Canada

I've been in Canada for a month. I always knew I loved where I live. I always knew it was beautiful. But really, I wasn't aware to the fullest extent. BC, and in particular Northern Vancouver Island, is gorgeous. I can't believe how much I've missed it.
I've been pretty frickin busy this past month. I was tired after travelling. Backpacking is not a holiday, it's actual work. You're constantly tired, always on the move. I usually spent only two nights in any given city. For some reason travel always seemed to start around the time the sun came up. It was awesome, I'll do it again, but it was tiring. Needless to say I was looking forward to coming home to Canada for a month so I could relax.
Hah.
This past month I've had a grand total of 3 days where I havn't had something to do. I've been to 150 Mile House for the weekend, the Lower Mainland twice, Whistler for a day, logging with my Dad for a day in Woss, to a fly-in logging camp with my Mom for 4 days, and numerous trips down to Courtenay for various lunches. It's been great. I've taken a lot of pictures to show my students. It's good that I have been busy. I've visisted with tons of people, hung out with my parents and cuddled my cats.
We had a surprise 50th birthday party for my Dad. That was a lot of fun. I saw my grandparents and Aunt from Alberta who I hadn't seen in a really long time. A lot of my parents friends didn't even recognize me (due in large part to the stupid darkness of my hair).
Anyways, I won't bore people with the details of my month. I shall just provide pictures with captions. I will also update Vietnam when I have more time...which will probably be when I'm in Korea.

mmm Tim Hortons. How I've missed you

Krista and Bryan at the Voodoo

The Nanaimo crew sans Sal - Christine, Jasmine, Tara and Krista

Christine and Tara

Jasmine and me

The family out for dinner for Bryans birthday

the majority of M.A.S.K. - Maria, Shay and me

My dad and Leah doing the twist at his 50th party

My mom, Bryan and my Auntie Anne

Leah and Bryan dancing

me dancing with my Uncle Charlie

me, Uncle Charlie and Dad

Uncle Dave, Auntie Marleen, Uncle Kevin and Auntie Kathy

Grandma Lorrie and Auntie Rita

me on the Canyon View Trail beside the Campbell River

my Grandpa's house - on wood cutting day

Bryan at Grandpa's

Sugar begging for cake

Grandpa

the view from Grandpas

view from grandpas

me and Bryan on the wood cut/moving day in the back of Grandpas

Bryan and Uncle Doug in the trailer - Uncle Charlie driving

Me on the beach. If it wasn't a cloudy day you could clearly see the Coast Mountains on the Mainland. Taken about a 15 minute walk from my house

The beach looking towards Campbell River. Quadra Island on the right.

Me and my Grandpa. Taken at his house in Comox. Hornby Island in the background.

Auntie Marleen, Me, my Mom. Taken at the Foreshore Park in Campbell River. One of the harbours and Quadra Island behind us.

A shithawk on a rock

A Krista on a rock

Beach looking towards the Riv

Taken at a road-stop on the Sea to Sky Highway on our way back from Whistler

Gone to Whistler for the day

Blackcomb Mountain...Whistler is beside it. Taken from Whistler Village.

Canyon View Trail - Campbell River

Canyon View Trail

Krista, Ange and Maria - visiting Ange in Vancouver

my first baby - Kobe Bryant

my big boy - Simon James

...and the baby girl - Felicia Marie (yes my cats have middle names...there's a long story behind it)

The plane mom and I took to the camp

a view from the plane

view from the camp. the tugboat and the boom sticks

Mom in the plane

Me in the plane!!

a bear....very far away and that's where it shall stay