A White Christmas!!

Wow! Lots to catch up on...

Ok. So… the day after I last updated, Sam’s parents and I drove round looking at Christmas lights in the area – I know there are always people who go overboard, in any country, but it’s just different here! When it’s cold and rainy and you’re all bundled up, holding hot chocolate (from Starbucks!) – it feels different! And of course, the snow…!

Saturday the 13^th was my office Christmas party and it was a restaurant in Vancouver, on Granville Island, so I stayed over at the hotel, cos no way on earth did I want to travel all the way back home after the party – and thank goodness! Cos it started snowing that night! We’re sitting, enjoying dinner, look out the window and lo-and-behold, flurries! We ended up walking back to the hotel which was an interesting experience all on its own!

These two pics are from that night – me in the beginning of the snow

(in my nice outfit, made for SA weather!) and my footprints on the way back to the hotel (yes, high-heels!!):

And if you look back to my 7 November post, you’ll see a photo of an avenue of trees with a bike rack in front – here’s that same spot after the first snowfall!!

Getting home was fun – took 3 hours with all the buses, etc, but I didn’t have to wait anywhere – the connections were immediate – it was great! I’m always amazed at how exhausted I get just sitting on a bus! I got home and discovered that it hadn’t snowed here – only Vancouver and Coquitlam – I think maybe Burnaby too, but a lot of it had melted by the time I went past.

Then back to work the next day and after that I had two days off!! Christmas shopping on Tuesday and Wednesday it snowed out here too!! So that was well-planned – I got to stay home on Wednesday and sort out presents and get laundry done etc. (!!)

Thursday and Friday back to work – it was a weird week for me! I got my days all confused, understandably, but it did make the week easier. Friday was our work gift-exchange and that was fun! I like the department I’m in – and I’m not just saying that in case they happen to be reading this!! :)

Ooohhhh – one thing I forgot to mention, the first weekend in December, Ray and Helena came over and Ray helped put the outside lights up and Helena put up the tree – I assisted! So the tree’s been up since the beginning of December! Sorry! :(

Back to last weekend… I don’t remember what happened – oh! Sam and I finished off some shopping and then met up with a friend of hers at a restaurant in Coquitlam to watch the hockey game (Canucks lost – again). It’s been snowing on-and-off for the last 2 weeks and luckily we got home before it got too bad that night. That Sunday was pretty much a family day – Ray and Helena and Sam’s aunt and uncle – it was great! We played “Taboo” which was hysterical!! Naturally, the A-team won!!

Three-day work-week for me again, but it snowed so badly on Tuesday night that I didn’t go to work on Wednesday. And thank goodness – Sam and I went out about midday: “to play in the snow” and we got soaked!! The snow on the way to the bus stop was knee-height – I’m so glad I didn’t have to wade through it that morning! I’d woken up at 5:30 to check the news and they’d closed roads downtown and it was snowing so heavily – I’ll be surprised if anyone went to work!

Anyway, so here are some pics of Sam and I in the snow – Sam made a snow angel!!

Left: in the distance behind me is my afternoon bus stop!! The 'cleared road' is now a full lane away from the curb!!

Right: all this snow on the right side of the photo? We trudged through that - it was cold...

Then it was off to friends for Christmas Eve dinner – we only got home in the early morning and up early to go over to Ray and Helena’s.

And the snow there – yikes!!

This is Ray and Sam outside – and this is after the snow’s been cleared a bit!!

(Bear in mind: Ray's about 6' 8"!!!)

Then off to family (well, Sam’s family, but they’ve all made me feel at home, I might as well call them family!) for Christmas dinner – and more “Taboo”, again the “A-team” won! (not my team this time… :) !)

Christmas was fun! I had a fantastic time! I was really spoilt by everyone and it was stuff that’s perfect for me!! I’m not going to post a long list, cos you really don’t need to know! But it’s been amazing. And much busier than any Christmas I’ve had before! Even the one I spent here 8 years ago didn’t feel as busy. Maybe cos I’ve been working this time and there’s had to be more organization! Whatever it is, I don’t mind! I’ve loved being here for this!

My family sounds like they’re all doing well – Dad’s been sending the most hysterical stories from home – making me cringe with embarrassment over my dog! I am missing my family so much. I know this has been good for me – especially as this is the longest I’ve ever been away from them all – but it’s still difficult. And always will be, I guess.

Ok, and now a few randomies – which I will hopefully be permitted to put up and not have them censored… :>

This was the "decorating weekend" - I love this photo of Ray and Helena!!

Yes, I admit to a certain fascination with trains... I wonder whose fault that was...!!

And me and my 'adopted' brother!!