tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32613432011-04-21T19:55:18.607-07:00the future is ours to see2004
A year for balance, art, and harmony wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comBlogger861100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-1102641791972221752004-12-09T17:12:00.000-08:002004-12-09T17:25:25.006-08:00Thursday, December 9, 2004
It is so hard to believe how this time has passed.
I now have a new home. Originally our desire to buy the new home was to have a space (extra) that was updated and ready to live in. We purchased (and sold our former house) within days of each other. The house is nice. However, due to my time-poverty, much of the unpacking is not yet complete. I do look forward wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-1085698112687738782004-05-27T15:34:00.000-07:002004-05-27T15:48:32.686-07:00It has been such a long time since I have been on here. Someone thought that maybe I had even been "kicked off", but I still maintain my site (sight?).
Now that I am back to working full time as a high school teacher, I have become very time poor. I was at the computer printing out student's work and thought that I would check out how the site was doing. There isn't a lot of change here, sowendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-1071305675440509862003-12-13T00:54:00.000-08:002003-12-13T00:55:23.046-08:00These are a few of my favourite things....
Raindrops on roses
whiskers on kittens
snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes
but here's one of those kickers....do you ever rent a movie, or buy a cd, not knowing much about it, and expecting even less...
Last week, we rented "Vanilla Sky". Now, I don't care for Cameron Diaz, Penelope Cruz is ok, but all the hype with Tom Cruz turned me off...wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-1065409450110086972003-10-05T20:04:00.000-07:002003-10-05T21:37:06.266-07:00Bald can be Beautiful?
Well, it is October again. That means, for me, it is Run for the Cure time again.
Three weeks ago, tomorrow, after a morning prayer and staff meeting I asked that if any staff members would like to support me in my endeavour, I would once again be participating in Run for the Cure. I told of my story about last year's goal and the achievement (thanks totally to the wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-1061580688571612102003-08-22T12:31:00.000-07:002003-08-22T12:31:28.570-07:00"Smokey the Bear" give us a hug!!
Well, the fire is still out of control. Last night I stayed up until very late into the evening watching the details on the local news and the internet. For most of the night, our cable was on and off (some channels were completely gone for many hours while others were able to continue....thank you cable fairy...I was able to see the final wonderful results ofwendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-1061398653488838232003-08-20T09:57:00.000-07:002003-08-20T10:27:42.963-07:00"She'll be riding Wild Fire"...
I know if I really tried to figure it out, I would be able to remember the year the song titled "Wild Fire" came out. However, I associate the song with my youth. Horses were a source of quiet strength and beauty for me. They were part of the cast of characters I was reading about as I waded deeper into my repertoire of historic fiction and horse stories. I wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-1055390923971323662003-06-11T21:08:00.000-07:002003-06-11T21:08:43.913-07:00It is "semi"-official!!!
I received the call today. I was offered, and accepted, my new job. I am going to be one of the teachers at Immaculata Regional High School.
At this time, it looks like I will be teaching junior French (mais oui), junior(?) History and Geography, and senior Marketing. I was a bit surprised by the French position. However, every time I go for a job, I am asked to wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-954963542003-06-10T00:15:00.000-07:002003-06-10T00:15:52.780-07:00God only knows!!
Well today I had my one hour (plus!!) interview for the high school history/geography/language arts/French/phys.ed. position that has opened at our local Catholic High School. For those of you who know me, this is a perfect fit. And catch this....each year they have a team of students and staff who go to Mexico to help build some houses for those who need them.
I wasn't wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-953758112003-06-06T09:26:00.000-07:002003-06-06T09:26:16.636-07:00How Much do I Hate to Fill out and File Government Forms?
It is done. The beast is as tame as I can make it and it is ready to leave my place post haste.
I have been audited for payments I received during my sick leave. It has taken me HOURS of DAYS of WEEKS of work to find the necessary info that dates back more than 6 years ago!!! I hate filling out forms of any type, but this one just wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-950938502003-05-30T12:51:00.000-07:002003-05-30T13:09:44.000-07:00Construction Junction, What’s My Function?
If you were to come to my house today, I would not let you in.
Why?
The house is being turned into a “Construction Junction”.
What is it that makes me want to find hidden space? When I was younger, I always imagined that I would make a secret room in my house. A place to hide away from the bad guys. A space to hide someone else who is hiding away wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-949501832003-05-27T11:15:00.000-07:002003-05-27T11:15:47.283-07:00A Long Time Ago, In a Place Far, Far Away…
I know it has been so long since I last blogged. To those who care to read my blog, I apologize.
I have been very busy this past while. Actually, I don’t really remember times when I haven’t been busy (except maybe while on a holiday). I find that when I say that to people who know me as a “domestic engineer”, they find that rather odd. I do not wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-896456922003-02-24T07:08:00.000-08:002003-02-24T07:08:58.483-08:00Ketchup
Death in the Family, bad knees, Literature, knitting at swimming….oh yes, and lots of bookwork
To begin, on Wednesday evening last, Jerry’s Auntie Kimi passed away. Her health had been failing these past years and she seemed to be experiencing bouts of dementia (if that can be said?). Auntie Kimi lived in Toronto with her daughter Judy, her son Dennis and her other son’s family wasn’t wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-889213552003-02-11T09:33:00.000-08:002003-02-11T09:33:59.243-08:00Tribute to Trev
My baby brother is 33 years old today!!! Yippee! Congrats Trev. I hope you have an awesome day.
The morning Trevor was born we were bundled up early in the night and rushed out the door to Brian’s babysitter’s house. The change to the routine was enough to elicit the anticipation for the event. However I don’t remember Mom and Dad being frantic. I don’t remember Mom wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-887178322003-02-07T10:42:00.000-08:002003-02-07T11:14:39.000-08:00Juxtaposed
This morning I took Siana for a walk onto a trail that has been established near our neighbourhood. As I walked along the trail I was met with a number of juxtapositions that led me to tell you a bit more of what life is like here.
Along the trail wild and domestic animal prints were sculptured, cast as modern fossils in the frozen mud. The roar of the not-so-distant traffic wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-872574362003-01-11T00:28:00.000-08:002003-01-11T00:31:28.000-08:00wee willy wonkawendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-872567422003-01-10T23:58:00.000-08:002003-01-11T00:23:22.000-08:00Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow
We haven't had much snow this year. According to the "natives" this is typical once every 3 or 4 years. I can't remember exactly when it happened, but one day last week or the week before we had some snow. Xdr and Jerry went out to shovel our precariously steep laneway. Xdr reappeared looking a bit off. His plans to augment his outside chore by lastly wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-871851892003-01-09T14:10:00.000-08:002003-01-11T00:22:15.000-08:00Missing Kith and Kin while listening to "Kith and Kin Christmas 2002"
Well, it seems to be one of those days. The day started with all sorts of items "to do". I was able to get Xdr out the door on time. I was able to get him signed up for his first swimming lessons since we arrived a year and a half ago. I was going to arrange ski lessons for the three of us at the club...nope. Then I was wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-855837042002-12-06T01:00:00.000-08:002002-12-06T01:11:42.000-08:00sand swept shores seamlessly summoned sounding sensationalized. Sorta sad sound. Organ + organic sounds don't mix. Sorry "knowledge network"wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-855835182002-12-06T00:48:00.000-08:002002-12-06T00:48:39.113-08:00I need to blog but I know not what to say. There have been so many wonderfully shared events since last I blogged…but it isn’t that which I wish to convey…what is it?
These days of grey are enveloped by Night’s cape. Her ominous blackness shields out Morning and protects her far more completely than is comfortable. Then Night creeps back so quickly and disjoins Afternoon confusing folk and wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-830238662002-10-15T11:09:00.000-07:002002-10-15T11:09:28.803-07:00I want to blog a huge HUG and THANK YOU to ALL of my family, friends and the others who have been so encouraging and gracious with their words and praise. It is perhaps used too often as a platitude, but I really could not have done any of this, or gone through with this if it wasn’t for the support of all of you.
I have received emails from so many lovely people expressing their thanks. I wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-827989762002-10-10T10:09:00.000-07:002002-10-10T10:09:51.760-07:00just thought I would share a funny "baldy" moment
For the past hour, I have been sitting at my computer freezing!! Brrrrr. I finally got up and put on a sweater and socks. I sat back down at the computer realizing that I had become my father (no, we don't need the heat on yet in the house...put a sweater on). That was better but not quite enough. I made myself a wonderful hot tea (even the wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-827564302002-10-09T13:43:00.000-07:002002-10-09T13:43:26.726-07:00What an amazing world!!!
Last night, around 1 a.m., I finally arrived safe and sound (gracias a Dios) back to Kelowna. This week marks the beginning of the closure to a very frenetic, emotionally charged, surreal time. In the past month I have seen despair and sadness in a way that was somehow extremely removed yet extremely internally involved. I have been brought into stories and missions wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-825440232002-10-04T20:23:00.000-07:002002-10-04T20:23:58.293-07:00Hair today gone tomorrow
Today is the last night with my locks. For the first time, xdr brushed my hair regretting the look that I will start to fashion tomorrow at 5 p.m. (P.T.). In an amazing act of love, kindness and caring, several wonderful people have donated so much to my “Run for the Cure” + Wigs for KIDS program that the original goal has been surpassed by an equal amount. One wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-822533772002-09-28T18:20:00.000-07:002002-09-28T18:20:05.520-07:00It is just past 6 p.m. here. The sun has cast us into the shadows while it dances off of the building windows on the other side of the lake. Our lake has been a magnificent shade of blue all day today. Is this fall blue? Cleaned by divers last weekend, free of the visiting boats and noise, it seems to look content. Its dark blue dimples create a perfect contrast to the water’s happy hue. I wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-822022182002-09-27T11:09:00.000-07:002002-09-27T11:09:26.590-07:00Here is the story from the Capital News, although you can see the whole thing here for yourself. I thought I would add some of my own comments to the news item....so, read on if you care:
Cancer Research: Local woman [I know that this term should be cool...but I still feel like a "girl"] moves ahead with her idea to raise money
Wendy Yamashita says she is ready to lose her locks in order towendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-822016932002-09-27T10:57:00.000-07:002002-09-27T10:57:01.763-07:00Finally!!! Some media support. Thanks Kelowna Capital News and editor Gerding and photographer Gord.
wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-821995502002-09-27T10:05:00.000-07:002002-09-27T10:05:04.810-07:00This is a test. I am trying to program an area where readers can leave their comments. I hope this helpswendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-820515752002-09-24T10:19:00.000-07:002002-09-24T10:19:35.733-07:00Parenting 101...
I need a course in parenting 101. I don't know which program, college or university offers it. It's not that I am in any dire need as a parent. My child isn't (that) bad, or (that) unlawful. He is a (pretty) good citizen. It just would be nice to really "get" what is happening in their wee developing brain and know a bit more about what is going to happen next.
Yesterdaywendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-820182612002-09-23T17:09:00.000-07:002002-09-23T17:09:09.430-07:00Happy Anniversary Brian and Barb. Today marks the anniversary of the fouth part of their four part wedding celebration.
Last year, Brian married Barb over a four day celebration. It is the most amazing concept I have ever been part of. Simply put, part one was a celebration of their commitment to a group of their friends. Part two involved a great dinner at Barb's mom's place complete with wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-819704842002-09-22T17:52:00.000-07:002002-09-22T17:52:12.743-07:00Yesterday, I joined the local “friends of the library” as they held their outside book sale. I was ushered to “my spot”. Without my soapbox but with a great deal of fear and trepidation (I find this task scary) I held my clipboard in hand, pen ready to go…
I stood quietly trying to form some sort of symbol between the encyclopedia of war histories and the prominent pillar. Like the war books,wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-818588452002-09-19T22:47:00.000-07:002002-09-19T22:47:45.490-07:00Cancer...when I was growing up in the '70s there were many tv movies and shows that talked about this disease. Like so many other diseases, I felt somehow distant from it. "That" happened in the States (as most of the show's actors were American). "That" happened to people I didn't know. I could watch the shows, cry and then be thankful that we didn't have to fight that battle.
Then I wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-808616032002-08-29T00:43:00.000-07:002002-08-29T00:51:53.000-07:00Sir Elton;
I can now die.
I just finished a wonderful experience!!! Sir Elton John came to Kelowna. I was able to buy only one ticket. As I mentioned in an earlier blog, that was the beginning of this experience. I wondered about my seat (back side view of the stage?). Should I sell or should I hold onto the ticket? My dear, wonderful, very talented and concert-wise brother (this time I wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-801946202002-08-13T11:13:00.000-07:002002-08-13T11:13:42.156-07:00Thoughts on the sun:
My pale skin has been a magnet for the sun's rays since I was a child. After such a long, cloudy winter I have found such solace in its early arrival and late daily departure. However I am continually at war with the sun. I can't let it touch any part of my skin. Now, along with the red burn that instantly dries and colours my pale flesh is an accompaniment of small wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-798379432002-08-05T01:30:00.000-07:002002-08-05T01:30:09.403-07:00Who does the hoodoos?
Chilled air whisped past the windshield as we blinked between mini puddles of water vapour that with gravities flair for art pulled at the pools. I started to remember the paint swirling art I used to buy at the fair.
Hoodoos loomed to our right filled with holes. Inhabited by monks, minks or dessert birds who also felt it was too foolish to take on the day or simply wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-792912552002-07-22T23:17:00.000-07:002002-07-22T23:17:49.626-07:00This weekend was a great weekend as a Kelownite.
We ended up going out to dinner at a fine restaurant in town called The Williams Inn. It is run by some German/Swiss? guys and the food was adequate with a grand range of offerings. Jerry and I split our appies (that is what they call appetizers here...what word is used where you are?) and then we split the meal. I tasted some pheasant and I amwendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-791991752002-07-20T15:14:00.000-07:002002-07-20T15:14:03.370-07:00I may regret publicizing these thoughts and feelings later on...but here it goes. My thoughts for today...
Today is my 11th anniversary. Wedding anniversary.
I read people's letters and blogs where their love for their partner is expressed with grace and glamour. I can't offer that same polite antidote for I can only say that my marriage, to someone I like, is at best a daily trial between wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-790975552002-07-17T23:16:00.000-07:002002-07-17T23:16:59.283-07:00Have children of this generation lost the ability to "play"?
Summer. For me this brings back nearly any of my memory of my life in Guelph as a child. Bridget and Margaret were my friends. We "played" wedding, house and even took in a few spells with the Ouiga board (Margaret's mom didn't know). We played "kick the can" with the family down the street that had a "full house" of children wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-789282242002-07-13T23:47:00.000-07:002002-07-13T23:53:43.000-07:00 10 and a half minutes
That is all the time we had to try and procure 2 adult tickets. Jerry on the phone and I on the internet. If we had a third, they would have been posted outside of the ticketmaster agent's for a chance at a ticket. In the end, only one seat was bought....and, by the looks of it, a bloody waste as it appears that Jerry or I will not be able to see much of anything anywaywendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-787655582002-07-09T23:11:00.000-07:002002-07-09T23:11:34.243-07:00Oh isn't that interesting...at first blogger wouldn't publish...now it publishes just fine..
Well an update should be sent to you;
Since she left early Sunday morning, there have been great changes in the house. Jerry and I had a long conversation (again). After THIS talk, he now (again) felt that I had done the right thing, that my opinions and reasons made sense and that he was going to wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-785907022002-07-05T10:50:00.000-07:002002-07-09T22:31:28.000-07:00My update won't publish...what is going on in my world these days...even the computer won't publish my opinions......wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-785903192002-07-05T10:36:00.000-07:002002-07-05T10:45:17.000-07:00Update....
-she is leaving earlier now because I am such a stress to her and I am treating her with such hurtful intent that she hasn't felt comfortable (again) since the minute she arrived....and her early departure should offer excitement and relief....however, Jerry has made it quite clear that her earlier departure (this Sunday) is all and only my fault...and he "hates" me for that....no win wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-785154722002-07-03T10:38:00.000-07:002002-07-03T10:38:29.183-07:00I love having company. This must be absolutely understood before I continue. I love having people around. I love touring around. I love seeing the sites I haven't seen. I love being outside and swimming and going to used book stores and showing off xdr's school, our church, our haunts.
That said, this fight for "alpha" mom/female is driving me to my grave. Why is it that I have a real wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-781410252002-06-24T11:07:00.000-07:002002-06-24T11:07:55.190-07:00Since last we met....
The summer solstice has passed; my grandmother celebrated her 89 birthday!!!; my sister-in-law Barb celebrated her birthday; Xdr has ended his spring/summer session of both soccer and tennis; we have had another Koga meeting in rushed anticipation for this weekend's reunion.
Alexander's soccer season is split into two parts. The first, longer session started in May and wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-780320852002-06-21T10:11:00.000-07:002002-06-21T10:11:07.256-07:00Trev, you totally rock. Thank you so much for the layout. I will talk with you soon to see what I can do to initiate your ideas.
Aunt Marion and Uncle Ron just left. It is so sad to see them go. I really miss the whole family so much but having these two around really brought a bit of home back for the days they were here.
Well, today is the first day of summer. I have to say that springwendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-779344212002-06-19T07:21:00.000-07:002002-06-19T07:21:01.670-07:00The day at a glance:
-wake Xdr up...
-discuss again that he can't take his cards (Spiderman collection) to school
-run home and clean, clean, clean
-run to xdr's school and work in the library
-collect him from school, Jerry from work and finish clean, clean, clean
-then.....Aunt Marion and Uncle Ron arrive.....yipee!!!!wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-777799202002-06-15T09:27:00.000-07:002002-06-15T09:27:23.910-07:00Ahhh Saturday morning.
Last night we had our first non-family guests over for dinner (ok, BBQ). For many people, that is a weekly or bi-weekly event. However, for me it is a challenge. I don't have any presupposed ideas that I have to "present" myself, I don't lack such depths of inability to communicate intellectually and I don't fear that a bad visit would alter my "self image" in any wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-772928572002-06-03T10:03:00.000-07:002002-06-03T10:03:50.460-07:00It's Monday morning still here. I have done all of my typical morning duties. These days, I am "training" Siana with morning van rides with Alexander to school. Siana, the only dog I know of, has a bad stomach and frequently gets car sick. Last week we started this new routine. We have had at least 6 successful runs. She now sits down on the back seat and even seems to enjoy the trip. wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-770116842002-05-26T21:25:00.000-07:002002-05-26T21:25:21.393-07:00Another equally busy weekend is quickly drawing to a close.
My brother Trevor and his wife Barb are safely back in Toronto. They were in need of a good break. I think they got it.
We had another Koga reunion meeting today. It is really odd knowing that this huge reunion is right around the corner (33 days and counting). I have been trying to get the family history together. Yes, I have wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-769119192002-05-23T21:43:00.000-07:002002-05-23T21:43:17.343-07:00erwendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-769115222002-05-23T21:29:00.000-07:002002-05-23T21:29:29.973-07:00Well, I have finally returned to blogging...
There are so many headlines for these past few months. However, I must begin this blog with some very sad news. On Friday, May 17 at around 5:14 p.m. (pacific time), our beloved cat Xochi died.
She is the one that I named this blogspot after. I couldn't bring myself to announce on the day she died but I figured it was high time I got back on the wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-102106552002-02-27T20:08:00.000-08:002002-02-27T20:08:42.833-08:00There is a full moon, right?
Last night, I tread upstairs late after an evening of trying to catch up on some emails and computer things. I have really enjoyed our house and one of its features is a sky-lite. Now, most of winter in the Okanagan (as I have experienced) is a haze of clouds and clouded evenings. However, last night there shone a bright, wonderful, seemingly full moon through thewendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-99962072002-02-22T00:56:00.000-08:002002-02-22T01:06:41.000-08:00sorry again for the blogging pause,
I am going through one of those emotional sorts of transitions.
I may be some sort of a change-junky. I really seem to enjoy change until it becomes mundain and easy to do. We have started back to an old routine to get some old "to dos" caught up. My work is going along...boring...and I am a "nobody" amongst others that I can't share even an emotional winkwendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-97869632002-02-16T02:42:00.000-08:002002-02-16T03:14:31.000-08:00Well I made it through this week relatively unharmed but exhausted. I wonder what the next week will be like as we have redesigned our lifestyle a bit. Jerry wants us to go to the gym each morning after we drop off xdr to school. Then on Wednesdays we will be able to get back to our yoga routine again (yahoo). So, the mornings of workout, home to do a quick chore for an hour before I go off wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-96718982002-02-12T21:51:00.000-08:002002-02-12T21:51:16.233-08:00Life continues to elude my understanding. Its changes and routines continue to run a course that I have been left to follow, but have very little idea of where it will turn next to nor of its pace.
Of course the day started earlier than I have been used to for a while. I was still trying to get over the shock from the figure skating of the night before. Then there was the pure fear that I wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-96331872002-02-11T21:47:00.000-08:002002-02-11T21:47:23.823-08:00Hello to you all. I wanted to write this quick message to say a very, very special happy birthday to my brother Trevor. I still remember the day you were born with great honour and pride. As you grew older, you attracted many a passersby by your big brown eyes and your big white smile. As you passed into your teen years, you lengthened out and quickly grew taller than me. Your abilities in wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-95701202002-02-09T23:52:00.000-08:002002-02-09T23:52:07.873-08:00Royal maiden passing and Kelowna bridge trivia:
Just heard that it was Princess Margaret who was the first person to cross our famous floating bridge. As she crossed in the open-air car, she tested the bridge before any others were allowed to pass. That was 1958. Apparently the Princess stayed at a house (on 'our' side of the lake) for the weekend of her visit. The family was allowed to spendwendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-95699942002-02-09T23:45:00.000-08:002002-02-09T23:45:25.440-08:00udon and family...what agreat mix:
What a crazy day it has been since my marathon interview yesterday.
Last night, we started discussing the events for this year's Koga Olympicswith a full fledged Koga family meeting. Our civic holiday family reunion has now been rebooked for the first long holiday at the end of June/beginning of July. The setting for the meeting was Pattie and Tom's (but of wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-95427592002-02-08T23:30:00.000-08:002002-02-08T23:30:23.330-08:00blogging delay bridged:
My blog has been delayed this past couple of days by events that have passed by so quickly, Houdini would be amazed at how we escaped them. Jerry presented a very important proposal to the company who is training him to "job search". Over the past two weeks he has been involved with a grand mass of presentations with titles and subjects ranging from Chinese medicine and wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-94279832002-02-05T21:27:00.000-08:002002-02-05T21:27:17.133-08:00writing:
On a dare, and with some encouragement, I thought I might try my hand at writing a story to submit to the local university. Depending on our employment situation, that being if Jerry gets a job he really wants to be at, I may return to the classroom in September to either study human teeth (dentistry) or take some writing courses. Most of the writing courses are geared around wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-93921872002-02-04T23:22:00.000-08:002002-02-04T23:22:13.850-08:00Kelowna weather:
I just received the STATS on our January norms. We were 3 degrees warmer in January than the norm. We averaged -1.3 degrees C over the month. The precipitation was at the normal level...but I can't remember what that was. Now here is the OFFICIAL total of sunshine for the whole 31 days....drum roll please.....24.8 total hours!!!
I just realized today that I didn't hear wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-93795162002-02-04T16:13:00.000-08:002002-02-04T16:13:14.083-08:00The Power of the Sun:
Think of it, not just in scientific terms, but in its more pure and natural state.
Today the sun made its appearance from time to time. The ever-cloudy Kelowna landscape was enlightened by areas of daylight and blue sky. For me, this has had an amazing effect on my "being". I have enjoyed the effect of the sun upon my face. It's warmth amazingly helped to re-connect wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-92500372002-01-31T16:12:00.000-08:002002-01-31T16:12:08.976-08:00Expensive Habits;
Do you have an expensive habit that you need to support? I do. What also makes this habit doubley expensive is that each time, I have to have two. Not just one shot...I HaVe to have two. "Doubles for me Sam". It seems too that at times like this is when I am feeling that I am not going in the direction I want to go, I need to exercise this habit. And we just can't afford wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-92268502002-01-31T01:21:00.000-08:002002-01-31T01:21:35.393-08:00U.S.A. vs Canada for the semi-finals;
I love Soccer...I mean REAL soccer.
Tonight we just happened across the game that decided who would go onto the gold medal final in an invitational event. U.S. had outplayed the Canadians as far as agressive play goes. Lars was incredible throughout the 90 minutes plus 30 minutes overtime. I was totally impressed with many of the Canadians..except..now wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-91903732002-01-30T01:46:00.000-08:002002-01-30T01:46:57.120-08:00Positive perspective prevails today:
Yesterday, I am not exactly sure why, but it just "stunk". The place wasn't right, the province wasn't right, the boys and Jerry just weren't right, the air was so negative.
I woke up this morning expecting the opposite and positivity prevailed. I had a wonderful morning with xdr's reading group. They have a real flair for reading. Some will be dramatists,wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-91531122002-01-29T00:41:00.000-08:002002-01-29T00:41:42.370-08:00Anger Management to the office please:
Do you ever have one of those days where you are just pissed off at everything and everyone, yet you have no real idea why? That is where I have been at today.
I started the day off fine. I took my son to school, and planned on getting some chores done in the city. I was ready to face the world, until I turned on the radio. In B.C., in the wee hours ofwendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-90429572002-01-25T10:54:00.000-08:002002-01-25T10:54:19.280-08:00Peter Gzowski:
"Voice of Canada" is echoing again as we remember a great man.
I loved Mr. Gzowski. He was like a "father" voice for me when I lived in Ottawa in the early to mid '80s. His intellect was incredible and a great voice of guidance during some of those early morning work dates at "Girol books". It was then that I became addicted to "Morningside" on CBC-radio. He joined me each wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-88955722002-01-21T03:34:00.000-08:002002-01-21T03:34:16.720-08:00Does anyone know what language this is???
Mornie utulie...it means darkness has come
Mornie alantie...it means darkness has fallen
This is part of the chorus of Enya's song from LOTR "May it Be"
It is late here...past 3:30 a.m., but I can't seem to sleep so I have been spending some fun time doing some overdue letters and such. When I went to play this song, I was mesmerized by these two phraseswendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-88863552002-01-20T19:30:00.000-08:002002-01-20T19:30:09.793-08:00Movie Night in Kelowna
What I am about to blog might get some of you upset with me...but I wanted to blog this anyway.
Although we have tried to change our old habits and not see too many movies, tonight we broke that rule...once.
All three of us went out to see Lord of the Rings:FOTR and we all really enjoyed it. Xdr is familiar with the story, but not too familiar with the type of prose JRR wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-88632152002-01-19T22:20:00.000-08:002002-01-19T22:20:58.280-08:00Home Sick
It amazes me the delights of children. Xdr has had to remain home because of his health this past week. He will probably be kept here until the end of next week. We have so many things to do...read, draw, paint, colour, watch tv, etc., etc., etc.
My own childhood memories were brought to the surface yesterday when Brian told me of Trev's recent blog about "The Hillarious House of wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-88079272002-01-17T23:45:00.000-08:002002-01-17T23:45:40.196-08:00Oh Dear What Can The Problem Be?
Today Alexander would hopefully find some relief from the sore, itchy rash that is covering his whole body from scalp to the bottom of his feet....or would he? We went off to our doctor's appointment knowing that the rash hadn't yet given up, but I was hoping that the doctor would know why and what to do. There he stood, puzzled. He pulled out a small palm wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-87717142002-01-16T21:13:00.000-08:002002-01-16T21:13:51.980-08:00Red Rash Returns:
Poor Alexander. All he can do is scratch and scratch and try not to scratch. His whole body and scalp, palms of his feet and hands are all filled with these tiny little spots that won't give up. His body's hystamines(?) are on overdrive and there is nothing yet that we can find to do. Again, we will be back to see the doctor tomorrow. What is he allergic to? What is he wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-87297782002-01-15T16:52:00.000-08:002002-01-15T16:52:53.376-08:00While I was ill, I did get some reading done. I love Canadian writers, especially when they add a bit of Canadian history into the plot. Jane Urquhart became one of my favourite novel writers after I read her book "Away". I have had her most recent novel "The Stone Carvers" on hold at our local library. However, being number 200+ on the waiting list, I think the paperback will be out before Iwendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-87294202002-01-15T16:40:00.000-08:002002-01-15T16:40:04.070-08:00Alexander's rash has gone. His fever broke in the night and he woke up in his normal heavy morning mood but back to his normal colour again. The mystery rash is gone...what caused it...who knows.
No, he hasn't passed the quarter yet. No this hasn't "changed" Alexander (ta da dum). No we aren't expecting "change" from Alexander (ta da dum). No, it didn't make him a "quarter" heavier (ta da wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-87292602002-01-15T16:34:00.000-08:002002-01-15T17:00:45.000-08:00Time
It amazes me. I am speaking daily with kith and kin throughout various parts of the world. Just now, I logged into my brother's cam to find out, to my surprise that it was dark...dahhh...as I look east, the sun is leaving a trail of orange against Dilworth Mountain. We lie in the shadow of Mount Hayman and the clouds. The light looks a warm shade of content...a job well done.
I wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-87088472002-01-15T02:33:00.000-08:002002-01-15T02:33:34.310-08:00The night is nigh and I sit high upon this chair. The hour is late, the coffee aint great, but the minute hand clicks enlessly. The nights remain late which would only be great if off to Bladislav I were going. So soon I agree, that sleep time will be the day and at night I'll remain restless. Time zones are needed, but my body clock has heeded to horizons not of this area. But I must try to wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-87083872002-01-15T01:56:00.000-08:002002-01-15T01:56:15.626-08:00Sunday Alexander swallowed a quarter. I am not even going to explain that one. The problems the on-call doctor warned us "could" happen have not happened...knock on wood.
Today, Monday, I was just finishing off the section of the newspaper that talked about "How to enjoy the company of a social animal" (yes, in The Kelowna Courier, this appeared next to the editorial?), when we had a call fromwendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-87079172002-01-15T01:14:00.000-08:002002-01-15T01:14:10.953-08:00Now a moment for some 'ketchup'
Where do I begin? The huge Japanese New Year dinner at Auntie Carol and Uncle Morio's was cancelled. Since Ross has been sick, Carol and Morio have adopted Ross's family into their house as well as helped with all of the needs that Ross and Janice's daughter Lee required while her parents were working on getting Ross better. Christmas is always a busy time. Thewendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-87074252002-01-15T00:31:00.000-08:002002-01-15T00:31:14.233-08:00I can't believe it has been so long since I last wrote. Actually, I have written here twice...alas, I am learning not to press "posts" when one wishes to "post and publish" and that if I write a message and attempt to save it...well, leave it to say, I am learning by trying. Thank you so much Barb and Trev for all of your help. I will be putting your work into action very soon. It is really wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-83964232002-01-03T22:14:00.000-08:002002-01-03T22:15:23.000-08:00eye candy:
I was remembering today how someone described to me(?) how they sculpted a beautiful marble horse. They said, "It's very easy. I simply remove all of the marbel that isn't the horse and what is left is what you see." My first experience of sculpture, I mean "real" hand-worked sculpture, was probably during my visit to Italy when I was 11 years old. There I was able to see and wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-83960202002-01-03T21:54:00.000-08:002002-01-03T21:54:38.943-08:00a room with a view:
The night is chilly, the food is cooked and cleaned up and the rest are asleep in the cabin. You look at the fire and suddenly feel pulled to sit. It's not just the chill in the air that draws you closer, but there is a mesmerizing dance that goes on in a slowly burning campfire. The embers at the base dance in robes of red, yellow and orange while the blackness of the wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-83342322002-01-01T20:26:00.000-08:002002-01-01T20:26:26.300-08:00I have been thinking that some people may wonder why I called my blog *xochi* when my own name is wendy. Xochi is my cat. Xochi reminds me of so much about where I have been, where I am, what is important, how to live with the basics and where things may go. Like Xochi, I have used up many of my own 9 lives. Xochi is my past rolled up in Mexico/Ottawa/Guelph/Fergus/Tavistock/Hamilton/wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-83069722001-12-31T15:51:00.000-08:002001-12-31T15:51:28.396-08:00Europe and the Euro:
I just watched live on BBC as the Euro was officially celebrated into the currency of Europe. New wallets, new money, larger coins. 300 million people from different currencies are into one. What an amazing (yet sad) affair. This event will make travel in Europe easier. For those of you who have travelled throughout Europe, the need to change from local currency to new wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-83067712001-12-31T15:39:00.000-08:002001-12-31T15:39:06.606-08:00Now we are entering 2002. Although I feel quite "western" in so many aspects of my new life here, I feel the need to celebrate 2002 with my central kith and kin (Trev, that is such a good phrase). Some intraspects from the past and today:
Argentina, War, and Britain:
In 1981, I lived in Mexico. My walk to school took me past the downtown of the city I lived in, Each morning, paperboys yelled wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-82907562001-12-30T21:57:00.000-08:002001-12-30T21:57:20.603-08:00Hello family and friends. I have chosen this format to update and tell you a bit about what is happening in our lives. We often find ourselves repeating information or worse, not letting everyone know what is happening by omission. Barb and Trev have inspired me to try this out. Changes will happen of course...the first of which will be the "format" of this page. I thought it was rather wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-82904102001-12-30T21:39:00.000-08:002001-12-30T21:39:40.870-08:00"In the beginning". These words have started many stories as well as "Once upon a time". I hope to be able to blog my stories of the past, present and the future. Some items will be full, lyrical or void and gibberish, but I hope in all the passings of times, I will be able to say what I feel so that family, friends and others of common feeling can read, know and retell with "it's true. It wendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3261343.post-82902092001-12-30T21:30:00.000-08:002001-12-30T21:30:15.456-08:00blogger.comwendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07175901673325771243noreply@blogger.com