Canucks Win Round One!!

Okay, it's been like for ever since I've written and I apologize if you've been checking.  My life is a lot less exciting now that I'm back in  Canada - my airplane travel has been cut way back.  But I'm not complaining at all.  I love living in Vancouver and I have a really amazing group of friends to keep me busy too.

My friend had her surgery and from what I can tell all went exceptionally well.  She still has a long road in front of her and I can assure you she's going to do her best to keep the upper hand.

My report cards were written ( and no, they didn't have to be written twice), and I've met with some of the parents of my students.  My students are making excellent gains too so I'm really quite pleased.  I'm still loving my job and I'm super motivated to try new things.  I love my school.

I'm still training pretty consistently too averaging three runs, three swims, and two rides a week.  I'm still slow like stink but that's okay too.  I swim, bike, and run with some amazing girlfriends so even if I'm super slow (and I spend some time on my own) people often loop back to get me, or wait up if I get too far behind.

My road bike got really sick and I was worried that I would have to put it to rest permanently. It's still on its last leg (unless I want to pump more cash into it than it's actually worth) but I'm able to take it out.  Unfortunately I can't rely on it to change gears, and when climbing a hill this can be a huge problem (especially since I climb like a snail).  But, it's still going so I'm still riding it.  Soon enough my "fancy" bike will make it out on to the streets and hopefully then I'll regain some of my speed.  Hopefully....

I've had some trouble with my back which had me not running on the land.  It sucked but I think I've just about got that under control too.  But the back injury also helped me get reacquainted with water running which I actually really like (as long as I'm with a friend).

Over the Easter weekend I took a little walk around my city.    Here are a few of the photos I took as I walked across the Granville Street Bridge.  You'll notice that unlike during the Olympics in February, we actually had snow on our local mountains in April.

But the thing that has been sucking up the most of my time, is the National Hockey League Playoffs.  My Vancouver Canucks made it to the playoffs and had to play the LA Kings in a best of seven series.  The first three games were nail bitters which sent my heart racing.  After three games we were down two games to one but thankfully managed to come back and win the next three in a row.  I LOVE playoff hockey - so much intensity - but I also hate the stress that it brings.  It's brought me a lot of stress these past couple of weeks.  Thankfully we have a few days before we move on to the second round.

The view from the seats I was in during one of the final games of the regular season.

(I've actually been really lucky since I've returned to Canada because I've been to four Canucks games including a playoff game! I think it pays to let people know that you love hockey).

Watching game six of the LA/Vancouver Round One Series with my Twin Sisters.

They were sporting the Sedin Twins shirts - two excellent Canucks (who are twins too)

Bring on Round Two!

I'm Still Alive

Sorry that it has been a while.  I'm still alive and in the middle of Vancouver Canucks playoff hockey.  I've been pretty busy doing this and that these past few weeks but again you'll have to wait.  I just wanted you to know I'm alive.

Thinking of a Friend

Yesterday, while out on my long ride I heard some news that has really affected me.  A friend of mine has been diagnosed with Breast Cancer and I can't stop thinking about her.  She's young and full of spirit and drive.  She's a people helper spending a year working in Africa to help those less fortunate. That's who she is, someone always helping others.  This week she is undergoing a double mastectomy and then will be gifted with two new and I'm sure beautiful perky breasts.  It sounds like Chemo will start after that.  I know she is strong, and from what I've been reading she has an amazing attitude and an incredible support network. If you're reading this, please take the time to think of her and send her strength and love.  I know I will be.

Playa Del Carmen, Mexico March 2010

As I mentioned a post or so back this year I was given two weeks for Spring Break instead of our typical one week.  The second week I headed to Playa Del Carmen, Mexico  for a week of sun and fun.

Amy and I arrived at the Cancun airport in the wee hours of the morning.  We were bussed to our hotel to find out that a room wasn't going to be available for us until mid day (it was 5:30 am!).  Obviously we weren't too pleased but we made the best of the situation.  With luggage stored and bathing suits on under our clothing we headed to the beach chairs for a nap until the sun came out.  Thankfully by noon we had our "official room" and so we were able to settle a bit more.  

The resort was clean and the staff super friendly.  The buffet had a good selection of fresh and not so fresh foods (ie very fried).  The bartenders were friendly too so all was good.  I got right into reading (which I love to do but rarely make the time to do in my busy Vancouver life).  I walked the beach most days too but almost always forgot to take my camera.  Amy took part in a few more of the "included" activities.  I did enjoy their boogie boards and took in a bit of stretching, yoga, salsa lessons, and botchie ball.

We were close enough to walk into Playa Del Carmen but we only did it a couple of times each.

Amy at her windsurfing lesson.

Me at the beach 

Because we were at an all inclusive resort we had a couple of traditions we tried to stick to each day.  These included daily chips, salsa, and avocado dips, and multiple mango margarita's from our favourite beach bartender Carlos. (I had another favourite bar tender in the lobby bar too).

Part of our daily afternoon snack

On Tuesday we went to our first restaurant on the resort for dinner.  Amy and I had already had a few too many margaritis by the time we got to the restaurant but it didn't really matter.  We had a fabulous time and had the best waiter ever.  As you can see from the pictures below it was a Mexican restaurant.  While in Mexico we also ate at a Mediteranian, Italian, and Mayan restaurant.

After dinner we headed to the stage to catch the show.  It was MEXICO night so it was a Mexican theme show.  

The Mexican Show

While at the show we met two travellers from Argentina Luciana and Lisandro.  We met them because Amy was really wanting to Salsa dance.  She's a good Salsa dancer and after taking the Salsa dance lesson with me in the afternoon - which really wasn't anything close to real Salsa - she wanted to really dance.  I saw this guy (Lisandro) on his own and asked him if he could Salsa dance.  He said, "yes" and a new friend was made.  Plans were made to head to the disco after the live show.  Drinks continued to flow.  As soon as we got into the disco Amy was off dancing with one of the guys who worked for the resort.  She was dancing up a storm and it was great to see.  I don't  think the guy new what had hit him!!

Amy and Luciana

Amy dancing up a storm

Amy, Lisandro, Me, and Luciana

The next day we did an afternoon evening Mayan ruins and cultural tour.  We checked out the ruins at Coba.  We chose Coba because we could actually climb it.  We also got to ride around the area from ruin to ruin.

Mayan ruins at Coba

Ancient Mayan ball game.

Me on my bike checking out ruins.

Highest pyramid.

View from the Top

Looking down the stairs from the top.

Amy and I at the top.

Amy and I safely at the bottom

From there we headed to a small shack for a  Mayan pottery lesson.  The Mayan kids in the class were super cute and very willing to help us out.  The young boy was so eager to help me out that he took my clay out of my hand and created what he felt I should create.  It was too funny.  Needless to say I didn't leave with any new Mayan pottery.

From the pottery class we had a traditional Mayan dinner.  We then drove to a cave (Sonotae) to watch traditional Mayan dancers and listen to their music.  

Amy and I were both glad we took Wednesday to do our Mayan adventure because the weather wasn't all that great.  The rest of the week has warm and sunny with the odd cloud or gust of wind.  I managed to read all the books I had brought, and borrowed one from Amy too.  By Saturday I was out of books and actually a bit bored.  I'm so used to running from place to place that to spend a week doing almost nothing wasn't easy for me.  I'm glad I did it though as it was pretty crazy finishing a very stressful teaching year in Australia, pack up my Aussie home, fly back to Vancouver, get my personal items back into my apartment, and head right back to work with out the usual summer vacation to decompress.

Anyhow, here are a few more pictures from my walks on the beach near Playa Del Carmen.  My favourite was seeing the Inukshuk in Mexico.  Obviously a Canadian had put it there.  Happy Spring everyone.  I'm heading into report card writing time so I can't promise much action here.  In the mean time though I'll keep thinking about my Mexican adventure.

Looking back at my resort from the beach.

A little piece of heaven.

The Inukshuk

A Sneak Peek

This is where I spent the past week.  Hopefully I'll have time for a real blog soon enough (with lots of pictures of course).  

Spring Break

This past week and next week my school is shut down for Spring Break.  Typically we only have one week vacation at this time of year but my school district decided to make us work 10 extra minutes each day so that we could be rewarded with an extra week off at Spring Break.  Needless to say I'm LOVING it.  This week I accomplished a ton of things I just haven't been able to get around to since returning from Australia. In a way, I landed back in December and I've been running non stop since them.  Having this past week off has been excellent as I finally have just about everything back in order (well I still have one bike at Erica's place but hopefully I'll pick it up soon).  I've managed to do many of the required vacation things like sleep in, paint my toe nails, snoop around town, and socialize with friends.  In addition I've accomplished many of the must do life things  like visiting the doctor and dentist, and dealing with the car and the home (it was about time I donated away the boxes and bags of clothing hanging around my apartment, recycled the many boxes I had in storage, and changed a light bulb or two).  Heck I made time to finally restring the drawstrings in a couple of workout pants, and I even polished my favourite Fleuvog boots.  Of course I swam, biked and ran too - never once complaining about how sleepy I was.   So you could say that I've been very productive with my time off.  However, the best part of this vacation is that while I'd normally be heading back to work on Monday after my one week off this year I'm heading to Mexico for  my second week off.  I can't tell you  how much I'm looking forward to this rest and relaxation.  Look out Mexico here I come!!

A Link to a Great Video

Since I don't actually know how to add a video clip to this blog you'll have to follow this link.  I promise you won't be disappointed.

Karen

To many Canadians this video is what these Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics were all about.