Jenn made me a birthday cake for my birthday . . . white chocolate cake with raspberry filling and she decorated it! So not only is it absolutely, positively delicious but its also beautiful!
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Marseille
Hi family
I am sorry that this blog post took so long to put up, my internet has not been cooperating with me. Anyways at the end of April I took a trip to the south of France (Marseille) with a friend of mine (Nick) for a little R&R plus I had never been to France before so I figured that this would be an excellent opportunity.
So we left on Thursday morning early (we had to be up and at the train station by 5:45) so we could get to the airport on time. Of course the trip to Eindhoven (where the airport is) was anything but smooth as the train was running late and I was nearly having a heart attack (If we missed this flight it would have been the second flight that I had missed with Ryanair) but fortunately everything worked out and we got to the airport, on the plane and took off on time. The flight was about 1 1/2 hours long with nothing really unusual and then we landed in the south of France. We quickly discovered that the french are not the most helpful people on the face of the earth as we bought train tickets but yet there was no train station for at least 10 km so ended up having to spend more money and time to take a bus into Marseille. After arriving in the city I must say that I was underwhelmed as the area that we were walking though looked pretty run down but we quickly found our way to the Old Port (the most touristic area of the city) and found our hostel. The hostel looked a little drab outside but inside it was really beautiful (sorry no pics) and after dropping our stuff off and a quick explanation of what to see and do in Marseille from the hostel employees we headed out to explore but not before a quick bite to eat (I must say that French food is DELICIOUS!!!).
Our first stop was this little park which I must say was very little and not that impressive. There was a sign which Nick translated which stated that there had been great aspirations for the park yet with only modest realizations (I think I will remember that line for the next time that I utterly fail at something).
The next location was this cathredeal on top of a hill (the highest point in Marseille). It was absolutely stunning and the view was fantastic as well
The next day we were off to one of the two islands just off the cost of Marseille. The first picture is of Chateau d'if (this is where they filmed that movie the count of monte cristo) but the chateau was expensive to see and we figured that there was not much there so we opted to head for the second island which had several old forts. The island was about 2 km long and we walked that thing from tip to tail. For lunch we had a delicious lunch of mussels and fries (the mussels came in a cream sauce that was sooooooo goooood!), not great hiking food but that is alright. After a complete exploration of the entire island (including the german fortifications left over from world war II) we decided to head back to the main land. As you can see I managed to get a little sun. That night I was not feeling really well, stupid sunburn, so needless to say it was a bit of a quiet evening.
The next day we were off to explore a part and found this beautiful water fountain. As we were walking back to the Hostel to pick up our stuff we found this bakery (it has been around for 200 years) and had to sample some of their delicious pastries (they were so good). A little further on we came across this store which sold delicious french cookies and caramel (amazingly good, it is fortunate that I don't live in Marseille full time or else I would be fat for sure, fat but happy).
Then it was back to the airport to conclude our quick trip, all in all a good time had by all.
I am sorry that this blog post took so long to put up, my internet has not been cooperating with me. Anyways at the end of April I took a trip to the south of France (Marseille) with a friend of mine (Nick) for a little R&R plus I had never been to France before so I figured that this would be an excellent opportunity.
So we left on Thursday morning early (we had to be up and at the train station by 5:45) so we could get to the airport on time. Of course the trip to Eindhoven (where the airport is) was anything but smooth as the train was running late and I was nearly having a heart attack (If we missed this flight it would have been the second flight that I had missed with Ryanair) but fortunately everything worked out and we got to the airport, on the plane and took off on time. The flight was about 1 1/2 hours long with nothing really unusual and then we landed in the south of France. We quickly discovered that the french are not the most helpful people on the face of the earth as we bought train tickets but yet there was no train station for at least 10 km so ended up having to spend more money and time to take a bus into Marseille. After arriving in the city I must say that I was underwhelmed as the area that we were walking though looked pretty run down but we quickly found our way to the Old Port (the most touristic area of the city) and found our hostel. The hostel looked a little drab outside but inside it was really beautiful (sorry no pics) and after dropping our stuff off and a quick explanation of what to see and do in Marseille from the hostel employees we headed out to explore but not before a quick bite to eat (I must say that French food is DELICIOUS!!!).
Our first stop was this little park which I must say was very little and not that impressive. There was a sign which Nick translated which stated that there had been great aspirations for the park yet with only modest realizations (I think I will remember that line for the next time that I utterly fail at something).
The next location was this cathredeal on top of a hill (the highest point in Marseille). It was absolutely stunning and the view was fantastic as well
After leaving the cathredeal we headed down the hill back to the old port to check out a couple of castles we had heard about.
Finally we slowly wondered our way back to our hostel to get a shower and ready for dinner (yum more French food)
The next day we were off to one of the two islands just off the cost of Marseille. The first picture is of Chateau d'if (this is where they filmed that movie the count of monte cristo) but the chateau was expensive to see and we figured that there was not much there so we opted to head for the second island which had several old forts. The island was about 2 km long and we walked that thing from tip to tail. For lunch we had a delicious lunch of mussels and fries (the mussels came in a cream sauce that was sooooooo goooood!), not great hiking food but that is alright. After a complete exploration of the entire island (including the german fortifications left over from world war II) we decided to head back to the main land. As you can see I managed to get a little sun. That night I was not feeling really well, stupid sunburn, so needless to say it was a bit of a quiet evening.
The next day we were off to explore a part and found this beautiful water fountain. As we were walking back to the Hostel to pick up our stuff we found this bakery (it has been around for 200 years) and had to sample some of their delicious pastries (they were so good). A little further on we came across this store which sold delicious french cookies and caramel (amazingly good, it is fortunate that I don't live in Marseille full time or else I would be fat for sure, fat but happy).
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Mother's Day
Thank you family for your poems and good wishes. They are beautiful, very meaningful.
Yesterday, your father treated me to my favorite things. We left early in the morning for Kyungju, a city about 30 minutes from here. It's a well-known tourist spot, the ancient capital of Korea. It has lots of historical sites. There is a lake in the center of the city which has landscaped trails and green space all around it. Next to this greenspace, they have built several 5 star hotels. Last year Dad and I discovered that these hotels serve great buffet brunches so we have gone a couple of times now just to enjoy the brunch. It's expensive but a nice treat to enjoy once in awhile. We took work with us and after breakfast sat in the lounge doing our work for a couple of hours. The lounge has floor to ceiling windows which look out over the lake. Right now many trees are flowering so the scene was very pretty. Later we went for a stroll around the lake and found a traditional tea house stopping to have some plum tea. It is very sweet but tasty. Before heading back we stopped at an ice cream stand and had ourselves some ice cream. Then on the way home, we stopped at a plant shop and Dad bought me some plants for our front balcony. Last year we hung plants there which were nice to look at so I was hoping to do the same this year. They look really great. It was a wonderful day.
This morning your dad made his amazing Bread Pudding Breakfast. This time he made it with carmel sauce. It is just so-o-o-o-o-o-o-o good. It has lots of cinnamon, dried craisens, and pecans. Full of good stuff. Wonderful.
I've been suffering due to the pollen on the pine trees - it's really bad right now. Everything has a coating of yellow right now - it sifts into the house. I usually can handle it during the day, although I have coughing fits from time to time. However at night I struggle the most. Last night because we had left the window open during the day, I couldn't lie down - set off the coughing so I moved to the couch where I could prop myself up. Needless to say I didn't sleep well so I think that instead of going to church this morning, I am going to try to get more sleep. I'm still coughing this morning and don't know if I can sit in church without going into a coughing spell. I'm praying for rain to wash the pollen out of the air. It seems really bad this year. The trees are almost done so that should help too.
Thanks again for making this day special.
With love from your MOM
Yesterday, your father treated me to my favorite things. We left early in the morning for Kyungju, a city about 30 minutes from here. It's a well-known tourist spot, the ancient capital of Korea. It has lots of historical sites. There is a lake in the center of the city which has landscaped trails and green space all around it. Next to this greenspace, they have built several 5 star hotels. Last year Dad and I discovered that these hotels serve great buffet brunches so we have gone a couple of times now just to enjoy the brunch. It's expensive but a nice treat to enjoy once in awhile. We took work with us and after breakfast sat in the lounge doing our work for a couple of hours. The lounge has floor to ceiling windows which look out over the lake. Right now many trees are flowering so the scene was very pretty. Later we went for a stroll around the lake and found a traditional tea house stopping to have some plum tea. It is very sweet but tasty. Before heading back we stopped at an ice cream stand and had ourselves some ice cream. Then on the way home, we stopped at a plant shop and Dad bought me some plants for our front balcony. Last year we hung plants there which were nice to look at so I was hoping to do the same this year. They look really great. It was a wonderful day.
This morning your dad made his amazing Bread Pudding Breakfast. This time he made it with carmel sauce. It is just so-o-o-o-o-o-o-o good. It has lots of cinnamon, dried craisens, and pecans. Full of good stuff. Wonderful.
I've been suffering due to the pollen on the pine trees - it's really bad right now. Everything has a coating of yellow right now - it sifts into the house. I usually can handle it during the day, although I have coughing fits from time to time. However at night I struggle the most. Last night because we had left the window open during the day, I couldn't lie down - set off the coughing so I moved to the couch where I could prop myself up. Needless to say I didn't sleep well so I think that instead of going to church this morning, I am going to try to get more sleep. I'm still coughing this morning and don't know if I can sit in church without going into a coughing spell. I'm praying for rain to wash the pollen out of the air. It seems really bad this year. The trees are almost done so that should help too.
Thanks again for making this day special.
With love from your MOM
Mother's Day
Hi Mom I admit that I didn't write these poems but I did find them on the internets so hopefully that counts for something.
The Rose Family
Robert Lee Frost
The rose is a rose,
And was always a rose.
But now the theory goes
That the apple's a rose,
And the pear is, and so's
The plum, I suppose.
The dear only knows
What will next prove a rose.
You, of course, are a rose--
But were always a rose
And was always a rose.
But now the theory goes
That the apple's a rose,
And the pear is, and so's
The plum, I suppose.
The dear only knows
What will next prove a rose.
You, of course, are a rose--
But were always a rose
Walking Sunshine
Dear Mother I love you and want you to know,
I think of you often wherever I go.
You lift me up; you're like walking sunshine;
I am lucky to have a great mother like mine.
I think of you often wherever I go.
You lift me up; you're like walking sunshine;
I am lucky to have a great mother like mine.
Your endless affection makes you special and rare;
I'm always amazed by how much you care.
What you've given to me I can never repay,
Thank you, Mom, on mother’s day
I'm always amazed by how much you care.
What you've given to me I can never repay,
Thank you, Mom, on mother’s day
A better mom than all the rest.
I’m thankful for all the things you do
I’m glad my mom is extra special you!
You’re the greatest mom, and I love you so.
There’s one more thing I want to say:
I wish you Happy Mother’s Day!
The thousands of things you did for me
that helped make me happier,
stronger and wiser,
because I had you as a role model.
you healed my hurts
and calmed my fears,
so that I could face the world
feeling safe and secure.
about how to love and give--
lessons that now bring
so many blessings to me
each and every day.
did not go unnoticed, Mom.
I admire you, I respect you,
I love you.
And I'm so glad you're my mother!
HAPPY MOTHER's DAY MOM!!!!
Mom, on this day we tip our hats and raise our glasses high,
For on this day we celebrate "THE WORLD's BEST MOM", and that's NO LIE!
Nine months did you bear us, 18 years did you raise,
But instead of being finished, a lifetime labour, seems not you faze!
You tended our cuts with kisses, you soothed our fears with smiles,
You helped us believe in ourselves across many literal and figurative miles!
Tantrums did not stop you, arguments and tears gave you no pause,
Your love for us was boundless, though we tested boundaries without cause!
And so on this day we pause awhile to thank you for ALL you've done.
You've been with us through thick and thin and WE LOVE YOU TONS AND TONS!!!!
Sunday, May 1, 2011
The Wedding and The Election
Wow what a week. First the wedding of the century and then the promise of an election that will upset the look of politics in Canada. Exciting!!!
Did you watch the wedding? On Friday when we got home from the office, the wedding was just beginning to stream live on YouTube (courtesy of the BBC). We were able to watch it in real time. Very beautiful! If you missed it you will want to catch the highlights on YouTube.
Now we are counting down to the election. Some really interesting things are happening. Who would have thought that the NDP would be gaining so much ground, especially in Quebec? Our hats off to the youth for taking the challenge and jumping into arena making their voice heard. It's good to see and we hope this continues not just at election time but after. Canadian politics needs a shake up and hopefully we will see it this time.
This week is missions festival and Dad and I are hosting a booth on Albania/Kosovo. We found 3 students who are MK from this area. Last night they came over for supper and then we worked together to prepare Qofti to serve in our booth. They brought pictures and we enjoyed hearing stories and seeing pictures from this region. It was a good evening.
Have a great week.
Did you watch the wedding? On Friday when we got home from the office, the wedding was just beginning to stream live on YouTube (courtesy of the BBC). We were able to watch it in real time. Very beautiful! If you missed it you will want to catch the highlights on YouTube.
Now we are counting down to the election. Some really interesting things are happening. Who would have thought that the NDP would be gaining so much ground, especially in Quebec? Our hats off to the youth for taking the challenge and jumping into arena making their voice heard. It's good to see and we hope this continues not just at election time but after. Canadian politics needs a shake up and hopefully we will see it this time.
This week is missions festival and Dad and I are hosting a booth on Albania/Kosovo. We found 3 students who are MK from this area. Last night they came over for supper and then we worked together to prepare Qofti to serve in our booth. They brought pictures and we enjoyed hearing stories and seeing pictures from this region. It was a good evening.
Have a great week.
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