dome on the inside is a huge movie screen.  There are many exhibits inside, aimed at teaching people of all ages aobut science.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/August-20-2008-033.jpg

Behind me you can see a Sky Train.  They are automated and run along a track that is elevated on concrete pillars.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/August-20-2008-035.jpg
AbbyB


Posted Aug 23, 2008, 4:51 am
I worked out on Abby's friend's Wii today.

First I tried out the Wii Fit.  Apparently my balance is a little off...

http://i34.tinypic.com/24y68vq.jpg

Then I challenged Shirley Sheep to some regular sports games.

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AbbyB


Posted Aug 23, 2008, 5:31 am
I saw Jack Johnson in concert tonight!

He was playing at the Thunderbird Stadium on the University of British Columbia campus.

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Abby and her friend picked up some cool things at the merchandise table.  Rise above plastic!

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We watched the first opener, Culver City Dub Collective featuring Paula Fuga...

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Then the second opener, Rogue Wave.

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Finally it was time for Jack Johnson!

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After the concert, we joined Abby's parents and waited for the crowd to thin.

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AbbyB


Posted Aug 24, 2008, 8:15 pm
Today we went to a corn maze!  Here are our tickets, wristbands and map:

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We didn't use the map at all, because we're so good at mazes.  The object is to go through each maze, find the checkpoints (six in each maze), and punch them out using special punching tools located at each checkpoint.  We did the fish and octopus first (on the right of the map), then the orca and crab. For a better photo of the maze go here and click on the first picture.

All ready to go!

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The rules said no picking the corn, but it didn't say anything about not posing with it.

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There's a bridge in the middle of the maze and we climbed it to see the view.

This is back towards the entrance.

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This is towards the back of the maze.

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Look at those mountains.

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Look, we found a checkpoint!

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It was dark by the time we finished, but we had time to pose as these two corn people.

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AbbyB


Posted Sep 10, 2008, 7:03 am
Today I went to Bard on the Beach again, to see The Tempest.  I can proudly say that I am the only ToyVoyager to see an entire season of Bard on the Beach.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a156/bolganeagh/Gems%20Stuff/TV/Yum%20Yum/September-7-2008-003.jpg

After the play, we went for a bit of a walk in Vanier Park

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AbbyB


Posted Sep 13, 2008, 12:14 am
We went for a walk along False Creek.

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This totem pole was covered in blackberry bushes, just off the bike path.

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Then we were at Granville Island!  Granville Island is a Mecca for local artists.  There are art schools and galleries everywhere, as well as buskers on every corner.

http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq85/abbystoyvoyagers/Yum%20Yum/September-7-2008-019.jpg

As you can see, it's not actually an island.

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We visited a little park first, well known for its turtles.

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This is the Net Loft, which has various little shops, like a handwoven batik fabric shop and a marble shop.

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Then we visited the market, which is the reason why people tend to visit Granville Island.

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This big propellor was just sitting on the side of the street!

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This is where boats are drydocked for repairs.

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We passed by the Emily Carr University of Art and Design.

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As Abby was taking a picture of me, I noticed something silly in one of the windows...

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On the East side of the island there was this nice view of the end of False Creek.  You can just see Science World and the Olympic village construction.

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On the way home we got on the SkyTrain at Granville Station, which has one of the steepest escalators in the world.

http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq85/abbystoyvoyagers/Yum%20Yum/September-7-2008-049.jpg
AbbyB


Posted Sep 13, 2008, 12:20 am
Today a new ToyVoyager arrived.

http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq85/abbystoyvoyagers/Yum%20Yum/September-11-2008-001.jpg

In a flurry of empty candy wrappers, Greedy popped out of his envelope and, ignoring Shirley Sheep and I, started looknig for food.  How rude!

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AbbyB


Posted Sep 16, 2008, 4:18 am
I am going to tell you a story.

Once there was a young man was wasn't very good at sports, but was passionate about them and was so determined to make his school's basketball team that he practiced until he made it.  By the time he graduated high school, he was captain of his team.  He went off to university and made the team there.  One day he felt a pain in his leg, but thought nothing of it.  The pain got worse and worse until he went to see his doctor and he was told that it was cancer and his leg would have to be amputated.  He was given a prosthetic leg and taught himself how to walk again, then run, using the track at his university.  He wanted to make a difference in the lives of cancer patients by raising money to find a cure.  He decided to run across Canada to raise awareness and money, and called his run the Marathon of Hope.  He flew across the country to Newfoundland and dipped his prosthetic foot in the Atlantic, vowing to do the same in BC.  Then, he began his run, running a marathon a day, with his brother and best friend in a van behind him.  People would stand along the road and hand him money, or join in on his run for a few kilometres.  He was awarded medals.  In Thunder Bay, Ontario, he suddenly did not feel well, and one day only managed to run a few kilomtres before he had to stop.  He was rushed to the hospital where he was told that the cancer had spread to his lungs.  He died shortly after at the age of 23, never fulfilling his dream.  That man was Terry Fox, and every year around this time, millions of people donate money and run in his honour.  His old high school was named after him and the Terry Fox Hometown Run is the largest in the world.  He went to Abby's university and learned how to run again on SFU's track, and this statue stands in the centre of the campus to honour him.

http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq85/abbystoyvoyagers/Yum%20Yum/September-15-2008-002.jpg

(Abby says we would have participated in the hometown run itself, but she was sick yesterday and certainly not up for running.  She apologizes.)
AbbyB


Posted Sep 16, 2008, 4:22 am
I took the train home from school.

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AbbyB


Posted Sep 21, 2008, 8:37 pm
Today I helped Abby's family make cabbage rolls.  Abby apologizes fo the quality of the pictures; she was out working (or 'paying for her toyvoyagers habit' as she calls it) and so Erin was taking photos, but she also had to keep a tight hold on Greedy for the duration of the cabbage roll making process.

Abby ensured that we would be included before she left for work.  The note says 'We (the I is crossed out) want to help make cabbage rolls!' then Greedy added '(But especially Greedy).'

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The cabbage rolls are made from meat, rice and beans mashed together and rolled in cabbage that has been boiled to make it easier to wrap. Here, Abby's Mom is demonstrating.

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Then, the rolls are placed in the oven, or in this case, a special cooker with bacon, tomato sauce and more beans.

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This is how they look when they are nearly finished.  Yum.

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This batch was finished just in time for dinner, and we ate them hot out of the oven.

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AbbyB


Posted Sep 23, 2008, 3:29 am
Today a new TV arrived.  It's Moony!

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AbbyB


Posted Sep 24, 2008, 6:20 am
A new TV arrived today, Alizée.

http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq85/abbystoyvoyagers/Moony/September-23-2008-001.jpg

http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq85/abbystoyvoyagers/Moony/September-23-2008-002.jpg
AbbyB


Posted Sep 26, 2008, 7:09 am
A new ToyVoyager arrived today, Vladimir.

http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq85/abbystoyvoyagers/Vladimir/September-25-2008-001.jpg

http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq85/abbystoyvoyagers/Vladimir/September-25-2008-004.jpg
AbbyB


Posted Sep 27, 2008, 3:25 am
Abby had a couple packages to pick up at the post office and so she took everyone along.  Out of one of the packages popped Hedgie Hedgehog!

http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq85/abbystoyvoyagers/Hedgie%20Hedgehog/September-26-2008-001.jpg
AbbyB


Posted Oct 3, 2008, 11:46 pm
It's pouring outside, so everyone decided to see what we could do as a group to keep us amused.  Alizée decided to show us some yoga poses.  Greedy opted out and decided to just watch.

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Here we are doing the cobra.

http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq85/abbystoyvoyagers/Yum%20Yum/October-3-2008-005.jpg

Hey, look!  I can do the splits!

http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq85/abbystoyvoyagers/Yum%20Yum/October-3-2008-007.jpg

After all that yoga, everyone was exhausted.

http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq85/abbystoyvoyagers/Yum%20Yum/October-3-2008-006.jpg
AbbyB


Posted Oct 3, 2008, 11:58 pm
After yoga, we made tea.

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The cup is actually Abby's; she found a smaller, ToyVoyager-sized cup for everyone.  Nothing beats Earl Grey on a cold, wet day :)

http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq85/abbystoyvoyagers/Yum%20Yum/October-3-2008-012.jpg
AbbyB


Posted Oct 4, 2008, 12:03 am
Then, we decided to read to each other.  Shirley Sheep went first, reading us a fairy tale called Princess Abigail and the Wonderful Hat.  It was apparently Abby's favourite when she was younger, because of the name.

http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq85/abbystoyvoyagers/Shirley%20Sheep/October-3-2008-017.jpg

Abby encouraged Greedy to read next.  He chose When Vegetables Go Bad.

http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq85/abbystoyvoyagers/Greedy/October-3-2008-018.jpg

Vladimir offered to go next, and instead of choosing a nice picture book to read and look at, he chose one of Abby's textbooks, Environmental Policy.

http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq85/abbystoyvoyagers/Vladimir/October-3-2008-019.jpg

Zzzzzz...What?  Oh, right, we were reading about environmental policies...zzzzz.

http://i436.photobucket.com/albums/qq85/abbystoyvoyagers/Vladimir/October-3-2008-020.jpg
AbbyB


Posted Oct 15, 2008, 11:47 pm
I'm on my way home!  Goodbye, Canada!

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