Over the next 4 months - as we travel through England, France, Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Switzerland and Austria we will be sharing our adventures with you. That's right. YOU!
Feel free to live vicariously through our blog or better yet, take a similar trip yourself.
To christen our travels we have begun a new blog in its honor. Please go there now as Angie and I will be updating it regularly. We even shelled out for a swanky new camera so you'll be able to see what we see, for the most part. We don't leave for another 23 days but the posting has already begun. Please visit us often and be liberal with your comments. It'll help us feel. .. connected. As far as this particular blog goes, it too will be taking 4 months off so please let it vacay in peace.
Many thanks to our good friend Kyle Nielsen for the excellent blog title. It looks good man.
See you in the New Year everyone! We hope to be back in Calgary so come visit us. The first 100 to do so will recieve travel vouchers. And by vouchers we mean sticks of gum or those little candy hearts.
http://www.closesineurope.blogspot.com/
John and Ang
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Pasty Olympians / Dining in Heaven
The Olympics ended with our country finally flexing their Canadian Beef. 18 medals is great and we should feel proud of our 300+ that laid off good food and TV for 4 years only to lose out on a medal by a fingertip and then get judged by their own blackberry carrying, escalator riding, uncultured, unfeeling, fatty countrymen. (dial 119 for the Harsh Police). Our Olympic athletes are heroes. Nothing less. Except for the 50km speed walkers. They're kinda wierd.
How is this an event let a lone an OLYMPIC event?? I watched it for like 40 min one day, it was a stay inside lazy day ok, and damn - its intense. I wondered at one point how a person might qualify for such an event, especially since it requires SO much skill. I've narrowed it down to 3 qualifications:
1. Must be white.
2. Must have been bullied all through grade school.
3. Must currently be homosexual.
Come to think of it, some of you could have qualified. Ha ha, jk.
Moving on now. (remember 119)
I'm not sure what to think of Heaven. I'm pretty sure Hell involves speed walking while listening to Joel Osteen podcasts but heaven, that's a mystery. Some think its a literal place, others think its a state of mind, others think its all around us while others think its a myth. I usually vascilate between all these things although after Sunday, heaven may be a little more clear.
As my family and I descended the stairs leading into our church fellowship hall the word surprise came flying toward us. We stopped dead when we realized that the 175 mouths were open and smiling directly at us. Turns out, our good friends Ty and Hope had thrown us an EPIC going away party and had invited all our dear friends. You can't prepare for moments like these. All I can say is it felt like Heaven as we walked into a thunderous applause before finally managing to take our seats. The night continued on wonderfully for another 3 hours and I haven't laughed and cried that much in a very long time. Besides all the great food, humbling words and Epic video by Ty, our church proved that money can grow on trees. We were able to use that money towards a 12 day mediterranean Cruise of a lifetime that will hit such cities as Rome, Florence, Naples/Pompeii, Athens, Olympia, Izmir and Istanbul, among others. Italy, Greece and Turkey. AHHHHHHHHHHHHH! (that's my excited scream). The most amazing thing about the cruise is we had really wanted to go to Greece and Turkey on our trip but had ruled it out due to the cost. We will always remember that night as the time we dined in heaven. And we will always be thankful for friends like the ones here. The kind that love you more than you deserve.
Thank you Maryvale. You had me at "you're hired."
John
How is this an event let a lone an OLYMPIC event?? I watched it for like 40 min one day, it was a stay inside lazy day ok, and damn - its intense. I wondered at one point how a person might qualify for such an event, especially since it requires SO much skill. I've narrowed it down to 3 qualifications:
1. Must be white.
2. Must have been bullied all through grade school.
3. Must currently be homosexual.
Come to think of it, some of you could have qualified. Ha ha, jk.
Moving on now. (remember 119)
I'm not sure what to think of Heaven. I'm pretty sure Hell involves speed walking while listening to Joel Osteen podcasts but heaven, that's a mystery. Some think its a literal place, others think its a state of mind, others think its all around us while others think its a myth. I usually vascilate between all these things although after Sunday, heaven may be a little more clear.
As my family and I descended the stairs leading into our church fellowship hall the word surprise came flying toward us. We stopped dead when we realized that the 175 mouths were open and smiling directly at us. Turns out, our good friends Ty and Hope had thrown us an EPIC going away party and had invited all our dear friends. You can't prepare for moments like these. All I can say is it felt like Heaven as we walked into a thunderous applause before finally managing to take our seats. The night continued on wonderfully for another 3 hours and I haven't laughed and cried that much in a very long time. Besides all the great food, humbling words and Epic video by Ty, our church proved that money can grow on trees. We were able to use that money towards a 12 day mediterranean Cruise of a lifetime that will hit such cities as Rome, Florence, Naples/Pompeii, Athens, Olympia, Izmir and Istanbul, among others. Italy, Greece and Turkey. AHHHHHHHHHHHHH! (that's my excited scream). The most amazing thing about the cruise is we had really wanted to go to Greece and Turkey on our trip but had ruled it out due to the cost. We will always remember that night as the time we dined in heaven. And we will always be thankful for friends like the ones here. The kind that love you more than you deserve.
Thank you Maryvale. You had me at "you're hired."
John
Monday, August 18, 2008
Shameful Canada
If it wasn't for the weekend, many would have called Canada's performace at this years' Olympics shameful. But thanks to our rowers and fiesty woman we have secured 9 medals in the span of 72 hours, finally surpassing Michael Phelps. If Canada continues its impressive roll, we could reach double digits before Bejing returns to its smog and human rights violations. Fingers crossed.
The Olympics celebrate the best one has to offer. Over the past 2 weeks, I've watched Canada's athletes give of theirs. Obviously not you say, else they'd won some more medals eh. Perhaps. Or. Perhaps not. When Mike Brown squeezed into his spandex last week (a process that takes 30 min) he wasn't competing against the Japanese Champion on his left and the Australian on his right. He was competing against the champion in the middle. (hint: its himself). All Mike was focused on was swimming faster then he had ever swam before knowing if he could just do that, he would have a shot at a medal.
The amazing thing about OUR Olympians is the majority of them have eclipsed personal bests while shattering Canadian records. Unfortunately, due to the stiff competition from the rest of the world, it hasn't always resulted in a medal. For instance, in the 200 metre breastroke Mike shattered the Canadian record yet still managed to miss a medal by .09 of a second. Point. Zero. Nine. A whole fingertip. In the 4x200 freestyle our 4 Canadian swimmers obliterated the Canadian record by 8 seconds yet still missed out on a medal.
Shameful? Really? Perhaps the shame lies with us.
John
The Olympics celebrate the best one has to offer. Over the past 2 weeks, I've watched Canada's athletes give of theirs. Obviously not you say, else they'd won some more medals eh. Perhaps. Or. Perhaps not. When Mike Brown squeezed into his spandex last week (a process that takes 30 min) he wasn't competing against the Japanese Champion on his left and the Australian on his right. He was competing against the champion in the middle. (hint: its himself). All Mike was focused on was swimming faster then he had ever swam before knowing if he could just do that, he would have a shot at a medal.
The amazing thing about OUR Olympians is the majority of them have eclipsed personal bests while shattering Canadian records. Unfortunately, due to the stiff competition from the rest of the world, it hasn't always resulted in a medal. For instance, in the 200 metre breastroke Mike shattered the Canadian record yet still managed to miss a medal by .09 of a second. Point. Zero. Nine. A whole fingertip. In the 4x200 freestyle our 4 Canadian swimmers obliterated the Canadian record by 8 seconds yet still missed out on a medal.
Shameful? Really? Perhaps the shame lies with us.
John
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
My Mom's up there
First off, Phelps is ridiculous. Nobody's that good.
Second, Canada is ridiculous. Nobody's that bad.
Third, my littlest Lex lost her first tooth the other night. We are a plastic only house and it was after 9pm when it happened so poor Lex got snubbed in the financial department. Oh and the Tooth Fairy doesn't work after 9pm either. (that was my excuse). Before you rain down the judgement, she was amply rewarded the following evening with a ziploc full of copper. Little Lex. Aww.
And now, the star of the blogning. . .My Mother. (Blogning, like evening but more fun)
My mom turned 60 today. That's a lot of life where I come from. Depending on how you look at things, she'll croak anyday or she's got a third left. For the record, I'm hoping for the latter, frogs are slimy. My mom is quite the specimen though. While most humans that age would be getting jacked about back menu specials she's just still perusing through lifes appetizers. In the past 5 years she has moved to another country, taken a high profile job at a university in the youth ministry department of all departments, completed a Masters degree and is currently halfway through a Doctorate program on her way to becoming a Shrinkette. Counselor. Plus she's competing in the Olympics. Fencing. You know what they say "the best fencer is a motha fencer." FYI -They are weird.
I've known my mom for 32 of her years and she's always been just what a son needs. If I was lacking confidence, she'd say I was the greatest, if it was 5am and I was hungry for some two eggs, she'd make em. If I was sick and had just puked all over her, my dad, their bed, she'd say "not to worry, I'll clean it up, you go back to bed." I always would you know. I always would. She was even there at my games to cheer loud enough so the other team could laugh and poke fun at me, the mother boy. It felt good. But her greatest gift was her listening ear. I was an immature messed up kid in my 12-31's so you can imagine the issues she was forced to help me deal with. No wonder she became a Shrinkette, decades of experience.
In the world of best mom's, mine's up there. Good and high.
Happy Birthday Mom. Don't burn down your house when you light the cake tonight.
Son
Second, Canada is ridiculous. Nobody's that bad.
Third, my littlest Lex lost her first tooth the other night. We are a plastic only house and it was after 9pm when it happened so poor Lex got snubbed in the financial department. Oh and the Tooth Fairy doesn't work after 9pm either. (that was my excuse). Before you rain down the judgement, she was amply rewarded the following evening with a ziploc full of copper. Little Lex. Aww.
And now, the star of the blogning. . .My Mother. (Blogning, like evening but more fun)
My mom turned 60 today. That's a lot of life where I come from. Depending on how you look at things, she'll croak anyday or she's got a third left. For the record, I'm hoping for the latter, frogs are slimy. My mom is quite the specimen though. While most humans that age would be getting jacked about back menu specials she's just still perusing through lifes appetizers. In the past 5 years she has moved to another country, taken a high profile job at a university in the youth ministry department of all departments, completed a Masters degree and is currently halfway through a Doctorate program on her way to becoming a Shrinkette. Counselor. Plus she's competing in the Olympics. Fencing. You know what they say "the best fencer is a motha fencer." FYI -They are weird.
I've known my mom for 32 of her years and she's always been just what a son needs. If I was lacking confidence, she'd say I was the greatest, if it was 5am and I was hungry for some two eggs, she'd make em. If I was sick and had just puked all over her, my dad, their bed, she'd say "not to worry, I'll clean it up, you go back to bed." I always would you know. I always would. She was even there at my games to cheer loud enough so the other team could laugh and poke fun at me, the mother boy. It felt good. But her greatest gift was her listening ear. I was an immature messed up kid in my 12-31's so you can imagine the issues she was forced to help me deal with. No wonder she became a Shrinkette, decades of experience.
In the world of best mom's, mine's up there. Good and high.
Happy Birthday Mom. Don't burn down your house when you light the cake tonight.
Son
Friday, August 08, 2008
The Olympics. Meh or Yeh.
Here's a riddle. They only come around every 4 years. The last one was 4 years ago. The next one begins today. What are they? Go here if you're not sure. And here.
I was awoken this morning by a middle child exclaiming "the Olympics, the Olympics are on." I rolled out of bed and headed for the living room just in time to catch the parade of athletes. A few minutes later Canada strolled out to a generous ovation. Thanks Beijing, unlike most schools, you had class today. My wife slunk into the room just in time to catch Canada and before long her Olympic tears began their quick descent down cheek mountain. I say her "Olympic tears" because every 2 years when the Olympics are on she wells up with emotion. It's strange actually. Let me explain by way of judgement and sarcasm.
I like sports. All kinds. If it was up to me they would always be on. The TV, the radio, even a live feed streaming directly into my retina. Angie on the other hand loathes them. She hates all the sports streams. For one, they "take her husband away from the family." But even more importantly "they are the most pointless thing on the planet not to mention a huge waste of time, money and effort." With that in mind, you can imagine my confusion each and every time the Olympic tears come out. She says its different. At least here they are competing for their country rather then for a cup or a team they'll ask to be traded from the following year. A solid point I must concede.
I rolled up to work this morning in my freshly washed car and once inside I began idle chit chat with the Administrative assistant. She used to be the secretary until human rights got involved. One of the things we chitted and chatted about was the said Olympics. I used my excitable voice when asking "the Olympics began today, are you gonna watch, are you, are you?" She replied, using her unimpressed voice -" no, I don't usually get into the whole Olympic thing but especially not this year when the host nation is guilty of crimes against their own people." A solid point I must admit, but still, its the Olympics.
Shortly after that TREMENDOUS let down I went online to check my morning Facebook. Once on, I engaged in some more idle chit chat with another she. A Chelshe. Using my excitable font I said "the Olympics are on." She said, and I quote, "OH, Meh." What is the deal with these silly women? Its the OLYMPICS. What do you mean MEH? I think Chelsey picked up on my horrified reaction which is why she said "its mostly the summer Olympics I don't like, the winter are ok." Wow. Chelsey is a fantastic wife to Peter, mother to Eva, follower of Jesus, photographer and friend/cousinkinda to me but when it comes to her Olympicness, wow girl, you're not off the hook, you're like so not fly or hot with it.
So yeah, the Olympics are on. Yeh!
John
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Saturday, August 02, 2008
My firsts
2.5 days. That's all I've been back for. Yet, in that time I've experienced 3 firsts. The first first was my house selling. Never before has that happened, ok sure, this is the first house I've owned but still… My second first is a daughter hitting double digits. No, I’m not talking about that gay roll the little ball up the ramp hoop game. My daughter turned 10. The third first is my beard. I think I'm growing one. I thought about shaving it off the other day but Angie piped up and said "I'm not a big fan of smooth baby faces; I like hair on my man." Thanks for waiting a decade to let me know babes. Kisses. It would be lame of me to drop 3 firsts without further explanation so here's a bit more. I'll go in reverse firsts order. The name’s Mr. Fun. Please to meet ya.
Now that I have a beard I feel a bit like the artsy thoughtful kid after receiving a ball glove from his clueless father. I don't grow cheek hair. I’m not that guy. I'm Mr. baby face. It's weird though, I feel like I need some sort of training or certification- at the very least a dependable grooming kit. Even if I get one, will I know how to use it? Or more importantly, when to use it? I fear I won't and I'll either wait too long becoming the dirty gross dude or I'll trim too soon and just confuse people – making them wonder if I'm just lazy. It's important I figure this out because the line separating white trash from sexy bad boy to distinguished mature beard man is only a shadow away. And as of right now, I'm not sure which image is worse.
I mentioned my daughter turned 10. She did indeed, July 31. It's weird having a daughter so old. I feel a bit like the artsy thoughtful kid after recieving a bat from his clueless father. I don't have kids in double digits. That's for old guys with beards. Oh I see now. I remember when Maddison was born. I was 22 and felt like a kid myself so seeing my own was amazing. I had wanted the name Maddison for a girl but Angie wasn't convinced until she saw her. I remember we chose the name Maddison because we wanted something unique. I know but seriously, in 1998 Maddison wasn't the household name it became in 1999. That was annoying.
I was still in school when Maddie was born and Angie worked half days doing home care so I was able to spend lots of time with her. We snuggled, read books, played games, went for walks and watched Pooh and Friends. She was a fantastic baby, the kind you could take out in the world. I remember one time, when she was like 6 weeks old, we took her to the theatre because we wanted to see the summer blockbuster Armageddon. To this day, it’s still the loudest movie I've seen yet Maddie slept through the entire thing. It was then I knew God had smiled on me. Or something. The truth is, Maddie is quite something. She is not the typical girl or even 10 yr old girl. She prefers reading and learning to most everything else and when all the other girls were dreaming of becoming a princess she dreamt of Archaeology. Truth be told she reminds me a lot of Rory from the Gilmore Girls. Maddie still maintains she’s gonna be an Archaeologist, which makes sense because both her parents had similar dreams. Europe is gonna rock her little world. All our worlds.
My last first was our house selling. I'd be a liar if I said it was a stress free process. Calgary has the reputation of being boom town which is fine if it was still 2005 but it's 2008 and the boom is over which only means KABOOM "nobody wants to pay good money for your house John and Angie." We listed our house after May long and in the end had to come down 25g's to get it done. BTW - if you have ever considered moving to Calgary, now's the time. You'll find hundreds of "motivated" sellers.
The good news though is we did sell which means our plans to travel are no longer just plans but reality. That being said, we did take a hit so we'll be cutting our trip in half, putting off Asia for another day. As disappointing as that is, we still get to travel Europe for 4 months so please save your empathy for Africa. We fly out September 19 and we should arrive back in Calgary mid January. From there nothing is for sure but I could see us ending up on the West Coast.
A lot of firsts this week. It’s been good.
John
Now that I have a beard I feel a bit like the artsy thoughtful kid after receiving a ball glove from his clueless father. I don't grow cheek hair. I’m not that guy. I'm Mr. baby face. It's weird though, I feel like I need some sort of training or certification- at the very least a dependable grooming kit. Even if I get one, will I know how to use it? Or more importantly, when to use it? I fear I won't and I'll either wait too long becoming the dirty gross dude or I'll trim too soon and just confuse people – making them wonder if I'm just lazy. It's important I figure this out because the line separating white trash from sexy bad boy to distinguished mature beard man is only a shadow away. And as of right now, I'm not sure which image is worse.
I mentioned my daughter turned 10. She did indeed, July 31. It's weird having a daughter so old. I feel a bit like the artsy thoughtful kid after recieving a bat from his clueless father. I don't have kids in double digits. That's for old guys with beards. Oh I see now. I remember when Maddison was born. I was 22 and felt like a kid myself so seeing my own was amazing. I had wanted the name Maddison for a girl but Angie wasn't convinced until she saw her. I remember we chose the name Maddison because we wanted something unique. I know but seriously, in 1998 Maddison wasn't the household name it became in 1999. That was annoying.
I was still in school when Maddie was born and Angie worked half days doing home care so I was able to spend lots of time with her. We snuggled, read books, played games, went for walks and watched Pooh and Friends. She was a fantastic baby, the kind you could take out in the world. I remember one time, when she was like 6 weeks old, we took her to the theatre because we wanted to see the summer blockbuster Armageddon. To this day, it’s still the loudest movie I've seen yet Maddie slept through the entire thing. It was then I knew God had smiled on me. Or something. The truth is, Maddie is quite something. She is not the typical girl or even 10 yr old girl. She prefers reading and learning to most everything else and when all the other girls were dreaming of becoming a princess she dreamt of Archaeology. Truth be told she reminds me a lot of Rory from the Gilmore Girls. Maddie still maintains she’s gonna be an Archaeologist, which makes sense because both her parents had similar dreams. Europe is gonna rock her little world. All our worlds.
My last first was our house selling. I'd be a liar if I said it was a stress free process. Calgary has the reputation of being boom town which is fine if it was still 2005 but it's 2008 and the boom is over which only means KABOOM "nobody wants to pay good money for your house John and Angie." We listed our house after May long and in the end had to come down 25g's to get it done. BTW - if you have ever considered moving to Calgary, now's the time. You'll find hundreds of "motivated" sellers.
The good news though is we did sell which means our plans to travel are no longer just plans but reality. That being said, we did take a hit so we'll be cutting our trip in half, putting off Asia for another day. As disappointing as that is, we still get to travel Europe for 4 months so please save your empathy for Africa. We fly out September 19 and we should arrive back in Calgary mid January. From there nothing is for sure but I could see us ending up on the West Coast.
A lot of firsts this week. It’s been good.
John
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