Okanagan Wonderland

I guess it is time to write a little again... A long silence on my behalf can now be undone!

After 19 weeks of guests in Blue River and 10 business days of contacting everyone to thank them for coming to stay with us I now left Wiegele World for some warm weather and relaxation. I am loving it! So far the alarm only needed to be set once, and sleeping takes up a lot more of my day, which is good. I feel rested again, motivated again, more healthy again, and am actually able to think about future goals again. If only the Canadian Immigration would speed up a bit... :) Still waiting for my application to be finalized, and my open-work permit. At least things look really good on the long-term.

In the last few weeks I did a lot of gardening in Byron's garden (about 25 hours worth of it), some rock climbing with friends, the occasional (motor) bike ride with Crosby, reading, running, and visiting friends. It is so nice to just do whatever feels good, and dig in some dirt with either my hands or feet (with my new trail running shoes, yeeehaaa!)!

Yesterday Crosby and I took his 97 year old grandma Gertie 'Nana' Johnston for a car ride. We took the off-road Chute Lake road, had a picknick at Chute Lake Resort, went to the park in Naramata, visited the wineries Soaring Eagle Estate (see picture) and Red Rooster, had ice cream on the beach in Penticton, and drove back over the highway. Gone for 6 hours in total; she had a blast! Then had dinner with Crosby's buddy Tyler and his family, and spent some more time with Tyler afterwards. Just another day in my life.... :)

Winter Wonderland

I woke up and winter is back! I am sooo excited! It makes it a lot easier when you work for a helicopter ski company... Even better, I woke up in Albreda, looking at the lodge from my bedroom in the staff accommodation. I am visiting Crosby, who is working here this week. Today and tomorrow are my days off, and he also gets tomorrow off. Lucky us. Since he got back from Mexico a little over a week ago I haven't really had a chance to get to hang out with him, so Crosby offered I could come up here for the night, wait for him to be done with work, and go back to Blue River together. It almost didn't work out, but thankfully in the end I ended up here. Like being on a holiday!

I haven't blogged in a while, so here is in short what happened: Valentine's Day was really nice. (This day sure is a lot nicer when you have a boyfriend, hahaha!) Crosby went to Mazatlan in Mexico to attend his brother Bryce's wedding to Becky. Unfortunately I couldn't attend, I could not get the week off. I guess that is what seasonal work does to you, but that in combination with the border officer last time warning me not to cross the borders anymore until I have a permanent status left me in Blue River. The photos of the wedding are beautiful and a photo of Crosby in the top of a palm tree tell me I missed a lot of good stuff.

The last few months have been relatively warm, and the stability of snow only had a short period of good ratings. At the moment the stability is super-poor. Slopes of moderate degree even have slides on them now. Unfortunately causing fatalities (not at work).

I haven't been snowboarding lately, but I did start to run again. It feels good to get back on track, summer will be coming soon! I should also get back on the Yoga-train as my flexibility is non-existing at the moment. I am also thinking about the short term and long term goals for my life. So many options, so many dreams, what do I make of it? :)

Bob the visitor

This week just flew by. On Sunday I went cross-country skiing with Jen, on Monday I went snowboarding with Crosby and his group, on Tuesday I had the day off together with Crosby and we went to Clearwater. We had hoped to maybe go horse back riding, but the easy going pace actually didn't bother me at all. Sorry, horses!

And then yesterday our buddy Bob came to visit us for a few days. Bob is a stuffed animal from Simon, a son of 2 friends of ours (probably 8 years old?). He has a project for elementary school where he has to send his friend Bob away as far and as often as possible. Post cards, photos, diary, e-mails, whatever we can send to prove Bob is here is welcome. Now we are wondering who we are going to approach to have him visit as well! Bob is a lucky kangaroo, he already went to Florida and Dubai, and now he is heli skiing (for free!!) with Crosby, hahahah! We'll see how the photos worked out, so far Bob is enjoying the snow.

Tomorrow it is already the Friday Night Show, and another week will come to an end Saturday. Crazy... Valentine's Day is approaching! :)

Vancouver

A quick trip to Vancouver proved to be successful. I was able to spend a day and a bit with my parents, the drive was okay, and some shopping was done. Mainly groceries. The most exciting (and only) clothing item I bought for me was socks, hahahah! But, the main part was being away from Blue River, so it is all fresh and wonderful again! Mid-season break, well deserved if I may say so.


I did miss Crosby, though ;) and the good thing is, he missed me too!

Lakanuki Freaky Tiki Hawaiian Party

Last Wednesday it was time for another annual Hawaii Party. Last year we had to skip it as there was no good location for it to be held. This year Jen, Jo, and Katie were kind enough to open their house, and turn up the heat to tropical temperatures!

Many people were present, there was dancing, cheering, and yes, some drinking involved. It all added up as a great party, good to take the mind away from work and Blue River! Bring on the bikinis, beach shorts, and sun glasses!

Also noticed around: men in backwards female bathing suits, tattoo artists / wannabe hells angels (sorry Scotty, not working), women with tanning lotion on, and other Blue River oddities were also around, to make it all very Blue River style!!!

Only 362 more days to go... :)

Powder Paradise

Yet another day in Powder Paradise with Crosby! It is my fourth time out this year, and already the second time out in Crosby's group. I am so lucky...! I loved it, but especially the 2 runs following Crosby. Maybe again tomorrow, but I don't want to get too excited yet...

Here is a photo from 2 seasons ago!

Beautiful days

Wow, the weather is so nice and I have a dog to hang out with for a day; life couldn't be better! Well, actually, it would be better if Crosby wasn't working in Albreda 45km north of here, but okay.

Went for a great walk all over town and then for a run with Stevie (pronounce Shtevie), which was just great. My little cold could just be ignored! The sun is shining, the sunset last night was spectacular, and I can only imagine the fun people are having in the mountains today!

Well, gotta go now, have a shower, a smoothie, maybe a nap, and then back to work...