ANOTHER Immaculate CONCEPTION & DELIVERY

Don't we all love today's technology?

We are one click away to have Domino's Pizza deliver our dinner.
We order our clothes and flight tickets online.
With one click we can order a bride, a new book, shoes , theatre tickets.
 Thanks to online services we can also choose to have another child. If you click yes on the form, your son will be delivered to your front porch.
As I said, technology has its perks!
Without  random acts of hanky panky, no unnecessary weight gain or labour pain, nappy changes, painfully long sleepless nights, the fourth child arrives at your door step; all grown up, well groomed, well behaved! Most importantly, he can talk, walk, bicycle, ski and swim- or knows how to play hockey (or not!).

Before you get any second thoughts, I am talking about an exchange student here! For the second year in a row we opened our house and hearts to a student from a different mother and father. This year our 'son' arrived from Japan!

Last year we hosted our first ever Korean boy. After our initial excitement and novelty wore off our family wasn't sure if we should repeat the experience. Too many small things (read: annoying) piled up by the end of his stay:
He loved our computer more than us,

he preferred the great indoors to the adventurous outdoors,
 he beat us all in table tennis, he constantly slurped his dinners,
he tripled our electricity and food bill and  told Cruz to f...off.  The f-word is rude by all means, coming out of his mouth with his Korean accent sounded more like a declaration of love than war though.

Today, Ganggyu (read: Can you) is in our life. He is only 11 years of age and so far I am happy to report not much has changed on our home front.  He does his best to fit it.
Until now he only fooled us once; the first TV show he chose to watch was Sponge Bob! Both Dominic and I were so pleasantly surprised by his choice, we called him cute. In comparison, our  biological 10 year old prefers killing zombies on his xbox.
As I just mentioned. he fooled us alright; within a day Sponge Bob was replaced by the Terminator and worse, by Double Headed Shark Attack, a ridiculously, very bad, horror-soft-porn-flick.  How did he do it? How could he go from Innocent 11 year old to blood thirsty, horny mature 11 year old in less than 24 hours? He didn't flinch when the two half naked girls started kissing each other during their threesome; meanwhile the double headed shark got ready to attack!

As a mother to my own or 'borrowed 'children I draw the line at shark attacks - as soon as I see body parts floating off or too many boobies the TV needs to be turned off.

Where do you draw the line?

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TRUMPED BY MY 9 YEAR OLD NIECE

Before I get on with the story you need to know three things:

1.)  I have a nine year old niece, Lenne,  - the up and coming queen of gymnastics. According to my parents this girl is made of jello.  If you believe the proud grandparents this girl can put the most talented member of Cirque du Soleil to shame.

2.) We currently live 9ooo km apart from each other, my niece, my parents and I.
Thanks to modern communication we stay in touch with random phone calls full of sweet nothingness.
If my niece is the princess of gym apparatus, my mom is the undefeated queen of random jibber jabber!

3.) There are two items on my bucket list I am horrified to do! That's why they are on the list; I strategically postponed these two actions successfully for 40 years. One of them is to do a back dive into the pool!

 "What, that's it?"
Easy for you to say! We all have our own personal fears and shortcomings to overcome - and the back dive is mine!

 Last week, out of the blue, I decided to take the plunge- literally. Don't ask me why, I just wanted to do it ! Who am I to encourage, motivate and inspire to Just do it if I am not doing it myself?

A plain and simple, straight backwards back dive is all I ever wanted to complete and experience since I am about 8 years old!

Why haven't I done it?
 I am afraid! I am afraid to break my back and to hit my head somewhere. I am afraid of not being flexible enough. Letting go, falling backwards into the big unknown freaks me out! Until last Tuesday that is!

Here is the abbreviated version of how it went:  Y E S, I did it! HURRAH - I let myself go - and survived!

As you can read, this back dive is a pretty huge accomplishment in my life! For good measure I did the dive six times; to make sure I am not a one-hit-diver!


A few days later our long distance line was busy with my mom's desperate attempt to figure out her yearly pre- Christmas- dilemma:
 What can she send whom and how for the holy season? In between my non -helpful suggestions (just send some sweets, we have everything) my mother kept on asking:
 "So tell me, what is new?"

Regardless of how many times I answer this question in general, she keeps on asking the same thing, over and over again; as if she is hoping something spectacular is going to happen while she is on the line!

I don't know if my parents ever knew about this personal absession of mine. Regardless, I told them. I told them about my personal victory, about how I conquered my fear diving backwards into a pool!
After I finished with "I did it!" there was nothing, just (stunned????) silence on their end!

This was mom's reaction to one of my most courageous, personal challenges so far:
 "You should see what Lenne can do!  It is unbelievable how this girl can bend herself into a pretzel!"

Isn't it funny?
 Some things mean the world to you- but they mean little or nothing to others; personal or business accomplishments mean nothing if we brag about them to the wrong audience!

REAL SOCCER MOMS AROUND THE WORLD

 Once again, soccer season is upon us!
With a mixed bag of emotions I am greeting the new season; it's the time of the year again we  wave good-bye to our free evenings, a non existing dinner schedule, and our own evening appointments.
 From now onwards we are back on a schedule, we are back in the game! From now onwards there won't be any room for fancy self indulgences as a parent!
 Real Soccer Wives of the overpaid midfielders and strikers, you have no idea what's really going on!
Real Housewives of Vancouver? You must be joking, they have no clue what's going on either!

 I want to tell you about  the unsung supporters and heroes of the game.
 These amazing, loving, caring, always present individuals ; they deserve a hug and a big kiss from their sons and daughters for putting their own ideas of a fun Saturday aside! 
Whom do I want to praise and celebrate? Us mothers!  Always there for our kids, always scheduling, always driving, comforting, praising, encouraging, making sure the water bottles are filled, the snacks are packed!
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It is the end of August and we are getting ready to celebrate Labour day here in Canada! It is the last long weekend before we send our children back to school on Tuesday.
 The clever parents chose a weekend trip away with their kids.  The conscientious ones chose team over trip (like we did)!
Our own soccer club, West Coast Auto Group FC,  is hosting their annual grand Labour weekend soccer tournament. Their timing is impeccable because most of us soccer moms have gone into relaxation mode! Eight soccer free weeks are behind us, nine months are ahead of!
The tournament is a reminder of what is expected of us parents again:  Lots of driving around, lots of watching, cheering on, encouraging, mingling and comforting!


Without further ado, let me share with you 12 hours in the life of  one of these soccer moms:
Three boys, six matches, three different soccer fields!

 6.30 am: Everybody is still in bed, sleeping! Mom is off to do her share for the team

 

Right, just that, setting the good example!  For us it's not about the smoking, for us it is getting up at dawn, helping  to set up tents and chairs around the various fields!

 

 

8.30am: Tents are up! The first match starts at 11 am. Needed to pick up soccer shirts and some groceries first before heading home!

 

10.30: First son dropped off. A quick mingle, chat and "does my hair look good?" with Janet.

I watched the first 30 minutes, then I needed to be back to welcome our new exchange student.

 

 

 

1.15pm: Second son, second match!

 

1.45pm: Youngest  son, third match:

 

3.55pm: First son again, fourth match to watch:

 

4.30pm: Fifth match of third son:

 

5.45pm: Sixth and last match! Help, get me out of here!

 

What else is there to say? Tomorrow is another day - and we will do it all over again!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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LOTS OF WHEELING AROUND VANCOUVER

Every city has their own Green Lung. What New Yorkers call Central Park, Vancouverites call Stanley Park:

Since we first took our boys here I promised myself to come back with my skates. You see, Stanley Park is surrounded by an 8,8km long promenade called the seawall.  It is just perfect for a quick spin around on your bike or skates.

Yesterday was the day to fulfil my promise.  I squeezed my rollers into my backpack, pumped up my bike tires and boarded the train heading west.

If you rely on the train to bring you downtown and back home, our choices here in Maple Ridge are limited. We have to out of here by 7.44 am. As this is a commuters train, we need to kill time in Vancouver; we need to kill 8 hours to be exact. Now, this is a lot of wheeling around!

Let me take you on a spin around the city:

1. Stop:                                          Welcome to Stanley Park:

Off we go,  here I am getting ready for the first lap around:

 

 A few shots of what it looks like when you are on the seawall:

 

This lake is called Lost Lagoon, at the entrance / end  of the park, depending from which side you are coming from:

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The trip was so nice, I did it twice! The second time I went for speed - or not?

2. Stop: Cycling to English Bay, west of the Stanley Park:

 

 What do you think?  Pretty? Be honest!
Vancouver boast 11 beaches most of them looking like this. It is definitely a fantastic record for any city; and to have a beach like this is better than having none- true! Let me just say this, it is fabulous to cycle along these stretches of driftwood covered brown sandy spots, don't expect me to spend the day there. 


3. Stop: Crossing Granville Bridge to Granville Island:

Here I stopped in the middle of the bridge, looking left:

Here I am looking  to my right:

 

 

Granville Island, the spot nearly every tourist goes to - and a visitor from Maple Ridge. Please check out this link to have a look of what is going on there! All you need is plenty of spare cash to enjoy the festivities, theatres, restaurants and goodies at the market.

3. Stop Cycling to Kitsilano Beach:

Kitsilano has a serious size saltwater  swimming pool!  I looked at it and nearly cried; I didn't bring my swimsuit! 

 Here in Kitsilano I checked my watch and discovered my eight are nearly over - I needed to go back to catch the train!
Vancouver is definitely fun in the sun, on your bike and on your skates!

1761 METERS INTO THIN AIR: CLIMBING THE GOLDEN EARS, BC PROVINCIAL PARK

I have no clue what is going on in my life lately:
For the second time in less than a fortnight I aspired to reach the top - of a mountain!
 A week ago it was the top of Grouse Mt. in Vancouver, on Saturday it was the Golden Ears, literally down the road from us!

Of course it would be pure exaggeration to headline this post with "Welcome to my Backyard." Nevertheless,  the park entrance is less than 10 minutes from our house, the climb is on my bucket list and the year is getting older - therefore, let's hear it for the boys and girls who did this epic climb!

The Mc Awesome Family right at the start!
 

These are our comrades in crime- when life was still good, pain - and cramp less! Aka, first thing in the morning!
 

Dominic and our hiking buddy extraordinaire Jana! To your right is our Mr. Best Attitude in the whole wide world', Darryl! By the way, Darryl forgot to read the section in the guide book which states: "Avoid carrying a bag full of cherries on your hike! The bag might be a pain in the butt to carry, the excess consumption of fresh cherries might lead to a bloated feeling in the stomach area...."

Of we go, through some beautiful terrain -

and some challenging crossings.
 

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The whole hike, to the top is a 24 km round trip.
There is only one way up and only one way down - or you make your own path and get lost!

 

Please note the wording: 'kmISH...

 

 

It wouldn't be fun if you couldn't throw in a few glacier fields, would it? Here is one of the three we had to cross before we reached the top:

Remember, we are having app. 28 degrees down in the valley!

 

Here we are, the Mc Awesome's at the top!
It took us Oldies 6,5hours! Our boys, the mountain goats, did it in 4,5 hours!!!!

One for Girl Power!

One for the couples -

the comrades &

one for the men!

And one for the readers: This here is Pitt Lake, the biggest tidal lake in the world!

Unfortunately, what goes up needs to come down as well. With no gondola or helicopter to carry or fly us down we had to rely on our legs again to make the decent!

Let me explain to you in one word how it felt like: HEAVY!

Here is another one: TORTURE!

Once again, our teenagers run and jumped back ahead of us to the parking lot in a mere 4,5 hours!! We made our boys wait for 2 hours until we reached our cars again! Help, my thighs are screaming, my back is sore (from carrying the backpack), my head is spinning from putting "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" on replay (that is Monte Python for you), I am filthy, tired, exhausted, thirsty and HAPPYYYYYY!

 

As you can imagine, we have a visitor: the -  two - day -  after - bitch has arrived. Delayed muscle soreness is at its worse on the second day. Yep, take it from me, it is true! And then, I ain't using my legs writing this am I?

 

FRED & GINGER at STARBUCKS

I never had so many magic moments with complete strangers as I have here in Canada.

Moments initiated by random, funny, friendly comments. Most of the time these sound bites lead to more 'serious', still non - committal chit - chat with no hidden agenda. My encounters with strangers ranges from an encouraging "Want a ride?" (while I am running up the hill) to long drawn conversations; like the one I had the other day with a photographer in Fort Langley. The latest one in my collection of wonderful moments happened at Starbucks today!

The gentleman in front of me, a casually dressed, handsome, mid 50's guy placed his order. I didn't hear what he ordered exactly but I remember his answer when Starbucks girl asked him: "What is your name again?" Instead of the common Peter, Michael or Dylan response, he told her "Fred Astaire." Ha,ha, I thought that was funny. What was even funnier, Starbucks girl (in her late teens) wrote the name on his cup!



Hearing the dancers name brought flashbacks of happy childhood memories: Saturday afternoons spent in front of the tv, watching dance classics like "Shall we Dance"; Fred Astaire tap dancing across the silver screen with partner Ginger Rogers.
Right there and then, in the queue of Starbucks, I did a little dance routine, spread my arms out wide and yelled "And I am Ginger!"

Fred in front of me turned around, laughing. Ghee, he was happy to see his old dance partner again. Nevertheless, he needed to get it off his chest:"I remember you much taller." Which I retaliated with "Yes, with my dance heels on. Today I am with the bike, I am wearing Converse."

Dominic was laughing and so were all the other mid 40's present in the line up. The Starbucks employees still didn't get it! Sadly, they never heard about the most famous dance duo in movie history(or is that team Travolta/ Newton-John?). It all depends on how old you are.

The cashier got so confused that he handed Fred's change into my outstretched hand. He figured (rightly) Fred and Ginger belong together.

The moral of the story? If you are a middle - aged man (or woman) stay away from the young ones! They wouldn't even know the songs you whistle to - or you movies you used to watch. And how much fun can that be?

See ya 'tomorrow. We are off to the Rhodeo in Cloverdale.

NIGHT SKIING, GROUSE MT.

Vancouver,  the city where you can enjoy snow skiing, ocean sailing and a round of golf in one day!

If you live the affluent way of life here on the west coast it looks like this:  you start your day with a round of golf, hop into your yacht or sailing boat and end the day with night skiing on one of the local mountains, followed by dinner in a five star restaurant.

If you live an active life on a shoestring budget, it looks like this:

A trail run in the morning (free), 50 laps at the local pool ($4.78), a husband who takes you on a date night skiing on Grouse Mt.(free again) and a dinner at Mc Donalds ($9,98 for two, with discount card).

During this winter season our children spent more time on their boards than we have. We figured it's about time we are going on a date night, skiing. Our boys are as happy being home alone, enjoying their freedom as we are enjoying ours. All they need is a pre-cooked dinner and a curfew (yes, I wish), all we need is a car and our gear.



The folks at Mt. Seymour and Cypress have all discounted their lift passes,- but no, Grouse holds on to his normal, pricey self. Bugger, but hey, they are the only ones still open during the week and for night skiing. Plus, they have a gondola which carries you to the top of the mountain.



Two weeks before the end of the season (April 28), they have three lifts running and promise 26 runs. They were right about the lifts, but I am not sure about the 26 runs. Somewhere between run 13 and 14 we lost count.



What I always suspected was confirmed yesterday: I am a 'perfect - conditions'-  kinda-skier. A fine layer of freshly snowed powder will do it for me nicely. Everything else is just torture. Or I am getting too old for that stuff -

Holy Moly, we had 16 degrees during the day. When we started our first run at 6pm the snow had melted and hardened- yeeks! Very icy, hard to ski on and painfull if gravity wins.



Like Mt. Baker, hardly anybody else was on the slopes; from the top to the bottom, free runs, burn, baby burn!



In my opinion, skiing up here is not a priority, you come her to enjoy the views- which are spectacular, breathtaking and magnifique! On a clear day you can see all the way across to Vancouver Island. When you ski down to the bottom, it feels like you are heading straight into the city, literally.



This is what we moved here for, to live the fabulous outdoors - shoestring budget or not! It can be done!