Still Alive

I am still alive. I am actually posting this message from the parking lot of a customer's in Switzerland. Why you ask? Because I am staying at a hotel without a phone or internet. So I am sitting in the parking lot, using the customer's wireless internet to communicate with those of you whom are still in North America.

This trip has been a busy one. Although I will say that because have little means of communication that I have not become as home-sick. I will attribute this to the fact that without communication I can remain more in the working world. This however has the downside that my mind stays focused on work long after it should have left work for another day.

I unfortunately don't have any fancy pictures for you yet; but there are a few days left until I return home.

Switzerland, Again

I again find myself in Switzerland. I will be here for two weeks, again. And for the same customer, again. Notice a trend here? I do plan to mope less this time though.

I unfortunately left the good weather back home, as there are scattered showers here, overcast, and only 13 degrees. Lets hope that the weather is nicer, at least for next weekend.

Brave New World

So as of October 2008 Joy and I will be officially parents. We just had the first ultrasound to discover a single fetus of 13 weeks (see photos below).

Zelda Movie

OMG, Zelda is becoming a movie.

Quarterlife

English-language channels here in Switzerland are very limited--CNN, BBC World, BBC Prime, and some random MTV shows. And to top it off they don't have closed-captioning, so I can't even watch them with the aid of subtitling--I have yet to pick up German.

So I was exploring alternate forms of media and came across a web-based sitcom Quaterlife through an article on the CBC website. The Quaterlife site is some sort of social network site for people whom are creative, and such, but also contains the 36-episode series (approximately 10 minutes per episode).

I started decided to give the first episode a look. It kept me interested so I watched another. Come 2am I had watched all the episodes--you can thank the short, well linked episodes for my inability to stop watching. I recommend checking out the trailer here.

Switzerland Status

I am still here. I haven't posted as much as people would like because of the fact I haven't done too much that is exciting. Yes, I am in Switzerland. You wish you were to set the sights, so do I. Yes I had a weekend to do so. The truth is I really don't enjoy sight-seeing by myself.

Over the last few work trips that I have been on by myself, I have realized that I am not a lone-traveller. When I am done work for the day I usually sit back and read a book. It allows you to escape the reality that I am all by myself ever so far from everyone I love. Alas, with my sob-story I did still go for a walk on the weekend, so yes I have some pictures. Although they aren't very exciting or good (and I appear to have dust in my camera and I don't have any of my cleaning equipment here).

So on Saturday I went out to see what there was to see.

I drove around a little in the beautiful weather--note the lack of MPH on the instrument panel.


And I walked along the Rhein river. It isn't to exciting at this point since it is fairly near the source.


I found some sort of bunker thing. If anyone knows what this is please let me know.


And from the backside.


And it looks like the Swiss were thinking of Joy when they made these steps.

Safely in Switzerland

I have safely found my way to the Swiss Heidi Hotel. I've included a couple pictures below:

[View across the room]


[View from the throne]


[View from the window]


The weather here feels like spring. During the drive the temperature ranged from -2 to 5 degrees, here at the hotel it is about 4 and sunny. The birds are chirping and the grass is green (partially). I think I'm going to have a nap...it is 6am back home and I only got a couple hours of sleep on the plane.

Traveling Again

I again find myself about to head away from home for work. This time the destination is more envious than Malaysia or Arizona. On Sunday I will be getting on a plane to Switzerland. Doesn't that sound like fun? The fact of the matter is the work won't be fun, but I'll make the most of it.

Rather than take my snowboard, I'll be taking my camera and will use any free time I get to capture the scenery on film. Check back often, as since I imagine I'll update often due to the fact I'm away from home.

PEER Group Christmas Party 2007

Last Saturday night was my company's annual Christmas party at the Walper Terrace in Kitchener. The party was done as a cocktail party for the second year, and again I can say I like this format. No need to be isolated at individual tables--doing so is entirely at your own discretion.

Before the party a group of us met at Caroline's house for a little pre-party of our own. This gave the ladies a chance to consume a bunch of Tequila Rose and other various beverages of choice (thanks Caroline). With this rare occasion that we were all looking in fine form we captured some group photos--it is surprising with all the photographers in the group that we didn't really have any shots of us as a group.





After taking an extensive number of shots at Caroline's it is sad to report that I didn't pull the camera back out until near the end of the evening at the Walper. Perhaps Richard or Andy will post some photos to fill in the gap. I've posted a few of the decent shots into a set over on my Flickr account.

Nicolaas the Puppy

So, as most of you know, Joy has been asking for a puppy since the beginning of time. Well her dreams have finally come true. The last 3 days we have been at the Cambridge Humane Society look at the puppies. This morning we came home with Nicolaas, Nico as we call him, or by his old name "Roy".

As you imagine the cats are not terribly impressed. Nico didn't try to chase them or anything, they just thought it best to hide. And since we first got home they've been hiding out under our bed. Hopefully it won't be long before they got over the fact Nico is here to stay.

I have posted a few pictures on my Flickr account. I have included the following picture as a teaser...

Joy's Annual Pumpkin Carving

Personal News

I would like to announce that Joy and I are now engaged.

Details, I suppose people like details; I guess I'll fill in a few details since people don't like to know such a small portion of such news.

On September 8th, at Sandbanks Provincial Park, atop a sand dune overlooking West Lake I asked Joy if she'd marry me and put up with me for the rest of our lives; she said yes. And in her enthusiasm she decided she'd maul me causing minor scuffs as my leg was folded behind me and under a root of some dune plant life. After a moment or two I was able to convince her she could let me up to free my leg from its trap.

Since we have the technology, I am going to include some photos from the area in which it all went down.

Upon coming across this point I decided it was the spot


Our footsteps leading to the spot


A photo of my Joy just moments before I made the big proposition


The view from our hiding spot in the shade; I'm just about to dig out the ring from the bag masked as returning the camera to the bag


Walking back (along the dunes not through) on the edge which is slowly moving into the lake

Leeuwenburg in Canada

This past weekend the Leeuwenburg family celebrated 50 years since they first immigrated to Canada from the Netherlands. So to mark the occasion the family had a big party at Joy's parent's house. The day was full of food, fun, and a bit of water.

Many photos were taken, 362 by me alone, I have done a very quick pass of the pictures and uploaded a few (almost 30) into my Picasa Web Album. Below you'll find a couple of them linked directly.

Jackson son of Reuben and Rhonda Leeuwenburg

Annika and Ellora taking a break

Joy's Uncle Jake

Pay-back against Gerard

All the descendants and loved ones

On Sunday a bunch of us (Fred, Gerard, Reuben, Tanya, Joy, and I) got up bright and early for a round of golf at Whisky Run golf course in Port Colborne. Gerard ended up with the best score, but everyone had a great time. Thanks goes to Jenneke (Joy's mom) for looking after Gerard & Tanya's herd of children, which allowed us all to go golfing.

Sunburst Honey Locust

So last weekend Joy & I decided we wanted a tree for our backyard. So we went for a drive down to the the local tree farm, J C A Trees, to find ourselves a suitable tree. After a little searching we decided on the "Sunburst" Honey Locust tree. A lovely tree with new leaves coming in bright yellow, and turning yellow again in the fall. We claimed on that we liked, and it got tagged with our name; we just had to wait until the following Friday to receive it.

Friday morning eventually came, and as I was leaving for work the J.C.A Tree folks arrived to plant our tree. As I was leaving for work I did not get a chance to see it until that evening. 

The tree was Friday's excitement; on Saturday Adam, Alex, George, and Graeme aided me in moving a concrete step from Jeff's house into our backyard. The back door no longer had the long drop. :) Thank you everyone involved.

Laurel Creek Conservation Area

So I haven't posted any house photos yet--I know I'm a terrible person--but I really do hope to get some decent photos of the place before posting them (the ones I currently have are from when the place is in disorder). Well, enough of that, onto the point...

Tuesday George and I left work with the intent of some photography. Since George was just the idea man he didn't have any input on where to go to take photos, just that we should, so I ended up deciding that we should go to Laurel Creek Conservation Area (just a few minutes drive from my house).



We had intended on going to take some sunset photos over the lake (actually a reservoir) but due to time constraints and the fact we were on the wrong side of the lake, we did not get any sunset photos. However, we did manage to get a few other shots.








Note, I do realize that the last photos is not straight, this is intentional. The photo is from the perspective of another of a segment of the fallen tree looking up at its live brethren.

A Week in the Sun

Today marks my last full day in Arizona for this trip--maybe for ever. It has been a quick week full of work and some fun. Most of my week has been spent working from about 7:30 to 6:00 each day doing the training course; each evening was highlight by some of my favourite feed holes. :) Lacey and I made it to Pasta Pomodoro, Shimogamo, Abuelo's, and BJ's. The weather has been ranging from about 27 degrees during the day--which I didn't see much of--and down to around 12 through the night. I noticed that the weather back home is only -3 to 4 degrees. :(

Other than the work and food, Lacey and I made it out once to take some photos at South Mountain. Unfortunately we didn't manage to leave work as soon as we hoped, and ended up with little light to take any photos worth noting. That said I did take one, waiting for Lacey, that I like.



Well might flight is tomorrow at about 12:15pm (US 262), which will have me back in Toronto before 8PM EST. Like I said, it has been a short trip and a part of me hopes that I have the chance to return to the desert when I have time to go see some of the sights again (i.e. have a least one whole weekend here). We will let time determine what happens.

Travelling Again

So tomorrow I'll be traveling again for work. Unlike most--almost all--of my previous work trips I will not be gone for weeks, or months. I will be down in Arizona, until Saturday the 14th, providing a training course to one of our customers. The course I am providing is the same course I presented in Malaysia last year, with a few additional/extended topics.

Since I am not there over a weekend I won't have a chance to go do any extended sight-seeing. I will take in some of the old favourites, such as South Mountain and Cold Stone Creamery.

As with most of my travels you are likely to see a post or to. So until later, good-bye.

Punctuation Lesson

As you all may know, I'm not the most astute writer. Earlier today, I came across a how-to site on the use of English punctuation and thought I'd share the find with others.

Our House

Our house is now our house. Joy is on her way right now with a car full of stuff and keys in her hands. :)

Follow-up Victoria Park Photos

As I promised, here are some more photos from my walk in Victoria Park last week.