The End is Near

Well we are finally coming close to the end of this long 7 month stay in Arizona. The family is all in bed, preparing for their flight back to Canada tomorrow mid-day. In a few short days I will be following them (well with the side trip to Malaysia).

Normally one would think that I would be dying to go. However, you all may know that I really don't like moving. As strange as that may be for someone who has gone through co-op at UW and was forced to move every 4 months. When it comes down to it I really don't like having to pack up all my belongings into boxes just to have to pull them out again shortly there after. I think that the unexpected change of departure date may also be having an adverse effect on my readiness to leave. It was all worked out in my mind for departing on the 9th of December. But now I'm leaving on the 3rd of November, but not to home. Needless to say, it will be a busy couple days sorting out both my departure from Arizona, but also my trip to Malaysia.

Good-byes are never easy, and I have met a few good friends down here that will be missed. I could go ahead and say "bye, I'm never coming back", to quote Adam, but I know as long as I am at PEER Group and working on this project I'll find myself back in the desert sooner or later. So instead I'll see you all later.

Joel in Arizona

Well Joel seems to have had a good time down here in Arizona. I thought I would share a little collectino of Joel in places such as the Grand Canyon, Sedona and places along the way.

I liked that he always brings his patented look wherever he goes. :) 

Time to Exit the Desert Stage Left

It looks as if I am going to be leaving Arizona sooner than originally expected. I will be fly back to Toronto on next Thursday (November 3rd). So now you are asking "what is the catch?". And the answer to that is that later that same day I'm flying back to Malaysia.

So I will be officially out of the desert on November 3rd, and will be in Malaysia until the 8th of December. And then, right on schedule (actually a day early, but that will be killed with jet lag) I will be back in Ontario. :)

So I'll be finishing up my 7 month stay in Arizona the same way I started it; makes all nice like covers to a book.

Grand Canyon with the Crew

So we made it safely to and from the Grand Canyon. And no, contrary to mom's believes no one feel into the Canyon.

Good photos from the trip will be posted after I get some sleep. Until then you will have to keep yourself entertained with this sad photo.

[Edit: This post will look like it is almost the same as the previous. I posted this one because the previous was not showing up. But now you get two views of my one opinion.]

Everyone safe and sound

We made it to and from the Canyon safe and sound. And the pair in this picture didn't do too much freaking out at the heights.

I know this isn't the most beautiful picture, but it is meant to prove we actually went to the Grand Canyon. We will post some additional--and better--photos in the near future. 

En-route

So as of right this instant Mom, Dad, and Joel are flying over lake Michigan. They should be landing in Phoenix in 3 hours and 20 minutes.

Just in case anyone cared.

Ah, the South West

I think heard one of the most ridiculous things today. I was grabbing dinner at In-N-Out Burger and as leaving I heard a teenage girl say "I love the winter" as she plays with the cuffs of her long sleeve sweater. Now it isn't exactly hot here anymore, but at 9:30pm (when I heard this) it was 22C out.

I would really like to see what would happen if you took these Arizonians and stuck them in Ontario during the winter. Hell, even right now in the autumn.

Joy and her new camera

Joy is very involved with the photos she is taking. Doesn't even realize I was taking this picture. This photo is taken at the Grand Canyon along the Hermit's Trail.

The Hermit's Trail goes west along the south rim, starting at Grand Canyon Village. The trail's lookout points are accessable via a free tour bus or on foot. Joy and I took the hybrid approach. We took the bus to the second point, and then hiked for about 4 hours until we found ourselves near the other end (just prior to a 5km gap between points). At this time we got on the bus and headed back to the Grand Canyon Village, and then onto the desert side lookouts.

More to come... 

Sedona at Dusk

Sedona gives up the nice sunset shots again. The sky wasn't the most perfect for sunset shots (didn't have much of any clouds), however good pictures were still available. 

Weekend Plans

Hi all,

What is everyone up to this weekend? Joy and I are heading to the Grand Canyon this afternoon after I am finished work (should be early afternoon). We will likely go via Sedona; catch some dinner and maybe remnants of a sunset. :) Plan checking out the Canyon for the most part of Saturday, and head home in the evening.

I imagine that Sunday will be spent around the pool. :)

Oh, we went and saw Serenity last night. Very good movie. I'm not sure what someone who hasn't seen the Firefly series would think of it though.

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.

Crashing Waves

This photo was taken during my trip to Los Angeles with Caroline. The photo is of waves crashing through the pillars of the Santa Monica pier. 

Mouth of the Mighty Maitland River

This photo was taken on the hike George, Carolyn, Malcom, Joy, and I took during the Labour Day weekend in Goderich. The hike spanned the Tiger Dunlop Heritage and the Goderich-Auburn trails.

The photo is taken from the Menesetung bridge towards the mouth of the Maitland river. The Sifto salt mine can be seen in the distance. 

A new photo from a new camera

This one of the first photos from Joy's new camera. I got her a Nikon Coolpix 5600 for her birthday (it is a little early, but wanted her to have it for her travels to Holland in November).

This photo is a random shot of some dying flowers on her mother's kitchen table. 

Almost Home

Well it is almost time for my Thanksgiving trip home. My plan is leaving 2pm AZ time, and I'll arrive in Toronto around 9pm ON time. For those interested I'm on Air Canada flight 590. It is getting exciting, even if it is only a short trip.

And the other good news is that it is just over 2 months until I get to return home for the foreseeable future. :)