Another Dinner Date...Online

I have another dinner date with Daniela tonight.  This time, to celebrate New Year's eve.

Another candlelight dinner.

Board Games In The Prairies

Earlier this Fall I discovered a group of people that get together about once a month to play board games.  I've been a few times, and we play some of my favourite games - Settlers, TTR, Carcassonne,  and Citadel.

We meet at a tea house, which is a bit of a downer, given the great atmosphere that coffee shops offer.  Trouble is, most coffee shops close early around here, 8pm.

Yesterday we played Carcassonne.  Friendly, unassuming people, mostly in my age group.  My guess is people who - like me - have a hard time fitting into the conventional categories of society: married with children.

Good group of people.  I'm thankful.

Panic - A Horrible Feeling

I went skiing today with Michelle.  We went to Wildwood Golf Course and skied for about 30 minutes - about 6 kms.  It felt great - I'm glad one of the first things I did when I moved to Saskatchewan was buying cross country skis!

I felt some chest pain while skiing though, and that concerns me.  I'm not sure where it comes from, but possibly swimming. Sometimes when I go swimming I feel a tremendous sense of panic and shortness of breath.  I try to push ahead and not give up when that happens, but it's a horrible feeling - like I'm drowning or something - when it happens.

I think I'm in worse shape physically than I thought.  I only swim 16 laps (about 500 metres) in total, but by the end I'm physically exhausted.  I don't consider myself a good swimmer, but 500 metres seems like so little.  Plus, it takes me 30+ minutes, 2 breaks included, to complete the swim.

Another thing that bothered me is the pace of my skiing.  I ski so slow.  Michelle is a good and steady skier, but she has skis that are like, 30 years old, and she seems to ski so effortlessly.  Her strides are so smooth, mine seem slow and laboured in comparison.

4+ Hours

I talked to Daniela for a super long time last night.  We started around 10pm, and didn't finish until after 2.

We actually had a dinner date.  We both cooked a meal, and ate it together: she in Sudbury, I in Saskatoon.  I prepared roasted vegetables and fish.

I lit a candle too.

We have so much to talk about.

Merry Christmas.

Alone At Christmas

It snowed today.  I'm glad to be here for Christmas...

I look forward to spending Christmas together with Daniela.  I just wish we lived in the city so we could enjoy each other's company...

I'm somewhat surprised at my indifference towards staying here and not going "home" to BC for Christmas.  Family is important, but family can also be the source of great stress, and at this point I feel that family contributes more alienation than belonging.

The source of this feeling of alienation that I have is definitely related to my feelings towards my mother.  It's hard to talk about it, it hurts.  How could I be so at odds with her?  How could thoughts about her generate so much heaviness of heart?

I don't feel respected.

Daniela

I sent Daniela the first note on October 16th.

Then Ms. Indian Head came in the picture.  Daniela seemed uninterested anyways.

Then I exited the Ms. Indian Head scene, and at about the same time, Daniela came back in.

Early December we started to talk on Skype.

And that has continued, every night, for the past few weeks.

We're planning to spend Christmas together.  And New Year's too.

I think of her all the time.

Photo

I figured out how to take a screen photo on my Mac, so yesterday while talking to Daniela I pressed the magic key-combo and took a picture.  Here's the result.  Gorgeous.

When she asked what that "Click" sound was, I said "I have no idea..."

Christmas Dinner With Coworkers

Same place as last year: Prairie Harvest Cafe.  Wonderful, I'm amazingly blessed to work with this group of fantastic people.  We have two new team members: Poonam and Jayci.  They just came to us within the last couple months, as Kirstin and Nicole moved away.

It feels like Christmas now.  Great food, great company, presents, laughter, and joy.  Thank you Lord for your continued presence in my life.  I bless and praise you forever!

Pirate Heart...Coming To Town!

Yesterday I spotted this sign:

Oh man, I'm SO looking forward to this concert.  She's going to blow off the roof with her gorgeous voice and piano playing.  I seriously cannot wait...

This is a coup for Saskatoon.

Visiting A Farm

I got to visit Deb and Dwight's farm today, an hour's drive south of Saskatoon.  Carla, Chris, Owen and I drove out there after work.

While there Dwight drove us around, showing us their property.  We were hoping to see some deer, but we only saw some from a distance.

We did see their livestock, horses (both, mini and tall).  The ones pictured below are mini.

It was the first time I was out in really cold weather this winter.  Winter's definitely here now...

After the tour Deb and Dwight fed us some hearty chilli.  Their household is busy, my goodness.  dogs everywhere, running around, chasing each other and anyone or anything else moving.  There were hedgehogs too, in one of the rooms.  The walls are busy too, every square inch covered in farming and ranching paraphernalia, pictures, and other kitsch.

But along with busyness comes life.  There was a rhythm present, a definite sense of life or of being alive. That was super refreshing.

Prairie hospitality is striking, noteworthy.

A Christmas Tradition

How I love Handel's Messiah!  It's truly a work that's stood the test of time, as I never get sick of it.  I listen to it for about two months a year: Advent, leading up to Christmas, and Lent, leading to Easter.

It's truly a treasure the church possesses.

I didn't take the picture below but it shows the context in which I enjoyed it tonight, at Knox United Church.

Sudbury

Last week I blogged about Indian Head, today I'm writing about Sudbury.  Even further away than Indian Head: 3 hours flight to Toronto, then another 1 hour flight, then another 45 minute drive.

But I think this time the motivations are good.  Well, at least better.

Of course, she's still online - how I detest the "online" thing, and yet, it seems to be the only way I can meet people nowadays - but I believe she's a great woman.

European.

Intelligent.

Quiet/thinker.

Younger.

Gorgeous.

Intriguing.

Soft.

Indian Head

A few weeks ago I met a beautiful woman online.  Christian.  But really messed up (I think); loves dogs more than people.

Anyways, I visited her 3 times in Indian Head.  3 hours' drive each time.

I'm attracted to her for all the wrong reasons.  It's obvious.

The things I do for women...

46

I turned 46 today.  My coworkers commemorated the event by presenting me with the t-shirt below.  I wore it proudly.  It reads "The older you get, the better you get - unless you're a banana."

Thanks Deb.

I look happy.  I feel happy.

So much of it has to do with St. Ann's.  My work mates are amazing.  The residents too.  I feel like won the lottery.

Thank you Lord - please continue to have mercy on me!  Amen.

Swimming

I started swimming on a regular basis a couple of months ago and I have to say that while it's a fantastic way to do exercise, I really hate it.  Other than the feeling of accomplishment that I get when my body's tired (and yet strangely energized) at the end of a session, there's very little about swimming that I like.

Most of the time the water temperature of public pools is too cold.

Swimming 50m, the length of the pool, seems like running a marathon.  I'm exhausted by the time I get to the end.  And that's just one length.  I still have to get back to my original starting point.  And then, do it another 14 times.

Every time I put my head underwater I feel like I'm going to drown.  Fifteen minutes into my routine I feel like my lungs are going to explode.

Anyways, all of this to say that when my 10-pack of tickets expires around Christmas time, I think I'm going to stop swimming.  Hopefully by then it'll be cold enough to go cross-country skiing.

Marco

Got a new roommate.  His name's Marco, he's a post-Doc from Italy.  Very smart, very likeable.

It's undeniable that having a housemate has been good for me.  It's made me come out of my shell and be more sociable.

Now, if only this sociable-ness would extend to women.  Not the ones on dating websites ... but the real ones, in flesh in blood...

Marco will work at a the UofS, at a newly formed food research centre.

Cajun

We're in a bit of a transition at work, as Nicole and Kirstin are leaving us.  Nicole's moving to Ontario with her partner, to take on a business there, while Kirstin's moving to BC, as her husband took on a job there.

Tonight was Nicole's going away.  She'd always wanted to try the local cajun restaurant, so she planned her going away dinner to be held here.

Oblate Vows

Today I made my noviciate vows to become a Benedictine Oblate.  This means that going forward, I'm to incorporate the values of ora et labora (prayer and work) into my daily life.  Lectio divina, or spiritual readings, is also part of my commitment to living the Christian life according to the Benedictine tradition.

This new commitment goes very well together with my previous gospel commitments of balance, change (continuous conversion), moderation, simplicity, and stability (commitment).  See this post for previous thoughts I had about becoming an Oblate

Looking back at the influence the Benedictines have had on me, it goes back quite a bit back.  Here's a post from almost 10 years ago that I wrote while working on an assignment at Regent.  It wasn't the beginning of my journey - that came probably 20 years ago when I visited Westminster Abbey in Mission for Easter Sunrise services - but still, it does give insight into the Benedictine way of life.

2015's turning out to be quite a significant year: joining the Catholic Church in April, and now becoming an Oblate.  God's name be praised, always!

Train Bridge

I went north of town today to reacquaint myself with my 40D camera.  I really enjoyed taking some pictures of the city from top of the bridge.

It was a clear and sunny day.  Chilly, but gorgeous.

Salsa

Made salsa today, from my own garden tomatoes.  It's a great feeling, planting, growing, harvesting, and then enjoying the fruits of your labour.

Nasser Gone

My good housemante couldn't find lasting employment here in Saskatoon, so he flew back to Tehran to spend time with his family before returning next spring to try getting an engineering job again.

It's been good to have a housemate.  I've learned to be more flexible, more open to change and divergent opinions.  And surprisingly, having another person around the house has lifted my spirits.  I don't feel so lonely anymore.  Therefore, I've decided that the best thing to do is to find another housemate.  Earlier this week I put up an ad on kijiji and craigslist.  We'll see how things go....

Harvesting My Garden

Below is a picture of what will likely be the last bit of harvesting of this summer's work:

I still have a few tomatoes left on the vine, but the cold may very well get the best of them.  The days are still warm and sunny, maybe 10-12C, but the nights are a different story...

I've had to cover the garden with tarps for a few weeks now, as the nights are getting to nippy.  My zucchini plant is still going too, but not much is growing.  In fact, the leaves are getting mouldy from the cold.

My New Guitar

I look happy don't I!  It's because of my new guitar!  It's a Yamaha CPX 500 III, shaped like a "concert" guitar.

I have no ambitions of becoming the next Slash, Jesse Cook or Paco de Lucia. I do want to learn how to play some basic chords and accompany hymn singing, maybe at work.  Down the road, if I like playing enough, I may buy a classical guitar and take flamenco lessons.

But for now, I'd be happy to learn the C, D, F, and G chords!

Kayaking Down The Saskatchewan River

My coworker Deb bought a kayak day trip at a fundraising auction a few months ago, and since  Dwight didn't want to go with her ("I ain't going in one of those coffins"), she invited me to go along.

Below are pictures from the trip.  It was a gorgeous Fall day, 21C, sunny with the occasional slight cloud cover.  We got into the kayaks around 10:15am, near Gardiner Dam, and kayaked 30+ kms all the way to Outlook, arriving there at 7pm.

I was done.  My arms were like noodles.  And my back, oh my, I sense some massage appointments coming up in the coming days and weeks...  

But what an experience!

Afterwards, Deb invited me to her home where Dwight had a meal all ready for us.  We had a good conversation over a lovely evening meal.  They're super hospitable.

Close to 10pm I made may way back to Saskatoon, arriving here after 11.

After having been on the west coast for 10 days, this was a good way to get back into the swing of things on the prairies.

Spiritual Care Retreat

Lumsden - a gorgeous place for a retreat.

Sunday Hike

I went hiking this afternoon.  Fall colours are beginning to show.

Practising Guitar

I got back from the west coast on Monday of this week, and I've quickly settled back into my Mon-Fri work routine.  It's nice to arrive on a Sunday and having Monday off work (Labour Day) as a way of getting resettled and organized for the rest of the work week.

I started learning guitar a few weeks ago.  I planned on having a instructor, but after finding out that they charge $25 for 30 minutes, I decided to do it for free instead, via DVD, at least until I know the basics.  So a friend of mine, Garnet, lent me the Steve Krenz dvd series, and I've been learning that way for the past month, and it's working for me.  This week, I practised 15-30 minutes every day.  I'm using two guitars, Garnet's old one, and one I borrowed from work.

The weather's noticeably cooler at night lately.  Summer's last few weeks are upon us.  Tomorrow I want to mow the lawn, do some gardening, and of course, play some more guitar.

A Little Piece Of Heaven

What a hike - today I saw a piece of heaven.

Eight of us met up shorty after 8am and took the 1 hour drive north to Garibaldi Lake.  And it was worth it, an appropriate "crowing" of a great two weeks spent on the west coast.

It took us 8 hours to hike around 22kms, but we took some well deserved breaks along the way to enjoy the company and the view.

Below are a few pics worth sharing... 

My favourite part of the hike is not necessarily teal-coloured Garibaldi lake and it's majestic surroundings, but rather, the meadows leading to it.  The pathways meander back and forth between flat and hilly areas with a smattering of douglas fir trees, before going on a final switch-back descent - yes, downhill, and now in a deep forested area - to the lake.  

And the view of Black Tusk is always awe-inspiring, inviting and challenging you to conquer it.  Inevitably, I, at least, end up saying to myself: "Next time..."

As always, Marty was the photographer par excellence with us.  Below, from left to right: Ruth, Benja, Marilu, Nancy, Anoush, Sanjit, cub, and Marty.

Once back in Vanvouver around 8, we went to eat some ramen noodles near Ruth and Marty's place.

It was my final day in Vancouver.  I hugged everyone good-bye, got into dad's SUV, and made my trip to Abbotsford where I'll spend my last evening on the west coast.

More Lunch ... And Games

Lamb sag, chicken tikka karahi, chicken dal, and of course the staples, rice and naan - that's my kind of lunch!

I met James and Scott there around noon....so good to catch up with them!  Scott's doing well, he's now the CEO of a company he helped establish, and James is on a 6-month sabbatical from his church.  His father passed away a few months ago, and so he's adjusting to a new reality - dealing with his own grief, but also trying to console his mother in her grief.

What struck me during our conversations was the route each of us took to get to where we are today.  We met in university, our paths diverged in 3 different directions, and yet, here we are, enjoying a good laugh once or twice a year.

Khalid took the picture below.

In the evening I met up with my soccerino friends and did the usual: eat, chat, and play games.  Benja, Sanjit, Alfonso, Vero and I met at Marcello's (like I needed any more food!) for dinner.  Vero and I shared a ginormous calzone.

Afterwards we (except for Vero) went to Ruth and Marty's where we played Rook.

Tomorrow early we're going hiking.

Lindeman Lake

After a late night out, I slept in until around 10am this morning.  Mom made me a wonderful waffle breakfast again, which I woolfed down while catching up with mom and dad.

Around noon I went to pick up Natasha, Dylan, and Priscila and went up to Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park for a hike.  We hiked up to Lindeman Lake, a 45 minute walk.  BC lived up to its hiking reputation: wet, grey, and dreary weather, a hike that got the heart pumping, and a sensual feast as a reward, with gorgeous trees and a see-through-water lake.  Oddly enough, the rain was actually quite nice.  Nothing like large, wet, juicy, rain drops landing on your neck and trickling down your shoulder...

 

After the hike we went back to their home, where I took a nap on the couch until Karin got home and made burgers for dinner.  Ted's away on a work trip, so I got the chance to catch up with Karin.  We talked about many things, family, relationships, kids, work, school, etc.

Around 9 o'clock Karin had to go to pick up Dylan from volleyball practise.  I went home and as usual, caught up on the daily events with my parents in their living room.

Board Games!

It was like being put in a time-travel machine and traveling back 3-4 years and enjoying one of my favourite events: Wednesday night board games.  How I've missed those!

A good crowd gathered, including a few people - Sandra and Tabea - I hadn't seen since moving to Saskatchewan.  Other than that, all the usual suspects were there: Benja, Sanjit, Anoush, Marilu, and of course, Ruth and Marty, who hosted us and served up their usual warmth and hospitality.  Alfonso came too which is great, as he recently moved back to his native Costa Rica and is just here to get his Canadian citizenship papers before returning home.

We played Bohnanza and Rook until well past midnight.  I didn't win, but I didn't come in last either.  I got caught up on all the stuff going on: Benja's returned to the west coast, Alfonso's getting married, Sanjit's looking for a job, Anoush has a new job and loves it...

We're planning a big hike for Saturday, most likely Garibaldi.

Violins And Monks

This afternoon dad and I drove to Mission to visit a friend of his who builds violins.  He showed us his studio and workshop, and also explained to us the process of building a violin (ie - type of wood and tools used, optimizing sound, etc..).  It was very interesting.  I think he charges around $4000 per violin, and has customers from as far away as Germany and the Ukraine.

After the tour, dad and I went to Westminster Abbey for a short visit.  We checked out the massive church, and also walked to the lookout.

Tomorrow I will go to Vancouver and spend some time with friends there.

Family Trips: A Glue That Bonds

One of the things I really like about our family is that we love going on outings together and that we do it frequently.  This is a family tradition that goes way back to my childhood and probably earlier.  I have great memories of going to places like San Bernardino, Jaragua do Sul, Curitiba, Florianopolis, Buenos Aires, and Bariloche as a child.

By the time we immigrated to Canada most of us kids were older and independent so that we didn't do trips that seem as impressive as the earlier ones, but still, virtually every year we visit places like Penticton and Oliver.

These sort of trips are good for a number of reasons: they give us a break from our ordinary routines, they enable us to see places other than home, and they build familial relationships.  Trips are in a way kind of compass that guides us all to remain in the same orbit, lest we should each go off on our own way, out of reach and touch with each other.  In our mobile and hurried world that's without a doubt the way things would go.

But the unspoken of factor in all of these trips is that dad always pays for them, and that he'll continue to do so, indefinitely.  And he's never complained about this assumption - in fact, he insists it remain this way.  Once, a few years ago while on a family trip to Penticton, I annoyed him royally by paying for the hotel stay.  He immediately issued me a cheque in return, instructing me to deposit it, as family matters like these were his domain.

But the truth is that if mom and dad didn't continually encourage us to go on these trips and pay for them, it's highly unlikely we'd continue them.  And this is not because we'd rather stay at home and watch tv - we don't.  It's just because as sibblings - not to mention in-laws, nephews, and nieces - I don't know if we could all come together and compromise for the greater good.  Coordinating and agreeing on destinations and dates would be quite problematic.  Our parents, in this sense, are a sort of glue that bonds us.

Today's expression of this tradition to go on outings was a daytrip to Harrison Hotsprings.  It's been awhile since I've been to Harrison; I'd forgotten how beautiful and peaceful it is there.